Gastonia City Council Regular Meeting – August 6, 2024

The Gastonia City Council met on August 6, 2024, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included presentations from the 2024 summer interns, public comments on transportation and property issues, approval of a consent agenda (with one item struck), a committee report, and unanimous approval of a contract for the Catawba Creek Greenway Southeast Extension. Council members also expressed appreciation for retiring staff and announced upcoming events.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda as amended, striking Item H.12 (Resolution to Oppose Charlotte Water Interbasin Transfer Certificate Modification).
• Approved the minutes from the July 16, 2024 regular meeting.
• Approved Consent Agenda Items H.1 through H.11, including:
  • H.1: Transfer of maintenance of Titus Green Drive to public maintenance.
  • H.2: Final recording plat for Cramer Estates Phase 3.
  • H.3: Offer to purchase 105 W. Second Ave. for $26,140.
  • H.4: Award contract for Linwood Springs Park playground equipment to Great Southern Recreation, LLC for $1,000,000 (includes design, purchase, installation, and site prep; 15-year warranty; multiple age groups; 60x100 ft area; 23-30 ft towers).
  • H.5: Speed limit reduction on West 5th Avenue to 25 MPH.
  • H.6: Contract for Long Creek WWTP MCC replacement engineering design to Southeastern Consulting Engineers, Inc. for $105,500.
  • H.7: Annexation petition for 3.97 acres at 3300 Kendrick Road, public hearing set for August 20, 2024.
  • H.8: Annexation petition for 44.6478 acres on Union Road, public hearing August 20, 2024.
  • H.9: Annexation petition for 170.893 acres on Superior Stainless Road, public hearing August 20, 2024.
  • H.10: Contract to Withers Ravenel for engineering design for 618 West Franklin Boulevard stormwater relocation, not to exceed $236,750 (brownfield site, large basin, 36-42 inch pipe under Franklin Boulevard).
  • H.11: Revised deed for NCDOT right-of-way for Franklin Boulevard widening.
• Discussion on H.10 clarified the difference between construction administration and observation, and noted the project's complexity due to the brownfield status and large pipe requiring boring.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rosea (self-identified as a wheelchair user and former fixed-route bus user) expressed strong opposition to the Go Gastonia transit transition. She described being stranded at Walmart after the app failed and the call center could not provide a ride. She noted the call center is in the Philippines and criticized the lack of real-time vehicle tracking. She stated, "You have taken my independence away." She compared the system unfavorably to other transit systems she had used in Pennsylvania.
• Mitch James (property owner on Linwood Road) expressed anger and frustration over property tax increases (over $13,000), flooding from a neighboring development, and power poles moved onto his property without his consent. He said his property is now worthless and he cannot sell it. He demanded answers and accused the city of not providing any.

Presentations

• 2024 Summer Interns presented their projects:
  • Lanadia Adams: Researched homeless coordinator positions in top 20 NC cities; found most cities do not have one and typically house such roles in housing/neighborhoods departments (not police). Also authored a white paper on the history of the East-West Connector/Garden Parkway/Catawba Crossings project.
  • Brandi Burnham: Developed land use plans for six parcels along Riverwood Parkway, including an all-inclusive play area and housing; worked on a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area for Marietta Street Corridor; and wrote a white paper on the Piedmont and Northern Corridor.
  • Josue Claudio: Created a land disposition policy for city-owned properties to streamline affordable housing development; conducted a downtown parking inventory and utilization study.
  • Anthony Ficara: Prepared an RFP for affordable housing on Davis Street; researched affordable housing trust funds and community land trusts for Gastonia.
  • Abigail Nmashia: Drafted a policy for cluster mailbox units in new subdivisions; researched a low-barrier shelter initiative; worked on a drone ordinance with Lanadia.
  • Priscilla Park: Worked with the finance team on the UNC School of Government benchmarking project, updated the city profile for the budget book, and created procedures for the Eden budgeting application.
• Council members praised the interns and requested that their work be made available for further use.

Committee Report(s)

• Central City Revitalization & Housing / Community Engagement Committee (Councilman Charles Odom absent; report given by Councilman Casupius): No action required. Received updates on the July 4th event recap, the Gaston Max program, and the ACE program. Two facade grants will require public hearings at the August 20, 2024 meeting; the committee voted 2-0 to recommend moving forward.

Discussion Items

• Catawba Creek Greenway Southeast Extension (Item I.1): Mr. Rusty Bost, Director of Development Services, presented the resolution to award a contract to Blythe Development, LLC for $3,186,968. The extension will start at Robinwood Road, cross Catawba Creek via a 148-foot steel bridge, and connect to Robinson Oaks. Funding includes $1.45 million from a state direct appropriation (not ARPA), $1+ million from geobond funds, $500,000 from the developer, and $200,000 from water/sewer CIP. The trail is 10 feet wide with 2-foot shoulders, ADA compliant. Construction is expected to take 12 months, starting around October 2024. Camber Woods is required to connect under its zoning conditions. Council members asked about dimensions, materials, and connections. The project was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda approved as amended (striking H.12) unanimously.
• Minutes of July 16, 2024 approved unanimously.
• Consent Agenda (Items H.1-H.11) approved unanimously.
• Committee report received; no action needed.
• Resolution to award contract for Catawba Creek Greenway Southeast Extension (Item I.1) approved unanimously.
• Councilman Odom excused due to being stranded on a boat (unanimous).
• City Attorney recognized Flip Bombardier's retirement.
• City Manager noted preparations for Tropical Storm Debbie, upcoming updates on I-85 widening, and a September 5 project workshop.
• Council members expressed appreciation for retiring Communications Director Mary Elliott and offered condolences to the family of Belmont Mayor Turner.
• Upcoming events announced: Summer Concert Series Aug 16, Opioid Settlement Public Input Meeting Aug 20, Hilton Garden Inn Anniversary Aug 22, Make Me Smile event Aug 24, City offices closed Labor Day Sept 2, Special Projects Meeting Sept 5, City Golf Tournament Sept 9, JC's 85th celebration Sept 13.
• Meeting adjourned unanimously.