Marine Commission Regular Meeting Summary - Tuesday, June 13, 2023
The Lake Lure Town Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 5:00 PM at the Lake Lure Municipal Center at 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC 28746. The public was invited to attend.
The following is a summary of the meeting for those who could not attend. You may download the meeting packet for additional information. Please note that this is a summary and formal minutes from this meeting will be included in the following month's meeting packet.
I. Call to Order: Mayor Pritchett called the meeting to order.
II. Agenda Adoption: One item was added to the agenda to include an update from the Lake Advisory Board.
III. Public Comment: The public is invited to speak on any non-agenda and/or consent agenda topics. There were no public comments.
IV. Lake Advisory Board Updates: Commissioner DiOrio provided the following updates from the Lake Advisory Board:
- He provided the background and reasoning for why the Lake Use Regulations were updated with the primary reason being to enhance safety. He added the following points:
- It is estimated that in previous years, approximately 30% of the boats on Lake Lure did not have a permit.
- The Police have increased their presence on the lake this year and they are investigating all boats without permits.
- A new video has been created to explain the new Lake Use Regulations.
- As far as congestion, this issue has been significantly reduced. The Lake is safer than it was a year ago.
- The Lake Advisory Boars will continue to assess the impact of the new regulations this year.
- The Police Department spent 100 hours patrolling the Lake.
- The Mayor reviewed the age requirements for operating a boat. One can drive a boat at age 14 as long as there is an adult 18+ on the boat. One may drive a boat if age 16 years old with a drivers license.
- Mayor Pritchett thanked Lake Operations and all who were implementing and enforcing the new regulations.
V. Consent Agenda: The following item was approved.
A. Approval of the March 14, 2023 Regular Marine Commission Meeting Minutes
V. Unfinished Business: There was no Unfinished Business.
VI. Hearing
A. Request to Appeal Civil Citation No. 000321: Mr. Christopher Henkel has requested to appeal Civil Citation No. 000321 issued by Sgt. Carl Umphlett on May 13th for operation of a boat without a valid permit. (See attached information). The Meeting Packet includes an Appeal Request from Christopher Henkel; Letter from LLPD to Mr. Henkel; Copy of Civil Citation No. 000321; Appeal Hearing Confirmation Letter.
Parks, Recreation, and Lake Director Dean Givens reviewed the citation and request. The appeal was denied.
B. Request to Appeal Civil Citation No. 000318: Mr. John Davis has requested to appeal Civil Citation No. 000318 issued by Sgt. Carl Umphlett on May 12th for operation of a boat without a valid permit and boating license. (See attached information). The Meeting Packet includes an Appeal Request from John & Pamela Davis; Letter from LLPD to Mr. Davis; Copy of Civil Citation No. 000318; Appeal Hearing Confirmation Letter Videos submitted by John and Pam Davis available in the Office of the Clerk and were provide to the Marine Commission. Videos shows the Davis’ reviewing the information provided by their vacation rental which did not find to include the Lake Use Regulations and Pam Davis detailing their experience.
Parks, Recreation, and Lake Director Dean Givens reviewed the citation and request for appeal. The appeal was denied.
C. Request to Appeal Civil Citation No. 000319: Mrs. Pamela Davis has requested to appeal Civil Citation No. 000319 issued by Sgt. Carl Umphlett on May 12th for operation of a boat without a valid permit and boating license. (See attached information). The Meeting Packet includes an Appeal Request from John & Pamela Davis; Letter from LLPD to Mrs. Davis; Copy of Civil Citation No. 000319; Appeal Hearing Confirmation Letter Videos submitted by John and Pam Davis available in the Office of the Clerk and were provide to the Marine Commission. Videos shows the Davis’ reviewing the information provided by their vacation rental which did not find to include the Lake Use Regulations and Pam Davis detailing their experience.
Parks, Recreation, and Lake Director Dean Givens reviewed the citation and request for appeal. There was a discussion point by Council as there is a perceived gray area that a boat with a trolling motor is a motorized vessel requiring a boaters license. There was discussion about reducing the fines to $250 each due to a lack of understanding. It was noted that we will add this information to the website to clarify that any boat with a motor is considered a motorized vessel.
D. Request to Appeal Civil Citation No. 000323: Mr. Patrick Jones has requested to appeal Civil Citation No. 000323 issued by Sgt. Carl Umphlett on May 23rd for operation of a boat without a valid permit and boating license. The Meeting Packet includes an Appeal Request from Patrick Jones; Copy of Civil Citation No. 000323; Civil Fine Payment Receipts; Appeal Hearing Confirmation Letter.
Parks, Recreation, and Lake Director Dean Givens reviewed the citation and request for appeal. The appeal was denied.
E. Request to Appeal Civil Citation No. 001226: Ms. Jocelle Allen has requested to appeal Civil Citation No. 001226 issued by Reserve Officer Terry Frank on May 13th for operation of a boat without a valid permit. The Meeting Packet includes a Letter from LLPD to Ms. Allen; Copy of Civil Citation No. 001226; Appeal Hearing Confirmation Letter.
Parks, Recreation, and Lake Director Dean Givens reviewed the citation and request for appeal. The appeal was denied.
F. Request to Appeal Civil Citation No. 001251: Mr. Andy Knowles has requested to appeal Civil Citation No. 001251 issued by Corporal Aaron Collins on May 9th for operation of a boat without a valid permit. The Meeting Packet includes a Letter from LLPD to Mr. Knowles; Copy of Civil Citation No. 001251; Appeal Hearing Confirmation Letter.
Mr. Knowles was present and provided background information regarding his citation. There was a discussion about why the new regulations were put into place. The appeal was denied.
G. Request to Appeal Civil Citation No. 000250: Mr. Greg Turner has requested to appeal Civil Citation No. 000250 issued by Dana Bradley on June 8th for manipulation of permitting process. he Meeting Packet includes an Appeal Request from Greg Turner; Copy of Civil Citation No. 000250; NC Wildlife Vessel Summary Submitted by Mr. Turner; Appeal Hearing Confirmation Letter
Greg Turner from 746 Chimney Rock Road presented background regarding the situation. He stated that he is a lifelong county resident who grew up on Lake Lure. He advised that on 4/21/23 purchased a permit for the current boat although he was purchasing a new boat. He was told he could transfer the permit. Requesting consideration of reduction in class D fine with a penalty of $. The new boat is not a legal boat for Lake Lure. Paul Brock spoke on Mr. Turner's behalf to provide additional background and information.
Commissioner Diorio proposed reducing the fine to two Class C fines for $250 each. Unfortunately, the boat cannot be permitted for Lake Lure as it is a prohibited vessel for the lake. There was a discussion regarding this decision. The reduced fine was approved.
VII. New Business
A. Boy Scouts Troop 605 Annual Report: During June 14, 2022 Marine Commission meeting, it was determined that Marine Commission will require Ednveyville Boy Scouts Troop 605 to attend the first Marine Commission meeting of the year to present an annual report as a stipulation to receiving two complimentary motorized boat permits and two complimentary non-motorized boat permits. The Boy Scouts Troop 605 leaders presented their 2022 annual report and detail community services performed in the Town of Lake Lure throughout the year. The permits were approved.
B. Lodge on Lake Lure: The Lodge on Lake Lure is requesting to have a Commercial Tour Boat Permit for their business. Currently the commercial model is full and no space for another tour boat. There is the possibility to move hours from the vacation rental category and make room for a tour boat. Approving a tour boat for the Lodge on Lake Lure, would require a concession agreement with the town.
Parks, Recreation, and Lake Director Dean Givens provided some background information. He explained that the lake model did not allow for any Tour Boat Permit. The request was approved.
VIII. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.
