MINUTES

 

Town of Blowing Rock

Board of Commissioners

 

September 13, 2005

 

The Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, September 13, 2005. Present were Mayor J.B. Lawrence, Commissioners Bobby Ball, Keith Tester, Terry Lentz, Rita Wiseman and David Wray. Others attending were Town Manager Scott Hildebran, Town Attorney Allen Moseley, Town Engineer Andy Lovingood, Police Chief Owen Tolbert, Public Works Director Johnny Lentz, Planning Director Kevin Rothrock, Building Inspector John Warren, Parks & Recreation Director Jennifer Gore, Paramedic Winston Lawrence and Town Clerk Sharon Greene.

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

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

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Wiseman to approve the minutes for the August 9, 2005 meeting as presented, seconded by Commissioner Lentz.  Unanimous approved.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

1.      Blowing Rock Historical Society- Edgewood Cottage Agreement

During a work session with the Blowing Rock Historical Society and Board of Commissioners that was held on August 9, 2005, an update was given to Council on Edgewood Cottage located on South Main Street.  During the work session, Commissioner Tester made the following motion; “that the Historical Society move forward with their project and work with staff on an agreement and for the re-zoning process to be started”.

 

Town Manager Scott Hildebran presented Council with the finished draft agreement between the Town of Blowing Rock and the Blowing Rock Historical Society concerning Edgewood Cottage. After reviewing the document, Commissioner Lentz questioned why the Town was funding the telephone service for Edgewood Cottage.  He felt that the Historical Society should pay for this service.

 

Commissioner Wiseman inquired if Edgewood Cottage would remain open during the winter months, and if so, what type heat would be used.  Mr. Ron Oberle, a representative of the Historical Society, stated that the building would not be open during the coldest months of the year.  Council felt if the building were used during the winter the utility bills would be a large expense for the Town.

 

Commissioner Wray inquired if the Town wanted to make changes in the proposed agreement at a later date, would they be able to do so.  Town Attorney Allen Moseley stated that changes could be made.

 

After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Wray to accept the agreement as presented, seconded by Commissioner Ball.  Unanimously approved.

 

Edgewood Cottage Agreement (Attachment A)

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

1.      Blowing Rock Historical Society- Daniel Boone Monument Trail Marker

Town Manager Hildebran presented a request from the Blowing Rock Historical Society for the Town to accept and relocate the Daniel Boone Trail Monument located on what was the “Blue Ridge Motel” property on North Main Street. The Blowing Rock Historical Society felt the monument, which is registered as number 26 in the Boone Trail Marker Inventory Record, should be saved for its historical significance to the village and to the state.

 

The Blowing Rock Historical Society approached a representative of the Coffey family regarding the preservation of the monument.  The Coffey family agreed to donate the monument to the Town for relocation and preservation.

 

Commissioner Tester made a motion to accept the historical monument, with the understanding that the Historical Society, working with the Town, would find a suitable location for it. Commissioner Ball seconded the motion. Unanimously approved.

 

2.      Mayview Madness- 5k Road Race (November 12, 2005)

Council received a request from the High Country Conservancy to hold their 6^th Annual Blowing Rock Mayview Madness 5K Run on Saturday, November 12, 2005.

 

The 3.1-mile race will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Blowing Rock School, and continue up to the Mayview area and end at the Memorial Park.  The High County Conservancy will coordinate with the Police Department on traffic control for the event.

 

Commissioner Wiseman made a motion to grant the request, seconded by Commissioner Wray. Unanimously approved.

 

3.      Watauga County Occupancy Tax

The N.C. General Assembly approved Session Law 2005-197 – Watauga County District Occupancy Tax on July 18, 2005.  This legislation allows Watauga County to implement up to a 6% occupancy tax on overnight room accommodations located outside the incorporated areas of the county.

  

The Town expressed an interest to the County that the lodging establishments located outside the corporate limits of Blowing Rock would probably prefer inclusion in the Blowing Rock TDA efforts. County Manager Rocky Nelson informed Town Manager Hildebran that the County would likely take up the occupancy tax before the end of the year and suggested that the Town and TDA take formal action to request adjacent hoteliers inclusion in the Blowing Rock TDA efforts.

 

Four lodging establishments were approached by TDA Vice-President Kent Tarbutton to seek their interest in becoming affiliated with the Blowing Rock TDA.  Blowing Rock Lodge, Alpine Acres Motel, Roaring Rivers Chalets, and the Inn at Crestwood have all expressed an interest in the effort.

 

At their September 6, 2005 meeting, The TDA unanimously approved the request.  The TDA also recommended that the Town Council explore the feasibility of out-of-town Blowing Rock hoteliers be included in the Blowing Rock tourism with the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.

 

Commissioner Lentz made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ball, to take formal action and pursue the matter with Watauga County Board of Commissioners.  Unanimously approved.

 

4.      Master Signage Plan

The Town retained the services of Southwood Corporation in 2003 to develop a Master Town Signage Plan. The goal was to review all town signage, develop an integrated public information/wayfinding system, improve signage durability and maintenance, and create opportunities for sign production cost savings. 

 

Since that time, the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority took the lead on the signage project and began development of a tourism brand for the town.

 

Phase I incorporated the brand and produced signage for the new Visitors Center.

 

Phase II proposes new directional and downtown welcome signage for the Town of Blowing Rock.  The proposed locations are on Valley Boulevard at Business U.S. 321 and on entrances into downtown.

 

Additional phases will include downtown traffic signage – including parking signage, regulatory sign consistency, informational kiosks, public non-profit message sign, and town property signage.

 

The Tourism Development Authority is funding the project.  They also approved Phase II at their September 6, 2005 meeting.

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Lentz to accept Phase II of the Master Town Signage Plan as presented, seconded by Commissioner Ball.  Unanimously approved.

 

Master Signage Plan Phase II (Attachment B)

 

5.      Surplus- Vehicles/Equipment ( Resolution #2005-06 & #2005-07)

According to N.C.G.S. 160A-266(c), the Town Council may adopt a resolution authorizing an appropriate Town Official to dispose of personal property valued at less than $5,000 through use of informal procedures to obtain fair market value.

 

Resolution #2005-06 was presented to Council for the following list of surplus vehicles/equipment:

 

·         1995 Ford Crown Victoria - VIN# 0.0898 – 88,400 miles

·         1995 Ford Crown Victoria – VIN#0.0897 – 135,366 miles

·         1988 Chevrolet Truck C-70 (Garbage Truck) – VIN#0.9656 – 44,124 miles

·         Wooden Desk

·         Printer Stand

·         (3) window air conditioners (1-Goldstar & 2-Whirlpool)

·         (2) Safes-(1) approx. 500 lbs.w/lost combination and (1) approx. 400 lbs. w/no keys 

·         Radio Shack Speakers-Small

·         Pioneer Stereo System - w/ tape deck & compact disc, microphone mix

 

Town Manager Hildebran also presented Council with Resolution #2005-07 which declares the following equipment surplus and authorizes the Town Manager to accept formal sealed bids:

 

·         Dewatering Equipment w/catwalk

·          

After Town Manager Hildebran receives sealed bids on the surplus equipment listed in Resolution 2005-07, (Hycor Rotoshear RC Model RSL 3672 Dewatering Equipment w/catwalk) which exceeds $5,000 in value, Mr. Hildebran will present the bids to Council for their consideration.

 

A motion was made by Commissioner Lentz to accept Resolutions #2005-06 and #2005-07, seconded by Commissioner Wiseman.  Unanimously approved.

 

 

Resolutions #2005-06 & 2005-07 (Attachment C & D)

 

At this time, Mayor Lawrence granted Commissioner Wray permission to address the audience.

 

Commissioner Wray spoke of an interview with Television Station WSOC.  Mr. Wray apologized to the public for any misunderstanding that was taken with his statements regarding the rising gasoline prices and the conservation of gas during this crucial time. 

 

SPEAKERS FROM THE FLOOR

 

Mayor Lawrence opened the Speakers from the Floor segment of the meeting.

 

Carol Horne, of 316 Clark Street, addressed Council with her concerns regarding the intersection of Clark Street and Hwy. 221.  Mrs. Horne felt this intersection was in need of a median to ensure public safety, and asked that Council consider her request.

 

There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Lawrence adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.

 

 

 

MAYOR  ____________________________________

                             J.B. Lawrence

 

 

 

Attest:  ________________________________

              Sharon H. Greene, Town Clerk