MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2022
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order at 5:32 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: 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
[Clerk’s Note: Chairman Welch was not in attendance due to a prior commitment.]
Commissioner Wallin opened with a prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called for additions and/or corrections to the February 17 & 18, special meeting minutes as well as the March 1, 2022, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the February 17 & 18, 2022, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the March 1, 2022, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the March 1, 2022, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Approval of Agenda
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called for additions and/or corrections to the March 15, 2022, agenda.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the March 15, 2022, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
[Clerk’s Note: Mr. Furman’s items were heard first to allow Ms. Blount time to get to the meeting.]
Request for Funding from Economic Development Capital Reserve Account
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections/EDC Director, stated that the Economic Development Commission (EDC) voted to approve a proposal from WRAL Digital Solutions in the amount of $22,000.00. The EDC recommended the funds be allocated from the Economic Development Capital Reserve account which required approval of the Board of Commissioners. Funds would be used for an online presence with WRAL’s Spotlight Hometown Carolina site which received around one million hits a day. Mr. Furman gave details of the agreement which included, over a six-month period, six articles and a video spotlighting economic development in Watauga County as well as two interviews. The bonuses for the County was that staff would be involved in developing the content and the content would be owned by the County. The information shared would be devoted to economic development only as there were other avenues for tourism development already in place. The initiative would be revisited in one year to review the success of the project.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to authorize the $22,000 expenditure to be allocated from the Economic Development Capital Reserve account.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Proposed Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Grant Application for Middle Fork Greenway
Mr. Joe Furman requested permission to apply for a $500,000 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant for construction of a park on the Middle Fork Greenway corridor on Jordan V. Cook Road. The County would be the applicant and the Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC), would donate the land for the park to the County which would cover the required match. No funds from the County were requested.
Mr. Furman stated that a public meeting, not public hearing, was required as part of the application process and suggested a special meeting be held prior to the April 15, 2022, Board meeting. This meeting would be separate from the regular meeting but held on the same evening.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to schedule a special meeting to discuss the grant application to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) in the amount of $500,000 on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, at 5:00 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to authorize Mr. Furman to submit a grant application to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) in the amount of $500,000.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
New River Conservancy Proposed Letter of Intent
Ms. Chelsea Blount, New River Conservancy, discussed and shared the potential scope of work for restoration of the portion of Hardin Creek on the Watauga High School County-owned property. Ms. Blount presented a proposed Letter of Intent which would guarantee that at least a 50-foot buffer along Hardin Creek would not be disturbed and the landowner would allow efforts to repair damage to the streambank, stream channel, and floodplain of Hardin Creek. Ms. Blount stated that several access points would also be included in the design.
The County Manager stated that, since the property would one day revert back to the School System, he checked with Dr. Scott Elliott, School Superintendent, who was in agreeance with the Letter of Intent as long as the Sustainability Club at the High School could be involved in the project. Ms. Blount stated that the Conservancy wanted that as well.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the Letter of Intent to grant the 50-foot buffer along Hardin Creek to repair the streambank, stream channel, and floodplain.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Maintenance Matters
A. Proposed Generator Maintenance Service Agreement
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, presented a proposed contract with Cummins Sales and Service for generator maintenance services at the Recreation Center. The proposal was in the amount of $22,706.40 and adequate funds were available to cover the expense.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to accept the proposal from Cummins Sales and Service in the amount of $22,706.40 for generator maintenance.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
B. Proposed Agreement for Roofing Design Services
Mr. Robert Marsh stated that the County had recently received a SCIF grant in the amount of $100,000 to reroof the Hunger and Health Coalition building. The County contacted SKA Architecture as they designed the roofing project for the structure in the late 1980's. SKA submitted a proposal in the amount of $33,900 for design services.
Due to SKA’s working knowledge of the project and previous work; staff recommended the Board exempt this project from N.C. General Statute 143-64.31 and select SKA for the final design, bidding, and construction administration as they would be the most qualified for the project. Upon completion of the design, the County would proceed with the bid process provided the Hunger and Health Coalition and County have agreed upon funding for the construction of the proposed project.
County Manager Geouque stated that the County may be able to rollover other SCIF grant funding if the entire amount was not needed for the project for which it was designated.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to exempt the project from N.C. General Statute 143-64.31 and select SKA for the final design, bidding, and construction administration for the Hunger and Health Coalition project in the amount of $33,900.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
C. Proposed Contract for Weekend Parks Facility Cleaning
Mr. Robert Marsh presented a proposal for weekend cleaning/lock-up services for County Parks. The proposal was a five (5) year contract in the amount of $53,376 for 33 weekends for the first two years and the three remaining years would increase by a $1,000 per year. Staff was unable to hire the two part-time Custodian l positions necessary to perform the scope of work as presented in the proposal.
The County solicited bids from IHG and International Support Group (ISG). IHG had contracts with Appalachian State and the hospital for facility maintenance but declined to submit a proposal due to the small scope of work. ISG submitted a proposal in the amount of $53,376 for the first two years for weekend cleaning services from April 1 through November 15. ISG was the current service provider to Scott Kerr Lake and other USDA locations. Mr. Marsh stated that ISG had the labor force to provide the services and that he would be spot-checking on the quality of work provided.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to authorize staff to complete negotiations and execute the contract with ISG.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Requested Appointment of Home & Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) Advisory and Lead Agency
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, stated that each year the Board was required to appoint a lead agency and advisory committee to make recommendations on how to best expend the County’s allocation from Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds. H&CCBG funds were established by the Older American’s Act and administered by the North Carolina Division of Aging.
The following were recommended for appointment to the H&CCBG committee: Commissioner Pertalion, Zack Greene, Dustin Burleson, Austin Combs, Jennifer Greene, Betsy Richards, Skylar Taracido, Pat Coley, Kat Danner, Linda Marcoux, Mary Moretz, Carolyn Owens, and Dr. Ed Rosenberg. Commissioner Pertalion had already been appointed to the Committee at the December 7, 2021, Board of Commissioners meeting.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Zack Greene, Dustin Burleson, Austin Combs, Jennifer Greene, Betsy Richards, Skylar Taracido, Pat Coley, Kat Danner, Linda Marcoux, Mary Moretz, Carolyn Owens, and Dr. Ed Rosenberg to the Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Committee.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to appoint the Watauga County Project on Aging as the Lead Agency for Home and Community Care Block Grant funds.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of February 2022. The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Warren stated that there were no refunds and presented the Releases Report for February 2022 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the Releases Report for February 2022 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Proposed Town of Beech Mountain EMS Agreement
County Manager Geouque stated that the Town of Beech Mountain had approved an agreement for a 24/7 ambulance on December 14, 2021. The unit was to be stationed in Beech Mountain but would provide coverage to all portions of Watauga County currently served by Avery County. The County was waiting for Avery County to approve the agreement so the unit could serve the Avery side of the Beech Mountain town limits. To date, Avery County has yet to approve the agreement with Watauga County.
The County Manager stated that the Town of Beech Mountain has requested Watauga County execute the agreement to allow for the placement of the ambulance in the town. Beech Mountain has agreed to pay the County $428,825 which was $69,175 less than the actual cost of $498,000. The reduction was due to the cancellation of the contract with Avery County to cover areas in Watauga. The execution of the contract would provide ambulance services to the portion of the Town of Beech Mountain in Watauga County. The unit would not be able to serve the portion of the Town in Avery until Avery County approved the agreement with Watauga.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the agreement with the Town of Beech Mountain to pay all costs associated with providing a 24/7 ambulance to be stationed in the town as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
B. Proposed Blue Ridge Energy Utility Easement for Scale House Project
County Manager Geouque presented a utility easement from Blue Ridge Energy which was required for the new scale house project.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the utility easement with Blue Ridge Energy regarding the construction of the new scale house.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· A four-session series to discuss the safety, accessibility, and affordability of housing in Watauga County would be held in March and April 2022.
· Budget Work Sessions were scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 2022, beginning at 12:00 noon and Friday, May 13, 2022, beginning at 9:00 A.M.
Public Comment
Dr. Charles Ford spoke in regards to “Back Our Blue,” a non-partisan organization he and his wife started to offer support and fundraising for local law enforcement agencies. He shared their new campaign, “Burn A Blue Light,” which encouraged everyone in the County to burn a blue light on April 28, 2022, which was the one-year anniversary of the deaths of Watauga County Sheriff’s Sergeant Christopher David Ward and Deputy Logan Shane Fox while in the line of duty. Dr. Ford stated that New River Building and Watauga Building Supply had both agreed to order blue bulbs to have available for purchase for the event. County Manager Geouque stated that staff had planned to present a resolution at an April meeting to honor the memory of Sergeant Ward and Deputy Fox.
Closed Session
At 6:35 P.M., Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:08 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Adjourn
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:08 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board