[{"_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",6495347,"mediaKeyId","5529257-0794b57e3656f7d0f1ed9e2ac38c4ce6","parentId",5529257,"title","Council hears updates on Historic Morganton Festival, social district rollout and 'Play Music on the Porch' events","audioSeconds",249,"startMs",1175000,"endMs",1424000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529257-0794b57e3656f7d0f1ed9e2ac38c4ce6&start=1175&end=1424","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529257-0794b57e3656f7d0f1ed9e2ac38c4ce6/thumbnail_1175000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6495347/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Council-hears-updates-on-Historic-Morganton-Festival-social-district-rollout-and-Play-Music-on-the-Porch-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495347-19fc96fa5e0a8b4c1c5698bc2a9a0556/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178867&Signature=g3ZGmkcxYkpfIfzUungoZ86uAWgGaWKKirF-MnTGnru5T8udQj4zHLlKBBYNrI-LXK-JGVOR2SiTGxyAndqy7O~sBWqN2vJPyAyonhgqy78bc230Z6hg2ObDJPG-UpcMp6wMLqJQA2qT~vGdbhV2jk7NcEhaHWGX1uEugMxuIA3TsU32Bbl7Rady2KyhQwzkuStlqoVRHasPJaKvjgaxJGgfCLIsvVUqI2uXRYgw2Tv~ZpfKDeU5etIxhKJkdUWroX1iGDLGMV4N3Xf-hm0U~hC5icCwAjcxsZLXdCBOy~4iQtqfl7dzqJ~tio3yv1SrBhhGACbIuK0e~IKDqhrpJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Morganton","date","2025-08-05T11:17:46Z","article","Shan (Sharon) Jablonski provided the City Council with an update on the Historic Morganton Festival, the new social district and the city's participation in the international Play Music on the Porch day.

Jablonski said the Historic Morganton Festival is presented by UNC Health Blue Ridge Healthcare and that the event is sold out with more than 250 craft vendors. She said organizers had worked to reintroduce lower-priced food options after criticism about last year’s food pricing and that the main stage entertainment lineup includes Americana/folk and country acts.

On the social district, staff reported that official boundary signs have been ordered and were in production; they expected delivery in approximately two weeks and hoped for mid-August installation. Registration forms, maintenance and operations plans and training materials were distributed to downtown retailers and to ABC-permitted businesses; staff reported that 12 ABC-permitted establishments and 12 retail establishments participated in the virtual training session and that recording materials are available for future staff training.

Jablonski also noted that Play Music on the Porch day is scheduled for Aug. 30 and that Morganton is on the worldwide map for the event; she credited members of the arts commission and volunteers who organized porches and performers.

Ending

Staff said signage, registration and training steps are underway for the social district and that festival and event organizers are finalizing schedules and volunteer signups.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 4, 2025 Moganton City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reported that the Historic Morganton Festival (presented by UNC Health Blue Ridge Healthcare) is sold out with more than 250 craft vendors; social district boundary signs are in production and registration/training materials have been distributed to participating retailers and ABC-permitted businesses.","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},6495352,"Morganton approves T2 electronic parking system; council directs use of special appropriations to pay initial cost",962,2680000,3642000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529257-0794b57e3656f7d0f1ed9e2ac38c4ce6&start=2680&end=3642","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529257-0794b57e3656f7d0f1ed9e2ac38c4ce6/thumbnail_2680000.jpg","/articles/6495352/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Morganton-approves-T2-electronic-parking-system-council-directs-use-of-special-appropriations-to-pay-initial-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495352-5f4a8458d21417da85ea426b68c027c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178867&Signature=dknVmJ-SiRsI~d7ptAOPKyxpDZSPmqpERbli~jC5uyXb4pQXRyZKRX9523C9YQb29VP60ZI2gYmwhC68iT4YRRYqWVoS2c6RwlhCSVSIOpZQsbJ-cLubyvFDD61DziwO0YFXiNVGFhHyiyuJ~yiI8tsCwTXIYbpXXCVJNUlkUvovwsC-CoAEpKI-i8~CtynNqQBT2lBl9e3RUpQkBJiHhCqzbyZSDMfE0dba~Ww94Bp8LNCq8Ru0AeofbibymO-vUtCchPyXJy3ceWP8IV79I8Z0Q8-ivlhxwdm7G0CXYpIjkSVhwtjfGW-3esZTw5zM7CWpzBNQ~BQAFjETB4vyBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morganton City Council voted Aug. 4 to award a contract to T2 Parking Management Systems to provide an electronic parking-management system intended to replace manual ticketing practices such as chalking and to improve collection and permitting.

Sharon Jablonski, a staff member presenting the item, said the system is scalable and handles both large and small jurisdictions. \"This you can see that, the really great thing about this that I thought was that it is, scalable,\" Jablonski said. She described features that include license-plate-based permitting, real-time enforcement data, mobile payments, an on-device camera and printer for officers, a dispute workflow, and collection services.

Councilors were told the initial one-time cost for equipment is $9,652 with an annual recurring cost of $3,828 for software and services. The council approved awarding the contract and separately approved a motion directing staff to use special appropriations funding to pay for the system. Staff said the system could be operational by October in a phased rollout and that a future council action will present a new parking map, zoning of on-street vs. surface lots and any ordinance changes (including fines, tow/boot policies and permitted exceptions such as construction or festival days).

Jablonski and staff said the system also supports residential online permitting, exception allowances for construction or vendor vehicles, and analytics to identify where users originate — a feature the presenter said could aid tourism marketing. Councilors discussed enforcement during special events and whether towing would be used for repeat offenders; staff said towing and state debt setoff options exist but that ordinance changes would be brought forward for council approval.

Ending

Council members said the measure is intended to improve customer access to downtown parking and to reduce short-term parking abuse; implementation details, parking maps and any ordinance changes will return to the council for formal adoption.","The council awarded a contract to T2 Parking Management Systems for an electronic parking-management system to replace chalking and improve enforcement and collections; the initial cost is $9,652 with an annual service cost of $3,828, and staff were directed to use special appropriations to fund the purchase.",{"_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},6495358,"Morganton adopts ordinance restricting overnight use of city public spaces after council approves educational period",504,1767000,2271000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529257-0794b57e3656f7d0f1ed9e2ac38c4ce6&start=1767&end=2271","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529257-0794b57e3656f7d0f1ed9e2ac38c4ce6/thumbnail_1767000.jpg","/articles/6495358/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Morganton-adopts-ordinance-restricting-overnight-use-of-city-public-spaces-after-council-approves-educational-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495358-b8b0ae5a3e7882ff64b107e163bf13a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178867&Signature=LyG736vcgfC0KIcDFkKhvE1xHLVk3u9j92MbiR2oeTwUyTWwSkJ2m7xF38oRHEj0wbfEeXDyusOu2E3tEjALkfZC9qfSJ0VLklIy6Vnlmi9YW2vBIqoQqqfrOXqQNCU4uGjGYNDcEkA~Ry~6AAqPvcl1cPpk47WBDtO7Jy2zvSsvP0pGe7AXjvq4AprYkXjrbr31bvS562UY5IjvyFMQFy2qcIXhyCjEm8DNs~6fCKKDAJlfaiA9VBBCXRz0ssUpgC7cUHQaiTyFcdiebmPZjQCxJX5aKl0J6EPTsLnVmDhdhwtuBzTr65D6yoLc7jJ-EqPM1EmtVl~8A8hiHEgYZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morganton City Council on Aug. 4 approved an ordinance amending Part 8, Offenses, Chapter 1 of the city code to restrict presence in city-owned public spaces during specified overnight hours and to allow signage and removal of personal property left in violation of the restriction.

Chief Ryan, the city’s interim police chief, described the proposal as an attempt to \"reeducate what reasonable expectations are for our community members\" and said the department has responded to 288 calls for service at the Square since Jan. 1, 2023. \"Forty percent of the 288 calls that were reported to us occurred at night between 9PM and 6 in the morning,\" Chief Ryan said as he outlined the city’s plan.

The ordinance follows a model used by New Hanover County, which combined signage, an educational outreach period and then strict enforcement. Chief Ryan outlined a three-part approach for Morganton: erect signs stating the hours of restriction, conduct an extended educational campaign (September was designated as the education month), and begin enforcement on Oct. 1. During the education phase staff will distribute flyers listing local resources for housing, mental-health and substance-use assistance.

Council members asked about enforcement and penalties. Chief Ryan said officers will use discretion and that initial contacts will generally be warnings during the education month. If the ordinance proceeds to enforcement, officers may issue citations or, in more serious cases, take custody of individuals for magistrate-review and booking. \"We can arrest by through citation or actually put them in handcuffs and take them to the Magistrate's Office,\" Chief Ryan said.

The motion approved by the council authorized the Department of Public Safety to post signage consistent with the ordinance and added the ordinance to the city's code. The motion passed by voice vote.

Ending

City officials said the educational period is meant to reduce arrests by informing people of both the new rules and available community resources before citations or arrests begin.","The City Council adopted an amendment to Part 8, Offenses, Chapter 1 of the code of ordinances to restrict presence in city-owned public spaces during overnight hours; police will implement a month-long education period followed by enforcement beginning Oct. 1.",{"_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},6495362,"Morganton outlines $42.5 million in public-infrastructure damages from Hurricane Helene; multiple repair contracts approved",1604,750000,2354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529257-0794b57e3656f7d0f1ed9e2ac38c4ce6&start=750&end=2354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529257-0794b57e3656f7d0f1ed9e2ac38c4ce6/thumbnail_750000.jpg","/articles/6495362/Morganton/Burke-County/North-Carolina/Morganton-outlines-425-million-in-public-infrastructure-damages-from-Hurricane-Helene-multiple-repair-contracts-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495362-74fd0a7610c07d813086ed6b594c0b9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178867&Signature=cs3PUK69lWnS-soMEqqERvKMgpQFvIw9STeqen9iGOjZoU3gw~yZt75yR4H7H6NxbaeQ9~JY1a26~6cVEehurA1RukoP46N6jJiB3PE7hoSAu82GgosDf6KFf52uUoQqxhPvrYshBoYNGcJZGeCEru7n1v2YbwgaYL1G1ZeXZo3hZ5SRgLRuCrrfwQc0hn6kYkJFQWEKSoJtGHht83Mqk8fs3Tc4EUao2pOkOT5FeUwejaXq-krIUVaHDxPLZFPDbK50oqcNc29XSH2l7wsfQKpVk1XeFBXvPVFUcoaYRyyth1BdebIYdpIyxnEH9K7QvVwxO6LNfyqL6eR7EjVbcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sally Sandy, city manager for Morganton, told the City Council on Aug. 4 that initial estimates put public-infrastructure damages from Hurricane Helene at about $42.5 million and described ongoing efforts to secure insurance and federal reimbursements and to start reconstruction.

The city manager said the municipality has received roughly $2.5 million from insurance and $1,711,000 from FEMA for projects already approved by the agency, and that the state has obligated another $120,000 that the city is waiting to receive. \"There's about another 1,600,000 that we have signed applications and done what we believe is complete to turn those into FEMA, but they have not yet approved those and sent them up the chain to be paid,\" Sandy said. She added that roughly $35 million to $38 million in damage remains to be funded.

Council members approved several contract awards and amendments tied to storm recovery and longer-running water- and sewer-system projects during the meeting. Key actions included:

- A resolution accepting state drinking-water infrastructure funds for the Silver Creek project (state award described in the consent agenda). The consent motion included acceptance of state funds tied to the Silver Creek project and was approved on a voice vote as part of the consent agenda.

- Amendment No. 3 to the engineering contract for the Silver Creek pump station upgrade with Highfill (transcript variants include “Hyfel”/“High Fuel” in places) for construction-administration and observation services, not to exceed $190,700. The council approved the amendment by voice vote.

- Award of a contract for engineering services for the raw-water intake/pump station to Garver Engineering (transcript also referenced the contractor as “Garner Engineering” in the motion) for up to $395,152; the motion passed by voice vote.

- Approval of contract awards for water plant sedimentation/basin improvements: the council approved an award to Lock Lane Construction for $6,382,363 with a $320,000 contingency, and subsequently approved a project-budget amendment of $807,263 and a transfer of $242,919 in electric funds to cover electrical improvements at the plant. The council also approved an amendment to the engineer’s contract (Highfill/Highfield variants in the transcript) for construction-administration services for the sedimentation project, not to exceed $229,600.

- Smaller repair and replacement contracts tied to storm damage: an award to Smart Electric Company for work at the wastewater influent pump station (not to exceed $55,873); a contract to Maynard Electric Company for electrical repairs at four sewer lift stations (Catawba Meadows, Doe Run, Lost Corners and Powerhouse Road) not to exceed $147,276; and a contract to Heritage Construction & Design of Morganton for interior and exterior repairs at Shuey Park, $129,900 plus a 5% contingency ($6,495).

Sally Sandy said the city is issuing RFQs for larger rehabilitation projects and is beginning to award engineering contracts to move construction forward. She said the Greenway boardwalk design is nearing bid-ready status with a construction estimate in the neighborhood of $3 million for an 800-by-15-foot boardwalk segment, and that larger parks including Catawba Meadows and the soccer complex remain a priority.

Brad (identified in the meeting as the project engineer who worked with Garver Engineering) described the raw-water pump-station work to be funded if the council approves the recommended contract. He said engineers will design a walkway above anticipated flood levels, perform vibration analysis on pumps to check for sediment damage, raise electrical equipment within the structure, and likely replace an emergency pump damaged by the storm.

Sandy emphasized the complexity of FEMA reimbursements and described the level of detail FEMA is requiring for mutual-aid and in‑house labor reimbursement claims, including dates, GPS coordinates, and itemized labor and material descriptions. \"That's the detail you have to give them to get a reimbursement,\" she said.

The council’s approvals will allow staff to proceed with contract execution and to pursue additional reimbursement from FEMA and the state for eligible work. Several projects will use a combination of state drinking-water appropriations, electric department funds, insurance proceeds and other city resources.

Ending

Council members emphasized the multi-source funding approach and the lengthy timeline for large reconstruction efforts. Sandy said the work will proceed project by project and that some contracts would come back to the council for awards and budget adjustments as designs and bids are finalized.","City manager Sally Sandy told the Morganton City Council that Hurricane Helene’s damage to public infrastructure is estimated at about $42.5 million; the council approved a series of engineering and construction contracts and budget amendments to begin repairs and pursue federal and state reimbursements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears updates on Historic Morganton Festival, social district rollout and 'Play Music on the Porch' events

Morganton approves T2 electronic parking system; council directs use of special appropriations to pay initial cost

Morganton adopts ordinance restricting overnight use of city public spaces after council approves educational period

Morganton outlines $42.5 million in public-infrastructure damages from Hurricane Helene; multiple repair contracts approved