November 12, 2019 (REGULAR MEETING)  Minutes of the regular meeting of the Mayor and Board of Commissioners of the Present: Mayor Sam Bishop, Commissioners Cecily McCulloch, Robert Ball, Will Gwyn and Tommy Wheeler. (Absent: Commissioner Jeff Eidson) Also present: Town Manager Brent Cornelison, Assistant Town Manager and Recreation and Parks Director Adam McComb, and Town Clerk Cathie Tilley. Mayor Bishop welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. He asked Police Chief Monroe Wagoner to lead our Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Bishop explained that Commissioner Jeff Eidson and Town Attorney Raymond Parker were absent tonight. He asked the Board to consider excusing Commissioner Eidson. Commissioner Wheeler made a motion to excuse Commissioner Eidson from tonight's meeting. Upon a second by Commissioner  Town of Elkin, November 12, 2019, 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall.  (Absent: Town Attorney Raymond Parker)  McCulloch, the motion was unanimously approved.  CONSENT AGENDA (Tab A)  The following items were presented for the consent agenda:  Minutes of October 14, 2019 (Regular Meeting) Tax Releases and Discoveries (included as Exhibit A)  Mayor Bishop told the town clerk there was a correction that needed to be made to the minutes. He noticed this afternoon that the word, "alumni" had been left out of Item 5 of the Regular Meeting portion of the minutes. The town clerk made a note to make the correction(s). Mayor Bishop requested consideration of the corrected minutes. Amotion by Commissioner Wheeler to approve the corrected minutes was seconded by Commissioner McCulloch and was unanimously approved. Next, Mayor Bishop requested consideration of the Tax Discovery. Amotion by Commissioner McCulloch to approve the tax discovery was seconded by  Commissioner Ball and was unanimously approved.  PUBLIC COMMENTS  Mayor Bishop asked how many people in attendance were here to speak regarding the new traffic pattern. Several members of the public raised their hands. Mayor Bishop said he was going to make a change in our Agenda by moving the first item from the Regular Agenda Items to this time. He asked the town manager to present an update on the new traffic pattern. Brent Cornelison  presented the following information:  Commissioners Ball and Gwyn were not on the Board at the time this This will help them understand the process the commissioners Have heard comments that the Board of Commissioners heard about  item was discussed.  went through regarding this matter. the proposed traffic pattern and then passed it. That is not what happened.    Town Manager Cornelison presented the following meeting dates and information from those meetings regarding this matter: February 17, 2012 (town's annual retreat): Dean Ledbetter from the Department of Transportation spoke to the commissioners. One of the topics he addressed was an Elkin Traffic Concept using roundabouts  where he stated:  Will give Elkin a "people friendlier' environment. Would result in fewer accidents. Allows for bike lanes. Makes it safer for pedestrians. Will be traffic calming.  Town could explore a road enhancement plan. March 13, 2017: Dean Ledbetter presented the following information to the commissioners regarding a NCDOT repaving project:  Bridge Street from the Yadkin River Bridge through Church Street Looking at the possibility of making changes when re-striping Bridge Street after the paving is completed. Although these changes are not required, we wanted to give Board members an opportunity to have the chance to make changes while this project is being planned. Town Staff and DOT have been looking at going from four lanes tot three lanes from Standard Street to Spring Street. Also looking at removing the traffic signals at the intersections  will be repaved this summer.  and replace with all-way stop signs.  In lighter intersections (like Standard Street), there will be two-way stop signs on side roads coming into Bridge We believe it will be in the best interest of the town to make these  Street. changes.  Ifyou are wondering why we are looking at this: Traffic volumes are not what they used to be. People are not coming and going to work at the same Would be going from four narrow lanes to three lanes. From pedestrian standpoint, this is not very comfortable. Going to three lanes would move traffic away from  times as they once did.  people on sidewalks. Will make it easier to cross the street. Mayor Bishop had him clarify the following:  Change from four lanes to three lanes from Standard Remove traffic signals and replace with all-way stop signs. Mr. Ledbetter confirmed both statements are  Street to Spring Street.  correct.  Commissioner Kennedy:  Think 4-way stop signs will cause more accidents.  Page 2 of13    Mr. Ledbetter: From our experience, where we have done this, we actually see a reduction going from traffic signals to all-way stops. Also think we need to revisit our decision to remove the stoplight at the intersection of West Main Street and Front  Street.  Mayor Bishop asked if there would be bike lanes.  Mr. Ledbetter: Yes. Commissioner Wheeler:  How will on-street parking be affected?  Mr. Ledbetter: There is not currently any on-street  parking in this area.  Showed a slide of peak areas.  Discussed changes in traffic over time.  Mayor Bishop:  Asked if traffic signal would be replaced with stop signs at the intersection where Highway 268 and Spring Street Was the fact that Bridge Street is aU. S. highway  intersect with Bridge Street. Mr. Ledbetter: Yes. This is a busy street.  considered?  Mr. Ledbetter: Yes, and used West Jefferson as an example where this has been done.  Are you planning to increase curb and gutter?  Mr. Ledbetter: No.  Assistant Town Manager McComb asked if the train crossing had been factored into their traffic analysis. (Commissioner Kennedy Mr. Ledbetter said he could not picture the train being an Teresa Howell asked if DOT considered heavy traffic on Bridge Street when there are detours on I-77 (happens when there are Mr. Ledbetter said there was no count regarding this  also asked about the train.)  impact.  accidents, road work, etc.). possibility. Mayor Bishop:  We have two board members out.  Want to hear from them and staff.  Mr. Ledbetter: We will be resurfacing this summer. Waiting another month to hear from the Board should not be a problem.  April 110, 2017: Public Works Director Robert Fuller, Police Chief Monroe Wagoner and Fire Chief Mike Morton continued the discussion regarding the proposed traffic pattern recommendations from DOT:  o Mayor Bishop:  At Standard Street it looks like we are going to have a two-  way stop.  Page 3 of13    Business owner said cars drive very fast to the bridge once they cross railroad and get by the light.  Robert Fuller:  Have talked with DOT, and they said this can Ifitbecomes a problem, it can be changed.  be changed. Police ChiefWagoner:  Itmight be a round-about.  There was much discussion among the Board regarding the all- Commissioner Wheeler said he had received comments against Commissioner Whitman made a motion to approve the DOT concept and recommendation. There were no questions. Upon a second by Commissioner McCulloch, the motion was May 28, 2017: Commissioner Whitman requested and Mayor Bishop allowed discussion regarding the proposed traffic pattern.  way stop signs. this proposal.  unanimously approved. Commissioner Whitman:  Ihave had several comments from citizens regarding taking the traffic signal out at the intersection of Bridge and Was under the impression the traffic signals would be removed at the intersection at the library and at the intersection of Bridge and Church Streets. Thinks it would be at travesty to do this as Bridge Street is the most, or at least the second most, traveled street in With as much traffic as there is now, does not see how you can have an all-way stop at this intersection. Thinks single lane would be very difficult because currently  Main Streets.  town.  all four lanes are full as is.  Mayor Bishop: Town Manager Holcomb:  Ibelieve DOT plans to leave the lights up. DOT will leave the lights up for a period of time. Ifwe incur problems after the lights are taken down, DOT Have heard a number of comments about this. People have concerns about it.  will put them back up. Commissioner Kennedy: Mayor Bishop:  Have looked at this intersection, and It think it could be a Would it be possible to make one intersection an all-way Ifitdoes not work, then we do not continue.  problem. C Commissioner McCulloch: stop?  Page 4of13    Town Manager Holcomb: regarding this matter. Commissioner Wheeler: Ihad calls before we did this. Isee the potential for a lot of problems. Commissioner Eidson: Bridge Street re-evaluated by DOT. Think this could cause problems.  l'am hearing the Board say that we should tread softly  Would like to see the intersection at Standard Street and  Mayor Bishop:  My understanding was the lights would be taken down Thought the two-way stop was going to be unsafe at Asked Town Manager Holcomb to look into this.  from Church Street to the river. Standard Street. Town Manager Holcomb:  Robert (Fuller) is on vacation. and make their presentation again.  Iwill ask them (DOT) to come back to a Board meeting Will check to see if they can come to either our June Meeting or our August meeting.  Commissioner Whitman: with four lanes.  We cannot have four-way stops coming into intersections Itwas noted by several people that the four lanes These lanes (four lanes) are full at least half of the time. Town Manager Holcomb will contact DOT about this. There are a lot of reservations about this. Itis unique to have a town where people are willing to take time out of their day to come to a Board meeting. You (speaking to the audience) care enough about our town to attend a meeting during the day and to voice your  will change to three lanes.  Mayor Bishop: Commissioner Kennedy:  opinions.  This Board appreciates that.  Elkin is a great town, and it is because of people  like you.  August 14,2017: Dean Ledbetter presented plans for 4-way stops on Stated he would be presenting information from a previous meeting along with some additional information that had come Did a review of the project which includes repaving and restriping Bridge Street along with replacing traffic signals with all-way stop  North Bridge Street.  about since then. signs.  Page 5of13    Presented the reasons DOT recommends going from four lanes There was discussion following the presentation including but not Commissioner Whitman: Ifthe proposed changes do not Mr. Ledbetter: IfDOT believes there is sufficient evidence of problems resulting from the changes, DOT will change things back to the way they were. There will be some costs to the town to make Asked about going back and discussing some of the Mr. Ledbetter said all DOT staff was in agreement with the proposed changes as presented, and he would not feel comfortable taking this project back to them for further  and removing traffic signals.  limited to:  work, what happens?  the changes back. proposed changes with DOT staff.  discussion.  The traffic signal at Church Street and Bridge Street not Making a portion of Church Street one way. Concern about more accidents without traffic signals. Possibility of traffic being diverted from town to I-77. Following much discussion, it was decided the town would look at Church Street, and the Board will revisit this matter at the next Mr. Ledbetter said he would talk with his staff about the Town's September 11,2017: Response (via email) from Dean Ledbetter on  being lefti in place.  regular meeting. conçerns.  Bridge Street and Church Street. Town Manager Holcomb:  Referenced e-mail from Mr. Ledbetter.  Asked Police Chief Wagoner to respond to this matter: Our biggest concern was the intersection of Bridge Recommendation from Mr. Ledbetter is to remove the traffic signal, leave two-way traffic on Bridge Street, place a stop sign at Church Street and add directional street markings on Church Street. We had concerns regarding speed and  Street and Church Street.  visibility.  The curve will require drivers to slow The proposed street markings will allow better visibility.  down.  Showed pictures of cars that park along Bridge  Street.  Page 6 of13    Might need to eliminate a couple of parking spaces to improve visibility along Bridge  Street.  Commissioner Whitman made a motion to approve all DOT recommendations. Commissioner McCulloch seconded the motion. Commissioner Whitman said that since our last meeting I have made no less than ten trips to this intersection to make sure our concerns were justified. Looking north, it is not as bad as I thought it was. My concerns were not completely justified. There was no further discussion or questions. The vote on this matter was as follows: voting in favor of the motion were Commissioners Whitman, McCulloch, Eidson and Kennedy; voting against the motion was Commissioner Wheeler. Thus, the January 8, 2018: Dean Ledbetter spoke regarding a min-roundabout at Some years ago, our original concept included a mini-roundabout By the time we brought the project to Elkin, the funds for the mini- Since that time, additional grant funding has become available to Elkin has been selected to receive funding for this project. Assured the Board of Commissioners that no funding would be required from the Town of Elkin for this project. Said the Board had a resolution of support to consider regarding During discussion, Town Manager Holcomb said the date in the proposed resolution that the town was notified of the project should be changed from December 15, 2017 to December 18, Town Clerk made a note to make this change. Following discussion, Commissioner McCulloch made a motion to approve a Resolution in Support of North Carolina Department of Transportation Project for Construction of Mini-roundabout at Intersection of Church and Bridge Streets (including the abovementioned change in date). There were no questions. Upon a second by Commissioner Eidson, the motion was unanimously approved. (Copy of Resolution may be found in November 8, 2019: Email from Trent Beaver to Brent Cornelison Following meeting of downtown merchants, NC DOT representatives and Town representatives, DOT has been working with the contractor working on the I-77 project. Contractor has committed to removing the southbound lane closure on I-77 on Friday November 22nd and not re-installing it  motion was approved.  the intersection of Church Street and Bridge Street.  at the intersection of Church and Bridge streets. roundabout were no longer available.  NCDOT.  this project.  2017.  Resolution Book 4, Page 2018-01-0223.)  regarding 1-77 southbound.  until after the first of the year.  Page 7of13    We are hoping this will minimize the impact to the downtown This will give DOT a chance to see howi the 4-way and 2-way stops will function under normal traffic conditions. Contractor may have a temporary lane closure three or four nights to install precast barrier in the median, but only during the Northbound lane closure and work will continue except during the DOT plans to place a message on the southbound digital message sign between MM 86 and 87 to advise thru truck traffic DOT is working with the contractor hoping to reduce the length of the southbound lane closure by relocating the taper/merge to Town Manager Cornelison said this is a huge concession for DOT to ask the contractor to make these changes.  businesses during the holidays.  night.  holiday restrictions. to stay on I-77. south ofNC67.  DOT heard your (downtown business owners) conçerns. Irecommend taking this month or month and a half to let They can evaluate their findings and come to our January meeting with their report.  DOT watch the traffic.  Mayor Bishop stated this matter is now in DOT's court. Town Manager Cornelison said he has talked with several NC  DOT personnel.  They are keeping me up to date about what is happening Have discussed how traffic is affected when I-77 lanes are  on their end. shut down.  Itis up to DOT to make a decision.  Mayor Bishop:  o Explained the rules for anyone who wanted to speak.  Each speaker will have three minutes to make their Each speaker needs to state their name and address for Speakers should not repeat what others have already said. Board of Commissioners will listen to what you have to say, but they will not be making any comments. The following citizens spoke regarding the 2-way and all-way stops: Andrae and Timothy Dehaan--303 Gwyn Avenue; Janice and Michael McGee-190 Wisconsin Avenue; Martha Smith- 131 Gwyn Avenue and Sherry Hawks-188 Edgewood Drive. Their comments included but were not limited to: Although the Board has said they cannot do anything about this situation, I demand the Board do something  comments. the record.  sooner rather than later.  Page 8 of13    lunderstand they (DOT) will be turning the lights (traffic) This is only two days before the contractor has committed to removing the southbound lane closure People are avoiding the stop signs by using Gwyn Avenue  off on the 20th (of November).  on I-77. and Main Street.  They are speeding along these streets. Noticed the radar trailer has been placed on Gwyn As citizens and business owners we feel this matter is in your hands; we are asking you to do something. Are the 4-ways safer for pedestrians? Are lights other than the ones flashing going to be Made comparison of traffic on North Bridge Street to traffic There used to be no vacant parking spaces on Main Now there are many vacant spaces. People are not coming to downtown. through the stop signs.  Avenue.  removed?  on Main Street and Gwyn Avenue.  Street.  They are saying it is too stressful trying to get  This (stop signs) is a real problem. traffic to get better. friendly.  Businesses downtown cannot afford to wait two years for Moved here about a year ago because it was pedestrian  This is no longer true. What DOT has done is not a done deal. You are not going to get visitors because of the traffic. Why do this when people have put their life blood in their Lot of times people need traffic lights, and it takes a long  businesses? time to get them.  We are going back instead of forward. People are going to have accidents. Insurance will go up. People used to walk their dogs; they don't any more. Elkin is no longer pedestrian friendly. Would like more information regarding traffic count and Only walks downtown during early morning hours. Saw a wreck happen at intersection while at the Farmers Elkin is no longer pedestrian/trail friendly. Does not drive through 4-way and 2-way intersections.  mini-roundabout. Market.  Page 9 of13    There being no more comments, Mayor Bishop closed the Public  Comments period of the meeting.  MAYOR AND BOARD COMMENTS FOR STAFF  Commissioners Ball, Gwyn and McCulloch had no comments.  Commissioner Wheeler:  After reading in The Tribune that no one was coerced to vote for the new traffic pattern, lwant to go on record stating I did feel Iremember Mr. Ledbetter telling the Board that if we did not approve the new traffic pattern, our paving projects could be At that time, North Bridge Street had not been paved in several Ithought it would delay paving North Bridge Street 7-10 years if Thanked Adam McComb (Assistant Town Manager/Director Recreation and Parks) for his assistance with the Veterans Day  coerced, but not by this Board. delayed 7 to 10 years.  years.  we did not approve the new traffic pattern.  Mayor Bishop:  programs over the weekend.  PUBLIC HEARINGS Harris)  1. Consider. Adopting the Text Amendment for Multi-Family Housing (Sarah  This is a legislative hearing, and anyone may speak. Planning Board reviewed the proposed ordinance October 28th. Public Hearing was advertised in the Elkin Tribune October 23rd and Text amendments to the Elkin Zoning Ordinance are proposed in order  o Recommend approval.  30th. to:  Add the definition and use of Dwelling, Townhouse Remove multi-family residential (more than 3 attached units on a single parcel) from existing residential districts and the B2 district Allow multi-family residential up to 20 units in the R-8 district Add a new zoning district specifically for multi-family Provided and discussed proposed text amendments, staff report, Referenced Public Notice of a public hearing to solicit comments relative  consistency statement and action item. to multifamily amendments to the Zoning Ordinance. Mayor Bishop opened the Public Hearing.  Reminded anyone who speaks to state their name and address  for the record. No one requested to speak. Mayor Bishop closed the Public Hearing.  Ms. Harris invited Brendie Vega, Director of Planning for Withers & Ravenel (works in their Raleigh office) to address the Board. She presented a PowerPoint titled, Multi-Family Housing Recommendations  Page 10 of13    Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that addressed the following  topics:  Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance Definitions Uses Districts R-20 and R-12 Zoning Districts R-8 Zoning Districts B-1 and B-2 Zoning Districts update the Zoning Ordinance)  New Zoning District - HDMF (High Density Multi-Family) Next Steps (adoption of zoning ordinance text amendments and Following brief discussion, the following actions were taken: o Commissioner McCulloch made a motion to approve the statement that this application is consistent with all of the objectives and policies for growth and development contained in the Town of Elkin Land Use Plan. There were no questions. Upon a second by Commissioner Wheeler, the motion was Commissioner McCulloch made a motion to approve the statement that the application is both reasonable and in the public interest. There were no questions. Upon a second by Commissioner Wheeler, the motion was unanimously approved. Thus, the Consistency Statement for Text Amendments to the Town of Elkin Zoning Ordinance was approved (copy included as Commissioner Wheeler made a motion to approve an Ordinance to Amend Certain Sections of the Town of Elkin Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Elkin, North Carolina. There were no questions. Upon a second by Commissioner McCulloch, the motion was unanimously approved. (Copy of Ordinance may be found in Ordinance Book 5,  unanimously approved.  Exhibit B).  Pages 2019-11-0032 through 2019-11-0045.)  This concluded the Public Hearing. REGULAR MEETING  1. Receive an Update on the New Traffic Pattern (Town Manager Cornelison) 2. Consider. Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with Lazerfam  This item moved to earlier in the meeting. Enterprises, LLC (Town Manager Cornelison)  Int the past, we have discussed that the Heritage, Arts and Trails Center Dennis and Shannon Lazar have been discussing starting a wine trolley business (Elkin Vine Line) and would like to base it at the Heritage  (HATC) would attract other businesses.  Center.  They will staff the Heritage Center on weekends until the town is Their hours on the weekends will be Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from Noon until 6:00 p.m.  ready to put our staff in there.  Their vans will run through downtown which will allow passengers to eat  downtown if they want to.  Page 11 of13    They plan to store wine for their customers, but will take it home at night. Presented a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Elkin Commissioner McCulloch made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Elkin and Lazerfam Enterprises, LLC as presented tonight. There were no questions. Upon a second by Commissioner Gwyn, the motion was unanimously approved. (Original  They will store their vans at the Heritage Center.  and Lazerfam Enterprises, LLC.  Our town attorney wrote this document.  MOU on file and copy included as Exhibit C.)  3. Consider. a Request from the "Friends of the Elkin Dog Park" for an MOU for the Funding and Development of a Dog Park at Crater Park (Adam McComb) Referenced a proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Elkin and the Friends of the Elkin Dog Park (FEDP).  FEDP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation created for the purpose offunding and developing a controlled space for canine off-leash - Presented a map showing the proposed location for this project. Summarized the proposed items to be agreed upon by the town and Pointed out the rules and regulations that will be listed on a sign at the Town Attorney Parker has reviewed both the proposed Memorandum of Understanding and the proposed rules and regulations. Discussed funding and possibility ofi flooding in this area. Following discussion, Commissioner McCulloch made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Elkin and the Friends of the Elkin Dog Park as presented. There were no questions. Upon a second by Commissioner Wheeler, the motion was unanimously approved. (Original MOU on file and copy included as  recreation in the Town of Elkin.  The proposed location for this dog park is Crater Park.  FEDP. park.  Exhibit D.)  4. Consider. Approving Interlocal Agreement with Surry County to Take Ownership  ofCertain Water Services (Town Manager Cornelison) take ownership of certain waterlines.  The Board instructed staff to begin negotiations with Surry County to The County is ready for the Town to take ownership of these lines. There is a proposed interlocal agreement in your agenda packet  regarding this matter. Town of Elkin Water Committee:  Has considered the proposed interlocal agreement  Recommends approval with the Town taking ownership Recommends leaving the current rate structure in place until July Suggests the Board look at the rates at our annual retreat. We want to work with current customers regarding an  January 1, 2020.  1,2020.  increase in their bills.  Ownership will provide an opportunity to expand this area.  Page 12of13    Surry County will assist the town with this.  Commissioner Wheeler made a motion to approve an Interlocal Agreement Between the Town of Elkin and the County of Surry to Assign Ownership of Certain Water Services from County to Town and to Confirm Operational Responsibilities for the Utility Lines. There were no questions. Upon a second by Commissioner Ball, the motion was unanimously approved. (Original Agreement on file and copy of NC DOT Aviation Non-Primary Entitlement funds are being considered  Agreement included as Exhibit E.) for a potential terminal building.  MANAGER UPDATES (Brent Cornelison):  Looking at an architect to draw conceptual plans. State will pay for this up to a certain square footage. Next project we are looking at is to expand the runway. These monies require no match from the Town.  Note: No closed session  There being no further business, Commissioner McCulloch made a motion to adjourn. Upon a second by Commissioner Ball, the meeting adjourned at 7:05  p.m.  Mayor  da2  Attest:  Catherine C. Tilley, Town Clerk Qnpg  Page 13of13