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The Dare County Board of Commissioners met in a regular session at 5:00 p.m. on February 18, 2008 in the Dare County Administrative Annex in Manteo. Commissioners present were: Warren Judge, Virginia Tillett, Allen Burrus, Mike Johnson, and Max Dutton. Jack Shea and Richard Johnson were absent. Also present were County Manager Terry Wheeler and County Attorney Bobby Outten. Chairman Judge called the meeting to order. He called on Britton Shackelford to offer prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Commissioners voted to amend the agenda to add Item 6A, a presentation from the North Carolina Watermen United.

ITEM 1 – PUBLIC COMMENTS

Lori Williams with the League of Women Voters of Dare County presented Commissioners with the 2008 Citizens Guide and thanked the Board for their support.  The League has printed 10,000 copies of the guide and it will be distributed free of charge throughout Dare County.  The guide has a new format and it is now posted on the League’s website.  The publication is used by lots of people throughout the County and the Ms. Williams asked the Board to remember the project when funding next year’s budget.  Ms. Williams also told the Board about a meeting that is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20 at 7 p.m. at The Black Pelican with the topic of “Outer Banks Growth Management.”    She said it is a very interesting topic and all are encouraged to attend. 

Ken Pagurek, Board member with the Colington Harbor Association thanked Commissioners for their help with putting in a boat lift for the Colington Fire Department’s boat. 

Frank Jacob of Salvo spoke about the lack of public boat access on Hatteras Island.  He has been working with state on the acquisition of the Pilot House restaurant but that is not a possibility now due to submerged aquatic vegetation in the sound even though there is an existing permit for dredging.  He said grants are available to assist with acquisition of property to provide public boat access.  There is an existing channel for access at the restaurant.   At Chicamacomico, there is a channel, and the state has said they will provide boat access if a request is made.  Mr. Jacob said we need to be sure that we can continue offering services to our tourists.

ITEM 2 – ROBERT WILLIS SUBDIVISION – PRELIMINARY PLAT REVIEW

Donna Creef, Senior Planner, presented the preliminary plat review for Robert Willis Subdivision located in Hatteras, NC. The area is zoned R2-AH. The total site area is 9.45 acres with two proposed lots and the smallest one being 98,497 square feet.

See attached Subdivision Fact Sheet for additional information.  Commissioners voted to grant preliminary plat approval for Robert Willis Subdivision.

ITEM 3 – COLINGTON HARBOR MAINTENANCE DREDGING

Attorney Bobby Outten informed the Board that Colington Harbor Basin is scheduled for its maintenance dredging which occurs every three or four years due to severe shoaling at the mouth of the basin. This basin houses the Colington Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Vessel as well as the USCG Auxiliary boats. There are many other state and federal agencies that use this facility as well. This is a matching grant with Colington Harbor Association being the non-state contributing agency in the funding of this project. The resolution is a mandatory item in the grant application. This is customary on all waterways grants.

Commissioners voted to adopt the Resolution Requesting Funding for Colington Harbor Maintenance Dredging. The resolution will enable the grant process to proceed to North Carolina Division of Water Resources for funding.

ITEM 4 – TAX DEPARTMENT RECORDS RETENTION POLICY

County Attorney Bobby Outten presented a request for the Board to adopt the Records Retention and Disposition Schedule for County Tax Administration issued by the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources and it was adopted by the Board of Commissioners. 

ITEM 5 – FF&E FOR ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AND FOR HATTERAS SATELLITE OFFICE

Dave Clawson, Finance Director, informed the Board that Purchasing has obtained pricing from the NC State Contract and US Communities Program vendors for Furniture Fixtures &Equipment (FF&E) for the Administration Building and the Hatteras Satellite Office. Four vendors provided pricing on some or all of the specified items.  Purchasing selected the best pricing on each item resulting in recommended awards to all four vendors ranging from $60,412 to $300,323. Pricing for FF & E at both the Administration Building and for the Hatteras Satellite Office is $147,532.05 came in under budget.    

Commissioner voted to approve the State Contract awards and the US Communities Program Award as presented. 

ITEM 6 – ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ADDITION – GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE

Dave Clawson, Finance Director, introduced David Wagoner and Sandra Williams of Heery International who provided information regarding the addition at the new Administration Building in Manteo for the Commissioner meeting room.  See attached presentation that includes the overall floor plan, the various elevations, the utilities plan, and the proposed construction schedule. 

Questions were answered regarding the type of HVAC system this is proposed for the building and relocation of the water line and storm water structures. 

Following the presentation, Commissioners voted to approve the change order for this addition with the guaranteed maximum price of $1,144,025 (within the budget that has been established by the County for the Commissioners meeting room), including the cost savings plan as proposed. The County Manger was given the authority to sign the change order.

ITEM 6A – PRESENTATION FROM NORTH CAROLINA WATERMEN UNITED

Britton Shackelford came forward to talk about the importance of the commercial fishing industry in Dare County.  He said that hunting and fishing are the original tourist based economy here in Dare County and that fishermen have been “taking a whipping” through regulations and lack of accountability.  He said that the regulations are not resource driven – they are designed around eliminating specific users of the resource.  There were comments from numerous people involved in the industry.  He said that it will take political will to allow people to continue to work as fishermen and provide an active tax base.  Speakers included Sean McKinn of the NC Fisheries Association, Willie Etheridge, Tillman Gray, Duke Spencer, Glen Hopkins, Mikey Daniels, Jeff Oden, Charles Daniels, Jamie Reibel, and Dewey Hemilright. 

Click play button to watch the video.

Following the presentation, Chairman Judge suggested sending a letter to the Governor asking him to meet with the Board of Commissioners about this issue. 

He also suggested writing letters to everyone running for Governor to get an answer about their stance on this issue.  He said that the economy throughout this nation has so many ails and there is no quick fix.  Dare County seems to always take it on the chin.  He said the Board will begin to take steps to make an awareness of this here in Dare County and also in Raleigh and will try not to leave any stones unturned.

ITEM 7 – CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioners approved the Consent Agenda containing the following items.  There was an understanding that the date included in Debris Contract (Item 4) may need to be amended by County Attorney:

1.  Approval of Minutes
2. Older Adult Services By-Laws Changes
3. Social Services Budget Amendment – Crisis Intervention Program Funding
4. Debris Contract (Crowder Gulf)
5. Debris Monitoring Contract (Beck Construction)
6. Maintenance on Frisco Offices Equipment
7. New Pricing for Embarq Services
8. Secondary Dell Lease
9. Approve Admission of Out of State Co-Counsel
10. Health Department – Immunization Expansion
11. North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Resolution

ITEM 8 – BOARD APPOINTMENT

Commissioners voted to reappoint Kaye White to serve a three year term on the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee.

Commissioners voted to appoint Jackie Wenberg to fill the unexpired term of Gail Sonnesso on the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee.

Commissioners appointed Henry Haywood to serve on the Dare County Planning Board since Bob Woodard is unable to serve due to a conflict with meeting dates.   

ITEM 9 – COMMISSIONERS’ BUSINESS

Commissioner Virginia Tillett – the planning committee for the summit for older adults has met and will meet again in March.  After that, Commissioners will provide information about plans for the summit.  They are planning a survey for seniors.  Topics are being developed and the Committee will be asking for names of volunteers to serve on various subcommittees.

On February 22, the 2^nd Annual Blues Jam sponsored by the Freedmen’s Colony will be held.  She encouraged everyone to attend.  It will be held at Festival Park at 7:30 p.m.

On February 24 at Festival Park at 4 p.m., a Gospel Program is scheduled. It is very good entertainment.

First Flight Cruisers will host the Shamrock Car Show on March 14 and15 in conjunction with the Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  She asked everyone to come out and support the event. 

Vice Chairman Allen Burrus – Asked staff to follow up on transportation plan (TIP) for Hatteras Island.  Part of the plan deals with storm water runoff in the village.

Insurance issues for volunteer firemen – The County Attorney reported that there is a plan that volunteer firemen can participate in.  He will ask the Fire Marshal to share this information with volunteer fire departments. 

Coast Guard Station – County is waiting on EIS and agreement that Park Service is generating.  It has not yet been received.

Older adults – covered by Ms. Tillett.

He is concerned about the economy and how to do something to address it.  He asked about formulating a plan with COA and others to put pieces together to try and help get people back to work.

Commissioner Max Dutton – Groundbreaking for teacher housing in KDH will be held March 10.

Chairman Warren Judge – Next meeting is scheduled March 17 at 9 a.m.  Stormwater management rule expert from the state will make a presentation that morning at 10 a.m. 

Attorney’s Business – Presented the attached Resolution Approving Insurance District Boundaries for the Town of Southern Shores Corporate Limits and it was approved by the Board.

Presented the attached site plan for the Roanoke Island Senior/Community Center so that the plan may be submitted to the Town of Manteo for approval. This will enable the permitting process to move forward while the floor plan and final costs are finalized.  The attached floor plan and elevation are not finalized. The committee is still working to maximize and most efficiently utilize the space.  Commissioners approved the site plan as presented.

Manager’s Business - received notice that the state’s Turnpike Authority is going to meet in Dare County next week.

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