Brevard public meetings in 2022

Ecusta Trail Advisory Board

The board approved the agenda and previous meeting minutes. Members discussed a proposal from the Transylvania County Bird Club for a viewing platform and directed staff to review lease restrictions regarding structures in the trail's right-of-way. Staff provided updates on a pending RAISE grant application and trail construction progress in Henderson County.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved November 30, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Directed Planning Department to check City lease for structure permissions in the 50’ right-of-way for a proposed bird viewing platform (unanimous)

Planning Board

The regular meeting scheduled for December 27, 2022, was cancelled. No substantive decisions were made.

ABC Board

The Brevard ABC Board will hold a regular meeting to approve minutes from the October session, review the manager's report and sales updates, and approve financial reports and bank statements for October and November. The agenda is largely procedural with no major policy decisions or public hearings listed.

• Approval of minutes from October 27, 2022 regular session
• Manager's report and sales updates
• Review and approval of October and November financial reports and bank statements

The Board approved a one-time increase in profit sharing for the Fall Quarter to remain within retained profit guidelines. The City's share will increase by $40,000 and the County's share by $13,333. The Board also reported the purchase of a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica for $20,363.

• Approved increase in profit sharing to the City by $40,000 (unanimous)
• Approved increase in profit sharing to the County by $13,333 (unanimous)
• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved October 27, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee - City Council

The committee approved three applications for the Adopt-a-Green Space program, though educational signage for one site will be reviewed by the City Manager. The committee also recommended a specific multi-use path for a feasibility study grant application.

• Approved Adopt-a-Green Space applications for The Carson Family, Pisgah Drive/Temple Church Road Neighbors, and Conserving Carolina (Unanimous)
• Deferred decision on educational signage for the Carson Family application to the Planning Director and City Manager
• Recommended Old Hendersonville Highway multi-use path for the feasibility study grant application (Unanimous)
• Approved meeting agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved November 16, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

Short-Term Rental Task Force

The Task Force decided to keep the public survey open until January 15, 2023, and will provide paper copies at the Planning Department. Members requested a granular presentation and narrative explanation of the survey data for future review.

• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Approved November 17, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
• Set public survey closing date to January 15, 2023
• Decided to provide paper survey copies at the Planning Department
• Scheduled next meeting for January 19, 2023

Downtown Master Plan Committee - City Council

The committee decided to table an application for a bronze statue of Moms Mabley in Clemson Plaza to first convene a subcommittee to curate downtown public art. Staff provided updates on downtown construction projects and special events procedures. No other substantive actions were taken.

• Tabled public art application for Moms Mabley statue
• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Approved October 12, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Public Works & Utilities - City Council

The committee voted to recommend the approval of amendments to the Solid Waste Management Ordinance to City Council. These changes address collection frequency fees and the parking of city vehicles at private residences for refuse collection. The committee also received updates on the Main Street Infrastructure Project and Cashiers Valley Road parking lot.

• Recommended approval of Solid Waste Management Ordinance amendments to City Council (unanimous)
• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved November 2, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Planning Board

The Planning Board reviewed a draft of the 2030 Comprehensive Land Use Plan and discussed priorities for city growth, housing, and infrastructure. Board members were tasked with submitting comments to staff by December 23, 2022, to inform an implementation plan for City Council adoption in early 2023.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved November 15, 2022, minutes (unanimous)
• Set December 23, 2022, deadline for Board comments on draft plan

City Council

City Council approved amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance and a 20-year lease with the Transylvania Youth Soccer Association for field improvements. The Council also restructured its committee process and awarded a water and sewer asset inventory contract.

• Approved amendments to UDO Chapters 2, 3, 4, 10, and 19 (unanimous)
• Approved 20-year lease with Transylvania Youth Soccer Association (unanimous)
• Awarded $431,500 water and sewer asset inventory contract to Summit Engineering (unanimous)
• Adopted Resolution 2022-40 updating the structure of City Council Committees (unanimous)
• Approved amendment to Section 77-8 regarding Bracken Preserve camping (unanimous)
• Appointed Tad Fogel to the Board of Adjustment (unanimous)
• Approved 2023 meeting schedule and cancelled Dec 19, 2022 meeting (unanimous)
• Tabled decision on closing a portion of Woodlawn Avenue to next meeting

Public Safety Committee - City Council

The committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the October 24, 2022 meeting. The session included a discussion regarding a request to implement a no on-street parking zone on Mills Avenue near the Mary C. Jenkins Community Center.

• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Approved October 24, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Ecusta Trail Advisory Board

The board approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from October 26, 2022. Members received updates on FLAP and RAISE grant statuses, railroad trestle removal, and trailhead studies. No new project contracts or funding allocations were decided.

• Approved the agenda (unanimous)
• Approved October 26, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Finance, Human Resources & Citizen Appointment Committee - City Council

The committee reviewed updates on a classification and compensation study and city job vacancies. Members discussed funding strategies for the Estatoe Trail extension and proposed updates to the citizen appointment process for boards and committees.

• Approved the meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of the October 24, 2022 meeting (unanimous)
• Reached consensus to have boards and committees review candidates before the Finance, HR and Appointment committee's formal review
• Reached consensus to distinguish residency requirements between Policy Committees (must be residents) and Advisory Committees (must be vested in city affairs)

City Council

City Council referred a proposed camping ban back to the Public Safety Committee for revision and further study on homelessness. The Council approved a $70,000 contribution for the acquisition of 34 acres at Bracken Preserve. Several updates to the Unified Development Ordinance and city codes were also adopted.

• Referred proposed camping ban back to Public Safety Committee (5-0)
• Referred homelessness strategy study back to staff (unanimous)
• Approved $70,000 for Bracken Preserve land acquisition (4-1)
• Approved wall sign calculation and limit revisions (4-1)
• Extended special event permit deadline from 15 to 60 days (unanimous)
• Approved temporary permits for goat and sheep grazing (unanimous)
• Referred UDO use matrix amendments to December 5 meeting (unanimous)
• Referred Bracken Preserve management rule changes to December 5 meeting (unanimous)

ABC Board

The Brevard ABC Board has cancelled its regular meeting scheduled for November 18, 2022. The next regular meeting will be held on December 22, 2022.

Short-Term Rental Task Force

The task force removed two members for nonattendance and reclassified the City Attorney as an ex officio member to simplify quorum requirements. The committee reviewed current home sale data and the progress of a resident survey.

• Approved amended agenda (unanimous)
• Approved September 15, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved October 20, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
• Removed Daniel Trusler and Ryan Jacques from committee for nonattendance (unanimous)
• Reclassified Mack McKeller as an ex officio member (unanimous)
• Decided to refer sticker design idea to the City's communications person
• Requested Mack McKeller review short-term rental regulations in other local communities

Rosenwald Community Advisory Board

The board met to approve the meeting agenda and the minutes from the October 20, 2022 meeting. Director Tyree Griffin shared a video of the Mary C. Jenkins Community & Cultural Center grand opening celebration.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved October 20, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee - City Council

The committee reached a consensus to negotiate a 20-year lease with TYSA without buyout options. Members also recommended a specific three-bathroom facility for the Sports Complex for future budget consideration. An update was provided on the Bracken Preserve acquisition funding gap.

• Approved agenda and October 19, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
• Reached consensus to negotiate a 20-year lease with TYSA with no buyout options
• Recommended a 3-bathroom facility with slant roof for the Sports Complex for next year's budget discussions

Planning Board

The Planning Board unanimously approved two staff-initiated text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance. These changes refine how building setbacks are measured and reorganize planning and zoning permit categories.

• Approved text amendment TXT-22-008 regarding setback measurement (unanimous)
• Approved text amendment TXT-22-011 regarding permit categories (unanimous)
• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved minutes from October 19 and October 25, 2022 (unanimous)

City Council Work Sessions

The City Council held a governance workshop to refine the roles and makeup of its committees and boards. Council reached consensus on new classifications for policy and advisory committees and updated eligibility requirements for members.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Adopted informal 'thumbs down' voting procedure for the workshop (unanimous)
• Classified Finance, HR/Citizen Appointment, Public Works/Utilities, Public Safety, and Housing Trust Fund as Policy Committees
• Classified Parks, Trails & Recreation, Downtown Master Plan, and Rosenwald Community Advisory Board as Advisory Committees
• Set Policy Committee makeup to 2 Council members and 1 citizen
• Set Advisory Committee makeup to citizen members and 2 Council members as Ex-Officio
• Removed staff as voting members of committees
• Tabled decisions on streaming committee meetings and after-hours meeting schedules for staff study

Housing Committee - City Council

The committee reviewed a first draft of the Housing Trust Fund Guidebook, which outlines eligibility, priorities, and application processes. Staff will return the document for further review in December. No final policy decisions were made regarding the guidebook.

• Approved the meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Approved amended minutes from October 11, 2022 meeting (unanimous)

City Council

City Council approved a $610,000 water system improvement project and updated the Unified Development Ordinance regarding irregular lots. The Council also established an 'Adopt a Greenspace' program and committed $70,000 toward the Bracken Preserve acquisition.

• Approved Ordinance 2022-69 amending Unified Development Ordinance for irregular lots (unanimous)
• Approved $610,000 contract for 2021 Water System Improvement Project (unanimous)
• Approved $54,000 budget transfer to cover water project overage (unanimous)
• Committed $70,000 to Bracken Preserve acquisition and tabled further discussion (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2022-38 implementing Adopt a Greenspace Program (unanimous)
• Authorized lease payment waiver for Transylvania County Little League in exchange for maintenance (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2022-33 supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2022-34 to hold public hearing on closing portion of Woodlawn Avenue (unanimous)

Public Works & Utilities - City Council

The committee reached a consensus to begin the formal process of contracting an engineer to evaluate future needs for the wastewater treatment plant. Proposed amendments to the Solid Waste Management Ordinance were tabled pending further staff information. The city manager is currently reviewing a land transfer request from NCDOT.

• Approved minutes from August 9, 2022 meeting (unanimous)
• Consensus to move forward with contracting an engineer for wastewater treatment plant upgrades
• Tabled amendments to Solid Waste Management Ordinance regarding pickup vehicle parking and fee increases

Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment approved two variance requests to reduce property setbacks for residential construction. It also approved a previous order and the meeting agenda.

• Approved Order VAR-22-008 Robert Williams (unanimous)
• Granted rehearing request for VAR-22-007 Mike Carrick (unanimous)
• Approved variance VAR-22-007 for Carrick Properties, Inc. to allow a 2-foot side setback on the east property line (unanimous)
• Approved variance VAR-22-009 for Brian Crawford to allow a 22.5-foot rear setback at 425 W. Probart Avenue (unanimous)

ABC Board

The ABC Board will meet to approve minutes, review a state audit presented by Terry Andersen of Carland & Andersen, hear a manager's report on sales, and approve September financial reports. A closed session is scheduled to discuss a personnel matter. The November meeting will be rescheduled due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

• State audit review by Terry Andersen of Carland & Andersen
• Manager's report and sales updates
• Review and approval of September financial reports and bank statement
• Closed session for personnel matter under G.S. 143-318.11.(a)(3)(5)(6)
• Rescheduling of November meeting due to Thanksgiving

The Board approved a 7% cost-of-living increase for all employees and a promotion for Chris Thorpe. Members also reviewed a state audit showing total assets of almost $1.7M for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

• Approved 7% Cost of Living (COLA) increase for all employees (unanimous)
• Approved moving Chris Thorpe from Sales Clerk ($15/hr) to Office and Facilities Associate ($18.50/hr) (unanimous)
• Approved September 22, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Scheduled next meeting for November 18, 2022

Ecusta Trail Advisory Board

The board approved the meeting agenda and previous minutes. Members received updates on a $21.4 million grant request for the NSFLTP and a timeline for the RR trestle removal project.

• Approved the agenda (unanimous)
• Approved September 28, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Planning Board

The Planning Board approved a text amendment to change how wall sign sizes are calculated and limit the number of signs per frontage. The Board also approved revisions to the Use Matrix, Definitions & Standards in UDO Chapter 3 and Chapter 19.

• Approved TXT-22-009 Wall Signs amendment (2-1)
• Approved TXT-22-007 Use Matrix, Definitions & Standards revisions (unanimous)

Public Safety Committee - City Council

The Public Safety Committee unanimously approved a text amendment allowing temporary goat and sheep grazing permits for weed control, sending it to City Council. They also discussed a Vision Zero traffic safety initiative and agreed to let staff streamline the traffic calming policy. On camping within city limits, the committee allowed staff to take a proposed ordinance directly to full Council for faster action, citing health and safety concerns from recent tent encampments.

• Approved sending text amendment for temporary goat/sheep grazing permits to City Council (unanimous)
• Consensus to have staff revise traffic calming policy to rely more on data and less on subjective input
• Agreed to let staff bring camping ordinance proposal directly to full Council without committee review

Finance, Human Resources & Citizen Appointment Committee - City Council

The meeting was largely procedural and discussion-based, with no formal votes on substantive policy or spending. The committee approved the agenda and prior meeting minutes, and received updates on recruitment for a Communications Coordinator and Public Works Director. A preview of the November 9th Governance Workshop was given, and the committee discussed a potential grievance appeal policy change that would eliminate the Personnel Board.

• Approved agenda as amended (unanimous)
• Approved minutes of September 26, 2022 meeting (unanimous)

Short-Term Rental Task Force

The Short-Term Rental Task Force met on October 20, 2022, but lacked a quorum, so no official actions could be taken. The meeting included public comments and sub-committee updates, but no votes or decisions were made. The next meeting was set for November 17, 2022.

• No decisions made due to lack of quorum
• Next meeting scheduled for November 17, 2022

ABC Board

The Board will review the August 25, 2022, meeting minutes and receive a manager's report regarding sales updates. The session includes a review and approval of August financial reports and bank statements.

• Review and approve August financial reports and bank statement

ABC Board

The Board will review the manager's report and sales updates. Unfinished business includes the review and approval of accountant reports and bank reconciliations from June and July 2022.

• Review and approve accountant’s reports from June and July, 2022
• Review and approve reconciliations and bank statements from June and July, 2022

ABC Board

The Brevard ABC Board is holding a special meeting to receive a business update from North Carolina ABC Commission Chairman Hank Bauer.

• Business update from NC ABC Commission Chairman Hank Bauer

ABC Board

The regular meeting of the Brevard ABC Board scheduled for July 28, 2022, has been cancelled. No items were decided or discussed.

ABC Board

The Board will conduct a public hearing regarding the proposed FY23 budget. Members are also scheduled to review and approve the FY22 budget amendment and May 2022 financial reports.

• Public Hearing: ABC FY23 Proposed Budget
• Review, approval, and adoption of proposed FY23 budget
• Review and approval of FY22 budget amendment
• Review and approval of May 2022 Financial Reports and Bank Statements

ABC Board

The Brevard ABC Board will meet to discuss sales updates and financial reports. The board is scheduled to review and approve a budget amendment for FY2022 and the proposed financial budget for FY2023.

• FY2022 Budget Amendment
• FY2023 Proposed Financial Budget
• April Financial Reports and Bank Statement

ABC Board

The Board will receive a manager's report and sales updates. Members are also scheduled to review and approve the March financial reports and bank statements.

• Review and approval of March financial reports and bank statements

Downtown Master Plan Committee - City Council

The committee will review the financial report and discuss FY 2022-2023 budget priorities. The agenda also includes approval of previous meeting minutes.

• Financial Report
• FY 2022-2023 Budget Priorities

ABC Board

The Board will hear a presentation on youth alcohol education from the C.A.R.E. Coalition. The meeting includes a review of February financial reports and bank statements.

• Youth Alcohol Education presentation by Kristen Gentry
• Review and approval of February financial reports and bank statements
• Closed session to discuss personnel matters

Downtown Master Plan Committee - City Council

The City Council Downtown Master Plan Committee is meeting to review a proposal for downtown planters. Members will also discuss year-round downtown tree lights and identify projects for a tourism grant.

• Proposal for Downtown Planters
• Discussion of year-round Downtown Tree Lights
• Discussion of projects for Tourism Grant

Downtown Master Plan Committee - City Council

The Downtown Master Plan Committee will meet to discuss specific downtown design projects. The session includes a presentation on the 60% Main Street design and an update on Times Arcade Alley.

• 60% Main Street Design Presentation
• Times Arcade Alley update
• Jordan Street dumpsters

Downtown Master Plan Committee - City Council

The regular meeting of the Council Downtown Master Plan Committee scheduled for January 3, 2022, has been cancelled. The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2022, at 4:00 PM.