Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. I'd like to call the Kittyhawk Time Council meeting to order. It's Monday, December 1st, 2025, 6:00 p.m. We're in the Smith meeting room at the Kittyhawk town hall. Uh thank you all for joining us tonight. We've got a big turn and it's a big night. Thank you all for being here. Uh folks and council, before I'd like to deviate just a little bit from the agenda, we all lost a very good friend in the community on Thanksgiving Day, Mr. Terry Gray. Uh Terry was a former mayor of of Kildo Hills and was uh serving as a Kilover Hills town commissioner when he passed away. Uh Terry's service to this time, this community. You c you cannot talk about what he did as far as uh charities, fundraising, so forth. Uh there's two sentences, if y'all bear with me, in his obituary that I thought fit Terry perfect. And I'd like to read it if it's okay with you folks. If not, I'm going to read it anyway. Terry Gray's life was defined by service to his town, his county, and the people he loved. His impact on Kildo Hills in the Outer Banks will be long lasting, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him. I think that fits Terry perfect. Uh, I'd like to ask everyone to keep Terry, his family, and the town of Kildo Hills in your thoughts and prayers. As I now as I now ask everyone who's able to stand, please do so. Join us in a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

justice for all. Thank you everyone. Council, for one last time, I will entertain a motion to approve tonight's agenda. Please. So moved, Mr. Mayor. Motion made by Dylan. Second. Second by Jeff. All in favor say I. I. All opposed.

Thank you very much. I have a few remarks to make to the public, to council before I step down from the day up here and we swear in a new mayor. So y'all bear with me. I've served on his T council for a total of 12 years. Eight as a council member and four years as your mayor. I also serve on the board of adjustment and planning board before that time. Jeff and I kind of started that together years ago. My time as mayor has gone by quickly, although at times the days seemed like they would never end. Aside from my family, my friends, and law and my law enforcement career, this has been one of the highlights of my life. Through my service town council, I was afforded the opportunity to meet so many great people. I believe the role of mayor is more than just sitting up here running these meetings. A mayor has to get out in the community and attend those important functions, take part in those ribbon cutings, and serve on those on those committees. That is why I tried to do as much as possible. The town of Kittyhawk is a great place to live, work, and visit. We have so much rich history here. It is up to us to preserve that history while at the same time keeping up with times in order to stay current. Contrary to what some people may think, this is not just little old Kittyhawk anymore. Things have changed. But that doesn't mean we can't work hard to control that change and keep some of those things in places that make Kittyhawk special. There are a lot of people I would like to thank. First of all, my wife Karen who who had to experience some of those frustrating phone calls

and conversations when things were not so good, but she was also there to hear those positive comments and stories where things were going good. And trust me, the good times far outweigh the bad. and my daughters and my families and their families who at times find themselves as part of my sounding board. Thank you to the department heads, our wonderful time staff and anyone serving on committees in this town. A huge thank you to serve, volunteer, and serve on a committee. You dedicate a lot of time when you could be doing other things. That means so much. We cannot operate this time without our without our citizens stepping up to help out. Thank you so much to our wonderful time manager, Melody. Thank you. We've had some interesting and stressful conversations over the years. You kept me grinded and I will forever be grateful. Sometimes we kept each other grounded. I think some of you have no idea what she does for this town, but Melody, you are a great town manager. To this town council, thank you. It has been an honor to serve with you. to Mayor Elect Charlotte Walker. Thank you and thanks for having the courage to step up and run for mayor. You will be great in your new position. Remember, I'm always available if needed.

We know where the front porch cafe is, right? We know exactly.

Jeff, congratulations again on your reelection. You and I started out together years ago. We've seen a lot. I know you will continue to be a strong advocate for Kittyhawk. and to Pete Mance. Congratulations to you, sir. You're going to be a great addition to this council. I look for good things out of you. Dylan Tilllet, David Hines, thank you both for your services. It's been an honor to sit up here with both of you. And to the citizens of Kittyhawk who have voted for me for 12 years, thank you. I could not have done it without your support. I was very fortunate to never have any opposition. Trust me, it's a lot easier and a lot cheaper that way. I want to pass something on to our new council. At the end of each council meeting, usually one of us, if not all of us, thanks our time staff for what they do each and every day. Here's a thought. When you start to have those budget discussions in a few minutes, few months, remember all those good things that you've said about our staff. If they are as good as we have all said they are and they are, then they deserve to get paid what their peers are making for doing the same job. They don't deserve to be at or near the bottom of the pay scale as they have been for so long. It's past time for this council to come together as a unit, and I know you will, and pay these people what they're worth. You have a responsibility to do the right thing, not only for staff, but for the citizens of Kittyhawk. That's enough for me. It's time to swear in a new mayor. Thank you.

Thank you all. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. We got him something. Huh? We got you something.

He asked before he took it. Should have done that with Chief of Police. I have took it before he took my chances. But you're not getting enough. right hand. I state your name. I Charlotte

do swear that I will well and truly execute the duties as mayor for the town council of Kittyhawk according to the best of my skill and authority according to the law. So help me God. I say your name. I, Charlotte Walker,

do solemnly swear that I will support and maintain the Constitution and the laws of the United States and the Constitution and the laws of North Carolina, not inconsistent therewith, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties as mayor for the town of Kittyhawk. So, help me God. Take my fans. Okay, Jeff and Pete. Peter, both of you together.

It wasn't rehearsal. Get left hand on the Bible. There you go. Raise your right hand. Okay. I state your name. I Peter McLaren. I Jeff Puit. Do swear that I will well and truly execute the duties of town council for the town of Kittyhawk according to the best of my skill and authority. So help me God. I state your name. I Peter McLaren Mass. I, Jeff Brewer,

do solemnly swear that I will support and maintain the Constitution and the laws of the United States and the Constitution and the laws of North Carolina, not inconsistent therewith, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties as town council member of the town of Kittyhawk. So help me God. That's right.

One last kick. Good advice. Next, we have the election of the mayor pro Tim. Do I have a nomination? Mr. Mayor, I'd like to nominate Councilman Jeff Puit for mayor prom. Are there any other nominations? Do I have a second? Second. Okay. All in favor say I. I. I. I.

Okay. Congratulations, Jeff. I look forward to WORKING WITH YOU. OKAY, NOW I HAVE to go back down. I state your name. Do swear that I will well and truly execute the duties of mayor pro Tim for the town of Kittyhawk according to the best of my skill and authority according to the law. So help me God.

I state your name. Jeff do solemnly swear that I will support and maintain the Constitution and the laws of the United States and the Constitution and laws of North Carolina not inconsistent therewith and that I will faithfully discharge the duties as mayor prompor for the town of Kittyhawk. So help me God. Thank you. Thank you. Melody. Yes. So Craig's still here, right?

Yes, I see him.

Would you like to come up, sir? It's been a pleasure working with you. Um, today we offer you a heartfelt thank you for your outstanding service to the town of Kittyhawk. You have been serving our community for many years through the board of adjustment, the planning board, eight years council, four years as mayor. Um, you've led us with grace, good humor, and an easygoing steadiness that has kept us all grounded. Um, throughout your tenure, you've consistently supported me and our entire staff. Uh your steady guidance has helped us better align our staff compensation uh and navigate significant transitions in our town including changing of the town manager. Um property transfer with deer county so that we could have an EMS station in in Kittyhawk and then also the successful completion of the police station. An achievement that will benefit our community for years to come. You're leaving a great legacy. Um, and of course we can't forget one of Craig's greatest passions outside of public service, and that is breakfast and lunch. Um, he loves a good cup of coffee, a good meal, and also good conversation. Uh, now that he'll finally have a little more time on his hands, I hope that many of you will treat him either to a cup of coffee, a meal, or a good conversation. We want him to stay busy and he is always welcome here at the town hall. Even if he wants I tell him something he doesn't want to hear. Um, Mayor Daryus, thank you for your leadership, your humor, and your

unwavering support. Kittyhawk is a better place because of you, and we are grateful for the time, care, and the heart you've given this town. And again, please don't be a stranger. And um this is a plaque to commemorate your time as mayor. And if Gavl doesn't come on, you can't hit anybody. Um but serving honorably Kittyhawk Town Council 2013 20 to 2025, mayor from 2021 to 2025. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Thank you. I was asked by um chairman of the deer county commissioners to present this on his behalf. He actually made the presentation in person to Craig at the mayor's lunchon that they had last week or the week before. He was not able to be here tonight, but um they presented on behalf of Dale County Commissioners awards the certificate to Mayor Craig Harris in grateful recognition of this dedicated public service to the town of Kinghoff during which his leadership strengthened public safety, enhanced community spaces, and improved quality of life for residents, visitors, and property owners. The Dair County Board of Commissioners honors Mayor Craig Garris for his commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and community engagement, which have left a lasting legacy on the town of Kittyhawk and set a strong foundation for its future success. Robert L. Bob Woodter, Chairman De County Board of Commissioners.

Thank you. Wait, there's more.

If I would Bob would like to have been here tonight to to reissue this, too. Craig, unfortunately, he is in route to Washington DC. He has to appear before Congress tomorrow wants to for a park and here tonight congratulations and an honor and a pleasure to make this brief. I didn't write anything formally out, but um I get the honor to represent the police department here tonight and recognize you for what you have done for the town, but specifically the police department. Uh with your background in law enforcement, obviously, you've been very involved with what we're doing and um the business we conduct and you've provided a tremendous amount of guidance and support. Um, I don't think anybody can understand how staunch of a supporter you are of this police department. And I don't mean just saying in agreeing with what we're doing and how we're doing things, but you're out for every event, every swearing in, and we've had a few of those in the past several years. Uh, you support our officers day in and day out. Uh, and we can't thank you enough for all that you've done. You've left a lasting impact on all of us. So, we try to figure out what the best way to recognize you with. And uh there's an award that the police department has for nonsworn personnel outside of the department and it's the exceptional service award. So we are here to present you tonight um on behalf of the Khawk Police Department for your dedication, your dedicated service, leadership and

guidance to the Khawk Police Department while serving as mayor of Khalt, North Carolina from December 21st through December 2025. Uh you are hereby awarded the exceptional service award and signed by me. And with that we uh wanted to commemorate it something else you can display proudly in your office.

This crystal award as well that recognizes the exceptional service. CONGRATUL Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Do you need an escort out with that stuff? We can arrange it.

Thank you. At this time, we're going to take a brief uh session and um just to so we can switch our chairs and and um we'll be back in about five minutes. Okay. I have a few remarks. Good evening. I am so proud to serve our town as your mayor. I would like to thank my wonderful husband for empowering me to take risks and the confidence you had that I could succeed. Thank you to my family for all of the love and support. You are my light and my inspiration. I am very proud of each one of you. I would also like to thank all the voters, not just the ones that voted for me, but all the voters that participated in this process. That is what makes democracy work. You had a choice and you made your voices heard. This election proved that every vote counts. I am especially grateful to all of the three votes that it took to win this election. So, um, it is one of the largest municipal elections in ever in Kittyhawk. It's incredible to me that 739 people cast their votes and it came down to a difference of three votes. That is amazing. Four years ago, Amanda Gentry asked me if I would come and talk to her Cub Scout meeting and speak about what it was like to be a woman in the government. I accepted and when I decided to run for mayor, I called her. I asked if I win, would you like for me to would you like to bring your Cub

Scouts to watch my swearing in as a part of the next step of government? She and her Cub Scouts are here tonight and I would like to introduce our future leaders from PAC 117, Troop 517 in Kittyhawk. Would you please stand and be recognized? Thank you. Thank you. This week I have had productive meetings with council members Jeff Puit, Dylan Tillet, and our newest member Pete Mance to plan our path forward as a team. We focused on positive, regular um conversations and communication as well as educational opportunities that are available to us. We want to be informed and be prepared to be the best that we can be for you. On the on the original plans for our town hall, the area behind us to the left was decided as it was dedicated as the mayor's office. That is where I will be on a regular basis and I have an open door policy. So, please let me know if I can help. I met many wonderful people during my campaign that have experience and ideas to share with our community. At each regular meeting, there will be applications on the table just as you inside the door um for people that might be interested in joining a board or a committee. I encourage your participation. Let's get to work together. Thank you.

Yeah. Do you have a few things you'd like to say?

It was a beautiful day, uh, election day, and we had a a really good turnout. It was really good, uh, to everybody that showed up to express their, um, their vote. Uh, and it was nice to know that over 700 people took the take the town of Kittyhawk very serious. Uh, I don't at this time I I'm going to go back to Mayor uh Craig Garris. Craig and I have served together for 19 years. Uh, I'm sure a lot of those phone calls he talked about was with me. Um um I've never met a man that has cared so much for our town. 19 years at least I know that I've served with Craig side by side. It's hard to go that long without a little growl. I respect him. He's one of them my friends and I wish you the best with your grandkids. Have fun, buddy. I'd also like to thank my family cuz uh my wife's here and I think she was uh but anyway uh for their support and their shoulders to lean on when as Craig says it's not all rosy. But most of all I want to thank the people of Kittyhawk. It's been an honor to to serve you and work for you and I will continue to do the best I can for the 700 and some people that showed up and those that didn't. You should have. But anyway, I'm here to serve you. That's all.

Pete, do you have anything to say? Well, I'm going to quote Mayor Garris, too. And I believe earlier today he told me I have 20 minutes to say something tonight. So, uh, mayor, good evening. Thank you.

Council, good evening. Uh, staff, good evening. And, uh, the citizens of Kittyhawk, good evening. Um, it's a great honor and opportunity to have the ability to serve Kittyhawk in a new capacity. uh one that's very humbling and one that I look at as serving is in the ideal of serving something greater than yourself. I'm very excited uh for 2026 and what lays ahead. uh especially given um the rich history and culture and heritage of this town. Uh looking back before the Revolutionary War and all this town and this area has been through uh and recognizing as all Americans come together this year for the 250th celebration of of this great nation. So having the opportunity to sit on this council means a whole lot to me because this is where it all starts in government and uh and with civic duty and responsibility. So, I'd like to thank very quickly my wife and my family for all your dedicated support and uh being there for me and love me uh through all these years and especially on this new journey. So, thank you and to my daughters who couldn't be here tonight. Uh I'd like to thank the mayor for all your uh guidance and your mentorship over the years and more recently as we head into this election. It's uh it's helped me tremendously and it's meant a whole lot to me. Mayor Garris, again, I can't thank you enough for your leadership of this town for the last four years and keeping a steady hand on the tiller the whole time, uh, along with this council and making this happen and making and keeping Kittyhawk great. So, thank you to the mayor and and this council, uh, or the previous council, almost the same council. Um, thank you to the staff. It wouldn't have been possible without the staff uh, being there to to pull everything together and make this town as great as as it is. But most importantly to the the all the citizens of Kittyhawk and all that you've done. Um as as everybody

said, it was a record turnout and that engagement is is unbelievable. Um the civic responsibilities we saw from the League of Women Voters, Dar County League of Women Voters, all those people that volunteered to come in here the day of the election and uh and do their part was tremendous in in getting that turnout and um and so thank you to the citizens of Kittyhawk and beyond. So, uh, it's it's a great, uh, and humbling experience to be up here. Uh, I know there's plenty of challenges ahead and all I can say is I will endeavor to do my best. Thank you.

Steve House, I believe you have a presentation you'd like to make tonight. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you.

Uh before I get started with this, I do want to say as an elected official, I know what each each and every one of you go through on a daily basis. And I also know it's not just you serving, your whole family serves. And I do want to recognize that as well. And I want to thank you all for volunteering to put and being brave enough to put your name on a ballot and to serve the great citizens of of Kitty Hall. I come before you today as uh the president of the uh proud of Jeep charities and as you know uh each year we've come to you and asked you to to open up your beaches and let us ride on the beach which is something you don't normally allow to happen. Um but on behalf of of the Adabx Jeep Charities, um we have our uh our secretary, Kim Jones, our treasurer, Gary Coulson, our junior vice president, uh Jared Rodley, and also our senior vice president, Rich Paul, and myself as the president of the charity group. Each year we put on the outreach Jeep invasion and each year we have come before this board and asked for let us ride on your beaches and we do limit that to two trips on the beach 100 jeeps each and I will say it is the highlight of the bank's jeep in division and I'll say that in in reference to give you some idea that's only 200 Jeeps correctly. that we can allow for the two days. We opened up registration this past year at midnight. By 1:30 in the morning, both Jeep rides were full.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

And to give you some more insight on the Outer Banks Jeep invasion is all up and down the east coast. There are several Jeep events. The OVAX Jeep Invasion has now become one of the top five Jeep events on the East Coast. And that is mainly due in part to the community in which we we do this event in and the community in which y'all allow us to do what we do. And for us to uh to be able to ride on the KO is phenomenal. I can't thank y'all enough for doing that. Um this year over 800 Jeeps came to the Outer Banks. So you can imagine what the overall economic impact is of all those people coming into the to the Outer Banks on a September weekend. Um it has afforded us to donate quite a few dollars to the uh a lot of our uh our charities which we want to give give to. And uh just to give you kind of a rundown, uh the room at room room at the end uh we gave them $10,000 worth of uh monetary value and also in donations. The uh hearts of hope will be receiving approximately $10,000 worth of toys that they give to underpriv under underprivileged children during Christmas. And also uh synonyominous with jeeps is of course our veterans wounded warriors in action. Uh they come to the Outer Banks once once a week, one once one week out of a year and uh all of those wounded warriors are blue Purple Heart recipients and they come together uh for camaraderie so they can discuss between them the the problems they've had and the stresses they've had

to go through with their injuries and also give them some enjoyment. They get to go duck hunting and fishing while they're here. We gave uh wounded warriors in action $10,000 which will give them the opportunity so that the per se that are coming to the Outer Banks once they leave the front door of their house they don't have to sing spend a single dime until they get back home. So their whole trip is paid for through that. Um I cannot thank our corporate sponsors. The outbanks uh OBXG is our corporate sponsor and we cannot thank them enough for let allowing their help in getting us done. Also with the terrorist bureau. Um also the town of Naxad for having it at the event site with the permitting and all that has been flawless. Cannot thank Jolly Rogers. Uh they have the opening benefit party for us when we start open up. and uh also shipwrecks here in Kittyhawk where we had uh an after party for the Jeep event and also a Jeep light display show. So if you saw the flashing lights of Jeeps, you saw who was what was going on. Um also I cannot thank you thank thank the town of Kittyhawk enough. Y'all have helped really make this a special uh event for all of us. And uh if I could please have our faithful police chief and our fire chief to come front. These gentlemen and their crews help us so much. The fire department comes out Ocean

Rescue comes out, police department comes out, and they escort us down the beach. And uh I can't tell you how much uh we appreciate their presence there. I cannot tell you how many times y'all have been thanked while you were out there by all other jeepers that that showed up. And I'll let them know that this is Kittyhawk's Beach and they don't allow driving on the beach. This is special just for them. And uh when we first started doing this, uh Craig You told us not to mess up your beach. Yes, sir.

We haven't. The only thing we left was tire tracks. And uh I can't thank y'all enough for doing that. And uh in in this uh in our driver's meeting before we go out there, I'll let them know that, you know, our ocean rescue is taking us on the beach and they're going to escort us through along with the police department. And the ocean rescue lifeguards that are there. I let them know that's their beach. They know every grain of sand by the first name. So, we've been so so precious to to all of us. And I'd like to on behalf of the uh how to make Jeep charities, Chief Tally, would like to donate a check to you for ocean rescue. $3,500. And also for our police department who likes to block the traffic as we go across the beach road. and also guide us down the beach and at times have me like this. But Chief, on behalf of the Oxg Charities, donate $3,500 to G. And as we said in closing, we are growing. Um, we have the the Jeep invasion which has been going on. Like I said, we're now one of the top five events on the east coast and we are growing with even another event that will be in the spring of 2027. Uh Pam Wy has been named the director for our uh Outerbanks Overlander event which is for all makes and models that like to go out and camp in the with not on the campground out in the boondock. So,

we're looking forward to that event coming coming soon and uh we look forward to uh hopefully working with the town of Kittyhawk in next coming September. We're going to do it all over again. Thank you so much.

We have a presentation from Liliana with our first quarter financial report. Liliana Good evening council. Good evening. Now I'm going to present the financial quarterly report for this fiscal year. The um this quarterly start in July and end in September 30. Going to start with the form 10 the operational form. We start with the revenues. Property taxes are the largest source of revenue for the town. that represent 50% of the revenues that followed by other taxes which represent 43% of our revenues. In this first quarter, the property taxes have a collection of 16% and the reason is because the property tax bills were sent out late in July. They are due in September. So, we're going to see this collections in the next quarter. Same thing with the other taxes. We just start the fiscal year and some of them are collections that are quarterly. The next revenue sources permits and fees has at this quarter a 20 20% collection followed by intergovernmental. Intergovernmentals are revenues that we receive from other agencies like grants or allocation from North Carolina Department of Revenue. You have 20% collection at this point. Fines and fortitude. There are some fines that we have here. Um they're represent 24% collection right now. Interest earnings. The interest earnings how they make the budget exceed the budget at this point. And the big question now is is the Federal

Reserve likely to cut interest rates in December? Well, we don't know yet. Back when we have a meeting in October with the North Carolina Capital Management and Trust representatives, the expectation was that the interests were going down. However, recent meetings and official statements from the government might indicate that the things will change. What that means, maybe we're not going to see a decrease in interest earnings, but we don't know yet. For us, the most important part is that we met already our collections. Moving forward with other revenues, which is um sales, donations, uh build rents that we have and other miscellaneous revenues, we have a 29% collections at this point. Phone balance, we appropriate the fund balance this year because um there's certain things that we have to pay this year. is going to purchase orders. They are from the previous fiscal year. We have to pay in this fiscal year. So, we amend the budget for that reason. But there are obligations that were from the previous fiscal year. In this col in this um display, you're going to see um the original budget, which is the budget that we adopted. And then the next column is the amended budget. The amended budget is basically the budget amendments that we do during the fiscal year. So we're going to be more in detail than this. What we have amended so far in this quarter are transfer from the capital reserve for beach nourishment. We transfer $358,000 for the permitting and design contract for the 2027 beach nourishment project. Then we had to transfer 19,000 for repair for the backho truck.

Also, we amend the value for $6,000 uh for the matching funds for the development of the bicycle and pedestrian plant for the town. In addition to that, uh we have to lend it for $8,300 for installation of the fire internet service in a specific locations of the town. I'm going to point it out that all these amendments are coming from our capital reserve fund meaning a fund that we have for savings. So we amend it. We bring money from the savings for this projects. The expenditure side what we have displayed here is the expenditure by department. We just started the fiscal year and departments are within the normal operation activities. However, you might notice that n departmental have a 50% already percent use. And why is that is because in the beginning of the fiscal year we paid of the insurance bills for the ability um insurance for of the property wars compensation and that's quite a month a month. We have keep a very close look into the share revenues since last year and we are monitored very closely. Our share revenues have notice a positive change this fiscal year as you can see compared to the previous fiscal year and that is due to an adjustment in our participation percentage that we did this year. The last report I had to do is for the police department, the capital project 41. We are not closing this fund yet. We have now because we pay few invoices in

October and we are currently awaiting for the contractor sale pass report in order to refund the retainage. Additional there are some items to the warranty war that are currently being performed. My expectation is that we can close financially this phone by December 31st. So at this point, I will take any questions that you have.

I don't have any. All right. Well, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now it is time for the public comment section. Lauren, do we have anybody signed up to speak? Yes, ma'am. We do. Alan Stegar

Alan Stegner 4608 Secape Drive, Kittyhawk. Wow. Madame Mayor, I don't know if I can do this on such a happy evening. I hate to be the party pooper. Go ahead.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm very much against the proposed Royal Farms gas station coming into our community. I do understand they have met our zoning requirements. However, today on our 158 bypass alone from the new 7-Eleven down the Woods Road all the way down to the causeway, not including any of Highway 12, we have 16 gas stations. Within those gas stations, we have 134 gas pumps. So, we don't have to wait in line. Enough is enough. We already know that another commercial chain store coming in here is another step to becoming just another Myrtle Beach or Ocean City. I stopped in the new Royal Farm Station up near Grandandy and it takes four to five employees minimum per shift depending on the season. So, a new staffing challenge as well. I love fried chicken. However, we already have many great places right here already. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Uh, no, mayor, but I do have someone who would like their comment read into the record. Okay. Else would like to speak. Thank you.

Lori, is that concerning Royal Farms? No. Okay, good. Just making sure.

So, this uh this email came from Marilyn Canning who was at 4041 Tark Ridge Drive and she sent it into our our general inbox and ask that this be read into the record. I see that there is a meeting on Monday night and comments will be read. I'm hoping that this matter will be addressed. I live on Tarkl Ridge Drive and when I am driving out to the bypass, I have noticed several trees that are dead or just about dead along the way. This is on Twifford Kittyhawk Road and Road. I have brought this up to the highway department in the past, but never get much of a response. I have a granddaughter who had a dead tree fall on her when she was 11 years old. She spent two weeks on a vent, then several months in rehab and totally missed sixth grade. Until something like this happens, you have no idea the impact a tree can make when it falls. Even falling on a car can cause a fatality. I would like to bring this to your attention with the hope that someone will look into this. Hopefully, now that it is on record at a town meeting, this will happen. I have in the past written the letter as well as spoken to a few people about it to no avail. Hopefully, this will make a difference. This happened to my granddaughter in 2016. She is doing well, but there will always be deficits, and it has been said that another traumatic brain injury would be disastrous. I hope this never happens to someone else, especially a child, due to negligence. As an aside, the tree that fell on my granddaughter was at a campsite and the state had told them two years before that trees needed to come down. They did take them down a few months later, but it was too late for my granddaughter. Thank you.

Thank you, Lauren. Council, we need to approve the cassette agenda. Do I hear a motion? So move. Thank you, Jeff. Second. Second. Okay. Thank you. All in favor? I I. All opposed.

Okay. That's approved. Up next is the public hearing. Council, do we have a motion to go into public hearing? So move. Do we need to swear people in first? Uh I think we can go ahead into it and then just we can swear at that point. Yeah. Yes, you do. So, we need a second now or Yeah. You want a second or do you Okay. Yep. Go ahead. All in favor? I

I Perfect. Now, anybody who uh is going to speak tonight will need to be sworn in. However, you can come up and do it all at once. That's usually the quickest way to get it done. So, Do you swear that the evidence you shall give in this action shall be the truth? Yeah. Go ahead. You're fine. Thank you, everybody. Are you okay? Everybody's standing up. Do you swear that the evidence you shall give in this action shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So healthy thoughts.

Great. Thank you. Thank you. Um, I'll give a little background, then I'm going to turn it over to the applicants to present their evidence for for town council. Um, as you heard, the proposal is for a gas station um and associated convenience store. Uh, this is a special use permit in BC1 district. Um the accompanying convenience store is approximately 4,173 square ft. Uh it's located at 5416 North Croin Highway. Um as I mentioned, gas stations are permitted in the BC1 district as a special use. Um the subject property zone BC1 currently contains a vacant uh vacant bank building. the surrounding land uses. Uh to the north in Southern Shores across 158 is a bank and a fast food restaurant. Uh to the west is Carowan Seafood, also zone BC1. To the east is the Atlantic Union Bank zone BC1 and to the south is the Walmart development uh zone BC3. Um the future land use plan designates this area as an invested improved character area. Uh this designation is primarily in hight traffic corridors where levels of commercial or employment activity are greatest or where uh conditions create potential for higher intensity uses. Uh following policies and objectives relevant to the plan uh stated relevant to the applications stated in the land use plan. Policy 3.1 manage land use and development to minimize primary and secondary impacts on resources and existing residents through standards for development. Policy 3.2, encourage commercial development at appropriate scales and

areas zoned for commercial DC and BC districts. Uh encourage larger scale commercial development to be along with US 158. Policy 5.1 utilize the future land use maps, storm surge maps, uh flood exposure maps, wetlands assessments, and projected sea level rise and flood vulnerability data when considering reszoning and development requests. Um, I didn't go through all the different zoning u requirements that are listed in the staff report. Uh, if you have any specific questions on those, I'll be happy to to answer them. Um, per section 42-100B8, in order to approve the application, town council must make findings of the proposed special use. uh does not materially endanger the public health or safety, does meet all the required conditions and specifications, will not substantially injure the value of adjoining property or be a public nuisance, and will be in harmony with the area in which it's located and be in general conformity with the comprehensive plan. Uh the planning board reviewed this application at its October 30th meeting and unanimously recommended approval of the proposed uh special use and uh commercial site plan. Um, with that, if you have any specific zoning related questions, I'll be happy to answer that and I'll turn it over to the applicant where they will uh provide their evidence that they are meeting those criteria that just laid out for

Thank you, Rob. Do you guys have any questions of Rob? Ben may have some questions of Rob, but I would I'll ask one real quick quick question after I introduce myself and introduce my folks. Um, good evening, uh, Madame Mayor. Congratulations. Thank you.

Uh, Mr. Man, congratulations. Commissioner Puit, congratulations again for your many years of service. Uh, so my name is Ben Gallop. I'm an attorney here on the Outer Banks. My office is currently in Mano. Uh, some of you may know me, some of you uh, may not, but I've been doing local government practice for about 20 years, and I've represented at times every town on the beach, um, for various different things. And one of my favorite things to see is uh is an organizational meeting. And I was uh pleased to be able to be here tonight and and see y'all uh all dressed up with families and um being able to uh be seated. Um I think that that's a a real honor and uh I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate having the opportunity to see that tonight. Um but I'm here on behalf of Royal Farms tonight. As you saw, we have a whole crew or team of folks who are here. We've got everybody from engineers to architects to rural farms folks to uh an appraiser. Um our primary evidence will be from uh our engineer and our appraiser. Um and um my first uh thing will be to ask Rob just one quick question and and then I will have our uh um engineer come up and we'll go through the presentation from him. Guess we can just share the mic for a moment or you've got your own mic. I looked at your staff report uh would did say that uh we had met all of the requirements um in the ordinance. I mean other than the four standards that were putting on evidence tonight,

right? Um the staff report I didn't go through line by line, but um it did indicate that all the minimum zoning requirements that are applicable in this case were being met by the site plan. Great. Thank you. So that's that's all I have for for Mr. testament unless you all have any other questions. Do you if you guys have this would be the time to ask Rob if you have any specific questions of Rob.

All right. Well, I will call uh Greg Schmidt up. Uh Greg is uh our engineer and uh he designed the plans and uh I will just let him go through the process and explain to you and uh hit the uh expert opinions that he needs to hit uh that are part of his role in the process. And I may have a couple questions for him at the end, but I'll let him go ahead and talk to you if that's okay with you. Thank you,

Mr. Mayor, members of the commission council here. I appreciate the opportunity to be here. My name is Greg Schmidt. I'm a professional engineer out of Virginia Beach uh for a company called Kinley Horn. Uh we work with rural farms up and down the east coast um helping them to design these sites to be code compliant. Um I know specifically what we're here tonight to talk about is the special use permit and the different criteria that are are stated in the ordinance for your ability to be able to approve said use permit with the first one being uh materially does not materially endanger public health or safety. There are a number of things that that we are doing um with Royal Farms in this development um to improve the current condition. Um I will start by stating it it's the obvious, but I'll state that this is a redevelopment project. This is an out parcel to the Walmart shopping center um which is the largest shopping center in the town of Kittyhawk. And we will be tearing down the vacant bank facility and installing a new convenience store and gas station as Mr. Testerman had alluded to the fueling station itself does feature modern dualwalled uh fuel tanks with leak monitoring systems. So in the instance that there is a an incident that that would require response, the Royal Farms operations staff is notified of that immediately and has a protocol to address that. Um, the access to the site does feature a right-in, right out that is already installed as a commercial entrance with a right turn deceleration lane. It also has a shared access agreement with the Walmart Shopping Center to the two signalized intersections to the east and west of the property. The site is located within 400 ft of two public uh fire hydrants uh for adequate fire coverage for service to the building and the fuel station.

Um, in addition to the access when when we develop these sites in accordance with the codes as they allow, we do install directional signage that allows for uh visible demarcators uh for for visitors and customers as they enter and exit the property to help make that clear delineation of where those access points are. The site does employ, you know, we will be preparing a site lighting phototric plan. There was there's one included in the package that is in in conformance with the code. Those site lighting um the site lighting photometrics are there to provide safety uh to the customers and employees of the property. Um, but they are designed in a way where they have a zero uplighting um, designation from the manufacturer, which means you don't they're they're very directional down to the parking lot and you don't get that uplighting like you do on some of the older establishments. Um, they will have security camera systems as well again to to make sure that the customers and and y'all's visitors um to the town of Kittyhawk are safe when they're utilizing the establishment. Um, one of the big points I think to make here and and it's in the report, but you kind of got to read into the details and u we will be vacating the uh previous on-site sewer disposal uh drain field and we will be connecting into the wastewater treatment plant that serves the shopping center as a whole. We've been in close coordination with the operator for that facility to determine uh adequate capacity and and they've gotten a letter from Dair County stating adequate capacity uh for the Royal Farms gas station. While we still have to finalize the permitting with Dair County Health, um that that determination um has been made available. Um and what that means is the wastewater treatment plant obviously is is treating the sewer waste to a much higher level than a

traditional septic tank and drain field. Um it also falls under much a higher level of scrutiny from the state and from the county in terms of inspections and maintenance and operations. So um that is one of the benefits as well. Um the site will have private trash collection. It employs a a trash enclosure um that will have private trash collection for um lawful removal of any refues from the property. And then, you know, the the site and its location, you know, you see it up and down the east coast. Um, where, you know, if Harris ter had wanted to put a fuel center, they probably would have. Um, but it is common in these uh shopping centers of of such scale to see a gas station, a convenience store, as an accessory use to what that larger shopping center is. And given the scale of the store relative to what's around it, um it it does not promote um any any public nuisance or or endangerment to the public health and safety of the community. Uh moving on, you know, as as uh Mr. Gallup had had asked Mr. Testerman, does it meet all required conditions and specifications? We have worked diligently with Mr. test and and reviewing the ordinances um to make sure that we brought to you all a plan that does meet the requirements of the town um and the and the county and NCDEQ for storm water. Um so we've run through those calculations and and have prepared the package in conformance with those. Um I know in the staff report or or in some of the discussion there there was um a note about the finished floor elevation for the structures relative to the flood plane. The site does sit within flood plane X so outside of the flood plane. Um and the finished floor elevations at elevation 12 and I know the town has a minimum elevation of

eight. So we far exceed that. Um, in addition to just again endangerment to public safety and welfare, we do have our fuel canopy and our fuel tank pad, our fuel lids where they actually fill the tanks. Um, those are all at elevation 10.5 or higher. So again, well above any flood plane elevations. um related to a a public nuisance. You know, we work very hard with rural farms and again I I stated we work with them up and down the east coast, but um you know, they bring a product that is architecturally more appealing than than traditional gas stations. They really work hard to bring nice materials, things that require low maintenance, um but are presentable and and match their brand certainly. But, um, they work with with a a programmatic architect that works on all their sites. Um, and they've worked hard to develop a a nice architectural pattern that pays homage to their business as a family-owned dairy farm back in the day. Um, but also is is representative high quality materials. And then secondly, given the site's location, the nearest residential property is over 700 ft away. Um, you know, there's not typically audible sounds coming from these gas stations. Um, for Royal Farm specifically, again, the lighting, um, will have a a uplighting rating of zero, which means no uplighting, all directional downward lighting. Um, so it would be hard to imagine a case where where this would be deemed a public nuisance um, to any of the residents or visitors of Kitty. And then lastly, we'll be in harmony with the area in which the site is located and general conformance with the comprehensive plan. Um, as Mr. Testerman had alluded to, the land use plan states this as an invest and improve um,

character area in the future land use area map. Um, that focuses on uh, keeping commercial properties in in hightra areas. And I couldn't think of a better property um as it relates to invest and improve than a redevelopment project in the larger shopping center in the town of Kittyhawk as an out parcel. It also talks to um preservation and sustainability. Um we will be implementing uh infiltration basins for storm water quality and quantity treatment as I had mentioned earlier about the change in the way the sanitary waste is disposed of and treated. And then in in addition to um the code requires that 25% of of the paral area remain open space, there is a a small stand of of mature vegetation in the southeast corner that we will be preserving in addition to any future plantings that we will be installing in that um open space as required. Um so you know with that and and the and the harmony of the area um employment opportunities it it alludes to that in the land use plan and the and the and and the location of it. Um I couldn't think of a better spot to locate a facility such as this um to serve the visitors and residents of the town of Kitty. With that, I'll um open it up to any questions that you all may have and council have any questions? I just like to ask him just a couple of questions to summarize on the points of uh of the opinions that he's providing tonight. Um, so am I clear in the summary that you would say that uh it would be your opinion

that uh this proposed use does not materally endanger the public health or safety? That is correct. And that uh the proposed special use does meet all the conditions and specifications. That's correct. And uh that public uh that the proposed use will not be a public nuisance. That's correct. And that the proposed use is in harmony with the area and in general conformity with the town's comprehensive plan use plan. That's correct. I don't have any more questions for Mr. Smith unless the council has any questions.

Quick one. I'm sorry. Go ahead. Um just the there is going to be a multi-use path that's going to be um placed by the street there I think in the next year or so. Uh, I don't know if that was taken into consideration or not, but looks like there's plenty of offset there to about a 6' wide um multi-use path will be placed right along the 158 bypass there. So, just FYI, looks like there's plenty of room. I don't know. Look, I don't know if that's a drainage ditch in the front. I think it kind of dips down, but just know that that'll be there. Certainly, I appreciate that. Yeah. No, there there is a roughly I think 50 ft from the edge of pavement to to the property line. Um, so there's plenty of room to sneak in a little exit. Yeah. Right. Right. Exit only. So, yeah.

Has everybody that wishes to speak had an opportunity to do that. Thank you. I've got one more witness and then and then I'll I'll be done unless they're I I'll give you the list of people who are here. If you want to hear from any of them, um, I'll be glad to bring them up, but I can call Larry Karito. Okay. He's our appraiser.

Thank you. And if I could ask uh that the uh the plans, the application, the narrative and uh the site plan and the elevations that were provided with the application be um considered as evidence and placed in the record. Thank you. And this is state your name for the

Sure. My name is Lawrence John Karito Jr. here. I go by Larry and I am a certified general real estate appraiser in the state of North Carolina. I've been practicing for well, I hate to admit it, but this is my 37th year. So, and uh did you prepare a report for tonight's meeting? Yes, sir. And in that report, do you provide opinions on whether or not the uh this proposed use will be uh injurious to the adjoining properties and whether or not it would be in harmony with the adjoining property or location? Yes, I do. And what what was your opinion on both of those?

Uh it will be in harmony and it will not uh diminish the value of the surrounding property. And does your report include all of your analysis and bases for how you reached those opinions? Yes, it does. And can you just give us a a summary of of that information, how you got there?

Okay. So, as an appraiser, my expertise is obviously in the value of properties and valuation is a synonym for real estate appraisal. Um, as I mentioned, I've been doing this for 37 years. I've appraised uh over those 37 years about 30 years or so uh active here on the Outer Banks. I've actually appraised the shopping center in front of which this property is located two or three times. Uh I've done some work across the street on some of the commercial properties there. I've done work up and down the highway between here and Nagad and up to Corala. So, as you can see, I've got a general understanding of the marketplace. um what we did uh in order to and I say we my staff and I in order to determine uh whether or not and I'll speak specifically right now to the uh possibility of injuring or diminishing value of the surrounding properties. Um we looked at it from both a commercial standpoint, in other words, the surrounding commercial properties and the residential properties because it's a two-fold issue. Um, as been stated numerous times already tonight, the property is an out parcel out of Walmart and Harris ter anchored shopping centers across the street from more retail shopping center anchored by food line and Marshalls and there's some other scattered scattered retail up and down an office up and down the highway as you come across the causeway. Um, this type of gas station, convenience store, be it Royal Farms, Wawa, Sheets, anything that you're familiar with in the area is generally very synergistic with those types of uses. Meaning that it creates more value, not less, with the surrounding retail office for obvious reasons. Okay? You're you're bringing customers to a market that already feeds off of the customers that that want to come to that location because it's

buffer I'm sorry because it's buffered by the retail behind it and the retail office in front of it. It does not injure any of the surrounding commercial property in any way, shape or form. In fact, in looking at the stuff, the new Waw Wa here on the Outer Banks is too new to really have any data to to look at. Uh the new newer Royal Farms in Grandandy on the mainland, also too new to really have commercial data readily available. But if you look around those properties and you look around the stuff up in Hampton Roads, specifically in Chesapeake, as you come across the state line, there are numerous waw wa there. Not only has it not injured any of the surrounding retail, but it's enhanced the retail value, created more synergy in that node, that's enhanced the commercial real estate values around it. Now, let's talk a little bit about the residential. Okay, I know that there uh obviously if you put a commercial use that is incompatible right up against or very near a residential use, you could injure the value of that property. That's not what's going on here. You're I think gentleman before me said 700 ft. I'll go with his 700 ft. I didn't measure it from the nearest residential property. you are completely surrounded on all four sides by commercial property. But that not being enough, what we did is we went to the Wawa in Kill Devil Hills and we looked at properties in the residential neighborhood behind me. We've looked. Now, that's not to say that what they're selling for is what the stuff in the town of Kittyhawker in the southern shores that are near the Royal Farms would necessarily sell for.

What we were looking for is a market trend. And I won't belabor the details because they're all in my report, but if you we found three sales that were indicative of a sale and a resale since the WAWA was public knowledge, and they indicated value appreciation similar to the value appreciation across the board in in Kittyhawk, excluding of course the stuff that has emotion uh influence. So what what that tells us is that the value of the properties in and around and this this is in the neighborhood immediately behind the Wawwa did not suffer any injury from the Waw Wa being there and so we would assume that that would be the case for the Royal Farms. Do you have any questions? I

I do. Um, being 22 years in the brokerage business myself, I don't disagree that it's not going to hurt the property value. But my question is, why would you go to Edinburgh, though? It's a totally different market. Well, I mean, I I see the travel lane why you might have done that, but I'm very familiar with that area, too, working with Bank of Hampton Roads on some nonperforming assets. So, just curious. Yeah, it's not a perfect comp. I mean, there really being here on the Outer Banks, there really aren't a lot of perfect comps. So, I admit that the one in Edinburgh is not as strong a comp as the one on Chemville Road in uh between Greenbry and Great Brbridge

because the one on Chemville Road, Chem Road is much more similar to the situation here on the highway. Um but what we were what I was trying to show is that in any any uh gas station convenience store like that in a commercial node like that and in that respect Edinburgh is very similar to what is going on as you come across the causeway here it's a commercial node a lot of large anchors that it was creating synergy not not taking away from it that's all Anybody else have any questions from? No. No.

Thank you. Thank you very much and congratulations everybody. Thank you. We don't have any other witnesses unless you'd like to hear from somebody from Royal Farms or from the architect or from somebody who's done some of the wastewater analysis. Um we've got folks here who do all that. Uh there's also a gentleman here who is um a representative of the property owner who would be leasing the land to 401. If you have any interest in hearing from them, I'll be glad to bring them up. But if not, um we will be done. And I would just like an opportunity to briefly summarize to you our position. Okay. Thank you.

Okay, everybody content with that. Um do I have a motion to go out of public hearing? I think Ben he wanted to just okay summarize got to give a little closing. Perfect.

Thank you, madam mayor. I'll be brief. Um uh one thing first is I've asked for everything to be uh included in the record except for Mr. Karito's uh curriculum by tai which is attached to his uh report and his report. If I could have those be included as evidence in the record, I appreciate that as well. Um the big question here was the four standards that that we have to show for the special use permit tonight. Mr. Schmidt uh testified to his opinion that uh it this will not material then um endanger the public health or safety. Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Testerman pointed out that it did not that it met all the requirements of the town. Um Mr. Crito showed you that it would not injure the uh adjoining property. Um Mr. uh Schmidt pointed out that it would not be a public nuisance. And additionally, um, strangely enough, there's case law in North Carolina going back to 1929 and 1930 that says that by definition, uh, gas stations are not public nuisances, per se, back at the point where everybody wanted to keep them out of town, but the court said cars are here to stay, folks, and uh, you're going to have to put gas in them. So, um you can regulate those as you have done, but otherwise they're not just a public nuisance by being a gas station. Um and similarly, uh the question of harmony with the neighboring area, um Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Alto testified to that. But there's also case law that says that there's a a presumption that if it's in the list of special uses or uses for a particular district, then by definition it is u presumed to be in harmony with that area absent evidence to the contrary. Um and then the uh com the general conformity with the land use plan. Mr.

Schmidt testified to you that that was his opinion and uh Mr. testament uh also to uh numerous sections of the uh land use plan that relate to this project. So in conclusion, I believe that we've met all of the requirements of the uh town code and uh we would appreciate and uh appreciate having youall hear us tonight. And especially on a special night like this, it's kind of um I was a little worried. I talked to Mr. far know before. You know, sometimes these things don't get heard on nights like this because that because uh it's more important what's going on before than than our hearing. Um but uh in that regard, uh meeting all the requirements, um we'd appreciate if you'd follow North Carolina law and uh provide us with approval of the special use permit. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Now, council, do I have a Do I have a Motion to go out of public hearing. So move. Thank you. Second. Okay. Thank you. Do any of you have All in favor? A vote. Okay. We do have to ask a vote. Okay. All in favor? I I All opposed. Okay. Um do you have any questions for Rob or the applicant? Are y'all y'all are good? Any questions? Any discussion you'd like to have?

No questions. I just want to thank the applicant for putting submitting a well put together design submitt application package with everything included. That was very helpful. So greatly appreciated. I thought it was very nicely put together package. Very thorough. Yeah.

No. Well, I will um you know the forefathers just going back to public comment. the forefathers of the town did uh set that section aside for Kittyhawk for our um commercial area. It was kind of the corridor. And so um whether people, you know, think we're adding more or less that it was designated years ago for such uses as this. So that's all I have. Um, I would just I think add to that that assumption first. Great report. Thank you. Very thorough. Um, as you would imagine. Um, so I appreciate that. Um, Allan, I also appreciate your comments too. Um, well taken. Um, I would say that uh, you know, it is a commercial corridor and and you're swapping one commercial building for another. Um, so I would add that, you know, when we're looking at the resiliency of the Outer Banks and a coastal community, gas stations are huge um as part of our resiliency and and ability to get fuel. So swapping a bank for a gas station, I think it's um probably not a a bad pay. Some people argue with me, but but um yeah, thank you.

I mean, I I don't have a problem with it, and you know, obviously the revenue is good for the town. Okay. Um, I have a motion. I'll make a motion. Do we What's that? Do we have to ask anybody in the public to speak first? Oh, there. We're outside. We're outside now. That's good. Okay. We're Okay.

Right. I'm okay. I uh I move to grant approval of the special use permit to allow a gas station associated convenience store located at 5416 North Croatan Highway. Town council finds that the proposal was consistent with the camel land use plan and meets the conditions of section 42-1000B8. Do I have a second? I'll second. All in favor? I all oppose. Okay. Welcome, Royal Farms. Thank you.

I'd also like to remind everyone that the public hearing for special use permit for 4352B Woods Road RV Park was set for last month's meeting is now scheduled for January 5th, 2026 town meeting. Moving on to new business. We have appointments to boards and committees. Do I have a nomination for the Idabb Banks Tourism Board? I'll make a motion to appoint Jeff Puit as a member of the Dare County Tourism Board.

I'll second that. Okay. I think it's a nomination though to the Dair County Board of Commissioners. Okay. Okay. One second. County Board of Commissioners. All in favor? All in favor? I I Okay. Do I have a nomination for the government education access channel committee? I'll make a motion to appoint Charlotte Walker as a member of the government and education channels committee. Second that. Thank you.

All in favor? I I. All opposed. Do I have a nomination for the recreation committee liaison? Madame Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to nominate Councilman Mance as a recreation committee council liaison. I'll second that. All in favor? I.

Thank you. There being no old business, Melody, do you have a report for us tonight? I sure do. Um, good evening, mayor, council, and the members of the public. Um, I would once again like to thank former Mayor Garris for his dedication to town. It's been a pleasure working with you, and I hope you will still come for our Monday morning meeting so I can rant and rave at you. Um, secondly, I'm so excited to begin work with our new council. Um we've already made so much progress and we are off to such a positive start already. Um Mayor Councilman Tilllet and um Councilman Mance are attending an essentials of government class this month and Mayor Pro Timuit has also expressed interest in in doing some classes in 2026. and under our under the leadership, the town will continue to be on a positive trajectory with all of you as part of our team. So, I appreciate it very much. Um, I would like to provide some additional information about the public comment that was raised by Mrs. Canning about the trees. Um she has reached out to Willie previously and as a result Willie has coordinated with NC DOT to have four large dying oaks removed along West Kittyhawk Road. Additionally, the town has engaged previously with contractors to cut down multiple dead trees and leaning trees within the ride of way. and our public works crew has also removed several smaller trees as they they can. Um we do understand her concern and we empathize empathize with her family. Um we will

continue to keep watch on the situation. Um, it needs to be noted, however, that we cannot go on private property and cut down people's trees and that we have to coordinate with NC DO. All of the roads that she mentioned in her um comment are NC DO roads. So, we have to work with them in making sure that they are aware and and mostly generally doing the work. Um, Santa's motorcade is coming to town on Wednesday, December 17th. It's probably one of the town's most popular events. Um, we'll be stopping at West Tateway at Wingrass Circle, West Lillian at Kittyhawk Baptist Church, Angler Way in San Piper Hay, Hilton Garden in the Windsor Place and Kittyhawk Estates, Ridge Road at Roger Street. Um, you can check out our social media pages or call Town Hall for more information. I believe we also have a app you can download and follow the parade and know when we're approaching your stop. So, I hope that everyone will join us. The town is also currently participating in our local Toys for Tots drive. We have collection boxes at the police station, the fire station, and town hall. Please bring unwrapped toys before December 10th as that's when they will be uh collecting the boxes. Uh council, I wanted to also follow up with you on a request you approved several weeks ago from the family of Tim Brooks regarding a donation of a memorial bench. Uh the bench was purchased and Lily has installed it on the right memorial uh Wright brothers multi-use path north of Reng Grass circle park. The family surprised Mr.

Brooks's wife over Thanksgiving and we hope to get some photos soon. And this bench does replace one that was damaged previously in a hurricane. So if you're walking along the path, feel free to have a seat. Um the multi-use path sidewalk update was mentioned earlier. Um NC DO's project to construct a a townwide multi-use path on the west side of the bypass was originally supposed to begin this fall. Um many of you know that the co cost of the project um increased over the 10 years that it was being planned. So due to this increased costs and additional approvals um the project um start date was moved to next fall. So um it pushed everything back to get those approvals. So we will see hopefully as far as I know the start date in the fall of 2026 for the townwide multi-use path. And we're also making progress with our multimodal planning grant for the townwide pedestrian and bicycle plan. The town's match has been sent to NC DOT and Three Oaks Engineering from Raleigh has been assigned to work with us on designing our plan. Also, this is a special day even I know it's special. We know that. But even more special because today is Rob where Rob there he is. Rob's 11th anniversary with the town of Kittyhawk.

How's all out there? Okay, Casey, did you have anything for us tonight? Congrats to you three. You guys have done it before, but not you, Mr. B. Welcome to the Welcome to the council. Thank you. That's it. Dylan, did you have anything tonight? I sure do. Uh, just want to say one more time to Craig Garris, thank you so much. It can't be said enough. The time and efforts you put into this town will never be forgotten and are very much appreciated. Thank you. Uh, congratulations to Mayor Walker. Thank you.

Mayor Proen Puit and Councilman Mance, welcome and welcome back. Um, I was going to talk about the trees, but you've already covered that. So, do you have anything else to No, just interested in uh it be Do you have a report or something that you could mention or follow up on that? That would be great. Perfect. And lastly, uh, with the holidays coming up, merry Christmas everybody. That's all I have. Yeah.

Yeah. I have a few u it was mentioned earlier about Terry Gray. It was a tremendous loss to our community and please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as family. U Steve House, we can't thank you enough for all the things you've done for our community and the volunteers that work in your organization. Uh be sure to pass along to your members how much we appreciate the all the hard work that you do and and your contribution back to our town. We app we appreciate it very much. Happy anniversary, Rob. Um, also congratulations, Mayor Walker. Thank you. And congratulations to you.

Looking forward to meeting you. I'd like to also uh thank all the um once again thank all the people that came out to support us in the election. I' I'd also like to thank this council for having the um uh the faith in me to be your mayor pro 10. It's an honor to serve this council and the people of the town and uh thank you very much for your uh support. That's all I have. Do you have a report?

Uh yes, ma'am. Um great report on the finances tonight. I appreciate that. Very well organized as usual. So, thank you to the staff uh for all the handholding, getting me uh prepared for tonight in the future. So, uh there'll be more to come and and I'll ask a lot of questions, but that's not because I'm questioning, it's because I don't know and I'm learning. So, so thank you in advance for that. Um, I guess I'm still on the recreation committee. So, Paul, take take a bow. Thank

uh the the recreation committee has been doing a phenomenal job. Um, our last meeting we're talking a whole lot of great ideas. Looking very forward to 2026. Um, the trails are open um around the town here and it's winter time, so get out there and use them. Uh, great opportunity. Also learned last week that the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau uh approved the grant for the life-saving memorial, the Kyok life-saving memorial. So, we'll get moving out hard on that and and make sure it gets built as soon as possible and ideally for the summertime. So, thank you for your help on that. So, um and uh Mayor Gar can't can't say enough. I know everybody's taking their turn, but thank you for all your leadership. Excellent, David.

Well, you go last. Not a whole lot left to say. That's I understand. Now, Craig, we we're going to miss you. Um I've only served with you for six years, but it's been a good six years. And um welcome everybody. That's all I have. Okay. Well, I I appreciate the support and and um I'm honored to be the mayor for your town. Thank you. Um, let's see. Is that everything? Everybody? Okay. Well, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. Mayor, I'd like to make a motion to adjurnn.

Second. Second. All right. We are adjourned. All in favor? Sorry.