NOTE: THESE ARE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE APPROVED JAN 8 MEETING MINUTES. A LINK TO THE COMPLETE PDF VERSION IS AT THE END OF THE PAGE.
Mayor Michael Knight called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm with the following Council Members attending: Vice- Mayor Bruce Stoneberger, Councilman Jeremiah Knight, Councilman Douglas Purdham, Councilman Joseph Mauck, and Councilwoman Robyn Good.
Others present at this meeting: Town Manager Terry Pettit, Police Chief Ryan Dean, Treasurer Leon Stout, Parks Director Teri Beers, and Board Member for Planning Commission Gary Comer.
The presenters are Rhonda Fisher with Stanley Homecoming and Gloria Hamilton with Blue Ridge Mountains Family Connections.
Mayor Knight asked for a motion to make Teri Beers Temporary Clerk, motion was made by Councilman Purdham, seconded by Councilman Mauck.
PRESENTATIONS
Rhonda Fisher addressed the Council asking if a decision was made as to who would be coordinating the pageant this coming year.
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After some brief discussion on the matter, a motion was made by Mauck, seconded by Stoneberger for Knight’s suggestion on the pageant. Knight asked for a roll call vote.
Yea – Stoneberger, Mauck
Nay – Purdham, Good
Councilman Knight and Mayor Knight abstained due to a personal relationship.
Motion Failed. The decision of the pageant coordinator will go back to the homecoming committee.
The second presenter was Gloria Hamilton.
Ms. Hamilton stated she is looking into starting a nonprofit youth group. She has applied for a 501C and is looking for a place to start having meetings. She is hoping to be able to form a committee of multiple members and would love to have a town police officer involved with the project. Ms. Hamilton stated she would keep Town Council updated.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Knight started off the Treasurer’s report asking if there were any questions about the pay warrant.
Mauck asked what #26 was fixed on the old utility truck?
Stout stated it was for a new heater core, new struts and front-end alignment. Pettit stated that #48 was to drain the old clarifier because it was not working properly, and we are waiting on a part to fix it.
Knight asked if the Brock Drive and Little League loan would be refinanced. Stout stated they would.
A motion was made by Mauck, seconded by Purdham to accept the pay warrant in the amount of $209,066.26.
Motion Carried.
MANAGER’S REPORT
Pettit stated the text.gov alert system will conduct training next Thursday via zoom for us to go through and learn the system. Plans are to have the system up by the end of January.
Pettit said he spoke with SVEC on the cost of adding a streetlight on West Main Street. There is no installation charge and the cost per month would be $12.50.
A motion was made by Purdham, seconded by Mauck to have the streetlight added.
Motion Carried.
Pettit went over two quotes to have the windows repaired at the town office, and at this time, four windows at the back of the building need repairs as soon as possible.
There was a motion made by Mauck and seconded by Purdham to accept the bid from High Country Contracting, in the amount of $16,000, with the company repairing four windows now, and the rest in April.
A motion was made by Purdham, seconded by Good to approve the 2025 Holiday schedule.
Motion Carried.
Pettit stated the library had requested help to cover ceiling light surge protection. A motion was made by Purdham, seconded by J. Knight to approved to pay half of the bill in the amount of $406.62.
Motion Carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Pettit stated that the clock-in system started on Monday.
Within the next couple weeks, we will have the 2022-2023 audit completed and we will be caught up. The 2024 Audit will begin after tax time.
Good asked if they could check the cost to do a boundary line adjustment to the Hawksbill Diner. Pettit stated a rough estimate would be 50,000-60,000 and that a study would have to be done. Purdham stated they should proceed with the study just to see the numbers written out on paper.
Stoneberger stated he has received multiple complaints from residents on Marksville Road about the water pressure especially during the summer months while the pool is in operation.
Pettit stated to fix the issue, they would need to install a booster pump at the public works building, and depending on the size of pump, it could be around $200,000.
Mayor Knight asked Pettit if he had applied for a grant. Pettit stated upon further research into the grant, there wasn’t a grant but a boot camp to help towns find and apply for capital grants which match 50% and the town pays the other 50%.
Mayor Knight asked if they could get an update from the company collecting back taxes for the town. Stout stated he could.
POLICE REPORT
Chief Dean stated there were 309 calls for service, four citations, and 287 self-initiated calls.
The tag reader system installation has been postponed until warmer weather to be able to dig the holes to install the poles.
Dean stated town council needs to look into updating the town code for abandoned vehicles and trash around residences.
PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT
Director Beers stated she included quotes for a dumpster at the Hawksbill Pool that would be serviced through Waste Management. Mauck said he had requested the quotes just to compare prices since the trash truck broke down.
WATER/SEWER REPORT
Update on well #7. The pump is locked up due to sitting for so long, so the town is having the pump sized to get a replacement. Once once that is installed, they can test the well. The permit renewal for the pool wastewater has been done and is now in compliance.
NEW BUSINESS
Mauck recommended that more lights be added to the bucket truck because it is harder to see at night.
Pettit stated a light was needed at the public works building to help light it up better at night. He also stated the lights on the back of the sweeper are out and need to be repaired.
Mayor Knight asked the council if they all had a copy of the personnel handbook. Pettit stated he had a copy for everyone that also included the safety handbook. Mayor Knight requested, for the next meeting, a copy of every employee’s anniversary date, years of service, and leave time.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:30 p.m.
For a direct link to the January 8 Meeting Minutes, CLICK HERE.
Stanley Town Council meeting minutes are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Stanley Volunteer Fire Hall, 190 East Main Street.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2025. Start time: 7:30 p.m.
Meeting agendas and minutes may be viewed HERE. February, 2025 meeting minutes will be approved at the March meeting.