Name: Boone Town Council Meeting - Sept. 23_ 2026
Duration: 2 h 15 min 44 s
Description: We share with the town a lot of similar concerns. And we would hope that in times like this, you would help protect, uh, our neighborhood.

[0:00] An empty building is not a. It's not a good thing. So doing something in that building that it needs temporarily, I think we need to do. Yeah.

[0:12] I agree with you. Um, in the building is not good for us right now. There's a lot of need, I think, for office space for other employees on a temporary basis. I think we have a lot of other projects that are more of an immediate need, i.e. public works. Then for us to try to take on renovating and trying to do the wind property at the same time. We're doing this one so we can utilize the space right now for an immediate need. I think we go ahead and move forward with that, knowing that it's not a permanent home. It is just a, hey, let's get this building fixed. Let's get some plans, let's get something actually solid around that property. Then we can always revisit it.

[0:58] I um. Go ahead.

[0:59] No, please.

[1:00] I was going to say that, uh. I mean, this building large, right? Uh, there could be office function and also community function as well. And I feel like that's the piece that is important to keep in mind. I'm not making a proposal to make it permanent town office space either. Um, but even then, it's, you know, it's being up there allows them to let in a community group that wants to have a meeting during the day and a gymnasium and access the kitchen. There's, I do think there's a way to kind of accomplish a lot of what we're trying to articulate, even in that short term. Um, there's a community center in Chapel Hill that Jane has actually identified that's very similar in terms of structure and kind of size of the building as the actually very similar history of that building as well that engages in community outreach benefits, things like housing affordability, all of those items. Um, and that would have, you know, staff offices. And, and I mean, I, I, I'm totally with you in the sense that I don't think it makes sense to leave it empty. It's in a really good shape, and having somebody check on it, um, is helpful in a number of ways. And, and then I think the next kind of conversation is, um, trying to figure out what do we even mean when we're talking about short term? I think it's good. You're like the project manager of us, but you know, is this a revisit year where George is going to be up there for a year and hold it down, and then we want to revisit it? What does short term mean? Because I think that's where we can get into what makes you probably uncomfortable as a manager, which is George is up there. Time goes by. It's 4 or 5 years later, somebody goes, how did this ever happen? Um, but that's where I'm at.

[2:34] Do we have other immediate needs besides just, you know, just town staff.

[2:42] I mean, you know, PIO is something that I would like to see personally. I know I've articulated that in open meetings. Um, there are a number of we've, we've entertained a parks and rec.

[2:54] Oh outside of town staff at that building communities for. But is there somebody like. Can we get a phone call? Hey, you know, how many times a month do we have somebody that calls up and says, do you have a space that we can use that outside of town?

[3:08] Yeah.

[3:09] I think if we had one and it was promoted, it would happen. It would it would be a thing because people are always looking in our community for events. Um, a lot of the fraternities and sororities, other entities within the community are always looking for a place to use, um, for a short term, but, um, I'm sorry. Uh, the number one part for me is I want to make sure we pay homage to what Glenn was and that we tell this community. We see you, we thank you for entrusting in us and believing in us. And whatever thing we go forward with is with that community being part of it. So I that's the reason why I'm so sorry. I was so taken aback because to me it felt like we were doing full time place. Possibly and maybe in the future if we look at the big picture, but as a community center or something to give back to the community while we're still working on a way to get affordable housing up there. I just want to make sure that the community entrusted us and believed in us to protect their community, that we follow through with our promise.

[4:24] Um, so as far as wind goes, just for the sake of George and, and clear direction, I just want to make sure to, to kind of, and I, and then I want to talk about the river's house as well. Yeah. But it sounds like we're okay with George working there. Um, and I don't know what the kind of it seems like you have a little bit more heartburn about what that timeline could look like.

[4:45] I would like a, like a state, like, you know, here we are one year. We probably have had community engagement with the people. We've gone through the building, we toured it, um, with the community being part of it.

[4:58] I will say, I.

[4:59] Think one year or so.

[5:01] Uh, and talking to folks, we've, I think it's important to also frame that they've been included in the conversations. And that's something that we've been very intentional about even as far as the daycare goes. And, um, I mean, I don't want to speak for anybody right now. I know it was also expressed. They just like to see it used in some way as well. And so I think that's an important thing to hold.

[5:21] I don't think they want to see solely business and people coming up for business situations. So yeah. But yeah.

[5:27] I guess when you say business too, again, just trying to do you view town operations as business or is your, is your complaint more towards like the idea of maybe entertaining another winter user of the facility?

[5:41] Kind of a similar of the, um, because we do have space. I even mentioned we could be renting out a little small sections for people if we were going to do that. I mean, and then somebody said that they didn't think that that was needed in our community. So I brought that up. Um, but the thing is, is I just want the primary focus to be the win community, the general community and paying homage to them. I, my background is daycare. So that's what I did. I ran daycares, I ran camps. That was my forte. And I guess I was all in, you know, thinking daycare. So it's just me taking one of my dreams and wishes for that community and for the people of Boone and saying, okay, you might not be the right one right now. Set it to the side, which, you know, maybe it will be later on, but I just don't want to be office spaces. Um, 1 or 2 town people. Great. We got a presence. People could come and talk. Um, you got somebody right there at your doorstep, and we can let the community know. Here's a member town of Boone right here at your doorstep. You can help me. Please.

[6:52] Well, the other thing too. I know we're talking about the Good Neighbor rollout program and stuff and things like. Well, maybe if that happens to fall in the winter, maybe we do it at this building, um, as a way to introduce this and get some arms around. You can use this space for, you know, spaces available for, and I know they have the Mennonite church and some, you know, but sometimes they might need more space or a different space or want a different use or something. But I, I think if we can.

[7:22] Support groups like the Housing Council.

[7:23] Yes. Yeah. Church. Yeah. Pinpointing what temporary looks like and with a plan going forward. I mean, the elephant in the room is we still haven't gotten funding.

[7:36] For.

[7:37] The public works building. And I think that's still got to be our number one priority is getting beyond where we are right now. Getting that, then we can go, okay, what's our next priority? I think all of our we gotta be all in right now and figuring out ways to make this happen. So and then if we put a time on like, all right, George, you move in there for a year. We visit in the year, see where we are.

[8:04] I don't know, how about we reevaluate? This is I'm gonna try to put a bow on this because you're, you're kind of, I think, dancing around it. It's it's time revisiting this conversation when we complete public works that we can use that facility for office space uses in that way. Um, maybe let George understand capacity. I don't want to volunteer. George, for an event planner that you did a good job with rufus's thing as far as what it would be like for the community. But let's just start with George can utilize it as an office. Um, and then from there, I think Hank can work with him as his manager and, and try to explore. Maybe there's a way that we can open this up a bit more or go from there.

[8:42] I think it's a great plan to look at future use of the wind property. But right now, sitting empty.

[8:47] Yeah.

[8:48] And while it's sitting empty, even temporarily make use of it as office space. Yeah. And at the same time, or in the near future, where the town can look at all of the town's needs from a space needs assessment. Take a look at the future and existing needs for town operations, and then throwing into it some of the community oriented needs that we've talked about this evening. Yeah. But to try to develop a long term strategic plan for the needs of the town, both community wise and business wise for the organization, and at least try to move forward with it might be a multi year plan, something like that. But right now we're we're kind of spot where we have an immediate need and the property sitting vacant. So I fully support the idea of it being a temporary.

[9:37] Rezoning would need to happen. So that would be the next step.

[9:42] Two options. You can either add government facility modifiers. Do you have a mic? I do not.

[9:51] Get your steps in.

[9:53] I'm sorry.

[10:01] You have two options. You can either modify the audio facilities in the R1AR1 zoning district, which is what this property is. Or you could do a conditional district rezoning of that site specific approval.

[10:17] They would both take.

[10:17] The same amount of time.

[10:19] No, it would take longer than the conditional district. We'd have to hold a neighborhood meeting. We'd have to follow the same process that we do with, um, any outside. Okay.

[10:29] Thanks.

[10:30] That's the first one.

[10:33] R1 and r1 a uh, I mean, to me, as far as it just being cleaner, it probably would make more sense to do the CV, and that allows for a public hearing, neighborhood meeting, just so folks feel like they're in the know. Um, I know a lot of people in the community are well aware that the government owns it. There will be some of those issues, but it's probably the best way to make sure that we're doing it. I'm just wondering.

[10:56] I would go for that. Thank you.

[10:58] Well, I think if we're going to go through that process and have a neighborhood meeting and public hearings about it and so on, it also bears that maybe through that process, it's more of a strategic planning about that building. And, you know, to to sort of gather that input, you know, because effectively what we're trying to do is come up with a very temporary use or a somewhat temporary use. You know, I probably all of us agree that this would not be office space for the town ten years from now. Um, and so, you know, I don't know, I don't want to belabor it or make it more complicated than it needs to be. But if we're going through that process, then I think the question is going to come up. You know, what else could it be?

[11:34] But is that going to entail a monetary change in the building right now that we are not anticipated or budgeted for. At this point.

[11:43] I'm not saying we would have to say yes to any of the crazy ideas that might come up about how to use that building, but I just think we should be prepared for that conversation, I think as we go through the process. I worry that we give expectations that it's happening sooner. That's what I'm.

[11:57] Hoping.

[12:00] I mean.

[12:00] I like the thought there.

[12:02] Um.

[12:04] The other piece.

[12:04] Of it is that, I mean, I know George needs an office, so, I mean, I guess like, I would like to try to expedite as much as we can under the spirit of just kind of going through the process and a fair, transparent way. Um, and that's why I think a pretty simple CV, just because it makes sense for that property to be rezone as a government use, because that's going to happen one day. I guess my than the bigger question is with no, okay, I'm not going to. That's that's the only question.

[12:36] As far as I think it would be something to develop. The application for government facility would be the use. The plan is basically the existing site to be used as if there were anything that you would want to offer or add. We would need that with the application, and then I would need a date for setting the neighborhood meeting. Brandon, can you remind me quickly? Many days in advance. I have to notify 25 days in advance before you even have a neighborhood meeting. We can technically apply after the neighborhood meeting. We can, you know, we can move forward. It's internal. Um, but we won't be able to schedule it until that neighborhood.

[13:16] So when you talked about we're going to do the gym spaces, community space.

[13:21] I think it's just called government facility. And then however you choose to use it as the town of Boone would fall under that government facility. Yeah. Okay. Pretty broad in that sense.

[13:33] I think I think that would be the route. So are you looking for a public hearing date for us right now?

[13:38] I would need a neighborhood meeting date. You are comfortable with having a neighborhood meeting?

[13:42] Um, probably, what, two weeks notice at least would be the goal.

[13:47] We have 25 days.

[13:48] Five days. Okay, so you're looking at the earliest to be October. If we mailed them tomorrow, the October.

[14:01] Uh, 19.

[14:04] What is it right now?

[14:06] When did we when we bought it.

[14:09] Yeah, that was.

[14:10] How it was grandfathered.

[14:12] Or I'll say yes.

[14:14] Okay.

[14:17] That helps. Um, I mean, I could do the 19th. This is something we should move on quickly, as quickly as we can. But, um, obviously it's falling somewhere in that week.

[14:27] I mean.

[14:30] We get all the information we need. If it's the 19th. We can actually mail it tomorrow or Friday. We'll still make that.

[14:41] It's a Monday. Adrian said every day that week is good for him. It's going to be out that week. Are you okay?

[14:48] It's just this is the neighborhood meeting.

[14:49] Yeah. So we would probably hold it at the window, probably at the building. We would probably in the evening. Right. Yeah. And we'll do the night at 5:00. I mean, it's good with you. I think it's good for Adrian.

[15:03] I got enough time. Do we all need to be there? If we're all going to be there, we're going to have a quorum. Yeah. But if we.

[15:09] Can advertise that also, we can also advertise as a council meeting.

[15:16] Yes. Let's just say this is effectively our property. You know, we're the quote unquote developer, right? Um, well, for the curious among us that are attending, um, it's a great lesson on how the town goes through our own processes as well. Um, people often think the government can do whatever it wants, but we follow our own rules too. Um, even if George doesn't have an office. So, um, is there anything we can do in the meantime to, I guess, grant some sort of temporary use or something to this facility or.

[15:47] No, there's no flexibility.

[15:49] Okay. Well, I just wanted to check.

[15:51] So the his room at the post office is. Well.

[15:56] We we hired a new cleaner for that one.

[16:00] Oh, we did that.

[16:06] Okay. Well, does that feel a good direction as far as.

[16:08] Do I just have to work with Mr. Perkins on the application and.

[16:17] Okay, well, that guy's off the property. Um, unless there's any further thoughts.

[16:25] Like property, solubility properties. Yeah. Um, I do want to talk about the river's house next. If you all would, I guess, entertain that. Um, I do worry about the state of that building just because it's. I mean, the longer it sits, the more money it's going to cost to end up rehabilitating it and just getting it to a place where it can be used. Um, to me, that is the best kind of office space in terms of the next phase of where town staff could be. Um, and as we invest money into the trail and the public restroom and the parking lot, they're having a building that is kind of rotting in the center, um, is really unfortunate. Obviously, it's important for its historical value and cultural value as well. And Bill Dixon, my understanding, actually did a plan. I think you and I talked about it. I didn't realize that. And it was around this. Anybody remember how much it was kind of estimated cost not 160,000.

[17:22] Was that with the theater and the outdoor features?

[17:26] Wow.

[17:30] Yeah, I would love to have a conversation and see. I mean, I don't know if it'd be worth going for another. I'll tell you this. You know, I was just going to say, I wonder if we could, if you wouldn't mind just sharing the work that's already been done on that house in terms of evaluations? Or are there plans for. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Just. Oh, okay. Yeah. And it's probably just a ballpark, like square footage, you know, for the whole thing. Do you know the square footage of that house? Off the top of your head?

[17:58] Yeah. When I got, um, landmarked, the HPC had been working on that. No, sir, I don't.

[18:08] Okay. Looks like I'm going to guess.

[18:14] We'll have the value, but not the square footage.

[18:16] Okay, well, I will say this is a very, very impressive. I know it's going to take a long time to go through all these properties. I did not realize how many we have.

[18:29] I think it's something that maybe we need to add on for Adrian out there, but Adrian and.

[18:38] I, I think to at least get a plan for kind of what our, what are our next steps, you know, what will we be looking at to potentially, you know, involve a design professional and then do whatever plans are necessary to, to renovate the interior of that. And then, and then I think we can decide, like to whether to go forward with that work and then subsequently to go forward with the construction. You know, it would be necessary. So I think we could at least start to do some of the planning work around it.

[19:08] Yeah. I mean, I would love to try to figure out creative ways to fund that, you know, some sort of investment, at least to get it to a place where it's not. I mean, my understanding is there's some structural concerns now we're getting to that point. Um, yeah. And it's only going to get worse. And, um, I have a feeling that things aren't going to get any cheaper. Projects like this. So do we need a big blue tarp on the roof? We need something. Really. Any house sits empty, especially that house. The worst it's going to get. Any kind of $960,000 estimate is just going to go up, right?

[19:42] That estimate was from 2021.

[19:45] Oh, Lord. Yeah, yeah. I'm just guessing. It looks to me like maybe 200 zero square feet, something like that kind of historic landmark. Yeah, yeah. Um, the interior would not be, uh, would not have to meet any kind of historic regulations, really. Just the exterior. Yeah. That's a, that's looking about $450 a square foot, which for a renovation like that is probably about right. I hate to say it. Um, maybe we could get it for a little bit less. Depends what we want to do to the interior. But you know, guessing we probably want to make it sustainable and energy efficient and nice on the inside and so on.

[20:28] Well, I mean, my vision for it, and this is something we've not talked about, but would be office spaces upstairs and then some sort of kind of visitor center with the trail in that property. Yeah. On the first slide. Um, and as we get closer to a world where people maybe can, through hike and stuff, we could look to some sort of way to manage parking lot and not have it become a total disaster as much. Jones the house to the point. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Riverside following that model and another yeah, that would be another, um, historic point for people to visit the town and check in and stuff. So, so.

[21:05] What do we need to do to move forward with that?

[21:07] Let's, um, I know we've talked about this before, but, um, I really would like to, we'll bring forward the bill Dixon information was pulled together as a document of that. Um, and then I think the discussion from there is, do we want to put the money into a potential RFP or RFQ just to get this out there, which would be like 5 to $10,000 that we talked about. Thank you for that. Um, but that would at least give us an insight as to where we are now. And, and I will say, I mean, I really appreciate a lot of the planning in that process, but that's a totally different vision. We were looking at like, I know this isn't included in the cost, but an outdoor amphitheater, it was way different than maybe what we're talking about. So the cost could change. Um, because I don't actually remember what that council was looking for as far as what the vision was for the property itself.

[21:54] It would it be like a little hub for people to come to. So then it would be a bigger version of the Gentiles.

[22:01] Okay. I remember what you're talking about to use all these stuff, um, and to went all out there. So at a minimum, we just need to.

[22:13] Invest in something that's going to keep the house stable. Yeah.

[22:16] Yeah. Just temporary.

[22:18] Even if it's just temporary, just to make sure that structurally from the exterior, it's not taking on water and urinating on the inside.

[22:26] Yeah. And to your point, that's going to save us money in the future, potentially going ahead and doing a new roof.

[22:34] I don't know. I guess it just takes somebody like a roofing professional to go out there and take a look and see what's there.

[22:39] Mhm. It's a professional. Anything right here. It's a movie. Or you're running the bathroom. You come to the.

[22:50] 2014, 2015. We did put a new roof on that house. Council allocated funds to do that in an effort to save what's inside. Okay. So the roof.

[23:02] The windows and the doors are leaking air. And some of the foundational stonework.

[23:08] That was the only thing that.

[23:10] Yeah. That's good to know at least. Well, the sagging in the interior too, right?

[23:17] Yeah. I mean, and that's where we really need to get a professional in there to kind of tell us what the plans are as far as what, you know, what they can to stop the continued degradation.

[23:30] Any further thoughts on the river house?

[23:34] I mean, this is something that for me, being creative as far as trying to entertain, you know, the reserve funds or something, again, I don't know where we're at in the full financial scope, but it's recognizing that that is a project that's only going to cost more in the future. Yes, it really is worth exploring any option that we have.

[23:51] And maybe there's there might be some grants out.

[23:53] Some grant opportunities.

[23:54] Probably this money out there that we need to get research on that.

[24:00] Right. And there's my, that's my point about trying to be more creative on it. Um, just because I do worry about that site and more people are going to be around it. I mean, we're driving a lot of traffic to that area now. Yeah. And so the conversation is probably going to be at least going to serious to keep it the way it is.

[24:15] Be some outside partnerships that might even be willing to step in and help as well.

[24:21] Some non-profits have expressed interest in partnerships.

[24:25] And so I think, you know, being creative and not just saying, oh, we'll put a bill for everything. Yeah, this is what's out there.

[24:31] Well, and.

[24:32] Getting the historic landmark designation for that property that expedite grants or are there grants out there? I guess I'm looking at you to say, do we need to do that first or will. Are there rents out there to help us secure that designation? I guess I don't.

[24:49] So it's a weird building. Um, I've been looking like throughout for the past three years to see what pops up. Um, there are grants for historical buildings that are like nationally recognized. Um, this one is not that and I don't think it would qualify, um for national recognition, um, for landmark, but that would be a HPC question. Um outside of that, there's really no grants for general government buildings. That's why there's no grants really out there for public works buildings, because it's general governance. And so that's kind of the sticking point with that building. Um, is there something.

[25:26] With like park related? Because it is right there with the trails. We do have, you know that on the property itself. So it look.

[25:34] I can look towards parks.

[25:36] Um, and.

[25:37] It's been good to us already.

[25:39] Um, yes. So part of that also is um, like the accessible restrooms grant that we got, that was a one time thing. Um, typically they don't fund parks and rec don't fund building renovations. Um, that was just one thing that I was able to like kind of sneak in, um, and got that approved. Um, so I'll continue to look, but I would probably recommend looking at outside partnerships, reserve funds, things like that. Um, and I'll keep my eye out for random little like foundation grants, state grants that may pop up again, but I wouldn't recommend banking on grants to help with this building.

[26:17] Okay, good to know. We have funding for facilities is increasingly challenging. Um, Halloween.

[26:29] Um, and there's, I mean, there's always the array and.

[26:34] It's not.

[26:37] Charge admission and help fund the place. Um, let's, let's go back to the part where we thank Jane for this. Um, I think this was, this was really eye opening to look through, you know, the town properties and, and come to, you know, better understanding, grasp kind of what's out there and what we have, um, you know, that we're responsible for. So I just want to say thank you for all the work that you put into this. I know it's not complete yet. Um, and, um, but thank you.

[27:05] Thank you. Can I also take a moment just to recognize the work of Jessica and Chris? Um, for all the work that they also did on this project. And Chris is still working on the online mapping, which we hope to be able to soon, and this might be a good time. Um, Council member Tate had requested a PDF copy of the booklet and if anybody else would like one, I'm happy to send it all out at the same time.

[27:27] Yeah.

[27:28] Sure.

[27:28] And as it updates, it.

[27:30] Would have.

[27:30] That same thing.

[27:34] Um.

[27:35] I did, I did have something just completely different.

[27:38] That I wanted to talk.

[27:38] About. Um, just something over the last couple of months, what I've noticed, um, is our, I know we have the a B survey here. We're working on this building right here, specifically our, um, for our meetings. Um, but I think that I would like to the council to entertain maybe an outside contract, um, not necessarily for a scope for an IT person like on staff, but maybe there's like local companies we can work with. We really had some struggles with Groupwise accessing that. I know working with financial with the finance department, issues with our CV, trying to be able to access that. And I know that our deputy fire chief is retiring in December, which is going to be really kind of pulling a couple different directions, trying to find his replacement. I know he's trying to be busy being our IT person as well. And I was wondering if there was any chance that we could maybe look at doing this contract work with like, for instance, let's bring. Do we need to get rid of Groupwise and, you know, get Microsoft 365. And these are things that we don't need to hire a staff person to do, because there are plenty of local companies that we could do on a project basis that could work with prioritize. And I didn't know the Interest. Um, maybe the council entertaining, something like that.

[29:12] I was on council um that time we be on time to start outsourcing. I mean, um, there are companies.

[29:24] There's local companies that.

[29:25] Do well, just like we use hospitality, we use Zurich out of, you know, they, they're on site. We have a contractor, they, they come on site when they need to. Um, there are local companies.

[29:36] Are trying to get an iPad iPads last Thursday. So that's just ridiculous. It's taking.

[29:42] Companies. We deserve so much. Um, there's no way we could do this.

[29:47] Well, we need an RFP because it's not like we're going to have to. And I've talked with them. I don't think we need at that point to have a massive contract with anybody, because it can be on more of a per unit basis. Sure. We don't need it.

[30:03] I kind of feel like they need an over to look at all because I think we don't know what we don't know about what we need to update.

[30:09] But I don't what I kind of looked and what I've talked with them about, it is not necessarily like a complete overhaul of everything right now, because that would be more of a pricey thing. I know price, we're working on a very tight budget right now, but if we can kind of pick and choose, like even I was, I asked Nicole kind of her feedback on it. And there's the consistency within the town office. Everybody's using different things. So it's not like we need a complete overhaul of the IT department. But if we could just say, hey, they have the ability to like if these meetings, if we need some support for.

[30:47] Yeah, it's it's, it's not like a whole, I need to hire an outside contract for an IT department where we need an RFP, you know?

[30:57] Like a full audit. So I don't want to us to be the ones to determine. This is what we need. First, I would prefer a company to come in and do an audit. An audit to say what's right, what's wrong, what do we need to do? And then work with us to to get a project list together?

[31:16] But I would I think we're like the finance department, what they had to go through to get the CPA firm to have access to it was ridiculous. And for us to spend six months trying to figure out what where to get on the roof, where on the rung of importance it is. I think we're missing the point of the immediate need. Yeah. And giving. Giving Hank and staff the ability to say, hey, this is what we have a need. We have a VPN within the finance department. We need somebody in here to be able to look up this person to this person and get it done. Not a year from now with a list of things.

[31:56] I agree with that. And if we get rid of group by tomorrow, I'd be happy. So let's I mean, this, this feels like a good compromise to me, and it's identifying something that's a real issue within finance. I know we all speak for all of us. Most of us, I feel like, have had trouble with our email. Um, in general, right. Just responsiveness, getting things through. Um, I'm not a fan of group bias. If somebody in the town works for group wise, I'm sorry. I don't like your product. I'm in trouble probably for that. Um, but but I'd like to explore, I think to your point, hiring somebody and I'm curious to hear what your perspective is. If somebody came in hiring somebody to fix two of the most immediate needs. And then if that goes well, then the conversation is, how are we more strategic on figuring out what you're talking about? Todd? What we don't know and then go from there. But to me, there's two kinds of it's two.

[32:42] Totally. I completely agree with that. But I feel like we shouldn't be leaning on our fire chief to be the person that is coming in to help finance connect with that. That is completely the fire chief and his. He's going to have a lot on his plate this fall with his deputy retired. And to kind of pull it back away from him and just say, hey, we have a project. We need this done now.

[33:13] We have needed this for a very, very long time. I just happened to mention to Doctor Scott Elliott we were at that. Yeah. Oh my God. Is that still around.

[33:23] And so that's kind of like is that something that we can allow staff to give them the flexibility to go with an outside company?

[33:34] I think this is a great example where Hank's expertise we should defer to his perspective. Yeah, it's.

[33:39] Going to be it's probably always going.

[33:41] To be a little bit more complicated than we can talk to it, but we always need to take a step forward. Um, I think that you could find somebody to outsource and have pretty immediate needs for it, networking and just getting connectivity between computers and buildings and things like that. I think Group wise is a replacement to something like a Microsoft Exchange or a Google product. I have a meeting set up next week with a new vendor for financial software with a guy, and his staff will be evaluating that. So it seems overwhelming, but I think if it is broken down into component parts, it's probably not that big a deal. Just give me a lot of work. Even just on conversion from one groupwise to something else, you end up having to go through archiving and saving all of the emails. Yeah. So it's going to require help.

[34:40] But even like, you know, when he came on board, he's been here for a month now and still doesn't have an iPad. I mean, that's ridiculous that it should it shouldn't take that long. So we have a new employee coming on board or somebody dies. Who are we calling? I want to be able to say, hey, hey. He knows that he can call X, Y, Z company every year. They can get on site, they can get taken care of, and we are up and running with our time. It's all kind of. And then at the same time, I completely agree with you on it, but I just think that those immediate needs. I feel like we should give staff the flexibility of going outside if they feel like they need to.

[35:18] I would have enjoyed doing this five years ago. So, um, is that sufficient direction for you? Yes.

[35:25] You feel comfortable with that or.

[35:27] So what I hear is that we're going to be looking at, um, our options for outsourcing it with the contract to do that. What that entails looking at migrating group wise to another platform like Microsoft Exchange or Google product. And then looking at the potential for changing vendors for financial software. Yeah.

[35:51] So just kind of like an on call.

[35:53] Pretty succinct. And I think you probably just look at that and make the assessments and tests for Nordic or Zurich or I mean, those are just two I know off the top of my head that are local. Um, there's probably others, but those are two I know. I think if we start off by having those scheduled meetings just to go over what we have, those conversations will start pointing us in directions for just what type of mountain we have to climb, even if it's that complicated. Great. Um, thank you for bringing that up. Pretty good.

[36:29] I'm good. I don't want to like, but I just feel like I missed a strain that I've seen is and I appreciate bringing up therapy and going through the audit and doing all that stuff, but I feel like the immediate needs.

[36:42] I agree with you. I, I agree with you. We did this a long time ago. Yeah. Let's see. Adrian's got one small thing and then we'll go on a break. We got a lot of folks outside.

[36:55] Let's let's do a ton of small things. Uh, um, so while I was completing the Regional Comprehensive Transportation Plan survey, which I know all of you have either on your to do list or you've checked that box for this week, encourage anybody in the room who has not done that, go find the survey. Uh, and, uh, you know, it's kind of fascinating because the way that they built the survey, uh, you can put pins in areas where you think there are trouble spots, and then you can really add your notes or comments about places where there are dangerous intersections for pedestrians or repeated potholes or whatever your thing you want to talk about is through that. Um, but while I was going through that process, I kept putting pins in places where I thought, that's really the town's thing, right? That's the town's road or whatever. And so one of the questions that I think came up was around, uh, sidewalks in particular, but I wondered if we have a priority list. Um, that sort of is like, you know, here's the top ten or the top 100 needs for where we would put it. And what brought this to my attention particularly was one of the agenda items today is to, is to review the budget. And I noted one of the line items in the budget is around sidewalks and, and that type of thing as well. And so I wanted to sort of put the priority list with the budget and maybe in a future meeting, talk a little bit more about that. So, Todd, I'm seeing nods that we do have sidewalks priority list, and we've gotten to a point now where projects are really expensive. So that's why we slowed down. Okay. Do we need to look at the priorities and sort of this is almost what the RPO did recently is they said, okay, the Daniel Boone Parkway can never be purchased. It's too expensive. So even though it's number one on the priority list, it's going to move down the priority list. And we could maybe shuffle some of those things around. Um, I don't know, just worth looking at. Yeah. Okay.

[38:48] All right. Thank you. Excellent.

[38:52] Um, sorry, but my my small item was, uh. I think eventually this council is going to have to really look at the trees at the Jones house, the two large trees that have been wired together for years and years and years by our arbiters. Um, this past summer, one of the limbs did break apart, but luckily, because it was one of the wired limbs, um, and it fell just, I think it was like within 30 minutes before one of the concerts were going to take place. So it needs to be talked about. We gotta figure out what are we going to do here? Because this could be a potential safety hazard, especially if we have the hard winter we're going to have. I don't know how much those two trees can take. An arborist on staff, by chance, that could go out there and give us an evaluation.

[39:42] What is it, Tom? Well, look, an arborist, I mean, we our staff looked at it. It's the Virginia's point. It's been reviewed by staff. It's tenuous.

[39:54] Yeah.

[39:54] It's got something has to happen.

[39:56] So this has come up many times over the years. The last time it came up. Council did not want to take those trees down. So we've hired a historic tree arborist and done all we can to try to keep those trees still, worked on the cables and go up every couple of years in the plan. Uh, at some point they're going to come down.

[40:19] Uh, you know, those trees are really iconic to downtown. Downtown so much. Um, I, I know that this was a former council that did it, but I would, I would be curious to see what the perspective is of staff arborists. Um, I know that they're not healthy right now that me being, you know, in the work that I'm in, actually, we were just talking about this in this trip, but, um, the American Chestnut Foundation gives out trees all the time. We were a replant. That could be a really awesome, very. I mean, we're going to lose this iconic tree, um, to downtown being able to replace it with, uh, functionally extinct. But on the recovery, iconic tree of Appalachia would give me a little bit less heartbreak about losing those. Um, and that's what it's going to come to, but also recognizing that, um, it'll be a long time before it gets to be as incredible as it is now.

[41:13] Yeah. And I can tell you the staff's recommendation to remove the trees. Okay. And that's not.

[41:19] Something to think about.

[41:20] Uh, just to let you know that, uh, during the crab meeting, that's the reason why this came up and because these trees have provided great life for our community. They've done their service. That's when they do come down that we need to pay homage to them and see what we can create out of this part of artwork for our community to remain a piece of our community. So I just wanted to put that that hard statement out there that I think it's time we have this council might have to make that choice, that we have to move forward on something that would be hard to lose in our community, but somebody might have to finally make the choice. All right.

[42:01] Any other.

[42:01] Thoughts?

[42:03] Yeah. Todd. Tom is somewhere mad at me for even thinking of saying this out loud. But do you think Tom would want to join us for a meeting one day? Give us his assessment. Because I, I mean, I doubt that both trees are in the exact same health. I understand they're probably playing at around the same time, but be nice to understand perspective on each of them. And we're able to keep one and maybe replace one that could maybe soften the blow a bit and look to replace them down the road. I don't know. Anyways, it'd be it'd be great to hear from the horse's mouth and maybe have Tom join us.

[42:35] Yeah, we can make that happen.

[42:36] It might come here in handcuffs, I guess. Right? It'd be great to do that. problem. Excellent. Any other thoughts? We've got people waiting outside. I don't think they're aware they can come in. So we're going to call a break for ten minutes and start back at six. Thank y'all. Announcements from the town manager.

[42:56] Thank you.

[42:57] I will now entertain a motion to adopt the agenda. I'll second. All in favor?

[43:03] Aye.

[43:06] And now we'll open up the public comment period for public comment for the entire meeting, but not for any specific matter listed.

[43:17] We're going to set up a timer on the screen. Folks, we've got three minutes per speaker, and we'll be able to look at the timer and tell where you're at. So I always feel uncomfortable interrupting people, so help me. Um, as you see it, approach three minutes. Just try to wrap up your remarks as best you can. It's okay if you go a little bit over, but just try to keep it right around that. Uh, and then when I call you up, you would just introduce yourself, let us know where you live and what you're speaking on, and then you can jump into the comments. All right. First we've got Ian Robinson.

[43:48] Welcome, sir.

[43:48] Hey. How are you? Good.

[43:52] Yes.

[43:56] Nicole.

[43:58] You're awesome. Oh.

[44:02] Thank you.

[44:03] Yeah, exactly. Thank you.

[44:19] Okay. All right. So my name is Ian Robinson. Uh, thank you for letting me talk tonight. Uh, I'm here to speak about Power Street, and, uh. But before I get to the proposal part. I want to explain why I care about this. I'm actually a three generation downtown Boone family. Uh, my grandfather actually opened the first.

[44:40] Pet store in Boone on downtown Washington Street, and my father in law owns Appalachian TV's downtown. And my wife, she runs Appalachian Threads downtown. And so with that, multiple generations of, uh, focusing on what's happening in the downtown area, I personally have been downtown for over 20 years. Whenever I first got my job in high school with my father in law. And, um, with that, I've watched a lot of businesses come and go and, uh, the community has changed. And so with that, I just want to take a, um, a personal preference of what's going on. Uh, because I do think it's affecting some of the businesses in the back. So, um.

[45:25] With that, my proposal is to go and on the Howard Street, uh, the space between Depot Street and Appalachian Street. Just changing the direction. Currently it goes from.

[45:40] Washington Street to Depot Street, and by reversing it, it could actually solve a lot of problems. The problems that may not even be seen yet that will be um. On that I supplied some NCDOT information. It goes to kind of explains how traffic pattern is the way that I already thought it was, but otherwise got verified. Um the vast majority people, whenever they come to downtown, they end up actually taking River Street, not King Street. And you can see that on the close on page four where it goes and actually shows that there's about 1600 or 616,000 cars that come regularly on River Street and 14,500 that take West King Street. The difference is on West King Street, they can keep on going. You can actually see once it gets past Federal Street, they stay at 14,500 while vice versa. Whenever you go and look at River Street,

[46:33] uh, 16,000 down to only 5500, meaning the vast majority of that traffic is going up Howard Street. Problem with that is the fact that it's going to end up causing a bigger cavity at mass general light. That's one big thing. Two is going to access Howard Street. You're going to have to go up to King the bottleneck issue, swing all the way back around to go and just to get to places like the Z and all those other places. I'm sorry, I have a little more time. And then with that, another issue is actually accessing Appalachian Street, um, as being a primary area to go and access the entire section of Howard. Anybody who's gone down that area and tried to take a left. Vast majority of the time there is a delivery truck that sits in that left hand turn, makes it to where you can't really take a left down there anyway. So it's just there's a lot of problems. Hopefully you get a chance to look at the proposal, get a better time, but that's essentially what my pictures don't try to help. I also have 11 other businesses that also signed up that specifically are affected by Howard Street, and that all agree that this should be the way to move forward for the sake of not only businesses, but pedestrians utilize opportunity.

[47:49] Thank you so much, Ian, and I really appreciate the information provided and, um, I would love to reach out. I also invite you if you want to have more time in the future. Requested appearance would allow for a little bit more of a conversation. This is typically not a conversational platform. Um, but, you know, to continue to try to explore some of this stuff. Okay.

[48:06] What is that.

[48:07] Like? Um, we can reach out. Yeah. Thanks. Thank you. Next we have Ben Miller.

[48:22] I'm here to speak, um.

[48:26] Um.

[48:27] About the proposed Growth and development. And it's going to be, I believe the address is 11578

[48:40] which is currently in driving range. Um, I live at 190. Beverly Heights Avenue right across the street from, um, the driving range. Uh, we're just proposed housing development is to go. My wife and I moved into Beverly High in the mid 60s, and we've been there ever since. Um, so that community in that neighborhood means a lot to us and, and is a wonderful neighbors that are in that community. There's at least two neighbors here attending tonight. I'm not sure if they'll speak or not. I have been in the neighborhood longer than Judy.

[49:36] But the original developer of Beverly Heights left a two foot strip going up Beverly Heights, um, bordering the property in question. And that was meant to protect anything from coming over on that property to infringe on Beverly Heights. And, um, we as a community would like to keep that two foot strip zone, the way to start the zone, to protect our neighborhood. And I want to remind the board that we are, um, a, um, um, one of your um, neighborhood conservation district. And to me, um.

[50:37] We share with the town a lot of similar concerns. And we would hope that in times like this, you would help protect, uh, our neighborhood. And I just like to close by saying that as I understand the new development, 24 fewer students than was proposed previously in July, uh, attended that meeting also. And, um, and the borough and, and the greenery that's being proposed will not find a four foot structure that's going to be on that property and it's not going completely Dampens the noise that will be coming from that development into the neighborhood. Thank you for your time, and please consider going with the planning zone by rejecting this project. Thank you, Mr. Miller. Thank you.

[51:44] Next, we've got Bonnie Becker, which you might have the correct name. You get up there. Berkowitz. There we go. Thank you, Mr. Carter.

[52:01] Hi, I'm Bonnie Berkowitz. I live on Oak Street, Oak Street, and the section of Oak Street that we're on is now one way, um, very narrow street. And at this point, we already have problems with people, Students, but others going the wrong way on our street. Um, we have children living on our street. So it's clearly a safety issue, um, on many, in many angles. Um, and so I guess I'm talking about the walk at the proposal.

[52:54] So we're just really concerned about the impact of this large development beyond questioning the need for it, but for additional student housing. Um, but the impact that it's going to have on many of the neighborhoods around, um, there's the 105 extension, um, which is already dangerous to try to cross from Horn Avenue into to get to State Farm. I feel like I'm taking my life in my hands when I try to cross, um, cross the street across 105, um, extension and try to get into that left lane. Um, so, uh, unofficially, I've taken to using the parking lot at the bank and it's really, I mean, I don't know if they've been involved in any discussions, but I think that that's really important. They also have, um, so when you make a left out of the parking lot to get. The reason I do that is so I get to a light. And that light is, I think, a critical aspect, but I don't see a way to get street to that light from behind the bank. It looks like they started one, but I haven't looked into what the the other, um, access could be. It's an unfinished street. So, um, I haven't seen anything like that in any of the proposals. Um, the other thing is I have not seen an environmental impact statement, a study for the area for the, for the development, um, which I think is critical because I know that once ground is compacted during construction, even if it's masked by a layer of soil and planting water treats it like cement, it can be covered and look pretty. See that my time is up, but two. So one other thing. Um, and I also have not seen anything indicating possible um pedestrian bridge over 105 extension Which was an idea that came up. Um, not that I, but I still implore you to deny this, uh, proposal.

[55:30] Thank you.

[55:35] Next, we've got Jean Howell.

[55:45] I live at 521 State Farm Road. Uh, at our July meeting. I was one of several who spoke to the traffic impacts of State Farm Road and the three connected roads that State Farm with Beverly Heights. I hope you got your attention during the presentation from the traffic study that they considered only 10% of the traffic would be going that route.

[56:17] If I was a college student at that location. Yes, during the day I would take an apple cart to the college. But later in the afternoon, in the evening, I think most would take a car to reach their destination. And all of the navigation apps I'm aware of is going to either give you the shortest route or the shortest time to get there. And so if I plug in the address for Walmart, Lowe's, three of the four major grocery stores, the majority of eating places, banks or medical facilities in Boone that are all off of 321 in southeast direction. I guarantee you there's 100% chance that they would take you by the way of State Farm Road. Uh.

[57:17] So.

[57:21] I think that those three connecting roads, as well as State Farm roads right now are certainly cannot impact the impacted was very much traffic in the area. Thank you.

[57:37] Thank you sir.

[57:40] Next we have Jeff Graham.

[57:46] Welcome sir. Thank you. Um before the clock tolls, I appreciate the mayor's comments about a little lenience with the time limit. I appreciate it, thank you. Um. Hello, everyone. My name is Jeff Brown. Uh, my wife and I, Kathy Graham, live at, uh, just above Beverly Heights Avenue at 151 K drive. And we I spoke in opposition to the request at the last meeting. I didn't want to rehash those things. But we're here tonight to discuss what I feel like it's a critically important rezoning, an amendment to our community. We've been hearing about this plan for over a year, and once again, the developers come back to the council and our community with the revised plan that we are asked to embrace. But the revisions do not materially change the problems with this project that were discussed at the planning committee and town council meetings. What we're now asking embraces density reduction of Mir of a mere 3.9% in beds, despite the removal of two buildings, a commitment to attainable housing that is only 5.6% of the total units and a mere 2.6% of total beds, and addressing the needs of families in our community for attainable housing. That includes a mere two two bedroom units and two three bedroom units, offers a bifurcated leasing structure. In an effort to presumably address the lack of mixed use housing that will not materially alter student occupancy addressed by their own admissions. Serious issues already existing with the Beverly Heights 105 extension intersection by recommending a right in right out from Beverly Heights to 105, which was already discussed in July, but not really knowing how this change will affect traffic safety, while at the same time limiting limiting the ability of long time residents of Beverly Heights to fully utilize the intersection offers protection of Beverly Heights residents that the developer knows is needed. The agenda documents cite a meeting with town officials regarding the closing of three side streets within Beverly high schools, thankfully rejected by the town by closing two roads and projected that aren't even there yet, and that would provide direct access to Beverly Heights in order to prevent traffic from cutting through the neighborhood side streets to access State Farm Road. The reality, when the reality is that it will do nothing to stop residents from simply driving up Beverly Heights from the project's main interest to access those same side streets and further add to State Farm roads, own traffic issues that pertains particularly pertains to residents and workers driving to the rec center. The Greenway. Optimist. Park Fire Station there. The. And. And emergency hospital access from one and five extension um will ease traffic concerns by securing apple cart stops for students who are on campus for classes an average of about 15 hours a week. Um, also, I wanted to mention that the plan promotes, uh, to me, quite honestly, a frankly unrealistic idea of students walking to campus or walking campus area from the site crossing a really dangerous four lane road. Um, you know, personally, my two sons are out of college now, but I would hate for them to be doing that if they were in that situation. But that's an aside. Um, in closing, a reminder that the planning committee considered this project and zoning amendment request in July. And after much discussion, recommended denial by unanimous six zero vote. Based on its concerns about the project and the interest of time. I won't cite the reasons for this strong rejection there in the in the documents. And while I can't speak for the planning committee, I really fail to see how the latest version of this project adequately, adequately addresses the concerns raised. Let's also not forget that the request involves seven deviations from the Udo, including expanded removal of valued potential.

[1:01:35] Thank you.

[1:01:36] Thank you for flexibility and the prospects in the project's design. This project is simply too big for its footprint and location, and it's not the type of project the town currently needs. As we heard commented during the planning committee consideration of this project in July, it's still like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Um, Mr. Graham, you gotta help me out here giving you more time. I appreciate the I appreciate the council concern at the of the of the issues involved and and considering the negative impact impacts. And I hope that and I hope that considers that and the community, the members, our community members appreciate that consideration. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[1:02:18] Thank you, thank you.

[1:02:22] Next we have Paula Ward.

[1:02:37] My name is Paul Ward. And thank you for the opportunity to share concerns about the proposed rocket development. I've spoken at the two previous meetings. My concerns as a community member and my former resident of Beverly Heights neighborhood where I grew up. My mother, along with other family members and friends, still live in that neighborhood that are directly affected with this proposal. I'm here again to share my concerns about the proposed development, mainly the traffic and the enormity of the development. I know Landmark Properties have updated their proposal to reflect a reduction of 24 beds and six units. That still leaves 618 beds, which is 618 people, with 117 179 units. And I don't think that will bring much of a traffic reduction. I did read in the agenda packet that the developers had spoken with applecart, and they have agreed to add stops within the development, which will reduce the number of vehicle trips to 22% in the morning and 18% in the afternoon. And I realized the apple cart trips will be beneficial. But we must also realize with this house, it is said that students will still hop in their car and go where and when they want to, instead of hopping on the bus. So that opens up the opportunity to head through the Beverly Heights neighborhood. I also saw in the updated traffic study on page five, where the trip distribution for the development shows where there will be traffic restrictions at two and of two of the three entrances and exits that will only be accessible to the emergency and transit connectivity. And I'm assuming that's at my huge concern is having busses going through the neighborhood on Berkeley and Sheridan that are basically roads only wide enough to accommodate one car. If this were to happen, there would be many busses running through the neighborhood daily, consistently a lot. And if there's a picture in one in the agenda, it shows the corner of my mom's yard. A bus really isn't going to fit through there. So I know this was mentioned in the last meeting. If this development is approved and the roads are widened, what's the process? None of the ten homeowners whose property borders Berkeley and Sheridan have had any communication so far. Will land have to be purchased? Who will notify them? How will their property rights be protected? As the town council, you represent the community who spoke at the meeting in July with much opposition. So I ask you to remember to also remember the people who call that neighborhood home. Many who are in the audience tonight. Six of the families the Grahams, the shoemaker's, the Hendersons, the vines, the Millers and my mom, Becky Jones, have lived in that neighborhood for over 55 years. And five of those residents are in their 80s. I believe this proposal would dramatically change the character of the neighborhood. They've spent a lifetime building, and it was my lifetime, too. I respectfully ask you to reject it. Thank you so much for your time.

[1:05:36] Thank you.

[1:05:41] Next we have Hannah Brady.

[1:05:51] Hello.

[1:05:52] My name is Hannah Brady. My family and I live in the Beverly. Beverly Heights neighborhood. Um, on our street alone, there are five children from the ages of four months to nine years old. So while we have not been there for 55 years, we plan to be there for the next 55. Um, I wanted, uh, this is my third time speaking about this development, and I want to focus today on two points that I read in the revised proposal. First is part of the ten housing units labeled Attainable housing. The developer is proposing these units be rented to preferred employers and specifically identifies Watauga County Schools as one of these preferred employers. As a former Watauga County School employee, I'd like to speak on that. The proposed rent for a one bedroom apartment is $1,500 per month. A beginning North Carolina teacher earns eight $48,000 annually. After an estimated 30% in deductions of insurance and taxes. In all the very fun things. Uh, that leaves approximately $2,800 monthly in take home pay. That supposedly attainable apartment would consume nearly 54% of a beginning teacher's take home pay, leaving just $1,300 for utilities, groceries, lights. We can also go to the other end of the spectrum and look at a teacher, maybe who is on the precipice of retirement at 30 years. Unfortunately, that teacher is only earning now $59,000 a year. That would that would still take up 44% of the estimated take home pay on that exact same apartment. Financial best practices state that 35 Max 40% of net pay should go toward housing if proposed. If the proposed attainable units are being offered as a public benefit in exchange for exceptions to Boone zoning standards, their affordability should be judged against the incomes of the people they're supposedly intended to serve. The second, of course, is traffic. The developer has advertised an 18% reduction in projected daily vehicle trips, but reducing the development by less than 100 or less than 100 fewer daily trips less than 4%. That 18% reduction depends on an assumed 15% transit mode share. This comes from the traffic engineers assumption. That assumption from a study from studies with UC Berkeley and the University of Washington universities operating in substantially different transportation environments. The revised proposal does not establish that the transit systems or patterns in those studies are comparable to those in boots. And while there are three proposed apple cart stops that there was not provided to us a finalized route or scheduled service, three bus stops do not automatically mean three times the ridership, or demonstrate that 15% of trips will, uh, move to public roads or public transit. Um, have some other notes here about the traffic. I don't think it's anything that can go without saying, because it's all very obvious that it would come up for Beverly Heights onto Berkeley, Olancha, and Sheridan. But I do want to give, um, the Council and Mr. Mayor, I, as the author of a petition signed by more than a thousand community members and supporters here, I'm here tonight to represent the concerns of those who have joined me in calling for the denial of the requested zoning deviations.

[1:09:23] Miss Brady, if you can try to wrap up.

[1:09:25] Yeah. We'll do, um, I emailed you all the petition and I brought a printed copy. Only one, because it's a lot of papers. Um, and I would like that to be included tonight and that the council consider these more than 1000 voices when making the decision. And for all of the reasons I would ask that the Council deny requested conditional zoning amendments and associated deviations.

[1:09:50] Thank you.

[1:09:53] Yes, baby.

[1:09:56] That's my husband.

[1:10:00] Mr. Brady.

[1:10:04] Beg your pardon?

[1:10:07] Mute yourself, please.

[1:10:11] I don't want to get anybody into trouble. Now, uh, next we have Mr. Chris Thaxton.

[1:10:27] Good evening. Here we are again. Thank you guys for your service. I appreciate it the time that you're allowing us to speak. Um, for everybody's, uh, in case you don't know, I'm Chris Thaxton. I'm a former engineer, a professor of physics at upstate. I'm currently a senior scientist at a startup company. Our lab is based on State Farm Road. and I'm the president of the University Village Property Owners Association. Um, and I live at 353 Appalachia Drive. Now I've sent the council and the planning committee, um, letters, um, for me personally, as well as on behalf of University Village. Uh, so I want details of those tonight, but I do want to follow up on what Hannah said about her change.org petition. Validates all of the emails. Um, there were over a thousand who voiced opposition to this. Um, also, I spent over a year just talking to people around the county. You know, I've been here 22 years, raised our kids. Um, and this topic has come up a lot during conversation over that period. And I know no one was in favor of this proposal. Um, I look at social media and when we're talking Democrat posts, oh, information, um, you know, we're going to be having a hearing on this topic. And then you look at all the comments from residents. I see no one in favor of this proposal. I can think of no other example of as close to unanimous opposition across the town of Boone to this proposal. That's about as good as we can get in terms of taking data on what the community wants. But I implore you, as representatives of this community, we are speaking very loudly, very clearly, and for very good reasons. We do not want this to go through. So please represent the voices of the people who represent um and vote no. Thank you.

[1:12:34] Thank you.

[1:12:36] Next we have Evelyn Freeman.

[1:12:42] Oh. Oh, I didn't know what that was for.

[1:12:46] You're all good, you're all good. You don't want to get up there and read a poem or something.

[1:12:52] Next time you know to bring a poem for us. Um, next we have. I'm sorry. Somebody wrote a little bit over your name. It's Mona. I.

[1:13:04] All good. Thanks for being here, y'all. Um, last we have Rob Holton.

[1:13:10] Welcome, sir.

[1:13:11] Thank you.

[1:13:17] My name is Robert Holton. Um, my family and I own a property management business, Holton Mountain Rentals. That's at 480 highway 105 extension. Um we're concerned about very concerned about the amount of traffic this right turn only proposal. Um, there's a right turn or left turn or a right turn only means that anybody that wants to go towards blowing Rock road. Earlier somebody quoted all the different businesses, grocery stores, Walmart and all. They're going to have to turn right first. So your immediate question is how do you turn around and go back that direction that you really wanted to go? And like some other neighbors said, you can go on the small roads to State Farm Road, or you can do a U-turn in our parking lot or somebody else's parking lot on the other side of 105. We currently have about 15 to 20 people do that already before this development's even there. We have no U-turn signs up. We're getting ready, probably to put a speed bump in. My grandsons and us and our employees have almost been hit numerous times by car whipping in there and coming around to try to head the other direction. I don't think the traffic study addresses U-turns or anything like that, and I think that's something that needs to be taken into account. In addition, um, the students walk into campus that's been mentioned. And and without us, you know, excellent crosswalk section, you know, that's going to be very dangerous for them to cross. I mean, we, we manage our properties across the street from our office. And many times we get in the car to go across the street just because the amount of traffic there. So, um, the other thing is the demand is not currently in the apartment market for more units to be built. We already have a soft market and next year there'll be another 1500 beds come on the market. Universities down in enrollment close to 2000 students heads and beds in Boone since the 2020 2324 year. And so you combine that with more units being built. That means that, you know, they're already vacancies. Rents have gone down and will continue to go down some. So as far as your affordability question, uh, things are becoming more affordable and you are seeing units upgraded and to make them, you know, some of the older units are getting more amenities and stuff. Um, so I would ask that you deny this proposal. The one other thing I want to mention while I'm up here is I've got a concern about the water on Howard Street. We talked to the town. They assured us the engineers had designed it, but we have a problem. We managed apartment building at Fairfield Apartments is below the town property, and we're getting water. That's excess water. Much more than we did before coming off the town. Parking lots and all that comes down that hill. And they claim they've designed it for the 25 year storm. But I mean, there's a manhole up above, and then there's one further down and there spaced pretty far apart. And we're concerned with the amount of water that we're seeing in front of our building. And but we can address that with some of your folks some more. And they've been helpful so far on trying to alleviate some of that. Thank you.

[1:16:42] Alright. And that is all the folks I had signed up for public comment. Um, is there anybody here that did not get a chance to sign up that would like to speak?

[1:16:53] Okay. Is there anybody online that would like to speak to public comment?

[1:16:59] Yes, please.

[1:17:02] Go ahead sir. If you wouldn't mind just introducing yourself and, um, trying to keep your remarks under three minutes.

[1:17:07] Of course. My name is Chris Brady. I live at 129 Suncrest way and that is just above the Beverly Heights community. Um, I have a concern that um, has not been raised yet, and that is where am I supposed to hit golf balls and where am I supposed to sled in the winter time? Thank you.

[1:17:35] Thank you sir.

[1:17:40] Excellent. With that, I will close our public comment period.

[1:17:48] And, um, before we move on to planning matters, we've got approval of items on consent agenda. We've got two items, a motion and an adoption. And then we'll read the proclamation as it was submitted if adopted.

[1:18:03] I'll second. All in favor? Aye. And I know we have a proclamation that, uh, Mayor Pro Tem Carter, uh, helped lead. So I'll let you introduce this item. Yeah. Thank you. Um.

[1:18:19] That's a long way down here. All right, so, um.

[1:18:25] Those of you might have been here.

[1:18:26] I had the honor of.

[1:18:29] Chairing.

[1:18:29] A meeting the day Dolly Parton died. So, um, uh, I think it's only fitting that I'm going to read a proclamation proclaiming this Friday, September 25th, 9 to 5, as Dolly Parton Day in the town of Booth. Whereas Dolly Parton grew up in a one room cabin in the hills of Appalachia and epitomized the hard working virtue of mountain folk that she was fond of saying. And whereas, despite becoming a worldwide phenomenon and one of the most influential, beloved and awarded artists in American music history, Dolly never forgot where she came from. And whereas Dolly lived her life by example, choosing kindness over bitterness and unity over division, by embracing people from all walks of life, no matter their beliefs, experiences, backgrounds, race, gender, sexuality, or religion. And whereas Dolly demonstrated an enduring commitment to philanthropy and service by establishing the Dollywood Foundation, Imagination Library and the My People Fund, as well as her millions of dollars in gifts for pediatric cancer, infectious disease and Covid 19 research, hunger relief, education, and hurricane relief that even touched the mountains of North Carolina. Whereas, September 25th, written as 9 to 5, provides a fitting tribute to Dolly and her iconic film and song 9 to 5. While giving our community an opportunity to celebrate her legacy and emulate her kindness. And whereas I ask that every citizen in the town of Boone and beyond do at least one good deed for Dolly, show kindness to a stranger, donate to your favorite nonprofit, or if you see someone without a smile, give them yours. Whereas, if every person in the town of Boone and beyond does one good thing for someone else, imagine the difference one day can make. Thank you.

[1:20:27] Thank you.

[1:20:33] And we will move on.

[1:20:35] Um, we have consideration of July 27th, 2026, public hearing case and planning teams coming up to share a little bit about that.

[1:20:46] Welcome, Amy.

[1:20:48] Good evening everybody.

[1:20:52] This is the case a 260357 from the July public hearing.

[1:21:00] Um LCD acquisitions LLC has submitted for a conditional district site change along Beverly Heights. The recommendation from the Planning Commission has been included in the staff report that will begin on page 46. There are revisions that have been submitted from the applicant. Those revisions begin on page 50 of your report. So just some highlights from that. There was a reduction of units from 185 to 179 units and from bedrooms from 642 to 618. I would like to note that buildings one and two from the original site plan were removed, creating a green space area and buildings nine through 14 were changed from.

[1:21:49] These are noted as buildings one and 11 on the revised site plans. Buildings 304 hundred are now four story buildings, and those are along the closer to the 105 extension site. Surface parking was revised around the buildings, removing 25 spaces, changing the total number of parking spaces down to 567 spaces. The narrative has been updated to show that buildings one through 500 would be leased by the bedroom, not, and then buildings 1 to 16 would be leased by the unit and not by the building. And then they have also added Does the Apple Apple Car shelter locations and they were added to the site plan in the staff report begins on page 20 in your prompts, page 40.

[1:22:40] Nine here if you have questions.

[1:22:42] Thank you so much. I'll note that we have the applicant and the team with us for any questions as well as I believe I saw Craig from Apple Car in the back somewhere. Are you still with us Craig? Okay, so some questions might come up for you too. I just want to get that for my colleagues on council. Um, I'll open it up for any discussion or questions.

[1:23:05] Um, I would just like to say that, uh, my stance is still the same as it was before. I see nothing that really deviates from being able to protect those neighborhood streets. And for me, that was my ultimate priority was taking care of that community that is around them. Um, so I just wanted to say that it was not addressed to my satisfaction. So I really don't have any questions because there's nothing to question. I just wanted my statement.

[1:23:35] Further thoughts or questions?

[1:23:38] Are you ready? I have to ask this one because it's important. Um, I know that you know this corridor, there's there's a lot of constraints. I'd like to ask this question to show that the town just can't say nothing ever. Um, so what would be allowed by. Right. They did not go through this process on this property.

[1:23:56] So the current zoning is a B3/R3. And that B three section which is closer to the extension that would be your general business. So restaurant retail at the 5000 um medical offices, business offices, those types of businesses basically would be allowed there by right. Um grocery store, something like that could definitely go in.

[1:24:24] And then for the.

[1:24:26] R3, it could be multifamily. Um.

[1:24:32] Um, I remember back, I've been looking at the proposal and in the R3 multifamily is a fairly small bedroom count. Anything beyond, I would have to look at the totals on our ordinance, but anything beyond a certain bedroom would still require additional district. So on your.

[1:24:53] Like a smaller apartment.

[1:24:55] Smaller townhomes.

[1:24:59] And we've got Brandon up asking you a question if you remember it. So on.

[1:25:04] The.

[1:25:04] R3 only, there is no apartment complex that can be built by. Right. It all has to go through the largest impact, you know, by bedroom would be a townhomes up to 100 bedrooms. That's the only thing by right that could go in the R3.

[1:25:19] Sorry, I was pulling that up.

[1:25:21] Thank you. Thank you. Um, Mr..

[1:25:23] Tate?

[1:25:26] Sure.

[1:25:28] Um, I have to do a lot of traveling right now. One to get to my my son's home in the Kobe area and to check on my father in law in the Kannapolis area. So every week I'm traveling one direction, then the next, constantly see these cute little townhouse neighborhoods going up all the time, starting at two, two, ten, starting, you know, up to 400 to see them. So they're profitable. You can't tell me they're not profitable and you can't tell me that it's not doable. Um, maybe the terrain of our community does make it harder, but it shows that all throughout the state, people want homes. And Boone is no different. We want homes for our people to have. So I would just implore that. Could this become a community with some townhouses for people to own and have pride within what they can call their own within the city limits of Boone. I truly wish that would be a vision. Like I said, every every time I see these small condo communities coming up. That's where we need to be able to make a big impact within livability of our community and ownership of land within.

[1:26:42] Mr. Tate.

[1:26:44] All right. I'll chime in. So I thought a lot about this issue and about the development and look through the plans. And I feel like this is my third meeting on council that we have, uh, um, seen a presentation from the developer or considered this development. And I feel a little bit like Groundhog's Day, I guess is the way I would put it. Um, in the, you heard clearly from the community tonight, uh, and I think, uh, in our previous meetings, we've tried to make it very clear, uh, as in the, um, the current regulations, we are steering new development toward apartments that are basically for anybody, right? They're sized for anybody. They're set up for anybody bedroom size. Um, and um, to steer development away from student housing. Um, but this development is very clearly targeted towards student housing. I do not blame the developer at all because that's the business model that we have. Um, but I think the amount of student housing that's on this development is just clearly too much for the site and too much for the neighborhood. Um, so it's a matter of incompatibility with what we're asking for within our regulations and within the next plan, um, with what's being presented here before. So I, when I look at the variances that are being requested, I can find no clear reason for why those variances are being asked for with, with um, except for one. And that is to maximize the number of units that are on that parcel. And I think to me, that is not a good enough reason to say, let's take these rules that have been crafted by both this council and previous council, and let's begin to bend or ignore these rules that we've created. Now we can argue the nuances of those rules. We can argue that, you know, do we need to have a one bedroom larger than the others? We can get into those details, but those are the rules as we stand right now. So until we really rewrite those rules, I'm hesitant to for us to just go down a list of 12 or 13 items and say, okay, we're just going to ignore what we've said and developed over the course of the last 5 or 8 years. So I, I'm a no on this development. Thank you, Mr. Tate.

[1:29:03] Thoughts questions for Council.

[1:29:05] Um.

[1:29:10] Groundhog day is a.

[1:29:10] Good.

[1:29:11] Way to explain it, but I, I want to give you credit for trying. Um, but the one issue that I have, the main issue that I have from the last meeting, that just because something worked for one developer and another property, you can't cookie cutter it to fit another developer because that is a walkable corridor. The Arc Investments property is a walkable corridor. Students will not be getting their car to drive to work, but they will walk. They will walk to restaurants. They will walk to the entire corridor as they walk the corridor. So we're not going to have this. People are correct. You can get the class, but they're getting in their cars afterwards and they're going to town because there's not a walkable way to a grocery store. There's not a walk away to a restaurant. There's not a walk away. I mean, Papa John's and Zaxby's. That's about it. So, um, it does not mitigate the traffic for me. It does continue to impact the neighborhood and comparing it to another project that, quite frankly, was a much easier project to get through because we had constructive conversations and it wasn't the same conversation every time. Um, I just think this is not a walkable corridor. So it's really beyond apples and oranges. Um, students and the other one, they'll never get in their cars that they don't want to, um, everybody will have to get in their car and go somewhere out of here. And I just don't think it's, it's not a good fit for this area. So I'm going to.

[1:30:52] Go ahead.

[1:30:52] I guess one of the biggest things that I was, I was hoping to see would be some sort of solution. I have no idea what it was would be would be the traffic. Um, having 600 plus beds. What is it called? Beds, rooms, whatever you want to call it. People living there, Coming in and out on a one way, one lane road on 105 is just like I couldn't imagine living in one of the townhouses in the back, bottom corner and having to drive and fight traffic to get out, to get to class or to get to the grocery store with 635 other people, um, and not going through the neighborhood and not trying to get down State Farm Road. It was just it's disappointing that I know that you're landlocked in there, but I just, I have a hard time with the traffic getting in and out. Not only that and the density, unfortunately, I just I was hoping there would be some better solution to that.

[1:31:54] Well, it sounds like you're ready.

[1:31:56] To call a vote.

[1:31:57] Um, um, council members do we we do not. We don't. Oh, okay. Okay. I don't know if we need to speak to the changes. Okay.

[1:32:08] Um, reminder the prompt page was at 48. Is that correct?

[1:32:11] Yes. 48.

[1:32:12] I think I'd like to make a motion that that the proposed amendment, uh, um, uh, 160-605

[1:32:25] to the town zoning map is not consistent with the town's comprehensive plan or any other adopted plans of the town that are applicable because of the safety of our community, based off neighborhood roads and walkability.

[1:32:40] So the first one you're supposed to reference plan sections.

[1:32:44] Policies.

[1:32:45] Policies and plans. I'm sorry.

[1:32:47] Thank you.

[1:32:47] Other folks are welcome.

[1:32:49] Oh I apologize. That's why I said it wasn't that one. Sorry. I just missed that. My whole page.

[1:32:55] Anybody else want to take a stab at it?

[1:32:58] I can't make a motion. Yeah, I'm a lowly mayor.

[1:33:00] So give me a second. I can get back to the page. I apologize.

[1:33:08] I can do all the work.

[1:33:17] Wow.

[1:33:18] So you want me to go through all the goals and everything which was presented? Is that correct? Or can I say the policies within the package? I'd like to make an amendment to my motion that would include all the goals and policies that were presented to us by.

[1:33:36] The planning and the Planning Commission. Would you be. Goals 1.1 sustainability building patterns with policy. 1.1.1. 1.1.12. Um. Goals of. 1.2 development of vision. Those would be 1.2.1. 1.2.3, 1.2.4. Goals 1.1. Preservation of heritage. That would be 1.3.4.

[1:34:05] Goals were for the networks of the open space and green corridors. 1.4.2 um we also then have goals of. 1.5 um integral growth and management policies. 1.5.11.5.3.

[1:34:23] We have goals. 1.1 and affordable town to live in. Policies 1.6.1 policies. 1.6.2 policies. 1.6.3 policies. 1.6.4 policies. .6.5. As well as we can. We have a few more. I do apologize. Um we have.

[1:34:43] I'm sorry, I, I hear I have a question. Um, I just have to ask from a point of order standpoint. I understand the, the procedural rules, however, to open public comment and allow the public to come up and speak again and not allow the applicant to speak is.

[1:35:00] Spoken at public comment and should have. Well, to my.

[1:35:04] Every time we've ever been here.

[1:35:06] I'd like to be allowed 3 or 5 minutes right now. I think that's perfectly reasonable and should be done.

[1:35:12] Yeah. I mean, and my view is we had the public hearing and. To Alison's point, that was a separate public comment period, which anybody.

[1:35:20] And I agree with.

[1:35:21] But but there's no additional right of your client to speak again. But since you didn't speak at the public comment, didn't know about that, go ahead and take 3 or 5 minutes.

[1:35:30] Well, and I don't know if if Mr. Powell, if you want to do that, um.

[1:35:33] I will note.

[1:35:34] The changes. It was just that it was just that if we're going to if we're going to have any presentation at all about the changes, it just seems weird. It seems there should be no presentation at all by anybody about the project. If you're just going to vote versus we're hearing from staff about the changes and there's no opportunity.

[1:35:50] People can speak to whatever they want to speak to. And so there's there's no restraints on what the public speaks to. And in the process, it's not there's not a right of your client in the process to make Presentation when the application is ultimately considered, all the rights for presentation are at the public hearing. Now, it's true that you've made changes and we allow changes in the packet, but there's no right under the Udo for there to be a subsequent presentation here. Certainly council members can ask questions. And again, I have no problem with the mayor wants to allow five minutes for you since you did not make a public comment.

[1:36:29] That's fine. The last time we did it in this order and the staff spoke and then we spoke and I. Yeah, I understand, but then I didn't know I needed to get up right after she spoke. And you guys, you guys talked and then you went straight to the vote. So I didn't know there was a, I mean, I that was part of the way it flows. So I don't know if, if, if the applicant would like to speak to any of the changes or if you just want to call it done. I just wanted to give him the opportunity to do it, since I'm not sitting next to my client representative and be able to ask him if he wanted to do that.

[1:36:58] So just for the future. Um, you know, Council Member Richmond is making a motion and you come before us a lot, and I respect you, but just I we could have waited during the discussion piece. I just in the future I just think.

[1:37:11] And I did actually, I mean, I'm not saying it's not at all miss meets fault, but I did actually start to. And then she said no. And so I sat there for a minute and thought, okay. And so it's just the way it flowed and I apologize. It's just didn't flow this way last time. So yeah. Um, you obviously don't have to. I just felt like the opportunity, if we're going to take it at all.

[1:37:29] You know, your, your motion, it had become confused anyway. So I think we should restart after this.

[1:37:33] And you can just say that the items, the way you can make the motion is for the items set forth in the packet on page, because that's a publicly.

[1:37:41] Well, the thing is, we're going.

[1:37:42] Through adopting the the recommendation analysis of the um of the Planning Commission. You were going way beyond that, as far as I can tell. So I think if you would just withdraw your motion, that would be.

[1:37:53] Yes, I I'm happy to withdraw this motion.

[1:37:58] Please. Mr. mayor would like to help.

[1:38:01] I think it's.

[1:38:02] Fine.

[1:38:03] Thank you. Okay.

[1:38:04] I just wanted to give you the chance to speak if you'd like to. So. Okay.

[1:38:08] Okay. One more motion. Two more to get it done.

[1:38:15] Well.

[1:38:16] I can take another stab at this, if that's what you want me to do. Um. I'm happy to. I went based off of a different page within the.

[1:38:24] Well, I was just going to suggest that you could adopt, um, the analysis of the Planning Commission with respect to the inconsistencies that it listed with the Comprehensive Plan. And then if anybody else wanted to add to that, please.

[1:38:40] Sure. All right.

[1:38:53] It's hard to navigate our new system because you can get sections or you can do the whole packet.

[1:38:58] So okay, I make a motion that the proposed amendment to the town's zoning map is not consistent.

[1:39:09] With the plan and any other adopted plans of the town, because.

[1:39:14] There is no other adopted plan that's been identified specifically. So let's just keep this in preference a plan. I understand that's how the motion is written.

[1:39:22] But.

[1:39:22] Okay, it should not just be read out. It doesn't make sense. That part. So

[1:39:28] the plan unless you're going to cite some other plan.

[1:39:31] Okay. The proposed zoning map is not consistent with the town's comprehensive plan. The town because of goal 1.1. It's the same pattern. Goal 1.2, 1.2.10,

[1:39:49] 1.3 and goal 2.4. Well said.

[1:39:54] Meaning that the proposal is viewed as inconsistent with those sections of the comprehensive plan. Is that correct?

[1:40:01] Yes.

[1:40:02] The wording leaves something to be desired. Maybe we can work that.

[1:40:06] We need to do. I have a second.

[1:40:09] Second.

[1:40:11] All in favor? Aye aye aye. One more motion.

[1:40:19] All right. Counselor denies the ordinance. 826-0357

[1:40:26] within within exhibit A and believes denial is reasonable and in the public interest.

[1:40:34] Because of

[1:40:37] inconsistent changes, inconsistent um traffic, the traffic issues, the um.

[1:40:48] There's a lack of commitment on the part of developer and applicant and not keeping with the spirit of the neighborhood conservation and a lot of unresolved issues that don't get to the heart of why. What we need in our town. We have a motion to have a second.

[1:41:02] Second.

[1:41:03] Would anybody like to add anything with respect to the public interest? Um is behind your decision here tonight.

[1:41:12] You've all talked about some traffic issues and other issues. I think you need to go ahead and describe.

[1:41:16] What's their traffic.

[1:41:17] He did a quick list but would you. Okay. May I make a motion. And then I'd like to make an amendment that um. And denial. We are protecting the neighborhood community road safety for the smaller lane streets as well as we are protecting our community's walkability and denying pedestrian traffic and unsafe environments.

[1:41:40] You accept that amendment? I do.

[1:41:44] Um, all in favor? Aye. All you need to vote for it. Yes. Yeah. That's right. Yeah. Okay. Well, that is denied. That was tough. Um, sorry. I will know before we close. Planning matters. Um, I have a lot of folks reach out about environmental concerns, um, impact on wildlife, all those things. And very grateful for a community that pays attention to those matters. And also, just note that the daylighting of that stream would be awesome for a future project. And that was proposed. I think sometimes people associate just something being green. Is it really beneficial? It's not always the case. I just feel the need to say that. Um, is there is not necessarily the best place for wildlife, but I just wanted to note that. And we're going to take a five minute break and come back. Thanks, y'all.

[1:43:10] Okay, we are back from break. Um, first off, on council matters, we've got update on town manager hiring process. And I know Mr. Perkins and Doctor Mitchell are up for this. How are you? Mitchell?

[1:43:23] I'm good.

[1:43:24] How are you? I'm good. I'm glad you're with us. You can't get rid of us, can you?

[1:43:28] No. You can't get rid of me.

[1:43:31] And, um, are you willing to take this on? Yeah.

[1:43:35] Um, as you know, we're going to be going out and putting another advertisement out for the position of town manager. Doctor Mitchell is gracious enough to help me kind of work through the same process in her end as she did the first time. And I will be working with Doug in trying to, uh, do some evaluation of the candidate selections that come in and then pulling those out and helping her with her process. Excellent.

[1:44:00] And I know that, um, I believe it was Allison. You and Doctor Mitchell kind of huddled and talked a little bit about the process of that. Was that a.

[1:44:08] Yes? Um, mainly me and Hank, but but a little bit with, um, with Doctor Mitchell. Minor adjustments. Um, we and some of these I've discussed with some of you already the initial um interview, we want to make sure we have full councils for that. Um I think it will help with the um review and following process, um from the experience that he has with that process. And then in the, um posting for the job, we do propose to add a salary range and to change it a bit from what was previously put out there. What we would suggest, I think at the bottom was 175.

[1:44:51] Yes.

[1:44:52] To 215. Uh, we would get rid of the car allowance. I think the idea of whether it's a huge truck or drive a bike, that's kind of up to them and get rid of that car allowance and just go with the straight salary. Um, I think you might want to consider a little more flexibility on requiring residents in the town. And so I thought we might consider up to a two year allowing two years for someone to find residents. I can't remember. I think we spoke about that.

[1:45:22] Yeah. It was yeah.

[1:45:24] Um, I think a little more flexibility there might be helpful as well. Um, while still fulfilling the policy goal of having a resident manager, um, I think added a few credential type items. Those were about it.

[1:45:39] Yeah. And it wasn't really necessarily the salary range, but we called it the expected high range. So it's certainly 175 to 215. It's not representative of complete salary range, but it's our expectations for where we think somebody might be focusing on this job.

[1:46:03] Any other thoughts. That sounds good. I'm glad that you and Doctor Mitchell are teaming up.

[1:46:10] Anything you want to add?

[1:46:12] Um, I would just suggest that Hank and I get together maybe sometime in the next week or so and, you know, see what the layout plan is of, you know, advertising or marketing. And, uh, make sure, you know, everyone's kind of on the same page about the way that you want it done and the kind of conversations we'll have with you.

[1:46:36] Yes, yes.

[1:46:37] That's good.

[1:46:39] Excellent. Any other thoughts? That was easy. Um.

[1:46:44] New contract. I think we should just run it back again, if you're all right with that.

[1:46:50] So you still have money left?

[1:46:51] I know.

[1:46:52] Yeah.

[1:46:53] So yeah, I guess we could do it under the current contract. But if you were to go further. Okay. Um.

[1:46:59] I started out a couple documents just for my own records praising it. Phase two. So there's a, you know, a break off point. Um, but there's money left on that contract. So unless you all see, you need to end that one and start another, I'm fine with it the way it is.

[1:47:22] Thank you so much for everything. And, um, I know it's not for lack of trying, but yeah, I've compared it to dating.

[1:47:30] You know, positive feedback about your involvement.

[1:47:32] Yeah.

[1:47:33] I think you added like a real personal touch to it. That absolutely helped. Even if it ended up, you know, that we do have to run it back.

[1:47:42] I compared it to going on dates, the right ones out there for us. So I just want to say that, um.

[1:47:51] I'm happy that where we're at right now, and I personally could not think of a better person to be sitting in that role than I. I feel very fortunate that we got him right now. And, um, with just everything that I've learned from you already and just the experience you bring, I think it's, um, we're in good hands. I just appreciate all that you're doing right now. And so, um, we, we'll get there, but I'm grateful for you.

[1:48:24] I was telling Allison, I think I first met Hank. Uh, I moved to ash in late oh four, and it wasn't long after that. And, uh, when I was working for Dan McMillen over in Ashe County. So I've known him for at least 20 years, I think for about 20 years.

[1:48:42] I can't have too much fun.

[1:48:46] Um, I just wanted to commend everyone who's been part of this process because what this shows and Hank stepping on and Doctor Mitchell coming back is that we are dedicated in finding the right person. And it's okay that it took two tries. It's okay if it might take a third because Boone is worth it. Boone is worth us making sure we find the right fit, who sees our future in the hopes that we see our town. So, um, thank you for giving us this ability to continue to find the right person, so thank you.

[1:49:17] Yeah.

[1:49:19] All right, well, we'll close that item and move on. If that feels like sufficient direction. Just me.

[1:49:26] I'll give you a call and we'll get together.

[1:49:29] I'm really interested in this next one.

[1:49:32] Yeah.

[1:49:33] Um.

[1:49:34] This item I submitted, um, for really discussion and to see if there was appetite coming. Allison went into it. Um, two municipalities so far have adopted ordinances that um, further protect renters that have received a substandard citation relative to minimum wage payments. Um, it's been an interesting kind of first in North Carolina. It was the first Durham and now it's been Asheville. Um, it operates under this kind of and I'm not pretending to be a lawyer, but this idea under state law that if a place isn't habitable, you don't have to pay rent or you can withhold. And so there's been two ordinances adopted. Um, and I would love to see if there was appetite to have Allison look into it. Um, because it's an exciting, you know, in my view, a way to strengthen some protections for renters.

[1:50:23] I have to.

[1:50:24] Say that I work with.

[1:50:26] Tons of.

[1:50:26] Renters.

[1:50:27] Every day. I hear complaints about their living conditions. So anything to help bring this to light and make sure that the. owner of the establishment is having to take a hit for what they. Is that how we were looking at it or not.

[1:50:44] Know.

[1:50:45] It's already state law. Under the Residential Landlord Tenant Act that if a unit is not up to snuff. I can't remember how that's defined, which might be the key.

[1:50:58] Tenant of implied. Habitability. Yeah. They're not meaning.

[1:51:01] That they can't they can't just not pay rent, but they can. I think if they paid into court. But there's some provision where they yeah, the landlord shouldn't get paid if they're not providing habitable um premises. I would have said if you had asked me and there were not other municipalities already doing this, this area is preempted and that we could not do that. Yeah. So I'm wondering if maybe those ordinances kind of define habitability some way or kind of they don't try to preempt, but they try to add a little more legs to it, so I'll look and see. I would have told you, though, that this would be a preempted area if we did not replicate state.

[1:51:41] So my research into is that, you know, the state laws, you kind of know it says that, you know, residents should be habitable, but habitability has to kind of almost be argued in court in some ways. And so they use minimum housing standards, which are allowed under state law as a way to basically say that is habitability. And because you have that definition of habitability, if a planner goes into a property and says, this is not habitable as a, as a result of your landlord, then that is kind of just clear cut evidence for planning. You know, so it's, it's actually very fascinating in a legal way. I've always viewed minimum housing code as a municipality going further than state law and saying, this is what habitability means to us. And it being kind of versatile in a way where like, I need AC and in the Outer Banks or something in a way that you wouldn't here. And there's kind of a, there's some uniqueness in state law in that way. And so I would have thought it as most good ideas are. Um, but I would love to, to hear your perspective as you, as you research a little bit further. Um, and to your point, you know, to be a little bit diplomatic, um, so much is, you know, taking a hit or anything, but it's just trying to articulate, um, the fairness and state law. If somebody's paying for a unit and the unit is cited as being substandard, um, then it's not fair for them to pay it. And that's something that's backed by state law. Uh, and also if you're running into tenants that are always bad places to be reaching out to our planners, because that's something that's.

[1:53:09] Going on all the time.

[1:53:10] Yeah. Um, and so I would love maybe a consensus or direction. I have Allison look into this and bring it forward. But, um, it's something I'm personally excited about.

[1:53:20] It's, it's for me.

[1:53:21] Yeah. Please.

[1:53:22] I'm in agreement. It seems like minimum habitability standards would be pretty easy. Like you don't have hot water or there's no running water. So we already have it all adopted. It's very simple stuff. It's not. I always joke it's not. You have to have countertops. Yeah. It's it's very, um, I, I injected it's the least radical thing in the world, but some people maybe try to make it out to be more radical than it is. Um, it has to be heated, you know, it has to be able to be heated to a certain degree. And our planners have cited people before. Um, it's something that they do and typically they have to come into compliance, but.

[1:53:56] Our inspectors.

[1:53:57] Our inspectors. Yeah.

[1:53:58] Like.

[1:54:04] Inspection.

[1:54:04] I was doing so well. I.

[1:54:06] I've been told that that's other duties as assigned.

[1:54:09] So well, again, you guys have supported me. So, um, I appreciate it. Yeah. So it's my sense and consensus. Yeah. Okay. Excellent.

[1:54:23] Next we've got recommendation for the award of janitorial services. got some options here. Review that package.

[1:54:33] And discuss the.

[1:54:35] Price. The difference between the quotes is pretty.

[1:54:39] The top and the bottom.

[1:54:40] Yeah. Yeah.

[1:54:45] And the lowest ones actually. We have had experience with them too. Um, they came in the next closest price. Um.

[1:55:02] Um, but as far as um, the, uh.

[1:55:09] The quality or quantity of plan right now we have.

[1:55:16] Quality plan that we've had and

[1:55:21] we haven't had as many, um, uh, Plans in each of the buildings that we had had previously. So we went back out to contract. That's something we were looking at was a number of times as opposed to just quality

[1:55:40] considerations, because no matter how good it's done once a week for City Hall, by the time it's done again, it's not that good. So in consideration of some other factors, the last time we had a person, um, in that capacity. Uh, near the end we decided to go in with Kayla.

[1:56:16] Where we brought up issues that we felt like that would be a good experience for this. And if we keep the communication lines open if you have any problems.

[1:56:29] With that, like all other things being considered a good option.

[1:56:35] So correct me if I'm wrong. But looking at the initial discussion when we initially said we were going to hire on staff and it was, um, we were not happy with the job that that was, I remember correctly from budget session, this came up because the departments were not happy with what was happening. We said, oh, we're going to hire our own. Then we backtracked on that and we're back out to bid here. So the general consensus was they're not happy with where we're at right now.

[1:57:07] And yeah. And that that had to an extent, I believe, to do with the number of times that they were.

[1:57:15] Interested.

[1:57:19] In going out to bid, uh, and,

[1:57:31] Last Wednesday. The last time we had them before the end of our experience. But it seemed like they were working the issues that we had in the.

[1:57:45] Crisis.

[1:57:48] They are under new ownership, so they're a longtime local company, but they are under new ownership as of, um. So I just want to note that for the record, we have no issues with them at the level of service has been the same and been consistent. But I just want to say it is new ownership now. It's not wouldn't be the same as we were dealing with before. It's good. Alison.

[1:58:14] The key from my point of view is it is low enough to kind of raise my eyebrows. There's a 30 day termination For no reason. So if we're not happy with that.

[1:58:28] What is the, um.

[1:58:31] I don't remember what we had in our budget line this year. For what? There is more or less than the budget for the year.

[1:58:40] This is almost exactly what we budgeted. Um, now are you talking about or we were talking about bringing in town.

[1:58:49] No.

[1:58:49] Like what?

[1:58:50] What our budget line on our budget line item for this year for the January. Are we going to be higher or lower. Are we find some money to fix this one or are we going to have some extra money? But where is it compared to what we have on our budget right there?

[1:59:03] Um.

[1:59:09] I did just want to make a statement that, um, during our budget meeting, um, Council Member Pruitt did ask for a breakdown of all the different cleaning. I thought at each location because there were all these different terms and we couldn't quite figure out what was happening. So I do want to assure, and I think Councilmember was good to ask that question, because that was her question during the budget. And so since every little section had we had we had contract janitorial, it was very small budget. And if you add it together, we're going to be on track and on budget with what we have.

[1:59:51] Yes.

[1:59:52] This year. Okay. I just want to make sure you're on the same thing. Yeah.

[1:59:59] Go ahead.

[2:00:00] Just a question.

[2:00:01] Along those same lines. So we're putting out a contract which is effectively centralized, right. It's one contract with one organization to do all of our buildings. Well, no, my point being, just in terms of the organization of the cleaning and the way that I think my point here, when we looked at the annual budget and we saw claiming was just one example of things that are every department has a has that line item within the budget. And in the case where we're contracting with a single organization who handles the kind of overall organization of making sure like, yeah, the town manager generally, or each department calls up the cleaner and says, hey, specifically, but generally you have facilities sort of over everything town.

[2:00:53] So I would imagine somebody to fulfill that responsibility. And actually, what we've had in the past and what we anticipate going forward, I mean.

[2:01:07] Apparently speaking that position to coordinate any future requests that we may have from the departments. Um, chief. Above the age of 20 with health facilities and the plan.

[2:01:22] But we do we do have facilities manager, not something they've done right.

[2:01:28] We have facilities.

[2:01:30] Okay. Yeah. But I mean, if it's working through Caleb, it's working through Caleb. Right.

[2:01:38] Is it?

[2:01:40] We talk about finance. I mean, is, is finance thin by using them as a facilities manager where we could be using them as the finance department.

[2:01:51] And you know, I think right now we're okay on that. Um, it's something that we've been used to. So we're pursuing that responsibility over the years.

[2:02:02] Because I know that you had asked for another position this year. That's why I'm just wondering.

[2:02:08] And we had anticipated this responsibility. So, uh, if it's the latter, cancel that out. That's fine and it might be better. I think right now everything seems to work and you know.

[2:02:26] A lot of complaints. But otherwise it seems like it flows pretty smoothly. Just to let the occasional calls come through. Kayla.

[2:02:37] Kayla can.

[2:02:38] Act as the centralized.

[2:02:40] Location to receive.

[2:02:41] Those.

[2:02:41] Comments from the.

[2:02:42] Departments. That would be a good way.

[2:02:44] To start with.

[2:02:46] Overloading.

[2:02:49] I just want to make sure it makes sense. Usually it's the facility supervisor that handles this. I mean, does it make sense for us to get somebody usually within public works, there's a facilities person that.

[2:03:06] Takes a look at at facilities holistically. And it's good for those types of communications to be built that way. And that was kind of what I was trying to get at. Beyond the cleaning, and I'm happy to hear that we have a facilities manager as well, because I think one of the things that I'm aware of is that, yeah.

[2:03:28] I didn't either, and Todd reassure me that, you know, what I don't want is a fragmented sense of like Keith Duckworth trying to figure out how to fix his police building. And, you know, you're trying to figure out the public works building and nobody is kind of like, you know, organizing all of that, you know, and we can.

[2:03:46] Take that on in.

[2:03:47] Reality.

[2:03:48] When you get this crew in and they get started putting the buildings, unless there's complaints, there's very little to do. And that is the point I was making. And, you know, there'll be an occasional call. It's not going to be the day out.

[2:04:02] I mean, would it make more sense though? I mean, just in terms of and maybe I'm getting married to process here, but I would imagine if a water fountain breaks. Actually, I don't imagine I've seen him fixing a water fountain. It's our guys that go fix the water. Um, or if the heating system is not working, your guys get called. And so it does kind of make sense for anything in the facilities world, even a cleanliness matter, to just be what you call public works. If something's wrong with the building. Um, I know that everybody's used to calling Kayla, but just system separations.

[2:04:33] Yeah.

[2:04:34] Um, and I mean, I hate to give Jimmy another thing, and I wouldn't get involved in explaining it a bit, but I mean, intuitively. Right.

[2:04:42] That well.

[2:04:44] When we were looking at taking it in-house, it was going to get it.

[2:04:47] He was in the one manager. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I was like, yeah, go ahead. You're going to say it. I just, you know, we're looking to streamline things and make things make sense. Um, I, I would like to move to facility supervisor because, I mean, the person that's paying the bill might not I know all the ins and outs of the facilities that your team does. So. And I kind of like want it to make sense.

[2:05:17] Yeah. I mean, like Todd.

[2:05:19] Said, calls are not going to be there. And if they become overwhelming to anybody, we're looking at that 30 day out. Okay, cool.

[2:05:29] All right. Thank you.

[2:05:33] Guys staying up.

[2:05:38] Now we've got our monthly financial update. I'm going to sort of preempt guy here a little bit. Um town of Boone has not had monthly financials in their packets. This is a first time. Maybe not never. But it's been since recorded memory. And what God has put together here and I'll let him speak to it, represents what I feel like is normal and customary. And it'll be it will be refined and it will work to make this happen. for you. But I would expect it to be monthly and to be in your agenda package. And the guy would be here to represent himself in the financials if anybody had any questions for it. And then if you want to see more, are you seeing too much? Then let us know. We'll make corrections for that as we move forward. I'll let God go over what included.

[2:06:27] Well, one thing I want to say at this point in the year and as far as revenues, we're not seeing a lot there yet. But that's kind of typical. If you're looking at property taxes, especially, that's going to be following bell curve through the year for your peaks going to hit December. And that's, you know, follows with tax bills being viewed. Um, I believe the tax bill that just recently went out from the county and they actually handle our inflation. So that's one thing that you'll notice. Um, also sales tax and other state revenues at this point in the year. what we've received so far. Primarily has been for the last quarter of 2526. Year all has received back in the last year

[2:07:17] and year. So, um, as the year progresses, you'll see those revenues.

[2:07:27] At this point are also lower because we're not that deep into the year.

[2:07:32] But we're tracking where we should be tracking.

[2:07:36] It looks like.

[2:07:37] We're going to do is every month they'll do reconciliations of bank statements and compare those against the books and be able to give you updates on I mean, I just think this is, this is incredible. Um, and really appreciate the work to bring this forward. It made my life when I opened up my eyes all this. Well, I was so happy. Um, so far I'm a, I'm a fan of the layout of the budget column. Um, you know, is that you go down like down the road, it might be a little some little tweaks, but really, um, really appreciate this a lot.

[2:08:18] Thank you, thank you.

[2:08:21] Um, thank you all. I need a vote on the cleaning contract. I realized there was consensus.

[2:08:28] Uh, but please.

[2:08:29] Okay.

[2:08:30] I'd like to make a motion that we would accept our contract with Appalachian Innkeepers and Janitorial Supplies, Inc. for, um, starting October 5th, 2026 through June 30th, 2029 with a 30 day grace period second.

[2:08:48] All in favor? Aye. Thank you for that, Nicole. Um, Nicole texted me. I wish I could say I caught that. Um, and now we've got consideration of agreement with the North Carolina League and everybody's ticket. We can ask any questions of Guy or Hank or let's do our job.

[2:09:10] Did anybody see any concerns? Did you see anything that you would like to address?

[2:09:15] No. I mean, they're just offering us a bit of additional money. I think we can all be grateful for that.

[2:09:19] What has the league.

[2:09:20] Is putting an.

[2:09:21] Additional 1335. They'll bring their contribution.

[2:09:25] Up to.

[2:09:26] 97,500. Wow. We do have an addendum for the town. Originally the additional work was going to be about 50. So we're going to go through the league's 375 before we touch any of the town's funds. And that should carry us through the the current scope of services that the League originally dedicated to sport.

[2:09:45] Fantastic. Do I have a motion?

[2:09:49] Motion to.

[2:09:51] Accept.

[2:09:51] The consideration of the agreement will be modified. And second.

[2:09:57] Discussion. All in favor? Aye. Aye.

[2:10:01] Aye. Awesome.

[2:10:04] Next, we've got the consideration of amendments to Town code 5291. Regarding extension of water or sewer service to state owned properties.

[2:10:13] Yeah, and I apologize either the red line didn't make it through the posting process, or I failed to provide a red line version, so I'm sorry about that. The addition is the number three under um on exhibit A. This is the the amendment to section 50.291 for extensions outside of the corporate limits that would allow council to um, permit certain extensions without the property being annexed. And as we discussed, the proposal is to add a third exception to the two that were already there. So that's number three under B.

[2:10:57] Um, and it stated that the exception would be for development that constitutes the construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair movement to another site, demolition or use of any building or property by the state of North Carolina or by the University of North Carolina or any of its constituent institutions so as to be exempted from town zoning and land use regulation under state law. So I sort of just bootstrapped and said, look, if planning thinks that this development is going to come within the statutory exemption, then it can be an exception. And we can allow a water or sewer connection or extension. I do note I kind of thought about this after I drafted it and posted it. Um, this does mean that still every request comes to you for consideration. Good and bad. I mean, presumably there won't be too many and so it's not a problem. If there are, it seems like a little bit of a waste of your time, and that it could be rewritten so that staff could allow the connection unless they had a concern, and then it could still go to you. But, you know, maybe councils will is to try it like this for now. And and Jane, how often do you think this is going to come up. It's hard to say and hard to say. Yeah.

[2:12:19] Not frequently.

[2:12:20] I mean, I would like for the town to still retain some control. I mean, especially in light of the state continually trying to erode it.

[2:12:29] Right. So you're in favor of those things coming before us? Absolutely. Yeah. I am as well.

[2:12:34] Yeah.

[2:12:36] Um.

[2:12:37] So within this verbiage that does happen. Correct.

[2:12:40] It has it still has to come to you. It's still within your discretion. You can still discuss conditions to the extent such could be.

[2:12:48] But I would probably I mean, yeah, if we said no.

[2:12:50] Limited what a state agency can even do. we have that problem before?

[2:12:56] Well, yeah. I mean, if it comes before us, that at least keeps us in the driver's seat a bit.

[2:13:01] Okay. Well, then the other than it's basically what you see before you. And there needed to be an or added at the end of the second number two exemption, but that's it. Otherwise it's as drafted.

[2:13:14] Any motion to adopt. Um, with those tweaks Allison mentioned.

[2:13:21] That tweak.

[2:13:22] Motion to adopt the Town of Newton action item as presented with the changes. The change that was presented. 57. 50.297292911.

[2:13:40] Do I have a second. We're complicating a little bit there.

[2:13:43] Um I think Nicole will clean it up.

[2:13:45] Nicole clean that up. See, now we're trying to get complicated. I thought we'd go more simple after that debacle with redevelopment. Yeah, We're trying to get a little stylish. Still a little bit of pride on this board. I'm impressed. Um. Thank you. Uh, all in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay, now we have, um, an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission. We have, um, one vacancy and one applicant who is with us tonight. Um, I don't know. Would you like to speak? I always feel bad when I ask you this. If you didn't prepare. It's fine. If not. I mean.

[2:14:20] I don't really have anything to say. Uh, outside of the, you know, stuff that I put in my application and my general credentials and history. But, uh, I could say something if there's anything specific you'd like me to address, but. Awesome.

[2:14:37] I was glad to see you reapply. Um, I'll entertain a nomination.

[2:14:43] Um, I'd like to nominate Adelia. Daily, daily. Daily, daily. Sorry. Uh, to the Historical Preservation Commission. Um, one thing I do want to state is as also sitting on the Watauga.

[2:14:59] County Historical Society, such as doctor before Adelia has tutored under Doctor Flagg and I feel has been truly advised on how to wear hats at the right time and how to handle ourselves professionally, and I'm very thrilled that we can have someone of the caliber on the Commission.

[2:15:22] Well said. We have a nomination. Um, I'll call a vote. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Um, now, I would entertain a motion to close.

[2:15:34] That we need one. Uh, I don't have minutes, but.

[2:15:39] Disappointed?

[2:15:40] No. No.

[2:15:41] You want to say the next one?

[2:15:44] Um, I'm going to go ahead and adjourn us then.

Boone Town Council Meeting - Sept. 23_ 2026

Transcript