MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1998
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 1998 at 7:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.
PRESENT: James Coffey, Chairman
Jack D. Lawrence, Sr., Vice-Chairman
Linda S. Craig, Commissioner
Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner
Jack Wellborn, Commissioner
Stacy C. Eggers, Jr., County Attorney
James S. Ratchford, County Manager
Libby Link, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Coffey called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.
A moment of silence was observed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Coffey called for additions or corrections to the June 1, 1998 regular and/or closed session minutes; there being none, they were approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Coffey called for additions or corrections to the June 16, 1998 agenda.
Commissioner Craig seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to approve the agenda for the June 16, 1998 regular meeting with the following changes: a budget amendment be added under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters, Item 6 be deleted, an additional appointment to discuss under Boards and Commissions (WAMY Community Action) and discussion regarding Polio Survivors Awareness Week.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PUBLIC HEARING – COUNTY GOVERNMENT
ROAD NAME ADDITIONS
Chairman Coffey declared a public hearing open at 7:05 P.M. to consider the adoption of new road names for Watauga County.
Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman, stated that pursuant to NCGS 153A-239.1, a public hearing was required and presented the following list of new road names:
Bald Mtn. Twp. New River Twp.
Grande Maple Court Den-Mac Drive
Grande Oaks Drive
Seven Devils Twp.
Blowing Rock Twp.
Lillian Drive
Sunset Springs Drive
Valleybrook Lane Shawneehaw Twp.
Blue Ridge Twp. Camelot Drive
Long View Road
Courtyard Road Rocky Parkway
Golden Gate Road Twin Ponds Road
Goya Drive
Wyeth Drive Stony Fork Twp.
Brushy Fork Twp. Green Leaf Trail
Green’s View Court
Liberty Green Trail Jenwil Drive
Monte Verde Road
Elk Twp. Tyler’s Way
East Pinecrest Court Watauga Twp.
Laurel Creek Twp. Houndstooth Trail
Huskins Mountain Road
John T. Drive Man-O-War North
Woodbriar Drive Man-O-War South
Meat Camp Twp.
Elleridge Drive
Windy Hollow
There being no public comment regarding the above new road names, Chairman Coffey declared the public hearing closed at 7:08 P.M.
Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the new road name list as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PUBLIC HEARING – FY 98/99 BUDGET
Chairman Coffey declared a public hearing open at 7:08 P.M. to discuss the proposed 1998/99 budget.
Mr. Jack James, Chairman, Volunteer Outreach Center Board, addressed the Board stating the Volunteer Outreach Center had requested $7500 for FY 98/99 and $2500 had been allotted. Mr. James stated additional funds were needed in order to hire a coordinator for the Center. Ms. Margaret Johnston, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Jim Thompson, Hospitality House, also addressed the Board thanking the Commissioners for their continued support.
There being no further comments from the public, Chairman Coffey closed the public hearing at 7:22 P.M.
After discussion, Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Hodges moved to adopt the 1998/1999 Budget Ordinance with the stipulation that the Board review: providing benefits for the County’s CAP aides, dropping the disability policy from the County’s benefits, the Board of Elections’ request for new voting machines, and a second washing machine for the Fireman’s Association.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ORDINANCE BOOK #_____, PAGE #_____
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Industrial Park Transaction - County Manager Ratchford stated Mr. Joseph C. Miller, owner of Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, Inc., at the Industrial Park had arranged the purchase of one (1) acre of land from Leaf Properties to expand his business at the County Industrial Park. Pursuant to the restrictive covenants, this required Board approval.
Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve this request.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Boards and Commissions – County Manager Ratchford noted that Dennis Zeb Ruppert had been nominated to serve on the Blowing Rock Fire District Board.
Commissioner Craig seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to appoint Dennis Zeb Ruppert to the Blowing Rock Fire District Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manager Ratchford noted all members of the AppalCART Board had agreed to be reappointed except for Mr. William E. Miller, and two names were submitted for his slot. The nominees were Mr. Jerry Moretz and Ms. Sue Wilmoth.
The following votes were made:
Chairman Coffey – Mr. Jerry Moretz
Vice-Chairman Lawrence – Mr. Jerry Moretz
Commissioner Craig – Mr. Jerry Moretz
Commissioner Hodges – Ms. Sue Wilmoth
Commissioner Wellborn – Mr. Jerry Moretz
Based on the results of the vote, Mr. Jerry Moretz was appointed to the AppalCART Board, and Mr. Larry Foster, Mr. R. E. Nelson, Mr. Tim Wilson, Ms. Jane Helm and Ms. Deanna McGinnis were reappointed to the AppalCART Board for two-year terms.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manager Ratchford noted that Ms. Karen Wilson had been nominated to fill a vacancy on the WAMY Community Action Board.
Commissioner Craig seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to appoint Ms. Karen Wilson to the WAMY Community Action Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Announcements – County Manager Ratchford stated discussion occurred during the last meeting in regard to canceling the second regular meeting in July.
After discussion, Commissioner Craig seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to cancel the regular meeting scheduled for July 21, 1998.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manager Ratchford informed the Board that the Sheriff had been successful in getting one of the prisoner medical bills (in the amount of $5,000) paid by the State.
Budget Amendments – Finance Director Isaacs presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:
Account # Description Debit Credit
103300-343106 FEMA Disaster Relief 35,465
104330-412100 Emerg. Mgt. Salaries 737
104330-418100 Social Security 57
104330-418200 Retirement 36
104330-418900 Deferred Comp 13
104350-412100 P&I Salaries 111
104350-418100 Social Security 9
104350-418200 Retirement 6
104350-418900 Deferred Comp 2
104260-412100 Maint.-Salaries 206
104260-418100 Social Security 16
104260-418200 Retirement 10
104260-418900 Deferred Comp 4
104330-449908 Misc-Snowstorm ’98 3342
104330-449906 Misc.-Fire Dept. Reimb. 4683
106127-435103 Rec.-Repair & Maint. 1612
106127-469500 Rec.-Contracted Ser. 780
104267-435100 Repairs & Maint.-Bldg. 23841
To recognize FEMA disaster relief funds relevant to the flooding and snowstorm in January, 1998. These funds would cover costs associated with personnel, supplies, recreation field damage, fire department expenses and roof damage to the Appalachian Enterprise Center.
Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Craig stated she had received a request to recognize the first week of June as Polio Survivors Awareness Week.
Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to officially recognize the first week of June as Polio Survivors Awareness Week.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Hodges seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to enter closed session at 7:40 P.M. to discuss: Attorney/Client Matters – G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3), Avery County Line Issue and Personnel Matters – G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6). Following a brief recess, the Board entered closed session at 7:47 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to resume the regular meeting at 8:08 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ADJOURN
Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
___________________________
James Coffey
Chairman
ATTEST:
______________________________
Elizabeth H. Link
Clerk to the Board