MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2007
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Thursday, December 20, 2007, at 4:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ 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 Fogle, Clerk to the Board
The meeting was called to order at 4:03 P.M.
JOINT MEETING WITH WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
The following Board of Education members were present for the joint meeting: Chairman Lowell Younce, Lee Warren, Deborah Miller, Steve Combs, and Ron Henries. Also present were Superintendent Bobbie Short, and Board of Education Attorney Paul Miller.
PRESENTATION OF THE PRE-BID GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE (GMP) FOR THE NEW WATAUGA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL & REQUESTED AUTHORIZATION TO BID THE HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
Mr. Marty Moser, Director of Pre-Construction Services with Barnhill/Vannoy, presented the second Pre-Bid Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) which included the structural steel package ($81,376) for the main building and concrete for the foundation and building. Mr. Moser stated that alternates could be accepted until April 9, 2008.
Commissioner Moretz, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the second Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in the amount of $4,531,559 (which included $147,949 for general standards; $4,157,051 for the cost of work; $83,141 for contingencies; and $143,418 for construction management fees) for the new high school project as recommended by the Board of Education with the additional $81,376 to come from the Fund Balance to be reimbursed upon financing and to authorize the contract with Barnhill/Vannoy.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Mr. Mike Keterson, Barnhill/Vannoy Project Manager, gave an update on the project and the progress of the first GMP which was ahead of schedule.
Mr. Moser stated that bid packages for the final (3rd) GMP were to be available in late February with bids due in late March.
By consensus, the Board agreed to set a joint meeting with the Board of Education for 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 22, 2008, for consideration of the pre-bid (final) GMP.
At 4:20 P.M., the School Board adjourned and the Board of Commissioners held a brief recess prior to continuing with their regular meeting.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the December 20, 2007, agenda.
County Manager Nelson requested to add a funding request from Cove Creek Farm.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the December 20, 2007, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Deal called for additions or corrections to the December 3, 2007, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the December 3, 2007, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The Clerk to the Board distributed recommended changes to the closed session minutes for review.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the December 3, 2007, closed session minutes as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
FISCAL YEAR 2006/2007 AUDIT
Mr. Bryce Holder, CPA, PA, reviewed the County’s Fiscal Year 2006/2007 audit, discussed the General Fund Fund Balance, and noted that the overall tax collection rate was very good at over 98%. In addition, Mr. Holder commended County department heads, management, and staff.
This report was for information only and therefore no Board action was required.
COVE CREEK FARM FUNDING REQUEST
Dr. Janet Montgomery, Chair of the Cove Creek Farm Board of Directors, presented a funding request in the amount of $2,000 to assist with past and current propane gas expenses for heating.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve a one-time grant in the amount of $2,000 to Cove Creek Farm for propane fuel expenses with the funds to be allocated from the Administrative Contingency Fund.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
APPALACHIAN ENTERPRISE CENTER CHANGE ORDER REQUEST
Mr. Joe Furman presented a change order in the amount of $16,472 for the Appalachian Enterprise Center renovation project. The change was to replace the third HVAC roof unit. Mr. Furman stated that two of the three units were originally scheduled for replacement; however, staff recommended replacing all three units at the same time to save in costs. Funds were available in the project and Maintenance Department budgets to cover the cost of this change order.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the change order request in the amount of $16,472 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
RESOLUTION REQUESTING SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NC HWY 105/POPLAR GROVE ROAD INTERSECTION
County Manager Nelson presented a draft resolution requesting safety improvements to the NC Hwy 105/Poplar Grove Road intersection. County Attorney Capua questioned which Poplar Grove Road the resolution referenced. Mr. Joe Furman stated that it referred to NCSR 1102.
The following amendments were suggested:
Adding (NCSR 1102) after each mention of Poplar Grove Road
Changing 2a. as follows: Improvements to the intersection
Changing 2c. as follows: Review of speed limits between the stop light at the 105 Bypass intersection and Blowing Rock Road
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to adopt the resolution as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that a four-year at-large term on the County Planning Board was to expire in December 2007.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to appoint Jamey Hodges as an at-large member of the County Planning Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Mark Hurst had been nominated to fill a vacancy on the New River Service Authority Board.
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to appoint Mark Hurst to the New River Service Authority Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the School of Government’s Local Elected Leaders Academy was scheduled on various dates throughout the State in January, February, and March with the closest being in Asheville, NC.
County Manager Nelson announced that the NACo Legislative Conference 2008 was scheduled for March 1-5, 2008, in Washington, DC.
County Manager Nelson announced that the first regular meeting in January 2008 was rescheduled to Monday, January 14, 2008, at 6:00 P.M. and the second regular meeting in January 2008 was cancelled.
County Manager Nelson announced that a special joint meeting with the Watauga County Board of Education was scheduled for Tuesday, January 22, 2008, at 6:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, Watauga County Administration Building.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Joe Shannon spoke.
COMMISSIONER COMMENT
Commissioner Cooper offered congratulations to the Appalachian State University football team upon their Championship win and to the Watauga High School football team upon reaching the State Semi-Finals this season.
By consensus, the Board agreed to direct the County Manager to prepare a draft resolution congratulating the two football teams for their successes this season and to present these drafts for consideration at a future meeting.
CLOSED SESSION
At 5:24 P.M., Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters – G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3); Personnel Matters – G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6); and Economic Development Matters – G. S. 143-318.11(a)(4);
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:45 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
POSSIBLE ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION
There was no action after closed session.
ADJOURN
Chairman Deal adjourned the meeting at 7:45 P.M.
Jim Deal, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board