Page 103 Page 103 GASTONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 3, 2017 6:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL GASTONIA, NC Mayor John Bridgeman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Gastonia, North Carolina. Mayor Pro Tem Todd Pierceall opened the meeting with prayer. Mayor Bridgeman led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Sherry H. Dunaway, City Clerk, recorded the minutes. PRESENT: ABSENT: Mayor John D. Bridgeman Mayor Pro Tem Todd Pierceall Council Members: Robert Kellogg David R. Kirlin James Gallagher Porter L. McAteer David Humphries City Manager Edward C. Munn City Attorney L. Ashley Smith None ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Councilman McAteer made a motion to adopt the Agenda as printed. Councilman Kirlin seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. PRESENTATIONS INTRODUCTION OF 2017 CITIZENS ACADEMY PARTICIPANTS Mayor Bridgeman recognized Michael Peoples, Assistant City Manager, for this presentation Mr. Peoples recognized the participants of the 2017 Citizens Academy and they introduced themselves and passed out an agenda of the Academy dates and programs which has been incorporated into the exhibits. Mr. Peoples stated 13 citizens have signed up for the Academy and the next meeting is January 19 th at City Hall led by Mr. Munn and Mr. Smith. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 1). PUBLIC EXPRESSION Mayor Bridgeman noted that no one signed in to speak. - 103 -
Page 104 Page 104 CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Councilman Gallagher seconded the motion, and Council approved it unanimously F.1: Traffic Ordinance Two Way Stop: Weldon St and Fifth Ave Two Way Stop: Old Knobbly Oak Ln at Cypress Oak Ln Two Way Stop: Cord Oak Ln at Cypress Oak Ln Stop Intersection Street Designation Change: Bighorn Way and Creekside Trace Speed Reduction: Montclair Ave from S. New Hope Rd to Armstrong Park Dr. Speed Reduction: Erskine Woods Dr. from Oates Rd to Cul-De-Sac (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 2). F.2: Approval to Purchase Two "Source Transfer Switchgears" to Provide Reliable and Redundant Electric Service to the Renovated City of Gastonia Water Treatment Plant. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 3). F.3: Budget Amendment 17-027 $141,044 - Recognize Revenue from NC Department of Transportation for Relocation Cost for Electric Utility Conflicts for US 321/I-85 Interchange Improvement I-5000. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 4). F.4: Agreement with NC Department of Transportation for the I-5000 Project (I-85/US 321 Interchange Improvements) for the Construction of a Greenway from Rankin Lake Road to Bulb Avenue (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 5). F.5: Monthly Financial Report for November, 2016. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 6). F.6: Budget Amendment 17-029 -$61,255 - Reduce Budgeted Grant Funds to Match the Actual Grant Fund Allocation and Creates a Separate Account for the State Planning Research Funding. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 7). F.7: Final Recording Plat Bethesda Oaks Phase 3A Map 3 (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 8). REGULAR AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION CLOSING A PORTION OF BURTONWOOD DRIVE - 104 -
Page 105 Page 105 Mayor Bridgeman declared the hearing open and recognized Mr. L. Ashley Smith, City Attorney, and Mr. Rusty Bost, P.E., Director of Engineering. Mr. Smith stated this hearing is to close a Portion of Burtonwood Drive that is not needed anymore. Mr. Smith noted this is shown on the map in the exhibits. Mr. Smith stated this property adjoins the property of Mr. Stowe Parker, who is present. Mr. Smith stated per state law if you adopt this resolution tonight, the title fee will go to Mr. and Mrs. Parker as the adjoining property owners, and the city will retain a utility easement across the property. Staff has no objections to this request. Councilman Gallagher asked if the city is closing Burtonwood off. Mr. Bost stated this is an old road bed that is gravel, grass and weeds and no one is driving on it. Councilman Gallagher made the motion to close the public hearing and approve staff s recommendation. Councilman Kellogg seconded the motion and council approved it unanimously. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 9). OFFER TO PURCHASE CITY-OWNED PROPERTY 416 W. SECOND AVE Mayor Bridgeman recognized Kristy Crisp, Business Services Manager/Economic Development Coordinator, for this presentation. Ms. Crisp stated we have received an offer to purchase a city owned lot at 416 W. Second Avenue and this property is adjacent to and backs up to Oakwood Cemetery. Ms. Crisp stated the offer to purchase is for $8,840 from Mr. Tom Cox. Ms. Crisp stated staff recommends proceeding with this offer to purchase and it will be advertised for upset bid for ten days. Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall made the motion to approve. Councilman Humphries seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 10). BUDGET AMENDMENT 17-028 $10,000 - RECOGNIZE REVENUE FROM ELECTRICITIES TO REIMBURSE CITY ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING AND HVAC PROJECTS Mayor Bridgeman recognized Joe Albright, Director, Enterprise Services for this presentation. Mr. Albright stated Electricities has a program where they allocate a certain amount of funds each calendar year for some of their customers to participate in energy incentives and rebates for projects that make the usage more efficient. Mr. Albright noted that the budget amendment is for $10,000 where Nissan of Gastonia did the outdoor lighting change on their property that netted them $50,000 in energy savings on an annual basis. - 105 -
Page 106 Page 106 Councilman Gallagher made the motion to approve the budget amendment as presented. Councilman Kirlin seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 11). BUDGET AMENDMENT 17-030 $10,000 RECOGNIZE DUKE ENERGY GRANT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF TWO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS Mayor Bridgeman recognized Joe Albright, Director, Enterprise Services for this presentation. Mr. Albright stated the City staff was successful in securing a $10,000 grant from Duke Energy of the Carolinas for the installation of two energy vehicle charging stations. Mr. Albright stated the total cost to the city upon receiving the grant is $3,343. Mr. Albright noted these stations will be installed at the corner of E. Long Avenue and North Oakland Street and the second at the Public Library (1555 E. Garrison Blvd.). Councilman Gallagher made the motion to approve the budget amendment as presented. Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 12). MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP Mayor Bridgeman recognized Edward C Munn, City Manager for this presentation. Mr. Munn presented a handout to Council of a draft for the upcoming Mayor/City Council Strategic Planning Workshop Agenda which has been incorporated into the exhibits. Mr. Munn submitted this for review. Councilman McAteer asked everyone to consider naming rights for the Conference Center. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 13). PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT Mayor Bridgeman recognized Councilman Porter McAteer, Chairman, for this report. Councilman McAteer stated the Committee met on Thursday, December 22, 2016, and the staff presented a proposed advertising and process for the City Manager position as shown in the exhibits. ITEM 1: Advertising and Process for the City Manager Position - 106 -
Page 107 Page 107 Councilman Kirlin stated the Committee voted (3-0) to recommend approval of the proposed process and advertising through International City Managers Association, NC League of Municipalities and the City website. Councilman Kirlin made the motion as presented. Councilman McAteer seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall stated he thought we should start in-house first for 30 days and if there are no suitable applicants then we advertise outside. Councilman Humphries requested a press release be done outlining the details of the search. After further discussion, Council passed the motion (6-1) with Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall opposing. ITEM 2: Review of General Characteristics for the City Manager Position Councilman Kirlin stated the committee voted (3-0) to recommend approval to include city residency requirement and demonstrated experience with a comparable size city. Councilman Kirlin made the motion to approve. Councilman McAteer seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 3 to Minute Book 106 at Page 14). CITY ATTORNEY S REPORT Mayor Bridgeman recognized Mr. L. Ashley Smith, City Attorney for his report. Mr. Smith stated that that the new Assistant City Attorney, Charles Graham, will begin working tomorrow and he will be at the next meeting for a formal introduction. CITY MANAGER S REPORT Mayor Bridgeman recognized Mr. Ed Munn, City Manager for his report. Mr. Munn noted that the weather forecast is snow and the city departments are prepared. Mr. Munn reminded everyone of the Martin Luther King awards ceremony on January 16 th and the Citizens Academy will begin on January 19 th. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councilman Humphries asked when the sidewalk project would begin at Franklin Square. Mr. Bost noted that it would be sometime in 2019. Councilman Humphries asked who was responsible for removing signs at the intersections. Mr. Bost stated our Zoning officer, Joe Gates, and another staff member work to enforce this by contacting the businesses and sometimes picking them up - 107 -
Page 108 Page 108 themselves. Mr. Munn noted there is a pole patrol that are volunteers with KGB and they will be working on removing signs as well. Councilman Humphries said he would like to see a press release to the public about the sign ordinance. Councilman Humphries wished everyone a happy new year and he thanked the citizen volunteers in the Citizens Academy for their participation. He requested that everyone keep the first responders and military people in your thoughts and prayers. Councilman McAteer asked if there is a fine for putting signs on the telephone poles. Mr. Smith stated that it is against state law and there is a penalty under that statute. Councilman McAteer stated that when we do the press release we need to point out that there is a fine for putting signs in the right of way and on poles. Councilman McAteer thanked all the employees for the good work they did last year and wished everyone a happy new year. Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall no report. Councilman Gallagher thanks the staff for their preparation for the storm. He stated he recently saw Bald Eagles at Rankin Lake Park and they are beautiful. He also thanked the Electric Department for the work they did last week after a car accident in restoring the power. He also attended a watch night service at Center Baptist Church for New Year s Eve and it was an awesome service and he extended thanks to Pierre Crawford for the invitation. He also wished everyone and the employees a happy new year and thanked the employees for the work they do. Councilman Kirlin asked if anyone had an update on the senior residential apartments that are scheduled for construction on Glenwood Drive. Councilman Gallagher stated they are waiting on approval by the state. Mr. Munn stated he would check with staff to get the status on that construction. Councilman Kirlin wished everyone a happy new year. Councilman Kellogg wished the staff and residents a happy new year. Councilman Kellogg stated that when he looks back at the last year and the meetings with the residents that went so well, he would like for his new year s resolution to be to continue conversations with our residents because there are a lot of people that want to understand what the city is doing and what our vision and plans are and we need to go out and talk to people and listen to them and their stories, and he is going to continue working on that for this coming year. Mayor Bridgeman thanked everyone for the work they have done this past year. Mayor Bridgeman adjourned at 7:27 p.m. ADJOURNMENT - 108 -
Page 109 Page 109 Mayor John D. Bridgeman L. Ashley Smith, City Attorney Sherry H. Dunaway, City Clerk Rc010317-109 -