Council - Regular Meeting

Good morning, Ser City. Thank you to all that have come to the meeting this morning in person. At this time, we're going to call the meeting to order, and I'm going to ask Trudy Solomon to lead us in our invitation, and John Kowski will follow with the pledge. If you would please stand. Dear heavenly father, we praise you today. We thank you for so many blessings that um our town experiences on a on a regular daily basis. And um we just ask that you um continue to to look over our town and all of the people here um and all the people who visit. Help us to um always maintain a safe and healthy environment here. Um as we meet today, um help us to see beyond ourselves. Help us to grasp the needs of of of of the present day and things that are forthcoming. Help us to to to do things for the higher good for the um the residents of this town that we love so dearly. Help us to consider all situations, some of them that may not be very visible to us in the beginning. I lift up our neighbors, all the our lovely families here and um our first responders and our military people. Lord, we ask blessings upon them um always, but as the holiday approaches, we ask special comfort given to those who are are um feeling some kind of loss or grief. And as our our people who work so hard to keep us protected and keep us safe, we um and they are stretched sometimes during this time of year, we just ask special blessings upon them. Bless all of our people abundantly. We pray these things in Jesus's name. Amen.

Amen. Move your hats if you have any. 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. Okay, welcome again. Good to see all of our staff here and some members of DOT with us today. So, at this time, can 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.

All oppose, same sign. Motion carries. Next item will be public comments and there are no public comments. So, we are going to move straight into our town council work plan items. And item number one is surplus resolution. And Carla will present. Thank you, mayor. You have the resolution in front of you. This includes um retired flags from the beach accesses, several items from the welcome center, and a 2003 Ford Explorer. That would all be likely put on gov deals, um but possibly other means if necessary.

Lost their Ford Explorer soon. It's been a good card to us. Anyone have any questions concerning these items? Nope. If not, do we have a consensus to move forward? Yes, I agree. I agree. Okay. Item number two is a resolution for the utility write-offs and David Price will present.

Good morning, Mayor Council. Back in uh May 6 of this year, we did a uh start a new program where we write off uncollectible debt. Uh this is something that uh helps us by removing liability from the financial books. We held off on one particular account to ensure that it was truly uncollectible. Um we have uh found out that this is the case and we are bringing it back to you now. duty to the amount. I am prepared to go into detail about this particular account if you need um but I am open to questions.

What are some scenarios that make a account uncollectible? Um diseases, bankruptcies um generally not being able to be found. Uh typically what we do is we try to reach out to the uh account holder multiple times uh throughout the year, but if it gets to about the year mark, we'd go ahead and turn it into um that set off. Debt set off. Thank you. And that way is levied against their any earnings they may have with coming from the state government. Uh but even after time keeping that up, we have to make a decision to either keep that liability on the books or go ahead and write it off. give us a quick 15 second on the one you were talking I can't stand it now that you said I can go in detail more if you like now I got to know

yeah it's going to take a little bit more than 15 seconds but I'll be glad to go through it um up until earlier this year uh we had a policy of the only way a account gets closed is if the customer um requested to be closed or that the house is demolished. The reason is is if there's a count closed, no water, they do not meet the minimum housing, therefore they are condemned. So we we were very hesitant to pull that trigger. Uh due to this case in particular, we created a new policy. If you are non-payment for six months straight, your account is closed. If your house gets condemned, that is a choice that the account holder made. In this particular account, what happened until we had that policy in place, they stopped using water back in 2018 and they kept accuring a bill until 2025 when we adopted this policy. Now, of this amount, only 8,000 is of actual billings. Uh 664,000 is compound penalties.

Is that 664,000 of compound penalties? Um, we have a 10% per month penalty every month. So, every month that goes up 10% and that compounds and it's been going on since 2018. What was our original amount? Uh, the original principal amount of actual billings not counting the penalties and the compounds is 8,000. Don't ever get a credit card. Don't plan on playing paying back. But uh this particular case the um account holder vanished and the land owner who was different uh passed away. So it is truly uncollectible.

Makes completely sense. Thank you very much. Anyone else have any other questions? If not, do we have a consensus to move forward? Yes, absolutely. Thank you, David. Our next item will be the 2026 meeting schedules for the holiday calendar and Carla will present.

You have those calendars as well in your packet. Um goes over all the meeting calendars for each committee um as well as council meetings and also approved holidays for staff. And you'll notice on the council meetings, we only went through June, as we had said, since we are changing those to 6:00 p.m. for the work sessions to be on Thursdays at 6 and the regular council meetings to be at 6:00 as well. And then there's one exception on there if you need to discuss, which is the March 19th, and that's our anticipated budget work session, and that would be at 9:00 a.m. Anyone have any questions concerning the dates for 2026? hearing none. Do we have a consensus to move forward?

Yes. Yes. Okay. Thank you, Carla. Next up is tax release discovery and Melissa, our finance director, will present. Good morning, madame mayor and council. Morning. It's tax season and we have received a list of discoveries and releases from both Enslow and Pender. Those discoveries and leases need to be releases need to be approved by council. Included in your packet is a list of both. We h we request consent to add this to the list on the consent agenda. You have any questions? I'll be glad to answer them.

A question. Okay. on the list when it says reason there's a lot of PC. So is that just Pender County? Okay. Okay. Anyone have any questions for Melissa? Hearing none. Do we have a consensus to move forward? Yes. Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Melissa. All right. At this time we have the Allen roundabout feasibility study and Miss Adrienne Cox will come forward and present.

Hi, good morning. Thank you for having us here. I am Adrien Cox. I'm with DOT. I am the division uh three planning engineer. Um I appreciate the opportunity to consult and work with the town um discussing the roundabout. First, I wanted to provide an overview. Um, as you know, uh, Chad Kimes was the, um, division engineer. We now have Trevor Carol after Chad retired. He lives in your community. Uh, Landon Zimmer is the board of transportation representative for our area. We work in within six counties um, and then, um, with various airports, six airports um, and have a lot of infrastructure that we manage. We also work within six modes which is unusual for the divisions across the state. We work with aviation, rail, uh ferry, transit, highway and um bike and ped. So all modes come out of our um our budget for all the improvements we need in our six counties. So I'm here to talk about the roundabout. I'm still getting used to the microphone. That's not my my normal gig. I don't normally have such a nice setup. Thank you. Um so, uh we're here to talk about the roundabout. We've known for several years that it's underperforming. Um to give you some background, um I wanted to discuss exactly how we got here first. Um so we have a timeline where we work with the Capefir RPO. It's your rural planning organization that represents the town. Um your um your representative is specifically Sam Boswell. He's a great um representative for you. He really knows what he's

doing. Um so we worked with the Kate for RPO. This project is um considered a carryover project. It has been submitted for funding. has not been um made it into the stip for funding just yet. In the meantime, we realized that we should at least study it, get a feasibility study going. So um in February of 2025, we did a notice to proceed through our Raleigh office and then we had a kickoff meeting in May and here we are um now in November. But at the end of September, we realized you all were getting more and more emails and requests to make improvements. And so Kyle um reached out to us to see where we were exactly and what else we could do. And he had followed along and participated in the study that we did. So, if we first talk about um the existing conditions, we realize that all approaches to the roundabout are two-lane undivided um and that there are free flow slip lanes. There are currently sidewalks on both sides, but those end or terminate at the main intersections and there are currently um there's no pedestrian crossing um at the topsell drive um to the southern section of this um of map the existing conditions of the average daily traffic. This this is our baseline basically. So from NC210 right now or 2023 in summer and weekends when we know is your prime time is uh 24,000 and that's your average daily traffic. It's um the the overall um of traffic for the year. That's your median. At NC50 South Topsil you have 13,800 and at NC 210 and um NC50 you have

30,400. If we look at um the growth and what what the projections might be in 204 excuse me 2045 this will be 26,900 15,400 and 33900. That's basically um with that compound annual growth for our analysis. We looked at the traffic volumes report and we did look at those in u March and then we did counts in June of this year. So basically if you start again with the existing conditions and look at doing nothing a no build scenario for 2023 we recognize that we have functioning um legs of this um roundabout. The problem is that it's unbalanced. So that's really what it gets to and that's what you can see in this in these diagrams. So um you're starting off um with levels of service but you can see it it goes from A to A and then to C in the future year build but also you have um an F rating level of service that is not like school ABCDE EF you know it's not a fail fail but that's how we um monitor and realize that we need to make improvements. So with the notice to proceed uh we started that in February 18th and we identified stakeholders and invited them to the study. Our consultant was Benesh. They've done a great job anal um with their analysis for the town of Surf City. We had Teresa Bats, Mayor Bats, uh Kyle Brewer and Jeremy Smith, your town planner who I worked with in Jacksonville. So great guy. Good job. Um Kate Fairf Rural Planning Organization again with Sam Boswell. And then from the division we have myself, Eric Ritzell, who's our corridor development

uh developer and David Leonard who's head of our um assistant head of our development project development team. We also included from our Raleigh area um our feasibility study unit which is chain our congestion management team and our EDTE and that's basically our traffic uh our traffic analysis. So they just run the numbers for us and look at the modeling and we did look at the modeling across um we we have a modeling for the state but we also have it through we shared with Jacksonville to kind of look at how things are impacting. So we look at the bigger picture when we look at the traffic. So when we spoke with Kyle and kicked off this meeting, he said that our goals were to reduce congestion from the north and south, relocate the pedestrian facilities within the roundabout and realign it with the overall goal of the town to reactivate Roland Avenue and kind of channelize that area so that people would go north to the park park and where you have all your activities and events. In the initial um discussion, the summary, we looked at current planning efforts. So, we understand the 210 East Coast Greenway um which I've been to the town to look at with you all as well as the MUP plan, your multi-use um uh what am I trying to say? Multi-use paths and then the Capefare regional bike plan. Um we reviewed crash data. We looked at the constraints analysis. Um we understand the average daily traffic and this is the annual average which you can see varies from 6,500 to 22. So that's the difference from your seasonal to non- peak times. And then your speed limit is 35 miles an hour. And then we looked at additional transportation projects that are proposed in the vicinity. And then we understand that Kyle made sure that

we understood that the town would like an immediate remediation. Um from that the team concluded that we have action items. We chose five alternatives. So basically you throw everything out on the table and then take a step back and look at what um what's really going to work. So um we and then we analyze those for the highle traffic analysis and then make recommendations moving forward with consideration of the safety and effectiveness. And then the final deliverables are final con conceptual designs and cost estimates that just gives us the beginnings of what we need to um need to know to move forward. So when we considered alternatives we again had five and then as we spoke through them that that team that I told you about of stakeholders we reduced it to three. those made sense. And one of the reasons you'll see is that um number two was to widen the bridge. That's just not going to happen. Sorry. It's not feasible. It's cost it's not cost effective and it's really not timely. Um, we also looked at modifying the existing pavement markings on the bridge, maybe shifting the lanes and seeing what we could do, but really when it came down to it, um, safety was an issue. Um, and we did the safety and it wasn't really feasible due to co, um, cost wasn't as big a deal, but it was really safety and a conceptual design really didn't seem like it would work. So, we ruled that out. Um, additionally, just so you're aware, we did take a look at just reconverting the entire intersection to a fully signalized intersection and the results of that were just that it operates at a lower overall delay than if you had the no build. So, it's just not feasible to do that either. Um, that wasn't considered for conceptual design because we just look at the traffic modeling.

So the alternative deliverables that we came up with um so you'll see when we look at costs we always look at rightway utilities and construction and then the total cost estimate of the three alternatives we selected was one really one B because even in the first concept we still split that up because it was moving the pedestrians um and we selected B which I'll show you and you actually have maps in front of you that will show these three alternatives but we'll go through them on the screen. I didn't want to give you too much to to divert your attention. Um but just wanted to make sure that you're aware of those are in front of you. So, the first alternative is to add the sidewalk and widen the existing sidewalks um for the multi-use path along the Topsel Drive and Roland Avenue where you all um is the is the cross-section that would go over to the park area. And then that would redirect all the pedestrian activity and reduce the conflicts within the roundabout. And then in um alt the alternative one is basically the same. Um we wanted to connect the um NC50 topsell drive the two um right now they're segmented and so we considered connecting those so adding a leg to the roundabout and then the last one was meter um adding a meter um a ramp installation which would be the first of its kind in North Carolina and we did have Dr. Hummer who is with um NC DOT but he travels the world um providing um insight to um to traffic uh calming safety and everything that we look at basically. He's one of he's the go-to and he suggested this might be an alternative for us to consider. Uh, one of the benefits of that is that it is a lowcost idea and could be implemented um

with without a lot of extra consideration for construction because you don't have to worry about rightway or utilities and it's not an overarm um meter that we were talking about and you'll see it in this um presentation. So the first one again we're talking about adding sidewalks. Um you can see the yellow line um depict the sidewalk where we would include that or and add to it. Um we have again a conceptual design where it would be 10-ft sidewalks and you can see that we would be um it would be good for the flow and channelizing your pedestrians. It takes them out of that um roundabout changing up the dynamics of conflict and then re takes them down Roland Avenue and north to the park. We would also um excuse me, we would also consider um pedestrian crossings and a solar uh rectangular rapid flashing beacon. We have these throughout our division. They seem to work um with um the speed limit of a 35 miles per hour area and understanding that this if you channelize your pedestrians, people will come to expect those pedestrians in those areas and it's safer. In our alternative three, we consider opening up the the movement from I think that's south yeah south topsell to north topsell. Um we don't know that this is favorable. We just wanted to make sure that you're aware of it. Again, we would um channelize the pedestrians moving across, add sidewalks and the and the pedestrian um flashing beacons. And then lastly is the meter ramp. We would install it between and you can see it's the height of it. This example um

on the right, that's actually an example from um more of an expressway going faster. uh your speed limits are higher, but the goal of it is to create that gap. So, when you're in a roundabout, the ride ofway is to the drivers within the roundabout. Um those entering are supposed to yield and find their way. I like to um compare it to a revolving door entry to a hotel that people see and you just wait your turn and you just you ease into it and there's openings. the difference is is you have the sliding um compartments in that door that keep you separated and so it makes it more obvious and so sometimes I think that's what we have problems with with our users that they don't understand that dynamic but I think um because we've increased this the use of roundabouts in the area and across North Carolina it's starting to become more normalized and people are learning there's always a learning curve in everything that you change so we think that installing the meter would help because of the unbalancing of the um unbalanced use of the legs of the roundabout that that would help bring people in to a start and stop and also um help with the conflict of people trying to be um polite and let people in. It would help reestablish the the role of how that should work. I do want to share that we did um we have what we call our step our state our state transportation improvement program. Um we that's how we fund all our projects. It is our 10-year capital improvement program for DOT. We the board of transportation did just um adopt a new step this past July and it's a 10-year program but every two years we re-evaluate. We re-evaluate for cost, efficiency, and redundancy as projects

come on. If there have been changes to uh transportation uh traffic um and how it's impacted by projects that come online basically. Um so we did submit this project uh the roundabout. We did do it with the idea of concept three with the the pass through. Um, but the goal is to understand that these are conceptual designs and if the project was picked up, we would re-evaluate and do a closer look at what would be best for the project and and and make some headway. So, um, our next steps are to continue to evaluate funding alternatives. The problem that we have, um, as a organization is that we do follow the step. It's a law of how we um pay for our projects and do our funding. We compete across the state. We compete at a statewide, a regional, and a division level for all our projects. So, that's where we have some limitations. Um but the town did recently um submit four projects for TAP funding. So, occasionally we have um different funding opportunities that will come in grant um as a grant opportunity. and your town did um to help with the pedestrian facilities as we move it and channelize it, which is one of the major goals of what we discussed in this project. Um and then we've we're talking with our traffic team to see if there are any opportunities. Um we know that we make adjustments and um we always receive requests. Um we receive them through individuals, through elected officials, and at our meetings with um Mr. Kennedy who participates with us at our KPRPO meetings. So, we're always involved in we have those meetings on once a month. So, we're always we always kind of know how things are going and what's needed. So, we continue to evaluate those. Um, as far as the STIP, next spring we'll have an idea of how this project scores for potential

funding and then the STIP would be finalized in 2027. Um the only thing I would add to that is that um how a project scores doesn't necessar if it does score for funding. It doesn't necessarily mean where it would be in that 10-year project list. It could move up depending on um how it is scheduled and how the funding mechanism works out because we're just trying to balance each year through that 10-year process. That is all I have. I know that um that's a lot to take in, but the the gist of it is really that we have been looking at it. We're we're very aware, as I know you are, with all the emails and citizens um recommendations of how to pay for it. I saw some requests on how to pay for it and what to do. You know, we're all drivers, so we all have ideas. I understand these are concept conceptual ideas, but I think we've come up with some really good ideas. Um especially for the town itself. um with the direction and vision that you all have. So I think it it complements that. Um and then it's just a matter of if we get to meter the you know that would be a test run something that um the state everyone is looking at. We just did a training session in Raleigh to discuss this and um we do have a local consultant who is doing a pilot study and looking at these and we'll have um um a paper back out a report in the next year or so. So, we would love to have this as one of our test pilot in division 3, but we would definitely like to um it's a step-by-step process. We'd like to phase it out and see what you all think. So, thank you very much,

Adrian. Thank you. You want to stay there just a minute? We'll see if anyone has any questions. Um, I know I'm looking forward to the possibility of removing the crosswalks in the roundabout. I think that is something that, you know, brings traffic to a dead stop and sometimes it's a sudden stop and becomes a huge safety issue and backs up, you know, traffic on the bridge. So, um, if this does like you're saying that would be like in 26, like in in January or like in April that we get a Well, so um the funding that was requested by the town, we'll know we'll have some idea of how that plays out in in January of this year, this upcoming year. So, like in two months, there's a possibility

TAP funding for the grants. Yeah, I'm sorry. Let me say I do have Michelle House here. Um, she's with DOT. She's our deputy division engineer. Um, so she's also here to answer questions um because she gets to um to work with uh the bigger picture.

So I just wanted to clarify the in the January date of um receiving feedback on the funding that the town submitted for the ped um crossing improvements. That's what we'll get feedback on. If the project scores and receives funding, we're hoping to hear that result in January. As far as the bigger picture for the roundabout options, we won't know that until um January of 27 um what the funding looks like. Um and with the ramp metering um being a lower dollar figure um that's something that could be uh sought after uh contingency funding for from other elected officials. Um and we can help highlight and put a package together to help seek funding in those avenues. um with it being a lowerc cost alternative. Um but DOT in division 3 doesn't have funding to put forward on that, but we're happy to work with the town if there's other funding avenues that we can help support going after.

Is the goal for the meter to help people understand how to work the circle or do we think this is going to alleviate backup? We think that it could help alleviate backup by creating more gaps in the um flow of the traffic through the roundabout to help allow for more coming out of south um topsell into the roundabout and those coming from the north into the roundabout creating a little bit more of a gap by metering those coming off off the bridge onto the island um and kind of creating a gap for them. So two places that's my question. And so I it would just be one location metering them with a stop condition to get into the roundabout from the bridge,

right? But we do have a significant amount of traffic that backs up on South Tops. So So how does that So by stopping the traffic from the bridge into the roundabout, it creates a gap for those from south going into the roundabout to have like a little more um That's one meter. One meter. Yeah. So it' just be one signal that would be installed, but there's also a significant amount of traffic coming down North New River. Correct. So by it still helps with that whole system. Yep. It still helps with the whole system. And what so these so the I hope everyone can hear me.

So the idea So this is marked so that this is for to go to the um north side. So what you want is for these this flow to just have a yield that kind of yield and it is censored so that they would understand. So one of the benefits of um a roundabout is it slows people down. It's more safe.

But the other thing it's the idea is that it's supposed to flow and you don't have to worry about timing whether if someone's there that's different. If no one's there you don't have to wait at a light where no one is. Right? So when you're trying to go around to make that left, which is always where most accidents happen, it just gives that gap. So everybody's moving through and creates that gap that I was talking about in the turn style of the hotel round turning door. That gap is by the the window doors and that's what we're trying to create for the meter.

I hope that's not too confusing. and and we understand that this would be a pilot effort. Um and there's not a lot of roundabouts across the country. There's a couple in Oregon and I believe a few in DC. So um it's something that we're studying. Um but there's not a lot of research on across the country yet. Um but it is something that are with the analysis that we have done with Dr. Hummer um he believes could be beneficial in this situation. So, you said this would be the first meter in North Carolina, but is there a meter in the Is there one in the US somewhere? In the roundabout. Yeah. Is there one being used in somewhere in the US? Uh, there's a few in Oregon and then a few in DC. Yeah. Okay.

So, that's what he's comparing against with, you know, li limited implementation across our country. I think I understand that it's going to create a a slow pace. So it it'll stop. So it'll let the traffic from the south enter the roundabout. But what does that do to traffic back up on the bridge itself? Is that going to it's still going to be backed up to some degree. I mean it's just hard with you can't really relieve that. But so it's basically to relieve the south traffic and some of the north traffic

and it only divides I think like at this area so that you have that right movement and then the left. So, and and then there would also be signage to alert people to be aware of it. So, because we we understand that people would not be expecting it if it were new. So, we would make sure that we would implement that um as well, but it is to um it is partially that peak time that you have.

I just look at it like okay, so if you slow the traffic that's going south, okay, to let the traffic that's entering from the south into the roundabout. Now that the other traffic flow comes the people going to the north, but don't they still have to go around that circle. So what what I see when when I travel it and I try not to travel it after 10 o'clock in the morning on Saturday but uh is that people from the south entering from the south still get backed up because the constant flow the people of that are going to the north you know coming out off the bridge going around the roundabout they don't yield to let the people from the south enter you know what I mean

and that's what we're hoping the ramp meter would allow for that so it would stop them from coming off the bridge into the roundabout for a few seconds to create a gap so someone from South Topsel can get into the roundabout to make that movement and then it would allow the next car to go. And again, I'm just asking the question so it goes out over the air waves here. So people at home are going, well, they're not addressing that, but that's so it'll Yep.

Yeah. And seeing down a ramp into the ramp. So this doesn't this is maybe counterintuitive. you're supposed to be merging into traffic. But the idea is that you may when a light changes and everyone is coming down at the same time, not everyone is going to be able to merge at the same time. And so that's what this creates is that gap so that these cars don't have to necessarily move over and they may not have the opportunity to. So it creates more of a gap between the vehicles coming this way to find their gap for the merge, which is exactly the way a roundabout is supposed to work.

Yeah. Well, if you're used to it, you know, you anticipate that I'm I'm going south, so I'm going to hug the side. I'm not going to stay in the other lane, but a lot of people, first time people that come here don't have that concept yet.

Yeah. And and Kyle had mentioned that, you know, maybe um there need improvements on the markings. That alone might be beneficial. I know that you all have done a PR campaign to help people understand. Um unfortunately, it's not completely uncommon for roundabouts in our coastal communities to have more more stress on the roundabout during seasonal peaks. Um, and that's one of the reasons why we're excited to have the opportunity to maybe add the meter and test that out. And so far, we wouldn't be suggesting it if it wasn't favorable. We do see favorable results from um what what has what is out there so far. My biggest concern is I think the meter will help absolutely help people understand and create those gaps,

but if the traffic is backed up from the mainland to the island, there's nowhere for the traffic to go whether there's a space for them to get in a circle or not. Is there any opportunity to in say a Saturday window of check in check out that we could uh prioritize those lights on the mainland to create somewhat of an additional free flow? Not necessarily constantly, but add a little bit of time because it seems to me whenever somebody stops or somebody comes on the side road and stop that little extra 20 seconds just compounds.

Whether you got a meter or not, it's still it's still going to continue to back up in my brain. If it wouldn't, then that southbound lane from North New River would just free flow all the time. And it doesn't. And I don't know that that's because they can't get in the circle. I think it's cuz they can't get on the bridge. And I think that comes from the mainland side. Is there any scenario that that's can be I think the difficulty of that is that it's merging a lot of traffic into the two-lane bridge and without widening the bridge and I don't know that we can um

well I think I think the the concern I think is um the light synchronization on 50 as you're exiting Topsel Island And that's where we seem to get um backed up, I think, is what Councilman Kennedy is referring to is people that are leaving the beach. If there's a hiccup at JH Bats, it would be a first light that you're going to you're going to come to. Oh, leaving. Okay. Sorry, I thought I was thinking about

that's a red light. Then traffic is getting backed up to the the mainland roundabout, sometimes over to the island roundabout. I I I look at it as if you were standing in your backyard and water's all of a sudden coming up in your backyard to your porch. That's where the problem has presented itself. Well, you're not going to move the house. You're going to go figure out what's causing this creek to back up. In my brain, the backup starts on the mainland food line like JHBS like. Uh is there another light? Um two well 210 and 50.

210 and 50. But if you can almost get that far, I almost feel like you're uh you're out of the woods. But when those lights cycle cycle is what to me creates the the bigger problem than being able to negotiate in the circle.

And if there was um and again we probably could talk about this stuff all day. It's it's a it's a hot topic in in the community and it it comes up frequently um because people are really frustrated that they can't even our residents can't leave their house. It's taking two hours to get to IG or whatever it might be um because of the backup on South Topppsel. you know, having we don't have a control center, right? Like so we don't have a team of engineers that can monitor the traffic and have cameras and can adjust lights and so it makes it very difficult. I don't I don't know if there's an opportunity for additional local control to where we can this may be dangerous to even say, but we could we could control traffic lights to assist with traffic because our our law enforcement, our police department, um you know, it's it's very difficult for them when when the light is the issue. Traffic can't move. So, there's there's that lack of control. And I think even too with the um metering is, you know, the concern of okay, well, uh is this being metered in the off season? You know, how long are those cycles? Are we creating more issues, you know, with that? You know, I've always looked at the the metering any any opportunity you have to stop traffic, you then increase opportunity for rear end collisions, too. And people coming over that bridge, especially first time to Tops Island, they're not looking ahead of them. they're looking at the blue water that's um on the ocean side of of that island. So, it's a a very dynamic issue that that is going on. But light synchronization is one key to all of this. um that I think that we would see as a potential

I would like to test a model and but this may not be allowed where NC50 likes leaving on Saturdays between whatever window is prioritize an additional 30 seconds or whatever the maximum allow that you're allowed to just free float those to get you past the intersection of 210 and 50 which would aggravate the people coming from the side roads. Uh, but you can't please everybody. Uh, but I think it's a bigger impact to get the people off off the island cuz it it literally has been from S-curve and I don't know if you're familiar with S-curve to the circle two hours. Yeah. Hour and a half. Not always, but that happens.

Yeah. But are we trying to talk about superseding the sensor thing? I mean, like the sensor is that not taking care of I don't know. Like is does like doesn't that take care of all the the knowledge of where everybody is and how I mean obviously it's not going to know how far it's backed up but I don't know what does the sensor do you know where is it sensing the sensor for the ramp? Yes. I think it's mostly just sensing the traffic as it's backing up like in the immediate vicinity of the roundabout. It's not it's not because it's you're talking about putting the meter in one spot but it's understanding the traffic coming from it's just looking at the traffic backing up off the bridge. I mean, I don't understand the actual equipment sensoring the traffic that backup.

Yeah, cuz then you don't get a picture of what's going down on Southshore and what's going on. No, it wouldn't be an whole corridor. I got I have a quick question. So, both Kinston and High Point are one way onto um South Topsole headed towards the bridge. So, when you guys looked at numbers and stuff, did you look at the volume of traffic that's actually filtering into that portion of the road right there? Um, they looked at a whole study area of the traffic

those two back up and then it like that's part of it too is you've got these double zippers that happen right there in the middle of the roundabout with all of our parking and the congestion that happens in the middle of town. since that tends to be the easier way to get out to the bridge. People from the Island Town Center in general use that route and it's right there on top of the roundabout. So, when you've got people that live all the way at the other end, they don't have the option to get in and get out quickly. So, even maybe moving those or taking one of those out and diverting traffic a different way on that, like where the parking lot is, have them come out and have to get onto um Southshore and then take one of the other roads in would maybe help that congestion in that part. I don't know if that was looked at.

It used to be known as the shortcut to the bridge, but that's done. It's that's that's over. It's not a short open forum, John. We don't want everybody to know about that.

Not a shortcut to anything anymore. So, and this was brought up local discussion. I mean, Kai was great about giving us the big picture overview. So, we did consider um what our options were, but really you're you're always going to no matter what which way people go, it's going to be you're you're the one it's like the one little spot that everybody needs, but still going. We can take a look further. I mean, it was analyzed as far as the main contributing to traffic um and that traffic analysis, but you're you're it's just the spot of the the roundabout and the configuration of how to move people about that and and creating that gap. Um so it's not just all one continuous flow coming into that and so people aren't able to access it from the other directions. So that's that's really what we're hoping and then removing the pedestrians and channelizing that. you know to to further help it, but we understand it's a it's a dynamic problem that you have.

I'm excited to try something with the meter and the thing, you know, we won't know until until we know and then we can build upon I know I know we won't see another bridge. You think we can get a tunnel? What about Toppsel Beach? You can build a bridge at Topsel Beach, right? Yeah, send a bill. No comments. You know, we're just kidding.

Another Sorry, can I add one more thing? Um, so another thing that Trevor, our division engineer, and I were discussing last night in preparation for this morning. Um we were we received recently a portable signal that we're utilizing um currently in a detour route and I that signal will now be a part of a division's uh uh asset. And so something that we were kind of discussing as an option was to maybe um in the future utilize that portable signal as a proof of concept to place out in the roundabout to um try the ramp metering before we install something permanently. Um if that's something that the town wants to consider then um before we secure permanent funding to install a permanent meter um that's something that we would have to work over the next few months. I think it takes three or four months to draft some approved signal plans um to utilize that portable um signal and we could it's kind of like on a trailer like you see VMS boards um but it's got like a little arm and a signal and we can maybe place that in the roundabout for those um coming off the bridge into the roundabout to um test if that ramp meter would work. And that signal might have some limitations with the um the uh what's the word? Um sensoring of the traffic. Um but it could be you know something that we at least test you know for 30 days um and place out there and just see if that's something that you know is working, isn't working, is it making things worse because we understand this is a pilot idea. Um, so we just wanted to kind of throw that out there if that's something the town might want to consider.

I think that's I think that's a fantastic idea because rather than just try to start the funding process and do all that because that's going to seem to take a while. This way if you can get that in and install it, but uh you got to keep in mind that okay, we can install it now and the traffic flow now is going to be much different. Well, so the signal plans to utilize the portable signal will take 3 to four months. So it would if uh and it's already in use on another project right now. Um so that project and that detour route has to wrap up before it becomes available um to select a new location. We're probably looking at the springtime.

We're looking at late spring anyways, which if we want to maybe test it out, you know, going into the month of May or something, um that could be something that we look at implementing.

Yeah. That and that's what my comment on that was going to be is that uh yes, I think it's an opportunity. No, we do not want to deploy this in the heat of the summer, but if we could find um you know, sort of that medium area in which you know, we still have some traffic volume, but it's not the full congestion because I I would want not want to create any additional delays or any sort of negative outcomes with that. Um, I think working with our our chief and um we certainly would would welcome something like that.

And then I mean with that being portable, I mean a weekend if we decide this is not helping, we can just pull it off. Pull it. And and I think if we work closely, we can help with the local communication with it because because it would spark a lot of interest. And I think it's just kind of building up to what this um scenario and and solution is or potential solution is going to look like. Understanding that um adding a lane on the bridge, a fly over for that intersection, a new bridge in Topppsel Beach is not going to occur. And um volume of traffic is something that we're going to have to deal with and and try to manage the best that we possibly can. um

just something that I can throw out there. I mean, we literally came up with that last night before we walked out the door. So, um just want to throw that out there. And if that's something, then we can work together on some signal plans over the next few months to try to implement. Way to go. Be great for us before we spend. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you, Adrian. Thank you, Michelle. Great presentation. We'll take note of um contingency funding. I've already documented that. I understand division can't really get involved in that too much, but um mayor and council that's we will go direct to our legislators to see if we can request some funding.

Okay. Thank you very much. Um moving on to our next item is the multi-use path boardwalk supplement and Kyle will present.

Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um the ongoing segment one of our multi-use path. This is the uh Magnolia Reserve to station 25 connection. Um as part of our initial uh contract with uh Trans Systems or Ganet Fleming uh which they're transitioning right now um is we had the soils work done. Uh this is the long stretch along Becky's Creek and um this is a a substantial structure which is going to have to be uh planned for designed and constructed as part of that that MUP just because of the the topography and the environmental features. So um the soils work was done by a third party agency. Um so that uh those results have been transmitted back to trans systems. Um in order to get this portion of that multi-use path designed um additional funding is uh required for this um at the cost of $47,350. This will go into um you know designing for the bike and ped but also small utility vehicles so that when we are uh managing um you know anything on that MUP if there's repairs or emergency response it it would be able to handle that. Um in addition to this I have asked uh trans systems again Fleming to give an estimate as to what it's going to take to get this project uh closed out in regards to design and having bid docks. So I I am awaiting that but um long- windedly uh this portion of the project is going to cost that amount. Um it is not part of the uh MEP budget at this point. Um so the approval of of this agreement um will be followed up with a series of budget amendments to um to be able to make this uh move forward.

Is this part of the process that has to be completed before grant application? it is what we're trying to work towards is um design final design inherently which is why I'm requesting from from uh trans systems to get to that point. Um simultaneously we continue to seek grant funding um as you all know and I had reported back u federal grants that we were going for the the notice of funding opportunity got pulled as as soon as we were looking to apply for that. Um actually just this week um the mayor had signed off on a regional letter to um our congressman seeking additional grant funding opportunities like the the tap funding etc. Um so we we do look for MEP funding. Um it is not widely available um at this time but um you know getting the design will have our foot literally in the door. Um and that's where we'll have a favorable project to hopefully seek that funding. Um also too, the level of design, engineering, and planning is um highlighted. Um because this is a NC DOT route. Um if it was a local route, you know, some of these additional costs probably would not be necessary, but um we're going through the process. Thank you. Does anyone have any questions concerning Cal's report? No,

we just This is just consensus. Just a consensus. I agree. Yes. Yes. Okay. We have consensus to move forward with that. Next item number eight is the multi-path boardwa fund 10. So this is um just the series of BOAS that have to be completed in order to um acknowledge that funding. So this is uh identifying the funds being pulled from fund 10. The next one will put the funds back into the project fund of 55. So we have consensus. Yes.

And then item nine, he just said it puts the funds back into the supplement BOA fund. Do we have consensus? Yes. Correct. Okay, next item is item number 10, the facilities expansion project update. And I believe um uh Mr. Nate Stroven and Mr. Bob Ross Center here with Dr. Reynolds to provide us an update. We have a stripped down building out there on 210. Maybe they can let us know what's going on. Good morning. Morning.

Morning. Um talking first about station 25. We've got some trailers moved off of the property or into the right position so that we can get started on Monday bringing in equipment. We'll be starting with a building pad and then concrete. We have a pre-injured metal building being delivered on November 25th, so we can start going vertical uh shortly after that. Um you'll see structure going up on the building. Um, so our one-mon look ahead, um, we've got grading, erosion control, footings, and then going vertical with the structure of the building for station 25. Um, we're still looking at a May June finish of 26. For public utilities building, we've got a lot done this week, um, uh, this past month, excuse me. Um we've got um the um demolition done on the building and the concrete in front. We've got grading done along with erosion control. We've got um plumbing and electrical underground underneath the slab underneath the new slab. That slab will be poured on Tuesday of next week and we will be going vertical on December 1st. Yep. After that, you'll see um structural studs going along the perimeter, roofing, and closing the building in over the next month. Still looking at a July uh 26 finish. Any questions on that?

I just want to compliment you on how well the site looks while you did the demolition. It was so wellmaintained and I was very impressed. I appreciate that. I'll pass that along to our superintendent.

Good morning. Uh just update budgetwise uh with on station 25 60% of the buyout complete. We are about 3% under budget on it. Not near as what we are over at the pub building. Um we're 65% bought out and there is a substantial under savings over a4 million dollars under budget currently. Neither project has touched in any contingencies. Any um perceived tariff increases have not been touched. So that money is 100% that's not even figured in with our savings. So that's good for you. Good news.

Awesome. the three storage maintenance buildings for pub. Uh the design is supposed to be at a part where we can price it the first week of December. I hope to get something to Kyle the early January for sure. We will be back to you at the January workshop to discuss where we are with that part of the project. And in talking with parks and wreck, we are getting close to being able to start some type of uh idea of what to build over there. So, um, architect is sitting back where we're ready. We have the ability to start moving forward with that. Do you have any questions on that side of the

any questions? But again, it's been a joy to be here. So, thank you. Thank you for the update. Okay. If there are no further comments, then can I have a motion to adjurnn? I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Second. A motion and a second. All in favor say I. I. All oppose, same signed. We are adjourned. I hope you have a great weekend. Christmas tree lighting. Everyone come out tomorrow between 4 and 7. Heat. Heat.