Town Council Work Session Summary - Wednesday, August 16, 2023

The Lake Lure Town Council held a Work Session Meeting on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 8:30 AM at the Lake Lure Municipal Center 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.  Please note that this is a summary of the meeting and formal meeting minutes will be included in the following month's meeting packet.  

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

II. Agenda Adoption: The meeting was adopted as written.

III. Update and Discussion with The Policy Group: The Town of Lake Lure entered into an agreement with The Policy Group for lobbyist services in June 2020. The Policy Group has since played a role in the award of grant funding for major infrastructure projects. Steve Metcalf joined the meeting to provide updates to Town Council.

Mr. Metcalf advised that the NC General Assembly is still in session. He explained that they were discussing the budget. There are differences in philosophy between the House and the Senate and that is causing a delay in passing the budget. The issues are largely centered around Medicaid funding. It will likely be after Labor Day if the budget passes.  There is a possibility that no budget is passed at all and everyone would have to live with the existing budget if a new budget is passed.  There was a discussion about Lake Lure's ongoing  needs for financial support of the dam and the sewer system projects. The Town must work to maintain the existing system while working to build the new sewer system and the dam.

IV. Review Resident Request Regarding Code of Ordinances Chapter 4 “Animals” and Chickens:  Mr. Perkins advised that the Town of Lake Lure Code of Ordinances Section 4-3 (a) states that, “It shall be unlawful to keep or maintain any cow, mule, sheep, goat, hog, or other livestock or fowl on any lot or within any pen, stable, or other enclosure or building within the corporate limits.” Lake Lure resident, Cheryl Daugvila, has submitted a written request to amend Chapter 4 of the Code of Ordinances to allow chickens to be kept within town limits and has provided recommended language. Mrs. Daugvila has requested that Town Council review and consider her recommendations.

There was a discussion regarding the matter and Town Council asked Community Development Director Mike WIlliams to refer this item to the Zoning and Planning Board for further review and recommendations to Town Council. 

V. Review Staff Request Regarding Boat Trailer Parking: Town staff has experienced issues related to vehicles parking in spaces designated for vehicles with trailers only. On the signage detailing such designation, it is noted that all other vehicles will be towed. The Code of Ordinances does not allow staff to write citations or have vehicles towed to enforce this issue. Parks, Recreation, and Trails Coordinator Dana Bradley submitted a request to amend the Code of Ordinances to address boat trailer parking and has provided recommended language to be incorporated into Section 30 of the Code of Ordinances.

Town Council was supportive of this request and the revisions will be forwarded to Town Council for approval.

VI. Discuss Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach Fall Arts and Crafts Festival 10/21/23 through 10/22/23:  Communications Director Laura Krejci provided a summary of the plans for the event as well as the requests for approvals and waivers. The upcoming Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach Fall Arts and Crafts Festival will take place October 21, 2023 through October 22, 2023. In the past, Town Council has suspended Chapter 8 Article II: “Peddlers” of the Lake Lure Code of Ordinances and waived the Noise Ordinance, Chapter 20 Article II, for the Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach event being held on Town property. The festival will feature onsite displays, live music, and local food. The event serves as the major fundraiser for HNG Outreach. HNG Outreach is a nonprofit organization that provides food and outreach services to low-income families throughout the Gorge. HNG Outreach is requesting the following: 1) Suspension of Chapter 8 Article II: “Peddlers” of the Code of Ordinances 2) Wavier of the Noise Ordinance, Chapter 20 Article II 3) Approval of partial road closure for Bottomless Pools Road (Between Memorial Highway and Arcade Street.) 

Town Council is supportive of this event.  There was a discussion regarding the Spring Arts and Crafts Festival.  Town Council expressed appreciation for the earlier Spring date that was utilized in 2023 and they would like to see this earlier date used in 2024, if possible. 

VII. Discuss Lake Lure Community Independence Celebration with Fireworks 7/6/24: Lake Lure Tours plans to host the Lake Lure Community Independence Celebration, with fireworks, on July 6, 2024. The event will be held at the Lake Lure Beach. There will be a cover charge for a southern style cook-out banquet, a cash bar located on the Beach, and the event will include a small fire work show. Ticket prices are as follows: Advanced Purchase: Adults - $19.95 Kids - $9.95 Kids under 6 years of age - Free Walk on Purchases: Adults - $24.95 Kids - $9.95 Kids under 6 years of age - Free The Town of Lake Lure will receive 15% of the cover charge proceeds. Lake Lure Tours will work with Town staff to obtain all required permits and to ensure that all appropriate public safety measures are taken. Lake Lure Tours is requesting a waiver of the Noise Ordinance, Chapter 20 Article II. There was a discussion regarding the request.  Assistant Fire Chief Chris Melvin noted some safety recommendations for the event.  Specifically, the Fire Department is recommending that no swimming be allowed during the event. 

It was noted that Rumbling Bald will be hosting their fireworks event on 7/4/24. 

VIII. Discuss Additional SRF Loan for GLS Project: The Town of Lake Lure should receive a letter of intent to fund from the Division of Water Infrastructure (DWI) in relation to an opportunity for an additional $7 million SRF loan for the sewer replacement project (GLS Project). LaBella Associates have held discussions with DWI and have reported that they believe that the loan will have a 20 year term and will be either low interest or may be combined with the existing 0% interest SRF loan. However, all necessary details will be available upon receiving the letter of intent to fund.

IX. Review Recommended Changes to the Lake Use Regulations: The Lake Advisory Board (LAB) has submitted recommended changes to the Lake Use Regulations. The LAB requests that these recommendations be reviewed by members of the Marine Commission/Town Council. There will be a public hearing for the recommended changes during the next regular Marine Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 12, at 4:00 p.m.  

Some highlights of the recommended changes include the following: 

• Not charging non-motorized boat permits except for the livery operations. 

X. Review Proposals for the Lease of the Former ABC Store:  In early July, the Town advertised a request to receive proposals for the lease of the former ABC Store building located at 2654 Memorial Highway. Mr. Perkins provided an overview of the four Request for Proposals (RFPs) the Town received. Town Council discussed each proposal.  

1. George Wittmer, Lake Lure Tours: Lake Lure Outdoors - Providing outdoor-related gear and supplies.

2. John Venuto,The Lake Lure Munch Box Owner/Chef - The Cove at Lake Lure - Full-service restaurant commercial development open 7 days a week

3. Sonny Carter, Dogwoods Enterprise LLC - Lake Lure’s True General Store - retail and grocery needs, deli services with the development of delivery service.

4. Wade Oppliger, Lake Lure Rowing Club - Lake Lure Outdoor Center - Outdoor Outfitters retail/rental/guide space along with a coffee shop and juice bar.

There was a discussion regarding each of the proposals. Mr. Perkins will schedule a follow-up meeting with Lake Lure Tours to obtain additional information and will keep Town Council advised. 

XI. Discuss Advanced Data Networks Solutions (ADNS) Proposed Agreement Updates: Finance Director Steve Ford provided an overview of the Advanced Data Network Solutions (ADNS) proposed updated Managed IT Service Agreement. The main recommended changes per ADNS are as follows: Security Add-on. The quote for this element is $30 for each user per month. ADNS has agreed to provide a quote for just phishing and 2FA, if the Town desires to forgo all of the security add-ons. Cloud email archiving. This includes a $1,200 setup fee. All proposed terms and conditions can be found in the attached proposal from ADNS. 

XII. Discuss Proposal for the Purchase of Public Works Property located at 136 Bottomless Pools Drive by Lake Lure Properties, LLC: Lake Lure Properties, LLC, has submitted a proposal for the purchase of the Town Public Works fenced yard, permanent structures, and water well & draw-down radius. The property is located at 136 Bottomless Pools Drive. In their proposal, Lake Lure Properties expressed that they would like to accomplish the following:

• Repurpose and remodel the main 3-bay maintenance building into a publicaccess facility to house a Lake Lure Historic Museum
• Repurpose and remodel the lean-to storage area for large exhibit items, such as vehicles, equipment, and large items of historic local significance
• Repurpose the western most, 2-bay metal building as museum and related LLP storage
• Improve and landscape the combined open portions of parcels (Public Works and LLP-owned) for public enjoyment as foot traffic and graveled parking
• Allow Town’s continued use, mechanical maintenance of, and uninhibited access to a wellhead and drawdown area located centrally at the properties, until which time that the Town may no longer require the use of the well and draw-down buffer zone
• Allow the Town a necessary period of time to remove the parcel(s) its equipment, containers, maintenance materials, portable structure – which time frame should be no less than 160 days after closing Lake Lure Properties cited two separate appraisals of the property and offered the Town $250,000 for the purchase of the property. Additional information can be found within the attached proposal. Town Council will review and discuss the proposal.

There was a discussion regarding the proposal and the need for a future Public Works building. Ms. Bradley presented a proposal for additional Town Parking. There was a discussion about the need to develop the plan for a Public Works Building in an alternate location specifically for Public Works Storage. Mr. Perkins will lead a team to develop an updated plan. 

XIII. Discuss Enterprise Fleet Services:  Mr. Perkins advised that Enterprise Fleet offers a method to managing fleet replacement through analytics software and technology, fleet planning tools, advising, preventative maintenance, and cost savings strategies. The importance of fleet management is to maintain both service life and economic life of Town vehicles. As of current, the Town has a fleet management schedule with vehicle lives spanning from 5 to 15 plus years, depending on the vehicle type. Enterprise Fleet would work with the Town to roll-over fleet on a five year schedule, ensuring the most efficient service and economic life of Town vehicles. Town staff recommends working with Enterprise Fleet Services to provide two police vehicles and possibly two public services vehicles, evaluating the impact of the services, and deciding how to best proceed with fleet management in the future. While only a select few vehicles will be provided through Enterprise Fleet in the initial stages, Town staff recommends that all Town vehicles be covered under Enterprise Fleet’s maintenance management program immediately. Terms are flexible and allow the Town opt out of services on an annual basis, though previously provided vehicles will remain in possession of the Town through Enterprise Fleet until the five-year roll-over schedule is completed.

XIV. Project Manager Updates: Project Manager Mike Dydula lead a discussion with Council with an update in regard to ongoing major projects. He announced that we are trying to hold a meeting next month for the Sunset Cove homeowners with LaBella and Ruby COllins (RC) and staff to discuss the drawdown with them and what they can expect. He noted that the biggest question we are getting is when the sewer will get to places. RC will start mobilizing in December. Mr. Dydula noted that before he arrived, the Town was purchasing barges and RC now wants to purchase two extensions to fit the pipes that are too long for the current. The RC Reepresentative explained longer pipe and less need for support from Freeman’s guys. Noted that we will have at least two crews in the next drawdown. Hank noted that when RC leaves, they would take the extensions. Com. DiOrio asked if RC will be using our excavator and he answered that they would like to because it worked well last year. He noted that he wants a plan for trench boxes. Mr. Dydula noted that big picture, he is pushing LaBella and RC at looking at more foresight on design work after the reservoir drain valves are installed. More work in 24-25 and a ton of more work in 25-26. He  noted the next two, wants to finish Sunset Cove to dam. Noted that we are trying to see if we can get the HDD crew to do some work this drawdown. 

 Mr. Dydula noted that the reservoir drain installation is moving slower than anticipated. Working on easements and temporary road crossing on Memorial Highway.  He noted that the day to day dam operations has some difficulties for Morgan below, discussed plan for storm events. DiOrio noted that you need to know level for creek flow and tainter gate.  He noted that we are having a ground breaking for reservoir drain project next week and the valve is coming soon.

XV. Town Manager Updates: Town Manager Hank Perkins will provide Council with any updates that are not included on the meeting agenda. Council will also have the opportunity to ask any questions.

• Holiday Lights
• Dates for Round Table Meetings: 9/19/23 at Rumbling Bald and  9/20/23 at Town Hall

Mr. Perkins noted that we did not get the PARTF. We scored well, ranked 25, they ran out of money at 22. The Board authorized staff that when the general assembly passes budget, if any additional funds come for PARTF, staff is authorized to funds other projects that did not get it. Tim Johnson has advised that we cannot do project as is with the current scope. Hank noted that we had been awarded DWR and Town will not be taking it because the project is not happening.

Mr. Perkins advised that we are trying to resolve the PARTF issue on Boys Camp Road. The camping area on the map does not include the portion of the land with the cell tower. PARTF is talking about it, seeing if map changes anything. Will let Council know. We are moving forward with tower regardless.

There was a discussion about dredging. Mr. Perkins noted that we were working on this and he thinks we may be able to resume operations with Tim Edwards. It was a finding on the audit and will be in the next, but will fix it moving forward. Mr. Perkins will be able to speak with Mr. Edwards next week. No longer need general contractor and likely not the MSHA certification. Council expressed want to proceed as soon as possible.

There was a discussion regarding holiday decorations. M. Perkins advised that there is a 6 person committee that is about half way through the planning process for the decorations. Ms. Krejci noted that the committee is staff and community members, have obtained cost for consistent warm white lights and highlighting unique architecture. Staff has been taking measurements. It was noted that private businesses will need to purchase their own lights. Ms. Krejci noted that we reached out to Forest City which may be able to help us with putting lights up or selling old lights.  There was a discussion about the 100 year anniversary coming up in a few years.   

XVI. Adjournment