Atlantic Beach awards walkway contract, places coastal-plan resolution on March 21 consent agenda

The Atlantic Beach Town Council at its March 6 worksession approved several routine motions, awarded a contract to repair two cobblestone walkways, and by consensus directed staff to place a coastal-management resolution on the March 21 consent agenda.

Mayor Danny Navey opened the meeting at 9:00 a.m.; Councilmember Renea Baker moved to approve the meeting agenda and to excuse Councilmember Joey Dean (who was out of town). Both motions carried unanimously, 4-0.

Staff briefed council on a request from the North Carolina Beach and Inlet Working Group (NCBIWA) asking municipalities to support an update of the Beach and Inlet Management Plan (BIMP). John O'Daniel, the town manager, said the BIMP — first funded in 2007 and updated in 2016 — compiles technical datasets and socio-economic valuations used to estimate dredging and beach nourishment needs. Council agreed by consensus to add the NCBIWA resolution supporting a BIMP update to the March 21 consent agenda for formal approval.

Council also approved Proclamation 25-03-01 designating April 18 as Line Worker Appreciation Day at Duke Energy's request. Councilmember Joseph Starling moved approval of the proclamation; Councilmember Harry Archer seconded. Vote was unanimous, 4-0.

On public-works business, staff reported two bids to remove, stabilize and replace two cobblestone alley walkways from the beach to Atlantic Boulevard: SF Ballou submitted $74,500 and ProGreen submitted $87,161.45; Sunland declined to meet the town's April 15 deadline. Councilmember Joseph Starling moved to accept the SF Ballou bid and proceed; Mayor Pro Tem Austin Waters seconded. The vote was unanimous, 4-0. An alternative estimate to grind the edges to reduce trip hazards was presented at $12,000.

Staff also reported on a Dredging Committee vacancy created by the October 2024 death of Rod Sawyer. The council directed staff to ask Billy Whitford whether he wishes to fill the vacancy and to place the appointment on the March meeting agenda for formal action. The existing committee roster was read into the record.

Town Manager O'Daniel provided additional updates: staff selected Stroud Engineering and Cullipher Engineering as on-call engineering firms pending attorney review; letters to Causeway property and business owners about the new signage ordinance will be mailed; the town submitted a CAMA application for Circle stairs replacement and exemptions for two beach access projects and intends to apply for future CAMA grants for a New Bern Avenue walkway; dredged material at the Channel Marker lot has been leveled; and public works will begin rights-of-way trimming this week. Council discussed ongoing code-enforcement concerns, including run-down properties and advertisements on abandoned trailers along the Causeway, and directed Planning Director Elisabeth Webster to proceed with enforcement actions including sending a previously approved letter to Wally Courie regarding Money Island properties.

There being no further business, the session adjourned at 10:43 a.m. The minutes note these minutes were approved at the May 27, 2025 town council meeting.