MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2022
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order at 5:33 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Billy Kennedy, Chairman
Larry Turnbow, Vice-Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, 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
Chairman Kennedy called for additions and/or corrections to the September 20, 2022, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Vice-Chairman Turnbow, moved to approve the September 20, 2022, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Vice-Chairman Turnbow, moved to approve the September 20, 2022, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Kennedy called for additions and/or corrections to the October 4, 2022, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add an out-of-state travel request for Ms. Keron Poteat, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, for a Special Olympics event.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the October 4, 2022, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Appointment of New County Commissioner
Chairman Kennedy stated that, upon the recent resignation of Commissioner Welch, the Board has followed North Carolina General Statute 153A-27 in regards to filling the vacant seat. A consultation with the Watauga Democratic Executive Committee has been completed. The Executive Committee voted unanimously for Mr. Ray Russell to be appointed to fill the vacant seat. Chairman Kennedy stated that the Board of Commissioners was not bound to the Executive Committee’s recommendation and called for nominations.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Vice-Chairman Turnbow, moved to nominate Mr. Ray Russell to fill the District 1 vacant seat on the Board of Commissioners.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Mr. Ray Russell took his oath of office. Commissioner Russell then took his seat with the Board and the meeting continued.
Watauga County Public Library Annual Report
Ms. Jane Blackburn, Director of Libraries, Appalachian Regional Library, presented the Watauga County Public Library Annual Report. The report was for information only; therefore, no action was required.
Phase I Trailer Storage Area Improvements
On behalf of Mr. Rex Buck, Operation Services Manager, County Manager Geouque stated that staff solicited quotes for Phase I of the Trailer Storage Area Improvements project. A total of three (3) quotes were received with the following results:
· PADCO Excavating, Inc - $119,569.16
· Carolina Grading and Utilities, Inc. - $148,500.00
· JW Hampton Company - $192,000.00
Approval was requested to contract with the low bidder, PADCO Excavating, Inc., for earthworks in the amount of $119,569.16 and the purchase of supplies and materials (a storm grate inlet, concrete junction box, and stormwater manhole structures from PADCO Excavating, Inc.) in the amount of $69,220.80 for a total amount of $188,789.96 for the Phase I Trailer Storage Area Improvements
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Vice-Chairman Turnbow, moved to award the bid for earthworks in the amount of $119,569.16 to PADCO Excavating, Inc. and the purchase of supplies and materials in the amount of $69,220.80 for a total amount of $188,789.96 for the Phase I Trailer Storage Area Improvements.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Emergency Services Matters
A. Priority Dispatch License Renewal
Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director, requested renewal of the Priority Dispatch software license in the amount of $18,000. The software was used for processing of Fire, EMS and Law Enforcement calls with a nationally recognized list of questions that allow for standardization and prioritization of emergency calls. The cost of the software was 100% funded by 911 surcharge funds and was based on the number of seats it covered. Since merging with the Town of Boone, an additional seat was added.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the contract with Priority Dispatch software license in the amount of $18,000.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Rich Mountain Tower Renovation
Mr. Holt requested approval to contract with Engineered Tower Solutions in the amount of $32,600 to complete the necessary construction drawings and administrative filings for the renovation of the current Rich Mountain Public Safety Radio Tower. Adequate funds were budgeted to cover the expense.
Vice-Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to authorize Mr. Holt to contract with Engineered Tower Solutions in the amount of $32,600 to complete the necessary construction drawings for the renovation of the current Rich Mountain Public Safety Radio Tower.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Howard’s Knob Park Master Plan and Accessibility for Parks Grant Application Requests
Mr. Eric Smallwood, Parks and Recreation Director, and Mr. Ron Hancock with Destination By Design, presented the proposed Howard’s Knob Master Plan as well as a proposed Accessibility for Parks grant application in the amount of $350,000. Mr. Smallwood stated that the grant would allow for improvements to the park making if more accessible for individuals with physical disabilities, mental disabilities, and for our veterans. The grant required a 20% match which would be covered by the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA).
Mr. Hancock reviewed the Master Plan which included the revisions that would increase the accessibility of the park.
Chairman Kennedy tabled consideration of the Master Plan as well as the grant application until the next meeting to allow time for review of the information provided.
Parks and Recreation Out-of-State Travel Request
County Manager Geouque requested approval for Ms. Keron Poteat, Parks and Recreation Assistant Director, to travel to Hilton Head, South Carolina, from October 11-16, 2022, to take seven Watauga County delegates to participate in the Special Olympics North America Tennis Championships.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Vice-Chairman Turnbow, moved to authorize Ms. Keron Poteat’s out-of-state travel as requested.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Valle Crucis Elementary School Project Bid Award
County Manager Geouque announced that the Local Government Commission (LGC) approved the sale of bonds and that adequate funds were available in the Capital Improvement Plan to cover the costs for construction of the new Valle Crucis Elementary School. The pre-sale of bonds was scheduled for Tuesday, October 11, 2022, and the sale for Wednesday, October 12, 2022.
Bids were solicited and due on September 1, 2022, for the new school. Three bids were received with H&M Constructors being the lowest responsive bidder with the County exercising all of the bid alternates. County Manager Geouque requested the acceptance of the bid from H&M Constructors in the amount of $47,874,600 and approval of the total project budget of $53,530,000 which included architect fees, contingencies, FF&E, and technology.
Vice-Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept the bid from H&M Constructors in the amount of $47,874,600 and approve the total project budget of $53,530,000 which included architect fees, contingencies, FF&E, and technology.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· 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 meeting has been set for 2:00 P.M. at 131 Foggy Ridge Road off of Ben Miller Road in Deep Gap. A quorum of the Board may be present; however, County business would not be discussed.
· Save the Date of Tuesday, December 13, 2022, from 11:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. for the Annual Employee Christmas Lunch at Dan’l Boone Inn.
The following shared comments regarding concerns with the proposed renovations to Howard’s Knob Park: Terry Waldspurger, Jordan Sellers, Dale Whisenant, Charlie Brady, and George Bartholomew.
Dr. Gary Childers, Chairman of the Watauga County School Board, shared his gratitude and thanked the Board for support of the new Valle Crucis Elementary School project and all Watauga County School which consistently remain at the top of ratings. Dr. Childers shared that the Board of Education fully supported action taken earlier in the meeting which would move forward the progress toward a 21st century school. Dr. Childers shared that Dr. Scott Elliott was not able to attend due to a previous engagement.
Closed Session
At 6:39 P.M., Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Turnbow, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:10 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Amendment to the Agenda
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to amend the agenda to include action after closed session.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Action After Closed Session
Vice-Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to authorize the County Attorney to file suit against McKinsey & Company, Inc.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Billy Kennedy, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board