The Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners held departmental work sessions with the following departments; Administration, Landscaping, Planning & Zoning and Parks & Recreation. Members of Council present were Mayor J.B. Lawrence, Commissioners Barbara Ball, David Wray, Terry Lentz, Keith Tester and Rita Wiseman. Staff members present were Town Manager Scott Hildebran and Assistant Town Clerk Sharon Greene.

Mr. Hildebran spoke with Council concerning two budget needs for the next fiscal year. New carpet for the Town Hall building is badly needed, and also the inside of the building needs to be repainted.

Also discussed was the location for the clock that the Rotary Club is donating to the town. Mr. Wray stated he had talked with the ladies at the Community Club and they were in favor of the clock being on their property at the corner of Main St. and Park Avenue. As originally suggested, the Town Hall property was ruled out, since the large tree in front of Town Hall would have to be removed.

Council met with Perry Davis and discussed the landscaping projects already in progress and the future needs in various areas around town. Mr. Davis discussed his plans for building a wall and planting shrubbery on Maple Street, in order to enhance the parking area. Council instructed Mr. Davis to concentrate on the town parks, such as Broyhill Park and Annie Cannon Memorial Gardens. They also instructed Mr. Davis to work with B.R.A.C.C. the volunteer board, but they were to go through him on changes they wanted to make around town.

Council spoke with Kevin Rothrock concerning the Planning & Zoning Department. Numerous items were discussed. Mr. Rothrock suggested his department have an intern for the summer, Council agreed this would be beneficial and to go ahead and advertise for that position. Other departmental needs mentioned was a new zoning position and a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Signage was discussed at length. Council suggested that Mr. Rothrock send violation letters out as soon a possible for any illegal signs, giving them thirty (30) days to comply or be penalized $100 a day for each day they are out of compliance. Menu boards and message boards were discussed. It was discussed that one menu board or message board approximately 3-sq. ft. in size per business would be allowed. They would also need to be attached to their building.

Council requested Mr. Rothrock send out letters to people violating the Town code with short-term rental units inside the limits of town.

Council met with Kim Oberle regarding the Parks & Recreation Department. Kim praised her assistant Jamie Schultz for the great job she was doing with the park programs. Attendance numbers for programs are always high, some even having a waiting list.

Ms. Oberle and Council discussed repairs to the tennis courts. It has to be re-surfaced every two years. Ms. Oberle stated it needed to be re-graded and fixed instead of having to repair the crack that develops at a cost of $1000 each time. Council instructed her to check on prices to fix it properly. Also discussed was the Grover Robbins Pool. It is in need of major renovations scheduled for the near future. This year it will be sandblasted and repainted in order for it to open for the season. Pool passes were also discussed. Council felt it would be a good idea to have pool passes once again and directed Ms. Oberle to check into that. Keeping the pool open for nighttime swimming was also mentioned.

Ms. Oberle mentioned an amphitheater being built at the Annie Cannon Memorial Park by the Blowing Rock Stage Co. to Council. After some discussion it was the consensus of Council that this was not the best place for one.

Ms. Oberle told Council that the new Christmas decorations had been ordered for $27,679.00. Other items discussed were carpet and a new air conditioning unit for the recreation room, and paving a portion of the parking area at the recreation department for a Dumpster. Installing vending machines in the park was discussed. They are to be installed near the park restrooms with screening. The purchase of two trucks for the recreation department was also mentioned.

Council discussed a policy statement concerning the fees for Day Camp, residents only, would get in at the reduced rate, not children of business owners.

Before adjourning the meeting Council directed Mr. Hildebran to schedule another meeting with Mr. & Mrs. Buxton in regards to the land on Valley Boulevard.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

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Mayor J.B. Lawrence

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Sharon H. Greene, Assistant Town Clerk