Town of Maggie Valley

Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting

September 21, 2004

MINUTES

 

Members Present:          Mayor Jo Pinter               Aldermen:          Linda Taylor

                                                                                                                                                Jim Higel

                                                                                                                                                Mark DeMeola

                                                                                                                                                Phil Aldridge

Staff Present:                     Manager Scott Buffkin, Chief Scott Sutton, Public Works Director Mike Mehaffey, Officer Cabe Carver and Town Clerk Vickie Best

Others Present:                 Approximately 30 people were in-attendance.

 

 

 

Meeting Called to Order

Mayor Pinter called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 in the Town Hall Boardroom.

 

Mr. Dick Hammel gave the invocation and led the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

 

 

Public Announcements

Mayor Pinter announced the upcoming events in and around Maggie Valley.

 

 

Public Comment Period

Ms. Marion Hammel thanked the Town of Maggie Valley for the donation made to the centennial celebrations.

 

Mr. Derrick Cole addressed council reading a letter from the Lodging Association supporting Chris Anthony and his motorcycle rallies.

 

Mr. Jay Ring questioned the video equipment and if the tapes would be available for public review.

 

The videos will be available for the public soon.

 

 

Consent Agenda

                  I.              Approval or Correction of Minutes:               August 3, 2004

                  II.            Release of Taxes:                                                               September 2004

                  III.         Resolution 04-15 & Resolution 04-16 directing the Clerk to investigate the sufficiency of petitions for annexation for The Meadows at Campbell Mountain and McElroy Apartments.

 

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

ALDERMAN HIGEL SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

 

Standards of Behavior Agreement Ground Rules

Ms. Victory Young with Mountain Mediation suggested adopting these ground rules as a beginning.

 

1.             Only one person may speak at a time.

2.             Show respect by listening and remaining silent while others express their views.

3.             No personal attacks or name calling.

4.             No cursing

5.             Each person shall have a chance to speak before anyone has a second “say so”.

6.             Remember it is OK to disagree-just do it respectfully.

7.             There shall be no personal attacks against any fellow board member.

8.             We all agree to make decisions based on our belief of what is best for the majority of the people instead of catering to the demands of special interest groups or individuals.

 

Council decided to wait until after they met with Ms. Young.

 

 

Manager’s Report

No report provided.

 

 

Police Report

Chief Sutton reported no incidents during the last several events.

 

The Maggie Valley Police Department and Public Works Department provided assistance to the towns of Canton and Clyde during the flood. There were areas within the Maggie Valley community that received some flooding with other areas having mud slides. Several churches were opened or available for shelter. Peppertree Resort was evacuated. The worse time of flooding was between midnight and 4:00 a.m.  The Maggie Valley Volunteer Fire Department was essential to the safety and well-being of the Maggie Valley Community. Meetings were held and plans developed between the Fire Department, Forest Service, Maggie Valley Police Department, and the Maggie Valley Public Works Department prior to the storm hitting the area.

 

The Rally in the Valley motorcycle rally was canceled by Mr. Lummus, the promoter, due to the weather conditions. The area was declared a State of Emergency; events expected to draw large crowds were canceled throughout Western North Carolina.

 

Mr. Lummus requested the opportunity to reschedule if time and other scheduled rallies permit.

 

The robbery at the Quality Inn was not reported to the other area motels because the criteria of the robberies were chain motels, 24-hour night clerks, and within close proximity of an interstate.  The suspects were apprehended.   

 

Council directed letters be mailed to the agencies assisting with the Moon Light Race and the agencies helping Maggie Valley during the hurricanes.

 

The audience applauded as Mayor Pinter praised the Fire Department and Police Department for the many long hours spent helping the residents of Maggie Valley and the surrounding areas.

 

 

Construction of a Maintenance Facility

Mr. Mehaffey will provide a presentation at the next regularly scheduled aldermen meeting.

 

 

Appointment of Economic Development Commission Representative

The Economic Development Commission meets the third Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at the Employment Security Commission.

 

Mayor Pinter has attended several meetings with Manager Buffkin. 

 

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO APPOINT MAYOR PINTER TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BOARD. 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

Aldermen DeMeola agreed to attend in Mayor Pinter’s absence.

 

 

Board of Adjustment Interviews

There have been informal discussions about re-joining the planning board and the board of adjustment. After talking briefly about the current status of the two boards and poling both board members in attendance, as well as the planning director; Council determined that the boards would remain separated.

 

Chairman Ring defended the Board of Adjustment members, their dedication, and their decisions, in addition to the need for the Board of Adjustment to remain impartial.

 

All parties agreed that there was a lack of communication between the boards but now that a planning director is in place he will relay information and present the staff’s opinion. 

 

Planning Board Chairman Patricia Tilley stressed the need for the Board of Adjustment to serve the spirit and intent of the ordinances rather than look for loop holes.

 

The Board of Adjustment members felt an attorney’s presence would be a benefit especially on complex issues.

 

Attorney Dickson reiterated that Board of Adjustment decisions are based on facts and rules.

 

Council agreed and encouraged both boards to attend classes, view educational tapes, and read pertinent materials. 

 

Council will begin interviewing all positions on all appointed boards. Council asked that current members interview as well. 

 

Board of Adjustment Chairman Ring declined stating that his service for the past two plus years should suffice.  

 

Council members were encouraged to attend both the Planning board and the Board of Adjustment meetings.

 

Planning Board Chairman Tilley felt the process used to date is adequate.  Each board conducts the interviews and then makes recommendation to Council.

 

Interviews will be conducted September 27, 2004 by the Board of Aldermen.

 

 

Planning Board Off-Premise Sign Discussion

Chairman Tilley provided a list of dates and directives handed down to the Planning Board.  The Planning Board is an advisory board to the Board of Aldermen. The Planning Board members want to gather data and research issues in order for the Board of Aldermen to make the most educated decision possible.

 

Mr. Dan Massey’s petition was vague in the beginning, and then changes were made.  Mr. Massey was working with Manager Buffkin on the issue; but Chairman Tilley felt the planning board had been left out of “the loop”.

 

The Planning Board does not support off-premise signs.  The town has no jurisdiction for businesses outside the corporate limits.

 

Aldermen Aldridge and Higel support allowing businesses outside the corporate limits to have some means of advertising.

 

Due to recent legislation, once a sign is installed it is almost impossible to get them removed. The planning board is requesting more time to research off-premise signs and signs that have chasing lights with animation.

 

Per the ordinance, both issues are required to go back before the planning board.  A public hearing was held August 17, 2004.

 

Event Application: Ghost (Greater Haywood Opportunities Supporting Tourism

In an effort to have events on the festival grounds during the slow times the following applications were submitted:

June 3 through June 6, 2005                     Beach Party

August 5 through August 8, 2005         Shag Weekend

August 19 through August 21, 2005   The Pre Season Bowl

September 26 through October 6, 2005             October Fest

 

                  ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL EVENTS AS PRESENTED.

ALDERMAN HIGEL SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

 

Festival Grounds Proposal

Alderman Higel presented a proposal to take the aldermen out of the daily running of the festival grounds. The aldermen will appoint three members and the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce will appoint three members to a festival committee to oversee the grounds and seek events.  Alderman Higel is proposing the committee getting sixty (60) sponsors to pay $1,000 per year thus making the land payment.  Alderman Higel feels tax dollars should not be used to pay for the grounds. The festival committee would get a 12’ x12’ foot booth at each event to provide information and solicit promoters.

 

At the same time, there were members that want the committee set-up to meet state guidelines in order to seek grant funding and have taxing authority if the lodging community so desired.

 

Alderman DeMeola applauded Aldermen Higel’s vision and agreed with relieving the taxpayers of the burden.  Alderman DeMeola felt the committee should consist of a broader coalition.     

 

Council went on to discuss different organizations being able to work together toward improving tourism in Maggie Valley as a whole.

 

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO FORM A DMO BASED ON STATE GUIDELINES WITH SIX MEMBERS AND A CHAIRMAN THAT VOTES IN THE EVENT OF A TIE.

ALDERMAN HIGEL HESITANTLY SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Ms. Hammel spoke from the floor stating that council needed to look at people rather than at groups.

 

ALDERMAN TAYLOR MADE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING PERSONNEL.

ALDERMAN DEMEOLA SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Council entered closed session at 9:20 p.m.

 

COUNCIL CAME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION AT 9:35 ON MOTION BY ALDERMAN TAYLOR, SECONDED BY ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE, ALL IN FAVOR.

 

ALDERMAN ALDRIDGE MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 9:38 P.M.

ALDERMAN HIGEL SECONDED THE MOTION.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________________

            Jo Pinter, Mayor

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________________

           Vickie Best, CMC

                  Town Clerk