Gastonia City Council Meeting – May 19, 2026

The Gastonia City Council met on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Gaston County Courthouse Public Forum Room at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a proclamation, multiple public comments, adoption of the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan and Vision Zero resolution, approval of a grant application for the "Raise the Flag" project, amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), and a resolution opposing state legislation limiting local property tax authority. The consent agenda containing 16 items was also approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• H.1–H.16: Approved unanimously. Key items included:
  • H.1: Hydraulic study contract with Stantec ($92,000)
  • H.2–H.4: Acceptance of utility easements and maintenance for subdivisions
  • H.5: Sole source vendor for wastewater pump parts (CES Water)
  • H.6: Anaerobic digester cleanout contract with Synagro Central
  • H.7–H.8: Transition from Cityworks to Trimble Unity software ($600,910 over 5 years) and contract amendment with KCI ($29,552)
  • H.9: Microsoft Enterprise Agreement with SHI ($1,263,223.29 over 3 years)
  • H.10: Computer hardware purchase from Davenport Group ($247,346)
  • H.11–H.14: Equipment purchases: backhoe ($182,823.88), underground puller ($269,198), bucket truck ($377,438), ladder truck ($1,978,010)
  • H.15: Radiator replacement at Long Creek WWTP ($112,366.94)
  • H.16: Ordinance amendment to Chapter 14, Article VII (Emergency Water Conservation)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Laverne Hartlow (Health Education Coordinator, Gaston County Public Health): Expressed strong support for the Safety Task Force activities, including the Safety Action Plan, Vision Zero initiatives, and the SS4A grant application. Emphasized that safer environments make healthier choices easier.
• Lee Henderson: Delivered an emotional testimony regarding the fatal police shooting of her brother-in-law, Derek Manigault, on January 10, 2026. Raised numerous questions about the investigation, including the lack of a final autopsy report, missing surveillance footage, delayed officer statements, and alleged cover-up. Criticized DA Travis Page, SBI, and GPD. Stated that officers returned to active duty without consequences. Implied racial bias, asserting Derek would have received benefit of the doubt if white. Addressed Mayor Franks directly about a previous phone call. Vowed to continue seeking justice.
• Olivia Henderson: Continued the family’s testimony, expressing anger and exhaustion. Accused the officers and city of failing accountability. Argued Derek was not an imminent threat as he was leaving the store with his back turned. Alleged that the incident was orchestrated by confidential informant “Crack Sanders.” Claimed video evidence was edited and key angles missing. Asserted that if Derek were white, the outcome would differ. Named individuals involved and called for release of unedited footage.
• Mike Tamborella: Read an email previously sent to council regarding the proposed budget (22% increase) and questioned if there would be additional discussion before the vote. Proposed specific cuts: eliminate mayor and council salaries, reduce assistant city manager positions, implement tiered raises instead of across-the-board, eliminate clothing/vehicle allowances, reduce non-essential travel, and stop city-provided meals.
• Molly Gaston (owner of Faded barbershop): Made brief remarks welcoming new council members and promoting her business (shaves, haircuts, facials).
• Wendy Snyder Salazar (grandmother of Liam Tiago Lagunis, killed by street racers in 2021): Strongly supported the Safety Action Plan, Vision Zero, and the SS4A grant. Cited statistics: 429 speed-related fatalities in NC in 2021; 62% of fatal crashes involved speeds >10 mph over limit. Mentioned Liam’s Law and the Super Speeders Bill. Urged council to help reduce traffic fatalities.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation (E.1): Mayor Pro Tem Jim Gallagher read a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month, sharing that his wife had the disease. Approved unanimously.
• Transportation Committee Report (Mayor Pro Tem Gallagher):
  • 2.A – Bridge Closure: Resolution supporting permanent closure of Bridge No. 19 on Bradford Heights Road to eliminate cut-through traffic; cost to rebuild $3.2 million; DOT will remove bridge and create a turnaround. Approved unanimously.
  • 2.B – Safety Action Plan & Vision Zero: Presentation by Corey (city staff) and Brady Thigpen (Kimley-Horn) on the SS4A Safety Action Plan. Highlighted crash data (198 fatal/serious injury crashes 2020-2024; 26% increase above state average; 45% of FSI crashes at night; 48% at intersections). Approved adoption of the Safety Action Plan and the Vision Zero resolution committing to a 50% reduction in FSI crash rate by 2038 and zero by 2050. Both approved unanimously.
  • 2.B – SS4A Implementation Grant Application – “Raise the Flag”: For corridor improvements on Franklin Blvd, Linwood Ave, and West Garrison Blvd (13 high-injury network locations). Total cost ~$14.5 million (80% federal, 20% local match of $2.9 million). Includes emergency vehicle preemption at 17 additional signals, bike/pedestrian facilities, reduced conflict intersections, and education/outreach. Approved unanimously.
  • 2.C–2.J (remaining transportation items): Approved en bloc by unanimous vote (items included 2027 resurfacing list, engineering contracts for intersections, greenway and sidewalk agreements support for CONNECT Beyond TOD study).
• I.1 – Public Hearing: Street Closures (Rabbit Ridge Dr & Brook Ridge Dr): Attorney Eric Edgerton explained the unopened rights-of-way are being closed and realigned for a development. Initial opposition was resolved. Unanimously closed the hearing and approved the resolution.
• I.2 – Public Hearing: UDO Amendment (File #202600147): Assistant Planning Director Joe Gates presented changes introducing “major development” definitions and requiring conditional zoning for residential projects of 20+ units or commercial projects triggering a traffic impact analysis. Also included technical corrections and administrative flexibility (10% deviation). Approved unanimously after discussion on neighborhood meeting timing, parking standards, and expiration provisions.
• I.3 – Resolution Opposing State Legislation Limiting Local Property Tax Authority: Presented by City Manager Peoples; over 30 counties had adopted similar resolutions. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approvals on all votes including consent agenda, proclamations, public hearing items, all transportation resolutions, UDO amendment, and property tax resolution.
• Safety Action Plan and Vision Zero formally adopted, enabling the city to apply for SS4A implementation grants.
• SS4A grant application for the “Raise the Flag” project approved; deadline is the Tuesday after Memorial Day (May 26, 2026).
• City Manager’s Report: Stage 2 water conservation mandatory (fines for non-compliance); Citizens Academy graduation June 2; cooling station RFP received zero proposals – staff will use existing public facilities; 2027 budget will be considered June 2.
• Council Reports: Congratulate senior activity center opening, CaroMont Cancer Center investment ($200 million; serving 1,500 patients currently, expanding to 3,000), announcements for Memorial Day events, and clarification that property tax rate remains 47 cents with no stormwater increase and no electric rate increase due to stabilization fund; combined water/sewer/trash increase averages 26 cents per day.
• Closed Session: Entered for legal consultation (N.C.G.S. 143-318.11) and later adjourned.