Oak Island, NC
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November 18, 2024
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WELCOME to THE CURRENT, the weekly digital newsletter for the Town of Oak Island, NC.
It's the third full week in November; officially "Prep Week" for one of the best times of the year ... Thanksgiving! It's time for calling loved ones, making travel arrangements, writing grocery lists and pulling out recipe cards (on related note, maybe it's time to retire that green bean casserole that everybody is polite and says tastes really great, honest, but somehow never gets eaten?).
Point being, there's a lot to do in the business of being thankful. So much in fact, that we sometimes forget to stop to just be, well, thankful. Like so many others in recent history, 2024 has been a long year that somehow also flew by quickly. Despite the storms, damages and disappointments life can throw, this year has also brought some pretty good times too; with a parade of fun things still to come.
So in the midst of all that running around and "holiday hustle" you're about to begin, don't forget to pause and remember what you're truly thankful for. Right now, we're thankful for another week packed with news and updates, as we dive into this week's edition of The CURRENT.
MEETINGS & CLOSURES
- Business Advisory Board
- Planning Board
NEWS & NOTICES
- Council Review & Beach Nourishment UPDATE
- NEW "OKI Connection" Mobile App
- Beach Nourishment Project UPDATE
- Community Engagement Survey
- Staff Spotlight: New Finance Director
SAFETY BRIEF
- POLICE: Beach Services Unit Season Report
- FIRE: Hydrant Testing Wrapping Up
COMMUNITY EVENTS
- Parade Applications DUE THIS WEEK
- This Week In Recreation
- Event Flyers
COUNCIL & BOARD MEETINGS
BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 19 at 9:00 AM in in the Police Department Training Room on the 2nd floor of the Police Department.
PLANNING BOARD will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, November 21 at 9:00 AM in the Council Chambers, located on the 2nd floor of Town Hall.
All Council & Board meeting dates can be found on the Meetings Information page at OakIslandNC.gov/MEETINGS.
HOLIDAY CLOSURES
Town Administrative Offices will be CLOSED on Thursday & Friday, November 28 - 29, 2024 for Thanksgiving.
- NOTE: The Disposal Convenience Site will be CLOSED run on Friday, November 29
- All currently open Parks & Recreation Facilities should remain open
- Police, Fire and Emergency Response services will be available by calling 9-1-1
To view all holiday closures, visit: OakIslandNC.gov/HOLIDAY.
Council Review & Beach Nourishment UPDATE
On Tuesday, November 12 the Town Council held their Regular Meeting for the month of November. On the following Thursday, November 14, the Town Council held a Special Meeting to discuss several items, not fitting into the regular meeting agenda. NOTE: This continues a new practice for the Town Council to improve time management, whereby the Thursday afternoon following each Regular Meeting, is reserved for a "workshop style" meeting to address business which may not fit into the regular Meeting Schedule.
To view the video or agendas from either the Special Meeting or the Regular Meeting, just visit the Meetings Information page at OakIslandNC.gov/MEETINGS or click the link below.
NEW "OKI Connection" Mobile App
Those in attendance or watching the Town Council meeting last week, got a welcome surprise and a sneak preview of an amazing new feature that has just been launched ... the OKI CONNECTION mobile app! That's right! The Town of Oak Island officially joins the email, social media, and silly game icons that adorn your phone's home screen, with the launch of our own mobile app!
Now available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play this self-published app provides a mobile-friendly version of the Town Website, with “easy buttons” linked to the most requested services and departments. If the easy buttons aren't enough, there's also a search bar with access to the full Town Website. And don't forget, there's definitely a link to sign up for email notifications and emergency text alerts through the OKInformation system!
So if you need Oak Island information, but need it as fast as one click from your home screen, then the new OKI Connection app is what you're looking for! Just visit the App Store or Google Play and search for "OKI Connection" then click on the app featuring the logo below:
Beach Nourishment Project UPDATE
During the Special Meeting on Thursday, November 14, it was reported that bids had been received for sand dredging and placement services for the 2024-25 Beach Nourishment Project. For more than a year Town staff have been working with contracted engineering firm Moffat & Nichol to meet federal and state requirements, submit the appropriate permitting, and secure leases from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, to approve this full nourishment project. This project, along with the projects the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is performing on the East and West ends of the island, would service the Town's entire beach area.
Unfortunately for various reasons, possibly including limited contractor availability, the bid amounts were extremely higher than anticipated. This has prompted the Town Council to postpone the 2024-25 Beach Nourishment Project, and re-bid it at a later time for the 2025-26 Winter Season.
While initially viewed as a setback for the moment, Mayor Liz White chose to take an optimistic approach, noting it would "give us a longer runway" to explore additional options, further build funding, and provide contractors with new availability when the project is re-bid next year.
In the meantime, all current information and future updates on the project will be posted on the Beach Nourishment & Preservation page at OakIslandNC.gov/SAND or click the link below.
Community Engagement Survey
It's been just a little over a week since the Town launched the new Community Engagement Survey, and the submissions are rolling in, so there's no reason you shouldn't join in and add your voice as well!
This Survey is an integral part of the 2045 Charting The Course project to update the Town's CAMA Comprehensive Land Use Plan (often referred to as a “Comp Plan”). It provides residents & property owners an opportunity to provide valuable input on progress made and new initiatives needed for the future. The Survey also includes questions related to the Town’s simultaneous Streetscape Project and should take approximately 8 minutes to complete. Physical copies are available in several Town Facilities if you are unable to fill out the Survey online, or just visit OakIslandNC.gov/SURVEY.
To learn more about the 2045 Charting The Course project itself, visit OakIslandNC.gov/PLAN2045 or click the Logo Link below.
Staff Spotlight: New Finance Director
Effective as of November 4, the Town has named Helen Brank as the new Finance Director.
Helen originally joined the Town back on May 20 of this year as the Accounts Supervisor, under then Finance Director, Kathryn Adams. Following Adams' acceptance of the position of Town Manager, finding a qualified, knowledgeable individual to fill the Finance Director role was crucial.
As Director, Brank will administer the responsibilities of the Finance Department, which include financial planning, accounting, payroll, utility billing and collection, budget preparation and adherence and treasury management. Additionally, the Department oversees the adherence to Budget Ordinances, Account Auditing & Fiscal Reporting, and the Town's Fee Schedule.
To learn more about the Finance Department and the many ways it serves the Town of Oak island, visit OakIslandNC.gov/FINANCE or click on the photo below.
POLICE: BSU Season Report for 2024
During the Town Council meeting last week on November 12, 2024, Chief Morris gave a presentation on the 2024 Season Report for the Beach Service Unit (BSU).
During the busy summer tourism season, this civilian-staffed branch of the Department is crucial to preserving and maintaining the public beach areas. The BSU staff members work in conjunction with sworn officers to serve both residents and visitors, through their daily patrols.
Now in its third year of service, the 2024 Season Report shows the great strides this Unit has made in helping the public become familiar with what is expected while on the beach. In nearly every metric reported, changes in the number of verbal warnings and written citations directly reflected the needs observed from the previous year. Strong education efforts and enforcement lead to a decrease in some infractions, while observed actions lead to increased enforcement of others.
Having these staff members out there every day, interacting with the public and presenting that "face forward" to the community has quickly proven to be a valuable asset to not just our department, but the Town as a whole. You don't have to take our word for it, check out the data for yourself. To learn more about the Beach Service Unit and view the 2024 Season Report, just visit OakIslandNC.gov/BSU or click the patch below
FIRE: Hydrant Testing Wrapping Up
Since the beginning of October, we have been working to complete our annual Fire Hydrant Testing & Maintenance program, with testing scheduled each Monday - Friday, from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Despite a few minor delays from weather, daily call volume, and other assorted needs, we've made good progress. At current pace, we are on track to have all testing completed by the end of the month.
If you're unfamiliar with the program, the Town maintains over 830 fire hydrants, all of which must be inspected each year. A full testing is also performed on 20% of the hydrants each year, ensuring that every hydrant is inspected annually and goes no more than 5 years without full testing. Hydrant testing is an important aspect of maintaining readiness in response to emergency calls for assistance.
As a reminder while we wrap up this year's program, please do not approach fire engines or try to talk with firefighters while they are testing! This allows them to complete the testing safely and quickly. If there is an emergency while firefighters are in your area, as always, call 9-1-1 FIRST
To learn more about the Fire Hydrant Testing & Maintenance program, or the many other services provided by the Oak Island Fire Department, just visit OakIslandNC.gov/HYDRANTS or click on the department patch below.
Parade Applications DUE THIS WEEK
As a reminder, Parade Entry Applications for the Christmas By The Sea Parade are DUE THIS WEEK by Wednesday November 20!
This year's installment of the beloved annual event will be held RAIN OR SHINE on Saturday, December 7 at 2:00 PM. We're looking to improve upon the record setting participation seen in 2023's Parade, so be sure to download your application NOW at OakIslandNC.gov/PARADE or by clicking the logo below.
THIS WEEK: In Recreation
Provided below is a listing of the recreation activities for the week ahead! For questions or additional information, contact the Recreation Department at 910-278-5518.
Tuesday, November 19
- Recreation Center Fitness Classes
- 8:30 AM SilverSneakers with Susan
- 9:30 AM Senior Yoga with Mert
- 11:30 AM Qigong for Beginners
Wednesday, November 20
- Recreation Center Fitness Classes
- 7:30 AM Mature Aerobics with Debbie
- 9:00 AM SilverSneaker with Mary Beth
- 4:30 PM Yoga for Balance with Tammy
- Middleton Park
- 1:00 PM Strides walking Club (Oak Island Recreation Center)
Thursday, November 21
- Recreation Center Fitness Classes
- 8:00 AM Total Body Blast with Mary Beth
- 9:00 AM Silversneakers with Maggie
- 10:15 AM Chair Yoga with Tammy
- 6:00 PM Slow Flow Yoga with rotating instructors
Friday, November 22
- Recreation Center Fitness Classes
- 7:30 AM Mature Aerobics with Debbie
- 9:00 AM SilverSneakers with Susan
- 10:30 AM Sculpt and Flow Yoga with Tammy or MB
- Recreation Center
- 8:00 AM: Table Tennis
Saturday, November 23
- Recreation Center fitness classes
- 10:00 AM Community Yoga with rotating instructors
Monday, November 25
- Recreation Center fitness classes
- Mature Aerobics with Debbie 7:30 AM
- SilverSneakers Fitness with Maggie 9:00 AM
- Senior Yoga with Mert 11:15 AM
REMINDER: A full listing of all Recreation Department programs can be found at OakIslandNC.gov/PROGRAMS.
Click on the event flyers below to download, print, and share!
THANK YOU
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Thank you for reading this edition of THE CURRENT, and choosing to stay informed on the News & Events happening in Oak Island, NC.
This information is produced by the Town of Oak Island Communications Office and is intended for information and educational purposes only. Any perceived endorsement or promotion of third-party products, services, or organizations is unintentional. For more information on any of the departments or services provided by the Town of Oak Island, call 910-278-5011, or email info@oakislandnc.gov.
PAST EDITION ARCHIVE
DID YOU KNOW? The CURRENT, hasn't always been a weekly publication. Originally produced as an award-winning digital monthly newsletter, The CURRENT published 35 editions, spanning a period of three years from from December 2020 to 2023. As a monthly publication, The CURRENT provided longer form, "magazine style" reading, along with added commentary, and content contributed form community partners.
Past editions of both the weekly and monthly formats are available to view anytime, by clicking the tabs below.