Pine Knoll Shores
Commissioners Meeting
By Paige Gillespie
The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held on March 11 at
town haU. Commissioners Edwards and Knecht were not present. There were 32
members of the public in attendance.
Mayor Jones announced the following events for Kayak for the Warriors: The
Gala and auctions will be held May 1, the Golf Tournament on May 29 and the
Kayak/Paddleboard Race on June 6.
During the public comment session, 10 people spoke.
The Consent Agenda was unalJh^ously approved.
Town Manager Brian Kramer reported on a number of items:
• COVID-19: The town is following the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) guidelines for the virus. The Fire Department /EMS and
the Police Department have received updated protocols for respiratory
diseases. They are getting information from the CDC, NC Division of
Public Health and Carteret County Health Department.
• Beach Renourishment Project: A second dredge was scheduled to arrive
soon. Vegetation installation will begin around mid-April.
• Road Bore Project: Completed. Public Services Director Sonny
Cunningham will conduct a series of tests/certification for the state, and
more is planned for FY2021 and beyond.
• Arborvitae Court Drain Line Project: There was a delay while the project
engineer sought specifications on the seawall construction, and plans have
been distributed to the neighbors. The town is handling the design and
legal issues while the neighborhood is handling the construction of the
drain line.
• Environmental Enhancement Grant: The town worked in partnership with
the North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF) and was approved for a
$100,000 grant. The money will go toward three stormwater projects—
Pine Knoll Boulevard, Acorn Court and the Living Shoreline at Veterans
Park. It requires a 50-50 match, but the town’s share can be in-kind. Pine
Knoll Boulevard and Acorn Court will be designed and built in FY2021,
and the Living Shoreline in FY2021-22.
• Phase II Stormwater Project: Survey work has been ordered by the
project engineer. There is an issue on Willow Road that will require it to
be moved 80 feet to the east due to easement issues. He is meeting with
the Crystal Coast Country Club to draw up written documents. Town
Clerk Sarah Williams and town attorney Melissa Berryman are working
on neighborhood easements. The project is still tracking for final design
this fiscal year and construction next fiscal year. There will be a town hall
meeting the first week of May to discuss this project.
• Trinity Center Emergency Beach Access: The town has signed an
agreement with the Trinity Center. The design is complete, and the
contractor has been approached.
• Pine Knoll Boulevard Sidewalk: Mr. Kramer has walked the line with the
project engineer. There is an issue at the southern end of the line, and an
easement will be needed.
• Several quick updates were given on the possible nature trail in the
Roosevelt Natural Area, FEMA excess funds. Dogwood Access repair.
beach signage, status of this year’s intern (there will not be one), a meeting
with the NC Department of Insurance and the McNeill Inlet seawall.
• Mid-Island Bridge: He attended the Express Design Kickoff meeting
hosted by NCDOT and its consulting firm. Plans call for the bridge to be
placed in the vicinity of Hibbs Road on the mainland with landfall on the
island in Indian Beach. A preliminary linear design with construction cost
estimates is expected to be completed in approximately three months.
He thinks it will be at least two years before it is added to the State
Transportation Improvement Program’s (STIP) list of projects.
• Subcommittee of the Carteret County Transportation Committee: He
participated as a member of the ad hoc subcommittee to rank projects
for consideration by the full committee. Ranking of highway and bike/
pedestrian projects is necessary prior to being put into the STIP process.
• The Community Appearance Commission (CAC) Oceanfront Vegetation
Subcommittee conducted its initial meeting and provided staff with input
on potential changes to the town code to strengthen the protection of
vegetation on ocean-side properties.
• The CAC/Planning Board Tree and Stormwater Committee made its full
report to the Planning Board in February. The Planning Board will discuss
the suggested changes to the town code and provide guidance to the staff
on specific changes to incorporate into amendments to Chapter 74.
• A notice of violation was issued to property owners for a roof constructed
in the required side yard setback.
• A property owner has begun replanting vegetation on the ocean side of his
home, which must be completed before a certificate of occupancy can be
issued.
• The building inspector’s report noted that 36 permits were issued at a
value of $926,341. Fees generated by these permits totaled $10,449. There
were 128 inspections performed, and 22 tree removal permits were issued.
Police Chief Ryan Thompson reported that 17 felony charges and 10
misdemeanor charges for hurricane contractor scam cases were resolved. The
department was able to recover $65,667.33 for fraud victims. They are currently
working two breaking and entering cases in the east end. A recent welfare check
call resulted in an arrest for assault on a female, felony false imprisonment and
felony assault by strangulation. The speed limit on Highway 58 was scheduled
to be reduced to 35 mph. on March 16. He hopes everyone will come out for the
next Cookout with the Cops at town hall on May 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fire Chief Jason Baker reminded everyone to check the batteries in their
smoke alarms. He said the department is gearing up for the summer season.
Public Services Director Sonny Cunningham reported that to repair the
Dogwood Beach Access walkway they replaced two-inch sand anchors with six-
inch anchors, and concrete was added around the pilings. He also reported that
the town’s backhoe needed to be repaired again. Two water leaks were caught,
thanks to the smart meters. The Annual Water Consumer Confidence report
for 2019 was completed with help from Mike Hill with the NC Rural Water
Association. The water service at 123 and 125 Knollwood Drive required repairs
due to faulty service tubing. Inmate labor was used, which was a cost savings to
the town.
Town Clerk Sarah Williams reported that the town was to celebrate 20 years
as a Tree City USA on NC Arbor Day, March 20. The CAC ceremony will
begin at noon at the public safety building, with a reception following at town
(Continued on page 21)
April 2020 I The Shoreline
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