MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
Commissioner Turnbow opened with prayer and Commissioner Yates led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the December 20, 2016, regular and closed session minutes as well as the December 28, 2016, and January 9, 2017, special meetings minutes.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the December 20, 2016, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the December 20, 2016, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the December 28, 2016, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the January 9, 2017, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the January 17, 2017, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the January 17, 2017, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Sheriff’s Office FY 2017 Vehicle Purchase Request
County Manager Geouque stated that the Board had previously approved an additional $105,000 to purchase three (3) new Ford All-Wheel Drive Police Interceptor SUVs. Asheville Ford’s price is $27,345.28 for each of the All-Wheel Drive Police Interceptor SUVs. Up-fitting by DANA Safety Supply, Inc. for each vehicle is $5,422.12. The total cost for the three vehicles including $2,479.08 for taxes and tags and $16,266.36 for up-fitting is $100,781.28. Adequate funds have been budgeted to cover the cost of the vehicles and up-fitting.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to accept Asheville Ford’s bid in the amount of $84,514.92 for three (3) new Ford All-Wheel Drive Police Interceptor SUVs and DANA Safety Supply, Inc.’s bid for up-fitting in the amount of $16,266.36.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Resolution Supporting A State Goal of 100% Clean Energy By 2050 And The Creation of Green Jobs
Dr. Harvard Ayers presented a proposed resolution supporting a State goal of 100% clean energy by 2050 and the creation of green jobs.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to adopt the Resolution Supporting A State Goal of 100% Clean Energy By 2050 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature (STHL) Appointment Requests
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, stated that each County in the State appoints a delegate and an alternate to serve as a representative on the Senior Tar Heel Legislature (STHL). Ms. Pat Coley, who currently serves as the delegate, and Dr. Ed Rosenberg, who currently serves as the alternate, are both interested in continuing to serve in their positions.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Pat Coley, as delegate, and Dr. Ed Rosenberg, as alternate, to the Senior Tar Heel Legislature as Watauga County representatives.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of December 2016. The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Warren presented the Refunds and Releases Report for December 2016 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for December 2016 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Resolution Requesting the North Carolina General Assembly Ban Sunday Hunting in Watauga County
County Manager Geouque presented, per Commissioner request, a draft resolution requesting the North Carolina General Assembly ban hunting on Sundays in Watauga County. The County was previously unsuccessful in requesting that the ban on Sunday hunting not be lifted or otherwise exempt Watauga County from allowing hunting on Sundays.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to schedule a public hearing on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at 5:30 P.M. to allow for citizens comments regarding the proposed resolution.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Contract for Classification & Compensation Study
County Manager Geouque stated that, per Board direction, staff solicited a price for a comprehensive classification and compensation study. The last comprehensive study by Springsted, Inc. was conducted in 2001 with an update performed in 2006.
The County has received excellent service from Springsted, Inc. and they are recommended by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. At budget time requests were made for pay increases for a couple of employees. Conducting the comprehensive classification and compensation study will ensure the County is competitive in the job market and all employees are considered fairly and equitably with regards to compensation. Further, due to the recession many County employees have taken on added job responsibilities and the study will confirm the employees are being paid accordingly. Adequate funds have been budgeted to cover the proposed amounts of $35,870 plus travel, copying and incidentals not to exceed $3,000.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the Springsted, Inc., contract and proposal in the amount of $35,870 plus travel, copying and incidentals not to exceed $3,000 contingent upon County Attorney review.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Provide Direction to Staff/Planning Board Regarding HILU Moratorium
County Manager Geouque and Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman, requested direction be given regarding the recent High Impact Land Use Ordinance moratorium. The County Manager presented the following tentative timeline:
|
Date |
Action |
|
January 9 |
Special Called Meeting to consider moratorium. Moratorium on HILU adopted. |
|
January 10 |
Begin receiving public comments. |
|
January 17 |
BCC Meeting. Provide preliminary direction to staff/Planning Board for items to be considered/reviewed. Possible items for consideration may include, but not limited to, the following:
Additional items may be added by the Board and upon the close of the public comment period on January 31, 2017. |
|
January 23 |
Planning Board Meeting. Begin discussion regarding HILU moratorium and items for consideration. |
|
January 31 |
Closing date for public comments regarding HILU. Develop FAQ for public comments received. |
|
February 7 |
BCC Meeting. Discuss meeting dates. Set public hearing for February 28, 2017. |
|
February 20 |
Planning Board Meeting. Finalize recommendations for the Board of Commissioners consideration. |
|
February 21 |
BCC Meeting. Receive recommendations from Planning Board. |
|
February 28 |
Special Called Meeting for public hearing regarding proposed recommendations. |
|
March 7 |
BCC Meeting. Possible action prior to moratorium expiration. |
|
March 10 |
HILU moratorium expires. |
The County Manager stated that a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) sheet would be created after the January 31 closing date for public comments.
After discussion, the Board requested a review regarding expirations of permits and setbacks for Categories 1 & 2.
D. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following considerations for Boards and Commissions appointments:
Recreation Commission
The following recommendations were received from the listed agencies for appointment to the Recreation Commission:
Mabel School Ms. Roxanne Saltman
Blowing Rock School Ms. Martha Trimble
Town of Boone Mr. West Eppley
Ms. Roxanne Saltman is a second reading the others are first readings.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to appoint Ms. Roxanne Saltman as the Mabel School representative and waive the second readings and appoint Ms. Martha Trimble as the Blowing Rock School representative and Mr. West Eppley as the Town of Boone representative to the Watauga County Recreation Commission.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Economic Development Commission
There are two vacancies on the Economic Development Commission. One vacancy is an unfulfilled term expiring June, 2017, and the other is an unfulfilled term expiring June, 2018. Those seats were occupied by individuals who have moved from Watauga County. The EDC has fourteen members; nine are appointees, the other five serve by virtue of their organizations, including one Commissioner. All members vote.
E. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that Watauga Medics was transitioning to Medic Base 3 and would begin taking calls there soon. A Grand Opening will be announced when scheduled.
Public Comment
Mr. Michael Testerman shared comments opposing the proposed resolution requesting to ban Sunday hunting in Watauga County.
Closed Session
At 6:22 P.M., Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Vice-Chairman 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
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:45 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 P.M.
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST: Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board