[0:05] All right, good morning everyone. This
[0:06] the Wednesday, August 5th, 2026
[0:10] regular meeting of the Nags Head Board
[0:12] of Commissioners is hereby called to
[0:13] order. If you will, please join me in a
[0:16] few moments of silence.
[0:23] Now, if you'll stand as you're able and
[0:25] join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.
[0:30] » [clears throat]
[0:31] >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[0:33] United States of America and to the
[0:35] republic for which it stands, one nation
[0:39] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[0:42] justice for all.
[0:52] » Um before we begin, I'd like to
[0:54] recognize uh former Mayor Bob Muller's
[0:56] here with us today. Welcome, Bob. Always
[0:58] glad to see you.
[1:00] Um
[1:03] the next item on our agenda is the
[1:06] adoption of the agenda and note um
[1:09] the retirement recognition of David
[1:11] Perry has been moved to the September
[1:13] 2nd meeting and a motion would be in
[1:15] order.
[1:15] >> So moved.
[1:16] >> I have a motion, is there a second? I
[1:18] have a motion and a second. All those in
[1:19] favor signify by saying I.
[1:21] >> I.
[1:22] >> Opposed? Thank you.
[1:24] Uh that brings us to recognitions and
[1:26] we'll start with Kelly.
[1:45] » Good morning, Mayor and Commissioners.
[1:47] I'm pleased to introduce our new Chief
[1:49] Building Inspector, Rick Gotchy.
[1:51] Rick brings 12 years of building
[1:53] inspection experience, all with
[1:55] Currituck County, as well as 2 and 1/2
[1:57] years experience with a local home
[1:59] builder, BC Custom Builders. He holds
[2:02] level three certifications in building,
[2:05] electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and
[2:07] fire, um and he is also a certified
[2:10] flood plain administrator and a licensed
[2:13] commercial drone operator,
[2:15] which is exciting. Um Rick lives in Dare
[2:17] County with his wife, Michelle. Um they
[2:20] have two daughters, Caitlin and Madison.
[2:22] Uh
[2:23] Caitlin and Madison grew up and attended
[2:25] Dare County schools, and they now live
[2:27] in Marietta, Georgia and Orange,
[2:29] California. Um outside of work, Rick
[2:32] enjoys traveling, college football, and
[2:34] music. Uh we're very fortunate to have
[2:37] someone with Rick's experience and
[2:38] qualifications join our team. Um we're
[2:41] glad you're here and we hope you stay
[2:43] here uh for quite a bit and you're up
[2:45] here again for your 5- and 10-year.
[2:47] Thank you so much. [laughter]
[2:49] I appreciate you.
[2:51] >> [applause]
[2:58] » Welcome.
[2:59] >> Thank you.
[3:05] » Glad to have you.
[3:14] » Next with a um new employee is Amy
[3:17] Miller.
[3:24] » Good morning, Mayor and Commissioners.
[3:26] Um please help me in welcoming Jessica
[3:28] Gallop as our new tax collector. Um
[3:31] she's been working with Jackie, who was
[3:33] our also our tax collector right now as
[3:36] Steve is here, he's retiring. Um so
[3:38] she's going to be moving on, but we're
[3:40] actually very grateful for the notice
[3:42] that Jackie gave us um because we're
[3:45] able to time this with the tax bills
[3:47] going out. We actually received the tax
[3:49] scroll this week, um and so it's really
[3:52] good timing. Um,
[3:54] we've also asked Becky, who is the tax
[3:57] collector of Dare County, to come work
[3:58] with us. So, we've really been um, it's
[4:01] really good timing and we feel very
[4:03] fortunate. Um, obviously we work hand in
[4:05] hand with Dare County, so this is just
[4:07] like really a good start um, to her
[4:10] career at at Nags Head. Um,
[4:14] addition In addition to her great
[4:15] attitude and strong work ethic, um,
[4:18] great references
[4:19] uh, when we reached out. Um, she has
[4:22] really the perfect background to be the
[4:23] tax collector here. Um, she worked in
[4:25] Camden County
[4:27] tax department as a tax specialist for
[4:29] 14 years um, and she is certified as a
[4:32] personal property appraiser from the
[4:34] North Carolina Department of Revenue.
[4:37] Um, she primarily worked with personal
[4:39] property at Camden County. Um, but you
[4:42] know, we collect personal property and
[4:43] real property here and the personal
[4:44] property statutes fall under the
[4:47] umbrella of the real property statutes,
[4:49] so it's it's just really a great fit.
[4:51] So, she has a really strong background
[4:53] um, and knowledge in tax collection. So,
[4:56] it's going to be a really smooth
[4:57] transition. And yes, she is aware of the
[5:00] high expectations we have with our
[5:02] high tax collection rate. That's always,
[5:05] you know, put that on the table first
[5:06] and foremost. So, she's ready for the
[5:08] challenge and she's going to be a
[5:10] welcome addition to the team. We're
[5:12] really fortunate to have somebody so
[5:13] qualified to be able to step in in this
[5:15] position in this timing where it's
[5:17] really critical to learn how to do this
[5:20] when we're sending out the tax bills
[5:21] now. Um, so I know that she's going to
[5:24] help set the town up for success in the
[5:26] future. Um, we're glad to have you. I'm
[5:28] sorry to throw you in the fire, and but
[5:31] welcome to the team.
[5:33] >> [laughter]
[5:35] [applause]
[5:41] » Welcome.
[5:42] >> Thanks, thanks for having
[5:44] just checking
[5:48] instead of being able to do
[5:58] » That brings us next to a recognition for
[6:00] years of service and Chief Hale.
[6:10] » Good morning Mr. Mayor and
[6:10] Commissioners.
[6:11] It's my [clears throat] pleasure to come
[6:13] before you today to recognize Sergeant
[6:14] J.C. Mitchell
[6:16] for his 10 years of service with the
[6:18] town.
[6:19] J.C. began his career in Kiddie Hills
[6:21] and joined our agency in 2016 as a
[6:23] patrol officer.
[6:25] In early 2018, Mitchell expanded his
[6:27] patrol duties and became a K9 handler
[6:29] with the agency and was partnered with
[6:31] K9 Amy who recently retired in 2024 and
[6:35] now lives as a family member within the
[6:37] Mitchell household.
[6:39] Mitchell was promoted to sergeant in
[6:40] 2024 in March and has become a great
[6:42] leader within our department.
[6:45] In the small time frame of just 2 years.
[6:47] He's one of the agency's general
[6:48] instructors and oversees the agency's
[6:50] Governor's Highway Safety program.
[6:52] In his free time, J.C. loves to spend
[6:54] time with his wife Ashley, his three
[6:55] children, and three dogs that live with
[6:57] him.
[6:58] Congratulations J.C. on your 10 years
[7:00] and we look forward to many more.
[7:03] >> [applause]
[7:16] [clears throat]
[7:18] [snorts]
[7:25] » And the Chief and Sergeant Mitchell are
[7:27] going to stay there for another
[7:29] presentation.
[7:30] >> Absolutely.
[7:31] Um
[7:32] We'd like to take a moment to honor
[7:34] Sergeant Mitchell for receiving a very
[7:36] significant statewide honor.
[7:39] Sergeant Mitchell was named the 2025 DWI
[7:42] per capital enforcer of the year by the
[7:44] Mothers Against Drunk Driving of North
[7:46] Carolina.
[7:48] Mothers Against Drunk Driving, better
[7:49] known as MADD, was founded in 1980 after
[7:52] a 13-year-old girl was killed by an
[7:54] impaired driver.
[7:55] Since that time, MADD has grown into the
[7:57] nation's nation's largest nonprofit
[7:59] organization dedicated to ending drunk
[8:01] and drug impaired driving, supporting
[8:03] victims, and preventing underage
[8:05] drinking.
[8:07] Each [snorts] year, MADD North Carolina
[8:09] recognizes law enforcement officers from
[8:11] across the state who demonstrate an
[8:12] exceptional commitment to impaired
[8:14] driving enforcement.
[8:16] This is not simply a departmental or
[8:18] regional award. It is a statewide award
[8:20] of excellence. This year's event was
[8:23] held in Selma at the end of April with
[8:25] eight officers from across the country
[8:27] attending for a
[8:30] uh meal,
[8:31] presentation from the leaders of MADD,
[8:35] um
[8:37] and recognition from several senators
[8:40] um throughout the state, um
[8:42] commissioners, um
[8:44] I was unable to attend. I hated that
[8:46] with JC. Um we had uh
[8:49] an event going on at the end of April
[8:50] that I needed to be here for. Um
[8:52] but it was an honor for JC to be able to attend and recognize
[8:58] for his efforts and to be a part of our
[9:01] agency just goes above and beyond for
[9:02] what he does.
[9:05] Sergeant Mitchell
[9:06] >> [clears throat]
[9:08] >> earned this award after making 35
[9:09] arrests during the 2025 year. This means
[9:13] that 35 suspected impaired drivers were
[9:15] removed from our roadways before they
[9:16] could potentially injure or kill
[9:18] someone.
[9:20] To take it in perspective, there are
[9:21] roughly 22,000 sworn law enforcement
[9:23] officers serving throughout North
[9:25] Carolina.
[9:26] For an officer from the Nag's Head
[9:27] Police Department to be selected and
[9:29] recognized is a tremendous
[9:30] accomplishment and something our entire
[9:32] community should be proud of.
[9:34] The award reflects the efforts of
[9:36] Sergeant Mitchell puts into his job
[9:37] every day.
[9:38] He is an extremely hard worker,
[9:40] a solid leader, and someone who
[9:42] consistently brings a positive attitude
[9:44] to work. That attitude is contagious and
[9:46] has a positive effect on the officers
[9:48] around him and those especially that he
[9:50] supervises. We're very proud of Sergeant
[9:52] Mitchell and grateful for his dedication
[9:54] to the department and to the safety of
[9:56] our community. Please join me in
[9:57] congratulating him on his prestigious
[9:59] and well-deserved statewide recognition.
[10:03] >> [applause]
[10:12] » Congratulations.
[10:14] Sergeant.
[10:18] » Well done.
[10:20] >> Well deserved. Thank you.
[10:24] » We had some pictures in there. I don't
[10:25] know if we've got a little bit of a
[10:26] technical difficulty. Did it come up?
[10:30] And we're asking Sergeant Mitchell to
[10:32] stick around for a few minutes, if you
[10:34] will, for photograph a little bit.
[10:36] >> Okay.
[10:37] All right.
[10:39] Thank you. Um Nags Head's
[10:41] very fortunate to have a number of
[10:42] officers who are recognized um
[10:45] and who are specialists uh regionally or
[10:47] in the state, and uh we really
[10:49] appreciate their their above and beyond
[10:51] level of service.
[10:54] Uh the next item on our agenda is a
[10:56] recognition for 25 years of service.
[11:00] Andy and Roberta.
[11:06] » Can you come up to the podium?
[11:08] >> [laughter]
[11:09] >> All right. Well,
[11:12] make this short and sweet. Got front and
[11:14] back today.
[11:15] >> [laughter]
[11:17] » So,
[11:19] little did we know that on June 25th,
[11:22] 2001, would turn turn out to be a
[11:24] historic day for the town of Nags Head.
[11:27] I know I'm being a little grandiose
[11:28] here.
[11:29] It was the day that Roberta Thuman
[11:31] walked through our doors for the first
[11:33] time and gave us her talent, her energy,
[11:35] and her heart.
[11:36] Roberta was hired by Town Manager Webb
[11:38] Fuller originally as an executive
[11:40] assistant, but anyone who has worked
[11:42] with Roberta knows she didn't stay in
[11:44] that box for long. Over the next 25
[11:47] years, she grew into that role. She grew
[11:50] that role into something the town
[11:51] couldn't function without, our public
[11:53] information officer and quite simply the
[11:55] face of Nags Head. Think about what the
[11:58] world looked like in 2001.
[12:00] Back then, only half of American
[12:02] households had internet access at home.
[12:05] Today, the number is around 93%.
[12:07] Facebook didn't yet exist. It wouldn't
[12:10] launch until 2004. Twitter came along in
[12:12] 2006, and Instagram didn't arrive until
[12:15] 2010. Roberta start When she started
[12:18] here, our website was little more than a
[12:19] digital bulletin board, the most basic
[12:21] tool we had for getting information out
[12:23] to the public. Roberta didn't just adapt
[12:25] to that change, she led us through it.
[12:28] In 2018, she spearheaded a complete
[12:30] transformation of the town's website, a
[12:32] full modernization that gave our
[12:34] residents and visitors a genuinely
[12:35] better way to engage with their local
[12:37] government and find the information they
[12:39] need. And she didn't stop at the
[12:41] website. Today, the town's Facebook page
[12:44] has grown to 48,000 followers and nearly
[12:47] 9 9,500 posts. I'm sure you did all of
[12:51] those.
[12:52] Our Instagram following stands at over
[12:54] 10,000, and for some perspective, that's
[12:57] more Facebook followers than some of our
[12:58] neighbors Dare County 14,000
[13:02] and Kitty Hawk 30,000. [laughter]
[13:04] That kind of reach doesn't happen by
[13:06] accident. It happens because one person
[13:08] understood that showing up where people
[13:10] actually are is how you truly serve a
[13:12] community.
[13:13] But Roberta's impact goes much deeper
[13:15] than this. She had many passion projects
[13:18] throughout her career that had a major
[13:20] impact on the town.
[13:22] Anybody who's worked alongside her on
[13:24] beach nourishment, they'll tell you that
[13:25] Roberta has an absolute been an
[13:27] absolutely vital part of that effort.
[13:29] She's procured more easements than she
[13:31] probably ever cares to remember,
[13:33] quietly, patiently doing the unglamorous
[13:36] work that makes the massive project
[13:38] successful.
[13:39] Her impact goes well beyond easement
[13:41] acquisition. She can talk dredge
[13:43] operations, project templates,
[13:44] surveying, dune management, and even her
[13:47] favorite word, equilibration.
[13:49] >> [laughter]
[13:50] >> Right alongside our engineers and
[13:51] project team. She understood that this
[13:53] deeper understanding of of the project
[13:56] is necessary to really communicate to
[13:58] our community.
[13:59] Uh this is the probably communications
[14:02] is the single most important aspect of
[14:04] this project, especially when you're
[14:05] dealing with it in the summertime. And
[14:07] she's done four of these now.
[14:10] Roberta has also been the storyteller of
[14:12] Nags Head's history. She has produced
[14:14] the vast majority of her government
[14:16] access videos, keeping residents
[14:17] informed about town services and
[14:19] projects. And beyond that, she's created
[14:21] many documentaries
[14:23] that capture pieces of who we are. Most
[14:26] notably, her documentary on the Ash
[14:28] Wednesday storm and the history of Nags
[14:30] Head Ocean Rescue. Both of those films
[14:32] premiered at Jennette's Pier, and both
[14:34] times the house was packed. That tells
[14:36] you something.
[14:37] People don't just show up in numbers for
[14:39] just anyone. They show up because they trust the person telling the story,
[14:43] and because Roberta has spent 25 years
[14:45] earning that trust, one resident, one
[14:48] relationship at a time.
[14:50] And that might be the thing that stands
[14:52] out most about Roberta. Yes, she's
[14:54] mastered the technology. She's grown our
[14:56] digital present presence beyond what any
[14:58] of us probably imagined back in 2001.
[15:01] But underneath that all is something
[15:03] simpler, a warm presence, genuine care
[15:05] for people. Roberta has built
[15:07] friendships here that will last a
[15:08] lifetime, professional relationships
[15:10] across the region built on respect and
[15:12] trust. She is in every sense of the
[15:14] phrase the face of the town, not because
[15:17] of the title, but because of the way she
[15:19] has shown up for Nags Head that single
[15:20] day for 25 years. Roberta, on behalf of
[15:23] the entire town of Nag's Head, thank you
[15:24] for your dedication, your creativity,
[15:26] your patience with easements and
[15:28] equilibration,
[15:29] and for the countless ways, seen and
[15:31] unseen, you have shaped this town and
[15:33] how and tell its story.
[15:35] Here's to 25 remarkable years, and
[15:37] hopefully there's more still ahead, but
[15:39] probably not.
[15:40] >> [laughter]
[15:43] [applause]
[16:07] » Roberta?
[16:09] >> I know I made sure Roberta arranged for
[16:11] somebody to take pictures.
[16:13] >> [laughter]
[16:22] » I got to do it now.
[16:24] Would you like to say something?
[16:26] >> Uh actually,
[16:28] I'm really, really honored to work for
[16:31] this town
[16:32] since 2001, and it's it's so much fun.
[16:36] >> Glad it's fun.
[16:39] So, we have a certificate of
[16:40] appreciation for Roberta, which I will
[16:42] read in part.
[16:44] Throughout your career as public
[16:45] information officer, you have
[16:46] demonstrated exceptional
[16:48] professionalism, creativity, leadership,
[16:51] and communicating vital information for
[16:53] promoting town initiatives, fostering
[16:55] strong relationships between the town
[16:57] and its residents, visitors, and
[16:59] stakeholders.
[17:00] Nag's Head Board of Commissioners
[17:02] applauds the positive impact you have
[17:03] made on the town, your dedication,
[17:06] expertise, and unwavering commitment to
[17:08] public service, and Nag's Head Board of
[17:10] Commissioners and are deeply
[17:11] appreciative.
[17:21] » Thank you all for allowing me to come
[17:23] here.
[17:46] » And sadly, we have a retirement this
[17:48] morning.
[17:50] Kelly.
[17:51] >> Thank you. Before I begin, I want to
[17:53] make sure that this is working.
[18:05] Wonderful.
[18:09] Thank you so much, um, mayor, members of
[18:12] the board, and everyone here today.
[18:15] Um, it's my honor and, uh, also very
[18:18] bittersweet to recognize Steve Symanski
[18:21] on his retirement with the town of Nags
[18:23] Head.
[18:24] Steve began working for the town on
[18:26] January 3rd, 2013.
[18:29] And during his more than 13 years with
[18:31] us, he has served as a building
[18:33] inspector, our chief building inspector,
[18:36] and our floodplain administrator.
[18:39] Those are positions that carry a
[18:40] tremendous amount of responsibility.
[18:43] The work is technical, demanding, and
[18:45] not always appreciated. Um, particularly
[18:49] when your job requires you to tell
[18:50] someone something they do not want to
[18:52] hear.
[18:53] But Steve has always done his job
[18:55] exceptionally well.
[18:57] Back in 2022,
[18:59] I nominated Steve for employee of the
[19:02] year.
[19:03] In that nomination, I described him as
[19:05] punctual, accountable, dedicated,
[19:08] dependable, efficient, consistent,
[19:10] approachable, responsive, and adaptable.
[19:14] Um a lot of adjectives, but Steve earned
[19:17] every single one of them.
[19:19] At the time, Steve's supervisor said
[19:21] that Steve knew the North Carolina
[19:23] building code better than any inspector
[19:25] he had ever worked with. And that his
[19:27] knowledge was second to none.
[19:29] In the years since, Steve has become the
[19:31] person that the rest of us has relied
[19:33] upon for that knowledge.
[19:35] If someone had a question about building
[19:37] code, flood plain regulations, or just
[19:40] how how to handle a difficult situation
[19:42] within the town, Steve was the person
[19:43] that we went to.
[19:46] One of Steve's colleagues described him
[19:48] as steadfast and dependable,
[19:51] a true to his word friend.
[19:54] They spoke of his extensive knowledge,
[19:56] unwavering work ethic, fairness,
[19:59] trustworthiness, and his no-nonsense,
[20:01] get-it-done
[20:02] attitude. And that describes Steve
[20:04] perfectly.
[20:06] Steve's integrity was every bit as
[20:08] important as his knowledge.
[20:10] He administered the codes fairly and
[20:12] consistently, regardless of who was
[20:14] asking. It didn't matter if you were a
[20:16] first-time homeowner,
[20:17] a long-time contractor, a prominent
[20:20] property owner, or even a member of this
[20:23] Steve held everyone to the same
[20:25] standard.
[20:26] He didn't bend the rules based on
[20:28] someone's name, title, or influence.
[20:31] He treated people with respect and
[20:33] equity, and he took seriously his
[20:35] responsibility to protect the safety and
[20:37] welfare of all the people who live and
[20:39] work, and play,
[20:41] within the town of Nags Head.
[20:43] Steve was also incredibly dependable. He
[20:45] arrived early, ready to take the first
[20:47] phone call,
[20:49] or help the first person that walked
[20:50] through the door, often
[20:53] before some of us, myself included, um
[20:56] ever made it out of the house to come to
[20:58] work.
[20:59] >> [laughter]
[21:01] » If Steve told you he would take care of
[21:03] something, you knew that that would be
[21:05] taken care of.
[21:06] You rarely needed to follow up with
[21:08] Steve because Steve was always following
[21:10] [clears throat] through.
[21:12] Now, um
[21:14] in that 2022 nomination, I also wrote,
[21:17] and I want to be honest, that uh
[21:19] Steve was likely not the employee that
[21:22] you um went to if you wanted to leave
[21:24] feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
[21:27] >> [laughter]
[21:27] >> I don't know. Some of you might remember
[21:28] that from 2022, but I probably undersold
[21:31] him a little bit. Um
[21:35] he's uh he's behind being the very
[21:37] direct building inspector
[21:40] um who
[21:41] uh will often tell you to stay in your
[21:43] lane sometimes.
[21:45] Um he's incredibly thoughtful and
[21:47] caring.
[21:48] Steve began many mornings by sharing a
[21:51] beautiful sunrise photograph.
[21:53] Uh one coworker told me that she will
[21:55] miss those photographs so much
[21:58] and that her inbox is probably over its
[22:00] size limit. Sorry, Karen.
[22:03] Uh because she's kept so many of Steve's
[22:05] emails over the years.
[22:07] Um I think that says a lot. Steve didn't
[22:10] just notice the beautiful moments, but
[22:11] he took the time to share them
[22:13] um with everyone and the people he cared
[22:15] about.
[22:17] Um
[22:19] if we were especially lucky, uh Steve
[22:22] arrived with something he had baked.
[22:24] Cookies,
[22:25] cakes, pies, some other sweet treat
[22:27] would mysteriously appear in the office,
[22:30] and no one ever had the willpower um to
[22:32] not dive in immediately.
[22:35] We are certainly going to miss Steve's
[22:36] knowledge and his dependability, but it
[22:38] would be dishonest if we said that we
[22:40] weren't going to miss all the baked
[22:42] goods as well.
[22:43] >> [laughter]
[22:45] >> Another member of our team shared that
[22:46] Steve was always eager to answer
[22:48] questions and generously share his
[22:50] knowledge of building regulations and
[22:52] the code.
[22:54] They said they would miss working with
[22:55] him, miss those delicious treats, and
[22:58] hope retirement would allow him to kick
[23:01] up his feet, go fishing, and do whatever
[23:03] he wants with his time.
[23:05] And then they offered that what might be
[23:08] the best uh retirement tribute that
[23:11] anyone could give Steve, quote, "I can't
[23:14] believe I'm saying this, but go Birds."
[23:17] >> [laughter]
[23:20] » Um
[23:21] when Steve first told me he was ready to
[23:23] retire,
[23:24] I'll admit that it was hard for me to
[23:25] process. Selfishly, I wasn't ready to
[23:28] lose him.
[23:29] Not because of everything he brings to
[23:31] our department, but because of how much
[23:33] he means to all of us.
[23:35] But then
[23:38] I thought about
[23:41] pictures like this.
[23:44] Steve sent this to me about a year ago.
[23:49] Steve's dad lives in Delaware,
[23:52] about 5 hours away,
[23:54] and his dad loves playing hot shots at
[23:56] the VFW on Thursday nights.
[24:00] So, every other week, Steve makes that
[24:02] drive and takes his dad to the VFW.
[24:08] Knowing that retirement means Steve will
[24:09] have more time for nights like this,
[24:13] more time with his dad, makes losing him
[24:16] to retirement a whole lot easier.
[24:19] Because as much as we will miss having
[24:21] Steve here with us every day, this is
[24:23] exactly where he deserves to be.
[24:26] Steve, thank you for your knowledge,
[24:27] your integrity, your loyalty, your
[24:29] consistency, and your friendship.
[24:33] Thank you for always being there when we
[24:34] needed you, for holding all of us to the
[24:36] same standard, and for leaving this
[24:38] department and the town better than you
[24:40] found them.
[24:41] We hope retirement brings you many more
[24:43] trips to Delaware,
[24:45] many more Thursday nights at the VFW,
[24:47] plenty of time to fish, and the freedom
[24:49] to spend your days doing exactly what
[24:51] you want to do. You have certainly
[24:52] earned it. We are going to miss you.
[24:57] » [applause]
[25:21] » And I'm going to ask the board to come
[25:22] around and Steve to stay up for
[25:25] presentation.
[25:32] Go Burns.
[25:36] » There's a small financial token.
[25:38] >> Cash money in the envelope.
[25:40] >> [laughter]
[25:42] >> And a plaque which reads as
[25:44] To Steve Mansfield, a volunteer
[25:46] firefighter, with greatful appreciation
[25:48] for his well
[25:49] and service 2013.
[25:51] That's awesome.
[25:53] Thank you, Steve.
[25:57] Appreciate it.
[25:58] >> Okay.
[25:59] >> Just enjoy it.
[26:00] >> I'll wear it.
[26:01] >> Yes.
[26:03] >> Mayor, do you want to say a few words?
[26:05] >> Oh, yes, I do. I'm sorry, Steve. Please.
[26:08] >> Don't forget.
[26:09] >> JC, we've got with your award, please.
[26:12] >> Sure thing.
[26:18] » Yeah, sure I can.
[26:23] » Is there a way
[26:30] » Oh.
[26:31] Okay, hold on a sec.
[26:33] >> Okay, then.
[26:33] >> Turn it around.
[26:34] >> Okay, then.
[26:35] >> [laughter]
[26:35] >> I have no idea.
[26:43] » All right.
[26:44] >> Thank you.
[27:02] » It's a tear jerker.
[27:13] Right.
[27:17] Okay with me.
[27:19] >> I don't know.
[27:19] >> How about you?
[27:20] >> I don't know.
[27:21] >> How about you?
[27:22] >> You know I think that that set of recognitions
[27:27] represents to the degree to which Nags
[27:30] Head is really also a family. Uh
[27:32] you know, people who really respect each
[27:34] other and and enjoy working with one
[27:36] another and it's uh it's a it's one of
[27:38] the great things about our town and as
[27:40] we as we see employees come and go, it's
[27:43] uh it's pretty awesome.
[27:46] >> That brings us next to public comment,
[27:48] Mr. Leiby.
[27:50] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. At this time uh
[27:51] the Board of Commissioners welcomes
[27:53] members of the public to comment to the
[27:55] board on matters of interest or concern.
[27:57] Uh it's not an opportunity for dialogue
[27:59] and the board rarely responds, but for
[28:01] anyone who wishes to address the board
[28:03] on matters that you're interested in, if
[28:05] you will please uh go to the podium,
[28:07] start by telling us your name
[28:09] uh and where you live and then I will
[28:10] let you know when your time is almost
[28:12] up. Also, we do have one public hearing
[28:14] on the agenda for today. If you were
[28:16] here to provide comment for that
[28:19] hearing, you should reserve your
[28:20] comments until that public hearing is
[28:22] called. But for anyone else, if you wish
[28:24] to provide comment to the board,
[28:26] this is your opportunity.
[28:30] Anyone?
[28:32] Mr. Mayor, seeing no takers, I think we
[28:34] should conclude public comment.
[28:36] >> Right. Very good. Thank you, sir. Uh
[28:38] that brings us to the consent agenda,
[28:40] which you have before you with seven
[28:41] items and a motion would be in order.
[28:43] >> So moved.
[28:44] >> I have Okay, have a motion and a second.
[28:46] All [clears throat] in favor signify by
[28:47] saying I.
[28:48] >> I.
[28:48] Opposed?
[28:50] Thank you. And that brings us to our uh
[28:53] public hearing and I will turn this over
[28:55] to uh
[28:57] Mr. Liedy and Director Kelly Wyatt.
[29:00] >> All right, thank you, Mr. Mayor Smith.
[29:01] This time we will begin the public
[29:02] hearing to consider a text amendment
[29:04] application that was submitted by Ms.
[29:06] Suzanne Bear uh on behalf of BIPA LLC to
[29:10] amend section 7.32 of the Unified
[29:14] Development Ordinance in order to allow
[29:16] water-dependent recreational uses as a
[29:19] permissible use within commercial mixed-use developments,
[29:22] including shopping centers located
[29:24] within the commercial outdoor recreation
[29:27] overlay. And we'll begin the board's
[29:29] consideration of this uh by receiving
[29:31] the staff's analysis presented by uh the
[29:33] Planning and Development Director, Kelly
[29:35] Wyatt.
[29:37] >> Thank you. I was hoping I would have
[29:39] more time before I was back at this.
[29:41] >> [laughter]
[29:43] » Um
[29:45] As you stated, this is a public hearing
[29:47] to consider a text amendment application
[29:49] submitted by Suzanne Bear on behalf of
[29:52] BIPA BIPA LLC.
[29:55] The request is to amend section 7.32 of
[29:59] the Unified Development Ordinance
[30:01] to allow water-dependent recreational
[30:03] uses within commercial mixed-use
[30:05] developments, including shopping
[30:06] centers, when those developments are
[30:08] located within the commercial outdoor
[30:10] recreation overlay district or as we
[30:13] often call it the COORD.
[30:15] Um just as some background, this request
[30:17] originated from discussions concerning
[30:19] the property located at 7531
[30:22] uh South Virginia Dare Trail. Uh this is
[30:25] Caribbean Corners shopping center. Um it
[30:28] has Fresh Fit, uh pizza place, Lost
[30:31] Colony.
[30:33] Um just so you can get your bearings of
[30:35] uh where we're talking about.
[30:37] Uh that property is located on the sound
[30:39] front. It's within the C-2 general
[30:41] commercial zoning district and it's also
[30:43] within the court.
[30:45] Um it's developed as a shopping center
[30:47] which is classified in our ordinance as
[30:49] a commercial mixed-use development.
[30:52] Although the property um that prompted
[30:55] this request, um I did want to emphasize
[30:58] that this is a legislative text
[31:00] amendment and the board is not
[31:01] considering a particular site plan or
[31:04] special use permit this morning. The
[31:06] approval of this amendment would not
[31:09] constitute
[31:10] approval of or support of any particular
[31:13] business or proposal at Caribbean
[31:16] Corners.
[31:17] Uh that's just where the text amendment
[31:18] precipitated in the applicant in this
[31:21] scenario.
[31:23] Um under section 6.6 of our UDO,
[31:26] water-dependent recreational uses are
[31:28] already considered within um commer-
[31:32] within the commercial outdoor recreation
[31:33] overlay district. Um however, in section
[31:37] 7.32,
[31:38] which regulates
[31:40] um commercial mixed-use developments, it
[31:43] does not currently list water-dependent
[31:45] recreational uses among the uses that
[31:49] can be included within those
[31:50] developments. And that is the excerpt of
[31:54] the ordinance that we are requesting to
[31:56] amend, but I did provide the entire 7.32
[32:00] within your packet. So hopefully you've
[32:03] had a chance to look at that and if not,
[32:05] um I'm happy to bring it up on the
[32:06] screen.
[32:08] Um
[32:11] Therefore, even though the underlying
[32:13] zoning and the overlay district may
[32:15] allow the use, it cannot currently be
[32:18] located within a development classified
[32:20] as a commercial mixed-use development or
[32:23] a shopping center without the amendment
[32:25] that's before you today.
[32:28] Um there are several things that this
[32:30] amendment would not do, so I wanted to
[32:33] speak to those.
[32:34] It It not increase the maximum number of
[32:37] permitted commercial water recreational
[32:40] vendors that are allowed within the
[32:42] town.
[32:43] Um
[32:44] based on the carrying capacity study
[32:46] that was also included in your packet,
[32:48] that number has been at seven
[32:50] businesses, and it would remain at seven
[32:53] businesses. We're not looking to
[32:55] increase the number
[32:57] of recreational businesses within the
[32:58] town.
[33:01] It would not expand the geographic
[33:03] boundary of the commercial outdoor
[33:05] recreational overlay district. That
[33:07] would stay the same.
[33:08] Um that's right there in the Wellbone
[33:10] area, um
[33:12] starting around Lakeside, uh going
[33:14] around Wellbone and across the causeway.
[33:17] Um this would not increase the number of
[33:20] personal watercraft allowed per vendor.
[33:23] Right now, that's eight jet skis allowed
[33:27] per vendor. That came from the um
[33:30] the carrying capacity study for the
[33:32] sound front as well. This amendment does
[33:34] not change that in any way.
[33:37] That stays at eight.
[33:38] Um and this proposed amendment would not
[33:42] eliminate the requirement that anyone
[33:45] looking to take advantage of this
[33:47] would need to come back before the board
[33:48] for their special use site plan
[33:51] amendment.
[33:52] Um this text amendment would simply
[33:55] allow the existing category of use to be
[33:57] considered within an additional type of
[34:00] commercial development, specifically
[34:01] commercial mixed-use developments,
[34:03] including shopping centers.
[34:05] The history behind the town's regulation
[34:07] of water-dependent recreational uses
[34:09] important.
[34:10] In 1998, the town began experiencing
[34:13] increasing concerns regarding personal
[34:15] watercraft rental operations on the
[34:17] Roanoke Sound.
[34:19] Those concerns included safety,
[34:20] congestion, conflicts among different
[34:22] user groups,
[34:24] uh potential environmental impacts, and
[34:26] the overall quality of the recreational
[34:28] experience.
[34:30] In response, the Board of Commissioners
[34:32] at the time adopted a moratorium on the
[34:34] expansion of personal watercraft rental
[34:36] operations while a comprehensive
[34:39] carrying capacity study was completed.
[34:42] Um that's included in your packet.
[34:44] The town retained PMA planners to
[34:47] conduct that study.
[34:48] During the summer of 1998, the
[34:50] consultants completed 317 interviews at
[34:54] 12 locations along the Nags Head
[34:56] shoreline of Roanoke Sound.
[34:58] The participants included personal
[35:00] watercraft users,
[35:02] powerboat users, non-powered watercraft
[35:04] users, and shoreline users such as
[35:06] swimmers, anglers, and crabbers.
[35:09] The purpose was not to prohibit personal
[35:11] watercraft or commercial recreation.
[35:14] It was to determine how much
[35:16] recreational activity the sound could
[35:18] reasonably accommodate
[35:20] before congestion, safety concerns, user
[35:22] conflicts, or impacts to the experience
[35:25] became unacceptable.
[35:27] The study found that users were
[35:28] generally satisfied with their
[35:30] experiences on the sound,
[35:32] that the sound was not experiencing
[35:34] widespread degradation or unacceptable
[35:37] congestion,
[35:38] and that the management measures in
[35:40] place at the time seemed to be working.
[35:44] Seven commercial rental operations
[35:46] existed when that study was completed,
[35:48] and based upon those findings, the
[35:50] consultant recommended we keep that at
[35:52] seven businesses.
[35:54] Um eight personal watercraft was also
[35:57] what was permitted at the time, and
[35:58] that's why we're um that's why we
[36:01] currently have that, and we're proposing
[36:02] to keep that in place.
[36:05] Um
[36:06] one of the more significant conclusions
[36:08] of this study
[36:10] was that the principal concern was not
[36:12] necessarily the environmental
[36:13] degradation of the sound itself, but it
[36:16] was the potential for conflicts among
[36:17] many different people
[36:19] sharing a finite recreational resource.
[36:23] The resulting regulations were intended
[36:24] to balance recreational opportunities
[36:26] with safety, compatibility, and the
[36:28] long-term management of the Roanoke
[36:30] Sound.
[36:32] Staff recognizes that recreational
[36:33] activity on the sound has changed since
[36:36] that study was completed um more than 25
[36:39] years ago.
[36:41] We now have delivery-based rental
[36:43] services, more privately owned
[36:45] watercraft used by visitors,
[36:48] transient docking facilities, and a
[36:50] broader range of commercial activities.
[36:53] Businesses that may once have focused
[36:55] primarily on personal watercraft now
[36:58] frequently offer pontoon boat rentals,
[37:00] kayaks, stand-up paddle boards,
[37:02] parasailing, kiteboarding, dolphin
[37:04] tours, and many other activities that
[37:07] have grown over the years.
[37:09] Therefore, even though the number of
[37:11] commercial operators has remained
[37:13] relatively consistent,
[37:15] the variety and the potential intensity
[37:17] of recreational activity has certainly
[37:19] increased.
[37:22] The history is relevant. However, the
[37:24] proposed amendment does not necessarily
[37:26] alter the town's carrying capacity
[37:28] limitations.
[37:30] It does not add vendors, it does not add
[37:32] personal watercraft, or add territory to
[37:35] the overlay district.
[37:37] The question raised by this request is
[37:39] whether an otherwise [clears throat]
[37:40] permissible water-dependent recreational
[37:42] use
[37:43] should be allowed to seek approval
[37:44] within a commercial mixed-use
[37:46] development.
[37:47] And that raises um somewhat different
[37:51] set of concerns.
[37:53] Unlike stand-alone waterfront
[37:54] recreational businesses, a shopping
[37:56] center is typically designed around
[37:58] multiple tenants
[38:00] that are sharing parking, drive aisles,
[38:02] pedestrian areas, and other
[38:03] infrastructure.
[38:05] Those tenants may include restaurants,
[38:07] retail businesses, offices, and personal
[38:09] service establishments.
[38:11] Adding a water-dependent recreational
[38:14] use to that environment
[38:16] could raise some legitimate concerns
[38:18] about
[38:19] where watercraft and other equipment
[38:21] would be stored or staged.
[38:24] Where customers would gather and receive
[38:26] their instructions.
[38:28] Whether adequate parking would remain
[38:30] available for all tenants.
[38:32] How vehicles, trailers, pedestrians, and
[38:35] customers would circulate through the
[38:36] property.
[38:38] Where docking facilities or related
[38:40] infrastructure would be located.
[38:43] Where fueling would occur. And if so,
[38:45] how spill prevention and safety would be
[38:47] addressed.
[38:49] Whether the operation would affect storm
[38:51] water management. Is it going to be
[38:53] compatible with the neighboring tenants?
[38:56] And whether the overall site would
[38:57] continue to function safely and
[38:59] efficiently.
[39:01] Staff believes those are very important
[39:03] questions. However, we acknowledge they
[39:06] are more site-specific questions.
[39:09] The legislative text amendment cannot
[39:11] tell us
[39:12] where the equipment will be stored on a
[39:14] particular property, how many spaces
[39:16] will remain available, etc. Um or how it
[39:19] might conflict with the additional
[39:21] businesses within the shopping center.
[39:23] Those are items that are going to have
[39:25] to be evaluated through a special use
[39:27] permit and site plan amendment.
[39:30] That process would allow the town to
[39:32] examine the actual property,
[39:34] the proposed operation, parking
[39:36] calculations, circulation patterns,
[39:38] equipment storage, docking, fueling
[39:40] arrangements, storm water, and the
[39:42] relationship to the proposed other
[39:44] tenants.
[39:46] Any applicant would have to demonstrate
[39:48] independently that the proposed use
[39:49] satisfies all the applicable ordinance
[39:52] requirements and the special use permit
[39:53] standards.
[39:55] Staff also recognizes that the amendment
[39:57] could offer potential benefits.
[40:00] It could provide greater flexibility in
[40:02] the use of existing commercial
[40:04] properties, allow businesses to share
[40:06] existing infrastructure,
[40:08] concentrate commercial activities within
[40:10] established commercial developments,
[40:12] and provide convenience for customers
[40:14] who may be using other businesses at
[40:16] that location.
[40:18] Um relevant comprehensive plan policies
[40:21] encourage the town to preserve Nags
[40:23] Head's character
[40:24] while allowing commercial development
[40:26] that serves residents and visitors
[40:29] and remains compatible with adjacent
[40:31] properties.
[40:32] The plan also directs the town to review
[40:34] its regulations for ocean and sound
[40:36] waters, commercial boating,
[40:38] and personal watercraft to protect the
[40:40] recreational, scenic, and environmental
[40:42] value of those resources.
[40:45] Staff believes that allowing the use to
[40:47] be considered while retaining carrying
[40:50] capacity limits,
[40:52] the seven businesses and the eight jet
[40:54] skis,
[40:55] and requiring the site-specific special
[40:57] use permit,
[40:58] we believe that this text amendment is
[41:00] consistent with those policies.
[41:03] The planning board considered this
[41:04] amendment at its June 16th meeting, and
[41:07] after discussing all the potential
[41:08] concerns that we've gone over here as
[41:10] well, um the planning board voted
[41:12] unanimously to recommend approval of the
[41:15] text amendment, noting that um any
[41:19] business would require the site-specific
[41:21] special use permit
[41:23] to be reviewed and approved by the
[41:24] planning board and this board.
[41:27] Um
[41:29] That being said, uh staff staff's
[41:31] recommendation is the same.
[41:33] Uh we do recommend approval of the
[41:35] amendment as it's been presented, noting
[41:38] that um
[41:39] any individual business wanting to take
[41:41] advantage would require site plan review
[41:44] as well.
[41:45] So, I am happy to answer any questions
[41:47] that you may have related to the text
[41:49] amendment, and we do have um Suzanne
[41:52] Bear available in the audience. She is
[41:54] the applicant and the property manager
[41:56] for Caribbean Corners.
[41:59] >> Thank you.
[41:59] >> All right, does the board have any
[42:00] questions for Ms. Wyatt?
[42:03] » I don't.
[42:05] Thank you for a very thorough
[42:07] presentation.
[42:08] >> Yes.
[42:09] Thank you.
[42:10] >> All right, thank you, Kelly.
[42:11] Uh Ms. Bear, do you have anything to
[42:13] present?
[42:14] >> No, I just want to say thank you for
[42:15] your consideration on the
[42:19] >> All right.
[42:20] Does any member of the public wish to
[42:21] comment on the proposed text amendment?
[42:24] Does the board wish to receive any other
[42:26] information from staff or the applicant
[42:29] before you begin your deliberations?
[42:32] If not, at this time we will conclude
[42:33] the public hearing and the board may
[42:34] begin its deliberations on the proposed
[42:36] text amendment.
[42:38] All right, board, are there any comments
[42:41] before we entertain a motion?
[42:47] Okay.
[42:48] All right, then we'll entertain a
[42:49] motion.
[42:53] » I'll make a motion to
[42:55] approve this as it is presented.
[42:57] >> Thank you. Do I have a second?
[42:59] >> Second.
[43:00] >> I have a motion and a second. I will say I do appreciate the concerns
[43:07] that the planning board expressed about
[43:10] the that will be site specific.
[43:14] I also appreciate the fact that you know
[43:15] multi-use allows
[43:20] people to be on the road a little less.
[43:22] In other words, you can enjoy you know
[43:24] whoever's in a car can enjoy multiple
[43:26] functions on the same site,
[43:29] which I think is the the benefit of the
[43:31] mixed use and so we will see how this
[43:33] goes.
[43:36] All right, I have a motion and a second.
[43:38] Hearing no further discussion, all in
[43:40] favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed?
[43:44] Thank you.
[43:47] All right, Kelly.
[43:51] You're busy you're a busy lady today.
[44:02] » This next item will go much faster.
[44:05] Um
[44:07] I will just provide a few highlights
[44:09] from the planning and development
[44:10] department's monthly report.
[44:13] Um their written report has information
[44:15] about permitting, inspections, code
[44:16] enforcement, septic health activity from
[44:18] June. Um and I can dive deeper into any
[44:21] of that if needed. Uh the planning board
[44:24] uh did not meet in July. It's next
[44:26] meeting is scheduled for August 18th.
[44:28] And we're going to um to be hearing a
[44:31] text amendment submitted by Eddie
[44:32] Goodrich concerning cottage courts.
[44:35] The amendment would provide greater
[44:37] flexibility by modifying existing
[44:39] graduated size and design requirements
[44:42] for individual dwelling units.
[44:45] Um
[44:46] that sounds kind of vague, but
[44:49] essentially what that is is the um
[44:52] the last time we heard this
[44:54] uh
[44:55] I think the applicant wanted to increase
[44:58] the size of cottage courts.
[45:01] And this is kind of going the other way.
[45:03] Uh the current applicant is interested
[45:06] in providing smaller homes, um one story
[45:10] consistent with a loft. Um and because
[45:14] we have that graduated scale that says
[45:16] 1/3 has to be single story, 1/3 story
[45:20] and a half, 1/3 two story um
[45:23] with the scale of graduated habitable
[45:25] living space. Um this
[45:29] text amendment would keep that in place,
[45:32] but allow an alternative option for
[45:34] something um for more
[45:37] consistent one-story structures. Um
[45:41] and we'll have more on that at the
[45:43] planning board's agenda. Also, um at
[45:45] this next planning board meeting
[45:47] uh
[45:48] the conversation about accessory
[45:50] dwelling units that is on our strategic
[45:52] plan.
[45:53] Uh we don't want to lose sight of it. We
[45:55] know it's a really large conversation.
[45:58] We have several new planning board
[45:59] members currently um who may not be
[46:03] privy to all of the history behind ADUs
[46:06] and the discussions,
[46:08] um, and the concerns. So, um,
[46:11] we're going to start the process of
[46:14] updating the planning board on the
[46:15] history, um, so that possibly in the
[46:18] months down the road, um, if we want to
[46:20] consider another ordinance, um,
[46:22] everybody's aware of of where we've
[46:24] been.
[46:26] Um, the Board of Adjustment met on July
[46:28] 9th
[46:29] as to consider, uh,
[46:32] appeal from Sebastian Ohangoran. Uh,
[46:35] that was an appeal from an
[46:37] interpretation regarding front yard
[46:39] setback reduction, and the board voted
[46:41] unanimously to uphold staff's
[46:44] administrative decision.
[46:46] Um,
[46:47] the Board of Adjustment meets again
[46:49] August 13th to consider an appeal filed
[46:52] by Loretta Patrick regarding the denial
[46:56] of a permit to demolish an existing,
[46:59] um,
[46:59] beach access walkway within the Pelican
[47:02] Park subdivision, so.
[47:04] Um, adjoining property owner
[47:06] notifications have gone out. The site's
[47:08] been posted, um, and we'll be holding
[47:12] that hearing, um, on Thursday, August
[47:15] 13th.
[47:17] Um,
[47:19] as far as the DWMP, we continue to have
[47:23] strong participation in the septic
[47:25] health initiative during the past fiscal
[47:27] year.
[47:28] The town completed approximately 190
[47:31] septic inspections,
[47:33] issued 158 water bill credits, and
[47:36] facilitated 10 septic repair loans.
[47:39] Um, a recent outreach mailer generated
[47:42] approximately 70 inspection requests,
[47:45] and introduced several new property
[47:46] owners to the program, so that was
[47:48] really exciting.
[47:50] Um, staff have also mailed targeted
[47:52] information, um, about the new zero
[47:54] interest septic loan program to those
[47:56] properties that are
[47:58] um considered to be vulnerable based
[48:00] upon their proximity to a water body and
[48:02] elevation.
[48:04] Um
[48:05] staff continues to work with OTT
[48:07] Hydromet on our groundwater loggers and
[48:10] we're meeting with researchers from ECU
[48:13] to learn more about their groundwater
[48:14] monitoring work and possibly explore
[48:17] opportunities to collaborate with them
[48:19] as well.
[48:20] Um Estuarine Shoreline, there's been a
[48:22] lot of movement there.
[48:25] Um Harvey and Soundside event site
[48:27] permit application was submitted
[48:29] following completion of wetland survey
[48:32] and some minor design revisions. Um
[48:34] we're continuing to address access for
[48:38] um kayak and wind sport sport users.
[48:43] Um permits are anticipated in September,
[48:46] bidding to follow, and construction is
[48:48] currently planned for January of 2027.
[48:52] Um
[48:53] we've also had productive engagement
[48:54] with property owners on Village Dunes
[48:56] Drive and Soundside Road. At Soundside
[49:00] Road, the project will focus on a
[49:02] nature-based resiliency berm and
[49:05] associated stormwater improvements
[49:07] intended to reduce overtopping
[49:10] um of the roadway, improve habitat, and
[49:12] protect the infrastructure.
[49:14] Draft easement um language has been
[49:17] shared with the affected property owners
[49:19] and we're just continuing outreach with
[49:21] them at this time.
[49:23] Um staff are also developing policy for
[49:26] technical assistance funding that the
[49:28] board allocated during the budget
[49:30] process for private property owners and
[49:32] small groups that are interested in
[49:33] living shorelines. Um we're going to be
[49:36] putting a policy together on how that
[49:39] technical assistance will be awarded and
[49:41] that should be coming back to you in
[49:42] September.
[49:44] Um we have issued our request for
[49:47] qualifications to update the town's
[49:49] parks and recreation plan.
[49:51] That was the number one priority in the
[49:53] strategic plan update, so that is now
[49:55] underway and very exciting.
[49:59] Um summer programming at Dowdy continues
[50:02] to be extremely successful.
[50:04] Um great attendance at really
[50:05] everything, farmers market,
[50:08] um concerts, fitness, family fun.
[50:11] Everything's just going really well, so
[50:12] very thankful for that. Um and we're
[50:15] also pleased to welcome a new um
[50:17] employee, Erica Warbocker. She is a new
[50:20] part-time, year-round events assistant.
[50:23] Um
[50:24] most of y'all have probably seen her by
[50:26] now. She's out there with Paige on
[50:27] farmers market days and she's just been
[50:28] a huge asset to have her, so um thank
[50:31] you. She's been wonderful.
[50:33] Um
[50:34] and I believe that's it.
[50:36] >> Okay. Great.
[50:38] Any questions for Kelly?
[50:41] >> No. Thank you, Kelly.
[50:42] >> Thank you.
[50:43] >> [clears throat]
[50:43] >> Kelly.
[50:46] Uh that brings us to uh new business and
[50:50] committee reports and I will start on my
[50:52] right with Commissioner Vaughn.
[50:54] >> Uh the tourism board does not meet in
[50:56] July, so I have not much of a report no
[50:58] report for you this month.
[50:59] >> All right. Very good. Thank you.
[51:01] Commissioner Sanders.
[51:02] >> Um the Dare Housing Foundation is still
[51:04] moving forward with their um sandcastle
[51:08] weekly building contest, so and it's in
[51:11] its first year, so we're still trying to
[51:12] get the word out about that and hoping
[51:14] that'll grow. And also um more
[51:16] importantly, they're actively seeking
[51:18] some grants to to get things going, so
[51:20] it's it's moving in a really positive
[51:22] direction.
[51:23] >> Good. Good. Great to hear that.
[51:25] Uh Commissioner Weaver.
[51:27] >> Um Kelly Gre gave a great report update
[51:30] from the septic health committee, but I
[51:31] did just want to say an extra thank you
[51:34] to town staff. Um I've been on the
[51:36] septic health committee for years on
[51:38] planning board in this and it's just
[51:40] rare to me to see so many staff members
[51:42] involved in with this loan program, the
[51:44] amount of work that Kelly, Joe, Amy, and
[51:46] Connor have been putting into it, and
[51:48] Andy has been immense, and it's just
[51:50] well beyond the traditional scope of
[51:52] work, I would think, with the septic
[51:53] health program. So, thank you again.
[51:55] I'm really excited about the loan
[51:56] program.
[51:57] >> Very good.
[51:58] >> Thank you.
[51:59] >> Commissioner Harrison.
[52:00] >> Um government access channel committee
[52:02] met in July, and it's kind of business
[52:04] as usual. Things are just rolling along.
[52:06] I just wanted to point out that
[52:09] Roberta's content from the past year,
[52:12] since the committee's been developed,
[52:13] it's just been it's been stellar. If you
[52:15] go and you look through all the videos
[52:16] of all the that are there, a lot of the
[52:18] Nags Head videos really stand out, and I
[52:20] just want to commend Roberta for that.
[52:21] >> Yep.
[52:22] >> Yes.
[52:22] >> Great. Great work.
[52:25] Very good.
[52:26] Thank you. That brings us next to
[52:28] consideration of resolutions authorizing
[52:32] fall 2026 fishing tournaments. These are
[52:35] long-standing [clears throat]
[52:36] tournaments for the Outer Banks
[52:38] Association of Realtors, the Fraternal
[52:40] Order of Eagles, and the Nags Head Surf
[52:43] Fishing Club. And I think that we can do
[52:45] that with a single motion.
[52:49] Okay.
[52:50] >> Yep.
[52:50] >> Okay. So, a motion would be in order.
[52:53] >> So moved.
[52:53] >> I have a motion. Is there a second?
[52:55] >> Second.
[52:56] >> I have a motion and a second.
[52:58] Um any discussion?
[53:00] Right.
[53:01] Hearing none, all those in favor signify
[53:02] by saying I. I. Opposed? Right. Thank
[53:05] you.
[53:07] Uh Mr. Laidig, do we have anything from
[53:09] you today?
[53:10] >> Uh yes, we have two things. One, um I
[53:12] want to give you an update on the uh
[53:14] Cherry uh litigation. As you know, that
[53:18] um in that case, we've obtained a
[53:20] summary judgment last summer uh
[53:23] dismissing the case, and uh Cherry uh
[53:25] appealed from that. So, the case is
[53:27] pending in the Court of Appeals. Uh just
[53:29] last week, we received notification from
[53:31] the Court of Appeals that the appeal
[53:33] will be considered on August the 27th
[53:36] without oral arguments. So, they'll be considering it on the on the
[53:40] briefs that we submitted, that the um
[53:43] appellant submitted and that were
[53:44] submitted by
[53:46] amicus from the Southern Environmental
[53:48] Law Center.
[53:49] >> Okay. Great.
[53:50] >> And the other thing I want to point out
[53:51] is
[53:52] I just wanted to
[53:54] since Roberta Thuman was recognized
[53:56] today I just want to point out that in
[53:58] the easement acquisition process for
[53:59] beach nourishment that's something we've
[54:02] spent a lot of time on. It couldn't be
[54:03] done without her assistance. So, I just
[54:05] want to give her that credit.
[54:07] >> Yeah. Very good.
[54:09] Thank you.
[54:11] Uh that brings us to items referred to
[54:13] and presentations from the town manager
[54:16] and first Amy.
[54:20] With the financial update.
[54:22] >> Jared just said make it rain Amy. I
[54:24] don't know. We'll see.
[54:26] I mean although I will say it
[54:30] this is going to be about fiscal year 26
[54:32] cuz there's really nothing to report in
[54:34] 27. We haven't even built taxes. We're
[54:35] working on that obviously but so
[54:38] obviously this is unaudited. We're not
[54:40] closed out. We're still waiting on some
[54:41] things. So, just really a high-level
[54:44] overview. Um
[54:46] So, in the budget we kind of put a lot
[54:49] of work into discussing, you know,
[54:51] financial planning and there was a supplemental narrative in there about
[54:57] the general fund balance projection.
[54:59] Um and so what we talked about in the
[55:02] budget was a 30% fund balance which was
[55:04] a 3% increase
[55:06] from the fiscal year 25 unassigned fund
[55:09] balance.
[55:10] Um and you know, we wrote that in March
[55:13] or April. So, now that we're in August
[55:15] and we progressed towards
[55:17] you know, closing out the books in 26
[55:20] I still think that that 30% holds true
[55:23] if not 31 or 32%
[55:25] which is great because again that is an
[55:27] increase from last year.
[55:29] Um and again as as above our fund
[55:32] balance policy in the general fund of
[55:34] 25%
[55:35] but it is below the 35% I do not think
[55:39] from every which way that I've sliced
[55:40] and diced it going back from March and
[55:43] April to
[55:44] last week, um I don't think we will hit
[55:47] that 35% but again, you know, something
[55:50] could happen. Um
[55:53] So, I don't think we will be uh putting
[55:55] funds into the capital investment fund
[55:57] anything over 35% would go in there.
[55:59] But, again, that the capital investment
[56:01] fund does have its own fund balance
[56:02] policy and this fiscal year we will be,
[56:06] you know, above our policy of 20% and
[56:08] the way that we did the budget both in
[56:11] uh 27 and the financial plan we were
[56:13] within that policy of the CIF as well.
[56:16] So, I don't anticipate any problems
[56:18] there. Um the fund balance policy uh
[56:22] calculation for the general fund
[56:25] the way you calculate that, um open
[56:28] purchase orders that will be carried
[56:29] forward, that will be a budget amendment
[56:31] that the board will approve probably in
[56:32] October. Um that gets that hits the fund
[56:35] balance, if you will. So, that's taken
[56:37] to an account. Um the fund balance
[56:40] appropriation, I know we talked about
[56:41] that in the budget process for 27, that
[56:43] hits the fund balance. I took that into
[56:45] account. And we also have to account for
[56:47] the $12 million transfer made from the
[56:50] capital reserve fund because in the
[56:51] financial statements the capital reserve
[56:53] fund, the capital investment fund, and
[56:55] the general fund are all combined for
[56:57] the front of the statements. Um so, we
[56:58] do have to take that into account as
[57:00] well. So, all those things were factored
[57:02] into that. Um and again, our fund
[57:05] balance policy does not include special
[57:07] obligation bond debt, which would be the
[57:10] public services complex and that was 1.2
[57:12] million. So, we backed that out to get
[57:14] to our fund balance calculation of what
[57:16] the board policy is for fund balance. Um
[57:20] Some reasons for the increases we did
[57:22] the revaluation.
[57:24] Um we did receive a half a million
[57:27] dollars more in ad valorem revenue
[57:29] because of our almost 100% collection
[57:31] rate. I think that was in the packet for
[57:33] this month. Um the in the revenue
[57:35] neutral rate, we talked about that with
[57:36] the board with the appeals.
[57:38] Um the county, the towns, everybody
[57:40] accounted for a 5% appeal process.
[57:43] And uh the latest email I could find
[57:45] from the county was ours was less than 3
[57:47] and 1/2% so that accounts for some of
[57:50] that um
[57:51] interest income over budget by $150,000.
[57:55] Um utilities franchise tax uh over
[57:59] budget by about that same amount. Um and
[58:01] also with the grants, the timing of it
[58:04] um you know, we have to get
[58:05] reimbursement. We have to pay for it
[58:07] first and we have to get it back. So
[58:08] we've been getting uh finally on the
[58:10] back end of some of those reimbursements
[58:12] so that's helping us also. Um the shared
[58:15] revenues
[58:16] I think we're on an uptick. I I hate to
[58:19] say that out loud. Um but
[58:21] >> [laughter]
[58:21] >> we're
[58:22] we are cuz at first I was like, "Oh,
[58:24] we're going to be about 50,000 under."
[58:26] Well, now I think we're going to be
[58:27] about 50,000 over which is pretty much a
[58:29] net zero for budgeting. Um you know,
[58:32] land transfer tax was 5% less than it
[58:35] was last fiscal year. Sales tax was up
[58:37] 1%. Occupancy tax 2% lower. So based on
[58:41] these figures, you know, we were
[58:42] transparent I think with the board and
[58:43] in the budget how we did a very
[58:45] conservative flat revenue for shared
[58:48] revenues and based on this, I think that
[58:50] that's the appropriate decision that was
[58:53] made um
[58:55] again, we're going to say conservatively
[58:57] optimistic if that's a word.
[58:59] >> [laughter]
[59:00] >> And for utility, we budgeted about 4.3
[59:03] million in revenues and I think that's
[59:05] where we're going to exactly where we're
[59:06] going to land, maybe a little bit over.
[59:08] Um but the good news is is that the
[59:11] water that we purchased from Dare
[59:13] County, that was uh
[59:16] 17 and 1/2% under what we budgeted. So
[59:18] we're buying less water but
[59:21] we're actually meeting our revenues. So
[59:23] to me again, that says a lot about the
[59:24] conservation and the leak detection and
[59:27] the meter, so
[59:28] um I think that's that's kind of a good thing. Um tipping fees,
[59:34] about $800,000.
[59:36] Um that is slightly under budget. We we
[59:38] met our budget for that pretty much, and
[59:40] we did reduce them by 6% in fiscal year
[59:42] '26. So, we're forecasting a drop in
[59:45] tipping fees, and I think this year it
[59:47] was
[59:48] closer to 830,000 that we budgeted, but
[59:51] the fees are going up, the gas
[59:53] going up. So, the it's not necessarily
[59:56] the tonnage, but more so the cost per
[59:58] ton.
[59:59] Um and really that's it at a very high
[1:00:01] level. Um
[1:00:03] looking forward to working on the
[1:00:04] financials now, and um we do this
[1:00:07] quarterly, but I'm always available to
[1:00:08] answer any questions, but um thank you
[1:00:11] for your time.
[1:00:13] >> Any questions?
[1:00:14] >> Thank you, Amy.
[1:00:14] >> Thank you.
[1:00:16] >> Thank
[1:00:16] >> Questions?
[1:00:17] >> Thank you, Amy. It's it's it's really
[1:00:20] fun to see
[1:00:21] a win like the water meters. I mean, it continues to thrill me that uh you
[1:00:27] know, something so technical, so sort of
[1:00:29] mundane, turns out to be not just a
[1:00:33] financial win for the town, but a win in terms of public perception,
[1:00:38] because we've heard so many stories
[1:00:40] about people who have
[1:00:42] uh where the town's been able to detect
[1:00:43] a leak for somebody that they didn't
[1:00:45] know that they had, um and and be
[1:00:47] responsive. So, so that's that's really
[1:00:50] that's that's fun.
[1:00:52] All right. Uh David,
[1:00:54] update on the multi-use path.
[1:01:01] » Good morning, Mayor and Commissioners.
[1:01:05] So, we thought that
[1:01:07] this would be a good opportunity to go
[1:01:08] ahead and just provide a concept for the
[1:01:11] planning of the next phase of the
[1:01:13] Westside multi-use path.
[1:01:15] Um what I've got up on the screen is
[1:01:18] just an aerial overview of the section
[1:01:21] that we're looking at. I'll go ahead and
[1:01:24] zoom in.
[1:01:25] Um this is essentially to go ahead and
[1:01:28] fill in an existing gap within our
[1:01:30] multi-use path network.
[1:01:32] Uh we have to the north
[1:01:35] um
[1:01:37] from Carolista Drive all the way up
[1:01:39] through A Street, we have a segment of
[1:01:42] multi-use path that currently exists.
[1:01:45] And so, this would be a continuation of
[1:01:47] that from Carolista Drive all the way
[1:01:50] through to West Side Side Road, where we
[1:01:53] would then connect up with a section of
[1:01:57] multi-use path that was constructed back
[1:01:59] in 2020.
[1:02:02] So,
[1:02:03] a couple things of note with this
[1:02:06] section that is a little bit different
[1:02:09] from what we've uh come across with some
[1:02:12] of the prior projects.
[1:02:15] Um we've got some existing constraints.
[1:02:19] Um one being an existing drainage ditch
[1:02:22] network, which spans from Carolista
[1:02:24] Drive to just south of Conk Street. Um
[1:02:28] this is part of
[1:02:30] uh a drainage network that captures
[1:02:33] runoff from US 158.
[1:02:36] And then there's a cross culvert pipe at
[1:02:39] Conk Street, which then flows through
[1:02:41] that network and through an ocean
[1:02:43] outfall at that location.
[1:02:48] Additionally, we've got underground
[1:02:49] utilities that we're going to have to um
[1:02:53] work around. And topography, I think, is
[1:02:56] our biggest challenge.
[1:03:00] Um the topography from Jockey's Ridge
[1:03:03] State Park, um especially when we get
[1:03:07] into this section,
[1:03:09] um I've got uh Sue's Barbecue as a point
[1:03:12] of reference here along the east side of
[1:03:14] 158.
[1:03:16] This is
[1:03:17] really where the topography starts to encroach
[1:03:22] um out close towards the existing edge
[1:03:25] of pavement.
[1:03:26] And so,
[1:03:28] this is [snorts and clears throat] this
[1:03:30] may require some pretty extensive
[1:03:32] grading as well as some bulkheading in
[1:03:35] this area.
[1:03:37] And this extends through to the
[1:03:39] crosswalk at Jockey's Ridge
[1:03:42] crossing, and then 2 points south of
[1:03:45] that until that slope starts to taper
[1:03:50] off some.
[1:03:52] So, just to give you a sense of what
[1:03:54] we're looking at as far as topography,
[1:03:57] especially in that area that we were
[1:03:58] just looking at on the north side,
[1:04:01] we start to see
[1:04:03] it really start to constrain in here.
[1:04:06] The existing roadway elevations are
[1:04:08] somewhere around an elevation of 9 ft
[1:04:11] above mean sea level, and these contour
[1:04:14] lines represent a change in grade at
[1:04:17] 1-ft intervals. Um and you can see they
[1:04:20] go up to about 22 ft over a short span
[1:04:23] of distance. And so, due to that
[1:04:27] and the placement of the path, that we
[1:04:30] would look at going ahead and starting
[1:04:32] our retaining wall,
[1:04:34] um we'd be looking at approximately
[1:04:37] about 1,000 ft of retaining wall in
[1:04:40] length, um starting at about 4-ft high
[1:04:43] as an exposed height, and maybe even
[1:04:46] increasing as much as 8 ft in height to
[1:04:49] be able to keep that sand back and have
[1:04:53] an open pathway um for us to place the
[1:04:56] path as well as any drainage
[1:04:59] improvements in that area.
[1:05:04] And that that extends south
[1:05:07] through the crosswalk. We would have an
[1:05:09] opening here within the retaining wall
[1:05:13] um to allow uh passage of pedestrians.
[1:05:16] And then also that retaining wall would
[1:05:19] then continue southward.
[1:05:24] Give me a
[1:05:25] second.
[1:05:28] Southward up into a point where that
[1:05:31] slope really starts to taper back.
[1:05:35] And so um we're looking at some some
[1:05:38] pretty extensive grading in that area.
[1:05:41] We're also looking at a reduced width of
[1:05:44] the multi-use path. In In the past,
[1:05:46] traditionally, we've had a 10-ft wide
[1:05:49] multi-use path. But because of these
[1:05:51] challenges and these constraints, beyond
[1:05:53] the regulatory constraints that we have
[1:05:55] where we have a 10-ft wide separation
[1:05:58] from the existing edge of pavement
[1:06:00] or as an alternative, we could have a
[1:06:04] um
[1:06:05] vertical curb and gutter that would
[1:06:07] serve as a barrier where we can locate
[1:06:10] that pathway um
[1:06:12] 3 ft on the back side of that curb and
[1:06:14] gutter. Those are some of the other
[1:06:16] constraints and we've been working with
[1:06:18] North Carolina Department of
[1:06:19] Transportation as well as Jockey's Ridge
[1:06:23] State Park to go ahead and discuss how
[1:06:26] we can navigate some of these things and
[1:06:28] still work within their permitting
[1:06:31] framework.
[1:06:34] Um I wanted to just show a visual
[1:06:37] representation of what this may look
[1:06:40] like.
[1:06:42] Um when we talk about the the the
[1:06:45] separation and having a grass buffer,
[1:06:48] this is what the path would look like
[1:06:51] um conceptually if we were to have a
[1:06:53] 10-ft wide grass buffer and have
[1:06:56] separation from the travel lane to where
[1:07:00] the beginning of the
[1:07:02] edge of sidewalk would begin. And then
[1:07:04] in some of those areas where it starts to tighten up, we would look at
[1:07:10] the retaining wall
[1:07:12] where we would have uh potentially curb
[1:07:15] and gutter,
[1:07:17] pathway, and then uh little bit of
[1:07:19] separation to where that retaining wall
[1:07:22] would would go ahead and start. Just to
[1:07:24] go ahead and give you an idea of what
[1:07:27] this finished product may look like.
[1:07:31] So, we are currently working with uh
[1:07:34] Withers Ravenel now who's doing the
[1:07:35] engineering design for this
[1:07:37] um and still having these conversations
[1:07:40] with North Carolina Department of
[1:07:41] Transportation, as well as Jockey's
[1:07:44] Ridge State Park to be able to come up
[1:07:47] with a final alignment um as well as
[1:07:52] uh final uh walkway width
[1:07:54] um to be able to um get to a point where
[1:07:57] we can submit for permits,
[1:07:59] put it out to bid, and start
[1:08:01] construction on the project.
[1:08:03] So, I'll be glad to answer any questions
[1:08:05] that you may have.
[1:08:07] >> Questions?
[1:08:08] >> If that bulkhead gets to like 8 ft in
[1:08:10] some areas, will there be I imagine
[1:08:12] there'd be some sort of like guardrail
[1:08:13] or to keep people from wandering over
[1:08:16] it?
[1:08:18] Or you know what I mean? Like if they
[1:08:19] come down
[1:08:21] Yeah, you'd hope they wouldn't, but I
[1:08:23] mean
[1:08:23] >> It's
[1:08:24] We anticipate that some of those exposed
[1:08:27] heights where it's 8 ft that they're
[1:08:29] going to be really concentrated and
[1:08:30] focused, so it's not going to be over a
[1:08:32] large area. So, it would be over a small
[1:08:34] area. And I don't know if some of those
[1:08:37] areas are actually accessible.
[1:08:40] >> Okay.
[1:08:41] >> So, um but it would it's definitely
[1:08:43] something that we'll go ahead and
[1:08:44] consider and look at to see if there's
[1:08:46] additional safety treatments that we
[1:08:48] need to put in place
[1:08:49] as a result of that.
[1:08:50] >> Thank you.
[1:08:52] >> Question.
[1:08:53] >> Um I have a question. Is the park
[1:08:56] seemingly um open to moving sand? And
[1:08:59] these plantings look new, so are they open to
[1:09:03] moving sand and planting stabilization
[1:09:07] plants on the dune?
[1:09:08] So far?
[1:09:09] >> And
[1:09:10] in some of our initial discussions, um
[1:09:13] they were really uh focused on
[1:09:16] vegetation uh preservation.
[1:09:19] And so, with the alignment, we've tried
[1:09:21] to minimize the amount of vegetative
[1:09:24] removal.
[1:09:25] Um but we also understand that
[1:09:28] with the grading and the bulk getting,
[1:09:30] that there will need to be some type of
[1:09:32] planning behind there in order to go
[1:09:34] ahead and keep that in place. So.
[1:09:36] >> was my question. Are they are they
[1:09:37] seemingly open to new plantings on the
[1:09:39] dune?
[1:09:40] >> Uh yes, and and I I think uh that's key
[1:09:44] for them uh because of the fact is if
[1:09:47] you don't have that vegetation, then
[1:09:50] it's going to be that much more
[1:09:51] difficult to be able to stabilize those
[1:09:53] slopes.
[1:09:54] >> Mhm.
[1:10:05] » And schedule?
[1:10:08] Uh so,
[1:10:10] the the schedule is um
[1:10:13] once we go ahead and refine
[1:10:16] the um the plans,
[1:10:19] get all the permitting and regulatory
[1:10:21] agencies on board, then we can go ahead
[1:10:23] and submit for permits.
[1:10:25] Um our plan is to try to be under
[1:10:27] construction this fall.
[1:10:29] >> Okay.
[1:10:30] >> Um but we do realize that that's really
[1:10:33] going to be a function of the permit
[1:10:34] review. Um we realize that we're going
[1:10:36] to have to go through the Division of
[1:10:37] Coastal Management and get a CAMA permit
[1:10:41] for the sand removal, um
[1:10:44] as well as getting authorization through
[1:10:47] Jockey's Ridge State Park. We've got
[1:10:49] state sedimentation erosion control.
[1:10:52] There will likely be stormwater
[1:10:53] management and through North Carolina
[1:10:56] Department of Transportation and a
[1:10:57] right-of-way encroachment. We engaged
[1:11:00] most all of these agencies to start this
[1:11:02] conversation so that when we submit, we
[1:11:05] can hopefully expedite those reviews so
[1:11:07] we can be under construction sooner
[1:11:09] rather than later.
[1:11:10] >> Okay.
[1:11:11] >> All right.
[1:11:12] >> Andy, you were going to add something.
[1:11:14] >> Well, I was just going to discuss the um
[1:11:17] discussions we've had with Jockey's
[1:11:19] Ridge State Park.
[1:11:20] Um obviously, they're going to have a
[1:11:22] lot
[1:11:23] of interest in what we're doing here.
[1:11:25] You know, we sort of had some questions
[1:11:27] about getting some of the approvals if
[1:11:29] we were going to work beyond the
[1:11:30] property line. Obviously, this is a CAMA
[1:11:33] AEC, the Jockey's Ridge AEC, and so
[1:11:36] we know the sand sand's going to have to
[1:11:37] stay in the park. And we were advised to
[1:11:41] basically submit for our CAMA major
[1:11:43] permit application, and then all those
[1:11:45] things could be addressed as part of
[1:11:46] their review of the application,
[1:11:48] including where they would direct us to
[1:11:50] place sand inside the park.
[1:11:52] And so I think most likely, you know, we
[1:11:54] would be placing sand. They have a They
[1:11:56] have a sort of a dis- disposal area
[1:11:59] inside the park on the north side of the
[1:12:01] park where they they've been placing the
[1:12:03] sand that they've been moving, and so we
[1:12:04] would probably be putting it there. And
[1:12:07] so the some of those things would be
[1:12:08] addressed during the permitting process,
[1:12:10] and I think there's some additional
[1:12:12] coordination with them on the plantings
[1:12:15] and the buffer strip and things like
[1:12:17] that that we've got to work out. We We
[1:12:19] We've got some issues we've got to work
[1:12:21] out with the retaining wall and the the
[1:12:23] grading that's going to occur behind
[1:12:25] that as well. We're talking with Withers
[1:12:27] Ravenel about that, but um
[1:12:29] you know, I
[1:12:30] the grass strip between the the sidewalk
[1:12:33] and and the roadway,
[1:12:35] that's something that we may want to
[1:12:36] talk about how that that's going to
[1:12:38] look. I mean,
[1:12:40] you know, this pic- picture right here
[1:12:41] it it kind of shows this very uniform
[1:12:43] hardened edge.
[1:12:45] >> Yeah.
[1:12:45] >> And I I don't know if
[1:12:47] you know, how folks are going to react
[1:12:49] to that.
[1:12:50] >> All right.
[1:12:50] >> So I think we have to be mindful of
[1:12:51] that, you know, and perhaps this grass
[1:12:53] strip is is more
[1:12:55] not not just regular grass, but
[1:12:57] something else and something we could
[1:12:59] talk about, you know, maybe more more of
[1:13:01] a natural
[1:13:02] um type grass like a love grass or
[1:13:05] something like that.
[1:13:06] >> Mhm.
[1:13:07] >> But,
[1:13:08] you know, um
[1:13:10] the the the picture is a little
[1:13:12] deceiving because I think as David was
[1:13:13] saying, you know, the the path is not
[1:13:15] straight.
[1:13:16] >> Right.
[1:13:16] >> And the bulkhead's not going to be
[1:13:18] continuous at the same height. It's
[1:13:19] going to go up and down and then
[1:13:21] disappear in a section and come back up
[1:13:23] and so,
[1:13:24] you know, it
[1:13:26] um
[1:13:28] I'm just saying that some if someone
[1:13:30] looked at that, they're not thinking of
[1:13:31] the finished product.
[1:13:32] >> [laughter]
[1:13:32] >> Exactly.
[1:13:33] >> Yeah.
[1:13:34] >> Probably.
[1:13:36] >> I wonder if it's worth investing
[1:13:40] the time, as we get a little further
[1:13:42] along, to renderings that would address
[1:13:47] the
[1:13:48] you know, sort of the final
[1:13:49] configuration.
[1:13:50] Yeah, I don't know how much of a special
[1:13:52] order that is given whatever kind of
[1:13:54] software they may be using to
[1:13:56] design this.
[1:13:58] >> Right. And as as we near the the final
[1:14:01] planting, then we can go ahead and
[1:14:03] modify and update it so it's a little
[1:14:05] bit more realistic and more in tune with
[1:14:08] that final design is going to look like.
[1:14:09] >> Yeah. Okay. I think we may like to see
[1:14:12] that
[1:14:13] when the time comes.
[1:14:14] >> Okay.
[1:14:17] Thank you.
[1:14:17] >> Thank you.
[1:14:18] >> All right, thank you.
[1:14:20] >> I think you're staying there for the
[1:14:22] >> stormwater master plan
[1:14:24] >> presentation.
[1:14:25] >> Yes. Okay, so uh first off, I'd like to
[1:14:29] go ahead and apologize. Um in your
[1:14:31] packet, uh there was uh several packets
[1:14:35] of information included to include um a
[1:14:38] rating sheet as well as a uh CIP summary
[1:14:43] sheet and then the in the individual
[1:14:45] project listings.
[1:14:48] And
[1:14:50] in
[1:14:51] going through that in advance of this
[1:14:54] presentation,
[1:14:55] um was able to note that there was one
[1:14:58] project that was missing that was very
[1:15:00] integral
[1:15:01] um to the overall planning in the Sound
[1:15:06] Side Road area.
[1:15:07] Um and that was the third phase, which
[1:15:11] basically connects
[1:15:13] three other projects together.
[1:15:15] Um this was presented previously to the
[1:15:18] board and it had a pumping station noted
[1:15:22] at
[1:15:24] uh the intersection of Deering Street
[1:15:26] and Sound Side Road. I think uh
[1:15:29] Commissioner Vaughn had commented that property in that area likely would
[1:15:34] not be available for that. So, we looked
[1:15:37] at an alternate location to the north uh
[1:15:40] for the siting of that pump station, um
[1:15:43] but it was in inadvertently left out in
[1:15:46] the packet um that was um it that was in
[1:15:50] the board packet and um
[1:15:52] this information that I'm giving you
[1:15:54] today
[1:15:55] reinserts that back in there. It does
[1:15:58] not materially change the overall
[1:16:00] priority,
[1:16:02] um but it coincides with the other
[1:16:05] projects in that area.
[1:16:08] So, I just wanted to start off by by
[1:16:10] stating that and uh
[1:16:14] Okay, so
[1:16:18] the overall stormwater master plan, that
[1:16:20] framework has included uh many different
[1:16:23] items to include an asset inventory and
[1:16:27] assessment, which has been completed. Um
[1:16:30] there was also a public workshop, um
[1:16:33] which we had last August.
[1:16:36] Uh there is a geo-database management
[1:16:38] and dashboard. I I that was previously
[1:16:42] um
[1:16:43] presented to the board um earlier this
[1:16:46] year.
[1:16:47] An asset condition assessment uh that
[1:16:50] was completed as well. Um and also part
[1:16:53] of the work that was included was a
[1:16:55] hydraulic analysis along South Memorial
[1:16:58] Avenue, which is one of our main
[1:17:00] drainage trunk lines within the town.
[1:17:03] And um this analysis looked at
[1:17:06] identifying any deficiencies within that
[1:17:08] network.
[1:17:09] Um and uh improvements that could
[1:17:13] increase the level of service from the
[1:17:17] either a 1-year or 2-year and try to
[1:17:19] increase that up to a 10-year level of
[1:17:22] service.
[1:17:23] Um also, what we're going to talk about
[1:17:26] today is the capital improvement plan
[1:17:29] project prioritization and scoring. Um
[1:17:33] and then also uh in the works is a
[1:17:37] watershed action plan um which is part
[1:17:40] of the overall scope of work. And that
[1:17:43] will really um enable us to focus in on
[1:17:47] grants not only just related to
[1:17:49] stormwater, but also along the Estuarine
[1:17:51] shoreline.
[1:17:53] And lastly, um all of this is going to
[1:17:56] be combined into a final report um which
[1:17:59] we would like to go ahead and bring back
[1:18:01] to the board at your November meeting,
[1:18:04] which ties all of this together.
[1:18:08] All right. So, just for the
[1:18:10] prioritization summary, there is two
[1:18:12] project 22 project areas that were
[1:18:15] prioritized.
[1:18:17] Um they were evaluated based upon um
[1:18:19] scoring that ranges from 0 to 75.
[1:18:23] The highest scored project was the ramp
[1:18:27] one alpha, which is in South Nags Head,
[1:18:30] and that came in at 64 points. And the
[1:18:33] lowest scoring was one of the the
[1:18:35] of the Dune Street improvements, which
[1:18:38] is phase 2B, and that's scored at 40
[1:18:41] points.
[1:18:42] But most all of these projects scored
[1:18:44] between 55 to 45
[1:18:47] um points.
[1:18:49] And
[1:18:50] really the lowest cost projects with the
[1:18:53] highest number of residents
[1:18:56] um really those
[1:18:58] were the ones that were scored the the
[1:19:00] highest.
[1:19:03] All right. So, included in your packet
[1:19:05] and included in the information um that
[1:19:09] you have before you is a summary table
[1:19:13] which prioritizes
[1:19:15] and ranks all of the 22 projects
[1:19:19] along with the score and the cost for
[1:19:22] each one of these projects.
[1:19:25] And then there is also a graph
[1:19:29] uh which goes through the ranking for
[1:19:32] each one of the projects uh ranging from
[1:19:35] that 64 as a high to the 40 as a low uh
[1:19:39] for Dune Street phase 2B.
[1:19:45] What we have up on the screen is an
[1:19:47] overall map of where all these project
[1:19:50] areas are located.
[1:19:52] Um you can see we've got a a high
[1:19:54] density of projects
[1:19:56] um from the north end of town up along
[1:19:58] Memorial Avenue
[1:20:00] all the way through the Whalebone
[1:20:01] Junction and then in South Nags Head
[1:20:05] down at Ramp 1. And you can see that it
[1:20:08] really does encompass
[1:20:10] um
[1:20:12] primarily all of the all of the town um
[1:20:15] addressing many issues that we have seen
[1:20:18] uh historically and
[1:20:20] some that we've seen more recently that
[1:20:23] have validated that um we continue to
[1:20:26] have problems in some of these low-lying
[1:20:29] areas.
[1:20:32] So, the criteria that was used for scoring
[1:20:36] was through a scoring matrix. And this
[1:20:39] is uh
[1:20:40] a matrix that the town currently has in
[1:20:43] the stormwater management um operating
[1:20:46] procedures.
[1:20:48] And it looks at um
[1:20:51] items like flooding frequency, flooding
[1:20:53] impact, existing system condition, uh
[1:20:56] water quality benefits associated with
[1:20:58] projects, um maintenance, the number of
[1:21:02] residents impacted, uh safety, the
[1:21:05] sources of flood. It could be
[1:21:07] rainfall-based, it could be overwash, uh
[1:21:10] with consideration for that, um any
[1:21:13] constraints that may be associated with
[1:21:15] the projects, um budgetary concerns, um
[1:21:20] the location, whether it's within the
[1:21:22] town street, a private street, or within
[1:21:25] the North Carolina Department of
[1:21:27] Transportation right-of-way.
[1:21:29] And then, lastly, flood reduction is
[1:21:33] looking at um the reduction in flood
[1:21:37] time and recession.
[1:21:40] And all of those were assigned
[1:21:43] a uh
[1:21:45] there was three different um scores
[1:21:48] for the rating.
[1:21:49] Um
[1:21:51] For example, for flooding frequency, you
[1:21:53] had frequent had a score associated with
[1:21:55] it, occasional, and infrequent.
[1:21:58] And then, there was a weighted
[1:21:59] percentage that was applied to that
[1:22:02] item.
[1:22:03] And so, uh
[1:22:05] these were looked at for each project, a
[1:22:08] score assigned,
[1:22:10] and able to go ahead and develop the
[1:22:13] overall ranking for each of the
[1:22:15] individual projects.
[1:22:19] So, um
[1:22:21] I'll try to
[1:22:23] go through this um
[1:22:25] as rapidly as possible. Um
[1:22:28] you've got these sheets included in your
[1:22:29] packet, and this These are the
[1:22:32] individual rankings for each one of the
[1:22:34] projects.
[1:22:35] Uh the ramp one outfall, which was
[1:22:37] ranked um the number one project out of
[1:22:40] the 22 projects identified, um it's got
[1:22:43] a cost of $85,000 associated with it.
[1:22:47] Um it's got the prioritization
[1:22:50] parameters and their associative scores
[1:22:53] and the total score. And um
[1:22:56] in comparison comparison to some of the
[1:22:59] other projects, it's it falls on the
[1:23:01] lower level of cost. It's got the
[1:23:03] highest number of residents impacted
[1:23:06] because of the Westside ditch that spans
[1:23:09] from about James Street all the way down
[1:23:12] to ramp one. That um
[1:23:15] that was one of the major contributing
[1:23:17] factor factors to the high ranking. Uh
[1:23:21] the frequency of flooding down in that
[1:23:22] area, um the need for maintenance, and
[1:23:26] um also the need for safety because a
[1:23:28] lot of the flooding that we see is
[1:23:30] within the roadway surface, and that
[1:23:32] leads to safety concerns associated with
[1:23:37] um vehicular uh circulation throughout
[1:23:40] that area.
[1:23:42] Um
[1:23:44] South Memorial Avenue, as I had noted
[1:23:46] before, there was a hydraulic analysis
[1:23:48] done on Memorial Avenue, and it
[1:23:52] identified some improvements
[1:23:54] through um
[1:23:56] throughout that corridor,
[1:23:58] and the highest ranking one was up in
[1:24:02] the Admiral Street
[1:24:04] um area.
[1:24:05] Now, this is broken out into two parts
[1:24:08] uh with the sidewalk improvements
[1:24:12] um that are ongoing that will continue
[1:24:14] this fall that we were able to go ahead
[1:24:17] and take care of a portion of these
[1:24:19] drainage improvements with that work.
[1:24:22] And this would be the second half of
[1:24:24] that work, which spans along the east
[1:24:26] side of South Memorial Avenue from
[1:24:29] Admiral Admiral Street um and proceeding
[1:24:32] northward.
[1:24:33] And that would be
[1:24:35] really upsizing the existing um storm
[1:24:38] drain system within that area.
[1:24:40] And uh the cost of that is about
[1:24:43] $180,000.
[1:24:46] It's got some low site constraints. It's
[1:24:49] got some safety improvements.
[1:24:51] Um and also just the number of
[1:24:54] residences in that area that are
[1:24:56] impacted by drainage. Um and this being
[1:25:00] a critical segment for that, that this
[1:25:03] led to the um
[1:25:05] the ranking of number two overall of the
[1:25:10] uh 22 identified.
[1:25:14] The third ranked project is Sound Side
[1:25:17] Road phase one.
[1:25:19] Um we've seen it out here most recently
[1:25:21] with rainfall runoff and extensive
[1:25:23] ponding
[1:25:24] uh along this corridor.
[1:25:26] That this would comprise uh putting in a
[1:25:31] 36-in diameter
[1:25:33] um trunk network, which would span from
[1:25:37] the very south end of uh
[1:25:39] Sound Side Road um up towards uh the
[1:25:43] curve where we have existing
[1:25:46] infrastructure.
[1:25:47] Um this is a relatively high cost
[1:25:50] project at $750,000.
[1:25:53] Um but due to the frequency of flooding
[1:25:56] and the number of residences impacted um
[1:26:00] as well as um other factors that uh this
[1:26:06] was ranked uh number three out of the 22
[1:26:09] projects.
[1:26:12] The um fourth ranked project is Dune
[1:26:14] Street phase one.
[1:26:16] Um that's another project where we've
[1:26:18] seen flooding at the intersection of
[1:26:20] South Virginia Dare Trail and Dune
[1:26:22] Street with a pretty high frequency.
[1:26:25] And so, this would be potentially the
[1:26:28] first phase of a three-phase project uh
[1:26:31] where we could go ahead and we could
[1:26:33] capture some of the runoff, most of this
[1:26:35] runoff uh which is seen from the
[1:26:37] adjoining shopping center to be able to
[1:26:39] go ahead and capture that and infiltrate
[1:26:42] that locally. Um
[1:26:45] this has got a a medium-level cost. Um,
[1:26:48] it doesn't have as many residents
[1:26:50] impacted by it, but because of the
[1:26:52] frequency in in flooding and the um
[1:26:56] safety concerns with the flooding at
[1:26:58] this intersection, um it ranked number
[1:27:00] four.
[1:27:02] Um South Memorial Avenue
[1:27:06] that um
[1:27:07] uh again, as part of this overall
[1:27:09] network and the number of residents that
[1:27:14] it serves along on this uh main trunk
[1:27:16] line, um this is in the area of East
[1:27:21] Baltic Street and this would be
[1:27:23] increasing the existing pipe size of
[1:27:26] that storm network in order to increase
[1:27:29] that current level of service from a
[1:27:31] one-year storm um to a two-year storm
[1:27:36] in some case and uh a 10-year storm on
[1:27:40] the outermost pipes uh for this
[1:27:42] proposal.
[1:27:46] The
[1:27:48] um
[1:27:49] I
[1:27:50] some of these projects you'll see
[1:27:52] they'll receive the same ranking and
[1:27:54] that is because they both achieve the
[1:27:57] same score.
[1:27:59] And so, um you'll see that in the
[1:28:01] summary list and that's noted on each
[1:28:04] one of these individual sheets. So, East
[1:28:07] Epstein Street is an example of that
[1:28:09] where this is ranked number four with
[1:28:12] the uh South Memorial Avenue project.
[1:28:17] This is a relatively low-cost project.
[1:28:21] This finishes off some of the work that
[1:28:23] we started along South Virginia Dare
[1:28:25] Trail back in 2019
[1:28:28] and this will go ahead and connect from
[1:28:31] Epstein Street down to the north side of
[1:28:33] town hall and then also continue on over
[1:28:37] to fire station 16 and make some
[1:28:39] improvements there since this is part of
[1:28:42] an overall network within the village
[1:28:45] that starts at Seven Sisters and then
[1:28:48] flows all the way through the village
[1:28:50] through the golf course and out to the
[1:28:52] sound. And so it's important to
[1:28:57] have the downstream part of this network
[1:28:59] in place prior to making upstream
[1:29:02] improvements. Otherwise um
[1:29:05] if you don't do it within that sequence,
[1:29:08] you'll continue to have flooding at the
[1:29:09] upstream ends.
[1:29:14] Uh the next project is Memorial Avenue.
[1:29:17] Uh this is identified as area one and
[1:29:21] this is a relatively low-cost project
[1:29:23] and this is up-sizing some culvert pipes
[1:29:27] um at select residences just south of
[1:29:31] Atlas Street.
[1:29:33] Uh there are several of the culvert
[1:29:35] pipes at that location that are
[1:29:37] undersized and this would be up-sizing
[1:29:40] and
[1:29:41] bringing more continuity to the overall
[1:29:43] drainage network.
[1:29:46] Uh the eighth ranked project is West
[1:29:49] Lookout Road.
[1:29:50] Um this is a
[1:29:53] an area over in the Northridge
[1:29:55] subdivision
[1:29:56] um especially during
[1:29:58] um large rainfall events where they've
[1:30:01] had some significant flooding back on
[1:30:03] these residences.
[1:30:05] And so
[1:30:06] this is a um
[1:30:10] high level of residences impacted. Um
[1:30:13] it's got some high constraints because
[1:30:15] there's also the potential for back flow
[1:30:17] from the uh Westside ditch along 158.
[1:30:21] And it uh it will have some increased uh
[1:30:25] maintenance needs associated with it.
[1:30:27] And the cost for this project is
[1:30:29] approximately $340,000.
[1:30:33] Um
[1:30:34] also rank eight is the Seven Sisters
[1:30:36] subdivision.
[1:30:38] And as I had noted before, it's the
[1:30:41] focus would be on the downstream
[1:30:42] improvements first before you could see
[1:30:45] the impacts
[1:30:46] for the Seven Sisters subdivision. Um
[1:30:49] this is a subdivision where most of the
[1:30:51] building pads are up high and the road
[1:30:54] sits low. So, after a rainfall event of
[1:30:58] two or three inches, you'll see some
[1:31:00] pretty extensive ponding um within that
[1:31:03] subdivision. And it it does flood at a
[1:31:06] pretty high frequency. And so, with the
[1:31:10] improvements that we've made and then
[1:31:12] also um with the one scheduled for
[1:31:15] Epstein Street, that we could see some
[1:31:18] major improvement with the installation
[1:31:21] of a storm drain uh collection network
[1:31:25] to be able to drain out this subdivision
[1:31:27] after a uh rainfall event.
[1:31:34] Um also rank number eight is South Old
[1:31:37] Road phase one. Um this is another
[1:31:41] street that's on the south side um off
[1:31:44] of uh Lakeside Ave that uh floods with a
[1:31:48] pretty high frequency.
[1:31:50] And this could be part of a phased
[1:31:53] approach. And so, the um phase one would
[1:31:57] consist of installing uh
[1:32:00] a uh drainage network in this area uh
[1:32:04] that could be made up of perforated sock
[1:32:07] pipe that would aid with infiltration in
[1:32:11] this area and improve the level of service
[1:32:18] from what is currently being seen after
[1:32:21] a rainfall event.
[1:32:26] Also ranked eighth was the Wellborn
[1:32:28] Junction area.
[1:32:29] This is a an area that we see with a
[1:32:32] pretty high frequency of flooding.
[1:32:35] We have
[1:32:37] a lot of standing water especially in
[1:32:39] the area of the Dune Burger and the
[1:32:42] surrounding area and so this would be an
[1:32:45] attempt to go ahead and formalize that
[1:32:47] network with connections to an existing
[1:32:50] ditch network
[1:32:52] that has existing conveyance out to the
[1:32:56] sound through the Catfish Farm.
[1:32:59] This is a relatively high project cost
[1:33:02] and only a minimal number residences
[1:33:05] that would be impacted. But
[1:33:08] this could make a major improvement in
[1:33:11] that area
[1:33:13] which I had noted does flood at a pretty
[1:33:16] good frequency.
[1:33:19] Got Memorial Avenue area number three.
[1:33:22] This is a low cost project. This is near
[1:33:25] the intersection of Bonnett Street and
[1:33:28] this is essentially
[1:33:30] just a replacement of a single pipe in
[1:33:32] order to increase that level of service.
[1:33:39] Project rank number 13 is Buccaneer
[1:33:42] Drive.
[1:33:44] This is also over in the North Ridge
[1:33:45] subdivision. This is very similar to the Lookout Drive um
[1:33:52] project in that it has low lying areas
[1:33:56] that backs up to the west side ditch
[1:33:58] along 158.
[1:34:00] And um this would take a very similar
[1:34:04] approach with the improvement of
[1:34:07] infrastructure within this area
[1:34:10] and then conveyance out to the 158
[1:34:13] ditch. Um and the addition of a backflow
[1:34:17] preventer to ensure that we don't solve
[1:34:20] a problem and create a problem at the
[1:34:23] same time.
[1:34:26] Uh Carolinian Excuse me, Carolinian
[1:34:28] Circle um is also ranked number 14. This
[1:34:32] was on the previous stormwater master
[1:34:33] plan um and um did not move forward. Uh
[1:34:38] this would take a little different
[1:34:40] approach than what was previously
[1:34:43] proposed, and this would be the
[1:34:45] installation of a storm drain collection
[1:34:47] network that would tie into the existing
[1:34:50] drainage network out at 158.
[1:34:53] The uh estimated cost for this is
[1:34:56] approximately $425,000.
[1:34:59] Um
[1:35:00] this does
[1:35:02] this area does um flood occasionally,
[1:35:05] but especially when we have significant
[1:35:06] rainfall. Um we do see extensive ponding
[1:35:10] back in this area.
[1:35:13] Um
[1:35:14] also [clears throat] ranked number 14 is
[1:35:16] Sound Side Road phase two. Um
[1:35:19] and this is the area in the Southridge
[1:35:22] subdivision. When we had our our public
[1:35:24] workshop, we had several homeowners from
[1:35:27] this area along Ridgeview Way um who had talked about some of the issues back
[1:35:33] there. So, this would be improvements
[1:35:36] that would extend from from Ridgeview
[1:35:40] Way out to Sound Side Road to and
[1:35:43] connect up to the existing
[1:35:45] infrastructure there with Sound Side
[1:35:47] Road phase one.
[1:35:53] Sound Sound Road Road phase three
[1:35:57] is the um is the pumping station, which
[1:36:01] we previously had at the intersection of
[1:36:05] Dearing Street and Soundside Road and
[1:36:08] have relocated this northward uh to an
[1:36:11] undeveloped parcel that would connect to
[1:36:15] the existing infrastructure from from
[1:36:18] South Ridge and from Soundside Road and
[1:36:21] be able to um
[1:36:23] take that, pump that over to two
[1:36:25] undeveloped parcels along Soundside
[1:36:28] Road. Um this is a pretty expensive
[1:36:31] project due to the cost of uh property
[1:36:34] purchase.
[1:36:36] Um and that cost is about $1.8 million,
[1:36:40] but what it does is it connects
[1:36:42] the two other projects
[1:36:45] plus
[1:36:46] Dearing Street
[1:36:48] to provide a comprehensive
[1:36:51] um drainage solution in this area.
[1:36:54] Um and uh Dearing Street, which was
[1:36:57] ranked at number 17
[1:36:59] that
[1:37:01] this is a relatively low-cost project
[1:37:04] and it would be the installation of or
[1:37:07] the restoration of swales and the
[1:37:09] installation of some storm pipe in this
[1:37:11] area for conveyance to the Soundside
[1:37:14] Road system, which then is connected up
[1:37:17] to the pump system to be able to provide
[1:37:19] some relief in this area.
[1:37:24] Um
[1:37:25] also ranked number 18 is West Bluejay
[1:37:27] Street.
[1:37:28] Uh the cost for this is $270,000.
[1:37:32] Uh this is a medium project cost and
[1:37:35] this
[1:37:36] is the function of topography. You've
[1:37:39] got some very high elevations to the
[1:37:42] west that intersect there at Bluejay
[1:37:44] Street and Pamlico Ave. And so by going
[1:37:48] ahead and capturing that runoff, um
[1:37:51] minimize the impact to some of those
[1:37:54] um lower-lying residences there on the
[1:37:57] south side of Blue Jay Street.
[1:38:03] Um South Old Road base two. Um this was
[1:38:07] previously discussed as a potential um
[1:38:11] second part of the phase one
[1:38:14] improvements. And this would be a a
[1:38:17] pretty um costly project because this
[1:38:20] would tie into the existing
[1:38:22] infrastructure at Old Road. And then it
[1:38:26] would use it would incorporate a pump
[1:38:28] station and then pump out to um several
[1:38:32] undeveloped parcels out by 158.
[1:38:39] All right. And lastly, we've got
[1:38:43] Barracuda Drive,
[1:38:44] which is uh ranked number 22.
[1:38:48] And this takes three different areas. Um
[1:38:52] this takes uh
[1:38:54] an an existing issue out at Mackerel
[1:38:57] Court with
[1:38:59] um some lower-lying elevations to be
[1:39:01] able to capture runoff um as well as
[1:39:04] Salmon Court and then near the
[1:39:07] intersection of Hesperides and Barracuda
[1:39:10] Drive
[1:39:11] to be able to capture that road roadway
[1:39:14] runoff um
[1:39:16] in advance of being discharged onto some
[1:39:19] of the adjoining properties. And a lot
[1:39:21] of this is just a function of topography
[1:39:24] is that we've got some really high
[1:39:25] elevations. We've got water that flows
[1:39:28] pretty rapidly through there and being
[1:39:30] able to capture and um try to infiltrate
[1:39:33] that locally um so it minimizes any
[1:39:36] impact on the adjoining residences.
[1:39:40] Uh
[1:39:42] Um
[1:39:43] Yeah, you have to excuse me.
[1:39:45] That slide was out of sequence.
[1:39:49] Um cuz we still have the last two are
[1:39:53] Dune Street um
[1:39:55] phase 2A
[1:39:57] and then 2B
[1:39:59] and then this could be a second and
[1:40:01] third part of Dune Street
[1:40:04] where the second part would include the
[1:40:08] installation of a storm pipe collection
[1:40:11] system spanning from the intersection of
[1:40:13] Dune Street up to uh an existing ditch
[1:40:17] about 1/4 mile to the north of there.
[1:40:21] That ditch then connects up to the 158
[1:40:23] roadway network and then to the um
[1:40:28] Soundside Road drainage network.
[1:40:32] And then 2B
[1:40:34] would be a project that would include as
[1:40:38] needed the purchase of a parcel, an
[1:40:42] undeveloped parcel there at the
[1:40:43] intersection of Dune Street and South
[1:40:47] Virginia Dare Trail and utilize that as
[1:40:50] an infiltration area
[1:40:53] uh if needed as part of the other
[1:40:56] improvements with the phase one and
[1:40:59] phase 2A.
[1:41:04] Okay, so
[1:41:05] the um
[1:41:06] key findings with all this is the ramp
[1:41:09] one um outflow that ramp number one
[1:41:12] um followed by the Memorial Avenue area
[1:41:16] two
[1:41:17] and then Soundside Road phase one. Um
[1:41:20] those roads to the top just because of
[1:41:22] the fact of the frequency of flooding,
[1:41:25] the number of residents it served um and
[1:41:28] the lower end of the the cost.
[1:41:33] The um
[1:41:35] Typically
[1:41:36] these projects um scored higher as
[1:41:40] um the cost decreased. And so, um
[1:41:44] that, in conjunction with the fact that
[1:41:47] you had a lot of surrounding residences
[1:41:50] that were impacted by it, um they had a
[1:41:53] tendency to go ahead and score higher.
[1:41:56] So, next steps in the process
[1:41:59] is that we would like to receive any
[1:42:02] board feedback as to the the ranking for
[1:42:06] these projects.
[1:42:08] Um what staff would like to do is once
[1:42:10] we receive the feedback,
[1:42:12] we would like then to refine the the priorities, and then try to pair
[1:42:19] those up with other project work that we
[1:42:21] currently have in our CIP over the next
[1:42:23] 5 years, similar to what we've done in
[1:42:25] the past, and then we would come back to
[1:42:28] you, potentially at your fall retreat,
[1:42:30] um with that refined list, um to ensure
[1:42:34] that um we follow that approach that
[1:42:36] we've taken over the past uh 4 or 5
[1:42:38] years.
[1:42:41] Um
[1:42:42] and then lastly, we'd like to go and and
[1:42:45] present the final report to the board um
[1:42:48] here in November that encapsulate
[1:42:52] all of the work that has been done
[1:42:53] associated with the stormwater master
[1:42:55] plan.
[1:42:59] There's a lot to cover there.
[1:43:01] >> [clears throat]
[1:43:01] >> And uh
[1:43:02] >> [laughter]
[1:43:03] >> just uh any initial thoughts or feedback
[1:43:07] with you we can have some time for you
[1:43:09] to go ahead and try to digest it and uh
[1:43:12] share it with the town manager if you
[1:43:15] like, but if there's any initial
[1:43:16] thoughts um that you would like to share
[1:43:18] that maybe something seems out of place
[1:43:21] or something that we should start to
[1:43:23] look at uh sooner rather than later.
[1:43:27] >> Thank you, David. Any immediate
[1:43:29] questions?
[1:43:30] >> I have a question.
[1:43:30] >> Okay.
[1:43:31] >> Um with properties that are bordering
[1:43:34] waterways like the sound and maybe ramp
[1:43:36] one on the ocean, why was no ranking
[1:43:39] given to water quality?
[1:43:42] They all they all have a a none
[1:43:45] for water quality.
[1:43:48] » Um so for ramp one,
[1:43:50] um that that would include the installation
[1:43:56] of a backflow preventer at that
[1:43:58] location.
[1:43:59] And that doesn't have any treatment
[1:44:02] associated with it. But what that can do
[1:44:06] is that can eliminate the ebb and flow
[1:44:08] of water through that ditch system.
[1:44:12] Which we see that consistently. We don't
[1:44:15] have that here in the north end cuz
[1:44:17] there are some backflow preventers on
[1:44:20] some of the northernmost outfalls,
[1:44:22] Soundside Road, Conk Street, Curlew
[1:44:23] Street, as well as Gallery Row. And so
[1:44:27] there is
[1:44:30] There's Since there's not a specific
[1:44:32] treatment mechanism associated with
[1:44:34] that, we can't say that it qualifies for
[1:44:37] water quality benefits.
[1:44:38] >> Okay.
[1:44:41] So flooding for instance on Soundside
[1:44:44] Road or Old Road,
[1:44:46] you're saying because it's not going to
[1:44:48] be treated for water quality, we can't
[1:44:50] count it as a water quality project. Is
[1:44:52] that what you're saying?
[1:44:54] >> Well, currently as presented. And and so
[1:44:57] these are just looking at the the
[1:44:59] stormwater aspect of it. Now, if we get
[1:45:03] to phase four
[1:45:05] for Soundside Road, there's going to be
[1:45:07] a water quality benefit to that since
[1:45:10] we're using
[1:45:12] infiltration practices which are natural
[1:45:14] practices that that can filter out
[1:45:18] pollutants and sediment.
[1:45:19] Um
[1:45:21] but
[1:45:22] when you look at the three other
[1:45:23] projects that it's connected to,
[1:45:26] that those are just
[1:45:29] those
[1:45:30] can have a water quality benefit
[1:45:33] >> Mhm.
[1:45:33] >> through infiltration, but if the ground
[1:45:35] is saturated it starts to lose that
[1:45:37] water quality benefit.
[1:45:39] >> Okay.
[1:45:39] >> And that's a lot of what we've seen here
[1:45:41] recently.
[1:45:42] >> Okay.
[1:45:43] And then another question I had for
[1:45:44] those same projects, Sound Side Road and
[1:45:46] Old Road
[1:45:49] the the flooding source was only rain
[1:45:52] but I think both of those sites would
[1:45:53] flood from tidal
[1:45:57] water as well. So, was that not factored
[1:45:59] in?
[1:46:01] >> I think it was, huh?
[1:46:03] >> Sound Side.
[1:46:03] >> Overwash?
[1:46:05] yes.
[1:46:06] >> Yeah, yeah, so
[1:46:07] >> Yeah, not tidal as much as overwash.
[1:46:09] >> Overwash.
[1:46:10] >> Right?
[1:46:11] >> Yeah, yeah, so um overwash and tidal
[1:46:14] influence, yeah, should be considered
[1:46:16] for both.
[1:46:17] >> Okay.
[1:46:25] Thank you.
[1:46:26] >> I have kind of a general question about
[1:46:28] the relationship between phases.
[1:46:30] So, the the value of of one phase
[1:46:35] now and say we never got past phase one
[1:46:37] or two, how does how is that
[1:46:40] accounted for or is it just I know it's
[1:46:43] accounted for in your mind, but
[1:46:46] >> There there are different ways that we
[1:46:48] can approach this.
[1:46:49] >> Right.
[1:46:49] >> Um if we were able to go ahead and
[1:46:51] secure some grants
[1:46:54] that we could look at these more
[1:46:55] collectively and we could knock these
[1:46:57] out all as a single project.
[1:47:00] But
[1:47:01] also looking at the cost of each one of
[1:47:03] these projects
[1:47:05] is that it may not make it feasible to
[1:47:09] incorporate that into
[1:47:11] our annual
[1:47:13] CIP. So, we just try to make it a little
[1:47:15] bit more digestible and that we can look
[1:47:18] at this in time
[1:47:20] and just spread those funds out over a
[1:47:22] period of time to incorporate these
[1:47:24] improvements.
[1:47:24] >> Mhm.
[1:47:27] And the Sound Side projects
[1:47:30] for them all to really work, we need to
[1:47:32] get to that last one.
[1:47:34] Or for them to work well?
[1:47:36] >> Um we need to get to the third phase.
[1:47:38] >> The third phase. So if we I get off
[1:47:40] biting it off, but if we don't if a
[1:47:42] future board decides not to do the
[1:47:44] third, those first two are kind of
[1:47:46] >> There is So
[1:47:48] I I think the critical component is
[1:47:50] going ahead and getting it in in the
[1:47:52] infrastructure for that phase one.
[1:47:54] >> Okay.
[1:47:55] >> Once you have that in, then you could
[1:47:57] swap out phase two and phase three. So
[1:48:00] you could go ahead and put the pump
[1:48:01] system in then and then all the
[1:48:04] subsequent phases, you could go ahead
[1:48:06] and connect up to it.
[1:48:07] >> Okay.
[1:48:09] >> So there there is some flexibility with
[1:48:10] each one of these phases and it doesn't
[1:48:13] lock you into a certain sequence.
[1:48:16] Um
[1:48:17] and it just gives us more flexibility to
[1:48:19] be able to adapt um because uh we
[1:48:24] My experience is
[1:48:25] we always
[1:48:27] change things up based upon the current
[1:48:29] conditions. That could be cuz of
[1:48:30] funding, that could be
[1:48:32] um based upon other factors, but just
[1:48:34] trying to give us our ourselves the most
[1:48:36] flexibility to be able to work within
[1:48:39] the framework, I think is is what we're shooting for.
[1:48:42] >> But ideally if we start biting into the
[1:48:44] Sound Side projects, we would want to
[1:48:46] have the plan long-term that we would be
[1:48:48] doing all of them.
[1:48:50] >> Yes.
[1:48:50] >> Okay.
[1:48:51] >> And and I think the other thing too is
[1:48:53] with that watershed action plan, it does
[1:48:57] um open us up ourselves up to additional
[1:49:00] grant opportunities that we can go ahead
[1:49:02] and pair with some of the SR and
[1:49:04] shoreline work.
[1:49:05] >> And the work
[1:49:06] >> And that's a good point.
[1:49:08] >> If you want to qualify for some grants,
[1:49:10] you're probably going to have to do
[1:49:11] phase three cuz that has the water
[1:49:13] quality benefit and the water quality
[1:49:15] benefit is what
[1:49:17] gets the money.
[1:49:18] >> And the other phases probably make us
[1:49:20] want to do something.
[1:49:20] >> that that one might be one that you
[1:49:22] bundle together
[1:49:23] even with the resiliency project on the
[1:49:25] shoreline.
[1:49:26] >> Yeah, I was going to ask about
[1:49:27] >> And and that's probably how we would
[1:49:28] look at it. And there as David was
[1:49:30] mentioning
[1:49:31] you know, this this prioritization of
[1:49:33] this
[1:49:34] stormwater projects is looking at this
[1:49:36] kind of singularly in a vacuum, but
[1:49:38] we're not going to look at it like that
[1:49:40] when we do our CIP.
[1:49:42] >> Okay.
[1:49:42] >> And then we're going to look at how
[1:49:43] these tie together with the other
[1:49:45] streets projects like
[1:49:46] overlay work, paving work waterline work
[1:49:50] and then we're going to have to put
[1:49:50] things in order based on what we can
[1:49:53] accomplish, you know, financially but
[1:49:55] also what we can get grants for.
[1:49:57] And so
[1:49:58] the one thing that I I noticed about
[1:50:00] this is that once you get past the first
[1:50:02] couple of projects, the scores are so
[1:50:04] close together that you know, you can
[1:50:07] really move one move them around um
[1:50:10] because they're
[1:50:11] it's not like one has a drastic benefit
[1:50:13] over another. And so that that's helpful
[1:50:15] when we go to do the CIP cuz we're going
[1:50:17] to be opportunistic in the CIP. Like if we need to move a project up because
[1:50:22] we only have that much money that year,
[1:50:24] then we'll do it. If we get a grant for
[1:50:25] a project, and we're going to combine it
[1:50:27] with some other work, we're going to
[1:50:28] move it up. And so we'll we'll try to do
[1:50:31] our best to
[1:50:33] come up with a plan for the CIP
[1:50:36] you know, for the next 5 years but then
[1:50:38] the board always looks at it every year.
[1:50:41] And then so it it ends up being an
[1:50:44] iterative process. So even though we try
[1:50:46] to, you know, do our best
[1:50:48] >> Right.
[1:50:48] >> you're going to move things around and
[1:50:50] that's what we've been doing with with
[1:50:52] the sidewalks, with the streets, you
[1:50:53] know, over the years we've been doing
[1:50:55] that.
[1:50:56] And then David mentioned the retreat and
[1:50:59] this is something we've been talking to
[1:51:00] the board about. You know, we're going
[1:51:02] to have to
[1:51:03] sort of build this into our financial
[1:51:05] model as well
[1:51:06] and and figure out like the funding
[1:51:08] levels we need to do what we want to do.
[1:51:11] Our hope is to try and model that for
[1:51:13] the board, so the board can say, "Okay,
[1:51:17] we want to be able to afford to do X, Y,
[1:51:19] and Z, and so that's how much money
[1:51:21] we're going to have to figure out how to
[1:51:22] come up with to do that."
[1:51:24] And then the board can settle on, you
[1:51:26] know,
[1:51:26] >> [snorts]
[1:51:27] >> that cuz that that leads into revenue
[1:51:30] and taxes and things like that.
[1:51:32] >> And with the phases, our grant
[1:51:34] eligibility probably increases if we're
[1:51:36] proactive with other phases.
[1:51:38] >> Yes, I think but like the water the
[1:51:40] water quality benefit, I think cuz when we with the grants we've gotten so
[1:51:44] far for a lot of these projects like
[1:51:46] RCCP and land land and water fund, David
[1:51:49] mentioned the watershed action plan,
[1:51:51] they're going to be looking for a water
[1:51:52] quality benefit
[1:51:53] >> Okay.
[1:51:54] >> for for those grants. And so, just doing
[1:51:56] a flood control project might not make
[1:51:58] us score as high as if you include a
[1:52:01] water quality component. And I think
[1:52:03] that's the purpose of us doing the
[1:52:05] watershed action plan is to make
[1:52:07] ourselves more position ourselves for
[1:52:09] those grants.
[1:52:10] >> Yeah.
[1:52:11] >> So,
[1:52:12] I hope that's clear.
[1:52:12] >> Thank you.
[1:52:14] >> That is correct.
[1:52:16] And really the intent of the the scoring
[1:52:20] was to go ahead and look at this in an
[1:52:22] objective manner.
[1:52:24] Um noting that
[1:52:26] sequentially, this may not play out like
[1:52:29] this. Uh we've seen this on prior master
[1:52:31] plans where we've had to go ahead and
[1:52:33] adapt based upon other project work that
[1:52:35] we could incorporate this into. So,
[1:52:37] um this was just an exercise to go ahead
[1:52:40] and come up with a ranking noting that
[1:52:42] there are other factors that may um
[1:52:46] take a little bit more weight to go
[1:52:47] ahead and shift things up, but like the
[1:52:49] town manager said, the scoring is so
[1:52:52] close on so many of these projects, it's
[1:52:54] like
[1:52:55] you know, you you can go in many
[1:52:56] different ways.
[1:52:58] >> It's a little scary, too, when you see
[1:52:59] these numbers, but
[1:53:01] >> [laughter]
[1:53:01] >> the um
[1:53:02] And I've seen previous plans where it
[1:53:04] was worse than this, but you know, every
[1:53:06] time we um
[1:53:07] get into
[1:53:09] the the 2-year budget and we start
[1:53:12] putting these projects in a 2-year
[1:53:13] budget, you know, I think what typically
[1:53:15] happens is these these are very
[1:53:17] high-level looks at these projects. Once
[1:53:19] David gets a hold of it,
[1:53:21] then, you know, he can start to really
[1:53:23] refine these projects into something
[1:53:25] that's manageable,
[1:53:27] you know, and so, that's all it's always
[1:53:30] evolving, you know.
[1:53:32] And so, um
[1:53:36] » No, it's a very comprehensive plan, and
[1:53:38] my question was about funding, but both
[1:53:40] of you have kind of answered that for
[1:53:42] me, so I appreciate it. Yeah. No, I
[1:53:43] appreciate it.
[1:53:45] >> Yeah, this is very helpful.
[1:53:47] >> I wanted to say one thing as the and we David and I
[1:53:50] talked about it cuz obviously, you know,
[1:53:53] it started raining right when David
[1:53:54] started speaking.
[1:53:55] >> [laughter]
[1:53:56] >> But, um
[1:53:57] you know, what we've been dealing with the past week with the the rainfall
[1:54:00] and then obviously last week with with
[1:54:02] the
[1:54:03] Conk Street area, you know, we had an we
[1:54:05] had an issue there and largely with the
[1:54:07] outfall, but that is probably an area
[1:54:09] that does need something and it's not in
[1:54:12] this plan, and David David's response to
[1:54:14] me was, "Well, you know, we can't keep
[1:54:16] doing everything along NC 12
[1:54:20] just in a vacuum. We've got to involve
[1:54:22] DOT and get their participation."
[1:54:25] And so, I think that's really what our
[1:54:27] goal should be however we can do that.
[1:54:31] Um David's already engaged them about
[1:54:33] the outfall and what's going on there.
[1:54:35] But, I think that that may be something
[1:54:37] that we look at maybe separate from this
[1:54:39] plan.
[1:54:40] And if we have to eventually come up
[1:54:41] with something and incorporate it into
[1:54:43] this, we can,
[1:54:45] but, you know, really getting them to
[1:54:46] sort of take the lead on on some of that stuff.
[1:54:50] Yeah, and you can see on here, you know,
[1:54:53] you've got
[1:54:54] um Virginia Dare Trail in the village.
[1:54:56] You've got Virginia Dare Trail at Dune
[1:54:58] Street. I mean, we're already proposing
[1:55:00] to put piping in a lot of the Virginia
[1:55:02] Dare Trail,
[1:55:04] you know, as part of this plan. So.
[1:55:07] >> Yeah, we had the ability to log a lot of
[1:55:09] time out there by the Conchs Street
[1:55:10] intersection here recently and see how
[1:55:13] that system works.
[1:55:15] Um yeah, that there there's definitely
[1:55:17] room for improvement there.
[1:55:19] Uh but there are some things that people
[1:55:21] don't always notice is the influence of
[1:55:25] uh groundwater rise, especially during
[1:55:28] um frequent rainfall events. Um we're
[1:55:31] seeing a lot of that throughout town.
[1:55:33] And we've gotten numerous phone calls
[1:55:36] from here in the village, South Nags
[1:55:38] Head, um not so much in the north end of
[1:55:41] town. Um but
[1:55:44] when you have
[1:55:45] month of July, we had 15 days of rain
[1:55:47] out of the 31 days.
[1:55:49] Um
[1:55:51] South Nags Head, I think
[1:55:53] got hit the hardest.
[1:55:55] Um and then as you progressively went
[1:55:57] north, um
[1:55:59] it it was not as severe as some of the
[1:56:02] other impacts that we've seen throughout
[1:56:04] town.
[1:56:05] But um groundwater rise, especially
[1:56:08] during saturated conditions, limits our
[1:56:10] ability to infiltrate. Infiltration is
[1:56:13] our main way of managing storm water
[1:56:15] runoff.
[1:56:17] Um and conveyance is
[1:56:20] really plays back up to infiltration.
[1:56:22] And when infiltration doesn't occur,
[1:56:25] then that's when we really have
[1:56:27] extensive flooding throughout our area.
[1:56:29] Um and we we were able to observe the
[1:56:32] conditions um post rainfall and just
[1:56:35] really see
[1:56:37] how much groundwater plays into some of
[1:56:39] the localized flooding. Um
[1:56:42] but it's been helpful that we've had our
[1:56:43] groundwater wells because it really
[1:56:45] gives us an indication of how much that
[1:56:47] groundwater comes up over a period of
[1:56:49] time.
[1:56:50] Um Connor shared some data
[1:56:54] um here recently. It was uh Thursday,
[1:56:57] Friday, we had back-to-back storm
[1:56:59] events. We saw the water table rise 2
[1:57:02] and 1/2 ft
[1:57:03] >> Oh my god.
[1:57:03] >> over that period. Wow.
[1:57:05] And
[1:57:06] what I don't have a sense of because
[1:57:09] it's been very difficult. There's been
[1:57:11] more rainfall events after that, but
[1:57:13] it's it's stayed up pretty high, and
[1:57:16] it's starting to come back down, but
[1:57:18] every rainfall we event we have after
[1:57:21] that, it keeps on going back up.
[1:57:23] And and that
[1:57:25] primarily what we're seeing in these
[1:57:28] here recently that's led to a lot of
[1:57:31] concern from a lot of people in this
[1:57:33] area that, "Hey, I've never seen this
[1:57:35] before."
[1:57:36] I I can't recall in recent history
[1:57:39] having
[1:57:40] this amount of rainfall over this time
[1:57:43] period with this frequency.
[1:57:46] Um I I can probably recite the rainfall
[1:57:49] that we had back in 2016, '17, and '18.
[1:57:53] Back in 2012. Back in the early 2000s,
[1:57:56] but I don't recall a pattern like this.
[1:58:00] Um
[1:58:02] and especially in the south end of town,
[1:58:04] which has got hit the hardest, and the
[1:58:07] central part of town
[1:58:08] that we've had this frequency of rainfall without
[1:58:13] having the availability to recover.
[1:58:16] And until we get that drying out period
[1:58:18] and that recovery period, I think we're
[1:58:20] still going to see a lot of this water
[1:58:23] persist.
[1:58:26] » It would be there would if especially if
[1:58:29] there's more to it than what you just
[1:58:30] expressed, cuz that's pretty
[1:58:32] fascinating.
[1:58:33] Um some of our learnings from our from
[1:58:35] our wells, I think I think I would love
[1:58:38] to hear some of that.
[1:58:39] >> I'd love to hear a presentation.
[1:58:41] >> Okay. [laughter] Uh about that. I think
[1:58:43] that would be I think that would be
[1:58:45] fascinating. Uh what what we're learning
[1:58:47] from that. I'd love to see a
[1:58:48] presentation in one of our meetings.
[1:58:51] >> Yes, and I I think just trying to figure
[1:58:53] out
[1:58:54] that recovery time and how long that
[1:58:56] takes. Um that's important to know, too,
[1:58:58] so we can go ahead and set up an
[1:59:00] expectation when people come across
[1:59:02] these conditions
[1:59:03] what that recovery time may look like.
[1:59:06] >> One thing I just want to add and I was
[1:59:08] planning to bring up on the
[1:59:08] commissioner's agenda was um I've I
[1:59:11] think we've all heard from a lot of
[1:59:12] people and we've seen a lot on Facebook
[1:59:14] about stormwater and people see ponding
[1:59:16] water, but I have also heard a ton of
[1:59:18] praise for our staff. Um you guys have
[1:59:21] been very visible over the weekend with
[1:59:23] Conk Street. Um
[1:59:25] I know you guys probably hear people
[1:59:26] complain more than anything, but
[1:59:28] I think that a lot of residents that
[1:59:30] have seen the changes over the years and
[1:59:31] the leaps and bounds Nags Head has made
[1:59:33] in stormwater is apparent and I just
[1:59:36] want to relay that cuz I have heard so
[1:59:37] many people reach out that have seen you
[1:59:39] guys working on the weekends in the rain
[1:59:41] at Conk Street. I've seen it. I've seen
[1:59:44] the improvements and other people have,
[1:59:45] too. I know we constantly have new
[1:59:47] challenges, but it's clear that we're
[1:59:49] taking them on and we're very, very
[1:59:50] proud of everything you guys have done.
[1:59:52] >> Yeah.
[1:59:53] >> Well, thank you and I think from what I've seen in the
[1:59:57] north end of town where we've made some
[1:59:59] significant improvements, we're not
[2:00:01] seeing that reoccurrence of of flooding,
[2:00:03] not to the levels that we've seen in the
[2:00:05] past. Um
[2:00:07] we've got some improvements down in
[2:00:08] south Nags Head.
[2:00:10] Um
[2:00:11] they're probably not as quick as people
[2:00:12] would like it, but we have seen some
[2:00:15] improvements.
[2:00:16] And um I I think that's important,
[2:00:18] especially long-term, when you have
[2:00:20] saturated conditions that you're able to
[2:00:23] go ahead and drain that off and so
[2:00:26] not only aesthetically does that look
[2:00:28] better, but you know, you you don't get
[2:00:31] the mosquitoes, you don't get the ground water mixing in and having
[2:00:37] that brown water standing for an
[2:00:38] extended period of time, so.
[2:00:41] >> This is also a great time to remind
[2:00:43] people. I know a lot of people have been
[2:00:44] pumping because the water table is so
[2:00:47] high, but it's a great time to remind
[2:00:48] people about the water credits that we
[2:00:50] offer because I from what I've heard
[2:00:52] from Jimmy, they've been pumping like
[2:00:54] crazy from alarms going off and stuff
[2:00:56] and just getting ready for that next
[2:00:57] rain. It's a good time to pump your tank
[2:00:59] and get ready for it.
[2:01:00] >> Yep.
[2:01:01] >> Right. Well done.
[2:01:03] >> Cool.
[2:01:03] >> Good point.
[2:01:04] >> Excellent.
[2:01:05] >> Great.
[2:01:05] >> Thank you, Dave.
[2:01:08] >> Yeah, that weekend, you know, that you
[2:01:11] were referring to, you know,
[2:01:13] we were waking up in the morning and all
[2:01:15] right, what's going on? And well, 6:30
[2:01:18] a.m., he's already been out looking at
[2:01:20] things in South Nags Head. Well, on a
[2:01:22] Sunday, Steven's already cleared the
[2:01:24] Conk Street outfall, you know,
[2:01:26] first first first line,
[2:01:28] you know, they're all
[2:01:30] and then Steven was checking the pumps
[2:01:32] at like midnight on Saturday night.
[2:01:34] >> You know, so it
[2:01:36] they were working hard and the whole the
[2:01:38] whole public services crew was out
[2:01:40] there,
[2:01:41] you know, water and public facilities,
[2:01:43] everybody working on the pumping.
[2:01:46] Yeah, so and David, you know, it was
[2:01:48] just round the clock.
[2:01:50] So, it
[2:01:51] you know, it's nice to know that you're
[2:01:54] you can trust that you're going to be
[2:01:55] covered like that.
[2:01:57] >> It's very appreciated.
[2:01:58] >> Nice.
[2:01:59] >> Very much so.
[2:02:02] » Great. Thank you.
[2:02:04] Uh that brings us to our beach driving
[2:02:06] season update.
[2:02:07] Chief?
[2:02:11] » [snorts]
[2:02:12] >> Good morning, Mayor and Commissioners.
[2:02:15] I guess we've been having fun cuz time
[2:02:16] has flown this summer and we're talking
[2:02:18] about beach driving.
[2:02:20] Um
[2:02:21] as usual, the season's going to open
[2:02:23] this year October 1st and run through
[2:02:25] April the 30th
[2:02:26] uh with a half hour before sunrise and a
[2:02:28] half hour uh past sunset for those with
[2:02:31] a
[2:02:32] pass um either online or through the
[2:02:35] town
[2:02:36] or tackle shops. Um
[2:02:38] we start selling permits about 2 weeks
[2:02:40] before actual driving date, that way it
[2:02:43] gives those the opportunity to go ahead
[2:02:45] and acquire, but also keeps uh people
[2:02:48] from being too anxious that want to get
[2:02:49] out there a little bit before uh the
[2:02:52] driving season actually starts.
[2:02:55] Um this year we're going to request to
[2:02:57] keep the section from Nags Head Pier
[2:02:59] north to 8th Street closed um as in
[2:03:03] prior years. This request comes to do
[2:03:05] the sand conditions up there, a lot more
[2:03:07] shell beds um or in that area that makes
[2:03:10] the the sand
[2:03:12] softer, looser, um
[2:03:14] and it um
[2:03:16] is hard to navigate um
[2:03:18] in that area
[2:03:19] um during certain times. It's not as
[2:03:21] wide as well. Um
[2:03:23] but keeping this closed also gives an
[2:03:25] area for beach growers um to be able to
[2:03:28] be on the beach and not have conflicts
[2:03:30] with vehicle traffic. Um believe it's
[2:03:33] been closed for the past four or five
[2:03:35] years um that we've kept it closed just
[2:03:37] because of the conditions, if not a few
[2:03:39] years longer um than that um due to the
[2:03:42] conditions of the sand all the way.
[2:03:44] Um that's been the main reason, but we
[2:03:46] have also seen that as the weather
[2:03:49] uh stays a little bit
[2:03:51] warmer in October and starts warming up
[2:03:54] uh a little bit earlier in April some
[2:03:56] years,
[2:03:57] the amount of people that are on the
[2:03:59] beach that gives them a space um that
[2:04:01] they don't have to worry about traffic.
[2:04:03] Um so that's what we're requesting um
[2:04:07] with the nourishment project just
[2:04:09] finishing up. Um the southern portion
[2:04:12] last year was closed from Juncos to Ramp
[2:04:13] 1. With this project just being
[2:04:15] completed, we see no need to keep that
[2:04:17] closed as the condition of the beach um
[2:04:20] is back wide as it was before. Last year
[2:04:22] we had several weather systems that came
[2:04:25] through um that caused some dune erosion
[2:04:28] um and just the conditions itself were
[2:04:30] too narrow um to keep that open down
[2:04:33] there. So we don't see any problems with
[2:04:35] keeping um
[2:04:37] that closed this year and should be open
[2:04:39] and good to go.
[2:04:41] Permits this past season 25 26 we sold
[2:04:45] 288 permits. We were 14 off from the
[2:04:48] year before.
[2:04:51] From reading the printouts it seems all
[2:04:54] 14 were Nag's Head residents, but of the
[2:04:58] permits sold this year 129 or last year
[2:05:01] excuse me 129 were Nag's Head residents
[2:05:04] or property owners.
[2:05:06] And the remaining 159 came from our
[2:05:08] surrounding area and the state of
[2:05:10] Virginia.
[2:05:12] >> Have we got that map that we can pull
[2:05:13] up?
[2:05:17] » It's an attachment on the agenda.
[2:05:20] >> [snorts]
[2:05:25] » So we have our drive over accesses.
[2:05:27] Everything is marked on the map that
[2:05:29] we've got that'll be on the website and
[2:05:32] people can get copies of it or print
[2:05:33] copies of it. Our drive over accesses
[2:05:36] that will be open will be Conk,
[2:05:37] Enterprise, Forest, Gulfstream, and
[2:05:40] Junco's.
[2:05:41] Those north of the pier will remain
[2:05:43] closed obviously open for emergency
[2:05:45] vehicles. We will have signs posted up
[2:05:48] at 8th Street
[2:05:50] that designates as we've put out in the
[2:05:52] years past the driving season is closed
[2:05:55] in this area and at each access there'll
[2:05:57] be you know a sign displaying that a
[2:05:59] permit needs to be displayed. So we're
[2:06:02] looking forward to another good driving
[2:06:03] season.
[2:06:05] We'd like to remind everybody that use
[2:06:07] the marked accesses, display your permit
[2:06:09] on your driver side windshield.
[2:06:12] Obey the speed limit of 15 miles per
[2:06:14] hour and most importantly to reduce the tire pressure down to at least 20
[2:06:18] pounds.
[2:06:19] A lot of people seem to forget that and
[2:06:22] when you don't reduce it it does tear
[2:06:24] the beach up a lot more than giving you
[2:06:26] a little bit wider platform for your air
[2:06:28] pressure to be out of the tires. I'd be
[2:06:29] happy to answer any questions that you
[2:06:31] may have.
[2:06:31] >> All right. Great.
[2:06:33] >> Thank you, Perry. Any questions?
[2:06:34] >> No.
[2:06:35] >> She By the So, Junco Street to ramp one
[2:06:39] was closed in years last year.
[2:06:42] Um and then the pier north was closed
[2:06:45] last year as well. So, that means this
[2:06:47] year we'll actually have more room for
[2:06:48] people to drive.
[2:06:49] >> Yes. Um and I believe next to pier north
[2:06:52] is is been at least 5 years, I do
[2:06:54] believe, if not a couple more than where
[2:06:56] we've closed it um due to numerous
[2:06:59] vehicles getting stuck up there. It's
[2:07:01] not that wide doing a lot of the
[2:07:02] nor'easters that kept it done. Um and
[2:07:04] that sand up there with that shell beds
[2:07:06] and it's just I mean, I get nervous when
[2:07:08] I drive out there if I have to go out
[2:07:09] there for the emergency call. So, um it
[2:07:12] is kind of tight up there. So, that will
[2:07:14] stay closed, but from next to pier all
[2:07:15] the way south to ramp one, we see no
[2:07:17] issues this year.
[2:07:18] >> Okay.
[2:07:19] >> anything will be closed. Um hopefully we
[2:07:21] don't have any weather systems that
[2:07:22] would do anything differently. Um but
[2:07:24] yes, Junco's to ramp one, that'll be an
[2:07:26] extra area this year um being that it
[2:07:29] was closed last year.
[2:07:30] >> All right. Thank you.
[2:07:31] >> It really started after COVID.
[2:07:33] You know,
[2:07:34] the that [snorts] fall, you know, you
[2:07:35] remember the Admiral Street
[2:07:37] >> Yeah.
[2:07:37] >> where we added the walkway cuz we had
[2:07:39] people that were
[2:07:41] >> um using the drive over to walk to the
[2:07:43] beach and people were driving up and and
[2:07:45] they were almost [clears throat] getting
[2:07:46] hit. So, we added the walkway sort of in
[2:07:49] the middle of a year with some of the
[2:07:50] extra money we had. And then we just saw
[2:07:53] so many people on the beach in October.
[2:07:55] The weather was still nice and people
[2:07:57] were here and so
[2:07:58] >> [clears throat]
[2:07:58] >> it's kind of continued since then, but
[2:08:00] it it really has worked well give people
[2:08:03] an area of reprieve from from the
[2:08:05] vehicles. And
[2:08:06] it's a heavily traveled trafficked area
[2:08:08] of the beach and you get a lot of people
[2:08:10] that come from Kill Devil Hills to use
[2:08:11] those accesses, too. So,
[2:08:14] it it's worked well.
[2:08:16] And I don't know, you know, obviously if
[2:08:17] you've heard from people that
[2:08:19] you know, they want
[2:08:21] >> I've heard sometimes people complain
[2:08:23] that they pay for the permit and some of
[2:08:25] their access has been cut off, but
[2:08:27] hearing that Juncos is open, that's a
[2:08:28] great thing to respond to let them know
[2:08:31] that they actually do have extra area
[2:08:32] this year.
[2:08:33] >> about
[2:08:34] leaves about 10 miles of beach that you
[2:08:35] can drive
[2:08:36] >> Yeah.
[2:08:36] >> amazing
[2:08:37] >> 10 miles will be 11.
[2:08:40] >> Good stuff.
[2:08:40] >> Have we ever considered adding signage
[2:08:43] during beach driving season to to not
[2:08:45] walk over those ramps? Cuz I have seen
[2:08:47] some very hair-raising
[2:08:49] encounters with pedestrians and then a
[2:08:52] vehicle flying over similar to what was
[2:08:54] happening at Admiral.
[2:08:55] >> Admiral, the walkover really cuz there
[2:08:58] was lots of close calls. I think 4th
[2:09:00] Street, that walkover helps a lot, too.
[2:09:02] Um
[2:09:03] >> But still people walk there. I don't
[2:09:04] know. As
[2:09:05] >> surfers like to, I guess.
[2:09:06] >> Yeah.
[2:09:07] >> I don't know.
[2:09:08] >> Admiral scares me.
[2:09:11] >> Made a note of that.
[2:09:17] » Okay.
[2:09:18] >> All right.
[2:09:18] >> Great.
[2:09:19] >> Thank you.
[2:09:24] » Yeah.
[2:09:29] » All right. Uh that brings us to our
[2:09:31] Board of Commissioners agenda and I
[2:09:32] think I'll start um down here with
[2:09:34] Commissioner Harrison.
[2:09:36] >> Um I don't really have anything. I just
[2:09:37] wanted to say that um thank you to
[2:09:40] everyone involved in beach nourishment,
[2:09:42] Andy and Roberta and David and everybody
[2:09:44] and all the people who've been so
[2:09:45] involved. I mean, the beach looks
[2:09:46] amazing.
[2:09:47] Um it's very wide and beautiful and I
[2:09:49] think everybody's enjoying it very much.
[2:09:52] And also to Public Services, our town
[2:09:54] looks really good. It's clean. It looks
[2:09:56] great. Um
[2:09:58] Thanks to everyone who handled the
[2:09:59] flooding and just it's
[2:10:01] great summer out there and staff is
[2:10:04] responsible for that.
[2:10:05] >> Right.
[2:10:06] >> Yeah.
[2:10:07] >> Thank you.
[2:10:07] >> Mhm.
[2:10:08] >> No comments. Just echo what Commissioner
[2:10:10] Harrison said.
[2:10:11] >> Okay. All right.
[2:10:12] >> I don't have anything to add. Thank you.
[2:10:14] >> Commissioner Boland
[2:10:15] >> I concur and I'll throw in 4th of July
[2:10:17] because our last meeting was obviously
[2:10:18] was actually before that and that was a
[2:10:20] great day and event evening. I was out
[2:10:23] and about and again Steph always does a
[2:10:25] fabulous job. It was safe and beautiful.
[2:10:29] Fireworks all of it. So,
[2:10:31] of course we appreciate the pier.
[2:10:33] >> Yes.
[2:10:34] >> [laughter]
[2:10:34] >> We do.
[2:10:36] All right.
[2:10:37] Thank you.
[2:10:38] Uh I do not have anything for us today.
[2:10:41] Uh we do not have any closed sessions
[2:10:43] published. I don't believe need for one
[2:10:45] has emerged.
[2:10:47] Um so, is there any other business come
[2:10:49] for the board?
[2:10:52] And we do not need a mid-month meeting.
[2:10:55] So, we will be back in September. And
[2:10:57] so, a motion to adjourn would be in
[2:10:59] order.
[2:10:59] >> So moved.
[2:11:01] >> Uh do I have a second?
[2:11:03] >> Second.
[2:11:05] >> Anybody wants to stay for a little while
[2:11:06] longer?
[2:11:07] I have a motion and a second. Uh all in
[2:11:10] favor say I. I. Opposed? Thank you.
[2:11:13] >> Thank you.