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Atlantic Beach council agrees on park design, schedules attorney interviews and hears $2.8M paving estimate
Summary
At its March 14 worksession, the Atlantic Beach Town Council agreed to proceed with a park design and PARTF grant application, approved new play equipment and a gaga court, scheduled attorney interviews, and reviewed a street paving assessment estimating $2.8 million to repave town streets.
The Atlantic Beach Town Council at its March 14 worksession gave direction to staff on several administrative and capital items, including park design, grant submissions, attorney services interviews and street paving priorities.
Councilmembers and staff reviewed a design from NLI for the Town Park. After site visits, the council asked staff to keep the basketball court at its current north-side location near Fort Macon Road but rotate the goal. Councilmember Renea Baker pushed for prompt park improvements for children after recent equipment losses; Mayor Pro Tem Austin Waters said he favored the NLI design but asked for additional play elements in the multipurpose lawn.
Staff reported consensus to submit a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant application using the NLI design by the May 1 deadline, with the understanding that denial would yield feedback to guide revisions. Staff also advised that a splash pad assessment RFP has been released with responses due March 27, and said quotes to recarpet four damaged mini-golf holes are being solicited with anticipated contract approval at the March 25 meeting.
On play equipment, vendors advised that larger 10-foot merry-go-rounds are being phased out for safety; Council agreed to install a new merry-go-round and a gaga ball court, placing the more permanent merry-go-round to complement the NLI plan.
Council reviewed a set of proposals for town attorney services and discussed the trade-offs between a long-serving attorney familiar with town history and a new firm. Council agreed to schedule interviews with the three applicant firms on March 19 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Withers Ravenel consultant Steve Lander presented a paving assessment estimating $2.8 million to repair all town streets, concluding the network is in moderate condition. Staff noted about $500,000 in Powell Bill funds that must be spent or the Town risks forfeiture; Council discussed prioritization options, including phased programs to use required funds effectively.
Town Manager John O'Daniel reported the police department's streetlight assessment identified roughly 30 fixtures in need of replacement; lights on the beach strand will be replaced with turtle-friendly amber bulbs. He also noted beach nourishment will stop around the pier this year.
Procedural business included a unanimous motion to approve the agenda (mover: Mayor Pro Tem Austin Waters; second: Councilmember Renea Baker). With no further business the meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.; the minutes were approved at the April 22, 2024 Town Council meeting.
