HBPOA Thanksgiving Meeting Reminder
Please join us Saturday, November 19 at 10:00am
Holden Beach Chapel
or by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2513296660
Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Follow Up – November 2022
Click here for the meeting packet.
Click for the meeting audio (when available)
TOWN OF HOLDEN BEACH
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING
HOLDEN BEACH TOWN HALL – PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022 – 5:00 P.M.
1. Invocation
2. Call to Order/ Welcome
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Agenda Approval
5. Approval of Minutes
a. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 18, 2022
6. Public Comments on Agenda Items Resident Jim Bauer spoke on flooding and how bike lanes will exacerbate the problem.
7. Annual Monitoring Report – Fran Way, Applied Technology Management (Assistant Town Manager Ferguson) Gave a report on the state of the beach and the nourishment completed last spring. The nourishment was effective and builds on the 2017 nourishment. Click here for the meeting slides about the Beach Monitoring Report
8. Presentation of Fiscal Year 2021 – 2022 Audit Results – Elsa Watts, Martin Starnes and Associates (Town Manager Hewett) The Town’s auditor gave a presentation on the annual audit. The Town received a clean opinion. Click here for the slides from the auditor’s presentation Click here for the Audit
9. Audit Committee Message to the Board of Commissioners on the External Audit for the Year Ending June 30, 2022 – Commissioner Kwiatkowski The Audit Committee’s summary of the audit is in the packet.
10. Audit Committee Recommendation to the Board of Commissioners to Authorize the Town Manager to Issue a Request for Proposals as Soon as Practicable for Contracting with an External Audit Firm – Commissioner Kwiatkowski Unanimously asked Town Manager to issue a RFP for next year’s audit.
11. Department of Transportation Ocean Boulevard Resurfacing/Bike Path Construction Update – Caitlin Marks (Town Manager Hewett) DOT representatives discussed the proposed bike lanes. Bike lanes will be on both sides of OBW requiring the road to be widened by 10’ (7’ on South side of OBW and 3’ on north side.) Permitting required that DOT contact 192 property owners and 20 people objected. The permit was granted November 9. Regarding drainage issues, they will monitor it. Costs will be finalized when the bids are opened. They plan to start January 23 and finish by Memorial Day. Click here for the meeting slides which include the locations and diagrams.
12. Discussion and Possible Action on the North Side Right-of-Way After Bike Lane Construction – Commissioner Kwiatkowski The space on the north side of Ocean Blvd. between the current edge of the road and the sidewalk will be used for bike lanes. After the 3’ is removed, the remaining portion will be left as grass.
13. Police Report – Chief Dixon Police activity was normal for the month. He shared that there were 2311 parking tickets written during paid parking with 64,000 vehicles parked, giving an infraction rate of 3.5%. This is very low compared to other towns. Run HB has been rescheduled for December 1; plan accordingly. Expect lane closures from Highpoint St. to light at Walgreens. The Merchants Association has donated $11,000 earned at festivals, etc. for body cameras.
14. Inspections Department Report – Inspections Director Evans Seeing a wave of permits. There were 39 permits for new homes and 7 for new projects over $30,000. Hosted the annual Contractor’s Workshop with 70 contractors participating.
15. Discussion and Possible Action on the Planning & Zoning Board’s Response to the Board’s Tasker Concerning Frontal Dunes (Code of Ordinances Section 94.03 Frontal Dune Policies and Regulations) – Inspections Director Evans Brought back information as requested. By consensus, Option 5 will be brought back to next month’s agenda.
16. Condition and Safety Issues with Town-Owned Property at 796 Ocean Boulevard West – Joel Ehle, Homeowner 798 Ocean Boulevard West (Mayor Holden) Homeowner who lives next door to the Town-owned property brought the maintenance issues forward. He would like the Town to paint the house and clean it up. The property was bought to buffer the noise from the Lift Station. The $40,000 in the budget for the home is for engineering. The Town agreed to do some cosmetic changes and deal with it in the next budget year.
17. Ian After Action Report – Town Manager Hewett Reviewed how Emergency Operations works. The Town didn’t lose power or water. The island needs some emergency drainage, but unclear where the water would go. Damage was estimated at $8M, not including damages to the strand. Click here for the slides from the meeting.
18. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ward and Smith, P.A. Engagement Letter – Assistant Town Manager Ferguson Motion to approve Ward and Smith lobbying contract and the budget amendment. During discussion Commissioner Kwiatkowski asked if some of the work could be reduced to lower the cost. Passed 4-1 to keep the current contract with Commissioner Kwiatkowski voting no.
a. Ordinance 22-25, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 22-14, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2022 – 2023 (Amendment No. 4)
19. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance 22-26, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2214, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2022 – 2023 (Amendment No. 5) – Assistant Town Manager Ferguson This is for the $166K CAMA grant for the pier property beach access. Passed unanimously.
20. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance 22-27, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2214, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2022 – 2023 (Amendment No. 6) – Budget and Fiscal Analyst McRainey Added line items at the auditor’s request and to help with the new software. Motion passed unanimously.
21. Discussion and Possible Action on Sewer Station Planning – Commissioner Kwiatkowski Station #1 (at the bridge) now has no issues; the issues this summer have been resolved.
22. Request for Staff for Expanded Financial Reporting of Professional Services and Recently Purchased Pier Projects – Commissioner Kwiatkowski Commissioner Kwiatkowski reminded staff that the BOC had requested additional details of professional services expenses during the budget process and she would like to see that happen.
23. Request for Owner Input on Retaining Rights-of-Way Parking in Non-Designated Parking Areas Outside Paid Parking Hours During Season and in Offseason Months Next Year – Commissioner Kwiatkowski Rights Of Way (ROW) parking is currently allowed after hours and during off season. If people are satisfied with this now, then no change is needed, but if people had problems last summer they need to let Heather ([email protected]) know so it can be addressed. Were you adversely impacted by people parking in the ROW after hours? If so let Heather know.
24. Request for Staff for Status of Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Study Information Request to the Corps of Engineers – Commissioner Kwiatkowski Commissioner Kwiatkowski would like the minutes and cost expenditures to date that were promised by the Corps. The Town Manager will follow up.
25. Public Comments on General Items No comments
26. Town Manager’s Report Still awaiting final inspection for the FEMA project. He has been informed that HB tax values are up approximately %65, revenue neutral would be 11 cents vs the current 20 cents per /$100. More information will be coming forward. Paid Parking has wrapped up for the season. The Town made $455,000 for the season. Tim Evans was congratulated for his workshop and other activities. He has been the subject of two investigations and both have been dismissed. The Town Manager thanked Tim for his work. GFWC installed a Little Library at Sailfish Park. The Turkey Trot is coming Thanksgiving morning, register in advance. The Christmas Tree Lighting is Dec. 1 at 6:00, with entertainment beginning earlier. He has received repeated questions on the pier insurance. Insurance was reported in July or August. He has also received numerous questions about bike lanes – the permit was just approved.
27. Mayor’s Comments He thinks things are going pretty well in the Town.
28. Board of Commissioners’ Comments
· Commissioner Smith – thanks to Merchants Association for donation of body cameras. Had a Veterans’ lunch last week. Thanks to Tim for the Contractor’s Forum. Festival by Sea was fun and the Chapel’s Pancake Breakfast. The Emergency procedures are in good shape. Working on Pier issues. Enjoy Thanksgiving.
· Commissioner Murdock – Great Veteran’s luncheon and contractors’ luncheon. Working on the pier, Block Q, storm water issues and bulkheading in 800 block. 796 OBW is in the plans. Making Progress.
· Commissioner Dyer – Festival was great. Have a safe Thanksgiving.
· Commissioner Kwiatkowski – can’t recall ever having this much out there for RFQs and work coming up. Patience will be needed. Happy Thanksgiving!
· Commissioner Arnold reflected on the spirit of service. Staff gets the job done and the Commissioners also serve.
· Mayor – question about the Christmas décor. They were placed early because Public Works is very busy. Purple lights are the LEDs failing.
29. Closed Session Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3), Consult with the Attorney – Commissioner Kwiatkowski
30. Adjournment