BY DEBBIE PAGE
During its agenda briefing on Monday afternoon, the Troutman Town Council approved Planning and Zoning ETJ board recommendations, approved a fee waiver for council members, and got updates on several parks and recreation projects.
The council unanimously voted to send recommendations for new three-year terms for Randy Farmer, current Troutman Planning and Zoning board chair, and current ETJ member Barry General to the Iredell County Board of Commissioners for final approval, as required by state statute.
The commissioners have chosen to reject the council’s recommendations in the past, according to Town Manager Ron Wyatt, but he recommended the council continue its tradition of sending its recommendations.
Wyatt said Farmer and General have done outstanding work on the planning board. He hopes that the commissioners will consider the council’s recommendations.
New perk for council members
The board also approved a new perk for town council members, at the suggestion of council member Nick Jaroszynski, to waive fees for town events for the five elected council members. Jaroszynski cited Iredell-Statesville Schools giving all Iredell County elected officials passes to school events as his inspiration.
Most town events are free, but this new policy would waive fees for events such as the town-sponsored 5K races or town recreation department teams or class fees for elected officials.
The council passed the measure 4-1, with council member Jerry Oxsher dissenting.
Updates
♦ Wyatt also updated council members on several projects, noting that the new Morrison Farm trails are nearly ready to open to the public. The pickle ball courts at ESC Park are also progressing.
Mayor Teross Young said numerous residents have inquired about the courts and are looking forward to this new amenity.
♦ The council also discussed the recent parking violations during the horse show at the fairgrounds. Police Chief Josh Watson said that his officers issued a number of tickets on Friday but that by Saturday word had spread to avoid areas marked as “No Parking” along Murdock Road and on the greenway.
No parking areas on the greenway had been marked with tape, and parking violations even occurred in front of warning signs.
Watson said there were fewer issues at this show than in the past, with no calls about attendees parking on residents’ property this year, although some complaints were lodged by nearby business owners about their parking lots. TPD officers have no authority to issue citations on private property unless the violation involves a handicapped space, fire lane, or after hours trespassing.
Wyatt said no signs were erected by organizers to indicate where parking areas are and no attendants were directing people where and how to park. Ample space exists at the fairground’s front and back lots if organizers would direct drivers for efficient parking patterns. Other parking is also available at the nearby county parks and recreation facility.
Wyatt also pointed out that at town events, an employee is onsite to ensure facilities are used properly and safely, which the county does not do at fairgrounds events.
Watson and Wyatt suggested that the town inform the horse auction organizer that they must present an organized parking plan, signage, and attendants for future spring and fall auctions.
Council member Paul Henkel said that the town must enforce its rules and policies consistently throughout the town or do away with them.
“We have made it clear that we want to keep the fairgrounds here, but we have to be respectful of our community,” he said. “We’ve tried to use carrots and sugar to solve issues. We may need to resort to the stick.”
THURSDAY NIGHT AGENDA
On Thursday night the council will:
♦ Consider budget amendments to the town’s General Fund, which includes a $967,000 increase in revenues from tax collections, fees and revenues, and rental income as well as a $1,679,000 appropriation from the fund balance. The amendments also includes $2,646,000 in expenditures, including money spent for services, information technology, supplies, downtown enhancements, and $2 million in capital outlay for purchasing and renovating recently acquired properties, including the former Liat facility near the fairgrounds and a property on Klutz Street.
♦ Consider budget amendments to the Utility Fund, including $1,493,000 in increased sales and fees and $1,493,000 in expenditures on supplies and expenses, contracted services, and new storage facilities and for five older model trucks for additional employees and to replace aging vehicles.
♦ Consider amendments to the Town of Troutman Schedule of Fees for cost increases for water meters, irrigation connections, and off-duty officers pay to provide security at facility rental events. A nonprofit category with reduced rental prices on the Troutman Depot, ESC Park Pavilion, and soccer/baseball fields is also being considered.
♦ Consider amending the Town of Troutman Flower and Card Policy to raise the amount for flowers or donations from $65 to $100 because of rising floral costs.
♦ Consider an ordinance regarding burglar/robbery alarms to impose fines on excessive false alarms.
♦ Consider awarding construction contracts for the 2022 Sewer Collection Rehabilitation Project to reduce the amount of rainwater collection in the sewer system. The money for the project comes from state grant funds as well as a low-interest loan.
♦ Consider setting a hearing date of May 8 for consideration of the annexation of 151 acres located on Clontz Hill Road. The Planning and Zoning board will consider its recommendation on this project on April 28 at 6 p.m.
♦ Consider setting a hearing date of May 8 for consideration of the annexation of 0.76 acres located at 875 Old Mountain Road.
♦ Hear the ABC Store Quarterly Report from Troutman ABC Board Chair Layton Getsinger.
Recognitions
♦ Select the Town of Troutman Citizen of the Year.
♦ Select the Town of Troutman Organization of the Year.
♦ Honor Mike Clavette and Zorin Hunter as the Town of Troutman Employee of the Month for March.
♦ Honor South Iredell High School Student Dru Kerley for placing first in the state 4A 113-pound class and Sam Harper for placing second in the 190-pound class at the NC Wrestling Championships, along with coach Bill Mayhew.
♦ Proclaim April as 2025 National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“The board also approved a new perk for town council members, at the suggestion of council member Nick Jaroszynski, to waive fees for town events for the five elected council members.”
Talk about generating ill will. If you can’t afford to support a few town events, maybe council member isn’t the job for you.
My thoughts exactly!
Great point!
“Wyatt also updated council members on several projects, noting that the new Morrison Farm trails are nearly ready to open to the public.”
No one who lives in the area of Morrison Farm Road knows anything about this project, which should come as no surprise since it is located less than one mile from Lake Norman State Park with its 30.5 miles of bike trails and 8 miles of dedicated hiking trails. One wonders how many thousands of dollars the town has spent clearing and leveling the ground, aerating the dirt and spreading top soil, and then seeding the ground at least twice – for an empty lot directly beneath Duke power lines. Hey, if you’re going to spend thousands of dollars clearing a grass field that is only bordered on two sides by town residents, I guess someone will end up using it. However I would think the town would have MUCH greater priorities – particularly for park facilities that aren’t located six miles from the center of town.
Seems like the town manager and council have no problem spending taxpayers monies. Like the $100,000 raise the town manager was given by council over the past for year!
Remember, the GEORGIE ST. PARK?
This park consists of a 5″ twister slide, 2 belt swings, 2 toddler swings, dino see-saw, 6’wave slide, multiple climbing units, picnic area, and shade structure.
This is the park that the town taxpayers purchased from a HOA that went defunct and owed unpaid taxes. Not only did they bail out the HOA with this gift, they spent another $150,000 to clean it up and purchase new equipment for the children to play on. No parking but better yet, I live in the area and I have never seen anyone at this park.
This council is despicable with the way they spend our money. BTW, Troutman is one of only a handful of governments in NC that still allow elected officials to be recalled.