MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2018
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, November 20, 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
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Chelsea Garrett, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:32 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 October 16, 2018, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the October 16, 2018, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the October 16, 2018, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the November 20, 2018, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the November 20, 2018, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Proclamation Honoring Melia Haury
Chairman Welch read a proposed proclamation honoring Miss. Melia Haury and acknowledging her courageous battle against heart disease.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The Board presented Mr. Haury, Melia’s father, with the framed proclamation.
Proposed Agreement Between The Watauga County Sheriff’s Office and The Watauga County Board of Education
Sheriff Len Hagaman presented a proposed agreement between the Board of Education and the Sheriff’s Office for the School Resource Officer Program. As part of the agreement the Sheriff’s Office will hire two (2) Deputies to serve as School Resource Officers (SROs). The Board allocated funds in the current year budget for one SRO in conjunction with the Board of Education receiving grant funding for one SRO. The Sheriff stated that the County Attorney has reviewed the agreement as presented and that adequate funds are available to cover the expenditure.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the agreement as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Soil and Water Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Mr. Denny Norris, Watauga County Soil and Water Chairman, presented a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Soil and Water Conservation, the Watauga Soil and Water Conservation District and Watauga County. Mr. Norris stated that the MOU between the agencies is approved every five years.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Soil and Water Conservation, the Watauga Soil and Water Conservation District and Watauga County as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Social Services Report
Mr. Tom Hughes, Department of Social Services (DSS) Director, stated that he, Child Protective Services (CPS) Supervisor, Mr. Chad Slagle, and DSS Board Chairperson, Ms. Sharon Brietenstein shared information justifying a request for additional staff members. Mr. Hughes stated that they had just enough staff right now but needed additional staff with the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State of North Carolina pressing.
Mr. Chad Slagle stated that policy changes are coming with the MOU and NC FAST will begin in January 2019 for child welfare. Minimum standards are currently being met; however, Mr. Slagle shared concerns that standards could not be met under the MOU as currently proposed. There are currently sixty-six children in custody and workers have been shifted as needed. Mr. Slagle stated that two positions could be filled with investigations alone as there should be ten per employee and there are currently two with twenty-five plus. New policies will be more stringent as well.
Ms. Sharon Brietenstein stated that, to maintain standards, Social Services needed two additional staff members, an Investigator and a Social Worker III. Ms. Brietenstein shared that current staff has a total of six hundred and six hours of overtime. Ms. Brietenstein stated that if additional staff was not acquired the following consequences were possible: current employees will leave, serious mistakes will happen, and/or the State will sanction the County for not meeting standards. Ms. Brietenstein encouraged the Board to be proactive problem solvers and hire the two positions needed.
After discussion, Chairman Welch stated that the Board would continue discussions with the County Manager.
Bid Award Request for Transfer Station Tipping Floor Repair
Mr. Rex Buck, Operations Services Director, requested approval of a contract with Tri-County Paving, in the amount of $98,635.70. The cost covers the repair of two twenty-five by twenty-five foot sections of the County’s Transfer Station floor. Adequate funds are available to cover the expenditure.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the contract with Tri-County Paving, Inc. in the amount of $98,635.70 to repair two twenty-five by twenty-five foot sections of the Transfer Station Tipping Floor as presented by Mr. Buck.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Planning and Inspections Matters
A. Grant Acceptance Request for Recreational Trail Program (RTP) Funds
Mr. Joe Furman stated that the County has been awarded $100,000 as result of an application submitted to the North Carolina Recreational Trails Program. The funds are for the Middle Fork Greenway, Section 4. A contract will be forthcoming.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the $100,000 grant from the North Carolina Recreational Trails Program and authorize the execution of the grant contract.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Land Donation by Blue Ridge Conservancy for Section 4 Grant Acceptance Request for Recreational Trail Program (RTP) Funds
Mr. Furman announced that the Blue Ridge Conservancy requests to donate a twelve (12) acre tract to the County for Section 4 of the Middle Fork Greenway.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept the twelve (12) acre tract donation from the Blue Ridge Conservancy.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of October 2018. The 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 October 2018 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for October 2018 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Finance Matters
A. Budget Amendments
Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
|
103980-398121 |
Transfer from Capital Projects Fund |
|
$25,000 |
|
|
104920-463000 |
General appropriation |
$25,000 |
|
|
|
219930-449210 |
Economic Development Commission |
|
$25,000 |
|
|
219800-498010 |
Transfer to General Fund |
$25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment allocates funds from CIP set aside funds for projects as requested by the Economic Development Commission to be utilized by the High Country Food Hub. |
||||
|
|
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Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Watson.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Inmate Catastrophic Insurance Contract
Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, presented a proposed renewal contract with Insurance Management Consultants, Inc., for catastrophic insurance for inmates housed in the County Jail. The insurance shields the County from large medical claims that occur while inmates are being housed in the Watauga County Jail. The premium for the insurance coverage is in the amount of $42,390 with a $10,000 deductible. Ms. Watson stated that the $11,750 increase in the premium is due to the inmate population which increased from 63 to 83 over the past twelve months. Adequate funds are available to cover the contracted cost.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to renew the contract with Insurance Management Consultants, Inc., in the amount of $42,390 as presented by Ms. Watson.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque shared the following Boards and Commissions appointments
Board of Adjustment
A Board of Adjustment term expires in November. The current member 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”. A map of the area was presented showing where three watershed areas adjoin, creating essentially one single residency district.
The County Manager presented a volunteer application from Mr. Lonnie Webster who has expressed interest in serving on the Board of Adjustment and does reside in the South Fork New River Watershed. This is a first reading and, therefore, no action is required.
Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission
Ms. Erin Thompson’s three year term on the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission expired in September. Ms. Thompson is willing to be reappointed.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to reappoint Ms. Erin Thompson to the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees
The Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees has recommended Ms. Kim Miller, Mr. Kent Tarbutton, and Ms. Jan Winkler for re-appointment as Board Trustees. Each of their terms would be effective January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021. These are first readings and, therefore, no action is required at this time.
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The first Board of Commissioners meeting in December has been moved to Monday, December 3, 2018. The meeting will recess to allow for the swearing in ceremony of the Commissioners-Elect.
· The High Country Council of Governments will hold a Legislative Breakfast on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, from 9:30 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. in the Blue Ridge Electric Community Room at 2491 Old US 421 S, Boone, NC. If you wish to attend, Anita will be glad to RSVP on your behalf.
· The Annual County Christmas Luncheon, scheduled on Thursday, December 13, 2018, will be held at Dan’l Boone Inn from 11:45 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Public Comment
The following shared concerns regarding asphalt plants in Watauga County including the proposed plant on Rainbow Trail and the related court ruling: Andrew Mason, Susie Winters, David Sensel, Terry Covell, and Alice Harmon.
Closed Session
At 6:44 P.M., Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, 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
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:43 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board