Town Council Work Session and Action Meeting Summary - Wednesday, June 26, 2024

The Lake Lure Town Council held a Work Session and Action Meeting on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at 8:30 AM.  The meeting was open to the public.  The meeting was held at the Lake Lure Municipal Center (Town Hall) located at 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC 28746. The following is a summary of the meeting for those who could not attend. Note that these are not formal minutes, which will be included in the following month's meeting packet.  You may download the meeting packet for additional information. 

I. Call to Order:

Mayor Carol Pritchett called the meeting to order. 

II. Agenda Adoption

The meeting agenda was approved with one addition for a Closed Session at the end of the meeting. 

III. Public Comment

There were no public comments. 

IV. Review Indemnification Agreement

• Lured Market previously requested to keep three picnic benches located on Town property.
• Attorney William Morgan drafted an Indemnification Agreement between the Town and the owners of Lured Market, which should be entered into if the Town agrees to allow the benches to remain on Town property.
• Town staff recommends that Lured Market take responsibility for maintaining the area in reference, if the agreement is approved.
• There was a brief discussion with Paul Brock from Lured Market. 

The Indemnification Agreement was approved.

V. Discuss LaBella Task 22 for Hunt Property Survey

• LaBella Task 22 includes securing the services of WSP USA for aerial imagery capture and post-flight processing for topographical mapping of Parcel Numbers 226751 and 226757 (the ‘Hunt Properties’), as well as approximately 10 acres consisting of portions or all of additional Parcel Numbers 1630760, 1624409, 222691, 222335 and other adjacent parcels.
• The survey will include topographic/planimetric data with 1’ contour intervals and vertical accuracy better than 1’.
• The site will be flown with aerial LiDAR and photogrammetry (aerial imagery), and both methods will be used to extract the ground surface data and planimetric data.
• Boots-on-the-ground surveying will be used in areas of thick canopy to supplement the LiDAR data.
• (The Drone LiDAR system in leaf off conditions typically achieves 100% coverage with very little boots-on-the-ground field surveying.
• With leaf on conditions, LiDAR coverage is expected to be 50-75% with obscured areas supplemented via conventional surveying on the ground.
• This Task will reduce costs from Schnabel Engineering, as this would have been required for the dam project, as well.
• Town staff recommended approval.

LaBella Task 22 for Hunt Property Survey was approved.

VI. Discuss Lake Drawdown Schedule

• Each June, Town Council determines the upcoming Lake Drawdown Schedule.
• This year, there are various factors to consider including
  • dredging
  • completion of Tainter gate inspection
  • repair of the Tainter gate steel members and seals
  • testing of the drain valves
  • review of the backshore area at 20’ depth
  • review of the impacts on wells
  • existing sewer repairs
  • observation of any erosion or storm-water issues
  • assessment of deep water access and barge access.
• Town staff recommends that the Lake Drawdown take place from January 2025 through March 2025.
• There was a detailed discussion of the possibilities and the work that can be accomplished during the drawdown with an emphasis on the items above as well as dredging. 

Town Council voted to begin the Lake Drawdown 1/1/25. 

• It is estimated that the Lake will be lowered by about a foot per day.
• The Town plans to prioritize the work that needs to be accomplished at the 20-foot drawdown level. 
• Lake Levels may range between 4 - 20 feet below full pond during the Lake Drawdown.
• All contractors must be out of the Lake by 3/15/25. 

The plan is to begin refilling the Lake to full pond on 3/15/25. 

VII. Discuss Bettac Electrical Engineering Design Proposal

• Bettac Engineering, PLLC has submitted a proposal to the Town to provide electrical engineering design services for the Lake Lure Dam.
• This proposal includes 480/277V utility service with genset backup for the control house and pumping station project.
• This proposal would be in support of the operation of the reservoir drain valves.
• Bettac’s proposal is priced at $19,800.

The Bettac Electrical Engineering Design Proposal was approved. 

VIII. FY 24-25 Fee Schedules

• The General Fee Schedule, Land Use Fee Schedule, and Utility Fee Schedule must be adopted each fiscal year.
• There are no proposed amends to the General Fee Schedule or Utility Fee Schedule aside from the removal of Chimney Rock’s water rates from the Utility Fee Schedule.
• Staff is proposing an increase in appeal fees on the Land Use Fee Schedule in the hopes of avoiding frivolous appeal requests, but a refund for successful appeals shall remain in place.
• The Lake Use Fee Schedule is adopted based on the calendar year and will be reviewed in December.

Town Council approved the FY 24-25 Fee Schedules which are now posted online..

IX. FY 24-25 Salary Grade Schedule

• A 3.8% cost of living adjustment (COLA) was incorporated into the budget adopted for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
• The Salary Grade Schedule has been adjusted to reflect the 3.8% increase.

Town Council approved the FY 24-25 Salary Grade Schedule.

X. Audit Update

• Prior to discussing the Audit, Finance Director Steve Ford asked Town Council to give thought to how the Town might handle the Hydro-electric Fund moving forward. 
• There was a discussion and review of the bid proposals. 
• Town Council considered approval of the related contract for auditing services that will span from FY 2024 through FY 2026 audits.
• There was a discussion regarding the matter and Town Council will consider this at a later date once a proposal is formally submitted.

XI. Discuss Short-Term Rental Advisory Board

• Town Council discussed the possibility of establishing a Short-Term Rental Advisory Committee in the future.
• This would help with regulating short-term rentals appropriately, as they remain prevalent in the community.
• The committee could help address significant issues such as operators working without a permit, trash, over occupancy, and trash.
• Council was in favor of the creation of the Committee.

Town Staff will draft a charter and resolution establishing the objectives, rules, and make-up of the committee.

XII. Project Manager Updates

• Project Manager Mike Dydula provided additional updates. 
  • The property at 177 Tryon Bay went to auction 6/25/24.  There was one bid. The public has 10 days to counter the bid. 
  • The Lake Lure Dam replacement project has officially begun. The geophysical survey work began this week using radar sound to determine if we can build what we want to be built in the location where plan to build it.  The next step will be a geotechnical survey.  Once we have this information we will be able to proceed with plans.
  • The Reservoir Drain Project schedule target completion date is 10/17/24.  Crews are out on the barge right now and they are installing the trash rack to prevent any logs and other trash from getting through. The concrete bulkhead is under the water. It will be grouted and bolted to the dam.  The trash rack will go in the water after July 4th. Divers will be working to add the hole in the Dam by mid-July.  The gate valve is being stored in the Morgan Corporation yard temporarily. The engineers will inspect it in July and we hope to have it on site in September.  The coating of the large pipe is white vs grey which should not be a problem. All the major parts and pieces have been procured.  The project is a few weeks behind schedule. 

XIII. Town Manager Updates

• Town Manager Olivia Stewman provided the following updates.
  • The Town received a dredging bid and we are working on a draft contract.  We have the option to use hydraulic or mechanical dredging, but we plan to start with hydraulic dredging.  We are still working on a permit which will allow more extensive dredging by January during the drawdown. 
  • The low bid for the Belt Press for the sludge management was $595K.  the team at LaBella Associates is reviewing the bids and will make a recommendation. 
  • The Town received five bids for the Morse Park Improvements.  These are currently under review.  Two firms are equally qualified and we will make a recommendation based on feedback from previous clients. 
  • The Fire Boat is back in commission and is good to go. 
  • Laura Krejci is working to replace the signs at the entrance to Town that say "Lake Lure - Incorporated 1927."  A recommendation was made to create signs that are similar to the Chimney Rock State Park Sign.  
  • Dean Lindsey is working on Street Signs.  He is proposing the Town logo be added to the signs.  A plan will be presented in the coming weeks.  
  • It was noted that some adjustments are needed to the TDA Sign in front of Fae Nector.   Dana Bradley was working on this.  
  • the relocated Speed Limit Sign at the East entrance to Town has been effective.  It was recommended that we add something as people are rounding the Beach area (near LaStradas) heading East out of town to ensure caution at the busy intersection.
  • Special thanks was given to all those who worked on the water line break.  Everyone appreciated the team effort from Public Works and the Fire Department working together around the clock. 

XV. Closed Session: 

In accordance with G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3) for attorney-client privilege or legal claims, Town Council entered into Closed Session.

XVI. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.