City manager pitches residents-first parks registration policy; highlights drone response to downtown fire

City Manager Randy Martin presented a proposed residents-first policy for parks and recreation that would give Morehead City residents the first opportunity to register for high-demand programs before nonresidents may fill remaining slots.

"Essentially, what we have is, to honor and properly recognize that city residents should have prioritization over any programs we have that have high demand…that our city residents should have 1st opportunity to register for those," Randy Martin said. He said the policy formalizes a practice that had been applied sporadically and that the city’s director would handle specific implementation questions.

Martin also told the council about a recent incident after Fourth of July fireworks when unauthorized fireworks activity started a fire in a downtown area. He credited police drone operations with identifying the fire and aiding a rapid response that likely protected a facility and possibly lives: "that, likely saved the the facility for sure, but maybe even lives that night by their quick action," Martin said.

Martin framed the residents-first measure as an equity and customer-service improvement to ensure local families who support city programs have the first chance to enroll; council committees had discussed the proposal and recommended it move forward. The council did not take a formal vote on the policy at this meeting; the presentation was provided for awareness and committee approval was noted in committee reports.

City staff also signaled interest in better neighborhood outreach about ongoing projects, in response to a resident request for a project plan for the Calico Creek stormwater drainage work.