MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2017
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at 8:30 A.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
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 8:31 A.M.
Commissioner Hodges opened with prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for consideration of amendments to the July 18, 2017, regular and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the July 18, 2017, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the July 18, 2017, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the August 1, 2017, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add the following to the agenda: a vehicle purchase request from the Sheriff’s Office and a request from Ms. Brittany Tensi to locate a “Little Free Pantry” on County property.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the August 1, 2017, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
“Little Free Pantry of Boone” Request
Ms. Brittany Tensi requested to place a “Little Free Pantry” on County property at the Human Services Building. The pantry would house donated non-perishable food items that would be available for discreet use for those in need. Mr. Tom Hughes, Director of Social Services, suggested replacing the ashtray trash can at the entrance of the building with the pantry.
After lengthy discussion, Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve having a “Little Free Pantry” placed on County property at the Human Services Complex for a one year trial (with an evaluation at the end of that year) contingent upon meeting Town of Boone regulations and the County Manager and Social Services Director working out the logistics.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tourism Development Authority Report
Mr. Wright Tilley, Watauga County TDA Director, updated the Board on Tourism Development Authority matters and discussed future tourism infrastructure considerations. The report was for information only and, therefore, no action was taken.
Board of Elections Proposed Contract
Mr. Matt Snyder, Board of Elections Director, requested the Board approve a five (5) year contract with Election Systems & Software, LLC (“ES&S”)/Printelect for voting machines and software contingent upon 1) County Attorney review, 2) the contract would still be valid if new equipment was purchased from ES&S/Printelect, and 3) if new equipment was purchased from a different vendor that the contract would end with no penalty or obligation. Mr. Snyder stated that the local Board of Elections voted unanimously to approve the contract with ES&S/Printelect in the amount of $28,114.76 annually. Adequate funds have been budgeted to cover this expense.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the five (5) year contract with Election Systems & Software, LLC (“ES&S”)/Printelect in the amount of $28,114.76 annually and contingent upon 1) the County Attorney’s review, 2) the contract would still be valid if new equipment was purchased from ES&S/Printelect, and 3) if new equipment was purchased from a different vendor that the contract would end with no penalty or obligation.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Resolution Scheduling the Octennial Reappraisal
Tax Administrator Larry Warren presented a proposed resolution establishing the reappraisal schedule to be effective January 1, 2022.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to adopt the Resolution Scheduling the Octennial Reappraisal as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
County Manager Geouque reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103991-399100 |
Fund Balance |
|
$214,205 |
|
109800-498021 |
Transfer to Capital Projects Fund |
$214,205 |
|
|
213980-398100 |
Transfer from General Fund |
|
$214,205 |
|
219930-459122 |
WCS CIP – Projectors |
$75,060 |
|
|
219930-459122 |
WCS CIP – Computers |
$30,850 |
|
|
219930-459122 |
WCS CIP – Vehicles |
$2,911 |
|
|
219930-459122 |
WCS CIP – Batting Facility |
$1,8 |
|
|
219930-459122 |
WCS CIP – Mabel Fuel Tank Removal |
$103,514 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment returned unused CIP funds from the completed projects listed above to set aside capital project funds for the schools. |
|||
|
|
|||
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Sheriff’s Office Vehicle Purchase Request
County Manager Geouque stated that the Sheriff’s Office requested to purchase six Ford Utility Interceptor AWDs as approved in the FY 2018 budget. The North Carolina Sheriff's Association has a vehicle procurement program in which all franchise dealers throughout North Carolina are invited to submit bids in the same way that State contract bids are received. Asheville Ford provided the low bid for the requested vehicles at $27,345.28 each. A quote was also requested from Modern Ford which was $1,260.72 per unit higher than Asheville Ford. Up-fitting for the vehicles from DANA Safety Supply, Inc., was also requested at a cost of $5,680.12 per vehicle. The amount for the six vehicles, including the up-fitting, tags and taxes, came to a total of $203,110.56.
The Sheriff’s Office also requested the updating of communications equipment which was approved in the FY 2018 budget. The following were requested for purchase from Wireless Communications via N.C. State contract pricing: six Motorola APX6500 Single band radios (for vehicles) at a costs of $3,901.88 each and seven Motorola APX800 Dual band radios (hand held) at a costs of $6,560.50 each which is a discount of $600 per unit.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the purchase of six Ford Utility Interceptor AWDs from Asheville Ford and up-fitting for the vehicles from DANA Safety Supply, Inc., with the amount for the six vehicles, including the up-fitting, tags and taxes, totaling $203,110.56 and to approve the purchase from Wireless Communications via N.C. State contract pricing: six Motorola APX6500 Single band radios (for vehicles) at a cost of $3,901.88 each and seven Motorola APX800 Dual band radios (hand held) at a cost of $6,560.50.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Watauga Humane Society Paving Request
County Manager Geouque stated that at a previous Board meeting, the Watauga Humane Society requested assistance in paying for the paving of their driveway and parking lot. The following four bids were received for a four inch paved surface:
|
Bidder |
Amount |
|
Boone Paving & Asphalt, Inc. |
$72,480 |
|
Shatley Construction/Paving Co., Inc. |
$67,572 |
|
Tri-County Paving, Inc. |
$66,901 |
|
Moretz Paving, Inc. |
$63,068 |
Moretz Paving was the lowest responsible bidder. The request is for the County to pay for the paving with the understanding that the Humane Society will pay the amount back over several years via a reduction from their annual County allocation.
The necessary documents, as drawn by the County Attorney, regarding the repayment of funds for the paving were presented. The Humane Society would make fifteen (15) annual payments in the amount of $4,204.54 each to repay the County a total of $63,068 for paving the road and parking lot at the facility.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to award the bid to Moretz Paving, Inc. in the amount of $63,068; accept the amendments to the modification agreement and promissory note; and approve fifteen (15) annual payments from the Humane Society in the amount of $4,204.54 each year to be deducted from the County’s annual allocation of funds to the Humane Society.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following for consideration:
Economic Development Commission
The terms of two members of the Economic Development Commission expired in June. Mr. Ed Evans and Mr. Tommy Sofield have served two consecutive terms and are, therefore, not eligible for reappointment. Each term is for three years. No action was taken.
Appalachian Regional Library Board
The Watauga County Library Board recommends that Ms. Kathy Idol be appointed to the Appalachian Regional Library Board to begin a new term replacing Audrey Hartley, whose regional and local term expires in August.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Kathy Idol to the Appalachian Regional Library Board beginning in August 2017.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga County Library Board
The Watauga County Library Board recommends that Ms. Ala Sue Moretz be reappointed to the Watauga County Library Board to begin a second term that would end August 2021.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Ala Sue Moretz to the Watauga County Library Board with her term to end in August 2021.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) Annual Conference is scheduled for August 10-13, 2017, in Forsyth County.
Public Comment
Ms. Alice Roess signed-up to speak during public comment but had left the meeting prior to the public comment period.
Commissioner Yates commended the Fire Marshal and Watauga River Keepers on their work with the recent chemical leak into the river.
Closed Session
At 9:14 A.M., Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:52 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 A.M.
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST: Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board