City of Saluda  THROUGH a SALUDA, N.C. a HEGNIT  Board of Commissioners meeting and Public Hearing for a Zoning Map Amendment and for a Telecommunications Tower Ordinance Amendment  Minutes Board of Commissioners  Date Time Location  3/11/2024 07:00PM  Saludal Library Chambers Room  1-Call to Order  Mayor Morgan called the meeting to order on March 11th, 2024 at 7:00 pm.  2-Invocation  Ar moment ofs silence was observed. 3-Pledge of Allegiance The pledge of allegiance was recited.  4-Roll Call  Attendance was taken, and those present were Mayor Tangie Morgan, Commissioner Walker, Commissioner Talbot, Commissioner Marion, Commissioner Oxtoby, City Attorney Janal Berg, City Manager Steven Orr, Assistant City  Manager & Finance Officer. Julie Osteen, Chief Price, City Clerk Pam Waters  5-A Agenda Additions and Deletions  None  6-Approval or Correction of Minutes Walker seconded and all were inf favor.  Commissioner Oxtoby made ar motion to accept the minutes as written for February 12th, 2024, Commissioner  Board of Commissioners meeting and Public Hearing for az Zoning Map Amendment andi for .- 3/11/2024    7-Consent Agenda None  8-Public Comment None  9-Public Hearing for a Zoning Map Amendment and Text Amendment to C-H Zoning District  Mayor Morgan Opened upi the Public Hearing. Elenal Robson 166! Henderson Street  Aslsaid before I'mi int favor of putting controls on our expansion from whati ican see is not much control right now we have al little bit of undeveloped property ifv we change the: zoning in C1, C2 and R2 and go to C-HI meaning zero lot lines and unlimited number ofl buildings less than 2500sf they way: I see ito over here 250ft, 100ft, 250ft and: 200ft more that couid be filled in with buildings. Downtown we have 250ft and 150ft right there on the Corner then we have the school 250ft and 700ft on Seminary! think the: zoning is supposed to makei its so that school can't be turned into something ridiculous the way thisi is written Ithink it could be. On1 Main Stl Lot S6-G5 its 225ft The school is 400ft S9- F5 is another 200ft on Main Street which is the only undeveloped place that nott thel houses is where someone could come in andk knock down the trees and puti in buildings like your have downtown. You could puti in al business and put a residence above it. Iwant to clarify thatt there is no limit toi the number of buildings that you can put on al lot other thani itl has to have one parking place. Iknow we'r re going to have more. parking Ithink thati is not enough. Ifa  business hast two people working that would be two cars.  John! Morgan 166 Henderson Street  Int the last meeting, thought! had al little bit of an understanding that we were goingt tol look at an overlay and try to blend the C-Hi int the area that is going to be rezoning it right now. Appropriately on the other side oft the city parking lotIthink other than zero lot lines our building down therei is not going to change thet footprint is going to stay! back andy you're going to have al little bit ofal hodgepodge thel lots that are close tot thel library herel Ithink would leave themselves int the C-H with. zero lotl lines same for the other end of town Ryder Halli isn't going anywhere our building down there isn't going anywhere andi ify you put: zerol lotl lines on either side oft those it's going to visually do what we wanti itt to do. Again, Iwould like to see al blending as we move out away from the center oft the C-H District to  something that would be compatible nota as rigid.  Mayor Morgan closed the Public Hearing  10-Public Hearing for a Telecommunications Tower Ordinance Amendment  Mayor Morgan Opened upt thel Public Hearing. Mayor Morgan closed the Public Hearing 11-Budget and Financial Report  No comments  Assistant City Manager & Finance Officer. Julie Osteen went over thel February Budget Report Board of Commissioners meeting and Public Hearing for a Zoning Map Amendment and for. ..-3/11/2024  2    March 11, 2024 Report for February 29, 2024 General Fund: Property Taxes received of $955,084 Sales tax distribution of $125,049 Franchise Taxes received $20,152 than we were originally notified for. Total Revenues are $1,340,121. Expenditures: Administration: Police: $27,314 spent on repairs: 2011 Tahoe $5,151 2015 Dodge $2,644 2018 Dodge 9,482 2019 Dodge $3,476 2010 Explorer $2,710 Transportation: Repairs of $80,851 as follows: Storm Damage $3,075 Stump Removal $750 Culvert repairs $2,022 Mowing.Maintenance $26,750 Tree Trimming $17,500 Streets Laurel Mtn $482 Irving St 1,754 Henderson $1,620 Salisbury $2,777 Cemetery St$1,800 Park St2,435 W Columbia culvert $6,664 Other supplies/repairs $9,537 55% of budget Sanitation  The final Disbursement of Powell Billi funds was higher than originally expected from NCDOT $32,388 $2,988 more  City Hall repairs budget amendment willl be presented.  63% of budgeted expense - 3% below! budget. Nothing unusual for the month.  8 distributions have been paid toi the Saluda Fire Department for this year's Tax Levy. 71% of budgeted expenditures. 5% over budget due to vehicle maintenance.  8r months payment to GFL for Garbage collection has beeni incurred.  Board of Commissioners meeting and Public Hearing for a Zoning Map Amendment and for. : 3/11/2024  3    Cultural and Recreation:  Library repairs/maintenance: $20,015 whichi includes elevator inspection of $4,600. Repairs to windowsills and  painting at Library of $10,346 plus monthly cleaning. Pace Park! bathroom items: $3,705 No other major expenses for Cultural and Recreation. 8 payments has been made tol First Citizens Bank on City Hall.  Tennis Court renovations! $33,372 /$30,000 covered by Polk County Community Foundation  Debt Service: Surplus at February 29 $118,207. Water Fund: Marathon. Anticipated surplus $36,664 Sewer Fund: Total revenues $168,300 Anticipated profit is $20,616  Total revenues received are $446,995. Water purchases thru February total $136,114 whichi is 85% which is 19% over budget. Due to significant leaks on Howard Gap, Hipp Rd, Bell Court, Orchard Hill, and on Ozone at the  Capital Outlay for ar new' WWTP chart recorder of $2,428  New Schedules for McCreery Park Phase 1 and MRF expenses to date  Commissioner Oxtobyr made a motion to accept the Amendments for 10,000.00 to increase the budget for the Administration Budget to increase capital outlayfor the City Hall doorr replacement. $7,500.001 in Police forl IT budget Increases. $5,600.00 to increase the Transportation budget for citizen-paid streetlights and Professional Services. and $14,500 to increase the budget for McCreery Park Phase 1 additional costs. $4.000 in Landscape Architecture fees and $10,000 for Construction Costs due to a change order related to soil compaction issues as presented Commissioner Walker seconded all were inj favor. Commissioner Oxtoby made a motion to approve the Audit RFP Proposals tos stay with Carter PC. Their rates won't change for 3 years as presented Commissioner Marion seconded all were in favor, Commissioner Talbot made a motion to accept the Debt set off as presented Commissioner Walker seconded Commissioner Oxtobyr made a motion to approve the purchase of the Truck from the Columbus Police Department: and put the two vehicles 2010 Ford Explorer and the 2015 Dodge Charger on Gov Deals when Chief Price felt comfortable to do so Commissioner Walker Seconded all were in Favor. Commissioner Marion asked what the total was for vehicle maintenance sot far.  all were in favor.  Julie so far 27,000.00 Julie yest that is correct.  Commissioner Marion, sO we budget around 31,000 a year?  Board of Commissioners meeting and Public Hearing for a Zoning Map Amendment: and for. : 3/11/2024    Laurel Drive closed with no bid. Commissioners decided the City would keep the property for now. City Attorney, Janal Berg stated, Ifyoure going to keep Iit, no action ist needed, ify you are going to do something else then ar motion would be needed. Ifs someone makes an offer, then we will advertise for upset bids andi then decide ifv we willi take the offer at that time. They would put 5% down andi ift they didn't win or we didn't take the offer they would get that back. If  there was ay winner, then you would have so many days to give us the rest oft the money.  12-P Public Safety Report Participated: Clay Price  Chief Price went over his February report. Total Miles 8,504, Total Events 1,444  State citations: 70 City Citations: 1, Warning Tickets: 36, Written' Warning 1, Verbal: 35,Expired Registration 36,No Operators License 6,Drug paraphernalla 1, Possession of Narcotic/ Alcoholic Beverage 1, Registration Violation 3, Careless and Reckless Driving:, Speeding 18,Faulty Equipmento, Driving While Impaired 1, Driving whilel license revoked 14,Inspection Violation 17, Concealed Weapon 1, Stop sign violation 0, No Insurance 3, Open Container 1, Arrest 5, Warrants Served 2, Order for arrest served 3,Business Checks: 607, Church Checks: 95, House Checks: 65, Total Monthly Checks: 765, Written Reports/ Calls answered, Vehicle. Accident 1, Larceny:2, Breaking and Entering 2, Welfare Check 1, Alarm calls 3, Open Door, Suspicious Person/Vehicle calls 8, Assault 1, Vandalism 1 Fraud 0, Communicating Threats 1, Hit & Run, Calls Thru Police Department Phone: 118, information only 3, Walk In Calls att the Saluda Police Department: 10, Total Monthly Written Reports: 9, Total Patrol Calls 153  13- Outside Resources and Funds  City Manager Orr went over what he is working on with the Foothills Regional Commission about a Transportation planning program which ist through thel Regional Planning Board organization with Foothills Regional Commission for the area considered West Main. We are going to see ifv we can work on this along with NCDOT that they would do a planning project to see about installation and plans for sidewalks on West Maini from Carolina where iti isr now all the way to 176 included into the rails toi trails and C-HI District that we are talking abouti improving our roadway andt traffic  flow. Hopefully, we willl know something ift the State will fund this. 14-2 Zoning and Planning Department Report  City Manager Orr the Planning Board / Saludal Historic Committee meeting went well. We wills see what will come out oft those discussions. Went over possible getting 5 more parking spots on thes side of main street. In front oft the visitor's center, depot and Library. And will help to siow traffic. Wel have started our discussions with NCDOT about that. That would add 5 parking spots with 41 houry parking. We wouldn't have tor move any utilities or light poles. Commissioner Marion, would youl have to eliminate the grass stripi in the middle and! have it come right upi tot thes side  walk?  City Manager Orr, yes we would.  Commissioner Marion, can make a suggestion that we try on a day that doesn't have much traffic? Maybe the police could help us park some cars there and try to come out. Ini theory, I support the idea ofr more parking. When was pulling outt the other dayl had someone parked there waiting for something andl couldn't see to get out at all. Maybe City Manager Orrv we're pulling people back sO when you pull out you wouid have ab better view. Your side triangle is  Ifyou pull back you can edge outa andl look.  better. The side Triangles work at least the computer says they do.  Board of Commissioners meeting and Public Hearing fora a Zoning Map Amendment and for. : 3/11/2024  5    15-Administration Department Report drawings on the Boy Scout! hut.  City! Manager Orrp paving contractor patching using the rest of the money until we getr more money in September. Added more speed limits signs. Stop Signs on E Columbia and Charles Street. McCreery Park Phase 1A&B  16-Passenger Rail Service AMTRAK  Commissioner Oxtoby made the following. motion.  Saluda, NC has an abundance of natural resources, and the City of Saluda has promoted Outdoor Recreational Activities as a major component for Sustainable Economic Development and the opportunity the Saluda Grade Trail offers for the economic viability of the region, and the health and well-being of its citizens and visitors, is vitallyimportant to the future of the Saluda community. Therefore, the City of Saluda Board of Commissioners will not endorse a passenger rail service proposal in Saluda, NC. Commissioner Walker Seconded All were in Favor.  17-R Ralph Mayer Property Valuation  City Attorey Berg went over coming up with al Resolutioni for the November Meeting for the 9 residents whol livei in Henderson County but are int the Cityl limits of Saluda to help with the Tax difference. That would take effect on City Manager Orr I would also ask thaty you do a Resolution not to accept any more Henderson County residents into  January 1st of2025. Wey would have to pass al Resolution every two years.  the cityl limits.  Commissioner Marion ifv wel havet to doi ite every two years what difference wouldi itr make?  City Manager Or, itp puts al burden ont the County and on us. Commissioner Marion but we are keeping the nine residents?  City Manager Orr, yes, we are keeping the nine. We're not annexing any other Henderson County property into Commissioner Marion, Ift the nine residents were tol build another house on the property? So, youj just talking about  Saluda. new property.  City Manager Orr, that's not possible. Yes, only new property.  City Attorney Berg I'mr not sure it's necessary to do a resolution on the annexation you can just choose nott to accept  anymore.  City Manager Orr, buti ity would make ital lot easiert tol have a standing policy. Commissioner Marion, do counties stilla allow the annexation in the city from other counties? City Manager Orr, Yesi it's voluntary annexation, and it's allowed.  Board of Commissioners meeting and Public Hearing for a Zoning Map Amendment and for. : -3/11/2024  6    Commissioner Marion, lwould rather not put al limit on itj justi in case something comes up with the Rails to Trails Mayor Morgan, there is a piece of property right up the road that may be for multi-familles. That would put a stop to City Attorney Berg It will goi into effect January 1st, 2025, and would! be good for one year then every two years ify you  coming through. lwould liket tol have that option.  that to. choose to dot that.  Commissioner Marion, did the staff thinki it would goi into effect this year?  Assistant City Manager & Finance Officer Julie Osteen, thought with the discussion with Mr. Mayer that he was City Attorney Berg iti is possible to dot that but would have to be retroactive and you would have to refund. Assistant City Manager & Finance Officer Julie Osteen, Mr. Mayers would be 950.001 that would have tol be refunded. City Attorney Berg, you based your budget on what you were doing. Thati is whyl suggested starting in January. So, moving forward instead of retroactive the! budget was based ony what the revenues were on thet tax base we have.  requesting something for this year.  Commissioners are alli fine with. January.  18-SDF Report  Commissioner Oxtoby, the SDF met last Monday. The Visitor's Center was started with the SBA, SDF andi the TDA.  The TDAI is taking overt the Visitors Center on June 1st.  19-Friends of McCreery Park Commissioner Melanie Talbot Wel have a meeting this coming Monday. 20-Discussion of Coon Dog Day Festival applications online fort the vendor and volunteers.  Commissioner Marion said everything is going well with the planning we stillr need volunteers. You can get the  21-Resolution for al Revised Telecommunication Tower Ordinance  City Manager Orr read the resolution.  Commissioner. Marion made amotion to accept the Resolution fora al Revised Telecommunication Tower  Ordinance Commissioner Walker seconded and all were in favor.  Board of Commissioners meeting and Public Hearing for a Zoning Map Amendment and for. ..-3/11/2024  7    22- -Resolution for a Zoning Map Amendment and Text Amendment for the C-H Zoning District  City Manager Orr read the resolution.  Commissioner Walker made a motion to accept the Resolution foraz Zoning Map and" Text Amendment for the C-H District Zoning Ordinance as Read with the correction tot take out New/ IF Propertys structure and add Unit inthe place of Property Structure Commissioner Oxtoby seconded and all were in favor.  23-T Tourism Development Authority Participated: analberg@gmal.com City Manager Orr read the resolution.  Commissioner Oxtoby made amotion to accept the Resolution Amendingand Restating The Saluda District DTourism Development Authority and Approving Levy of Occupancy' Tax. Commissioner Marion seconded  and all were in favor.  24-Closed: session  Commissioner Oxtoby made ar motion to accept the Resolution to enter closed session as read for personnel matters and Attorney-Client privilege Commissioner Marion seconded and ally were in favor.  Time entered Closed Session 8:22 pm  25-A Adjourn  Out of closed session at 9:11 pm Backt to Regular session at 9:11 pm With not further business to discuss,  Commissioner Marion made ar motion to adjourn the meeting Commissioner Talbot seconded and all were in  favor.  The meeting adjourned at 9:12 pm March 11th, 2024.  Respectfully submitted by Pamela Waters, City Clerk. Adopted this 8th day of April, 2024. Board of Commissioners meeting and Public Hearing for az Zoning Map Amendment andi for. ...-3/11/2024  8    Pâmela' Waters, City Clerk fonah  hpi Tangie Morgan,  hta  Mar  Board of Commissioners meeting and Public Hearing for az Zoning Map Amendment and for. : 3/11/2024  9