Gastonia City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026

The Gastonia City Council met at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, following a 5:00 p.m. closed session. Mayor Richard Franks presided; Mayor Pro Tem Jim Gallagher delivered the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The council amended and adopted the agenda, approved the consent agenda, adopted the 2026-2028 Goals and Objectives and the 2026-2027 Advocacy Agenda, and heard committee, city attorney, city manager, and council member reports. This summary is based on the agenda and transcript; no minutes were available.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously, after adding item F.8 to the consent agenda by motion and second.
• F.1: Resolution accepting for maintenance portions of Redhawk Phase 1 Map 3 and Brandon Creek Phase 2A subdivisions.
• F.2: Resolution authorizing an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the City to reimburse NCDOT an estimated $252,053 for relocation of City of Gastonia water and sewer utilities under NCDOT Project U-6708, Oates Road Realignment and Intersection Improvements.
• F.3: Resolution recognizing $65,356 in insurance proceeds with budget amendment 2620034.
• F.4: Budget amendment 2620035 recognizing $9,500 from Gaston County Travel & Tourism and $7,500 from Electricities for an updated downtown hotel study.
• F.5: Resolution approving $18,494 from the General Fund fund balance with budget amendment 2620036 for continued operation of the 2025-26 Warming Center.
• F.6: Resolution approving a memorandum of understanding between the Gaston County Public Health Director and the Gastonia Police Department pursuant to NCGS 160A-461.
• F.7: January 2026 monthly financial report.
• F.8: Ordinance approving amended and restated Project Power Sales Agreement and Supplemental Power Sales Agreement with NCMPA1.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Olivia Henderson, speaking as a family member and community member, raised the death of Derek Menigal (also rendered Menegal in the transcript) and called for accountability by the Gastonia Police Department. She alleged excessive use of force, federal civil rights violations, and a lack of transparency, and said silence becomes acceptance. She stated she is not anti-police, but is pro-justice, pro-community, and pro-trust. She placed questions on the public record about what actions the council is taking, what oversight is being exercised regarding use of force in the case, and when the community will receive full transparency and communication. She said she would continue attending meetings until accountability and transparency become actions.

Arts Committee Report

• Councilwoman Jennifer M. Stepp reported no actionable items from the Arts Committee.
• The committee received an update on the art summit hosted by the Gaston Arts Council, future public art projects, and community engagement activities, including an upcoming CAST+MAX event and art show.
• Councilwoman Dreer was appointed to the community engagement subcommittee, and Councilman Silverman was appointed to the public arts subcommittee.

Central City Revitalization & Housing / Community Engagement Committee Report

• The committee recommended, and the council unanimously approved, changing the committee’s name to SPARK: Strategic Partners Advancing Revitalization and Community.
• The council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the release of a Request for Proposals for cooling station facility use and operational management for the 2026 summer season.
• The council unanimously approved awarding a contract to HELP Carolina for the Ebonyfest Juneteenth Festival on June 19, 2026, for fireworks and in-city services. The reimbursement amount was increased from $5,500 to $6,352.50 after a 15.5% fireworks price increase.
• The council unanimously approved awarding a contract to the Gaston County Jaycees to operate the annual Gastonia Christmas Parade. The committee had voted 2-0 to recommend approval. Discussion included keeping the current parade time, not adding vendors, seeking more high school and college bands, considering green and red lasers for a more festive atmosphere, and potentially moving the parade to a Saturday in the future.
• The council unanimously approved awarding a contract to the Gastonia East Rotary Club in the amount of $60,000 for the Gastonia Concert Series, with in-kind services amended to include providing the stage for the two Caramont Health Park concerts at $2,500 per concert. Staff noted the stage cost is an in-kind service cost, not an additional cash payment.

2026-2028 Goals and Objectives

• City Manager Michael C. Peoples presented the proposed 2026-2028 Goals and Objectives, organized around the city’s vision, mission, core values, six goals, and 45 objectives.
• The six goals are infrastructure investment, healthy community, good government, safety, community identity, and economic vitality.
• The council unanimously approved the resolution adopting the proposed 2026-2028 Goals and Objectives.

2026-2027 Advocacy Agenda

• City Manager Peoples presented the proposed 2026-2027 Advocacy Agenda, covering federal, state, and county priorities.
• Federal and state priorities generally oppose unfunded mandates and seek state revenue flexibility to reduce pressure on property taxpayers.
• A newly added state item supports legislation to overturn or supersede the Blue Ridge Housing of Bakersville, LLC v. Mitchell County North Carolina Court of Appeals case, which allows a for-profit entity owned by a nonprofit to qualify for a property tax exemption if the nonprofit maintains sufficient control and ownership. The City Manager stated this case costs the city over half a million dollars in tax revenue.
• Council discussion clarified that the legislation should seek to supersede the case rather than overturn it.
• Councilman Stiff called for the intergovernmental committee to meet more often formally with federal, state, and county representatives. Council members also discussed scheduling a joint city council-county commissioners meeting and mentioned an April 15, 2026 Gaston Business Association sponsored all-elected-officials meeting.
• The council unanimously approved the 2026-2027 Advocacy Agenda.

City Attorney's Report

• City Attorney Eric Edgerton said he would provide guidance on the CGATS corridor at the next week’s budget meeting.
• Two text amendments are being prepared to bring all major developments into conditional zoning review.
• A related text amendment will require changes to previously approved conditional zoning plans to return to the council for approval.

City Manager's Report

• Free Access trash week will be held March 16-20, 2026.
• The Warming Center will conclude at the end of the month, with an update to follow.
• The BUILD grant application has been submitted, and an executive summary will be sent to the council.
• Strategic plan takeaways will be distributed.
• The Budget Outlook Work Session will be held March 10, 2026, at the Gastonia Municipal Operations Center, with budget development work underway.

City Council Members' Reports

• Council members reported on community engagements, including Read Across America at Hawk’s Nest, ribbon cuttings for Crowder’s Ridge, the Highland Arts Pavilion, and Alianza Staffing Group/GBA, the police awards and appreciation dinner, a senior advisory committee meeting, a Safe Streets for All WebEx, a tour of Gastonia for visitors from Greensboro, and the Open Frames Enduring Stories public art project.
• Councilman Gallagher announced his retirement from Wells Fargo effective June 2, 2026.
• Several council members noted strong student engagement and positive community feedback on local events and city growth.

Announcements and Adjournment

• Mayor Franks referred council members to his announcements posted online and entertained a motion to adjourn.
• The council unanimously voted to adjourn.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted the amended agenda and unanimously approved the consent agenda.
• Renamed the Central City Revitalization & Housing / Community Engagement Committee to SPARK.
• Authorized the cooling station RFP for the 2026 summer season.
• Awarded HELP Carolina $6,352.50 for the Ebonyfest Juneteenth Festival on June 19, 2026.
• Awarded the Gaston County Jaycees the Gastonia Christmas Parade contract.
• Awarded the Gastonia East Rotary Club $60,000 for the Gastonia Concert Series, with the stage provided as in-kind services.
• Adopted the 2026-2028 Goals and Objectives.
• Adopted the 2026-2027 Advocacy Agenda.
• Upcoming meetings: March 10, 2026 Budget Outlook Work Session and March 17, 2026 regular City Council meeting.