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Atlantic Beach council prioritizes boardwalk, boat ramp and drainage projects in budget workshop
Summary
At an April 12 budget workshop, the Town of Atlantic Beach council prioritized boardwalk revitalization, boat-ramp upgrades and major drainage work for FY23-24, discussed park play-equipment safety and property-code updates, and approved procedural motions to begin the session.
The Town of Atlantic Beach held a FY23-24 budget workshop on April 12, 2023, as Mayor A. B. Cooper, III called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. Council approved the meeting agenda and later excused Councilmember Joseph Starling by unanimous votes.
Town Manager John O'Daniel presented a handout of goals compiled from the council retreat and asked council members to review and suggest changes to guide the coming year’s budget. Council members emphasized a short list of capital priorities to consider for funding: boardwalk revitalization; bridge abutment enhancement; upgrades to the Moonlight Bay and West Bogue Sound boat ramps; replacement of aging park play equipment; and major drainage projects on Fairview Street and Bayview Boulevard.
Councilmember Danny Navey raised concern that existing park play equipment is in a dangerous condition. Councilmember Renea Baker asked whether inflatable or other temporary play options could be provided for the summer; staff reported a short-term plan to add mulch and extra picnic tables until a permanent replacement or demolition can be scheduled and funded.
On the proposed bridge abutment work, council asked staff to determine water depth and channel location so designers can prepare a plan for a small pier in lieu of a floating dock or kayak launch. Manager O'Daniel said staff must confirm with the North Carolina Department of Transportation whether the structure would be considered a permanent installation under the town’s existing easement.
Manager O'Daniel said staff worked with the Sea Turtle Group and Duke Energy to alter lighting color and brightness to address sea-turtle lighting concerns along the shoreline. Council also discussed options to increase the beach-and-waterway fund to ensure future maintenance and capital work can be financed.
Council discussed the cost and maintenance of benches installed during a 1990s bench project and explored repair vs. replacement options. On enforcement topics, council asked staff to update the town’s property maintenance code; CodeWright provided a quote of $10,000 to prepare an update, but council directed staff to draft changes for board and board-subcommittee review rather than outsource the work.
Mayor Pro Tem Austin Waters and Councilmember Navey asked staff to pursue road repairs on Mobile Drive. Councilmember Joey Dean questioned Police Chief Jeff Harvey about speeding enforcement; Chief Harvey said officers have continued to monitor Old Causeway and Bayview Boulevard and “determined there is not a large speeding” (the transcript cuts off at that point and no additional enforcement action was recorded in the minutes).
Votes at a glance - Motion to approve the meeting agenda: Moved by Councilmember Danny Navey; seconded by Councilmember Renea Baker. Vote: unanimous, 4-0. Outcome: approved. - Motion to excuse Councilmember Joseph Starling for a work event: Moved by Councilmember Joey Dean; seconded by Councilmember Renea Baker. Vote: unanimous, 4-0. Outcome: approved.
The workshop continued with staff notes on project scoping and funding options; no formal budget appropriations or ordinances were adopted during this session.
