Town Council - Regular Meeting

Do I have a motion to come out of close session? Motion to come out of close session. Do I have a second? I'll second. Any discussion? All in favor? Like to welcome everybody out to the April 7th, 2026 town council meeting. Please stand for 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.

Again, thank you all for coming out. Does any member of council have a invocation? I'm sorry. The Reverend Stephanie Riley is here today. Thank you, ma'am. Let us pray. Gracious God, we give you thanks for this day and for the blessing of living in such a beautiful community. For the gift of this place, the ocean, the shore, and the people who call Sunset Beach home. We are grateful. We even give thanks for the traffic, reminding us that we live in a place where so many come to rest and to find peace, to enjoy the beauty of your creation. As we gather this evening, we ask your blessing upon this meeting that it may be guided by wisdom, marked by respect, and grounded in a shared desire for the common good. Be with these leaders who've been trusted with responsibility. Grant them clarity of mind, patience and discussion, and integrity in decision-making. Help them to listen well, to speak thoughtfully, and to act with fairness and compassion. And we give you thanks for those who serve and protect this community, especially our police and fire. Watch over them. keep them safe and grant them wisdom and discernment as they carry out their duties. Finally, we pray for the town of Sunset Beach, for its residents, its visitors, and all who call this place home. May we be a community marked by safety, cooperation, and care for one another. In all these things, guide us toward what is right, and lead us in ways that build up this community and serve the good of all. Amen.

Amen. Thank you so much, ma'am. Thank you. Next up, does any member of council have a conflict of interest or appearance of a conflict of interest in regards to any item on the agenda? If so, please state. I do not. No. No. Nope. No. Thank you. Moving on. Approval of draft agenda. Any member of council have anything that needs to be changed as far as the draft? Not. Do I have a motion to approve the draft agenda? I make a motion we approve the draft agenda. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I general council discussion, individual council comments. Does any member of council have anything they'd like to speak?

Mr. Mayor, I'd like to say something. Um like to thank the tree board, the um chair Becky Spotch for her leadership for our first town's annual Arbor Day event. Um and also we are now a official Tree City USA was held on March 20th. Uh, Chair Spotch gave a informative historical account as to how or day began. Lisa Meyers, who is an aid to Congressman Rouseer, presented the town with a certificate of congressional recognition. Justin Bean from the North Carolina Forestry Service also presented a certificate to our mayor. Like to thank the members of our tree board um for doing the event, for all the leadership that went into that. Um, and we got a little fun that we got to do. We got to plant a tree. Um, it was a butterfly magnolia tree at fire station one. So, we just want to thank everybody involved with that.

Anything else? Any other member of council got anything?

Okay. All right. We'll be moving on next. Our pro proclamation public service recognition week celebrating the million of government a millions of government agencies. I mean, excuse me. creating the millions of government employees in the federal, state, and local government across the United States. Whereas every single day, public servants work in the federal, state, and local governments providing service to the American people. These unsung heroes that heroes do the work that keeps our nation functioning and whereas and government employees in many cases serve under oath of office. And whereas many public servants including military personnel, public police officers, firefighters, border patrol officers, employee embassy employees, sorry y'all, my glasses are bad. Health care professionals and others risk their lives each day in service to the people of the United States and around the world. And whereas public servants including a town administrators, administrative assistants, finance directors, finance technicians, town clerks, human resources, event planners, planners, building inspectors, permit technicians, zoning code officers, police officers, firefighters, and public works professionals, as well as other countless other occupations who do day in and day out provide the diverse services demanded by the American people, including the people of town, Sunset Beach of their government agencies with efficiency and integrity. And whereas with these public servants at every level continually would be impossible in a democracy where it is leader where its leaders and elected officials change regularly. Now therefore, I Shannon Phillips, the mayor of town of Sunset Beach, do hereby announce the proton pro and to proclaim to all citizens and set seal hereto that May the 3rd through May the 9th of 2026 is public service recognition week. Everyone is encouraged to recognize the accomplishments,

contributions, and service of government employees at all levels, federal, state, and local. proclaimed on this 7th day of April, 2026. That's annoying, ma'am. [clears throat] Moving on next to consent agenda. Does any member of council have anything any questions for any of these or any of our department heads? I do not. Nope. I have a few things. Is our finance director here? Um, I'm looking I don't I had a question. She might be

Well, my question was on the finance report. There are certain intergovernmental fees and taxes that we've not realized yet. And I was just wanting to ask when do we know when those taxes and fees will be realized? Looks like we're about halfway through. I can get that answer for you. Okay. Yeah, I don't have that. Okay. Anything else? Not. Do I have a motion to present to Excuse me. Do I have a motion to accept the consent agenda? I make a motion that we accept the consent agenda. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I.

Next up be public comments on agenda items. We're going to have to makeshift the timing tonight because it's messed up, but please come up to the mic and you can start it, sir.

Uh, thank you, mayor. Thank you, councel. Uh, Pete Larkin, 453 Lakeshore Drive, SA Beach. Um, what I wanted to address tonight, or at least have the conversation, has to do with uh item number 12.2, which is the community center usage. Am I coming through, Alan? Uh, first of all, I want to congratulate you. You've been in office now for several months, and obviously I and the whole town sees how hard you guys are working. U, you're digging into an awful lot of stuff. Um, I've been on a lot of boards over the years here for the town. I know it's a 7-day a week job and, uh, I congratulate you guys on your enthusiasm, your focus, and, uh, you're getting a lot done. So, thank you. the um I'm I'm not trying to poke the bear here, but uh there's an item coming up uh tonight that you're going to consider that has to do with rental fees for usage of the uh community center. And the community center is a great addition to our town. It's a a facility that has opened up uh uses that we didn't really have the ability to before except for a conference room next door, which it uh it it it takes away from town hall and the staff and everybody else. Um, Sunset Vision is a 5013C uh nonprofit here uh based in our town. And our proclamation, our incorporation papers has to do with um stewardship and providing amenities to the town. Uh it was started 12 years ago and during that 12-year period, we've donated over $70,000 worth of hardcore amenities to the town. Binoculars, uh uh Southport swings, uh bike racks, uh dog watering stations, there's the the list goes on and on. And I'm sure most of you are aware of most of the things that

we've contributed um tonight and you're considering charging us as well as everybody else. I know there's a different uh scale, a different rate for nonprofits versus uh just general citizens that want to rent the community center. Uh, and the way that you've established it, or the way at least it's formatted now, I know you haven't voted on it, uh, is to have a minimum fee of $100. Uh, we have a meeting once a month, uh, at the community center. We used to have it in town hall here and it was free and then we had it at the, uh, we've had two meetings now at the community center and they were free. We had our meeting today. In fact, um for us to pay $100 a meeting, which is over $1,000 a year, what that does is it directly takes out of our donations that we get from people um and and fundraisers that we do ourselves to takes away from things that we can provide to the town to our citizens and our our visitors. Um and and we're not willing to do that. Uh we're now looking at and we found uh alternate uh meeting spots, but it's it's not in Sunset Beach, so it's less convenient for our members. Um we want our members to be enthusiastic. We want to make it easy for them to volunteer within our group. Uh but now we've got to go across 17, Route 17 to have a meeting. Um, one of the things that we were considering before all of this came up, and it's only come up recently since we've read the, uh, agenda for tonight's meeting, uh, we were considering, uh, we provided an AED to the police this past week, and we've provided several other things to fire department and police over the last couple of months, uh, which we're very excited about, and we know that they are excited because they've really come to good use, saved lives. In fact, uh we were considering uh cuz we we noticed the other day there

was not an AED at the community center. So, we were considering uh donating an AED and they're 20 $2,200 uh for use at the um at the community center. I've talked with Stan about it and uh uh and Captain Gray, and I just mentioned it tonight to uh uh to Chief. Uh but it it it it kind of leaves a sour taste in her mouth when we're volunteering and and it's almost like, okay, you're going to pay for a meeting room and that's going to take away from things that you can uh that you can contribute to the town. Uh I'm I'm not going to go on about this. I just like you to think about it. I think I I know it's a um uh a dilemma for the council and the mayor to decide what is a nonprofit. Uh yeah, there's certifications for that, but what is what's the goal? What's the mission statement of that nonprofit? What what uh input? What what are they really contributing to the town of Sunset Beach? Sunset Vision does nothing but provide amenities for the citizens and visitors of Sunset Beach. We do not raise funds to do anything outside of Sunset Beach. Everything is a give to the town. Um, with this dilemma, I I we all know uh Amy uh Goodrich um extremely talented, probably one of the best administrators um uh event coordinators in the state and I think that she can put together a plan that delineates between a nonprofit that directly impacts the town versus one that is for something that is more commu more less community oriented. All right. I know I'm out of town, mayor, so I'll I'll cut it off.

All right. Thank you so much. Yes. Next up. Yes, sir.

Something Good evening. I'm John Corbett, 1313 Canal Drive. I'm chairman of the Committee to Honor American Veterans, also known as CHAV. I'm following up on the same topic. Uh CHAV has been advised that the town council has determined CHAV may not meet in the community center for free. We must pay $100 per meeting for the use of the facility and about $1,000 per year. As background, CHAV has been meeting in the town hall conference room since August 2023 without charge. This was a continuation of the working partnership between CHAV and the town since the town council approved the Veterans Memorial in the park on August 5th, 2013 at the town council meeting. Then with the 2015 completion of the Veterans Memorial at a cost to CHAV of over $120,000 plus $3,000 for the security camera, CHAV built, paid for, and continues to fund maintenance and electricity with no funding support from the town. Since the groundbreaking in May 2015, the Memorial Memorial has been the location of the joint town and CHAV Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. And since the 911 memorial was constructed with planning and some funding assistance from CHAV, it has been the site of the annual 911 ceremonies. CHAV in conjunction with Sunset Vision annually puts up the lights, garland, and holiday bows in the park, representing the cost of about $1,000. Plus, CHAV provides flags, lights, and poles for the traffic circles during

veterans related national holidays at an initial cost of about $1,500. Other than the cost to maintain the memorial and support veterans related town activities, all funds raised by CHAV are dedicated to supporting organizations in our areas that assist needy veterans. And since 2016, we have donated over $200,000 to these organizations locally. With our contributions to the town and the area, CHE finds it hard to understand that we have been removed from the meeting from meeting in a town hall and that the new town council wants to charge us $100 per meeting or over $1,000 per year for these facilities. $1,000 that would go to support needy veterans in our area. It appears that in an effort to find ways to cut costs and generate funds for the town that the town council is making sweeping changes without fully consideration considering the implications. Charging nonprofits that have made significant and long-term financial and service contributions to our community is a counterproductive way to say thank you to the nonprofits and sends the very negative message that the town council does not value or appreciate the contributions these nonprofits like CHAV and Sunset Vision to make Sunset Beach that we make to Sunset Beach. Thank you for your time. Thank you for listening. Hi. Anyone else? Yes sir. Good morning. [clears throat] Good evening everyone. Uh Ron Laberno, 9121 Ocean Harbor Golf Club Road SW in Sunset Beach. Uh and also for

disclosure, I am a present member of the Sunset Beach Planning Board. I come here today to uh talk about agenda item 13.6, which is consideration of amendments to section 23 and 24 of our UDO. And I'm asking that the council in reviewing this uh reject the proposal as written. And of course only I can see the one that was published with the agenda. Uh so I have no idea if there's any changes to it. But uh what I see here is a primary problem is especially in section three and in B uh it appears this proposal is removing this town planning board from uh site plan approval, subdivision approval, which would be primary plat approval. And this would render transparency to public completely destroyed. As it states right now, when when there's a major site plan, a major subdivision, 20 or more lots, they come before the planning board. The plans are distributed. The public gets to see the plans. We review and discuss the plans. They get just as in your meetings two places to make comment and and of course written comments also by removing this authority from the planning board. Subdivisions can be built can be approved behind closed doors in the town staff and the public will never know that it was going to happen. A subdivision the size of the sanctuary could be built next to you and you won't know it until the bulldozers start knocking down the trees. In the last UDO revision to streamline

the process, we did remove minor site plans less than 20 and final plat approval which is subsequent to the uh preliminary plat approval uh o off the planning board to staff to streamline things and make it go faster and simpler on small projects. But adopting these changes means that basically all development in the town will be done inside the building with no knowledge by the public, no ability to comment and listen to our discussion uh to see what's happening around them. I think that would be a mistake and I'm a little surprised it's even here because further above in I guess paragraph 2E it seems like the council there wants to promote public participation in the planning process and provide opportunities for community input regarding planning members. So in my mind these two things are exactly opposite of each other. So, I'm urging the council at least on that main item alone uh not approve this proposal uh because it certainly will bring transparency to an end on these developments in our town. Thanks very much for your consideration.

Thank you.

Anyone else? Yes. Stuart Jones, 1410 Canal Drive. Um, I am a current member of the planning board, but I am here representing myself and these opinions are my own. In agenda item 13.6, Six, you are proposing to change the role of the town planning board and the involvement of the citizens and plan approvals. I strongly disagree with the proposed changes to section 2.3 of the UDEO because these changes would strip the planning board of a lot of its powers and responsibilities. Among other things, the proposed changes would eliminate subdivision plan approval and major site plan approval from the planning board's public meetings and shift that responsibility to the staff. As Ron said, there'll be no more public comments on site plans or subdivision plans by changing the terms of service. The proposed changes are commonly uh disrespectful to the current and past planning board members who have worked hard to study plans and initiate positive changes. As proposed, the planning board members can be removed by you with or without cause at your whim. So, if a planning board member says something to you don't agree with, they'll just be removed. I'll probably be the first to go because I'm speaking out. My 35 years of experience in the land development industry will just go out with the tide. This new planning board will just be pawns working at the pleasure of council. Gone will be the

consistency of three-year terms which allow for experience to guide the planning board. Gone will be the planning board's rigorous enforcement of the UDO. Why are these changes being proposed? The only answer I can come up with is it's so that you can help developers and give you more control over land development approvals. I know you're angry that the planning board denied a site plan that included a 54 foot tall building in an area where the maximum height allowed is 50 feet. So, you appear to be punishing the planning board so that you can make development approvals go through quicker with less public involvement. Who are you really working for and who's really guiding the town? It doesn't appear to be the citizens. Thank you, sir. All right. Anyone else? M [clears throat]

Kansas 611 Lakeshore Drive in Sunset Beach. I'm not familiar with everything that is being recommended for changes for the planning board, but I have been following the planning board. I remember when Rip Tide was proposing all kinds of changes, when Angel's Trace was coming in, some lady was going to build something on 904. Tons of people were here and interested in what they were doing. And I hearing what they have to say, I think it would be smart to schedule like a public forum or something and really get input from citizens before you make big changes to the planning board because I I think the town feels what they do is critical.

Thank you. Anyone else? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Hello folks. I'm Steve at 7645 High Market Street and right across street here in Sunset Beach. I had no intentions of coming up here today and and talking. I just came here kind of for some self-enrichment of what's going on in the town. I currently serve on my uh hometown planning board up in Massachusetts. I've been on it for 8 years and I cannot believe what I'm listening to here

uh this evening and I hope Mr. Mayor you have some information for us when when 13.6 comes up here uh uh this evening. I I'd like to have you shed some light on what the reasoning is and why this is being even talked about. Okay guys, thank you. Thank you very much. Anyone else? Agenda items. If not, we'll be looking to move on. Thank you all. All right. Let's see. Our electronic public comments, portal comments will be in the minutes. We got them printed out today, so they will be in the minutes. Then let's see, town administrator report.

Mr. Claymore, thank you, Morer, sir. Yes, sir.

Just want to give a quick update uh on the land use plan. Council's made the decision to place a temporary hold on the land use planning process to allow for additional review, evaluation, and consideration to be sure that the plan fully reflects the priorities and long-term interests of the community. The council intends to relaunch this planning process later with a new kickoff providing residents and taxpayers with plenty of opportunity to participate, share input, and having ensuring that community engagement remains a key component as we move forward. The catchment 7 project is currently delayed again based off of a sewer line that's uh in the way on Main Street. We've signed a change order to have this moved and we're waiting on contractors to come to the site and move that sewer line. We're hoping to get that done as quickly as possible. If you haven't noticed out front of town hall, there's new signage over both of the entrances. As we reported several months ago, we've opened back up the entrance on the building inspection side. Uh there's very nice signage that uh complements the building. If you haven't noticed that, please take a look. We welcomed um new finance officer uh Alicia Armstrong to our staff. She started recently and uh we've also started our new code enforcement employee, Miss Kathy, uh who has started under Car's supervision within the last couple of weeks. Bolton and Mink, who we have contracted with for an island traffic and parking study, is in town and taking a very close look at the spaces uh on the island. What they're going to do is take the spaces and put them into three categories. Think of a traffic light, uh red, yellow, and green. So, if a space

is deemed red, they don't like it, and it may have to be repurposed or removed. If it's yellow, it's going to need some further consideration. And if it's green, it's a spot that's likely going to stay. Uh, I want to remind everybody that this Saturday, Run Sunset, the Sunset Beach Marathon is taking place in the town park. Runners will spend some time on the island through Sea Trail, Georgetown Road, Seaside, back down Sunset Boulevard to end in the park. Um, the run kicks off bright and early in the morning. So, if you are coming or going from the island, expect uh some possible delays. Uh the bridge will u remain open and we'll do our best to keep traffic flowing on that bridge, but watch for runners if you're driving around Sunset Beach. Lastly, I want to give a a report on parking revenues for the month of March. Total revenues for the month of March were $39,792.73 uh with a total collected uh for fees and fines of $56,846.80 less the 30% to Surfcast of $17,54. The net payment to Sunset Beach for the month of March is $39,792.73. That's all I have, Mr. Mayor.

All right. Does any member of council have any questions or any comments for the administrator? I do not. No. Thanks. Thank you, Ken. All right. Next up will be our presentations. The Majestic Oaks Park Update, McGill and Associates. Yes, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Council. Good to good to see everybody this evening. um in your packet and and on the screen will be a a few sheets just to just to provide uh where we are now where where we began. We'll we'll revisit the past just a little just to acquaint you on the steps forward to to the current uh current position of the of the park and uh and see if there are any questions questions beyond this point. I will attempt to work this properly. The the park itself, as you know, is is uh bordered with Northshore 16th and Kobia. The existing park site has had um um some some uses, past uses since the town's purchase and and obviously some um uh more alterations uh since that time from the town's usage for the dredge project and some storage materials. those things uh happening as as the uh as the park um design unfolded. So that was just a just a brief of the park as we look at the boundaries and of course being being bordered on the south by the by where the waterwood features would be. As we look at the next slide, we'll revisit the past a little. Back in 2023, uh when when the town uh proceeded with the pass uh the parks and recreation master plan prior to that, actually in 2022, uh was was the purchase of the property, the town went through that process. That also included some grant funding, which we'll make note of on the on the next slide. Uh but the the uh comprehensive parks and recreation master plan became a holistic view and look at the town as a whole. The the existing parks and recreation facilities as well as those potential locations uh around the town that that may be of interest and public

serving in the same fashion. both looking at um independent site connectivity uh to to existing uh public public locations andor properties uh whether the town owned or had interest in or in this case had had uh purchased and the park itself the Majestic Oak Park was was referenced in that master plan and again as you flip to the next page it it emphasizes the funding that went along with that and with that the funding agency's confidence uh recognizing consistency to the project and and uh both both through the land purchase and also the next phase of of parks and recreation trust funds that were uh applied for and received for the development of of the project too. So and and important to note in the parks and recreation trust fund grant portion those are matching funds. So for the town's portion of those, those those uh equal amounts would have been matched uh both on the acquisition side and also in upcoming construction. So those $500,000 grant amounts in in essence would be matched. Thank you, Chief. [laughter] Uh so those those grants amounts would be would be matching grants. Now the the next one's the Division of Coastal Management Access grants uh that were received or non-matching that can can be applied uh both as uh part of your matching toward those other grants or independently uh in addition to uh what you may choose to use those those grants for for the projects. uh the acquisition again already completed and those grants satisfied the other two that you see the 500,000 and the 392,000 roughly uh for the for the project development side. So in speaking of those project grants and as we roll toward what will ultimately

be the last slide. There's only a few more slides left uh before uh we we see the last evolution of the of the phase one site plan. These grants if you if you look at them combined for construction you roughly you got the 500,000 to 392 roughly the 8.921 175 uh that's one version of that the town at that point uh could could match or add to that amount um you know say for example an additional 108,000 uh would get them would get it up to about a million u likewise the c the town could you know pause there as a match that that additional match to get up to the 500k would be what the town would be eligible for. So what I mean by that is if the KMA access grant were used to offset that 500k then the difference between the 500k and the KMA access would be the remaining match. So provided the project for phase one landed in that 8 8.90 to 1 million range then you're you're satisfied at that point with the grant funding uh on on phase one construction. The next slide was a park specific concept plan that was part of the uh master plan development for the park uh in conceptual phase. And this this was intended to be part of the parks and recreation trund trust fund application for grant funding. And it is conceptual in nature given that uh the boundaries and general proximity to water andor other features were known. but specific land features related to survey data. Uh those those waterward features that would be necessary for the for the docks, peers, access points, wetlands, and and other environmental features, they weren't known at the time, the

soil's characteristics andor otherwise. So for this uh um uh part F grant funding application uh the concept plan was based on the known initiatives at the time and the intent for phase one and future development. Phase one specifically being pulled out to uh provide that section of the park that could be supported directly with the grant funding. [clears throat] uh both those grant fundings that you saw those grants were uh based on what you see in green which was the which was the uh phase one future phases were were outlined here. So it's important to note in this that the features you see in green are the key components of the park both for both for phase one and future phases. Future phases are are not binding for the grant. uh the the phase one items in green are what are intended to be constructed andor uh produced by the town to satisfy the grant requirements. So those things that you see on there, your canoe kayak launch, wildlife observation platforms, your your parking area, open space, that boardwalk access to those features, those waterfront features, those are intended to be satisfied as part of your uh grant application for phase one. If we go to the next slide, you will see phases, what we'll call phases one and future phases of the park uh that evolved after the on-site characteristics and and features were were needed. So, if as you flip back between uh the prior slide and that one and your sheets, you can see the evolution from one to the other. uh the expanded use of the site particularly in the trail system and in the walk walkway uh systems uh through the Mars and and the environmental areas uh and a lot of

that is is intended not only for uh for the uh the I'll call it the town town use but also many parks are set up for public access use for field trips um from schools and and and things of that nature where they will have educational opportunity in the trails in and around the estuin areas. Sometimes those and you see boardwalks set up sometimes in that fashion too where you would see uh theformational environmental placards on those boardwalks in various locations. So sometimes those amenities are preferred for multiple uses. But that one that that demonstrates the expanded version as of March uh really yes as of as of March that was the the final buildout version. Phase one of that buildout version is is your next slide again March 26 would would be the phase one plan. So okay of that version uh what part of it was associated with the grant and would necessarily need to be constructed it's as part of phase one to satisfy the grant requirements. This would have been that in in the first part of March. this was uh the connected routes that would have have tied to the future uh development. Uh I'll I'll mention too in the in the I I'm going to back up one slide because I wanted to mention this in the overall park plan. We'll we'll discuss permitting status in just a moment, but one one important feature on the permitting side is that the permit plans, if you will, were set up to include what could be a future final buildout in order to to maximize potential for imperous area on the site and and uh have a stormwater master plan that would accomplish what might be intended for future with a with a modification just to ensure feasibility and permitability for an expanded for an

expanded site. So that permitting process doesn't doesn't restrict you uh in the future and certainly supports uh the initial phase one. So I I didn't mention that on the permitting side for the for the buildout. And as we again this one this one simply uh pulls out those components that would have been future phases of of that original version. And then as we rotate uh to the final, this was following some recent inputs and um some some thoughts on reducing the the trail system and creating a more compact system that still could be expanded in the future, but at this point might limit expenditures on on some of the other features, particularly in the in the Marshwalk boardwalk features. those those can can certainly tend to be uh expensive in nature uh on linear footages. So this version we we call it the April 2026 version is is a layout that condenses that and accomplishes and keeps the uh intended uses to meet the parks and recreation trust fund phase one uh requirements. So this is the I'll call it the latest version that that has been uh been rendered and we're certainly glad to talk about about this one further and what next steps are uh related to that. I I'll mention as far as far as permitting the sedimentation erosion control uh permitting is out. We're having dialogue with with those folks now. Uh the storm water is nearing nearing submittal. Uh we've been discussing applications and things with Chief Claymore on that. The KMA permit uh was submitted based on the full buildout with the potential of of building all of the components you saw

in the original buildout plan. That has has gone out for adjacent property owner notice. It has not been s sent to the agency yet. So that one we can still uh modify at this point if if we need to. But the current version is what what you might the current version for permitting uh is what you might call a more expanded version that's out there. So any pullback from that is generally recognized as suitable uh water and fire hydrant extension uh in the site that will that will still be a requirement uh with the uh with the pier and dock and structure there as will a dry uh a dry fire leg on the on the pier and structure itself as well. Structural plans for the docks and peers as previously presented are underway. Um though we've we've asked the structural uh engineer to to put a pause on that realizing that we may wish to um go to the refined version that you see on the screen. Other items uh related to um town confirmations uh for us. We we understand the uh uh the town uh wishes to have input on the project buffers and the plantings uh through through committee and otherwise. So that would be a a town landscape plan submitt uh internal. So the town internal submitts at this point uh have have not been done. So anything regarding landscaping or or buffering interest I would I would say uh will will need to be done at this point too. I think that is that is all relative to up to date with current permitting that is out where we are on the current site plan uh how it began the funding that's there and I and I will say that that uh based on recent discussions with with uh

contract services uh who are familiar with projects of this nature the funding of the grant the grant funds that that are there. We talked about those funds being in the 8.90 to 1 million range and potentially up to 1 1.2 depending on the town's position on matching grants. Uh those those figures are still relevant to to funding phase one as this last version uh shows. It appears based on those discussions. We haven't modified in detail a a past cost projection from 2024. Uh but that 2024 projection on phase one was roughly 850,000 with a 20% contingency putting it up to about 890,000 in 2024 on the phase one master plan cost projection back then. Uh we suspect it's in that range to the to the one 1112 range. So we're in that range where the grants uh collectively uh and and matching are are also in that range. I hope that helps. Okay,

Mr. Norton, you I just want to make sure I'm clear. You that plan we're looking at right now that does have the fire hydrant in in it. Is that correct? It's kind of hard to see on my Yes. Yes. Uh the the plan will ne necessitate a a hydrant leg coming in. Yes, sir.

Yes. Anything at this point, any layout at this point with the dock and the pier and the features will need will need that hydrant leg. Yes, sir. and and the the site frankly the parking I didn't I didn't weigh in on the parking and the layout and things it is it is set up for for fire apparatus vehicle access and turnaround at the at the point of uh where the where the existing uh uh gravel uh drive was down to the water as part of the prior project. So the parking lot was was extended to that point to aid in that in that turnaround but also to provide uh access uh uh to the water. The intent of the the intent of the launch the uh canoe kayak was for ADA accessibility and any launch in there that that would utilize the the boat off the hill. Um it's it's always been intended for non-motorized vessels and would would uh be be slated for that unless obviously the town had emergent uses and things and that that was also discussed at one time uh the ability to add emergent use vessel at that location which is which is certainly still o okay but uh the intent of the layout there was to marry tie to that make that an accessible point for folks that didn't need to use the the ADA access point and they could they could just drop unload right at the shoreline.

Remember council got any more question? What is the next step for for this project? What what is the next step?

Next step for us we we we need to confirm based on this last iteration or or alteration from uh relative to phase one that that we get confirmation uh to proceed with that. Uh if so, we will confirm with the structural engineer what what that means on his end. On our end for permitting on site, storm water, erosion control, it it doesn't change anything on what we've what we've submitted or prepared. Uh we will discuss with with division of coastal management if there are any tweaks to the camera permit after the uh first uh first notice to adjacent property owners. That that change should be uh easy if if and and and minimal. the the key will be uh discussing any changes at this point with the structural if he resets things. It's it's the same structures, if you will. They're just oriented a little differently and and of course um um tidied up into into one location. So confirming the site plan is next step for us. uh as soon as you can do that we can we we can begin that process and conclude what would be both the permit set that would go to um the agencies and your construction set which would include those structural plans. So that next step for the agencies outside of Sunset Beaches need to confirm for us if this layout works or if there's a a modification to this layout that you you'd prefer. This one does work. It it provides access. We've we've checked the water depths and and of course the camo restrictions on this is um everything's everything's good as far as we see on this. We want the want the town to weigh in on that.

So the green features that we see and I'm I'm presuming that the public seeing the green features too. The green features here, these are features like the boardwalk, uh the pier, the fishing platform. Those are features that we must have in order to satisfy the grant. That's correct. How do we find out how much they are? Because I mean, it looks great. Um, you know, I might want to buy a new Mercedes this year. Yeah. But I need to know how much it is. How do we know how much it is? We know we've got $500,000 for the land acquisition.

We know that the land costs $2 billion. We know that that's a million and a half our taxpayers are paying. How do we do a budget like that line by line on how much each feature will cost? H when do we when do we look at that and because I mean it looks great and I can give you my thumbs up. You all probably can too but we don't know how much it cost.

No. And and the estimate performed back when the conceptual plan was done that's that's the one that had the breakdown you're asking about and it was based on known numbers and quantities in 2024. That was where it was landing in the 850,000 range I believe as as I recall with a 20% contingency puts it around 8.90 and again short of recent discussions with contractors who have worked on parks with these same features we don't have hard numbers unless unless you instruct us to go back and and perform another uh cost estimate. What I will say is that the um the latest modification to the site plan uh definitely uh saves some dollars on the linear footages with the with the walkways and things. Those can always be added back later for those features across the marsh and things. But um based on my conversation with with those folks and some recent bidding on similar projects, uh there is a comfort that you are in that that range where the grant funding is. Again, it it part of it may depend on uh how much whether the $500,000 match comes comes directly from the town. Obviously, that puts you at a million four, which is probably more than is necessary for phase one. So, you're probably somewhere in between thatund and some match that you you have to make and the 500 that you could make if you wanted to, you know, fully match the part F. I think you're somewhere in between based on the input I've received currently. U the only way to know for sure is to get it to bid and get it in contractor's hands. Our estimate uh relies on a couple of things. Bid data and and contractor inputs where we would uh call vendors andor contractors and and itemize once again and go back to the 2024 version and and update that. We certainly do that. Uh but at this point,

your your site plan uh the last one we we showed uh appears to be in uh current budget range and matching with your uh with your part F grants. Thank you for that. You're welcome. Yes, sir.

Good time. uh we saw the prior plan I think it was February or March okay uh presented here and uh at that time there was a long discussion regarding and I'm up again of restrooms available on the island and the question is I noticed on this one it is they're not located on there yes on the on what we will call the uh the the permitting plan the permitting set uh it it currently remains on that for the reasons I mentioned for and I'm sorry it won't flip for me U back up.

Okay, no worries. Currently on the permit set, we are and on one of your sheets you'll see you'll see a restroom on it. So on the we'll call that the permit set. on a permit set, we are accounting for that potential future impervious area. Uh just to make sure uh from a stormwater standpoint, if you want to add a restroom later, that we're capturing a footprint uh to accommodate that. So that we there'll still be a modification later, but we want to make sure that the the availability or capacity of the soils and infiltration rates meet what they need to for that facility. for phase one, which was the was the concept plan for the for the parks and recreation trust fund grant. Uh it the restroom was in future phases. So it remains in future phases.

Thank you. Yes, sir. Mr. Norton, in reference to the restroom, remind me again, is that going to be a septic tank that will if we if we have one later down the road, will that be a septic tank or will that be plumbed back out to uh Kobia Street? Yeah, the intent the intent is to tie to the vacuum sewer system with an extension through the property. Yes. Uh uh to that to that point. Okay. And then uh in regards to our tree that we have out there, uh how close are we are we sure that that the root system and anything around that is not going to be disturbed or harmed in any way?

Yes. The intent was to stay out completely out of the drip line of the of the oak and have some margin. So where the fence was on the original survey which was basically at the drip line and a buffer uh from that that was the intent on layout. Yes sir. Right. So this gets approved and we decide we're going to build it. Would you recommend not using any portion of that land that's still available for any type of spoils from dredging or anything like that?

I think unless you want to uh provide a separate access from the other side. if if if accessing from the west, you would have your permeable paver systems in and you would have could be impacted and those obviously anything that is that is traveled on and andor debris lost on becomes an issue. Um u I don't recall the exact width coming off of 16th of of the connection point there. There's there's possibility of coming in and out through that side, I suppose. And there's always opportunity for for coming in the the the main entrance with some protection on on your surfaces. They will be they will be designed for for emergency vehicle loading.

I I'm not in favor of trying to use this once once this is built to use it for any kind of offloading of any type of spoil or anything. You know, we're fix it up, make it nice. We're going to turn around and mess it up. And and to your point that that uh one of the items um when when the town convenes on the landscape will be um the decision in phase one whether uh irrigation, sprinkler system, lawn um what what do we want seating? Do we want sod? Do how do we want the the lawn area to look? So that that impacts and could be impacted by by that same thing. Yes. Y any more questions? Thank you, Mr. Norton.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Norton. I believe Are you looking for direction from the council tonight as to how to proceed as as long as we get it soon, we can press forward within the week? Very good. Yep. Thank you. Thank you. Next up will be our community center usage, Miss Amy Goodrich. You'll have a vote.

Hi, everyone. Um so tonight for you I have a presentation um just on the community center itself, the history and the charges and some of the restrictions that we have on that space um for us to um just to give you um more information in your discussions on how we want to use the community center going forward. So in 2023 um a memo of understanding was signed uh outlining the terms and conditions with between the sea trails um community POA and the town. Um and in that in that MOA in thatou um it was specified that the POA would use that property every Tuesday other than at election times and the POA would hold 12 board meetings per fiscal year and those happen on one Thursday each month. Um as well they also will hold their Fourth of July golf parade and they will um retain uh the space of in the office and they use that for their storage and the president of the POA also has a key to the front door and the office door to access the space and that was signed on um September of 2023 for a 5-year period. So it extends through September of 2028. Additionally, um our spot um is used by the Brunswick County Board of Elections um as a polling place for all of the elections that they administer. They also like to use the spot as well for early voting because it is such a centrallylo spot and it's also something um it's a it's a location that's not used for other things. So, it's not in a school or at the senior center where there's other events going on. Um, normally we are chosen, but they do uh notify us approximately 4 to 6 months prior to use, but I do usually reserve

it knowing that that's most likely what's going to happen and we are not paid for that. We pay them to be able to have that. So, so currently we use the um community center for nonprofit educational or private events. So, POA meetings, weddings, baby showers, family reunions, uh funeral repasts, educational seminars that are free to the public, civic organization meetings, and government meetings as arranged by the town such as the 904 corridor study. Right now, on the community center application under the general rules of use, we do have um a rule that lists that the use of the facility for personal gain or money-making projects is prohibited. and also that kitchen facilities are not for preparing food for sale. So these might be a couple of items that we would want to address if changes were made to how the community center was being used in the future. Currently the rental costs um are broken down as you can see. There is one rate for town residents, for nonprofits, and for town staff um if they were to use that. And we do charge a different rate based on whether or not people are going to be serving alcohol in the space or whether they would not be serving alcohol in the space. If they are serving alcohol in this space, that involves uh the chief and talking to him regarding the event and whether or not we need to um have a detail there. And if we have a detail there, that's an additional cost to the uh to the folks that are renting the space. So, some ideas that we could uh look into to expand the use of the center would be to allow individuals or businesses from the town to offer classes for commercial purposes. And these could be things such as craft classes, educational classes, uh exercise classes, and that's something that we could also do at the park as well. Um, in the summer season, I know

that we have the gazebo, especially first thing in the morning. that could be something that we'd want um that we could offer. uh self-defense or personal safety training, educational seminars, game groups, wine tastings, cooking and baking classes, not necessarily using our kitchen, but using um the temporary burners where and then they would be able to use a camera where they could showcase what they were doing and kind of talk through the preparation of um any sort of food or baking or even like something that I was thinking was like a cookie decorating class around the holidays where people could pay to come in and um and learn how to do fancy cookie decorating. Um they can do that with a camera um right from the from a table in the front and they don't necessarily need to use the kitchen. Um, so ideally it would work well to be able to offer this center to the outside groups and that would also allow local businesses to expand their reach and to be able to accommodate groups that are larger than their spaces can um than their spaces can hold. Um, it would also offer residents additional activities and it would expand the use of the community space to more residents. Um, another nice thing is that if a resident decides that they don't want to participate in it, cost them $0. So, it's something that if you would like to participate and you would like to be part of a class, that would be something that's available. Um, but also if that's not something that they would want to participate in, they don't have to. Um, towns uh could also provide events with the equipment that we already have such as a movie series in the winter. We have an 80 some inch screen television there. Um, and we have a streaming service and if we wanted to show movies for free, that's something that we could do because we wouldn't be charging for them. So, I don't see that we'd have any sort of liability in that way.

So, for next steps, um, we would need the approval of the council to allow commercial businesses to take place in the community center. We'd also need to determine the limits to the type of the events allowed. Um if we want to ensure um the cond the conduct of the special event is not reasonably likely to cause injury to persons or property to provoke disorderly conduct or create a disturbance to neighbors of the community center. Um do we want to allow people to use the outside of that space to be able to have outdoor events and should the park be included in this discussion as well? Um, we also talked about um if you wanted to offer discounts for off- peak event times such as weekday mornings or afternoons. From there, I would revise the contract to include the provisions that you set forth and also solicit suggestions from residents to find out what other events they'd like to have and investigate groups that offer these so I could promote and market the um market the space to these local organizations or local companies that would be able to offer these types of classes or events. Um I would also conduct a marketing campaign to make the residents aware of the changes. So, we would certainly do social media postings, use our um email notification list to be able to inform uh residents about that and then also I would do personal outreach to local businesses to let them know about the opportunity and make sure that they realize that that space is available to them. Any member of council have any questions for Miss Ammons tonight or this afternoon?

There was a lot of discussion earlier regarding charging some of the uh nonprofits that already provide tremendous amount of re uh information or I should say equipment and whatnot to Sunset Beach free. Have you thought about that in the last 45 minutes to an hour? [laughter]

I can certainly see the value in being able to provide um a discounted space for people who are working to better the community itself. I think it would just be up to you to determine the limits on that. Um, so that way, um, there are some strict guidelines that I would have to be able to say, yes, this group would have a a a discounted rate and this group would not be eligible for that because sometimes um, we'll have some different groups that come in where yes, some citizens participate, but not all citizens participate. And it's not sort of wishy-washy on whether it affects people, everyone in the south end of the county or if it just affects the Sunset Beach residents. But if it's a committee or an organization that strictly is benefiting um Sunset Beach residents, then yeah, I can see that maybe a discounted rate would be something that we would want to do. And if it's such a small number, I'm not sure it needs to be, you know, is there a way that we should just determine that separately.

On your comment, one other thing on your comment, you said allow local business to expand their reach. Yes. You're our market gives them the opportunity to expand their reach. Are they using the market?

Yes, I have some different vendors. Um I think what I meant by expanding their reach is more that a lot of vendors and I'm using places like um host and graze or salt and vine where they are, you know, she they have shakuderie boards and Salt and Vine does a lot of activities. Well, he's very limited by the amount of space he could use. Whereas if they could partner up together, rent the space and do a wine tasting and shakuderie board building event that they could market to the public. It would allow them to have more people than they could actually have in their either one of their actual brickandmortars in town, but they could use either of their businesses to do the same thing if they partnered together. Correct.

They could use either one of their businesses. They're just limited by the amount of space they have. And it would charge for a policeman. if you're having a wine thing, I think they're going to have to think about that.

So, every time we have any event that has alcohol, we certainly always include the chief and he makes a determination of whether or not we need to have an additional officer present um at those kinds of events. Um Amy, thank you for all the information. And um I my take was initially when we were talking about doing this and we wanted to open up and have events offered to our residents at the community center was more in line with townsponsored events like um events through your department where events would be scheduled there where you would have people either come in or do the event and have them come in. And then obviously if there's something that a fee is needed, then we would have them do that online, do all that and register and everything. Um that was um kind of the concept I guess initially and I know I would love to see that happen where we actually have events there weekly so residents can go to them. Some that would be free, some that may be a charge for residents to go to. Um, I I would like to see that start first before we open it up or consider it for businesses to actually do commercial stuff in there like where they're profiting, so to speak. I mean, I guess if you bring a vendor in, they are

could be profiting a little bit, but we may be some things we could do where it's just to cover the cost type of thing. I don't know uh your thoughts on that because that's kind of I think what we were going for was to offer things to our residents so we can utilize that space.

Sure. I I had a couple of thoughts. Um, one just initially plan having a number of events where they were being planned and then I was being there to execute those events is taking a lot a large part of my time on a weekly basis away from the other events that I am focused on as well as the other option other things that I do in addition to just the events um for the town. So that's one one concern that I had and just being able to market these events, schedule the events, make sure that people were paying for the events, being there present, setting up for the events and being there during them would is an issue that I can see something I can see becoming an issue if depending on how many events those were. The other issue that I um thought was that also puts the town into having a lot of liability. So say we had an exercise class and someone got was injured. Now, if it's an outside group doing it, they've signed a liability waiver with the town. So, we are we have a hold harmless agreement with the person who has booked the space. Whereas, if we had say the town hired someone to come in, then it puts the town in um a legal situation. So, that was another issue that we or if someone was doing a craft project and burned themselves on hot glue gun and needed to go somewhere or they got things like that. So that was my other um my other concern. But um you know,

have you looked at other towns to see how they do that? I know like OIB does that. They have exercise classes. Do they? And I know you know that they they coordinate it and promote it, but it's they do have a they have a staff um of people who work in their parks and recreation department who are the the people who are doing those classes work for the town. So they're being paid by the town when they're doing those classes. Um that's my understanding. Um and then they're open for people to come and participate in. So like every Wednesday they do exercise classes in the park and things like that. But those are um town employees. Okay. So

Amy, if somebody wanted to have a wedding at the park, what kind of rate were we charging? The rates um for any events that happen in the park are based on the number of people that you're having present at your event. So, um, the rate can vary from $60 from $65 up to $2,000 depending on how many people you have. Um, also that's we do charge a flat rate to have an event in the park. But if you want to specifically rent either the gazebo or the parking shelter or the picnic shelter, those would be those come at an additional hourly cost. Okay. More questions for Amy? Not council will take in the considerator all the information you give them and we'll get back.

Thank you Amy. Thank you Amy. Thank you. Moving on now to new business 131 Sunset Vision interim town administrator.

Mr. Mayor, we were approached by Sunset Vision who wants to donate another set of binoculars similar to what's at the Bird Watch on Shoreline Drive. Uh they would like to put those binoculars at the dead end of West Main Street there just past 40th Street that would overlook the marsh. Uh the donation would include a little bit of work by public works to create a concrete base for the binoculars to be mounted on. Of course, they would help uh to mount those binoculars once they're purchased by Sunset Vision and donated to the town. Another ask was that there was a camera that would be focused that direction in case anyone were to vandalize or want to steal that uh that binocular unit. And that was pitched to you as part of my budget proposal for the police department when we're expanding our camera systems throughout the town. There would be a camera at 40th Street which would point in four directions and there would already be a camera pointed in that direction. Now, the cost for Sunset Vision to purchase the camera for that location is included in the packet at $1,7421. Uh the cost to the town ongoing after that would just be for cell service for that location. Keep in mind u that cell service would power all four cameras along with the power um for that camera. So before you is a consideration of that donation by Sunset Vision.

About how much is the sales service? $42 a month. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. You said that you had part of this in your fiscal year 27 budget request. So a fourth of it. Yes, ma'am. So, a fourth of what uh that one location would cost for cameras, that one camera with um the networking, the sunset vision cost would be 1,742. Thank you.

Yes, ma'am. Ask any questions in regards to this donation. I'd like to make a motion that we accept this donation from all. I have a second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Thank you. Thank you to Sunset Vision.

132 RFP Beach Sanitation Services. Before you is a proposal to advertise for bids for sanitation services for the town. And as mentioned during the co the public comment session that we had last Wednesday, u these are opportunities to see if we can save taxpayer money by contracting out some of the services that the town provides.

Any questions in regards to this? I think all of you should have had time to look over this. So, is there any question? Anyone else? You want a motion for this, Ken? Or you just want direction to go forward with the RF? I think we need a motion. Okay, Kimberly, I have a motion. What's the pleasure of council? I'll make a motion that we uh allow for a request for qualifications on the beach strand trash pickup and other public areas. Do I have a second? I'll second.

Do I have any discussion? All in favor? I. [clears throat] Next up is the RFP, the ground mate service. Yeah, Mr. Clayton. So, similar to the previous item, this is for direction for town staff to advertise and receive bids for grounds maintenance for various areas throughout the town. Again, I've all had you back at that time to look over. Does anybody have any questions in regard to this?

Just a question. Um, these items that you have in here, they are all things that we're subcontracting out with someone now, with a vendor. Now, this is just renew renewing to see if there's somebody else that can sharpen their pencil. Is that what this is? Sharpen their pencil meaning giving us a different quote. Um, is this another or is this something extra? Is this something already being provided? We we have outside we have a vendor. This is just to give us an opportunity to see if we can do better, can find a better service at a lower price, that would be ideal.

Okay. And the E1, I think, is an addition, right? It's addition. That's something we do in house now is the E1. Correct. The E1, the mowing and weed eating said yes. So, I'm not going to take credit that I know, but yeah, that is an addition. Yeah, that's an addition, but it's asked in there to price it separately as well, so it can be evaluated. Any more questions? If not, what's pleasure of counselor in regards to this? I'll make a motion that we proceed with the RFQ for ground maintenance. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All in favor?

Next up, operations center, public works department, roof repair. Matt, it's on mute. We have anybody in North Good afternoon.

Um for you, you have a uh quotes and everything of our shop roof. Um some of you have visited down there. You see the conditions that we're working out of every day. Um rain events. It's it's just like it's raining inside for us. Um a lot of equipment's been damaged over the years. We've had to move things around um inside the shop. So this is a a quote for There's three quotes in there. The cheapest one is um Rice Coastal and he would be doing the roof, ceiling and um gutters around our shop, BPW shop. So, this is just um wanting the approval from you all to go ahead and get that contracted out. We do have the uh money in our budget right now. So, this is not a budget amendment.

Do you have a preference? You've looked at them. We've all looked at them, but what is your recommendation? Um, I I like the first one that I recommended was Rice Cole. Um, it comes with the warranty and everything. So, I mean, I think they'll be able to get right on it as well. In that, um, you said there was a warranty and I highlighted that. I wanted to ask you about that. Um, it says it's a 15-year, but then there says it there's writing that says a 10-year warranty is an option. Would that be lower? But it or is the 151 the 15-year warranty in this proposal? But if we don't like this proposal, the number it could be less. Is that how I'm reading this? I'm not saying I would be favoring,

right, a less warranty, but is that what this means? Yes, ma'am. Okay. Because it's a little confusing, right? Okay. Yeah. It's almost like that part's highlighted and then down here at the bottom where the $8,000 part is a highlighted to approve. Um that the 8,000 is just for the gutters. Okay. It was just weird how it Yeah. He didn't he didn't tie it into the total price. He kind of separated both of those out. Exactly. Um and there insure have insurance all that stuff. Is that all been vetted? Because some of them it has it in here and their certifications and some don't. So I didn't know just making sure. Yes, ma'am.

Did they indicate when they can begin work and when when is the He actually has uh the product um in stock now. Um so we get the approval. I can contact him tomorrow and hopefully in the next few weeks we'll be able to jump on it. Well, definitely after seeing the facility, it definitely needs it and y'all should not be having issues or having so it needs to be repaired. Cool. Thank you. So, the total price would be $28,842 36. 36. Where did I miss the 36? Uh the 8,000 for the gutters. Ah, okay. [snorts]

Well, I'd like to make a motion that we um approve Rice Coastal Incorporated not to exceed the quoted amount. Okay. All right. Do I have a second? I'll second it. All right. Any more discussion? All in favor? Thank you. Thank you. All right. Any member of staff that doesn't have anything is welcome. Go ahead. All right. Next up, municipal code ordinance 9707. Cabanas. change.

Mayor, before you is a proposal to change the time in which cabanas are removed from the strand. Current ordinance says that cabanas need to be removed by 700 p.m. local time, and we're proposing that that time change to sunset. As you know, 7:00 p.m. local time, it's still going to be sunny on our beach as we get into the summer. We had the the concert series on the pier and there's there's a lot going on on the beach and when we were previously there right at 701 telling people to remove their cabanas u it wasn't always met with a friendly response. I think this would give uh beachgoers a little more opportunity to enjoy our beautiful beach and and perhaps the sunset. So before you is uh the recommendation to change that time to sunset local time. council had time to review.

Any questions? If not, was the pleasure of council. I have one question just to make sure. Um I know normally at 7, so at sunset they'll continue to do some sort of sweep to get stuff off the beach then or will that be back in the morning when No, they they will check that night to be sure that the cabanas are removed and uh anything that is left on the beach strand is considered abandon abandoned and it will be thrown away. Okay. and and chief, will that be beach patrol doing that what you just mentioned or will that be uh one of your officers? It'll be the police department's responsibility. It's pleasure. Council,

I'd [clears throat] like to make a motion that we amend chapter 95-07 to have Cabana removal time at sunset. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All in favor?

I moving on. Consideration of amendments sections 23 and 24 of the UDO. Before you for consideration is some proposed amendments to the UDO and I'm looking for your direction to send this to the Sunset Beach Planning Board for them to consider adopting these changes. I'm a little concerned if you don't mind regarding the appearance that we are this approval will put us uh the planning or all of our planning board sort of behind the curtain or we'll be making decisions. I'm just not sure the fact of open sessions is spelled out well enough in here

uh for everybody to feel comfortable. I mean, we I think that when we're talking about public engagement, I think we've got to it's got to be more specific because I don't know when they occur in the process. This is for us to give this document to the planning board and to the board of adjustments for them to review and for them to have input um and then for them to send it back to us. Is that correct? That's correct. And then we would have a public hearing since it's a it's a text amendment. We would have a public we would have to advertise. The public can weigh in and then um council makes a decision. That's correct.

But we're we're not excluded. We want them to give us input on what they think. But both boards, the planning board and the board of adjustments.

I got another question. However, on the appointment, uh we say that every uh members will be appointed for one year each upon renewal or uh so that basically when they come down close to the end of their term, that one year uh they either have two choices. want us to make a quick decision [laughter] and get it going or they will hopefully be back with the next session to do it continue and I think that's going to put a little bit of strain on which way they go on these issues. My note said staggered terms ask council about staggered terms. I know I'm looking I mean my note that I wrote so we're kind of thinking the same thing. Um

okay. Yes. That would be something that I think we should consider because one year by the time you know you go through through a year gosh you've learned so much and there's project in between so maybe do it staggered terms um don't know how the language would be on that Mr. claimer, but um perhaps you could work with the attorneys on what the language needs to be for staggered terms if that's what count two of us are want. I don't know. I would agree.

Okay, we got I would agree. I had that marked as well. I was like um and I think to note this is something that came from our attorneys regarding updating um our current UDO um for the 16D 301 301. Yeah, that's correct. Yeah. And all this is asking for tonight is you want to send it on to the planning board and let them do their review and get the information back for them before y'all do anything. True. Is that consensus? That's consensus. I don't know that we need a motion for this consensus. Yep. Yeah. This is direct.

One one technicality. The board of adjustments did not meet this month. Um they've canceled it. So, they would need to um perhaps call a special call meeting to discuss this. If we want this to be back on our May agenda, but I do think that we if we're wanting to do this, we need to direct both boards, planning board and board of adjustments that they need to meet and make their recommendations um for our May council meeting. All right.

All right. So, that should should be the consensus. Yeah. And I had one thing other thing on the public engagement. I don't know that it's council's intent not to have public engagement. So, that was another thing that I know was brought up and that was stated in here. Um, I thought we kind of had covered or it was covered by reading it, you know, but maybe we need to elaborate more on that. This last paper we got, I just got today. So, I mean, it may be different from what I had before. I have the one I got today and it's Yeah, it does say public and gate, but I know it is several versions I've received myself. So, they definitely need to see the most updated version. Yeah.

So, you'll take care of that, Chief L. Certainly planning board and the and the board of board of adjustments as well. All right, moving on. Policy adoption pay on vehicle driver responsibilities

before you for consideration for approval is a new draft of a policy for um employees that drive town of Sunset Beach vehicles. A lot of this is spelled out in current policy. This just gives a little more guidelines to uh our employees as they drive vehicles. One noteworthy thing in here is under 40 procedures. Item number 4.6 uh and this was recommended by the League of Municipalities that uh there's an annual review of persons motor vehicle driving record to ensure that they continue to maintain a valid driver's license when they're driving our vehicles.

You know what month that would be? We would do that annually in January. Any more updates on it? No, that's all. I'm sorry. Council had time to review this. Yes. What's pleasure in council of adopt town vehicle driver responsibility requirements? Motion [snorts] to adopt the town vehicle driver responsibility requirement policy. I have a second. I'll second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I.

All right. Next up, pay scale and classification update addition of codes enforcement officer. This is more of a um it's a classification that we have to change where we had a project manager/code enforcement employee previously who was under the paygrade 20 and with our new zoning and coord code enforcement officer that is going to be in pay scale number nine. This is to establish that uh position within pay scale number nine. Council has time to review this.

You have any questions in regards to this? No question. I have a question. Do we have a code enforcement officer or not? Yes, we do currently. No, I know we do now. Did we have one before? Yes. Do doing a split duty. It was under That's what he was saying. It was under level 20 because there were two different jobs. Now it goes back to one job. Clarification to let them know that this is the only they don't get the 20 pay scale. It's just housekeeping moving it to a different salary grade. That's all it is. Yes, ma'am.

All right. What's the council in regards to this? You need anything on this? I'll make a motion to approve adding the code and zoning enforcement officer to the salary schedule. I think he needs to have that. Okay, I have a second. Second. Any any discussion? Clarifications there. You understand what it's for now, right? Got it. All right. All in favor? I. Thank you. All right. Next up will be our various board appointments. Uh, we have this one.

That's right. That's the one we added. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. What comes after that one? It's 11. This is 10. This says none. Yeah. 139. This is none. 139. You need it. Okay. I'm sorry. I looked at code enforcements. I'm sorry. I told you I can't see. My glasses terrible. budget amendment on codes enforcement position. Go ahead.

Yeah, there were two sections to this. The first was to approve it that the housekeeping matter to put it into pay scale 9 or grade nine. Uh this is to fund that position. So again, we had a previous code enforcement officer and that money does exist in the current budget. This is simply to move it from one line from salary grade 20 to salary grade nine and the numbers are there before you that will get us through the remain the remainder of uh FY26. Uh it's no increase to the budget. It's just moving money. Pleasure of council. I'll make a motion that we approve the budget amendment.

This no amendment just transfer money. Okay. All right. Do I have a second? Second. Any more discussion? All in favor? I. Thank you.

Now, our various board appointments uh last the the council brought in or put out we had some positions open on some various boards. Some boards we don't have openings on, but while they were there, they decided to go ahead and let people come in and go ahead and start putting their names out there so we can always have a wheel there for in case things come up and people people have to be off boards or you know, anybody could get sick or anything could happen. So, we're trying to be more proactive in having this ready. We had 12 people came out and interviewed for various boards and the council got their ideas together and and have given me that today. So, I'll be announcing those. We have an opening on the ERC that runs through July and then of course it'll be re-uped but you know this person would of course have a shot at it. Also the council chose to go with Mr. John Payne and we have two openings on the tree board. We had two people put in Miss Michelle Tinger and Miss Gil Terriggle I think is how you pronounce that. But those is that is the choice of the council. And on the board of adjustments, we also had two openings there. And the council has given me Bruce Hovermail and Tom Thomas Anthony are the two people that they're sending forward to this. Do I have a motion to approve these boards? These board appointments.

I make a motion that we approve the board appointments. Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion? All in favor?

Thank you all. Now, uh, this is 1311 municipal code ordinance. Go ahead, Mr. Cam. Before you, Mr. Mayor and Council is uh consideration of an adoption of an ordinance to prohibit low-speed vehicles, golf carts as they're known, from parking in town owned parking lots, which would be on the island, the streetscape, gazebo, and the area on West Main Street at 40th. Uh a little history on that with the main street parking being completed. There are 29 designated low-speed vehicle parking only spaces on West Main and 61 additional spaces on East Main uh for a to combined total of 90 LSV spaces. Plenty of uh convenient oceanfront parking for for low-speed vehicles or golf carts. Um, if this is approved, enforcement would fall onto the police department for um to ensure that LSVs are not parked in any of four mentioned areas. Would require additional signage to be installed, which would be a nominal cost to purchase that. Uh, the signs could be installed by public works. Uh exemptions to this proposed change would be any low-speed vehicle with a permanently affixed handicapped license plate or any LSV that displays a handicap placard would still be able to park in any of those areas as long as they're in a designated space. So that is what is before you for consideration. If approved, I would ask that this not be effective until May 1, 2026 so that notification could be made to the public.

I have a question. Yes, sir. public town owned parking lots. Does that include the parking lots surrounding this building? No, sir. This is just for the island. Okay. Just the areas mentioned here, the g the streetscape, the gazebo, west main passport. Counc I got I got one question. It's really not tied 100% into this, but it does have something to do with the parking as far as I had some citizens had reached out to me in regards they have the little I don't know what they call the little vehicles like the John Deere type things like y'all have but those type

what is their rule now? I think last year they parked in golf cart or they was considered golf cart parking but some had gotten tickets from the auto group where they parked in those golf cart things. So we we need to get that out to let them know whether they can or they can't. I think that needs to be important cuz they were just I mean they were fine with it. They paid it. They said they didn't have a problem, but they said last year they did and then this year they didn't and they didn't know. So we need to at least get that out to everybody and let them know for those people that do use those type vehicles. Yeah. Under general statute, those are considered a modified utility vehicle, not a low-speed vehicle. So our parking allows for low-speed vehicles in those designated spaces, not the modified utility vehicle. So they would have to park in a regular space.

We can push something out to make sure that notification. They said last year they were and then this and said auto told them that that last year they were they were able to and this year they wouldn't. So that they just want clarity on it. Thank you. One question and I'm just reading this. So that's part of this that I got today. Um the um on the handicap spots here. Um I understand um if there's a handicap license plate or something if they're parking in a handicap spot, but you're saying they can park in any of the lots in a golf cart if they've got a handicap tag or No, ma'am. I'm getting clarity on that. I guess what you said

none of the spaces are available for low- speed vehicle parking with the exception of the handicap spaces provided that cart has either a permanent handicap plate a fixed to it or it has a placard. Okay. So the only place that an LSV would be allowed to park with the exception under this ordinance would be in a handicap space as long as it's permitted by the state to do so. Thank you. Yes ma'am. We have 97 parking spaces on Main Street for golf or for low-speed vehicles. Is that right? 97. 90. 90. We have 90. Okay. [clears throat] I don't know that I've ever seen 90 golf speed vehicles on the island at one time.

And one thing I think we hear this a lot is why do we have so many golf cart parking spots on Main Street? And um my understanding the reason for that is the DOT would not allow car or truck parking on the south side. So that's why we obviously wish they were car or truck parking but they are not by the DOT. So to answer anybody's question on that because we hear that a lot. Um this is true.

We can't allow or the DOT will not allow it. So that's why we don't have car or truck parking there. We wish it was but it's not. pleasure of council. I'll make a motion that we adopt the uh amendment for chapter 72, the code ordinance regarding a low-speed vehicles parking in town owned parking lots. Not going in effect till May. Not going effect until May 1st, 2026. I'll second that motion, Mr. Arnold. Do

I have any more discussion? Any questions? Not all in favor? I. Everybody good? All right. Next is a disposition of directives. Does any member of council have anything needs to be added on the hear?

I have asked um before and I don't know that I did it in this forum though, but um we have an application for u board appointments and it's just like a check sheet. Which board would you like to um apply for and then why are you the best qualified or something like that? Is there a way that we could do that like a true application and we could see like what their degrees are in, what their um jobs that they had, references that they have cuz a lot of these folks we don't know them. Um just maybe think about that um to put on the directives. Um if there's support for that,

we can draft one and bring it back. uh if we put that under the disposition of directives, we can bring in it back perhaps for the main [clears throat] be just just something for you to think about, I guess. And also, I noticed in the um UDO rewrite for the different boards that there is an actual attendance policy there. It would be good to have an attendance policy for other boards and committees so that they're in parody with what we expect out of the those two um boards. So, um, maybe draft up a policy for our board attendances for the attendees.

Last time we had a disposition of directives, we threw out banking and auditing and uh, that should still be on the list for things we are going to have to do. Yeah, I think they're still on. They're still on our list. You got a different Oh, you got a different one. Auditing came off just because it's going to be done later, right? Is that true? Yeah. Auditing. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. They're still on there. They just hadn't brought them brought them up yet. Then we have random drug testing policy that you're going to bring [clears throat] to us at some point. Correct.

All right. There's nothing else, but the time now is for public comments. You can comment on anything. It's welcome to come up. I'll set I'll try to set this timer. I'll use this other one this time where you can hear it a little better because my phone's not loud enough. Go ahead, sir. Stuart Jones, 1410 Canal Drive. Uh, again, I'm a current member of the planning board, but I'm here representing myself, and these opinions are my own. This January, the Sunset Beach Planning Board denied a major site plan for the Luminina Fairways condominium project in Seat Trail, which should have ended the process as the planning board has final authority over major site plans. The developer had several options available. They could have changed the plans. They could have changed the zoning or even tried to change the code. The developer could have appealed the decision to the board of adjustment. The developer did none of these things. However, in February, you went into mediation with the developer and granted site plan approval for a 54t tall building in a zoning district with a maximum building height allowance of 50 ft. A mediation with council is allowed if an action has been filed like an appeal to the board of adjustment or a lawsuit, but neither neither of those actions happened. The developer of Seat Trail was evidently upset and that was enough for you to grant site plan approval in a settlement agreement. I can't find anywhere in the UDO where you even have the right to grant site plan approval. But magically in mediation you obtain those powers.

This was all done behind closed doors at a closed session at the end of a meeting and no explanation was given to the public. How many people in SeaTrail even know about this site plan approval? How many voters knew that you would bend so easily at the whim of a developer? Why wasn't this approval published in the new town newsletter? Where is transparency in this whole thing? You owe us some answers to these questions and I intend to keep looking. Thank you.

Anyone else? Yes, ma'am. I'm short. Kathy Jones, 1410 Canal Drive. I'm here to talk about a safety concern for our citizens. Almost 10 years ago, in July 2016, due to a fire, two families on the island were forced out of their homes for two years and two others lost in rental income for a period of time. The fire was caused by the care carelessness or ignorance of a renter who neglected to properly extinguish the coals of a charcoal grill. During the night, a wind blew up and knocked down the grill into some highly flammable pine straw mulch. The pine straw quickly caught fire and the winds pushed the fire into the next yard belonging to permanent residents Anne and Greg Jensen. The fire, fueled by the pine straw, reached the Jensen's underground propane tank, which then accelerated the fire. Someone walking in the wee hours of the night saw the fire and began banging on doors. The Jensen's escaped with their dogs and their pajamas and nothing else. No flip-flops, no ID, no medications, nothing. Their backdoor neighbors escaped with flip-flops and their animals, but both families had to helplessly watch their houses burn. Nothing remained of the Jensen's house. Nothing remained of their possessions. Their neighbors house was badly damaged, and the two houses beside them were also damaged. 10 or 11 fire departments responded to the fire and poured water on our roof five doors down to keep my house and the ones in between from catching fire. After the fire, the fire chief composed

a notice recommending that houses on the island not use pine straw as mulch, but it was not widely publicized and it was not repeated. Most do not know about it, never heard of it. As the council seems to be concerned about resident safety, I ask you to conduct a comprehensive and sustained campaign every year and enact an ordinance if one isn't already on the books to educate owners on the dangers of using prime pine straw mulch and instruct renters on how to use grills in a safe manner. Every spring I see rental and resident houses putting out pine straw as mulch and it is a huge reminder of what has happened. Every summer I see renters and a few owners doing stupid or dangerous things with grills. In the past few years, within eyesight of my house, there have been three fires caused by grills on decks or under houses that the Canal Drive volunteer fire department has either put out or asked the person to stop before the fire got out of control. If we can spend 45,000 to investigate traffic safety for something that has not happened yet, I don't see why we can't use town resources to educate people on known dangers that have actually happened and are in imminent danger of happening again. Thank you. Uh Ryan Bruno, 9121 Ocean Harbor Golf Club Road Southwest. Uh earlier today in the meeting, our interim town administrator, Mr. Ken here in item 11 made reference that the

comprehensive plan or land use plan is on hold, which is fine. Uh but I just like to remind the council that we went out to the public to solicit survey input and if I remember correctly we had like about 1,200 survey responses. So I think uh to show some appreciation to the public who did spend some time not a lot of time answering that. Is there a way that the council could retrieve this data or at least protect this data and then republish it? uh certainly the planning board I would think would would like to see it uh so that we don't that at least the time spent on that survey we at least have the data and have the final report on it there may be some expense involved in doing the survey monthly report at the end for the final but I think it'd be to show some respect that even though it was a short you know 10 15 minute survey that people took that they respect their time and that we collect the data at least look at it.

Thanks. You want to ask him? Yeah, that I I've been in contact with Anchorpoint with West Mloud about the data. It has been preserved and there's no intention on just simply disregarding that data. It will be reviewed. Oh, very good. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else?

Yes, ma'am. Actually, I've just been waiting to say this, but I heard at the last session that you all did that uh Miss Norland came up with this great idea for doing priority parking. And when we look at the lack of availability of space for um regular vehicles, I think that was a super idea and it should be investigated further and I and I thank her. Thank you. Anyone else? Not anything else from council. No one else.

If not, do I have a motion to adjurnn? Make a motion we journ. Do I have a second? I'll second. You want to talk anymore? Any motion? No. All in favor? I Thank you. Thank you.