MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1999

 

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at 7:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.

 

PRESENT: Jimmy Hodges, Chairman

Sue Sweeting, Vice-Chairman

James Coffey, Commissioner

Art Kohles, Commissioner

Jack Lawrence, Sr., Commissioner

Jeff Hedrick, County Attorney

Barry J. Reed, County Manager

Libby Link, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.

 

A moment of silence was observed.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the February 1, 1999 regular and closed session minutes, as well as the February 2, 1999 and February 8, 1999 special meeting minutes; there being none, they were approved as presented.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to approve the agenda for the February 16, 1999 regular meeting as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

PUBLIC HEARING-COUNTY GOVERNMENT

NAMING OF NEW PRIVATE ROADS

 

Chairman Hodges declared a public hearing open at 7:04 P.M. to consider the adoption of new road names for Watauga County.

 

Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman, stated a public hearing was required by general statutes (NCGS 153A-239.1) and presented the following road names for approval.

 

Beaver Dam Township Meat Camp Township

 

Suzy’s Lane Hornblend Drive

 

Blowing Rock Township New River Township

 

Clary Court Alex Place

Rocky Glen Lane Circle G Farm

Sledding Hill Court East Pinecrest Court

Change McCauley Drive to Renar Drive

Seven Devils Township

 

Brushy Fork Township Bradley Boulevard

Abberly Court Drews Lane

Corby Court Shelby Street

Crestridge Lane

Darby Court Shawneehaw Township

 

Glendamere Court Michael Lane

Kensington Drive

Change Bucky Badger Road to Fair Oaks Court Stony Fork Township

 

Ivy Ridge Road

Cove Creek Township

 

Creekside Lane Watauga Township

 

Zionfields Lane Cabin Circle

Elk Ridge Farm

Elk Township Homestead Drive

Brightwood Trail North Ironweed Road

Brightwood Trail South Meadow Lark Way

Butterfly Pass Mulberry Place

Creek Way Trail Norman Road Extension

Freedom Road Pleasant View Drive

Golden Way Queens Ridge

Holly Falls Trail Shannon Court

Lotus Hill Sunrise Ridge

Morning Glory Trail Twin Rivers Drive

Serenity Place Watauga Valle Trail

Stardance Trail West Point Drive

 

There being no public comment regarding the above new road names, Chairman Hodges declared the public hearing closed at 7:06 P.M.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to approve the new road name list as presented.

 

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

RECREATION SURVEY FINDINGS

 

Dr. Bill Horne presented results from a survey taken by the High Country Recreation Facilities Task Force. Dr. Horne stated this survey was a follow-up of surveys that had been done previously through the Parks & Recreation Department, the County’s high school and other parties considering the needs of County residents as well as visitors to the high country in pursuing a new recreational facility for this area. Dr. Horne then turned the meeting over to Mr. Ron Branch to review the results of the survey.

 

Mr. Branch reviewed the survey and explained how the results were tabulated. He added that the questionnaire included indoor and outdoor facilities. Mr. Branch noted that 1700+ surveys had been received from residents throughout the County endorsing a new recreational facility. He then turned the meeting over to Mr. Dave Robertson to discuss the proposals based on the survey results.

 

Mr. Robertson asked the Board’s permission to allow County Manager Reed to work with Boone Town Manager, Greg Young, to develop a request for proposal (RFP) that would be circulated to appropriate professionals who plan and design recreational facilities. In addition, Mr. Robertson requested the Board’s endorsement that Mr. Reed be allowed to work with the High Country Recreation Facilities Task Force and the County’s Recreation Commission to develop an RFP that would include the priorities that came from these surveys.

 

After discussion, Vice-Chairman Sweeting seconded by Commissioner Coffey, moved to endorse County Manager Reed to work with Town of Boone Manager, Greg Young, the County Recreation Commission and the High Country Recreation Facilities Task Force to look into this RFP for a new recreational facility.

 

Prior to the vote, and following brief discussion, it was agreed that County Manager Reed would meet with the Recreation Commission and the High Country Recreation Facilities Task Force to determine what to include in the RFP in developing a realistic plan. The following vote was made on Vice-Chairman Sweeting’s motion.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

FUNDS TO EXPAND WATER AND SEWER LINES

 

Mr. Bennie Weaver addressed the Board about plans to build a new Shadrack’s restaurant on George Wilson Road. Mr. Weaver stated the restaurant would be similar to the former Shadrack’s restaurant in Boone. He noted one potential conflict was that the proposed site did not have water and sewer lines. Mr. Weaver had approached the Town of Boone about the project (the Director of Planning had notified him that funding for utilities in the George Wilson Road area was not available, therefore, no utilities were available to the property at this time). Mr. Weaver added that the Town suggested he address the Board of Commissioners before speaking with the Boone Town Council. Mr. Weaver estimated the cost for the water and sewer lines would be in the $200,000-$300,000 range. There were approximately 15 to 20 businesses in this area who were unable to expand because of water and sewer problems. Mr. Weaver stated he was very committed to this project and requested the Board provide the funding to build the lines as proposed.

 

It was noted that the Town was considering this area to be a portion of the next Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Mr. Dean Critcher also voiced his support of this project. The Board asked Mr. Weaver to first approach the Town Council about these water and sewer lines. Mr. Weaver stated he would address the Town Council and return to discuss it with the Board of Commissioners at a later date.

 

UPDATED PLAN TO FURTHER FAIR HOUSING

 

Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman, stated that as a condition of continued receipt of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, the County was required to adopt and periodically update a Plan to Further Fair Housing. The County first adopted the Plan in 1990 and had updated it in 1993, 1995 and 1997. Mr. Furman added this was an ongoing grant and requested approval of the update to the Plan to Further Fair Housing as a condition of receiving this grant.

Commissioner Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Coffey moved to approve the update to the Plan to Further Fair Housing as presented.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

BUDGET AMENDMENTS

 

Finance Director, Doris Issacs, presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:

Account # Description Debit Credit

 

243100-319800 Taxes ‘98-’99 Boone 15,349

244340-469905 Pay to Fire District-Boone 15,349

283100-319804 Taxes ‘98-’99 Beaver Dam 6,383

284340-469904 Pay to Fire District Beaver Dam 6,383

283100-319812 Taxes ‘98-’99 Blowing Rock 10,944

284340-469912 Pay to Fire District-Blowing Rock 10,944

283100-319807 Taxes ‘98-’99 Cove Creek 12,465

284340-469907 Pay to Fire District-Cove Creek 12,465

283100-319810 Taxes ‘98-’99 Deep Gap 7,177

284340-469910 Pay to Fire District-Deep Gap 7,177

283100-319801 Taxes ‘98-’99 Foscoe 16,431

284340-469901 Pay to Fire District-Foscoe 16,431

283100-319809 Taxes ‘98-’99 Meat Camp 8,001

284340-469909 Pay to Fire District-Meat Camp 8,001

283100-319808 Taxes ‘98-’99 Shawneehaw 3,811

284340-469908 Pay to Fire District-Shawneehaw 3,811

283100-319805 Taxes ‘98-’99 Stewart Simmons 3,043

284340-469905 Pay to Fire District-Stewart Simmons 3,043

283100-319806 Taxes ‘98-’99 Zionville 6,920

284340-469906 Pay to Fire District-Zionville 6,920

 

To recognize additional fire tax district estimated revenues and appropriations based on actual tax billings in excess of tax administrators budget estimates.

 

Account # Description Debit Credit

 

213816-337000 Appalachian District Health Department 50,000

219930-451100 Health Dept./Rock Building Renovations 50,000

 

To recognize additional revenue received from Appalachian District Health Department to assist in funding the renovations to the Health Department Building.

Account # Description Debit Credit

 

219930-451100 Health Dept./Rock Building Renovations 51,789

219800-498030 Transfer to Debt Service 51,789

303980-398200 Transfer from Cap. Reserve 51,789

309100-475002 Prin.-E. Annex/H. Dept. 33,104

309100-476002 Int.-E. Annex/H. Dept. 18,685

 

To transfer funds from the Capital Reserve Fund to the Debt Service for the debt service payments for the East Annex and Health Department renovation financing.

Account # Description Debit Credit

 

103910-391000 Proceeds of Lease Purchase 995,823

104265-458000 Capital Outlay-Building Improvements 905,823

Health Department

104265-469103 Prof. Services-Arch. Health Department 90,000

To recognize the balance of the $1.6 million installment purchase contract financing for the renovations of the East Annex and Health Department buildings. This portion of the financing proceeds would be used to finance the Health Department renovations. The County had contracted for the architectural fees and May 1, 1999 was the architects’ anticipated date for requesting bids for the renovations to the building.

Account # Description Debit Credit

 

133593-359003 PSFF-Voc. Ed./High School 292,028

135912-459003 Cap. Outlay-Voc. Ed/High School 292,028

To recognize Public School Facilities Funds approved for the Vocational Education and Watauga High School projects. Funding was approved in previous fiscal year, but expenditures did not occur until this fiscal year.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

RAISING THE MONETARY LIMIT REQUIRED FOR PURCHASE ORDERS

County Manager Reed stated that currently purchase orders were required for any purchase exceeding $150. This involved considerable paperwork and staff time to process and track. Mr. Reed noted he had spoken with department heads and Finance Director Isaacs about this and recommended raising the purchase order limit to $500. He felt this request would simplify the process for everyone. Finance Director Isaacs stated she felt this request would streamline the process, adding the procedures for purchases would not change - this change applied to purchase orders only.

 

Following discussion, Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to raise the purchase order limit to $500 for review at the end of six months.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

 

County Manager Reed stated the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services had accepted the County’s Single Audit Report (for fiscal year 1997/1998) without a requirement for corrective action. Mr. Reed also reminded the Board of the "Report to the People luncheon" provided by the Cooperative Extension Service scheduled for Monday, March 1, 1999 at noon. In addition, the N.C. Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) would hold a district meeting in Lenoir on Thursday, April 15, 1999 from noon-3:00 p.m. to present an update on key legislative issues and other Association activities. Mr. Reed also provided the NCACC legislative agenda that was adopted in January, 1999.

 

ADJOURN

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 P.M.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

 

___________________________

Jimmy Hodges

Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

______________________________

Elizabeth H. Link

Clerk to the Board