MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2002
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, October 7, 2002, at 9:00 A.M. in the Board Room 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 J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. welcoming those in attendance.
A moment of silence was observed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the September 16, 2002, joint meeting, September 17, 2002, regular meeting minutes, and the September 17, 2002, closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to approve the September 16, 2002, joint meeting, September 17, 2002, regular meeting minutes, and the September 17, 2002, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the agenda.
County Manager Nelson requested to delete the Personnel Matter under the closed session as action had not yet been taken regarding this matter. The County Manager stated that the item would be brought to the Board when appropriate.
Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to approve the October 7, 2002 agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PROPOSED PROCLAMATION DECLARING OCTOBER AS “MONTH OF THE YOUNG ADOLESCENT”
Ms. Cynthia Barnett and Ms. Allison Evans, representing and accompanied by the Collegiate Middle Level Association of Appalachian State University, presented a proposed proclamation in support of October’s designation as “Month of the Young Adolescent”.
Commissioner Wilkie, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to proclaim October as “Month of the Young Adolescent”.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
TAX MATTERS
A. Monthly Collections Report – Tax Administrator, Kelvin Byrd, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of September 2002.
B. Releases and Refunds – Tax Administrator Byrd presented the following Refunds and Releases for September 2002 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Wilkie, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for September 2002 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Finance Director Doris Isaacs presented the following budget amendment for Board approval:
Account # Description Debit Credit
663839-388500 Misc. Rev.-Ins. Settlement $69,469
667420-435100 Maint. & Repair-Buildings $69,469
The amendment recognized receipt of the insurance settlement for the June 2002 baler facility fire.
Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, moved to approve the budget amendment as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PLANNING AND INSPECTIONS MATTERS
A. Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Discussion – Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that the Department of Transportation was in the second year of a two-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) planning process for years 2004 – 2010. The DOT Public Comment Meeting was scheduled for November 4, 2002, at 2:00 P.M. at the Ashe Civic Center in West Jefferson.
Mr. Furman reviewed the Executive Summary from the Watauga County Thoroughfare Plan, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce TIP priorities for 2002-2003, and the 2004-2010 Draft TIP for Watauga County as prepared by the Department of Transportation. Mr. Furman discussed the planning process and stated that he planned to represent Watauga County at the November 4th Public Comment Meeting. Mr. Furman requested direction from the Board regarding comments to be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.
Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Wilkie, moved to endorse the Chamber of Commerce TIP priorities and to have Mr. Furman represent the County at the DOT Public Comment meeting.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Road Name Public Hearing Requests – Mr. Furman stated a Public Hearing was required (pursuant to N.C.G.S. 153A-239.1) for the adoption of new private road names. Mr. Furman recommended the Board schedule this Public Hearing for the November 19, 2002 meeting.
Commissioner Wilkie, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to set a public hearing at the November 19, 2002, Board meeting for the adoption of new private road names.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Proposed Area Meeting Dates for the High Impact Land Use Ordinance – Mr. Furman stated that the following dates had been tentatively reserved for the area informational meetings regarding the Draft Ordinance on High Impact Land Use:
Monday, October 14 Parkway School Cafeteria 7:00 P.M.
Thursday, October 24 Hardin Park School Cafeteria 7:00 P.M.
Tuesday, October 29 Old Cove Creek School Gym 7:00 P.M.
By consensus, the Board agreed to the dates as presented by Mr. Furman.
Mr. Furman stated that at the last work session it was tentatively discussed to set the Public Hearing on the proposed Ordinance for the November 17th Board of Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting.
Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Commissioner Wilkie, moved to set a public hearing at the November 19, 2002, Board meeting to allow citizen comment and input regarding the Draft Ordinance on High Impact Land Use.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ARCHITECT SELECTION FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER/COUNTY JAIL
Assistant County Manager Geouque reviewed the selection process for architectural services for the planned Law Enforcement Center/County Jail and recommended that the County enter into negotiations with Hemphill Associates for architectural and engineering services for the Law Enforcement Center/County Jail.
The Assistant County Manager stated that staff visited jails designed by different firms and interviewed three firms. Mr. Geouque reported that Hemphill Associates was the most qualified due to their extensive knowledge and experience with detention facilities in North Carolina. In addition, their recently completed work in Davie County was a closed prison facility that closely mirrored both the layout and buildings of the Watauga County site leased from the Department of Transportation. Hemphill Associates also stated that some of the existing cellblocks would be incorporated into the proposed plan, which would save the County over $600,000.
Mr. Jack Hemphill, with Hemphill Associates explained to the Board how a second level would be built with electric and plumbing “roughed in” but not completed, to address the need for future expansion.
Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to enter into negotiations with Hemphill Associates for architectural and engineering services for the Law Enforcement Center/County Jail.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
VEHICLE PURCHASE REQUEST
Mr. Geouque reviewed the bids received for vehicles for three County departments:
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Vendor
|
New 2003 Full-Size One-Half (1/2) Ton Pickup Truck - Ext Cab
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New 2003 Full-Size Three Quarter (3/4) Ton Pickup Truck
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New 2003 Compact-Size SUV
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New 2003 Compact Wagon
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Type Of Compact SUV/Wagon
|
|
John Cook Subaru-Suzuki, Inc.
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- - -
|
- - -
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- - -
|
$ 19,169.00
|
Legacy Wagon
|
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$ 18,997.00
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Outback Impreza
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||||
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Mack Brown, Inc.
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- - -
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$ 24,119.44
|
$ 20,279.16
|
- - -
|
Geo Tracker
|
|
B. Miller Ford-Lincoln-Mercury
|
- - -
|
$ 23,973.48
|
$ 21,822.44
|
- - -
|
Escape
|
|
Toyota of Boone
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- - -
|
- - -
|
$ 20,133.00
|
- - -
|
Matrix
|
|
Hall Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge
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- - -
|
$ 25,270.00
|
$ 21,079.00
|
- - -
|
- - -
|
|
Fort Mill Dodge
|
$ 27,623.00
|
$ 27,132.00
|
$ 28,285.00
|
- - -
|
Durango
|
|
Dale Jarrett Ford
|
- - -
|
$ 22,047.00
|
$ 21,099.84
|
- - -
|
Escape
|
|
Bill Smith Ford
|
$ 20,640.00
|
$ 19,936.00
|
$ 20,803.00
|
- - -
|
Escape
|
|
Bobby Jones Ford
|
- - -
|
$ 19,774.48
|
$ 22,817.57
|
- - -
|
Explorer
|
Mr. Geouque recommended that the County accept the bids listed below for the three needed vehicles. Funds were allocated in the existing FY 2003 year budget for these vehicles.
Vehicle Department Bidder Bid
4x4 Compact SUV/Wagon Social Services John Cook Subaru $19,169.00
4x4 Extended Cab Half Ton Pick Up Planning and Inspections Bill Smith Ford $20,640.00
4x4 Three Quarter Ton Pick Up Sanitation Bobby Jones Ford $19,774.48
Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to award the bids for vehicles as presented by the Assistant County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
DUMPSTER PURCHASE REQUEST
Mr. J.V. Potter, Operation Services Director, stated that bids had been requested for 42 new dumpsters that would be used at various container sites throughout the County. The three bids received were as follows:
Cavalier Equipment $22,660.00
Nu life $22,100.00
Bakers Waste Equipment $22,050.00
Mr. Potter recommended accepting the low bid in the amount of $22,050 from Bakers Waste Equipment, Co., Morganton, NC.
Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to award the bid to Baker Waste Equipment, Co. in the amount of $22,050 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Proposed Proclamation for “Red Ribbon Celebration 2002” – County Manager Nelson stated that Anna Boyce Phillips with the Alcohol/Drug Council of Watauga County had requested for consideration a “Red Ribbon Celebration” Proclamation declaring October 20-27, 2002, as “Red Ribbon Celebration” 2002 in Watauga County promoting public awareness of substance abuse prevention.
Commissioner Wilkie, seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, made a motion to adopt the proclamation as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Surplus Property Request – County Manager Nelson explained that State statutes required Board action to declare property as surplus prior to being removed from the County’s fixed asset inventory. The County Manager stated that Ms. Sue Counts, Cooperative Extension Director, reported that the Golden Leaf project had been closed out by the Golden Leaf Foundation with the issuance of a check in the amount of $8,193 to Watauga County Government.
The County Manager stated that in final resolution of the project, a laptop computer and two greenhouses that were used in the project were surplus. The Manager recommended the laptop computer remain in use at the Cooperative Extension and that the two greenhouses be declared as surplus to be taken off the Watauga County’s inventory and to be either transferred to the Watauga County Board of Education for use in the schools, if needed, or to be sold at the County’s next public auction for surplus property.
Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to allow the laptop computer to remain at the Cooperative Extension and to declare the two greenhouses surplus and donate the greenhouses to Watauga County Schools, and if not wanted by the schools, to sell the greenhouses at the next public auction for items declared surplus by the County.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program Proposal – County Manager Nelson stated that Sheriff Lyons had received notification that the State did not have sufficient funds to entirely fund all requests made from various entities for the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. Initially, as discussed at a previous meeting, this program was to fund two full time officers for Watauga County. The grant has been rewritten proposing that Watauga County receive $77,604 to hire and furnish a car and the necessary equipment for one road officer that would require a local cash match of $13,187.
The Board tabled the item until their next meeting scheduled for October 15, 2002, at which time they requested the Sheriff’s presence to answer questions regarding the grant.
D. Discussion of the Third One-Half Cent Local Government Sales & Use Tax – County Manager Nelson stated that the County received notification on September 30, from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) that Senate Bill 1292, as amended, authorizing an additional one-half cent local option sales tax to the counties was adopted. This Bill replaced the half penny that was to be received by counties effective July 1, 2003.
The County Manager stated that should the Board choose to adopt this half penny local option sales tax, it would replace approximately $723,000 in terminated State shared funds that were included in the County’s FY 2003 budget. The County Manager stated that a Public Hearing was not required, but could be scheduled if so desired, however, a 48-hour notice of intent to adopt was required.
After discussion, Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to publish intent to adopt the Resolution Levying the Third One-Half Cent (1/2¢) Local Government Sales and Use Tax effective December 1, 2002, within Watauga County at their October 15, 2002 Board meeting and to set a public hearing for the October 15, 2002 Board meeting prior to consideration of the adoption of the resolution.
VOTE: Aye-4 (Hodges, Coffey, Lawrence, Wilkie)
Nay-1 (Sweeting)
E. Heilig-Meyers Project Discussion – County Manager Nelson stated that there were three options available to the Board regarding the Heilig-Meyers project: do nothing, renovate, or demolish and build new construction. The County Manager stated that Mr. Randy Jones with David R. Jones Architecture was available to give tours of the current building if helpful with the decision making process.
F. Announcements – The County Manager stated the Board of Commissioners was invited to the Alcohol/Drug Council of Watauga County Kickoff Breakfast for “Red Ribbon Celebration” 2002 was on October 8, 2002, from 8:30 A.M. till 9:30 A.M. at the Broyhill Conference Center, Trillium Ballroom, ASU.
CLOSED SESSION
At 10:22 A.M., Commissioner Wilkie, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318-11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Wilkie, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to resume the open meeting at 10:37 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ADJOURN
Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:37 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board