Gastonia City Council Regular Meeting – June 18, 2024
Gastonia City Council Regular Meeting – June 18, 2024
The Gastonia City Council held its regular meeting on June 18, 2024, beginning at 6:00 PM. The meeting included awards and recognitions, several presentations, public hearings on annexation and rezoning, a vote to fill a vacant Ward 1 council seat, and various reports. Key actions included adoption of the GoGastonia microtransit introductory promotion (4-2), approval of a 450‑unit subdivision on Camp Rotary Road, denial of a rezoning request (5-1), and the unanimous appointment of Dimitri Cusopius to the Ward 1 seat.
Awards & Recognitions
- Plaque presentation to Mr. Jim Stewart for 11 years of service as a Gastonia Planning Commissioner. Councilman Jim Gallagher presented a key to the city and praised Stewart’s design of many city buildings. Mr. Stewart noted he has witnessed Gastonia’s growth since 1941 and expressed gratitude.
- Recognition of the 2024 Gastonia Municipal Citizens Academy graduates: 18 graduates completed 10 sessions (over 30 total hours) covering all city departments. Four graduates (Shay Adams, James M. Bennett Jr., Sierra Hall, Michael Tucker) shared experiences of increased understanding of city operations and a renewed sense of community. The program aims to create informed citizen ambassadors.
Presentations
- Community Awareness Program: Raven Delk, Miss Mount Holly 2024, presented her “Build Your Future” initiative promoting purpose‑powered STEAM education through a children’s book, student workshops, and microgrants. She noted the Miss Mount Holly organization’s focus on scholarship and service.
- City of Gastonia 4th of July Celebration: Event planner Christine Ingle announced the July 4 celebration from 5‑9:30 PM at the downtown Rotary Pavilion. Last year over 12,000 unique cell phones were pinged. Features include live music (Black and Blue Experience), 15 food trucks, 50+ vendors, three sponsors (Caromont Health, Viva Chicken, Bubba’s 33), and a white‑wing eating contest. Fireworks at 9:30 PM.
- GoGastonia Microtransit Launch Update: Transportation Director Randi Gates presented the new on‑demand microtransit system launching July 1. The service covers the entire 50 sq mi city limits (replacing limited fixed routes covering 22 sq mi). Fares: $2 regular, $1 elderly/disabled, children under 5 free. Service hours: Mon‑Fri 5:30 AM‑6:30 PM, Sat 8 AM‑6 PM. Bookings via app, website, or call center. Fourteen vehicles (four wheelchair‑accessible) with a 15‑20 minute wait time goal. Council approved (4‑2) a resolution offering first 10 rides free for new accounts, with a 30‑day enrollment window and no expiration on the rides themselves.
Public Expression
- Jonathan Fletcher (127 Halifax Ct), candidate for Register of Deeds and past GOP chair, criticized the city’s policy prohibiting political vendors at city events (e.g., July 4, Gas and Max Festival). He requested a copy of the policy and urged the council to change it, arguing it restricts political speech and voter education. He noted a letter from the NCGOP had been sent to the city attorney.
- Clark Simon (311 W 10th Ave) addressed the Ward 1 vacancy. He accused state legislator Mr. Loftus of attempting to influence the appointment through a letter, calling such outside pressure undemocratic. He urged the council to make a fair choice free from external influence.
Committee Reports – Utilities Committee
- Award of AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) Project Management Contract: Council unanimously approved a contract with Metersys LLC for project management and implementation of AMI for 35,000‑40,000 electric and water meters. The 32‑month project includes 35 gateways, software integration, and organizational change management. Benefits include 720 water reads/month, 15‑minute electric interval reads, leak detection, and outage management.
- Revised Policy for Extending Water & Sewer Facilities by Assessment: Council adopted a revised policy (first update since 1999) requiring property owners petitioning for water/sewer extensions to pay 100% of construction costs. The city continues to provide design, bid oversight, and project management. Council members discussed impacts on involuntarily annexed residents; staff noted flexibility for unique circumstances. Vote: unanimous.
Consent Agenda
The amended consent agenda (approved unanimously) included:
- Addition of item I.1a: appropriation of $13,000 from general fund to Solid Waste Fund for yard waste collection.
- Removal of item I.1: Resolution of Intent to Amend City Charter (regarding at‑large elections).
- Remaining items: recognition of $82,056 in surplus/insurance proceeds, contract for pavement modeling ($140,000), traffic ordinance amendments, interlocal police attorney agreement, and the solid waste transfer.
Regular Agenda (Public Hearings and Votes)
- J1 & J2 – Annexation and Rezoning of Linwood Subdivision (~229 acres, Camp Rotary Road):
- Public hearing: Family representative Ella Long spoke in favor of developing the family farm. Developer Mark McCauley (Suncrest) and engineer Katie Bradley described a 450‑unit single‑family subdivision targeting active adults, with 60 acres of preserved open space, clubhouse, pool, dog park, pickleball courts, public greenway trails, and traffic‑calming roundabouts. Density is 1.97 units/acre. A traffic impact analysis requires off‑site road improvements (listed in discussion). Planning Commission recommended approval 6‑2. Council voted unanimously to close the hearing and approve the annexation and rezoning to PD‑RRDD.
- J3 – Rezoning of 1801 E. Franklin Blvd (0.445 acres from C1 to C3):
- Public hearing: Applicant Tom McFall requested C3 general business to attract more tenants for the existing building. Planning Commission had denied it 6‑0. Staff cited incompatibility with the adjacent residential neighborhood and the lack of use restrictions in C3. Council discussed the risk of intensive by‑right uses. Motion to deny passed 5‑1 (one abstention counted as affirmative per rules, but the lone opposition was noted; final tally 5‑1).
- J4 – Nomination and Voting to Fill Ward 1 Vacant Council Seat:
- After presentations from five finalists the previous night, council first nominated Robert King; the vote was tied (3‑3). Councilwoman Barber then nominated Dimitri Cusopius (Coach K); the motion carried unanimously. Cusopius was sworn in immediately and took his seat on the dais. Council extended congratulations and encouraged other applicants to remain active in the community.
City Manager’s Report
City Manager Michael Peoples reported:
- Yard waste collection catch‑up underway thanks to the budget amendment.
- Fitch bond rating for utilities: AA+ with positive outlook.
- Payment kiosks at three food distribution sites (Garrison, New Hope, Hudson) plus Wild supermarket and Garland (awning pending) starting July 1.
- City received a $1.5 million Golden Leaf grant for the Apple Creek Sewer project (joint with Gaston County).
Council Reports
Council members gave brief reports on community events:
- Councilwoman Dr. Curlin attended the United Way Annual Meeting and hosted Dream Center Academy students.
- Councilwoman Step celebrated the Senior Games (11 events, 4 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) and encouraged participation.
- Councilman Odom participated in a Myrtle School community cleanup and a Juneteenth garden project.
- Councilman Gallagher joined the Keep Gastonia Beautiful cleanup.
- Councilman Barber and others highlighted Juneteenth celebrations.
- New councilman Dimitri Cusopius thanked the council and pledged to listen and learn.
Key Outcomes
- Approved GoGastonia promotional resolution (10 free rides, 30‑day enrollment) (4‑2).
- Awarded AMI project management contract to Metersys (unanimous).
- Adopted revised water/sewer extension policy (unanimous).
- Approved voluntary annexation and rezoning for Linwood Subdivision (unanimous).
- Denied rezoning of 1801 E. Franklin Blvd to C3 (5‑1).
- Appointed Dimitri Cusopius to fill Ward 1 council seat (unanimous).
- Approved consent agenda and budget amendments (unanimous).
- Moved into closed session at the end of the meeting to consult with the city attorney on legal matters.
Meeting Transcript
You did it when we started it and the Citizens Academy and now we're gonna let you end it. Thank you, Mayor Franks. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God and invisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, ma'am. Each of you should have your agenda in front of you. Are there any corrections, additions, or deletions to the agenda as presented? Mr. May? Sir? Mayor Pro Tim. I'd like to make some uh recommended changes to the agenda. Let me state that again with my microphone on. I'd like to make some changes to the agenda. The uh the first item is gonna be in addition to the agenda under the uh consent agenda, and uh this would be added as the first item. We'll call it item one point a and it's appropriate general fund balance and transfer to solid waste with budget amendment number 242053. My second recommendation is to on the same consent agenda to uh pull item I point one, uh which is the resolution of intent to consider an ordinance amending the city of Gastonia charter to provide that all candidates shall be nominated and elected by all the qualified voters of the city, and the third item I would like to place at the beginning of the regular agenda, and this would be the uh voting on the nomination for a ward one uh candidate to replace um or fill the the open seat at this time. We have a duly uh made motion. Do we have a second? Second, but I got a question. Can we make that last motion that you made at the end of the meeting? Um let's get clarification on that. Um Mr. Smith, would you like to explain what transpires at the time of this nomination and possible election of a new ward one sure council person? If you if you um vote to appoint the replacement for ward one at the beginning of the regular agenda, that person is entitled to be sworn in right then if he or she she so chooses, and then they're gonna have to come up on the dais and listen to these three zoning, uh two zoning and one annexation thing and vote on them. Um so you may want to move it to the end of the regular agenda, or uh you can ask that person if they want to wait and be sworn in at a later event with their family and friends present and and uh the the way it's normally done after election, but that would be their choice. They could be sworn in as soon as the vote is taken. That that being said, I I don't think I would like to impose upon that individual uh to have to sit on the dais and and act upon uh material that we have yet to uh well that that person has yet to consider. So I'll modify my uh recommendations to move that uh item of uh the voting for the ward one candidate uh will make that J4, which would be at the end of the regular agenda. And we're gonna have a closed session too, please, Mr. And also uh expect a closed session at the end of the regular meeting. And I second that. We have an amended motion. We have a second to the amended motion, and there's one other question. One other question. I I have a question because I I didn't quite hear um yeah what you said. Um did you say something relevant to I one? I just heard qualified voters of the city. Uh I I said we would actually remove that from the agenda this evening. Okay. I just uh I missed I couldn't hear for some reason I couldn't hear. Um I just heard qualified voters. So you're we've added two things and we want to remove you want to remove I one. Right. Okay. I'm good. Do we have any more discussion or any more questions? All those in favor. It's unanimous. Thank you. Next on the agenda is the approval of two sets of minutes from the special city council meeting on June the fourth, 2024, and the regular city council meeting on June the fourth, 2024.
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