By David Rogers. February 14, 2012. BLOWING ROCK -- A Valentine's Day meeting of the Blowing Rock Town Council on Tuesday had little in the way of drama, but plenty of routine decision-making.

The first order of business was the approval of appointments to various town boards and commissions.  All proposed appointments were approved without discussion, including:

• Planning Board (effective March 2012 meeting)
  • Jim West -- reappointed to a three-year term ending 2015
  • Brenda Fairbetter -- reappointed to a three-year term ending 2015 (ETJ)
  • Alice Roess -- appointment to a three-year term ending 2015
• Board of Adjustment (effective March 2012 meeting)
  • Jerry Starnes -- reappointed to a three-year term ending 2015
  • Tim Ford -- reappointed to a three-year term ending 2015 (alternate)
  • Larry Faulkner -- appointed to unexpired term ending 2013 (alternate)
  • Terry Story -- appointed to a three-year term ending 2015 (ETJ)
• ABC Board (effective July 2012)
  • David Greene -- reappointed to a three-year term ending 2015
• Tourism Development Authority
  • Dean Bullis -- reappointed to a three-year term ending 2015 (Business/Tourism-related)
  • Doug Matheson -- appointed to a three-year term ending 2015 (Council Representative)
  • Kent Tarbutton -- reappointed as Chairman for a one-year term

Old Business

The Commissioners considered a second reading of the amendment  to Chapter 15 of the Town Code regarding weapons on town property, to bring the code into compliance with recently modified state statutes. The amendment maintains restrictions on gun possession at Memorial Park, Davant Field, and Robbins Swimming Pool.  The first reading of the amendment, which included a pubic hearing, was at the January meeting.  The Town staff and Planning Board proposed amendment was passed by a 3-2 vote, but a supermajority was required at the first reading, so a second reading of the amendment was required.  The second reading may be approved by a simple majority and no public hearing is required.  The Commissioners passed the amendment without discussion and without public hearing by the identical 3-2 vote as in January.

New Business

1. There was lengthy discussion among the Commissioners in considering a resolution to direct the Town Clerk to determine the sufficiency of an annexation petition and a resolution of intent for voluntary annexation of the Blowing Rock Conference Center ("the Center"), including 58.9 acreas off of Goforth Road. The Center is proposing to connect to the Town sewer system, but will provide for its own water supply from several onsite wells. After discussion and questions, the Commissioners approved the resolution to set the process leading up to annexation in motion. Passed unanimously.
2. The Council considered a request from the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce to renew the downtown Fresh Market during the late spring, summer and autumn months, on Wallingford Street.  Commissioner Tommy Klutz introduced the possibility of relocating the weekly Fresh Market event onto Park Ave., in front of the Police Department and old Fire Station to enhance the visibility of the Fresh Market.  Upon a suggestion by Town Manager by Scott Hildebran, the Commissioners voted to approve the renewal on Wallingford, but asked that the Town and Chamber of Commerce come back to the Council in March with a request for the Park Ave. location after determining the viability of the relocation, including all measurements and traffic impact. Passed unanimously.
3. The Council passed a resolution requesting the County to establish an amublance base in the Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue Station. The resolution was in response to Council direction at its recent retreat for Town staff to study the feasibility and need for improvements to the distribution of ambulance base locations in Watauga County. The Town staff noted in its resolution that while emergency ambulance service currently originates from Boone, Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue serves as first responder and covers an area of approx. 52 square miles, including the Town of Blowing Rock, the Blowing Rock Fire District, and the North Caldwell Fire District. Staff noted that 50% of emergency calls in Watauga County are located outside of the Boone Fire District. Staff further noted that all fire districts in Watauga County -- except Boone -- receive response times greater than the 10-minute average contractual maximum, and that Blowing Rock generates approx. 15% of the emergency medical calls in the county (second only to Boone in district call volume).  The Staff report noted that the Blowing Rock Fire District provides approximately 22.1% of the tax revenue applicable to the supplement provided to Watauga Medics, Inc., by Watauga County. It was further detailed that the new Fire & Rescue Building was constructed to include space to house an ambulance and crew at nominal cost to either Watauga Medics or Watauga County.  The Council's resolution, on behalf of both residents and visitors, asks the Watauga County Commissioners to take action on this issue . Passed unanimously.
4. A resolution was passed designating February 28, 2012, as "Spay Day" in the Town of Blowing Rock. Passed unanimously.
5. The Commissioners passed a resolution changing the regular meeting times for the Town Councl between April and November to 5:30 pm. Passed unanimously.
6. The Commissioners accepted the Tax Collectors 2011-2012 Delinquent Report and authorized advertisement of tax liens. In response to a question by Commissioner Dan Phillips, Town Manager Scott Hildebran indicated that delinquent and unpaid taxes may stay on the books, according to State law, for 10 years.

There were no speakers from the floor. After departmental reports, Commissioner Tommy Klutz offered two options for addressing a continuing issue of wear in Memorial Park "...leading to muddy areas and detracting from the overall aesthetics of our park." Mr. Klutz was asked to work with Town staff, including Parks & Recreation personnel, and with the Blowing Rock Appearance Advisory Commission (BRAAC) to better define need and proposed remedies.  Mr. Klutz's preferred option for Memorial Park renovations would cost approximatley $6,500, he reported.

The meeting was adjourned shortly after 8:00 pm.

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