Town Council - Special Meeting

I'd like to welcome everybody out to the August 10th closed session meeting as I will be looking to go back into closed session from our recess. Do I have a motion to go into closed session on an A6 matter?

Motion to go into closed session on an A6 matter.

Do I have a second? Any discussion? All in favor?

Aye. Be looking to call this meeting back to order.

Do I have a motion to come out of closed session?

I'll make a motion to come out of closed session.

Do I have a second?

I'll second that.

Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. citizens we're just coming out of closed meetings just want to let you know we've been in some intense meetings we've met with a lot of a lot of potential future for this town town administrator candidates and coming out of this meeting today I think that we're confident that we have the right person to take the helm of this thing we're looking forward to the future with this guy and just want to reach to the council now see if someone would like to make a motion let's put this thing in order

I make a motion to hire Dane Rideout as town administrator at a salary of $160,000 a year, also with a $500 a month car allowance. Do I have a second?

I'll second that.

Any discussion? All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

None. Unanimous. Thank you, council.

Ms. Batchelor, if you will, you give a brief introduction to Mr. Rideout to our citizens.

Sure, I'd be glad to. The Town of Sunset Beach is pleased to announce the appointment of Dane Rideout as its new Town Administrator, effective August 11. Rideout was selected by the Sunset Beach Town Council following a comprehensive nationwide search and will oversee the Town's day-to-day operations, implementation of Council policies, and management of municipal services. He will work closely with the elected officials, town staff, residents, businesses, and community partners to ensure continued delivery of responsive, effective, and high-quality municipal services. RideOut brings more than four decades of leadership and public service experience to Sunset Beach. A retired U.S. Army Colonel, he has served in executive leadership positions at the local government and federal levels, building a reputation for strategic planning, physical stewardship, organizational excellence, and cooperative leadership. He is also an ICMA credentialed manager, a professional designation awarded by the International City County Management Association that recognizes local government executives who demonstrate a commitment to integrity, lifelong learning, and excellence in professional local government management. Rideout holds a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Arts from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Ball State University. Most recently, Rideout served as the town manager for the town of Benson, North Carolina. Previously, he served as a town manager for Elizabethtown, North Carolina, and as a city manager for Bluefield, West Virginia. earlier in his career he served as a city manager and garrison commander at west point home to the united states military academy where he oversaw municipal operations for one of the nation's premier military installations his military career also included senior human resources leadership positions with the u.s army special operations command the 82nd airborne division and special operations command The Mayor and Town Council expressed their confidence in Rideout's appointment, stating, We are pleased to welcome Dane Rideout to Sunset Beach. His extensive experience in local government, distinguished military service, and proven leadership make him exceptionally qualified to lead our organization. We are confident he will serve our community with integrity and professionalism as we continue to enhance municipal services while preserving the character and quality of life that makes Sunset Beach such a special place. The town also extends its sincere appreciation to Police Chief Ken Claymore, for serving as the interim town administrator during the transition. Chief Claymar provided valuable leadership and continuity for the town during this period. And the town is grateful for his willingness to step into the role and help ensure that municipal operations continued without interruption. Chief Claymar and Rideout will work together to facilitate a smooth transition as Rideout assumes his responsibilities as town administrator. The town of Sunset Beach welcomes Dane Rideout and looks forward to his leadership as the community continues to invest in its future while preserving the coastal character, quality of life, and exceptional service that residents and visitors have come to expect.

Good job. Good job. Thank you. Again, thank you Council for the long hours that you put in. Thank you. For all the time that we went through and decision I see that just came forth today I think is the right decision for this town as we go forward it's almost like we're just in a ship and we were out without a solid captain we have that captain we have the deckhands this staff we have in this town is a great staff and with a proven leader that's going to lead this town in the right direction I think our citizens are going to see a great thing and our Our job as town council is to be the engine room. We're the ones that's down there giving them the information and pushing things forward and let's push this ship up and we're gonna be the best for everybody in this town. I look forward to the next few years and on into the future seeing what we can turn around and make this town even better than it already is. But again, thank you all for your diligence in going through this. I think we've got a good decision here and I think our citizens will be proud. Other than that, is there anything today?

Mr. Claymore, you have anything for us? Mr. Mayor, I do, if I may. I just want to bring you up to speed with the resignation of our finance officer. We've been working to identify the replacements. and we currently have a conditional offer with an applicant and we're hopeful that soon upon the completion of the background investigation and other onboarding necessities that we'll have an announcement soon. I'd also like to ask the council for the transition about making an appointment for a deputy finance director. My recommendation for that position would be Cindy Stevenson.

who has previously held that position with the town that being said i'll seek a motion from the council in regards to putting miss stevenson as the deputy finance i'll make a motion that we uh appoint sindai uh stevenson as the deputy finance uh person for the town of sunset do i have a second second all right any discussion all in favor all right none opposed no all right anything else All right, if there's nothing else, nothing else with the council, do I have a motion to adjourn this meeting?

I make a motion we adjourn this meeting.

Do I have a second? Second. Any discussion?

All in favor?

Aye.