MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, at 8:30 A.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.

 

                        PRESENT:      Jimmy Hodges, Chairman

David Blust, Vice-Chairman

Billy Kennedy, Commissioner

John Welch, Commissioner

Perry Yates, Commissioner

Stacy C. “Four” Eggers, County Attorney

Deron Geouque, County Manager

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 8:30 A.M.

 

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

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the August 18, 2015, regular meeting and closed session minutes.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the August 18, 2015, regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the August 18, 2015, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the September 1, 2015, agenda.

 

County Manager Geouque requested to add Commissioner Comments prior to Miscellaneous Administrative Matters.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the September 1, 2015, agenda as amended presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Hardin Park Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) Request for County Forces

Mr. Brian Johnson, representing the Hardin Park Elementary School Parent/Teacher Organization, presented plans for the construction of a fully-accessible playground at Hardin Park School and requested the use of County forces to assist with the project.  The playground is used by the Parks and Recreation Department for summer camp programs.  Mr. Johnson stated that mulch would be saved from the current playground, however, fill dirt may be needed.  The County Manager stated that County forces are able to incorporate this project into the current workload and schedule.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to allow the use of County forces for the Hardin Park Elementary School playground renovation project including fill dirt from the landfill.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Appalachian District Health Department Discussion

Mr. Nathan Miller, Attorney at Law, discussed issues with Appalachian District Health Department (ADHD) as related to a current suit against the ADHD.  Mr. Miller’s client, Mr. Coy Miller, gave a brief history of his issues with ADHD.  Mr. Nathan Miller requested the Board withdraw from ADHD and offer services through a County-operated Health Department.

 

Lengthy discussion was held; however, no action was taken.

Proposed Proclamation Declaring September 19, 2015, As Watauga County River Clean Up Day

On behalf of Ms. Wendy Patoprsty with Cooperative Extension, County Manager Geouque presented a proposed proclamation declaring September 19, 2015, as Watauga County River Clean-Up Day.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Proposed Change Order for Greenway Project

Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that a change order had been granted for the South Fork New River Greenway Extension Project regarding a retaining wall.  The change order was in the amount of $28,003.50 with staff to request additional funding from NCDOT.  Staff has received preliminary approval from NCDOT for additional funding in the amount of $30,000 to cover the change order.  However, upon continued review of the retaining walls by NCDOT engineers, an additional change order will be required.

 

Mr. Furman stated that the amount of the change order and details were not available at this time and requested the Board be willing to call a special meeting prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting to consider approval of the change order for the South Fork New River Greenway Extension Project regarding the retaining wall if necessary.

 

The schedule for the project remains tight due to when NCDOT released the funding; any delay in considering the new change order has the potential to jeopardize funding and the project.  Substantial completion is needed by October 15, 2015, with December 15, 2015, as the scheduled completion date.  All state and federal money must be drawn down by the end of December 2015.

Commissioner Comments

Commissioner Kennedy stated that he attended the Rocky Knob Park Pump Track Grand Opening and shared appreciation for all involved in the project stating it was a good example of a joint project.

Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

A.  Request to Appoint Dr. Jennifer Stoeber as Medical Director

 

County Manager Geouque stated that Dr. John Stanton is moving from Watauga County and is therefore resigning as Medical Director of the Watauga County Emergency Medical Services Plan.  Staff and Watauga Medics recommend Dr. Jennifer Stoeber be appointed as the new Medical Director, effective September 1, 2015.  A proposed contract with Dr. Stoeber, which has been reviewed by the County Attorney, was presented for consideration.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the contract with Dr. Jennifer Stoeber as the new Medical Director for the Emergency Medical Services Plan to be effective September 1, 2015.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

B.  Boards and Commissions

 

County Manager Geouque reviewed the following appointment recommendations:

 

Town of Boone Planning Commission

The Boone Town Council recommends the reappointment of Mr. Cameron Lippard and the appointment of Ms. Caroline Catoe to serve as Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) representatives on the Town’s Planning Commission.  No action was taken as this was a first reading.

 

Town of Boone Board of Adjustment

The Boone Town Council recommends the appointment of Mr. Brandon Paul to serve as an Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) representative on the Town’s Board of Adjustment.  No action was taken as this was a first reading.

 

Social Services Board

The Social Services Advisory Board recommends the appointment of Ms. Dawn Ward to fill Mary Moretz’s term which expired in August 2015.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Ms. Dawn Ward to serve on the Social Services Advisory Board.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

C.  Announcements

 

County Manager Geouque announced the following Grand Openings:

 

?  Appalachian Regional Internal Medicine Specialists at Boone Point on Wednesday September 2, 2015, from 4:00 P.M.–6:00 P.M. - Blue Ribbon

 

?  Breast Center of Appalachian Regional Healthcare Systems at the corner of Furman Road and State Farm Road in the Outpatient Imaging & Lab Building on Wednesday September 30, 2015, from 3:00 P.M.–5:00 P.M. - Pink Ribbon

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

Closed Session

At 9:23 A.M., Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:56 A.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Adjourn

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:56 A.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

 

Jimmy Hodges, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board