MINUTES
 
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2002
 
            The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2002 at 7:00 P.M. in Courtroom # 1 of the Watauga County Courthouse.
 
                        PRESENT:       Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
                                                James Coffey, Vice-Chairman
                                                Sue Sweeting, Commissioner
                                                Pat Wilkie, Commissioner
                                                Jeff Hedrick, County Attorney
                                    Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager
                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
 
            Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 7:02 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.
 
            Chairman Hodges stated that Commissioner Lawrence was absent from the meeting due to being in the hospital recovering from surgery.
 
            A moment of silence was observed.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 
            Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the November 4, 2002 regular meeting minutes.
 
            Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to approve the November 4, 2002 regular meeting minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent(Lawrence)
 


APPROVAL OF AGENDA
 
            Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the November 19, 2002 agenda.
 
            County Manager Nelson requested that Mr. Bryce Holder be moved to up on the Agenda prior to the scheduled public hearings as his presentation was brief.
 
            Commissioner Wilkie, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to approve the November 19, 2002 agenda as amended.
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent(Lawrence)
 
 
FISCAL YEAR 2001/2002 AUDIT PRESENTATION
 
            Mr. Bryce Holder, Holder, Copeland & Associates, made a brief presentation of the County’s Fiscal Year 2001/2002 audit. He discussed the general fund balance and noted the overall tax collection rate was good. In addition, Mr. Holder commended Finance Director, Doris Isaacs, and her staff.
 
[Clerk’s note: Chairman Hodges also asked Ms. Wynne to present her agenda item before the public hearings.]
 
PARKS AND RECREATION MATTERS
 
            A. Proposed Fee Schedule – Ms. Deb Wynne reviewed the proposed fee schedule, which upon approval, would be effective January 1, 2003. Ms. Wynne stated that the fee schedule was endorsed by the Recreation Commission.
 
            Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, moved to approve the Parks and Recreation Fee Schedule as presented.
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
            B. Proposed Refund Policy - Ms. Wynne discussed the proposed Refund Policy to be incorporated into the Department’s existing policies and procedures. Ms. Wynne stated that the Refund and Special Credit Policy has been reviewed and endorsed by the Recreation Commission.
 
            Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, moved to approve the Parks and Recreation Refund Policy as presented.
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
PUBLIC HEARING – TO CONSIDER NEW PRIVATE ROAD NAMES
 
Chairman Hodges declared a public hearing open at 7:10 P.M. to consider the adoption of new road names for Watauga County.
 
The following road names were presented for approval:
 
BALD MOUNTAIN TWP.
Accipiter Lane***
Buteo Way***
Raptor Ridge***
Talon Drive***
 
BEAVER DAM TWP.
Beaver Trail***
Burley Lane
Upper Reach Drive***
 
BLUE RIDGE TWP.
Panther Crossing
Trailing Cedar Lane***
Winding Creek Lane***
Yadkin Overlook Drive***
 
BLOWING ROCK TWP.
Big Sky View
Clary Court***
Coffey Ridge Drive***
Stanley Drive***
Yarrow Lane
 
LAUREL CREEK TWP.
Blevins Lane
 
MEAT CAMP TWP.
Deer Meadows Lane***
 
NEW RIVER TWP.
Ben Laurel Way
Beth’s Terrace***
Brothers II Drive***
Gable Farm Road***
Little Stella Lane***
May Apple Way
Red Feather Trail
 
SEVEN DEVILS TWP.
Little Boulder Lane***
Seventh Ridge Drive***
 
STONY FORK TWP.
Abigail Lane***
Avi’s Path***
Bridle Creek Trail
C Double F Farm Road
Corbett McNeil Road
Cornerstone Lane
Eden’s Lane***
Laurel Gap Ridge
Vicki’s Ridge***
 
WATAUGA TWP.
Acadiana Lane
Caddis Lane***
Hayride Drive
Hendrickson Lane***
Lilac Lane***
March Brown Lane***
Meadowood Lane***
Mountain Meadow Way
Quiet Springs Lane***
Quill Gorden Lane***
Silo Farm Road
Tree Covered Lane
Willowby Road***
Woodby Ridge Road***
Change Wild Daisy Lane to Yellow Daisy Lane
Daisy Lane
 
NEW RIVER/STONY FORK TWPS.
Change old US Highway 421 South to Yuma Trail
 
***Indicates roads named on a recently recorded subdivision plat
 
Ms. Carol Brown gave a brief history on how the name Yuma Trail became the recommendation for old US Highway 421 South.
 
There being no further public comment, Chairman Hodges closed the public hearing at 7:12 P.M.
 
Commissioner Wilkie, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting moved to adopt the new road name list as presented.
 
                                                                                VOTE: Aye - 4
                                                                                            Nay – 0
                                                                                            Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
PUBLIC HEARING- PROPOSED HIGH IMPACT LAND USE ORDINANCE
 
            A public hearing was opened at 7:13 P.M. to allow citizen input on the proposed High Impact Land Use Ordinance.
 
            Thirty-three citizens spoke, 27 in support of the Ordinance and 6 opposed to the Ordinance.
 
            There being no further public comment, Chairman Hodges declared the public hearing closed at 8:23 P.M.
 
            Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Commissioner Wilkie, moved to adopt the High Impact Land Use Ordinance with the following changes:
 
1.      Article II, Section 2A: remove parenthetical phrase re Building Code; Section 2A(1): change “business and mercantile” to “commercial”. Purpose: to standardize this section with rest of ordinance.
2.      Article IV, Section 1(d), 3rd sentence: change phrase “at variance” to “not in compliance”. Purpose: avoid confusion that could be caused by use of term “variance”, which is used elsewhere and differently in ordinance.
3.      Article V, Section 9(g), 1st sentence: remove colon and line break, do not capitalize “Will”. Purpose: correct typo.
4.      Throughout the Ordinance change “Chemical Labs” to “bulk chemical manufacturing”.
 
            After discussion, the following vote was taken:
 
VOTE:    Aye-2(Sweeting, Wilkie)
               Nay-2(Hodges, Coffey)
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
CDBG PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST
 
            Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that a public hearing was required for the Community Development Block Grant Scattered Site Housing Rehabilitation Program that was soon to be awarded to Watauga County. The Grant application was approved at the September 3, 2002, Board meeting. Mr. Furman requested that a public hearing be set at the first meeting in December so that adequate notice could be given to the public in anticipation of the historical cancellation of the second meeting in December due to the holidays.
 
            Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, moved to set a public hearing for the December 2, 2002, Board meeting for citizen input on the Community Development Block Grant Scattered Site Housing Rehabilitation Program which is being administered by High Country (formerly Region D) Council of Governments.
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
 
            A. JCPC Funding Plan Revision Request – County Manager Nelson stated that the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Provision Program received notice from the State of an approximate 5% budget cut to County funds with the reduction to $117,158. The County Manager requested Board action to approve the amended JCPC budget and subsequent reduction in local match.
 
            Commissioner Wilkie, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to approve the amended JCPC budget and subsequent reduction in local match.
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
            B. Sheriff’s Department Pay Plan Reorganization Request – County Manager Nelson stated that Sheriff Elect, Mark Shook, requested changes in the Sheriff’s Department pay plan that encompasses numerous job title changes and reclassifications. The requested new positions would replace existing job titles and would require no additional funding to the adopted Sheriff’s Department Budget. The County Manager stated since the changes technically requested new positions, the County’s Personnel Ordinance required Board approval. Due to a prior commitment, Mr. Shook was not in attendance for discussion.
 
            After discussion, Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Chairman Hodges, moved to approve the Pay Plan reorganization as requested.
 
VOTE:    Aye-2(Hodges, Coffey)
               Nay-2(Sweeting, Wilkie)
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
            C. Board of Social Services Member Increase Request – County Manager Nelson stated that the Watauga County Board of Social Services requested that the Board of Commissioners increase the size of the Board of Social Services from 3 to 5 members. This request was precipitated by the desire to facilitate a quorum for Board members. As the Board was currently constituted, two members could not take action if the third was absent. The County Manager stated that Mr. Jim Atkinson, Director of the Watauga County Department of Social Services, requested that a Commissioner be appointed to one of the two new positions if approved.
 
            Commissioner Wilkie, seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to approve the increase from 3 to 5 Board members for the Watauga County Board of Social Services. The appointment, however, would not be made until a future meeting.
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
            D. Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that the Watauga County Board of Adjustment had three positions (Mr. Lyle Schoenfeldt [alt.], Mr. James Watts, and Mr. Phil Trew) open due to expiring terms. Mr. Trew did not wish to serve again, however Mr. Schoenfeldt and Mr. Watts were willing to be reappointed. The County Manager stated that advertisements were placed in the media and on the County’s website for persons interested in serving on this Board and stated that two applications were received: Mr. Joe Quinn (Howard’s Creek watershed area) and Ms. Heidi Kellogg (Foscoe-Grandfather Zoning District).
 
            Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Commissioner Wilkie, moved to reappoint Mr. Lyle Schoenfeldt as an alternate representative of the Valle Crucis Historic District and Mr. James Watts as a representative of the Howard’s Creek watershed area; and to appoint Ms. Heidi Kellogg as a representative of the Foscoe-Grandfather Zoning District.
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
            The County Manager stated that Mr. Alex Jernigan, Regional Ombudsman with High Country (formerly Region D) Council of Governments, requested that Ms. Judith Wesson be reappointed to the Watauga County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee for a three-year term.
 
            Vice-Chairman Coffey, seconded by Commissioner Wilkie, moved to reappoint Ms. Judith Wesson to the Watauga County Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee for a three-year term.
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
            The County Manager stated that the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees nominated the following individuals to submit to the Commissioners to fill four positions on their Board:
 
           Vote for one:                Stephen Fleming, MD
     (Physician representation)         William Horn, MD
 
           Vote for three:              Armfield Coffey
                                               John Councill
                                               Harry Davis
                                               Clayton Dean
                                               Council Main
                                               Paul Miller, Jr.
 
The following votes were made:
 
            Chairman Hodges – Stephen Fleming, John Councill, Council Main, Paul Miller, Jr.
            Vice-Chairman Coffey – Stephen Fleming, John Councill, Council Main, Paul Miller, Jr.
            Commissioner Sweeting – William Horn, Armfield Coffey, John Councill, Harry Davis
            Commissioner Wilkie – William Horn, Armfield Coffey, John Councill, Harry Davis
 
            Based on the results of the vote, John Councill was appointed to the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees for a three-year term. Due to all other votes resulting in ties, the issue will be on the December 2, 2002 agenda, for another vote for the physician representative and for two other members.
 
            Announcements – County Manager Nelson stated that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Legislative Goals Conference was scheduled for January 16 and 17 and further information would be provided upon receipt.
 
PUBLIC COMMENT
 
            Ms. Deborah Greene read a statement form David Lawrence with the Institute of Government.
 
CLOSED SESSION
 
            At 9:00 P.M., Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318-11(a)(5)(i).
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
            Commissioner Sweeting, seconded by Vice-Chairman Coffey, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:20 P.M.
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
ADJOURN
 
            Commissioner Wilkie seconded by Commissioner Sweeting, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 P.M.
 
VOTE:    Aye-4
               Nay-0
               Absent-1(Lawrence)
 
 
                                                                                                Jimmy Hodges, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board