MINUTES

Town of Blowing Rock

Board of Commissioners

Regular Meeting-April 8, 2008

 

The Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 at Town Hall, 1036 Main Street, Blowing Rock.  Attending were Mayor J.B. Lawrence, Commissioners Bobby Ball, Keith Tester, Albert Yount, Phil Pickett and Tommy Klutz.  Others in attendance were Town Manager Scott Hildebran, Town Engineer Doug Chapman, Planning Director Kevin Rothrock, Police Chief Eric Brown, Public Works Assistant Director Mike Wilcox, Finance Director Nicole Norman, Parks & Recreation Director Jennifer Brown and Town Clerk Sharon Greene.  Unable to attend was Town Attorney Allen Moseley. 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Mayor Lawrence called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and welcomed those in attendance.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Upon a motion received from Commissioner Ball, seconded by Commissioner Tester, minutes for meetings held on March 10, 11, 12, and 31, 2008 were approved as written.  Unanimously approved.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Town Manager Hildebran updated Council on the current drought and water conservation status.  Mr. Hildebran advised the State of North Carolina recommended although recent rainfall, the continuation of Stage I Water Restrictions.  He also advised the Town water reservoir remained at “full pond”.  Mr. Hildebran recommended the situation be reassessed during the next regular scheduled Council meeting on May 13, 2008.  Council concurred with this recommendation.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

  1. Blowing Rock Historical Society/BRAHM – Marker Program

Mr. David Harwood Chairperson for the Blowing Rock Marker Program Committee came before Council requesting Town endorsement of The Blowing Rock Marker Program.  Mr. Harwood advised the program was a joint effort between The Blowing Rock Historical Society (BRHS) and the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM). Mr. Harwood continued to explain the purpose of the program was to identify and recognize buildings and sites within the community because of their architectural structure or other significance, such as historical importance or their design or a relationship with the Town’s legacy. 

 

Mr. Harwood stated the eligibility requirements were as follows:

 

  • The building must be located in the community of Blowing Rock.
  • For historical consideration, the building must be at least fifty (50 years old and be of historic significance.
  • The building exterior must be either completely restored or properly maintained in accordance with its architectural style and character.
  • If a building had been moved from its original site, it must maintain its historic architectural style.
  • For new construction, the building must be an outstanding example of a new building that is architecturally and aesthetically an asset within the context of the existing streetscape and neighborhood.
  • The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards of Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings will be considered when evaluating all restoration and rehabilitation work. 
  • Property owners must be willing to display the marker on the property for public viewing.

 

The following types of properties will be considered:

  • Commercial buildings
  • Private residences
  • Churches
  • Schools
  • Municipal buildings
  • Historic properties
  • Public art
  • Other properties and/or items of significance deemed appropriate by the Blowing Rock Marker Committee

 

Mr. Harwood advised in the downtown area there were currently 125 properties that met one or more of the criteria for receiving a marker.  He also advised that approximately three properties would be recognized the first year on March 11, 2009 the Town’s anniversary. 

 

Mayor Lawrence commended the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum and Blowing Rock Historical Society for their efforts in implementing this program.  Commissioner Tester also agreed this was a good project and inquired if they planned to recognize more then three properties once the program began.  Mr. Harwood stated it depended on manpower as well as gathering the correct information regarding the property in a timely manner.  He felt once the program was established they might do more than three each year. 

 

Commissioner Ball asked if property owners would be able to apply for a marker to be placed on their property.  Mr. Harwood stated self nomination would be welcome from property owners.

 

Commissioner Pickett made a motion to approve endorsement of The Blowing Rock Marker Program, seconded by Commissioner Ball.  Unanimously approved.

 

  1. Tax Refund

Council received for their consideration Tax Refund #2007-03 in the amount of $180.36 payable to GE Capital Information Tech, Solution due to incorrect property assessment.

 

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 105-381(b), the governing board, upon receiving a taxpayer’s written statement of defense and request for release or refund, shall within 90 days after receipt of such request determine whether the taxpayer had a valid defense to the tax imposed or any part thereof and shall either release or refund that portion of the amount that is determined to be in excess of the correct tax liability or notify the taxpayer in writing that no release or refund will be made. 

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Tester, seconded by Commissioner Yount to approve Tax Refund #2007-03 as presented.  Unanimously approved.  Unanimously approved.  Tax Refund #2007-03 – Exhibit A

 

  1. Budget Amendment (Ordinance #2008-04)

Town Manager Hildebran presented Council with Budget Amendment #2008-04 for fiscal year 2007-2008 for their approval.  Mr. Hildebran conveyed the General Capital Projects Fund amendment was to recognize loan proceeds for the Parking Facility and additional revenue from the Blowing Rock ABC Board for the Robbins Pool Complex. 

 

The Water/Sewer Capital Projects Fund amendment was to recognize the loan proceeds for the Phase I Capital Improvements Project.

 

Upon a motion received from Commissioner Tester, seconded by Commissioner Yount, Budget Amendment Ordinance #2008-04 was approved as presented.  Unanimously approved. Ordinance #2008-04 – Exhibit B

 

SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR

 

None

 

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

 

Mayor Lawrence advised that he had appointed Commissioner Ball to represent Council on the U.S. Forest Service Globe Project.

 

Town Manager Hildebran advised that Council had received an invitation to meet with the Hayes Performing Arts Center on May 5, 2008 at Noon to receive an update on their progress.

 

Commissioner Pickett made a motion to hold a special meeting and accept the invitation to meet with the Blowing Rock Community Art Center on May 5, 2008 at Noon, seconded by Commissioner Ball. Unanimously approved.

 

Commissioner Ball made a motion to enter into closed session at 7:15 p.m. per N.C.G.S. 143.318.11 to discuss legal issues, seconded by Commissioner Yount.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting reconvened at 7:50 p.m. and with no further discussion the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

                                                              MAYOR___________________________  

                                                                                 J.B. Lawrence

 

Attest:  __________________________

              Sharon Greene, Town Clerk

 

 

Attachments

Tax Refund #2007-03 – Exhibit A

Ordinance #2008-04 – Exhibit B