MINUTES
Town of Blowing Rock
Board of Commissioners
Special Meeting-March 10, 2008
The
Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners held an annual departmental meeting
on March 10, 2008. Prior to meeting with
department heads, Council received an update from several Blowing Rock Art and
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor
Lawrence called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and welcomed BRAHM
representatives.
BLOWING ROCK ART & HISTORY MUSEUM
UPDATE
Representing
BRAHM were John Calvin, Wellborn Alexander, Ginny Stevens, and JoAnn
Mitchell. Ms. Mitchell began by stating
five million dollars had been raised toward the proposed
Ms.
Mitchell stated final plans for the museum were in progress, when finished,
BRAHM could proceed with the town conditional use permit process. She also stated that clear instructions were
needed from the Town regarding the parking structure and that Town Manager
Hildebran provided a letter outlining Council’s wishes. (Exhibit A) Mr. Hildebran advised that Town Attorney
Allen Moseley and Attorney Tony di Santi would need to work jointly on an
agreement outlining a joint design/build bidding process, construction
oversight and payment reimbursement procedure.
Mr.
Hildebran also advised, based on Council direction, a change to the plans for
the parking structure would be needed in order to add public restrooms in that
area.
According
to plans the two-level parking structure would add ninety-five additional
parking spaces in the downtown area. Ms.
Mitchell also stated the entrance on
Commissioner
Tester inquired if anyone with BRAHM had talked with neighbors in the area
regarding their feelings on the parking structure. Ms. Mitchell stated they had received mostly
positive input from the neighboring residents.
Mr.
Wellborn Alexander stated the project would take approximately two years to
construct and BRAHM wanted to use
the pay as they go plan so they would not be indebted. A revised schematic plan was shown to Council
for the museum project. Commissioner
Ball commended BRAHM on the new design of the building.
Mr.
Calvin stated that a design/build concept would be used and BRAHM would be
utilizing the services of Mr. Steven Price who has done many projects in the
Blowing Rock area.
Commissioner
Klutz voiced his concerns regarding the parking structure and felt the price to
construct it was climbing daily. Mr.
Klutz wanted to know where the money to build the structure was coming
from. He also wanted to know with the
addition of the parking structure at the
Commissioner
Tester stated that per the contract between the Town and BRAHM, the Town was
responsible for the cost of the parking structure, but the parking structure
and the museum were being constructed concurrently in order to save money. Mr.
Hildebran advised the design/build concept could save the Town approximately
twenty percent on the parking structure.
After
further discussion regarding the cost and design of the parking structure, Mr.
Calvin stated he would get cost estimates for the parking structure and provide
them to Mr. Hildebran.
Mayor
Lawrence thanked the representatives of BRAHM for their update and felt the
museum would be a great addition to the area.
DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES
Parks
and Recreation Director Jennifer Brown presented Council with the 2007
accomplishments of her department as well as the retreat priorities and action
plan for the following issues:
·
Continue current
Halloween Festival but work with merchants to minimize concerns.
·
Maintain current
prohibition of dogs in town parks with enforcement of policy – including
relocation of Pet Show to non-park property.
·
Continue
dialogue with American Legion on their building and schedule facility
improvements on Ruritan Club building (
·
Continue to work
with BRAAC on overall beautification of Town.
·
Proceed with
Robbins Pool Improvement Project and continue to seek additional grant funding.
·
Continue P&R
Master Plan implementation.
After
a brief discussion regarding the No Dogs in Town Parks rule, Council suggested
that a letter be sent to interested parties informing them of Council’s
decision to maintain the current prohibition of dogs in town parks.
After
updating Council on several improvements being made to the Town park areas,
etc. Mrs. Brown continued by stating her department was now in charge of the
July 4th and Christmas parades previously coordinated through the
Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Brown advised
she did not foresee any major problems with this other than recruiting enough
volunteers to help with the parades.
Mrs.
Brown discussed the Halloween Festival and addressed the issue of when the
festival was held. Mrs. Brown commented the festival usually ran from 3:00 p.m.
to 10:00 p.m. with the Monster March at 5:30 p.m. on a Saturday and she felt
most parents would not be in favor of their children being out late on a school
night. She felt having it on the weekend
was more feasible in order for more children to participate. Council had several questions regarding
merchant participation. Mrs. Brown
advised that merchant participation was entirely optional and that her department
sent letters to each merchant advising them when the festival was to be held
and what they needed to do in order to participate. Commissioner Klutz suggested that letters be
sent encouraging merchants to stay open later during the event. Mayor Lawrence also recommended the Town send
a public thank you to the merchants who participated.
Mrs.
Brown updated Council on several improvements to the Ruritan Club
building. She stated the sign in front
of the building needed replacing.
Commissioner Tester felt the building needed an historic plaque. Commissioner Klutz commented his restoration
business could possibly donate a new sign or restore the old one if needed.
Mayor
Lawrence announced
After
further discussion, Council thanked Mrs. Brown and her department for the great
job they were doing.
·
Continue efforts
to improve noise and parking regulation enforcement.
·
Consider
equipment upgrades during FY 2008-09 budget process.
·
Continue to set
aside funds for
The
continued problem with motorcycle noise was discussed. Chief Brown stated his
department planned to increase the number of traffic checks which might help
with monitoring motorcycle noise.
Chief
Brown advised he was presently at full-staff after hiring several new
officers. He also touched upon projects
such as the D.A.R.E. program with Officer Toby Ragan, the Special Olympics, the
Torch Run, etc. they were currently involved in.
Police
Officer salaries were briefly discussed.
Commissioner Klutz asked if additional personnel were needed. Chief Brown stated he would like to have
another full-time dispatcher if possible.
Joint dispatching in conjunction with the County was also mentioned with
Chief Brown stating he was not in favor of this. Chief Brown discussed his equipment needs
which were firearms, computers, and an additional taser gun, etc. Commissioner Yount stated he would like to
see this department receive all their equipment needs sparing no expense. Commissioner Klutz agreed with Commissioner
Yount.
Commissioner
Ball questioned changes to be made to the facility once the Emergency Services
Department moved into their new building.
Chief Brown stated they had outgrown their current space and suggested
the Town consult with someone who specialized in police department needs when
it was time to update. Town Manager Hildebran mentioned funds were reserved for
the upgrade of the police department due to a donation received from the ABC
Board specifically earmarked for this use.
Council
commended Chief Brown and his department for a job well done.
Mr.
Graham updated Council on progress being made on the new
Mr.
Graham discussed the need for an agreement with
Council
concluded this portion of the meeting by stating residents were blessed to have
the level of service supplied by the EMS Department.
Fiscal Management
(Administration/Budgetary) Issues:
Due
to lack of time, Mr. Hildebran stated this departmental meeting would be
rescheduled to a later date.
Other
Town
Manager Hildebran presented Council with a breakdown of TDA Funding which
showed appropriations over a 7-year period for the American Legion Parking
Structure.
Council
further discussed the parking situation in town. Commissioner Pickett asked other members how
they felt about a flat fee being charged for parking in the new parking
structures. Commissioner Ball stated
this had been discussed previously and she also did not like the idea of
parking meters along
Adjournment
After
further discussion regarding parking, Mayor Lawrence adjourned the meeting at
7:15 p.m.
MAYOR __________________________
J.B.
Lawrence
Attest: ________________________
Sharon Greene, Town Clerk
Attachments
Proposed
BRAHM Building/Parking Facility Letter