TOWN
OF
TOWN
COUNCIL
MINUTES
– REGULAR SESSION
January
14th, 2008
The
Town of Seven Devils Town Council met in regular session on Monday, January 14th,
2008 at Town Hall. Members present were
Mayor
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dodson called the meeting to order at 5:33 pm.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Members and citizens
recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADOPT AGENDA
Mayor Dodson requested the
following change to the agenda: Item
XI should read - CLOSED SESSION
PURSUANT TO G.S.143-318.11(a)(6) Personnel Matter.
Mayor Pro Tem DeMott made a
motion to adopt the agenda as amended.
Member Copley seconded the motion.
The members agreed unanimously.
APPROVE MINUTES
·
December
10, 2007 Regular Meeting
·
January
10, 2008 Continuation Meeting
A scrivener correction was made to the December 10, 2007
minutes. Council Member Ehlinger made a motion
to approve the December 10, 2007 minutes as amended. Member Wilkinson seconded the motion. The members agreed unanimously.
Member Ehlinger made a motion to approve the January 10,
2008 continuation meeting minutes. Mayor
Pro Tem DeMott seconded the motion. The
members agreed unanimously.
STORM WATER GRANT PRESENTATION – Derek
Goddard Blue Ridge Environmental Consultants
Mayor Dodson welcomed Derek
Goddard of Blue Ridge Environmental Consultants (BREC). Mr. Goddard told the Town Council on November 30th, 2007 he and his
engineer had an opportunity to meet with Council Member Copley, the Town
Manager and staff members regarding storm water management for the Town of
Seven Devils. He said based on
discussion at this meeting BREC felt they should come before the Town Council
with an agreement that would propose BREC seeking grant funds on behalf of the
Town of Seven Devils. Mr. Goddard then
reviewed a two (2) page draft agreement spelling out the responsibilities of
BREC and the Town of Seven Devils in seeking grant funding. He then reviewed a summary of two grant (2)
opportunities: 1) The Clean
Water Management Trust Fund – Mini Grant and 2) The
Mr. Goddard then opened the floor
to questions from the Town Council.
Member Copley asked Mr. Goddard about the thirteen (13) items the Town
wanted to see storm water management accomplish identified from their previous
meeting. Mr. Goddard said, "This is
just a step and these items could be added as an addendum to the agreement."
Mayor Pro Tem DeMott referenced -
Item (3) 1. from the November 30, 2007 Storm Water Management Planning
Committee meeting:
1.
Coordination of the entities and issues already
involved in some part of the storm water management planning process:
Mr. DeMott pointed out there have
been several recent studies by other entities that are ongoing in terms of water
and he stressed the importance of including them in this study. He further stressed the importance of not
limiting the study to Valley Creek but also including other areas such as;
Calloway Branch and Devils Lake. Mr.
Goddard assured the Town Council that they would remain open to coordinating
and working with other entities. He said,
"The Water Resources Grant requires specific attention paid to one basin
or stream but it doesn't necessarily have to be Valley Creek and I think the
potential BMP retrofit locations that address the Mini Grant will shed some
light onto which basin has the potential and feasibility for a project."
Mr. Goddard was asked about the
time frame and he said as far the submittal of grants they estimate a couple of
months. He explained the awarding of the
grants can be significantly different.
He said, "The grant cycle with the Clean Water Management Trust
Fund Stormwater Mini Grant is a continuous grant cycle and after submitted, we
should know something within the month. The
Water Resources Grant often has a six month waiting period after submitted
depending upon their legislature funding and where they are in the budget year."
Mayor Dodson asked Mr. Goddard if
they have their own staff or if they will be contracting the project out. Mr. Goddard indicated they have three (3)
staff but if doing a large construction project, they may contract it out.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Laura Wilson, speaking on behalf of herself and Vance
Duggan, asked for a review of the police pay scale especially in light of
starting salaries of other employees within the Town and recent incidents.
Lenny Cottom,
STAFF UPDATE
Member Copley ask about the
status of the Town Council and Planning Board getting together to discuss
potential ideas for changing the Zoning Ordinance relative to recreational
business and commercial construction.
She inquired if the Town Manager or Zoning Administrator had been in
contact with the Institute of Government regarding contract zoning.
The Zoning Administrator stated
he had a discussion with Rich Ducker from the
OLD BUSINESS
A.
Agreement for the Use of a Site for Groundwater
Investigation as Part of the Interagency Resource Evaluation Program- The Town
Manager explained last month the Town Council had agreed in principal to
monitoring wells pending agreeing on the location of the monitoring wells. The Town manager said he had met with Shuying
Wang of the North Carolina Division of Water Quality and they had looked over
potential sites. He showed the Town
Council a map of the potential sites for three (3) monitoring wells. A shallow, medium and deep well behind Town
Hall and three (3) monitoring wells behind the maintenance building. Discussion followed regarding the appearance
of the monitoring well sites and other potential monitoring sites on the
mountain.
Mayor Pro Tem DeMott made a
motion to approve the agreement for the use of the sites for groundwater
investigation. Member Wilkinson seconded
the motion. The members agreed
unanimously. – CLOSED -
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Action on Storm Water Grant Agreement –
Member Copley made a motion the
Council accept the Storm Water Grant Agreement as presented. Member Ehlinger seconded the motion. The members agreed unanimously. - CLOSED
–
B.
Discussion on Selling of Lot 9 Alpine Meadows – The Town
Manager stated Mr. Chip Moore already owns lots ten (10), eleven (11), and twelve
(12) and wishes to purchase lot nine (9) but not lot (8) because Mr. Moore does
not believe lot 8 will perk. The Town
Manager was asked what he knows about the perking of lots ten (10), eleven
(11), and twelve (12). The Town Manager
said Chip Moore told him that lot eleven (11) did not perk but ten (10) and
twelve (12) did. The Town Manager
displayed a map and pointed out the location of lot nine (9) to the Town
Council. The Town Manager presented a
sheet he obtained from Watauga County tax records depicting sixteen (16) lots
on Alpine, showing the tax value and purchase price of the lots. He stated Chip Moore purchased lots ten (10)
eleven (11) and twelve (12) in November 2005 for $45,000.00. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the fair
market value of lots eight (8) and nine (9) and whether the lots would be more
valuable if sold together. Bob Haugh
stated if you put both eight (8) and nine (9) together and they perk, they
would easily be worth $35,000.00. The
Town Council then reviewed and discussed the contract.
Member Wilkinson made a motion
that the Town sell both lots eight (8) and nine (9) for $30,000.00. Mayor Pro Tem DeMott seconded the
motion. The members agreed
unanimously.
The Town Council requested the
Town Manager present a counter offer to Mr. Moore of $30,000.00 for both lots
eight (8) and nine (9). – OPEN -
C.
Action on Renaming Laurel Drive – The Town
Council reviewed the Seven Devils street map.
Bob Haugh said the owners would like to see the road named Ridgeview
Drive or Ridgecrest Drive with their first choice being Ridgeview Drive.
Mayor Pro Tem DeMott made a
motion to pass a Resolution renaming Laurel Drive to Ridgeview Drive pending no
conflict. Member Copley seconded the
motion. The members agreed
unanimously.
The Council requested the Town
Manager contact Elaine Griffith of Watauga County 911 to verify there is no
conflict with the renaming. – OPEN -
D.
Action on Water Taps for Nettles Knob – The Town
Manager said, "Associated Drafting & Surveying who did the work on
behalf of Bobby West submitted a letter requesting consideration from the Town
Council to pay for the new fire hydrant which would be $3000 and they have also
requested the $2,000 per house tap fee for the nine lots of Nettles Knob
Subdivision be waived." A lengthy
discussion followed and there being no motion from the Town Council to approve the
request from Associated Drafting and Surveying on behalf of Bobby West for
water tap and fire hydrant credit, the request was denied. – CLOSED –
E.
Action on Planning Board Membership –
Member Copley made a motion that
the Planning Board membership of George Ehlinger and Robert Haugh be continued
for two (2) more years starting January 2008.
Member Wilkinson seconded the motion.
The members agreed unanimously. –CLOSED -
COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Planning Board – Member Copley Old Business Item C – Set up
workgroup with Town Council to discuss modifying Zoning Ordinance to create
team work with the Town and Hawksnest (tentatively for January 23rd
at 2:00 pm) – Member Copley stated it is her understanding this subject will be
on the Planning Board agenda on Tuesday, January 22nd and that the
Planning Board has requested the Town Council attend. It was further noted there is a 3:30 meeting
on January 22nd regarding High Quality Water with Representative Joe
Furman of Watauga County Planning and Inspections.
B. Public Works – No meeting held last
month.
C. Public Safety – No meeting held last
month.
D. ABC Board – There were no additional
comments.
E. Financial Report – Mayor Dodson made a
motion to accept the Financial Report as presented. Member Wilkinson seconded the motion. The members agreed unanimously.
F. TDA – Laura V. Wilson announced,
"The winner of the TDA slogan contest was Jamie Osella. The slogan is, "Discover Our Positive
Altitude" and her prize was a one hundred ($100) gift certificate to
Stonewalls."
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Dodson read some of a
letter he received from the League of Municipalities – Summit Centennial. "The League will be publishing a special
book celebrating one hundred years of serving North Carolina Towns and
Cities. The book will feature historical
pictures and facts on our great Cities and Towns. So far, we are missing any contribution from
your municipality." It was agreed to
have the Tourism Development Authority forward the slogan and pictures they
would like to be included in this publication to Mayor Dodson before January 31st.
CLOSED SESSION
At 6:45 pm Mayor Dodson made a
motion to go into closed session pursuant to G.S. 143-318-11(a) (6), Personnel
Matters. Mayor Pro Tem DeMott
seconded. The members agreed
unanimously.
At 7:05 pm. Member Wilkinson made
a motion to come out of closed session.
Mayor Pro Tem DeMott seconded the motion. The members agreed unanimously.
No action was taken during Closed
Session.
OPEN SESSION - RECESS
At 7:17 pm Mayor Dodson made a
motion to recess until 10:00 am, Thursday, January 17th. Mayor Pro Tem DeMott seconded the motion. The members agreed unanimously.
TOWN COUNCIL CONTINUATION MEETING
Thursday, January 17th 2008
Due to inclement weather, the
Town Council extended recess until 10:00 am, Thursday, January 24th.
TOWN COUNCIL CONTINUATION MEETING
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Seven Devils Town Council
reconvened at 10:04 am on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at Town Hall. Members present were Mayor Bob Dodson; Mayor
Pro Tem Richard DeMott; and Council Members Bill Wilkinson; Kay Ehlinger; and
Kathy Copley. Town Manager Brad Lambert
recorded the minutes.
Mayor Dodson made a motion to
come out of recess at 10:04 am. Member
Wilkinson seconded the motion. The
members agreed unanimously.
Mayor Dodson made a motion to reappoint
Richard DeMott, Kathy Copley and Loren Williams to the Board of Adjustment and
to affirm that the alternates, Lois Dodson and Ernie St. Louis, were serving
three years terms expiring in December of 2009.
Member Ehlinger seconded the motion.
The members agreed unanimously.
Mayor Pro Tem DeMott read a
letter from David Hooper resigning from the Board of Adjustment due to personal
reasons. General discussion followed on
how to fill that vacancy.
Member Copley mentioned that we
should try to get an intern for the summer.
The Town Council continued to
discuss and work on employee policies.
CLOSED SESSION
At 12:15 pm Member Wilkinson made
a motion to go into closed session pursuant to G.S.143-318.11(a) (6) Personnel
Matter. Mayor Dodson seconded the
motion. The members agreed unanimously.
At 1:20 pm Member Wilkinson made a motion to come out of closed session. Mayor Pro Tem DeMott seconded the
motion. The members agreed unanimously.
No action was taken during Closed
Session.
OPEN SESSION - RECESS
At 1:25 pm, Mayor Dodson made the
motion to recess until Thursday, January 31st at 10:00 am. Member Ehlinger seconded the motion. The members agreed unanimously.
TOWN COUNCIL CONTINUATION MEETING
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The Seven Devils Town Council
reconvened at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at Town Hall. Members present were Mayor Bob Dodson; Mayor
Pro Tem Richard DeMott; and Council Members Bill Wilkinson; Kay Ehlinger; and
Kathy Copley. Town Manager Brad Lambert
recorded the minutes.
Mayor Dodson made a motion to
come out of recess at 10:00 am. Mayor
Pro Tem DeMott seconded the motion. The
members agreed unanimously.
CLOSED SESSION
At 10:01 pm Mayor Dodson made a
motion to go into closed session pursuant to G.S.143-318.11(a) (6) Personnel
Matter. Member Copley seconded the
motion. The members agreed unanimously.
At 10:45 pm Mayor Dodson made a
motion to come out of closed session. Member
Copley seconded the motion. The members
agreed unanimously.
No action was taken during Closed
Session.
OPEN SESSION
The Town Council continued to
discuss and work on employee policies.
RECESS
At 12:15 pm, Mayor Dodson made
the motion to recess until Thursday, February 7th at 2:00 pm. Member Wilkinson seconded the motion. The members agreed unanimously.
TOWN COUNCIL CONTINUATION MEETING
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Seven Devils Town Council
reconvened at 3:00 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2008 at Town Hall. Members present were Mayor Bob Dodson; Mayor
Pro Tem Richard DeMott; and Council Members Bill Wilkinson and Kathy
Copley. Council Member Kay Ehlinger was
excused. Town Manager Brad Lambert recorded the minutes.
Mayor Dodson made a motion to
come out of recess at 3:00 pm. Mayor
Pro Tem DeMott seconded the motion. The
members agreed unanimously.
The Town Council continued to
discuss and work on employee policies.
ADJOURN
At 5:08 pm, Mayor Dodson made the
motion to adjourn. Member Wilkinson seconded
the motion. The members agreed
unanimously.
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