Gastonia City Council Meeting – June 4, 2024

The Gastonia City Council met on June 4, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included the adoption of the FY 2025 budget, a public hearing on a street closure, updates on storm response from the May tornadoes, and the process to fill the vacant Ward 1 council seat. The council also approved a $300,000 budget amendment for mutual aid storm costs and voted 5–1 to place a referendum on the November ballot to restore at-large voting for all council seats.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Proclamation recognizing National Pollinator Week (June 17-23, 2024).
• Approved Resolution to recognize additional hotel occupancy tax ($150,000) to the Gastonia Tourism Development Authority with budget amendment.
• Awarded contract to Willis Engineers for Duhart Pump Station and Force Main Project (not to exceed $490,000).
• Adopted resolutions directing the clerk to investigate a petition and setting a public hearing for annexation of 229.3 acres on Camp Rotary Road (June 18, 2024).
• Accepted April 2024 Monthly Financial Report.
• Supported grant application to U.S. DOT Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program for the Garrison LEARNS Project.
• Voted to cancel the July 2, 2024 City Council meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

Eight citizens spoke during the public expression period (limited to four minutes each).

• Clark Simon: Expressed concern about State Representative Donnie Loftus's letter influencing the Ward 1 appointment, calling it inappropriate and urging the council to make an independent decision.
• Mark Sollers: Criticized the proposed FY2025 budget, citing a $50 million increase, higher utilities and trash fees, and excessive spending on city government expansion. Proposed cuts to non-essential spending and economic development grants.
• Roberta Fail: Advocated for appointing Robert King to the Ward 1 seat, noting he won the majority of votes in the 2021 election and is highly qualified. Argued Mr. King is not being given a fair chance.
• Mike Tamborella: Stated citizens cannot afford the $50 million budget increase and called the budget proposal shameful.
• Jack Kaiser: Urged the council to follow the process for the Ward 1 appointment without outside political pressure, and highlighted that the charter change reduced his voting power by 83%.
• Jessica Torres (Bessemer City resident): Complained about predatory towing from her mobile home park, high fees ($1,910 to retrieve vehicles), lack of water quality, and tornado damage not being addressed by management.
• Ashland Holland (Hickory Village resident): Detailed similar towing issues, raw sewage, dirty water, 50% rent increases, and lack of repairs. Said vehicles are towed to South Carolina and charged exorbitant fees.
• Raquel Vargas (Hillside Village resident): Described towing harassment, high cash-only payments (up to $3,500), threats of eviction from management, and inadequate parking. Urged the council for help.

Discussion Items

• Street Closure (H.1): Public hearing on closing an unopened portion of West Harrison Avenue. No public comments. Staff recommended approval. The council approved unanimously.
• FY 2025 Budget Adoption (H.2): City Manager Michael Peoples presented the $346 million budget, noting a general fund increase of about 6%, no tax rate increase (rate reduced to 47 cents), and a 7.5% water/sewer fee increase and $3/month solid waste fee increase. Council discussed the complexity of the budget and that the $50 million increase includes capital projects and pass-through grants. The budget for operating, capital projects, and CDBG was approved unanimously.
• Consolidated Fee Schedule (H.3): Approved the FY2025 fee schedule, including water/sewer (7.5% increase), solid waste ($3/month), parks and recreation increases, and utility deposit changes. Council noted fees remain competitive. Approved unanimously.
• Storm Response Update & Budget Amendment (H.4): City Manager presented drone footage and photos of tornado damage from May storms. Over 18,000 electric customers were without power; 30+ poles broken; Bradley Park and Sims Park severely damaged. A budget amendment of $300,000 was approved to pay mutual aid costs from Rock Hill, Gaffney, and Concord electric departments. Approved unanimously.
• Ward 1 Vacancy Appointment Process (H.5): City Attorney Ashley Smith outlined the process. Each council member submitted their top four choices. The top five candidates were selected for interviews: Robert King, Chad Gorley, Pierre Crawford, Joe Raimi, and Demetrius Kay. The interview order was drawn: 1) Robert King, 2) Chad Gorley, 3) Joe Raimi, 4) Pierre Crawford, 5) Demetrius Kay. The special meeting for interviews was set for June 17, 2024, at 5:30 PM in the council chamber. Council also set a June 12, 2024, at 5:00 PM deadline for submitting interview questions to the city attorney.
• City Attorney's Report - Referendum on Voting System: Discussion on placing a referendum to restore at-large voting for all council seats on the November ballot. Council members expressed concerns about the state delegation's actions. A motion to proceed with the referendum passed 5–1. Council directed the city attorney to prepare a resolution of intent for the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimously adopted the FY 2025 annual budget (operating, capital projects, and CDBG).
• Unanimously approved the FY 2025 consolidated fee schedule with water/sewer and solid waste fee increases.
• Unanimously approved a $300,000 budget amendment for storm-related mutual aid costs.
• Selected five candidates to interview for the Ward 1 council vacancy; interviews set for June 17, 2024.
• Voted 5–1 to place a referendum on the November ballot to change the city council election system back to at-large voting.
• Directed the city attorney to draft a letter to county commissioners and the state delegation regarding predatory towing issues raised by public speakers.
• Council directed staff to explore alternative payment methods (cash) at the Urban Center pool after children were turned away due to cashless policy.