Gastonia City Council Meeting - March 18, 2025

The Gastonia City Council convened on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Gaston County Courthouse Public Forum Room. The meeting began with an invocation led by Councilman Demetrios Koutsoupias and the Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Richard Franks. The council adopted the agenda with two additions (J2 and J3), approved minutes from previous meetings, and recognized several proclamations. Public comments addressed concerns about ward representation, affordable housing, and community needs. Committee reports recommended a PARTF grant application for Linwood Springs Park Phase II and acceptance of a donated property. The consent agenda was approved unanimously. Under regular agenda, the council approved a street closing for Briarcliff Circle, authorized a facilitated work session with Dr. Peg Carlson on April 8, 2025, and adopted an employment agreement for incoming City Attorney Eric Patrick Edgerton. Proclamations honored Keepsake Brewery (USA Today's 2025 10 Best New Breweries), the Great American Cleanup (March 20, 2025 – June 20, 2026), and April 2025 as Fair Housing Month. Presentations covered the Gaston MAX multicultural festival (March 22, 2025) and the upcoming "Get to Know Gaston" event (April 3, 2025). The council also entered closed session and later adjourned.

Consent Calendar

• Approved eight items including: a proclamation for Arbor Day (March 21, 2025); sole source vendor approval for Fairfield Service Company of Indiana, LLC; an amendment to the interlocal water/sewer agreement with the City of Lowell; a contract with Piedmont Truck Center for four 2025 Ford Service Body Trucks ($459,605.36); revenue recognition from a Gaston County Health mini-grant ($4,825) for park benches/trash receptacles at Linwood Springs Park; appropriation of Affordable Housing Fund balance ($105,366) for CDBG/HOME administrative deficits; recognition of additional funds from surplus sale and insurance ($296,061); and an amendment to the Public Safety IT Interlocal Agreement to include the Town of Dallas Police Department.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Leonard Martin: Expressed strong criticism of Mayor Franks and Councilwoman Cheryl Littlejohn, alleging misconduct and underrepresentation. He stated he believed the mayor should resign and called for censure of Councilwoman Littlejohn. He also complained about a water leak on Weldon and Mooney streets that had been ongoing for a year and a half, asserting inaction by the city.
• Anna Rob High Robbie: Voiced concerns about hunger and homelessness in Gastonia, questioned the definition and implementation of affordable housing, and criticized the board for approving bonds without clear affordable housing percentages. She asked for a vote on what DEI means to Gastonia and urged the council to partner with community organizations like Bountiful Blessings and Mount Zion Restoration Church to support a Restoration Center.
• Charles Odom: Refuted a prior public comment by Councilwoman Littlejohn that he interpreted as suggesting he lacked presence representing Ward 4. He defended his work as a former councilman, expressed concern that new homes priced at $175,000–$225,000 would not benefit the immediate Highland community, and called for businesses to help buy down housing prices. He stated he was not expecting an apology but wanted to protect his legacy.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation – Keepsake Brewery: Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kirlin presented a proclamation recognizing Keepsake Brewery (owned by Bobby and Katherine Myers) for being named one of USA Today's 2025 10 Best New Breweries in America. The brewery, opened February 2024 at 211 Columbia Street, Gastonia, donates 5% of sales from specific beers to rotating nonprofits.
• Proclamation – Great American Cleanup: Councilman Demetrios Koutsoupias presented a proclamation designating March 20, 2025 – June 20, 2026 as the municipality's observance of the Great American Cleanup, led by Keep Gastonia Beautiful Administrator Juliann Lehman. The initiative aims to prepare for America's 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.
• Proclamation – Fair Housing Month: Councilwoman Cheryl Littlejohn presented a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Fair Housing Month. Danette Dye (Director of Housing and Community Engagement) and Jenny Hackett (CEO, Gaston Association of Realtors) outlined a Fair Housing Event Series on April 3, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Gastonia Conference Center, including education, networking, a panel discussion, and a free CE class.
• Presentation – Gaston MAX: Christine Ingle (Event Planner) and Gavin Stewart (Public Engagement Manager) presented details for the Gaston MAX multicultural arts festival on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Rotary Pavilion. The event will feature six food trucks, 80+ vendor booths, and sponsors including CaroMont Health and WSGE (radio advertising). Marketing includes paid social media, government access channel, and iHeart Radio advertising.
• Presentation – Get to Know Gaston: Gavin Stewart introduced a new family-friendly event modeled after “Gather Around Georgetown” (Texas). The event will be held April 3, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Rotary Centennial Pavilion, offering food trucks, bounce houses, live music, touch-a-truck (county and city vehicles), and $10 food vouchers for completing a passport stamped by 10 government departments. City and county HR, library, and other departments will be present. Councilman Gallagher noted police and fire departments will also participate.
• Committee Report – Recreation Advisory Commission: Councilwoman Donyel Barber (Chair) reported a unanimous 7-0 vote to recommend applying for a second North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant of $500,000 for Linwood Springs Park Phase II, requiring a $500,000 city match. Phase II includes additional RV campsites, RV park bathhouse, check-in/administrative offices, and nature scape amenities. The previous $500,000 grant was matched with ARPA funds. Staff indicated strong scoring on the prior application (top 15) and high likelihood of success as Phase I nears completion.
• Committee Report – Facilities/Management Committee: Councilwoman Barber presented a resolution to accept a donation of real property at 2701 Aberdeen Boulevard (over 21 acres, mostly floodplain with sewer easements). The committee voted 3-0 to recommend acceptance. Discussion highlighted existing code enforcement issues, ongoing city costs for cleanup and police presence, and potential benefits: protecting sewer infrastructure, future stream restoration/stormwater control (part of Duhart Creek watershed), and possible linear park connecting to nearby S.M.A.R. community park. Council members expressed initial economic concerns but supported acceptance after learning of stormwater and utility advantages.
• Regular Agenda J1 – Street Closing: Interim City Attorney Charles Graham presented a public hearing and resolution to close Briarcliff Circle, an unopened street on the east side of Dewey Street. The property is owned by a developer planning a townhome community (already rezoned and approved by the Planning Commission, not appealed). A resident (Fred Longway) expressed concerns about stormwater runoff, property values, and developer commitments. The council clarified the street closing is the only item before them, not the development. The public hearing was closed, and the resolution to close the street passed 6-1.
• Regular Agenda J2 – Council Work Session: Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kirlin proposed a facilitated work session with Dr. Peg Carlson (Professor Emeritus, UNC School of Government) on April 8, 2025, to learn about effective government processes, including evaluating manager and board performance. The session aims to help council get on the same page before evaluating the city manager. Estimated cost: $3,000 (plus travel). Discussion supported including manager's perspective and team-building. The motion passed unanimously.
• Regular Agenda J3 – City Attorney Employment Agreement: The council adopted the proposed employment agreement for Eric Patrick Edgerton (currently an assistant city attorney in Asheville, NC). His start date is April 21, 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (8 items).
• PARTF Grant Application for Linwood Springs Park Phase II: Motion to authorize application passed unanimously. The city will apply for $500,000 grant with $500,000 match.
• Donation of 2701 Aberdeen Boulevard: Resolution to accept the donation passed unanimously. The property will be used for potential stormwater management, linear park, and protecting sewer easements.
• Street Closing – Briarcliff Circle: Public hearing closed; resolution to close the unopened street passed 6-1 (one dissenting vote).
• Facilitated Work Session: Motion to engage Dr. Peg Carlson for an April 8, 2025 work session passed unanimously. Estimated cost ~$3,000 plus travel.
• City Attorney Employment Agreement: Adopted unanimously for Eric Patrick Edgerton, effective April 21, 2025.
• Proclamations: All three proclamations accepted unanimously.
• Upcoming Meetings: April 1, 2025 (Regular City Council Meeting in Chambers) and April 15, 2025 (Regular Meeting in Public Forum Room) were noted. The joint meeting with Gaston County Board of Commissioners originally set for April 1 was canceled; a meeting of chair/vice-chair and mayor/mayor pro tem is being scheduled.