City Council

GASTONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Council Chamber - City Hall - Gastonia NC Tuesday, April 7, 2026 6:00 PM ITEM A: INVOCATION - Councilwoman Angela Dreher ITEM B: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Mayor Richard Franks ITEM C: ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA ITEM D: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES D.1: Budget Outlook Work Session - March 10, 2026 Attachment D.2: Regular City Council Meeting - March 17, 2026 Attachment ITEM E: AWARDS, CEREMONIES, AND PROMOTIONS E.1: Proclamation Recognizing the 70th Charter Anniversary of the Beta Mu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Recipient: Ms. Kimberli Timmons and Sorority Chapter Members Presenter: Councilwoman Donyel Barber Attachment E.2: Proclamation Recognizing April 18, 2026 as the 100th Anniversary of the William Chronical Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Recipient: Ms. Melinda Suddes Presenter: Councilwoman Jennifer M. Stepp Attachment E.3: Proclamation Recognizing April 18, 2026 as National Lineman Appreciation Day Recipient: Mr. Adrian Certain, Division Manager of Electric Utility Presenter: Mayor Pro Tem Jim Gallagher Attachment ITEM F: PUBLIC EXPRESSION - IN ORDER TO KEEP WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME ALLOWED FOR PUBLIC EXPRESSION, EACH PERSON WILL BE LIMITED TO BETWEEN TWO TO FIVE MINUTES SPEAKING TIME. THIS TIMEFRAME MAY VARY DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. ITEM G: COMMITTEE REPORT(S) G.1: Facilities / Management Committee Action Items: 2.D: Consideration of a Resolution to Approve Issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for 145 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way for the Development of a Hotel 2.F: Consideration of a Resolution to Approve Issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for 105 Trenton Street for the Development of a Restaurant Supporting the FUSE District Development Presenter: Councilwoman Donyel Barber, Chairwoman Attachment G.2: Utilities Committee Action Item: 2.B: Consideration of a Resolution to Adopt the Energy Emergency Alert Program Policy Presenter: Mayor Pro Tem Jim Gallagher, Chairman Attachment G.3: Arts Committee Action Items: 2.A: Consideration of Resolutions to Approve Graffiti Art / Urban Art Panels Located at the Corner of Main Avenue and S. Clay Street with a Budget of Up To $2,910.; Marietta Corridor Beautification Project - Feather Art Installation with a Budget of Up To $30,000; and Murals at Lineberger Park with a Budget of Up To $3,240 for a Pad at the Entrance 3: Consideration of a Resolution to Approve Funds for a Community Engagement Event at the Urban Art Panel Space Presenter: Councilwoman Jennifer M. Stepp, Chairwoman Attachment ITEM H: CONSENT AGENDA H.1: Proclamation Declaring April 6-10, 2026, as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Week Attachment H.2: Proclamation Recognizing April 2026 as Fair Housing Month Attachment H.3: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant Project Ordinance Update Attachment H.4: Award of Fiscal Year 2026 Audit Contract to Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A. Attachment H.5: Resolution to Approve Alliance for Community Enrichment (A.C.E.) Matching Grant Funds to the Highland Neighborhood Association Attachment H.6: Resolution to Approve Alliance for Community Enrichment (A.C.E.) Matching Grant Funds to the Myrtle School Community Association Attachment H.7: Resolution to Approve an Agreement with Cayenta, a Division of N. Harris Corporation, to Implement the Cayenta Live Agent Artificial Intelligence Customer Service Solution with an Estimated Five-Year Cost of $538,373 Attachment H.8: Resolution Appointing Deputy Finance Officers Attachment H.9: Resolution to Authorize the Appropriation of General Fund Fund Balance for General Obligation Bond Transportation Projects in the Amount of $4,000,000 with Budget Amendment 2620039 Attachment H.10: Resolution to Appropriate Affordable Housing Fund Fund Balance for Home Administrative Costs and Code Enforcement Personnel Costs in the Amount of $131,914 with Budget Amendment 2620040 Attachment H.11: Resolution to Recognize Additional Revenue Through Athletic League Fees in the Amount of $38,000 with Budget Amendment 2620041 Attachment H.12: February 2026 Monthly Financial Report Attachment H.13: Resolution to Accept for Maintenance Portions of Westfall Phase 3 Map 1 Subdivision Attachment H.14: Resolution to Award a Contract for the Long Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Aeration System Improvements Design to HDR Engineering, Inc. of the Carolinas in the Amount of $637,770 Attachment H.15: Resolution to Award a Contract for the Wastewater Treatment Biosolids Master Plan to HDR Engineering, Inc. of the Carolinas in the Amount of $336,400 Attachment H.16: Resolution to Award a Contract for the Water Treatment Plant Sodium Hypochlorite Dilution System Design to HDR Engineering, Inc. of the Carolinas in the Amount of $617,685 Attachment H.17: Resolutions (2) Declaring Municipally Owned Property as Surplus - Electric Meters and Water Meters Attachment  H.18: Resolution to Award a Contract for the Water Supply and Treatment Water Quality Assessment and Corrosion Study to Black & Veatch International Company in the Amount of $96,000 Attachment H.19: Resolution to Set the Public Hearing Date for May 19, 2026 for the Closure of Portions of Brook Ridge Drive and Rabbit Ridge Drive (Unopened) Located on the East Side of Holland Memorial Church Road Attachment ITEM I: REGULAR AGENDA I.1: Public Hearing and Consideration of a Resolution to Authorize an Economic Development Agreement for Project Tech to Approve a Standard Level One Local Incentive Grant Presenter: Ms. Kristy Crisp, Director of Economic Development Attachment I.2: Consideration of Appointment to the Historic District Commission Presenter: Councilwoman Jennifer Stepp ITEM J: CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT - Presentation: Mr. Eric Edgerton, City Attorney ITEM K: CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - Presentation: Mr. Michael C. Peoples, City Manager ITEM L: CITY COUNCIL'S REPORT - Presentation: City Council Members ITEM M: ANNOUNCEMENTS - Presentation: Mayor Richard Franks ITEM N: ADJOURNMENT ALL INTERESTED PERSONS WISHING TO COMMENT SHOULD APPEAR AT THE PUBLIC HEARING. INDIVIDUALS REQUIRING SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN ATTENDING THIS MEETING AND/OR IF THIS INFORMATION IS NEEDED IN AN ALTERNATIVE FORMAT BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY, SHOULD CONTACT THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, LOCATED IN CITY HALL AT 181 S. SOUTH STREET, TELEPHONE: (704- 866-6786), FAX: 704-836-0022) OR BY EMAIL: JUDY.SMITH@GASTONIANC.GOV. THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT REQUESTS AT LEAST 72 HOURS' NOTICE PRIOR TO THE MEETING TO MAKE THE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS. UPCOMING MEETINGS April 21, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting, Public Forum Room, Gaston County Courthouse @ 6:00 p.m. May 4, 2026 - Regular City Council Meeting, City Council Chambers, City Hall @ 6:00 p.m.