Departmental Updates - January 2025

The following updates are from the Town of Lake Lure Departmental reports for January 2025. 

1.  Public Services

• Director Dean Lindsey reported that routine maintenance has been completed throughout the month, such as, but not limited to, Meter Reading, Meter Installs, Water Leaks, Locates, Bulk Trash Pickup, Work Orders, Facility Maintenance, Wastewater Samples, and Dam, Wastewater Treatment Plant and Hydro Plant Maintenance.
• In addition, public services have assisted in a number of storm recovery tasks.
• Top accomplishments/project updates:
  • During the snow event on 1/10-12, our crews worked on clearing the roads for travel
  • Storm drain box culvert repaired at corner of Memorial Hwy and Charlotte Dr
  • Landslide at Burnt Ridge Road has been repaired by crews
  • Begin repairs on the Green Space across from the Fire Department. Project will repair draining to prevent future erosion issues
  • Waste Water Treatment Plant is now operational.  Repaired 3 water leaks throughout the water system
  • Completed approximately 25 hard trash requests
  • Completed approximately 20 requested North Carolina 811 locates
  • Completed paperwork for 6 Public Services staff to attend educational classes to then obtain certifications
  • Improved the online work request system.
  • Training staff for inspections and PM work.

2. Community Development

• Director Mike Williams reports that the department continues permitting operations and they are working to assist residents with permitting and questions related to rebuilding and repairs related to Hurricane Helene.
• Top accomplishments/project updates:
  • The cell tower site was slightly altered by the storm. As a result, a new site plan has been established and permitting is underway. A presentation regarding the new site plan will be presented in February.
  • The Department is working with public safety and GIS staff to create a list and database of damaged lake structures. This list will be provided to FEMA to allow them to assess the creation of a scope for removals of substantial damaged structures as their operations continue across the lake.
  • Assisted FEMA and ICF with ongoing storm related questions from a community development perspective.

3. Fire / Emergency Management

• Chief Dustin Waycaster reported that it was a busy month in January. The department responded to 32 fire/medical/rescue calls throughout the month. Firefighters completed 264 Hours of Training this month.
• Partial list of accomplishments:
  • Addressed or assisted with various structure and/or wildland fires.
  • Completed annual service testing of the SCBAs.
  • Lead the Town’s winter storm prep meeting in preparation for incoming snow and monitored activities during the weather event.
  • Assisted or completed various tasks related to storm recovery including debris cleanup, identification of substantially damaged lake structures, and more.

4.  Police Department

• Chief Sean Humphries reported that the department is handling regular operations and assisting with storm recovery.
• State Insurance Adjusters came out to view the four totaled vehicles from the storm. There is one Ford Explorer and three Ford Interceptors. The Explorer was being driven by an officer trying to get home after her shift when a tree fell, then others. She was able to locate someone who got her back to safety at the Town Hall. The three Interceptors were in the back of the Police Department when the flood came rushing through.
• Officer Tyler Dills was promoted to the position of Corporal.
• Officers continue to concentrate on Property Checks which includes homes, land, and lake areas. This is in addition to our Home Watch Program which is a program that residents complete a form that asks officers to check on homes/businesses when owners may be out of town.
• Top accomplishments:
  • New Body Armor has just arrived. Updated Body Armor for our police is acquired partially with grants from the League of Municipalities. This is something that is done every 5 years.
  • Officers are already getting started on their yearly updates from the State of North Carolina Training and Standards. These online classes ensure officers are trained on new laws in North Carolina as well as any updates that may have been added throughout the year.
  • Officer Shuford, LLPD’s drone operator, is currently assisting the Mayor and Town Manager by gathering footage which will go to insurance adjusters, allowing them to see flood damage overhead. Footage that was taken by Officer Shuford just after the flooding in Lake Lure Marina was key to locating 84 vessels. Officer Shuford’s in-depth training is key during this time and the town is grateful to him.

5.  Parks, Recreation & Lake: Parks, Recreation, and Lake Director

• Dana Bradley reported that the department has been focusing heavily on restoration of the lake, parks, and trails damaged by Hurricane Helene.
• The Department is also taking the lead on consistent completion of water sampling to ensure environmental health of the lake.
• Top Accomplishments:
  • Utilized a total of 64 volunteer hours, valued at $1,280.
  • Reconnected 37 non-motorized vessels that were lost during the hurricane with their owners.
  • USACE/Ashbritt continues debris removal from the lake.

6. Finance

• Finance Director Steve Ford reported that the Finance Department is handling day-to-day financial operations, assisting ICF and FEMA with obtaining additional funding related to Hurricane Helene, and budget preparation for the next fiscal year is currently underway.
• Revenues and Expenditures Reports are provided as separate attachments to supplement this summary.
• Property Tax Revenue, state shared revenue, and land use continue to track as projected with adjusted estimates in light of the change in operations and collections.
• The other revenue sources are being analyzed in conjunction with revenue replacement possibilities that have been offered through FEMA.
• The Town’s financial position with an unreconciled bank balance of approximately $9,100,000 for all funds other than special revenue funds (the Dam Fund) which still holds a balance of $ 9,200,000.00. Insurance payments, FEMA reimbursements, and ARPA reimbursements will greatly enhance the Town’s position.
• The FY 23 audit report is expected in March with many details being provided and exchanged currently.

7.  Communications

• Communications Director Krejci continues her community outreach which is greater than ever due to ongoing recovery events. There were 49 news articles published on the town’s website. Additionally, 2,584 individuals received town news via hyperlink in a monthly summary.
• Top Highlights:
  • Director Krejci continues to work with FEMA to obtain grant funding for the replacement dam. This month, the following updates were received:
  • FY 21 grant application for initial field investigations - The quarterly milestone report was report was due this week. Worked with Schnabel engineers to update the Milestone Worksheet. We received an extension to complete the project in full by 9/24/25.
  • FY 22 30% Design Project - Requested a status of this pending application. We have been advised the award is pending completion of the FY21 project listed above.
  • FY 24 Detailed Design - Full package of deliverables was submitted for this application 10/24. It seems this project will not be awarded until the FY21 and FY22 projects are completed, but they must all be completed consecutively anyway.
• Upcoming Events:
  • 2/2/25 from 1-5: The Blood Connection Blood Drive at the Ingles Parking Lot
  • 2/4-5-6/25 from 10-7: Red Cross Assistance at Lake Lure Baptist Church
• Website and Social Media Management:
  • The Town of Lake Lure has 35,498 followers as of January 2025, representing a 71% increase (+14,750) over January 2024 (20,748).
  • Shared 70 posts this month with the following top posts for the month, in terms of the number of people the posts reached.

8.  Manager / Clerk / Admin Summary

• Town Manager Olivia Stewman reported that January was a busy month including an array of staff, council, and board meetings and ever-changing day-to-day operations.
• Highlights:
  • Created a new dual position for Community Development Administrative Support Specialist Kimberly Martin, who will now be taking on additional duties as the Town Clerk.
  • Held various meetings with FEMA, the Army Corp of Engineers, and other agencies to plan next steps in storm recovery and to identify funding sources.
  • Worked closely with ICF, the disaster recovery firm, to obtain funding and plan for long term recovery success. ICF is currently working on a dashboard to track progress and to facilitate future goal planning.
  • The reservoir drain valve project is ongoing. The project was set to be completed in October, but the construction site was destroyed by the storm. The site was restored and crews are now wrapping up the project once again. The Town will be completing dry testing within the next couple of weeks.
  • Implemented an organizational restructuring plan to combine public works and parks, rec., and lake maintenance technicians. This move consolidates resources, provides increased operational efficiencies in both work output and budgetary savings, and builds better coordination between the two departments.
  • Almost fully moved into the Arcade Building and held an internal meeting with staff to determine best practices to making the temporary space work efficiently.
  • Continued efforts to obtain property access for the West End Sewer Project.