Hickory City Council Meeting - October 6, 2026

Hickory City Council meeting — October 6, 2026. The council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Catawba-Wateree River Basin Integrated Water Resources Plan, a five-year planning effort costing $1.6 million, funded by North Carolina DEQ, South Carolina DES, and the basin’s Water Management Group. The plan addresses water supply reliability, drought response, water quality, and sedimentation. Council also heard that an RFQ for updating Hickory by Choice 2030 and the land development code drew 16 responses; the review committee selected Kimley-Horn to present its proposed approach. The anticipated planning process is 14–16 months, but the transcript records no contract amount or council vote awarding the work.

The council unanimously approved rezoning petition 26-08 for 24.39 acres of city-owned property on Airport Road in Burke County from R-3 residential to a City of Hickory planned development for the proposed Catawba River Environmental Education Center, including trails, parking, and boat access. It also unanimously approved a resolution allowing the Public Library to accept equipment donations, prompted by an offer to donate a mobility scooter; staff will assess donated equipment for safety and condition. No other procurement award or purchasing approval was identified.