MINUTES

 

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

 

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.

 

                        PRESENT:      Nathan Miller, Chairman

David Blust, Vice-Chairman

                                                Billy Kennedy, Commissioner

John Welch, Commissioner

                                                Perry Yates, Commissioner

Stacy Eggers, IV, County Attorney

                                                Deron Geouque, County Manager

                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.

 

Commissioner Yates opened the meeting with a prayer and Vice-Chairman Blust led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the February 22 and 23, 2013, special meeting minutes, March 4, 2013, special meeting minutes, and the March 5, 2013, regular meeting and closed session minutes.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the February 22 and 23, 2013, special meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the March 4, 2013, special meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the March 5, 2013 regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the March 5, 2013, closed session meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the March 19, 2013, agenda.

 

County Manager Geouque stated that Appalachian Regional Healthcare Systems had requested that Item # 10 be withdrawn from the agenda to be presented at a future date, potentially April 16, 2013.

 

The County Manager stated that Ms. Margaret Pierce would present the FY 2013 Audit contract as Ms. Brown had a previously scheduled appointment during this meeting.

 

Chairman Miller requested to add consideration of scheduling a public hearing for May 21, 2013, to allow citizen comment on the potential dissolution of the Social Services Board which would leave the Department of Social Services under the direction of the Board of Commissioners.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the March 19, 2013, agenda as amended.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Board of Education Request for Lottery Funds

Ms. Ly Marze, Watauga County Schools Finance Officer, presented a request for approval of an Education Lottery Fund application in the amount of $201,000 which was sought for a Capital Improvement Project at Valle Crucis Elementary School including the renovation of crawl space area, replacement of timbers in the foundation and repairs to the associated roof deck.  The project was estimated to begin in June 2013 and end in August 2013.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the Education Lottery Fund application for the Capital Improvement Project as presented by Ms. Ly Marze.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Proposed Audit Contract for FY 2013

Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented the proposed contract with Bryce Holder, CPA, PA, for services to conduct the County’s FY 2013 financial audit in the amount of $45,400.  The fee for audit services was $42,400 and the fee for statement review and preparation was $3,000.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the contract with Bryce Holder CPA, PA, for the County’s Fiscal Year 2013 audit in the amount of $45,400.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Presentation of the Proposed 2013 Watauga County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP)

Mr. Phil Trew, High Country Council of Governments Planning Director, introduced Mr. David Graham, High Country Council of Governments Planner; Ms. Pam Cook and Mr. Cooper Sellers, with the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT); as well as Steering Committee Members, Mr. Joe Furman and Mr. Dean Ledbetter.

 

Mr. Trew gave a background of the development of the proposed transportation plan which was developed over a 24 month period and included 2010 census data.  The plan would act as a tool for local governments and the NCDOT to use to improve transportation overall in the area.

 

Mr. Cooper Sellers highlighted the major points of interest.

 

Mr. Trew stated that the Town of Blowing Rock had endorsed the adoption of the plan.  The plan would also be presented to the Towns of Beech Mountain, Boone, and Seven Devils.  If the plan was not adopted then local governments and the NCDOT would have to rely on the current plan which was adopted in 2003.

 

This report was for information only at this time.  Mr. Trew planned to return at a later date with a formal request for adoption.

Request for Support of the Delayed Harvest Fishery

Mr. Kevin Hining with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) requested permission to designate a one mile portion of the Watauga River adjacent to the County’s Watauga Gorge River Access as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters.  Areas along the Watauga River have been designated Delayed Harvest in Foscoe and Valle Crucis.  However, the property located in Foscoe was no longer available for Delayed Harvest.  In an effort to continue opportunities for anglers and the impact that they provide to the County’s economy, the WRC requested the Board support the one mile designation of the Watauga Gorge River Access as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters.

 

The Delayed Harvest Program did not require water quality or property restrictions.  If the Board approved the designation, the WRC would stock several thousand catchable trout from October through May in the river.  There was no cost to the County should the Board wish to participate in the program.

 

Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to support the designation of the one mile portion of the Watauga River adjacent to the County’s Watauga Gorge River Access as Delayed Harvest Trout Waters.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Cooperative Extension Matters

A.  Presentation of Amended Watauga County Farmland Preservation Plan

Mr. Jim Hamilton, Cooperative Extension Director, reviewed proposed amendments to the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Plan for Watauga County.  The recommended changes were submitted by the ad hoc committee which Mr. Hamilton was directed to form with the purpose of reviewing the plan and recommending changes.  Members of the ad-hoc committee included:  Bill Moretz (at the time, president of the Watauga County Farmers Market and longtime farmer); Keith Honeycutt (Economic Development Commission, Former Commissioner, and Sales Representative at Hollar & Greene); Dale Cornett (at the time, President of the Watauga Christmas Tree Association); Ricky Critcher (Chair of the Voluntary Farmland Preservation board and longtime farmer); Sheila Greene (co-owner of North Fork Farms, cattle producer)—was not able to attend meetings; Richard Boylan (Area Extension Agent for alternative and organic agriculture); Blake Brown (cattle farmer and state tobacco economics specialist and participant in first draft of plan); and Kelly Coffey (current chair of Voluntary Farmland Preservation board and part of High Country Council of Governments, and owner of Raven Rocks Farm)

 

Mr. Hamilton stated that the ad hoc committee met late in 2011 and early 2012 and shared comments via email regarding proposed changes to the document.  Mr. Hamilton then took the collective comments and individual feedback and made substantial edits to the plan.  The plan was trimmed to a 17 page document (from the original 100+ page document) which contained the essential background and recommendations that were in the original plan.  Mr. Hamilton briefly reviewed the plan which was tailored to include all farmers.  Mr. Hamilton stated that the Cooperative Extension and Soil and Water Conservation were already performing many of the recommendations.  The Watauga County Planning and Inspections Department was working to modify the County’s Sign Ordinance as well to allow farmers more ability to advertise.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to schedule a public hearing on April 16, 2013, at 6:00 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed amendments.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

B.  Amendments to the Watauga County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance

Mr. Kelly Coffey, Chairman of the Watauga County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Board, presented proposed amendments to the Watauga County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance.  The proposed changes reflected State modifications to NCGS 106-581.1 as well as the addition of the Soil and Water Conservationist as consultants to the Natural Resources Conservation Service when determining whether or not a farm qualified for the program.

 

Chairman Miller stated that public hearings were historically held prior to adopting amendments to County Ordinances.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to schedule a public hearing on April 16, 2013, at 6:00 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed changes to the Watauga County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Ordinance.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Request for Acceptance of NC Senior Medicare Patrol Grant/ Contract

Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, requested the Board accept a grant in the amount of $1,000 from the North Carolina Senior Medicare Patrol (NCSMP).  A minimum of two (2) group education outreach events on how to read a Medicare Summary Notice were required to be held prior to June 30, 2013, if the funds were accepted.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to accept the $1,000 grant from the North Carolina Senior Medicare Patrol as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Request to Set A Public Hearing Regarding the Potential Dissolution of the Social Services Board

Chairman Miller requested to schedule a public hearing for May 21, 2013, to allow citizen comment on the potential dissolution of the Social Services Board which would leave the Department of Social Services under the direction of the Board of Commissioners.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to schedule a public hearing for Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at 6:00 P.M. to allow citizen comment regarding the potential dissolution of the Social Services Board.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

A.  Proposed Community Pride Week Proclamation

County Manager Geouque presented a proposed proclamation declaring the week of April 29 - May 4, 2013, as Community Pride Week in Watauga County.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to adopt the Community Pride Week proclamation as presented by the County Manager.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

B.  Boards & Commissions

County Manager Geouque stated that the Blowing Rock Town Council recommended Ms. Natalie Bovino be appointed as an extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) representative on their Planning Board.  The Town Council also requested, due to time constraints, that the Board’s second reading be waived and a vote be considered at this meeting.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to waive the first reading and appoint Ms. Natalie Bovino as an ETJ representative on the Town of Blowing Rock Planning Board.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

County Manager Geouque stated that each Commissioner nominated a representative to the Watauga County Planning Board whose term will run concurrent with the term of the appointing Commissioner.  Planning Board members must live within the appointing Commissioners District and action must be taken by the entire Board of Commissioners to make these appointments.

 

Commissioner Welch nominated Mr. Neil Hartley and Commissioner Kennedy nominated Mr. Dennis Scanlin.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to waive the first readings and appoint, to the Watauga County Planning Board, Mr. Neil Hartley, with a term to run concurrent with Commissioner Welch’s term, and appoint Mr. Dennis Scanlin, with a term to run concurrent with Commissioner Kennedy.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

C.  Announcements

County Manager Geouque announced the following:

 

?  On March 25, 2013, at 10:00 AM a ceremony designating the portion of US 421 through Watauga County as a Blue Star Highway will be held in the Town of Boone Council Chambers.  The NC Board of Transportation approved the designation as part of the military recognition effort.  The Mayor of the Town of Boone, former NCDOT Board of Transportation member Sam Halsey, and new NCDOT Board of Transportation (Division 11) member James Palmero will be present.

 

?  Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation’s 2013 Community Leaders Council spring luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2013, at the Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock at 12:00 P.M.

 

?  The 2013 Watauga County Economic Development Summit will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum in Downtown Blowing Rock.

 

?  County Manager Geouque stated that budget work sessions had been scheduled for May 9 and 10, 2013; however, there was a scheduling conflict with one or more commissioners.

 

By consensus, the Board agreed to reschedule the second budget work session; therefore, the work sessions will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2013, beginning at 4:00 P.M. and Monday, May 13, 2013, beginning at 4:30 P.M.

Public Comment

Ms. Margaret Buck shared her concerns regarding Agenda 21 and provided three books related to the topic which she requested be donated to the public library if the Board chose not to keep them.

Closed Session

At 6:43 P.M., Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Economic Development Incentive Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(4).

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:42 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Adjourn

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

 

Nathan A. Miller, Chairman

 

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board