MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1999
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 1999 at 7:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.
PRESENT: Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
Sue Sweeting, Vice-Chairman
James Coffey, Commissioner
Art Kohles, Commissioner
Jack Lawrence, Sr., Commissioner
Jeff Hedrick, County Attorney
Barry J. Reed, County Manager
Libby Link, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.
A moment of silence was observed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the February 1, 1999 regular and closed session minutes, as well as the February 2, 1999 and February 8, 1999 special meeting minutes; there being none, they were approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to approve the agenda for the February 16, 1999 regular meeting as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PUBLIC HEARING-COUNTY GOVERNMENT
NAMING OF NEW PRIVATE ROADS
Chairman Hodges declared a public hearing open at 7:04 P.M. to consider the adoption of new road names for Watauga County.
Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman, stated a public hearing was required by general statutes (NCGS 153A-239.1) and presented the following road names for approval.
Beaver Dam Township Meat Camp Township
Suzy’s Lane Hornblend Drive
Blowing Rock Township New River Township
Clary Court Alex Place
Rocky Glen Lane Circle G Farm
Sledding Hill Court East Pinecrest Court
Change McCauley Drive to Renar Drive
Seven Devils Township
Brushy Fork Township Bradley Boulevard
Abberly Court Drews Lane
Corby Court Shelby Street
Crestridge Lane
Darby Court Shawneehaw Township
Glendamere Court Michael Lane
Kensington Drive
Change Bucky Badger Road to Fair Oaks Court Stony Fork Township
Ivy Ridge Road
Cove Creek Township
Creekside Lane Watauga Township
Zionfields Lane Cabin Circle
Elk Ridge Farm
Elk Township Homestead Drive
Brightwood Trail North Ironweed Road
Brightwood Trail South Meadow Lark Way
Butterfly Pass Mulberry Place
Creek Way Trail Norman Road Extension
Freedom Road Pleasant View Drive
Golden Way Queens Ridge
Holly Falls Trail Shannon Court
Lotus Hill Sunrise Ridge
Morning Glory Trail Twin Rivers Drive
Serenity Place Watauga Valle Trail
Stardance Trail West Point Drive
There being no public comment regarding the above new road names, Chairman Hodges declared the public hearing closed at 7:06 P.M.
Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to approve the new road name list as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
RECREATION SURVEY FINDINGS
Dr. Bill Horne presented results from a survey taken by the High Country Recreation Facilities Task Force. Dr. Horne stated this survey was a follow-up of surveys that had been done previously through the Parks & Recreation Department, the County’s high school and other parties considering the needs of County residents as well as visitors to the high country in pursuing a new recreational facility for this area. Dr. Horne then turned the meeting over to Mr. Ron Branch to review the results of the survey.
Mr. Branch reviewed the survey and explained how the results were tabulated. He added that the questionnaire included indoor and outdoor facilities. Mr. Branch noted that 1700+ surveys had been received from residents throughout the County endorsing a new recreational facility. He then turned the meeting over to Mr. Dave Robertson to discuss the proposals based on the survey results.
Mr. Robertson asked the Board’s permission to allow County Manager Reed to work with Boone Town Manager, Greg Young, to develop a request for proposal (RFP) that would be circulated to appropriate professionals who plan and design recreational facilities. In addition, Mr. Robertson requested the Board’s endorsement that Mr. Reed be allowed to work with the High Country Recreation Facilities Task Force and the County’s Recreation Commission to develop an RFP that would include the priorities that came from these surveys.
After discussion, Vice-Chairman Sweeting seconded by Commissioner Coffey, moved to endorse County Manager Reed to work with Town of Boone Manager, Greg Young, the County Recreation Commission and the High Country Recreation Facilities Task Force to look into this RFP for a new recreational facility.
Prior to the vote, and following brief discussion, it was agreed that County Manager Reed would meet with the Recreation Commission and the High Country Recreation Facilities Task Force to determine what to include in the RFP in developing a realistic plan. The following vote was made on Vice-Chairman Sweeting’s motion.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
FUNDS TO EXPAND WATER AND SEWER LINES
Mr. Bennie Weaver addressed the Board about plans to build a new Shadrack’s restaurant on George Wilson Road. Mr. Weaver stated the restaurant would be similar to the former Shadrack’s restaurant in Boone. He noted one potential conflict was that the proposed site did not have water and sewer lines. Mr. Weaver had approached the Town of Boone about the project (the Director of Planning had notified him that funding for utilities in the George Wilson Road area was not available, therefore, no utilities were available to the property at this time). Mr. Weaver added that the Town suggested he address the Board of Commissioners before speaking with the Boone Town Council. Mr. Weaver estimated the cost for the water and sewer lines would be in the $200,000-$300,000 range. There were approximately 15 to 20 businesses in this area who were unable to expand because of water and sewer problems. Mr. Weaver stated he was very committed to this project and requested the Board provide the funding to build the lines as proposed.
It was noted that the Town was considering this area to be a portion of the next Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Mr. Dean Critcher also voiced his support of this project. The Board asked Mr. Weaver to first approach the Town Council about these water and sewer lines. Mr. Weaver stated he would address the Town Council and return to discuss it with the Board of Commissioners at a later date.
UPDATED PLAN TO FURTHER FAIR HOUSING
Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman, stated that as a condition of continued receipt of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, the County was required to adopt and periodically update a Plan to Further Fair Housing. The County first adopted the Plan in 1990 and had updated it in 1993, 1995 and 1997. Mr. Furman added this was an ongoing grant and requested approval of the update to the Plan to Further Fair Housing as a condition of receiving this grant.
Commissioner Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Coffey moved to approve the update to the Plan to Further Fair Housing as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Finance Director, Doris Issacs, presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:
Account # Description Debit Credit
243100-319800 Taxes ‘98-’99 Boone 15,349
244340-469905 Pay to Fire District-Boone 15,349
283100-319804 Taxes ‘98-’99 Beaver Dam 6,383
284340-469904 Pay to Fire District Beaver Dam 6,383
283100-319812 Taxes ‘98-’99 Blowing Rock 10,944
284340-469912 Pay to Fire District-Blowing Rock 10,944
283100-319807 Taxes ‘98-’99 Cove Creek 12,465
284340-469907 Pay to Fire District-Cove Creek 12,465
283100-319810 Taxes ‘98-’99 Deep Gap 7,177
284340-469910 Pay to Fire District-Deep Gap 7,177
283100-319801 Taxes ‘98-’99 Foscoe 16,431
284340-469901 Pay to Fire District-Foscoe 16,431
283100-319809 Taxes ‘98-’99 Meat Camp 8,001
284340-469909 Pay to Fire District-Meat Camp 8,001
283100-319808 Taxes ‘98-’99 Shawneehaw 3,811
284340-469908 Pay to Fire District-Shawneehaw 3,811
283100-319805 Taxes ‘98-’99 Stewart Simmons 3,043
284340-469905 Pay to Fire District-Stewart Simmons 3,043
283100-319806 Taxes ‘98-’99 Zionville 6,920
284340-469906 Pay to Fire District-Zionville 6,920
To recognize additional fire tax district estimated revenues and appropriations based on actual tax billings in excess of tax administrators budget estimates.
Account # Description Debit Credit
213816-337000 Appalachian District Health Department 50,000
219930-451100 Health Dept./Rock Building Renovations 50,000
To recognize additional revenue received from Appalachian District Health Department to assist in funding the renovations to the Health Department Building.
Account # Description Debit Credit
219930-451100 Health Dept./Rock Building Renovations 51,789
219800-498030 Transfer to Debt Service 51,789
303980-398200 Transfer from Cap. Reserve 51,789
309100-475002 Prin.-E. Annex/H. Dept. 33,104
309100-476002 Int.-E. Annex/H. Dept. 18,685
To transfer funds from the Capital Reserve Fund to the Debt Service for the debt service payments for the East Annex and Health Department renovation financing.
Account # Description Debit Credit
103910-391000 Proceeds of Lease Purchase 995,823
104265-458000 Capital Outlay-Building Improvements 905,823
Health Department
104265-469103 Prof. Services-Arch. Health Department 90,000
To recognize the balance of the $1.6 million installment purchase contract financing for the renovations of the East Annex and Health Department buildings. This portion of the financing proceeds would be used to finance the Health Department renovations. The County had contracted for the architectural fees and May 1, 1999 was the architects’ anticipated date for requesting bids for the renovations to the building.
Account # Description Debit Credit
133593-359003 PSFF-Voc. Ed./High School 292,028
135912-459003 Cap. Outlay-Voc. Ed/High School 292,028
To recognize Public School Facilities Funds approved for the Vocational Education and Watauga High School projects. Funding was approved in previous fiscal year, but expenditures did not occur until this fiscal year.
Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
RAISING THE MONETARY LIMIT REQUIRED FOR PURCHASE ORDERS
County Manager Reed stated that currently purchase orders were required for any purchase exceeding $150. This involved considerable paperwork and staff time to process and track. Mr. Reed noted he had spoken with department heads and Finance Director Isaacs about this and recommended raising the purchase order limit to $500. He felt this request would simplify the process for everyone. Finance Director Isaacs stated she felt this request would streamline the process, adding the procedures for purchases would not change - this change applied to purchase orders only.
Following discussion, Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to raise the purchase order limit to $500 for review at the end of six months.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
County Manager Reed stated the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services had accepted the County’s Single Audit Report (for fiscal year 1997/1998) without a requirement for corrective action. Mr. Reed also reminded the Board of the "Report to the People luncheon" provided by the Cooperative Extension Service scheduled for Monday, March 1, 1999 at noon. In addition, the N.C. Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) would hold a district meeting in Lenoir on Thursday, April 15, 1999 from noon-3:00 p.m. to present an update on key legislative issues and other Association activities. Mr. Reed also provided the NCACC legislative agenda that was adopted in January, 1999.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
___________________________
Jimmy Hodges
Chairman
ATTEST:
______________________________
Elizabeth H. Link
Clerk to the Board