City Council

Town of Montreat Board of Commissioners Public Forum May 6, 2016 Walkup Building Board members present: Mayor Tim Helms Mayor Pro Tem Kitty Fouche (arrived at 3:15 p.m.) Commissioner Bill Gilliland Commissioner Kent Otto Commissioner Mary Standaert Commissioner Ann Vinson Board members absent: None Town staff present: Ron Nalley, Town Administrator Jack Staggs, Chief of Police (arrived at 3:47 p.m.) Angie Murphy, Town Clerk Call to Order Approximately 18 people were in attendance. Mayor Helms called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. and led the group in a moment of silence. Agenda Approval Commissioner Vinson moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Commissioner Gilliland seconded and the agenda was approved 4/0. Public Forum Gladys Brooks of 113 Mecklenburg Circle, thanked all elected officials for representing the community. Mrs. Brooks stated she was against her tax money going towards paying off the lawsuit. Mrs. Brooks expressed her hopes that House Bill 2 would be discussed at this evening’s meeting. She feels that a Town Hall should be constructed inside the Montreat Gate rather than in the Town of Black Mountain. Mrs. Brooks expressed her appreciation to Mr. Nalley, the Public Works Department and the Police Department for all of their continued hard work in the Town. She hopes that soon Montreat residents will be able to greet each other with peace, love and the right hand of friendship. Martha Campbell of 149 Maryland Place, thanked Public Works for their diligence in cleaning up the roadways after the hailstorm on Sunday, May 1st. Gill Campbell of 149 Maryland Place, advised the Board that the Planning and Zoning Commission held a meeting recently regarding amendments to the Sign Ordinance due to a recent Supreme Court ruling. Mr. Campbell encouraged Council to review the Wayfinding Committee Book 14; Page  Montreat Board of Commissioners Public Forum Minutes May 6, 2016 documentation and recommendations for permanent signage options that would be directionally helpful. Emory Underwood of 120 John Knox Road, spoke further to the possible changes in the Sign Ordinance and stated while signs cannot be regulated on content based on the Supreme Court ruling, there will be other ways that the Town can regulate signs: size, time limits that signs can be displayed, by zoning district and temporary versus permanent signs. Mr. Nalley also mentioned that while the Town’s current Sign Ordinance categorizes signs this may not be the case in the future. Nan Clarke of 558 Providence Terrace, suggested that visitors to Montreat could stop at the Information Booth inside the gate to ask for directions or a map. Martha Campbell of 149 Maryland Place, mentioned that the Information Booth is only open a few weeks in the summer and the Wayfinding Committee had researched kiosks to be displayed around Town highlighting the walking paths and the roads. Erskine Clarke of 558 Providence Terrace, expressed his thoughts on the projected cost of the Wayfinding Committee proposals. Mr. Clarke feels the cost is exorbitant with all of the other monetary obligations that the Town is currently facing and he does not feel that the signage is aesthetically appealing for Montreat. Alice Lentz of 115 Eastminster Terrace, expressed her thanks to the Board for the openness and welcoming attitude of the Public Forum. Mrs. Lentz feels the tone that has been set can be felt trickling down throughout the community. Emory Underwood of 120 John Knox Road, wanted to clarify that the work the Planning and Zoning Commission will be accomplishing, will be in ordinance format and not be funded by the Town. Commissioner Vinson advised that the Wayfinding Committee proposals, while historically have been included in the budget, had been a lower priority for the Town. Adjournment There being no further comments, Commissioner Standaert moved to adjourn the Public Forum Meeting. Commissioner Vinson seconded and the motion carried 5/0. The meeting was adjourned at 3:26 p.m. __________________________________ ______________________________________ Tim Helms, Mayor Angie Murphy, Town Clerk Book 14; Page Montreat Board of Commissioners Public Forum Minutes May 6, 2016 Book 14; Page