TOWN OF MAGGIE VALLEY

SPECIAL CALLED BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING

FEBRUARY 27, 2006

MINUTES

Members Present: Mayor Jo Pinter Aldermen: Roger McElroy

Phil Aldridge

Mark DeMeola

Members Absent: Alderman Saralyn Price

Staff Present: Manager Tim Barth, Chief Scott Sutton, Public Works Director Mike Mehaffey, and Town Clerk Vickie Best

Others Present: Chamber Director Lynn Collins, Carol Burrell, Sonja Michels, Teresa Smith, and Beth Pleming with the Mountaineer

Meeting Called to Order

Mayor Pinter called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a proposal from the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has been trying to refill the position of Festival Representative. In order to do that, they are asking for financial assistance from the Town.

Lynn Collins, the Chamber Director, has created a job description and has conducted interviews. The position has been vacant since September 2005. The interviewees have all expressed the need for more money than is offered. If the Town would contribute $5,000, the position could pay $28,000 annually.

When questioned about the discussion of the two Chambers (Maggie Valley and Haywood County) merging, Ms. Collins assured Council that the Maggie Valley Chamber/Visitors Center would continue to operate out of the current location.

The Chamber/Visitors Center gets operating funds from membership fees, events, and some Tourist Development Authority funding.

Due to the variables involved, the request for assistance may continue until the position can be self-supporting.

Although the person will be a Chamber employee, the Festival Representative will assist the Parks, Recreation, and Festival Advisory Committee.

Council recognizes that tourism is economic development in Maggie Valley.

Mayor Pinter questioned how much money came from events in 2005. Ms. Collins reported that the Chamber had lost money due to the BBQ Festival. That has now been rectified with the help of two BBQ Vendors willing to assist with the event.

The Chamber does not currently have an annual audit. The bookkeeping is outsourced to a CPA.

A copy of an organization’s yearly audit is required when that organization asks for funds from the Town.

Teresa Smith, the Chamber President had concerns about the cost of having an audit when funds are already limited. The Chamber receives funding from the TDA by submitting invoices.

ALDERMAN MCELROY MADE A MOTION TO GIVE THE CHAMBER $5,000 FOR THE POSITION AND UP TO $500 TOWARD THE COST OF AN AUDIT, IF THE COST IS MORE, THE DIRECTOR WILL COME BACK BEFORE THE BOARD AND EXPLAIN.

Manager Barth asked that Ms. Collins bring a quote for getting an audit and their Tax ID number.

Aldermen Aldridge and DeMeola felt the contribution was not a donation but rather an investment in Maggie Valley.

COUNCIL MEMBERS DEMEOLA AND ALDRIDGE VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

MAYOR PINTER OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIED BY MAJORITY.

Mayor Pinter felt “things” were happening too fast. The Town pays $50,000 plus per year in land payments for the Festival Grounds. The residents need to have recreation as well as business owners needing business.

Alderman McElroy felt that many local people attend and enjoy the festivals. Also the Clerk and Festival Board would have some assistance with managing the Festival Grounds. Council members DeMeola and Aldridge concurred.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO DISCUSS, ON MOTION OF ALDERMAN DEMEOLA, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 5:58 P.M.

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Mayor Jo Pinter

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Vickie Best, CMC, Town Clerk