The first meeting of the month will be videotaped and shown on the Government Access Channel (Channel 20) on the following Wednesday at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM following each meeting.  The second meeting of the month will be videotaped and shown on the Government Access Channel (Channel 20) on Wednesday at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM following each meeting.  Any questions? Please call Dorothy Toolan, Public Relations Coordinator, at 252-475-5903. 

The Dare County Board of Commissioners met in a regular session at 9:00 A.M. on December 3, 2007 in the Dare County Administrative Annex in Manteo. Commissioners present were: Warren Judge, Virginia Tillett, Allen Burrus, Richard Johnson, Jack Shea, Max Dutton, and Mike Johnson.  Also present were County Manager Terry Wheeler and County Attorney Bobby Outten. Fran Harris, Clerk to the Board, called the meeting to order. She called on Commissioner Mike Johnson to offer prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

ITEM 1 – ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Fran Harris, Clerk to the Board, conducted the Election of Chairman.

Warren Judge was elected Chairman.

ITEM 2 – ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

Chairman Judge conducted the election of Vice Chairman.

Allen Burrus was elected Vice Chairman.

ITEM 3 – PRESENTATION OF COUNTY SERVICE PINS

1. Willie Brickhouse, Fleet Maintenance Mechanic, received his 10 Year Pin from Edward Lee Mann, Public Works Director.
2.  Phyllis Hardison, In-Home Service Aid, received her 10 Year Pin from Sue Hewitt, In-Home Aid Supervisor.
3. Barbara McClees, Income Maintenance Caseworker II, received her 10 Year Pin from Pat Jump, Family Services Social Work Supervisor.
4. Linda Dunnigan, Vehicle Tax Administrator, received her 15 Year Pin from Michelle Evans, Tax Collector.

ITEM 4 – EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Susan Saulsbury received the Employee of the Month Certificate from Theresa Edwards.  Susan began working as a Social Worker for Dare County in February 1989 after moving to Dare County from Baltimore. She has held several different positions since being hired and is currently with Adult Protective Services and Guardianship.  She is an exemplary employee with a deep and abiding belief that all human life is valuable.  Susan has comforted and supported many in the community. Congratulations to Susan as the December 2007 Employee of the Month.

ITEM 5 – PUBLIC COMMENTS

Buddy Thompson of Roanoke Island commended Commissioners for their work on the Roanoke Island Senior Center and thanked them for making the skateboard park in Manteo a reality for local youth. 

ITEM 6 – UNC PLAN TO ENHANCE CANCER SERVICES IN DARE COUNTY

Dare County Health Director Anne Thomas introduced representatives from the University of North Carolina Health Care System --  Mr. Kevin FitzGerald, Associate Dean for the UNC School of Medicine and Dr. Richard Goldberg, M.D., Division Chief and Physician-in-Chief of North Carolina Cancer Hospitals.  Mr. FitzGerald spoke about cancer care in Dare County and this area of the state and the partnerships that are envisioned to enhance services.  The new North Carolina Cancer Hospital will support the health of North Carolinians in all areas of the state.  Dare County and northeastern North Carolina has services that are not consistently available and the goal is to work with the county and the medical community to form a long lasting partnership to improve cancer care.  Attached is the presentation which provides an overview of the plan, including a timeline for the short and long term.    

ITEM 7 – CHAPTER 152 AMENDMENTS

Donna Creef, Senior Planner, reminded the Board that on November 5, 2007, the Board discussed some proposed amendments to Chapter 152 and voted to forward the alternative for a building height of 45’ to the Planning Board for their review. The Planning Board met on November 12, 2207 at which time the 45’ building height alternative was presented to them by the staff. The Planning Board voted 6-1 to recommend adoption of the 45’ alternative as presented by staff. In order for the Board of Commissioners to proceed with this amendment, a Public Hearing on the 45’ alternative must be held. Commissioners voted to schedule a public hearing on January 7, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.

ITEM 8 – COMMON DRIVEWAY STANDARDS – PROPOSED SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS

Donna Creef, Senior Planner, reminded the Board that earlier this year, the Board of Commissioners reviewed a proposed subdivision that featured a common driveway as access for several lots. It was noted during that discussion that the Subdivision Ordinance did not include specific standard for common driveways. As a result of that discussion, the Board instructed the Planning Board and Planning staff to review the Subdivision Ordinance Street standards for amendments to address the construction of common driveways.

Attached are draft standards for common driveways. These are proposed as an amendment to Section 153.40 of the Subdivision Ordinance which establishes the regulations for streets. The Planning Board conducted a hearing on the common driveways standards at their October 8, 2007 meeting. A copy of the draft language was sent to all the area surveying and engineering firms. Only one person spoke at the Planning Board hearing and his comments were more about subdivision roads in general versus the draft common driveway standards. The Planning Board voted on November 12 to recommend adoption of the common driveways standards.

Commissioners voted that the draft standards for common driveways be advertised for public hearing on January 7, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

ITEM 9 – UPDATE OF SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE – STANDARDS FOR STREETS

Donna Creef, Senior Planner, informed the Board that during work on drafting the standards for common driveways, it was discovered that other sections of the Streets standards needed updating. Section 153.40 of the Subdivision Ordinance establishes standards for public and private streets. The current language (dating back to the 1980’s) relies on NCDOT standards for subdivision roads. Current NCDOT standards permit subdivision streets with 18 feet of pavement for roads up to 2000 linear feet. The County has traditionally required pavement widths of 20 feet (the old NCDOT standard at the time the Subdivision Ordinance was adopted in the 1980’s). 

Staff presented the draft amendments for direction since they represent more comprehensive amendments than previously instructed by the Board. 

ITEM 10 – JUVENILE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL RESOLUTION FOR CONTINUATION OF FUNDING

Bonnie Bennett informed the Board that the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) has been taken out of the state’s recurring budget for fiscal year 2008-2009. This will have a detrimental impact on youth and families in Dare County. The JCPC requested the Dare County Commissioners support and endorse the attached Resolution. Nancy Hodges, the area JCPC Consultant, was present to answer any questions. Attorney Outten read the resolution and Commissioners adopted it as presented supporting the full reinstatement of funding for Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Programs to the state’s continuation budget.

The board voted to add a closed session to the agenda to discuss a real property acquisition.

ITEM 11 – SPRING ARBOR REQUEST  

Manager Wheeler informed the Board that HHHunt opened Spring Arbor of the Outer Banks in May 2005 which is currently the only licensed residential Assisted Living community on the island. At this time Spring Arbor has reached 94% of the licensed capacity of 72 residents and anticipates reaching 100% in the near future. He noted there is a need for a specialized residential Alzheimer’s / dementia care program to serve the residents of Dare County. Presently there only two available dementia care options; the Gem Day Care program and Britthaven Nursing Home. Spring Arbor would like to meet this need by adding an additional 18 licensed beds and creating a residential Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care Program within the current footprint of the building, as it has units that could appropriately be converted into a secure program. He noted that in order for them to have the opportunity to create the program, they need to ask the State’s Medical Facilities Planning Section to modify its methodology in determining the number of licensed assisted living beds needed in Dare County and, as a result, reflect a need for an additional 18 bed. He asked for the Board’s support on behalf of Spring Arbor.  Following discussion, Commissioners authorized the Chairman to send a letter of support.

ITEM 12 – AWARD OF FY 2007-08 VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT FINANCING

David Clawson, Finance Director, informed the Board that on November 21^st, the Finance Department received proposals for the financing of county vehicles and equipment as approved in the fiscal year 2007-08 operating budget. As detailed in the attached RFP, the total amount to finance is $1,760,802. Five responses were received, as shown on the updated tabulation presented by Mr. Clawson.

Commissioners voted to adopt the Resolution Awarding Financing to RBC Centura, at interest rate of 3.36% for 36 months and authorizing the County Manager, Finance Director, and Clerk to execute all necessary documents.

ITEM 13 – SCHEDULE OF 2008 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETINGS

Commissioners approved the attached Schedule of 2008 Board of Commissioners meetings.

ITEM 14 – UPDATE ON OREGON INLET BRIDGE

Vice Chairman Allen Burrus reported that he has been told that things are going in the right direction.  The design is on its way.  There is some contention about the landing aspects but it is being worked out.  Other than that, things are creeping along. 

ITEM 15 – CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioners approved the Consent Agenda containing the following items:

1. Approval of Minutes
2. Resolution Authorizing the Conveyance of Property

ITEM 16 – BOARD APPOINTMENTS

1. ALBEMARLE COMMISSION – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   Commissioners reappointed Richard Johnson to serve a one year term on the Albemarle Commission – Board of Directors.
2. BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND REVIEW
   Commissioners reappointed the following to serve a one year term on the Board of E&R: John Receveur, Bette Gray, Kerwin W. Hoy, Barbara Britt and Michael Davenport.
3. MOTOR VEHICLE VALUATION REVIEW BOARD
   Commissioners reappointed Richard Johnson and Dock Sawyer and appointed Lori Hageman to serve a one year term on the Special Motor Vehicle Valuation Review Board.

ITEM 17 – COMMISSIONERS’ BUSINESS

Vice Chairman Allen Burrus – He was involved with the Eagle Scout designation for Connor Winstead this past weekend and it was very impressive. 

Work being done by Capital Improvements Committee is going smoothly. 

Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and thanked the Board for their confidence electing him Vice Chairman. 

Commissioner Jack Shea – He is excited about the opportunity to enhance cancer care and services in Dare County.  He thanked employees for their service to the county and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Commissioner Mike Johnson – This is a time of year that brings out the best in everyone and he asked everyone to do something nice for their neighbor.  Wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Commissioner Max Dutton – He also attended the dedication ceremony at the welcome center and it was outstanding.  His hat is off to Connor Winstead. 

Attended Hotline’s Festival of Trees.  They raised a significant amount of funds this year and thanked supporters who made it a successful event.  Wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Commissioner VirginiaTillett – Happy holidays!  Friday night is the lighting of the Manteo Christmas tree and she encouraged everyone to attend.   

Christmas toys for families needing assistance will be available at the Roanoke Island Community Center/Head Start Building in Manteo at 6 p.m. on December 18.  This is sponsored by Manteo Middle School and the Freedmen’s Colony.

A couple of invitations were received by the Board – Teen Court, JCPC.  She hopes everyone can attend. 

She thanked Rhonda and Fran for breakfast this morning and for the beautiful poinsettias.

Congratulations to Susan Saulsbury as employee of the month.  Susan is a hard working, caring County employee.

The cancer program and other health initiatives are wonderful.  We need to be sure citizens are aware of them so they will take advantage of them.   

Commissioner Richard Johnson – He is very appreciative of cancer treatment that is already in place in Dare County.  Thanked Dr. Accostamadiedo for the care he provided his wife.  He is also excited about the new services.

He asked everyone to take time to be thankful this year and enjoy the Christmas season.

Warren Judge – Congratulations to Connor Winstead.  He is an outstanding young man and he did a great job at the ceremony this past weekend. 

Met with the Sheriff last week about the 800 MHz communications system.  The radio system is 30 years old and outdated.  Operationally, channels are crowded and there are areas of the county not covered where cell phones have to be used by personnel. 

The County’s studies have shown that a trunking system is needed.  Another problem is that the FCC is narrowing bands. Eventually the band we’re using will be reduced a great deal.  The recommendation from consultants has been to go to a system that would involve 700 or 800 MHz.  The next step is to receive an estimate from Motorola, and then move forward by asking Motorola to engineer the system before making a final commitment.  The statewide VIPER system is a Motorola system.  Grant funds were used to build the tower in East Lake.  To be compatible with the state’s system, Motorola has to be the provider. 

Thanked Willie Brickhouse for being a foster parent.  Willie received a service pin today.

Glad that everyone shares excitement for the cancer initiative.

Thanked the Board for electing him Chairman.

Wished staff a Merry Christmas.

Attorney’s Business – Regarding power connection at new administration building, easement was approved and Chairman was authorized to execute the agreement with Dominion Power.

Manager’s Business – Commissioners approved acceptance of $60,413.20 from the Percy W. and Elizabeth G. Meekins Charitable Trust for the Roanoke Island Senior/Community Center.  The trust requests that the community multi-purpose room at the new center be named for Percy W. and Elizabeth G. Meekins.  See attached information.   

The Manager also wished everyone a Merry Christmas. 

ITEM 18 – UPCOMING BOARD APPOINTMENTS FOR JANUARY

The following are the upcoming board appointments for January: Nursing Home Community Advisory Council and Dare County Transportation Advisory Board.

CLOSED SESSION - The Board voted to go into closed session to instruct the County Attorney and staff regarding the acquisition of real property.  Property was identified as

Donny Oden property and Lighthouse Estates.  Following the closed session, Attorney Outten reported that he was given guidance with respect to contract for Donny Oden property in Buxton Harbor and the Lighthouse Estates property located next to the water plant in Rodanthe.  The Board took no other action.

Site Index | Homeland Security | Privacy Statement | Accessibility