Town Council

MINUTES – TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 10, 2025 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the Boone Town Council was called to order at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in the Boone Town Council Chambers located at 1500 Blowing Rock Road in Boone. Mayor Tim Futrelle presided. Council members present included Mayor Pro-Tem Dalton George, Todd Carter, Virginia Roseman, Eric Plaag, and Councilmember-elect Adrian Tait. Town staff present included Interim Town Manager Dale Presnell, Town Clerk Nicole Harmon, Downtown Boone Development Coordinator Lane Moody, Grants Coordinator/Communications Laney Wise, Deputy Planning Director Brandon Wise, Sustainability/Special Projects Manager George Santucci, Finance Director Guy Miller, Police Chief Daniel Duckworth, Public Works Director Todd Moody (remote), Cultural Resources Director Mark Freed (remote), Planning Director Jane Shook (remote), and Town Attorney Allison Meade. MOMENT OF SILENCE A brief moment of silence was observed. ANNOUNCEMENTS Interim Town Manager Dale Presnell announced the upcoming Holiday Parade on Saturday and invited Council members to participate. TENTATIVE AGENDA ADOPTION Upon a motion by Councilmember Plaag, seconded by Councilmember Roseman, Council voted unanimously to approve the agenda as presented. APPROVAL OF PROCLAMATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS Councilmember Carter made a motion to approve the Resolution Honoring the Service of Tim Futrelle. Councilmember Plaag seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Mayor Pro-Tem George then read the following resolution into the record: RESOLUTION HONORING THE SERVICE OF TIM FUTRELLE WHEREAS, Mayor Tim Futrelle has faithfully and honorably served the Town of Boone as Mayor for the past four years, guiding the Council and community with integrity, vision, and dedication; and WHEREAS, prior to his service as Mayor, he represented Watauga County as a County Commissioner, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to public service and to the well-being of our greater community; and WHEREAS, during his tenure as Mayor, he has been a strong advocate for sustainability, championing policies and initiatives that protect Boone’s natural resources, encourage resilient infrastructure, and promote a greener and healthier future for all; and WHEREAS, he has represented the Town of Boone with distinction through his service on the High Country Council of Governments Advisory Committee and the High Country Council of Governments Rural Planning Commission, lending Boone’s voice to regional efforts that enhance economic vitality, transportation planning, and quality of life; and WHEREAS, a resident of Boone for nearly 25 years, Mayor Futrelle has grown deep roots in the community, raising three daughters alongside his wife, Jeanie, and embodying the values of family, compassion, and civic pride; and WHEREAS, he is recognized for his down-to-earth qualities, approachable demeanor, and genuine love for both the Town of Boone and its staff, always leading with a commitment to collaboration; and WHEREAS, his service has strengthened the Town’s foundations, uplifted its residents, and furthered its vision of being a welcoming, sustainable, and vibrant community; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor Pro-Tempore and the Boone Town Council do hereby express their deepest gratitude to Mayor Futrelle for his four years of service as Mayor and extend their warmest wishes for continued happiness, health, and success in the years to come. This is the 10th day of December, 2025. Dalton George, Mayor Pro- Tempore Attest: Nicole Harmon, Town Clerk Mayor Futrelle read the following statement: “I want to take a brief moment, not as Mayor, but simply as someone who has had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team, and to offer my gratitude. Over the last four years, Boone has faced challenges and embraced opportunities that most towns of our size never see. Through it all, our department heads and staff have shown exactly who they are: steady hands, creative thinkers, problem solvers, and public servants in the truest sense of the word. Because of their dedication, we modernized how Boone plans for its future, we strengthened our housing and childcare partnerships, we improved the safety and infrastructure that thousands of people rely on every day, we protected the character of this community while preparing it for the next generation, and we did it all with transparency, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to the public good. To the Town Council past and present: thank you for your partnerships, your patience, and your perseverance. I leave with full confidence in your ability to lead moving forward. This town is in capable hands, and I look forward to watching all of you continue with the work with wisdom and courage. Finally, to the people of Boone: thank you for trusting me with this role. It has been the honor of my life to serve, and I’m deeply proud of what we’ve done together, and even more excited for what’s ahead.” Council members and staff shared brief remarks thanking Mayor Futrelle for his service, noting his wit, honesty, dedication, and his willingness to use his role to stand up for marginalized communities. ************************************************************************************* SWEARING-IN CEREMONY Town Clerk Nicole Harmon presided over the oath/affirmation ceremonies for Mayor Dalton George and Councilmembers Todd Carter, Virginia Roseman, and Adrian Tait. The official oaths are on file in the office of the Clerk. SEATING OF TOWN COUNCIL The newly elected Mayor and Councilmembers took their seats to move forward with the remainder of the organizational meeting. APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR PRO-TEMPORE Councilmember Roseman stated that she previously had the pleasure of nominating Edie Tugman to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem and that it was now her pleasure to nominate Todd Carter to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem. Hearing no further nominations, Mayor George called for a vote. VOTE: Aye: All Nay: None SWEARING-IN OF MAYOR PRO-TEMPORE Town Clerk Nicole Harmon presided over the affirmation ceremony for Mayor Pro-Tem Carter. The official oath is on file in the office of the Clerk. Councilmember Tait thanked those who encouraged him to run for Council, and stated that, though it was scary at first, it has been interesting to hear from folks about issues in Boone. Mayor Pro-Tem Carter stated that he was excited to continue his work on Council for four more years. He expressed gratitude for the progress made and all he had learned. Councilmember Roseman stated that she wanted to continue to do her job to keep Boone, Boone, and make people proud. Mayor George stated that over the last four years that he had served on Council, Boone had truly become his home. He looked forward to serving, looking out for the people of the town, solving problems with the staff, and was excited to serve as Mayor. REQUESTED APPEARANCES INDUCTION INTO WATAUGA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY HALL OF FAME – LORETTA CLAWSON Mayor George remarked that former Mayor and Councilmember Loretta Clawson had been a longtime mentor to him and a cornerstone of the community, noting that he could think of no one more deserving of the award. Dr. Bettie Bond, President of the Watauga County Historical Society, provided a brief history of the organization’s Hall of Fame and announced Loretta Clawson as this year’s inductee. Dr. Bond noted that Mrs. Clawson is an eighth-generation resident of the area and emphasized that her service extended beyond Boone to the state level, citing her professional experience with Shadowline, Ray’s King Burgers, the Watauga County Clerk of Court’s office, and as a licensed real estate agent. Mrs. Clawson graciously accepted the award and thanked the Watauga County Historical Society. She applauded the Digital Watauga Program for preserving the history of Watauga County. PUBLIC COMMENT James Milner of Boone read a statement thanking former Mayor Futrelle for his service to the town of Boone. APPROVAL OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA Upon a motion by Councilmember Roseman, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Carter, Council voted unanimously to approve the following items on the consent agenda: 1. Annual Meeting Notice COUNCIL MATTERS ADOPTION OF THE STREAM ALONG ELIZABETH YOUNG COMMUNITY GARDENS, TO BE TITLED “MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL” Mayor George presented a request for the stream that runs next to the Elizabeth Young Community Gardens to be named “Mayor and Town Council” stream. Upon a motion by Councilmember Tait, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem Carter, Council unanimously approved the request as presented. REQUEST TO SCHEDULE COUNCIL RETREAT/TOUR Mayor George presented a request to schedule a tour of Town facilities for Councilmembers and the Town Manager. It was the consensus of Council to hold the tours from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on February 17 & 18, 2026. CLOSED SESSION Councilmember Plaag made a motion to enter into closed session at 7:09 p.m. pursuant to the following: 1. N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 143-318.11(a)(1), to review, approve, and seal closed session minutes from Council's prior closed session(s). 2. N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 143-318.11(a)(3), to consult with the Town Attorney in order to preserve the attorney-client privilege between the attorney and the Town Council, and obtain legal advice, consider, and/or give instructions to the attorney concerning one or more potential legal claims. Mayor Pro-Tem Carter seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. Upon a motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Carter, seconded by Councilmember Plaag, Council voted unanimously to amend the agenda to also enter into closed session pursuant to the following: N.C.Gen.Stat.§ 143-318.11(a)(6), to consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, conditions of appointment, or conditions of initial employment of an individual public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee; or to hear or investigate a complaint, charge, or grievance by or against an individual public officer or employee. Ms. Meade, as meeting chair, adjourned the closed session meeting without objection at approximately 7:31 p.m. _________________________________ ________________________________ Nicole Harmon, Clerk Dalton George, Mayor