MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
David Blust, Vice-Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Commissioner
John Welch, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Stacy C. Eggers, IV, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
Vice-Chairman Blust opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Kennedy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the February 3, 2015, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the February 3, 2015, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the February 3, 2015, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the February 17, 2015, agenda.
County Manager Geouque stated that the Girl Scouts requested to postpone their request to place a peace pole at Cove Creek Park until a future meeting due to the weather prohibiting their member’s attendance.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the February 17, 2015, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment Regarding Amendments to Fire Districts
A public hearing was scheduled to seek citizen input on the transfer of property from the Beaver Dam Fire District to the Cove Creek Fire District. The effective date of the change would be July 1, 2015.
Chairman Hodges called the public hearing to order at 5:34 P.M.
Mr. Jeff Virginia reviewed the details of the proposed transfer.
As there was no citizen comment, Chairman Hodges declared the public hearing closed at 5:35 P.M.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the transfer of property from the Beaver Dam Fire District to the Cove Creek Fire District as presented with an effective date of July 1, 2015.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Indoor Baseball Facility at Watauga High School
Mr. Jay Jackson, representing Friends of Watauga Baseball and Softball, requested support for construction of an indoor practice facility to be located at Watauga High School. Mr. Jackson stated that similar support was requested for an indoor practice facility in 2010 and since then $70,000 has been raised through Friends of Watauga Baseball and Softball and the Will Dicus Foundation. Mr. Jackson indicated that the Board of Education endorsed the project and is willing to collaborate. Mr. Jackson stated that a local contractor was willing to provide the kit for the structure at cost.
Mr. John Turner shared information regarding costs and the specifications of the building.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved that the Board of Commissioners unanimously agree to endorse the project and make a commitment to discuss with the Board of Education to find a way to make the indoor practice facility a reality.
After further discussion, the following vote was taken:
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Appointment of Home & Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) Advisory Committee and Lead Agency
Ms. Angie Boitnotte stated that each year the Board was required to appoint a lead agency and advisory committee to make recommendations on how to best expend the County’s allocation from the Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds. H&CCBG funds were established by the Older American’s Act and were administered by the North Carolina Division of Aging. The following were recommended for appointment to the committee: the Area Agency on Aging Director, Julie Wiggins, Linda Bretz, Murray Hawkinson, Billy Hoilman, Tom Hughes, Margie Mansure, Pam Rush, Robin Winkler, Pat Coley, Kat Danner, Sherry Harmon, Gail Hawkinson, Bob Parker, Dr. Ed Rosenberg, and Betty Wyse. Commissioner Kennedy was appointed to this Committee at the December 1, 2014, Board of Commissioners meeting.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to appoint the Area Agency on Aging Director, Julie Wiggins, Linda Bretz, Murray Hawkinson, Billy Hoilman, Tom Hughes, Margie Mansure, Pam Rush, Robin Winkler, Pat Coley, Kat Danner, Sherry Harmon, Gail Hawkinson, Bob Parker, Dr. Ed Rosenberg, and Betty Wyse to the Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to appoint the Watauga County Project on Aging as the Lead Agency for Home and Community Care Block Grant funds.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request to Withdraw Emergency Watershed Protection Program Request for Assistance
Mr. Joe Furman stated that in October 2013, the Board approved a letter requesting federal assistance under the provision of the Emergency Watershed Protection program. The program provided federal assistance to areas damaged by the January 2013 rain event in the County. The Seth Morrison property was the only surveyed area that qualified for the program in the County. Mr. Morrison agreed to be responsible for the 25% match required by the program. The Natural Resource Conservation Service has requested the County withdraw the request for federal aid as new legislation has made award of the assistance very unlikely. Mr. Morrison may be eligible for assistance from the Western NC Stream Initiative which has a higher probability of award.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to authorize the submission of a letter requesting the withdrawal of the request for federal assistance regarding the Seth Morrison property under the provision of the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator Larry Warren presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of January 2015. This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Warren presented the Refunds and Releases Report for January 2015, as well as a report from the new motor vehicle billing system, North Carolina Vehicle Tax System (NCVTS), for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report and the North Carolina Vehicle Tax System Refunds and Releases Report for January 2015, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Finance Matters
A. Smoky Mountain Center Quarterly Reports
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented the Smoky Mountain Center Quarterly Financial Report as required by Statute. The report was given for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
233991-399101 |
State Substance Abuse Tax Funds |
|
$2,000 |
|
234310-451000 |
Capital Outlay-Equipment |
$2,000 |
|
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The amendment allocated funds to purchase required OSHA equipment to test air quality levels in potential hazard situations. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
223317-343109 |
Federal Equitable Sharing Funds |
|
$2,000 |
|
224310-454000 |
Capital Outlay-Vehicles |
$2,000 |
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The amendment allocated funds for safety lights and equipment on the seized 2003 Dodge truck. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103839-349601 |
Farm Preservation Planning Event Fees |
|
$825 |
|
104960-449901 |
Miscellaneous Expense-Farm Preservation |
$825 |
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The amendment recognized registration and donated funds received to fund a farm preservation seminar for the public. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103991-399100 |
Fund Balance Appropriated |
|
$2,094,595 |
|
109800-498021 |
Transfer to Capital Projects Fund |
$2,094,595 |
|
|
213980-398100 |
Transfer from General Fund |
|
$2,094,595 |
|
219930-461202 |
Recreation-Pool Renovations |
$2,094,595 |
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The amendment transferred the increase in the unassigned fund balance to the Capital Projects fund per Board action at the December 16, 2014, regular meeting. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
143839-389001 |
Watauga Medical Center Contract |
$24,180 |
|
|
145310-469104 |
Professional Services Contract |
|
$24,180 |
|
143585-323000 |
Daycare Revenues |
$46,677 |
|
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143583-344080 |
LINKS Revenues |
|
$15,000 |
|
143541-323000 |
IV-E Foster Care Revenues |
|
$132,570 |
|
143531-323000 |
Federal/State Cost Reimbursements |
|
$131,325 |
|
143547-323001 |
State Foster Care Revenues |
$49,200 |
|
|
145410-440005 |
Family Reunification |
$1,322 |
|
|
145410-440003 |
IV-E Foster Care Board Payments |
$265,000 |
|
|
145480-438800 |
Crisis Payments for Clients |
|
$15,857 |
|
145410-440002 |
Low Income Energy Assistance Program |
|
$23,843 |
|
145390-440300 |
Adoption Assistance IV-E |
|
$3,038 |
|
145390-440301 |
Adoption Assistance IV-B |
|
$8,889 |
|
145850-440900 |
Daycare Expenditures |
|
$46,677 |
|
145410-440802 |
LINKS Assistance Payments |
$15,000 |
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The amendment recognized allocation changes in revenues and expenses for the Department of Social Services. Actual allocation amounts have now been received from the State to allow for corrections to original budget estimates given by the State. No additional County funds are required by these changes. |
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Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Proposed Agenda for the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat
County Manager Geouque presented the draft agenda for the Board’s retreat scheduled for February 26th and 27th. The agenda may continue to change between now and the retreat based on input from the Board or the County Manager receiving additional items for consideration.
B. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following recommendations for appointments to Boards and Commissions:
Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Committee
The Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission consists of 3 members who reside inside the historic district and 2 members who are also members of the community council. Recently, Tom Eschelman, one of the community council members moved out of Watauga County. Ms. Erin Thompson replaced him on the community council and is willing to fulfill his preservation commission term, expiring September, 2016, if appointed. The County Manager presented her volunteer application.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Erin Thompson to the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Committee.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga County Housing Trust
County Manager Geouque stated that the Watauga Community Housing Trust Board of Directors’ annual meeting is each March. Prior to that, the Commissioners typically make board reappointments as needed. Organizations are appointed to the Board; each organization chooses their representative for two year terms. For 2015, the following appointments are needed:
High Country Board of Realtors
Appalachian State University
Northwestern Regional Housing Authority
Watauga Board of Education
WAMY Community Action
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to waive the second reading and appoint the following organizations to choose a representative to serve on the Watauga County Housing Trust: High Country Board of Realtors, Appalachian State University, Northwestern Regional Housing Authority, Watauga Board of Education, and WAMY Community Action.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
? The Watauga County Public Library will hold a “Day in the District”/Open House on Thursday, February 19, 2015, at 4:00 P.M. at the Library.
? The Board is invited to attend the Cooperative Extension’s Annual “Report to the People” luncheon which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center at 11:45 A.M.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:46 P.M., Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, 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 Commissioner Kennedy, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:35 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board