MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at 8:30 A.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 8:32 A.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 January 19, 2016, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the January 19, 2016, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the January 19, 2016, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the February 2, 2016, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add an Offer to Purchase received for County-owned property and requested to remove the scheduled closed session.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the February 2, 2016, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request to Submit Pre-Application for A Recreation Trails Program (RTP) Grant
Ms. Ann Browning, Middle Fork Greenway Executive Director, gave an update on the progress of the Greenway. Ms. Browning stated that as the project continued funds were being utilized as received. Mr. Browning requested authorization to work with Mr. Joe Furman and Mr. Stephen Poulos to submit a pre-application to the Recreational Trails Program in the amount of $100,000. The grant would be used to extend the Greenway, as planned, by constructing a natural surface trail which could later be paved. The trail would connect finished sections of the Middle Fork Greenway. A future application will be requested to be submitted to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to supplement the Recreational Trails Program grant. In total, $600,000 would be potentially available if both applications were successful and funded to the maximum. It is the understanding of staff that the property with trail will be requested to be transferred to County ownership in the future. No County match is required.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve submission of a pre-application to the Recreational Trails Program for a grant in the amount of $100,000.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga Watershed Protection Projects
Ms. Wendy Patoprsty, Extension Agent, reported on events from 2015 and updated the Board on current Watershed Projects. The presentation was given for information only.
Request to Submit Application for 2016 Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant
Ms. Heather Bowen, Recycling Coordinator, requested approval to apply for a grant from the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDNER). The grant will be used to purchase four (4) roll off recycling containers which will be used at Cove Creek, Mabel, and Bethel elementary schools. The total cost would be $24,160 with grant funds to pay $20,000. County funds are not required as the School Board would be paying the required match. Currently, School personnel pick up and transport the recyclables to the County transfer station. The new roll off containers would be picked up and transported by County personnel to the transfer station with the fourth container being rotated to replace the one being hauled away.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to authorize the submittal of the grant to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the amount of $20,000 with the School Board to pay the required match and the County to assume the role of picking up and transporting the recyclables to the transfer station in the event the grant is funded.
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, Beth Lovette, Margie Mansure, 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 8, 2015, Board of Commissioners meeting.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to appoint the Area Agency on Aging Director, Julie Wiggins, Linda Bretz, Murray Hawkinson, Billy Hoilman, Tom Hughes, Beth Lovette, Margie Mansure, 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 Yates, 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
Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103586-332004 |
Senior Center Grant |
|
$15,200 |
|
105550-449900 |
Senior Center Grant |
$15,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognizes grant funds awarded from the NC Division of Aging for Senior Center programming. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
103586-332006 |
SHIIP Grant |
|
$1,131 |
|
105550-449901 |
SHIIP Programming |
$1,131 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognizes grant funds awarded from the NC Department of Insurance for Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) under the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). |
|||
|
|
|||
|
234310-429000 |
Other Supplies |
|
$4,100 |
|
234310-498010 |
Transfer to General Fund |
$4,100 |
|
|
103980-398023 |
Transfer from State Substance Abuse Funds |
|
$4,100 |
|
104310-449903 |
Tactical Team Expenses |
$4,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment is per request of the Sheriff’s Office to transfer funds to the SWAT budget. These funds will be used with the existing SWAT budget to purchase twenty-six ballistic shields for SWAT team members. |
|||
|
|
|||
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Offer To Purchase County-Owned Property
County Manager Geouque stated that the County had received an offer to purchase a tax foreclosed, County-owned parcel. The offer was from Mr. Thomas D. Loftin and Ms. Cheryl L. Loftin in the amount of $10,500 for Lot 314, Twin Rivers, Twin River, Phase IIIC, as described in Plat Book 15 at Page 151. County Attorney Eggers stated that he had reviewed the offer, which included the submission of a deposit, and, if accepted, the upset bid process would begin.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to show intent to accept the Offer to Purchase for Lot 314, Twin Rivers, Twin Rivers Phase IIIC in the amount of $10,500 subject to the upset bid process.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
B. New Medic Base Bids
County Manager Geouque presented the following bids received for construction of Medic Base 3:
|
Contractor |
Base Bid |
Alt 1 |
Total (Base + Alt 1) |
|
McGuire Construction Company Boone, NC |
$542,397 |
$15,700 |
$558,097 |
|
Garanco, Inc. Mt. Airy, NC |
$548,300 |
$28,900 |
$577,200 |
|
Wishon & Carter Yadkinville, NC |
$581,581 |
$12,207 |
$593,788 |
|
LaFaves Construction Boone, NC |
$634,000 |
$17,600 |
$651,600 |
|
Greene Construction Boone, NC |
$671,168 |
$18,406 |
$689,574 |
|
H&M Constructors Asheville, NC |
$781,000, |
$21,400 |
$802,400 |
County Manager Geouque also requested that $150,000 be allocated to the project from the fund balance to cover additional costs and contingency.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to award the bid for construction of Medic Base 3 to McGuire Construction including Alternate 1 for a total of $558,097 and to allocate $150,000 to the project from the fund balance for additional costs and contingency.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Grant Submittal Request
County Manager Geouque stated that the Sheriff’s Office had requested approval to submit a grant to the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission. Since the grant deadline was January 30, 2016, staff authorized the Sheriff to submit the application contingent upon Board approval. The grant amount is $23,000 and will be used to purchase new mobile computers and rifles for patrol officers. The Sheriff’s Office has stated that there is no County match required. Should the Board wish to decline the submittal, staff will withdraw the application.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the submittal of the grant to the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission in the amount of $23,000.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Proposed Dates for the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat
County Manager Geouque stated that the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat will now be held on February 22 and 23, 2016, with times proposed as 12–6 P.M. on Monday and 9 A.M.–12 P.M. on Tuesday. Two days are required for the Retreat and should the Board wish times and dates may be adjusted accordingly. The County Manager presented a draft agenda and requested input from Board members if changes were desired.
Update on the Town of Boone Water Intake Project
County Attorney Eggers stated that the Town of Boone filed for condemnation of properties for their water intake project one day prior to the ratification of G. S. 153A-15; then, days later, filed a Memorandum of Action with the Register of Deeds (as required in G. S. 40A-43).
County Attorney Eggers stated that the property owners who were already in Court with the Town of Boone could file a Motion to Dismiss based upon these grounds to determine whether the Town’s actions were timely. If the property owners filed a Motion to Dismiss and succeeded, the Town could not start construction on the condemned property until one of the following actions were taken: the Town came to the Board of Commissioners for approval, bought the property from the owner, or reroute the project.
The County Attorney stated that if property owners withdrew funds for their condemned property from the Clerk of Court they could not insert that the condemnation was improperly filed.
E. Boards and Commissions
Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees
County Manager Geouque stated that the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees has recommended Mrs. Kim Miller and Ms. 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. A volunteer application has also been received and forwarded to the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees from Ms. Michaele Hastings Haas who is interested in serving on this Board. These are second readings.
County Attorney Eggers stated that according to the Watauga Medical Center (WMC) Bylaws WMC provides nominees for the Boards consideration and it was not appropriate for the Board of Commissioners to appoint someone not nominated; however, the Board could defer action if it wished for additional nominees.
Vice-Chairman Blust moved to reappoint Ms. Jan Winkler to serve on the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees. The motion died for lack of a second.
County Manager Geouque stated that he would contact Mr. Richard Sparks at the Medical Center and request their Board of Trustees submit additional nominees and request that Ms. Michaele Haas’ application be considered.
Chairman Hodges tabled further discussion to a future meeting.
Economic Development Commission
County Manager Geouque stated that two members of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) are relocating outside of the County and, therefore, are no longer available to serve. The following have recently submitted volunteer applications indicating their willingness to serve on this Board: Ms. Anne Ward, Ms. Missy Harrill, Mr. Ray Cameron, Ms. Lisa Cooper, Mr. Merrill Littlejohn, and Mr. Tad Dolbier. Mr. Joe Furman, Economic Development Director, stated that there were now three vacancies on the EDC and there would be two additional seats available in June. Mr. Furman stated that vacancies could be tabled until June at which time all could be filled.
Chairman Hodges tabled appointment to vacancies until June.
AppalCART Board
County Manager Geouque stated that the Town of Boone has selected Ms. Loretta Clawson to serve as their representative on the AppalCART Board. The AppalCART Board also recommends Mr. Quint David to fill the position vacated by Ms. Wanda Miller. These are first readings and, therefore, no action is required.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to waive the second reading and appoint to the AppalCART Board the following: Ms. Loretta Clawson as the Town of Boone’s representative and Mr. Quint David to fill Ms. Wanda Miller’s position.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Town of Boone Planning Commission
County Manager Geouque stated that the Boone Town Council had recommended the reappointment of Mr. Jeff Templeton to serve as an Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) representative on the Town of Boone’s Planning Commission.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to recuse Commissioner Yates from this item as Mr. Templeton is a relative.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Mr. Jeff Templeton to serve as an Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) representative on the Town of Boone’s Planning Commission.
VOTE: Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Welch)
Nay-0
Abstain-1(Yates)
County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Frank Bolick had resigned from the Town's Planning Commission as an ETJ representative and that the Town was currently advertising for the vacancy.
Tourism Development Board
County Manager Geouque stated that the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Board seats currently held by Ms. Kim Rogers and Mr. Tony Gray will expire at the end of February. Both Ms. Rogers and Mr. Gray would like to continue to serve on the TDA Board and are seeking re-appointment to new three-year terms. The TDA Board supports their consideration for re-appointment. These are first readings and, therefore, no action is required. The County Manager stated that Ms. Lisa Cooper’s volunteer application listed interest in serving on the TDA Board as well as the EDC Board.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Kim Rogers and Mr. Tony Gray to the Tourism Development Authority Board for three-year terms.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga County Planning Board
County Manager Geouque stated that the four-year At-large Planning Board term of Mr. Jamie Hodges expired in December and he is willing to be reappointed.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to recuse Chairman Hodges from this item as Mr. Hodges is a relative.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Mr. Jamie Hodges as an At-Large member of the Watauga County Planning Board for a four-year term.
VOTE: Aye-4(Blust, Kennedy, Welch, Yates)
Nay-0
Abstain-1(Hodges)
F. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· You are invited to attend the Grand Opening of the new Goodwill Store located at 128 Crossing Way on February 11, 2016, at 10:00 A.M.
· A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners Board Room to allow citizen comment on the closeout of the Community Development Block Grant Scattered Site Housing Program #12-C-2431.
· A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room to allow citizen comment on proposed amendments to the Ordinance to Regulate Wireless Communication Towers in Watauga County including the title change to: The Watauga County Wireless Telecommunications Ordinance.
· The Annual Pre-Budget Retreat will be held on Monday, February 22, 2016, beginning at 12:00 P.M. and continued on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, beginning at 9:00 A.M.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Adjourn
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 P.M.
Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board