TOWN OF MAGGIE VALLEY

SPECIAL CALLED BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING

JUNE 23, 2005

MINUTES

 

Members Present:       Mayor Jo Pinter, Aldermen: Linda Taylor, Phil Aldridge, Roger McElroy and Mark DeMeola

 

Staff Present:              Manager Bob Shepherd, Planning Director Kevin Byrd, and Deputy Town Clerk Shayne Wheeler

 

Zoning Board of Adjustment Members Present:       Chairman Jay Ring, Phil Wight, Ron DeSimone, Torry Pinter, Dean Tomlinson, Connie Dennis and Garrett Anderson.

 

 

Meeting Called to Order

Mayor Pinter called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. for the purpose of discussing issues with the Zoning Board members.  Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Byrd will facilitate the meeting.

 

The ground rules:

 

Issues:

·      If Chair has a problem with Council present it to the Board of Aldermen before going public.

·      Communication: Follow proper channels: Appointment Process

·      Need for checks and balances

·      Zoning Board members get involved with issues before issues are presented at the meeting.

·      Conflict of Interest

·      Vendettas

·      Town being dictated by one person or small group.

·      Be united and help get focused on Maggie Valley

·      Concerns about the codes not being enforced across the board i.e. evenly & fairly

·      Threats against board members

·      Independence of each member: no self gain

·      Negativity outside town hall dealing with rumors

·      Working with town staff

·      Chain of Command

·      Listening is very important

·      Overstepping job duties

Top Three Issues:

1) Process for Chain to Communicate with Board of Aldermen before made public

·      The Zoning Board has not requested any meeting with the Board of Aldermen prior to getting up in a public meeting when the Board of Aldermen are caught off-guard without an understanding of events.

·      Don’t use public forum to attack Board of Aldermen

·      Zoning Board felt they did not have a forum to talk to Alderman

·      Zoning Board had meeting in February but Aldermen cancelled

·      Zoning Board willing to work with Aldermen to establish rules.

 

The Chairman of the Board should go to the Manager to discuss any issues of concern.  The Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem could attend to help resolve issues if needed.

 

Both Boards agreed that communication is a problem.

 

2)  Appointment Process:

·      Application process is adequate

·      Aldermen should interview potential members

·      All potential members should interview unless waived by Aldermen

·      If a potential member can not attend, it should be put in writing to be given to Aldermen

·      Need to have adequate time to respond if can’t attend

·      Next day delivery of appointment letter: to be delivered by Police

 

Code Enforcement:

·      Code enforcement is not an issue between the Boards

·      All Board Members should be in compliance with the ordinances

·      Needs should be addressed to the Manager or Planning Director then if need be go onto the Board of Aldermen Agenda

 

3) The process established for issue 1 addresses issue 3 i.e. checks and balances

 

As for conflict of interest, public perception should be considered even if allowed to vote.

 

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENTS OF GARRETT ANDERSON AND CONNIE DENNIS.

MOTION CARRIED.

ALDERMAN MCELROY MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 7:50 P.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING PERSONNEL.

 

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO COME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION AT 8:15 P.M.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE INTERIM POSITION TO TIM BARTH EFFECTIVE JUNE 27TH FOR $55,000 PER YEAR TO BE REVIEWED AFTER SIX MONTHS. MR. BARTH WILL HAVE USE OF THE TOWN VEHICLE TO TRAVEL TO SPINDALE ON THE WEEKENDS.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Alderman Taylor questioned if any Board Members had the opportunity to talk with the people that backed out of buying Ghost Town.  The Town missed an opportunity that may never come this way again.  The investors pulled out from the purchase due to the conflict among the Town Officials.

 

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION AT 8:20 P.M. FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO COME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION AT 8:40 P.M.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

ALDERMAN MCELROY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 8:40 P.M.

 

 

_________________________________

         Jo Pinter, Mayor

 

 

_________________________________

        Vickie Best, CMC, Town Clerk