MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, 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 8:33 A.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 March 20, 2018, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the March 20, 2018, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the March 20, 2018, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the April 3, 2018, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add Personnel Matters, per 143-318.11(a)(6) under Closed Session and add the disposition of 131 Morningside Drive under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the April 3, 2018, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Proclamation Establishing “Greening My Plate” Month
Ms. Margie Mansure and Mr. Bill Moretz presented a proposed proclamation declaring the month of April 2018 as “Greening My Plate Month.” The purpose of the proclamation is to bring awareness to the benefits of locally grown fruits and vegetables and recognize and celebrate the farmers who provide this produce.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request to Renew Lease for Use of County Space for Weekday Farmers’ Market
Ms. Courtney Baines, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, requested a renewal of the lease allowing a weekday Farmers Market at the Human Service parking lot. Ms. Baines stated that the Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture would be managing and doing the marketing for the market this year. The main modification to the lease is increasing from a one-year to three-year term. Ms. Baines stated that the three-year term was desired as it would be looked upon more favorably when applying for grants.
County Attorney Capua stated that since the lease would be for a three-year term a nominal rent amount would need to be included to make the lease forcible. A continued point of consideration would also be to ensure that the market does not impact County operations as the request will be for the market to start around 4:00 PM.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the lease as amended to include a rent fee of one dollar ($1.00) per year.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Community Pride Week Proclamation
Ms. Pamela Thomas, Recycling Coordinator, presented a proposed proclamation declaring Monday, May 7 - Saturday, May 12, 2018, as Community Pride Week in Watauga County. Hazardous Household Waste Day will be held on Saturday, May 12, during Community Pride Week from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. The event is conducted each year by Sanitation staff and has proven to be very popular with the County's citizens.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented by Ms. Thomas.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Communications and Emergency Services Matters
A. Proposed Proclamation Declaring April 8-14, 2018, As National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week In Watauga County
Mr. Jeff Virginia, Communications and Emergency Services Director, presented a proposed proclamation declaring April 8-14, 2018, As National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Watauga County. Chairman Welch read the proclamation and presented Mr. Virginia with a signed proclamation.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Proclamation Recognizing Telecommunicators Melissa Harmon, David Hill, Penny Roark, And Aaron Ward For Actions Taken That Contributed To Saving The Lives Of Others
Mr. Virginia presented a proposed proclamation recognizing Telecommunicators Melissa Harmon, David Hill, Penny Roark, and Aaron Ward for actions taken that contributed to saving the lives of others. Chairman Welch read the proclamation and presented each of those recognized with a signed proclamation.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
233317-343109 |
State Substance Abuse Tax Revenue |
|
$5,000 |
|
234310-429000 |
Other Supplies |
$2,000 |
|
|
234310-435300 |
Maintenance Repair Vehicles |
$3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognizes, per the request of Sheriff Hagaman, additional funds for other supplies and maintenance/repair to vehicles for the Narcotics Division. The funds are from the State Substance Abuse Tax Fund and additional revenue has been received above projections. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
663740-381000 |
Sale of Recycled Scrap |
|
$60,000 |
|
667420-469567 |
Contracted Services – Tub Grinding |
$60,000 |
|
|
|
|||
|
The amendment recognized additional funds from the sale of recycled scrap to cover additional expenditures for grinding brush and stumps. |
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|
|
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Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request for Acceptance of the FY 2018 SHIIP/MIPPA Grant/Contract
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, requested acceptance of a Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) grant from the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIPP). The grant is in the amount of $2,566 with no local match required. If accepted, MIPPA grant funds, in the amount of $2,566, will be used to expand low income subsidy outreach and to upgrade technology used for SHIIP counseling and activities.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) grant in the amount of $2,566 as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Disbursement of 131 Morningside Drive
County Manager Geouque stated that in the past the County was awarded funds from the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for the demolition and removal of a home located at 131 Morningside Drive in Boone. Several years prior to that numerous homes located in the area were demolished and removed along Morningside Drive as part of a HMGP project. At that time, the subject property owner was not interested in participating in the project. However, continued flood related issues after the sale of the home prompted the new owners to request participation in the HMGP. Since the removal, the County has been in negotiations with the Town of Boone. Town of Boone Manager, Mr. John Ward, has stated that the Town is interested in taking ownership of the property. County Manager Geouque stated that he will present a resolution for consideration of donating the property to the Town of Boone at the next meeting.
B. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following for consideration:
Watauga Community Housing Trust
Four terms on the Watauga Community Housing Trust are expiring. The expiring terms are for the following organizations: Town of Boone
Appalachian Regional Healthcare System
High Country Home Builders Association
Habitat for Humanity
After appointment, each organization will designate their representative. The terms are for two years.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to waive the second reading and appoint the Town of Boone, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, High Country Home Builders Association, and Habitat for Humanity to two-year terms on the Watauga Community Housing Trust.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners will be holding district meetings across the State in April with the meeting for our district being on April 4, 2018, in Yadkin County.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 9:06 A.M., Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3), Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i), and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:30 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 A.M.
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board