Minutes

 Spruce Pine Town Council

February 27, 2006 - 5:30 PM

A meeting of the Town Council was held on February 27, 2006.  Present were Mayor Wes Foy and Council Members Phillip Hise, Gregg Henline, John Boone and Rocky Buchanan.  Staff in attendance included Richard Canipe, Darlene Johnson, David Lindsey, Coy Hollifield, Michael Briggs and Dale Blevins.  Other attendees included David Niven, Phillip Frye, John Perry, Charles Taylor, Michael Hall (Mitchell News-Journal), Steve Murphy (WTOE), Kay Goins and Dave Cooley.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Foy called the regular meeting to order at 5:30 PM and Rocky Buchanan gave the invocation.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Gregg Henline moved to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2006 regular meeting.  Rocky Buchanan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  Gregg Henline moved to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2006 closed session.  John Boone seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. 

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

No comments were made.

PUBLIC HEARING - none

DEPARTMENTS:

POLICE DEPT

·         The 12-hour schedule for the police department is working okay.

·         Craig Hughes will fill the vacant officer’s position.

·         Mitchell County has regained the NC State Highway Patrol trooper allotment.

FINANCE

·         The 2005 property tax collection rate is at 94.81%.

·         Dave Lindsey updated the council on tax releases and discoveries.  John Boone moved to release taxes for Thomas McQuire, Jerry and Norma Sullins and Nena B. Huskins.  Phillip Hise seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  Said Property Tax Releases & Discoveries description is incorporated by reference and attached to these minutes.

·         An ad for Requests for Proposal for audit services will appear in the Mitchell News-Journal this week.

MAIN STREET

• Advertising is on schedule for the blacksmith festival scheduled for April 29^th.
• A new website for festivals is under construction, www. sprucepinefestivals.com. 
• Thanks to Kenny Burleson, United Community Bank and Cardinal Insurance, the dinosaur exhibit has been funded for the Fire on the Mountain festival.

WATER/SEWER

• Dave Cooley has empty plastic 55-gallon drums to give away.
• The chemical feeds for the new well are complete.
• Lead and copper training is in progress.
• Dredging of the Beaver Creek Dam should begin in the fall.

PARKS & REC

• Dale Blevins distributed a swim lesson schedule.
• The consensus of the Council was to endorse the proposition that the Parks & Rec crew provide refreshments for the Easter egg hunt at Brad Ragan Park.
• The consensus of the Council was for Richard to investigate purchasing a new vehicle for public works and transferring a public works truck to the park department.
• The consensus of the Council was to proceed with a leash ordinance for town parks. 

PUBLIC WORKS – (Elbert Stamey absent)

APPOINTMENTS

NC House Representative Phillip Frye updated the Council on the retention wall in progress on Oak Avenue.  He also advised the Council that CSX Railroad has tentatively agreed to work toward giving the Town of Spruce Pine ownership of the Depot.  A new building would need to be provided to CSX.  Money for the new building and depot renovations would require a community effort, possibly spearheaded by the Main Street committee.  Davis Godwin reiterated the value of the opportunity to acquire the depot.  A resolution of support for the endeavor will be composed and available for the next regular Council meeting.

John Perry, representing the Communities of Penland development project, updated the Council on progress and plans for the property.  He noted that all parties are working on a written agreement for provision of water and sewer to that property to present to the Council soon.

ISSUES

The blow-off valve for the Thompson property has been completed.

MANAGER'S UPDATE

• John Boone moved to appoint Tommy Westall to the Planning and Zoning Board.  Wes Foy seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
• Attorney Lloyd Hise has advised Bryant Electric of our need for a final bill.
• Phillip Hise moved to provide water at outside rates with no annexation to Rudy Geister on Azalea Lane.  John Boone seconded the motion, which carried with all in favor.
• The property damage claim for the landslide on Oak Avenue has been referred to our insurance carrier.
• Mayor Foy signed a letter of support for a certificate of need for a dialysis center for the tri-county area to hopefully be located in Spruce Pine.

ADJOURNMENT

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned upon motion of Gregg Henline.