MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, December 7, 2020, at 8:30 A.M. remotely with the meeting originating in the Community Room located in the Watauga County Community Recreation Center, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Welch called the remote electronic meeting to order at 8:35 A.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
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 November 17, 2020, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the November 17, 2020, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the November 17, 2020, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Addition to the Agenda
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to add a Presentation of a Proclamation to the agenda.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Presentation of Proclamation to Commissioner Perry Yates
Chairman Welch read a Proclamation presented to Commissioner Perry Yates by the Board of Commissioners honoring his service to the County.
Watauga Riverkeeper Presentation
Mr. Andy Hill with Watauga Riverkeepers thanked Commissioner Yates for his service to the County and stated that he had a plaque to present him at a later date in person.
Recess Meeting for Swearing In of New Commissioners
At 8:43 A.M. Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to recess the meeting to allow for Commissioners-Elect Carrington Pertalion, Charlie Wallin, and John Welch to take their oath of office.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Reconvene
County Manager Geouque reconvened the meeting at 9:01 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room with Commissioners Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin, and Welch.
Board Organizational Matters
A. Election of Officers
County Manager Geouque called for nominations for Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to nominate Commissioner Welch for Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The meeting was turned over to Chairman Welch.
Chairman Welch called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to nominate Commissioner Kennedy for Vice-Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Staff Appointments
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reappoint Deron Geouque as the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reappoint Anita Fogle as Clerk to the Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reappoint both Monica Harrison and Macy Hafner as Substitute Clerks to the Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reappoint di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson, & Garrett as the Law Firm representing Watauga County as legal counsel for Watauga County.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reappoint di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson, & Garrett as the Law Firm representing as legal counsel for Watauga County Department of Social Services and the Child Support Enforcement Offices and authorized di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson, & Garrett to appoint another attorney, at the current rate, in the event their firm had a conflict of interest.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Fidelity Bonds
The following individual fidelity bonds were presented for approval:
Position Bond Amount Statutory Requirement
Finance Director $50,000 No less than $50,000, per NCGS 159-29
Deputy Finance Director $50,000
(County Manager)
Tax Collector $50,000 Amount considered reasonable
by BCC, per NCGS 105-349-c
Register of Deeds $50,000 At least $10,000 but no more
than $50,000, per NCGS 161-4
Sheriff $25,000 Amount considered reasonable by BCC, but
no more than $25,000 max, per NCGS 162-8
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the individual fidelity bonds as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Commissioner Appointments to Boards & Commissions
Each Commissioner nominates a representative to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board and the Watauga County Planning Board whose terms run concurrent with the term of the appointing Commissioner. Boone Rural Fire Service District Board members must own property and reside within the Fire Service District. Planning Board members must live within the appointing Commissioner’s District and action must be taken by the entire Board of Commissioners to make these appointments.
The Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the tax and setting the tax rate on a yearly basis. Below are the current members:
|
Member |
Appointment Date |
Term Expiration Date |
Commissioner |
|
VACANT |
|
12/2022 |
District 1 – Pertalion |
|
Lee Stroup |
12/2016 |
12/2024 |
District 2 – Welch |
|
Jimmy Marsh |
12/2018 |
12/2022 |
District 3 – Kennedy |
|
Katy Abrams |
12/2018 |
12/2022 |
District 4 – Turnbow |
|
Mary Cavanaugh |
05/2019 |
12/2024 |
District 5 - Wallin |
Commissioner Pertalion tabled appointment of her district representative to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board to a future meeting.
Commissioner Turnbow stated that Ms. Abrams has moved and he tabled appointment of her replacement to a future meeting.
Chairman Welch reappointed Mr. Lee Stroup to serve as his district representative and Commissioner Wallin reappointed Ms. Mary Cavanaugh as his district representative to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept all the above appointments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The Watauga County Planning Board develops and recommends policies, ordinances, administrative procedures and other means for carrying out plans in a coordinated and efficient manner. Below are the current members:
|
Member |
Appointment Date |
Term Expiration Date |
Commissioner |
|
VACANT |
|
12/2022 |
District 1 – Pertalion |
|
Neil Hartley |
12/2016 |
12/2024 |
District 2 – Welch |
|
Dennis Scanlin |
12/2018 |
12/2022 |
District 3 – Kennedy |
|
Marsha Walpole |
12/2018 |
12/2022 |
District 4 – Turnbow |
|
Diane Tilson |
05/2018 |
12/2024 |
District 5 - Wallin |
|
Kimmy Tiedemann |
12/2019 |
12/2023 |
At-Large |
|
Richard Mattar |
12/2017 |
12/2021 |
At-Large |
Commissioner Pertalion tabled appointment of her district representative to the Planning Board to a future meeting.
Chairman Welch reappointed Mr. Neil Hartley to serve as his district representative and Commissioner Wallin reappointed Ms. Diane Tilson as his district representative to the Planning Board.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept all the above appointments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Each year the Chairman appoints Commissioners to serve as representatives on several Boards and Commissions. Some of these are legal requirements and some are at the request of the agencies.
Chairman Welch presented the following Commissioner Board appointments for consideration:
|
Member |
|
|
Appalachian District Health Department |
Pertalion |
|
Appalachian Theatre Board of Trustees Ex-Officio Member |
Wallin or Welch |
|
AppalCART Authority |
Wallin |
|
Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development Area |
Turnbow |
|
Caldwell Community College &Technical Institute – Watauga Advisory Board |
Welch |
|
Children’s Council |
Pertalion |
|
Child Protection Team |
Kennedy |
|
Cooperative Extension Advisory Leadership Board |
Pertalion |
|
Economic Development Commission (EDC) |
Turnbow |
|
Educational Planning Committee (2 appointees) |
Wallin & Welch |
|
EMS Advisory Committee |
Pertalion |
|
High Country Council of Governments (including the Executive Board and the Rural Transportation Advisory Committee) |
Turnbow |
|
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) |
Welch |
|
Humane Society |
Turnbow |
|
Library Board |
Kennedy |
|
Motor Vehicle Valuation Review Committee |
BCC |
|
New River Service Authority Board |
Wallin |
|
Northwest Regional Housing Authority (5-year term expires Dec. 12, 2024) |
Pat Vines |
|
POA Advisory Committee (Home & Community Care Block Grant) |
Pertalion |
|
Sheriff’s Office Liaison |
Kennedy & Turnbow |
|
Vaya County Commissioner Advisory Board |
Wallin |
|
Social Services Advisory Board |
Wallin |
|
Watauga County Arts Council (added February 2020) |
Pertalion |
|
Watauga County Fire Commission |
Welch |
|
Watauga County Personnel Advisory Committee |
Chair/Vice-Chair |
|
Watauga County Recreation Commission |
Welch |
|
Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees |
Kennedy |
|
W.A.M.Y. Community Action |
Wallin |
|
Watauga Opportunities, Inc. |
Turnbow |
|
Workforce Development Board (WDB) |
Chairman |
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept the above appointments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Regular Meeting Schedule
Chairman Welch stated that the Board of Commissioners’ regular meetings were currently scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 A.M. and the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 P.M.
After discussion, Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to change the regular meeting schedule for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners to the following: the first and third Tuesday of each month with both meetings beginning at 5:30 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the December 7, 2020, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the December 7, 2020, agenda as presented and including the earlier addition.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Request for Direction on Reviewing RFQs for New Valle Crucis Elementary School Architect
County Manager Geouque stated that Request for Qualifications (RFQs) were recently solicited for architectural services for the proposed new Valle Crucis Elementary School. The deadline for proposals was November 13, 2020. The Board may wish to utilize the Educational Planning Committee, which included Chairman Welch and Commissioner Wallin, to meet with Dr. Scott Elliott, School Superintendent, and potentially one or two School Board Members to review the proposals and make a recommendation to the Commissioners for the selection of an architect for the proposed Valle Crucis Elementary School. County Manager Geouque stated that points would be built into the architectural services agreement which would allow the project to be stopped, if needed. The County Manager stated that the Board of Commissioners would be the entity hiring the architect as well as, in the future, the Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) and/or design build organization for the project.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to empower the Education Planning Committee to review the RFQs received for architectural services for the new Valle Crucis Elementary School.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. January’s Meeting Schedule
County Manager Geouque stated that the Board has traditionally cancelled one of the meetings in either December or January depending on how the holidays fell. Due to where Christmas and New Year fall during the week, staff would recommend the Board cancel the first meeting in January as there would be insufficient time to prepare the Board packets. Historically, December and the first weeks in January have few issues requiring Board action.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to cancel the first meeting in January as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Appointment of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ (NCACC) Legislative Goals Conference Voting Delegate
County Manager Geouque stated that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) Legislative Goals Conference was scheduled for January 14-15, 2021, via virtual format. Each county in attendance was required to select a voting member for the Conference. Submission of the voting delegate was due by January 11, 2021.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to appoint Commissioner Wallin as the Watauga County voting delegate at the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Legislative Goals Conference.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Chairman Welch recognized Commissioner Wallin for being appointed to serve on the NCACC Presidential Task Force on Food System Resiliency.
D. Announcements
Chairman Welch recognized Watauga Democrat Reporter, Kayla Lasure, upon her recent promotion to Editor.
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the Annual County Christmas Luncheon has been cancelled for 2020.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy stated that he will miss the appreciation service. Commissioner Turnbow asked County Manager Geouque if there was a way to serve employees a boxed lunch. Mr. Geouque stated that an appreciation gift would still be given to each employee; however, with COVID restrictions, it would be best to postpone having the appreciation service and meal until next December. The Board agreed with the County Manager.
[Clerk’s Note: At 9:25 A.M., IT Director, Mr. Drew Eggers, informed the Board that Zoom, the technology site used for the electronic meeting, had crashed. The Board paused discussions until Mr. Eggers corrected the issue. Once corrected, the County Manager continued with announcements at 9:30 A.M.]
· Vaya Health cordially invited the Board to the 2020 Virtual Legislative Reception on Friday, December 11, 2020, from 10:00 - 11:00 A.M. Mr. Brian Ingraham, President and CEO, will share about the public Managed Care Organization (MCO) that oversees Medicaid, Federal, State and local funding for services and provides support related to mental health, substance use disorder and intellectual/developmental disabilities for 22 counties in western North Carolina.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy encouraged attendance of the Virtual Legislative Reception as Vaya Health funds Daymark Recovery Services. Commissioner Wallin stated that the Legislative Reception was important this year with upcoming legislative sessions to possibly include funding cuts for mental health services.
· Ethics for Elected Officials Online Training - Incumbents only could receive the required ethics training, via Zoom, on February 26, 2021, or March 23, 2021. Newly elected County Commissioners would receive the training through the Essentials of County Government course.
· The Essentials of County Government course was scheduled to be held virtually on the following dates:
Tract 1: December 11, 2020; January 8, 2021; February 26, 2021
Tract 2: January 22, 2021; February 25, 2021, March 23, 2021
Public Comment
No public comments were received.
Closed Session
At 9:38 A.M., Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, 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.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to resume the open meeting at 11:28 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:28 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board