MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. in the Community Room located in the Watauga County Recreation Center, Boone, North Carolina.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
[Clerk’s Note: Chairman Welch was unable to attend due to a prior commitment.]
Commissioner Wallin opened with a prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called for additions and/or corrections to the April 19, 2022, special meeting, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the April 19, 2022, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the April 19, 2022, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the April 19, 2022, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Approval of Agenda
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called for additions and/or corrections to the May 3, 2022, agenda.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the May 3, 2022, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Sheriff’s Office Requested Award to Retiring Officer
County Manager Geouque, on behalf of Captain Preston Russell, stated that G.S. 20-187.2 allows governing bodies of a law enforcement agency to award a retiring member the service side arm at a price determined by the governing body. Law enforcement personnel may retire at age 55 with 25 years of credible service with full retirement benefits. Deputy Patrick Todd Phillips is retiring June 1, 2022, and the Sheriff’s Office requested that his respective side arm and badge be awarded to him upon retirement and that the Board set the price of the side arm at $1.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to award Deputy Patrick Todd Phillips’ side arm, at the cost of $1, and badge to him upon his June 1, 2022, retirement from the Sheriff’s Office.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
FY 2023 AppalCART Contracts
County Manager Geouque, on behalf of Mr. Craig Hughes, AppalCART Director, presented the proposed contracts for transportation services for the Project on Aging and Social Services Departments for FY 2023. The proposed rates for the Project on Aging, Department of Social Services, and other county functions were $2.28 per direct mile. The contract for the POA Meal delivery was $1.45 per direct mile as the direct miles and service miles were about the same. Due to that the rate was proposed at $1.45 versus the $2.28 rate in the other contracts.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the contracts as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Planning and Inspections Matters
A. Performance Guarantee for Wynfield Ridge Townhome Project
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that pursuant to Chapter 18 (Subdivisions & Multi Unit Structures), Article VIII, Section 3 of the Watauga County Planning & Development Ordinance, the developers of Wynfield Ridge Townhomes has presented a performance guarantee in the amount of $25,902, which was the amount of the estimated cost to complete the required road paving plus 20%.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to accept the performance guarantee in the amount $25,902 for the Wynfield Ridge Townhomes.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
B. Middle Fork Greenway Grant Application
Mr. Furman presented two grant opportunities for the Middle Fork Greenway - Boone Gorge Park project. The two grants were $500,000 from NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) and a $100,000 from Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The DWR grant required a 50% local match with an application deadline of June 30, 2022. The RTP grant required a 25% local match with an application deadline of July 22, 2022. The local match would be provided by the Blue Ridge Conservancy, Watauga Tourism Development Authority (TDA), and donations.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the submission of the applications to the NC Division of Water Resources, in the amount of $500,000, and the Recreational Trails Program, in the amount of $100,000 as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
C. Proposed Revision and Reorganization of the Watauga County Community Housing Trust
Mr. Joe Furman stated that in 2009, the County Attorney's office was authorized to establish a non-profit 501c3 organization in an attempt to address the shortage of affordable housing at that time with the result being the creation of the Watauga Community Housing Trust (WCHT). The initial Board of Directors was Mr. Scott Eggers, Ms. Chelsea Garrett, and Mr. Furman. The remainder of the Board members were appointed by the Board of Commissioners or elected. Unfortunately, the WCHT was not able to accomplish what had been hoped. The WCHT has not been active since October, 2018, though the annual IRS filing has continued, so it was in good standing.
The Housing Forums, recently held in the County, energized the community toward finding solutions to the issues at hand. Mr. Furman stated that one group, called “The Affordables,” had planned to create a Housing Trust. Mr. Furman recommended the Commissioners to concur to endorse “The Affordables” taking the responsibility to revive and reorganize the WCHT and its Board of Directors. Mr. Furman also requested the Board consider what type of involvement with the Housing Trust was desired for the County moving forward, such as possibly one seat on the WCHT Board, possibly as a liaison, as it was anticipated that participation by the County in proposed solutions would be needed and sought; those requests could be brought to the Commissioners for consideration at the appropriate time.
The Bylaws of the Trust stated that the Board of Commissioners currently appoint the Board of Directors. Mr. Ben Loomis, with “The Affordables,” agreed with the proposal to present a new slate of Directors to the Board of Commissioners for approval and then the new Board of Directors would rewrite their bylaws as needed. The modifications to the bylaws would allow for a broader representation and free the entity from any limitations associated with County control. Additionally, the Affordables would like for the Trust to be designated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). This would allow the entity to apply for funding which is not available under the existing structure.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to endorse the proposal as presented by Mr. Furman and Mr. Loomis.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Register of Deeds Historic Records Grant Program Application Request
Ms. Amy Shook, Register of Deeds, requested approval to apply for a grant administered by the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM). The grant was in the amount of $2,000 with a $2,000 match requirement. The match is present in the Register of Deeds designated Automation, Enhancement and Preservation Fund (AEPF). Ms. Shook stated that, if not all counties applied for grant funding, a second round of applications would be considered. Ms. Shook also requested approval to apply a second time if the opportunity was presented.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to authorize the submission of up to two applications for a grant which would be administered by the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM), in the amount of $2,000 with the $2,000 match which to come from the Register of Deeds designated Automation, Enhancement and Preservation Fund (AEPF).
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Emergency Services Matters
A. Proposed Letters of Intent for Pre-Positioned Debris Management Contracts
Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director, requested approval to execute Letters of Intent with Southern Disaster Recovery for hauling and DebrisTech for monitoring. The vendors have been vetted by NC Emergency Management and there is no cost or obligation to utilize the contracts.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the execution of Letters of Intent with Southern Disaster Recover for hauling debris and DebrisTech for monitoring debris.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
B. Proposed Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan
Mr. Holt requested approval of a Resolution adopting the High Country Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Mr. Holt shared the regional plan with the Board.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adopt the resolution adopting the High Country Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan as presented by Mr. Holt.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Presentation of the FY 2023 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
County Manager Geouque presented the FY 2022-2023 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for review prior to discussion during the upcoming budget work sessions.
B. Presentation of the Manager’s FY 2023 Recommended Budget
County Manager Geouque presented his Recommended FY 2023 Budget and reviewed the highlights. Upcoming budget work sessions were announced as scheduled on Thursday, May 12, 2022, beginning at 12:00 P.M. and Friday, May 13, 2022 at 9:00 A.M. The Recommended Budget would be available for public inspection on the County’s website and at the County Manager’s Office. A public hearing was scheduled for May 24, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed budget.
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· After a two year hiatus, the Parks and Recreation Department will host the 2022 Special Olympics Spring Games on Wednesday, May 4th. The games will be held at the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Complex, with some competitions on the fields, and others inside the Watauga Community Recreation Center. You are invited to attend the Opening Ceremony which at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Complex.
· Budget Work Sessions are scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2022, beginning at 12:00 noon and Friday, May 13, 2022, beginning at 9:00 A.M.
· The Trustees of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute invites the Board of Commissioners to a meeting on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. at the Watauga Instructional Facility on Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone NC, in the new Student Services Building.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:23 P.M., Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3); Economic Development, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(4) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:37 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Adjourn
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board