MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order at 5:33 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Commissioner Wallin opened with a prayer and Commissioner Pertalion led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called for additions and/or corrections to the September 6, 2022, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the September 6, 2022, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the September 6, 2022, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called for additions and/or corrections to the September 20, 2022, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested that the election of new officers and the Scale House Project be added to the agenda.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the September 20, 2022, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Appointment of Chair and Vice-Chair
Vice-Chairman Kennedy read Chairman Welch’s letter stating his resignation from the Board of County Commissioners which was effective September 15, 2022. As Commissioner Welch was the Chairman of the Board, new officers needed to be appointed.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to appoint Billy Kennedy as Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to appoint Larry Turnbow as Vice-Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Proposed AppalCART Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) Grant Application
Mr. Craig Hughes, AppalCART Director, shared a video showcasing the various uses of transportation provided in Watauga County. After a brief update of services, including the announcement of the upcoming arrival of an electric bus, Mr. Hughes presented the Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) grant application for FY 2023. Watauga County was awarded $163,192 a decrease of $4,375 from last year’s funding. The grant does not require a local match from the County.
Vice-Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) grant application for FY 2023.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Watauga County Schools Lottery and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Funds Request
Dr. Scott Elliott, School Superintendent, requested the release of $300,000 from the State Education Lottery Fund and $715,000 from the County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) reserve. The funds would be used for the following:
|
Lottery Project |
Amount |
|
Carpet & Tile Replacements |
$ 45,000 |
|
Replace Kitchen/Cafeteria Equipment |
$ 55,000 |
|
Gym Floors – Refinishing |
$ 20,000 |
|
Door/Window Replacements |
$ 20,000 |
|
Roof Renovations/Replacements |
$ 80,000 |
|
Pavement Resurfacing |
$ 80,000 |
|
Total |
$300,000 |
|
CIP Reserves Project |
Amount |
|
Pavement Repair/Resurface |
$ 80,000 |
|
Security Cameras |
$ 50,000 |
|
HVAC/Sewer Pumps |
$ 25,000 |
|
1:1 Devices |
$300,000 |
|
School Bus Lift Replacement |
$110,000 |
|
Mobile Unit - Hardin Park |
$150,000 |
|
Total |
$715,000 |
Dr. Elliott also gave a general update by sharing that there was a smooth start to the new school year of which enrollment was up to 4,766 this year from 4,530 last year. The school system has hired 86 new employees with 54 of those being new teachers. All schools within the County met or exceeded their growth schedule. Mental Health services were being increased within the school system and a potential grant may allow for an additional School Resource Officer (SRO). Dr. Elliott thanked the Board for the current SRO positions and commended Captain Preston Russell and Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director, on their help with the issue involving the vehicle carrying explosive material that wrecked on the second day of the school year near Watauga High School.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Turnbow, moved to release the funds as requested.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Monthly Collections Report
County Manager Geouque, on behalf of Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Monthly Collections Report. There were no releases in August 2022. The report was for information only; therefore, no action was required.
Howard’s Knob Grant Update
County Manager Geouque introduced Mr. Eric Smallwood, the County’s new Parks and Recreation Director. The Board welcomed Mr. Smallwood who then gave an update to the Board on the Howard’s Knob Grant. Mr. Smallwood stated that he was working with the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and Destination By Design on renovations at Howard’s Knob Park. The TDA would provide the 20% match needed for the grant. Mr. Smallwood also stated that the Recreation Commission would hold a public meeting on September 28, 2022, to inform the public of the project. The report was for information only; therefore, no action was required.
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Scale House Project
County Manager Geouque stated that the Scale House Project has been broken into smaller projects, some of which would be self-performed to keep costs down. To keep the project moving forward, a price quote was presented from Charlotte Scale Co., Inc. for the scales, including installation. The quote totaled $219,910.
Vice-Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the purchase of the items needed to install the scales for the Scale House Project from Charlotte Scale Co., Inc. as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
B. Armory Planning Committee
County Manager Geouque stated that the first meeting of the Armory Planning Committee would be on October 3, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. After the meeting, a tour of the facility would be conducted. Chairman Kennedy stated that, even though he is not on the committee, he would like to attend the meeting to observe and then join the tour of the facility. The County Manager stated that the County did need space in the facility for recreation equipment.
Vice-Chairman Turnbow and Commissioner Pertalion are members of the Armory Planning Committee. An additional appointment was needed; however, such appointment was tabled to a future meeting.
C. Request to Extend the Current Forest Service Lease
County Manager Geouque stated that the Forest Service requested an extension on their lease to use office space at the cooperative extension building. The lease was set to expire on September 30, 2022. The Forest Service requested to extend the lease through June 30, 2023. All terms and conditions would remain the same.
Board approval, contingent upon County Attorney review, would be required to approve the lease and completion of PO-28 Lease proposal form after the adoption and publication of the proposed resolution.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Turnbow, moved to adopt the resolution as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
D. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following for consideration:
Watauga County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Regional Ombudsman, Ms. Stevie John, requested Ms. Barbara Hunsucker and Ms. Patricia Coley be considered for reappointment to serve on the Watauga County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee for three-year terms each. These were first readings.
Vice-Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Barbara Hunsucker and Ms. Patricia Coley each to three-year terms on the Watauga County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
E. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· Upon the future completion of the new National Guard facility in Morganton, the facility located on Hunting Hills Lane will be under the joint ownership of Watauga County and the Town of Boone. A Committee has been seated to help develop the future uses of the facility. The kick-off meeting for the Committee will be held on October 3, 2022, from 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. The informational meeting will be held at the Community Recreation Center with a walk-through of the Armory to follow.
· Please save the date of October 6, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. for a meeting with the Board of Commissioners as well as BREMCO and Skyline representatives to view the progress to expand critical broadband service availability to the majority of homes in the County. The location is yet to be determined.
· AppalCART will be unveiling their first battery electric bus on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. at 283 Martin Luther King, Jr. Street.
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:22 P.M., Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:56 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Possible Action After Closed Session
Chairman Kennedy stated that with the resignation of Chairman Welch, and in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 153.A-27, the Board of County Commissioners shall consult the County Democratic Executive Committee before filling Commissioner Welch’s vacancy. The Board plans to have a nominee for appointment at one of the Board meetings in October.
Chairman Kennedy stated that the Board of Commissioners conducted an evaluation of the County Manager, Mr. Deron Geouque. Mr. Geouque accepted the terms of a new employment contract effective immediately and lasting until December 2027 at which time it would automatically renew on a year by year basis.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the employment contract with the County Manager, Mr. Deron Geouque.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Billy Kennedy, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board