MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2001
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 20, 2001 at 7:00 P.M. in Courtroom # 1 on the 2nd floor of the Watauga County Courthouse.
PRESENT: Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
James Coffey, Vice-Chairman
Jack Lawrence, Sr., Commissioner
Sue Sweeting, Commissioner
Pat Wilkie, Commissioner
Jeff Hedrick, County Attorney
Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager
Anita Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 7:07 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.
A moment of silence was observed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the November 5, 2001 regular and closed session meeting minutes.
Commissioner Sweeting suggested amending the November 5, 2001 minutes as follows:
Under Budget Amendments the budget code 104500-469844 (Work 1st Employment Trans.) should read a debit of $3,539.
Items B and C under Finance Matters should read as follows:
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B. County’s Refunding Bond – Escrow Deposit Proposed Agreement – Ms. Isaacs presented the proposed County’s Refunding Bond Resolution.
In addition, Ms. Isaacs presented the Escrow Deposit Agreement for consideration. Ms. Isaacs stated that the Local Government Commission had reviewed the agreement.
Action was postponed until the next agenda item was addressed.
C. Ferris, Baker, Watts, Inc. Request to Bid on Bonds – Ms. Isaacs stated that the County’s refunding consultant, Ferris, Baker, Watts, Inc. requested to bid on the Bonds that the County prepared to issue in the refunding process. The Local Government Commission and the County’s Bond Counsel advised the County that this was not a conflict of interest.
County Attorney Hedrick stated that all the documents have been reviewed by the Local Government Commission through a lengthy conference call.
Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, made a motion to adopt the Refunding Bond Resolution and to approve the Escrow Deposit Agreement as presented and to allow Ferris, Baker, Watts, Inc. to bid on the Bonds as presented by Ms. Isaacs.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0 ”
Section B under Parks and Recreation Matters should read as follows: “. . . fees have been reviewed and endorsed by the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Commission.”
The motion in Section G under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters should read as follows: “. . . made a motion to adopt . . .”
Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to approve the November 5, 2001 regular meeting minutes as amended and the closed session meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 20, 2001 AGENDA
Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the November 20, 2001 agenda.
County Manager Nelson requested to add to the agenda a Housing Assistance Funding request and a Parks and Recreation Public Schools Very Special Arts Grant Application request.
Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to approve the November 20, 2001 agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PUBLIC HEARING – ANNOUNCED CABLE RATE INCREASE
Chairman Hodges declared the public hearing open at 7:13 P.M. to allow for comment on the recently announced cable rate increase at Charter Communications to be effective December 1, 2001.
There being no public comment, Chairman Hodges declared the public hearing closed at 7:14 P.M.
Board action was not required and therefore none was taken.
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THE MORATORIUM ON CERTAIN HIGH IMPACT LAND USES AS AMENDED
Chairman Hodges declared the public hearing open at 7:14 P.M. to consider extending the Moratorium on Certain High Impact Land Uses as amended.
Mr. Dennis Grady, Ms. Deborah Greene, Mr. Dale Hayes, Ms. Bricca Sweet, Ms. Kathy Copely, and Mr. Richard DeMock spoke regarding the extension of the Moratorium.
There being no further public comment, Chairman Hodges declared the public hearing closed at 7:32 P.M.
Commissioner Sweeting suggested the following amendments: That the word sitting in the second and sixth paragraphs be changed to siting and that the first sentence in the paragraph that begins NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED read as follows… NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners for the County of Watauga Hereby places a moratorium on new high reward capacity chip mill, asphalt plant, and electricity generating plant construction, expansion, or operations.
After discussion, Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Commissioner Wilkie, moved to adopt an Ordinance Extending the Moratorium on Certain High Impact Land Uses as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
CONSTRUCTION TESTING SERVICES PROPOSAL
Mr. Robert Marsh presented bids for construction testing services for the Health Department building and site. Bids were received from Froehling & Robertson, Inc.; GAI Consultants-NC, Inc.; and S&ME, Inc. Following is a list of comparisons from the three firms:
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Geotechnical Engineering Services:
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Froehling & Robertson
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GAI
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S&ME
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Geotechnical Eng. Prof., P.E., per hour
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$90.00
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$95.00
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$85.00
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Project Engineer, per hour
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$75.00
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Geotechnical Engineer
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$59.00
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Billing Rates for part-time Eng. Tech., per/hr.
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$30.00
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$32.50
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$32.00
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Standard Proctor, each
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$75.00
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$200.00
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$135.00
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Atterburg and Plasticity
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$45.00
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$45.00
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$70.00
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Lump Sum for final report
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$305.00
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$850.00
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$1,290.00
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Concrete Testing and Inspection:
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Froehling & Robertson
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GAI
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S&ME
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Field Service:
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1 set of Cylinders, per day lump sum
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$222.00
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$200.00
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$261.30
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2 or 3 sets of Cylinders, per day lump sum
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$312.00
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$570.00
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$325.30
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Fee to pick up and transport conc. cyl. Lump sum
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$192.00
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$32.50
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$229.30
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Curing Box, lump sum
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$75.00
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$35/daily
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N/C
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Mileage Distance
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90 miles
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2 miles
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99 miles
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Mileage
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.40/mile
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.35/mile
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General
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Froehling & Robertson
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GAI
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S&ME
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Materials Engineer, per hour
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$59.00
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Registered Prof. Eng., per hr., port to port
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$90.00
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$95.00
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$85.00
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ANST Level III, per hour, port to port
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$70.00
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$32.50
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$75.00
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Overtime Rates (time reg. Rate)
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1.5
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1.3
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Mr. Marsh recommended GAI Consultants-NC, Inc. be awarded the contract due to their qualifications and their familiarity with the project. Incidentally, Mr. Marsh stated that, upon evaluation by staff, it was noted that all firms bill from portal to portal. The other two Firms required approximately 2 ½ to 5 hours travel time each time an engineer or technician comes to the site to conduct tests or make observations. The two out of town bidders also were proposing to bid overtime rates for after 5:00 P.M. and weekend work at a rate of 1.5 or 1.3 times the standard rate. GAI Consultants-NC, Inc. would provide the service as needed for the quoted rates without an overtime adjustment.
Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, moved to approve the contract with GAI Consultants-NC, Inc. contingent upon the County Attorney’s review prior to execution.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
WIRELESS NETWORK PROPOSAL
Ms. Glenda Duncan, IT Director, reviewed the following proposals for wireless network connections for the County’s Intranet:
DataNet Services, Inc. $59,650.00
Greensboro, NC
Dimension Data $47,005.65
Charlotte, NC
ProNet, Inc. $46,924.18
Raleigh, NC
Saturn Communications $28,359.25
Charlotte, NC
Ms. Duncan recommended the award of the contract to the lowest bidder, Saturn Communications. Ms. Duncan stated that funds were present in the current IT budget.
Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to accept the offer from Saturn Communications as presented by Ms. Duncan contingent upon review of the contract by the County Attorney.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
HOUSING ASSISTANCE FUNDING REQUEST
Ms. Margrit Bergholz with the Northwest Regional Housing Authority stated that Watauga County was eligible to apply for a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, federal) grant in the amount of $75,000 for housing assistance for low income residents. Ms. Bergholz stated it is hoped that the flexible TANF funding would continue in the future.
Ms. Bergholz stated that the funding would be used to assist TANF eligible families in moving into apartments. Up to $2,000 per family was available to assist with down payments, deposits, moving expenses, etc. The funding was to be used to pay Oasis and the Hospitality House to provide services helping families find apartments and obtaining subsidies for rent through the Northwest Regional Housing Authority.
Commissioner Wilkie, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to approve the TANF grant request for the $75,000 as presented by Ms. Bergholz.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Ginn House Upset Bid Update – County Manager Nelson stated that the Clerk to the Board received two upset bids on the Ginn House that were appropriate and acceptable. The high upset bid was in the amount of $485,000 from John A. Turner. Pursuant to the upset bid process, a new advertisement was placed in the Watauga Democrat on Friday, November 16, 2001 beginning the new ten day upset period. The new upset bid time runs through 1:00 P.M. Monday, November 26th.
B. Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that Ms. Becca Saunders was recommended for appointment to the Recreation Commission at the November 5, 2001 Board meeting to fill the un-expired term of Mr. Mike Fox.
Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, made a motion to appoint Ms. Becca Saunders to fill Mr. Mike Fox’s un-expired term on the Recreation Commission as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The following recommendations were offered for future appointment:
Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees
Vote for one: John Blackburn
(three year term) Hugh Fields
Vote for three: Dale Greene
(three year terms) Doretha Greene
Connie Higby
Joni Petschauer
Gail Story
Kenneth Wilcox
Watauga County Planning Board
Ric Mattar for a four year term
This was the first reading for the above listed appointments and therefore no action was required until the December 3, 2001 meeting.
C. Dental Insurance Proposal – County Manager Nelson stated that the Insurance Committee recently received ten bids for Watauga County Employee’s dental insurance. Ms. Darcy Moore, Human Resource Coordinator and Mr. Deron Geouque, Assistant County Manager, reviewed the bids and have recommended that the following bid from Reliance Standard be accepted.
United States Life Premium Reliance Standard Premium
(current plan) (proposed plan)
Individual $20.94/mo. $19.40/mo.
Employee/Spouse $42.56/mo. $41.42/mo.
Employee/Child(ren) $47.56/mo. $46.20/mo.
Employee/Family $69.56/mo. $68.24/mo.
The County Manager stated that Reliance Standard offered lower premiums than our current plan with an added vision benefit which entitled covered individuals to one comprehensive eye exam per year as well as 20% discount on prescription glasses and 15% discount on contact lenses.
Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, made a motion to accept the bid from Reliance Standard for County employee’s Dental Insurance as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Ramsey v. Schauble and Lyons Lawsuit Update – County Attorney Hedrick stated that the Ramsey v. Schauble and Lyons Lawsuit was settled out of court, with no admission of wrongdoing by the County, for $10,500 (which was less than what it would have cost in lawyers’ fees to fight in court).
E. AppalCART Public Hearing Request – County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Chris Turner, AppalCART Director, requested a Public Hearing be scheduled for December 3, 2001 in the Commissioners Board room. The purpose of the requested hearing was to allow public comment on AppalCART’s grant request for fiscal year 2002/2003 for operating funds. The County Manager stated that Mr. Turner planned to review the grant request on December 3rd.
Commissioner Wilkie, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, made a motion to set a Public Hearing at the December 3, 2001 Board meeting at 9:00 A.M. as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
F. Region D Council of Governments Funding Resolution – County Manager Nelson stated that Region D Council of Governments (COG) requested approval of a resolution which, if approved, would release State funds ($10,295.13) to Region D COG.
Vice-Chairman Coffey seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to approve this resolution.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
G. Parks and Recreation Grant Request – County Manager Nelson stated that Watauga County Parks and Recreation requested permission to submit a grant to the Public Schools of North Carolina on behalf and benefit of the Very Special Arts. The County Manager stated that the application would allow Watauga County Parks and Recreation to be eligible to receive $500 in grant monies to assist with the art education, entertainment, and guest artist fees associated with the day-long festival.
Commissioner Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to approve the grant request as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
H. Bond Refund Report – Finance Director Doris Isaacs stated that there were four bidders at the sale of the General Obligation Bonds on November 20, 2001.
Bidder Interest Rate
First Union National Bank 3.9704%
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. 3.9848%
Legg Mason Wood Walker, Inc. 4.0475%
Banc of America Securities, LLC 4.1724%
Ms. Isaacs stated that First Union National Bank won the Bid with the lowest interest rate and that Watauga County saved $267,000 by selling the Refunding Bonds.
Ms. Isaacs report was for information only and no action was taken as none was required.
I. Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the holiday luncheon for County employees was scheduled for Tuesday, December 11, 2001 at the Dan’l Boone Inn from 12:00-2:00 P.M., the Board as well as County Attorney Hedrick were invited to attend.
The County Manager also stated that the second regular monthly Board meeting scheduled for December 18, 2001 was cancelled.
County Manager Nelson stated that the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Commission would hold a public meeting on November 29, 2001 at 7:00 P.M. in the Optimist Club House to allow discussion and comment on North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PART F) grant request.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Deborah Greene stated her displeasure concerning the methods used in preparing and adopting the Moratorium as presented earlier in the meeting.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
__________________________
ATTEST: Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
_____________________________
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board