MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2020
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at 5:30 P.M. remotely with the meeting originating in the Manager's Conference Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Welch called the remote electronic meeting to order at 5:31 P.M. by calling roll with each Commissioner answering as present. The following were present:
PRESENT VIA ELECTRONIC MEANS:
John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Commissioner Yates opened with a prayer and Vice-Chairman Kennedy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the June 2, 2020, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the June 2, 2020, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the June 2, 2020, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the June 16, 2020, agenda.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the June 16, 2020, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Update
Ms. Jennifer Greene, AppHealthCare Director, provided an update on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The report was for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of May 2020. The 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 May 2020 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for May 2020 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Subdivision Performance Guarantee
Mr. Joe Furman presented a subdivision performance guarantee for Waterfront Group/Deep Creek Holdings, for completion of the roads in Phase I, Monteagle, which was approved by the Planning Board at their June 15, 2020, meeting. Mr. Furman stated that Section 92 of the Ordinance To Govern Subdivisions and Multi Unit Structures provided for performance guarantees in lieu of completion of improvements prior to final plat recordation, and required Board of Commissioners approval of the guarantee. The estimate for completion of the roads was in the amount of $161,310. Section 92 required the guarantee to be 120% of the estimate which was $193,572. The developer has proposed to provide a check in that amount. Mr. Furman stated that ninety percent of the paving was completed as of Monday, June 15, and if the remainder of the work had been completed the guarantee would be unnecessary.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept a check, if needed, in an amount up to $193,572, from Waterfront Group/Deep Creek Holdings to guarantee paving of Phase I of Monteagle.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Project on Aging Matters
A. Proposed Reallocation of FY 2020 Home & Community Care Block Grant (H&CCGB) Funds
Ms. Angie Boitnotte stated that, due to COVID-19 related issues, the Project on Aging (POA) needed to reallocate FY 2020 Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds. The H&CCBG allocation for FY 2020 was $300,702, which required a local match of $33,412. Ms. Boitnotte stated that the match was present in the POA FY 2020 County budget.
|
H&CCBG Service |
Original Allocation |
Revised Allocation |
Local Match |
|
In-Home Aide Level I |
$102,213 |
$94,046 |
$10,450 |
|
In-Home Aide Level II |
$40,316 |
$64,483 |
$7,165 |
|
Congregate Meals |
$53,194 |
$53,992 |
$5,999 |
|
Home Delivered Meals |
$89,181 |
$76,181 |
$8,465 |
|
Transportation |
$15,798 |
$12,000 |
$1,333 |
|
Totals |
$300,702 |
$300,702 |
$33,412 |
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the Fiscal Year 2020 Home & Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) fund budget reallocations as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Allocation of FY 2021 Home & Community Care Block Grant (H&CCGB) Funds
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, requested acceptance of the projected allocation of $293,576 in Home and Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) funds for FY 2021. Ms. Boitnotte stated that the required local match is $32,620 and is present in the Project on Aging's FY 2021 budget.
|
H&CCBG Service |
H&CCBG Allocation |
Local Match |
|
In-Home Aide Level I |
$102,213 |
$11,357 |
|
In-Home Aide Level II |
$40,316 |
$4,480 |
|
Congregate Meals |
$49,631 |
$5,515 |
|
Home Delivered Meals |
$89,181 |
$9,909 |
|
Transportation |
$12,235 |
$1,359 |
|
Totals |
$293,576 |
$32,620 |
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to accept the recommended allocations for Fiscal Year 2021 for the Home & Community Care Block Grant (H&CCGB) Funds.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Proposed Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Agreement
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, requested the acceptance of $38,127 in Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) funding and $94,068 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding from the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services. The FFCRA and CARES Act funding must be used to respond to the coronavirus emergency by providing Older Americans Act activities related to the response. No match was required and the funding must be expended by September 30, 2021.
|
FFCRA Service |
Allocation |
|
Congregate Meals |
$12,709 |
|
Home Delivered Meals |
$25,418 |
|
Totals |
$38,127 |
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept the $38,127 in Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) funding and $94,068 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding from the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services and approve the disbursement of those funds as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) FY 2021 Certification, Membership, and County Plan
Mr. Stephen Poulos, JCPC Chairman, presented the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) Certification and County Plan as well as the proposed membership roster for FY 2021, which included a potential new member, Mr. Matthew Bonestell, who requested appointment.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the Certification and County Plan as presented by Mr. Poulos.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and approve the membership list including Mr. Matthew Bonestell as a new member.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103300-33000 |
JCPC Grant |
|
$9,963 |
|
105890-463151 |
Mountain Alliance – JCPC |
$4,936 |
|
|
105890-463146 |
Blue Ridge Mediation – JCPC |
$1,565 |
|
|
105890-463144 |
Western Youth Network – JCPC |
$3,462 |
|
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|
|
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|
|
The amendment recognized the acceptance of additional funds for the Juvenile Crime Prevention grant as approved per Board action on May 19, 2020. No County funds were required as a match. |
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|
103300-332006 |
Senior Health Info Grant |
|
$1,849 |
|
105550-449901 |
Senior Health Information Program |
$1,849 |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
The amendment recognized the acceptance of the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) grant funds per Board action on May 5, 2020. No County funds were required as match. |
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|
103300-346001 |
COVID-19 FEMA Reimbursement |
|
$100,000 |
|
103300-346000 |
Coronavirus Relief Fund |
|
$1,164,018 |
|
104330-449001 |
CRF – Watauga County |
$100,000 |
|
|
104330-449009 |
CRF – Town of Blowing Rock |
$21,153 |
|
|
104330-449003 |
CRF – Town of Boone |
$38,382 |
|
|
104330-449004 |
CRF – Town of Seven Devils |
$20,175 |
|
|
104330-449005 |
CRF – Town of Beech Mountain |
$20,290 |
|
|
104330-449006 |
CRF – Appalachian Regional Healthcare |
$200,000 |
|
|
104330-449007 |
CRF – Watauga County Schools |
$125,000 |
|
|
104330-449008 |
CRF – App Health Care |
$639,018 |
|
|
104330-449000 |
Coronavirus Expenses |
$100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized the acceptance of funds received under Session Law 2020-4 for money reserved for local governments under the Coronavirus Relief Fund and FEMA reimbursement for COVID-19 related expenses. |
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|
103980-398121 |
Transfer from Capital Projects Fund |
|
$100,000 |
|
104920-463000 |
General Appropriation |
$100,000 |
|
|
213991-399101 |
Fund Balance Appropriation |
|
$100,000 |
|
219800-498010 |
Transfer to General Fund |
$100,000 |
|
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|
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The amendment allocated funds from CIP set aside funds for projects as requested by the Economic Development Commission to be utilized for small business loans as a part of the Reenergize Watauga Fund per Board action of May 19, 2020. |
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|
104283-457003 |
Guy Ford Road Grant |
$100,000 |
|
|
103300-343319 |
TDA Guy Ford Grant |
|
$100,000 |
|
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|
|
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The amendment recognized the acceptance of a grant from the Watauga County District U TDA for Guy Ford Road river access. |
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|
293270-312009 |
Occupancy Tax Revenues |
|
$481,000 |
|
294140-469900 |
Watauga County District U TDA |
$475,000 |
|
|
294140-449900 |
Administrative Collection Fee |
$6,000 |
|
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|
The amendment recognized additional projected occupancy tax revenues above original budget. |
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|
103200-326600 |
ABC Bottle Tax |
|
$2,000 |
|
105890-469848 |
Mediation and Restorative Justice |
$2,000 |
|
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The amendment recognized additional projected ABC Bottle tax revenues above original budget. |
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|
104330-469901 |
Foscoe Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$24,000 |
|
|
104330-469903 |
Fall Creek Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$500 |
|
|
104330-469904 |
Beaver Dam Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$3,500 |
|
|
104330-469905 |
Boone Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$32,000 |
|
|
104330-469906 |
Zionville Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$5,000 |
|
|
104330-469907 |
Cove Creek Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$6,000 |
|
|
104330-469908 |
Stewart Simmons Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$11,000 |
|
|
104330-469910 |
Meat Camp Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$10,000 |
|
|
104330-469911 |
Todd Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$3,000 |
|
|
104330-469912 |
Blowing Rock Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$16,000 |
|
|
104330-469913 |
Shawneehaw Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$6,000 |
|
|
104330-469919 |
Creston Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$1,000 |
|
|
104330-469924 |
Deep Gap Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$10,000 |
|
|
104330-469998 |
Beech Mountain Fire District Sales Tax Distribution |
$2,000 |
|
|
103200-323300 |
Sales Tax Revenue |
|
$130,000 |
|
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|
|
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|
The amendment recognized additional projected sales tax distribution above original budget. |
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|
243102-312008 |
Shawneehaw Current Year Tax Revenue |
|
$300 |
|
243102-312101 |
Foscoe Current Year Tax Revenue |
|
$1,000 |
|
283102-312119 |
Creston Current Year Tax Revenue |
|
$500 |
|
244340-469908 |
Shawneehaw |
$300 |
|
|
244340-469901 |
Foscoe |
$1,000 |
|
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284340-469919 |
Creston |
$500 |
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The amendment recognized additional projected property tax revenue above original budget. |
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103300-343321 |
EMPG-S Grant |
|
$12,695 |
|
104330-449011 |
EMPG-S Grant |
$12,695 |
|
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The amendment recognized additional funds received from the NC Department of Public Safety for Emergency Management Performance Grant Program Supplemental (EMPG-S) to cover COVID-19 related expenses. |
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103839-332007 |
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Grant |
|
$4,950 |
|
105550-422000 |
Food and Provisions |
$4,950 |
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The amendment recognized acceptance of a Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC grant to support meal delivery to the seniors per Board action on June 2, 2020. |
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Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Watson.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Change Order Request for Courthouse Exterior Waterproofing Project
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, presented change order # 1 for the exterior waterproofing project on the County Courthouse building. Strickland Waterproofing’s bid was $40,000. After the pre-construction meeting, Strickland Waterproofing recommended adding an additional bead of caulking to all of the precast joints for an additional cost in the amount of $15,000. The purpose of the additional caulking would be to extend the life of the repair. Funds would come from the administrative contingency fund.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept the change order from Strickland Waterproofing in the amount of $15,000.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Purchase of Property for Emergency Communications Tower
County Manager Geouque presented a proposed agreement to purchase a 1.047 acre tract of land located at 1463 Sampson Road in Watauga County, North Carolina. The purchase would be to use the property for the location and construction of an emergency communications tower along with the potential to enhance internet services in that area. The cost for the property was $100,000. The purchase would be a significant benefit to the County allowing for the ownership of the property and eliminating annual lease payments. In addition, the State would partner with the County to build a Viper tower and would allow a third party internet provider use of the tower. The partnership called for the State to build and maintain the tower which would allow the County to utilize funds, originally designated for this project, for the purchase or lease of future tower sites.
The acquisition of the property was in line with the County’s Emergency Communication Upgrade Plan. Two additional sites would also need to be acquired to improve overall emergency communications coverage as well as the potential to improve internet services to underserved areas of the County. The County Attorney had reviewed and approved the agreement as presented.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the purchase of the 1.047 acre tract of land in the amount of $100,000. The funds to purchase would come from the Emergency Communication CIP fund.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque shared the following for consideration:
Social Services Advisory Board
The Social Services Advisory Board recommended the reappointment of Ms. Mary Smalling, who was willing to continue to serve if so appointed, to a four year term. This was a first reading.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Ms. Mary Smalling to a four-year term on the Social Services Advisory Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Voluntary Farmland Preservation Advisory Board
The Voluntary Farmland Preservation Advisory Board recommended the reappointment of Mr. Andrew Ellis and Ms. Jennifer Miller. These were first readings.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Mr. Andrew Ellis and Ms. Jennifer Miller to the Voluntary Farmland Preservation Advisory Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Economic Development Commission
Mr. Walter Kaudelka’s term on the Economic Development Commission (EDC) was set to expire in June. There was a limit of two (2) consecutive terms. Mr. Kaudelka has served two full terms and, therefore, was ineligible for reappointment. Mr. Charlie Bateman submitted a volunteer application for consideration to serve on this Board. This was a first reading and, therefore, no action was taken.
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced that the first regular meeting in July had been cancelled; therefore, the next Board of Commissioners Meeting would be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at 5:30 P.M.
Public Comment
Vice-Chairman Kennedy requested a recently received email from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) be included as a part of the public record. Chairman Welch read the comment submitted by Its Sapph. The written comment and the NCACC email were made available through the County Manager’s Office and on the County’s website.
Closed Session
At 6:31 P.M., Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:17 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Chairman Welch adjourned the meeting at 7:17 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST: