Town Council Regular Meeting Summary - May 14, 2024
The Lake Lure Town Council held a Meeting on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 5:00 PM. The meeting was held at the Lake Lure Municipal Center (Town Hall), located at 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC 28746. The public was invited to attend.
The following is a summary of the meeting for those who could not attend. You may download the meeting packet for additional information. Note that these are not formal minutes, which will be included in the following month's meeting packet.
I. Call to Order: Mayor Carol Pritchett called the meeting to order.
A. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation: Commissioner Patrick Bryant gave the invocation and Commissioner Jim Proctor led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. Agenda Adoption: The agenda was adopted as written.
III. Mayor's Communications: Mayor Pritchett thanked everyone for attending the meeting. She advised that she was pleased to welcome Olivia Stewman as the new Town Manager which became effective in April 2024. She stated that Town Council was pleased to promote Ms. Stewman to the Town Manager role because of her excellent work history in Lake Lure. She has served as the Town Clerk since 2021 and as Interim Town Manager previously during her tenure in Lake Lure. Mayor Pritchett announced that she was going to call for a recess of the meeting so everyone that came could congratulate Ms. Stewman and enjoy some refreshments before the meeting resumed.
A. Town Manager Welcome Celebration: The following photos were taken during the welcome celebration.
IV. Town Manager's Communications
A. Monthly Report: Ms. Stewman highlighted points from the April Departmental Report.
- Public Services: Public Services Director Dean Lindsey reports that the department is busy keeping everything working as smoothly as possible. Routine maintenance has been completed throughout the month, such as, but not limited to, Meter Reading, Meter Installs, Water Leaks, Locates, Bulk Trash Pickup, Work Orders, Facility Maintenance, Wastewater Samples, and Dam, Wastewater Treatment Plant and Hydro Plant Maintenance. Top accomplishments/project updates:
- Full round of right-of way mowing has been completed by Public Works.
- Switch over of the Chimney Rock Water System has been completely transferred to Chimney Rock via James and James Environmental.
- Approximately 28 locates have been completed in the Month of April.
- New seals in Generator 1 and 2 at Hydro-electric Plant have been installed.
- Rebuilt break assemblies and replaced airlines on Generator 1 and 2.
- Installed new strainer baskets on Generators 1 and 2 at Hydro-electric Plant and brought them online.
- Stream gauge below the Dam has been repaired and is operational.
- Removed multiple clogs at the Lift Station due to flushable wipes.
- The High-Level Signal has been repaired at the Lift Station and is in operational order to meet State Guidelines.
- DOT pipe replacement at the Green Space has been completed with H&R Landscaping completing the project.
- Community Development: Director Mike Williams reports another active month for community development. The department issued 34 permits for the month of April. This includes 12 Zoning, 8 Lake Structure, 7 Land Disturbance Permit, and 2 Vacation Rental Operators. Top accomplishments/project updates:
- Zoning and Planning Board reviewed recommendation from staff to revise fee schedule to state that fees paid for filing a successful appeal of administrative officials charged with enforcement of the zoning, subdivisions or lake structure ordinances shall be refunded if the decision or determination is reversed by the appeal. Board made a recommendation to Town Council to adopt revision.
- Zoning and Planning also reviewed a recommendation to amend the Town’s Animals ordinance to allow public schools to keep goats and/or chickens for educational purposes. Board made a recommendation to Council to adopt amendment.
- Zoning and Planning Board and staff worked on plan to better organize the processing of applications and permitted projects follow-up.
- Board of Adjustments reviewed and approved a setback variance for an existing, non-conforming dwelling to be able to replace an existing, rotted deck within the same footprint.
- Lake Structure Appeals Board reviewed a new deck-top accessory structure application for appropriateness but continued the case to the next meeting to resolve questions.
- Lake Structures also reviewed and approved maximum height variance for an existing boathouse to be able to rebuild the structurally unsound rooftop deck. A variance request to be exempted from requirement for shoreline stabilization was denied.
- Tillman Construction (for AT&T) is still on their schedule to begin the construction of the long awaited cell tower to be built at 168 Boys Camp Road
- Fire / Emergency Management: Fire Chief Dustin Waycaster reported that April was a busy month. The department responded to 58 fire/medical/rescue calls throughout the month. Firefighters completed 563 Hours of Training this month. Partial list of accomplishments:
- Participated in the NC Helicopter Aerial Rescue Team Training by NC Emergency Management.
- Taught Fireground Ops 8 class at Green Hill VFD.
- Various staff attended classes for image trend reporting program and thermal imaging.
- Police Department: Police Chief Sean Humphries reported that the Police Department has been busy with an increase of vacationers, boaters, and events. Top accomplishments include the following:
- Officers responded to a home on Village Road where a Home Invasion with assault and strangulation of a female was taking place. The victim was immediately taken by ambulance to the hospital while LLPD officers as well as county units scoured the area looking for the perpetrator. LLPD immediately put out notice on Facebook and NIXLE regarding the incident and that the perpetrator was on the loose. This proved expediential in the capturing of the criminal.
- Officers responded to an Assist Agency call in Chimney Rock, which is done when the Sheriff’s Department quite a distance away. A disruptive patron at one of the restaurants/bars became unruly. An LLPD Officer was forced to use his Taser on the man who was not phased, so a second stun was initiated, again with no result. When another LLPD unit arrived, the man picked up the officer and threw him into a car, causing damage to the vehicle. It took both LLPD officers as well as a citizen, to subdue the man who was taken to jail for several charges. The officer who was thrown into the vehicle was not injured.
- Parks, Recreation & Lake Department: Director Dean Givens and Parks & Trails Coordinator Dana Bradley report the following partial list of notable activities:
- Utilized a total of 154 volunteer hours, valued at $3,080
- Ordered bear proof trash cans.
- Updated BCP/WPM trail maps.
- Created an SOP for 2024 boat permit sales and licensing.
- Planted five trees in Morse Park.
- Completed lake debris clean-up.
- Finance Department: Director Steve Ford provided the Revenues and Expenditures Reports as separate attachments to supplement this summary. He reports that Revenues continue to track as projected and departments also continue to efficiently use resources in regards to individual line items in the departmental budgets.
- The Town continues to have a strong financial position with an unreconciled bank balance of approximately $10,300,000 for all funds other than special revenue (the Dam Fund).
- Staffing levels for Finance will refresh with a new employee beginning during May.
- Town Manager and Human Resource screened the successful applicant. This new employee will bring management and bookkeeping skills, along with proficiency in different accounting software programs and overall operational efficiencies. This new employee is a very involved community member who will be a tremendous asset to the Town.
- Audit items to be reviewed are decreasing and the Auditors are conducting some early wrap-up procedures. Sampling is still occurring along with accounting procedure clarification.
- Communications – Communications Director Laura Krejci continues her community outreach along with progress in all areas. She reports that there were 37 news articles published on the town’s website and were sent to 2,067 citizens by hyperlink. There were 18,000 website users in April 2024. The Town of Lake Lure has 21,190 followers on Facebook as of April 2024. Top Highlights include the following:
- Coordination of the first Arbor Day Program with Rick Carpenter, involving the school and the community at large with support from the Parks, Rec, and Lake Team for tree planting.
- Communication to the public in general with daily lake level updates, leadership changes, Town Council Meeting summaries, etc.
- Website and Social Media Management with 16% increase in Website Users and an 8% increase in Facebook Followers over the same time last year.
- Manager / Clerk / Admin Summary: Ms. Stewman reports that April was a busy month including an array of staff, council, and board meetings and ever-changing day-to-day operations. In addition, the installation of the Dam valves continues to be underway and making progress. Highlights:
- An RFQ for Morse Park Improvements was advertised and bids will be accepted until June 7th.
- Dredging RFP has been advertised and bids will be accepted until June 3rd.
- Ruby-Collins Amendment 4 was approved.
- Filled two vacant personnel position and held interviews for another vacancy.
- Executed the lease for the former ABC Store.
- Continued on schedule with Morgan Corporation's installation of the reservoir drain valves.
B. Review Actions Taken at April’s Work Session and Action Meeting: The following actions were taken at the April Town Council Work Session/Action Meeting.
- Approval of submitted methodology for the Tryon Bay Road repair with the understanding that the width of the road be changed on the plan to the original width of the road.
- Authorization for the Town Manager to sign the lease agreement for 2654 Memorial Highway.
- Approval of Ruby-Collins Amendment 4.
- Approval of Budget Amendment #371 for Mark Twain Drive Street Maintenance.
V. Council Liaison Reports and Comments:
- Zoning and Planning Board: Commissioner Doster advised that the Board met on 4/16/24. They are working with a contractor in Town and addressing the issues related to enforcements against the contractors.
- ABC Board: Commissioner Doster reported that the Board met on 4/15. He advised that there was no new information but stated that the restaurant business has picked up.
- Lake Advisory Board (LAB): Mayor Pro Tem DiOrio reported that LAB met and they are tracking the activity on the Lake with the assistance of the LLPD. He advised that the LLPD recently held training on the Lake Use Regulations. They are monitoring the number of non-motorized boats on the lake with the change in the permitting for such. They are closely monitoring the Marina area and watching the traffic. He noted that Morgan Corporation added a new ramp in Morse Park to assist with loading equipment and supplies on a barge to take to the dam to support the reservoir drain valve project. He noted the LAB was also continuing the review of all buoy locations. There are currently 92 and they plan to reduce it to somewhere in the 60s.
- Board of Adjustments/Lake Structure Appeals Board: Commissioner DiOrio advised that the Boards met and there was nothing new to report at this time.
- Parks and Recreation Board: Commissioner Jim Proctor reported that the Rutherford Outdoor Coalition (ROC) was holding a Pollinator Class on 5/23. He explained that the Chimney Rock State Park Eagle Rock Parking Lot was temporarily closed. He noted that a high number of volunteer hours were donated to support Parks and Recreational activities.
VI. Presentations: Director Ford provided an overview of the proposed FY 24-25 Budget highlighting the adjustments requested by Town Council at the last meeting.
- FY 24-25 Budget Overview:
- Revenues are on the slight upswing (Local and State)
- Market Rate consideration for Town employees of 3.8%
- Combination of COLA, Christmas Bonus, and Merit Bonus Payment
- Eliminate Longevity
- Paying for Comp Time-Pay outs in summer 2024 (maybe cap?)
- Departments’ operating expenses increase slightly
- Personnel with up to 3.5 additional FTEs being recommended
- Debt Service continues to decrease, but major consideration of Fire Engine Purchase
- The Budget is balanced - all funds are subject to revision as requested.
- Revenue Highlights
- $35,000,000 increase in property values
- State project overall 2% increase-also historical data is solid for increase projection
- Land Use Fees Sustained increase for over a two year period; reflects growth in activity and new fees since last projection
- Monitoring Boat permits-slip fees;
- commercial fees increase
- Including new ABC board lease agreement for miscellaneous revenue increase
- No recommended draws from fund balance
- No additional installment loans -confirming with Enterprise
- Departmental Expenditures: The following changes were highlighted.
- Increase in contract services and professional services (Administration)
- Increase in technology upgrades including software enhancement (IT-Communications)
- Increase in contract services uniforms and supplies (Police)
- Increase in medical supplies and vehicle maintenance (Fire)
- Slight increase in tipping fees or potential weight (Sanitation)
- Increase in overall operating costs +personnel proposal (Public Works)
- Increase in operating for branding line item (Economic Development)
- Increase in operating as well as one additional position (Community Development)
- Increase in operating as well as seasonal personnel (Parks, Recreation, and Lake)
- Decrease - remainder of costs absorbed in Parks (Beach and Marina)
- Decrease due to improvements in Fund 22-Dam FUND (Dam and Watershed)
- Increase in operating costs (Insurance-etc.) (Non-Department)
- Decrease in items granted from PY - Mid-year Review may produce more expenditures (Capital)
- Debt is decreasing (Debt Service)
- No Change (Dam Reserve)
- Capital-Proposed This Year
- Five (5) new vehicles:
- One for Parks
- Two Police Vehicles
- Two Public Work Vehicles
- Parks and Recreation – Lawn Equipment
- Public Works – Large Equipment
- Budget Discussion Items
1. Fire Engine/Related Equipment which will require debt service and possible tax rate adjustment at some point
2. Budget process of capital expenditures
3. Personnel costs are growing (recurring costs)
4. Generate-Earn Interest with creating a Fiscal Policy
5. Consider a Financial Oversight Team
- Budget Discussion Items - Follow up
- Estimate in budget includes total annual expenses, onboarded costs, and related equipment and vehicles.
- Personnel Costs - Estimates (Lump Sum vs Itemized Calculations)
- Public Services
- Community Development
2. Budget Cuts from last week, $49,625.
3. Still Verifying Debt Service Amounts and Actual Equipment
4. Following up with Enterprise on options
5. Fire Boat Refurbishment
- Plan to review the updates are the 5/22/24 Town Council Work Session/Action Meeting
VII. Public Comment: The Mayor invited the public to speak. There were no public comments.
VIII. Consent Agenda: The following Consent Agenda Items were approved.
A. Approval of the April 3, 2024 Special Town Council Meeting, the April 9, 2024 Regular Town Council Meeting, and the April 24, 2024 Town Council Work Session and Action Meeting Minutes
B. Approval of Waiver of Code of Ordinances Chapter 20 Article II (“Noise Regulation”) for the Lake Lure Memorial Day Service on May 27, 2024
C. Approval of Waiver of Code of Ordinances Chapter 20 Article II (“Noise Regulation”) for Olympiad Lure of the Lake Swim Event on June 8, 2024
D. Approval of Waiver of Code of Ordinances Chapter 20 Article II (“Noise Regulation”) for Rumbling Bald Independence Day Celebration Scheduled for July 4, 2024
E. Resolution No. 24-05-14C Amending Personnel Policy Manual
Resolution No. 24-05-14C removes Article V (“The Pay Plan”) Section 4 (“Use of Salary Ranges”) Subsection B of the Personnel Policy Manual as follows:
(a) Upon successful completion of the probationary period an employee shall receive a 5% increase in base salary. Police probationary employees are eligible for a 2.5% increase after 6 months of satisfactory probationary employment and an additional 2.5% at the successful completion of their 12 month state required probationary period.
In previous instances, increases have been given upon hire and this language is no longer relevant. The probationary periods will remain in place.
IX. Unfinished Business: There was no unfinished business.
X. New Business
A. Resolution No. 24-05-14 Requiring Town Council Approval of Project Change Orders Exceeding $50,000: Town Council adopted Resolution No. 24-05-14 Requiring Town Council Approval of Project Change Orders Exceeding $50,000.
B. Consider Approval of Amendment to the Land Use Fee Schedule and Lake Use Fee Schedule to Include Language Regarding a Refund to the Fee for Filing an Appeal if Successful: Community Development Director Mike Williams recommended establishing the means to refund the fee paid to the Town for appeal of a decision or determination made by the administrative officials charged with enforcement of the zoning, subdivisions or lake structure ordinances to the appellant. The Community Development Department made the recommendation to the Zoning and Planning Board on April 16, 2024.
The Amendment was approved unanimously.
C. Resolution No. 24-05-14A Setting Public Hearing for June 11, 2024 to Receive Comments Regarding Recommended Text Amendments to Code of Ordinances Chapter 4 (“Animals”) Section 4-3 (“Livestock”): Director Williams advised that a text amendment to establish an allowance for a public school to keep certain livestock for educational purposes with specific approval from town council. The amendment would require the following changes to Chapter 4 of the Code of Ordinances: a modification of Section 4-3(a,d,e) and add 4-3(f) specifically allowing the keeping of goats and/or chickens outside of a 200-foot buffer from a residence, church, store or other place of business. The Community Development Department recommended the amendment at the April 16, 2024 Zoning and Planning Board meeting. The recommendation was approved unanimously.
Resolution No. 24-05-14A was approved, setting a setting a Public Hearing for June 11, 2024 to receive comments regarding recommended text amendments to the Code of Ordinances Chapter 4 (“Animals”) Section 4-3 (“Livestock”) for Public Schools only.
D. Resolution No. 24-05-14B Setting Public Hearing for June 11, 2024 to Receive Comments Regarding Proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget: The Town is required to adopt the annual budget prior to the beginning of the new Fiscal Year on July 1st. Staff recommends setting a public hearing for the budget ordinance for the June 11th regular meeting. There may additional budget meetings prior to the public hearing date.
Resolution No. 24-05-14B was approved setting the Public Hearing for June 11, 2024 to receive comments regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget.
E. Request for Town Council Approval to Re-Sand the Existing Private Beach Located at 230 Burnt Ridge Road: Section 6-61(1) of the Town of Lake Lure Code of Ordinances states that any activity such as dredging or filling at or below the shoreline without written permission from the town or any land disturbance which alters the shoreline is prohibited. Mike Keys, working for Lady Slipper Properties, LLC of 230 Burnt Ridge Road, has requested written approval from Town Council to re-sand the existing beach by adding approximately 10 yards of sand above the shoreline at that 230 Burnt Ridge Road property.
This request was approved.
F. Request for Town Council Approval to Re-Sand the Existing Private Beach Located at 255 Deerwood Drive: Section 6-61(1) of the Town of Lake Lure Code of Ordinances states that any activity such as dredging or filling at or below the shoreline without written permission from the town or any land disturbance which alters the shoreline is prohibited. Jay Freeman, working for Cathy Bagwell of 255 Deerwood Drive, has requested written approval from Town Council to re-sand the existing beach by applying approximately 2 yards of sand to the existing beach, above the shoreline, at that 255 Deerwood Drive property
This request was approved.
G. Request for Town Council Approval to Re-Sand the Existing Private Beach Located at 308 Snug Harbor Circle: Section 6-61(1) of the Town of Lake Lure Code of Ordinances states that any activity such as dredging or filling at or below the shoreline without written permission from the town or any land disturbance which alters the shoreline is prohibited. Jay Freeman, working for Caldwell Calame of 308 Snug Harbor Circle, has requested written approval from Town Council to re-sand the existing beach by adding approximately 5 yards of sand to the above shoreline beach area at that 308 Snug Harbor Circle property.
This request was approved.
H. Budget Amendment #372 for Public Works Excavator: A recent storm event caused a tree to fall on public works’ excavator. The excavator repair will be covered by the Town’s insurance, but it will not be useable while under repair. It was determined by staff that it would be more economically responsible to purchase a new excavator rather than renting one, as the department needs the additional equipment and would like to avoid renting while the existing excavator is being repaired.
Budget Amendment #372 was approved.
XI. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned and the Mayor thanked everyone for their attendance and participation in the meeting.
