MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:33 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Welch opened with a prayer and Vice-Chairman Kennedy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Wallin joined the meeting upon arrival at 5:37 P.M.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the June 20, 2021, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the July 20, 2021, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Wallin)
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the July 20, 2021, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Wallin)
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the August 3, 2021, agenda.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the August 3, 2021, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Wallin)
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.
Watauga County Broadband Initiative
Mr. Brad Shields with Blue Ridge Energy and Mr. Robbie Farmer, Mr. Brantley Davis, and Mr. Jody Barnes with SkyLine/SkyBest were present to address underserved areas of the County regarding broadband services. Several areas of the County were identified as underserved with broadband services through citizen contacts, petitions, surveys, and Federal and State data. The current COVID-19 pandemic amplified the lack of broadband services in areas throughout the County with remote education and citizens working from home. The goal was to close the digital divide in the County and allow access to digital commerce, telehealth, online education, and digital media for the citizens.
The following proposal would build approximately seventy-five (75) miles of trunk fiber by Blue Ridge Energy and SkyLine/SkyBest to provide seventy-eight (78) miles of distribution fiber for approximately 1,565 homes to access. The project would consist of four phases and be constructed over a two and half (2.5) year process. The four phases would be as followed:
· Phase 1 – Triplett/Powder Horn - would provide the largest amount of access to homes (503) and territory with 29 miles of fiber built.
· Phase 2 – Wildcat/Stoney Fork – access for 310 homes with 20 miles of fiber built.
· Phase 3 – Blackberry/Sampson -access for 252 homes with 16 miles of fiber built.
· Phase 4 – Howard’s Creek/Ray Brown/Raven Rock – access for 500 homes with 10 miles of fiber built.
The project would utilize American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) funds with the estimated cost being $7 million dollars. The County received a total of $10,911,724.00 in ARP funding.
A small amount of funding has been utilized to cover unbudgeted COVID-19 expenses related to the County’s detention facility. County staff continued to review and develop projects for ARP funding. Broadband was one of the projects that had been identified as high priority, especially in lieu of the pandemic and the need for remote learning and work. The project would increase the footprint of broadband services, address several of the underserved areas, and lay the groundwork for future expansion. An additional benefit of the project was that staff had requested a set-aside of fiber for future County buildings, emergency communication towers and/or equipment located along the expansion.
Chairman Welch tabled consideration until the August 17, 2021, Board meeting to allow for staff to work with Blue Ridge Energy and SkyLine/SkyBest to develop a contract for the project to ensure compliance with ARP funding guidance.
OASIS Funding Request
Ms. Michelle Grit and Ms. Jennifer Kearse with OASIS gave an update on their services and how they had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to free up reoccurring expenses that could be used to cover funds lost due to not being able to hold annual fundraisers in light of the pandemic, Ms. Grit requested a one-time $50,000 allocation from the County to pay off their remaining $75,000 mortgage. The remaining $25,000 would be raised by OASIS through corporate sponsors and fundraising. The $50,000 was requested to be allocated from the American Rescue Plan funds received by the County. With mortgage costs gone, those monthly funds could be expended for additional services.
Chairman Welch tabled consideration of the request until staff completed and prioritized the list of projects to potentially receive ARP funding to determine if there were funds available.
Mr. Craig Hughes, AppalCART Director, presented a proposed resolution authorizing the filing of funding applications with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the execution of the designee certification form.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adopt the enclosed resolution authorizing the filing of applications with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the execution of the designee certification form.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Kill Chill Facility Update and Request for Scoping and Preliminary Engineering Funds
Mr. Jim Hamilton, Cooperative Extension Director, gave an update on the proposed Kill/Chill Facility to be located at the landfill. Mr. Hamilton requested authorization for the use of up to $77,800 from the Golden LEAF funds to begin the preliminary engineering and planning process to determine actual project costs.
After discussion, Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to authorize the use of up to $77,800 from the Golden LEAF funds to begin the preliminary engineering and planning process to determine actual project costs.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Purchase of Renewable Energy from New River Light and Power
Mr. Ed Miller, General Manager of New River Light and Power (NRLP), presented options for the County to purchase 100%, or a portion, of the County’s energy use from hydroelectric facilities. NRLP would be entering a new wholesale purchase power agreement beginning in January 2022 with Carolina Power Partners (CPP). The new power agreement would reduce the County’s utility bill by 14% or approximately $50,000. The power agreement would also allow the County to purchase renewable energy at an increased cost. The premium cost was currently $5.00 for every 250kwh sold or $0.02/kwh.
The estimate, if the County elected to purchase 100% of their energy from a renewable resource, was $34,296 ($88,144 actual cost minus the 14% ($53,818) rate reduction). However, if the County elected to utilize only the proposed 14% savings; 60% of the energy purchased would be renewable. The County could also select any percentage (%) to purchase of renewable energy or retain the $53,818 in savings.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to enter an agreement with NRLP to purchase 100% of energy from a renewable resource beginning January 2022.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following for consideration:
Economic Development Commission
A term on the Economic Development Commission expired in June. It was a three-year term. Members were eligible to be appointed for two consecutive terms. Mr. Tim Hodges had served both terms and, therefore, was ineligible for reappointment; a new appointee was needed. County Manager Geouque stated that a volunteer application was received from Ms. Virginia Lee Wallace who had expressed interest in serving on the EDC. This was a second reading.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to appoint Ms. Virginia Lee Wallace to serve on the Economic Development Commission for a three-year term.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission
Maria Hyde, the current Chair of the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission (VCHPC) has moved, or would soon move, out of Watauga County which requires her replacement. Two people had expressed interest in being appointed to replace her. Membership consists of three resident property owners of the historic district, and two members of the Valle Crucis Community Council, regardless of whether they live in the historic district. Mrs. Hyde filled one of the resident property owner slots. Mrs. Rachel Ward who, along with her husband, purchased the Hyde’s house was interested in being appointed to the Commission. Also interested was Mr. Pat Brown, who lives in the district along with his wife, Jennifer Stoeber. Both were qualified for the position and these were second readings.
After discussion, Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to appoint Mr. Pat Brown to serve on the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
AppalCART Board
The AppalCART Board recommended reappointing David Jackson, Frank David V, and Joe Eller to the AppalCART Board to maintain the continuity of the current Board. The term would be for two years.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint David Jackson, Frank “Quint” David, V, and Joe Eller to the AppalCART Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Local Firefighters Relief Fund Board of Trustees
Stewart Simmons Fire Chief Doug Berry requested the appointment of Ms. Keron Poteat to the Local Firefighters Relief Fund Board of Trustees.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Keron Poteat to the Local Firefighters Relief Fund Board of Trustees.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The 114th North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Annual Conference was scheduled for August 12-14, 2021, in New Hanover County. Visit https://www.ncacc.org/events-training/annual-conference/2021-annual-conference/ for full information.
· The Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) Board of Trustees invited the Board of Commissioners to attend the Watauga Student Services Open House on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 5:30 P.M. The Open House would be held at 372 Community College Drive, Boone, NC.
· Chairman Welch encouraged the support of the Back 2 School Festival scheduled for this week.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 7:18 P.M., Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Economic Development, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(4).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:21 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Possible Action After Closed Session
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to schedule a public hearing for 5:30 P.M., on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, to allow public comment on the consideration of submitting a grant application for Building Reuse funds from the NC Department of Commerce to provide funds to loan to “Project Checkout.”
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Vice-Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board