Regular Town Council Meeting Summary - Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Thank you to all who joined us for the Regular Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 5:00 PM in Municipal Hall. If you missed the meeting, you may view the recording of the meeting here. There were 29 in attendance. The following is a summary of the meeting for those who could not attend. The 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 at 5:00 p.m. Commissioner Bryant gave the invocation. Council members led the pledge of allegiance.
II. Agenda Adoption: The agenda was approved as written.
III. Mayor's Communications: Mayor Pritchett welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending the meeting. She shared the following updates.
- Town Council has signed a contract for a new Town Manager named William "Hank" Perkins. He is scheduled to start on 6/1/22.
- She shared that Town Council was thankful to be able to take the time they needed to find the right person for this key role. She added that they were able to do this because they had Olivia Stewman serving as the Interim Town Manager. She stated that Olivia had done an excellent job even while she maintained her role as Town Clerk.
- The Historical Society Balloon test for the Cell Tower is scheduled for 4/12/22.
- The "Trash Talkin'" Trash Pick Up Day was held today and was a big success.
IV. Town Manager's Communications: Olivia Stewman shared the following upates.
- The Town has officially received $8 million in funding to support the sewer system replacement project.
- The Lake Lure Gazebo, Morse Park, and Lake Lure Beach have been refurbished. Be sure to check out these enhancements.
- A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be planned to celebrate these improvements.
V. Public Hearing: For the purposes of presenting a recommendation for clarification of the existing ordinance related to fencing.
A. Proposed Ordinance No. 22-04-12 - Ordinance Amending Section 36-231(d) of the Zoning Regulations: Community Development Director Mike Williams presented a brief overview of the ordinance related to metal fencing, chain length fencing, and woven or mesh fencing materials. He shared that "hog" wire fencing is now a welded, galvanized fence material used within a fence. He stated that the recommended edit to the ordinance was to allow this material.
VI. Council Liaison Reports and Comments:
- Zoning and Planning: Commissioner/Board Liaison Scott Doster acknowledged Mike Holden as a member of the Board. He neglected to recognize him at the last meeting.
- Utilities Advisory Board: Commissioner/Board Liaison Scott Doster reported that the Board installed Richard Glassen and John Chapmen as Vice Chairs. They are working with Communications Director Laura Krejci on an updated communications packet for property owners.
- Lake Advisory Board: Commissioner/Board Liaison Dave DiOrio did not meet this month but they were planning a full day meeting scheduled for 5/2/22 in Town Hall.
- ABC Board: Commissioner/Board Liaison Jim Proctor gave a brief update and stated that the ABC Stor had a new accountant.
- Parks and Recreation: Commissioner/Board Liaison Patrick Bryant reported that Mike Reardon from the Carolina Climbers Coalition gave a presentation on the new trail boulder field that has been identified. He added that there is a new Parking Lot for Buffalo Creek Park that was a great improvement to facilitate the usage of the park.
- Tourism Development Steering Committee: Mayor/Committee Liaison Carol Pritchett reported that the committee did not meet this month. She added that the committee will be meeting as needed and the next meeting is scheduled for June 2022.
VII. Presentations - Legislative Update: Jack Johnson from the 113th District came and provided a legislative update. He stated that the 113th District now covers Polk, Henderson and Transylvania Counties. He explained that when the census is conducted every ten years, the districts are redrawn. The 113th District now includes Polk and Henderson, as well as the majority of Rutherford and part of McDowell Counties. Representative Johnson gave a comprehensive overview of the NC Budget. He noted that line items for Lake Lure including the funding to support the Dam, the Waste Water Treatment Plant, and the Sewer System Replacement projects and he stated that these infrastructure projects would continue to be supported.
Mayor Pritchett thanked Jake Johnson for supporting Lake Lure.
VIII. Public Comment: There were no public comments.
IX. Consent Agenda: The items in the consent agenda were briefly discussed and then approved as written.
A. Approval of the March 8, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes and the March 23, 2022 Special Work Session Meeting Minutes
B. Resolution No. 22-04-12 - Resolution by the Town Council of the Town of Lake Lure Accepting a State Revolving Loan Offer of $12.5 Million
C. Resolution No. 22-04-12A - Resolution by the Town Council of the Town of Lake Lure Accepting the American Rescue Plan Grant Offer of $8 Million
D. Lake Lure Classic Boat and Auto Show Request for Waivers / Council Approval
E. Budget Amendment (BA) # 325 – Fire Department’s Emergency Tabletop Exercise
F. Budget Amendment (BA) #326 and Request for Contractor for Well Water System Operator in Responsible Charge
Employees are obtaining licenses and acquired a contractor with strong experience.
G. Budget Amendment (BA) #327 - Request for Sewer Maintenance Equipment for Lake Lure Sewer System
H. Budget Amendment (BA) #328 - Cover outstanding invoices incurred by Labella on-call professional services regarding sewer assistance for Phase 6-Design & Permitting & Bid, and Phase 11- Survey Design, Permit & Bid Phase
I. Approval of the Lake Lure Farmers Market as a Town Sanctioned Event with Suspension of Chapter 8 Article II: “Peddlers” Code of Ordinances and Waiver of the Noise Regulation, Chapter 20 Article I Sec. 20-28 of the Noise Regulation.
X. New Business
A. PANGAEA Service Agreement – Second Amendment: Approved
B. Schnabel Work Order No. 7 – Professional Dam Engineering Services for the Reservoir Drain Construction at Lake Lure Dam: Approved Work Order #7, Task Order 1 and 2 only. Approved
C. Valve Procurement Method. Approved
D. Dam Conceptual Design Decision: Option A was selected. Approved
E. Ordinance No. 22-04-12 an Ordinance Amending Section 36-231(d) of the Zoning Regulations. Approved
XI. Closed Session
A. In accordance with G.S. 143-318.11(a) (3) for the purpose of discussing attorney-client privilege or legal claims.
B. In accordance with G.S. 143-318.11(a) (5) for the purpose of discussing property acquisition or employment contracts.
XII. Adjournment
