Marion public meetings in 2025

Planning Board

The Planning Board will discuss a proposed amendment to the City’s Unified Development Ordinance, Section 4‑3.4, to add standards for accessory dwelling units as requested by a private developer. The amendment would define requirements such as size limits, lot size criteria, parking, and design standards. The board will vote on the amendment during this meeting. All other agenda items are routine procedural matters.

• Amendment to Unified Development Ordinance Section 4‑3.4 to add accessory dwelling unit standards

City Council

The Marion City Council will approve the minutes from several regular and special meetings held earlier in 2025. Council members will take oaths of office for new members and the mayor. The council will also select a Mayor Pro Tem. A public comment period of up to 30 minutes is scheduled.

• Approve November 18, 2025 regular meeting minutes
• Approve and seal February 24, 2025 closed session minutes
• Administer oath of office to Council Member Doggett
• Administer oath of office to Mayor Little
• Select Mayor Pro Tem

The council approved the November 18, 2025 regular meeting minutes and the February 24, March 3, March 4, and March 18, 2025 closed‑session minutes, as well as the November 18, 2025 special‑called meeting minutes. All consent‑agenda items, including the administration of oaths to the new mayor, council members, and city attorney, were approved unanimously. The appointment of a Mayor Pro Tem was postponed until the January meeting because only three of five council members were present. No other substantive actions were taken.

• Approved November 18, 2025 regular meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved February‑March 2025 closed‑session minutes (unanimous)
• Approved November 18, 2025 special‑called meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved administration of oaths to mayor, council members, and city attorney (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council will meet to discuss an ordinance amending the Marion City Code and the submission of grant funding applications. The agenda also includes the approval of a budget ordinance amendment and a local water supply plan.

• Budget Ordinance Amendment
• City of Marion Local Water Supply Plan
• Submission of applications for grant funding
• Ordinance amending Marion City Code

The council unanimously approved all Consent Agenda items, including the Budget Ordinance Amendment and the Local Water Supply Plan. Council members also unanimously authorized the city to apply for about $17 million in grant funding. The amendment to Chapter 1 Offenses (the homelessness ordinance) was approved by a 3‑2 vote after the mayor cast the tie‑breaking vote. All actions were recorded as official council decisions.

• Approved Consent Agenda items (minutes, budget ordinance amendment, water supply plan, record destruction) unanimously
• Approved 2025‑2028 Budget Ordinance Amendment unanimously
• Approved City of Marion Local Water Supply Plan (Resolution R-28-11-18-05) unanimously
• Authorized application for approximately $17 million in grant funding (four resolutions) unanimously
• Approved amendment to Chapter 1 Offenses (homelessness ordinance) 3‑2 after mayor’s tie‑breaking vote

City Council

The Marion City Council will vote on an ordinance that sets speed limits and usage rules for electric bicycles, electric scooters, Segways and similar devices on the Joseph McDowell Memorial Greenway. The council will also consider an amendment adding a new section that prohibits residing, camping, and sleeping on public property. Additional agenda items include approval of the October 7 meeting minutes, a water and sewer use ordinance amendment, a public comment period, and the City Manager's report.

• Approve October 7, 2025 regular meeting minutes (Consent Agenda).
• Consider Ordinance regulating motorized transportation devices on the Joseph McDowell Memorial Greenway (speed limit 7 mph, $50 civil penalty).
• Consider Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 20 of the Water and Sewer Use Ordinance.
• Consider Ordinance adding Section 11‑21 that prohibits residing, camping, and sleeping on public property.
• Public Comment Period limited to 30 minutes, max 5 minutes per speaker.

The council voted unanimously to adopt a revised Chapter 20 Water and Sewer Use Ordinance, replacing the previous version. It also unanimously approved an ordinance regulating motorized transportation devices on the Joseph McDowell Memorial Greenway, limiting speed to 7 mph. All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously.

• Approved Consent Agenda items (unanimous)
• Approved motorized transportation devices ordinance for the Greenway (unanimous)
• Approved repeal of existing Chapter 20 and adoption of revised Water and Sewer Use Ordinance (unanimous)

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment will consider a variance for larger directional signage at a truck stop and two special use requests for vehicle sales establishments. The board will also review minutes from the June 12, 2025, meeting.

• Variance request by Pilot Travel Centers, LLC for three 16.67 sq ft directional signs at 3365 Sugar Hill Road
• Special Use request by L & T Associates, LLC for an all-terrain vehicle sales establishment at 700 East Court Street
• Special Use request by Mountain Motors, LLC for an automobile sales establishment at 1122 North Main Street

City Council

The Marion City Council will approve routine items such as meeting minutes and a purchase policy update. Council members will vote on a resolution to declare surplus property and consider two NCDEQ grants for sewer and water system upgrades. Additional discussions include a proposal for new vehicle acquisitions and the City Manager’s report.

• Approve September 16, 2025 regular City Council minutes
• Approve community discussion minutes
• Resolution to declare surplus property
• Accept NCDEQ Marion Sewer Improvements Grant
• Accept NCDEQ Marion Water Improvements Grant

The City Council voted unanimously to approve all items on the consent agenda, including acceptance of the NCDEQ sewer and water improvement grants. The meeting was then adjourned at 7:15 p.m. after a motion was passed.

• Approved September 16, 2025 regular council minutes (unanimous)
• Approved community discussion minutes (unanimous)
• Approved resolution to declare surplus property (unanimous)
• Accepted NCDEQ Marion Sewer Improvements Grant (unanimous)
• Accepted NCDEQ Marion Water Improvements Grant (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting at 7:15 p.m. (motion passed)

City Council

The Marion City Council will approve a contract for mowing Morehead Cemetery and adopt a resolution to declare surplus property. Two community groups, Centro Unido Latino Americano and McDowell Trails Association, will make public appearances. The council will discuss an ordinance to amend the city code. The meeting will conclude with scheduling the next planning session and a city manager’s report.

• Approve Morehead Cemetery mowing contract
• Adopt resolution to declare surplus property
• Public appearance by Centro Unido Latino Americano
• Public appearance by McDowell Trails Association
• Consider ordinance amending Marion City Code

The council unanimously accepted the award of an ARC grant that requires a 50% local match. It also approved the Morehead Cemetery mowing contract and a resolution declaring surplus property, both by unanimous vote. The council scheduled a planning session for Oct. 27 and moved the Helene documentation project to a future meeting.

• Approved Morehead Cemetery mowing contract (unanimous)
• Approved resolution to declare surplus property (unanimous)
• Accepted ARC Grant funding (unanimous)
• Scheduled next city council planning session for Oct 27
• Moved Helene documentation project to a future meeting
• Adjourned meeting (motion passed)

City Council

The City Council will consider an ordinance for temporary downtown street closures and review engineering services agreements. The meeting includes a presentation on USEPA Lead and Copper Rule compliance. Members will also discuss the use of bicycles, electric bicycles, and scooters on the Joseph McDowell Memorial Greenway.

• Ordinance authorizing temporary street closures for downtown events
• USEPA Lead and Copper Rule Revision Compliance Program project findings
• Approval of agreements for engineering services
• Discussion of bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, and motorized devices on the Joseph McDowell Memorial Greenway

City Council

The City Council will meet to consider the adoption of a city logo. The agenda also includes a resolution to declare surplus property and presentations from community organizations.

• Consideration of adoption of City Logo
• Resolution to Declare Surplus Property
• Public appearance by Marion Community Forum
• Public appearance by McDowell Partnership for Substance Awareness
• Notification of grant award for Marion Fire Department

The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included the June 3 minutes and a resolution declaring a city-owned 2013 Chevy Silverado surplus and authorizing its auction. Council members also unanimously approved a proclamation designating September as Recovery Month and adopted the new city logo and brand style guide. All actions were recorded as unanimous approvals.

• Approved June 3, 2025 council minutes (unanimous)
• Declared surplus property (2013 Chevy Silverado) and authorized auction via GovDeals.com (unanimous)
• Approved proclamation recognizing September as Recovery Month (unanimous)
• Adopted new city logo and brand style guide (unanimous)

City Council

The Marion City Council approved several consent‑agenda items, including a resolution to invest funds, declare surplus property for auction, and designate First Bank as an additional depository. It also adopted a Street Improvements Capital Project Ordinance and accepted a Governor’s Highway Safety Grant. Finally, the council re‑approved the Hernandez Annexation Request, extending the city’s corporate limits by approximately 0.5 acres on Forsythe Street.

• Approved June 17, 2025 City Council minutes (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution to invest with NC Capital Management Trust (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution to declare surplus property and authorize auction (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution designating First Bank as additional official bank depository (unanimous)
• Approved Street Improvements Capital Project Ordinance authorizing $7,000 expenditure (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution to accept Governor’s Highway Safety Grant (unanimous)
• Re‑approved Hernandez Annexation Request, adding ~0.5 acres on Forsythe Street (unanimous)
• Adopted ordinance extending corporate limits for the Hernandez annexation (unanimous)

City Council

The Marion City Council approved its FY 2025‑26 budget ordinance, allocating $12,777,054 for general fund operations and $6,362,703 for water and sewer services. The council also unanimously approved the voluntary annexation of the Hernandez property and amended the Official Zoning Map to include the newly annexed site. In addition, the Unified Development Ordinance text amendment was adopted, and all consent‑agenda items were approved without dissent.

• Approved consent agenda items—including prior meeting minutes, budget ordinance amendments, revised city pay plan, and downtown development funding agreement (unanimous)
• Approved request for voluntary annexation of the Hernandez property (unanimous)
• Approved Ordinance to Amend the Official Zoning Map for the Hernandez property (unanimous)
• Approved adoption of the Unified Development Ordinance text amendment (unanimous)
• Approved adoption of Fiscal Year 2025‑26 Budget Ordinance (unanimous)

City Council

The council voted unanimously to approve the July 4 fireworks and the 2024‑2025 independent auditing services contract as part of the consent agenda. They also unanimously approved scheduling the annual City Council meetings with Community Forums. The meeting was then adjourned at 6:59 p.m.

• Approved July 4 Celebration Fireworks (unanimous)
• Approved 2024‑2025 Independent Auditing Services contract (unanimous)
• Approved scheduling of annual City Council Meetings with Community Forums (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting at 6:59 p.m. (motion adopted)

City Council

The council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance permanently closing a portion of the unopened right‑of‑way at the end of Tennessee Avenue and Columbia Street, retaining a 20‑foot public utility easement. It also approved a three‑year landscaping contract with Lawrence Moore, adopted a 456 deferred compensation plan for city employees, and authorized the submission of a $350,000 local match for an ARC grant to replace a wastewater grit classifier. Additionally, the council set the public hearing date for the Hernandez property annexation for June 17, 2025.

• Approved ordinance permanently closing portion of Tennessee Avenue and Columbia Street (unanimous)
• Approved three‑year landscaping contract with Lawrence Moore d/b/a LL Moore Landscapes (unanimous)
• Adopted resolution offering a 456 deferred compensation plan to city employees (unanimous)
• Adopted North Carolina Public Employee Deferred Compensation Plan (unanimous)
• Approved submission of ARC grant application with $350,000 local match (unanimous)
• Approved resolution fixing public hearing date for Hernandez property annexation to June 17, 2025 (unanimous)
• Approved Consent Agenda items, including minutes and annexation certificate (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting at 6:33 p.m. (unanimous)

City Council

The council approved the March 18, 2025 special council meeting minutes and the March 3, 2025 planning session minutes. It unanimously adopted a proclamation designating April as Fair Housing Month. Council members voted unanimously to select Enterprises G, Inc. as the most qualified firm for the design‑build public works facility project and directed the clerk to investigate a satellite annexation petition. An ordinance amending Chapter 3, Section 17(a) of the city code to extend animal setback requirements was also approved.

• Approved March 18, 2025 special council meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved March 3, 2025 planning session minutes (unanimous)
• Adopted proclamation declaring April 2025 Fair Housing Month (unanimous)
• Selected Enterprises G, Inc. as most qualified firm for public works facility design‑build (unanimous)
• Directed City Clerk to investigate LFAC satellite annexation petition (unanimous)
• Approved ordinance amending Chapter 3, Section 17(a) of the city code (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda (unanimous)