MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2006
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a work session on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, Watauga County Administration Building. Those present were: Chairman Deal, Vice-Chairman Winkler, Commissioner Blust, Commissioner Honeycutt, Commissioner Kinsey, County Manager Nelson, Assistant County Manager Geouque, Planning and Inspections Director Furman, Parks and Recreation Director Poulos and Chief Animal Control Officer Simpkins. Also in attendance were Art Rex and Chip Williamson representing the High Country Soccer Association.
Chairman Deal called the meeting to order at 4:03 P.M.
County Manager Nelson requested that the agenda be amended to add a discussion about providing temporary heat to the Courthouse during construction.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent – 1 (Keith Honeycutt)
County Manager Nelson discussed a proposal to provide temporary heat to the courthouse for a period of two months at a cost of $19,600. Mr. Nelson said the cost and time of the temporary heat could increase depending on the progress of construction.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, made a motion to authorize the County Manager to take any necessary steps and spend appropriate funds (approximately $10,000 per month) from the Administrative Contingency Fund to provide temporary heat to the courthouse during construction.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Keith Honeycutt)
[Clerk’s Note – Commissioner Honeycutt arrived at 4:17 P.M.]
Planning and Inspections Director Furman reviewed the Brookshire Project concept which the Board had approved in May 2006. Mr. Furman asked the Board to approve 3 or 4 pad sites on the left side of the road of the property for commercial development.
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, made a motion to approve 3 or 4 pad sites for commercial development on the left-hand side of the road of the Brookshire property.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Art Rex and Chip Williamson with the High Country Soccer Association updated the Board on their progress and requested the Board approve a location on the Brookshire property for two soccer fields.
After considerable discussion, Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, made a motion to allow the High Country Soccer Association, in conjunction with Mr. Furman and the County’s Engineer, to locate two (2) soccer fields and amenities in a manner most appropriate for a soccer park to the left of the middle jurisdictional stream on the map presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The Board instructed the Economic Development Commission, Mr. Furman and the County Attorney to develop regulations and restrictions for the sale of the commercial sites at Brookshire property.
Additionally, it was the consensus of the Board to direct Mr. Poulos to contact the North Carolina Department of Transportation about constructing a greenway under the US Highway 421 Bridge to connect the County’s Brookshire Park and the new Brookshire property. Also, Mr. Poulos was to apply for a $500,000 PARTF grant for the Ann Marie Drive Park to include refurbishing the Tot Lot.
Assistant County Manager Geouque and Chief Animal Control Officer Simpkins reviewed the draft Animal Control Ordinance. After considerable discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to have the draft ordinance placed on the October 30, 2006, meeting agenda and schedule a public hearing to adopt the changes recommended by staff. The Board further stated that an information session would be held sometime in December to allow public comment on what citizens would like to see or not see in a spay and neuter program.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:51 P.M.
Jim Deal, Chairman
ATTEST:
Deron T. Geouque
Assistant County Manager