MINUTES
 
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2006
 
            The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, October 30, 2006, at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building.
 
                        PRESENT:       Jim Deal, Chairman
                                                William R. Winkler, III, Vice-Chairman
                                                David Blust, Commissioner
                                                Keith Honeycutt, Commissioner
                                                Winston Kinsey, Commissioner
                                                Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
                                    Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager
                                                Deron Geouque, Assistant County Manager
                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
 
            Chairman Deal called the meeting to order at 9:18 A.M., welcoming those in attendance.
 
            Commissioner Blust opened the meeting with a prayer.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 
            Chairman Deal called for additions or corrections to the October 10, 2006, special meeting minutes; October 16, 2006, regular meeting minutes; and October 16, 2006, closed session minutes.
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to approve the October 10, 2006, special meeting minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            In the regular meeting minutes, two typos were discovered. Under “Surplus Property Request,” the Volvo Truck should be listed as a 1996 not a 1966. Under “Proposed Purchase of Property for the High School Project,” Ms. Edmisten’s name should be spelled Claudine not Claudeen.
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to approve the October 16, 2006, regular meeting minutes as amended.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the October 16, 2006, closed session minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
 
            Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the October 30, 2006, agenda.
 
            County Manager Nelson requested to add a first reading for appointments to the Watauga Medical Center Board and requested to add under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters a Proposed Farm-City Proclamation.
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the October 30, 2006, agenda as amended.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROJECT #04-C-1346
 
Chairman Deal declared the public hearing open at 9:21 A.M. to allow for comment on a proposed budget amendment to the Community Development Block Grant Project # 04-C-1346.
 
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that the grant was the County’s “Urgent Needs” category for housing repairs and related damages caused by storms in September, 2004.  The proposed amendment was to provide $6,000.00 for demolition of a damaged house that was being replaced under the Crisis Housing Assistance Fund (CHAF) program.
 
            There was no public comment.
 
            Chairman Deal declared the public hearing closed at 9:22 A.M.
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the proposed budget amendment to the Community Development Block Grant Project # 04-C-1346 as presented by Mr. Furman.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
FISCAL YEAR 2005/2006 AUDIT PRESENTATION
 
Mr. Bryce Holder, CPA, PA, reviewed the County’s Fiscal Year 2005/2006 audit, discussed the general fund fund balance, and noted that the overall tax collection rate was very good. In addition, Mr. Holder commended all County department heads, management, and staff. Mr. Holder also commended the handling of grants awarded to Watauga County during the fiscal year.
 
This report was for information only and therefore no Board action was required.
           
PROJECT ON AGING MATTERS
 
            A.        Project on Aging Annual Report – Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Director of the Watauga County Project on Aging, presented the Agency’s Annual Report and proposed policy changes.
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to approve the Project on Aging’s Annual Report as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the Project on Aging’s policy changes as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            B.         Additional Appropriation of State Funds Request – Ms. Boitnotte presented an additional appropriation of state funds request for the County’s two Senior Centers. The L. E. Harrill Senior Center was eligible to receive $15,368, which required a local match of $5,123 and the Western Watauga Community Center was eligible to receive $5,123, which required a local match of $1,708. The money was available for senior center operations including salaries, supplies, equipment, capital outlay, and other operating costs. Ms. Boitnotte stated that the local match was present in the Agency’s existing budget.
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the additional appropriation as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL REQUEST
 
            Mr. Joe Furman requested out-of-state travel for Ms. Lisa Danner and Mr. Seth Norris to attend a WMD Respiratory Protection Class and a WMD Hands-On Training Program the week of December 3-8, 2006. The training was to take place at the Center for Domestic Preparedness Training Center in Anniston, Alabama. The only cost to the County was to be Ms. Danner’s and Mr. Norris’ time.
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to approve the out-of-state travel request as presented by Mr. Furman.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT REQUEST
 
            Mr. Joe Furman, Economic Development Director, requested approval to submit an application to the Economic Development Reserve grant program for funds that could be used for site preparation of the Brookshire property. Mr. Furman stated that no local match was required for the grant. The submission deadline for the grant application was November 6, 2006.
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the grant application as presented by Mr. Furman.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
SURPLUS PROPERTY REQUEST
 
            Ms. Doris Isaacs requested that a supplemental list of property, as presented in a memorandum, be declared as surplus and authorized for disposal through a public auction. Ms. Isaacs stated that the public auction had been set for November 4, 2006. The property presented was in addition to that which was approved at the Board’s last meeting.
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to declare the property as presented surplus and authorized the sale of such property at the public auction scheduled for November 4, 2006.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE
 
            Assistant County Manager Geouque presented proposed amendments to the Watauga County Animal Control Ordinance and requested the Board schedule a public hearing for the November 21, 2006, meeting to allow comment on the proposed changes.
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt requested that Section VI, 6C.2 include “microchiping” as an option instead of tags.
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to set a public hearing for the November 21, 2006, Board meeting to allow comment on proposed amendments to the Animal Control Ordinance.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
 
A.        Shawneehaw VFD Request for Support of Lease Purchase Agreement – County Manager Nelson stated that the Shawneehaw Volunteer Fire Department was entering into a lease purchase agreement to finance an upgrade in equipment to meet departmental needs. The County Manager presented a draft letter of support which was requested of the County by Shawneehaw VFD and stated that the County had no objection to the transaction.
 
Chairman Deal suggested adding a sentence at the end of the letter stating that the County was in support of the request but was not obligated.
 
Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the letter of support as amended.
 
VOTE:    Aye-5
               Nay-0
 
            B.         Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that due to a resignation, a vacancy existed on the Boone Board of Adjustment for an ETJ alternate member.
 
            By consensus, Board action was tabled on appointment of the alternate.
 
County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Gene Swift’s appointment to the Board of Adjustment was to expire next month and Mr. Swift was not available for reappointment at this time. As this was a first reading, no Board action was taken at this time.
 
            County Manager Nelson stated that the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees had nominated the following for four terms beginning January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2009: Mr. Lynn Castle, Mrs. Margaret H. Carpenter, Mr. Armfield Coffey, Mr. Graydon Eggers, Mr. Bill Moretz, Mr. Dennis Quinn, Dr. Harry Williams, and Mrs. Jan Winkler. As this was a first reading, no Board action was taken at this time.
 
            C.        Proposed Farm-City Proclamation – County Manager Nelson presented a proposed proclamation declaring October 30 – November 5, 2006, as “Farm-City Week” in Watauga County.
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented.
 
VOTE:    Aye-5
               Nay-0
 
            D.        Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the 51st Farm-City Banquet was scheduled for Thursday, November 2, 2006, at 6:00 P.M. at the Boone United Methodist Church.
 
            County Manager Nelson announced that the Watauga County Tag Office was to open November 16, 2006, with hours of operation being 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
 
            County Manager Nelson announced that a Focus Group Meeting was scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 30, 2006, to discuss information gathered during tours of various high schools and features that may be incorporated in the Watauga County High School Project. The meeting was to be held in the Watauga County Board of Education Board Room. The County Manager announced that three or more Commissioners might attend the meeting.
 
            County Manager Nelson announced that the Watauga County Board of Education had invited the Board of Commissioners to attend their November 20, 2006, School Board Meeting at 7:00 P.M. in their Board Room for special recognition.
 
PUBLIC COMMENT
 
            Ms. Karen Carter spoke.
 
CLOSED SESSION
 
            At 10:19 A.M., Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3); Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i); and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
                [Clerk’s Note: Commissioner Blust left the meeting at 11:27 P.M. due to a prior commitment.]
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to resume the open meeting at 12:05 P.M.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Winkler, Honeycutt, Kinsey)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Blust)
 
ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to authorize the County Manager to attend the Town of Boone’s next Council meeting to request a special public hearing be called to petition for conditional zoning and water sewer allocation for the proposed new high school and to discuss the closing of roads in the affected area.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Winkler, Honeycutt, Kinsey)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Blust)
 
            By consensus, the Board agreed to authorize the County Manager to schedule a meeting with NC DOT Board member Arnold Lackey and NC DOT staff, Mr. Pettyjohn and Mr. Turner, to discuss the high school project.  
 
RECESS
 
            Chairman Deal called a recess of the meeting until 12:00 noon on Friday, November 3, 2006, for the purpose of re-entering a joint closed session with the Watauga County School Board for further Attorney/Client Matters per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
 
RECONVENE
 
            The meeting reconvened on Friday, November 3, 2006, and Chairman Deal called the meeting to order at 12:10 P.M. with the following present: Chairman Deal, Vice-Chairman Winkler, Commissioner Blust, Commissioner Honeycutt, Commissioner Kinsey, County Attorney Capua, County Manager Nelson, Assistant County Manager Geouque, and Clerk to the Board Fogle. Also present were School Board Members and staff: Andy Reece, Lowell Younce, Lee Warren, Deborah Miller, Steve Combs, Dr. Bobbie Short, Jennifer Combs, and School Board Attorney Paul Miller.
 
AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA
 
            County Manager Nelson requested to add two items to the agenda. The first was a request for approval of a lease between the Hunger Coalition and ASU for office space at the Hannah Building. The second was a request to replace a broken conveyor belt at the Transfer Station.
 
TRANSFER STATION CONVEYOR BELT REPLACEMENT REQUEST
 
            County Manager Nelson stated that the conveyor belt in the Transfer Station recently broke and the only company in the US that made the replacement part was located in Ohio. The replacement part was to cost the County approximately $50,000.
 
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the purchase of the conveyor belt for the Transfer Station as presented by County Manager Nelson.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
HUNGER COALITION LEASE APPROVAL REQUEST
 
            County Manager Nelson stated that the lease between Watauga County and the Hunger Coalition for the Hannah Building stated that the Board of Commissioners had to approve any sub-leases for the Hannah Building made by the Hunger Coalition. The proposed sub-lease was for one year and included 3,880 square feet of office space for ASU in the Hannah Building for a total amount of $32,980 for the year which was to go to the Hunger Coalition.
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the lease between the Hunger Coalition and ASU as presented by County Manager Nelson.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
DISCUSSION WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD REGARDING THE WATAUGA HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
 
            School Board Attorney Miller presented the following four options for construction of large projects such as the new high school: traditional contract with an architect and contractor; construction manager; construction at risk; and hire a developer (which was a new option under legislation).
 
            After lengthy discussion of the various options, the School Board and Board of Commissioners agreed, by consensus, to schedule a joint meeting to continue discussions at 5:00 P.M. on November 21, 2006, in the Commissioners’ Conference Room in the Administration Building prior to the Board of Commissioners regular meeting at 6:00 P.M.
 
ADJOURN
 
            Chairman Deal adjourned the meeting at 1:25 P.M.
 
 
Jim Deal, Chairman
 
ATTEST
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board