MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Thursday, September 1, 2005, in the Conference Room at the Human Services Building in Boone, NC. Those present were: Chairman Deal, Vice-Chairman Winkler, Commissioner Blust, Commissioner Honeycutt, Commissioner Kinsey, County Manager Nelson, Assistant County Manager Geouque, Finance Director Isaacs, and Clerk to the Board Fogle. Members of the School Board present were Mr. Andy Reece, Mr. Lee Warren, Ms. Deborah Miller, Mr. Lowell Younce and Dr. Bobbie Short, Watauga County Schools Superintendent.
Chairman Deal called the meeting to order at 6:09 P.M.
JOINT MEETING WITH THE WATAUGA COUNTYBOARD OF EDUCATION
School Board Chairman Reese gave opening remarks which included a background and update on the high school renovation project including the appointment of Shuller, Ferris, Lindstrom and Associates (SFL+A) as architects. Mr. Reese welcomed several members who were present from the project’s planning and feasibility committees.
Mr. Robert Ferris, SFL+A Partner and Principle in Charge of the project, introduced Ms. Jennifer Sisak, Project Manager, who reviewed several options for the project including renovation, additions, and/or new construction.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
County Manager Nelson requested to add an out of state travel request and a proposed travel policy for fuel conservation.
Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
BID AWARD FOR POOL HEATER REPLACEMENT
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, presented the following bids received for the pool heater replacement:
B & R Service, Inc. $26,625
Nor-Well Co., Inc. $33,350
Edmisten Heating and Cooling $35,920
Mr. Marsh recommended awarding the bid to Edmisten Heating and Cooling. Even though the high bidder, Mr. Marsh stated that the Edmisten Heating and Cooling proposal included better equipment and a broader scope of work.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to award the bid for the pool heater replacement to Edmisten Heating and Cooling in the amount of $35,920.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
BID AWARD FOR COURTHOUSE ABATEMENT
Mr. Marsh presented the following bids received for the Courthouse asbestos abatement project:
DL Restoration $72,135
NEO Corporation $68,875
Western Asbestos $53,887
Mr. Marsh recommended the low bidder be awarded the contract as Western Asbestos had worked for the County on prior projects with good results.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to award the Courthouse abatement to Western Asbestos in the amount of $53,887.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Chairman Deal directed staff to advertise and send notices out to make the public aware of office closures due to the asbestos abatement project.
OUT OF STATE TRAVEL REQUEST
County Manager Nelson stated that Emergency Management Technician, Mr. Seth Norris, had volunteered to travel to and help with relief in the southern states affected by Hurricane Katrina. The relief effort was coordinated by the North Carolina Emergency Management Services and therefore the only cost to the County was to be Mr. Norris’ time.
Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the out of state travel request for Mr. Norris as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PROPOSED TRAVEL POLICY FOR FUEL CONSERVATION
County Manager Nelson shared fuel conservation measures being taken by the County which included the curtailing of all non-essential travel and requested direction from the Board regarding suspension of out of county travel.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to authorize the County Manager to review all travel requests and give appropriate approval or rejection as seen fit due to circumstances.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ANNOUNCEMENTS
County Manager Nelson announced that the Meth Lab Prevention Act Senate Bill S686 had been adopted.
County Manager Nelson announced that the North Carolina Department of Transportation had scheduled a meeting in Wilkesboro, NC, at the John A. Walker Center from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 14, 2005, to explore ways to find funding sources for transportation projects due to the budget shortfall.
County Manager Nelson announced that he had requested that Representative Gene Wilson amend House Bill 947 to include Watauga County. Representative Wilson stated that he could not however; the County Manager stated that when the bill goes to the Senate he was assured that Watauga County was to be added.
County Manager Nelson announced that House Bill 1023 had been adopted and therefore a lottery was to be established in the State of North Carolina with the purpose to generate funds for education.
County Manager Nelson announced that proposed distribution of projected lottery proceeds for school construction for Watauga County was as follows:
FY 2006-07 FY 2007-08 FY 2008-09 FY 2009-10 FY 2010-11
$349,075 $341,683 $377,952 $404,106 $424,337
County Manager Nelson announced that a joint meeting with Caldwell Community College Board of Trustees was scheduled for September 8, 2005, at 6:00 P.M.
County Manager Nelson announced that the High Country Council of Governments Annual Banquet was scheduled for Friday, September 9, 2005.
Chairman Deal announced that Mr. and Mrs. Richard Winkler had donated approximately 7 acres located behind Watauga High School with a right of way to Winkler’s Creek Road to the Watauga County School Board. The approximate value of the gift was $337,000.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 P.M.
Jim Deal, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle
Clerk to the Board