MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2018
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, August 7, 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
Frank C. “Ham” Wilson, III, 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. and offered condolences to former Commissioner Allen Trivette’s family upon his recent death.
Chairman Welch welcomed back Commissioner Yates and the new Finance Director, Ms. Misty Watson.
Commissioner Yates opened with a prayer and Vice-Chairman Kennedy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the July 17, 2018, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Chairman Welch stated that the vote was not listed in the minutes for the motion to adjourn. Below is the motion with the correction (in bold print):
“Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Yates)”
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the July 17, 2018, regular meeting minutes as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the July 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 August 7, 2018, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the August 7, 2018, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development Funding Request
Mr. Jonathan Hartsell, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development Funding (RC&D), gave a presentation sharing examples of projects and services related directly to Watauga County and their seven county service area.
Mr. Hartsell requested $3,000 which will help fund a “High Country Education Coordinator” position. Both Alleghany and Ashe counties have allocated $3,000 each toward the position.
Ms. Wendy Patoprsty, RC&D Board member, stated that her history with RC&D began in 2001 when she was hired by Cooperative Extension for a position funded through RC&D grants for eight years.
County Manager Geouque stated that no funding was allocated to Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget. The last time funds were allocated was in 2010 in the amount of $400.
The County Manager suggested requesting the RC&D to report to the Board throughout the year, as Cooperative Extension does, to show how the funds are being utilized.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve an allocation from the Administrative Contingency Fund of $3,000 to Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Presentation of Watauga County Community Child Protection Team’s (CCPT) Annual Report and Appointment of Members for 2018
Ms. Gail Hawkinson presented the annual reports for the Watauga County Community Child Protection Team (CCPT) and the Watauga County Child Fatality Team (CFT). Ms. Hawkinson also presented the following list of the team members for 2018:
County Director of DSS Tom Hughes
Member of the DSS Director’s staff Chad Slagle
Local Law Enforcement Officer Dee Rominger
Attorney from Office of the District Attorney Vacant
Community Action Agency Director Kira Cardwell (Children’s Council)
Superintendent (Designee) of School Admin Dr. Paul Holden
Mental Health (LME) Karen Brown
Member of Board of DSS (Commissioner) Billy Kennedy
Guardian Ad Litem Coordinator McKenzie Kilpatrick
Local Health Care Provider Dr. Robert Lonas
Director of Public Health (Designee) LeAnn Martin
Members at large
Chair, Retired MH Psychologist Gail Hawkinson
OASIS (Community Action Agency) Michelle Grit
Appalachian HealthCare (AARHC) Kim Greene
Mental Health Provider (Daymark) Dr. Murray Hawkinson
Watauga County Schools Megan Langdon
Ms. Hawkinson stated that the District Attorney’s Office has not had representation for several years.
By consensus, the Board agreed to officially request the District Attorney’s Office to fill their vacant seat on the Board.
The CCPT is tasked with reducing the acts of abuse and violence against children in the County and the CFT is tasked with reviewing fatalities in the County.
The Community Child Protection Team (CCPT) is mandated by G. S. 7B-1406 and consists of a body of dedicated and concerned citizens representing agencies, organizations and the community at-large that functions, as a group, independently to address child protection and reduction of abuse and violence in the county. The team is responsible for reviewing policies, procedures and practices of our local Department of Social Services (DSS) in order to protect families; assist in the protection of children living in the family that is being reviewed; and evaluate the extent to which the agencies are effectively discharging their obligation to serve children responsibly. The team also develops treatment protocols.
Recommendations from the 2017 cases included less rigid funding rules; Medicaid rule changes to allow coverage to be kept while working on reunification; substance abuse assessment and treatment; and task force housing needs.
The Watauga Child Fatality Team (CFT) met once a quarter as part of the CCPT meeting schedule. There were two cases reviewed by the Team in 2018; one local and one State. The goal was to find gaps in services, not blame, and to determine what went wrong. Recommendations, going to the State, included concerns about young drivers.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the Community Child Protection Team and Child Fatality Team Annual Reports and to approve the 2018 membership list as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Maintenance Matters
A. Bid Award Request for East Annex Reroof Project
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, stated that replacement of the roof on the East Annex Building has been needed for years. Mr. Marsh turned discussion over to Mr. Randy Jones, Project Architect.
Mr. Jones stated that $142,000 was appropriated for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 budget for the project after research and review by the County Manager, Maintenance Director, and himself. Initial bids were received on June 28th with the lowest responsive bid in the amount of $221,551, which was $79,551 over budget. All bids were rejected at that time and a rebid was held with the demolition of the chimney removed and bid separately.
Mr. Jones presented the following bids:
|
06/28/18 Bids (Rejected) |
||
|
LaFave’s Construction |
Landis, NC |
$370,000 |
|
Southern Metal Systems |
Wendell, NC |
$278,000 |
|
Wishon and Carter, Inc. |
Yadkinville, NC |
$201,410 |
|
07/24/18 Bids |
||
|
Greene Construction |
Boone, NC |
$209,152 |
|
LaFave’s Construction |
Boone, NC |
$354,200 |
|
WaynCo Roofing, LLC |
Matthews, NC |
$177,950 |
|
Wishon and Carter, Inc. |
Yadkinville, NC |
$204,711 |
The July 24 bids resulted with the lowest responsive bid being from WaynCo in the amount of $177,950. Acceptance of that bid would bring the total project costs to $203,745 which includes $177,950 for the base bid, $17,795 in architect fees, and $8,000 for the chimney demolition bringing the total project amount $61,745 over budget. Mr. Jones stated that the project budget also includes a five percent contingency.
Mr. Jones calculated that over a one hundred year period (which is the life time of a metal roof) the total costs of an asphalt roof, including the replacements that would be needed, would total over $281,000.
County Manager Geouque stated that staff has identified funds that can be repurposed from paving and striping in the current budget to cover the $61,745 overrun.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept the lowest responsive bid from WaynCo in the amount of $177,950 and to approve the reallocation of $61,745 from paving and striping to cover the total project cost of $203,745 which includes $17,795 for architect fees and $8,000 for chimney demolition.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Bid Award Request for Industrial Lot Paving
Mr. Marsh stated that the Town of Boone staff has approved the paving of the Industrial and Anne-Marie parking lots. The lots are part of an overall plan to provide parking for the new Community Recreation Center, baseball/soccer fields, as well as for usage of the Town of Boone’s Greenway. Per the County’s long-term lease with the Town of Boone, Town Council approval is also required prior to paving the lots. Town Council approval will be sought once the Board of Commissioners has awarded the paving bid.
In addition, the County is partnering with Appalachian State University (ASU) to construct a paved Greenway connector from the Complex Drive entrance to the University’s State Farm parking lot. The Greenway will help facilitate student pedestrian traffic from State Farm parking lot to Appalachian State University’s new health and science building and provide additional walking opportunities for residents and visitors. Town Council approval for the Greenway connector will be requested at the same time as the paving request.
Funding has not been requested from the Town of Boone even though these projects will expand their Greenway and provide parking for both the Greenway and Mayor’s Park. The paving of the parking lots will maximize the total amount of parking spaces. Four bids were received with Boone Paving being the lowest responsive bidder in the amount of $69,000.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to award the bid to Boone Paving in the amount of $69,000 to pave the Industrial Field parking lot and direct staff to seek Town of Boone approval for the paving of the Industrial and Anne-Marie parking lots as well as the Greenway trail.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)/County Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Pursuant to G. S. 108A-74 Update
County Manager Geouque stated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Watauga County and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was approved, along with the adoption of an attached resolution, at the July 17, 2018, regular Board meeting. Once signed, the MOU and resolution were submitted to NC DHHS for signature. The County Manager stated that the NC DHHS sent notification verifying receipt of the County’s request and stated that they are unable to sign the documents as provided. The NC DHHS requested the County resubmit the signed MOU without any attachments or edits to the language. The County Manager stated that options included requesting NC DHHS still consider the resolution or to not sign the MOU. Discussion was held and included checking with neighboring counties to see if they have signed the MOU as presented.
After discussion, Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to table further discussion to give the County Manager time to contact other counties to see how they handled the Memorandum of Understanding with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Rental of Brush Grinder
Chairman Welch welcomed new Operations Services Manager, Mr. Rex Buck, to the County. Mr. Buck requested to rent a brush grinder from Vermeer in the amount of $24,000. Mr. Buck stated that he is reviewing the current processes regarding the handling and disposing of brush. By allowing the authorization of the rental, staff will be able to conduct a test program to determine if in-house disposal is more efficient than contracting the service.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the rental of a brush grinder from Vermeer in the amount of $24,000.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Sheriff’s Office Vehicle Purchase Request
County Manager Geouque stated that the Sheriff’s Office received bids from Asheville Ford for six (6) new all-wheel drive 2018 Ford Police Interceptors with a unit price of $28,265.97. In addition, up-fitting for the vehicles was priced at $6,091.82 per unit by Dana Safety Supply. The total amount for the vehicles is $174,720 and includes taxes and tags. The total amount for the up-fitting of the vehicles is $36,551. The County Manager stated that adequate funds were included in the current Sheriff’s Office budget.
Discussion was held in regards to local dealerships being given the opportunity to bid on the vehicles. County Manager Geouque stated that the contract prices bid through the Sheriff’s Association for our area was awarded to Asheville Ford. Modern in Boone was given the opportunity to bid through the Sheriff’s Association. The County Manager stated that Captain Redmon with the Sheriff’s Office will submit requests for local bids separately from the Sheriff’s Association bids.
By consensus, the Board agreed to direct the County Manager to contact the General Managers at Modern Ford and Modern Subaru to determine why the County does not receive bids when solicited.
Chairman Welch tabled further discussion until the next meeting.
B. Request to Schedule Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment on the Proposed Financing of the New Community Recreation Center
County Manager Geouque presented a draft public hearing notice for the proposed financing of the new Community Recreation Center and requested it be scheduled for August 21, 2018.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to schedule a public hearing on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at 5:30 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed financing of the new Community Recreation Center.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Proposed VIPER Lease Agreement with the State Highway Patrol
County Manager Geouque presented a proposed VIPER lease agreement for the Ashe County site for the potential location of County Emergency Services communication equipment. At present time, staff has revaluated the site and determined that there is not an immediate need for the site; however, that does not rule out future use. Due to the fact that there is only a $1 expense related to the lease staff would recommend securing the site for potential future use.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the VIPER lease agreement for the Ashe County site as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manager Geouque gave a brief update, for information only, on attempts to improve cell service in the area. The County Manager stated that AT&T has been made aware that a site at Parkway School has been secured for the construction of a tower to allow for better signal in the area. In the event of an emergency, AT&T’s First Net gives emergency services preemption over personal cell service. Other providers have been made aware of the site as well.
D. Appointment of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ (NCACC) Annual Conference Voting Delegate
County Manager Geouque stated that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) Annual Conference is scheduled for August 23-25, 2018, in Catawba County. Each county in attendance is required to select a voting member for representation at the annual business meeting which is conducted as a part of the conference. Submission of the voting delegate is due August 17, 2018.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to appoint Chairman Welch as the Watauga County Voting Delegate at the NCACC Annual Business Meeting.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following for consideration.
Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Advisory Board
The Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Advisory Board recommends the re-appointment of Mr. Kelly Coffey and Mr. Joe McNeil.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Mr. Kelly Coffey and Mr. Joe McNeil to the Voluntary Farmland Preservation Program Advisory Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
F. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the 111th North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ (NCACC) Annual Conference will be held August 23-25, 2018, in Catawba County.
Public Comment
Ms. Gail Hawkinson signed up to speak; however, she had left the meeting prior to public comment; therefore, there was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 10:24 A.M., Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, 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-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to resume the open meeting at 11:07 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Chairman Welch, moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:07 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board