Waynesville council agrees to set aside $100,000 to begin Dutch Fisher Field rebuild, asks for legal mechanics

The Town of Waynesville council voted on Oct. 15 to reserve $100,000 to begin reconstruction of Dutch Fisher Field, following public comments from parents, a $50,000 grant from the DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation and a proposal from Mountaineer Little League.

The council’s action instructs town staff and the town attorney to work out the legal and procurement mechanics and return with an agreement for formal adoption. Council members approved the motion after hearing from residents who said the field’s prolonged closure has disrupted youth sports.

Parents and advocates pressed the council to move fast. “When I got back into the car, she was so emotional crying because her home field is still not being taken care of,” said Ashley Nesbitt, a Mountaineer Little League parent, describing her 10‑year‑old daughter’s reaction to seeing other newly renovated fields. Andrea Richardson, a teacher and Waynesville resident, also told the council the town had already spent $130,000 earlier in the year on design and planning for Dutch Fisher and asked for a clear timeline and transparency.

Mountaineer Little League representative Matthew McKay presented a community-driven alternative to a large flood‑proofing project, saying the league proposes to take the lead on reconstruction and asked the town to contribute $100,000 total — $50,000 for flood repair and $50,000 for overdue maintenance. “We would propose that you turn the reconstruction of Dutch Fisher over to Mountaineer Little League and that they would reconstruct that field,” McKay said.

Town Manager Rob and Town Attorney Martha Bradley cautioned the council that any arrangement must comply with North Carolina procurement rules and FEMA procurement standards if the town intends to pursue FEMA reimbursement. Rob explained that FEMA reimbursement requires following FEMA bid requirements and engaging a design professional before bidding. Bradley noted potential constitutional limits and statutory constraints on grants to nonprofits under North Carolina law and said the legality would depend on the precise mechanics of any agreement.

Council discussion focused on two practical paths: have the town perform specified construction tasks using town crews and equipment while the Little League supplies volunteers and materials, or authorize a contract or purchase process that satisfies state and FEMA rules. Council members emphasized speed; McKay and Little League representatives warned that delays into January could prevent play in March practices.

The council’s motion—approved without a recorded roll‑call count in the meeting transcript—directs staff and the attorney to draft a legal approach that preserves compliance with FEMA and state procurement rules, clarifies whether the town would forgo FEMA reimbursement for any expenditures, and specifies how the DICK'S Foundation grant and town funds would be used. Staff said they would return with unit price takeoffs, drafting of memorandum(s) of understanding and specific payment mechanics for council approval.

The council and Little League agreed to name a single council contact to coordinate with Little League volunteers; parent Ashley Nesbitt volunteered to serve as a contact for efficiency.

The council did not adopt final contract language or a payment mechanism at the Oct. 15 meeting; it approved setting aside $100,000 and directed staff to return with the details required to make any award legal.

Votes at a glance: The council moved and seconded a motion to set aside $100,000 to reconstruct Dutch Fisher Field, with particulars to be worked out by staff and returned for a formal vote. The motion passed (vote vocalized as “aye” in meeting but no roll‑call tally recorded in the transcript).