2026-10-26 - Board of Commissioners Work Session

pertaining to my question about about a community outreach >> Sure. >> >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Good afternoon, everyone. It is time to call the meeting to order. I want to welcome everyone who is here

and anyone who's tuned in online for the October 26th work session. And Elizabeth, can you call the roll, please? >> Mayor Harker. >> Here. >> Commissioner Spiegler. >> Here. >> Commissioner Matthews.

>> Here. >> Commissioner Cooper. >> Here. >> Commissioner Laquidara. >> Here. >> Commissioner Gillikin. >> Commissioner Gillikin will not be here today, so can I get a motion to excuse her from the

meeting? >> So moved. >> Got a motion on the floor. Any questions? All in favor, say I. >> I. I. >> Thank you very much. Now, you have agenda in front of you. Um if unless there's any questions about

what's on the agenda, can I get a motion to approve the agenda as presented? >> So moved. >> Got a motion on the floor. All in favor, say I. >> I. >> Thank you. Now, we're going to move on to our

first presentation is F3 Marina's financial report. >> Good afternoon, Mayor and Commissioners. >> Hi, Sarah. How you doing? >> Oh. >> Hello. >> Hi. I'm Sarah from F3 Marina. I'm the administrative

manager. And I've got a presentation for you on the financials for October and September and looking back um back to the beginning of the fiscal year. So, let's see. So, we had a great month in

September for fuel sales and transient traffic. This is a photo of a 110-ft power cat that came through. It's a pretty impressive boat. Um transient season is in full swing right now. We have I think

15 boats today, 20 boats tomorrow, and 75 reservations for this just this week. So, it's busy. Um this is a financial dashboard that I have for you guys. So, looking back at September, our revenue was

403,000. And our expenses were 330,000, and that left us with a net operating income of about 73,000. About 302 of that income was um, fuel sales, 302,000. It's on that second row down. First row is

slip rentals, it's about $76,000. Looking at the fiscal year to date, which is that center column, you can see our uh, net operating income is about $151,000. And then all the way to the right at that

bottom row is our, um, current year to date. It's almost $800,000, so. Um, looking at occupancy on the right, we are a little bit under target. We had a 60% target rate for July, August, and

September. So, in July we had 51% 48% in August and September. And then this month has been a little bit less. Our monthly customers leave um, October 1st. So, I think for October to date we're about

37% occupancy. But, a lot of volume coming through. And um, October to date fuel sales, we've done about $360,000 in fuel. And then um, that equals to about 56,000 gallons. But yeah, that's about it

for the financials. I can come back to this slide um, if we need to or if you have any questions I can pause here. >> Any questions for Sarah at this point? >> Well, Yeah, I had a question. Sarah, on

the uh future tasks and asset management, you have the fuel infrastructure and it says track maintenance, pump performance, reliability, and cabin needs. Is there something that we need to be aware of

regarding pump performance and reliability? Is there an issue there or is that >> No, there's no issue. We do have two new fuel carts coming soon for our biggest, largest dock. Um we're just waiting

on a few parts, so just making sure that those come in and operate like the other pumps do that are on the rest of our docks. >> Okay, so not expecting any downtime or anything like that in the

future. >> Okay, thank you. >> Sure. >> In your September uh for the budget actual and then uh for the budgeted, uh you have red uh 5,900. Is that showing >> So, that was >> I'm not quite sure, but I

want to ask Sarah. All I know whenever I see something in red, I know that's a problem. >> Yeah, well, we budgeted to lose money. >> You budgeted to lose money. >> And we did not in fact lose money.

We made about $73,000, so most of that coming from fuel sales. So, we got the actual in that first column, the 72,000, and then next to it is what we had in the budget for this summer. And since it's

our first year of really keeping track of any of this, um that's what was put in the budget, so. >> So, your fuel sale was uh at least three times greater than what you budgeted. >> Correct. >> But

yet your profit was only two times what you budgeted. >> Right. Yeah, fuel prices have gone up a lot, so that accounts for some of that. >> I'm Yeah, yeah, I know. I I I know my car can't relate to a

boat, but I know I'm paying higher. >> Yes. Yeah, and you'll see that in the cost of goods sold, too. If you see we budgeted for $75,000 in cost of goods sold, we spent $253,000. So, that's mainly

fuel. >> So, what would you say your fuel intake has been for this this coming year? Are you Are you on target or above or below? >> We're definitely above target. Yes, sir. Yes. Yeah. >> Mr. Speaker.

>> Uh >> >> Sarah, thank you for sharing these numbers. So, the net operating income of almost $800,000, that is from January of 20 this year, 2026 to when? Is it through September or >> Yes. >> Okay.

Okay. So, that's really great news, right? That we have made almost $800,000 through the first uh 9 months of the year. That's great. Thank you for sharing that. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry,

Commissioner. Uh Speaker, what did you say that they have profited? >> Did you say they profited? >> Mhm. >> All right. Here, 700. Okay. >> That's since January through the end of September. >> Okay.

Just checking. Thank you. >> So, we have 3 more months to add to that. >> That's right. Yes. And this week should be really busy with fuel sales. And then, um November should see the same pattern. And

then, we'll get back into our slower season, December all the way through March. And then, back into spring. So. >> Just one other. Um on your target was in July, 60, was only 51. 51. 60 in August,

48. And so, 60 in September, 48. Are we looking at fuel being the reason for not hitting that target? >> It could be. Um it could also be we expected more monthly customers and ended up getting a lot

more revenue from transient customers. So, we really um could have had more monthly stays, so we'll work to promote that better for next summer. >> Well, I think uh I did hear hear you guys are doing

a great job out there, so thank you for that. >> Thank you so much. >> Mr. Matthews. >> Um this may not be directly to you, but part of it I think is um first of all, I love the way this is presented

to us now. Um I really like it. The information that is reviewed by Beowulf currently, is that the more detailed information that we were receiving as opposed to this, or are they getting a similar

type of uh overview of the budget? >> As far as I know, we don't send them any direct financials, so if it were published publicly for a meeting such as this, they would have access to it. >> Right.

Okay. Thank you. And >> I was just going to say um they generally you guys have done a great job coming to our Beowulf meetings and updating us similar to what we get here. >> Okay. Thank you. >>

Right. Yes, we have used this same presentation um from this meeting with the Beowulf Committee as well. >> Right. And staff are reviewing the more detailed information, so Correct. >> Plus plus or

minus 138 pages. >> Thank you. Um so my question really is that it's more of a staff question. Has staff identified any issues within the budget up to this point? >> No, sir. We're actually this is

the statement that we keep using, so I believe that F3 is doing a very good job and as Beowulf has looked at it, we didn't have any pre-existing numbers. We had guestimates, but this is our first full

12 months operationally, so when we set a target at 60%, it's really a swag because you're trying to determine what you could achieve. And so the good news story that I think Sarah and Lori and the

team keep sharing is we're tracking dollar for dollar higher in revenue, lower in expenses, better in collections and as Commissioner Spiegler pointed out to have a near $800,000 take at 9 months is

exceptional. Uh not that what we were doing before wasn't good, but the overall $165,000 a year on the lease was in position for a long period of time and I think that we're showing today that local

control and reinvestment has really made a huge impact. So, what we were trying to do was review the numbers, go through any of those details. Nothing has stuck out either to my desk. >> >> Excuse me,

and I won't speak for Mrs. Anderson, but if she has anything that's caught her attention, but our team at F3 is providing us the numbers on time. We're extremely pleased with the the trajectory we

have in the first 9 months, and we know that January, February, March were really slow because we were in a rebuilding phase, and we firmly believe that first quarter of 2027 could be substantially

better than it was in 2026. And is a part of all this was now what we're receiving the data for the ferry system, and we can see those numbers are really strong, too. So, whether it's the visitation

to downtown, whether you're coming in on a car, traveling out, or you're coming in on a boat, and our fuel sales have really proven to be positive. So, everything Sarah sharing is is really good news

to us. >> Thank you, and thank staff for for keeping an eye on that that that level of detail. I appreciate it. >> And I just have one more comment. I think Matt is entirely correct. We could see a

bump next year because this was our first year. I think it's really important to note that we have a lot of people that come back here year after year, and so it's important to keep those

relationships strong to make sure we have a good reputation of being a welcoming community, and I just want to you know, say that F3, you guys have done a really great job, both you and Jacob, of

working really hard on that part to make sure that people feel welcome, they want to return, they're having a really good experience. So, just keep up the good work. We really appreciate it. >> Thank

you so much. >> And just a quick question and just getting back to what Dexter was just asking about. Obviously this is a different format than we were used to seeing. And beforehand we had much more

detail and breakdown of all the the the line items. And we're used to that with seeing that with the town budget and I would request that we continue this is great having it like this for really quick

overview and so forth. But I would request that we still are able to see that and see the line items and breakdown so we kind of have a little more granular approach to what's going on there. I think

it's just good for oversight and also for transparency for the public. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> All right. Now you had some further presentation to present to us. >> Oh, I just had one last

slide and it's just our snapshot of our Dockwa reviews. So we have a this is our platform. It's kind of like Airbnb for boats. So you just book a slip on the platform. Uh we have a 4.64 out of five

star rating. Our positive feedback includes our dockhands, the professional and friendly staff, location, proximity to restaurants and historic sites, and the availability of loaner cars. Um areas to

improve on, we do get the most comments on the bathhouse which we are working on a plan for upgrades on that. And returning guests have been inquiring about the status of the pump out which should be

up and running very very soon. So. But that's all I've got for y'all today. Open to any more questions if you have them. >> Well, if we could stand up and clap and give you a hand I think we certainly

should because this is an excellent report. And as many as already have already just noted we've come a long way from January 1 to where we are. And everybody had high hopes that it would be like this

but based on some of the projections I know that we were very conservative. It's great to be um at a good better position than what we even started out with and it's thanks to all the hard work that

you and the staff are doing. Want to thank you for all that you're doing and continue to do so. And I'm hearing not just reading about the staff, but I'm hearing from people that staff is just

absolutely amazing. >> Thank you. >> that back. I can't do it without my team, so thank you, mayor. >> Take that back to them tell them we appreciate them more than they know. >> All righty. Okay. All

right, anything further for Sarah? >> Thank you very much. Thank you. Great job. >> Now, we're going to move on to Ann Street closure Halloween for October 31st. >> Good afternoon, Mayor and board. >>

Good afternoon. >> The bad news is I'm here to talk about a road closure. >> Okay. >> >> You need to get him some spooky >> I'm going to start with a short video. If you could get that going. >> Oh,

okay. >> I'm trying. >> >> Hi, I'm Lieutenant Halsey with the Beaufort Police Department. This is your Beaufort Minute. Today, I'd like to talk to everybody about our upcoming street closure for

Halloween. The town of Beaufort has decided to temporarily close Ann Street from Live Oak to Craven October 31st from the hours of 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. The purpose of this closure is to facilitate a safe

environment for our children and participants to trick-or-treat and participate in the festivities in a safe environment without vehicular traffic. That specific area of Ann Street uh becomes

incredibly congested during in time frame >> >> and for that purpose the town has decided to close that street. During this temporary street closure, there will be no vehicles as well as golf cart

traffic permitted into the closure area of Ann Street. >> >> We encourage participants to utilize our side streets during those time frames, and we appreciate your understanding. As always, we want to

wish everybody a safe and a happy Halloween, and I'd like to thank you again for joining us for another Beaufort Minute. >> >> You did a great job. >> He did do a good job. >> And the spooky music in

the background was what was my favorite. >> Yeah, we had a a good team putting putting this together. That's essentially what we're here to talk about in a nutshell. It's going to be the same

footprint as last year. We're going to adjust the times for the closure. We're going to start a little bit earlier cuz we were a little bit behind the ball last year. So, we're going to start between

3:30and 4:00 getting the barricade set up and and isolating that that stretch of Ann Street. And then the 9:00 end time again is fluid. We'll just make that adjustment call based off of the volume

volume activity of folks that are in the area. Um Griff has done a good job with helping create the door hanger that you just saw in front of you. That Those are going to be placed out tomorrow. And

I've also received calls from disabled residents and visitors asking about their access. And while golf carts and vehicles are not going to be allowed, we'll still absolutely allow motorized scooters,

wheelchairs, et cetera. And my staff that are working in that area specifically are well briefed in in what's allowed and what's not allowed. Questions, comments? >> I I've got a question comment. I I

was on Ann Street last year for that, and it was great, you know, great uh community event, tons of kids, really, you know, fantastic event, and the police really did a great job uh with um you know,

blocking off the streets. My concern was from what I did see on a couple of occasions is either a participant from a party or someone at the at their own home that needed to get out and needed to

leave, and that was in the middle of the entire trick-or-treating. And so, um I'm wondering if there's some type of um way that they they can then notify maybe the police that there's an emergency,

they need to come out, they need to move out of the their their home or their their driveway and safely exit Ann Street if they are, you know, in need. Is that something where they would just call you

directly call call the Buffer Police Department? How could that be facilitated um for that that evening? >> Yeah, they can call the 911 center. We're going to highly discourage that just because of

the all the moving pieces, but it that had to happen last year. We had to make some adjustments. Um, and my staff that's the reason for having concentrated staff down there with the barriers not only

for emergency traffic but for situations just like that. You know, we say you're not going to be able you're not going to be allowed to leave, but the reality is there are going to be there may be

circumstances where somebody has to leave and we can facilitate that, but they can call the 911 center and have a supervisor on duty reach out to them and and coordinate those efforts. >> And I

appreciate the door door hangers seem to be a great idea to let them all know about that. >> idea. >> >> Okay. Any further questions? Yes. >> I just want to say thank you. It was great last year that

it was um closed down. We were down there for our trick-or-treating and we did I think see one or two cars go through and we were very surprised because we, you know, were thinking that there were no

cars. So, I would agree only in absolute emergency should they be allowed to go through. >> Yeah, when you present a road closure that that gives a false sense of security that you don't have to look

left, look right, look left again. So, we're very cognizant of that, but again, we're flexible and fluid if if need be. >> Would there would you guys um in the future consider closing it all the way

to the west end of Ann Street or is it not as crowded, you know, in the last two blocks? >> It's really not as crowded, but we're we're open to whatever the suggestions of the community are and we you

know, we're able to provide that that footprint. We have the resources regionally to to expand that if necessary. >> Well, thank you. We really appreciate you being out there on Saturday night. >>

Yes, ma'am. >> Just uh thank you and your staff there for uh the closure of that street and willing to be out there giving up a a Saturday night for those that maybe probably had to bring somebody in

on from off duty for that. We really appreciate it. I enjoyed being on Ann Street and looking forward to being there again this weekend. >> We need to take advantage of a popular road closure. >> Very

rarely happens, right? >> >> Any further questions? >> Well, good news. You may not have to do Halloween on Saturday for another what? 100 years, I think it is. So, it's going to it's going to be a

while since it will be fall on a Saturday again. >> Yes, ma'am. >> All right. Thank you very much. Be safe. >> [cough and clears throat] >> All righty. So, items for discussion and consideration. Uh

the first one is resolution authorizing the donation of personal property to the Carteret County history history museum and um execution of the deed of gift. So, we have Elizabeth to present that for

us. >> Yes, ma'am. Just asking for board action to adopt a resolution that was in in the last meeting. Um it was published as noted um at least 5 days before the meeting and just asking for that

action tonight as well as um to authorize the deed of gift form as well. >> Okay. All right, commissioners. We did have this discussion at our last meeting. We had to wait uh a few days for that to be

advertised. That period has come to pass and unless you have any questions, what is the pleasure of the board on this case? >> I'd like to make a motion that uh we proceed with the resolution

authorizing the donation of personal property to the Carteret County History Museum and the execution of deed of gift. >> Okay. Got a motion on the floor. Any further questions? All in favor, say I.

>> I. >> Thank you. Now, we're going to move on to the FY2027 budget amendment number three. And we have Ms. Anderson. Thank you, Julie. >> Good evening, Mayor and Commissioners. What you have in your

packet before you is budget amendment number three for the fiscal year. It amends both the general fund budget and the utility fund budget. And just briefly I'll go over the main points. First off in

the general fund is the law enforcement officers bonus program that was included in the North Carolina state budget. It was filtered through the town to Paul and his team to qualified law local law

enforcement officers. This just accounts for the receiving of the money and distributing it to the police officers um for the town of Beaufort. And then the larger portion of the budget amendment is

for the water and sewer system um infrastructure maintenance and capital improvements. That's a total of $200,000 divided up between sewer and water. Um the funding source for that is a transfer from

the system development fee fund um which is designed for capital purchases and maintenance items for the utility fund. Um and Donovan is Donovan Willis is here if you have any technical questions on

the water and sewer system improvements. >> Okay. All righty. Do we have any questions for Julie about the state fund for the law enforcement bonus or the water sewer system infrastructure

maintenance? >> I have a question. I just have a comment to make that uh I I took a tour with uh Donovan uh about several weeks ago and um showed me the apparatus that we were having to rent in order

to keep uh our water or water system sewer system flowing. And uh it's it's it's a hard it's a large piece of equipment and it does really cost a lot but kudos to uh the staff of uh maintaining and

keeping everything up and going. That's all I have. >> All right. Any further questions? No? All righty. Well, there is a the budget amendments that are in front of you. Uh staff is looking for us to

approve budget amendment number three, which include those two items. What is the pleasure of the board? >> I make a motion that we approve the budget amendment number three as presented. >> Okay,

we've got a motion on the floor. Any further questions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay, thank you very much. Now we're going to move on to the FY, excuse me, the Pivot Parking contract and the

recommended next step. We've got Mr. Zapp for that. >> Thank you, ma'am. Excuse me. Elizabeth and Erin I can address any questions that do arise from this conversation, but uh Pivot Parking has served

us well as our parking provider. Their contract is set to expire spring of 2027 and for our due diligence period, what we would recommend is notification formally according to the contract, which

would in in fact terminate our contract December 31st, 2026. There's multiple benefits to that. One is so that when we go out for bid, we'll be able to get competitive pricing. Additionally, we've had

a good post season meeting with Pivot Parking and we're pleased to share that the provision of the local free pass did not have an overtly negative impact on the revenues. In fact, our revenues from

stabilizing our rate to $3 an hour were up in 2026 versus 2025. So, we believe that we can put together a great RFP package or RFQ package that would allow other firms to provide us options as well as

Pivot. And if Pivot rises to the top, um it would be fine with us if we maintain that agreement, but this just gives us a chance to get fair and reasonable options for more than one vendor and we've

had this direct conversation with Pivot face-to-face. It's a formal step, but we don't want to act on that formal step without the opinions and the approval of council. And if you were to vote tonight

in the affirmative, we have a letter ready to go that would go to Pivot tomorrow giving them well more than 60 days notice, which would allow us to terminate our contract effective midnight December

31st, 2026. >> All right, any further questions for Matt about the Pivot Parking Contract? >> Just one. Um due to the town, we have to have an we have to advertise uh for new contractor or can we just

continue forward with Pivot? >> We could have negotiated with Pivot, but our past experience indicates that there may be different methodologies, which would allow us to maintain more of our revenue.

And so, um Julian and I both have experiences with alternative vendors. >> >> So, we felt that the best approach would be to open it. Um And Pivot is is extremely excited about staying, so they're

going to provide an updated packet when we release it as well. So, you could do both. You you you could do either path. I think you could potentially renew based on previous language within the

contract, or you could go out for bid. And so, we're we're recommending that we go out for bid prices. >> Well, >> >> I saw an article uh excuse me. Trying to get over this bad cold or whatever. Uh in

the um newspaper uh in Amarillo, your former home, Southlake, uh about their their effort in terms of uh parking situation as well. I have a one question. Um they're looking at a camera situation, but

I from my reading, uh they have a parking space designated so that it could read the cars coming in, tags or whatever. Um is there parking amount of cars greater than Beaufort? >> So, I the numbers in

both locations. It's almost apples to apples. In Emerald Isle, they have two parking lots, the east and the west. One parking lot has 165 spaces, the other one has approximately 150. And those two

parking lots generate all their revenue. >> >> I think their conversation that they're discussing is almost identical to Gallants Channel. And Gallants Channel went with a license plate recognition

technology that allows the person to come in the parking lot. It reduces the number of people, the manpower that it takes to do enforcement. But that situation wouldn't be apples to apples or for us

because of our parking spaces along Front and our multiple parking spots. >> Right. >> So, what we're proposing in 2027 and beyond is a very similar model where we still have ambassadors, we still

have coverage at our front office, but there are efficiency gains that Pivot discussed with our team that could help us retain more of our revenue and basically just by reducing costs. Very similar to

what you see with what F3 positioned here tonight. Um so, Emerald Isle's conversations are a little bit more unique to them. Almost directly in line with what Bucky did at Gallants Channel and to

provide those 400 parking spaces with in and out. That's more or less if you were like at an airport where you do park and ride. Um but that would work well at the private lot, for example, like you

see on Turner and Ann. That's a little bit different of how they operate that facility. You know that there's no people there. You have to check in and then it checks your license plate and sends you

a notice if you don't pay. So, it works in specific lots, but I don't believe that LPR technology is what we would be looking at along Front Street. >> Well, I'm sure we don't have to think. One other

If we terminate their contract on the 31st of December, uh will that affect their manager who sits there uh and go after seek after go after uh unpaid parking tickets. >> So, your question, would it

impact their manager? That's up to them on how they would choose to employ him at the month of January, February, and March. As far as us for unpaid tickets, no, it would have no direct impact on our

collections at this point. >> But, how would we go about collecting? >> Well, after you go through the process through basically the month of October, you're caught up. >> Okay. >> And so, the model

that I think Julie and I have seen is there's not necessarily a need for a full-time person the five off months, which drives your costs up. So, that's the basic difference is you can pre-start the

season, you have a 2 to 4-week lead time, you have a 2 to 4-week closure time, and so we're proposing maintaining parking May 1st to October 1st just like you had. You really would need staff in the

month of April, and you would need staff in the month of October. doesn't seem that there's a real drive for November, December, January, February, March, so it provides you five months of person that

we're paying that isn't receiving a lot of benefit back. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Mac, thank you for that. Can I just clarify what you said? So, because in Beaufort we have paid parking on the street

and not in parking lots like in Emerald Isle, that really doesn't lend itself to using the camera technology to capture the license plates just because our parking's set up is is different. >> We

believe that to be the case. There may be new technology out there, which is why we want to do a request for proposals or qualification. There may be somebody that has a different solution. And the

way it currently works today is there's a vehicle, and our team members walk down. They do have a handheld device that helps determine if that license plate has paid or not paid. It's just requiring

ambassadors to work our zones, and that's what we think may be the ultimate solution, but in the industry there may be a newer technology that could help us, and we're not sure what that is. >> Thank

you. >> But, yes, ma'am, that's accurate. >> Any further questions? So, what is RFP timeline? Do you have one in mind? >> Well, it really depends on how this conversation went tonight. Um cuz it would

be it would be awkward, professionally awkward, to be advertising for qualifications while you're engaged in an existing contract. So, uh I believe that if we make this decision and we've talked to

our current vendor verbally, they receive formal notice, then we could develop our request for qualifications and more than likely get it out before the end of the year. We would like to make a

solution and bring forward a recommendation no later than the retreat in January. That would allow you ramp-up time if there was a change, but if it stays the same and it's just a new contract, it

would all be able to be ironed out before the retreat as well. >> Okay, very good. >> Did I Is that the timeline that you were envisioning as well? Our goal is to try to have something in position at

least as a recommendation to this board for final discussion and approval at the end of Jan. Because if we wait till March, we couldn't make a shift. >> Right. >> Excuse me. >> That's what I was

thinking. >> Yes, ma'am. That's That's why we're having the conversation in October. >> Any further questions? >> I'll make a motion. >> All right. So, I just need to make a motion for authorize the

town manager. >> Yeah. From a financial management perspective, it only makes sense to move forward as staff are are recommending. Um so, I would make a motion that we authorize town manager to

provide the required 60-day notice to terminate the existing agreement with Pivot Parking effective December 31st, 2026, and also to direct staff to initiate a competitive request for proposals

process for parking management services for the 2027 season. >> Got a motion on the floor. Any further questions? All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Very good. Now, we're going to move on to number four,

that's Marsh Street and Queen Street traffic patterns. >> I'll actually uh phone in a friend or two and so I'd ask the both the police and fire chiefs to join us at the podium as we have a

conversation pertinent to Marsh and Queen Street and then these two gentlemen along with public works >> >> have uh worked on tonight's presentation and in his absence I'd also like to share with you

that Mark Eakes is not feeling well at all. Um we are working so closely together, we're all sharing what we have and so unfortunately Mark can't be here tonight and he sends his regrets. Mark did

have some adjustments to the presentation that we're going to work through the three of us tonight so uh Matt and Paul, I don't know who pulled the short straw. Is it Is it Pendergraft? >> Okay,

that's fine. >> >> It doesn't matter. >> Yeah, your equipment takes up some more >> >> real estate so we'll let you speak first. >> Police is backing you up. >> Okay, so what we have we have Marsh We

have Marsh Street and Queen Street. Um From Broad Street all the way to Front Street, Marsh Street offers 26 parking spaces. Queen Street offers 20 so they're pretty relative. Uh they're pretty

similar. Both Marsh and Queen Street are um 24-ft in width. They both have the parking spots are on the west side of both streets. All the parking spots are 8-ft wide. Some vary in length but most of

them are All of them are 8-ft wide. And both streets offer 16-ft of travel for the vehicle. On Queen Street it's one-way. >> >> What? Excuse me? >> That's pretty big. >> >> The average width of a

passenger car like everybody like most everybody travels in is anywhere from 6 to 7-ft. A full-size pickup truck or a full-size SUV is about 7-ft. The average width of a fire truck is 8 to 8 and

1/2-ft. Uh by NCDOT regulations nobody can be wider than 102 in which is 8 and 1/2-ft. Where that comes into play is on the fire trucks, we have hoses that connect to the side of it. You also have

mirrors on the side of the truck and everything, and that increases the width of the fire trucks up to 10 to 11 ft. In addition, we have the ladder truck. Everybody sees the ladder truck at Rock the

Docks with the American flag up in the big outriggers out, right? That requires 16 to 18 ft of width for us to be able to set up a ladder in an emergency situation. So, again, remember we've only got

16 ft of travel lane. >> >> With Marsh with both of them, we also have um sanitation that's got to get their truck up and down the street. Their truck is also 102 in wide with mirrors and everything

else. So, they're anywhere between 10 to 11 ft. They also have a big automatic arm that comes out and picks up the trash so that they can dump it so they can move on. So, they they've actually got a

little bit more operating stuff than we do. So, what we have is we have two different options for the board to consider. Um currently, Queen Street runs from Ann to Front and is one-way. That's what

it is currently, and it runs from Ann Street to Front Street. That is the direction of travel. So, option one is we want to extend Queen Street all the way up to Broad Street to be one-way one one-way

from Broad Street all the way to Front Street. Not changing the change of not changing the direction of travel or anything like that. We also want to include Marsh Street because of the width of it.

Um we want to include Marsh Street from Broad Street to Front Street. So, we have two options. This is option one with direction of travel heading south towards Taylor's Creek. And option two is the

exact opposite. Still same thing on Queen Street, but we will reverse the line of travel. You have to consider the sanitation has to get up and down Queen Street. They also have to get up and down

Marsh Street. The fire department and police department is perfectly fine with either way, but it does need to be one way because if you'll notice that is the actual picture of Marsh Street with the

ladder truck on it. You can see if it's two-way there can be instances where vehicles are traveling one way and we cannot get access to an actual emergency. >> So, if you'll go to option two, the

reason that we present option two tonight is after further discovery and research and meeting with our team at GFL, Mark Eek indicated that because the parking spaces are on the west side of the

street if the truck were to go be coming down the road on option one the problem would be then you have to stick the arm in between all the vehicles and you'd have to have trash from both sides of the

street brought over. He said that because currently Queen Street's direction is north to south on Queen Street, it can remain the same cuz the majority of the 100 block is already commercial. They can

make it work on the 200 block but we're still going to have to encourage people to strategically place their trash cans. It would make refuse collection both trash and recycling tremendously easier on

Marsh Street if it were to go from Front towards Broad in a northbound direction. And then that way when the trash truck is coming down Front, it would turn left, it would head up Marsh, and it could

grab all the trash cans that would be rolled to the east side of the street. Less opportunity to impact a vehicle, less opportunity for people to What's traditionally going to happen is people are

going to try to pull them into the drive lane. And then the driver can only empty cans on his or her right side. So, it'll take some communication encouraging people to place their cans on the right

side, but from a safety's perspective I believe both police, fire, and public works believe that one way on both Queen and one way on Marsh are accurate. From my chair, we would encourage you to

consider option two, where you have one direction headed southbound and one direction headed northbound. >> Uh quick question. So, I understand that this would be better for trash pickup, but what

about parking if it's only on the left side of the street, how would you turn around to park? You'd have to turn around to park. >> No, so you would come from Front Street and you're you're you would

be facing northbound as you park. >> would be allowed to park on the opposite side side of the street going the wrong direction. >> Well, you'd be going one direction. So, yes, ma'am. So, you would

park on your left and drive and the reason that we indicate this is okay is you're you're used to traveling on the right anyway. >> But, so like legally, DOT would allow that for the parking being

allowed. >> roads and yes, ma'am. We we would be authorizing that to be a legal maneuver, but yes. >> Do you go back >> >> to your your fire apparatus? That's Marsh. >> Yes, yes, sir. >> So, so you're

looking for the change to be coming in the direction of your fire apparatus, is that what you're saying? >> The Is that coming from >> The direction the the direction that picture was taken, that's

actually heading back towards um Cedar. >> As in towards Cedar. >> Yeah, if you say so. Right now, everything's No, it's it's reversed. >> And so, the what this is just showing you the width. If

you're if we're on Front Street, the fire truck would be going the other way if you made a the opposite direction is the recommendation. >> So, all those cars on the left side of this picture would

just park the other direction. >> Correct, ma'am. >> So, but now go to the uh trash truck. So, it would Would the containers be on the same side as the cars or they have to switch over to the opposite

side? That's what I'm I'm trying to >> Can you go to option two? >> visualize. I'm trying to visualize. They have to go to the opposite street, right? >> Yeah, go to option two. I'll show you. So, the

problem is the parking spaces on Queen are already marked. And so, when you're coming down with the trash truck, they're going to still have to pull cans on Queen between vehicles cuz the truck would

be coming southbound. On Marsh Street, we wouldn't have to be pulling trash cans between vehicles. It would be on Marsh Street, you would have them on the east side. You just ask people to put the

trash cans on the side. >> opposite side. That's correct. >> Well, 50% of the people would be on their side normally. The other 50% have to drag them out. Cuz what they're doing today is they're

pulling them out in between cars. >> Uh yeah. And and that's uh on Cedar, where I live, where I park my car at, I I have a driveway, but I'm always have my car out on the street. And my neighbor and

myself put out trash out of and I'm always a little apprehensive about having to put my trash to almost where they they pick up and I I'm always fearful that he might nick my car one day. And I'm sure

those people going to have the same issue. So, I'm just wondering if we are >> That's why this solution on Marsh makes it a safer opportunity. It's not between the cars. >> I know, but Queen, though,

you're saying Queen is going to have to be where they they're picking them up between cars. >> If we expand Queen to include Broad Street to Ann, >> Mhm. >> because what you have is you already have a

designated pathway that for all the businesses and all the the both of groceries, they're all ready doing one way there. So, uh keep in mind that road is going to be repaired and re-striped. So, we

could move the parking to the east side, which would make life a whole lot easier when we do our re-striping. So, we do have a method to our madness. It's just we're going to get there, but that

repair would occur in January, February, and March. >> Okay. All right. Thanks, Chief. >> Yes, Commissioner Matthews. >> So, Matt, I was I was with you right up to the last um statement or you

proposing that we would go with the option two for um Queen, but then perhaps change the direction once it was the work was completed? >> That wasn't our intention, but based on his comments, we can

adapt that if necessary, but we have preexisting striping already on brand new striping already in place on Marsh, so uh your question it's up to you if you wanted to make an adjustment on Queen. We

could after March 1st when we restripe if we wanted to, but right now we would just continue Queen as is. >> Okay. You would just come It would come back before us if we needed >> If you wanted to,

like it it's an option. >> Right. And um just to add a little bit um more, I totally agree with with option two, especially um for Marsh. I mean, what we're really doing from the standpoint of safety

is making these changes. And it's obviously uh a much safer operation for the garbage truck with the one arm coming off to the right um to service that street on that side. It just It just makes

sense. Um I'll also say I'm I'm glad this brought this forward this quick uh after an event that we we had that was a a safety hazard in trying to get an emergency vehicle down down Marsh. Um I know

the community wanted to see that changed. Um I had Actually, they have a petition and have about 20 signatures, and they identified all of the the safety issues along that street and the need for

changing it to one way. Um and having said all that, um I'll make a motion that we adopt option two um where we're we're moving from south to north on Marsh Street um to Broad on um yeah, south to

north on on Broad and then using the current direction from Broad uh to Front Street for Queen. >> We've got a motion on the floor. Uh do you want to have any further questions? Yes. >> it Is it just

that simple that we can just vote and adopt that or is it an ordinance that has to pass or is it just because it's it's town roads we can go ahead and make that decision? >> That's correct. >> Just

board action. Just board action. Okay. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Um I just wanted to say I agree with Commissioner Matthews. We've heard from a number of residents that live on Marsh Street that they they

want to see this happen. So I'm very much in support of it. I think that's an interesting idea about Queen Street, but I would be hesitant to make any decisions. It's it's been one way that way for a

long time and I'd want to check with the residents who live there first to see um but I do think that this that we have in front of us is a good plan. >> So to that specific question, Commissioner

Speakly, are we okay with are you okay with the expanding the one way from Broad to Ann on Queen? Or do you want to just leave it alone? >> haven't heard from the citizens on that street, but I don't

know if any of my fellow commissioners have. >> We haven't at my desk, but it was a recommendation when they did the research to try to determine a safety factor. So I want to be very clear that the

resounding request that I had heard was specific to Marsh. The optional Broad to Ann expansion of one way is coming from police, fire, and EMS. Well, police police, fire, and public works. >> And and

I'm making the motion to um go with option two for Queen as as well. Just from the same standpoint of the safety issues. I live there. I've gone down that street. You've got, you know, if someone's

coming and they're they're going to shift over. Absolutely, they're going to shift over. Or they're going to think, this is a one-way street and they're supposed to be coming down and they have a few

words for you that's not very nice. Um you have a little bit of rage along those lines as well and there's no way you're going to get a a vehicle down there, a safety vehicle, response vehicle, if

someone's coming in the opposite direction. I mean, it's it's impossible. So, the same issues exist for that for that street. >> I would agree in the amount of traffic that's that we're getting

downtown. I think it's just it's a safety issue. It just it it needs to be I think it needs to be done. >> I do have a further question. I know I know there's a motion on the floor, but from a New

Yorker's standpoint, this is kind of confusing for me cuz pattern recognition is very important. You've got one way going one way, you have a blank street and you've got another one. I don't know if

there's any looking at this holistically as to whether any other streets need to be considered one way or the other because then you would have to change somewhat of the pattern that every other

street would go north and then every other street would go south. That was just my only consideration cuz I don't I'm I understand the holistic part of making it safe, but I'm just looking at the

broader picture cuz now we have further down on the western side, we've got Orange going one way, that's going one way. Um it's just me probably thinking that way because pattern recognition is very

important for the motorists. They need to know one street's one way, the other street's another way and that avoid some of the sentence enhancers that we're getting there on Queen Street, but if you

start making all sorts of patterns going around town without looking at it holistically, it becomes really confusing. >> So, I think Paul brought that up in our internal discussion. So, Paul, if you

want to address that this was a conversation that had been breached before, but it didn't didn't come to fruition. Is that correct? >> Right, and the there is somewhat of a pattern. You have Queen

Street running south. Hallock can handle both north and south. Then you'd have Marsh going north. And then you get into the the other side streets where this isn't as impactful. So there there is

somewhat of a pattern for accessible cuz after Marsh then you have Live Oak which again will allow both northbound and southbound traffic. So that was part of the discussion. >> I think to the mayor's

question though if when we expanded out the view, there had been a preliminary conversation years ago was there not about what streets would be northbound, what streets would be southbound, what

streets would remain two-way. If you want us to do further inspection, we can. This is just a a very elaborate conversation because once you make that move, I think that the mayor brings a good point.

You're you're setting a pattern. And so we were trying to address the high concern on Marsh and at first the directional request was option one. And after further inspection from public works, we

talked about really the refuse collection is another component into this. You're pouring another ingredient into the batter, so >> Cuz if Queen actually went from Front to Broad Street, so you've got

two patterns. If somehow Pollock changes, it could go the opposite way. So you'd have every other road going the opposite way, but it would also handle the situation as far as the garbage is

concerned. Everybody who's having to change their trash on Marsh Street to put it to the other side, Queen Street would have to follow the same suit. I'm just thinking out loud. I'm not saying that we

don't necessarily have to do anything right now, just being on the board in the past, we've had this conversation um and it just never really moved the needle about going you know, every other street

that way. Um I just think that if you have a future discussion, you may have to somebody's going to have to eventually switch. And if we have control over that, then we can have that conversation at a

later date, but we can probably do this right I mean or she decide maybe to do that right now. >> That's what I would recommend is that we do look at it across the town if others are needed, but at

this point especially these two particular streets, >> Mhm. >> This action needs to happen. >> Yeah. And Mayor Hunger, I think to the street in between these two, correct me if I'm wrong, but it's a

lot wider >> Yes, ma'am. >> than these others. So, the safety concerns are not there for Street. The safety concerns are really there for Marsh and Queen, and we have a lot of traffic on those two cuz

they're like in the downtown area. So, I would agree with Mr. Matthews, we should go ahead with these two right now. >> I'm not stopping the action of it, but I'm just thinking you need to have a

little bit more forethought. is not as wide as you think it is. If I try to get a fire truck down there and my big SUV down there, we're crunching, especially when you have off-street parking. >> Yes,

ma'am. >> Okay. Okay. So, we have a motion on the floor. That's just my two cents. Any further questions? All right, all in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed have the same right. All right, now we're

going to move on to the RCCP phase three uh grant opportunity. We have Ms. Eitner to present on that one. >> Good afternoon, Mayor and Commissioners. Uh today I'll give a quick refresher on the

Resilient Coastal Communities Program, walk through the projects that staff explored for the funding round, and explained our recommended phase three application concept. Last year we brought forward

identified projects and asked for direction on which alternative to pursue. This year with the Beaufort uh focused funding criteria required a broader project search to find an to find an approach

that meets grant requirements, advances Beaufort's adopted priorities, and can realistically move forward towards implementation. And tonight we're seeking board's direction on whether to proceed with

that application. Just as a quick refresher, RCCP is the state's Resilient Coastal Communities Program. It's administered by the Division of Coastal Management and is intended to help coastal

communities move from identifying vulnerabilities through planning and project prioritization into design and eventually implementation. Beaufort completed the first two phases in 2022, which produced

the resilient Beaufort plan and project portfolio. Phases three and four are where grant funding can move these priorities forward. Phase three now focuses on engineering and design and analysis that

advances nature-based solutions. Phase four is for construction and implementation. Funding rounds are not predictable annual opportunities, so when DCM opens a round, staff reviews our existing

priorities to see whether we have something that is both ready and eligible. This round provides an 18-month project period, no local match requirement, and applications are due November 10th. Not

every funding round necessarily needs an application. Question for this work session is whether this is a useful project for Beaufort to take on now. Resilient Beaufort intentionally identified a

broad range of resilience needs, including conventional infrastructure as well as nature-based and planning projects. The current RCCP program is more narrowly focused on natural and nature-based

solutions. Two applications we submitted last year were not selected in large part because they do not fit that focus well enough. Those projects did not stop being town priorities, they simply needed

to be pursued in other funding sources. We're looking closely at whether a grant-funded project has a realistic path to implementation. Projects on private property would require willing landowners

and the necessary easements or other site control arrangements. Those considerations need to be addressed early so that selected projects can advance beyond design. Staff began working Staff began

with Beaufort's existing needs, adopted plans, and the commissioners' identified priorities for this year. We also considered the town's current workload and whether each concept was sufficiently

developed for this application deadline. Uh the boardwalk and bulkhead project remains important, but D C M advised us it would not be a competitive application because it is predominantly

conventional infrastructure. Downtown permeable paving uh addresses a real flooding issue, but paving by itself would not provide enough nature-based or broader benefit for the funding available. Park

concepts were not sufficiently tied to a defined stormwater need. Um the Caraway campus school area concept is something that's promising for us, but uh there's not enough time to establish the site,

engineering approach, and school partnership for a November application. The timing of Coastal Federation's work at the Rachel Carson Reserve did not align with this grant cycle. Um Before identifying

uh the current approach, staff was prepared to recommend not applying if none of the concepts offered a strong enough fit. So, as part of this project search, staff reached out to North Carolina

Coastal Federation to ask whether there are viable nature-based opportunities or partnerships we'd overlooked. Coastal Fed developed the Newport River Watershed Protection and Restoration Plan with

regional collaborators including the town of Beaufort. Coastal Fed is heading up the Morehead City Shoreline Restoration Plan team where the work moves from this broad watershed planning to municipal

shoreline assessment, project prioritization, and design. Based on that work, Coastal Fed recommended adapting the Morehead City plan for Beaufort. An estuarine shoreline management plan is already

identified in our Resilient Beaufort Plan and in our comprehensive and CAMA land use plan. This proposal would include an established local framework to advance those adopted priorities. If the board

wants to pursue a phase three application this round, staff recommends the shoreline management plan concept. The current outline from Coastal Fed is approximately 18 months and $275,000 with no local

match. The work would assess the town's shorelines, classify where different shoreline approaches are appropriate, identify roughly three to priority design projects and five additional potential

projects through additional field work, feasibility, cost development, and design. Uh town staff would serve as project administrator for the RCCP grant and handle all reporting and reimbursement

requests with DCM. Coastal Fed, however, would manage the actual project work, the consultants coordination, contracting, invoicing, engagement, and technical work. Town staff's role is primarily

providing local knowledge, participating in check-in and workshops, and reviewing the deliverables. Staff wanted to ensure this plan would have practical uses even before construction funding becomes

available. First, it does implement shoreline management actions already adopted in our land use plan, and gives town gives the town a science-based reference for future shoreline decisions. Second,

it creates a project pipeline, which sites are worth pursuing, which are realistically implementable, what approach may work, and what the likely costs and next steps are. Third, it improves our grant

readiness. When short no- short notice funding opens, Beaufort would have vetted projects and supporting technical information instead of starting from zero. This project addresses several of the

current phase three review criteria, but staff's not presenting it as a guarantee of funding. It comes directly from prior resilience planning, is centered in shoreline nature-based and hybrid

approaches, includes public participation, and adopts a framework already being used in Morehead City. It adapt It also has broader usefulness because the final project would support adopted land use

plan implementation, future capital decisions, and future grant applications. Coastal Fed would add project management and technical capacity, while prioritization process would explicitly consider

whether sites have realistic ownership, permitting, and implementation path. Of the concepts staff evaluated, this offers the strongest combination of fit with the funding criteria, support for

adopted town priorities, and a realistic path toward implementation. There are two reasonable options. If the board supports proceeding, staff will finalize the scope, project type, budget, and

application with Coastal Federation, return on November 9th with the final application and resolution, and submit it by November 10th. The board can also decide not to apply this round. That avoids

adding another 18-month grant and associated administration while staff and the board have a full workload. The shoreline management plan remains an adopted planning priority and can be revisited when

another appropriate funding opportunity becomes available. Staff recommends proceeding with the shoreline management plan application and is prepared to complete it. If the board prefers to defer, the

plan would remain an adopted priority, but the timing of another comparable funding opportunity is uncertain at this time. Staff can answer any questions for the board, and um the North Carolina

Coastal Federation is represented in the audience as well. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Um any questions for Michelle? Yes. >> I was I was hanging in there as you were as you were going through that.

Did I understand you correctly? Initially, there was some hesitation in in moving forward um given the projects that were available to meet the criteria for the grant. Um but you ended up uh working

with the Coastal Federation and identified some areas where there may be some um I guess projects that would be have a greater potential of of being funded. Um, but I also heard that there may be some

concern about that and this may be the format, I'm not sure, but uh about the availability uh of staffing uh for this particular project and whether or not uh with the Coastal Federation assisting

that that particular issue is no longer on the table given that they're going to be doing some of the work. Am I Who who whoever's answering that, but >> Yes, that was a big consideration in looking

at projects. I didn't want to um find a project that was going to make more work for public works with everything that they've got on their plate. We didn't want to take on too much on planning's

workload to uh work on plan creation um in-house, but the Coastal Federation recommended this approach where they're taking a lot of the um administration and creation work off of our plates. So, it's

really a win-win um and they are so, you know, integrated with all of the regions um planning processes that it just makes sense to use Coastal Federation and they would be the consultant. Uh they

would take any technical um consultants. Um I know there's a couple different groups working on the Morehead City plan. They combine all of that into one invoice, so we only have to pay one group um

even though there might be several consulting firms working on the plan. Um just as an example of the reduction in workload that would happen for staff. So, we could keep moving forward with

everything we have going on, but also take on this plan. >> And who um who actually would receive the grant application? Who is the agency that the the grant application will go to? >> Division of

Coastal Management. >> It would go to the Division of Coastal Management. Okay. Um just I guess just a a comment. Um I'm all about going after grants and bringing money into Beaufort uh, from grants

where we have particular projects um, that are worthwhile and and uh, and we have a you know, potential for success to bring that that money in uh, to enhance the community. I think it's also very

important that we look at particular areas that we want to target for grants and take into account staff resources in doing that. Um, and perhaps that's a that's an item that um, needs to be discussed

next year when we have our our planning um, planning day is or days uh, is to look at exactly the areas that we want to target and make sure everybody's on board and we've looked at the potential

staffing that might be needed if we are successful uh, in moving forward with the grants. So, just a statement on that. >> Okay. >> Um, >> Commissioner >> Okay. I was going to say I completely agree

with you uh, Commissioner Matthews. I think best management practices for applying for grants, you don't want to just do it willy-nilly cuz that's takes up time and then you're often not successful.

So, it's really important to have your priorities first and the project developed so that when the grant comes along it's less work to apply. But, I think that's exactly Michelle what you're doing.

So, the list of projects that she reviewed um, were from the resilient Beaufort plan, came from the land use plan as she as Michelle said. So, these are projects that have been prioritized by the

community, by the Board of Commissioners. We've had them in the pipeline for a few years now and we're trying to find funding um, to implement them. So, I think this is a really wise decision to take

a project that's already been prioritized by our community. It's not something new. Um, and I think what Michelle has done a really great job of and I'm I want to you know, commend you. You look

through this list and you reached out to a partner that you knew could help, took the initiative which is exactly what we want to see our staff doing. So, I just want to say thank you very much. Um I

would like either you or the Coastal Fed to speak to how much staff time you think this project will take and then also um since there is a similar project occurring in Morehead City right now, how

much staff time have had they done in their project and um just for our knowledge, you know, what contractors have been used in that project in Morehead and do we think that you know, those might be

contractors that um would be a good I know that's a step down the road and we wouldn't know until we would see if we would get this grant funding, but would that be a possibility too? What are some of

those contractors that would do the work for this project? >> Um and I'll let Sarah talk to this a little bit more, but I provided the flyer um in the agenda packet. They're using Withers Ravenel and

Natrix. Um but my understanding is that Morehead City Morehead City's plan is a little bit more intensive, so they have a bigger plan that they're working on. Ours would be uh a little bit smaller in

scope than what they're doing. Um so it wouldn't be, you know, quite apples to apples, but it would be very similar. I think if we were going to be primary on the whole project, it would be a pretty

big lift, but because the Coastal Federation would be, you know, managing that project, it it's going to be a breeze in comparison to some other projects that we take on. And this is a project that we

wanted to do uh maybe after the UDO is completed, but I think given the timing um and the the funding source, it might be time to just go ahead and do this now. >> All right, so we do have um that has

been referenced to. We have two people uh members from the Coastal Federation. We've got Jacob Boden and Sarah Boden here with us today. Uh thank you so much for being willing partners in this and uh

we would love to be able to have you come to the podium. We're just going to drill Michelle a little bit and then we're going to get you folks to come on up and answer a few questions. Did anybody

have any further questions for Michelle? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Um What's that? There's my voice again. Once I received a patch, I I reached out um uh for as Morehead City and they didn't right now

there's see any issues in terms of staffing uh having to be totally involved or wrapped into this matter. Um I appreciate the fact that you did go out and find a partner for this. Uh as uh

commissioner uh Dexter stated um if there's an opportunity for a grant I think we should pursue it. Um like I said, Morehead is saying it right now they're seeing no no issues in terms of either

staffing or any other uh uh problems that they uh is involved in in terms of uh this resilience. So, I I would like to see they're our next door neighbor. I I think it would be very wise of us to to

uh to accept this grant and and move forward. >> Thank you. Commissioner LaPecqlo, have any questions for uh Michelle? >> Um Michelle, would you be solely responsible for writing the grant is it or

would you have assistance from other people in the in the town? Um and does that come to us for review or do you just solely like submit that directly to the um for their approval? >> Um I was

planning on coordinating with Coastal Federation to make sure that the language matches what they're proposing in the plan. Um we have a couple of staff members that we routinely bounce things off of

each other just for proofing and um things like that, but we would create that grant in house. >> Okay. And this was I guess part of the priority or one of the items that was listed that we that we

wanted to pursue shoreline management. Most of the shoreline in Beaufort, I guess excluding or did you also include the Rachel Carson Reserve as well? Or because most of the shoreline within Beaufort

is private shoreline and not public. So, do we have specific ideas? I'm I'm just trying to wrap my head around what this would mean and what we would be doing um and what kind of project this really

would be because most of the shoreline for Beaufort is is private and residential. >> Um I think this might be a good segue into Coastal Federation kind of introducing the project further. >> you. >>

Okay. >> I understand what you I'm saying there Commissioner uh La Piccolo, but I think Morehead somewhat faces the same challenge in that there not a lot of great shoreline loan there and they're

also is dealing with a lot of uh private uh shore as well, but uh as far as my conversation with them, they're they're seeing no no significant problems in this uh in this endeavor with this grant. >>

Okay. Well, welcome Sarah. >> Thank you. >> We'll go ahead and let you take over and uh thank you once again for partnering with us and how is this partnership going to look if we decide to move

forward? >> Um I'll use the Morehead City as an example. Um so as far as staff time on Morehead City's end, it's been very minimal. So up front, we had several meetings with them to prioritize various

sites. Um if there was already initially projects or parcels that were in great need of shoreline stabilization. So looking at what those sites those priority levels are and then deciding what level

of engineering work going to occur. So we discussed you know, if we're going to do 30 or 60%. So we decided to do um three sites at 60% design. Um the analysis work, we hired two different

contractors. So one is going to be writing the report, doing the analysis work. So looking at wave erosion, um marsh migration areas, uh any hot spots, categorizing the different typologies. So within

that um analysis will be recommendations for private property owners on how to address different areas of erosion. Um but that's going to expand out into those public spaces, those public parcels. Um

so, as far as staff time on Coastal Fed side, it's not too much. >> >> We're I send a monthly email to Morehead City um just to summarize what is occurring after, you know, all the approvals were done

on uh priority sites. So, it's going to take about uh another year for that analysis to occur. We have another contractor who is doing on-site field assessments, um ground truthing, and then we'll be

coming up with the designs. So, for working with Beaufort, it can be completely tailored to what Beaufort requires as far as different sites. Um that can also be determined through the analysis work.

If through the analysis we discover hotspots, we can make recommendations for that. Um there's also discussion that um if Beaufort would like to proceed with a site up to 90% design, that's completely

up to Beaufort's decision. >> Is there anything you wanted to add? >> Uh so, for the we'll have five priority projects identified in this public or private, depending on the needs and community input

and the town's priorities. We'll have the additional three sites that are um at least 60% to design, so that would mean you would still have to go out for scoping and for the permitting, but we are

also going to do at least one of those sites to 90 to 100% design. We'll actually have a scope meeting with the agencies and have those ready for the permit and actually get uh funded for

construction. Those will be either at public sites or on private property owners that we know are even willing to, you know, um um sign over the public trust use. So, the ones that we're actually

going to be doing the 60 to 90% designs, those three will be on the preferred sites that are public trust. So, we're going to do the whole town and the ATJ and it'll include Rachel Carson. We actually

already have portions of Rachel Carson done for the analysis that were funded through the other EPA grant funded, that same uh firm, Matrix, uh that's doing the analysis for the shoreline management,

so it'll actually help. Uh we already have some of that analysis done that we can use. And obviously for any recommendations, there will be really heavily for the uh reserve staff to weigh in on, but

really, you know, Sarah did really well summarizing, checking in with staff, and making sure they're providing input, and then the two to three public opportunities, you know, coordinating with staff

on those, and then obviously um letting the town weigh in on what those priority sites are once we gather all the information. >> Thank you. That really clarifies it. I appreciate it. >> Now, with

your support, there's a deadline for this application of November the 10th. >> Yeah. >> Will we be able to make that deadline? >> Yes. >> >> The RCCP application process is made to be easy by design

because of communities and trying to get some of the communities that don't have, you know, as, you know, don't have the Michelles to put them together. So, based off of the outline we already

provided, it's really just that we can work with Michelle to help provide it with the numbers and everything. So, I don't think that'll be a heavy lift to do um the the application part. >> Okay.

That's good news. Now, the grant amount, which is what, 275,000? Do you think that will be enough to cover the cost of surveys and all the things that need to be done for this project? >> Yes. Um

that's based off of Morehead City's plan, and that's covering 75 mi of shoreline. So, looking at Beaufort's, it's around 23 to 25, so there may actually be a little extra funding, which we could use

for more priority sites, or bringing up some of those other sites closer to 90% design instead of just doing one, we could do multiple. >> Well, it keeps getting better every time you speak. It's like

it's getting better every time. >> Try to set the bar here, and get here. >> You're busting it out of the park, Jacob. They're doing a good job. >> Can I ask a question? Are there any provisions in

that when the if the money's delivered, and then the restorations performed, and say it's a 90%, and then Beaufort has to kick in the additional 10 that then we then have to maintain the sites and

they have to allocate money through through the future to like to to maintain that that that site and you know in perpetuity like forever. >> That's a >> that or is there a clawback pattern or

anything like that with that provision? >> I don't believe there's any maintenance language included in any of the funding any of the nature-based designs that the engineering firm will come up with

would be little to no maintenance but you know there's we never know what could occur and so that is definitely a discussion that we should have. >> And that that may come that may come with phase

four the actual construction and implementation they'll look at what the what the maintenance is going to need to be in the long term. But like like she that was one of the things that I really wanted

to look at is having something that's going to be low or no maintenance as far as this grant grant funding didn't want to put a a big hole in the ground and throw money into so um and and just having

a plan that sits on a shelf is not really that exciting to me so having a planning process that results in you know implementation is something that is that is you know preferred. >> But we're not

specifically locked in where if we don't proceed with this that we there may be a clawback provision and within it as well. >> No. >> Okay. All right, thank you. >> Any further questions for staff or

Coastal Fed? Thank you very much for coming up appreciate your time. >> Okay. >> Um I make a motion that we move the proposed RCCP phase three shoreline management plan concept forward to the

application um to to the DCM RCCP program and direct town staff to work with the Coastal Federation on the application. >> Excellent. All right, we've got a motion on the floor any questions? All in

favor say I. >> I. >> Thank you very much. Now we're going to move on to Beaufort Crossing Development Agreement process and the working group. We've got Mr. Rotchy. >> Good afternoon Mayor Harker and

Commissioners. In your agenda packet tonight, you will see a request to establish a working group for the Beaufort Crossing Development Agreement process. Um for a little bit of background at the

October 12th Board of Commissioners meeting, this board reviewed and tabled the proposed re-zonings and annexations for properties associated with the Baron Properties 82-acre commercial project

they've titled Beaufort Crossing. In a separate motion, the Board of Commissioners has requested town staff and the attorney to enter into negotiations with the developer regarding uh uh process for a

negotiation for a development agreement uh for the board to consider in the future. Uh after discussion among staff, the recommendation for you tonight is to consider establishing a working group

consisting of two commissioners, two planning board members, town staff representatives being Matt Zapp, Elizabeth Lewis, Eric Grady, and myself, as well as Baron Properties development team. Um Jeff

Baron has reached out and he has uh recognized himself, Josh Edmonson, Diana Crompka, and Emily Prohovich, who would represent um their party. >> Okay. >> Uh so, the request again is for two

commissioners and two planning board members to be identified for this group with the objective of providing recommendations for a development agreement for the Beaufort Crossing project. This group

would disband following review of the development agreement by the Planning Board and the Board of Commissioners. >> All right, very good. Well, um we have board members, if you would like to go ahead

and I don't necessarily need to open up a floor for nominations on this. Can we just take names of people who might be interested, or do I have to formally open up a slate? >> Yeah. Mayor, I think uh

the board should first decide that they want to go this route and then if that's the decision of the board, then yes, ma'am, you would jump into the selection process. >> Ready. All right, so we'll

let the board have discussion as to whether they would like to proceed any comments or questions they may have or any other suggestions. >> This a comment. I think it's a good process. Appreciate

staff putting that together and making the recommendation that we establish the committee and I would go ahead and make a motion that we move forward with establishment of the committee as presented.

>> All right. Any further discussion on that before I call for the question? >> I think Juneau's nomination is fine. I think obviously with the planning board, I think we should probably have an an

alternative person because we're going to have to reach out to the planning board members and see if they're available. See if they wish to proceed or wish to participate in this. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >>

Cool. >> That's mine. We're picking the planning board members. >> Yes. >> So we don't pick any planning board members. >> Yes. It's on the agenda. >> Yeah, I see. >> And I'll if if you want to add

that as a part of the motion that we would do an alternative proposed member, I'm fine with that as part of the motion. >> Can I ask has the planning board been surveyed yet to see if they're

interested or who on the planning board would want to be a part of this? >> We have not surveyed the planning board yet, no. >> Okay. So, I mean, I could nominate two people and I kind of have in my

head who I would like, but I don't know if, you know, what their availability is the next few months. Maybe they're going to be out of town, I don't know. So, I'd be a little bit hesitant probably to

go forward with that without checking with them first. >> Yeah. I guess that was my concern when I was asking about planning board and Commissioner Piccolo reminded that that's what we supposed to be

doing, but I mean, how can we speak to two other people and not knowing what their plans are. >> That's why I said we should have an alternate an alternate. >> Yeah, I thought I thought that yeah. >>

We should move forward with an alternate have our first two and then we have an alternate. That'd be my my recommendation. >> Now wait. Play devil's advocate here. Let's say we pick two people and

alternate and all three of those people said I just can't do it. We just have to come back and pick some more, right? So we just get this process started and we could always change it if something

happens a little bit later on down the road where we don't have participation or someone just can't participate at that point in time. Okay? >> Okay. >> All right. So now we have a motion on the floor

to move forward with the working of the group. And then we'll go ahead and set up nominations within that motion. Or does that have to come? >> Mayor, I would suggest you take a vote on the motion

that's on the >> Okay. All right. We have a motion on the floor. Any further questions? All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> All opposed have the same right. Okay. So we're going to move forward. So now

we're going to create a slate of we'll start with commissioners first. >> Well Mayor um >> Okay. >> I think when I think a email or text email was sent out and um I placed myself in terms of uh

volunteering which is something against the military standards or always volunteer. You know, volunteer for anything but I did in this particular case. So >> Okay. >> I have a greater interest in in

wanting to to be on the committee uh uh as I spoke at our last meeting with the developer they had some concerns and that's why I would like to be considered >> Okay. >> be considered as a board

member on this panel on this group. >> Okay. We've got Commissioner Cooper down. Any further other volunteers or suggestions or names? >> I'd nominate Paula Gilligan, please. >> Okay, Paula. >> And

I'll nominate Commissioner LoPiccolo. >> Okay, gotcha. All righty. So, we've got Commissioner Cooper up, Commissioner Gilligan, and then Commissioner LoPiccolo. So, now we're just going to have to go

on a voting system. All righty. Um How many for if you want to raise your right hand so I can count that for Commissioner Cooper? Got two. All right. Right hand for Commissioner Gilligan? Three. And

right hand for Commissioner LoPiccolo? Three. Oh, good lord. >> >> All righty. So, it looks like we have three for Commissioner Gilligan, three for Commissioner LoPiccolo, and those two will rise to

the top with the most number of votes. Congratulations. Okay. Now, we're going to move on to planning board. Any names for planning board that comes to mind that you'd like to serve on this working

committee? >> I would nominate Ryan Neff. >> Okay, Ryan Neff. >> I nominate George Stancil. >> George. >> Uh I nominate Vic >> Vassilino. >> Vic, okay. >> >> Okay. Is that it? Very good. Okay, so

we're going to go through the same process. Just raise your right hand so I can count. How many for Mr. Neff? Raise your right hand. 1 2 3 4. Okay, Mr. Stancil. 1 2. And Mr. >> Vassilino. >> 1 2.

Well, that puts me in a very particular position, right? All right, so Mr. Neves will advance. And because it's a two-to-two tie here for Stancil and Fosselino, I get an opportunity to break that tie,

and I'm going to choose George Stancil. So, the two planning board members that would advance could Mr. Fosselino be the alternate? >> Uh yes, ma'am. That's how I would look at it. >> All righty. >>

>> So, for the planning board, we have Mr. Ryan Neves, George Stancil, and as an alternate, Vic Fosselino. Okay. All right. What are we going to do with the extra time? It's 5:28, and we're not

probably used to getting out this Jacob, she's going to get home a little earlier today. >> >> All right, that's all the business we have for today. Thank you for showing up, everyone in the audience,

and those who's tuned in online. Can I get a motion to adjourn? >> I move. >> All in favor, say I. >> I. >> I. >> Thank you. >> We didn't even get to go over the budget. Huh? They're going to adjourn

now. So, what are you preparing for next?