[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6207915,"mediaKeyId","3750465-4b8ec3d4eeeabd369d8f0262c8ea5cd9","parentId",3750465,"title","Council approves new crosswalk mural design and relocation of damaged mosaic to River Street Park","audioSeconds",131,"startMs",1274000,"endMs",1405000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750465-4b8ec3d4eeeabd369d8f0262c8ea5cd9&start=1274&end=1405","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750465-4b8ec3d4eeeabd369d8f0262c8ea5cd9/thumbnail_1274000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6207915/Mount-Holly-City/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-new-crosswalk-mural-design-and-relocation-of-damaged-mosaic-to-River-Street-Park","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207915-c6ef4229c783f613ec974836b83e6c49/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394177&Signature=IojADgRGzherMBAWlSj8qnQw3LR9-kx9ilc9BCDqHy83N2ibMTtFo5-ja8jt~lJaLxPPQSWAEFGt8yZnDqD~DbRTT-CFtTB1aXEFkPhm9Z9Sew4OJib9a3DxEhcHitHzr81pFpn-x8WzKMlT3~C-T77GIPmKeyviwFCH26Czzk7rM5-TuS5XZZVG6SrWuZdGGxR8tpH2shs0gQ~eu-Vw8jeutoZA~ghGKtqdk8VytT~rOTLgRLSbP2ACHb6thb3x3iRgC6JGDt1XWbXj4MYb2oyyH41hDnX9KYo9DCzrsOISvKHNtHXTr1I4hC8Xg5slMEFFN2g~RI8cNwHTqyv16g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mount Holly, NC","date","2025-06-11T01:05:56.337Z","article","Mount Holly City Council on June 9, 2025 approved a proposed replacement design for the Arts on the Greenway crosswalk mural and authorized relocating a damaged B Art mosaic to a more secure site at River Street Park.

Paul Lowe presented both items, saying the existing crosswalk mural at Artisan Freeway is fading and that the new design “has support from both staff and park members” and could be installed by June. Council moved and approved the mural replacement by voice vote after a brief presentation and a motion from Councilmember Craig (second by Councilmember Meadows).

Lowe also reported that two B Art mosaic pieces funded earlier had been damaged; staff proposed relocating one piece to the River Hawk Greenway near a more secure location and moving another to the River Street Park fishing pier after consulting parks staff. Staff noted the new River Street Park location was recommended by parks and recreation and the arts leadership and that one location now has camera coverage. Councilmember Huff moved to approve the relocation with Councilmember Reeves seconding; the council approved the motion by voice vote.

The record shows staff recommended approval for both items and that council approved the proposals during the consent/regular agenda. No public controversy or opposition was recorded in the meeting minutes for these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 06-09-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Mount Holly City Council approved a replacement design for the Arts on the Greenway crosswalk mural and authorized moving one damaged B Art mosaic to the River Street Park fishing pier; both items had staff support and were approved by voice vote.","taxTitle","Mount Holly City, Gaston County, North Carolina","taxId",52283,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6207919,"Resident asks Mount Holly council to investigate alleged riparian clearing at Imagery community",928,2332000,3260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750465-4b8ec3d4eeeabd369d8f0262c8ea5cd9&start=2332&end=3260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750465-4b8ec3d4eeeabd369d8f0262c8ea5cd9/thumbnail_2332000.jpg","/articles/6207919/Mount-Holly-City/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Resident-asks-Mount-Holly-council-to-investigate-alleged-riparian-clearing-at-Imagery-community","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207919-eeadbfd1537834e9c3a1bc474c19c085/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394177&Signature=YEgO2rUP9oaCsapgY00agNH1grTPy8UdZRVZUkCMWzzO9l9hqw-EnxA8QjrGCwxPNKAh4fEOZCbTyV8VTyEhegXOhNTVsCM2bPbeLyob8SecaIIw56-vE3WdU22JoeE57MdO1Oq4ZrytprCCogQJpIfGSNODZ~JkXuVv0Cgnv03-bFiIbG6ybUSIzP5-wQM4tXcNIjTmgfyMW8WEpL23Lr58fOe4tC7fklpskvV5Ciq1imLySpTCsV-A9anIc67q-WdFDxI5dxNUfCsKqGJcyWd~ndp2KJE4XzRCv~YQjV1BOjFCz9ytK7bxknOrNyWkoa8dOcnRRjMJWssfcxer9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Mount Holly resident asked the City Council on June 9, 2025 to investigate extensive tree clearing along the riparian buffer in the Imagery neighborhood, saying he believes recent cuts may violate local, county and state rules.

At public comment, resident Ned Brantley said the site\u000027s previous board had allowed no variances in the 100-foot riparian buffer but that a new board has permitted what he described as large-scale clearing: he said 21 permits were issued with 29 pending, that an estimated 20 trees per parcel would total roughly 500 trees on those 21 parcels, and that additional clearing on the peninsula could raise the total to as many as 3,000 trees. Brantley said he has asked staff, including Greg Beal, whether variances were issued; he reported that Beal told him he had not granted variances and would provide a letter.

Brantley urged the council to investigate, consult state regulators and other groups, and stop further cutting until the matter is resolved. He referenced potential reporting paths including the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), FERC, the county, and local riverkeeper organizations.

The transcript does not show a council vote or formal direction taken during the meeting; council members did not announce an investigation or a formal referral on the record during the public-comment period. City staff present acknowledged Brantley\u000027s request earlier in the meeting and a staff member (as recorded) told him he would provide a letter clarifying permit status, but the meeting record does not show a follow-up action assigned to a specific department.

Because the statements were made during public comment, they represent allegations and requests for investigation; the council did not make a formal finding at the June 9 meeting.","A Mount Holly resident told council he believes recent tree removal in the Imagery neighborhood exceeds permitted activity and asked the city to investigate possible variances and coordinate with state and federal regulators.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6207924,"Mount Holly council adopts $42.37 million fiscal 2025-26 budget and fee schedule",1219,1406000,2625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3750465-4b8ec3d4eeeabd369d8f0262c8ea5cd9&start=1406&end=2625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3750465-4b8ec3d4eeeabd369d8f0262c8ea5cd9/thumbnail_1406000.jpg","/articles/6207924/Mount-Holly-City/Gaston-County/North-Carolina/Mount-Holly-council-adopts-4237-million-fiscal-2025-26-budget-and-fee-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207924-d3380c69b3963cd537550d0310909e1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394177&Signature=Lglqg2yMxpLARFBOWmMlG-yZqChvJwp1jRtJwf7a-jZ7y9BEOK-MpLbU0qN1XJ8kfedxnt2YPjwQ0g026yjWGOKfZBlRMLkJQfi6SNTDYCWCciRca4QaT-jx~SbSkMvD5T4igTFtcvwnGmHetMasgdUA9Vtw5FB6RvHUCsw-axIi-5HOnwpIoD0KyzlzFw-6i7dBCZBIbb2wgEciKRYQBhNB9igvI-1xpueF1Qhfzjr52fjcO1RUNhx3Q3QvqRO8cGarjCKhWGlYVxFEWFstg0PpQ4L0KP3-PifkUuhsdsfEzW1aTfsT0p0q8Zll0O3fBFK4m4JxexS2mko~~m978g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Holly City Council on June 9, 2025 approved a balanced fiscal year 2025-26 budget of $42,369,691 and an accompanying fee schedule following a public hearing and brief public comment.

City Manager Jonathan Blanton, who presented the proposal, said the recommended budget is “balanced at $42,369,691” and described it as one of the most conservative budgets the city has produced in several years. Blanton told council the general fund is balanced at $25,216,517 and the water and sewer fund at $15,903,301, and he outlined planned capital spending of $31,279,928.

The budget package includes a 12% increase in water rates and a 6% increase in sewer-related rates based on a recent study by Raftelis; Blanton said those increases will generate an estimated $624,000 in additional water revenue and $368,000 in additional sewer revenue. The manager also described a $15 million allocation for decommissioning the wastewater treatment plant and line-item investments in projects including the Dutchman’s Creek greenway work and other infrastructure upgrades.

During the public hearing, resident Bob Hendricks urged council to reconsider the utility rate increases, saying the increases are not a single event but part of a multi-year trajectory and recommending council “pull back” the proposed utility increase and re-evaluate priorities. Resident Ned Brantley raised unrelated riparian-buffer concerns (see separate article).

Councilmember Huff moved to approve the budget; Councilmember Harris seconded. The mayor called for a voice vote and declared the motion passed. Council subsequently approved the proposed fee schedule by voice vote after a motion and second; the meeting record states the motions passed but does not include a roll-call tally.

Blanton and staff outlined how the budget uses fund balance only for one-time capital projects, not for ongoing operational costs, and said the city’s unassigned fund balance is roughly 30% (well above the state-recommended minimum). The manager also noted several planned capital and operating items funded in the budget: $673,500 for museum space construction at the municipal complex; $3,196,531 (identified in the presentation) toward the Dutchman’s Creek greenway project (funding sourced in part from American Rescue Plan Act allocations); $85,630 in camera upgrades; $178,000 for communications and technology for public safety staff; $366,634 for sanitation and streets equipment; and $100,000 for recreation and trail improvements.

In the manager’s subsequent report, Blanton said the city has ordered basin-cleaning work as part of decommissioning inactive parts of the wastewater treatment plant and expects to transition wastewater service to the city of Charlotte later this fall; the basin-cleaning work is expected within the next 60 days.

Council did not attach conditions or amendments to the budget in the meeting minutes. Next steps described by staff include implementation of the listed capital projects and routine reporting to council on major construction and the wastewater-decommissioning timeline.","After a public hearing, the Mount Holly City Council approved a $42,369,691 balanced budget for fiscal year 2025-26, including rate increases for water and sewer and funding for multiple capital projects; the council also approved the city's fee schedule.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves new crosswalk mural design and relocation of damaged mosaic to River Street Park

Resident asks Mount Holly council to investigate alleged riparian clearing at Imagery community

Mount Holly council adopts $42.37 million fiscal 2025-26 budget and fee schedule