Below is a summary of the July Commissioners’ Meeting.

 

TOWN OF HOLDEN BEACH

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING

HOLDEN BEACH TOWN HALL – PUBLIC ASSEMBLY

TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2021 – 5:00 P.M.

1. Invocation
2. Call to Order/ Welcome
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Agenda Approval Moved item #21 to #7A and Item #22 was deleted.  Approved as amended.
5. Approval of Minutes All approved.
   • Minutes of the Public Hearing/Special Meeting of June 4, 2021
   • Minutes of the Public Hearing/Regular Meeting of June 15, 2021
   • Minutes of the Special Meeting of June 28, 2021
   • Minutes of the Special Meeting of June 30, 2021
6. Public Comments on Agenda Items No comments.
7. Presentation of Municipal Administration Certificate to Assistant Town Manager Ferguson – Town Manager Hewett
   • 7A. See Item #21.

8. Police Report – Chief Dixon  From May 1 – June 30 they conducted 77 traffic stops and issued 41 citations, and 59 parking tickets.  Over the July 4^th weekend they conducted 22 stops and 12 citations with 18 charges.  They also wrote 35 ordinance tickets – 30 parking and 5 fireworks.  They also participated in Booze it or Lose it.  Lots of positive feedback on closing the left turn lane on Saturdays.  The longest traffic bottleneck is at the stoplight.
9. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance 21-18, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 20- 10, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2020 – 2021 (Amendment No. 18, Isaias Cat Z) – Assistant Town Manager Ferguson Approved unanimously.
10. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance 21-19, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 20- 10, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2020 – 2021 (Amendment No. 19) – Town Manager Hewett Housekeeping Budget amendment.  Approved unanimously.
11. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance 21-20, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 20- 10, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2020 – 2021 (Amendment No. 20) – Town Manager Hewett  Approved unanimously.
12. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance 21-21, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 21- 13, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022 (Amendment No. 1) – Town Manager Hewett  Funds the pier purchase. Approved 3-2 with Commissioners Sullivan and Kwiatkowski voting NO.
13. Discussion and Possible Action to Select the Priority Board of Commissioners’ Objectives for the Upcoming Fiscal Year – Commissioner Kwiatkowski  Approved unanimously.
14. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance 21-22, An Ordinance Amending Holden Beach Code of Ordinances, Chapter 35: Inlet & Beach Protection Board – Town Clerk Finnell  Approved unanimously.
15. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance 21-23, An Ordinance Amending Holden Beach Code of Ordinances, Chapter 34: Parks & Recreation Advisory Board – Town Clerk Finnell  Approved unanimously.
16. Discussion and Possible Selection of Members to Serve on Town Boards – Town Clerk Finnell  The following people were selected to serve. Parks and Rec Board: Grace Bannerman, Melanie Champion, Mike Pearson, Susannah Tucker.  Planning and Zoning:  Wade Cole, Sylvia Pate, Pete Pallas, and Mark Francis, and John Cain as alternates.  Board of Adjustment:  Jack Lohman, and Richard Roberts.
17. Audit Committee Debrief to Board – Commissioner Kwiatkowski  Reported that the Audit Committee is meeting again and addressing outstanding issues.
18. Discussion and Possible Action on Parking Management Services Proposals – Town Clerk Finnell Directed Staff to come back with a recommendation. Anticipated to report back at next meeting.
19. Discussion and Possible Action on Golf Cart Violation Reporting Tasker – Commissioners Kwiatkowski and Smith Commissioners want a break down by week of Golf Cart Infraction details to determine if progress is being made on safety issues or whether a new approach should be tried.  Police do not break info down by Golf Carts – only track by vehicles.  They can break it down but Police Chief thinks it is a bad idea. No action taken.
20. Discussion and Possible Action on Golf Cart Request to Town Attorney – Commissioner Smith Town Attorney reported that it was legal to put restrictions by ordinance on Golf Carts to address the continuing and worsening problems with safety compliance. No Action taken.
21. Discussion and Possible Action on Water Agreement with Brunswick County – Town Manager Hewett   Brunswick County representatives were at the meeting and discussed their efforts on the water system including the Wholesale Water Agreement which was approved unanimously.
22. FEMA Gated Community Debris Pickup Update – Town Manager Hewett Item deleted.
23. Discussion and  Possible  Action on  Text  Amendment for Swimming  Pool  Locations  –Inspections Director Evans Public Hearing was set for the August meeting.  Passed with Commissioner Smith voting NO.
24. Public Comments on General Items No comments.
25. Town Manager’s Report  The Local Government Commission approved $27.7M in loans for the FEMA reimbursement sand project.  The loan closed on Friday.  Weeks Dredging has been selected as the contractor and work is expected to begin around November 15. Seagull St. paving is moving ahead with Right Angle Engineering beginning the surveying.  Green Engineering has almost completed the next phase of the #2 Sewer Lift Station project (at Greensboro).
26. Mayor’s Comments  Was disappointed that the weather canceled the Tams concert.  He has never seen so many people on the beach.  Staff is working hard.  Feels we are experiencing better compliance with beach regulations.
27. Board of Commissioners’ Comments:  Commissioner Brown congratulated new members of Town Boards.  He feels that a lot of current issues are because we are in the heat of summer.  Commissioner Smith thanked the staff and citizens and encouraged everyone to keep golf carts safe.  Commissioner Murdock wants to preserve the pier as is and purchase other open properties.  Commissioner Sullivan pointed out that the renourishment this winter will only cost $27.7M and saves approximately $20M by combining four storms requiring only one mobilization.  He also urged the use of common sense on the pier purchase.  Commissioner Kwiatkowski wants to hear from people about the pier.  Most she have heard from are supportive, but with reservations, such as supporting it if it is revenue-neutral.  It may not be.  She pointed out that we can’t cover even the loan payments from BPART (occupancy taxes) because we already spend it all.  In addition, there are several more items that the Board is moving ahead on such as bike lanes and the Corps Study which will cost large sums.  She is concerned we are taking on a lot of debt and emphasized she wants to hear from people.
28. Adjournment