A meeting of the Town Council was held on April 24, 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, Dave Lindsey, Coy Hollifield and Dale Blevins. Other attendees included Charles Taylor, Leland Riddle, Jim Brannigan, Michael Hall (Mitchell News-Journal), Steve Murphy (WTOE) 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 April 10, 2006 regular meeting. Phillip Hise seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD – No Comments

APPOINTMENTS
Leland Riddle, on behalf of the Mountaineer Shrine Club, requested a solicitation permit for May 5, 2006 at the intersection of Hwy 19E and 226S. Rocky Buchanan moved to approve the request. John Boone seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

DEPARTMENTS:

MAIN STREET
The Blacksmith Festival is on track for Saturday, April 29th.
The flower baskets for downtown are ready.
A TRAC reception will be held on Friday at 6:00 PM. A pig-pickin’ will be held at Penland School on Saturday after the festival.

FINANCE
The 2005 property tax collection rate is at 97.88%.
Dave Lindsey presented a capital project ordinance amendment for the Main Sewer Interceptor Replacement Project for a net increase of $39,098.00. Gregg Henline moved to adopt the amendment as presented. Rocky Buchanan seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Said amendment is incorporated by reference and attached to these minutes.
Dave presented a capital project ordinance amendment for the Water Supply Well on Carter’s Ridge for a net increase of $35,960.00. Gregg Henline moved to adopt the amendment as presented. John Boone seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Said amendment is incorporated by reference and attached to these minutes.
Dave presented a general fund budget ordinance amendment increasing appropriations and revenues by $86,886.00. Rocky Buchanan moved to adopt the amendment as presented. Gregg Henline seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Said amendment is incorporated by reference and attached to these minutes.

WATER/SEWER
Dave Cooley will work with Richard to set a fee schedule for accepting the waste from the Altec facility in Burnsville for 3-6 months. NCDENR has given approval for Spruce Pine to accept the waste.

PARKS & REC
A new concession price list was distributed to the Council and is in place at Brad Ragan Park.
The pool cover is off, with filters running.
Mayor Foy requested that staff look into the price of a Spruce Pine flag and place NC, US and town flags at Riverside Park.

POLICE DEPT
The new police car is still being outfitted. Richard and Coy Hollifield are looking into a new car for next budget year.
Rocky Buchanan suggested that the police department consider periodic house calls by officers.

ISSUES
Council would like trash cans in place downtown by June 1. Richard will check with Mike Queen of Superior Construction.
The dogwoods for the cemetery have been ordered from Laxton Biggerstaff.
The consensus of the Council was for Richard to continue to investigate purchasing the land that adjoins the cemetery. Dave Lindsey will check into financing options.
The Stroup Rd. fire hydrant should be repaired by week’s end.

MANAGER'S UPDATE
Wednesday, June 7 is the date for Town Hall Day.
The Mitchell Health Partnership will meet on Tuesday at 4:30 regarding the dialysis center. The Public Hearing for the dialysis center will be held on May 18 at the Yancey County Courthouse.
The Town of Spruce Pine will apply for a $40,000.00 planning grant from the Clean Water Trust Fund for a potential greenway trail extending from Riverside Park along the river.
Rocky Buchanan moved to adopt a Resolution of the Town of Spruce Pine Supporting the 2006 Clean Water Bond. Phillip Hise seconded the motion, which carried with four in favor (Gregg Henline having left early).
Richard commended Roger Carpenter for stepping in for Elbert who is out with a knee injury.

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