Town of Maggie Valley

Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting

May 1, 2007

3:30 p.m.

 

MINUTES

Members Present:     Mayor Roger McElroy, Aldermen: Saralyn Price, Mark DeMeola,                                        and Colin Edwards.

Members Absent:      Alderman Phil Aldridge

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

Others Present:          Steve Hughes, Lynn Collins, Selena Keller, Dan Massey, Reverend                                     Hal Finney, Ed Jones, and Beth Pleming

 

1.    Meeting Called to Order.

Mayor McElroy called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom.

 

Mayor McElroy informed Council and the audience that Alderman Aldridge is in the Haywood County Regional Hospital.   A moment of silence was held to pray for Alderman Aldridge’s quick and full recovery.

 

Mayor McElroy asked Council to consider tabling items 9 and 10 on the agenda due to those being issues Alderman Aldridge wanted to discuss. 

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO TABLE ITEMS 9 AND 10 UNTIL THE BUDGET WORKSHOP.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

2.    Consent Agenda

a.  Certificate of Sufficiency:  Maggie Valley Resort, LLC,

208 Alexander Drive, Parcel #7697-70-0156,

(7.424 acres): Resolution No. 07-20, Setting a

date for a Public Hearing on May 15, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.

b.  Certificate of Sufficiency:  Thomas Benoit,

#30 Campbell Woods Subdivsion, Parcel #8606-17-2276,

(0.75 acres): Resolution No. 07-21, Setting a

date for a Public Hearing on May 15, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.

c.  Petition for Annexation:  James Hasseler,

Gypsy Lane,Parcel # 7696-86-6053,  (1.13 acres):

Resolution No. 07-22,

Directing Clerk to investigate an annexation petition.

d.  Tax Releases.

e.  Correction and Approval of Minutes for April 17, 2007.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

3.    a.  Public Hearing on Annexation of Katua Falls Subdivision, near intersection of Cardinal Road and Melody Lane, Parcels #7696-88-8076 (1.11 acres), #7696-98-0093 (9.657 acres), and #7696-98-4237 (3.84 acres).

       b.  Consideration of Ordinance No. 540 to annex Katua Falls Subdivision, near intersection of  Cardinal Road and Melody Lane, Parcels #7696-88-8076 (1.11 acres), #7696-98-0093 (9.657 acres), and #7696-98-4237 (3.84 acres).

Mayor McElroy opened the public hearing at 3:38 p.m. to receive comments from the floor.

 

There being no comments from the audience, Mayor McElroy closed the hearing at 3:38 p.m.

 

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO ANNEX KATUA FALLS THROUGH ORDINANCE 540.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

4.    Consideration of a road deviation for Big Springs Cove Estates Subdivision.

Council visited the site in question prior to the meeting.

 

Mr. Hughes addressed Council stating that he lives at 380 Hughes Drive and is the developer of Big Springs Cove Estates Subdivision. Mr. Hughes is requesting two road deviations for his subdivision.

 

The first request is to allow Loveland Drive to be 12-foot wide.  Loveland Drive serves three lots.  Due to geographic constraints with rock on one side and a drop off on the other, it would be impossible to widen the road.

 

The second request is to allow a portion of Valley View Drive to remain 14 feet wide. Many years ago, a home was built with the retaining wall partially in the road right-of-way. The road will be 14 feet in width just until it passes the driveway and then returns to the required 18 feet in width.

 

Council agreed that visibility was fine beyond the 14-foot section passing the driveway. 

 

Mayor McElroy explained that it is the Town’s policy not to take over maintenance of roads that do not meet Town standards.  

 

Mr. Hughes stated that he understood and that a private homeowners association has been created with maintenance fees included in their annual dues.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO GRANT THE ROAD DEVIATIONS AS DISCUSSED, AND THAT BIG SPRINGS COVE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION DO THE ROAD MAINTENANCE.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

5.    Consideration of awarding a contract for an annexation study.

Benchmark CMR submitted a proposal not to exceed $25,000 to complete an annexation study. Six areas will be considered.  All six areas are already being serviced by municipal sewer with the exception of one area needing approximately 1,000 feet of sewer line extension. The contract will not cover any fees related to legal appeals. The project is expected to take six-months.

 

The annexation laws of North Carolina are very technical which eliminates the study being done in-house. Another advantage to hiring Benchmark CMR is that they will appear on behalf of the Town in regard to any legal appeals.

 

Mayor McElroy stated that he was impressed with how Benchmark CMR handled the last annexation, especially during the informational meetings and public hearings that became very contentious.   

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO ENTER THE CONTRACT WITH BENCHMARK CMR.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

6.    Consideration of a resolution supporting the Clean Water Act of 2007.

Council is in full support of the clean water act as it is one of the most important issues facing North Carolina today.

 

Resolution Number 07-23

Resolution of support for the Clean Water Act of 2007

WHEREAS, North Carolina’s continued prosperity depends on protecting the Sate’s water resources for current use and future generations; and,

WHEREAS, North Carolina is expected to grow by 3.5 million people to exceed 12 million by the year 2030, placing pressures on the State’s water resources and local water providers; and,

WHEREAS, North Carolina’s businesses, traditional and emerging industries all depend on reliable supplies of clean water, reasonable utility costs, well maintained water infrastructure and an attractive natural environment; and

WHEREAS, the 1998 Clean Water Bonds delivered significant benefits to North Carolina communities and citizens, supporting 1,103 projects in 97 counties, which

 

  • Helped create or retain 42,000 jobs
  • Corrected major regulatory violations in 97 communities
  • Addressed failing septic systems and contaminated wells in 59 counties
  • Resulted in 50 communities receiving sewer service for the first time
  • Encouraged regional; efficiencies, sound planning and conservation practices; and,

 

WHEREAS, North Carolina’s public water, sewer and storm water utilities will require investments totaling $16.63 billion to keep pace with necessary improvements and population growth over the next 25 years, including $6.85 billion in investments within the next five years;

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen urges the North Carolina General Assembly to enact the “Clean Water Act of 2007”, which provides for a $500 million bond issue to be expanded over the next five years, and an annual appropriation of $50 million in recurring funding to address urgent needs.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 07-23 SUPPORTING THE CLEAN WATER ACT.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

7.    Consideration of requesting the County to approve the annexation agreement between the Town of Maggie Valley and the Town of Waynesville.

Both the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen and the Waynesville Board of Aldermen adopted the annexation boundary agreement unanimously.  The Waynesville Board has expressed an interest in having the County Commissioners extend the boundary line beyond the three-mile limit.

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO ASK THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO EXTEND THE BOUNDARY LINE BEYOND THE EXISTING THREE-MILE LIMIT COUNTYWIDE.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Manager Barth will inform Council of the date when the issue goes before the County Commissioners for action.

 

8.    Consideration of an advertisement in the 2007 Disabled American Veterans Convention Book.

For the previous past few years, Maggie Valley has supported the Disabled American Veterans by placing an advertisement in the Disabled American Veterans Convention Book.

 

The cost of the advertisement is $135.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO APPROPRIATE $135 FOR THE ADVERTISEMENT.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

9.    Consideration of the number, time, and days for monthly Board of Aldermen meetings.

Issue tabled in prior motion.

 

10.  Consideration of an incentive arrangement with the Chamber of Commerce to increase the  number of events at the Festival Grounds.

Issue tabled in prior motion

 

11.  Consideration of the Haywood County Arts Council Birthday Celebration.

Ms. Collins, the Chamber/Visitors Bureau Director, stated that the objective is to get more participation in Maggie Valley.  There are some events that have been scheduled at Eaglenest Entertainment.  The Arts Council would like to hold their birthday celebration at the Festival grounds on September 22, 2007.  There will be vendors, displays, and the Mark Pruitt Band will be playing throughout the afternoon.  The event will start at noon and end no later than 9:00 p.m.  The Arts Council members have asked if the rental fee could be waived with the Arts Council paying for the stage and electric used during the event.  

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO GRANT THE USE OF THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS AND TO WAIVE THE RENTAL FEE.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

12.  Budget Amendments.

Ordinance number 537 adds $2,800 to the part-time funds in Public Works. This is for part-time summer help to mow and weed-eat.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT ORDINANCE 537.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Ordinance number 538 is an amendment to add $2,976 to the Seasonal Decorations line item.  Colored lights were added due to the request of the Lighting Committee.

 

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 538.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Ordinance number 539 is an amendment to add $3,000 to the Chemicals line item for the wastewater treatment plant. There was a significant increase in the cost of chemicals and a fuel surcharge has been added.

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 539.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

13.  Manager’s Report.

* Manager Barth presented each member with a list of TDA approved funding for events.

The BBQ Festival will be getting $3,000.  Maggie Valley as a whole is getting more funding than they did last year.

*See Attachment 1

The additional 1 cent is needed.  The General Assembly should take action soon.  Haywood County and Maggie Valley will both benefit from the additional funding. There will be quarterly audits on the funding.

 

* Ms. Collins explained that she is working to get Maggie Valley into the market of reunions for families, military, etc. Reunion planners are coming to the area.

 

* The visitors bureau is working to get more going for “Winterfest”.

* Manager Barth has the completed version of the County Master Recreation Plan available for Council review.

 

* A draft copy of the budget will be distributed at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting.  On May 24 at 8:30 a.m., the first budget workshop will be held. 

 

14.  Other Business.

Ghost Town will be opening May 25th .  The week prior to Ghost Town opening, a campaign will start getting everyone into the spirit. Acts will be going on throughout Town.  May 15 the Mayor will present a proclamation and all the elected official and staff are encouraged to dress in western attire.

 

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO PROCLAIM MAY 15 GHOST TOWN IN THE SKY DAY, AND FOR THE TOWN TO PROVIDE THEIR SUPPORT.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO PROCLAIM MAY 1 NURSE APPRECIATION DAY.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Ms. Selena Keller provided a brief summary of the events that will take place at Eagle Nest Entertainment this coming season.  Having the Premier of Ghost Town the Movie at Eagle Nest Entertainment is an incredible opportunity for Maggie Valley.

 

15.  Meeting Adjourned.

ON MOTION OF ALDERMAN EDWARDS, WITH ALL IN FAVOR THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 4:22 P.M.

 

 

___________________________________  _________________________________

Mayor Roger McElroy                                    Vickie Best, CMC, Town Clerk