Gastonia City Council Regular Meeting - November 7, 2024
Gastonia City Council Regular Meeting - November 7, 2024
The Gastonia City Council met in regular session on November 7, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting opened with an invocation by Councilman Jim Gallagher, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Girl Scouts, adoption of the agenda, and approval of the October 15, 2024 meeting minutes. Council received two department awards, heard one public comment, received committee reports, approved a 14-item consent agenda, and took action on a downtown parking study and ARPA-related items. Councilman Charles Odom announced he is resigning from City Council effective December 31, 2024.
Awards & Recognitions
- North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) Law Enforcement Risk Review Award: Presented by Tom Anderson to the Gastonia Police Department and accepted by Police Chief Trent Conard, Assistant Chief Nancy Brogdon, Tonya Taylor, and Ellie Fulton. Anderson commended the department's risk management practices and Taylor's work on the accreditation process.
- Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Award for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024: Presented by Financial Services Director Crystal Certain. It is the city's 33rd consecutive year winning the award, and the city is one of approximately 52 jurisdictions in North Carolina to receive it out of roughly 652 cities and counties. The budget book was prepared despite staff turnover by Dana Carpenter and Susan Klutz.
Consent Calendar
All 14 consent items were approved unanimously:
- Final recording plat for Westfall Phase 1 Map 1 subdivision.
- NCDOT FY 25 Section 5303 Transit Planning Grant agreement: $65,954.
- Drinking Water/Wastewater State Reserve Funds for Rankin Lake Bypass & Valve Replacements: $4,900,000.
- Transfer of BRIC Duharts Creek Grant funds: $24,995.
- COPS Technology and Equipment Grant for the police Real Time Crime Center: $963,000.
- Raw Waterline Zone 1 State Reserve Funds: $2,300,000.
- Clyde, Gilmer, and Wood Street Sewer Relocation State Reserve Funds: $1,150,000.
- Long Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Piping Replacement State Reserve Funds: $1,325,000.
- General Fund balance appropriation for a Traffic Information System: $12,250. Police staff said the system uses Bluetooth signals from vehicles, not personal data, and is a one-year pilot.
- Three-year litter-removal contract with Staff 360, formerly Trinity Hands. Discussion noted the budget is roughly $80,000 per year with a 3 percent annual increase; staff controls hours to stay within budget.
- Traffic ordinance changes: add four-way stops at Morris Street/Rankin Avenue and McIntosh Street/Green Apple Drive, add a two-way stop at Morris Street/Radio Street, and remove the conflicting existing controls.
- Contract with Hendrick Honda for six 2025 Honda Odyssey vans for microtransit: $241,728.
- Contract with Glenn Horne Electrical Contractors for Gastonia Conference Center relighting: $741,750.
- Special City Council meeting scheduled for November 18, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. in the Spindle Conference Room.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Courtney Phillips, junior Girl Scout leader for Troop 20023 from Lowell, thanked council for allowing the troop to observe the meeting as part of earning their 'Inside Government' badge. She said Councilwoman Donyel Barber had spoken to the girls about local government and civic engagement.
Committee Reports
Personnel Committee
Councilman Jim Gallagher led discussion because Councilwoman Jennifer Stepp was traveling. Council unanimously approved resolutions to approve Personnel Policy Manual Updates and Career Development Program Changes. Staff described the policy updates as cleanup and clarification. A council member expressed support for the bilingual pay language change, saying it would encourage more employees to learn a second language. Council also received an informational update on employee engagement surveys: the initial survey had 470 respondents, and the August 5-12 mini-pulse survey had 395 respondents. Top employee responses included additional staff, improved interdepartmental communication, and more employee appreciation events. A new compensation study with Management Advisory Group International is beginning.
Transportation Committee
Council unanimously approved the 2025 GO Bond Resurfacing List. Staff reported that FY 2023-24 resurfacing had a total budget of $17.2 million and covered 50 miles. A new Reclamite 'rejuvenator' project will cost $625,000, treat 27 miles, and extend pavement life by about seven years. Council noted that resurfacing projects are spread across all wards of the city.
Facilities / Management Committee
Councilwoman Donyel Barber reported that the Gastonia Conference Center is behind budget by $12,034 year-to-date. The elevator oil-line repair is complete and awaiting inspection, and the full lighting replacement project is underway. Discussion of the Depot Building renovation using ARPA funds was informational; the committee initially voted 3-0 to forward the item, then recommended waiting for the full ARPA project presentation before taking action, so no council vote was held. Caromont Health Park maintenance was reported as positive, and the park remains open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with three laps equaling one mile. Other informational items included evaluations of the 105 Second Avenue building and the Adult Recreation Center, plus work on a formal parking agreement with First United Methodist Church.
Arts Committee
Councilwoman Jennifer Stepp presented the Arts Committee recommendations. Council approved arts grants totaling $34,998 in separate votes:
- Boys & Girls Club: $8,666 for arts programming. Councilman Odom recused himself from this vote.
- Distinguished Youth Enrichment Program: $6,500 for drumline programming.
- Crowders Camp: $2,500 for a pottery kiln and supplies.
- Gaston Dance: $8,666 for its Cinderella production.
- Highland Art Park: $8,666 for artistically painted bollards. This item was approved 5-1, with Councilman Gallagher voting no because he viewed the bollards as infrastructure on private property rather than an appropriate arts grant. Stepp noted that future grant guidelines would address the balance between programming and infrastructure.
Council also unanimously approved $1,800 for installation and related work for two leased art pieces at Walker E. Reid III Park and the Trenton Transfer Station, and $18,000 for a permanent environmental catfish sculpture at Rankin Lake, including a $16,500 piece and a $1,500 foundation. The performing arts showcase scheduled for November 14 was canceled for this year due to low applicant participation, and approximately $9,400 in previously allocated funding was withdrawn.
Regular Agenda
Downtown Parking Study Amendment
Council unanimously approved amending the on-call contract with Kimley-Horn for the downtown parking study in the amount of $60,000, with Budget Amendment 2520027 transferring $43,600 from the Municipal Service District fund balance. Kimley-Horn's Robert Farron presented a 16-week, four-phase study covering existing parking conditions, drone-based occupancy counts on two peak days, turnover, wayfinding, curb access, ADA considerations, and five- and ten-year future parking demand. Council asked about special-event parking demand and coordination with Terry Shook's downtown planning work; Farron said event scenarios could be modeled using prior imagery.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Update
City Manager Michael Peoples provided a detailed ARPA project update. Total ARPA funds are approximately $15.5 million, with about $12.4 million spent as of the end of September. The city elected the $10 million standard allowance for revenue replacement. Completed projects include public works facility renovation phase one at $3.9 million, Caromont Health Park restrooms at $750,000, Rankin Lake pier and dock upgrades at $171,000, Sims Park fence replacement at $43,000, police body cameras and tasers, community center playgrounds, Irwin Center improvements, pickleball courts, cybersecurity improvements, and street resurfacing. Active and pending projects include Linwood Springs, Walker E. Reid III Park, Greer Middle School athletic fields, community center security cameras, conference center lighting, and a proposed T. Jeffers roof replacement. Over $1 million in ARPA interest has been earned; $93,759 was used for the public works campus, and $84,000 was proposed for design work at 151 Snyder Place. Peoples also discussed state-directed grants, federal grants, and the federally required lead and copper service line inventory, with customer letters being mailed on November 9.
ARPA Ordinance Amendment and Fund Transfer
Council unanimously approved amending the revised ARPA grant project ordinance and recognizing prior years' revenues earned, transferring $901,889 to the General Fund Capital Project Fund with Budget Amendment 2520026. Discussion emphasized that the transfer preserves flexibility for future affordable housing, workforce development, homelessness assistance, or other capital needs, including possible future design work at Snyder Place.
Council Reports & Announcements
- Councilwoman Barber reported on Hope United's Threads of Hope fundraiser benefiting survivors of domestic abuse, Leadership Gaston, and the Walker E. Reid III Park dedication.
- Councilwoman Stepp reported on NCLM legislative policy committee work and MPO updates. She cited western North Carolina storm recovery figures including roughly 140 bridges needing replacement, 20 dams, more than 870 roads needing major repair, and 8 communities without good access.
- Councilman Odom announced his resignation from City Council effective December 31, 2024, saying the role had been a blessing and that he would continue serving the community in other ways.
- Councilman Gallagher asked NCDOT to repair a storm-damaged sign on Highway 321 North, reported on the Caromont Belmont Medical Center grand opening and the Walker E. Reid III Park ribbon cutting, and thanked retiring staff.
- Mayor Pro Tem gave kudos to retiring staff and to Councilman Odom.
- Mayor Franks provided upcoming meeting and holiday announcements, including the special council meeting on November 18, the regular council meeting on November 19, Veterans Day closure, Thanksgiving closure, and ongoing volunteer needs in western North Carolina, noting Samaritan's Purse had about 800 requests in two counties with only 95 completed at that time.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimously approved the agenda and the October 15, 2024 regular meeting minutes.
- Accepted awards for the Gastonia Police Department and the GFOA Distinguished Budget Award.
- Approved Personnel Policy Manual updates and Career Development Program changes.
- Approved the 2025 GO Bond Resurfacing List.
- Approved arts grants and public art appropriations, and approved canceling the November 14 performing arts showcase.
- Approved all 14 consent agenda items, including the special meeting date of November 18, 2024.
- Approved the downtown parking study amendment with Kimley-Horn in the amount of $60,000 with a $43,600 budget amendment.
- Approved the ARPA ordinance amendment and transfer of $901,889 to the General Fund Capital Project Fund.
- Received Councilman Odom's resignation announcement effective December 31, 2024.
- Adjourned unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
And on behalf of myself and the city council, I'd like to welcome you to the November 7th, 2024 meeting. At this time, we'll have Councilman Jim Gallagher lead us in the invocation. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. If you're so inclined, please join me in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this opportunity to come before you and say thank you for the freedom to vote because many people bled and died to give us this opportunity to vote for to choose which way our country can go in the future. We ask you, Lord, to bless the President elect Trump and his administration and give them the same wisdom that we on the City Council need when making important decisions that affect so many. Lord, I pray for our fellow North Carolinians in the western part of the state that still need help in determining if they will stay and rebuild or move elsewhere. I pray you you guide and direct them, Lord, and I pray that their lives will start getting back to a new normal. Lord, protect uh our police officers, our firefighters, our linemen, and the rest of the city staff that help our citizens here day in and day out. I pray you endow them all with wisdom as well. Lord, we ask this in your son's strong name, Jesus Christ. Amen. At this time, would everyone stand so you can say a pledge of allegiance and the Girl Scouts are going to lead us? Thank you. Each of you should have the agenda in front of you. Are there any questions? Additions or deletions to the agenda as presented. Make a motion we approve the agenda. Second. We have a motion, we have a second. All those in favor. It's unanimous. Next up we have the approval of the minutes. Uh you have the minutes from the regular city council meeting on October the 15th, 2024. Can we have a motion to accept these? Motion to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor. It's unanimous. Next up, we'll have the presentation of the North Carolina League of Municipalities Law Enforcement Risk Review Award, which is going to be given to the greatest police force in the state of North Carolina. I'm a little biased. Our recipients are going to be our police chief Trent Connard. I said your name right. Assistant police chief Nancy Brogdon, Miss Tanya Taylor, and Miss Ellie Fulton. And our presenter will be uh Tom Anderson. He is the director of risk control for the NC Oleum. Thank you, Mayor, members of council. Tonight, the North Carolina League formally recognizes the Gastonia Police Department for completing the law enforcement risk review process conducted by the League of Municipalities and our staff. Just to give you some background on what this process is. It looks to adhere to the compliance standards with best practices, judicial decisions, policies, and procedures related to high liability activities and law enforcement. Successful completion of this process aims to enhance public safety and ensure that critical departmental functions align with industry standards. This process is supported by the North Carolina Chiefs Association, and tonight's acknowledgement highlights the department's commitment to adhering to risk management and public safety best practices and demonstrates a proactive approach to risk reduction. I want to congratulate Chief Kennard and the department staff for leading the way in professionalism and excellence in minimizing risk to both the agency and its officers. And just on a side note, this uh this is my 32nd year in law enforcement myself. I spent many years as a police chief and worked with hundreds of agencies across North Carolina with the league. And I can tell you with certainty I recognize law enforcement success when I see it, and I see great things with with your police department. And that's only because of the support from the strong council. So thank you for that because what happens here has a ripple effect across North Carolina and our member cities.
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