MINUTES

Town of Blowing Rock

Board of Commissioners

May 22, 2007

The Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners continued their FY 2007-2008 Recommended Budget meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 22, 2007. Present were Mayor Lawrence, Commissioners Bobby Ball, Terry Lentz, Keith Tester, Rita Wiseman and Tommy Klutz. Other attending were Town Manager Scott Hildebran, Town Engineer Doug Chapman, Finance Director Margaret Pierce, and Town Clerk Sharon Greene.

Call to Order

Mayor Lawrence called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

Follow-up Items

Previously Mayor Lawrence had inquired as to when Hwy 221 would be paved. Mr. Hildebran stated according to N.C.D.O.T., at the present time there were no funds available in this fiscal year.

Mr. Hildebran also responded to Commissioner Lentz’s request for removal of debris on Country Club property along Green Hill Road by stating he had spoken with Planning Director Kevin Rothrock and Mr. Rothrock had contacted the Country Club regarding this issue.

Mr. Hildebran presented Council with an amendment to the Town of Blowing Rock Comprehensive Financial Policy regarding undesignated fund balance clarification which was discussed previously during the budget work session on May 21, 2007. This change would be added to the agenda for the next regular meeting for Council’s approval. Town of Blowing Rock Comprehensive Financial Policy Attachment A

Water/Sewer impact fees were next to be discussed, Mr. Hildebran stated currently, these fees were $600.00 per bedroom and remained at the same rate for approximately the past ten years. It was consensus of Council to increase the fees to $750.00 per bedroom. Official action would be taken at the next regular meeting to increase impact fees as of July 1, 2007. Mr. Hildebran stated the FY 2007-2008 Recommended Budget included an increase of $.075 per month for water and sewer which would make the minimum $31.50 per billing period for water and the minimum of $31.50 for sewer. Commissioner Wiseman asked if the water/sewer impact fees could be increased without an increase in water/sewer rates. Mr. Hildebran stated in order to stay current with the Consumer Price Index and cover continued increases in chemicals, electricity, etc. an increase in rates were needed. Town Engineer Doug Chapman stated the increase was not out of line with other municipalities.

Mayor Lawrence suggested that staff check into technology for the Town to email water/sewer bills to customers that requested such. Mr. Hildebran and Mrs. Pierce stated that water/sewer information was now considered protected information which might prohibit that service but they would check into this option.

Mr. Hildebran advised the water/sewer budget included new capital items such as a sewer jet and sewer camera.

Mr. Hildebran conveyed that the Town was awarded a $500,000 PARTF grant from the State of North Carolina for improvements to the Robbins Pool. Mr. Hildebran expressed there were several foundations that could also be approached also for donations towards this project and that he would pursue this. Town Engineer Chapman advised the grant allowed up to three years to complete the project. The estimated cost of the pool improvement project is slightly over $1,000,000.00.

The Town Pavement Schedule was discussed briefly. Mr. Hildebran stated Powell Bill funds for paving were $85,000, Special Paving funds were $50,000 and approximately $25,000 from the TDA was earmarked this fiscal year. Mr. Hildebran stating that during FY 2007-2008 several streets were scheduled to be paved based on the Town Pavement Plan. Commissioner Klutz suggested that more streets be paved in the near future due to the rising costs of materials. Mr. Hildebran advised that without an increase in taxes this would not be feasible. He also stated that Public Works Director had received three quotes for the proposed paving and Greer Paving Company was low bidder.

Mr. Hildebran advised that Clark Street, Maple Street and Sourwood Lane would be paved prior to June 30 and other streets scheduled to be paved after July 1, 2007 were Birch Drive, Skyland Drive, Chestnut Street, Forest Lane, Plentywood Drive, Rickard Drive and Rankin Street. It was consensus of Council to move forward with the proposed paving with low bidder Greer Paving in the amount of $163,218.00. Mr. Hildebran also stated that North While Pine Road and East Cornish Road were scheduled to be paved prior to June 30 with funds already set aside for that purpose, which were not included in the above total costs.

During the March meeting, Council requested that Town Engineer Doug Chapman assess the Pelsmaeker drainage problem on Wallingford Street. Mr. Chapman stated he had reviewed the situation and concluded that several surrounding properties drained to this same area and also contributed to the problem. In his assessment of the area he did not feel that water draining from the Morningside Drive area, a town street, contributed to the drainage problems. Mr. Chapman after reviewing the situation prepared a preliminary engineering design and advised he had quotes on the cost to fix the problem. A quote received from Iron Mountain Construction was $36,622 and a quote from Max Prestwood was $52,500. Mr. Chapman reminded Council that there were other areas in town where residents were experiencing the same problems and he did not feel this particular area was caused by any drainage from a town-owned street. Mr. Chapman also stated that historically the Town had not completed work on private property. Commissioner Lentz replied that Council had done what was intended at the March meeting by reviewing the problem and covering the cost of an engineering design. Commissioner Klutz stated that he felt the Town should assist with solving the drainage problem. Town Manager Hildebran informed Council that this area was zoned R-6(M) and not in Central Business and the project was a single-family home which had not historically been required to meet any storm water requirements. Mayor Lawrence stated that the pending Storm Water Study that was being completed would identify other problem areas in town, possibly not all of them, but most all in the Central Business area.

It was the consensus of Council that the problem was a private issue but the Town would provide the design and consulting assistance to Ms. Pelsmaeker. They also agreed to follow-up on the matter once the storm water study was completed.

Next item discussed was the Streetscape Plan with Mr. Chapman stating in July he would have plans for Council’s review and that the designs for the water/sewer CIP continues. Mr. Chapman also stated that all utility providers as well as N.C.D.O.T. had met with McGill staff regarding the streetscape design.

Mr. Chapman also stated that geotech work had been completed for the parking facility located at the American Legion. Conceptual plans should be ready for review possibly in July. He expressed the footers could be dug before cold weather and the retaining walls constructed in the fall.

Ransom Street and Chestnut Street sidewalks were also discussed. Mr. Chapman conveyed to Council that the sidewalk surveying was completed and inquired how Council would like to approach Ransom Street residents. Commissioner Lentz stated he did not want to see a lot of money spent on this if the residents were not in favor of the sidewalk. Council requested that cost information be prepared to share with the residents in order to see if they were interested in proceeding. Commissioner Klutz also expressed his concern with large trucks traveling this street and that many of the trucks had damaged his rock wall trying to enter into the storage area property owned by Mark Crumpler. Mr. Klutz also stated the ditches along Ransom were very deep and he would like to see them fixed. Town Manager Hildebran advised there may be some N.C.D.OT. Grant money for school safety that may assist with the Chestnut/Morris Street sidewalks.

Mr. Hildebran stated the fee for NSF checks received by the Town was proposed to increase from $15.00 to $25.00.

Town Manager Hildebran also reviewed the Fleet Maintenance Schedule, Parks & Recreation Master Plan, the 5-Year CIP, etc. with Council.

Mr. Hildebran advised the Cheeseburger Building located on Hwy. 221 was ordered to be torn down by June 14 and if it was not, Council would consider adoption of a demolition order in July for that purpose and place a lien on the property.

Adjournment

Mayor Lawrence thanked staff for their hard work with the budget and with no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.

Mayor ___________________________

J.B. Lawrence

Attest: __________________________

Sharon H. Greene, Town Clerk