MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2007
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 22, 2007, at 6:00 P.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
Vice-Chairman Winkler called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M., welcoming those in attendance.
[Chairman Deal arrived at the meeting at 6:22 P.M. due to another commitment.]
Commissioner Cooper opened the meeting with a prayer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice-Chairman Winkler called for additions or corrections to the May 8, 2007, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the May 8, 2007, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Winkler, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Deal)
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the May 8, 2007, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Winkler, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Deal)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice-Chairman Winkler called for additions and/or corrections to the May 22, 2007, agenda.
County Manager Nelson requested to add a “Discussion of Proposed Changes in Hours of Operation to the Green Valley Pool” with Mr. Stephen Poulos presenting.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the May 22, 2007, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-4(Winkler, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Deal)
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SERVICE DISTRICTS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Vice-Chairman Winkler declared the public hearing open at 6:06 P.M. to allow for comment on the establishment of service districts for fire departments.
For the public hearing, Mr. Joe Furman reviewed the process taken and presented maps showing the proposed service districts for Foscoe, Shawneehaw, Cove Creek, and Beech Mountain. Mr. Furman stated that the Chiefs in the affected districts agreed with the service districts as presented.
There being no public comment, Vice-Chairman Winkler declared the public hearing closed at 6:13 P.M.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to adopt the four resolutions establishing service districts for Foscoe, Shawneehaw, Cove Creek, and Beech Mountain fire departments as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-4(Winkler, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Deal)
PLANNING AND INSPECTION MATTERS
A. Foscoe Fire Insurance District Request – Mr. Joe Furman presented a proposed fire insurance district map for the departments of Foscoe and Blowing Rock that was to clear up a boundary dispute between the two. Mr. Furman stated that both departments agreed on the new boundary line.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the fire insurance district map establishing boundaries for the departments of Foscoe and Blowing Rock as presented by Mr. Furman and agreed on by the Foscoe and Blowing Rock departments.
VOTE: Aye-4(Winkler, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
Nay-0
Absent-(Deal)
B. Parking Management Agreement Renewal Request – Mr. Furman reviewed the expired parking management agreement with McLaurin Parking Company. Changes in terms for the renewal contract were as follows: $3,868.00 for the Library; $4,392.76 for the Courthouse; and $16.50 per trip for all others based on a phone call from the County. The terms were a slight increase from the previous contract.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the lease renewal as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-4(Winkler, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
Nay-0
Absent-(Deal)
C. SCORE Lease Agreement Renewal Request – Mr. Furman reviewed a lease renewal with the Senior Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) to use office space in the County-owned Appalachian Enterprise Center.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the lease renewal as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-4(Winkler, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
Nay-0
Absent-(Deal)
COVE CREEK PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT REQUEST
[Chairman Deal arrived at the meeting at 6:22 P.M.]
Ms. Pat Birdsong and Ms. Amy Shelton, with the Cove Creek Preservation and Development Group (CCP&D), requested funding in the amount of $8,000 to construct a sidewalk and handicap-accessible ramp at the front of the day care center at the old Cove Creek high school. Ms. Shelton requested that the Board consider forgiving $8,000 of a $25,000 loan payment due the County on June 1, 2007, which CCP&D was prepared to make. The day care center was licensed for approximately 44 children and was in need of the ramp and additional doors for accessibility. County Manager Nelson stated that the lease required any major changes to the building to be approved by the Board of Commissioners.
Ms. Shelton also requested that CCP&D be allowed to replace two doors and a set of windows for which they already had funding.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the replacement of the two doors and set of windows and the construction of the sidewalk and ramp with a fence.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Chairman Deal, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to forgive $8,000 from the $25,000 payment due in June from Cove Creek Preservation and Development contingent upon the funding being used for the renovation project as approved by the Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
[Clerk’s Note: Chairman Deal began to preside over the meeting at this time.]
PUBLIC HEARING – RECOMMENDED FISCAL YEAR 2008 BUDGET
Chairman Deal declared the public hearing open at 6:29 P.M. to allow for comment on the Manager’s recommended budget for FY 2008.
County Manager Nelson reviewed proposed changes to his recommended budget as the result of budget work sessions.
The following individuals addressed the Board regarding the recommended budget:
Bill Farthing, WAMY
Jennifer Herman, OASIS
Todd Nolt, Mountain Alliance
Dan Burke, Mountain Alliance
Leann McCall, Community Care Clinic
Marion Peters, Community Care Clinic
Chris Lane, Green Valley Park
Paul Combs, Green Valley Park
Jennifer Kearse, Children’s Council
Lynn Mason, Hospitality House/WeCAN
[Clerk’s Note: The Appalachian Skatepark Council’s agenda item request was heard during the public hearing since it was a funding request. No action was taken as the Board was to schedule an additional budget work session.]
Mr. Buzz Berry, representing the Appalachian Skatepark Council, requested funding in the amount of $53,962.82 to pay off the loan that was encumbered by four individuals to fund the balance of the skate park installed at the recreation complex.
Sheriff L. D. Hagaman, Sheriff’s Department
Each individual briefly discussed their concerns regarding the recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2008.
There being no further public comment, Chairman Deal declared the public hearing closed at 7:54 P.M.
Board action was not required and therefore none was taken.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED CHANGES IN HOURS OF OPERATION TO THE GREEN VALLEY POOL
Mr. Stephen Poulos, Director of Parks and Recreation, stated that the Recreation Commission recommended the following two options for operation of the Green Valley Pool this season due to a leak associated with the pool that has yet to be found or fixed: 1) close the pool or 2) open the pool on weekends and holidays. The County Manager gave a brief history of the pool and stated that the County’s $1 annual lease for the pool was to expire July 1, 2009.
By consensus, the Board agreed to follow the Recreation Commission’s recommendation to open the pool in Green Valley only on weekends and holidays for the 2007 season.
SURPLUS EQUIPMENT REQUEST
County Manager Nelson presented a proposed resolution requesting that the generator which was located in the soon-to-be-demolished Law Enforcement Center on Queen Street be declared surplus and transferred to the Maintenance Facility at the Board of Education. This generator would allow back-up power for the School Board’s refrigeration and freezer units that held food for the Schools’ kitchens.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to adopt the resolution declaring the generator surplus and transferring the generator to the Watauga County Board of Education.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
FINANCE MATTERS
A. Financing Team Participants Request – Ms. Doris Isaacs reviewed proposals for the County financing team for the high school project debt issuance. Ms. Isaacs recommended that BB&TCM serve as Senior Manager, Wachovia Bank serve as Co-Manager, and First Citizens Bank serve as the Trustee for the COPS financing project.
Commissioner Moretz, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the resolution naming BB&TCM as Senior Manager for the high school project debt issuance as presented by Ms. Isaacs.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the agreements with Wachovia and First Citizens as Co-Manager and Trustee for the high school project debt issuance as presented by Ms. Isaacs.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Resolution and Agreement for Electronic Auction (GovDeals) – Ms. Isaacs reviewed electronic auction services as offered by GovDeals for disposal of the county’s surplus property. Ms. Isaacs stated that many counties and cities in North Carolina had used GovDeals and had received excellent service. The company had also received endorsement from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the agreement with GovDeals for their services contingent upon the County Attorney’s review.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to adopt the resolution authorizing the sale of surplus equipment via electronic auction as presented by Ms. Isaacs.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Surplus Cell Phones Request – Ms. Isaacs requested that two phones be surplused and transferred to OASIS for use in their domestic violence program.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to surplus the two phones and transfer them to OASIS.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
EMPLOYEE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE DISCUSSION
Assistant County Manager Geouque presented a recommendation to honor Roberta Yates with the County’s Award of Excellence. The award carried one day off with pay and a $100 cash award. Ms. Yates was the Department of Social Services’ employee that was recognized by Commissioner Cooper at the last Board meeting.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve recognizing Ms. Robert Yates with the County’s Award of Excellence as presented by the Assistant County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PROPOSAL FOR COVE CREEK “TOT LOT” PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Assistant County Manager Geouque reviewed bids received for the Cove Creek “Tot Lot.” Based on a review, staff recommended awarding the contract to Playworld Corporation in the amount of $47,949 plus $7,700 for fencing for a total of $55,649. Mr. Geouque stated that even though the proposal was not the lowest, the recommendation was based on consumer choice, efficiency in dealing with the same vendor, and the ability to offer similar facilities at both county “Tot Lots.”
Commissioner Moretz, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to award the contract for the “Tot Lot” equipment for the Cove Creek site to Playworld Corporation for a total amount of $55,649 as presented by Mr. Geouque.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Watauga County Board of Education 2006-2007 Capital Outlay Reserve Funding Request – County Manager Nelson stated that the School Board recently established a construction schedule with cost estimates for the additional parking and new entrance for Parkway School. The County Manager stated that the School Board requested the allocation of $250,000 from the County’s Capital Reserve Account which was earmarked for this project.
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the request to transfer an allocation of $250,000 from the County’s Capital Reserve Account which was earmarked for the project.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manager Nelson stated that Operation Services Manager, Mr. J. V. Potter, was scheduled to do the rough grading for this project in order to save the School Board funds for this service.
By consensus, the Board agreed to approve the Sanitation Department to provide the rough grading for this project.
B. Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that, based on direction at the Pre-Budget Retreat, the Economic Development Council made a recommendation to expand their membership from nine to thirteen. They recommended that the directors from the Boone and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce and the Director of the Appalachian Regional Development Institute become automatic members. The fourth new member would be appointed at-large by the Board of Commissioners. Also, Scott Pruitt submitted his resignation for his term ending June 2008.
Chairman Deal recommended appointing Mr. Keith Honeycutt as the new at-large member for the Economic Development Council.
By consensus, the Board tabled further discussion until a future meeting.
County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Larry Brooks had resigned from his position as a member of the Watauga County Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment did not have a recommendation for consideration. This appointment was to fill an unexpired term which expires in November 2009.
By consensus, the Board tabled further discussion until a future meeting.
D. Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the Watauga County Summit on Youth was holding “Keeping Kids Out of the River” to explore options for Building a Strategic Community for Youth on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, from 7:30 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. at the Agricultural Conference Center.
County Manager Nelson announced that an Intergovernmental Retreat hosted by the Town of Boone was scheduled on May 24, 2007, at Chetola beginning at 4:00 P.M.
County Manager Nelson announced that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners was holding a Community Development Issues Forum on Friday, June 8, 2007, at Edgecombe Community College’s Tarboro Campus.
County Manager Nelson announced that he and Commissioner Cooper met with Mr. Mike Pettyjohn and Mr. Arnold Lakey with the Department of Transportation who stated that they were recommending a new four-way intersection where Clyde Jones Auto Parts is currently located; improvements to the Cecil Miller Road; and improvements to the intersections at the Industrial Park and Ford Dealership. The County Manager stated that the recently adopted resolution by the County Commissioners requesting $250,000 in DOT Discretionary funds was to allow DOT to have enough funding for the above listed projects.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CLOSED SESSION
At 8:39 P.M., Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Economic Development Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(4); Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6); Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i); and Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:41 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION
By consensus, the Board agreed to schedule a budget work session in the Commissioners’ Conference Room, for May 29, 2007, to begin at 5:00 P.M. along with a closed session to begin at 6:00 P.M. for Economic Development Matters per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(4).
By consensus, the Board agreed to reschedule the first regular meeting in June from the 4th to the 5th and the second regular meeting from the 19th to the 26th. Both meetings are to be held in the Commissioners’ Board Room in the Watauga County Administration Building with the meeting on June 5, 2007, to be held at 9:00 A.M. and the meeting on June 26, 2007 to be held at 6:00 P.M.
By consensus, the Board agreed to cancel the first regular meeting in July with the second meeting in July to remain on July 17, 2007, at 6:00 P.M.
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to accept the settlement in the Auton suit as submitted by the County Attorney.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to add the new position of Deputy Finance Director to the pay scale at a Grade 22 with a salary range of $54,233-$84,060.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned, by consensus, at 9:43 P.M.
Jim Deal, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board