MINUTES
WATAUGA
TUESDAY,
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at 5:00 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the
PRESENT: Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
Robert E. Nelson, Jr.,
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 5:03 P.M.
Chairman Miller stated that Vice-Chairman Blust was called out-of-town due to a family emergency.
Commissioner Deal 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
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the May 3, 2011, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the May 3, 2011, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
INTRODUCTION OF NEW
Mr. Hunter Birckhead, Chief District Forest Ranger, introduced the County's new Forest Ranger, Mr. Mark Hildebran, who was to assume the position vacated by the retirement of long-time County Ranger Rudy Johnson. Mr. Hildebran stated that he was thankful for the opportunity to serve as the Forest Ranger for
The report was given for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
REGISTER OF DEEDS SOFTWARE PROPOSAL FOR REDACTION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Ms. JoAnn Townsend presented a proposal for computer services from Courthouse Computer Systems in the amount of $24,500. This quote was the lowest bid received for a service that was to allow for optical character recognition to be applied to approximately 1.4 million images located on the Register of Deeds' website to identify and redact social security and driver license numbers pursuant to NCGS 132-1.10(f1). Ms. Townsend stated that funds were available from the Register of Deeds' Automation, Enhancement, and Preservation Fund per NCGS 161-11.3.
Commissioner Gable, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to authorize the Register of Deeds to contract with Courthouse Computer Systems in the amount of $24,500 for computer services as presented with funding to be allocated from the Register of Deeds' Automation, Enhancement, and Preservation Fund.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION UPDATE
Ms. Wendy Patoprsty, Watauga County Natural Resources Extension Agent, gave a report on Cooperative Extension services. Ms. Patoprsty shared that:
- a workshop was recently held teaching the installation and benefits of rain gardens
- the Operation Medicine Task Force recently held a successful no-questions-asked medication take-back program which yielded the receipt of approximately 665,000 pills and 60 gallons of medications that might otherwise have ended up in the hands of children and/or in the County's rivers and streams
- a grant had been received in the amount of $241,000 for Beaver Dam watershed repairs
- programs were held with over 800 children in area schools
Ms. Patoprsty stated that suggestions were always appreciated for ideas regarding projects and/or programs appropriate through Cooperative Extension services.
This report was given for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
PLANNING AND INSPECTIONS MATTERS
A. Proposed Watershed Ordinance Amendment – Mr. strikethrough and additions in italic red print):
Section 104. Applicability To Agricultural Uses.
These regulations may not affect This Ordinance shall not affect bona fide farms, but any use of farm property for nonfarm purposes is subject to the regulations. Bona fide farm purposes include the production and activities relating or incidental to the production of crops, fruits, vegetables, ornamental and flowering plants, dairy, livestock, poultry, and all other forms of agriculture products having a domestic or foreign market. (NCGS 153A-340)
The amendments were discussed at the recent public hearing regarding the Town of
Mr. Furman stated that if the amendments were to be considered, a public hearing would be required and, if the amended ordinance was subsequently adopted, then North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources approval of the amended ordinance would be required as well.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Gable, moved to set a public hearing for the second regular meeting in June with the public hearing to begin at 6:00 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
[Clerk's Note: As decided at a later time during this meeting, the regular meeting schedule for the months of June and July 2011 was amended; therefore, the public hearing date was Tuesday,
B. Brookshire Greenway Extension Discussion – Mr. Furman discussed developments in the planned Brookshire Greenway extension as funded through a $90,000 stimulus grant from the Department of Transportation (DOT). The funding was originally budgeted for engineering and materials with labor and equipment to be provided by the County; however, upon further investigation by the DOT, it was determined that, since this project utilized federal stimulus funding, the stringent bidding and construction standards of the Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration would be applied. Therefore, the cost estimate for construction of this project was approximately double the $90,000 available in DOT funding. Mr. Furman reported that staff recommended delaying this project and seeking other funding which would allow the use of County staff and equipment as originally planned. Mr. Furman stated that the County could not spend the stimulus grant funds but could request the DOT to transfer the funds to a similar project.
Mr. Eric Woolridge, Watauga County TDA Outdoor Recreation Specialist, recommended the County request that the Department of Transportation transfer the $90,000 stimulus grant funding to the Middlefork Greenway project to allow for engineering services for an underpass to be located on Highway 321 to prepare this project to the "shovel-ready" level for completion by the DOT. Mr. Woolridge stated that the underpass project currently ranked as number eleven in the State in the DOT's Transportation Improvement Plan for bicycles and pedestrians.
By consensus, the Board tabled this item to allow for the review of information regarding the Middlefork Greenway Project.
FINANCE MATTERS
A. Budget Amendments – Ms.
Account # Description Debit Credit
663740-350000 Landfill Tipping Fees $178,978
667420-457001 Capital Outlay-Land Improvements $178,978
The amendment recognized additional revenue (due to storm debris) to fund the paving contract as approved at the
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the budget amendment as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
B. Presentation of Smoky
This report was submitted for information only; therefore, no action was required.
PROPOSED PROPERTY AND LIABILITY INSURANCE AND WORKERS COMPENSA-TION RENEWALS
Deputy County Manager Geouque presented renewal rates for property and liability insurance and workers compensation from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC). The proposed rate for property and liability was $250,529, a decrease of $17,732 from the current rate. The proposed rate for workers compensation was $193,679, a slight increase of approximately $400 from the current rate. The Deputy County Manager stated that staff recommended the acceptance of both quotes from the NCACC.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the NCACC proposals for property and liability insurance, in the amount of $250,529, and workers compensation, in the amount of $193,679.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
COURTHOUSE SECURITY PROPOSAL
Deputy County Manager Geouque presented a quote from Creekside Electronics, Inc. in the amount of $25,414 for courthouse security equipment which was to allow for one public and one staff entrance with the remaining doors of the courthouse to be used as emergency egresses and installed with panic alarm hardware. The public access entrance was to be from the
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Gable, moved to approve the purchase of courthouse security equipment from Creekside Electronics, Inc., in the amount of $25,414, with funds to be allocated from the Administrative Contingency Budget as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Proposed Resolution Regarding Justus Road Improvements – County Manager Nelson presented a proposed resolution in support of safety improvements to
Commissioner Gable, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to adopt the resolution as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
B. Proposed Resolution Opposing HB 917 (
Commissioner Gable, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to adopt the resolution as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
C. Discussion of Lottery Funds – County Manager Nelson stated that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) had requested that each county contact their senators to request that lottery funds be restored to their original appropriations adopted in 2005.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Gable, moved to direct the
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
D. June and July Meeting Schedules – County Manager Nelson stated that there was a potential conflict with the second regular meeting date in June. The
After discussion, and by consensus, the Board agreed on the following regular meeting schedule for the months of June and July 2011:
Tuesday,
Tuesday,
Tuesday,
E. 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, marketing, and packaging loans to small business 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. The representative categories were local government (1), private lending institution (1), and community organization and/or a business organization (2). The following are
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to reappoint the following to the Region D Development Corporation: Mr. Fowler Cooper as the local government representative; Mr. Brian Crutchfield as the community organization representative; Mr. Jim Furman as the business organization representative; and Mr. Brian Riggins as the private lending institution representative.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
This was a first reading for the EDC appointments and, therefore, no action was required.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Dave Simpkins, Ms. Lynne Northup, and Ms. Candy Gamble as members of the Dangerous Dog Board and Ms. Rebecca Russell and Ms. Cassie Welsh as alternates.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
F. Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the Board of Equalization and Review was scheduled to meet May 18 and 19, 2011, at 5:00 P.M. in the Commissioners' Conference Room.
PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW FOR CITIZEN COMMENT ON THE FY 2012 RECOMMENDED BUDGET
Chairman Miller stated that a public hearing had been scheduled to allow citizen comment on the recommended budget for fiscal year 2012. The Chairman requested that speakers limit comments to three minutes and restrict comments to the subject of the public hearing as stated.
Commissioner Gable, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to declare the public hearing open at 6:06 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
The following individuals addressed the Board regarding the recommended budget:
Jack James, Friends of the Library
Audrey Hartley,
Kathy Parham, Children's Playhouse
Rebecca Cummings, Children's Playhouse
Karen Carter, Citizen
Janice Carroll,
Jennifer Brown, Blowing
Rusty Henson, Board of Elections
Rob Angle, Hospitality House
Jill Kuykendall, Hospitality House
Samantha Shay, Hospitality House
Deborah Miller, Board of Education
Marty Hemric,
Eric Schlenker, Community Care Clinic
Omer Tomlinson, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
Terry Hamilton,
Brian Cornell, Children's Council
Kaaren Hayes, Parent To Parent
Alice Naylor, Parent To Parent
Bunk Spann, Citizen
Sara Strickland,
There being no further public comment, Chairman Miller declared the public hearing closed at 7:06 P.M.
Board action was not required and, therefore, none was taken.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment:
CLOSED SESSION
At 7:06 P.M., Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, 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-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:37 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Chairman Miller, moved to release all but $200,000 of the remaining retainage to Barnhill/Vannoy for the new high school project as requested by the Board of Education and to authorize staff to release the remaining $200,000 upon the satisfaction of the Board of Education.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to schedule a budget work session for Tuesday,
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Deal, Futrelle, Gable)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust)
ADJOURN
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Chairman Miller, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 P.M.
Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board