MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1998
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 1998 at 7:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.
PRESENT: James Coffey, Chairman
Jack D. Lawrence, Sr., Vice-Chairman
Linda S. Craig, Commissioner
Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner
Jack Wellborn, Commissioner
Stacy C. Eggers, Jr., County Attorney
James S. Ratchford, County Manager
Libby Link, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Coffey called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.
A moment of silence was observed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Coffey called for additions or corrections to the January 5, 1998 regular minutes; there being none, they were approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve the agenda for the January 20, 1998 regular meeting as presented.
VOTE: Aye – 5
Nay – 0
REGULATORY RESOLUTION
Co-President of Citizens Against Pollution, Dennis Dodson, presented a revised letter and draft resolution which stated concerns regarding the proposed asphalt plant (Maymead Materials, Inc.) off Roby Green Road. In addition, Mr. Dodson stated he did not want anymore asphalt plants in Watauga County. The Board stated concerns that the revised material was not received for their review prior to the 1/20/98 meeting and wanted to discuss this issue further at the February 2, 1998 regular meeting. Regarding the Moratorium, County Attorney, Stacy Eggers, stated that he had not received the amended papers until noon on 1/20/98 and had not had an opportunity to review them. Commissioner Craig stated she had received a copy of a letter written by Alan Klimek, and the Board requested County Attorney Eggers review this letter as well as the temporary Moratorium passed by Buncombe County. In addition to Mr. Dodson, other citizens Mary Stolberg, Peggy Atzel and Carol Foreman addressed the Board and spoke of their concerns. Commissioner Hodges stated he was sympathetic with the residents from the Roby Greene area, but that the Board had to consider what was best for all of the people living in Watauga County. Vice-Chairman Lawrence stated that the Board needed to adopt a resolution for Watauga County only and could not concern itself with Avery County’s affairs. The Board requested that County Attorney Eggers and County Manager Jim Ratchford prepare a draft resolution to be presented at the February 2, 1998 regular meeting.
Vice-Chairman Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to approve this request.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
BOARD OF ELECTIONS REQUEST
Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Elections, John Hovis, addressed the Board with a request that a part-time position be increased from 20 hours per week to 40 hours per week. Mr. Hovis stated there had been several changes mandated by the General Assembly and the Board of Elections did not have sufficient funds in the budget to cover this increase. County Manager Ratchford stated the funds would have to come out of the County’s general fund balance.
After discussion, Vice-Chairman Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to increase the part-time position from 20 hours per week to 40 hours per week.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Director of the Watauga County Board of Elections, Jane Ann Hodges, addressed the Board and stated the Board of Elections had decided to accept the Statewide Election Information Management System (SEIMS). In addition, Ms. Hodges stated she anticipated Watauga County’s cost would be approximately $11,500 but stated she hoped this figure would be cut in half once the grant was approved. Ms. Hodges also stated that in addition to this figure, there may be a $550 per month fee for maintenance. Ms. Hodges added that she hoped to receive funds from a State grant but at this time was unsure of the amount which the County would receive. Ms. Hodges stated the grant would be awarded based on need. County Manager Ratchford stated the funds for this new system would have to come out of the County’s general fund balance.
After discussion, Commissioner Wellborn, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence moved to accept the Statewide Elections Information Management System.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
VIDEO ARRAIGNMENT SYSTEM
Sheriff James C. "Red" Lyons addressed the Board and requested approval to submit a Governor’s Crime Commission grant application to acquire a video arraignment system for the court system and detention center. This request would require a 25% local match. The total amount for this project was $80,000, and the County’s portion would be $20,000.
Vice-Chairman Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Craig moved to approve this request.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PLANNING MATTERS
- CDBG Public Hearing Date – Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman, addressed the Board to schedule a public hearing for the 2/2/98 regular meeting in order to close out the Highland International Project.
- Community College Water System Project – Planning & Inspections Director Furman stated that since the installation of the water and sewer lines to the new Community College site was completed, the County needed to formally take action to turn over ownership of the lines and sewer pump station to the Town of Boone.
- Human Services Center Fire Hydrant Easement – Planning & Inspections Director Furman presented an easement allowing access to a fire hydrant located at the Human Services Center to the Town of Boone since this fire hydrant was part of the Town’s water system. Director Furman stated the easement was needed in order for the Town to maintain the fire hydrant.
- Library Buffer Zone Easement – Planning & Inspections Director Furman also presented an easement that would allow the County to plant a 15-foot opaque buffer using a combination of trees and shrubs at the new Public Library. This easement involved three adjoining property owners, and the County had received permission from two of the three property owners to proceed with the necessary plantings, Ruby Jean Lanier and Paul and Diane Mance. It was noted that the third property owner had declined to sign the easement to date.
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Hodges moved to schedule this public hearing for 2/2/98.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Wellborn, seconded by Commissioner Hodges moved to turn ownership of these utility lines to the Town of Boone.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Hodges motioned to approve this Easement.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Hodges motioned to approve this Easement.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
- EAP Contract – County Manager Ratchford presented an Employee Assistance Program Contract with New River Mental Health. Mr. Ratchford stated this Contract was renewable each year and was available to employees who were having problems which affected their work performance. This contract period was effective January 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998.
- Boards and Commissions – Nominations were received for three Boards: Watauga County Economic Development Commission, AppalCart and Watauga County Parks & Recreation Commission.
- Budget Amendments. County Manager Ratchford presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:
- Adult Day Care Agreement Amendment. County Manager Ratchford re-presented the Adult Day Care Agreement which was approved at the 1/5/98 Commissioner’s regular meeting. Mr. Ratchford stated this was the same Agreement which was previously approved, but the State had changed the rates to be paid for this service and, therefore, this Agreement needed to be amended.
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to accept this Contract.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga County Economic Development Commission. Three names of nominees were submitted from the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce to fill the expired terms of Mr. Jerry Moretz, Dr. Paul Combs and Ms. Margaret Johnston. The nominees were Mr. Jerry Moretz, Dr. Dennis Grady, Mr. Tony Barlage and Mr. Frank Payne. Ginny Klarman, Economic Development Director, added that all the nominees had agreed to serve.
The following votes were made:
Chairman Coffey – Mr. Jerry Moretz, Mr. Tony Barlage, Mr. Frank Payne
Vice-Chairman Lawrence – Mr. Jerry Moretz, Mr. Tony Barlage, Mr. Frank Payne
Commissioner Craig – Mr. Jerry Moretz, Mr. Tony Barlage, Mr. Frank Payne
Commissioner Hodges – Mr. Jerry Moretz, Mr. Tony Barlage, Mr. Frank Payne
Commissioner Wellborn – Mr. Jerry Moretz, Mr. Tony Barlage, Mr. Frank Payne
Based on the results of the vote, Mr. Jerry Moretz, Mr. Tony Barlage and Mr. Frank Payne were appointed to the Watauga County Economic Development Commission for three-year terms.
Commissioner Hodges also noted for the record that he was appointed to the Economic Development Commission Board rather than Chairman Coffey.
AppalCart. The Town of Boone nominated Mr. Tim Wilson to represent the Town on this Board. Mr. Wilson replaced Mr. Hunter Schofield, and Mr. Wilson’s term would expire June 1998.
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to appoint Mr. Tim Wilson to the AppalCart Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga County Parks & Recreation Commission. The Town of Boone also noted that Mr. Max Schrum would remain on this Board as the Town’s representative.
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Commissioner Wellborn moved to reappoint Mr. Max Schrum to the Parks & Recreation Commission.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Account # Description Debit Credit
103300-343303 CCPS-LEPC-Haz. Mat. 6,250
104330-469829 LEPC-Haz. Materials 6,250
To recognize grant award for Crime Control and Public Safety grant funds to be used by the Local Emergency Planning Committee to provide local businesses with visible hazard identification signs. No local match required. Approved at the August 19, 1997 Board meeting.
Account # Description Debit Credit
103991-399101 Fund Bal. Approp. New 1,565
109800-498043 Tran. To Cap. Proj. CCT&I 1,565
To appropriate funds for Caldwell Community College Water & Sewer Project change order approved at the January 5, 1998 Board meeting.
Commissioner Craig, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence moved to approve the above budget amendments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Wellborn, seconded by Commissioner Hodges moved to approve this Amendment.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ADJOURN
Commissioner Wellborn, seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
______________________________
James Coffey
Chairman
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Elizabeth H. Link
Clerk to the Board