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Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for attending our town council

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meeting this evening, September 8th,
2026.

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And if you would please roll call.
Cat

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» Perry
>> here.

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» David Harwood
>> here.

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» Wayne Miller
>> here.

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» Doug Matson's here.
>> Thank you. All right. Very good. If you

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would please stand for the pledge of
allegiance.

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I aliance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic

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for which it stands. [clears throat] One
nation under God, indivisible, with

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liberty and justice for all.

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» All righty. Council approval of minutes.
August 11th, 2026, regular session.

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August 28th, 2026,
special meeting minutes. Do I have a

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motion?
>> So move.

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» Do I have a second?
>> Second.

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» Any any discussion?
No changes. Okay. How do we vote? Cat

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» I.
>> David.

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» I.
>> Doug.

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» Hi.
>> Melissa.

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» Hi.
>> Okay. All right. Regular agenda

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adoption. We've got a few little changes
right here. Uh council, I'm requesting

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when we pull the art in the park. Uh
there was some uh changes that need to

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be made on this so we follow proper
protocol

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um as far as dates and so on. So they're
going to resubmit in October.

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Okay. Uh secondly, make note uh citizens
that uh we will have a closed session

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this evening. There might be a decision
made after close session but uh I don't

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have my crystal balls so I can't tell
you and uh so just want to let you know.

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Okay.
Alrighty.

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All right. Council, that covered all,
you think?

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» Thank you. Uh, council, do I have a
motion to approve the regular agenda

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with the change?
>> So, move.

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» Have a second.
>> Second.

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» Any discussion?
>> Okay. Cat

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» I.
>> David.

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» I.
>> Wayne.

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» I.
>> Doug.

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» Hi.
>> Melissa. Hi.

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» Okay. [clears throat and cough]
Consent agenda. Monthly department

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reports 2026
August purchasing policy fireworks

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approval country club go bond project
list update we removed art the park if

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it's not on there and TDA board vacancy
advertisement. Do I have a motion to

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approve?
>> So moved. I

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» have a second. Second.
>> Okay. Normally no discussion on consent.

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How do you vote? Cat.
>> Hi,

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» David.
>> Hi,

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» Wayne.
>> Hi,

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» Doug.
>> Hi,

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» Melissa. All right. Okay. Public
comments.

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I know most of you did not come tonight
to see your beautiful council and your

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mayor. So, if you're here to speak on uh
the stop signs, it's not a public

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hearing, but you can speak during the
three minutes if you wish. So,

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uh
let's see. Bob Hartull,

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how you doing, Bob?

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» If you would just state your name and
address for the record,

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» just like in front of the grand jury.
Um, [laughter]

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my name is Robert Hartnett. I live in
180 Twin Springs Road and I have done so

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for 44 years. I realized the other day
I'm here for the stop sign information.

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The new h the house that was formerly
owned by the Dun is under construction

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to build a big um back apartment.
Therefore, all the employees are working

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parking on the street. Therefore, we are
practically a one- lane road right at

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the corner. So my suggestion is that
either we create two things that they at

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least have to park two car lengths back
from the corner cuz as you come uh down

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from Laurel Park, [cough] you can't see
what's there. In fact, yesterday or a

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day before yesterday, Gigi and I were in
tandem by happens and a

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worker who was in a hurry to get home, I
guess, to his family

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sped by broke out from a parking space
and he could not have been that much.

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I I did not have time to salute him with
a single finger, but I tried and then he

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was gone before. But I'm still aware of
where he is. So my suggestion is if you

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either stop sign or a no parking sign
for that two and that will solve part of

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the problem. There's some that think
it's more of a problem than I do. That's

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my only suggestion.
>> Bob, for the record, uh which location

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are you speaking of for the stop signs?
Oh, Laurel Park and and Twin and um

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Dogwood. Okay.
>> Oh, I thought I didn't realize there

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were more.
>> Thank you, sir.

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» All right. Jim Butler.
>> Hey, Jim.

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» I'm Jim Butler, 177 Dogwood Lane.
Occasionally, I agree with Bob. Not

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tonight.
I'm here to oppose the stop sign. uh

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that's proposed. It's unnecessary. It's
unwarranted and it's inconsistent with

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North Carolina DOT regulations and
requirements for the installation of an

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AWS and allway stop. So here we have one
road which goes up to Main Street which

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is Laurel Park. Dogwood Lane tease into
it. Uh my wife's family has lived in

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that particular location since 1972. We
purchased the house some 24 years ago.

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There's never been a single accident at
that intersection. And so what I always

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defer to is what does the law say? And
North Carolina DOT is the one that sets

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up requirements. And what they require
is an engineering evaluation of the

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intersection which is an analysis of
traffic volumes, crash history, site

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distance, and you performed then a field
investigation and you render your

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engineering report at the proposed
location and volume is low. There's no

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history of crashes. There's adequate
site distance. There is the cost to the

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town of putting up signs and maintaining
them. There's a cost to the traveling

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public of the burden of the stop sign
that's totally unnecessary and unlawful

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under how North Carolina applies the the
federal manual. Believe it or not, there

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is a federal manual of uniform traffic
control devices that determines whether

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an intersection is appropriate for an
all-way stop. The all-way stop is

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appropriate if you've had and crashes is
the number one item. if you've had four

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crashes within 12 months at that
location or five crashes within 36

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months. The other characteristic that's
used is volume. You look at the volume

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which includes all cars, all trucks, all
pedestrians, all bicyclists, and it

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needs to exceed 300 units per hour on an
8 hour average. You couldn't get that

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many people on Dogwood Lane and Laurel
Park after the parade.

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So again, it's unnecessary. We're
contravening what the appropriate

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standards are that are applied in North
Carolina and I request it to be either

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tabled until you can do an engineering
study or turn down.

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» Once again, would you please state the
streets you're speaking of for the

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record?
>> Dogwood Lane and Laurel Park.

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» Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
>> Miss Jenny Miller.

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Yes. Um, my name is Jenny Miller. I live
at 490 Go Forth Road. Thank you, town

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manager, mayor, and city council for
listening to me and to the public. I'm

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here to ask that
a task force

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um be created maybe through the town
council or appointed by the town

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manager, [clears throat] however it's
deemed necessary to look at an ordinance

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that would ban feeding of the deer in
the town limits to Blowing Rock. Um on a

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recent doctor visit, my I have an
internist, she said, "Jenny, we've had

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hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of
Lyme tick disease and um blowing and um

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Rocky Mountain." And the and the third
one that bites you and then you can't

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eat meat, that one is even being tested
for up here right now because the ticks

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are coming down from the north and
that's the last one to come down, but

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it's here. And feeding the deer just
invites more ticks. And the deer have

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plenty to eat. You know, they can go
into the woods. They can go into the n

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they can go into mother nature. Oh, I
should be talking to you. They should

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they can go into um the woods. But a
little town, I think it was Edon, North

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Carolina, um they they did a ban on deer
and the um bird feeders because of the

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deer and the bear. They banned the bird
feeders. And I know that would be a huge

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protest in this town, but they had an
overabundance of bear and now they have

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not had one bear in five years because
there are just no bird feeders. So the

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bears don't come in. And then the second
one is the ordinance with the um deer

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with um feeding the deer. if you know
maybe somebody could um make it a point

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to look into that or form a committee or
something but it might not be going on a

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lot but I see enough of it to warrant
you know some questions. So that's it

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and um thank you for listening.
>> Thank you Miss Miller. Thank you

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» Will Miller.

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It must be Miller night. It's Miller
time. [laughter]

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You okay, Wayne? Uh uh thank you, Mr.
Mayor and Council. Um I'm coming to

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speak about the other intersection um
with a different um point of view. This

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is Yeah, this is a
>> where Country Club Lane dead ends and I

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guess it goes left and right goes down
to the Country Club Lakehouse. Um, I

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think that's on the agenda. And, um, Jim
just really ruined everything I was

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going to say over here with his legal,
but sometimes you you can do go with an

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objective and sometimes subjective. He's
talking subjective. This is objective.

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Um, because the club has opened up the
lakehouse facility uh, for a lot more

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use, lunch, dinner, and everything. And
I think if you have further questions

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about this, I think Paul Beavenzy, the
managers, club manager here, he could

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speak to it, but it's you that there's a
ton of more traffic in the last year

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going through that intersection. Right
now, [clears throat] it's it's a T

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intersection with only one stop sign.
And the the stop sign that's there is

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hardly visible and it's not if I was
going to put one anywhere, I wouldn't

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have put it there. But that said,
there's a lot of stuff going traffic

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coming through there. I don't think
would show up on any vehicle count

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because so much of it is golf cart
traffic. Um at some point in time, uh if

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we don't really sign and put signs up,
there should be three stop signs and

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maybe a stop ahead sign on country club
just to let people know because a lot of

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people come through there aren't um
don't live here. They're coming here for

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weddings or or receptions or you name it
and they're [clears throat] just unaware

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because there's no signage.
um at some point there is going to be an

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accident where a car and a um golf cart
um get together and that won't be good

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for the people in the golf cart. So I I
would hope that the that the police and

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the and the first responders would
really be in favor of this idea u

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because I don't think any one of us want
to make a decision or or lack making a

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decision that might save a life. Thank
you. Well, if you would uh I don't think

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you live with uh Wayne Miller. Could you
state your address?

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» Yeah, I'm sorry. 370 Wonderland Drive.
>> Um but I'd like to live with Wayne.

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[laughter]

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» All right. Um and since we're going
forward, would the general manager of

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the Bo Country Club, Paul, would you
like to say something for a minute or

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two?

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Good evening everyone. Paul Benzi,
>> which address would you like?

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» 2001. Okay.
>> 200 drive.

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» Okay.
>> Uh I I do not live there. I work there.

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» Um the lakehouse opened this past season
uh after a remodel and a refresh and so

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it has revitalized, rejuvenated what we
are doing down there. Uh it is a

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seasonal operation open from Memorial
Day to Labor Day. Um with no real

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operation outside of that uh outside of
that time frame.

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The lunch service down there is six days
a week with dinner service 4 days a

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week.
We did have a couple of pre-season or

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you know pre-opening
uh receptions down there and a couple of

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postseason receptions that we have
planned for this upcoming year. So I

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think it's four non-member wedding style
uh rehearsal dinner style events. Uh the

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majority of the traffic that we do see
through that area is obviously members.

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Uh so it is repeat traffic. about a
third to maybe a half of that traffic

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would be golf cart traffic. Uh not u car
traffic.

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And um I would say on average our lunch
volume down there is [clears throat]

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predominantly golf cart traffic with 60
to 70 diners per meal period with our

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dinner averages about 110 to 120 per
evening down there. Um again, um

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predominantly cart traffic, obviously
weather dependent. If if it's raining,

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the car traffic gets much higher.
Good.

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» Thank you, Paul.
>> Thank you.

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Okay,
I guess we'll move on here. Thank you

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everyone for your comments.
Uh this is a presentation from Foothills

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Consery
and Andrew Cota.

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» Welcome.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor and members of the

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council. My name is Shane Pris. I live
at 208 Sherwood Place, Morgan, North

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Carolina. Um I realized I thought I was
in the right town, but um when I saw our

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former finance director, but I realized
we were just borrowing her from you all.

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So um glad to see that. Andrew, how's
Andrew doing?

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» He's doing great. Um
>> Oh, there he is.

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» Andrew is joining us as well. Um I'll be
giving the presentation today um on

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behalf of the organization. Um what
we're here to talk to you about tonight

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is giving you all an update on our uh
study that we've done for a potential

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public trail on the 330 acre property we
conserved adjacent to the Blowing Rock

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attraction. U but I'll step back a
little bit. Um we are Foothills

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Conservancy of North Carolina. We are a
501c3 nonprofit land trust. Our job is

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to conserve and protect special places
and land and water resources in our

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8ount service area that includes Cwell
County and comes right up to the edge of

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Blowing Rock and into it. Um
specifically, uh if you mind advancing

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the slide, um we have over the last 30
years uh conserved almost 75,000 acres.

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And this is my favorite number because
every time I put it on a slide, it's

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already out of date. Um, that means that
we're working hard for you all to keep

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this place special. Um, as you know, it
all is. And a lot of people who've been

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here a long time, it is a special place.
Um, and we live in a special region. But

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we want to talk specifically about um,
our property here in the Blowing Rock

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00:20:54,480 --> 00:21:00,960
community, our 330 acre John's River
Headarters Preserve. That means that

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00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:06,000
it's something that the conservancy is
going to own. um in perpetuity so that

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00:21:03,520 --> 00:21:10,000
we can manage it and protect it and
ideally eventually have a level of

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00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:14,880
public access to it because we think
that it's really important that people

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00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:19,280
be connected to the almost 75,000 acres
and soon to be almost 78,000 acres of

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00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:24,320
land that we've conserved. So this
property is really special. Um it's got

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00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:28,880
a bunch of source water for um that
flows into the Kataba. Over 3 million

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00:21:26,640 --> 00:21:33,520
people rely on it. Um it is
spectacularly beautiful. Um, as you

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00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:37,760
drive into town, um, you notice you look
off to the left where Wheelies used to

220
00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:42,000
be and you see nothing except for you
see everything. And the idea is that

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00:21:39,919 --> 00:21:46,080
that is how it's going to look forever.
Um, that's what we want. And when you

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00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:50,799
get down in the property, it is even
more spectacular. Um, there are really

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00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:55,600
exciting things in the property. Um, if
you mind going back a slide, I want to

224
00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:59,520
point out some
um,

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00:21:57,200 --> 00:22:04,880
it's okay. um want to point out a few
things about the property particularly

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00:22:01,840 --> 00:22:09,840
um where it is situated on the land. Um
so one thing that we do want to um point

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00:22:07,120 --> 00:22:16,320
out specifically on this is that you can
see that it is pretty landlocked um with

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00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:21,919
other properties. Uh we have one public
access point on this whole project and

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00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:26,000
you can see it is up on Pinnacle A. um
it does abut the national forest but

230
00:22:24,159 --> 00:22:31,520
does not directly connect with Globe
Road and that is important when we were

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00:22:28,159 --> 00:22:36,320
considering how to get the public in and
out of this property. Access is one of

232
00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:39,520
the most important things um that how
are people going to come and go um where

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00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:43,360
we're going to bring them in. We looked
at the forest service but their priority

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00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:47,600
right now is recovering from the
hurricane Helen damage that is they are

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00:22:46,240 --> 00:22:50,640
five years out from having a
conversation about anything new. not

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00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:54,240
doing anything new, having a
conversation about it. They have a lot

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00:22:52,159 --> 00:22:57,840
of work to do. Um, and we are helping
them in some capacities with other

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00:22:55,679 --> 00:23:02,640
nonprofits in the organization, but it
rebuilding our infrastructure will take

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00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:05,919
time. So, we went and did this study. I
took a look at it. I had some concepts,

240
00:23:04,559 --> 00:23:11,120
but you said, "Hey, let's get a second
opinion. Let's hire Nature Trails LLC,

241
00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:14,880
um, a reputable um, recognized trail
firm that works in North Carolina. It's

242
00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:19,440
based out of North Carolina." and they
did the trail study on the next slide as

243
00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:23,600
well as flagging on the ground. And
that's an important step to tell us

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00:23:21,360 --> 00:23:28,720
where the flagging um flagging tells you
where the trail is going to be. Thank

245
00:23:25,039 --> 00:23:34,880
you. And um as you can see, we thought
that the upper portion of the property

246
00:23:31,360 --> 00:23:40,080
is much more suitable for a positive um
environmentally sustainable trail

247
00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:43,760
experience. And with that comes the
access question. And the question we're

248
00:23:41,760 --> 00:23:48,000
here to present to you tonight um and
looking for help is getting people in

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00:23:45,679 --> 00:23:52,559
and out. As you can see up in the corner
there where it says Cliff Drive right

250
00:23:49,760 --> 00:23:58,559
there is um the one point where this
property touches road and has legal road

251
00:23:55,919 --> 00:24:04,400
access. So that presents us with kind of
two options. One is go through a

252
00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:08,880
reszoning process for a small parking
lot. That is not necessarily ideal

253
00:24:06,799 --> 00:24:12,559
situation for us. Um it is in a
neighborhood. It doesn't have a lot of

254
00:24:10,720 --> 00:24:17,919
space and like most of the properties
here in Blowing Rock it goes downhill

255
00:24:14,559 --> 00:24:24,159
pretty quickly. So at best maybe five
cars more likely three. An alternative

256
00:24:20,880 --> 00:24:29,840
that we're looking at is we call it at
grade um access point. So that would be

257
00:24:27,039 --> 00:24:33,440
along DOT right ofway. It would be
connecting in with the existing sidewalk

258
00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:38,640
system which at this point is on the far
side of 321 which there are some

259
00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:43,360
existing crossings already um by the end
in other places could potentially be

260
00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:48,000
another one for this but sidewalk coming
up to that point as well is another

261
00:24:46,559 --> 00:24:51,840
option. There are possibly other
alternatives that we have not thought of

262
00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:55,840
yet. Um so if you don't mind advancing
the next slide. Thank you.

263
00:24:53,679 --> 00:25:00,799
um we want to present our information to
you all and really open up for questions

264
00:24:57,840 --> 00:25:04,480
and um seek help. We have not moved
forward with fundraising or anything

265
00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:09,440
past the point of doing a basic trail
study which was funded by some partners

266
00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:13,279
and interested um parties into looking
into this so that we can have these

267
00:25:11,039 --> 00:25:16,960
conversations well before we talk about
the next steps. So want to thank you so

268
00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:20,799
much for your time. I know you have a
big packed agenda today. So, um, really

269
00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:24,799
want to open up to any questions that,
um, we can talk about and, um, present

270
00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:29,320
this idea to you and further
conversations in the future. Thank you.

271
00:25:30,559 --> 00:25:37,840
» Do you uh do you have a timeline
established?

272
00:25:35,120 --> 00:25:42,640
» Uh, at this stage, no. Um, we really do
need to figure out the access question

273
00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:47,520
of what's the best way to go forward.
Um, and we haven't delved into that too

274
00:25:45,120 --> 00:25:51,679
deeply other than from the trail study
to say that this is likely the best

275
00:25:49,279 --> 00:25:58,240
access point that we have um, legal
right to.

276
00:25:54,799 --> 00:26:03,440
» Does this encompass uh, Cherry Tree
Holler right there at the base of what

277
00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:06,320
was canyons at the end of the parking
lot?

278
00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:10,640
» Yes, it does. So, um I believe we owned
that property before um we purchased

279
00:26:08,320 --> 00:26:16,159
this second larger property um when it
was available for protection. So, we've

280
00:26:12,720 --> 00:26:19,799
added to that and the uh um uh
conservation holdings.

281
00:26:20,799 --> 00:26:29,679
» So, essentially your request, what
you're looking at doing, if I may

282
00:26:25,279 --> 00:26:35,279
council, um is making a trail head up
above canyons, the old canyons. Is that

283
00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:41,919
correct? Um, that is a possibility, Mr.
Mayor. Um, we're looking for solutions

284
00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:46,880
of what's the best way um for the
community to get people in and out of

285
00:26:44,159 --> 00:26:50,760
this if we are to develop public access
into this property.

286
00:26:50,799 --> 00:26:57,440
» Um,
that would have to be reszoned, would it

287
00:26:55,760 --> 00:27:02,159
not,
Kevin?

288
00:26:59,440 --> 00:27:06,919
for
I don't know.

289
00:27:03,919 --> 00:27:06,919
» Okay.

290
00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:12,240
» And
>> say the Forest Service is not

291
00:27:09,520 --> 00:27:15,440
cooperating much for Globe Road.
>> I I wouldn't say that they're

292
00:27:13,279 --> 00:27:19,679
uncooperative. I would say that they
have a massive they're they have a lot

293
00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:25,120
of priorities that come far before
talking to us about this one.

294
00:27:22,559 --> 00:27:29,039
» Um but yes, Mr. Mayor, that is one of
the possibilities. The other would be

295
00:27:27,039 --> 00:27:33,919
some sort of sidewalk or interconnection
with parking um at another location for

296
00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:39,600
people who are interested in visiting
the property. Um we don't have um

297
00:27:38,000 --> 00:27:42,880
particular plans in one way or another.
That's why we wanted to present it to

298
00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:47,039
the community to see what is the best
option for everyone collectively and

299
00:27:45,279 --> 00:27:51,039
what do we feel is is the right option
for the community to move forward and

300
00:27:48,559 --> 00:27:56,679
look at pursuing um at that point. So
that's why we want to present it to you

301
00:27:52,640 --> 00:27:56,679
and the group as a whole.

302
00:27:56,799 --> 00:28:09,919
I think we would have to rely on
trail engineering experts obviously. I

303
00:28:05,440 --> 00:28:14,559
mean that is a very dangerous property I
would think for the public to access.

304
00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:20,799
Um,
>> I mean I I don't know all the entry

305
00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:24,080
point or possible entry points, but
>> I can tell you without a trail, yes, I

306
00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:29,039
agree fully it would be a dangerous
property access having done it several

307
00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:35,120
times myself um and slid down mostly.
Um, we would have um I have been working

308
00:28:32,159 --> 00:28:39,760
for 16 years in this field. So, um, feel
comfortable with also the design that we

309
00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:44,399
hired from another professional firm to
do that we could build a sustainable

310
00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:47,440
safe experience out there. It would
still be rugged. It is quite a rugged

311
00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:51,279
property. That's why it goes straight
down the hill, but we would do so in a

312
00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:55,440
way that would meet all of the
applicable trail standards and be safe

313
00:28:53,120 --> 00:29:00,159
for the public to access when we were
ready to open it.

314
00:28:56,559 --> 00:29:05,679
» Okay. So essentially the only access
from the town of Blowing Rock would be

315
00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:10,159
that location
uh because otherwise you're bordered by

316
00:29:08,159 --> 00:29:11,760
private property.
Correct.

317
00:29:10,799 --> 00:29:16,960
» That is correct.
>> Okay. Or Globe Road

318
00:29:15,679 --> 00:29:20,880
» which would be through the Forest
Service and also put you at the bottom

319
00:29:18,960 --> 00:29:25,600
of the property. And we did feel that
the top was more suitable um just from

320
00:29:23,919 --> 00:29:31,360
what you can see there. The way the
rivers lay a lot less rodendrin

321
00:29:29,120 --> 00:29:33,200
um and it it it's a bit of a slog to get
from the bottom to the top I'll tell

322
00:29:32,480 --> 00:29:37,745
you. So
>> going down is not a problem. I'm just

323
00:29:34,880 --> 00:29:37,745
wondering [laughter]

324
00:29:41,440 --> 00:29:46,960
» I'm invite Andrew up to help answer some
questions as well.

325
00:29:44,320 --> 00:29:50,600
» How much is actually in the city limits
of Born Rock?

326
00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:56,000
in the city.
>> Hi, thanks for having us.

327
00:29:53,760 --> 00:30:00,880
» Doug had a question for you, Andrew.
>> I um how much of the property is in the

328
00:29:59,120 --> 00:30:05,120
city limits? I'm not sure of the exact
acreage, but we know that the the

329
00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:12,399
northern sliver of the property is
encompassed by the uh Blowing Rock city

330
00:30:07,919 --> 00:30:16,559
limits. Um, and our our our conundrum is
that we

331
00:30:14,960 --> 00:30:22,320
have
good legal access to the property along

332
00:30:19,279 --> 00:30:30,080
Pinnacle Avenue, but that that site or
that lot is insufficient for a public

333
00:30:27,279 --> 00:30:34,559
access trail head parking area. So, how
do we safely get people to that

334
00:30:32,159 --> 00:30:39,440
location? And we think it would be
meaningful coming from town to allow

335
00:30:36,960 --> 00:30:45,919
people to to explore along the the the
sidewalk system from downtown out

336
00:30:42,559 --> 00:30:51,919
towards 321, you know, to in in the uh
uh the direction of Green Park area and

337
00:30:49,120 --> 00:30:57,200
cross at the old restaurant and up up
the hill along Pinnacle to get onto the

338
00:30:54,640 --> 00:31:01,600
property itself. So it would connect it
would connect that that preserve to the

339
00:30:59,600 --> 00:31:08,320
town, provide another option for the
public to um to have outdoor recreation

340
00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:13,760
experience close to town. Um uh much
like Glenn Bernie in the other

341
00:31:10,080 --> 00:31:18,640
direction. Uh but you know getting from
there's not a crossing there's not a

342
00:31:15,360 --> 00:31:25,039
safe crossing across 321 from the
existing sidewalk to Pinnacle and to the

343
00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:30,720
lot with the the former restaurant area.
So that's that's really what

344
00:31:28,159 --> 00:31:36,720
our our question our conundrum is in you
know getting people onto the the

345
00:31:32,399 --> 00:31:41,760
tractive land safely. Um and I you know
will mention the support that we

346
00:31:39,120 --> 00:31:45,840
received from from the Blowing Rock
community to be able to purchase and

347
00:31:43,840 --> 00:31:50,960
permanently protect this this tract of
land a few years ago. It was

348
00:31:47,360 --> 00:31:55,360
overwhelming support um from many people
in this room that helped raise millions

349
00:31:53,440 --> 00:31:59,039
of dollars essentially to ma help match
some of the the state funded grant

350
00:31:57,200 --> 00:32:03,840
sources that we brought to to this
project. And um you know at that time we

351
00:32:02,320 --> 00:32:09,120
had we had discussed with those
supporters our our willingness and and

352
00:32:06,159 --> 00:32:14,559
ability to to pursue a public trail
project on the property as as you've

353
00:32:10,880 --> 00:32:18,720
seen and we've done pretty extensive um
uh surveying of the land with with

354
00:32:16,880 --> 00:32:23,600
professionals and Shane is one of those
professionals. Um so we know that this

355
00:32:21,279 --> 00:32:27,919
is possible but it's it's the it's the
the point of access that is challenging

356
00:32:26,080 --> 00:32:33,039
at this point. So, we're hopeful that
the the town would recognize this,

357
00:32:30,559 --> 00:32:39,039
acknowledge this, and maybe support some
type of solution. Uh, work with us on

358
00:32:36,320 --> 00:32:45,240
some type of solution. council. My
recommendation I think would be that um

359
00:32:45,919 --> 00:32:52,799
that they need to get with our zoning
department, [clears throat]

360
00:32:50,880 --> 00:32:59,360
get clearance there and recommendations
from our zoning and planning

361
00:32:55,440 --> 00:33:07,760
and come back with a plan
uh on where exactly

362
00:33:03,919 --> 00:33:12,640
um and if you decide you're you're going
going to need some kind of access for

363
00:33:09,440 --> 00:33:16,960
emergency vehicles at least up top. Am I
>> not? I'd also have them talk with Chief

364
00:33:15,919 --> 00:33:21,600
Graham.
>> Have them talk with Chief GR.

365
00:33:18,799 --> 00:33:26,240
» I think I you know that's just my take
on it council. I think that guys need to

366
00:33:24,320 --> 00:33:35,440
come up with a firm plan and then come
back talk to zoning planning

367
00:33:30,480 --> 00:33:40,960
our our chief fire chief. Uh because as
Doug can relate to, Doug when he was

368
00:33:38,720 --> 00:33:45,919
chief, he made many trips down Glenn
Bernie Trail of which he didn't really

369
00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:49,600
want to do, but he had to to bring
people out.

370
00:33:47,440 --> 00:33:54,320
» We went down through Tree Holler, too.
So, it's a it's steep down through

371
00:33:52,720 --> 00:34:00,559
there.
>> And no, no matter how

372
00:33:57,200 --> 00:34:04,000
what good physical shape people are in,
somebody can always trip.

373
00:34:02,080 --> 00:34:08,320
» Yes. And so
>> that's just my thought council. I mean

374
00:34:05,440 --> 00:34:11,639
you all feedback from you guys. I
>> Great suggestion.

375
00:34:11,679 --> 00:34:20,399
» How long would this trail be?
>> Approximately three miles in length.

376
00:34:17,679 --> 00:34:24,320
» Is it an out and back or a
>> It's a It's a loop loop system.

377
00:34:22,720 --> 00:34:27,119
» Okay.
>> Yeah. You got to come back up that hill.

378
00:34:26,320 --> 00:34:30,480
» Yes.
>> Okay. [laughter]

379
00:34:28,720 --> 00:34:33,839
» You're not installing a chair lift, are
you?

380
00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:33,839
» No. Again.

381
00:34:33,919 --> 00:34:42,240
You had mentioned five parking spaces.
Does is that adequate for your needs or

382
00:34:39,679 --> 00:34:47,599
is that just what you think you can
support there?

383
00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:51,919
» Councilman, that was just a off the
napkin, back of the napkin kind of

384
00:34:49,440 --> 00:34:58,720
estimate. I would say three to five
maybe. um is just it's not a very wide

385
00:34:56,240 --> 00:35:04,640
parcel and there's not a lot of room to
go uh deep into it before it kind of

386
00:35:01,119 --> 00:35:08,720
tapers off. Um so I more to make a point
of not very many and especially if

387
00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:13,440
you're trying to provide um some space
specifically for emergency access as

388
00:35:10,720 --> 00:35:17,359
well that would take one or two out um
just from the off the top.

389
00:35:15,359 --> 00:35:22,960
» Okay. Thank you. What worries me there
is as it grows more popular is that

390
00:35:20,880 --> 00:35:25,200
» that may not be enough,
>> right?

391
00:35:23,520 --> 00:35:32,480
» You know,
and and then do you have room there to

392
00:35:29,599 --> 00:35:35,040
enlarge without getting on private
properties?

393
00:35:33,520 --> 00:35:39,280
» Yeah, that's a good question. We haven't
done an engineering or design study for

394
00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:44,160
parking and I think that's one of the
suggestions.

395
00:35:40,880 --> 00:35:47,520
um and and having access to the planning
department or at least you know the

396
00:35:45,520 --> 00:35:52,560
ability to set up a meeting to start
speaking with emergency management

397
00:35:49,200 --> 00:35:58,880
services so we can evaluate
that area. Um but we don't think that it

398
00:35:56,000 --> 00:36:05,200
will be sufficient for if it grows in
popularity which it it very well could.

399
00:36:01,839 --> 00:36:09,359
Um it it's a spectacular area and and
anything engineered, a trail, an

400
00:36:07,359 --> 00:36:14,800
approach that would be engineered to get
down into the the tract of land would be

401
00:36:12,240 --> 00:36:19,920
um you know an expensive endeavor but
something that safety would be you know

402
00:36:17,599 --> 00:36:25,359
uh at the top of the list to to ensure
for the public. Um but it is a spec it

403
00:36:23,520 --> 00:36:30,480
would be a spectacular experience for
the public for years to come and that's

404
00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:35,119
really what we're what we're going for
here. So,

405
00:36:33,680 --> 00:36:38,320
» looks like you got about a third of an
acre to work with up there.

406
00:36:37,119 --> 00:36:41,520
» I I think that's
>> before it really gets steep.

407
00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:45,520
» Yeah, that's probably about right.
>> That seem about right.

408
00:36:43,119 --> 00:36:51,839
» I think the that entire parcel is about
three acres in size, but like you

409
00:36:48,079 --> 00:36:57,520
mentioned, we may have an acre uh at
most that's relatively level before the

410
00:36:54,800 --> 00:36:59,920
land drops off.
>> Okay.

411
00:36:58,960 --> 00:37:04,880
» Y'all good with that?
>> Yes, sir. So, yeah, get with planning,

412
00:37:02,160 --> 00:37:09,359
zoning, Kevin Rothrock, get with our uh
public safety,

413
00:37:06,800 --> 00:37:14,880
uh coordinate with Alice,
>> and uh come up with a plan that uh can

414
00:37:12,560 --> 00:37:17,119
be brought back to council for further
review.

415
00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:21,720
» Okay. Thank you all.
>> Thanks for everything. Appreciate it.

416
00:37:22,560 --> 00:37:31,680
» All righty.
Okay. This next session is a public

417
00:37:27,599 --> 00:37:36,640
hearing. Ordinance 20265,
revision of land use code parking

418
00:37:33,760 --> 00:37:39,960
requirements to parking recommendations.
Kevin Rothrock.

419
00:37:40,431 --> 00:37:42,451
[clears throat]

420
00:37:44,320 --> 00:37:53,520
» Thank you, Mayor and Council. Um,
bringing before you tonight a u a draft

421
00:37:52,000 --> 00:37:58,320
ordinance.
Uh the unique thing about it is that

422
00:37:55,359 --> 00:38:07,200
we're a little bit ahead and and not
reacting to to issues. But uh this

423
00:38:02,320 --> 00:38:12,320
ordinance is to revise our land use code
parking requirements

424
00:38:09,200 --> 00:38:18,240
uh to make those parking
recommendations.

425
00:38:14,960 --> 00:38:23,040
Uh in this year, the North Carolina
General Assembly ratified House Bill

426
00:38:20,320 --> 00:38:27,920
162, which made significant changes to
local parking regulations.

427
00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:31,520
So on January 1st of this coming year,
local governments can no longer require

428
00:38:29,680 --> 00:38:35,839
minimum off street parking standards for
any new development. Instead, property

429
00:38:34,400 --> 00:38:39,520
owners and developers will have the
option to choose the number of parking

430
00:38:37,359 --> 00:38:44,640
spaces they deem appropriate to satisfy
their proposed development needs. Local

431
00:38:42,640 --> 00:38:48,320
ordinances still can still regulate
minimum parking space dimensions,

432
00:38:46,480 --> 00:38:52,640
parallel parking space dimensions, and
parking lot aisle and circulation

433
00:38:50,720 --> 00:38:56,720
configurations.
In anticipation of this new prohibition,

434
00:38:54,960 --> 00:39:00,880
the following draft ordinance is hereby
submitted to correct the land use

435
00:38:59,040 --> 00:39:07,280
ordinance consistent with North Carolina
law. The table of parking regulations

436
00:39:03,599 --> 00:39:11,839
has been changed to recommendations and
moved to an appendix appendix H if

437
00:39:10,079 --> 00:39:17,839
developers choose to use the current
parking ratios as a guide.

438
00:39:14,720 --> 00:39:22,079
Um we presented this to planning board
in August and they recommended approval

439
00:39:20,000 --> 00:39:26,720
of the draft ordinance with some
clerical clerical modifications

440
00:39:24,800 --> 00:39:30,560
and those have been reflected in this in
this draft ordinance before you. In

441
00:39:29,200 --> 00:39:34,560
addition, the plan board asked that
staff consult with the town attorney to

442
00:39:32,240 --> 00:39:40,320
see whether loading zones could be
eliminated from that ordinance. And uh

443
00:39:37,520 --> 00:39:45,599
in talking with Joey
uh last week uh he his understanding was

444
00:39:43,839 --> 00:39:49,200
that requiring off- streetet loading
zones would be inconsistent with the new

445
00:39:47,359 --> 00:39:54,000
state law. So the draft ordinance
removes that requirement as well for um

446
00:39:52,560 --> 00:39:58,320
loading zones, off- streetet loading
zones.

447
00:39:55,920 --> 00:40:03,040
Uh, I want to point out too the land use
code or any land use code changes in

448
00:40:00,240 --> 00:40:07,839
North Carolina must have a statement of
uh, consistency related to the town's

449
00:40:05,040 --> 00:40:11,520
comprehensive plan, land use plan,
whatever it may be called, depending on

450
00:40:09,599 --> 00:40:15,119
the jurisdiction.
The ordinance is not required to be

451
00:40:13,200 --> 00:40:20,480
consistent with that comp plan, not in
North Carolina, but there has to be a

452
00:40:16,800 --> 00:40:27,119
statement that acknowledges the plan. um
this particular ordinance

453
00:40:22,720 --> 00:40:32,079
from the staff uh opinion is that it's
inconsistent with our comprehensive plan

454
00:40:30,000 --> 00:40:37,440
um but it's consistent with the state
law and so I reflected that in the first

455
00:40:34,880 --> 00:40:41,119
in the opening uh preamble of the
ordinance there

456
00:40:39,599 --> 00:40:45,440
uh
the sixth one down it says this

457
00:40:43,520 --> 00:40:50,640
ordinance and the amendments herein as
as proposed are inconsistent with the

458
00:40:47,599 --> 00:40:55,680
2024 comprehensive a plan update
including the following plan objectives.

459
00:40:52,400 --> 00:40:59,839
One or a uh review and amend parking
recommendations requirements, excuse me,

460
00:40:58,000 --> 00:41:02,880
established in lane use code, including
parking standards, provisions for

461
00:41:01,599 --> 00:41:07,440
satellite parking and similar
requirements to ensure that parking is

462
00:41:05,040 --> 00:41:11,680
adequately addressed. And parking is
something we talk about all the time. We

463
00:41:09,119 --> 00:41:15,440
don't have enough parking.
Uh,

464
00:41:13,280 --> 00:41:18,800
another item of the comprehensive plan,
study park and performance standards for

465
00:41:17,040 --> 00:41:22,560
all short-term rental and lodge uses.
And we we had done that when we made

466
00:41:20,960 --> 00:41:26,880
some changes a few years ago for
short-term rentals. And then C,

467
00:41:25,280 --> 00:41:30,880
implement the recommendations of the
downtown park and management study and

468
00:41:29,440 --> 00:41:38,800
update the study regularly to
incorporate changes over time. So

469
00:41:34,880 --> 00:41:44,319
these items um show that this ordinance
would be inconsistent with our comp plan

470
00:41:41,520 --> 00:41:49,440
from the staff's opinion. Uh it would be
dependent on you if you agree with that.

471
00:41:46,800 --> 00:41:55,280
Um but although inconsistent with our
comp plan, it would be consistent with

472
00:41:51,280 --> 00:42:00,720
state law. Um
after the planning board um

473
00:41:58,800 --> 00:42:05,920
after their decision to move forward
with the draft ordinance, we made a few

474
00:42:03,280 --> 00:42:12,240
additional staff changes uh minor. I
wanted to point those out. As as I said,

475
00:42:08,240 --> 00:42:17,839
we moved appendix H
uh moved the recommendations into one

476
00:42:15,200 --> 00:42:22,880
table. Uh we had two. We had a parking
table for

477
00:42:20,000 --> 00:42:26,400
downtown and the and the town center and
then we had a separate parking table for

478
00:42:24,480 --> 00:42:32,480
everything else. So, we've combined them
just into one and left it um

479
00:42:30,480 --> 00:42:37,280
the one that was for everything else.
And we made a few other changes. One, we

480
00:42:35,359 --> 00:42:41,760
removed the uses that are not currently
allowed in our land use code. So, we

481
00:42:39,520 --> 00:42:45,520
just struck those out. That was colleges
and drive-ins, racetracks, and

482
00:42:43,760 --> 00:42:50,160
scrapyards. We don't allow those in
anywhere in town. there is a place for

483
00:42:47,440 --> 00:42:54,560
them. We don't allow them. And so there
was a parking requirement for those

484
00:42:52,480 --> 00:42:58,480
uses, but we just struck those out. And
the other thing is that the

485
00:42:56,400 --> 00:43:05,200
recommendation was for restaurant
parking from one space for every 100

486
00:43:02,240 --> 00:43:10,720
square feet to one per 200. In downtown,
it's one per 250. Out in general

487
00:43:07,520 --> 00:43:15,040
business is one per 100. And uh staff
recommendation was just to make that to

488
00:43:12,240 --> 00:43:19,680
one to 200. Again, these are all
recommendations. Developer does not have

489
00:43:17,200 --> 00:43:27,079
to choose to go by that. They have the
option to choose what how much parking

490
00:43:22,640 --> 00:43:27,079
meets the needs that they are proposing.

491
00:43:28,800 --> 00:43:35,040
» If that's not too confusing, I'll be
glad to answer any question. [laughter]

492
00:43:32,800 --> 00:43:38,359
» Okay, council. We're opening this up for
public hearing.

493
00:43:39,680 --> 00:43:42,680
Sure.

494
00:43:44,400 --> 00:43:52,599
» Would any of the public like to speak on
this matter?

495
00:43:49,599 --> 00:43:52,599
» Um,

496
00:43:52,640 --> 00:43:58,880
I guess it's pretty much I mean, we need
to follow state guidelines.

497
00:43:57,119 --> 00:44:04,280
» It's all recommendation.
>> If not, we're going to keep Joy busy all

498
00:44:01,040 --> 00:44:04,280
the time.

499
00:44:05,440 --> 00:44:10,720
» Okay. Do I have a motion to close the
public hearing? move.

500
00:44:09,599 --> 00:44:19,520
» I have a second.
>> Second.

501
00:44:11,760 --> 00:44:22,079
» Okay. Uh council thoughts, motions
>> is

502
00:44:20,160 --> 00:44:26,480
» motion. Yes. Yes, ma'am.
>> We don't really have a choice. Right.

503
00:44:24,079 --> 00:44:29,920
» Well, uh I just looked at it and the few
people that signed off on that from the

504
00:44:28,400 --> 00:44:32,480
state, I don't think we want to mess
with. Okay.

505
00:44:30,560 --> 00:44:36,480
» That's what I thought. [laughter]
>> So,

506
00:44:33,200 --> 00:44:40,720
» it was pretty divi, uh not divisive,
decisive. Yeah,

507
00:44:38,000 --> 00:44:44,960
» it was
>> the House and Senate level

508
00:44:42,960 --> 00:44:47,520
» pretty convincing. I don't think it's
going to change.

509
00:44:45,440 --> 00:44:52,480
» Pretty much nonpartisan from what I saw.
>> Yeah. So,

510
00:44:49,599 --> 00:44:54,640
» so I mean it doesn't seem like there's
even

511
00:44:52,960 --> 00:45:00,000
» All we need is a motion from you,
Melissa.

512
00:44:55,440 --> 00:45:05,839
» So, I move that we adopt the new
ordinate parking ordinance as described.

513
00:45:04,960 --> 00:45:08,960
Is that
>> have a second?

514
00:45:08,000 --> 00:45:12,800
Second.
>> Any other discussion? Okay. Cat

515
00:45:12,400 --> 00:45:16,240
» I.
>> David.

516
00:45:13,440 --> 00:45:17,760
» I
>> I

517
00:45:16,880 --> 00:45:19,760
» Okay.
>> All right.

518
00:45:18,240 --> 00:45:22,319
» Thanks, Kevin. Appreciate it.
>> Thank you.

519
00:45:20,640 --> 00:45:26,196
» When you figure all this out, will you
call me?

520
00:45:23,200 --> 00:45:26,196
» Yeah. [laughter]

521
00:45:29,760 --> 00:45:41,119
» Alrighty.
Let's see here. We're now into regular

522
00:45:35,280 --> 00:45:47,640
agenda. wrong proclamation. H you know
seems like just yesterday

523
00:45:44,640 --> 00:45:47,640
but

524
00:45:47,920 --> 00:45:56,160
Rahm is celebrating
15th anniversary

525
00:45:54,079 --> 00:46:00,960
that is the Bling Rock Art and History
Museum.

526
00:45:58,400 --> 00:46:05,599
So would you like to speak on something
before I read the proclamation?

527
00:46:03,839 --> 00:46:10,560
Well, I think it's customary that I
state my name and my address if that's

528
00:46:07,839 --> 00:46:16,160
correct, sir. That would be [laughter]
>> Yes. I'm Steven Dragzik and I reside at

529
00:46:13,920 --> 00:46:20,720
150 Celestial Drive here in Blenrock,
North Carolina. And I am the Terresa and

530
00:46:19,119 --> 00:46:25,440
Don Kane executive director for the
Blowenrock Art and History Museum, but

531
00:46:22,640 --> 00:46:28,960
our friends call us Braum. So, we are
preparing on October the 1st to

532
00:46:27,280 --> 00:46:33,599
celebrate our 15th anniversary here in
the community. So, that is why I'm here

533
00:46:30,720 --> 00:46:40,319
tonight. Thank you.
Um, I will say that Braum

534
00:46:37,440 --> 00:46:47,040
um have done a great job of promoting
Blowing Rock for arts and history and I

535
00:46:44,160 --> 00:46:53,440
I think Mr. Hardwood was involved early
on and I think it says a lot for our

536
00:46:50,400 --> 00:46:58,760
citizens support the community support.
My hats off to you. So that being said,

537
00:46:59,760 --> 00:47:06,880
okay, whereas Braum Blowing Rock Art and
History Museum was created through the

538
00:47:04,480 --> 00:47:11,680
vision, determination, generosity of
community members who believe that art,

539
00:47:09,920 --> 00:47:17,359
history, and cultural traditions of
Blowing Rock and the surrounding region

540
00:47:14,160 --> 00:47:22,640
served a permanent home. And whereas
since opening its doors in 2011, Braum

541
00:47:20,880 --> 00:47:27,119
has become an important cultural
institution in the town of Blowing Rock,

542
00:47:24,960 --> 00:47:30,880
preserving and sharing the stories of
our community while presenting

543
00:47:29,040 --> 00:47:36,560
exhibitions and programs that connect
the high country with artists, ideas,

544
00:47:33,359 --> 00:47:43,040
and audiences from across North Carolina
and beyond. And whereas Braum carries

545
00:47:40,079 --> 00:47:49,119
forward its mission to curate, preserve,
educate, inspire, celebrating the artist

546
00:47:46,079 --> 00:47:53,040
heritages of Appalachia while creating
opportunities for new generations of

547
00:47:51,200 --> 00:47:58,079
artists, students, residents, and
visitors. And whereas through

548
00:47:55,760 --> 00:48:03,040
exhibitions, educational programs,
lectures, performances, community

549
00:48:00,560 --> 00:48:08,079
partnerships, and the preservation of
its growing permanent collection, Braum

550
00:48:05,680 --> 00:48:13,520
enriches the cultural life of Blowing
Rock and contributes to the town's

551
00:48:09,760 --> 00:48:18,640
identity as a destination for arts. And
whereas Bron welcomes residents and

552
00:48:16,160 --> 00:48:24,400
visitors with free admission, ensuring
that art, history, creativity, and

553
00:48:21,440 --> 00:48:30,079
learning remain accessible
to the widest possible audience. And

554
00:48:27,040 --> 00:48:36,960
whereas the museum's success over the
past 15 years reflects the extraordinary

555
00:48:33,440 --> 00:48:42,319
commitment of its founders, trustees,
trustees, staff, volunteers, dosent,

556
00:48:39,920 --> 00:48:48,559
artists, members, donors, community
partners, and friends. And whereas as

557
00:48:45,839 --> 00:48:52,720
Braum celebrates his 15th anniversary in
2026,

558
00:48:50,240 --> 00:48:58,880
the museum honors the people and stories
that shape its first 50 years. while

559
00:48:56,240 --> 00:49:03,520
looking forward to its next chapter of
service to Blowing Rock and the broader

560
00:49:00,800 --> 00:49:08,640
high country. Now therefore, be it
procla proclaimed that the mayor and

561
00:49:06,400 --> 00:49:16,040
town council of town of Blowing Rock
recognize and celebrate the 15th

562
00:49:12,000 --> 00:49:16,040
anniversary of Braum.

563
00:49:17,440 --> 00:49:23,920
Am I missing the page?
>> Page two.

564
00:49:21,599 --> 00:49:28,000
and recommend that the museum for 15
years of enriching our community through

565
00:49:25,680 --> 00:49:33,680
art and history, education, creativity,
and service be it further proclaimed

566
00:49:30,319 --> 00:49:40,960
that October 1, 2026 be recognized in
the town of Blowing Rock as Prom's 50th

567
00:49:37,359 --> 00:49:45,119
anniversary day, 15th anniversary day in
celebration of this milestone in

568
00:49:42,880 --> 00:49:49,119
appreciation of Brahm's continued
contribution to the cultural life and

569
00:49:47,440 --> 00:49:54,694
future
of our community. Do you write that?

570
00:49:52,079 --> 00:49:56,714
That's pretty good. [laughter]
[applause]

571
00:50:05,174 --> 00:50:07,194
» [applause]

572
00:50:12,960 --> 00:50:18,800
» I love
>> mayor. If I could have a point of

573
00:50:16,960 --> 00:50:23,599
privilege
always.

574
00:50:21,680 --> 00:50:27,520
» I want to recognize someone who's in our
audience. Okay.

575
00:50:25,839 --> 00:50:33,200
» And she is not going to be happy about
it, but on the back row is our the first

576
00:50:30,800 --> 00:50:36,670
executive director of Braum, JOANNE
MITCHELL.

577
00:50:34,650 --> 00:50:36,670
» [applause]

578
00:50:43,599 --> 00:50:51,920
» AND JOANNE singlehandedly
wrestled this museum into being into

579
00:50:50,160 --> 00:50:56,800
existence.
sometimes strong arm,

580
00:50:54,800 --> 00:51:02,880
but
uh the money that was raised to build

581
00:50:58,800 --> 00:51:08,000
that building, to foster that dream, and
to encourage people to believe in that

582
00:51:06,480 --> 00:51:14,800
dream,
uh rest squarely at Joanne Mitchell's

583
00:51:10,160 --> 00:51:19,000
feet and um I want to just recognize her
for that and thank her for that.

584
00:51:25,085 --> 00:51:27,105
» [applause]

585
00:51:33,839 --> 00:51:41,359
» I know
[laughter]

586
00:51:37,280 --> 00:51:48,160
because I came many times, Kevin,
to this council, this room with other

587
00:51:45,040 --> 00:51:52,559
members to uh plead our case for
different

588
00:51:49,200 --> 00:51:58,400
And I think it's about time for the town
and the council to recognize the good

589
00:51:55,440 --> 00:52:02,000
work that Stephen and many others have
done since David and I started this

590
00:52:01,200 --> 00:52:05,695
whole thing.
>> Yes.

591
00:52:02,400 --> 00:52:09,280
» So, thank you, David, that you are.
[laughter]

592
00:52:07,520 --> 00:52:14,960
» Nothing's changed.
>> Thank you, Miss Mitchell.

593
00:52:11,440 --> 00:52:22,000
All right. Thank you, Braing
Rock Art History Museum. What was your

594
00:52:17,520 --> 00:52:27,760
address again? Oh, good. That's good.
Okay. Stop signs request. Laurel Lane,

595
00:52:24,880 --> 00:52:34,960
Dogwood, and Country Club.
Uh, Chief Nathan Kurt. Chief,

596
00:52:31,920 --> 00:52:39,160
come on down.
>> Good evening, Chief.

597
00:52:36,000 --> 00:52:39,160
» Good evening,

598
00:52:42,960 --> 00:52:50,880
» Mayor Council.
I believe the agenda said Laurel Park

599
00:52:49,040 --> 00:52:54,319
Road first. So, I'll start off with that
staff recommendation.

600
00:52:52,880 --> 00:52:56,800
Uh, the Blowing Rock Police Department
recommends that the town council

601
00:52:55,440 --> 00:53:00,720
authorize the installation of a
three-way stop at the intersection of

602
00:52:58,480 --> 00:53:03,440
Laurel Park Road and Dogwood Lane.
Specifically, the Blown Rock Police

603
00:53:02,000 --> 00:53:06,880
Department recommends that stop signs be
installed on the approaches to the

604
00:53:04,720 --> 00:53:10,960
intersection as necessary to require
vehicles traveling on Laurel Park Road

605
00:53:08,800 --> 00:53:15,040
and Dogwood Lane to stop before entering
the intersection, creating an all-way

606
00:53:13,119 --> 00:53:19,359
three-way stop configuration appropriate
to the roadway layout. The intersection

607
00:53:17,520 --> 00:53:22,720
of Laurel Park Road and Dogwood Lane is
located within a residential area of

608
00:53:21,119 --> 00:53:26,800
Blowing Rock and serves as an access
point for residents, visitors, and other

609
00:53:24,319 --> 00:53:30,480
motorists traveling between Laurel Lane
or excuse me, Laurel Park Road and

610
00:53:28,319 --> 00:53:35,280
Dogwood Lane. The town's previous
traffic regulations identify Laurel Park

611
00:53:33,119 --> 00:53:40,079
Road northbound at Dogwood Lane as a
yield intersection. A change was made

612
00:53:38,000 --> 00:53:44,000
about 10 11 months ago to this
intersection. Remove the yield sign and

613
00:53:42,240 --> 00:53:47,280
replace it with a stop sign at Dogwood
Lane.

614
00:53:45,680 --> 00:53:51,200
The police department has reviewed the
current traffic control configuration

615
00:53:49,359 --> 00:53:55,040
and believes that additional positive
traffic control at this intersection

616
00:53:53,359 --> 00:53:59,119
would improve driver awareness, provide
a clear rightway determination, and

617
00:53:57,119 --> 00:54:04,720
enhance overall safety for motorists,
pedestrians, and nearby residents.

618
00:54:02,319 --> 00:54:07,440
Excuse me.
And [clears throat] uh there's also a

619
00:54:06,160 --> 00:54:12,800
signed petition out there from the
residents wanting that. So, and I've

620
00:54:10,400 --> 00:54:18,007
also seen videos from where they've
taken it from motors coming on Laurel

621
00:54:16,160 --> 00:54:20,319
Park and traveling [cough] around that
[clears throat] retaining wall that's

622
00:54:18,960 --> 00:54:26,480
right there and going into the opposite
lane of travel. That also influenced our

623
00:54:22,800 --> 00:54:31,440
uh recommendation on this one.
The next recommendation

624
00:54:29,520 --> 00:54:36,079
is for a three-way stop at Country Club
Drive and Country Club Lane by the

625
00:54:32,960 --> 00:54:38,880
Lakehouse driveway.
The Blowing Rock Police Department

626
00:54:37,280 --> 00:54:42,720
recommends against the installation of a
three-way stop at this location where

627
00:54:40,880 --> 00:54:46,000
Country Club Drive and Country Club Lane
meet near the driveway providing access

628
00:54:44,559 --> 00:54:49,440
to the Blowing Rock Country Club
Lakehouse. Currently, the lakehouse

629
00:54:47,920 --> 00:54:53,839
driveway has a stop sign for traffic
turning onto Country Club Drive or

630
00:54:51,599 --> 00:54:57,760
Country Club Lane. After consideration
of the roadway configuration, traffic

631
00:54:55,760 --> 00:55:00,480
movements, and the purpose of stop
control devices, the police department

632
00:54:59,200 --> 00:55:04,880
does not believe that the installation
of an additional stop sign at this

633
00:55:02,559 --> 00:55:08,559
location is warranted at this time. The
department recommends maintaining the

634
00:55:06,640 --> 00:55:11,680
existing traffic control configuration
and continuing to monitor the

635
00:55:10,000 --> 00:55:15,280
intersection for traffic conflicts,
crashes, and other documented safety

636
00:55:13,680 --> 00:55:19,200
concerns. The police department does
also recommend that the dividing lines

637
00:55:17,440 --> 00:55:24,160
be repainted to assist motorists with
the proper deliation of the roadway.

638
00:55:21,680 --> 00:55:29,839
They are quite faded down there on
Country Club and Country Club Lane. I

639
00:55:26,880 --> 00:55:34,480
also pulled the trash or crash data for
both roads

640
00:55:31,839 --> 00:55:41,359
for the past six years. So on Country
Club Drive, we have had one uh traffic

641
00:55:38,559 --> 00:55:45,200
incident that was on March 2023. That
was a FedEx truck. No other vehicles

642
00:55:43,200 --> 00:55:49,440
were involved and it was weather related
on a snow-covered road that day in

643
00:55:47,680 --> 00:55:53,760
March. And then we had two other
incidents uh on Country Club, but that

644
00:55:51,760 --> 00:55:58,640
happened in the PVA, the country club,
backed into another vehicle in 22. And

645
00:55:56,319 --> 00:56:03,920
then 21, the delivery truck actually hit
the awning of the country club.

646
00:56:01,359 --> 00:56:08,559
And then Laurel Park and Dogwood, we had
one recorded traffic incident within

647
00:56:06,000 --> 00:56:12,400
this six uh six-year time frame.
September of 2020, a truck and trailer

648
00:56:10,799 --> 00:56:15,640
was backing out and hit a retaining wall
down there.

649
00:56:16,640 --> 00:56:24,160
» Council, keep in mind each one of these
you'll need to vote on separately. Okay?

650
00:56:21,359 --> 00:56:27,359
So, keep that in mind. So, you address
it how you wish. [snorts]

651
00:56:26,079 --> 00:56:32,480
» Chief, I have a question.
>> Yes, ma'am. based on the crash data,

652
00:56:30,240 --> 00:56:37,119
» why did you recommend
one be approved and one not be approved?

653
00:56:35,200 --> 00:56:41,920
» So, the reason I recommended the one on
Laurel Park Road in Dogwood Lane, um, is

654
00:56:40,319 --> 00:56:45,040
because there's more information with
that one. So, we've done traffic studies

655
00:56:43,680 --> 00:56:50,400
down there. We've had officers down
there dedicated. We've done checkpoints

656
00:56:47,680 --> 00:56:54,000
to measure that. And seeing the videos
where these cars are coming off, I don't

657
00:56:52,319 --> 00:56:57,599
think there's a safe way that you can do
this where they're not crossing into the

658
00:56:56,240 --> 00:57:01,599
other lane of travel. So, they're going
over the the dividing yellow line to

659
00:56:59,680 --> 00:57:07,520
make that turn that's coming from Main
Street and off of Laurel Park Road. Um,

660
00:57:05,440 --> 00:57:12,400
and the signed petition that was
provided from the community down there

661
00:57:09,119 --> 00:57:16,319
in favor for the three-way stop. The one
on Country Club, I'll be honest with

662
00:57:14,960 --> 00:57:20,799
you, I don't have a lot of data down
there. Uh, this was the first that I've

663
00:57:17,839 --> 00:57:25,119
heard about this being an issue. Um, I
wasn't aware that the lakehouse actually

664
00:57:22,240 --> 00:57:29,359
opened up for all this new additional
traffic and things like that for dinner

665
00:57:26,720 --> 00:57:32,480
and lunch and things like that. So, I
think that we should go forward and try

666
00:57:31,119 --> 00:57:36,559
to collect some more data and things
like that. But, when I went down there

667
00:57:34,319 --> 00:57:39,920
and looked at the site, I mean, it's
very hard to even see where the the

668
00:57:38,240 --> 00:57:45,839
yellow dividing line is. So, I think
that needs to be updated.

669
00:57:42,960 --> 00:57:49,760
» But did you just say that Laurel
>> that was on Country Club? I'm sorry. I

670
00:57:47,359 --> 00:57:52,720
mean, Country Club has had more accident
more crashes in the last few years than

671
00:57:52,079 --> 00:57:56,559
Laura.
>> They both had one. Yeah. One pertaining

672
00:57:55,599 --> 00:58:02,020
to the roadway.
>> Okay.

673
00:57:58,240 --> 00:58:06,000
» Thank you. And currently at there is
[snorts] a stop sign at Dogwood and

674
00:58:04,559 --> 00:58:10,720
Laurel or not?
>> So, yes, there is a stop sign at Dogwood

675
00:58:08,640 --> 00:58:15,359
where it goes back into Laurel Park. It
used to be a yield sign about 11 months

676
00:58:12,960 --> 00:58:20,480
ago. I brought it before council then
and we changed the yield sign to a stop

677
00:58:17,680 --> 00:58:23,359
sign. So after that, we observed and the
videos came in and things like that and

678
00:58:22,000 --> 00:58:27,440
I talked to community members and they
said that it's not working. So to safely

679
00:58:25,920 --> 00:58:31,200
travel through that intersection, they
would like a three-way stop.

680
00:58:30,079 --> 00:58:34,640
» Thank you.
>> You said this was signed by the

681
00:58:33,839 --> 00:58:39,240
residents
>> of Laurel Park and Dogwood.

682
00:58:36,240 --> 00:58:39,240
» Mhm.

683
00:58:42,880 --> 00:58:51,599
Uh, Chief, do you know how many
residences

684
00:58:47,920 --> 00:58:57,760
in Laurel Park Dogwood area are
full-time, permanent, full-time?

685
00:58:55,040 --> 00:59:01,280
» I do not have that information.
It's

686
00:59:00,079 --> 00:59:03,680
» I don't even want to take a guess at
you. I could probably get that

687
00:59:02,640 --> 00:59:07,520
information for you, though.
>> I I have it.

688
00:59:05,040 --> 00:59:16,480
» Perfect. [laughter]
[clears throat] It's 11

689
00:59:10,480 --> 00:59:25,599
out of 53 53 houses in that um I don't
know which one area and um but out of 53

690
00:59:21,920 --> 00:59:28,599
11 are full-time.
So

691
00:59:29,280 --> 00:59:34,359
it's not that many. It's not Yeah.

692
00:59:37,839 --> 00:59:46,400
Okay, council,
would you like to weigh in on a decision

693
00:59:44,000 --> 00:59:50,839
on the intersection of Laurel Park Road
and Dogwood Lane first?

694
00:59:50,880 --> 00:59:58,960
Would you like to make a motion
to approve?

695
00:59:57,599 --> 01:00:03,040
We'll make a motion with
>> I'll make a motion to approve. I mean if

696
01:00:00,559 --> 01:00:04,319
the residents want it
at least

697
01:00:03,920 --> 01:00:10,680
» okay
>> vote on can I ask a question

698
01:00:07,680 --> 01:00:10,680
» what

699
01:00:11,280 --> 01:00:17,680
» there's a misperception that the res
>> you you can't when we're in session I'm

700
01:00:16,079 --> 01:00:22,400
sorry that's that's why I gave you all
the three minutes earlier

701
01:00:19,839 --> 01:00:28,240
» I have a question the chief how many
residents signed the petition in favor

702
01:00:25,200 --> 01:00:31,559
of this
>> one Thank you.

703
01:00:51,520 --> 01:00:56,040
» It's all for the same.
>> Yeah.

704
01:01:03,040 --> 01:01:06,599
So that's 27.

705
01:01:26,480 --> 01:01:30,599
Except
different.

706
01:01:56,160 --> 01:01:59,640
I can't find

707
01:02:20,400 --> 01:02:24,160
» We've got 79 signatures on this,
Melissa.

708
01:02:23,440 --> 01:02:28,240
» 79.
>> 79. And that includes Twin Springs, I

709
01:02:26,880 --> 01:02:32,960
believe, as well.
>> Dogwood Lane, Laurel Park, Quail Hollow

710
01:02:31,359 --> 01:02:36,160
Drive,
and Twin Springs.

711
01:02:34,880 --> 01:02:40,079
» Okay, thank you.
>> Okay, we have a motion on the table. Do

712
01:02:39,088 --> 01:02:44,319
[clears throat] we have a second?
>> Wait a minute. What's the motion?

713
01:02:42,400 --> 01:02:50,200
» To approve.
>> Okay,

714
01:02:46,799 --> 01:02:50,200
» we have a second.

715
01:02:51,040 --> 01:02:57,280
» Doug seconded. Any further discussion on
this one? Okay. Cat.

716
01:02:56,559 --> 01:02:58,480
» No.
>> David.

717
01:02:57,920 --> 01:03:00,240
» I
>> I

718
01:02:59,520 --> 01:03:03,040
» I
>> I

719
01:03:01,200 --> 01:03:12,079
» Okay,
the next one is Country Club.

720
01:03:08,880 --> 01:03:18,079
So, do we have additional questions for
the chief on Country Club Drive?

721
01:03:16,640 --> 01:03:24,240
This is the line that I'm talking about
here. This is your dividing line of the

722
01:03:21,280 --> 01:03:28,880
road. presly
that

723
01:03:26,400 --> 01:03:32,160
» we ever get our new pan.
>> Good. Okay.

724
01:03:29,920 --> 01:03:33,920
» I also make a I'll make a motion on
that.

725
01:03:32,559 --> 01:03:38,319
» I'm sorry, Doug. Go ahead and hear you.
>> I'll make a motion in favor of that.

726
01:03:36,240 --> 01:03:43,039
» You make a motion in favor of the
three-way stop at Country Club. Okay. Do

727
01:03:42,319 --> 01:03:45,520
we have a second?
>> A second.

728
01:03:44,000 --> 01:03:48,640
» We have a second. Any further
discussion, council?

729
01:03:47,119 --> 01:03:55,039
» Yes, ma'am.
Does that need to be a three-way stop or

730
01:03:50,559 --> 01:04:00,240
just a one stop as you approach the
>> at the end of Country Club?

731
01:03:57,839 --> 01:04:05,599
» So, so the way it is right now, give me
some more reaching room here. There's

732
01:04:02,240 --> 01:04:08,799
your stop sign. This is the the driveway
>> that goes down to the lakehouse, right?

733
01:04:07,280 --> 01:04:12,400
» So, you have a stop sign here. And the
way this road is, it just continues

734
01:04:11,119 --> 01:04:16,240
around,
>> comes up. So, this is the dividing line,

735
01:04:14,240 --> 01:04:21,440
Country Club Drive. And then when you
get down here, Country Club.

736
01:04:18,799 --> 01:04:26,480
» Okay.
>> So, you're wanting to add a stop or

737
01:04:23,599 --> 01:04:31,119
Well, the proposal is to add another
stop sign

738
01:04:28,799 --> 01:04:33,839
» both directions on Country Club,
>> correct? Or Country Club Drive,

739
01:04:33,359 --> 01:04:37,680
» right?
>> That's what we're Yes. So, we want to

740
01:04:35,920 --> 01:04:42,319
turn this into a three-way stop. My
recommendation is not to turn it into a

741
01:04:39,599 --> 01:04:45,559
three-way stop at this time. Okay.
>> Thank you.

742
01:04:45,760 --> 01:04:53,200
Maybe I missed it, Chief, but could you
elaborate on that decision?

743
01:04:50,960 --> 01:04:57,520
» Yeah, David. So, the reason I made this
decision is because the only data that I

744
01:04:55,680 --> 01:05:01,440
really have to go off of here is the
very limited crash data I have for the

745
01:04:59,200 --> 01:05:06,400
past six years. There was one traffic
incident, and what that traffic incident

746
01:05:03,280 --> 01:05:11,200
occurred was a FedEx truck came down and
came to rest on that uh young lady's

747
01:05:09,039 --> 01:05:15,520
timber right there in her little cart
near.

748
01:05:12,799 --> 01:05:20,079
He came down snow covered road and he
just kept going.

749
01:05:16,640 --> 01:05:24,160
» So what what's precipitated this coming
before us then? What's changed? Why is

750
01:05:23,039 --> 01:05:28,960
this here?
>> It came up in a staff meeting. So I

751
01:05:26,319 --> 01:05:32,720
started looking into it. Someone reached
out to me and said that they have asked

752
01:05:30,559 --> 01:05:40,079
for this um that it was a safety issue
that they asked before. Um including the

753
01:05:36,319 --> 01:05:45,280
council members um but it uh just never
got formally I guess recommendation was

754
01:05:42,960 --> 01:05:50,559
never formally made and council never
formally considered it. So it was part

755
01:05:47,920 --> 01:05:55,720
of a list of a list of things that were
outstanding.

756
01:05:52,480 --> 01:05:55,720
» I see.

757
01:05:55,920 --> 01:06:04,319
Personally, I almost feel like I would
like to see

758
01:06:00,720 --> 01:06:07,680
this with uh the line painted, you know,
and let's see how that works.

759
01:06:06,720 --> 01:06:11,520
» Mhm.
>> And and

760
01:06:08,960 --> 01:06:15,240
» the entire roadway is faded.
>> Yeah. And now we do have a new paint

761
01:06:13,440 --> 01:06:18,559
machine. I'm happy to announce.
[laughter]

762
01:06:16,640 --> 01:06:22,445
» I agree with you, David. When you look
at that,

763
01:06:20,480 --> 01:06:26,400
if you don't know which way.
[clears throat]

764
01:06:23,440 --> 01:06:32,240
Well, we have a first. We have a second
in favor of it. Uh, how do we vote? Cat,

765
01:06:31,599 --> 01:06:34,400
» I.
>> David,

766
01:06:33,440 --> 01:06:36,319
» no.
>> I

767
01:06:35,680 --> 01:06:38,880
» I
>> I

768
01:06:37,280 --> 01:06:43,039
» Okay.
And,

769
01:06:40,559 --> 01:06:47,359
uh, please make note on that, Hillary,
in the minutes that the po the road

770
01:06:45,119 --> 01:06:51,760
definitely needs realigning if you
would.

771
01:06:48,480 --> 01:06:54,799
» Thank you, Chief. Thank you.
Okay.

772
01:06:53,039 --> 01:06:59,000
All righty.
Okay, ladies and gentlemen,

773
01:07:03,680 --> 01:07:06,839
» it's onet.

774
01:07:19,599 --> 01:07:28,480
All right, ladies and gentlemen, I would
like to say our hearts and prayers

775
01:07:24,000 --> 01:07:32,799
should go out to the 911 victims 25
years ago.

776
01:07:30,799 --> 01:07:39,599
Very unfortunate,
very sad. It happened in many locations

777
01:07:35,119 --> 01:07:44,960
as we all are aware. So keep your hearts
and prayers mine for all those that were

778
01:07:42,720 --> 01:07:52,160
lost and the families that are having to
struggle. So, uh, that's it for me. C,

779
01:07:49,520 --> 01:07:57,422
» we got a we got a
little position reclassification. I got

780
01:07:54,960 --> 01:08:01,119
flustered with everybody leaving. Okay.
[laughter]

781
01:07:59,440 --> 01:08:07,319
» Okay. Sorry about that. Margaret, please
come on up. Thank you guys. [laughter]

782
01:08:03,839 --> 01:08:07,319
I mean, I was already

783
01:08:07,680 --> 01:08:13,200
» You're all done. I got it.
>> Go ahead. It's all you.

784
01:08:11,039 --> 01:08:17,520
» Council, thank you for uh speaking with
me this evening. I want to start off

785
01:08:15,039 --> 01:08:21,120
this position reclassification quest by
uh thanking Holly Autry for her service.

786
01:08:19,520 --> 01:08:25,040
She's been with the town for a number of
years and we certainly appreciate

787
01:08:22,960 --> 01:08:29,440
everything she's done. She started out
part-time utilities and moved on

788
01:08:27,120 --> 01:08:33,600
full-time and left for a bit and then
came back to help us with the

789
01:08:30,960 --> 01:08:36,480
receivables and the front desk. She's
found another opportunity that she's

790
01:08:35,199 --> 01:08:40,640
really excited about and we're very
happy for her. But we do want to thank

791
01:08:38,560 --> 01:08:45,759
her for that and recognize what she's
meant to this town and the service she's

792
01:08:42,719 --> 01:08:49,679
provided. Um, but with her leaving, it
provided an opportunity for us to look

793
01:08:47,600 --> 01:08:54,159
at our structure and maybe determine
what might be the best way to refill

794
01:08:51,920 --> 01:08:59,839
this position. And I would like to
request we consider uh renaming it and

795
01:08:57,440 --> 01:09:06,159
reclassifying it to a full-time deputy
finance officer. Doing this is going to

796
01:09:03,120 --> 01:09:10,880
provide some significant change and
strengthen the town's town's financial

797
01:09:08,640 --> 01:09:14,480
operations, maintain compliance with
North Carolina local government finance

798
01:09:12,560 --> 01:09:20,239
and payroll requirements. It's going to
improve our internal controls and really

799
01:09:17,040 --> 01:09:24,719
ensure some more accurate and timely
financial transactions going on with the

800
01:09:22,480 --> 01:09:29,759
town. I think this is a great
opportunity to bring some real uh depth

801
01:09:27,520 --> 01:09:36,080
and knowledge into the finance and
administration area that I feel is

802
01:09:32,799 --> 01:09:40,480
needed. Um I put you several more
comments in the memo and happy to read

803
01:09:38,239 --> 01:09:45,679
them to you, but I'm I'm also happy just
to take any questions.

804
01:09:43,199 --> 01:09:48,640
» Questions, council.
Do we have a motion to approve this

805
01:09:47,359 --> 01:09:51,120
position?
>> So moved.

806
01:09:49,679 --> 01:09:56,800
» Do we have a second?
>> Second. Any further discussion?

807
01:09:56,080 --> 01:09:59,800
» Cat.
>> I

808
01:10:02,159 --> 01:10:06,880
» Thank you, Margaret. Sorry about the
delay. I got a little flustered.

809
01:10:05,803 --> 01:10:11,679
[laughter]
>> You know, it uh I mean, these two these

810
01:10:09,600 --> 01:10:17,360
two were supposed to kick me when I miss
a section. Okay. Nobody kicked me.

811
01:10:15,199 --> 01:10:23,440
» All right. All right. Once again, thank
you. Uh thank you, Margaret. And please,

812
01:10:20,800 --> 01:10:27,600
let's keep those 9/11
victims and families in your prayers.

813
01:10:27,040 --> 01:10:30,320
» Yes.
>> Dad, got anything?

814
01:10:29,199 --> 01:10:31,600
» I have no comments.
>> David,

815
01:10:30,880 --> 01:10:34,159
» none for me.
>> Wayne,

816
01:10:32,800 --> 01:10:39,440
» Doug, uh,
>> thank you, Doug. [laughter]

817
01:10:36,560 --> 01:10:47,120
» As usual for me, two or three things.
Uh, one, I would like to thank the two

818
01:10:43,600 --> 01:10:53,360
ladies on council for
uh, a bring the house down act that they

819
01:10:50,080 --> 01:10:59,920
both had at groovy nights and it was
for, you know, uh, for the charity that

820
01:10:57,199 --> 01:11:04,560
is for for the scholarships, the the
children is great and and uh, y'all

821
01:11:03,040 --> 01:11:10,640
brought the house down and it was good
and thank y'all.

822
01:11:05,920 --> 01:11:16,880
» Thank you. Uh other one um you know the
uh on the way out I think I left this

823
01:11:13,679 --> 01:11:23,199
one out last month uh where they had
passed you know legislation about the

824
01:11:19,679 --> 01:11:29,360
occupy tax can only be
uh cannot be used for public safety you

825
01:11:25,920 --> 01:11:36,880
know uh keruck is going to be allowed
only through the court system is is how

826
01:11:32,719 --> 01:11:41,360
they're going uh I along with Charlie.
Uh

827
01:11:38,400 --> 01:11:47,760
would like to say uh do remember
September 11th. Take time to honor those

828
01:11:44,320 --> 01:11:53,840
that lost their lives. Some gave all,
all gave some. Some remember the first

829
01:11:50,960 --> 01:11:59,280
responders and volunteers
as we say goodbye to many of our brave

830
01:11:56,320 --> 01:12:06,239
and generous people who gave themselves
to help the families and the communities

831
01:12:01,440 --> 01:12:09,360
affected. uh like you please.
>> Thank you.

832
01:12:06,800 --> 01:12:12,000
» Always remember.
>> Listen.

833
01:12:10,080 --> 01:12:17,520
» Well, I I certainly agree with that
sentiment and I would like to say Doug,

834
01:12:14,080 --> 01:12:21,520
you did quite a remarkable performance
yourself, but I thought you were going

835
01:12:18,719 --> 01:12:23,920
to wear your wig tonight. So, we were
all doing a double take because he

836
01:12:22,880 --> 01:12:29,120
looked
>> very young.

837
01:12:26,560 --> 01:12:32,880
» Joey
Alice, yours.

838
01:12:30,239 --> 01:12:37,679
» Thank you, Mayor Councel. Um, I'll try
to make it brief. Uh, software update

839
01:12:35,280 --> 01:12:41,840
August 3rd. I reported at the last
month's meeting the town issued an RFP

840
01:12:40,000 --> 01:12:47,760
for enterprise resource planning
software and implementation services.

841
01:12:44,960 --> 01:12:51,920
Um, the RFP was meant to seek a modern
cloud-based platform integrating our

842
01:12:50,000 --> 01:12:59,199
core administrative and financial
functions that include payroll, um, HR,

843
01:12:55,360 --> 01:13:04,960
finance, uh, utility billing, and we
received five proposals and those

844
01:13:01,760 --> 01:13:11,120
proposals were received on August 31st.
Uh, team of staff has been reviewing and

845
01:13:08,000 --> 01:13:16,719
scoring these and now scheduling vendor
demonstrations. We anticipate awarding a

846
01:13:13,920 --> 01:13:24,800
contract in October with a projected go
live date of May 1st, 2027.

847
01:13:21,360 --> 01:13:31,040
An update on the fire station roof. Um
RFP was issued on June 10th with bids

848
01:13:27,520 --> 01:13:36,080
due on July 8th. Two uh two bids were
submitted and lowest responsive bid was

849
01:13:33,199 --> 01:13:42,320
$99,646.
The contract and notice to proceed was

850
01:13:38,719 --> 01:13:48,960
uh provided. Work began August 31st and
was 98% complete as of this past Friday.

851
01:13:46,080 --> 01:13:53,760
Uh the contractor expects to be finished
this week. He has one more day of

852
01:13:51,199 --> 01:13:57,920
scheduled work and that is just to
replace a damaged roofto-all vent. So

853
01:13:56,320 --> 01:14:03,600
that project will be closed out and
complete this week.

854
01:14:00,800 --> 01:14:08,719
Crosswalks and this is another project
that I'm happy to say is closed out and

855
01:14:05,920 --> 01:14:13,520
complete. Uh lot of talk about
crosswalks since coming on board and in

856
01:14:10,640 --> 01:14:18,080
your budget time. Um previously reported
requested a revised proposal because the

857
01:14:15,520 --> 01:14:25,199
original did not address the side street
areas on the crosswalks. Uh August 18th

858
01:14:22,640 --> 01:14:28,199
a we received that revised quote for
$92,47460.

859
01:14:29,840 --> 01:14:36,880
Um, this again was for completing 14
crosswalks [clears throat]

860
01:14:33,840 --> 01:14:41,920
along Main Street and the side streets.
August 19th, uh, staff along with McGill

861
01:14:40,080 --> 01:14:48,159
reviewed the proposal and selected the
color and the patterns. October or

862
01:14:44,880 --> 01:14:55,199
August 28th, DOT, um, approved the
encroachment permit. And August 30th, we

863
01:14:52,239 --> 01:15:01,120
started um, and finished on September
2nd. Everything wrapped up. Um, traffic

864
01:14:59,199 --> 01:15:05,360
control was completed with public works,
so I thank them for their help in

865
01:15:02,960 --> 01:15:12,400
keeping the uh costs down as well and
keeping everybody safe. Um, and we also

866
01:15:10,320 --> 01:15:19,280
amended the scope slightly to include
restriping of the white crosswalk lines

867
01:15:16,000 --> 01:15:25,760
on Main Street for an additional $7,500.
Um once uh once the crosswalks were done

868
01:15:22,880 --> 01:15:30,320
and I went and looked at them, it was
obvious that those um needed refreshed

869
01:15:28,560 --> 01:15:34,239
as well. There was a lot of areas with
chipped and missing paint. So we were

870
01:15:32,400 --> 01:15:38,880
able to knock those out while we were
while we were there.

871
01:15:36,320 --> 01:15:45,360
Um, also during the project I inquired
to DOT about the crosswalk location down

872
01:15:43,199 --> 01:15:51,760
near Chatola to see if we can
incorporate in that into the crosswalk

873
01:15:47,920 --> 01:15:58,880
striping as well. Um, I was informed
that this area did not qualify because

874
01:15:55,280 --> 01:16:06,800
of the 25 mile per hour speed limit and
relatively low pedestrian volume. So,

875
01:16:02,719 --> 01:16:10,800
the signs are still located um in that
location, but [clears throat] we did not

876
01:16:08,320 --> 01:16:17,120
stripe that. So, I'm sure that'll be a
question as to to why we didn't restripe

877
01:16:13,360 --> 01:16:21,520
that area, but I did inquire the DOT and
uh they did not um give the approval to

878
01:16:19,840 --> 01:16:25,760
do that.
Main Street, uh thank you to the

879
01:16:23,679 --> 01:16:30,800
landscaping department for a lot of the
fall flowers that they put up this

880
01:16:27,679 --> 01:16:36,159
month. Um those are new this year. the
hanging baskets and uh several leaning

881
01:16:34,159 --> 01:16:42,960
light poles on Main Street were reported
to um Blue Ridge Energy. Uh replacement

882
01:16:40,800 --> 01:16:47,120
street lights are scheduled on
Wallingford that were out for the past

883
01:16:45,600 --> 01:16:52,719
several months. That's scheduled this
week for replacement. And the trash can

884
01:16:49,920 --> 01:16:57,360
replacements are scheduled for this week
as well.

885
01:16:54,880 --> 01:17:01,600
So, a good a good bit happening on Main
Street.

886
01:16:59,120 --> 01:17:06,159
uh policies. Work continues on town
policies and procedures. Uh tonight's

887
01:17:04,239 --> 01:17:10,880
consent agenda included the purchasing
payables policy and procedures manual.

888
01:17:08,159 --> 01:17:15,920
Thank you, Margaret. And to all staff
for their assistance and we are in the

889
01:17:13,760 --> 01:17:21,120
process of updating the personnel
policy. Um I expect to have this before

890
01:17:18,800 --> 01:17:26,159
council for cons consideration in
October or November at the latest. That

891
01:17:24,080 --> 01:17:32,480
completes my report.
>> Thank you, Alice. Thank you.

892
01:17:29,040 --> 01:17:37,840
And we are going to take a recess, but
we will fall under

893
01:17:35,280 --> 01:17:43,679
» close session. North Carolina General
Statute 143-318

894
01:17:42,080 --> 01:17:49,040
111A3
to consult with an attorney employed by

895
01:17:46,320 --> 01:17:57,480
the town in order to preserve the
attorney client privilege and North

896
01:17:52,560 --> 01:17:57,480
Carolina General Statute 143-31811A6

897
01:17:58,719 --> 01:18:06,239
to consider the qualifications
competence or conditions of a

898
01:18:03,199 --> 01:18:13,760
prospective public officer or employee
employee and to hear or investigate a

899
01:18:09,280 --> 01:18:20,800
complaint or grievance by or against an
individual public officer or employee

900
01:18:18,159 --> 01:18:25,920
» the count uh citizens there there might
be a decision made when we come out of

901
01:18:22,960 --> 01:18:29,760
close session but I'm not sure can you
find an attorney so that being said

902
01:18:28,560 --> 01:18:34,719
we're going to take a fivem minute
recess oh thank you so much for

903
01:18:31,840 --> 01:18:34,719
attending this evening