MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 2010
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, June 7, 2010, at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building.
PRESENT: Jim Deal, Chairman
John Cooper, Commissioner
Tim Futrelle, Commissioner
Winston Kinsey, Commissioner
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager
Deron Geouque, Deputy County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Deal called the meeting to order at 9:03 A.M., welcoming those in attendance.
Commissioner Kinsey opened the meeting with a prayer.
[Vice-Chairman Winkler was absent due to a prior commitment.]
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the May 6, 2010, special meeting minutes (budget work session); the May 10, 2010, special meeting minutes (budget work session); and the May 18, 2010, regular and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the May 6, 2010, special meeting minutes (budget work session) as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the May 10, 2010, special meeting minutes (budget work session) as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
Commissioner Kinsey noted the misspelling of a name listed as a speaker at the public hearing on the proposed budget in the May 18th regular meeting minutes. The name was Dot Barker not Dot Baker.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the May 18, 2010, regular meeting minutes as amended.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the May 18, 2010, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the June 7, 2010, agenda.
Chairman Deal stated that an additional Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment request needed to be added as agenda item 6.E.
Chairman Deal also stated that additional closed session discussion was needed under Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11a(5)(i) and personnel matters, per G. S. 143-318.11a(6).
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the June 7, 2010, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2011 BUDGET ORDINANCE
County Manager Nelson presented the FY 2011 Budget Ordinance. The County Manager stated that the property tax value remained at the current amount of $0.313 per $100 of valuation and that the allocations budgeted for education remained at the current fiscal year levels as well.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to adopt the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Ordinance as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
FINANCE MATTERS
A. Budget Amendments – Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:
[Clerk’s Note: Ms. Pierce presented a handout for the requested budget amendments which contained corrections and additions to the amendments which were included in the original Board packet; however, below are the actual amendments presented at the meeting.]
Account # Description Debit Credit
103300-352100 Criminal Justice Program Grant $64,463
105210-469820 Criminal Justice Partnership Program $64,463
The amendment recognized funds from the Criminal Justice Partnership Grant awarded for Fiscal Year 2010.
Account # Description Debit Credit
283101-312912 Tax Revenue Blowing Rock Fire District $11000
284340-469912 Payment to Blowing Rock Fire District $11,000
283101-312910 Tax Revenue Deep Gap Fire District $8,000
284340-469910 Payment to Deep Gap Fire District $8,000
283101-312909 Tax Revenue Meat Camp Fire District $2,000
284340-469909 Payment to Meat Camp Fire District $2,000
283101-312908 Tax Revenue Shawneehaw Fire District $1,000
284340-469908 Payment to Shawneehaw Fire District $1,000
283101-312907 Tax Revenue Cove Creek Fire District $6,700
284340-469907 Payment to Cove Creek Fire District $6,700
283101-312906 Tax Revenue Zionville Fire District $5,800
284340-469906 Payment to Zionville Fire District $5,800
283101-312901 Tax Revenue Foscoe Fire District $10,000
284340-469901 Payment to Foscoe Fire District $10,000
243101-312901 Tax Revenue Foscoe Fire District $3,000
244340-469901 Payment to Foscoe Fire District $3,000
243101-312009 Tax Revenue Boone Service District $59,000
244340-469905 Payment to Boone Service District $59,000
The amendment recognized additional fire tax district revenues and payments due to fire departments.
Account # Description Debit Credit
143839-353101 Donations to Foster Children Funds $1,000
143839-353102 Donations to Child Protective Funds $200
145310-449902 Foster Children Funds $1,000
145310-449904 Child Protective Services $200
The amendment recognized April and May donations to the Department of Social Services discretionary funds.
Account # Description Debit Credit
143585-323002 SmartStart Funding $10,428
145850-440901 SmartStart Daycare Allocations $10,428
The amendment recognized additional SmartStart funding from the North Carolina Division of Child Development.
Account # Description Debit Credit
103991-399103 Fund Balance-ROD Enhancement $6,571
104210-452001 Capital Outlay-ROD Equipment $6,571
The amendment recognized the purchase of two SQL server upgrades to 2008 version in Register of Deeds.
Account # Description Debit Credit
219800-498010 Transfer to the General Fund $170,722
213991-399101 Fund Balance Appropriation $170,722
103980-398121 Transfer from Capital Reserve $170,722
104277-435101 Maint/Repair Grounds-LEC $71,744
104272-435101 Maint/Repair Grounds-WWCC $4,500
104284-435102 Maint/Repair Grounds-Old CC $3,000
104269-435101 Maint/Repair Grounds-Library $45,000
104275-435101 Maint/Repair Grounds-Human Services $25,792
104283-435102 Maint/Repair Grounds-Howard’s Knob $1,500
104267-435101 Maint/Repair Grounds-Health Department $12,236
104285-435101 Maint/Repair Grounds-Brookshire Park $6,950
The amendment transferred funds from the Capital Reserve Fund for the paving plan approved at the May 18, 2010, Board meeting.
Account # Description Debit Credit
103980-398121 Transfer from Capital Reserve $60,471
104199-499100 General Administration Contingency $60,471
213991-399100 Fund Balance Appropriations $60,471
219800-498010 Transfer to the General Fund $60,471
The amendment corrected a transfer error in the original Fiscal Year 2010 Budget.
Account # Description Debit Credit
103300-345000 Elderly & Disabled Trans Assist $9,500
105210-469845 Elderly & Disabled Trans Grant-NRBH $2,000
105550-431301 Elderly & Disabled Trans Grant-POA $5,500
105890-469846 Elderly & Disabled Trans Grant-Wat Opp $2,000
143300-345000 Elderly & Disabled Trans Assist $9,500
145310-469845 Elderly & Disabled Trans Grant $9,500
The amendment reallocated Elderly & Disabled Transportation Grant funds per programs request. The funds were to be transferred to match needs.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
B. Surplus Property Request – Ms. Pierce presented a list of property and requested the items be surplused and subsequently sold through GovDeals, recycled, or scrapped as appropriate.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to surplus the property as presented by Ms. Pierce and to authorize the property to be recycled, scrapped, or listed for sale on GovDeals.com as requested.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
C. Proposed Document Scanning Policy – Ms. Pierce presented a proposed document scanning policy that was to allow public records in the Finance Department to be retained electronically as opposed to paper copies. Ms. Pierce stated that the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources had confirmed that the proposed policy met all Statute requirements.
By consensus, the Board directed the County Attorney to review the policy and tabled further discussion and possible action until the June 29, 2010, Board meeting.
D. Proposed Telephone System Contract – Ms. Pierce stated that beginning July 1, 2010, support for the current phone system hardware for the courthouse complex would no longer be available. Ms. Pierce stated that the system was ten years old and needed upgrading. The following bids were received from three of the five companies that were solicited: AT&T in the amount of $41,853; Com-Tech in the amount of $47,133; and Ronco in the amount of $70,234.
Ms. Pierce stated that the County’s Information Technologies Director, Mr. Drew Eggers, had assisted in interviewing the companies who had submitted bids. Based on pricing and the system evaluations, Ms. Pierce recommended the contract be awarded to AT&T, the low bidder, in the amount of $41,853 and requested a $3,800 contingency line be established for the project. Ms. Pierce stated that funds were available in the current budget.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to award the contract for a new courthouse complex phone system to AT&T, the low bidder, in the amount of $41,853 and establish a contingency for the project in the amount of $3,800.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
E. Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB) Matters – Ms. Pierce presented the required documents to complete the Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB) process which was previously approved. The funds requested were to be used for the Mabel and Blowing Rock Elementary School roofs as well as technology improvements in all elementary schools.
1. Proposed Capital Project Ordinance – Ms. Pierce presented the proposed Capital Project Ordinance for the Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB).
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to adopt the Capital Project Ordinance for the QSCB as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
2. Proposed Financing Resolution – Ms. Pierce presented the proposed Financing Resolution for the Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB).
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to adopt the Financing Resolution for the QSCB as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
3. Proposed Financing Agreement – Ms. Pierce presented the proposed Financing Agreement with BB&T and the Deed of Trust for Mabel School as collateral for the Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB).
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the Financing Agreement for the QSCB with BB&T as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
4. Proposed Project Fund Agreement – Ms. Pierce presented the proposed Project Fund Agreement for the Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB).
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the Project Fund Agreement for the QSCB as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
5. Proposed Mabel School Lease Agreement – Ms. Pierce presented the proposed Lease Agreement for the Mabel School. The transfer of the Deed for Mabel School to the County for use as collateral in obtaining the QSCB was contingent upon a lease being executed in which the Board of Education was responsible for insurance coverage and the maintenance of the School.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the lease agreement for Mabel School contingent upon review by the County Attorney.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
NEW HIGH SCHOOL MATTERS
A. Proposal for Solar Project at the New High School by SfL+a – Mr. Robbie Ferris with Shuller, Ferris, Lindstrom, and Associates (SfL+a), the architects for the New High School project, presented a proposal to install a solar collection system at the new high school. The proposal was from Firstfloor K-12 Solutions, a development company of SfL+a.
Mr. Ferris stated that the main goal of the proposed project was to assure that the School received the LEED points associated with the School receiving the power generated by the solar panels. Other goals for the project included the County having the option to own the solar panels after the tax credit period expired and the project was to be revenue neutral for the County and provide an appropriate coverage ratio.
Mr. Ferris reviewed the system size and design options available. Participants in the proposed project included the Utilities Commission, which would be responsible for approving the project; the utility company, which would allow the project to occur and purchase the renewable energy certificates (RECs); the school, which was to receive the electricity generated; the County, which was to lease roof space, eventually own the solar panels, potentially provide 40% of the project funding; and receive revenue from the utility for the RECs; investors, which were to potentially provide 60% of the project funding and receive available tax credits; and Firstfloor K12 Solutions, which was to serve as project developer, receive a development fee, lease roof space, and own the solar panels up front.
Mr. Ferris stated that the revenue collected was to follow the funding source until the project was paid for and at that point in time the revenue was to then offset the High School’s electric bill.
After lengthy discussion, and by consensus, the Board expressed interest in the project and requested that Mr. Ferris meet with the High School Sub Committee and to move forward with the project by gathering information that the Board needed to make an informed decision.
B. Proposed Revision to Columbia Beauty Supply Contract (Name Change) – County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Don Critcher had requested that a previously approved contract for the new high school project, with Columbia Beauty Supply, be amended to the firm’s new name, SalonCentric. The amount of the contract was to remain the same with the only change being the Company name.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the name change amendment to the contract with Columbia Beauty Supply as requested.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
C. New High School Change Order Requests #’s 46 & 47 – County Manager Nelson stated that Barnhill/Vannoy had forwarded Change Order Request # 46 in the amount of $449,988. The County Manager stated that each of the requested items included in the Change Order had been requested by the School Board and reviewed by the High School Sub-Committee. Funding was requested to come from the Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment (FF&E) budget.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve Change Order # 46 for the new high school project in the amount of $449,988, allocated from the Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment (FF&E) Budget.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
County Manager Nelson presented Change Order # 47 for the new high school project which was in the amount of $9,828 for additional security fencing on the east side of the property. The Change Order was to allow a section of fence to be placed at the top of the bank immediately above the cul-de-sac on Daniel Boone Drive. This was proposed as an effort to deter parents from using the cul-de-sac for a drop-off area where students could then climb the bank to gain access to the school property. The Manager recommended that this Change Order be funded from the County’s contingency fund in that this additional fencing was in keeping with the spirit of cooperation with the neighborhood by providing safety and protection by preventing flow-thru traffic.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve Change Order # 47 for the new high school project in the amount of $9,828 with the funds to be allocated from the County’s contingency fund.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
D. Requested Approval for Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment (FF&E) Purchases – County Manager Nelson stated that the Board of Education had solicited proposals for two 10,000 pound auto lifts to be used in the vocational area of the school and Mr. Critcher had recommended purchasing from the low proposer, American Tire Distributers, in the amount of $6,242.07 with funds to be allocated from the Board of Education’s Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment (FF&E) budget.
County Manager Nelson stated that the Board of Education also requested the purchase of 12 printers for the new high school. Quotes were received and the School Board recommended purchasing from the low proposer, CDW-G, in the amount of $10,215 including sales tax with the funds to be allocated from the Board of Education’s Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment (FF&E) budget.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to:
1) award the bid for two 10,000 pound auto lifts for the new high school to American Tire Distributers in the amount of $6,242.07 with the funds to be allocated from the Board of Education’s Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment (FF&E) budget; and
2) award the bid for twelve printers for the new high school to CDW-G in the amount of $10,215 with the funds to be allocated from the Board of Education’s Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment (FF&E) budget.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
E. Request for Authorization to Approve Remaining Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment (FF&E) Purchases – County Manager Nelson stated that the Board of Education’s Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment (FF&E) budget had a balance of approximately $250,000. The County Manager requested permission to authorize the remaining purchases allocated from the FF&E budget as requested by the Board of Education due to the limited time frame involved in finishing the project.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to authorize the County Manager to approve the remaining allocation of the Board of Education Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment (FF&E) purchases.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
TAX MATTERS
A. Monthly Collections Report – Tax Administrator Kelvin Byrd presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of May 2010.
B. Releases and Refunds – Mr. Byrd presented the following Refunds and Releases for May 2010 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for May 2010, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
DISCUSSION OF OLD HIGH SCHOOL FIELD USE
Mr. Robert Marsh discussed the potential of using the outdoor sporting facilities at the old high school throughout the remainder of the summer and fall seasons. Mr. Marsh projected the cost to be approximately $41,000 to maintain and use the football field, tennis courts, and softball fields through for a nine month period. This amount included salary for an attendant to oversee use of the fields. Mr. Marsh stated that the proposed costs did not include expenses related to the field house or the school building, including gyms. The estimate also did not include preparing the fields for play as to grooming and marking.
Mr. Stephen Poulos stated that outdoor sports were scheduled from mid-March until late October.
County Manager Nelson stated that the building was to be “mothballed” August 1, 2010 and recommended that funds for maintaining the outdoor areas for sporting events be allocated from the Administrative Contingency.
After discussion, Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to authorize the Parks and Recreation Department to control the outdoor sporting facilities at the old Watauga High School until November 2010 with funds for maintenance to be allocated from the Administrative Contingency fund.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
PROPOSED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR E-911 COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES WITH THE TOWN OF BEECH MOUNTAIN
Captain Jeff Virginia with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office presented a Memorandum of Understanding for placement of County 911 equipment at the Beech Mountain dispatch center. This was to allow for a backup system in the case of a catastrophic system failure in an emergency situation.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding for Placement of 911 Equipment as presented.
[Commissioner Kinsey briefly stepped out of the meeting and, therefore, was not present for this vote.]
VOTE: Aye-3(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Winkler, Kinsey)
PLANNING AND INSPECTIONS MATTERS
A. Proposed Subordination Agreement for Two Deeds of Trust – Hospitality House – Mr. Joe Furman stated that the Hospitality House had forwarded a Subordination Agreement to place the obligations for funding/financing the Hospitality House into the proper order regarding the Deeds of Trust. The Subordination Agreement places the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) obligations in third place which was the original understanding when funding was being compiled for the project. Mr. Furman stated that the County Attorney’s office was involved in this process.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the Subordination Agreement for the two Deeds of Trust for the Hospitality House as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
B. Hospitality House Change Order Request # 2 – Mr. Furman presented Change Order # 2 for the Hospitality House Project with construction by Wishon and Carter Builders. The funding for the Change Order was to come from the Hospitality House contingency fund at no cost to the County. The Change Order, in the amount of $1,616, was to install low flow toilets and to repair a broken water line.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve Change Order # 2 for the Hospitality House Project in the amount of $1,616.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
C. Proposed Contract Renewal with McLaurin Parking Company – Mr. Furman presented a three-year contract renewal with McLaurin Parking Company for patrolling the Courthouse Complex and Library parking lots. The rates for the renewal were proposed to remain at current levels.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the three-year contract renewal with McLaurin Parking Company at current contract rates.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
D. Proposed Town of Boone Utilities Easement at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex – Mr. Furman stated that the Town of Boone had requested an utility easement for water/sewer lines at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex. Mr. Furman stated that the easement was for sewer only. Water lines were to be within the Department of Transportation’s right-of-way if the County chose to proceed with housing projects in the area.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the utility easement at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex for the Town of Boone as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
RECREATION CENTER PROGRAMMING
As new developments had occurred since preparation of the agenda, the Board agreed, by consensus, to consult with the County Attorney and Architects in closed session prior to any potential action which could occur after closed session.
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Proposed Proclamation in Recognition of Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse Awareness Month 2010 – Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, and Ms. Kedith England, Social Worker Supervisor III with the Department of Social Services, presented a proclamation adopted by Governor Beverly Perdue denoting the period from May 10th June 18th as Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse Awareness Month. The dates included the weeks between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Ms. Boitnotte stated that Watauga County had an Elder Abuse Team of which several members were present and asked to stand for recognition. Ms. Boitnotte also stated that June 15th was designated as World Elder Abuse Day. Ms. England stated that on June 15th the Elder Abuse Team planned public service announcements to promote awareness of elder abuse in Watauga County. Ms. England stated that reports of elder abuse in Watauga County had increased from two reports in 2009 to eleven reports in 2011.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to proclaim May 10-June 18 as Vulnerable Adult and Elder Abuse Awareness Month 2010.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
B. Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Skip Greene, of Greene Construction, Inc., was up for reappointment as a Watauga County representative to the Watauga High Country Workforce Development Board. This appointment was to be made by the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
Chairman Deal reappointed Mr. Skip Greene to the Watauga High Country Workforce Development Board.
County Manager Nelson stated that at the May 3rd Board Meeting, an agreement with the Humane Society for the care and control of domestic animals was approved. The Humane Society has requested that the Board of Commissioners appoint either a Commissioner or designee to fill a position on their Board of Trustees.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to appoint Commissioner Tim Futrelle, as the Board of Commissioners representative, to the Watauga Humane Society Board of Trustees.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
County Manager Nelson stated that a term on the Department of Social Services Board was to expire June 30, 2010, and the Social Services Board has recommended that Mr. Tom Trexler be appointed to fill this position. Mr. Trexler has agreed to serve.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to appoint Mr. Tom Trexler to the Department of Social Services Board for a three-year term, expiring June 30, 2013.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
County Manager Nelson stated that there continued to be a vacancy for appointment of an alternate ETJ position on the Boone Board of Adjustment and the Town of Boone was continuing to advertise for interested citizens to serve on this Board.
C. Announcements – County Manger Nelson announced that the Blue Ridge Parkway is conducting a planning seminar, Wednesday, June 23, 2010, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the High Country Council of Governments Board Room. Commissioners as well as planning staff were invited to attend.
County Manager Nelson announced that the Article 46 Optional Quarter-Cent Sales Tax, if passed by local referendum and enacted by the Board, will not be divided between the County and local municipalities. During previous discussions it had been reported to you that the projected amount would be approximately a quarter of prior year’s collections for Article 39. The County’s share was erroneously used to develop the projection. The County Manager stated that it now appeared that, if passed and enacted, both the debt service as well as operational costs should be covered for the proposed recreation center and eastern community center. Also a funding plan could be developed to improve recreational amenities at the County’s elementary schools as well as existing County parks. This announcement was given for information only.
County Manager Nelson announced that the Tourism Development Authority invited the Board to attend a ground-breaking ceremony at Rocky Knob Park at 12:00 noon on June 14, 2010.
County Manager Nelson announced that the Board of Commissioners had rescheduled their June 15th regular meeting to Tuesday, June 29, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room which was located in the Watauga County Administration Building.
County Manager Nelson announced that, as historically practiced, the Board of Commissioners cancelled their July 5th regular meeting due to the Independence Day Holiday; therefore, the only regularly scheduled meeting in July was set for Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room which was located in the Watauga County Administration Building.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CLOSED SESSION
At 10:39 A.M., Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3), Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11a(5)(i), and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)6).
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to resume the open meeting at 12:20 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Futrelle, Kinsey)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Winkler)
ADJOURN
Chairman Deal adjourned the meeting at 12:20 P.M.
Jim Deal, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board