Town Council Regular Meeting Summary - November 4, 2025

Town Council Meeting Summary Sign

Thank you to those who joined us for the Town Council Meeting held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

  • The meeting was held at the temporary Town Hall at the Landings, 920 Buffalo Creek Road, Lake Lure, NC 28746.

  • The public was invited to attend. 

  • A summary of the meeting is included here for those who could not attend.  (These are not formal minutes which will be included in the next month's meeting packet.

  • For additional information, you may download the meeting packet.

I. Call to Order

Mayor Pritchett called the meeting to order and thanked those in attendance for joining the meeting. 

Commissioner Proctor led the Pledge of Allegiance and Commissioner Bryant led the Invocation.

II. Agenda Adoption

The meeting agenda was adopted as posted.

III. Mayor’s Communication

Mayor Pritchett highlighted the fact that the lake was coming back.  She mentioned that we are working to be able to have the collegiate rowing teams back into town in March 2026.  She advised that the Town was in great shape to be able to reopen the lake as proposed in recent weeks. We are grateful for all the hard work that has been completed by the USACE and Contractors.

IV. Town Manager’s Communication

A. Monthly Report: Town Manager Olivia Stewman provided the following report to council and the community.

  • Cell Tower: The foundation for the cell tower is completed and will be working on the remaining parts along with antennas from cell companies. This is set to be completed by early 2026.

  • Tainter Gate Repairs: Informal bids for the Tainter gate repairs are due by November 17, 2025. Work has been set to be completed by February 8, 2025.

  • Comprehensive Planning: We will have a public input session for the Comprehensive Plan at The Landings tomorrow, 11/5/25 from 4-7 pm. A round table discussion is planned for a later date.

  • New Playground in Morse Park: The Kaboom playground installation has been completed and it looks great.

  • Fire Station II Construction: Upgrades to Fire Station II (formerly Fairfield Mountains Volunteer Fire Departnent) are set to begin. Once they are complete, if we our application for the SAFER grant is approved, we will be able to hire 4 additional firefighters. 

  • Replacement Bridge over Dam: The replacement of the bridge over the dam is still moving forward through NC DOT.

  • Volunteer Board Members: Board applications are needed for open Board positions.   If anyone is interested, please contact Olivia Stewman or Kimberly Martin.

B. Storm Recovery Updates

  • Marina Boardwalk: The bid for the Marina Boardwalk will be presented at this evening's meeting and will move forward with replacement.

  • Boys Camp Road Bridge Design: The Boys Camp Road bridge design is almost complete and the next step will be a contract to complete the work.  We hope to be able to begin the project in the first quarter of 2026.

  • US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): The USACE is set to complete their work by November 20, 2025. Currently they are working to redistribute the remaining sediment in the Morse Park area. The debris on the shoreline will be addressed by the Town/State.

  • Proctor Road Street Paving:  The street paving for Proctor Road is set to begin on November 17, 2025, weather permitting. 

  • Demolition: Demolition of 2 private properties is underway. Currently, the Town has received 9 lake structure demolition denials. Town officials are working to appeal these and foresee the remaining ones to be denied as well. The Town is working on a back-up plan in case the appeals are denied as well.

V. Council Liaison Reports and Comments

  • ABC Board: Commissioner Doster reported that the ABC Board met on October 20, 2025. Currently there are 24 bottles of the Chimney Rock "barrel pick" liquor and 12 bottles of the Lake Lure "barrel pick" liquor left. They will have a Bat Cave special bottle soon.  

  • Board of Adjustment: Commissioner DiOrio advised that the Board met and staff is focusing on special use permits and being sure that owners are being compliant.

  • Lake Structure Appeals Board:  No Comment 

  • Lake Advisory Board: Commissioner DiOrio reported that the Board is working to have all things in place once the Lake comes back up for use including non-motorized permits.

  • Parks and Recreation Board: Commissioner Jim Proctor reported that the Parks and Rec Board did not meet this month, but did record 1,519 volunteer hours.

  • Short-term Rental Board: Commissioner Patrick Bryant advised that the Short Term Rental Board met and continue to review and make changes to the process. Rutherford County will be sending out mailers to help identify vacation rental through out the County. Also, they are making recommendations to the Zoning and Planning Board to look at including condos/duplex in the permitting processes. The TDA is looking into software to better track vacations rentals and the board will continue to work to better those in Lake Lure.

  • Zoning and Planning Board: Commissioner Doster met and continue working on the sign ordinance. This review is ongoing.  

VI. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of October 2025 Minutes: The minutes were approved. 

B. Resolution No. 25-11-04 for 2025-2026 Dredging Grant: The following resolution as approved.

RESOLUTION NO. 25-11-04

RESOLUTION BY THE TOWN OF LAKE LURE TOWN COUNCIL FOR THE 2025-2026

GENERAL NAVIGATION DREDGING GRANT

WHEREAS, the Town of Lake Lure desires to sponsor, the Town of Lake Lure General Navigation Dredging Project. This project is projected to remove approximately 40,000 cubic yards of sediment via dredging from the Broad River and Lake Lure, improving general navigation and boater safety in an area of the lake that experiences significant impact from upstream sedimentation, impeding access to the Town marina and public launch ramp.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council of the Town of Lake Lure:

1) The Town requests the State of North Carolina to provide financial assistance to the Town of Lake Lure for the Town of Lake Lure General Navigation Dredging Project in the amount of $ 750,000 or 75 percent of project construction cost, whichever is the lesser amount;

2) The Town assumes full obligation for payment of the balance of project costs;

3) The Town will obtain all necessary State and Federal permits;

4) The Town will comply with all applicable laws governing the award of contracts and the expenditure of public funds by local governments.

5) The Town will supervise construction of the project to assure compliance with permit conditions and to assure safe and proper construction according to approved plans and specifications;

6) The Town will obtain appropriate easements, rights-of-way or suitable dredge material disposal areas that may be necessary for the construction and operation of the project without cost or obligation to the State;

7) The Town will ensure that the project is open for use by the public on an equal basis with limited restrictions (if on public property);

8) The Town will hold the State harmless from any damages that may result from the construction, operation and maintenance of the project;

9) The Town accepts responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the completed project.

READ, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 4th day of November, 2025.

C. Budget Amendment #378: A budget amendment is being requested for consideration and approval regarding additional funding needed for the insurance line item in the 2025-2026 annual budget.

  • Insurance premiums have been billed to the Town beyond the projected amounts originally recommended in the 2025-2026 FY annual budget-General Fund.
  • The main cause of this increase is the additional equipment and property acquired for Station 2 of the Lake Lure Fire District as well as other replacement equipment throughout the Town. Staff request approval of request for budget amendment.

The full consent agenda was approved. 

VII. Unfinished Business

There was no Unfinished Business.

VIII. New Business

A. Consider Bid Award for the Marina and Boardwalk:

  • The Town received four bids for the construction of the Marina and Boardwalk.
  • A Town staff committee comprised of the Town Manager, Finance Director, Parks, Recreation, and Lake Director, Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and the Town Clerk met to review and evaluate each proposal.
  • After careful consideration, the committee recommends that Council award the contract to Construction Specialties & Design Builders, Inc., (CSDB).
  • CSDB submitted the lowest responsible and responsive bid and has been deemed qualified based on price, quality, past performance, and ability to complete the project within the specified timeline.
  • The next step is to have the contract finalized and ready for Council’s consideration at the November work session.

B. Consider Amendment 3 to Labella Task 5 for Administrative Services: 

  • LaBella has been assisting the Town with administrative services under the existing task order, most recently focusing on DWI funding applications and the Collection System NPDES application.
  • To continue these efforts, an increase under Task 5 is necessary.
  • Under Amendment 3, LaBella is recommending an additional $25,000 to support these services.
  • This amount includes approximately $5,000 to $7,000 to complete the remaining DWI application work, with the balance allocated for future administrative support as needed.

The amendment was approved.

IX. Public Comment: 

The public was invited to speak.  There were no public comments.

X. Closed Session: 

A Closed Session was held in accordance with G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (5) for the purpose of discussing property acquisition.

XI. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned following the Closed Session.

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