Town Council Special Work Session Meeting Summary - August 24, 2022

The Lake Lure Town Council will hold a Special Work Session Meeting on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 8:30 AM in the Council Chambers of the Lake Lure Town Hall. Town Hall is located at 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, North Carolina 28746. The public is welcome to attend.

You may download the meeting packet.  The following is a summary of the meeting agenda.

I. Call to Order: Mayor Pritchett called the meeting to order.

II. Agenda Adoption: Town Council Adjusted the meeting agenda as follows shifting the closed session to the beginning of the meeting.

III. Closed Session: In accordance with G.S. 143-318.11(a) (5) for the purpose of property acquisition.

IV. Morse Park Plan Amenities and Opportunities for Accessibility and PARTF Grants: Town Manager Hank Perkins advised that the Town is planning to proceed with elements of the Morse Park Plan.

  • In preparation, a budget and plan detailing the next several years will be drafted.
  • It has been determined that the initial step in executing the plan is to improve and expand parking for the purpose of accommodating the influx of individuals who enter Morse Park and surrounding areas.
  • This will be paid for using Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) allocations, along with matching funds on behalf of the Town.
  • However, the cost of completing the improvement and expansion of the parking lot is estimated to be $1.2 million, which current funding plans will not satisfy.
  • Destination by Design (DBD), an organization that partners with the TDA, has reached out to the Town and suggested that the remaining costs of the parking lot project could be covered by either an Accessibility Grant or a PARTF Grant.
  • In order to be eligible, the Town Council must determine three amenities that will be included in the Morse Park Plan that fit the requirements of the Accessibility or PARTF Grants.
  • Town Council recommended bathrooms be included in the plan along with plans to upgrade the playground equipment.
  • There was a discussion about maintaining the existing tennis courts and upgraded the playground equipment in the current location since it will take so long to complete the future plans for these activities in the new green space.
  • Please see additional details in the meeting packet. 

IV. Discussion Regarding Mobile Food Vendors: Community Development Director Mike Williams presented an overview of the existing Town Ordinance on Temporary Mobile Food Trucks and provided examples of recent situations that have generated interest in the refinement of this ordinance.

  • Please see additional details in the meeting packet. 
  • The Zoning and Planning Board has begun reviewing Section 36-72(5) of the Town Code of Ordinances regarding the regulation of Mobile Food Vendors in response to public and Community Development Department concerns.
  • Following Board discussion, it was suggested that the issue be brought to the attention of Council for feedback.
  • With Council feedback, the issue will return to the Zoning and Planning Board for further review with the intent of developing an official recommendation of an ordinance amendment to Town Council.
  • Thus far, potential changes discussed include allowing mobile food vendors to be permitted as a accessory use for any Town-sanctioned temporary special event with the use included as part of the special event application; allowing mobile food vendor businesses to apply for an annual permit to set up on privately-owned property in specific commercial districts;
  • exploring concession-type agreements with mobile food vendor businesses to set up at specific Town-owned sites in manner deemed equitable for our in Town brick and mortar restaurants; and offering waived or reduced mobile food vendor permit fees for those in-Town brick and mortar restaurants.
  • There was a discussion about the intent of the existing ordinance and the changes that are needed to enhance the existing ordinance.

V. Public Services Request for Decision to Rent or Purchase Equipment for Sewer Replacement Project: Public Services Director Dean Lindsey presented an overview of a cost-effectiveness analysis he is conducting in order to determine whether or not equipment for the sewer project, specifically equipment used for tasks during the drawdown period, should be purchased or rented. Please see additional details in the meeting packet. 

VI. Public Services Request for Additional Equipment

Public Services Director Dean Lindsey is requesting additional equipment for the maintenance of town roads and stormwater culverts. Requesting a trailer mounted blower for clearing leaf and debris from roadways, and a leaf and debris vacuum for helping with keeping the ditches and roadways clean thru out the town. Total for equipment requested is $112,000.00

Please see additional details in the meeting packet. 

VII. Review the Draft Interlocal Agreement between Town of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village and Draft Resolution Declaring Intent to Enter an Interlocal Agreement

VIII. Funding for Application and Certification for Payment – Ruby-Collins

IX. Project Manager Search Update

X. Lake Drawdown Preparation and Sunset Cove Community Communications Updates

XII. Adjournment

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