Regular Town Council Meeting Summary - Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Thank you to all who joined us for the Regular Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 5:00 PM in Municipal Hall.  If you missed the meeting, you may view the recording of the meeting here.  The following is a summary of the meeting for those who could not attend.  You may download a copy of the meeting packet here. The minutes from this meeting will be included in the following month's meeting packet. 

I. Call to Order: Mayor Pritchett called the meeting to order. Com Bryant led the invocation and everyone recited the Pledge of Allegance.

II. Agenda Adoption: The meeting agenda was approved with one item (VI Item B Resolution No. 22-07-12) postponed to the August Regular Town Council meeting.  

III. Mayor's Communications: The Mayor stated that it was a glorious 4th and remarked how beautiful the 7/3/22 Fireworks had been. She also noted that the Town would be holding several upcoming Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies and asked everyone to stay tuned to the Town Website for these announcements. 

IV. Town Manager's Communications: Mr. Perkins noted that he arrived in Town on June 1, 2022 and noted the following updates:

• Public Services reported that all paving and patching has been completed.
• Community Development issued 19 permits in June and they continue to work on the new communication tower.
• Fire and Emergency completed 268 hours of training in June and successfully completed an emergency tabletop exercise on June 3.
• The Police Dept has a pill drop box and collected 13.5 pounds of perscription medications in June.
• Parks, Recreation and Lake Department finalized their office renovations.
• Communications shared 19 post with the community and had a reach of 21,964. The Town now has over 18,000 followers, representing a 10% increase from the same time last year.

V. Council Liaison Reports and Comments: 

Utilities Advisory Board: Commissioner Doster reported that the Utilities Advisory Board meeting did not meet and August will be their last UAB meeting as the Board is dissolving after a year of tremendous contributions.

Zoning and Planning Board: Commissioner Doster reported the activities of the Zoning and Planning Board which include staff recommendations to enhance lake structures. He noted that some of our regulations clash when it relates to private lakes such as Shumont Lake.  He noted that the board is reviewing these and will be making recommendations.

Board of Adjustment / Lake Structure Appeals Board: Commissioner DiOrio reported the activities of the Board of Adjustment / Lake Structure Appeals Board and noted an uptick in violations from contractors with not following what is permitted and reminded homeowners to be careful as this has caused problems with set backs and other issues. He referenced one case where the home had a 4 foot encroachment to another property. This resulted in having to cut the house to address the violation. 

Lake Advisory Board: Commissioner DiOrio reported that the LAB has been working to update the Lake Use Regulations. He noted that the draft regulations are approaching the final form.  They will be presented at the September Marine Commission. 

ABC Board: Commissioner Proctor reported that the onely news from the ABC Board was increased profits. 

Parks and Recreation Board: Commissioner Bryant reported the activities of the Parks and Recreation Board. He mentioned the plans for the stream remediation that had been presented at a previous Town Council meeting was moving forward. He noted the plans for several ribbon-cutting events that would illustrate the work in Morse Park (The upgraded Gazebo and Overlook Area), Buffalo Creek Park (the new Parking Lot), and the Boardwalk in front of Lake Lure Beach.  Please stay tuned for invitations to these ribbon-cutting events. 

Lake Lure Steering Committee: Mayor Pritchett reported that the Lake Lure Steering Committee will meet on July 28, 2022 at 1:00 at TOwn Hall.

VI.Presentation:   Rutherford Bound - Don Cason, Director for Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority gave a presentation on the following information.  His presentation is attached under supporting documents.: 

•Tourism Master Plan Update
•Marketing Highlights
•Agri-Tourism
•Relocate to Rutherford
•Community Programs
•Keep Rutherford County Beautiful

Watch the Rutherford County Tourism Video that was presented during the meeting along with an overview of TDA funds that will be contributed to enhance tourism assets, with matching funds from the Town of Lake Lure

VII. Public Comment: There were no public comments. 

VIII. Consent Agenda: The Consent Agenda was approved.

A. Approval of Minutes: All June Town Council minutes were approved. 

B. Tree Removal from Within 995’ Boundary Request - 143 Frady Inlet Rd. (Parcel #1655828)

C. Budget Amendment #337 - Contracting Services for Garbage Collection

D. Budget Amendment #338 - Police Department Salary Adjustment

IX. Unfinished Business

A. Drawdown Schedule: The Lake Lure Town Council approved confirmed plans for lowering the lake in 2023. 

• The plan is to begin lowering the lake on 1/1/23. The lake will be lowered about one (1) foot per day until the lake is twelve (12) feet below full pond (990.5 mean sea level). The town will work as strategically and efficiently as possible during the lake drawdown periods.
• The lake will begin to be lowered on 1/1/23 to support several important infrastructure projects.
• It is anticipated that the lake will begin refilling on 3/31/23. 
• The rate of refilling the lake is dependent upon weather conditions but information will be posted here regarding weekly lake levels.
• Lake levels will vary during the drawdown between 5 feet below full-pond and 12 feet below full-pond, depending on the work requirements of contractors. 

A list of projects to be completed during the lake drawdown is listed below: 

• Sewer system replacement
• Dredging with excavators
• Seawall repair/replacement
• An upgrade to the hydro-electric substation
• Creation of an access ramp near the dam 

NOTE: Contractors working on seawall repairs/replacement must be out of the lake by 3/15/23. 

X. New Business: Each of the following items were approved.

A. 60" Jet Flow Valve Procurement Bid Award Decision

B. Resolution No. 22-07-12 Approving the Lake Lure Replacement Dam Conceptual Design Proposed by Schnabel Engineering

C. Petition to Remove House at 177 Tryon Bay Circle

XI. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.