MINUTES
 
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2006
 
            The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting with the Watauga County School Board on Tuesday, November 21, 2006, at 5:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room and a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 21, 2006, at 6:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room both 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 5:06 P.M., welcoming those in attendance.
 
            The following School Board representatives were present: Board members Lowell Younce, Steve Combs, Deborah Miller, Andy Reece, and Lee Warren; Dr. Bobbie Short, Superintendent; Mark Hurst, Assistant Superintendent; and Paul Miller, Attorney.
 
CLOSED SESSION
 
            At 5:07 P.M., Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i).
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to resume the open meeting at 5:39 P.M.
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
ACTIONS AFTER CLOSED SESSION
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to, in conjunction with the Watauga County School Board, enter into a contract with Shullar Ferris Lindstrom and Associates (SFL+a) in the amount of $3,125,000 as the architect for the new high school project. The contract is 6.25% of an estimated $50,000,000 budget.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to pursue, upon the recommendation of the School Board, a Contractor at Risk as the method of construction for the new high school project which was to guarantee the maximum cost of the project and authorize the subcommittee for the project to pursue a Request for Qualifications for a Contractor at Risk.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to contract with MACTEC, Inc., in the amount of $31,800 for geotechnical and natural and cultural resource services for the new high school project.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            County Manager Nelson stated that he had requested water and sewer service for the new high school project from the Town of Boone. The Town of Boone approved 14,800 gallons of water and possible annexation was to follow with a petition. The County Manager also presented a request for road closures in the area of the new high school and the Town agreed by resolution in principle to begin the process of closing the roads. The process was to include the architect and engineers as well. The County Manager also informed the Town that a future recreation center was a consideration on the new high school property and therefore a Conditional Use Zoning request was to be forthcoming, however, the County had to own all the property prior to that request being made.
 
            Chairman Deal stated that there was also coordination with the Greenway regarding the new high school project.
 
RECESS
 
            Chairman Deal recessed the meeting at 5:47 P.M. until the regular meeting scheduled at 6:00 P.M.
 
RECONVENE
 
            Chairman Deal reconvened the meeting and called the regular meeting to order at 6:05 P.M.
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler opened the meeting with a prayer.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 
            Chairman Deal called for additions or corrections to the October 30, 2006, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the October 30, 2006, regular meeting minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Commissioner Kinsey submitted two corrections to the closed session minutes to each Board member and the Clerk.
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to approve the October 30, 2006, closed session minutes as amended.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
 
            Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the November 21, 2006, agenda.
 
            County Manager Nelson requested to add under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters the following: an out-of-state travel request and a resolution requested from the New River Behavioral HealthCare Board.
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt requested to add under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters a discussion of Homestead Tax Exemption.
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the November 21, 2006, agenda as amended.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE WATAUGA COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE
 
Chairman Deal declared the public hearing open at 6:09 P.M. to allow for comment on proposed amendments to the Watauga County Animal Control Ordinance.
 
The following citizens spoke: Marjory Holder, Sarah Gilley, Amber Alsobrooks, David Alsobrooks, and Shaun Lundy.
 
            There being no further public comment, Chairman Deal declared the public hearing closed at 6:41 P.M.
 
            No action was taken at this time.
 
WATAUGA COUNTY LIBRARY FUNDING REQUEST
 
            Dr. George Miles, a Board member for the Watauga County Public Library, requested to increase the hours of a part-time library assistant to full-time. The cost for the remainder of the year was to be $6,800 with the cost for fiscal year 2008 to be $11,700. This position was in the youth services department and therefore increasing hours was to allow for additional services to be provided. County Manager Nelson stated that if the funding request was approved, the $6,800 was available in the County’s fund balance.
 
            After discussion, Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the request to change one part-time library assistant position to full-time in the youth services department and to allocate the $6,800 for the remainder of fiscal year 2008 from the County’s fund balance.
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
TAX MATTERS
 
            A.        Monthly Collections Report – Tax Administrator Kelvin Byrd presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of October 2006.
 
B.         Releases and Refunds – Mr. Byrd presented the following Refunds and Releases for October 2006 for Board approval:
 
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for October 2006 as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
STATUS REPORT ON WHITE LAUREL PROJECT
 
            Mr. Joe Furman gave a status report on repairs made to the White Laurel development with County-supervised Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant monies. Mr. Furman stated that the slope failure was repaired and certified by an engineer and that 4 of the condemned homes had their condemnation orders lifted since repairs. Mr. Furman stated that the bulk of the work was completed but more work was planned if funds were available.
 
            The report was given for information only and therefore, no action was required.
 
PROPOSED PURCHASE OF PROPERTY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
 
            The County Manager reviewed the following properties which were proposed for purchase by the County for the new high school project:
 
Property Owner                 Purchase Amount         Property
Baker Edmisten                          $842,000              1.044 acre tract
                                                                               3.174 acre tract
Claudine Edmisten                      $125,000                .4768 acre lot
                                                                                 .535 acre lot
Board of Trustees of the
Endowment Fund of ASU       $2,450,000            59.074 acre tract
Gordon & Nancy Shore             $525,000             .5228 acre tract
Tony & Doris Isaacs                  $469,000             .522 acre tract
Total                                       $4,411,000                              
 
            Chairman Deal stated that Mr. Baker Edmisten requested to have his two tracts allocated in a way to help with income taxes but the total price was to remain the same.
 
            County Attorney di Santi stated that he was prepared to close on the properties the week of November 27, 2006, and that Mr. Edmisten’s request did not have any affect on the County.
 
            County Manager Nelson stated that the plan was to survey Mr. Edmisten’s home and approximately half an acre and sell it through the upset bid process as that portion of Mr. Edmisten’s property was not needed at this time for the new high school project.
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to direct the County Attorney to finish the due diligence and to provide the necessary documents to close and purchase the properties with the funds for the purchases to be taken from the County’s fund balance and then replaced with proceeds from financing as approved by the Local Government Commission and to allocate Mr. Edmisten’s tracts as requested for tax purposes.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Winkler, Honeycutt, Kinsey)
              Nay-1(Blust)
 
PROPOSED EMPLOYEE INSURANCE RENEWALS (MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND LIFE)
 
Assistant County Manager Geouque presented quotes that were received for Watauga County employee medical, dental, and life insurance benefits. Mr. Geouque recommended continuing coverage with CIGNA through the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners for medical insurance with an increase in premiums of 6.3%. Mr. Geouque recommended continuing coverage with Genworth Financial for dental insurance with an increase in premiums of 14.9%. Mr. Geouque recommended continuing coverage with Genworth Financial for life insurance with rate remaining the same as the County locked into a three year rate guarantee last year. There were no changes to coverage or deductibles.
 
            Mr. Geouque stated that the proposed rates for the new year were slightly higher than existing rates but ample funds were budgeted to cover the increases. 
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve continuing coverage with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Insurance Pool for medical insurance with CIGNA at a rate increase of 6.3%; Genworth Financial for dental insurance at a rate decrease of 14.9% and with Genworth Financial for life insurance with premium amounts remaining the same. 
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
 
            A.        Courthouse Change Order Report – County Manager Nelson reviewed a summary of future Courthouse project change orders identified by staff. The County Manager also stated that Ms. Joann Townsend, Register of Deeds, had requested to substitute a steel vault door for a door originally having a key pad. Ms. Townsend’s requested was based on concern for the security of vital records. The cost of the vault door substitute change order was to be approximately $5,000 to $6,000.
 
            By consensus, the Board agreed to approve Ms. Townsend’s request for a steel vault door to replace the door with the key pad that was planned in her office.
 
B.         Discussion of December Meeting Schedule – County Manager Nelson stated that it was requested that the Monday, December 4, 2006, meeting begin at 8:00 A.M. which would allow time for a recess for the swearing in ceremony for new officials.
 
            By consensus, the Board agreed to begin the December 4, 2006, meeting at 8:00 A.M.
 
C.        Manager’s Request to Serve on NCACC Committee – County Manager Nelson requested to participate in the screening of 800 applicants for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program which provided a $6,500 per year scholarship for up to four years to 500 outstanding North Carolina high school seniors. His appointment was recommended by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC).
 
            By consensus, the Board agreed to approve the County Manager’s request to accept the invitation to serve on a committee to screen applicants for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program.
 
            D.        Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Allen Culler’s appointment to the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission had expired. Mr. Culler was willing to continue to serve if reappointed. 
 
            By consensus, the Board agreed to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Allen Culler to the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission.
 
            County Manager Nelson stated that the Future Forward Economic Alliance had requested to be informed of any possible changes to Watauga County’s appointments to their Board as soon as possible. The County Manager stated that the appointment was scheduled for the organizational meeting in December.
 
            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, the Board agreed to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Tom Adams as the ETJ Alternate to the Boone Board of Adjustment.
 
            County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Gene Swift’s appointment to the Board of Adjustment was to expire and Mr. Swift was not available for reappointment at this time. No recommendations were presented.        
 
            This appointment was tabled until the next meeting.
 
            County Manager Nelson stated that the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees had nominated the following for four terms beginning January 1, 2007 and ending 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.
 
            Votes were taken by written ballot and forwarded to the Clerk.
 
            Chairman Deal announced that the following were appointed to the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees: Mrs. Margaret H. Carpenter, Mr. Bill Moretz, Dr. Harry Williams, and Mrs. Jan Winkler
 
            E.         Out-of-State Travel Request – Assistant County Manager requested that the Board approve an out-of-state travel request in that Sheriff Shook attended a meeting in Orlando, Florida in the last fiscal year. The request was inadvertently not presented prior to travel.
 
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the out-of-state travel request as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            F.         New River Behavioral HealthCare Resolution Request – County Manager Nelson presented a resolution which was to amend the New River Behavioral HealthCare Area Board Bylaws by reducing the Board size from 20 members to 13 members.
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to adopt the Resolution to Reduce the Size of the New River Behavioral HealthCare Area Authority Board as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            G.        Homestead Tax Exemption Discussion – Commissioner Honeycutt presented information to and requested the Board research and work on bringing local option homestead tax exemption to Watauga County.
 
            This was for information only and therefore no action was taken.
 
            H.        Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) requested that the Board of Commissioners continue lobbying the North Carolina Legislature for Medicaid relief.
 
            County Manager Nelson announced that the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer Local Government Commission had advised Watauga County that the financing proposal for the new high school property had been approved. 
 
            County Manager Nelson announced that the 2007 NCACC Legislative Goals Conference was scheduled for January 11-12, 2007, in Pinehurst, NC.  The County Manager stated that the Board could also direct staff to attend and present legislative issues for consideration.
 
            County Manager Nelson announced that the County Employees Christmas Luncheon was scheduled for the December 19, 2006, at the Dan’l Boone Inn between the hours of 12:00 Noon and 2:00 P.M. with the Commissioners and County Attorneys invited to attend.
 
PUBLIC COMMENT
 
            There was no public comment.
 
 
CLOSED SESSION
 
            At 7:26 P.M., Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i).
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:48 P.M.
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
ADJOURN
 
            Chairman Deal adjourned the meeting at 7:48 P.M.
 
 
Jim Deal, Chairman
 
ATTEST
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board