Special Town Council Meeting Summary from Wednesday, April 27, 2022
The Lake Lure Town Council held a Special Meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. in Municipal Hall located at 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, North Carolina 28746.
Town Council and various Town Staff met to deliberate on the following agenda items in an open session:
1. Public Safety Facility Discussion: Dustin Waycaster provided an overview of the needs for expansion and updates to the Fire Station which is now over 40 years of age. He explained the benefits of co-locating the Fire Department and Police Department in a new Public Safety building for the Town. Benefits include a shared conference and training space, bathrooms and showers, a fitness area, and a kitchen. Additionally, there is an opportunity to expand space for a shelter in the event of an emergency. Police Chief Sean Humphries concurred with this plan and noted that co-locating Police and Fire Departments is becoming more and more common. There was a discussion about costs and possible funding options including low-interest loans and grants. There was a consensus to move forward in exploring costs and funding options.
2. Public Services Equipment Storage Building: Commissioner Dave DiOrio led a discussion regarding a plan to relocate the current Public Works space out of the Town Center area, as well as the need for additional storage facilities to support the upcoming infrastructure projects including the sewer system replacement. A 40-60 SF building is needed to store piping, manholes, and related equipment for the project. Commissioner DiOrio reported that Public Services Director Dean Lindsey has assessed the cost for this which was estimated at $450,000 for the basic facility. There was a consensus to move forward in exploring this option and assessing costs.
3. Community Development Location Discussion: Community Development Director Mike Williams discussed the need for office space for Community Development staff. He will be hiring an additional staff member and a new project manager will be hired in the coming year. There are no additional office spaces in Town Hall for these two positions. There was a general discussion about potential options to obtain additional space for Community Development staff until the Police Department relocates to a future Public Safety facility. Several options were discussed and one potential plan is to temporarily rent space in the Arcade Building. There was a consensus to explore this option.
4. Marina Parking Discussion: Interim Town Manager Olivia Stewman explained that there has been a complaint about parking at the Marina. There was a discussion about options. There was a consensus to provide employee parking for Marina Staff near Town Hall and just allow temporary parking in front of the Marina for loading and unloading. Signage will be updated to reflect this change.
5. Budget Update: Finance Director Sam Karr received property evaluations, department expenditures, and all revenues are in so we are ready to go for a budget meeting. A meeting is being planned for Monday, 5/9/22 at the Justice Center.
6. Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Discussion: We are applying for additional funding to support infrastructure projects. A requirement of the application is an updated CIP for a 10-year plan to include 2022 - 2032. We received the "distressed" status for grant applications which will enhance the chances of funding. A group will be formed to begin work on the updated CIP.
7. Resolution No. 22-04-27 – AIA Grant: Adopte
8. Resolution No. 22-04-27A – GLS Project State Loan and/or Grant: Adopted
9. Selection for Design-Build Services – Subaqueous Sanitary Sewer System: A few weeks ago that the State added some additional stipulations for the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the contractors for the sewer system replacement project. The RFQ was revised to reflect the updated stipulations. Ruby Collins and LaBella Associates applied and were approved.
10. Closed Session: Council went into a closed session in accordance with G.S. 143-318.11(a) (6) for the purpose of discussing personnel matters and in accordance with G.S. 143-318.11(a) (3) for attorney-client privilege.
11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following the closed session.
