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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Meeting - September 17, 2024

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, September 17, 2024

BodyGastonia, North Carolina

SessionCity Council & Commissions

DateTuesday, September 17, 2024

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:26:47

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:00

On behalf of myself and the city council, I'd like to welcome you to the September 17 2024 meeting.

0:06

I will now call the meeting to order.

0:09

And Councilman Casupius will commit it for prayer.

0:14

Thank you, Mayor.

0:16

Please bow your head and join me in prayer.

0:19

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for gathering us in this important endeavor.

0:24

Please bestow your guidance and blessings upon each of us.

0:28

May we honor one another by keeping an open mind.

0:32

May we voice our truth and listen with an open heart.

0:36

We ask for you, Lord, to come fill our lives with your love, fill our conversations with your grace and truth, so we may use our skills and talents for the betterment of others.

0:49

Fill this meeting with your presence, Lord.

0:53

Fill us with your peace and remove our fears.

0:57

Lord God, we ask that you will strengthen us, grant us good health, restore us and bless us with your love.

1:05

Thank you for allowing us to safely be here tonight to listen, to learn, and to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month, and for the constant reminder that we must always love one another and be a good neighbor.

1:19

With gratitude, we offer this prayer in your name.

1:22

Amen.

1:30

We have a special guest with us tonight, Mr.

1:33

Andy Kaufman.

1:34

He is the owner of the Gastonia Baseball Club.

1:38

Would you mind leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

1:45

Pledge of July of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands with a nation under God.

1:54

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:58

Thank you, sir.

2:10

Next up we have the adoption of the agenda.

2:13

We need to make a change.

2:17

We need to pull item E3.

2:20

So can I have a motion to accept the amended agenda?

2:24

Motion.

2:25

We have a motion.

2:26

Do we have a second?

2:27

Have a second by Councilman Odom.

2:30

All those in favor.

2:32

It's unanimous.

2:40

Okay, that's not in here.

2:42

I need uh I was jumped ahead of myself here.

2:46

We need to make a motion to excuse Councilman Curlin from tonight's meeting.

2:52

I moved that we um excuse Councilman Curlin for tonight's meeting.

2:56

Second.

2:57

We have a motion, we have a second.

2:59

All those in favor, it's unanimous.

3:03

Next on the agenda is the approval of minutes.

3:05

We have two sets of minutes to approve.

3:08

One from the regular city council meeting on September the 3rd, 2024, and one from the project update meeting on September the 5th, 2024.

3:18

Do we have a motion?

3:20

So moved.

3:21

Second.

3:22

We have a motion.

3:23

We have a second.

3:24

All those in favor, it's unanimous.

3:29

Next up, we will have the proclamation recognizing September 15th through October the 15th, 2024 as the National Hispanic Heritage Month.

3:40

The recipients are Officer Alvaro James, Officer Miguel Rodriguez.

3:46

We also have with us uh Mr.

3:48

Miguel from the Wow Supermarket.

3:50

And Miguel, I'm remiss because I can't remember your last name.

3:54

And we also would like uh Chief Brogdon to come up too and stand up at the podium, and I will read it at the podium.

4:11

Thanks.

4:34

Whereas Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of Hispanic American citizens and highlights the countless achievements and contributions, and whereas the observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B.

4:56

Johnson.

5:00

This was observed annually until 1988, when it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to the period of September 15th through October 15th, and became National Hispanic Heritage Month.

5:14

And this has been celebrated annually since then.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Community Events█████████████████████████25%

Zoning████████████████████20%

Procedural████████████12%

Parks and Recreation█████████9%

Affordable Housing████████8%

Religious Community Engagement███████7%

Public Works██████6%

Public Engagement████4%

Urban Design Standards███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Meeting - September 17, 2024

The Gastonia City Council met on September 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting began with an invocation by Councilman Demetrios Koutsoupias, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Andy Kaufman (owner of the Gastonia Baseball Club), and adoption of the amended agenda (item E3 was pulled). Councilman Curlin was excused from the meeting. The council approved minutes from the September 3 and September 5, 2024 meetings, and adopted the consent agenda containing eight items. Key actions included a public hearing on two Unified Development Ordinance amendments, a resolution adjusting the city's 2025 holiday schedule to mirror the state of North Carolina's, and approval of an encroachment agreement for a peace pole installation.

Consent Calendar

I.1: Proclamation recognizing October 2024 as National Colonial Heritage Month (unanimously approved).
I.2: Resolution authorizing the Gastonia Housing Authority to issue up to $9,000,000 in multifamily housing revenue bonds for Stonecroft Village Apartments – no fiscal impact (unanimously approved).
I.3: Resolution to accept for maintenance portions of Cramer Estates Phase 3 Subdivision (unanimously approved).
I.4: Resolution to appropriate $57,403 from Conference Center Fund Balance for elevator repairs, with budget amendment 2520018 (unanimously approved).
I.5: Resolution to recognize $445,550 in insurance proceeds and appropriate funds for storm damage repairs, with budget amendment 2520019 (unanimously approved).
I.6: Resolution to recognize $7,331 revenue from HUD FY2023 Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant, with budget amendment 2520020 (unanimously approved).
I.7: Resolution to accept a $500,000 HUD FY2024 Economic Development Initiative Community Project Funding Grant, with budget amendment 2520021 (unanimously approved).
I.8: Resolution approving a lease agreement with Gaston College for construction of a law enforcement de-escalation training facility on city property (unanimously approved).

Public Comments & Testimony

Star Clinton, founder of Nita's Silent Hands, spoke during Public Expression. She invited the community to Sign Fest 2024, which will include a deaf walk, ribbon cutting, festival with a DJ, keynote speakers, and a signature painting. She emphasized awareness for the deaf community and thanked the city for the proclamation recognizing Deaf Awareness Month in September.

Discussion Items

E.1 – Proclamation Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15, 2024): Presented by Mayor Franks to Officer Alvaro Jaimes and Officer Miguel Rodriguez. Both officers thanked the council and invited everyone to the 4th Latin American Festival on Sunday, September 22. Mayor Franks predicted record attendance of 12,000–15,000 people. The proclamation was unanimously approved.
E.2 – Proclamation Recognizing Good Neighbor Day (September 28, 2024): Presented by Councilwoman Jennifer Stepp to Yvette Rosado (Village at Parkside) and Bill Todd (Laurel East Community Watch). Tyler from the city's ACE program introduced the recipients. Both recipients spoke about their community involvement. The proclamation was unanimously approved.
F.1 – Peace Pole Installation & Encroachment Agreement: City Manager Michael Peoples introduced Laurel Morris, Assistant Governor of Rotary District 7680, who presented a proposal to install a 7-foot-tall aluminum obelisk (peace pole) inscribed with “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in eight languages (Spanish, English, German, Hebrew, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Slovak, and an indigenous language). The pole would be placed in a grassy area between the Rotary Pavilion and restrooms in downtown Gastonia. Installation is at no cost to the city, funded by local Rotary clubs. The pole will be dedicated on November 8, 2024, during a visit by Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick. Council members asked about size, cost, and languages. The motion to approve the encroachment agreement passed unanimously.
J.1 – Public Hearing: UDO Amendment (File #202400413 – Roof Signs): Joe Gates, Assistant Planning Director, presented a request to amend Section 2.7 (definitions) and Chapter 12 (Signs) to allow roof signs in the Central Business District, expanding on prior approval for Urban Mixed-Use districts. The amendment updates definitions and design specifications. Councilman Gallagher noted positive feedback from downtown business owners. Councilman Koutsoupias asked about inclusion in facade grants; staff confirmed signs were recently added. No public speakers signed up. The public hearing was closed, and the amendment was unanimously approved.
J.2 – Public Hearing: UDO Amendment (File #202400414 – Townhomes by Right in Urban Core): Maddy Gates, Senior Planner, presented a request to allow single-family attached dwellings (townhomes) by right in the Central Business District (CBD), Urban Mixed Use (UMU), and Urban Industrial (IU) zoning districts, removing the requirement for a conditional district when new public streets are built. The amendment supports infill development, affordable housing, and walkability. The Planning Commission recommended approval 6-0. Council members discussed the loss of design control (state prohibits material requirements on single-family residential), but staff expressed confidence in existing R2D2 design standards. Councilwoman Stepp opposed, citing past issues with by-right developments. Councilman Gallagher clarified the affected areas are within the yellow-highlighted boundaries (CBD, UMU, IU). No public speakers signed up. The public hearing was closed, and the amendment passed 5-1 (Councilwoman Stepp dissenting).
J.3 – Resolution on Holiday Schedule Change: City Manager Michael Peoples proposed aligning the city's 2025 holiday schedule with the state of North Carolina's schedule, which includes 12 set holidays plus one floating holiday. The change would provide an extra day (e.g., Friday after Christmas) when Christmas falls midweek. Councilwoman Barber advocated for making Juneteenth a fixed holiday. Councilman Gallagher suggested September 11. Mayor Franks noted the floating holiday already accommodates diverse observances. The resolution passed 5-1 (Councilwoman Barber dissenting).

Key Outcomes

Consent Agenda: All eight items approved unanimously.
Peace Pole Encroachment Agreement: Approved unanimously.
UDO Amendment – Roof Signs (File #202400413): Approved unanimously.
UDO Amendment – Townhomes by Right (File #202400414): Approved 5-1, with Councilwoman Stepp opposed.
Holiday Schedule Resolution: Approved 5-1, with Councilwoman Barber opposed.
City Attorney's Report: Ashley Smith reported that a petition for annexation by the Alton McDaniel family is ongoing, with a motion to dismiss an appeal to the NC Court of Appeals filed by both parties. A consent judgment will be filed in Gaston County Superior Court.
City Manager's Report: Michael Peoples announced the Gastonia Baseball Club's playoff games (including a home game on September 20 at 7:00 PM), employee ticket availability, and upcoming “City Talks” sessions starting September 20.
Council Reports: Council members highlighted a successful movie night with public health partners, the baseball playoffs, strategic planning sessions, the arts committee, and a call to meet with county officials on issues like homelessness.
Announcements: Mayor Franks listed upcoming events including excess trash week (Sept 16-20), economic development breakfast (Sept 26), public safety meeting (Sept 30), and the next regular council meeting (Oct 1, 2024).

Meeting Transcript

On behalf of myself and the city council, I'd like to welcome you to the September 17 2024 meeting. I will now call the meeting to order. And Councilman Casupius will commit it for prayer. Thank you, Mayor. Please bow your head and join me in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for gathering us in this important endeavor. Please bestow your guidance and blessings upon each of us. May we honor one another by keeping an open mind. May we voice our truth and listen with an open heart. We ask for you, Lord, to come fill our lives with your love, fill our conversations with your grace and truth, so we may use our skills and talents for the betterment of others. Fill this meeting with your presence, Lord. Fill us with your peace and remove our fears. Lord God, we ask that you will strengthen us, grant us good health, restore us and bless us with your love. Thank you for allowing us to safely be here tonight to listen, to learn, and to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month, and for the constant reminder that we must always love one another and be a good neighbor. With gratitude, we offer this prayer in your name. Amen. We have a special guest with us tonight, Mr. Andy Kaufman. He is the owner of the Gastonia Baseball Club. Would you mind leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge of July of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands with a nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, sir. Next up we have the adoption of the agenda. We need to make a change. We need to pull item E3. So can I have a motion to accept the amended agenda? Motion. We have a motion. Do we have a second? Have a second by Councilman Odom. All those in favor. It's unanimous. Okay, that's not in here. I need uh I was jumped ahead of myself here. We need to make a motion to excuse Councilman Curlin from tonight's meeting. I moved that we um excuse Councilman Curlin for tonight's meeting. Second. We have a motion, we have a second. All those in favor, it's unanimous. Next on the agenda is the approval of minutes. We have two sets of minutes to approve. One from the regular city council meeting on September the 3rd, 2024, and one from the project update meeting on September the 5th, 2024. Do we have a motion? So moved. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. All those in favor, it's unanimous. Next up, we will have the proclamation recognizing September 15th through October the 15th, 2024 as the National Hispanic Heritage Month.

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