September 2023 Town Council Round Table Summary

Reservoir Drain Installation Project:

• The Town of Lake Lure has purchased a 72” Gate Valve and a 60” Jet Flow Valve that will serve as the reservoir drain. 
• The 72” Gate Valve is shown below and the 60” Jet Flow Valve is still under construction.   The valves have been specifically made for the Lake Lure Dam and will allow the Town to drain the Lake down, if needed. 
• This is an emergency preparedness feature in the event the Lake needed to be lowered during a significant storm. 
• The valves are also a mechanism which will allow the Lake to be lowered in support of the sewer system replacement project which is currently underway.
• You will begin to see work on the reservoir drain project this fall.
• It was noted that the reservoir drain valves will be incorporated into the new dam once it is built in the future.

Fire Department and Police Department Space Needs Study:  

• The town is in the process of conducting a space needs study for the Fire Department and Police Department. 
• There are plans for a new fire station initially.
• It could also house the Police Department at some point in the future.
• The long term goal is to build a new Public Safety Building.

Sewer System Replacement Project Update:

• The sewer system replacement project is a legacy project that is ongoing and is expected to take a decade to complete. 
• The next step is to continue work in the North end of Sunset Cove. 
• A face-to-face meeting was just held with the Engineers and Sunset Cove Property Owners to discuss the project in detail.  Some property owners were able to participate via Zoom. The plan will be to meet with property owners each year as the team begins work in their area.
• This will include installing the Gravity Lift System (GLS) in the pipes that were bored in 2023.
• Additional boring pipes will be installed and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) pipes will also be installed.
• As the Town is maintaining the existing system while installing the new system, sewer cleaning and maintenance will also occur during the drawdown.

Sewer System Maintenance:

• The Town is repairing manholes and leaks as they are discovered.  When the lake is drawn down these will be inspected one by one and repaired as needed.
• A new well is being installed in Firefly Cove which will allow the Town to reconfigure and realign the well water to enhance water pressure.
• Public Works is replacing some pipes along memorial Highway.

Relationships with the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ): Council noted that the Town had worked hard to develop rapport and ongoing communication with NC DEQ and we are building confidence with the state.

Recent Sewer Line Break: The Mayor thanked Public Services Department for their work when the sewer line broke recently.  They made the repair and although the lake had to be lowered for the maintenance, it was back up within a week.

Volunteerism: The number of volunteer hours in Lake Lure is remarkable.  Everyone’s time volunteering for Town Boards, in Parks, Recreation, and Trails, and at the Flowering Bridge is remarkable.  This contribution to our Community is greatly appreciated.  

ABC audit: It was noted that an audit was recently conducted at the ABC store and it was great.

Fire Department/Emergency Management Recognition:

• It was noted that Firefighters/Emergency Responders Josh Hendrix and Shane Snoddy responded to several Dance Festival attendees and they were extremely professional and did a great job.

Lake Use Regulation Updates:

• Overview of how the Lake Use Regulation changes and increased enforcement had a positive impact on lake congestion this season.
• The Lake Advisory Board (LAB) reviewed other changes should be made and Marine Commission recently passed amendments to the Lake Use Regulations.
• Some highlights include:
  • Increased fishing access for non-residents in season from 9PM to 9AM and anytime on the off-season
  • No more fees for non-motorized vessels. 
  • The Lake Lure fish habitat is excellent and we want to encourage fishing here.  
  • These changes are effective January 1, 2024
  • A Community Fish Forum will be held 10/11/23 at 6:00 PM to review both the new Lake Use regulations and the results of the Fish Study.

Finance Audit: The Town recently underwent an audit and the results were excellent.  Funds are being spent responsibly.

COMMUNITY QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION

 

Comprehensive Plan: The Comprehensive Plan is approaching time for renewal in 2027.

• The plan is typically aligned with the Tourism Development Authority and will be updated.
• We may shift to five year updates as so much is taking place in Lake Lure in the coming years.

Chimney Rock State Park Egress: 

• It was noted that there was a plan at one point to build an access road to Chimney Rock State Park in Town Center.
• This plan still exists but has not been made a priority by the State Park System.
• Town Staff confirmed with Chimney Rock State Park Management following the meeting.
• Currently there is no funding for this project. 
• The overall plan is to repair the main entrance road, connect Lago Vista Road to the Park, then have the road be a one-way road. 
• The Entrance would remain the same and be at Chimney Rock Village. 
• The exit would be into Lake Lure off Lago Vista.

Former ABC Store Lease:

• Town Council will continue to accept and review proposals for the lease of the property until a lease is signed. All those who submitted a lease were invited to update their proposals.
• Town Council has confirmed that Pool Creek Picnic Park will remain open to the public and that the Lakeside Chapel will not be impacted by the lease.

ABC Store: Council advised that an audit was just completed at the ABC Store and it went very well. Everything seems to be working out well in the new location. The store is fully staffed and sales are up.

Funding Received for Major Projects in Lake Lure: The Town has received the following funding:

• $16.5 million in NC State appropriation for the dam replacement project.
• $8 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• $12.5 million State Revolving Fund (SRF) (0 interest) loan for the Sewer System replacement from the NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Infrastructure. 
• $7 million State Revolving Fund (SRF) (0 interest) loan for the Sewer System replacement from the NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Infrastructure. 
• $750,000 for dredging from the NC Department of Environmental Quality Water Resource Development Grant.
• $120,000 FEMA grant for the design of the Dam’s Reservoir Drain.
• $80,000 grant for the Lake Lure Dam alternatives analysis   
• $38,070 FEMA grant for the conceptual design of a replacement for the Lake Lure Dam.
• $425,921 FEMA grant for the Field Investigation for the Lake Lure Dam replacement. (Pending NC Budget approval)
• $484,471 FEMA grant for the 30% Design of the Lake Lure Dam replacement. (Pending FEMA review.)
• Additionally, Lake Lure residents contribute $1.6 million every year for dam reserve fund.

Prorated Boat Permits due to the Drawdown: An attendee noted that residents cannot boat in the off season because of the lake drawdown and expressed that it seems unfair to ask residents to pay for an annual fee when it can only be used for 7-8 months of the year.  Council explained that unfortunately the costs to maintain the lake stays the same and noted that funds would have to come from somewhere else if these fees were reduced because these fees pay for lake maintenance, dredging, and the only other recourse would be to increase taxes.  

Extending Resident Boat Permits to County Residents: An attendee asked about extending the resident rate for Rutherford County residents. Council referred to the model and noted that allowing all Rutherford County residents as an annual permit holder would put far too many boats in the lake.  It was noted that everyone that is not a resident can get a daily pass.  The daily rate for Rutherford County residents has been lowered as an incentive.

Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP): An attendee asked about the status of the WWTP. 

• Council noted that LaBella Associates (The Town’s sewer system engineers) is working on a master plan for the WWTP and until that plan is finalized. The Town will continue maintaining the current system.
• The Town will be working on a transition between current plant and a new plant and striving to match pace with the sewer system replacement project. 
• It was noted that although we have a plan to move forward, we are impacted by time and money.
• There was a discussion about the potential of relocating the WWTP as having the plant in a flood plain is not ideal but it would be good to keep it near the old one.
• The sludge management system was discussed and the plan is to use this system twice a year.

Amphitheater: An attendee mentioned the amphitheater and asked the status. Council explained that the town recently applied for a North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant to help build the infrastructure to support the amphitheater with expand parking, bathrooms, increased electrical outlets, and an ADA playground to accommodate people visiting the amphitheater. Unfortunately the grant was not funded however, we will reapply next year. 

Cell Tower: An attendee asked for an update on the cell tower.  Council advised that the project is moving forward.  It is going through the permitting process right now and is set for completion in the first quarter of 2024.

Improving Safety - Highway 9 and 64/74 intersection: An attendee asked if there were any plans to change the intersection near Highway 9 and 64/74. It was noted that these are both Department of Transportation Roads and they are aware of the issues.  This will be raised again with them.  Someone mentioned that a roundabout would be good.

Dredging: An attendee asked about dredging this year. It was noted that dredging was purposely paused at the moment, but the Town is working on taking bids for a new contract soon. Council confirmed that the NC Department of Water Infrastructure (DWI) was still dedicated to giving the Town grant funding for dredging.  The Town is committed to continuing dredging and sees this as a key priority.   It was noted that this was important for both ends of the lake including Rumbling Bald however, a lot of sedimentation comes from the Rocky Broad so this has been the area of focus thus far.

Water Tank Capacity: An attendee asked about the capacity of the water tank by Ingles.  Council advised that we were currently using about 20% of the water and there is 80% capacity available.

West End Access Road: An attendee asked about the possibility of putting in a road from Boys Camp Road through to Rumbling Bald.  Town representatives have been in discussions with property owners for some time to discuss this possibility.  There is agreement at this time for emergency access but there are no plans for a public road in the near future.

Power Outages: An attendee asked if anything could be done to reduce power outages in Lake Lure.  Council advised that this could be discussed again with Duke Energy.  A community Meeting was held with them in 2019 and attendees would like to have another meeting.  It was noted that Duke Energy advised that it was too costly to bury the power lines due to the rocky typography in the area.  Attendees wanted to ask Duke Energy to report on what they have one since 2019 to reduce power outages.  The Town will contact Duke Energy and schedule a community meeting.

Lobbyist: An attendee asked if Lake Lure had a lobbyist to ensure our political representatives knew about our infrastructure needs.  Council advised that the Town of Lake Lure has a contract with The Policy Group and they serve in this role for the Town.  Council just met with them in August to review the Town priorities.

Property Tax Rate: An attendees asked about Lake Lure’s property tax rate.  Council advised that Lake Lure property tax values were the highest in the County.

100 Year Anniversary: It was noted that Lake Lure’s 100 Year Anniversary is coming up in 1927.  Festivities will be planned as we get a little closer to this date.

 

Mayor Pritchett thanked all in attendance and expressed appreciation for participation in the discussion.