MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.

 

                        PRESENT:      John Welch, Chairman

                                                Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner

                                                Larry Turnbow, Commissioner

Perry Yates, Commissioner

Anthony di Santi, County Attorney

                                                Deron Geouque, County Manager

                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

[Clerk’s Note:  Vice-Chairman Kennedy was out of town for a prior commitment and, therefore, not present.]

 

Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:34 P.M.

 

Commissioner Yates opened with a prayer and Commissioner Hodges led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the September 5, 2017, regular meeting and closed session minutes.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the September 5, 2017, regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the September 5, 2017, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the September 19, 2017, agenda. 

 

County Manager Geouque requested to add consideration of a Recreation Commission appointment to Boards and Commissions under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters.

 

Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the September 19, 2017, agenda as amended.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment on Proposed Amendments to the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi-Unit Structures

A public hearing was scheduled for citizen input on the proposed amendments to the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi-Unit Structures.

 

Mr. Ric Mattar, Chairman of the Planning Board, presented the proposed amendments and explained the proposed requirement of 33.3% of green space at the request of Commissioner Hodges.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to call the public hearing to order at 5:44 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

 

Mr. Nathan Miller shared comments appreciating the hard work of the Planning Board and stated that he still had small issues with the proposed changes.  Mr. Miller questioned why the green space regulations could not be 10% in place of the proposed 33%.

 

As there were no further citizen comments, Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to close the public hearing at 5:47 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

 

Chairman Welch tabled consideration of the proposed amendments until the October 3, 2017, regular meeting.

Sanitation Matters

A.  Bid Award Request for Brush Grinding

 

Mr. J.V. Potter, Operations Service Director, presented the following bids for brush grinding services: 

 

Bidder

Amount

Superior Mulch

$27.50 per ton

Riverside Stump Dump

$25.00 per ton

Carolina Mulch Plus

No Bid

 

Mr. Potter recommended the bid be awarded to Riverside Stump Dump in the amount of $25.00 per ton for brush grinding.  Adequate funds are budgeted to cover the contract expense. 

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to award the bid to Riverside Stump Dump for the grinding of brush at a rate of $25.00 per ton for Fiscal Year 2017-2018.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

 

B.  Bid Award Request for Sanitation and Animal Care & Control Vehicles

 

Mr. J.V. Potter, Operations Service Director, presented the following quotes for one (1) new half ton 4x4 and one (1) three quarter ton 4x4 pickup trucks:

 

Bidder

Animal Control Vehicle Amount

Sanitation Vehicle Amount

Ashe County Ford

$29,869.85

$28,203.28

Asheville Ford

$28,926.34

$26,323.66

Everett Chevrolet

$27,142.23

$28,830.82

Modern Ford

$29,894.54

No Bid

 

Mr. Potter stated that four (4) quotes were received with Everett Chevrolet and Asheville Ford submitting the lowest responsive bid, respectively.  Adequate funds are budgeted to cover the requested purchase.  Mr. Potter recommended the bids be awarded to Everett Chevrolet for one (1) half ton 4x4 pickup truck in the amount of $27,142.23 and Asheville Ford for one (1) three quarter ton 4x4 pickup truck in the amount of $26,323.66.  Both amounts include fees for taxes and tags.  

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to award the bid to Everett Chevrolet for one (1) half ton 4x4 pickup truck for Animal Control in the amount of $27,142.23 and to award the bid to Asheville Ford for one (1) three quarter ton 4x4 pickup truck for Sanitation in the amount of $26,323.66.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

 

C.  Bid Award Request for Recycling Facility Floor Repairs

 

Mr. Potter presented the following bids for repair work to the recycling facility floor (approximately 6,000 square feet):

 

Bidder

Amount

Industrial Supply Solutions, Inc.

$66,880.00

Leak Associates Incorporated

$157,475.00

Tufco Carolinas, Inc.

$185,740.00

 

Repairs have not been performed on the recycling facility floor since the 1990’s.  The recycling facility previously operated as the County’s transfer station.  Mr. Potter recommended the bid be awarded to Industrial Supply Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $66,880 for recycling facility floor repairs.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to award the bid to Industrial Supply Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $66,880 to conduct repairs to the recycling facility floor.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

Project on Aging Request to Accept FY 2018 Senior’s Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) Grant/Contract

Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Director of Project on Aging (POA), presented the FY 2018 grant/contract for the Senior's Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP).  The grant is in the amount of $2,492 which is a slight reduction from the previous year and requires no County funds.  The funds are used to provide assistance and outreach to low-income citizens.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the Senior's Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) grant in the amount of $2,492.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

Tax Matters

A.  Monthly Collections Report

 

Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of August 2017.  This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.

 

 

B.  Refunds and Releases

 

Mr. Warren presented the Refunds and Releases Report for August 2017 for Board approval:

 

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for August 2017, as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

Budget Amendments

Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:

 

Account #

Description

Debit

Credit

103300-343302

NC OSBM Grant

 

$50,000

104283-457003

Guy Ford River Access Grant

$50,000

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized a grant from the NC Office of State Budget and Management to assist with the Guy Ford Road River Access Project.

 

103300-343302

NCDNCR Grant

 

$50,000

104282-457001

Optimist Park Greenway Grant

$50,000

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized a grant from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to assist with greenway construction.

 

 

 

 

103991-399100

Fund Balance

 

$159,183

104267-458000

Health Department Renovations

$159,183

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized a fund balance appropriation for the renovations to the Health Department for the relocation of County services.

 

103300-345000

ROAP Grant

 

$157,894

104500-469845

Elderly and Disabled

$61,135

 

104500-469844

Employment Transportation

$13,551

 

104500-469843

Rural General Populations

$83,208

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized the acceptance of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Rural Operating Assistance Program funds.  No County dollars are required as a match.

 

 

 

 

103300-343301

NC Department of Public Safety Grant

 

$30,600

104330-449999

FEMA Grant

$30,600

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized the grant increase to fund additional expenses to the FEMA house demolition project.

 

663300-347220

NC Department of Environmental Quality

 

$10,000

663300-385501

Watauga County Schools Matching Grant

 

$2,000

667421-455000

Recycling Grant

$12,000

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized the acceptance of the recycling grant funds to purchase recycling containers.  The twenty percent match is to be provided by the Watauga County Board of Education as the containers will be located at local schools.

 

 

 

 

103300-332004

Senior Center Grant

 

$14,586

105550-449900

Senior Center Grant Expenses

$14,586

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized the acceptance of the Senior Center grant funds.  County funds required as the local match are in the Project on Aging budget.

 

 

 

 

103300-343304

NC Department of Ag & Consumer Services

 

$65,135

104330-449906

Horton Fire Reimbursements

$65,135

 

 

 

 

 

The amendment recognized funds received from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as reimbursements to fire departments and the County due to expenses associated with the Horton Forest Fire.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

A.  Boards and Commissions

 

County Manager Geouque presented the following for consideration:

 

Economic Development Commission

The terms of two members of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) expired in June.  Mr. Ed Evans and Mr. Tommy Sofield have served two consecutive terms and are, therefore, not eligible for reappointment.  Each term is for three years.  A volunteer application has been received from Mr. James Bance who is interested in serving on the EDC.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. James Bance to serve a three year term on the Economic Development Commission.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

 

Library Board

The Watauga County Library Board has recommended the appointment of Ms. Laura Johnson to the Library Board for a four year term.

 

County Manager Geouque stated that Vice-Chairman Kennedy, who was not at the meeting due to a previous commitment, had called and stated that he was in support of waiving the second reading for Ms. Johnson and appointing her to the Library Board.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Laura Johnson to the Library Board for a four year term.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

 

Social Services Advisory Board

The Social Services Advisory Board has recommended the reappointment of Ms. Sharon Breitenstein for a four year term.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Sharon Breitenstein to the Social Services Advisory Board for a four year term.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

 

Recreation Commission

Principal Patrick Sukow with Blowing Rock School has recommended the appointment of Mr. Jared Everett to the Watauga County Recreation Commission as the representative of Blowing Rock School.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Jared Everett to the Watauga County Recreation Commission.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

 

B.  Announcements

 

County Manager Geouque announced the following:

 

·       The Trustees of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute invites the Board of Commissioners to a meeting on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at 6:00 P.M. at the Watauga Instructional Facility on Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone NC, in Room 112.  A ground breaking will be held at 5:00 P.M. prior to the meeting for a new facility at the Watauga Campus.

 

·       The Grand Opening for Beech Mountain’s Water Treatment Plant is October 6, 2017, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at 1331 Pine Ridge Road, Beech Mountain.

Public Comment

Mr. Nick Williams who is the Director of External Affairs, Class of 2019, with the Student Government Association at Appalachian State University introduced himself to the Board.  Mr. Williams stated that his work included maintaining relations between the University, Town of Boone, and County.

Closed Session

At 6:03 P.M., Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to resume the open meeting at 6:24 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

Adjourn

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Hodges, Turnbow, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Kennedy)

 

 

 

John Welch, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board