MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2021
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at 5:30 P.M. remotely with the meeting originating in the Community Room located in the Watauga County Community Recreation Center, Boone, North Carolina.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called the remote electronic meeting to order at 5:35 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
[Clerk’s Note: Chairman Welch was not in attendance due to a family matter.]
Commissioner Wallin opened with a prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called for additions and/or corrections to the January 19, 2021, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the January 19, 2021, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the January 19, 2021, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Approval of Agenda
Vice-Chairman Kennedy called for additions and/or corrections to the February 2, 2021, agenda.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the February 2, 2021, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
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.
Watauga County Schools Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Funds Request
Ms. Ly Marze, Watauga County School Finance Director, requested the release of $1,185,000 from the School Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) balance for the following projects:
|
Project |
Amount |
|
Pavement Repair/Resurface |
$160,000 |
|
Security Cameras |
$100,000 |
|
Mobile Unit |
$125,000 |
|
Lights at WHS Stadium |
$175,000 |
|
Turf Replacement at WHS |
$450,000 |
|
1:1 Devices |
$175,000 |
Discussion was held as to the expected lifetime of the turf for the stadium. County Manager Geouque stated that the current turf at Watauga High School (WHS) was approximately ten years old. The longevity of turf was determined by required standards for use as well as the amount of use. The County Manager stated that, for example, Appalachian State University had replaced the stadium turf after every seven years whereas the County’s recreational field at Brookshire was approximately ten to twelve years old and currently still in use.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to release $1,185,000 from the School Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) fund balance as requested by Ms. Marze.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Proposed Community Development Block Grant COVID-Relief (CDBG-CV) Program Matters
A. CDBG-CV Compliance Documents
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, presented the following proposed ordinance, policies, and resolutions as required by the Division of Community Assistance for the Community Development Block Grant-COVID Relief (CDBG-CV) program:
1. 504/ADA Grievance Procedure
2. Section 3 Plan – Local Economic Benefit….
3. Procurement Policy
4. Code of Conduct
5. Residential Anti-displacement Policy
6. Optional Coverage Relocation Plan
7. Optional Coverage Resolution (for the OCR Plan)
8. Project Ordinance
9. Equal Employment & Procurement Plan
10. Complaint Procedure
11. Language Access Plan
12. Fair Housing Plan
13. Fair Housing Complaint Procedure
14. Fair Housing Analysis of Impediments
Ms. Michelle Ball, Regional Planner with High Country Council of Governments, stated that the grant was for a thirty-six-month period. Mr. Furman stated that most of the funds would be dispensed within six months.
When asked about the inclusion of funds for mental health, Ms. Ball stated that funds were planned for Daymark and Hospitality House to assist with mental health issues. Mr. Furman stated that funds for housing needs would be allocated to W.A.M.Y. Community Action which provided assistance in preventing evictions for tenants and foreclosures for homeowners.
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adopt the ordinance, policies, and resolutions for the Community Development Block Grant-COVID Relief (CDBG-CV) program funds as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
B. Proposed Agreement with High Country Council of Governments for Administration of the CDBG-CV Program
Mr. Furman presented a proposed agreement with the High Country Council of Governments to administer the Community Development Block Grant-COVID Relief (CDBG-CV) program. Mr. Furman stated that Ms. Michelle Ball would be the administrator of the program.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the agreement with the High Country Council of Governments for grant administration of the Community Development Block Grant-COVID-CV (CDBG-CV) program as presented by Mr. Furman.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Updated NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)/County Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Pursuant to G. S. 108A-74
Mr. Tom Hughes, DSS Director, presented an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) for all social services programs. Mr. Hughes stated that he believed NCDHHS had made reasonable adjustments to their expectations (since the introduction of the first MOU which was not accepted by Watauga County) and that percentages were now achievable by local program units.
During discussion, Mr. Hughes stated that he planned to ask for an additional supervisory position which would allow his Department to meet the standards of the MOU. Mr. Hughes recommended approval of the MOU.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to accept the Memorandum of Understanding as presented by Mr. Hughes.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Tentative Agenda for Annual Pre-Budget Retreat
County Manager Geouque presented a draft agenda for the upcoming Pre-Budget Retreat. The County Manager stated that the process of preparing and compiling the information for the Retreat had already begun; however, the agenda could be modified prior to the Retreat based on input from the Board or the County Manager receiving additional items for consideration.
B. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following:
Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board and the Watauga County Planning Board
Each Commissioner nominates a representative to the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board and the Watauga County Planning Board whose terms run concurrent with the term of the appointing Commissioner. Planning Board members must live within the appointing Commissioner’s District and action must be taken by the entire Board of Commissioners to make these appointments. Boone Rural Fire Service District Board members must own property and reside within the Fire Service District. This was a reminder as Commissioner Pertalion and Commissioner Turnbow have appointments to make to the Boone Rural Fire Service District Board and Vice-Chairman Kennedy to the Planning Board.
Local Firefighters Relief Fund Board of Trustees
Cove Creek Fire Chief Chris Hicks requested that the appointment of Mr. Andrew Ellis to the Local Firefighters Relief Fund Board of Trustees.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Mr. Andrew Ellis to the Local Firefighters Relief Fund Board of Trustees.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The Annual Pre-Budget Retreat would be held on February 8, 2021, from 12:00 to 7:00 P.M. and February 9, 2021, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. The virtual meeting would originate from the Community Room in the Community Recreation Center.
· Watauga County Parks and Recreation teamed up with Hospitality House, Casting Bread, and Hunger & Health Coalition to collect food items. If interested in participating, please drop items off at the new Community Recreation Center (CRC) between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. through Friday, February 12, 2021.
· A copy of a letter of support for the partnership with Caldwell Hospice to bring an inpatient hospice facility to the High Country region.
Commissioner Turnbow announced that a public hearing was scheduled at 5:30 P.M. on February 16, 2021. The public hearing was in respect to the not to exceed $120,000,000 public finance authority health care facilities revenue bonds (Appalachian Regional Healthcare System obligated group), series 2021, for the benefit of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System and Watauga Medical Center.
Public Comment
No public comment was received.
Closed Session
At 6:39 P.M., Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i).
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to resume the open meeting at 7:43 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Adjourn
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Kennedy, Pertalion, Turnbow, Wallin
Nay-0
Absent-1(Welch)
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
ATTEST: Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board