Dare County Bulletin

Bulletin #24
April 1, 2020
1:00 p.m.
In North Carolina, there are currently 1,584 cases of COVID-19 in 79 counties. There have been nine fatalities in NC associated with COVID-19. Currently, the state is reporting 204 hospitalizations across the state from COVID-19 illness. 

• 53% of COVID-19 cases in NC are people between the ages of 18 and 49
• 26% are people age 50-64
• 19% age 65 and over

In Dare County, two positive test results have been reported. Both cases have been linked to travel or direct contact. There are no indications of community-wide spread. The first individual reported has fully recovered. The other individual is doing well and improving each day. Dare County Department of Health and Human Services will continue to report on any positive case as soon as possible. 

As Dare County Health and Human Services Director, Dr. Sheila Davies will explain in her daily video update, COVID-19 is a novel virus, meaning it is new and not everything is known about how the virus works. It is possible there are individuals who have the virus and are spreading it, yet have no symptoms. The CDC has reported as many as 25% of people infected with COVID-19 may not show symptoms. 

Given the uncertainty of who may be carrying this highly contagious virus, social distancing is the most effective form of prevention. Stay at home other than for essential work or needs. Limit direct contact and ALWAYS maintain at least 6 feet of distance between you and others, except for direct family members. Practice all guidelines included in the Governor’s Stay at Home Order each and every day - Stay at home except for essential work or to visit essential businesses, to exercise outdoors, or to help a family member. Do not gather in groups of more than ten people and stay at least six feet apart from others.

These orders are in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and lessen the number of sick individuals. Everyone in Dare County should restrict travel. Before you decide to get in your car and go somewhere, please ask yourself, “Is this a necessary trip for me to make? Am I going for an essential need?” and  “Is my travel going to put me at risk of picking up the virus and potentially spreading it to someone else?

Assistance for Those in Need 
If you find yourself struggling during these difficult times, please use the resources available in our community that are there to help you. Whether you need support with basic needs like food or you need emotional support, Dare County is fortunate to have resources to assist. A list is available at www.darenc.com/covidresources.   

In addition, the federal government has launched a website with information on more than 1,000 federal and state benefits. Benefits.gov has a questionnaire that will direct eligible individuals to a list of resources, including food stamps, unemployment benefits, healthcare benefits, emergency business loans, and more. 

For those able to financially assist others in need, please consider making a monetary donation to a local non-profit that works to assist those needing assistance. This crisis is creating hardships for many in our community and the needs will increase over time as this crisis continues.    

Dare County
For updated information regarding Dare County services and department operations, visit www.darenc.com/covidservices. 

The Dare County Board of Commissioners will hold their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 6 at 9:00 a.m. at the Dare County Administration Building in Manteo. The meeting will be streamed live and can be accessed via www.darenc.com or www.currenttv.org. Public comment may be submitted to the Board by sending an email during the meeting to dcboc@darenc.com 

Town of Duck
The April 1 Town Council meeting will be live streamed on YouTube. Public comment may be submitted prior to the meeting by emailing councilmeeting@townofduck.com. Instructions for viewing and commenting during the meeting are posted at www.townofduck.com/town-council.  The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.
The April 8 Planning Board meeting has been canceled.

Town of Southern Shores
In order to maintain the safety of Town residents, staff, and the Town Council, the Town Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2020 will now be conducted electronically using Zoom software. Only a quorum of the Town Council will be present at the meeting. The remaining Council Members will all participate remotely.

The Town Council meeting time has been rescheduled to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 to accommodate the carryover of agenda items from the canceled March 24, 2020
Budget Work Session.
What does this mean for those looking to participate in the meeting?
There are three ways the public can participate in the meeting:
1.     Join the meeting through Zoom on your computer or cellphone.
Simply click on the following link or type it into your internet browser:  https://zoom.us/j/612186193
Meeting ID: 612 186 193
If you have not used Zoom before, you are encouraged to download the application from their website at Zoom.us and try it out prior to the meeting. There is no cost associated with the software or attending the meeting.
2.     Join the meeting through audio only via telephone.
Simply call: +1 253 215 8782 US or +1 301 715 8592 US   When prompted, enter meeting ID: 612 186 193 followed by the Pound sign (#). Depending on your carrier, long distances charges may apply.
3.     Submit your public comments to the Town Clerk prior to the meeting
Email: skane@southernshores-nc.gov

The comments will be read into the record during the public comment portion. Please include your name and address in your comment. Comments should be limited to 3 minutes when read aloud.

Public Comment can be submitted via chat during the live public comment period. Please include your name and address in your comment. Comments should be limited to 3 minutes when read aloud.

The Town is making every effort to ensure that the public is able to not only listen to the meeting, but also to participate in the public comment portion of the Council meeting while still maintaining all of the Town’s statutory requirements and keeping the public safe. This will be a first for all of us and we thank you for both your interest in the Town’s affairs and your patience and understanding while we navigate these uncharted waters together.
In an effort to comply with social distancing guidelines for mitigating the potential spread of COVID-19, citizens who attend the April 7, 2020 Town Council meeting should keep a minimum distance of six (6) feet from others prior to, during, and following the meeting.  Seating in the Pitts Center has been arranged in a manner that complies with this guideline (maximum occupancy of 10). The meeting recording will be posted on the Town website as soon as possible following the meeting. 

Town of Kitty Hawk
Town offices are open normal business hours 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. However, in the interest of safety for our visitors and staff, face-to-face contact will be limited.
Before visiting any Kitty Hawk office, please check the appropriate website or call to discuss the best way to conduct business. For Department Contact information please see below.

• The Town Council Meeting scheduled for April 6, 2020 at 6:00 pm will be held as planned.

In response to the County’s Stay Home. Stay Healthy Order:

• The Town’s Recycle Center will be closed until further notice.
• The playgrounds at Paul Pruitt Park and Sandy Run Park are closed.  The parks will remain open for passive recreational activities. When visiting any of the Town’s parks please practice social distancing.
• The Spring Chipping Service will not be held in April and has been postponed until the Fall.

Department Contact Information: 
Town Hall and Planning
www.kittyhawknc.gov
(252) 261-3552
Kitty Hawk Police Department
www.kittyhawkpolice.com
(252) 261-3895
As always, call 911 for any emergency.  Non-emergency calls can be made to Dare Central at 252-473-3444.
Kitty Hawk Fire Department
www.kittyhawkfd.com
(252) 261-2666
Kitty Hawk Public Works
https://www.kittyhawknc.gov/departments-and-services/public-works/
(252) 261-1367

Town of Kill Devil Hills
Kill Devil Hills’ Town offices are accessible by appointment only. If you have business with the Town call, email, or visit our website to gain assistance or to schedule an in person appointment. Department’s contact information and updates to their daily operations can be found on our website, www.kdhnc.com.

In accordance with the Governor’s Stay at Home Order (Executive Order No. 121), the Town of Kill Devil Hills has temporarily closed the following facilities: the restrooms and playground at Aviation Park, the playground at Copley Park, the playground at Hayman Park, and the restrooms at the Ocean Bay Boulevard beach access. These facilities will remain closed to the public until further notice. When engaging in outdoor activity, remember to practice social distancing.

In addition, the Town’s Dry Trash Drop Off and Recycle Center is closed until further notice.

The April 6th Board of Commissioners meeting has been cancelled. For a list of additional meeting and event cancellations, visit the Town’s website.

Our Planning and Inspections Department is now conducting all permitting services electronically. Applications, forms, and more information can be found on our website.
We are facing this pandemic together. While we must physically stand apart (at least 6 ft.), it is vital that we stand together in solidarity. Take a deep breath. Proceed with patience. Be kind and help your neighbors. We will get through this trying time, together.

Town of Manteo
Board of Commissioners – The 04/01 Board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. via telephone. The public may access the meeting by calling 301-715-8592, 669-900-6833, 346-248-7799, or 929-436-2866 and then entering the Meeting ID of 296-841-306. Public comment will be available.

Town Operations – Sanitation, Water & Sewer, Permits & Inspections, and Law Enforcement continue service delivery. Access to Town Hall is limited. Call 473-2133 first to see if your item can be handled over the phone, online, or via other means. You will need to ring the doorbell and use the intercom prior to entry. Access to the Police Department is limited to urgent matters. You will need to ring the doorbell and use the intercom prior to entry during weekdays. If you have an emergency, dial 911. Please call 473-2069 for non-emergency assistance during weekdays or 473-3444 after hours. There is a call box for after-hours use located at the police department entrance. Utility service disconnections are suspended during this emergency. Please note that utility fees will still be charged. Bulky item pick-ups are limited to Monday and Thursday.
Public Facilities – Town parks remain open, and park visitors must avoid crowd-gathering and use social distancing. Playgrounds and public restrooms are closed. The Pea Island Cookhouse Museum, the Maritime Museum, and the interior of the Lighthouse remain closed. Downtown Marina is closed to visitors.
Special Events – The 05/02 Litter Pick-Up is postponed to 11/14. The Downtown Market is postponed until further notice.

The next bulletin will be issued no later than 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 2.