Town Council Work Session and Action Meeting Summary- Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 8:30 a.m.

The Lake Lure Town Council held a Work Session and Action Meeting on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 8:30 a.m.  The public was invited to attend. 

• 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 and thanked attendees for coming to the meeting.

II. Agenda Adoption

The meeting agenda was adopted with two additions noted below:

• Item XII. LaBella Work Order 21
• Item XIV. Closed Session 

III. Public Comment

The Public was invited to speak, limiting comments to three minutes or less.  It was noted that comments may also be submitted in writing to the town clerk, ewillette@townoflakelure.com, at least one hour, prior-to the meeting.

There were no public comments.

IV. Budget Amendment #373 for Geodesic for Washburn Tank  

• The Town solicited proposals for procurement of the geodesic dome for the Washburn Tank.
• The low bid was from CST Industries, Inc. at $59,372.
• The overall amount associated with Budget Amendment #373 is $65,000.

Town Council approved Budget Amendment #373 for the Geodesic Dome for Washburn Tank. 

V. Budget Amendment #374 for Water SCADA System  

• During the previous budget, Town Council approved Budget Amendment #366 for the water SCADA system and related water system consolidation.
• The SCADA system will be used as an automation tool to operation the water system.
• This will save the Town time on identifying water leaks, checking the levels of wells, and more.
• Public Services Director Dean Lindsey has re-visited this system, as it was not purchased during the last budget cycle and was not accounted for in the current budget.
• The overall amount associated with Budget Amendment #374 is $250,000 which includes all elements to getting the SCADA system operational.

Town Council approved Budget Amendment #374 for the Water SCADA System.

VI. Budget Amendment #375 for Belt Press  

• The Town has solicited bids for the procurement of a belt press for sludge management at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• The low bid came in at $595,130.
• This cost will be reimbursed using ARPA funding.

Town Council approved Budget Amendment #375 for the Belt Press.

VII. Proposed Amendment #1 to LaBella Task 17-Water System Consolidation  

• LaBella has been in the process of completing Task 17 for Water System Consolidation.
• Several delays and scope redirections have occurred due to the Town’s pursuit of accurate system information, and a newly-identified additional component design is now requested.
• This Amendment #1 is for additional compensation for both prior additional and newly-added effort.
• Amendments include: 
  • the addition of a Pressure Reducing Valve to lower pressure from the Firefly Cove well/tank system feeding into the Firefly Cove community;
  • the incorporation of a fail-safe protection into the feed from the (now to be lowered) Firefly Cove community system in order to minimize potential for catastrophic pressure conditions to enter the Downtown system;
  • the previous addition of a Pressure Reducing Valve between the Island Creek Tank and the 80-System;
  • and redirection of the 80-downtown interconnection location.
• The total cost associated with the proposed amendment is $15,000.

Town Council approved Amendment #1 to LaBella, Task 17 for Water System Consolidation.

VIII. LaBella Task 23-Wastewater Pumping Station (WWPS) Bypass System 

The Town’s triplex wastewater pumping station (WWPS) has no simple means for bypass, and the Town desires to obtain a suitable trailer-mounted bypass pump and install means for bypassing in the event of an emergency.

• There is currently no substantial time period greater than 20-30 minutes during which the WWPS can be out of operation without resulting in a wastewater spill to the Broad River.
• This Task will result in the Town’s purchase of a suitable bypass pump, and a force main emergency bypass connection, which will also necessitate installation of a manhole or cleanout access on the existing 12-inch force main near the existing air release valve (ARV) on the Dam access road above the WWPS.
• LaBella will
  • determine the pump hydraulic requirements and prepare a technical specification suitable for the Town’s procurement of a trailer-mounted suction-lift bypass pump;
  • prepare a site layout drawing and details for the installation of the bypass pump connection near the pump station and the new manhole at the air release vault;
  • utilize previously obtained survey data where possible;
  • submit drawings and specifications to NCDEQ (DWI and DWR) for review and approval in anticipation of potential funding from the outstanding balance of ARPA grant funds;
  • and support the Town during the procurement and construction process on an as needed basis.
  • The total budget associated with Task 23 is $20,100.

Town Council approved LaBella's Task 23.

IX. Public Works Building Discussion  

• Public Services Director Dean Lindsey has been reviewing options for the new public works building.
• He provided Council with an update and there was a discussion regarding the needs of the Department and the Town as it related to the new building.

X. Review Morse Park Improvements Bid Recommendation  

• Qualification-based bids were received for Morse Park Improvements.
• A staff-based review team has held various meetings to discuss each of the five bids that were received.
• Initially, the review team narrowed the bids down to the top two candidates and references were contacted for both firms.
• The review team recommends awarding the qualification-based bids to Odom Engineering.
• This recommendation stems from Odom’s overall qualifications, past experiences working with the Town, the familiarity of the Town’s sewer moratorium, and outstanding references.

Town Council approved awarding the Morse Park Improvement Bid to Odom Engineering at the next regular Town Council meeting.

XI. Lake Lure Replacement Signage 

• Communications Director Laura Krejci advised that the Lake Lure signs that are in place at all entries to Town need to be replaced.
• The signs simply say “Lake Lure – Incorporated 1927.”
• The sign options based on Town branding were shared with the Parks and Recreation Board on 7/8/24.
• Their recommendations were incorporated into the proposed sign that was presented.
• Five (5) (28.5” x 68”) single-sided sandblasted wood (cedar) signs with 6" x 6" cedar posts are needed.  
• The sign below was recommended. 

Town Council approved the sign shown above.

XII. LaBella Task 21 - Dredging

• This work order is for the purpose of providing technical assistance with permitting to support mechanical dredging. 

Town Council approved LaBella Task 21. 

XIII. Project Manager Updates  

• Project Manager Mike Dydula shared the following updates: 
  • Reservoir Drain Project: 
    • Overall the project is going well. 
    • Crews are working on drilling preparations for the drain pipe and valve.  
    • A 6'x 6" hole will ultimately be made for the reservoir drain. 
    • The 72" knife gate valve has been received and is being housed with Morgan Corporation.
    • The 60" jet flow valve is expected to arrive in September.
    • Morgan Corporation will begin moving the barges off the lake on Friday 7/26/24.
    • The remainder of the barges and equipment will be shipped out next week and the crane will be leaving on Wednesday.
    • There are three change orders that will be forthcoming and the total cost is approximately $25,000. 
  • Temporary Launch Area in Morse Park
    • A plan is being developed to convert this temporary loading area to a permanent boat launch and access for Town use.
  • 177 Tryon Bay Demolition Property
    • There has been a second bid for the property.
    • The latest Bid was for $118,000. 
  •  Sewer System Project
    • The Town is working with LaBella Associates to conduct a survey of the properties from the dam to downstream of the existing pump station.
    • The owners of the Hunt property have given their permission for the survey previously. 
  •  Dam Geophysical Assessment 
    • This project is underway in support of the dam replacement project. 
    • Schnabel Engineering is overseeing this work. 
  • Tainter Gate Inspection
    • The draft report has been received and is being reviewed by staff.  
    • A separate meeting will be held to review the report with Schnabel Engineering.

XIII. Town Manager Updates  

• Dredging:
  • Town Council approved the award of bid with Stott Construction, Inc. at the regular July meeting.
  • Mr. Stott signed the dredging standard agreement form the following day.
  • Stott Construction has begun dredging operations in the navigational opening to the marina as well as Fire Fly Cove.
  • The Town is still working with LaBella to obtain an individual permit for mechanical dredging.
  • Currently LaBella is working through working through requirements related to the Threatened & Endangered Species survey, Cultural Resources, and jurisdictional delineations for the dredge area and potential spoil locations.
• Lake Drawdown:
  • At the June Work Session and Action meeting, it was determined that the 2025 Lake Drawdown would take place from January 1, 2025 until March 15, 2025.
  • During the Drawdown, the Town will be completing sewer assessment and repairs, testing the reservoir drain valve, completing dam related inspections and maintenance, and dredging operations.
  • Contractor construction and maintenance may also take place, but contractors must vacate the lake bed no later than March 15.
• Workforce Housing:
  • Odom Engineering is currently in the process of completing the workforce housing conceptual site plan.
• Staffing:
  • There are currently three vacancies including the Parks, Recreation and Lake Coordinator and two Public Services Utility Maintenance Technicians.
  • The FY 24-25 budget included the addition of a Community Development position.
  • Staff is working on fine-tuning the job description for this new position.
  • The seasonal Parks, Recreation, and Lake Utility Maintenance Technician position has been filled.

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

XV. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned following the Closed Session.