MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, September 7, 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 5:34 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commission
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Andrea Capua, 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 August 17, 2021, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the August 17, 2021, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the August 17, 2021, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the September 7, 2021, agenda.
Chairman Welch recommended adding the introduction of Mr. Dustin Burleson to the agenda.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the September 7, 2021, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Introduction of Mr. Dustin Burleson
Mr. Dustin Burleson introduced himself to the Board as the Community Relations Regional Director with Vaya Health and stated that he looked forward to bringing future updates regarding operations as well as the ongoing merger with Cardinal Health.
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.
Property Tax Appeal
Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented an application for property tax exemption that was denied due to untimely filing. The property was purchased by High Country Community Health in August of 2020. An application for exemption was not filed until August of 2021. The property was located on State Farm Road and formerly housed Boone Urology. Mr. Warren recommended allowing the exemption.
Ms. Alice Salthouse, CEO of High Country Community Health, stated that, as a non-profit organization, the building was purchased through an USDA loan and the organization was asking to be exempt for 2021. 2020 taxes would have been pro-rated and paid at the time of the purchase.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to accept the application for exemption.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Transfer Station Improvements Project – PADCO Change Order # 1
Mr. Rex Buck, Operations Services Director, presented Change Order # 1 regarding the transfer station improvement project. The change order was in the amount of $39,752 and was necessitated by the relocation of a water and sewer line that were not indicated on previous as-builts. Adequate funds were budgeted to cover the expense. Due to time constraints, staff authorized the Change Order.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept the change order from PADCO Excavating Inc. in the amount $39,752 for Transfer Station Improvements as presented by Mr. Buck.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Emergency Services Matters
A. Proposed Priority Dispatch License Renewal
Mr. Will Holt, Emergency Services Director, presented a proposed renewal of the Priority Dispatch software license for $16,800. The software was used for processing of Fire, EMS and Law Enforcement calls with a nationally recognized list of questions that allow for standardization and prioritization of emergency calls. The cost of the software would be 100% funded by 911 surcharge funds.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the contract renewal with Priority Dispatch software license in the amount of $16,800 as presented by Mr. Holt.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Replacement Truck Purchase Request
Mr. Holt requested approval of the purchase of a F-250 4x4 pickup truck in the amount of $34,539 from Modern Ford and the emergency upfit in the amount of $11,806.42 from Global Public Safety, LLC. Adequate funds were budgeted to cover the expense.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the purchase of a F-250 4x4 pickup truck in the amount of $35,581.17 (including tax and tag) from Modern Ford and approve the emergency upfit in the amount of $11,806.42 from Global Public Safety, LLC.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Proposed Easement for Hunting Hills Lane Bridge Replacement
County Manager Geouque stated that Watauga County and the Town of Boone jointly own the National Guard Armory Building located adjacent to the Hunting Hills Lane bridge which was in order to be replaced. The County Manager presented a Temporary Construction Easement as requested by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for the Armory property as needed for the project.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to grant the temporary easement to NCDOT for the Armory property
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. State Highway Patrol Lease Renewal
County Manager Geouque stated that the lease for office space at the Law Enforcement Center for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) was scheduled for renewal. The requested renewal amount was the same rate as the current amount of $4,560 annually. The term of the lease was for a three (3) year period commencing on July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2024.
County Attorney Capua questioned whether there had been issues with the lease in previous years and County Manager Geouque stated that there had been no issues.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve, contingent upon County Attorney review, the lease with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following for consideration:
Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission
Mr. Allen Culler has resigned his seat on the Valle Crucis Historic Preservation Commission (VCHPC). The VCHPC consists of five members. Three must reside in the District and two must be members of the Valle Crucis Community Council; however, residence within the District was not required for those two seats. Mr. Culler filled one of the two Community Council seats. Mr. Scott Jensen, a member of the Community Council, was interested in being appointed in Mr. Culler's place. Time was of the essence for this appointment in order for the VCHPC to have full membership to consider the upcoming application for Certificate of Appropriateness for the new Valle Crucis School.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Scott Jensen as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Watauga County Public Library
The Watauga County Library Board recommended Ms. Patricia Swartzbaugh be appointed to a first term to replace Ms. Ala Sue Moretz who just finished her second term.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Patricia Swartzbaugh as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Social Services Advisory Board
The Social Services Advisory Board recommended the appointment of Ms. Reagan Breitenstein for a four-year term to replace Ms. Sharon Breitenstein.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Reagan Breitenstein as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The High Country Council of Governments’ 46th Annual Banquet scheduled for Friday, September 10, 2021, has been cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.
· The Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (CCC&TI) Board of Trustees invite the Board of Commissioners to join the Wednesday, September 15, 2021, Board of Trustees meeting at 6:00 P.M. at the new Student Services Center building located at the Watauga Campus in Boone.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Closed Session
At 6:18 P.M., Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:42 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Vice-Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board