MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2018
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 8:30 A.M. in the Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center in Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-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
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 8:30 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 April 17, 2018, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the April 17, 2018, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the April 17, 2018, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the May 1, 2018, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add a budget amendment as recently requested by the Sheriff.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the May 1, 2018, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) FY 2019 Certification, Membership, and County Plan
Dr. Paul Holden, Chairman of Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC), presented the JCPC’s FY 2019 Certification, County Plan, and membership roster.
Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council FY 2019 Certification, County Plan, and Membership as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Appalachian District Health Department’s Community Health Assessment Report Presentation
Ms. Maria Julian, Appalachian District Health Director of Community Services, presented key findings from the Community Health Assessment Report. Data included demographics and special populations, social and economic determinants of health, environmental health, morbidity, chronic disease and mortality rates, health behaviors, maternal and child health, behavioral health, and healthcare resources and access. Ms. Julian stated that the full report was available on the Health Department’s website. The report was for information only; therefore, no action was required.
Proposed Allocation of Projected FY 2019 Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) Funds
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, requested the acceptance of the projected allocation of $269,489 in Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds for FY 2019. The required local match is $29,943 and is present in the Project on Aging's FY 2019 requested budget. Ms. Boitnotte stated that the H&CCBG Committee recommended the funds be allocated as follows:
|
H&CCBG Service |
H&CCBG Allocation |
Local Match |
|
In-Home Aide |
$126,904 |
$14,101 |
|
Congregate Meals |
$45,954 |
$5,106 |
|
Home Delivered Meals |
$80,833 |
$8,981 |
|
Transportation |
$15,798 |
$1,755 |
|
Totals |
$269,489 |
$29,943 |
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to accept the projected allocation in the amount of $269,489 in Home and Community Care Block Grant funds for FY 2019 and to approve the local match in the amount of $29,943.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Bid Award Request for East Annex HVAC Replacement Project
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, presented the following bids received for the HVAC system for the East Annex:
|
Bidder |
Amount |
|
Edmisten Heating & Cooling |
$18,297 |
|
Mountaineer Heating & Cooling |
$20,568 |
|
Boone Heating & Air Conditioning |
$21,135 |
|
Associated Heating & Air Conditioning |
$23,464 |
Mr. Marsh stated that the equipment is over twenty-years old and in need of replacement. The replacement of the HVAC system will be in conjunction with the replacement of the roof. Edmisten Heating and Cooling was the lowest responsive bidder. Adequate funds have been identified in the current Fiscal Year 2018 budget.
Commissioner Turnbow, second by Vice-Chairman Kennedy moved to award the bid to Edmisten Heating and Cooling in the amount of $18,297 for the replacement of the HVAC system at the East Annex facility.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Brookshire Park South Fork New River Stabilization
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, requested authorization for a $20,000 contract with Brushy Fork Environmental Consulting, Inc. to stabilize a portion of the bank next to the greenway located at the Brookshire Park. Recent rains have exacerbated the current situation and to reduce future damage and mitigate safety issues staff would recommend approving the contract. Brushy Fork Environmental Consulting is currently working on a nearby project and savings could be realized by adding to their current contract. Mr. Furman stated that requests for qualifications would need to be waived for the project. Funds for the contract would come from the administrative contingency fund.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to waive the project from the request for qualifications process and authorize to contract with Brushy Fork Environmental Consulting, Inc., in the amount of $20,000 to stabilize the river bank located at Brookshire Park.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) Budget Amendment
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented a revised Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) FY 2017-18 Funding Allocation form. Crossnore was unable to fully expend funds so the Council requested to transfer $20,885 to the other programs as detailed below:
Task Force/Admin $3,500
Juvenile Mediation $800
WYN Youth Resource Center $6,607
Project Challenge $3,518
Mountain Alliance $6,460
The Task Force/Admin funds will be allocated to help fund the State of the Child event. No additional County funding is required.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the revised funding allocation for the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council as requested.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
233991-399101 |
Fund Balance Appropriation |
|
$5,000 |
|
234310-423800 |
Undercover Drug Purchases |
$5,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognizes, per the request of Sheriff Hagaman, additional funds for use in law enforcement cases as buy money for investigations. The funds are from the State Substance Abuse Tax Fund. |
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|
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Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the budget amendment as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Presentation of the FY 2019 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
The County Manager presented the FY 2018-2019 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for review prior to discussion during the upcoming budget work sessions.
B. Presentation of the Manager’s FY 2019 Recommended Budget
The County Manager presented his Recommended FY 2019 Budget at the meeting and reviewed highlights. He announced upcoming budget work sessions scheduled to begin at 12:00 P.M. on both Wednesday, May 2, and Thursday, May 3, 2018. A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at 5:30 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed budget.
C. Proposed Property & Liability Insurance and Workers Compensation Renewals Request
County Manager Geouque stated that renewal rates for property and liability insurance and workers compensation were as follows: property and liability at a rate of $185,667, which is a $3,052 decrease, and workers compensation at a rate of $237,279, which is a 6% decrease. Based on prior years’ claims experience staff recommended continuing the property deductible at $5,000. Adequate funds are in the Manager’s recommended budget to cover the insurance premiums.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the renewals for property and liability insurance, in the amount of $185,667, and workers compensation in the amount of $237,279, from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· Budget Work Sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, May 2, and Thursday, May 3, 2018, from 12:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. The Work Sessions will be held in the Commissioners’ Conference Room.
· Monday, May 7 through Saturday, May 12, 2018, has been designated as “Community Pride Week” in Watauga County. Hazardous Household Waste Day will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
· A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, beginning at 5:30 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the FY 2019 Proposed Budget.
· The Trustees of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute invites the Board of Commissioners to a meeting on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 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 9:27 A.M., Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, 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 10:07 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:07 A.M.
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board