MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2004
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 16, 2004, at 7:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.
PRESENT: James Coffey, Chairman
Jimmy Hodges, Vice-Chairman
David Blust, Commissioner
Allen Trivette, Commissioner
Rebecca Eggers-Gryder, County Attorney
Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager
Deron Geouque, Assistant County Manager
Anita Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Coffey called the meeting to order at 7:03 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.
A moment of silence was observed.
[Clerk’s Note: Commissioner Honeycutt was not in attendance due to a previous engagement]
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Coffey called for additions and/or corrections to the October 19, 2004 closed session minutes and the November 1, 2004, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to approve the October 19, 2004, closed session minutes and the November 1, 2004, regular meeting and closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Coffey called for additions and/or corrections to the November 16, 2004, agenda.
Commissioner Trivette requested to add to the agenda the appointment to the Northwestern Regional Housing Authority Board under Boards and Commissions.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to approve the November 16, 2004, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE TO GOVERN SUBDIVISIONS AND MULTI UNIT STRUCTURES
Chairman Coffey declared a public hearing open at 7:05 P.M. to allow citizen input on an Amendment to the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi Unit Structures.
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, reviewed the proposed amendment and stated that the proposed changes were for parking space requirements for industrial and warehouse development in Section 81.01e of the ordinance.
There being no public comment, Chairman Coffey declared the public hearing closed at 7:08 P.M.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Hodges, moved to adopt the amendment to the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi Unit Structures as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE WATAUGACOUNTY PERSONNEL ORDINANCE
Chairman Coffey declared a public hearing open at 7:09 P.M. to allow citizen input on the proposed update to the Watauga County Personnel Ordinance.
Assistant County Manager Geouque reviewed the proposed Watauga County Personnel Ordinance.
There being no public comment, Chairman Coffey declared the public hearing closed at 7:11 P.M.
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to adopt the Watauga County Personnel Ordinance as presented by the Assistant County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM REPORT/CONSIDERATION
Mr. David Tucker gave an update on the Emergency Watershed Protection Program in the County and presented cost estimates for repairs needed. The funds, if forthcoming, required a 25% local match. A positive response was received from the Governor to the letter requesting that the State furnish the local match commitment. County Manager Nelson stated that if the match was not furnished by the State an appropriation from the County’s fund balance was required. Mr. Tucker stated that administrative costs incurred by the County were to count as in-kind match.
Mr. Tucker reviewed the recommended $483,583 in project agreements (listed below) that, if approved, were to be forwarded and returned for execution. Mr. Tucker also reviewed the required project assurances and requested to be designated as the project contact person.
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Estimates for EWP-WataugaCounty
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DSR #
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Estimate
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Priority
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BF1
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$2,420
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|
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LLC1
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$4,305
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LLC2
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$46,250
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LLC3
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$32,500
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LLC4
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$69,143
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|
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LLC5
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$3,000
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LLC6
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$25,000
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LLC7
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$19,800
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UWFWTF (Upper Watauga Foscoe Waste Treatement Facility)
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$10,200
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UW1
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$30,000
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UW2
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$19,600
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|
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UW3
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$38,050
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UW4
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$50,000
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UW5
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$3,950
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UW6
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$5,000
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|
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UW7
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$23,100
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UW8
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$5,650
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UW9
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$11,550
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UW10
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$2,650
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UW11
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$3,750
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UW12
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$6,000
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|
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UW13
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$10,000
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UW14
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$33,498
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ULC1 (Upper Laural Creek)
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$4,800
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LCOC1 (Lower Crab Orchard Creek)
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$11,950
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LCOC2
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$4,067
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DCRE (Dutch Creek Road Extension)
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$3,500
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SDC1 (Seven Devils)
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$3,850
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Total
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$483,583
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Commissioner Trivette, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the project agreement in the amount of $483,583, approve the project assurances, and appoint David Tucker as the project contact person.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
WATAUGA MEDICS MATTERS
A. Proposed Contract for EMS Services – Mr. Craig Sullivan presented a contract with Watauga Medics beginning January 1, 2005, for the duration of five years, which was prepared by the County Attorney. The rate increases and subsidy amounts were as previously approved by the Board.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to approve the contract with Watauga Medics from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2009.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
B. Proposed “No Transport” Policy – Mr. Sullivan presented the “No Transport” policy that was proposed and included in the above contract as presented. The policy was reviewed and endorsed by the Watauga County EMS Advisory Board and forwarded for consideration.
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the “No Transport” policy as presented by Mr. Sullivan.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
METHANE COLLECTION PROJECT REPORT
Mr. Stan Steury presented a progress report on the methane collection project at the closed Watauga County Landfill.
The report was issued for information only and therefore no action was required.
ADMINISTRATIONBUILDING CHANGE ORDER REQUEST
Mr. Randy Jones reviewed a change order for soil removal at the administration building site (Heilig Meyers Warehouse) due to contaminated soils. Based on previously approved unit prices for loading and hauling contaminated soil, hauling replacement soils and extended on-site general conditions costs associated with the delay to critical-path construction schedule the amount of the change order was $9,330. Funds were available in the project’s contingency fund to cover the amount of the change order request. The change order amount also included the removal of an old underground fuel oil storage tank discovered during excavation and the replacement soil for that area.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Hodges, moved to approve the change order for the Administrative Building in the amount of $9,330.00 to be allocated from the project’s contingency fund and the extension of 22 calendar days with a completion date of June 14, 2005, as presented by Mr. Randy Jones.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
SWIMMING POOL RENOVATION CHANGE ORDER REQUEST
Mr. Robert Marsh presented two change orders for the swimming pool renovation project. Project change order # 2 in the amount of $3,025 was necessitated due to the cost of modifying the diving well into the shallow water pool. A previous change order was approved relevant to this modification; however, the existing walls required additional work in the amount of this change order. Project change order # 3 in the amount of $335.05 was a deductive change order.
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to approve the swimming pool renovation project change orders numbered 2 & 3 and appropriate funds from the project’s contingency fund to cover the change orders.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Finance Director Doris Isaacs presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:
Account # Description Debit Credit
219930-461100 Emergency Communications $16,054
219800-498010 Transfer to the General Fund $16,054
103980-398121 Transfer from Capital Reserve $16,054
104311-451000 Capital Outlay.-Equip. $16,054
The amendment recognized the transfer of funds from Communications capital reserve to Sheriff’s Communications budget to purchase new repeater.
Account # Description Debit Credit
135912-459006 PSBCF-Bethel Boiler $63,404
135912-459007 PSBCF-Parkway Boiler $15,935
135912-459008 PSBCF-Hardin Park Boiler $34,119
135912-459009 PSBCF-WHS Renovations $400,000
135912-459010 PSBCF-WHS Planning $100,000
133593-359006 PSBCF-Bethel Boiler $47,553
133593-359007 PSBCF-Parkway Boiler $11,951
133593-359008 PSBCF-Hardin Park Boiler $25,589
133980-398200 Transfer from Capital Reserve $28,365
133593-359009 PSBCF-WHS Renovations $400,000
133593-459010 PSBCF-WHS Planning $100,000
219800-498013 Transfer to School Capital Outlay $25,589
219930-459121 Watauga County School Facilities $25,589
The amendment recognized the allocation of NC Public School Building Capital Fund monies to be used for boiler replacements at three elementary schools, WHS renovations and planning funds for WHS renovations. Local match for elementary school was transferred from school capital reserve funds.
Vice-Chairman Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Boards and Commissions – Commissioner Trivette, seconded by Commissioner Blust, nominated Mr. James Wilcox to fill the Northwestern Regional Housing Authority position that was to expire December 12, 2004.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
County Manager Nelson stated that Dr. Lynn George recommended Mr. Roy Gryder and Dr. Thomas Vance be appointed to fill the two vacancies on the Blowing Rock Rural Fire Protection District Commission.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Trivette, moved to appoint Mr. Roy Gryder and Dr. Thomas Vance to the Blowing Rock Rural Fire Protection District Commission.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
County Manager Nelson stated that the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees had nominated the following individuals to submit to the Commissioners to fill four positions (which were to expire in December 2004) on their Board:
Avery County Representative (1) John Blackburn
Phyllis Crain
Watauga County Representatives (3) Armfield Coffey
Margaret Hayden
Gail Storie
Dale Greene
Jimmy Hodges
Kenneth Wilcox
Commissioner Trivette, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to waive the local policy of reading nominations to Boards two successive meetings prior to appointment.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
The following votes were cast via written ballot:
Chairman Coffey – John Blackburn, Dale Greene, Jimmy Hodges, and Kenneth Wilcox
Vice-Chairman Hodges – Dale Greene, Jimmy Hodges, and Kenneth Wilcox
Commissioner Blust – John Blackburn, Dale Greene, Jimmy Hodges, and Kenneth Wilcox
Commissioner Trivette – John Blackburn, Dale Greene, Jimmy Hodges, and Kenneth Wilcox
Based upon the results of the vote, the County Manager announced that John Blackburn, Dale Greene, Jimmy Hodges, and Kenneth Wilcox were appointed as members of the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees.
B. Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that North Hampton County requested support in lobbying the North Carolina legislature for Medicaid costs reform.
County Manager Nelson announced that a North Carolina Department of Transportation Citizens Informational Workshop was scheduled for Thursday, November 18, 2004, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. in the Hardin Park School cafeteria. DOT was to be presenting information on proposed improvements to US 421 (King Street) from US 321 (Hardin Street) to NC 194 (Jefferson Street).
County Manager Nelson announced that in conjunction with the above stated meeting, the North Carolina Department of Transportation had scheduled a workshop for local officials on Thursday, November 18, 2004, from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. regarding the improvements to US 421 as stated above.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Trivette, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Coffey, Hodges, Blust, Trivette)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Honeycutt)
James Coffey, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board