MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2013
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at 8:30 A.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: David Blust, Vice-Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Commissioner
John Welch, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Stacy Eggers, IV, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Tammy Adams, Substitute Clerk to the Board
[Chairman Miller was absent due to prior commitments.]
Vice-Chairman Blust called the meeting to order at 8:00 A.M.
Commissioner Yates opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Kennedy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Vice-Chairman Blust called for additions and/or corrections to the July 16, 2013, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the July 16, 2013, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the July 16, 2013, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Approval of Agenda
Vice-Chairman Blust called for additions and/or corrections to the August 6, 2013, agenda.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the August 6, 2013, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Miller)
Watauga County Arts Council Request to Install Fence at Shadowline Property
Ms. Cherry Johnson, Watauga County Arts Council Executive Director, requested the Board approve the addition and removal of fencing and the relocation of the storage building in the back of the property currently leased by the Arts Council. The requested changes would be at no cost to the County and a fundraiser was underway to sell pickets which can be hand painted for the new fence.
County Manager Geouque stated that Ms. Johnson would need to contact the Town of Boone regarding any permits required to relocate the storage building.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the changes as presented by the Arts Council.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Request for Support of Trails and Greenways by the High Country Recreation
Mr. Scott St. Clair, High Country Recreation presented information on the economic benefit of trails and greenways to the County. Mr. St. Clair urged the Board to pursue federal, state, and local partnerships in an effort to expand and enhance the communities’ trails and greenways.
This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
Request to Award Bid for Construction of the Law Officers’ Memorial Project
Mr. Bill Dixon, Appalachian Architects, reviewed the bids received for the law enforcement memorial. Four bids were received with Michael Austin Construction, Inc. being the lowest responsible bidder. However, Mr. Austin recently passed away thus leaving Penick Construction the lowest bidder with an amount of $82,614.99 including Alternate 1. Per County Manager’s request, Mr. Marsh provided an estimate should the County wish to utilize its own forces to construct the memorial. The cost to complete the memorial with County forces would be approximately $41,000 including $5,000 to $8,000 for contracted services. Mr. Marsh estimated that construction on the memorial could begin in late fall, or in worst case, next spring. Neither the low bid nor the County’s own force estimate included the cost of the monument as the Sheriff’s Office was still working on providing the actual figure. The Sheriff’s Office staff has been working on the cost for several months and provided a range of $7,000 to $12,000 for the monument portion. The Sheriff believes his staff can construct the memorial for $17,000.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to exempt this project from the competitive bid process per North Carolina General Statues 143-135.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Commissioner Yates, Seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to establish a budget of $53,000 including the monument and direct Mr. Marsh to work closely with the Sheriff and his staff to construct the memorial, and potentially reduce the overall cost of the project as much possible, with funds to come from the administrative contingency.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Brush Grinding Contract
Mr. J.V. Potter, Operations Service Director, requested the Board approve the renewal of the existing grinding contract for an additional year. The current provider, Riverside Stump Dump, has agreed to renew the current grinding contract at $18.00 per ton. Staff has been satisfied with Riverside and would recommend the Board grant the renewal. Adequate funds have been budgeted to cover the contract expense.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the contract with Riverside Stump Dump in the amount of $18.00 per ton for grinding in Fiscal Year 2013-2014 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Communications & Emergency Services Matters
A. Proposed Contract with BSI Digital
B. Proposed Contract with Wireless Communications
Mr. Jeff Virginia, Director of Emergency Services presented additional contracts required for the County’s E911 system. The first contract was with BIS Digital in the amount of $5,216 that provides the ability to add eight (8) additional recorded lines. Mr. Virginia stated that they may not need the contract with BIS Digital if they could rework some lines. The second contract was with Wireless Communications Inc., in the amount of $8,600 for a service agreement on the communications console. Adequate funds have been budgeted in the current fiscal year to cover the contracts.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the BIS Digital contract as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the Wireless Contract as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator Larry Warren presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of July 2013. This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Warren presented the following Refunds and Releases for July 2013 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for July 2013, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
C. Annual Settlement of Tax Collector
Tax Administrator Warren presented the following Annual Settlement Statements for Fiscal Year 2013 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the Annual Settlement Statements for Fiscal Year 2013, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
D. Oath to Collect Taxes
Mr. Warren presented a proposed order granting authorization to collect taxes for Fiscal Year 2014. Once approved, a sworn oath was to be administered to Tax Administrator Warren.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to grant authorization for Tax Administrator Warren to collect taxes for Fiscal Year 2014.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Appointment of North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Annual Conference Voting Delegate
The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) Annual Conference is scheduled for August 22-25, 2013, in Guilford County. Each county in attendance is required to select a voting member for representation at the annual business meeting which is conducted as a part of the conference. Submission of the voting delegate is due August 9, 2013.
Vice-Chairman Blust tabled selection of a voting member until the August 20, 2013 Board meeting.
B. September Meeting Schedule
The Board has historically cancelled the first regular meeting in September due to the Labor Day Holiday. Direction from the Board is requested regarding the September meeting schedule.
Vice Chairman Blust tabled this item until the August 20, 2013 Board meeting.
C. Boards & Commissions
At the July 16, 2013, regular meeting the Board appointed Mr. Frank Bolick as a regular ETJ member on the Town of Boone Planning Commission and Mr. Dale Greene as a regular ETJ member on the Town of Boone Board of Adjustment.
The following seats remain to be filled:
Boone Board of Adjustment Boone Planning Commission
One (1) Regular Appointments One (1) Regular Appointments
Two (2) Alternate Appointments
Mr. Wayne Green sent an email requesting consideration for appointment to the Town’s Board of Adjustment whose name was submitted to the Town of Boone for consideration. The Town has submitted Richard Woods and Dr. Jerry Butler to serve on the Board of Adjustment. Additionally, the Council nominated both Mr. Woods and Dr. Butler to serve as Alternate ETJ members, if not considered for an ETJ Regular appointment. Also, the County received an application from Jon Tate for either an appointment to the Town’s Planning Board or Board of Adjustment.
The above are second readings and, therefore, action may be taken if so desired.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to appoint Richard Woods as a regular member on the Boone Board of Adjustment.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to appoint Dr. Jerry Butler as an alternate member on the Boone Board of Adjustment.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to table the appointment of a second alternate member to the Boone Board of Adjustment.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to appoint Jon Tate as a regular member on the Boone Planning Commission.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
The AppalCART Board will have an at-large seat vacant effective August 26, 2013. AppalCART recommends that Ms. Kedith England be appointed to fill this seat. A Volunteer Application has also been received by Ms. Wanda Miller who is interested in serving on the AppalCART Board.
The above is a second reading for Ms. England and a first reading for Ms. Miller.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to appoint Kedith England to an at-large seat on the AppalCART Board. Due to the votes being split, further action was tabled until the August 20, 2013 meeting.
VOTE: Aye-2(Kennedy, Welch)
Nay-2(Blust, Yates)
Absent-1(Miller)
D. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
? McGill Associates will make a full presentation of the report at the Economic Development Commission Meeting on Thursday, August 8, 2013, at 1:30 P.M. at the Appalachian Enterprise Center. Board members are invited to attend the presentation.
? The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will hold a meeting to discuss the NC 105/Bodenheimer connector road on August 12, 2013, in the Commissioners’ Board Room. The Commissioners are invited to review the maps and ask questions from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM with the 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM timeframe set for the general public.
? Three public hearings are scheduled to be held at the August 20, 2013, Board meeting. They are to allow citizen comment on the following matters:
o New Road Names
o Renaming the NC Hwy 421 Bridge over the South Fork of the New River in Memory of Deputy William Ronald Mast, Jr.
o The Board of Commissioners’ intent to purchase property on NC Hwy 194 North as described in Book of Record 1524, Page 211, Watauga County Register of Deeds, consisting of approximately 212 acres at a purchase amount of one million seven hundred thousand dollars ($1,700,000) with all funds to be allocated from the County’s unassigned fund balance. The purchase would be for potential development of a Business Park.
? The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) Annual Conference is scheduled for August 22-25, 2013, in Guilford County. If you plan to attend, please inform Anita so that she may RSVP on your behalf.
? The High Country Council of Governments’ Annual Banquet is scheduled for Friday, September 6, 2013, at Linville Ridge. If you wish to attend, please notify Anita so she may assist in the registration.
? Commissioner Yates stated that citizens have contacted him with requests for some type of memorial to recognize Mr. David Lee Cook, a DOT employee struck and killed by a vehicle on October 2, 2012 while clearing debris from the road on Old Highway 421. By consensus, the Board instructed County Manager Geouque to draft a letter to the Department of Transportation in support of a memorial.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 09:23 A.M., Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to resume the open meeting at 10:10 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:19 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-4
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
David Blust, Vice-Chairman
ATTEST:
Tammy G. Adams, Substitute Clerk to the Board