1 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES Members Present: Mayor Pro-Tem Janet Banks, Aldermen: Phillip Wight, Mike Eveland, and Clayton Davis Members Absent: Mayor Saralyn Price Staff Present: Manager Nathan Clark, Town Attorney Craig Justus, Town Planner Andrew Bowen, Public Works Director Mike Mehaffey, Chief Scott Sutton, and Finance Director Shayne Wheeler. Others Present: 50-plus people

1) Meeting Called to Order Mayor Pro-Tem Banks called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. on Monday April 11, 2016 in the Town Hall Boardroom.

2) Consent Agenda a. Minutes to be Approved: March 1, March 3, March 8 2016 b. A/R Report c. Tax Release d. Budget to Actual ALDERMAN EVELAND MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

3) Appearance of Phillip Wright, CEO Duke-Life Point Hospital-Haywood County Mr. Wright addressed how the hospital pays taxes and does not pay dividends to shareholders. Mr. Wright went on to discuss capital improvements that are now in the works and how Duke Life Point Hospital is eagerly recruiting doctors. Haywood County benefits from the hospital and also adds to the trickledown effect with an annual payroll of $30-million. Duke-Life Point Hospital in Haywood County continues to improve their services to Haywood County.

4) Public Comment Ms. Barbara Tyson read the following letter. April 11, 2016

I am Barbara Tyson. I along with Sara Bryant own Aunt Bee's Blessing Shop located in Market Square at 3505 - 3515 Saco Road. We own the property as well as the business. I asked for this time slot to make the Town Board and Mayor aware that this project will negatively affect our business.

I first became aware of this Master Plan at the Public meeting February 22, 2016. I learned of that meeting through the newspaper. Andrew Bowen said he personally brought me a notice of the first public meeting in 2014 and that I did not attend. I do not recall that but if he says he did I accept that. I had no other contact from the town or from the Downtown Master Plan Project Oversight Group by personal contact, letter or other notice prior to our attendance at said meeting.

Since the February meeting I have reviewed the minutes. April 17, 2014 there was mention of some kind of a plan. Two of the aldermen had attended a conference talking of "pockets of interest" suggesting a lot could be done at very little cost to improve the valley. Our former mayor, Mayor DeSimone had attended the conference at another time and agreed that the "pockets of interest" 2 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES sounded good. November 5, 2014 aldermen agreed to have J.M. Teague firm as the consultant for a plan to improve Maggie. A contract was approved with that firm on December 3, 2014. December 8, 2014 it was noted the need of an oversight group. January 15, 2015 J.M. Teague consultants were introduced to the Downtown Master Plan Oversight Group. According to the minutes of the Oversight Group on February 26, 2015 it was determined that the demographics of Maggie is 55 years of age and older, not including the seasonal residents. It was suggested the group needed to determine whether to accommodate or counter the demographics. In the same minutes the following concerns were noted: lack of businesses open in winter, need to slow traffic, need of bike lanes and street parking, (on a state highway?), closed buildings, visual clutter and lack of activities. It was also suggested that the Oversight Group be in contact with residents, church committees and business owners. I could not find any further minutes of the Oversight group and was advised by town hall that minutes were not taken at other Oversight meetings and was told that no minutes were taken at the public meeting on February 22, 2016. And minutes for March 14, 2016 had not been posted on the web site as of 7 AM today.

Here are a few concerns:

1. Loss of parking for customers, employees (30), and residents, since some properties have apartments. Many of Market Square's customers, both local and tourist, are older people as noted in the demographics. They may not have a handicapped permit but are still unable to walk far. We are told we have parking in Market Square for 80 cars. The parking lot also accommodates larger vans and RV's. This plan we are told allows for 90 cars. If you look at the plan that would be approximately 20 spots on highway facing porches, 2 lanes of traffic going East, 20 spots on highway facing "island", 20 spots on other side of "island" , 2 lanes of traffic going West, and 20 spots on other side of traffic. No one young or old will want to navigate 4 lanes of traffic to visit a shop. It's too inconvenient and unsafe for persons with young kids.

2. Snow removal (cars covered up when the highway snow plows go by). Resident's cars unable to get out - customers no place to pull in. One of the concerns both in the minutes and expressed in conversations is lack of businesses open in the winter. A snow-cleared parking area is a necessity. This past winter there were 5 businesses open in Market Square at least 5 days a week. Some were open 6 days and some 7 days. They are Aunt Bee's Blessing Shop, Maggie's Best, Apple Andy’s Restaurant, The Coffee Shop, and Skis and Tees. As for any concern you have about empty shops there is a new business opening in Market Square In May this year. There is only one other empty shop. I understand there has been interest by possible buyers in these past months.

3. Receiving shipments - UPS, FedEx, transfer trucks, food delivery trucks unloading on highway will obstruct traffic on a state highway for several minutes up to a quarter of an hour or more. Market Square does not own property in back to receive shipments. Deliveries cannot be scheduled as has been suggested.

4. Eventual loss of traffic through Maggie to and from Cherokee. 20 mph will cause people going to the proposed water park etc. planned in Cherokee to avoid Maggie. Aunt Bee’s has billboards at 3 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES both ends of Maggie. Our billboard from Cherokee is very effective. Maggie fought for Cherokee traffic to be directed through Maggie rather than through Sylva. We might lose that. Aunt Bee’s is fortunate to have regular customers here in Maggie as well as from other parts of Haywood and Jackson Counties. That is good but along with most businesses in Maggie we cannot survive without the tourist market. This plan may result in some closed buildings.

5. Response time for fire, EMS, and police. There are several elderly residents in the area. What about 911 calls for first responders, police and EMS on Highway 19?

6. In 1991 we established our store in Maggie. We chose to add onto Market Square because of adequate parking. If you think we are against this plan because we are old and cannot accept change, or we are suggesting that Maggie does not need growth or need to be cleaned up and beautified or that we do not need activities for families you might ask other businesses with good parking if they would be willing to give up the parking they have for this plan or a similar plan.

In taking a portion of property by eminent domain please keep in mind how the project will affect each remaining property. That would need to be addressed in "just compensation”. I also want to know if this plan includes any additional right of way.

We are told this plan is not "in stone". I have been told there are changes you can make to this plan. I understand you may be able to "tweak" it but not move it. If this is not in "stone" or even wet cement there should be an acceptable plan in place before any funds are asked for. My hope is that you table your vote. I understood you want to apply for a grant in May. What's your hurry? Come up with an alternate plan. There are several areas in Maggie with property That has been for sale for several years. Go back and rethink the "pockets of interest". Surely you can come up with a plan to improve for less than 7 million dollars.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Tina Knoedler, resident of 373 Campbell Creek Road, addressed Council opposing the Downtown Master Plan stating that this is not really a downtown center. Some suggestions were advertising in Cherokee; the pamphlets she has seen in Cherokee do not mention Maggie Valley. Maggie Valley needs businesses and business incentives. The Town should also do more to upgrade the festivals and events coming to Maggie Valley. “The Town should not apply for the grants. Parking does not bring people to Town.”

Gabi Edwards, owner of A Holiday Motel, read the following: My name is Gabi Edwards, owner of A Holiday Motel, 3289 Soco Rd

I am happy that Maggie Valley is taking steps to beautify our town, however, the plan as presented is not exactly what we need. Perhaps a version of it, but not the "Cadillac, plan presented on March 1.

The amount of parking spaces alongside the highway is unnecessary. If you were to provide to the 4 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES people a smaller version of a similar concept, then perhaps there could be a vote as to the scale of project, if any that would be acceptable. We like the idea of creating a shift in traffic to break up the 55 mph traffic in our 35 mph town, but to create huge parking lot in the center of town is not the look in my opinion.

By a show of hands, how many of you have contacted me or my husband about our opinion or concerns? We are the individual property owner with the longest highway frontage that will have to give up real estate to achieve your proposed goal. I appreciate that Andrew Bowen took time to answer a few of our questions, although, I am requesting that you do not pass this project until there has been a general agreement from the property owners as to the size of the project, and how our concerns are going to be addressed. I do not support the idea that has been told to me that we first have to pass this as a community, then we will work on the details. Inevitably, the future will come when it is time to hear the affected property owners concerns, and sadly, I fear they will fall on deaf ears. I can only use the example of how little you value my opinion as a real estate owner whose land is going to be taken to build this project. I mean, if you really wanted to try to get support for this, would you not have tried to contact me individually.

I ASK THAT YOU DO NOT PASS THIS PLAN AS PRESENTED.

IN CASE OF CHAMBER LETTER PRESENTATION...

Concerning the Chamber support, well I'm a Chamber member and neither I nor several other members that I've spoken with have been contacted about our opinions. It is then my assumption that the Chamber Board is the one who is supporting this plan, but its members haven't been asked.

Wayne Burgess, resident of Evans Cove Road, opposed the plan stating that it will be a problem for Evans Cove Road residents getting in and out onto Soco Road. Lewis Lane will also have problems. Mr. Burgess also does snow removal for Market Square. This plan will cause problems with the snow removal because now there will be parking right there. Mr. Burgess felt that Maggie Valley would lose business rather than gain business by creating a traffic jam in the middle of Town. Reverse parking will be a nightmare.

Sandy Blitch, owner of Skis and Tees Coffee Shop, and Scrapping in the Mountains, does business during the winter because of the skiing. Ms. Blitch questioned what would happen to the Moonlight Race. Ms. Blitch does not believe the Town needs a bicycle lane because cyclists do not buy items from gift shops nor eat in restaurants. “Why would we want cyclists in the valley?” With all of her investments and future out on the line, Ms. Blitch stated that she was not willing to be the crap-shoot the Town is going to take to see if this works.

5 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES David Angel, owner of Elevated Mountain Distillery, thanked the Aldermen and staff for getting Maggie Valley a plan to this point. The report states that 20,000 cars enter Maggie Valley at the Jonathan Creek end of Town, but less than 10,000 pass by Town Hall. There needs to be a way to get people further into the valley, as well as have a diverse customer base. Mr. Angel liked the idea of having bike lanes. Most campers have bikes attached to the back. Get those people in the campgrounds out and into the shops and restaurants. “We need to get visitors here and keep them here.”

This plan/parking is similar to Biltmore Park in Asheville and people are attracted to that area.

Referring to number of cars entering the valley at the east end, as opposed to the number of cars leaving the valley at the west end is substantially lower, Alderman Wight questioned what happens when you “over build” and is it going to restrict our flow of traffic?

Jimmie Moody, owner of Ella’s Salon, stated that listening to Mr. Angel make reference to Pack Square in Asheville is stupid because there are all kinds of back streets while in Maggie Valley there is one way in and one way out. The plan will negatively impact the festival grounds and events and the motorcycles and other travelers will become frustrated and not return. Dropping the speed limit to 20-MPH will make the visitors feel it is a speed trap. We don’t advertise ourselves correctly. Our Chamber does not put us out there like we should be advertised. We need to advertise we are so many miles or hours from other activities to do and that we have our own hiking. “Congesting an already congested area is not the answer.”

Mr. Richardson, resident of 206 Nelson Drive, opposed the plan because of concerns with school buses maneuvering through the Downtown Center. Mr. Richardson felt Maggie Valley should do something for the children like a waterpark. Installing a red light at Parham Park would adequately slow traffic.

5) Consideration of Approval: Maggie Valley Town Center Master Plan Manager Clark provided each Council Member a copy of a petition opposing the Downtown Master Plan.

Also provided to Council was a list of questions from Alderman Wight that included Manager Clark’s responses. • Are we allowed to use grant money to pay for the engineering design of such a project?

Yes. That is why adopting the Town of Maggie Valley Town Center Master Plan is important because it serves as an official Town Planning Document that other decisions can be based upon. Not having an adopted plan, not having an agreed upon direction, does not allow the Town to seek critical grants dollars for such expenses like engineering and design. In fact, with the Board approval of the Town Center Master Plan at tonight's meeting the Board could direct staff to pursue STP-DA Funding (grant funding for engineering, design and acquisition) from the French Board River MPO's June 1 2016 deadline.

• How much more money is projected to be levied on the taxpayers of Maggie Valley just to get to the break ground point?

This is a difficult question to answer--I'll do my best to provide an accurate and concise answer. 6 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES

• To total cost of the Town Center Master Plan was $25,000. The Town of Maggie Valley was responsible for $20,000; while Haywood County TDA 28751 1% contributed $5,000.

The total cost of the plan is $8,725,000. That includes $1,410,000 to build the proposed ice skating rink.

The total cost of the plan excluding the ice skating rink is $7,315,000.

The Town cannot receive STP-DA Funding or USDA Funding for an ice skating rink.

However it can for the rest of the project. It is realistic to assume that the Town could receive 7.315M to complete the project. 5.852M in STP-DA funding from the MPO leaving the Town to pay the 1.463M. Smaller grants could be used to offset these expenses like ARC but the lion's share would need to be paid for by the town. USDA offers a 40 year low interest "community development loan" that can be used to make this project more affordable. Using this scenario the Town's annual debt payment for this project could be $37,718.00 obviously if the Town chose to pursue the ice skating rink this number would increase significantly

The above numbers are conceptual numbers used by our consultants. We will have a better idea (more accurate) on true cost once the engineering and design work is authorized and completed. STP- DA funds can be used for engineering, design and acquisition. So if the engineering cost is $150,000 the Town's contribution would be $30,000.

• Why can we not satisfy the majority of the affected properties before we move further? Ex. A Holiday Motel? Holiday Motel needs to be exempt from this plan.

The plan is a concept. It is hard to satisfy all property affected property owners during the conceptual process. In contrast, it is much easier to maximize property owner participation during engineering and design phase because "Details matter" not only to the project but to the individuals that are affected by them. Depending on design the location of the plan could be altered a few hundred feet plus or minus depending on variables.

• What is the maximum amount of traffic this traffic pattern can hold before it becomes a problem?

That would be only revealed during a traffic demand model. NCDOT would require this model before allowing modifications to the road.

• If we complete and acquire the people's property. How much revenue is lost in the tax base once we take ownership of the property?

For every million dollars lost in taxable private property the Town would lose just $3,900. The consultants R/W acquisition tabulation based upon DOT methodology would be around $500,000 (tax value) which would result $1,950 in lost revenue. That number includes land acquisition for skating 7 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES rink.

• What additional maintenance is this going to cost us to maintain this plan in the winter? And what additional equipment would be required for snow removal?

Marginal maintenance costs. We may need additional equipment like a bobcat; would know more after engineering design is complete.

• What solution has our planning director found for deliveries to affected businesses? Are we going to assume that delivery trucks are going to stay in the road for as long as needed, potentially blocking thru traffic?

There are many alternatives that can be explored---conceptual plans are not the best venue to show these option but engineering plans are. One possible solution on the Cabbage Rose side is by simply moving Wade Reese Way to the other side of the waterfall providing a new shared entry for all the entities. On the Market Square side acquiring the "storage building" would provide ample delivery space as well as off street parking options. These are just two of many spit ball solutions.

• What is the projected tax increase on ALL the taxpayers of the Town of Maggie Valley to implement and maintain a plan that affects a quarter mile stretch of an approximate 5 mile town?

That would be a decision that ultimately is made by the board. Here is a hypothetical /conceptual funding scenario:

If the total cost of the project excluding the ice skating rink is 7.315M; If the Town receives 5.852 in STP-DA Funding from MPO our share would be 1.463M. The in the Town receives a USDA 40 year USDA loan our annual payment (including interest) is $37,718.

$0.01 on our tax rate = $38,088. So only a $0.01 tax increase would be needed to cover the cost of the project (excluding ice skating rink)

The Town may also want to consider creating a Business Improvement District (BID) / Municipal Service District (MSD) as detailed on p37 in the plan as another way to target investment v/s funding sources.

Manager Clark read a letter he had written to Council on April 4, 2016. The Maggie Valley Town Center Master Plan has been presented to the Board of Alderman in its final draft format and awaits your consideration and subsequent adoption. Before, the Board formally debates the Plan's merits and shortcomings at the April 11, 2016 meeting, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with some of my own personal thoughts on the plan in hopes that it will add yet another perspective that will assist you in your own personal decision making process.

The plan is a result of a fourteen-month planning process that used two critical feedback 8 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES loops along the way to make sure the Master Plan reflected the community's desire. The first of these feedback loops was the Project Oversight Group (POG) a diverse collection of residents, business owners and stakeholders who selflessly gave their time and talents to help move this process from its infancy to its final deliverable product. The second feedback loop that made this planning effort so valuable was the amount of public participation that was enjoyed throughout the process. The public had the opportunity to participate in two design workshop meetings and two presentation (Q&A) style meetings. Each one of these meetings had an excess of 50 participants, which again demonstrates the public's commitment to have their voices heard to make this the best possible plan for the Town's future. The final plan's last edits reflect questions and comments brought up at the last public meeting held on March 14, 2016.

I would characterize the plan's fully implemented vision found on page 10 to be genuinely transformative. If implemented correctly, it delivers a revolutionary not evolutionary change to the heart of Maggie Valley's historic commercial corridor by creating not only a "Town Center" but creating a memorable sense of place that will allow our first time visitors to know that they have truly arrived in Maggie Valley. Some may suggest that this plan feels too urban or that the plan is cookie cutter and trying to make Maggie Valley like somewhere else. I can assure you, with the sincerest certainty that this is not the case. I would consider this an effort to make our beloved Valley not better but more uniquely different. This plan was developed to address a need that has been explicitly stated in every single land use and economic development-planning document that the Town has produced since 1970. The difference is, this plan calls upon government action to create the Town Center, not private developers. The Town has not changed in more than a generation, resulting in economic and development stagnation. This plan outlines how to "pave" a new way forward by utilizing today's best management practices as they pertain to downtown development and multimodal transportation. The plan is not perfect. It has its shortcomings and pitfalls, as do all plans. What I consider to be a shortcoming of the plan you may actually believe it is one of its strengths-that is what makes this plan so interesting, it is fully interactive. It provides a tangible platform for the Board of Aldermen to use when making decisions of strategic importance regarding financial budgeting and land use development regulations. One of the biggest shortcomings of the plan as expressed by some public stakeholders is the amount of on street parking versus the amount available off-street parking. The plan only provides a high level, single lens view of what "can be", not what "will be." If the Board adopts the plan, which I hope that you will, the next chapter is a detailed engineering study of the proposed Town Center. It is in this study where the details of what this plan will look like, how will it impact specific property owners and how we will build it will become crystalized. This phase will have a greater level of personal stakeholder interaction than the Master Plan document did, due to the highly personalized outcomes generated by this phase. There is a common misconception that exists within the public sphere because we have a concept plan, that the final constructed project will look identical to the concept, which is leading to some unrest, particularly those within the l;4 mile improvement zone. Again it is important to remember this document serves a conceptual plan that allows more strategic planning and development to be based upon.

9 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES In conclusion, Scott McLeod's editorial in the March 16th edition of Smoky Mountain News articulates my viewpoint perfectly when he stated, "When small towns think and act big, amazing things can happen. Anyone who has traveled has come across communities that have taken risks and been rewarded for it, vibrant small towns that are just fun to visit. I think the town center plan currently being studied in Maggie Valley fits that description."

Adopting this plan on April 11 does one thing, it places the Town firmly on the road less traveled-a road that is long, filled with sharp curves and lots of pot holes, but when we arrive at our final destination; the journey will have been worth it. This decision and subsequent decisions will create a truer, better sense of place.

My recommendation is for the Board of Alderman adopt the Town of Maggie Valley Town Center Master Plan on April 11, 2016.

A Resolution of Support from the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce was also included in the agenda packet. Alderman Wight discredited the resolution due to the Chamber members not being asked their position on the matter. The Chamber Board does not email their members the agendas, nor do they ever pole their members.

Mayor Pro-Tem Banks asked for a motion and then the Board may have discussion. There were no motions made from Council.

Attorney Justus explained that Council may discuss the issue without a motion being on the floor.

Alderman Eveland concurred, he too would like to have discussion before taking any action. Alderman Davis would like to wait until a full board is present before taking action.

Alderman Wight has reached out to people and found that a majority of the people do not want the plan. Approximately 80% of the people are against the plan and fear that the plan will put them out of business. “If the plan is used to seek grant funding, then it would appear that the Town would be sealed into the plan as currently drafted. This Board cannot guarantee the owners of A Holiday Motel that the Town will not take their pool; or guarantee the Evans Cove folks that they will have safe passage to their homes. A majority of the names on the petition are Maggie Valley people and that has a big impact.” Alderman Wight was unsure if the plan would not hurt Maggie Valley in the future.

Mayor Pro-Tem Banks agreed that Council may wait until a full board is present, but as a resident this is the third plan the Town has done to look to Maggie Valley’s future. The past plans were never truly implemented. If that is the case, what should be done for Maggie Valley right now? What do you do to slow traffic, get people to stop and shop, and stay in Maggie Valley? What do we do to make Maggie Valley more attractive, to fill the empty buildings, and to bring new business opportunities? Nothing has changed in the ten years Mayor Pro-Tem Banks has lived in Maggie Valley. Mayor Pro-Tem Banks agreed there are areas of the plan that are not suitable, but there are parts of the plan that are advantages. Maggie Valley is continually losing ground year after year. This is a vision for the future. What do we do to survive?

10 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES Alderman Wight stated that he had tried to remain open-minded about the Downtown Master Plan, but was unaware that acquisition of land would be involved. “The Board of Aldermen cannot tell these people any different until we go after grant funding. Business incentives should be implemented. Also the reverse parking could be an issue.” Alderman Wight added that there has not been anyone talk to him that was for project. Alderman Wight has his list of pros and cons and there are more cons than pros to the project. Everyone here believes in Maggie Valley.

Mayor Pro-Tem Banks responded if that a lot of the issues will be worked out when the plan is submitted to the engineers.

Alderman Wight felt a lot of that should have been worked out prior to bringing the plan to a vote. “We are at a place where Government knows best, and the Government does not always know the best.” Alderman Wight added that he is not going to ram something down someone’s throat.

Alderman Eveland addressed Gabi Edwards apologizing for not stopping by to speak with the Edwards family. Part of the plan seen here tonight can be done and is conceptual. Alderman Eveland agreed that not all of the plan will work. The reverse parking is something the engineers will review. As for taking part of A Holiday Motel’s pool. That would have to be addressed. The Town would tell the Edwards what they would do, if part of the pool was included in the final plan. One concerns for Alderman Eveland, even before being elected, is the Town is doing nothing to change the town or help people out. This Board is trying to help Maggie Valley. Again, the Town has done three different plans over the years with none of them coming to fruition.

This plan has been in the works for over a year and a half and no one paid attention until the process got started. There was a lot of opportunity for folks to get involved. Alderman Eveland confirmed that there were articles in the Newspaper, numerous notices sent out and discussions sent out on the Sunshine List. Alderman Eveland stated that he would like for Mayor Price to be part of the process. A conceptual plan is laid out on the table; you can’t really tell anything about the plan until it goes to engineers, then questions can be answered such as how much land to take or how wide is the center lane? Those answers will come then. There is no way that a semi-truck would have to get in the center lane to make a turn. “That is just not going to happen.” The Aldermen know that there are houses back there that have to have egress. This is just a starting point. Alderman Eveland is not in favor of the Town spending money on a skating rink. “We are still in the process. If the Town waits until after June 1 to apply for funding, then it will be two years before the Town can apply again. You are looking at 3 to 5 years, at best, before the shovel hits the ground. Council and staff are dealing with lawyers, engineers, and NCDOT and the plan could be changed drastically. A lot of people were involved in the meetings and they were very positive about what was coming to the Board of Aldermen for consideration.

Manager Clark stated that Council has three choices: 1) vote tonight on the plan, 2) call a Special Called Meeting in April or 3) wait until May’s Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting.

Mayor Pro-Tem Banks stated that a meeting will be called before the end of April with a full board present.

Alderman Davis agreed with Alderman Eveland, he too was on the original committee and confirmed that this is a preliminary plan. Conceptual plan was mentioned in minutes several times. Mayor Price 11 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES put a considerable amount of time into the plan and should be part of the decision making process. If it were totally up to Alderman Davis the Downtown Center would remain within the five-lane highway.

Alderman Wight was inclined to make a motion to deny the master plan as presented until there is consistency among the business community. Alderman Wight felt that a majority of the people do not like the plan.

Manager Clark reiterated that the Downtown Master Plan is a conceptual plan on how the Town will move forward. At any time the town can stop the process if the plan is not working. Manager Clark clearly understood the concerns of the residents and business owners. The plan is in such a conceptual state that it is difficult to answer some of the questions. Those questions and concerns would be addressed after engineering. The conceptual plan does not address Lewis Lane nor Evans Cove Road. By visually looking at the plan it appears to just dead end. All of this would be addressed in the engineering and design. The Town cannot move to engineering until the plan is concise and Council can agree.

ALDERMAN WIGHT MADE A MOTION TO DENY THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN. THE MOTION DIED FROM A LACK OF A MAJORITY. Alderman Wight wanted the plan revised, and have a consensus among the Board Members and give the residents and business owners a plan they can get behind.

Alderman Eveland understands getting deliveries and clearly understands how delivery of goods are done.

Mayor Pro-Tem Banks asked that Council have a special called meeting to discuss the comments made here tonight. The special called meeting will be advertised as customary.

6) Consideration of Donation: Maggie Valley Community Garden Andre’ Haas, representative of the Maggie Valley Community Gardens, submitted a letter requesting a $300 donation to replace honeybees that were lost during the winter. The Community Gardens have continually grown since its inception in 2014. The gardens went from being a raised vegetable garden to a potato patch, fruit orchard, and beehives. The group is planting potatoes this week. Not only are the churches receiving the goods, now the Meals on Wheels program will be accepting the vegetables also.

The volunteers of the Garden Club have a couple of fundraisers each year. A silent auction will be held shortly. The group is also seeking grant funding.

The request meets the donation line-item.

ALDERMAN EVELAND MADE A MOTION TO DONATE $300 TO THE COMMUNITY GARDENS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF HONEYBEES. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

7) Appearance of Daniel Watsler: President of Hemlock Villa HOA Mr. Watsler asked that Council help the Hemlock HOA fix their road. Manager Clark drafted a plan for the Town’s participation in the process. The Hemlock HOA (7 out of 13 property owners) is in favor of the special assessment program.

12 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES One of Mr. Watsler’s concerns, as a previous volunteer fire fighter, is that the Fire Department will be unable to or have difficulties in getting their apparatuses into the community to put out fires.

Manager Clark informed Council that the project is anticipated to cost $54,000 which excludes legal and engineering fees. The Town would absorb the entirety of the construction cost at first while affected property owners would pay the Town back, through special assessment fees of $37,800 (70%) over a set period of time.

Council formally agreed to pursue the special assessment package option C2.

8) Consideration of Budget Amendment: Ordinance 822/823, Electric Incentive The budget amendments reconciles funds used for the LED Energy Savings Project that the Board authorized at the October 2015 Board of Aldermen Meeting. Ordinance 822 Festival Fund- Electric Incentive Increase Description Previous (Decrease) Amended

Revenues Miscellaneous Revenue $ 0 $937 $937 06-00-3839

Appropriations M&R Building $5,000 $937 $ 5,937 06-61-4351 ALDERMAN EVELAND MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT 822. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Ordinance 823 General Fund- Electric Incentive Increase Description Previous (Decrease) Amended

Revenues Miscellaneous Revenue $ 0 $4,644 $4,644 05-00-3839

Appropriations M&R Building $6,500 $4,644 $ 11,144 05-42-4351 ALDERMAN EVELAND MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT 823. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

9) Consideration of Technology Improvements: Town Hall Board Room Renovation The Town of Maggie Valley recently approved a $135,000 Town Hall Renovation contract with Owle Construction that will improve not only the aesthetic appearance of the Boardroom, but also the energy efficiency and structural integrity of the Boardroom.

A quote has been submitted from Advance Data for $14,136. The technology package consist of a monitor for each Council member and a new digital screen for public viewing. 13 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES

ALDERMAN EVELAND MADE A MOTION FOR THE $14,136 TO BE ADDED TO THE COST OF THE TOWN HALL RENOVATION PROJECT. ALDERMAN WIGHT OPPOSED STATING THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE OTHER QUOTES FROM OTHER COMPANIES. MOTION CARRIED BY MAJORITY.

10) Town Reports a. Andrew Bowen, Town Planner Last month the Planning Board looked at Chapter Three of the Ordinance revisions. Two home permits were issued and three finals on homes were given. “Weed Season” is starting and the Planning Office will begin work on keeping up with overgrown grass. Planner Bowen did an illegal sign sweep.

Planner Bowen will be conducting two events in the near future; on April 22 the Town’s first Earth Day will be celebrated by planting bushes along the Mountain View Drive Greenway Project along Jonathan Creek. Eventually the bushes will be labeled. On May 21 the Town will hold the second annual Jonathan Creek Community Clean-up. Last year 650 pounds of trash was collected from the creek. b. Mike Mehaffey, Public Works Director March was a busy month in brush pick-up weighing over 22 tons. The Winter Woods decoration were removed and spring banners installed. The restrooms at the Festival grounds have been redone and the electric project at the Festival Grounds has started. Public Works continues to service vehicles. 22,000 feet of sewer lines were inspected.

In the first full month of responding to 811 Locate for the utilities; thirty tickets were submitted to the Town. c. Scott Sutton, Police Chief Two Officers completed Field Training and Detective Regner completed a Narcotics School. All full-time officers completed their in-service training. The new Speed Boards are currently located on Summit Drive. d. Nathan Clark, Town Manager The Council of Government meeting will be held in Clyde at 5:30 p.m. on April 25. Due to construction in the Boardroom, the May 9 Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting will be held in the Flossie White Room. The Budget Presentation will take place on May 10 at 9 a.m. Town Hall Day in Raleigh will be held June 8. Manager Clark will include the information in the May Agenda Packets. Council will discuss what needs to be discussed with the representatives. Delinquent taxes will be advertised in the Mountaineer on Wednesday April 13.

Closed Session pursuant to 143-318.11 Town of Maggie Valley vs. ATT& T ALDERMAN DAVIS MADE A MOTION TO ENTER CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO 143-318.11 AT 7:53 P.M... MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

ALDERMAN WIGHT MADE A MOTION TO COME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION AT 8:01 P.M. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

14 Town of Maggie Valley Regularly Scheduled Board of Aldermen Meeting April 11, 2016 MINUTES ALDERMAN WIGHT MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE SETTLEMENT OFFER FROM ATT&T. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

11) Adjournment ALDERMAN DAVIS MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 8:03 P.M. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

______Mayor Pro-Tem Janet Banks

______Vickie Best, CMC, Town Clerk