TOWN OF HOLDEN BEACH

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

Unofficial Minutes & Comments

Lous Views

1. Grand Strand Area Transportation Study (GSATS) Mark Hoeweler, Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments

After the 2010 Census, federal officials determined a swath of southern Brunswick would be switched to Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Those towns, Carolina Shores, Calabash, Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Shallotte, had been in the North Carolina based Cape Fear Rural Planning Organization (RPO). The absorption of the five towns is mandatory and is already a done deal. Metropolitan and rural planning organizations coordinate transportation planning for a designated area. Grand Strand officials have offered transportation planning services for two other sections of Brunswick County: Holden Beach and Varnamtown in one scenario, and Oak Island, Southport, Caswell Beach and St. James, in the second scenario. They will not leapfrog a town if somewhere further north wants to be part of the move. GSATS transportation planning service 1) Transportation model a) Scenario planning b) Traffic projections 2) Development impacts a) Impact analysis 3) Mio vision traffic counting a) Traffic counts b) Turning movement counts 4) Administration a) Corridor studies b) Consultant contract c) Request for proposals Federal Transportation Bill passed in April urban boundary crossed state line into NC Transport Management Area population exceeds 200,000+ Bottom-line transportation requirements are not restricted by political boundaries Growth is on the border of two states, North Carolina & South Carolina

There is a tourist component to this too Commissioner Don Glander asked - Whats in it for us? The answer is - dedicated federal funds ($$$) for projects Urban cluster areas inclusion is voluntary Therefore its up to us whether we choose to join the MPO Mark requested they advise him which way they are leaning, that is either in or out They wont leapfrog areas, if we say no then they would not make offer to next town in line Town Manager appeared to endorse the idea Commissioners did not commit but they did give thumbs up that they are interested (in) In other words, they are leaning toward voluntarily choosing to join the MPO
2. Police Report Chief Wally Layne

Police Officer Jeremy Dixon in lieu of Chief Wally Layne Community Watch Its that time of year Need to look out for each other and report any suspicious activity Call 911 if you see or hear anything suspicious Request property check by the police if you will be out of town
3. Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to Bill Cohen for His Time Served on the Planning & Zoning Board

Served two terms, one as the Chair, a total of six years of dedicated community service Thanks! 155.11 MEMBERSHIP AND VACANCIES The Planning and Zoning Board Regular members shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years. No regular member shall serve for more than two consecutive terms, and a member having served two consecutive terms shall not be eligible for reappointment until after remaining off the Board for one year.
4. Request from the Holden Beach Property Owners Association for Possible Community Service Project Playground Using Davis Street Triangular Lot, John Lytvinenko, HBPOA President

John spent significant time and effort putting this together

He did a full blown presentation (horse and pony show) Playground to utilize the small triangle shaped piece of Town property on Davis Street @1,300 square feet The Town has very limited options on what can be done with this property Association proposal is for a playground since we are recognized as a family beach HBPOA would raise funds and purchase playground equipment Stated intent justify existence of POA and oh yeah provide a playground for the community John attempted the sales technique of an Assumptive Close In the Assumptive Close, you act as if the other person has decided already He all but asked what color playground equipment did they want him to order Commissioner Sandy Miller asked the appropriate question Why isnt this being run through the committee - Parks & Recreation Advisory Board? Despite having talked about playground for years the Board made no motion What that means is it was dead in the water Heres my take 1) I have no objection to having a playground on the island 2) HBPOA did not follow proper protocols 3) Parks & Recreation Advisory Board needs to review 4) Parks & Recreation Master Plan is basis for prioritizing projects o Serves as a reference document and a guideline to implement 5) Last year Amanda Rose, Parks & Recreation Coordinator, made presentation on potential options for a playground on the island o Year later, nothing has been done yet 6) Board of Commissioners need to take action
5. Discussion and Possible Selection of Most Qualified Bidder and the Associated Paperwork Regarding Fire Substation at 572 OBW

Tri-Beach Fire Department substation located at the corner of Starfish and OBW. The Town is responsible for building maintenance; the fire department is responsible for staffing. A recommendation was made to have personnel positioned there in order to improve response times. Renovations to the building are necessary to provide habitable space so that station can be manned. Upon completion the fire department will provide additional services during peak seasonal demand, daytime for the hundred (100) days of the summer.

To address this Public Safety Issue, board approved $40,000 for renovations The Town HB solicited bids for remodeling of the fire station Four vendors submitted bids to the Town The most responsive bid was from Richard Jones Builders, Supply High bid was $34,890 and the low bid was $29,845 There was a difference of $5,045 or 16.9% Interesting fact in North Carolina if you work on a project worth at least $30,000 then you must obtain a general contractor license
6. Discussion of a Need to Set a Date to Study Future Land Use Plans - Commissioner Young

Did survey, developed Master Plan Looking to move things along Parks & Recreation advisory Board needs to make recommendations Town needs to setup workshop Seemed to me that all of the Commissioners were frustrated with their progress Things are moving at a glacial pace Talk about things but not a lot of action They need to do something! Example: Par Course (Fitness Stations) was supposed to include benches, water fountains and palm trees Town needs to revisit project still no benches, water fountains or any landscaping

7. Town Managers Report

Recycling Waste Industries offers curbside recycling for a fee County residences can sign up for annual service fee of $77.04 They also offer a reduced rate of $3.65 month or $43.80 year THB would qualify if 100 residents signup for the program Mosquito spraying EPA passed legislation effective January 1st that changed the way they do business Unable to just spray as they had in the past a) Complaint based b) Citizen request c) Proactive monitor hot spots

Activity is picking up; they are monitoring the situation and spraying as needed Spraying is complaint based, keep the calls coming! North wind Bugs are brutal Terminal Groin project Terminal groins are structures that run perpendicular to the shore and close to a tidal inlet to catch sand and keep the shoreline intact. Towns position is that a terminal groin could be a vital part of our beach nourishment program; providing stability in the most erosion prone areas of the island. Meeting was held on Thursday September 6th, all stake holders were represented Formal rollout for short terminal groin at the east end of the island Link to slide show will be forthcoming Police vehicles Budget approved purchase of two new Police vehicles Town took delivery of them last week

Reminders
Speed limit Speed limit seasonal limitations, in accordance with Town Ordinances Speed limit will change on OBW from 35mph to 45mph west of the general store. This change will take place on October 1st and be effective through March 31sh Solid Waste CollectionSolid waste was being collected by Waste Industries on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Yesterday September 15th was the last Saturday trash pick-up until June Trash collection goes back to Tuesdays only Pets Chapter 90 / Animals / 90.20 Effective September 10th a) Pets allowed back on the beach strand during the hours of 9:00am through 5:00pm b) Dogs need to be on a leash c) Owners need to clean up after their animals

Shipwreck Sprinternational Triathlon at Holden Beach 2012 Second year event being held it is scheduled for Saturday, November 3rd Distance: 1000 meter ocean swim 30 kilometer bike ride 8 kilometer run For more information visit web site below or contact Amanda Rose at 8426488 http://www.setupevents.com/? fuseaction=event_detail&eventID=2133

Corrections & Amplifications Feline Management Program

The Town has decided to sponsor and administer a Feline Management Program which is essentially a community supported animal rescue program. Although the stated intent is animal rescue it may be the answer to our rodent issue and effectively deal with this situation. Unlike most other communities which have implemented feline management to control feral cats, this one will introduce them to our island. Assistance in implementing the program will be provided by Brunswick County Sheriffs Office Animal Protective Services as well as Rescue Animals Community Effort (R.A.C.E.) a local rescue group. The program consists of placing several small colonies of feral cats on private property on the island. I have attended two (2) meetings which covered the objectives, basics as well as the protocols of the towns program. Voluntary colony keepers must live on the island, with colonies to be spaced a mile apart. Colony keepers have a number of responsibilities. See below for the basics of the program. For additional information or to volunteer for the Feline Management Program contact: Amanda Wiggins - Parks & Recreation Programs Coordinator / 842.6488 /
recsvs@hbtownhall.com

Objective Rescue service for feral cats in a managed program Not pets - viewed as wild animals One hundred percent accounting of all animals in the program Basics Cats will be obtained from one dedicated source the Sheriff's Department animal rescue services

Prior to placement in colony they will be: Neutered / Vaccinated / Notched ear tipping Cats that are not in program will be in violation of Town animal control ordinances Managed as wild animals, Town will monitor and track any complaints or conflicts Protocols Colony Keepers - plan is for six to eight initially 1. Ability to communicate with staff 2. Must live on island 3. Locations @1 mile apart from each other 4. Team of caregivers 5. Responsible for 1 to 5 cats a. Time b. Effort c. Provide shelter d. Provide food & water e. Monitor members of the colony f. Provide medical treatment g. Record keeping

Learn more at: www.alleycat.org Read more here:

http://www.brunswickbeacon.com/content/holden-beach-pursues-cat-rescueprogram-island

Odds and ends

Restaurant Review: Name: Deluxe Caf Cuisine: New American Location: 114 Market Street, Wilmington Contact: 910.251.0333 / www.deluxenc.com

Food: Average / Very Good / Excellent / Exceptional Service: Efficient / Proficient / Professional / Expert Ambience: Drab / Plain / Distinct / Elegant Cost: Inexpensive <=17 / Moderate <=22 / Expensive <=27 / Exorbitant <=40 Rating: Two Stars

Disappointing!

They went from one of my favorites to Id be reluctant to even go back there again Your best restaurants are consistent Granted any restaurant could have a bad night Our last visit was a debacle with at least three major strikes At this price point that is just unacceptable Clearly they are no longer a Four Star restaurant The Two Star rating may even be a stretch

Request

HBPOIN Holden Beach Property Owners Information Network

Gather and disseminate information Identify the issues and determine how they affect you Act as a watchdog

Request you forward this e-mail to other members of the community Anyone that would like to be added to my distribution list can send me an email at: HBPOIN@ec.rr.com