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. 

Chairman Judge called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  He called on Vice Chairman Allen Burrus to offer prayer and then led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

The Board voted to amend the agenda by removing Item 11 at the applicant’s request and to allow the County Manager the opportunity to call on Tim White who introduced Susan Ruiz-Evans, the new Director for Dare County Cooperative Extension.  Susan thanked Mr. Wheeler and the Commissioners for their support of Cooperative Extension and provided a snapshot of current happenings at Cooperative Extension. 

ITEM 1 – PRESENTATION OF COUNTY SERVICE PINS

1.    Michelle Spelts, EMT LT, received her 10 year pin from Skeeter Sawyer, EMS Director.

2.    Dave Cheesman, Deputy Sheriff Master Officer, received his 25 year pin from Rodney Midgett, Sheriff. 

ITEM 2 – EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Neal Dennis, Landfill Equipment Operator, received the Employee of the Month Certificate from Edward Lee Mann, Director of Public Works.  Neal is hard working and completes any job that he is assigned.  He has gotten his commercial driver’s license and can operate all equipment, including the new glass crusher. 

ITEM 3 – PUBLIC COMMENTS

1.    Michelle Pharr, Vice President of Landmark Hotel Group, spoke about damages along the oceanfront, especially in South Nags Head.  She presented pictures of the Comfort Inn South which is threatened.   The Coastal Resources Commission is demanding that sand bags be removed despite the resolution that the Board of Commissioners passed in support of protection.  Other newly built properties are being issued permits for sand bags.  She urged Commissioners to find a way to protect and energize efforts to protect the beaches and work with Senator Basnight and Representative Spear to find real and immediate solutions.   

ITEM 4 – PRESENTATION FROM THE CREATE THE FUTURE COMMITTEE

Paul Tine, representing the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce’s Create the Future Committee came forward to talk about the economy.  He said that people are losing their jobs, their homes, and their retirement.  The local economy is dependent on tourism and the Committee is working to forge a vision to carry into the next century.  The Create the Future is working to be the economic and entrepreneurial drivers for the new global based economy.  If successful, every segment will be positively impacted.  Areas of focus include creating a vision (collaborative website is being developed), actively coordinating existing resources (many people already working in line with what is being proposed), assisting local education system to develop necessary job skills for the future, and creating the right information technology infrastructure.  The information technology infrastructure is the area in which they are asking the county to partner with them.  They hope to hire a coordinator to oversee these efforts.  No money is being requested at this time.  Questions regarding challenges and knowledge based economics were answered.  Chairman Judge encouraged the Board to embrace the initiative and to offer resources and expertise from the County’s IT Department to assist the Committee in their efforts. 

ITEM 5 – PROCLAMATION – 2008 GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT

Hunter Trotman, Nistosha Murray, and Lauren Bateman, Peer Power Students from Manteo High School, as well as Casey Rollinson, Sommer Moore, and Kourtney Trott, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) members from Manteo High School, and, Lisa Phillips, Touch No Tobacco (TNT) staff member, came before the Board to make a presentation regarding the 2008 Great American Smokeout on November 20^th. Reena Roberts, cancer survivor from the group Survivors and Victims of Tobacco Empowerment read the proclamation.  Following the presentation, Commissioners adopted the Proclamation as presented. 

ITEM 6 – PROCLAMATION – NATIONAL HOME CARE AND HOSPICE MONTH

Ellie Ward of Dare Home Health and Hospice introduced Norm Youngsteadt and his daughter, Susan, to talk about how important the Home Health program has been to them.  Ms. Ward read the proclamation declaring November as National Home Care and Hospice Month and Commissioners adopted the Proclamation as presented. 

ITEM 7 – PROCLAMATION – NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER MONTH

Ellie Ward spoke about the Dare County Respite Care Program which is currently serving 17 local families.  The holidays are a difficult time for family care givers.  Catherine Smith, Albemarle Commission Area Agency on Aging, gave a presentation about ways that the community can support care givers and then read the proclamation declaring November as National Family Caregiver Month.  Commissioners adopted the Proclamation as presented. 

ITEM 8 – PRELIMINARY PLAT REVIEW – LAKE BURNSIDE SUBDIVISION

Planning Director Ray Sturza presented a proposal for Lake Burnside Subdivision, a 6 lot minor subdivision to be located outside of Manteo on Roanoke Island.

Commissioners approved the preliminary plat for Lake Burnside Subdivision as presented. 

ITEM 9 – JOSEPH KIELY CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR GROUP DEVELOPMENT

Planning Director Ray Sturza presented the CUP for a proposed 4-bedroom residence to be built on a lot with an existing residence. Because there will be more than one residence on the same lot, the proposal constitutes a group development and must undergo a conditional review.

Commissioners approved the site plan and draft CUP as presented for Joseph K. and Kellie Kiely. 

ITEM 10 – IG HOLDINGS LLC CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR GROUP DEVELOPMENT

Planning Director Ray Sturza presented the CUP and site plan for IG Holdings LLC for a group development consisting of two buildings: 1) an existing retail building, and 2) a residential structure with the intended use of employee housing.

Commissioner Burrus noted that they are not abiding by rules already established for the property such as signage, lighting and display of items. 

Following discussion, Commissioners approved the site plan and CUP for IG Holdings LLC.  

ITEM 12 – BARRY CRUM C-3 ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT REQUEST TO ADD BIO-DIESEL FUEL PRODUCTION

Planning Director Ray Sturza presented a proposal to add biodiesel fuel production facilities to the list of conditional uses for the C-3 zoning district. He asked the Board to schedule a public hearing for December 1, 2008 at 10;00 a.m. to allow the public the opportunity to express their views on the issue.

Commissioners voted to schedule a public hearing for December 1, 2008, regarding adding biodiesel production facilities to the list of conditional uses for the C-3 zoning district. 

ITEM 13 – RENEWAL OF SOLID WASTE CONTRACT AND SUBORDINATE AGREEMENTS WITH REPUBLIC SERVICES

County Attorney, Bobby Outten, presented the Solid Waste contract and subordinate agreements with Republic Services.  He said that the agreements have been negotiated with the Albemarle Regional Solid Waste Management Authority.  He noted that the new agreement is for a term of 26 years, assuming that Bertie County allows Republic to move forward with their planned expansion.  

Commissioners voted to approve the Waste Supply and Disposal Agreement, the Member Waste Management Agreement, and the Agreement for Operation of Transfer Station as presented. 

ITEM 14 – CAPITAL PROJECT ORDINANCE AMENDMENT FOR COA ROANOKE ISLAND CAMPUS PROJECT

David Clawson, Finance Director, presented an amendment to the capital project ordinance due to the Board lowering the project amount of the College of the Albemarle Roanoke Island Campus project by $500,000 as a result of favorable bid results. The amendment reduces the project amount and amount to be financed by $500,000.

Commissioners adopted the amendment to the capital project ordinance as presented.

ITEM 15 – RESOLUTION SUPPORTING SAND REPLACEMENT AT JENNETTE’S PIER

County Attorney Outten presented a resolution supporting the sand replacement at Jennette’s Pier due to beach erosion from recent storms.  Commissioners adopted the resolution as presented.  

ITEM 16 – UPDATE ON REPLACEMENT OF THE OREGON INLET BRIDGE

According to Vice Chairman Allen Burrus, things are moving ahead fairly well.  DOT hopes to start putting in pilings by May or June of next year.   

ITEM 17 – CONSENT AGENDA

Commissioners approved the Consent Agenda:

1.    Approval of Minutes 

ITEM 18 – BOARD APPOINTMENTS

1.    Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee

Commissioners appointed Steve Jennette to fill the unexpired term of Jackie Wenberg.

2.    Fessenden Center Advisory Board

Commissioners appointed Steve Jennette to fill the unexpired term of Ken Wenberg.

3.    Dare County Youth Council

Commissioners appointed Blake Taft to serve a three-year term to fill the vacancy as a youth representative on Hatteras Island, to reappoint Luke McDonald and Lauren Martinez for one-year terms as Youth Representatives, to reappoint Hillary Netsch for a two-year term as a Youth Representative, to reappoint Gail Hutchison, Kerri Simmons, and Skipper Hines for one-year terms, and Kathy Burrus and Kat Irby for two-year terms. This leaves vacant the seats of Kasey Rabar, Tyler Reber, Megan Binkley, Kaitlyn Hudgins, and Loretta Michael. 

ITEM 19 – COMMISSIONERS’ BUSINESS

Chairman Judge thanked Michelle Pharr for coming in to discuss the condition of our oceanfront.  He recommended writing a letter to Senator Basnight and Rep. Spear to ask for some answers regarding the state’s commitment and how regulations might be unlocked.  The County has been working on a federal nourishment project  -- the county has a mature project that is permitted and engineered.  It has been moved to the construction side and has received some construction funds.  It is the only mature federal nourishment project, but it has not been funded adequately.  He has contacted Congressman Mike McIntyre’s office to discuss a meeting about how to get funding since McIntyre he was successful in obtaining funding for renourishment projects in his district. 

Commissioner Richard Johnson – Regarding beach nourishment, he suggested  sending a resolution to the state asking them to address sand bags.  It needs to be strong and express that people on lakes and rivers are allowed to protect their property and people along the ocean should be able to also.  He thinks the Board could approve it today so that it can be mailed as soon as possible.  The Board approved this.  Vice Chairman Burrus suggested circulating this to the coastal counties, towns and cities since it might generate more support if other areas receive it.   

He has many people who have talked with him about problems at the Tourist Bureau.  He would like all entities to submit at least three nominees as their representative when their seat becomes available, with no preference to priority.  Make it clear that there is no obligation to choose the person at the top of the list.  County Attorney will look into legislation to determine if we can require this.

The County Manager Terry Wheeler is retiring next summer and the Board needs to decide how they will move forward. 

The County needs to look at the possibility of freezing the budget and getting approval for departments to spend travel money.  Next year will be tough if we do not begin to address it now.  Give Dave, Terry and Bobby the opportunity to look at non-essentials in the budget and require approval before spending in those areas. Staff is monitoring on a daily basis and will request appropriate action when necessary.

He felt that the first economic summit was enlightening and very good.  It was a start and there is a need to continue looking at it from a broader perspective.  Perhaps follow up on 4 or 5 items that were discussed.  There are problems in all segments of the economy but there are areas of hope. Need to look at building a vision for what we want and the direction that we want to head.

He was very proud of the students that presented information about smoking.  He did not realize that formaldehyde was a by-product of smoking.  

Commissioner Jack Shea – expressed appreciation to two employees receiving service pins and Neal Dennis, Employee of the Month. 

He does not understand why state and federal representatives do not understand the importance of the seashore.  The beaches are sources of money for necessary projects in all areas.  The Board needs to support maintenance of beaches.

The presentation about Home Health and Hospice makes the work that he does as a Commissioner worthwhile.   

Commissioner Max Dutton – appreciates the service pin recipients and the employee of the month.

The Peer Power Students that made the presentation – thank you for providing such an important message.  Home Health and Hospice – thanks to the angels that provide this important service.

Be sure to honor veterans on November 11, Veteran’s Day.

Chairman Warren Judge – To follow up on the economic summit, a small group from the economic summit will convene to address some of the issues that were identified.

Committee on beach access  - first meeting went well.  The last meeting took somewhat of a u-turn.  Dorothy has been tasked with developing a website for the initiative.  Commissioner Jack Shea and Chairman Judge have written letters to the editors and editorials relating to the issue.  It is a quiet issue now because the beaches are open but March 1 is the beginning of pre-nesting season and closures could begin much earlier than they did this year because the Consent Decree did not go into effect until May 1.

ATTORNEY’S BUSINESS

No business 

MANAGER’S BUSINESS

No business 

ITEM 20 – UPCOMING BOARD APPOINTMENTS FOR DECEMBER

The upcoming Board appointments for December are:

1.    Board of Equalization and Review

2.    Parks and Recreational Advisory Council

3.    Special  Motor Vehicle Valuation Review Board

4.    Tourism Board

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