Town of Maggie Valley

Board of Aldermen

Team Building Session

October 4, 2004

MINUTES

Members Present: Mayor Jo Pinter Aldermen: Linda Taylor Arrived 2:50 p.m.

Mark DeMeola

Jim Higel

Phil Aldridge Arrived 1:10 p.m.

Staff Present: Planning Director Kevin Byrd and Town Clerk Vickie Best

Others Present: Three

Meeting Called to Order

Mayor Pinter called the meeting to order at 1:06 p.m. on Monday October 4, 2004 in the Town Hall Boardroom.

Criteria for Manager’s Position

As part of the process as described by Mr. Hartwell Wright, with the League of Municipalities, Council was to provide a criteria for the type of manager they are interested in filling the position.

Council felt the following qualities and skills were of great importance for a Maggie Valley Manager.

• Experience in local government
• Diplomacy
• Willing to take and attend educational classes (pertaining to job)
• Excellent Public Relations skills
• Cares about Maggie Valley
• Understands the particulars of Maggie Valley
• Self motivated
• Takes pride in the completion of projects.
• Good coach with a positive attitude
• Optimistic

Criteria for Board Appointment

In an effort to develop continuity and put together basic guidelines, Council discussed the process for which all appointments to all boards should be made.

These basic items will provide a starting point the manager to expand on.

• The Clerk will publish a public notice in the local newspaper making people aware of the vacancy.
• Mayor will announce the vacancy at a regularly scheduled meeting with applications available for at the meeting.

• Council will accept applications two weeks prior to conducting interviews.
• Appointments will be made through the point system with the person getting the highest number of points filling the vacancy. (State law requires the Mayor’s and Aldermen’s signature be placed on each ballot sheet)
• Each Board will conduct an organizational meeting annually (January) to elect their own Chairman and Vice-Chairman and other business as they may deem.
• The Clerk will provide the results the following day and appointments formally made at the next regularly scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting.

Council directed Manager Shepherd to provide criteria for all boards for council review and approval.

Maggie Valley DMO Board

Alderman Higel asked that it be noted in the minutes that he is not in favor of the festival board being a DMO. Alderman Aldridge concurred adding that the wording DMO puts a negative connotation to the board. While in Raleigh at Town Hall Day, both Alderman Higel and Aldridge felt a DMO board was not looked at very favorable. Alderman Higel wanted a simple six member board to work together and bring festivals/events into town.

In an attempt to better understand, Alderman DeMeola questioned Aldermen Higel and Aldridge on the negative undertones of the wording DMO. Alderman DeMeola understood the implications, but felt the board, DMO or not should consist of a wider coalition if possible.

Again, Aldermen Higel stressed his desire to take the burden off the residents and place it on the business owners because they are the people that benefit from tourism.

Council discussed what to name the board to no avail.

There are state requirements that apply to DMO Boards that will be included in the criteria.

Council took a break from 2:20 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Non-profit Organization Renting Festival Grounds

Council discussed how to handle non-profit organization wishing to use the festival grounds.

Council discussed at length the different options and rules that should apply for all non-profit organization using the festival grounds for profit.

Council came to a consensus on the following:

• Each non-profit within the corporate limits will be allowed three events per calendar year. (Chamber, Town of Maggie Valley, GHOST, Lodging Association, Civic Association)
• All organizations will be charged the $100 application fee
• Any requested events over the allowed three must be approved by the Board of Aldermen. Organizations may not transfer their allotted event to another organization.
• The town will receive fifty (50%) percent of the net profits

ON MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEMEOLA, SECONDED BY MAYOR PINTER, COUNCIL ENTERED CLOSED SESSION AT 3:15 TO DISCUSS PERSONNEL.

ON MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEMEOLA, SECONDED BY ALDERMEN HIGEL, COUNCIL CAME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION AT 3:25 P.M.

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 3:26 P.M.

ALDERMAN HIGEL SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

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Jo Pinter, Mayor

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Vickie Best, CMC

Town Clerk