TOWN OF SEVEN DEVILS

TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES – REGULAR SESSION

March 12, 2007

 

 

The Town of Seven Devils Town Council met in regular session on Monday, March 12, 2007 at Town Hall.  Members present were Mayor Bob Dodson; Mayor Pro Tem Richard DeMott; and Council Members Bill Wilkinson, Kay Ehlinger, Kathy Copley and Town Attorney Rob Angle.  Also in attendance were Town Manager Brad Lambert and Zoning Administrator Don Fulkerson.  Town Clerk Karen E. Daniels recorded the minutes.

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Mayor Dodson called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Council Members and citizens recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVE MINUTES – FEBRUARY 12, 2007 REGULAR MEETING

 

Mayor Dodson stated on page 2 of the February 12, 2007 minutes the second paragraph, sentence 2 should be amended to read (Chuck explained to the man that he is an officer of the law and he could have the police go to Hickory and inform him that he is fencing stolen goods.)

 

Council Member Wilkinson made a motion to approve the February 12, 2007 minutes as amended.   Council Member Ehlinger seconded the motion.  The members approved unanimously.

 

ADOPT AGENDA

                       

Council Member Copley made a motion to adopt the agenda.  Mayor Pro Tem DeMott seconded the motion.  The members approved unanimously.

 

PRESENTATION BY MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING SERVICES, P.A.

            RE:  TOWN PARK

 

Michael True from Municipal Engineering of Boone gave a presentation regarding the feasibility report prepared on Hawksnest Golf Course.  He suggested the Town seek assistance from a golf course professional to evaluate the condition of the course and provide an estimate for rehabilitation prior to acquiring the golf course.  Michael True agreed to send the report in a PDF file to the Town Manager so the report can be placed on the Town of Seven Devil's web site.  Council Member Copley requested the report be mentioned in the next Echo publication.   

 

Mayor Pro Tem DeMott made a motion to receive the feasibility report.  Member Wilkinson seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.

 

 

CITIZEN COMMENTS

 

Lenny Cottom stated, “I would like to respond to what was said about the drainage.  The golf course did not cause this drainage problem.  There are eight or ten drains draining onto the golf course and that is the problem.  The golf course didn't cause this problem and the golf course drains that are on the golf course didn't cause this problem.  This problem that happened below us wasn't caused by the golf course.  It was the housing above us where all that water can't go anymore.  It used to go into the ground and it doesn't do that anymore, it just runs off the mountain.  Everyone wants to point their finger that the golf course is the problem.  The golf course is not the problem.  Some of these drainage things that this guy took pictures of, that was trespassing by the way, are on the side with all the houses.  If you look at all the drains on the other side of the mountain where Mr. Fullenkamp's property is, there is no damage over there.  It is because of all the housing up here, this problem has created it's self and the Town should do something about it.  It's not good.  Whether there is a golf course there or not it is just going to run as fast as it can run.  The best thing for it right now is for it to stay green because it is holding back some of the water.  It may just get worse but it is not because of the golf course.  It is because of the continued housing going on above it.”

 

STAFF UPDATE

 

The Town Manager stated seven people are currently signed up to attend the Parliamentary Procedures Seminar at Montreat.  He read the names and asked if there were any changes.  The Council agreed to meet at Town Hall to ride share and to leave at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2007.   

                                                                                               

OLD BUSINESS    

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.     Approve Budget Calendar – The budget calendar for fiscal year 2008 was reviewed by the council. 

 

            Mayor Pro Tem DeMott made a motion to approve the budget calendar.  Member             Wilkinson seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.–CLOSED-

 

B.     Action on Planning Board Recommendation on Hazard Map – A lengthy discussion on the Geologic Hazard Map and legal issues concerning the Geologic Hazard Map took place. 

           

            Kathy Copley made a motion to table this action until next month.  Mayor Dodson seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.

 

            Kay Ehlinger made a motion to take down the Geologic Hazard Map and place it             in the Zoning Administrator's office until the Planning Board's recommendation             regarding action on the Geological Hazard Map is acted upon.  Bill Wilkinson             seconded the motion.  The motion carried three to two. – OPEN -            

                                   

C.     Approve Council Goals from Retreat Workshop - The Council reviewed the Long-Term and Short-Term Goals established at the March 6, 2007 Retreat.

 

TOWN COUNCIL GOALS

 

March 6, 2007 Work Shop

 

 

 

LONG-TERM GOALS

 

·        Continue to evaluate/maintain/upgrade the Town’s water carrying capacity (new well – potential new growth).

·        Continue to evaluate stormwater management and steep slope issues to mitigate erosion and damage.

·        Continue to evaluate the tax rate and tax base versus Town funding needs.

·        Maintain a 50% fund balance.

·        Analyze our demographics to better attend to needs.

·        Continue with all efforts to engage/share information with/utilize the talents of our Community.

·        Maintain/improve the beauty of the Town through maintenance of the shoulders, ditch clean-up, etc.

·        Continually work toward improving the Fire Rating.

·        Maintain good, up-to-date Town ordinances.

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM GOALS

 

·        Approved an updated Personnel Policy.

·        Update Article 11 of the Zoning Ordinance (Erosion).

·        Establish and maintain maintenance records for Town vehicles.

·        Establish and maintain ‘to do’ lists for Public Works.

·        Ensure that high wind standards are sufficient for our area and are strictly enforced.

·        Adopt a road repair methodology to determine funding priorities. 

 

Mayor Pro Tem DeMott made a motion to approve the Town Council goals from the March 6, 2007 retreat workshop at Valle Crucis.  Kay Ehlinger seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.  –CLOSED-

      

D.     Appoint Mike Tarlton to Public Safety Committee - Kathy Copley made a motion to appoint Mike Tarlton to the Public Safety Committee.  Kay Ehlinger seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.  – CLOSED –

           

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

A.            Planning Board – Bob Haugh's Buildable Land Remaining in Seven Devil's was discussed.  The Council agreed to remove the Buildable Land Remaining in Seven Devil's Map from the wall in Town Hall and place it in the Zoning Administrator's office. 

 

B.   Public Works – Council Member Copley stated several meetings ago the Town Manager prepared and distributed a road analysis spread sheet.  .  She asked the Town Manager to send this information to her and to all the members of the Public Works Committee so they could prepare recommendations to forward to the Town Council.

 

      Mayor Pro-Tem DeMott stated the next meeting of the Water Initiative Committee will be at 2:00 on April 2, 2007. 

       

C.  Public Safety – Mayor Dodson presented and read the February 2007 Fire Department Calls report from Fire Chief Bobby Powell. 

 

D.  ABC Board – There were no additional comments.

 

E.            Financial Report – Member Wilkinson made a motion to accept the financial report.  Mayor Pro Tem DeMott seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.

 

F.   TDA – Council Member Copley asked what is the monthly or annual income for the TDA?  Member Wilkinson stated the first year averaged approximately $50,000.00 and we anticipate the same thing for the second year.   He further stated that the TDA is funding new Town maps - color coded according to zoning.  The new map will be placed on the bulletin boards and reduced to a two-sided hand out which will clearly mark roads and subdivisions. 

 

COUNCIL COMMENTS – Mayor Pro Tem DeMott stated he had been asked to extend a thank you to citizens for their kind donations of glasses and cell phones.  The cell phones are reprogrammed for 911 calls.  They commended us because we are the only Town that is officially doing this.

 

Member Wilkinson asked the Zoning Administrator if there is any state or county regulations that could help remedy the storm water problem on the golf course.  The Zoning Administrator stated he is not aware of anything that would allow the Town to force the owner to repair his property.  Mayor Pro Tem DeMott stated he would look further into this situation to see if there might be some grant money available.                       

 

RECESS

 

At 6:50 pm, Member Copley made a motion to recess until March 16, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.    Member Wilkinson seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTINUATION OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

 

Friday March 16, 2007

 

 

The Town of Seven Devils Town Council reconvened at 10:00 AM on Friday March 16, 2007 at Town Hall.  Members present were Mayor Bob Dodson, Mayor Pro Tem Richard DeMott, and Council Members Kathy Copley and Bill Wilkinson.  Also in attendance were Town Manager Brad Lambert and Zoning Administrator Don Fulkerson.  Town Clerk Karen E. Daniels recorded the minutes.   

 

The Town Manager introduced John Spear, Development Services Director, for the Town of Boone.   Mr. Spear is the man responsible for administering the Steep Slope and View Shed for the town of Boone.  He is here to share some of the challenges the Town of Boone experienced. 

 

After a brief introduction, Mr. Spear presented a brochure (Steep Slope/How regulations affect property owners) and explained the brochure is an attempt to clarify the steep slope/viewshed regulations adopted by the Boone Town Council.  He explained there are two primary reasons for the regulations.

            1)            Safety or the identification of land areas subject to possible slope failure,                          and

            2)            The protection of the scenic beauty and natural environment of Boone's                                    hillside areas vital to preservation of the character of our community and                               continued economic development.

 

A geologic hazard map was not adopted.  The following was adopted by the Town Council. 

 

There are now two steep slope categories: Steep Slopes at 30-50% and Very Steep Slopes at 50%.  If there is land disturbance on a very steep slope, a geologic analysis is required.  On steep slopes or where geologic hazard indicators exists, a geologic analysis may be required, as determined by Development Services.

 

A lengthy question and answer session followed. 

 

Mayor Dodson and the Council members thanked John Spear for his presentation. 

 

At 12:04 pm, Council Member Wilkinson made a motion to recess until 10:00 am, Thursday March 22, 2007 Town Hall.  Council Member Copley seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTINUATION OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

 

Tuesday March 20th, 2007

 

At 9:03 am Mayor Pro Tem DeMott made a motion to come out of recess.  Member Copley seconded the motion.   The members agreed unanimously.  Members present were Mayor Bob Dodson, Mayor Pro Tem Richard DeMott, and Council Members Bill Wilkinson and Kathy Copley.  Also in attendance was Town Manager Brad Lambert.  Town Clerk Karen E. Daniels recorded the minutes.

 

Mayor Dodson introduced Appalachian State University Assistant Professor of Geology Bill Anderson.  Mr. Anderson presented copies of the agreement entered into on February 6th 2007 between High Country Council of Governments and the Rural Economic Development Center, Inc.  The Council review Exhibit A / Scope of Services.

 

Mr. Anderson is currently monitoring two wells for Seven Devils and is pleasantly surprised that there has been little fluctuation. 

 

The Council looked at maps and discussed potential well sites.  Mr. Anderson discussed the possibility of using students to further analyze Town wells.  He also stated that the Town could re-open the issue of the arsenic level in well #5.    

 

Mayor Pro Tem DeMott ask about the necessity on conservation of water.  Bill stated you might want to consider that for the summer because this has been the driest winter in a while.  Bill stated he felt all Towns should have conservation measures in place no matter what the situation is.   

 

Mayor Dodson thanked Bill Anderson for his presentation. 

 

At 10:08 am, Mayor Dodson made a motion to recess until 10:00 on April 5, 2007.  Kathy Copley seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTINUATION OF TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

 

Thursday April 5, 2007

 

At 10:30 am Mayor Dodson made a motion to come out of recess.  Member Copley seconded the motion.   The members agreed unanimously.  Members present were Mayor Bob Dodson, Mayor Pro Tem Richard DeMott, and Council Member Kathy Copley.  Also in attendance was Town Manager Brad Lambert who recorded the minutes. 

 

The members discussed the draft of the Preliminary Capital Improvement Plan and Spending Plan for fiscal year 2008.

 

At 12:30 Mayor Dodson made a motion to adjourn.  Mayor Pro Tem DeMott seconded the motion.  The members agreed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

 

             

____________________________                ______________________________

 

Bob Dodson, Mayor                                                  Karen E. Daniels, Town Clerk