[0:01] All right. Good evening and welcome to the September 1st, 2026 meeting of the

[0:05] Hickory City Council. At this time, I would like to ask the Reverend Melissa

[0:10] Sparks to the podium from Unitaria Universalist Church of Kataba Valley uh

[0:15] for our invocation. I would ask that if you're able to please stand for the

[0:20] invocation and remain standing after the invocation for the pledge of allegiance.

[0:27] Spirit of life and love, God of many names, we give thanks today for each of

[0:32] the servant leaders gathered here who have each answered yes in their own way

[0:37] to serving our community. We remember today all of those in our

[0:42] shared city who are struggling to meet their basic needs. Those who are hungry,

[0:47] those who will weather extreme heat this week without adequate shelter. May those

[0:52] who are suffering be remembered as decisions are being made today.

[0:56] We remember too that while there are many ways we think differently in this

[1:01] room, we share a desire to live in a safe community, a kind community, and a

[1:08] community where people can thrive and be happy. May those who serve here have the

[1:13] courage to listen deeply, especially to voices that are easy to overlook. May

[1:19] they have the wisdom to consider not only what is possible, but what is just.

[1:24] May they have patience when solutions are complicated and humility when

[1:29] answers are not clear. And may all of us who call this city

[1:33] home remember that our community is something we create together in the

[1:38] decisions made in this room, in the ways we care for our neighbors, and in the

[1:43] small acts of kindness that make a place feel like home.

[1:47] May the work of this council be guided by compassion, wisdom, courage, and a

[1:51] deep commitment to the flourishing of all who live here. In the name of the

[1:57] sacred love that holds and guides us all. Amen.

[2:00] » Amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[2:04] United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation

[2:10] under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [clears throat]

[2:20] Okay. Uh, we don't have any special presentations this evening. So, I'll

[2:25] skip down to item number five on the agenda and ask if there is anyone

[2:29] present this evening that would like to address the council.

[2:35] As always, we allow a time at the beginning of our meeting for anyone that

[2:39] would like to address the council the opportunity to be able to do so. And uh

[2:44] you don't have to wait until a council meeting. Our council members are make

[2:48] themselves available uh practically any time. Uh if you just let them know if

[2:53] you need to speak to one of us, we make ourselves available. But if you would

[2:55] like to speak in front of the entire council at each meeting during this

[2:59] time, we allow you that opportunity. So there doesn't appear to be anyone that

[3:03] would like to address the council this evening. The next item on our agenda is

[3:08] approval of our regular meeting of August the 18th, 2026. and I'll

[3:12] entertain a motion. >> So moved.

[3:14] » Second. >> All right, we have a motion and a

[3:16] second. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor, please say I.

[3:21] » I. >> Any opposed like sign? That carries

[3:25] unanimously. The next item on our agenda is the reaffirmation ratification on

[3:29] second readings. And once again, I'll entertain a motion.

[3:32] » So move second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there

[3:35] any further discussion? >> All those in favor, please say I. I.

[3:40] » Any opposed? like sign that also carries unanimously. Item number eight is our

[3:46] consent agenda. I'll ask if there's any member of council or staff that would

[3:50] like to have any item removed from the consent agenda.

[3:54] » Yes, sir. >> Approval.

[3:55] » I've got one. I'm sorry. Uh item E. Um I'd like to remove that. Uh it's for

[4:01] navigation easements at the airport and have you consider that during the

[4:05] departmental report uh with Chad Hunucker. He's going to go into a little

[4:09] bit more u detail on that. >> Okay. All right. [clears throat] With

[4:12] the exception of item E, did I hear a motion?

[4:15] » So moved. Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a

[4:18] second. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor, please say I.

[4:23] » I. >> Any opposed? Like sign.

[4:26] » All right. That carries unanimously with the exception of item E. Uh, next on the

[4:32] agenda is our uh, public hearing our for and we have one public hearing this

[4:38] evening. Uh, so to introduce our public hearing, I'll turn it over to our city

[4:42] manager, Mr. Warren Woo. >> Thank you, Mayor G, members, city

[4:45] council, Mr. Swanson. The one public hearing tonight is consideration of the

[4:49] fiscal year 2526 consolidated annual performance and evaluation report, also

[4:54] known as the caper, for submission as required by the US Department of Housing

[4:58] and Urban Development. It'll be presented by business development

[5:01] director Dave Leonetti.

[5:06] » Thank you, Mr. Wood, mayor guest, members of council, Mr. Swanson. Uh

[5:11] tonight I'm here to present the uh as uh as Warren said, the consolidated annual

[5:17] performance evaluation report. A couple months ago, um AnnaBth was up here in

[5:23] front of y'all um with our annual action plan and that's the plan for the coming

[5:29] year, the current 2026 2027 fiscal year that we're in. Then 90 days after our

[5:35] current program year or our previous program year is finished, we submit a

[5:39] performance evaluation report to HUD. This is fairly dry reading. Um it's

[5:46] basically all the information about what we spent our money on, what we uh and

[5:51] what we accomplished during the past year. Um as an entitlement community,

[5:56] the city of Hickory is an entitlement community for community development

[5:59] block grant funds because we are one of the three principal cities of the

[6:03] Hickory Lenor Morganton metropolitan statistical area. That means we get

[6:07] funding directly from HUD every year instead of smaller municipalities that

[6:12] have to u apply for grants through the North Carolina Department of Commerce

[6:17] through their small cities program. Um and again the the year under

[6:21] consideration is July 1st 2025 to June 30th 2026.

[6:27] Overall, the the majority of our spending from last year was the

[6:32] improvements to Hickory Optimus Park. That included fencing, paving,

[6:36] construction of the new dog park, some picnic tables, um, and a lot of, uh,

[6:41] some trail connections to the existing trails within that park. We've got a

[6:46] couple of that opened right at um, July 4th uh, weekend, I believe, um, was when

[6:52] that that opened. And there's some photographs of the finished product out

[6:56] there. It was conversion of a former baseball field into um [clears throat]

[7:01] grass area for for dogs and then some other places for folks to just walk and

[7:05] enjoy the park. Um other spending included our housing

[7:11] rehabilitation program that was $110,000. That was two homes. Um that

[7:16] number does include our uh some a final payment on a home that was finished in

[7:22] the previous fiscal year along with the funds to administer the program. um fair

[7:29] housing. Uh we um every April we declare fair housing month and help citizens uh

[7:36] be aware of their rights under the Fair Housing Act. And we also purchased some

[7:41] advertising in local newspapers um to in and social media to inform people of

[7:48] their fair housing rights. And then um $36,000 was for program administration

[7:53] during the last year. Um that's for staff time to administer the program. Um

[7:58] then there's $51,500 of public service activities. The US

[8:05] Department of Housing and Urban Development, they allow us to spend up

[8:08] to 15% of our project grant and previous year program income on public service

[8:14] activities. Um and this past year, um it we were able to work with seven

[8:19] different local nonprofits that assist low and moderate income individuals. Um,

[8:25] Alpha, they work with uh um HIV and AIDS patients to help keep them. They do

[8:30] medical case management to keep them in care. Exodus Homes helps their residents

[8:34] find employment and transportation. Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, that

[8:39] is their summer camp and their afterchool program. The Soup Kitchen is

[8:44] the the meals that they serve and the food bank that they operate. Kataba

[8:48] Science Center. They operate a portal to science program they call it that

[8:53] provides um lowcost memberships for low and moderate income households and

[8:59] scholarships to take advantage of their summer camps. The Women's Resource

[9:04] Center, they provide case management um supplies and different support to women

[9:10] in crisis um especially homeless women. Um and then Greater Hickory Greater

[9:16] Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry um received $7,500. Um and that is for

[9:22] their homeless ministry that where they help um the homeless find housing

[9:27] showers. They help them set up mailboxes um and other social work activities.

[9:33] um in this current fiscal year um that you'll be reading about or in next

[9:39] year's report, we're working um we're we should be hopefully going under contract

[9:43] soon to do some uh HVAC improvements at the Ridge View Recreation Center. Um

[9:49] you'll notice we didn't have any small business or microenterprise loans last

[9:54] year, but we've council has already approved one in this fiscal year. you

[9:59] will have two more at your next u next city council meeting on September 15th

[10:04] and we've got one other one in the pipeline. So, the word is getting out

[10:08] about about that program and we've got um a lot of good good ways that we can

[10:13] help our low and moderate income business owners buy equipment and get

[10:17] receive marketing and support for their small businesses. Um and then we'll

[10:22] continue the housing rehab program. One thing I'll also mention, it's not

[10:25] included in those numbers, but we receive funding from the North Carolina

[10:29] Housing Finance Agency for our urgent repair program. That's a fully

[10:33] forgivable loan that we have for low and moderate income homeowners with special

[10:38] needs. They we were able to assist 13

[10:42] homeowners last fiscal year with that. So, 15 total homeowners were supported

[10:47] through our rehab efforts. Um, and then we have, uh, funding in the budget for,

[10:52] um, additional grants to nonprofit public service agencies next year.

[10:58] With that, um, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[11:01] » How often do you get other nonprofits that come and want to apply?

[11:06] » Um, we receive a good amount of, uh, we we receive requests for more than we're

[11:13] able to fund um, every year. We have to be careful to um our citizens advisory

[11:17] committee reviews those requests um and and staff also reviews them. We have to

[11:22] be careful not to duplicate services and ensure that all the nonprofits have the

[11:26] capacity to to deal with all the federal uh red tape and requirements and all

[11:31] that. >> I have a question and thanks for what

[11:34] you do Dave. Um and you mentioned that it was 13 homes for the low moderate

[11:39] income rehabilitation. So is that um usually around about the number of homes

[11:44] that we usually help or what can we compare it to last year?

[11:49] » So the 13 homes is um right around what we normally do with our urgent repair.

[11:54] And then last year we had two for our housing rehab, the more traditional um

[11:58] deferred loan program that we offer. But um this year we currently have three in

[12:04] the pipeline and a couple more. So we this year I think it a lot of it's just

[12:08] timing. Um, we've got a few that were approved in kind of that May June time

[12:12] frame that are getting started now. So, I would anticipate probably four to five

[12:17] um with that plus another 13 or so from the urgent repair program.

[12:25] » All right, I have two questions. Um, of the seven not for profofits that were on

[12:29] the list, are any of those first-time recipients of this month of of these

[12:33] grants? >> Not first time. Um I think women's

[12:36] resource center was this may have been their second second time.

[12:41] » Okay. And secondly, are there geographic parameters on how we can use money that

[12:46] we use directly? Say for instance, the Hickory Optimus Park, are there

[12:50] parameters in terms of geography where that money can be used?

[12:53] » Yes sir. Um our funding through the US Department of Housing Urban Development,

[12:58] they want to ensure that our funding benefits low and moderate income

[13:01] individuals. Um, and those infrastructure and facility improvement

[13:05] projects, they qualify under what's known as the area benefit category. And

[13:10] we can spend that funding in areas where the service area of the facility or the

[13:15] improvement, 51% of those people um are in of the population of the service area

[13:21] low and moderate income. >> Okay. And the grants that we make to the

[13:25] not for profofits, they're not under those same obligations. Correct. that is

[13:29] they are funded through the low and moderate income clientele. Um so

[13:35] basically at least 51% of the clientele that benefit from the program have to be

[13:40] low and moderate income. So depending they either have to assign a

[13:43] self-certification that speaks to their household income or they are certain

[13:48] categories are presumed low and moderate income such as homeless um and um

[13:54] persons living with HIV and AIDS and and some other categories

[13:58] » and HUD is responsible for I'm going to use the word audit. I'm going to use

[14:01] that loosely um for tracking that making sure that those those um those things

[14:07] are being met. Yes, we the city is responsible as the as the recipient of

[14:12] the funds for making sure that we monitor all of our subreients. Our staff

[14:17] goes out every year. >> That answers my question. Okay, great.

[14:20] Well, thank you. Thank you for the answers and thank you for what you do.

[14:23] You're welcome. Thank you. >> I have one more question. the uh 329,000

[14:28] plus that >> um went into certainly the Hickory

[14:31] Optimus um park >> now um I guess in the grant that

[14:38] we get that amount that's allocated for infrastructure correct

[14:42] » we get we can spend the money on the the city has the ability as an entitlement

[14:48] community to spend funding on anything that meets a national objective um and

[14:53] then that was over the LA we did not, if you'll like going back to the previous

[14:59] year, we basically stacked two years of public infrastructure funding together

[15:03] to um to get the money to do the uh the more recent one. Our entitlement grant

[15:09] this year is right around $363,000 and we receive it. It varies between 100

[15:16] and $175,000 in program income

[15:21] from repayment of loans and other activities. So that's kind of the money

[15:24] that we're working with >> and and I know our our objective goal is

[15:29] certainly to hit all four corners of Hickory and so um each year uh what is

[15:36] the process as it relates to which particular neighborhood or area um is

[15:42] going to benefit from the 300 now $60,000.

[15:46] » Yeah. So um as Mr. Wood um alluded to with his question, we have um that we

[15:51] qualify these facility improvements under the area benefit category. So

[15:55] there's certain census tracks that have that are you know potentially eligible

[15:59] for those those improvements. Then we um as staff we have public meetings to um

[16:07] the if you'll remember the um in Optimus Park about 12 13 years ago um the

[16:13] community building that was built there was requested by the Green Park

[16:17] neighborhood association in one of those public public meetings. So our internal

[16:22] staff and in conjunction with the input we get from the public look through

[16:26] which parks may be eligible for the funding and then we kind of try to go

[16:31] through all of those different areas. We spent money in Cliff Teague Park. We've

[16:35] spent a great deal in Taff Broom Park and obviously this year at the Ridgeview

[16:39] Recreation Center. So um West Hickory uh Senior Center and West Hickory Park have

[16:45] had improvements in in recent years as well.

[16:48] » Thank you. Sure. Any further questions for Mr. Leonetti?

[16:54] Thank you, sir. >> Thank you.

[16:57] » All right. This is a public hearing. In just a

[17:01] minute, I'll declare the public hearing open. But before I do so, I'd like to uh

[17:05] give out some rules pertaining to our public hearing. Uh we allow those that

[17:10] would like to speak in opposition uh the opportunity to do that at first and we

[17:16] allow up to 15 minutes for uh those that would like to speak if there's anyone in

[17:20] opposition and also 15 minutes if there's anyone that would like to speak

[17:24] in favor. Uh we will also allow up to five minutes for rebuttal and sir

[17:30] rebuttal if necessary. We ask those folks that may want to speak to approach

[17:34] the podium and to state their name and address and to limit their conversation

[17:40] to in in the entirety uh to that 15 minutes. So, at this time, I'll declare

[17:45] the public hearing open and ask if there's anyone present that would like

[17:50] to speak in opposition.

[17:57] There doesn't appear to be anyone that would like to speak in opposition. I'll

[18:01] ask if there's anyone present that would like to speak in favor of this caper

[18:07] report that you've just heard from uh Dave Leonetti.

[18:15] There doesn't appear to be anyone that would like to speak in favor. So, at

[18:19] this time, I'll declare the public hearing closed and entertain a motion

[18:23] from council. >> Move approval of the paper report.

[18:27] » Second. >> All right. We have a motion. We have a

[18:30] second. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor, please say I.

[18:36] » I. >> Any opposed? Like sign. That carries

[18:40] unanimously. >> All right. Next item on our agenda.

[18:44] Oops, I'm sorry. Is our departmental report. I'll turn it over to our city

[18:48] manager, Mr. Warren Wood, for that introduction.

[18:50] » Thank you, Mayor. Guest, we had a number of items on the agenda tonight related

[18:54] to the airport, and we've talked about all these uh projects at previous

[18:58] meetings. Um, but I'd like to have Chad Hunucker come up and tie a lot of this

[19:03] together and uh you'll have the navigations easement uh to consider at

[19:08] the end of his presentation. >> That was item E that was on the

[19:12] » correct. Okay, [clears throat] >> mayor uh members of council, Mr. Wood,

[19:16] Mr. Swanson. So, we do have one. You guys have a screen up there.

[19:20] » Thanks for the opportunity to be before you tonight to give you an update on

[19:23] airport projects as I put this brief together. Actually, this is not

[19:27] everything we have going on. This is just a snidbit of it. So, there's other

[19:31] projects starting later this month like lighting and then in October the tower

[19:35] rehab is starting. So, this is just the tip of the iceberg as they say. Uh the

[19:40] retaining wall, you can clearly see it if you come up Clement Boulevard here

[19:45] lately. Uh that picture was actually taken on Friday and it's already super

[19:49] old because this evening they should complete the upper portion of the wall.

[19:55] So, all that's going to be left is uh a little bit of grading and some storm

[19:59] water work and then that project should be wrapped up by the end of next week.

[20:04] So, that's pretty exciting. They've only they've gotten lucky. Only been shut

[20:08] down maybe two nights because of weather. Uh so, it's pretty neat. The

[20:13] view on the top left, that's the extension of what will be the new safety

[20:16] area when it's done. Uh that will be adjacent to the EMOS. I had briefed you

[20:23] in uh May I believe it was on the EMOS project. So what will happen next after

[20:27] the retaining wall is complete in about three weeks JT Russell will come in and

[20:33] they will start grading work. Uh they're going to start some paving and they will

[20:37] prepare the EMOS bed. Uh which I just remind you was 2,771

[20:43] blocks make up the EMOS system here at Hickory. And so that project's going to

[20:49] start. We were able to accelerate the timeline for that and we're extremely

[20:53] hopeful that that project should be wrapped up by Christmas.

[20:58] Wrapped wrapped up. >> Wrapped up by Christmas

[21:01] » literally. Couple other items that you saw on the

[21:05] agenda this evening is the north ramp expansion. The north ramp is our FBO

[21:10] ramp. That's where we traditionally service probably 90% of our customers,

[21:14] both base and transit customers. and quite honestly it's too small. Um we had

[21:20] a record August with the amount of transient traffic and amount of fuel

[21:24] sales that we had and there were many days where we literally ran out of

[21:28] parking spaces. So we have to get creative. So that left image there looks

[21:33] a little confusing, but what it essentially will be is there's a grassy

[21:36] area between our exist existing ramp and the old runway that will completely be

[21:42] paved and it will expand that entire area really tripling the size of our

[21:47] current ramp. On the right, another thing you saw on the agenda tonight is

[21:51] the uh south and west ramps rehabilitation.

[21:56] The key things to take away here is they conducted a pavement uh condition index

[22:01] study in 2023. So the data you're seeing here is three years old. The red area is

[22:08] the rest west ramp of the airport which we have six corporate hangers over

[22:11] there. The pink area on the bottom right is the south ramp or we have three

[22:17] corporate hangers over there. In 23 the west ramp pavement was already in

[22:23] very poor condition. So you can imagine where it's at now. So tonight on the

[22:28] agenda that was to approve us to begin the design process for that

[22:33] rehabilitation.

[22:36] Navigation easements. U most people are familiar with property easements which

[22:42] you would think of putting a driveway through someone else's property

[22:45] something like that. A navigation easement is actually attaining airspace

[22:49] rights above a property owner's property. Uh the reason we would need to

[22:54] do that at airport is grant assurance 20 requires us that if we see receive

[22:59] federal funds which our airport has and still will in the future we're required

[23:04] to keep all of the departure approach and transitional services clear of

[23:09] obstructions most notably trees. They conducted an approach analysis.

[23:15] That's what you see on the left side of the screen. In 23 and 116 properties at

[23:22] the approach end of runway 6 have known obstructions that need to be removed.

[23:28] Before we get to the obstruction removal process though, we have to obtain those

[23:32] navigation easement rights. So it's a process that we're going to work through

[23:36] a work authorization for with our consultant Talbert Bright and Ellington.

[23:41] our staff attorney will get involved at some point of the process as far as

[23:44] title searches go. Um so we go out make appraisals eventually make an offer to

[23:51] the property owner. Once we have obtained that navigation easement it is

[23:56] um it lasts forever no matter who owns the property. So it would allow us to go

[24:02] on there and remove an obstruction at any time. The the goal for us is to go

[24:08] in and do it one time. Uh so go completely take the known obstructions

[24:12] down and we'll be done with it. Why this is important? One, the area you see in

[24:18] the purple kind of triangle, that is the first 3,000 ft off the approach end of

[24:22] runway 6. That is for our existing threshold. Now there are known

[24:27] obstruction. How it affects us is our approach weather minimums that a pilot

[24:32] uses to safely know whether they can uh make a landing to that runway in adverse

[24:38] weather are raised significantly for runway six because of the non trees. So

[24:44] for example runway 24 that has no obstructions the weather minimas are 200

[24:50] ft ceiling and a half mile visibility. For runway 6 it's 500 ft 1 and a/4

[24:56] miles. So with by removing that first 3,000 ft

[25:01] area of obstructions, we'll be able to reduce those weather minimums.

[25:05] Additionally, you'll see on the right, as you know, we're trying to pursue an

[25:09] eventual 400 ft runway extension on that end of the runway. The areas outside of

[25:15] the 3,000 ft, those obstructions will become an issue if you extend the

[25:20] runway. So, it's important we address those. Now, this is a step one in an

[25:25] eventual runway extension. Chad Chad, other than trees, what are the is there

[25:29] any structures, buildings or anything like that?

[25:32] » No structures. It is simply is all trees.

[25:35] » It's all trees. >> Yeah. I was reading today one of the

[25:37] highest trees is 68 ft. >> And what's the what does it need to be?

[25:41] What's the minimum? >> Um, it's a 20 to It's an engineer thing.

[25:47] It's a 20 to one slope off the end of the runway. I don't know what that comes

[25:51] to as far as the height of the tree, >> but you can't Okay.

[25:56] So some of the things that's in the scope of work with Talbert and Brighton

[25:59] the work authorization is they'll negotiate and establish a budget. Uh

[26:02] they'll obviously be overall in charge of the project management portion. Uh

[26:07] they've already performed some of the navigation easement analysis. That's

[26:10] where I was showing you guys how many properties were involved and how many

[26:14] obstruction had been identified. And then they will also work through a

[26:18] subcontractor where they will do the appraisals and negotiations with the

[26:23] property owner. Uh, this is going to be funded with a previously accepted state

[26:27] aid grant that we received. And tonight, we're looking for approval for you to

[26:33] allow the city manager, Mr. Wood, to be able to execute the work authorization

[26:38] with TBE and an amount not to exceed $1.6 million.

[26:43] And with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions.

[26:46] » How many properties did you say were affected?

[26:48] » 116. Are most of them occupied or some of

[26:53] them vacant or a mixture? >> I would say from what I've seen most of

[26:57] them are occupied.

[27:01] » So obviously one of the things is timeline. This is a multi-year project.

[27:08] » Yes, ma'am. >> Um what are the funding sources to pay

[27:13] for this? We received a uh grant from the state for $3 million that is going

[27:19] to be able to fund the 3,000 ft of the existing threshold and we'll be able to

[27:24] use AIG federal funding for the other properties.

[27:30] » Yes, sir. >> I have a few a couple questions. Is

[27:33] imminent domain in the toolbox as a last resort? It is for this type of work.

[27:37] » It is. >> Okay. And the tree removal. Um I'm

[27:42] hoping that it's removal and not topping. I hope topping of trees is not

[27:46] in is not an option. Are we going to Can we insist that it be removed?

[27:52] » Once we obtain the navigation e easement, it is our prerogative on which

[27:56] means to utilize. We will recommend full removal. And here's why. Uh some species

[28:03] of trees when they're trimmed, it actually encourages growth. So the

[28:09] federal government is only going to fund us one time to do this. So if we come

[28:13] back in 10 years and say, "I'm sorry, but the tree grew back, we're going to

[28:17] pay for it, >> right?"

[28:19] » Um the other fear with trimming is if you prune incorrectly, you could kill

[28:25] the tree. >> Then we have a deadfall situation

[28:28] » and a liability issue if that tree were to fall on the property owner's

[28:32] property. >> I noticed that you said recommend. Um

[28:36] what what prevents us from insisting that the tree be removed?

[28:39] » Nothing. >> Okay. Okay. Very good. And let's say

[28:43] that um we go out and we remove the trees and the property owner are they

[28:47] prohibited from replanting? Um is there any any type of prohibition against

[28:53] replanting in this area? >> It does not prohibit them from

[28:56] replanting, but it does specify that it cannot become a future hazard. So you

[29:03] you wouldn't want to plant an oak tree, right? You would be you'd specify what

[29:07] type of tree it would be. >> Would that be at their cost if they did?

[29:10] » It would be. >> Okay. Very good. Thank you.

[29:12] » Yes, sir. >> Is that is that the same case even if

[29:15] something just grows there that they didn't plant that they're responsible

[29:18] for it? >> Yes.

[29:19] » Okay. >> So if they replanted something, they

[29:22] would be responsible for taking it out if if it grew

[29:26] » 50 years from now, right? Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions?

[29:32] I guess we need a motion on this. Is that correct?

[29:36] » Yes. Yes, sir. >> I'll [clears throat] make a I'll make a

[29:38] motion uh that we approve uh this as laid out by uh Mr. Hunter.

[29:45] » Second. >> All right. We have a motion. We have a

[29:47] second. Is there any further discussion? All those in favor, please say I.

[29:52] » I. >> Any opposed? Like sign. All right. That

[29:55] carries unanimously. All right.

[29:59] » [clears throat] >> And that took care of item E. Yes, sir.

[30:03] As well. Okay. So, we don't [clears throat]

[30:05] » uh appointments to boards or commissions. I have uh just one uh the

[30:11] youth council, Miss Nahala Holmes as the Hickory High School representative on

[30:16] the youth council. I would like to make that uh nomination.

[30:20] » And I have one for an Brock for the community appearance, the atlarge

[30:25] position. >> Okay. I have one uh Mr. John Andrews for

[30:30] the Hickory Regional Planning Commission.

[30:33] » All right. >> I have one for the uh recycling board

[30:38] advisory board. Um Janna >> Flood Flood.

[30:44] » Flood. Yes. >> Okay.

[30:46] » Thank you. >> Yes, sir. Are there any others?

[30:51] All right. We have those motions. We have a second.

[30:55] » Second. >> We have a second. Any further

[30:57] discussion? All in favor, please say I. I.

[31:01] » Any opposed like sign. All right. Those are carried unanimously as well. Uh any

[31:08] matters not on the agenda this evening, sir?

[31:10] » No, sir. >> All right. Uh on behalf of the entire

[31:15] council, uh I would like to send our sincere condolences uh to Mr. Wood. Uh

[31:23] he lost his mother this week, Amy Turner Wood. And uh I

[31:29] » I appreciate that. >> Our sincere sincere condolences support

[31:32] city council. Your kind words to to a person. So since I got y'all here, I

[31:37] want to thank you all collectively. So thank you and staff as well. Thanks.

[31:41] » Anything you need, you >> I appreciate it, sir.

[31:43] » And your family as well. >> Any other uh comments from the council?

[31:48] Anybody? >> All right. I'll make a motion that we

[31:52] adjourn. >> Second.

[31:54] » We have a motion. We have a second. Any further discussion? All in favor, please

[31:57] say I. I. >> Any oppose? Linstein. All right, we

[32:00] stand adjourned. Thank you for being here this evening.

Hickory City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

Transcript