• Watauga County Board of Commissioners

MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2010

 

 

            The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 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

                                                Tim Futrelle, Commissioner

                                                Winston Kinsey, Commissioner

                                                Anthony di Santi, 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 6:03 P.M., welcoming those in attendance.

 

            Commissioner Cooper opened the meeting with a prayer.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

            Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the August 2, 2010, regular meeting and closed session minutes and a proposed correction to the July 20, 2010 Closed Session Minutes.

 

            Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the August 2, 2010, regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

            By consensus, action was tabled until after closed session for the August 2, 2010, closed session minutes and the proposed correction to the July 20, 2010, closed session minutes.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

            Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the August 17, 2010, agenda.

 

            County Manger Nelson requested to add Construction Management Contingency Request # 70 to Item 5.C.2.  The County Manager also requested to add consideration of a proposed resolution regarding the sales tax referendum to Miscellaneous Administrative Matters.

 

            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the August 17, 2010, agenda as amended.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

FRONT LOADING TRASH TRUCK BID AWARD REQUEST

 

            Mr. J. V. Potter, Operations Services Director, stated that after soliciting bids for a 2011 Autocar ACX64 front loading trash truck, the following proposals were received:

 

                        Cavalier Equipment                                          $219,945.00

                        Advantage Truck Center                                  $219,283.74

                        Nu Life                                                            $201,529.00

                        Transource                                                      $197,500.00

 

            The proposals from Nu Life and Transource did not meet specifications and, therefore, were not considered.  Mr. Potter recommended awarding the contract for the purchase of a 2011 Autocar ACX64 front loading trash truck in the amount of $219,283.74 to Advantage Truck Center which was the lowest qualifying bid.  This purchase was a planned replacement and, therefore, funds were available in the Sanitation Department’s FY 2011 budget.

 

            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to award the contract for the purchase of a 2011 Autocar ACX64 front loading trash truck to the lowest qualified bidder, Advantage Truck Center, in the amount of $219,283.74.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

SCHOOL MATTERS

 

            A.        Request for Transfer of Appropriation Funding – County Manager Nelson stated that the Watauga County Board of Education had requested a budget amendment to transfer $169,095 from the County’s Capital Outlay appropriation to the County’s Current Expense appropriation for school year 2010/11.  The County Manager stated that teaching and/or staff positions could be saved with this budget amendment.  The County Manager stated that Lottery funds were allowed to be used to make up the difference in the School Board’s Capital Outlay budget.

 

            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the budget amendment transferring $169,095 from the County’s Capital Outlay appropriation to the County’s Current Expense appropriation for school year 2010/11.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

            B.         Blowing Rock Roof Change Order Requests – County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Dennis Ray, School Board Maintenance Director, had requested two change orders for the Blowing Rock Elementary School roof project.  The first, in the amount of $8,080, was for additional wood work required.  The second, in the amount of $2,000, was for extra gutters.  Both change orders were to be funded from the contingencies allowed for both the Blowing Rock Elementary and Mabel Elementary Schools’ roof projects.

 

            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the two change orders for the Blowing Rock Elementary School roof project in the total amount of $10,080 with funds to be allocated from the contingency for the project.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

            C.        New High School Matters

 

                        1.         Change Order Request # 49 – County Manager Nelson presented Change Order Request # 49, in the amount of $5,276, which was for additional landscape buffering between the school property and the neighborhood to the east.  The Change Order had been discussed and endorsed by the High School Sub-Committee.

 

            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve Change Order # 49 for the new high school project in the amount of $5,276.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

2.         Construction Contingency Management Requests #s 67-70 – County Manager Nelson presented Construction Management Contingency Requests (CMCR) #’s 67 through # 70. 

 

CMCR # 67, in the amount of $10,616, was for additional work to the football concessions building, as required by the Town of Boone, and to replace additional site concrete.

 

            CMCR # 68, in the amount of $2,800, was for the painting of the football field house and two ticket booths since the previously painted white color was not appropriate per the Town of Boone’s new appearance standards.  The original plan was for the field house and ticket booths to be painted white and trimmed in blue.

 

            CMCR # 69, in the amount of $3,800, was for additional paving, stripping, and signage as required by the Town of Boone, to meet their UDO requirements, as discovered during the final inspection process.

 

            CMCR # 70, in the amount of $1,331.25 was for additional work, including the removal of concrete sidewalks and curb and gutter replacement, as required by the Town of Boone to receive the final certificate of occupancy.

            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve Construction Management Contingency Request # 67, in the amount of $10,616; # 68, in the amount of $2,800; # 69, in the amount of $3,800; and # 70, in the amount of $1,331.25 as presented by the County Manager.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

                        3.         Construction Contingency Management # 62 Correction Request – County Manager Nelson presented a correction to the amount of Construction Management Contingency Request # 62 which was approved, along with several others, at the June 29, 2010, Board meeting.  The original written request listed the amount of $18,409.74; however, the chart below indicates the amounts presented to the Board at the June 29, 2010, meeting with the corrected amounts listed in red:

 

Construction Management Contingency Requests Summary

CO #

Amount

Summary

55

$20,298.50

Additional side railings and hand railings requested by the Town of Boone

56

$2,493.72

Damaged wood doors and metal frames

57

$5,502.00

Ticket Booth modifications as requested by the Town of Boone

58

$489.57

Damaged fascia replacement

59

$3,000.00

Additional exit lights as required by the Town of Boone

60

$458.89

Installation of door sweeps to seal out rain

61

$4,500.00

Modification of roof rafters in out building to accommodate elevator

62

$10,409.74

$18,409.74

Additional structural steel and mesh decking required in auditorium balcony

63

$4,950.00

Parking lot improvements per LEED requirements

64

$5,187.50

Additional S&ME testing costs due to miscommunication

(collect from Barnhill Vannoy)

 

$57,289.92

$65,289.92

Total

 

            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the corrected amount of $18,409.74 for Construction Management contingency Request # 62 for the new high school project and to direct the clerk to indicate the correction in the June 29, 2010, minutes as well.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

 

A.        Appalachian State University Parking Request – County Manager Nelson stated that Appalachian State University (ASU) had presented a written request to use the Human Services Center parking lot for parking during football game days this fall.  ASU was to provide security and cleanup after the games.  The County Manager stated that ASU had previously used the lot for parking at no charge in that they do not charge the traveling public for use.  Historically, this use has been granted due to the County’s mutually beneficial relationship with ASU.

 

The County Manager stated that he anticipated a request in the future from the Watauga County Farmer’s Market to move their operations to the Human Services Center parking lot as well.

 

            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to allow Appalachian State University to use the Human Services Center parking lot on Saturdays of home football games, contingent upon ASU providing security and cleanup after the games.

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

B.         September Meeting Schedule Discussion – The County Manager Nelson stated that the first meeting in September was currently scheduled on the 6th which was Labor Day.  The County Manager also stated that, if the Sales Tax Referendum passed, the Board needed to meet prior to noon on September 8, 2010, in order to keep on schedule with enacting the sales tax.

 

County Manager Nelson stated that Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute had requested a joint dinner meeting be scheduled on Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. at their Watauga Campus on White Oak Road.

 

            County Manager Nelson stated that the next Intergovernmental Retreat, to be hosted by Watauga County, was scheduled for Tuesday, September 28, 2010, at 5:30 P.M. at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center and was to include dinner.

 

            By consensus, the Board agreed to reschedule their first meeting in September to Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at 9:00 A.M.; schedule the joint meeting with Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute on Wednesday, September 15, 2010, at 6:00 P.M.; and host the scheduled Intergovernmental Retreat on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, at 5:30 P.M.

 

C.        Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that Ms. Jean Czermak had resigned from the Watauga County Library Board of Trustees and a recommendation to fill Ms. Czermak’s un-expired term had not been received at this time.

 

County Manager Nelson stated that two terms on the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission were to expire in September.  Mr. Tom Eshelman and Ms. Maria Hyde both agreed to continue to serve if re-appointed.  Mr. Eshelman was serving as one of the two required members of the Valle Crucis Community Council and Ms. Hyde was serving as one of the three required resident property owners.

 

Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Mr. Tom Eshelman and Ms. Maria Hyde to the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

                                                                  Nay-0

 

D.        Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the Board of Commissioners had scheduled a press conference on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at 4:30 P.M. to share information with the public regarding the upcoming sales tax referendum. 

 

County Manger Nelson announced that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ Annual Conference was scheduled for August 26-29, 2010, at the Greenville Convention Center in Pitt County.

 

County Manager Nelson announced that the High Country Council of Governments’ Annual Banquet was scheduled for Friday, September 10, 2010, at Linville Ridge, beginning at 6:00 P.M.

 

County Manager Nelson announced that the deadline for the submission of recommended legislative goals to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners was September 15, 2010.

 

County Manager Nelson announced that the Board had been invited to a meeting, hosted by Representative Cullie Tarleton, at which Economic Development was to be discussed with J. Keith Crisco, Secretary of the Department of Commerce.  The meeting was scheduled for Monday, September 27, 2010, at 2:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

 

County Manager Nelson announced that the next Intergovernmental Retreat was scheduled for Tuesday, September 28, 2010, at 5:30 P.M. at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.  This was a dinner meeting hosted by Watauga County.

 

E.         Proposed Resolution for Use, Upon Adoption, of Proceeds of Quarter-Cent Local Option Sales Tax for Recreation – Chairman Deal read a proposed resolution stating the Board’s intentions of using the proceeds of the quarter-cent sales tax, if adopted, for recreational purposes.

 

Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to adopt the resolution as presented.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

                                                                  Nay-0

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

There was no public comment.

 

CLOSED SESSION

 

            At 6:33 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) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)6).

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:15 P.M.

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

POSSIBLE ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION

 

Closed Session Minutes

 

            Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the correction to the July 20, 2010, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the August 2, 2010, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

Approval of Manager’s Employment Contract

 

            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the County Manager’s contract for employment as presented.

 

VOTE:   Aye-5

              Nay-0

 

ADJOURN

 

            Chairman Deal adjourned the meeting at 7:17 P.M.

 

 

 

Jim Deal, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board