Town of Fletcher Agenda Review Meeting Minutes January 2, 2024 "Tuesday"  Call the meeting to order at: 6:00 pm  Swearing in of Mayor Pro-Tem Sheila Franklin and new Councilman Jim Player by Town Clerk  Christine Thompson  Those who were in attendance are as follows:  Mayor Preston Blakley Mayor Pro-Tem Sheila Franklin Councilman Keith Reed Councilman Trevor Lance Councilman Jim Player Town Manager Mark Biberdorf Moment of Silence: Pledge of Allegiance: *** Public Comment *** No comments were made at this time. Approval of minutes-corrections or deletions.  (12/4,12/11)  No comments were made on the minutes at this time.  Council Updates  Mayor Blakely commented on the plaque council received from the Lions club (American Legion) for support of veterans in the community: and thanked them fori it.  Consent Agenda Tax refunds/releases  Approval of audit contract for FY23/24 with Lowdermilk Church & Co. No comments were made on the consent agenda at this time.  1    Public hearing to consider rezoning request R-2023-01, a request to rezone 9 parcels on Cane Creek and Pressley Hill Road from R-2to Neighborhood Business District  Ericl Rufa, Planning Town Manager Mark Biberdorf stated that you have all the information in your packet. This is rezoning of nine parcels fronting on Cane Creek Road and some on Pressley Hill. This would give us the opportunity to put it ina az zoning designation that would allow commercial and residential as allowable uses. The commercial uses are allowed but in non-conforming uses.  &Zoning Director.  Planning Board approved this unanimously.  Discussion Followed:  Public hearing to consider an amendment to the Land Development Code regarding building Town Manager Mark Biberdorf stated that basically what happened is that the Partnership for Economic Development had a client that was looking for 100 foot (height) need which is al little unusual. Ours right now allows 421 feet (3 stories) the county currently allows 72 feet (5 stories). Planning Board recommended to go to 4 stories which is 561 feet. The recommendation  allowances in the M-1 district - Eric Rufa, Planning & Zoning Director.  from planning board is a4 4-story limit for the town.  Discussion Followed:  Update on the Town Center project - Mark Biberdorf, Town Manager  Town Manager Mark Biberdorf stated that last month you heard from Windsor Autry and Brad Goodson of Carland Company. The third entity thatlhad mentioned was Mark Morris of NIA Beverly Hanks and Ireached back out and Ihave not heard back as lam, guessing that they are We had the opportunity to heari from them and la am not sure where you would like to go from here. We could do al letter of Intent/agreement with one of these two to give them an  not that far along.  exclusive right/window for due diligence on the property.  Discussion Followed:  Council has some questions/concerns for Mr. Goodson on a potential agreement and will submit them to the town manager who in turn will: send them to Mr. Goodson Consideration of amendments to Chapter 110 of the Code of Ordinances covering business  licensing- Mark Biberdorf, Town Manager.  2    Town Manager Mark Biberdorf stated that this came about as we were reviewing our code dealing with registering businesses. Years ago, local governments had the authority to have a business privilege license tax. The General Assembly did not like this tax and they! basically did away' with it. However, they did say that you could do a Business Registration fee ($25.00) sO that you could keep up with the business activity that you have in town. So, we went back through the ordinance and removed all the reference to Business licenses int the code. Afew Town Manager Mark Biberdorf suggested moving this item to the consent agenda next week. Council had no questions and is ok with moving this item to the consent agenda Consideration of amendments to Chapter 111 of the Code of Ordinances covering itinerant merchants, salespersons, peddlers, solicitors and pawnbrokers - Mark Biberdorf. Town Manager Mark Biberdorf stated that we do a permit for some oft this activity particularly for solicitors. There is a small fee and al background check required as well. He then answered questions that council had for him on these amendments.  things were added as well to clarify about Business Registration.  Discussion Followed:  Town Manager Mark Biberdorf suggested also moving this item to the consent agenda next  week.  Council is ok with moving this item to the consent agenda. Comments from the Town Manager Mark Biberdorf.  Ar reminder next week to be here at 4:00 and we will have department heads give a brief overview of this past budget year any upcoming items for the new budget year. We have had al lot of discussion on grants for greenway projects. Rebekah Robinson with Conserving Carolina has identified one called Connecting Communities to state trails program. This is not a real big grant but it is $250,000 grant with a $250,000 match. Erica andlsat down with her and got Ben Cathey from McGill Associates and did a preliminary analysis to see ifa trail could be built and how much ofi it from Hwy 251 there're going west along Cane Creek and  you have a cost estimate int front of you.  Discussion Followed:  On our Town Center propertys surrounding town hall we have floated an idea as some type of workforce affordable housing on there. Do we approach a developer with a small number of multifamily units on the north side of the property. This is very prelminalyeaploratony mixed-  3    use development. This would have something like commercial on thel bottom with the housing  above.  Discussion Followed:  Councilman Trevor Lance asked about the development (BSC holdings) that was supposed to go on the property near town hall and the continued delays on that development. Town Manager Mark Biberdorf stated that they have started working on it and getting ready to  submit a site plan. Discussion Followed:  The only other thing that Ihave is that this is going to be a polling place again for the elections coming up. We will have 2 windows here where they willl be taking up the council chambers for al brief period of time. In March they will have it from March 4th to March 6th and that is our agenda review meeting. So, we either hold agenda review up int the Multipurpose room or we cancel it. Then there is another block of time in October where it isa a bit longer they set up in here on October 14 in here and it will bei in here through November 6th. Then we would be displaced for the regular meeting in October and then the agenda review meeting in November. Council will consider this issue closer to that time when it is known how many items will be on  the agenda.  Mayor Blakely asked for a motion to adjourn.  Councilman Keith Reed made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Councilman Jim  Player.  Motion carries all ini favor. Adjourned: 7:27 pm  Approved:  2-12-34 Date  AN4  4    Town of Fletcher Town Council Meeting January 8,2024  Call the meeting to order at: 4:00 pm Those who were in attendance are as follows:  Mayor Preston Blakley Mayor Pro-Tem Sheila Franklin Councilman Keith Reed Councilman Trevor Lance Councilman Jim Player Town Manager Mark Biberdorf Public' Works Director. Jabbo Pressley Police Chief Dan Terry Planning & Zoning Director Eric Rufa Parks & Recreation Director Greg' Walker Assistant Town Manager Heather Taylor  Budget Workshop on past year accomplishments and emerging issues for the FY 2024-2025 ITMatthew Horton gave an overview of the current budget year and what he will be  Budget  requesting fori the upcoming budget year. Potential items are as follows: Backup system upgrade Discussion Followed:  New phone system current one is 8 yrs. old and currently not working too well Manage security service provider(s) for rapid response detection  Windows 11 software for desktop machines.  Assistant Town Manager Heather Taylor gave an overview of the current budget year Administrative, Professional Services & Town Facilities) and she does not anticipate any major  requests for the upcoming budget year.  Discussion Followed:  1    Town of Fletcher Town Council Meeting January 8, 2024  Call the meeting to order at: 4:00 pm Those who were in attendance are as follows:  Mayor Preston Blakley Mayor Pro-Tem Sheila Franklin Councilman Keith Reed Councilman Trevor Lance Councilman Jim Player Town Manager Mark Biberdorf Public Works Director. Jabbo Pressley Police Chief Dan Terry Planning & Zoning Director Eric Rufa Parks & Recreation Director Greg Walker Assistant Town Manager Heather Taylor  Budget Workshop on past year accomplishments and emerging issues for the FY 2024-2025 ITN Matthew Horton gave an overview oft the current budget year and what he will be  Budget  requesting for the upcoming budget year. Potential items are as follows: Backup system upgrade Discussion Followed:  New phone system current one is 8 yrs. old and currently not working too well Manage security service provider(s) for rapid response detection  Windows 11 software for desktop machines.  Assistant Town Manager Heather Taylor gave an overview of the current budget year (Administrative, Professional Services & Town Facilities) and she does not anticipate any major  requests for the upcoming budget year.  Discussion Followed:  1    Parks & Recreation Director Greg Walker gave an overview of the current budget year and  what he will be requesting for the upcoming budget year.  Potential items are as follows: Wind screens for the courts  Repair/upgrade to sewer line in the park (restrooms) to create larger flow. New: staff person either 11 full time or 2 part time people New tractor with a side arm boom for cutting underbrush in the park.  Discussion Followed:  Police Chief Dan Terry gave an overview of the current budget year and what he will be  requesting for the upcoming budget year. Potential items are as follows: will be looking at Dodge Durango's  New yearly replacement vehicles (3) increased cost due to Dodge Charger no longer available  License Plate readers to be placed at major roads/areas into/out of town. Funds for sending a detective to Forensics school. Purchase of 41 Tactical shields to have one available for each shift.  Discussion Followed:  Public' Works Director Jabbo Pressley gave an overview of the current budget year and what he  will be requesting for the upcoming budget year.  Potential items are as follows: trash pickup and other duties Trash cans (increased developments) Brush disposal and "fees" involved Discussion Followed:  New/additional employee will be needed due to increased developments in town to help with  Scag Mower to replace a 2008 model that is worn out.  Planning & Zoning Director Eric Rufa gave an overview of the current budget year and what he  will be requesting for the upcoming budget year.  Potential items are as follows: Greenway grant match 50/50  2    Discussion Followed: budget year. Discussion Followed:  Town Manager Mark Biberdorf went over the Revenues, CIP and other projects for the past  Mayor Blakely asked ifi it was ok to recess past 6:00 pm.  Town Manager Mark Biberdorf and Town Clerk Christine Thompson both stated that it is up to Mayor Pro-Tem Sheila Franklin made a motion to recess until 6:10 pm and it was seconded by  you.  Councilman Trevor Lance. Motion carries all int favor. Break at: 5:43 pm  Call the meeting to order at: 6:09 pm  Moment of Silence: Mayor Blakely asked for a moment of silence. Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Blakely led the group ini the Pledge of Allegiance.  ***Public Comments***  Clifford Meek 805 Wilkins Street Hendersonville, spoke on asking support from council on the passenger railway between Asheville and Salisbury NC. Federal Funds are now available for Brandon Olsen 33 Stoney Brook Court Fletcher, commented on the amendments to the  projects such as these.  ordinances and the issue of door to door sales in Livingston Farms.  Approval of minutes-corrections or deletions.  (12/4,12/11)  Mayor Blakely asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletions to the minutes and if  not dol Ih have a motion to approve the minutes as presented.  3    Councilman Keith Reed stated I'll make a motion and it was seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem  Sheila Franklin.  Motion carries all in favor. Council Updates None at this time. Consent Agenda Tax refunds/releases  Approval of audit contract for FY 23/24 with Lowdermilk Church & Co. merchants, salespersons, peddlers, solicitors and pawnbrokers.  Approval of amendments to Chapter 110 of the Code of Ordinances covering business licensing. Approval of amendments to Chapter 111 of the Code of Ordinances covering itinerant  Mayor Blakely asked for any comments, questions or concerns on the consent agenda and if Councilman Jim Player stated I'll make that motion and it was seconded by Councilman Trevor  none do Ihave a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented?  Lance.  Motion carries all ini favor.  Public hearing to consider rezoning request R-2023-01, a request to rezone 9 parcels on Cane Creek and Pressley Hill Road from R-2 to Neighborhood Business District - Eric Rufa, Planning Planning & Zoning Director Eric Rufa briefly went over the rezoning request for these 9 parcels Mayor Blakely asked for a motion to go into public hearing for rezoning request R-2023-01. Councilman Trevor Lance stated that he would make a motion and it was seconded by  &Z Zoning Director.  to go from R-2 residential to NBD (Neighborhood Business District).  Councilman Jim Player. Motion carries all ini favor.  Attorney Bob Oast who is representing a group of property owners gave a PowerPoint presentation on the rezoning request and then he answered questions that council had for him.  Discussion Followed:  Mayor Blakely asked if anyone else would like to speak during the public hearing.  4    There were no other comments at this time. Mayor Blakely asked for a motion to close public hearing.  Councilman Trevor Lance stated make a motion and it was seconded by Councilman Keith  Reed.  Motion carries all ini favor.  Planning & Zoning Director Eric Rufa made some additional comments concerning that when this was originally zoned the classification of Neighborhood Business District did not exist. It was either C-1 or Residential and Ithink they aired on the side of caution with R-2. Mayor Blakely asked if there were any more comments or questions on this rezoning and if not, we would need a motion to either approve or deny the request. Councilwoman Sheila Franklin stated that she would like to make a motion to approve the rezoning request R-2023-01 from R-2 to Neighborhood Business District and it was seconded by  Councilman Keith Reed. Motion carries all ini favor.  Public hearing to consider an amendment to the Land Development Code regarding building Planning & Zoning Director Eric Rufa gave an overview about this from last month concerning changing the building height in this district from 3 stories which is 42 feet (current) to 4 stories which is 561 feet. Att the November Planning Board meeting this was unanimously approved. Mayor Blakely asked for any questions and if not do we have a motion to go into public Councilman Trevor Lance stated I'II make a motion andi it was seconded by Councilman Jim  allowances in the M-1 district = Eric Rufa, Planning & Zoning Director.  Discussion Followed: hearing. Player.  Motion carries all ini favor.  Mayor Blakely asked if anyone wanted to speak during the public hearing. Mayor Blakely asked for a motion to come out of public hearing.  No one wanted to speak at this time.  Mayor Pro-Tem Sheila Franklin she will make a motion and it was seconded by Councilman  Keith Reed.  5    Motion carries all in favor.  Mayor Blakley asked for a motion to amend the Land Development Code to allow the building Councilman Trevor Lance stated make a motion and it was seconded by Councilman Jim Player.  height of 56ft(4stories) ini the M-1 district.  Motion carries all int favor.  Update on Town Center project - Mark Biberdorf, Town Manager  Town Manager Mark Biberdorf stated that int follow upi to last week that he goti in touch with Brad Goodson and he did indicate that his intent is to buy the property and not lease. Ithink in getting to more discussion matters on this with a smaller one on one meeting with him. (two counciimembers at a time) Orl him coming back to the next meeting and give a more detailed lalso got at follow-up question from. Jim on this and he wanted to get a more information on the  presentation on what his approach would be. construction financing and long-term sustainability.  Discussion Followed:  Council agrees to have informal meetings with Mr. Goodson to get more information and certain questions answered that they may have on this project. After these meetings then  have him come back for a more formal presentation.  Discussion on council committee(s) seats and filling vacancies. other on the Henderson CountyTransportation Advisory Committee.  Mayor Blakely stated that that we have two vacancies one on the French Broad MPO and the  Isa anybody interested int these vacancies? Councilman Jim Player stated that he is interested.  Mayor Blakely asked if everyone was ok with Councilman Jim Player filling the vacant seats on Council is mutually agreeable for Councilman Jim Player to replace former Councilman Bob  these committees.  Davy on both of these committees.  6    Comments from the Town Manager Mark Biberdorf.  Conserving Carolina is continuing to look at any grant opportunities for Cane Creek greenway extension over towards the Meritor property. In particular the Connecting Communities to state trails grant. This is a $500,00.00 grant with a! 50/50 match sO our share would be $250,000.00. Rebekah Robinson will be here to discuss this next month. We are trying toi facilitate a meeting with the Executive Director of Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) just as a very high look at the property on our north side of town hall to As you know we are a polling place and in this election year and the Board of Elections are going tol have use of the chambers. For the March meeting they are going to have control of the chambers from March 4th to March 6th sO this falls in on our Agenda Review meeting. In October and November Board of Elections will have the will the room from October 14 until November 6th. This will impact our Regular Meeting in October and our Agenda Review meeting in November. Keep this in mind as to would you prefer to cancel the meetings or hold On the gentlemen (Buster Brown) who isi interested in a partnership for additional tennis courts in the park. Ithink we need to set up some additional information and to set up a meeting with  see if there is use of a small scale of workforce housing in that area.  them upstairs in the multipurpose room.  him for discussion.  Mayor Blakely asked ist there anything else from council and if not do we have a motion to Councilman Keith Reed made a motion to adjourn and it was seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem  adjourn. Sheila Franklin. Motion carries all ini favor. Adjourned: 6:58 pm Approved:  a-Day Date  RB  7