TOWN OF MAGGIE VALLEY

REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING

DECEMBER 6, 2005

MINUTES

 

Members Present:       Mayor Jo Pinter         Aldermen:       Linda Taylor

                                                                                                Mark DeMeola

                                                                                                Roger McElroy

                                                                                                Phil Aldridge

Staff Present:              Manager Tim Barth, Administrative Assistant Addie Bage, Town                                       Attorney Chuck Dickson

 

Approximately twenty- five people in attendance.

 

 

Meeting Called to Order

Mayor Pinter called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom.

 

 

Correction or Approval of Minutes: October 5, 2005, October 18, 32005, November 1, 2005 and November 15, 2005

 

ALDERMAN MCELROY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Mayor Pinter thanked Alderman Taylor for her service to Maggie Valley.

 

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 3:40 P.M.

MEETING ADJOURNED.

 

 

Meeting Called to Order for Newly Elected Board

Mayor Pinter called the meeting to order at 3:42 p.m.

 

 

Administration of Oath to Recently Elected Aldermen

Mayor Pinter administered the oath of office to Saralyn Price, Mark DeMeola, and Roger McElroy.

 

The meeting was recessed at 4:00 p.m. for cake and coffee with the Board members.

 

The meeting resumed at 4:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Selection of Mayor Pro-Tem

Council discussed rotating the office among the members as well as giving the office to the candidate with the highest number of votes. Alderman Price declined the offer stating that Aldermen McElroy had the most experience.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO ELECT ROGER MCELROY AS MAYOR PRO-TEM.

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Consent Agenda

a.  Certificate of Sufficiency:

- Paul Glenn, #9 Maggie Valley Estates (0.5944 acres);

- Blue Ridge Land Dev. 9A Horseshoe Cove (0.6224 acres);

- Chuck Stephens, #23 Brannon Forest (0.532 acres);

- Ronald Kough, #94 & #95 Brannon Forest (0.811 acres);

- Roger Donellan, #140 Brannon Forest (0.344 acres);

Resolution No. 05-60 Setting Date for a Public Hearing

On above listed properties:  December 20, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.

b.  Petition for Annexation:  Peter and Bonnie Cotter, Lot 112

Brannon Forest (0.376 acres):  Resolution No. 05- 61

Directing the Clerk to investigate an annexation petition.

 

 

 MAYOR PINTER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

 

Appearance of James Carver

Mr. Carver addressed the Board stating that if the Board adopts a policy, the staff should not have to wait on Council to act. If it is a Town Policy that everyone receiving sewer service petition for annexation, the rules should apply across the board. The Wheels Through Time Museum receives sewer service but the museum remains out of the corporate limits.

 

In an effort to further support tourism, Mr. Carver discussed the town joining Haywood County to provide labor to help trim back the overgrowth on the Parkway.

 

Mr. Carver also asked that Council consider reverting to one meeting a month especially during the winter when inclement weather becomes an issue.

 

Consideration of Ordinance No. 427 to Annex 83 Initial Brannon Forest Properties

Manager Barth provided a feasibility study differing from the feasibility study provided by one of the Brannon Forest Property Owners.  Attorney Dickson concurred, adding that Mr. Barnard’s statements reflect the pending lawsuit he and several Brannon Forest residents have against the town.

 

Manager Barth previously updated Alderman Price on the history as well as the status of the Brannon Forest issues. Alderman Price felt she was well informed and could continue with the proceedings.

 

Mr. Blystone will be removed from Ordinance Number 427 due to his involvement in the lawsuit.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 427 AS AMENDED.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Consideration of Ordinance No. 428 to amend the Zoning Ordinance to Clarify Meaning for “Top of Creek Bank”

A public hearing has been conducted. This amendment is considered more of a “house cleaning” item.

 

ALDERMAN MCELROY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 428 AS PRESENTED.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Appearance of Skipper Grasty Regarding Being Charged for Garbage Pick Up But Not Using it.

Mr. Grasty was not present to address Council.

 

 

Consideration of a Resolution Supporting the Development of a Comprehensive Recreation Master Plan for Haywood County and all of the Municipalities Therein.

The purpose of the plan is to alleviate duplicating efforts and to make grant funding more attractive.  When related to population, Maggie Valley’s share of the cost would be approximately $1,000.

 

Alderman McElroy strongly advocates recreation and greenway systems as an attraction to the area for residents and visitors alike.

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NUMBER 05-62.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Consideration of Contracting with McGill Associates to do a Preliminary Engineering Report and an Environmental Assessment for the Wastewater Treatment Plant

McGill Associates has a reliable long-standing relationship with the Town.  McGill Associates has always worked with the Town to provide exceptional service at a reasonable cost.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MCGILL ASSOCIATES TO DO THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE TREATMENT PLANT.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Consideration of adding a Section to the Personnel Policy regarding Inclement Weather

The Town Hall will seldom be closed for inclement weather.  The amendment is created for safety purposes only.  The last two managers had the discretion to close Town Hall as need be. 

 

ALDERMAN MCELROY MADE A MOTION TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICY AND GIVE MANAGER BARTH THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE TO CLOSE TOWN HALL AS HE DEEMS NECESSARY.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Consideration of Appointing an Alderman to the MPO Board.

The appointment will be for the regional and local MPO.

 

Mayor Pinter suggested having the same person serve on any other MPO/ DOT Board as necessary.

 

Council discussed Alderman Price being the most logical appointee due to her experience with NCDOT.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT ALDERMAN PRICE TO SERVE AS MAGGIE VALLEY’S MPO REPRESENTATIVE.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Consideration of Requesting Governor Easley to Officially Designate Maggie Valley as the Official “Elk Capital of North Carolina”

Council discussed a strategy for getting a packet prepared to send to Governor Easley.

 

Manager Barth will draft a sample letter for the leading organizations within the Town to use.  Manager Barth will draft a letter for all Council Members to sign i.e. the Lodging Association, Chamber of Commerce, Civic Association, etc.

 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION FOR THE MANAGER TO WRITE THE LETTERS AS DISCUSSED.

Mayor Pinter clarified that all board members will sign the letter. Council agreed.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Manager’s Report

:Mr. Steve Allen will begin working as Maggie Valley’s new Police Detective on January 3, 2006. Mr. Allen’s experience, education, and familiarity with Haywood County will make him an asset to the Police Force.

 

:It was the consensus of the Board that it would be a good opportunity for Manager Barth to attend the Leadership Haywood Program.

: Saralyn Price resigned her position on the PRFAC after being elected to the Town Council.  Ms. Tammy Wight will become a full voting member, while Larry Wilkins becomes an alternate member.

 

 

Request from Parks, Recreation, and Festival Advisory Committee to Have Authority to Approve Events at the Festival Grounds

Ms. Shirley Pinto addressed the Board explaining the process for promoters getting approval.

" Promoter submits application with a $100 application fee

" Clerk reviews and distributes copies of application to the Police Chief and the Public Works Director for their approval.  When all issues are complete and both the Chief and Director are satisfied, the approved applications are returned to the Clerk to be placed on the PRFAC agenda for approval.

 

The policy adhered to in the past, required approval from both the PRFAC and the Board of Aldermen.  Because of the process in affect, approving events has become cumbersome and time consuming.  The PRFAC would like to have the authority to approve events, with the Town Council being the Board of appeals for rejected promoters.

 

ALDERMAN MCELROY MADE A MOTION TO ALLOW THE PRFAC TO GIVE FINAL APPROVAL WITH THE PROMOTERS HAVING THE RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Council discussed Mr. Carver’s earlier comments about scheduling the meeting earlier in the winter.  Council directed Manager Barth to put the issue on the next agenda and to allow for public comment at the December 20TH meeting.

 

The Planning Director has ordered new signs to post on property for future zoning. The signs cost less than $5 each so they can be economically replaced, if damaged or stolen.

 

ON MOTION BY ALDERMAN PRICE THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 5:22 P.M.

 

 

 

____________________________

   Mayor Jo Pinter

 

 

 

____________________________

  Town Clerk Vickie Best, CMC