MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2017
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, August 15, 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
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
[Clerk’s Note: Commissioner Perry Yates was out of town for a prior commitment and, therefore, not present.]
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy opened with a prayer and Commissioner Hodges led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the August 1, 2017, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the August 1, 2017, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the August 1, 2017, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the August 15, 2017, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add consideration of an out-of-state travel request from the Communications and Emergency Services Department.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the August 15, 2017, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
Proposed “Round Up for the Greenway” Proclamation
Ms. Wendy Patoprsty, Middle Fork Greenway Director, presented a proposed proclamation designating the month of July 2018 as “Round Up for the Greenway.” Between now and July 2018, businesses will be requested to participate by requesting their customers to “round up” their bill with the additional funds to go toward funding for the Middle Fork Greenway. The Middle Fork Greenway will be requesting the Towns of Blowing Rock and Boone adopt the proclamation as well.
Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adopt the resolution designating the month of July 2018 as “Round Up for the Greenway” as presented by Ms. Patoprsty.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
NAACP Presentation
Mr. Jeff Boyer, Dr. Rene Ochoa, and Ms. Ingrid Kraus, members of the Immigrant Justice Committee of the Watauga County NAACP, shared concerns regarding immigration and deportation in our area. Mr. Boyer, Dr. Ochoa, and Ms. Kraus shared some history of immigration and encouraged Watauga County to be a welcoming community to all and to not be afraid to speak against injustice. The report was given for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
Proposed Amendments to the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi-Unit Structures
Mr. Ric Mattar, Chairman of the Watauga County Planning Board, presented proposed amendments to the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi-Unit Structures. A public hearing was held on May 16, 2017, to allow comment on proposed amendments resulting from the Planning Board reviewing the Ordinance earlier in the year at the request of the Board of Commissioners. After completion of the public hearing the Board recommended the Planning Board further consider the amendments and questions raised during the public hearing. Mr. Mattar reviewed the additional proposed changes. County Manager Geouque stated that Commissioner Yates had requested a public hearing be held. The Board discussed holding the public hearing in September and taking action, if so desired, at the first meeting in October.
Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to set a public hearing for Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at 5:30 P.M. to allow for citizen comment regarding the proposed amendments to the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi-Unit Structures.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
Sanitation Matters
A. Bid Award Request for Recycling Roll Off Truck
Mr. JV Potter, Operations Service Director, presented the following bids for a 2018 recycling roll off truck:
|
Bidder |
Amount |
|
MHC Kenworth |
$184,981.65 |
|
Carolina Environment |
$164,244.00 |
|
Transource |
$161,539.00 |
|
Piedmont Peterbilt |
$161 ,000.00 |
|
State Contract (Transource) |
$155,417.00 |
Out of the five (5) bids received, Transource, as the State contractor vendor, submitted the lowest bid in the amount of $155,417. The total amount with taxes and a tag would be $157,423.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to award the bid for a 2018 MAC recycling roll off truck to Transource in the total amount $157,423 which includes taxes and tag.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
B. Bid Award Request for Tilt Trailer
Mr. Potter presented the following bids for a new 2018 tilt trailer:
|
Bidder |
Amount |
|
Carolina Cat |
$25,000 |
|
James River |
$32,511 |
|
Hills Machinery |
$27,013 |
Out of the three (3) bids received, Carolina Cat submitted the lowest responsive bid in the amount of $25,000. The total amount with taxes and tag would be $25,756. The trailer will be utilized to haul the County’s backhoe, bulldozer, and other equipment as necessary.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept the bid from Carolina Cat for a 2018 Hudson tilt trailer in the total amount of $25,756 which includes taxes and tag.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
Proposed Additional Appropriation of State Funds for Senior Centers
Ms. Angie Boitnotte stated that the Project on Aging is eligible to receive an additional $14,586, in Senior Center funding from the North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina Division of Aging. The L. E. Harrill Senior Center is eligible for $10,939 and the Western Watauga Community Center for $3,647 of the proposed $14,586. The amount requires a 25% local match, totaling $4,862, which is in the Agency’s existing budget.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to accept the additional State funding in the amount of $14,586 and approve the local match in the amount of $4,862.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of July 2017. This 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 July 2017 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for July 2017, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
Vaya Health Quarterly Report
County Manager Geouque presented the Vaya Health Quarterly Financial Report as required by Statute. No action was required and, therefore, none was taken.
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Communications and Emergency Services Out-of-State Travel Request
County Manager Geouque stated that Watauga County Emergency Management has been given a Multiple Event Response Trailer (MERT) from the State Emergency Management Office. The trailer houses an assorted array of traffic routing devices that could be used for mass events such as ASU Ball Games as well as large events including evacuations. Once received, the trailer will be housed at the Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department and can be accessed by Watauga County Emergency Management personnel at all times. County Personnel will need to travel to Pennsylvania to take possession of the trailer. All expenses for this travel will be reimbursed by NC Emergency Management with the exception of fuel which will be paid for by Watauga County.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the out-of-state travel request for Emergency Management personnel to travel to Pennsylvania to procure the Multiple Event Response Trailer as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
B. 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.
Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee
Ms. Stevie John, Regional Ombudsman with the High Country Council of Governments, has requested that Ms. Pat Taylor be reappointed to the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Pat Taylor to the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The High Country Council of Governments’ Annual Banquet is scheduled for Friday, September 8, 2017, at Linville Ridge.
· The Trustees of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute invites the Board of Commissioners to a meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at 6:00 P.M. at the Watauga Instructional Facility on Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone NC, in Room 112.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:41 P.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-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:10 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board