MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, November 15, 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 5:32 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Billy Kennedy, Chairman
Larry Turnbow, Vice-Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Ray Russell, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Kennedy asked for thoughts and prayers for the University of Virginia shooting tragedy.
With the votes being so close in number for the three seats of the Board of Commissioners up for election, a final determination has not yet been made as to the three who won. Chairman Kennedy announced that the County will be in great hands with whomever gains the seats.
Commissioner Russell 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 October 18, 2022, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the October 18, 2022, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the October 18, 2022, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Kennedy called for additions and/or corrections to the November 15, 2022, agenda.
County Manager Geouque shared that a volunteer application was at each Board seat for Mr. Kinney Baughman. Mr. Baughman was already on the agenda under Boards and Commissions.
Vice-Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the November 15, 2022, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga Housing Council Update & Request
Dr. Kellie Reed Ashcraft with the Watauga Housing Council provided an update regarding the work to date of the Council. Dr. Ashcraft stated that the Watauga Housing Council was in the second phase of its Community Housing Efforts. Participants from the Forums held earlier in the year and other community members were invited to join the Watauga Housing Council in June.
The focus of the Council was to:
· Identify community housing priorities
· Identify and review potential housing solutions addressing those priorities
· Implement the housing solutions, as a Council, or by working with community housing partners
· Track progress
In June and August, the Council used an operational framework known as RBA to determine community housing outcome, indicators, and action steps. The Council then created committees and assigned those committees with tasks and action steps.
In September and October, the Council accomplished the following:
· Submitted a Boone Sunrise Rotary grant application
· Organized and are planning to submit a Rural Transformation grant for Affordable Housing during the March, 2023 grant cycle with representatives from the Town of Boone Council and staff; County Board of Commissioners and staff; and key stakeholders participating
· Began exploring action steps related to easing specific restrictions and creating incentives for affordable housing development
· Began developing a community housing survey and planning the first community conversation on housing in the Meat Camp area.
Dr. Ashcraft stated that the Watauga Housing Council would like to participate as a partner/representative in the development of a Comprehensive Community Plan. The Council would also propose the Watauga Housing Council facilitate development of a Comprehensive Long-term Housing Plan on common areas of housing concerns with the Board of Commissioners, Boone Town Council and other municipalities wishing to participate.
Chairman Kennedy thanked Dr. Ashcraft for the great work of the Council. Commissioner Russell stated that housing was an issue he was concerned about.
Economic Development Matters
A. Proposed Amendments to the Economic Development Commissioner (EDC) Articles of Association
B. Proposed Addendum to Agreement with Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections/Economic Development (EDC) Director, requested approval of updated Economic Development Commission Articles of Association, which had been amended several times through the years since their initial adoption in 1984. The proposed changes reflect the recommended new make-up of the EDC, past amendments, and memberships of the municipalities of Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain, and Seven Devils. Mr. Furman stated that he, David Jackson, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Director, and Charles Hardin, Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, met representatives of the other Towns with good enthusiasm.
Vice-Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the proposed update of the Economic Development Commission Articles of Association as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Mr. Furman also requested the approval of an addendum to the agreement, approved in August 2022, between the County and the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce to provide for management of the Appalachian Enterprise Center (AEC). Managing the AEC was inadvertently not included in the original agreement.
Vice-Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the addendum to the August 2022 agreement between the County and the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce for economic development.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Middle Fork Greenway Matters
A. Division of Water Resources (DWR) Grant Acceptance Request
B. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Grant Acceptance Request
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections/Economic Development (EDC) Director, requested acceptance of a $500,000 grant from the Division of Water Resources of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and a $500,000 grant from the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The required matches would be provided by the Blue Ridge Conservancy. The two grants were for the Middle Fork Greenway - Boone Gorge Park.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept the two grants, both in the amount of $500,000, for the Middle Fork Greenway - Boone Gorge Park with the required matching funds to come from the Blue Ridge Conservancy as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Proposed Property Donation
Mr. Furman requested the acceptance of a donation of property from Mr. Robert Toppi before the end of 2022. The property was contiguous with the Boone Gorge Park and would be incorporated into the park. Mr. Toppi indicated that he would not pay for a survey of the parcel.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to accept the donation from Mr. Toppi contingent upon County Attorney review.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Bid Award Request for Courthouse Replacement Chiller
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, requested approval to award the bid to Carrier, the lowest bidder, for the Courthouse chiller replacement. The bid was for material only. Staff will return to the Board with another bid for the installation of the unit and other improvements for the Courthouse heating and cooling systems.
BID SUMMARY
|
MFG |
Lead Time |
Price |
|
Carrier |
40 weeks |
$58,900 |
|
Daikin |
41 weeks |
$62,890 |
|
Trane |
38 weeks |
$74,000 |
|
York |
38 weeks |
$77,850 |
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Turnbow, moved to accept the material-only bid from Carrier in the amount of $58,900. Adequate funds have been budgeted to cover the expenditure.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of October 2022. The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Refunds and Releases Report for October 2022 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for October 2022 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Request for Board of Equalization and Review Hearing Date
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, stated that Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway had requested a hearing for a parcel not included in previous appeals. A review recommendation letter was mailed to Mr. Carr on June 2, 2022, allowing for a 30-day timeframe to respond. A response was emailed on July 15, 2022, indicating that they did not agree with the recommended value of $13,081,350 and they requested to go before the Board. Mr. Warren shared dates that Mr. Ryan Vincent with Vincent Valuations would be available if the Board so chose to hear the appeal. Mr. Warren stated that the request was received after the 30-day deadline to respond.
After discussion, Vice-Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to not hear the appeal due to receiving the request after the deadline and to direct Mr. Warren to inform them that an appeal could be made in 2023.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for School Resource Officer (SRO)
County Manager Geouque stated that the School System was recently awarded funding for three (3) additional Student Resource Officers (SRO). The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) needed to reflect the change. Mr. Geouque presented the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the Watauga County Board of Education and the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office as previously reviewed by the County Attorney.
Vice-Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Russel, moved to accept the updated Memorandum of Understanding for Student Resource Officers between the County and the Watauga County School System.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Bid Award Request for Soil and Water Conservation Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) Elk Creek Project
The County Manager, on behalf of Michelle Kasey and Mikey Woodie with Soil and Water Conservation, requested the award of the bid for the StreamFlow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) Elk Creek project to Hicks Construction Enterprise Inc. in the amount of $20,500.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to award the bid to Hicks Construction Enterprise Inc. in the amount of $20,500 for the StreamFlow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) Elk Creek project.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following:
Watauga County Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment terms of Edie Tugman and Lee Stroupe expire in November, 2022. Neither wish to be reappointed. Both Jenna Isenhour and Kinney Baughman have expressed interest in serving. Each term would be for three years.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Jenna Isenhour and Kinney Baughman to the Watauga County Board of Adjustment for three-year terms ending in November 2025.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Social Services Advisory Board
Tiffany Christian has been recommended for appointment to the Social Services Advisory Board for a four-year term.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Tiffany Christian to a four-year term on the Social Services Advisory Board with the term ending in August 30, 2026.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Health Department Board
A vacant public member position for Watauga County was available for appointment on the Health Department Board as Mr. David Triplett’s term would expire in November, 2022. Ms. Jennifer Greene, Health Director/CEO, recommended the appointment of Carrington Pertalion to fill the public member position effective immediately. This would allow for continuity on the Health Department Board as it was a critical time approaching their required public health reaccreditation.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Carrington Pertalion to serve in a Watauga County public member position on the Board of Health effective December 5, 2022, at which time she will vacate her position on the Board of Health as a commissioner representative.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· Commissioners are invited to a special Holiday Christmas Dinner for Blue Ridge Energy's Watauga Member Advisory Committee and Community Leaders Council. It will be held on Thursday, December l, 2022, at 6:30 P.M. at Meadowbrook Inn, Blowing Rock.
· The first Board of Commissioners meeting in December has been moved to Monday, December 5, 2022. The meeting will include a recess to allow for the swearing in ceremony of the Commissioners-Elect.
· The Annual Employee Christmas Lunch will be held at Dan’l Boone Inn on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, from 11:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The first lunch group will begin at 11:30 A.M. and the second lunch group will begin at 1:00 P.M. Board members and the County Attorneys are encouraged to attend.
· A Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Valle Crucis Elementary School will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 1:00 PM. Additional details will be announced at a future time.
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:23 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) and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:34 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Billy Kennedy, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board