Lake Lure Regular Town Council Meeting Summary - June 10, 2025

Thank you sto all who joined us for the Town of Lake Lure Regular Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. 

The meeting was held on The Lakeside Terrace at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure, 153 Mountains Blvd. Lake Lure, NC 28746. 

The public was invited to attend the meeting. 

The agenda for the meeting is posted below and you may download the meeting packet. 

I. Call to Order

Mayor Pritchett called the meeting to order and thanked everyone for their attendance.

II. Agenda Adoption

The agenda was adopted as posted. 

III. Mayor’s Communication

• Mayor Pritchett thanked Jeff Geisler and Rumbling Bald for hosting the Town Council Meetings. 

• She advised that we could all hear and see the work that is being done by USACE and said how grateful we were. 

• She advised that the Town continues to work with FEMA in seeking funding. 

• She said that we were at a good point in the recovery process. People are starting to come in to visit.

• She also told everyone that the media was coming to meet with the Town, not only from surrounding news stations, but nationally known outlets as well.  She added that the Town had received positive feedback on our recovery process.

• She thanked Town Manager, Olivia Stewman and all town staff for all they do.  

IV. Town Managers Communication

• Town Manager Olivia Stewman gave an update on the projects the Town is currently working on.

• She stated that this storm and the recovery process has been a learning experience. 

• The Town has met to conduct an after-action review process of the storm.  The Town also updated the Emergency Action Plan at this meeting and performed a tabletop emergency response plan. 

• Ms. Steman reported that the Town is working with a new audit firm and wrapping up the 2024 audit. She said that so far things are going well.

• She reminded everyone that the Town is moving forward with updating the Comprehensive Plan. We will begin Public input in October through November.

• She reminded everyone that Flag Day is June 13, 2025 at 9:00am at Morse Park. 

• Many July 4^th events will be taking place at Rumbling Bald on 7/4/25 and with the Lake Lure Inn at the Lake Lure Beach on 7/5/25. Please reach out to Rumbling Bald and the Lake Lure Inn for more details.

• She also thanked everyone for attending the Memorial Day Service as well. 

A. Monthly Report: You may review the Departmental reports in the meeting packet for further information.

V. Public Hearing

A. Ordinance No. 25-06-10 Adopting Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget

     i. Staff Report

• For those who could not attend the Budget Hearing, Ms. Stewman provided an overview of the budget for the upcoming Fiscal year.
• With the projected revenue impacts and other factors, the Town was still able to reduce the budget to $8.1 million.
• This does include adding a new position for the Community Development Department as well as a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment for staff.
• There is a slight increase in employee health insurance cost of about $1,000. 
• There willl be no tax increase and water and sewer rates will not go up.

     ii. Public Hearing

• With no comments Town Council closed the Public Hearing.

     iii. Council Deliberation

• Mayor Pritchett and the Commissioners complimented the staff for their efforts to reduce the budget to keep from raising taxes. 
• Town Council thanked the staff for all their hard work and eliminating almost $1 million of the budget.
• They also pointed out the fact that there would be no tax increase.  

     iv. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance No. 25-06-10

The ordinance was adopted. 

VI. Council Liaison Reports and Comments

• ABC Board: Commissioner Doster reported that the ABC board met and the store continues to do well. Mayor Pritchett sat in on this meeting this month and stated that she was impressed and thankful for all the hard work they are doing. The ABC board also went to Southern Distillery and picked out a barrel specifically for Lake Lure.  

• Board of Adjustment: Commissioner DiOrio advised there was no meeting this month

• Lake Advisory Board: Commissioner DiOrio reported that LAB is continuing to meet to focus on the health of the Lake. So far there are no negative impacts, especially on wildlife. Steadily getting better. There are no water quality issues.  The water clarity is getting better and is almost normal.  He stated that otters, fish, and eagles are here and there has been no significant impact on the fish. The lake is steadily getting better, even with all the work taking place.

• Parks and Recreation Board: Commissioner Jim Proctor reported that there were a total of 212 volunteer hours last month which saved the Town around $7,000. Most trails are open excluding Buffalo Creek and Weed Patch Mountain.  Work continues on these trails but a $50,000 grant has been received and will be used to help reopen those trails.

• Short-term Rental Board: Commissioner Patrick Bryant advised that the short-term rental board was formed before storm. Hopeful to have first meeting soon. He will report further under New Business.

• Zoning and Planning Board: Commissioner Doster advised there was no meeting this month for the Zoning and Planning Board this month.

VII. Consent Agenda

A. Approval of May 2025 Minutes
B. Fairfield Fire Department Lease

The Consent Agenda was approved. 

VIII. Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business.

IX. New Business

A. Short Term Rental Board Appointment

• Town Council established a Short Term Rental Advisory Board prior to Tropical Storm Helene.
• The Board has not yet met as a result, but plans to soon.
• Since appointments were made, there has been one appointed member that has vacated their spot on the Board leaving one vacancy.
• Council has been provided with individual ballots and will submit them to the Town Clerk prior to the meeting.
• Based on the results of the submitted ballots, an appointment will be made to fill the vacant board positon.  The following are the members: 1. Cate Szabo 2. Kimberly Sayles 3. Liz Fister 4. Melva Dye 5. Thomasina Coile

Town Council approved these members. 

B. Salary Grade Scale

• A 3% cost of living adjustment (COLA) was incorporated into the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
• Contingent upon budget adoption, the Salary Grade Schedule has been adjusted to reflect the 3% increase.

Town Council approved the salary scale. 

C. FY 25-26 Fee Schedule

• The General Fee Schedule, Land Use Fee Schedule, and Utility Fee Schedule must be adopted each fiscal year.
• There are no proposed amends to the General Fee Schedule or Land Use Fee Schedule.
• Staff is proposing an amendment to the Utility Fee Schedule to add an actual cost based charge for any necessary road boring or cutting related to utility connections.
• The Lake Use Fee Schedule is adopted based on calendar year and will be reviewed in December.

Town Council approved the FY 25-26 Fee Schedule

D. Ordinance 25-06-10A Amending the Town of Lake Lure Code of Ordinances to reenact a State of Emergency to be Codified as Chapter 33

• The Town of Lake Lure adopted a State of Emergency Ordinance on January 14, 1997 under authority of Article 36A, Chapter 14, Chapter 166A, and Chapter 160A of the North Carolina General Statutes.
• However, the Ordinance was never incorporated into the Code of Ordinances.
• Further, the statutory authority for local State of Emergency Ordinances has been modified since 1997, including “AN ACT TO MODERNIZE THE NORTH CAROLINA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACT AND RELATED STATUTES” adopted in 2012.
• Thus, the Town Attorney has drafted Ordinance No. 25-06-10A which codifies a State of Emergency Ordinance as Chapter 33 in the Town of Lake Lure Code of Ordinances and modernizes the ordinance to fit current NC guidelines.
• Ms. Stewman advised this ordinance was originally adopted in 1997.
• It has never been codified. A few minor changes were made to meet state code.
• One is changing to a class II misdemeanor which includes a $1000 fine and up to 60 days in jail.

Town Council approved the ordinance.

E. Proclamation of Suspension of Lake Access

Ms. Stewman stated there have been some issues with people accessing the lake either by boat, kayak, or foot. The lake is still unsafe and this ordinance will give the Town the ability to enforce the lake being closed. Violations would be considered a Class II misdemeanor if charge.

• The Town and United States Army Corps (USACE) contractors continue operations to restore the lake from the impacts sustained from Tropical Storm Helene.
• The lake is currently not safe for public access.
• While this has been announced and publicized since Helene, the Town still receives reports of illegal lake access.
• Under the local state of emergency, this proclamation suspends lake access until further notice and those who violate this suspension shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor in accordance with G.S. 14-288.20A.
• This proclamation does not apply to approved contractors, USACE, Town of Lake Lure staff, or government officials.
• Further, notwithstanding, property owners may remove debris and sedimentation from underneath their lake structures until July 15th.
• This must only include lake debris deposited as a result of Tropical Storm Helene.
• Land based debris cannot be brought into the lakebed.
• A plan must be submitted and approved for any sediment removal.
• For this purpose, lake structures can be accessed through land or property owners may use a Town approved contractor to access a structure through the lake.
• Debris and sedimentation can be placed at least one foot away from the structure either beside or in front of the footprint where it is easily reachable by contractors.

Town Council approved the proclamation. 

F. Resolution No. 25-06-10 Supporting Dogwood Health Trust Grant Application

• The Town the Lake Lure has a need for workforce housing to help maintain and attract key personnel that support the needs of the community.
• Dogwood Health Trust is offering a Collaboration & Innovation Grant opportunity which could assist with funding a workforce housing project.
• The Town has been working with Gateway Foundation and Odom Engineering to create a conceptual design plan for workforce housing. Staff want to ensure that Town Council supports the submission of an application for a Dogwood Health Trust Collaboration & Innovation Grant for workforce housing.
• Dogwood Health Trust Grants sizes will range from $50,000 to $500,000, with up to 20% of funds available for flexible administrative funding and the balance (80% or more) for collaborative funding. 
  • Grants can be used for 12-24 months.
  • Matching Funds are not required for this grant.
  • The property provided for the project is the Town’s investment in the project.
  • The Town will request $450,000 in the grant application if Town Council approves submission of the application.
  • If the grant is approved and all the funds are not utilized, the remaining balance can be returned to Dogwood Health Trust with no penalties.
• In short, the only requirement of the Town of Lake Lure is to provide the property and the development of the Conceptual Site Plan for the project, which has already been created. If the grant is awarded, Gateway Wellness Foundation will fund and oversee the development of the workforce housing. Gateway Wellness Foundation will market the new homes to the Lake Lure workforce including Firefighters, Police Officers, Teachers, Healthcare Workers, etc.
• Gateway Wellness Foundation works with future home owners to apply for a USDA 502 Loan which repays their investment in building the homes.
• There are guidelines which would not allow the homes to be utilized as short term rentals.

• Communication’s Director, Laura Krejci provided a statement with information for the grant.

  • This grant is to help move forward with workforce housing allowing more people to live and work here in Lake Lure.

  • The town will donate the land for this grant and the other portion would be for 450,000.

  • The application is due this month.
• Public asked where the location of the workforce housing will be located.
  • There a several locations that will be considered.
  • There is property across from Lake Lure classical academy, the green space and a few other location.
  • This has not been decided at this time, but is needed for the application and can be change at a later date.
  • Discussion ensued with council and the public.

Town Council approved the grant submission.

X. Storm recovery updates - 

Ms. Stewman gave the storm updates for the town.

• The lost vessel deadline is July 1, 2025. If not picked up, they will be auctioned.
• The West End Sewer project going well and still on schedule. Will be boring the sewer and water line this week. Completion is still expected by July 10, 2025.
• The Town received a grant for playground pushed to October 2025. Will have a community input meeting on July 30^, 2025. All are welcome to attend.
• The USACE’s personal property debris removal program is planned to begin in a few weeks. We are moving forward full steam with the sediment removal.
• Last week 53,430 tons of sediment was removed.
• 6 projects have been obligated and the TOwn is hopeful to receive funds in the amount of 6.4 million total. We continue to work with FEMA and work on additional funding options.

X. Public Comment: 

The public is invited to speak. Please keep comments limited to three minutes or less.  Comments may also be submitted in writing to the town clerk, kmartin@townoflakelure.com at least one hour prior to the meeting.

• Daren Blumm 206 Yahcht Island Drive.  Mr. Blum requested information on the location for the new cell tower.  he was advised that the location was off Boys Camp Road near the old campground. 

XI. Adjournment