MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, December 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 8:30 A.M.
Vice-Chairman Blust opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Yates led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Miller shared his appreciation to the citizens and stated it had been an honor to serve. Chairman Miller also welcomed Commissioner-Elect Jimmy Hodges.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the November 18, 2014, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the November 18, 2014, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the November 18, 2014, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Each Commissioner shared their appreciation with Chairman Miller for his time serving as a Commissioner and Chairman to the Board.
Recess until 8:45 A.M.
At 8:35 A.M. Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to recess the meeting to allow Commissioners-Elect David Blust, Jimmy Hodges, and Billy Kennedy to take their oath of office.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Reconvene
County Manager Geouque reconvened the meeting at 8:45 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room with Commissioners Blust, Hodges, Kennedy, Welch, and Yates present.
Board Organizational Matters
The meeting was turned over to County Manager Geouque for the election of the Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
A. Election of Officers
County Manager Geouque called for nominations for Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to nominate Commissioner Hodges for Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The meeting was then turned over to Chairman Hodges.
Chairman Hodges called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to nominate Commissioner Kennedy for Vice-Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-2(Kennedy, Welch)
Nay-3(Hodges, Blust, Yates)
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Chairman Hodges, moved to nominate Commissioner Blust for Vice-Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-3(Hodges, Blust, Yates)
Nay-2(Kennedy, Welch)
B. Staff Appointments
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to reappoint Deron Geouque as the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to reappoint Anita Fogle as Clerk to the Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to reappoint both Monica Harrison and Tammy Adams as Substitute Clerks to the Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to appoint Eggers, Eggers, Eggers, and Eggers as the Law Firm representing Watauga County as legal counsel for Watauga County including the Watauga County Department of Social Services and their Child Support Enforcement Offices.
County Attorney Eggers stated that the general fee for the Department of Social Services would be raised to $125 per hour to allow for a higher reimbursable rate from the State.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Welch, Yates)
Nay-1(Kennedy)
C. Fidelity Bonds.
The following individual fidelity bonds were presented for approval:
Position Bond Amount Statutory Requirement
Finance Director $50,000 No less than $50,000, per NCGS 159-29
Deputy Finance Director $50,000
(County Manager)
Tax Collector $50,000 Amount considered reasonable
by BCC, NCGS 105-349-c
Register of Deeds $50,000 At least $10,000 but no more
than $50,000, NCGS 161-4
Sheriff $25,000 Amount considered reasonable by BCC,
but no more than $25,000 max, NCGS 162-8
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the individual fidelity bonds as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the Chairman to the Board of Commissioners, County Manager, and Finance Director as signors for the County’s Banking Accounts.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Commissioner Appointments to Boards & Commissions
The following Commissioner Board appointments were made by Chairman Hodges:
|
Board/Commission |
Member |
|
Appalachian District Health Department |
Yates |
|
Appalachian Theatre Board of Trustees Ex-Officio Member |
Kennedy |
|
AppalCART Authority |
Blust |
|
Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development Area |
Blust |
|
Caldwell Community College &Technical Institute - Watauga Advisory Board |
Welch |
|
Children’s Council/Child Protection Team |
Kennedy |
|
Cooperative Extension Advisory Leadership Board |
Yates |
|
Economic Development Commission (EDC) |
Yates |
|
Educational Planning Committee (2 appointees) |
Blust & Welch |
|
EMS Advisory Committee |
Kennedy |
|
High Country Council of Governments Executive Board Rural Transportation Advisory Committee |
Hodges |
|
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) |
Welch |
|
Library Board |
Kennedy |
|
Motor Vehicle Valuation Review Committee |
Welch |
|
New River Service Authority Board |
Hodges |
|
Northwest Regional Housing Authority (action taken separately later in the meeting) |
|
|
POA Advisory Committee (Home & Community Care Block Grant) |
Kennedy |
|
Sheriff’s Office Liaison |
Kennedy |
|
Smoky Mountain Center Board (LME for Mental Health Services) |
Kennedy |
|
Social Services Advisory Board |
Hodges |
|
Watauga County Fire Commission |
Yates |
|
Watauga County Personnel Advisory Committee |
Hodges |
|
Watauga County Recreation Commission |
Welch |
|
Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees |
Hodges |
|
Watauga Opportunities, Inc. |
Blust |
|
Workforce Development Board (WDB) |
Chairman |
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to accept the appointments as made by Chairman Hodges.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Each Commissioner nominates a representative to the Watauga County Planning Board whose term would run concurrent with the term of the appointing Commissioner. Planning Board members must live within the appointing Commissioners District and action must be taken by the entire Board of Commissioners to make these appointments.
Chairman Hodges tabled appointments to the Watauga County Planning Board until a future meeting.
Each Commissioner appoints a representative to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board whose term will run concurrent with the term of the appointing Commissioner. Boone Rural Fire Service District Board members must own property and reside within that Fire Service District.
Commissioner Kennedy nominated Mr. Jimmy Marsh for reappointment and Chairman Hodges nominated Mr. Johnny Hampton.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to waive a second reading and reappoint Mr. Jimmy Marsh and appoint Mr. Johnny Hampton to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Pat Vines to serve as the Board’s representative on the Northwest Regional Housing Authority with a term set to expire on December 12, 2019.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Regular Meeting Schedule
Chairman Hodges stated that the Board of Commissioners’ regular meetings were currently scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 A.M. and the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 P.M.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to retain the regular meeting schedule for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners as follows: the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 A.M. and the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the December 1, 2014, agenda.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the December 1, 2014, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Medic Base 3 Update
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, and Mr. Lou Gerics with Innovative Designs updated the Board on the Medic Base 3 project by reviewing the site design, floor plan, cost, and construction schedule. The construction budget was established at $425,000 to $450,000 with a probable cost estimated to be $420,000. The preliminary construction schedule predicts occupancy to take place in December 2015. Mr. Gerics highlighted the energy efficient design of the building. Both Mr. Marsh and Mr. Gerics stated that an additional bay could be added in the future if needed.
The report was given for information only with no action required.
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. January’s Meeting Schedule
County Manager Geouque stated that the Board has traditionally cancelled one of the meetings in December or January depending on how the holidays have fallen. Due to where Christmas and New Year’s fall during the week, staff would recommend the Board cancel the first meeting in January as there would be insufficient time to prepare the Board packets. Historically, December and the first weeks in January have few issues requiring Board action.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to cancel the January 6, 2015, Board of Commissioners meeting.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Boards and Commissions
Economic Development Commission
County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Robb Olsen had resigned from his position as a member of the Economic Development Commission (EDC). No recommendations have been received; however, an unsolicited volunteer application was received in August from Mr. Scott McKinney who listed the EDC as a Board of interest. This is a second reading and, therefore, action may be taken if so desired.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to appoint Mr. Scott McKinney to the Economic Development Commission to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Robb Olsen.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Social Services Advisory Board
County Manager Geouque stated that the Social Services Advisory Board recommended reappointing Ms. Lynn Patterson, who is willing to continue to serve. Ms. Patterson had filled an unexpired term that ended in August. This is a first reading and, therefore, no action is required.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Lynn Patterson to the Watauga County Department of Social Services Advisory Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The Register of Deeds and Clerk of Court invite you to join their offices for cookies, punch, and cider on December 5, 2014 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
· The Annual County Christmas Luncheon, scheduled on Tuesday, December 9, 2014, will be held at Dan’l Boone Inn from 11:45 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
· You are cordially invited to a Library Staff Appreciation Lunch catered by Woodlands, sponsored by the Friends of the Library on Friday, December 12th at 11:30 A.M. in the Evelyn Johnson Meeting Room, Watauga County Public Library, 140 Queen Street.
· The Town of Boone is hosting a reception in honor of Greg Young’s retirement. The reception is scheduled on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Boone United Methodist Church.
· A public hearing has been scheduled on December 16, 2014, at 6:00 P.M. to allow for citizen comment on proposed amendments to the County’s watershed map.
· A public hearing has been scheduled on December 16, 2014, at 6:00 P.M. to allow for citizen comment on a proposed moratorium for the High Impact Land Use Ordinance for specific areas affected by the end of the Town of Boone’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction on January 1, 2015.
· The NCACC Legislative Goals Conference will be held January 14-16, 2015, in Moore County.
· The Essentials of County Government course will be held the following dates:
January 8-9, 2015 Winston-Salem
January 23-24, 2015 Chapel Hill
February 11-12, 2015 Asheville
February 18-19, 2015 New Bern
Public Comment
Sheriff L. D. Hagaman offered thanks to the Commissioners for their service.
Closed Session
At 9:30 A.M., Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:53 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Action After Closed Session
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve a revised slope easement in regards to the Mountaineer Crossings settlement.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:54 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board