[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6524430,"mediaKeyId","3845778-5fd3f37d7bc991d2c468398b9b599ea1","parentId",3845778,"title","Bethel Park moving toward opening; Catawba Meadows sections to reopen mid-July, staff outlines remaining work","audioSeconds",136,"startMs",2297000,"endMs",2433000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845778-5fd3f37d7bc991d2c468398b9b599ea1&start=2297&end=2433","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845778-5fd3f37d7bc991d2c468398b9b599ea1/thumbnail_2297000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6524430/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Bethel-Park-moving-toward-opening-Catawba-Meadows-sections-to-reopen-mid-July-staff-outlines-remaining-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524430-403db659ae87e67167ce3f361df5bbb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196733&Signature=LhPFW3Xt7g6AjvEdHB-NTHfx7izce6A5hCuEEF1gzo9SO8p5gPeyFP9--Bq9~dgXQ~Pp8tUFFRM51OlipysfFzDtNH4T3hgGIiryNMn4M1rAJ-3MCxC01RAMEKsEpwEbq1-17s5hFuSqN6Kf-WNdi2Xzu8DajCC6eVtR4pxD7YChclJYDlMJsecU~LqdG7p5IudbOyo1Ff6ftEIVdQg7Eknt76wax1cCq1dSh~S0QGJRRlpCZal7PLNPqpoByUa-K8RHdZn0gfGjXipJhfIDFnSxorxClnG-iebg-upmcNZzESfz8DhuQGdYooxg9MYuNXHULWp0vhpPyvWliLuObw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Morganton","date","2025-06-17T10:45:42Z","article","MORGANTON — The city’s parks and recreation director updated the council on progress at Bethel Park and Catawba Meadows Park, announcing equipment deliveries and planned phased reopenings.

Brian Fish told the council the playground equipment ordered for Bethel Park should be delivered Aug. 1, with installation starting as soon as parts arrive; the installation contractor has recent experience on similar projects and Fish estimated a few weeks for installation. The project also includes a shelter, shade structures and benches.

Staff confirmed there will be eight pickleball courts at Bethel Park; asphalt paving is in place and line painting will follow after the asphalt cures. Staff also reported progress on futsal courts, fencing and other site work.

On Catawba Meadows Park, Fish said staff plans a mid-July opening of sections that are safe for public use — including a Greenway segment from River Village down toward the area near Jurora Village and the playground after repairs. The playground contractor, Beanstalk Builders, has completed most repairs but is awaiting one delayed part. The restroom and canteen buildings remain under repair and are not yet open. Staff said some park areas, including fields and the boardwalk, remain closed; the boardwalk has been removed and engineering work is underway to design a replacement.

Fish said the city will install taller fencing at the front playground area, will post trespassing signage, and will barricade hazardous sections. The Foothills Conservancy handled construction of a new mountain bike trail; staff said it will open with signage and parking access from the greenway behind the softball fields when ready. The disc golf course will be playable in its current layout but will be moved later to accommodate a new maintenance shed.

Staff asked the public to avoid barricaded areas for safety; councilmembers thanked parks crews and maintenance staff for the work and said they expect the front part of the park to be ready for public use in coming weeks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 16 City Council Meeting (Special Budget Meeting)","oneSentenceSummary","Parks director reported playground equipment delivery for Bethel Park, eight pickleball courts nearing completion, and plans to open parts of Catawba Meadows Park and a new mountain bike trail in mid-July. Staff said some areas remain closed pending repairs and permitting.","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},6524436,"Morganton awards $629,643 contract to replace storm drain on West Concord Street",94,1522000,1616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845778-5fd3f37d7bc991d2c468398b9b599ea1&start=1522&end=1616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845778-5fd3f37d7bc991d2c468398b9b599ea1/thumbnail_1522000.jpg","/articles/6524436/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Morganton-awards-629643-contract-to-replace-storm-drain-on-West-Concord-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524436-08824640d5d2f60c8ef043257d5381ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196733&Signature=ie0tveCqhyEUly1mz-YDIn1s8mhsjJIb5dx6Rhy2GLTNIW7M02KoTbxcHwsHk9iFPKEVslf8y8WvPSdWCpgU4qNZD6I1f1~yIpeFENBBsUfHkZHURu-FRuPkcmZI1K2R~909WlQBakR8c94QMjBZ-QL9XzInH7R-4BNLyjdo6LV1tpy09Ms9p7HFvINXWlJUaAmFL8g6QQwjfpWMphJHfJi6CBstlxNfE-y1dsakLZJR6iDirwcoKeduuF46cG8WavaVBCNn65a1cqFHNT3FeQEPLppv4pNZbIkQvK1ERBBSOu~fjN6TgKcjTBBOo4bhkR3w2RH8shbP~Pc18mkLDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTON — The Morganton City Council awarded a contract to Country Boy Landscaping Inc., of Harmony, N.C., to replace damaged storm drain infrastructure on the West Concord Street/McDowell Street corridor.

Staff said the project covers approximately 500 linear feet of storm drain pipe near Public Safety Headquarters (the old armory) where a failure occurred. Sealed bids were opened in May; staff reported four bids and recommended the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, Country Boy Landscaping, at $629,643.17. The council authorized a contingency that brings total authorized spending for the project to $650,000 to account for unknowns once the work is in the ground.

Staff estimated a likely start in mid-July after the July 1 budget effective date, execution of contract documents and contractor mobilization and bonding. Staff said there will likely be Concord Street closures in the work area but did not anticipate major impacts to the day-school operation. The council approved the award by voice vote and authorized the mayor or city manager to execute the contract and any necessary storm drain or temporary construction easements.

Public works staff will control contingency spending and will return if additional funds are required.","The city awarded a contract to Country Boy Landscaping Inc. to replace roughly 500 linear feet of storm drain pipe along McDowell/West Concord Street, authorizing contingency up to $650,000 and anticipating a mid-July start.",{"_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},6524441,"Morganton creates Helene recovery funds, approves capital amendment and moves to close state cash-flow loan",166,1171000,1337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845778-5fd3f37d7bc991d2c468398b9b599ea1&start=1171&end=1337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845778-5fd3f37d7bc991d2c468398b9b599ea1/thumbnail_1171000.jpg","/articles/6524441/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Morganton-creates-Helene-recovery-funds-approves-capital-amendment-and-moves-to-close-state-cash-flow-loan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524441-3569ffb4cf2836a3db729048c909d0d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196733&Signature=GZvfUqFwNXCSH1ozRccoBUTpNS1~pHBUyP7UR2paDiggzfk6Gm648vc9SEGds2bK76mbsYkDYcwSTsYhhh2cXSivJcl~xVnn8xaB9y~zCPN-6pUkjnaZvqznRLiPS04YSb7FGuWG2SIX9gMhTVrKNbKBrdk1QDbKGyr4d4QE~PBO3rClfiJGEda-DfJvgGco6G0QYyaDhOo8GeeyRvJiRiLvDTfwlYzfQ3bz~2OvuS1c1e1v2HmaTHGfHk7RkuIcRGrCmk7t6PzvhwhfjTWRjDtNjyMj7gfzVcsi2-hhpSgTXJ6mZKMFQhUGXSHFuBW75bzsHEYzJBuuG9-56-ESDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTON — As part of the city’s ongoing response to Hurricane Helene, Morganton city staff and the council took several financing and accounting steps at the June meeting to organize recovery funding and permit timely reimbursements and project payments.

Staff told the council that generally accepted accounting principles require establishing a special revenue fund to capture reimbursements and other Helene-related receipts. The council approved creation of a Helene special revenue fund in the amount of $9,661,199; staff said that fund will receive insurance proceeds, FEMA reimbursements, cash-flow loan proceeds and other revenues related to Helene, and that transfers will be made from the special revenue fund into the Helene Capital Projects Fund to pay project expenditures.

Council also approved a budget amendment to create or increase the Helene Capital Projects Fund by $2,538,465 to cover project costs and to transfer insurance proceeds into capital accounts. Staff described other budget amendments in the general and water funds that did not require appropriation of fund balance.

On a separate but related action, staff presented and the council approved a proposed amendment to the cash-flow loan agreement with the State of North Carolina. Staff said the amendment permits the city to close the loan and repay under the amended terms (rather than repaying immediately), and staff indicated hope that the new language will allow the city to close without further repeated amendments.

Finally, staff introduced a resolution authorizing the city to apply for state revolving fund (SRF) grant funding to study and, potentially, fund a water system interconnection among Morganton, Valdez and Drexel for greater regional resiliency. Staff said the SRF application is due Aug. 1 and that specific project locations and estimated costs would be developed between the meeting and the deadline and returned to council for review.

Each of these measures passed on voice votes.","Council established a Hurricane Helene special revenue fund, approved a capital projects amendment, and authorized an amendment to a state cash-flow loan agreement to enable closing and repayment under revised terms.",{"_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},6524446,"Morganton approves 2025–29 CDBG consolidated plan and 2025 action plan, contracts Western Piedmont COG to administer program",134,905000,1039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845778-5fd3f37d7bc991d2c468398b9b599ea1&start=905&end=1039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845778-5fd3f37d7bc991d2c468398b9b599ea1/thumbnail_905000.jpg","/articles/6524446/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Morganton-approves-202529-CDBG-consolidated-plan-and-2025-action-plan-contracts-Western-Piedmont-COG-to-administer-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524446-a79eeeb6b2bd9da812ec17d662f6c4ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196733&Signature=SFOh0LD9Y1K4mN5X38y4jVfgGc6CVCq8gSlOIgoP94vMy3nqcDE3FYhqcNGxIZVLB-PyJ-IRXyznW3Ddl2h8lqjM8dmxnEQ6xrK0MozQvqYGY-qNluuuU1r4aHSZG3WX6CqSb3kWH~gVQUTR~mZYt1QaLaKvFKcJEaO6UkCA2lZOayQdl2J3eyl4QVIDC3bFz5-N3eh3suJc~KcdchBPfRMXJnApIQ0tXMgtJv0AXSqxWnsW7QgiGZBGq-eim~~tbNpzxIYkaWgEssG1bGGXDZtuZ6R6iXSVBg6OFHA8MgyeBi8ze5hdWlA~YJgVYGR51BcExx4X5RoTPgpjbnGQ~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTON — The Morganton City Council approved the city’s 2025–2029 consolidated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) plan and the 2025 action plan, adopted a one-year CDBG project budget ordinance, and authorized an administrative agreement with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) to administer the entitlement program.

Jennifer, who presented the item in the public hearing, said the consolidated plan and action plan cover small business assistance, grants to nonprofits, public facilities and infrastructure, and administrative costs. Staff reported the city was awarded $2,112,470 and expects roughly $30,000 in program income, for a total of about $2,242,470 to allocate across those projects. The 2025 action plan allocations presented to council included $90,000 for small business assistance, $30,000 for nonprofit grants, $79,976 for public facilities and improvements, and $42,004.94 for administration.

The council opened and closed the required public hearing on the consolidated plan and, after no speakers approached to comment, voted to approve the consolidated plan, the 2025 action plan and the project budget ordinance. Council also approved a contract with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments to administer the CDBG entitlement program beginning July 1, 2025.

Staff said the grants and small-business assistance are popular with residents; they also said WPCOG will handle program administration and that staff will return with any required program documents and program administration details.

The council approved these items on voice votes.","The council approved the city’s 2025–2029 consolidated plan and the 2025 CDBG action plan, set a one-year CDBG project budget, and approved an administrative agreement with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments to administer the entitlement program effective July 1, 2025.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6524451,"Morganton council adopts FY2025–26 budget, approves contracts and a series of funding measures",70,702000,772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845778-5fd3f37d7bc991d2c468398b9b599ea1&start=702&end=772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845778-5fd3f37d7bc991d2c468398b9b599ea1/thumbnail_702000.jpg","/articles/6524451/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Morganton-council-adopts-FY202526-budget-approves-contracts-and-a-series-of-funding-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6524451-6d69dc77c5f0073009325d4545cb4616/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196733&Signature=SBOQyOA~obfPO4IQh4Cp~YvFXjtPq9RsVPTgRDXa~~zQYiq2oljK3wJhXj5bcazeflHCyZNj-gyRABrWFKyZhxNjJ3ih6iSVUs04BOzIlqT8t00mhrSMz0WgKw4j9D7uesx0hgv6~TJDWRoZV1K~JgNdcIgpQDpqWL3Iympc20IVo1SSY9kO0vjRJF5KEtx8af7hz84XVAMqYL3WwhNZZjMb5vrGmcP2ukneBdANdlbaW0bmTsiHkPLuEhjU4hpnWgdjhSQyt0u6QgraQEv8qRY-g7cifwe3cZLEav9XzxA2omJxp4Y7-DSMb8hev~GsaOulTfu~AcgqxACkeUqjCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORGANTON — The Morganton City Council at a June special meeting adopted the city’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget and approved a series of related ordinances, contract awards and budget amendments.

The council held a public hearing on the proposed FY2025–26 budget before voting to adopt a budget ordinance that keeps the regular tax rate at $0.50 per $100 of assessed value and maintains electric rates. The budget as presented included a 10% increase in water volume charges, a 5% increase in sewer volume charges, and a $5-per-month increase in the TV (Compass) portion of a monthly charge effective in January. The council also separately adopted the schedule of fees and charges and set pay ranges for the new fiscal year, which include a 3% cost-of-living adjustment.

Council members approved multiple budget amendments and related items needed to close out the current year and respond to Hurricane Helene. Actions included a general fund amendment of $507,000; a water fund amendment of $35,200; creation of a Hurricane Helene special revenue fund in the amount of $9,661,199 to receive reimbursements and other Helene-related proceeds; and a Helene capital projects fund amendment of $2,538,465 for project expenditures.

The council also approved awarding several contracts and professional services agreements discussed on the agenda: a storm drain replacement contract for 305 West Concord Street to Country Boy Landscaping Inc. for $629,643.17 with a contingency authorization up to $650,000; a contract to replace the HVAC control system at COMMA to Trane U.S. Inc. not to exceed $37,700; a contract with Wildlands Engineering for inspection and closeout services at Bethel Park for $88,130; an extension of the construction contract with Baker Grading and Landscaping for the Bethel Park restoration project to Dec. 31, 2025; and an annual tree-trimming contract to Davey Tree Experts at $134.30 per hour, not to exceed $225,000.

Other procedural items approved included: adoption of the 2025–2029 consolidated plan and the 2025 action plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement funds, adoption of a project budget ordinance for the CDBG program, and approval of an administrative agreement with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (COG) to administer the city’s CDBG entitlement program effective July 1, 2025.

The council also approved a proposed amendment to its cash-flow loan agreement with the State of North Carolina to allow the city to close the loan and repay under the amended terms. Finally, the council adopted a resolution authorizing staff to apply for state revolving fund (SRF) grant funding (American Rescue Act 2025 implementation) to study a potential water interconnection with nearby systems; staff said application details and cost estimates will be developed before the Aug. 1 deadline.

Votes recorded in the meeting were routine “aye” voice votes; the meeting transcript records no roll-call tallies with individual yes/no votes.","At a June special meeting, the Morganton City Council adopted its FY2025–26 budget and a package of related items including fee schedules, pay ranges, multiple budget amendments, contracts for infrastructure and services, and a resolution to seek state SRF grant funds for a regional water interconnection.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bethel Park moving toward opening; Catawba Meadows sections to reopen mid-July, staff outlines remaining work

Morganton awards $629,643 contract to replace storm drain on West Concord Street

Morganton creates Helene recovery funds, approves capital amendment and moves to close state cash-flow loan

Morganton approves 2025–29 CDBG consolidated plan and 2025 action plan, contracts Western Piedmont COG to administer program

Morganton council adopts FY2025–26 budget, approves contracts and a series of funding measures