Town of Hot Springs Board of Alderman Meeting July 3, 2023 Present:  Mayor Abigail Norton Alderman Vaughn Barnett Alderman Jeanne Gentry Alderman Jimmy Moore Town Attorney Ron Moore  EMS - Dan Myers Fire Chief - Josh Norton Planning - Amy Kashuba Police Chief - David Shelton Tax Department - Laura Holloway  Mayor Norton called the Town meeting to order at 6:01pm  Mayor Norton asked for a motion to approve the June 5 Board meeting and the. June 27 Budget meeting minutes. Alderman Gentry made a motion to approve; Alderman Moore seconded the Mayor Norton had people who are interested in the Citizens Committee contact her. She will set date and time for all to meet to discuss the committee. She asks that people send her times  motion; all were in favor.  and dates of their availability. PUBLIC COMMENT  Wendy Stancil  Wanted clarification as to what would be discussed in the Citizens Committee meeting. Mayor Norton explained that the committee will be discussing the report from CPNI. She isv wanting everyone who is interested to let her know who would be willing to be active in  the committee.  DEPARTMENTS  Fire Chief Josh Norton  Request that the person who set off the fireworks, Scott [Collins] be paid $500.00 from This year, there was a small fire during the firework display. No one was injured. The The VFD has new electric, battery powered, hydraulic tools. Once all of the tools have been replaced, the department would like to find another fire department who is in need  the Volunteer Fire Department's (VFD) account. fire was put out in a short amount of time.  oft tools and donate the used tools to them.  Chief David Shelton  He would like to thank whoever swept the outside of his office off [spider webs). He also appreciates the approval of his equipment: vests, entry shields, and computer.  Page 1of3 July3,2023  Board of Alderman Meeting    Spiders seem to like to make webs over the camera lens. Chief Shelton would like to have an extension pole that would clean the webs off of the cameras. Alderman Moore  said Gentry's Hardware had 30' poles.  Laura Holloway of his office.  Ms. Holloway told Chief Shelton that Cody Thomas swept the spider webs from the front Ms. Holloway told the Board that Alderman Gentry had requested we find out when CitiSwitch plans to start constructions on the cell tower. CitiSwitch has advised their current plans are to begin the tower construction in the 2nd quarter of 2024. The 2022-2023 fiscal year with real tax collections at 99.35%  Ms. Holloway had provided the Board with listings of the real property tax balances. She advised she confirmed the majority of the smaller amounts are still owed. There are a few accounts that she will have to work with the county to determine why balances are Ms. Holloway told the Board that she has sent 1st and 2nd letters to the delinquent Personal Property owners. In working with the Town's Attorney, he has provided information identifying ways we can move forward in collecting Personal Property taxes. Ms. Hollowing will provide the Board with names she is wanting to be advertised in the Ms. Holloway has provided 3 packets for 3 town residents: 1) Randall Perry; requesting we release $33.98, plus July interest, on the 2021 tax bill. Appears we double charged Mr. Perry for his Peterbilt Truck. A message has been left for Debbie Ponder to find out information on Mr. Perry's work truck(s). 2) Amanda Waldroup; requesting release of $41.06, plus July interest on 2020 tax bill. Appears Ms. Waldroup was charged for 2 mobile homes in 2020. County was contacted and they assured County charged 1 mobile home, valued at $6,470, in tax year 2020. Alderman Gentry made a motion to release the $41.06, plus July interest; Alderman Barnett seconded the motion; all were in favor. 3) Barbara Wallin; Ms. Holloway told the Board that she has exhausted all avenues of research regarding the mobile home taxed to Barbara Wallin. Brbara Wallin could not be identified as owning property (real or personal) in Hot Springs. Ms. Holloway requests $924.27, plus July interest, for taxes charged on the mobile home from 2009 through 2022 be released. Alderman Gentry made a motion to approve the Ms. Holloway asked the Board if the pool fill rates to be increased. The current policy was approved in 2019. Gas prices have increased. The Town's water rates have increased at least twice since 2019. Alderman Gentry asked Fire Chief Norton if the Town's fire department fills pools. Chief Norton advised the fire department would fill the pools in Town if contacted. Mayor Norton advised the topic will be discussed.  still owed.  newspaper for delinquent personal property payers.  request; Alderman Moore seconded the motion; all were in favor.  Page 2of3 July 3,2023  Board of Alderman Meeting    TOWN BUSINESS  Mayor Norton  Let everyone know the construction of the French Broad River Bridge, in Hot Springs,  has been postponed until October 2024.  Alderman Gentry  The Zoning Board requested to meet every other month unless something comes up that would need to be discussed sooner. The Zoning Board last met in June. Alderman Gentry made a motion to allow the Zoning Board to meet every other month. Mayor Norton asked Attorney Moore if the Zoning Board's Charter would need to be changed. Attorney Moore asked if the Charter had previously been voted on. Mayor Norton advised the Charter was about 30-years old. Attorney Moore said the Zoning Board could motion the meeting changes in themselves. Alderman Gentry will notify Ben Houser that Zoning can make the meeting change themselves. Attorney Moore suggests that Zoning report back to the Aldermen for official recording. The Board has received requests for an extension for music during holidays. Alderman Gentry made a motion to add to the Noise Ordinance, in section 6, #4, that extensions for special events are requested the month before the event at the Town Hall meeting. Alderman Gentry requests that pool fill ups are for in Town limit residents only and, by Board of Alderman approval, the Fire Country Department and Spring Creek Fire Department with proper documentation. Pool and other companies are prohibited from purchasing/using Hot Springs' water source. Although someone may have a Hot Springs zip code does not mean the person resides in the Town of Hot Springs. Mayor Norton asked Attorney Moore if he would change the policy wording for us. Attorney Moore said he would work with Alderman Gentry on the wording after the evening's Alderman Gentry wants to get advertisements out regarding sealed bidding for the dump truck, trailer, and side-by-side the town is selling. Mayor Norton asked Attorney Moore if the Town had to run the add in the newspaper? Does the advertisement have to be print? Or can it be advertised on the Town's website? The sale should be less than $30,000. Attorney Moore said he would research and let the Board know. Alderman Moore noted that a reserve would need to be noted in the advertisement. Alderman  Alderman Moore seconded the motions; all were in favor.  meeting.  Gentry advised she already had the reserve amounts.  Since there is no other business to discuss, Alderman Moore made a motion to adjourn, Alderman Barnett seconded the motion; all were in favor. Meeting adjourned at 6:24pm.  8-T-303-3  Ziblata Mayor Abigail Norton  Date Other  Page 3 of3 July 3,2023  Board of Alderman Meeting