TOWN OF OCEAN ISLE BEACH

THREE WEST THIRD STREET

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC 28469

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

JUNE 13, 2006

MINUTES

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

            Mayor Debbie Smith                            Mayor Pro Tem C.D. Blythe

            Commissioner Richard Donovan           Commissioner D.B. Grantham  

            Commissioner Dean Walters                 Commissioner Suzie Wooten               

Daisy Ivey, Town Administrator            Larry Sellers, Asst. Town Admin.

            Elva Jess, Town Attorney                     Curtiss Pritchard, Police Chief

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

            Approximately 10 Property Owners and Guests

            Sarah Wilson, Brunswick Beacon

            Steve Jones, Sun News

            Paul Jefferson, Star News

                                                           

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER

            Mayor Smith called the meeting to order with everyone repeating the Lord’s Prayer and pledging allegiance to the flag. 

 

ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA

            Mayor Smith stated the consent agenda included the approval of the minutes of the May 9th Public Hearing and Board of Commissioners Meeting, May 18th and 31st Budget Workshops; approval of Mutual Aid Agreements between the Town of Ocean Isle Beach Police Department and Town of Shallotte, Town of Sunset Beach and Brunswick County Departments; approval of proclamation regarding “Zoning Officials Week” and approval of year end budget adjustment.  Commissioner Dean Walters made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented.  Commissioner Richard Donovan seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

            Commissioner Donovan made a motion that the agenda be approved as presented. This motion was seconded by Commissioner C. D. Blythe and the vote was unanimous. 

 

REPORTS BY MAYOR

      Mayor Smith recognized several employees for their dedicated years of service with the Town.  Mayor Smith presented plaques to Mr. Andy Gentile – 10 years, Mr. John Goodwin, Mr. Larry Sellers and Mrs. Daisy Ivey - 15 years and Mr. Gatha McKeithan – 25 years.  Mayor Smith also recognized Mr. Keith Dycus as The Town’s  Code Enforcement Officer/Assistant Building Inspector.  Mayor Smith reported the

 

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Corps of Engineers has completed the Shallow Draft Project on the east end. Mayor Smith also reported that a meeting was held with State Flood Mapping Department concerning the FEMA Flood Maps rescoping project. 

 

 

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

  1. Fire Department-Commissioner Blythe reported that during the month of May, the Fire Department responded to sixty-one calls which included twenty-six fire calls, thirty-three first responders and two water rescues.  Commissioner Blythe read a letter received from a tourist expressing their appreciation for the assistance rendered by the Fire Department during a family medical emergency that occurred while visiting Ocean Isle Beach.
  2. Administration-Mrs. Ivey reported on several Legislative House Bills that have been introduced which include participation in the State Health Plan and relocation of the ABC Store.  Mrs. Ivey stated Brunswick County Emergency Services reported that Tropical Storm Alberto appears to be on a path to the west of our area and could bring an excessive amount of rain and possible tornadic activity.  Mrs. Ivey reported recently staff had attended a hurricane preparedness meeting held by Brunswick County.  During this meeting it was reported the southeast coast is expected to receive more direct hits from approaching storms, than other areas.  Mrs. Ivey stated Brunswick County had approved the request for the Shallotte Inlet to be included in the Shallotte River Section 107 Study and has forwarded a letter to the Corps making this official request.  Mrs. Ivey reported the Town had received their modification permits for the east end to dredge or haul sand into that area.  Mrs. Ivey also stated the appeal regarding the CRC’s decision on the height of sand bags has been filed.
  3. Police Department-Chief Curtiss Pritchard reported the Police Department would be receiving mandatory training at Brunswick Community College and that the department stands ready and prepared for another challenging season.

4.   Water/Sewer/Streets-Mr. Larry Sellers stated that RFP’s are being prepared for the upcoming sewer expansion project.

5        Building Inspections-Mr. Larry Cook reported that the Building Inspections office issued the following permits during the month of May: four new single-family residential permits in the Town with a construction value of $916,675; one new commercial permit in the Town with a construction value of $216,760; and one new single-family mobile home permit in the ETA with a construction value of $43,000. 

6.   Planning/Zoning/CAMA-Mr. Justin Whiteside reported that he would be attending the CRC meeting this month in Greeneville.  Mr. Whiteside stated several items on the agenda include static vegetation lines, along with rules for sandbags height, size and time limits. 

 

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COMMENTS

Mayor Smith stated this time had been set aside to allow citizens to speak in regards to issues relating to agenda items.  Mayor Smith stated that due to time constraints, each speaker should limit their comments to three minutes. 

Mr. Ray Gillis, Asheville Street, stated in regards to the west end dredging he felt that ownership of the canal needed to be determined before requiring the property owners to pay for dredging on property that possibly they did not own.  Mr. Gillis stated he has concerns regarding the relocation of Town Hall facilities and felt that it should be more inland opposed to the areas on the Causeway that have been considered.

 

OLD BUSINESS

  1. Mayor Smith stated the first item of business under Old Business was the recommendation from the Planning Board regarding preliminary plat approval for “The Peninsula at Ocean Isle Beach”. After a brief discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Walters to accept the Planning Board’s recommendation to approve this request.  Commissioner Blythe seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. 
  2. Mayor Smith stated the next item of business was regarding a fee proposal for engineering and surveying services for the proposed west end maintenance dredging project. Mrs. Ivey reported Criser, Troutman & Tanner had presented a proposal stating approximately 260,000 to 310,000 cubic yards of sand would be removed during this project at a rate of $13.00 per cubic yard.  Mrs. Ivey stated Criser, Troutman & Tanner had estimated approximately 160,000 cubic yards of the dredge material will be beach compatible and  could be placed on the west end of the island. Commissioner Blythe stated he felt additional information and possibly another survey is needed before a decision could be made.  Commissioner Walters made a motion to conduct a public workshop with Jeff Troutman on August 26, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. to discuss these issues.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Blythe. The vote was unanimous.  Mrs. Ivey stated staff would notify all affected property owners regarding the workshop.
  3. Mayor Smith stated the next item of business was regarding the awarding of the bid for pavement rehabilitation at the Odell Williamson Municipal Airport.  Mrs. Ivey stated Barnhill Contracting Services was the low bidder.  Mrs. Ivey stated that staff recommended that this contract be awarded to Barnhill Contracting Services. A motion was made by Commissioner Donovan with a second by Commissioner Grantham to award this contract to Barnhill Contracting Services.  The vote was unanimous.

4.  Mayor Smith stated the next item of business was in regards to the proposed contract for the purchase of property for a new Town Hall site.  Mayor Smith stated  the  proposed  contract  was for  the  purchase  of  property  located  at 111

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Causeway Drive.  Mayor Smith reported the offer price was $1,900,000.00, with a due diligence period of one hundred twenty days. Commissioner Walters made a motion that the Mayor be authorized to execute this contract and act as buyers agent in regards to this closing.  All of the buyers agent commission will be credited back to the Town at the time of execution.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Donovan and the vote was unanimous.

  1. Mayor Smith stated the last item under Old Business was discussion and approval of the resolution regarding the Fixed Base Operation lease agreement.  Mrs. Ivey stated upon adoption of this lease, a notice will be placed in the local paper and ten days waiting period would be required prior to execution.  The motion to approve the FBO lease was made by Commissioner Donovan with a second by   Commissioner Grantham.  The vote was unanimous.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

  1. Mayor Smith stated the first item under New Business was renewal of the ABC Store lease.  Mrs. Ivey stated the lease would be for an additional one year period at the same term.  The motion was made by Commissioner Blythe to approve the renewal of the lease for the ABC Store.  Commissioner Donovan seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
  2. Mayor Smith stated the next item was appointments to the Recreation Advisory Board.  Mayor Smith stated the position of Scott Walters, Nancy Parker and Martha Benton as members of this Board would be expiring shortly.  Mayor Smith stated all of these individuals had expressed an interest to be reappointed to this Board.  Mayor Smith stated a letter of interest was also received by Mrs. Jo Lammonds.  Commissioner Donovan made a motion to reappoint Mr. Walters, Ms. Parker and Mrs. Benton for an additional term of three years.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Blythe and the vote was unanimous.
  3. Mayor Smith stated the next item was appointments to the Board of Adjustments.  Mayor Smith stated the positions of Mr. David Martin and Mrs. Patsy Calhoon as members of this Board would be expiring soon. A motion was made by Commissioner Blythe to reappoint Mr. Martin and Mrs. Calhoon for an additional term of three years.  Commissioner Donovan seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.
  4. Mayor Smith stated the next item was the award of a bid for purchase of gasoline in Town Vehicles.  Mrs. Ivey stated only one bid was received from The Gas Mart and recommended this bid be awarded. Upon a motion of Commissioner Wooten, with a second by Commissioner Blythe, the Board voted unanimously to award this bid to The Gas Mart.

5.   Mayor Smith stated the next item of business was a recommendation from the Planning Board.  Mrs. Ivey stated the Planning Board is recommending the Board allow any part of the stormwater system that is completely underground to be

 

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considered in the calculation of open space.  Commissioner Walters made a motion that this issue be forwarded to public hearing on July 11, 2006 at 8:30 a.m.  Commissioner Blythe seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.  Mrs. Ivey also stated the Planning Board had recommended amendments to Article I of the Zoning Ordinance as part of the Zoning Ordinance update.    Upon a motion of Commissioner Walters with a second by Commissioner Blythe the Board voted unanimously to refer this issue.

  1. Mayor Smith stated the next item of business was the approval of certification of local funds for the 2006 Air-21 Funds.  Mrs. Ivey reported the Town had been allocated Federal Funding of $150,000.00 in Air-21 funds for the Odell Williamson Municipal Airport.  These allocations will be based upon a 90% federal and 10% local share for eligible, approved project costs.  Upon a motion of Commissioner Donovan with a second by Commissioner Walters the Board voted unanimously to approve a resolution appropriating the Town’s local share of $16,667.00 for this program.
  2. Mayor Smith stated the last item of New Business was the presentation of the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2006 – 2007.  Mrs. Ivey presented the proposed budget and stated this proposed budget maintains a tax rate of 14 cents per $100 of valuation with no increase in water or sewer rates.  Commissioner Blythe made a motion that a public hearing be set for June 27th at 9:00 a.m. to hear public comment regarding the budget. Commissioner Wooten seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION

            The Board adjourned to Executive Session upon a motion of Commissioner Donovan with a second by Commissioner Blythe.  Mayor Smith stated the purpose of the Executive Session was to approve the minutes of the May 9th, 18th and 19th  meetings per G.S. 143-318.11(1), discussion with Town Attorney regarding pending legal issues as per G.S. 143-318-11 (a)(3) and discussion regarding proposed acquisition of property located adjacent to Airport Runway as per G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(5).  The Board returned to regular session upon a motion of Commissioner Blythe with a second by Commissioner Wooten.  The vote was unanimous.  Mayor Smith stated that during the Executive Session, the minutes of the May 9th, 18th and 19th meeting were approved unanimously upon a motion of Commissioner Donovan with a second by Commissioner Blythe.  Mayor Smith also reported that during the Executive Session the Town Attorney updated the Board in regards to the CRC legal appeal.  Mayor Smith stated that along with this appeal staff has been directed to resubmit this variance request at the September CRC hearing.  At the request of the Public Utilities Director the Board voted unanimously upon a motion of Commissioner Walters with a second by Commissioner Donovan to amend the agenda to discuss an offer of dedication in regards to East Third Street.  Official recorded maps of

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this area were presented to the Board for their review.  After a brief discussion the Board voted unanimously to accept the recorded offer of dedication of East Third Street as shown in Map Book 23 at Page 101 and to direct staff to add this portion of street to the Powell Bill Map.  This motion was made by Commissioner Walters with a Second by Commissioner Wooten.

 

 

ADJOURN

            With no other business to discuss, the meeting was recessed to reconvene to a Public Hearing on June 27th at 9:00 a.m. upon a motion by Commissioner Blythe with a second by Commissioner Wooten.

 

 

 

 

 

DATED:_____________________                 SIGNED:____________________________

                                                                                                Debbie S. Smith, Mayor

                       

 

 

                          (SEAL)

 

 

ATTEST:_____________________________

               Kitty Coley, Deputy Town Clerk