Note: The meeting packet is available by clicking here.
TOWN OF HOLDEN BEACH
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING
HOLDEN BEACH TOWN HALL – PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020 – 5:00 P.M.
1. Invocation
2. Call to Order/ Welcome
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Agenda Approval Approved
5. Approval of Minutes All Approved
a. Minutes of the Special Meeting of September 3, 2020
b. Minutes of the Public Hearing/Regular Meeting of September 15, 2020
c. Minutes of the Public Hearing/Regular Meeting of September 18, 2020 (Recessed from September 15, 2020)
6. Public Comments on Agenda/General Items None
7. Annual Beach Monitoring Report – Fran Way, Applied Technology and Management (Assistant Town Manager Ferguson) Mr. Way presented the annual beach monitoring report.
8. Discussion and Possible Action on Employee Health Benefits – Commissioner Sullivan Town currently pays 80% of benefits costs for employees’ spouse and families, which is higher than most other communities. Agreed item will be added to next month’s agenda.
9. Discussion and Possible Action on Resolution 20-10, Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Communicate the Town’s Opposition to FEMA’s Current Policies for Disaster Debris in Gated Communities – Town Manager Hewett Approved as amended. Added “economic recovery” to resolution.
10. Discussion and Possible Action on Resolution 20-11, Resolution Amending the Town of Holden Beach Capital Improvement Plan by Establishing a Fire Hydrant Replacement Policy – Town Manager Hewett/Public Works Director Clemmons Approved unanimously.
11. Discussion and Possible Approval of Resolution 20-12, Resolution of the Town of Holden Beach Declaring the Intent to Reimburse Itself for Capital Expenditures from the Proceeds of Certain Tax- Exempt Obligations – Town Manager Hewett Allows the Town to finance part of the expenses for sewer lift stations and a second water tower. These would also be used in the development fee analysis. Approved unanimously.
12. Discussion and Possible Scheduling of a Date to Hold a Public Hearing to Hear Proposed Comments on the Land Use Plan – Inspections Director Evans Meeting set December 15, 2020 at 5pm.
13. Discussion and Possible Action on Proposed Lease of 796 Ocean Boulevard West – Assistant Town Manager Ferguson Voted unanimously to approve the lease of 796 OBW to a Town employee for $700 per month contingent upon a favorable inspection from the building inspector that the property was safe to rent.
14. Request to Change Deliverable Date for Police Committee – Commissioner Sullivan Voted unanimously to extend report delivery date until March 2021.
15. Discussion and Possible Action on the Criteria, Qualifications and Service Arrangement for a Legal Services Provider for the Board of Commissioners – Commissioner Tyner Discussed that they want an attorney with municipal experience. Commissioners Sullivan and Kwiatkowski appreciate having the attorney at meetings. Cost is an issue.
16. Discussion and Possible Action on the Board of Commissioners’ Relationship with the Law Office of G. Grady Richardson Jr. – Commissioner Tyner Voted to terminate the relationship with current firm. Asked Town Manager to create an RFP for legal service and distribute.
17. Town Manager’s Report Town Manager presented his quarterly financial report. He encouraged all to vote. The new generator is in and staff has been trained. The Town applied for permits for the next beach nourishment and will have a scoping meeting with CAMA on Friday. The numbers from the Beach Engineer for Isaias came in at 67,000cy of sand lost at a cost of $5,000,000 for a stand-alone project. Debris that was being stored at the Turkey Trap Road site has been removed. Regarding the buoys in the Lockwood Folly, the Corps is developing a report on the costs to dredge quarterly. The Town has budgeted for one dredging. Lobbyist Mike McIntyre has changed firms and the Town Manager has made the changes required. Virtual visits with legislators are scheduled for November. NC Department of Water Resources has awarded a grant of $106,000 for dune repair. Lift station #3 is on target to be completed ahead of schedule. The Town received $40,000 for Covid supplies. The Town Manager says he will not be following the leave policy for employees. Letters regarding paving of the three unpaved streets were sent to property owners and are due in December. The water contract with the County has expired and a new contract is expected in January. The Town met with the contractor regarding developing a revised development fee schedule.
In response to a question from Commissioner Sullivan, the Town Manager asked Building Inspector Evans to share news that the Community Rating System (CRS) rating for the Town has been lowered resulting in an additional 5% reduction in flood insurance rates for property owners. There will now be a 15% reduction.
18. Mayor’s Comments The Island is extremely busy, rentals are strong, and people are using the boat dock.
19. Board of Commissioners’ Comments Commissioner Brown encouraged everyone to vote. Commissioner Tyner thanked everyone for the calls during his health issues. Commissioner Murdock thanked the Staff for their hard work. Also, he wants to be of service to the citizens and hear their concerns and ideas. Residents wanted their streets paved, they need to return the forms. Commissioner Sullivan encouraged everyone to stay safe and noted the crowds still on the beach enjoying the weather. Commissioner Kwiatkowski discussed the advocacy work she and the Town Manager were doing with the League of Municipalities. She encouraged everyone to stay well.
20.Adjournment
* Due to the Town of Holden Beach’s State of Emergency Restrictions and Governor Cooper’s Safer at Home Order, in person public attendance is prohibited. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Town’s Facebook page. Visit https://www.facebook.com/holdenbeachtownhall/ to watch the livestream. Public comments can be submitted to [email protected] or deposited in the Town’s drop box at Town Hall prior to 3:00 p.m. on October 20, 2020.