March 2025 Morganton City Council

Morganton City Council Meeting Recap: March 3, 2025 – Focusing on Hurricane Recovery and Future Planning

The Morganton City Council convened its regular meeting on March 3, 2025, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. The meeting was marked by a significant focus on addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, alongside discussions about ongoing city business and future development. Several long-serving city employees were also recognized for their dedication, creating a tone of appreciation throughout the proceedings.

A major portion of the meeting centered on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. The council received an update from Burke County regarding debris removal, noting that approximately 85-90% of the work has been completed. Residents were reminded to register any remaining debris and ensure it's placed in the right-of-way for collection. City Manager Sally Sandy then presented a detailed overview of Morganton’s recovery, revealing an estimated $46 million in damages across various city facilities – a figure that continues to be refined as assessments progress. The council prioritized repairs, with Shuey Park (critical for youth baseball and softball) identified as a top priority. Good news arrived with the reopening of a section of the Greenway (from Freedom Park to the soccer complex), offering residents a much-needed recreational space. Unfortunately, demolition of the damaged River Village boardwalk is planned, with a longer-term engineering and reconstruction process to follow. To help bridge the gap between spending on recovery projects and receiving FEMA reimbursement, the council voted to potentially accept a $5.46 million cash flow loan from the state, pending resolution of a repayment timeline issue.

Beyond hurricane recovery, several other important decisions were made. The council approved a $30,000 loan to Restaurant on Queen LLC (The Hedge) to support the development of a new restaurant in downtown Morganton, demonstrating ongoing commitment to revitalizing the city's core. A change was approved to lower the speed limit on Fleming Drive (between South Sterling and Berkmont) from 45 mph to 35 mph, aligning with a request from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The council also formally adopted an updated regional hazard mitigation plan, ensuring compliance with federal emergency preparedness regulations and approved the annexation petition from Madcap Adventures, LLC for three parcels of land – a public hearing on this matter is scheduled for April 7th. Finally, the council approved the Consolidated Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding after a public hearing with no comments received.

During the meeting, Alan Curtis from T.L. Norman Land Company spoke in support of a rezoning petition, highlighting the need for increased housing options within Morganton. Mayor Thompson emphasized the city's unwavering commitment to rebuilding and restoring facilities, acknowledging the significant challenges of managing a large-scale recovery effort. City Manager Sandy underscored the complexity and scale of the hurricane damage, noting that full recovery will require time and substantial resources.

What’s Next? Residents can expect to see continued cleanup efforts at Catawba Meadows, Shuey Park, and other impacted areas. The demolition of the River Village boardwalk will commence soon, followed by planning for its reconstruction. City officials are diligently working with FEMA to secure reimbursement for storm-related expenses. The Consolidated Action Plan for CDBG funding will be finalized following further review, and a public hearing regarding the annexation petition from Madcap Adventures, LLC will be held on April 7th. Discussions with the state are ongoing to finalize details surrounding the potential cash flow loan agreement.

This meeting demonstrated a proactive approach by the Morganton City Council to address immediate needs stemming from Hurricane Helene while also continuing to plan for the city’s future growth and development.