TOWN OF OCEAN ISLE BEACH
THREE WEST THIRD STREET
OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC 28469
PUBLIC WORKSHOP
September 9, 2006
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Debbie Smith Mayor Pro Tem C.D. Blythe
Commissioner Richard Donovan Commissioner Dean Walters
Daisy Ivey, Town Administrator Kitty Coley, Deputy Town Clerk
Keith Dycus, Code Enforcement
OTHERS PRESENT:
Approximately sixty-five property owners and guest
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Mayor Smith called the workshop to order and thanked everyone for their attendance to discuss this important matter. Mayor Smith stated the purpose of this workshop was to discuss a proposed project for maintenance dredging of the West End Canal System (Old Sound Creek and Eastern Channel). Mayor Smith introduced Mr. Jeff Troutman, consulting engineer with Criser, Troutman & Tanner, and stated Mr. Troutman was present in order to explain the scope of the project and answer any questions the property owners may have.
Mr. Troutman stated the Town had requested that his firm prepare a project scope for this area to dredge from the entrance of Tubbs Inlet to McClure Realty and also leading out into the Intracoastal Waterway. Mr. Troutman stated it appeared the sedimentation basin on the west end would yield the removal of approximately 160,000 cubic yards of material. The material in the remainder of the canal is estimated to be approximately 100,000 -150,000 cubic yards and would be disposed of on a spoil island adjacent to this. Mr. Troutman reported that there is approximately 18,700 linear feet of material that could possibly be compatible for beach renourishment. Mr. Troutman informed the property owners that based on this data the total project cost is estimated between $3.9 to $5 million. Mr. Troutman stated that typographic surveys have not yet been preformed.
Mayor Smith stated that the Town is proposing this to be an assessment based project based on a linear foot. Mayor Smith also stated due to the anticipated cost the Board felt it was necessary to meet with property owners again in order to answer their questions or concerns.
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Mr. Ray Weir (85 Ocean Isle West Blvd.) stated he and his wife had been property owners at Ocean Isle Beach for thirty-five years and had lived at the west end since 1982. Mr. Weir stated during this time they had seen the sand come and go on the west end. Mr. Weir stated that as reported in the Brunswick Beacon during the late 1970’s or early 1980’s, Mr. Odell Williamson attempted to have the eastern channel dredged and was turned down by the government. Mr. Weir stated that he was against dredging. Mr. Weir reported that at this time boats ranging from 20 – 25 feet could navigate this area 2 ½ hours prior to and after high tide. Mr. Weir stated this area could not handle the wake from larger boats. Mr. Weir also stated that currently they are experiencing problems with wakes from wave runners and small boats. Mr. Weir stated that his property line only goes to the high water mark and questioned the ownership of the eastern channel. Mr. Weir stated he did not feel property owners should be taxed for something of which they do not control. Mr. Weir expressed concerns regarding future maintenance, channel markers and liability. Mr. Weir reiterated at the present time many of the houses on the west end are rentals homes during the summer and children play and crab in this area. Mr. Weir stated he felt that if this area is dredged to a 60 feet wide and six feet deep channel there would be a greater possibility for drowning issues. Mr. Weir stated the Town had conducted a survey last fall, however, the majority of property owners that he had spoken with had disregarded this survey. Mr. Weir requested that the Town conduct another survey and stress the importance of each property owners vote.
Mr. Lynn Pietrafesa (51 Sandpipper Drive) stated he had several concerns that he felt the Town Council should consider before reaching a decision. Mr. Pietrafesa stated there will be significant increase in wake if larger boats use this area. Mr. Pietrafesa stated there will also be higher waves created by winds in the creek and vessels passing through this area. Mr. Pietrafesa reiterated that waves maintain their structural integrity for very long distances and stated recent reports from NOAA indicate waves are already building now from the effects of Hurricane Florence which is hundreds of miles off the coast. Mr. Pietrafesa stated waves from side by side vessels maintain their structural integrity, reflect off their boundaries, come back and pass through each other again and again. Mr. Pietrafesa stated he felt there will be infrastructure damage to the wetland marsh grass by erosion from the higher aptitude of the waves, super imposed on the higher currents, because you must get more water into the system in the same amount of time as a flooding tide. Mr. Pietrafesa stated this increases the sheer stress on the sidewalls and the bottom by order of magnitude that causes the system to go into an erosional mode. Mr. Pietrafesa also stated there is a considerable rise in sea levels that occur during May, June, July, August, September and October, often as much as two feet every year. Mr. Pietrafesa expressed that when the North Atlantic rises by two feet, the water level rises on our coast and also rises. Mr. Pietrafesa stated when you superimpose waves and current on the two foot rise you have now created conditions for massive surge flooding inundation due to the summer storms, hurricanes or typical storms. Mr. Pietrafesa also stated the Eastern Channel creek type is known as a box or canyon creek.
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Mr. Pietrafesa explained on creeks of this type the underneath surface of the mud is twenty-five feet of organic peat that is due to the organic reworking of the vegetation and organic materials created by fish, marine mammals and birds that have created a thick layer rich for their habitats. Mr. Pietrafesa expressed this system is in a slightly depositional mode and if dredging is allowed, it will flip the system causing it to go into an erosional mode, turning this into a coastal lagoonal system where there will be water and the submerged aquatic vegetation will essentially disappear. Mr. Pietrafesa stated we will have then lost fish, marine mammal and bird habitats. Mr. Pietrafesa also stated he felt the dredged creek materials would then not be compatible with these sands that could be be deposited on North Carolina beaches. Mr. Pietrafesa expressed he felt this dredging will tremendously affect property values because people will no longer have the environment that we now enjoy.
Mr. Russell Dixon (5 Skimmer Court) stated the property that he purchased was from a gentleman who moved specifically due to the fact that he could not put a modest boat in the water. Mr. Dixon also stated it has become nearly impossible to boat in this area. Mr. Dixon expressed that he had destroyed two outboards in two boats in this area in less than four years and is on his third boat that is designed to run is shallow water. Mr. Dixon stated he felt that visitors to Ocean Isle Beach that spend excessive amounts of money here will not return to the area if boating is not available.
Mr. Ray Weir (85 Ocean Isle West Blvd.) asked if Tubbs Inlet was under consideration for dredging. Mayor Smith stated Tubbs Inlet was not in this proposal and there will be a basin or cul-de-sac just prior to Tubbs Inlet. Mayor Smith also stated that Sunset Beach will be involved in any permits that are prepared as an adjoining neighbor and will have input on this matter.
Mr. Kevin Gedney (25 Duneside Drive) stated he had several concerns regarding dredging issues. Mr. Gedney questioned who is driving the project and what benefits will be for the community. Mr. Gedney stated he felt that we have a balance on the island with the main causeway and homes that have canals with concrete walls. Mr. Gedney expressed that Ocean Isle Beach has what is desired in this community to meet the needs of the public. Mr. Gedney stated he was concerned about the structural integrity of his walls, sink holes behind the walls and having to replace his walls due to the erosion that is going to take place. Mr. Gedney also stated he was concerned about the cost associated with this project and the repayment period. Mr. Gedney explained additional stresses on the inlet really concerned him as to what repair would be required for his wall. Mr. Gedney stated he was not sure how dredging the Eastern Channel would benefit the property owners when we have the waterway areas.
Mayor Smith stated this meeting is a result of numerous requests from property owners. Mayor Smith also stated that two surveys have been sent to the affected property
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owners with the most recent survey completed December 2005. Mayor Smith reported that responses were received from 109 of 157 of these property owners and of the 109 returned, 78 were in favor of the dredging project with 24 being opposed and 14 not indicating opposition or favor. Mrs. Ivey stated these results have been posted on the website for quite some time. Mayor Smith stated the project will be equally paid on an assessment basis per liner foot by the property owners who have water frontage along this area. Mayor Smith also stated our engineer has estimated the permitting process will take approximately six to eight months prior to proceeding any further. Mayor Smith expressed with this being done on an assessment basis the Town will require the collection of these assessments prior to beginning this project.
Mr. Cobb (Ocean Point) questioned if Ocean Point was considered on the water. Mayor Smith stated the amount of property that in located on the Sound was included in this project. Mr. Cobb also questioned what amount the assessment would be. Mayor Smith stated the assessment has been estimated at $213.00 to $272.00 per linear feet. Mrs. Ivey stated per fifty foot lot at $213.00 per linear feet would be $10,675.00 and at $272.00 would be $13,600.00. Mr. Cobb questioned how Ocean Point would be assessed. Mrs. Ivey stated this would be a decision made by the property owners association.
Mr. Glenn Futrell (198 West 4th Street) thanked the Board of Commissioners for having this meeting and stated that he had been coming to Ocean Isle Beach since 1986 prior to building his home here in 2002. Mr. Futrell stated he purchased his lot and built his house at this location after exploring the island for a year trying to determine where he wanted to reside on the island and what would be the most logical area from the standpoint of water, boating and all the aspects that the island offers. Mr. Futrell expressed that what has happened to this channel during the last two years has been astounding. Mr. Futrell stated that he was a developer in Raleigh and deals with the Army Corps of Engineers on a regular basis. Mr. Futrell also stated he is completely satisfied that any environmental risks associated with this project will be addressed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Mr. Futrell expressed that if the channel is dredged it will just add to the enjoyment of the island. Mr. Futrell stated that currently he was only able to come in and out of this area two hours prior to and after high tide. Mr. Futrell also stated behind his house there is now a large sandbar that was not there four years ago. Mr. Futrell expressed that he has made a significant investment in his property and would like to see the channel dredged. Mr. Futrell feels the Town should move forward with this project in a timely manner. Mr. Futrell stated that he is convinced the Corps of Engineers and state agencies involved in the permitting process are not going to allow the Town do anything that is not environmentally suitable to the entire public.
Mr. Phil Daily (2 Indigo Court) questioned that if the area is dredged all the way to McClure Realty will this give access to boaters coming in from the Intracoastal
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Waterway. Mayor Smith stated there is marsh between McClure Realty and the Intracoastal Waterway however there is an access to the channel from the Intracoastal Waterway approximately in the vicinity of the first house on Third Street. Mr. Daily ask if the basin created at the end of the project would prevent access to Tubbs Inlet. Mayor Smith stated no they would have the same access as before. Mayor Smith also stated boaters will have access to the Intracoastal Waterway through the natural channel that comes through the creek. Mr. Daily questioned if there was any estimate as to how often this area would need to be dredged and would this be another assessment to the taxpayers each time it is dredged. Mr. Troutman stated they have not looked into the time frame. Mayor Smith stated that maintenance dredging would also be an assessment.
Mr. Weir (85 Ocean Isle West Blvd.) questioned who owns the creek. Mayor Smith stated the State of North Carolina will tell you that it is public trust waters for the enjoyment of everyone.
Mrs. Denise Brine (155 Via Marsh Lagoon Drive) questioned if someone has an accident in front of their dock would the State be liable. Mayor Smith stated this would be the same jurisdiction as the Intracoastal Waterway. Mrs. Brine also questioned if the Town does not have a permit and the property owners are assessed upfront, how will this money come back to the property owners if the permit is denied. Mayor Smith stated that the assessment would not be collected until a permit was approved. Mayor Smith also stated that CAMA will look at this permit in depth and the Town is estimating approximately eight months to receive a permit. Mrs. Ivey stated there is already an existing permit there from a previous dredging of the area from Ocean Point to just prior to Shelby Street. Mayor Smith stated this area was dredged in the 70’s with a drag line pulled out of the canals and on the back side of the island. Mrs. Brine stated the area behind their house has never been dredged. Mrs. Brine also stated that CAMA would not allow them to have a bulkhead and when waves come in they are crashing against their retaining wall which is already showing signs of ware. Mrs. Brine expressed with larger boats coming in the area this will only create a larger problem and this should be a no wake zone area.
Mr. Dwight Sheppard (President of Dockside Landing Homeowners Association)
thanked the Board of Commissioners for having the meeting and the opportunity to speak. Mr. Sheppard questioned if an environmental impact study that has been performed for this area. Mr. Troutman stated there is an existing environmental study that was done in part of this project; however the remainder has not been done. Mr. Troutman also stated that he anticipates this will be required with the permitting process. Mr. Sheppard stated on behalf of the Dockside Landing Homeowners Association at their meeting on September 2, 2006, that of the 36 members present 22 were opposed to this project.
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Mr. Bill Harrison (Channelside Landing) questioned if a decision had been made to go forward with this project. Mayor Smith stated that no decision had been made and the purpose of this meeting was to hear the property owners comments and concerns. Mayor Smith also stated the Board would decide if they wanted to send out another survey. Mayor Smith assured the property owners it would be their decision whether to move forward with this project.
Mr. John Davis (Ocean Point Property Owners Association) stated it was their concerns that a decision would be made today at this meeting. Mayor Smith stated that the Town welcomes any comments regarding this matter and encourages the property owners to express their concerns. Mayor Smith also stated this issue is not on the agenda for the next scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting on September 12th but would be discussed at the October meeting.
Mr. Bill Cordes (105 Ocean Isle West Blvd.) stated he was against the dredging. Mr. Cordes stated when he built his house in 1985 more boat traffic was able to pass through this area. Mr. Cordes expressed he was required to reestablish the area by placing a large load of rock which are now sinking and resulting in repair in the near future. Mr. Cordes stated that when large boats are in this area the wake creates a problem. Mr. Cordes stated the sand is so high now that he can only get his canoe out at high tide.
Mr. Robert Rowe (6 Dolphin Court) stated he had lived there for fifteen years. Mr. Rowe expressed an observation that he felt the problem seems to be the blockage of Tubbs Inlet. Mr. Rowe stated the natural flow is not what it was ten years ago which has caused the blockage at Tubbs Inlet slowing the water down and not allowing the channel to flush. Mr. Rowe also stated the mid channel gets flushed with normal flow of the tide and does not create the blockage. Mr. Rowe expressed that we do not have the flow out of the creek during the outgoing tide so it does not flush. This has created the grass growing out to the sides. Mr. Rowe stated if this area was dredged four to six feet below his riprap it would create not only a problem for him but his neighbors as well. Mr. Rowe stated the riprap was installed prior to his purchase of this property and a bulkhead has been installed since them. Mr. Rowe stated the bulkhead seems to be working in conjunction with the riprap however if he looses the riprap he will loose his walls. Mr. Rowe stated he felt this project should be moved to the middle of the channel instead of where the docks are. Mr. Rowe questioned the placement of a portion of the sand on the beach front. Mr. Troutman stated the portion that is compatible would be place on the beach front. Mr. Rowe expressed the property owners who are ocean front receiving the sand should share the cost and also be assessed.
Mayor Smith stated these property owners were not included in this cost due to the fact that it is more cost effective to place the beach compatible sand on the ocean front rather
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than to pay the Corps of Engineers to pump it onto the spoil site. Mayor Smith also stated that we are required to pay for each cubic yard of material that is pumped onto the spoil site. Mayor Smith commented this will give the Town a pre-disposal area at a lesser cost.
Mr. Kevin Gedney (25 Duneside Drive) stated he felt the ocean front property owners that benefit from this sand should be assessed for it if they needed it and should help offset the cost. Mr. Gedney expressed the inlet by Duneside is dry at certain times of the day due to the tide. Mr. Gedney questioned how many properties this project will actually benefit.
Mayor Smith stated the proposal does include coming in some distance up the channel at Duneside however, this does not include any upgrading or replacement of any bulkhead, riprap or anything else. Mayor Smith reported that 157 surveys were sent out in 2005. Mayor Smith indicated this number will change where additional lots were plotted in The Resort Development creating additional individual property owners. Mayor Smith also stated at one time this area was owned by just one property owner.
Mr. Gedney (25 Duneside) questioned the area at Island Park Cottages where there is access to community docks. Mr. Gedney stated property owners in Island Park may not own property on the waterway however they have access to these community docks and questioned would these property owners be surveyed. Mrs. Ivey stated that it depends on how the property is owned as to who receives the survey. Mayor Smith stated it was the responsibility of the Property Owners Association to notify the property owners.
Mr. Dixon (5 Skimmer Court) stated his taxes, based on the value of his property, are the lowest by far at Ocean Isle Beach in the three states that he owns property. Mr. Dixon also stated he felt that every property owner should be assessed on the entire island because they all will benefit with more people being able to enjoy additional activities in the water. Mr. Dixon expressed that he is not voting for the dredging just so that he can put his boat in the water.
Mayor Smith stated that as with the canal system the Town has always assessed the affected property owners. Mayor Smith explained that over the years these property owners have requested a tax district. Mayor Smith stated the Town had implemented a tax district on the canal systems so those property owners pay a portion each year to have their maintenance dredging performed on an as needed basis.
Mr. James Tucker (27 Isle Plaza) thanked the Board for having the meeting to inform the residents of what is taking place. Mr. Tucker questioned who was on the assessment roll, who is actually going to benefit from the dredging and who is going to be assessed.
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Mr. Tucker also questioned if the map could be placed on the Town’s website. Mr. Tucker stated the property owners do have bulk heads with docks that currently exist therefore when you dredge this channel you are going to create somewhat of a dip. Mr. Tucker questioned if the Town was proposing to go all the way up to the bulkheads and if the Town would be responsible for taking those docks out or is this going to be left up to the property owners?
Mr. Troutman stated this is a rough line showing where the channel is going to be dredged. Mr. Troutman expressed there are two things that the Town can not do, one of which is to undermine the marsh grasses. Mr. Troutman stated in this case where we say we want sixty feet, we may only get thirty feet in order to not destroy the grass line. Mr. Troutman also stated the Town did not want to get in close proximity with respect to bulkheads and pilings due to damage to these docks. Mr. Troutman stated that all of this will be taken into consideration as to where set the actual dredge channel will be.
Mr. Tucker stated one of the reasons that he is in favor of the dredging is the possibility of being able to put in a boat behind his house and being able to utilize the water. Mr. Tucker questioned if there is going to be some way during the permitting process and in the environmental assessment that the Town can determine if property owners will actually have the ability to boat in this area. Mr. Tucker stated this is a fairly expensive proposition for individual homeowners and after the dredging is completed it would not be beneficial to the property owners if they still could not utilize the area. Mr. Tucker questioned if the property owners would be responsible for moving their docks if that were the case.
Mayor Smith indicated the moving of docks would be at the expense of the property owners.
Mr. George Brown (137 Ocean Isle West Blvd.) stated that a study was performed approximately five years ago by a marine engineer. Mr. Brown also stated that the major concern then was with beach erosion rather than the inlet. Mr. Brown expressed that there was approximately ten people that funded this study and were going to pay for the dredging themselves. Mr. Brown stated the study was approximately $10,000 and the dredging would have cost around $1.3 million. Mr. Brown expressed this inlet does have a siphon effect. Mr. Brown stated that in the past the property owners on the far west end funded having the dunes rebuilt. Mr. Brown also stated this is a really big issue and if we wait long enough Tubbs Inlet will close. Mr. Brown stated that it would be to the Town’s benefit that a study should be conducted on the affect the dredging will have on beach erosion. Mr. Troutman stated this would be part of our permitting process. Mayor Smith stated this project does consist of the placing of compatible sand on the west end as a disposal area.
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Mr. Frank Johnson (Ocean Point) stated that property owners have been able to walk across Tubbs Inlet for the past twenty years. Mr. Johnson commented that even his 14 foot boat gets stuck on sand bars in this area. Mr. Johnson stated the fishing has declined and he felt that this was a result of this area not flushing.
Mr. Ray Chestnut (35 Duneside Drive) stated that he has owned property in this area for approximately eighteen years and during this time he has seen silting of the creek. Mr. Chestnut commented the Town has done what the property owners have asked them to do by responding to an interest of having the creek dredged. Mr. Chestnut stated that he felt the west end consisted of the best properties on Ocean Isle Beach. Mr. Chestnut expressed there are pros and cons to what has been proposed and suggested there be an interest in determining if there is a permanent solution. Mr. Chestnut commented that he was convinced that if we don’t do anything we will not be able to use this area at all in the next fifteen to twenty years.
Ms. Donna Wilson (180 West Fourth Street) stated that she was in favor of the dredging. Ms. Wilson also stated that she has resided at 180 West Fourth Street for approximately eight years and has watched this area fill in. Ms. Wilson stated this will damage the value of her property unless something is done. Ms. Wilson stated that she has confidence in the Town and that CAMA will not allow measures to occur that will destroy wildlife.
Mr. Finley Boney (30 Duneside Drive) stated that he had preformed professional engineering services to the Town since 1961. Mr. Boney stated that currently there is 120 feet of failing bulkhead in this canal. Mr. Boney expressed concern that property owners are protected against damage to their bulkheads and floating docks by the dredging contractor. Mr. Boney stated that on the west side of the canal between Isle Plaza and Driftwood, there is a forty foot strip that is owned by several individual that is not buildable. Mr. Boney also stated that if you take even one foot of this area that it may fall in. Mr. Boney commented he felt this property should be omitted from the assessment roll. Mrs. Ivey stated there is not an assessment roll at this time however we would take these issues into consideration. Mayor Smith stated that if the Town gets to this point the Town will confirm an assessment roll and will look at those issues.
Mr. Tucker (27 Isle Plaza) stated that he understands that there are unbuildable lots however if the Town is going to create an assessment roll that everyone that touches water should be on it. Mr. Tucker expressed that he has seen many people use the Homer Johnson pier that do not live on Isle Plaza. Mr. Tucker reiterated that the Town is doing exactly what the property owners have asked them to do. Mr. Tucker stated that he felt that we should refine our assessment roll. Mr. Tucker expressed that if this is something that will be beneficial to the property owners then pay for it and continue on with the project. Mr. Tucker stated that if he was going to be assessed this kind of money he
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would like to see a picture of what exactly the width of this channel would be. Mr. Tucker also stated that if property owners were going to have to extend their dock to please notify them prior to the project beginning.
Mayor Smith stated at this point and time the Town can not determine how close the project will come to docks. Mayor Smith also stated the cost of the engineering and permitting process will be several hundred thousands of dollars. Mayor Smith expressed the Town is acting as an agent from the requests of the property owners and the Town is not going to make the expenditure to bring the plan back to the property owners and then the property owners decide they do not want the project. Mayor Smith also expressed the Town will not go forward with this project unless the property owners request so.
Mr. Tim Jackson (91 Ocean Isle West Blvd. and Starboard by the Sea) stated that what he was hearing at this meeting is that people want to gather information and make a decision. Mr. Jackson expressed that CAMA, CRC, DENR, Corps of Engineers and all of the regulatory agencies are not going to allow us to harm the environment. Mr. Jackson stated that if we do not take action and look to the future what will we have. Mr. Jackson also stated that we are now choking off the back of the island and when we continue to do so and Tubbs Inlet closes up, the pressure from the ocean will attack our ocean front. Mr. Jackson stated if this continues the property values will decrease. Mr. Jackson remarked he had approximately twelve property owners ask him to come to the meeting and express their concerns.
Mr. Doug Peterson (141 Ocean Isle West Blvd.) stated that he was involved extensively in the prior project that was conducted. Mr. Peterson expressed that the prior project did not include the opening of Tubbs Inlet. Mayor Smith stated the current project does not include opening the plug of Tubbs Inlet. Mr. Peterson stated that the mouth of Tubbs Inlet needs to be addressed and opened or this will not solve the problem.
Mr. Brine (155 Via Marsh Lagoon Drive) expressed that it appears that the west end of the island had started to fall in during the last five years. Mr. Brine stated that if dredging this area is part of the overall maintenance of the island that everyone should be assessed. Mr. Brine also stated that he would like to see an overall plan for the entire island. Mr. Brine stated that islands shift. Mr. Brine also stated that he is willing to pay his portion if he knows twenty to thirty years from now that his property will be there and the west end will be there. Mayor Smith stated that she had been on the island for fifty years and has seen great changes in the east and west ends of the island as well as other long term residents. Mayor Smith also stated that she did not think that anyone could make a guarantee of what is going to happen to this area over the next five or thirty years. Mayor Smith expressed that she did not think that the permitting processes will knowingly allow this.
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Mr. Weir (85 Ocean Isle West Blvd.) stated the information that was sent for this meeting was more informative and should be sent with the next survey. Mr. Weir stated that it must be stressed that under the current circumstances the plan is not to open the mouth of the Eastern Channel to Tubbs Inlet and that there will be a turn around space there. Mr. Weir also stated he felt the property owners needed to know this information so they can make a proper decision.
Ms. Brine (155 Via Marsh Lagoon Drive) stated it is her understanding that the area below Island Park is to be developed with canal homes. Ms. Brine questioned if there was permitting for additional canals to be built in this area. Mayor Smith stated she had no knowledge of any plans for canal homes to be built in that area.
Vic Bethea (69 Sandpiper Drive) stated that he was in favor of the dredging and requested the Town send another survey. Mr. Bethea stated that he is the president of the Island Park Homeowners Association and this issue has not been discussed. Mr. Bethea expressed that there are three properties that are owned by the association and he feels this should be discussed with the property owners prior to an assessment.
Mayor Smith stated this was the purpose for conducting today’s meeting on a Saturday so that our out of town property owners would have the opportunity to attend and express their concerns. Mayor Smith also stated the Town has gathered this information and performed the survey due to the request of the property owners. Mayor Smith expressed this is the property owner’s project not a Town project and that the Town is only acting as the facilitator for the property owners for this project. Mayor Smith urged property owners that if the Board chooses to send another survey, to please encourage their neighbors to read the information and respond to the survey. Mayor Smith also stated if the majority of the property owners want this project the Town will be here to assist them, however if the property owners do not want the project, the Town is certainly not going to continue.
Mr. Brine expressed the survey should include additional information regarding if the property owner is for or against the dredging and if they are would be willing to be assessed for the Town to proceed with engineering studies.
Mayor Smith thanked the property owners for attending and their input.
Mrs. Ivey expressed the Town’s appreciation to Mr. Boney for his dedication to the Town in his many years of service.
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DATED: _____________________ SIGNED: ___________________________
Debbie S. Smith, Mayor
(SEAL)
ATTEST: _______________________________
Kitty Coley, Deputy Town Clerk