The Mayor and Board of Commissioners for the Town of Blowing Rock met in special session on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. Present were Mayor J. B. Lawrence, Commissioners Terry Lentz, Keith Tester, Rita Wiseman, and David Wray. Commissioner Barbara Ball was out of town and could not attend. Also present were Town Manager Scott Hildebran, Planning Director Kevin Rothrock, and Town Clerk Barbara Beach.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a Memorandum of Understanding for U.S. 321 Improvements, drafted by the NC Department of Transportation. NCDOT has agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding outlining certain design features for the widening of US Highway 321. The MOU details measures that will be implemented by NCDOT when the highway construction begins.

A copy of the draft MOU is attached to these minutes. The items highlighted are those discussed in response to questions raised by NCDOT engineers, or those of particular interest or concern to Council members. Highlighted comments and statements reflect an agreement reached by Council members during this meeting.

Council members discussed paragraphs 1 – 21 of the draft MOU, arriving at a consensus for each one. At the conclusion of the discussion of the draft, Mr. Wray inquired about the disposition of existing billboards. Members agreed to add paragraph number 22 to request NCDOT acquisition of the four billboards within the project area. Mr. Hildebran noted that the draft contained nothing concerning utility lines in the project area, and members decided to add paragraph number 23 to address the necessity to move or replace water and sewer lines due to highway construction.

Mr. Lentz stated his appreciation to NCDOT for their cooperation with the Town in developing the draft MOU.

2. Request from Richard Trexler

Mr. Hildebran reported that Mr. Trexler has requested the Town purchase and re-plant additional hemlock for his hedge. Mr. Hildebran reviewed the action taken so far in this matter. The hedge was re-planted in 1995 after the stormwater drainage was constructed in front of Mr. Trexler’s house. In the spring of 2001, and again in May of 2002, the Town purchased and replaced certain hemlocks in the hedge.

Council members agreed that they did not intend to provide perpetual maintenance of the hedge, and denied the request for further replacement.

Mr. Hildebran asked for a consensus to approve the proposed new rates for swim lessons. The proposed fee increase would raise rates for members from $25 to $35. The fees for non-members would be $55, up from $30, and increase fees for private lessons from $80 to $100. The increase would allow the Town to recover the cost of hiring additional staff members to respond to increased demand on the pool this summer. All Council members agreed to the proposed new rates.

There was no further business, and Mayor Lawrence adjourned the meeting at 9:40 a.m.

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J. B. Lawrence, Mayor

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Barbara G. Beach, Town Clerk