Lake Lure Marine Commission Meeting & Public Hearing Summary - Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Thank you to all who joined us for the Lake Lure Marine Commission Meeting & Public Hearing Summary on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 In Municipal Hall. The following is a summary of the meeting for those who could not attend. You may download the meeting packet for further details.  Please note that this is a summary of the meeting and not formal minutes.  Minutes from this meeting will be included in the following month's meeting packet for the Regular Marine Commission Meeting.  

I. Call to Order: Mayor Carol Pritchett called the meeting to order and thanked everyone for their attendance.

II. Agenda Adoption: The meeting was adopted with one addition (item D) noted below.

III. Public Hearing: The Public Hearing was opened for the discussion of Resolution No. 23-09-12 Amending the Lake Use Regulations.  The Lake Advisory Board has provided the Marine Commission with various recommended amendments to the Lake Use Regulations. Following public hearing, the Marine Commission considered taking action in regard to proposed Resolution No. 23-09-12 Amending the Lake Use Regulations.

i. Staff Report: Ms. Dana Bradley, Parks, Recreation and Trails Coordinator summarized the changes to the Lake Use Regulations. 

• The name of the permits has been changed to seasonal vs annual permits and the readers will see a reference to "seasonal" permits throughout the updated regulations.
• Some definitions have been updated.
• Non-residents of the area will be able to get a fishing permit which will allow fishing from 9 PM to 9 AM in season and anytime outside of the season. 
• The fees for non-motorized boats will be waived with the exception of livery boats.
• The proposed 2024 rates are being finalized by the Lake Advisory Board and will be presented to the Marine Commission at their Regular December 2023 Meeting.  

ii. Public Hearing:  The Public Hearing was opened; however there were no comments.

iii. Commission Deliberation: There was a brief discussion and the Public Hearing was closed.

iv. Consideration for Adoption of Resolution No. 23-09-12 Amending the Lake Use Regulations: Commissioner DiOrio Lake Advisory Board Liaison explained that the changes that were made to the last Lake Use Regulations had gone a long way in decongestion the lake and creating a much safer environment.  He advised that the Board had spent time reviewing all of the data that resulted from the changes and they looked for ways to enhance the next iteration of the regulations.  Some of the significant changes include expanded options for fishing permits and removing the permit fees for non-livery non-motorized boats. 

The resolution was approved. The new regulations will go into effect in 2024.

IV. Public Comment: The public was invited to speak on any non-agenda and/or consent agenda topics. There were no public comments.

V. Consent Agenda: The consent agenda item below was approved.
A. Approval of the June 13, 2023 Regular Marine Commission Meeting Minutes

VI. Unfinished Business: There was no unfinished business.

VII. Appeal Hearings
A. Request to Appeal Civil Citation No. 000053: Mr. Andrew Wagner requested an appeal to Civil Citation No. 000053 issued by Sgt. Carl Umphlett on July 8th for operation of a boat without a valid permit.  There was a brief discussion and the request was denied.

B. Request to Appeal Civil Citation No. 000058: Ms. Ann Kiefert requested an appeal to Civil Citation No. 000058 issued by Sgt. Carl Umphlett on July 26th for operation of a boat without a valid permit. There was a brief discussion and the request was denied.

C. Request to Appeal Civil Citation No. 000153: Mr. Tanner Reo requested an appeal to Civil Citation No. 000153 issued by Officer Tyler Dills on August 16th for diving, jumping, or swimming from a bridge or road. There was a brief discussion and the request was denied.

D. Request to Appeal Civil Citation No. 000060:  requested an appeal to Civil Citation No. 0000600 which involved a boat with a fictitious permit.  The Officer pulled the boat over and the driver had no boaters license with him.  It was later determined that the boat owner had both a boat permit issued in June and a boater license though he had neither with him.  The citation stood but the fine was slightly reduced.

VIII. New Business: There was no new business.

IX. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.