COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE
MEETING
December 20, 2005
The Community Improvement Committee for the Town of Duck convened at the Duck Municipal Offices at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 2005.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairwoman Lisa Mann, Member George Grinnan and Member Allen Lehew.
OTHERS PRESENT: Planning & Zoning Administrator Suzanne Cotellessa and Administrative Assistant Sandy Cady.
The meeting was called to order at 9:12 a.m.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion/Consideration of Community Appearance Awards for Holiday Displays
Member Grinnan indicated that he drove through Duck and viewed all of the locations in Ms. Cady’s email. With regard to commercial appearances, he was impressed with Duck Village Outfitters. Ms. Mann noted that Duck Village Outfitters were also nicely decorated last year as well.
Chairwoman Mann stated that she loved Duck’s Cottage however she thought that it may not be appropriate, this first year, to nominate a committee member. Mr. Grinnan concurred, however Ms. Mann did suggest that an honorable mention may be in order.
Member Lehew indicated that Christmas was tough because there were so many different ways to look at the decorations. Were they looking for elegance, clark grizzwald, Williamsburg or Las Vegas?
Planning Director Cotellessa suggested they should be looking for spirit.
Some discussion followed regarding night time and day time decorations. The Duck United Methodist Church and Scarborough Faire were both noted for having nice decorations without any lights.
Chairwoman Mann commented that, from what she can see from the road, Scarborough Faire and Scarborough Lane both consistently do a nice job throughout the year and at some point they should be acknowledged.
Real Escapes décor was noted.
Member Lehew again noted that this was a tough decision.
The consensus of the committee was that Duck Village Outfitters captured the Christmas spirit and would be awarded the Commercial Night Time Award.
Ms. Cady noted that in terms of day time displays, Scarborough Faire did a very nice job.
The committee all agreed Scarborough Faire should be awarded the Commercial Day Time Award.
It was also suggested and agreed that Duck’s Cottage should be awarded an Honorable Mention Award.
There was a general discussion regarding Dock Drewyer’s condition since his sudden collapse the evening prior. This led to discussions regarding the competitive spirit that has given rise as a result of these awards. It was noted that the general concentration of this competition has been in the area of Wild Duck Dunes, Port Trinitie and Caffey’s Inlet which has a fair number of year round residents.
Chairwoman Mann indicated that she had a hard time choosing a neighborhood for the award. Her first inclination was Ships Watch but she wanted to hear everyone’s views.
Member Grinnan noted that you really had to drive into Ships Watch to see the bulk of their display which is on the east side of their reception area. He also noted that their nomination form seemed more of an advertisement and he did not like that aspect. Mr. Grinnan indicated that Ships Watch would not be his first choice. He suggested Port Trinitie receive the award.
Chairwoman Mann noted that from the pictures she had, Ships Watch looked the best, but after driving through Duck, she too agreed that Port Trinitie looked the best. She questioned whether they should again award Port Trinitie – should they spread the spirit or give it to the best.
Mr. Grinnan suggested awarding Port Trinitie would provide a nice balance with Duck Village Outfitters.
Member Lehew commented that if you are basing the neighborhood solely on the appearance from Duck Road, then he would award Port Trinitie. However, if you are judging the neighborhood based on the spirit of the community as a whole, he would award Wild Duck Dunes.
Chairwoman Mann suggested awarding for the overall neighborhood and for the entrance; most spirited neighborhood and most spirited neighborhood entrance.
It was decided to award Wild Duck Dunes with a United Neighborhood Holiday Spirit Appearance Award and Port Trinitie with a Neighborhood Holiday Entrance Award.
Member Lehew questioned how these awards would impact the yearly awards. Would they be looking at each community nominated as a whole or just the entrance.
Ms. Cady informed the Board that Dock Drewyer had been discussing his proposed nomination of Caffey’s Inlet for the yearly award. She explained that he is putting together a binder of photos detailing the seasons throughout his community as a whole.
Chairwoman Mann moved the discussion on to the residential awards. It was decided that a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place award would be given for the residential awards.
The committee members were in agreement that 106 Skimmer Way should receive 1st place, 101 Azalea Court should receive 2nd and 103 Mallard Drive would be awarded 3rd place.
It was noted that while the actual sand blasted signs do not specify what each award is for, the press release and the website would.
Chairwoman Mann commented on the business newsletter she had just received. She indicated that she would like to see a bit more about what the Town has been doing and what is upcoming in future newsletters.
Planning Director Cotellessa suggested also that new business information should also be included in the newsletter to the businesses. There was a brief discussion regarding the proposed Outer Banks Surf Shop that is currently in the review process before Planning Board and Town Council.
Update regarding status/progress of Grant Award VIP-2005-001 to Farmers Daughter
Administrative Assistant Cady provided a brief update regarding the grant for Farmers Daughter. They have signed an agreement, however the project is not complete as they have run into some delays due to the weather and they are still working on their signage.
NEW BUSINESS
Planning Director Cotellessa explained that a grant application was received in the office yesterday from Poteskeet Property Owners Association. Ms. Cotellessa indicated that Chairwoman Mann could, if she chose, amend the agenda to include this application for review. Chairwoman Mann amended the agenda to include consideration of a VIP grant application by Craig Saucier on behalf of Poteskeet Property owners Association for improvements to their beach access.
Consideration of a VIP grant application by John Grube on behalf of Schooner Ridge Property Owners Association for improvements to their subdivision sign
Chairwoman Mann indicated that the figures presented with this grant application seemed extremely high for the work proposed and she would like some clarification.
Planning Director Cotellessa gave a brief overview of the work proposed.
Administrative Assistant Cady noted that they did indicate in their email that they estimated their electrical costs to be approximately $1,000.00.
Chairwoman Mann recalled that Farmer’s Daughter had provided a line item detail of the expenses they expected to incur.
Member Lehew and Ms. Mann agreed that a line item detail should be provided and this could be accomplished by email.
Planning Director Cotellessa gave some additional history regarding the Schooner Ridge sign.
Chairwoman Mann indicated that the grant application would still be considered for funding once a line item detail is provided.
Member Grinnan asked if there was anything else the applicant needed aside from the line item detail.
Planning Director Cotellessa indicated that staff would notify the applicant that, provided the $1,500.00 requested represents less than 50% of the cost, the committee is favorably inclined and expects to finalize their vote once the line item detail has been provided.
Consideration of a VIP grant application by Craig Saucier on behalf of Poteskeet Property owners Association for improvements to their beach access
The committee took a few moments to review this application.
It was noted that no building permits or sign permits have been applied for by the applicant yet. There was some discussion regarding the extent of the boardwalk proposed, ADA requirements, and the various materials available for use with this type of construction. Chairwoman Mann asked the committee whether this was a project they wanted to support since it was a private community access. Member Grinnan and Lehew both agreed this was a project worthy of funding.
Planning Director Cotellessa indicated that they would be required to obtain all necessary permits both locally and through the State (CAMA permit).
Member Grinnan made a motion to approve the grant application from Poteskeet Property Owners Association for the full amount of $1,500.00 pending approval of all necessary permits and other requirements from the Town and the state.
Member Lehew seconded the motion.
Motion carried 3-0.
Approval of Minutes
Member Lehew moved to approve the November 1, 2005 meeting minutes as presented.
Member Grinnan seconded the motion.
Motion approved 3-0.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
STAFF COMMENTS
Planning Director Cotellessa indicated that Kathy McCullough-Testa was the Town’s newest employee and she would be handling public relations and special events. With Ms. McCullough-Testa’s background, Ms. Cotellessa expected that she would soon be phased in and would eventually handle committee meetings.
BOARD COMMENTS
Chairwoman Mann suggested that the community appearance nomination boxes take up valuable retail space and she would prefer to see them posted outside. Ms. Cady noted that the George Keefe from North Beach Outfitters has also expressed concern regarding the space the box takes up on his retail counters. Ms. Mann suggested the realty offices may be better suited for these boxes.
Planning Director Cotellessa commented that in group developments it is not necessary to have a box at every store, and the program may be better served with outside boxes. She expects that there will be some expense involved and weatherproofing would need to be addressed. Ms. Cotellessa indicated she would have Kathy McCullough-Testa look into some options when she returns from vacation.
Member Grinnan suggested that the businesses that can keep the boxes inside should. He does not want to see all of the boxes outside as it may have a negative impact on the program.
Planning Director Cotellessa indicated that staff would look into getting more boxes to the realtors and those retailers that do have the space.
Chairwoman Mann felt that outdoor boxes would be beneficial in the group developments.
Ms. Cady suggested that smaller boxes may be useful in some of the businesses.
Ms. Cady informed the Board that she expected to have the awards distributed today and the committee agreed that the signs should be removed the week of the 9th following the New Year.
It was agreed that the next meeting would be tentatively set for the 2nd Tuesday in March at 9:00 a.m. unless additional grant applications are received prior to that date. Ms. Cotellessa noted that she would have Kathy work on promoting the annual nominations in the meantime.
Chairwoman Mann noted that she would be unavailable from January 17, 2006 though February 10, 2006, and Member Lehew indicated he would be unavailable from January 19, 2006 through the 25th.
Planning Director Cotellessa suggested that the committee may wish to send a letter to Dock Drewyer wishing him well which she would gladly draft on their behalf.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.