Public Hearing: Community Development Block Grant & Capacity Building Application
Mayor Boyette called the public hearing to order at 7:43 P.M. Mayor Boyette stated that Community Developers of Beaufort Hyde, Inc. (CDBH) wanted to submit an application for a Community Development Block Grant which would be a Capacity Building grant which would partner with the Town to attain funding for planning a future project. Mayor

Boyette introduced Mr. Wade Horne, Executive Director for CDBH. Mr. Horne explained that the Capacity Building Grant would supply CDBH with $75,000 over a two-year period in which the Town would receive $3,500 for submitting quarterly reports over the two-year period. Mr. Horne further explained that the purpose of this grant would be to allow CDBH to expand by involving the community in this planning period and then would allow CDBH to be able to apply for grant monies for possible future projects. Mr. Horne explained that this funding of $75,000 would not be included in the town's threshold of monies received by grants but future grants for actual projects would.

Mayor Boyette asked for any comments from the public. There were none. Mayor Boyette declared the public hearing closed at 7:55 P.M.

Approval of Minutes - Regular Session July 2, 2001
Mayor Boyette announced that the minutes of the July 2, 2001 regular session were open for review and adoption. Mayor Boyette made some editorial changes. Councilman Ebron then made a motion to approve the minutes with the editorial changes. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.

Southern Albermarle Association Presentation
Mayor Boyette introduced Dr. Robert Cayton representing the Southern Albemarle Association. Dr. Cayton stated that he wanted to inform the town council of the association and their purpose. Dr. Cayton gave the following information:

Southern Albemarle Association covers the following six counties: Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell and Washington with fifty members appointed from each county for a term of one year. Dr. Cayton explained that the purpose of the association was to give strength to these six counties to improve transportation from the Atlantic Ocean on the east and on the north by the Albemarle Sound and the Roanoke River, on the south by the Pamlico Sound and on the west by the western most lines of the counties Beaufort and Martin. The Association was founded in 1935 to encourage the growth of this general region of the state in a unified effort.

Dr. Cayton explained that the main goals for Beaufort County were:

Bridge the Pamlico River in Eastern Beaufort County as near as the current ferry site as possible;

Four-lane US Hwy 17;

Four-Lane US 264 into Belhaven with improvement through Hyde County to widen and resurface;

Widen and resurface NC Hwy 99 from Pamlico River to NC 32;

Four-lane NC Hwy 33 from Chocowinity to Aurora;

By-pass Washington with four-lane road beginning on US 17 north of Washington and traveling east of the city to US 264, to relieve traffic on 15th Street Extension.

Dr. Cayton stated that the Association was contacted recently by the community of Douglas Crossroads as the citizens were concerned with the confusing intersection and with the number of accidents which had occurred. By this community getting the support of the association the intersection will be reworked and a caution light installed.

Mayor Boyette thanked Dr. Cayton for his presentation and the efforts of the Southern Albemarle Association.

Municipal Records Retention and Disposition Schedule Amendment
Mayor Boyette stated that there had been an amendment to the Records Retention and Disposition Laws which according to the General Statutes 121-5(b) requires that amendments be approved by the governing board. Councilman Ebron made the motion to approve the following amendment to the Records Retention and Disposition Laws. Councilman Baker seconded the motion which carried unanimously, 4 to 0.

Town Manager's Report
Town Manager Johnson reported briefly on the following:

new zoning map now framed and hanging in the Council Chambers;

received 46 applications for Chief of Police position - will interview, after extensive background investigations, the best applicants the first two weeks of August;

4th of July flawless and clean up by town crews was most expedient - hope to have review meeting with chamber; Mayor Boyette stated that bands were hard to get especially military bands;

Crisis Housing Assistance grant received for $2.9 million has some problems with the intended uses - will be working with the state to clarify these problems;

Agreement with the County for the Town to supply sewer has been tabled by the Commissioners - no real apparent reason;

Utilities Director Dewitt Hardison is featured in the ElectriCities publication of the Home Town Connection for his Seven Hats Award by the American Public Power Association - Town Manager Johnson stressed that this was a great award as Mr. Hardison was one of ten in the nation to receive this award;

Pirates on the Pungo, Sailboat Regatta sponsored by the Hospital Foundation was held this past weekend and was a huge success.

Miscellaneous
Councilman Ebron questioned the status of the Belhaven Fish & Oyster property - Town Manager Johnson stated that Code Enforcement Officer Martin Overholt was the Project Manager for that project and the property was now in an aesthetically appeasing condition;

Councilman Ebron questioned if the trees near the dinghy dock on Wynn's Gut would be left or cut - Town Manager Johnson stated that the trees would remain and that he would like to raise the bulkhead in the future for better access to boaters coming in for the day;

Councilwoman Wilkerson was the coordinator of the Pirates on the Pungo Event and stated that the regatta brought a great number of people in town and she heard from the boating community the need to improve the dock.