MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2017
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: John Welch, 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
[Clerk’s Note: Vice-Chairman Kennedy was out of town for a prior commitment and, therefore, not present.]
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:34 P.M.
Commissioner Yates 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 September 5, 2017, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the September 5, 2017, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the September 5, 2017, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the September 19, 2017, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add consideration of a Recreation Commission appointment to Boards and Commissions under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters.
Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the September 19, 2017, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment on Proposed Amendments to the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi-Unit Structures
A public hearing was scheduled for citizen input on the proposed amendments to the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi-Unit Structures.
Mr. Ric Mattar, Chairman of the Planning Board, presented the proposed amendments and explained the proposed requirement of 33.3% of green space at the request of Commissioner Hodges.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to call the public hearing to order at 5:44 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Mr. Nathan Miller shared comments appreciating the hard work of the Planning Board and stated that he still had small issues with the proposed changes. Mr. Miller questioned why the green space regulations could not be 10% in place of the proposed 33%.
As there were no further citizen comments, Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to close the public hearing at 5:47 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Chairman Welch tabled consideration of the proposed amendments until the October 3, 2017, regular meeting.
Sanitation Matters
A. Bid Award Request for Brush Grinding
Mr. J.V. Potter, Operations Service Director, presented the following bids for brush grinding services:
|
Bidder |
Amount |
|
Superior Mulch |
$27.50 per ton |
|
Riverside Stump Dump |
$25.00 per ton |
|
Carolina Mulch Plus |
No Bid |
Mr. Potter recommended the bid be awarded to Riverside Stump Dump in the amount of $25.00 per ton for brush grinding. Adequate funds are budgeted to cover the contract expense.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to award the bid to Riverside Stump Dump for the grinding of brush at a rate of $25.00 per ton for Fiscal Year 2017-2018.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
B. Bid Award Request for Sanitation and Animal Care & Control Vehicles
Mr. J.V. Potter, Operations Service Director, presented the following quotes for one (1) new half ton 4x4 and one (1) three quarter ton 4x4 pickup trucks:
|
Bidder |
Animal Control Vehicle Amount |
Sanitation Vehicle Amount |
|
Ashe County Ford |
$29,869.85 |
$28,203.28 |
|
Asheville Ford |
$28,926.34 |
$26,323.66 |
|
Everett Chevrolet |
$27,142.23 |
$28,830.82 |
|
Modern Ford |
$29,894.54 |
No Bid |
Mr. Potter stated that four (4) quotes were received with Everett Chevrolet and Asheville Ford submitting the lowest responsive bid, respectively. Adequate funds are budgeted to cover the requested purchase. Mr. Potter recommended the bids be awarded to Everett Chevrolet for one (1) half ton 4x4 pickup truck in the amount of $27,142.23 and Asheville Ford for one (1) three quarter ton 4x4 pickup truck in the amount of $26,323.66. Both amounts include fees for taxes and tags.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to award the bid to Everett Chevrolet for one (1) half ton 4x4 pickup truck for Animal Control in the amount of $27,142.23 and to award the bid to Asheville Ford for one (1) three quarter ton 4x4 pickup truck for Sanitation in the amount of $26,323.66.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
C. Bid Award Request for Recycling Facility Floor Repairs
Mr. Potter presented the following bids for repair work to the recycling facility floor (approximately 6,000 square feet):
|
Bidder |
Amount |
|
Industrial Supply Solutions, Inc. |
$66,880.00 |
|
Leak Associates Incorporated |
$157,475.00 |
|
Tufco Carolinas, Inc. |
$185,740.00 |
Repairs have not been performed on the recycling facility floor since the 1990’s. The recycling facility previously operated as the County’s transfer station. Mr. Potter recommended the bid be awarded to Industrial Supply Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $66,880 for recycling facility floor repairs.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to award the bid to Industrial Supply Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $66,880 to conduct repairs to the recycling facility floor.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Project on Aging Request to Accept FY 2018 Senior’s Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) Grant/Contract
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Director of Project on Aging (POA), presented the FY 2018 grant/contract for the Senior's Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). The grant is in the amount of $2,492 which is a slight reduction from the previous year and requires no County funds. The funds are used to provide assistance and outreach to low-income citizens.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the Senior's Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) grant in the amount of $2,492.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of August 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 August 2017 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for August 2017, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103300-343302 |
NC OSBM Grant |
|
$50,000 |
|
104283-457003 |
Guy Ford River Access Grant |
$50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized a grant from the NC Office of State Budget and Management to assist with the Guy Ford Road River Access Project. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
103300-343302 |
NCDNCR Grant |
|
$50,000 |
|
104282-457001 |
Optimist Park Greenway Grant |
$50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized a grant from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to assist with greenway construction. |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
103991-399100 |
Fund Balance |
|
$159,183 |
|
104267-458000 |
Health Department Renovations |
$159,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized a fund balance appropriation for the renovations to the Health Department for the relocation of County services. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
103300-345000 |
ROAP Grant |
|
$157,894 |
|
104500-469845 |
Elderly and Disabled |
$61,135 |
|
|
104500-469844 |
Employment Transportation |
$13,551 |
|
|
104500-469843 |
Rural General Populations |
$83,208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized the acceptance of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Rural Operating Assistance Program funds. No County dollars are required as a match. |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
103300-343301 |
NC Department of Public Safety Grant |
|
$30,600 |
|
104330-449999 |
FEMA Grant |
$30,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized the grant increase to fund additional expenses to the FEMA house demolition project. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
663300-347220 |
NC Department of Environmental Quality |
|
$10,000 |
|
663300-385501 |
Watauga County Schools Matching Grant |
|
$2,000 |
|
667421-455000 |
Recycling Grant |
$12,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized the acceptance of the recycling grant funds to purchase recycling containers. The twenty percent match is to be provided by the Watauga County Board of Education as the containers will be located at local schools. |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
103300-332004 |
Senior Center Grant |
|
$14,586 |
|
105550-449900 |
Senior Center Grant Expenses |
$14,586 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized the acceptance of the Senior Center grant funds. County funds required as the local match are in the Project on Aging budget. |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
103300-343304 |
NC Department of Ag & Consumer Services |
|
$65,135 |
|
104330-449906 |
Horton Fire Reimbursements |
$65,135 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized funds received from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as reimbursements to fire departments and the County due to expenses associated with the Horton Forest Fire. |
|||
|
|
|||
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following for consideration:
Economic Development Commission
The terms of two members of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) 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. A volunteer application has been received from Mr. James Bance who is interested in serving on the EDC.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. James Bance to serve a three year term on the Economic Development Commission.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Library Board
The Watauga County Library Board has recommended the appointment of Ms. Laura Johnson to the Library Board for a four year term.
County Manager Geouque stated that Vice-Chairman Kennedy, who was not at the meeting due to a previous commitment, had called and stated that he was in support of waiving the second reading for Ms. Johnson and appointing her to the Library Board.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Laura Johnson to the Library Board for a four year term.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Social Services Advisory Board
The Social Services Advisory Board has recommended the reappointment of Ms. Sharon Breitenstein for a four year term.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Sharon Breitenstein to the Social Services Advisory Board for a four year term.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Recreation Commission
Principal Patrick Sukow with Blowing Rock School has recommended the appointment of Mr. Jared Everett to the Watauga County Recreation Commission as the representative of Blowing Rock School.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Jared Everett to the Watauga County Recreation Commission.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· 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. A ground breaking will be held at 5:00 P.M. prior to the meeting for a new facility at the Watauga Campus.
· The Grand Opening for Beech Mountain’s Water Treatment Plant is October 6, 2017, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at 1331 Pine Ridge Road, Beech Mountain.
Public Comment
Mr. Nick Williams who is the Director of External Affairs, Class of 2019, with the Student Government Association at Appalachian State University introduced himself to the Board. Mr. Williams stated that his work included maintaining relations between the University, Town of Boone, and County.
Closed Session
At 6:03 P.M., Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to resume the open meeting at 6:24 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
Adjourn
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Kennedy)
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board