Gastonia City Council Emergency Meeting on Cooling Center Controversy - July 3, 2025
Gastonia City Council Emergency Meeting on Cooling Center Controversy - July 3, 2025
Mayor Franks called an emergency meeting on July 3, 2025, to address what he described as a breakdown in the city's response to providing a cooling shelter for unhoused residents during extreme heat. The meeting featured heated debate among the mayor and two council members, with accusations of political interference, failure by the lead agency (HealthNet Gaston/Continuum of Care), and insubordination by the city manager.
Discussion Items
- Mayor Franks' Opening Statement: The mayor expressed anger over the city manager not following the council's Monday consensus to open the Salvation Army building as a cooling center. He stated that the fire department cleared the building on Friday, but the city manager and assistant city manager blocked its use. He accused the Continuum of Care (HealthNet Gaston) of failing as the lead agency, noting they received $1.5 million in January but provided inadequate planning. He praised Tasha White, Dickie Spargo, and local churches for stepping in with volunteers and supplies.
- Councilwoman Littlejohn's Remarks: She supported the mayor, stating that the fire department inspection report cleared the building and that the city manager's vacation absence without proper notification created confusion. She criticized the planning as poor, citing that the cooling station's setup (tents outside) was unacceptable and that the city manager's actions were petty and political. She said the fire department and Gyms (county) should not be blamed.
- Councilwoman Step's Remarks: She urged a calmer approach, emphasizing that other council members do care and that the failure was not intentional. She noted that the county had handled cooling stations in the past, but this year planning fell through. She stressed safety concerns beyond fire inspections, including lack of procedures and law enforcement. She called for collaboration among all parties to find a long-term solution.
- Exchange with Assistant City Manager Quentin McFadder: The mayor and Councilwoman Littlejohn questioned McFadder, who confirmed that he and the city manager made the decision not to use the building. The mayor stated that a majority of council had a consensus to open it, but the city manager overruled it. McFadder deferred to the city manager, who was on vacation but still in charge.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes were taken; the meeting was a discussion only.
- Mayor Franks threatened to call emergency meetings daily until a quorum is present and said he would hold a press conference to release more information.
- The mayor called for accountability, suggesting the lead agency for homelessness should be changed.
- The council did not take any action to resolve the cooling center issue during the meeting; the Salvation Army building remained closed as of the meeting's end.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Well I'm not so in our things as much as I was always here. Yeah, I got another test. Yeah, so that's just more wise. Yeah, I'm also exiting. No, there's nothing. So my report is more than that. Okay, I just want to figure out. I mean I think you know, yeah, so that's right. Yeah, so yeah, I'm not sure that you're very much very much. Yeah, well, I didn't say I don't know if you know. She said she was going to try to show that. Okay. So I don't know what she was. Yeah, she actually goes to the fairly here. I can't just have a second. I have time to go moving change, so we've got a chance to be called. Oh my god. Okay. No, it was we were not doing an indication. Well, okay, go do the call this meeting to order, Councilwoman Steph. Would you do the indication? Sure, I'll be happy to. Um, if you're so inclined, please bow your head and pray with me. Um, our most gracious heavenly father, Lord, we thank you today for um all the blessings that you've given us. Lord, we thank you for the city and all those who dwell within it and for those who work so hard to make it a place where people can come together and be safe and work and play and um live in a sense of community. Well, we pray that we would continue to work toward these goals of making sure we are providing our citizens with the best services policy possible and that we as citizens will reach out and work with all those in our community and do what we can to make sure all needs are met in every neighborhood and every part of our city. And Lord, as we deal with difficult situations, we pra is situations and issues at hand, Lord, we just pray that you will guide us that you will give us the wisdom and discernment that we need, and that we would do everything with from a uh stance of a pure heart with pure motives. We just pray that you will guide us, that you will give us the wisdom and discernment that we need, and that we would do everything with from a uh stance of a pure heart with pure motives, and Lord, we just pray that you will bless those that are traveling during this weekend and give them safety, those that may be suffering from illness at this time, that you would give them healing and comfort, and for for those that may be suffering in other ways, Lord, we just pray that you would um bring comfort to them through others who you would use as your instrument, and we just ask all these things in your name. Amen. I apologize if I appear to be a little shaky because I am uh I'm not a very happy citizen right now. I'm not a very happy mayor. Um we can't take a vote today on what our city staff was to directed to do on Monday. Our city manager was informed of the wishes of the council. He decided to go against those. I do not betray confidences, and I do not link information. We had a council person this week, leak information, and I have been put on notice that it's being spread that this happened on the watch of Mayor Frank's. Guess what? We also had another council person talk about leadership. I have been dealing with this issue along with these two ladies right here, Councilwoman Stephen. Councilwoman Little John since last Wednesday morning. Okay. Some people tried to get me and were thinking of getting me arrested for trespassing. Okay? So I'm trying to stay calm. Okay. Actions speak louder than words. Now, Councilman Casupius isn't here, and I understand that because this was short notice, and he does have a business to run. But I will be calling an emergency meeting every day until I get a quorum. Okay?
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