Town Council Regular Meeting Summary - Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Thank you to those who joined us for the Lake Lure Regular Town Council Meeting on March 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. 

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

• The public was invited to attend the meeting. 

• The following is a summary of meeting for those who could not attend.  Note that these are not formal minutes which will be included in the following month's Town Council Meeting packet. 

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

I. Call to Order

Mayor Carol Pritchett called the meeting to order. 

A. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation: Everyone stood and receipted the Pledge of Allegiance and Commissioner Bryant gave the invocation.

II. Agenda Adoption

The agenda was adopted as posted here. One item was added for a closed session. 

III. Mayor’s Communication

• Lake Lure looks better and better.  We are so thankful for all those who have helped us get to this point.

• Mayor Pritchett expressed appreciation for the community's support and patience throughout the lake restoration efforts over the past 18 months.

• She noted that the lake's continued improvement is evident daily and emphasized that the success is a collective effort involving many community members and groups rather than any single individual or organization.

• The Mayor expressed confidence in the positive trajectory for the coming year and thanked all participants for their dedication to the project.

• She reminded Board Members of the Advisory Board Luncheon scheduled for 3/18/26. 

IV. Town Manager’s Communication

A. Monthly Report/Storm Recovery Updates: Town Manager Olivia Stewman shared the following updates. 

• Refilling the Lake: The current Lake Level is 982.3 and is continuing to rise.

  • The Town began refilling Lake Lure on February 6, 2026, marking the first step toward restoring the lake to full pond (990.5 Mean Sea Level).  We hope to be able to reopen the lake by Memorial Weekend. 

  • Refilling the lake depends on the weather and the amount of rain we receive.  

• Shoreline Debris Removal: Public Works staff completed shoreline debris cleanup in the past week and removed approximately 400 cubic yards of debris. 

• SMART Program: The state has approved the shoreline debris removal process through the North Carolina State Mission Assigned Recovery Task (SMART) Program.

  • The contractors have mobilized and crews will be picking up debris around the lake and on the shoreline as the lake continues to rise. 

• Marina Construction:  The Washburn Marina replacement project is progressing on schedule with full completion anticipated in mid-July. The lake level will need to be at full pond for the project to be completed.  

• Fueling Station: The fueling station and tour boat slips at Washburn Marina are anticipated to be completed by Memorial weekend for the official lake opening. 

• Marina Office Building: The Town is working with Peacock Architects on temporary marina office while permanent building construction is designed.  Permitting is currently in progress for this building.

• Morse Park: The SMART Program is assisting with hauling away excess sediment from Morse Park. 

  • Remaining sediment will be utilized to grade Morse Park, consistent with recommendations from the completed stormwater drainage plan that was recently completed by Odom Engineering. 

  • The beautification process for Morse Park will begin following the completion of silt removal and grading of the remaining soil. 

  • Morse Park is designated as green space pending completion of Comprehensive Plan. 

• Comprehensive Planning Process: The Public Input Session have been completed.  

  • Foothills Regional Commission is compiling the feedback received from these sessions as well as the Public Input Survey.

  • They will be making a presentation to the Steering Committee at end of month. 

  • The initial review indicates a wide range of opinions, particularly regarding park planning. 

  • Multiple development options will be shared with costs and a feasibility analysis.

  • A final draft plan is anticipated for council approval around July. 

• Dredging Operations: Dredging near Morse Park is nearly complete with all sediment for current cycle removed from lake. The material has been temporarily stored off Boys Camp Road.  Material will be hauled off soon.  

• Lake Lure Fire Station II (Formerly Fairfield Mountains Volunteer Fire Department): Reduced response times in the Rumbling Bald area by approximately 50% since taking over the station.  

• 30% Design for the Replacement Dam:  Schnabel Engineering is continuing their work on the 30% design plan for the replacement dam.  The project is projected to be completed by June with a final report presented for review. 

• Detailed Design for Replacement Dam: We are awaiting approval of a FEMA High Hazard Potential Dam Grant which will begin once the 30% design project is completed.  

• Marketing Lake Lure: TDA has been working with the Mayor and Laura Krejci on commercials to market Lake Lure.  One is featured now on social media.  A second film will include the rowers and will be a product that can be used into the future.  

• Grant Applications:  Town staff continues to apply for grant funding.  Several projects are pending determinations. 

• State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan: The Town was awarded $31 million DEQ SRF loan with $6 million principal forgiveness; awaiting letter of intent to fund

• FEMA Funding: FEMA has obligated 23 public assistance projects; $4.75 million has been received in reimbursements for 18 projects.
  • Additional projects continuing to be assess through system and are awaiting reimbursement. 
• Cell Tower: The cell tower is in the final week of calibration.
  • The tower will have service for AT&T and T-Mobile users.  Service is anticipated shortly. 
  • Verizon application still not received despite continued efforts to encourage their participation. 

• Rumble 2026: The Carolina Climbers Colaltion's Rumble 2026 event was held over weekend with approximately 300 climbers.  This marked one of the first large scale events since Hurricane Helene. 

• Calendar of Events: Upcoming events can be viewed on the Town Website in the Calendar of Events.

• Fuel Pump: Odom Engineering has designed a separate project with docks for a fuel pump and docks for Tour Boats.  The new boat ramp will be built and a new dock with the fueling station will be for added on the left side if you are facing the marina from the parking lot. We will be soliciting bids for that project very soon. 

• Cell Tower: Staff continued working with Tillman Construction to advance completion of the cell tower project. AT&T and T Mobile are working to have their antennas mounted, calibrated, and fully approved for operation on the tower. At this time, the tower owner has not yet received an application from Verizon. Staff have been recommending that Verizon customers contact their carrier to encourage submission of an application, which is necessary for Verizon service to be added to the tower.

• Dredging: Stott Construction is dredging a 1/2 acre area near Morse Park.  We hope to expand this effort to a larger project in time.  Mr. Stott will also be sloping the bench of sediments on the shoreline and riprap will be added to stabilize the area.  

• FEMA High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) Grant: The Town was awarded a grant for 65% of the $3.5 million design project for the replacement dam. The 30% Design project is currently underway through another HHPD Grant.  Thank you to Laura Krejci for her work on these grants.

• Boys Camp Road Bridge: There has been some delays in obtaining easements for the Boys Camp Road Bridge project. We anticipate receiving the design later this month and will present the draft request for proposals to Town Council on 2/25/26. If approved, the project will go out for bids in March. 

• Grant to Remediate Shooting Range near Lake Lure Classical Academy: The Town of Lake Lure is participating in a County wide grant application through the Foothills Regional Commission.  The project is to remediate any contamination from the shooting rage near the LLCA.  The application was submitted at the end of January.  

• Pending FEMA Funding: The Town is awaiting confirmation of FEMA funding for the sewer, the dam, public safety, Town Hall, and Town Roads. 

• Economic Development Grant: Applied for additional Economic Development Grant for the sewer system through the Western NC with Grow NC.  We have until the end of the month to apply.

• FEMA Funding:  21 projects have been obligated with $4.2 million has been received for 12 of these projects. 

• Calendar of Events for 2026: Please download the 2026 Calendar of Events.

• Collegiate Rowing Teams: Collegiate rowing teams will be coming to Lake Lure for their spring break the end of February and in March. They are able to practice at the lower lake levels with special permission from the Town of Lake Lure. 

• Rumble 2026: The Carolina Climbers Coalition will be holding their Rumble 2026 3/6/26 - 3/8/26 at Rumbling Bald with camping in the Green Space. 

V. Council Liaison Reports and Comments

• ABC Board: Commissioner Doster met 2/9/26.
  • Sales up in January 2026 and the store is doing well.
  • Upcoming barrel picks are scheduled to commemorate Full Pond, with additional picks in development for the centennial of the Lake Lure Dam, and for the Town's Centennial in 2027.    

• Board of Adjustment: Commissioner DiOrio advised that the Board did not meet.  

• Lake Structure Appeals Board:  No Comment 

• Lake Advisory Board: Commissioner DiOrio advised the Lake Advisory Board reported two significant initiatives:

  • Lake Buoys and Fish Habitat: Buoys will be reset as the lake rises to normal levels.

  • Submerged Christmas trees will be installed to support fish habitat. While this may seem counterintuitive given recent debris removal efforts, this practice supports fish population health.

  • A study will be conducted this year to monitor fish health.

  • Lake Opening Plan Framework: The board has also worked on a framework that details a phased approach to reopening the lake based on lake elevation. 

  • The current elevation is approximately 982 feet. 

  • Contractor-only boat ferrying phase: Once lake reaches approximately 985-986 feet, contractors will begin ferrying boats back to boathouses.

  • This phase allows approximately three weeks for professional contractors with knowledge of lake conditions and ramp status to ferry boats before general opening.

  • General Lake Opening: Once water approaches normal range, general public lake opening will be announced, allowing residents to launch boats at their discretion.

  • All boat permits will be required at this stage.

  • Contractors will be permitted to ferry existing boats without permits during the restricted period, but all boats must have permits before operation.

• Parks and Recreation Board: Commissioner Jim Proctor was not able to attend the meeting but reported that Parks and Recreation has documented 157 volunteer hours for continued parks and trails improvements.
  • Buffalo Creek Trail and Weed Patch Mountain Trail now have new signage allowing partial opening, with Buffalo Creek Trail anticipated to open fully within weeks.

  • There was a discussion regarding the evolution of the Flowering Bridge.

• Short-term Rental Board: Commissioner Patrick Bryant advised the Short-Term Rental Board met on February 26th.

  • All board appointments have been filled across all advisory boards, with new members officially beginning in March.

  • The Board continued review of rental registrations and planning board oversight of registration items.

  • Discussion began regarding occupancy limits and enforcement mechanisms.

  • The Town contains diverse home structures ranging from small family cabins to larger homes with multiple bedrooms and amenities.

  • Current occupancy limit of 12 persons has worked historically, with enforcement focus on parking, restroom availability, and other elements.

  • They will collaborate with the Planning and Zoning Board to review regulations and signage requirements for short-term rentals.

  • A new short-term rental decal format under development with approximately 16 options reviewed); one option selected that will display contact information, 24/7 notation, and identification as a short-term rental for neighbor awareness.

  • TDA is working on management software to identify all rental properties and verify compliance with occupancy tax rates.

• Zoning and Planning Board: The board continues work on accessory structure regulations. Language revisions were made to previous versions, and the item is anticipated to return to council at the end-of-month work session pending Zoning and Planning Board vote on revised language.

VII. Consent Agenda:

A. Approval of February Minutes

B. Approval of Town Manager Employment Agreement Renewal

The Consent Agenda was approved.

VIII. Unfinished Business

A. Consider Approval of Easement with Duke Energy for Parcel #219448

• Duke Energy is proposing a critical electrical infrastructure upgrade along Memorial Highway that will directly impact two Town of Lake Lure owned properties.

• The project is part of Duke Energy’s ongoing efforts to enhance the electrical grid and is expected to improve system reliability and efficiency while reducing outage times for the affected properties and the surrounding community. To proceed with this upgrade, Duke Energy is requesting execution of a standard utility easement to authorize the necessary work

Easement was approved. 

IX. New Business

A. Consider Approval of Easement with Duke Energy for Parcels #1657963 and #1616909

The easement was approved. 

B. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 26-03-10 Approving Updated Organization Chart and Position Description

• The first recommendation is the establishment of a unified Emergency Services Department under a single Emergency Services Director with two distinct divisions, Fire and Emergency Management and Police.
  • This structure is intended to provide consistent executive leadership, strengthen coordination across public safety functions, and support long term planning, policy development, and asset management.
  • Operational responsibilities, professional standards, and certification requirements within the Fire and Police divisions would remain distinct and unchanged.
  • Shared administrative and logistical resources would be consolidated where practical to improve efficiency and reduce duplication.
• The second recommendation is the dissolution of the Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department, with its responsibilities reassigned to departments better aligned with the nature of the work.
• All existing services would continue without interruption, including boat permits, parks and trails maintenance, lake enforcement, advisory board support, grant coordination, and dredging management.
  • Boat permitting and related administrative functions would be transferred to the Finance Department to improve internal controls, data accuracy, and workflow efficiency.
  • Parks and trails maintenance would be reassigned to Public Works. Lake enforcement would be overseen by the Police Division of the Emergency Services Department to ensure clear authority and consistent application of ordinances while maintaining continuity through existing staff roles.
  • The Parks and Recreation Board would continue to serve in an advisory capacity and would work with the Community Development Department to advance parks and recreation planning initiatives and provide recommendations to Town Council.
• The final recommendation involves a targeted realignment within the Public Services Department to better balance day to day operational oversight with capital project delivery.
  • The current Public Services Director would transition into a dedicated Project Manager role focused on major capital projects, infrastructure planning, disaster recovery, and grant funded work.
  • To maintain strong operational leadership, the Town would promote an existing employee from within the department to serve as Public Services Director, providing direct oversight of daily operations, staffing, scheduling, and service delivery.
  • This approach leverages institutional knowledge, strengthens continuity, and clearly separates operational management from project execution.
• Collectively, these recommendations are intended to modernize the Town’s organizational structure, clarify roles and lines of authority, enhance coordination across departments, and support effective service delivery in a sustainable and fiscally responsible manner.
• These proposed changes were reviewed during the February 25 work session and action meeting.
• Staff is prepared to implement the approved organizational changes, with the transition scheduled to occur on Monday the 16th.

The resolution was approved.

C. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 26-03-10A Amending the Town of Lake lure Personnel Policy

• Ms. Stewman advised consideration of two proposed amendments to the Town’s Personnel Policy intended to promote consistency and improve operational efficiency.
  • Administrative Office Hours
    • Staff recommends establishing administrative office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., which aligns with the period when most residents, contractors, and visitors access Town Hall services.
    • Currently, administrative office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with no required lunch period. In practice, many employees prefer not to take a full one-hour lunch break and instead work through lunch in order to arrive later or leave earlier.
    • While well intentioned, this practice can create scheduling and staffing challenges and results in varying expectations among staff.
    • Establishing a standardized schedule provides clearer expectations and a more consistent structure for the workday.
    • The Personnel Policy will continue to allow up to two 15-minute breaks per day.
• Travel Reimbursement Policy
  • Staff also recommends updating the Town’s travel reimbursement policy to align with State of North Carolina reimbursement rates.
  • The Town’s current rates are outdated and no longer reflect the cost of travel.
  • Aligning with state rates provides a fair, recognized standard that is periodically updated and reduces the need for future policy revisions.

The resolution was approved and these organizational changes and policy updates will be in full effect on Monday, March 16, 2026.

D. Consider Sewer Request from Lake Lure Senior Living Facility

• Ms. Stewman advised that the owner of the Lake Lure Senior Living Facility has submitted a request for 8,475 gallons per day (GPD) of wastewater capacity for a proposed Independent Senior Living Center located outside the corporate limits of Lake Lure.
• The project is proposed adjacent to the Landings and would include 74 individual units consisting of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments.
• Per the Town’s Sewer Capacity Allocation Policy governs the use of the remaining 84,000 GPD of wastewater capacity and requires Council review of connections outside Town limits based on capacity thresholds, public benefit, environmental impact, consistency with Town plans, and financial feasibility.
• There was a discussion. It was confirmed that the facility was permitted and is not within the Town of Lake Lure. 
• Town Council confirmed that this request represents about 10% of the Town's allotment. 
• The representative stated that his organization prefers to pay the fee and not annex into the town. 

Town Council advised that they would like to consider this request further before making a decision approves the request.  

E. Consider Adoption of Resolution No. 26-03-10B Accepting Emergency Management Disaster Relief and Mitigation Fund Grant for Dam Failure Impact Assessment

• The Town of Lake Lure has been awarded a $194,200 grant from the North Carolina Disaster Relief and Mitigation Fund 2025 to conduct a Dam Failure Impact Assessment.
• This assessment is important to demonstrate the potential wide-spread impact of dam failure and will support the Town’s efforts to secure additional funding for dam replacement.
• This resolution authorizes the Town to accept the grant and authorizes the Town Manager to execute the required Memorandum of Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
• The resolution becomes effective upon adoption.
• A questions came up regarding the Town owning the Lake.  Town Council confirmed that this was not a consideration,  The Town will continue to own the Lake. 

Town Council approved the resolution.

F. Consider Amendment to Set Meeting Location for the Lake Advisory Board and Parks and Recreation Board to 920 Buffalo Creek Road (The Landings)

• If the proposed organizational changes are approved, the current Parks, Recreation, and Lake office will be repurposed as the department’s staff are reassigned to other departments and located at 920 Buffalo Creek Road (The Landings).
• It is therefore appropriate to amend the meeting locations for the Lake Advisory Board and Parks and Recreation Board to be held at The Landings.

Approved. 

X. Public Comment

1. Rae Frickberg: Ms. Frickberg presented an update on the Parrots and Pirates Music Festival which will be held May 1-2, 2026 at the Lake Lure Beach. 

The festival is designed to attract visitors and generate economic activity for local businesses recovering from Hurricane Helene.

Event Details:

• Ticketed event for ages 21+
• Location: Town beach
• Dates: May 1-2, 2026

2. Joyce Keenan: Mrs. Keenan expressed a desire to put kayaks into the water.

Council members emphasized the proximity to full lake opening and urged residents to wait for the general opening announcement.

3) Kathi Hatfield: Mrs. Hatfield expressed concerns regarding the advisory board application process. Application Applications submitted in the most recent board selection process were incomplete. Many applicants simply wrote "reapplying" rather than completing full applications, making it difficult for the public to assess qualifications. Many applications were submitted after the December 31st deadline. Approximately 40-50% of submitted packages had issues with deadline compliance or incomplete information. If the town wants to maintain transparency, applications should be completely filled out so the public can see who represents them on boards and can assess their qualifications, regardless of prior board service. For boards with both on-time and late applications, those submitted before the deadline should receive higher consideration than late submissions.

Council acknowledged the validity of concerns and noted that limited volunteer availability in the community sometimes requires outreach beyond the deadline to fill positions. When boards have no applications by the deadline, council must actively recruit candidates. However, when applications are received before the deadline, those should receive priority consideration over late submissions. Previous applications from returning board members could be referenced in current materials (with notation to "see previous application") rather than requiring complete re-submission.

Council agreed to clarify and improve the application process for transparency, adjust the application deadline from December 31st to March 1st to better align with board start dates (boards take effect March 1st), ensure complete applications are submitted and available for public review and prioritize on-time applications over late submissions when both exist.

XI. Closed Session

A closed session was held in accordance with G.S. 143-318.11(a) (3) for attorney-client privilege or legal claims. 

XI. Adjournment 

The meeting was adjourned.