MINUTES
 
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2007
 
            The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at 6:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building.
 
                        PRESENT:       Jim Deal, Chairman
                                                John Cooper, Commissioner
                                                Winston Kinsey, Commissioner
                                                Mary Moretz, Commissioner
                                                Andrea Capua, County Attorney
                                    Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager
                                                Deron Geouque, Assistant County Manager
                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
 
[Clerk’s Note: Vice-Chairman Winkler was absent due to illness.]
 
            Chairman Deal called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M., welcoming those in attendance.
 
            Commissioner Cooper opened the meeting with a prayer.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 
            Chairman Deal called for additions or corrections to the January 2, 2007, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the January 2, 2007, regular meeting minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Winkler)
 
            After the vote was taken, it was discovered that there was a typo in the regular meeting minutes.
 
            By consensus, the Board agreed to amend the January 2, 2007, minutes as follows under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters:
 
            F.         Discussion of a Scenic Designation for the Globe Forest Area – Commissioner Cooper stated that there was proposed legislation to designate the Globe Forest area as scenic which was to inhibit the clear cutting project as proposed by DOT the USDA Forest Service.
 
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the January 2, 2007, closed session minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Winkler)
 
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
 
            Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the January 17, 2007, agenda.
 
            The following two additions were requested to be added after agenda item # 6: a grant request from Sheriff Hagaman and a 911 funds request from Mr. Furman.
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to approve the January 2, 2007, agenda as amended.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Winkler)
 
COURTHOUSE PROJECT UPDATE AND DISCUSSION OF CHANGE ORDERS
 
            Mr. Jack Hemphill presented a progress report on the Courthouse Addition/Renovation project. Mr. Hemphill reviewed the following items which were encountered and needed to be formally addressed through change orders at a future meeting:
 
Current & Anticipated Change Orders that Require Additional Funding
Change Orders through # 7 and items listed on July 28, 2006 report
Change Orders # 8 & 9
fire barrier – Courtroom # 1
additional drywall
additional HVAC units for vaults
installation of duct work
power cable
paneling in Courtroom # 1
 
            County Manager Nelson stated that funding for these anticipated change orders (approximately $282,000) was available as follows: 1) $51,000 from the project contingency budget; 2) $149,000 from the admin contingency budget; 3) $40,000 from the project capital reserve budget; and approximately $100,000 to $125,000 from the fund balance.
 
            This report was for information only and therefore no action was required at this time. Change Orders were to be presented at a future meeting.
 
BUDGET AMENDMENTS
 
County Manager Nelson presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
219800-498010           Transfer to the General Fund                            $42,000
219930-442100           Data Processing Reserve                                                        $42,000
103980-398121           Transfer from Capital Reserve                                                $42,000
104210-452100           Capital Outlay-Software                                  $17,560
104210-469101           Professional Services                                         $7,645
104210-442200           Software Licenses                                             $3,365
104210-431500           Travel Subsistence-Consultants                          $1,080
104210-431600           Travel Mileage-Consultants                                $1,200
104210-439501           Training & Consulting                                      $11,150
 
            The amendment recognized the transfer of funds from the Capital Reserve Fund to the General Fund for the acquisition of Planning and Inspections software, installation costs and training. This was approved at the December 4, 2006, Board of Commissioners meeting.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
103991-399101           Fund Balance Approp. - New                                                  $3,100
106110-449901           Misc. Exp. – P/T to F/T                                    $3,100
 
            The amendment appropriated funds to increase one part-time library assistant to full-time for the remainder of the fiscal year. This was approved at the November 21, 2006, Board of Commissioners meeting.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
219800-498010           Transfer to General Fund                                 $59,465
213991-399101           Fund Balance Approp. - New                                                $59,465
103980-398121           Transfer from Capital Reserve                                                 $59,465
104261-458002           Capital Outlay-Bldg. Improvement                   $59,465
 
            The amendment recognized the transfer of funds earmarked for the Courthouse project in the Capital Reserve Fund to the General Fund to upgrade the Courthouse security system. This was approved at the January 2, 2007, Board of Commissioners meeting.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
103585-332004           State Senior Center Funding                                                   $20,491
105550-426000           M&R-Equipment                                               $2,000
105550-429200           Retained Earning Appropriated                          $7,356
105550-431300           M&R-Equipment                                                  $600
105550-432100           Retained Earning Appropriated                             $400
105550-432500           M&R-Equipment                                                  $150
105550-434100           Retained Earning Appropriated                             $450
105550-449100           M&R-Equipment                                                    $60
105550-452000           Retained Earning Appropriated                          $1,650
105550-469510           M&R-Equipment                                               $1,125
105550-469511           Retained Earning Appropriated                          $2,700
105550-469514           M&R-Equipment                                               $4,000
 
            The amendment recognized additional state revenue for aging services. This was approved at the October 30, 2006, Board of Commissioners meeting.
 
            Account #                    Description                                                           Debit             Credit
103991-399101           Approp. Fund Balance-New                                                       $296
104960-469853           Soil and Water-Special Appropriation                     $44
104960-452000           Capital Outlay-Sp. Allocation                               $252
 
            The amendment appropriated fiscal year 2006 unspent special allocation funds per request from Soil and Water Conservation.
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by the County Manager.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Winkler)
 
DSS PERSONNEL REQUEST
 
Mr. Geouque reviewed a request from Department of Social Services Director, Mr. Jim Atkinson, for the addition of a full-time position with benefits. The new position was to replace two current half-time positions without benefits. The position was originally full-time with benefits but was split to allow two retired employees to continue to work at the agency. If approved, funds existed in the DSS budget for the remainder of the current fiscal year. The benefit package was to add approximately 30% to the salary for this position but the actual increase next fiscal year was to be less due to the discrepancy between the salaries for the two more experienced workers as compared to the salary of the new worker.
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the request to add a full-time position in place of two part-time positions at a salary of $26,035 plus the standard benefits package to be funded by the DSS budget.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Winkler)
 
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT GRANT REQUEST
 
            Sheriff Hagaman and Captain Dee Dee Rominger presented a grant proposal from the Domestic Violence Intervention Program which was to allow the County (along with OASIS) to more effectively serve victims of domestic violence by incorporating the use of a sworn deputy sheriff as a Domestic Violence Investigation Officer. The grant, if received, required 25% match (approximately $14,589) and anticipated to be made through in-kind donations. The total projected proposal cost was $58,356.33.
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to authorize Sheriff Hagaman to submit the grant application and approve the local match if awarded the grant.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Winkler)
 
911 FUNDING REQUEST
 
            Mr. Joe Furman stated that a situation existed at the Blowing Rock Police Department’s Dispatch Center where a 911 call will ring busy if any other call was occurring at the same time. Mr. Furman stated that the problem was correctable with the installation of a second answering station. Mr. Furman presented a proposal from Wireless Communications (in the amount of $40,408.96) who installed the communications equipment at the County’s new Law Enforcement Center and requested the Board approve due to compatibility issues.
 
            Commissioner Moretz, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the second answering station at a cost of $40,408.96 plus accompanying monthly phone line charges with funds allocated out of 911 funding.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Winkler)
 
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
 
A.                 Proposed Amendment to the Ordinance to Regulate Junkyards and Automobile Graveyards – County Manager Nelson presented an amendment to the Ordinance to Regulate Junkyards and Automobile Graveyards as recommended by Mr. Brent Graybeal with Planning and Inspections. The change was to allow staff discretion in the requirement to fence the entire property and define the type of fence, if required. The County Manager recommended that, even though not required, a public hearing be scheduled at the second meeting in February to allow time for public comment if consideration was to be given to the changes. The County Attorney was to review and recommend appropriate language at the next meeting.
 
 
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to set a public hearing for the February 20, 2007, regular Board meeting for public comment on proposed amendments to the Ordinance to Regulate Junkyards and Automobile Graveyards and direct the County Attorney to review the proposed amendments.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Winkler)
 
B.         Discussion of the Retirement of Information Technologies Manager – County Manager Nelson stated that Ms. Glenda Duncan had given notice of her retirement effective April 1, 2007. The County Manager stated that in the past, when a department head vacancy existed, the internal and external postings were advertised simultaneously. The Manager requested that two commissioners serve on an interview/screening committee and stated that after the interview process, a recommendation was to be forwarded to the Board who would make the appointment.
 
            By consensus, the Board agreed to appoint the County Manager, Assistant County Manager, Commissioner Cooper, and Vice-Chairman Winkler to the interview committee with the understanding that if Mr. Winkler was not available to serve the committee was to consist of the remaining three members.
 
            C.        Discussion of Tentative Retreat Topics – County Manager Nelson presented a list of potential topics for discussion at the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat. The County Manager requested that Board members review and amend the items as desired and stated that a tentative agenda was to be presented at the next Board meeting.
 
            This item was for information only and therefore no action was taken.
 
D.        Work Session Scheduling Discussion – County Manager Nelson stated that there are several issues to consider at length which required more time than was available during a regular meeting and requested direction as to scheduling a work session. Topics for discussion were: 1) amendments to the Animal Control Ordinance; 2) discussion of the County Plan with Mr. Joe Furman; and 3) discussion of the plan and funding for the Brookshire Road project including the High Country Soccer Association Complex.
 
            By consensus, the Board agreed to schedule a work session on Monday, February 19, 2007, at 4:00 P.M.
 
            E.         Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that Ms. Glenda Hodges’ appointment to the Watauga County Joint Community Advisory Committee was to expire January 19, 2007. The County Manager stated that Ms. Hodges was willing to continue to serve if reappointed.
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Glenda Hodges to the Watauga County Joint Community Advisory Committee.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Winkler)
 
            County Manager Nelson stated that the positions of delegate and alternate to the NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature (STHL) were due for annual appointment. The STHL also served as the Advisory Committee on Aging for the High Country Council of Governments. Currently, Dr. Bunk Spann served as delegate and Mrs. Pat Coley served as alternate for Watauga County. The County Manager stated that both were willing to continue to serve if reappointed. 
 
            The above was a first reading and therefore, no action was required at this time.
 
F.         Announcements – County Manager Nelson announced that the Annual Pre-Budget Retreat was tentatively scheduled for Friday, March 9 – Saturday, March 10, 2007.
 
            County Manager Nelson announced that the Watauga Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors and staff invited the Board to a country breakfast on February 5, 2007, at 7:30 A.M. in Conference Room C of the Ag Services Building.
 
PUBLIC COMMENT
 
            There was no public comment.
 
COMMISSIONER COMMENT
 
            Commissioner Kinsey gave a report on the NCACC Legislative Goals Conference which he had recently attended.
 
CLOSED SESSION
 
            At 6:59 P.M., Commissioner Moretz, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Winkler)
 
            Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:30 P.M.
 
VOTE:   Aye-4(Deal, Cooper, Kinsey, Moretz)
              Nay-0
              Absent-1(Winkler)
 
ADJOURN
 
            The meeting adjourned, by consensus, at 7:30 P.M.
 
 
Jim Deal, Chairman
 
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board