TOWN OF MAGGIE VALLEY

REGULARLY SCHEDULED BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING

SEPTEMBER 19, 2006

MINUTES

 

Members Present:         Mayor Roger McElroy Aldermen:         Mark DeMeola

                                                                                                            Saralyn Price

                                                                                                            Colin Edwards

                                                                                                            Phil Aldridge

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

Others Present: Approximately 10 people

 

Meeting Called to Order

Mayor McElroy called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. in the Town Hall Boardroom.

 

Consent Agenda

a.  Tax Releases.

b.  Correction and Approval of Minutes for September 5, 2006.

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

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Appearance of Amanda Bolin, Miss North Carolina Coed.

Miss Amanda Bolin, Miss North Carolina Coed 2006, as well as a native of Maggie Valley, addressed Council asking for their support in the National Pageant.  Miss Bolin won the North Carolina Pageant for most photogenic and her talent for writing and public speaking.  Being a native of Maggie Valley, Miss Bolin will talk about Maggie Valley in her speech for the National Pageant. In December 2006, Miss Bolin will enter North Carolina State University to major in fashion and product management.  Miss Bolin has offered to appear at all Chamber events, in full dress, for the next year as an added attraction.  The cost to sponsor Miss Bolin in the National Pageant is $300.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO NAME MISS BOLIN MISS MAGGIE VALLEY COED AND TO SPONSOR MISS BOLIN IN THE UPCOMING NATIONALS FOR THE SPEECH PORTION OF THE PAGEANT TO INCLUDE THE $300 SPONSORSHIP.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Council congratulated Miss Bolin, reiterating their support.

 

Public Hearing on Annexation of James & Stephanie Tyrell, 227 Creekside Drive,

Parcel #7697-21-0010, (1.982 acres).

Consideration of Ordinance No. 487 to annex 227 Creekside Drive.

Mayor McElroy opened the Public Hearing at 6:48 p.m.

There being no comments from the floor, Mayor McElroy closed the hearing at 6:48 p.m.

 

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO ANNEX THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Public Hearing on Annexation of Andy & Linda Taylor, 1728 Moody Farm Road

Parcel #7697-07-1339, (3.7924 acres).

Consideration of Ordinance No. 488 to annex 1728 Moody Farm Road.

Mayor McElroy opened the Public Hearing at 6:49 p.m.

 

There were no comments from the floor.

 

Mayor McElroy closed the hearing at 6:49 p.m. to entertain a motion from Council.

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE ANNEXATION UNTIL COUNCIL HAS MORE INFORMATION FOR THE TOWN AND THE PLANNING BOARD.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Public Hearing on Annexation of Barbara Hage, 35 The Trail,

Parcel #7697-51-2395, (0.9801 acres).

Consideration of Ordinance No. 489 to annex 35 the Trail.

Mayor McElroy opened the Public Hearing at 6:50 p.m.

 

There being no comments from the floor, Mayor McElroy closed the hearing to entertain a motion from Council at 6:50 p.m.

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FOR ANNEXATION.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Discussion concerning the criteria for Special Events Permits.

Checklist for Special Event Permit to Include Outdoor Sales

 

In order to be able to get a Special Event Permit, which would include authorization to have outdoor sales, you must be able to answer the following questions, as shown.  The intent is to protect the Town citizens and businesses from any event that would cause an undue hardship.

 

Conditions that have to be met to obtain a Special Event Permit:

 

- There must be some kind of event.  No one can merely have vendors set up outside                                          without it being connected to some type of event.

 

- Are there outside vendors anticipated for the event?  If there are not outside vendors

anticipated, then that is one less item to consider.

 

-  What types of items will the vendors be selling?  The items cannot be of a type that

would be offensive to the general public.

 

-  Will your event have excessive noise?  The Town has a noise ordinance and if you are

not certain of its provisions, you should become familiar with it.

 

-  Will your event require additional security?  If additional security is needed, then who

will be providing it, and approximately how many personnel will be involved?  Any

event that will require the Town to have additional police presence must reimburse

the Town for additional police expenses.

 

- Are there any additional expenses you foresee for the Town?  The Town needs to know if it is going to have to have additional help as it relates to the event.

 

-  Will additional sanitary facilities be needed?  The Town cannot have large outdoor

events unless it is assured that there are adequate sanitary facilities in place.

 

-  The final condition that must be met is that the event cannot be the same as what would be

going on at the Festival Grounds.  As an example, if there is a motorcycle rally at

the Festival Grounds, there cannot be a motorcycle rally anywhere else on the

same weekend.  Any other type of event, (i.e. Craft Fair, Bluegrass Festival,

Antique Tractor Show, etc.) will be acceptable, it just cannot be the same type of

event as what is occurring at the Festival Grounds.

 

Alderman Price stated that the criteria proposed is not what she had in mind when the motion was made. Alderman Price asked that Manager Barth check with the League of Municipalities as well as other municipalities about the type of criteria /standards they have in place.

 

Manager Barth explained that the League of Municipalities does not have documentation, as such, because few towns have festival grounds like Maggie Valley. Manager Barth will submit a request for information to the Manager’s List Serve to get responses.  

 

Alderman Aldridge agreed that he too, would like to see examples from other municipalities.

 

Mayor McElroy felt requirements need to be in place in order to begin issuing Special Event Permits.

 

Attorney Dickson made it clear that Council can amend the criteria at any time.  Alderman DeMeola agreed that adopting the criteria presented would help Smoky Falls Lodge.

 

Alderman Price asked that the criteria be amended (after research is completed) to show more of the legal aspect on the right to permit or deny an event.

 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CHECKLIST FOR SPECIAL EVENTS AS MANAGER BARTH HAS COMPILED.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Consideration of a grass retaining wall versus a keystone block retaining wall for the proposed Maggie Valley I.C. Sutton Police Department building site.

Mayor McElroy was unable to visit the site with the grass retaining wall due to commitments to help with the Town Fall Decoration Program.

 

Alderman Aldridge felt that the cost factor was the biggest issue. He liked the grass wall and that little maintenance was required. 

 

Manager Barth reported that William Dechant, the architect for the project, called to inform him that the cost for the keystone wall would be between $17 and $19 per square foot installed.

 

Mayor McElroy asked that a confirmed price be obtained from both Mr. Edwards and Dechant, and then Council can make a decision at the next meeting.

 

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE ISSUE UNTIL THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Appearance of Dan Massey to request funding for a Christmas lighting contest.

In an attempt to increase winter tourism, Mr. Massey informed Council that he and Ms. Tammy Wight have been working together to form a Christmas Lighting Contest.  This is popular among resort towns and draws many people to visit to see the lights and enjoy the activities. The Chamber of Commerce and the Lodging Association have agreed to participate as well as sponsor the contest. The Civic Association has shown an interest but has not committed. The Chamber of Commerce informed Mr. Massey that the lighting contest does not meet TDA funding criteria. Mr. Massey stated that he would be willing to invest his own money for the contest.

 

The contest will be for all residents and commercial businesses along US-19 within the Town and ETJ area.  The prize money will be $500 for 1st place winner, $300 for 2nd place, and $200 for 3rd place.  The committee members awarding the prizes will be composed of people from each entity providing funding.  Mr. Massey asked if the Town would donate $250.

 

Mayor McElroy made the following suggestions:

●Purchase lights in quantity for a better price.

●Attempt to get Lowes or another retail store to sponsor the program to get the lights at a cheaper cost.

●Purchase as much lighting as possible after Christmas at a discounted price for the following year.

 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO DONATE THE REQUESTED $250 FOR THE LIGHT CONTEST.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Alderman Price will sit on the committee representing the Town.

 

Request for a Special Event Permit for an event at Smoky Falls Lodge.

Both Manager Barth and Mr. Clark spoke with the owner of Smoky Falls Lodge regarding the requested special event. The event will be held on the grounds in front of the lodge. There will be a live band, chainsaw art, and food.  It has not been confirmed, but Popcorn Sutton may be present doing a demonstration.  Manager Barth was not sure of the nature of the demonstration. The media will be present.

 

ALDERMAN PRICE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL EVENTS PERMIT FOR SMOKY FALLS LODGE CONTINGENT ON ALL STATE AND ABC LAWS BEING MET.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Consideration of naming two persons as alternates to Parks, Recreation and Festival Advisory Committee.

Alderman Aldridge stated that he was under the impression that five applicants had applied and that the Aldermen were in charge of appointing members to all committees and boards. The remaining Council members indicated that they were under the same impression.

 

Mr. Massey, a member of the PRFAC, spoke from the floor, stating that he thought the rules had been changed to allow the board/committees to conduct interviews and recommend the applicants the committee felt they could work with.  Mr. Massey stated that both candidates that were recommended were willing to dedicate the time and had the knowledge and interest to bring events to the festival grounds.

 

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THE ISSUE UNTIL FURTHER RESEARCH IS DONE ON THE SELECTION PROCESS.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Consideration of naming someone to serve on the CCC (Commission for a Clean County).

In years past, Mayor McElroy had served on the CCC.  He felt the commission did a lot for Haywood County and was a worthwhile commission to serve. Manager Barth informed Council that the commission had asked him to serve and had informed him that they will be doing a project in Maggie Valley on October 14.

 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT MANAGER BARTH TO THE COMMISSION FOR A CLEAN COUNTY.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Manager’s Report.

► Manager Barth informed Council that the October 17 regularly scheduled meeting could possible conflict with Council returning from the League Convention in Greensboro.

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO RESCHEDULE THE OCTOBER 17 MEETING UNTIL OCTOBER 24 AT 6:30 P.M.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

► Manager Barth and Mr. Clark met with Dale Pennell from McGill Associates regarding the streetscape project. The project had to go to bid a second time due to the first round of bids coming in at a higher cost than the money allocated. The project was redefined and sent out for bid again. More information should be available in the next three weeks.

 

 ► The Town previously submitted a request for assistant funding from the Haywood County Economic Development Commission for the Buxton Study (marketing plan). Mark Clasby, the Executive Director for Haywood County EDC, was informed that new regulations for USDA funding would go into effect October 1 for these type projects.  Mr. Clasby has agreed to complete the grant application and submit on Maggie Valley’s behalf.  The Town, EDC, and USDA could possibly be funding the project.    

 

Other Business.

Mayor McElroy informed Council that members of the community have asked that the Town sponsor the Greens Fair as part of Christmas in the Valley.  The Civic Association has sponsored the show for the past 16 to 18 years but has now decided not to participate.  The Fair always makes money and brings people to Maggie Valley.  During the same time, the “Kids Shopping Spree” is held.  This provides local kids the opportunity to shop and get their gifts wrapped at very little cost.  The request is to continue to allow the Greens Fair to be held at the Community Center free of charge and a donation of $1,000 to be used as seed money to get the needed materials to make the wreaths, etc.  Ms. Terry Audette and Shirley Hilyer agreed that if the Town would donate the seed money for this year they would repay the funds after the fair is over because as earlier stated, there is always a profit.

 

Council agreed that it was beneficial to the Town during the holidays for both visitors and local residents. 

 

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO SPONSOR THE EVENT AND TO GIVE $1,000 FOR SEED MONEY AND THAT AFTER CHRISTMAS COUNCIL WILL DECIDE IF THE MONEY SHOULD BE REPAID OR USED FOR NEXT YEAR’S EVENT.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Manager Barth informed Council that a voting delegate and an alternate delegate needed to be appointed to attend the business meeting at the NC League of Municipalities Conference.

 

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT MANAGER BARTH AS THE VOTING DELEGATE AND ALDERMAN PRICE AS THE ALTERNATE MEMBER.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Alderman Edwards informed Council that Gene Lummus had called him and talked with him about his concerns regarding the festival grounds.  Mr. Lummus asked that the Board have a work session to discuss the issues.  Mr. Lummus is out of town for the next two weeks.  Alderman Edwards asked if a work session could be scheduled after Mr. Lummus returns from his trip.

 

A workshop was scheduled for October 24 at 10:00 a.m.

 

Public Comment

Dan Massey addressed Council asking them to keep personalities out of the selection of candidates for the PRFAC.  Mr. Massey, as a member, felt the Committee needed members willing to work to bring festivals to Town and that it should not matter if Council likes or dislikes someone as long as the goal of getting promoters to come to Maggie Valley is accomplished. 

 

 The waterfall dedication will be held October 3 at 1:00 p.m. Manager Barth and the Clerk will create an agenda for the event.

 

Meeting Adjourned

ALDERMAN EDWARDS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 7:35 P.M.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

 

__________________________________

Mayor Roger McElroy

 

 

___________________________________

Vickie Best, CMC, Town Clerk