The Mayor and Board of Commissioners for the Town of Blowing Rock met in regular session on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor J. B. Lawrence, Barbara Ball, Terry Lentz, Keith Tester, Rita Wiseman, and David Wray. Also present were Town Manager Don Holycross, Town Attorney Allen Moseley, Town Engineer Marion Rothrock and Town Clerk Barbara Beach. Other staff members attending the meeting were Director of Public Works Johnny Lentz, Police Chief Owen Tolbert, Planning Director Kevin Rothrock, Building Inspector John Warren, and Recreation Director Kim Oberle.

Mayor Lawrence called the meeting to order. Upon motion of Ms. Wiseman, second by Mr. Lentz, Council voted unanimously to approve the minutes as submitted for the meeting held on March 12, 2002.

1. Major Amendment to CUP 2001-05 - Alexander Duplex

Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Alexander had withdrawn their request for a major amendment to Conditional Use Permit # 2001-05, and so this agenda item was not considered.

2. Proclamation for Arts Awareness Month

Council received a request from the Watauga County Arts Council that Mayor Lawrence proclaims the month of April as Arts Awareness Month. Upon motion of Mrs. Ball, second by Mr. Wray, Council voted unanimously to designate April as a time to celebrate the arts in Watauga County.

Proclamation attached as Exhibit A

3. Business Personal Property Tax Audits

Mr. Jim Turner of Turner Business Appraisers was present with a proposal that the Town become a partner in the auditing efforts of business personal property. His company has contracted with the County of Watauga to audit business personal property, and he offered a similar arrangement to the Town Council. His fee would be based on a percentage of additional revenue discovered as a result of his audits. His proposal suggested the Town would pay 20% of any revenue discovered, but in his presentation, he offered to reduce his fee to 15%. Mr. Lentz stated he was not interested in this arrangement, and moved that the Town does not enter into this proposed contract. Mr. Wray seconded the motion, and members voted unanimously to reject the proposal.

April 9, 2002

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4. Update on Capital Improvement Projects

Mr. Marion Rothrock provided a report on the status of the Town’s Capital Improvement Projects. He reviewed his plans for the South Main sidewalk, with a proposed new drainage system and the new retaining walls for the project. He explained that most of the new wall is not over 2- 2-1/2 feet high and he proposes dry stack stone walls. He also reviewed his plan to replace the existing streetlights with coach lights. These will be located behind the paved ditch, between the ditch and the wall, and will illuminate the walk while reducing light to the adjacent properties above the walkway. Several Council members expressed a desire for the wall to be constructed of stone with a "dry stack look" that is actually mortared. Mr. Rothrock had planned that Johnny Lentz’s crewmembers would construct the wall, and Johnny will check to see if they are familiar with this technique. Mr. Rothrock reported that he will submit the plans to NCDOT in two weeks, which is ahead of schedule.

In response to a question concerning the start date of the North Main Street sidewalk, Mr. Rothrock replied that the contractor will begin next week if weather permits.

5. Installation of Web Camera

Mr. Charles Hardin, representing the Merchants Association, presented a request to install their web camera on a Bell South utility pole located on Laurel Lane just past the bridge crossing the Mayview Lake spillway. He explained that many seasonal residents and visitors would like to see the weather here, and this is one way to provide additional information to people who would visit Blowing Rock.

Mrs. Ball believes that it is an invasion of privacy, and will draw more people into a residential area. Mr. Wray thinks it is a good location for the web cam, and would be a nice asset to the Town. Mr. Lentz asked Kim Oberle for her opinion, and Ms. Oberle responded that it would be helpful to refer people to the website so they can see the gazebo they are calling to rent.

In response to questions concerning the degree of movement available for the camera to scan, Mr. Lawrence replied that the parameters could be set. Mr. Hardin agreed and stated that the camera will be positioned on the pole approximately twenty feet high.

Mr. Wray moved that the Merchants Association be allowed to install the web camera at this location on Laurel Lane, and that the white camera be repainted in an earth tone, and that the angle of the view projected by the camera is to be approved by the Town. Mr. Lentz seconded the motion. Mr. Wray amended his motion to include Mr. Tester to participate in the approval process, and at the suggestion of Ms. Wiseman, recommended that Ms. Oberle also approve the angle of the camera view.

Mr. Lentz agreed to the amendments, and the vote was called. All members voted in favor of the motion, except Mrs. Ball, who remains opposed to the installation of the camera.

There was no further business, and Mayor Lawrence adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

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Barbara G. Beach, Town Clerk