The Gastonia City Council met on December 3, 2024, at 6:00 PM for a regular meeting. The agenda included presentations on homelessness, the annual audit, and introductions of new directors; committee reports; consent and regular agenda items; and council announcements. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to enter closed session.
All consent agenda items were approved unanimously without discussion.
Continuum of Care Update (E.1): Mr. Carson Dean, consultant for the Gaston-Lincoln-Cleveland Continuum of Care, presented an update on homelessness efforts. He reported that the 2024 point-in-time count identified 451 homeless persons across the three counties, with 153 in Gaston County. The Continuum received $185,000 in ESG funding and applied for $1.5 million in HUD COC funding. System performance measures showed that 20% of engaged individuals (92 out of 465) exited to permanent housing with zero returns to homelessness within six months. Council members voiced frustration over the lack of direct coordination with local warming shelters, the absence of a dedicated street outreach contact, and questioned the effectiveness of 30-year-old programs. Councilman Odom expressed concern about the narrative around DEI and the vacant DEI coordinator position. Councilman Kirlin asked about outreach for those not currently in the system. Councilman McPhatter’s question about housing first was addressed. No action was taken on the presentation.
Audit Results (E.2): Ms. Tanya Thompson of Martin Starnes & Associates presented the annual audit for fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. The city received an unmodified (clean) opinion. Revenues increased $16.6 million over FY23, expenditures increased $6.6 million. The net change in fund balance was $11.5 million; revenues came in $8.1 million over budget and expenditures $17.8 million under budget. Available fund balance rose to $41 million (46.43% of expenditures), exceeding the state’s 25% minimum. No material weaknesses or red flags were reported. The council voted unanimously to accept the audit.
Introduction of New Directors (E.3): Assistant City Manager Quinton McPhatter introduced new Planning Director Sushil Nepal (started Dec. 2) and new Communications and Marketing Director Dandria Bradley (started Dec. 2). Both briefly addressed the council. No action needed.
Committee Reports (G):
Regular Agenda – Public Hearings (I):
I'd like to welcome you to our December 3rd 2024 meeting. I will now call the meeting to order. And Councilman Odom will lead us in the invocation. If you inclined to do so, will you bow your heads with us? Father Goddess, in your precious name, we come tonight. Thank you for your many kind blessings, oh Lord. Thank you for a reasonable proportion of health and strength. And Lord God, I've just prayed that you just be with us in the midst of this council chamber, or Heavenly Father, what decisions would be made, and we want to make them in the best interest of the citizens of Gastonia, O Heavenly Father. Lord, just help us to live with integrity, O Heaven and Father. Help us to stand and stand strong in your name, Jesus. Lord, we ask that you just watch over uh public servants, oh heavenly father, uh firefighters, our police department, our utility workers, oh heaven and father, all those that give themselves day by day, oh heavenly father, our city staff, Lord, remember them. Remember all those are part of governing this city, and not only in this city, but in this state and in this country, oh heavenly father. And Lord, it it seems like we're in term all on every side, oh heaven and father. But Lord, just please guide us in a rightful way, or heaven father. In all that we do in trying to govern people, Lord. In Jesus' name we do pray. Amen. Chief, would you lead us in the pledge? I pledge allegiance to the fly of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and presidents are all. Motion to approve as presented. Second. We have a motion, we have a second. All those in favor. It's unanimous. Next, we need to approve the minutes from our last meeting, November the 19th, 2024. We have a motion. Motion to approve. Second. We have a motion, we have a second. All those in favor. Do we need to also approve the special city council on the 18th? It's on your on your agenda on your umber. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion that we approve the special city council meeting minutes from November 18th, 2024. Second. Get a motion. We have a second. All those in favor. It's unanimous. Is there anything else? Because I didn't have that on my mind. You're good. Presentation. Next, we'll have a presentation from the Gaston Lincoln Cleveland County Continuum of Care in our update, and our presenters will be Miss Danette Dye, Director of our Housing and Community Engagement. Uh, Miss Crystal Walls, Executive Director of HealthNet Gaston Continuum of Care, Lead Agency, and Mr. Carson Dean, consultant of the Gaston Lincoln Cleveland Continuum of Care. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Um, we're here this afternoon to kind of give you an update on the continuum of care. The Gaston Lincoln Cleveland Continuum of Care, as you know, is a collaboration of service providers, businesses, churches, and other organizations that come together to with the common goal to address homelessness. Um they're implemented through or work towards planning coordinated services, data management, and funding um applications.