The Mayor and Board of Commissioners for the Town of Blowing Rock met in special called session on Monday, December 8, 2003, at 3:00 p.m. Present were Mayor J. B. Lawrence, Commissioners Barbara Ball, Terry Lentz, Keith Tester, Rita Wiseman, and David Wray. Also present were Town Manager Scott Hildebran, Town Clerk Barbara Beach, and Director of Public Works Johnny Lentz.

1. Purchase of Truck/Plow

Johnny Lentz advised Council that Boone Ford Lincoln Mercury could not honor their bid of $38,700 for the truck/plow that was awarded on November 25. The truck on which they had based their bid had already been sold to another party. Delivery on another truck will take ten weeks and the price will increase by $7,000. Shown below are the revised bids.

Boone Ford Lincoln Mercury, Inc. $45,700.00

Everett Chevrolet Truck Center $48,080.89

West Carolina Freightliner, Inc. $54,340.00

All bids include cost for a bed and snow plow.

Mr. Lentz requested that Council award the bid to Everett Chevrolet in view of the ten-week delay in delivery. Mr. Wray made motion that Everett Chevrolet bid be accepted and the order placed for the equipment. Ms. Wiseman seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved.

2. Creation of Tourism Development Authority

Mr. Hildebran reviewed a draft ordinance to define the structure for appointments to the TDA. Council members discussed whether members should be residents and/or taxpayers of the Town, and the pros and cons of appointing members who do not reside in the city limits, but have a business interest in the town. Members agreed to leave the phrase "voting residents and/or taxpayers of the Town" as criteria for appointment.

Council members discussed whether appointments should be based on the occupations of citizens. After discussion, members agreed to the following: Two appointees from the lodging industry, two appointees affiliated with businesses and/or non-profit tourist attractions active in the promotion of travel and tourism in Blowing Rock, and one at-large appointee that has an active interest in the promotion of travel and tourism in the Town. Members agreed that at least one member of the TDA should be a Town of Blowing Rock elected official.

Mr. Tester believes it is essential that the TDA operate in compliance with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. He suggested that this section be moved to give it more prominence in the document.

Ms. Wiseman suggested that Council discusses the possibility of the TDA contracting with the Chamber of Commerce and the effect out of town Chamber members would have on expenditures authorized by the TDA. Mr. Hildebran replied that any organization could be hired by contract, and if the terms of the contract are not fulfilled, then the contract could be terminated. Mr. Tester believes that any organization equipped for the job would have interests located outside the Town.

Members also discussed the duties of the vice-chairperson and suggested that the reference to the vice-chair acting in the disability of the chairperson be deleted. If the chairperson were disabled, Council would appoint another person to act in that capacity.

There was no further business, and upon motion of Ms. Wiseman, second by Mr. Lentz, the meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

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Mayor J. B. Lawrence

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Barbara G. Beach, Town Clerk