Town Council Work Session-Action Meeting Summary - Thursday, May 29, 2025

Town Council Work Session-Action Meeting Summary Sign

The Lake Lure Town Council held a Work Session and Action Meeting on Wednesday, May 29, 2025, at 8:30 AM.  The meeting was held in the Lake Lure Fire Department at 622 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC 28746. The public was invited to attend the meeting. 

  • Thank you to all those who joined the meeting. 

  • The following is a summary of the meeting for those who were unable to attend. 

  • This summary is not considered formal minutes which will be included in the following month's Town Council Meeting Packet.

I. Call to Order

Mayor Pritchett opened the meeting thanked those who were in attendance.

II. Agenda Adoption

The agenda was approved as written.

III. Amendment #2 to LaBella Task 5 for Administrative Services

LaBella Associates (the Town's Sewer System Engineering consultants) is proposing amendment #2 to Task 5 for administrative services to extend the budget for various on-call services not specifically addressed by other approved Tasks.

  • Such services are routinely addressed by Task 5 which is expected to be fully expended and invoiced in the next 30 to 60 days, and therefore this is a budget amendment to Task 5.
  • LaBella Associates proposes to add $25,000 to the Task 5 budget, bringing the Task 5 total amount to $75,000.
  • A prior Amendment (#1) raised the initial $25,000 budget to $50,000 in July of 2023.

Town Council approved Amendment #2 to LaBella Associaltes' Task 5 for Administrative Services.

IV. Resolution No. 25-05-28 for Lake Structure Condemnation

Community Development Director Mike Williaams advised that a number of lake structures were identified as substantially damaged as a result of Tropical Storm Helene.

  • The Town has been working with FEMA and the United Stated Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to allow for demolition of the structures through USACE mission assignment.
  • Community Development Director Michael Williams contacted each individual on the substantially damaged list.
  • There was a previous resolution passed condemning lake structures, but two additional structures have been identified for condemnation.

Town Council approved Resolution No. 25-05-28 for Lake Structure Condemnation.

V. Adoption of Nonexclusive Easement for Lake Lure

JADA Properties driveway is on a small portion of the Town Property. A nonexclusive easement for Lake Lure is being requested.

Town Council approved the nonexclusive easement.

VI. Hager Strategic Solutions Updates

Mike Hager of Hager Strategic Solutions provides lobbyist services for teh Town. Mr. Hager provided a legislative update.

Mr. Hagoar advised that the budget is being discussed and a lot of back and forth at the state level. If a budget is not agreed upon they will adopt the previous year budget and make amendments as needed. 

House bill 765 regarding down zoning is at a standstill but will continue to watch and see where it goes.  Town officials will follow House Bill 765 closely: Save the American Dream Act.

OVERVIEW: The Proposed Committee Substitute (PCS) for House Bill 765 would make various changes to the land use regulation authority of local governments, including the following:

➢ Clarifies the general authority to adopt and enforce development regulations.

➢ Amends various aspects related to the process of implementing development regulations, including certain uses by right in certain jurisdictions, subdivision approvals, and certain zoning approvals by administrative decision.

➢ Imposes personal civil liability for each member of decision-making boards in certain instances related to development decisions and approvals.

➢ Requires every local governmental unit operating a water system, sewer system, or both to allocate capacity as requests are received, and establishes a vested right in that capacity allocation that runs with the land.

Read the full bill here

Mr. Hagar also made some suggestions on using a tourism tax for a short window for disaster relief.  This is being explored. 

VII. Town Manager/Project Updates

Town Manager Olivia Stewman provide Council with project updates that were not included on the meeting agenda.  

VIII. Storm Recovery Updates

Town staff will provide updates related to storm recovery. Weekly updates are posted at the top of the Town’s website at https://www.townoflakelure.com.

  • Ashbritt has requested a lake draw down to 30 feet. There was a discussion and the plan is to begin dropping the lake level a foot a day starting Monday, 6/2/25. 
  • Dana Bradley plans to do a final inspection of upper boulders trail and a small section tof the trail will be opening soon. 
  • Dea Lindely advised that Public Works will be rfeplacing a 20 tank lid. The well will be off line until mid-June.
  • Contactors will be drilling stabilization nails today (5/29/25)o. *West End is slowing slightly. Waiting on sub-contractors and weather. 
     

IX. Public Comments

  • Pat Buede: (Memorial Hwy.)
    • Ms. Buede asked who owned the land by the river now? The answer is unknown. Will do research to determine who owns this land.
    • She also stated that she has heard that federal funds from FEMA have stopped coming in? Town Council confirmed that this was not true.  The Town is still unsure of all the details but the US Army Corps of Engineers is still here under the direction of FEMA and they are working to complete their mission.

There were no other public comments.

Mayor Pritchett advised that there will be an open Public Meeting in Chimney Rock on June 4, 2025 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at the Fire station. There was a discussion and Mayor Pritchett encouraged everyone to attend the meeting.

X. Adjournment

 

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