MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2015
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, September 15, 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 “Four” 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 September 1, 2015, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the September 1, 2015, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the September 1, 2015, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the September 15, 2015, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add the following:
? Add a Proposed Change Order # 2 for Greenway Trail Project
? Add Land Acquisition per, G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i) under Closed Session
? Remove the Citizen Refund Request under Tax Matters
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the September 15, 2015, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Sanitation Matters
A. Bid Award Request for Gas Blower System
Mr. J. V. Potter, Operations Services Director, recommended replacement of the current methane collection system's blower with a direct drive system due to ongoing maintenance issues. The total cost of replacement would be $24,808. The replacement will provide for a more efficient and reliable blower unit which is a key component in controlling methane gas migration at the site. Failure of the blower has the potential to allow for migration of methane gas off the landfill site. Adequate funds have been budgeted to cover the blower replacement.
Mr. Potter presented the following bids for the blower:
|
Lamson Turbotron |
Atlas Copco |
Parnel Biogas |
|||
|
Items |
Bid |
Items |
Bid |
Items |
Bid |
|
Blower Pkg. |
$12,981 |
Blower Pkg. |
$23,010 |
Blower & Controls Pkg. |
$62,832 |
|
Blower VFD Panel |
$4,152 |
VSD Controls |
$27,825 |
|
|
|
|
|
Blower VSD Drive |
$2,530 |
|
|
|
Elec. Contractor (est.) |
$1,200 |
Elec. Contractor (est.) |
$1,200 |
Elec. Contractor (est.) |
$1,200 |
|
Shipping (est.) |
$475 |
Shipping (est.) |
$500 |
|
|
|
Subtotals: |
$18,808 |
|
$55,065 |
|
$64,032 |
|
MEI Work Scope |
$6,000 |
MEI Work Scope |
$6,000 |
MEI Work Scope |
$6,000 |
|
Totals: |
$24,808 |
|
$61,065 |
|
$70,032 |
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to award the bid to Lamson Turbotron in the amount of $18,808 as presented by Mr. Potter.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the contract with McGee Environmental, Inc. (MEI) in the amount of $6,000 for the replacement of the blower system.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Bid Award Request for New Wheel Loader
Mr. J.V. Potter presented the following bids for a new wheel loader:
|
Vendor |
Make |
Amount |
|
May Heavy Equipment |
Hyundai |
$201,098.34 |
|
H&E Equipment Services |
Doosan |
$218,000.00 |
|
ASC Construction |
Volvo |
$232,036.00 |
|
James River Equipment |
John Deere |
$244,197.00 |
|
Linder Industrial Machinery |
Komatsu |
$251,480.00 |
|
Carolina Tractor |
Caterpillar |
$264,206.25 |
Mr. Potter stated that loaders are typically replaced every five years with the new loader replacing a 2008 model. Six bids were received and Mr. Potter is requesting the Board approve the low bid submitted by May Heavy Equipment in the amount of $201,098.34. In addition, staff is requesting the purchase of a five (5) year extended warranty due to the lack of history regarding the Hyundai loader. The cost of the warranty is $5,803.17. Adequate funds are available to cover the expenditure.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to authorize the purchase of the Hyundai loader and the extended warranty in the total amount of $206,901.51 from May Heavy Equipment.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator Larry Warren presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of August 2015. This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
[Clerk’s Note: The Board took the following action, even though not required.]
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to accept the Tax Collections Monthly Report for August 2015.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Warren presented the Refunds and Releases Report for August 2015 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for August 2015, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Greenway Trail Change Order # 2 Request
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that the original contract with Greene Construction for the construction of the Greenway Trail underpass was in the amount of $519,298.00 and was funded through the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Change Order # 1, in the amount of $28,003.50, was approved by and funded by the County.
Change Order # 2, in the amount of $39,712.99, is the result of the requirement by the NCDOT to re-engineer a retaining wall. Change Order # 2 also requests a 61 day extension. Mr. Furman stated that a 7 day extension was included in Change Order # 1 and, therefore, requested that Change Order # 2 include a 54 day extension for a total of 61 days. The project had to be completed by the NCDOT deadline or the grant would be withdrawn leaving the County fiscally responsible for the entire project. Mr. Furman stated that an alternative solution to the retaining wall issue was being researched. If the alternative solution was approved by the NCDOT, then Change Order # 2 would not be needed.
After approval of Change Order # 1 the NCDOT approved an additional $30,000 in funding toward the project.
Therefore, the recommendation was to approve Change Order # 2 in the amount of $39,712.99 with the County responsible for $9,712.00 and approve an additional 54 day extension to the project. Mr. Furman also requested the discretion to not use Change Order # 2 if an alternative solution was discovered.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve Change Order # 2 with Greene Construction for the Brookshire Greenway Trail project in the amount of $39,712.99 with the County responsible for $9,712.00; to approve an additional 54 day extension to the project; and, to allow Mr. Furman the discretion to not use Change Order # 2 if an alternative solution was discovered.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Kennedy, Welch, Yates)
Nay-1(Blust)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Proposed Easement for Frontier Gas
County Manager Geouque stated that Frontier Natural Gas has requested the County grant two easements so they may service the Hospitality House with natural gas. One easement is a permanent ten foot (10’) wide right of way and easement and the other is a thirty-five foot (35’) temporary work space easement which would expire six (6) months upon completion of construction of the pipeline.
The County Manager stated that in lieu of payment, the Board may wish to direct staff to discuss cost concessions regarding the potential running of a gas line to the County’s jail facility. This issue was discussed several years back with an estimated cost of $40,000 to $60,000. The return on investment was estimated at ten (10) years.
After discussion, Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to table the request to find out more details on future plans of Frontier Natural Gas.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Boards and Commissions
County Manager presented the below recommendations for Boards and Commissions appointments:
Town of Boone Planning Commission
The Boone Town Council recommends the reappointment of Mr. Cameron Lippard and the appointment of Ms. Caroline Catoe to serve as Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) representatives on the Town’s Planning Commission.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to reappoint Mr. Cameron Lippard and appoint Ms. Caroline Catoe to serve as Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) representatives on the Town of Boone Planning Commission.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Town of Boone Board of Adjustment
The Boone Town Council recommends the appointment of Mr. Brandon Paul to serve as an Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) representative on the Town’s Board of Adjustment.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to appoint Mr. Brandon Paul to serve as an Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) representative on the Town of Boone Board of Adjustment.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) has invited the Board to attend a Trustees of CCC&TI dinner meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, at 6:00 P.M. at the Watauga Instructional Facility on Hwy 105 Bypass, Room 112.
· The Grand Opening of the Breast Center of Appalachian Regional Healthcare Systems at the corner of Furman Road and State Farm Road in the Outpatient Imaging & Lab Building will be held on Wednesday September 30, 2015, from 3:00 P.M.–5:00 P.M.
· The Watauga County Board of Commissioners will host an Ethics Training Webinar for Local Elected Officials presented by the UNC School of Government. The Webinar will be viewed on Tuesday, September 22, 2015, from 2:00 P.M. To 4:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.
Public Comment
Mr. Cass Bacot shared concerns regarding the race track at the Fairgrounds near his home.
Closed Session
At 6:10 P.M., Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:33 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Possible Action After Closed Session
There was no action after closed session.
Adjourn
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Chairman Hodges, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board