Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Board of Commissioners meeting. I call our meeting to order. Uh, next item of business we have is our agenda approval. Board, we have an agenda before us. Motion to approve the agenda. Have a motion to approve. Do we have a second? I'll second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. I. All right. We have an agenda. All right. Uh, public hearings item number one. Yeah, I'm sorry.

Oh, I'm in such a hurry. Please forgive me. Um, yes. Um, I got a little ahead of myself. Please excuse me. We're going to enter into a moment of silence. Um, it is difficult for me to think of anyone who has had more of an impact on Kildo Hills or our community than former mayor and commissioner Terry Gray. On Thursday, uh the community came to together to honor him and his leg leg legacy and our board was together to mark Terry's passing. Uh we will all miss his wise counsel and guidance. As we enter this moment of silence, if you keep keep his wife Jane and their family in your thoughts and prayers. All right, that said, I'll 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, now we can get the get to back back to work. We have an agenda. Um we'll move on to uh public hearings. Uh item number one, zoning amendment adjustments. Uh Casey, I'll turn it over to you, sir.

Thank you, mayor. Uh and there there are three tonight, but the following rules are going to apply to each hearing. Public notice of each was published in the newspaper and posted on town bulletin boards and webs and on our website which meets or exceeds statutory requirements for this subject matter. Copy of the public notice has been filed with the town clerk for entry into the official record of the hearing. Town clerk is going to be recording all comments in a concise and brief manner. Any uh written statements that have been submitted previous will be recorded in a similar manner and made part of the record of each hearing. However, they must be submitted in full to the town clerk prior to the hearing. All speakers who wish to speak should come to the microphone. Uh statement is going to be recorded. Identify yourself by giving name and complete address. No debates of course. And then making comments. Please limit to uh your comments to a threeminut time period unless you're speaking on behalf of a group at which point you can speak for five minutes. So the first public hearing is now going to come to order. This hearing is called for the purpose of the Kill Devil Hills board of commissioners to consider the following. a zoning amendment request to chapter 153.206, 153.210, 15310, and 153.311 to allow cottage courts and cluster homes to be permitted in the LI2 zone, light industrial 2 zone. Um, so at this point, I'll ask is uh anyone interested in speaking on this particular uh public hearing

and do we have anybody signed up? I guess there's another question. Anyone want to speak?

Alrighty. Well, turn it over to the board. All right. Um, any comments or questions in regard to this sounding update? Eddie, did you want to speak? Oh, the cluster host. I just called for comments.

Good. I'm the applicant and I'll be glad to answer any questions you may have. The reason that I'm requesting this is very simple. You know, we're having a problem as everybody knows which been going on for years with housing on the Outer Banks. We can't solve all the problems and the only thing we can do is reduce land costs. And this helps some. We can't control the cost of building. We can't control um interest rates. But what we can do is do some things that will at least reduce the cost of land on the Outer Banks, which will go directly to the cost of the houses. And if you have any questions, I'd be glad to answer those.

All right. So, if there are any questions of the applicant, now would be the time before you uh uh close public hearing. Well, when I first saw this, I you know, Light Industrial 2 is probably our most diverse section in town of of different housing options. Lots and lots of multifamilies. There's relatively new multif family back there. So, thinking of that precedent, I feel, you know, cluster homes are not too big of a stretch. Um, I'll open it up to you. Any thoughts or comments? What do you guys think? first uh any any questions of the applicant because I want you guys to we'll close down public hearing and you guys can go into deliberations or discussions prior. No,

nothing from me. All right. Thanks. All right. So, no further public comment. Now you guys are free to close public hearing and conduct discussions. Well, I mean I I agree with you. The in that zone uh can only make sense to make it allowable.

So if it if it you know I'm skeptical but hopeful that maybe any little thing can help. Well, um, if anybody feels ready to make a motion, I'll entertain that.

I'm going to make the one with no voice do it. No, I don't have the I I'll I don't have the actual

I I'll I'll make a motion that u propose zoning to 153.20653.201053.301 and 153.311. Allow cottage courts and cluster homes to be perverted in light industrial zone 2 is consistent. uh allowing cottage courts and cluster homes to be permitted in light district 2 is consistent with all comprehensive plans and other official adopted plans in town of Konova Hills that are applicable. This amendment is reasonable in the public interest because it provides additional housing types to assisted with other permitted uses that are in the LI2 zoning district.

I'll second that. And I'll just add just just for public record and just so it I think this can sometimes be confusing, but this is a zone that already allows multi-unit housing. So I think that's important for people to know that. I'll second with that. All right, we have a a motion and a second. Do we have any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. I. I. All right. Uh, public hearing A is done. Casey, I'll turn it back over to you.

All right. So, the second public hearing would now come to order. Obviously, uh, same rules will apply and this particular hearing is called for the purpose of the board of commissioners considering a local historic landmark report and proposed ordinance. The subject property is located at 409 West Sportsman Drive, otherwise known as the Ducy Cottage. Is anyone signed up for that one? Anyone interested uh in speaking from the floor on this particular hearing? All right, public comment. Turn it over to you guys for discussion to vote.

All right. Uh thank you. All right. Any um discussion or No, I would just like to I thank staff whenever we get these historic home applications. It's kind of fun to learn the history of the property and the house. Uh that's cool. And then you all do a really nice job getting us up to speed with that. So, uh that's about more more fun things that we get to do. Um happy to entertain a motion for this if anyone like like to make it. I will make the motion uh for local historic landmark report proposed ordinance 409 West Sportsman Drive, Ducy Cottage, add it to our historic landmarks. I

second that motion. So, we have a motion of approval. We have a second. Any more discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. I. Very good. Back to you, Casey. All right. So, the final public hearing uh akin to the uh hearing we just had, this particular hearing is called for the uh purpose of you guys considering a local historic landmark report proposed or ordinance property located at 1023B North Virginia Dare Trail and otherwise known as the Jackson Cottage. Anyone signed up? Yes, sir. Okay.

Anyone want to speak? All right, back to you guys.

All right, I'll um I'll take uh this opportunity again. Thank staff for all the work in this ready. I I'm happy to make a motion of approval for local historic. Hold on, let make sure I get it right. Histo local historic landmark and proposed ordinance 1023 North Virginia Dare Trail Jackson Cottage. We add that to the registry. We'll second. Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. I. All right. Back in Casey. Thanks guys.

Um, now is the time we set aside for public comment. This is an opportunity to anyone in the audience to address the board on any topic of their choosing that pertains to the town. We do ask when you are called upon approach the podium speak into the microphone and identify yourself by name and address. There'll be no debates. Please keep your comments to three minutes if you're speaking as an individual and five minutes if you're speaking on behalf of the group. Uh has anybody signed? Um

we've gone paperless so you get to call. Ah, well, in that case, um, if anyone would like to speak in this first public comment period, and we will have a another one towards the end of the meeting, you're welcome to do so now. All right, no takers. Um, we have nothing to respond to. Any ongoing business this evening? No, sir. All right. We'll move on to new business. Item number one,

organizational meeting certification of election results. O of O's of office and other organizational items. Um, town clerk, I'll uh turn the meeting over to you. Thank you, mayor and board. At its Monday, November 17th meeting where all election results were canvased by the Der County Board of Elections, the following elections were certified in which the office of the town clerk will now certify these on behalf of the town of Kable Hills. And that would be for commissioner, 385 votes for Terry Gray, and 314 votes for Timothy Dylan Hikkins or T. Dylan Hikkins. Mayor and commissioners, I would like to on behalf of the role of the office of the town clerk certify these elections and then offer up the investature of Commissioner Hikkins for an oath of office. I got No, never.

I state your name. I, Timothy Dylan Hikkins, do solemnly and sincerely swear do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will support the Constitution and laws that I will support the Constitution and laws of the United States of the United States that I will be faithful that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance and bear true allegiance to the state of North Carolina to the state of North Carolina and to the constitutional powers and authorities and to the constitutional powers and authorities which are which are or may be established or may be established for the government thereof. for the government thereof. That I will endeavor to support, maintain, and defend That I will endeavor to support, maintain, and defend the Constitution and laws of set state the Constitution and laws of set state. Not inconsistent with

not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States to the best of my knowledge and ability to the best of my knowledge and ability. That I will faithfully discharge the duty That I will faithfully discharge the duty of my office. of my office as commissioner for the town of Kilg Hills. as commissioner for the town of Kettle Hills. So help me God. So help me God.

Thank you, sir. Thank you. Thank you. All right. That was fun. They could burn with me. Yes. Good.

Emily, that was a true example of having your hands full. Very nice work. Congratulations, Commissioner Hikkins. Thank you, sir. All right. Um, under item business, item 1B, oath of office. We've done 1 C, appointment of a mayor promp. Um, we need to go to the spot again. Um, uh, I'd like to nominate Commissioner Ivy Ingram to stay in this role. have you done a wonderful job representing the town this capacity and we very much like to see you stay right where you are. Thank you very much and u thank you. I'll make that motion and second that motion. We have a motion a second. Any further discussion?

Absolutely. Hearing none. All in favor please indicate by saying I. Hi. Hi, Michael. I swear you do it again. As usual, assistant manager will be happy to call. What can I do? Absolutely.

I would be happy to. I state your name. I I do solemnly and sincerely swear do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will support the Constitution and laws of the United States that I will support the Constitution and laws of the United States that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the state of North Carolina to the state of North Carolina and the constitutional powers and authorities

and the constitutional powers and authorities which are or may be established which are or may be established for the government thereof for the government thereof that I will endeavor to support, maintain, and defend that I will endeavor to support, maintain, and defend the Constitution and laws of said state the Constitution and laws of set state not inconsistent with not inconsistent with the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States to the best of my knowledge and ability to the best of my knowledge and ability that I will faithfully discharge the duties that I will faithfully discharge the duties of my office as mayor prom of my office as mayor prom. So help me. So help me. WELCOME.

CONGRATULATIONS, IVY. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. Thank you. All right, we'll move on to new business. New business item number two, adoption of code of ethics and conduct for the board of commissioners and rules of procedure. Um, sure everybody's had a chance to review this, something we do with every new board. And um, I am happy to make a motion uh to adopt our code of ethics policy and rules of procedure for the kills board of commissioners uh, as presented in our packet. I'll second. Any discussion? All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. I. All right, that's done. Um, any committee reports this evening?

Nothing for me, sir. No. Uh, we're going to meet with streets in January. We're just discussing that. My That's my committee. Um, and, uh, it's all here. Hi. How about you guys? Committees. All right. Any more committee reports? All right. Hearing none, we can move on to commissioner's agenda.

I'd like to go uh I don't know if there's an appropriate time, but I just I just want to say obviously how heartbroken and awkward it is to sit here next next to this empty chair. Um you know, Terry meant so much to so many people in the town and the county. Um not just his friends, but his acquaintances, all the people he touched. He really, you know, cared so much. I don't have to tell anybody, but he but I will because I I saw him, you know, behind the scenes and I know how much he cared about the people on this board, the mayor, how much he cared about every every employee of this town. Um, he he he was always champion championing the hard work of this town. And I'll just keep this about this town because he did so much more than that. But, you know, he he really believed in in the staff. He really believed in all the people who worked here and he was very proud of what everybody did here. So, um and and then the other thing was the town's people, of course, the people that that he governed. Um you know, he obviously was the first to respond. He truly cared about his position here. He truly cared about every citizen in this in this town. Um it didn't matter if you were a developer, if you were a renter. Um he would uh be there for you. He'd be there for you. And it's just a great example of what a public servant should be and and without any agenda, he always operated that way. Um I'll miss him. Uh I know he's a mentor to me and to everybody. uh who who's come across but especially to us I know all of us um we looked up to him um try to just carry on his legacy by by being

like him and and and following in his lead um you know I I personally would call him Santa because and I would tell him I said you have your dressed up as Santa because you are kind of like Santa you know you just you know really just a a jolly person you know if you knew him um you loved them and uh he just wanted to give. He obviously gave so much to the children of the of the county. Um if any of us can try to remember that in this holiday season to just remember he would tell me he said but he said you'd be surprised how many kids in this county don't have Christmas you know which is just shocked me you know but but he cared about that you know deeply with his toy runs and uh and all the work he did. He's very much like Santa Claus to me. Um, when he's when when you were in front of him and everybody knows this in this in this room and anybody in this town knows this, when you're in front of him, you were the most important person to him. He really did, you know, care about you. He listened so well and uh and uh he remembered you and and things about you. It was just truly a, you know, great leader. Um, as you said, it's going to be a hard hard seat to fill. Uh, big shoes and, uh, it's so awkward right now just not having them here, but love you very much. So,

thank you. Yeah, thank you, Commissioner Makb. Very nice. Any other commissioners comments this evening? I uh, I share Commissioner Makavoy's comments as well. I don't know what we're going to do without him and certainly do miss him. um just a lot that he knew. But I also wanted to say thank you all for having me again um up here and hopefully that wasn't too much of a spectacle up there just now. But anyway, so thank you. Perfect. Thank you. That's all for management.

Well, I want to of course echo BJ's comments and then also want to add um just one shout out for our streets team because I happen to be seeing firsthand all that goes, you know, I think we all know what a wonderful job they do all the time. And so to be able to see it firsthand and how much communication it takes and how much planning and um it's just really impressive to see. So, just want to say thank you guys and and I appreciate it and not getting too many complaints. So, you guys must be doing something right. Excited to see it complete. It's going to be awesome.

All right. Thank you all. Um, moving on to the mayor's agenda. I really want really quick. I'd like to start off with um I just want to say congratulations to uh Chief Rob Key. Thank you for your with the town. I apologize for not um recognizing you at our last meeting, but we are very very happy to have you in this leadership role and uh you've been worked with us for awfully long time and very hard. So uh thank you sir. We had to get a new title on that jacket for you, but um well earned and and congratulations. Um my first item I have is a resolution honoring uh longtime service of former mayor and commissioner uh Terrence Elgra Senior. And if the room and the board will uh humor me, I'd like to read it. It's very special. Um, resolution honoring the longtime service of former mayor and commissioner Terrence Elgra, Senior. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it and the glow from that fire will truly light up the world. That was a quote from President Kennedy. Whereas the board of commissioners of the town of Kville Hills, North Carolina, wish to acknowledge and express his appreciation to former mayor and commissioner Terrence L. Terry Gray for his dedicated service to the citizens and community of Kildo Hills. Whereas Commissioner Gray diligently served this community, having been elected mayor and serving from 1993 to 1995 and serving as a town commissioner from 1991 to 1993 and 2017 to present. And whereas Commissioner Gray represented the town of Kadvo Hills with distinction and took great interest in the welfare of his community also by serving the town of Kdoba Hills neighborhood watch the

planning board from 1987 to 1991 and chairman as chairman of the westside recreational group from 2019 to 2021. And whereas the town of Kudova Hills is proud and honored to have had Commissioner Gray as a representative with decades of service to the Outer Banks community. And whereas Commissioner Gray supported continual improvement of the town's recreation recreational facilities, increase pedestrian opportunities and local schools. And Commissioner Gray was an enthusiastic supporter of programs and benefits for children, teens, veterans, and first responders. And whereas his legacy will serve as an inspiration to all who live, work, and visit the town of Kdoba Hills because of all the positive changes he brought to this town. Therefore, be it resolved that the board of commissioners of the town of Kdouble Hills, North Carolina, in recognition of Terry Gay's love for and dedication to the town of Kdouble Hills and the Outerbanks community does adopt this resolution in honor of his memory and of his many years of dedicated service to our community. I'll make a motion that we adopt this resolution.

Second. Second. All right. Uh any discussion hearing none. All in favor please indicate by saying I. I.

I. All right. Um next item under mayor's agenda is our proposed 2026 board of commissioners meeting schedule. Our traditional second Monday schedule is on on hand. Anybody have any issues, potential plans next year we may want to work around? I have one date that I have a conflict with. August 10th. Um maybe August 17th would be meaningful. Or is that's you know school starts uh not too long after. I think I'm not sure school starts that week or the week after.

Would it be something where that Wednesday of that week works for you or would we need to push it back? No, the whole week I'm I'm out. But I don't think I don't think school would start until the week after after. Yeah. Everybody everybody be imunable to the 17th of August. No conflict with me. No problem. That was the only date I had conflict with that I saw.

All right. So, we will update our August meeting to the guess that will be the third Monday 17th. Uh any other potential issues need to be addressed. All right. hearing none. Then um I'll make a motion we adopt our 2026 calendar year schedule and u second. We got a second. Any discussion? All right, hearing none. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I.

All right. Got a calendar. I have a few more things. Um holiday drives for the holiday season. in the town of Kovville Hills is collecting for toys for tots and the beach food pantry. Items can be dropped off by town hall, recycle center, and the fire station. And items will be collected until December 15th. Tomorrow night is our right lights illumination. And I promise everybody the weather is going to be a lot better than it is right now. Uh, don't forget to join us for tomorrow's Right Lights Illumination Aviation Park, which will be held from 4 PM to 7 pm. You have got to see all of the great holiday lights that our town buildings and ground staff has been working on. Make sure you dress warmly, and there will also be holiday music by local choirs, sleigh rides, food truck, and lots of other surprises. Santa Claus will also be making a visit. And uh it's a wonderful event for everybody and uh really want to commend all of our staff's really the work and the decorating getting ready for it. Uh it's a super fun and special event. Look forward to seeing everybody tomorrow night. Breakfast with heroes. The fire department will be hosting it breakfast with heroes event Saturday, December 13th from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the fire station. Chief, I like I don't like my grits too runny. So, I'm I'm giving you a little bit of uh

No, pancakes and pancakes. So, pancakes and sauce.

Pancakes and sauce. Yes. Plenty of coffee, I assume. Yeah. So, everybody, please come out and visit our fire station for a fun morning of fellowship. Last thing I had is first flight holiday markets. Next Friday, December 19th will be the last holiday market of the season. It's the only evening market, so after visiting uh you can enjoy the holiday lights. Uh please join us uh on the 19th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Aviation Park. There'll be a lot of great vendors who uh where you get some last minute shopping done and representatives from children and youth partnership will be receiving diapers and donations for the Dare County Diaper Bank, which is a really strong program that Children Youth Partnership's had for a couple years now. offering uh diapers to families in need. Uh Commissioner Hikens, I'm sure you

can uh attest to Turns out you go through a lot of them. Yeah. So, um that's all I have uh for mayor's agenda, town manager's agenda. Um yes, I would like to make um just a remark. Um, Commissioner Gray's leadership um was guided by a genuine desire to make life better for the people of Kodal Hills and the employees of the town. His impact will be felt for many years to come. On behalf of the town manager, administration, and staff, we extend our deepest consol condolences to his family and friends during this time. All right.

Um, I'd also like to congratulate uh Chief Rupkey as well on our fire chief. Thank you. That's all. All right. Uh, town attorney's agenda. I have nothing. Thank you guys. All right. Consent agenda.

Okay. You have the minutes for November 12th, 2025 meeting, the monthly report for October 2025. And then item number three is with the recent completion of street and rideway improvements to East Boundary Street, the developer has petitioned the board of commissioners for these improvements to be accepted into the town's public street systems. The public services meeting memorandum highlights the submitted materials which are on file with the office of the town clerk. Approval of consent agenda will adopt the attached resolution which accepts the street and the rideway improvements for East Boundary Street into the town's public streets and water systems. Revises and adopts the official traffic map of the town of Kable Hills reflecting the improvements. Revises and adopts the POW bill map reflecting the improvements. Staff recommends approval of the consent agenda and a motion will be in order. I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda.

I'll second. We have a motion and a second. Do we have any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, please indicate by saying I. I. All right. We have a consent agenda. Now is our second time for public comment. If anybody wishes to uh address the board on any subject of their choosing, they're welcome to do so. All right. Well, hearing none, I will close our second public comment section. We do uh nothing to respond to. So, I'll uh look for a motion to adjurnn. So, move

second motion and a second. Any further discussion? All right. Hearing none. All in favor indicate by saying I. I. Thank you. Merry Christmas.