Council Adopts Budget, Receives Land Donation By Kathleen McFadden In addition to a lengthy discussion of traffic-calming solutions in area neighborhoods, at their meeting Tuesday night, members of the Boone Town Council adopted the 2004-05 budget resolution, accepted a land donation, passed the PATRIOT Act resolution, attended to a variety of administrative matters and voted on board appointments. Budget Adoption At their meeting Monday night, the Boone Town Council adopted the 2004-05 fiscal year balanced budget following a brief overview by Town Manager Greg Young and a public hearing. Young explained that the $15,171,002 budget reflects a one-cent property tax increase and an eight-cent increase in water and sewer rates per 1,000 gallons above the minimum. The manager’s recommended budget called for a two-cent tax increase, but at their budget work session, council members restricted the increase to a penny. Young said that the $84,000 in additional spending over the recommended budget that the council had mandated at their budget work session was offset by revenue adjustments. During the public hearing, representatives from the Watauga Youth Network thanked the council for their $10,000 appropriation and urged council members to consider additional funding in the 2005-06 fiscal year. The council received similar thanks from representatives of the Watauga County Library, including a youthful patron who said the library is “an exquisite spot with kind people to help you out.” Land Donation Council members gratefully accepted Armfield Coffey’s donation of the property at 122 Moretz Street which adjoins a tract donated to the town in 1998 by Rachel Coffey. Restrictions on the land require that it be used for recreational purposes and as green space and a wildlife sanctuary and provide free, unmetered parking for park users. Mayor Velma Burnley said that Coffey had expressed the desire that the property become the location for a new Daniel Boone monument to replace the one that was dismantled several years ago, and she called on the council to proceed with investigating the monument’s replacement. Coffey was present at the meeting and expressed his hope that the property will soon be turned into a park. USA PATRIOT Act In a 3 to 2 split vote, the council adopted a Resolution Affirming the Principles of Federalism and Civil Liberties, a resolution that lists several sections of the USA PATRIOT Act as a threat to fundamental rights and civil liberties. The resolution emphasizes support for the U.S. campaign against terrorism, but calls on the federal government to review the act and rescind executive orders and policies that limit or compromise liberties granted by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The council has considered the resolution at two previous meetings. Council member Lynne Mason moved for adoption with one change. The resolution calls for copies to be sent to the president, the attorney general, to each member of Congress, to the governor and to appropriate members of the General Assembly. Mason requested that the governor be deleted from the list “so we don’t jeopardize future funding.” Council members Graydon Eggers and Dempsey Wilcox opposed the resolution. Eggers said his main reason for opposition is because “since September 11, I believe we’ve been at war with a different set of rules.” Eggers pointed out that he would be very upset at his affirmative vote for the resolution if there were anything in the PATRIOT Act that could have prevented the injury of death of an American citizen. “I feel we’re living by different rules,” Eggers said. Wilcox agreed with Eggers, pointing out, “There are parts of the PATRIOT Act that legitimately cause concern, but this is a wartime resolution.” Wilcox added, “In a time of peace, I think this act would be appropriate; now I do not.” Council members Mason, Loretta Clawson and Bunk Spann voted to pass the resolution. Eggers and Wilcox cast the two dissenting votes. Administrative Matters The council approved a two-year parking-place swap with Watauga County in which the town receives 35 spaces behind the library and the county receives spaces in the Queen Street lot and along Queen Street in the metered area. Council members approved the town’s entry into an interlocal agreement for group risk financing for the town’s general liability and workers’ compensation coverage. Town Manager Young explained that the group fund through the North Carolina League of Municipalities provided “the best price for this fiscal year.” The cost of the coverage is $315,844. Council members approved two special event permits, one for the Grandfather Mountain Marathon to be held on Saturday, July 10, and the other for a new event, the Mountain Communities Action Fair. Spokesperson Harvard Ayers explained that the fair will be held on Howard Street between Depot and Waters and is designed to showcase area nonprofits with the goal of recruiting volunteers and members. The council also approved Paul Gragg’s request for sewer service for a single-family residence on Knollwood Drive. Public Utilities Director Rick Miller explained that the septic system at the house is failing and that the nearby sewer main is capable of handling the additional flow. The council specified that the approval applied only to the house in question and that Gragg will be responsible for all costs. Board Appointments To the Boone Board of Adjustment, the council members unanimously reappointed Jerry Kirksey (who currently serves as board chair), unanimously appointed Bruce Jackson as alternate and unanimously endorsed the nomination of Rick Foster. Because Foster represents the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners controls the appointment. Council member Eggers cast the sole vote for the reappointment of Diana Perry to the board. The remaining council members voted to make current alternate Rebecca Kaenzig a regular member of the board. Council accepted the resignation of Patrick Beville from the Community Appearance Commission. Beville has moved out of the town’s planning jurisdiction but has offered to continue to serve until a replacement is found. The council called on qualified members of the public to contact them if they are willing to serve on the commission. Because the commission is working to establish architectural standards for the town, membership is restricted to individuals who have professional experience (as architects, engineers, design professionals) and who live within the planning area. Membership recruitment has been completed for the town’s residential task force, a group that will investigate solutions for problems caused by occupancy violations and other rental-related issues. The board called for Planning Commission Chair Mary Ruth McRae to convene the first meeting of the task force.