MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, at 8:30 A.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
Stacey “Four” Eggers, IV, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 8:32 A.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 March 18, 2014, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the March 18, 2014, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Chairman Miller stated that amendments to the closed session minutes had been presented to the Board prior to the meeting.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the March 18, 2014, closed session minutes as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of the April 1, 2014, Agenda
County Manager Geouque requested to add the following items to the agenda:
· A proposed proclamation of honor
· A request to use the Human Services Center parking lot
· A proposed Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Grant Agreement
· Boards and Commissions
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the April 1, 2014, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Proclamation Honoring Jim Atkinson
Chairman Miller presented Jim Atkinson a proclamation honoring his service with Watauga County and his leadership as the Director of the Department of Social Services upon his retirement which was effective April 1, 2014.
Cooperative Extension Staffing Request
Mr. Jim Hamilton, Cooperative Extension Director, requested authorization from the Board to use funds budgeted for the frozen horticulture agent to increase the temporary horticulture agent from twenty (20) to forty (40) hours. Currently, the County was paying nine (9) of the twenty (20) hours with the State paying the remaining eleven (11) hours. The percentage was forty-five percent (45%) County funding and fifty-five percent (55%) State funding, per the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Mr. Hamilton proposed to increase the temporary employee’s hours from twenty (20) to forty (40) hours. The County would pay twenty-nine (29) of the hours with the State continuing to pay eleven (11) hours. The request was to have the County pay seventy-two and half percent (72%) and the State twenty-seven and a half percent (27.5%) which was not in accordance with the MOU.
County Manager Geouque stated that staff reviewed the Cooperative Extension’s budget to ensure adequate funding to cover benefits should the State require reimbursement for benefits. However, the potential existed for this arrangement to set a precedent in reduced funding from the State as the County was willing to fund more than the forty-five percent (45%) as stated in the MOU.
Approval of the request would run from April 2, 2014, through June 30, 2014, and would require the Board to reauthorize the request during the 2014-2015 budget process.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to grant the position as requested through June 30, 2014.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute Request
Dr. Ken Boham, President of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI), requested the Board approve a Cooperative Innovative High School Program Application for the Watauga Career Academy which would allow Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute to work with Watauga High School students, freshmen through seniors, preparing them for college and/or vocational careers upon graduation.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the program application as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Construction Contract for Middle Fork Greenway Project
Mr. Joe Furman updated the Board on the Middle Fork Greenway project. At the last Board meeting the Board selected Vaughn and Melton to provide construction administration for the Middle Fork Greenway project. Mr. Furman presented a negotiated contract for engineering with Vaughn and Melton in the amount of $38,080.50.
Mr. Furman also solicited bids for the construction of the project. Two (2) bids were received; one from J. W. Hampton Company in the amount of $350,616.60 and one from Greene Construction in the amount of $392,550.24. The receipt of three (3) bids was not required due to the cost being below the statutory formal bid limit.
Grant funds were available for both construction and engineering in the amount of $375,000. Mr. Furman stated that High Country Pathways (HCP) had committed to provide any amount above the $375,000 grant that was needed to complete the project. The current shortfall was $13,697.10. Mr. John Laman, President of HCP, reiterated Mr. Furman’s statement that HCP would fund any amount over the grant award of $375,000 for the project.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to award the construction project to the low bidder, J. W. Hampton Company, in the amount of $350,616.60 contingent upon the County Attorney drafting a contract including that the amount of $350,616.60 was all inclusive and costs would not exceed that amount.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the contract with Vaughn and Melton for engineering and construction administration in the amount of $38,080.50.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to accept High Country Pathways’ offer to fund any amount in excess of the $375,000 grant funding for the project and to direct the County Attorney to work with High Country Pathways to draft an agreement that covers the County’s interest.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
104199-499100 |
Administrative Contingency |
|
$23,306 |
|
104260-454000 |
Capital Outlay – Vehicle |
$23,306 |
|
|
|
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|
The amendment allocated funding for the purchase of a Maintenance vehicle including taxes and tag as approved at the March 18, 2014, Board meeting. |
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|
|
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|
103839-341100 |
Donations |
|
$123,820 |
|
104288-458000 |
Capital Outlay-Building |
$2,200 |
|
|
104288-457001 |
Capital Outlay-Land Improvements |
$121,820 |
|
|
|
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|
The amendment allocated funding for the restroom construction change order and the paving contract. This is funded by donations from the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA). |
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|
433991-399102 |
Fund Balance Appropriation |
|
$48,419 |
|
439800-498021 |
Transfer to Capital Projects Fund |
$48,419 |
|
|
213980-398143 |
Transfer from Capital Projects Fund |
|
$48,419 |
|
219930-459123 |
WCS – Debt Service Plan |
$48,419 |
|
|
|
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|
The amendment closed out the New Watauga High School capital project fund and transferred the remaining balance to the Capital Projects Fund per the ordinance. |
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|
|
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|
103300-341400 |
DOT Grant-Boone Rural Fire |
|
$25,000 |
|
104330-449909 |
DOT Grant-Boone Rural Fire |
$25,000 |
|
|
|
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|
The amendment recognized grant funds awarded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation for paving reimbursement to the Boone Rural Fire District for the new Station site on Bamboo Road. |
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Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Discussion Regarding Proposed Amendments to the Town of Boone’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)
County Manager Geouque presented proposed revised language for the Town of Boone Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) provisions for extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) appointments. The Town Attorney advised the County Attorney that the language was tentatively acceptable to the Town Council, but the Council wanted to confirm that the language was acceptable to the Commissioners prior to taking action.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to accept the proposed amendments to the Town of Boone’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Proclamation Establishing Community Pride Week
County Manager Geouque presented a proposed proclamation declaring Monday, May 12 – Saturday, May 17, 2014, as Community Pride Week in Watauga County. The event was conducted each year by Sanitation staff and has proved to be very popular with the County's citizens.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. 347 Oak Street Property Sale
County Manager Geouque stated that County-owned property located at 347 Oak Street, Boone NC was advertised for sale on GovDeals in which the closing date was March 25, 2014. The final bid on the property was $150,001 which did not meet the $300,000 reserve set by the Board. During the foreclosure process the County used fifty percent (50%) of the value of the property ($185,600) to loan to New River Mental Health. The difference in the bid minus the 7.5% commission ($11,250.08) to be paid to GovDeals, should the Board accept the bid, and the loan amount was $46,849.08.
County Manager Geouque stated that the Board could reject all bids; accept the bid and proceed with the sale of the property; or use the $150,001 as the base bid and start the bid process over.
The County Attorney stated that the Board could also reject the bid and negotiate directly with the person who submitted the bid through GovDeals.
Mr. Tyler Conner, the high bidder through GovDeals, was present and stated that he could not bid against himself as he had not yet had an opportunity to view the property.
The tax value listed for the property totaled $371,000; $201,300 for the land and $169,700 for the building.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to reject the high bid through GovDeals in the amount of $150,001.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
After discussion, Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to relist the property on GovDeals beginning the bids at $210,000.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Request to Use Human Services Parking Lot
County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Bill Mast, father of fallen Deputy, William R. Mast, Jr., had requested the use of the Watauga County Human Services Center parking lot for the Annual William Mast Memorial Motorcycle Ride on September 13, 2014, from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. with a rain date of September 20, 2014. The dates do not conflict with ASU home football games.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the request as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Hazardous Materials Training Grant Request
County Manager Geouque presented a Hazardous Materials Emergency Planning Grant Agreement in which the County has been awarded $10,000 with no County match required.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to accept the grant funds as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
F. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque stated that Parks and Recreation Director Stephen Poulos solicited nominations from the Town of Blowing Rock to provide representation on the Watauga County Recreation Commission.
G. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners will be holding district meetings across the State in March and April with the meeting for our district being on April 3, 2014 in Catawba County. If you wish to attend, please see Anita who will be happy to RSVP for you. Please click on the following link to view a short introduction to the District Meetings:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDbhnkMxySA&feature=youtu.be
· The Watauga County Economic Development Commission and Appalachian State University will hold an Economic Summit on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at the Holmes Convocation Center from 8:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.
· Commissioner Welch and the County Manager met with the Watauga County Recreation Commission and High Country Recreation on March 31, 2014, for discussions on how to further recreation within the County. A follow up meeting was scheduled for Monday, April 14, 2014, at 5:30 P.M. at Green Valley Elementary School.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 9:38 A.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 Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:56 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:56 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board