MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, at 5:30 P.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

Perry Yates, Commissioner

Chris Barnes, County Attorney

                                                Deron Geouque, County Manager

                                                Anita Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

[Clerk’s Note:  Commissioner Welch was not in attendance due to a prior commitment.]

 

Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.

 

Commissioner Yates opened with a prayer and Vice-Chairman Blust led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the June 21, 2016, regular meeting and closed session minutes.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the June 21, 2016, regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the June 21, 2016, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the July 19, 2016, agenda. 

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the July 19, 2016, agenda as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

Proposed Partners for Green Growth Cost Share Funding Application

Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that the Planning Board met and officially recommends for the Board of Commissioners to authorize the New River Conservancy to submit the full Partners for Green Growth Cost Share Funding Application to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and approve the $1,600 match to come from in-kind services of the Planning and Inspections Director’s time.

 

Mr. George Santucci, Director of the New River Conservancy, stated that a submission of interest for funding from the NC Wildlife Resources Commission was submitted by the New River Conservancy.  As a result, a full application has been invited and is due August 9, 2016.  The County initially had some interest in applying for the grant, but after further consideration determined that the New River Conservancy would be a more appropriate applicant because of the multi-jurisdictional nature of the study.  It is also timely because the 321 corridor is next on the Planning Board’s list for study.  There is a $1,600 match required from the County which can be provided through in-kind services.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to authorize the New River Conservancy to submit the full Partners for Green Growth Cost Share Funding Application to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and to approve the $1,600 match as provided through in-kind services of time from the Planning and Inspections Director. 

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

Mr. Santucci gave a brief update on the Middle Fork of the South Fork Watershed Plan.

Communications and Emergency Services Matters

A.  Proposed Renewals of Maintenance Agreements

1.     VESTA

2.     Console Infrastructure

3.     Fixed Equipment

4.     Subscribers

 

Mr. Jeff Virginia, Emergency Services Director, presented four maintenance contracts with Wireless Communications Inc. for the County’s E911 and Emergency Management Radio systems.  The proposed contracts were for VESTA (Patriot System) maintenance in the amount of $63,528.24, console infrastructure maintenance in the amount of $12,900, fixed equipment maintenance in the amount of $12,444, and subscribers maintenance in the amount of $7,896.  Funds are included in the current budget.  

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the contracts as presented for VESTA (Patriot System) maintenance in the amount of $63,528.24, console infrastructure maintenance in the amount of $12,900, fixed equipment maintenance in the amount of $12,444, and subscribers maintenance in the amount of $7,896.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

B.  Proposed Purchase of Voice Logger

 

Mr. Virginia presented a proposal for the purchase of 911 Voice Logger machines from Blue Ridge Voice and Data, LLC in the amount of $33,030.  The current equipment was four (4) years old and in the future would be replaced on a three (3) year cycle.  The current equipment has experienced some maintenance and service issues.  Staff believes the new provider will solve the current issues being experienced with the existing equipment.  The purchase of Voice Logger machines is eligible for 911 funding and funds are available in the current budget for the purchase.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the purchase of 911 voice logger machines with Blue Ridge Voice and Data, LLC in the amount of $33,030.      

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

 

C.  Proposed Purchase of Console Furniture

 

Mr. Virginia presented a proposal for the purchase of new furniture for the County 911 Dispatch Center from XYBIX in the amount of $61,476.56.  The majority of the furniture is over 10 years old and is in need of replacement.  The new furniture is eligible for 911 funding and funds are available in the current budget for the purchase.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the purchase of new furniture for the County 911 Dispatch Center from XYBIX in the amount of $61,476.56.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

 

D.  2016 EOP

 

Mr. Virginia presented proposed amendments to the County’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).  The changes are minor and are mainly for correction of names in key positions.  Mr. Virginia also presented a proposed resolution stating the EOP is not for public dissemination due to the sensitive nature of the information.  The release of the document has the potential to jeopardize public safety.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to adopt the resolution allowing the release of the EOP to only individuals who have a right or legitimate need for the document.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to adopt the changes to the Emergency Operations Plan as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

Tax Matters

A.  Monthly Collections Report

 

Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of June 2016.  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 June 2016 for Board approval:

 

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for June 2016, as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

C.  Annual Settlement of Tax Collector

 

Tax Administrator Warren presented the following Annual Settlement Statements for Fiscal Year 2016 for Board approval:

 

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the Annual Settlement Statements for Fiscal Year 2016, and to accept the Tax Administrator’s “Oath as to Diligent Effort to Collect Taxes,” as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

D.  Oath to Collect Taxes

 

Mr. Warren presented a proposed order granting authorization to collect taxes for Fiscal Year 2017.  Once approved, a sworn oath would be administered to Tax Administrator Warren.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to grant authorization for Tax Administrator Warren to collect taxes for Fiscal Year 2017.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

E.  Proposed Purchase of Vehicle

 

Mr. Warren stated that in May, a bid was awarded to Jim Armstrong Subaru in the amount of $23,754.07, which included taxes and tags, for a 2016 Subaru Forester.  The vehicle purchase was discussed at the budget work session and was one of the three vehicles that were requested to be replaced in the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 budget.  Now that the budget is adopted, the two additional vehicles are requested to be replaced.  One vehicle will be for the Tax Office and the other vehicle for the Planning and Inspections Department.

 

Mr. Warren stated that he had negotiated the same price for the two (2) new 2017 Subaru Foresters as was provided for the 2016 vehicle price by piggy-backing on the 2016 vehicle price for the two new 2017 vehicles.  The vehicles are identical with all of the same options only a newer model year.

 

Board action was required to award the bid to Jim Armstrong Subaru for two (2) new 2017 Subaru Foresters in the amount of $47,508.14, which includes taxes and tags.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to award the bid to Jim Armstrong Subaru for two (2) new 2017 Subaru Foresters in the total amount of $47,508.14, which includes taxes and tags, with one vehicle being for the Tax Office and one for the Planning and Inspections Department.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

A.  Appointment of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ (NCACC) Annual Conference Voting Delegate

 

County Manager Geouque stated that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) Annual Conference is scheduled for August 11-14, 2016, in Forsyth County.  Each county in attendance is required to select a voting member for representation at the annual business meeting which is conducted as a part of the conference.  Submission of the voting delegate is due August 5, 2016.

 

No action was taken.

 

B.  Boards and Commissions

 

County Manager Geouque reviewed the following vacancies:

 

Watauga County Board of Adjustment

Janet Beck has resigned from the Board of Adjustment.  Her 3-year term was set to expire in November.  She is an at-large appointee. The Commissioners have the option of appointing someone to finish the term or to make a new 3-year appointment that would expire in November, 2019.

 

Economic Development Commission

There are two vacancies on the Economic Development Commission.  One vacancy is an unfulfilled term expiring June, 2017, and the other is an unfulfilled term expiring June, 2018. Those seats were occupied by individuals who have moved from Watauga County.  The EDC has fourteen members; nine are appointees, the other five serve by virtue of their organizations, including one Commissioner.  All members vote.

 

There were no recommendations.

 

C.  Announcements

 

There were no announcements.

Public Comment

Mr. Gayle Henson shared comments supporting Mountain View Race Track.

Closed Session

At 6:10 P.M., Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to resume the open meeting at 6:36 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Hodges, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

Adjourn

Commissioner Kennedy moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:37 P.M.  The motion failed due to the lack of a second.

 

Chairman Hodges adjourned the meeting at 6:38 P.M.

 

 

 

Jimmy Hodges, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board