TOWN OF MAGGIE VALLEY

REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING

MARCH 6, 2007

MINUTES

 

Members Present:        Mayor Roger McElroy            Aldermen:       Saralyn Price

                                                                                                            Mark DeMeola

                                                                                                            Phil Aldridge

                                                                                                            Colin Edwards

Staff Present:              Manager Tim Barth, Attorney Chuck Dickson, Police Chief Scott                                       Sutton, Planning Director Nathan Clark, Public Works Director                                           Mike Mehaffey, and Town Clerk Vickie Best

Others Present:            Bill Dechant, P.A., Lynn Collins, Dan Massey, Shirley Pinto, Joe                                        Moody, Buddy Young, and Claire Stewart.

 

 

Meeting Called to Order

Mayor McElroy called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom.

 

 

Consent Agenda

Before accepting the consent agenda, Mayor McElroy explained three agenda additions:

1. Closed Session: Bill Dechant, Architecture P.A. for the Police Department: Client Attorney Privilege.

2. Chamber of Commerce marketing the Festival Grounds

3. Report from Joe Moody regarding the Haywood County Greenways Project

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE ADDITIONS.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Consent Agenda:

a. Correction or Approval of Minutes for February 20, 2007

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Maggie Valley Police Department: Closed Session: Attorney Client Privilege

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO ENTER CLOSED SESSION AT 3:38 P.M.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO COME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION AT 4:10 P.M.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Haywood County Greenways Report from Joe Moody: Maggie Valley’s Representative

Mr. Moody introduced Ms. Claire Stewart, Haywood County Recreational Director, and Buddy Young, Chairman of the Haywood County Greenways Committee.

 

Ms. Stewart addressed Council with an example of the Haywood County Greenway’s logo and a material sample of the sign. There will be directional signs and adhesive reflective stickers on the pavement.  These signs will be placed along Richland Creek and the finished portions of the Maggie Valley Greenways. Ms. Susan Curry (a grant paid position) has developed a brochure that will include all of the greenways in Haywood County as well as an inventory of trails. Great efforts will be put into improving education and marketing the greenways. The County Commissioners have agreed to fund Ms. Curry’s position until June 2007. At that time, the Committee will begin seeking assistance from the municipalities.  Additional grant funding will be sought.

 

The Commissioners recently approved a comprehensive recreational plan for Haywood County.

 

Alderman DeMeola praised the committee for their efforts and assured Ms. Stewart that they have the Town of Maggie Valley’s support.

 

Mayor McElroy stated that Maggie Valley has received little assistance from Haywood County for their greenways/recreational needs.

 

Ms. Stewart suggested Council adopt the Haywood County comprehensive plan and identify priorities.

 

Council would like to see Maggie Valley’s logo on Maggie Valley’s greenway signs.

 

Council thanked Mr. Moody for his representation on the County Committee and his continued support for Maggie Valley.

 

 

Consideration of Changing the Fee Structure for Building Permits for Retaining Walls

The current building permit fee for retaining walls is $50 plus $0.25 per square foot. Walls exceeding four feet in height require engineering. When the wall is engineered, the liability is then placed on the engineer, leaving the building inspector to make sure the wall is built by the specifications.

 

Alderman Edwards questioned the cost when a wall has fallen and is only being repaired. Manager Barth felt that would depend on the extent of the repairs.

 

Mayor McElroy felt that since engineering can overrule the building inspection, there should not be a charge.  The engineer is responsible for all aspects. 

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO PLACE A $250 CAP ON ALL NEW RETAINING WALL PERMIT FEES.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE AMENDED THE MOTION TO ADD THAT THERE SHOULD NOT BE A CHARGE FOR ENGINEERED RETAINING WALL REPAIRS.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Consideration of Changing the Second Meeting in March from March 20 to March 22nd.

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO CHANGE THE DATE OF THE SECOND REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING TO MARCH 22, 2007

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Consideration of Three Budget Amendments

Ordinance 522 recognizes the exact amount needed for the patrol vehicle.

Ordinance 522

An Ordinance Amending the FY 2006/07 Budget Ordinance

General Fund

                                                                                         Increase

                             Description                     Previous          (Decrease)              Amended

                                                         

Appropriations    2007 Vehicles                 $ 0.00                 $3,100                   $3,100

                             (05-97-4759)

                            Debt Service Interest      $3,068                $   500                   $3,568

                           

 

Appropriations   Capital Outlay Vehicle  $ 29,266              ($3,600)                 $25,666                               

                             (05-43-4540)

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 522 AS PRESENTED.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Ordinance 523 recognizes the total revenue and expenses for the streetscape phase II project.

Ordinance 523

An Ordinance Amending the FY 2006/07 Budget Ordinance

General Fund

                                                                                    Increase

                             Description                     Previous          (Decrease)              Amended

                                               

Revenues             T-21    05-00-3613           $0.00                 $92,000                   $92,000

                           

Appropriations   Capital Outlay                   $23,000              $92,000                   $115,000                             

                           T-21 05-61-4612

 

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NUMBER 523

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Ordinance number 524 provides for funding certain standard type equipment for investigations.

Ordinance 524

An Ordinance Amending the FY 2006/07 Budget Ordinance

General Fund

                                                                                    Increase

                             Description                     Previous          (Decrease)              Amended

                                               

Revenues         2006 Ad Valorem Tax       $1,116,338         $9,450                  $1,125,788

                        05-00-3215

                           

 

Appropriations   Capital Outlay                   $0.00                $6,950                     $6,950                             

                           Equipment  05-43-4550

                           Small Equipment              9,000                  2,500                     $11,500

                           Non Capitalized 05-43-4358

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE NUMBER 524.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Chamber of Commerce Assistance in Marketing the Festival Grounds

The Festival Grounds is more marketable now that the lighting and stage have been added. The Chamber hired an events coordinator that is working 20-hours per week.  The coordinator could market the Festival Grounds the other 20-hours, if the Town would assist with pay.  The three months remaining in the fiscal year will be a trial period. The “end” product will not be realized until 2008. Ms. Collins will supervise the coordinator and provide reports/updates to Council.

 

Mayor McElroy had concerns about accountability since this is tax dollars. 

 

Manager Barth explained that the Chamber is seeking someone to perform an audit but so far, the search has not been successful. Because the Chamber runs on a fiscal year, the same as local governments, it is difficult to find an accountant that will take on such a small task, at such a busy time.

 

Alderman Aldridge suggested postponing discussion until the next meeting in order for Council to give more thought to the subject, as well as gather public input.

 

Ms. Collins explained that the Chamber has already started the process.  There is a site inspection with the NC Dog Fanciers’ Association later this week.

 

The Town needs to compete for events on the festival grounds through a widespread marketing plan.     

 

The request for $5,000 is to cover salary for $4,307.68 (until June 30) with the remainder paying for materials to create brochures/packets.  

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO FUND THE CHAMBER EMPLOYEE FOR 20 HOURS A WEEK UNTIL JUNE 30, 2007.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Manager’s Report

● Ms. Addie Bage, the Administrative Assistant has resigned her position to relocate to another state. Ms. Bage’s last day of work will be March 23, 2007.  She has been a great asset to the Town and will be greatly missed. Council concurred.

 

Applications will be accepted until March 16, 2007 for the Administrative Assistant position.

 

● The elected officials and those that served on the TDA Task Force Committee will meet at 7:00 p.m. on March 8 to discuss their findings.

 

● Manager Barth, Nathan Clark, and Mike Mehaffey have been working on maps for potential annexations.  Mr. Clark will be meeting with Benchmark Inc. on March 9 to discuss the particulars.

 

 

Other Business

Mayor McElroy felt that it was urgent to get an active greenways committee in place.  Now is the time when Maggie Valley needs to be in the forefront of the greenways concept.

 

 

Closed Session: Criminal Investigations

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 5:03 P.M. TO DISCUSS CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO COME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION AT 5:19 P.M.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 524 TO BUDGET AN ADDITIONAL $1,500 IN THE SMALL EQUIPMENT LINE ITEM.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 5:20 P.M.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

 

 

________________________________

Mayor Roger McElroy

 

 

_______________________________________

Vickie Best, CMC

Town Clerk