Town Council Work Session and Action Meeting Summary - Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 8:30 a.m.

Town Council Special Work Session-Action Meeting Summary Sign

Thank you to those who attended the Town Council Work Session and Action Meeting on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - 8:30 a.m. The meeting was held at the Lake Lure Fire Department at 622 Memorial Highway. 

The following is a summary of the meeting.  Please note that these are not formal minutes which will be posted in the following month's meeting packet. 

I. Call to Order

Mayor Carol Pritchett called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone in attendance.

II. Agenda Adoption

The agenda was approved as posted.

III. Review Draft Text Amendments Ordinances

Resolution No. 25-07-08 was approved to schedule three public hearings for proposed text amendments, to be held during the regular Town Council meeting on August 12, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

  • Prior to the hearings, Council reviewed the draft text amendment proposals to identify and address any necessary revisions.

  • A Public Hearing will be held on 8/12/25 at 5:00 p.m. to review the amendments. 

  • The Public Hearing will be held at The Landings of Lake Lure on Buffalo Shoals Road, Lake Lure, NC 28746. 

IV. Consider Amendment to 2025 Meeting Locations for Town Council, Marine Commission, Zoning and Planning board, BOA/LSAB, Short-term Rental Advisory Board, and ABC Board to Relocate to The Landings Beginning August

Beginning in August, the Town of Lake Lure will begin operating out of The Landings located at 920 Buffalo Creek Road.

  • This new facility includes a dedicated meeting space for the Town Council and advisory boards.

  • Accordingly, the Town Council, Marine Commission, ABC Board, BOA/LSAB, Short Term Rental Advisory Board, and Zoning and Planning Board will hold their meetings at The Landings starting in August.

  • The Lake Advisory Board and Parks and Recreation Board will continue to meet at the Parks, Recreation, and Lake Offices.

V. Review and Discuss Preliminary Draft of Flow Allocation Policy

On March 15, 2022, the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) placed the Town of Lake Lure under a sewer moratorium, prohibiting the addition of new waste to the Lake Lure Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), under the authority of NCGS 143-215.67.

  • The moratorium remains in effect until the Town is able to demonstrate that its system can adequately treat additional flow.

  • On April 1, 2025, the Town requested approval for a new flow allocation totaling 84,000 gallons per day (GPD). On May 23, 2025, the Division approved this allocation.

  • Staff is recommending a policy that governs the allocation of wastewater treatment capacity, with the goal of ensuring that the Town’s limited capacity is used efficiently and equitably, with priority given to residents and developments within municipal limits.

  • There has been discussion regarding a proposal to bring a new community of tiny homes near Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure on Buffalo Creek Road. 

  • This proposal has not been presented to Town Council and would need to be presented for consideration. 

  • There was a discussion about the proposed policy.  Edits will be made and the policy will be presented for review again at the August Town Council Work Session and Action Meeting.

  • A motion was passed to disallow any out-of-town connections until Town Council reviews them. 

  • The rate for out-of-town capacity is ($3.05 Waynesville, NC)  

  • There was a discussion about fees. A recommendation was made to treat all out-of-town customers the same. We will not be treating Chimney Rock for two years since they have their temporary wastewater treatment plant. 

  • The edits from the discussion will be incorporated into the next draft and presented for review at the next month's Work Session Meeting. 

VI. Hager Strategic Solutions Updates

Mr. Hagar was unable to attend the meeting as he is still in Raleigh.

VII. Storm Recovery Updates

Ms. Stewman presented an overview of the updates from the FEMA meeting 7/22/25: 

  • FEMA Public Assistance (PA) is working with the Town to move the permanent repairs for the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) forward as a Version 0 project, which allows us to receive funding for architectural and engineering (A&E) services.

  • A task order with LaBella was previously approved by Town Council, contingent upon FEMA funding.

  • Once this project is officially obligated, LaBella will be able to proceed with the design work. It is our position—and that of our engineer—that the appropriate permanent repair for the WWTP is a full replacement of the facility, rather than piecemeal repairs to the existing plant, which is not feasible.

  • We have begun the process for drawing down funds on our Category Z projects.

  • Category Z refers to management costs associated with administering FEMA Public Assistance grants.

  • These reimbursements help cover staff time, consultant costs, and other administrative expenses directly related to disaster recovery project management.

  • Category Z funding is drawn down on a quarterly basis and is calculated as 5% of the total obligated FEMA funding during that quarter.

  • One additional project has been obligated for permanent repairs to the water supply system, totaling $9,681.02.

  • This includes repairs to the Bottomless Pools waterline, the Lake View waterline, and electrical repairs for the 80 Tank pump.

  • Several other projects are currently under review by FEMA. While the process continues to move slowly, we are seeing progress, and these projects are inching closer to obligation.

    • Diving Operations at the Dam ($700K range)
    • Flowering Bridge Demo: Version 0 - will have to argue costs. 
    • Community Center/Welcome Center: Came back at $160,000, which is far too low.
    • Marina Docks
    • Lake bouys and booms.

VIII. Town Manager/Project Updates

Washburn Tank Cover Replacement: Approved and back on line. 

  • The Town has been working with LaBella Associates to design and replace the 20,000-gallon tank cover for the Washburn Tank.
  • The Authorization to Construct was issued on December 7, 2023, following the Water Tank Reconditioning Plan approval on November 7, 2023.
  • Although the project experienced delays due to Tropical Storm Helene, progress has continued. The engineer’s certification was issued, and a request for final approval was submitted to NCDEQ on June 17, 2025.
  • Water testing was completed and yielded satisfactory results.
  • Final approval from NCDEQ was issued on July 11, 2025, officially marking the project's completion.

Dam:

  • The Town continues to pursue funding opportunities for the replacement of the Lake Lure Dam, while actively implementing necessary measures to maintain and preserve the existing structure.
  • Communications Director Laura Krejci recently re-submitted the FEMA High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) grant application for 30% design work on the replacement dam, as the Town nears completion of the current grant-funded field testing project.
  • In addition, Schnabel Engineering is developing the scope of Work Order 16, which includes the design of repairs to the dam’s concrete ogee and the installation of new rubber seals along the base of the tainter gates.
  • We are also proud to share that the Town has been selected to receive the 2025 Southeast Regional Dam Safety Award from the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO).
  • This recognition highlights the Town’s efforts on the Low-Level Outlet Project, its proactive response to Hurricane Helene, and its ongoing commitment to securing funding for a longterm dam solution.

Sewer:

  • LaBella has submitted an updated Environmental Report/Environmental Information Document (ER/EID) for the sewer replacement project, which is currently under review by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). NCDEQ has provided initial comments and questions, which LaBella is actively addressing.
  • In preparation for upcoming phases of the project, the Town has also begun communicating with several residents to discuss potential easement needs.
  • The Town continues to work closely with the North Carolina Division of Water Infrastructure (NC DWI) and neighboring communities to pursue a grant that will fund a study on the potential impacts and benefits of a regionalized sewer system.
  • Additionally, we are collaborating with NC DWI to secure supplemental State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing, which is expected to include principal forgiveness.
  • The West End Sewer Restoration Project remains in progress to reestablish service for properties west of the Memorial Bridge that have been without utilities since Tropical Storm Helene. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the project has experienced delays.
  • At this time, we anticipate that most affected customers will have their utilities restored by August.

Temporary Town Hall/Police Department:

  • The Town Council has approved a month-to-month lease agreement with The Landings to support continued operations while the Town and FEMA work together to identify a permanent solution for the damaged municipal facilities.
  • We anticipate that Town staff will be fully operational at The Landings beginning in August. 
  • Starting in August, all Town Council and advisory board meetings—with the exception of the Lake Advisory Board (LAB) and the Parks and Recreation Board—will also be held at this new location.
  • LAB and Parks and Recreation Board meetings will continue to be held at the Parks, Recreation, and Lake Offices.

Comprehensive Plan:

  • The Town has officially initiated the Comprehensive Plan process. To help guide this important effort, an 11-member steering committee has been established. In addition to advising on the overall process, committee members will help promote community engagement, review draft materials, and serve as a vital connection between the public, planning staff, and Town leadership.
  • The steering committee will begin meeting prior to the public input phase.
  • These early meetings will help establish the framework and key themes to ensure that public engagement is inclusive, focused, and productive. The public will have multiple opportunities to participate in shaping the plan, including through surveys, community input sessions, and town hall meetings—anticipated to begin in October.

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant

  • Chief Waycaster, in coordination with ICF, has successfully submitted an application for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant.
  • The grant request seeks funding to support the hiring of four full-time firefighters. These additional personnel will be vital to strengthening public safety services in Lake Lure, particularly in light of the Town’s recent expansion of fire service coverage to include the former Fairfield district.

IX. Public Comment

  • Pat Buede (Memorial Highway, Lake Lure): Ms. Buede made several excellent suggestions to help make the town more money, including a recommendation to charge vacation rentals commercial water and sewer rates. Town Council thanked her for her thoughtful recommendations.

X. Closed Session in Accordance with G.S. 143-318-11(a) for Attorney Client Privilege

Town Council held a closed session. 

XI. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned.