Susan S. Phillips Village Manager Stacy C. Eggers IV Village Attorney (828)898-9292 www.sccsugar.com ) Gunther Jochl Mayor Scott J. Brown Mayor Pro Tem Council Members David Ammann Wade Wittman Dick Casey 195 THE VILLAGE OF SUGAR MOUNTAIN 251 Dick Trundy Lane Sugar Mountain, NC 28604 Manager's Monthly Report December 17, 2024 Hurricane Helene: Work continues, as it willi for some time, throughout the Village on assessing damage from Hurricane Helene. The process of the debris removal and repairs to our infrastructure has all begun and we are seeing progress. A majority of emergency repairs have been made to our Village streets, with the exception of areas where we had mudslides. Our right of way debris cleanup is about 90% complete. A report from Avery County showed there have been 7,636 cubic yards or 261 loads removed from Sugar Mountain as of December 7,2 2024. We have had three meetings to date with FEMA representatives to identify and prepare our damage inventory list that will begin the process of applying for reimbursements as projects are completed. The representatives indicated for our smaller projects, reimbursements may be an eight to ten week turn- around process, whereas the larger projects may be eight to ten months. We have been working with Insight Planning and Development consultants under an emergency contract to date to assist the Village in assessing storm damage, ensuring Federal procurement compliance, and filing for reimbursements of all eligible storm related expenditures. We are now required to send out an RFP for Comprehensive Disaster Recovery Management Services and select a firm to continue providing these services to the Village. The costs fori these services are 100% reimbursable through FEMA funding. We have received four proposals. Once the staff has reviewed the proposals, a recommendation will bei forwarded to the Council for consideration of Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Board Meeting: The TDA Board met on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Thel Board approved fundingofs33,130for: six decorative lightsi sint the Resort parking lots 1 and 2. The Board was presented with options for the levels of membership with the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and took no action. Dalton Kirby, Marketing Director, requested and the Board approved a $1,000 increase in the winter promotions budget for additional advertising ini the month of January. Dalton Kirby of Bramble Marketing submitted the The October 2024 collections of the occupancy tax showed a decrease of 91% in comparison to October 2023. This large decrease resulted from Hurricane Helene that caused a shutdowni inc our tourism industry in late September and the month of October. The occupancy tax collections for awarding a contract. attached November 2024 marketing update. the period November 2023 through October 2024 ($758,420) have shown a $108,836 or 12.5% Shop with a Cop: Our Police Department participated again this year with the Avery County Sheriff's department, other local law enforcement agencies and emergency personnel in the annual "Shop with a Cop" event on Monday, December 16th. This outreach program for the children gives them a chance to interact with law enforcement, as well as build a positive relationship and experience with the officers in our area. It is also a good way for the law enforcement and other organizations to give back to the community and the local children. Officer Madison Hicks and Mary Kate took a child to select toys and clothing from the Walmart Property Tax Collections: Of the $1,435,966 total 2024 levy, $918,471 or 63.97% has been collected with a balance of $517,369 uncollected through December 12, 2024. A balance of $4,306 is still uncollected for the 2015-2023 tax years. A reminder, taxes are due or must be post- marked by Monday, January 6,2025 and willl begin to accruei interest and penalties after this date. Administrative Matters: Advertisements for the Police Officer position vacancy, following the sudden resignation of Kyle Osborne, have been placed in the local newspapers as well as with the NCL League of Municipalities job postings publication. The Village has received no applications fort the position to date. ChiefTurbyfil is workingt the scheduled shifts of Osborne throughout the month of December as well as being in the Village on the weekends for additional coverage with Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference: Congratulations to Bill Daniels on being selected for the Envu Superintendent Grant program. As a recipient of this grant, Bill will receive a complmentarypackage including airfare, hotel, registration, educational seminars, and $200 spending money to attend the 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Christmas Luncheon: Please join us for an employee Holiday luncheon on Wednesday, December 18th at noon in the Village Hall. We will have a gift exchange; if you would like to Christmas Holiday Schedule: The Village office will be closed Tuesday, December 24th and Wednesday, December 25th for the Christmas Holiday. There will be no changes to our The Village offices will be closed Wednesday, January 1sti for New Years Day. Again, there willl be The Police Department will be on a regular schedule throughout the holiday weeks. Reserve officers will be staffed to provide additional coverage between Christmas and New' Years. decrease in comparison to the same period of 2023 ($867,255). in Elizabethton and enjoyed a dinner at the Pizza Inn restaurant. the busy ski and holiday season soon approaching. February 3-6, 2025, in San Diego, California. participate everyone is asked to bring a small gift. residential trash pick-up during the week of Christmas. no changes to our residential trash pick-up the week of New Year's. The Public Works staff will also be scheduled as neededi ini the case ofi inclement weather. The Village staff and Iwish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday season! Respertfulysubmittes, Susan harRoQpo Phillips, VillageManager