Page 84 Page 84 GASTONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2013 6:00 P.M. GASTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE PUBLIC FORUM ROOM GASTONIA, NC Mayor Bridgeman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, in the Gaston County Courthouse Public Forum Room, Gastonia, North Carolina. He then opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Ms. Virginia L. Creighton, City Clerk, recorded the minutes. PRESENT: ABSENT: Mayor John D. Bridgeman Mayor Pro Tem Brenda B. Craig Council Members: Walter A. Kimble David R. Kirlin James Gallagher Todd Pierceall Porter L. McAteer City Manager Edward C. Munn City Attorney L. Ashley Smith None ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Councilman Pierceall made a motion to adopt the agenda as printed. Councilman Kimble seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 2013 Councilman Kimble made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 19, 2013, Regular Council meeting, as printed. Mayor Pro Tem Craig seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. AWARDS, CEREMONIES, AND PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE (1) Resolutions Recognizing Citizens Who Provided Life-Saving Assistance Mayor Bridgeman recognized Councilman Kimble, Member of the Awards, Ceremonies, and Promotions Committee, for the purpose of making the presentation. Councilman Kimble stated that tonight they would be recognizing four individuals, Mr. Matt Hudson, Mr. Michael Ewing, Mr. Steve Hardy, and Mr. Eric Crane, who pulled Mr. John Maddox out of his wrecked vehicle just before the passenger compartment was completely engulfed in flames. He then recognized Mr. Keith Watts, Chief of Administration, Gastonia Fire Department. Chief Watts read a letter explaining the details of the rescue of Mr. Maddox following the vehicle accident that took place on Kendrick Road on November 19, 2013. A copy of that letter is contained in the exhibit book. He commended these individuals for their actions. He noted that a couple of other citizens stopped to help that evening. He thanked them for their assistance as well. Mr. Maddox, who was accompanied by family members, expressed appreciation to these gentlemen for being his guardian angels. He read a letter of thanks. Mr. Maddox s wife, Janet, also expressed appreciation. Councilman Kimble read and presented to Mr. Matt Hudson, Mr. Michael Ewing, and Mr. Eric Crane a Resolution and a Citizen s Award recognizing and commending them for their selfless action in providing assistance to Mr. John Maddox at great risk to their own personal safety. He noted that Mr. Steve Hardy was not present tonight and asked Chief Watts to make sure that the Resolution and Citizen s Award for Mr. Hardy are delivered to his house. These gentlemen received a standing ovation from all those in attendance. -84
Page 85 Page 85 Councilman Pierceall made a motion to adopt the Resolutions Recognizing Mr. Matt Hudson, Mr. Michael Ewing, Mr. Steve Hardy, and Mr. Eric Crane. Councilman Kirlin seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. (Reference and Resolutions as contained in Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 103 at Page 1.) (2) Proclamation Recognizing Dr. William A. Current, Sr. Councilman Kimble read and presented to Dr. William A. Current, Sr., a Proclamation congratulating him on his accomplishments and thanking him for his many years of services and his significant contributions to the citizens of Gastonia, Gaston County, and all of North Carolina. Dr. Current, who was accompanied by his wife, expressed appreciation for this recognition. He thanked the many other individuals who have made great contributions to our City and our Country. Dr. Current received a standing ovation from all those in attendance. Councilman Pierceall made a motion to adopt the Proclamation Recognizing Dr. William A. Current, Sr. Councilman Kirlin seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. (Proclamation as contained Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 103 at Page 2.) PRESENTATIONS (1) Mr. Rob Helton, Assistant Police Chief Re: Introduction of New Central District Leadership Captain Rodney Aldridge and Sergeant Nancy Capistran Chief Helton said it was his honor and privilege to recognize the new leadership in the Central District, who are also two of the most newly promoted supervisors in the Police Department. He introduced Sergeant Nancy Capistran and Captain Rodney Aldridge and briefly reviewed their various assignments during their employment with the City of Gastonia Police Department and their educational background. Sergeant Capistran and Captain Aldridge stated that they were honored and excited about this new assignment. Chief Helton advised that there would be a promotional ceremony this Friday at 3:30 p.m., to recognize these individuals and their new hires. He invited Council to attend this ceremony. (2) Jeffrey and Mary McNeill, Owners of Piedmont Safety WorkWear Re: IDEAL Program Incentive Grant Award Jeffrey and Mary McNeill were not present. Councilman Kimble advised that he and Mayor Pro Tem Craig recently met Mr. and Mrs. McNeill, who expressed an interest in coming before Council to say thank you for the IDEAL grant that they received. He said they recounted that it changed their lives, and that Council hearing their business plan and giving it their stamp of approval gave them the impetus to move forward with their business. He noted that Mr. and Mrs. McNeill have opened a second business in Rock Hill. (3) Ms. Erin Welsch, Program Coordinator, Community Foundation of Gaston County, Inc. Re: Request for In-Kind Services Run for the Money 12 April 12, 2014 Ms. Welsch, who was accompanied by Mr. Ernest Sumner, Executive Director of the Community Foundation, thanked the City for its past support of Run for the Money. She noted the financial support that this event has provided to Gaston County nonprofits over the past 11 years. She then requested in-kind services for Run for the Money 12, as outlined on the application contained in the exhibit book. -85-
Page 86 Page 86 Councilman Kimble made a motion approve the requested in-kind services for Run for the Money 12 on April 12, 2014. Councilman Kirlin seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 103 at Page 3.) (4) Ms. Amanda Fuller, Gaston Youth Connected Program Support Specialist Re: Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina Ms. Fuller presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the goals and accomplishments of Gaston Youth Connected (GYC), a community-wide initiative to prevent teen pregnancy in Gaston County. A copy of that PowerPoint presentation is included in the exhibit book. She explained that this year they were trying to reach out to community leaders to raise awareness of what GYC is doing and to get their support to help GYC connect to other teens in Gastonia and Gaston County. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 103 at Page 4.) (5) Ms. Kristy Crisp, Key Accounts Manager Re: Recognition of Daimler Trucks North America in Receiving Energy Efficiency Award Through ElectriCities Ms. Crisp introduced Mr. Bobby Pearson, with Daimler Trucks North America, and Mr. Mike Mozingo, with ElectriCities. She explained that since 2009, ElectriCities has had a program in place to promote energy efficiency. The program includes a competitive grant opportunity for commercial and industrial customers, which allows them to receive funding for a project that would improve energy efficiency. She said this program has given them an opportunity to comply with State renewable energy requirements and, in doing that, invest in our customers. Over the last four years, they have given out many Energy Efficiency Awards varying in size. Each proposal submitted has to pass a rigorous review that includes an evaluation of the anticipated energy savings, technical merits of the project, a calculation of the expected life of the project, and the total incremental costs associated with implementing the proposed energy efficiency measure. They are very fortunate and pleased tonight to offer their largest award to date to Daimler Trucks North America in the amount of $108,000 for significant upgrades to their HVAC control system, which is helping to reduce the overall electric expenditures in their Gastonia plant. She presented to Mr. Pearson a ceremonial check. Mr. Mozingo commended Daimler Trucks for the work they have done over the last several years to improve the electric efficiency of their plant. He also commended City staff for their assistance in making this happen. On behalf of Daimler Trucks, Mr. Pearson thanked ElectriCities and City staff for supporting them in their energy efficiency programs. He also thanked the City for the basic support it has provided Daimler throughout its year of ups and downs. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 103 at Page 5.) PUBLIC EXPRESSION (1) Mr. Joseph Lenihan, Managing Member of Loray Mill Mr. Lenihan noted that with him tonight were his partners, Mr. John Gumpert and Mr. Billy Hughes. He said they wanted to present an update on how things are going with the Loray Mill redevelopment and to thank the City for its support. In May, 2013, they started work on phase I of the project, which is 190 residential units and about 100,000 square feet of retail and commercial. They expect to have their first residents move in on April 1, 2014. They have already invested almost $20,000,000 into the community and the building itself. By year s end, they will pretty much have the bottom two floors complete. He advised of the work that has been done to date. He said on any given day they have over 200 people working at the site. He thanked the City and County for hanging in with them for over 5 years, as they continued to ask for extensions and as they went through the process of trying to raise money for the debt to do this project. -86-
Page 87 Page 87 Mr. Lenihan then advised of the amenities planned for this facility and of the leads that they have for potential tenants. He said they want this to be one of the best apartment/retail complexes in all of North Carolina. Things are going very well. They are already looking at phase II, which should be open opportunities for senior housing, other commercial, etc. Councilman Kimble made a motion to suspend the rules for Public Expression in order to further discuss this project. Councilman Pierceall seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. Mr. Lenihan addressed various questions of Council regarding the Loray Mill project. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL OF FIRST TENNESSEE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION IN CONNECTION WITH AN INSTALLMENT FINANCING FOR VARIOUS VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT $3,164,000 Mayor Bridgeman recognized Ms. Melody Usery, Director of Financial Services, for the purpose of making the presentation. Ms. Usery said the proposed Resolution is for the annual financing of equipment and vehicles approved with the 2014 annual budget. Requests for proposals for the installment purchase financing, not to exceed $3,164,000, were sent to 17 financial institutions and 8 proposals were received. First Tennessee Bank National Association was the lowest responsible bidder at a rate of 1.18%, with legal fees not to exceed $3,500. Staff recommends approval of the Resolution accepting the proposal of First Tennessee Bank National Association. She advised that staff would be bringing back to Council the final closing documents for this deal in January. She then addressed questions of Council. Councilman Gallagher made a motion to adopt the Resolution Accepting the Proposal of First Tennessee Bank National Association in Connection with an Installment Financing for Various Vehicles and Equipment $3,164,000. Councilman Pierceall seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. (Reference and Resolution as contained in Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 103 at Page 6.) TRAFFIC ORDINANCE REDUCTION OF SPEED LIMIT ON VANCE STREET Mayor Bridgeman recognized Mr. Rusty Bost, City Engineer, for the purpose of making the presentation. Mr. Bost explained that the proposed Traffic Ordinance would reduce the speed limit on Vance Street, between West Franklin Boulevard and West Garrison Boulevard, from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour in an effort to improve safer access to the newly constructed Gastonia Optimist Club Park. He said the park sits very close to Vance Street and they expect that a lot of residents in this area will be walking to the park. Staff recommends approval of this Traffic Ordinance. Council discussed the possibility of putting speed humps on this area of Vance Street. Councilman Pierceall noted that there is a long list of requests for speed humps. He said he did not want speed humps on Vance Street to be moved to the top of that list, causing those who have been waiting to wait even longer. Councilman Pierceall made a motion to adopt the Ordinance Amending Chapter 6, Appendix A, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Gastonia, as presented. Councilman Kimble seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. (Reference and Ordinance as contained in Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 103 at Page 7.) RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF REAL PROPERTY OF HISTORIC AND ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE (319 SOUTH VANCE STREET AND 326 SOUTH VANCE STREET) TO PRESERVATION NORTH CAROLINA Mayor Bridgeman recognized Mr. L. Ashley Smith, City Attorney, for the purpose of making the presentation. -87-
Page 88 Page 88 Mr. Smith said in September, 2013, Council accepted the donation of two properties in the Loray Mill area, 319 South Vance Street and 326 South Vance Street. The City accepted the donation of these properties from Wells Fargo on the condition that the City would in turn convey them to Preservation North Carolina, which will put preservation covenants in place so that when the properties are sold they will be redeveloped in a fashion appropriate to the Loray Village. After some discussion, Councilman Pierceall made a motion to approve the Resolution Authorizing Conveyance of Real Property of Historic and Architectural Significance (319 South Vance Street and 326 South Vance Street) to Preservation North Carolina. Councilman Kirlin seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. (Reference and Resolution as contained in Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 103 at Page 8.) CENTRAL CITY REVITALIZATION AND HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT Mayor Bridgeman recognized Councilman Pierceall, Chairman of the Central City Revitalization and Housing Committee, for the purpose of making the presentation. Councilman Pierceall advised that the Central City Revitalization and Housing Committee met on December 4, 2013, and discussed the following two items, neither of which require a vote of Council: 1) 2014 Summer Concert Series He said the Committee discussed information provided by staff on the City s involvement and funding of previous summer concert series. They asked questions about the turnout and response to this past summer s series and possible options and associated costs for events for next summer. Ms. Melanie Stines, who coordinated this past summer s series, attended the meeting to answer questions. The Committee voted 3-0 to instruct staff, with the assistance of Ms. Stines, to develop options and alternatives for the 2014 summer concert series and to present them to the Committee at its next meeting in January, 2014. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 103 at Page 9.) 2) Update on Building and Development Task Force Requests Councilman Pierceall said at the November 19, 2013, City Council meeting he informed Council of a Task Force that he had appointed to give a little better understanding of how builders and developers in the community feel about working with the City and its ordinances, and to suggest anything that the City could be doing better or that the builders and developers could be doing better. It was basically to open up a dialogue and to tweak some things. At that Council meeting, he advised of several requests the Task Force had brought forward. The responses that City staff had to those requests are included in tonight s Council agenda. These responses have been given to the Task Force to review, and they will be discussed with the Task Force at the next Committee meeting. The Committee voted 2-0 to continue that conversation to its January, 2014, meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Craig noted that the vote on this item was 2-0 because Councilman Pierceall had to leave the meeting prior to the vote being taken. Mr. L. Ashley Smith, City Attorney, advised that that vote should be 3-0 because Councilman Pierceall was not excused before leaving the meeting, so he should be counted in the affirmative on that motion. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 103 at Page 10.) (Committee Report as contained in Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 103 at Page 11.) CITY ATTORNEY S REPORT Mr. L. Ashley Smith, City Attorney, wished everyone a Merry Christmas. CITY MANAGER S REPORT Mr. Edward C. Munn, City Manager, reported the following: -88-
Page 89 Page 89 There will be neighborhood meeting at 6:00 p.m., on January 14, 2014, at Temple Baptist Church, to discuss the Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) project for the North Scruggs Street area. A room has been reserved at the Gastonia Conference Center for the Strategic Planning Retreat on January 25, 2014. Staff will be putting together a list of topics that they would like to discuss at that meeting. He would like for Council to look at that list and let him know of any changes they would like to make. He would welcome any ideas that Council has regarding what they would like to accomplish at that meeting. A lot of good information was received at the Pedestrian Plan public meeting held on December 16, 2013. This will give them a good plan for the future. By doing this plan, it will allow the City to apply for funding from the State which will help in the future. Staff continues to work with SunDrop on the Franklin Boulevard pedestrian improvements. Centralina Council of Governments has come up with various draft scenarios of growth plans. They are still doing some adjustments on that, but it should soon be ready to present to Council. Mr. Munn wished everyone a Merry Christmas. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS The Mayor and each Council Member wished everyone a happy and safe holiday season. Mayor Pro Tem Craig She said she enjoyed attending the City barbecue. everyone who helped with that event. She thanked She said she hopes that everyone will remember in their thoughts and prayers all the men and women serving in the military who will not be able to spend the holidays with their families. Councilman Pierceall He said he enjoyed attending the City barbecue. He thanked everyone involved in that event. He also thanked the service men and women who are oversees and will not be able to make it home for Christmas. Councilman Gallagher He said he enjoyed touring the Loray Mill and encouraged others to tour that facility. He again commended Mayor Pro Tem Craig and everyone else involved in the Gastonia Optimist Club Park project. He said he attended the Pedestrian Plan public meeting yesterday. He went there specifically to put down information on Modena Street, because they are deprived of having a sidewalk to the Bradley Center. The Community Watch representative for that area, Ms. Heather Stroup, was there. Ms. Stroup commended Mr. Rusty Bost, City Engineer, on how he has dealt with and partnered with their Community Watch group. He too thanked Mr. Bost for all he does. Councilman Gallagher said a couple of weeks ago there was an event at the Erwin Center that was sponsored by The Least of These. They had raised money to purchase gifts for foster children throughout Gaston County. The children got to meet Santa, and Santa and his helpers distributed the gifts. This past Saturday Toys for Tots had a toy drive at Wal-Mart, which was very successful. He commended Mr. Bill Starr on the job he is doing with the Toys for Tots toy drive this year. Councilman Kirlin He said he also would like to put in a plug for the Toys for Tots program. He saw Mr. Bill Starr last night at a Rotary Christmas party. They were collecting toys for Toys for Tots. Mr. Starr said he thought that this year s requests were going to almost double last year s request. The need for toys is tremendous. He encourage anyone who can to contribute to this. Councilman Kimble He thanked everyone who helped with the Christmas parade and everyone who came out to watch the parade in the blustery weather. -89-
Page 90 Page 90 He said Centralina Council of Governments is in the final stages of compiling the information that they received from the community as to what improvements they want to see in the area of transit. He would imagine that they will release that information in the first quarter of 2014. Councilman Kimble said he has talked with Chief Helton and Chief Conley about a new program that the Department of Defense has, Pentagon 1033 Program, where they are allowing municipal police departments to take over the ownership of MRAP, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, that were used in the various desert conflicts. They cost over a half million dollars and he believes they are going to make those available at virtually no cost to the municipalities. He has some information to pass along to Chief Helton. He thinks staff has already started to move forward with the acquisition process. He asked that everyone remember those who lost loved ones in the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School one year ago. He said throughout the barrage of sales flyers, e-commerce e-mails, and all the lines, he hopes everyone will take a moment to reflect on the real reason for the season and the eternal joy that it promises all of us. Mayor Bridgeman He said last Wednesday he and the City Manager hosted the quarterly meeting of the Gaston County Mayors and Managers at City Hall. They had a big crowd, with three new Mayors attending. He was asked to stop by Shrimp Boat yesterday morning. The Shrimp Boat is not open on Mondays, but they had buses from Webb Street School coming in. The Shrimp Boat has done this for years. Their way of giving back at Christmas is to feed the children and staff of Webb Street School. Santa was there, they sang Christmas carols, but what he noticed most was that almost every one of them were smiling and laughing. MEETING ADJOURNED At 7:40 p.m., Councilman Gallagher made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Pierceall seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. Mayor John D. Bridgeman L. Ashley Smith, City Attorney Virginia L. Creighton, City Clerk rc121713-90-