Event Recap
Meeting Overview The Woodfin Town Council held its regular session on July 16, 2024. The meeting focused on approving routine administrative items, reviewing departmental reports, and making significant changes to stormwater billing and fee structures. The council also established two new temporary subcommittees to address specific regulatory and personnel matters.
Key Decisions The council approved the agenda and the consent agenda, both by a unanimous vote of 5-0. The consent agenda included the approval of the minutes from the June 18, 2024, meeting, the Tax Collection Report for the period ending May 2024, and the appointment of Jackie Craig as Chairperson of the ABC Board. Additionally, the council approved Resolution 2024-06 regarding the Street Acceptance Policy, Resolution 2024-07 designating Sergeant Colbey Mehaffey to sign ABC permit applications, and Resolution 2024-08 updating the Drug and Alcohol Policy. Contract change orders with Equinox Environmental for the Riverside Park Expansion Project and with S2O for the Taylor’s Wave Project were also approved as part of this agenda.
In new business, the council passed Ordinance 2024-014 by a vote of 5-0. This ordinance amends Article VII, Chapter 41 of the code to clarify that stormwater utility fees will be collected through real property taxes. Following a public hearing that received no comments, the council also passed Ordinance 2024-015 by a vote of 5-0. This amendment updates the Town of Woodfin Schedule of Fees to reference N.C.G.S. §105-360 and details how interest charges are applied to late fees, aligning them with unpaid property taxes.
The council further voted 5-0 to establish a temporary Landscape & Open Space subcommittee, appointing Council Members Young, Edgerton, and Thornton to the group. A second motion, also passed 5-0, established a temporary Town Manager Performance Plan subcommittee, appointing Council Members Ervin, Cohen, and Kahn.
Discussion Highlights Town Manager Shannon Tuch provided a report covering several operational areas. She noted that contracts for materials testing and construction administration for the Riverside Park and Taylor’s Wave projects are within the existing budget. Tuch also discussed the ongoing finalization of the FY2024/2025 budget and the re-posting of the Community Grant Program, which may focus on emergency assistance. She mentioned that the town is planning a summer newsletter and is initiating a comprehensive update to the code of ordinances, with plans for stakeholder involvement.
Adrienne Isenhower, Project & Facilities Director, presented the Public Works Department FY2024 review. She detailed the impact of the rollout of nearly 2,700 trash and recycling cans, noting a 14% decrease in garbage collection and a 13% decrease in recycling collection since 2021. Isenhower reported that recycling materials currently comprise approximately 21% of the total waste stream. She also highlighted a 50% increase in brush and leaf collection in 2023, which resulted in a 38% rise in disposal costs. The department is currently exploring options for solid waste collection, including potential outsourcing and a salary survey.
Community Input There was no public comment during the meeting.
Follow-ups No specific follow-up actions were explicitly agreed to by members or staff during the recorded portion of the meeting, other than the establishment of the two new subcommittees which will now proceed with their respective tasks.
Impact The approval of Ordinance 2024-014 and 2024-015 will change how residents receive and pay for stormwater services, moving the billing from a separate utility bill to the property tax bill. This change is prompted by state legislation and aims to streamline collection. The establishment of the Landscape & Open Space subcommittee signals an upcoming review of development code regulations related to landscaping, while the Town Manager Performance Plan subcommittee will develop evaluation criteria for the town manager. Residents should also be aware of the Public Works Department’s analysis of waste collection trends, which is informing future decisions on solid waste services.