WATAUGA COUNTY

MINUTES

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, June 16, 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

Austin Eggers, 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 June 2, 2015, regular meeting and closed session minutes.

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the June 2, 2015, regular meeting minutes as presented.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the June 2, 2015, closed session minutes as presented.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the June 16, 2015, agenda.

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the June 16, 2015, agenda as presented.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Recess and Reconvene for Move to Larger Location

Chairman Hodges declared a recess at 5:32 P.M. to allow the meeting to be moved, due to the size of attendance, to the large Courtroom in the Courthouse (located next door at 814 West King Street).

Chairman Hodges declared the meeting as reconvened at 5:45 P.M. at the new location.

[Clerk’s Note:  To allow time to set up the presentation for the public hearing, the Board heard later agenda items prior to the public hearings as follows.]

Acceptance of Grant Award Related to Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Site

Ms. Heather Bowen, Recycling Coordinator, presented a grant award from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources.  Ms. Bowen requested acceptance of the grant award for which the Board had previously authorized the application.  The purpose of the grant would provide funding for the County’s proposed Household Hazardous Waste Facility.  The maximum amount is $30,000 with a cash match of $6,637 with additional county funds to pay for the remaining cost of the project.  The Board approved funds in the current fiscal year budget to construct and operate a household hazardous waste facility that would allow for enhanced service at the same or current cost being paid for contracted services. 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to accept the grant in the amount of $30,000 from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources for a Household Hazardous Waste Facility with a County match of $6,637.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Reappointment of Tax Assessor

County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Larry Warren, Acting Tax Administrator, was originally appointed for a two-year term due to the fact that he did not have the necessary certifications to qualify for a four-year term.  Mr. Warren’s initial appointment ended in December 2014 and he has been serving as the Acting Tax Administer since them.  Mr. Warren is now eligible for a four-year term as he has completed the necessary requirements.  The County Manager stated that the Board has the option of appointing Mr. Warren to a term of either two or four years.

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to reappoint Mr. Larry Warren to a four-year term as Tax Administrator to commence on July 1, 2015.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Communications and Emergency Services 911 Addressing Software Request

County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Jeff Virginia, Emergency Services Director, requested approval of a contract with Trimble GPS in the amount of $17,170.54 for software and training regarding 911 address points, center line corrections, and mapping of roads in the County.  The County currently contracts out these services.  Funds for the purchase of the equipment, software, and training are included in the current year’s budget and are fully reimbursable with 911 funds.  The first year of maintenance is included in the purchase price.

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the contract with Trimble GPS in the amount of $17,170.54 for GPS software, equipment, and training as presented.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Budget Amendments

Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

A.  Watauga Medics Proposed Contract Revision – Second Ratifying Vote of Additional Revision

County Manager Geouque presented amendments to the current Franchise Agreement with Watauga Medics for a second ratifying vote.  The major change is to allow Watauga Medics to increase their rates to maximize Medicaid dollars.  This change would result in a reduction in the County’s annual supplement and allow the savings to fund an ambulance study and the additional utility costs associated with the new ambulance station.

North Carolina General Statute 153A-46 requires grants, renewals, extensions, or amendments of any franchise to be passed at two regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners before it may be officially adopted.

At the last Board meeting, an additional change was made and approved.  The subsidy date did not reflect the change in the terms of the contract.  The Franchise Agreement was presented for a second ratifying vote.

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to ratify the Ambulance Franchise Agreement as presented for the second required approval.

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

[Clerk’s Note:  At this time the public hearings were held with Miscellaneous Administrative Matters continuing at the close of the hearings.]

Public Hearings to Allow Citizen Comment on Proposed Amendments to the following Ordinances:

A.  An Ordinance To Regulate Loud And Disturbing Noise And Activities

A public hearing was scheduled to allow citizen comment on the Watauga County Ordinance to Regulate Loud Disturbing Noise and Activities which is proposed to be updated since the last modification in 1986.  The Planning Board approved sending the proposed changes to the Board of Commissioners for adoption. 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, declared the public hearing open at 6:05 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed amendments to An Ordinance To Regulate Loud And Disturbing Noise And Activities.

Annette Reeves shared comments.

Being no further public comments, Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to declare the public hearing closed at 6:09 P.M.

No action was taken regarding the proposed amendments.

B.  Ordinance To Regulate High Impact Land Uses (Which Will Include Regulations For Junkyards And, Therefore, Call For The Repeal Of The Ordinance To Regulate Junkyards And Automobile Graveyards

A public hearing was scheduled to allow citizen comment on proposed amendments to the Watauga County Ordinance to Regulate High Impact Land Uses (HILU) which incorporates regulations for junkyards.  The Planning Board approved sending the proposed changes to the Board of Commissioners for adoption.  After the public hearing, the Board may wish to adopt the ordinance as presented, schedule a work session, or schedule a joint meeting with the Planning Board.  In the event the Board adopts the proposed ordinance, the Ordinance to Regulate Junkyards and Automobile Graveyards would be repealed and included in the HILU Ordinance. 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to declare the public hearing open at 6:09 P.M. to allow citizen comment on proposed amendments to the High Impact Land Use Ordinance which includes a call for the repeal of the Ordinance to Regulate Junkyards and Automobile Graveyards.

The following individuals addressed the Board:

Susie Winters

David Dengel

Carolyn Henion

John Dailey

Shelton Wilder

Jessica Stetter

Montana Stetter

Aspen Stetter

Diane Tilson

Liz Riddick

Mike McKee

Taylor Rushing

Lee Stroupe

Anita Stroupe

Jessica Gilway

Samuel Broman

Chip Williams

Travis Boswell

David Stetter

Magdalena Anoufriev

Gregory Anoufriev

Liz McLachren

Debi Golembieski

Deborah Greene

Rae Filsinger

Annette Reeves