• Watauga County Board of Commissioners

MINUTES

 

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1997

 

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 1997 at 7:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.

 

PRESENT: James Coffey, Chairman

Jack D. Lawrence, Sr., Vice-Chairman

Linda S. Craig, Commissioner

Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner

Jack Wellborn, Commissioner

Stacy C. Eggers, Jr., County Attorney

James S. Ratchford, County Manager

Libby Link, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Coffey called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.

 

A moment of silence was observed.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Coffey called for additions or corrections to the December 1, 1997 regular minutes; there being none, they were approved as presented.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Commissioner Wellborn, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve the agenda for the December 1, 1997 regular meeting as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye – 5

Nay – 0

 

PUBLIC HEARING-COUNTY GOVERNMENT

WORK FIRST PLAN

 

Chairman Coffey opened a Public Hearing to discuss the County’s proposed Work First Plan at 7:05 P.M.

 

Social Services Director, Jim Atkinson, presented the Work First Plan. Mr. Atkinson stated the committee had worked very hard and followed State guidelines in preparing this Plan. Mr. Atkinson stated he wanted to make the Plan available for the public at this time in order to receive comments before the Board would take action at the next meeting on January 5, 1998.

 

Commissioner Craig stated the committee had worked very hard and appreciated all the efforts.

 

There being no comments from the general public, Chairman Coffey declared the public hearing closed at 7:10 P.M.

 

MEDICAL CENTER BOARD NOMINATIONS

 

Watauga Medical Center President, Richard Sparks, asked the Board to remove Sam Horton as a Trustee. Mr. Sparks stated that Mr. Horton had not attended any board meetings since being appointed. Mr. Sparks submittted the names of two individuals from the Avery community to be voted on as a replacement for Mr. Horton. Mr. Sparks stated both would serve well. The nominees were John Blackburn and Hugh Fields.

 

The following votes were made:

 

Chairman Coffey – John Blackburn

Vice-Chairman Lawrence – John Blackburn

Commissioner Craig – John Blackburn

Commissioner Wellborn – John Blackburn

Commissioner Hodges – Hugh Fields

 

Based on the results of the vote, Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to appoint John Blackburn to the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees.

 

VOTE: Aye – 5

Nay – 0

 

In addition, Mr. Sparks presented the following eight individuals for appointment to four Trustee positions for two year terms:

 

Mr. Lynn Castle Mr. Dwight Critcher

Mrs. Rachel Rivers-Coffey Mr. Bill Moretz

Mrs. Karen Hastings Dr. Ken Peacock

Mrs. Susan Barber Mr. James Wilcox

 

 

 

 

The following votes were made:

 

Chairman Coffey – Mr. Lynn Castle, Mrs. Karen Hastings, Mr. Dwight Critcher, Mr. Bill Moretz

Vice-Chairman Lawrence – Mr. Lynn Castle, Mrs. Rachel Rivers-Coffey, Mrs. Karen Hastings, Mr. Dwight Critcher

Commissioner Craig – Mr. Lynn Castle, Mrs. Rachel Rivers-Coffey, Mrs. Karen Hastings, Mr. Dwight Critcher

Commissioner Wellborn – Mr. Lynn Castle, Mr. Dwight Critcher, Mr. Bill Moretz, Mr. James Wilcox

Commissioner Hodges – Mr. Lynn Castle, Mr. Dwight Critcher, Mr. Bill Moretz, Mr. James Wilcox

 

Based on the results of the vote, the following individuals were appointed to the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees:

 

Mr. Lynn Castle, Mrs. Karen Hastings, Mr. Dwight Critcher, Mr. Bill Moretz

 

MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

 

     

  1. Library Computer Bids – County Manager Ratchford stated the library had received $25,000 in donations and wished to purchase additional PC’s for the library. Two bids were received as follows:

    2.  

     

    Bidder Bid Amount

     

    Gateway $1736.00/PC

    Connecting Point $2133.38/PC

     

    Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to accept the Gateway bid for 14 PC’s for a total of $24,304.

     

     

  2. Library Building Change Orders – County Manager Ratchford presented two change orders for the Public Library. One change order deleted the remaining Contingency Allowance and the other provided for additional smoke detectors required by the Town Fire Marshall.

    3.  

     

    Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Commissioner Craig, moved to approve both change orders.

     

    VOTE: Aye – 5

    Nay – 0

     

     

  3. Library Board Appointment – County Manager Ratchford noted that the Library Board of Trustees wished to appoint Roberta Jackson as Local Library Trustee replacing Dicey S. Alston.

    4.  

     

    Commissioner Craig seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to appoint Roberta Jackson to the Library Board of Trustees for a four year term.

     

    VOTE: Aye – 5

    Nay – 0

     

     

  4. Budget Amendment – County Manager Ratchford presented the following budget amendment for Board approval:

    5.  

     

    Account # Description Debit Credit

     

    103300-345000 E & H Tran. Assist. $10,500

    104500-469845 E & H Trans.-AppalCart $2,000

    104500-469846 E & H Appal-a-Day $4,000

    105210-469845 E & H Tran.-NRMH $1,500

    105550-431301 E & H Tran.-POA $3,000

    143300-345000 E & H Tran.-Assist. $ 4,610

    145310-469845 E & H Tran.-Med. $4,610

     

    To recognize grant award for Elderly & Handicapped Transportation Assistance expansion funds which was approved at the December 1, 1997 regular meeting.

     

    Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to approve the above budget amendment as presented.

     

    VOTE: Aye – 5

    Nay – 0

     

     

  5. Salary Resolution – Since the Sheriff’s position was up for reelection next year, County Manager Ratchford presented a Resolution which established the sheriff’s salary and allowed the Board to set the pay for this position based on the County position classification plan similar to other department head positions working for the County.

    6.  

     

    Vice-Chairman Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to approve the Resolution.

     

    VOTE: Aye – 5

    Nay – 0

     

    RESOLUTION BOOK #9, PAGE #17

     

     

  6. Secondary Roads Resolution – County Manager Ratchford presented a request for the addition of Timberlane Drive (off NCSR 1393) to the State Maintained Secondary Road System.

    7.  

     

    Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Hodges moved to approve that the above request be forwarded to NCDOT for consideration.

     

    VOTE: Aye – 5

    Nay – 0

     

    RESOLUTION BOOK #9, PAGE #18

     

     

  7. Architectural Services – County Manager Ratchford requested the Board approve a proposal submitted by Architect, David Jones, to refurbish the first floor of the County’s Rock Building. Mr. Jones’ proposal provided for design services (schematics only) for alterations and renovations. Mr. Jones’ proposed fee for the services was $3,500.

    8.  

 

Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to approve David R. Jones’ Architecture proposal.

 

VOTE: Aye – 5

Nay – 0

 

CLOSED SESSION

 

Commissioner Wellborn, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence moved to enter closed session at 7:34 P.M. to discuss: Personnel matters – G.S. 143-318.11 (a) (6).

 

VOTE: Aye – 5

Nay – 0

 

Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to resume the regular meeting at 7:43 P.M.

 

VOTE: Aye – 5

Nay – 0

 

ADJOURN

 

Vice-Chairman Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Hodges moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 P.M.

 

VOTE: Aye – 5

Nay – 0

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

James Coffey

Chairman

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

______________________________

Elizabeth H. Link

Clerk to the Board