Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Follow Up
December 2022
Review the Meeting Packet here.
Review the Pier Plans here and the Engineer’s Presentation Slides Here
Listen to the audio from the meeting here.
TOWN OF HOLDEN BEACH
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING
HOLDEN BEACH TOWN HALL – PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2022 – 5:00 P.M.
1. Invocation
2. Call to Order/ Welcome
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Agenda Approval Added 7A to hear about a plan for the Pier. Approved as amended.
5. Approval of Minutes All approved as written.
- Minutes of the Special Meeting of October 10, 2022
- Minutes of the Special Meeting of November 8, 2022
- Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 15, 2022
- Minutes of the Special Meeting of November 29, 2022
6. Public Comments on Agenda Items
- James Bauer, 329 OBW, would like to see static water tanks at Block Q and at 796 OBW.
- Keith Smith, 105 Durham, would like to see pool tables and a game room at the Pier for teens.
7. Discussion and Possible Action on Pinnacle Architecture’s Draft Master Site Plan for Block Q – Randy Baker, Pinnacle Architecture (Town Manager Hewett) The preliminary plan incorporates boat trailer and car parking as well as a restroom and a small dog area. Commissioner Smith would like to see more greenspace and for boaters to be able to pull directly in off of South Shore. He would also like to have parking along the perimeter. Commissioner Dyer would like to see more handicapped spots. Building Inspector Evans would like to see better access for handicapped to get to the restroom from the Pavilion. The Boat parking spots are 64’. Another draft will be brought back. A diagram is available in the meeting packet and the engineer’s presentation from the meeting is here.
7A. Preliminary Pier Plan (Added Agenda Item) The pier building interior will be gutted. The Structural Engineer will be there next week to evaluate the building and the pier structure. On the Pier structure, the hardware, some pilings, split cross braces, handrails (don’t meet ADA), benches, and lights will most likely need replacing. There will be a Hatteras ramp for emergency vehicles and an ADA beach access ramp to the west of the building on the additional Town-owned parcel. There will be a completely new structure from the building to the end of the area on the Pier that is sloped. There would be steps and an ADA-compatible ramp. In the Pier House, the slab needs to be replaced, the mechanical and electrical would also be replaced. Besides the two or three businesses, there would also be public restrooms on the west side. Commissioner Kwiatkowski discussed the need for handicapped parking by the ADA ramp. There may be an additional one or two trailer spots added. The next version of his work should have more details. The work will need to be phased due to the limit on what can be spent before bringing it all up to code. See the drawings here and the engineer’s presentation here.
8. Election of Mayor Pro Tem – Town Clerk Finnell Rick Smith was reappointed as Mayor Pro Tem.
9. Discussion and Possible Approval of 2023 Meeting Schedule – Town Clerk Finnell The Monthly meeting schedule was approved. Commissioner Murdock would like to consider quarterly Special Meetings to address issues. March, June, September and December were suggested. It was decided to wait to determine the Special Meetings dates until January.
10. Discussion and Possible Action on Appointment of Cape Fear Council of Government Delegate and Alternate – Town Clerk Finnell Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem were reappointed.
11. Police Report – Chief Dixon He is working with DOT for salting the roads.
12. Inspections Department Report – Inspections Director Evans Department is very busy, running 23-24 inspections/day. Work on the island is trending to renovations instead of new construction.
13. Discussion and Possible Action on Ordinance 22-28, Ordinance Amending Holden Beach Code of Ordinances, Section 94.03 Frontal Dune Policies and Regulations – Inspections Director Evans This ended up being a housekeeping issue. Passed unanimously.
14. Update on Beach Mat Plan – Inspections Director Evans The Town is considering adding beach mats at several locations. CAMA/CRC approval will be required and the State is expected to make a decision this spring. The areas he is looking at for mats are at the east end, at Quinton (already in place), the Pier, and the 800 block. Ramps would need to be constructed for the new areas. The cost is expected to be $150K – $200K for the East End and the 800 block ramps (not including the pier area), plus the cost of the mats.
15. Discussion and Possible Approval of Revision to Engineering Services Agreement for Pump Station #2 – Public Works Director Clemmons Approved unanimously.
16. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance 22-29, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2214, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2022 – 2023 (Amendment No. 7) – Budget and Fiscal Analyst McRainey Approved unanimously. This allows the Town to move ahead on the insurance claim for the pick-up lost in Hurricane Ian.
17. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ordinance 22-30, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2214, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2022 – 2023 (Amendment No. 8) – Budget and Fiscal Analyst McRainey Approved unanimously.
18. Discussion and Possible Action on Revising Discharge of Firearms Prohibited; Exceptions, Ordinance 130.01 – Commissioner Kwiatkowski Current ordinance is out of date. Police Chief will bring a revised version of the ordinance to the February meeting; approved by consensus.
19. Discussion and Possible Action on How to Address Concerns with 796 Ocean Boulevard West – Mayor Pro Tem Smith Motion to improve cosmetics and possibly rent the home during the summer. Approved unanimously.
20. Discussion and Possible Direction to Town Manager to Review Information and Suggestions from Holden Beach Citizens on the First Year of Paid Parking and Return Staff Suggestions to the Board of Commissioners for the January Meeting – Mayor Pro Tem Smith Motion to have the Town Manager meet with Staff to bring suggestions for changes, including eliminating right-of-way parking that is not designated for paid parking. Passed unanimously.
21. Discussion and Possible Action on Resolution 22-09, Resolution Amending the Holden Beach Fee Schedule (Recycling) – Town Clerk Finnell Raised cost of curbside recycling to $106.88 per bin. Passed unanimously.
22. Public Comments on General Items No comments.
23. Town Manager’s Report
- Waiting on the final inspection on the FEMA project
- Bad News on the Bike Path. After the bidding process, DOT only received one bid and it was 40% over the estimate, necessitating a re-bidding. The new timeline would allow for completion by Memorial Day 2024. It is expected that the project will be pushed off for at least another year.
- A rendering of plans for 796 OBW is expected for the January BOC meeting.
- He expects the federal budget to be passed on Friday which includes funding for HB and for the Corps for our study.
- The “long session” of the state legislature starts in January.
- Seagull paving was certified by the Town’s engineer, Right Angle.
24. Mayor’s Comments: The Town Manager went to California and gave a presentation on our beach, a town in the Great Lakes has contacted us for information about what we are doing. The Christmas décor has received positive comments. Winterize your home in preparation for the coming weather.
25. Board of Commissioners’ Comments All Commissioners thanked the staff and engineers for coming to the meeting and wished everyone a safe and Merry Christmas. In addition:
- Commissioner Smith thought it was a good year for Holden Beach
- Commissioner Murdock is concerned about rapid growth in the area and the impact on infrastructure
- Commissioner Dyer thanked the Merchants Association for the PD cameras
- Closed Session Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3), Consult with the Attorney and North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(6), Personnel
- Adjournment
Block Q Preliminary Plan