Council sets temporary cooling‑station plan; indoor use, costs and liability to be resolved in August

Gastonia City Council voted to formalize a temporary plan for a jointly operated cooling station to run through early August and to return with a more detailed operational plan.

City Manager Michael Peoples presented an operational summary and cost estimates. Staff reported that, in earlier ad hoc operations, running an indoor cooling station at 107 S. Broad cost roughly $1,700 per day (approximate: redirected park staff, temporary officers and custodial overtime) while basic outdoor setups cost about $160 per day. Staff recommended buying supplemental equipment — tents, a portable air conditioner, misting fans and tables — with an estimated capital outlay of about $4,000 that could be reused after the heat wave. Staff also reported that usage during the first days averaged about 28 people per day (range 11–58).

Councilors and many public speakers criticized an early, improvised setup that featured only two fans on a fence and said the initial effort was humiliating to people seeking relief. Several council members said the response should have been coordinated with county emergency management, Health Net Gaston and the Continuum of Care; others urged the city to do more to address the long‑term need for permanent shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

After lengthy discussion of thresholds, liability and staffing, council approved a temporary operational standard: maintain a staffed outdoor cooling station at 107 S. Broad when the forecasted temperature reaches 90°F and operate a staffed indoor cooling station at the facility when the forecasted temperature reaches 95°F or above. The arrangement will run through Aug. 6; council asked staff to return with a fully detailed plan (staffing, safety protocol, medical response, volunteer vetting and budget) for council review on Aug. 5 before any longer‑term commitments.

Risk management staff emphasized typical municipal insurance and liability considerations for open facilities, including premises liability, security/supervision, medical response needs and legal duty of care once a public facility is opened to the public. The city’s risk consultant noted a $100,000 policy deductible and recommended clear supervision, posted rules and medical‑response protocols before extended indoor operations.

Staff said the city will continue to coordinate with Gaston County, Health Net Gaston, the Continuum of Care and local nonprofits for volunteers and donations, and that portable toilets and some volunteers are being provided by county partners. City staff will produce the detailed operations plan, cost estimates for weekend staffing, and a liability mitigation plan for the Aug. 5 council meeting.

Ending: Councilors directed staff to operate the cooling station under the approved temperature thresholds through Aug. 6 and to return with a detailed staffing, budget and safety plan for the Aug. 5 meeting.