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Votes at a glance: Morganton council approves loan authorization, contracts and land-use actions
Summary
At its March 3 meeting the Morganton City Council approved a slate of motions including authorization to pursue a state cash-flow loan, a rezoning, demolition and repair contracts, and several budget amendments and small loans; all motions passed on voice votes.
MORGANTON, N.C. — The Morganton City Council on March 3 approved multiple motions affecting storm recovery, land use and city facilities. Most items passed by voice vote after brief discussion; the council recorded no roll-call tallies in the meeting minutes supplied to the public.
Key outcomes (motions passed by voice vote unless otherwise noted):
- State cash-flow loan authorization: Council approved a resolution authorizing the city to apply for and accept a cash-flow loan from the State Treasurer's Office for up to $5,460,967.40 at 0 percent interest to assist short-term disaster cash flow. The motion was moved by Councilmember Butch McSwain and seconded by Councilmember Chris Jernigan. The council also approved a resolution for the city to assume the loan obligation. Council and staff noted the city would not immediately close on the loan until timing issues with FEMA Category A/B reimbursements are clarified.
- Rezoning: Council approved rezoning a 20.64-acre parcel (PIN 2704828494, referenced as 0 Eula Street in the hearing) from Low Intensity District with a mobile home overlay to Medium Intensity District while retaining the airport/heliport safety and watershed protection overlays. The motion made the zoning consistent with the city’s Imagine 2040 comprehensive plan; the council found the rezoning suitable for mixed residential uses with limited neighborhood-scale nonresidential uses.
- River Village boardwalk demolition contract: Council awarded a contract to DH Griffin Wrecking Company, Inc., of Hickory for demolition and removal of the River Village boardwalk at a cost not to exceed $135,454.50 (including a 10 percent contingency for change orders). Staff said the work is scheduled to begin later in March.
- Wastewater influent pump station repairs: Council approved a $415,817 contract with Charles R. Underwood, Inc., to repair damage at the wastewater treatment plant’s influent pump station. Staff said the facility is insured and they expect to seek reimbursement from insurance.
- Small business loan for downtown restaurant: Council approved a Morganton Main Street small business loan agreement in the amount of $30,000 to Restaurant on Queen LLC (doing business as The Hedge) to assist with upfitting the restaurant at 203 Queen Street.
- Purchase of equipment: Council approved the purchase of two John Deere terrain cut front mowers through state contract at a total cost of $70,705.56 to replace equipment lost during the storm.
- Annexation petition: Council accepted the clerk’s certification of sufficiency for an annexation petition submitted by Madcap Adventures LLC for three adjoining parcels near Enola Road and Pete Britton Road, and adopted a resolution calling a public hearing for April 7, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the council chamber.
- CDBG consolidated plan: The council opened and closed a public hearing on the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) consolidated plan for fiscal years 2025–2029 and voted to proceed with development of the consolidated action plan; staff said the city anticipates an entitlement allocation but the exact amount for FY2025-26 is not yet known.
- Updated multijurisdictional hazard mitigation plan: Council approved a resolution adopting the updated 2024 Unifiore Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan (regional plan prepared to comply with the Stafford Act requirements).
- Speed-limit concurrence with NCDOT: Council concurred with a North Carolina Department of Transportation request to lower the speed limit on a portion of West Fleming/Bypass from 45 to 35 mph to improve student safety near the School of Science and Math; the council authorized the city clerk to execute NCDOT’s municipal concurrence form and to amend the local ordinance accordingly.
Consent agenda items approved in a single motion included meeting minutes, an advertising date for unpaid real estate taxes, approval of an urban archery season date, a pole-attachment agreement with Crown Castle Fiber LLC, and two budget amendments (parks equipment and downtown alley private contribution).
Procedure and votes: Most items passed after the mayor called for "All in favor, say aye"; the minutes record the responses as "Aye" followed by "Motion passes." Where motions and seconds were spoken on the record the minutes indicate who moved and seconded; detailed roll-call tallies were not recorded in the discussion.
