MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 1999

 

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, August 2, 1999 at 9:00 A.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.

 

PRESENT: Jimmy Hodges, Chairman

Sue Sweeting, Vice-Chairman

James Coffey, Commissioner

Art Kohles, Commissioner

Jack Lawrence, Sr., Commissioner

Jeff Hedrick, County Attorney

Barry J. Reed, County Manager

Libby Link, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 9:02 A.M. welcoming those in attendance.

 

A moment of silence was observed.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the July 12, 1999 special and regular meeting minutes.

 

Vice-Chairman Sweeting seconded by Commissioner Kohles, moved to approve the July 12, 1999 special and regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the August 2, 1999 agenda.

 

County Manager Reed stated that Dr. Sandra Anderson, Director of the Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute’s Watauga County Campus (CCC&TI), had called just prior to the meeting, and she requested that appointments be delayed to the CCC&TI Advisory Committee until the Board’s next regular meeting scheduled for August 17, 1999 so that CCC&TI could submit names of individuals who wished to serve on this Committee.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to approve the agenda for the August 2, 1999 regular meeting with the amendment.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

Y2K DISCUSSION

Robert Roskind, President, Y2K Solutions Group, Inc., addressed the Board regarding concerns about the County’s preparedness for the Y2K rollover and its possible impact on the County. He stated he had met with the Mayors of Boone and Blowing Rock and Fire Marshal, Lisa Shoun, who appeared to be taking this event very seriously and doing a good job with preparations. Mr. Roskind suggested the Board consider starting a campaign to ask the community to get ready by stocking up on extra cords of wood, canned goods, etc. He informed the Board that he would be available to anyone who requested his support. Chairman Hodges asked Assistant County Manager/OSD, Bob Frye, to comment on where the County stood in Y2K compliance. Mr. Frye stated the County was looking at upgrades, and the County’s major computer systems were Y2K compliant. He added he did not think the County would have major problems with power. Mr. Frye noted the County was telling citizens that they need to prepare for this event the same as they would for a major winter storm. Mr. Roskind reiterated that he was impressed with how seriously the County was taking this matter, and Chairman Hodges thanked him for his concern.

 

TAX MATTERS

 

Monthly Collections Report

– Tax Administrator, Larry McLean, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of July, 1999.

 

Refunds and Releases

– Tax Administrator McLean presented the following Refunds and Releases for July, 1999 for Board approval:

 

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

Annual Settlement Statements - Tax Administrator McLean presented the following Annual Settlement Statements for Fiscal Year 1998/1999 for Board approval:

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to approve the Annual Settlement Statements for Fiscal Year 1998/1999.

 

 

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

In addition, a sworn oath had been administered to Tax Administrator McLean in order to collect taxes for the new Fiscal Year 1999/2000. Mr. McLean stated this Order would empower and authorize him to collect taxes and requested Board approval.

 

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to approve the Tax Collection Order for Fiscal Year 1999/2000.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

REQUESTS FOR ADDITION OF ROADS TO THE STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM

Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman, presented requests for the addition of Grandview Drive and Summitt Park Circle (Summitt Park Estates - 1 mile, located off George Hayes Road NCSR 1514) and an extension of Snaggy Mountain Road (NCSR 1606) to connect to Russ Cornett Road (NCSR 1550) to the State Maintained Secondary Road System.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to approve the above requests be forwarded to the N.C. Department of Transportation for consideration.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

RESOLUTION BOOK #9, PAGES #65 & #66

SUBDIVISION PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE

At the Board’s May 3, 1999 regular meeting, the Board approved a performance guarantee, in the form of a letter of credit, for the Twin Rivers development, Phase 2. Planning & Inspections Director, Joe Furman, stated that the developer of this project, Landex, Inc., had requested that the letter of credit be released and replaced by a Surety Bond in the amount of $116,400. In addition, County Attorney Hedrick had reviewed the Surety Bond, and Mr. Furman requested the Board’s approval.

 

Commissioner Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Coffey, moved to approve this request.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

PROCLAMATION TO RECOGNIZE THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY OF COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

Karee Teague, Cooperative Extension Agent, 4H, requested the Board declare August 5, 1999 as Extension Heritage Day in Watauga County. She stated Cooperative Extension was going to have an Open House that date from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. to celebrate and hoped the Commissioners would attend. In addition, she presented a proclamation regarding this matter and requested the Board’s approval.

 

Vice-Chairman Sweeting seconded by Commissioner Coffey, moved to approve the proclamation declaring August 5, 1999 as Extension Heritage Day in Watauga County.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

BUDGET AMENDMENTS

County Manager Reed presented the following budget amendments for Board approval:

Account # Description Debit Credit

219800-498010 Trans. to Gen. Fund 14,368

219930-459210 Caldwell Comm. College 14,368

103980-398121 Trans. from Other Funds 14,368

105921-463001 CCC&TI Site Work 14,368

To transfer capital reserve funds to the General Fund for additional site work required by DEHNR at the Watauga Campus of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute. This was approved at the Board’s July 12, 1999 regular meeting.

 

103300-352102 Reaching Adol. Prog. 106,161 105210-469823 RAP-NRMH 106,161

 

To recognize the grant award by the N.C. Division of Crime Control and Public Safety to Watauga County for implementation by New River Mental Health (NRMH). Local match requirements would be provided by NRMH.

 

Account # Description Debit Credit 103300-369811 CCPS-Restorative Justice 26,291 105890-469811 Restorative Justice Proj. B. Ridge

Dis. Settlement 26,291

 

To recognize the grant award by the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Governor’s Crime Commission to Watauga County for implementation by Blue Ridge Dispute Settlement Center. No local match was required per information provided.

 

 

Account #

Description Debit Credit

Account # Description Debit Credit

264330-475026 Project Reserves 11,333

269800-498010 Transfer to Gen. Fund 11,333

103300-343107 CCPS-Sheriff/Computers 34,000

103980-398000 Transfer from Other Funds 11,333

104310-451000 Capital Outlay Equip. 45,333

 

To recognize the grant award by the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Governor’s Crime Commission to Watauga County for the computer system upgrade for the Watauga County Sheriff’s Department CAD and record management system Year 2000 compatibility. Local match provided by E-911 Fund.

 

Vice-Chairman Sweeting seconded by Commissioner Coffey, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

SKATEBOARD PARK CONSIDERATION

 

At the Board’s July 12, 1999 regular meeting, discussion had occurred regarding a request received from the Boone Skateboard Association (BSA) to lease a small area next to the tennis courts at the recreation complex for a trial period of three months. County Attorney Hedrick stated he had spoken with Boone Skateboard Association (BSA) members, Todd Henderson and Brian Edgar, as well as the County’s liability insurance representatives and was told the County was covered whether the County operated such a facility or leased it to others to operate. Mr. Hedrick discussed several issues which should be defined in the lease (who was leasing the property, that the park needed to be open to the public with someone on site while the park was open, and who was responsible for any improvements on the property as well as security). County Manager Reed stated that Parks & Recreation Director, Deb Wynne, was requesting Board approval to prepare a draft lease to present to the Board for consideration.

 

Following brief discussion regarding concerns that should be included in the lease, Vice-Chairman Sweeting seconded by Commissioner Kohles, moved for County Attorney Hedrick and Parks & Recreation Director, Deb Wynne, to prepare a draft lease to be presented to the Board for consideration at a future meeting.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

AMENDMENT TO THE OPERATIONAL AGREEMENT WITH WATAUGA SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

 

County Manager Reed stated this amendment had been discussed at the Board’s last regular meeting (July 12, 1999). He added he had spoken with a representative from the Institute of Government (IOG) for clarification of providing insurance coverage for all supervisors and staff (rather than just elected supervisors as currently specified). Mr. Reed noted the N.C. Association of County Commissioners would cover these individuals. Per IOG representative, Jim Blackburn, these individuals were covered and the County needed to amend the Agreement to show the insurance coverage.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to amend the Operational Agreement with the Watauga Soil and Water Conservation District.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT

 

County Manager Reed stated that Shirley Fox’s term expired in August, 1999 on the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee, and Ms. Fox wished to be re-appointed.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to re-appoint Shirley Fox to the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee for a three-year term.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

WATAUGA AMBULANCE SERVICE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE REPORT

 

County Manager Reed stated that following the Board’s request from the last meeting (July 12, 1999) that he had gone to the Watauga Ambulance Service’s (WAS) office to review the accounts receivable reports on their computer. Because the records he was reviewing were in such disarray, he requested an extension of two weeks to provide this information at the Board’s next regular meeting scheduled for August 17, 1999. In addition, Vice-Chairman Sweeting asked Mr. Reed to verify what the WAS’s base rate charge was because it was her understanding that any change in rates had to be approved by the Board. It was the consensus of the Board to allow this extension and to discuss at the Board’s next regular meeting scheduled for August 17, 1999.

 

MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

 

County Manager Reed had distributed several miscellaneous administrative items for the Board’s information (the Watauga County CDBG Quarterly Report, several Board/Committee meeting minutes, a letter from the N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary, David McCoy, regarding the US 321 widening project, the N.C. Association of County Commissioners District Director Board Action Report, and future appointments to be considered at a later meeting). None of these items required Board action. Mr. Reed also informed the Board that a public hearing on the CDBG program would be held at the Board’s next regular meeting scheduled for August 17, 1999. In addition, Mr. Reed discussed appointments to the Boone Planning Board. He noted that according to information received from the Town of Boone that Ken Abbott’s term had expired in June, 1999, and an appointment (or Mr. Abbott’s re-appointment) would be considered at the Board’s next regular meeting scheduled for August 17, 1999.

 

ADJOURN

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Kohles, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:59 A.M.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

 

___________________________

Jimmy Hodges

Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

______________________________

Elizabeth H. Link

Clerk to the Board