TOWN OF DUCK

MUNICIPAL PROPERTY MASTER PLAN STUDY COMMITTEE

REGULAR MEETING

June 14, 2004

 

The Municipal Property Master Plan Study Committee for the Town of Duck convened at the Duck Municipal Offices at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 14, 2004.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Chairman Paul Keller, Donna Black, Bob Fitchett, Jennifer Gilbreath,  Ed Sowinski, Charlie Pratt, Town Manager and Town Clerk Christopher Layton and VHB Consultant Chris Dewitt.

 

OTHERS PRESENT: Deputy Town Clerk Lori Kopec.

 

MEMBERS ABSENT: Avery Harrison 

 

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m.

 

Chairman Keller asked that, in honor of Flag Day, the Pledge of Allegiance be said.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Chairman Keller asked the Committee to review the minutes of the May 10, 2004 meeting for changes.  Donna Black moved to approve the minutes as presented.  Charlie Pratt seconded the motion.

 

Motion approved 6-0.

 

Chairman Keller asked Town Manager Layton to review the action items for the month of May.  Town Manager Layton reviewed the five items with the Committee.

 

ISSUES RELATED TO MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT

 

Discussion of Public Meeting Held on June 8, 2004

 

Chris Dewitt was recognized to speak.  Mr. Dewitt stated the public meeting went very well and that approximately 60 people had attended it.  He stated a lot of input and questionnaires were submitted.  He asked how the Committee felt about the meeting.

 

Donna Black stated she was surprised by the number of citizens that showed up for the meeting.  Bob Fitchett stated he was shocked.  Mr. Fitchett asked Mr. Dewitt if he was satisfied with the tone of the meeting.  Mr. Dewitt stated he was and that it was better than he had anticipated.  Chairman Keller asked if there were any arguments.  The Committee stated there wasn’t. Town Manager Layton stated that John Summers felt very strongly about a playground on the property and that Lillias Morrison made an eloquent speech.  He stated that people had strong opinions about certain aspects, but they weren’t far off from what the Committee has been discussing.  He stated the playground idea is not a bad one and that the property has more than enough room for one to be constructed.  Town Manager Layton went on to review the meeting highlights to Chairman Keller, who had been unable to attend the input session.  The Committee stated the overall consensus of the people was that the property be kept as a park.

 

Ed Sowinski stated he got the feeling that people want the property kept as natural as possible, but have it function as a gathering place.

 

Bob Fitchett stated he agreed with Bart Smith, who was opposed to the playground.  Jennifer Gilbreath stated she was in favor of a playground on the property.  Town Manger Layton stated that the Mid-County Park in Williamsburg, Virginia is a good playground to look at.  He stated it is a nice playground and could be something that could fit in with the character of Duck.

 

Donna Black stated having the playground in one area instead of spread out in the park would be a good idea.  Jennifer Gilbreath stated from a parental perspective, it would be better to have it in one area.  Town Manager Layton stated he was concerned that people would drop their children off at the playground and leave to go shopping.  He stated he would want the playground to be a parentally supervised one. 

 

The Committee discussed signage at the parks in Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk with the idea that signage will need to be in place if a playground is constructed.

 

Chris Dewitt stated the Committee needs to think about the layout for the fall input session.  Town Manager Layton stated bigger space would probably have to be utilized.  Ed Sowinski stated he felt there was valid criticism from the public that a topographic map needs to be available.  Charlie Pratt stated his only regret of the meeting was that the vegetative survey was not available for the public at the meeting.  Town Manager Layton stated the survey will be put on the website soon.  He stated the public’s ideas are needed and felt the meeting went very well.

 

Bob Fitchett asked if the people that attended the meeting were primarily full time residents.  Town Manager Layton stated there was good mix of full time and part time residents.  Ed Sowinski felt the majority were full time residents.  Mr. Fitchett stated if they were full time residents, it made for an amazing turnout.  Chairman Keller stated the publicity of the meeting helped greatly.  Donna Black felt that this is an important issue to the public.  Town Manager Layton stated he came away from the meeting feeling that the Committee got exactly what they wanted and are in a good place.

 

Discussion of Vision Statement Process

 

Chris Dewitt was recognized to speak.  He stated this is the next project that will be worked on.  He stated that VHB has taken a straight tabulation of the questionnaires.  He stated more time is needed for any other questionnaires that may come in.  He reviewed with the Committee what he sees for the vision statement process.  He asked the Committee for their feedback.

 

Chairman Keller stated he liked the approach of starting with a statement and letting the public fill it in.  Jennifer Gilbreath stated that presenting the Committee with a draft vision statement is more efficient than having to come up with one together.  Charlie Pratt asked what the timeline would be for the production of the vision statement.  Mr. Dewitt stated that they allow two weeks for the questionnaires to come in.  After that, a draft statement could be available before the next meeting.  Chairman Keller stated that was a good idea.

 

Chris Dewitt suggested the Committee go to the website: http://www.chesapeake.va.us/ to see a sample vision statement. This vision statement will be similar to the one that will be provided to the Committee.

 

Ed Sowinski asked Chris Dewitt if he could speculate on the types of uses that could be used on the property or would it be too early.  Mr. Sowinski went on to voice the uses that he has heard so far from the public.  Mr. Dewitt stated those uses were not too far off.  The Committee reviewed additional uses for the property that could be utilized.  Mr. Dewitt stated these uses will be put in the vision statement.

 

Donna Black asked if the vision statement has to be drafted before the Committee can actually come up with the areas where the uses can be used.  Mr. Dewitt stated she was correct.

 

Discussion of Design Work Session

 

Chris Dewitt stated that once the vision statement is finalized, part of the scope includes the design work session with the Committee.  He stated he would come down with a handful of other VHB employees; everyone would walk the site then come back and sketch out rough alternatives for the site.  He stated the timing needs to be discussed and whether the Committee wants to go out to the site with the design team or not.  Chairman Keller asked if anyone missed the walk through.  No Committee member had missed the walk through.

 

Bob Fitchett asked what date would be anticipated for the walk through.  Mr. Dewitt stated the vision statement has to be put online and comments need to be received before the design work session.  He stated that there is not a lot of lead time needed and felt it could be done in July.  Chairman Keller stated it would have to be after the Committee’s July 12, 2004 meeting, as the vision statement has to be approved.  Chairman Keller asked if the walk through should be in the morning.  Mr. Dewitt stated it could be in the morning.  Chairman Keller asked that at least two Committee members walk the property with the design team.  Town Manager Layton stated he would go.  It was consensus of the Committee to have every member walk the property with the design team. 

 

Town Manager Layton asked if the work session would need a full day.  Mr. Dewitt stated it should be a full day.  Chairman Keller suggested having everyone go out early in the day, come back for lunch and then go back out to refine any thoughts.  Mr. Dewitt felt that was a good suggestion and had budgeted a whole day session.  Chairman Keller asked for a date for the work session.  The Committee decided the work session will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. with a rain date of Tuesday, July 27, 2004. 

 

Discussion of Milestone Tasks

 

Town Manager Layton stated that Chairman Keller will be speaking at the next Council meeting in regard to the milestone tasks.  He stated that the first task has been taken care of and the second task has morphed into the vision statement.  He suggested that Chairman Keller let Council know that the Committee is still on task and compiling information to develop the vision statement and that the vision statement will serve as the Committee’s recommendation for the uses of the property. 

 

Chris Dewitt asked how the fourth task fits in with the date of the second public meeting.  Town Manager Layton stated the dates in the resolution are not firm.

 

Town Manager Layton reviewed the meeting that he and several Council members had with Senator Marc Basnight and his Chief of Staff, Rolf Blizzard while visiting Raleigh for Town Hall Day.

 

Chairman Keller asked for any other comments regarding the master plan development.  Donna Black asked if the public would still be prohibited from walking the property and if the Committee would be designing things before the public would have a chance to access the property.  Town Manager Layton stated she was correct.  Chris Dewitt stated that they are designing but giving a range of alternatives at this point.  Town Manager Layton felt it would make sense to first have conceptual alternatives and then have the walk through.

 

Chairman Keller asked how the five year aspect ties in with the milestone tasks.  Chris Dewitt stated it would be thought about as the vision statement is started.  The five year aspect is a final product and will evolve as part of the design process. 

 

Chairman Keller asked at what point costing of individual elements would be in the five year plan.  Chris Dewitt stated it would be done at a conceptual level as soon as a conceptual design is started.

 

OTHER ISSUES

 

Report on Currituck Trail Costs

 

Chris Dewitt stated that he had done some research and that the boardwalk cost a little over $200,000.00.  It was funded primarily from the State’s Public Beach and Waterfront Access program as well as the Natural Heritage Trust Fund and additional financial participation by the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society and the Nature Conservancy.  Ed Sowinski asked how long the boardwalk is at the Trail.  Mr. Dewitt stated it was 1,900 feet.  Mr. Sowinski stated it wasn’t a cheap project. Mr. Dewitt stated the boardwalk is constructed from good quality boardwalk construction materials.  Town Manager Layton asked if it included the parking area the interpretive signs.  Mr. Dewitt stated they were good questions and he would research it.

 

Charlie Pratt reminded everyone that when going for grant money for such a project, it could be done in phases.  Mr. Dewitt stated that there is grant money available.

 

Discussion of Vegetative Study

 

Chairman Keller stated the vegetative study was a fabulous one.  The Committee went on to review the vegetative study. 

 

Chairman Keller asked if getting rid of the invasive species in the critical areas over the next year should be started.  Chris Dewitt stated he would follow up and get pricing on having it done. 

 

Chairman Keller asked if the photos from the study will be posted on the website.  Town Manager Layton stated that he will have the whole study on the website soon.

 

Discussion on Property Walk Through

 

Town Manager Layton stated the walk through will continue to be worked on.  He stated that it could be worked into part of the public meeting on the concepts for the property.  He felt that the fall would be a better time for the walk through.

 

Chairman Keller asked for any other thoughts before adjourning. 

 

Donna Black stated she will not be able to attend the July 12, 2004 meeting.

 

Chairman Keller asked the Committee to double check their calendars to make sure they can attend the July 20, 2004 design work session.

 

Jennifer Gilbreath asked if the grant application process should be held off until the vision statement is complete.  Town Manager Layton stated the process should wait.

 

Town Manager Layton asked Connie Pearce, who was in the audience, for her thoughts.  Ms. Pearce stated she was happy to hear of the progress of the Committee.  She asked when the next public hearing would be.  Town Manager Layton stated it won’t be until October.  He stated the design work session will be open to the public as well.

 

Charlie Pratt asked how much square feet is needed for a municipal building.  Town Manager Layton stated that 4,000 to 6,000 square feet will be needed for a building.  Mr. Pratt asked how much parking would be needed.  Town Manager Layton stated the number of spaces will be determined by the ordinance.  He stated that the building and parking should fit on a two acre site.  He stated he is working with the Corps of Engineers to try to acquire property from them. 

 

Connie Pearce stated she was surprised that the public does not want a municipal building on the property.  She thought the property would be a great place for a municipal building.  Town Manager Layton stated she was one of the very few who want to see the building on the property.

 

Charlie Pratt asked when a topographical map would be available.  Chris Dewitt stated it is done and needs to be added to the map that is online.  Mr. Pratt asked if there is a map available that would show the approximate number of feet for each area on the property.  Mr. Dewitt stated he would look into it.

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further discussion, Chairman Keller asked for a motion to adjourn.  Charlie Pratt moved to adjourn the meeting.  Jennifer Gilbreath seconded the motion.

 

Motion carried 6-0.

 

The time was 3:30 p.m.