TOWN OF MAGGIE VALLEY

REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING

JULY 5, 2005

MINUTES

 

Members Present:       Mayor Jo Pinter         Aldermen:       Roger McElroy

                                                                                                Linda Taylor

                                                                                                Phil Aldridge

Members Absent:       Alderman Mark DeMeola

 

Staff Present:              Manager Bob Shepherd, Attorney Chuck Dickson, Public Works Director Mike Mehaffey, Police Chief Scott Sutton, and Town Clerk Vickie Best

 

Others Present:           Dan Massey, Ron DeSimone, Amy Cole, and two other people

 

Meeting Called to Order

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

 

Consent Agenda

            a. Minutes 4/19/05

            b. Resolution Approving Property Liability

            c. Resolution Approving Workmen’s Comp

            d. June Tax Release

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.

 

Non-Compliant Signs

Mr. Byrd addressed Council explaining the following:

<The new owners of Stone Bridge Campground  have agreed to bring their sign into compliance.

<Letters were mailed over one-year ago to all property owners involved with non-compliant signs.

<Letters providing the details of the violation are mailed. The property owner then has the right to appeal the letter of violation within ten (10) days. If no appeal takes place, a notice of fines is mailed certified receipt requested.

< The desired results: collection of fines and prohibiting the sign to exist.

 

Craig Justice, an Attorney with the Van Winkle Law Firm, is an expert in the field of zoning and is often used by the League of Municipalities for the Western end of the State. Mr. Justice will charge approximately $250 per hour for his services.

 

When questioned about the Quality Inn sign, Mr. Byrd responded that the owners are aware of the violation and allowed Moore’s Surveyors to survey the height of the sign in question.

 

Alderman Aldridge asked about grandfathering the Quality Inn sign since it was in place prior to the area being annexed. The sign sits below road grade and is not an “eye sore”.

 

Alderman Taylor felt it would be unfair to the business owners that have spent the time and money bringing their signs into compliance. 

 

There have been discussions about the Quality Inn being altered into condominiums.

 

Alderman Taylor stated that she would like to know if the sign ordinance is enforceable.

 

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PLANNING DIRECTOR TO TALK WITH ATTORNEY CRAIG JUSTICE ABOUT THE ENFORCEABILITY OF THE SIGN ORDINANCE ON BOTH THE QUALITY INN SIGN AND THE RENDEZVOUS  SIGN AND THE ESTIMATED LEGAL COST OF ENFORCEMENT AND REPORT HIS FINDINGS BACK TO COUNCIL.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Phase II Greenways Project (TEA 21 NCDOT Grant)

The approval for construction of the streetscape enhancements on Soco Road is imminent. The project will total $115,000 of which $92,000 will be NCDOT funds.

 

The project includes six crosswalks on Soco Road. Due to seasonal factors, tourism patterns and weather conditions for paving and painting, the following options are available.

 

Advertise/ Bid                         Award Bid                  Construction (est. 90 days)

1. Nov-Dec                             Jan                               Feb-April

2. July                                     September                   Oct-Dec

 

Council asked that Mr. Mehaffey get the estimated cost of installing breakaway lighting in the islands.

 

Boring the highway and installing the encasement is expensive.

 

Council also asked that the painting/striping be maintained.

 

ALDERMAN MCELROY MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER (#1) TIME SCHEDULE AND TO AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO GET THE ESTIMATED COST OF INSTALLING ELECTRIC.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

RFP for Sewer Treatment Plant Engineering Support.

The standard processes are to have an environmental assessment, have engineering completed, and then apply for grant funding.

 

Mr. Mehaffey reminded Council that after this expansion is completed, the Town would be out of land for any future expansions.

 

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO SOLICIT PROPOSALS.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Possible Golden Leaf Foundation Grant: Festival Grounds

The Town is exploring the potential for a Golden Leaf Foundation Grant up to $200,000 to provide needed facilities at the festival grounds.

 

Vice President Patricia Cabe informed Mr. Shepherd that the request is “border line”.  There should be a written strategy for how the festival grounds will help to replace the loss of Ghost Town in regards to tourism and the economic impact to Maggie Valley.

 

Council discussed several ideas, i.e. a structure for local crafters to sell goods on consignment, open-air market for produce, etc.

 

The grant funding originated to replace the loss of tobacco farming. Having an open-air market for the local farmers would be an asset in getting funding.

 

If funding were awarded, electricity could be installed and an open pole structure built for events and the open-air market.

 

ALDERMAN MCELROY MADE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE MANAGER TO PURSUE THE GOLDEN LEAF GRANT FUNDING AND TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM MCGILL ASSOCIATES WITH THE GRANT WRITING FOR A COST UP TO $1,000.

Alderman Taylor asked that the Manager request a Resolution of Support from Haywood County.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Facilities Dedication

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO COMBINE THE DEDICATION OF THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY AND THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS ON AUGUST 16, 2005 BEGINNING AT 5:00 P.M. WITH THE COUNCIL MEETING TO FOLLOW, AND THAT INVITATIONS BE SENT TO THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND THE LODGING ASSOCIATION.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Manager’s Report

Mr. Tim Barth, the new interim Manager will begin work in Maggie Valley in the near future.  In an effort to help Mr. Barth meet some of the local residents and officials, the following motion was made.

 

ALDERMAN MCELROY MADE A MOTION TO HAVE TOWN STAFF PLAN A RECEPTION FOR MR. BARTH ON AUGUST 2, 2005 AT 5:30 P.M.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Other Business

"Alderman Aldridge has received many complaints about solid waste collection. In an attempt to alleviate the discontented residents, Alderman Aldridge asked that staff look at a way for the Town to absorb the cost of trash pick-up. 

 

Part of the problem the Town is seeing is due to the solid waste fee being collected once a year along with the taxes.  Most cities bill for the service monthly through the water/ sewer billing.  Maggie Valley does not have that option.

 

"The Town has completed a major road maintenance project on Riddle Cove Road.

 

"Erosion Control is a problem within the area. Alderman Taylor asked that the Planning Director look into the Tony Waddell project in Valley Creek Run and the Sam McCrary project off Soco Road.

 

Council agreed that erosion control within the area must be improved.  Residents are having neighboring property water runoff flowing into their yards.  Surface water run off has become a major problem within the Valley Creek Run Subdivision.  Council directed the Public Works Director and the Planning Director to investigate the area in question to see if the Town can assist in resolving the dilemma.

 

Mr. Mehaffey will report his findings to Council at the next meeting.

 

" Mr. Woody Harton with Community Assistance will be meeting with staff on July 21, 2005 regarding the proposed Brannon Forest Annexation.

 

ON MOTION BY ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 5:25 P.M.

 

 

_____________________________

     Mayor Jo Pinter

 

_____________________________

Vickie Best, CMC, Town Clerk