# Regular Meeting 2-12-24

**Body:** Town of Fletcher — Town Council
**Date:** February 12, 2024 6:01 PM EST (2024-02-12T18:01:07-05:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229

## Summary

**Fletcher Town Council Regular Meeting Recap – February 12, 2024**

The Town Council convened for its regular meeting on February 12, 2024, addressing routine administrative matters alongside several strategic discussions regarding town development, infrastructure, and community services. The meeting opened with public comment, followed by the approval of minutes from previous sessions and the unanimous approval of the consent agenda, which included routine tax items and code revisions. The Council also received updates from various town departments and external partners, focusing on long-term planning for the Town Center, potential transportation improvements, and local legal aid services.

During the public comment period, residents raised specific concerns and priorities for the town. John Brandon Olson spoke in support of the proposed Conservative Carolina grant, urging the Council to consider alternative uses for excess funds, particularly highlighting strong community support (cited as 94% in a recent survey) for extending greenway trails from Bill Moore Community Park to the Marador property. Terry Haas expressed concerns regarding the deteriorating condition of an abandoned building at the corner of Woodhill and Highway 25, citing issues with graffiti, debris, and its use as an unofficial truck parking lot, and requested action to address the property.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation by Martin Wheeler and Clifford Meek from the Carolina Association of Passenger Trains regarding the reconnection of Amtrak passenger rail service through Western North Carolina. The presenters outlined a plan that could connect Fletcher to Knoxville and beyond, involving public proclamations and correspondence with federal officials, including the Federal Railroad Administration and U.S. Representative Tillis. Councilors engaged with the presenters, asking clarifying questions about feasibility, potential impacts on existing trails like the Saluda Grade, and implementation timelines. The Council expressed receptiveness to the proposal and interest in exploring the possibility further.

The Council also reviewed updates from Pisgah Legal Services, where Daniel Carey highlighted the organization’s assistance to over 23,000 people in 2023, including securing approximately $24 million in financial benefits for clients facing housing, healthcare, and domestic violence issues. Regarding local development, the Council discussed the status of the Town Center project after Brad Goodson of the Carlin Company withdrew due to difficulties securing partners. The Council agreed to explore a potential partnership with Windsor Autry, possibly involving a letter of intent, and discussed engaging Retail Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in market analysis and developer connections.

Key decisions made during the meeting included the approval of Trace and Company as the lowest responsible bidder for the stream resurfacing project. The Council also approved the minutes from previous meetings and the consent agenda, which contained revisions to Chapter 115 regarding massage establishments. Additionally, the Council received a Manager’s Report detailing various operational updates, including planned schedule changes for upcoming meetings due to primary elections and ongoing explorations of partnerships for affordable housing and tennis facilities.

Regarding next steps, the Council agreed to continue exploring the Amtrak passenger rail service proposal and seek community input. The Town Manager is scheduled to follow up with the Housing Assistance Corporation regarding affordable housing options for the Town Center and will schedule a Zoom meeting with Retail Strategies to explore consulting services. The Council also noted that the Town Manager will coordinate meetings with state and federal legislative representatives to discuss priority projects. No other specific follow-up actions were explicitly agreed to by named members or staff during this session beyond the general directives to explore these partnerships and opportunities.

## Agenda

- [Call the meeting to order at: 6:00 PM](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10707)
- [Moment of Silence:](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10708)
- [Pledge of Allegiance:](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10709)
- [Public Comments:](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10710)
- [Agenda Review Minutes 1-2-24](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10712)
- [Approval of minutes - corrections, additions or deletions](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10711)
- [Regular Meeting Minutes 1-8-24](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10713)
- [Council Updates](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/39807)
- [Tax refunds/releases](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10716)
- [Approval of year-end tax collector's report and permission to advertise delinquent taxes per NCGS 105-369 in March.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10717)
- [Approval of revisions to chapter 115 of the code of ordinances covering massage establishments.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10718)
- [Presentation on support for reconnection of passenger rail service with Amtrack passing through sections of Western North Carolina - Martin Wheeler and Clifford Meek.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10720)
- [Approval of lowest responsible bidder for street resurfacing projects - Ben Cathey, McGill Associates](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10721)
- [Presentation from Pisgah Legal Services - Daniel Carey](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10722)
- [Report on established performance measures - Mark Biberdorf, Town Manager](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10723)
- [Status of proposed revisions to contract with Fletcher Fire & Rescue - Mark Biberdorf, Town Manager](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10724)
- [Discussion of Town Center developer prospects - Mark Biberdorf, Town Manager](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10725)
- [Town Manager Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/39808)
- [January 2024](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10728)
- [Adjourn](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10729)
- [Agenda Review Meeting March 4, 2024, at 6:00 pm (elections?)Regular Meeting March 11, 2024, at 6:00 pmBudget Retreat Meeting March 19, 2024, at 8:30 amAgenda Review Meeting April 1, 2024, at 6:00pmRegular Meeting April 8, 2024, at 6:00pmAnnual Shred/Pill Drop event on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 9:00 am til noon.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/39809)
- [Department Reports](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229/item/10727)

## Votes

- Councilmember Trevor Lance made a motion to approve the lowest responsible bidder and it was seconded by Councilmember Jim Player. — Passed, 4-0
- Councilmember Keith Reed motioned to approve the minutes, and it was seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Sheila Franklin. — Passed, 4-0
- Councilmember Jim Player motioned to approve the consent agenda, and it was seconded by Councilmember Keith Reed. — Passed, 4-0
- Approve — Passed, 4-0
- Approve — Unknown
- Approve — Passed, 4-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_mrkvyEa3k
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1552/segments

## Documents

- [agenda_packet_2024-02-12.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=4707)
- [minutes_2024-02-12.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=4708)
- [agenda_2024-02-12.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=4706)
- [item_1_january_2024_draft.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=17753)
- [item_2_january_2024_draft1.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=17758)
- [item_3_tax_releases_february_2024.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=17763)
- [item_4_tax_collector_report_2_2024.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=17768)
- [item_5_chapter_115_massage_establishments_revised.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=17772)
- [item_7_memotocouncil_street_resurfacing_bid_approvals26.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=17777)
- [item_9_memotocouncil_update_on_progress_toward_performance_management_measures122.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=17782)
- [item_9_standards_for_rating_park_conditions.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=17788)
- [item_12_department_reports_february_2024.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=17803)
- [item_10_meeting_notes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2229?document=17795)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_mrkvyEa3k)