MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2014
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, June 17, 2014, 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 “Four” Eggers, IV, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 5:33 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 June 3, 2014, regular meeting.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the June 17, 2014, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the June 17, 2014, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add the following:
· A request to revisit transportation priorities as established in April.
· Attorney/Client Matters to the scheduled closed session per, G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
· Possible action after closed session.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the June 17, 2014, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Bid Award Request for Banking Services
Finance Director Margaret Pierce recommended a contract for banking services based on a review of responses to a recently issued RFP (Request for Proposals). A total of seven (7) RFPs were sent out with six (6) institutions responding including the County’s current provider, BB&T. After an extensive analysis of fees and services, Ms. Pierce stated that staff recommended Yadkin Bank.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to award the bid for banking services to Yadkin Bank and to adopt the resolution to designate Yadkin Bank as the official bank depository for the County as presented.
Prior to the vote, County Attorney Eggers stated that Commissioner Welch’s mother was employed by Yadkin Bank; however, the duties of her position did not pose a conflict of interest or financial gain for Commissioner Welch and, therefore, it was his duty to vote either for or against the motion on the table.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Ordinance
County Manager Geouque presented the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Ordinance for adoption.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to adopt the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget as presented.
Prior to the vote, Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to reallocate $26,602 from the administrative contingency line to the Watauga County Schools for a 2% supplement increase for teacher’s salaries.
After discussion, the following vote was taken on Commissioner Welch’s motion:
VOTE: Aye-2(Kennedy, Welch)
Nay-3(Miller, Blust, Yates)
The following vote was then taken on Commissioner Yates’ motion:
VOTE: Aye-3(Miller, Blust, Yates)
Nay-2(Kennedy, Welch)
Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
283102-312119 |
Tax Revenue Meat Camp/Creston Fire District |
|
$350 |
|
284340-469919 |
Payment to Meat Camp/Creston Fire District |
$350 |
|
|
283102-312112 |
Tax Revenue Blowing Rock Fire District |
|
$13,300 |
|
284340-469912 |
Payment to Blowing Rock Fire District |
$13,300 |
|
|
283102-312111 |
Tax Revenue Todd Fire District |
|
$2,500 |
|
284340-469911 |
Payment to Todd Fire District |
$2,500 |
|
|
283102-312110 |
Tax Revenue Deep Gap Fire District |
|
$3,500 |
|
284340-469910 |
Payment to Deep Gap Fire District |
$3,500 |
|
|
283102-312108 |
Tax Revenue Shawneehaw Fire District |
|
$650 |
|
284340-469908 |
Payment to Shawneehaw Fire District |
$650 |
|
|
283102-312107 |
Tax Revenue Cove Creek Fire District |
|
$700 |
|
284340-469907 |
Payment to Cove Creek Fire District |
$700 |
|
|
283102-312106 |
Tax Revenue Zionville Fire District |
|
$1,800 |
|
284340-469906 |
Payment to Zionville Fire District |
$1,800 |
|
|
283102-312105 |
Tax Revenue Stewart Simmons Fire District |
|
$19,000 |
|
284340-469905 |
Payment to Stewart Simmons Fire District |
$19,000 |
|
|
283102-312104 |
Tax Revenue Beaver Dam Fire District |
|
$1,750 |
|
284340-469904 |
Payment to Beaver Dam Fire District |
$1,750 |
|
|
283102-312101 |
Tax Revenue Foscoe Fire District |
|
$7,500 |
|
284340-469901 |
Payment to Foscoe Fire District |
$7,500 |
|
|
283102-312101 |
Tax Revenue Foscoe Fire Service District |
|
$1,650 |
|
284340-469901 |
Payment to Foscoe Fire Service District |
$1,650 |
|
|
283102-312108 |
Tax Revenue Shawneehaw Service District |
|
$150 |
|
284340-469908 |
Payment to Shawneehaw Service District |
$150 |
|
|
243102-312100 |
Tax Revenue Boone Rural Service District |
|
$7,000 |
|
284340-469909 |
Payment to Boone Rural Service District |
$7,000 |
|
|
283102-312109 |
Tax Revenue Meat Camp Fire District |
|
$7,900 |
|
284340-469909 |
Payment to Meat Camp Fire District |
$7,900 |
|
|
|
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|
The amendment recognized additional estimated fire district tax revenues and payments due to departments. |
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|
|
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|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103200-323200 |
Sales Tax Revenue |
|
$72,000 |
|
104330-469901 |
Foscoe Fire District |
$13,500 |
|
|
104330-469904 |
Beaver Dam Fire District |
$19,000 |
|
|
104330-469905 |
Boone Fire District |
$2,800 |
|
|
104330-469906 |
Zionville Fire District |
$3,700 |
|
|
104330-469907 |
Cove Creek Fire District |
$2,800 |
|
|
104330-469908 |
Stewart Simmons Fire District |
$5,900 |
|
|
104330-469910 |
Meat Camp Fire District |
$2,500 |
|
|
104330-469911 |
Todd Fire District |
$5,200 |
|
|
104330-469912 |
Blowing Rock Fire District |
$4,600 |
|
|
104330-469924 |
Deep Gap Fire District |
$12,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized additional estimated sales tax revenues payable to fire districts. |
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|
|
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|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103200-326600 |
ABC Bottle Tax |
|
$750 |
|
105890-469848 |
Restorative Justice Drug Court |
$750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized estimated additional revenue and expenditures for Alcohol Beverage Control Bottle Tax funds. |
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|
|
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|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103300-349909 |
NC Lottery Funds |
|
$35,500 |
|
105911-470016 |
Bethel Roof Replacement |
$35,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized the award of the NC Lottery funds applied for by the Watauga County Board of Education and approved by the NC DPI on May 28, 2014. |
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|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
143300-343300 |
Adoption Promotion Program Funds |
|
$25,200 |
|
145410-440006 |
Adoption Promotion |
$25,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized the award of funds to be used for enhancement of the Department of Social Services adoption services program. |
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Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Maintenance Matters
A. Rocky Knob Park Restroom Construction Project Change Order # 2
County Manager Geouque presented a change order request for the Rocky Knob restroom construction project. The requested change order, in the amount of $650, included additional insulation to the facility ($350) and trim ($300) to provide weather tightness and a transition between the blocking and framing.
The County Manager stated that the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) was funding the project and had already approved the change order; therefore, there would be no cost to the County.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve Change Order # 2 for the Rocky Knob restroom construction project as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Medic Base # 3 Archaeological Survey
County Manager Geouque stated that the County had recently purchased a parcel of property in the western part of the County to build a new ambulance base. The County continued to secure the necessary permits for the facility while continuing with negotiations on a contract for architectural services. As part of the process, the North Carolina Historic Preservation Office has required an archaeological survey of the disturbed area at the site.
Valor Engineering has arranged for Brushy Fork Environmental to provide the service at a cost of $1,950. Valor Engineering is not charging a fee to process this request as is common practice.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to authorize Brushy Fork Environmental to conduct the study and invoice Valor Engineering, in the amount of $1,950, with the County to pay the full amount.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
[Clerk’s Note: Due to the time being after 6:00 P.M., the additional agenda item below and the public hearings were heard prior to Miscellaneous Administrative Matters.]
Revisit of Transportation Priorities Established in April
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that, in April, the Board of Commissioners voted on transportation priorities to submit to the High Country RPO for regional ranking using a point system. The Board submitted the following 4 projects ranked in priority order:
1. R-2615B US Highway 321/421 from US 321/421 Junction near Vilas to Proposed Boone Bypass – widen to multi-lanes
2. NC Highway 105 at SR 1112 (Broadstone Road) – construct new bridge and left-turn lane
3. WATA 0008-H/WATA 0014-H Wilson Ridge and Bamboo Roads – widen lanes and improve intersections
4. NC Highway 194 from King Street to SR 1306 (Howards Creek Road) – widen to four lanes/curb and gutter
As part of the new NC Strategic Mobility formula, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Divisions also use a point system to rate projects for statewide rankings for funding in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The Division rated all of the projects that were “in the pipeline” while the RPO rated only those that each County chose from the larger “in the pipeline” list. Accordingly, the Division rated both the NC 105/Broadstone Road small project and the larger NC 105 widening from the 105 Bypass to Clarks’ Creek Road. The larger project rated higher than the smaller project. The RPO point system ranked the NC 105/Broadstone Road project #4 in the region; the larger project would have ranked at least that highly had it been submitted by Watauga County. Under the new system, there are 3 funding sources for projects – statewide, regional impact, and divisional needs.
If the RPO and the Division systems both rank a project highly, it stands a good chance of being funded in the STIP. If Watauga County agrees, the RPO can substitute the larger NC 105 project instead of the intersection project for STIP consideration for funding from the regional impact category. If it is funded, the smaller project is included in the larger one. If it is not funded, the smaller project would likely be funded from the divisional needs category. Mr. Furman stated that the RPO was scheduled to meet Wednesday, June 18, 2014, and must finalize its rankings at that time.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to amend the transportation priorities as submitted for the High Country Regional Planning Organization (RPO) by substituting the larger NC 105 project (NC Highway 105 - Clark's Creek Rd., Foscoe to US Highway 221) in place of the NC 105/Broadstone intersection project (NC Highway 105 at SR 1112 (Broadstone Road) - construct new bridge and left-turn lane).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment Regarding the Consideration of Proposed Amendments to the Following:
A. Ordinance To Govern Subdivisions and Multi Unit Structures
A public hearing was scheduled to allow citizen comment on a proposed amendment to the Watauga County Ordinance To Govern Subdivisions and Multi Unit Structures. The Planning Board had requested to add Subsection 71.0233 which would provide a mechanism for developers that had preliminary plats approved with 18 foot wide roads and began construction prior to the new 20 foot requirement to receive plat approval, without requesting a variance, if they meet the requirements of the new Subsection. In May, 2012, the ordinance was amended to increase the required road width from 18 to 20 feet in order to be consistent with the NC Fire Code.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to declare the public hearing open at 6:18 P.M. to allow citizen comment on a proposed amendment to the Watauga County Ordinance To Govern Subdivisions and Multi Unit Structures.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Being no public comment, Chairman Miller declared the public hearing closed at 6:19 P.M.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adopt the Ordinance To Govern Subdivisions and Multi Unit Structures as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Sign Ordinance
A public hearing was scheduled to allow citizen comment regarding proposed amendments to the Watauga County Ordinance to Regulate Signs. New electronic billboards are prohibited under the ordinance, however on-premise electronic variable message signs for businesses, churches, etc. are allowed. The Planning Board had requested to change the time the message must remained fixed from one (1) hour to fifteen (15) seconds.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to declare the public hearing open at 6:19 P.M. to allow citizen comment on a proposed amendment to the Watauga County Ordinance to Regulate Signs.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Being no public comment, Chairman Miller declared the public hearing closed at 6:20 P.M.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adopt the Watauga County Ordinance to Regulate Signs as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Beaver Dam VFD and Fall Creek VFD Fire District Changes
County Manager Geouque stated that Fire Marshal Steven Sudderth had requested contracting with Fall Creek Volunteer Fire Department to provide fire service to a portion of the Kellersville area in the Beaver Dam Fire District. A map was presented identifying the area. The change would allow for quicker response times and lower fire insurance ratings for the affected Beech Creek community.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to contract with Fall Creek VFD to provide fire service to a portion of the Kellersville area in the Beaver Dam Fire District.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adopt the map identifying the fire service area as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Request to Accept Recycling Grant Revisions
County Manger Geouque presented a grant award from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to provide new recycling/waste containers for County and School facilities. Total amount of the grant was $4,000 with an $848.68 match requirement which was to be split equally among the School System and County.
The County originally requested $12,088 through the grant; however, DENR reduced the amount awarded. The match amount was budgeted in the FY 2014-2015.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to accept the grant from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the amount of $4,000 with a local match of $848.68.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. July Meeting Schedule
County Manager Geouque stated that, historically, the Board canceled the first meeting in July due to the adoption of the annual budget and the beginning of a new fiscal year. This year, on the date of the second regularly scheduled meeting in July, a second primary is slated and, therefore, required the use of the Commissioners’ Board Room as an official polling place.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to cancel the July 1, 2014, meeting and to reschedule the July 15, 2014, meeting to July 8, 2014, at 5:30 PM.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Boards and Commissions
Watauga County Economic Development Commission
County Manager Geouque stated that the Watauga County Economic Development Commission had one remaining term set to expire in June. The current member was not eligible for reappointment due to having served two consecutive terms. A volunteer application was presented for a second reading from Mr. Walter Kaudelka who had expressed interest in serving.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to appoint Mr. Walter Kaudelka to serve a three-year term as a member of the Watauga County Economic Development Corporation.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Region D Development Corporation
County Manager Geouque stated that Region D Development Corporation was a Certified Development Company that assists the US Small Business Administration in delivering small business loans to the region. They also assist in marketing and packaging loans for small businesses throughout the region. Per their bylaws, each county is required to appoint four persons to serve as members of the Development Corporation in May of each year. Representative categories are local government (1), private lending institution (1), and community organization or a business organization (2).
The County Manager stated that the following were appointed at the May 20, 2014, meeting: Mr. John Spear (local government); Mr. Brian Crutchfield (community organization); Mr. Jim Furman (business organization). Mr. Bill Caroselli expressed interest in serving as the private lending institution representative. This was a first reading for Mr. Caroselli.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Bill Caroselli as the private lending institution representative for Watauga County.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Announcements
County Manger Geouque announced the following:
? The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) Annual Conference is scheduled for August 14-17, 2014, in Buncombe County.
? A Groundbreaking Ceremony is scheduled for Chestnut Ridge at Blowing Rock on June 24 at 2:00 pm. Parking will be at Shoppes on the Parkway. Access to event will be by shuttles, which will run between 1:15 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.
? Save the date of July 26, 2014, for a ceremony in which the new Law Enforcement Memorial will be dedicated. More details will be announced as available.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:35 P.M., Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to 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-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Chairman Miller, moved to resume the open meeting at 6:58 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Possible Action After Closed Session
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve an employment contract, as presented, with Mr. Deron Geouque to serve as County Manager from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2019.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Chairman Miller, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:59 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board