Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
New Bern board appoints Ward 6 alderman, approves NCDOT agreement, Axon renewal and several grants
Loading...
Summary
On Oct. 14 the New Bern Board of Aldermen appointed Dana Outlaw to fill the Ward 6 vacancy and approved a preliminary engineering agreement with NCDOT for Miller Boulevard, a five‑year Axon contract for police cameras, the sale of 408 Sutton's Alley and several grant and budget amendments.
The New Bern Board of Aldermen on Oct. 14 appointed Dana Outlaw to fill the Ward 6 vacancy and approved a set of routine and project‑related measures including a preliminary engineering agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and a five‑year equipment and services contract with Axon Enterprise Inc.
The board moved item 22 to the top of the agenda so Ward 6 residents in the gallery could observe the action and voted to appoint Dana Outlaw to fill the unexpired Ward 6 term. The appointment was carried by roll call. Outlaw later took the oath of office during the meeting.
Staff presented a proposed preliminary engineering agreement with NCDOT for the Miller Boulevard project that would reimburse the city for engineering associated with relocating about three‑quarters of a mile of electric distribution. Staff estimated the engineering cost at $166,548 and said a separate agreement would be required for construction‑cost reimbursement. The board adopted the resolution authorizing the mayor to execute the agreement by roll call.
The board also approved a resolution accepting the final bid on a vacant parcel, 408 Sutton's Alley; staff reported the final bid of $9,500 would yield $5,131.52 to the city and $4,368.48 to the county. The sale was approved by roll call.
Chief Gallagher recommended renewing the police department's five‑year contract with Axon for body‑worn cameras, in‑car systems, interview‑room cameras and related evidence management. Gallagher told the board Axon pricing has increased about 12% per year over the past four years and said signing before the end of October would avoid an additional 15% price increase. The board approved the contract renewal by roll call.
On budget items, staff presented and the board adopted three ordinances: a $367,500 grant from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's Resilient Coastal Communities program to support the Duffy Field Canal restoration master plan; a $5,601 Bates Foundation grant to the police volunteer group for an underwater drone (no match required); and budget amendments recognizing donations and holiday event expenses totaling several thousand dollars.
City manager's remarks at the meeting included certified election results for municipal races and a reminder of a runoff schedule; he also reported that three general‑obligation bond referendums passed in the recent election (streets and sidewalks 69.6%, parks and recreation 65.7%, stormwater 75.6%).
Next steps: staff said it will return with estimates and separate agreements for construction reimbursement tied to the NCDOT Miller Boulevard project and continue contract implementation steps for the Axon renewal and property sale.
