12 - Town Meeting * Lou's Views

Lou’s Views

“Unofficial” Minutes & Comments

BOC’s Regular Meeting 12/16/25

Board of Commissioners’ Agenda Packet » click here

Audio Recording » click here

1. Conflict of Interest Check

2024 Rules of Procedure for the Holden Beach Board of Commissioners
(e) Conflict Check. Immediately after the approval of the agenda, the Presiding Officer shall poll each member to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. In the event that a potential conflict is disclosed, the members will vote on a motion to allow or excuse that member with respect to the agenda item. If excused, the member may not participate in any discussion, debate, or vote with respect to the agenda item.

The Board was polled by Heather our Town Clerk. All of them declared that there was no conflict of interest with any agenda item at this meeting.

2. Presentation of Plaque to the Outgoing Board of Commissioners by Town Manager Chadwick

Recognition was given to all members of the outgoing board. The plaque was presented by Town Manager Chadwick to the outgoing Board of Commissioners followed by a photo-op. The plaque will be hung in the Town Hall.

3. Presentation of Plaques to Commissioners Smith and Paarfus of the Outgoing Board of Commissioners by Mayor Holden

Commissioner Paarfus and Smith both received a plaque of appreciation from the town for their service. Mayor Holden presented the plaque to Commissioner Smith to thank him for his service to the Town. Commissioner Paarfus was not in attendance o receive his plaque. Presentation was followed by a photo-op.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Commissioner Paarfus for his dedicated service to our community. I respect him for standing behind his convictions and articulating why he took those positions. I’ve been doing this since 2008 and I can say without any reservations that Commissioner Paarfus stands among the finest Commissioners we have had.

Regrettably, over the past two years, our community has seen a rise in negativity, including false accusations, personal insults, and hateful comments. This toxic environment is harming Holden Beach by discouraging dedicated leaders from continuing their service. It is unfortunate that Commissioner Paarfus decided not to seek re-election, having been personally affected by these circumstances. This is a significant loss for our town. In my humble opinion, Rick will be sorely missed.

4. Judge Gerald Arnold will Present the Oath of Office to the Incoming Board of Commissioners
. a) Mayor J. Alan Holden
. b)Commissioners Sylvia Pate and Keith Smith

Judge Arnold presided over the swearing in ceremony
. • Elected officials were sworn in one at a time
• They each took the oaths of office and then took their seats on the council

5. Election of Mayor Pro Tempore – Town Clerk Finnell (Town Manager Chadwick)

Agenda Packet – pages 9 – 10

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and Possible Action on Selection of Mayor Pro Tem

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Per Section §30.05, Mayor Pro Tempore of the Holden Beach Code of Ordinances, the Board shall elect from one of its members a mayor pro tem. The normal term of office is one year, commencing with the December meeting.

If the Board chooses to elect a new mayor pro tem, you can vote by ballot or verbally, whichever is the Board’s preference. If the Board votes by ballot, please make sure to sign your ballot.

§30.05 MAYOR PRO TEMPORE.

(A) The BOC shall elect a Mayor Pro Tempore. The normal term of office of the Mayor Pro Tempore shall be one year, commencing at the first regular meeting in December; provide, however, that the member shall serve at the pleasure of the

(B) The Mayor Pro Tempore shall discharge the duties and exercise the powers and authority of Mayor in the absence, disability, disqualification of the Mayor and during a vacancy in the office of Mayor; provided his or her rights and duties as BOC shall remain unimpaired; except he or she shall receive the salary or expenses of Mayor when serving in that capacity. No additional oath of office shall be required of the Mayor Pro Tempore upon assuming the duties of the Mayor beyond that oath taken at the time of appointment to Mayor Pro

Update –
The Code of Ordinances reads that the Board shall elect a mayor pro tem from one of its members. Per the ordinance, the Board may choose to extend the current term of Mayor Pro Tem Myers or select another member to serve as the Mayor Pro Tem. Commissioner Smith made a motion to nominate Commissioner Dyer for Mayor Pro Tem.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

Editor’s note –
Mayor Pro Tem is elected by the Board of Commissioners and is not necessarily the person with the most votes in the general election. The selection of Mayor Pro Tem is at the discretion of the other elected commissioners. Although traditionally the person with the most votes has been selected the rules do not require it.

6. Discussion and Possible Approval of 2026 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Schedule – Town Clerk Finnell (Town Manager Chadwick)

Agenda Packet – pages 13 – 14

Meeting Schedule » click here

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and Possible Approval of 2026 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Schedule

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Enclosed is the proposed 2026 Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meeting Schedule. All dates reflect the third Tuesday of the month.

2026 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING SCHEDULE
Regular Meetings are held at 5:00pm on the third Tuesday of each month

- - January 20^th
  - February 17^th
  - March 17^th
  - April 21^st
  - May 19^th
  - June 16^th
  - July 21^st
  - August 18^th
  - September 15^th
  - October 20^th
  - November 17^th
  - December 15^th

Update –
The proposed monthly meeting schedule was adopted as submitted.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

7. Discussion and Possible Direction on Rules of Procedure for the Board of Commissioners – Town Clerk Finnell (Town Manager Chadwick)

Agenda Packet – page 15, plus separate packet

Rules of Procedure » click here

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and Possible Direction on Rules of Procedure

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The Board of Commissioners is required to adopt rules of procedure. The current version the Board is using is included for your review (Attachment 1). I have also included the previous version the Board has utilized (Attachment 2) and the standard version from the School of Government (Attachment 3).

The Board may adopt a version of these rules as written or make amendments to them.

Update –
The Board is required to adopt some version of the Rules of Procedure each year. The Rules of Procedure were substantially revised in 2020 and again in 2022. The Board were presented with three options; see Rules of Procedure link above. The recommendation was to review the materials, markup the current version and have proposed changes presented at the January meeting. Instead they chose to adopt attachment #2 which is the version used prior to the 2022 changes. The Board may amend the rules at a future meeting if they determine it is necessary.

A decision was made – Approved (3-2)
Commissioners Thomas and Myers opposed the motion

Summary
Rules of Procedure / 2024 represents a heavily customized and more restrictive version that:

- Significantly limits the mayor’s voting and participatory powers
- Creates the new Executive Secretary role
- Establishes much more detailed public participation procedures
- Requires extensive documentation and transparency measures
- Imposes stricter procedural requirements throughout
- Tailored to address specific governance concerns or past issues in Holden Beach.

For those following from home, after considerable outrage regarding the previous Board’s lack of attention to minority perspectives, the new Board proceeded to implement this decision with little regard for those concerns. There was absolutely no reason to force this vote tonight other than to be vindictive.

Hypocrisy – when someone pretends to have virtues, beliefs, or feelings they don’t actually have, often by saying one thing and doing the opposite.

Same As It Ever Was

8. Election of Executive Secretary – Town Clerk Finnell (Town Manager Chadwick)

Agenda Packet – pages 11 – 12

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Election of Executive Secretary

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Per the Board’s current Rules of Procedure (excerpt below), the Board shall elect an executive secretary. The Board can vote by ballot or verbally, whichever is the Board’s preference. If the Board votes by ballot, please make sure to sign your ballot.

(d) Selection of Executive Secretary. As the third order of business at the organizational meeting, or at such time as determined by the BOC, the board shall elect from among its members an Executive Secretary using the procedures specified in Rule 22. The Executive Secretary shall serve at the board’s pleasure and shall not be the same member as the Mayor Pro Tempore.

Update –
The Executive Secretary position was just created in January of this year. The intent was to deliver the benefits that they had when it was in place before. By adopting Rules of Procedure attachment #2 the Executive Secretary position was eliminated.

Item was removed from the agenda

9. Police Report – Chief Jeremy Dixon

Agenda Packet – pages 16 – 22

Police Report » click here

Jeremy reviewed the actions that were taken by them last month

Business as usual, normal amount and type of activity for this time of year

All of the staff positions have been filled, it’s been a long time since that was the case

Jeremy recognized Sergeant Adam Milligan for receiving his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate. This is the highest level of certification that can be obtained. An Advanced Law Enforcement Certification signifies an officer’s increased expertise beyond basic training, requiring extra education, training points, and experience.

Car break-ins are happening on multiple islands including ours

Crime Prevention 101- Don’t make it easy for them
Don’t leave vehicles unlocked
Don’t leave valuables in your vehicles

‘Booze It & Lose It’ underway through holidays
Local and state officials are intensifying efforts to keep North Carolina roadways safe during the busy holiday travel season with the launch of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s Holiday “Booze It & Lose It” campaign. The statewide initiative focuses on reducing drunk and drug-impaired driving through heightened law enforcement and public awareness. From now through Jan. 4, law enforcement agencies in all 100 North Carolina counties will increase patrols and conduct sobriety checkpoints to identify impaired drivers and prevent crashes before they occur. “Far too often, people make poor decisions that have serious and sometimes deadly consequences,” said Mark Ezzell, director of the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program. Impaired driving continues to claim lives across the state. According to state data, 361 people were killed in more than 11,000 alcohol-related crashes in North Carolina last year. Officials warn the risk increases during the holiday season, when celebrations and alcohol consumption are more common. The Booze It & Lose It campaign aims to deter impaired driving by reminding motorists that enforcement will be visible, aggressive, and widespread throughout the holidays. Safety leaders encourage drivers to plan ahead by designating a sober driver, using a taxi or rideshare service, or arranging another safe ride home when alcohol is involved.

Public Service Announcement

Low Speed Vehicle Safety » click here
Low-speed vehicles (Golf Carts) are required to follow the same traffic laws as every other motor vehicle, including travel lane regulations. They are required to be registered with the DMV and all operators must possess a valid driver’s license.All occupants MUST wear a seat belt, including children who must be secured in an age/weight appropriate child safety restraint.

Download our free app for important updates and notifications.

What he did not say

Public Service Announcement
Hunting season is underway, it is prohibited within Town limits
Hunting season runs from October till the end of January
Please notify the Police Department if you hear shots being fired

§130.01 DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS PROHIBITED; EXCEPTIONS.
It shall be unlawful for a person to shoot or project any stone, rock, shot, or other hard substance by means of a slingshot, bean shooter, air rifle, popgun, bow, or other similar contrivance, or to fire any pistol, gun, or other firearms within the town except on archery ranges, firing ranges, or in legally-established shooting galleries or ranges, or in the discharge of duty by law enforcement officers, provided that the use of firearms in the destruction of rodents, pigeons, squirrels, or similar animals or birds or reptiles that are considered to be a menace to public health or property may be permitted by special permission of the Chief of Police.

§130.02 HUNTING PROHIBITED.
It shall be unlawful for any person or group of persons to do any hunting of wildlife with dogs or without dogs within the town limits.

If you know something, hear something, or see something
call 911 and let the police deal with it.

10. Inspections Department Report – Inspections Director Evans

Agenda Packet – pages 23 – 25

Inspections Report » click here

ACTIVE NEW HOME PERMITS = 30
OTHER ACTIVE PERMITS = 520
PERMITS ISSUED OVER $30,000 = 77
. • AMOUNT INCLUDED IN ACTIVE TOTAL
PERMITS ISSUED OVER $100,000 = 6
. • AMOUNT INCLUDED IN ACTIVE TOTAL
PERMITS ISSUED SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS = 3
. • AMOUNT INCLUDED IN ACTIVE TOTAL
PERMITS ISSUED WAITING PICK UP = 28
TOTAL PERMITS = 578
PERMITS IN REVIEW = 11
CAMA ISSUED = 4
CAMA EXEMPTIONS = 4
ZONING ISSUED = 9
NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS = 1
DELINEATIONS = 5
CAMA SITE INSPECTIONS = 8

PERMITS SERVICED FOR INSPECTIONS FROM 11/01 – 11/30 = 96
TOTAL INSPECTIONS MADE = 149

Update –
Timbo briefly reviewed department activity last month, the department is staying busy.

11. Finance Department Report – Finance Officer McRainey

Agenda Packet – pages 26 – 31

Finance Report » click here

Update –
Daniel briefly reviewed the Finance Report

12. Public Works Department Report – Public Works Director Benton

Agenda Packet – pages 32 – 33

Public Works Report » click here

Department Overview
The Public Works Department continues to focus on maintaining the quality of life for residents and visitors to Holden Beach through consistent operations and upkeep of town infrastructure . Our activities this month included routine maintenance, repairs, and preparedness for weather events .

Key Activities and Accomplishments

Maintenance & Repairs

- Fire Hydrants: Crew is currently grinding, priming, and painting all of the fire hydrants on the
- Road repair: Graded Canal Drive.
- Side Walks: Crew inspected and repaired any of the loose screws in the rubber handicap mats on the

Holiday Prep

- Bridgeview Park: Crew did an awesome job setting up and decorating for our annual Christmas Tree lighting

Water and Sewer

- Water Meters: Crew installed 6 new water services this month.
- Water Leaks: We had 4 water 2 of which were just water service lines.
- Sewer Pits: 1 new sewer service installed.
- Service Calls: Crew ran close to 45 service calls this month. This included calls just to speak with a customer or cut the water on and off, sewer pit calls, etc.

Capital Projects & Long-Term Maintenance

Ongoing Projects

- Meter Maintenance: We are continuing to repair and replace meters in an effort to get the reread numbers down.

Upcoming Projects

- Lift Station 1: We are looking to replace vacuum pumps in Station l and re plumb the station as we go.

Conclusion
The Public Works Department remains committed to serving the Holden Beach community with quality, timely services. Our team is focused on ensuring safety, cleanliness, and effective infrastructure. We continue to work diligently on ongoing projects and are prepared to tackle any issues that arise in the future..

Update –
Chris briefly reviewed the Public Work Report

13. Town Manager Report – Town Manager Chadwick

Agenda Packet – page 34

Town Manager Report » click here

Bryan reviewed the Town Manager Report

Greensboro Street / Sewer Lift Station #2
Work has been completed.

Block Q Restrooms & Parking
In process.

Previously reported – November 2025
Contractor is now moving toward completion by of the middle of December
Grant extension was applied for with the state and timeline has been extended

Ocean Boulevard Stormwater
Staff met with the Corps for an initial meeting. Staff is working with them on next steps and to finalize the timeline.

Previously reported – June 2025
The Town was awarded $2.2M in Environmental Infrastructure Disaster Relief Funding for stormwater projects. To get started USACE requires the execution of the Project Partnership Agreement. The Town portion of the 2.2 million dollar project is 25%, which would cost us $550,000. The motion was made to approve the project partnership agreement with the USACE and have the town staff execute the paperwork.

Block Q Master Plan RFQ
TBD based on discussion with Board.

Block Q Stage Area
TBD based on discussion with Board.

Pier Site
Future Scope of Work discussion TBD in the future

THB Newsletter (04/15/25)
Work has been completed and the pier parking lot and walkways are now open.
Please be mindful not to stand or sit under the pier structure.

NC Resilient Coastal Communities Program
The working group has been designated by Tim and the Planning staff.

Previously reported – November 2025
Engineer contacted Tim with next steps, which includes forming a working group
Phase 1 of the program is being implemented
They need to select three (3) members of the community as team members

Previously reported – August 2025
The Town was selected to receive a technical assistance award through the program
ESP Associates has been assigned as our engineer firm and will receive $70,000
Staff will have an orientation session regarding our phase of the program on 09/09Â

Previously reported – April 2025

N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program » click here

North Carolina Division of Coastal Management is accepting applications from eligible communities for no-cost technical assistance to complete Phases I and 2 of the Resilient Coastal Communities Program. The motion was made to complete an application to Resilient Coastal Communities Program by the deadline of April 25^th, if it is at all possible.

LWF/Bend Widener Project
Staff met with the Corps. They have received all funding. The current timeline has the Corps beginning the project around the end of March 2026.

Employee Updates
Ryleigh Gleason obtained her public notary.
Gage Garcia was hired as a Public Works Technician.
John Trudeau rejoined the Police Department full time.

Canal Dredging
Harbor Acres CAMA permit has been renewed.

In Case You Missed It

Public Works have put up snowflake decorations on the boulevard light poles
. • Purple streetlights are not part of the holiday decorations they are the LED’s failing

Town Hall Holiday Schedule
Town Hall will be closed December 24^th, 25^th, 26^th and January 1^st in observance of the holidays.

Dog Reminders
Please remember that any time your dog is off your premise, they must be on a leash, cord or chain at all times. Also, dog owners must remove dog waste immediately after it is deposited by the dog when on public property or any private property, including vacant lots, without the permission of the private property owner. Dog waste stations are conveniently located throughout the island.

Emergency Operations Center
The EOC building is being used by Tri-Beach Fire Department while they renovate their fire station on Sabbath Home

National Flood Insurance Program: Reauthorization
Congress must periodically renew the NFIP’s statutory authority to operate. On November 12, 2025, the president signed legislation passed by Congress that extends the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP’s) authorization to January 30, 2026.

News from Town of Holden Beach
The town sends out emails of events, news, agendas, notifications and emergency information. If you would like to be added to their mailing list, please go to their web site to complete your subscription to the Holden Beach E-Newsletter.
For more information » click here

Upcoming Events

Shag Lessons
Beginner shag lessons are scheduled to start, running for six weeks from January 8^th through February 12^h. There is still time to join the class.

14. Discussion and Possible Approval of Resolution 25-09, Resolution Approving Truist Signature Card – Town Clerk Finnell (Town Manager Chadwick)

Agenda Packet – pages 35 – 36

Resolution 25-09 » click here

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and Possible Approval of Resolution 25-09, Resolution Approving Truist Signature Card

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Historically, the official signatories for the Town’s Truist accounts are the mayor, mayor pro tern and staff. Resolution 25-09 updates the current signature card by designating Mayor Holden, Town Manager Chadwick, Assistant Town Manager Ferguson and Finance Director McRainey as the official signatories. It will also designate the Board member that is voted to serve as mayor pro tern for 2026.

Update –
Housekeeping item an update of signatories, adopted as submitted
Change in Mayor Pro Tem from Myers to Dyer

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

15. Discussion and Possible Action on Closeout Items for the Referendum – Assistant Town Manager Ferguson (Town Manager Chadwick)
. a) Resolution 25-10, Resolution Certifying and Declaring the Results of the Special Bond Referendum on the Bond Order Authorizing the Issuance of $7,300,000 General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds Held for the Town of Holden Beach on November 4, 2025

Agenda Packet – pages 37 – 41

Resolution 25-10 » click here

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Consideration and possible action on closeout items for the referendum.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The referendum process does not end at the polls and requires a few subsequent actions on the part of the board. You will need to pass the attached resolution which certifies and declares the results (attachment 1). The Statement of the Results is also included in your packet so that you understand what is required to run in the newspaper (attachment 2).

TOWN MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend adoption of resolution to certify the results.

Update –
Housekeeping item. The referendum was not approved. The resolution certifies and declares the results. Motion was made to approve the resolution as submitted.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

General Obligation Bond Referendum

This Board has outlined the necessary steps and costs for constructing a new pier and is presenting the decision to the community through a public referendum. The referendum allows for the public to decide whether to spend the money for a pier not just the five (5) Board members. Personally, I believe that most of the public would like to have a pier but the high cost may lead to limited public support. I just don’t think that the island property owners are willing to pay for it.

Holden Beach voters reject pier bond referendum
Voters in Holden Beach rejected a bond referendum to demolish the current pier and construct a new one. In a 351-211 vote, one precinct in Holden Beach showed voters were opposed to the bond referendum that would increase property taxes for town property owners. According to the town, the referendum included $7.3 million in General Obligation bonds, which only covers demolition and construction costs. The bonds do not cover debt from the original pier property purchase, construction of a new pier building, maintenance, or operating costs. For these reasons, voters like Mark Collman opposed the measure. “A structure like that that can’t be insured, it makes no sense to spend 12 million dollars plus on something that you can’t insure when you live in a hurricane zone,” Collman said. Other voters expressed uncertainty about the proposal’s details. “I’m just not sure if I want my taxes raised or not. I understand that but I am for doing something with the pier. I think the referendum was a little bit too early and not explained enough to voters,” said Lisa Holmes. f the referendum had passed, property owners may have had to pay an additional $31.60 per year in property taxes for every $100,000 of property value. The proposed pier would be a 996-foot wooden walkway with a covered “T” at the end, similar to the original design. The new pier would be uninsurable for wind or water damage. The town states that engineers estimate annual maintenance costs at $72,560 to keep the pier functional for 50 years. The town has not established operating revenues or determined if the pier will generate profit.
Read more » click here

Editor’s Note –
Pier Bond Referendum:
No 351 votes (62.46%)
Yes 211 votes (37.54%)

Brunswick town voters turn down funding to build a new pier.
Here’s what’s next.
Election Day unofficial results show a tax increase to pay for a new pier was not on the agenda for most Holden Beach voters. With the majority of Holden Beach voters on Nov. 4 rejecting the town’s public improvement general obligation bond referendum, what’s next for the Holden Beach Pier? The wooden Holden Beach fishing pier at 441 Ocean Blvd. West has stood for nearly 70 years. In 2022, the town purchased the pier and pier house property for around $3.3 million financed at 3.18% over 15 years with an annual debt service cost of $260,000, per the town’s website. Plans to use the $7.3 million bond, if fully approved, included demolishing the existing pier and building a new pier. However, general obligation bonds require a voter referendum and over 62% of the total 562 ballots cast by Holden Beach voters were against the bond. Though the town would have seven years to issue the bonds, the expected term of the bond is 20 years, according to the town’s website. Results are unofficial until the Brunswick County Board of Elections canvass on Nov. 14.

Voters went against a property tax increase
If the voter majority supported the bond, the estimated property tax increase was $31.60 per $100,000 property tax value per year to service the cumulative cost over the life of the bond. A Holden Beach home valued at $1 million would have to pay an additional $316 in property tax per year.

What does the pier and pier building look like today?
The pier and pier house closed to the public after the property purchase due to sea-beaten pilings and a host of safety issues. Town commissioners in March 2025 decided to demolish the pier building after being told the rotted pier structure will require extensive, costly repairs in order to be saved. The building was demolished but the pier remains standing.

What are the plans for the new pier?
Commissioners decided to have engineers design a new, taller, stronger full timber pier. The pier, if constructed, will be similar to the design of the original Holden Beach pier: 996-foot-long and pedestrian-grade, with a covered “T” at the end. The bond funds, if approved, did not include construction of another pier house. Plans to rebuild the pier house are currently undecided.

What if Holden Beach voters approved the bond?
If registered Holden Beach voters strongly supported the bond referendum, the town would have moved forward with adopting the bond resolution in December. Bond order approval from the Local Government Commission would also be required.

What now?
“Funding the pier will be more challenging, since it is unlikely, at least in the short-term, that the Local Government Commission would approve an alternate form of financing for a project that did not pass at a General Obligation Bond referendum,” per the town’s bond counsel, as stated on Holden Beach’s website. The town website also notes that other forms of funding the pier have not been explored at this time and may be challenging based on costs outlined in the town’s capital improvement plan.
Read more » click here

Holden Beach Property Owners Association

UNOFFICIAL HOLDEN BEACH TAXPAYER STRAW POLL

HBPOA’s Role: Ensuring Every Taxpayer Has a Voice

Under its charter, HBPOA is committed to giving all Holden Beach property owners a chance to be heard whether or not they are eligible to vote in November.

To that end, HBPOA is conducting this Unofficial Straw Poll, asking each Holden Beach Household to vote Yes or No on the exact same Referendum that will be on the November 6 Ballot.

How the Straw Poll Works

- HBPOA is sending this Unofficial Straw Poll to each of the 2000+ Holden Beach Households by email and/or US Mail.
- Each Household may cast ONE YES or NO vote on the Referendum question regardless of the number of residents in the household or whether they are registered Holden Beach voters.
- Each Household has a Voter ID and a Password to ensure that only one vote can be cast per Household and to assure election integrity and voter anonymity.

This Unofficial Straw Poll is being conducted using Election Runner an independent third-party service used by many nonprofit organizations.

Go to https://electionrunner.com for more information.

Unofficial Straw Poll Results
The results will be posted on HBPOA’s website: https://holdenbeachpoa.com.

Straw Poll Survey:
No 568 votes (63.04%)
Yes 333 votes (36.96%)

901 total votes were cast – with only one vote per household

16. Discussion and Possible Action on Block Q Items – Town Manger Chadwick
. a) Stage
. b)Request for Qualifications

Agenda Packet – pages 42 – 47

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Consideration and possible action on stage and RFQ.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Staff promised to bring back two items, one being a recommendation on how to move forward with the stage and the other being the RFQ for the master plan of the Jordan Boulevard/Block Q area.
. a) With board approval, staff will move forward with seeking a design and drafting specifications to attempt to complete construction this budget year
. b) The original RFQ presented in October is also attached for your consideration

TOWN MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend board approve a path forward to complete these projects.

Previously reported – September 2025
ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and possible action to direct staff to develop a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for technical services to develop a comprehensive plan for the Jordan Blvd, Block Q, bridge area and former pavilion properties.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
There have been several proposals for the development of Block Q with amenities such as a band stand/pavilion, pickle ball courts, boat parking and vehicle parking. However, a comprehensive plan to develop not only block Q but the surrounding parcels (Jordan Blvd, former pavilion site, bridge area) is needed to make the most efficient use of the available properties to provide these amenities. Subsequent construction of these amenities could then be accomplished in phases according to priorities and budget availability. The intent is to allow a professional design firm to bring their expertise and creativity to bear in developing the master plan, considering all the property available. The BOC should provide some initial guide lines for the RFQ but shall not constrain the firm to those guidelines in developing the master plans.

Possible motion:
Instruct staff to develop an RFQ for a comprehensive design for Block Q, Jordan Blvd, bridge area, and the site of the former pavilion to be reviewed by the BOC.

They want to develop a comprehensive plan not only for block Q but also the surrounding parcels. The Board is trying to approach the development by keeping the end in mind. The plan is to only provide the vendor with guidelines of what they would like to see there. The motion was made to instruct staff to develop an RFQ for a comprehensive design for Block Q, Jordan Blvd, bridge area, and the site of the former pavilion to be reviewed by the BOC.

Previously reported – October 2025
ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
At the September BOC meeting, the board directed staff to bring back an RFQ for a master plan for Block Q, Jordan Boulevard, the bridge area and the site of the former pavilion.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The purpose of the RFQ is to solicit professional design firms that can bring their expertise regarding all the property available. The following document is attached for your consideration and further direction.

TOWN MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend approval to distribute RFQ for a master plan as prepared by staff.

Editor’s note –
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is a document that asks potential suppliers or vendors to detail their background and experience providing a specific good or service. In this case, the buyer is only concerned about the vendor’s skills and experience. Professionals responding will be selected solely based on their qualifications and not on price. Once a firm is selected the Town will negotiate a contract for the desired services. Therefore, the response is not a bid.

Christy presented the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) document a comprehensive design plan for Block Q, Jordan Boulevard, the bridge area, and the site of the former pavilion for their consideration. Commissioner Paarfus was not ready to support this document as written. The vote to approve the RFQ failed. Mayor Holden attempted to do an end run by proposing that they bring back the previous plans so that they can move forward with a concert venue. After considerable discussion that mostly revolved around protocols the Town Manager intervened. The staff will incorporate comments from the commissioners regarding the RFQ. They will also look at moving forward with the original concert venue plan separately as another option. Staff will have something prepared for them by the next regular BOC’s meeting.

Previously reported – November 2025

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
The BOC reached a stalemate at the last meeting regarding the RFQ and a vote for moving forward. The staff offered to bring back a revised RFQ and path for moving forward to a stage for this budget year. After much discussion, the staff decided that it is more prudent to wait until the new board is seated to bring something forward so the board does not inherit a project and can discuss their thoughts and ideas on the topic.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
This action item is to update the board on work that was completed on this and how staff reached the above decision.

The staff decided that it would be prudent to wait until the new board is seated to discuss how to proceed.

No decision was made – No action taken

Update –
The Board approved having the staff move forward with seeking a design and drafting specifications for a stage in the Block Q area. His intent is to present plans to the Board with more than one recommendation for the stage area. Staff will also send out a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a comprehensive plan for the Block Q/Jordan Boulevard area.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

Know the difference between wants and needs?
One of the most basic concepts of economics is want vs. need.
A need is something you have to have.
It’s something you can’t do without.
A want is something you would like to have.
It’s not absolutely necessary, but it would be a good thing to have

17. Discussion and Possible Action on Playground Equipment – Assistant Town Manager Ferguson (Town Manager Chadwick)
. a) Ordinance 25-17, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 25-11, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2025 – 2026 (Amendment No. 5)

Agenda Packet – pages 48 – 49, plus separate packet

Playground Packet » click here

Ordinance 25-17 » click here

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Consideration and possible action on playground equipment.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Playground equipment was included as a component of the fiscal year budget. The PRAB reviewed three proposals and narrowed the choice to the attached design. The current budget on equipment is predicated on phasing in equipment over a two-year period.

TOWN MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend approval of design and purchase of equipment and approval of budget amendment.

Update –
Christy presented the playground equipment choice made by the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. The Board chose to fund the project all in one fiscal year rather than split over two (2) years as proposed. The expectation is that it will be delivered and installed by Easter of next year. Motion was for approval of design and purchase, they moved funds of $81,572 to cover the shortfall.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

Moved funds of $81,572
From Revenue account #50.0399.0000 to Expense account#50.0710.5004

18. Discussion and Possible Action on Amendment to the Contract to Audit Accounts between the Town and Martin Starnes and Associates – Finance Director McRainey (Town Manager Chadwick)

Agenda Packet – pages 50 – 53

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Martin Starnes and Associates contract for the fiscal year 2025 audit.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The audit contract has been revised to reflect the new dates due to the delays from the government shutdown.

TOWN MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend approval of the revised contract.

Update –
The audit report has been submitted to the Local Government Commission (LGC), it is the same as the draft report. This eliminated the need to amend the auditor contract.

Item was removed from the agenda

19. Discussion and Possible Action on Fifth Amendment to Solid Waste & Recyclables Collection, Transportation and Disposal Agreement between the Town and GFL Environmental – Public Works Director Benton (Town Manager Chadwick)

Agenda Packet – pages 54 – 59

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and Possible Action on Fifth Amendment to Solid Waste and Recyclables Collection, Transportation and Disposal Agreement between the Town and GFL Environmental

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
GFL has provided the Town with a proposed amendment to the Solid Waste and Recyclables Collection, Transportation and Disposal Agreement. The current agreement’s term is through December 31, 2025. The amendment would extend the initial term by two years, with the end date being December 31, 2027. Pursuant to the terms of our contract, current rates would be adjusted by 3%.

Update –
The term of the contract was extended by two (2) years and rates will be increased by three (3) percent. Motion was made to approve amendment to the current GFL contract. The Board will need to Amend the Fee Schedule at the next scheduled meeting.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

20. Discussion and Possible Approval of Resolution 25-11, Resolution Opposing the Fuquay-Varina Interbasin Transfer and Request for Additional Comment – Public Works Director Benton (Town Manager Chadwick)

Agenda Packet – pages 60 – 64

Resolution 25-11 » click here

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and Possible Approval of Resolution 25-11, Resolution Opposing the Fuquay-Varina Interbasin Transfer and Request for Additional Comment

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Representatives from the Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority (LCFWASA) distributed a draft resolution opposing the Fuquay-Varina Interbasin Transfer (IBT) and requesting additional comment. The resolution outlines concerns regarding the Town of Fuquay-Varina ‘s proposal to transfer water from the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse River Basin and it requests additional time and opportunities for the impacted Cape Fear Basin communities to review and provide input on the proposed transfer.

Given the potential regional impacts to water availability and future growth, LCFWASA is asking local governing bodies to consider adopting a similar resolution to support this effort.

TOWN MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend approval of resolution opposing the Fuquay-Varina lnterbasin Transfer (IBT) and request for additional comment.

Interbasin Transfer

The Town of Fuquay-Varina has partnered with the City of Sanford to purchase up to 6 million gallons per day (mgd) of finished water from the City to meet the Town’s water supply needs over a 30-year planning period. Finished water will be transferred from the Cape Fear River basin (Lee County) to the Neuse River basin (Wake County). An interbasin transfer is defined as the regulated movement of surface water from one river basin to another. Law does not prohibit transfers but requires that effects of the transfer on the source and receiving basins be quantified prior to the transfer.

The proposed water balance and interbasin transfer (IBT) meet the statutory definition of a transfer per General Statutes 143-215.22G and 215.22L, therefore the Town of Fuquay-Varina must prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, conduct Public Hearings, and submit a petition to the Environmental Management Commission for the IBT Certificate. The process is anticipated to take three to five years.

Update –
It’s plain and simple, we oppose the water transfer as requested since it will be taking away water from us. Given the potential regional impacts to water availability and future growth, Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority (LCFWASA) is asking local governing bodies to consider adopting a similar resolution to support opposing the Fuquay-Varina lnterbasin Transfer (IBT) and request for additional comment.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

Fight over Cape Fear River water sparks widespread downstream anger
A fast-growing suburb near Raleigh wants to take water from the Cape Fear and then dump it into the Neuse River basin. Downstream users are saying not so fast.
For most of its nearly 190-mile journey through Central and Southeastern North Carolina, the murky Cape Fear River flows slowly and peacefully through a relatively flat landscape as it makes its way from the Piedmont to the coast. But over the past few weeks the river’s waters have been anything but tranquil as local government officials, environmentalists, concerned citizens and regulators tussle over plans by one Triangle community to take water from the river basin to meet the needs of a booming population. While withdrawing water from a river basin isn’t uncommon in North Carolina, it’s what Fuquay-Varina wants to do with the water after its been through the town’s utility systems and used by homes and businesses that’s generating concerns.

What’s the issue?
Fuquay-Varina in Wake County is proposing to partner with Sanford in nearby Lee County to draw up to 6 million gallons per day − enough to fill nine Olympic-sized swimming pools − from the Cape Fear River over the next 30 years to meet its growing population. According to the N.C. Office of State Budget and Management, Fuquay-Varina’s population in 2020 was 34,000, and the town added another estimated 12,000 people by the end of 2024. That figure could reach 100,000 by 2050. But while the water will be drawn from the Cape Fear River near Sanford, it will dumped as wastewater into the Neuse River basin in Wake County. “An interbasin transfer is defined as the regulated movement of surface water from one river basin to another,” according to a post on Fuquay-Varina’s website. “Law does not prohibit transfers but requires that effects of the transfer on the source and receiving basins be quantified prior to the transfer.” Right now Fuquay-Varina gets its water from Raleigh and Harnett and Johnston counties. “Long-term water supply solution from current water purveyors is not feasible,” the town stated in a PowerPoint presentation. According to the project’s draft environmental impact statement (EIS), it would be about $200 million cheaper to take the water from the Cape Fear and release it into the Neuse than to send it back into the Cape Fear River basin.

Water supply, environmental concerns
But downstream communities that rely on the Cape Fear for their drinking water needs, including Fayetteville, Wilmington and much of Brunswick County, have raised a host of concerns about the proposal. At a series of meetings earlier this month in Fayetteville and around the Triangle, dozens of people spoke out passionately and many angrily against the proposed water transfer. Opponents’ arguments included concerns over lower water flows in the Cape Fear, especially during periods of extended drought − something that’s expected to occur more frequently thanks to climate change, which could impact downstream utilities from meeting the water needs of their own growing populations. Several speakers also expressed worries that reduced flows could harm potential economic opportunities, especially if a steady flow of water can’t be guaranteed. Roger Shew, an environmental scientist with the University of North Carolina Wilmington, said lower water flows − something that’s happened four times in the Lower Cape Fear since 2000 and prompted water conservation measures twice − also can have significant environmental impacts. That includes potentially harming migratory fish species, some endangered like the pair of sturgeon species found in the river, which require sustained water levels to successfully breed. Reduced water flows also increase the chance for harmful algal blooms and could increase contamination levels in raw water drawn from the Cape Fear, not to mention the ongoing concerns over “forever chemicals” like GenX found in the waterway. Nearly two dozen local governments, utility authorities, environmental groups, and business organizations have passed resolutions opposing the proposed interbasin transfer.

What happens now?
Shew said North Carolina isn’t a stranger to interbasin transfers, and many of the state’s fast-growing metros and counties have implemented them in one form or another. But he said concerns over the long-term impacts of taking water from one basin and dumping back into another one prompted the N.C. General Assembly this year to adopt a moratorium on new water transfers until March 2027. The ban, however, only covers interbasin transfers of 15 million gallons per day or greater. Fuquay-Varina’s proposal is only for a daily transfer of 6.17 million gallons. But Shew said with so little data on the long-term effects of these water movements, they should be carefully scrutinized no matter what their proposed size. “Hopefully the (N.C. Environmental Management Commission) and (N.C. Department of Environmental Quality) will scrutinize these types of transfers to ensure that no negative impacts occur with this proposal or others,” he said. “And the only way to guarantee that is to keep the water in the basin.” At the least, Shew and others have said the state should hold a public hearing on the proposal in the Lower Cape Fear region where Wilmington-area officials and residents can have their say without having to drive two hours inland to air their concerns. “The draft EIS acknowledges that pollution, reduced flows, increased wastewater discharge, stormwater runoff, and flooding currently threaten the Cape Fear River, and these threats may be exacerbated with the (interbasin transfer),” states a Dec. 5 letter the Southern Environmental Law Center, which is representing a slew of environmental groups opposed to the proposal, sent to state regulators. “In sum, we request that DEQ and the EMC schedule a public hearing on the draft EIS for the Fuquay Varina IBT certificate in or around Wilmington to give communities downstream of the transfer point a full opportunity to participate in the public process on this important issue.” As of publication time no additional public hearings had been scheduled. But the state has extended the window to accept written comments until April 1. They can be mailed to Maya Holcomb, Division of Water Resources, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C., 27604, or by email to maya.holcomb@deq.nc.gov.
Read more » click here

21. Closed Session Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-318.11(a)(3), Consult with Attorney – Town Manager Chadwick

No decision was made – No action taken

Municipal Elections

2025 Municipal Elections
Six (6) candidates were on the ballot running for three (3) available positions

THB Election Results

Candidate                          Position                   Term Votes
Alan Holden    Mayor Tenth 394      (69.61%)
Mike Felmly Mayor First 172      (30.39%)

Sylvia Pate Commissioner First 337      (30.31%)
Keith Smith    Commissioner First 306      (27.52%)
Chad Hock Commissioner First 235      (21.13%)
Maria Surprise Commissioner First 234      (21.04%)

Holden Beach Election Results
Through the Years …

Congratulations and thanks to our elected officials
for their service to the community.

BOC’s Accomplishments: 2024/2025

The Board of Commissioners dedicated significant time and effort to resolving numerous challenges inherited from previous administrations:

- The Town acquired the pier property without conducting adequate due diligence on the condition of the structure and building, nor establishing a viable plan for its use.
- Block Q was purchased with the intention of paving it for the benefit of a few commercial fishermen, without broader community input.
- The acquisition of 796 OBW occurred without any clear or actionable plan for its future.
- The Town was aware for over a year that the pavilion was unsafe and beyond repair, yet no action was taken.
- Plans were made to build a public park in a residential neighborhood, despite opposition from local residents.
- Over a million dollars were spent pursuing a project with the USACE that was unfeasible from the outset.
- The Town d epleted the beach nourishment reserve fund instead of building it up in preparation for future projects.
- The Town was compelled into arbitration by the DOJ due to unresolved ADA violations.
- Plans were underway to construct a new water tower without any supporting engineering analysis.

Financial Management

- 796 OBW Sale: The 796 OBW property was sold for $565,000 after five years of ownership, supporting the town’s capital plan. The sale eliminated ongoing maintenance costs and now generates ad valorem and occupancy taxes, creating new revenue streams for the town.
- Pier Savings: By commissioning a 20-year cost analysis and placing a bond referendum on the ballot, the town avoided $2.2 million in short-term maintenance costs. This approach led to an optimal-cost plan for saving the pier, including engineering designs, lifecycle cost estimates, and a funding plan, while allowing voters to decide the path forward.
- Block Q: The town saved $326,000 by canceling a paving project for oversized boat trailers, preserving parking for 33 boats, and initiating a comprehensive area plan. This decision also maintained the potential for a new concert venue.
- Beach & Inlet Capital Reserve Fund: Over two years, seven (7) million was transferred for beach nourishment, restoring the reserve fund to its originally planned amount.

Safety Initiatives

- Pavilion: The pavilion was removed after engineering reports identified safety hazards. Concerts for 2025 were relocated to Bridgeview Park, and $407,000 was allocated for a new concert venue. Interim events were held at the picnic shelter, with plans underway for a permanent venue on Block Q.
- Pier Building: The pier building was removed based on engineering and cost assessments, ensuring safe access for future projects and compliance with building codes. This also provided a clean slate for designing an optimal new structure.
- ADA Improvements: The town completed the Key Bridge Foundation Mediation Agreement, added new ADA beach access and bathrooms, conducted a town-wide ADA assessment, and secured a grant for additional ADA bathrooms at Block Q (scheduled for completion in December 2025). All ADA arbitration projects were completed on time, with ongoing internal assessments for future compliance.

Infrastructure

- Beach & Inlet Management: Allocated $611,000 (2023/24), $2.7 million (2024/25, and $4.0 million (2025/26) to the reserve fund; developed a capital improvement plan for renourishment.
- Greensboro Street Lift Station: Scheduled for completion in December 2025.
- Storm Water: The Board approved a comprehensive master plan, allocating $320,000 for key projects and securing $1.98 million in federal funding for priority initiatives. The plan was amended to include canal streets and two additional east end areas.
- Pavement Condition Survey: Accepted the 2024 report and allocated $157,000 for recommended improvements.
- Water & Sewer: An asset management plan was approved, confirming acceptable water pressure and identifying that a new water tower may not be needed until 2046.
- Ocean Boulevard Paving: Completed paving with NC DOT, added bike lanes and crosswalks for safety and accessibility.
- Fire Station: Confirmed the current site for a new/upgraded station and allocated $3.6 million in the capital plan.
- Sailfish Park: The land was designated as a conservation area, rejecting the proposed development plan.
- N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program: The Town was selected to receive a technical assistance award through the RCCP program
- Pier Property: A development plan was created to serve as a strategic roadmap for future improvements.
- Coastal Storm Risk Management: The CSRM General Reevaluation USACE study was terminated after analysis determined the project was not feasible. The town spent over $1 million pursuing this project.

2025/2026 Budget Allocations

- Tourism & Recreation:
  - $407,000 for a new concert venue
  - $43,000 for concerts
  - $12,500 for recreation programs
  - $176,000 for access and recreation
- Infrastructure:
  - $320,000 for street drainage
  - $157,000 for street paving projects

Long-Term Commitments

- Ongoing support and funding for:
  - Beach and Inlet Management Program
  - Stormwater Master Plan Implementation
  - Utility Capital Improvements (Sewer and Water)
  - Fire and Police services
  - Pavement Condition Survey Implementation
  - Comprehensive planning for Block Q and the Pier property
  - Development of a new, ADA-compliant Pier Facility with enhanced public amenities
  - Expansion of tourism and recreational programming

Letter of Resignation

To the Residents of Holden Beach and the Board of Commissioners:

I hereby submit my resignation as Commissioner of Holden Beach, effective January 1, 2026.

When I joined this Board, I did so with a commitment to integrity and fiscal responsibility. Regrettably, the actions taken during the first meeting of the new Board have made it clear that I can no longer serve in good conscience.

During his campaign, Keith Smith promised to restore “trust, transparency, and teamwork.” Unfortunately, these principles were disregarded at the outset. Revisions to the Rules of Procedure were neither shared with the public nor discussed openly before Commissioners Smith, Pate, and Dyer voted to revert to an outdated version. This outdated version is not only less transparent but also fails to account for modern laws regarding remote participation and directly violates Ordinance 30.15 (A) [Ord. 07-04, passed 5-22-07].

Furthermore, the behavior witnessed at this meeting is a continuation of the hostile working environment fostered by Mayor Holden and Commissioners Rick Smith and Page Dyer over the past two years. This atmosphere of antagonism has consistently undermined the Board’s ability to engage in civil, productive debate. It is deeply troubling to witness the very “backroom” decision-making and predetermined outcomes that were so heavily criticized now being used as primary tools of governance. By “calling the question” to prematurely end deliberation, the new majority has signaled an interest in an agenda of retaliation rather than collaboration.

I have grave concerns regarding the Board’s insistence on “repairing” a pier that both the Town inspector and a reputable engineering firm have deemed a total loss. Disregarding these professional evaluations to pursue a project that is not cost-effective places an undue financial burden on our taxpayers. Furthermore, based on recent public statements, it is apparent that certain members of the Board intend to prioritize the interests of non-residents over the taxpayers of Holden Beach. Any attempt to bypass the November 2025 referendum by leveraging revenue streams like parking fees or occupancy taxes would be disingenuous, unethical, and a violation of the public trust.

I am proud to have prioritized the Sand Fund and eliminated wasteful spending during my tenure. I leave the Town in a significantly stronger financial position than when I began my service. Given the current trajectory, I cannot in good conscience participate in proceedings that I believe undermine the integrity of our local government.

It has been a profound honor to serve the people of Holden Beach, and I remain deeply committed to the future success and well-being of our beautiful community.

Respectfully,
Tracey Thomas Commissioner, Town of Holden Beach

General Comments

BOC’s Meeting
The Board of Commissioners’ next Regular Meeting is scheduled on the third Tuesday of the month, January 20^th

Town Hall Closed
Town Hall will be closed December 24^th, 25^th, 26^th and January 1^st in observance of the holidays.

Budget Season
They have not established the budget meeting schedule yet.

Budget Calendar
The Town Manager’s proposed budget is due by June 1^stCommissioners must adopt budget no later than June 30^th for the next fiscal year
Adopting the annual budget is a primary responsibility of the Board.

It’s not like they don’t have anything to work on …

The following seven (7) items are what’s In the Works/Loose Ends queue:

- - - Accommodation/Occupancy Tax Compliance – 2018
    - Block Q Project/Carolina Avenue – 2021
    - Dog Park – 2019
    - Fire Station Project – 2023
    - Pavilion Replacement – 2024
    - Pier Properties Project – 2021
    - Rights-of-Way – 2021

The definition of loose ends is a fragment of unfinished business or a detail that is not yet settled or explained, which is the current status of these items. All of these items were started and then put on hold, and they were never put back in the queue. This Board needs to continue working on them and move these items to closure.

Lost in the Sauce

From 2024

Bike Lane

Ocean Boulevard Bike Lane
Should have maintenance agreement for the January meeting
NCDOT will pick up the tab

Do not think that quarterly maintenance is really adequate although it is better than nothing

Previously reported – November 2024
DOT reviewing requirements for agreement needed for Town to conduct street sweeping
Quote in hand for maintenance cleaning

Previously reported – October 2024
NCDOT cost overrun
Estimate $1,722,364: actual $1,797,424
The delta is $75,060 with the Town’s share being 42%, which would be $31,525
David is coordinating with DOT to review the project and identify potential alternative funding to satisfy overrun

Maintenance –
DOT advises that state’s standard of care is not what Town will require
Staff reviewing options for service provision: in-house versus contract for sweeping
We will need an agreement with the DOT for the Town to conduct street sweeping

Bike Lane Maintenance

Good news: We have a bike lane now

Bad news: We are not even doing routine maintenance of the bike lane

A significant number of locations of the bike lane have sand, gravel, rocks, and broken glass from recycling trucks. Therefore, it is UNSAFE especially for young and/or inexperienced bicycle riders. Not a good situation, if someone goes down they could easily slide into the traffic lane, which would have some serious negative consequences. NCDOT only provides maintenance service a few times a year. Standard protocol is for the town to take care of the bike lane with their staff. If Public Works is unable to get it done perhaps we should consider a contract with a vendor to handle routine maintenance until they are able to do it. Any lawn maintenance service with a blower should be able to take care of it in the interim. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed, sooner rather than later.

Beach Mat Plan
Previously reported – December 2022
Timbo made a presentation that considers both regulations and policies that needs to be considered in order to develop a plan. Staff made recommendations where mats could be utilized. Let’s just say that it’s a work in progress for now.

Previously reported – September 2022
Request for staff opinion on moving forward with planning for dry sand placement of mats at select THB public accesses to enhance handicap access to the beach based on information in the CRC-22-17 document (provided as background). Request for staff opinion to allow residential use of mats for beach walkways, including consideration as a potential solution to debris concerns arising from construction of long wooden walkways over multiple dunes.

Memo from North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Last year, the Commission amended the rules that established specific use standards for structural pedestrian accessways (dune crossovers) that allow for public access to the beach. You will recall that the use standards previously limited these accessways to elevated, piled-supported structures terminating on the beach near the seaward toe of the frontal dune. Due to numerous local governments expressing interest in using synthetic or wooden roll-out matting as a handicap-accessible alternative for beach access, the accessway rules were amended to allow the use of these types of mats for public beach access. However, the use these materials was limited to State, federal or local governments due to concerns expressed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NC WRC) and the U.S . Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) about potential adverse impacts on sea turtle habitat resulting from their use waterward of the frontal dune.

Since the amendments went into effect, Staff has had further discussion regarding the use of beach matting for residential applications as an alternative to structural accessways. As you are aware, during storms, dune crossovers (including stairways) can account for a great deal of the debris that wind up scattered across beaches and in waterways. Staff believes that by limiting matting to the same general standards that apply to structural accessways (six feet wide and no farther waterward than six feet from the toe of the dune), public access and wildlife protection goals will be met while reducing debris on the state’s beach during storm events. Residential application of matting material would adhere to the same standards previously approved including installation at grade and prohibiting extension onto the public trust beach.

In addition, in recent years the Commission has approved three petitions for variances from local governments (Carolina Beach, Topsail Beach and Kure Beach) seeking to install beach mats on the dry sand beach (seaward of the frontal or primary dune and vegetation line) in support of enhanced handicap accessibility. The Division and Commission have supported both variance petitions, and in both cases, efforts were taken to minimize risks to sea turtles, including changes in siteing, size, and orientation of the proposed structures. However, following the Commission’s variance and issuance of a CAMA Minor Permit to the Town for installation of beach mats, the Town still assumes some liability for any “takes” of threatened or endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act. For this reason, DCM has advised the Towns to consult directly with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to resolve this situation, potentially through the development of “Habitat Conservation Plans” or other formal approvals that can be issued by the USFWS for non-federal entities in accordance with the Endangered Species Act.

Staff are proposing a change to 07H.0308(c)(2)(C) to potentially allow beach mats on the dry sand beach without the need for a variance from the Commission, where they are sponsored by a local government for the purpose of enhanced handicap accessibility and are subject to review by the NC WRC and USFWS. The proposed amendments to 07K .0207 would also add residential use of matting material to the exemption language for beach accessways.

Mobi-Mat » click here

Coastal Resources Commission expands exemptions for beach mats
The NC Coastal Resources Commission approved new guidelines on Thursday that allows beach mats to be used in more ways. In a memo from the NC Department of Environmental Quality, staff says towns like Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Topsail Beach have petitioned to install the mats closer to the water. Additionally, staff says they’ve also had several requests from oceanfront homeowners to install the mats for private beach access instead of a typical wooden walkway. The commission approved an amendment at its meeting in Wilmington on Thursday allowing mats sponsored by local governments to be installed on dry sand without a variance from the commission. The amendment also allows the residential use of the matting for beach walkways.

The NC Coastal Resources Commission approved new guidelines that allows beach mats to be used in more ways. Public Comments speaker pointed out that accessibility is a need not a want. Discussion to allow dry sand placement of mats at some public beach accesses for handicap use and possibly for residential walkways too. Commissioner Kwiatkowski would like to see this done for next season. The motion made was to have staff make recommendation where mats can be utilized.

Hurricane Season
For more information » click here.

Be prepared – have a plan!

No matter what a storm outlook is for a given year,
vigilance and preparedness is urged.

2025 Atlantic hurricane season marked by striking contrasts
Seasonal activity fell within NOAA’s predicted ranges
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ends on November 30, was notable for its striking contrast — wavering between periods of relative calm and bursts of intense activity, generating very powerful storms. Overall, the season fell within the predicted ranges for named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes issued in NOAA’s seasonal outlooks. “For the first time in a decade, not a single hurricane struck the U.S. this season, and that was a much needed break,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Still, a tropical storm caused damage and casualties in the Carolinas, distant hurricanes created rough ocean waters that caused property damage along the East Coast, and neighboring countries experienced direct hits from hurricanes.” “The 2025 season was the first year NOAA’s National Hurricane Center incorporated Artificial Intelligence model guidance into their forecasts,” added Jacobs. “The NHC performed exceedingly well when it came to forecasting rapid intensification for some of the more impactful storms and provided critical decision support for our Caribbean partners.” The Atlantic basin produced 13 named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater), of which five became hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater), including four major hurricanes with winds reaching 111 mph or greater. An average season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. “Throughout the hurricane season, and all year long, the National Weather Service works around the clock to meet our mission of saving lives, protecting property and enhancing the national economy,” said Ken Graham, director, NOAA’s National Weather Service. “I’m grateful to this talented team for their steadfast dedication to the safety of the American public.” While the climatological peak of the hurricane season was quiet with no tropical activity, the season generated three Category 5 hurricanes, the second-most on record in a single season. “Fortunately, short-term weather patterns largely steered tropical systems away from the United States,” Graham added.
Read more » click here

The 2025 hurricane season is over. It was worse than you might think.
Storm after storm missed the U.S. in a season that forecasters feared could have been far worse. But many storms that missed were alarmingly powerful.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season that ends Nov. 30 was one for the record books, but maybe not in the way anyone expected when it began June 1. For the first time in a decade, no hurricane made landfall in the United States, a welcome respite to beleaguered communities across the Southeast still recovering from earlier hurricanes. But that didn’t mean it was a quiet season overall. The season with “striking contrasts” ultimately is ending pretty much within the ranges predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, except fewer hurricanes overall than seasonal outlooks suggested. Hurricane scientist Brian McNoldy summed it up as “a slightly above-average season with some strange characteristics.” The number of Category 5 storms was one of the most striking of those characteristics. Usually, only a small fraction of hurricanes ever become a Category 5 storm. This year, 23% of the named storms reached that status, with winds of 157 mph or more, often rapidly intensifying in warm ocean waters. In the mainland United States, Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall near Litchfield, South Carolina, on July 6 and moved over North Carolina and Virginia. Its flooding rains were blamed for at least six deaths. The effects from hurricanes far offshore in the Atlantic, combined with other storms and seasonal high tides, pummeled beaches, especially along North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where 16 houses collapsed between Sept. 16 and Oct. 28. Jamaica and other islands in the Caribbean faced terrifying Hurricane Melissa in late October, which claimed at least 90 lives as it rapidly intensified and moved across Jamaica and Cuba and through the Bahamas. The hurricane with sustained winds of 185 mph at its center caused massive destruction across western Jamaica. NOAA had forecast a 60% chance of an above-average season, with 13 to 19 named storms in the Atlantic basin. It predicted six to 10 hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. The season wound up with 13 named storms and five hurricanes, but four major hurricanes, with winds of 111 mph or more. That’s one less named storm and two fewer hurricanes than average, but one more major hurricane than average and slightly more than average overall cyclone energy. Still, the conversation persists about how “quiet” the season was in the United States considering the buzz at the beginning.

Something to be thankful for
After years in the National Weather Service in Florida, Brian LaMarre got used to people questioning why it seemed like a “quiet” season when a busy season was forecast, even if their area was just barely missed by a major storm, or when the Caribbean was getting repeated landfalls. LaMarre, founder of Inspire Weather, said that even when a storm damages areas just a few miles away, if it doesn’t happen in their neighborhood, people tend to think of it as a miss. “I always respond that’s something we should all be thankful for,” he said. That is certainly true in 2025. If not for a persistent East Coast trough, this season’s storms “would have either been coming into the Gulf or the southeastern United States,” he said. That trough created “anomalous counterclockwise steering winds around it,” McNoldy said. That effectively directed “approaching hurricanes northward well before they had a chance to reach the U.S.”

LaMarre describes meteorology and human forecasting as “trying to forecast a twig moving in a river.”

“Within that river, there are large rocks that change the course and create circulations and mini-eddies in the water,” he said. That’s essentially what happens in the atmosphere, and the rocks are high-pressure systems. Such subtle nuances are not predictable when the hurricane season forecasts arrive, he said. They are “short-term weather factors that fine-tune the (season) forecasts.” Many factors make the 2025 Atlantic season stand out, LaMarre said. Among them: People now know what the “Fujiwhara effect” is, he said. The meteorological phenomenon occurs when two vortices, such as tropical cyclones, approach each other, then tend to orbit a common center point. Imelda and Humberto came within 465 miles of each other and started spinning around each other.

Melissa’s intensity
Hurricane Melissa matched, set or nearly set several records, including:

- With Erin and Humberto, the season produced the second-most Category 5 storms in the modern record, behind only 2005, which produced four.
- Melissa tied the record for lowest central pressure at landfall. The only other storm with such low pressure at landfall was the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 in the Florida Keys.
- A gust measured about 700 feet above the ocean in Melissa’s eyewall just before landfall in Jamaica – 252 mph – was the highest ever recorded by dropsonde, an instrument dropped from a Hurricane Hunter aircraft to measure the storm’s environment.
- Melissa’s strongest sustained winds reached 185 mph, tying several other Atlantic hurricanes, and trailing only 1980’s Allen for the strongest Atlantic storm on record.

The team at Colorado State University, which pioneered the seasonal hurricane forecast, listed the following key points of the season, which ultimately produced fewer storms than the team initially projected in April:

- The Accumulated Cyclone Energy, an index used by NOAA to describe overall hurricane activity, was 133, about 108% of average.
- Of the past 10 seasons, nine have been either above normal or extremely active. This season wound up with more major hurricanes and more major hurricane days than average.
- No named storms formed in the Atlantic from Aug. 24 to Sept. 16. The last time there were no known storms in that same period was 1992. Before that, the last time was in 1939.

Concluding Colorado State’s forecast was a reminder that only five months remain until the team’s first forecast for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, planned for April 9.
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No hurricanes hit the U.S. this year, but the storms that formed sent a warning
It’s the first time in a decade no hurricane has made U.S. landfall, even as near-record high ocean heat fueled monster storms.
This year marks the first time in a decade that there hasn’t been a hurricane landfall in the United States. That’s true even as several massive and menacing storms formed, many tracking perilously close to the United States. The Atlantic season, which officially ends Nov. 30, saw the likes of Hurricanes Erin and Imelda, as well as Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record that devastated Jamaica. But it didn’t take a hurricane landfall to have dangerous consequences in the United States. In July, the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry contributed to deadly and devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country and Tropical Storm Chantal caused destructive and fatal flooding in North Carolina, amid a global trend toward a moister atmosphere. “This season was a weird one,” said Philip Klotzbach, a senior hurricane research scientist at Colorado State University. Three storms catapulted to Category 5 intensity — the second-highest number on record for storms of that intensity within a single season. Four storms reached at least Category 4 strength. Four storms also rapidly intensified — Erin, Gabrielle, Humberto and Melissa — meaning that their winds accelerated by at least 35 mph in a day. Klotzbach emphasized that even a small number of intense storms could be more hazardous than many milder ones. “If those massive storms happen to hit something, the potential damage is a lot higher,” he added. In total there were 13 storms — one less than the long-term average. Early forecasts predicted as many as 19 storms this season, well above the number that have since formed. The exact number of storms is challenging to predict months in advance, so scientists often focus more on accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), which is a measure of storm wind strength and duration. Klotzbach added that the year had slightly more ACE than normal, even with fewer storms, underscoring the strength of the systems that did form. No tropical activity is expected in the next week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Fueling the monster storms
This year’s powerful array of storms was linked by a factor that lies deep below the ocean — high ocean heat. This excess heat is fuel for storm intensification. More than 80 percent of the Atlantic was covered by above-average ocean heat during the season, the third-highest amount on record since records began in 1958, behind only 2023 and 2024. Part of a concerning trend, the near-record high ocean heat — in the top 10 percent of historical observations — covered almost 40 percent of the Atlantic basin. Before 2022, this metric had never been higher than 30 percent, making the recent ascension of ocean heat particularly notable. Instead of churning up cooler waters from below, violent storm winds instead found more warm water beneath the surface, enabling storms to remain or become more intense. But high ocean heat alone doesn’t cause storms to form. A tropical storm begins as a cluster of thunderstorms. When that cluster taps into an unstable atmosphere — one in which warm, buoyant air is rising — it can organize and intensify. That instability is driven by the temperature difference between the warm ocean surface and the much colder upper atmosphere. This vertical gradient, known as the lapse rate, helps set what experts call the potential intensity — the upper limit on how strong a hurricane’s winds can get. “The thing that really powers the hurricane is how fast you can transfer heat from the ocean to the atmosphere. The bigger the temperature difference, the faster you can transfer heat. The faster you can transfer heat, the more powerful the hurricane can be,” said Kerry Emanuel, a professor of atmospheric science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But that gradient was not particularly strong this year in some parts of the Atlantic, illustrating why this temperature difference matters more than the sea temperature alone. And it forms part of the reason a warming planet may have fewer tropical storms, but more intense ones overall. “This past summer, the sea surface temperatures across much of the tropical Atlantic were warmer than normal, which is part of what led people to predict that there would be a very busy season,” Emanuel said. But because the air above was also warm, potential intensity was lower than normal. That was partly responsible for why there were fewer than normal storms originating in certain parts of the tropical Atlantic, he said. Then there was the Caribbean, where monster Hurricane Melissa formed. There, the potential intensity was high. There’s little to suggest that this extra ocean heat will subside in 2026, which means it will probably be a key factor again next hurricane season. However, one climate driver that contributed to conditions that were more conducive to hurricanes in 2024 and 2025 — La Niña — will probably fade early next year. It’s unusual to have at least two consecutive years without a hurricane landfall in the United States. It has happened only six times since records began in 1851, the last times in 2009 and 2010.
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I respectfully submit My Xmas List

These are the items I would most like to see addressed this year.
. 1. Beach –
. a) Support LWF Inlet waterway maintenance projects, keeping inlet navigable
. b) Work together on beach protection issues with surrounding communities
. c) Increase Beach Strand Ordinance Compliance & Enforcement
.
. 2. Parking –
. a) Develop plans for a promenade on Jordan Boulevard
. b) Utilize acquired properties for additional parking
. c) Prohibit rights-of-way parking

. 3. Trash Services –
. a) Offer a suite of services
. b) Charge a user fee for those that want the service
. c) Make policies both fair and consistent
. d) Town should address noncompliance issues

. 4. Budget Season –
. a) Start the budget process earlier
. b) Establish a monthly budget meeting schedule

Lou’s Views –
The views expressed here are simply my opinion based on the facts as I understand them. I have no hidden agenda, no ax to grind, or any political ambition. I’m simply attempting to keep the community informed on what actually is going on here. I just tell it like it is and that is why people read the newsletter. After all it is called “Lou’s Views”! I welcome updates, clarifications or a correction to any fact I have stated which have changed or was inadvertently stated incorrectly.

Website policy –
We have had a number of inquiries about our website policies. We do not have an official policy per se. In general, we do not accept paid ads, associates or links for our website. Approved Vendor List as well as Advertisement – not paid for is based on my personal experience as a homeowner and as a property manager here on Holden Beach. Associates are simply personal friends that have a local business. Links are to websites that provide information that are of public significance. We invite you to share with us anything that you feel our readers would want to know too. We hope you find our website useful.

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. 1) Not official correspondence from the Town
. 2) Not affiliated with Holden Beach Property Owners Association (HBPOA)

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Lou’s Views . HBPOIN

. • Gather and disseminate information
. • Identify the issues and determine how they affect you
. • Act as a watchdog
. • Grass roots monthly newsletter since 2008

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