MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2015
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, December 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.
Commissioner Yates 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 December 1, 2015, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the December 1, 2015, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the December 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 December 15, 2015, agenda.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the December 15, 2015, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Board of Education Matters
A. Facilities Survey Presentation
Dr. Scott Elliott, Watauga County Schools Superintendent, presented the 2015 Watauga County Schools Capital Improvement Plan and reviewed the school systems future facility needs. Dr. Elliott also introduced Mr. Ron Henries, Board of Education Chairman, Mr. Jay Fenwick, Board of Education member, and the new County Schools Director of Facilities, Mr. Danny Clark.
Chairman Hodges stated that the report would be reviewed in depth during the upcoming Fiscal Year 2016-17 budget planning process.
The report was given for information only; therefore no action is required at this time.
B. Request for Lottery Funds
Ms. Ly Marze, Finance Director for Watauga County Schools, requested funds from the Education Lottery Fund.
· Provide electronic card access at Bethel, Mabel, Blowing Rock, and Green Valley Schools to ensure safety in the amount of $90,000 with the project estimated to begin in February 2016 and be completed by April 2016.
· Continue replacement of old carpet and floor tiles and refinish flooring at each of the eight elementary schools to ensure safety in the amount of $80,000 with the project estimated to begin in February 2016 and be completed by August 2016.
· Install new drop ceilings at Blowing Rock School to provide better acoustics with T-8s in the amount of $10,000 with the project estimated to begin in January 2016 and be completed in April 2016.
· Replace deteriorated exterior steps at Parkway School that are becoming a safety hazard for students and staff in the amount of $9,000 with the project estimated to begin in February 2016 and be completed by April 2016.
· Replace deteriorated exterior doors at Blowing Rock and Hardin Park Schools in the amount of $12,000 with the project estimated to begin in September 2015 and be completed in April 2016.
· Replace dish machines at Green Valley and Parkway Schools in the amount of $42,000 with the project estimated to begin in December 2015 and be completed in June 2016.
The total amount of funds requested was $243,000.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the $243,000 request from the Public School Building Capital Fund Lottery Distribution.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Acceptance of FY 2016 Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) Grant
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, requested the Board accept a Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) grant from the Senior’s Health Insurance Information Program (SHIPP). The grant is in the amount of $1,131 with no local match required.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the MIPPA grant in the amount of $1,131 to expand low income subsidy outreach and training for SHIIP coordinators.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Plan for New River Watershed
Mr. George Santucci, New River Conservancy, updated the Board on the development of watershed plans for impaired waters in the New River watershed. The State and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have funds available to restore these impaired waters. However, to be eligible for this funding a Watershed Plan must be completed. New River Conservancy is seeking to prepare such a plan. The plan would assist Cooperative Extension and possibly Soil and Water in securing funds for projects that Ms. Wendy Patoprsty works on. Mr. Santucci stated that the Town of Blowing Rock has committed $10,000 and $50,000 in private funding has been received as well. Funding in the amount of $20,000 is pending from the Town of Boone.
Mr. Santucci requested $10,000 and support from the County to prepare a Watershed Plan for the impaired waters in the New River watershed.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the request for $10,000, to be allocated from contingency funds, and to support the development of a Watershed Plan for the impaired waters in the New River watershed.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)
Mr. Jeff Virginia stated that the North Carolina Department of Public Safety provides grant monies each year for Counties completing certain emergency planning activities. These activities serve as the base amount and amounts to $20,625 for Watauga County. The optional components for additional funding have not been determined as of yet. The County received a total amount of $38,000 last year. This is a yearly program in which the County has participated for over thirty (30) years.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the submission of the grant application to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and authorize completion of the required activities to receive the base amount of $20,625.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
County Manager Geouque presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of November 2015. This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
The County Manager presented the Refunds and Releases Report for November 2015 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for November 2015, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103300-333000 |
JCPC Grant |
|
$3,115 |
|
105890-463142 |
Project Challenge |
$3,115 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognizes the additional allocation from the NC Department of Public Safety for Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) programs. |
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|
|
|||
|
103991-399100 |
Fund Balance Appropriated |
|
$1,443,552 |
|
109800-498021 |
Transfer to Capital Projects Fund |
$1,443,552 |
|
|
213980-398100 |
Transfer from General Fund |
|
$1,443,552 |
|
219930-461202 |
Recreation-Pool Renovation |
$1,443,552 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment transfers the FY 2015 increase in unassigned fund balance to the Capital Projects fund as approved at the December 1, 2015, Board meeting. |
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|
|
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. Boards and Commissions
Parks and Recreation Commission
County Manager Geouque stated that the Seven Devils Town Council nominated Mr. Skip Watts for appointment as a representative on the Watauga County Recreation Commission.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Skip Watts to serve as a Seven Devils representative on the Watauga County Recreation Commission.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manager Geouque stated that the Boone Town Council nominated Mr. Greg Dobbins for appointment as a representative on the Watauga County Recreation Commission.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Greg Dobbins to serve as a Town of Boone representative on the Watauga County Recreation Commission.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees
County Manager Geouque stated that the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees recommended Mrs. Kim Miller and Mrs. Jan Winkler for reappointment and Mr. Kent Tarbutton for appointment as Board Trustees. Each of their terms would be effective January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2018.
No action was taken as this was a first reading.
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the January 5, 2016, Board of Commissioners meeting has been cancelled. The next regular meeting of the Board will be on January 19, 2016, at 5:30 P.M.
Public Comment
Mr. Frank Packard and Ms. Deborah Greene shared comments regarding the Town of Boone water intake project and the subsequent condemnation of property.
Closed Session
At 6:23 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).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to resume the open meeting at 6:49 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Chairman Hodges adjourned the meeting at 6:49 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board