Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Evening everybody and welcome to the April 22nd, 2026 Town of Kovville Hills Board of Commissioners meeting. I call this meeting to order. Uh unfortunately, Commissioner Makavoy will not be able to attend this evening, but I invite everyone to please stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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.

All right. Uh, I invite everyone to please join me in a moment of silence. Thank you all. All right. Uh our next item of business this evening is our agenda approval board. We have an agenda before us. Motion to approve the agenda. Second. We have a motion to second. Any further discussion? All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I.

All right. We have an agenda. Next is our first opportunity for public comment this evening. Uh now is the time you set aside for public comment. This is an opportunity for anyone in the audience to address the board on any topic of their choosing that pertains to the town. We do that ask when you're called upon approach the podium speaking to the microphone and identify yourself by name and address. There will be no debates. Please keep your comments to three minutes if you are speaking on behalf as an individual or five minutes if you're speaking on behalf of a group. If you do have any written remarks, please give them to the town clerk. when you are finished that they may be included in the minutes for record. Uh and following public comment the board may choose to respond to comments. Uh that is our option and I will remind everyone tonight's meeting is a little special. Uh after later on in the second half of the meeting instead of our normal second public comment we'll have our open public forum which is a more informal and open opportunity to have a discussion about any topic anyone wishes to uh with the board. So that said, u we'll open up to public comment if anybody signed up. Yes.

All right. Stand up. All right. Whoever please uh approach the podium and your name.

Hi. Hi. My name is Melissa Harrison and I'm at 101 Town Hall Drive, Kovville Hills. I'm here representing the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. I'm the chairman of the board and I appreciate this opportunity to speak this evening on the lease of the chamber. Go ahead now for everything. Okay. All right. So, I'm here to represent the Outer Banks Chamber. It is a nonprofit that serves Dare County. We have 750 members and over 3,000 employees that we service. We are here to address the land lease renewal of a,000% increase for the land only and we did truly feel blindsided by this. The chamber owns the facility, the building and maintains the property. We don't understand the rationale behind this increase when the town does not maintain the property. Miss Bomb had intended for her 300 322 acre track to serve the community and we the chamber serve the community through advocacy efforts, plastic bags. We spoke on bucks and beach nourishment, the shrimp ban, house, affordable housing, outdoor lighting with the restaurants, sales tax redistribution, property insurance, the ferry service and the midcur bridge. We also we don't stop there. workforce development opportunities. We also have access to workshops. We are involvement with the seafood festival to ensure that this event is successful each year, bringing thousands of people to our community. The chamber has brought up the housing issues back years ago to the front burner and have worked with town and counties to review these ordinances. And we're we're here, we serve um we do a lot of things. That's only a little bit of what we do. Um, but then I know I also have somebody else here to speak,

John Bone. Um, in addition on the history of this lease, thank you for your time and letting me speak. Thank you. Thank you.

My name is John Bone. I live at uh 3053 Creek Road in Kittyhawk. And uh I I was just told I was speaking about the history of the chamber's participation on the town property. Uh it goes back to 1983 when Mrs. Dian bomb St. Clair um title land 300 I think 322 acres to the town of Kalville for public use. At the time, the chamber had a little building at the north end of the beach in Kittyhawk where the um uh Home Depot is right now in that area. And uh we were looking place to to find land to build a building and become a permanent uh home for the chamber. And at the time the town had the this large track of land and they wanted to put public service buildings on the property and they came to us. We came we came together and decided that we would like to be here and they would like for us to be here and that has worked I think now for good almost 40 years if I'm correct about that. may be off a year or two, but I think it's 40 years. And now the lease has another the original lease has another 10 years that it can be re uh negotiated. And so we're in hopes that uh we can negotiate that lease not at $1,200 a month. That's going to be a difficult uh bar for the chamber to reach. But um we are the chamber's been happy to be here for these 40 years. I know in

my uh 30 years of working for the chamber, we were here about uh 20 years. Uh 1986 until now. uh well when I retired in uh 2012 and um it's been a a a good relationship and uh you just heard some of the things that the chamber has done in the last few years but some of the things that we did in the prior years. Uh many of you have do y'all many of many of you uh were you here 1990s early 90s few of you well if you were here then do you remember what the internet was it wasn't it wasn't and we tried to get uh all those companies that were providing internet access to the outer banks and they would look at the population of Kill Devil Hills where we were located and say you don't have enough population. So we put on a a program that year or in that time period and we did a teleconference, never been done before, literally from here to Raleigh and we had a group of uh dignitaries from government, state government and we had dignitaries here, town council men and uh soon After that, a company from was associated with the Capital Broadcasting System came to me and said, "If you will guarantee us 50 members, we'll come to the Outer Banks." I didn't hesitate. I guaranteed 50 members. I knew we would have 50 members

right away would like that. We wouldn't have to sit there and watch the dialogue. And uh they came and used the chamber building, put u all their equipment in there, and when they left, when they went out of business after the telephone company came in and put in uh DSL, is that right? Is that right? Anyway, they came in, took all the equipment out, and our room that they had left looked like somebody had been in there with a machine gun. But anyway, that was just one of the things and it probably doesn't matter much anymore today, but that's one of many things that the chamber was responsible for over the number of years that it's been operating here on the Outer Banks. I I hope that we can continue the chamber can. I'm not involved with the chamber anymore. I retired in 2012 and I'm happy to not be involved in any public activities and the only reason I'm here tonight is because my wife said I had to be. But uh I'm I'm glad to be here on behalf of the chamber and hope that we can come back to that feeling of goodwill and partnership that we've had for so many years. Thank you very much. And thank you all for giving me the time to speak with you.

Thank you, John.

I'm Myra Ladbone, John's wife, and I've been involved in the chamber a long time. I'm the former owner of Atlantic Realy from 1983 to 2018, and we were a member since 1983. and the current owners are still a member of the chamber. So, good evening. I'm I'm live at um 353 Creek Road in Kittyhawk. Um I appreciate the opportunity to speak tonight on behalf of our chamber and more importantly on behalf of the business community that depends on it. The Chamber of Commerce is not just an organization. It is a vital part of what makes our community thrive. It supports our local businesses, fosters connections, promotes economic growth, and helps create the sense of community that makes people want to live, work, and invest here. It is truly the cornerstone of our business community. This is why this moment matters. The chamber has been a good steward of the space it was given and it has used that opportunity to give back to this community many times over. Decisions that affect its stability also affect the many businesses and individuals who rely on it every day. I would encourage thoughtful consideration of the role of the chamber plays and the value it brings. Not just today, but for the future of our region. Increasing the rent for the land the chamber building occupies would be detrimental to the organization which operates as a nonprofit entity. Thank you for your time and for your commitment to

supporting the businesses that make this town strong. Right. Thank you. Would anybody else like to speak at this public comment period?

Hi, I'm Chris Merrick. I'm uh a resident at 1206 West Kittyhawk Road in Kittyhawk, but I'm a business owner in Killable Hills with Ocean Atlantic Reynolds at 2001 South Croten Highway. Um, I'm here as a reminder tonight of uh trash attack which I co-chair and that is this Saturday at Aviation Park and I just want to remind everybody about that great community event. Uh, I'm also a chamber member and I agree with the statements made earlier. Thank you. Floor is open if anybody else would like to speak. All right. Hearing no one else at this time, we'll close the first segment of the comment public comment. Uh response to public comment. Uh since the bulk of the comments are in regards to new business item 1A, I will reserve my comments when we get to that the agenda and but if anybody else would like to speak now, they're welcome to do so.

I just want to clarify one thing. Um and we'll speak again later, but I do want to clarify. So Melissa, you had stated which thank you all very much for being here and speaking. I really appreciate it. I spoke with Nick. Um I'm in support of meeting in the middle for sure. Um but I do want to clarify for just for the public that you stated a 1,00% increase. We have new numbers here. So I just want to make sure that that the public does know that that that is not currently what we're looking at. that was previous and what we're currently looking at is much different than that. So, I just want to clarify that because it's Yeah, that's an important I think it's important for people to know.

I'll chime in, too. John, you mentioned $1,200 a month. That number is not part of this equation either. Yeah, it's not even

not even there. So, all right. Uh any more response to public comments? All right. Uh hearing that we'll move on to introductions and presentations. Item number one, Beacon of the Community Awards to honor longtime service of planning board chair Howard Buchanan and Board of Adjustment Chair Mike Lowak. All right. The board of commissioners about our use of volunteers throughout our community who give their time and talents to serve our municipal boards and committees. It is these volunteers who become the backbone of our committee system, carrying out the various tasks and assignments to accomplish the mission of government. They exemplify the neighborhing neighbor relationship that is so respected in our Outerbanks community. At this meeting, the board of commissioners honors two individuals who committed themselves in service to the town and its citizens. Howard Buchanan was reported was appointed to the planning board in July 2010 and continued over the next 15 years writing rising to leadership roles of vice chairperson and chairperson. The latter role he held for six years until his resignation in December 2025. Mike Lak began his service on the board of adjustment as an alternate member for transitioning to a regular member position. He then was elected vice chairperson and shortly after chairperson. in a position which he held for over 5 years. Mr. Lowak also served on the town's planning board for almost seven years. The town of KDA Hills expresses its appreciation to Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Loack for their diligence, hard work, and commitment to our community by setting an incredible example of citizen participation in local government. Each will be presented with a beacon of the community award for their achievements. and uh Howard and Mike, if you don't mind uh stepping forward, we'd like to present you guys today.

If you guys are meeting, we'd love to get your picture of the board. Sure.

Congratulations. Thank you. Anybody like Get us made. Congratulations. Very nice. All right. Um, moving on. Uh, town manager, any ongoing business this evening?

No, sir. Thank you.

All right. We'll move on new business. Item number one, leases of town property. Uh, item A, Chamber of Commerce, 101 Town Hall Drive. Uh, thank you everyone for coming out this evening, uh, speaking at public comment, sharing your concerns and and and your feelings on this. Um, you know, I like to start off by saying, you know, this board and the town, we have a 40-year relationship with the chamber, and we're proud of that. Uh, we appreciate all the hard work the chamber's done over the years representing our business community and our commitment and support are unwavered. Um I mean Johnny used a phrase feeling of goodwill and partnership that is alive and true and uh will not go anywhere anytime soon. Um, again talking about the numbers, you know, the the chamber of this uh lease was originally began in 1986 and for the last 40 years has been $100 a month. Uh, which is uh rather favorable terms that we've been happy to offer the chamber. And um, but with time we also have to be responsible stewards of the uh, town's assets. And when this discussion first came up and we looked at what the next steps would be, we let you all know and I spoke with a couple of your board members a couple times about it and uh we listened to your concerns and we took your uh your feedback to heart and we went back to this agreement and we made changes and amendments to it to make it as amanable as we possibly could to the chamber while also uh making it fair for our town. Uh the original agreement that we've had in place for 40 years was $100 a month and that will be a phased increase of $250 a year over the next

four years. Um uh I believe that is a fair assessment for the value of that land and we don't want to we decided to go with the phase route to be as fair and accommodating to you all as well not make it uh any more of a hardship than it has to be. But I'd want to reiterate, you know, my first comment and I feel the board and the town feel the same way that while this is a tenant t uh landowner negotiation and and business uh agreement and update, feelings of support of community caring and and uh supporting one another are steadfast and true. We care about the chamber and we thank you for all that you've done. And if anybody else like to speak, by all means.

Um, given the concerns expressed, I I' I'm curious if we need to go back to the drawing board slightly um, and be more amanable. I mean, I have to say, you know, I don't know that $250 a month in four years is making or breaking us. Um, and I understand I I do agree that $100 a month, like we need a change from $100 a month, and I'm complete I agree with that. Um but you know in talking with staff and talking with chamber um is is it is there potential for us to table this or is or are we

do the lease expires right? That's my thoughts on it. Anybody else like to make a comment? I don't know if we can. Doesn't sound like tableabling is an option. Doesn't the lease expire in April? You already has expired. So legally what would occur is it'd go to a month-to-month lease. I mean, um, paying the same rental as of now

if you guys were to table, that's ultimately what would happen with the lease that's there now. Um, so just throwing that out there for y'all's consideration to the extent it matters. So, we do have So, it doesn't end, but they're still within. They're still in the property. They would still be paying the $100. I mean, this is a situ It's a landlord tenant situation. I mean, nobody's going to be moving to evict. So, I mean, that's right. You know, or nobody's going to be moving to terminate the lease. Let me say it that way. So, um, so yeah, I mean, there's there's room there if you guys that's your wish to take.

I guess my concern is we don't want to do anything to the detriment of an organization that helps our local businesses. And so if you know if we can be more immunable in some ways um you know I tend to think but but while I do agree with you like we need to we need to come to that's my thoughts since we're in a monthto month at this moment now. Well well indiv I think is correct. Yeah, we would move. So, it has not expired, but it is expiring next week, right? Correct. I mean, we would be in a month month. We still be in a legal situation. We'd be fine tableabling it as discussions continue.

I would be fine with that. Commissioner I I do think we I mean am Iable? Yes. But I do think we need to come to compromise if we could do it within a month. Yes. It would have to be Yeah. Yeah. If I may, with the with the new numbers, you're at 250, right? Do you want to cut the 250 in half? I would prefer if we're going to table it. Let's continue the discussions, come back with a whole new fresh agreement in 30 days and do a as Casey mentioned that month by month in the meantime. And nothing needs to be documented for that.

Yeah, I don't feel comfortable. just exists as a matter of law. No, I agree. I think let's be let's be thoughtful about it and Yeah, I agree. Okay, I'll make a motion to table. I'll second. May I have a motion, a second? Uh, any more discussion? All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. I. Eyes have it. Table. All right. Moving on to new business item number one B. See you guys.

Uh item number lease. We'll let the room settle the whole room clear. Yeah. So moving on. New business uh 1B Oldtown HallFire Station 1634 North Katan Highway. Uh Debbie, I'll turn it over to you.

Um yes, sir. This item will be um this, as we discussed, is the Mustang Music Group Outreach Program, the 5013C um C3 nonprofit. They have expressed an interest to provide community-based music outreach, education, and relatable charity activities that benefit residents and visitors. Um, at this time, this request will be considered at the board's commissioners meeting on Monday, May the 11th, and no actions necessary at this time.

All right. Very good. All right. Next, we have new business item two, appointments and nominations. 2A is to vacancy that Mr. Seidman created on our planning board. Um congratulations sir. Win-win. When you win as somebody else is a it's an opening. Yeah. The land of opportunity in Kil Hills says um so 2A is with commissioner C's appointment to the board of commissioners. A a position is available on the planning board with the term to expire September 2027. Boy talk about a short term. I guess we couldn't make this We can't You need to keep it in line with

Yeah. Yeah. The staggering's a bit important. Yeah. This is um definitely just get your toe in the water appointment here. Um before you can reappoint them then. True. Yes. Yes. But um I know we had chance to review all the applicants that have have recently applied and been an email and uh I'll open the floor up for any potential nominations. I'd like to nominate Mr. Kingston. I'll second that. So we have a nomination and a second for Bill Kingston. The clerk could not hear. What was the uh nomination? I'd like to nominate Mr. Kingston.

Thank you. And I second. So, we have a motion and a second to nominate Bill Kingston to the planning board. Uh, any discussion? I will just say uh Mr. Kingston was also one of the applicants for the board of commissioners. I got a chance to meet with him and interview him and Bill made a awfully good impression on me and I'm happy to uh see him take a spot on our planning board. So, thank congratulate well. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I.

I. Congratulations, Mr. Kingston. Very good. All right. Uh, new business item, uh, B, Board of Adjustments, regular member. Um, another one of Mr. Sidman's empty seats. Um, we have, uh, so, and this is a unique seat where we have alternates that could be appointed or applicants that can be appointed. And um again, I'll open it up for any potential nominations. I'd like to make a motion to uh nominate James Andrew Carlton from his alternate position to full member. All right, we have a motion. We have a second. Second.

We have a motion. Second. Any further discussion? All right, hearing none. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. Mr. C, I think every meeting we have, he's moving up in the world. Yeah, he's he's he's jumping right in. Um that said, uh Debbie, can we potentially since Mr. Carlton was just appointed as a from alternate to full member? Should we consider filling that alternate position tonight? I would I would hold up on that since that wasn't part of your agenda. Okay. Yeah.

All right. Very well. And our third appointment this evening, historic landmark commission. Uh was Sandy Marklin's resignation. A position is available in Historic Landmarks Commission with a term to expire in September 2028. And like everything Sandy does, she did a wonderful job with this with a lot of hard work and effort and enthusiasm. So absolutely, she's a real

a real asset to our town. Um, happy to uh open this up for any potential nominations if anybody has one. Hearing none, I will make a nomination for Miss Courtney Beach. I um read her application over the weekend. We're preparing and I thought she was uniquely qualified. I also like that this was the only board she asked to be on. Like this was her her true genuine interest. A lot of times they'll fill all the all the boxes. They fill all the boxes. They shoot for whatever they can get. And but she really seemed um this to be really in her interest and professional background. So, um I'll make that motion. I'll

second. Have a couple seconds. Any further discussion? Hear none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Congratulations, Courtney. All right. Uh moving on, committee reports. Guess I have some stuff now. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

All right. So, I've only been to the one meeting a couple weeks ago. Still getting my sea legs there, but we are working on the annual budget and I have been appointed to the um the finance and budget committee and the personnel board. So, I have um meetings with those on the 11th and 12th of May as well. So, we'll have some more um for next time, but for now, I know today at 4 they had the ribbon cutting for the boardwalk at the um Nagset event site.

So, that that was a big one. Yeah, I unfortunately was not able to attend. I was still in Coral, but um but that is definitely very exciting. Um I think that's it for me for now, but couple more meetings, we'll have some more. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Hikkins. anymore. I was able to meet with um the government education access um great people over there doing great work. Rachel and uh everybody here on staff is doing wonderful stuff. They're on top of it. Rachel's on top of it. So I was really really impressed. Anybody else?

CIC meeting tomorrow and the CRAC meeting was was cancelled for um last week. So Oh. Yep. So, yeah, the advisory council still met, but the or the the council was still met, but the advisory council did not. I'm going to um tattle on myself. I unfortunately was not able to attend my dear housing foundation meeting. Donna Cref is here.

Very good. And I called Donna and she gave me the minute-to-minute best recap I ever could have asked for. So, while I wasn't there virtually in person, I definitely was there in spirit and very well informed and excited to see all the the properties and and where the housing foundation is going and town's very happy all the good work we're doing and excited to see what's around the corner. Okay. Um, commissioner's agenda. Um I'm I'm just going to say I'm very much looking forward to story walk and for trash attack this weekend. So yes, that's all I got.

So the story walk um ribbon cutting will be just before trash attack um begins. We're going to have a ribbon cutting and dedication for the story walk feature at Aviation Park. I've handpicked the book and it is very awesome. So um please check it out. Um, we would love to have kids help with the ribbon cutting. So, anyone's kids, please bring your Please bring your kiddos. We'll be there. We'll give them safety scissors. We promise.

The partnership between the partnership is between the town and the KDH library. Began as a concept from myself um based on um Ochre Coke's story walk. Um, and so children of all ages will be able to go to the frog pond and read a children's book. Um, I met with Charlene. We'll be changing and Rachel who is both Yes. wonderful. And we will be changing that book every 3 to four months sort of based on season things going on um around town. And um we're also very excited that all of the books will be featured in English and Spanish. Um, so please go check that out. Join us on Saturday and then clean up some trash after. It would be the best Earth Day weekend ever.

Looking forward to it. All right, any more? Anything else on commissioner's agenda? We sounds like we all have a very busy Saturday ahead of ourselves.

Uh, moving on to mayor's agenda. And speaking of Saturday, uh, as we've alluded to a few times today, uh, trash attack, don't forget about our upcoming trash attack community cleanup event this Saturday, April 25th, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The the event begins at Aviation Park, which is a great opportunity to show your support in keeping Kill Double Hills litter free. For more info and to register, please visit the town's website at kdhnc.com. I want to go ahead and um recognize Commissioner Hikkins because Commissioner Hikens and I have gotten and cleaned up some big messes the last two years. I feel pressure almost to find um

I'm not sure. Yeah, that next treasure trove to uh clean up. So, uh I trust your leadership in this. Yeah. Yeah, what I'm alluding to is we found two abandoned homeless sites in the last two years of trash attack and were able to address that and uh so we had very productive days and uh you know I don't know if I I want that tradition to continue or not but um all right uh also for mayor's agenda

uh for resolutions and proclamations uh have a proclamation designating May 15 2026 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 10th through 16th, 2026 as Police Week and a second proclamation declaring May 3rd through 9th, 2026 as Hurricane Preparedness Week. Um, and I will make a motion to approve those proclamations. Second. All right. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. All right. All right. Thanks, everybody. Um, town manager's agenda. No, sir. Thank you. Town attorney.

I have nothing. Thank you guys. And we'll move on to the consent agenda. Yes. So, the consent agenda has two items. The minutes for March 25, 2026 and the February 2026 monthly report. Staff recommends the consent agenda approved as presented. I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. I will second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. Thank you.

And now we will move on to our public forum. Um, all right. Our board of commissioners is committed to our citizens and getting feedback. We set aside two public forums each year, which is slightly different from our public comment periods at our regular meetings. This public for forum gives the board an opportunity to speak casually with the public on town issues raised from the floor. Exchanges will not be timed. However, to allow everyone to be heard, I reserve the right to wrap up a topic and move on to the next item. Anyone wishing to speak should stand, give their name and address for the record of the meeting. Uh, no discussions will be made uh during the forum. However, the board may assign issues to other town boards or committees or to staff for additional review or action. That said, if anyone would like to take advantage of our public forum, now is the time.

Thank you. All right. Nothing. Mike, any old planning board stories you can tell? Give us Give us a story. Tell us about the good old days. But, um, I'll mute those. Yeah. Well, seeing and hearing nothing,

can I just maybe should have done this under commissioner's agenda, but it kind of goes under a public forum as well, but just huge shout out to Steve Albbright and the streets. I mean, I don't know if anyone's been down Martin Street, Swan Street. Um, it's been very enlightening for me to be living on part of a project that we approve in many different areas. And um, I just want to say that the staff just does a remarkable job giving notices and more sidewalks in Capital Hills, please, like in the future because it awesome. I was honestly so worried about it to be honest going right in front of our our house and it's beautiful like it is it's beautiful and to see kids on scooters and you know that are that are going to be safely off of the road in a few short weeks is like it's just incredible. So thank you and to all of us more sidewalks please.

Yes indeed. Yes, indeed. I will um I was going to say I'll follow up with the more of that because we're out to bid right now for East and West First Street, which includes a sidewalk from behind Publix down to the canal uh West first intersection of the Ty and the multi-use path. Um and then the outyear the plan is for West West Fifth Street to again uh repave that water main improvements and take a sidewalk again from the Bay Drive path up to the bypass. So more to come. Yeah, good stuff.

Yeah, I actually had just looked that I have a a lot of preschool families who are like, "Wait, I want a sidewalk." And I was like, "Wait, you're getting one?" We are coming. We're working on it. It's coming. I want one, too. Yeah. Yeah. Very good shout out. And uh I'd like to just our engineers and town staff to kind of juggle uh repaving a street, adding a sidewalk where you have a brand new dentist office across the street from a large housing development all going on at the same time. That's a lot of

juggling in project management going on. And uh I don't recall getting one complaint from a citizen. And we have some folks, you know, that are trigger happy when it comes to that sort of thing. So uh kudos to everyone. Maybe one or two. Maybe I'm cracking a egg I don't want to crack. But uh still um overall I think uh the people in that neighborhood really seem to see the the return on investment and are really happy. And personally that to Martin Street to have that extra turn lane

Yeah. really makes that that space safer and traffic flows a little bit faster. So, great job, Steve, Pete, and everybody who uh had their hands in that. All right. Anybody else want to take advantage of our public forum time? I'll take that as a cue to close this public forum section. Um, and I'll be happy to entertain a motion to adjurnn. So moved. Second. All in favor, please indicate by saying I.

I. I. We'rejourned. Thank you.