Boards and Commissions

REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENT TO CITY OF HICKORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

NOTE:  This information will be used by the City Council in making appointments to Board and Commissions and in the event you are appointed, it may be used as news release information to identify you to the community.

 

ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD

The mission of this board is to encourage humane and responsible animal ownership in the City of Hickory. The committee provides advice on animal control matters within the City. The board meets on a call basis and consists of nine members, one from each City ward, two representatives of the local Humane Society, and a local veterinarian. Term of office is three years.

CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Citizen participation and continuing citizen involvement in the Community Development Block Grant Program is not only required but is a vital and instrumental process in the success of this program. The program provides citizens with an opportunity to participate in an advisory role in planning, implementing and assessing the Block Grant Program. The committee consists of seven members and meets when called upon by the Community Development Administrator. Term is three years.

COMMUNITY APPEARANCE COMMISSION

The purpose of this board is to promote implementation of programs of general community beautification and to coordinate activities of individuals, agencies and organizations whose plans, activities and programs affect the appearance of the city. The Commission is composed of 10 members - one from each ward, three at-large, and one member of the Hickory Regional Planning Commission. Terms are three years. The board meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL

The mission of this Council is to identify and support awareness programs and activities promoting equitable representation of all citizens in the community and to actively seek to improve relations between all segments of society in the City of Hickory. The council serves as the formal means through which active citizen participation is provided to aid and support development and carrying out a workable plan for community improvement. Emphasis is given to the area of race relations. The Council consists of eighteen members, with half of the members being minority members. The CRC meets on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Term is three years.

HICKORY INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL

The Hickory International Council was established by the Hickory Mayor and City Council to serve as a forum for the international community in Hickory and to advise the City Council regarding ways to improve Hickory as an international city that welcomes and values international visitors, residents and businesses.  The regular meeting date is at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the City Hall third floor conference room.  For more information about the Hickory International Council, contact staff liaison Mary Sizemore at 304-0500 ext. 7275.

HICKORY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

The Planning Board recommends to the City Council amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Thoroughfare Plan, rezoning requests and related matters. This commission may also conduct studies, prepare plans and advise council on matters affecting the sound and orderly development of the Hickory Regional Planning Area. This Board also serves as the Board of Adjustment and hears and rules upon requests for minor variances from the Zoning Ordinance usually in the form of appeals of the Zoning Administrator's decision. The Board is composed of 12 members who serve three-year terms. One member is appointed from each City ward, two members reside in Catawba County within the Planning Area but outside the limits of Hickory, Longview or Brookford, one is a resident of Burke County within the Planning Area, one is a resident of Caldwell County, and one resident from each Longview and Brookford. The Board meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

The purpose of the Historic Preservation Commission is to safeguard the heritage of the City by preserving properties, which embody important elements of its cultural, social, economic, political, or architectural history. The Commission reviews applications for Certificates of Appropriateness when modifications are proposed for a property in a historic district. In addition, they identify individual landmarks of historic significance recommending their designation as Historic Properties to the City Council. Meetings are on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p. m. at City Hall. The term is three years.

LIBRARY BOARD

This five-member board acts in an advisory capacity for Patrick Beaver and Ridgeview Libraries. The term of office is three years and the board meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

PUBLIC ART COMMISSION

The Public Art Commission was appointed by the Hickory City Council to provide a forum for integrating public art into the public space, to help create a visual sense of the community, and to provide leadership in implementing a public art program for Hickory. The Public Art Commission is composed of nine members – one from each ward and three at large members. The terms are for three years. The Commission meets the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Human Resources Conference Room at City Hall.

PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY

Involved in the development of low-cost rental housing projects, from acquisition of land to building and operating the project, the Public Housing Authority consists of five members who are appointed for five year terms. They meet on the first Thursday of every other month at 7:00 p. m. at 841 S. Center Street.

RECREATION COMMISSION

The Commission advises the Hickory Recreation Department in the operation of recreational facilities and activities for all age groups and strives to enhance the quality of life at a cost that is the most economical for the city of Hickory. The commission provides input on a wide range of community recreational needs including programming, facilities, and maintenance. The 11-member commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. for lunch at various City Parks and Recreation Centers.

RECYLING ADVISORY BOARD

This is an advisory board to the Solid Waste Manager which recommends waste reduction and recycling goals and objectives to the City Council to enable the city to meet the solid waste management goals set by the State and to encourage citizens to participate fully in the programs designed to achieve these goals. Membership consists of at least one member appointed from each of the six wards and 4 members appointed at large who reside and/or regularly do business in the City. The board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Public Works and Utilities Complex located at 1441 9th Avenue NE. For more information contact staff liaison John Yvars, Solid Waste Manager by email at jyvars@ci.hickory.nc.us or by phone at 828-323-7432.

YOUTH COUNCIL

A vibrant group of young people who serve as an advisory council to the Hickory City Council. These high school students also participate in community service projects and hold events that build leadership skills for themselves and their peers.