A meeting of the Town Council was held on March 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, Elbert Stamey and Dale Blevins. Other attendees included Roger McKinney, Holt Whitson, Wallace Thompson, Charles Taylor, Shaby Humphries, Carl Baker, Robert Moore, Kevin Hoilman, Mike Murphy, Keith Buchanan, Trey Plemmons , Devon Fero, Mollie Westall, Brianna Sheehan, Sarah Kuchta, Olivia Varney, Jennifer Zeidell, Lisa Kuchta, Kay Goins, Michael Hall (Mitchell News-Journal) and Dave Cooley.

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Foy called the regular meeting to order at 5:30 PM and Phillip Hise gave the invocation.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Rocky Buchanan moved to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2006 regular meeting. Gregg Henline seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD - none

APPOINTMENTS
Roger McKinney, representing United Community Bank, requested permission to solicit funds for Relay for Life. The solicitation is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2006 at the intersection of Hwy. 226 and 19E from 9 until 1. Phillip Hise moved to approve the solicitation request. The motion was seconded by John Boone and carried unanimously.

DEPARTMENTS:

PUBLIC WORKS
Interviews for a new public works employee will be scheduled for next week.

PARKS & REC
Dale Blevins hopes to open one restroom at Riverside Park next week if the weather is mild.
The new playground will be inspected monthly.

PUBLIC HEARING – Rezoning
Mayor Foy opened a public hearing to hear public comments regarding a request from Harold Rhyne to rezone property on Bridgeview Rd. from R-2 to C-3. He noted that written objections have been received. No public comments were offered and the Public Hearing was closed.

Rocky Buchanan moved to table the issue for further consideration. Phillip Hise seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

POLICE DEPT
Chief Hollifield noted that the new police car has arrived and showed the Council plans for striping and lettering the vehicle.

FINANCE
The 2005 property tax collection rate is at 97.33%.
The tax liens on delinquent taxpayers will appear this week in the Mitchell News-Journal.

PUBLIC HEARING – Rezoning
Mayor Foy opened a public hearing to hear public comments regarding a request from Jean Johnson to rezone property on Amethyst Avenue from R-2 to I-1. The definition of I-1, Light Industrial, was outlined. Ms. Shaby Humphries asked about fumes, smoke, traffic and noise. Employees of Highland Craftsmen advised that there would be steam but no fumes or smoke. Noise will be minimal. Carl Baker stated that the changes to the property were an asset to the community. No further public comments were offered and the Public Hearing was closed.

Rocky Buchanan moved to rezone the property on Amethyst Ave. from R-2 to I-1. Gregg Henline seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

APPOINTMENTS
The Cadette Girl Scout Troop, under the leadership of Lisa Kuchta, updated the Council on their efforts toward making trash bags available for vehicles in Mitchell County. The Scouts are working toward their Silver Award. The Council commended the ladies on their progress toward their goal. Phillip Hise moved to adopt a resolution of support for the efforts of the Cadette Girl Scouts to reduce littering in Mitchell County. John Boone seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Said resolution is incorporated by reference and attached to these minutes.

WATER/SEWER
A recent inspection at the wastewater plant identified an automatic sampler that must be replaced.

MAIN STREET
Daniel Boone VII will be demonstrating at the Blacksmith Festival.
Kay will seek permission from NCDOT to place flower troughs on the bridge in town.
Storytellers for the festival on July 15 are hired.
Proposals for making trash receptacles have been requested.
The Blacksmith Festival will be held on April 29, the Storytelling Festival on July 15, and the Heritage Festival on October 14.

ISSUES
The Council will schedule a walking tour of the downtown area to identify maintenance needs.

MANAGER'S UPDATE
A planning retreat will be held on Thursday, April 30 at 6:00 PM at Grassy Creek Golf and Country Club.
Rocky Buchanan moved to adopt a leash ordinance for real estate owned and controlled by the Town of Spruce Pine, including town recreation parks. Gregg Henline seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Ray McCall from the Division of Water Quality has required that office space be constructed at the water treatment plant. Proposals have been requested.
The consensus of the Council was to support Ms. Mary Ballew’s request to NCDOT to access her commercial property from Highland Avenue.

ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned upon motion of Phillip Hise.