MINUTES

Town of Blowing Rock

Board of Commissioners

 

June 27, 2006

 

The Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. to discuss budget amendments for FY 2005-06 and other items.  Present were Mayor J.B. Lawrence, Commissioners Bobby Ball, Keith Tester, Rita Wiseman, and Tommy Klutz.  Commissioner Terry Lentz was out of town and unable to attend.  Others in attendance were Town Manager Scott Hildebran, Finance Director Margaret Pierce and Town Clerk Sharon Greene.

 

Call to Order

 

Mayor Lawrence called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

 

Discussion Items

 

1.      FY 2005-06 Year-end Budget Amendment (#2006-05)

Finance Director Margaret Pierce presented Council with several budget amendments for their review. 

 

Mrs. Pierce also stated the Emergency Services Department had received several donations recently in the amount of $2,920.

 

Commissioner Tester inquired as to when sidewalk repairs would be done around town.  He stated that he would like to see these repairs done in the near future.

 

Town Manager Hildebran stated that a plan was needed so this could be done in a comprehensive manner instead of doing the sidewalk repairs little by little.

 

Commissioner Klutz voiced his concerns regarding the sidewalks being hazardous.  Town Manager Hildebran stated that a representative from the Town’s insurance company had recently walked town streets inspecting sidewalks and had determined the sidewalks met minimum safety standards.  However, Mr. Hildebran stated he understood Council’s interest and that McGill Associates was in the process of developing a downtown streetscape plan.

 

Commissioner Wiseman made a motion to approve FY 2005-06 Budget Amendments #2005-2006, seconded by Commissioner Klutz. Unanimously approved.   FY 2005-06 Year-end Budget Amendments #2005-2006 Attached as Exhibit A

 

Mrs. Pierce stated she had one other item to present to Council regarding town finances.  Mrs. Pierce stated there were two reserve funds from the 1980’s that needed to be entered back into fund balance; one being money for the Tour Dupont ($549.44) and for the Pictorial Museum ($1544.18).

 

Commissioner Wiseman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ball made a motion to enter both reserve funds back into fund balance. Unanimously approved.

 

Volunteer Fire-Possible Position Funding

Town Manager Hildebran stated that EMS Director Kent Graham had discussed a proposal adding another full-time position for his department. Town Manager Hildebran stated that under the proposal the Blowing Rock Volunteer Fire Department would fund the position for the first year (insurance included) with the town funding the position after the first year was over. Town Manager Hildebran asked if Council was in agreement regarding this issue.  Mayor Lawrence stated he didn’t see a problem with the new position as long as the fire department paid for it the first year as planned.  It was the consensus of Council to support such a proposal.  Mr. Hildebran advised he would inform Mr. Graham of Council’s interest and return to Council for formal approval at a later date.

 

Drainage Update-Deepwood Place & Others

Town Manager Hildebran stated the water line for the emergency water supply located at the Tanger Shoppes needed to be buried.  Mr. Hildebran stated that a vehicle had run over the exposed line and had received damages that the town had to reimburse.  Council agreed this needed to be taken care of so it would no longer be a hazard.  Town Manager Hildebran stated the Town Engineer would be reviewing other drainage problems in the stormwater study.  Repair at the Deepwood Place would cost up to $4,000.00.

 

Paving Update

Council received a street pavement schedule showing town streets that would be re-paved and the approximate cost for each one. He stated the re-paving had begun with Possum Hollow Road, Grandfather View, as well as Pine Street.

 

Mayor Lawrence inquired if Greer Paving Company was a licensed contractor, stating that he had heard they possibly did not have a contractors license. Town Manager Hildebran stated he would look into this and let him know.

 

Parking-Local Bill Update

Town Manager Hildebran stated that Senate Bill #350, Blowing Rock Parking Facility was approved by the N.C. State House on June 29th.  The bill will return to the State Senate for final concurrence.  This bill will give the Town the ability to construct a parking facility without the need for compliance with the State formal public bidding statutes. 

 

Other

Council discussed landscaping issues along Main Street, stating more trees were needed.  Town Manager Hildebran stated this was part of the streetscape plan that was being developed. 

 

At this time Commissioner Wiseman made a motion to enter into Closed Session by authorization of NCGS 143-318.11(3), seconded by Commissioner Tester.  Unanimously approved at 8:45 a.m.

 

Adjournment

The regular meeting reconvened at 10:00 a.m. With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at this time.

 

 

 

Mayor ___________________________

J.B. Lawrence

 

 

Attest:  _________________________

                Sharon H. Greene, CMC