MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2015
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, October 20, 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 Welch led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the October 6, 2015, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Kennedy requested the following amendment to the regular meeting minutes under the item “Commissioners Update”:
“Commissioner Kennedy updated the Board on mental health issues and stated that Daymark Recovery Services Smoky Mountain Center, the County’s Local Management Entity (LME), was outperforming other LME’s across the state. Commissioner Kennedy warned that budget cuts proposed by the State could drive up the costs for emergency rooms, social services, and jails.”
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the October 6, 2015, regular meeting minutes as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the October 6, 2015, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the October 20, 2015, agenda.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the October 20, 2015, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Hearings to Allow Citizen Comment on Proposed Amendments to the Following Ordinances:
A. Ordinance to Regulate Wind Energy Systems
A public hearing was scheduled to allow citizen comment on proposed amendments to the Watauga County Ordinance to Regulate Wind Energy Systems. Procedural changes for hearings and permitting for the Wind Energy Systems were examined. The Planning Board recommended the proposed changes to the Board of Commissioners for adoption.
Chairman Hodges called the public hearing to order at 5:33 P.M.
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, reviewed the proposed amendments.
As there was no comment, Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to close the public hearing at 5:36 P.M.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the Watauga County Ordinance to Regulate Wind Energy Systems as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Ordinance to Regulate High Impact Land Uses
A public hearing was scheduled to allow citizen comment on proposed amendments to the Watauga County Ordinance to Regulate High Impact Land Uses (HILU). The Planning Board recommended the proposed changes to the Board of Commissioners for adoption.
Chairman Hodges called the public hearing to order at 5:37 P.M.
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, reviewed the proposed amendments.
The following shared comments during the public hearing: Anne Ward, Josh Teague, and Susie Winters.
As there were no further comments, Chairman Hodges closed the public hearing at 5:53 P.M.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the Watauga County Ordinance to Regulate High Impact Land.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Update
Mr. Wright Tilley, TDA Executive Director, presented an update and reviewed the following highlights:
Watauga TDA Highlights:
? Closed FY 14/15 with an increase in occupancy tax revenue of 12.72%, which amounted to a $127,443 increase in occupancy tax funds.
? Calendar year 2015 occupancy tax collections from January 2015 through the August 2015 collections were up 20.18% over the 2014 calendar year, which amounts to a $127,935 increase in occupancy tax collections.
? Current FY 15/16 Fiscal Year occupancy tax collections for July & August were up 22.76% over last year for an increase in revenue of $59,055.
? Watauga County ranked 19th out of North Carolina’s 100 counties in terms of overall travel impact among North Carolina’s 100 Counties. (NC Commerce)
? Domestic tourism in Watauga County generated an economic impact of $225.77 million in 2014, a 4.17% increase from 2013. (NC Commerce)
? Local tax revenues from travel to Watauga County amounted to $ 8.73 million. This represents a $371 tax savings to each county resident. (NC Commerce)
? More than 2,570 jobs in Watauga County were directly attributable to travel & tourism in 2014. (NC Commerce)
TDA Infrastructure Project Update
? The Watauga TDA contributed $44,000 in funding to help with an additional parking area and trails near the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex.
? The Watauga TDA made a 2-year commitment to the Middle Fork Greenway Association of $100,000 per year for the continued development of a greenway between Boone and Blowing Rock.
? The Watauga TDA contributed $36,000 in funding to the Pine Run Road River Access and Green Valley Park River Access projects. Both projects were part of one grant.
The report was given for information only, and therefore no action is required.
Disc Golf Course Request
Mr. Richard Rosenfeld requested the Board reconsider signing a lease with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for use as a public disc golf course. The proposed location of the course is next to the current Watauga County Law Enforcement Center. The land is owned by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Mr. Rosenfeld stated that the NCDOT had expressed willingness to potentially partner with the County for the creation of a disc golf course at the proposed location. The County would be required to enter into a lease agreement with the NCDOT to secure the property. Mr. Rosenfeld stated that he would donate $50,000 which would cover the construction of the course and leave ample funds to cover five (5) years of maintenance for the course.
Chairman Hodges allowed citizens to speak regarding this matter. The following spoke: Scott Casey, Bryce Osborne, Judy Brown, Phil Trew, Noel Rosenfeld, John Greene, Tracy Meyerhoffer, Don Ball, Todd Patoprsty, Hope Rosendfeld, Trudy Moss, and Mike Cole. Approximately one-third of those who spoke were against the proposed location of the course.
After each Commissioner spoke, Chairman Hodges tabled discussion.
Chairman Hodges called for a brief recess at 6:59 P.M. and then reconvened the meeting at 7:05 P.M.
Medics Base 3 Bid Award
Mr. Mike Nicklas, President, and Lou Gerics, Director of Operation, with Innovative Design, Inc. presented the following bids for the construction of the Medic Base 3 project:
|
Contractor |
Base Bid |
|
Douglas L. McGuire Construction Co., Inc. - Boone, NC |
$740,391 |
|
Enterline & Russell Builders, Inc. - Blowing Rock, NC |
$732,340 |
|
Garanco, Inc. - Pilot Mountain, NC |
$678,500 |
|
Greene Construction - Boone, NC |
$832,000 |
|
H&M Constructors - Asheville, NC |
$811,700 |
|
Wilkie Construction - Lenoir, NC |
$739,570 |
|
Wishon & Carter - Yadkinville, NC |
$676,676 |
Out of the seven bids the County received bids for Medic Base 3; Wishon Carter was the lowest responsive bidder in the amount of $676,676.
Mr. Nicklas stated that bids received were well above the projected cost estimate of $420,000 and the overage was due to a delay in bidding at a time when construction costs were rising.
Mr. Nicklas and Mr. Gerics reviewed valued engineered figures, totaling $589,228, and enhanced valued engineered figures, totaling $567,244, and shared two options for moving forward with the project.
Option 1 would involve moving forward with the enhanced value engineered plans which would allow the County to: start construction within the next month; keep the great majority of the quality construction aspects in the current design; keep superior finishes (particular wall construction) that will greatly reduce maintenance costs; keep a design that will reduce energy bills for decades to come; and, retain a facility design with a much nicer image to the public.
Option 2 would involve redesigning the facility to one that would employ a basic building design. This approach would require a new design that will impact the structure, roof, wall, and energy package rather significantly. In this case the redesign would require a couple months. Then the design would need to be resubmitted to approving agencies and then rebid. If started now, this process would take until December/January. And, because of the weather conditions in January/February, it is most likely that the earliest construction would start in March of next year. In this case, with likely construction cost inflation, the cost in March of next year would be between $499,000 and $539,000. Additionally, the additional services for the redesign would be $14,500. The estimate is based on inflationary pressures, the total cost to pursue Option 2 would be $513,000 to $554,000. Mr. Nicklas stated that a total redesign would also include approximately $14,000 in additional fees from Innovative Designs and would delay the project.
After lengthy discussion, Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to reject Wishon Carter’s bid.
VOTE: Aye-3(Hodges, Blust, Yates)
Nay-2(Kennedy, Welch)
After additional discussion, Chairman Hodges, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to direct the County Manager to have the project rebid using the enhanced value engineered designs.
VOTE: Aye-3(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy)
Nay-2(Yates, Welch)
Vehicle Bid Award for Sanitation and Animal Control Vehicles
Mr. J. V. Potter, Operations Service Director, presented the following bids for a three quarter ton pickup truck for Sanitation and a one half ton pickup truck for Animal Care and Control:
|
Bidder |
Sanitation Truck F250 Bid Amount |
Animal Care & Control F150 Bid Amount |
|
Ashe County Ford |
$27,187.00 |
$28,410.00 |
|
Asheville Ford |
$27,380.73 |
$28,443.82 |
|
Discovery Chevrolet |
$30,765.91 |
$28,715.40 |
|
Everett Chevrolet |
$32,494.00 |
$29,512.00 |
|
B. Miller Ford |
No Bid Received |
No Bid Received |
Mr. Potter stated that a greater discount was offered on the F250 which resulted in a lower cost than the F150.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to award both bids to the lowest responsive bidder, Ashe County Ford, for one new four wheel drive F150 in the amount of $27,187 and one new four wheel drive F250 in the amount of $28,410 for a total amount of $57,276.91.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vehicle Bid Award for New Fire Marshal Truck
Mr. Jeff Virginia, Emergency Services Director, presented the following bids for a new 2016 4x4 Ford F250 pickup truck:
|
Bidder |
Vehicle Cost |
Equipment Cost |
Options |
Total |
|
Ross Crystler |
$51,840.00 |
$3,235.00 |
|
$55,075.00 |
|
Mack Brown Chevrolet |
$38,185.95 |
$3,235.00 |
|
$41,420.95 |
|
Discovery Chevrolet |
$32,212.00 |
$3,235.00 |
|
$35,447.00 |
|
State Contract |
$27,790.00 |
$3,235.00 |
|
$31,025.00 |
|
Light-N-Up, LLC |
$27,746.00 |
$2,850.97 |
|
$30,596.97 |
|
Bobby Jones Ford |
$26,955.38 |
$3,235.00 |
Red - $425 Delivered - $360 |
$30,975.38 |
|
Ashe County Ford |
$26,869.00 |
$3,235.00 |
|
$30,104.00 |
|
Asheville Ford |
$26,619.33 |
$3,235.00 |
|
$29,854.33 |
Funds have been budgeted for the expense in the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget. Asheville Ford was the lowest responsive bidder for the vehicle and equipment. The total, including taxes and tag, was $30,755.96
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to award the bid to Asheville Ford in the total amount of $30,755.96 which includes taxes and tag for one new 2016 4x4 Ford F250.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Sheriff’s Office Patrol Vehicle Equipment and Installation Bid Award
County Manager Geouque stated that the Sheriff’s Office recently solicited bids for new equipment, installation and refitting. Bids were submitted to three companies in which the following two responded to the request: Dana Safety Supply 8 Vehicles, in the total amount of $44,672.24, and Precision Rescue Vehicle 8 Vehicles, in the amount of $58,024.89. Based on the bids received the Sheriff’s Office recommended the Board award the bid to Dana Safety Supply in the amount of $44,672.24. Adequate funds are included in the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget to cover the expenditure.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to award the bid to Dana Safety Supply in the amount of $44,672.24.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Food Hub Proposal – Proposed Lease for Development of Food Hub in the Cooperative Extension/Maintenance Building
County Manager Geouque stated that at a previous meeting, the Board adopted a resolution authorizing the execution of a lease with Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) for space in the Cooperative Extension/Maintenance building. The purpose would be to create a food hub which would support local farmers and community gardens by providing much needed storage space for frozen and dry goods. Rent would be one dollar ($1) per year and any subleases approved by the Board. BRWIA would provide funding for the up fit of the space and pay a portion of the utilities associated with the space. The resolution was advertised for 10 days therefore satisfying the public notice requirement.
Chairman Hodges clarified that BRWIA would be responsible for their entire portion of the electric bill. County Attorney Eggers stated that a separate meter could be installed to ensure proper billing.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the contract with BRWIA as specified in the adopted resolution with a separate electric meter to be installed contingent upon the County Attorney and County Manager developing and executing the necessary lease.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Recommended Contract Awards for Employee Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
County Manager Geouque stated that renewal rates had been received for medical, dental, and life insurance benefits. The renewal rate received from Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) for medical insurance was a 3.62% increase. The increase was well below medical trend and a key element in reducing the increase is the County’s High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).
Dental premiums increased four percent (4%) which is also below trend. The new provider will be Delta Dental. Staff was able to secure a two (2) year rate lock. Life insurance was favorable to the County and a 43% rate reduction was able to be acquired. Staff was able to secure a three (3) year rate lock. The new provider will be Symetra Financial. The increase in dental premiums was $2,484.72. The reduction in life insurance premiums was $5,966.40. The overall net reduction for dental and life insurance is $3,481.68.
Adequate funds have been budgeted to cover the renewal rates. Board action is required.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the following:
· Blue Cross Blue Shield for County employees’ medical plan
· To fund $1,000 into each employee’s HSA account
· Delta Dental for dental insurance
· Symetra Financial Group for life insurance
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. November Meeting Schedule
County Manager Geouque stated that November 3, 2015, is Election Day for which the Board of Elections requires the use of the Commissioners’ Board Room the entire day. Historically, November was a month with very few agenda items. The Board could reschedule or cancel the November 3rd meeting. The November 17, 2015, meeting would be adequate to address County business.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to cancel the November 3, 2015, regular meeting due to the Board of Elections requiring the use of the Board room.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Welch, Yates)
Nay-1(Kennedy)
E. Boards and Commissions
Watauga County Board of Adjustment
Mr. Adam Rhyne’s term expires in November. He is willing to continue to serve if so reappointed. It is a three-year term. The above is a second reading and, therefore, action may be taken if so desired.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to reappoint Adam Rhyne to the Watauga County Board of Adjustment for a three-year term.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Parks and Recreation Commission
The Seven Devils Town Council nominated Ms. Anne Fontaine for reappointment as their representative on the Watauga County Recreation Commission.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Anne Fontaine to the Watauga County Board of Adjustment.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
F. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The Annual County Christmas Luncheon, scheduled on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, will be held at Dan’l Boone Inn from 11:45 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
· Governor McCrory will be hosting four bill signing ceremonies to celebrate the Connect NC Bond Act of 2015. You are invited to attend the signing at Stone Mountain State Park, Hutchinson Homestead, on Thursday, October 22, 2015. The location is at 3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC 28668. If you plan to attend, please arrive by 10:45 A.M. The event will begin at 11 A.M.
Public Comment
Vice-Chairman Blust stated that he had received complaints regarding the conditions of Shulls Mill Road.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to direct the County Manager to call the Department of Transportation to voice concerns regarding the condition of Shulls Mill Road.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Closed Session
At 8:18 P.M., Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, 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
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Chairman Hodges, moved to excuse Commissioner Welch and Commissioner Yates from the remainder of the meeting.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:36 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-3(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy)
Nay-0
Absent As Excused-2(Welch, Yates)
Possible Action After Closed Session
There was no action after closed session.
Adjourn
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-3(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy)
Nay-0
Absent As Excused-2(Welch, Yates)
Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board