MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2003
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held, on Tuesday, February 18, 2003, a regular meeting at 7:00 P.M. in the Commissioners Meeting Room at the Watauga County Courthouse.
PRESENT: James Coffey, Chairman
Jimmy Hodges, Vice-Chairman
David Blust, Commissioner
Keith Honeycutt, Commissioner
Allen Trivette, Commissioner
Rebecca Eggers-Gryder, County Attorney
Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager
Deron Geouque, Assistant County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Coffey called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.
A moment of silence was observed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Coffey called for additions and/or corrections to the February 3, 2003, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the February 3, 2003, regular meeting and closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Coffey called for additions or corrections to the February 18, 2003 agenda.
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to approve the February 18, 2003 agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PUBLIC HEARING – AMBULANCE FRANCHISE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
A public hearing was opened at 7:01 P.M. to allow citizen input on the proposed Ambulance Franchise Ordinance Amendment.
County Manager Nelson stated that the amendment reflected a change in the overall umbrella insurance coverage from the current amount of $5,000,000 to the new available amount of $4,000,000. This was the only change proposed for the Ordinance.
There being no public comment, Chairman Coffey declared the public hearing closed at 7:03 P.M.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Hodges, moved to adopt the Amendment to Ambulance Franchise Ordinance as presented
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manager Nelson stated that due to the amendment being for a franchise ordinance, approval was required at two successive meetings before the amendment would become effective. Therefore, the Amendment to Ambulance Franchise Ordinance will be presented for a second time at the next regular Board meeting scheduled on March 3, 2003.
WATAUGA MEDICS ANNUAL REPORT
Mr. Craig Sullivan presented the 2003 Annual Report for Watauga Medics. The report was for information only and therefore, no Board action was required.
CALDWELL COMMUNITY COLLEGE & TECHNICAL INSTITUTE (CCC&TI) – WATAUGA CAMPUS FUNDING REQUEST
Dr. Ken Boham presented a formal request for use of $735,262 that was in the County’s capital reserve fund for community college projects. The funds were used for site preparation, paving, landscaping and the purchase and installation of 12 modular classroom units.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to approve the funding request for $735,262 with funds to be allocated only as expenses were incurred and upon the County’s receipt of the bills.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
DISCUSSION OF THE NEW RIVER BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE AREA PLAN
Mr. Don Suggs reviewed requirements for developing a local plan necessitated by the State Plan 2002: Blueprint for Change North Carolina’s State Plan for Reform of Mental Health. The report was for information only at this time and therefore no Board action was required. Mr. Suggs stated that he would present the local business plan, for Board approval at the March 18, 2003 meeting.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS
County Manager Nelson presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:
Account # Description Debit Credit
213980-398100 Transfer from General Fund $200,000
213991-399101 Fund Bal. Approp.-New $244,844
219800-498010 Transfer to General Fund $244,844
219930-481600 Health Dept.-Rock $200,000
109800-498021 Transfer to Capital Reserve $200,000
103980-398121 Transfer from Capital Reserve $244,844
104267-458000 Capital Outlay-Bldg. Const. $444,844
The amendment transferred funds from the Capital Reserve to the General Fund for additional expenses on the Health Department Building for rock removal. These funds were to cover Change Order 2 & 3.
Account # Description Debit Credit
133593-359003 PSFF-Cove Creek $102,819
133593-359004 PSFF-WHS $224,339
135912-459003 Cove Creek Boiler $102,819
135912-459004 WHS Boiler Replacement $224,339
The amendment recognized the balance of unspent funds at 06-30-02 on the two projects being funded from the Public School Facilities Fund.
Account # Description Debit Credit
145480-438800 CIP-Energy Assistance $7,206
143531-323000 Admn. & Cost Reimb. $3,906
145350-440900 Special Adult Daycare $11,112
The amendment recognized an increase in the Crisis Intervention Prevention funding and a decrease in Special Adult Daycare funding. These funds were expended locally and then reimbursed by the state from federal pass through funds.
Account # Description Debit Credit
283101-312201 Taxes Ad Valorem-02-03 $8,000
284340-469901 Pay. To Fire Dist.-Foscoe $8,000
283101-312205 Taxes Ad Valorem-02-03 $2,000 284340-469905 Pay. To Fire Dist.-St. Simmons $2,000
283101-312206 Taxes Ad Valorem-02-03 $5,000
284340-469906 Pay. To Fire Dist.-Zionville $5,000
283101-312207 Taxes Ad Valorem-02-03 $6,500
284340-469907 Pay. To Fire Dist.-Cove Creek $6,500
283101-312208 Taxes Ad Valorem-02-03 $2,800
284340-469908 Pay. To Fire Dist.-Shawneehaw $2,800
283101-312209 Taxes Ad Valorem-02-03 $4,800
284340-469909 Pay. To Fire Dist.-Meat Camp $4,800
283101-312210 Taxes Ad Valorem-02-03 $5,000
284340-469910 Pay. To Fire Dist.-Deep Gap $5,000
283101-312211 Taxes Ad Valorem-02-03 $2,800
284340-469911 Pay. To Fire Dist.-Todd $2,800
283101-312219 Taxes Ad Valorem-02-03 $600
284340-469919 Pay. To Fire Dist.-Creston $600
The amendment recognized additional fire tax district revenue and payment to volunteer fire departments.
Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
SUBDIVISION PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
Mr. Joe Furman presented a letter of credit that served as a performance guarantee for the final plat for Cabin Cove (being developed by Doe Ridge Properties, Inc.). The performance guarantee was for completion of the roads and other required improvements.
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the subdivision performance guarantee as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
REVIEW OF DRAFT ORDINANCE TO REGULATE HIGH IMPACT LAND USES
Mr. Joe Furman reviewed the changes to the Draft Ordinance to Regulate High Impact Land Uses as directed at the last Board meeting. The main change was the addition of a 1500-foot spacing requirement for high impact land uses from schools as well as nursing and daycare facilities as inserted on page seven of the draft ordinance. Mr. Furman stated that it appeared that the 1500-foot spacing requirement worked and still left ample spaces for the high impact land uses.
The Board directed Mr. Furman to re-word the definition for Explosives Manufacturing to exempt hand-loaded small arms ammunition.
Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to change Article II Section 1(k) in the Draft Ordinance to Regulate High Impact Land Uses to the following: Commercial/Industrial development with aggregate building footprint 50,000 square feet or greater.
After discussion, the following vote was taken:
VOTE: Aye-4 (Blust, Coffey, Honeycutt, Trivette)
Nay-1 (Hodges)
By consensus, the Board agreed to set a public hearing to allow public input on the proposed Ordinance to Regulate High Impact Land Uses for March 18, 2003, at 7:00 P.M. in the large courtroom.
“YEAR OF PRIDE” INITIATIVE DISCUSSION
Assistant County Manager Geouque reported on activities to date concerning the “Year of Pride” Initiative. The Assistant County Manager stated that the County already had in place a Swap Shop and two Hazardous Waste Collection Days a year. The Assistant County Manager stated that he had attended a MountainKeepers meeting in which several agencies were named as working on projects geared toward keeping Watauga County clean and litter-free. The Board directed the Assistant County Manager to continue networking with the agencies already involved in like-projects.
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Discussion of Board of Equalization and Review Appointments – County Manager Nelson stated that in the past, the Board of Commissioners served as the County’s Board of Equalization and Review, however, a special Board could be appointed to serve. No action was required at this time and the Board scheduled action at their March 3, 2003 Board meeting.
B. Williamsons’ Public Water Funding Request – County Manager Nelson reported that Ms. Greer-Darnell had tentatively agreed to allow the County to purchase the needed right-of-way (for $5,000) for the tap on to the Town of Boone water system for the Williamsons’. The process will proceed upon receipt of the necessary forms from the Town of Boone.
C. Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that the following recommendations were made for appointment to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC):
Mr. G.W. Barker (WATA) representing Media and replacing Mr. Justin Grimes
Mr. David Tucker (USDA) representing Agriculture and replacing Mr. Al Childers
Ms. Lisa Danner, Fire Marshal, serving as the Interim Chairperson for the committee.
Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to appoint Mr. G.W. Barker and Mr. David Tucker to the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced upcoming meetings that Board members may wish to attend.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Ralph Grosswald and Ms. Pam Williamson spoke.
CLOSED SESSION
At 8:25 P.M., Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to enter into Closed Session to discuss Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318-11(a)(5)(i) and Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318-11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:37 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to accept the Settlement Agreement for Watauga County vs. Danny Plyler vs. Sandra Glover (02 CVS 512) contingent upon Ms. Glover’s acceptance of said agreement. The settlement agreement was presented by County Attorney Eggers-Gryder as a result of court ordered mediation.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ADJOURN
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
James Coffey, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board