MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
Vince Gable, Vice-Chairman
David Blust, Commissioner
Jim Deal, Commissioner
Tim Futrelle, Commissioner
Stacy C. Eggers, IV, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 5:32 P.M.
Commissioner Deal opened the meeting with a prayer and Vice-Chairman Gable led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the June 5, 2012, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Chairman Miller tabled consideration of the June 5, 2012, closed session minutes until after closed session to allow time for review of proposed amendments.
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the June 19, 2012, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Gable, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the June 19, 2012, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Ordinance
County Manager Geouque presented the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Ordinance which was as originally recommended with the below listed changes as requested by the Board after review during the Budget Work Sessions:
|
Revenues |
|
|
|
Cable TV Franchise Fees |
increase |
$10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
|
Board of Elections |
increase travel and part time salaries |
$8,790 |
|
Board of Education |
increase current capital outlay |
$18,826 |
|
Recreation, Special Populations |
increase supplies and travel |
$850 |
|
Special Allocations |
decrease Children’s Playhouse decrease WeCAN |
$2,500 $1,000 |
|
Emergency Services |
decrease cell allowance |
$576 |
|
Tax Administration |
decrease salaries |
$6,000 |
|
General Administration |
decrease Professional Services-Architects $7,540 decrease miscellaneous expenses |
$7,540 $850 |
After discussion, the Board agreed, by consensus, to increase the Appalachian District Health Department’s budget allocation by $27,056 for FY 2013.
County Manager Geouque stated that tax revenues had been conservatively estimated and, therefore, could be slightly adjusted to accommodate the increase to the Health Department without decreasing allocations elsewhere.
Discussion was held regarding the Watauga Humane Society’s request for their FY 2013 budget allocation to be increased from the current proposed amount of $78,000.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to increase the Watauga Humane Society’s budget allocation to a total of $100,000 in the County’s FY 2013 budget.
VOTE: Aye-2(Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-3(Miller, Gable, Blust)
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to increase the Watauga County Library’s budget allocation by $25,500 in the County’s FY 2013 budget.
VOTE: Aye-2(Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-3(Miller, Gable, Blust)
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to add an allocation for the Hospitality House in the amount of $11,000 to the County’s FY 2013 budget.
VOTE: Aye-2(Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-3(Miller, Gable, Blust)
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to add both an allocation for the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, in the amount of $4,000, and an allocation for the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, in the amount of $10,000, in the County’s FY 2013 budget.
VOTE: Aye-2(Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-3(Miller, Gable, Blust)
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to increase the Community Care Clinic’s budget allocation by to a total of $24,000 in the County’s FY 2013 budget.
VOTE: Aye-2(Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-3(Miller, Gable, Blust)
Vice-Chairman Gable, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to adopt the Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Ordinance as amended to include the additional allocation to the Appalachian District Health Department, in the amount of $27,056.
VOTE: Aye-3(Miller, Gable, Blust)
Nay-2(Deal, Futrelle)
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to excuse Commissioner Blust, who needed to leave the meeting for a prior commitment, at 6:19 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Hearings to Allow Citizen Comment
A. Proposed Changes to Fire District Boundaries
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to open the public hearing at 6:20 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed changes to fire district boundaries.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that the public hearing was scheduled to allow citizen comments on consideration of extending the Boone Fire Protection Service District and transfers of properties from the Stewart Simmons Fire District to the Deep Gap Fire District, from the Meat Camp Fire District to the Deep Gap Fire District, and from the Deep Gap Fire District to the Meat Camp Fire District. Mr. Furman shared maps detailing the proposed changes. Meat Camp’s request to increase their tax rate to $0.05 was approved upon adoption of the County’s FY 2013 Budget.
Mr. Furman presented a proposed resolution authorizing the extension of the Boone Fire Protection Service District and the transfers of properties within the referenced Fire Districts.
There being no public comment, Chairman Miller declared the public hearing closed at 6:22 P.M.
Vice-Chairman Gable, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to adopt the resolution authorizing the extension of the Boone Fire Protection Service District and the transfers of properties within the reference fire districts as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Vice-Chairman Gable, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the transfers of properties from the Stewart Simmons Fire District to the Deep Gap Fire District, from the Meat Camp Fire District to the Deep Gap Fire District, and from the Deep Gap Fire District to the Meat Camp Fire District as presented.
VOTE: Aye-3(Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Abstain-1(Miller)
B. Proposed Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) Grant Application for Transportation Services
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to open the public hearing at 6:23 P.M. to allow citizen comment on Watauga County's Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) application.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
County governments were the only eligible applicants for ROAP funds of which the submission of an annual application was required to receive funds. AppalCART provides Watauga County transportation services and, therefore, AppalCART completes and submits the ROAP application on behalf of the County each year.
Mr. Mike Norwood, AppalCART’s Finance Officer, reviewed the application which included the following breakdown of the anticipated allocation totaling $133,344:
Elderly & Disabled Transportation Assistance Program (EDTAP) $58,107
Employment Transportation Assistance Program $11,384
Rural General Public (RGP) Program $63,853
There being no public comment, Chairman Miller declared the public hearing closed at 6:25 P.M.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the submission of the FY 2013 Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP) grant application and the execution of the certified statement as presented by Mr. Norwood.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Sheriff’s Office LiveScan Contract Renewal Requests
Captain Jeff Virginia presented proposed maintenance agreement renewals for two (2) LiveScan machines for the Sheriff’s Office. The units were used for processing criminal requirements and non-criminal fingerprints. The total amount of the contracts was $9,405 and they were to be effective July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013. Funds were budgeted in the proposed FY 2013 Budget and the agreements were required to be returned by June 30, 2012, to avoid a 10% recertification and reimplementation fee.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Gable, moved to approve the LiveScan machine maintenance agreements in the total amount of $9,405 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Tourism Development Authority’s (TDA) Proposed Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Encroachment On Pine Run Road
Mr. Eric Woolridge, Watauga Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Tourism Planner, stated that in January 2012 the Watauga County Board of Commissioners and the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority Board of Directors authorized TDA staff to apply for a NC Recreation Trails Program grant to improve river access along the South Fork New River at Pine Run Road and Green Valley Park. The TDA has since received notification from the NC Recreation of a recommendation for grant funding, in the amount of $75,000, provided that an encroachment agreement was secured between the County and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for the Pine Run Road access by August 1, 2012. Mr. Woolridge presented NCDOT encroachment agreement documents for consideration.
Mr. Woolridge stated that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) had not been prepared for this project; however, a general MOU between the Tourism Development Authority and County could be considered to cover all joint projects.
Chairman Miller directed County Attorney Eggers to draft a Memorandum of Understanding between the County and the Tourism Development Authority, inclusive of all projects, for future consideration.
Mr. Woolridge stated that all environmental permits for Pine Run construction had been secured and were also pending the approval of the proposed encroachment agreement. The TDA Board of Directors voted in favor of this project at their June 12, 2012, meeting; approved the required matching funds for this grant, in the amount of $18,750; and authorized staff to move forward with this project.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the encroachment agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the purpose of constructing a public river access at the Pine Run Road bridge, contingent upon the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority bearing all costs associated with the construction and future maintenance of the facility being the responsibility of the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Appalachian Regional Library (ARL) Interlocal Agreement Revisions
On February 7, 2012, the Board adopted a revised Interlocal Agreement regarding the Appalachian Regional Library which also included the Counties of Wilkes and Ashe.
Ms. Molly Westmoreland with the Appalachian Regional Library stated that both Ashe and Wilkes Counties had requested additional changes to the agreement after Watauga County’s adoption. Ms. Westmoreland and County Attorney Eggers reviewed the minor changes as follows:
Ms. Westmoreland stated that, in Section 3C, #4, the NCAC code reference was corrected; in Section 3C #9, wording was added requesting the ARL forward the library audits to each County Finance Department; and the signature pages were amended to include pre-audit statements and the names of each individual signature.
County Attorney Eggers stated that, in Section 7B, a reference code was added and a limit of liability clause was included in Section 3C #10.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Gable, moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement between the Appalachian Regional Library and Ashe, Watauga, and Wilkes Counties as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Planning and Inspection Matters
A. Request for Acceptance of Civil Penalty Settlement
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that he had received a civil settlement in the amount of $2,100 from the owner of Mountain Ridge apartments. The civil penalties were issued for six violations associated with the property.
Vice-Chairman Gable, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to accept the $2,100 as settlement for the civil penalties associated with the Mountain Ridge apartments.
VOTE: Aye-3(Miller, Gable, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Recused-1(Deal)
B. Proposed Amendment to High Country Council of Governments Agreement for the Provision of Grant Management Assistance for the 2009 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Scattered Site Housing Rehabilitation Program
Mr. Furman presented a proposed amendment to the County’s existing administrative contract for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The County received “program income” in the amount of $19,335.36 due to the sale of a house which had been previously rehabilitated by the County using CDBG funds. The repayment was a condition of the deed of trust placed upon the house as required by the CDBG regulations.
The funds will be spent on the County’s only open CDBG project which is a Scattered Site Housing project for “emergency repairs” to houses that were on a waiting list. The High Country Council of Governments administered the program and will expend the additional program income.
All administrative funds budgeted for the Scattered Site Housing project have been disbursed; therefore, Mr. Furman recommended setting aside up to 10% of the program income (not to exceed $1,933.00) for administration of those funds by the High Country Council of Governments. The remaining provisions of the agreement shall remain in effect.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the amendment authorizing High Country Council of Governments to administer the additional program income for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Scattered Site Housing Program in an amount not to exceed $1,933.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
C. Proposed Contract for Brookshire Wetlands Project
Mr. Furman presented a proposed contract, which was prepared by the County Attorney, to replace the County’s existing contract with Blue Ridge Development Group, LLC (BRDG) for development of a wetlands mitigation bank on the County’s Brookshire property. The updated contract was needed due to the County having been awarded a $65,000 grant from NC Division of Water Resources to construct an unpaved greenway on the property. The grant required a $65,000 match, which the County had planned to provide in-kind by utilizing Sanitation Department personnel and equipment to construct the greenway. Both the prior and proposed contracts with BRDG provide that BRDG will build the greenway in conjunction with the grading needed to construct the wetlands. The new contract would provide for a paved greenway, constructed by BRDG. The County would use the grant funds for materials and/or paving, and BRDG’s work would provide the required grant match.
Mr. Furman stated that in order for this plan to work, two (2) things had to occur: 1) approval of the wetlands plan by the Army Corps of Engineers, and 2) receiving revised/reissued permits from the Town of Boone reflecting the changes in the greenway location which were needed to accommodate the construction of the wetlands. If the changed location will not yield a “no rise” (floodway) certification, then the County would have to seek a flood map revision from FEMA, which could cost up to $10,000. However, the expense would provide the County with a paved greenway and a wetlands area for the “out-of-pocket” amount of $10,000.
Mr. Furman stated that, in the event that the Corps of Engineers did not approve option 1, BRDG planned to exercise its right to cancel the contract. This would leave the County to build an unpaved greenway using the grant funds and County staff and equipment as the in-kind match as planned prior to the consideration of the construction of the wetlands.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to replace the existing Blue Ridge Development Group, LLC, contract with the contract presented and prepared by the County Attorney and to commit to allocating $10,000 for the construction of the unpaved Greenway, utilizing County staff and equipment as the in-kind local match for the grant, in the event that BRDG exercised their right to cancel the contract.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Parks and Recreation Proposed AppalCART Contract Renewal
Mr. Stephen Poulos, Parks and Recreation Director, presented a proposed contract with AppalCART for transportation services in FY 2013. The proposed rates were $1.25 per vehicle mile, an increase of $0.15, and $14.68 per vehicle service hour, an increase of $0.20. Mr. Poulos stated transportation services were used for recreational purposes associated with summer camps.
Mr. Mike Norwood, AppalCART Finance Officer, stated that the increased rates were due to fuel costs.
County Attorney Eggers stated that the contract was standard and had been used in past years.
Vice-Chairman Gable, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the contract between Watauga County Parks and Recreation and AppalCART as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Project On Aging Matters
A. Proposed AppalCART Contract Renewal
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, presented a proposed contract with AppalCART for transportation services in FY 2013. The proposed rates were $0.75 per vehicle mile, an increase of $0.06 per mile, and $13.29 per vehicle service hour, an increase of $0.20 per hour. Ms. Boitnotte stated that the transportation services were used for events associated with Project on Aging and the Senior Centers.
Mr. Mike Norwood, AppalCART Finance Officer, stated that the increased rates were due to fuel costs.
County Attorney Eggers stated that the contract was standard and had been used in past years.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to approve the contract between Watauga County Project on Aging and AppalCART as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
B. FY 2013 Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) Allocation Request
Ms. Boitnotte recommended accepting $261,640 in Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds for FY 2013. The required local match was $28,671 and was present in the Project on Aging's FY 2013 budget.
H&CCBG funding was proposed to be allocated as follows:
|
H&CCBG Service |
H&CCBG |
Match |
|
|
|
|
|
In-Home Aide |
$120,679 |
$13,409 |
|
Congregate Meals |
$43,795 |
$4,866 |
|
Home Delivered Meals |
$80,767 |
$8,974 |
|
Transportation |
$12,798 |
$1,422 |
Ms. Boitnotte stated that in the past a waiver was requested for transportation; however, this year the agency was required to allocate H&CCBG funds for transportation services.
Ms. Boitnotte stated that Title III-D funds were required to be used for Evidence Based Health Promotion (EBHP) classes for FY 2013 and those funds were to remain at the High County Area Agency on Aging to support EBHP programs across their seven-county region.
Ms. Boitnotte also stated that Family Caregiver Support Program funds (Respite II) had been reduced by 10% as follows:
|
Non-H&CCBG Service |
Non-H&CCBG |
Match |
|
|
|
|
|
Family Caregiver Respite |
$3,601 |
$0 |
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Gable, moved to approve the allocations of Home and Community Care Block Grant, Title III-D funds and Family Caregiver Support Program funds as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Sanitation Matters
A. Bid Award Request to Pave Three Container Sites
Mr. J.V. Potter, Operations Service Director, stated that the following bids were received to pave three container sites:
|
Container Site Bidder |
Deep Gap |
Valle Crucis |
Landfill |
|
Moretz Paving |
$41,491 |
$27,300 |
$25,700 |
|
Carl Rose & Sons, Inc. |
$42,516 |
$29,950 |
$28,000 |
|
Boone Paving |
no quote |
$29,307 |
no quote |
Mr. Potter stated that the Deep Gap site required broken pavement to be removed and the site to be re-paved from the ground up. Once the paving was complete, Mr. Potter stated that the site attendant could be relocated to better serve the site.
Mr. Potter recommended awarding the bid to Moretz Paving for paving all three sites, in the total amount of $94,491, as they were the lowest responsible and responsive bidder for each site. Mr. Potter also recommended allocating the funds for this project from increased revenue generated by the sale of recycled materials.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Gable, moved to award the bid for paving the Deep Gap, Valle Crucis, and Landfill container sites to Moretz Paving, in the total amount of $94,491, with funds to be allocated from revenue generated by the sale of recycled materials.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
The Board commended the Sanitation Department’s recycling efforts and stated that Watauga County was recently rated as # 7 in the State for recycling.
B. Public Hearing Request to Allow Citizen Comment on Proposed Updates to the Solid Waste Management Plan
Mr. Potter requested the Board schedule a public hearing for the July 24, 2012, meeting to allow citizen comment on proposed updates to the County’s Solid Waste Management Plan.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to schedule a public hearing on July 24, 2012, at 6:00 P.M. to allow citizen comment on proposed changes to the County’s Solid Waste Management Plan.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
283102-312111 |
Tax Revenue Todd Fire District |
|
$2,500 |
|
284340-469911 |
Payment to Todd Fire District |
$2,500 |
|
|
283102-312107 |
Tax Revenue Cove Creek Fire District |
|
$9,500 |
|
284340-469907 |
Payment to Cove Creek Fire District |
$9,500 |
|
|
|
|||
|
The amendment recognized additional estimated fire tax district revenues and payments above budgeted amounts due to fire departments. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103300-343315 |
Homeland Security Grant IM Classes |
|
$16,084 |
|
104330-449912 |
Homeland Security Grant IM Classes |
$16,084 |
|
|
|
|||
|
The amendment recognized grant revenue and expense for incident management training classes which was approved at the June 5, 2012, Board meeting. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
663740-381000 |
Sale of Recycling Scrap |
|
$94,491 |
|
667420-457001 |
Capital Outlay-Land Improvements |
$94,491 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized additional revenue to fund the paving contract with Moretz Paving as approved earlier in this meeting. |
|||
|
|
|||
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Gable, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Communications and Emergency Services Matters
1. Proposed Resolution Authorizing the Establishment of the Department of Communications and Emergency Services Supervised by the County Manager
County Manager Geouque stated that, as a part of the consolidation of emergency communications, the Board was required to adopt a resolution transferring the operations and management of the 911 Emergency Communications Center from the Watauga County Sheriff to the Watauga County Manager. The effective date of the resolution was to be the date the County was issued an ORI (originating routing identifier) from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
Vice-Chairman Gable, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to adopt the resolution transferring the operations and management of the 911 Emergency Communications Center from the Sheriff to the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
A. Communications and Emergency Services Matters
2. Proposed Management Control Agreement Regarding the Sheriff’s Office and 911 Dispatch Center
County Manager Geouque presented a required proposed Management Control Agreement between the Sheriff’s Office and the new communication center to allow access to criminal records, driver’s license information and other National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) information as required by law enforcement agencies in their daily activities. The agreement was to be included with the request to be submitted to the North Carolina SBI for the issuance of an ORI for the new communications center. The new communications center cannot operate without this agreement.
Vice-Chairman Gable, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the Management Control Agreement as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
A. Communications and Emergency Services Matters
3. Proposed Interlocal Governmental Agreement Regarding Consolidation of 911 Dispatch Services for Watauga County and the Town of Blowing Rock
County Manager Geouque stated that the County had received the Interlocal Governmental Agreement adopted and signed by the Town of Blowing Rock regarding consolidation of their 911 dispatch services with those of the County. The initial year of the agreement calls for the Town of Blowing Rock to provide funding in the amount of $165,015, with each subsequent year’s funding subject to a CPI increase.
Vice-Chairman Gable, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the Interlocal Governmental Agreement with the Town of Blowing Rock presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
A. Communications and Emergency Services Matters
4. Establishment of the Watauga County Communications and Emergency Services Advisory Committee
County Manager Geouque stated that the Interlocal Governmental Agreement with the Town of Blowing Rock required the establishment of an advisory committee. The purpose of the committee was to advise the County on matters related to communications and emergency services and to recommend standards, policies, procedures, protocols, and actions to maintain and enhance the quality of communications and emergency services.
The County Manager recommended the following as members of the Communications and Emergency Services Advisory Committee in addition to the Emergency Services Director who was to serve as an Ex-Officio member:
· Representative of the Town of Blowing Rock
· Representative of the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office
· Representative of Fire Services
· Representative of Watauga Medics
· Watauga County Commissioner
The County Manager stated that, as this was an informal committee and was to only make recommendations to the County, the Board had the option to direct the County Manager to request representatives from each of the organizations recommended and organize the initial meeting. Once the County Manager received the recommended representatives, the committee could proceed forward or, if the Board so desired, the recommendations could be brought back to the Board for formal approval. The County Manager also clarified that, if the representative appointed to the committee could not be in attendance, the entity had the option of sending a substitute.
Vice-Chairman Gable, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to direct the County Manager to solicit the Town of Blowing Rock, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Services, and Watauga Medics for a representative to serve on the Communication and Emergency Services Advisory Committee and to authorize the County Manager to accept and appoint the members as recommendations were received.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Vice-Chairman Gable moved to authorize the County Manager to approve minor adjustments as necessary throughout the process of transferring Watauga County communications from the Sheriff’s Office and Town of Blowing Rock.
Commissioner Deal stated that the County Manager should already have that authority as the transfer would be to a new County Department and all County Departments were ultimately overseen by the County Manager. County Attorney Eggers concurred that the County Manager would already have that authority.
Vice-Chairman Gable withdrew his motion.
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the first meeting in July was cancelled due to the adoption of the annual budget and the beginning of a new fiscal year. Also, with the primary run-off slated for July 17, 2012, requiring the use of the Commissioners’ Board Room as an official polling place, the second regular meeting was rescheduled. Therefore, only one Board meeting was currently scheduled for the month and was to be held on July 24, 2012, at 5:30 PM.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 7:05 P.M., Vice-Chairman Gable, seconded by Commissioner Deal, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Gable, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:12 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Gable, moved to approve the June 5, 2012, closed session minutes as amended.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
At 7:14 P.M., Commissioner Deal, seconded by Vice-Chairman Gable, moved to re-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, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Chairman Miller, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:50 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Action After Closed Session
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to:
· release $25,000 of the current retainage held from Vannoy Construction as associated with the construction of the new high school; and
· authorize the payment in an amount of up to $25,000 to LaFave Construction for repairs to the roof edge metal at the new Watauga High School; and
· to authorize the County Attorney and County Manager to negotiate with Vannoy Construction regarding repairs to the roof relief angle at the new high school with Vannoy to provide the labor, if the County provided the backing and caulking.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Adjourn
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Vice-Chairman Gable, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Gable, Deal, Futrelle)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Blust as excused)
Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board