MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2011

 

            The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at 8:00 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building.

 

                        PRESENT:       Nathan A. Miller, Chairman

David Blust, Vice-Chairman

                                                Jim Deal, Commissioner

                                                Tim Futrelle, Commissioner

                                                Vince Gable, Commissioner

                                                Four Eggers, County Attorney

                                    Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager

                                    Deron Geouque, Deputy County Manager

                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

            Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 8:04 A.M., welcoming those in attendance.

 

            Commissioner Deal opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Gable led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

            Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the January 18, 2011, regular and closed session minutes.

 

            One correction was handout out regarding the closed session minutes. 

 

            Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the January 18, 2011, regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

            Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the January 18, 2011, closed session minutes as amended.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

            Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the February 1, 2011, agenda.

 

            Chairman Miller stated that the following items had been requested to be added to the agenda:  under Item # 5, a proposed resolution exempting the County from procurement of services for Rocky Knob Park Phase II; under Item # 8, discussion on consolidated dispatch and the Town of Boone’s water intake project.

 

            County Manager Nelson also stated that Finance Director Pierce was to present Item # 4.

 

            Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the February 1, 2011, agenda as amended.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

FISCAL YEARS 2011, 2012, & 2013 AUDIT CONTRACT PROPOSAL

 

            Finance Director Margaret Pierce presented a proposal, on behalf of Mr. Bryce Holder, CPA, to continue to conduct the County’s required audits for fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013.  The contract price for 2010 was $52,900 and the proposed terms were as follows: 

 

·         a contract price not to exceed $53,400 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011

·         a contract price not to exceed $54,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012

·         a contract price not to exceed $54,550 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013

 

            Also included in the proposal was an October 31 deadline for the completion of the final audit report with a preliminary report to be provided to management 10 business days prior to October 31 report each year.

 

            Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the contract proposal as presented.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

ROCKY KNOB PARK MATTERS

 

            A.        Proposed Resolution Exempting Watauga County from Procurement of Architectural, Engineering, and Surveying Services for Rocky Knob Park Phase II – Mr. Woolridge presented a proposed resolution per the provisions of G. S. 143-64.31.

 

            Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to adopt the resolution exempting Watauga County from procurement of architectural, engineering, and surveying services for Rocky Knob Park Phase II as presented.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

B.         Proposed Contract for Phase II – Mr. Eric Woolridge, TDA Senior Outdoor Recreation Specialist, presented a proposed contract with Benchmark Trails, the lowest qualified bidder, for Phase II of trail construction at the Rocky Knob Bike Park.  The contract was for the design and construction of up to four miles of mountain biking trails at Rocky Knob Park and was not to exceed $65,000.  Existing grant awards and the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority were to fund the project with no County funds required.

 

Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to award the bid for construction of Phase II of Rocky Knob Park to Benchmark Trails in an amount not to exceed $65,000 and moved to direct the County Attorney to work with the Tourism Development Authority to develop a contract with Benchmark Trails.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

County Manager Nelson stated that $450,000 had received from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant award for this project.  PARTF had retained $50,000 until the project was completed.

 

PROJECT ON AGING MATTERS

 

A.        Request to Appoint the Home & Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) Agency Committee and Lead Agency – Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Director of Project on Aging (POA), stated that each year Watauga County was required to appoint a Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) Advisory Committee and a lead agency to determine how best to utilize the H&CCBG funds for the coming Fiscal Year.  Ms. Boitnotte recommended the following for appointment to the committee:  Commissioner Tim Futrelle, Anita Davie, Jim Atkinson, Mike Birkmire, Linda Bretz, Gail Hawkinson, Margie Mansure, Christy Pruess, Pam Rush, Sara Shoemaker, Barbara Adams, Pat Coley, Becky Councill, Dick Oehser, Dr. Ed Rosenburg, Dr. Milton “Bunk” Spann, and Betty Wyse.

 

            Ms. Boitnotte also requested that the Project on Aging be appointed as the Lead Agency.

 

            Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to appoint the Project on Aging as the Lead Agency and appoint the following to the H&CCBG Advisory Committee:  Anita Davie, Jim Atkinson, Mike Birkmire, Linda Bretz, Gail Hawkinson, Margie Mansure, Christy Pruess, Pam Rush, Sara Shoemaker, Barbara Adams, Pat Coley, Becky Councill, Dick Oehser, Dr. Ed Rosenburg, Dr. Milton “Bunk” Spann, and Betty Wyse.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

                [Clerk’s Note:  Commissioner Futrelle was appointed to this committee at the December 6, 2010, meeting.]

 

B.         Budget Revision Request to Accept Additional Allocation of H&CCBG Funds – Ms. Boitnotte presented a proposed budget amendment which, if approved, would include an additional $3,481 which was available to Watauga County through the Home & Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG).  The increase required a $387 local match which was present in POA’s current budget.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Gable, moved to accept the additional H&CCBG funding in the amount of $3,481 and approve both the local match and budget amendment as presented.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

TAX MATTERS

 

            A.        Monthly Collections Report – Tax Administrator Kelvin Byrd presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of January 2011.

 

B.         Releases and Refunds – Mr. Byrd presented the following Refunds and Releases for January 2011 for Board approval:

 

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

           Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for January 2011, as presented.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

            C.        Extended Listing Period Request – Mr. Byrd requested that the tax listing period for 2011 be extended through February 28, 2011.  The purpose of the extension was to allow ample time, due to recent weather conditions, for citizens to file personal property.  Mr. Byrd presented a draft resolution which authorized the extension.

 

            Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to adopt the resolution authorizing the extension of the 2011 tax listing period through February 28, 2011 as presented by Mr. Byrd.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

 

A.        Tentative Retreat Agenda – February 25 & 26, 2011 – County Manager Nelson presented additional topics that were to be added to the tentative Annual Pre-Budget Retreat agenda.  The retreat was scheduled for February 25 & 26, 2011.  The County Manager stated that additions and/or changes to the tentative agenda by the Board were welcome.

 

            This item was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.

 

            B.         Automatic External Defibrillator Purchase Authorization Request from 911 Fund Balance – County Manager Nelson stated that, due to a change in 911 spending guidelines by the State, the County was allowed to spend a portion of 911 reserve funds on public safety items.

Commissioner Gable recommended the purchase five Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs).  The cost was approximately $1,400 per unit.  Commissioner Gable stated that the AEDs could be distributed by the Fire Marshal’s Office in a manner that would bring the total AEDs on hand for each of the Volunteer Fire Departments to a minimum of three.

 

            Commissioner Gable, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the purchase of five Automatic External Defibrillators with 911 reserve funds to be distributed so that each Volunteer Fire Department had a minimum of three on hand.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

C.        Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) had two terms expiring at the end of February.   Dave Robertson was willing to continue to serve; however, Missy Harrill was not available to serve an additional term.  Ms. Suzanne Stevens, Ms. Connie Baird and Mr. Matthew Vincent were all available to serve.

 

            Written ballots were distributed, completed, and given to the Clerk who tallied them and announced that Connie Baird and Matthew Vincent received the greatest number of votes and therefore were appointed to each serve three-year terms on the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority.

 

            County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Alex Jernigan, Regional Ombudsman with High Country Council of Governments’ Area Agency on Aging, had requested that Ms. Wanda Branch be reappointed to the Watauga County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee and Mr. Gene Vandiford be reappointed to the Watauga County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee each for a three-year term.

 

            Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to reappoint Ms. Wanda Branch to the Watauga County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee for a three-year term and reappoint Mr. Gene Vandiford to the Watauga County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee for a three-year term.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

County Manager Nelson stated that each newly-elected Commissioner needed to appoint a representative, who lived within the Boone Fire Service District, to serve as a member of the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board.  These appointments were to run concurrent with the term of the appointing Commissioner.

 

Commissioner Gable stated that his appointment of Mr. B. W. Miller at a previous meeting was invalid as Mr. Miller’s property was in a neighboring fire district; therefore, Commissioner Gable appointed Mr. James Coffey as the District 2 representative to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust appointed Mr. Weldon Critcher as the District 5 representative to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District.

 

D.        Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the National Association of Counties Legislative (NACo) Conference was scheduled in Washington, DC, March 5-9, 2011.

 

County Manager Nelson announced that the Town of Boone/Watauga County Joint meeting was to be held Monday, January 31, 2011, at 5:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, Watauga County Administration Building.

 

County Manager Nelson announced that the Hospitality House invited the Board to attend the new shelter dedication celebration on Friday, February 4, 2011, at 1:00 P.M.

 

            County Manager Nelson announced that a public hearing was scheduled for the February 15, 2011, meeting to allow for citizen comment on the Watauga County Agriculture Development and Farmland Preservation Plan.

 

            E.         Discussion on Consolidated Dispatch – Commissioner Gable recommended the appointment of a committee to study the feasibility of consolidated dispatch for emergency communications.  Discussion was held regarding the formation of and goals for the committee and the following were suggested to be included as members of the committee: 

 

·         Commissioner Gable to serve as the representative of the Fire Commission and Board of Commissioners

·         A representative from each of the Towns within the County (Boone, Blowing Rock, Seven Devils, and Beech Mountain)

·         Representation of the Volunteer Fire Departments

·         A representative of the Watauga County Fire Marshal’s Office

·         A representative from ASU emergency management

 

            After discussion, Commissioner Gable, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to request that Sheriff Hagaman form a committee including representation as listed above to study the feasibility of and seek federal funding for consolidated dispatch in Watauga County.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

            F.         Discussion on the Town of Boone’s Water Intake Project – At the joint meeting with the Town of Boone on January 31 the Town requested the County’s support be added to the State application for their water intake project.  Discussion was held regarding the project and its potential impact on citizens.  Discussion included the need for further information regarding the project prior to calling for citizen comment.

 

 

            After discussion, and by consensus, the Board scheduled a work session for February 22, 2011, at 5:00 P.M. to further discuss and receive additional information from the Town of Boone regarding the water project.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

There was no public comment.

 

CLOSED SESSION

 

            At 8:49 A.M., Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:57 A.M.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

ADJOURN

 

Chairman Miller adjourned the meeting at 9:57 A.M.

 

 

Nathan A. Miller, Chairman

 

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board