Town Council Regular Meeting Summary - Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Thank you to all who joined us for the Regular Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 5:00 PM in Municipal Hall.  The following is a summary of the meeting for those who could not attend. You may download a copy of the meeting packet for further details.  Please note that this is a summary and formal minutes from this meeting will be included in the following month's meeting packet. 

I. Call to Order: Mayor Carol Pritchett called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone in attendance. Everyone said the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

II. Agenda Adoption: The agenda was approved as written.

III. Mayor's Communications: 

1. National Law Enforcement Appreciation: Mayor Carol Pritchett recognized the Lake Lure Police Department ith the following comments.  "As we know, Law Enforcement Officers of every rank and file have chosen a profession that puts their life on the line every day for their communities. They’ve answered a call to public service that is demanding and often unappreciated – but not here in the Town of Lake Lure, NC!

From local, state, and federal, their duties command dedication.  The jobs are often thankless and take them away from their families for long hours. Rarely do they know what their days have in store for them. They work in coordination with other local, state, and federal organizations to make communities safer.

In addition to these duties, the Lake Lure Police Department goes above and beyond to develop a strong positive relationship with local youth at the Lake Lure Classical Academy by collecting toys and clothing for those in need through a project called Raptor Round-Up.

Please take the opportunity to thank Police Officers for their service as a part of National Law Enforcement Appreciation! If you see one of our Lake Lure Police Officers, please let them know they are valued." Jim Proctor recommended a Mayor's Proclamation and Council agreed.

2. Town Board Vacancies: Mayor Pritchett added that there were vacancies on each of the Town Boards.  She encouraged citizens to apply to serve on one of the boards by 2/10/23.  New members will be installed in March 2023. 

IV. Town Manager's Communications: Town Manager Hank Perkins provided the following updates on each department. 

• Community Development: The department has processed 29 permits in December 2022. They are interviewing for a new assistant and hope to hire someone this month. 
• Fire/Emergency Management: The department responded to 35 fire/medical/rescue calls throughout the month. An increase in calls was due to the colder weather. Firefighters completed 427 hours of training this month including Pediatric Advanced Life Support. 
• Police Department: The department coordinated the Lake Lure Classical Academy Raptor Round-Up and it was a wonderful success. They had 14 tables filled with gifts for children at Lake Lure Classical Academy, who may not have had any gifts at Christmas. Additionally, they had three officers receive their Rescue Diver Certifications.  
• Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department: Worked on trail maintenance throughout the town and utilized a total of 62 volunteer hours. Submitted a grant for $750,000 in dredging and hydraulic dredging is underway. The 2023 Commercial Boat Model was approved and work continues on the deep water launch permit, the Boater License Test and the online boat permitting process.
• Finance  Department: Revenues and Expenditures Reports are provided as separate attachments to Town Manager's report. 
• Communications:  Director Krejci continues her community outreach as she has posted 22 news articles that illustrate town-related news, a listing of these articles with hyperlinks was emailed to over 1864 citizens, along with a link to the Town Calendar of Events. There were 6,196 website users in December. This represents a 3% decrease (-183) over December of 2021. Social Media: Published 25 Facebook posts for the community with a post reach of 23,587 for the month. The Town of Lake Lure now has over 19,195 followers as of December 2022. Top projects/activities:  Extensive work on FEMA Grants for the replacement Dam. They are $300k for initial field investigation, 30% Design Project Grant and a Grant for the Reservoir Drain Installation.
• New Employee: Mr. Perkins introduced the new Project Manager Michael Dydula who will be overseeing large infrastructure projects like the Dam, the Sewer System, and Dredging.

V. Council Liaison Reports and Comments

• Parks and Recreation Board: Commissioner Doster reported on the activities of the Parks and Recreation Board. He mentioned the 10 year anniversary of the Lake Lure Flowering bridge this year and their emphasis on education and the building of their Education Center. p
• Zoning and Planning Board: Commissioner Doster reported that this Board did not meet. 
• ABC Board: Commissioner Doster reported that he attended this meeting for Commissioner Proctor. He advised that they have a new computer system and they are implementing a new electronic inventory system with scanners. 
• Lake Advisory Board: Commissioner DiOrio reported that the LAB has been working to oversee the implementation of the Lake Use Regulations, the Boater Safety Course and Test.  He noted that about 200 citizens have been licensed thus far this year and permitting was underway.  He advised that work efforts were underway to have an online boat permitting process but it would not likely occur this year. He said he had heard concerns that the Town would run out of boat permits for Lake Lure residents.  he assured everyone that we would not run out. He thanked the Lake Lure Police for attending the LAB meetings and stressed that they were working to ensure the new Lake Use Regulations were enforced. 
• Board of Adjustment / Lake Structure Appeals Board: Commissioner Doster attended this meeting and there was nothing consequential to report.

VI. Public Comment: The public is invited to speak. There were no comments from the public.

VII. Consent Agenda: The following Consent Agenda was approved. 

A. Approval of the December 13, 2022 Regular Town Council Meeting Minutes and the December 22, 2022 Special Town Council  Meeting Minutes

B.Waivers and suspension of the following for the Carolina Climbers Coalition Rumble 2023 Event scheduled for 2/24/23 – 2/26/23: Waiver of Fees for use of Municipal Hall, Morse Park, and the Gazebo/Pavilion; Suspension of Chapter 36 of the Zoning Regulations: “Campgrounds” and “Camping”; Suspension of Chapter 8 Article II: “Peddlers” of the Code of Ordinances; Suspension of Section 8-115 of the Code of Ordinances Town of Lake Lure Alcohol Ordinance

C. Waiver of the Noise Regulation, Chapter 20 Article II, for a Fae Nectar Winter Festival on Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 12:00PM – 8:00 PM.

VIII. Unfinished Business: There was no unfinished Business.

IX. New Business

A. Request for Tree Removal from Within the Trout Buffer and Below the Elevation of 995’ – 143 Frady Inlet Rd. (Parcel #1655828).  Development and Environmental Review Specialist Richard Carpenter explained that a few trees were removed in 2022 at this location outside of the trout buffer and within 995 with planting more. He noted that the buffer currently has no vegetation besides the three trees. If denied more trees would eed to be planted there. There was a discussion about this matter the property owners were present and provided further details and answered questions. Town Council approved the tree removal, with the condition that all trees as replanted in the trout buffer. The Community Development Department will work with the homeowners in the replanting process.

B. Budget Amendment #346 for Deep Water Access Permitting: Town Manager Perkins explained that the original task order was for $9,500 to assist the Town in the permitting process for deep water access. LaBella Associates sent a request for additional funding because efforts exceeded the original expectation.  They are now asking for $14,500 with anticipation of additional efforts.  The request was approved.

X. Closed Session: Town Council went into Closed Sesssion in accordance with G.S. 143-318.11(a) (3) for attorney-client privilege or legal claims. 

XI. Adjournment: