Town Council Regular Meeting and Public Hearing Summary - Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Thank you to those who were able to join us for the Lake Lure Regular Town Council Meeting on December 9, 2025, 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

 

A. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation: Commissioner Patrick Bryant gave the invocation and everyone stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance in unison.

 

II. Agenda Adoption

 

The agenda was adopted with the addition of two new items listed under New Business. 

 

III. Mayor’s Communication

 

A. Proclamation No. 25-12-09 Honoring the Service of Mr. Neil Gurney: Mayor Pritchett read the following proclamation and commented on the significant contributions that Mr. Gurney made to the Town of Lake Lure over many years.

Proclamation No. 25-12-09

Town of Lake Lure, North Carolina

Honoring the Service of Mr. Neil Gurney

WHEREAS, the Town of Lake Lure recognizes individuals whose dedication, character, and service exemplify the highest standards of civic responsibility; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Neil Gurney has consistently demonstrated exceptional knowledge, respect, and integrity in his many contributions to the Town of Lake Lure; and

WHEREAS, since 2018, Mr. Gurney has faithfully served on both the Board of Adjustments and the Lake Structure Appeals Board, offering his insight and leadership to support fair and well considered decisions; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure, Mr. Gurney has served with distinction as chairman for two years and vice-chair for three years, guiding these boards with steady, thoughtful leadership that has strengthened their effectiveness and upheld the Town’s values; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gurney has further contributed to the betterment of the community by serving as a liaison on workforce housing initiatives, giving generously of his time and expertise to help advance sustainable strategies that address vital housing needs for critical employees within the Town; and

WHEREAS, through every volunteer role, Mr. Gurney has been intentional and dedicated in how he represents the Town of Lake Lure, ensuring his words and actions reflect a deep respect for the community and its citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Town acknowledges that Mr. Gurney’s devotion, professionalism, and integrity make him an invaluable asset whose service has had a meaningful and lasting impact on Lake Lure.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Carol Pritchett, Mayor of the Town of Lake Lure, do hereby recognize and extend sincere appreciation to Mr. Neil Gurney for his outstanding service and unwavering commitment to our community.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the Town of Lake Lure to be affixed on this 5th day of December, 2025.

 

IV. Town Manager’s Communication

 

A. Monthly Report: Town Manager Olivia Stewman shared the following updates.

1. Cell Tower:  The Town of Lake Lure has been working to install a cell tower on the old camp ground off Boys Camp Road.  Our Community Development Director Mike Williams has been diligent in their efforts to work through multiple challenges, including delays caused by Hurricane Helene. Thanks to his persistence, we are pleased to report that the cell tower has arrived! You can see the tower here! 

 

 

• The base of the tower was erected Thursday, 12/4/25 as schedule. 
• The remaining sections were erected Friday, 12/5/25 as you can see from this photo above. 
• The next steps are for the cell companies to begin mounting their antennas.
• Then, in January 2026, we should be able to call folks and tell them about it!

2. Spillway/Tainter Gate Project: The Tainter gate seal repair project on the spillway has begun.  This project is the reason the lake levels were raised to 977.5 MSL so the equipment could reach the Lake Lure Dam area. 

• The lake will be lowered back down to 975 MSL (or 15 feet below full pond) for the duration of the project which is expected to be completed by mid February 2026.  
• Town Staff worked with Schnabel Engineering to submit a grant application through the NC DEQ Dam Safety Office to help offset costs associated with this project. We are awaiting the assessment of the grant submission.

3. May 2026: The Town of Lake Lure remains hopeful that we will be able to reopen the lake in the late spring of 2026.   The target date for opening Lake Lure to the public is May 2026. 

4. Comprehensive Plan Round Table Session: A Comprehensive Plan Round Table Session will be held at the Landings on 12/10/25 at 6PM.  We hope everyone will join this meeting for an informal discussion on future panning in Lake Lure.

5. FY22 FEMA High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) Grant: The Town received confirmation of grant funding for $484,471 for the FEMA HHPD grant for the 30% design of the new replacement dam. 

• Staff coordinated with Schnabel Engineering to obtain an updated Work Order (#10) for this project which now costs $910,900.
• Town Council approved the work order and the subsequent budget amendment for $910,900.
• This project is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and is expected to take 6– 8 months. 
• This project is a major step forward in the process of constructing the new dam.

6. Advisory Board applications being accepted: The Town of Lake Lure is accepting applications from community members interested in serving on statutory and advisory boards. Serving on Town Boards is a great way to get involved with your local government and make a positive impact on your community. We encourage residents of all ages and from all backgrounds to apply for appointments to the various Town boards and committees. 

The role of citizens as advisory board or committee members is important to the Town as they provide a vital link between the community and its local government.  The local government is dependent upon its citizens to volunteer their services on these bodies.  Service on these boards and committees fosters direct and meaningful citizen participation in local government affairs.  This is particularly important in small communities like ours with small budgets and limited staff. We rely heavily on volunteers here in Lake Lure.

You may apply to serve on one of the following Town Boards. Just click here to learn more about each board.

• ABC Board
• Lake Advisory Board
• Lake Structure Appeals Board/Board of Adjustment
• Parks and Recreation Board
• Short-Term Rental Advisory Board
• Zoning and Planning Board

Applications may be submitted to the attention of the Town Clerk via email at Townclerk@townoflakelure.com or at the Lake Lure Town Hall, temporarily located at 920 Buffalo Creek Road (The Landings), Lake Lure, NC 28746. For additional information, please refer to the Lake Lure Advisory and Statutory Board Handbook or contact the Town Clerk at the email above.  

7. Lighting Up Lake Lure: Thank you to those who attended the "Lighting Up Lake Lure" event 12/3/25. Special thanks to Public Works and Wendy Terry for the beautiful decorations and to Laura Krejci for coordinating the program. Click here for pictures from the event.

8. Chamber Gala: The Chamber Holiday Gala is being held on 12/11/25 at 5:00 at the Lake Lure Inn. Click here for additional information.

9. Santa at Chimney Rock State Park: Santa is returning to Chaniney Rock Village.  Click here for additional information.

10. Joy to the Gorge and the Giving Tree Trail at the Lake Lure Inn:

• The Giving tree Trail at the Lake Lure Inn features trees from many of the businesses in the Gorge.  It's a gorgeous site so please go and visit. 
• Joy to the Gorge includes a calendar of holiday events taking place across the Gorge. Click here for additional information.

Top Highlights & Project Updates

• FEMA Coordination and Recovery Funding: Town staff continued weekly meetings with FEMA leadership to advance ongoing storm recovery projects and advocate for Lake Lure’s funding needs. 

• These efforts focus on accelerating support for key infrastructure projects and ensuring timely reimbursement.
• Staff worked closely with ICF (Disaster/FEMA Consultant) to advance funding through Public Assistance and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
• Applications for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) were submitted, while the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) cycle has not yet opened.
• Additionally, applications were submitted for NCDEQ Department of Water Infrastructure (DWI) State Revolving Fund (SA-HMW) loans, which provide zero-interest funding with principal forgiveness for drinking water, wastewater, and decentralized wastewater systems affected by Hurricane Helene.
• Staff continue to monitor emerging funding opportunities through the Office of State Budget and Management, the American Flood Coalition, Economic Development Administration, and other programs.

• Project Obligations and Reimbursements: Fifteen FEMA Public Assistance projects have been obligated, including thirteen small projects and two large projects.

• The Town has received $3,117,783.58 for twelve of the small projects, with an additional reimbursement of $1,101,610.34 pending.
• Drawdown requests have been submitted for the two large projects, but funds for these have not yet been received. 

• Storm Recovery Coordination: Weekly briefings with Town Council continued to maintain progress on key initiatives and ensure alignment across departments.

• Tainter Gate Repairs: All documents for the Tainter gate repair project have been fully prepared and approved. Cianbro (Contractor selected to complete the Tainter Gate Repairs) is scheduled to begin work in December and complete the project by February 1st.

• Fuel Pump, LLT Docks, Morse Park Stormwater Plan, and Boys Camp Culvert: Odom Engineering is finalizing the remaining work on three Town projects: 

• 1) Lake Lure Tours fuel pump and docks: Bid documents for the fuel pump and dock work are already in preparation to allow the Town to move forward promptly once Odom’s updates are complete.
• 2) Morse Park stormwater plan: Updates to the stormwater plan were required due to post-USACE site conditions, and revised materials are expected within the next two weeks.
• 3) Boys Camp Road culvert project.

• US Army Corps of Engineers: Town staff are still awaiting the updated LiDAR and hydrology report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Follow-ups inquiries from Town Officials are ongoing.

• Proctor Road repairs: Paving on Proctor Road is complete, and installation of jersey barriers is currently underway.

• West End Sewer Project: Crews continue work on the final two-inch force main, which is expected to be completed by early December following delays due to extensive utility locates.

• Pavement repair on Memorial Highway will be completed December 1st under a brief full closure near the Geneva property.
• Traffic will be detoured through the Geneva parking area, with controlled single-lane movement.
• Chimney Rock Village has been formally notified that it may now connect to the collection system when they are ready to do so.

• Lake Structure Demolitions: Final affidavits and appeal letters have been prepared regarding the denial of direct federal assistance for lake structure demolitions. While approval is uncertain, Town staff continue evaluating the most effective plan for removal and will pursue reimbursement through FEMA Public Assistance where possible.

• Lake Debris/Shoreline Cleanup: Town staff remain in communication with the state SMART program administrator regarding shoreline and remaining lake debris removal. This support allows for debris management without initial Town procurement costs or cash flow impact. Town Officials remain hopeful that this option will be approved. 

• Welcome Center and Marina Building: Asbestos testing for both buildings is complete with negative results, and Mitch Contracting will perform the demolitions.

• FEMA has approved demolition of the marina building.
• For the welcome center, additional information has been submitted demonstrating substantial damage and the need for timely removal due to health and safety concerns.
• A meeting with the Federal Coordinating Officer next week will determine next steps so demolition can proceed efficiently.

B. Storm Recovery Updates

• Marina Contract: The contract has been approved to rebuild the marina and boardwalk and the completion date is anticipated by mid July 2026.  The project cannot be completed sooner as the installation must occur once the water is back at full-pond.
• West End Sewer System: This project is expected to wrap up this week and all customers have access to connect to the system.
• Proctor Road Stabiliation complete: The road stabilization project is complete.  Additional work on culvert is awaiting FEMA approval. 
• Boys Camp Road Bridge: Town Officials anticipate project completion for the bridge by spring 2026.
• Morse Park beyond the Playground and Gazebo: The Town is awaiting a storm water report from Odom Engineering to help us determine the ground level needed for stabilization.  Once we have this information, the remaining soil will be distributed and grass will be planted trhoughout Morse Park.

 

V. Hagar Solutions

 

Mr. Hagar provided the following updates.

• Dam Safety DEQ application fee: Followed up on this with Paul Scott and he helped with this situation. 

• Rutherford County: Three commissioner are running for office. 

• Legislative Update: The legislature is quiet right now.

• Verizon: Following up to see why Verizon has not applied to provide services at the new Cell Tower.  AT&T and T-Mobile have applied. 

 

V. Council Liaison Reports and Comments

 

• ABC Board: Commissioner Doster reported that the ABC Board met and all is going well.  He said it was a well oiled machine.  

• 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. Communoty Development is assessing these all around Town.  There is one Vacancy on the Board is open. 

• 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. Re-instituted permitting for non-motorized vessels for short term rentals.  This insures the all commercial vessels are insured.  

• Parks and Recreation Board: Commissioner Jim Proctor reported that the Parks and Rec Board did not meet this month, but did record 1,182 volunteer hours.  This includes the Carolina Climbers Coalition's time working on the Town trails.

• Short-term Rental Board: Commissioner Patrick Bryant advised that the Board met last week and are awaiting signage updates from the Board of Appeals. There will be one vacancy on the Board.

•  Zoning and Planning Board: Commissioner Doster met and continue working on the sign ordinance identifying areas needing attention.  Conversation about accessory buildings. Will have a vacated seat in the coming year, so if anyone is interested please apply. . This review is ongoing.  

 

VI. Public Hearing

 

A. Ordinance No. 25-12-09 Amending Town of Lake Lure Code of Ordinances Section 36-336(c) to Allow Community Development Review and Approval Authority in Consideration of Signs in Government Districts

I. Staff Report

• Community Development Director Mike Williams reported that the Zoning and Planning Board has been reviewing the Town’s sign ordinances.
• While their recommendations are not final, they have recommended allowing Town Community Development staff to administratively approve signs in government use districts, which are the only government districts in Lake Lure. 
• Mr. Williams recommends that the Town adopt Ordinance No. 25-12-09 Amending Town of Lake Lure Code of Ordinances Section 36-336(c) to Allow Community Development Review and Approval Authority in Consideration of Signs in Government Districts.

II. Public Hearing: The Public Hearing was opened. There were no public comments.

III. Commission Deliberation: Town Council discussed the ordinance. 

IV. Consideration for Adoption of Ordinance No. 25-12-09 Amending Town of Lake Lure Code of Ordinances Section 36-336(c) to Allow Community Development Review and Approval Authority in Consideration of Signs in Government Districts

Town Council adopted Ordinance No. 25-12-09 Amending Town of Lake Lure Code of Ordinances Section36-336(c) to Allow Community Development Review and Approval Authority in Consideration of Signs in Government Districts.

VII. Consent Agenda: The following items in the Consent Agenda were approved.

A. Approval of November 2025 Minutes

B. Adoption of 2026 Town Council Meeting Schedule

C. Adoption of 2026 Holiday Calendar

The Consent Agenda was adopted.

 

VIII. Unfinished Business

 

There was no unfinished business.

 

IX. New Business

 

A. Resolution No. 25-12-09 Accepting the Sewer System Asset Inventory and Assessment

• The Sewer System Asset Inventory and Assessment (AIA) project was funded through the American Rescue Plan’s State Fiscal Recovery Fund, with the Town receiving $200,000 from the NC Department of Environmental Quality to complete the work. LaBella Associates, the Town’s on-call engineers, carried out the project and have submitted the final AIA report.
• The accompanying resolution verifies that the Town has reviewed and accepted the completed AIA and confirms to NCDEQ that all grant requirements have been fulfilled.
• Town Council approved Resolution No. 25-12-09 Accepting the Sewer System Asset Inventory and Assessment

B. Consider Approval of LaBella Task 20 (Water AIA) Amendment 1

• The Town has remaining AIA funds for the water system, and NCDEQ’s Division of Water Infrastructure has approved using these funds to complete GIS work recommended by LaBella, including geodatabase synchronization and web mapping for both the sewer and water systems. Amendment 1 to Task Order 20 incorporates this additional work into the original Water AIA scope.
• Town Council approved LaBella Task 20 (Water AIA) Amendment 1

C. Consider Approval of LaBella Task 23B Amendment 4

• The Town approved Task 23B with LaBella to assist with engineering services related to storm recovery. LaBella’s original $100,000 budget has increased through three prior amendments totaling $257,000 due to redesigns, added scope, and extended construction related to Helene recovery work. Additional unanticipated tasks, including design and permitting for a new service lateral, boundary and plat work for a disputed easement, and a detailed FEMA reimbursement cost takeoff, have exceeded the current budget by approximately $13,000.
• While no further work is currently identified, additional FEMA-related efforts are likely, so an additional $50,000 amendment is proposed.
• Town Council approved LaBella Task 23B Amendment 4.

D. Budget Amendment #380 for Dredging Grant 25% Match

• A budget amendment is being requested for consideration and approval regarding additional funding needed for the dredging services in the 2025-2026 annual budget.
• The same budget amendment also requests to consider recognizing the dredging revenue that will be posted as the Town receives reimbursements from the State for submitted expenditures related to dredging.
• The value of the grant is $750,000. 
• Town Council approved Budget Amendment #380 for Dredging Grant 25% Match of $250,000 bringing the total budget for dredging to $1 million.

E. Approve 2025-2026 Dredging Grant Agreement

• The Town has been awarded the 2025–2026 dredging grant in the amount of $1 million, subject to a 25% required match.
• A contract has been provided for Council review and action to accept the award.
• Town Council approved 2025-2026 Dredging Grant Agreement.

F. NC Dam Safety Grant: Communications Director Laura Krejci advised that the Town of Lake Lure has an opportunity to apply for the North Carolina Dam Safety Grant for Spillway Crest Repairs.

• Schnabel Engineering has submitted draft drawings to the Town and is working to have final sealed design documents ready before the application deadline on 12/12/25.
• Minimum Criteria for Application Consideration

1. The dam must be classified as high hazard (Class C) regulated by the North Carolina Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources under the North Carolina Dam Safety Law. ()
2. The dam must have one or more existing, unresolved Notice of Deficiencies (NODs) or Dam Safety Order (DSO) issued against it. (Refer to the 2023 NC DEQ inspection letter.)
3. The scope of work submitted must address damage directly resulting from Hurricane Helene. ()

• Note that the funding announcement is not expected until March 2, 2026. The Town has considered moving forward with this project before this date, potentially even completing it by that time. Schnabel Engineering recommended applying for the grant with the hopes of reimbursement, if the work is completed upfront. 
• The cost of the project is as follows.  The amount of the grant funding is uncertain.  A match is not included in the guidelines.

Town Council approved submission of the grant application to DEQ.

 

X. Public Comment

 

The public is invited to speak. Please keep comments limited to three minutes or less.

1. Kimberly Sailes (122 Harris Road):  Mrs. Sailes advised that the "Joy to the Gorge" campaign has proven successful. 

• The small team of business owners that worked on this effort plans to work with the Chamber in the next season to build upon their ideas.
• They plan to work with the Rutherford County TDA on a marketing grant to help enhance the initiative. 
• They also want to work with the Town on the lighting schedule. 
• They hope to add a boat parade and food trucks in the future. 
• They recommend a real tree be planted that will grow and can be lit each year. 
• Their plan is to have funds raised donated to a charity. 

 

XI. Adjournment