City Council

Town of Montreat Board of Commissioners Public Forum April 7, 2016 Walkup Building Board members present: Mayor Tim Helms Mayor Pro Tem Kitty Fouche Commissioner Bill Gilliland Commissioner Kent Otto Commissioner Mary Standaert Board members absent: Commissioner Ann Vinson Town staff present: Ron Nalley, Town Administrator Jack Staggs, Chief of Police Steve Freeman, Public Works Director Barry Creasman, Senior Water Operator Angie Murphy, Town Clerk Call to Order Approximately 22 people were in attendance. Mayor Helms called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and led the group in a moment of silence. Agenda Approval Commissioner Standaert moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Commissioner Gilliland seconded and the agenda was approved as amended 4/0. Public Forum Kent Smith of 513 Greybeard Trail, believes that the current conditions in the Town Services Building are inadequate, deplorable and border on being employee abuse. He feels that the Board should look for a temporary location until a more permanent solution can be decided upon. Gill Campbell of 149 Maryland Place, wants to encourage the Board to continue to work with the School of Government and the Land of the Sky Regional Council to encourage the State Legislature to cease trying to control municipal governments. Grace Nichols of 327 Suwannee Drive, feels that the current Town Services Building is pathetic and thinks that the dedicated employees have put up with the conditions for long enough. Mrs. Nichols quoted a letter, from a former Mayor, written in 1990 which stated then that the Town Services Building was inadequate and needed to be addressed. She feels that the Town deserves a new Town Hall inside the Gate. Book 14; Page  Montreat Board of Commissioners Public Forum Minutes April 7, 2016 Janie Moore of 100 Frist Road, was pleased to see the motion for HB2 in the agenda packet. She feels that this new law negatively affects all North Carolina municipalities, limiting local control. Mrs. Moore feels that Board should consider this motion carefully and go on record as condemning HB2 which would put Montreat on the right side of the Civil Rights Movement and the right side of history. Mike Sonnenberg of 125 Virginia Road, feels that Town Council Meetings would be more beneficial if they were videotaped and shown over a live feed on the internet along with the ability for the public to phone in questions. Commissioner Standaert advised that when the Town gets an appropriate facility in place that up-to-date telecommunications will be available to involve as many members of the public as possible. Mr. Sonnenberg did not feel that waiting for a new building is necessary. Wade Burns of 232 North Carolina Terrace, feels that the Town should offer contractors access to the dumpster for cardboard disposal used in new construction and renovations. Tom Frist of 98 Frist Road would like to see item “A” under New Business on this evening’s agenda changed to read “In addition to…” rather than “In lieu of” with regards to the Voluntary Reconciliation Fund Establishment. Mr. Frist also asked for an update on the litigation process as well as the newly formed Texas Road Bridge Committee. Rusty Frank of 205 Harmony Lane, would like to know about the scope of the responsibilities of the Montreat Bridge Committee. Mr. Frank asked if the Committee had any expertise, would have a budget and if they would be conducting any studies. Mayor Helms advised that their responsibilities refer back to the motion that Commissioner Otto made at the March 10, 2016 meeting: to appoint a committee to investigate the need for a bridge, the type of bridge, whether vehicular or walking and report back to the Board by June. Nan Clarke of 558 Providence Terrace, is unhappy about potholes along the roadway to her home. Mrs. Clarke also thanked Public Works for all of their hard work and graciousness during the most recent windstorms. Mr. Nalley advised that Salem Road is privately maintained and that the Town offered to take over the road last year, but one owner refused. Erskine Clarke of 558 Providence Terrace, expressed his agreement with Janie Moore’s comments and thanked her for sharing them. Mr. Clarke feels that the damage on Salem Road is from the construction of new homes and would like the Town to reconsider their position on taking responsibility for repairs. Mr. Nalley advised that the Town is not allowed to spend public money maintaining private roadways. Mike Colley of 344 Oklahoma Road, recommended extending the pavement restriping to better accommodate the hiking traffic. Mr. Colley also asked for further explanation with regards to proposed revisions to Montreat General Ordinance, Chapter E. Mr. Nalley advised that the Book 14; Page  Montreat Board of Commissioners Public Forum Minutes April 7, 2016 restriping proposal only covers existing striping and clarified that as long as the homeowner’s current private well and septic system did not fail they would not be required to connect to the Town’s system. Adjournment The Public Forum adjourned at 7:02 p.m. with a motion by Commissioner Ann Vinson and a second by Commissioner Bill Gilliland. __________________________________ ______________________________________ Tim Helms, Mayor Angie Murphy, Town Clerk Book 14; Page