MINUTES
 
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008
 
            The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting on Tuesday, January 22, 2008, at 6:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building.
 
                        PRESENT:       Jim Deal, Chairman
William R. Winkler, III, Vice-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 Fogle, Clerk to the Board
 
            The meeting was called to order at 6:01 P.M.
 
JOINT MEETING WITH WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
 
            The following Board of Education members were present for the joint meeting: Chairman Lowell Younce, Lee Warren, Deborah Miller, and Ron Henries. Also present were Superintendent Bobbie Short, Board of Education Attorney Paul Miller, and Clerk Jennifer Combs.
 
PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED PRE-BID GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE (GMP) FOR THE NEW WATAUGA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL & REQUESTED AUTHORIZATION TO BID THE PROJECT
 
Mr. Marty Moser, Director of Pre-Construction Services with Barnhill/Vannoy, presented the proposed third Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the new high school project. Mr. Moser stated that the proposed amount for GMP # 3 was $47,187,697 and for new building construction. Along with GMP # 1, in the amount of $7,153,103, and GMP # 2, in the amount of $4,531,559, the total projected cost for the project was $58,872,359. Mr. Moser requested authorization to proceed with the pre-bid package for GMP # 3 and stated that Barnhill/Vannoy was to submit the final GMP # 3 amount on or before March 18, 2008, after bids were received and reviewed.
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Moretz, moved to authorize Barnhill/Vannoy to proceed with the GMP # 3 pre-bid public trade packages as recommended by the Watauga County Board of Education.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Mr. Moser gave an update on the project and reviewed the process which was to lead to Barnhill/Vannoy’s submission of a final GMP # 3 amount on or before March 18, 2008.
 
PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF DOWNTOWN BOONE POST OFFICE
 
            County Manager Nelson reviewed changes to the proposed resolution in support of the downtown Boone post office as recommended at the January 14, 2008, Board of County Commissioners meeting.
 
            After discussion, recommendations were made to include in the resolution that the County was willing to work with the Town of Boone if the building was given to them and/or the County as a gift or transfer.
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to adopt the resolution as amended.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
ASU REQUESTED LEASE FOR TOWER SPACE
 
            Chairman Deal stated that ASU had requested a long-term lease for space at Rich Mountain on which they could place a tower, antenna, and small utility building for broadcasting of their radio station. ASU assured the County that there would be no interference with County equipment at that site.
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to authorize a lease with Appalachian State University allowing them to establish a tower, antenna, and small building at the County’s Rich Mountain tower site, contingent upon the County Attorney preparing the lease.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
DISCUSSION OF RETREAT SCHEDULE
 
            After discussion and by consensus, the 2008 Annual Retreat was scheduled for Monday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 4, 2008, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
            County Manager Nelson distributed a draft resolution and public hearing notice which were to be on the agenda for the February 4, 2008, Board meeting. The resolution and notice were regarding the request for proposals for bank financing of the new high school.
 
ADJOURN
 
Chairman Deal adjourned the meeting at 6:39 P.M.
 
 
Jim Deal, Chairman
 
 
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board