MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2023
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Turnbow called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Larry Turnbow, Chairman
Charlie Wallin, Vice-Chairman
Todd Castle, Commissioner
Braxton Eggers, Commissioner
Ray Russell, 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 Russell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the April 18, 2023, regular and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the April 18, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the April 18, 2023, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the May 2, 2023, agenda.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the May 2, 2023, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
There were no comments.
NC State Cooperative Extension Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Hamilton was at a previously scheduled meeting and requested this matter be postponed until later in the agenda to allow time for Mr. Hamilton to arrive.
Chairman Turnbow tabled this matter until the end of open session.
Maintenance Matters
A. Bid Award Request for Automatic Door Operators
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, presented the following bids for automatic door operators to be installed at the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center and the Western Watauga Community Center:
VENDOR PRICE
Stanley Access Technologies $26,325
Advanced Door Automation $26,650
Piedmont Door Unable to do entire scope of work
Mr. Marsh state that the Project on Aging Department had received a grant covering the initial quote. However, due to the time lapse in approval by the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services, new quotes were required to be obtained with an increase from the original price. The grant would cover $18,167.75 of the $26,325. The remaining $8,157.25 would come from funds in the current budget. The scope of work included the front entrances at both buildings and several interior doors.
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, stated that the funding came from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and had to be spent by June 2024.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to award the bid to the low bidder, Stanley Access Technologies, in the amount of $26,325 contingent upon the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services approving the updated quote.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Bid Award Request for Roofing of the Back Side of the Old Cove Creek Gym
Mr. Marsh presented the following bids for an EPDM membrane roof on a section of the Old Cove Creek School gym:
VENDOR PRICE
Conover Roofing $49,200
Triad Roofing $37,587
Mr. Marsh stated that the section of EPDM membrane roofing was not included in a 2009 roofing project at the Old Cove Creek Gym and now leaked and was beyond its life expectancy. Mr. Marsh, recommended the bid be awarded to Triad Roofing in the amount of $37,587.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to award the bid for reroofing the back section of the Old Cove Creek School gym to Triad Roofing in the amount of $37,587 as presented by Mr. Marsh.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Bid Award Request for Sports Lighting Project
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, presented a bid from Tommy Lawrence Electric in the amount of $247,472 for replacing the sports lighting system serving Fields 4 & 5 (formerly known as the Industrial Fields) located at the Watauga County Community Recreation Center Sports Complex. Mr. Marsh stated that Bids were solicited in 2017-2018 for the project; however, the County rejected the bids due to other funding priorities at that time. The replacement of the lighting system now needed to be accelerated due to recent failures in the old system. Currently, two infield poles were out and it was yet to be determined if repairs were feasible.
Mr. Marsh recommended the County accept a bid from Tommy Lawrence Electric, June 2021, for the replacement of the existing sports lighting systems on Fields 4 & 5. Mr. Lawrence agreed to honor his 2021 bid amount. If approved, Mr. Lawrence would order all equipment and plan for a complete installation by July 2024. There was a long lead time for the switchgear and electrical components.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to award the bid to Tommy Lawrence Electric in the amount of $247,472 to replace the sports lighting system serving Fields 4 & 5 at the Watauga County Community Recreation Center Sports Complex as presented by Mr. Marsh.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request to Accept Howard’s Knob Park Grant
Mr. Eric Smallwood, Parks and Recreation Director, stated that the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Accessibility for Parks (AFP) grant program had recently awarded Watauga County $362,109.00 for the Howard’s Knob Park - Phase I project. Mr. Smallwood stated that the County was awarded more than the requested $350,000. Mr. Smallwood stated that the local match, required for the grant, would be paid in full by the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA). AFP grants were paid on a reimbursement basis.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to accept the grant from the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Accessibility for Parks (AFP) grant program in the amount of $362,109 for the Howard’s Knob Park – Phase I project.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request to Schedule A Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment on Proposed Changes to the Sign Ordinance
Mr. Jason Walker, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that the Planning Board had recommended proposed amendments to the County’s Sign Ordinance. Ms. Walker stated that a public hearing to allow citizen commend on the proposed changes was required and, in order to meet notice requirements, requested the hearing be scheduled on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 5:30 P.M.
Ms. Jennifer Storie, Planner/Development Coordinator, stated that the amendments cleaned up the ordinance and addresses recent Supreme Court decisions regarding how signs were regulated in regards to whether they were considered “on-premises” or “off-premises.”
Mr. Ric Mattar, Chairman of the Planning Board, stated that the amendments simplifies the Ordinance, making it easier for staff.
County Attorney di Santi stated that he would carefully review the proposed amendments prior to the scheduled public hearing.
Commissioner Russell, Seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to schedule a public hearing for June, 6, 2023, to allow for public comment on the proposed amendments to the County’s Sign Ordinance.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Presentation of the FY 2024 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
County Manager Geouque presented the FY 2023-2024 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for review prior to discussion during the upcoming budget work sessions.
B. Presentation of the Manager’s FY 2024 Recommended Budget
County Manager Geouque presented the Recommended FY 2024 Budget and reviewed highlights. The Budget would be discussed at the budget work sessions scheduled on Thursday, May 4, 2023, beginning at 12:00 P.M. and Friday, May 5, 2023 at 9:00 A.M. The County Manager also announced that Recommended Budget would be available for public inspection on the County’s website and at the County Manager’s Office as well as the Watauga County Library, Blowing Rock Library, and the Western Community Library. A public hearing was set to be held on May 16, 2023, at 5:30 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the recommended budget.
C. Proposed Resolution to Apply for Rural Transformation Grant
County Manager Geouque presented a proposed resolution which was required as part of the Rural Transformation Grant that the Board recently gave authorization to submit. Chairman Turnbow read the resolution.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adopt the resolution as presented by the County Manager and read by the Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Proposed Amendments to the Interlocal Agreement for the Appalachian Regional Library System
County Manager Geouque stated that the Appalachian Regional Library System (ARLS) had requested an amendment to the Interlocal Agreement between Ashe County, Watauga County, Wilkes County and the ARLS Board, allowing the use of a substitute to the Regional Board from a County Library Advisory Board when a regular regional board member was absent.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to adopt the amendment to the Interlocal Agreement as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following:
Workforce Development Board
Ms. Misty Bishop-Price, Director of High Country Council of Governments Workforce Development Board, had requested the reappointment of Ms. Tara Brossa for a two-year term ending on June 30, 2025.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Tara Brossa as a Watauga County representative on the High Country Council of Governments Workforce Development Board with the term set to expire on June 30, 2025.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Ms. Pat Coley has resigned from the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee. Board approval was required to officially remove Ms. Coley from the Committee. A replacement has not been recommended at this time.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to waive the second reading and accept Ms. Coley’s resignation and officially remove her from the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Economic Development Commission (EDC)
Economic Development Commission (EDC) at-large appointee, Mr. Dan Meyer, would be moving out of the County soon and, therefore, his seat needed to be filled. Mr. Joe Furman, Director of Economic Development with the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, contacted two former EDC members who had applied for reappointment in January 2023. Both, Mr. Kelly Coffey and Ms. Virginia Wallace were willing to be appointed.
Chairman Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Virginia Wallace to fill Mr. Dan Meyer’s seat on the Economic Development Commission.
VOTE: Aye-3(Turnbow, Wallin, Russell)
Nay-2(Castle, Eggers)
F. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· Special Meetings were scheduled to be held in May 2023 as listed below:
May 4 Budget Work Session beginning at 12:00 P.M. in the Commissioners Board Room
May 5 Budget Work Session beginning at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioner Board Room
May 25 Live Zoom Ethics Training from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. in the Commissioners Conference Room
· A Public Hearing, to allow for citizen comment on the Proposed Budget, was scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners Board Room.
· The Trustees of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute invites the Board of Commissioners to a meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 6:00 P.M. at the Watauga Campus on Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone NC, in the Student Services Center.
NC State Cooperative Extension Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
Mr. Hamilton had not arrived by the end of open session; therefore, Chairman Turnbow tabled this matter until a future meeting.
At 6:14 P.M., Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, 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 Eggers, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:53 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Larry Turnbow, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board