MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 5:30 P.M. in the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center in Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M.
Chairman Welch shared condolences for Vice-Chairman Kennedy and his family in the recent passing of his Father-In-Law.
Commissioner Yates opened with a prayer and Vice-Chairman Kennedy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the May 1, 2018, regular meeting and closed session minutes, May 2, 2018, special meeting minutes, and May 3, 2018, special meeting minutes.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the May 1, 2018, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the May 1, 2018, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the May 2, 2018, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the May 3, 2018, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the May 15, 2018, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add an Economic Development Commission funding request and a bid award request for a Maintenance Department tractor.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the May 15, 2018, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment on the FY 2019 Proposed Budget
A public hearing was held to allow citizen comment on the County Manager's Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2019. The following changes to the Proposed Budget were requested by the Board at Budget Work Sessions held on May 2 and May 3:
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Budget Change Summary |
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General Fund |
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Revenues |
Expenditures |
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5/2/2018 |
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(815) |
Remove 2% from BCC cola |
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815 |
Hunger and Health Coalition |
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1,000 |
EM Grant |
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1,000 |
EM Grant |
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net change |
$ 0 |
Overall Budget Increase |
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Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to call the public hearing to order at 5:36 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The following shared comments regarding the Recommended Budget:
Mr. Ron Henries, School Board
Ms. Kelsi Butler, OASIS
Ms. Mary Reichel, supporting the Library
Ms. Tina Krause, Hospitality House/WeCAN
Dr. Scott St. Clair, High Country Recreation
Ms. Maria Julian, Appalachian Health Care
Mr. Clyde Burleson, Southern Appalachian Historic Association
Ms. Monica Caruso, Watauga County Library
Ms. Melony Winklemann, Friends of the Library
Ms. Sandra Basel, Library Volunteer
Ms. Lisa Bottomley, Community Care Clinic
Mr. Charlie Wallin, supporter of Recreation Center, Library, OASIS, and Hospitality House/WeCAN.
Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to close the public hearing at 6:03 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tier II Grant Award Acceptance Request
Fire Marshal Taylor Marsh presented the Tier II grant for consideration in the amount of $1,000 for 2018. The grant funds are used for hazardous materials, emergency response planning, training and related exercises. The grant requires no match from the County.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the 2018 Tier II grant in the amount of $1,000.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
West Annex Roof Project Change Order # 1
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, presented Change Order #1 as proposed for the West Annex Roof Project. The Change Order includes adding a slope to the building (FSA Offices), the addition of an electrical disconnect, and flashing around a window in lieu of a replacement unit. Savings along with a discount from the contractor leaves a $3,000 balance in the contract allowance.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve Change Order 1 at with no additional costs to the County as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Bid Award Request for Replacement Tractor In Maintenance Department
Mr. Robert Marsh presented the following bids received for a tractor which will replace a 1992 Ford 3430 2wd tractor utilized by the Maintenance Department:
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Vendor |
Tractor Manufacturer |
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John Deere |
Kubota |
New Holland |
Mahindra |
Massey Ferguson |
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New South Tractor Newton, NC |
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Model: M6060 63.5 HP $40,934.38 $47,623.04 w/implements |
Model: Boomer 50 50 HP $35,391.90 $42,080.56 w/implements |
Model: 2555 $32,737.01 $39,426.67 w/implements |
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East Tenn. ATV, Elizabethton, TN |
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Model: MF1754 $34,318.00 $38,818.00 w/implements |
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James River Equipment Wilkesboro, NC |
Model: 5055E $38,835.79 $43,352.79 w/implements |
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Mountain Kubota Deep Gap, NC |
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Model: M6060 $38,726.73 $43,151.73 w/implements |
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High Country Dealerships Newland, NC |
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No Bid |
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Mr. Marsh recommended the bid be awarded to East Tennessee ATV in the amount of $38,818 which includes delivery. Mr. Marsh stated that he contacted Mountain Kubota who was not able to match the East Tennessee bid for a local sale.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to award the bid to East Tennessee ATV, in Elizabethton, TN, in the amount of $38,818 for a Model MF1754 tractor with the funds to be allocated from the Administrative Contingency line.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request to Accept Easement for Middle Fork Greenway
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, presented a piece of land connecting to the southern end of the existing greenway Section 4 for consideration. Mr. Furman stated that he planned to request the County approve an easement for the property but has since learned that the property is now offered to the County as a fee simple donation.
The property joins the County-owned property that contains Sterling Creek Park. It will connect the County-owned land to a tract the Blue Ridge Conservancy is attempting to acquire. The Blue Ridge Conservancy grant application will be enhanced by accepting and recording the property as soon as possible.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept the fee simple donation of the property as presented by Mr. Furman and to direct the County Attorney to prepare the deed.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Economic Development Commission Funding Request
Mr. Joe Furman, Economic Development Director, stated that the Economic Development Commission (EDC) voted unanimously to participate in funding a project shining a spotlight on the High Country by producing six to eight short video vignettes featuring locals which highlight the beauty of the mountains. The total cost of the project is $100,000 with the amount of $20,000 proposed to be allocated from the EDC Capital Reserve account upon the approval of the Board of Commissioners. The Boone and Watauga County Tourism Development Authorities (TDA) as well as the EDC see the project as a joint marketing effort that could help accomplish the goals of all three organizations. The production team includes Selena Lauterer, President of Artemis Independent, who has served twenty years as a Public Broadcast System (PBS) professional. The videos could air on PBS stations.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to accept the proposal, approve the $20,000 expenditure with funds to be allocated from the Economic Development Commission Capital Reserve account, and move forward with the project.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of April 2018. The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Warren presented the Refunds and Releases Report for April 2018 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for April 2018 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vaya Health Quarterly Report
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented the Vaya Health Quarterly Financial Report as required by Statute. The report was given for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Humane Society Matters
County Manager Geouque stated that, during the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat, the Board discussed waiving the $63,068.00 loan to the Watauga Humane Society that was recently used for paving. The purpose of the waiver was to assist in the bottom line of the Humane Society’s financial status. In addition, the Board agreed to have the County Sanitation Department begin pick up of the garbage and recyclables at the Humane Society facility beginning August 1, 2018.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to forgive the $63,068 loan to the Watauga Humane Society as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The Trustees of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute invites the Board of Commissioners to a meeting on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at 6:00 P.M. at the Watauga Instructional Facility on Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone NC, in Room 112.
· The Military Officers Association of America’s 12th Annual Memorial Day Program will be held at Boone Mall on Monday, May 28, 2018, with the ceremony commencing at 10:30 A.M.
Public Comment
Ms. Wendi Vandenberg shared concerns regarding a E-911 call she had made.
Closed Session
At 6:25 P.M., Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to resume the open meeting at 6:56 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:56 P.M.
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board