MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2017
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 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
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
[Clerk’s Note: Commissioner Yates was not present due to a prior commitment.]
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:33 P.M.
Commissioner Hodges opened with a prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the December 19, 2017, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the December 19, 2017, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4 (Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Yates)
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the December 19, 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 January 16, 2018, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the January 16, 2018, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4 (Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Yates)
Cooperative Extension Update
Mr. Jim Hamilton, Cooperative Extension, presented an update on activities of the Watauga County Cooperative Extension. Mr. Hamilton stated that the staff of six was going strong. Christmas tree sales were up. The report was for information only; therefore no action was required.
Proposed Application for the 2018 Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant
Ms. Pamela Thomas, Recycling Coordinator, presented a proposed grant application from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and Customer Service which is due on February 16, 2018. If awarded, funds would assist in the purchase of two (2) closed top roll-off containers to collect recycling materials at County schools. Ms. Thomas also reported that she is in communication with Mr. Danny Clark at the school system to work toward having a recycle bin in each classroom. The grant is for $15,000 with a local match of $3,000 of which the Watauga County School System has agreed to pay from funds allocated in their 2018-2019 budget. Ms. Thomas reported that between February 2017 and January 2018, 15,900 pounds of paper, 1,280 pounds of aluminum, and 2,160 pounds of plastic were collected for recycle from the containers located at the schools.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to authorize the submission of the application for a grant from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and Customer Service in the amount of $15,000 with the $3,000 match to be paid by the Watauga County School System.
VOTE: Aye-4 (Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Yates)
Proposed Increase to FY 2018 Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) Funds for Project on Aging
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, requested acceptance of an increase in the FY 2018 Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds in the amount of $10,323. Ms. Boitnotte stated that the required local match is $1,147 and is present in the Project on Aging's current FY 2018 budget.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept the $10,323 increase in Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds for FY 2018 with a local match of $1,147.
VOTE: Aye-4 (Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Yates)
Proposed Exemption of “Request for Qualifications” (RFQ) for Guy Ford Road Access Project
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that N. C. General Statute 143-64.32 allows the County to exempt a project from N. C. General Statute 143-64.31 if the project cost is under $50,000. Therefore, Mr. Furman requested the Board exempt the Guy Ford Road river access from N.C. General Statute 143-64.31.
Municipal Engineering has already conducted the preliminary design and cost estimates for Blue Ridge Conservancy. The County has now assumed the lead role with the acceptance of grant funds for this project. Due to Municipal Engineering’s working knowledge of the project staff recommended the Board exempt this project from N.C. General Statute 143-64.31 and select Municipal Engineering for the final design, bidding, and construction administration as they would be most qualified for the project. Costs are expected to be well below the $50,000 threshold.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to exempt the Guy Ford Road Access project from N.C. General Statute 143-64.31 and select Municipal Engineering for the final design, bidding, and construction administration of the project.
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 December 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 December 2017 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for December 2017, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4 (Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Yates)
Communications and Emergency Services Matters
A. Proposed Tier II Grant Award and Application
Mr. Jeff Virginia, Emergency Services Director, requested the acceptance of the Tier II grant in the amount of $1,000 for 2017 and authorization to apply for the 2018 Tier II grant in the amount of $1,000. The grant funds are used for hazardous materials emergency response planning, training and related exercises. The grant requires no match from the County.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to accept the 2017 Tier II grant in the amount of $1,000 and to authorize staff to submit the 2018 Tier II grant application.
VOTE: Aye-4 (Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Yates)
B. Proposed Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)
Mr. Jeff Virginia stated that, each year, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety provides grant monies for Counties completing certain emergency planning activities. These activities serve as the base amount and in the case of Watauga County amounts to $20,625. The optional components for additional funding have not been determined as of yet. This is a yearly program in which the County has participated for over thirty (30) years.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to authorize the submission of the grant application to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and complete the required activities to receive, at minimum, the $20,625.
VOTE: Aye-4 (Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Yates)
C. Presentation of the High Country Region Hazard Mitigation Plan Update and Proposed Resolution of Approval
Fire Marshal Taylor Marsh presented the High Country Region Mitigation Plan. Mr. Marsh stated that FEMA requires the plan to be updated every five (5) years. In the past, the plan only covered Watauga County and its municipalities. However, a grant for a regional mitigation plan for Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and Wilkes was received. The plan is required to be adopted in order for the County to receive reimbursements from FEMA in the event a disaster is declared in the County. Mr. Marsh stated that the plan has been adopted by all of the Watauga County municipalities, North Carolina Emergency Management, and FEMA. A proposed resolution was presented approving the adoption of the Plan.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to adopt the High Country Region Mitigation Plan and adopt the resolution as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4 (Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Yates)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Proposed Offer to Purchase and Contract for Brookshire Road Property
County Manager Geouque stated that, at a previous meeting, the Board directed the County Manager to contact the potential buyer of the property located on Brookshire Road and give thirty days for an offer to be submitted. The County Manager presented an offer of $50,000 which has since been submitted for the property. The due diligence period would end March 30, 2018. The property to be purchased includes approximately 14.5 acres of a 32.62 acre parcel and the entire 2 acres of an adjacent County owned parcel. The 32.62 acre parcel has a total tax value of $1,602,200. This value includes the soccer complex facility valued at $378,900. The 2 acre parcel is valued at $45,000. The County Manager sought direction regarding acceptance of the offer or continuing to work with the Watauga Community Housing Trust’s plan to develop the property for workforce housing.
This item was tabled until after closed session to allow for legal counsel by the County Attorney.
B. Proposed Dates for Annual Pre-Budget Retreat
County Manager Geouque stated that proposed dates for the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat are February 22 and 23, with times proposed as 12:00–7:00 P.M. on Thursday and 9:00 A.M.–1:00 P.M. on Friday. Two days are required for the Retreat and should the Board wish, times and dates may be adjusted accordingly.
By consensus, the Board agreed to tentatively set the dates for the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat for February 22 and 23, 2018, with direction to the County Manager to check with Commissioners’ calendars.
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at 5:00 P.M. to allow for citizen comment on a proposed Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant application.
· The Sport Tourism Task Force will be holding a Public Forum on February 1, 2018, from 6-8 P.M. at the Watauga County Commissioners’ Board Room. Reservations are not required.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:08 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) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
VOTE: Aye-4 (Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Yates)
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:27 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4 (Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1 (Yates)
Possible Action After Closed Session
Proposed Offer to Purchase and Contract for Brookshire Road Property
County Manager Geouque stated that, at a previous meeting, the Board directed the County Manager to contact the potential buyer of County-owned property located on Brookshire Road and give thirty days for an offer to be submitted prior to the Board reconsidering the Watauga Community Housing Trust’s request for support of workforce housing being developed on the property. The County Manager stated that an offer of $50,000 has been submitted for the property by Mr. James Lawrence. The due diligence period would end March 30, 2018. The property to be purchased includes approximately 14.5 acres of a 32.62 acre parcel and the entire 2 acres of the other county owned parcel. The 32.62 acre parcel has a tax value of $1,602,200. This value includes the soccer complex facility valued at $378,900. The 2 acre parcel is valued at $45,000.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reject the offer, in the amount of $50,000, from Mr. James Lawrence for County-owned property located on Brookshire Road and to direct the County Manager to contact Mr. Scott Eggers with the Watauga Community Housing Trust to request the Trust pursue the development of the property for workforce housing.
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 7:30 P.M.
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board