February 10, 2015

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Town of Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
1036 Main Street, Blowing Rock, NC
February 10, 2015
6:00 p.m.

Call To Order

Mayor J.B. Lawrence

Approval Of Minutes

Special Recognitions And Reports

Highway 321 Valley Boulevard Construction Update
Speaker: Kipp Turner, Maymead Construction
This brief presentation is planned for each regular Council meeting to provide the public with an update regarding the project activities accomplished in the prior month, those planned for the coming month, and an update regarding current expectations of the overall project timing and completion.

Consent Agenda

Speaker: Scott Fogleman, Town Manager

Tax Releases and Refunds
Speaker: Nicole Norman, Finance Officer

Various tax adjustments over time become apparent and present themselves in the form of requests for releases (adjustments) and refunds. Three tax releases totaling $510.20 and two three tax refunds totaling $1,118.46 have been identified for Council approval.
Report of Uncollected Taxes and Approval to Publish Delinquent 2014 Real Property Owner List
Speaker: Nicole Norman, Finance Officer

Real property tax billed for the 2014 tax year (fiscal year 2014-2015) total $3,376,209. Through February 2, 2015, $3,216,929 or 95.3% has been collected. Consistent with NC General Statute 105-369 (b1), and following Council approval, staff will send an individual letter to each property owner and allow at least 30 days for payment prior to publishing the list of real property owners and amounts still unpaid as of that date (projected to April 9, 2015).
Development of a Required Emergency Action Plan for the Town of Blowing Rock Dam
Speaker: Doug Chapman, Town Engineer

As required by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Town must prepare an Emergency Action Plan for the water reservoir dam. It is to include physical information about the dam, a list of possible emergency conditions and actions, emergency contact information, a list of facilities such as houses, business, roads, recreational areas, etc., below the dam which could be affected by a dam failure, contact information for these facilities and a map showing the affected facilities. The plan is expected to cost $9,300 to prepare and staff recommends this be funded by an appropriation from fund balance within the utility fund.
Mayview Madness Date of Saturday September 19, 2015
Speaker: Keving Rothrock, Planning Director

The Blue Ridge Conservancy is requesting approval to hold the 16^th Annual Mayview Madness 5k and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, September 19, 2015 in Blowing Rock. Now that the Wonderland Trail road repairs are complete, the route is planned to return to its traditional route through the Mayview neighborhood. The kids’ race will be the same route as 2014.
Hunter’s Heroes Date of June 6, 2015
Speaker: Jennifer Brown, Parks and Recreation Director

The Hunter’s Heroes Memorial Race Committee is requesting approval to hold their 3^rd annual 5k/10 mile run on Saturday, June 6, 2015. The 5k route will end at the Boone Police Department and the 10 mile route will end at the Blowing Rock Police Department.
Confirmation of Appointments to Boards and Commissions
Speaker: Scott Fogleman, Town Manager

Council appointments to the Boards and Commissions was discussed and agreed to at the January Council Retreat. A summary of the new appointments and reappointments along with a listing of all the members on each Board has been prepared for formal Council confirmation. Newly appointed positions will begin with their respective terms and meetings in the month of March. The ordinance amendment to reduce the number of members on the Blowing Rock Appearance Advisory Commission will be presented to the Planning Board in February and be forwarded to Council in March.
Funding Adjustment for the American Legion Building Project
Speaker: Scott Fogleman, Town Manager

Several items that are best addressed during the construction period have recently been identified for consideration. These items include credit for a metal picnic table not being ordered because the Boy Scouts are building them for us, reinforcing the subfloor under the foyer and restrooms for the tile, exterior lighting for the garage door entrance and flag pole, retaining walls for pedestrian safety and landscaping, and increasing the insulation from R11 to R40. With recognition of a new $1,000 donation and use of remaining contingency for the project, $2,757.54 additional funding from fund balance in the general fund is needed.

Public Hearing

Appalachian Ski Mountain Related Sign Ordinance Amendment (2015 – 01)
Speaker: Kevin Rothrock, Planning Director

The Planning Board has forwarded an ordinance amendment to Council for its consideration. Following the staff presentation and the public hearing, Council may take action on this item.

Discussion Agenda

Any item pulled from the consent agenda will be discussed at the end of this portion of the agenda.

Application Being Made for Governor’s Highway Safety Grant for Police
Speaker: Tony Jones, Police Chief

Of the items available for federal grant funding supplied through the State of NC, three items have been identified for the Blowing Rock Police Department. If all grants are awarded, the Town would have the choice to accept them in the late summer or fall of 2015. Matching Town funding required to match all grants would equal 25%, or $5,348 of the total $21,391 cost of the equipment. Matching funding will be included in the upcoming fiscal year 2015-2016 budget in the event the Town of Blowing Rock is successful with the grant applications and the Town chooses to accept the grants. The equipment identified includes a speed radar trailer that records speed data ($11,488), one handheld radar unit ($2,493), and a light tower (7,410).
Bid Award Consideration for Public Works Building Project
Speaker: Doug Chapman, Town Engineer

Bids for the project were received February 3, 2015. Staff has reviewed the bids and is recommending a conditional bid award to Enterline & Russell for a total of $1,450,880. Following this approval staff will pursue financing bid packages and NC Local Government Commission approvals which includes returning to Council in March for a public hearing, a resolution, and approval of the financing package.

Speakers From The Floor

Prior to the meeting, anyone wishing to speak shall complete an index card supplied by the Town Clerk, on which they will provide their name, address, telephone number and the topic they wish to address. In deference to all who wish to speak, each speaker will be asked to limit his or her comments to no more than three (3) minutes.

Executive Session

An executive session will be called.

Adjournment

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