VILLAGE OF CEDAR ROCK  MINUTES  The regular meeting oft the Village ofCedar Rock was held at Cedar Rock Country Club at 11:30 Attendance: Present were Mayor Bob Floyd, Ernie McAteer, Bill Griffin, Mike McClinton, Pamela Mayberry and Mike Shows; and Daniel Odom with WPCOG and Beth Bess. Call to Order: Mayor Bob Floyd called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m.  a.m. on December 19, 2023.  Adoption of Agenda: Mike Shows made a motion to adopt the agenda; Mike McClinton Approval of Minutes: Ernie McAteer made a motion to approve the minutes; Mike Shows Committee Reports: Administrative: Pam Mayberry reported there was nothing to report in Administrative. Mayor Bob Floyd mentioned that trash would not be picked up on Monday, December 25th and would be picked up on Tuesday, December 26th, 2023, Mayor Floyd suggested that Pam Mayberry send out an email to the residents to make them aware of the change. Finance: Bill Griffin reported that the Village currently has $548,523.65 in the bank. Mr. Griffin stated that due to unforeseen drainage issues by the tennis courts the Village needs to make a budget amendment to Road and Right of Ways #1735. Mr. Griffin made a motion that $20,000 be moved from the General Fund to Roads and Right of Ways #1735; Mike Shows seconded the motion; motion approved. Transportation: Ernie McAteer spoke with Tyler Sime recently regarding the Bradford Pear trees at the west entrance and Mr. Sime stated that the trees could be trimmed and cut back further now for $2,950.00 or it would be fine to wait until spring and trim and cut them back. Mr. Floyd suggested that Mr. Sime go ahead and put on his schedule. Mr. McAteer stated that concerning the car break-ins they are checking the cameras and then would report the plate numbers to the Sheriff's Office. Turn Key Audio suggested an additional camera, with a cost of $2,618 with the capability to photograph every vehicle tag, and hard drive for a total cost of $3,600, and there may be a need for an additional monitor. Mr. McAteer will ask the people from Turn Key Audio to attend a future meeting. Mr. McAteer mentioned that the 4th of July is on a Thursday. Mr. McAteer stated he would reach out to Zambelli for pricing. He stated that last year the Village paid roughly $8,500. In obtaining a quote the Village needs to decide if the fireworks would be held on Wednesday the 3rd or Friday the 5th. Mayor Bob Floyd suggested there may be a bigger turnout if the fireworks were held on Friday the Sth however, to obtain quotes for all days and see what the quotes come in at prior to reserving the date. Code Enforcement: Mike Shows Nothing new. Planning Board: Pamela Mayberry reported members Becky Adderholdt and Pam Mayberry's terms on the Planning Board had expired and made a motion to reappoint Becky Adderholt and Pam Mayberry to the Planning Board for an additional three-year term; Mike McClinton seconded the motion; motion approved. Pamela Mayberry reported she had received an email from the Planning Board containing the Dominique's plans for an addition and the plans did comply with the zoning regulations. Pam Mayberry raised the question of whether there should be a meeting to approve the plans and it was agreed that a formal meeting of the Planning Board was needed  seconded the motion; agenda adopted. seconded the motion; minutes adopted.    to approve the plans. Mike McClinton will reach out to get the meeting scheduled. Staff Report: Daniel Odom reported NCLM will be providing services which will include $10,000.00 for legal fees with Parker and Poe. Engineering services available for $80,000 are still in the pipeline but stalled due to personnel changes which are slowing things down. Daniel Odom met with the League on accounting services but decided that the Village would not be a good fit for that service at this time. Reimbursement from NCLM is in the works for $85,000.00 for culvert repairs. Daniel Odom further reminded Council this repair was due to the washout on Mountain Circle Drive from rain with a total cost of $114,000.00 but with the grant money the Village would receive a $85,000.00 reimbursement. The main use oft the funds from NCLM (NC League of Municipalities) will be access to engineering services regarding sink holes and repairs Old Business: Procurement Policy Draft: Daniel Odom distributed a Procurement Policy for the Village; Mike Shows made a motion to adopt the Village Procurement Policy and Mike New Business: Conservation Property = Timber Analysis: Mayor Bob Floyd introduced Jeff Boothby, Gregory Allen and Preston Arbogast of Woodsmen Forestry PLLC; and Jason Noble from Caldwell County Fire Service. Jeff Boothby reviewed the Woodsmen's Timber Wealth Analysis of the Village with Council (see attached). He stated their assessment was a two-part process, they came in and did an assessment of the timberland and touched on fire risks and responsibility the community has for improving firefighting ability. He stated the second part is that his company continues to work with the Council and see what Council wants to adopt and make sure of a clear path forward. Woodsmen Forestry looked at timber inventory, property lines, roads, trails and different aspects of forest. It was mentioned that thinning is the only option available because of the conservation easement that is placed on the property. They do not recommend harvesting currently, but recommended an annual inspection of the property to make sure there aren't any issues in the future. He stated that the best reason for thinning is for the health of the forest property. It was mentioned that in looking forward over 10 to 20 years, red oaks may be a fire concern. He mentioned that the conservation easement is available for public use, but explained public use can be regulated by the Village. It was suggested if the Village were to consider adding trails to the conservation property when a trail leads to a public road that there be signage stating what is NOT allowed and basic things such as dogs on leash, etc. Mayor Bob Floyd requested clarification of thinning. Mr. Boothby explained thinning would be pines aging out, may take out dying pines or pines that should be dying soon or taking out a tree that would protect hardwoods. Selective thinning or patch thinning is based on regenerating, with the goal ofr making it look as good as possible. There needs to be a very good reason to harvest or thinning. Mayor Floyd said the first goal is to not hurt aesthetics but asked if there is anything else the Village needs to do for the health of forest. Mr. Boothby answered yes in the future but not now, the forest is beautiful and healthy now. As far as fire prevention, Mr. Boothby stated that small investments made now will dictate if there will be a concern of fire later. Mr. Boothby went on to say his company had flagged property lines behind some houses and did find a lot of property lines, there are some missing and found many GIS inaccuracies. The Woodsmen Forestry's biggest recommendation today is improving roads/trails for firefighting purposes, and there are things that can be done to reduce fire severity. Public Comment: Danny Morgan voiced his concern that should there be a large number of  to roads, and replacement pipes.  McClinton seconded; motion approved.    trees removed that could create a threat of landslides. Woodsmen's Answer (Boothby): There are always snags in forest, brush control is the option in this situation. Brush control mitigation would focus on downed trees. Trails have been established for many decades and would not stray to other areas and sO there shouldn't be rockslides or changing scenery to risk soil damage. Resident comment: One concern, we. have worked hard to keep roads in good shape. Ifwe bring Answer: Maintenance to trails would take only a week or two and any large piece of equipment Howard Edwards suggested the Council require a complete certificate of insurance for all projects considered by the Village regarding logger insurance and law requirements. Mr. Edwards asked if Woodsmen Forestry had workers compensation insurance. Answer: No, but Woodsmen does work with an engineer that would hire a company with whom Village would be Mayor Floyd requested comments from Jason Noble with Caldwell County Forest Service. Mr. Noble stated that Woodsmen Forestry put together a great presentation. And he agreed that opening the trails up is a good thing and recommended that the Village improve the roads for better access in the event ofai fire. Mr. Noble stated that the US Fire Service takes applications in late August each year for approval in October, for brush mitigation and the Village could apply for assistance with clearing the roads. He stated there is no cost to the Village for the Forest Service to improve the roads, and suggested the Village could block the roads from public access A resident asked if public notice would be required for future thinning. Mayor Floyd stated he was not aware of any requirement needed but that the Council would want to notify public to Cindy Story asked who is responsible for policing of the conservation easement property. Answer: Mr. Boothby: The conservation easement gives the Village the right to regulate the property and not advertising that it is open to the general public is the best way to keep the Joyce McCormick asked when the Council was going to install a speed bump that is needed near her property. She stated there are lots of people walking near the intersection ofLakeview Drive and Cedar Rock Estates Drive, and she has observed several speeding vehicles in the curve across from the Clark's house who are all but on two wheels. She stated that it was negligent of the Council not to do something about speeding in the neighborhood. She mentioned there have been 4 robberies, and no notification to residents of these occurrences and they should be notified. She referenced a large gap in hedges across from the Sanders' house, that is large enough for a vehicle to go through and there is some suggestion this opening may have  in heavy equipment going up and down our roads, it could damage roads.  would be hauled in on a trailer.  comfortable with.  with locks available to Council and the fire department.  have everyone'si input.  general public off the property.  facilitated robberies and needs to be addressed.    Bill Griffin made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the meeting adjourned at 1:12 p.m.  Sincerely,  oth Abess Beth Bess, Village Clerk    Village of Cedar Rock Council Meeting  AGENDA 11:30 AM  Tuesday, December 21, 2023  Order of Business Adopt Agenda Approval of the minutes C Committee Reports  Administrative - Pam Mayberry Finance = Bill Griffin Transportation - Ernie McAteer Code Enforcement Report - Mike Shows Planning Board - Pam Mayberry Staff Report - Daniel Odom  Old Business New Business  Procurement Policy draft - Daniel Odom Conservation Property - Timber Analysis  Woodsmen Forestry, PLLC  Public Comment Adjourn