Robert Cloninger

This document covers two sessions of the Gastonia City Council Strategic Planning Retreat. Session 1 focused on building strong relationships, reviewing and updating the City's current Strategic Plan for FY2027, discussing current Goals, and brainstorming priorities. Departmental accomplishments for 2025 were reviewed by various department heads. Session 2 centered on budget development guidance for FY2027, including a financial overview, establishing guidance for the GO Transportation Bond Second Issuance, tax base updates, compensation and benefits review, and discussion of proposed fee schedule amendments. Key discussions included the potential shift to a self-insured model for property and liability insurance utilizing PFAS settlement funds, and a presentation on the proposed Flock Safe City Program involving LPRs and drones. Economic development updates covered industrial growth, retail trends, and downtown property redevelopment RFPs. Further discussion addressed expansion plans for the Fire Department, including staffing needs and apparatus replacement costs, as well as significant capital needs and a proposed 5% Water/Sewer rate increase. The Legislative Advocacy Agenda was reviewed, confirming support for citywide elections and opposing shifts of municipal elections to even years.

The meeting featured several presentations covering city operations and projects. Key discussions included an overview of Council procedures and powers, a comprehensive Compensation/Classification Study detailing proposed pay plans and estimated implementation costs, and a presentation on FY2025 financial information, including revenue increases and debt capacity modeling for capital projects. Updates were provided on numerous ARPA projects, both completed and in progress. Departmental updates covered Fire Department incident density and apparatus replacement schedules, Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) equipment and usage, and the transition to a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Transportation, Planning, Engineering, Economic Development, Housing, and the Schiele Museum provided extensive updates on major infrastructure projects, including I-85/I-485 interchange work, US 74 bridge widening, various local road improvements, the Garrison Boulevard LEARNS project, and the performance metrics and future needs of the GoGastonia microtransit program. Planning discussed the 2050 Comprehensive Plan and UDO updates. Engineering reviewed progress on General Obligation Bond projects and Greenway extensions. Economic Development highlighted industrial recruitment successes. Public Utilities presented updates on Water and Wastewater Treatment Facilities, ongoing Southeast Utility Projects, and the Firestone Basin Sewer Outfall project, alongside recommendations for future water and sewer rate increases. Public Services covered electric substation upgrades, stormwater asset management, solid waste route changes, and the implementation of new management systems like CityWorks and See Click Fix.

The Gastonia City Council convened a special meeting and moved into a closed session to discuss the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee. Upon returning to open session, the council approved a motion to direct the City Attorney to prepare an amendment to the City Manager's employment contract, consistent with the directions provided during the closed session, to be presented at their sine die meeting.

The joint meeting between the Gastonia City Council and the Gaston County Board of Commissioners addressed several key issues. Discussions included updates on the Apple Creek project, the Gaston County Jail expansion, and strategies for addressing housing insecurity, including potential partnerships for cooling stations and exploring pallet home projects. The meeting also covered fire district matters, updates on current projects such as Dallas Park, Charters of Freedom, Chapel Grove, and infrastructure and utility expansion, including the possibility of installing fiber. The council also discussed the homeless issue and the formation of a working group to find solutions.

The resolution discusses the adoption of the FY 2026 Consolidated Fee Schedule, which includes fees for various city services and activities such as cemetery services, planning and code enforcement, engineering, financial services, fire services, housing and community engagement, parks and recreation, police services, public utilities (electric, water & sewer), public works, transportation, and the Schiele Museum. The schedule is reviewed annually with updates as needed.