[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6580800,"mediaKeyId","3045279-b19eb5d942cabb0b94b87bd9102a7da3","parentId",3045279,"title","AARP and local volunteers report 'acceptable to mixed' walkability in Leland; urge longer crosswalk signals and targeted pedestrian improvements","audioSeconds",1348,"startMs",1302000,"endMs",2650000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3045279-b19eb5d942cabb0b94b87bd9102a7da3&start=1302&end=2650","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3045279-b19eb5d942cabb0b94b87bd9102a7da3/thumbnail_1302000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6580800/Leland/Brunswick-County/North-Carolina/AARP-and-local-volunteers-report-acceptable-to-mixed-walkability-in-Leland-urge-longer-crosswalk-signals-and-targeted-pedestrian-improvements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580800-164d301e8f8ba8facd3ab1844fff6544/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189294&Signature=PJIP3GgTJPUA~vzVqEro1o3EYWsNOz1xjiZUM-EUJL-b6oRaaRa~jWpCM3WMU3dMD9H5Ygmmk1hOe07bkMcoYKxg79W2bRmy8FIo7H0sHwOuCUwbHShFJNBmLZfokFG2pcApjlgimxN4wwF7dHmMuUGSeN~kzgkNBgFLoj~UaBzUU1y-aTRRBvrvInKeFximqY5AWwefNJuP5kHQOBO7AsG3PLEynuDLLb9W5tMVncudL6TFG6ksCXhLzw-arHJ3d7XhswMULPXVCR~k0Tkk6R60Yb-FSPHvj8GNHzbVTjTYiD1GCcLnx6BPa9-gPzk1dABGA9shEwr2n1-nostCAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leland","date","2025-04-18T00:08:27.257Z","article","AARP volunteers and local group We Live Here presented the results of two walk audits to the Leland Town Council on April 17, reporting that most streets in the audited Westgate/Gateway area rated \"acceptable\" for walkability while some locations were \"mixed\" and a few were flagged as not currently pedestrian friendly.

Barbara Eckenwall, an AARP volunteer and planning board member who helped lead the audits, said the assessment found that \"most of the roads that we were in for on that day were classified as acceptable,\" while noting specific gaps. She said auditors observed crosswalk signal times of about 20 to 30 seconds in some locations and recommended increasing pedestrian signal timings to about 45 seconds so people with mobility challenges can cross safely.

Why it matters: Leland is growing rapidly and the council and planning staff are developing projects — including multimodal and Safe Streets initiatives — intended to improve connectivity. The auditors singled out areas where additional or redesigned crossings, audible signals, and clearer markings could improve safety and access for seniors, parents with strollers, people using mobility devices, and other pedestrians.

Key findings and recommendations
- Livability score: AARP's livability index entry for Leland is 50 (on a 0–100 scale); auditors noted improvement from earlier years but identified room to grow.
- Street ratings: Village Road and several other local streets rated \"acceptable.\" Old Fayetteville Road was rated \"mixed.\" Baldwin Drive was noted as not pedestrian friendly at this time but is expected to improve with planned upgrades.
- Crosswalk timing and signals: Auditors recommended increasing crossing signal timing from roughly 20–30 seconds to about 45 seconds, and flagged a desire to add audible crosswalk signals where feasible.
- Crosswalk placement and visibility: Presenters urged that crosswalks be placed where people actually walk (for example, between the Lowe's parking area and nearby businesses such as Al's) and that visibility concerns at blind curves and around a roundabout on Tradeway/Gateway be addressed.

Local volunteers from We Live Here described their work planting street trees, organizing cleanups and events, and encouraging the use of sidewalks and trails to build community and increase active transportation. Trish Farnham, a We Live Here organizer, said the town has made progress on sidewalks and development requirements that support connectivity and urged the council to keep investing in walkability and community-informed recommendations.

Council and staff response: Council members thanked the presenters and noted alignment between the walk-audit observations and ongoing town projects, including the State Streets for All initiative and a multimodal-plan update. Staff indicated walk-audit materials and the AARP guidebook can be made available to the public; a council member suggested placing copies in the town-hall lobby.

What the audit did not do: The walk audits were observational and intended to guide planning; no formal council action, funding decision, or ordinance resulted from the presentation at this meeting. Presenters encouraged continued public involvement and coordination with town planning staff to prioritize improvements.

Next steps: Presenters recommended integrating audit findings into ongoing planning efforts, exploring audible crossings and adjusted signal timing where appropriate, and prioritizing crosswalks and visibility improvements in the Westgate/Gateway area.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Regular Meeting - 17 Apr 2025","oneSentenceSummary","AARP and the We Live Here volunteer group presented walk-audit findings to the Leland Town Council, recommending longer pedestrian signal timing (about 45 seconds), audible crossings, and targeted crosswalk placement in the Westgate/Gateway area to better serve seniors and people with limited mobility.","taxTitle","Leland, Brunswick County, North Carolina","taxId",54118,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6580805,"Leland council adopts $48 million FY2025-26 general fund budget; approves related budget actions",77,3039000,3116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3045279-b19eb5d942cabb0b94b87bd9102a7da3&start=3039&end=3116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3045279-b19eb5d942cabb0b94b87bd9102a7da3/thumbnail_3039000.jpg","/articles/6580805/Leland/Brunswick-County/North-Carolina/Leland-council-adopts-48-million-FY2025-26-general-fund-budget-approves-related-budget-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580805-2ba89a360297b24be705138479d30d58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189294&Signature=WypcCgOVBxMlBW4u4bsdAQcCYHUEcjHfUJ1aRzA96b-1TdnGtIS58dhVvrK0c5zI6McfTPVguvVxLj0lTWVO9s1CTF4FTM4vp4k9fN-x3avExTQn495w0mvxU8aiGsXLIRw6L8V4ZutKv2mneZKWzUr9TuvRx1WY~vIi-LPIz-Qz9-1OGfQzn~ciZyXLwdqBBpa-n6figswuByEyX8MVyXCengJ0~SCMVcTz8iGSv9rh78pScj2FZ9MeifuH0rwqIE8skirdrwvq6uwgrmFzPBxoHA36-i0kLmETDN5g-MUKiddurtDjqexWtgROWNrvXPXvNSMdfQZW6SP1RabQYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leland Town Council on April 17 adopted Budget Ordinance B025-001, approving $48,000,000 in appropriations for the town's FY2025-26 general fund while keeping the property tax rate at 27 cents per $100 of valuation and the municipal vehicle tax fee at $30 per vehicle.

The vote followed a presentation by finance staff member Carly, who told the council, \"I'm excited to present to you budget ordinance 25 dash 0 0 1, which makes $48,000,000 in appropriations of revenue and expenses for the general fund. It keeps the tax rate at the current 27¢ per 100 in valuation, and keeps the municipal vehicle tax fee at $30 per vehicle.\" Council members moved and seconded the ordinance and adopted it by voice vote. Individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: The ordinance sets the town's central operating plan for the coming fiscal year and preserves the current property tax rate and vehicle fee. Council also approved a group of five supplemental budget action items associated with the ordinance by a single motion and voice vote, a standard procedural step to implement adjustments and allocations tied to the budget.

Most important facts: The ordinance appropriates $48,000,000 for the general fund; the council kept the tax rate at 27¢ per $100 valuation and retained the $30 municipal vehicle fee. Council adopted the five FY25-26 budget action items as a package in a separate motion.

Supporting details and procedural votes: Earlier in the meeting council approved the agenda as amended and later approved the consent agenda; both were recorded as voice votes with the motions carrying. The council also voted to enter a closed session to consult with the town attorney under North Carolina law; the meeting returned from closed session with no action taken. The meeting concluded with a voice-vote motion to adjourn. The transcript does not show roll-call vote tallies for these procedural items.

Council discussion at the time of the budget presentation was brief; no amendments to the ordinance were recorded. Town staff thanked council members for their work on the budget and noted the timing of related budget action items had been provided to council members in advance.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting transcript)
- Motion: Adopt Budget Ordinance B025-001 (FY2025-26 general fund). Mover/second: not specified in transcript. Outcome: approved by voice vote. Notes: ordinance appropriates $48,000,000; tax rate remains 27¢ per $100 valuation; municipal vehicle fee $30 per vehicle; no roll-call recorded.
- Motion: Adopt FY25-26 budget action items (5 items, supplemental to ordinance). Mover/second: not specified. Outcome: approved by voice vote. Notes: adopted as a package.
- Motion: Approve agenda as amended. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Motion: Approve consent agenda. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Motion: Enter closed session to consult with town attorney (General Statute subsection cited in meeting). Outcome: approved; closed session held; transcript records no action taken on return.
- Motion: Adjourn. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

What the record does not show: Individual council vote tallies or names attached to voice votes on the budget and other procedural motions; no amendments to the budget ordinance were recorded during the meeting.

Looking ahead: The council set the next regular meeting for May 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. for any follow-up items.","The Leland Town Council adopted Budget Ordinance B025-001, approving $48,000,000 in general fund appropriations while holding the property tax rate at 27¢ per $100 valuation and keeping the municipal vehicle fee at $30. Council also approved a package of supplemental budget action items and routine procedural measures by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

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AARP and local volunteers report 'acceptable to mixed' walkability in Leland; urge longer crosswalk signals and targeted pedestrian improvements

Leland council adopts $48 million FY2025-26 general fund budget; approves related budget actions