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Dare County commissioners decided how to improve the soccer field behind First Flight Middle School.

In early December, county manager Robert L. Outten presented six options for addressing the athletic space. Four of the options demanded only limited play for the first year. Two options prohibited play for the first year. The costs ranged from $810,650 for sod only to sprigging bare spaces only at $201,420.

The option selected was the sod and sprig approach. In this option, the field would be power raked and minimal fill added to level with sod used only on playing field and sprigs on remaining grassed area. The estimated cost is $449,400.

Finance director David Clawson told the commissioners that any of the six options could be financially handled.

Outten has also explored space for pickleball courts without much success. He checked with the YMCA, Nags Head for Satterfield Landing, Duck Woods Country Club. If built on Roanoke Island, Outten said the courts would not be used.

Outten said a half million dollars would build four courts. A pickleball facility requires eight courts. A tennis court will handle two pickleball courts.

Outten told the commissioners, “If we have a plan, the Board of Commissioners has a way to make decisions.” Outten was referring to a comprehensive recreation facilities plan for the entire county.

A hearing was held on the Outer Banks SPCA request for an ordinance amendment changing the length of time for notice to the owner or if the owner is unknown when a dog or cat are impounded. The current section states the notice shall be posted for eight days. The proposed amendment would post the notice for “a minimum of 72 hours” on shelter websites and social media instead of a bulletin board at the animal shelter.

Grace Hallenbeck, speaking from Buxton, told the commissioners that the three-day notice seems good for notice. She suggested other sections of the ordinance should have two weeks and five days to redeem an animal.

“You can’t have everything crashing down in three days. It really has far reaching effects,” said Hallenbeck.

Robert L. Woodard, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, agreed with the five-day notice requirement and the two week periods that Hallenbeck was suggesting.

Outten suggested alternative language for the word “disposed,” such as “suitably placed or other disposition is made.”

Bill Coleman, executive director of the county’s animal shelter, said the minimum 72 hours is what the state uses and other shelters. In 2022, the Dare shelter staff picked up 34 stray dogs: 16 were reclaimed the same day, five reclaimed the next day and one the third day. All were eventually adopted.

Commissioner Rob Ross said he was okay with the five-notice requirement and Outten’s changes. The ordinance changes were adopted.

For the new Emergency Medical Services station at Kitty Hawk, engineering services are required for design and implementation of a traffic control light. The additional charges are $49,000. A capital project ordinance is required, which the county manager must sign.

Additionally, for the same project, a professional services contract amendment is required.

Both amendments were approved by the commissioners.

On the consent agenda, the commissioners:

– Approved an additional $113,464 for the final cost for the Colington Road Water Line Betterment Project. The final cost is $423,508.31, but the 2019 estimate was $310,045, thus the need for the additional $113,464 to close out the project.

– Approved receipt of a $30,000 award for the 2024 fiscal year for the Local Law Enforcement Liaison Traffic Safety Grant for the Dare County Sheriff’s Office.

– Amended Brightspeed contract to remove three service locations and adjusted service level of one location and authorize the county manager to re-approve the contract.

– Approved a sole source purchase using a $21,000 federal grant for the purchase of a Security Onion Solutions SN7200 networking monitoring appliance that will strengthen the county’s cybersecurity posture. The grant application specifically called for a Security Onion Solutions product and the company is the only one to make the product, so a sole source purchase resolution is required.

– Adopted a Title VI Program Plan. NCDOT requested that Dare County Transportation update the county’s Title VI anti-discrimination plan to be in compliance with Federal Transit Administration requirements of updating the policy once every three years. The last policy update was signed on 12/7/2020.

Commissioners made the following appointments to various boards:

– Stumpy Point Community Center Board: Dabni Shelton

– Juvenile Crime Prevention Council: Spencer Gregory. One vacancy.

– Dare County Transportation Advisory Board: George Carver

– Special Motor Vehicle Valuation Review Board: reappointed Danny Couch, Dock Sawyer and David Light.

– Board of Equalization and Review: reappointed Nelson V. “Skip” Jones, Jonathan Waddill, Jeffrey Scott, Terry Gore and Charles Evans.

– Parks and Recreation Advisory Council: reappointed Missy McPherson

– Older Adult Services Advisory Council: appointed Sandra Burgee

– Dare County Tourism Board:

Dare County Restaurant Association: reappointed Mark Ballog

Outer Banks Association of Realtors: appointed John Head

Kitty Hawk: reappointed David Hines

Kill Devil Hills: delayed until January

Nags Head: reappointed Michael Siers

Dare Commissioners: appointed Wally Overman

Member at Large: appointed Tess Judge

Woodard nominated and the commissioners approved commissioner Steve House as chairman of the Oregon Inlet Task Force.

New commissioner Bea Basnight was appointed to the Healthcare Task Force organized by the Town of Manteo.

Dorothy Hester announced the State of the County will be held at Captain George’s on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. and the program starts at 9 a.m. The fee is $10 per person.

Outten brought the old helicopter pad at the Hatteras Village Medical Center to the board’s attention. “It’s beginning to erode at one end of the pad,” reported Outten. The commissioners agreed to remove the helicopter pad.

The next Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting is set for Jan. 2, 2024 at 9 a.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room at 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo.

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