MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2018
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, October 2, 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
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 8:31 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 September 18, 2018, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the September 18, 2018, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the September 18, 2018, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the October 2, 2018, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add a grant acceptance request for PARTF funding for the Middle Fork Greenway.
Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the October 2, 2018, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Sheriff’s Office Radio Purchase Request
Captain Kelly Redmon with the Sheriff’s Office requested to purchase six (6) new radios for patrol vehicles. The radios will be placed in newly purchased vehicles for the current fiscal year. The cost per radio is $4,319.17 for a total cost of $25,915.00. Captain Redmon stated that adequate funds are included in the Sheriff’s Fiscal Year 2018-2019 budget to cover the expenditure.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to authorize the purchase of the six (6) new radios in the amount of $25,915.00.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Presentation on Pritzker Initiative
Ms. Crystal Kelly, Children’s Council Director, shared information on the Pritzker Fellows Program which is part of the recently-launched National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers (NCIT). NCIT is a nationwide effort to prioritize a strong start for infants and toddlers. The program focuses on ensuring a healthy start at birth, offering stronger support of families with infants and toddlers and expanding access to high-quality care and learning environments. Ms. Kelly is transitioning to a role with the Pritzker Fellows Program and will be stepping down as the Director of the Children’s Council. Ms. Kelly stated that the County needs to be a partner through engaging stakeholders to develop an action plan, addressing intergenerational poverty and identifying key points for upstream interventions as well as adopting early childhood as a priority for the County. The report was given for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
Board of Education Request for CIP Reserve Funds, Long Term CIP Funds, and Lottery Funds
Dr. Scott Elliott, Watauga County School Superintendent, stated that it has been a great start to the school year and encouraged the Board to visit the schools. Dr. Elliot gave a brief update on school matters and requested the release of funds from the County CIP Reserve and Education Lottery Fund in the total amount of $1,028,500. $716,500 was requested from the CIP Reserve for various projects and will be released on a reimbursement basis. $312,000 is being requested from the Education Lottery proceeds.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the release of CIP Reserve funds in the amount of $716,500 and Education Lottery funds in the amount of $312,000.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request for Space for A Local Attorney Memorial
Ms. Diane Deal, Clerk of Court, on behalf of Ms. Andrea Capua, stated that at a recent Bar Association meeting, a discussion was held regarding the creation of a memorial for local attorneys and maybe other local officials. The proposed site was the area between the Courthouse and Administration building where the flag poles and a picnic table are located. Ms. Deal stated that the Bar Association would create, design, and raise funds for the memorial as well as maintain the site. Ms. Deal stated that there would be criteria to be used by a committee for vetting those for inclusion in the memorial. Vice-Chairman Kennedy stated that the County should be involved in the process. Ms. Deal stated that the Bar Association would accept input from the County.
Commissioner Turnbow, moved to direct the County Manager to work with the Bar Association to get a more substantial proposal. The motion died due to lack of a second.
Chairman Welch stated that the Board should table further discussion until the County Manager and Bar Association can meet.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to table further discussion to allow the County Manager and Bar Association time to meet and work on a plan to submit for consideration.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Hearing Request for Road Names
Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director, requested a public hearing be scheduled for Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at 5:30 P.M. to allow citizen comment on proposed road names.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to schedule a public hearing on October 16, 2018, at 5:30 P.M. to allow citizen comment on proposed road names.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Project on Aging Matters
A. Annual Report
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, presented the Fiscal Year 2018 annual comprehensive evaluation of the agency’s operations and policies as required by the NC Division of Health Service Regulation.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept the Project on Aging’s Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Report as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Project on Aging Matters
B. Proposed Allocation of Projected FY 2019 Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) Funds
Ms. Angie Boitnotte requested acceptance of an increase in the FY 2019 Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds in the amount of $22,433. The required local match is $2,493 and is present in the Project on Aging's FY 2019 budget.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept the $22,433 increase in Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds for FY 2019 and approve the local match in the amount of $2,493.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
|
103300-345000 |
ROAP Grant |
|
$157,297 |
|
|
104500-469845 |
Elderly and Disabled |
$61,135 |
|
|
|
104500-469844 |
Employment Transportation |
$13,551 |
|
|
|
104500-469843 |
Rural General Populations |
$82,611 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognizes the acceptance of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Rural Operating Assistance Program funds. No County dollars are required as a match. |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
233991-399101 |
Fund Balance Appropriation |
|
$6,500 |
|
|
234310-429002 |
Drug Dog Expenses |
$6,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognizes additional funds for use in law enforcement cases as drug dog expenses as requested by the Sheriff. The funds are from the State Substance Abuse Tax Fund. |
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Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Watson.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Request to Accept PARTF Grant for Middle Fork Greenway Section 4
County Manager Geouque stated that the County has been awarded $430,000 through a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) to fund the Middle Fork Greenway, Section 4 project. Mr. Joe Furman stated that the match was covered through other grants and in-kind funds.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Grant in the amount of $430,000.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the below for consideration of appointment:
Board of Adjustment
Mr. Joe Furman shared that Mr. Adam Rhyne’s three year term on the Board of Adjustment expires in November. He is willing to be reappointed. There is an active case under consideration by the Board; which is expected it to be wrapped up in late October, or in November. Mr. Rhyne resides in the South Fork New River Watershed. If he is to be replaced, it is recommended that another resident of that area be appointed “if practicable.” Three watershed areas adjoin, creating essentially one single residency district.
Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission
Mr. Joe Furman shared that Ms. Erin Thompson’s three year term on the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission expired in September. Ms. Thompson is willing to be reappointed.
The above were both first readings and, therefore, no action was required, nor taken.
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque shared the following announcements:
· A Ground Breaking Ceremony will be held for the Community Recreation Center on Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at 3:00 P.M. at the corner of State Farm Road and Hunting Hills Lane.
· The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will hold an Open-House Public Meeting for the proposed improvements to NC 105 from US 321 (Blowing Rock Road) to the NC 105 Bypass (SR 1107) on October 9, 2018, from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Written comments may be submitted through October 24, 2018.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 9:35 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).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to resume the open meeting at 10:11 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to cancel the November 6, 2018, Board meeting due to the Commissioners’ Board Room being used as a polling site and to reschedule the November 20, 2018, meeting to Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at 5:30 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:13 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board