WATAUGA COUNTY

MINUTES

 

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2011

 

 
           The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at 6:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building.

 

                              PRESENT: Nathan A. Miller, Chairman

David Blust, Vice-Chairman

Jim Deal, Commissioner

Tim Futrelle, Commissioner

Vince Gable, Commissioner

Four Eggers, County Attorney

Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager

Deron Geouque, Deputy County Manager

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

 

Chairman Miller expressed thanks on behalf of the Board to all emergency personnel involved in the brush fire located on Rocky Knob.

 

Commissioner Futrelle opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Gable led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the January 31, 2011, special meeting minutes and the February 1, 2011, regular and closed session minutes.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the January 31, 2011, special meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the February 1, 2011, regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the February 1, 2011, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the February 15, 2011, agenda.

 

             County Manager Nelson requested to add a discussion regarding consolidated dispatch and consideration of a School Board lottery funds application request under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters.

 

Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the February 15, 2011, agenda as amended.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW CITIZEN COMMENT ON THE WATAUGA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FARMLAND PRESERVATION PLAN

 

Mr. Brian Chatham, Soil and Water Conservation Technician, presented the findings of the plan, which could be amended at the will of the Board, and stated that the plan was developed to be used as a planning tool and to assist farmers when applying for grants. Mr. Chatham answered several questions as presented by Board members.

 

Chairman Miller declared the public hearing open at 6:23 P.M. to allow for citizen comment on the Watauga County Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Plan. Chairman Miller requested that comments be kept within ten minutes per speaker.

 

The following citizens shared their comments on the plan: Mr. Bill Moretz, a local farmer and Ms. Deborah Greene, whose family operated a local farm.

 

There being no further public comment, Chairman Miller declared the public hearing closed at 6:44 P.M.

 

Commissioner Gable, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to request that Cooperative Extension Director, Jim Hamilton, appoint and chair an ad hoc committee to review the Watauga County Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Plan and develop recommendations for improvements to the plan for future consideration.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION’S MULTIFLORA ROSE PROJECT UPDATE

 

Mr. Eddy Labus, Cooperative Extension’s Agriculture – Field Crops and Livestock Agent, gave an update on the multiflora rose eradication project. Mr. Labus stated that five applicants had received cost share funding which treated ten brush acres affecting 100 – 150 acres of pasture. Continual inspection to ensure eradication was planned. Disbursements thus far were $1,537 with a balance of $8,462 and thirteen applications remaining.

 

This report was given for information only and, therefore, no action was required.

 

PLANNING AND INSPECTIONS MATTERS

 

A. Proposed Engineering Contract for Design and Permitting of the Hwy 421 Greenway Underpass – Mr. Joe Furman stated that, at a prior meeting, McGill Associates was selected to design the Greenway underpass of the US Hwy 421 Bridge over the South Fork of the New River. Mr. Furman presented a contract which was negotiated for an amount not to exceed $45,000 for the required engineering and permitting. This amount was grant funded by the DOT with the hope of having this project shovel ready should DOT funding be available in the future.

 

County Attorney Eggers stated that the contract had been reviewed and was acceptable once pre-audited.

 

Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the contract with McGill Associates as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

B. Public Hearing Request to Consider the Adoption of Road Names – Mr. Furman stated that General Statutes required public hearings to officially adopt new private and public road names. Mr. Furman requested a public hearing be scheduled at 6:00 P.M. on March 15, 2011, to allow citizen comment on the following road names: Maxon Farm Road, Evening View Lane, Overtheway Drive, Tuscany Ridge, and Valero Drive. All the proposed road names are in recorded subdivisions.

 

Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to set a public hearing for Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at 6:00 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed road names.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

C. Public Hearing Request to Consider a Proposed Amendment to the Erosion Control Ordinance – Mr. Furman stated that the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) required the County to amend the Erosion Control Ordinance to be made equal to or more stringent than current State regulations. The proposed amendment was as follows:

 

“b. Graded Slopes and Fills – The angle for graded slopes and fills shall be no greater than the angle which can be retained by vegetative cover or other adequate erosion control devices or structures. In any event, slopes left exposed will, within 15 working days or 30 21 calendar days of completion of any phase of grading, whichever period is shorter, be planted or otherwise provided with ground cover, devices, or structures sufficient to restrain erosion.”

 

Mr. Furman stated that local policy was to hold public hearings prior to the adoption of ordinance amendments and, therefore, requested a public hearing be scheduled on March 15, 2011, at 6:00 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed amendment to the Watauga County Erosion Control Ordinance.

 

Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to set a public hearing for Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at 6:00 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed amendment to the Watauga County Erosion Control Ordinance.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

D. Proposed Communication Tower Use Agreement – Mr. Furman presented an agreement that was to allow Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue to install an antenna at the County’s tower site on Howards Knob. The placement was to improve communications specifically for Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue; however, overall communications including on scene would benefit. Mr. Furman stated that the agreement needed to include language that addressed existing equipment removal prior to execution.

 

Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Gable, moved to approve the communications tower agreement, contingent upon the County Attorney adding language that addressed the removal of existing equipment.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

BUDGET AMENDMENTS

 

Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:

 

Account # Description Debit Credit

143531-323000 Admin Reimb Fed/State $676

145410-440004 Domestic Violence $676

 

The amendment recognized an additional funding allocation for domestic violence assistance payments from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

 

Account # Description Debit Credit

103300-359110 National Timber Receipts $42

105911-469801 Educational Grant-National Timber $42

 

The amendment recognized grant funds received from national timber receipts per SRS Act Title 1. These funds are from a Federal grant to assist with expenses for education and were passed directly to the public school system as required.

 

Account # Description Debit Credit

103586-332000 Home & Community Care Bloc Grant $3,481

105550-422000 Food & Provisions $3,481

 

The amendment, which was approved at the February 1, 2011, Board meeting, recognized an additional funding allocation for the Home Delivered Meals Program.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

 

A. Board of Education Request to Apply for NC Lottery Funds – County Manager Nelson stated that the Board of Education had requested funds from the Education Lottery Building Capital Fund to use for replacement of the entire roof at Cove Creek School with shingles in the amount of $330,000, with an estimated project beginning date of June 2011 and completion date of August 2011. No local match was required.

 

Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the Education Lottery Funding application as requested.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

B. Discussion on Consolidated Dispatch – County Manager Nelson presented a letter which stated that the Town of Blowing Rock Town Council had directed staff to investigate the feasibility of dispatch consolidation with the County and the various steps required for implementation.

 

Commissioner Gable stated that the recently-formed Consolidated Dispatch Committee had held their first meeting with over twenty members present. With potential grant funds available, State encouragement, and the upcoming VIPER system upgrade, consolidated dispatch could be accomplished if all entities were in agreement.

 

After discussion, Commissioner Gable moved to instruct the County Manager to request that Town Councils give their respective Managers authorization to move forward with consolidated dispatch.

 

After further discussion, Commissioner Gable amended his motion to direct the County Manager to send letters to the Towns of Beech Mountain, Boone, and Seven Devils requesting serious discussion and authorization to move forward with consolidated dispatch with the Town of Blowing Rock’s letter included as an attachment. The amended motion was seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

C. Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Alex Jernigan, Regional Ombudsman with High Country Council of Governments’ Area Agency on Aging, requested that Ms. Gelene Atwood and Mr. George Miles each be reappointed to the Watauga County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee for three-year terms.

 

The County Manager stated that Mr. Jernigan also requested that Ms. Pat Taylor and Ms. Angie Greene each be reappointed to the Watauga County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee for three-year terms.

 

The above were first readings and, therefore, no action was required at this time.

 

D. Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that a work session was scheduled for Tuesday, February 22, 2011, to discuss water issues.

 

County Manager Nelson announced that the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat was scheduled for Friday, February 25, 2011, beginning at 12:00 P.M. and Saturday, February 26, 2011, beginning at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Conference Room.

 

County Manager Nelson announced that the next Intergovernmental Retreat was scheduled for Monday, March 28, 2011, at 5:00 P.M. at the ASU Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

There was no public comment.

 

CLOSED SESSION

 

At 7:25 P.M., Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:57 P.M.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

ADJOURN

 

Chairman Miller adjourned the meeting at 7:57 P.M.

 

 

 

________________________________

Nathan A. Miller, Chairman

ATTEST:

 

____________________________

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board