Gastonia City Council Meeting - May 7, 2024: Budget, Transit Fare, Stormwater Plan
Gastonia City Council Meeting - May 7, 2024: Budget, Transit Fare Increase, Stormwater Plan
The Gastonia City Council met on May 7, 2024, at 6:00 PM for its regular meeting. The session opened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Council approved the agenda and minutes. Proclamations recognized Peace Officer Memorial Week (May 12-18), Lupus Awareness Month, Public Works Week (May 19-25), and the ACE Program for Robinwood Village. The 12-item consent agenda was approved after discussion. The regular agenda featured a public hearing and presentation of the FY 2024-2025 proposed budget, a transit fare increase public hearing, approval of the stormwater management plan, and an ARPA projects update. Public comment addressed the council vacancy and budget concerns. The meeting concluded with reports and announcements.
Consent Calendar
- Approved 12 items including proclamations for Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month and National Cities, Towns and Villages Month.
- Resolutions for final plat for Enclave at Cramer Woods Phase 2, acceptance of Huntsmoor Drive Sewer Extension, FY24-25 budget for Gastonia Conference Center, contract for 60 Motorola radios ($349,909), contract for Crowders Creek WWTP DAFT skimmer parts ($98,459.72), setting public hearing for West Harrison Avenue closure, stormwater fund transfer ($20,399), revenue recognition for sidewalk projects from FTA ($1,772,041), March 2024 financial report, and contract for security camera storage ($404,000).
- Discussion: Technology Director Chris responded that the 60 radios replace failing units at $5,381 each; City Attorney Smith clarified the West Harrison property is owned by an asset management firm; the security storage device provides 750 TB and meets 30-day retention requirements.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Public Expression (6 speakers):
- Jim Pass, Roberta Bell, and Stephanie Franks urged appointment of Robert King to the vacant Ward 1 council seat, citing his 2021 majority in Ward 1 and qualifications.
- Daniel Baucom reported a racial slur graffiti on a commercial building; City Manager said the city would investigate.
- Mark Sollers criticized non-essential spending (meals, vehicles, clothing) and challenged council to cut at least $5 million again; he argued residents are overburdened.
- Mike Camborella called for line-item scrutiny, noting a $50 million increase in the proposed budget; he demanded cuts to vacant positions and other waste.
- Public Hearing on FY 2024-2025 Budget:
- Mark Sollers questioned why council didn't seek cuts; he repeated objections to perks and the solid waste subsidy.
- Mike Camborella called the budget a wish list and urged council to prioritize needs.
- Public Hearing on Transit Fare Increase: o additional speakers; hearing was closed.
Discussion Items
- Awards and Ceremonies: Police Chief Trent Conard reported 135 peace officers killed in 2023 nationally and 3 in North Carolina; he thanked the council for support. Public Works Director Dale Denton highlighted infrastructure: 700+ miles water lines, 662+ miles sewer lines, 458 miles streets, 170 miles storm drains, 17,000 street signs, 141 signalized intersections, 115 miles sidewalk, 145 city buildings.
- Arts Committee Report: Councilwoman Stepp presented on the economic impact of the arts by Leslie Lee: U.S. arts contributed 4.3% of GDP ($1.1 trillion); in North Carolina, $2.23 billion economic activity and over 20,000 jobs; in Gaston County, $25.54 per person per event. Committee approved a performing arts show for late fall (targeting students) and placement of stretch art at Irwin Center.
- Budget Presentation: City Manager Michael Peoples proposed a $346 million total budget with no property tax rate increase (47 cents). Key elements:
- 7.5% water/sewer increase (average customer $5.44/month).
- Solid waste fee from $11 to $14 (cost of service $26.84, subsidized by general fund).
- No electric rate increase; rate study underway.
- 73% of general fund on compensation/benefits.
- $1.66 million for state-mandated retirement increases.
- Health deductible increase with HSA contribution rise.
- New positions funded by enterprise funds.
- Discussion: Council debated the solid waste subsidy, budgeting for vacant positions (City Manager defended 100% budgeting), and state-mandated costs. Mayor noted 30 police vacancies are not intentional.
- Transit Fare Increase: Director Randi Gates reported survey of 32 respondents: 3 excited, 14 neutral, 6 concerned, 9 unhappy. Proposed increase from $1.25 to $2.00 (senior from $0.60 to $1.00), last increase in 2015. Microtransit rollout with 5 minivans delivered; staff transitions ongoing. Council expressed support.
- Stormwater Management Plan: Administrator Danon Lawson presented the 32-page draft plan required for NPDES MS4 permit renewal. Gastonia is a Phase II community (under 100,000 population) but expected to reach Phase I (>100,000) with growth. Plan covers six minimum measures. City also provides stormwater maintenance on rights-of-way, unique in North Carolina. Council approved the plan unanimously.
- ARPA Projects Update: City Manager reported $15.66 million received, nearly $10 million spent. Completed projects include playgrounds, golf bridge, public health. In progress: Linwood Springs development, restroom at Caramont Health Park ($750,000), Walker E. Reid Park, various technology upgrades. Pending: $750,000 for Greer Middle School artificial turf, $314,573 for affordable housing, $250,000 for workforce development. Council amended the ARPA ordinance unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted all proclamations and recognitions (unanimous). o- Approved consent agenda (unanimous).
- Closed public hearings on budget and transit fare.
- Approved the draft Stormwater Management Plan (unanimous). o- Approved the transit fare increase (to be included in June 4 fee schedule) (unanimous).
- Amended the ARPA ordinance (unanimous). o- Final budget adoption scheduled for June 4, 2024.
- Next regular meeting: May 21, 2024 at Gaston County Courthouse.
Meeting Transcript
Myself and the city council, I would like to welcome you to our May the 7th, 2024 meeting. I will now call the meeting to order. At this time we'll have the uh invocation. I would like to uh ask for Rehman and Mark Epstein to come on up. Um this is in uh regards to what's going on in uh the world in uh Israel and in Palestine. And uh these gentlemen are with me on on the trialogue. Uh we meet on a monthly basis, and I ask them to come and pray um for what's transpiring and also uh for a blessing on the council. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Gallagher and Mr. Mayor and members of council. Thank you for the opportunity to be in front of you, of us both here today. Uh our two communities are under a kind of duress that we have not felt since 9-11 in the wake of that, in some ways worse, when you think about the proportionality and the difficulty that we each experience personally, friends, family, and so on. I have a blessing I'll read in Hebrew and I'll translate it in English and then turn it over to Rafat. Shalom Rav Alamecha Tasim La Shalom. Kya Tahu Mela Kadonakol Hashalom. Butova Nechal of Arecha eta Mecha Amim the call eight re cole Shanableshomecha Tadu Nai Amvorekh et amo shalom. Grant us peace, your most precious gift, eternal source of peace, and give us the will to proclaim its message to all the peoples of the earth. Bless this country that it may always be a stronghold of peace and its advocate among the nations. Health and happiness within its homes, strengthen the bonds of friendship among the inhabitants of all lands, and may the love of your name hallow every home and every heart. Praise you, O God, source of peace. Cause peace to reign among all of us, all of the world, all peoples, and to that we say. Amen. Thank you, Mark. I would like to read it in Arabic, and I will translate as well. Smillah Rahman Rahim. O say we believe in God and what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Eshmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the descendants of Jacob, and what was given to Moses and what was given to Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one another, and to God we submit. Behold, firmly to the robe of God, all together, and do not become divided, and remember the favor of God upon you. When you were enemy, he brought your hearts together, and you became by his favor and by his will, brothers, and you were on the edge of a fire pit, a fi a fire pit, and he saved you from it. Thus, God make a clear verses for your guidance. Amen. Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen. Appreciate it. Councilman Gallagher, or uh Councilman Odom will now lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Each of you should have the agenda in front of you. Are there any corrections, additions, or deletions to the agenda as presented? I move we adopt the agendas presented. Second. Seconded by Councilwoman Barber. All those in favor. Next, we need to approve the amendment, the minutes. We have two sets, the budget outlook work session on April 15th, 2024, and the regular city council meeting on April 16th, 2024. Move to approve both uh budget sessions there. Second. Seconded by Councilman Curling, Mayor Pro Tim Curling. All those in favor. It's unanimous. Moving on, we'll go to awards ceremonies and promotions.
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