MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2007
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, February 5, 2007, at 9:00 A.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building.
PRESENT: Jim Deal, Chairman
William R. Winkler, III, Vice-Chairman
John Cooper, Commissioner
Winston Kinsey, Commissioner
Mary Moretz, Commissioner
Andrea Capua, 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 9:00 A.M., welcoming those in attendance.
Commissioner Moretz opened the meeting with a prayer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Deal called for additions or corrections to the January 17, 2007, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Winkler stated that his name was misspelled under the motion to approve the minutes in the January 17, 2007, minutes.
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the January 17, 2007, regular meeting minutes as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the January 17, 2007, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the February 5, 2007, agenda.
County Manager Nelson requested to add a joint meeting request under agenda item 9.a. WHS Matters.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the February 5, 2007, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
SENIOR TAR HEEL LEGISLATURE PRIORITIES REPORT AND REQUEST FOR SUPPORT
Dr. Bunk Spann, Watauga County’s delegate, and Ms. Pat Coley, Watauga County’s alternate, to the Senior Tar Heel Legislature, presented a report on the group’s activities. Ms. Coley gave a brief history of the Senior Tar Heel Legislature and Dr. Spann reviewed their five current legislative priorities which were as follows in no particular order: increase funding for home and community based services for older adults by increasing the Home and Community Care Block Grant by $5 million; increase funding for senior centers by $634,684 for a total of $2 million per year; shift the cost of Medicaid from counties to the State; provide prescription drug assistance for low-income persons age 65 and over; and provide dental care for older adults with special needs and in rural areas. Dr. Spann then requested the Board of Commissioners submit a letter of support to Governor Easley, endorsing the Legislative Priorities as established and listed above.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to direct the Chairman to send a letter to the Governor in support of the legislative priorities of the Senior Tar Heel Legislature.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PROPOSED RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A ZERO WASTE PLAN
Ms. Jasmine Shoshanna with the Boone Zero Waste Task Force presented a proposed resolution in support of the creation of a zero waste plan after giving an overview of their goals.
By consensus, the Board agreed to direct the County Manager to place a discussion of recycling goals and objectives for the County on the Pre-Budget Retreat agenda prior to action on the resolution.
FINANCE MATTERS
A. Budget Amendments – Ms. Isaacs presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:
Account # Description Debit Credit
219800-498030 Transfer to Debt Service $123,376
219930-459121 Wat. Co. School Facilities $123,376
303980-398200 Transfer from Cap. Reserve $123,376
309100-472000 WHS-Land Acquisition-Int. $123,376
The amendment recognized the transfer of funds from the Capital Reserve Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the June interest payment on the land for the new high school.
Account # Description Debit Credit
219800-498030 Transfer to Capital Projects $3,139,490
219930-459121 Wat. Co. School Facilities $2,399,482
213991-399101 Fund Balance Approp. $740,008
433980-398121 Transfer from Cap. Reserve $3,139,490
435911-469103 Professional Services-Arch. $3,100,000
435911-469199 Professional Services-Other $39,490
The amendment recognized the appropriation and transfer of Capital Reserve funds to the Watauga County-New High School Capital Project Fund.
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Isaacs.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Amendment to the Watauga County New High School Capital Projects Ordinance – Ms. Isaacs reviewed a proposed amendment to the Watauga County Capital Projects Ordinance for the new high school project. The original ordinance contained the amount for the purchase of the land only. The amendment included the fee amounts for architectural and professional services for the project.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to adopt the amended Watauga County Capital Projects Ordinance for the new high school project as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
TAX MATTERS
A. Monthly Collections Report – Tax Administrator Kelvin Byrd presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of January 2007.
B. Releases and Refunds – Mr. Byrd presented the following Refunds and Releases for January 2007 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for January 2007 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PLANNING AND INSPECTIONS MATTERS
A. CDBG Public Hearing Request – Mr. Joe Furman requested that a public hearing be scheduled to allow comment on a proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Urgent Needs Program budget amendment. The amendment was needed to create a reallocation line to fund assistance to a White Laurel family who was temporarily displaced while repairs were conducted on their home.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to set a public hearing to allow comment on a proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Urgent Needs Program budget amendment for the February 20, 2007, regular Board meeting at 6:00 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. CDBG Signatory Authorization Request – Mr. Furman requested signatory authorization for CDBG homeowners/contract documents in order to sign on behalf of Watauga County for the Division of Community Assistance (DCA) Community Development Block Grant requirements. Mr. Furman was the County’s contact person for this program.
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to authorize Mr. Furman to sign CDBG homeowners/contract documents on behalf of Watauga County for the Division of Community Assistance (DCA) Community Development Block Grant requirements.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. New High School Matters
1. Joint Meeting Request – County Manager Nelson stated that the High School Project Sub Committee recommended a joint meeting with the Board of Commissioners and the School Board to allow for decisions regarding the project including site approval and construction at risk firm recommendation.
By consensus, the Board agreed to schedule a joint meeting with the Board of Education on Monday, February 12, 2007, at 7:00 P.M. at the Board of Education’s meeting room.
2. Progress Report – County Manager Nelson, on behalf of the High School Project Sub Committee, presented a progress report which included the space and site requirements that had been developed to date. The communication plan had also been established by the architects and reviewed by the Committee. County Manager Nelson also stated that several studies had been ordered and that the Committee had held interviews for Construction Manager at Risk firms.
This report was for information only and therefore no action was necessary.
3. Traffic Study Proposal – County Manager Nelson stated that the high school project required the services of an engineering firm to determine the vehicular traffic impact of the proposed high school project on the surrounding roadway network. The County Manager reviewed a proposal from Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., a company which has worked in the area, was familiar with the Town of Boone’s traffic patterns, and was recommended by SFL+a Architects. The proposal price for the study was $31,000 plus an additional lump sum of $17,000 for the required meetings as referenced. An option was to contract for the study and pay hourly rates for the meetings. The lump sum included two representatives attending seven meetings plus travel to and from Charlotte. Contracting by the hourly rates may be less expensive but it was open ended and therefore could exceed the $17,000 amount depending on the length and number of the meetings.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve contracting with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. in the amount of $31,000 for tasks 1-9 in the contract and in an amount not to exceed $17,000 for task # 10 (meeting schedule) contingent upon the County Attorney’s review and approval.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Department of Transportation Encroachment Request – County Manager Nelson stated that the Department of Transportation requested a temporary encroachment to the County-owned land directly across from the Sagebrush Steakhouse adjacent to the current Watauga High School property. The purpose of the request was to allow for the construction of a right-hand turn lane on NC 105 at the intersection with Wilson Drive
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the request from the Department of Transportation for a temporary encroachment to the County owned land directly across from the Sagebrush Steakhouse adjacent to the current Watauga High School property.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Register of Deeds Resolution Request – County Manager Nelson stated that, during construction of the Courthouse project, eighty-two books of records in the Register of Deeds Office were damaged. General Statutes required that a resolution be adopted authorizing the removal of the records for repair and replacement.
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to adopt the resolution as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Caldwell Community College Joint Meeting Request – County Manager Nelson stated that Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute requested that two joint meetings be scheduled between the Board of Trustees and the Watauga County Commissioners. The first was recommended for May 16, 2007, and was to include the Board of Education. The second was recommended for September 19, 2007. Both meetings are at 6:00 P.M.
By consensus, the Board agreed to table action until a future meeting.
E. Discussion of Tentative Retreat Topics – County Manager Nelson presented a tentative agenda for the scheduled Pre-Budget Retreat and requested Board direction regarding the addition and/or removal of agenda items.
This report was for information only and therefore no action was necessary.
F. Proposed Amendments to the Ordinance to Regulate Junkyards and Automobile Graveyards – County Attorney Capua recommended changes to be incorporated in the Watauga County Ordinance to Regulate Junkyards and Automobile Graveyards which would be considered after a public hearing which was scheduled for February 20, 2007, at 6:00 P.M.
G. Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that the positions of delegate and alternate to the NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature (STHL) were due for annual appointment. The STHL also served as the Advisory Committee on Aging for the High Country Council of Governments. The County Manager stated that currently, Dr. Bunk Spann served as delegate and Ms. Pat Coley served as alternate for Watauga County. Both were willing to continue to serve if reappointed.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to reappoint Dr. Bunk Spann as the Watauga County STHL Delegate and Ms. Pat Coley as the Watauga County STHL Alternate.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manger Nelson stated that Ms. Lisa Martin’s and Mr. Tony Gray’s appointments to the Tourism Development Authority Board were to expire in February 2007. The County Manager stated that the Tourism Development Authority Board recommended that both be reappointed to three-year terms.
This was a first reading and therefore no action was required at this time.
I. Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the Board of Commissioners had a work session scheduled for Monday, February 19, 2007, to discuss proposed amendments to the Animal Control Ordinance; plans for the Brookshire Road property; and the County Plan.
Commissioner Cooper announced that the Soil and Water Conservation Office had recognized the County for its leadership in and implementation of the Emergency Watershed Program.
AMENDMENT TO THE AGENDA
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to add Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6), to the upcoming closed session.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CLOSED SESSION
At 10:27 A.M., Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3); Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6); and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(5)(i).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to resume the open meeting at 11:31 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned, by consensus, at 11:31 A.M.
Jim Deal, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board