Gastonia City Council Meeting - May 20, 2025

The Gastonia City Council met on May 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Gaston County Courthouse. The meeting featured numerous public comments on the city's in-kind services policy, discussions on a major zoning case, adoption of the budget for FY2025-2026, and several recognitions. Council voted to make Juneteenth a city-sponsored event and tabled a controversial rezoning for further traffic impact analysis.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously:
  • Final plat for Sierra Ridge Map 2 Subdivision.
  • Fourth Amendment to solid waste and recycling contract with Republic Services.
  • Demolition ordinance for 1142 Perkins St.
  • Contract amendments for Duhart Pump Station sewer project ($335,000 total).
  • NCDOT agreement for utility relocation on US-74 ($1,034,300).
  • Recognition of asset‑forfeiture funds ($81,072 total with budget amendment).
  • Recognition of insurance proceeds ($177,932 with revised budget amendment).
  • Fire truck purchase ($1,787,496) from fund balance.
  • VMware software license agreement.
  • CATS 85X Gastonia Express Route interlocal agreement.
  • Speed Hump Policy (renamed from Traffic Calming Policy) amendments.
  • Disaster recovery management services contract ($177,298).
  • CPACE financing consent for Trenton Mill project – with discussion on lien priority.

Public Comments & Testimony

19 speakers addressed the council during public expression (extended from 30 to 57 minutes by a 4‑2 vote). Key themes:

• Tasha White (Help Carolina/Juneteenth organizer): Requested equitable treatment for Juneteenth. Noted that in-kind services previously absorbed by the city now cost her event $15,630 (32 officers + 6 supervisors for 1st day, 16 for 2nd) while larger city events like July 4 receive fully subsidized staffing. Called for policy consistency and fairness.
• Robin Connor (community worker, Ranlo commissioner): Invited Juneteenth to move to Ranlo if Gastonia cannot support it.
• Loretta Thomas (Zeta Phi Beta, NAACP): Urged reinstatement of in-kind services for Juneteenth.
• Peter Dingle (Highland Festival co‑chair): Requested city financial support for the Highland Festival, aligning with the city's "Great Promise, Great Place, Great People" vision.
• Mike Works (community member): Supported Highland Festival and noted the volunteer effort behind it.
• Gerald Tate (Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run chair): Criticized the elimination of in-kind services for minority‑led events, argued the policy change was inequitable, and stated his event does not need in‑kind but supports others.
• Cheryl Littlejohn (Councilwoman, speaking as citizen): Voiced anger over public safety in Ward 4 (four murders), lack of speed bumps, the budget process, and the city’s purchase of a $2.2M building without a plan. Opposed “affordable” housing priced $250k–$350k. Stated she will continue to fight for Ward 4.
• Deanna Graham (NAACP VP): Asked for scrutiny of the 259‑page budget, questioned the $2.2M building purchase, and noted affordable housing prices are out of reach for many.
• Sean Bates (NAACP President): Advocated for accountability and noted the budget's complexity; urged council to use $2.2M for community needs.
• Rita Bates-Jones (Gastonia resident): Highlighted homelessness, housing insecurity, and the closure of the Salvation Army shelter; called for action.
• Mike Tamburello (resident): Criticized the budget as a “wish list,” questioned the $2.2M building purchase, and urged fiscal restraint.
• Ephraim Winkfield (community advocate): Alleged racial disparities in in-kind services and called for transparency and equity.
• Cynthia Stitt & Shay Adams (parks advisory board): Supported Juneteenth and suggested reallocating funds from underperforming city events to restore in-kind services.
• Jason (last name unclear): Supported reducing costs for Juneteenth and other community events.
• Multiple other speakers echoed concerns about inequity and the need for city support.

Discussion Items

Briar Oak Annexation & Rezoning (Items I2/I3)

• Request to annex 83.37 acres and rezone from county RS‑12 and R‑1 to city PD‑RRDD for a 222‑unit single-family subdivision (Northway Homes).
• Staff recommended approval; planning commission recommended approval.
• Mayor Franks raised concerns about Penny Park Drive’s inability to handle traffic and noted the lack of a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) upfront (policy changed in Jan 2025, but this application was filed before).
• Councilwoman Stepp worried about stormwater impacts in a flood‑prone area.
• Councilman Gallagher opposed the high density and called it a “vinyl village.”
• Developer Kyle DiPertoro confirmed they will comply with any TIA requirements; offered to table the item for 45 days.
• After a 3‑3 tie vote on approval (motion failed), council voted unanimously to continue the item to the August 19, 2025 meeting to allow completion of the TIA.

Fairview Drive Annexation & Rezoning (Items I4/I5)

• 1.179 acres, two lots, to be rezoned from RS‑12 county to RS‑12 CD city for two single‑family homes.
• No public opposition. Unanimously approved.

Linwood Springs Park Phase I Construction (Item I6)

• Contract awarded to Eagle Wood, Inc. for $5,539,383.34 (down from $7.09M after cost‑cutting: city will self‑perform bridge repairs and parking lot grading, saving $1.56M).
• Project includes RV campsites, paved trails, utilities, and a vehicular bridge. Completion expected spring/summer 2026.
• Approved unanimously.

In‑Kind Services Policy & Juneteenth (Items I8 and earlier discussion)

• Councilwoman Littlejohn moved to suspend the Jan 2, 2024 policy and revert to prior in‑kind services policy. Motion failed 3‑3.
• Councilman Gallagher then moved to make Juneteenth a city‑sponsored event and contract with Tasha White to produce it. The motion passed unanimously.
• Council also agreed to send the creation of a senior citizens committee to the June 2 Central Cities Committee for development of bylaws.

Discussion of Proposed FY2025‑2026 Annual Budget (Item I7)

• Council did not vote but expressed majority consensus on four points (stated by Mayor Franks and affirmed by each member):
  1. No council pay raise.
  2. No manager pay raise until evaluation is completed.
  3. No 5% increase in water/sewer rates.
  4. Reduce property tax rate from $0.47 to $0.46 per $100 valuation.
• Councilwoman Stepp and others noted the need to balance fiscal responsibility with infrastructure needs.
• Councilman Gallagher and Mayor Pro Tem Kirlin argued against the tax rate cut, warning it would only postpone necessary increases.
• Council asked for additional detail on budget line items (e.g., contracted services, travel investigators, fund balance) and will continue discussion at the June 3, 2025 meeting.

Other Items

• Council approved creation of a senior citizens advisory committee, to be further developed in committee.
• Recognitions: Former City Attorney L. Ashley Smith received the Order of the Longleaf Pine from Governor Stein’s office. Employee awards presented (Customer Service: Chip Esposito; Extraordinary Service: Cassie Moss; Leadership: Helen Alexander; Stronger Together: Donna Smith; Safety: Mars Elliott). Proclamations for ALS Awareness Month (Shannon Waters) and Juneteenth (Tasha White).

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Consent agenda; cul‑de‑sac closure; Fairview Drive annexation/rezoning; Linwood Springs Park contract; Juneteenth as city‑sponsored event; senior citizens committee referral; proclamations and recognitions.
• Failed (3‑3): Motion to reinstate previous in‑kind services policy.
• Continued to August 19: Briar Oak annexation/rezoning for TIA completion.
• No vote taken: Budget discussion; council will adopt at June 3 meeting.
• Next steps: Budget adoption on June 3, 2025; committee meeting on June 2 for in‑kind services and senior committee; closed session held for attorney‑client privilege.