MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at 8:30 A.M. remotely with the meeting originating in the Commissioners’ Conference Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Welch called the remote electronic meeting to order at 8:37 A.M. The following were present:
PRESENT VIA ELECTRONIC MEANS:
John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Commissioner Wallin 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 15, 2020, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the September 15, 2020, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the September 15, 2020, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the October 6, 2020, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add Land Acquisition per, G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i) and possible action after closed session.
[Clerk’s Note: No action was required or considered after closed session.]
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the October 6, 2020, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment on the Submission of an Application for 2020 Community Development Block Grant Funds for the Coronavirus Program
Mr. Joe Furman stated that the North Carolina Department of Commerce announced the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Program (CDBG-CV) through which the County was eligible for up to $900,000. Mr. Furman stated that he had been soliciting potential projects with several agencies and organizations. Ms. Michelle Ball with High Country Council of Governments was also working with Mr. Furman on the grant program. The application process required two public hearings with one early in the process and a second one after a project and budget were identified.
The adoption of a Citizen Participation Plan, applicable specifically to the CDBG-CV program, was required due to the County’s hearings currently being conducted electronically. Commerce staff required that the Plan, including the provisions for electronic hearings, be adopted prior to the first hearing. The Plan was adopted at the September 15 meeting.
Mr. Furman stated that he was staying informed with the HOPE and CARES programs. Mr. Furman planned and hoped to transition existing program systems in place with grant funds, if received.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to call the public hearing to order at 8:47 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
As there was no one signed up to speak, Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to close the public hearing at 8:48 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Written public comments would be accepted in regards to the public hearing through Wednesday, October 7, 2020.
Mr. Furman requested the Board schedule the second required public hearing for the CDBG-CV program for the October 20, 2020, meeting.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to schedule a public hearing to allow for citizen comment on the submission of an application for 2020 Community Development Block Grant funds for the Coronavirus Program (CDBG-CV) at 5:30 P.M. on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Mr. Furman also stated that a resolution would be presented at the October 20, 2020, meeting in regards to the CDBG-CV program.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Update
Ms. Jennifer Greene, AppHealthCare Director, provided an update on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The report was for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
Proposed Covenants for the Brookshire Park Restoration Project
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, presented restrictive covenants on the .25 acre lot in connection with the New River Conservancy’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF) project consisting of streambank restoration of the South Fork of the New River at Brookshire Park. These covenants were the same as covenants/conservation easements adopted for previous CWMTF wetlands restoration projects at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex (TMSC) near Brookshire Road Park. Mr. Furman stated that the covenants were developed by the County Attorney and adoption was required by the grant.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adopt the covenants/conservation easements as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Bid Award Request for Complex I Softball Field Fencing
County Manager Geouque, on behalf of Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, presented the following bids for fencing at the Complex I softball field:
|
Bidder |
Amount |
|
Triangle Fence – Rhonda, NC |
$27,032 |
|
McCall Fence – Gray, TN |
$31,578 |
|
AFC – Hickory, NC |
$39,971 |
The fence would be located at the field near the new Community Recreation Center (CRC). Funds for the project were included with the replacement of the tennis courts and basketball/pickleball fields at the CRC.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to award the contract to Triangle Fence Company in the amount of $27,032.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Additional Appropriation of State Funds for Senior Centers
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, stated that additional Senior Center General Purpose funding was available for the County’s two senior centers in the total amount of $14,020 which required a local match of twenty-five percent (25%). The L. E. Harrill Senior Center, as a Center of Excellence, was eligible to receive $10,515 with a local match of $3,505. The Western Watauga Community Center was eligible to receive $3,505 with a local match of $1,168. The total local match required, in the amount of $4,673 was present in the current Project on Aging budget.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept the additional funding in the amount of $14,020 and the twenty-five percent (25%) local match.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Emergency Services Matters
A. Proposed Acceptance of Domestic Preparedness Region Project
Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director, requested the acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2020 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSPG) in the amount of $26,000 for the purchase of nine Interoperable Redundant Communications Platforms. Mr. Holt stated that County match was not required and additional funds had been budgeted for the data plan requirements. The nine platforms would be dispersed across the Domestic Preparedness Region with Watauga County retaining a platform as part of sponsoring the grant.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to accept the grant for $26,000 from the Homeland Security Grant Program.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Acceptance of Communications Grant on Behalf of North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM)
Mr. Holt requested the acceptance of the Fiscal Year 2020 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Grant as a subrecipient on behalf of North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) for their use in replacing antiquated radios.
The grant, in the amount of $307,000.00, and with no county match and would be executed by the NCEM Communications Branch. In exchange for the County’s assistance, priority would be given to replace the Western Branch radios first; specifically, Area 12 which covers Watauga County.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept the grant and serve as the subrecipient on behalf North Carolina Emergency Management.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Bid Award Request for Rich Mountain Tower Generator Installation
Mr. Holt stated that the generator for the Rich Mountain communications tower was destroyed by lightning leaving the site with only a battery back-up. Mr. Holt requested approval for the purchase of a replacement back-up generator and transfer switch in the amount of $63,201.33. The installation quote was from the State contract vendor who was also the County’s current vendor for all tower construction operations. An insurance claim was filed; however, adequate funds were also already budgeted as the site was scheduled for upgrades. The budgeted funds would now cover any expenses not paid by insurance. When asked, Mr. Holt responded that the generator used diesel fuel. The State had already converted to using diesel fuel as it was easier in emergency situations to get the fuel to the generators which had built-in block heaters.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the $63,201.33 contract as presented by Mr. Holt.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. RFQ for Architectural Services for the Proposed Valle Crucis School
County Manager Geouque stated that the school system recently closed on the property where the future Valle Crucis Elementary School would be located. Mr. Geouque presented a proposed Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for architectural services. The contract would be structured in phases so that the County could cease the process in the event that the County’s budget or economic conditions warranted. The main focus would be on design, programming, and cost analysis. Funds were set aside to cover the architectural services.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to release the RFQ for architectural services for the new Valle Crucis Elementary School.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Recommended Contract Award for Employee Medical
County Manager Geouque stated that renewal rates were received for medical, dental, and life insurance benefits. The initial renewal rate received from CIGNA for medical insurance was a 28.37% increase. Mr. Geouque stated that further negotiations and analysis of additional claims reduced the increase to 4.99%. Mr. Geouque stated that premiums for Dental Insurance, through Ameritas Dental, and Life Insurance, through Symetra Financial, would remain unchanged due to the current rate lock.
Mr. Geouque stated that staff recommended CIGNA’s Level Funding plan for the County’s medical insurance with a 4.99% increase and for the County to fund $1,000 into each employee’s Health Savings Account (HSA) account. Staff further recommended Ameritas Dental and Symetra Financial for dental and life insurance. Adequate funds were budgeted to cover the renewal rates.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to:
· approve CIGNA’s medical plan with a 4.99% increase; and
· fund $1,000 into each employee’s Health Savings Account (HSA); and
· approve Ameritas Dental for dental insurance at the current rate lock; and
· approve Symetra Financial for life insurance at the current rate lock.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. October and November Meeting Schedules
County Manager Geouque stated that the Board of Elections currently had the Commissioners’ Board Room scheduled for one-stop voting on October 20, 2020, which was the date for the next Commissioners’ meeting. Also, Election Day is on November 3, 2020, which is the date of the Board’s first regular November meeting.
County Manager Geouque stated that staff recommended moving the location of the October 20, 2020, meeting, if the meeting was to be held in person, and canceling the November 3, 2020, meeting. The Governor’s limit of twenty-five people as maximum capacity for indoor meetings was still in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to:
· hold the October 20, 2020, regular meeting as a hybrid meeting originating from the Community Room at the new Community Recreation Center with Commissioners, who wished to, attend in person (while properly distanced) and Commissioner who wished, along with the public and presenters, attend the meeting electronically through Zoom; and
· cancel the November 3, 2020, regularly scheduled meeting due to it being Election Day with the Board of Commissioners’ Room being used as an official polling place.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following for consideration:
Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee
Ms. Stevie John, High Country Council of Government’s Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman, had submitted Ms. Evelina Idol and Ms. Pat Taylor for reappointment to the Watauga County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee. Both were willing to continue to serve for three-year terms if so appointed. These were first readings.
The County Manager stated that Ms. John was also sad to report that Mr. Harold Eller, a member of the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee had passed away and, therefore, requested his name be removed from the roster.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Evelina Idol and Ms. Pat Taylor to the Watauga County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to officially remove Mr. Harold Eller from the Watauga County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The October 20, 2020, Board of Commissioners’ meeting would be a hybrid meeting with Board members, who wished to, attending the meeting in person in the Community Room of the new Community Recreation Center (to allow for proper distancing) and Board members, who wished to, along with presenters and the public attending the meeting electronically through Zoom.
· The November 3, 2020, Board meeting has been cancelled due to it being Election Day and the Commissioners’ Board Room being an official polling site.
Public Comment
A public comment had been received by the deadline time from Mr. Noah Gordon and could be viewed on the County’s website.
Closed Session
At 9:42 A.M., Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i). The following lawsuits were included in discussion during closed session: The Town of Boone lawsuit regarding sales tax distribution, the lawsuit against the Town of Boone regarding the water allocation, and the Rainbow Trail Board of Adjustment Appeal.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to resume the open meeting at 10:05 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Possible Action After Closed Session
There was no action taken after closed session.
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board