Special Town Council Meeting Summary - Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Thank you to all who joined us for the Special Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 29, 2022 at 8:30 PM in Municipal Hall.  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 Regular Town Council Meeting packet. 

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

II. Resolution No. 22-06-29 Requesting Designation as a Distressed Unit in the Viable Utility Program for the Water/Wastewater Utility

• Council members held a discussion regarding Resolution No. 22-06-29 and whether or not further studies might be required in order to be designated as a distressed unit in the viable utility program for the water/wastewater utility.
• It was noted that a previous study was conducted by WithersRavenel related to this matter.
• Council concluded that if any further requirements are necessary, this study could be updated.

RESOLUTION NO. 22-06-29 RESOLUTION BY THE TOWN OF LAKE LURE TOWN COUNCIL REQUESTING DESIGNATION AS A DISTRESSED UNIT IN THE VIABLE UTILITY PROGRAM FOR THE WATER/WASTEWATER UTILITY

WHEREAS, Session Law 2020-79 was signed into law on July 1, 2020 to improve viability of the water and wastewater systems of certain units of local government; the Viable Utility Reserve was established in the Water Infrastructure fund to be used for grants to include the study of rates, asset inventory and assessment and/or merger and regionalization options as well as construction projects which may include rehabilitation of existing utility assets, interconnections/extensions to provide regional service, decentralize an existing system, and/or other options deemed feasible to support financial, organizational, and operational viability; and

WHEREAS, The State Water Infrastructure Authority (SWIA) and the Local Government Commission (LGC) have developed criteria to assess local government units and identify distressed units, and

WHEREAS, The Town of Lake Lure has been identified through the process approved by SWIA and the LGC as being potentially distressed, based on the financial, managerial, and technical challenges faced by the Town of Lake Lure and which affect the long-term sustainability of the utility, as supported by the most recent assessment score which is above the designation threshold for the first time, and

WHEREAS, The Town of Lake Lure has need for state grant assistance for study and/or construction project(s), training and education, and other related assistance in support of becoming a viable utility.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LAKE LURE, NORTH CAROLINA: That the Town of Lake Lure, if designated as distressed, will complete the viable utility requirements in §159G-45(b) by:

1. Conducting an asset assessment and rate study. (Recently completed asset assessment or rate studies may be sufficient to meet this requirement.)

2. Participate in a training and educational program.

3. Develop a short-term and long-term action plan considering all of the following:

a. Infrastructure repair, maintenance, and management.

b. Continuing education of the governing board and system operating staff.

c. Long-term financial management plan.

That the Town of Lake Lure acknowledges that the State Water Infrastructure Authority and Local Government Commission can impose specific conditions on grants from the Viable Utility Reserve.

That the Town of Lake Lure will provide adequate access to staff, documents, equipment, and other resources pertinent to complete any future Viable Utility Reserve projects, and upon completion of the projects provide good faith effort to implement their short-term and long- term plans to achieve system viability.

That William H. Perkins, Jr, Town Manager, the Authorized Official, and successors so titled, is hereby authorized to execute and file these materials for consideration on behalf of the Town of Lake Lure with the State of North Carolina for a distressed designation to aid in the completion of projects in support of system viability.

That the Authorized Official, and successors so titled, is hereby authorized and directed to furnish such information as the appropriate State agency may request in connection with such process: to make the assurances as contained above; and to execute such other documents as may be required in connection with the designation process.

That the Town of Lake Lure has substantially complied or will substantially comply with all Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances applicable to the project and to Federal and State grants pertaining thereto. Adopted this the 29th day of June, 2022 at Lake Lure, North Carolina

III. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.