Gastonia City Council Meeting - February 3, 2026
Gastonia City Council Meeting - February 3, 2026
The Gastonia City Council met on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to address a proposed charter amendment regarding the mayor's voting authority, approve the Marietta Street Corridor Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA) plan, and act on a consent agenda. The meeting also included a proclamation for Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week and public comment on the city's budget process.
Consent Calendar
- Approved a contract for Long Creek WWTP backwash filter troughs ($709,900).
- Accepted the December 2025 Monthly Financial Report.
- Accepted for maintenance portions of Goble St. water and sewer extension, Wilson Map 1, Westfall Phase 2 Map 1, and Westfall Phase 2B subdivisions.
- Accepted a $5,000 law enforcement equipment grant for covert tracking devices.
- Authorized $25,000 from General Fund fund balance for the Safe Parking Pilot Program.
- Approved $11,104 for continued operation of the 2025-26 Warming Center.
- Authorized $50,000 from General Fund fund balance for City Hall basement restoration insurance deductible.
- Adopted an ordinance regulating unmanned aircraft (second reading).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Mike Tamborella (resident, 2816 Colony Woods) criticized the budget planning process, urging the council to provide early direction and avoid last-year's contentious budget adoption. He expressed disappointment at low citizen attendance and requested the budget be made available more than days before a vote.
Discussion Items
- Marietta Street Corridor NRSA Plan: Presenters Zsuzsi Kadar and Jesse Wiles detailed the 90-page plan, which designates three contiguous census block groups as a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area. Key statistics: 66% of households are cost-burdened (pay >30% of income for housing), 30-40% of properties are in fair to deteriorated condition, and 147 parcels (10%) are underdeveloped. The plan leverages HUD flexibility to stimulate economic development, housing, and infrastructure. After questions from council, the resolution to approve the plan and submit it to HUD was adopted unanimously.
- Public Hearing on Charter Amendment – Mayor's Voting Authority: The public hearing opened discussion on amending the city charter to change the mayor's voting rights. Mayor Richard Franks strongly opposed limiting his vote, arguing for full voting rights as currently permitted by the charter and citing precedent. Councilman Gallagher advocated for restricting the mayor's vote to tie-breaking only, noting that only two of 550 NC municipalities have the current system. Councilwoman Drear raised accountability concerns. The council consensus was to bring the matter to a vote at the next regular meeting (February 17, 2026).
Key Outcomes
- Unanimously adopted the resolution approving the Marietta Street Corridor NRSA plan for submission to HUD.
- The public hearing on the charter amendment was closed; the council indicated it will vote on the proposed change at its February 17 meeting.
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
- Council went into closed session to consult with the city attorney on legal matters (Mackenzie v. Super Veta, Joshua Roar v. City of Gastonia).
Council Reports
- Council members thanked city staff for storm response and shared updates on the point-in-time homeless count, warming center volunteering, strategic planning retreat, and community events.
Meeting Transcript
On behalf of the City Council myself, I'd like to welcome you to the February the third 2026 meeting. I will now call the meeting to order. First up, we will have the invocation, and that will be Councilman Glenn Silverman. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Take a moment. Source of life, hope, and shared purpose. We come together this evening with gratitude for this community and the opportunity to serve it. We give thanks for the gift of life and health for the people of the city and state and all who decide who dedicate themselves to the public good. Our first responders, public servants, volunteers, and neighbors who work every day with tireless dedication, integrity, and care. Bless this land and all who call it home. Let it be a place where hope rises, where dignity is honored, and where everyone belongs. Shelter us in compassion and stretch over us a canopy of safety, justice, and respect. Grant wisdom and clarity to those who lead and serve, and guide them with courage, humility, and commitment to the common good. Help us to listen to one another with openness and respect, to learn from one another, and to collaborate with unity and purpose. May we be bold in our vision, thoughtful in our decisions, and faithful to a future that is brighter and more equitable for all. We lift up those facing hardship, uncertainty, or loss. May we be sources of comfort, strength, and hope in every circumstance. Fill this gathering with encouragement, clarity, and purpose, inspire us to uplift one another to lead with compassion and to strive each day to do better, be better, and serve better. May peace take root in our neighborhoods, and joy in our homes. Let justice, understanding, understanding, and kindness shape every street, every school, and every gathering place. May our shared efforts build a future where we can all live in safety, dignity, and hope. Amen. Everybody would rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Each of you should have a copy of the agenda in front of you. Are there any corrections, additions, deletions to the agenda as presented? Motion to approve the agenda. Can I have a second? Second. Have a second by Mayor Pro Tim. All those in favor? It's unanimous. Next up, approval of the amendment, we have one set, which is the January 20th, 2026 meeting. Uh are there any objections to that? Having heard none, can I have a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Have a motion by Councilman Silverman. Can I have a second? Have a second by Councilwoman Barber. All those in favor. Councilwoman Drear. All those in favor? It's unanimous. Next up, we're going to have a proclamation recognizing February the 7th through the 14th, 2026 as congenital heart defect awareness week. The recipient is Miss Amanda Shipman, and it'll be presented by Councilwoman Stepp. Okay, I'm going to read the proclamation to start with. So our proclamation reads as follows, whereas congenital heart defects or CHDs are the most common birth defects affecting nearly one and one hundred newborns in the United States each year, including children and families within the city of Gastonia, and whereas congenital heart defects encompass a wide range of conditions from mild to complex, many of which require lifelong specialized medical care, surgical intervention, and ongoing monitoring, and whereas individuals living with congenital heart defects and their families often face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges require an extraordinary resilience, advocacy, and community support, and whereas continued medical research, advancements in treatment, and improved long term outcomes for individuals with congenital heart defects depend on sustained funding for research, education, early detection, and access to specialized care. And whereas raising public awareness and promoting education about congenital heart defects are vital to encouraging early diagnosis, supporting research efforts, improving treatment outcomes, and enhancing quality of life for those affected, and whereas congenital heart defect awareness week provides an important opportunity to recognize the strength of affected individuals and families, honor those who have lost their lives to congenital heart defects, and acknowledge the dedication of health care professionals, researchers, advocates, and organizations committed to advancing care and support. Now, therefore, let it be resolved.
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