Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Katie Lynn, Albemarle’s new Main Street Manager, was introduced to council members at the board’s March 17 meeting by city Economic Development Director Lindsay Almond.
“(Katie) has been serving as our interim Main Street Manager since December, and she has done so with a calm confidence, exceptional organization, and professionalism,” Almond said. “I have no doubt that under Katie’s leadership our downtown development efforts will continue to gain momentum.”
Lynn expressed her thanks for the opportunity, and reported on a number of events and projects coming up.
“I’m jumping right in with our first event being this Saturday (March 22), the Outdoorsman’s Bonanza at the Farm Bureau Livestock Arena,” she said before announcing the rescheduling and reinvention of a long-standing downtown event.
“Based on community feedback, we have moved the Stanly County Winter Wine Festival to a warmer season,” Lynn noted. “It has been rebranded the Summertime SIP Festival, and will take place on May 31. We will hold it at Courthouse Plaza and adjacent lots for a great opportunity to showcase to our community members and visitors.”
Beyond events, Lynn said she is actively working on “new ways to attract businesses, activate underutilized spaces, and enhance the downtown experience.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Sue Hall reported that she had received a phone call from a resident in the Woodcrest area of North Albemarle who expressed concerns about vibration and noise from apparent blasting nearby.
“We need something in some format that the community and residents can read which explains what the rules are and how companies can go about blasting,” she said. “We need to be able to answer these citizens when they call and ask these things.”
“The radio (station) does make announcements prior to any blasting,” interjected Councilman Benton Dry.
Public Information Officer David Fath spoke to the issue, and clarified that blasting activities are publicized in advance via the city’s media outlets.
“Those blasting activities have been on our social media pages and on the city’s website and the fire department website for the last two occasions,” he said. “The radio station is probably getting the information from us.”
Fire Chief Kenny Kendall responded that his department would compile information on blasting regulations that would in turn be distributed to council members and city staff.
“What we can do is put together a packet that states what the fire code is, and what the city’s part in the blasting is, and if you do have somebody call, then you’ll be able to let them know,” Kendall said.
In other action, the council:
● Approved road closures for the “Still Runs” Car Show (May 10) and “Swinging in the Streets” event (May 17).
● Approved a study to be performed to determine the appropriate location for construction of an additional fire station.
● Approved funds from the SAFER Grant Program and Drug Seizure Funds be appropriated to purchase drones for the Albemarle Police Department.
● Approved the city’s annual audit contract.
● Received updates from Public Housing Director Renae Miller on housing unit renovations, creation of a resident advisory board, and creation of a hearing committee to review appeals of housing rental rates.
● Entered a closed session to discuss personnel matters and consult with the city’s attorney.
The next regular meeting of Albemarle City Council will take place at 6:30 p.m. April 7 at Albemarle City Hall.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.