Page 131  Page 131  GASTONIA CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH1,2016-6 6:00P.M.  CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY] HALL-C GASTONIA.NC  Mayor. John Bridgeman called the meeting to order at 6:00p p.m. on' Tuesday, March 1,2016int the City Council Chambers, City Hall, Gastonia, North Carolina. Mayor Bridgeman asked everyone to please remember Mrs. Kathleen Boyce in their thoughts and prayers as she recovers from a serious illness. Mayor Bridgeman opened the meeting with prayer and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Sherry H. Dunaway, City Clerk, recorded the minutes.  PRESENT: Mayor. John D. Bridgeman  Council Members: Robert Kellogg  David R. Kirlin James Gallagher Todd] Pierceall Porter L.I McAteer David Humphries  City Manager: Edward C. Munn City Attorney: L. Ashley Smith  ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  Councilman McAteer made aj motion to adopt the Agenda as printed. Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall  seconded the motion and Council approved it unanimously.  APPROVALOF THEMINUTES Regular Council Meeting - January 19,2016  Councilman Humphries made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 19, 2016, Regular Council meeting as printed. Councilman Kellogg seconded the motion and Council approvedi it  unanimously.  PRESENTATION  (1) Mr. Steve D'Avria, Board Vice Chair, Girls on the Run  Mayor Bridgeman recognized Mr. Steve D'Avria, Board Vice-Chair, Girls on thel Run. Mr. D'Avriat thanked! Mayor Bridgeman and Council fort thej prayers forl Mrs. Kathleen Boyce, who is very active with Girls on the Run. Mr. D'Avria stated the services Girls on the Run are requesting are: for the Spring 5-K at] Lineberger Park each year. Mr.D'Avriar noted there are 1500 to 2000 participants including up to 900-31d, 4th and Sth grade girls. Mr. D'Avria stated that would] liket to continue tol havet the support ofhaving the traffic areas closed down, someone to. they lead thei race, and someone to serve as our sweeper at the end and for Gastonia to continue to be that Councilman McAteer made the motion to approve the services and Councilman (Reference as contained inl Exhibit Book 41 tol Minute Book 105 at Page 43.)  support sot they can have thisl large event, one oft thel biggest in Gastonia. seconded the: motion. The Council approved it unanimously.  Gallagher  PUBLIC EXPRESSION  No citizens signed in for public expression.  -131-    Page 132  Page 132  REGULAR COIXCINETN-NaaLas  CONSENT. AGENDA FINAL. RECORDING PLAT BETHESDA OAKS PHASE: 3AMAP1 EIMALRECORDNGFLAT FINALI RECORDINGPLAT  (Reference as contained: in Exhibit Book 4t tol Minute Book 105 at] Page 44.) (Reference as contained: in Exhibit Book 41 to Minute Book 105 atl Page 45.) (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 41 tol Minutel Book 105 at Page 46.)  CATAWBAHILLSTOWNHOMES PHASE4MAP5 VILLAGE @ 5TH AVENUE] PHASE2MAP2  RESOLUTION. ADOPTING THE1 PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT AND: SETTING1 THE PUBLICI HEARING TIME ANDDATEFOR THE PETITION FOR LOCALI IMPROVEMENTS- -SEWER. LINE EXTENSION FOR Al PORTIONOF BARRINGTONDRIVE WEST] DAVIDSON. AVENUE BRIDGE. PROJECT CLOSE OUT  (Reference as contained inl Exhibit Book 41 tol Minute Book 105 at Page 47.) (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 4t tol Minute Book 105 at] Page 48.)  BUDGET AMENDMENT#1 16-027  Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall made the motion to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Councilman Humphries seconded the motion andt the Council approved it unanimously.  MONTHLYFNANCIAL REPORT FORI FEBRUARY2016  Mayor Bridgeman recognized Ms. Melody Braddy, Director, Financial Services for the report. Ms. Braddy presented, fori information only, thel February, 2016, Monthly Financial Report. Ms.  Braddy stated that through January, all funds are operating as expected. (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 4t tol Minute Book 105 at Page 49.)  AWARDOFHINANCIAL AUDIT CONTRACT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDINGIUNE30.2016 Contract subject tot the approval oft the City Council, the Local Government Commission and the Availability of Appropriation  Mayor Bridgeman recognized Ms. Melody Braddy, Director, Financial Services, for the report. Ms. Braddy statedt the City of Gastonia: is required tol have an annual audit by independent auditors. Martin Starnes and Associates, CPAs, P.A. currently has our audit contract for a period of four years beginning June 30, 2013.This contract is required by the Local Government Commission to be approved by Council each fiscal year. Ms. Braddy stated City staff recommends that the City of Gastonia contract to audit accounts be approved for fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, with Martin Starnes and Associates, CPAS, P.A. The contract for Fiscal Year 2016i is the same amount as last year, $52,550. The funding for this contract isi includedi in the current year' s1 budget and no Councilman Gallagher asked ifi new people perform our audit ori isi it always the same people.  additional funds are required.  1 132-    Page 133  Page 133  REGULAR COUNCILNEETNG-Mar.a 1,2016  Ms. Braddy stated that wel have had a four year contract with Martin Starnes and two years into thec contract they changed auditt teams and audit managers SO wel had ai freshi new team working on Councilman Gallagher made the motion to accept the recommendation by Staff for the audit contract with Martin Starnes and Associates. Councilman Kirlin seconded the motion. The  our audit even though they were from the same firm. Council approved thei motion unanimously.  (Reference as contained: inl Exhibit Book 4t tol Minute Book 105 at] Page 50.)  RISOLUTIONFORAPLLICATONTOTHE: CLEAN WATER STATE] APOURABDACInLoAN PROGRAM FOR ADDITIONALI FUNDING FOR THE SOUTH] FORK PHASE II WATER PLANT  Mayor Bridgeman recognized Mr. Matt Bernhardt, Director of Public Works and Utilities, for this Mr. Bernhardt stated the City of Gastonia's Two River's Utilities (TRU) has been working for some time ont the South] Forkl Phase III Regional Sewer Project - a regional sewer project that will connect the Town ofl McAdenville and Pharr Yarns to the TRU wastewater system viai force main which will then allow their aged wastewater treatment facilities to be decommissioned. Mr. Bernhardt noted that during the time we have been in design and survey and all the preparatory things, the construction market place activity has picked up and we are fairly certain that the original estimate we had for the project of $2.8 million is probably now in the range of $3.4 resultingi inag gapi in the funding necessary to complete the project. Mr. Bernhardt: noted' The Clean Water Statel Revolving Fund Loan Program has additional funding available to fillt the funding for the Project and has indicated that the Project is eligible for up to $3 Million in total loan gap funding. Bernhardt noted that the NC Department of Environmental Quality will allow for the completion of the Project to the benefit to all parties involved, and it will continue the regionalization and consolidation of wastewater flows and treatment in Gaston County through partnership and teamwork. Mr. Bernhardt stated that the Staff recommends that this Resolution Authorizing the City of Gastonia's Application for the North Carolina Clean Water State Revolving Loan Program tol Provide South Fork Phase II Regional Wastewater Improvements be Councilman Humphries inquired about the Township Grants and asked if we were receiving monies for this. Mr. Bernhardt stated we did not receive funding directly for this project. any An application was prepared and submitted on behalfofMcAdenvile but with a very crowded listi it Councilman Kirlin asked ift the costs will be divided between Pharr Yarns and McAdenville and Two Rivers. Mr. Bernhardt stated that wel have agreements in place that were approved the Council sometime back with Pharr and McAdenville that will essentially pay the loan funds by back over time. Mr. Bernhardt stated that we are also looking at additional funds for the project but Councilman Kirlin asked if this would impact their rates. Mr. Bernhardt stated we have not considered ai rate increase specific to this but we are still working on the project. Mr. Bernhardt notedt therei is aj possibility ofs some additional funds that could be obtained that might provide some relief and as we complete this research we will be bringing those back to you for consideration. Councilman Gallagher asked why there was an increase ini the project. Mr. Bernhardt stated that this was ani inherited project when we did the consolidation with Cramerton and we almost losti it during the economic meltdown, and then we lost a good portion of the design that had been completed to that point as well as all the survey data when the Engineering Company involved closed their doors. Wel had to start: from scratch and these were events that were totally out of our  presentation.  approved.  didi not make it.  statedi it will bej paid back over time by Pharr Yarns and McAdenville.  -133-    Page 134  Page 134  REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING =- March 1,2016  control, but we have overcome those. Mr. Bernhardt stated thati ini regards to Councilman Kirlin's question, the flows willj pay back the loans that wei receive and the grant does not! have to be paid back, butt the period oft time that itt takes for that payback isa al littlel longer than we would like forit tol be, SO we are working to seei iftherei is some additional grant funding that may be ablet tos shorten that. Mr. Bernhardt noted that there may be other options and the staffi is working on that and Councilman Gallagher made the motion to accept thei recommendation; per the Resolution from Staff. Councilman Humphries seconded thei motion. Council passed the motion unanimously. Mayor Bridgeman asked Mr. Bost to step up to the podium and asked Mr. Bost for the status of Mr. Bost stated that itl has been a very wet winter so they have been unable to complete some of the work. They have completed all they can do until the ground dries. Mr. Bost noted that the crews have moved North toward Franklin and they are doing more of the water line and storm drain work underground and once all the underground work is completed, then the next thing would be the grading. Mr. Bost stated iti is very similar on1 the East side, as well as Titman Road, where that contractor essentially got all of the underground work done and there is nothing for themt to do now until the ground dries for them to do the: final grading and then build those lanes. Mayor Bridgeman asked ift thes study was complete ont the speed humps on Midwood near Hunter Huss. Mr. Bosts stated there was al lot of activity out there, noting that there has also been ar request from the school to put speed humps on Edgewood, right beside the school. Mr. Bost stated unfortunately we have not had any progress on those today and noted the Staff was about six requests behind with their accounts and analysis and they are workingi ini that direction ands should  when we gett those solidified we willl be bringing it back.  (Reference as contained: inl Exhibit Book 4t tol Minute Book 105 atl Page 51.)  the work onl Davis Park Road.  bet there soon as they bring more Staff on to fill some vacancies.  2016 STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP TAKEAWAYS  Mayor Bridgeman recognized! Mr. Ed) Munn, City Manager for this presentation.  Mr. Munn stated that hel hadj passed these out the 2016 Strategic Planning Workshop Takeaways att thel last Councili meeting and wanted to go overa ai fewt things where he couldi reports some progress and also tol let Council know that all next week we would be reviewing the budget. Mr. Munn statedt that duringt the Strategic Planning Workshop that we were very aspirational as a group and we wantedt to do al lot oft things. Mr. Munn also noted that nowi the challenge would be to quantify all oft this and bring it back to the City Council. Mr. Munn stated there are many great projects out Mr. Munn advised the first item is compensation and we are preparing ourselves going forward with the merit system and looking at that next year or the year beyond. Mr. Munn noted that we were. looking at an early March across-the boardi increase for employees but we ended the meeting before coming back around to that. Mr. Munn stated the question is do we want to do this and Councilman Gallagher stated we. have the money available, $287,031, for the early March 19th Mr. Munn stated iti is not budgeted buti iti is available through our fund balance because we have done very well with our fund balance. Mr. Munn noted this advance is a one-time event. Again, the total is $450,000 and the $287,031 to the general fund. We would actually do budget  there, but only SOI much that we can fund this year.  stated it would cost $287,031 to implement.  increase of3 percent.  amendments toj pulli it from the various fund balances tof fund it this year.  -134-    Page 135  Page 135  MCLAEDCIDNIR.NwN 1,2016  Councilman Gallagher stated that he would like to make the motion that we give employees an early3 percent increase starting onl March 19th. Councilman Kirlin seconded the motion. Councilman Humphries askedi ift this was something we are going to try to do every year or what. Mr. Munn noted that right now we happen to have some extra money and pay has been ani issue city wide andl het thinks the timei is right to do it and statedi it would be unlikely we would doi itall Councilman Humphries stated he just wanted to be sure this was a one-time event this because obviously they deserve it and wel have the funding, but he wants to be sure employees year, Mr. Munn noted there have been years when the raise came later in September due to but It think for 90 percent of the years that we have had compensation increases, budget have occurred July 1st and that is true with all local governments, cities, counties, and school they boards. Mr. Munn noted thati is what yous should expect as the norm, not March. Council Kirlin stated that for clarification purposes is that your Manager's budget for this coming year will include a 3j percent pay increase for all employees and we are just starting this because we can financially afford it and because we have had several years in which wel have early not been able to do as much for our employees that we would like to and now since we have this opportunity we: are going to extend this to the employees ont this one time basis. Mr. Munn stated that is correct. Mr. Munn noted you would not always do this but I think thisi is exactly as Councilman Kirlin said and It think that is the way should explain it, that we can doi it now: and1 because we were not ablet to do as much as we would] havel liked tol have donet thel last few years, this allows ust to deal with our employees and asi many ofy youl have said "thati is how we our work done" and making sure that we take care of our employees and address that first get is Councilman Kellogg stated that he is really in favor of this and he feels iti is important if we do have a little bit of extra funding to do this early to show our city employees how much we appreciate them. Councilman Kellogg noted that he knew there were many employee that have not! hada anys sort ofraisei in several years, it has been a difficult economy, andi ifthere is something that we can do toj just say thank you: and eveni ifiti isj just ac couple of extraj paychecks, Iami ini favor Councilman McAteer stated this does not have anything to do with the market studies where we  the time.  knowt thisi is a one-time thing.  concerns,  important.  ofthat.  might make adjustments.  Mr. Munn stated thati is correct, that process is ongoing and thisi is not part ofit.  Councilman McAteer asked about thel lower paide employees and whatt the City was doing for them. Mr. Munn stated that the lastt two years we. have pushed dollars down at the lowest levels and we havel hada a situation where wel have putt those percentages ands some oft them havel been pretty high, 41 percent or close to 4.5 percent and then some of the other employees were getting 1 was appropriate to do that coming out oft ther recession. Mr. Munn noted thei reason we percent. would like to return to the traditional way, which is that is what all of our competitors are doing. We were the only ones for those two years that pushed pay raises down to the lowest of levels for those employees. Mr. Munn stated that as we move forward in this, hopefully post-recession are competing with everyone else who is giving 3 or 2.5 percent raises SO when we people and others, we. have to be careful that we stay in sync with the market. Mr. Munn noted that wel have also held thei insurance costs and not! passed those on and the insurance costs are coming to us for families and we do not pass that on. Mr. Munn stated we also have a wonderful clinic that oure employees are ablet to access andt thati really helps many ofc our employees  It  that we our midlevel  period, hiring  -135-    Page 136  Page 136  REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING- March 1,2016  with modest incomes. Mr. Munn stated we would continue tol look at other things to help those at Councilman Gallagher stated that the last two years we did tryt tol help thel little guy but I feel that doing a 3 percent across the board helps everyone because we have all struggled with this Mayor Bridgeman stated that we had a motion and a second. The Council passed the motion unanimously to give employees ane early 31 percent increase starting on March 19th. Mr. Munn continued with his report on the' Takeaways from the Strategic Planning Workshop for Mayor Bridgeman asked about the possibility ofe expanding the city on-site clinici into the Artspace Mr. Munn stated that could be a couple of years away, but there are also conversations with Caromont talking about where we go and perhaps their rolei in all oft this as well. Mr. Munn noted that we have moved forward with market and financials on the Downtown Sports/Entertainment District Complex and we will continue to meet with developers and will  thel bottom oft the scale as well.  recession.  information purposes. building.  report further as we move along.  Mr.] Munn stated the UDOi is moving forward but nothing to report att this point.  Mr. Munn stated that the street encroachments are being worked on by Engineering and nothing Mr. Munn noted that the staffing for the Small Business Advocate is in progress and will be Mr. Munn stated the Loray Village Plan is moving forward and some of those projects may be Councilman Gallagher inquired about the status oft the police substation atl Loray Mills. Mr. Munn stated thatt therel has beens somel liens filed that are being resolved that had tied up those dollars but nowi they should be ablet to move forward as this should bei resolved in the next couple of weeks and thent theys should be moving right away on the police station. Mr. Munn noted there iscurrently an 80j percent occupancy rate and also a brewj pubi is being planned inside and also the exercise clubi is open there. Mr. Munn statedt that Loray Millsi is alsot the potential location for the incubator that the county has funded and we are doing everything we can to get that located at Mr. Munns statedt thatt the Council had asked! howe early thei tag fees could be done. Mr. Munn stated that the statute calls for no earlier than July 1St therefore July 1S, will be the first opportunity for that and we will putt thati into thel budgetary process and all oft those funds willl be 100 percent into Mr. Munn stated thatt the county will probably not coordinate with ust this year on1 the police body Mr. Munn stated that we have approached the County about landfill tipping fees and there are conversations going on. Mr. Munn distributed al handout which is a survey on solid waste fees from other counties for informational purposes. This survey is hereby incorporated into the  to report att this time.  brought to Council ini the next couple ofi months.  seen in thel budget.  Loray.  local city street bands, not for any other use.  cameras, but the city may go earlier noting this isa a decision for the Council.  exhibits.  -136-    Page 137  Page 137 Transportation  HAACIsTRES-NNN  Mr. Munn noted that we are continuing contract negotiations for the airport and the  Committee willl be reporting on1 this.  Mr. Munn stated we are in the process of evaluating and studying the property as park land at Mr. Munn noted that we are also moving forward on the Transit Study and will be reporting back Mr. Munn stated there is movement on the Technology Park Expansion and conversations with the County and property owners about a City-County venture but a decision may be made this Mr. Munn also reported thata a restaurant: is coming tol Loray Mill Village and they are looking into Councilman Kirlin asked about commitment to the space that we committed to lease and will the Mr. Munn stated what wel have agreed toi ist the City and the County and the owner have pooled all of our square footage and every time some oft the square footage has been subleased or leased to an entity, then there is reliefback proportionally based upon our square footage so as that occurs then our payments are reduced. Mr. Munni notedt that wheni ito comest to gettinga ab hight techi incubator there, tol be competitive we may not reduce ours for that. That may be worth our whilet to that int the building because it has such a multiplier effect. Mr. Munn stated the county is paying get the money and they have set aside $900,000 for the next three years for that; therefore, that is  Martha Rivers and willi report backt to the Council.  toC Council.  fiscal year as opposed to this fiscal year.  adding a coffee shop.  leasing of these spaces give some relief from t our financial commitment.  something that we may want to encourage.  (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 4 tol Minute Book 105 at] Page 52.) Mayor Bridgeman recognized Mayor Pro Tem Todd] Pierceall for this report.  TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REPORT  Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall advised the Transportation Committee met on February 17, 2016, and 1) Update on Gastonia Municipal Airport - Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall noted the following is fori informational purposes. The ten year term contract between the City of Gastonia and FlyCarolina, LLC, the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) expires on March 15, 2016 and with Council direction thes state will continue: negotiating a contract extension and present ati the next Transportation Committee meeting. The existing contract will be extended through June, 2016. Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall stated the Committee directed stafft toj prepare al long range plan toj present att the next' Transportation Committee meeting along with an updated  discussed the followingi items and action taken.  contract.  (Reference as contained. in Exhibit Book 41 tol Minute Book 105 at] Page 53.)  2) Update on Gastonia Transit Study- - Mayor. Pro Tem Pierceall stated Cherry Consulting of the Carolinas, Inc., was selected for the following functions: perform a ridership survey and count, review current: route: structure, determine proper buss size and fuel type, consider other methods to offer public transportation as well as a combined transit system with Gaston County Access, and identify overall efficiency improvements. The project kick- offr meeting is scheduled for March 7th and should conclude in the fall with a presentation off findings to Transportation Committee and City Council. This presentation was provided fori informational purpose only. No action was taken by the Committee.  -137-    Page 138  Page 138  REGULAR COUNCIMEETING- March 1,2016  3) Follow-up: Pasour Mountain Estimates for Utilities/MPO Project Submission We requested from Staff what it would cost to put utilities at Pasour Mountain, The cost for Electrical was $12 million, Water was $11.7 million Sewer was $6.9 million for gravity sewer or $4.6million for aj pump station and force main. This presentation was proved for  informational purposes only. No action was taken by the committee. (Reference as contained in] Exhibit Book 41 tol Minute Book 105 at] Page 54.)  4) Update of High Speed Rail Charlotte to Atlanta This presentation was for informational purposes only. The Georgia Department of Transportation released a report on three  routes. No action was taken by the Committee.  (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 4 to Minute Book 105 at] Page 55.)  5) Federally-Funded Sidewalk Projects - In 2013 the City received NCDOT Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funding for three sidewalk projects it submitted in late 2013. Due to the significant price increase, the City has looked to combine existing funding from two of the projects and apply to a single project. This would allow the City toi fully fund one project or bring it within an acceptable amount for additional funding request. City staff recommends shifting all available funds from the three! projects tot thel Franklin] Blvd. project, duet toi identified: safety needs and] likelyi impacts oft the I-85 widening on the interchange for the other two projects. This will result in a project with $991,000 in Federal funds, matched with $247,750 in City funds, for a total project budge of$1,238,750. The Committee voted unanimously (3-0) to1 recommend that the City Council implement the Franklin Blvd. sidewalk project by cancelling the Cox Road and] New Hope Road projects and transferring funding tot the Franklin Blvd. project. Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall made the motion that the Council approve the change as well. Councilman Humphries seconded the motion and the Council passed it unanimously.  (Reference as contained in Exhibit Book 41 tol Minute Book 105 at Page 56.)  6) Other Matters- = Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall stated the items below are presented as an update A. General Obligation Bond Project Updates - Progress has picked up on Myrtle School buti iss still behind schedule. The Titman) Road widening project hasi madeg good progress B. Franklin) Boulevard from Six tol Five Lanes - Staffhas inventoried the utility needs and forwarded to NCDOT and with continue to work with them and business owners as C. Cox Road' Traffic Study - The Study has been completed with cost estimated being the main outstanding item. Those should be delivered int the next few weeks. Councilman Gallagher asked for an update on the Union Road widening project and inquired if  fori information only.  ands should finish ahead of schedule.  project progresses.  there was any funding fori it.  Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall recognized Mr. Rusty Bost to respond.  Mr. Bost stated that we ran into some issues with the GO Bond projects with some coming in above expected budgets and we were essentially borrowing money from Union Roadt to get Myrtle School and Titman under construction. Mr. Bost stated that we are about $1.3 million short on Union) Roadi rightr now andi instead the option wast tot taket thei moneyt that we still dol have remaining, probably around $5 million or so and commit to that project, andl havel DOT widen it because iti is al DOT street. Mr. Bost noted that our committing that funding to the project increases the cost effectiveness for DOT, which: meansi its scores a lot better. Mr. Bosts stated we are currently waiting  tol hear back on thes spot ranking and wherei it falls.  -138-    Page 139  Page 139  REGULAR COINCINEETN-Mara 1,2016  Mr. Munn noted the factt that we arei making this contribution: is a good collaboration because itis  as state road and wel hope the state does the work as opposed to us.  CITYATTORNEY'S REPORT CITYMANAGERSI REPORT  Mr. Smith stated] he hadi no report att this time.  Mayor Bridgeman recognized] Mr. Ed: Munn, City Manager for his report. Mr. Munn recognized! Mr. Michael Peoples, Assistant City Manager, for some updates. Mr. Peoples stated that an email would bei issued from Tech Services to allow you download the Outage Management System for thel Electric and Water and Sewer Department. Mr. Peoples noted ap presentation would be delivered at the March 15th Council meeting and customers will be able Mr. Peoples stated that some may have noticed some blue lights at the railway bridge R.O's ont the wayt tol Franklin. This lighting has been put ont thej passenger walkways. Wewilll past have some Mr. Peoples stated that 13 lights have been installed at 321 and 185 to helpi improve the around that area. Mr. Peoples noted that 9 lights were replaced and 4 additional lighting were Mr. Peoples stated work has begun on some of the major corridor areas around some business areas and therei isa at total of 1621 LED lights that willl bei installed. Some have already been installed on Aberdeen from Remount to Franklin and then we will begin on the major corridors on Cox from Franklin up to Court Drive and then South New Hope at the Mall. Mr. Peoples noted that  to download on their smartphone as well. additional landscaping to beautify that area.  installed on the existing poles.  lights  should be completed int two to three weeks.  CITYCOUNCIL REPORTS  Councilman Robert Kellogg - stated that he was able to meet with some concerned citizens who reside around the Akers Center property and noted it was a really good meeting with a lot of excitement, expression and ideas noting they are very engaged in their neighborhood. He noted how excited he is tol be attending the Essentials of Government training soon. He also encouraged everyone to go out and vote int the primaries and to exercise their right to vote. Councilman. Jim Gallagher- - stated that he attended thel Fireman'sE Ball andi it was a very and he enjoyed his time there. He also participated in Shred Day for the first time good and he encouraged everyone toj participate especially ift they have never done SO. Councilman Gallagher stated that Electricites has a brochure it sends to different economic developments and iti is advertising one of Gastonia'sb buildings. Councilman Gallagher stated that he and Councilman Kellogg participated in the Akers Center meeting with citizens and it was excellent, noting that the neighbors were so helpful and we are Councilman Gallagher stated that he spoke with Dewey Armstrong and Kathy Harrington about the old Nurses Dorm and was told that the state owns the land but the County leased it for a 100  Councilman David Kirlin- - stated hel had no report  time  hoping to meet with] DLCI next week.  -139-    Page 140  Page 140  REGULARCOUNCILI MEETING-March 1,2016  years fora a $1.00 per year. Ms. Harrington informed us that we need to go through the County to find out who the state contact is for the land to geti it back on1 the tax rolls. Mr. Armstrong wants tor maket thel Nurses Dormi into an office building. He is goingt to speak with Partners tos see ift they Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall - stated that he attended the. Alzheimer's Walk meeting notingi it was a very good educational meeting. They will bel having their Fall Walk soon and will be circulating Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall notedt thati it was very important to got the polls and vote, notj just for your favorite candidate, but therei is also a veryi important bond package being offered whichi is Connect NC and just in our area there is about $6 million going to Gaston College and there is another $750,000 that will be going to Crowders Mountain State Park and this will help improve the parking situation. He noted that the way certain things have been cut in the state's budget, thisi is away for the state to put to put these things backi in and make up for what we have lost, sO itis very important and he encouraged every resident to go and vote for this bond package. Councilman Porter McAteer - stated that he also attended the Shred Day event this year and last year noting that you drive right in and iti is very quick. He also encouraged everyone to consider going to the ARC fundraiser project on Saturday night and you can purchase tickets from the Councilman David Humphries - stated he would like to commend a City employee, Mr. Steven Shannon, for going above and beyond his duties on Christmas Evel helping a citizen, Mr. Johnson, witha a fallen tree. Mr. Shannon took it upon himself, talked tol Mr. Johnson and gott the equipment andi removed the tree without callingi in anyone elset to assist on Christmas Eve and he worked and made the street passable while his family was at home waiting on him. This further shows the caliber of people that we are lucky tol have as part of our family in the City. Itisi really aj job well Councilman Humphries encouraged everyone to vote for the Connect NC noting the $750,000 for Crowders Mountain is much needed noting a lot of people sit in their car for hours waiting on parking and al lot of people do this every weekend and some just leave. Councilman Humphries noted othert than the monies that are going to the National Guard facilities that arel being enhanced or built and also Gaston College, which is a direct help for us, this money is very important and Councilman Humphries asked everyone to remember all of our troops from Gastonia and North Councilman Humphries asked Mr. Munn ift the City had any type of monthly, quarterly or yearly Mr. Munn stated the individual departments have some awards, but the city overall does not.  would come onl board and we coulds save ai nicel historic building.  more information in the near future.  United Way office.  done.  from whatI Iunderstand it willi not cause your taxest toi increase.  Carolina that are stationed all over the world toj please get them home safe.  awards program.  ADJOURNMENT  Mayor Pro Tem Pierceall made the motion to adjourn and Councilman Gallagher seconded the  motion. The meeting adjourned at 7:40p.m.  Mayor John D. Bridgeman  -140-    Page 141  Page 141  REGULARCOUNCIL MEETING - March 1,2016  L.A Ashley Smith, City. Attorney  Sherry H. Dunaway, City Clerk  Rc030116  -141-