MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2023
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, July 18, 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 5:30 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
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the June 20, 2023, regular and closed session minutes, June 21, 2023, special meeting minutes, and the June 22, 2023, special meeting minutes.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to approve the June 20, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to approve the June 20, 2023, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to approve the June 21, 2023, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve the June 22, 2023, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Russell opened with a prayer and Commissioner Castle led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the July 18, 2023, agenda.
County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Ben Loomis had to postpone his update on the Watauga Community Housing Trust to a future date.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the July 18, 2023, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Dr. Jeffrey R. Sutton shared concerns regarding issues with high density housing near his home.
Homestead Recovery Center’s Request to Use Human Services Parking Lot
Ms. Pam Greer, Peer Support Specialist with Homestead Recovery Center, requested the use of the Watauga County Human Services parking lot for an event to be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, for a Recovery Community Block Party in honor of Recovery Month. Homestead Recovery Center is part of the Mediation and Restorative Justice Center (MRJC).
Ms. Mollie Bolick, Homestead Recovery Center Director, stated that the Center works directly with substance abusers and provides a community where recovery is possible. Ms. Bolick stated that waiving the $200 fee charged to use the facility would be greatly appreciated as those funds could be used toward the event. A yard sale would be included at the event and donations would be gladly accepted.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to lease the Watauga County Human Services parking lot on Saturday, September 30, 2023, to Homestead Recovery Center through Mediation and Restorative Justice Center and waive the $200 fee for the event.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Opioid Settlement Update and Funding Award Request
Ms. Jennifer Greene, Director of AppHealthCare, presented an update on the Watauga County Opioid Settlement. The Review Committee, consists of Commissioner Eggers, Commissioner Russell, individuals with lived experience, and representatives from the Sheriff’s Office. The Committee met in May 2023 and reviewed and scored proposals received. In June 2023 the scores were reviewed, projects were mapped based on the life span and impact versus effort. The list of applicants was narrowed and follow-up items were determined. Later in June the follow-up items from applicants were reviewed and final concerns were discussed. Nine proposals were received totaling $955,476.23 with $300,000 to be awarded.
The Review Committee recommended the following awards for Year 1:
|
Applicant: |
Project Summary: |
Proposed Amount to Award for Year 1: |
|
Mediation & Restorative Justice Center/Homestead Recovery Center |
Establish a Recovery Housing Facility (RHF) as part of Homestead Recovery Center’s (HRC) peer-led recovery services. |
$97,352 |
|
AppHealthCare |
Purchase a mobile health bus to provide medical care, dental care, behavioral health services, medication-assisted treatment, peer support, wound care, naloxone distribution, and safe supplies for opioid use disorder. |
$75,000 |
|
The Children’s Council of Watauga County |
Provide linkages to care for medication-assisted treatment, substance use treatment services, peer support, and harm reduction services for Family Connects clients impacted by substance use disorder. |
$63,824 |
|
High Country Community Health/App Family Medicine |
Partner to increase access to medication-assisted treatment through ER/hospital; add peer support services to existing MAT team and distribute naloxone. |
$63,824 |
|
TOTAL: |
$300,000.00 |
Ms. Greene stated that in the Summer of 2023 follow up with awardees would be held, project alignment would be confirmed with state partners, the budget or resolution authorizing expenditures to NC DHHS dashboard would be completed and submitted by AppHealthCare and the County, and the project would begin.
Strategic planning for future projects will begin in the Fall of 2023. This was the first of eighteen years the County would be receiving funds from the Opioid Settlement. Ms. Greene recognized Ms. Lindsey Sullivan who has worked diligently with the Review Committee on this project.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to award the funding as recommended by the Review Committee and presented by Ms. Greene to the following: Mediation and Restorative Justice Center/Homestead Recovery Center in the amount of $97,352; AppHealthCare in the amount of $75,000; The Children’s Council of Watauga County in the amount of $63,824; and High Country Community Health/App Family Medicine in the amount of $63,824.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Sheriff’s Office Request to Purchase New Pistols
Captain Preston Russell with the Sheriff's Office requested approval for the purchase of 50 Glock pistols with optics, holsters and lights in the amount of $61,176 from Craig's Firearms. The quoted price was from the State contract. Adequate funds were available in the Sheriff’s Office FY 2023-2024 budget. Captain Russell stated that he had verified with the Sheriff's Office that there was a $13,000 trade-in allowance. This would lower the actual cost from $61,176 to $48,176.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to accept the State contract price from Craig's Firearms in the amount of $61,176 and approve the purchase of the 50 Glock pistols with optics, holsters and lights as presented by Captain Russell.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Allocation of FY 2024 Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) Funds
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, stated that projected allocations were presented and approved at the June 6, 2023, Board meeting; however, she has since received the actual allocation amount of $320,160 in Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds for FY 2024. The required local match, in the amount of $35,573, was present in the Project on Aging's FY 2024 budget. The funds would be allocated as follows:
HCCBG Service HCCBG Allocation Match
In-Home Aide Level I $87,089 $9,677
In-Home Aide Level II $74,670 $8,297
Congregate Meals $43,830 $4,870
Home Delivered Meals $108,571 $12,062
Transportation $6,000 $667
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to accept the actual allocations for FY 2024 Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
A. Monthly Collections Report
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of June 2023. The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
[Clerk’s Note: There were no refunds and releases to be presented at this meeting.]
B. Annual Settlement of Tax Collector
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the following Annual Settlement Statements for Fiscal Year 2023 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve the Annual Settlement Statements for Fiscal Year 2023.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Oath to Collect Taxes
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented a proposed order granting authorization to collect taxes for Fiscal Year 2024. Once approved, a sworn oath would be administered to Tax Administrator Warren.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to grant authorization for Tax Administrator Warren to collect taxes for Fiscal Year 2024.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Proposed Courthouse Computer Systems Software License and Support Agreement
County Manager Geouque presented a software contract with Courthouse Computer Systems on behalf of Ms. Amy Shook, Register of Deeds. The contract was in the amount of $36,225. Adequate funds were available in the FY 2023-2024 budget.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve the contract in the amount of $36,225 with Courthouse Computer Systems for the Register of Deeds software.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. New Valle Crucis School Change Order # 2
County Manager Geouque presented Change Order #2 for the new Valle Crucis Elementary School. The Change Order reflects sewer treatment equipment revisions resulting from the permitting review. The 10,000-gallon tank was upsized to 12,000-gallons and a pump size was increased from 5hp to 10hp at a cost of $10,508.50. In review, Change Order #1 was a deductive change in the amount of $382,011.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve Change Order #2 in the amount of $10,508.50 to increase the tank size from 10,000-gallons to 12,000-gallons and upsize the pump from 5hp to 10hp.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Adopt Resolution to Advertise the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Lease Renewal in the West Annex
County Manager Geouque stated that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requested the renewal of their lease at the West Annex.
Property owned by the County may be leased or rented for such terms and upon such conditions as the Board may determine, for up to ten (10) years. Property may be rented or leased only pursuant to a resolution of the Board authorizing the execution of the lease or rental agreement adopted at a regular Board meeting upon 10 days' public notice. Notice shall be given by publication describing the property to be leased or rented, stating the annual rental or lease payments, and announcing the Board's intent to authorize the lease or rental at its next regular meeting.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to adopt the resolution and direct staff to advertise for ten days prior to presenting the lease at the August 15, 2023, Board meeting for consideration.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Adopt Resolution to Advertise Appalachian State University Greenhouse Lease Renewal at the Landfill
County Manager Geouque stated that Appalachian State University Foundation requested the renewal of their lease for their greenhouse located at the Watauga County Landfill.
Property owned by the County may be leased or rented for such terms and upon such conditions as the Board may determine, for up to ten (10) years. Property may be rented or leased only pursuant to a resolution of the Board authorizing the execution of the lease or rental agreement adopted at a regular Board meeting upon 10 days' public notice. Notice shall be given by publication describing the property to be leased or rented, stating the annual rental or lease payments, and announcing the Board's intent to authorize the lease or rental at its next regular meeting.
The County Manager presented a proposed resolution which would need to be published prior to bringing the lease to the Board for approval at the August 15, 2023, Board meeting.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to adopt the resolution and direct staff to advertise for ten days prior to presenting the lease at the August 15, 2023, Board meeting for consideration.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Request to Schedule Public Hearing to Allow Public Comment on the Closeout of the 2020 Community Development Block Grant Relief Program Project (CDBG_CV)
County Manager Geouque stated that the County was awarded the Community Development Block Grant – COVID (CDBG-CV). One of the conditions of the CDBG-CV grant required the County to schedule a public hearing for the closeout of the grant. High Country Council Governments requested the hearing be scheduled for August 1, 2023. As such, staff was required to submit the ad to the paper prior to the Board meeting.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to schedule a public hearing for the closeout of the Community Development Block Grant – COVID (CDBG-CV) for August 1, 2023.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
F. Proposed Human Services Parking Lot Agreement with Appalachian State University
County Manager Geouque stated that the current lease with Appalachian State University for parking at the Human Services Parking Lot on home game days has expired. The University requested the lease be renewed for a three-year term at the same rate. The County Manager recommended another one-year lease.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the lease with Appalachian State University to utilize the Human Services Parking Lot for home football game days and special events as detailed in the lease for a one-year term.
Discussion was held, including entertaining a rate increase, the potential of making the lease for three years with rate increases, and the possibility of allowing non-profits to use the parking lot to raise money on Appalachian State University home football game days.
After discussion, the following vote was taken on the above motion:
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
G. North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Voting Delegate
County Manager Geouque stated that the 116th NCACC Annual Conference would be held August 24-26, 2023, in Wake County at the Raleigh Convention Center. The NCACC requested a voting delegate be appointed for each County.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to appoint Vice-Chairman Wallin as the Watauga County Voting Delegate at the NCACC Annual Conference.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
H. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following:
Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee
Ms. Evelina Idol served for many years on the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee. Due to Ms. Idol’s recent passing, it was requested to officially remove her as a member of this Committee. A replacement has not been recommended at this time.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to remove Ms. Evelina Idol from the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Caldwell Community College Board
Caldwell Community College had recommended the reappointment of Mr. Billy Ralph Winkler to their Board. This was a first reading and, therefore, no action was required at this time.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Mr. Billy Ralph Winkler to the Caldwell Community College Board as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tourism Development Authority (TDA)
Watauga County TDA Board member, Mr. Jim Neustadt, recently resigned. His seat must be occupied by someone from a business in Watauga County District U that collects the occupancy tax. Ms. Missy Harrill, owner of the Foscoe Companies and inaugural TDA Board member, has expressed interest in serving again. If appointed, Ms. Harrill’s term would fill the unexpired term and end February 29, 2024. This was a first reading and, therefore, no action was required at this time.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Missy Harrill to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Jim Neustadt expiring on February 29, 2024.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
I. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the 116th North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Annual Conference will be held August 24-26, 2023, in Wake County at the Raleigh Convention Center.
The County Manager introduced Ms. Linda McGee, retired Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, who presented County Attorney Anthony “Tony” di Santi with the prestigious North Carolina Governor’s Long Leaf Pine Award.
Adjourn
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:42 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Larry Turnbow, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board