1 00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:11,720 Okay. Good evening, everyone. I know that clock says 5:29 p.m., but my phone says 5:30 p.m., so I'll go 2 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:17,080 ahead and get started. I want to welcome you guys to our regular city council meeting tonight for 3 00:00:17,080 --> 00:00:24,880 Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Just want to thank you guys for coming out tonight. Been 4 00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:29,840 enjoying some, some good weather lately. Still, still hot outside. So hopefully the next month or 5 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:35,240 two everything will calm down. But with no further ado, I'm going to leave with the invocation 6 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:41,520 tonight. Let us bow our heads in the presence of the Lord. Father God, we come to you humbly 7 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:47,240 tonight Lord God. We just thank you for another day. We pray that you will bless this regular city 8 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:51,840 council meeting tonight. Father God, I pray that you will work through the council members who are 9 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:58,410 present tonight and our staff so we can make the best decisions possible for our constituents. 10 00:00:58,890 --> 00:01:03,490 Father, we thank you for our residents, Father God, we pray that you will bless them and for the 11 00:01:03,490 --> 00:01:08,050 ones that came out tonight. We thank you for their presence tonight and for the ones who couldn't 12 00:01:08,050 --> 00:01:14,250 make it. Father, we also thank you for them and their membership as members of our community, Lord 13 00:01:14,250 --> 00:01:21,900 God. But Father, ultimately we thank you for your son Jesus, and for Father God. Again, we pray that 14 00:01:21,980 --> 00:01:28,580 you will bless Morehead City. We are very grateful and thankful for our city. We are blessed to be 15 00:01:28,580 --> 00:01:34,500 residents of this magnificent city. But Father, again, thank you for another day. And we pray that 16 00:01:34,500 --> 00:01:40,100 you will bless this meeting. In Jesus' holy and majestic name we pray. Amen. Amen. Let us stand for 17 00:01:40,100 --> 00:01:41,980 the pledges of, Pledge of Allegiance. 18 00:01:44,930 --> 00:01:51,930 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it 19 00:01:51,930 --> 00:01:58,530 stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 20 00:02:04,450 --> 00:02:11,810 So council members Taylor, Bill Taylor, and council member Harvey Walker, they called us earlier, 21 00:02:12,370 --> 00:02:18,770 informed us that they wouldn't be able to make it tonight for both had personal issues going on. So 22 00:02:18,770 --> 00:02:24,490 I'm going to ask the council to entertain a motion to excuse their absences tonight. So moved, Mr. 23 00:02:24,490 --> 00:02:30,170 Mayor. Okay. Motion made by Councilman Abell. Second. Okay. Seconded by council member Nathan 24 00:02:30,170 --> 00:02:34,970 Chambers. Any discussion on this motion? Hearing no discussion. All in favor, indicate by raising 25 00:02:34,970 --> 00:02:44,040 your hand. Okay. Motion carries three to zero, unanimously. Okay. Also item number two on the 26 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:53,520 agenda, we had planned to honor our Fire-EMS therapy dog, Cowboy, tonight. But Cowboy actually also 27 00:02:54,320 --> 00:03:01,720 has some personal issues going on. He didn't call in. He didn't call in. But Chief Wade, on his 28 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:06,800 behalf, sent us an email and we're going to have to move that presentation and recognition probably 29 00:03:06,800 --> 00:03:13,040 to our October meeting. So I'm going to ask the council to amend the agenda tonight to remove item 30 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:19,680 number two. And if you want to accept the rest of it, the agenda as presented, you may do so. 31 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:22,720 Yeah, go ahead, Nathan. 32 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:29,840 Okay. Is there a motion? I make a motion that we approve the agenda as presented. Okay. Motion made 33 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:35,070 by council member Nathan Chambers. Is there a second? Yes, sir, I'm second. Okay. Seconded by 34 00:03:35,070 --> 00:03:40,270 council member Richard Abell. Any discussion on this motion? All in favor, indicate by raising 35 00:03:40,270 --> 00:03:49,150 your hand. Motion carries three to zero, unanimously. Okay, so that goes to the next agenda item. 36 00:03:49,150 --> 00:03:56,710 Adoption of the consent agenda. The consent agenda is a list of items that council discusses and 37 00:03:56,710 --> 00:04:02,440 they vet in our committee meetings. So at this time, the council has the power to remove any topic 38 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:08,800 on the consent agenda for discussion. But if you want to accept it as presented, you may do so also. 39 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:15,840 I make a motion, we accept it as presented. Okay. Motion made by council member Nathan Chambers. Is 40 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:21,800 there a second? Yeah, I'll second that. Okay. Seconded by council member Richard Abell. Any discussion on 41 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:29,230 this motion hearing? No discussion. All in favor, indicate by raising your hand. Okay. Motion 42 00:04:29,230 --> 00:04:31,310 carries unanimously, three to zero. 43 00:04:33,070 --> 00:04:43,550 Okay. Now for public hearings, item number 5-A, continuation of the rezoning of 202 Pensacola 44 00:04:43,550 --> 00:04:49,270 Avenue. So that public hearing is still open. And if the applicant or whoever's going to speak on 45 00:04:49,270 --> 00:04:54,960 the applicant's behalf wants to come up to the mic. Mr. Cullipher, you have 15 minutes to present on 46 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:56,040 behalf of the applicant. (unintelligible) 47 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:12,680 Thank you. 48 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:23,270 Ron Cullipher with the Cullipher Group here in Morehead City, representing the applicant for this project. I 49 00:05:23,270 --> 00:05:31,990 never do this right, sorry guys. At our last meeting we were asked to provide a site plan for what 50 00:05:31,990 --> 00:05:40,830 our activity was proposed under conditional zoning, specifically looking at what we're asking. We've 51 00:05:40,830 --> 00:05:48,590 had a lot of discussion, you know, over, I guess two previous hearings about traffic and you know 52 00:05:48,590 --> 00:05:52,990 what we're proposing, basically the addition of some additional boat storage 53 00:05:54,670 --> 00:06:02,030 record, vehicle parking, landscaping. And so the plan identifies the required landscape that will be 54 00:06:02,030 --> 00:06:11,870 there. There's a type B buffer on the west and on the south landscape strip along Pensacola highway. 55 00:06:12,350 --> 00:06:16,990 And then landscape planners for parking up in that northern corner. 56 00:06:18,750 --> 00:06:26,510 The type B buffer includes eight-foot fence, up into the front setback, which is 10 feet in this 57 00:06:26,510 --> 00:06:32,750 particular case. And it reduces to a three-foot fence. And then plantings are on the inside of that. 58 00:06:35,150 --> 00:06:41,390 This is the proposed use. This is what we're requesting approval for. I do want to thank Emily 59 00:06:41,390 --> 00:06:49,270 Nobles in the community. She's helped disseminate this information to her neighbors. And this is a 60 00:06:49,270 --> 00:06:54,990 club membership facility. Most of these people arrive with their boats beginning of the season, 61 00:06:55,550 --> 00:07:00,910 leave their boats there, they'll bring their truck or boats on the trailer and back them into the 62 00:07:00,910 --> 00:07:05,750 ramp, pull the truck in that space. When they're done for their day, they'll take it out of the ramp 63 00:07:05,750 --> 00:07:11,000 and put it back in that space. My client tells me that some of those members do leave their boats 64 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:16,720 year round, but they're not transient, on every weekend kind of thing. I mean, their boats are 65 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:23,560 pretty much coming in and staying. We talk a lot about traffic, ways in and out of the neighborhood, 66 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:30,520 can't control really how they go because there's numerous directions that's possible. But we feel 67 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:37,100 it's likely that this particular new entrance would help, help alleviate a lot of those concerns. 68 00:07:37,900 --> 00:07:38,700 Other than that, 69 00:07:40,540 --> 00:07:47,620 provided what was asked and respectfully request approval (unintelligible). Can answer any questions if you have them. Thank you, 70 00:07:47,620 --> 00:07:50,620 Mr. Cullipher. Does the council have any questions for Mr. Cullipher? 71 00:07:53,260 --> 00:07:57,660 No questions. Thank you, Ron. At this time, if any 72 00:07:59,180 --> 00:08:04,880 attendee wants to get up and speak in favor or opposition of this request, please get up, state your 73 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:10,480 name and address. And you, I will give everybody a five minute time limit. And if you can, speak 74 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:12,200 into the microphone when you get up. 75 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:14,520 Yes, sir. 76 00:08:20,760 --> 00:08:26,720 Good evening. My name is Cole Whitt. I live at 4311 Coral Point Road. I see all the boats go up down 77 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:27,720 the road all day long. 78 00:08:29,810 --> 00:08:33,570 If they park them there at the beginning of the year and leave them, I was just trying to figure out 79 00:08:33,570 --> 00:08:40,690 why they're going back and forth all. I took a picture yesterday of a boat, didn't turn out very 80 00:08:40,690 --> 00:08:47,290 well, but on the bluff right there. I measured the road today. The road is 14 to 14 and a half feet 81 00:08:47,290 --> 00:08:52,370 wide. The boat goes right down the middle of the road. I had to go up in somebody's yard 82 00:08:54,460 --> 00:08:59,860 so the boat could get by. All the traffic comes down Savannah because of the stoplight and turns 83 00:08:59,860 --> 00:09:04,500 right and goes all the way down South Shore Drive. I don't think you're going to see a lot of 84 00:09:04,500 --> 00:09:09,420 traffic going that way because they all come, they want to hit that stoplight so they can turn left. 85 00:09:10,300 --> 00:09:16,500 Is, you know, besides 70 West Marina, if you want to go left, it's hard to go left out of there. So 86 00:09:16,500 --> 00:09:23,570 that's why everybody uses Savannah. Biggest problem I have is you gotta get up in somebody's yard 87 00:09:23,570 --> 00:09:28,370 for the boat traffic to go down and it's going there all day long. I thought I counted 10 boats 88 00:09:28,370 --> 00:09:28,690 today. 89 00:09:31,490 --> 00:09:35,290 I don't know if it'll do any good? I just want y'all to hear the other side of the story. Okay. 90 00:09:35,290 --> 00:09:40,690 Thank you. Sir, can you answer one question, if you don't mind? Sure. When you said you measured the 91 00:09:41,010 --> 00:09:46,170 road at 15 foot, what. What road? One point it was 14 foot. What road was that, sir? South Shore. 92 00:09:46,170 --> 00:09:49,750 South Shore. Right there on the bluff that goes around there. That's where all the boat traffic is. 93 00:09:49,900 --> 00:09:54,900 Go. Yeah. I sit there and watch them all day long. Right. Thank you. So. And I measured the other 94 00:09:54,900 --> 00:10:00,260 part. Some of the roads are 20 feet wide. They're coming up Roanoke, and there's, It's just that that 95 00:10:00,260 --> 00:10:06,220 road right there can't handle boat traffic. And it's, it's with kids playing, it's a 96 00:10:06,220 --> 00:10:10,700 problem. Especially when they get going, the speed they do. Thank you very much. And thank you, sir. 97 00:10:11,100 --> 00:10:15,980 Is there anyone else in attendance? Yes, ma'am. State your name and your address. 98 00:10:19,930 --> 00:10:28,090 Hello, I'm Emily Nobles. 210 Pensacola Avenue. Good evening. I'm Emily Nobles, and I'm here again 99 00:10:28,090 --> 00:10:33,290 regarding the rezoning request we've discussed over the past several months for 202 Pensacola 100 00:10:33,290 --> 00:10:39,650 Avenue. I'd like to start by clarifying that I'm speaking tonight only on behalf of myself and my 101 00:10:39,650 --> 00:10:45,280 husband. I'm not representing the views of the neighborhood as a whole, and I recognize that others 102 00:10:45,280 --> 00:10:50,960 may feel differently about where things stand. My concerns about rezoning this property have not 103 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:57,160 changed. For all the reasons I have shared at previous meetings, traffic and safety, the residential 104 00:10:57,160 --> 00:11:02,520 character of our neighborhood, the limitations of our streets and access, and the permanence of 105 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:08,120 changing residential property to commercial use, I would still prefer this property to remain 106 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:14,210 residential. I do not believe this expansion will have a positive impact on our neighborhood, and I 107 00:11:14,210 --> 00:11:20,570 remain concerned that the traffic issues we already experienced could become even greater. That 108 00:11:20,570 --> 00:11:26,450 said, I feel significantly more comfortable with a specific concrete plan proposed through 109 00:11:26,450 --> 00:11:32,330 conditional rezoning than I did when we were relying solely on verbal assurances about how the 110 00:11:32,330 --> 00:11:38,290 property would be used. Having defined conditions and expectations provides a level of protection 111 00:11:38,290 --> 00:11:44,260 and predictability for the surrounding neighborhood that was missing before. While this is not the 112 00:11:44,260 --> 00:11:49,980 outcome I would choose, I recognize the work that has gone into finding a compromise. I'm grateful 113 00:11:49,980 --> 00:11:55,540 to the town council for taking a thoughtful and deliberate approach, for slowing things down when 114 00:11:55,540 --> 00:12:01,260 necessary, and for listening to the concerns of the residents. I would also like to thank the town's 115 00:12:01,260 --> 00:12:07,190 planning and development staff for your time, responsiveness, and guidance. Thank you. Thank you, 116 00:12:07,190 --> 00:12:10,150 Miss Nobles. Is there anyone else? 117 00:12:13,590 --> 00:12:21,030 Okay. Seeing no one else. I've got a question for Ron. You've got a question for Ron? Yeah, okay, Ron, if you can come back to the microphone. 118 00:12:22,790 --> 00:12:28,430 So, Ron, I'm looking at the map and I see on here you got your longer slips and then you got your 119 00:12:28,430 --> 00:12:34,590 short. Where are people going to park when they come over here to, to, you know, get on their boats? 120 00:12:34,990 --> 00:12:40,830 There's people parking, car parking up on the north side. Where the slips are? Right up to where the. 121 00:12:41,230 --> 00:12:44,430 They're on, on the big piece. But there's some proposed on a small piece, too. 122 00:12:46,590 --> 00:12:52,430 You got the driveway, and they're the north side of the driveway is passenger vehicle parking. So 123 00:12:52,430 --> 00:12:58,750 how many actual slips you have spaces here for like, trailers and stuff like that? We're adding, I 124 00:12:58,750 --> 00:13:00,720 think, nine out of 10. Okay. 125 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:10,800 So if I'm looking at this map, I see these, these number 40s by 12. I'm assuming that's where 126 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:15,800 people. Yeah, that. Where they can park their boats in. Will there be boat parking, you know, up 127 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:22,120 against where the, the slips are, or is that for pass, car parking? Currently they're using that as 128 00:13:22,120 --> 00:13:28,090 car parking for the west slip lease leaders or renters. Okay, I gotcha. And the boat trailers park 129 00:13:28,090 --> 00:13:34,410 has very organized space. That's kind of what this plan is trying to do is have some organized. So 130 00:13:34,410 --> 00:13:38,930 you have more of a V, automotive parking over there next to the slips, and then you've got a little 131 00:13:38,930 --> 00:13:43,930 bit close to the entrance. And then these 40 by 12 is mostly where the boats are going to be parked. 132 00:13:43,930 --> 00:13:47,610 That's right. And that's where they back out, put their boat in, and then park their trailer back in 133 00:13:47,610 --> 00:13:53,300 there while they leave. Okay. All right, sounds good. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Any other 134 00:13:53,300 --> 00:14:00,460 questions? Okay, again, is there anyone out in the audience who would like to get up and speak in 135 00:14:00,460 --> 00:14:07,380 favor or in opposition of this rezoning request? Okay. If not, public hearing is now closed. 136 00:14:09,540 --> 00:14:14,500 Refer to council member Abell, who's the chairman of our planning committee. If we, again, we 137 00:14:14,500 --> 00:14:20,290 talked about this last week, maybe before. I can't remember when we had our last. 138 00:14:22,210 --> 00:14:29,810 Last week. Anyhow, two weeks ago we talked about it again. Mr. Cullipher was there at our planning 139 00:14:29,810 --> 00:14:37,730 committee meeting. And of course, this was presented to us actually towards the end of the meeting, 140 00:14:38,130 --> 00:14:46,620 I think last month. But it was on a smaller scale, and he, he provided us with the current plan. I 141 00:14:46,780 --> 00:14:53,900 just, you know, obviously I understand the concerns about traffic. I really do. But I think that 142 00:14:54,220 --> 00:14:58,140 this plan here, and especially the gentleman that was talking about the 143 00:15:01,580 --> 00:15:09,420 South Shore Drive, I think that would alleviate probably 95% of any vehicles going up and down that 144 00:15:09,420 --> 00:15:17,860 one. Because I would assume this only makes sense to me, that if, if folks do come in off of 145 00:15:17,860 --> 00:15:24,020 Savannah, they're going to turn directly on Central Drive and come in that way. It don't make sense. 146 00:15:25,620 --> 00:15:33,900 Obviously, you can't help when people leave which way they might go, but I think once it gets done, 147 00:15:34,620 --> 00:15:39,180 those folks will realize that's the best way in and out for their boats. So 148 00:15:42,700 --> 00:15:45,500 anyhow, based on that, I'm just going to go ahead and 149 00:15:47,180 --> 00:15:51,980 unless you want to add anything to it? I just think the, the plan, instead of dry stack storage or 150 00:15:51,980 --> 00:15:58,020 anything like that, just makes so much more sense. Yeah, it does, it does. (unintelligible) Marina. And yeah, when you look at it, you 151 00:15:58,020 --> 00:16:02,990 initially will have traffic when you fill the place up, sell the slips. But then people aren't, you 152 00:16:02,990 --> 00:16:06,230 know, if they have their trailer there and they put their boat in and pull it out, they're not 153 00:16:06,230 --> 00:16:10,390 leaving the neighborhood unless they're in the car. Exactly. Yeah. So I think the trailering of 154 00:16:10,390 --> 00:16:15,830 boats will be minimized. And I would almost, when you were talking about parking, would almost think 155 00:16:15,830 --> 00:16:22,030 those who leave their trailers there would probably wind up parking in front of their trailer or 156 00:16:22,030 --> 00:16:30,120 where their trailer is located. It looks like there's adequate parking. Yeah. Time. Okay, so. So 157 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:35,920 based on that, Mr. Mayor. Go ahead and make a motion? I'm going to go ahead and make a motion to adopt Ordinance 158 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:46,960 2026-0-09 to rezone property located 202 Pensacola Avenue from R10 single family residential district 159 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:56,740 to commercial marina-conditional zoning district and resolution 2026-R-30 of plan consistency in 160 00:16:56,740 --> 00:17:04,740 accordance, accordance with North Carolina General Statute 160D-604 for map amendment. Motion made 161 00:17:04,740 --> 00:17:10,260 by council member Richard Abell. Is there a second? A second. Seconded by council member Nathan 162 00:17:10,260 --> 00:17:15,660 Chambers. Any discussion on this motion? Hearing none, all in favor, indicate by raising your hand. 163 00:17:16,540 --> 00:17:19,020 Motion carries three to zero, unanimously. 164 00:17:20,620 --> 00:17:29,939 So for item 5B on the agenda, continuation of the rezoning of 191 and 195 Morgan Street and 201 165 00:17:29,939 --> 00:17:36,099 Marine Drive. Again, this is another continuation, so public hearing is still open. And if the 166 00:17:36,099 --> 00:17:39,419 applicant or whoever wants to speak on behalf of the applicant wants to get up. 167 00:17:49,670 --> 00:17:54,030 Okay, Just state your name and address, sir, and just speak into the microphone. Good evening. Good 168 00:17:54,030 --> 00:17:56,550 evening. My name is David Eudy. 169 00:17:58,230 --> 00:18:06,150 I live at 1509 Tryon Road in New Bern, North Carolina, along with my two brothers own this property. 170 00:18:08,070 --> 00:18:16,870 I am also the manager of Radio Island Rental Property, LLC and Radio Island Investment, LLC. So we're 171 00:18:16,870 --> 00:18:23,510 simply attempting to have property zone within the town of Morehead City. Property's been in our 172 00:18:23,510 --> 00:18:25,870 family for nearly a century. 173 00:18:27,470 --> 00:18:34,150 It's been in the county for all these years. And we are requesting the closest city zoning that the 174 00:18:34,150 --> 00:18:41,800 town has to the county's ports industrial zoning. The town's commercial marina zoning is much 175 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:48,560 stricter than the port's industrial zone. We're essentially having to downzone this property to 176 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:49,720 become part of the town. 177 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:58,320 We're losing a lot of developmental options by accepting this reduced zoning by being part of the 178 00:18:58,320 --> 00:19:04,920 town, We've incurred numerous additional restrictions and governmental oversight than before. 179 00:19:06,210 --> 00:19:14,130 Despite all of this, we believe this is a step in the right direction for us and future use, future 180 00:19:14,130 --> 00:19:18,050 people that will enjoy Radio Island as we have. 181 00:19:20,130 --> 00:19:28,410 So at this time, I'd like to ask anybody of y'all that would like to ask any questions to me. Okay. 182 00:19:28,410 --> 00:19:36,730 Does council have any questions? I've got, I guess one and, anyhow. And I know the, the, the 183 00:19:36,730 --> 00:19:44,970 plan is for dry stack storage, correct? Yes, sir. And that's okay. Sorry. People can hear you, and 184 00:19:44,970 --> 00:19:45,810 that's what we need. 185 00:19:47,810 --> 00:19:55,410 Is that enclosed or is that an open dry stack storage? Is it? I believe that it's, that its open. 186 00:19:55,490 --> 00:19:56,050 Okay. 187 00:19:57,570 --> 00:20:05,580 That's my recollection. Okay. I will remind council the current plan. They can do anything that 188 00:20:05,580 --> 00:20:08,940 zoning allows. So that's a theoretical question. (unintelligible) 189 00:20:15,179 --> 00:20:22,260 Okay. Everything. Any other council members have any questions? Okay, thank you, sir. Is there 190 00:20:22,260 --> 00:20:26,080 anyone else who wants to get up and speak in favor or in opposition? Yes, sir. Just state your name 191 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:31,320 and address. My name is Clark Ryan. I'm with the law firm of Davis Hartman Wright out of New Bern, 192 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:40,520 and I represent the property owner, Radio Island, the two business entities. And I wanted to speak 193 00:20:40,520 --> 00:20:41,400 briefly about, the 194 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:50,590 city attorney just made a very important point. Y'all are in legislative session on zoning. 195 00:20:52,580 --> 00:20:58,380 That's a big pick. What's the category you're going to pick? You actually get in trouble if you 196 00:20:58,380 --> 00:21:04,820 start talking too much about a particular project proposal at this stage, because that's not what 197 00:21:04,820 --> 00:21:11,500 zoning is about. It can be a good example to help you understand maybe various potential uses. But 198 00:21:11,500 --> 00:21:18,990 this is simply a zone, a rezoning request. And on that score, I think a pretty good way to make the point 199 00:21:18,990 --> 00:21:23,310 that Mr. Eudy made. This is a table of uses 200 00:21:25,870 --> 00:21:33,630 in the county Ports Industrial. It's three and a half pages long and it includes wonderful things 201 00:21:33,630 --> 00:21:43,240 like scrap processing, seafood processing, cell phone towers, automobile parking, cargo facilities, 202 00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:53,000 cold storage plants, and a whole host of other items. Bulk storage terminals, wind turbines, small 203 00:21:53,080 --> 00:22:02,720 wind turbines, large wind turbines, utility scale. Four pages of what is currently allowed as a 204 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:08,850 table of uses under Port Industrial with Carteret County zoning that's there now. 205 00:22:10,530 --> 00:22:17,650 What the property owners are asking for is commercial marina under the city. That's the whole table 206 00:22:17,650 --> 00:22:18,370 of uses, 207 00:22:20,530 --> 00:22:21,890 nine items I think. 208 00:22:23,489 --> 00:22:31,730 And so what that means is that the Eudys are voluntarily reducing by about three whole pages the 209 00:22:31,730 --> 00:22:39,770 potential uses that can be made of this property after rezone. The second very important legal 210 00:22:39,770 --> 00:22:46,810 point, and I think the city attorney referenced this at the prior meeting, but I think it needs 211 00:22:46,810 --> 00:22:51,050 emphasizing, is the annexation's already happened. 212 00:22:52,650 --> 00:22:59,860 Y'all, now, y'all have called the 800-pound gorilla. This is now within your jurisdiction. So now 213 00:22:59,860 --> 00:23:07,940 the question before you is well, how can you best manage that? And if you do nothing or if we 214 00:23:07,940 --> 00:23:15,500 withdrew it tonight, then Port Industrial would still be the only potential zoning. And it's 215 00:23:15,500 --> 00:23:21,620 arguably legally that it be no zoning because you have the annexation and you wouldn't have a 216 00:23:21,860 --> 00:23:28,820 related zoning requirement. Fairly unusual. Usually the two go together and are done at the same 217 00:23:28,980 --> 00:23:35,220 meeting. And as I think the city attorney mentioned to y'all last time, There was a 60-day clock on 218 00:23:35,220 --> 00:23:42,420 that and it's ticking. And you wouldn't have time for another regular meeting. You'd have to throw 219 00:23:42,420 --> 00:23:47,540 something together and have a special meeting and throw something together to figure out what other 220 00:23:48,260 --> 00:23:57,560 action you might want to take. Whereas right now the UDIs are simply voluntarily giving up about 50 221 00:23:57,560 --> 00:24:04,840 different potential uses that currently they can do on this property. And if you look at that map 222 00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:12,080 and look at what's all around, you get a pretty good sense that what they're asking for fits. And 223 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:24,610 that is again a reduction in the potential uses. And if, and when, an actual application is before you to 224 00:24:25,250 --> 00:24:33,770 consider then at that time I think issues like parking or traffic or density or the intersection and 225 00:24:33,770 --> 00:24:41,050 all that are then relevant. And I think I can speak, since I've been working with the Eudys for five 226 00:24:41,050 --> 00:24:48,730 years now, that they'll be open to reasonable discussion about those things if and when someone 227 00:24:48,730 --> 00:24:55,010 comes with a specific plan. And let's not forget that right now it's Bowline who has got a contract 228 00:24:55,090 --> 00:25:03,330 to buy the three acres that are most southern of the nine and a half acres. And that's right next to 229 00:25:03,330 --> 00:25:11,170 another piece that Doug Brady purchased previously and it's still Port Industrial. So you know, this 230 00:25:11,170 --> 00:25:18,890 will be again a reduction. And I think it probably set the trend for what will likely be done for 231 00:25:18,890 --> 00:25:25,730 that piece. I can't read the future or read y'alls minds, but again this is a process and it's just 232 00:25:25,730 --> 00:25:28,370 one step in it. And I think it's really, 233 00:25:29,890 --> 00:25:36,820 really important that folks understand that this is a zoning, rezoning request and not a specific 234 00:25:36,820 --> 00:25:46,140 proposal. And in fact, I think this city attorney made the point previously Allied could change their 235 00:25:46,140 --> 00:25:55,500 mind tomorrow or withdraw their development proposal tomorrow. The question is what's the right big 236 00:25:55,500 --> 00:26:02,990 picture construct to have for this property? Thank you, sir. And I won't give you the specifics 237 00:26:02,990 --> 00:26:10,670 that's in the little one pager from, from the clerk. But we ask that the council approve the 238 00:26:10,670 --> 00:26:16,870 rezoning request and the related map of it. Thank you. Is there anyone else? 239 00:26:20,630 --> 00:26:25,440 Okay. All right. Seeing and hearing no one. All right. 240 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:34,160 Public hearing is now closed. Question, Mr. Mayor. Yes, sir. Mr. Attorney, Mr. Martin, Daniel. I knew it was coming this way. 241 00:26:36,240 --> 00:26:45,120 When, when do we, at what point in time do we discuss the improvements of the road? I mean the road 242 00:26:45,120 --> 00:26:53,000 is in needed repair and anyone that's been over there has seen it. Which one? Marine or Morgan? 243 00:26:53,000 --> 00:27:01,880 Well, it is 191 Morgan Road. So I'm assuming they're going to use Morgan Road for their access or 244 00:27:01,880 --> 00:27:09,240 their egress. So when do we talk about that? When they come back with what they're proposing? Yes. 245 00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:13,600 For improvements on the road. Yeah. We're not talking about how they're going to develop the 246 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:18,770 property. They have all the options that are on that list and they could change their mind today. 247 00:27:19,170 --> 00:27:24,690 They could sell it to somebody else, will change the mind tomorrow. Any of those things on that list 248 00:27:24,850 --> 00:27:31,370 can actually be accomplished within the zoning. But the zoning is only the first part. They would 249 00:27:31,370 --> 00:27:36,570 get into the development of what they're going to do and depending on what their application is 250 00:27:36,570 --> 00:27:41,130 going to be, that is what they're going to do with the property. Then the planning department gets the 251 00:27:41,130 --> 00:27:48,420 ball and there's a discussion. Generally speaking, they're not. Let's take a developer's 252 00:27:48,420 --> 00:27:54,860 point of view. I want to maximize my profits, maximize my profits. I got to worry about getting 253 00:27:54,860 --> 00:28:00,060 people in and off the property to get to the property. So all these things are coming, will be 254 00:28:00,060 --> 00:28:04,500 discussed when they get ready to develop the property. Right now we're just defining the parameters 255 00:28:04,500 --> 00:28:09,580 of what they can and cannot do. So when do we bring the road up to standards? 256 00:28:11,120 --> 00:28:17,560 Who determines that and who requires that and who pays for that if they want to develop their 257 00:28:17,560 --> 00:28:24,920 property in any specific use? Who brings the road up to standards in order for them to be able to 258 00:28:24,920 --> 00:28:29,920 develop their property? We'll talk about that at the point of development. But the answer to your 259 00:28:29,920 --> 00:28:37,090 question is you cannot, if there's X amount of traffic there already, you cannot put that burden on 260 00:28:37,090 --> 00:28:41,410 the developer for the extra that he's doing you can only deal with whatever the extra traffic that 261 00:28:41,410 --> 00:28:44,410 he's creating. But there is a certain, 262 00:28:46,090 --> 00:28:50,770 if you believe in a free market system they're going to want to do something to get people in and 263 00:28:50,770 --> 00:28:52,490 out of their property that isn't going over potholes. Sure. 264 00:28:54,410 --> 00:28:59,730 So that's likely to happen because of the development. But we're not there yet and we don't know 265 00:28:59,730 --> 00:29:05,820 exactly who's going to invest in what. And there's also discussions going on about Marine Drive that may 266 00:29:05,820 --> 00:29:12,740 have some bearing on it with the Department of Defense, with the Department of Transportation. 267 00:29:13,140 --> 00:29:19,300 There's a whole lot of unknowns. All we're really dealing with tonight is this area. Is this a good 268 00:29:19,300 --> 00:29:25,220 fit the CM district for what's going to be there. That list of things tells you what you think is 269 00:29:25,220 --> 00:29:30,770 best suited for their design. This fit, if it does then you go on and you wait for the next shoe to 270 00:29:30,770 --> 00:29:37,010 fall for you to discuss. Is it appropriate to ask them what road that they're primarily going to use 271 00:29:37,010 --> 00:29:42,810 for their I think it'll depend on different parts of their property because they have dual access 272 00:29:43,530 --> 00:29:50,090 points. Yes sir. It depends on whether they subsequently subdivide it as we just mentioned as a 273 00:29:50,090 --> 00:29:59,280 possibility. Portions could come in on both routes, depending on what, how they lay out the plan. As you are 274 00:29:59,280 --> 00:30:07,840 aware staff, we've already been assessing the various options and what requirements would be 275 00:30:07,840 --> 00:30:14,920 necessary for those options to be utilized. Specifically Morgan, because it would have to be extended 276 00:30:15,080 --> 00:30:23,370 into the property to a great degree in and it has access to a right of way or easement and that is a 277 00:30:23,370 --> 00:30:30,530 city maintained street. So we would have the full slate of regulatory authority on that one. The 278 00:30:30,530 --> 00:30:39,770 other option and portion of the access to the whole island is DOT. So between DOT, the federal 279 00:30:39,770 --> 00:30:46,900 government and the city, all those agencies that represent various pieces of those streets would 280 00:30:46,900 --> 00:30:53,180 have input into what requirements will be necessary dependent upon what developments eventually 281 00:30:53,180 --> 00:31:00,580 occur. So I agree with the assessments the attorney made of all the different parameters and that 282 00:31:01,220 --> 00:31:07,700 whatever the proposed development with the kind of investment dollar wise that we're talking about, 283 00:31:08,900 --> 00:31:14,690 that will not be a significant driver in my opinion. The because they're going to be responsible for 284 00:31:14,690 --> 00:31:21,330 utility extensions necessary as well as any street improvements necessary for their development to 285 00:31:21,330 --> 00:31:28,010 occur that they impact. So just for the record, develop, the developer would be. That would be the 286 00:31:28,010 --> 00:31:34,250 position I would recommend that the city take. Yes sir. There's two components to your question. One is 287 00:31:34,250 --> 00:31:38,580 they could tell you but they could change their mind. And number two is they probably haven't 288 00:31:38,580 --> 00:31:42,420 decided yet. So we don't know that they can answer that question until they put this whole 289 00:31:42,420 --> 00:31:46,700 development on the plan and decide what they're going to do. And maybe it's better to come from 290 00:31:46,700 --> 00:31:51,780 Marine. Maybe it's better to come from Morgan. We don't know yet, and they may not know yet. And 291 00:31:51,780 --> 00:31:57,100 even if they did, they ain't got to lock in. But it's, but I guess it's good that we're having this 292 00:31:57,100 --> 00:32:03,950 discussion. So it's on the record. So when they start to develop their property, they know what the 293 00:32:03,950 --> 00:32:09,110 city is going to be looking for and it's on the record. And for Morgan, my understanding that was 294 00:32:09,110 --> 00:32:14,870 exactly the way it was developed. The portion that has been developed was they came to the city, 295 00:32:15,670 --> 00:32:23,270 built the utilities and that they had to on site and street improvements, according to director, 296 00:32:23,670 --> 00:32:31,140 He can comment on that because he was here after I left. That portion was built, but that's was 297 00:32:31,140 --> 00:32:39,020 paid for by the developers of that portion of property that's adjacent to these. Yes. I would 298 00:32:39,020 --> 00:32:46,900 anticipate we'd see a similar scenario. A similar scenario. Okay, thank you. And we'll probably take 299 00:32:46,900 --> 00:32:53,220 into consideration other people because they're doing this part, somebody else is doing that part. 300 00:32:53,540 --> 00:32:59,230 They'll have to get together, join hands and figure out how do we get the access from what direction 301 00:32:59,390 --> 00:33:04,830 to get onto both pieces of property. And they may share. There's so much that we don't know yet and 302 00:33:04,830 --> 00:33:10,430 can't know. And they probably don't know. This is just a zoning matter. Yeah. And, and I think it's 303 00:33:10,670 --> 00:33:18,310 significant that we don't forget that this is an initial city zoning of this property that has not 304 00:33:18,310 --> 00:33:24,900 previously been under the city's jurisdictions. So anytime we go through that, the processes over 305 00:33:24,900 --> 00:33:31,460 the years there and everywhere else in the city that's not already under the city zoning authority, 306 00:33:32,340 --> 00:33:39,540 it is incumbent on the city to establish what it believes to be the best category. And as was 307 00:33:39,540 --> 00:33:47,360 pointed out, we believe this is a significant improvement over what the county classification in 308 00:33:47,360 --> 00:33:56,400 terms of allowed uses and being compatible with existing uses in the vicinity. So I think this is 309 00:33:56,400 --> 00:34:01,400 part of the process, but we have to zone it, in my opinion. I would highly recommend the city not 310 00:34:01,400 --> 00:34:08,120 let it go into limbo and not be compliant with the statutory requirement that the attorney's already 311 00:34:08,680 --> 00:34:18,140 laid out for you. That's required. Instead of sooner of either that 60 days is the sooner. Just one 312 00:34:18,140 --> 00:34:24,540 more question. Who will make the determination which is the better access? Will the city do it or 313 00:34:24,540 --> 00:34:31,660 the state once they develop their property? Depends on which street and which how they're going to 314 00:34:31,660 --> 00:34:37,960 propose to access it. So it could be both. I think from a planning perspective, the city will have 315 00:34:38,109 --> 00:34:43,389 input in the process either way. Either way. Okay. All right, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. 316 00:34:43,389 --> 00:34:50,429 Thank you. Mayor Pro Tem. Councilman Abell, Council member Chambers, any thoughts? Okay, I 317 00:34:50,429 --> 00:34:56,549 entertain a motion with a motion. Okay. And. And I'll certainly make a motion to go ahead and adopt 318 00:34:56,549 --> 00:35:07,880 ordinance 2026-0-14, to rezone 191 and 195 Morgan Street and 201 Marine Drive from county port 319 00:35:07,960 --> 00:35:17,920 industrial district to commercial marina district. And resolution 2026-R-50 of the plan consistency 320 00:35:17,920 --> 00:35:25,600 in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes 160d-604 for map amendment. Motion made by council 321 00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:27,400 member Richard Abell. Is there a second? 322 00:35:30,370 --> 00:35:36,290 I'll second it. Okay. Seconded by council member Nathan Chambers. Any discussion on this motion? All 323 00:35:36,290 --> 00:35:41,290 right, hearing no discussion, all in favor, indicate by raising your hand. Motion carries three to 324 00:35:41,290 --> 00:35:48,610 zero, unanimously. Thank you. All right. City manager's report. Mr. Randy. Tonight I would like to 325 00:35:48,770 --> 00:35:50,370 share with you and the public 326 00:35:51,970 --> 00:36:00,620 that staff has pursuing the budget priorities pulse survey that was discussed during your most 327 00:36:00,620 --> 00:36:07,020 recent budget process, development and adoption process. With the new technology the city has 328 00:36:07,020 --> 00:36:15,140 available to survey citizen input on future budgets and priorities that the citizenry would be 329 00:36:15,140 --> 00:36:22,970 interested in. So that survey will be available across our website and online platforms beginning 330 00:36:22,970 --> 00:36:29,970 Tuesday, September 15th of this year and run until Wednesday October 21st of this year to give 331 00:36:29,970 --> 00:36:36,089 people an early opportunity for next budget cycle. So we want to, hopefully the citizens will take 332 00:36:36,089 --> 00:36:41,570 advantage and there'll be more of these efforts as we get closer to the process and we'll keep you 333 00:36:41,570 --> 00:36:48,980 apprised of the feedback received. So congratulations to the staff for pursuing that. Thanks, Mr. 334 00:36:48,980 --> 00:36:55,180 Randy. Before you move on, can I make one comment? Yes, sir. Sandi, you, are you. You've not spoke 335 00:36:55,180 --> 00:36:59,340 tonight. I'm really shocked. I think this is the first meeting since I've been here that you've not 336 00:36:59,340 --> 00:37:04,620 had to get up present something other than in a special meeting. So, bravo. 337 00:37:07,020 --> 00:37:13,280 We can ask, we can ask her a question if you would like to. I thought she's good with that too. 338 00:37:13,840 --> 00:37:15,520 Let's let Sandi have a relaxed meeting for a change. that would be a change. 339 00:37:19,440 --> 00:37:21,760 Thank you, Mr. Randy. So she'll be back in next month, no doubt. 340 00:37:23,600 --> 00:37:24,880 I got a couple questions. 341 00:37:26,400 --> 00:37:32,800 Thank you for that city manager report, Mr. Randy. All right, for citizens comments. So I'm gonna 342 00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:37,920 ask for any citizen out in the audience to come up. You have a three minute time limit and I'll 343 00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:43,800 state your name and address. Mr. Jimmy. And speak into the microphone, Mr. Jimmy. Yes, my name 344 00:37:43,800 --> 00:37:49,320 is James H. Walker, Jr. I live at 1503 Bay Street, Morehead City, North Carolina. I'm kicking the can 345 00:37:49,400 --> 00:37:55,880 into the budgeting process already because we know January, February, March is going to come and I'm 346 00:37:55,880 --> 00:38:01,880 always here trying to find a way to reduce taxes for the citizen and myself in Morehead City. 347 00:38:04,290 --> 00:38:12,010 That's why I'm here, in that particular. Our city manager stated during a work session that that the work 348 00:38:12,010 --> 00:38:19,370 on the W.S. King gym was on its way to be completed and could be completed without raising taxes. I'm 349 00:38:19,370 --> 00:38:26,770 saying not raise tax, but we should be in, a in a position that we could lower taxes to 24 cents per 100, 350 00:38:28,460 --> 00:38:31,420 and that's what I'm still requesting that the 351 00:38:33,820 --> 00:38:43,180 percentage would be $0.24 per funding for all taxes here for city. The other point I want to make 352 00:38:43,180 --> 00:38:45,180 Morehead City citizens and 353 00:38:47,340 --> 00:38:54,870 the county taxes both Morehead City based both Morehead City taxes and county taxes. And I would question that the 354 00:38:54,870 --> 00:39:01,310 county commissioners and Morehead City Council get together to work to see if there are ways that they 355 00:39:01,310 --> 00:39:08,510 could fund the W.S. King construction. And this, you have a presence in that. Understand that there was 356 00:39:08,510 --> 00:39:11,350 a project to buy property 357 00:39:13,190 --> 00:39:19,450 that dealt with the armory and the landing pad at the hospital and there was an agreement, 358 00:39:19,520 --> 00:39:25,320 agreement worked out so now they were able to get that property. We got the landing pad and things 359 00:39:25,320 --> 00:39:31,480 in place. That's a landing pad for the helicopters and the armory. So the property was switched 360 00:39:31,480 --> 00:39:37,760 around and worked out so they could be able to use it and work it out that way. So I'm asking to see 361 00:39:37,840 --> 00:39:43,760 if there's a way that the city and the county commissions can get together, together again. 362 00:39:45,310 --> 00:39:53,350 If there's a way that we could fund the building construction at the W.S. King site. So mention the county and the city to get 363 00:39:53,350 --> 00:39:57,150 together again to see if we can cut the cost 364 00:39:58,830 --> 00:40:04,430 of project at W.S. King site. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Jimmy. Are there any other citizens? 365 00:40:07,070 --> 00:40:13,080 Yes sir. Mr. Linder. State your name and address, Mr. Chuck 366 00:40:14,600 --> 00:40:20,680 Good evening. Name is Chuck Lindner. 123 Center Drive, Atlantic Beach. 367 00:40:23,560 --> 00:40:31,080 Okay, I'd like to compliment you folks on the decision to renovate the King Building. It's one of 368 00:40:31,080 --> 00:40:39,270 the much needed youth activities for this community that needs to be also addressed. Also like to 369 00:40:39,270 --> 00:40:48,150 congratulate you on the PARTF grant fund for Spooners Creek Conservation Area. So we know there 370 00:40:48,150 --> 00:40:49,390 are funds available. 371 00:40:51,230 --> 00:40:59,190 I'm here tonight to advocate for our dear youth in the community ages 3 to 12 that you won't find 372 00:40:59,190 --> 00:41:05,480 many of them that want to come up here and stand in front of this microphone. So, as a 30-year 373 00:41:05,480 --> 00:41:10,760 participant of Morehead City Little League, we have recognized that funding for parks and recreation 374 00:41:10,760 --> 00:41:16,920 is always difficult for our county and municipalities. Our Morehead City Little League volunteers 375 00:41:16,920 --> 00:41:25,400 have spent countless hours helping the youth of our community, ages 3 to 12 to begin their journey 376 00:41:25,400 --> 00:41:32,170 to become a productive citizen. For the past 15 years, Morehead City Little League has been hosting 377 00:41:32,170 --> 00:41:38,850 Little League and travel ball tournaments at Swinson Park, the local area high schools and the other 378 00:41:38,850 --> 00:41:46,490 parks in the county, providing a huge economic impact not just for Morehead City businesses, but for 379 00:41:46,490 --> 00:41:48,690 businesses throughout the entire county. 380 00:41:50,290 --> 00:41:58,540 We have helped to bring millions of dollars to this community. We have provided over $400,000 of 381 00:41:58,540 --> 00:42:04,540 improvements to Swinson Park alone through Big Rock grants and through our fundraising. 382 00:42:06,700 --> 00:42:13,380 Just two months ago in July, the Crystal Coast Woodbat World Series came to town. People want to 383 00:42:13,380 --> 00:42:20,820 come to the Crystal Coast. We saw 84 teams travel here from as far away as Michigan and New York. 384 00:42:22,340 --> 00:42:27,300 That is a huge economic impact for the city and the county. 385 00:42:29,380 --> 00:42:35,460 We did not have enough youth athletic fields in this county to service those 84 teams. We had to 386 00:42:35,460 --> 00:42:41,460 send them to Onslow County and Craven County, with a lack of youth fields in this county. 387 00:42:43,140 --> 00:42:50,230 Our Little League program in the spring averages over 280 participants. That will provide a huge fan base 388 00:42:50,550 --> 00:42:57,190 for the Morehead City Marlins and the new Carteret County Community College Kraken baseball team. 389 00:42:57,910 --> 00:43:04,790 Last year we had 30 teams that needed fields for practices and games. The Morehead City girls 390 00:43:04,790 --> 00:43:13,560 softball program is growing and they also need fields and games, practice fields for practice. (Music on timer) 391 00:43:19,000 --> 00:43:25,320 Just recently you approved 310 more residential units that are sure to bring more youth into the 392 00:43:25,320 --> 00:43:32,080 area that would need facilities for athletic activities. The new Interstate 42 will certainly 393 00:43:32,080 --> 00:43:37,570 increase our population. But without the athletic fields needed for our growing youth population 394 00:43:37,720 --> 00:43:44,040 population, I'm not sure we will be able to continue to serve our youth. Losing the baseball and 395 00:43:44,040 --> 00:43:50,080 softball fields behind the King Center is going to hurt. It's certainly going to be a challenge for 396 00:43:50,080 --> 00:43:57,400 all of our sports organizations to find rooms for practices and games. I truly hope this community 397 00:43:57,480 --> 00:44:04,230 can come together to invest in the youth of our county for every sport. Our youth, they're our 398 00:44:04,230 --> 00:44:11,230 future. And we need to recognize how far behind we are in providing for them. Thank you. Thank you. 399 00:44:11,230 --> 00:44:18,830 Mr. Chuck. Certainly agree. Is there any other citizen that would like to get up and speak for our 400 00:44:18,830 --> 00:44:21,430 citizens comment portion of our meeting? 401 00:44:23,350 --> 00:44:28,830 Okay. Seeing and hearing no one, council comments. I'm going to start with Mayor Pro Tem George 402 00:44:28,830 --> 00:44:36,130 Ballou. Thank you. Mr. Mayor. Mr. Linder, thank you for your comments tonight. They're duly noted. 403 00:44:36,130 --> 00:44:40,690 And we certainly are working on ways that we can expand our 404 00:44:42,290 --> 00:44:47,170 Parks and Rec for our kids. Mr. Walker, thank you for your comments. Appreciate you being here 405 00:44:47,170 --> 00:44:54,290 tonight. Thank you for staff, for all that you do for us each and every day. Mr. Martin, thank you. 406 00:44:54,940 --> 00:45:01,100 Mr. Attorney, thank you for keeping us straight over there. I do want to remind everyone of the 407 00:45:01,100 --> 00:45:07,580 North Carolina Seafood Festival, and I don't have my mic on. I'm sorry, Anna. Why did you turn it 408 00:45:07,580 --> 00:45:15,940 off? I was told to admonish you if you turn it off. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Councilman Abell. But I do want to 409 00:45:15,940 --> 00:45:21,580 remind everybody of the North Carolina Seafood Festival, which is the second, third, and fourth. I 410 00:45:21,580 --> 00:45:27,740 will remind everyone that is one of the largest festivals in North Carolina. There are a lot of 411 00:45:28,060 --> 00:45:35,740 moving parts behind the scenes. There's so many volunteers, board members, vendors that make our 412 00:45:36,540 --> 00:45:43,740 city, our community and our heritage shine during that weekend. And I hope you don't think it is a 413 00:45:43,740 --> 00:45:50,460 burdensome on our community. It's something that showcases and we are doing everything we can to 414 00:45:50,460 --> 00:45:56,860 enhance our North Carolina seafood with the vendors, making sure they serve North Carolina seafood. 415 00:45:57,260 --> 00:46:04,140 So I invite you, I look forward to seeing you on the Waterfront October 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Good to 416 00:46:04,140 --> 00:46:09,340 see everybody tonight. I hope you have a good evening. Thank you. Thank you. Mayor Pro Tem. 417 00:46:09,340 --> 00:46:15,060 Council member Nathan Chambers. You know, I'm all for youth. Yeah, there's so many things that, you know, kids want 418 00:46:15,060 --> 00:46:19,760 to do. There's a lot of things that you can do in this area, but, you know, organized sports and 419 00:46:19,760 --> 00:46:24,560 things, my family's participated in those. And I'm just seeing what a blessing it can be for young 420 00:46:24,560 --> 00:46:29,560 people to have something to do in this community. And how about the softball team? I mean, that was 421 00:46:29,560 --> 00:46:35,200 fantastic. Making it to the state championships. We got a driver here where we could really develop 422 00:46:35,200 --> 00:46:40,320 some of these things. I'm excited about it. I'm like you council members, fellow council members. 423 00:46:40,400 --> 00:46:46,170 You know, I'm, I'm all for doing things for the youth. Absolutely. Okay. Thank you, Councilman 424 00:46:46,170 --> 00:46:51,930 Chambers. Council member Richard Abell. Again. Make sure you make sure your mic's on. So I don't even know 425 00:46:51,930 --> 00:47:01,010 how to cut it off. Again, I will tell you the last two years. Wow. You saw that jump? Last two years in 426 00:47:01,010 --> 00:47:07,600 our annual retreat, and there's no doubt in my mind this coming year at our retreat, we've been 427 00:47:07,600 --> 00:47:13,480 discussing that same thing. And of course, Daniel Williams over there can tell you ad nauseam. He's 428 00:47:13,480 --> 00:47:18,920 discussed it and you know, we got a lot of ideas we're trying to kick around and yes, I think it's 429 00:47:18,920 --> 00:47:20,080 already been set up here 430 00:47:21,760 --> 00:47:29,640 amongst us and through the city manager that ways of this town council and the Carteret County Board 431 00:47:29,640 --> 00:47:37,800 of Commissioners getting together to try to do something together. So anyhow, heard loud and 432 00:47:37,800 --> 00:47:46,400 clear. The other thing I want to mention is Friday is the 25th anniversary of the 9-11 and there's 433 00:47:46,400 --> 00:47:54,640 going to be a, a ceremony out of Carteret Community College starting at 8:45. 434 00:47:57,280 --> 00:48:01,660 And I'm just, I'm gonna read something real quick. Okay. So 25 years later, we remember. Carteret 435 00:48:01,660 --> 00:48:07,260 Community College invites you to join our campus and community as we gather to commemorate the 436 00:48:07,260 --> 00:48:13,060 anniversary of September 11, 2001. Together, we'll pause to remember the nearly 3,000 437 00:48:15,140 --> 00:48:20,500 lives honored, lost, lives lost, honor the courage and sacrifices of the first responders and service members who 438 00:48:20,500 --> 00:48:25,260 answered the call and recognized the countless families and communities whose lives were forever 439 00:48:25,260 --> 00:48:30,440 changed. For those who remember that day, September 11th will remain a moment where we never forget. 440 00:48:30,840 --> 00:48:37,720 For a new generation born after 2001, this commemoration is also an opportunity to carry forward the 441 00:48:37,720 --> 00:48:43,760 stories of courage, compassion, service and unity that emerged from one of our nation's darkest 442 00:48:43,760 --> 00:48:50,240 days. We invite our students, employees and first responders, veterans, families, members of the 443 00:48:50,240 --> 00:48:56,680 community to stand together in remembrance. Remember those, we remember those we lost. We honor those 444 00:48:56,680 --> 00:49:01,600 who served and together we ensure that we never forget. With that being said, 445 00:49:03,200 --> 00:49:10,960 the Morehead City Police Department's honor guard will be there presenting with the colors. Also, 446 00:49:11,040 --> 00:49:18,200 our own chief Courtney Wade will be the keynote speaker at that ceremony. It'll probably only be 447 00:49:18,200 --> 00:49:24,460 about 30, 45 minutes, so we certainly invite everybody. And this is an opportunity. Opportunity to 448 00:49:24,460 --> 00:49:31,300 let you guys know again, Friday, 8:45. And we'll be behind the McGee building, which is the 449 00:49:31,620 --> 00:49:36,540 administrative building. It's going to be out on the lawn. Thank you. Awesome. And anyhow, thank you 450 00:49:36,540 --> 00:49:41,580 all for listening to that and thank you for being here. Thank you, Councilman Abell. Speaking of 451 00:49:41,580 --> 00:49:45,700 Councilman Abell, he just had a birthday yesterday, so I want to give him a birthday shout out. 452 00:49:46,260 --> 00:49:50,820 54 years young. Yeah. So happy birthday to him. And I think 35. 453 00:49:52,460 --> 00:49:57,820 I think our police chief Bryan Dixon has a birthday this month too. Do you, bro? (unintelligible) 454 00:50:01,500 --> 00:50:06,780 So we want to give you a birthday shout out too. And Mr. Randy Martin, our city manager has a 455 00:50:06,780 --> 00:50:12,620 birthday coming up too, the next week or so. He just celebrated his wife's birthday this past 456 00:50:13,020 --> 00:50:18,960 weekend. They went on a camping trip, so birthday shout outs for them. And Shawne, I think I'm missing 457 00:50:18,960 --> 00:50:26,840 somebody. Who else? I know Mr. Martin's the oldest one in the room, the old man. I want to give a 458 00:50:27,560 --> 00:50:34,520 special congratulatory shout out to Kelli Jones, our grants manager, for her hard work on securing 459 00:50:34,520 --> 00:50:39,520 the PARTF grant, the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant, so we can go ahead and try to start 460 00:50:39,520 --> 00:50:45,500 the project of the conservation park out to the Mitchell Village community. That's something that 461 00:50:45,500 --> 00:50:50,900 Kelli worked really hard on. Jewel Laster, our finance director, and the rest of the finance staff. 462 00:50:51,380 --> 00:50:56,900 And they've done a tremendous job securing these grants. And that's a project that I'm looking 463 00:50:56,900 --> 00:51:01,860 forward to. I know a lot of the Mitchell Village residents have applauded 464 00:51:03,780 --> 00:51:09,460 us receiving that grant and they're excited and happy as well. So that's something that we want to 465 00:51:09,460 --> 00:51:15,030 continue to invest in preserving our green spaces. That's something that's not always talked about. 466 00:51:15,030 --> 00:51:20,990 You know, that environmental piece of making sure that we're preserving our green spaces and taking 467 00:51:20,990 --> 00:51:26,470 care of our environment. That conservation park will have many different components. One in 468 00:51:26,470 --> 00:51:31,710 particular would be bird watching. And I know when I campaigned for council in '23, a lot of the 469 00:51:31,710 --> 00:51:36,910 residents in Mitchell Village, they were asking me about that very same thing about implementing a 470 00:51:36,910 --> 00:51:44,560 park for bird watching or conservation. So just happy to honor the requests of the citizens. And 471 00:51:44,560 --> 00:51:49,240 also for the three council members that showed up tonight, I just want to thank you guys for your 472 00:51:49,240 --> 00:51:56,200 service. I know Mayor Pro Tem Ballou has been feeling under the weather himself, but he decided to 473 00:51:56,200 --> 00:52:04,200 come out tonight so we could have a quorum. Y'all made me come Mayor. That is applauded. But also 474 00:52:04,200 --> 00:52:10,100 to our staff, I thank you guys for your hard work, working through our committee meetings and your 475 00:52:10,100 --> 00:52:15,100 service on the front lines. Daniel Williams. Can't say enough about Daniel. Him and Mr. Randy went 476 00:52:15,100 --> 00:52:20,580 out to North 21st through 25th street, talked to some of the residents out there. I know there's 477 00:52:20,580 --> 00:52:25,820 been a lot of concern about our stormwater project out there, but we hear the citizens, we hear you 478 00:52:25,820 --> 00:52:30,460 guys' concerns, and we want to make sure we address your concerns and come up with some sort of 479 00:52:30,460 --> 00:52:37,470 solution to any issue that you may have. But like Mayor Pro Tem said, North Carolina Seafood 480 00:52:37,470 --> 00:52:43,070 Festival is coming up October 2nd through the 4th. That Friday through Sunday. I want to give a 481 00:52:43,070 --> 00:52:47,950 shout out to Nick Eatman, the executive director. Nick has worked hard. Him and I worked together at 482 00:52:47,950 --> 00:52:54,750 Jack's Waterfront Restaurant and Bar earlier today, we met with WCTI 12 because this is the 40th 483 00:52:54,750 --> 00:53:00,990 anniversary of the Seafood Festival. The Seafood Festival started in 1986. Just to have a special 484 00:53:00,990 --> 00:53:09,390 event like that that has so much tradition. Our local seafood industry is not just industry. It's 485 00:53:09,550 --> 00:53:18,190 who we are as a community. It's our way of life. And it's a part of Morehead City, a major part. 486 00:53:18,270 --> 00:53:25,560 Along with the Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament, those are two of our biggest events. So 487 00:53:25,560 --> 00:53:30,840 that's something that I want us to continue to support, want everybody to come out and attend. It's 488 00:53:30,840 --> 00:53:37,160 gonna be a special event. And I also would like to say that me, myself, I'm about to start doing 489 00:53:37,240 --> 00:53:43,520 mayoral walkthroughs, going to different neighborhoods, just like I was when I was campaigning when 490 00:53:43,520 --> 00:53:48,640 I was running for the mayor's seat. I was knocking on doors. I'm gonna start that very soon. Just 491 00:53:48,640 --> 00:53:53,750 wait for the weather to cool down, to be honest. But also going to go to our local business owners, 492 00:53:53,750 --> 00:54:00,750 too. Like, we got Mr. Robert Purifoy in attendance today. He's the owner of the Olympus Dive Center. 493 00:54:00,750 --> 00:54:05,590 So I just want to get an ear of our local business owners just to make sure that, you know, we're 494 00:54:05,590 --> 00:54:12,150 taking care of their needs, that we setting up all parameters for them to be successful in Morehead 495 00:54:12,150 --> 00:54:18,230 City. So that's something that I want to make my duty as well. I also want to thank citizens like 496 00:54:18,230 --> 00:54:22,680 Holly Fletcher, who's here tonight, who shows up to our meetings and attends on a regular 497 00:54:22,680 --> 00:54:27,360 basis. I know we're recording our meetings now, but I want to encourage more citizens to come out 498 00:54:27,440 --> 00:54:34,040 and attend our meetings. I mean, listen to discussions we have. Be informed on what your local 499 00:54:34,040 --> 00:54:41,600 government is doing, and we just want to make sure you guys stay informed. I try to keep citizens 500 00:54:41,600 --> 00:54:47,370 informed as much as I can on my social media pages. I know Ty Weatherton does some great reporting, 501 00:54:47,610 --> 00:54:53,610 but I think I honestly can say that in the last year or so that this has probably been the most 502 00:54:53,610 --> 00:55:00,450 transparent that Morehead City has been. It's just me, my opinion, and we want to continue to, you 503 00:55:00,450 --> 00:55:04,730 know, push that going forward. I even talked to Mr. Randy Martin about potentially in the future, 504 00:55:05,290 --> 00:55:10,050 live streaming our meetings, you know, if council is agreeable to it. But those are options. Those 505 00:55:10,050 --> 00:55:16,070 are things we can explore, but we are taking the proper measures to make sure that our citizens are 506 00:55:16,070 --> 00:55:21,990 informed. You're doing surveys. I know our staff has even talked about doing surveys at our 507 00:55:21,990 --> 00:55:27,709 upcoming Community Night Out event, getting the input and feedback from citizens regarding our 508 00:55:27,709 --> 00:55:33,870 budget. We want to hear from you guys. You guys, as taxpayers, you should be driving your local 509 00:55:33,870 --> 00:55:39,570 government, as I stated before. But again, I just want to thank you guys. I know it's been a fairly 510 00:55:39,570 --> 00:55:46,330 quick meeting, but we got some things handled, two rezoning requests were approved and we look 511 00:55:46,330 --> 00:55:52,930 forward to October's meeting coming up. So with nothing else to be said, this meeting is adjourned.