Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

January 5th, 2026. At this time, I'd like to um ask the Reverend Sherry Wheeler to come forward and give us an invocation. Welcome this morning.

Thank you. Happy new year. Let us join our hearts together in prayer. Gracious God, we come before you with thanksgiving for new beginnings, a new year. As we seek to follow the light you provide, may we go forward in faith. As we move closer to our 250th anniversary as a nation, we are thankful for your divine providence that guided our founding leaders. May you continue to inspire and guide our national leadership in 2026. Closer to home, we ask that you guide the employees who keep Dare County functioning. For those who serve on the numerous boards or who will be appointed today, order their thoughts and actions. For our commissioners, continue to work in and through them. For all those who live, work, and play in the OBX. Thank you for those who have served this county for many years. and continue to bring excellence in all they do. Thank you for those who competed for employee of the month, each one excelling in their departments, representing our county well. Finally, oh God, we are thankful that our military and law enforcement officers who are part of the action in Venezuela were protected from harm's way. As the Venezuelan citizens realize they can now write a new future for their country, we ask that you order their steps as they return to a democracy and a place of freedom, something that has been lacking for a generation. We move into 2026 with hope for a future we all can celebrate. In thanksgiving this day, we pray. Amen.

Amen. Thank you, Reverend Will. May we stand for the pledge. Algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

County manager.

Happy new year, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. Um, first on the agenda is the chairman's opening remarks. Thank you, county manager. Thank you all for your patience this morning. Uh a little running a little bit behind because of some uh technical difficulties, but I think we got them worked out now. Um I'd like to uh recognize uh the chair of the Dair County Board of Education, Mr. uh David Twitty's here with us this morning. David, thank you for being here. Um, as you all know, I like to start with a little humor. So, um, I'll tell you about a friend of mine. Um, ever since he was a child, um, he always had a fear of something underneath his bed at nighttime. So, he went to a local psychiatrist and told him, he said, "Doc," he said, he said, "I got a problem. Every time I go to bed, I think there's somebody underneath it. I'm scared. I think I'm going crazy. Just put yourself in my hands for one year, the doctor said. Come talk to me three times a week and we should be able to get rid of these fears. So, reluctantly, my friend said, "Well, how much do you charge?" He said, "Well, it's $80 a visit." He said, "Let me sleep on it and if I need to, I'll get back to you." Well, it's about six months later and the psychiatrist met him on the street one day and said, "Why didn't you come to see me about the fears you were having?" He asked, he said, "Well, doctor, be honest with you. $80 a vid visit three times a week for a year is an awful lot of money."

He said, 'I'm going to be honest with you. He said, a bartender cured me for 10 b 10 bucks. He said, 'I was so happy to have saved all that money that I went out and bought myself a SUV. The physician, the psychiatrist said in a little bit of an attitude, he said, "Well, how in the world, if you don't mind, did a bartender cure you for $10?" He said, he told me to cut the legs off the bed. Actually, I like that, Mr. Chairman. I like that.

I don't make them up. I just tell them um mark your calendars for um the 35th local Martin Luther King uh celebration this year. It'll be held on Saturday, January the 17th at 11:00 am uh at the Rono Island Presbyterian Church right here in Mano. Uh this year's program is going to be a musical uh extravaganza with performances by and I know most of you will know this group. They've been here a long long time. Echoes of Heritage and and the Encian Music Academy. So um this event's open to the public and they will have light refreshments will be served after that event. So, mark your calendars for January the 17th at 11:00 a.m. uh Saturday. Also, mark your calendars. Uh the I'm working uh we've been working for about a month now, myself and public information office, Miss Esther, on the annual state of the county address. Um this year it will be held on March the 18th. Um and uh that's a Wednesday morning. We'll be notifying the getting something out very soon about that so you can register. And once again it'll be held uh at Captain George's restaurant. I believe we start at 800 a.m. Dorothy.

Yeah. So

yeah.

Yeah. And tickets are cheap, folks. And it sells out quick. It's like 10 bucks. So um um I always enjoy doing that. and I have a fidiciary responsibility to I feel personally to do a state in the county uh and um share that with the public annually. Uh the next thing I have this morning, it's uh honor to um um recognize our Mano High School soccer team. um 20 and4 I believe and they um have topped the season off culminating in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's 2A state championship. What a great um accomplishment from this soccer team. I want to also recognize um Chad Lur who's the AD um at Mano and certainly last but not least the coach Ralph Ralph Clever. Uh I'd like to come down and make a presentation to you guys if if you don't mind. So I'll head down front. Come on up. This is a certificate of appreciation from the D County Board of Commissioners to the Mano High School men's soccer

team. And it says, "In recognition of their outstanding achievement in winning the 2025 North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2A State Championship on Friday, November the 21st, 2025. The skill, determination, and teamwork demonstrated through a remarkable 20 and4 season culminated in the championship victory, exemplifying the high standards of sportsmanship and bringing incredible sense of pride to Manio High School in the entire D County community. And it's signed by myself as chairman of D County Board of Commissioners. our board of commissioners extend our um grateful recognition for your accomplishments in many of so keep up the good work. We got any seniors in the crowd.

We we still got half the team in so you all got to bring it back again next year. So coach AD guys congratulations. Thank you.

Appreciate it. CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS. It's quite an accomplishment for our young men. It's u it's always great to recognize our their accomplishments and u and u we appreciate y'all being here this morning. I have one last thing that I'd like to share with you before we move on. And um this is uh really personal to me uh sad, but the Octavio family who is a long time business owner family in our community and residents here for many many many years. Had a personal relationship with them for over 30 years. um just recently lost uh their son Matthew at age 43 years of age. Um I'd like to um extend once again my condolences to the Octavio family and um if you'll keep them in your thoughts and

prayers during this most difficult time. At this time, I'd just like to ask for a moment of silence. Thank you, county manager.

So, Mr. Chair, that brings us to item two on the agenda, and this is the presentation of our service pins. We have 50 years of service, I think, represented this morning. Uh, first on the list is Michelle Salter. Here to receive a tenure pin from Chenny Collins. Good morning and welcome ladies.

Good morning. Happy new year. So I'd like to um introduce Gina Michelle Salter to you. Um Michelle when she started out in EMS, she wanted to get into healthc care and she needed to do a career change to do that and her avenue for that was um to go to night school um and went to EMT school because she was working during the day. Um and she did that and following that she started part-time with Dair MS in 2015 and went transitioned to full-time in 2016. um not being settled just to be an EMT, she uh continued to advance her career um be becoming an advanced EMT later in 2016 and we had to um push her a little bit, but she wanted to get to that paramedic level. She did that in 2019. Um was proud to promote her in 2023. She's a shift supervisor staffing one of our quick response vehicles, our QRV. Um, and she not being idle, this is one person you will not find sitting still through the station. In fact, I think she was just uh painting the interior walls down at station 3 pretty much by herself because they look dingy and she wanted them to freshen them up. And um so but during COVID she went and um got her uh associates degree from COA um and then not being settled with that she went rolled right into Western Carolina University and she graduated um May of 25 with her bachelor's in emergency medical care. Um so she is not an idol person. She lives on Hatteris Island. Um she's been there since 92. Um she's married. Her husband is with her

today in the audience. He's a Navy veteran and a retired captain from the ferry division also. And she has one with UPS. So Michelle, um thank you very much for 10 years and many many more to come. RIGHT. ACTUALLY, Josh McKenna would come forward to receive his 10-year pin.

Y'all gonna hear me a few times today. Josh, um this is Lieutenant Josh McKenna. Um he started off, as many of EMS folks do, in um in ocean rescue. And so she he was ocean rescue with KDH. Um, and he would come here on summer break d star d star d star d star d star d star d star d star d star d star daring from college and he would lifeguard with them which started him into liking EMS with the interactions with ocean rescue and he took an EMT class and after college graduation um his wife who grew up on the Outer Banks he moved to Dare County full-time and he joined Dare County EMS again he also continued to advance his certification getting his advanced EMT and then on to paramedics. And he was with the county for seven years. And then him and his wife um had a different calling that they went into the foreign mission uh field and moved to India um for four years um and did mission work. After those four years, he came back to Dare County, wanted back with Dair County EMS and so part-time again in 2015 and then rejoined full-time ranks in 2016. So, while this is a 10-year pin, he has 17 years total service with us um in the county. He was on medflight for four years as a flight paramedic. Um he was promoted to lieutenant in 2021. He's also a shift shift supervisor on a QRV, but currently we have him uh detailed over. He is a lead instructor for the paramedic academy that we have going on in partnership with COA. Um, and this is the second time um that we've run this paramedic academy and the second time that Josh has been the lead instructor there. Um, so Josh um the the interesting thing with Josh, he wants to

field his his own sports team. He has six kids and um they're they're all great. They often show up to um department functions. Um so but thank you very much for what is 17 years. um with you but 10 years on this page. That's right. That's right. Thank you. So, thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you.

Next, if Philip Merrill would come forward to see his 15year-old.

This is EMS day.

It is lots of experience. Um, so this is EMT Philip Merrill. He was actually born in Portsouth, Virginia. Um, but his family always owned a house um, down here in the Outer Banks. And when he turned 18, coming from a family of public safety where they were all firefighters though, um, he decided that that was his calling too into public safety. So, he started out as a volunteer firefighter. Um, and then he goes, "Hey, this EMS stuff is kind of fun and that's a lot of the calls that we run." And so he took that um progression and went to EMT school and that he really liked the feeling of helping the sick and the injured. Um he started riding along with DARE EMS and then he transitioned to full-time employment with us as an EMT. Um, Philip's one of those folks whenever we have an open house or even when he's running calls, he loves to engage with the public, especially the kids, because he understands how intimidating healthc care can be and people in uniforms. And so, he takes that extra step to put himself into their shoes being nervous and uh anxious and really works to make sure that they are feeling comfortable with others. Um he is one that loves to have students um ride along with us because he likes to share that information with them um and make them understand, you know, why we do some of the things that we do and he's always doing it with a lot of positivity. Um Philip is also married and he has two kids. Um and so Philip for 15 years of service, thank you very very much and lots more. Next, if Paula Rodriguez would come

forward to receive her 15-year pin from Stephanie Wright,

welcome this morning, ladies. Good morning. Happy New Year. Okay. Sorry, it's my first time doing this. I'm a little nervous. Um, I've been with the agency for a short time, but um, in that time I've witnessed your dedication, your commitment, and your professionalism and to the people that we serve in our community, and I'm extremely grateful to work alongside you. Um, Paul has been with the agency for 15 years. Um, she's well verssed in a lot of programs, which I'm grateful for as well. Um, and I'm we just want to congratulate you. Um, I know this is a big accomplishment for you, and I know you said you had two five years and a 10 year. Is that what you say? So, I just want to say how grateful we are and congratulations on your 15 years. Thank you.

Next, we'll have we'll have two employee of the month uh presentations. First is our December employee of the month, and that'll be presented by Chuck Lice.

Welcome. this morning, Chuck.

Morning, Chairman Woodard. Commissioners didn't make the print big enough today. Laura Kler Brown is an inhome social worker in the child protective services unit in at social services. In the life of a child protective services case, Laura works with families following the finding of abuse or neglect and there are moderate or high risk to the safety and well-being of children in the home. Through regular contact with the family, sometimes weekly, Laura is challenged keeping children safely in their home by strengthening families, focusing on safety, support, and nurturing and connecting the family to community resources. By reducing the risk of harm, Laura works with the family to prevent the children from being placed in the foster care. Families are not static. They are dynamic. Continual progress for several weeks can be derailed by a new crisis. What you and I perceive as minor is often a huge impact for families. Managing a case load of a few families, each with their own dynamics and crises, can be overwhelming. For over a year, Laura has been our only in-home social worker, managing the work of two social workers. This is no small task. In addition to meeting with families in their homes, ensuring the family is addressing the um in addressing the well-being needs of the children, and following up with therapists and providers regarding the family's progress, Laura is required to complete statemandated paperwork within specified timelines. Laura is warm and understanding and makes parents feel comfortable. The service Laura provides is not a voluntary one. However, the families she work with works with come to appreciate the care and concern she has for their family. She finds commonalities that allow parents to feel at ease, and she is always open and honest, even when the message may be hard to hear. Laura meets with families before and after business

hours and on weekends. It's not unusual for her to meet a parent at 7:30 p.m. or on a Sunday afternoon. She juggles working late hours with meeting the needs of her own family, which includes a teen in high school. Her innate ability to make connections with people extends beyond the families with whom she works. She also connects with her colleagues, t taking time to check in with them to see how they are doing. She has been a great fit to a unit who works together to care for our families. I will share share two examples of Laura's work. At one home visit, Laura accompanied another social worker and met a temporary roommate and her newborn who was staying with the family that social services was providing services to. Laura became the baby whisperer and was able to share techniques with the new mother on how to hold and soo the baby who was experiencing collic. Laura not only forged a positive relationship with the family that was the focus of the home visit, but she demonstrated kindness and empathy to another young mother with whom she crossed paths with. In another example on how Laura cares and connects, a child on her case load had never been to summer camp. The camp took pictures of the child and shared them with Laura who made the scrapbook for his camp pictures. Laura represents Deer County well. Please join me in congratulating Dirk County's December employee of the month, Laura Kler Brown.

Oh my god. You're

hang on. Chuck Chuck Laura, I read Dr. Davy's reports and not to slight any of our county employees, but what I just heard and what I've read in the reports, thank you so very much for what you do. It is truly an amazing job. So, thank you. Thank you.

Next, we have our January employee of the month. And if Jenny Collins would come forward for that presentation, I promise I think this is the last question.

Well, we had the uh I mentioned when I gave Josh his service pen that the paramedic academy students were here. Um, but they're also here for another reason. And this person doesn't know that I'm about ready to call their name, but um, Shay Brit, would you please come up? Boy, what a pretty color of red she's got. Um this is uh Kristen Shea Britt. Um her father also worked for EMS. Uh Chuck Early who's a retired lieutenant with us. But let me talk a little bit about Shay. And this is absolutely making her cringe because Sheay likes to just hide into the blend into the wallpaper. But we hired her full-time as an EMT in April of 2017. She became an advanced EMT in 2019 and we did some pushing because we knew that she had it in her but she is currently enrolled in the paramedic academy which they are um expected to graduate in April of this year. She was nominated for one her initiative and dedication and selfless service. She is always that quiet person in the background but is in wants to do everything to make the department and the county successful. She loves working again with new hires, students, colleagues. She readily shares um information and hands-on training and she's one of the most positive folks. Um and she's just pleasant to be around and so she just attracts people wanting to work with her. um her contributions in both orientations, continuing education

events because she does come in and and teach us some of our labs and our our CE events and our open houses. In fact, last year open house, many of you stopped by and one of the stations was this huge teddy bear. Um, and she termed it um, Boo Boo Bear that she had um, pried away from her kids and the the kids coming through the open house could bandage Boo Boo Bear and learn about uh, first aid and things like that. Um, Friendsgiving, which is one of the events that we do internally, she had organized a pumpkin painting thing with her colleagues. Um, she went to a career fair at First Flight High School when she had on her own made this frequently asked questions about jobs in EMS and things and she was handling handing those out to the students and she just does everything and we see her at KidsFest and Dare Day and all the st uh special events. Um but being that extra special person where she's always um helping she's one of our field training officers for EMT uh preceptor for the schools and that enthusiasm of proactivity is always on display. Um she's one of those ones that I get a lot of thank you cards from customers uh patients um of the service and Shay's one of those folks that gets pulled out by name a lot of times with in these thank you notes because she makes that much of an impact on people. Well, one of the things that um I'm going to talk about was something she was off duty for. Um, you know, it's one thing to expect to provide aid to people when you're on duty. Um, but when you're off duty in a restaurant, um, trying to have a meal with your family and she ears pick up something, commotion going on

behind her, um, and she turned around and in the booth sitting behind them was an 18-month-old that was barely conscious, turning blue and not breathing um, and was choking on food. So, without hesitation, she got up. She told him to uh the family member to call 911 and she began life-saving care on the 18-month-old. She performed back blows and abdominal thrust and the the baby went totally unconscious. Um and that changes how you start to um provide what you commonly known as the himlink maneuver, but it increased um chest compressions when the child is unresponsive. Her rapid and skilled response dislodged the airway obstruction, allowing the child to resume breathing, gradly regained consciousness, and before the arrival of the onduty ambulance, the child was conscious, pinkedked up again, and alive because of what Sheay did um and that selfless act. Um she stayed calm, um was very decisive and prevented a tragic outcome. Sheay is a proud wife and mother as she's a role model to her peers and an advocate for anybody needing anything and we are certainly proud of her. So Shay for everything that you do it is I'm happy for to present this for January 2026 employee of the month. Thank you. and down right here. Right here.

Before we go to public comment, those of you that received an award this morning, please go right out through this door so Caitlyn can get a picture. We'll wait a second for the room to clear. a comment this morning and you've not signed up, raise your hand and I'll recognize you. When I do, please come to the podium, state your name and where you're from. Uh, please limit your comments to 5 minutes. There's a green light on the podium that'll come on when your time begins. There's a yellow light on the podium that'll come on when you have about a minute left. And when the red light comes on, please conclude your remarks. I do not have any signups. Is there anyone like to speak at public comment this morning?

I see no hands here. Is there anyone in Buckton that would like to speak at public comment? No comment from Buckton. With that, Mr. Chairman, we close the public comment and we'd move on to item five in the agenda. Uh, this is an update from the America 250 committee and I'll turn that over to Dorothy.

Welcome this morning, Dorothy.

Thank you very much. It's a pleasure to be here. Uh, happy new year to to each of you as we begin 2026. The Dare County uh America 250 initiative will move from planning to implementation. You all established the local committee in November of 2024. So, we've been working meeting monthly um to get things ready and we're now in the the official year of um this milestone year where we'll commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation while highlighting Dare County's unique role in America's history. So, to start off, I'd like to show y'all a video that just was recently released. In 2026, America will celebrate a remarkable milestone. 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Communities across the country are reflecting on our shared past, honoring freedom, democracy, and opportunity, and exploring how the journey that began in 1776 continues to shape our lives today. Here in Dare County, the land of beginnings, our story is woven deeply into the American experience. From the first English settlement to the birthplace of powered flight, Dare County is known for iconic firsts. and our region and its people are defined by exploration, innovation, and resilience. To help our community stay connected throughout the A250 celebration, DAR County has launched a dedicated website, dare a250.org. Here you'll find everything you need to know about America's 250th celebrations in Dair County, including an overview of our A250 initiative, a growing calendar of A250 themed events, stories featuring

key people and places that have shaped Dair County's history, and a variety of ways you can participate. You can also sign up for the monthly A250 newsletter where we'll share important updates, engaging stories, and various opportunities to get involved. Dair County's role as the land of the beginnings makes the 250th anniversary celebrations especially meaningful. Our region is home to centuries of remarkable stories. From early coastal explorers who landed on Rowan Oak Island in the 16th century to the heroic crews of the Chikam Makcomo life saving station to the Wright brothers who achieved the first powered flight and forever changed the course of history. As part of the A250 initiative, we are launching the A250 Passport program to help residents and visitors explore our county's unique history firsthand. The passport features an assortment of stops across Dair County, including museums, historic sites, cultural centers, and natural landmarks. Participants can collect a stamp and learn something new at every stop, while also discovering more about the people and places that have shaped our area. Historic highlights are also available online at dare250.org/pasport where we'll share stories of the people by the sea.

The A250 celebration will span the entire year and organizations throughout Dair County are planning a full lineup of themed events from festivals and educational programs to commemorative activities and community gatherings. The Kelly St. Patrick's parade in March will kick off Dar County's A250 celebrations, bringing the community together in a spirited, family-friendly tradition. The excitement continues in April with Dair County's A250 fair, which is themed Life, Liberty, and Liftoff in the Land of Beginnings, and is designed to be an engaging community celebration for residents and visitors of all ages. If your organization or group is planning a race, festival, exhibit, parade, performance, or other event that celebrates our nation's history and heritage, you can submit it at dare250.org/events to be included in our official A250 event calendar. Volunteers will also play a huge role in Dair County's A250 celebrations. Whether it's sharing local history, supporting key events, or helping out behind the scenes, there are many ways for members of the community to get involved. Together, we can make 2026 a celebration that reflects the heart of Dare County. Learn more about all these opportunities at dare250.org/volunteer. In 2026, Darra County schools will join the A250 effort with a variety of educational programs and activities designed to help students connect with this moment in our nation's history. Our teachers are preparing A250 themed lessons, special projects, and creative learning experiences highlighting both national events and local history. We're also exploring opportunities for student contest, classroom grants, and partnerships that bring history to life in meaningful ways. We look forward to sharing more with families as details are finalized. Dear County is proud to

be a part of America's story. As we prepare for the semiquincential in 2026, we invite you to join us in celebrating our history, heritage, and the enduring spirit of freedom that continues to define and move our community forward.

Nice video, isn't it? Yes, very nice. Get you excited,

Caitlyn. Nice job on the narration. Good stuff. to to all of the folks that were in the video. They did a great job. I'm going to introduce some of the committee members that are here today because I cannot say enough about the group that we have working together to to pull this together for for the community. So, we're going to try to keep this brief today. Um you're going to hear from members of each of our subcommittees to provide a snapshot of the progress that's been made and what's ahead. Um before I do that, I think I'll go ahead and ask those who are here that are part of our committee to stand. Um Brenda, who's down on the end, is the co-chair. She's with Daughters of the American Revolution and um she's also chairing the uh Children and Youth Subcommittee. Cole and Sue are also with Daughters of the American Revolution. You probably know Kristen Stilson who's our GIS coordinator, Jeff Schwartzenberg from the Visitors Bureau, Tammy Woodward from the History Center, Austin Paul with Jockey Ridge State Park, Carrie Boyce back there in red who's the um interim director of Rona Island Festival Park. Lauren, I didn't forget you from the town of Kittyhawk. and Megan, of course, our librarian, our county librarian. Um, this isn't everyone who's serving, but a lot of these people are key players in the work that that's getting done. And all of the towns have representatives and we have a number of other organizations. So, while a lot of people think this is Dare Countyy's initiative, we did put together the committee, but there is a wide representation

um of the community involved. So, at this point, I'm going to go ahead and ask the subcommittees to come forward. And first will be our history subcommittee that's led by Tammy Woodward.

Good morning, chairman, commissioners. My name is Tammy Woodward. I'm with the Outer Banks History Center here in Mano. We're at the eastern branch of the state archives. Um, first I'd like to recognize my fellow history subcommittee members if I may. Um, Brian Edwards who is not here is um from College of the Albamaro. Um, also Lad Bis who is the um director of Island Farm. She could not be with us today. But with me today is Austin Paul from uh Jockeyy's Ridge State Park and Megan Beasley from um the Dare County Libraries. And then also Kristen. Oh, you're behind you now. She's going to help me present for the history subcommittee. Um she's with Dare County D uh GIS. Um so our first order of business for this history subcommittee was to create a timeline of Dair County history going back to as far as the records go the 16th century. So we um researched and formulated this document over the beginning of 2025 and then from that document we pulled 28 historic sites um mostly that because they still exist a lot of the history timeline those those sites no longer exist. So we've picked 28 key sites that we could then plot on a map. Um with those 28 sites we sourced um imagery and wrote historical narratives. tried to be as short as possible so that they could fit on the map. And um both the subcommittee members in the history subcommittee helped with the narratives and sourcing the imagery as well as volunteers from the greater committee and members of the public. We got volunteers that are experts on these different subjects to help us write these narratives and formulate the map. So Kristen, if you want to come up. Kristen's going to help us demonstrate this beautiful map that we created and also introduce the passport for of history program and Caitlyn is going to

help me since the computer is not here. So, we created a map with the 28 locations and as you scroll through the map, the map zooms around Dare County to the location. Um, she's going to scroll a little bit with we there was probably about 30 different people that contributed to writeups, photos. This map is in collaboration with I mean the history center, the National Park Service, just um citizens of the county like Nancy Gay helped us. Um, it's a big effort from everybody. So, as you scroll around, the map moves and then even as you click on pictures, if they take you to different locations, the map will move to different locations throughout the county. Um, most of the writeups, thank you, Caitlyn. Most of the writeups are expandable, so you see the see more um and there's a lot more of the story there. And

some of them are longer than others. Yes, some are a lot longer than others. We did give everybody um a little bit of a limit, but a lot of sites just required a little bit more. Um so then some of the locations at the bottom you'll see the little icon that we created. It's a Deer County passport stamp. And so out of these 28, there are 13 locations um that you can visit and you get a virtual stamp. There is a sign like this at each of the 13 locations and you scan the QR code with your phone and you just fill out a simple form. It's your name and your email address. At the end, based on how many you get, you'll get a certificate. Um, it's from one of the founding fathers that signed the Declaration of Independence. So, if you get all 13, you'll be a John Hancock. Um, then a Thomas Jefferson, a Ben Franklin, a John Adams, or a Samuel Adams. Um, everybody will get one. Everyone that does come. Yes, there are five of them floating around up there. Everyone will get one.

I'm Christian's assistant.

Thank you. I have many today. The 13 locations we chose, we had a criteria. They needed to be accessible to the public. Um, they needed to be open at least most of the time. Um, and have a location for us to hang the sign where people can visit it. Um, and we chose the one of the Southern Shores Flattops houses. Um, it's owned by the town of Southern Shores. It was donated to them. The Icarus Monument and Kittyhawk. We have the Wright Memorial, Jockeyy's Ridge, Fort Raleigh Historic Site, Island Farm, P Island Cook House, Bethany Church, um, Buffalo City. So, all the way back in East Lake down that road there's a sign and it already has people signed up. um Chicka Makamico Life-Saving Station and Graveyard of the Atlantic. So, we did try and represent all areas of Dair County as much as we possibly could in a condensed format. But the passport program ran it runs from January 1st and it ends on November 18th, which is GIS day. And after that, we'll compile um the list of how many each person completed and we'll email your certificates.

And that's it. Thank you. That is neat. Very neat. Thank you. I hope you'll all participate and maybe in November or December we can present your certificates in person at a meeting. Wouldn't that be fun? No pressure. Hunter. Why don't we just keep it between us and not say it out loud? I would like a special Thomas Nelson certificate. Okay. Um, Brenda's not feeling um, Brenda who chairs the schools and youth. You sure

you're going to do it? Okay. She's not feeling great. So, um, be go easy on her. Good morning. Happy New Year. My name is Brenda Shore and I'm actually a resident of Mano. Um I'm excited to be part of the AT50 committee and looking forward to the committee's hard work being seen and to the celebration of our country's 250 years. What you saw is a preview. Unbelievable the work that's been done. One of the original and continued goals of the committee is to make sure that the entire community is part of the celebration. And this means all people of all ages where our youth is essential to the community culture and it is they who will actually be here to witness the future of our country. To asssure that we have as much exposure as possible. We've engaged representatives from the various schools, public, charter, private, as well as working to include church groups, Boy Scouts, anyone else who has raised their hand and said, "We'd like to get involved." And part of our focus is to make sure that existing national and state resources are available to the teachers, parents and students. And there is a lot of resources. The other part of our focus is on developing programs that encourage the participation of our youth and schools. So included in our plans are educational grants that will be available to teachers to support the instruction of A250 history and events. Student art show engaging our young artists providing them with a forum to display their patriotic art at the fair. music program grants available to teachers for the development and preparation of patriotic music and student essay contest awards where the

students of Dare County can apply by preparing a response to a standard patriotic subject. We look forward to the year and providing wonderful memories of 2026 and the nation's 250th celebration to all of our young, whether young in age or young at heart. And as noted on one of the announcements, where were you in 1976? We want to be able to ask our students and our youth, where were you in 2026? Thanks for allowing us to share this. Carl Kernut is chairing the A250 fair committee and subcommittee and he is under the weather unfortunately because he is a theater guy and always gives a great presentation with lots of enthusiasm but I'm going to fill in for him and do my best. Um, the A250 fair will be Dare County's signature event commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary. It's scheduled for Saturday, April 18th from 1 to 9 at the Wright Brothers National Memorial. It will be free and family friendly and is co-sponsored by the National Park Service Outerbanks Group. Um, we're grateful for the support of our We have two presenting sponsors, Southern Bank and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. So, we very much appreciate um their support. Uh, we're working on a detailed site layout that um we actually went out, Carl went out last week, that might be why he's sick, and laid out all of the different areas that will be part of the event. And we're coordinating closely with the National Park Service. And we're also

reaching out for additional sponsorships because as you can imagine this is a large-scale event that's going to take um a lot of support, financial support. The A250 fair is going to celebrate Dare County's role in America's sto story through history, culture, and community engagement programming. There'll be programming throughout the day with local musicians, living history, demonstrations, storytelling sessions, and immersive experience that bring our past to life. The celebration will culminate in a grand finale production that brings together community groups in a shared presentation. So, we'll tell our history with live music and performances on stage. Vendor applications opened last week. We have five categories. We have food vendors, breweries and wineries, arts and crafts, retail businesses, and our many nonprofits. We hope to be represented as well. Priorities being given to um vendors from Dare County and our neighboring counties to reinforce our goal of showcasing local talent, businesses, and organizations. Dorothy, how many do you think we're going to get? If you have to prioritize there, that implies we'll have a lot of applications.

I think so. We've got That's great. I I was just curious if I think Do you want to know the numbers that are open for each, but No, I'm just curious if you had a anticipation. It sounds like a very strong response. We're hoping for I believe 40 arts and crafts, 40 nonprofits. Wow. 10 or 15 businesses, 10 food trucks, and I'm not sure about the breweries and wineries. Hopefully, we'll get for God's sake, follow up with them. Yes, we will. Good to have. But let's talk. You better believe it with these. We got a lot of go-getters. All right.

Okay. Planning is also underway for a thoughtful and appropriate VIP outreach effort. Uh there was a notation made for me that Miss America's been invited. Um and also elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels as well as nationally recogni recognized ceremonial guests like Miss America. Rep welcoming these distinguished representatives reflects the significance of our county's role in America's early history and it adds a meaningful presence to the event, I think. So we'll keep you posted. You all hopefully have it all on your have that date marked on your calendar. I think I had reached out and asked you to put that to add that. So, an event of this magnitude is only possible because of the dedication of many volunteers. Um, we're deeply grateful for the expertise, time, and leadership of Carl Kernut and the entire A250 festival committee. While this is our A250 committee that I was introducing, there are subcommittees that bring in a lot of other people. So, I want to make that I I want to make that distinction. And as we look ahead, there are going to be a lot of volunteers needed the day of the event and details on those opportunities will be forthcoming very soon. Um, I want to re say in a special a special thank thank you to the Outer Banks Women Club. That group is very engaged. They have tons of volunteers and they've already expressed their interest in being a part of this day and we look forward to working alongside them and with other community partners to make this historic celebration a success and truly an event to remember. So that's my report. Um, when I was introducing people, I did not introduce Caitlyn and that was an oversight

because Caitlyn is doing a ton of work. She and Jeff Schwarzenberg are chairing the marketing and outreach subcommittee. So, at this point, I'll turn it over to to them.

All right. Good morning. Good morning.

Bring this down for myself. So, I just wanted to list the members on our subcommittee just so you can see the reach that we have just on one little subcommittee alone. It's of course Jeff and myself. Um Stephanie from our Outerbanks Public O Dear County Public Relations, Jamie Whitley with the Town of Mano, Pattio Sullivan with Deer County Veteran Services, Robert Nielsen with the Southern Shores Town Council, Danny Couch, our former county commissioner of course, um Gray Parsons with the Secatan Alliance, Kane Nickens with the town of Duck, Lauren Garrett with the town of Kittyhawk, and Rachel Tacket with the town of Kildable Hills. So, we've really got a really involved group to really um help with our marketing and community engagement efforts. And that's what Jeff and I are going to speak with you a little bit about. So, first, if Kristen can help be my von White to showcase the DAR250 website. Our website is dare250.org. And you can see this is the homepage here. Just wanted to show up in the top right corner you'll see the um popup to subscribe to our newsletter. We're sending a monthly newsletter out. Um I'll go through that here shortly, but if you would, Kristen, in that upper right hand corner, the hamburger menu, if you will select um the maybe just the events page to start with. So Jeff's going to go through some of the qualifying events, but just to give you an overview of what this page is going to look like, um, people from the community can submit their events that qualify as A250 themed to be promoted on our website and in our engagement efforts. These are a few that we have currently. If you'll go to the next page, Kristen,

maybe the um fair page. Okay, this is the web page where if you wanted to volunteer, currently we're just gathering um general interest. If um folks would like to get involved with either the fair or any of our outreach events we're going to be coordinating, this is the form that you can fill out under the get involved page. And the next page, Kristen. All right. And so this is our fair web page. Um it has all the details that we have so far for our fair, some key features, what to expect, the timing, and then at the bottom of the page are all of the applications that Dorothy just mentioned. So, all of our um sponsorship information and packet and all of the different levels of vendor applications and they're all open. Um we sent our newsletter out this morning. So, that had the invitation for folks to go ahead and begin applying. I think we've received like four applications already. So, I think as you mentioned, Commissioner Ross, it's going to be quite popular. And if you'll show the passport page, maybe Kristen, I feel like that's one of the ones I'd like to show. So this is our passport program web page. So um this again was showcased today. Our passport program that Tammy and Kristen mentioned launched today. 13 sites. And this just gives folks an overview of what all those sites are and how they can participate. And then it links to the larger map that Kristen created in GIS that's interactive and lists those additional historic locations. All right. And then if you will um the I think it's the of the people by the seat form and that's the last one that I'll showcase on the site. So this is great. So working with the history subcommittee they are providing a historical topic

each month for us to include in our newsletter and it will also be housed on this page. And then if you'll scroll down just a little Kristen you'll see there's a form where folks can submit their own history. So, if you have a great photo about one of the historical topics that will be on this page, you can submit it this way. If you have a great, you know, story that your great-grandfather shared with you that you'd really like to share with the public, we're going to have this be sort of like a blog on the site where we can share living history of Deer County. And then I'll just showcase our January monthly newsletter really quickly. If you'll click on that next tab for me, Kristen. Should be the newsletter up there. Perfect. So, this was um sent out this morning at 7 a.m. our first official newsletter. We had sent an introductory email to all of our A250 subscribers, but each month we will have um a passport location spotlight. This one had the launch of our passport program, so it listed all of them. Um and then we'll have our DARE A250 fair news. So, something that you can expect when we book a performance, something to get folks excited about. And then we'll have a historical highlights, one of those features that our history subcommittee will contribute. And then our A250 um program and event spotlight. So, as we continue to receive those events from the public, we just received a 4K on 4th of July um to be added to our website. Those sorts of things will be featured here. And then educational curriculum updates from Brenda and the education subcommittee. they'll be providing, you know, when the art contests and grant programs and things like that launch, that will be featured as well. And then our DARE A250 videos, we currently have two on the website, one general that Dorothy showed before we began and then one specifically about the passport program. So, all of our towns are also um coordinating with us to make their

destination deer content with Current TV themed A250. So, they're all kind of digging into their records to find the historical topics they want to feature. And all those videos will also be housed on this website. And then just to really quickly tell you about the outreach we're going to do, um we will have some tables at markets with A250 branded um you know, swag and information, rat cards, flyers. We're going to do some digital ads on Facebook, on Google, Instagram to help promote the fair and the passport program. We've got ads reserved in the North Beach Sun and the Mile Post. And then we're also in the process of creating a media kit that will have social media graphics and email banners that anyone from the public can help us um by utilizing in their monthly newsletters. And I'll just hand it over to Jeff now to talk about his community engagement.

Thank you, Caitlyn. Good morning. Happy New Year. Well, as usual, Caitlyn pretty much has covered everything, including most of my stuff, and you saw the video, so I don't want to waste too much time, but I do just want to reiterate, uh, this is really going to take a huge community effort to pull this off. We have an incredible committee subcommittees. Uh, again, just reminders, the Kelly St. Patrick's parade on Sunday, March 15th, will really kick things off for us. And then as as Dorothy mentioned, the DARE A250 uh fair on Saturday, April 18th is really going to be the pinnacle of celebrations for this event this year. Volunteers, I know we talked about it a little bit before, you saw it in the video. Volunteers are going to be a huge component to what we uh need to pull off this uh these this year-long uh celebration of festivities. DARE250.org/volunteer. um whether it's sharing local history, supporting events, or really helping out behind the scenes, there's going to be a lot of hands-on deck needed for this. Uh last but not least, I know Caitlyn mentioned it, but the of the people by the sea section is really a cool way for local community members to share photos, memories that are tied to Dair County uh over their lifetime, their famil family's lifetime. So, there's lots of great opportunities for our community at large to get involved. uh we're really excited about publicizing and promoting uh what's what's to come this year. So, thank you so much.

Those are all the uh subcommittee reports. So, in closing, I just want to thank each of you for your support um of this A2 this local A250 initiative. And as as I said before, as we begin 2026, the work you've heard about today reflects a shift from from planning to full implementation. As we move forward, you're going to there will be visible communitywide engagement. That's our goal as we honor Dair County's role as the land of beginnings and its place in the American story. Are there any questions? Do you guys have posters that businesses and stuff can put? We will.

Okay. Yes. Let me know because I'll distribute some down south. Oh, that'd be fantastic. Would love put one in my own business. Absolutely. Any any other questions? Anything else that No, but a lot abs. It's amazing. It's looks so good. I'm so excited to see me too. We have a great team and I'm truly thankful for that. So, and thank you all for coming today this morning to show your support. Absolutely phenomenal work. Thank you.

Phenomenal work. I I really uh look forward to uh this year and these upcoming events and uh looking at everything uh on the website and also your presentations very well put together. Uh very very much a professional organization and thank you so much for your time and your efforts and greatly appreciate it. Thank you. Darthy, are we getting those posters in like in all the restaurants? Definitely. And um we've had some different recup. Caitlyn, do you want to speak about some of that? Because I know we just got a somebody asked for little cards kind of like the town of Manio did.

Yeah, we'll have rack cards, postcards, and flyers. So, they're all sort of in an approval process right now in the design, but we're planning to distribute them. We'll probably send a release when they're ready for distribution to say to give some pickup locations, but then if we get an intern or um if we get some help from the floater to actually physically deliver it to each of the locations, I can see my hostesses having a dialogue with the customers when they see it on the wall, you know, talking about it. So, it's a good way to talk it up. Definitely. Yeah. Any any um participation we can get from our local businesses, we want to take part in. Good job.

Okay, thank you. Thank you again for allowing us time. Thank you, Doroth. Chairman, brings us to item six on the agenda. Um Lee Nettles is here from the tourism board um to request your consent to an expenditure from the restricted fund event site line item 4525. Lee, good morning, Lee.

Good morning, chairman, board of commissioners. Happy New Year. Uh, as the county manager explained, I'm here to request your consent on expenditure. It's a a bit unusual, but then there aren't uh many event sites around. We've we've had the event site in operation for quite some time now. Uh I believe the first seafood festival was uh 2012 and we we've enjoyed many safe events out there and we're increasing that number of events with the summer marketplaces and uh all the all the weekends in spring and fall have already uh filled up. So, uh, to assist in that effort of improving safety, we've been working with the town of Nagad to and NC DOT to, uh, purchase a stoplight, a four-way signal there, and it would operate kind of similar to, uh, what what you see at the village Nags Head was at Sea Chase where it's activated by approaching vehicles, east, west, and also the crosswalk button. Um, but otherwise, it it would uh stay green. Lee, do you know if they're going to add another stoplight where that hotel is going in just north of the event site?

That's that's my understanding, but we aren't we aren't involved in that one. I'm No, I wouldn't expect you to be. I was just curious if you knew if one was going to be added there as well. That's my understanding. Yes.

And I I don't know uh how that one will be activated, whether that will be part of the the sequence as you go north south or or if it's just activated by approaching vehicles east west. Um so uh we are the majority owner of the event site. Um and as such the what's proposed or before you today this is twothirds of the expense. Snag Head would pick up uh the remaining one/3 and it would be funded out of our event site line item

that every time I've been up through here when there's been events going on it looks like total chaos and I know that the sheriff's department does an amazing job but there's still there has been accidents and incidents and it's especially at dark. So I I will make that motion to approve that. I think it's very important especially for the crosswalks. Okay. There's a motion on the floor by commissioner balance to um I'll second that motion to um u approve the expenditure has been seconded by the vice chair. Floor is open for discussion. How much is the total cost for this stoplight? We add a third. What's the Yeah, 345,000.

345,000. Like I said, the last it's paying an additional third of this cost. I got you. Like I said, the last thing I'd want to see is another stoplight on the bypass because it's not being a bypass anyway to get that. But this particular uh situation as having an event at the event center, um I can definitely see where this is a safety concern and I'm fully in support of it. Next head off duty police officers who the event developers hire uh to man that intersection and the crosswalk. They've done a great job but uh we're only increasing the number of events that are out there. Appreciate you recognizing that.

Any other questions of Lee? Is there there's not a intersection there? Correct. It's just the event center. And is there a street across directly across from that? Yes sir, there is. Uh it's Grouse Street. uh takes you to the be the beach. Um it's it's opposite the main entrance to the event site, but opposite that is GR Street. It goes east west that block to the beach road. I would just like when the state because obviously DOT would be putting in the light, I'm assuming.

Yes. when they put in that light, see if there's any way that we can operate that in the offseason as a stop only like if a car a sensor light because adding another stoplight to the beach in the offseason when we're not using the event center seems you know that's what he said he said we agree completely make sure that it operates okay in the winter time because there's numerous stoplights in Mano and other places that do not so we we agree completely

okay And for what it's worth, u the town in Ahead is is adding a sidewalk on Grass Street. Uh so it'll just further improve that safety and flow so people aren't in the middle of the road trying to get across the street. Yep. Okay. All right. Any any further questions on Lee? Then those in favor of the motion signify by saying I post like motion carries unanimous.

Thank you very much. Have a good day. Chair, that brings us to item seven on the agenda. This is a request from the Martins Point Homeowners Association for a zoning text amendment to section 22-17.1 for the Martins Point single family residence zone. And it's to extend peer links. Um before we have that public hearing, I'd ask Noah to come up and sort of bring you up to speed. Um, and conclusion of the public hearing, if there's anything that the Martin Homeowners Association would like to add, they're here or they can answer questions if you have questions. So, no.

Morning, chairman, board. Um, as Bobby stated, this is a text amendment to change how dock lengths on Jean Guy Creek in the Martins Point neighborhood are measured. Um, currently docks are measured 75 foot from the outer fringes of wetlands. um and that um either the bulkhead or 75 foot from that or fringes the wetland. They're asking to increase that to 100 foot when being measured from a bulkhead. Martins Point was platted in 1982 and since that time the majority of the shoreline on Gingai Creek has been stabilized with bulkheads. The camel rules require that when you bulkhead a shoreline property that the bulkhead be placed landward of any fringes of wetlands. Um since the stabilization of that sto shoreline, these historic fringes of wetlands have diminished and not every lot is able to take advantage of that increased measurement from the outer fringes. And what we've seen is existing docks become non-conforming and new newly proposed docks don't get the same length as their adjoining property owner might have. Um, and one recent example, a homeowner applied to build a dock and he wasn't able to reach a water depth that allowed him to get his boat there to dock it. Um, this change would allow equal opportunity to deeper water um, for the residents of Martins Point that live on Jean Guy Creek.

I'll yield to the board if they have any questions of Noah. It doesn't look like it extends out past the 75 from the GI from No, there's aerial imagery in there issue from 2012 to images from 2012 and 2024 that showed that this change in measurement would align new docks with the existing alignment of the docks that were constructed prior that had wetlands. Yeah. Um you can see in those imageries properties that once had wetlands that are now void of wetlands. questions for Noah. I um It's pretty cut and dry as far as I'm concerned.

It's cut and dry. I I mean, I can certainly empathize. I lived on Bay Drive just to get to 2 and 1/2 ft of water. My pier was 410 ft long. Yes, sir. Just to get to 2 and 1/2 ft water. So I can empathize with those and there I'm looking at this and of course will 25 ft do it. From looking at the aerial imagery and consulting with um John Finenelli, we believe that that 25 foot increase it aligns these properties that don't have a dock currently. It would have bring their dock alignment with existing docks that are at that water depth to where they can dock a boat. Yeah, it looked like it would.

Yeah. Yeah. And this is a creek, not the sound anyway. So there's no water back only applies to the creek side. But yeah, but the creek ain't but so wide. People because people boat and they water ski, they boat, they tubes and there's docks on the other side. So, it's a it's a tight turn in there, especially the closer you get to 158 because we I used to water ski back. I water skied back there. It wouldn't have much impact on that end closer to 158 because there are wetlands present there, right? So, it wouldn't have much of an impact there.

Get too deep. Let's have the public hearing then we can come back. Okay. All right. That's right. We still public. You're right. Sorry about that. Ladies and gentlemen, now time has been set aside for a public hearing with regard to a zoning text amendment to section 22-17.1 the Martins Point single family residential zone. Uh if anyone would like to speak to that issue, the rules for our public hearing that we outlined earlier apply. Is there anyone here like to speak to that issue? Yes, sir. I'm Charles. Come come forward to the microphone. State your name, address.

My good morning. My name is Charles Turner. I live at uh 6037 Martins Point Road. So I think I'm probably the guy that Noah was talking about. We just replaced our dock and went out to the required 75 ft. Kama gave me a 100 foot permit.

And at 75 ft I after they finished the the dock I um I asked the the builder to go out to 100 ft. The difference in water depth between 75 feet for me and 100 feet was a foot and a half. So to me that's a totally different boat. It's a totally different deal. Um where I live the di the distance between the bulkheads between uh Martins Point and Southern Shores is 404 yards. I'm in that that wide section where all the water skiing goes on. the guys on either side of me, the owners on either side, both north and south, all of them have docks in excess of 100 feet. So, it just occurred to me, too, that if you left things the way they were, and a hurricane comes through and wipes out everybody's dock, most of my neighbors wouldn't be able to be permitted to get back to their own dock, to their own boat list

at this point. So, I support it because I I think it would really be helpful. I don't think it from from where I am, I don't think it makes any difference. We don't have any seaggrass. We're nothing but bulkhead now. So, um I'm here to speak in the affirmative. Hope it passes. Thank you. Anyone else like to speak to this issue? Seeing no hands, anyone in Buckton like to speak to this issue? No comment from Buckton. Uh, with that we would close the public hearing. I don't know if the association has anything to add. You're welcome. Sure. Welcome, John.

Good morning, Mr. Chairman, commissioners. I'm John Finelli. I'm a resident of Martins Point and I'm here this morning on behalf of the homeowners association. So, Gingite Creek is the body of water between Martins Point and Southern Shores. This proposed amendment will only affect the wide part of that creek, sometimes referred to as Genguide Bay. The southern end actually narrows down and becomes more like a creek and it's a no wake zone. KMA has regulations that don't allow you to build a pier more than 25% of the width of the water body. So in that area, peers are going to be 25 to 50 feet long regardless of what happens here. Gingite is a very popular area in the summertime. It's a recreational area for boats. It's a transit area for people going out to Kuratuck Sound. And it's been the desire of most people over the years to keep that usable part of that water as wide as possible. That's the main reason that there's a 75 foot maximum pier length in there. And that appear length applies in Dair County zoning for Martins Point. It also applies in southern shore zoning for them. And as Noah said that the peer links are measured from either the shoreline or from the end of the the marsh grass, Dare County, Southern Shores, and Camel all go by the same standards. But what's happened in there in the last 20 years, and it's more prevalent on the Martins's Point side, is that as this marsh grass has disappeared due to the bulkheads and the wave action, peers that were built at 75 ft and were completely legal, they're now 100 ft long, so they're non-conforming.

And I would say that is the majority of the peers on the Martins Point side. So this will do a couple of things. It will bring the peers back into conformity and it will allow residents to build out to the same length as their neighbors. Now, I know a lot of people talk about, well, I need more water depth. I've heard that from people over the years. It's usually new owners who don't understand the area. You can't get every boat you want in every piece of water down on the Outer Banks. If you have a deep I heard if you have a fixed keel seal sailboat you're not coming into Jengai Creek

if the mast is too high you're not going under the right memorial bridge but the peers in Martins Point now it allows people with some pretty large boats to to get out into Kuratuck Sound. Now, if you get a big nor easter and it drops the water level two feet, that doesn't happen. But for the most part, people can use this. The most important part of this is that this does not extend the existing pier line any further into the creek. Okay, the shoreline of Martins Point's 90% developed. I would say the majority of peers in there are 100 feet long from the bulkhead. So it does not extend the pair length and that's very important. I met with representatives from Southern Shores back in October. We shared that water with them. It's important we're on the same page. I met with the mayor, the town manager, the town planner, and the planning board chairman. Went over our proposal. They had no objections. Martins's Point informed all of its residents of this proposed change. We gave them a week to call in with comments and questions. And following that, we had a public hearing. During all of that, there were no objections. So, I only see positive things from this. I don't see any downside. And again, the most important thing is we're not extending an existing pier line any further into the creek. Glad to answer any questions. John, I'm I'm not opposed to any of this, but it's I'm gonna be honest with you. It's confusing what you're talking telling me. This gentleman saying he applied for a permit and he got 100 foot.

Well, what you're telling me there's already peers out there 100 feet and this will bring them into conformity. This is confusing. You got to you got to do a better job of explaining this to me. Okay. Sure. This doesn't make sense to me. All right. So under the old rules before we changed any rules, you measured you could measure from the marsh grass, not from the bulkhead. I understand.

So if you measured 75 feet from the marsh grass and you had 25 ft of marsh grass between you and the pier, you got 100 feet from the pier. Now there's no marsh grass. So I'm next door to you and I'm measuring from my pier. I can only go 75 ft. I mean my bulkhead bulkhead. So now I'm 25 feet short of you because I didn't have that extra 25 feet of marsh grass to measure from. What this ordinance will do will let me go to 100 feet. My pier will now be the same length as your He's got it. He's got that. It was the explanation that these two Yeah, I got that part. Okay, that was crystal clear to us. What he said and what you said was conflicting or contradictory.

Yes. When Mr. Turner originally applied for his permit, KMA issued a permit for 100 ft. 100 feet from where? From where? Blake, stop me. From their bulkhead cameras regulations. So, we got two sets of regulations. We got the camel rules and we've got the Dair County zoning. Gotcha. The camel rule in that situation allowed a longer pier than our zoning did. If we change our zoning, we would then be able to allow a pier the same length that CMA did.

Okay, I understand that. But John's all also said that there's only certain sections. So, is there more than one zone, MP1? Is there other zones in there? Because he said just a minute ago, there are certain sections that you can't do that. All right. So, then you in all places, you still have to meet the camel rules as well of the zoning rules. So, then as as uh Gingite Creek narrows, right, in the narrow part of the creek, the camel rules say you can only go 25%. Which means you can have a camel will only regulate a shorter pier no matter what we say. That's assuming it's less than 400 ft across. Correct. That's right. And so in those areas

that's even if we do this, they're still going to have short peers. It doesn't help them. Just all I'm not opposed to any of this. I just want to make sure I'm clear and understanding of what you're trying to accomplish. Yeah. The the southern end of Genguy Creek is very narrow. It is more like a creek. Yeah. And that area is marked off as a no wake zone. Right. So, there's going to be short peers in there regardless of this due to camera regulations. I got it now. Okay. Y'all just did a poor job of explaining it. Okay. He's a hard man, John. We got a little You just Maybe I did a little better job in front of the planning board, but I understand. Thank you.

Thank you, John. Mr. Chairman, make a motion to approve. Okay. There's a motion on on the floor by uh Commissioner Baitman. It's been seconded by the vice chair. Floor is open for further discussion. I'm very well aware of this waterway and this uh this amendment here would not make any real difference of what the waterway is itself. It just brings everything into compliance. So I'm totally support. Any further comments? Hearing none. Those in favor of the motion signify by saying I opposed like sign. Motion carries unanimous. Thank you gentlemen. Thank you and happy come back. And we probably skied together at one time just

Yes, we did at that very end down there. You as very well know it's tight to make that turn. I failed many a time trying to make that. Chairman, item eight on the agenda is a request from the Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County for a text amendment to section 22-22 of the definitions for family child care home. Uh Morgan Pototts, our planning department's here for that presentation as is Sarah Samson from the Children Youth Partnership and others from her organization. So, good morning ladies. Hi, Sarah. Hi, ladies.

Good morning. Something a little less complicated. Thank you. Are you sure?

I'll try my best. So, the Children and Youth Partnership are requesting a text amendment to our definitions for a family child care home. The general statutes changed. So, we are bringing ourselves into compliance with general statutes. So, we have the statutes have increased the number of children permissible to receive child care in a residential setting from a maximum of eight. Now, it's 10. them now they can have 10 children. Um the planning board heard the tax amendment at their regular meeting in December unanimously recommended approval of the request finding it to be reasonable and consistent with the policies listed in the 2022 Dear County Land use plan. You will see that there are draft motions available for you should the board find that the proposed amendment to be reasonable and consistent with the Dair County Land use plan. A draft consistency statement and motion has been prepared for you. And if you have any questions there,

any changes of any requirements to go from 8 to 10 specific changes? It's based off of our ages. I'm sorry. No, come on. Yeah,

it's based off of our ages. I'm a family childare home. Sorry. Um, so if you have any children under the age of two, you can have a max of six children. And it's broke down that you can only have three that are under two and then the rest have to be over. So it's a max of three under two at any given time. Um, if you have 10, all the children would have to be over two years old, which is the same centers have had for years. So it just puts us at the same benefit and hopefully get some of the children going the illegal ones and the stories and calls I get out of there and back into the licensed hands. So I stopped getting some of those calls.

This this was a change to the uh general statute in the state. So getting Dare County in compliance with general statute. Yeah, it's the same one they fought to get us changed. I'll make a motion to adopt. Second. There's a motion on approved by the vice chair to adopt. Got him. It's been seconded by Commissioner Baitman. The floor is open. Man was going to jump in. County man, you had something you wanted.

I was just going to say, um, we've been working on child care for a while and there's been lots of issues with capacity of child care in Der County. While this won't solve the problem, if you have multiple small child care facilities that we're having, eight that can now have 10, then incrementally you start improving the child care situation somewhat. again won't solve the problem, but it's a step in the right direction. And it's really not changing anything about what's going on in the child care homes. And as was stated, it'll help bring some of the children out of the ones we don't know about into the ones that are licensed and that we do know about.

I've talked to two uh women who run two of these daycarees who both were hugely in favor of this. And uh no, I think it's a good thing 100%. And last month, you know, we lowered the fee. Yeah. Yeah. And so this is just a followup and a continuation of of us working towards It's a good thing. Absolutely. See, when you came up, you said hopefully yours will be a lot easier. And the reason behind that is because women put it together. And you're not even running for election.

That's right. And I'm not running for election. Um, any other comments by the board? Ladies, uh, those in favor of the motion, please signify by saying I. I post like that. Motion carries unanimous. Y'all, good job, ladies. Y'all have a good day. Honestly, don't get any of those daycarees I've been seeing on the news for the last month. I know. Yeah. Y'all have a great day, ladies. Thank you. Thank you. I just want to say thank you uh for your ongoing support uh and your work towards solving the childcare crisis in our community and every little change that we can make makes a difference. So, thank you. Thank you, sir.

And this brings us to item nine on the agenda. Uh Barton has been working for a while on a stormwater grant for some projects on Old Lighthouse Road and NC12 and Hatteris and has received those grants. Um we bid the project out nobody three or four times three times and we didn't get any biders. Um and so imagine that. Yeah.

Did not got zero biders. So the statute allows us to go out now and and negotiate directly with a bidder. Uh Barton's here before you to request that we be allowed to negotiate directly with Fred Smith and try to negotiate and execute the contract not to exceed $734,000. Um which is the amount of our grant I believe and so uh we need that approval. If you have questions, Barton can answer them. Um that's pretty cut and dry. Well, good summary, Bobby. Nothing to add. That's the amount of the grant. What is Fred Smith going to say? Let's try. I need 2.7 million.

No, no. We've uh we have our consultant working with them to get this project within budget 34,000. Exactly. Yeah. I mean, it's pretty clear to me my bid would be 733,9.99. They're again having received no bids, it sort of puts us in a Well, that's what my next question was. We're kind of stuck, aren't we? Yeah. Yeah. Their initial proposal was north of 900,000. So we worked our consultant worked with them to value engineer it to get it down to 734. All right. Got it. Thank you, B. And to your knowledge, there's no local Hatter Island contractors that would be licensed to do something.

We did communicate with one, but he couldn't put together a a quote or do something of that capacity this soon. He's busy enough, I think, with other work, right? Um, but we've reached out to probably five, six contractors after we bid it out three times and just everybody's booked, too busy. It's the same. And that's the same thing that happened with the school when the back wall came off. There was no contractors that could handle it. It was too big of a project. So, our consultants are saying it's kind of statewide. They're having issues even in like Wake County finding more than one bidder sometimes. Okay, Mariel, that's one thing I can say about staff. When we get into situations like this, they always take the extra step. Yeah. To see if it's a local Yeah.

on Hatteris Island that could could meet meet the need. You're a black belt in this. I know you would have done that. Just along that same line, we also require the staff to bid projects that don't require bidding. We want to be sure that we've given everyone an opportunity. Right. Okay. You need a motion to approve the Fred Smith Company's contract of choice and authorize the county manager to negotiate and extra execute a contract not to exceed 734. Correct. Correct. Is there a motion to do so? Motion. It's a motion on the floor by Commissioner Balance. Is there a second? Second.

Seconded by Vice Chair and also Commissioner Bur. Any further discussion? Hearing none, those in favor of the motion, please signify by saying I. I oppose like sign. Motion carries unanimous. Thank you, Barton. Thank you,

Mr. Chairman. Item 10. In your packet, you have a request from the National Association of County Commissioners to send a letter of support for what's being called the Speed Act. It's HR 4776. And that's a provision that's passed the House up there that expedites the permitting process and and speeds up the NEPA process to get permits. And it's intended by making it quicker, faster, to save the counties and the local governments money and and therefore allow us to get our projects done quicker. We're going to talk to you in a minute what delays mean. And this will hopefully short circuit some of those delays if it can pass the Senate. In the packet, there was a form letter that they're asking you to use as the template. And so this is before you to uh authorize the chairman to sign a letter similar to the form template letter that's in your packet to support the speed act. This is similar, Commissioner Ross, to a federal bill that Trump brought before in his first term that I was invited to the White House to speak in favor of cutting out the

red tape, right, and timeline for P for the permitting process. This is more on a state level here. Very similar. Back up. I think it's very close to being similar to what I think it is very similar. You're correct. I think Trump did by executive order what you just described and we went up and you spoke there at that this is federal legislation and it is designed to do by statute what he did by executive order. That's right. Yeah. We got to file a lawsuit and stop him. Oh, I'm sorry. I withdraw that. I'll make a motion to approve the letter of support. Second.

All right. There's a motion on the floor by the vice chair has been seconded by commission commissioner Ross. Any further discussion hearing? None. Those in favor signify by saying I. I post like sign. Motion carries unanimous.

Chairman. Item 11. Um Jay Phillips has been before the board at public comment several times from down in Buckton. Um he's also sent emails and all that and he's he's got a marina down there that he's got a lot of ideas that he'd like to do for those for that marina. Um in sort of the email chain and conversations with him, he's seeking support, not financial support, not zoning, not approvals, just, you know, there's a list of things that could be done there. emergency access, a training research facility, full-time passenger service. All of those things, all of those things to me at least, you you may have differing views, appear to be positive things if you can make any of that happen. And he's asked us, would we be willing to send a letter of support saying, "Yeah, if you can get these things done, we support your efforts, but you know, we're not funding them and we're not approving them." I I'm I'm at a loss as to why our recommendation or our approval for this would change anything that he's working with at all.

I don't have the answer for that other than I I forwarded to you what was fored. I mean, I'm with you, Steve. Felt like I need a letter saying we support good things for the county. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And I mean I mean, if he's got something, he needs to bring it to us. and and also in his proposals it could be used for this or it could be used for that. Precisely no definite plan for it. Good things that could happen. Is it fair to me that not write a letter but go back to him and say look we don't object to what you're doing if you can go forward with it and there's something specific for us come back to us. Absolutely. And that'll be the approach I take. Yeah. Thank you. I'm at the consensus of the board. Yeah. Feels right to me. Absolutely. Okay. Um

okay now we get to the next part. So yeah, um we we're talking about delays. Um so our public works project we in order to proceed, we're at a place we could start like right now almost. Um but we don't have an approval that we need from the FAA and we can't move forward without that approval and we can't get a timeline for the approval. the lower level administrator has said that she's going to recommend that it not be approved. She's going to say irrespective of the fact that you've got a public works facility that's been out there for more than 50 years and you simply want to replace those buildings, I'm not going to recommend approval. And she throws a lot of things out there for her reasons that don't really make a lot of sense to us. We can't put it together.

He's a federal government employee. Correct.

Yeah. So, So, what we've done is we've engaged with the North Carolina Department of Aviation and they're working with us and they have some representatives that have relationships with the FAA. uh they're supposed to meet with Dustin and I either later this week or the first of next week to try to get together some of the things and see how to sort of navigate what what we believe was just things that were thrown up against the board to see what was sticking. So, we're working through that. The the crux of it is is it's delayed that project where we can't start it. Um, we've told uh Barnhill of the predicament, we don't have any indication of when we're going to start it. And we've asked them, well, we're going to ask them, subject to your approval, to just stop. Don't do anything else that cost us money on this project until we can get a better handle on what the FA is going to do, what the timeline's going to be, and all that sort of thing. Uh that does mean we're going to have if if for some reason we just couldn't do the project, we're going to have $400,000 of sunk costs that that are just sunk. Um don't can't imagine that it's going to come to that. Uh but nonetheless, um delay is going to add cost and we just have to deal with that. Um, it's our intention, assuming these meetings go as we hope, to have a capital improvement meeting between now and the February board meeting to sort of talk about this in more detail to talk about a plan, something we could come back to the full board and and recommend. Um, it's also going to have some impact. We may need to make some decisions about the timing of our other projects and so on and how do we handle the money and and things for those. So, I throw all that out not for you to do anything, not to take any action, just to let you know that's what's happening and let you know what's

coming. Um, in a similar vein, uh, the project down in Buxton for the transfer station down there has run into a regulatory roadblock as well in that there's some rules out there that prohibit uh, transfer stations in flood zones. And so to build a true transfer station, which is what we plan, uh may not be possible there. And if that in fact becomes true and we don't have an exception or a way to get around that, it's going to change the way things are done with commercial debris on Hatteris Island. They're going to have to bring the commercial debris up here. We're not going to be allowed to transfer it as we've been doing down there. Um so that's out there. We'll see that has an impact too because if we can't do that project, that's bad for the commercial people and it but it also changes the funding sources and all that for our other projects and we just got to put all that stuff together in one place and that's what that CIP meeting would be about assuming we have enough information to have the meeting before our February meeting. So, did I hit all of

Yeah, let let's Yeah, I think you hit it. Do we do we need to talk to our federal legislators to I know you've had some

I've talked to them two or three times. They have made contact with the FAA. Um I talked to them last the week the Friday before Christmas. Um they're out. They were out of the office from then until now. Their first day back I think is either today or tomorrow. Um I told them we were be coming back to them but I wanted to wait and hear what the state had to say. If they had the the solution and the contact and we get it all done, then I didn't want to pull rank on them. But if they didn't have a plan and we were still spinning wheels, then I would come back to them and they said they would help us however they could.

Bobby was and and I'm I suspect the answer is no. Was there any objection raised specifically that would have merit that we should consider that that and again I know you'll give us a fair response that that some push back objection and and Dustin's more intimate than I am but I and if if I can't answer you help me out Dustin the answer is we have a I'm gonna give you more than you ask but we have a public works facility that's been there since the 70s. Yeah,

presumably it got there's a deed restriction. When the Navy gave the county the airport, there was a restriction that the property be used for airport purposes. We've used this piece of land, six acres or thereabouts, for the public works for over 50 years. And presumably there was a release done from that deed back in the 70s when they did it. The 70s files aren't don't exist. We can't find anything that deal with this that far back. Nor can the FAA, nor can the division of of uh aviation in Raleigh. So, it's a technicality. She's standing on operating for 50 years. And so, all we're doing now is

the same thing we've been doing is just using doing it in a new building instead of old building is what we want to do in violation. Well, and so to clean it up and in talking with the LGC and really in prudence from the county perspective, we don't want to spend $40 million and then get in a fight with the FAA about whether we can do it or not. So, we we've waited and the LGC wants us to get it resolved before they're going to approve the financing of course.

And so, we we're going through all this. Now to your question, the reasons that were given, there were a couple that were legitimate from our perspective. One was there, we knew this was the case. Anytime that you have to release something from that restriction, you have to pay fair market value for whatever you're getting from that release. And we had, you know, our tax appraised, all that. assume that would be sufficient since we just did reval for the fair market value and use that as our fair market value. They've come back and said that we need two independent appraisers and so we're getting those done as we speak um to come in and verify. It kind of doesn't matter because we we we

we give the airport authority a stipen of nearly a million dollars a year that we don't have to give up. And so whatever the value becomes, that billion dollars a year covers the value no matter what. And so it won't be a financial burden to us. It's just one of those technical things we have to go through that that's the that's fixable. Some of the other things don't make any sense. Like there's you're not the sponsor, so you can't under by the definition be the one requesting. Well, that's not right. We are the sponsor. They don't understand the relationship between Dare County and the airport authority and so they've got themselves wrapped around the horn.

It sounds like this lost release from the 70s could be the lynch pin though. Could be. And an authority that could grant such a release today might break through the log jam. Well, the problem the bigger problem is in I believe if we could get somebody with authority in a room and talk to them and say, "Look here, let's just talk this through," then all the legal mumbo jumbo goes away because it doesn't make any sense when you try to take what they're saying and put it in context of what we're doing and what we're requesting and what's been done. Okay? And so that's our problem and we haven't been able to facilitate that in-person meeting. We're hoping North Carolina Aviation can.

Thank you, Bob. Did I get that right? Okay. Any questions about that? No. All right. That brings us to our consent agenda. Oh, back up. We're going to tell I need your approval to tell Barhill to sit tight and take no further action that cost us money until we let them know differently. You need consensus or a motion. A motion. I'll make a motion. Motion on the floor. Madame vice chair seconded by Commissioner Burus. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Those in favor signify by saying I post like motion carries unanimous.

Okay. Um, brings us to the consent agenda. On the consent agenda, you have the approval of the minutes from December. You have the tax collectors report. You have the 2025 CRS annual PPI report. You have a budget amendment for debris removal. You have budget agreements for the 2026 election cycle. And you have a budget amendment for emergency management grants. Motion to approve. Motion on the floor by the vice chair to approve as presented. Is there a second? Second. Seconded. Commissioner Bur. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Those in favor signify by saying I. Oppos like that. Motion carries unanimous.

Uh next are your board appointments. You have the Alamoral Region Resource Conservation Development Council. Uh Erin Fleenstein resigned. Uh and the council has recommended Matt Pollson to be appointed to fill her unexpired tour. Motion to appoint. Motion on the floor to appoint Matthew Pollson by the vice chair. Second it. Commissioner balance. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppos like sign. Motion carries unanimous.

Next is the board of equalization review. The terms of Nelson Jones, Jonathan Wedell, Jeffrey Scott, Terry Gore, and Charles Evans all expire this month and they would all like to be reappointed. Motion to reappoint all. Motion to approve of all by the vice chair. Seconded by second by Commissioner Krief. Any further discussion? Uh just real quick one. Everybody expired on the same date 1225. Yes sir. The entire board. So we don't stagger these. Typically we would whenever that was created back in the day they did. Anybody notice that? I mean, I'm fine with the reappoints, but it just everybody at the same day seemed a little alarming to me.

Yep. Okay. Those in favor of the motion signify by saying I. I oppose like sign. Motion carries unanimous. Uh, next is the land transfer tax appeals board. Mike Sears from Nagshead was not reelected, so they have to put in a new council member, take his place, and the council recommends Mayor Ben Cahoun be appointed to that unexpired term. Thank you. Motion to uh approve the recommendation. Motion on the floor by the vice chair, seconded by Mike, Mike Bur, Commissioner Bur, Mayor Coahon. Any further discussion? Hearing none, those in favor signify by saying I.

I post like sign. Motion carries unanimous. Next is the tourism board. The Dair County Restaurant Association has submitted three alternatives. Daniel Lewis, Sumar Copelan, and Ally Steppp. And you can appoint one of those. Nominate Summer Copelan. Motion on the floor by Commissioner Baitman to nominate Summer Copelan. Seconded by Commissioner Balance. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Those in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Like sign. Motion carries unanimous. Next is the town of Kittyhawk. The town recommends Jeff Puit to the seat that was previously held by David Hines. Motion to approve.

Motion on the floor by the vice chair. Been seconded by Commissioner Creek. Further discussion hearing. None. Those in favor signify by saying I. Post like sign. Motion carries unanimous. Next is the town of Nags Head and they recommend that Megan Bond be appointed to the seat formerly held by Mike Sears. I thought we just do that. That was the previous one. That was Yeah, a different board. Different board. I got you. Is that a motion? I'll make a motion. Vice chair seconded by second commissioner balance. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Those signify by saying I. I post like sign. Motion carries unanimous.

Next is your transportation advisory board. The board recommends that Angelos and be appointed to fill the public business sector seat that was formerly held by John Rafferty. Make a motion to approve. Second. Motion on the floor by the vice chair, seconded by Commissioner Ross. Further discussion hearing? None. Those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppos like sign. Motion carries unanimous. And then last is the working waterman commission. Do him rights terms expires this month and the commission recommends him for reappointment. Motion to reappoint. Okay. Motion on the floor by the vice chair. Seconded by commissioner krief. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Those in favor signify by saying I. I.O. Like sign. Motion carries unanimous.

And then your upcoming board and committee appointments in February. you have three terms on the planning board. In March, you have one term on the transportation advisory board. In April, you have one term on the airport authority. Uh in April, you also have one term for the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, three terms for the Man's Harbor Marina Commission, and two terms for the Older Adult Services Advisory Council. That would be your agenda, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, county manager. And that brings us to item 15, commissioner's business and manager attorney's business. You have anything else for us today? On a good note, I have no Man, that's Hey, we have Mark that that's a public comment.

Do what? We didn't have public comment either. That's right. No. No appeals for the retired lawyers fund or anything like that? No. Okay. I love it. Uh, our public information officer, Miss Hester, you have anything else for us? I've covered everything and um you covered also the state of the county date. So, Okay. Thank you. Our uh chief financial officer, Matt, do you have anything else for us? Um so, we filed the annual comprehensive financial report on December 23rd ahead almost two months ahead of the deadline. So, we will have an audit committee meeting over the next few weeks and then we'll bring that report to the February meeting along with our auditor's presentation. So,

great. Thank you. Thank you, Matt. All right. That brings us to council members and u commissioner Burrus. Do you mind kicking it off today?

Yes, sir. Thank you. Um, I just want to say it was a a lot of fun around the holiday season. And I hope everybody was uh had as much fun and enjoyed it as much as I did. Um it's a special time of year. Um we kicked off the new year in style uh Commissioner Balance and I by jumping in the ocean the polar plunge for the Bucks Civic Association. Uh it was pretty frigid and it was uh but it was also a learning experience because uh Brett had that fantastic jacket that now I got to get one before we do the uh the same plunge in February for the Special Olympics. So that's something to uh to look forward to. Um and just a lot of good things going on. You know, the soccer team this morning that was fantastic. Uh, Coach Cleaver there has done a fantastic job. You know, something we talked about this morning when I when I had a quick second to speak with him, when we were growing up, you played your rec sport and that was it and you moved on. But, uh, a lot of today's coaches have really um, bought into giving not just a couple months out of the year, but they put their heart and soul into it year round. and and he's already got a foot uh which is an indoor uh style of soccer uh that'll be going on all winter and it's just the the commitment by those who are teaching our young folks, you know, how to how to play these sports and he teaches at the school, too. But their commitment to their time and their dedication to our young people in this community is fantastic. And I'm I'm really happy to see that because it really gives uh our children an avenue to to get out and be a part of something and and have some fun. So to see them successful is a wonderful thing. Um and I'm I'm really just really pleased uh to

see everything going on. Uh on a personal note, uh you know, I I give back by coaching with a travel program, OBX United. It's a um men and young men and young ladies basketball. Uh and we lost a a coach of ours over the the past week, uh Ryan Gibbs. And he was a a a wonderful person there again, coached at different age levels where he didn't even have children just to give back and to get out there and coach. Um so our our hearts broke this week when when we got the news of that. So, our thoughts and prayers are with uh with him and his family um this week as they navigate the troubled times. But uh that's all I have this month. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner. Um have you seen indoor soccer? I have. It's fast-paced. It's unbelievable. It's fiveman team. They play it on a basketball court. There's um there's no side out of bounds. They play it off the wall and it is fast. Both of my sons played it in Virginia. I'm glad to see them bringing it here because it is really really fun to watch and if you ever if you get chance go because it's it they play. So it's faster than when they play in that three and a half mile long field with four guys running. I believe it is.

It's like having an extra man. a soccer size ball, but it's it's the texture of like a tennis ball. It's it's a whole different texture ball and it's really really neat to watch him play and it's fast. It is fast. Yeah, it's fun to watch. If you get chance, go watch it. Uh, Commissioner Balance,

uh, busy month, but um, yeah, starting the year off in the Polar Plunge with B and it great turnout. It was a fantastic turnout. It was really good to see. They they had probably had over 100 people there. It was really fun. Not everybody jumped in, but everybody cheered us on. Um on um not to bring up Facebook, but there's, you know, comments that go on about, you know, things that are going on on Hatter Island with the roads and things like that and this assumption because they don't see something happening that nothing's happening. But I just wanted to bring attention to a couple things. Um, so there's a couple studies going on right now that are that are research projects with um, Drew Ross from NCSU with um, Aaron Seamp is overseeing him with that and there's a group of people from Hatteris Island and that are meeting with him regularly, stakeholders on the island that meet with him and he's looking at and trying to come up with strategic plans on, you know, how we can handle this erosion stuff. And and then um last month Bobby and I met with Laura Moore. She's with UNCC Chapel Hill who's also doing um some research projects and looking into ways that that we can tackle these issues. And um I'm going to tag on brag on Barton. The work that he does looking for grants and opportunities for this county is stellar. Thank you. You he just goes above and beyond. And not just for those kind of projects, any kind of projects, the house raising projects, the um land acquisition, for recreational things. I'm been asking him about some stuff like that for that. And he's just has such a great finger on the pulse.

Third degree black belt pardon.

He's he just does such a great job. So for those of you that think that there's nothing going on, you might not see it. And like I I saw something on Facebook that there was no indication that there was going to be uh the beach nourishment. It's like they were all on the beach the other day doing they walking with the contractors. What are you talking about? But these are also people that don't ever pick up the phone and call ask questions. So, I just want to put it out there that contrary to what you you might see in your daily life, in our daily life, it's a constant topic of conversation between all of us and with our with the staff of Dair County, with Bobby, with um UNCC Chapel Hill and NC State and the Department of Transportation. We had a we had a conversation with some people over that. So, it's and we got awarded the grant. So that I mean it's just there's so much more going on than people want to open their eyes to. And if you are not sure, just call and ask or send an email and we'll figure it out or we'll we'll address it. But I just I just needed to put that out there because I was I probably did five or six meetings last month just on those topics. Did you want to add to that?

I was gonna Laura Moore, Dr. Moore is also the chairman of the science panel for the Coastal Resources Commission. And at the last Coastal Resources Commission meeting, uh the commission directed her and the science panel to begin looking at alternate shoreline mitigation methods other than beach nourishment, old kids, things like that, whatever for structures and something breakthrough

short of a seaw wall, right? um to try to start looking at ways to do that. And so they they're starting that work. Uh that's in conjunction with the work that they've asked uh Commissioner Balance and I to sort of work with them. And they've got another research group that's researching down there as well through UNC. So there are a lot of things going on that we're involved with. You know, I can come back every month and tell you we're involved, but I can't come back every month and tell you, okay, here's where we are, and here's when we're going to have this or that because it's not going to work that way. But these processes are happening. Uh what's going on with Dr. Moore and the CRC. There's a similar project going on with UNCC Wilmington. I've talked with the professors down there as well. uh they've got a project where they're looking at other shoreline mitigation techniques for figure eight Allen which is having problems similar to we are that one's privately funded and so there's work going on we're involved in all of that stuff uh at the same time all this is going on we've been in touch with the coastal federation with the Southern Environmental Law Center with all the stakeholders to let them know what we're doing what we're thinking get their feedback so that the process goes smoothly and when we get to the end. Hopefully, much as the chairman did with the NC12 task force, we can get all the minds together and come up with solutions that we can all live with. So, that's the goal. That's the plan that's happening. Um, it isn't going to be quick. It's not going to be something that next week we're going to have an answer or next month. Uh we all know it's a longer process, but we've got to get the process going now so that we can continue doing nourishment and we have other things in place before we run out of money or we run out of sand.

Yeah. So, so that's what's happening. But I just wanted to just to make a note of that. Um we did um housing the housing um nonprofit is meeting regularly. We had our last meeting here. Our next meeting will be at the um building down in Southern Shores. Um Town Bank uh is going to give us we have a building right behind there. So, we'll we'll be starting to meet there next month and got some committee meetings are going on. We've got some um ideas on uh fundraising and things like that so we can start this process. Um lots of good stuff happening there. Uh and then real quick, just kind of put on the radar. It is real quick.

I know. No, I'm not Um the there's a it not ready to do anything about it yet, but I'm looking into it's a it's been an ongoing problem since I was on the president of the booster club um with some park parking issues at the teacher housing. So I'm doing a little bit of a deep dive. I've talked with Dustin and Bobby about a few things and still want to gather a little bit more information, but um might be coming back to you guys to see if we could do something just to get some cars off the back road during some of the busier times there on that back field, that soccer field that's behind that. So, I'll be talking with um getting up with David and and um Bass Knight, Superintendent Bass Knight to see and the principles talking with a couple other people to see um if there's something we need to do there. So, just to put it on put it out there. Other than that, that's all I got.

Yeah, I I think with what we got recck wise, I think we can certainly come up with I've been out there with you to see that and and um I think we can come up with a plan to get some more parking out there in spaces. Yeah, I've I've spoken to Commissioner Balance as well and I'm just kind of looking for the board of uh education, the superintendent and DARE education foundation to come back with what what the plan should be. Right. Yeah. So, yeah. Thank you. Uhhuh. All right. Thank you, Commissioner. Appreciate all your hard work. Commissioner Ross.

Okay. I will be brief. Just a quick reminder, on February the 12th, early voting begins. We have a primary election cycle coming up. And again, uh yesterday, Commissioner Balance and I were chatting about this. She's going to be doing a presentation, which is really good of you. I'm very impressed about the whole primary election cycle and why it's important because we took the time to look up the last time a primary was run in Dare County in a non-presidential election year. Can you guess how many voters showed up, Mary Helen? 17%. You are almost spot on. 17 and a half.

Very good guess. 17 and a half. less than one in five citizens were making enormous decisions for more than four out of five citizens because that's all that chose to show up either early voting by mail absentee ballot or on election day. So it begins February 12th. The actual primary date is March the 3. And uh you know I we will remind you again next month. It is important not to simply pass it by. So that would be really good. February 28th. And again, Mary Helen, I expect you to be out there and in the water with us on the Special Olympic Polar Plunge. Mary Helen has offici Let the record show. She has declined.

I hated Jackie.

You're the bright one, Mary Helen. The rest of us are I'm not so sure. Janette's the 28th of February. We're going in or yes, we're going in. Which leads me to segue to another event on the 28th. The um Outerbanks Hospital, ECU Health Hospital. It will be holding a large fundraiser at Duck Woods Country Club, that very prestigious club where our own county manager happens to be a member. And uh I urge you all to keep your eyes open and look for that October or February 28th, Outerbanks Hospital, Duckwoods Country Club. A very good cause and a fun evening for all. So there's a plug for Jen Schwarzenberg and the and the folks over there. I'm checking my list quickly. I just want to reiterate something on a serious note. We heard two employees of the month, Laura and Kristen. Sorry, Laura and Shay. I listened carefully to the two presenters and I cannot say how impressed I was and how grateful for the kind of people, the work, the contributions these two uh ladies did. Um, hats off to them. Again, salute to both. Very, very impressive. And I I I really just want to call that out. Commissioner Baitman, I think this may be on your list, but we have a recovery court graduation ceremony

y on uh let's see the 17th. I 19th 18th I think it was 18th 18th Saturday. Saturday. Saturday 18th. Saturday the 17th of January. You said it's the 18th. I think it is. Let me January 17th is a I'm going hunting on legislative hunt. Yeah, 17th. I'm sure.

All right. So, we had 1918. Let me wipe the board clear. It is Sanu Saturday, January 17th, recovery court graduation. It is a fabulous ceremony. So, again, congratulations to all the graduates coming up on that. And uh finally, for all of you that like cardiac arrest, last night my Pittsburgh Steelers pulled out the championship with the last second miracle. So, congratulations to all of those in Steeler Nation. Sorry for that partisan plug, but that's all I've got. What's that? Is there still is there still a Steeler Nation?

Uh, please disregard any comments from Commissioner Bur. He's under the influence of medication from his doctor and sometimes he is not sure of what he's saying. I pass to you, Mr. Chairman. Thank Thank you, Commissioner. Vice Chairman House.

Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman, uh coming up Wednesday, January 7th, the Wounded Warriors and Action Upper Heart recipients will be coming to the Outer Banks on uh like I said on Wednesday, January 7th. Um, if you want to, it'd be a great uh presentation if you'd line the road between the Wright Brothers uh bridge and the welcome center, fly your flags, big thank you notes, welcome welcoming them to the Outer Banks for a week. Um, should be arriving in Dair County probably about uh sometime between 1:30 and 3. um depending on you traffic from the airport and all that on the escort in um so that's a wonderful thing for them to do. Um update from the Oregon uh task force. We've been working several months to get the alternate channel from a 100 foot wide to a 200 foot wide channel. as you know with a 100 foot wide even with two uh charter boats is kind of tight with wind and currents and all of that. Now imagine trying to get two trwers to come pass in that area with the wind and currents and 100 foot. It doesn't work. Um so we have been in the past 3 4 months working on getting that channel widened to 200 foot and so far we have gotten as of last week we got confirmation from the state um that they are in approval of it now we're just waiting for the army corps to sign off on it um so that is in the works and we're still trying to work hard on getting that done as well make Oregon a little bit safer for all the boats coming in and out Um, also, uh, Nocana Division of Marine

Fisheries is added again. Stripe bass or better known as rockfish in the Alamar Sound, Pamico Sound, Kuratuck Sound, you cannot fish for them. However, the North R Wildlife Resources Commission will allow you to fish for them in the rivers during spawning season. So, if there's a real problem with our fish stock, why would you interrupt the fishing while they're trying to reproduce? It just doesn't make any common sense at all. And with that, if you look at the economic part of it, a lot of the fishing guides that are in our rivers, they're making a ton of money off of it. Whereas our local guys who do uh recreational charters in our soundss, out of business. Why does that make sense? I have been on the phone three different times with uh several different members of the marine fisheries uh commission and division marine fisheries trying to get an understanding of what is their rationale behind this and I keep getting a runaround

there isn't they're not affiliated with the FAA are they no all right you're checking the next maybe the CCA but not the FAA that's But u just want to make that aware from everybody and that and we are uh we are trying to trying to get to the bottom of it trying to open up the the fishery at least for the Alamar and Pamco sounds uh for for as far as Dair County is concerned and uh we're just trying to make some common sense of this fisheries for the stripe bass and there is no common sense so we're trying to figure out what their rationale is behind it and try to work around it and uh do we have A pet of the week. I didn't get a thing this morning. Yeah.

Don't have one. I'm sorry. We do. But we do. All right. The favorite part of our commissioners meeting. Let's see the pet of the week. Our pets of the week are Dasher, Ducky, and Goose. These three siblings are about 6 months old and brought into our care by animal control.

They can be a little shy at first, but are warming up quickly and have so much love to give. We can't wait to see them thrive in a home where they can be treated as part of a family. To adopt Dasher, Ducky, or Goose, or foster one of our other animals, come visit us Monday through Friday at our shelter located in Mano. For more information, visit our website at obx spbpca.org or visit our OBX SPCA Facebook page.

So, definitely go out to the OBX SPCA. There's some wonderful puppies there and uh take one, take two, take all three and I'm sure they would love to have a forever home in your home and give you a tons of love in in the meantime. Mr. Chairman, that's all I have. I want to wish everybody a happy new year. May 2026 be filled with joy and fortune. Thank you, Vice Chairman. Commissioner Baitman.

Yes, sir. Um Mr. manager. Two years ago, we had a conversation when they were replacing the bridge in Hatteris Village about the bulkhead over to the right hand side if you hidden north. And when I was walking in the Christmas parade, I noticed that nothing had been done there. Correct. Are we thinking about doing that? Are we thinking about funding that? We are. We had Well, we talked about just put about Yeah, we did. We funded it. We talked controversial. We funded it and said rip wrap

rip wrap if that's what the state was going to do. If they were going to do bulkhead, we were going to bulkhead it. I contact I talked to you about it and the funds were there. We have approved the funds for that.

There are no funds in the budget for that. Mr. Chairman, I'm telling you that's what we were told. We've walked that property. I've walked it. I've walked it with staff. Um, if you walk down the side along the canal along Slash Creek there, there's a beach there and there's a nice flat beach and the erosion along that side is minimal. When you get around to the back side where the vegetation is, there is erosion or there's undermining of some of the trees there. And the question becomes, how far along are we going to do and how do we fund doing it? We did talk about if we're going to do when we talked about doing it, we talked about were we going to do rip wrap? Were we going to do the corrugated metal? What was the were we going to do wood? You know, what were we going to do there? We never gotten a price for what it would cost to do that. And what we were in fact doing is we were waiting to see what the state did so that if we decided to do something out there, we could then attach it to or mimic whatever it is they were doing there. Um, again, one of the key issues was, you know, how are people going to load their they're they're using that property and we're letting them we don't mind that to to offload their kayaks and all that stuff, that beach, coming off that beach is a lot better and simpler and easier than building a bulkhead and a something that they get off of because we didn't have any erosion there because we had access for the kayak people who were the ones that were concerned. We've taken care of the issue I think with the uh helipad there. And so the only other issue was are we going to go on the back side of that property and do it. Nothing is in peril. Nothing's at risk.

But there is an undercut problem there on that. You know, if we're going to spend a bunch of money to do that, I would say that let's go down there and take a look at you already did. And if that's where we want to go, then we can I can get Dustin to get numbers to do that. But and I don't know what it would cost, but

I'm not saying spend a bunch of money, but what I was what I was thinking is in the areas that they would not launch a kayak, put some AMO 5000 down there, rip wrap it to stabilize that section. Leave the beach part open for the kayak accessible stuff. And then on the back corner where it's being um highly eros erosion, then put the rip wrap and the ammo there. And that's rip wrap's cheap and there's tons of it all over the place.

If if that's what you all want to do when remember when Reed Wilson came down and we went we went over there and we talked about a living Yeah. We talked about the living shoreline and seeing if there was a grant thing like if we could do something for a living shoreline across the back piece of that and that that last time I thought we talked had we talked about it that day doing the living shoreline piece and then rip wrap up to where that beach part was. We've talked about a bunch of stuff and for that to happen, we have to do what we're doing now is somebody if that's what the board wants to do to do that.

Then I can get Dustin to go get prices to see what it costs to do that and then come back to you and figure out where we're going to get the money from to do it at whatever that number is. Let's get the number. Yeah, get the number. Got it. Okay. The other one I had um I asked you about this earlier, driftwood, right? SP. So, we've got a we we got a grant. Barton's here for that. We have a grant that we got to do that. Um we're working on another a second grant, Barton. We got a tourism board grant. You're working on a conceptual design.

And so, and so the survey work, the conceptual design, all that work is in process. We got another grant that we've applied for that we need that work to give them and then we get that grant then we start construction. Okay, good. Um the rec plan. We got the rec plan. We spent all last year going through all that stuff. Where are we at with that? Recreation plan. Where where you all say we are? You have to you all have to decide. All right. What are we going to do? How are we going to fund it? What is our referendum on the ballot? Yeah. Well, we we've talked probably, but Well, that was for additional. We already have 1 point something million to spend.

For additional, we were going to put it on the ballot. It's a $50 million do it a ballot measure. Well, if you all want to proceed with that, then we need we need to sit down and talk about how are we going to fund it? If it's going to be with that referendum, then how are we going to do that? How are we going to market that? What are we going to use the money for? How do what do we tell people what we're doing and how we're doing it? And while some of us have talked privately about that, you all have discussed that as a board. Well, we need to get it on the agenda. If we're going to do the the get it on the ballot, we need to get it on our agenda so that we can get it on the ballot in time. Would you like to run that through the CIP so that we can have a No, I think we have a consensus.

Yeah, I think we have a consensus. Which project are we doing first? Well, we we do have to have a That's what I'm saying. We got to get a plan. Yeah. But do we have to run it through the CIP before we get it on the um No, I was thinking is we have a CIP between now and February come back in February. There are questions. The subcommittee can address it just because it's going to take a few hours to go through that and we don't have that much time at one of these meetings. Right. Right. Right. Call the CIP next week. Yeah. He's going to do it. We will. Let's do it. Let's roll. Get her done. Anything else?

The other thing um on a on a Saturday note, Tony Bruno, I don't if y'all knew Tony or not, he was a pilot um aviator. He was in um flew fighter jets off aircraft carriers. He passed away and super nice guy. He was served on the um airport authority with me. He also had them on the first flight society. Exactly. He was a just a upstart super nice guy and u but he passed away and but he lived a good life and had leukemia and thought it for a long long time and um just a super nice guy there and that's all I got. Thank you, Commissioner Commissioner Creek.

Oh yeah. I'd like to start out by hoping that everybody in Dair County had a wonderful Christmas. Uh this is America. We still say merry Christmas here. Another thing is going into the new year, everybody's got their own resolutions. So, now that New Year's is full of new resolutions, like to start with that this place means a lot to me. The SEC back when they were competitive, their slogan used to be the SEC. It just means more. Well, I think we should steal it because it obviously doesn't mean more to them anymore. So, I'm going to say Dare County. It just means more. It has been a wilderness, a battlefield, and a sailor's worst nightmare. But to a few, a brave few, it was a land of opportunity. A land of dreams are forefathers paved with unwavering courage and revolutionary ingenuity. My resolution is to be a foundation to my family, a soldier to my constituents, and a better representative of my faith. In 2026, we celebrate 250 years of our nation. a declaration of faith in God and the inaliable rights of a free people that would inevitably change the history of the world. I often feel the pressure of trying to live up to a life that was paid for by so many generations of tremendous sacrifice. My heart goes limp when I hear taps for a fallen hero, but is filled with overwhelming pride when I hear our great national anthem. This is my home and heritage, the incarnation of all my memories and everything that made me who I am. Freedom is only one generation away from extinction. We must continue to fight for the independence of our fishing industry. I would love to take all the bureaucrats and those on the Marine Fisheries Commission for a nice tour through Wes and a nice seafood lunch at McDonald's getting a fish sandwich because that's all we can get

now. Let them see the dilapagated fish houses and the rusty boats of an era gone by and the loss of GDP growth and what it provided for this county. We also must maintain a conservative approach to budgeting to provide low tax rates while also balancing our excellent community services here in Dair County. But most of all, in this new year, we must love our neighbors like ourselves so that we can maintain our beautiful culture that makes us who we are. In closing, my sixth greatgrandfather, Thomas Nelson, signed the Declaration of Independence, famously ordering canineers to fire upon his own home occupied by British commander Corn Wallace. I finish with a pledge from all the signers of the declaration. With a firm reliance on the protection of dei divine providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. God bless America. God bless North Carolina. and God bless Dair County. Happy New Year to everyone. May it be the finest year you've ever had. And I would also like to echo the condolences to the Otavios. They are also personal friends of mine, Matt and Andrew. And I I certainly feel for them and the loss to their family. Such a tragic loss at 43 years old. And also echo Mr. Bur's sentiments to uh Ryan Gibbs family. I coached against him for years. I believe he was the only person in all of coaching who could match my frustration and excitement on the sideline. Anyway, God bless you all and thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Qu. Um, Bobby, I think you told me that this is very supported uh our position on the courts in Nags Head and they voted to split that with us. Is that correct? They did and we're working on there's anou that'll be on your February agenda that'll approve that and get that going. Super. Fantastic. Good to know. Um um the um you guys keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I um refereeing basketball once again this year. It's pretty tough on somebody my age running up and down the court for five hours on a Saturday. But keep those defibrillators.

I need all I need all the help I can get. All right. Make sure it's a nearby defibrillator station.

That's right. But I'm looking I'm looking forward to it. The the kids are a lot of fun to referee and um we we've got a unbelievable u number of kids in Dair County um playing basketball this season. 600 700. It's it's really a lot of kids. So it's a lot of fun. So come out and watch. You'll have a good time. Um, with that being said, I I too would like to uh wish everybody a happy new year and maybe that may this year be the best year uh you've ever had. And once again, thank you board for all your individual um work on this board and working for this county. It's very much appreciated. With that being said, we need an adjournment until February the 2nd.

So move second. Motion by vice chair, second by Commissioner Bur. All those in favor signify by saying I. I post like sign. Motion carries unanimous