Town of Blowing Rock

Board of Commissioners

Minutes – November 14, 2006

 

The Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers.  Present were Mayor JB Lawrence, Commissioners Bobby Ball, Keith Tester, Terry Lentz, Rita Wiseman, and Tommy Klutz.  Others in attendance were Town Manager Scott Hildebran, Town Attorney Allen Moseley, Town Engineer Doug Chapman, Finance Director Margaret Pierce, Building Inspector Jesse Horner, Landscape Specialist Perry Davis, Planning Director Kevin Rothrock, Police Chief Owen Tolbert, Sergeant Eric Brown, and Town Clerk Sharon Greene.

 

Call to Order

Mayor Lawrence called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

Approval of Minutes

Upon a motion received from Commissioner Wiseman, seconded by Commissioner Lentz, the minutes for the October 10, 2006 meeting were approved as written.  Unanimously approved.

 

Presentation

1.  Blowing Rock Cub Scouts-Flag Ceremony and Arbor Day Proposal

The Blowing Rock Cub Scout Pack 101 performed a flag ceremony, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and proposed that the Town of Blowing Rock celebrate Arbor Day.  In attendance were Sam Milner, Mark Moser, Hunter Wiggins and Leader Major Sean Moser.

 

Mayor Lawrence read the Arbor Day Proclamation designating April 27, 2007 Arbor Day for the Town of Blowing Rock. (Attachment #1)  Mayor Lawrence thanked them for their attendance.

 

Public Hearing

1.  Code Amendment-Limited Stucco Use in CBD (Ordinance #2006-09)

Planning Director Rothrock presented council with a draft ordinance to minimize the use of stucco on commercial buildings in the Central Business District.  Commissioner Klutz questioned whether existing buildings with stucco deterioration would be able to repair or would be required to replace. Director Rothrock stated they would be able to repair. 

 

A motion to close the public hearing was made by Commissioner Ball, seconded by Commissioner Lentz.  Unanimously approved.  Commissioner Tester made a motion to accept Ordinance #2006-09 as presented, seconded by Commissioner Ball.  Unanimously approved.  (Ordinance 2006-9 Attachment #2)

 

Old Business

1.  Frosty 5K Road Race (January 27, 2007)

Town Manager Hildebran introduced Tamera Holshouser who spoke on the 1st Annual Frosty 5k Run.  Holshouser stated that the race, with Council approval, would be in conjunction with Winterfest on Saturday, January 27, 2007.  The Winterfest committee has approved and accepted the event.  Proceeds raised for the event will be donated to benefit the youth and children of Watauga County. The Blowing Rock Police and Fire Department will receive donations from race proceeds for their role in traffic control and 20% will be paid to Winterfest.  NCDOT has all required information for the event.

 

A motion to approve the Frosty 5K Run was made by Commissioner Lentz, seconded by Commissioner Ball conditional to approval by the NCDOT and coordination with the Police and Emergency Services Departments.  Unanimously approved.  (Attachment #3)

 

New Business

1.  CUP #2002-08 Minor Amendment – Inn at Ragged Gardens (The Best Cellar)

Planning Director Rothrock presented council with a minor amendment to CUP #2002-08 for the Inn at Ragged Gardens for a proposed valet shed.  Rob Dyer was present to speak on behalf of the Inn at Ragged Gardens.  Discussion was held on the visual aesthetics and placement of the proposed valet building. Landscaping recommendations were made to keep the building from standing out.

 

A motion to approve the minor amendment to CUP #2002-08 with the stipulation that the structure be moved to the circular area west of the portico was made by Commissioner Wiseman.  The motion died for lack of second.

 

A motion to approve the minor amendment to CUP #2002-08 as written with the condition of additional landscaping to hide the structure from the street was made by Commissioner Ball, seconded by Commissioner Tester.  Commissioner Wiseman questioned the roofline of the structure and placement of the structure during the discussion phase.   With no further discussion the motion carried 4-1, with Wiseman voting against.  (Attachment #4)

 

Editor’s note: Council agreed to allow Planning Director Rothrock to work with the applicant on finding the most appropriate location for the structure.

 

2.  Budget Amendment (Ordinance #2006-15)

Town Manager Hildebran presented Budget Amendment Ordinance #2006-15 for FY 2006-2007 to account for loan proceeds for capital equipment and Emergency Service Building.  Further questions were referred to Finance Officer Pierce, no discussion was held.

 

A motion to approve Budget Amendment Ordinance #2006-15 was made by Commissioner Wiseman, seconded by Commissioner Ball.  Unanimously approved.  (Attachment #5)

 

3.  Tax Releases/Refunds

Town Manager Hildebran presented Tax Releases/Refunds 1-3, 5-6 from Tax Collector Greene.  All refunds and releases met statutory requirements for approval.  Total refunds were $3,404.59 and total releases were $3,733.80.

 

With no further discussion, a motion to approve Tax Releases/Refunds 1-3, 5-6 was made by Commissioner Lentz, seconded by Commissioner Ball.  Unanimously approved.  (Attachment #6)

 

4.  NCLM Strategic Plan Initiative (Resolution #2006-15)

Town Manager Hildebran presented NCLM Strategic Plan Initiative Resolution #2006-15. Commissioner Tester and Town Manager Hildebran attended a review of the plan during the October annual NCLM conference. Manager Hildebran reviewed the mission statement, core values, and strategic goals of the plan.

 

A motion to approve NCLM Strategic Plan Initiative Resolution #2006-15 was made by Commissioner Tester, seconded by Ball.  Unanimously approved.

 

Speakers From the Floor

There were no speakers from the floor.

 

Departmental Reports

Commissioner Ball inquired on the status of the Cheeseburger in Paradise CUP regarding appearance and safety issues. Town Manager Hildebran stated the CUP remains unsigned and the property is on the market.  Town Attorney Moseley stated he has had no contact from the attorney for Cheeseburgers in Paradise in several months.

 

Discussion was held about legalities of the Town pursuing condemnation of abandoned projects. Commissioner Ball suggested follow up on the issue.  Town Manager Hildebran referred the matter to the Planning Department for future issue research.

 

Adjournment

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

 

 

 

 

________________________________

J.B. Lawrence, Mayor

 

 

________________________________

Sharon Greene, CMC

 

 

Attachments

#1 – Arbor Day Proclamation

#2 – Ordinance #2006-9

#3 – Frosty 5K 2007

#4 – CUP #2002-08-Minor Amendment

#5 – 2006-2007 Fiscal Year Budget Amendment Ordinance #2006-15

#6 – Tax Release/Refunds 1-3, 5-6