[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6534265,"mediaKeyId","3633571-e24c4d284773f57713ccf2dd4b02421f","parentId",3633571,"title","Votes at a glance: Morganton council actions on June 2, 2025","audioSeconds",7993,"startMs",1033000,"endMs",9026000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633571-e24c4d284773f57713ccf2dd4b02421f&start=1033&end=9026","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633571-e24c4d284773f57713ccf2dd4b02421f/thumbnail_1033000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534265/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-Morganton-council-actions-on-June-2-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534265-4daf26b7cc60bb960454ee2f39137358/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206831&Signature=jdy46BKGDkBpAwpmFCIoMGimXK7-q6prYl58rKVNu7inURxTtLHPz4ZiIsYqU-A57z4ssQYfzR2Fi0HxCu7AncJlE8b4iiv0RghSaWoEIynIYd8eALqwqdVv2doviciWEkehCiPTPuH1xmKGAnS8LYz0TcjqxVJt-pCUd0-9ye41k63nBywlbvuSgQE-PVCbJhwNdYJU-iUwZPICUm5~CB3LjMxqOBKtGm0jM8TWaBP37vj2iOrC0hJkGwOKPyHDHzzXz47NuKMdf7GEMekzcNlfyx3KL2J3Reje52Fm4CjzxNPkeZQgtTdhI7gXO3K0f7TNAcdBV1avOVgXv6UdRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Morganton","date","2025-06-03T13:02:03Z","article","At its June 2 meeting the Morganton City Council took the following formal actions (summary):

- Consent agenda: Council approved minutes from the May 5 council meeting, tax releases totaling $1,034.97, a budget amendment accepting an additional $5,000 in grant funds for downtown revitalization, and reappointments of Jenny McNeely (tax collector) and Emily Morgan (deputy tax collector) for the July 1'June 30 period. The consent agenda was approved by voice vote.

- Bethel Park restoration project: Council approved Change Order No. 1 with Baker Grading and Landscaping to cover unanticipated bridge/structure costs. The change order added $181,384 and brought the contract total to $1,741,251.50. Staff reported the contractor's need to design certain bridge elements after bid and site conditions and said the change order is within the park project budget.

- State cash-flow loan amendment: Council approved an amendment to the state cash-flow loan agreement (the March authorization had contained a five-day reimbursement repayment requirement). The amended language will allow a multi-year payback structure and enable the state to close and fund the city's $5,400,000 cash-flow loan for Helene-related recovery work.

- ARC grant resolution: Council adopted a resolution authorizing the city to apply for $700,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to fund water and sewer infrastructure on Albertron (Albert Trumbull) Boulevard to support a proposed hotel site. The ARC application would support a larger $2.1 million infrastructure need.

- Appointments: Council made multiple appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions including the Board of Adjustment, Cable Commission, Main Street Advisory Board, Planning & Zoning Commission and Recreation Advisory Commission. Specific names and terms were read into the record and are part of the meeting minutes.

All items above were approved by council action at the June 2 meeting according to the meeting transcript and staff reports. Where the transcript recorded only a voice vote, staff will include formal vote tallies in the official meeting minutes if recorded there.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June , 2025 City Council Meeting.","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved routine consent items and several operational measures, authorized a Bethel Park contract change order, amended a state cash-flow loan agreement to improve terms, approved an ARC grant application resolution, and made multiple board and commission appointments.","taxTitle","Morganton, Burke County, North Carolina","taxId",51078,"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},6534270,"Morganton adopts Downtown Social District allowing licensed drinks in defined area; council votes 4-1",1052,8306000,9358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633571-e24c4d284773f57713ccf2dd4b02421f&start=8306&end=9358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633571-e24c4d284773f57713ccf2dd4b02421f/thumbnail_8306000.jpg","/articles/6534270/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Morganton-adopts-Downtown-Social-District-allowing-licensed-drinks-in-defined-area-council-votes-4-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534270-a91106b0b54d23c9236b8f5ed086b14a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206831&Signature=nY0~W4mHYlIKHPz10CjSGZ8AygaqYOkB53GvhDDDl026me786gNJAsH6e0TCUFSAO2-M1C-kUnrJFw2Hogd9Ev8uVsJBEdUQb-1npRqCZETJvXKXwZH3~rND8C7WFO9oinGKIy1wKgNiB-i-ljzRK7hHpfQhUJw-uDPlLpPLi2tbO-cLb6ZzCf61X1FSNdf-43W~o8H~KT0fE8hvWTWe0fnWtGv4ODQ8DLRCtqmj7nB2biguw73B2lGLplAH4iQG7fsiLHCs37N~4IES9-KcSbAHEoofPxiNjrcl5-UcYJGIJuSMt8y21ZrapimSoFoj5gldvh6lJ6gopeMPTLXU4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Morganton City Council adopted an ordinance establishing the Downtown Morganton Social District, a designated area in the city's core where alcoholic beverages purchased at participating ABC-licensed establishments may be consumed in approved, dated cups in specified common areas.

Mackenzie (Downtown/Main Street staff) presented the maintenance and operations plan and said the district boundaries are drawn to cover part of the central business district (including the cigar club) rather than the entire CBD. The plan, as presented to council, includes: standardized, dated social-district cups and labels with a QR code and time stamp; boundary and entrance/exit signage with a QR code and emergency contact information; a set of hours (proposed Sunday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.); signage templates for participating businesses indicating whether they sell or accept social-district cups; public-property signage to clarify which public spaces are part of the district; trash receptacles for sanitation; and a special-events process for permitted events to participate.

Mackenzie cited other North Carolina examples and local data on benefits: \"Many North Carolina towns have reported increased sales and new sales that wouldn't have occurred otherwise,\" Mackenzie said, noting local Main Street support for the effort. She described proposed signage and administrative practices designed to limit misuse and to make enforcement and public information straightforward.

Council discussion centered on economic development potential, public safety, liability and the effect on crowded special events. Councilmember Chris (name not specified in transcript) said he had safety concerns and was not in favor. Others said the program could help breweries, restaurants and retailers by encouraging patrons to linger and shop between businesses. The city attorney noted that dram shop (liability for serving intoxicated persons) exposure for sellers occurs regardless of whether a social district exists and that establishments remain responsible for over-service.

The council adopted the ordinance establishing the social district by voice vote; the transcript records the outcome as 4 in favor and 1 opposed. Councilmembers approved the maintenance and operations plan and authorized implementation steps, including signage and cup procurement. The district can be amended by council and must be submitted to the state as required by the enabling statute.

The ordinance sets the administrative framework; participating businesses must comply with ABC rules and local signage and cup protocols. Staff will coordinate cup procurement, signage roll-out and outreach to participating businesses and public-safety partners.","City council approved an ordinance establishing a Downtown Morganton Social District where alcoholic beverages purchased in participating ABC-permitted establishments may be carried in designated cups within the district during set hours; council vote recorded 4-1.",{"_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},6534275,"Morganton manager presents $95 million 2025-26 budget focused on Helene recovery; public hearing set for June 16",2101,1107000,3208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633571-e24c4d284773f57713ccf2dd4b02421f&start=1107&end=3208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633571-e24c4d284773f57713ccf2dd4b02421f/thumbnail_1107000.jpg","/articles/6534275/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Morganton-manager-presents-95-million-2025-26-budget-focused-on-Helene-recovery-public-hearing-set-for-June-16","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534275-54f864c7168b4556d288412137a47a1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206831&Signature=lKXGB4jYYQaz5Xs8Zh1da5brbcByctlLZkDXvOeGM9UKYXs~rjDlrbarv4nQpyHb3-B-0GZTj6DgUd0YB4Hx~h4NZ90L7Z7uwkBloSOOHEHFRq0cqEla8CEg16GZe2Wz2Yg57zbyDrrCXjpQaH8POvXzPmqCm-Ke0n4l7ZLAN2-syZs932gZL~DVBDr50~GfVYqLPJiglr7A8wYMMcAhdNMsbZjubvLJ6LA-3CUM-9K4tpKttZnrk0vM3aFxpcWnzMl5FDA3CdG4c7VKfnjdfGcPED8AHe0WLac1xw2uqe57qtdSk84XOUAQOaI3Cfq8ymEv0gqf1l97dggJwj5oOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Sally Sandy presented the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget to Morganton City Council, outlining a $95,000,000 total budget that emphasizes recovery and rebuilding after Hurricane Helene and requests a public hearing on the proposal for Monday, June 16 at 6 p.m.

Sally Sandy said the proposed budget reflects continuing recovery work related to September's storm, describes capital spending planned for next year and seeks to balance fiscal prudence with rebuilding priorities. \"We're looking at a pretty, I would call conservative budget when it comes to projects,\" Sandy said, noting a $24,000,000 capital program and a $10,000,000 allocation identified for a new public safety station on property swapped with the community college. She said the overall budget is lower than the prior year ($95,000,000 vs. about $106,000,000) largely because some projects were postponed to put money into a hurricane fund.

Key proposals and figures presented by the manager and finance staff include:
- General fund: $43,600,000 (down about $4 million from the prior year's adopted budget); capital projects in the general fund total about $15.8 million.
- Capital: $24,000,000 citywide, with the largest single item a proposed new public safety station estimated at $10,000,000 to be funded by state revenues, borrowing, or a combination.
- Tax rate: Staff recommended keeping the property tax rate at $0.50 per $100 of assessed value. The downtown service district rate is proposed to remain at $0.12 per $100.
- Utilities: A proposed 10% increase to water volume charges (volume-only, effective Aug. 1) and a proposed 5% increase to wastewater volume charges (effective Aug. 1); no proposed electric rate increase for the coming year.
- ARPA and FEMA: The city reported it has obligated its ARPA allocation and used funds for infrastructure and park projects; the city has identified 29 FEMA project numbers related to Helene estimated at just over $45,000,000 and has received partial insurance and FEMA cash advances but has not yet been fully reimbursed.

Director of Finance Jesse Paris and other staff reviewed revenue assumptions (ad valorem taxes projected at $12.6 million, sales tax growth roughly 1.5 percent, occupancy tax at $200,000), capital priorities (stormwater repairs, North Green Street streetscape delayed into next year), and staffing/compensation proposals including a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for full-time city employees effective July 2025.

Council called for a public hearing on the proposed budget to be held on Monday, June 16 at 6 p.m. in council chambers; council approved the motion to set the hearing. No final budget ordinance was adopted at the June 2 meeting; the hearing allows public comment before council considers adoption.

Sandy and finance staff emphasized that large rebuilding projects tied to FEMA reimbursements are being phased because of contractor availability, pricing, and sequencing with the federal reimbursement process. The council will consider the budget after the scheduled public hearing.","City Manager Sally Sandy presented a proposed $95 million budget for fiscal 2025-26 that emphasizes recovery from Hurricane Helene, maintains the current tax rate recommendation, proposes modest utility rate changes for water and wastewater, and sets a public hearing for June 16.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534278,"Morganton council denies rezoning request for 2.38-acre parcel on South Sterling Street",3978,4333000,8311000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633571-e24c4d284773f57713ccf2dd4b02421f&start=4333&end=8311","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633571-e24c4d284773f57713ccf2dd4b02421f/thumbnail_4333000.jpg","/articles/6534278/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Morganton-council-denies-rezoning-request-for-238-acre-parcel-on-South-Sterling-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534278-2e49bd7bc7dbb42cc8e8b35db2736e09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206831&Signature=hbNV1TsOvjKVIF6T4d2ElCe0Q~P4nIsCNBtKI5Bo4CP-AnProLR534vcCokJd28a9F1KOIO0PAZUqTyWO6Qj06GG--zcaQoSXNsVVf0b3Ato7ZnAcTqXR2J9JQosRRY-pbXlZm2PdpDzUqAM21eZYAE2UVG24OhHIKk~3yOUN3DhimbgGqsGejl2GWrWFmuyL72wWwqRlio6EK~bMGJjvfd4P5bZTh6MC5Xw1aCCdYvsa4JiOXuK1cNBI~xGQywy66YjqJjxwI2gX3hTar1C33K5nsiF8NeG4MPwFRyob1QtwkwZEULxN7OX6dhmEV-04LLDsk~vNPR47ngdr4MPFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Morganton City Council voted to deny a request to rezone a 2.38-acre portion of an assembled five-parcel tract fronting on South Sterling Street from the Medium Intensity District (MID) to the High Intensity District (HID).

The rezoning request covered portions of parcels addressed as 1807 South Sterling Street, 0 Sloane Avenue and 0 Sterling Forest Drive. The applicant and its consultants said the change would enable a compact, multi-tenant retail or office development near the interstate interchange and argued that topography and parcel configuration made smaller footprints infeasible. The council denied the request after a public hearing and deliberation.

The applicant's attorney, Amanda Hodiern, told the council the proposal had been shaped to limit impacts: \"We wanted to create a size and scale that was appropriate,\" she said, describing a 2.38-acre '2delta of change' restricted to the frontage on South Sterling and keeping the corridor overlay in place to preserve higher design standards. Daniel Almasan of Terramor Development, who assisted the application, said topography and stormwater requirements made smaller, economically viable sites impractical: \"It's because it's hard to develop. It leans back so far,\" he said.

City staff noted the area is largely zoned MID and that the Imagine Morganton 2040 comprehensive plan designated the affected block as mixed-density residential, which planners said envisions mostly residential growth with only limited, neighborhood-scale commercial uses. Planning staff advised denying the rezoning and the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended denial by a 6-3 vote. Staff noted HID allows additional uses and greater building height (up to 75 feet) and said those allowances could introduce uses and scales inconsistent with the plan's designation.

Councilmembers discussed compatibility with adjacent homes, the comprehensive plan guidance and the parcel's unusual topography. Councilmember Wendy Kato, who moved denial, said she was concerned about allowing up to 75-foot-high buildings next to smaller residences and preferred either leaving the MID designation or extending HID in a contiguous way rather than creating an isolated pocket. After discussion, the council voted to deny the rezoning.

The denial leaves the property zoned MID; any future development proposals would still be subject to the city's corridor overlay standards and the requirements of the zoning ordinance.

The council's decision was made following a public hearing at which the applicant presented evidence and neighbors had an opportunity to comment. No specific development plan was approved or rejected by this action; the council considered only the zoning map amendment request.

Looking ahead, the applicant, property owner and city staff may revisit development options that conform to the existing MID designation or propose a different form of rezoning that addresses the council's compatibility concerns.","After a public hearing and extensive testimony from the applicant and staff, Morganton City Council voted to deny a requested rezoning of a 2.38-acre carve-out on South Sterling Street from Medium Intensity District (MID) to High Intensity District (HID).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Morganton council actions on June 2, 2025

Morganton adopts Downtown Social District allowing licensed drinks in defined area; council votes 4-1

Morganton manager presents $95 million 2025-26 budget focused on Helene recovery; public hearing set for June 16

Morganton council denies rezoning request for 2.38-acre parcel on South Sterling Street