Category: Lou’s Views

Lou’s Views

“Unofficial” Minutes & Comments

BOC’s Special Meeting 01/05/24

Board of Commissioners’ Agenda Packet » click here

Audio Recording » click here

1.   Public Comment

There were comments made by sixteen (16) members of the public. The gist of the messages was to wait/delay/postpone moving forward with Rules of Procedure. Also, that too many budget meetings are scheduled. Lastly, that they should go to the Local Government Commission training before making any changes/decisions.

For more information » click here

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ What Evah!

2. Discussion and Possible Action on New Board of Commissioners’ Rules and Procedures – Commissioners Thomas and Paarfus

Agenda Packet – separate packet

Rules of Procedure » click here

Previously reported – December 2023
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). The Board may adopt these rules as written or make amendments to them. I suggest the Board review the materials and adopt rules at the January meeting.

The Board is required to adopt some version of Rules of Procedure each year. The Rules of Procedure were substantially revised in 2020. The motion was made by Commissioner Thomas to hold a special meeting before the next regularly scheduled meeting in January. This will be on the agenda again next month so that they can adopt rules as required.

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

Update –
Well, this agenda item was a really big kerfuffle. Mayor Holden alleges that this is a simple power grab by the newly elected Commissioners. He went on a rant about how they were trying to strip him of all his responsibilities as Mayor. Mayor Pro Tem Myers responded by saying that the town operates under the Council-Manager (weak Mayor) form of government, so nothing radical is being proposed (see below). Commissioner Paarfus explained the justifications for the proposed changes. An important point that they made was that the basis of the document is the School of Government template and that all of the proposed changes were in previous versions of this document that we used before.

A decision was made – Approved (3-1)
Commissioner Dyer opposed the motion

Editor’s note –
North Carolina has created a very limited role for mayors. Our state laws leave many decisions about the management and operation of municipalities to the governing board, or, in jurisdictions operating in a council-manager form of government, to managers.

The council-manager form of government is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council or other governing body, with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager.  The form establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected council and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.

Based on Separation of Functions:
.        • Governing Board is Legislative and Policy Oriented.
.        • Administration is responsibility of professional manager.

Characteristics:
.        • More Businesslike Form of Government
.        • Pinpoints Authority and Responsibility

Mayor’s Role (N.C. General Statute 160A-151)

• • Very Few Formal Powers.
  • Preside at governing board meetings.
  • Voting to break a tie.
  • Sign documents on behalf of the city.
  • Can call special meetings of council.
  • Mayor and all council members are ineligible to serve as manager, interim manager, or acting manager.

Manager’s Role (N.C. General Statute 160A – 148)

• • Appoint, suspend, remove all employees not elected or appointed by council.
  • Direct and supervise the administration of all departments.
  • Attend all council meetings and make recommendations to council.
  • See that all state and city laws and council directions are carried out within the city.
  • Prepare and submit annual recommended budget and CIP to council.
  • Submit annual report on city finances and activities to council.
  • Make any other reports that council requires on activities under manager’s control.
  • Perform any other duties that council requires or authorizes.

Previously reported – January 2016
Alan is frustrated and was visibly upset. Apparently, he wanted to get a few things off his chest. He made it very clear his displeasure with his current role on the Board. He took umbrage to several things that have transpired over the last two (2) years. He admonished the Board for not including him in the process; it is a Board of six (6) not five (5) he said. He also feels that he is an asset and that he is being underutilized. As a bare minimum he felt that they should at least make sure he is kept informed. His comments appeared to be primarily directed at Commissioners Freer and Fletcher. He ended his lecture by making a heartfelt request to the new Board to be more open and make a more unified effort to run this town.

§30.02  FORM OF GOVERNMENT.
   (A)   The town shall operate under the Commissioner-Manager (weak Mayor) form of government.  The legislative authority of the town shall be vested in the Mayor and Town Board of Commissioners, hereinafter referred to as the BOC, which shall consist of a Mayor and five Commissioners chosen as hereafter provided.

§30.04  MAYOR; DUTIES.
   The Mayor shall serve as the chief spokesperson for the town and the chief advocate of formally approved and adopted town policy.  In addition, the Mayor shall preside at meetings of the BOC; shall be recognized as head of the town government for all ceremonial purposes and by the governor for the purposes of disaster or emergency declarations.  The Mayor shall sign ordinances and resolutions only on their passage; shall sign deeds, bonds, contracts and other instruments approved by BOC as required by law. Willful failure by a mayor to discharge their legal duties shall result in those duties being assumed by the Mayor Pro Tem by reason of disqualification, as set forth in § 30.05.  Legal remedies for failure to discharge the duties of Mayor may result in legal censure or charges of contempt and may serve as grounds for impeachment.  The Mayor shall convene the Town BOC in special called session when deemed necessary by the Mayor.  Unless otherwise expressly provided by law or this chapter, the Mayor shall have no vote on any question before the Town BOC except in case of a tie.

Sorry but that is not our form of government. Maybe he should have read the job description before he ran for Mayor. If he wanted more input, he should have run for a Commissioner position on the Board. The Mayor’s role is to maintain neutrality on issues to be decided by the Board, manage the meetings in an efficient manner, and maintain respectful decorum on the part of all speakers.  That’s it! The Mayor has no authority except what is given to him by the Board of Commissioners.  This meeting was neither the time nor the place to air his grievances. Once again, this is a private matter that should have been handled in a different venue then this. The opportunity to do so was when the Board met in Executive Session.

3. Discussion and Possible Action on Election of Executive Secretary – Commissioners Thomas and Paarfus

Agenda Packet – background information was not provided

Commissioner Paarfus nominated Commissioner Thomas for the Executive Secretary position that they just created. The intent is to deliver the benefits that they had when it was in place before.

A decision was made – Approved (3-1)
Commissioner Dyer opposed the motion 

4. Discussion and Possible Action on Agenda Topic Cover Sheet – Commissioners Thomas and Paarfus

Agenda Packet – page 1

Mayor Pro Tem Myers explained that the intent is to help the public understand what’s going to be discussed by providing them with a one page executive summary. Commissioner Thomas pointed out that this type of document is used by most of the surrounding municipalities. Mayor Pro Tem Myers stated that he  feels that it will also facilitate the Board to be able to take action when agenda items gets in front of them.

A decision was made – Approved (3-1)
Commissioner Dyer opposed the motion

5. Discussion and Possible Action on Additional Board of Commissioners’ Meetings – Commissioners Thomas and Paarfus

Agenda Packet – pages 2 – 3

Proposed Meeting Calendar

 January – Orientation, Training, Budget Kick-Off

• • January 5 – 6:30 PM              SM/ Rules of Procedure & Meeting Calendar
  • January 9-10                          New Commissioner Staff Orientation Sessions
  • January 18-19                        New Commissioner Training Sessions (Wilmington)
  • January 23 – 5:00 PM            BOC’s Meeting
  • January 30 – 10:00 AM         Budget Meeting/Kick-off & Planning

February – Review Current Budgets & Status

• • February 2 -10:00 AM         Budget Meeting/Water Sewer
  • February 6-10:00 AM          Budget Meeting/Parks and Recreation
  • February 8-10:00 AM          Budget Meeting/Admin/Finance and Inspections
  • February 13 – 10:00 AM      Budget Meeting/Police and Public Works
  • February 20 – 5:00 PM         Regular BOC’s Meeting
  • February 27 -10:00 AM       Budget Meeting/CIP and Projects
  • February 29 – 10:00 AM      Budget Meeting/ Goal Setting & Priorities
  • Feb. Special Meeting            TBD/Pier Plan

March- Department Input & Budget Requests

• • March 5 – 10:00 AM              Budget Meeting/Water Sewer
  • March 7-10:00 AM                Budget Meeting/Parks and Recreation
  • March 12 -10:00 AM             BM/Admin., Finance, Police, and Inspections
  • March 14-10:00 AM              Budget Meeting/Public Works
  • March 18 -10:00 AM             Budget Meeting/CIP and Projects
  • March 19 – 5:00 PM              Regular BOC Meeting
  • March 20- 2:00 PM               Special Meeting/Pier Plan

April – Budget Preparation

• • April 2 -10:00 AM                 Budget Meeting/Canal Fund
  • April 4-10:00 AM                  Budget Meeting/Canal Fund
  • April 9-10:00 AM                  Budget Meeting/Canal Fund
  • April 11-10:00 AM                Budget Meeting/General Fund Revenue & Tax Rate
  • April 16 – 10:00 AM              Budget Meeting/BPART Fund Revenue
  • April 16 – 5:00 PM                 Regular BOC’s Meeting
  • April 18-TBD (Morning)      Listening Session
  • April 30-10:00 AM                Budget Meeting/Expense Summary

May – Resolve Budget to Arrive at Budget Message

• • May 2 – 10:00 AM                  Budget Meeting/Budget Revisions
  • May 7 – 10:00 AM                  Budget Meeting/Budget Revisions
  • May 9 – 10:00 AM                  Budget Meeting/Draft Budget
  • May 14 – 10:00 AM                Budget Meeting/Draft Budget
  • May 16-10:00 AM                  BM/Public Presentation & Input on Draft Budget
  • May 21- 5:00 PM                    Regular BOC’s Meeting
  • May 23 – 10:00 AM                Budget Meeting/Draft Budget Message
  • May 28 – 10:00 AM                Budget Meeting/Draft Budget Message
  • May 31 (NLT June 1)             Budget Message Released

June – Public Input and Budget Tweaks

• • June 3 -10:00 AM                   Budget Meeting/Revisions
  • June 7 -10:00 AM                   Budget Meeting/Revisions
  • June 11 – 10:00 AM                Budget Meeting /Revisions
  • June 13 -10:00 AM                 Budget Meeting/Revisions
  • June 18 – 4:45 PM                   Budget Public Hearing as part of BOC Mtg
  • June 18 – 5:00 PM                   Regular BOC’s Meeting
  • June 20 – 10:00 AM                 Budget Meeting/Final Changes
  • June 25 -10:00 AM                  Budget Meeting/Final Changes
  • June 27 – 10:00 AM                 Budget Meeting/Final Changes
  • June 30 – Must adopt Budget NLT

Department Budget meeting expectations:
Provide a detailed presentation of budget line items including

• • Last year spent
  • This year YTD spent and FY Outlook
  • Next year’s Budget proposal with priorities identified

Update –
Quite the brouhaha. Commissioner Smith objected to the number of scheduled meetings. Rick felt  that they should be able to consolidate them. Mayor Pro Tem Myers explained that he wants to get ahead of the process. They pointed out that it is a lot easier to cancel a meeting that they don’t need than to add a meeting. The goal is to put them on the calendar, they are trying to be proactive. Mayor Holden and Commissioner Dyer stated that they will miss a lot of these meetings. Commissioner Paarfus withdrew the motion to approve the schedule as submitted. He then made the motion to schedule a Special Meeting before the next scheduled Regular Meeting to develop a schedule of budget meetings that is more palatable to all the Board members.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

Editor’s note –
When I  submitted My Xmas List I asked that the BOC’s start the budget process earlier and establish a monthly budget meeting schedule. This far and away exceeds my expectations. Frankly, I thought it was a little over the top. Meetings once or twice a month should be more than adequate for them to accomplish what they want.

6. Discussion and Possible Action on Block Q Contract – Commissioners Thomas and Paarfus

Agenda Packet – pages 4 – 38

Email from Commissioner Paarfus
The purpose of this e-mail is to strongly recommend that the Town not execute the Block Q paving contract or to cancel this contract immediately if it has been executed.

Please see the attached summary of my conversation with NCDEQ and Section .1000 of the NC Administrative Code titled STORMWATER MANAGEMENT. Contrary to previous assertions, it appears that there are in fact options for permeable pavements that could be used to avoid dedicating valuable real estate to storm water filtration features. I recognize that this permeable pavement will cost more than impervious asphalt and will have to be engineered, however some of the additional cost will be offset by not doing the storm water feature site work and not relocating utilities. I also believe that eliminating the current stormwater features also removes a potential water hazard for small children.

Referring to sheet CO of the attached bid drawings the total site area is 77,674 square feet (hard to read due to poor resolution). I assume this is the same area as defined by the limits of disturbance on sheet C2 of the bid drawings. Based on some rough calculations, I think 10-11% of the site is dedicated to storm water management as a consequence of using impervious paving. This also looks to be the equivalent of forty vehicle parking spaces. Car parking is important because one of the reasons Block Q was purchased was to meet parking requirements of the Corps Storm Damage Reduction study the Town is currently paying for. Should more parking be needed at this site, a higher percentage of the site area will need to be allocated to storm water management if impervious pavement is used again.

In summary, I believe permeable pavement provides a superior solution for efficient land use of this high value property compared to the current impervious pavement called for in the bid documents. I recommend that the Block Q paving contract not be executed or canceled if it has been executed.

Summary of my Conversation with Dan Sams of NC Environmental Quality
I spoke with Mr. Sams concerning the Block Q paving contract. I explained that we were paving with asphalt and using stormwater filtration features to handle the storm water runoff from these surfaces. I expressed my concern about using so much of this valuable real estate for stormwater management and asked him if permeable pavement such as porous asphalt or porous concrete could be an option for this project. Mr. Sams stated that it could be used provided that it was a properly engineered solution designed by a Professional Engineer. I also asked if compacted gravel as addressed in I SA NCAC 02H .1002 (26) was considered impervious because it was proof rolled. He said that compacted gravel was considered impervious when crush and run gravel is used as it gets very dense. He did say that there is a design for using gravel in their stormwater design manual, but this too would have to be designed by a Professional Engineer. I also noted that it was my understanding that porous asphalt/concrete could cost 2-3 times what regular asphalt costs.

Stormwater Design Manual » click here

Update –
The motion was made to instruct the Town Manager to not enter into any agreement related to the Block Q project. Commissioner Paarfus researched what we could do instead of what was previously agreed to. They feel that there is enough justification to put the current plans on pause and reevaluate the plans for this property.

A decision was made – Approved (3-1)
Commissioner Dyer opposed the motion

General Comments –

Commissioner Rick Smith – was not in attendance, he participated remotely but could not vote tonight because he was not physically present

New Holden Beach commissioners change rules, procedures; add position
The Holden Beach Board of Commissioners during a Friday, Jan. 5, special meeting adopted new rules and procedures, elected an executive secretary and decided to re-work the proposed additional 35-plus budget meetings. During the meeting, tensions between both the board and attendees were high as questions swirled around the amount of time given to the public to review all the proposed changes and the purposes of those changes.

Some of the changes made were:

• • • Creating an executive secretary position;
    • Closed session procedures concerning purchasing, leasing and exchanging real property: Disclosing the property owner, location and the town’s intent for the property;
    • Making all meeting documentation available online;
    • Adding an “agenda topic cover sheet,” and more.

There were also numerous wording changes throughout the rules and procedures document, too. Commissioner Rick Smith was not physically at the meeting but joined in via phone call. He could participate in discussions but could not vote because he was not physically present. Since the agenda packet for the special meeting was not published until Wednesday, citizens had only 48 hours before the meeting to review the 40-page document, including the amended rules and procedures. The 24-page amended rules and procedures did not include the 19-page original document for the public to compare the differences. Numerous residents spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, asking the board to hold off voting on the changes until the new commissioners complete their new commissioner training sessions later in the month. Twelve submitted written public comments requested the board to postpone action, too. Commissioner Page Dyer agreed with the public commenters and urged the board to hold off on the decisions until the new commissioners complete their training, which would also give the public more time to review the changes. Dyer was the only commissioner who voted in opposition to amending the rules and procedures and said she was uncomfortable adopting the changes and questioned if the changes were legal. “… It was approximately 48 hours,” she said. “And for the public to have to be able to go through that much documentation without indication of what was changed, for the average layperson that’s not gone through any municipality training, that’s going to be difficult for them to digest.” Town Attorney Rick Green did not attend the special meeting nor join through a phone call, so commissioners were unable to ask for immediate legal guidance to aid in their decisions. Smith agreed with Dyer, and both suggested waiting to make the amendments until Green is in attendance to address questions and give legal advice. Commissioner Rick Paarfus said all changes were discussed with the Town Manager David Hewett and Town Clerk Heather Finnell before proposing them to the board, noting that many of the amendments were taken from past town rules and procedures. “We are required to get a set of rules and procedures in place,” he noted. “It should’ve been done at the last meeting.” Paarfus also said he believes the newly approved document will make the town more transparent and bring clarity to residents in understanding town projects and plans. Mayor Pro-Tem Tom Myers said the amendments were based on the UNC School of Government template and were heavily scrutinized before being proposed. He said the changes were needed to make Holden Beach stronger in their government as a whole. “Like it or not, we have a weak mayor form of government,” he added. Myers and Paarfus said all the changes were supposed to be made at the December meeting. The new rules will improve the government of the town and will bring back “good practices,” Myers noted. After approving the new rules and procedures, Paarfus motioned for Commissioner Tracey Thomas to serve in the newly added executive secretary position. The motion passed three to one, with Dyer being the only opposing vote. Thomas said the position will add more “control” to agendas and said the commissioners in favor of the changes believe they are the best way to move forward with meetings.

The executive secretary’s role, as stated on pages 11 and 12 of the approved rules and procedures, is to:

• • • Create the agenda;
    • Assemble the meeting packet;
    • And authorize the delivery and publication of the agenda.

Paarfus said Town Clerk Heather Finnell does a great job and that the executive secretary will ensure that agenda items are thorough and filled with sufficient information, noting that the new role does not have the authority to prevent items from getting on the agenda. “[The executive secretary’s] primary function is to make sure that all the information is there and it’s clear so the public can review it,” he said. “That’s it. And it hasn’t been happening, so that’s what we want to do.” Myers said the secretary will serve on the board and that the board could take future action if the position did not work out or if changes are wanted. Thomas said that the position is a collaborative role that will include working with the Town Clerk and making sure all agenda items are completed with the needed materials. Although Thomas stated the position was for collaboration, Dyer, Smith and Mayor Alan Holden said they thought the position was a slap in the face to Finnell’s role and previous and current work with the town, noting she has been awarded as the “top clerk” in North Carolina in the past. “You haven’t had the first training course and you’re deciding that this lady, the number one clerk in the State of North Carolina, doesn’t know what they’re doing,” Holden said, directed towards Thomas, Paarfus and Myers. Dyer said she hasn’t experienced any issues with the agenda before and that the hired staff is able, and has been able, to complete tasks for the board. She and Smith both said the added position is not necessary. Dyer also noted that the town’s charter states the town manager is the person who directs staff, and wondered if having a commissioner direct staff would be a violation of the charter. In an earlier discussion in the meeting, Holden also said he sees these actions as changing the town’s charter and questioned if it is a violation. “I’m not directing Heather, I’m just working with Heather,” Thomas replied to Dyers comment. “Like I said, it’s a collaborative effort.” Throughout the meeting, Paarfus and Myers said the changes could be revised, amended or fixed in the future if they are not correct or legal. The three commissioners seeking the changes just want to get a foundation in place, they maintained. The board also adopted an “agenda topic cover sheet” to be added to agenda items. The sheet breaks down an issue or action, its potential fiscal impact, associated contracts and agreements and notes different staff recommendations. Smith stated multiple times that he sees these actions as the three newly elected commissioners working together as “a team” to change how the town runs. Holden, during the rules and procedures discussion, called the three commissioners’ steps “a grab of power.” “Why can’t we listen to the people, why can’t we take advantage of the number one clerk in the state of North Carolina,” Holden said. “Why do we throw all of this aside for a power grab? And that is exactly what it is.” One action on the agenda included adding over 35 additional meetings between January and June. The meetings were labeled as budget meetings and were proposed to be held every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 a.m. There were occasional special meetings scheduled, too. Several public comment speakers, as well as Dyer, Smith and Holden, said the meetings were at an unrealistic time for residents, and commissioners, with jobs. “Unless I shut down my business, I cannot attend a meeting every other day at 10:00 a.m.,” Dyer said. Dyer also questioned why the two or so additional budget meetings the board has had in the past weren’t enough. Paarfus, Myers and Thomas said that the meetings were set during work hours, so staff did not have to work late and that a lot of the meetings were expected to be brief. They said they felt they needed more time with each department to learn the budget and department needs because they are new to the board. “No votes are going to be taken…,” Myers said. The board agreed to hold off on taking action on a Board of Commissioners budget meeting schedule and work together to create a schedule to ensure all commissioners and the mayor can attend; this was the only unanimous vote. The schedule is supposed to be discussed at the next regular meeting on Jan. 23. “It’s going to be a rough ride,” Mayor Holden said. Town staff stayed quiet throughout the meeting and did not weigh in on discussions, nor did the board request to hear their input. This story only covers some of the information or details discussed and shared at the meeting. The meeting agenda packet, new rules and procedures and video are publicly accessible online.

The entire agenda packet with the new amendments can be found on the Town of Holden Beach’s website at https://hbtownhall.com/agendas

Video recordings of meetings can be found on the town’s website at https://www.facebook.com/holdenbeachtownhall or YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@townofholdenbeach

Read more » click here

 You Know… Elections Have Consequences 

The meeting was out of control and was one of the nastier meetings I’ve ever been involved with in my seventeen (17) years here. I think there was plenty of undue hostility towards the new Board members, and too much vitriol out there. It’s the Mayor’s job/responsibility to maintain control and  decorum at the meeting, he failed to do so. Rick’s personal attacks were totally unacceptable and some of the public comments from the peanut gallery were out of line. The three (3) incumbents were not even civil. Rick kept complaining that the three (3) new commissioners are a “team”. The word that comes to mind is hypocrisy. The “team” of Rick, Gerald, and Brian consistently voted in lock step despite public opposition. Apparently, it was OK for them to shove stuff down the throat of  Commissioners Pat & Mike and the public. Not so much now when Rick is in the minority. The “team” have come to the table prepared and I thought that they handled themselves very well. They showed great aplomb in dealing with the incumbents and the public that were in attendance. Frankly, I liked everything they said and did. Just because a small vocal group of a dozen or so is not happy does not necessarily indicate what the public  at large wants. Rick threw a temper tantrum  because he felt that they were ignoring the public. The word that comes to mind now is chutzpah that best describes his position. I’d like to remind everyone that the previous Board ignored the public input on numerous occasions including when they pooh-poohed the HBPOA survey with over five hundred (500) responses opposed to the pier purchase. Apparently, it’s do as I say not as I do. I’m really disappointed that the incumbents have taken such an adversarial position already. One can make a case that it was not necessary to make all these changes right out of the gate. On the other hand, the new Commissioners are not wasting any time and they hit the ground running. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, time will tell.

BOC’s Special Meeting 01/23/24

Board of Commissioners’ Agenda Packet » click here

Audio Recording » click here

1. Interviews for Candidates Interested in Serving on the Audit Committee – Mayor Pro Tem Myers

We had six (6) candidates that applied to fill the two (2) vacancies on the Audit Committee as follows:

• • • Debra Kosch
    • Grace Lam
    • Keith Smith
    • Kent Steeves
    • Tim Throndson
    • Mary Vail Ware

BOC’s Special Meeting 01/25/24

Board of Commissioners’ Agenda Packet » click here

Audio Recording » click here

1. Discuss Budget Goals and Objectives – Mayor Pro Tem Myers

2. Discuss Approach for Reviewing Budget Items – Mayor Pro Tem Myers

3. Discuss Approach for Categorizing and Prioritizing Budget Items – Mayor Pro Tem Myers

4. Discuss the Proposed Budget Meeting Agenda Topics – Mayor Pro Tem Myers

5. Discuss the Proposed Budget Meeting Schedule – Mayor Pro Tem Myers

Agenda Packet –

Proposed BOC’s Objectives for Fiscal Year 2023/2024

Capital Project Plan & Program

Army Corps of Engineers CSDR, pier, stormwater, water tower needs assessment and possible construction of a second water tower, Block Q, ADA/ABA compliant beach access plan and implementation, sewer system, paid parking adjustments, 796 Ocean Boulevard West property and restrooms

Amenities/Park and Rec

Delineation of mash between Greensboro and Scotch Bonnet streets. Determine issues with erosion, if bulkheading needs to occur and what needs to be done to preserve and repair the fitness area

Boat Ramp

Complete no wake zone requirements in the waterway under the bridge; No wake zone (federal)

General

 Monitor the proposed changes to Inlet Hazard Areas and how this could impact property values, construct ion and insurance rates

Develop a plan to enforce North Carolina laws governing LSVs (golf carts) on the island. No more excuses!

Ocean Boulevard Paving/Bike Lanes

Infrastructure

 Easement from east end of Heron Landing Wynd

Finance/Budget

Budget meeting procedures must be improved. At least three meetings will be scheduled (not to include BOC setting objectives) and spreadsheets/documents must be available to the Board members at least at the time of the publication of meeting notice (48 hours in advance)

Redefine policy for the capital reserve fund for beach renourishment to restrict its use solely for physical beach renourishment and define the annual revenue streams for implementation during fiscal year 2023/2024

Provide BOC with a final report on internal control modifications/improvements (TM)

Transfer money from the General Fund to the Beach and Inlet CRF as defined by the existing policy (BOC & TM)

Improve Budget Transparency

Create specific budget section within BPART for a pier property project with sufficient detail to track revenues and expenses related to the access lot, building renovation, parking lot (including RV slots) and pier (TM)

Expand detail in budget lines covering professional services to enable understanding of which firm has received reimbursement and for what purpose (TM)

Upgrade budget message document to include details and pie charts on relative departmental and types of expenses as well as full details on debt service schedules (as was done in the FY 18/19 report) (TM)

Policies and Procedures

Define priority enforcement and compliance objectives (BOC) followed by a plan to address the objectives (BOC & TM)

Certain of the Inspections/Code Enforcement Department policies and practices needs to be reviewed and modified/modernized to improve efficiency and transparency

Board review and update as needed of all departments’ complaint policies and procedures and then ensure and communicate links to all necessary information and forms

An overall review of personnel policies must be undertaken with the intent to propose changes that will improve staff retention and development

Evergreens

Balance the budget while preserving the minimum fund balance as defined by the Board

Do our best to balance the budget without raising taxes

Ensure the Town meets or exceeds annual financial budget goals Work together for the good of Holden Beach

Raise revenues

Continue to support Lockwood Folly Inlet access to ocean

Ensure the Town achieves an unmodified opinion rating on annual fiscal audit Ensure qualified resources are available to perform audit and accounting procedures to ensure there are no material deficiencies noted in the annual fiscal audit

Maintain an up-to-date strategy to protect the beach and dune system and ensure adequate budget for implementation of plans (including soil sampling and plant modification where appropriate)

Support and participate in beach and inlet related advocacy efforts at local, state and federal level (TM)

• • Develop advocacy strategy, plan and material for county and state efforts and implement the plan
  • Review and as appropriate amend directions to Ward and Smith for federal advocacy
  • Support and participate in advocacy efforts at any level as appropriate

Proposed Meeting Calendar

January- Orientation, Training, Budget Kick-Off

• • January 5 – 6:30 PM – Special Meeting – Rules of Procedure, Meeting Calendar
  • January 9-10 – New Commissioner Staff Orientation Sessions
  • January 18-19 – New Commissioner Training Sessions (Wilmington)
  • January 23 – 5:00 PM – BOC’s Meeting
  • January 25 – 5:30 PM – Budget Meeting – Kick-off & Planning

February – Review Current Budgets & Status

• • February 7 – 2:00 PM – Budget Meeting- Public Works and Parks and Recreation
  • February 14 -1:00 PM – Budget Meeting- Governing Body, Admin, Inspections, Police, CIP and Projects
  • February 20 – 2:00 PM – Budget Meeting Goal Setting/Priorities
  • February 20- 5:00 PM – BOC’s Meeting
  • February 29- 5:00 PM – Pier Plan

March – Department Input & Budget Requests

• • March 8- 2:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Public Works and Parks and Recreation
  • March 13 – 2:00 PM – Budget Meeting- Governing Body, Admin, Inspections, Police and Canal Funds
  • March 18 – 5PM – CIP and Projects
  • March 19 – 5:00 PM – Regular BOC’s Meeting

April – Budget Preparation

• • April 3 – 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting- General Fund Revenue and Tax Rate
  • April 12- 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting-SPART Fund Revenue
  • April 16- 5:00 PM – Regular BOC’s Meeting
  • April 18-TBD (Morning) – Listening Session
  • April 30-5:30 PM – Budget Meeting- Expense Summary

May – Resolve Budget to Arrive at Budget Message

• • May 2-5:30 PM – Budget Meeting- Budget Revisions
  • May 7-3:00 PM – Budget Meeting- Budget Revisions
  • May 14-5:30 PM – Budget Meeting- Draft Budget
  • May 21- 5:00 PM – Regular BOC’s Meeting
  • May 22 – 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Public Presentation/Input on Draft Budget
  • May 29 – 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Draft Budget
  • May 31 (NLT June 1) Budget Message Released

 June – Public Input and Budget Tweaks

• • June 3 – 5:30 PM – Budget Meeting – Revisions
  • June 7 – 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Revisions
  • June 12 – 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Revisions
  • June 18- 5:00 PM – Regular BOC’s Meeting
  • June 18- 5:00 PM – Budget Public Hearing as part of BOC Mtg
  • June 20 – 5:30 PM – Budget Meeting- Final Changes
  • June 25- 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Final Changes
  • June 30- Must adopt Budget NL

Department Budget meeting expectations:

Provide a detailed presentation of budget line items including

• • • Last year spend
    • This year YTD spend and FY Outlook
    • Next year’s Budget proposal with priorities identified

BOC’s Regular Meeting 01/23/24

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.

This was added to the newly adopted Rules of Procedure. 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.

Mayor Holden read resignation letter from Town Attorney Richard Green 

Holden Beach town attorney resigns
Holden Beach Town Attorney Richard Green has resigned from his position, Mayor Alan Holden announced during the town board of commissioners’ Jan. 23 meeting. “This resignation is predicated on the fact that some of the newly elected board members appear to be intent on ignoring the binding ADA mediation agreement entered into between the town and Martha Meyers and the United States Department of Justice,” Green’s resignation letter states, noting he participated in the mediation of that agreement with Commissioner Rick Smith and former Commissioner Brian Murdock. Green’s resignation letter was written and sent to Mayor Holden on January 16, 11 days after the board began instituting changes to rules, procedures and projects during a Jan. 5 special meeting, which the now former town attorney did not attend. Green also serves as the Brunswick County School Board’s attorney. Brunswick County Schools Superintendent Dale Cole told The Brunswick Beacon that Green, to the superintendent’s knowledge, has not resigned from his position with Brunswick County Schools.
Read more » click here

Editor’s note –
I do not recall anything being said that remotely would indicate that they plan on ignoring the ADA mediation agreement. In fact, the Town has progressed with great haste with all the required projects despite having a deadline that is still pretty far off.

Martha Myers is the person that was involved in negotiating the ADA mediation agreement. Martha  had concerns with the accusation made by the Town Attorney in his resignation letter. When questioned about the statement, Mr. Green informed her that he “has no specific concerns.” 

Holden Beach commissioners to face conflicts with open meeting laws
Problems related to quorums are arising since three newly elected members of the Holden Beach Board of Commissioners also hold positions on the Holden Beach Property Owners Association (HBPOA) board. Although there are no legal issues with a commissioner holding a position on the HBPOA board, there is a problem with three commissioners meeting in one place, such as during a HBPOA meeting, without a quorum notification being publicized to town residents. Town Clerk Heather Finnell explained in September that the six-member board must have either three commissioners and the mayor present, or just three commissioners to have a quorum. If a quorum is expected, the public must be notified before the meeting. With three commissioners sitting on the HBPOA, if all three attended an HBPOA meeting, a quorum would be present, and the meeting must be declared an open meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Tom Myers is the sitting president of the HBPOA, Commissioner Tracey Thomas serves as the Vice President and Commissioner Rick Paarfus also sits on the board as a member. Myers and Thomas told The Brunswick Beacon that Holden Beach commissioners have been active members in the association before, including Mayor Alan Holden. Myers said three or more sitting commissioners have attended POA meetings before, too, but quorum notices had to be sent out. “There’s nothing in the HBPOA bylaws that say you can’t be a commissioner or the mayor or anything like that,” Myers said. “So, it’s really just a potential conflict of interest, I think, that would arise.” He explained that there are two potential issues at hand, one being possible violations of open meeting laws and the other being a conflict of dual loyalties. Myers said the conflict of dual loyalties involves the separate roles and responsibilities as an HBPOA member and as a town commissioner. Asked if the HBPOA represents island visitors at all, Myers said no, just property owners. “The mission of the HBPOA is to represent the property owners on the island which are the same property owners, taxpayers, that I represent as the commissioner,” he said. Thomas told The Beacon she does not believe there is a conflict of interest related to being a commissioner and being a HBPOA board member. “I have consulted a lawyer on the issue and was assured there is no conflict of interest,” she said. Thomas said she is ultimately responsible for acting in the best interest of the voters who elected her, which are Holden Beach homeowners. “I will always take into consideration the community at large, but they have also voted for representation in Brunswick County and North Carolina state, and those representatives are responsible to act in their best interests…,” she said. Myers said the only conflicting problem he thinks could arise would be during situations when the town wants to go in a different direction than the POA, like if the town suggested raising taxes while property owners do not want taxes raised. “It’d have to be a conflict, you know, that I’d have a different opinion as a commissioner versus a member of the HBPOA board,” he said, noting that the constituents are the same. He said an option for the board to do is to discuss following a “conflict check” protocol for both boards when voting and discussing items. The check would allow board members to identify conflicts immediately before discussions take place and let any member recuse themselves from discussions or votes they might not be able to decide upon fairly. “I’m still wrestling with why there’s a conflict because the property owners and the voters and constituents are the same people,” Myers added. “So, it’s not like you’re representing two conflicting groups or anything like that.” Another option would be for one of the commissioners to resign from their position on the HBPOA board, he noted. “We can’t really meet as an HBPOA board with three commissioners on the [town] board,” he said. Myers said the HBPOA only meets four times a year and that all of the meetings are open for all to attend, however, only property owner members are able to vote on items. The HBPOA meetings occur on Easter weekend, Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend and the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The HBPOA has public meetings that are open to the public. The POA is a nonprofit entity and is volunteer based. Myers said he has been the HBPOA President for over 10 years, noting that Thomas has served as the vice president for several years. He said four of the 12 board members are up for election each year and that Thomas was re-elected over Labor Day weekend this year. There are 12 HBPOA board members, so seven members present would create a quorum, he said, and 25 property owner members must be at a meeting for members to be able to vote. Asked if Thomas and Myers must be in attendance for a HBPOA meeting to occur, Myers said no. He said the POA knew that he, Paarfus and Thomas were running for commissioner seats before the recent HBPOA election occurred and that Thomas was re-elected to serve on the board by her peers. There are a lot of property owners that don’t live on the island full-time, Myers said, and they don’t have opportunities to vote or participate in meetings. He said the association allows all of the property owners to be represented and that town commissioners are to represent the same group. “We’re representing the same people on both sides,” he said. Commissioner Page Dyer is not a member of the HBPOA and told The Brunswick Beacon that she does not feel that the HBPOA represents the majority of property owners. She added that she does not feel the Holden Beach Board of Commissioners represents the POA but noted that the three new commissioners ran for election as a team and do represent the POA. She added that the three new commissioners are now the majority of votes when it comes to Holden Beach Board of Commissioners decisions. “The board of commissioners should serve in an advisory role, making suggestions to the town management [and] staff and should represent local community,” Dyer said. “This includes property owners.” Regarding potential issues with upcoming POA meetings, Myers told The Brunswick Beacon he doesn’t see an issue with in-person meetings but that online meetings could have a bigger possibility of violating open meeting laws. “It’s not like it’s any kind of secret meeting or anything like that,” he added. “They’re all, [and] have always been, open to the public and anyone can attend who wants to attend…” The next HBPOA meeting is at the end of March and the last meeting occurred before the new commissioners were sworn in. Myers said the issues need to be resolved before their next POA meeting, whether it is for quorum notices sent out before each meeting or a commissioner leaving their role in the HBPOA.
Read more » click here

Breaking News –
Commissioner Rick Paarfus announced at the January 5^th Special Meeting that he has submitted his resignation letter to the Holden Beach Property Owners Association (HBPOA).

Holden Beach commissioner steps down from POA position
Holden Beach Commissioner Rick Paarfus announced during the Holden Beach’s Board of Commissioners’ Jan. 5 special meeting that he has submitted his resignation letter to the Holden Beach Property Owners Association (HBPOA). Paarfus, who was recently elected and sworn in as a Holden Beach commissioner in December, served as an HBPOA board member with two other recently elected commissioners. There are no legal issues with a commissioner holding a position on the HBPOA board but there was a problem with the three commissioners meeting without following commissioner open meeting laws. Town Clerk Heather Finnell told The Brunswick Beacon that three commissioners at the same meeting creates a quorum. If a quorum occurs, the meeting must be recognized as an open Holden Beach Board of Commissioners meeting, which requires prior public notification. She explained that the town clerk and town administrator must also be present during a quorum to take meeting minutes and follow meeting rules and procedures. Paarfus told The Brunswick Beacon he submitted his resignation letter on Dec. 31. Mayor Pro-Tem Tom Myers, who serves as the HBPOA president, confirmed that the letter was received. He told The Brunswick Beacon that the resignation letter must still be formally accepted but confirmed it will be accepted. “We can’t really meet as an HBPOA board with three commissioners on the [town] board,” Myers told The Beacon before Paarfus’s resignation letter was sent. Myers will continue to serve as HBPOA President and Commissioner Tracey Thomas will continue to serve as its vice president, however, no conflict with open meeting laws stands since it is just the two of them serving on the POA board. Despite the change, if Myers and Thomas attend an HBPOA meeting and another commissioner plans to attend the same meeting, a quorum notice must still be sent out to the public. The HBPOA meets four times a year and all those meetings are open to the public, but only property owner members can vote on items. The HBPOA meetings occur on Easter weekend, Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend and the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Read more » click here 

For more information on the HBPOA » click here

2.   Public Comments on Agenda Items

There were comments made by thirteen (13) members of the public. The nine people  that spoke at the meeting took the better part of thirty (30) minutes. Almost all the comments on agenda items and general items were regarding the pier project. Despite their differences the basic message is that they all would like to see the pier open to the public sooner rather than later.

For more information » click here

3. Police Report – Chief Jeremy Dixon

Agenda Packet – pages 16 – 18

Police Report » click here


Business as usual, normal amount and type of activity for this time of year. During a cold snap we have broken pipes, any water issues call Town Hall during the day and 911 after hours.

 Public Service Announcement –
Scams – be on guard, you need to protect yourself from scammers
Please do not send money when contacted via phone calls

NC residents lose millions to scammers: Report reveals top 10 scam categories
The 41-page report from the North Carolina Department of Justice examines artificial intelligence, the opioid crisis and its scam report.
People in North Carolina are losing millions of dollars each year to scammers, according to a report from the state Department of Justice. This 41-page report looks at everything from artificial intelligence to the opioid crisis – showing that just about any news event and spur scammers into action. The report breaks down the 10 scam categories you’re most likely to fall victim to, and some of the topics are not easy to avoid. The most common types of scams include telemarketing and robocalls, motor vehicles, credit, utilities, home improvement, the internet, landlord-tenant issues, insurance, personal service and real estate. In 2023, the North Carolina Department of Justice received hundreds and in many cases thousands of reports of scams in these arenas. Telemarketing and robocall scams were the most common, with 3,281 reports. Never give anyone your personal information and trust your gut if something feels off. Anyone who thinks they’ve been scammed in North Carolina can call 1-877-566-7226 or file a complaint on the Department of Justice’s website.

What he did not say –

Hunting season is underway, it is not allowed on the island

It’s that time of year, rental season ends, and break-in season officially starts
Requested that we all serve as the eyes and ears for law enforcement.

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

The police department currently has only eight (8) officers of the ten (10) they are budgeted to have. 

• • • Preston Conley came back to work only to go back out again on medical disability
    • New officer is being processed even as we speak

Having the full complement of ten (10) police officers seems to be an elusive goal.

Some local police departments need more staff to face growth
Although growth continues throughout Brunswick County, local law enforcement is already facing the mental and physical toll it takes to protect current residents with the staff they have. Not all safety and law enforcement departments consider themselves “short staffed,” however, a few local police chiefs have voiced their concerning experiences with not being fully staffed and its impact on officers. “The impact of staffing shortages is strenuous on the entire department,” Holden Beach Police Chief Jeremy Dixon told The Brunswick Beacon. “First and foremost, it creates a dangerous scenario for patrol officers who are often responding to calls alone.” Dixon explained that his department has 10 officers when fully staffed and that they would have two officers per shift if fully staffed. Normal shifts include holidays, weekends and nights shifts, he added. “However, patrol is not the only consideration in staffing levels,” he said. “One must consider vacation leave, sick leave, family leave, training assignments, festivals, concerts, races and other special events as well.” Unlike Holden Beach, the Shallotte and Oak Island police departments have a larger staff of police officers to work with when it comes to patrolling and handling special events. Shallotte Police Chief Adam Stanley told The Beacon that the Shallotte Police Department currently has 18 full time police officers. The department has 19 full time police officers when fully staffed. He recently told the Shallotte Board of Alderman at a meeting that his department was about to be fully staffed with two new officers entering the team, however, he told The Brunswick Beacon on Friday, Nov. 3, that an officer had recently given their two-week’s notice and that they will be back to looking to fill another officer position again. Asked what has been the longest recruitment time to fill an empty police officer position during his time as chief, Stanley said three to five months. The Village of Bald Head Island handles their resident safety a little differently compared to other municipalities. The Village has a public safety department to protect their residents, not a police department. Village of Bald Head Island Public Information Officer Carin Faulkner explained that their staff consists of public safety officers (PSO) that are trained in law enforcement, fire, paramedic/EMT and water rescue. She said the village has a total of 24 PSO positions and that they currently have 23 filled, noting that they run a schedule of four shifts with six officers working each shift. The Oak Island Police Department is also down one officer out of their 32 police officers, which includes both full time and part time officers. “The Oak Island Police Department is considered ‘fully staffed’ at 48 employees, consisting of 28 full-time officers, four part-time officers, two administrative staff, 10 (seasonal) Beach Services Unit staff, three department volunteers and one chaplain,” Oak Island Chief of Police Charlie Morris told The Beacon. “The Department currently has one vacancy for full-time officer.” Morris, who joined the department in April 2022, said the Oak Island Police Department launched an aggressive recruitment campaign from late 2022 to early 2023 to increase recruitment efforts and officer pay. He said it was successful and included a new Paid Recruit Training program. “This program provides pay and benefits to future officers as they go through the [Basic Law Enforcement Training (B.L.E.T.)] program,” he said. “As of September, the four officers originally recruited through this program have begun their work as full-time officers.” Although he said his team is not understaffed at the moment, they could become understaffed quickly. “… In a small-to-medium sized department it only takes a few retirements or transfers to become understaffed again,” he said. Asked what kind of impact not having a full staff of police officers has on their team, Dixon, Morris and Stanley all told The Beacon it is challenging. “It can have a mental, physical and emotional impact because the extra workload can be exhausting,” Stanley said. Morris told The Beacon that public safety and having adequate jurisdiction coverage is the department’s top priority, however, like Stanley said, doing so without a full staff can impact officers’ well-being. “Beyond that however is a host of other concerns, including officer health, mutual aid response, and preventing “burnout” from overworked,” Morris said. “Ensuring officers are physically and mentally prepared to serve the public at the start of each shift can become difficult when there are not enough officers to meet a department’s needs.” Dixon said the Holden Beach Police Department has maintained between eight to ten officers for the last two to three years. He noted that they have consistently looked to hire and retain a full staff during that time. “Because of current staffing levels, and rotating shifts, our officers work alone about 50% of the time,” he said. “This means officers are responding to domestic disturbances, fight calls, irate subjects, intoxicated subjects, mental health patients and every other call by themselves.” He explained that having a lack of additional responding officers is a danger to the officers and to the public. In addition to the low number of officers on duty at a given time, the department does not have a detective position. So, incident reports are being left on the back burner. “In addition to being short staffed on patrol, our department has not been allotted a detective position,” he said. “Therefore, we have no dedicated investigator to follow-up on incident reports. This in itself is a disservice to the town.” He said officers will take a report of an incident, like a house break-in, but the report goes nowhere and there is no follow-up. “Trying to explain to our community that we cannot do our job because we do not have the resources is very stressful,” he added. Dixon said that these are just a few of the challenges that his staff face from not having a full staff and that officers often worry about the entire staff when sick or in need of a day off. Vacations and sick days are spent worried about another officer working overtime to cover their shift and the absent officers shift, he noted. “When an officer calls out sick, it places a burden on the entire staff because we’re already short,” he said. “This makes officers feel guilty for getting sick because they know the burden it creates on everyone else.” Asked what kind of toll an incomplete staff can cause on themselves as chiefs, Dixon and Stanley said it can be rough and mentally straining. “It is mentally exhausting for sure because I want my staff to be happy, both mentally and physically,” Stanley said. Dixon told The Beacon that anything could happen with a full staff and 10 additional officers on a scene, however, knowing an officer is hurt and alone is “unacceptable.” “The impact on me as the chief is hard to explain,” Dixon said. “I spend my days and nights worried to death that I’m going to get a phone call that one of our officers got hurt and no one was there to back them up.” Chiefs and department representatives were asked if they felt like they needed more officers, even if they were fully staffed. “In an ideal world, to be fully staffed, the town would budget for and approve the police department to employee 13 officers,” Dixon responded. “This would include eight patrol officers, two patrol sergeants, one detective, one lieutenant, and one chief. With 13 officers on staff, patrol shifts could be adequately covered, and investigations would be more thoroughly conducted.” Stanley said they too need more police officers — especially as the town continues to grow. “Yes, with the planned growth of several residential properties in town and the surrounding area, plus additional businesses, we will need to add staffing,” Stanley said. Morris said the Oak Island Police Department could need more officers in the future if the town’s population increases, however, he said they maintain their duties well with the current staffing level and do not see a need for more officers at this time. Faulkner said the Village of Bald Head Island is looking to hire one PSO, a public safety director and one captain position, and that two of those positions were posted over a month ago. She said they do not need more officers at this time, but that potential need is assessed annually. She did not answer the questions about the impacts officers and the lead officer can face from not having a full staff of officers. Asked what residents could do to help their local police departments, local chiefs said there are volunteer programs that folks can be a part of. “We currently have a volunteer service program,” Stanley said. “Some functions of the volunteer program are working [administration] duties such as answering the phone, meeting the public in the lobby and clerical work.” He said the community can also help the Shallotte Police Department with special events. “We will also be starting a citizen patrol which will help with traffic control duties, working special events and property and business checks,” he said. “This will aid our staff so they can continue to answer calls for service and enforcement actions.” “Many police departments have local volunteer programs that residents can be involved with,” Dixon said. “Residents can also speak to their elected officials to encourage them to apply tax dollars towards their police departments.” Morris said the Oak Island Police Department maintains a community-oriented approach to policing, noting that they do community activities, like “Coffee with a Cop” and “National Night Out,” to keep the community and police staff connected. “Basically, to support your local Police Department, get to know your local police department,” he said. “Attend their events and start a conversation.” The Beacon also reached out to Southport Police Chief Coring, Boiling Spring Lakes Police Chief Keven Smith, Ocean Isle Beach Chief of Police Ken Bellamy and the Northwest City Clerk. No other responses were given to the questions sent at the time of this publication’s deadline.
Read more » click here

Despite what the Police Chief is requesting for staffing, we are different than the other nearby islands since our need for additional officers is seasonal. That being the case, perhaps we should reconsider our position on hiring seasonal part-time police officers.

Seasonal Police Officers
Previously reported – June 2020
Commissioner Sullivan requested a committee investigate the feasibility of hiring seasonal part-time police officers for the next budget year. The motion tasked the committee with looking into this option. Both Pat and Mike volunteered to be on the committee.

Editor’s note –
The Town of Holden Beach has 575 permanent residents and this year we have budgeted for ten (10) full-time officers and zero (0) part-time officers. By contrast, The Town of Ocean Isle Beach has 554 permanent residents and employs thirteen (13) full-time officers and ten (10) part-time seasonal officers.

Previously reported – September 2020
Holden Beach officials contemplate efforts to extend police force on island

Holden Beach chief opts for hiring clerk over more police officers

Original directive had a proposed deadline of December 2020 to submit report to the Board of Commissioners. Based on staffing changes made and discussions at their meetings Mike proposed that they extend the deadline to March of 2021.

At the seasonal law enforcement officers committee meeting this month Police Chief Jeremy Dixon said that he believes hiring a new office clerk would be more beneficial for his department rather than hiring seasonal officers.  The Beacon article made it pretty clear that we were not planning on hiring seasonal officers next year; So why the extension?

Previously reported – March 2021
Seasonal Law Enforcement Committee

Issue –
Can Seasonal Police Officers Efficiently and Economically Provide Adequate Patrol Services to Protect the Persons and Property of the Residents, Property Owners and Visitors to Holden Beach.

Conclusion –
Most items to be evaluated when hiring either a full-time or seasonal police officer are similar in both cases. Retention and initial transportation costs are two items with the largest differences and can be the determining factors.

Each full-time officer increases the police budget by approximately $131,000 for the first year and $67,000 every year thereafter. The seasonal officer would increase the police budget by $85,000 the first year and $21,000 every year thereafter. The difference in costs is approximately $46,000 per year per officer. I believe this potential cost savings outweighs any minor logistical difficulties the hiring of seasonal police officers may present.

Mike reviewed the work that the committee did to get to this point.  In a nutshell, the issue comes down to the vehicle cost as to whether we consider part-time officers or full-time officers the next time we need to fill a vacancy. The committee has completed their task, and this was simply a report to the Board.

Apparently we are still unable to hire a full-time officer despite significantly raising the starting salary. The need for additional officers is seasonal. That being the case, perhaps we should reconsider our position on hiring seasonal part-time police officers.

4. Inspections Department Report – Inspections Director Evans

Agenda Packet – pages 19 – 21

ACTIVE NEW HOME PERMITS                                                                = 39
OTHER ACTIVE PERMITS                                                                         = 224
PERMITS ISSUED OVER $30,000                                                             = 45
* AMOUNT INCLUDED IN ACTIVE TOTAL
PERMITS ISSUED OVER $100,000                                                           = 4
* AMOUNT INCLUDED IN ACTIVE TOTAL
PERMITS ISSUED WAITING PICK UP                                                     = 22
TOTAL PERMITS                                                                                         = 285

PERMITS IN REVIEW                                                                                 = 9
CAMA ISSUED                                                                                             = 4
ZONING ISSUED                                                                                         = 7

PERMITS SERVICED FOR INSPECTIONS FROM 12/12-1/11                = 79
TOTAL INSPECTIONS MADE                                                                 = 279

Inspections Report » click here

Update –
Timbo briefly reviewed department activity last month, the department still remains very busy.

Same As It Ever Was!

5.  Discussion and Possible Scheduling of a Public Hearing on Proposed Changes to Holden Beach Code of Ordinances §157.083 Accessory Structures and §157.006 Definitions – Inspections Director Evans

Agenda Packet – pages 22 – 24

Accessory Structures Ordinance » click here

P&Z Board Statement of Consistency and Zoning Text Recommendation
The Town of Holden Beach Planning & Zoning Board has reviewed and hereby recommends approval of amendments to Chapter 157.006 definitions and 157.083) of the Zoning Ordinance regarding Accessory Structures. The Planning and Zoning Board has found that the recommended amendments are consistent with the adopted CAMA Land Use Plan and are considered reasonable and in the public interest for the following reasons.

• • The Cama Land Use plan only addresses activities within approved areas and the planning board believes that the Use of the property will not have, and adverse effect of permitted use within the effected Zoning
    
  • Aesthetics: Chapter 1: Introduction of the adopted Plan references that one of the community’s highest ranked desires is to “Retain and enhance community appearance” regarding the character of development on Holden

The text amendments to 157.006 and 157.083 are consistent with those sections,

Removing the conflict between ordinances and 5.1 of the Cama land Use Plan and encouraging the preservation of Natural resources. Key word Bulkheads.

§157.083 ACCESSORY BUILDINGS.
Accessory uses and structures are permitted in any district but not until their principal structure is present or under construction. Accessory uses shall not involve the conduct of any business, trade, or industry except for home and professional occupations as defined herein. Structures used for accessory uses shall be of comparable color and material of the primary structure and shall be on the same lot as the primary use.

Exception:
Piers, docks, and boatlifts are allowed without their principal structure .

§157.006 DEFINITIONS
ACCESSORY USE or STRUCTURE. A use or structure on the same lot with, and of a nature customarily incidental and subordinate to, the principal use or structure.

Previously reported – July 2023
§157.007 ONE PRINCIPAL BUILDING PER LOT.
No platted lot shall be occupied by more than one principal building. No part of a yard, court, or other open space provided about any building or structure for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this chapter shall be included as a part of a yard or other open space required under this chapter for another building or structure. A residence shall always constitute a principal use.

Alan introduced the topic, but Timbo explained the issue. Basically, you can’t have an accessory structure before you have a primary structure. Property owners are required to have a bulkhead, but you can’t have a floating dock or pier without the principal structure which is the house.  Changes in the state law have made piers and docks an accessory structure.  The Board requested that Timbo to come back to them with proposed changes to the ordinance concerning accessory uses for the Board to review.

Update –
Timbo stated that the Board initiated the request to look at this issue, he briefly reviewed how we got to this point. All proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance must go through Planning & Zoning Board for review, comments, and a consistency statement. Now that P&Z has issued the consistency statement the next step is to have a Public Hearing which is required for any changes made to the Zoning Code Section 157. The Board decided to schedule a Public Hearing at the start of the February Regular Meeting.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

6. Discussion and Possible Approval of Special Meeting Dates – Town Clerk Finnell

Agenda Packet – pages 25 – 27

Special Meeting Dates » click here 

Proposed Meeting Calendar

January- Orientation, Training, Budget Kick-Off

• • January 5 – 6:30 PM – Special Meeting – Rules of Procedure, Meeting Calendar
  • January 9-10 – New Commissioner Staff Orientation Sessions
  • January 18-19 – New Commissioner Training Sessions (Wilmington)
  • January 23 – 5:00 PM – BOC’s Meeting
  • January 25 – 5:30 PM – Budget Meeting – Kick-off & Planning

February – Review Current Budgets & Status

• • February 7 – 2:00 PM – Budget Meeting- Public Works and Parks and Recreation
  • February 14 -1:00 PM – Budget Meeting- Governing Body, Admin, Inspections, Police, CIP and Projects
  • February 20 – 2:00 PM – Budget Meeting Goal Setting/Priorities
  • February 20- 5:00 PM – BOC’s Meeting
  • February 29- 5:00 PM – Pier Plan

March – Department Input & Budget Requests

• • March 8- 2:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Public Works and Parks and Recreation
  • March 13 – 2:00 PM – Budget Meeting- Governing Body, Admin, Inspections, Police and Canal Funds
  • March 18 – 5PM – CIP and Projects
  • March 19 – 5:00 PM – Regular BOC’s Meeting

April – Budget Preparation

• • April 3 – 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting- General Fund Revenue and Tax Rate
  • April 12- 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting-SPART Fund Revenue
  • April 16- 5:00 PM – Regular BOC’s Meeting
  • April 18-TBD (Morning) – Listening Session
  • April 30-5:30 PM – Budget Meeting- Expense Summary

May – Resolve Budget to Arrive at Budget Message

• • May 2-5:30 PM – Budget Meeting- Budget Revisions
  • May 7-3:00 PM – Budget Meeting- Budget Revisions
  • May 14-5:30 PM – Budget Meeting- Draft Budget
  • May 21- 5:00 PM – Regular BOC’s Meeting
  • May 22 – 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Public Presentation/Input on Draft Budget
  • May 29 – 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Draft Budget
  • May 31 (NLT June 1) Budget Message Released

 June – Public Input and Budget Tweaks

• • June 3 – 5:30 PM – Budget Meeting – Revisions
  • June 7 – 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Revisions
  • June 12 – 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Revisions
  • June 18- 5:00 PM – Regular BOC’s Meeting
  • June 18- 5:00 PM – Budget Public Hearing as part of BOC Mtg
  • June 20 – 5:30 PM – Budget Meeting- Final Changes
  • June 25- 3:00 PM – Budget Meeting – Final Changes
  • June 30- Must adopt Budget NL

Department Budget meeting expectations:

Provide a detailed presentation of budget line items including

• • • Last year spend
    • This year YTD spend and FY Outlook
    • Next year’s Budget proposal with priorities identified

Update –
The motion was made to accept the schedule as it was submitted. They have modified the originally proposed calendar and went with a weekly meeting schedule instead. Even though they really tried to accommodate both Commissioners Smith and Dyer they both lobbied their cases for scheduling less meeting dates. Mayor Pro Tem Myers restated that the budget is apriority. Tom feels strongly that frequent and shorter meetings are better, and we need all these meetings.

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

Budget Calendar
Local governments must balance their budget by a combination of the following:

• • Raising taxes
  • Cutting spending
  • Operating more efficiently

The Town Manager’s proposed budget is due by June 1^st
Commissioners 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.

They attempted to modify the original proposed calendar based on everyone’s availability. Once again, the goal is to avoid the annual rush at the end to get things done. In the last few years, the Board did not really start working on the budget until the eleventh hour. Almost every year we talk about starting the process earlier, this year we have actually moved it up in a meaningful way. It’s a good start that we have already established the budget meeting schedule. It’s worth mentioning that maybe the reason Commissioner Smith objects to all of these meetings is because Rick does not actually live here.

7.   Discussion and Possible Action on Awarding a Bid for Walkway at 441 Ocean Boulevard West – Assistant Town Manager Ferguson

Agenda Packet – pages 28 – 45 which is too large to include here

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Discussion and possible action in awarding a bid for 441 OBW walkway. An engineered design, plans, and specs were available for contractors’ review in an informal bidding process. Sealed bids were received and opened at noon on January 5, 2024. Based on the bid tab info on the attached memo, it appears that A.W. Babson is the apparent most responsive bidder based on the concrete start and stop dates for completion.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
A Hatteras ramp and walkway are planned on the westernmost town lot at the pier. The project is part of a grant from the Division of Coastal Management, totaling $66,985. The purpose is to provide public beach access and emergency vehicle access to the beach, especially since the license agreement with the previous owner for the currently utilized west access area at the pier can be terminated at any time with notice

TOWN MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend approval of award to A.W. Babson with instructions for the town manager to complete execution of documents to award the bid.

441 OBW Walkway

As part of maintaining access to the beach and emergency vehicle access the town planned for the construction of a Hatteras ramp and walkway at 441 OBW. The access will occur on the westernmost lot that the town purchased as part of the pier property. Based on the contracting and procurement procedures for this construction limit value, the town engaged in an informal process with solicitations being sent directly to multiple contractors and the project being advertised on the town’s website. Sealed bids were received and opened on January 5, 2024.

Respondents were asked to submit their bid along with a copy of their contractor’s license, proof of insurance, and start-stop dates for consideration as a bid package. Results were as follows for the four bids received:

VCC                $73,250          License, Insurance, and start-stop dates omitted

RHI                $56,664          License, Insurance, three weeks after award, plus  handrails

AW Babson  $40,000          License, Insurance, begin 1/22, end 2/5

Richardson  $39,700          License, Insurance, 2-3 weeks (weather dependent) construction begin within 2 weeks of award of contract and permitting

In considering the most responsive bid, the board may choose to entertain price and how quickly the project could be completed.

Update –
This project is part of a grant received from the Division of Coastal Management. The original agenda item had Hatteras ramp and walkway at 441 OBW. But it is only the public access walkway contract that was presented for their consideration on the agenda. The Town Public Works department is building the Hatteras Ramp which will provide public beach and emergency vehicle access to the beach. Four (4) contractors bid on the contract; our staff recommendation is to award the contract to AW Babson. Town Manager explained why the staff went with AW Babson despite the three hundred (300) dollar difference. David said it was the expeditious completion and that they had an issue with vendor Richardson on a previous walkway project. Commissioners Smith and Dyer both felt we should rely on the staff and go with their recommendation. The motion was made to go with the lowest bidder Richardson to construct the walkway.

A decision was made – Approved (4-1)
Commissioner Smith opposed the motion

I’m inclined to agree with Rick and Page that we should go with the staff recommendation. They are the ones that have to work with the vendor and have ownership of the successful completion of the work.

8. Holden Beach Pier Project
.   a. Discussion and Possible Direction to Staff to Engage in Value Engineering to Reduce Scope of Work on Pier and Rebid the Project – Commissioners Smith & Dyer
.   b. Discussion and Possible Action on a Public Input Session for the Pier Property – Mayor Pro Tem Myers and Commissioner Thomas

Agenda Packet – pages 46 – 47

a. Engage in Value Engineering to Reduce Scope of Work

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Direct staff to engage in value engineering to reduce the scope of work on the pier and rebid the pier project.

BACKGROUND /PURPOSE OF REQUEST: Have a workable bid for pier repairs/work prior to starting budget workshops.

 b. Public Input Session

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Task the architect for the pier with conducting a public input session.

BACKGROUND /PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The plans for pier structure and building are being re­ visited, and the need for additional public input has been identified. The current architect for the project is in the best position to conduct a public input session, but the scope of his contract would need to be changed to include this additional work.

Update –
Last month after considerable discussion it was decided that the contract should be held in abeyance and the project is to be put on hold. In other words, we are calling for a timeout. The reasons given for not moving forward at this time boil down to the following: 1) they need to decide what they are going to do with this property 2) they need to develop a strategic plan of action 3) they need to determine how they plan to pay for it. This month the Board again discussed how they can move forward with the Pier Project.

Engage in Value Engineering to Reduce Scope of Work
Commissioners Dyer wants to determine how much is it going to cost in order to make an informed decision and keep this project moving forward. Commissioner Smith wants the pier to be open and useable therefore we should move forward Phase 1 of the project. Mayor Pro Tem Myers stated it is irresponsible to start down a spending path, without knowing where you are going, how much will it cost, and how are you going to pay for it. One of the issues is that the proposal is for only sixteen (16) of one hundred and nineteen (119) piles, approximately thirteen (13) percent of the structure. Tom stated that this is the same motion that was rejected in December. What we need to do before spending any money is get the big picture to determine what the entire project is going to cost.

No decision was made – No action taken

Public Input Session
The motion was made to conduct a pier property public input session with the architect in order to collect public opinion on the existing pier plans. The meeting is already tentatively scheduled on their BOC’s calendar for February 29^th.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

Mired with issues, a Brunswick pier renovation project could go back to the drawing board
Newcomers on the Holden Beach Board of Commissioners have halted a years-long effort to renovate the town’s pier, which has been closed to the public for months. Since the town purchased the pier and pier house property for around $3.3 million in 2022, the board of commissioners has further assessed the pier’s structural issues and worked on a conceptual plan to renovate the property. The board unanimously approved a final site plan for the property a year ago, in February 2023. At the board’s regular meeting in December, the board was set to act on the two bids it received for phase one of the pier renovation project. After going to bid twice, the project received two bids: a nearly $2.2 million bid from Paragon Building Corp, and a $3.9 million bid from TD Eure. The 2023-24 fiscal year budget budgeted just $1.13 million for the pier renovation and repair project. The board was given three options: award one of the bids and direct staff to prepare a budget amendment for the budget shortfall; direct staff to negotiate with Paragon to reduce the scope of the work and the budget; or direct staff to reduce the scope of the project and totally rebid the project again. Instead, newly elected board members lead a successful effort to stop the project until a special meeting can be held to catch the board and the public up on the status and scope of the project. Commissioners Tracey Thomas, Rick Paarfus and Mayor Pro-Tem Tom Meyers – all of whom were elected to the board in the November 2023 municipal election – claimed the plans for the project were not made available to the public before the December meeting. While the meeting’s agenda packet did not contain detailed sketches or plans for the pier project, those materials have been available to the public at several prior meetings where the project has been discussed over the last year. Meyers and the new board members expressed interest in holding a special meeting with town staff to better understand the scope of the project and long-term vision for the property, before moving forward with a bidder. Meyers made a motion to stop the project until such a meeting is held. “…I would hesitate to move forward with any of this because I think we need a long-term vision of the pier and property and what we’re going to do with it,” Thomas said. “We need a long-term vision for the whole thing before we start just putting $2 million band-aids on the pier.” Commissioners Rick Smith and Page Dyer voted against the motion, who said the project has been a matter of public discussion for three years and it’s time to move forward with the approved plan. A master plan and subsequent phased plan has been presented to the board and public on several occasions over the past year, town staff reiterated. Tensions ran high toward the end of the discussion. “I mean if the folks would have attended the meetings and been as diligent as they are now, they would’ve seen what the plans are and they would understand what the plans are,” Smith said. “But evidently, they didn’t want to and now they want to come in and change the whole deal.” Meyers’ motion passed 3-2, pausing the project for the time being. The conceptual site plan outlined renovations to the existing pier and pier house, as well as improvements to the public parking lot on site. Architects reported to the town’s commissioners last year that the pier structure extending over the ocean is in good shape, but in need of largely cosmetic improvements such as replacing handrails and some decking. The portion of the pier over the beach needs more extensive repairs, like replacing some structural support beams. The pier is located at 441 Ocean Blvd. in Holden Beach. It remains unclear when the board will revisit the project. Several special meetings of the board were called in January, but the pier project is not on the agendas for those meetings.
Read more » click here

9.  Discussion and Possible Action on the Holden Beach Pavilion – Mayor Pro Tem Myers and Commissioner Paarfus

Agenda Packet – pages 49 – 54

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Have Right Angle Engineering discuss their report and answer questions from the BOC
Discuss current and potential plans for addressing issues associated with the pavilion
Take action, if necessary, to proceed with plans for addressing the situation

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Right Angle Engineering’s evaluation of the pavilion’s structural condition states: “We would recommend that consideration be given to replacement of the existing pavilion. For the purpose of this letter report, we expect the short term to mean that either repair or replacement plans be complete within 12 months with repair, replacement or demolition occurring within the 12 subsequent months.”

Since the report was dated February 24. 2023, the first 12 months is almost up. The BOC is requesting an update on the status of the situation.

Evaluation of Holden Beach Pavilion Structural Condition

As requested, representatives of Right Angle Engineering visited the referenced site in January of 2023 to investigate the existing framing condition as compared to the designed repairs by Criser Troutman Tanner 2010. We were provided drawing SO.I and Sl.O “Temporary Bracing System” dated 4/20/10 and Sl.O “Column Repair Plan” dated 8/11/10. The main purpose of this report is to determine if the designed repairs are functioning as intended since installation in 2010.

SUMMARY
Based on our investigation, we have determined that failure of the existing structure is not immediately impending, but significant repairs and/or improvements are required in the short term. We anticipate that the scope of repairs/improvements could exceed the value of the existing structure and considerations should be given to full replacement of the pavilion.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Building of the original pavilion structure began in 2009 with a contract for construction based on meeting current building codes and no known design drawings are on record or saved by the Town. After the initial construction of the structure was complete, the Town hired a different Contractor to add galvanized strapping, plates, and ties on the existing wood frame to completely tie the roof to the existing pile foundation. In 2010, Criser Troutman Tanner engineers developed temporary bracing system designs to provide proper strength against lateral stresses. Later in 2010, Criser Troutman Tanner developed a column repair plan to provide the required foundation for the structure. Both designs were based on design loads of roof system at 20 PSF, floors/balconies at 100 PSF, and wind velocity of l30 mph.

CLOSING
Based on our investigation and evaluation, the pavilion was not repaired/improved in accordance with engineered plans completed in 20I 0. When coupling the pile repair work with roof truss repairs, framing repairs, soon to be needed decking restoration, likely roofing replacement, and other aesthetic improvements, these costs likely approach or exceed the current value and/or replacement costs of the 14 year old structure. We would recommend that consideration be given to replacement of the existing pavilion. For the purpose of this letter report, we expect the short term to mean that either repair or replacement plans be complete within 12 months with repair, replacement or demolition occurring within the 12 subsequent months.

Update –
Timbo stated that the pavilion was not built to the original design parameters. Timbo said that some repairs have been made, but that they are just a temporary fix. A year ago, Right Angle Engineering did an evaluation which concluded that the scope of repairs/improvements could exceed the value of the existing structure and considerations should be given to full replacement of the pavilion. The structure continues to deteriorate so we are reaching a point where the staff will have to take some action and probably will have to  condemn it due to safety concerns. The motion was made to have Right Angle Engineering firm come back and reassess the structure, do another evaluation and issue a new report, with us shutting down use of the facility until we get the report. If they determine that the building is unsafe then they would have to cancel the summer concerts normally held there. Timbo’s recommendation is to remove the top of the structure which would address his safety concerns. Commissioner Smith took position that it’s not necessary to spend the money for a new report since we already know what is wrong with the structure. Timbo stated that an engineering firm is going to have to look at it at some point so we might as well do it on the front end of the project. The bottom-line is the pavilion needs to be shut down until properly repaired or reconstructed.

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

10.   Discussion and Possible Action on Block Q – Mayor Pro Tem Myers and Commissioner Thomas

Agenda Packet – page 48

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Task the Parks and Recreation Board to work with the current architect to develop a new site plan for Block Q that includes a concert space with dance floor, the planned ADA compliant bathrooms, green space, and other potential amenities (e.g., playground equipment, shaded areas, benches, picnic tables, informational panels, areas for food trucks, usage during festivals).

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The plans for Block Q are being re-visited, and since the pavilion may need to be demolished, the concerts could be moved to Block Q and the property could become more of a “Town Center.” The Parks and Recreation Board is the appropriate board to address this issue and develop recommendations for moving ahead.

Update –
This project was also put on hold and is in a timeout too. The motion made was to task the Parks and Recreation Board to work with the current architect to develop a new site plan for Block Q. Commissioner Smith feels it is a waste of time and money, since we already have a plan.

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

Wait, What? The list of potential amenities is ridiculous. We should not have this project attempt to be a panacea, where we cram everybody’s wish list into this project.  We already have most of these amenities at our Bridgeview Park, so we do not need them at Block Q too. It seems to me that we should just start with only the most essential elements like the restrooms, vehicle and boat parking. Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS)! 

11. Audit Committee Items – Town Clerk Finnell
.   a. Discussion and Appointment of Commissioner to Serve on the Audit Committee
.   b. Discussion and Possible Selection of Members to Fill Vacancies on the Audit Committee

Agenda Packet – pages 55 – 60

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Appoint a commissioner to Audit Committee. Fill two vacancies on the Audit Committee.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
Per §30.27, a commissioner shall be appointed to the Audit Committee in January of each year.

The committee shall be comprised of a member from the Board and not less than two or more than four property owners as full members, plus one alternate.

 Per Section 30.26 of the Code of Ordinances, the Audit Committee is comprised of a member of the Board of Commissioners and not less than two or more than four residents or property owners of the Town of Holden Beach as full members, plus one alternate member (Attachment 1).

The commissioner shall be appointed to the Audit Committee by the Board in January of each year. We have two full member vacancies (Attachment 2).

Debra Kosch, Mary Vail Ware, Grace Lam, Tim Throndson, Keith Smith and Kent Steeves have submitted their names to be considered for the vacancies. Interviews are scheduled for January 23^rd at 4:45 p.m.

The Board can vote by ballot or verbally to fill the positions. If ballots are used, please make sure to sign your name on the ballot.

 Update –
Commissioner Thomas nominated Mayor Pro Tem Myers  to serve as Audit Committee Chairman. The Board selected Mary Vail Ware and Tim Throndson to fill the vacancies on the committee.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

12. Discussion and Possible Approval of Resolution 24-01, Resolution Approving Truist Signature Card – Town Manager Hewett

Agenda Packet – pages 61 – 63

Resolution 24-01 » click here

ISSUE/ACTION REQUESTED:
Update existing bank signature cards to include assistant town manager and subsequent designation of assistant town manager as deputy finance officer.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE OF REQUEST:
The Local Government Fiscal Control Act (excerpt attached) requires all checks to be signed by the finance officer or a properly designated deputy finance officer and countersigned by another local government official. Recent events and current manpower configuration have illuminated the need to formally upgrade the Town’s procurement procedures.

Update –
Historically, the official signatories for the Town’s Truist accounts have been the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem and two staff members. This Resolution does not include the Mayor Pro Tem and instead adds a third staff member. This is simply a housekeeping item with an update of signatories, it was adopted as submitted.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

13.  Town Manager’s Report

Personnel Achievements & Recognition
Carey Redwine – Building Level I Certification
Daniel McRainey – NC Government Finance Officer Certification
Christy Ferguson -Appointed to the ASBPA Governmental Affairs Committee
* American Shore And Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) / https://asbpa.org/

Sewer Lift Station #2

Previously reported – December 2023
The Town was informed by Congressman Rouzer’s office that the EPA has awarded the project funding. The NC Department Water Quality  appropriation has not been finalized yet.

Update –
The NC Department Water Quality  application was made. The two (2) million dollar appropriation has not been finalized yet; it still needs to be approved. We are also still waiting for the $2.7m dollars from the State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) funding
*  https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-05/fy23-cj-11-stag.pdf

Our intent is to dovetail the funding of $4.7m from the two (2) grants

Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Study
The Town has made application to NC Department Wildlife Resources for $750k state budget appropriation for the Town’s CSRM Study contribution match. It is anticipated that the $750k appropriation and pending federal Disaster Relief Act funding that  probably will negate the need for any further Town expenditures.

Canal Dredging

Previously reported – January 2023
Survey is underway, which is done every other year. David reminded them that we still don’t have an area to put the spoils.

Update –
$343,800 Department Wildlife Resources grant awarded for Harbor Acres dredging. $257,850 state and $85,950 local which is from the Harbor Acres Canal Special Revenue Fund. Waiting for NC Department Water Quality  certification for USACE permit approval. Current Request for Proposal (RFP) is out for a 2,700 cyds bucket to barge project in Harbor Acres. Bids are due back by February 6^th. Staff is preparing for BOC consideration of grant acceptance and dredger award in Special Meetings that are scheduled in February.

A request for proposal (RFP) is a solicitation, often made through a bidding process, by an agency or company interested in procurement of a commodity, service or valuable asset, to potential suppliers to submit business proposals.

Stormwater Project Partnership Agreement
Original meeting with USACE was postponed and the meeting has been rescheduled for February 13^th. The plan is to use elements from the stormwater master plan currently in development to aid in obtaining federal funds.

Bike Lane Project
The contractor is on site, and they are making necessary storm water fixes. Once they have completed that part of the project they should start prep work on the paving project.

DOT Bike Lane Report Presentation » click here

The plan includes bike lanes of 5’ on each side of Ocean Boulevard. It will be an asymmetrical widening, that is 7’ on the south side and only 3’ on the north side where the sidewalk is. 

Highland Paving has been awarded the contract and has already met with the town staff

Surveying has already been completed and work on storm water issues will begin in November

Paving prep work will start once that is completed, probably sometime in December

They anticipate that the actual paving project will be done beginning March

Work will be done starting from the west end of the island working east

They are still committing to completing the project before Memorial Day

THB Newsletter (10/20/23)
Ocean Boulevard Resurfacing and Bike Lane Project
Highland Paving met with the Department of Transportation and staff last week to discuss the upcoming project. They communicated that storm water work will begin in November. The subsequent paving prep work, which we are thinking will take place in December, will involve removal of the road shoulders, three feet on the north side of the road and seven feet on the south side of the road. We do not know where the contractor will be at any given point in time. Property owners are responsible for removing any material (landscape timbers/specialty rock, etc.) from the construction area that they don’t want hauled off by the contractor. Replacement material will be generic ABC stone. Mailboxes will be moved/reset, but if they fall apart, the contractor will install a generic replacement. We are forecasting the paving won’t begin until March/April, with the project being completed by Memorial Day.

THB Newsletter (12/21/23)
Ocean Boulevard Resurfacing and Bike Lane Project
Paving prep work for the project will involve removal of the road shoulders, three feet on the north side of the road and seven feet on the south side of the road. Work is scheduled to start in the beginning of January. Make sure to remove any materials before this time.  Property owners are responsible for removing any material (landscape timbers/specialty rock, etc.) from the construction area that they don’t want hauled off by the contractor. Replacement material will be generic ABC stone. Mailboxes will be moved/reset, but if they fall apart, the contractor will install a generic replacement.

THB Newsletter (01/16/24)
DOT Resurfacing and Bike Lane Project
The contractor will start moving mailboxes and street signs this week. Mailboxes will be relocated to the far edge of the right-of-way. Mail service is not expected to be impacted. Subsequent work on clearing material from the right-of-way is scheduled to begin once this work has been completed.

Update –
Contractor is wrapping up some stormwater improvements and mailbox relocations issues this week. Equipment mobilization is scheduled for this week, so he anticipates work to start very soon. It’s a work in progress but he still says the project being completed by Memorial Day.

Wildlife Boat Ramp

Previously reported – December 2023
The town was contacted by NC Wildlife to schedule a meeting this week to discuss plans being considered to renovate the boat ramp

Update –
The Town staff met with NC Department Wildlife Resources representatives last week. They confirmed that renovation of the boat ramp is being initiated. David does not know what is being planned or when work will be started. Staff communicated their concerns with the current site and went with the representatives to the County’s property across the ICW as a possible candidate for a larger facility.

Tire Apocalypse

Previously reported – December 2023
The past weekend’s storm has left several hundred tires from a decades old artificial reef experiment strewn the entire length of the beach. From time to time during storm events the reef breaks up further and old tires make their way on to the strand. We are working to get these hazards off the strand; however, it may take a week or more to remove what’s there already with more possibly showing up over the course of the next several days. Please remain vigilant as there will be extra equipment on the strand as the tires are collected and removed.

Approximately one thousand (1,000) tires washed up from the weekend storm event. The Division of Marine Fisheries already removed all of the tires from the beach strand. If additional tires wash up, please call Town Hall to have them removed.

Update –
A second deposit of approximately another one thousand (1,000) tires washed up from the recent storm event. The Division of Marine Fisheries responded rapidly and already removed all of the tires from the beach strand again. If additional tires wash up, please call Town Hall to have them removed. David said that he has concerns about the artificial reef shedding the tires there and the impact on our sand resources.

In Case You Missed It –

THB Newsletter (01/05/24)
Public Input Session – Sailfish Park
McGill Associates, P.A. will hold a public input session next Friday evening, January 12th from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. regarding Sailfish Park. The consultants will unveil two draft schematics at the meeting and the public can provide comments to guide the future planning for the park. The meeting will be held in the Town Hall Public Assembly. 

Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the Holden Beach Board of Commissioners may be present at the Public Input Session for Sailfish Park on January 12, 2024.

Residents get final peek at Sailfish Park conceptual plans
On Friday, Jan. 12, Holden Beach residents had the last opportunity to give direct input on the proposed conceptual plans for Sailfish Park, located on Sailfish Drive. Representatives from McGill and Associates, who are the project consultants, were in attendance to display their ideas and answer the public’s questions. No presentation was given on the park and its potential enhancements. Over 20 residents showed up. The park is located at the very end of Sailfish Drive, a residential road, at a dead end. Residents have spoken about the park at several Holden Beach Board of Commissioners meetings and say its natural area is loved by many residents and visitors year round. McGill and Associates Shallotte Office Manager Michael Norton told The Brunswick Beacon that this was the third public input session. This allowed residents to view proposed alternatives based on the prior sessions and tell the consultants exactly what they want, and think will work from the drafted plans. He said the intent was to demonstrate different layouts that incorporate parking, access, facility uses and amenities. Overall, he said, the park size itself will create limiting factors that retain the character of use. He added that the plans have evolved over several months and that the current conceptual layouts have alternative amenities, like bathrooms, that could be added or removed depending on what residents want. There were two conceptual plans on display, identified as plans A and B. Each plan entails similar ideas with permeable paved surface paths, some new seating options, a new plaza with shade sails, a new gravel parking lot, paved handicapped parking spaces, proposed public restroom opportunities and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility components, such as level surfaces. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that a restroom will end up on the property,” Norton said, noting that the restrooms and other site features could be a current proposed amenity or become a future consideration. He said one concept would provide access for all to a waterfront deck area while the other concept continues the accessible trail along the waterway bulkhead. The biggest difference between the plans is that conceptual Plan A includes a wooden boardwalk with a handrail that would allow folks to walk alongside the water on a flat, ground-level surface. Conceptual Plan B does not include the boardwalk but does have a new canoe and kayak launch and a proposed auditory play area for children with disabilities. Norton said both versions of the park would offer folks with limited physical mobility better access to the waterfront view and activity opportunities, like fishing, that park-goers enjoy. He said the public input session was intended to let folks view specific items and layouts based on prior input sessions and offer additional input on the visualized concepts, noting that compiled final public commentary will help shape the final plan. During the April 18, 2023, Holden Beach Board of Commissioners meeting, commissioners spoke about the need for public bathrooms on the island, while Sailfish Drive residents spoke against enhancing the park with a restroom facility. The town’s 2021 Comprehensive Parks and Recreational Master Plan states that public restrooms and restroom buildings are a desire of visitors who participated in the plan input sessions. The plan included recreation needs assessments, community input, goals, plans and recommendations for the future. The plan recommended installation of public restrooms at Sailfish Park. Some residents who spoke during the public comment portion of the April meeting admitted that public restrooms are needed throughout the island but said they don’t want them at the park. April public commenters maintained that having a bathroom facility at the park would disrupt the peace of the park and the safety of the street’s residents. Some said that the park already has unwanted visitors at night that participate in illegal substance use and other dangerous activities. Sailfish Drive resident Carol Moneypenny, who spoke in April, told The Beacon at the input session that the road has no sidewalks and that people mainly walk along the road. She said adding any recreational enhancements, like a restroom, could create a large safety issue for pedestrians. She said she grew up playing at the park and that it’s a state jewel for wildlife, native plants and coastal beauty. “It’s always been a beautiful, natural spot on the beach,” she said. Moneypenny and her husband, Steve, said they have fought several times to keep the park the way it has been since they moved there in 1994. They said they have created several petitions against changing the park over the years and said they consistently get a lot of support. “We’re rallying to keep it natural,” Carol Moneypenny said. Steve Moneypenny said there is already a parking issue at the park with people parking in residents’ yards, blocking driveways and sometimes parking in the driveways, and noted that adding anything to the park would cause more people, thus, more problems. He said he wants wildlife protected and doesn’t want anything done to cause high attraction to the park but is in support of fixing the parking, retaining wall and bulkhead. “Once you lose it, it’s gone,” he said about the Sailfish Park wildlife and nature. “It’s worth protecting.” Tarpon Drive resident Melanie Champion spoke in favor of enhancing the bulkhead at the park and making the area more accessible for folks with difficulty walking. Though in favor of some of the enhancements, Champion said she does not want large structures or facilities that could encourage criminal behavior, noting she doesn’t want the Holden Beach Police Department to take on more responsibility than they already carry. “Simple is best,” she noted. Holden Beach Commissioners Tracey Thomas and Rick Paarfus and Mayor Pro-Tem Tom Myers attended the public input session, after the town posted a quorum notice, and told The Brunswick Beacon they were happy to see the good turnout. Thomas said she is interested to see what the residents had to say.
Read more » click here 

THB Newsletter (01/12/24)
Pickleball Classes
Pickleball classes will be held every Monday starting at 10:00 a.m. for beginners, 11:00 a.m. for intermediate and every Tuesday starting at 4:30 p.m. for ages 12-17, 5:30 p.m. for beginners, 6:30 p.m. for intermediate, and 7:30 p.m. for advanced, from March 18th through May 7th at Bridgeview Park. Cost is $100 for the season for residents and $110 for non-residents (or $180 for two classes per week for the season for both residents and nonresidents). For more information click here. 

Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the Holden Beach Board of Commissioners will be present at the Essentials of Municipal Government training course January 18 and 19, 2024.

THB Newsletter (01/18/24)
Shag Lessons
The Town of Holden Beach will offer shag lessons at the Holden Beach Chapel on Thursday evenings beginning February 29th and going through April 4th. Cost is $60 for residents for the series and $70 for non-residents. Beginners’ classes will run from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. and intermediate from 6:15 – 7:00 p.m. You must have a dance partner in order to sign up. The instructor for the class will be Chuck Boney. Register by emailing Christy at [email protected] with your name, phone number and whether you are interested in the beginner or intermediate class. 

Inspections Permit Specialist
Inspections will be looking to fill its front desk position ASAP with the vacancy created by the recent release of the individual filling that slot.

Water/Sewer Account
Please note that you have a NEW ACCOUNT NUMBER for your water/sewer account. It is very important that you include the correct account number on your memo line when remitting payment, you will not be sending a paper stub in when making your payment moving forward. Click here if you would like to be set up on bank draft.

National Flood Insurance Program: Reauthorization
Congress must periodically renew the NFIP’s statutory authority to operate. On November 17, 2023, the President signed legislation passed by Congress that extends the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP’s) authorization to February 2, 2024.

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

Town of Holden Beach officially established on February 14, 1969

Celebrating our 55^th Anniversary!

14.   Mayor’s Comments

From the Mayor’s Desk (01/20/24)

NC Rate Bureau Requests Increase in Homeowners’ Insurance Rates

Please see the following press release from the NC Department of Insurance and respond accordingly to help keep the cost of ownership at Holden Beach down. The press release details four ways to provide feedback during the public comment process.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced that the North Carolina Rate Bureau filed a rate filing with the North Carolina Department of Insurance on Wednesday asking for an average statewide increase in homeowners’ insurance rates of 42.2%.

The Rate Bureau has asked for the rates to become effective Aug. 1.

The North Carolina Rate Bureau represents companies that write insurance policies in the state and is a separate entity from the North Carolina Department of Insurance.

This rate filing follows the homeowners’ insurance rate filing that the Department of Insurance received from the North Carolina Rate Bureau in November 2020, where the Rate Bureau requested an overall average increase of 24.5%. That filing resulted in a settlement between Commissioner Causey and the Rate Bureau for an overall average rate increase of 7.9%.

A public comment period is required by law to give the public time to address the proposed rate increase. There are four ways to provide comments:

• • A public comment forum will be held to listen to public input on the North Carolina Rate Bureau’s rate increase request at the North Carolina Department of Insurance’s Jim Long Hearing Room on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Jim Long Hearing Room is in the Albemarle Building, 325 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603.
  • A virtual public comment forum will be held simultaneously with the in-person forum on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    The link to this virtual forum will be:
    https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=mb3fe10c8f69bbedd2aaece485915db7e
  • Emailed public comments should be sent by Feb. 2 to: [email protected].
  • Written public comments must be received by Kimberly W. Pearce, Paralegal III, by Feb. 2 and addressed to 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1201.

 All public comments will be shared with the North Carolina Rate Bureau. If Department of Insurance officials do not agree with the requested rates, the rates will either be denied or negotiated with the North Carolina Rate Bureau. If a settlement cannot be reached within 50 days, the Commissioner will call for a hearing.

To see a specific table of proposed homeowners’ rate increases across the state, please click here.

The Causeway plan is available for your review.
It is important for our community to stay engaged in the process.

Previously reported – August 2022
Alan said that he is getting a lot of complaints about the causeway.  He reminded everyone that the causeway is not part of the Town of Holden Beach, but it is a part of Brunswick County. There is an ongoing effort to make improvements and they are discussing a number of opportunities to beautify the causeway.

HB Causeway Study Report » click here

THB Newsletter (01/25/24)
Holden Beach Causeway Study
The Grand Strand Area Transportation Study MPO (GSATS) funded a study to improve the Holden Beach Causeway by observing the area and addressing the concerns of Causeway business owners and patrons as well as the community related to vehicular and pedestrian safety, accessibility, right‐of‐way encroachments, and parking deficiencies. This study provides insight as to how the corridor functions and ideas for future improvements from a transportation and land use perspective.

For more information and to view the study, visit the Brunswick County Planning Department’s website: https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/409/Holden-Beach-Causeway-Transportation-Cor

The Draft Holden Beach Causeway Transportation Study will go to the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners for a public hearing and for their consideration on February 5, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.

General Comments –

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

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

The following twenty-seven (27) items are what’s In the Works/Loose Ends queue:

• • • • 796 OBW Project
      • Accessory Structure
      • Accommodation/Occupancy Tax Compliance
      • ADA Mediation Agreement
      • Audit Committee Chair
        
      • Beach Mat Plan
      • Bike Lanes
      • Block Q Project
      • Carolina Avenue
      • Crosswalks OBW
      • Dog Park
      • Fire Station Project
      • Harbor Acres
      • Hatteras Ramp/Coastal Waterfront Access Grant
      • ICW/No Wake Zone Enforcement
      • Inlet Hazard Areas
      • Parking – 800 Block
      • Pavilion Replacement
      • Pier Properties Project
      • Rights-of-Way
      • Sailfish Park Site Project
      • Sewer System/Lift station #2
      • Stormwater Management Project
      • USACE/Coastal Storm Risk Management Study
      • Water System Assessment/Water Tower
      • Waste Ordinance Enforcement Policy
      • Wetland Delineation/Bulkheading
        

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.

Hurricane Season
For more information » click here.

Be prepared – have a plan!

Board of Commissioners’ – Scorecard

 NYC Mayor Koch used to ask – How am I doing?

 Imagine if the BOC’s asked you – How’d they do?

The goal of government is to make citizens better off.

Action Taken – 2023

January
Ordinance 23-01, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance (#9)
.     • Budget appropriation of $119,200 (implement pay plan)

Adoption Resolution 23-01, Assessment roll for paving of Seagull Drive

February
Ordinance 23-02, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance (#10)
.     • Budget appropriation of $172,682 for water system assessment agreement
Ordinance 23-03, amend firearms ordinance
Ordinance 23-04, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance (#11)
.     • Budget appropriation of $7,988
.     • Recognizes money received for the sale of assets
Adoption Resolution 23-03, amend paid parking fee schedule

March
Adoption Resolution 23-02, become a member of American Flood Coalition
Adoption Resolution 23-04, Assessment Roll for Seagull paving
Adoption Resolution 23-05, Public Works fee schedule
Adoption Resolution 23-06, Building fee schedule
Ordinance 23-05, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance (#12)
.     • Budget appropriation for 796 OBW of $48,440
Ordinance 23-06, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance (#13)
.     • Parking revenue budget appropriation of $50,908
Ordinance 23-07, Chapter 93: Junked Vehicles and Equipment
.     • Restrictions Enumerated

April
Adoption Resolution 23-07, Building fee schedule amend effective date
Adoption Resolution 23-08, participate in NC CLASS
Ordinance 23-08, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance (#14)
.     • Grant for beach access at the pier, town match of $16,746
Adoption Resolution 23-09, Lockwood Folly Inlet Maintenance Project Grant
Adoption Resolution 23-10, ADA Mediation Agreement

May
Ordinance 23-09, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance (#15)
.     • American Rescue Plan money
.     • Budget appropriation of $211,616 (transfer funds between accounts)
Ordinance 23-10, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance (#16)
.     • Lockwood Folly Inlet Dredging
.     • Budget appropriation of $106,250

June
Ordinance 23-11, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance  / Budget Ordinance
.     • Approved the town’s $98.4 million-dollar Budget Ordinance

July
Ordinance 23-12, Chapter 157: Zoning Code
.     • Lot Coverage

August
Adoption Resolution 23-11, Installment Financing Contract
.     • Lift Station #2 / $5,000,000

September
NA

October
Ordinance 23-13, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance (#1)
.     • ADA / Key Bridge Foundation comply with mediation agreement
.     • Budget appropriation of $261,753 (transfer funds between accounts)

November
Ordinance 23-14, The Revenues and Appropriations Ordinance (#2)
Ordinance 23-15, Order to close Carolina Avenue for Block Q  project
Adoption Resolution 23-12, Water Resources Development Grant

December
NA

Wishing you a new year filled with health and happiness 

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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

https://lousviews.com/

Lou’s Views
News & Views / January Edition

Calendar of Events –

NA

Discover a wide range of things to do in the Brunswick Islands for an experience that goes beyond the beach.
For more information » click here.

Calendar of Events Island –

Shag Lessons
The Town of Holden Beach will offer shag lessons at the Holden Beach Chapel on Thursday evenings beginning February 29th and going through April 4th. Cost is $60 for residents for the series and $70 for non-residents. Beginners’ classes will run from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. and intermediate from 6:15 – 7:00 p.m. You must have a dance partner in order to sign up. The instructor for the class will be Chuck Boney. Register by emailing Christy at [email protected] with your name, phone number and whether you are interested in the beginner or intermediate class. 

Pickleball Classes
Pickleball classes will be held every Monday starting at 10:00 a.m. for beginners, 11:00 a.m. for intermediate and every Tuesday starting at 4:30 p.m. for ages 12-17, 5:30 p.m. for beginners, 6:30 p.m. for intermediate, and 7:30 p.m. for advanced, from March 18th through May 7th at Bridgeview Park. Cost is $100 for the season for residents and $110 for non-residents (or $180 for two classes per week for the season for both residents and nonresidents). For more information click here. 

Parks & Recreation / Programs & Events
For more information » click here

Reminders –

Solid Waste Pick-Up Schedule
GFL Environmental change in service, trash pickup will be once a week. This year September 30^th was the  the last Saturday trash pick-up until June. Trash collection will go back to Tuesdays only.

Please note:
. • Trash carts must be at the street by 6:00 a.m. on the pickup day
. • BAG the trash before putting it in the cart
. • Carts will be rolled back to the front of the house

Solid Waste Pick-up Schedule – starting October once a week

Recycling – starting October every other week

Curbside Recycling – 2024
GFL Environmental is now offering curbside recycling for Town properties that desire to participate in the service. The service cost per cart is $106.88 annually paid in advance to the Town of Holden Beach. The service consists of a ninety-six (96) gallon cart that is emptied every other week during the months of October – May and weekly during the months of June – September. 
Curbside Recycling Application » click here
Curbside Recycling Calendar » click here

Recycling renewal form was sent, you should have gotten e-mail letter already 

Upon Further Review –

• Bike Lane
  Property owners along Ocean Boulevard were sent a CAMA notice from the DOT
  .
  Key takeaways:

• • • • Add 7’ asphalt to the south side of existing pavement
      • Add 3’ asphalt to the north side of existing pavement
      • Recenter the travel lanes
      • Create two (2) five (5) foot bike lanes on either side of the road

DOT informed us the cost of the has significantly increased by almost 30%
The good news is that our portion is only an additional $23,000 so far

Previously reported – October 2023

DOT Bike Lane Report Presentation » click here

The plan includes bike lanes of 5’ on each side of Ocean Boulevard. It will be an asymmetrical widening, that is 7’ on the south side and only 3’ on the north side where the sidewalk is. 

Highland Paving has been awarded the contract and has already met with the town staff

Surveying has already been completed and work on storm water issues will begin in November

Paving prep work will start once that is completed, probably sometime in December

They anticipate that the actual paving project will be done beginning March

Work will be done starting from the west end of the island working east

They are still committing to completing the project before Memorial Day

THB Newsletter (10/20/23)
Ocean Boulevard Resurfacing and Bike Lane Project
Highland Paving met with the Department of Transportation and staff last week to discuss the upcoming project. They communicated that storm water work will begin in November. The subsequent paving prep work, which we are thinking will take place in December, will involve removal of the road shoulders, three feet on the north side of the road and seven feet on the south side of the road. We do not know where the contractor will be at any given point in time. Property owners are responsible for removing any material (landscape timbers/specialty rock, etc.) from the construction area that they don’t want hauled off by the contractor. Replacement material will be generic ABC stone. Mailboxes will be moved/reset, but if they fall apart, the contractor will install a generic replacement. We are forecasting the paving won’t begin until March/April, with the project being completed by Memorial Day.

THB Newsletter (12/21/23)
Ocean Boulevard Resurfacing and Bike Lane Project
Paving prep work for the project will involve removal of the road shoulders, three feet on the north side of the road and seven feet on the south side of the road. Work is scheduled to start in the beginning of January. Make sure to remove any materials before this time.  Property owners are responsible for removing any material (landscape timbers/specialty rock, etc.) from the construction area that they don’t want hauled off by the contractor. Replacement material will be generic ABC stone. Mailboxes will be moved/reset, but if they fall apart, the contractor will install a generic replacement.

THB Newsletter (01/16/24)
DOT Resurfacing and Bike Lane Project
The contractor will start moving mailboxes and street signs this week. Mailboxes will be relocated to the far edge of the right-of-way. Mail service is not expected to be impacted. Subsequent work on clearing material from the right-of-way is scheduled to begin once this work has been completed.

Corrections & Amplifications –

Holden Beach Causeway – Facebook
Sometimes change is out of our control but if we recognize it in time, we can help influence change to have a positive outcome. Our community is special and no longer a secret. The area’s population increase is happening at a rapid pace. The Holden Beach Causeway has become insufficient to meet today’s demand. Spend a little time on the Causeway and it is easy to see it is unsafe for pedestrians and vehicles entering and exiting the local businesses. The crash rating on the Causeway is three (3) times higher than the NC state average for similar roads. Since 2018 I have persistently advocated for a study on developing the necessary changes needed on the Holden Beach Causeway. The Holden Beach Causeway Corridor Study was approved and funded in 2019. The study was developed with the influence of the Causeway property owners working with Brunswick County Planning, the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study (GSATS). A special thank you to the Causeway Property Owners who were a part of the Causeway Study Steering Committee. Lyn Holden, Gina Robinson, Steven Parish, Joe Shannon, Andrew Robinson and I dedicated a lot of time working on the study. Communicating with other Causeway property owners and representing what is right for our community, to prevent an unwanted outcome. The steering committee involved Tri-Beach Fire Department in the conversations. Including their opinions on the study’s development to assure they had sufficient access through the Causeway and to the island for emergency response. All headed up by the carefully chosen consulting firm, Bolten and Menk. The consulting firm did an amazing job working with all of the obstacles on the Causeway, consulting with the steering committee and business owners about their concerns of any negative impacts from the project. We are proud to present to you the Holden Beach Causeway Corridor Study. Please visit the link below to review the final draft. Considering all of the obstacles and considerations for everyone, the outcome offers a bright future for our community. It also provides a path for sustainability and safety for our Causeway and its businesses, as our area continues to grow.

What happens next?
Chairman to the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Randy Thompson, has requested an endorsement for the Holden Beach Causeway Project from the Town of Holden Beach. Commissioner Thompson’s position for requesting the Town endorsement is the Causeway is the highway ingress, egress to the island. Next, the study will be presented to the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners for endorsement. Once the study has been endorsed by Brunswick County, the study will go back to the Grand Strand Area Transportation Study for adoption. Once adopted by GSATS, we can begin applying for Funding. It has been a long road to get to this point and we have a long road ahead to receive funding and begin construction. Thank you all for your support for the Holden Beach Causeway Project. We will need your continuous support as we navigate through the next phase of this process. I will keep this page posted as developments are made with the County required endorsements and the road to GSATS adoption.
Jabin Norris president of PROACTIVE Real Estate
For more information » click here

HB Causeway Study Report » click here

THB Newsletter (01/25/24)
Holden Beach Causeway Study
The Grand Strand Area Transportation Study MPO (GSATS) funded a study to improve the Holden Beach Causeway by observing the area and addressing the concerns of Causeway business owners and patrons as well as the community related to vehicular and pedestrian safety, accessibility, right‐of‐way encroachments, and parking deficiencies. This study provides insight as to how the corridor functions and ideas for future improvements from a transportation and land use perspective.

For more information and to view the study, visit the Brunswick County Planning Department’s website: https://www.brunswickcountync.gov/409/Holden-Beach-Causeway-Transportation-Cor

The Draft Holden Beach Causeway Transportation Study will go to the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners for a public hearing and for their consideration on February 5, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. 

Previously reported – February 2023
A popular Brunswick beach road could soon see needed improvements.
Here’s the first step.
A popular Brunswick County road could see much-needed improvements if a project more than four years in the making gets its final go-ahead. Since 2019, Holden Beach residents have pushed local and state leaders to fund a study looking at the Holden Beach Causeway, the business strip on the mainland side of Holden Beach. Now, with a contractor in place and funding squared away, state and local leaders are eager for the study to get underway.

Here’s what to know as officials await the green light to begin.

What will be studied?
The Grand Strand Area Transportation Study (Myrtle Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization) is leading the Holden Beach Causeway Study. The GSATS MPO study area boundary encompasses the northern coast area of South Carolina, including portions of Horry and Georgetown counties, and the southern coastal area of North Carolina including portions of Brunswick County. According to Marc Hoeweler, MPO Director at GSATS, the study will focus primarily on access management by studying existing rights-of-way and driveways and how they can best be structured and ordered for better traffic flow. Hoeweler said the project was prompted by a request from the county. The study would also address pedestrian safety concerns and parking deficiencies. Following its completion, the study would serve as a guide for future road improvements and development along the causeway.

What is the cost?
The $40,000 study will be funded with both federal and local dollars. According to Hoeweler, 80% (or $32,000) will be funded by federal money, while a 20% (or $8,000) local match will be provided by Brunswick County.

What’s the hold up?
According to Brunswick County officials, GSATS is currently working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to finalize the contract with the consulting firm. Following a “competitive” selection process, Minnesota-based engineering firm Bolton & Menk was selected for the project. Once a final contract is signed by all parties, work on the study will begin. Hoeweler said he expects approval any day now and a kickoff meeting could occur within a week of the contract being signed.
Read more » click here

Bridge lanes to be closed for months during repairs
A preservation project, to extend the life of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, will temporarily close portions of the bridge in the coming months. Built in 1967, the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is reaching the end of its lifecycle and must be monitored, inspected and maintained on a more frequent basis. Daily inspections of the steel vertical-lift bridge have shown the need to conduct longer-lasting improvements. The work scheduled to begin in early 2024 will repair the moveable bridge deck. Weather and material dependent, the eastbound lanes heading into Wilmington will close as early as Jan. 3. The westbound lanes will remain open to traffic. During this closure, those wanting to drive into Wilmington will detour to take the Isabel Holmes Bridge to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to College Road. The bridge is scheduled to be open in both directions on April 1-7 for the North Carolina Azalea Festival in downtown Wilmington. Tentatively, on April 8, contract crews will close the westbound lanes to traffic and reopen before Memorial Day. The contractor, Southern Road & Bridge LLC, was awarded the $7.1 million contract on Nov. 30. The department has incentivized the company to finish early, potentially earning an extra $500,000. The N.C. Department of Transportation will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.
Read more » click here

Local officials, DOT squabble as Cape Fear Memorial Bridge lane closures loom
The DOT intends to close traffic in one direction over the Memorial Bridge for months at a time, starting as soon as early January, to allow much-needed repairs to the bridge’s moveable mid-section
Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo was fuming. In early January, the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) intends to shut down both lanes of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge carrying traffic from Brunswick County into Wilmington for several months. After reopening the bridge in both directions in early April for the N.C. Azalea Festival, the lanes into Brunswick County from the Port City will be closed until Memorial Day − roughly seven weeks. With the Memorial Bridge carrying more than 72,000 vehicles a day, the move means thousands of Brunswick County commuters and other drivers will have to find a new route to reach businesses, shops, medical facilities, family and friends on the New Hanover County side of the Cape Fear River. The mayor of Wilmington said only formally announcing the work Dec. 1 via a news release that the state intended to shut down lanes on the city’s main bridge crossing for an extended period was unacceptable. “I’m not sugarcoating it,” Saffo said recently. “This isn’t a problem created by local governments. This is a problem created by the state government, and they should have been at the table a lot earlier.”

‘Tough situation’
The need to replace the Memorial Bridge, which opened to traffic in 1969, has been a slow-moving crisis for decades that’s about to hit the front burner. While New Hanover and Brunswick officials for years and even decades have been unable to agree on many aspects of a new crossing, including where it should go and how it should be financed, the DOT has been crystal clear there isn’t enough money in the agency’s budget to build a new bridge and associated roadway infrastructure without outside funding sources − whether tolls, a local revenue source, a public-private partnership or federal help. But local officials, backed by many residents, have shown little appetite for tolls to replace a bridge that’s currently free to cross, and efforts to increase the region’s sales tax rate like Myrtle Beach and Charleston did to build new transportation infrastructure have gone nowhere. The DOT also has been vocal, especially in recent years, that the clock is ticking on how long they can keep the bridge operational as container truck traffic and overall traffic volumes continue to climb. But Saffo and other local officials have pushed back against the DOT, noting a lot of the wear and tear the state-owned bridge is seeing is due to the rapid growth the state-run Port of Wilmington has seen in recent years. They also point to projects in other parts of the state the DOT is constructing through traditional, non-tolling ways to deal with growth and congestion. “This is putting us in a really tough situation,” Saffo said, of the impending lane closures. “We’re trying to accommodate the port, the state, but also trying to protect the residents of those communities that are going to be impacted by this closure, and with all the impacts this is going to cause I feel strongly that we would have had a lot more discussion, outreach efforts on the DOT’s part than what we’ve seen.”

DOT: Local officials were aware
At a recent New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting, county officials raised similar concerns about a lack of communication from the DOT. Commissioner Jonathan Barfield called the state’s lack of public outreach a “dereliction of duty to our community,” while Commissioner Rob Zapple said he didn’t understand why the repair work was going to take so long when major infrastructure projects with significant impacts in other parts of the country get done in a much shorter time span then what’s being proposed with the bridge deck repairs. But DOT officials, who didn’t attend the commissioners’ meeting, have pushed back against the criticism. They’ve said the agency has made presentations about the upcoming project and the need for the work at several monthly meetings of the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which is made up of elected officials from the region and helps guide transportation policy and priorities for the Cape Fear area. Several local media outlets, including the StarNews, also reported about the upcoming lane closures this summer and early fall. In response to questions about why both lanes in one direction need to be shut at a time, the DOT has said it’s the only way to replace the support beams for the bridge’s riding deck, since it requires removing part of the roadway. The riding deck is the open-grated steel deck in the middle of the Memorial Bridge that is raised to allow tall ships to pass under the span.

‘A bitter pill’
With no easy or fast solution and a lot of immediate traffic pain in sight, there are few easy answers for Wilmington and Brunswick County residents about to be consumed by gridlock. While acknowledging the failures of local officials in past years to agree on a plan forward and the DOT unable or unwilling to commit the funds necessary for a new bridge, state Rep. Deb Butler said it’s going to be a tough first few months in 2024. “This is one of those big, Herculean infrastructure projects that’s going to be disruptive,” said the Wilmington Democrat, whose district includes the city’s downtown area. “It is, it just is. If we want a new bridge, we better understand that all of us are going to be dissatisfied a little bit. It’s just a bitter pill we’re all going to have to swallow.” But Butler said she was confident that state and local officials will be able to navigate a path forward to building a replacement crossing. “I believe if Charleston (South Carolina) and Savannah (Georgia) can do it, we can do it,” she said, referring to two Southern coastal towns like Wilmington that have built new downtown bridge crossings in recent decades. “I firmly believe that in my heart.”  While a new replacement Memorial Bridge might still be years off, there’s at least one piece of good news. The DOT’s $7.1 million contract for the deck-replacement work includes significant financial rewards for the contractor to get the work done early. A similar incentive offer helped get the new high-rise bridge in Surf City, which opened in 2018, completed 10 months ahead of schedule. Staffers with the DOT and several local governments, including Wilmington and New Hanover and Brunswick counties, also intend to meet weekly, starting Tuesday, to flush out emergency response, public communication efforts and other plans for when the bridge lanes are closed. At the recent commissioners’ meeting, County Manager Chris Coudriet also said that while Jan. 3, 2024, was the first day the contractor could start work, DOT officials have said that didn’t necessarily mean that’s when the lane closures would take place. “What was made very clear around the table by city and both county staffs is we need plenty of advance notice if it’s not going to be Jan. 3, what date is it so that we can communicate and prepare our communities,” he told the commissioners.
Read more » click here

‘Quite the mess:’ Cape Fear Memorial Bridge lane closures to impact local businesses, employees
More than 60,000 vehicles cross the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge each day according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Starting as soon as Jan. 3, both lanes on the bridge heading into Wilmington will close so crews can make repairs to the moveable deck. After those repairs are complete, NCDOT officials say those lanes will reopen, and the lanes into Brunswick County will close. The repairs could last until Memorial Day. Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Deputy Director Abby Lorenzo says the organization has been working with local businesses to prepare for the upcoming traffic. NCDOT officials expect traffic to be detoured across the Isabel Holmes Bridge and I-140. While this is sure to cause delays, Lorenzo says the best way to limit headaches is to reduce the number of cars on the road. “If you have the ability to shift when you’re out on the road traveling if you have the opportunity to go with your neighbors to the grocery store or whatever trip you may have planned, those are all eating and removing those vehicle miles traveled,” Lorenzo said. Lorenzo says WMPO’s Go Coast program can help people understand how to use alternate forms of transportation to get where they need to go. “Every trip saved, even if it seems like a minimal low impact, it is helping,” said Lorenzo. “[But] it’s not going to mitigate all the congestion we’re going to see.” Laurie Anderson is a teacher who lives in Leland but works in New Hanover County. She says she is already planning to leave an hour earlier than usual to get to work once the repair work begins. “I am going to try starting an hour early to get to just the other side of the Cape Fear Bridge which is normally about 12 [minutes]. I’ll start at 6 a.m. but if there’s an accident who knows what will happen,” Anderson said. The lane closures and inevitable traffic are also likely to impact businesses on both sides of the bridge. While Lorenzo and WMPO officials have suggested remote work as an option to reduce traffic, that is not an option for Anderson or Waterline Brewing Company Owner Rob Robinson. Robinson says the repair work will impact his business- and others nearby- in more ways than one. “I think that the bridge closure is going to have kind of a subtle effect, not just the overt effect,” said Robinson. “It’s going to create traffic problems in the drive across for the businesses like us that do deliveries, but I think it’s also going to impact the number of people that might just stay home instead of going out.”  NCDOT Engineer Chad Kimes says the bridge repairs need to be done before the summer to avoid the possibility of having to shut the entire bridge down. Robinson, meanwhile, hopes that the repairs will not make the slow season even slower. “We get a lot of people that come to visit us and the rest of downtown from Brunswick County and from Leland and they come across the bridge and so, going all the way around to Isabel Holmes is going to be quite the mess,” Robinson said. NCDOT awarded a $7.1 million contract to Southern Road & Bridge LLC for the project. The company can earn an additional $500,000 if the project is finished early.
Read more » click here

Detour ahead:
These are your options for getting to Wilmington when the bridge closes
The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge’s upcoming lane closures have caused a lot of commotion among residents and elected leaders in recent weeks. The eastbound lanes heading into Wilmington will close on Jan. 11 for roughly three months, though the westbound lanes will remain open to traffic until April 8. The cause for the lane closures comes from the much-needed moveable bridge deck repairs. While long-overdue, such preservation repairs on the more than 40-year-old bridge are likely to cause major traffic delays for those who rely on it to access Wilmington. “This is going to be a tremendous nightmare” going up and down Front Street, MLK Parkway, College Road and Shipyard Boulevard, New Hanover County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield said recently. “It’s going to be pretty much gridlocked for a lot of individuals.” The N.C. Department of Transportation detour will have motorists taking the Isabel Holmes Bridge to Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and then to College Road. Here are some other alternate routes. They may take additional time and planning, but they will allow drivers to avoid traffic tie-ups expected at the Isabel Holmes Bridge. From Leland to Wilmington: Instead of taking the Isabel Holmes Bridge, consider taking I-140 to U.S. 117. This will eventually connect to College Road but will avoid much of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway. From Southport to Wilmington: Consider taking the Southport / Fort Fisher Ferry to U.S. 421, and then connecting to U.S. 117. Estimated time: About one hour. From southern Brunswick County (including Shallotte and Oak Island): Taking the NCDOT detour might be the best option. Alternatively, drivers could use the Southport Ferry or travel north to I-40 toward the Castle Hayne and Northchase area. But these extensive routes would take around an hour and a half to two hours of travel time. From Castle Hayne to downtown Wilmington: While those coming from Castle Hayne won’t have to worry about crossing any major bridges, if drivers are looking to avoid Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway and College Road, taking I-40 to Gordon Road, and then to U.S. 17 could be a good option. Estimated time: About 30 minutes.

What’s next?
According to NCDOT, the bridge is scheduled to be open in both directions on April 1-7 for the Azalea Festival. On April 8, westbound lanes on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge will be closed to traffic and should reopen sometime before Memorial Day.
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Buckle Up!

Odds & Ends –

What are the Seneca Guns?
Could they be earthquake rumbles or ghostly echoes?
For decades, residents along the Cape Fear coast have reported hearing mysterious booms. What sounds like loud explosions are typically heard several times a year, which often sets off a flurry of rumors on social media. The puzzling vibrations, which rattle homes and shake the ground, are referred to as the Seneca Guns.

Where did the name come from?
The name may be misleading, as it doesn’t refer to actual firearms. The term Seneca Guns originated to describe a phenomenon in New York, describing booms near Lake Seneca in the Finger Lakes region, according to the United States Geological Survey. Overtime, this term has transcended its origins and is now commonly used across the Carolinas and Virginia to characterize similar unexplained events. 

What causes the loud booms?
The origin remains a mystery, prompting North Carolina residents to frequently speculate on possible causes.After an unexplainable boom startled numerous Brunswick residents in 2022, UNCW Environmental Sciences Lecturer Robert D. Shew provided some insight into the matter. “Seneca Guns have been heard mostly near the coast but inland as well and they have been reported for many years,” Shew said. “Unusual sources of the sound have been given as earthquakes, bolide (meteoroid) breakup above ground, and military operations.” Despite the military consistently refuting the claim, some still attribute the sounds to off-book military testing and training activities happening offshore. 

Could the phenomenon be supernatural?
Some attribute the phenomenon to supernatural claims, proposing that the mysterious sounds could be echoes of cannon fire from the Civil War 158 years ago. Alternative theories propose the events might be linked to the shifting of tectonic plates under the ocean floor or storms brewing in the distance off the coastline.  The enigma surrounding the Seneca Guns persists, and whatever the cause, the mysterious booms will continue to startle and intrigue North Carolina residents.
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Accommodation/Occupancy Tax Compliance

Editor’s note –
Accommodation/Occupancy Tax Compliance should go to the top of the queue because it provides an additional revenue stream. The software will allow the town to identify properties currently being used for short-term rentals. The more properties that properly comply, the more accommodations tax revenue the town will receive.

City enters into contract to monitor short-term rentals
The City of Southport hopes to have found a short-term answer that will lead to a long-term solution for its short-term vacation rental issues. The board of aldermen has authorized a one-year contract with the software company Granicus for three modules to help the city identify short-term vacation rentals within its limits. The action came by a 4-2 vote Friday at Indian Trail Meeting Hall. The cost is $9,840. “We think the best path moving forward, as the board sees fit, is to contract with Granicus for one year to see how much it benefits us,” said Assistant City Manager/City Clerk Dorothy Dutton. “It’s going to be the best source, in our mind, to capture all the existing short-term vacation rentals and monitor them for a year.”

No updated list
The city has struggled in the past to enforce its short-term vacation rental ordinance. Things became complicated when the state made annual registration requirements for short-term vacation home permits illegal. As a result, Southport removed the registration requirement from its books. The city does not have an updated annual registration list to refer to in order to identify properties being used for short-term rentals. Monitoring social media, direct observation and relying on complaints from neighbors were possible ways to try to tackle the problem, but the city may have found a better option with the use of software. Southport had about 180 short-term rentals in July 2023, said Dutton, and it derives about $250,000 in annual revenue from its occupancy tax. “I’m looking forward to the enforcement piece of this with the software because whenever you’re just relying on complaint-based (reporting), you have inconsistent enforcement,” said Alderman Karen Mosteller.

Kelley: educate owners
Aldermen Rebecca Kelley and Marc Spencer voted against the measure. Kelley said the city receives lump-sum occupancy tax payments from online booking companies Vrbo and Airbnb, but the companies don’t identify the property owners. “Is it also possible that by identifying those that are in violation right now, we could potentially lose up to $150,000 in our current revenue because as it comes in (from) Vrbo and Airbnb, those are not flagged to us as to who they are?” she asked. “So, we could potentially spend $10,000 to lose $100,000 here, guys.” Kelley liked the idea of educating current short-term rental owners and realtors about the city’s regulations. “By sharing with them what our goals are for Southport, we could potentially do this without spending the $10,000,” she said. “Now will some still sneak through? Sure. There’s no way to catch all of them by doing that, but we have the potential to not spend that much money and still catch a lot of people that are doing this and be able to move through it a different way. Rather than spending money to lose money, let’s see if we can do it by working with the people who are doing it correctly first.”

Carroll responds
Alderman Robert Carroll wasn’t convinced by that approach, saying, “My perspective on that is illegal is illegal, and I don’t care how much money we’re getting from those illegals.” He did agree that education on the matter is needed. Some people, he said, misunderstood when the city did away with the registration requirement, thinking that allowed short-term vacation rentals. “I go into situations where people are saying, ‘Oh no, short-term (rentals), you can do them again,’” Carroll said. “All we did was remove the requirement to register and pay. That’s all we did. We did not say you can go do them again. “We need to educate people that that’s the case.” Moreover, Carroll said relying on realtors to spread the word about the city’s occupancy statute “is way far-fetched. If that realtor wants to be a professional and learn these things and talk from an educated perspective, that’s their business.” After the vote was taken, Spencer said, “I think that the Airbnb law is an illegal taking of property rights and we have created a line in the sand that we are now having to enforce. I don’t necessarily like Airbnb.” “I suspect that we’ve got people that are not going through Airbnb or whatever, doing it word of mouth, whatever,” Alderman Frank Lai said. “So, we don’t know who they are. We’re losing a lot of money that way.” Carroll sounded hopeful that once people are properly informed, “We will ultimately see herd compliance. We will start to see people do what they’re supposed to do.”
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Previously reported – November 2023
How this Brunswick beach town is cracking down on short-term rental properties
Officials in one Brunswick County beach town are looking to keep a closer eye on short-term rental properties. After discovering many short-term rentals in Sunset Beach were underreporting or not reporting proper accommodations tax to the town, town officials have signed a $45,000 yearlong contract with GovOS to help better monitor such properties in the town. GovOS is a software platform that works with state and local governments to streamline various processes involving property, licensing and taxing. GovOS promised its short-term rental software would help increase short-term compliance in the town. According to Sunset Beach staff, research on this subject in the town began over two years ago. GovOS estimated the town has 637 short-term rental properties. Of those, the company estimated some 200 are fully in compliance with the town’s accommodation tax ordinance. Accommodations tax is a tax on short-term rental properties – properties that are rented through platforms such as AirBnB or VRBO. In Sunset Beach, accommodations taxes are levied at a rate of 6% of the gross rental income, which includes a 3% tourism-related expenditure tax, a 2% beach nourishment and protection tax, and a 1% county tourism and travel tax. According to Sunset Beach, the property owner or agent are required to pay the full 6% tax to the town with a tax report form monthly based on income from the previous month. Even if no rental receipts are applicable for that month, property owners or agents must file reports month. The software will allow the town to identify properties currently being used for short-term rentals – a feat town staff has struggled with in the wake of the explosion of short-term rental platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO. Once the properties are identified, the software will report the short-term rental properties to the town along with a variety of information on the properties and their tax reporting history. The more properties that properly comply, the more accommodations tax revenue the town will receive. According to the town’s budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, the town anticipates collecting some $775,000 in accommodations taxes, a figure that could be nearly doubled if this software is successful. The Sunset Beach Town Council heard a presentation from GovOS in September before awarding the contract in October, at the request of town staff.
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This and That –

A New York Professor Wages Epic Battle Against Rats Attacking His Car
From hot sauce to hiding, desperate auto owners are trying everything to keep critters from chewing expensive wiring. ‘They will find you.’ Tom Marion, a theater professor at the City University of New York, is a survivor of roughly four rodent invasions of his car, which he parks in a city that is home to an estimated two million rats. It can feel like he’s tried as many tricks to defend his ride. The 62-year-old Manhattanite has wrapped his ignition wires in minty tape, doused garlic-scented potion on his engine, and he purposely parks in a different spot each night, trying to stay a whisker ahead of the enemy. It is as if his car is made out of cheese. “They will find you,” he says, of rats. “And they all know each other and they talk to each other.” Rodents have long ravaged automobiles, and anecdotal reports of critter-on-car B & Es rose in the pandemic, which reduced driving, a pattern that persisted. But skyrocketing now is the wild world of remedies being touted to confounded drivers, especially in cold weather when your stationary sedan can become a flop house for vagrant varmints. “Help. I have rats in my car and they are destroying everything,” said a December Reddit post, one of many like it, that drew more than 150 replies, including tips to stick bars of Irish Spring soap in the cabin, center console and trunk; “pee next to the car”; spray ammonia near the wheels; place dryer sheets under the hood and seats, or take the nuclear option: “In a few weeks your best option will likely be to set the car on fire and claim insurance,” said one suggestion. Arizona photographic artist Steve Love suspects a chipmunk snacked through about $700 of wiring in his dad’s Ford Explorer in November. Before that, a rabbit, he suspects, nearly chomped through battery cables and some blinker wiring on the same car.  Love, 59, investigated purported deterrents, including a motion-sensor strobe light, but found a simpler fix. He props the vehicle hood open every night and secures it with a bungee cord to keep the wind from closing it. The idea? Deprive critters a getaway. “That way the rodent won’t feel safe in the engine compartment,” he says.  The insurance industry is estimated to have paid out in more than 91,700 car-damage claims caused by rodents, squirrels, and rabbits nationally between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, according to a recent analysis by State Farm. After a recent relaxing night on a Hawaii beach, Davarus Shores jumped into his 2003 gold Infiniti to return home to Honolulu—only to have the car die within minutes. Shores, who is 31 and works in the medical profession, got it towed roughly 40 miles, and mechanics handed him a $2,000 bill and a dead rat. The rodent had entered his engine and nibbled through wiring. “Poor little rat was just trying to find somewhere to chill that night,” Shores figures. To prevent incursions, car owners also slather on hot sauce so thick it drips from car wires, or wrap aluminum foil around the bottom of vehicles, under the theory it’s too slippery for rats to scale. One can buy shields and pastes that promise to make rodents turn tail and run or invest in ultrasonic pest alarms. An online car forum mentions witchcraft: “Burn rodent bones and chant Druid expulsion alms.” Will any of it work? Well, in the classic “Tom and Jerry” cartoons, Jerry the mouse usually outwitted Tom. If rats take a liking to your car, you are Tom. Spraying engines with peppermint might deter some rodents, at least temporarily. Or it might not faze them, according to Jason Munshi-South, an evolutionary biologist and professor of biology at Fordham University. Garlic oil? White Pepper? Pine-Sol? Same thing, he says. The word rodent evolved from the Latin rodere, to gnaw. “And so, they’re constantly gnawing on things, and that’s the reason they gnaw car wires,” the professor explains. In some cases, the idea that certain smells or flavors are turnoffs stems from lab tests. Given a choice, rats in captivity might avoid scented objects, says Munshi-South, but that doesn’t necessarily mean rodents in the real world will do so. Love, the Arizona artist, suspects there is some truth to the unproven but popular theory that rodents nosh on cars more as automakers switch to soy-based products to insulate wires. In legal cases, automakers have argued rodent behavior is essentially an act of God. AAA has suggested rodents might find modern vehicles appealing because of all the wiring from sensors, computers and increased technology. In New York, Marion’s first rat attack came in late 2022, when he was parking his 2015 Toyota Prius C in an open-air lot in his East Harlem neighborhood.  After rats chewed through wires, the car had to be towed to a garage. Marion’s insurance footed the roughly $1,000 bill. He chalked it up to bad luck, but when it happened again soon after, he started dousing the car nightly with garlic-scented rodent repellent and “really smelly” peppermint oil. After each drive, he covered his engine with stainless steel wool, yet another rumored rodent barrier. A few weeks later, his car died again, and Marion discovered a rat, unharmed and squeaking angrily, under the hood. He had to chase it off. Next, Marion ditched the parking lot for open spots on the street, sometimes as far as a mile away. He still diligently applied rodent repellents nightly. But two weeks later, his car died as he crossed a bridge into Queens. It cost his insurance company another $1,200. In a remove-the-cheese strategy, he sold his Prius and bought a hybrid Ford Escape. Coincidence or not, he says he hasn’t had an incident since. But he can’t relax. He avoids parking near trash cans and never parks in consecutive spots. A rat might case his car, plotting for a break-in, but “by the time they come back, I’m gone,” he says. “I’m never in the same place. I am all around.”
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Factoid That May Interest Only Me –

Island Homes Sold – 2023 * Lou’s Views (lousviews.com)
A complete list of homes sold in 2023

Island Land Sold – 2023 * Lou’s Views (lousviews.com)
A complete list of land sold in 2023

Island Properties Sold – Comparison * Lou’s Views (lousviews.com)
A comparison of Holden Beach properties sold through the last three (3) years

Hot Button Issues –

Subjects that are important to people and about which they have strong opinions

Climate
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There’s something happening here
What it is ain’t exactly clear

It’s official: 2023 was Earth’s warmest year in a century and a half, with temperatures breaking records month after month.
The numbers are in, and scientists can now confirm what month after month of extraordinary heat worldwide began signaling long ago. Last year was Earth’s warmest by far in a century and a half. Global temperatures started blowing past records midyear and didn’t stop. First, June was the planet’s warmest June on record. Then, July was the warmest July. And so on, all the way through December. Averaged across last year, temperatures worldwide were 1.48 degrees Celsius, or 2.66 Fahrenheit, higher than they were in the second half of the 19th century, the European Union climate monitor announced on Tuesday. That is warmer by a sizable margin than 2016, the previous hottest year. To climate scientists, it comes as no surprise that unabated emissions of greenhouse gases caused global warming to reach new highs. What researchers are still trying to understand is whether 2023 foretells many more years in which heat records are not merely broken but smashed. In other words, they are asking whether the numbers are a sign that the planet’s warming is accelerating. “The extremes we have observed over the last few months provide a dramatic testimony of how far we now are from the climate in which our civilization developed,” Carlo Buontempo, the director of the E.U.’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, said in a statement. Every tenth of a degree of global warming represents extra thermodynamic fuel that intensifies heat waves and storms, adds to rising seas and hastens the melting of glaciers and ice sheets. Those effects were on display last year. Hot weather baked Iran and China, Greece and Spain, Texas and the American South. Canada had its most destructive wildfire season on record by far, with more than 45 million acres burned. Less sea ice formed around the coasts of Antarctica, in both summer and winter, than ever measured. NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the research group Berkeley Earth are scheduled to release their own estimates of 2023 temperatures later this week. Each organization’s data sources, and analytical methods are somewhat different, though their results rarely diverge by much. Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, nations agreed to limit long-term global warming to 2 degrees Celsius, and, if possible, 1.5 degrees. At present rates of greenhouse gas emissions, it will only be a few years before the 1.5-degree goal is a lost cause, researchers say. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are the main driver of global warming. But last year several other natural and human-linked factors also helped boost temperatures. The 2022 eruption of an underwater volcano off the Pacific island nation of Tonga spewed vast amounts of water vapor into the atmosphere, helping trap more heat near Earth’s surface. Recent limits on sulfur pollution from ships brought down levels of aerosols, or tiny airborne particles that reflect solar radiation and help cool the planet. Another factor was El Niño, the recurrent shift in tropical Pacific weather patterns that began last year and is often linked with record-setting heat worldwide. And that contains a warning of potentially worse to come this year. The reason: In recent decades, very warm years have typically been ones that started in an El Niño state. But last year, the El Niño didn’t start until midyear — which suggests that El Niño wasn’t the main driver of the abnormal warmth at that point, said Emily J. Becker, a climate scientist at the University of Miami. It is also a strong sign that this year could be hotter than last. “It’s very, very likely to be top three, if not the record,” Dr. Becker said, referring to 2024. Scientists caution that a single year, even one as exceptional as 2023, can tell us only so much about how the planet’s long-term warming might be changing. But other signs suggest the world is heating up more quickly than before. About 90 percent of the energy trapped by greenhouse gases accumulates in the oceans, and scientists have found that the oceans’ uptake of heat has accelerated significantly since the 1990s. “If you look at that curve, it’s clearly not linear,” said Sarah Purkey, an oceanographer with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego. A group of researchers in France recently found that the Earth’s total heating — across oceans, land, air and ice — had been speeding up for even longer, since 1960. This broadly matches up with increases in carbon emissions and reductions in aerosols over the past few decades. But scientists will need to continue studying the data to understand whether other factors might be at work, too, said one of the researchers, Karina von Schuckmann, an oceanographer at Mercator Ocean International in Toulouse, France. “Something unusual is happening that we don’t understand,” Dr. von Schuckmann said.
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Scientists knew 2023’s heat would be historic — but not by this much
The year 2023 was the hottest in recorded human history, Europe’s top climate agency announced Tuesday, with blistering surface temperatures and torrid ocean conditions pushing the planet dangerously close to a long-feared warming threshold. According to new data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, Earth’s average temperature last year was 1.48 degrees Celsius (2.66 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than the preindustrial average, before humans began to warm the planet through fossil fuel burning and other polluting activities. Last year shattered the previous global temperature record by almost two-tenths of a degree — the largest jump scientists have ever observed. This year is predicted to be even hotter. By the end of January or February, the agency warned, the planet’s 12-month average temperature is likely to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above the preindustrial level — blasting past the world’s most ambitious climate goal. The announcement of a new temperature record comes as little surprise to scientists who have witnessed the past 12 months of raging wildfires, deadly ocean heat waves, cataclysmic flooding and a worrisome Antarctic thaw. A scorching summer and “gobsmacking” autumn temperature anomalies had all but guaranteed that 2023 would be a year for the history books. But the amount by which the previous record was broken shocked even climate experts. “I don’t think anybody was expecting anomalies as large as we have seen,” Copernicus director Carlo Buontempo said. “It was on the edge of what was plausible.” The staggering new statistics underscore how human-caused climate change has allowed regular planetary fluctuations to push temperatures into uncharted territory. Each of the past eight years was already among the eight warmest ever observed. Then, a complex and still somewhat mysterious host of climatic influences combined with human activities to push 2023 even hotter — ushering in an age of “global boiling,” in the words of United Nations Secretary General António Guterres. Unless nations transform their economies and rapidly transition away from polluting fuels, experts warn, this level of warming will unravel ecological webs and cause human-built systems to collapse.

A year that ‘doesn’t have an equivalent’
When ominous warmth first appeared in Earth’s oceans last spring, scientists said it was a likely sign that record global heat was imminent — but not until 2024. But as the planet transitioned into an El Niño climate pattern — characterized by warm Pacific Ocean waters — temperatures took a steeper jump. July and August were the two warmest months in the 173-year record Copernicus examined. As Antarctic sea ice dwindled and the planet’s hottest places flirted with conditions too extreme for people to survive, scientists speculated that 2023 would not only be the warmest on record — it might well exceed anything seen in the last 100,000 years. Analyses of fossils, ice cores and ocean sediments suggest that global temperatures haven’t been this high since before the last ice age, when Homo sapiens had just begun to migrate out of Africa and hippos roamed in what is now Germany. Autumn brought even greater departures from the norm. Temperatures in September were almost a full degree Celsius hotter than the average over the past 30 years, making it the most unusually warm month in Copernicus’s data set. And two days in November were, for the first time ever, more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than the preindustrial average for those dates. “What we have seen in 2023 doesn’t have an equivalent,” Buontempo said. The record-setting conditions in 2023 were driven in part by unprecedented warmth in the oceans’ surface waters, Copernicus said. The agency measured marine heat waves from the Indian Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Parts of the Atlantic Ocean experienced temperatures 4 to 5 degrees Celsius (7.2 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit) above average — a level that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration classifies as “beyond extreme.” While researchers have not yet determined the impacts on sea life, similar heat waves have caused massive harms to microorganisms at the base of the food web, bleached corals and fueled toxic algae blooms, she added. Though the oceans cover about two-thirds of Earth’s surface, scientists estimate they have absorbed about 90 percent of the extra warming from humans’ burning of fossil fuels and the greenhouse effect those emissions have in the atmosphere. “The ocean is our sentinel,” said Karina von Schuckmann, an oceanographer at the nonprofit Mercator Ocean International. The dramatic warming in the ocean is a clear signal of “how much the Earth is out of energy balance,” she added — with heat continuing to build faster than it can be released from the planet.

What drove the record warmth
Scientists are still disentangling the factors that made 2023 so unusual. The largest and most obvious is El Niño, the infamous global climate pattern that emerges a few times a decade and is known to boost average planetary temperatures by a few tenths of a degree Celsius, or as much as half a degree Fahrenheit. El Niño’s signature is a zone of warmer-than-normal waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, which release vast amounts of heat and water vapor and trigger extreme weather patterns around the world. But El Niño alone cannot explain the extraordinary heat of the past 12 months, according to Copernicus. Because it wasn’t just the Pacific that exhibited dramatic warmth in 2023. Scientists also believe the Atlantic may have warmed as a result of weakened westerly winds, which tend to churn up waters and send surface warmth into deeper ocean layers. It could also have been the product of below-normal Saharan dust in the air; the particles normally act to block some sunlight from reaching the ocean surface. Around the world, in fact, there has been a decline in sun-blocking particles known as aerosols, in large part because of efforts to reduce air pollution. In recent years, shipping freighters have taken measures to reduce their emissions. Scientists have speculated the decline in aerosols may have allowed more sun to reach the oceans. And then there is the potential impact of a massive underwater volcanic eruption. When Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai blasted a plume 36 miles high in January 2022, scientists warned it released so much water vapor into the atmosphere, it could have a lingering effect for months, if not years, to come. NASA satellite data showed the volcano sent an unprecedented amount of water into the stratosphere — equal to 10 percent of the amount of water that was already contained in the second layer of Earth’s atmosphere. In the stratosphere, water vapor — like human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide — acts as a greenhouse gas, trapping heat like a blanket around the Earth. But it won’t be clear how much of a role each of those factors played until scientists can test each of those hypotheses. What is clear, scientists stress, is that the year’s extremes were only possible because they unfolded against the backdrop of human-caused climate change. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere hit a record high of 419 parts per million in 2023, Copernicus said. And despite global pledges to cut down on methane — which traps 86 times as much heat as carbon dioxide over a short time scales — levels of that gas also reached new peaks. Only by reaching “net zero” — the point at which people stop adding additional greenhouse to the atmosphere — can humanity reverse Earth’s long-term warming trend, said Paulo Ceppi, a climate scientist at Imperial College London. “That is what the physical science tells us that we need to do,” Ceppi said.

What comes next
Almost half of all days in 2023 were 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than the preindustrial average for that date, Copernicus said — giving the world a dangerous taste of a climate it had pledged to avoid. At the Paris climate conference in 2015, nations agreed to a stretch goal of “pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C above preindustrial levels.” Three years later, a special report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that staying within this ambitious threshold could avoid many of the most disastrous consequences of warming — but it would require the world to almost halve greenhouse gas emissions in just over a decade. But emissions have continued to rise, and now the world appears poised on the brink of surpassing the Paris target. At least one climate science organization believes the barrier has already been crossed. Berkeley Earth said in December that 2023 is virtually certain to eclipse it, though its estimates of 19th century temperatures are slightly lower than those other climate scientists use. This doesn’t necessarily mean the world has officially surpassed the limit set in the Paris climate agreement in 2015. That benchmark will only be reached when temperatures remain 1.5 degrees Celsius above average over a period of at least 20 years. But scientists are already speculating that the planet could set another average temperature record in 2024. Some also say the latest spike in global temperatures is a sign the rate of climate change has accelerated. Whether or not 2023 surpasses the 1.5 degree limit, the year “has given us a glimpse of what 1.5 may look like,” Buontempo said. He hoped that the latest record allows that reality to set in — and spurs action. “As a society, we have to be better at using this knowledge,” Buontempo added, “because the future will not be like our past.”
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Flood Insurance Program
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National Flood Insurance Program: Reauthorization
Congress must periodically renew the NFIP’s statutory authority to operate. On November 17, 2023, the President signed legislation passed by Congress that extends the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP’s) authorization to February 2, 2024.

Congress must now reauthorize the NFIP
by no later than 11:59 pm on February 2, 2024.

More states deciding home buyers should know about flood risks
‘It’s a recognition that flooding is only going to get worse and that they need to take action now to protect home buyers and renters,’ says one advocate
Hours into a marathon meeting earlier this month, and with little fanfare, the North Carolina Real Estate Commission gave its blessing to a proposal that could have profound impacts in a state where thousands of homes face threats from rising seas, unprecedented rainfall and overflowing rivers. Soon, anyone who sells a home in the state will be required to disclose to prospective buyers far more about a property’s flood risks — and flood history. Rather than merely noting whether a home is in a federally designated flood zone, they will have to share whether a property has flood insurance, whether any past flood-related claims have been filed, or if the owner has ever received any federal assistance in the wake of a hurricane, tidal inundation or other flood-related disaster. With the changes, North Carolina became the fourth state this year to embrace more stringent disclosure requirements, joining South Carolina, New York and New Jersey. Advocates say the shifts, which for the most part encountered little outward opposition, represent an acknowledgment that flood risks are surging throughout the country and that more transparency about those risks is a common-sense measure that could mean more homes have flood insurance and fewer buyers face catastrophic surprises. “It’s a recognition that flooding is only going to get worse and that they need to take action now to protect home buyers and renters,” said Joel Scata, a senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, which tracks flood disclosure laws around the country. “It’s also a recognition of the importance of transparency and fairness.” The changing disclosure policies come at a time when scientists say the nation’s coastlines will experience as much sea level rise in the coming few decades as they have over the past century. They also have documented how the warming atmosphere is creating more powerful storms and more torrential and damaging rainfalls, which already are inundating communities where aging infrastructure was built for a different era and a different climate. The more stringent rules adopted this year also follow a path set by some of the country’s most flood-battered states. Louisiana, facing massive land loss from rising seas and the prospect of stronger storms, has what environmental advocates and even the Federal Emergency Management Administration agree is one of the most robust sets of disclosure laws in the nation. Likewise, in the wake of cataclysmic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Texas adopted new rules that have also made the state a model for flood disclosure. But even as several additional states finalized new disclosure rules in 2023, many others still do not require sellers to divulge to buyers whether a home has previously flooded. That includes places such as Florida, which faces significant and rising risks from hurricanes, climate-fueled rain bombs and inland flooding along rivers. According to NRDC, more than one-third of states have no statutory or regulatory requirement that a seller must disclose a property’s flood risks or past flood damage to potential buyers. Others have varying degrees of requirements — a patchwork that means where people live can greatly influence how much they actually know about the flood risks of a home they buy or rent. “There are still too many states who keep home buyers in the dark,” Scata said. “That needs to change. Flooding is only going to become more severe due to climate change. And people have a right to know whether their dream home could become a nightmare due to flooding.” Earlier this year, FEMA proposed federal legislation that would require states to mandate certain minimum flood risk reporting requirements as a condition for ongoing participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. The agency said having a nationwide requirement would “increase clarity and provide uniformity” in many real estate transactions, but it has not yet become a reality. That lack of action on Capitol Hill has not stopped individual states from moving forward. In June, the South Carolina Real Estate Commission added new questions to the state’s residential disclosure that go into far more detail than before, including whether a homeowner has filed public or private flood insurance claims or made flood-related repairs that weren’t submitted to an insurer. “It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” said Nick Kremydas, chief executive of South Carolina Realtors, which publicly supported the enhanced disclosure requirements. Still, he said he hopes Congress will eventually allow buyers to access FEMA’s database of flood claims for individual properties. “That’s the best-case scenario.” Over the summer, New Jersey’s legislature overhauled what NRDC had labeled the state’s “dismal” disclosure requirements, instead putting in place new rules that require sellers to document a wide range of flood-related information. In addition, it requires that purchasers in coastal areas be warned about the potential impacts of sea level rise. “The idea is that the more people understand about the hazards, the more they can incorporate that into their decision-making, and the more they can have ownership of those decisions,” said Peter Kasabach, executive director of New Jersey Future, a nonprofit that advocates smarter growth and resilience policies. In September, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed similar legislation, calling it a “monumental step” toward protecting residents from the increasing impacts of climate change. In addition to mandating more detailed flood information, it eliminated a previous option that allowed sellers to provide a $500 credit at closing in exchange for waiving the disclosure requirement. The legislation followed a similar measure from late 2022, requiring flood disclosures for renters. “This is a person’s home, and they should be warned,” said New York State Assembly member Robert Carroll (D), a prime sponsor of the disclosure bills. “This is really about knowledge and proper warning.” In large swaths of the country, there is little doubt that more properties are likely to face flooding risks over time. A report last year by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA and other federal agencies projected that U.S. coastlines will face an additional foot of rising seas by 2050. NOAA has detailed how specific places are likely to see a sharp rise in high-tide, or nuisance, flooding, and that coastal flood warnings “will become much more commonplace” in coming decades. Likewise, scientists have documented an abnormal and dramatic surge in sea levels along the U.S. gulf and southeastern coastlines since about 2010, and other researchers have warned that the nation’s real estate market has yet to fully account for the expanding threats posed by rising seas, stronger storms and torrential downpours. In a study last year commissioned by NRDC, the independent actuarial consulting firm Milliman found that in New Jersey, New York and North Carolina, 28,826 homes sold in 2021 — 6.6 percent of total sales — were estimated to have been previously flooded. In addition, the firm found that expected future annual losses for a home with previous flood damage are significantly higher in each state than for the average of all homes, regardless of flood damage, in that state. Because one of the best indicators of whether a house will flood is whether it has flooded before, meaningful disclosure requirements are crucial, said Brooks Rainey Pearson, legislative counsel for the North Carolina branch of the Southern Environmental Law Center, which last year petitioned the state’s real estate commission on behalf of multiple environmental and community groups to make the disclosure changes. “People can take steps to protect themselves when you give them the information they need,” she said. “It matters, because with climate change we are seeing more frequent flooding events, including more intense storms and more flooding of houses. It’s a huge investment for a family to make to buy a house. People deserve to know whether the house they are purchasing has flooded or could flood.” Pearson says she hopes the changes coming to North Carolina and other states will help illuminate otherwise unknown risks and ultimately help reduce the number of homeowners who are displaced and devastated financially after storms such as Hurricane Florence, which battered her state in 2018. “What it comes down to,” she said, “is giving the buyer the information they need to make smart decisions.”
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GenX
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Homeowners Insurance
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Insurance firms seek 42% rate hike for NC homes with 99% increase at coast
Insurance companies are seeking a more than 40 percent average rate increase for coverage of homes in North Carolina with much higher rates sought at the coast, according to a Friday news release from the North Carolina Department of Insurance. The North Carolina Rate Bureau, which represents companies that write insurance policies in the state, is requesting a 42.2 percent rate increase for homeowners’ insurance, the news release said. The highest rate increases — at 99.4 percent — would essentially double costs for homeowners in beach areas in Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, Onslow, and Pender counties, the news release indicated. Insurance companies are seeking a 39.8 percent hike for homes in Durham and Wake counties, including Raleigh and Durham. Under the proposal from the insurance companies, the rate hike would go into action on Aug. 1. An earlier rate increase request for homeowners insurance from the bureau in November 2020 was for an average hike of 24.5 percent in North Carolina. However, after a settlement with the North Carolina Department of Insurance, the overall rate increase ended up being 7.9 percent, the news release said. A public comment period is required by law to give the public time to address the proposed 42.2 percent rate increase. All public comments will be shared with the North Carolina Rate Bureau. If North Carolina Department of Insurance officials do not agree with the requested rates, the rates will either be denied or negotiated with the North Carolina Rate Bureau. If a settlement cannot be reached within 50 days, Department of Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will call for a hearing. 

Below are the ways to provide public comments:

• • A public comment forum will be held to listen to public input on the North Carolina Rate Bureau’s rate increase request at the North Carolina Department of Insurance’s Jim Long Hearing Room on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Jim Long Hearing Room is in the Albemarle Building, 325 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603.
  • A virtual public comment forum will be held simultaneously with the in-person forum on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The link to this virtual forum will be: https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=mb3fe10c8f69bbedd2aaece485915db7e
  • Emailed public comments should be sent by Feb. 2 to an email at [email protected].
  • Written public comments must be received by Kimberly W. Pearce, Paralegal III, by Feb. 2 and addressed to 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1201.

A more detailed breakdown of the list by zip codes for some areas is available from the North Carolina Department of Insurance by clicking here (pdf document).

 Territory 140 / Eastern Coastal areas of Brunswick County zip code 28462

NCRB proposed increase 71.4%

 Read more » click here

Previously reported – November 2020
Insurance companies request rate increase for homeowners
The North Carolina Rate Bureau (NCRB) has requested a 24.5 percent statewide average increase in homeowners’ insurance rates to take effect August 2021, according to a news release issued Nov. 10 by state insurance commissioner Mike Causey. The NCRB is not part of the N.C. Department of Insurance but represents companies that write insurance policies in the state. The department can either agree with the rates as filed or negotiate a settlement with the NCRB on a lower rate. If a settlement cannot be reached within 50 days, Causey will call for a hearing. Two years ago, in December 2018, the NCRB requested a statewide average increase of 17.4 percent. Causey negotiated a rate 13.4 percentage points lower and settled with a statewide average rate increase of 4 percent. One of the drivers behind this requested increase is that North Carolina has experienced increased wind and hail losses stemming from damaging storms. A public comment period is required by law to give the public time to address the NCRB’s proposed rate increase.
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Sticker shock: NC’s insurance companies want to raise rates for coastal homeowners by 99%
Living along the coast could be about to get more expensive if the state’s insurance industry has its way. Blame increased risk from climate change and surging coastal property values
The proposed increases are eye watering. The N.C. Rate Bureau, which represents the insurance industry in the Tar Heel State, has asked state regulators to approve a massive increase in homeowner insurance rates. How big? Well, the increase would average out to about 42% statewide. But that figure, as large as it is, doesn’t encompass the hit some property owners would take, especially along the coast. Here’s a look at how badly coastal homeowners could be hit by higher insurance rates, what’s behind the industry’s logic for proposing such massive increases, and what rate hikes are consumers really likely to see.

Sticker shock
The proposal would hammer property owners in coastal areas of the Cape Fear region. The bureau has proposed an increase of 99.4% for beachfront properties in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties in the Wilmington area and Carteret County, which includes Emerald Isle. Farther up the N.C. coast, beach areas along the Outer Banks would see a 45% increase. Areas on the mainland but near the Intracoastal Waterway in the Wilmington area would see proposed increases of 71.4% for those roughly from U.S. 17 oceanward and 43% for those farther inland. The increases would be determined by a property’s ZIP code. Proposed increases in the rest of the state also would be substantial, but not as much as a gut punch for coastal homeowners in Southeastern North Carolina. In coastal areas between Morehead City and the Virginia state line, most policies would jump by roughly 25%. Farther inland, Duplin and Lenoir counties would see rates go up 71%, while Triangle homeowners would see a price increase of nearly 40%. The proposed increases around Charlotte and Asheville would be 41% and 20%, respectively. The new increase comes a little over three years after the insurance industry requested an overall average increase of 24.5%. That filing resulted in a settlement between insurers and the state for an overall average rate increase of 7.9%.

Why hit the coast so hard?
Industry officials say a lot of factors are at play that’s making insuring properties at the coast more risky and less profitable. Near the top is the inherent uncertainty and increased risk brought on by climate change. The warming weather is allowing bigger and more powerful hurricanes to threaten coastal areas up and down the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts. The changing climate, which means tropical systems can hold more moisture, travel farther inland, and threaten areas farther north, is also expanding the traditional hurricane season into the early spring and early winter periods. Flooding woes also are widening beyond traditional flood-prone areas as infrastructure is overwhelmed by periods of heavy rainfall − ala Hurricanes Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018. Damages tied to Florence, for example, were estimated to top $22 billion in North Carolina, with much of that hitting inland areas. Jarred Chappell, chief operating officer with the rate bureau, said the increase in the number of natural disasters and the payments forked out by insurance companies in their wake is also driving up the cost of insurance that the insurance companies themselves take out to help them stay solvent during high claim events. He estimated the cost of reinsurance, the insurance for insurers, is rising at nearly 50% a year, with no one clear when the massive increases that companies have to shoulder or pass on to their customers will end. Chappell said rising costs for labor and raw materials also are making repairs more expensive, further eating into the cost for insurers. But another factor, officials say, is one that homeowners probably on one hand don’t mind seeing − the rising value of coastal property. Nearly a dozen homes in New Hanover County have sold for more than $6 million, and nearly all of those sales have occurred in the past few years, according to MLS statistics. Even more “affordable” properties have seen their values surge in the lead up and through the pandemic years. Using data from the real estate website Zillow, the online data website Stacker determined that Wrightsville Beach was the North Carolina community with the fastest-growing home prices. The site said home values in the popular New Hanover County beach town averaged nearly $1.35 million in March 2023, with prices up 8.6% over one year and 82% over five years. Among other Tar Heel communities that have seen the biggest property value increases, a big chunk were other towns clustered on or near the state’s string of barrier islands. Rebuilding or repairing more valuable property is inherently more expensive. And the rising risk for insurers comes just as more and more people are deciding to give coastal living a shot. The population of New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties − the Wilmington metropolitan statistical area (MSA) − is forecast to increase from 450,000 in 2020 to more than 625,000 by 2040.  Other coastal areas in the South, such as Florida and South Carolina, are seeing similar population booms.

Are coastal homeowners getting picked on?
Considering other recent rate increases, a lot of residents probably feel that way. The N.C. rate bureau last summer proposed a 50.6% increase in dwelling insurance rates, which covers second homes and rental properties. While rates statewide would rise by more than half under the plan, they would increase much more near the coast. The proposed increases for extended coverage in “Territory 140,” which covers beach and coastal areas in Southeastern North Carolina, would go up more than 97% for buildings and 70% for contents. A public hearing on the proposed increases is scheduled for April 8. The federal government also is looking to “right-size” its financial liabilities in our new climate change-influenced world by significantly raising the costs of participating in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program by moving to a risk-based approach in determining premiums. First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research and technology group based in Brooklyn, New York, estimates the average flood insurance premium charged to the country’s most flood-prone homes would have to more than quadruple to make the flood program, which annually bleeds red ink, solvent and ensure homeowners are paying their fair share. Under congressional and other pressures, FEMA will now raise premiums by a maximum of 18% a year until policies meet the new rate recommendation on a property’s potential risk. Many coastal and inland areas in Southeastern N.C. are in areas where flood insurance is required if you have a mortgage.

What happens now?
Since the insurance market in North Carolina is regulated, the industry has to submit its proposed rate increases to the N.C. Department of Insurance. The review process includes a public comment period. If Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, as expected, doesn’t agree with the requested rate increases, the rates will either be denied or negotiated with industry. If a settlement cannot be reached within 50 days, the commissioner will call for a hearing. If history is any guide, the parties will likely agree on a settlement that includes a rate increase smaller than what insurers want but potentially much higher than what homeowners think they should have to shoulder. One increasing concern for state regulators is how insurance markets in other Southern coastal states are contracting and becoming more and more difficult as companies decide they would rather leave those markets, and abandon potential customers and business, than be on the hook for risky coverages where they often aren’t allowed by states to charge premiums they feel are necessary to cover their exposure risks. This is especially true in Florida and Louisiana, two other hurricane-prone states that have seen significant storm strikes and payouts by insurers in recent years.

There are four ways the public can submit their thoughts on the proposed increases.

• • A public comment forum will be held to listen to public input at the N.C. Department of Insurance’s Jim Long Hearing Room, 325 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • A virtual public comment forum will be held simultaneously with the in-person forum on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The link to this virtual forum will be: https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=mb3fe10c8f69bbedd2aaece485915db7e
  • Emailed public comments should be sent by Feb. 2 to: [email protected].
  • Written public comments must be received by Kimberly W. Pearce, Paralegal III, by Feb. 2 and addressed to 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1201.

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Insurance Commissioner Causey, specialists visit Down East
From hurricane damage to the current proposed rate increase for homeowners insurance, having a home on the North Carolina coast often comes at a price. To help property owners better understand their current insurance and what it covers, the Down East Resilience Network, a group focused on adaptation and resiliency for the Carteret County communities, held an all-day community roundtable on insurance at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center. Insurance specialists, including Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, were invited to answer questions, and provide information. Causey told the crowd that making sure your property is more resistant to storms can help hold down insurance costs. “I think anything we can do to protect the property from wind damage, storm damage, knowing what to do before, during and after a storm is most important in saving lives and holding down our insurance costs,” Causey said, adding there are grant programs for mitigation. The about 100 who dropped by throughout Wednesday were able to speak with representatives from the state departments of Insurance and Public Safety, and the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association, a tax-exempt coastal property insurance pool, and other insurance specialists. “I want you to understand that everyone lives in a flood zone. The level of risk varies,” Charlotte Hicks said that morning. The flood insurance consultant said that has been her mantra, “everyone is in the flood zone.” “I want you to be able to assess your risk. Make a good decision for you. Does every single person in the United States need to buy flood insurance? Probably not, but you need to know what your true level of risk is and whether or not it’s a smart decision for you to make. And I think so many people don’t realize what their risk truly is. And if they did, they would purchase flood insurance and they would not have a problem.” When asked how a homeowner can best prepare for a natural disaster, Department of Insurance Consumer Complaints Analyst Tim Crawley told Coastal Review that the “number one thing” is to have homeowners insurance in place and understand what’s covered in the policy. He also recommended making sure to keep the structure maintained and let the “cell phone be your friend.” “Use your phone take a picture of your policy” ahead of the storm, take photos around the home as a way to inventory personal property, he said. “If your house gets decimated, all those papers are gone. You can at least retrieve that from an online cloud. From a floodplain management perspective, “know your risks,” answered Eryn Futral, a National Flood Insurance Program planner with North Carolina Emergency Management, when asked how a homeowner can best prepare. “Don’t just look at the flood maps that are available. Look at the other tools that might show you different flooding scenarios depending on storm surge for the type of flooding that you have,” Futral said. Futral advised asking neighbors and other residents how high waters have been in the past and what types of storm caused flooding. She also recommended online resources such as the North Carolina Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network, or FIMAN, a flood-risk information system, and the NC Floodplain Mapping Program. Department of Insurance Regional Director Jessica Gibbs added that there is a waiting period to buy flood insurance. “Some people will try to buy it right before the hurricane hits, which is never the best.” It’s also unavailable once a storm enters a prescribed geographic window. Companies will not put new policies in effect in these situations.

Companies seek big rate hike
Causey, during his remarks, encouraged residents to submit their input during the public comment period ending Feb. 2 on the North Carolina Rate Bureau’s proposed rate increase of 42.2% statewide. The requested increase includes a 99.4% hike for beach areas in Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, Onslow and Pender counties. The most recent rate increase request was in November 2020, when the Rate Bureau sought an overall average increase of 24.5%. That resulted in a settlement between Causey and the Rate Bureau for an overall average rate increase of 7.9%, according to Department of Insurance website. Causey explained the rate bureau system to the 50 or so at the waterfowl museum Wednesday. The association representing insurance industry interests was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1977, and any insurance company that writes business in the state must be a member. When insurance companies want to raise rates on car or homeowners insurance, they’re required by state law to submit a rate filing to the Department of Insurance, which can be 2,000 to 3,000 pages that actuaries must then comb through. The rate bureau this year is “asking for a whopping increase on homeowners averaging 42% statewide but is almost 100% on some of our coastal areas, from Carteret down to Brunswick County,” he said. As required, the department has scheduled a public hearing for 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, in Raleigh’s Albemarle Building. There is a virtual hearing taking place at the same time. About 6,000 people have sent letters and emails so far with their opinion on the proposed homeowners rate increase, Causey said. At the end of the roundtable Wednesday afternoon, Causey reiterated to Coastal Review that “the rate increase is a proposal, and not a done deal. We have a long way to go, and the people need to let their voices be heard.” The public can email comments to [email protected], or by mail to Kimberly W. Pearce, Paralegal III, by Feb. 2 and addressed to 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1201. All public comments will be shared with the North Carolina Rate Bureau. If Department of Insurance officials do not agree with the requested rates, the rates will either be denied or negotiated with the North Carolina Rate Bureau. If a settlement cannot be reached within 50 days, the Commissioner will call for a hearing, according to a release from Causey’s office.

‘A few major factors’
North Carolina Rate Bureau Chief Operating Officer Jarrod Chappell responded to Coastal Review Wednesday in an email that the rate indications in the filing were “being driven by a few major factors reflected in the data,” including rising costs to repair homes. “We have all seen high rates of inflation in numerous aspects of our lives recently and construction supplies are not immune to that,” Chappell said. He cited rising labor costs in the construction market since the last filing and noted greater demand than supply in the construction labor market. “The largest driver overall, however, is reinsurance costs. Homeowners insurance companies must buy reinsurance to cover catastrophic claim exposures and their costs for reinsurance have risen roughly 50% per year over the last 3-4 years,” he said in the email. “This is primarily due to climate change and increased population/exposures in North Carolina. This is especially a problem in the coastal communities where they have the greatest exposure to hurricanes.” Chappell said it’s the rate bureau’s statutory responsibility to collect data from the insurance companies on any policies written in the state and use that data to determine an adequate rate that will maintain a healthy insurance market for consumers. “At this point, NCRB has supplied that data to the Commissioner of Insurance with the rate indications. The Commissioner will now review that data and ultimately determine what an appropriate rate should be. Consumers should expect to hear a response from the Commissioner within the next two months where he can either accept the changes as indicated or order a hearing to discuss it further. We have requested an August 1, 2024 effective date for the new rates, but the process often takes much longer than that,” he continued. As a homeowner, Chappell said he understands the concerns about the numbers they’re seeing in the news. He advised shopping around. “One thing people should keep in mind is that the Rate Bureau sets a base rate that insurance companies then deviate off of in order to price individual risks accordingly. What that means in the market, is that many homeowners policies are already priced with adequate rates and any change to the base rate will have little to no impact on them,” Chappell said. “We are lucky to have a very competitive insurance market in NC, because it helps keep our rates lower than many other similar states around the country. Maintaining an adequate base rate is critical to keeping that market as competitive as possible.”
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Hurricane Season
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Inlet Hazard Areas
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Lockwood Folly Inlet
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Seismic Testing / Offshore Drilling
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Offshore Wind Farms
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 Things I Think I Think –

Eating out is one of the great little joys of life.

Restaurant Review:
The Dinner Club visits a new restaurant once a month. Ratings reflect the reviewer’s reaction to food, ambience and service, with price taken into consideration.
///// October 2023
Name:             Rivertown Bistro                                                                                    Cuisine:          Seafood
Location:       1111 3^rd Avenue, Conway SC
Contact:         843.248.3733 / https://www.rivertownbistro.com
Food:               Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional
Service:          Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert
Ambience:     Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant
Cost: $29         Inexpensive <=20 / Moderate <=26 / Expensive <=35 / Exorbitant <=60
Rating:           Three Stars
Located in the Historic District of downtown Conway, South Carolina, Rivertown Bistro offers an unmatched atmosphere and unequaled culinary fusions. The food is outstanding, a tremendous value with prices being very reasonable for the quality of the food served. It is one of the few area restaurants that offer creativity, quality, and atmosphere comparable to fine dining restaurants in major metropolitan areas. This is far above most of the other restaurant offerings in Myrtle Beach. It’s too bad that it’s over an hour away but definitely worth the trip. If you are going to try one new restaurant this should be the one you should go to. It’s the cat’s meow!

The 20 Best Restaurants in Wilmington, North Carolina

Fact check: Will Chianti South Restaurant in Little River close down?
What we know so far
Chianti South, located at 2109 Highway 17, Little River, will close in 2024. General manager Joseph McDermott told The Sun News that a development company is in the final stages of purchasing the establishment. McDermott said the company is not interested in continuing a restaurant at the location. Chianti South will close down for January, as it typically does, but McDermott said he is unsure if it will reopen in February. If it reopens in February, it will close for good around July 2024. “So much is in the air,” McDermott said. “The current owner would like to reopen, and that’s what he’s shooting for.” A Facebook post from a patron on Dec. 23 said, “Celebratory last meal at Chianti South was Awesome. So many good meals & memories. Bittersweet…We are going to miss this place.” Looking at property records, the land the restaurant sits on has been owned by Vivian Vereen or various partnerships with that name from 2001 until this year. In August, ownership was transferred to Pearl Street LLC. There is little information about the LLC online. Chianti South, which opened the 1997, has a four-star rating or higher on Google, Yelp and TripAdvisor. Chianti will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is no longer accepting reservations for New Year’s Eve.
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Rx Chicken & Oysters: After being closed for many months, this restaurant at 421 Castle St. in downtown Wilmington reopened with a new name and new concept. While owners James and Sarah Rushing Doss maintain their same focus on local ingredients, seafood and sustainability, the new menu is more casual and features dishes like fish, fried oysters, shrimp burgers and pork confit tacos served on house-made corn tortillas at a lower price point.  

Local recognized as Outstanding Chef nationwide in James Beard semifinalist round
It’s the second year in a row Seabird’s chef, Dean Neff, has been recognized by the Oscars of the culinary world. James Beard Foundation announced its 2024 semifinalists Wednesday, with a nod going to Neff for Outstanding Chef nationwide. According to the foundation, the category exemplifies working chefs that set “high culinary standards,” plus stand as a “positive example for other food professionals while contributing positively to their broader community.” The James Beard Foundation lists 10 “Outstanding” categories nationwide — from restaurateur to restaurant, bakery to bar — but also 12 regional Best Chef awards. It’s not the first time Neff has landed on the James Beard Foundation list. He scored a nomination for Best Chef: Southeast in 2023 (along with Chef Keith Rhodes), as well as in 2019 when Neff oversaw PinPoint kitchen. Neff opened Seabird in 2021, which centers on fresh seafood, locally procured ingredients and sustainable dining. Aside from being a revered dinner spot — from its fresh local oysters to craft cocktails to homemade bread, sauces and other items — Seabird also has breakfast and lunch services. When he spoke to Port City Daily Wednesday, Neff said he was shocked to learn about his nomination. “I found out this morning when an industry friend sent out a text message congratulating an Outstanding Chef,” Neff said. “I was like, ‘They sent that to the wrong person.’” This category hits a little differently, Neff added, as he isn’t just against culinarians doing great things in the Southeast, but also chefs recognized from New York to San Francisco, larger cities well-known for their culinary outreach. Neff credits the recognition to Wilmington’s food community-at-large. Seabird prides itself on working with local fishermen and women, farmers, and other industry professionals to continue bringing the forth the best of seasonal flavors to diners. “This is a very special place for seafood and for oysters,” Neff said. “It’s kind of like Asheville’s food culture but with a coastal focus.” When he moved to the area in 2015, he said he was working with three or four oyster farmers. Today, more than four dozen are farming the waters region-wide. Neff utilizes product from Hold Fast Oysters, Shell’em Seafood, N Sea Oyster Co., Soundside Oysters and Three Little Spats. Fresh vegetables and greens come from Changing Ways, Red Beard Farms and Farmage, among other local vendors and growers. He sources fresh clams locally, among other seafood items on the Seabird menu. “There’s just a lot of care and sustainability put toward our food,” Neff said. “I’ve always been the type of chef that is more about the ingredients and the stories of the ingredients. And so, I kind of feel similarly in this scenario … this nomination is about all of the team we have here, the ingredients that come through our door. It takes a very large army to make a restaurant work day in day out.” Outside of Seabird’s kitchen, Neff is continuing to educate on the local food movement and fighting hunger. He is a new council member for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and has done dinners with the Northside Food Co-op. “A long time ago, when I was a young cook at a restaurant in Athens, I kind of was able to see how independent restaurants can contribute things that are positive and beyond just cooking food for the community,” he said. “There are worthwhile things to come out of cooking.” Established in 1990, James Beard recognizes restaurants across the nation from casual to fine dining. It lists the awards committee, subcommittees and judges that make up the voting body. Entries for recommendations were open from Oct. 3 through Nov. 30, which included public input as well. Since then, the committees have been reviewing eligibility. The finalists — top five in each category — will be announced April 3, determined by subcommittee members and judges visiting semifinalists’ restaurants, participating in discussions, and voting on specific criteria. The chef and restaurant winners will be judged similarly and announced at a formal ceremony in Chicago on June 10.
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Dining Guide – Local * Lou’s Views (lousviews.com)

Dining Guide – North * Lou’s Views (lousviews.com)

Dining Guide – South * Lou’s Views (lousviews.com)

Restaurant Reviews – North * Lou’s Views (lousviews.com)

Restaurant Reviews – South * Lou’s Views (lousviews.com)

Book Review:
Read several books from The New York Times best sellers fiction list monthly
Selection represents this month’s pick of the litter

NONE OF THIS IS TRUE by Lisa Jewell
In this psychological thriller about two women, a meek housewife Josie Fair and a true crime podcaster Alix Summers, who meet through a chance encounter, learn they are birthday twins. After their unlikely meeting Alix becomes the subject of her own true crime podcast. The title could be seen as a bit of a spoiler, with so many versions of events, the reader is left to decide what’s fact and what’s fiction.

That’s it for this newsletter

See you next month

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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Lou’s Views

“Unofficial” Minutes & Comments

BOC’s Regular Meeting 12/19/23

Board of Commissioners’ Agenda Packet click here

Audio Recording » click here

1.   Public Comments on Agenda Items

There were comments made regarding the pier mostly asking that the pier contract be held in abeyance until we develop a plan within our financial restraints.

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

Recognition was given to all members of the outgoing board. The plaque was presented by Town Manager Hewett 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 Murdock and Arnold of the Outgoing Board of Commissioners by Mayor Holden

Commissioner Murdock and Arnold  both received a plaque of appreciation from the town for their service. Mayor Holden presented the plaque to Commissioner Arnold only since Commissioner Murdock was not in attendance.

4.  Judge Gerald Arnold will Present the Oath of Office to the Incoming Board of Commissioners
.    a) Mayor – J. Alan Holden
.    b) Commissioners – Tom Myers, Tracey Thomas, Page Dyer and Rick Paarfus

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

Agenda Packet – page 9

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.

§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

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 Tempore.

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 Smith or select another member to serve as the mayor pro tem. Commissioner Parfus made a motion to nominate Tom Myers for Mayor Pro Tem. Commissioner Myers was elected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem next year.

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

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 2024 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Schedule – Town Clerk Finnell

Agenda Packet – pages 10 – 11

Enclosed is the proposed 2024 Board of Commissioners’ Regular Meeting Schedule. All dates reflect the third Tuesday of the month. Staff recommends approval.

2024 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING SCHEDULE
Regular Meetings are held at 5:00pm on the third Tuesday of each month

January 23rd changed from January 16^th
February 20th
March 19th
April 16th
May 21st
June 18th
July 16th
August 20th
September 17th
October 15th
November 19th
December 17th

Meeting Schedule » click here

Update –
The monthly meeting schedule was adopted with amended change to the date of the January meeting.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

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

Agenda Packet – pages 12 – 31 which is too large to include here

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). The Board may adopt these rules as written or make amendments to them. I suggest the Board review the materials and adopt rules at the January meeting.

Update –
The Board is required to adopt some version of Rules of Procedure each year. The Rules of Procedure were substantially revised in 2020. The motion was made by Commissioner Thomas to hold a special meeting before the next regularly scheduled meeting in January. This will be on the agenda again next month so that they can adopt rules as required.

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

8.   Police Report – Chief Jeremy Dixon

Agenda Packet – pages 32 – 37

Police Report » click here

Business as usual for this time of the year

Public Service Announcement –
Jeremy requested that we all use caution if driving during the holiday season.
Please drive safely!

The National Safety Council estimates 720 people may be killed on U.S. roadways during the upcoming holidays: 345 during the Christmas holiday driving period and an additional 375 during the New Year’s holiday driving period.

What he did not say –

Hunting season is underway, it is not allowed on the island

The police department currently has only nine (9) officers of the ten (10) they are budgeted to have. 

• • They are down officer Preston Conley who is out on long-term medical disability
  • So, we still only have eight (8) officers out there

It’s that time of year, rental season ends, and break-in season officially starts
Requested that we all serve as the eyes and ears for law enforcement.

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

Some local police departments need more staff to face growth
Although growth continues throughout Brunswick County, local law enforcement is already facing the mental and physical toll it takes to protect current residents with the staff they have. Not all safety and law enforcement departments consider themselves “short staffed,” however, a few local police chiefs have voiced their concerning experiences with not being fully staffed and its impact on officers. “The impact of staffing shortages is strenuous on the entire department,” Holden Beach Police Chief Jeremy Dixon told The Brunswick Beacon. “First and foremost, it creates a dangerous scenario for patrol officers who are often responding to calls alone.” Dixon explained that his department has 10 officers when fully staffed and that they would have two officers per shift if fully staffed. Normal shifts include holidays, weekends and nights shifts, he added. “However, patrol is not the only consideration in staffing levels,” he said. “One must consider vacation leave, sick leave, family leave, training assignments, festivals, concerts, races and other special events as well.” Unlike Holden Beach, the Shallotte and Oak Island police departments have a larger staff of police officers to work with when it comes to patrolling and handling special events. Shallotte Police Chief Adam Stanley told The Beacon that the Shallotte Police Department currently has 18 full time police officers. The department has 19 full time police officers when fully staffed. He recently told the Shallotte Board of Alderman at a meeting that his department was about to be fully staffed with two new officers entering the team, however, he told The Brunswick Beacon on Friday, Nov. 3, that an officer had recently given their two-week’s notice and that they will be back to looking to fill another officer position again. Asked what has been the longest recruitment time to fill an empty police officer position during his time as chief, Stanley said three to five months. The Village of Bald Head Island handles their resident safety a little differently compared to other municipalities. The Village has a public safety department to protect their residents, not a police department. Village of Bald Head Island Public Information Officer Carin Faulkner explained that their staff consists of public safety officers (PSO) that are trained in law enforcement, fire, paramedic/EMT and water rescue. She said the village has a total of 24 PSO positions and that they currently have 23 filled, noting that they run a schedule of four shifts with six officers working each shift. The Oak Island Police Department is also down one officer out of their 32 police officers, which includes both full time and part time officers. “The Oak Island Police Department is considered ‘fully staffed’ at 48 employees, consisting of 28 full-time officers, four part-time officers, two administrative staff, 10 (seasonal) Beach Services Unit staff, three department volunteers and one chaplain,” Oak Island Chief of Police Charlie Morris told The Beacon. “The Department currently has one vacancy for full-time officer.” Morris, who joined the department in April 2022, said the Oak Island Police Department launched an aggressive recruitment campaign from late 2022 to early 2023 to increase recruitment efforts and officer pay. He said it was successful and included a new Paid Recruit Training program. “This program provides pay and benefits to future officers as they go through the [Basic Law Enforcement Training (B.L.E.T.)] program,” he said. “As of September, the four officers originally recruited through this program have begun their work as full-time officers.” Although he said his team is not understaffed at the moment, they could become understaffed quickly. “… In a small-to-medium sized department it only takes a few retirements or transfers to become understaffed again,” he said. Asked what kind of impact not having a full staff of police officers has on their team, Dixon, Morris and Stanley all told The Beacon it is challenging. “It can have a mental, physical and emotional impact because the extra workload can be exhausting,” Stanley said. Morris told The Beacon that public safety and having adequate jurisdiction coverage is the department’s top priority, however, like Stanley said, doing so without a full staff can impact officers’ well-being. “Beyond that however is a host of other concerns, including officer health, mutual aid response, and preventing “burnout” from overworked,” Morris said. “Ensuring officers are physically and mentally prepared to serve the public at the start of each shift can become difficult when there are not enough officers to meet a department’s needs.” Dixon said the Holden Beach Police Department has maintained between eight to ten officers for the last two to three years. He noted that they have consistently looked to hire and retain a full staff during that time. “Because of current staffing levels, and rotating shifts, our officers work alone about 50% of the time,” he said. “This means officers are responding to domestic disturbances, fight calls, irate subjects, intoxicated subjects, mental health patients and every other call by themselves.” He explained that having a lack of additional responding officers is a danger to the officers and to the public. In addition to the low number of officers on duty at a given time, the department does not have a detective position. So, incident reports are being left on the back burner. “In addition to being short staffed on patrol, our department has not been allotted a detective position,” he said. “Therefore, we have no dedicated investigator to follow-up on incident reports. This in itself is a disservice to the town.” He said officers will take a report of an incident, like a house break-in, but the report goes nowhere and there is no follow-up. “Trying to explain to our community that we cannot do our job because we do not have the resources is very stressful,” he added. Dixon said that these are just a few of the challenges that his staff face from not having a full staff and that officers often worry about the entire staff when sick or in need of a day off. Vacations and sick days are spent worried about another officer working overtime to cover their shift and the absent officers shift, he noted. “When an officer calls out sick, it places a burden on the entire staff because we’re already short,” he said. “This makes officers feel guilty for getting sick because they know the burden it creates on everyone else.” Asked what kind of toll an incomplete staff can cause on themselves as chiefs, Dixon and Stanley said it can be rough and mentally straining. “It is mentally exhausting for sure because I want my staff to be happy, both mentally and physically,” Stanley said. Dixon told The Beacon that anything could happen with a full staff and 10 additional officers on a scene, however, knowing an officer is hurt and alone is “unacceptable.” “The impact on me as the chief is hard to explain,” Dixon said. “I spend my days and nights worried to death that I’m going to get a phone call that one of our officers got hurt and no one was there to back them up.” Chiefs and department representatives were asked if they felt like they needed more officers, even if they were fully staffed. “In an ideal world, to be fully staffed, the town would budget for and approve the police department to employee 13 officers,” Dixon responded. “This would include eight patrol officers, two patrol sergeants, one detective, one lieutenant, and one chief. With 13 officers on staff, patrol shifts could be adequately covered, and investigations would be more thoroughly conducted.” Stanley said they too need more police officers — especially as the town continues to grow. “Yes, with the planned growth of several residential properties in town and the surrounding area, plus additional businesses, we will need to add staffing,” Stanley said. Morris said the Oak Island Police Department could need more officers in the future if the town’s population increases, however, he said they maintain their duties well with the current staffing level and do not see a need for more officers at this time. Faulkner said the Village of Bald Head Island is looking to hire one PSO, a public safety director and one captain position, and that two of those positions were posted over a month ago. She said they do not need more officers at this time, but that potential need is assessed annually. She did not answer the questions about the impacts officers and the lead officer can face from not having a full staff of officers. Asked what residents could do to help their local police departments, local chiefs said there are volunteer programs that folks can be a part of. “We currently have a volunteer service program,” Stanley said. “Some functions of the volunteer program are working [administration] duties such as answering the phone, meeting the public in the lobby and clerical work.” He said the community can also help the Shallotte Police Department with special events. “We will also be starting a citizen patrol which will help with traffic control duties, working special events and property and business checks,” he said. “This will aid our staff so they can continue to answer calls for service and enforcement actions.” “Many police departments have local volunteer programs that residents can be involved with,” Dixon said. “Residents can also speak to their elected officials to encourage them to apply tax dollars towards their police departments.” Morris said the Oak Island Police Department maintains a community-oriented approach to policing, noting that they do community activities, like “Coffee with a Cop” and “National Night Out,” to keep the community and police staff connected. “Basically, to support your local Police Department, get to know your local police department,” he said. “Attend their events and start a conversation.” The Beacon also reached out to Southport Police Chief Coring, Boiling Spring Lakes Police Chief Keven Smith, Ocean Isle Beach Chief of Police Ken Bellamy and the Northwest City Clerk. No other responses were given to the questions sent at the time of this publication’s deadline.
Read more » click here

‘Booze It & Lose It’ underway through holidays
Law enforcement statewide will increase patrols this holiday season to keep drivers safe against impaired driving. On Monday, the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program launched its Booze It & Lose It campaign. It’s in effect through Jan. 1, 2024. Its goal is to deter people from driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs and other substances. “Festivities this time of year often involve alcohol consumption, which unfortunately leads to an increased risk of impaired driving,” Mark Ezzell, director of highway safety, said in a press release. “More than 25 percent of all N.C. crash fatalities in 2022 involved drivers who were under the influence of alcohol.” There were 471 alcohol-related crash fatalities in 2022, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Multiple sobriety checkpoints and patrols will be set up in heavily trafficked areas across the state. “It is essential to plan a safe ride before heading out,” Jennifer Lichtneger, executive director of NC Mothers Against Drunk Driving, added in the release. “If you wait until after you’ve been drinking, you will already be too impaired to make the right decisions.”
Read more » click here

Statewide holiday ‘Booze It & Lose It’ Enforcement Campaign underway
The statewide “Booze It & Lose It” campaign begins today and ends on Jan. 1. The campaign is part of the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program and aims to raise awareness and deter people from driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs and all impairing substances. “Festivities this time of year often involve alcohol consumption, which unfortunately leads to an increased risk of impaired driving,” said Mark Ezzell, director of GHSP. “More than 25 percent of all N.C. crash fatalities in 2022 involved drivers who were under the influence of alcohol.” According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, 471 alcohol related crash fatalities occurred in 2022. The “Booze It & Lose It” campaign is a sobering reminder that there are severe consequences for reckless behavior. Now until Jan 1., law enforcement agencies throughout the state will increase the number of sobriety checkpoints and patrols in heavily trafficked areas. These checkpoints reinforce the message that there is a zero-tolerance approach toward driving under the influence. “The most important thing is to have a transportation plan before consumption of alcohol or drugs,” said Jennifer Lichtneger, executive director of NC Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “It is essential to plan a safe ride before heading out. If you wait until after you’ve been drinking, you will already be too impaired to make the right decisions.” Plenty of options are available to help drivers arrive safely at their destination, like designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or rideshare service. Visit this webpage to search for all available public transportation in any North Carolina city or county.
Read more » click here

9.  Inspections Department Report – Inspections Director Evans

Agenda Packet – pages 38 – 40

Inspections Report » click here 

Update –
Timbo briefly reviewed department activity last month, the department still remains very busy.

Same As It Ever Was!

10.  Discussion and Possible Action on Bids Received for the Holden Beach Pier Project – Assistant Town Manager Ferguson

Agenda Packet – pages 41 – 42

The Town received two bids at the second scheduled bid opening for the Holden Beach Pier Phase 1, Paragon Building Corp and TD Eure. The most responsive bid appears to be Paragon at $2,197,181. This has been certified by the architect. The board has a few options moving forward including:

• • Award the bid as is and direct staff on preparation of a budget amendment for the $1,197,181 budget shortfall
  • Direct staff to engage in value engineering and negotiation with Paragon to incrementally reduce scope of work to better align with existing budget appropriations
  • Direct staff to engage in value engineering to reduce the scope of work and totally rebid the project

Let’s do the time warp again!

Previously reported – September 2021
The HPBOA official position statement is that they cannot support the proposed purchase of the pier properties until the inspection results listing any necessary repairs and their estimated cost are known.

Previously reported – October 2021

ATM Pier Inspection Report

The inspection of the timber piles was conducted by a three-person engineer dive team. MidAtlantic attempted to perform diving operation on the piles, but due to the sea state it was unsafe to continue. Alternatively, MidAtlantic inspected all the upland piles and performed a hands-on tactile inspection on the accessible  piles by wading into the wave break until water depths exceed 5ft. Piles which could not be safely inspected by a person in the water the piles were visually inspected using a drone. All work was performed in accordance with the ASCE Underwater Investigations Standard Practice Manual, No. 130. Based on the available information provided to ATM and the preliminary results of our inspection, the Holden Beach fishing pier has likely surpassed its remaining service life considering it was constructed in 1957, which is ~64 years old. Most fixed timber pier structures are constructed for a 50-year life span with regular maintenance. Without maintenance records it is difficult to ascertain when key components such as the pilings were replaced. One of the key concerns observed during the inspection was the heavily corroded and missing/damaged connection hardware throughout the pier structure. Most connections appear to have more than 50% sectional loss (thereby reducing their strength by 50%). In order to extend the service life to a reasonably acceptable time, many of the connections and bracing will need total replacement. While the piling may have a longer remaining service life than the other components, significant maintenance and repair of the other key structural components will need to be completed. Immediate repairs to the pier to extend the service life to a reasonable period of time (10-15 years) is estimated to be on the order of $500,000 to $750,000. This would include replacement or significant repair of the three damaged piles, replacement of the damaged pile caps, installation of new cross bracing and total replacement of corroded fasteners and connections. This estimate assumes that significant material such as decking and stringers can be salvaged, and the construction can be completed by land-based equipment (i.e., no mobilization of barges or water-based equipment).


Previously reported – November 2021
Commissioners Sullivan and Kwiatkowski – November Memo
More important is the pier inspection report. Despite the importance placed by us (Commissioners Sullivan and Kwiatkowski) on below water assessment of the pier pilings, the Board was given an inspection report at the October 19 Board meeting executive session that does not include the level of investigation expected. The report states “Due to weather conditions at the time of inspection, underwater visual and tactile inspections were limited”. Later in the report it is stated the divers “attempted to perform diving operations on the piles, but due to the state of the sea it was unsafe to continue. Alternatively, all upland piles were inspected, and a hands-on tactile inspection performed on the accessible piles by wading into the wave break until water depths exceed 5 feet.” We do not question the choice to limit the inspection for safety reasons; however, there was no communication to the Board that this was the case between the September 21 inspection date and October 19 when we received the report. This is disappointing, as there has been good weather in October, and it was for the specific possibility of unfavorable weather conditions that we added extra funds to the budget to allow for additional dive days. However, even with limited investigation, the report states that the pier, “Based on the available information provided to ATM and the preliminary results of our inspection, the Holden Beach fishing pier has likely surpassed its remaining service life considering it was constructed in 1957, which is 64 years old. Most fixed timber pier structures are constructed for a 50-year life span with regular maintenance.” (emphasis added). The report states further,” The nature of the due diligence inspection is to provide a high-level condition assessment of the facility, with a limited number of elements inspected only visually and tactilely. Prior to  making repairs, future functionality of the facility  needs to be determined and a feasibility study performed. Once facility functionality is determined , a design level inspection of the facility should be performed to confirm suitability for future operations.” (emphasis added). Based on the above cited sections of the Holden Beach Oceanfront Pier Due Diligence Inspection Report, it is clear that we cannot, at this time, make a reasonable estimate of the full cost to repair and maintain the pier, nor what it can be used for. In addition, based on the current condition of the pier, if the Town makes the purchase, it will need to be closed until repairs to pilings and railings are made which will cost AT LEAST 500-750 thousand dollars (ATM staff believes that the estimated costs for repairs is too low, particularly when considering current construction prices) to extend the lifetime of the pier by 10 to 15 years. 

Previously reported – December 2021

Tom Myers, President / Holden Beach Property Owners Association

HBPOA Survey – 768 responses

• • • Buy the pier, keep it closed since it is not safe, and just sit on the property (6%)
    • Buy the pier, incur the $500,000 – $750,000 in repairs necessary to make it safe,
      and salvage the west end of the pier building (30%)
    • Buy the pier, tear it down and incur the cost to build a new pier and pier
      building (22%)
    • Buy the pier, tear it down, clean up the property and sell it (13%)
    • Buy the pier, tear it down, and turn it into a parking lot (13%)
    • Walk away from the deal and forfeit the earnest money (39%)
    • Do not increase taxes to cover costs associated with the pier (68%)

Frankly, I’m not seeing much support for them moving forward with the purchase. Despite the public’s lack of support (30%), it appears they plan to move forward with the pier properties purchase.

Previously reported – May 2022

Holden Beach Fishing Pier – 2022 Due Diligence Inspection / Part 2

Town Manager’s Report
Just received the Underwater Survey on the pier. Executive Summary noted that they observed conditions were overall in FAIR condition, the primary structures are sound. Repairs are recommended, but the priority recommended repairs is low. The cost associated with making the repairs is approximately $116,000. Overall, David felt pretty good about the report and stated that “we did not buy a lemon”.

Update –
Paragon bid was for $2,191,181, the only other bid was from TD Eure at $3,900,000. That is a $1,708,819 spread or  put another way the high bid is 178% higher than the low bid  – Yikes! The options that were presented were designed with the intent of having the pier open for the next tourist season. Chip Hemingway, Bowman Murray Hemingway Architects spoke and recommended the third option; direct staff to engage in value engineering to reduce the scope of work and totally rebid the project. By changing the way that we install the pilings it will significantly reduce the cost of the project and also increase the number of bids; scope not being changed just the methodology. This phase is a bare bones minimum to make the pier safe and ADA compliant to get the pier open to the public. After considerable discussion it was decided that the contract should be held in abeyance and the project is to be put on hold. In other words, we are calling for a time out. The reasons given for not moving forward at this time boil down to the following: 1) they need to decide what they are going to do with this property 2) they need to develop a strategic plan of action 3) they need to determine how they plan to pay for it.

A motion was made to direct staff to engage in value engineering to reduce the scope of work and totally rebid the project.

A decision was made – Not Approved (2-3)
Commissioners Myers, Thomas and Parfus opposed the motion

You Know… Elections Have Consequences 

A motion was made that we reject the bids, reevaluate the project, and start the process of developing a new plan by scheduling a special meeting.  

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

David is right the pier is not a lemon it’s a white elephant. The fact that no one else was interested in purchasing the pier properties should have been a red flag and cause for concern. In their infinite wisdom, the previous Board committed to proceed with purchasing the properties regardless of the pier condition. They assured us that the purchase and ownership of the pier property will not impose any additional taxes or assessments on property owners. We only budgeted approximately one million dollars to make the necessary repairs, which is money we really don’t have. Now we are informed that the tab will be over two million dollars, and this is only the beginning of the project. We need a strategy and clearly defined vision to develop a plan that also is doable within our financial restraints.

11.  Discussion and Possible Action on Fourth Amendment to Solid Waste & Recyclables Collection, Transportation and Disposal Agreement between the Town and GFL Environmental – Public Works Director Clemmons

Agenda Packet – pages 43 – 46

Waste Industries 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, 2023. The amendment would extend the initial term by two years, with the end date being December 31, 2025. Pursuant to the terms of our contract, current rates would be adjusted by 3%. The second pickup rate is proposed to be increased from $10.82 per month per cart to $11.15 and the curbside recycling rate would increase from $6.19 to $6.38 per month. Staff recommends approval.

Previously reported – December 2021
Waste Industries 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, 2021. The amendment would extend the initial term by two years, with the end date being December 31, 2023. The charge for residential curbside trash (second pickup) will be $10.50 per month per cart. We are currently being charged $7.78 per cart per month. This charge is for the Saturday pickups that occur June – September and the Saturdays before Memorial Day and after Easter. Waste Industries has explained the change is due to their increased cost of doing business over the past couple of years. Staff recommends the Board approve the Third Amendment to Solid Waste and Recyclables Collection, Transportation and Disposal Agreement and the associated budget amendment.

Update –
This is the fourth amendment to the agreement which extends the term by two (2) years and adjusts the rate.

A decision was made – Approved unanimously

12. Town Manager’s Report

Block Q

We do not have a signed letter of engagement yet from the vendor that the contract was awarded to by the BOC’s

The town was contacted by NC Wildlife to schedule a meeting this week to discuss plans being considered to renovate the boat ramp

Sewer Lift Station #2

The Town was informed by Congressman Rouzer’s office that the EPA has awarded the project funding. The NCDWQ appropriation has not been finalized yet.

Tire Apocalypse
The past weekend’s storm has left several hundred tires from a decades old artificial reef experiment strewn the entire length of the beach. From time to time during storm events the reef breaks up further and old tires make their way on to the strand. We are working to get these hazards off the strand; however, it may take a week or more to remove what’s there already with more possibly showing up over the course of the next several days. Please remain vigilant as there will be extra equipment on the strand as the tires are collected and removed. Thank you.

Approximately one thousand (1,000) tires washed up from the weekend storm event
The Division of Marine Fisheries already removed all of the tires from the beach strand
If additional tires wash up, please call Town Hall to have them removed

Modular Restroom
The modular restroom at the pier is a three-season restroom and must be winterized. The Public Works Department completed the process yesterday based on the sudden drop in temperatures to preserve lines and prevent damage. Patrons visiting the pier should expect to find the modular restroom locked from this point forward and will need to use the handicap accessible porta  john that remains onsite.

 Bike Lane Project
The contractor is on site, and they are making necessary storm water fixes. Once they have completed that part of the project they should start prep work on the paving project.

The Department of Transportation has started stormwater work for the Ocean Boulevard Paving Project. Expect detours in the work area. DOT will be onsite to allow limited access to closed areas.

DOT Bike Lane Report Presentation » click here

The plan includes bike lanes of 5’ on each side of Ocean Boulevard. It will be an asymmetrical widening, that is 7’ on the south side and only 3’ on the north side where the sidewalk is. 

Highland Paving has been awarded the contract and has already met with the town staff

Surveying has already been completed and work on storm water issues will begin in November

Paving prep work will start once that is completed, probably sometime in December

They anticipate that the actual paving project will be done beginning March

Work will be done starting from the west end of the island working east

They are still committing to completing the project before Memorial Day

THB Newsletter (10/20/23)
Ocean Boulevard Resurfacing and Bike Lane Project
Highland Paving met with the Department of Transportation and staff last week to discuss the upcoming project. They communicated that storm water work will begin in November. The subsequent paving prep work, which we are thinking will take place in December, will involve removal of the road shoulders, three feet on the north side of the road and seven feet on the south side of the road. We do not know where the contractor will be at any given point in time. Property owners are responsible for removing any material (landscape timbers/specialty rock, etc.) from the construction area that they don’t want hauled off by the contractor. Replacement material will be generic ABC stone. Mailboxes will be moved/reset, but if they fall apart, the contractor will install a generic replacement. We are forecasting the paving won’t begin until March/April, with the project being completed by Memorial Day.

THB Newsletter (12/21/23)
Ocean Boulevard Resurfacing and Bike Lane Project
Paving prep work for the project will involve removal of the road shoulders, three feet on the north side of the road and seven feet on the south side of the road. Work is scheduled to start in the beginning of January. Make sure to remove any materials before this time.  Property owners are responsible for removing any material (landscape timbers/specialty rock, etc.) from the construction area that they don’t want hauled off by the contractor. Replacement material will be generic ABC stone. Mailboxes will be moved/reset, but if they fall apart, the contractor will install a generic replacement.

In Case You Missed It –

Pavilion
The Town can survive a year without a pavilion because the existing one needs to be shut down until properly repaired or reconstructed

Water/Sewer Account
Please note that you have a NEW ACCOUNT NUMBER for your water/sewer account. It is very important that you include the correct account number on your memo line when remitting payment, you will not be sending a paper stub in when making your payment moving forward. Click here if you would like to be set up on bank draft.

Town Hall Holiday Schedule
Town Hall will be closed December 25^th, 26^th, 27^th, and January 1^st in observance of the holidays.

Christmas Lights
Public Works have put up snow flake decorations on the boulevard light poles

• • Purple street lights are not part of the holiday decorations they are the LED’s failing

National Flood Insurance Program: Reauthorization
Congress must periodically renew the NFIP’s statutory authority to operate. On November 17, 2023, the President signed legislation passed by Congress that extends the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP’s) authorization to February 2, 2024.

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 –

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13.   Mayor’s Comments

From the Mayor’s Desk (12/18/23)

The unusual weather this weekend caused rough seas, high tides, very little wind damage, several streets were flooded, some beach erosion and approximately a thousand tires to wash upon the beach strand (from an offshore fish reef constructed by the state of North Carolina years ago) and some trash relocated due to water and wind.

The sustained winds were less than 45 MPH, we had seven inches of rain, and the tide was three feet above normal.

The tires are scheduled for removal immediately by the state of North Carolina thanks to the quick action of David Hewett and Town staff.

General Comments –

BOC’s Meeting
The Board of Commissioners’ next Regular Meeting is scheduled on the third fourth Tuesday of the month, January 23^rd

Holden Beach Election Results / Through the Years …

BOC’s distribution list
[email protected]
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Congratulations and thanks to our elected officials for their service to the community.

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

The following twenty-seven (27) items are what’s In the Works/Loose Ends queue:

• • • • 796 OBW Project
      • Accessory Structure
      • Accommodation/Occupancy Tax Compliance
      • ADA Mediation Agreement
      • Audit Committee Chair
        
      • Beach Mat Plan
      • Bike Lanes
      • Block Q Project
      • Carolina Avenue
      • Crosswalks OBW
      • Dog Park
      • Fire Station Project
      • Harbor Acres
      • Hatteras Ramp/Coastal Waterfront Access Grant
      • ICW/No Wake Zone Enforcement
      • Inlet Hazard Areas
      • Parking – 800 Block
      • Pavilion Replacement
      • Pier Properties Project
      • Rights-of-Way
      • Sailfish Park Site Project
      • Sewer System/Lift station #2
      • Stormwater Management Project
      • USACE/Coastal Storm Risk Management Study
      • Water System Assessment/Water Tower
      • Waste Ordinance Enforcement Policy
      • Wetland Delineation/Bulkheading
        

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.

Hurricane Season
For more information » click here.

Be prepared – have a plan! 

 2023 Atlantic hurricane season ranks 4th for most-named storms in a year
NOAA advances modeling and observation capabilities during the season
The above-normal 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ends on Nov. 30, was characterized by record-warm Atlantic sea surface temperatures and a strong El Nino. The Atlantic basin saw 20 named storms in 2023, which ranks fourth for the most-named storms in a year since 1950. Seven storms were hurricanes and three intensified to major hurricanes. An average season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. Hurricane Idalia was the only U.S. landfalling hurricane in 2023. It made landfall as a category-3 hurricane on Aug. 30 near Keaton Beach, Florida, causing storm surge inundation of 7 to 12 feet and widespread rainfall flooding in Florida and throughout the southeast. Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall as a strong tropical storm with 70 mph winds on Emerald Isle, North Carolina, on Sept. 23 causing widespread heavy rainfall, gusty winds and significant river and storm surge flooding in portions of eastern North Carolina. Hurricane Lee made landfall as a post-tropical cyclone in Nova Scotia, Canada, on Sept. 16. Swells generated by Lee caused dangerous surf and rip currents along the entire U.S. Atlantic coast. Strong winds with hurricane‑force gusts from Lee caused extensive power outages in Maine and in parts of Canada. The 2023 Atlantic seasonal activity fell within the NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s predicted ranges for named storms and hurricanes in the August updated outlook. “The Atlantic basin produced the most named storms of any El Nino influenced year in the modern record,” said Matthew Rosencrans, lead hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center — a division of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “The record-warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic provided a strong counterbalance to the traditional El Nino impacts.” The eastern Pacific basin hurricane season was also above normal with 17 named storms, of which 10 were hurricanes and eight of those major hurricanes. From Aug. 16 to 21, Tropical Storm Hilary brought widespread heavy rainfall and flooding to Southern California, with some areas receiving up to 600% of their normal August rainfall. Hilary resulted in the first ever issuance of Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings for the Southern California coastline by NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. In addition, the Center distributed key hazard focused messages for Hilary in Spanish through the agency’s new language translation project. Hurricane Otis made landfall near Acapulco, Mexico, on Oct. 25 as a category-5 hurricane with sustained winds of 165 mph. Otis holds the record as the strongest landfalling hurricane in the eastern Pacific after undergoing rapid intensification in which wind speeds increased by 115 mph in 24 hours. The central Pacific basin had a near-normal season with four tropical systems traversing the basin. Hurricane Dora, a category-4 storm, passed south of Hawaii in early August, marking the first major hurricane in the central Pacific basin since 2020. The strong gradient between a high pressure system to the north and Dora to the south was a contributing factor to the wind-driven, fast-moving wildfires in Hawaii. Hurricane season activity for the eastern Pacific and central Pacific fell within predicted ranges. “Another active hurricane season comes to a close where hazards from the storms extended well inland from the landfall location,” said NOAA National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan, Ph.D.  “This underscores the importance of having a plan to stay safe whether you’re at the coast or inland.” NOAA’s new Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System helped National Hurricane Center forecasters improve intensity predictions this season. NOAA’s intensity forecasts showed Hurricane Idalia as a major hurricane impacting the coast of Florida as early as Aug. 28. This lead time gave those in threatened areas more time to prepare and respond, and there were no storm surge fatalities from Idalia despite storm surge inundation of as much as 12 feet above ground level in some areas. Further, extending the National Hurricane Center’s tropical weather outlook product from five to seven days, this season provided emergency managers more time to prepare and stage resources before a storm.
NOAA’s hurricane research and response
This season, NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft flew 468 mission hours to collect atmospheric data that is critical to hurricane forecasting and research, passing through the eye of a hurricane 120 times and deploying over 1,400 scientific instruments. Since 2020 through this 2023 season, NOAA’s two Lockheed WP-3D Orion have flown 40% more hurricane mission flights than the preceding four years (2016-2019). NOAA celebrated the first operational launch of a Black Swift drone from a NOAA WP-3D Orion to gather atmospheric data in and around Hurricane Tammy. Further, the first successful coordination of a low-flying drone (Anduril’s Altius 600), atmospheric profilers (dropsondes), and ocean profilers (bathythermographs) also launched from a NOAA WP-3D Orion. Observations and information from these deployments are being evaluated to determine the feasibility of using the data to help with hurricane forecasting in the future. NOAA’s Beechcraft King Air flew 28 mission hours to collect aerial imagery used for emergency response after Hurricanes Idalia and Lee. Following Hurricane Idalia, NOAA’s National Ocean Service provided support to enable safe maritime navigation, gathering survey data for 36.8 linear nautical miles and identifying 29 potential obstructions along Florida’s coastal waterways. NOAA also worked to identify hazards caused by capsized vessels, damaged docks and piers, parts of homes and other types of marine debris, and shared findings with Florida’s debris task force following Hurricane Idalia.  NOAA’s geostationary and polar-orbiting weather satellites provided vital information for monitoring and forecasting the hurricanes and tropical weather that threatened our lives and property this season. Forecasters used one-minute geostationary satellite imagery to assess structure changes during the rapid intensity of storms such as Idalia, Lee and Otis. NOAA’s polar-orbiting satellites orbit the Earth from pole to pole 14 times a day, providing full global coverage twice daily. Throughout the hurricane season, these satellites made sophisticated and precise observations of the atmosphere, ocean and land, which were critical to developing daily and 3-5 day forecasts. The National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Reports for 2023, including synoptic history, meteorological statistics, casualties and damages, and the post-analysis best track, will be published on the 2023 Tropical Cyclone Report site in March 2024. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, will issue its 2024 hurricane seasonal outlook in May 2024. The hurricane season officially begins on June 1.
Read more » click here

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.

Request –
We encourage you to pass along this newsletter to anyone else you think would enjoy it. We would like to include other members of the community and are asking for your help in making that happen. To be added to our distribution list send an e-mail to [email protected] or subscribe on our website https://lousviews.com.

Thank you for subscribing!

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

Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday!

Do you enjoy this newsletter?
Then please forward it to a friend!

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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Lou’s Views
News & Views / December Edition

Calendar of Events –

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Discover a wide range of things to do in the Brunswick Islands for an experience that goes beyond the beach.
For more information » click here.

Calendar of Events Island –

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Parks & Recreation / Programs & Events
For more information » click here

Reminders –

Solid Waste Pick-Up Schedule
GFL Environmental change in service, trash pickup will be once a week. This year September 30^th was the  the last Saturday trash pick-up until June. Trash collection will go back to Tuesdays only.

Please note:
. • Trash carts must be at the street by 6:00 a.m. on the pickup day
. • BAG the trash before putting it in the cart
. • Carts will be rolled back to the front of the house

Solid Waste Pick-up Schedule – starting October once a week

Recycling – starting October every other week

Yard Waste Service
Yard debris is collected on the second (2^nd) and fourth (4^th) Fridays during the months of October, November, and December. Yard debris needs to be secured in a biodegradable bag (not plastic) or bundled in a maximum length not to exceed five (5) feet and fifty (50) pounds in weight. Each residence is allowed a total of ten (10) items, which can include a combination of bundles of brush and limbs meeting the required length and weight and/ or biodegradable bags. Picks-ups are not provided for vacant lots or construction sites.

Upon Further Review –

• Bike Lane
  Property owners along Ocean Boulevard were sent a CAMA notice from the DOT
  .
  Key takeaways:

• • • • Add 7’ asphalt to the south side of existing pavement
      • Add 3’ asphalt to the north side of existing pavement
      • Recenter the travel lanes
      • Create two (2) five (5) foot bike lanes on either side of the road

DOT informed us the cost of the has significantly increased by almost 30%
The good news is that our portion is only an additional $23,000 so far

Previously reported – October 2023

DOT Bike Lane Report Presentation » click here

The plan includes bike lanes of 5’ on each side of Ocean Boulevard. It will be an asymmetrical widening, that is 7’ on the south side and only 3’ on the north side where the sidewalk is. 

Highland Paving has been awarded the contract and has already met with the town staff

Surveying has already been completed and work on storm water issues will begin in November

Paving prep work will start once that is completed, probably sometime in December

They anticipate that the actual paving project will be done beginning March

Work will be done starting from the west end of the island working east

They are still committing to completing the project before Memorial Day

THB Newsletter (10/20/23)
Ocean Boulevard Resurfacing and Bike Lane Project
Highland Paving met with the Department of Transportation and staff last week to discuss the upcoming project. They communicated that storm water work will begin in November. The subsequent paving prep work, which we are thinking will take place in December, will involve removal of the road shoulders, three feet on the north side of the road and seven feet on the south side of the road. We do not know where the contractor will be at any given point in time. Property owners are responsible for removing any material (landscape timbers/specialty rock, etc.) from the construction area that they don’t want hauled off by the contractor. Replacement material will be generic ABC stone. Mailboxes will be moved/reset, but if they fall apart, the contractor will install a generic replacement. We are forecasting the paving won’t begin until March/April, with the project being completed by Memorial Day.

THB Newsletter (12/21/23)
Ocean Boulevard Resurfacing and Bike Lane Project
Paving prep work for the project will involve removal of the road shoulders, three feet on the north side of the road and seven feet on the south side of the road. Work is scheduled to start in the beginning of January. Make sure to remove any materials before this time.  Property owners are responsible for removing any material (landscape timbers/specialty rock, etc.) from the construction area that they don’t want hauled off by the contractor. Replacement material will be generic ABC stone. Mailboxes will be moved/reset, but if they fall apart, the contractor will install a generic replacement.

Corrections & Amplifications –

North Carolina Coastal Federation once again earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a level of consistent financial excellence that only 7% of charities achieve.

Every year, the independent nonprofit ratings agencies Charity Navigator and Candid Guidestar evaluate charities nationwide based on fiscal transparency, accountability, and effectiveness. We are thrilled to announce that the Coastal Federation earned a perfect score of 100% from Charity Navigator this year, and the highest Platinum Rating from Candid Guidestar. Review the details on Charity Navigator and Candid Guidestar.

Mission:
Since its founding in 1982, the North Carolina Coastal Federation has worked with citizens to safeguard the coastal rivers, creeks, sounds and beaches of North Carolina. Headquartered in Newport, North Carolina with offices in Wanchese and Wrightsville Beach, the Coastal Federation works in three key program areas: environmental advocacy; restoring and protecting habitat and water quality; and educating citizens and community leaders. Our vision is for a natural, beautiful, and productive coast that is a great place to live, work and visit. Today the Coastal Federation consists of more than 11,000 supporters, 200 partner organizations, thousands of active volunteers and a 30-member professional staff and is considered one of the most effective coastal conservation groups in the state. The Coastal Federation remains a collaborative, grassroots organization, bringing together traditional and nontraditional organizations, government agencies and businesses to leave a legacy of a healthy coast for future generations.

As a Federation supporter, you can be proud to support an organization earning top marks nationwide. If you are considering making an additional gift during this season of giving, you can be confident that your donation will be put to good use.

Odds & Ends –

How this Brunswick beach town is cracking down on short-term rental properties
Officials in one Brunswick County beach town are looking to keep a closer eye on short-term rental properties. After discovering many short-term rentals in Sunset Beach were underreporting or not reporting proper accommodations tax to the town, town officials have signed a $45,000 yearlong contract with GovOS to help better monitor such properties in the town. GovOS is a software platform that works with state and local governments to streamline various processes involving property, licensing and taxing. GovOS promised its short-term rental software would help increase short-term compliance in the town. According to Sunset Beach staff, research on this subject in the town began over two years ago. GovOS estimated the town has 637 short-term rental properties. Of those, the company estimated some 200 are fully in compliance with the town’s accommodation tax ordinance. Accommodations tax is a tax on short-term rental properties – properties that are rented through platforms such as AirBnB or VRBO. In Sunset Beach, accommodations taxes are levied at a rate of 6% of the gross rental income, which includes a 3% tourism-related expenditure tax, a 2% beach nourishment and protection tax, and a 1% county tourism and travel tax. According to Sunset Beach, the property owner or agent are required to pay the full 6% tax to the town with a tax report form monthly based on income from the previous month. Even if no rental receipts are applicable for that month, property owners or agents must file reports month. The software will allow the town to identify properties currently being used for short-term rentals – a feat town staff has struggled with in the wake of the explosion of short-term rental platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO. Once the properties are identified, the software will report the short-term rental properties to the town along with a variety of information on the properties and their tax reporting history. The more properties that properly comply, the more accommodations tax revenue the town will receive. According to the town’s budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, the town anticipates collecting some $775,000 in accommodations taxes, a figure that could be nearly doubled if this software is successful. The Sunset Beach Town Council heard a presentation from GovOS in September before awarding the contract in October, at the request of town staff.
Read more » click here

Editor’s note –
Accommodation/Occupancy Tax Compliance should go to the top of the queue because it provides an additional revenue stream. The software will allow the town to identify properties currently being used for short-term rentals. The more properties that properly comply, the more accommodations tax revenue the town will receive.

Bridge lanes to be closed for months during repairs
A preservation project, to extend the life of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, will temporarily close portions of the bridge in the coming months. Built in 1967, the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is reaching the end of its lifecycle and must be monitored, inspected and maintained on a more frequent basis. Daily inspections of the steel vertical-lift bridge have shown the need to conduct longer-lasting improvements. The work scheduled to begin in early 2024 will repair the moveable bridge deck. Weather and material dependent, the eastbound lanes heading into Wilmington will close as early as Jan. 3. The westbound lanes will remain open to traffic. During this closure, those wanting to drive into Wilmington will detour to take the Isabel Holmes Bridge to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to College Road. The bridge is scheduled to be open in both directions on April 1-7 for the North Carolina Azalea Festival in downtown Wilmington. Tentatively, on April 8, contract crews will close the westbound lanes to traffic and reopen before Memorial Day. The contractor, Southern Road & Bridge LLC, was awarded the $7.1 million contract on Nov. 30. The department has incentivized the company to finish early, potentially earning an extra $500,000. The N.C. Department of Transportation will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.
Read more » click here

Local officials, DOT squabble as Cape Fear Memorial Bridge lane closures loom
The DOT intends to close traffic in one direction over the Memorial Bridge for months at a time, starting as soon as early January, to allow much-needed repairs to the bridge’s moveable mid-section
Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo was fuming. In early January, the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) intends to shut down both lanes of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge carrying traffic from Brunswick County into Wilmington for several months. After reopening the bridge in both directions in early April for the N.C. Azalea Festival, the lanes into Brunswick County from the Port City will be closed until Memorial Day − roughly seven weeks. With the Memorial Bridge carrying more than 72,000 vehicles a day, the move means thousands of Brunswick County commuters and other drivers will have to find a new route to reach businesses, shops, medical facilities, family and friends on the New Hanover County side of the Cape Fear River. The mayor of Wilmington said only formally announcing the work Dec. 1 via a news release that the state intended to shut down lanes on the city’s main bridge crossing for an extended period was unacceptable. “I’m not sugarcoating it,” Saffo said recently. “This isn’t a problem created by local governments. This is a problem created by the state government, and they should have been at the table a lot earlier.”

‘Tough situation’
The need to replace the Memorial Bridge, which opened to traffic in 1969, has been a slow-moving crisis for decades that’s about to hit the front burner. While New Hanover and Brunswick officials for years and even decades have been unable to agree on many aspects of a new crossing, including where it should go and how it should be financed, the DOT has been crystal clear there isn’t enough money in the agency’s budget to build a new bridge and associated roadway infrastructure without outside funding sources − whether tolls, a local revenue source, a public-private partnership or federal help. But local officials, backed by many residents, have shown little appetite for tolls to replace a bridge that’s currently free to cross, and efforts to increase the region’s sales tax rate like Myrtle Beach and Charleston did to build new transportation infrastructure have gone nowhere. The DOT also has been vocal, especially in recent years, that the clock is ticking on how long they can keep the bridge operational as container truck traffic and overall traffic volumes continue to climb. But Saffo and other local officials have pushed back against the DOT, noting a lot of the wear and tear the state-owned bridge is seeing is due to the rapid growth the state-run Port of Wilmington has seen in recent years. They also point to projects in other parts of the state the DOT is constructing through traditional, non-tolling ways to deal with growth and congestion. “This is putting us in a really tough situation,” Saffo said, of the impending lane closures. “We’re trying to accommodate the port, the state, but also trying to protect the residents of those communities that are going to be impacted by this closure, and with all the impacts this is going to cause I feel strongly that we would have had a lot more discussion, outreach efforts on the DOT’s part than what we’ve seen.”

DOT: Local officials were aware
At a recent New Hanover County Board of Commissioners meeting, county officials raised similar concerns about a lack of communication from the DOT. Commissioner Jonathan Barfield called the state’s lack of public outreach a “dereliction of duty to our community,” while Commissioner Rob Zapple said he didn’t understand why the repair work was going to take so long when major infrastructure projects with significant impacts in other parts of the country get done in a much shorter time span then what’s being proposed with the bridge deck repairs. But DOT officials, who didn’t attend the commissioners’ meeting, have pushed back against the criticism. They’ve said the agency has made presentations about the upcoming project and the need for the work at several monthly meetings of the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which is made up of elected officials from the region and helps guide transportation policy and priorities for the Cape Fear area. Several local media outlets, including the StarNews, also reported about the upcoming lane closures this summer and early fall. In response to questions about why both lanes in one direction need to be shut at a time, the DOT has said it’s the only way to replace the support beams for the bridge’s riding deck, since it requires removing part of the roadway. The riding deck is the open-grated steel deck in the middle of the Memorial Bridge that is raised to allow tall ships to pass under the span.

‘A bitter pill’
With no easy or fast solution and a lot of immediate traffic pain in sight, there are few easy answers for Wilmington and Brunswick County residents about to be consumed by gridlock. While acknowledging the failures of local officials in past years to agree on a plan forward and the DOT unable or unwilling to commit the funds necessary for a new bridge, state Rep. Deb Butler said it’s going to be a tough first few months in 2024. “This is one of those big, Herculean infrastructure projects that’s going to be disruptive,” said the Wilmington Democrat, whose district includes the city’s downtown area. “It is, it just is. If we want a new bridge, we better understand that all of us are going to be dissatisfied a little bit. It’s just a bitter pill we’re all going to have to swallow.” But Butler said she was confident that state and local officials will be able to navigate a path forward to building a replacement crossing. “I believe if Charleston (South Carolina) and Savannah (Georgia) can do it, we can do it,” she said, referring to two Southern coastal towns like Wilmington that have built new downtown bridge crossings in recent decades. “I firmly believe that in my heart.”  While a new replacement Memorial Bridge might still be years off, there’s at least one piece of good news. The DOT’s $7.1 million contract for the deck-replacement work includes significant financial rewards for the contractor to get the work done early. A similar incentive offer helped get the new high-rise bridge in Surf City, which opened in 2018, completed 10 months ahead of schedule. Staffers with the DOT and several local governments, including Wilmington and New Hanover and Brunswick counties, also intend to meet weekly, starting Tuesday, to flush out emergency response, public communication efforts and other plans for when the bridge lanes are closed. At the recent commissioners’ meeting, County Manager Chris Coudriet also said that while Jan. 3, 2024, was the first day the contractor could start work, DOT officials have said that didn’t necessarily mean that’s when the lane closures would take place. “What was made very clear around the table by city and both county staffs is we need plenty of advance notice if it’s not going to be Jan. 3, what date is it so that we can communicate and prepare our communities,” he told the commissioners.
Read more » click here

‘Quite the mess:’ Cape Fear Memorial Bridge lane closures to impact local businesses, employees
More than 60,000 vehicles cross the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge each day according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Starting as soon as Jan. 3, both lanes on the bridge heading into Wilmington will close so crews can make repairs to the moveable deck. After those repairs are complete, NCDOT officials say those lanes will reopen, and the lanes into Brunswick County will close. The repairs could last until Memorial Day. Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Deputy Director Abby Lorenzo says the organization has been working with local businesses to prepare for the upcoming traffic. NCDOT officials expect traffic to be detoured across the Isabel Holmes Bridge and I-140. While this is sure to cause delays, Lorenzo says the best way to limit headaches is to reduce the number of cars on the road. “If you have the ability to shift when you’re out on the road traveling if you have the opportunity to go with your neighbors to the grocery store or whatever trip you may have planned, those are all eating and removing those vehicle miles traveled,” Lorenzo said. Lorenzo says WMPO’s Go Coast program can help people understand how to use alternate forms of transportation to get where they need to go. “Every trip saved, even if it seems like a minimal low impact, it is helping,” said Lorenzo. “[But] it’s not going to mitigate all the congestion we’re going to see.” Laurie Anderson is a teacher who lives in Leland but works in New Hanover County. She says she is already planning to leave an hour earlier than usual to get to work once the repair work begins. “I am going to try starting an hour early to get to just the other side of the Cape Fear Bridge which is normally about 12 [minutes]. I’ll start at 6 a.m. but if there’s an accident who knows what will happen,” Anderson said. The lane closures and inevitable traffic are also likely to impact businesses on both sides of the bridge. While Lorenzo and WMPO officials have suggested remote work as an option to reduce traffic, that is not an option for Anderson or Waterline Brewing Company Owner Rob Robinson. Robinson says the repair work will impact his business- and others nearby- in more ways than one. “I think that the bridge closure is going to have kind of a subtle effect, not just the overt effect,” said Robinson. “It’s going to create traffic problems in the drive across for the businesses like us that do deliveries, but I think it’s also going to impact the number of people that might just stay home instead of going out.”  NCDOT Engineer Chad Kimes says the bridge repairs need to be done before the summer to avoid the possibility of having to shut the entire bridge down. Robinson, meanwhile, hopes that the repairs will not make the slow season even slower. “We get a lot of people that come to visit us and the rest of downtown from Brunswick County and from Leland and they come across the bridge and so, going all the way around to Isabel Holmes is going to be quite the mess,” Robinson said. NCDOT awarded a $7.1 million contract to Southern Road & Bridge LLC for the project. The company can earn an additional $500,000 if the project is finished early.
Read more » click here

This and That –

 Survey open regarding Brunswick County libraries

Officials are asking for feedback from library goers in Brunswick County. A survey is open to gauge ways library services can be improved in the county. It takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete and is open here through Dec. 31, 2023. Paper copies are available at all five library branch locations as well. Anyone who uses the library — regardless of local residency — can participate. This includes visitors who work, shop, or conduct business and participate in activities in Brunswick County.

How Brunswick County’s ‘migration story’ has fueled record economic growth
Brunswick County’s continued population growth is fueling its economy, according to one of the region’s top economic experts. Mouhcine Guettabi, regional economist in Wilmington, presented an economic snapshot to the Leland Town Council at its November meeting. Guettabi, who is also an associate professor of economics at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, said migration to Brunswick County and the region is contributing to the area’s economy. “One of the fascinating things that everybody here knows is that the region has experienced incredible migration over the last couple of years,” Guettabi said. Between 2020 and 2022, Brunswick County grew at a rate of 12% — faster than any other county in the state. Both Pender and New Hanover counties are behind that rate at 9% and 4%, respectively, but Guettabi said the region as a whole has been growing “incredibly fast.” The growth – and with it, the income injection – is largely contributed to migration of residents from other counties in the state as well as from the northeastern United States. According to Guettabi, taking the gross income of those that have moved into the tri-county region (Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties) and removing the income of those who have left figures that an estimated $1 billion of income was injected into the local economy between 2020 and 2021. “It’s a migration story,” Guettabi said. “…If you were to remove migration from the equation, Brunswick County, New Hanover and Pender would have actually shrunk.” Deaths, he said, have outnumbered births in the region in recent years, so “absent migration, the whole region would have actually shrunk.”

‘Mind-blowing’ figures
Data from the Internal Revenue Service estimates that – as a direct result of this migration – millions of dollars was injected into the local economy between 2020 and 2021. The largest figure, again, goes to Brunswick County, which saw $548 million in net income change – the highest figure in the state. Nearby New Hanover County saw an additional $280 million in net income change from migration and Pender County saw an additional $110 million.

Labor market
Guettabi said employment in Brunswick County has also been growing rapidly, with private, federal, local and state sectors seeing “significant growth” since 2019. In the county, he said, there are about 16% more wage and salary jobs in 2023 than there were in 2019.  The accommodation and food services industry saw the greatest increase in jobs, he said, largely responding to the growth in population. Average weekly wages have also grown since 2019, he said, in all four sectors. While the labor market “held up remarkably well” through the pandemic years, Guettabi said it’s likely the region will see a decrease in job growth for the first time since 2020 in the approaching new year.

What’s next?
While a recession has been forecast over recent years, it hasn’t happened. Guettabi said data – foggy as it may be – indicates, however, that consumer spending may be “running out of runway.” Consumers, he said, largely saved money during the pandemic, but are nearing the bottom of their barrels. Inflation and wages, both of which have gone up regionally in recent years, are both moderating recently, he added. Housing markets in Brunswick and New Hanover counties, Guettabi said, are still seeing all-time highs in home prices. Locally and nationally, he said, experts are wondering who will blink first – buyers or sellers.
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Factoid That May Interest Only Me –

Christmas Trees Recycling
Christmas trees can be recycled to help build sand dunes on the beach. It is a way to build more protection on the shore by using them as a natural and biodegradable sand fencing. The trees are positioned facing downward at a 45-degree angle. Once the trees are laid down, they are left completely exposed except for the tips, which are covered in sand. The needles of the branches catch the sand, and it starts to accumulate until gradually the sand will bury the tree and build up the dunes around them. As the tree biodegrades, it provides nutrients to the other plants and organisms around it.

New plant hardiness zone map to help NC gardeners, farmers keep pace with climate change
The new map gives guidance to growers and farmers about which plants, shrubs and vegetables are most likely to thrive in a particular region as temperatures keep increasing
Last month, there was big news in the plant world, and while it shows the weather has been warming in recent years in Southeastern North Carolina, you might just want to wait a few decades before planting your outdoor pineapple and banana trees. If you have ever tested your green thumb, you’ve probably taken at least a quick look at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s USDA plant hardiness zone map. The color-coded map, which covers the entire country, is based on the average annual extreme minimum temperature recorded in a region. It doesn’t signify the coldest an area, say Pender County, has ever gotten, but rather the average lowest winter temperatures over a 30-year period. The zone categories are useful for both homeowners and farmers to know generally how to make the best plant and crop selections for gardens, nurseries and fields, since low temperatures during the winter are crucial factors in the survival of plants at specific locations. Last month, the USDA released a new hardiness map, which is updated every decade. Along with offering more bells and whistles that allow folks to just type in an address to see their new zone designation, it also uses data from more than 13,600 weather stations for greater accuracy. That compares to the fewer than 8,000 stations used for the 2012 map, according to the USDA. The new 2023 map also is divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones and further divided into 5-degree Fahrenheit half-zones, to reflect microclimates and the inclusion of more weather data. When compared to the 2012 map, the 2023 version reveals that about half of the country shifted to the next warmer half zone, and the other half of the country remained in the same half zone. “These national differences in zonal boundaries are mostly a result of incorporating temperature data from a more recent time period,” according to a USDA release.

What does it mean for Southeastern N.C.?
Most of the Wilmington area has now moved from being classified as Zone 8a to now falling into Zone 8b, which shows the average low temperatures run from 15-20 degrees. Parts of inland Pender County are still in Zone 8a, which shows winter lows can dip to 10-15 degrees. The change in hardiness zones means that plants that were once on the fringes of growing in our area could perhaps perform better or worse due to shifting weather patterns and climate. Certain crops and other vegetables also might now be able to be planted earlier since the spring warm-up will come sooner on the calendar. But do the new zone designations also reflect climate change? Federal officials said while climate change likely played a role in the warming trend, other factors also are reflected in the new zone designations. “Temperature updates to plant hardiness zones are not necessarily reflective of global climate change because of the highly variable nature of the extreme minimum temperature of the year, as well as the use of increasingly sophisticated mapping methods and the inclusion of data from more weather stations,” states the USDA release.  “Consequently, map developers involved in the project cautioned against attributing temperature updates made to some zones as reliable and accurate indicators of global climate change (which is usually based on trends in overall average temperatures recorded over long time periods).” Along with the USDA, the new hardiness maps were developed with help from Oregon State University’s PRISM Climate Group. Still, there’s plenty of evidence to show man’s pumping of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere is helping to accelerate any natural warming that’s taking place. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service announced that the world saw its warmest-ever November last month, roughly 1.75 degrees Celsius (3.15 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the pre-industrial average. For January to November 2023, the service said global average temperatures were the highest on record − 1.46 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average. That means 2023 will be the hottest year ever recorded. Climatologists have said global temperatures this century need to stay under 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than pre-industrial levels to prevent irreversible damage to the world’s environment. In North Carolina, most of the hottest years on record have been recorded in the past decade, with 2019 North Carolina’s warmest year in 125 years of record keeping.
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Hot Button Issues –

Subjects that are important to people and about which they have strong opinions

Climate
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There’s something happening here
What it is ain’t exactly clear

Flood Insurance Program
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National Flood Insurance Program: Reauthorization
Congress must periodically renew the NFIP’s statutory authority to operate. On November 17, 2023, the President signed legislation passed by Congress that extends the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP’s) authorization to February 2, 2024.