Gastonia City Council Regular Meeting – April 21, 2026

The Gastonia City Council met at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in the Public Forum Room at the Gaston County Courthouse. Council unanimously adopted the agenda and approved the minutes of the March 30, 2026 Budget Outlook Work Session and the April 7, 2026 regular meeting. The agenda included student recognition, proclamations, Sister Cities ambassador presentations, a warming center season report, a Continuum of Care annual report, public comment, and unanimous action on a consent agenda and three public hearings.

Awards, Ceremonies, and Proclamations

• Mayor Richard Franks and Kailanne Gill recognized nine graduating seniors from the Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, a 25-member council representing Ashbrook, Forestview, Gaston Christian, Highland School of Technology, Hunter Huss, and Piedmont Community Charter. Seniors shared their favorite events and college plans, and Mayor Franks praised their commitment to the city.
• Mayor Pro Tem Jim Gallagher presented Student Achievement Awards to Zati Cummings (Ashbrook), Rain Stewart (Greer Middle), Leah Brooks (Highland School of Technology), Shekela Collins (Hunter Huss), Autumn Thompson (Southwest Middle), Heidi Lynn Ramos (Web Street School), and Nala Threats (York Chester Middle). Principals and teachers described each student's achievements, service, and character.
• Councilman Demetri Koutsoupias presented a proclamation recognizing May 10–16, 2026 as National Peace Officers Memorial Week and May 15, 2026 as Peace Officers Memorial Day to Police Chief Trent Conard.
• Mayor Franks presented a proclamation recognizing May 4–8, 2026 as Economic Development Week to Kristy Crisp, Director of Economic Development, and welcomed new Economic Development Project Manager Ben Bogle, a Gastonia native completing a Master of Public Administration at UNC Chapel Hill.

Presentations

• Sister Cities 2026 Ambassadors: Rebecca Hurd introduced delegations traveling to Gotha, Germany, June 8–18, and Santiago de Circo, Peru, May 30–June 13, as well as four Gaston County Schools teachers participating in a Peru exchange. She said the program is in its 33rd year with Gotha and its 24th year with Santiago de Circo, correcting to the 22nd year. Ambassadors took a citizen diplomat oath.
• Warming Center 2025-2026 End of Season Report: Assistant City Manager Quentin McPhatter, Affordable Housing and Unsheltered Population Coordinator Zsuzsi Kadar, and HealthNet Gaston Executive Director Crystal Walls presented. The warming center operated at Unity Baptist Church from November 23, 2025, through March 31, 2026, from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. when temperatures were forecast below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Staff projected 44 cold-weather days but opened on 61 days, compared with 47 days in the 2024-25 season. Total persons served exceeded the prior season; the highest single-night count decreased from 75 to 51, and the longest consecutive run was 18 days. Anticipated total program cost was just over $99,000, with the city contributing $10,000 in CDBG funds, $5,000 in CDBG janitorial services, and funding for coordinators and meals through February 3 and March 3 budget amendments. Excalibur Security provided 10 officers and 1,346 hours of security, with police departments conducting six safety checks per day. Guest capacity was capped at 60. HealthNet reported 32 assessments, 32 resource connections, 23 primary care appointments, 26 behavioral health appointments, 2 detox connections, 4 workforce connections, 6 individuals and one family housed, and 8 other resource connections. There were 10 medical transports, 5 mental health transports, 10 resolved on-site security issues, and 5 police service requests. Monetary donations were about $3,140 and Amazon wish list donations about $4,426. Speakers noted challenges with data tracking, sick guest protocols, trash removal, and supplies; no unduplicated guest count was available.
• GLC Continuum of Care Annual Report: Kadar and Walls reported that the Gaston-Lincoln-Cleveland Continuum of Care secured about 76 percent of available HUD CoC and ESG funding, with an estimated 85 percent of funding benefiting Gaston County, and achieved 97 percent HMIS data quality compliance. Quarterly outcomes included 116 street outreach clients connected to services, 115 laundry and shower outreach clients served with 20 connected to primary care, 15 to behavioral health, and 1 to housing, 25 rapid rehousing clients case-managed with 6 housed, and 10 housed through the justice-involved program. The report identified continued shortages of affordable housing and shelter capacity, including the closure of Gaston County's emergency shelter. Councilman Koutsoupias asked about federal funding forecasts; Walls said current grants are expected to be renewed at the same level. He also asked about McKinney-Vento student data and requested an update on the non-congregate shelter RFP at a future SPARK committee meeting in May or June.

Public Comments & Testimony

Thirty minutes were set aside for public expression, and each speaker was limited to three minutes.

• Lee Henderson spoke about the death of her brother-in-law Derek Manigault on January 10, 2026, at Jacob's Food Mart involving two Gastonia police officers. She said the family has waited almost 15 weeks without answers, reports, or charges and urged council to press for transparency. She stated the officers should be fired and face criminal charges.
• Olivia Henderson also demanded accountability and transparency in the Derek Manigault case, saying the two plainclothes officers remain on paid administrative leave and that delays and silence are unacceptable.
• Mike Tamborella said the budget was already final but hoped the public hearing at the next council meeting would produce questions and answers. He praised the youth recognized during the meeting and wished them success.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously with no questions:
  • Award of the Long Creek WWTP Intermediate Lift Station Rehabilitation contract to Cove Utility, LLC for $3,592,236.
  • Award of the Long Creek WWTP West Aeration Header Piping Replacement contract to State Utility Contractors, Inc. for $1,287,000.
  • Agreement with Commonwealth Development Corporation of America for $550,000 in HOME funding for the Preserve at Forest Heights LIHTC housing development.
  • Support for an NCDOT Integrated Mobility Division Multimodal Planning Grant application to update the City of Gastonia Comprehensive Pedestrian Plan.
  • Appropriation of $4,202,488 from fund balance for vehicle and equipment purchases (Budget Amendment 2620042).
  • Recognition of $237,285 in interest earnings for the Catawba Creek Greenway Extension Grant (Budget Amendment 2620043).
  • Interlocal agreement with Gaston County to reimburse an approved Infrastructure Incentive Grant of $400,000 to CNB1920, LLC.
  • Cancellation of the July 7, 2026 and August 18, 2026 City Council meetings.

Discussion Items & Public Hearings

• Project Explore Incentive Grant: The council opened a public hearing on a resolution authorizing an economic development agreement for Project Explore, an existing industry expansion in Gastonia. Kristy Crisp presented it as a $16 million investment, primarily in machinery and equipment, with no job creation numbers disclosed. The standard Level One investment grant is paid over five years after the company pays its taxes; council discussion clarified that the grant is a tax-reimbursement incentive, not an upfront grant. The project had already been approved by Gaston County commissioners. The council closed the hearing and approved the resolution unanimously.
• 125 East Main Avenue Facade and Architecture Grant: The council opened a public hearing on grants for the Piedmont Delicatessen building at 125 East Main Avenue. Owner Derek Jacobs, also known as Fly Tie, described his downtown investments, including Christian Jacobs Salon Suites, and plans to restore the building and preserve a historic PMOT mural. The facade work was described as a $51,000 project; the request was for a $20,000 facade grant and a $1,500 architecture grant. Because work had already begun, council members noted this was an exception to the usual grant-first process and agreed to approve it. The hearing was closed and the grants were approved unanimously.
• Street Closing Resolution: The council opened a public hearing on closing portions of Adams Avenue, unopened Robinson Street, and a 10-foot alley north of Parkdale Avenue and south of Garrison Boulevard and Third Avenue. The applicant said the property was rezoned for up to 109 townhomes, with the alley split five feet to adjacent owners and traffic reconfigured to connect to Parkdale with improved flow. The council closed the hearing and approved the resolution unanimously.

City Attorney, City Manager, Council, and Announcements

• City Attorney Eric Edgerton gave a brief report with no report from closed session.
• City Manager Michael Peoples reported that Chief Welch's retirement celebration will be April 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Station 1. He announced $10 million and $5 million zero-interest drinking water and wastewater loans with 50 percent principal forgiveness, a May groundbreaking for CaroMont Health's 125,000-square-foot cancer center, exterior improvements at 107 South Broad Street, an Active Adult Center opening in May, FUSE parking improvements, and ongoing East Water Tank work. He said the FY2027 manager's recommended budget is balanced and will be presented May 4, and noted General Assembly action on a proposed property tax cap; he offered to share an executive summary and draft resolution. He also reminded council that a burn ban remains in place and voluntary water conservation restrictions are active.
• Council members reported on Dave's Hot Chicken's opening, the Highland Branch Greenway ribbon cutting, the Ashbrook 5K raising $6,000, a regional elected officials dinner, the DAR centennial, downtown tour ideas, community watch and farmers market events, and upcoming arts and sports events. A council member called for a state resolution to address predatory towing companies, and another volunteered to serve as a Sister Cities chaperone.
• Mayor Franks announced upcoming events, including the Arts Committee Art Show and a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band on April 23, Ghost Pepper Opening Weekend April 24–26 at CaroMont Health Park, Public Safety Committee on April 27, Senior Advisory Commission on April 30, Citizens Committee recognition dinner April 30, Shred Day on May 2, Cinco de Mayo on May 3, and a May 4 City Council meeting with the FY2027 public budget hearing.

Key Outcomes

• The agenda and the March 30 and April 7, 2026 minutes were approved unanimously.
• The consent agenda was approved unanimously, including two Long Creek WWTP contracts, HOME funding, a pedestrian plan grant application, budget amendments, a county interlocal agreement, and cancellation of two future meetings.
• The Project Explore Level One incentive grant was approved unanimously.
• The $20,000 facade grant and $1,500 architecture grant for 125 East Main Avenue were approved unanimously.
• The street closing resolution for Adams Avenue, Robinson Street, and the 10-foot alley was approved unanimously.
• The council entered closed session under North Carolina statutes to review closed-session minutes, discuss an honorary award, and consult with the city attorney about the City of Gastonia and the Academy of Aviation, then adjourned without reports from closed session.