Gastonia City Council Meeting - August 5, 2025

The Gastonia City Council met on August 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The meeting featured contentious debate over proposed changes to council rules and public expression policies, the adoption of a feasibility study for a paved trail to Crowders Mountain, and a discussion extending the jointly sponsored cooling station through September 12. Several consent agenda items were approved, and the council heard public comments on the cooling station. The meeting concluded with a closed session for legal matters.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution to investigate annexation petition and set public hearing for August 19, 2025 (H.1)
• Resolution to set public hearing for street closure of Briarcliff Drive on September 16, 2025 (H.2)
• Contract award to Black and Veatch for Raw Waterline Zone 1 Phase 1 ($248,116) (H.3)
• Contract award for three Ford E-Transit 350 mobility vans ($314,011) (H.4)
• Contract award to Freese and Nichols for water treatment plant compliance ($95,024) (H.5)
• Resolution to support NCDOC Rural Downtown Economic Development Grant application (H.6)
• Resolution to appropriate $250,000 from general fund for Phase 1A of the Active Adult Center (H.7)
• Contract amendment with ICF Incorporated for FEMA reimbursable engineering services ($1,136,599) (H.8) The consent agenda was approved 4-1.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sally Hendrick spoke about her volunteer experience at the cooling station. She suggested allowing guests to sleep/rest without cots, offering prepackaged food and Gatorade, reducing security costs by using volunteers/police, and recommended that next year private or faith-based organizations operate the station for more flexibility.
• Lee Whitlow (on behalf of community volunteers Gina Whitlow and Elizabeth Martin) thanked the city for opening the cooling station but urged the use of heat index instead of temperature, and called for planning warming centers for winter. He emphasized community readiness to volunteer with coordination from the city.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Amendment (E2): Public Expression Policy and Council Rules of Procedure – Councilman Gallagher moved to add two items: (1) a rule prohibiting elected/appointed officials from signing up for public expression during meetings, and (2) an ordinance allowing the council to replace the presiding officer if they fail to maintain decorum or delay the agenda. After extended debate, the motion to add to the agenda passed 4-1 (Councilwoman Stepp absent). The council then debated and approved the first resolution (public expression) 4-1, and approved the second ordinance (rules of procedure) with an amendment specifying the replacement lasts only for the duration of the pending agenda item, also 4-1. Mayor Franks and Councilwoman Littlejohn opposed, arguing the changes were punitive and aimed at silencing dissent.
• Cooling Station Discussion – Council considered extending the jointly sponsored cooling station at 107 South Broad Street under existing guidelines. The city manager reported operations from July to early August: 16 days (9 indoor, 7 outdoor), average 26 indoor participants, 237 total indoor participants over 81 hours, 382.5 staff hours, and total cost of over $14,000. Council debated temperature thresholds (90°F outdoor/95°F indoor vs. using heat index), allowing food and Gatorade, and allowing sleeping. After debate, Councilman Casupius moved to continue the station under the same guidelines until September 12, 2025. The motion passed 4-1.
• Arts Committee Actions – The council approved three items: $2,400 for the first two rotations of Rotary Pavilion public art displays; $2,500 for pumpkins for the Fall Festival; and up to $5,000 for a Performing Arts Showcase in November 2025 (all unanimous).
• Transportation Committee Actions – Crowders Mountain Paved Trail Feasibility Study: The study, funded by NCDOT via Carolina Thread Trail at no cost to the city, was presented. The recommended route connects downtown Gastonia to Crowders Mountain State Park via Linwood Springs Park, with phased cost estimates totaling $17 million. The council adopted the resolution 5-0.
• Engine Compression Braking Ordinance (First Reading): An ordinance to prohibit jake braking on city streets was introduced. It will come back for a vote at the next meeting.
• Airport Advisory Committee Appointments: Michael Harrington was appointed Chairman and Darrin Murphy Vice Chairman of the Airport Advisory Committee (unanimous).

Key Outcomes

• Agenda amended to include E2 items (4-1).
• Public expression policy amended to bar council members from signing up for public expression during meetings (adopted 4-1).
• Council rules of procedure updated to allow replacement of presiding officer for a pending item if they fail to maintain decorum (adopted 4-1).
• Minutes of July 15, 2025 meeting approved unanimously.
• Cooling station extended under current guidelines through September 12, 2025 (4-1).
• Crowders Mountain Paved Trail Feasibility Study adopted (5-0).
• First reading of engine compression braking ordinance heard; to be voted on at next meeting.
• Consent agenda approved (4-1).
• All Arts Committee funding requests approved unanimously.
• Airport advisory chairs appointed unanimously.
• Council entered closed session for attorney-client consultation and review of closed session minutes (unanimous).