Susan S. Phillips Village Manager Stacy C. Eggers IV Village Attorney (828)898-9292 www.secsugar.com  Gunther Jochl Mayor ScottJ. Brown Mayor Pro Tem Council Members David Ammann Wade Wittman Dick Casey  ny  NC.  THE VILLAGE OF SUGAR MOUNTAIN 251 Dick Trundy Lane Sugar Mountain, NC 28604  Manager's Monthly Report June 27, 2023  Golf Course: The golf course is in exceptionally good condition and is beautiful with the greening of the trees and blossoming of the plants. Overall, we have seen activity increase but not at the level we have seen ini the past few seasons. From the opening day of April 21st through May 31st we saw an increase of $13,162 in revenue in comparison to the same period of April and May 2022. Activity through. June 22nd has shown a $11,536 decrease in revenue in comparison to the same period of June 2022. Much of this decrease came from the course being closed for three Tennis: The Tennis courts opened fori the 2023 Season on May 15tha and activity is picking up with the arrival of our summer tennis players. They have begun the regular doubles match play schedule as of June 1st. There has been a small decrease in revenue of $500 in comparison to May 2022. Activity through June 22nd has shown a decrease of $3,152 in revenue in comparison to the same period of June 2022. Like golf, this decrease is partially due to the courts being closed Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Board Meeting: The TDA Board met on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. The Board discussed a quote received for installation of a re-tractable awning ($17,000) on the golf pro shop deck. The Board tabled approval of the awning until the July meeting after the FY: 2023-24 budget isa approved. The Board also discussed a request from Sugar Mountain Resort for a portable tent ($10,000), decorative lights in the golf andi tennis parkingl lot and lighting in the Resorts #1 and #2 parking lots. The Board also tabled further discussion and approval of these items until the new budget is in place. A contract with Phillip Sisco for $3,970 was approved for additional landscaping on Grouse Moor Drive. The Board held al Public Hearing for the FY 2023-24 Budget and later in the meeting adopted the Budget in the amount of The April 2023 collections oft the occupancy1 tax showed a decrease of 70% in comparison to April 2022. The occupancy1 tax collections fori the period May 20221 through April 2023 ($933,053)have shown a $84,569 or 9.1% decrease in comparison to the same period of 2022 ($1,017,622).  days this past week.  for three days this past week.  $804,255. Mark File submitted the attached May 2023 marketing update.    Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Board Meeting: The P&Z Board met on Wednesday, May 24th. Zoe Schmidinger and Dick Casey took their oath of office to continue for a 3-year term (March 2026) on the Board. Zoe Schmidinger was also appointed as Board Chair. The Board discussed a draft ordinance amendment to improve enforcement of ordinances and collection of penalties. The Board recommended forwarding it to the Council for their consideration. This ordinance amendment will be on the. June 27th Council agenda for discussion and consideration ofs settinga Reserve I: A developer has purchased the remaining parcel in Reserve II. The engineer/general contractor for the developer has submitted zoning compliance permit applications for three buildings, with four units in each building. These three parcels were a part of the original plat approved in the development of Reserve II. The buildings willl bei the same design, material, and color scheme as the existing buildings in Reserve II. The remaining property willl be developed as SB675 Land Use Changes and Clarifications (Municipal ETJ Authority): This Bill would alter our control at our boundaries; specifically, our Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Whilei in the Senate, it was updated to include language that would take away municipal authority to regulate ETJ'sin counties with populations ofl less than! 50,000: andi those greater than 50,000wouldretain control. This bill was passed in the Senate and has gone through one reading in the House. It has now Courtyard by Marriott - Sugar Mountain: The developer has contacted the Village and they will be submitting plans and an application for a Special Use Permit for the Courtyard Marriott at the Grandfather Center ini the upcoming weeks. As reported previously, the plans for this site began in mid-2020. At that time, Four and I discussed with the developer Sugar Mountain ordinance requirements, including architectural standards, height limitations and parking requirements. The architect has incorporated all ordinance requirements into the plans. A hotel is a permitted use in the C-B Commercial Business District with a Special Use Permit issued by the Board of Courtyard by Marriott - Banner Elk: As everyone is aware of at this point, a developer has approached Banner Elk about developing the property across from New River Building Supply on Tynecastle Hwy for a Courtyard Marriott. The Banner Elk Council held a Public Hearing for consideration of an ordinance amendment that would create a new zoning district that would change height restrictions, as well as setback requirements for this project. The Council did not take any action on the ordinance amendment Monday evening, and I have been informed that the majority of the Council will not allow a 70 ft building to be built in Banner Elk. It does not appear this project will move forward unless the developer can build as structure to meet Banner  public hearing at the. July meeting.  18 parcels and approved under our subdivision ordinances.  been referred to a special committee within the House for discussion.  Adjustment.  Elk's current ordinance requirements.    Summer Grillin'& Chillin' Events: The summer Grillin' & Chillin' Events will continue every Wednesday this summer through Labor Day, September 4th. The events are every Wednesday from 5:30 - 8:30. Wednesday, June 28th will feature the band "Smokin' Joe Randolph". Due to the inclement weather, the event for June 21st, was cancelled. The band "Delta Fire" that was to perform will be rescheduled for either' Wednesday, September 6th, or1 the 13th. This is the seventh year of the event and attendance continues to grow. With the excellent food prepared by Shelly and Keith Lane, andi the great entertainment that has been contracted, these summer events add much to the Village summer season. I would encourage each of you to attend a great evening Property Tax Collections: Of the $1,380,138 total 2022 levy, $1,374,217 or 99.57% has been collected with a balance of $5,921 uncollected through June 22nd. A balance of $2,148 remains November Municipal Election: The candidate filing period for the upcoming municipal election in November will open on Friday, July 7th at noon and will close on Friday, July 21st at noon. The Village will have the Mayor and two Council seats open for four-year terms this election year. Advertisements for the Police Officer position vacancy have been placed int the local newspapers as well as with the NCI League of Municipalities job postings publication. The Village has received one application for the position to date. Chief Turbyfill has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant and has begun the necessary background checks required for law Officer Thomas Guinn will be resigning his position with the Police Department at a date to be determined. Officer Guinn is pursuing a position with Avery County Sheriff's Department. The Village office willl be closed Tuesday, July 4thi for the. July 4th Holiday. There willl be no change in the residential trash pick-up schedule this holiday week. All Avery County Trash sites will be The Police Department willl be on a regular schedule throughout the holiday weekend. Additional  with fellow residents and guests of the Village.  uncollected fori the 2013-2021 tax years.  Administrative Matters:  enforcement officers.  closed on Sunday, July 2nd and Tuesday, July 4th.  officers will be on duty throughout the evening on Tuesday, July 4th.  Regpectfullys submitted,  ROe  Susan Phillips Village Manager