MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2013
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 18, 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.
Vice-Chairman Blust opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Yates led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the May 9 and 13, 2013, special meeting minutes and June 4, 2013, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the May 9, 2013, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the May 13, 2013, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
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Correction 1: |
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After discussion, Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to amend the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget for the following special allocations: Foscoe/Grandfather Community Center increase to $1,500 Mountain Alliance increase to $10,000 Hunger Coalition increase to $8,500 Green Valley Park increase to $8,000 Commissioner Kennedy requested that a work session be scheduled to allow for additional discussion. After discussion, the following vote was taken on the above motion: VOTE: Aye-3( Nay-2(Miller, Kennedy Clerk’s Note: Later in the meeting the above vote was amended to: VOTE: Aye-4(Blust, Kennedy, Yates, Welch) Nay-1(Miller) |
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Correction 2: |
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Chairman Miller, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to reallocate $36,700 (the remainder between the decrease to Smoky Mountain and the increases to various non-profits) to the Sheriff’s Office to be used for uniforms and equipment. After discussion, the following vote was taken on the above motion: VOTE: Aye-5 Nay-0 |
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Correction 3: |
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Commissioner Kennedy requested to officially change his vote to “Aye” for an earlier vote as corrected below: After discussion, Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to amend the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget for the following special allocations: Foscoe/Grandfather Community Center increase to $1,500 Mountain Alliance increase to $10,000 Hunger Coalition increase to $8,500 Green Valley Park increase to $8,000 After discussion, the following vote was taken on the above motion: VOTE: Aye-4( Nay-1(Miller |
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the June 4, 2013, regular meeting minutes as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the June 4, 2013, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the June 18, 2013, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add two additional transportation contracts with AppalCART; one for the Department of Social Services and one for Parks and Recreation.
The County Manager requested to remove the closed session from the meeting as there were no items to discuss.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the June 18, 2013, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Project on Aging Matters
A. Proposed Allocation of Estimated FY 2014 Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) Funds
Ms. Angie Boitnotte recommended accepting $253,085 in Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds for FY 2014. The required local match was $28,121 and was present in the Project on Aging's FY 2014 budget.
H&CCBG funding was proposed to be allocated as follows:
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H&CCBG Service |
H&CCBG |
Match |
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In-Home Aide |
$118,806 |
$13,201 |
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Congregate Meals |
$43,025 |
$4,781 |
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Home Delivered Meals |
$78,456 |
$8,717 |
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Transportation |
$12,798 |
$1,422 |
Ms. Boitnotte stated that Title III-D funds were required to be used for Evidence Based Health Promotion (EBHP) classes for FY 2014 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 stated that Family Caregiver Support Program funds (Respite II) would also remain at the High Country Area Agency on Aging level.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the allocations of Home and Community Care Block Grant funds as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. FY 2014 AppalCART Contract
Ms. Boitnotte presented a proposed contract with AppalCART for transportation services in FY 2014. The proposed rates remained the same as the current fiscal year at $0.75 per vehicle mile and $13.29 per vehicle service hour.
County Attorney Eggers stated that the contract was standard and had been used in past years.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the AppalCART contract for transportation services at the Project on Aging for FY 2014 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
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103300-333000 |
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Grant |
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$3,742 |
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105890-463146 |
Mediation & Restorative Justice |
$3,742 |
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The amendment recognized additional grant funds awarded by the NC Department of Public Safety through the Community Programs Section of the Division of Juvenile Justice as approved at the June 4, 2013, Board meeting |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
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293270-312009 |
Occupancy Tax Revenue |
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$175,000 |
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294140-449900 |
Administrative Fee |
$1,750 |
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294140-469900 |
Payment to Watauga Co. Tourism Development Authority |
$173,250 |
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The amendment recognized additional occupancy tax revenues estimates above budgeted amount and payment due to Watauga County District U Tourism Development Authority and Watauga County for statutory administrative collection fee. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
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103839-384000 |
Donations |
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$17,600 |
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104310-451000 |
Capital Outlay |
$17,600 |
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The amendment recognized the donation of K-9s, Elvis and Moses, from Mount Vernon Church as approved at the June 4, 2013, Board meeting. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
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103300-349909 |
NC Lottery Funds |
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$201,000 |
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105911-470013 |
Valle Crucis Basement Renovations |
$201,000 |
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The amendment recognized the award of the NC Lottery Funds approved at the March 19, 2013, Board meeting, and by the NC DPI on May 28, 2013. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
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104278-435101 |
Maintenance/Repair Grounds – Old WHS |
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$100,000 |
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109800-498021 |
Transfer to Capital Projects Fund |
$100,000 |
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213980-398100 |
Transfer from General Fund |
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$100,000 |
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219930-459210 |
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute |
$100,000 |
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The amendment transferred funds to the Capital Projects Fund and established a contingency for the new building construction at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Watauga Campus. These funds were available due to savings on the WHS demolition. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
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123300-336000 |
CDBG-SSH Grant |
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$225,000 |
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124910-449900 |
Housing Rehabilitations |
$180,000 |
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124910-449901 |
Local Option/Emergency Repairs |
$22,500 |
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124910-448000 |
Administration/Planning |
$22,500 |
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The amendment budgeted for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Scattered Site Housing Project grant project per the ordinance approved at the May 21, 2013, Board meeting. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
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103839-384000 |
Donations |
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$65,000 |
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103300-343316 |
NC DENR, Division of Water Quality Grant |
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$65,000 |
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104285-457005 |
Capital Outlay-Greenway |
$130,000 |
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The amendment recognized the grant award and donation of matching in-kind labor and construction costs for the New River Greenway project. The trail was completed by Blue Ridge Development Group per their agreement with the County dated June 19, 2012. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
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103839-384000 |
Donations |
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$38,000 |
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104199-457000 |
Capital Outlay-Land |
$38,000 |
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The amendment recognized and formally accepted the donation of an easement for a portion of the Middlefork Greenway. The trail section was completed this year by Tweetsie per their agreement with the County dated, December 8, 2008. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
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103839-384000 |
Donations |
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$79,000 |
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104199-457000 |
Capital Outlay-Land |
$79,000 |
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The amendment recognized and formally accepted the donation of an easement for a portion of the Middlefork Greenway. The trail section was being completed as a part of the North Carolina Department of Transportation project which was approved at the January 15, 2013, Board meeting. |
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Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
FY 2014 AppalCART Contracts for Parks and Recreation and Social Services
County Manager Geouque presented proposed transportation contracts with AppalCART for services in FY 2014 for the Departments of Parks and Recreation and Social Services. The proposed rates are the same as the current fiscal year at: $1.25 per vehicle mile and $14.68 per vehicle service hour for Parks and Recreation and $1.40 per vehicle mile for Social Services.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve transportation contracts with AppalCART with the Department of Parks and Recreation and Social Services as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Request to Close Container Site on US Highway 221 South
County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Keith Ebert had requested the Board close the container site located on US Highway 221 South. Mr. Ebert owns property and a home adjacent to the site. He would like the facility closed for several reasons: 1) the attraction of vermin and bears; 2) site location is not optimal as it is in a blind curve; and 3) designation of the Highway as a “scenic highway.”
The County Manager stated that the County was currently in the seventh (7th) year of a twenty (20) year lease on the property. As there was no termination clause in the lease, the County would be responsible for the remaining thirteen (13) years of the lease at a cost of $35,700. Annual cost to operate the site is $59,685. Sanitation staff is unaware of any other complaints regarding the site. In addition, staff has made several accommodations to ease Mr. Ebert’s concerns. Currently no recyclables are thrown into the dumpsters until after 10:00 A.M. and the trash truck is not dispatched for pick up until 12:00 P.M. or 1:00 P.M. unless required. These measures were developed by staff with the assistance of Mr. Ebert to reduce the noise level at the site.
The County Manager stated the following three options: 1) continue operating the site as/is with the measures currently in place; 2) close the site; or 3) relocate the site.
By consensus, the Board agreed to continue operations at the site with the measures currently in place.
B. Proposed Policy to Provide Preference to Local Vendors in Purchasing of Equipment and Supplies
County Manager Geouque stated that, per Commissioner request and discussion at the annual retreat, staff drafted a policy to provide a preference to local vendors in the purchasing of equipment and supplies. The policy would cover services and goods not covered by North Carolina General Statutes. The preference would allow a qualified County resident bidder to match the price and terms of the lowest responsible nonresident bidder, if the County resident bidder’s price was within five percent (5%) or $10,000, whichever is less, of the nonresident bidder’s price. If the resident bidder requests and qualifies for the price-matching preference, the resident bidder would first be offered the contract award and would have two (2) business days to accept or decline the award based on the lowest responsible nonresident bidder’s price.
The County Manager presented a draft resolution which would need to be adopted to approve the policy. Current legislation was being considered at the state level to provide the same local preference to counties statewide. The Board may wish to wait for the North Carolina General Assembly to adjourn before adopting a County policy.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adopt the resolution approving the Policy to Provide Preference to Local Vendors in Purchasing of Equipment and Supplies as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Proposed Policy for Naming County Facilities
County Manager Geouque stated that, per Commissioner request and discussion at the annual retreat, staff drafted a policy to provide for the naming of County facilities, property, and space. The Watauga County Library had requested approval by the Board to name a meeting room in the Library in honor of Ms. Evelyn Johnson.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the Policy for Naming County Facilities as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Debt Service Plan
County Manager Geouque stated that, based on previous discussions with the Board, it was staff’s understanding to reduce County debt when opportunities arose. Due to the refinancing of the high school loan, the County realized a cost savings of $329,113. As the refinancing was not completed prior to the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget, staff was required to budget the full amount. Three options were available for the utilization of the savings: 1) Pay the funds on the Series B loan which would result in an estimated savings of $11,900 and close the funding gap created by the previous Board’s allocation of $360,630 of the $6 million debt service plan to the School Board. The remaining short fall would be $19,617.; 2) Reduce the budgeted transfer to the Debt Service Fund from the General Fund in the current Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget; 3) Transfer the funds to the Capital Projects Fund to be used as part of the Debt Service set aside plan for FY 2014-2015; or 4) Utilize the funds for Capital Improvement Projects.
The County Manager stated that staff recommended option one (1) as it would reduce the impact on the County’s debt and also assist the County in meeting its debt service plan.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve option one (pay the funds on the Series B loan) as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Boards & Commissions
County Manager Geouque stated that the Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Advisory Board recently nominated Ms. Jennifer Miller for an appointment to their Board.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to appoint Ms. Jennifer Miller to the Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Advisory Board as recommended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Frank Bolick and Mr. Dale Greene had submitted applications for appointment to the Town of Boone Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment, respectively. In addition, Mr. Wayne Green sent an email requesting consideration for appointment to either of the Town Boards. The Town of Boone supplied a list of vacancies in March and was unable to provide an updated list prior to the Board packet completion. All three names have been submitted to the Town of Boone for consideration. The Town Clerk sent an email stating the Council has deferred making nominations for appointment to ETJ positions for the past couple of months in order to allow for the receipt of additional applications. The Council would be considering board appointments at their June 20th regular meeting. Based on the list provided in March, it would appear there are four (4) vacancies for the Board of Adjustment and two (2) vacancies for the Planning Commission. Below is a listing of these vacancies.
Boone Board of Adjustment Boone Planning Commission
Two (2) Regular Vacancies One (1) Regular Vacancy
One (1) Regular Term Set to Expire 6/2013 One (1) Expired Term from 6/2012
One (1) Alternate Vacancy
Chairman Miller tabled consideration of appointments until the July 16, 2013, Board meeting.
F. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the first regular meeting in July had been cancelled and, therefore, the next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on July 16, 2013.
Chairman Miller stated that Board members had been invited to attend the Grand Opening of Blue Heaven Resort and Spa on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 4:30 - 6:30 P.M. and an Open House on Saturday, June 22, 2013, 1:00 - 5:00 P.M.
Public Comment
Ms. Margaret Buck shared concerns regarding road construction.
Adjourn
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:08 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board