• Watauga County Board of Commissioners

MINUTES
 
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, JUNE 23, 2008
 
            The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, June 23, 2008, at 6:00 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 J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
 
            Chairman Deal called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M., welcoming those in attendance.
 
            Commissioner Cooper opened the meeting with a prayer.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 
            Chairman Deal called for additions or corrections to the May 8, 2008, special meeting and closed session minutes; the May 27, 2008, special meeting minutes; and the June 2, 2008, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the May 8, 2008, special meeting minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Commissioner Moretz, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the May 8, 2008, closed session minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the May 27, 2008, special meeting minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the June 2, 2008, regular meeting minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the June 2, 2008, closed session minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
 
            Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the June 23, 2008, agenda.
 
            Three additions were requested as follows: a discussion of a passport photo fee schedule; a discussion of DOT’s Plans for Hwy 105; and a discussion of the August Meeting Schedule. The deletion of Item # 12 was also requested on behalf of the presenter.
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the June 23, 2008, agenda as amended.
 
              Nay-0
 
PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW CITIZEN COMMENT ON THE FINANCING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR AN ECONOMIC INCENTIVE PACKAGE WITH TWEETSIE RAILROAD, INC., AS AUTHORIZED UNDER N.C.G.S. 160A, ARTICLE 3, SECTION 20
 
            Chairman Deal declared the public hearing open at 6:06 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the financing for the acquisition of land for an economic incentive package with Tweetsie Railroad, Inc.
 
            The following citizens spoke in favor of the incentive package:
Dan Meyer, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
J. B. Lawrence, Blowing Rock Mayor
Chris Robbins, President of Tweetsie, Inc.
Tracey Brown, Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority & Blowing Rock
Chamber of Commerce (on behalf of Chamber Director Charles Hardin)
Rob Holton, Watauga County Tourism Development Authority
Fowler Cooper, Watauga County Economic Development Commission
 
The following citizens spoke against the incentive package:
Karen Carter, Citizen
Deborah Greene, Citizen
 
            There being no further public comment, Chairman Deal declared the public hearing closed at 6:24 P.M.
 
            County Manager Nelson summarized a proposed resolution authorizing the application to the Local Government Commission for financing.
 
            Each Commissioner shared their thoughts on the proposed partnership with Tweetsie.
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Filing of an Application for Approval of a Financing Agreement Authorized by North Carolina General Statute 160A-20 as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW CITIZEN COMMENT ON AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM ON CHANGEABLE ELECTRONIC VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGNS
 
            Chairman Deal declared the public hearing open at 6:39 P.M. to allow citizen comment on an ordinance establishing a moratorium on the permitting of changeable electronic message signs or billboards.
 
            The following citizens spoke in favor of the moratorium:
 
Park Terrell, Citizen
Wade Wilmoth, Citizen
Bing Oliver, Chick-fil-A Owner
Ben Henderson, Bare Essentials Owner
 
The following citizens spoke against the moratorium:
 
Jamie Machut, LAMAR Outdoor Advertising
Don Iverson, Billboard owner
 
            There being no further public comment, Chairman Deal declared the public hearing closed at 7:02 P.M.
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to adopt the Ordinance Establishing A Moratorium on Changeable Electronic Variable Message Signs as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW CITIZEN COMMENT ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ROAD NAMES
 
Chairman Deal declared the public hearing open at 7:13 P.M. to allow for comment on new public/private road names that have been added to the master road name list since the last public hearing.
 
            Mr. Joe Furman presented the list of new road names.
 
            There being no public comment, Chairman Deal declared the public hearing closed at 7:14 P.M.
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to accept the names as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
REVIEW OF PENDING CHANGE ORDERS FOR NEW HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT
 
            Mr. Mike Kesterson reviewed the following series of change orders for the new Watauga High School project. 
 
Number
Amount
Comment
#1
<$232,200>
Savings due to re-sized detention pipe.
#2
$28,391
To change the water line service from 6” to 8” pipe for necessary capacity.
#3
<$5,304>
Savings due to water line removal not containing asbestos.
#4
($4,531,539)
Early GMP # 2 for steel already included in overall GMP. (No change in cost)
#5
(included in GMP)
To be submitted in future to cover Barnhill/Vannoy’s general conditions. (No change in cost)
#6
$131,370*
Misc. steel costs over allowances and additional steel needed to complete structure.
#7
Revision E
($316,408)*
Steel structural revision costs to be covered by SfL+a due to load miscalculations. (No change in cost)
#8
$130,667*
- 70,000
$60,667
Additional drainage and piping required for rainwater collection and reuse. Was not a part of plumbing package as bid.
#9
($20,000 – $30,000) *
To use structural cast in place wall in place of segmented block.
#10
Approx $15,000 - $20,000 *
To reflect savings of additional value engineering if savings may be realized.
* Change orders 6 – 10 have not yet been authorized by SfL+a. They are currently under review.
 
Mr. Kesterson stated that the change orders were presented for discussion only and formal versions were to be presented once approvals were received from Shuller Ferris Lindstrom and Associates and compiled for action.
 
2007 WATAUGA CUSTOMER SURVEY
 
Dr. Marvin Hoffman with Appalachian State University presented results from a citizen survey conducted to determine the level of satisfaction with the County services received by our citizens.
 
The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
 
PROPOSED JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT BETWEEN APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY, THE HIGH COUNTRY SOCCER ASSOCIATION, AND WATAUGA COUNTY
 
Mr. Faye Binning representing the Soccer Association and Ms. Suzette Mauney representing Appalachian State University and the Soccer Association presented a proposed joint venture agreement to include Appalachian State University in the previous agreement between the County and the Soccer Association for development of the soccer complex on Brookshire Road. 
 
County Manager Nelson shared his concerns as follows:
 
Section 3.3, the County had planned to jointly develop the components based on the award of a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Grant. In that the County recently received notice that the grant award was not forthcoming, the grant was to be resubmitted during the next grant cycle. Also, the proposal requested to establish additional parking spaces that were to be between the stadium soccer field and the river in the floodway area. The County Manager stated that he believed that was permissible but the lot needed to be graveled and not paved. County Sanitation Department staff was available to prepare the pad and haul the gravel but staff recommended that Appalachian State University or the Soccer Association be responsible for the cost of the gravel and any required engineering to establish the additional lot.
 
Section 3.5-1 regarding Water and Sewer, once approval was obtained from the Town of Boone to extend Water and Sewer to the facility, the costs of construction of the lines would need to be determined.
 
Section 3.5-2, staff also recommended that the usage of lights by ASU and the Soccer Association be billed to them by the County in that both of these uses were not a necessary public purpose.
 
Mr. Denny Norris, Parks and Recreation Board Chairman, and Mr. Stephen Poulos, Parks and Recreation Director, were present and stated that they agreed that the Parks and Recreation Department was ready to move forward with a joint venture agreement.
 
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the agreement contingent upon the County Attorney working with Appalachian State University, the Soccer Association, and Watauga County Parks and Recreation to finalize the agreement with the Manager’s comments to be addressed in the final draft.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
SOIL AND WATER GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST
 
Mr. Denny Norris, with the Soil and Water Conservation District, stated that Board action had been taken to approve a pass through grant to Hebron Colony in the amount of $305,500 from the Division of Water Resources for restoration of the Watauga River stream bank on their property.
 
County Manager Nelson stated that, after review by the State, the project had been reduced in scope and DENR required that the County adopt a resolution being responsible for the grant. Before, the grant was a pass-through and now the County was going to be the responsible party. After reviewing the new proposal and resolution with the County Attorney, recommended changes were incorporated in the agreement between Hebron Colony and the Soil and Water Conservation District to make Hebron Colony responsible for the same points for which DENR wanted the County to be accountable.
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to adopt the resolution as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
SHERIFF’S OFFICE OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL REQUEST
 
County Manager Nelson stated that the Sheriff’s Office requested out-of-state travel approval for Ms. Melissa Harmon to travel to Alexandria, VA, to take advantage of training regarding National Missing and Exploited Children. The course was offered at no cost to the Sheriff’s Office or the County with the only expenses to be for Ms. Harmon’s time and some meals.
 
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the out-of-state travel request for Ms. Melissa Harmon.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
FINANCE MATTERS
 
A. Surplus Property Request – Ms. Doris Isaacs presented a list of property and requested that it be surplused and subsequently sold through GovDeals.
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to surplus the property as presented by Ms. Isaacs for sale on GovDeals.com.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            As a side note, Ms. Isaacs announced that a trash truck surplused by Watauga County recently sold on GovDeals.com for approximately $41,000.
 
            Ms. Isaacs stated that the scale house project was nearing completion and, as discussed, the existing scale house needed to be demolished. Ms. Isaacs therefore requested that the old scale house be surplused, demolished, and taken off property inventory.
 
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to declare surplus and order the demolition of the old scale house located at the County’s Sanitation Department.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
B. Budget Amendments – Ms. Isaacs presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
233317-343109           Controlled Substance Abuse Funds                                        $60,000
234310-429000           Other Supplies                                                 $60,000
 
            The amendment recognized additional Controlled Substance Abuse revenue and expenditures.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
103200-326600           ABC/5-Cent/Bottle                                                                  $1,600
105210-469852           NRBHC/ABC5-Cent                                        $1,600
 
            The amendment recognized additional ABC 5-Cent per Bottle revenue and expenditure to NRBHC.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
103341-343101           Concealed Weapons Permits                                                    $6,335
104170-412600           Salaries-Part-time                                              $6,335
 
            The amendment recognized additional Concealed Weapon Permit revenue and expense.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
663740-381000           Sale of Recycled Scrap                                                        $107,000
667420-425100           Motor Fuel & Lubricants                                 $35,000
667420-469199           Professional Services-Other                             $72,000
663740-350000           Landfill Tipping Fees                                                            $145,000
667420-469568           Cont. Services-Waste Management               $145,000
 
            The amendment recognized additional Sanitation revenues and expenditures.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
213991-399101           Fund Balance Approp.-New                                                  $30,000
219800-498010           Transfer to the General Fund                            $30,000
103980-398121           Transfer from Cap. Reserve Fund                                           $30,000
104920-463002           Capital Outlay-Land                                        $30,000
 
            The amendment recognized the transfer of funds from the Capital Reserve Fund set-a-side for EDC to the General Fund to provide funding for the escrow deposit on the Tweetsie land purchase.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
283101-312701           Taxes Ad Valorem-07/08                                                        $3,000
284340-469901           Pay. to Fire Dist.-Foscoe                                  $3,000
283101-312704           Taxes Ad Valorem-07/08                                                         $1,500
284340-469904           Pay. to Fire Dist.-Beaver Dam                           $1,500
283101-312705           Taxes Ad Valorem-07/08                                                        $2,000
284340-469905           Pay. to Fire Dist.-St. Simmons                           $2,000
283101-312706           Taxes Ad Valorem-07/08                                                        $1,000
284340-469906           Pay. to Fire Dist.-Zionville                                 $1,000
283101-312707           Taxes Ad Valorem-07/08                                                        $1,000
284340-469907           Pay. to Fire Dist.-Cove Creek                           $1,000
283101-312709           Taxes Ad Valorem-07/08                                                           $500
284340-469909           Pay. to Fire Dist.-Meat Camp                               $500
283101-312710           Taxes Ad Valorem-07/08                                                         $3,000
284340-469910           Pay. to Fire Dist.-Deep Gap                              $3,000
 
            The amendment recognized additional fire tax district revenues and payments to volunteer fire departments.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
103300-353100           Medicaid Relief                                                                    $400,000
104199-499100           Contingency                                                  $400,000
 
            The amendment recognized year-to-date Medicaid Relief revenue and the anticipated settlement in August.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
293270-312007           Occupancy Tax-FY 07/08                                                    $100,000
294140-469900           Watauga District U TDA                               $100,000
 
            The amendment recognized additional anticipated occupancy tax revenue.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
103991-399101           Fund Balance Approp.-New                                                  $25,000
104160-451000           Capital Outlay-Furniture & Equipment             $25,000
 
            The amendment re-appropriated unspent funds budgeted in FY 06/07 for the purchase of furniture for the Clerk of Court and DA Offices.
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
PROPOSED CONTRACT FOR TAX SOFTWARE
 
Mr. Kelvin Byrd discussed a proposal from Tyler Technologies, the parent company for MUNIS and CLT Software products, for a new County tax software package in the amount of $768,846. Discussion had been held for the last few years regarding the purchase of new tax software and Mr. Byrd was of the opinion that this was the best provider to meet the County’s needs. Funds have been identified previously in the County’s Capital Reserve Account for this software upgrade. It was necessary given the age of our existing software which was first installed in 1984. 
 
Commissioner Moretz, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to enter into a contract with Tyler Technologies in the amount of $768,846, contingent upon the County Attorney’s approval, and to and authorize staff to enter into negotiations on technical points with the final costs of necessary hardware, etc. to be brought to the Board at a future time for approval.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
DISCUSSION OF PASSPORT PHOTO FEES
 
            Mr. Byrd stated that the County now had the ability to provide passport photos along with passport applications. Mr. Byrd requested that the Board set the fee at $11.00 including sales tax for two (2) passport id photos.
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to set the fee for two (2) passport photos at $11.00, which included sales tax.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
BID AWARD REQUEST FOR DEMOLITION PROJECT AT OLD CAMPUS OF CCC&TI
 
Mr. Robert Marsh presented the following proposals to remove the asbestos and demolish the old bus garage at the old CCC&TI campus: E. Luke Greene, Inc., Johnson City, TN, in the amount of $32,200 and DH Griffin, Hickory, NC, in the amount of $33,975. Mr. Marsh recommended awarding the bid to the low proposer, E. Luke Greene, Inc., in the amount of $32,200.
 
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to award the asbestos and demolition project to E. Luke Greene, Inc., in the amount of $32,200.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
PROPOSED AGREEMENT FOR RECYCLING VENDOR
 
Ms. Lisa Doty presented a request to change the County’s recycling vendor. Currently, the County used Recycle America but it was determined that Carolina Fibre was offering much higher prices for recyclables than we were currently being paid. 
 
Ms. Doty presented the following bid proposals for Watauga County recycling:
 
Company
Cardboard
Paper
Plastic
Steel
Aluminum
April Market Prices (approximate)
$125/ton
$125/ton
$192/ton
$210/ton
$2000/ton
Recycle America
(Current Vendor)
 
 
 
 
 
**Rate
66%
66%
66%
66%
85%
April Price
$82.50/ton
$82.50/ton
$145.20/ton
$138.60/ton
$1,700.00/ton
GDS
 
 
 
 
 
**Rate
85%
85%
85%
85%
85%
April Price
$106.25/ton
$106.25/ton
$187.00/ton
$178.50/ton
$1,700.00/ton
Pratt
 
 
 
 
 
**Rate
70%
70%
N/A
N/A
N/A
April Price
$87.50/ton
$87.50/ton
 
 
 
Carolina Fibre
 
 
 
 
 
**Rate
90%
90%
90%
90%
90%
*April Price
$112.50/ton
$112.50/ton
$172.80/ton
$189.00/ton
$1,800.00/ton
**Rate = Price vendor pays based on % of current market value
 
Ms. Doty stated that the service was to be very similar to the existing contract that the County currently had with Recycle America. 
 
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve entering into a contract for recycling services and purchases with Carolina Fibre contingent upon the County Attorney’s review.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
 
A. Proposed Natural Gas Contract for New High School – County Manager Nelson stated that the new High School was to use natural gas from Frontier Gas Company in the kitchen and in one of the lab areas. Therefore, a gas line needed to be installed between Old King Street and the rear of the new high school building at a length of approximately 1,900 feet. Frontier Gas was to make the installation but required a $30,000 deposit due to the line (asset) lying in place for two years before they were able to generate any return based on usage at the new school. (Installation was to occur prior to the new road being built.)
 
Frontier Gas planned to either reimburse the $30,000 or credit the first $30,000 of usage once the service was connected when the new school opened. The County Manager stated that the School Board took action to approve the request at their Monday, June 16, 2008, meeting.
 
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to authorize the contract for installation of the line and use of natural gas with Frontier Gas and approve the payment of a $30,000 deposit on the line with the understanding that the $30,000 was to be reimbursed or usage credited back to the County with the funds to come from the Project Contingency Fund.
 
Vice-Chairman Winkler recused himself from the vote due to a conflict of interest.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Recused-1(Winkler)
 
B. Discussion of Watauga Humane Society/Watauga County Joint Venture – County Manager Nelson presented a new proposal from the Humane Society for a joint venture in constructing a new animal care facility and the related animal care. The County Manager stated that staff had met several times with Humane Society representatives and these meetings resulted in the current offer to provide services under contract for $80,000 per year with an additional $500,000 lump sum for the building fund. Mr. Shaun Lundy, the Humane Society’s attorney, reviewed their offer.
 
            After lengthy discussion, the Board agreed by consensus, to support the idea of a joint venture between the Humane Society and Animal Care and Control and authorized the County Attorney and Mr. Shaun Lundy, the Humane Society’s attorney, to meet and work out an agreement with a more detailed budget for the project.
 
            C. Land Transfer Tax Discussion – County Manager Nelson presented a notice from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) that the North Carolina Legislature may repeal the authority for counties to pass a transfer tax. The NCACC asked that you be in correspondence with your representatives to support the continued option to consider the transfer tax. 
 
            After discussion, Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to direct the County Manager to prepare a resolution in which Watauga County requested the Legislature to continue to allow citizens the right to make the decision regarding a land transfer tax for their county and send the resolution to Representative Tarleton, Speaker of the House Joe Hackney, and Senator Steve Goss.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            D. Proposed Resolution In Support of Multi-laning US Hwy 421 to Tennessee State Line TIP Project #R-2615 – County Manager Nelson presented a proposed resolution in support of multi-laning US Hwy 421 to the Tennessee State Line as directed at a previous meeting. The County Manager also presented proposed changes to the resolution as recommended by the High Country Council of Governments’ RPO staff.
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to adopt the resolution as amended.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            E. Request for Public Hearing for AppalCART’s Rural Operating Assistance Program – County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Chris Turner, Director of AppalCART, requested a public hearing on the AppalCART’s Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) as required by State rules. Mr. Turner had requested that the public hearing be held at the July 15th meeting. 
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to set a public hearing for the July 15, 2008, Board meeting to allow public comment on AppalCART’s Rural Operating Assistance Program.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            F. Request for Public Hearing for Amendments to the Solid Waste Operations Ordinance – Assistant County Manager Geouque requested a public hearing be scheduled for proposed amendments to the Solid Waste Operations Ordinance. The proposed changes were, as previously discussed at your budget work session, to allow non-County residential use of the County’s solid waste facilities for an annual fee of $125.00 per household. The Assistant County Manager requested that the public hearing be held at the July 15th meeting
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to set a public hearing for the July 15, 2008, Board meeting to allow public comment on proposed amendments to the County’s Solid Waste Operations Ordinance.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            G. Discussion of DOT’s Recommendations for Hwy 105 – County Manager Nelson presented maps detailing recommendations from DOT for improvements to Hwy 105.
 
            After discussion and by consensus, the Board agreed to direct the County Manager to write to DOT and request that they conduct a work session and public hearing and invite the Chamber of Commerce and members; Hwy 105 property owners; and Appalachian State University representatives to attend.
 
H. Meeting Schedules – County Manager Nelson stated that a Town of Boone Referendum for liquor by the drink had been scheduled by the Board of Elections on the date of the August 19, 2008, Board meeting. Due to the fact that the Commissioners’ Board room was designated as a precinct voting place, the room was not available for a Board meeting on that date. 
 
After discussion and by consensus, the Board agreed to moved the August 19, 2008, meeting to Monday, August 25, 2008, at 6:00 P.M. and also to cancel the September 1, 2008, Board meeting due to the Labor Day holiday with the second meeting in September to remain on September 16, 2008.
 
Chairman Deal stated that a special joint meeting with the Town of Boone needed to be held to discuss water/sewer and recreation issues.
 
By consensus the Board agreed to direct staff to send the following recommended dates to the Town of Boone Mayor and Manager and request they join the Board for a joint meeting to discuss water/sewer and recreation issues. The recommended dates were: July 23rd; July 29th; and July 30th, with the meeting beginning at 5:00 P.M. on either date.
 
I. Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that the Region D Development Corporation was a Certified Development Company that assisted the US Small Business Administration in delivering small business loans to the region. They also assisted in marketing and packaging loans for small businesses throughout the region. Per their bylaws, each county was required to appoint four persons to serve as members of the Development Corporation in May of each year. Representative categories were local government (1), private lending institution (1), and community organization or a business organization (2). The current appointees were as follows and each were willing to continue to serve if so appointed: Mr. Fowler Cooper (Government Representative); Mr. Brian Crutchfield (Community Representative); Mr. Jim Furman (Business Representative); and Mr. Brian Riggins (Private Lending Institution Representative).
 
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to reappoint to the Region D Development Corporation Mr. Fowler Cooper as a government representative; Mr. Brain Crutchfield as a community representative; Mr. Jim Furman as a business representative; and Mr. Brian Riggins as a private lending institution representative.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
County Manager Nelson stated that the Town of Boone Board of Adjustment had three ETJ appointments and their Planning Commission had one ETJ appointment to fill. The Boone Town Council stated that they were to present recommendations for these positions after their July 17, 2008, meeting. The recommendations were to be presented at the August 4, 2008, Board of Commissioners’ meeting.
 
County Manager Nelson stated that W.A.M.Y. Community Action’s Board had recommended the appointment of Mr. Grover Gore to fill the un-expired term of Mr. Fred Badders who recently resigned from the Board.
 
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Grover Gore to the W.A.M.Y. Community Action Board to fill an un-expired term.
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
County Manager Nelson stated that Dr. Ingrid Kraus had submitted her resignation to the New River Service Authority Board and Vice-Chairman Winkler had recommended Mr. Cameron Lippard for this position.
 
Commissioner Moretz, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Cameron Lippard to the New River Service Authority Board to fill an un-expired term.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
County Manager Nelson stated that the Greenway, Parks, and Gardens Committee had requested that two Commissioners attend their sub-committee meeting on Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at 7:00 P.M. at the Town of Boone Chambers. Commissioner Moretz stated that she understood that the meeting date had been changed to July 9, 2008, and she was willing to attend. Chairman Deal also stated that he was willing to attend.
 
County Manager Nelson sated that an application of a citizen interested in serving on various Boards and Commissions was included in the Board’s packet.
 
G. Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Annual Meeting was scheduled for August 20-24, 2008, in New Bern.
 
County Manager Nelson announced that the Appalachian Regional Development Institute (ARDI) was to hold its 8th Annual Leadership Summit, “Accelerating Our Economy: Tapping Creative Assets,” on Monday, August 11, 2008.
 
PUBLIC COMMENT
 
            Dave Thompson and Bill Moretz spoke.
 
COMMISSIONER COMMENT
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler gave a brief update on news from the Horn In The West and stated that attendance was currently up by 117%.
 
            Commissioner Kinsey stated that he had attended a water resources conference and that a water study was needed for the County.
 
CLOSED SESSION
 
            At 9:39 P.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).
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:48 P.M.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION
 
            Assistant County Manager Geouque requested direction in proceeding with distribution of funds budgeted for new playground equipment for elementary schools.
 
            After discussion and by consensus, the Board agreed to the following:
 
Direct that the $225,000 budgeted in FY 2009’s budget for playground equipment be equally split among Green Valley, Valle Crusis, and Mabel elementary schools in the amount of $75,000 each;
 
Direct that the equipment be purchased from the same vendor, if possible and economical, and provided the tot lot equipment be rated for children in Kindergarten through Eighth grade;
 
Authorize the Assistant County Manager to meet with a Board of Education representative (staff or Board member), the Principal and head of the Parent/Teacher/Student Organization (PTSO) for each of the three schools to determine the equipment needs of those schools.
 
ADJOURN
 
            The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 10:00 P.M.
 
 
Jim Deal, Chairman
 
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board