MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2016
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, March 1, 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 February 16, 2016, regular meeting and closed session minutes as well as the February 22 and 23, 2016, special meeting minutes.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the February 16, 2016, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the February 16, 2016, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the February 22 and 23, 2016, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the March 1, 2016, agenda.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the March 1, 2016, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Presentation of Smoky Mountain Center’s Annual Audited Financial Report
Mr. Fred Nirdé, Chief Financial Officer Smoky Mountain LME/MCO, presented and reviewed the Smoky Mountain Center Annual Audited Financial Statements as required by Statute. The report was given for information only.
Request to Renew Contract with Courthouse Computer Systems
Ms. Amy Shook, Register of Deeds, presented a proposed contract renewal with Courthouse Computer Systems, Inc., in the amount of $36,225 which, if approved, would become effective July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2020. The contract remains the same with the exception of a five percent (5%) price increase; however, the new rate of $36,225 is locked in for the next four (4) years. Ms. Shook stated that the County Attorney had reviewed the contract with Courthouse Computer Systems.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the contract renewal with Courthouse Computer Systems, Inc., as presented by Ms. Shook.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request To Accept HMGP Grant
Mr. Steve Sudderth stated that, in August of 2014, the Board approved the submittal of an application to the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for funding for the demolition and removal of a home located at 131 Morningside Drive in Boone. Several years ago numerous homes located in the area were demolished and removed along Morningside Drive as part of a HMGP project. At that time, the subject property owner was not interested in participating in the project. However, continued flood related issues after the sale of the home has prompted the new owners to request participation in the HMGP. The Town of Boone was not interested in participating in the current application leaving the County the only option for assistance and relief for the home owner. County Manager Geouque stated that staff planned to continue to work with the Town for possible incorporation into the existing lots already mitigated.
Mr. Sudderth stated that the total cost of the project is $215,874 including a required match of $53,968.50, which will be paid by the State. The only cost to the County will be staff time and maintenance (mowing/weed eating) of the property once the project is completed.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to accept the grant from the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) in the amount of $215,874 with the required match of $53,968.50 to be paid by the State.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request to Surplus Equipment
Ms. Pierce requested to surplus County property, a 2007 Case Wheel Loader, and approve disposal by electronic auction on GovDeals. This approval is necessary as we anticipate the sale price on the truck will exceed the County resolution allowing the County Manager to approve surplus under $30,000.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to surplus the 2007 Case Wheel Loader and to approve disposal by electronic auction on GovDeals.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Attorney Update
County Manager Geouque asked the County Attorney to give an update regarding the status of the Board of Adjustment ruling in the asphalt plant permit appeal by Hampton/Maymead.
The County Attorney stated that a draft of the written decision of the Board of Adjustment had been received for review; however he did not anticipate a decision being filed by next week.
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Boards and Commissions
Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees
County Manager Geouque stated that the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees had 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. Staff contacted the Medical Center Administration regarding the volunteer application received from Ms. Michaele Hastings Haas, who expressed interest in serving on this Board. Medical Center staff stated that the Board of Trustees would not meet again until March 24 but the Nominating Committee was in the process of scheduling a conference call.
Vice-Chairman Blust stated that, in the interim, Ms. Haas has agreed to serve on the Medical Center’s Foundation Board.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to reappoint Mrs. Kim Miller and Ms. Jan Winkler and appoint Mr. Kent Tarbutton to the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees with each of their terms to expire December 31, 2018.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Personnel Advisory Committee
County Manager Geouque stated that the Watauga County Personnel Ordinance established a Personnel Advisory Committee which is comprised of five (5) persons designated by the Board, authorized to hear employee grievances, and recommend decisions to the appointing authority. The Committee consists of one (1) Commissioner, one (1) department head and three (3) non-supervisory regular employees. Current members of the Personnel Advisory Committee are as follows:
Employee Position
Ms. Angie Boitnotte Department Head
VACANT Regular Employee
Mr. John Spear Regular Employee
Ms. Amy Parsons Regular Employee
Mr. Jimmy Hodges County Commissioner
Ms. Regina Houck Alternate Member
Mr. Brandon Saunders position is now vacant as he is no longer employed with the County. Staff recommends appointing Ms. Regina Houck as the Regular Employee member and appointing Derrick Ellison as the new Alternate Member.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to appoint Ms. Regina Houck to the regular employee position and appoint Mr. Derrick Ellison as the alternate member.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, 2016, was rescheduled to Thursday, March 17, 2016, due to the Board Room being an official polling place for the March 15, 2016, primary election. In light of the County Attorney’s update on the Board of Adjustment hearing status, the County Manager stated that staff recommends cancelling the second meeting in March.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to cancel the second regularly scheduled Board meeting in March.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Comment
The following shared comments:
· Mr. Louis Zellar, representing the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League regarding the racetrack off of Roby Greene Road and the County’s Noise Ordinance
· Ms. Anne Ward regarding the recent Board of Adjustment hearing
· Mr. Chip Williamson regarding the recent Board of Adjustment hearing
Closed Session
At 9:12 A.M., Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, 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 10:00 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board