Work has begun on resurfacing Ocean Boulevard and adding bike lanes to each side of the road.  Storm drainage work is being performed from now until mid-December, followed by sidewalk prep, followed by the widening of the roadway and shoulders.  This work is expected to start on the east end and work westward, finishing in February.  Intermittent daytime traffic disruptions will occur but will be resolved by the end of each workday.

Paving will be performed from March through May 20th, also working from east to west.  No work will be performed between May 21st and Labor Day.  Final work items will be completed after Labor Day, and everything will be finished by November 16, 2024.

If you want to save trash corrals, landscaping, driveway rock, or other items in the right-of-way, you will need to move them before the work reaches your property.  The road is being widened by seven feet on the ocean side and three feet on the ICW side.   Mailboxes will be moved by the NCDOT.

The bike lanes were added to the scope of the NCDOT repaving project.   In April of 2022, the Town’s portion for the bike lanes was $723,393.  After the initial bids came in outside the allowable overage amount, the project was rebid.  When these bids came in the Town’s portion was increased by $100,000 – making the Town’s total cost for adding the bike lanes $823,393.

While the repaving project has a stormwater component to it, the Town is also currently conducting a separate stormwater study.  The contract to perform this study was awarded to McGill Associates for $131,200.

Click here for Meeting Packet

Click here for Public Comments

Click here for meeting audio

TOWN OF HOLDEN BEACH

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING

HOLDEN BEACH TOWN HALL – PUBLIC ASSEMBLY

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2023 – 5:00 P.M.

1. Invocation

2. Call to Order/Welcome

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4.  Agenda Approval Approved

5.  Approval of Minutes Approved

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 17, 2023

6.    Public Comments on Agenda Items

• Marti Arrowood – good job on the audit.  Wants to accept the bid for Block Q.
• Jim Bauer has a petition from people who want to avoid the paving on Block Q.  He also wants to know what happened to the sewer lift station.
• Rick Paarfus – Asked that the work on Block Q be deferred until the incoming Board can review it.  He has concerns about impervious surface, lack of boat parking, and the need to add the Pavilion to the space.
• Tom Myers – Asked that the decision on Block Q be deferred until the public can be informed.  The public has not been informed about paving, boat parking, and the need to move the pavilion
• Cane Faircloth thanked the current board for their service.  Feels we are very lucky with the inlet.  Wants to preserve Block Q for boaters.
• Brian Williams as a commercial fisherman concerned about the rapid growth of the area and the lack of boat parking.
• Tracey Thomas read her letter to the BOC.
• Mike Felmly addressed pool fences, called for a strategy for the pier, Block Q, closing Carolina Ave, and pointed out contract issues with the lobbyist’s contract.
• Belcher Ragland wants to close Carolina Ave because no homes face it and it won’t have an impact.  She wants the Block Q project to move forward.
• Sylvia Pate thinks that the petition from Jim Bauer is not valid, and thinks the Block Q project should move forward.  She also is in favor of the lobbyist’s contract.
• Maria Surprise was in favor of purchasing Block Q however she is concerned about the environmental issues, especially the paving.

Several commenters read the comments they had submitted in writing which can be read here.

7.  Presentation of Fiscal Year 2022 – 2023 Audit Results – Elsa Swenson, Martin Starnes and Associates – (Finance Officer McRainey)Elsa Swenson presented the audit for the year ended June 30, 2023. Here are the presentation slides.  Here is the Audit.

8.  End of Season Parking Update – Jim Varner, Otto Connect (Town Manager Hewett)  He reviewed the presentation in the meeting packet.  The Town brought in $683K in the 2023 season.

9.      Police Report – Chief Dixon All officers have had their training. Everything is very slow. Be careful as scams are going around again.  Do not send money when contacted via phone calls.

10.  Inspections Department Report – Inspections Director Evans The department is still busy with new homes and improvements.  They also are working on several Town projects.

11. Discussion and Possible Selection of Lowest Apparent Bidder for Block Q and Associated Paperwork – Town Manager Hewett  Received two bids this round.  Motion to have the Town manager complete the contract, close Carolina Ave. and a budget amendment passed unanimously. Block Q Plans.

a.     Ordinance 23-14, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 23-11, The Revenues and appropriations Ordinance or Fiscal Year 2023 – 2024 (Amendment No. 2)
b. Letter of Intent
c. Ordinance 23-15, Order to Close

12. Discussion and Possible Approval of Resolution 23-12, Water Resources Development Grant – Assistant Town Manager Ferguson   This is regarding a grant to help cover shoaling at the Harbor Acres entrance and a few hotspots.  The state would cover 75% and Harbor Acre homeowners would cover the additional 25%.  The resolution passed unanimously.

13. Discussion and Possible Approval of Ward and Smith, P.A. Engagement Letter – Mayor Holden This is the contract for the Town’s lobbyist, Mike McIntyre.  The contract runs through June 30, 2024, at $9725/month.  Passed unanimously.

14.  Discussion and Possible Amendment to Quarterly Meeting Dates – Commissioner Dyer Would like to cancel the planned December 21 Special meeting.  The motion carried unanimously.

15. Public Comments on General Items

• Brian Williams discussed parking with the direction of traffic when parking large boat trailers.
• Irv Woods discussed that the navigation dredging helped the East End beach front.
• Tom Myers talked about the need for information sessions to keep interested property owners up to date.

16. Town Manager’s Report

• Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project, CSDR, (Federal Corps Project): Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) allocated funds to cover part of the Corps’ expenses.  He thinks there might be additional funds as well.
• The grant for the Block Q bathroom was approved.
• EPA grant package commitment for the Sewer Lift Station: hopes to have it finalized before Christmas.  Has made a request to find out more from the Department of Water Resources, DWR, for more details.
• OBW Resurfacing and Bike Lanes – work is in progress.  The contractor is working on stormwater drains, the project should be complete by Memorial Day.
• Turkey Trot is Thanksgiving morning at 8:00 am.  300 people are expected.
• November 30 is the Annual Tree Lighting with entertainment at 5:00 and Lighting at 6:00.

17. Mayor’s Comments Happy Thanksgiving.  Glad to hear a good financial report and thanks to the staff for the grants.  Thinks the Town is in good condition.

18. Board of Commissioners’ Comments

• Commissioner Smith – thankful for the island, staff, police, and commissioners, and encouraged everyone to stay safe
• Commissioner Murdock – Hopes the new board will work together, have transparency, he has enjoyed serving on the BOC.
• Commissioner Dyer – Thanks to the staff for the grants.  Thanked the outgoing Commissioners.  Happy Thanksgiving.
• Commissioner Arnold – Hopes the incoming board and the outgoing one can work together.

The Town Pavilion, the site of the Summer Concerts, Christmas Tree Lighting, Tide Dye, and numerous Town functions, has structural issues.

The Town received an engineering report in February stating the pavilion requires significant repairs, and since the repairs will likely exceed the value of the structure the Town should consider full replacement – which means we have an opportunity to move the concerts away from the sewer station and conduct them on an attractive grass open space in Block Q. You can read the report here:  Pavilion Engineering Report.

The issue has not been addressed by the Town and there is nothing in the budget for repairs or replacement, but it is listed in the Capital Improvement Plan for FY 24/25.

Please note, the Pavilion was not included in the plan for Block Q which was passed at the Commissioners Meeting on November 21.

The final votes have been counted and here are the results:  

Mayor:  Incumbent Alan Holden will serve another two-year term.

Board of Commissioner Four-year terms: Tom Myers, Tracey Thomas, and incumbent Page Dyer.

Two-year Unexpired term: Rick Paarfus.

They will join sitting Commissioner Rick Smith on the Board.

The Mayor and Commissioners will be sworn into office on December 19 at the regular monthly Commissioners meeting.  Special thanks go out to our departing Commissioners Gerald Arnold and Brian Murdock for their dedication and service.  Recognition also goes to the other members of our community who have shown their love for our beach by stepping up to run for office.  Thank you!

You can view the election results here.

Did you receive your Fall 2023 Newsletter?  It was mailed via USPS to all property owners.  If you did not receive it click here to read it.  Sometimes mail gets lost, but if you did not receive a newsletter send us an email with your mailing address and your address at Holden Beach and we will make sure you are on the list for the next one!

HBPOA Thanksgiving Meeting Reminder

Please join us Saturday, November 18 at 10:00 am

Holden Beach Chapel

or by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2513296660

Thanks to the League of Women Voters – Lower Cape Fear for helping organize and record Candidates Night this year.  There was a great turnout of voters.  Special thanks to the HBPOA Candidates Night Committee and chair Beverly Compton.  If you weren’t able to attend they have provided us with a Facebook link to the recording here.  Remember to vote November 7th!

Membership Appreciation Breakfast

Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Follow Up October 2023

Click here to listen to the meeting

Click here for the meeting packet

Click here for the written Public Comments

TOWN OF HOLDEN BEACH

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING

HOLDEN BEACH TOWN HALL – PUBLIC ASSEMBLY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2023 – 5:00 P.M.

1.    Invocation

2.    Call to Order/ Welcome

3.    Pledge of Allegiance

4.    Agenda Approval Items number 13 and 14 removed from agenda.  Approved as amended.

5.    Approval of Minutes
a.     Minutes of the Public Hearing/Regular Meeting of August 15, 2023 Approved as written

6.    Public Comments on Agenda Items

Rick Paarfus – Suggested to review the budget to find any available funds rather than take from fund balance.  He suggested looking at Block Q Bathrooms, debris removal, work at the park, with the goal to reduce other spending.
Maria Surprise – Concerned about another withdrawal from savings.
Tom Myers – Budget amendment will result in spending 15% of the BPART Fund Balance. This should have been included in the budget.  Consider reducing or deferring other expenses.
Jim Bauer – All comments have already been covered.

7.    Annual Beach Monitoring Report – Fran Way, ATM CLICK HERE FOR THE PRESENTATION SLIDES He has been working with the Town for over 20 years and the beach strand looks great.  He has been doing the Annual Monitoring since 2001.  The nourishment planning and FEMA eligibility has really paid off and the beach strand has improved drastically since he started doing the monitoring.  FEMA has really helped us out.  Homes were removed in the 90s yet now we have a wide strand.  This monitoring report covers what damage Hurricane Ian did last fall.  It hit at high tide and had 4’ of surge.  The beach held up very well.  Beach system is where expected after the nourishment of 2022. He also assisted with the emergency dredging of Lockwood Folly Inlet last spring and another inlet project is planned for this spring to put sand on the beach.  He has been working on getting another offshore borrow area permitted in case of a storm. 

8.    Police Report – Chief Dixon Nothing is happening crime wise.  Run HB caused traffic issues and he is appreciative of people’s patience.
 
9.    Inspections Department Report – Inspections Director Evans Still busy with new home construction and renovations.

10.          Discussion and Possible Action on ADA Related Items – Assistant Town Manager Ferguson and Inspections Director Evans The Town staff has been working on the Keybridge mediated agreement to comply with the DOJ mandated ADA improvements. CLICK HERE FOR PLANS
a.     Avenue E Site Plan Ave. E is east of the home Amazing Grace on the far east end of the Island.  It will have a concrete parking area, accessway, and bathroom(s).  Golf Cart parking spots will become handicap parking spots.  Undetermined if this will be one bathroom or two.  These are the same planned bathrooms that will be at 114 OBE. They will apply later to extend the matting further out.
b.     801 Ocean Boulevard West Site Plan This walkway will be pervious concrete and include a Hatteras ramp.
c.     Conceptual Approval of Bathrooms These bathrooms will be elevated and have breakaway walls.  There was a lot of comment on the design from the audience. 
d.     Ordinance 23-13, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 23-11, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance or Fiscal Year 2023 – 2024 (Amendment No. 1) The concept for the site plan and the design was approved unanimously.  The budget amendment for $261,753 was approved unanimously. 

11. Discussion and Possible Amendment to the Contract Between the Town and Southern Disaster Recovery, LLC – Public Works Director Clemmons Amends the agreement to add the removal of some trees.  Approved unanimously.

12. Discussion and Possible Action on Regulations for Removing Sand from the Beach – Mayor Holden  Asking staff to consider prohibiting removal of sand from the island.  Approved by consensus. 

13. Discussion and Possible Action on Extending the Paid Parking Program Year-round – Mayor Pro Tem Smith  Removed from agenda.

14. Discussion and Possible Action on 796 Ocean Boulevard West – Mayor Pro Tem Smith  Removed from agenda.

15. Discussion and Possible Action on Proposed Revision to the Personnel Policy – Town Clerk Finnell Approved unanimously.

16. Public Comments on General Items

Maria Surprise – recommends doing a cost-benefit analysis on the decision regarding paid parking in the offseason. 
Ron Bristol – requested a status report on the bike lanes, was told it would discussed in Town Manager’s Report (see below)

17. Town Manager’s Report
·      Bid opening was today for Pier renovation.  There were no bids.  It will be re-bid.
·      Block Q Parking (Phase 1) is out for bid.  Phase 2 of the project is pending a CAMA access grant.
·      Sewer Lift Station – there has been no news from the EPA and it is unclear how the project would be impacted by a federal budget shutdown.  He has also not received any information from the state on the funds from the state budget.  Expect no progress until more information is available and the audit has been reviewed by the Local Government Commission.
·      Bike Lanes and Ocean Blvd. Resurfacing – The survey work has been completed, and work on stormwater is expected to occur in November.  The road shoulders will be torn up beginning in December, 3’ on the north side of the road and 7’ on the south side.  Any rock or other material owners want to salvage needs to be moved back from the road by owners.  After construction, aggregate base coarse (ABC) will be placed along the road.  The contractor will take down mailboxes and reinstall them.  He expects the shoulder work to happen December – February with paving in March – April, with completion by Memorial Day.  Work will begin from the west.
·      Harbor Acres will be having a small dredge project to hit some high spots in selected areas.  They are hoping to apply for a grant to cover 75% of the expense.
·      The Lockwood Folly Inlet will be dredged this winter with 140,000 cubic yards of material placed on our beach.   

18. Mayor’s Comments Considers hurricane season over for the year.  Encouraged everyone to attend Candidates Night this Friday at the Chapel at 5:30PM.  For those wondering about the access at Greensboro Street the Town has extended the prior agreement to allow access as before.  The Causeway project is still moving forward with the County and DOT, but has a ways to go.  Voting is November 7^th.

19. Board of Commissioners’ Comments

·      Commissioner Smith thanked people for coming and listening online.  He reads all the email he receives.  It is nice to see the activity on the beach slow down for the season.  He encouraged everyone to vote.
·      Commissioner Murdock thanked everyone for coming and missed some meetings due to health issues.  He encouraged everyone to make it a good day.  Go vote.
·      Commissioner Dyer hopes for better turnout for voting than in the past.  The Festival is coming, be safe and kind.  Barktoberfest is Friday, October 27.  Registration has been extended until this Friday.  Register with Christy HERE.
·      Commissioner Arnold is concerned about the lift station and “kicking the can down the road”.  It is critical for 700 homes.

20. Adjournment

Mark your calendar for:

Candidates Night

Friday, October 20, 5:30 PM 

Holden Beach Chapel

Sponsored by HBPOA and organized by the League of Women Voters – Lower Cape Fear Chapter

All candidates for Mayor, four-year terms for Commissioner, and the two-year term for Commissioner (12 candidates) have indicated that they will participate.  Refreshments will be served.  Candidates will meet with the public at 5:30 with a moderated forum beginning at 6:00.   The forum can be viewed live at this link courtesy of the LWV (advance registration required, use this link to register): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckcuGurzotH9W1H0qD3Hj8YtvARgL-dOCA   After the forum, HBPOA will post a link to the recording on our website holdenbeachpoa.com.

Historically, HBPOA has organized and hosted Candidates Night.  However, this year there are several HBPOA Board Members running for office.  To avoid any perception of bias or favoritism the decision was made to ask the League of Women Voters (LWV) to handle this year’s Candidates Night.  LWV presents candidate forums for other nearby towns such as Southport and Oak Island.