Minutes

 Spruce Pine Town Council

November 27, 2006 - 5:30 PM

A meeting of the Town Council was held on November 27, 2006.  Present were Mayor Wes Foy and Council Members John Boone, Gregg Henline, Phillip Hise and Rocky Buchanan.  Staff in attendance included Richard Canipe, Darlene Johnson, Dave Lindsey, Coy Hollifield, Dale Blevins, James Ramsey, Billy Summerlin and Elbert Stamey.  Other attendees included Nathan Hall (Mitchell News-Journal), Steve Murphy (WTOE), Lloyd Hise, John Perry, Phil Byrd, Lisa Sparks, the Mitchell County 4-H group and Dave Cooley.

CALL TO ORDER

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Rocky Buchanan moved to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2006 regular meeting.  Gregg Henline seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  Gregg Henline moved to approve the minutes of the October 23 Closed Session.  John Boone seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD – No Comments

APPOINTMENTS - none

PUBLIC HEARING - none

DEPARTMENTS:

POLICE DEPT.

• Chief Coy Hollifield noted that the Christmas Parade went well and commended his officers for their efforts. 
• John Boone moved to purchase a Crown Victoria through Light-N-Up.  Phillip Hise seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.

PUBLIC WORKS

• Elbert noted that Christmas lights are up.
• Salt has been ordered and should be delivered this week.

WATER & SEWER

• The water quality parameter study has been completed.
• The new Scada computer is installed.
• The new well should be online this week.

PARKS

• Park restrooms are all winterized and closed for the season.
• Staff is working on drain lines at Brad Ragan Park.
• A PARTF representative performed a compliance survey for the grant awarded to the parks and was pleased with the progress.

FINANCE

·         Dave Lindsey explained the small reduction in Powell Bill funds awarded to the Town for 2006.

·         A General Fund Budget Amendment was requested increasing appropriations and revenues in the amount of $105,000.  Appropriations were increased for Powell Bill, Cemetery and Economic Development.  Revenues will come from Powell Bill fund balance, interest on Powell Bill investments, and general fund balance.  John Boone moved to approve the budget ordinance amendment as presented.  Gregg Henline seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.  Said ordinance is incorporated by reference and attached to these minutes.

ISSUES FROM THE MAYOR, COUNCIL AND ATTORNEY

• Sidewalks for Link St. and Greenwood Rd. near Ingles are ready to be bid.
• Patching is still planned for town streets, including speed breakers for Shannon Drive.
• Council expressed appreciation for the efforts of Richard Canipe and Jeff Harding in lining up the Christmas Parade.
• Attorney Lloyd Hise advised the Council that NC General Statutes would not allow the annexation of the entire Villages of Penland area because no more than 10% of the total area in the contiguous city limits may be annexed.  Lloyd recommended, and the council agreed, that the Town should ask the Division of Community Assistance to perform a study of proposed annexations.
• Lloyd updated the Council on the status of the retaining wall on Oak Avenue.  He stated that a lawsuit has been filed by one of the affected property owners that may delay the repairs on the wall.

MANAGER'S UPDATE

• Phillip Hise moved to appoint Tessa Taylor to the Spruce Pine Library Board and Tessa Taylor and Luther Stroup to the AMY Regional Library Board.  John Boone seconded the motion with carried with four in favor, Gregg Henline opposed.
• Rocky Buchanan moved to enter into an agreement with McGill and Associates for the design and permitting of a belt filter press for sludge.  John Boone seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
• Consensus of the Council was for Richard and department heads to choose the recipients of a quarterly employee appreciation award.
• The audit of the Charter Franchise Agreement found an additional $116 owed to the Town.
• Richard updated the council on the new proposed dates for the four-laning of Hwy. 19.
• The consensus of the Council was to give Christmas bonuses in the amount of $100 to employees.
• Fish and Wildlife has agreed to stock trout in the Toe River from the bridge on 19E to the bridge on the new bypass by 2008.
• The Council tabled discussion on the $27,150 impact fee for the new hospital tap.
• The Clean Water Management Trust Fund may be able to help with funding for extending sewer to the high school.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned upon motion of Wes Foy.