Troutman town leaders discussed a number of topics Monday afternoon at their Board of Aldermen pre-agenda meeting, with items ranging from parks to tattoo parlors and wasted water to air pollution.
The actual agenda for which the meeting was called to go over was among the lightest the board has had in recent times. It contained only four items and discussions relative to those matters lasted only a few minutes.
But several other issues were also addressed Monday.
The only agenda item that was really hashed out involved a resolution in which the town stated objections to a proposed ruling by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding "ambient air."
The ruling would have the effect of re-connecting all of Iredell County into what is know by the E.P.A. as a non-attainment area, which means it does not meet the minimum air-quality standards.
Currently, Mooresville is the only part of the county in the Charlotte metropolitan non-attainment area.
"Charlotte is very dense and the winds blow north," said Troutman Mayor Elbert Richardson.
Richardson explained that all of Iredell was originally contained in the non-attainment area.
"But, fortunately, a deal was worked out and only Mooresville was left in," he added. "That's because there was virtually no pollution at all in northern Iredell County."
Town Manager David Saleeby said Iredell's two larger municipalities — Mooresville and Statesville — both passed similar resolutions. He said all three resolutions will be presented to E.P.A. officials in Washington, D.C. next month.
Also at Monday's meeting:
+ The board voted to finance a portion of the engineering work and other preliminary matters related to the infrastructure of a business park in the southern part of the town.
The plan to actually finance the building of the park was put on hold.
"But, it's a great time to get this work done," Saleeby said. "We all want the park, we just can't afford it right now. But this paves the way for it."
The deal calls for the town to finance the entire $680,500 deal using recovery zone bonds, which are a product of President Obama's stimulus package. The bonds provide for a rebate of 45 percent of the interest on borrowed funds.
The town would then be refunded $495,000 of that amount by Iredell-Statesville Schools and Georgia Mills, which have interests in the area.
+ Planner Erika Martin gave an update on a proposed town sports and community park.
She said leaders from Engineered Sintered Components (ESC) plan to meet soon to firm up the deal, which calls for the company to lease property to the town (for a very minimal rate) and for the town to build soccer and baseball fields, as well as walking trails, picnic areas and restroom facilities.
The proposed name of the project is Sumitomo Troutman Park. Sumitomo is ESC's Japan-based parent company.
+ A water audit will be proposed for next fiscal year's operating budget.
Saleeby said the $30,000 audit will uncover ways to "patch up holes" in the town's water system.
He said the audit is likely to pay for itself by revealing fees not currently being charged to customers and other problems with the system.
+ Martin told the board that — on the same day — two different people asked about permits for tattoo businesses in Troutman.
Currently the town does not have tattoo parlors listed in the its unified development ordinance.
But, Saleeby said, that by state law, they must be allowed somewhere in the town.
"But you can choose the districts they can go into," he said.
Alderwoman Amanda Weiser seemed happily surprised by the news.
"Ink in Troutman," she said. "Wow."
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