Mission Statement for the City of Southport
“To strive for excellence in our government, project a positive attitude, involve our community and protect our citizens by ensuring a safe, secure and tranquil quality of life with controlled and orderly growth.”
Southport is governed by a council-manager form of government as detailed in our city charter and the statutes of the State of North Carolina. The City Manager is the administrative head of the city government who directs and supervises the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the city. The Board of Aldermen (6 members) and the Mayor constitute the governing body of the city. The Mayor presides over the Board meetings and functions as Southport’s representative for all ceremonial functions.
Greetings from Southport! As Mayor of the City of Southport, it is my privilege to welcome you to our City’s website. I hope that you will take an opportunity to explore Southport through these pages, where you will find information about our community and the many services that we provide to visitors, residents, and businesses alike.
Board of Aldermen Documents & Minutes
IMPORTANT NOTE: Minutes must be approved at the next regular monthly meeting before they can be posted, so they are available about 1 month + 1 week after the meeting date.
Robert Carroll
(910) 465-2717 (Cell)
Email
307 E. Nash Street
Term Expires: 12/2025
Karen Mosteller
(704) 560-2443 (Cell)
Email
310 N. Atlantic Avenue
Term Expires: 12/2025
Marc Spencer
(910) 269-9935 (Cell)
Email
701 E. Moore Street
Term Expires: 12/2027
Lowe Davis
(910) 408-7051 (Cell)
Email
504 W. Brunswick Street
Term Expires: 12/2027
Rebecca Kelley, Mayor Pro-Tem
(910) 269-9940 (Cell)
Email
5971 Dutchman Creek Road
Term Expires: 12/2027
Frank Lai
(910) 269-9971 (Cell)
Email
788 Indigo Village Court
Term Expires: 12/2025
Board of Aldermen Meetings
Regular Board of Alderman meetings are held on the 1st Monday at 9am and the 2nd Thursday at 6pm, respectively, of every month in the Southport Community Building, located at 223 East Bay Street, Southport. If a meeting date falls on a holiday, the meeting will be rescheduled, and advertised in the State Port Pilot.
City meetings are open to the public. Social distancing and facial coverings are required. Meeting capacity is limited.
The City of Southport does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you need an auxiliary aid or service or other accommodation in order to attend or fully participate at this meeting, please contact the Clerk’s office as far in advance of the meeting as is possible so that your request can be considered.
An agenda packet is available for public viewing on the Monday before the Board of Aldermen meeting. The packets are located at the City Clerk’s office in City Hall and at the Harper Library. The agenda can also be viewed on the City Calendar.
Southport City Manager
The Chief Administrative Officer for Southport’s Government
Southport is governed by a council-manager form of government as detailed in our city charter and the statutes of the State of North Carolina. The City Manager is the administrative head of the city government who directs and supervises the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of the city.
The Board of Aldermen (6 members) and the Mayor constitute the governing body of the city. The Mayor presides over the Board meetings and functions as Southport’s representative for all ceremonial functions.
Bonnie Therrien
City Manager
[email protected]
Tel: (910) 457-7988
1029 N Howe St.
Southport, NC 28461
For the next 18 months, I will be the City Manager for Southport and will work with the residents, business owners, staff, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen to move the City forward until a permanent City Manager is chosen and begins work.
With over 30 years of local government experience, I look forward to utilizing my skills to keep all projects moving ahead, beginning work on the 2022-23 budget, and learning about your beautiful community from you.
You are blessed to have a great group of employees working for you and staff that believe in utilizing your tax dollars wisely, efficiently, and effectively. I look forward to working with them as a part of their team.
If there is anything I can do to assist you, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email.
Bonnie Therrien
Tel: (910) 457-7988
[email protected]
2023 Southport Symposium featuring City Manager
The Keeper of Southport’s Records
City Clerk
The City Clerk’s office maintains and preserves the official records of the City of Southport Board of Aldermen, serves as public records coordinator and corporate secretary of the City. This department is responsible for coordinating meetings of the Board along with the City Manager, preparation of the agenda and agenda packets, codification and distribution of the City Code and ensuring City compliance with state laws related to local government meetings, and to assist Board appointed committees as requested including public notifications and accessibility, keep a list of all Board and Committee appointments i.e. terms of office, expiration dates, etc. at the end of each FY provide an appointment report to the NC Secretary of State on board appointments in accordance with NCGS 143-157.1
Dorothy Dutton, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
Email Dorothy
(910) 457-7900 X 1010
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Mission
The mission of the Southport City Clerk’s office is to provide professional, courteous and efficient service and support to the public, Mayor, Aldermen, City Manager and department heads in all areas that have been designated by the North Carolina General Statutes or assigned and directed by the Board of Aldermen and City Manager.
Goals
- Provide the public with requested information in a timely manner.
- Take and transcribe fact-based meeting minutes accurately in order to establish the historical records and actions of the Board.
- Identify and develop processes that will increase citizen satisfaction, develop ways to expedite more efficiently requested information and data by incorporating updated technology in the Clerk’s office.
- Maintain effective working relationship with Board of Aldermen, staff, city boards/committees and other agencies.
- Safeguard all official permanent records of the Board and provide leadership and advice to all City Departments in terms of the legal requirements for retention and availability of public records.
- Pursue technology (such as a laser fiche system) to digitize all records i.e. minutes, deeds, contracts, etc.
Documents available from the City Clerk:
- Public Information Request Form
- Open Meetings and Public Records laws in North Carolina
- Items Requiring a Public Hearing
- Voluntary Annexation Forms
- Voluntary Annexation Checklist
- Rules and Procedures for the Southport Board of Aldermen
- Code of Ethics for Southport Elected Officials
- Offer of Donations of Property or Services to City of Southport
- City Charter and Code of Ordinances
- Board of Aldermen Meeting Minutes
2023 Southport Symposium featuring Assistant City Manager
| PROJECT NAME | STAFF MEMBER/S | CONSULTANT | MONEY ALLOCATED | SOURCE OF FUNDING | DEADLINE | FOLLOW UP/NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoreline Stabilization | Tom Stanley, Heather Hemphill, Bob Jarvis, and Bonnie Therrien | Olsen and Associates, Inc. | $5 million | NCDPS/Grant | 6/1/2026 | Olsen Task 3 approved by BOA. $5M project funding extended to 6/30/26. April update to BOA. |
| Pump Station Rehab | Bonnie Therrien, Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek, Emily Miller | WK Dickson Engineering | $2.8 million | DEQ/Grant | 2024 | WK Dickson pump station and force main study phase has been completed. 6 pump stations studied, 3 are in need of improvements.Pump Station improvements at Moore Street, and Park Avenue, and 9th Avenue are required. Design is underway. Bids expected Spring 2024. The City will bid the project. The County will award and assume responsibility for construction, post-merger. |
| Sewer Replacement | Bonnie Therrien, Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek, Emily Miller | Wooten Engineering | $10.5 million | USDA Grant/Loan | 2024 | Project will replace 16,000′ of clay pipe sanitary sewer in downtown area. Sewer between Rhett St. & Clarendon St., from Bay to Owens, will be replaced. Leonard Street pump station in process of design. 90% plans reviewed by City, comments provided to consultant. Funding and approval sign-offs expected April ’24. A bid opening in May ’24 is anticipated. The City will bid the project. The County will award and assume responsibility for construction, post-merger. |
| COMPLETE – Merger Feasibility Study | Tom Stanley, Dorrie Dutton, Bonnie Therrien, Emily Miller | Wooten Engineering | $50,000 for water
$50,000 for sewer | NCDEQ | Fall 2023 | Final sanitary sewer report received (8/28). Presentation made to BOA 9/14. Final draft Water Merger-Regionalization complete. BOA heard final report 10/12. Final Merger vote by BOA 1/10/2024. |
| Mulberry Branch Sewer Plant Expansion | Tom Stanley, Bonnie Therrien, Emily Miller | City/Wooten Engineering | $30 million loan was secured | $30 million loan (City); State Revolving Fund | TBD-If awarded. | Construction underway |
| Kayak Launch | Heather Hemphill, Bonnie Therrien, Bob Jarvis | Wooten Engineering | $188,000 | $150,000 CAMA
$25,000 Marina donation $13,000 City | 8/15/2024 | Staff proceeding with preparation of permitting and easement documents. BOA approved easement relocation. Coordinating with Morningstar as joint applicant. Completion deadline is 08/15/24. Anticipate groundbreaking- 4/27/24. |
| COMPLETE – Taylor Field/Dog Park | Heather Hemphill, Tom Stanley, Tom, Zilinek | McGill and Associates | $421,277 | PART-F Grant | 2023 | Construction is complete. Closeout documents received and final payment of construction retainage released. |
| 2023 Capital Project Ordinance | City Staff | Varied | $582,672 (remaining from original $1.2M)
+ $1,037,014 (Unencumbered FY24 appropriation) $1,619,686 Total Capital Projects Funds Remaining -$181,403 (West Bay Street Erosion Mitigation) $1,438,283 Remaining (8/10/23) | City of Southport | Ongoing | Several projects completed. Projects ongoing: Road repairs, Howe Street sidewalk (awaiting U/G utility conversion), misc. stormwater projects Kingsley Pier – PROJECT COMPLETE Stabilization of West Bay Street – PROJECT COMPLETE. |
| Yacht Basin Dredging | Heather Hemphill, Bob Jarvis | T I Coastal: Jamie Pratt | $41,300
($4,300 + $7,000 + $30,000) | Parks and Recreation Budget, Administration Contract Services, Capital Projects, Shallow Draft Inlet Fund | TBD | Basin Survey is complete. Applying for Shallow Draft Inlet funding grant. Design, permitting and USACE/DEQ coordination underway. Permit pre-app meeting held – No major issues. Project limits to include City Docks, per BOA. |
| COMPLETE – Extrication Equipment | Chief Drew | None | $90,505 | State Grant | TBD | Chief Drew has secured funding. State funding granted. Equipment delivered and is in use. |
| FEMA Reimbursements | Lance Flint, Dorrie Dutton, Heather Hemphill | N/A | $448,200-City dock; $228,000- Kingsley | TBD | Work at the City dock has been completed. Awaiting $54,000 FEMA reimbursement from Matthew. Kingsley Park funding ($228,000) is allocated. FEMA approved scope change. Contractor selected. Permit obtained. | |
| Sewer Infiltration/ Inflow (I&I) Project | Emily Miller, Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek, Bonnie Therrien | WK Dickson Engineering | $400,000 | ARPA | June-24 | Board awarded Contract on 8/10. Smoke testing completed. Manhole inspection began. CCTV pipe inspections to begin mid- January. Study expected to be complete June ’24. |
| Construction Find & Fix (FIFI) Project | Emily Miller, Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek, Bonnie Therrien | TBD | $1.29m grant and $8M loan | NQDEQ-State Revolving Funds | TBD | Design contract awarded to W.K. Dickson. Design underway. Design completion awaiting final I/I report. Construction project to commence after I/I study has been completed.The City will bid the project. The County will award and assume responsibility for construction, post-merger. |
| Weather Tower | Former Mayor Hatem, Bonnie Therrien | $42,000 (to date) | TBD | New grant applied for. Site visit 5/14/24 from Grantor. | ||
| Lead Service Line Inventory | Tom Stanley, Bonnie Therrien, Tom Zilinek | City Staff | Oct-24 | EPA ordered inventory of all service line materials; from the main to meter, and from meter to house. Staff conducting water service inventory (in-house). State requirements received. Inventory due by October 2024. Information web page added to City website. This project will be turned over to County upon merger. | ||
| Lead Service Line Replacement | Tom Stanley, Bonnie Therrien, Tom Zilinek | TBD | Jul-31 | Construction project to replace lead services will commence after inventory has been completed and funding has been secured. This project will be turned over to County upon merger. | ||
| Police Department Feasibility Study | Major Burke, Chief Coring, Bonnie Therrien | Moseley Architects | $25,000 | TBD | Moseley Architects performing Study. Space needs assessment and conceptual options for the new PD are being reviewed. Staff comments provided to Moseley. April workshop with Board. | |
| City Hall Feasibility Study | Dorrie Dutton, Bonnie Therrien | Moseley Architects | $25,000 | TBD | Moseley Architects performing Study. Space needs assessment and conceptual options for City Hall prepared. Staff comments provided to Moseley. April workshop with Board. | |
| Inclusive Playground | Heather Hemphill, Bonnie Therrien | Unlimited Play, Inc. | $10,000 start-up fee | $8000 donated from Lions Club; $2000 from P&R | TBD | Presentations to local groups and businesses, to solicit support, completed. Grant opportunities being explored with our grant writer. Part F Grant due 5/1/24 |
| Comprehensive Master Plan | Dorrie Dutton, Mo Meehan | Stewart | $100,000 | General Fund | TBD | Existing condition analysis, review of existing comprehensive plan policies and implementing actions in final stages of completion. Stewart and staff holding stakeholder and Steering Committee meetings 3/14 – 3/15. Community survey online and available in late March. Community input workshops scheduled for 4/30/24. |
| COMPLETE – City Buildings Survey | Tom Stanley, Tom Zilinek | HICAPS | $100,000/$50,000 total cost | General Fund | TBD | Contract was awarded to HICAPS at the 10/5 BOA meeting. Inspection work completed. Final report presented to BOA 1/5. |
| Public Services Dump Truck | Tom Stanley | $140,000 | Powell Bill/General Fund | TBD | Vehicle ordered. Expected delivery July ’24. | |
| Stormwater Mapping/Modeling | Tom Zilinek | W.K. Dickson Engineering | $500,000 | General Fund/Grant | Oct-23 | Consultant contract awarded. Field survey and investigations began 12/5. Goldenleaf funding has been approved. Report expected September 2024. |
| COMPLETE – City Pier Cross Bracing | Heather Hemphill, Bob Jarvis | None (City Staff, Contractor) | $87,000 | General Fund | TBD | Construction of cross bracing repairs is complete. Project closed out. Underwater review of piers complete. Contractor reviewing cost for potential pier repairs. |
| Decking for the Community Building | Tom Stanley | $60,000 | General Fund | TBD | Project construction anticipated January 2025. | |
| Parking Study | Dorrie Dutton | Walker Consulting | $60,000 | General Fund | TBD | Initial meetings with consultants and steering committee complete. Consultant reviewing/compiling information provided by City. Joint consultant meetings with stakeholders/steering committee – 3/14. Expect Phase 1 report by 5/17/24. Consulting speaking to Board 4/11/24. Community Input 4/30/24. |
| COMPLETE – Gazebo Roofs | Heather Hemphill, Tom Stanley | $20,000 | General Fund | TBD | Three proposed locations (2 at waterfront, 1 at riverwalk). Currently under construction. Expect completion by 2/1/24. | |
| COMPLETE – Compensation and Pay Study | Patti Fortuna, Bonnie Therrien | Evergreen Solutions | $21,000 | General Fund | TBD | Evergreen Solutions updated City Manager and HR Director on 12/20. Study provided to Board March ’24to discuss finalization during budget process. |
| Second Electrical Point of Delivery | Ellie Pittenger, Tom Stanley | $3,000,000 | Electrical Fund | TBD | Property location/acquisition under review. | |
| Overhead to Underground Electric Conversion | Ellie Pittenger | BEMC | $1,600,000 | Electrical Fund | TBD | Ongoing, multi-year project to continue the relocation of overhead electrical lines to underground location. U/G conversion of various areas on west side of city underway. Lord St. area to be completed by March ’24. W. West Street follows. Add’l. $150k allocated for 3-phase primary at W. Leonard. Vote to advance funding for next phase approved 4/1/24. |
| Utility Pole Replacement | Ellie Pittenger | BEMC | $60,000 | Electrical Fund | TBD | This project will replace approximately 120 deteriorated utility poles with new poles in the City. Replacement work is ongoing. |
| Sectionalization/ Mitigation | Ellie Pittenger | BEMC | $80,000 | Electrical Fund | TBD | Fuses will be upgraded and reclosers installed. This will create smaller neighborhood networks within the electric system. Work is ongoing. |
| Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations | Ellie Pittenger | $40,000 | Electrical Fund | TBD | System purchase, owership, rates, maintenance, and third-party involvement to be evaluated. Sites are being considered. Project grant application to begin in 2024. | |
| Replace Water Meters | Tom Stanley | $350,000 | Water/Sewer Fund | TBD | Recommended replacement of existing meters and appurtenances, and materials for new services. New meters now in stock. Replacing as-needed. | |
| SCADA System Upgrade and Security | Tom Stanley | TBD | $140,000 | Water/Sewer Fund | TBD | On hold – due to upcoming Sewer/Water merger with the County. |
| Lift Station Generator Replacement | Tom Stanley | $110,000 | Water/Sewer Fund | TBD | On hold – due to upcoming Sewer/Water merger with the County. | |
| COMPLETE – System Development Fee | Tom Zilinek | Withers/Ravenel | TBD | Water/Sewer Fund | Dec-23 | Calculation of SDF, as required by State of NC every 5 years. Final report was presented to BOA. Public hearing held at 12/14 BOA meeting. Rates set at 12/20 BOA mtg. |
| Utility Rate Study | Tom Zilinek | Withers/Ravenel | TBD | Water/Sewer Fund | Nov-23 | Project initiated following completion of SDF study. Kickoff meeting held Nov. 27, 2023. Final study anticipated Mar. ’24. No longer required – pending upcoming Sewer/Water merger with the County. |
| COMPLETE – Body Worn and In-Car Camera System Replacement | Chief Coring, Major Burke | Digital Ally | $201,700 | State Grant | TBD | Project involves complete replacement of aging in-car and body-worn cameras and storage system. Data storage will be transferred from servers to cloud storage. Delivery of, and training for, the in-car and body worn camera system is complete. The body cameras to “go live” 1/5. In-car installation and active use expected by 1/12. |
| COMPLETE – Domestic Preparedness (DPR3) Camera Trailer | Chief Coring, Major Burke | $42,000 | State Grant | TBD | Grant for new camera trailer awarded. DPR3 Camera trailer received 1/5 and expected to be in use by 1/12. | |
| Dosher Sidewalk | Maureen Meehan, Tom Stanley | Ron VanCleeve, NCDOT | $60,000 | General Fund | TBD | NCDOT will be designing and installing a section of sidewalk along Howe Street in the vicinity of Dosher Hospital. The City is funding a portion of the construction costs. Start date currently unknown. |
| Records Retention | Tanya Shannon, Dorothy Dutton | $25,000 | General Fund | 6/30/2024 | The project to digitize City records began October, 2023. Anticipate digitization of approximately 1,316 documents to be completed by June. Project will improve record retention and standardize document location. | |
| Franklin Square Park – Trees | Tom Stanley | $50,000 | General Fund | 5/1/2024 | RFP issued for tree removal.Proposals due April 5. Vote by BOA on 4/8/24. |
Please use the following list of Southport administrative staff contact information if you have questions, concerns or need assistance.
Southport City Hall
1029 N. Howe Street
Southport, NC 28461
Tel: (910) 457-7900
Fax: (910) 457-7948
Fax Numbers:
Finance/Utility Office/Tax Collector: (910) 457-7905
Police Department: (910) 457-0302
Public Services: (910) 457-7101
Fire Department: (910) 457-7904
Rescue Squad: (910) 457-7098
Administration
Richard Alt | Mayor | Office: (910) 488-1740 | Email
Bonnie Therrien | City Manager | Office: (910) 457-7988 | Email
Dorothy “Dorrie” Dutton | Assistant City Manager | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1010 | Email
Patti Fortuna | Human Resources Director | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1042 | Email
ChyAnn Ketchum | Public Information Officer | Office: (910) 457-7927 ext. 1040, Cell: (910) 269-7300 | Email
Tanya Shannon | Deputy Clerk/Administrative Assistant | Office: (910) 457-7929 | Email
Brady Herman | City Attorney | Office: (919) 929-3905 | Email
Community Relations
Allayna Dail | Interim Community Relations Director | Office: (910) 457-7927 ext. 1039 | Email
Visitor’s Center | Office: (910) 457-7927
Development Services
Maureen “Mo” Meehan | City Planner | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1043 | Email
Tori Deviney | Permit Technician | Office: (910) 457-7925 ext. 1009 | Email
Kiley Barefoot | Building Inspector | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1007 | Email
Michael Lavezzo | Building Inspector | Cell: (910) 363-7660 | Email
Finance & Utilities
Lance Flint | Finance Director | Office: (910) 457-7906 | Email
Brandon Stevens | Deputy Finance Director | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1031 | Email
Teresa Jones | Utilities Director/Tax Collector | Office: (910) 457-7920 | Email
Kelly Tooley | Utilities – Customer Service Representative | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1001 | Email
Angie Bates | Accounts Payable | Office: (910) 457-7964 | Email
Amity Foreman | Payroll & Benefits Technician | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1036 | Email
Public Services
Tom Stanley | Public Services Director | Office: (910) 457-7935 ext. 1016 | Email
Tom Zilinek | Engineer | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1021 | Email
Bob Jarvis | Engineer | Office: (910) 457-7900 ext. 1045 | Email
Ellie Pittenger | Electrical Superintendent | Office: (910) 457-7938 | Email
David Kelly | Vector Control, Mosquito | Office: (910) 457-7935 ext. 1017 | Email
Mark Caban | Water Distribution ORC | Office: (910) 457-7935 ext. 1019 | Email
Kevin Alley | Garage | Office: (910) 457-7935 ext. 1020 | Email
Robin Clark | Custodial | Office: (910) 457-7935 ext. 1018
Jackie Smith | Administrator | Office: (910) 457-7935 | Email