OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, October 7, 2025
BodyGastonia, North Carolina
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, October 7, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:04:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

7th 2025 meeting, I will now call the meeting to order.

0:05

First up, I'm going to recognize Mayor Pro Tim Curlin to bring us the invocation.

0:10

Thank you, Mayor.

0:12

Would you bow your heads with uh with me if you so are inclined?

0:19

Dear Lord, every every day we recognize your grace, kindness, and mercy, but not fail to see your holiness.

0:30

May our lives reflect this with obedience and righteousness you desire of us.

0:37

Let us love gracefully, serve compassionately, speak truthfully and humbly, respecting others, and to pray continuously.

0:48

And may the grace of our Lord be with God's people.

0:52

All this we ask in your holy name.

0:54

Amen.

0:57

Next we'll have the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:07

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:15

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:27

Everybody should have a copy of the agenda in front of them.

1:31

Are there any corrections, additions, or deletions that would like to be done to the agenda?

1:37

Mr.

1:37

Mayor, I'd like to make a motion that we accept the agenda as presented.

1:41

We have a motion.

1:41

Can I have a second?

1:42

Second.

1:43

We have a second by councilwoman step.

1:45

All those in favor?

1:46

It's unanimous.

1:49

Next, we have the approval of the minutes from our last meeting, which would be our regular city council meeting on September the 16th, 2025.

1:57

Can I have a motion to accept?

2:00

So moved.

2:01

Have a motion, can I have a second?

2:03

Second.

2:03

We have a second by councilwoman Barber.

2:06

All those in favor?

2:07

It's unanimous.

2:09

Next up, we'll have public expression.

2:12

We have one person.

2:14

Oh, I'm sorry, that's right.

2:15

We got to do the awards.

2:16

I'm trying to get ahead because our clerk was asking if we were going to have a long meeting because we have the night out tonight.

2:25

National night out.

2:28

We'll have a proclamation recognizing October the 24th.

2:33

Anyone excuse Council High Model Child?

2:35

There's a possibility she might be here.

2:39

She's on her way, so what do we need to do?

2:42

You're fine proceeding.

2:43

Okay.

2:45

Proclamation recognizing October 24th, 2025 as World Polio Day.

2:52

Our recipients will be the Gastonia East Rotary Club, and our presenter will be Dr.

2:57

Mayor Pro Tim Dave Curlin.

2:59

Thank you, Mayor.

3:01

Come on up, guys.

3:03

This is Jason Ramey, our Rotary Foundation Chair, and Jennifer Killen, our Rotary president from the Gas Downey East Railway Club.

3:11

Thank you for both being here tonight.

3:14

It's with great pleasure I read this proclamation since I am also a member of the same rotor club.

3:21

So whereas Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem solvers who unite and take action to create lasting change in communities across the globe.

3:35

And whereas the rotary motto, service above self, inspires members to provide humanitarian service, follow high ethical standards, and promote goodwill and peace in the world, and whereas Rotary in 1985 launched Polio Plus and in 1988 helped establish the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which today includes the World Health Organization, U.S.

4:00

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to immunize the children of the world against polio.

4:13

And whereas polio cases have dropped by 99.9% since 1988, and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease.

4:24

And whereas to date, Rotary has contributed more than 2.9 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 3 billion children in 122 countries, and whereas Rotary is working to raise an additional 50 million per year, which will be leveraged for maximum impact of an additional 100 million dollars annually from the Gates Foundation.

4:48

Whereas these efforts are providing much needed operational support, medical staff, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents.

5:00

Whereas, in addition, Rotary has played a major role in decisions by donor governor governments to contribute more than 11 billion to the effort, and whereas continued political and financial commitment is essential to overcome the final hurdles, strengthen health systems, and ensure that no child anywhere suffers from polio ever again.

5:24

Whereas World Polio Day observed on October 24th serves as a moment to honor the progress made, recognize the dedication of health workers and volunteers, and renew our collective resolve to finish the job.

5:37

Now, therefore, I, Richard Franks, Mayor and the C of City Council of the City of Gastonia hereby proclaim October 24th, 2025 as World Polio Day, and encourage all citizens to recognize the extraordinary efforts that have led to countless lives being saved from polio and to join the fight with Rotary International for a polio free world.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture████████████████16%
Procedural█████████████13%
Community Events████████████12%
Affordable Housing████████████12%
Personnel Matters████████████12%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Public Health██████6%
Economic Development██████6%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Gastonia City Council Meeting - October 7, 2025

The Gastonia City Council met on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chamber. The meeting included awards, public expression, committee reports, consent agenda, regular agenda items, and council reports. Key actions included approval of economic development incentive grants, purchase of public art, and a failed motion to hire a facilitator for the city manager's performance review, which defaulted to the existing process.

Consent Calendar

Approved unanimously:

  • I.1: Resolution to recognize $10,000 from Parkwood Baptist Church for speed humps with budget amendment.
  • I.2: Resolution for Runway Lighting Rehabilitation Project with $970,738 grant and related agreements.
  • I.3: Resolution to designate agents for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant.
  • I.4–I.6: Ordinances to authorize demolition of three properties (2925 Titman Rd., 1818 W Third Ave., 1812 W. McFarland Ave.) under Minimum Housing Code.
  • I.7: Resolution to award $757,320 contract to LaBella Associates for Rankin Lake Emergency Bypass Project.
  • I.8: Resolution to approve final plat for Westfall Phase 2B Subdivision.
  • I.9: Resolution to award $601,609.27 contract to Two Brothers Utilities for storm drain improvements.
  • I.10: Resolution directing clerk to investigate annexation petition and setting public hearing for October 21, 2025 on 37.615 acres on Crowders Creek Road.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Adam [last name not provided]: Asked the council to publish a definition of "affordable" as it relates to housing development in Gastonia, based on wages or percentage, to hold developers accountable.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamation: Recognized October 24, 2025 as World Polio Day; accepted by Gastonia East Rotary Club. Unanimously approved.
  • Award Presentation: City of Gastonia Two Rivers Utilities received the NC One Water Best Tasting Water award for 2024. Ed Cross (Water Treatment Division Manager) accepted.
  • Fall Festival Presentation: Event Planner Christine Ingle outlined the October 18 fall festival (3–7 PM) with live music, food trucks, vendor booths, mechanical rides, corn shucking contest, pumpkin walk, street closures.
  • Arts Committee Report (Jennifer Stepp, Chairwoman):
    • Guidelines/Rubric Update: Committee vote was 5-3 to approve updates; council debated adding transparency language at the beginning of the application regarding award history (three consecutive years leads to lower score). A substitute motion adding that language passed unanimously. The updated guidelines and rubric were approved.
    • Earth, Wind & Fire Artwork Purchase ($22,000): Approved unanimously.
    • Celestial Artwork Purchase ($22,000): Approved 3-2 (opposed: Gallagher and Mayor Franks; others in favor).
    • Christmas Ornament Station ($400 budget): Unanimously approved.
    • Gaston MAX African Drumming ($1,200 budget): Unanimously approved.
    • Visual Art Show on April 23, 2026 ($3,500 budget): Unanimously approved.
  • Central City Revitalization & Housing / Community Engagement Committee Report (Jennifer Stepp):
    • CHDO RFP Release (HOME Program): Approved unanimously. Discussion included prior challenges with a CHDO project and desire for more efficient homeownership opportunities.
    • Amendment to Affordable Housing Policy: $328,000 of HOME funds designated for a pilot program increasing down payment/closing cost assistance up to $15,000 (replacing previous $7,500 limit). Unanimously approved.
    • Appraisal Services for Highland Lots: Approved unanimously. Council clarified this was for 17 lots, and appraisal is needed to comply with federal requirements for disposition.
  • Regular Agenda:
    • Project CNC (Level 1 Incentive Grant): Public hearing held. The project is an expansion of an existing business in Gastonia Technology Park with $4.1 million investment, no new jobs, $47,712 municipal grant. Approved unanimously.
    • Project Willow (Level 3 or 4 Incentive Grant): Public hearing held. This is a $71 million project (concrete facility) with 117 new jobs averaging $164,000 salary, located on South 321. County approved in June. The company will annex into city limits and become water/sewer customer. Approved unanimously.
    • City Manager Performance Review (continued from September 16): Council debated hiring an external facilitator. Proposals from Baker Tilly and Developmental Associates were reviewed. Motion to hire Developmental Associates failed 3-3 (tie; Mayor not voting). Council agreed to proceed with the existing internal process and schedule a closed session evaluation before the November 6 meeting.
  • City Attorney's Report: Update on Project Willow, Sports and Entertainment Commission, right-of-way closure test case, code enforcement matters.
  • City Manager's Report: Free access trash week collected 367.4 tons at $11,389 in tipping fees; leaf season begins October 13; public power week at fall festival; Franklin Boulevard resurfaced with decorative crosswalks delayed; updates on facilities management.
  • Council Reports: Council members reported on community events attended (Habitat for Humanity gala, candidate forums, Knoll open house, Gastonia FC soccer, Sister Cities program, etc.). Several members offered condolences to colleagues' families.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved unanimously (10 items).
  • Arts Committee actions: Guidelines/rubric updated with transparency language (unanimous); Earth, Wind & Fire purchase approved unanimously; Celestial purchase approved 3-2; three event funding items approved unanimously.
  • Central City Revitalization actions: CHDO RFP, affordable housing policy amendment, appraisal services all approved unanimously.
  • Project CNC incentive grant approved unanimously.
  • Project Willow incentive grant approved unanimously.
  • City Manager Performance Review: Motion to hire facilitator failed 3-3; defaulted to existing process. Council will schedule a closed session evaluation before November 6, 2025. HR to distribute evaluation forms by end of week.
  • Public hearing dates set: Annexation for Crowders Creek Road property set for October 21, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

7th 2025 meeting, I will now call the meeting to order. First up, I'm going to recognize Mayor Pro Tim Curlin to bring us the invocation. Thank you, Mayor. Would you bow your heads with uh with me if you so are inclined? Dear Lord, every every day we recognize your grace, kindness, and mercy, but not fail to see your holiness. May our lives reflect this with obedience and righteousness you desire of us. Let us love gracefully, serve compassionately, speak truthfully and humbly, respecting others, and to pray continuously. And may the grace of our Lord be with God's people. All this we ask in your holy name. Amen. Next we'll have the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Everybody should have a copy of the agenda in front of them. Are there any corrections, additions, or deletions that would like to be done to the agenda? Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion that we accept the agenda as presented. We have a motion. Can I have a second? Second. We have a second by councilwoman step. All those in favor? It's unanimous. Next, we have the approval of the minutes from our last meeting, which would be our regular city council meeting on September the 16th, 2025. Can I have a motion to accept? So moved. Have a motion, can I have a second? Second. We have a second by councilwoman Barber. All those in favor? It's unanimous. Next up, we'll have public expression. We have one person. Oh, I'm sorry, that's right. We got to do the awards. I'm trying to get ahead because our clerk was asking if we were going to have a long meeting because we have the night out tonight. National night out. We'll have a proclamation recognizing October the 24th. Anyone excuse Council High Model Child? There's a possibility she might be here. She's on her way, so what do we need to do? You're fine proceeding. Okay. Proclamation recognizing October 24th, 2025 as World Polio Day. Our recipients will be the Gastonia East Rotary Club, and our presenter will be Dr. Mayor Pro Tim Dave Curlin. Thank you, Mayor. Come on up, guys. This is Jason Ramey, our Rotary Foundation Chair, and Jennifer Killen, our Rotary president from the Gas Downey East Railway Club. Thank you for both being here tonight.

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