MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2022
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
[Clerk’s Note: There was no County Attorney present.]
Commissioner Wallin opened with a prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the June 13, 2022, special and closed session minutes as well as the June 21, 2022, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the June 13, 2022, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the June 13, 2022, special meeting closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the June 21, 2022, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the June 21, 2022, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the July 19, 2022, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested removing Closed Session from the agenda due to not having a County Attorney present.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the July 19, 2022, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Special Presentation by the Board of Commissioners
Chairman Welch stated that Parks and Recreation Director, Stephen Poulos, was retiring August 1, 2022, and read a proclamation honoring Mr. Poulos’ thirty years of service to the County. Chairman Welch presented the proclamation to Mr. Poulos who thanked the Board, County Manager, and his Parks and Recreation staff and shared a few stories related to his time at work.
Chairman Welch also recognized Ms. Amy Parsons who recently retired from the Parks and Recreation Department.
A drop-by Retirement Party will be held in honor of Mr. Stephen Poulos at the Community Recreation Center (CRC) between 12:00 and 3:00 P.M. on Friday, July 22, 2022.
Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment Regarding Eric O’Loughlin’s Request to Name the Aquatic Center Located in the Watauga County Community Recreation Center in Memory of Mr. Lawrence “Lan” O’Loughlin
Mr. Eric O’Loughlin, Ms. Jean Hord Roberts, and Ms. Ashley Ginn presented a request to name the lap pool in the Aquatic Center after Lawrence (“Lan”) O’Loughlin at the last Board meeting. Mr. O’Loughlin was the Watauga High School Men and Women’s Head Swim Coach from 1979 to 2003.
A required public hearing was scheduled to seek comments and input from County citizens. Once the public hearing was complete the Board shall vote on the request. A unanimous vote of the Board was required for the naming application to be approved.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to call the public hearing to order at 5:48 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The following shared comments in support of the naming request: Anita Kitchens, Ralph E. Lentz II, Jim Deal, J. Paul Welsh, Jenny Miller, Stephanie McDaniel, Tim Forsyth, Jack James, Jonathan Miller, Samantha Deal, Mary E. Moretz, and Phyllis MacBryde.
As there were no additional comments, Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to close the public hearing at 6:20 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy agreed that Mr. O’Loughlin was an exceptional person and the appropriate way to honor him needed to be determined. Mr. Kennedy stated that the Community Recreation Center belonged to all citizens in the County and elected officials had to make hard decisions. If the request was not approved it would not take away from all of Mr. O’Loughlin’s accomplishments. Mr. Kennedy suggested a compromise by offering that an alternate way to show honor would be to name the first swim meet each year in Mr. O’Loughlin’s honor and/or to have his name listed on the record board.
Chairman Welch called for a motion to approve the naming request. No such motion was made.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy moved to deny the naming request. The motion died for lack of a second.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy moved to name the first swim meet of each year in Mr. O’Loughlin’s honor and/or placing a plaque with his name on the record board. Chairman Welch tabled the motion prior to a second to allow staff the opportunity to discuss the suggestions with the School System.
Due to no motion being provided to accept the naming request, the request was not approved.
The Chairman called for a brief break prior to continuing the meeting as several in attendance were leaving.
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of June 2022. 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 June 2022 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for June 2022 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Scale House Improvements Project Bid Award Request
Mr. Rex Buck, Operations Services Director, presented the following bids for Scale House Improvements as received on May 19, 2022:
• Greene Construction, Inc. - $1,697,398.94 (including bid alternate)
• Muter Construction, Inc. - $2,138,019.06 (including bid alternate)
Out of the two bids received, Mr. Mark Cathey, PE, with McGill Associates, recommended accepting the lowest responsive bidder, Greene Construction, Inc. in the amount of $1,572,228.38 which included a deduction of $125,170.56 for customer canopies.
County Manager Geouque stated that due to the lowest responsive bid exceeding amounts included in the Engineer’s Cost Opinion and the Sanitation Department’s FY 2023 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), staff recommended rejecting the enclosed bids, modifying the current design to include three phases, and re-bidding the project at a later date. Mr. Geouque stated that nothing could be guaranteed; however, if the scales were ordered as Phase I of the project, then the eight-month lead time for the order would allow time to modify the project into phases. Vice-Chairman Kennedy questioned whether the Scale House building could be broken out and bid separately in hopes of it being less than the current bid of $1,000 per square foot.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reject all bids, approve funds to order the scales, and direct the County Manager and Operations Services Director to work with McGill to find a less expensive solution for construction of the project.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Emergency Services Matters
A. Proposed Radio Cache Replacement
Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director, requested approval of $33,549.50 for the replacement of five (5) portable radios with Motorola Solutions. Mr. Holt stated that this would complete the three-year upgrade of the radio cache. Funds were budgeted in the FY 2022-2023 budget to cover the expense.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to accept the quote from Motorola Solutions in the amount of $33,549.50 for five (5) portable radios.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Radio Maintenance Contract Renewal
Mr. Holt requested the renewal of three radio maintenance contracts with Mobile Communications America (MCA) in the total amount of $64,122. The contracts covered the consoles and radio equipment at the Primary Communications Center, the back-up equipment at Boone Police Department, as well as the mobile and portable radio maintenance for Emergency Services and the Sheriff’s Office. The increase in costs over last year was due primarily to the addition of the back-up equipment with the consolidation of the Town of Boone Police Department’s Communications with the County’s Center. Adequate funds were budgeted to cover the renewal.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the renewal of the three radio maintenance contracts with Mobile Communications America in the amount of $64,122.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Priority One Grant Award Request
Mr. Holt requested acceptance of the FY 2022 Priority One Grant from the North Carolina 911 Board in the amount of $2,797,012.69 for the purposes of construction of a new 911 Communications Center and the acquisition of equipment for that facility as well as the back-up facility. A County match was not required.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept the Priority One Grant from the North Carolina 911 Board in the amount of $2,797,012.69.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Proposed Utility Easement for Sampson Property
Mr. Holt, requested approval of an easement for utilities with Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation for the Sampson Tower site. The State will utilize the site for VIPER communications and be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the equipment and tower. The site equipment, facilities, and tower are owned by the State of North Carolina. The land was owned by Watauga County; therefore, requiring approval for the easement.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to execute the easement with Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation for the Sampson Tower site for VIPER communications.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. MOA with NCDOT for Debris Management
Mr. Holt requested approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for debris management. The MOA would expedite debris removal during times of disaster. Approval would be part of the County’s overall debris management plan with the MOA being the initial agreement. Execution of the NCDOT Form SSR-1 (Appendix A) would be required for each individual disaster to allow for flexibility based on size and scope.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to accept the MOA with the NCDOT for debris management.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
F. Remediation of VHF Radio Components
Mr. Holt requested approval of an $82,517.50 expenditure with Motorola for VHF remediation of radio equipment at tower sites. Adequate funds were available in the FY 2022-2023 budget to cover the expense of the radio infrastructure project as certain VHF frequencies must be retained for dispatching purposes.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept Motorola Solutions quote in the amount of $82,517.50 for VHF remediation.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Requested Acceptance of North Carolina Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services – Division of Soil & Water Conservation Funding for the Project StreamFlow Rehabilitation Program (StRAP)
Ms. Michelle Kasey and Ms. Mikey Woodie with Soil and Water were present to request the acceptance of grant funding from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Soil & Water Conservation. Ms. Woodie presented the request and stated that the grant, in the amount of $159,750.00 was for the StreamFlow Rehabilitation Program (StRAP) project and would be used to protect and restore drainage to local streams including Elk Creek and the South Fork of the New River.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to accept the $159,750.00 from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Soil & Water Conservation, for the StreamFlow Rehabilitation Program (StRAP) project.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Sheriff’s Office Out-of-State Travel Request
County Manager Geouque stated that Captain Preston Russell, with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, recently traveled to Gallatin, TN to attend a four day Less Lethal ICP Instructor Course. The course was scheduled from July 11, 2022 through July 15, 2022. As the first meeting in July was cancelled, staff approved the request as funds were allocated in the FY 2022-2023 budget.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to authorize the out-of-state travel retroactive to the date of travel.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Voting Delegate
County Manager Geouque stated that the 115th North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Annual Conference will be held August 11-13, 2022, in Cabarrus County at the Concord Convention Center. The County Manager shared the following link for more information: https://www.ncacc.org/events-training/annual-conference/.
The NCACC’s Legislative Goals Conference will be held November 16-17, 2022, in Wake County. Delegates will vote on the slate of goal proposals that have been thoroughly vetted with the final slate of proposals to be brought before the Association’s membership in November.
Voting Delegate designations for both the upcoming Annual Conference and Legislative Goals Conference were needed.
By consensus, Commissioner Wallin was appointed as Watauga County’s voting delegate.
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The 115th NCACC Annual Conference will be held August 11-13, 2022, in Cabarrus County at the Concord Convention Center. Additional information was available at the following link: https://www.ncacc.org/events-training/annual-conference/ for more information.
· The NCACC’s Legislative Goals Conference will be held over two days, November 16-17, 2022, in Wake County. Delegates will vote on the slate of goal proposals that have been thoroughly vetted with the final slate of proposals to be brought before the Association’s membership in November.
Commissioner Wallin announced that a NCACC District 14 Meeting would be held on July 28, 2022, from 5:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. in the Wilkes County Agricultural Center.
Chairman Welch announced that a FUNraiser for Safe Harbor will be held in the Human Services Parking Lot on Saturday, July 30, 2022, from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Mr. Bill Greene, Chair of the Watauga County Republican Executive Board, shared comments in regards to Chairman Welch’s position on the Board of Commissioners.
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board