City Council

Town of Montreat Board of Commissioners Agenda Meeting December 3, 2015 Walkup Building Board members present: Mayor Pro Tem Mary Standaert Commissioner Martha Campbell Commissioner Tim Helms Commissioner Jack McCaskill Commissioner Ann Vinson Board members absent: Mayor Letta Jean Taylor Town staff present: Ron Nalley, Town Administrator Angie Murphy, Town Clerk Steve Freeman, Public Works Director Barry Creasman, Senior Water Operator Chief Jack Staggs, Chief of Police Stefan Stackhouse, Finance Officer & Deputy Town Clerk Approximately fifteen members of the public were also present. Mayor Pro Tem Standaert called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and observed a moment of silence. Agenda Approval Mayor Pro Tem Standaert welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked if there were any corrections to the agenda. Commissioner Campbell moved to adopt the meeting agenda as presented. Commissioner Vinson seconded and the motion carried 5/0. Mayor’s Communications Mayor Pro Tem Standaert stated that at next week’s meeting we will have plaque presentations for Mayor Taylor, Commissioner McCaskill, and Commissioner Campbell; recognize our community volunteers; and officially welcome new Town Clerk, Angie Murphy. Consent Agenda Review The proposed Consent Agenda included the following items:  July 2, 2015, Agenda Meeting Minutes  July 9, 2015, Town Council Meeting Minutes  August 6, 2015, Agenda Meeting Minutes  August 11, 2015, Special Meeting Minutes Book 13; Page  Montreat Board of Commissioners Agenda Meeting Minutes December 3, 2015  August 13, 2015, Town Council Meeting Minutes  September 3, 2015, Agenda Meeting Minutes  September 10, 2015, Town Council Meeting Minutes  October 1, 2015, Agenda Meeting Minutes  October 8, 2015, Town Council Meeting Minutes  October 15, 2015, Special Meeting Minutes  November 5, 2015, Agenda Meeting Minutes (Pending)  November 12, 2015, Town Council Meeting Minutes (Pending) Mayor Pro Tem Standaert mentioned that all new and returning Commissioners should come prepared with their calendars next week in preparation for the Calendar Adoption and for scheduling meetings. Town Administrator’s Communications Mr. Nalley stated that with Mayor Taylor and Commissioner Campbell leaving Council, as well as the departure of the former Town Clerk, the Town is left with only one authorized signatory at Asheville Savings Bank. Mr. Nalley stated that the Consent Agenda proposes adding Mayor Elect Tim Helms and new Town Clerk Angie Murphy as authorized signers for the Town’s accounts at Asheville Savings Bank. Administrative Reports The Board will hear reports from the Police Chief, Public Works Director, Finance Officer and Building Inspector/Code Administrator during next week’s Town Council Meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Standaert requested additional information under the Finance Officer’s report on the letter included in their packets about the Water Fund. Commissioner Campbell also requested Mr. Stackhouse to be prepared to report on attorney fees spent up this point in the fiscal year. Public Comment – Agenda Items Mayor Pro Tem Standaert reiterated that this Public Comment period was intended for remarks pertaining to items listed on the meeting agenda, including staff reports and communications. There were no comments from the public at this time. Book 13; Page  Montreat Board of Commissioners Agenda Meeting Minutes December 3, 2015 Old Business A. Montreat General Ordinance, Chapter K, Article V: Trees: Mr. Nalley reported that prior to the Ordinance adoption at the November Town Council Meeting, the Board removed Section 8: Mitigation of Unsafe Trees on Private Property, with the understanding that two Commissioners were going to work on alternative language. This work has been completed and is being brought back to the Board for consideration. The proposed revision adds language that would allow the Public Works Director, in conjunction with the Environmental Commissioner, to cause or order to be removed any tree or shrub from private property adding an extra layer of approval and protection for the private property owner. The amendment also exempts hemlock trees infected with Hemlock Wooly Adelgid from this section. B. Montreat Landcare Committee Appointments: Mayor Pro Tem Standaert stated that all Landcare entities were asked to update their various appointees to the Committee. In response to a question from Commissioner Helms, Mr. Nalley stated that all Board appointments typically end on January 31st of the given year. New Business A. Oaths of Office: Oaths of office will be administered to Commissioner-Elect Kitty Fouche, Commissioner-Elect Bill Gilliland and Mayor-Elect Tim Helms. B. Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore: The new Town Council will appoint a Mayor Pro Tem at next week’s meeting. C. Scheduling of 2016 Annual Board Retreat-Mayor Pro Tem Standaert reminded everyone to bring their calendars for scheduling of the Annual Board Retreat. Public Comment – Other Topics Mayor Pro Tem Standaert reiterated that this Public Comment period was intended for remarks pertaining to public business items not listed on the meeting agenda, including any reports or communications from other community entities. There were no comments from the public at this time. Commissioner Communications Commissioner Campbell reported from the Landcare Committee Meeting that the Hemlock Restoration Project work continues with another 1,000 beetles to be released in the next few days. More recent Hemlock work has included chemical treatments on larger Carolina Hemlock Book 13; Page  Montreat Board of Commissioners Agenda Meeting Minutes December 3, 2015 trees. Educational signs about the restoration project and the wooly adelgid are being developed by Dr. Dottie Shuman’s class to mirror those already located along Elizabeth’s Path. There is also ongoing planning for the 4th Annual Native Plant Sale and Arbor Day Celebration to be held the last weekend in April 2016. Volunteers are needed to continue the success of this event. The PHC Annual Christmas Tea will be held next Wednesday, December 9 from 3- 5:30 PM. The tea is a thank you to supporters and to the community. Commissioner Campbell encouraged everyone to be present at 4 PM when a 60 year old time capsule will be opened. The Montreat College Choir and Chamber Orchestra have their Christmas Concert on Saturday in Anderson Auditorium. The concert is free; donations to the Montreat College Music Department are appreciated. Commissioner Campbell then expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to serve the Town of Montreat as a Commissioner the past four years. In addition to supporting the ongoing business of the Town, she noted several accomplishments: paving the bike lane, paving the walking path from the Gate to Lake Susan, hiring our current Police Chief, Jack Staggs, providing extra training for town staff and updating a number of our Ordinances. The Town has also kept up with regional, state and national issues that directly affect our town’s ability to serve its citizens and institutions. Commissioner Campbell stated that she appreciated the partnership the Council and town have with a capable and hard-working Town Administrator and Town Staff and that she wishes the new Council well as they continue the work and progress of our town. Mayor Pro Tem Standaert announced that if anyone is interested in learning more about the Hemlock Project to contact either her or her husband. Margot Walston’s group, Mountain True, will be leading a hike onto Brushy on December 12th. She also welcomed again, new Town Clerk, Angie Murphy. Upcoming Meeting Dates December Town Council Meeting: December 10, 2015, 7:00 p.m. Walkup Building Town Services Office Closed: December 24-25, 2015 Christmas Holidays Agenda Items Due: December 31, 2015, 5:00 p.m. Town Services Office Town Services Office Closed: January 1, 2016 New Year’s Day Holiday Book 13; Page  Montreat Board of Commissioners Agenda Meeting Minutes December 3, 2015 Landcare Committee Meeting: January 6, 2016, 9:00 a.m. Moore Center Meeting Room January Agenda Meeting: January 7, 2016, 7:00 p.m. Walkup Building January Town Council Meeting: January 14, 2016, 7:00 p.m. Walkup Building Adjournment Commissioner Vinson moved to adjourn the Agenda Meeting. Commissioner Campbell seconded and the motion carried 5/0. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m. Mary Standaert, Mayor Pro Tem Angie Murphy, Town Clerk Book 13; Page