Council - Regular Meeting

[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] [music] Good afternoon.

Welcome to the town of Surf City regular meeting for the November 5th, 2025 4:30 p.m. At this time, I'd like to call the meeting to order. And I'm going to ask for Mr. um Jared. Oh no, Pastor Bob. He's going to come forward from the gathering and lead us in an invocation and we're going to um I'll be the backup. How about that? Okay, sounds great. And everybody, if you would please stand

and let's give thanks. [sighs] Our father, we just bow before you tonight and give thanks that indeed we are blessed. Thank you, God. again as as the last couple of times I've prayed that as we gather, we don't gather as a as a a a municipality. We gather as people, citizens, community, families, and friends. And God, we thank you that it's in relationship that you've called us to love each other and to love each other well. So, I thank you. I thank you for Surf City. I thank you for the people. I thank you for the blessing of it. I thank you for the beauty of it. God, we pray for wisdom. We pray for guidance. We pray that we steward well all that you have blessed us with. We pray it in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Continue. Okay. I'm going to bring up Mason and Owen here to lead us in our pledge. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

All right. At this time, um, we have a couple proclamations to make and, um, national policy care month. And with us tonight, we have the lower Katefear Life Care. Michelle Bennett is here with some of her co-workers. If y'all would like to come forward. This is from the town of Surf City. Surf City and um from the office of the mayor states whereas lower cape field life care was rated as five stars by families and caregivers in the most recent centers for Medicare and Medicaid services hospice survey results the highest rating possible. And whereas lowercase fear lifeare ranks among the 92% of hospice hospice hospices nationwide in the quality of their person centered compassionate care for patients, their families and their communities that they serve. And whereas the lower Katefir life care utilizes a team of professionals and volunteers to serve patients and families in hospice care, palative care and dementia support. And whereas lowercate life care attends to patients emotional, spiritually needs providing support services such as restbite care, caregiver support and grief counseling. And whereas locate for life care is a local nonprofit agency that engages in communities members with educational events, volunteer activities, and giving opportunities. And whereas Lower Katefir Life Care serves more than 8,000 patients and families each year, including residents of New Hover County dealing with serious illnesses and also

Pender and Anzo County. Now therefore, let it be resolved that I, Terresa B. Bats, the mayor of town of Surf City, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim the month of November 2025 as National Palitive Care Month and encourages members of the public to increase their understanding and awareness of access to care for lifelimiting illnesses at the end of life and to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs. passed and approved and adopted this fifth day of November, 2025 by the mayor and town council of Surf City, North Carolina. Give this to Michelle and give you an opportunity to speak at the microphone if you want to turn it around. As Mayor Bats mentioned, this is about to fall off. Thank you. [laughter] Okay, great. Thank you. We are a nonprofit um hospice and paliotative care provider. We are the only nonprofit hospice and paliotative care provider in Coastal Carolina. We provide 90% of our care in home. Um anyone can make a referral or reach out to me and I'm happy to do so. We also have uh memory partners care um several services. Our website is lifecare.org. Thank you all very much. [applause] About three weeks ago, Carla was asking me, can we put this proclamation on the agenda for tonight? And I was like, sure. You know, that is is such a great opportunity to to know that there are services out there that helps families. saying that at this time in about 15 minutes I have a family member that was hit by a bike in Holly Ridge Sunday

night and we were at the hospital all day yesterday and today with palative care not knowing that I was going to pre be pre presenting this tonight. So, it means a lot to my family that y'all have been there with them for the last two days taking care of them and it is definitely a organization that um I will contribute to. So, thank you. Um, at this time, um, we have the [snorts] video that's going to play here for the United States Marine Corps's 250th birthday. On November 10th, 2025, [snorts] the Marine Corps will proudly celebrate our 250th birthday, a momentous occasion that will honor our legacy, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to our nation. For two and a half centuries, Marines have forged a path of honor and courage and stood resolute in the face of adversity. We all carry the weight of our incredible history and must ensure the ideals of our freedom endure [snorts] for the next 250 years. Our 250th birthday offers a unique opportunity to honor our veterans who paved the way, to connect with our fellow Americans, and to inspire future generations to strive to earn their own Eagle Globe and anchor. Throughout the year, we will engage in a nationwide campaign featuring two national level capstone events and six Marine Weeks across major cities where we will proudly showcase the war fighting spirit of our core.

So, we're calling upon Marines, past and present, to participate in this celebrations with a love for our past and a renewed commitment to our future. Organize events within your commands. Share stories that inspired you and let the world know what it truly means to be a United States Marine. As we begin this historic celebration, remember that being a Marine is not just a duty. It's a calling that demands the best of each of us. We will carry forward the torch of honor, courage, and commitment, illuminating the path for others to follow. We look forward to celebrating with you this year. Separate by Ellis.

At this time, I would like to call upon any Marines present. if you would come up and stand in front of us, please. [clears throat] [laughter] Okay. [clears throat]

Yes. United States Marine Corps's 250th birthday. Whereas on November 10, 1775, the second Continental Congress of the United States resolved to create two battalions of Continental Marines. And whereas United States Marines have served with distinction in every conflict since their founding, holding true to their heritage of any time and any place. And whereas North Carolina is the home to over 45,000 active duty Marines and over a thousand reserve Marines that proudly defend the freedoms and enjoy North Carolinians throughout the state. Whereas Marine Corps Base Lune in Jacksonville and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point represent a critical role in the Marine Corps's mission on eastern seabboard. And whereas Montford Point served as a recruit depot for African-American Marines when they were allowed to enlist in 1942, representing a major milestone in the civil rights movement. And whereas North Carolina has earned a reputation for being one of the most military friendly states through constant recognition and gratitude towards our armed forces. And whereas today we seek to honor and celebrate the founding of the United States Marine Corps and wish a heartfelt happy birthday. And whereas the state of North Carolina encou encourages all citizens, businesses, organizations, leaders, and elected officials to continue their heartfelt support of the United States Marine Corps and their ongoing mission to ensure our freedoms. Now, therefore, let it be resolved a little too deep. [laughter]

I, Teresa B. Bats, the mayor of Surf City, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 10th, 2025 as Marine Corps's birthday in this town and commend its observance to all citizens. Thank you very much. [applause] [applause] [applause] At this time, I would like to um call upon all other veterans that are with us today to please stand [applause] [applause] to our veterans. Your willingness to answer the call has allowed our town, our state, and our nation to enjoy the liberty, peace, and opportunity that many take for for granted. Here in Surf City, your service echoes through our schools, our neighborhoods, our businesses, and our families. Whether you've served in uniform or supported those who did, whether you're a active duty or a veteran or a part of a military family, you've strengthened our community. To the veterans present, your service has a safeguarded the liberties that define us as Americans. Liberties such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to vote, which were able to exercise in yesterday's election. By participating in the democratic process by voting, staying informed, engaging in respectful dialogue, we honor the freedoms of our veterans defended. As we look forward to Veterans Day next week, let us each commit to live up to the freedoms you preserved. Let us vote. Let us speak. Let us engage. And let us serve with gratitude and purpose. In doing so, we honor your legacy in the very act of

your citizenship. May God bless our veterans and their families, the town of Surf City, and the United States of America. Thank you again. [applause] This time, I think Nathan was going to pray over our veterans. Pastor Nathan, if you would come up.

Let's pray together. God, we are certainly grateful for this opportunity to pray for our veterans. Lord, we pray that you bless their heart, their mind, their soul, and their strength. For their example to us has shown us the importance of doing hard things when it comes to protecting freedom. And we pray that we take that very example, instill it in our heart and our mind and our soul and use our strength to do that as well. May we be a people, a town, a community that does hard things. And we thank you for the opportunity and example to be able to do that. God, might you bless all veterans and their souls with salvation. And they are already saved. Lord, then we pray that you'll ignite them and just encourage them and guide them and give them great wisdom in all that they do. Thank you for the privilege to walk alongside them, to talk with them, spend time with them, and share a community with them. They're the very best of who we are, and we're very grateful. We love you, Lord. Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Amen. This time, is Officer White with us? Officer White, can you please come forward? How are you? Good. And Alicia Holly would have a few words.

This is a surprise for Officer White. He didn't know that we were going to recognize him today. So, sorry. [laughter] Um, some of you may or may not know that the town works in a partnership with Penry County Schools to provide school resource officers for Surf City Elementary and Middle. Officer W has been the primary officer for both schools for several years and this year we were able to add an additional resource officer to the elementary school and Officer W now works predominantly with the middle school. I can say I see him every morning at dropoff with a smile on his face. He's always engaging students. He's laughing with them talking about their outfits. Um, but what I brought you here today is Officer White is also the football coach for Top Middle or for Sar City Middle School. And

this year he brought home the championship for our city. [applause]

So with a five in one record and that first one was just knocking dust off the boots the first game of the season. They finished the season with a 28 and or 26 and8 win over Topsel Middle School. Officer W is a staple in the school that goes above and beyond not only by doing his job but also being a leader and mentor for so many of our youth. So, thank you. [applause] [applause] Are you going to say? Yeah. We need you. We need you. [laughter]

[laughter] Thank you. Uh I do love my job and I do love what I do. Um been in law enforce 25 years and the school is where I need to be. Thoroughly enjoy it. Thank you.

Thank you. [applause] Okay. Um, beautifification enhancement committee award. Sandy Monroe, if you would come vote. Hello everyone. This is my favorite thing I get to do every month. So, um, the beautifification committee as part of Surf City, what we like to do, if you don't already know this, is each month we recognize both a homeowner of the month and a business of the month. Our business of the month can be awarded for either a beautiful exterior and um you get to see all their flowers or their decorated windows and things like that. Or it can also be awarded for those that go the extra mile to help out in the community in some way or um participate in a lot of nonprofit organizations. This month our beautifification award winner goes to the craft house shakuterie and bar and I believe are they here tonight? I know they weren't sure if they were going to be able to make it, but if they're not, they have beautifully decorated windows. It's a somewhat new business right there in the complex behind Salty Turtle and back by the Plotty Studio for all of you out there that I see that go to go to Pilates. But anyways, stop by and check out their amazing looking beautiful drinks and their shutoerie boards and give them a try. [applause] And this year or this month's homeowners are Doug and Cindy West from 918 Broadway Street. And are they here? Oh, wonderful. So, they're here. Come on up. [applause] Thank you so much.

Thank you. And here is your certificate. And would you like to introduce yourselves to the community at large? Hi everybody. I'm the quiet one, the one that people question if Doug even has a wife. He is. He does have a wife and I'm standing right here. So, thank you so much for doing this for us. Is beautiful. Your yard is beautiful. Thank you. Thank you.

U Yeah, we we really appreciate this. um our house is our forever home and uh when she married me or she knew that we were going to end up in Surf City and and on the canals and the reason is people know that that we came from Cleveland and sat down here. But what people don't know is that my whole life I've been here um and and this is it's it's been home to me and and when I was a kid my mother's family owned a house in Topsel and uh on Channel Street and first well first they had a house that Hazel blew away in 54 and then they rebuilt this house. So I grew up in that house and then um as I got older with in top so we would have our bicycles and we ride to the putt putt we'd ride to the skating rink and we ride to the old trampoline park if y'all anybody remembers that kids got killed on that thing. So so [laughter] and then in high school and junior high my friends started buying houses on the canals and putting trailers on them and stuff. So then we we spent all even though we had house on top. So we spent all the time in Surf City on the canals and everything. I learned how to ski in the canals before the new awake zone and all that kind of stuff. Um but but but um when I was in high school um the family offered that house to us for five grand

and I told my I told my parents that I didn't want to be there. I didn't I want to be up in Surf City, you know, where all my friends and stuff were. And then throughout the whole career I got a job. I got a job in Cleveland when I was single. I threw these big parties down here every year and I had friends from Ohio and friends from North Carolina. And after one of those parties, um, I had to drive to Cle to the board in Washington, Federal Reserve to teach a school and I saw this blonde in there and I said and I walked out of class. I said I said, "I'm going to marry that woman." One year ago from one year after that, we were on Surf City Beach with a moon that was so bright that I didn't have to use the flashlight I brought so she could see the diamond, you [laughter] know. So, and so after that we came back to Cleveland and and as our kids grew, we started bringing our kids out here and for 10 years we rented the surf the condos across from Shakataka and uh and our kids grew up here and during that time we said, you know what, we want to be here. We want to live on the thing. And the first day we look at the houses, we end up seeing the one that we end up buying. and and it's special for us and it always will be and it's it's and we don't care what anybody else thinks but the fact that somebody recognized it is is really special. So, thank you all so much. Well,

thank you. [applause]

Sandy, you want to mention your um street sweep you got coming up? Oh, yes, it is. Yeah. And if anyone's interested in participating, we would love to see you out on Saturday, November 15th at Southside Park for our street sweep. And it starts at 9:00 and we will have a shuttle bus to help get people around town. And um usually lasts about two hours. So we'd love to have you come out and help us spruce up the town before all the big holiday festivities. So thank you. Thank you.

Okay. Um, then we're going to move on to the agenda. Do I have a motion to adopt the agenda? I'll make a motion to adopt the agenda. Second. Have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All oppose, same sign. Motion carries. Next item is approval of the consent agenda as presented. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? Sure. I'll make a motion to approve the uh ascent agenda. I'll second. Motion and a second. All in favor say I.

All oppose, same sign. Motion carries to approve the consent agenda. At this time, we have public comments and I'll call on Carla to call up any names. Have Mike Flordy. Good evening. Mike Fluardi, 349 Third Street, uh here to serve city. First off, thank you for recognizing Marine Corps birthday. Hopefully, we won't tear it up next week. Uh just two very quick things. I'll be short. Uh I if I can present a quick photos to the board. Am I allowed to do that approach?

I'm actually here on behalf of several residents of the canals specifically third and canal street. That picture was taken yesterday. It hadn't rained in three days. So, if the new pavers like that are down at South Topsel and Seahorse, um I'm hoping that I can petition on our behalf to move that up so we can deal with the uh storm drainage situation there at that intersection. Several of the residents, you know, can't even walk uh the streets due to the depth of the water and make the turn there. So, they've asked me to come down and see if I can uh push that to the top of the list after seeing this and seeing what they did down on South Top. also at Seahorse. And then the second thing and last thing I have is we haven't had street signs on Third Street in over three years. I've left several messages with the uh on voice messages to try to get street signs up. I'm pretty good at finding my way home, but if they give directions to where Third Street is, it'd be nice to have a street sign there, especially for the residents, the new residents there. There's several new people there who are living full-time as well. Other than that, thank you so much.

Thank you. Can I ask one question? Yes, ma'am. This is this from rainwater or is this from the So this was from just that rain we had four or five days ago. So that was taken yesterday. So it hadn't rained in three and a half days and that wasn't really even a rain, you know, that wasn't a gully washer like we normally have. Anything else? Thank you so much. Thank you. Okay, Marian Cen, Mr. Mr. C, are you speaking concerning the Dandelion property? We're going to have a public hearing in just a few minutes if you want to wait until then. Okay,

Jill Miranda.

Hi, I'm Jill Miranda, 1102 Terraces Lane, and I just wanted to publicly thank all my supporters on the mainland. Apparently, I came in second on the mainland. Who knew? But I am just in love with this town. And I thought, well, I'll give it a try. And it didn't work. But we're not going away. And I want to thank you all, too, because each and every one of you, even if you didn't support me, inspired me and challenged me. And I really appreciate that. And so, I just wanted to say that publicly in case people on Facebook didn't get that. So, thank you, [clears throat] Larry Rice. Hi, I'm Larry Rice, 712 Caucus Street. Um, I want to bring up something that I brought up in the past and that is JH Patch Road. It is destined to be a a problem, an accident. Um, it's dark. There are a lot of people that travel up and down that road on the sides of the road on bicycles. Um I think it's a pretty easy thing to get in touch with Jones Enslow and get some lighting put on JH Patch Road. I've asked for that in the past and it's nothing has happened about it. Um I know that the sidewalk situation that was Dr. or Horton's responsibility has been placed into the multi-use path fund, I guess, is is where it is. Um, would just like some clarity as to when that may happen to also help with some public safety. Um, I think these these items are pretty important. Um, the last thing I'll ask for is some sort of means of controlling the

speed on Driftwood Drive. That is a cut through from [sighs] several different directions. I have seen people exceeding 50 mph in a 25 mph zone. It's not very well signed. The only signs that we have in that area are um neighborhoodwide 25 miles an hour and there's three of them. Um that's just, you know, do people look at signs and and obey the speed limit? Not necessarily, but potentially a a speed reader like we have on JH Patz Road placed on J on Driftwood Drive or the um the mobile unit that uh that has been used in the past. I think it's important for people to understand how fast they're actually going because there with the park being right there close to it, there is a lot of foot traffic, bicycle traffic, and just regular traffic in general. So see if we can look into that if we could.

Sir, thank you. Thank you. Okay. Right. We will move on to our next item, which is a public hearing. It's a conditional reszoning for Dandeline Dandelion Lane. And I'm going to call upon Jeremy Smith, our planning director, to present.

Give me one moment to connect my laptop.

Yes, sir. I would like to um before we start on this conditional Reszoning on Dandelion. I would um like to remove myself from this conversation. Remove recuse myself even though I do not vote but to recuse myself from having conversation. I do represent the seller and have had no discussion with the town council concerning this reasonzoning. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Members of council, public hearing number one is a request for conditional resoning. Uh, this has been submitted by Title Development Company LLC. This request is for a proper two properties on NC210 directly across from Capefir Community College Surf City campus. The two properties together combined equal 8.42 acres. They're currently zoned O andi and this request O andi is office and institutional. This request

is to reszone to CZ-C3 extended commercial conditional. [clears throat] Notice the location on the screen before you. The properties in question are highlighted in red. Again, the current zoning of this property as well as Surf City Capefir campus is Oi. The property directly to the north is also zoned office and institutional OI and is currently used for a single family dwelling. Properties further to the north are zoned C3 used for the Surf City Crossing Shopping Center. Other properties are zoned MFC. That's multif family complex and that is home of the Palisades Apartments. To the south are properties to the south and east are properties within Pender County zoning district zoned residential performance. Before you on the screen now and in your agenda packet is the concept plan submitted with the conditional resoning. This conditional resoning request is proposing to show 36 flex space units and 24 units of a combination of commercial and office space condition. Um conditions are proposed with this resoning include submittal of a traffic impact analysis along with site plan review if approved. A limitation on operating hours from 7 a.m. to 900 p.m. A significant limitation on permitted land uses. They're identified on the plan and in your packet, but I would like to highlight some of the uses specifically prohibited. That would include tattoo shop, vape shop, any use with a drive-thru, and drinking establishments would be prohibited. One additional condition is that the

site is going to be designed to utilize septic system in the chance that sewer allocation is not available. If sewer allocation is not available at the time of site plan approval and becomes available at a future date, the they will connect to city utilities as part of this condition. That has been discussed at length with the applicant. There was a neighborhood meeting held for this property at the Capefir [clears throat] Surf City campus. Uh many of the adjacent property owners attended that along with staff. The future land use plan identifies this property as well as the property to the north and the Capefir Community College campus as civic and institutional. Properties further to the north are identified as neighborhood mixed use. That is the apartment complex and the shopping center. uh to the northwest or northeast, apologies, are properties identified as regional mixed use. Properties to the west and south are identified as coastal residential. This this request was reviewed by the planning board. Well, I want to show you a couple other slides. This is proposed renderings of what some of the buildings would look like. Uh these will be handled more during the technical review if approved through the site plan process, but this would give you an idea. Staff wanted evaluated that it met the coastal theme of the zoning ordinance, but I did want to show that to you. The applicant has a very similar presentation. Um I don't think that would be any benefit because it pretty much mirrors what I just shared with the board. Um but if we need to provide additional information, we can. The planning board reviewed this at their October 9th meeting. Uh they along

with staff are recommending approval of this conditional resoning request finding that policies 5.1B and 5.1 I from the camel land use plan support this resoning and if approved staff will update the future land use designation for these two properties to neighborhood mixed use. Representatives the applicant are in attendance and they along with staff would be happy to answer any questions that the council may have. Will you pull up the Apologies? Can I have a a motion to open the public hearing? I'll make a motion to open public hearing. Second. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed, same sign. Public hearing is open. Thank you.

Will you pull up the U site plan again, please? Um, flex space. Which ones are going to be are predicted to be the flex space? Those would be the the smaller buildings in the rear of the site. If I I'll walk over to the screen. [clears throat] These will be the space units approximately, 1800 unit, 1800 ft piece. And what what's what's potentially the designation of the uh highway 210 facing [cough] be a combination of office and limited commercial uses as identified as they allowed uses in the agenda and on their plan.

So off space and limited commercial a couple examples of the limited commercial uh sit down restaurant um off medical office beauty shop nail salon. Um we have a broad use in the zoning ordinance as personal services. It could be anywhere from a psych therapist, any kind of therapy, body, mental, um professional, financial, you know, business offices.

The um proposition for the hours to I think it's to close by 9. How is how did we oversee that? So, it's always, you know, obviously the town closes. We're, you know, an 8 to5 Monday through Friday, but, you know, we will have to rely on complaints or operation. Um, but as applicants and tenants were to come into those units, it would be part of their zoning permit or their certificate of occupancy built into there, but we would have to rely on the landlord to maintain that. That's something that essentially in the conditional resoning, it it comes as part of that. Yes, ma'am.

And then the road on the back, so Dandelion Lane, is that that's a private road, correct? And then is is that actually connecting anywhere to the the site so that it's going to be used by the site for access? No, they were not proposing to use it at all for access to any proposed development.

So then because it kind of since it cuts across that back corner of the property, is are they do they get an easement then? there is an existing easement over that private road. They will be part owners in that and access to it just like anyone else who has access to it. And unless they want to correct what I'm saying, they would be on the hook to maintain it in proper fashion. Uh again with the adjacent property owners and just one entrance and exit right now,

correct? uh directly across from Capefir Community College and preliminary discussions with NC DOT that is all DOT would most likely grant them is the one entrance. We would know more after the traffic impact analysis and if that were to be changed we would come back with a a modification to this conditional resoning that would help to come back before us. Yes. Okay. Lisa, I apologize. I didn't catch your first question. I'm afraid I might be getting ready to ask something similar to what you asked. What? What was your first question? I heard the answer. Hours.

Yeah. So, their proposal is to be open from 7 to 9 only. Um, but just I don't know how we would go about regulating that. I guess again is that reliance on the landlord to do so. But being part of the conditional reasonzoning, it would give staff that option to send letters or to visit the site after hours and say, you know, hey, last night we were told you were open beyond the time and be aware that conditionally zoned property, you need to close down by 9:00 p.m. I apologize for missing that. I I I do want to clarify one thing to make sure I understood it correctly. If sewer is not available, they could potentially have septic

correct system. They are designing they would design the site to have they've identified septic fields. They work with the soil specialists and they will work with Pender County Environmental Health. Um if at the time of site plan approval, if our allocation is gone, they would still be able to operate with septic. But at that time when allocation becomes available, they've agreed they would then back into the system, redevelop the site to tie on to utilities. Thank you. Okay. Did you want to present?

Okay. Thank you. Um, no, ma'am. We're here, but as Mr. Smith said, our presentation is is pretty much all the same slides that that already Do you mind stating your name? I'm sorry. Uh, my name is Amy Schaefer. I'm here tonight um on behalf of the applicant title development company and I also have representatives of the company with me if if the council has any specific questions for us. Thank you. I got a question. Okay. And I don't know if it' be toward you or um will you have a lighting plan?

Yes, sir. I'm getting been getting a lot of calls and it's a big deal to me about light pollution and we've re recently redone our ordinance and uh would that be something that be available for when it's approved so we can kind of make sure we're mitigating things for the surrounding

100% yes sir. Um as you said you just updated your ordinance and so this project will be subject to that. So as part of the technical review once an official site plan is submitted the the lighting plan will be required to be submitted as part of that. Yes sir. One other I don't even know if this will qualify for the additional reason, but it's another concern I've been getting several calls on of late. I don't know that it would apply so much to the flex spaces, but it definitely could apply to the offices and or especially restaurants. Would you be willing to have some kind something in your agreement with the town or with I don't want to pigeon you up too hard or maybe something in your lease to make uh trash recepticles available to patrons that visit. We've got I've been getting calls about some places that's not a thing. It's kind of a rental dispute. Maybe it's sort of town dispute where trash is getting blown around because and I think it's it may be some part on laziness, but uh the patrons don't seem to have anything to do with the trash that they're leaving on the table and the wind gets it. Just a concern.

Yeah. So, if I'm understanding right, sir, you're thinking like outdoor trash cans that are maybe placed in front of or nearby strategic locations in on the property to give a patron opportunity to uh discard whatever they may have purchased. Yes, sir. I think that's appropriate condition for this and and we would agree to that if that's something the council asks for. Yes, sir. I'm not sure where Jeremy is, but that's I think he's referring to the like the Wellman Plaza. Okay, that's exactly what I'm That's what I'm referring to. It's a nice place, but there's no there's no garbage receptacles anywhere. We can have it written so it's not verbal. Yes.

Um, can you explain non-jurisdictional wetlands? That part? [laughter]

Sure. Sure. So, um, the there are what everybody thinks of as wetlands, like just the it's wet, you know. Um, but as for a design and site plan, you have to actually get a jurisdictional determination from the Army Corps and the state and that's reviewed. And basically what it means is it's an isolated wetland. It's not connected to the the broader wetland system. So that's what an isolated non-jurisdictional wetland is. And then per our ordinances currently you're not allowed to cover more than 40% of your buildable space with um non-pervious surface. So is there a plan to mitigate that because this is a lot of parking lot?

Sure. So absolutely. Again this is just a concept to get the zoning in place. Um, if council approves the site plan, I'm sorry. If council approves the zoning tonight, then the developers will go back, sit down with their engineers, and really start to dive into those requirements. What's permitted, what's not, likely what'll happen is there'll be some kind of imperous pavement material. I think you've seen them that look like the blocks that people can park on, but the water can can go through. Those things are all worked out as part of the technical review committee, just like the lighting plan, because it's already part of your ordinance. the staff would make sure that that was done as they're reviewing site plans.

Is there anyone else that would like to come up and speak? Yes, sir.

You would please state your name.

Jimmy Campbell, 301 Triton Lane, Surf City. Um, septic. I pretty sure I listened to the planning board thing and I don't remember hearing anything about septic until tonight. And that to me is a big concern. How many people can be there a restaurant means like if I'm not mistaken like by burrito shack where highway 55 used to be because it was on septic they couldn't have uh plates they had to use paper products. So, I guess if we're talking about keeping I guess I'm I'm concerned about the septic being allowed. Thank you. Yes, ma'am.

Gloria Blandon, 205 Triton Lane. Um I think I understood there's 36 space units and 24 offices. Is that correct? That's plan. And I understand, and correct me if I'm wrong, there's only one entrance and exit. I do have concerns about that. Is that going to be coming out on 210? Yep. Yeah. I just have a lot of concerns that there's going to be so much traffic coming in there. We all know how that is that it's going to be impossible to get in and out with just one one space. Okay. Jeremy, can ask you another follow-up question about Mr. Campbell's question. [clears throat]

because obviously I had a little bit of concern about the septic also. That's why I want to clarify. Is there any concern of the town if they if this project did have to go on septic for a limited period of time that they wouldn't be able to function in a safe and proper

that would be determined through the technical review committee because they'll go and work with Pender County Environmental Health and they'll set the limitations on what that septic and service. I mean at the end of the day it's those state environmental health guidelines that will govern that and if it limits it to particular uses then that's what they'll have to live by until at time when utilities would become available. I do not think that will be the case. I think their timing would they'll they'll meet will get that allocation but that is a fallback plan in case you never know this economy you never know timing. You never know what could happen to delay the project. It is kind of that fall back. Um, I I know council have not brought anything forward to you yet because the planning board is still working on it, but we're working on growth corridors, job growth corridors for our land use plan. And um, this is exactly the type of use that would fall within that job growth corridor because of the flex base part is that it brings jobs in that potential. And I know um talking with um representatives of Capefir Community College, I know they're they're they look positively on this because it's an opportunity to recently grad students to possibly move over and have a place to start work. So I think you're going to see it more of office type uses at this location. Not going to rule out restaurant because it would be an allowed use um per the proposed as it stands right now. But back to the original question, Pender County Environmental Health would have that ultimate say so in terms of how that septic is going to function.

One follow-up question of this young lady's concern about the entrance. Is there any do I think you said you felt like based on what was here DOT this is what they would allow. That's right. This is what they would permit. Is there any concerns for us of safety or fire or anything that we would want a second entrance or feel that there was a need for a second entrance?

I don't know. Even if we want if the town wanted to, it would be us pitted against the town. Um now it's very possible the traffic impact analysis which is prepared by a separate engineer and reviewed by a separate engineer. DOT will handle that scoping it could identify a second the need for that. Um but as with any project on the NC DOT road that traffic impact analysis will recommend um and require improvements to handle the traffic efficiently without causing as limited delays to the the full movement. I'm going to play devil's advocate like Cape Fear there's just one entrance. Right. Right.

I mean there's thousands going to be how many students are going to go through there per day. So and there we don't I mean knocking away we don't have any issues uh with Yeah. It's pretty smooth bound to whatever that traffic analysis they could move forward unless they agreed [clears throat] to comply to it. Okay. It may never meet the threshold to warrant a traffic light, but that you know being that's one of the reasons DOT is going to want to line it up with that entrance with Kir.

Is there anyone else that would like to comment? Yes, ma'am. Hey, Terry Paplaski, 7032 7th Street, Surf City. Um just one question I had about the um reszoning request is it sounds like they're they're requesting a reszoning from O and I office and industrial institutional

institutional um sorry um to the C3 which gives it a broader uh range of businesses that could go into this area according to the um layout that is originally being planned for. Granted that's not in stone. Um the idea is that most most of most most of these units will probably be in office um units uh as opposed to like a restaurant for example most restaurants don't want to close just at 9:00. A lot of them like to close later 10 11 or whatever. So the likelihood of something like a restaurant and going in there um I don't know could be possible. My point to all this is if something like this does not this design does not actually come to fruition and the developers back out, we've reszone this area as C3, which is what they're requesting, which can then allow um you know, your gas stations, your big box stores and things like that, large scale retail. Just thinking about that corridor of 210 and is that something that that can handle? If that's the case, if we reszone at C3, just preparing down the line, like if this falls through, is that going to hurt us for another developer coming in want to do something much larger that that area may or may not be able to accommodate that. I just wanted to bring that to the forefront. That's all.

Yeah, please jump in if I'm wrong on this. A conditional reszoning if it's approved is tied to that plan. If somebody if they back out and that's what it's been, if somebody picks it up and buys them out, they're tied to that plan. The gas station don't get to come. If a gas station wants to come, they have to come again and ask for approval for everything they have. Oi then automatically. No, but the the it'll stay.

Yeah. But as they are proposing right now, shopping center and gas station and and whatnot, it's tied to those specific uses that they've shown on their um plan. And so there's a number of the bigger uses that would not be allowed unless someone were to come and ask this council to then change or update that conditional zoning. There anyone else that would like to come up and speak? Yes, sir.

Thank you, council, for hearing my request. Sir, you state your name? Marian Cen, better known as Bill. Um, we have two major concerns. One of them is the safety of 210 get for these people to get on and off the road. There's a lot of traffic there a lot of times and a big study really needs to be made on that to what to do. And the second part is um the restructure of deadly line road and put it down the center of the line on his his side and my side and straighten that road back up. Right now three4s of the road is on mine and I've kept it up for 55 years. And if they would put it in the middle of the of the um boundary lines, I think we would all come out a lot better. And a third concern is I was listening to you on the um septic system. You've got a hard pan from Watts Landing Road back to 17. It's just as hard as that concrete right there. And it's about 12 in underground. and it's about 18 inches thick. And I hope it doesn't cause them problems. But thank you, council, for listen to what I'd say. Thank you.

Would anyone else like to speak during this public hearing? Does anyone have any questions that they would like to ask during the public hearing? going once, [snorts] twice, three times. Do I have a motion to close the public hearing? I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. Second. Have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I.

All those opposed, same sign. Motion to close the public public hearing. At this time, it is um requested that the town council consider approval of the conditional reszoning as presented. What is the favor of the board? I make a motion that we request the town council consider approval of the conditional reasoning as presented. I'll second it. Have a first and a second. All those in favor say I. I.

All those opposed, same sign. Motion carries.

Thank you. Don't go anywhere.

Um, Mr. Jeremy Smith is coming back up to move forward with a zoning text amendment for a temporary use permit and uses. Thank you, Madam Mayor. No presentation on this one. Um, this is public hearing number two. The board may recall in July of this year, I came to uh the July work session and requested direction to revise to look at and potentially revise our temporary use permit standards. Um, so I'm [clears throat] now back with that. This uh text amendment has been through the planning board, but given some recent activities within the town, I saw an opportunity to that wanting to update our temporary use standards on what our technicalore review committee who is part of that review for a temporary use that could require. This is not written that we would that they have to submit these items, but things that the c the TRC could require to make sure that whatever temporary use, be it a large carnival, circus, fair, a large rel large religious revival, things that are not do not require a town special event through parks and wreck. Um things that are not on properties normally holding temporary uses. This is what this would trigger the requirements for. [sighs] Highlight some of the things that the TRC would like to require. Um potentially a plan that identifies location of parking facilities, any temporary structures, restroom facilities, refuge collection areas, vendors, on-site, etc. Uh requiring that it occurs on a site that has an improved town or NC DOT driveway. uh potentially requiring a traffic control plan. Uh the need for a refuge collection plan. You know, they would give information to the technical review

committee on how they're going to handle trash that's um generated in excess of what the town could handle on normal pickup. Um in addition, if they're going to bring any outdoor lighting, a lot of activities such as circuses or fairs or carnival are going to have generated power generator powered lights on site. we want to monitor that so it doesn't affect our adjacent property owners. Um and then any additional items that the TRC would identify that would give them a better position of approval or denial. One other item and this is a point of clarity of what we would like to do is anytime you have a temporary use, you give the TRC your dates and times and then also author rain or reschedule date. That way they're not having to go back through the entire process again to get an approval. With all this said, the planning board heard this requested text amendment at their October 16th meeting and they along with staff are recommending of approval and that this does have a second part that is later in your agenda related to municipal code uh to reduce some redundancy in our ordinances. so that permitting temporary uses such as carnivals, circuses, or fairs is in one spot in town code, not conflicting and lead someone down the wrong path. So, with that said, I'll be happy to answer any questions that the board has.

Do I have a motion to open the public hearing? I'll make a motion to open a public hearing. Second. Have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All oppose, same sign. Public hearing is now open. At this time, you have a time to ask questions. Anyone have any questions? Anyone have any questions? Yes, I do. Yes, ma'am.

Peggy Arseno, 288 Atkinson Point Road. I'm guessing this is up come up as in reference to the Surf City Adventures um as being a type of place where you can do that. I guess my question is is if you're going to have a party is that that's a special event. Are you going to have to get a permit to do that now? Especially if you have a lot of people come. We've had parties at our house that are 125 people that come.

I'll be happy to address that. So, the temporary use permit in the ordinance is it was actually in the previous ordinance prior to November 2024 and in our current one. This is for your larger non-typical events. Um, a wedding reception, a party at your private residence is not handled through a temporary use. That is a permitted by right use. This does not track that. This is for your large tent events, something that they're going to have to have fire involved, maybe building inspections, police that aren't necessarily covered by our special events policy through parks and wreck. Um, anything large is already going to be captured along with that policy. Um, but these, you know, Carnival wants to set up in Lowe's parking lot. This is what is set in place to handle that. and Lowe's Home Improvements um or somewhere on a large property on 210 to give us the avenue to work with whoever's wanting to do it. If it's a benefit to the town and it can operate functional and safely, this would give us those tools to do it. They're there. They just need more clarity and that's what we're proposing.

Nope. Just keep it down at night. [laughter] I always invite the police and the appropriate time frame and all that is also in here like you have to do it within a certain amount of time.

Yes, we the TRC is already building that we have 30 days to give you [sighs] [gasps] here since May. I've handled two temporary uses. Um most vendor shows, you know, they're doing a vendor show in the parking lot or they're going to have a tent in the parking lot. We're not going after that because typically the sites are designed to handle that. Uh this is an opportunity so someone doesn't go set up and is going to run something that's going to impact our police, is going to impact our fire, or it may be something they don't realize. It could be a building permit needed for even temporary structures. But uh we do have a 30-day review period. Um hopefully we never take that long, but at the same time if it's a large thing and it takes them time to get information to us, it could. Anyone else have any questions? Anyone else have any questions concerning this public hearing? If not, going once, twice, three times. Do I have a motion to close public hearing? I'll make a motion to close the public hearing and

a second. Have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All oppose, same sign. Public hearing is closed. Um, under new business. No, still under old business. Resolution authorizing the mayor to sign a PPA. Um, and Carla is going to present vote on that last. I'm sorry. Yep. Um, so before moving forward, we close the public hearing. It is requested that the town council consider approval of the zoning text amendment as presented for the temporary use permit and uses. Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion to approve it as presented. Yes, I'll second. Or do you want I have a motion and a second. All in favor say I.

I. All oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Now, Carla, resolution authorizing the mayor to sign the PPA.

Okay, this is uh was discussed in the work session. Uh the resolution authorizing the mayor to execute the project partnership agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers is necessary to move forward uh with the next step once that's submitted. Uh this would be the contractual agreement between the town and the core of engineers outlining financial liabilities and overall responsibilities for the duration of the authorized project. And due to the nature of the agreement, it is timesensitive. Um and this is just a preliminary step that's encouraged to be prepared for that. How long we've been waiting for this? [laughter]

Mr. Mlin, you know what? I'm gonna allow you to come up right here. Come on over. Come on. Come up. Mr. Melon, speak. Mr. Melon was personally um just moments probably months away from signing the PPA the last time that we got approval for this project. Um and then North Topsel Beach pulled out of the project and has now delayed us four years. Four years. Yeah. And so, um, we just needed a little white out to remove North Topppsel Beach's name,

but it took four years to get that white out. So, um, this agreement just allows myself when that agreement comes from the core of engineers um, and our town for for myself to sign it and for us to move forward. And um, I think Mr. Melon was hoping that he would his name would be there but I am proud for your name to be there but people that don't know your citizens and the boards has been working on this for over 25 years

and this is for the beach nourishment project and looks like maybe it is going to come to fruition now. And I do appreciate it, Teresa. And I know that y'all have stayed on it. And I just You don't know how well how much it makes me feel great that you're getting ready to do it. When we sign it, you will be beside us. Okay. Thank you.

Does anyone else have any questions or concerns? It is requested that the town council consider approval of the resolution as presented. I'll make a motion to approve the resolution as presented. And I'll second it. Motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All oppose. Same sign. Motion carries to approve.

All right. Next item is cancel meeting times. Um and Carla will present this as well. Um the council has discussed for the last couple of month well longer than that but at meetings for the last couple months uh to possibly change council meeting times. Um that could mean the actual times of the meetings. It could mean the days. You discussed a few options. So it's back on the agenda.

All right. This has come from from our citizens like with concern that 4:30 maybe is a little too early um on on a Tuesday afternoon um for many of people to get off work and make it here in time. So this is what has been brought up for us to discuss and I will open it up to the board to to ask any questions. So, what we're proposing is moving the meeting time from 4:30 on the first Tuesday of the month to six o'clock and then also moving the workshop meeting from the third Friday at 9 to the third Thursday at 6 o'clock as well, right?

Yeah. We just had concerns about the budget meetings that go so long. like would we still have that during the we'll just make an adjustment for that meeting because it takes it took us five hours this year to get through that. We'd be here till 11 at night. Those meetings would definitely have to be adjusted [laughter] and in doing so because we like I say if we have we we have listened to to our citizens at 6:00 we expect this room to be full. We hope you're here. Um, and you have any other question? I'm excited about uh trying it. And like I said, the only concern is is that March?

Just know when we do that big budget presentation meeting, it's not going to be at six o'clock. We're going to have to we're going to have to move that to our You can always do a special meeting and we can advertise a special meeting for the budget and then you can hold it at any day at any time that you would like it. Do we want to as a group to set a timeline to revisit this to determine, okay, this is working, this is not working. like a a months months or six months or a year or you know do we want to do that or just kind of how it goes and see if we need to when are we talking about starting this January January and I think six months six months will take us into the fiscal year into the spring or summer and so we can fluctuate but then you know

we post those meeting times and dates I mean well in advance so we can go ahead and yeah does that jam us up do we have post for the year or do we have to do we post it for the year and then we but we have the op we're going to readress we can I can send it in each week I mean but I could go ahead if you agree now and post it for the six months and then before that six months is over and we discuss we can post the rest of the year okay we would just make a decision about the March budget yeah council session or yeah work session okay

so it sounds like we have consensus for the first Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. and the third Thursday for our workshops at 6:00 p.m. Other than a special meeting for the budget meeting and that would start January of 2026. and go to July of 2026 or June June June June of 2022.

Do we have any concerns when we I mean I'm just looking at January and so you've got the first Tuesday is is January 6, but then the third Thursday is is only uh nine business days later. You know, it's just it does happen that way sometimes. No, it does on the regular calendar. Even if it was Friday, it'd only be a day difference. Well, I know like if we didn't change that part, I was just thinking about when we currently are adjusting addressing the wording of it, you know, um sometimes we we wish we had that extra week between meetings and I don't know how to word that. I mean it it just be you know

what I could propose is um because I'll be bringing all the meeting calendars and holiday schedule to the November work session. Okay. Is going through this and I can send it out for you to look over and then we can discuss at the work session if you want. So we can adjust a month when it's just when they're back toback like that. We could just make an exception. Okay. All right. So, it sounds like we we're not going to like vote on this tonight. You can you can decide on it now and then I'll just So, it is requested that the town council consider the meeting times of Do Someone make the motion.

I'll make a motion. Motion of what time, John? 6 p.m. first Tuesday and 6 pm 3 Thursday for six months. That's January 26 to June 26. I'll second a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All oppose, same sign. Motion carries. All right. Next item is Jeremy Smith again and he is going to present a ordinance amendment chapter 10 article 3 carnival circuses and amusement rides.

Yes ma'am. Uh this is now because we've adopted the zoning text amendment to uh clarify and add some standards to our temporary use permits. Um as we went through that, we identified article 3 of chapter 10 and municipal code as a conflict. And um if someone was looking to do something, they may grab one and not look at the other and not realize there's two processes or that one is more strict. And so we are requesting to just strike article 3 of chapter 10 carnival circuses and amusement rides completely from a municipal code. And now the only code that would be appropriate would be that in the appendix A zoning ordinance.

Does anyone have any questions? Hearing none. It is requested that the town council consider approval of the ordinance amendment as presented. I'll make a motion to uh accept it as presented. Second. A motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All oppose, same sign. Motion carries. Next item is a resolution for NC DOT tap fees, the pedestrian safety grant. And Jeremy Smith again.

I'm back. Thank you, Mayor, members of council. This is a request to council to pass a resolution authorizing staff to apply for NCT DOT transportation alternative project funds in the form of a pedestrian safety grant. This was recently announced. We got the news from the RPO and this program will fund projects 100%. They'll do the design and implementation um if you are awarded. And so the staff is intending if the resolution is passed to apply for flashing beacons at the four crosswalks um located on Southshore Drive and New River Drive as identified in your agenda packet. These are on a DOT road NC21050 and um talking with the RPO, I think we stand a good chance. Um they've got a lot of extra money there and we have a lot of things going forward to us forward for us. Um if funded the um budget amendment in the consent agenda that would this would pay for that completely at no cost.

Broadway safety the Broadway safety project that would pay for that flashing beacon at no cost to the town is the beacon we were talking about by Nela Park. Yes sir. And there's three additional sites, right, that are that are all that were recently, I get forgive me not having history with the town, but these are there's two on Southshore and the they're by parking for adjacent accesses. Um, so this would be, I think, a very beneficial thing if we can get it funded. And there's just one near the the roundabouts,

the New River Broadway, the roll in New River, and then the two on Southshore. Uh just one before the split, one after the split, I believe, or both before the split. This is just a continuous flash. It's not a It would be It's triggered. It's triggered by pad. You the um if when you pull up when you step up to it, you would step on it and then it would flash. And it's you know, these are examples in the agenda. Um, but they're bright enough. It's a bright yellow flash and let you know that somebody's about to cross the street. I'm looking at a diagram. I just want to show it how power triggered. Thank you. And they're solar powered, too, right?

Some of them are. Um, but if I'm obviously I believe if DOT were to find a cheaper mechanism off electric that they're going to go with the cheapest obviously, but at the same time, we're asking for free money. So, we'll take what they give us. Don't call it cheap. Let's call it least expensive. Efficient. energy efficient. Um but yes, typically nowadays given the remoteness of the island, um I think solar would be the appropriate um use. The roundabouts, they are m they're maintained as well by DOT.

That's So I was talking about the roundabouts. I have a lot of concern about a lot of people crossing at the roundabouts and both of them crossing over, but this is the only one on this plan is over after you've already gone through the roundabout on the on the island and gone towards on North New River and you passed behind the gas station, you're up trying to go like where people cross to go over to towards the park and things. So there is a project DOT is working with the town that is will the effort is to pull push all the pedestrian crossings around the roundabout away and that's why those weren't identified because we do believe the timing is going to be about the same. So everything's going to be pushing it down to that rolling new river crosswalk

encourage pedestrians to go over there further down and then cross over where it's safer the um in in in a perfect world, our multi-use path will be in place. It'll get us across down rolling out to Northshore to the access to where the welcome center is and all that. Um but that's why we didn't identify those. Um but this was the more appropriate one. What about the mainland? Okay, that that's not um part of this one this grant right now. We'll we'll talk to DOT just can't see. Yeah. Thank you. Um,

does anyone else have any questions? At this time, it is requested that the town council town council consider approval of the resolution as presented. I'll make a motion to approve the resolution as presented. I'll second it. I have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I.

All oppose, same sign. Motion carries. All right, at this time it's the manager's report and as you can see his chair is empty because he is in Raleigh tonight. Um him and David Price, our utilities director, um have been asked to provide a comment at a public hearing held by the state's environmental management commission concerning draft rules pertaining to discharge of highly treated effluent into the no flow lowflow streams. the rulemaking process is imperative for the town to be able to utilize existing assets and save rateayers millions of dollars. So that is where he is tonight and he sends his regrets for not being here but it was a very important meeting that was arranged by the governor. So that is where he is tonight with David Price. Um he wanted to highlight the facilities expansion project as it continues to move forward at station 2 um station 25 um and the community and the community center expansion. Dr. Reynolds will continue to provide detailed updates at the board's work sessions until the project is completed. We also have the NC flood resiliency blueprint. Um Cal continues to serve on the White Oak River Basin Advisory Group of the NC Flood Resiliency Blueprint. Last week, myself, John, Alicia, Trudy, um all cons all went to um NC Byways in Wilmington for an educational meeting that was um continue to that we continue to put oursel into a situation to where we protect the beaches, inlets, and waterways with the state of North

Carolina. The southeastern NC hazard mitigation plan work is continuing there as well. Waterline resiliency project, the waterline um project that will bring a new water line under the inter coastal. So right now where the old swing bridge is, there is a water line there. We are replacing that pipeline along Northshore that will continue with formal bids next week on November the 12th. Assuming that a contractor is selected, the town will begin to work on um the certain timelines and impacts of the project. Um as you might know that trash and recycling carts are being changed out at this time. Um we also last week we worked on um a strategic planning work session here in in town hall and we will continue to move forward with that. Upcoming is Surf City PD right now happening and you'll notice our nice PD officers in the back there that they're starting to look a little little scruffy. Um it is no shame November with a cop that they they once again are proud to take part in this event. Uh it is a fun tradition with a meaningful purpose. Throughout the month, our officers will set aside their razors to grow a beard and to raise funds for their annual shop with a cop program. Each officer donates to per donates to participate participate and we invite our community members to support the cause as well. Public donations are welcome and will go directly toward helping local children and families in need at the holiday season. Coming up is our tree lighting. The staff is will start to prepare the town's annual tree lighting event that will happen on November the 22nd. If you see the town staff out decorating, hanging lights, please give them room to

work as they try to bring the holiday spirit to Surf City. Um, this year will mark the first Surf City Holiday Decoration Contest. So, Mr. West, get busy. [laughter] We are going to be celebrating the best decorated home and business. Nominations are due by December 5th and information can be found on the special events page on our town's website or social media. Um, and then again, a special thank you to all the veterans in attendance that um, and especially the numerous amount of staff members that we have in our town um, that are veterans. We can't thank you enough for your sacrifice and your dedication to our country. At this time, I will turn it over to Brett the Sounds.

I actually have something to report tonight, Madam Mayor. Nice. Just for the public's um edification, the uh board of adjustment did hear the notice of appeal that was filed by the owner of the um it's 15240 North Carolina Highway 50. It was the amusement park thing that was set up right before July 4th. They upheld the town staff's decision to issue a um notice of violation and stop work order. So, in other words, staff did everything right in preventing that. Um, that order should be entered by the board of adjustment in their November meeting. Of course, the applicant has the ability to appeal that to superior court and we'll keep you apprised of that. But for right now, the the uh board of adjustment has upheld the town's decision to issue a stop work um order on that and uh we're we're happy with what the staff did and the way they handled that.

Thank you. Okay, Alicia, you want to go first? Um, sure. [laughter] Um, I know we had a great voting turnout as a whole, so I appreciate everybody's involvement in the community. Um, it's not an easy job being up here and doing what we do. And it's not for the faint of heart and some days you're loved and some days you're not. And we all um take hits here and there, but I just want to say I appreciate our board for everything that they've done and looking forward to what the future holds. So, thank you.

Okay. Um this is for Jeremy. It's been a pleasure, sir, working with you and I wish you nothing but the best for you and your family in the future. I look forward to working continue working with you and working with Andy. That's all I got. Thank you.

Yeah, this is my last meeting. I just want to say it's been an honor uh and a privilege for the last eight years. I've uh my wife told me today I I put about 7,000 hours into this in the last eight years. So, uh I put my time in and it's been it's been awesome. And uh you are in good shape with uh Alicia, John, Trudy, and Hugh here. They have done an outstanding job. Uh and uh as many times as we've had our differences, we always had one thing in mind, the city. So, and of course, uh, Teresa is my favorite mayor. No punt to you, Doug, but she [laughter] she is my favorite mayor. There's no doubt about it. So, it's definitely an honor. And, um, and, uh, Mr. Plow, I'm sure he'll do a great job uh, in this seat for sure. There's no doubt about it. So, anyway, thank you all very much.

Y me. Yes, sir.

Again, I'd like to thank our our veterans, our local veterans. We have a a great uh veteran presence in our community. Veterans Day's coming up. Please uh for those of did not serve uh please keep keep those in your mind. Uh we've had a long at least I have few months weeks with election as tired as y'all are or as happy as you are that it's over you're not you're not more happy than I am that it's over. It's uh that's been great. I thank you so much for your support uh for people that come out to vote. I was tickled to death about the uh the turnout. It's always best when people are involved, informed, and uh and react to what's on their mind and get their voice heard and their opinion out there. And we're going to move forward. We're going to keep working to move Surf City forward and I expect uh great things. And Jeremy, I do thank you myself, man. We we had to have but we always come

back around to where we needed to be. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Um some of the same. I really was so happy about the large number of voters who turned out um because the only thing on the ballot was was our was our council elections here and so I was just very impressed to see the a lot of good numbers and then to have people come to this meeting tonight or it was this afternoon at 4:30 and so yes I know you know so I love it that's I mean we've been in this room plenty of times with only town employees and um so that was nice to have uh to just have more interest and people really showing up and and talking. I hope we can do a lot more of this in different venues and different situations. Um the strategic planning meeting, I also was happy that we did that. Um so anyway, I just encourage everyone to keep um showing up and ask questions and um and I I love working with this council. It is not an easy job as Alicia said and there um you're definitely not you're definitely going to hear the people who are concerned and have complaints and not a very many compliments. So um but that's okay. And uh this everybody on the at this table and Kyle's not here but him included um works with the very very best intentions uh for the town. And I've just seen some phenomenal um camaraderie and um tough decisions and good conversations and looking at every angle and considering lots of different um viewpoints and circumstances. And so it's it's just it never ends and there's a there's always something changing and I just have appreciated the way this council has worked together to address so many issues. And um Jeremy, thank you for all you've done. you were a mayor pro Tim and you you've shown up and been at meetings and just come back you've handled so much work and um so many hours and just circled back and made sure that we were all informed and and staying in the loop and I know that you

have your own businesses to run and all but you have put in a lot of time a lot a lot of time so I know that a lot of residents have been have gotten their information and been informed and been in the loop because of your efforts And so I know people have appreciated that from you. So Hugh, good job. Thank you. [laughter] All right. And Andy. Yeah. Yes. Good job.

Good [laughter] job to Hugh and Andy. Um look forward to continuing and start working with you. Um someone um keeps saying you know everybody says thank you Jeremy. Thank you Jeremy. I want to say thank you, Tracy. [laughter] Tracy, you don't realize how much how much time it takes away from from your family. Um I know um Miss Kathy Medlin knows how much time it took takes away and how many times that Mr. Medlin wasn't home in the evenings when he should have been with his family, but he chose to stand up with the town of Surf City and work for the citizens. So Tracy, thank you. And thank you, Jeremy, for for serving the town of Surf City. Elections can cause a lot of division in our town, and it's time to come together. It's time for us to stand together. Um, we all talk about, you know, how hard it's it was on not just the the candidates that run, but when I say it it's hard on our staff, it's hard on our staff as well. And it's time for um us to stand united, not just with our citizens, but with our staff and look at them and tell them, you know, yes, they get paid, but they don't get paid enough. A lot of times it is it is it is a stressful job when politics is involved with with any city, county, state, federal election. It is um Thank you, Carla, for all you do. [laughter] Thank you. and to all the other staff members in here tonight. Thank you for all you do. We appreciate it. Um, with that being said, do I have a motion to adjurnn?

Uh, yeah. I'll make a motion to adjurnn. I second. Have a motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All oppose. Same sign. Thank you. We are adjourned. [music]

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