MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, JULY 12, 2004
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, July 12, 2004, at 9:00 A.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.
PRESENT: James Coffey, Chairman
Jimmy Hodges, Vice-Chairman
Keith Honeycutt, Commissioner
David Blust, 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 meeting to order at 9:01 A.M. welcoming those in attendance.
A moment of silence was observed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Coffey called for additions or corrections to the June 15, 2004, special meeting minutes, June 22, 2004, regular meeting minutes and the June 22, 2004, closed session minutes.
Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the June 15, 2004, special meeting minutes, June 22, 2004, regular meeting minutes and the June 22, 2004, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Coffey called for additions and/or corrections to the July 12, 2004, agenda.
County Manager Nelson requested to add to the agenda the following two items:
1) Under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters – Consideration of a deductive change order for the Administrative Building project.
2) Between Agenda Items 12 & 13 – Consideration of a Resolution Opposing Technical Correction To G. S. 18B-101(7a).
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to approve the July 12, 2004, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PUBLICSCHOOLBUILDING CAPITAL FUNDS REQUEST
Ms. Leta Councill, Finance Director, Watauga County School Board, reviewed three requests for applications to the North Carolina Public School Building Capital Fund.
The first request was for $400,000 that formalized the agreement made between the Watauga County Board of Education and the Watauga County Board of Commissioners during the current and previous Fiscal Year to transfer money from the County’s capital reserve to current expense. In turn the School Board agreed to allocate $400,000 from the Public School Building Capital Fund to the High School.
The Second request was for $100,000 that was to be used in planning for future High School needs.
The Third request was to amend a previously approved application for boiler replacements at Hardin Park, Bethel, and Parkway Schools. Per direction from the State Board of Education, the local funds needed to be obligated from the County’s payments to the School Bond Debt Service. Ms. Doris Isaacs, Watauga County Finance Director, stated that this was to be accomplished through a budget amendment.
Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust moved to approve the three Public School Capital Fund requests as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
NORTHWEST REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT
Mr. Ned Fowler presented the annual report for the Northwest Regional Housing Authority. Mr. Fowler also requested appointment of the Watauga County Commissioners’ representative to the Northwest Regional Housing Authority Board. Mr. Billy Martin, whose term was to expire December 12, 2004, was present to state that he was willing to continue to serve.
Chairman Coffey stated that appointments to standing committees that required representation of the Board of Commissioners were historically made during the annual reorganization meeting when the new Board was sworn in each December.
This report was issued for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
BLUE RIDGE RESOURCE AND DEVELOPMENT CONSERVATION LANDFILL GAS SYSTEM UPDATE
Mr. Stan Stuery representing Blue Ridge Resource and Development Conservation (BRRD&C) presented a report on the planned methane recovery system that was to be installed in the not to distant future at Watauga County’s closed landfill. BRRD&C selected McGee Environmental as the engineer for the project. Mr. Stuery stated that a meeting was scheduled for July 13, 2004, at the Landfill and that a future update would be forthcoming.
This report was issued for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
CHILDREN’S COUNCIL GRANT REQUEST
Ms. Jennifer Wilson-Kearse, Executive Director of the Children’s Council, reviewed a proposed grant application to the Department of Health and Human Services for Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA) Funds. If awarded this grant was to bring up to $500,000 for children services to Watauga County. To submit the grant, the Children’s Council must be designated as the eligible local council for ELOA grant funding in Watauga County.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to award the designation of eligible local council to the Children’s Council for the purpose of applying for the Early Learning Opportunities Act grant funds.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
HIGH COUNTRY AMIGOS FUNDING REQUEST
Ms. Ivette Rubio, Ms. Gloria Rubio and Ms. Mary Ann Lawrence representing High Country Amigos, Inc., requested an allocation from Watauga County in the amount of $4,000 to serve as local match for a grant award of $25,000 from the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation in 2004. The $25,000 grant was a dollar for dollar match. High Country Amigos had raised some of the funding and the Babcock Foundation had confirmed that the organization was to release their matching funds this year if High Country Amigos could raise the additional $4,000.
High Country Amigos, Inc., is a non-profit organization with the mission of improving the quality of life of the Latino community in Northwestern North Carolina. High Country Amigos, Inc., provides many services including translation services to the Department of Social Services on an as needed basis without charge. The services offered are very valuable to this community in providing directions to and coordinating necessary social services.
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to approve the grant request and $4,000 to be allocated from the Administrative Contingency Fund.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
SURPLUS WEAPONS REQUEST
Sheriff Shook requested a weapons upgrade for Sheriff’s Department staff. Sheriff Shook proposed to trade in 30 pistols and other assorted weapons for 30 new Glock pistols that required an additional $100 per weapon or $3,000. The trade was to take place with Arrington Police Distributors of Greensboro, North Carolina. The Sheriff also requested to purchase an additional $5,000 worth of new weapons, holsters, and carriers all of which were to be paid from the controlled substance tax fund for a total cost of $8,000.
The following were requested to be declared surplus:
|
Finance Asset #
|
Handguns/Auto
|
Finance Asset #
|
Handguns/Auto
|
|
08756
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U451012
|
08775
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U450993
|
|
08757
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U451009
|
09026
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U443368
|
|
08759
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U451011
|
09114
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U491317
|
|
08760
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U451005
|
09115
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U491318
|
|
08761
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U451007
|
10079
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U547937
|
|
08762
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U451008
|
10146
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U548017
|
|
08764
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U451002
|
09342
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U545994
|
|
08765
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U451001
|
*
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U643928
|
|
08766
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U451003
|
*
|
Beretta 92 9 mm BER099699Z
|
|
08767
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U451004
|
10719
|
Beretta 92F 9mm BER017914Z
|
|
08768
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U450999
|
10793
|
Glock 21 .45 cal BAE425
|
|
08769
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U451000
|
*
|
Sig Sauer P229.40 cal.A122500 (court awarded)
|
|
08770
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U450998
|
10890
|
Beretta 85F .380 cal. F10190Y
|
|
08771
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U450997
|
11078
|
Rem. Model 700 BDL .270 cal. Bolt-Act Rif. E6821961
|
|
08772
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U450995
|
*
|
Mossberg model 500 riot shotgun P577436
|
|
08773
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U450996
|
*
|
Other court awarded weapons to be determined at a
|
|
08774
|
Sig Sauer P226 9mm U450994
|
|
later date
|
* NOTE: These handguns were not assigned a Watauga County Finance Department Asset number. The information above was verified from the inventory list of the Finance Department.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to declare the weapons listed as surplus and to approve their trade to Arrington Police Distributors of Greensboro, North Carolina as presented by the Sheriff.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
TAX MATTERS
A. Monthly Collections Report – Mr. Kelvin Byrd, Tax Administrator, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of June 2004. Mr. Byrd also announced that the un-audited collection rate for the year was 97.80%.
B. Releases and Refunds – Tax Administrator Byrd presented the following Refunds and Releases for June 2004 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Hodges, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for June 2004 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
DSS TELEPHONE SYSTEM BID AWARD REQUEST
Ms. Doris Isaacs, Finance Director, stated that the following bids were received for a new telephone system for the Department of Social Services:
|
Company
|
Type of System
|
Amount
|
|
Appalachian Technologies, Inc.
|
Iwatsu
|
$22,205.00
|
|
Information Tech. Services
|
Norstar
|
$24,507.23
|
|
Bellsouth
|
Cisco
|
$26,255.55
|
Ms. Isaacs recommended the award of the contract to the low bidder, Appalachian Technologies, Inc., in the amount of $22,205. Ms. Isaacs stated that the phone system currently used was put in place approximately nine years ago and the replacement was a planned and budgeted item.
Commissioner Trivette, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to award the bid for the new DSS phone system to Appalachian Technologies, Inc., in the amount of $22,205.00 contingent upon the County Attorney’s review of the contract.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
DISCUSSION OF DRAFT ORDINANCE TO REGULATE WILD AND DANGEROUS ANIMALS
Assistant County Manager Geouque presented a draft Ordinance to Regulate Wild and Dangerous Animals. Mr. Geouque stated that he along with the Animal Control Officers and the County Attorney prepared the draft for review based on direction given at the Pre-Budget Retreat in February.
The Board agreed to have time scheduled to discuss the draft ordinance at their August 2, 2004, Board meeting after which a work session or public hearing may be set for further discussion on the draft ordinance.
This report was issued for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION OPPOSING TECHNICAL CORRECTION TO G. S. 18B-101(7a)
Assistant County Manager Geouque presented a draft resolution opposing a technical correction to G. S. 18B-101(7a). Mr. Geouque stated that the correction would allow placement of ABC sales within State Historic Districts even if local legislation stated otherwise. Mr. Geouque read the proposed resolution.
Commissioner Honeycutt requested a letter be sent to Legislators, along with a copy of the Resolution, stating opposition to sections 9 and 10 of G. S. 18B-101.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to adopt the Watauga County Resolution Opposing Technical Correction To G. S. 18B-101(7a) and directed the County Manager to send to Legislators a letter, along with a copy of the Resolution, stating opposition to sections 9 and 10 of G. S. 18B-101 also.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Consideration of a Deductive Change Order for the Administrative Building Project – County Manager Nelson presented a deductive change order for the Administrative Building project in the amount of $100,000. The County Manager stated that rock was not encountered during the project as tentatively expected and therefore the $100,000 contingency fund was not needed nor used.
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the deductive change order and thereby reduce the contract with Wishon and Carter Builders, Inc., by $100,000 for Phase I of the construction/renovation on the Administrative Building.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Requested Design Approval for the Courthouse Addition – County Manager Nelson presented the final design of the floor plan for the courthouse addition. The Manager stated that he had reviewed the floor plan with the Clerk of Court, the District Attorney, the Register of Deeds, and the Sheriff, all of whom were in agreement that this plan was to sufficiently meet their needs.
Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to approve the final design of the floor plans for the courthouse addition project to allow entering into the construction drawing phase of the project.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Selection of a Voting Delegate for NCACC Annual Conference – County Manager Nelson stated that a request had been made from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) to select a voting delegate to represent Watauga County at the annual conference, August 19th -21st in Asheville. The County Manager stated that Commissioners Coffey, Hodges, and Blust had indicated that they planned to attend.
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to appoint James Coffey as the voting delegate to represent Watauga County at the Annual NCACC conference in August 2004.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Optimist Club Lease Request – County Manager Nelson presented an executed lease agreement with the Optimist Club for the optimist complex that was used by the Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department. This lease agreement was drafted by the County Attorney to include a severance policy by both parties as requested at a prior meeting.
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to approve the lease agreement as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Boards and Commissioners – County Manager Nelson gave a first reading of an appointment to the Town of Boone Planning Commission. Ms. Mary Cavanaugh’s term as an ETJ representative expired June 30, 2004. The County Manager stated that Ms. Cavanaugh was willing to continue to serve if reappointed.
County Manager Nelson gave a first reading of an appointment to the Town of Boone Board of Adjustment. Mr. Rick Foster’s term as an ETJ representative expired June 30, 2004. The County Manager stated that Mr. Foster was willing to continue to serve if reappointed.
County Manager Nelson gave a first reading of appointments to the AppalCART Board of Authority. Mr. Jerry Moretz, Ms. Jane Helm, Ms. Pat Coley, Mr. Donald Ray, Mr. Barry Sauls, and Mr. Bunk Spann’s terms expired on June 30, 2004. The County Manager stated that they were willing to continue to serve if reappointed. Ms. Deanna McGinnis, an at large member, whose term also expired, did not wish to be reappointed and Commissioner Trivette’s term was not to expire until December 2004 at which time the Commissioner appointee will be named during the Board’s annual reorganization meeting. County Manager Nelson recommended that the Board consider appointment of Ms. Angie Boitnotte as an at-large member of the AppalCART Board of Authority.
As the above were first readings no action was required at this time.
F. Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the Rural Center’s Regional Entrepreneurship Forum was July 28, 2004. The Forum was to begin at 9:30 A.M. and conclude at 4:00 P.M. and was to be at the Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton.
County Manager Nelson reviewed the costs to the County should Senate Bill 277 regarding exempt status for University Highlands be enacted retroactively.
County Manager Nelson stated that Representative Gene Wilson used a parliamentary decision to pack Senate Bill 277 in to a committee which would hopefully delay action on the Bill until next year. The Manager stated that the Board should continue to talk with Legislators to encourage them to, at very least, remove the retroactive portion of the Bill.
CLOSED SESSION
At 10:31 A.M., Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318-11(a)(3) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318-11(a)(6).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to resume the open meeting at 11:28 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
POSITION RECLASSIFICATION OF COUNTYEMPLOYEES
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the reclassification of the following Watauga County employees as listed:
|
Current Position
|
Reclassification
|
Current Salary
|
New Salary
|
|
IT Director
|
IT Director
|
$52,294
|
$54,909
|
|
Admin. Asst. I
|
Admin. Asst. II
|
$32,187
|
$33,796
|
|
Deputy I
|
Deputy II
|
$28,568
|
$29,996
|
|
Deputy I
|
Deputy II
|
$28,568
|
$29,996
|
|
Jailer I
|
Jailer II
|
$25,399
|
$26,669
|
|
Jailer I
|
Jailer II
|
$26,161
|
$27,469
|
|
Jailer I
|
Jailer II
|
$25,907
|
$27,202
|
|
Tele. Com. I
|
Tele. Com. II
|
$26,161
|
$27,469
|
|
Tax Clerk I
|
Motor Vehicle Valuation Specialist
|
$28,709
|
$30,144
|
|
GIS Tech. II.
|
GIS Tech III.
|
$29,545
|
$31,022
|
|
Tax Appraiser I
|
Tax Appraiser II
|
$33,875
|
$35,569
|
|
Asst.CountyMgr.
|
Asst. Co. Mgr./Human Res. Dir.
|
$57,976
|
$60,875
|
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ADJOURN
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:29 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
______________________________
James Coffey, Chairman
ATTEST:
______________________________
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board