MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, February 16, 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.

 

Chairman Welch called the remote electronic meeting to order at 5:34 P.M.  The following were present:

 

PRESENT:                  John Welch, Chairman

Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman

                                    Carrington Pertalion, Commissioner

Charlie Wallin, Commissioner

Larry Turnbow, Commissioner

Andrea Capua, County Attorney

Deron Geouque, County Manager

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

Commissioner Wallin opened with a prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the February 2, 2021, regular meeting and closed session minutes as well as the February 8 & 9, 2021, special meeting minutes.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the February 2, 2021, regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the February 2, 2021, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the February 8 & 9, 2021, special meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the February 16, 2021, agenda.

 

County Manager Geouque requested to add potential action after closed session and, under Boards and Commissions, consideration of appointments of the ETJ member to Blowing Rock’s Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the February 16, 2021, agenda as amended.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

PUBLIC HEARING TO ALLOW CITIZEN COMMENT WITH RESPECT TO 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

Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to recuse Commissioner Pertalion from this discussion as she is an employee of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS).

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Mr. Jim Deal, President-Elect of the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees, stated that the public hearing was scheduled to allow citizen comment regarding the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) and Watauga Medical Center request to utilize Public Finance Authority Healthcare Facilities Revenue Bonds to finance and refinance capital improvements not to exceed $120,000,000.  The financing would be used for a new Central Energy Plant and hospital wing.  The new hospital wing would include new surgical operating and patient care rooms as well as new equipment.  The improvements would take place on land owned by the hospital and land currently leased from the County.  The term of the bond for the hospital improvements was anticipated to be thirty-five (35) years and the hospital’s lease with the County was required to be five (5) years longer than the bond.  Therefore, the ARHS Board of Trustees requested an extension to the term of the lease of twenty-seven (27) years with the expiration date changing from 2034 to 2061.

 

Mr. Deal stated that the Bonds would not be deemed to constitute a debt of the County or a pledge of the faith and credit of the County, and would be payable solely from the revenues and other funds generated by ARHS.  Because no taxes or other revenues of the County were pledged to pay these bonds, the staff of the County does not need to do a financial analysis of the Bonds, the Borrowers or the Health System.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to call the public hearing to order at 5:46 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Turnbow, Wallin)

             Nay-0

             Recused-1(Pertalion)

 

There was no public comment; however, written public comments would be accepted in regards to the public hearing through Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to close the public hearing at 5:46 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Turnbow, Wallin)

             Nay-0

             Recused-1(Pertalion)

 

[Clerk’s Note:  No public comments were received by the deadline of Wednesday, February 17, 2021.  Also, Commissioner Pertalion remained recused through the next two agenda items.]

 

Mr. Deal shared that, after the public hearing, ARHS requested the adoption of a proposed resolution that would approve PFA’s issuance of the bonds and the financing of the Project in the County.  The resolution would provide that the bonds would not constitute a debt of the County; nor a charge against its general credit or taxing power and that the bonds were not an obligation or liability of the County.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION APPROVING IN PRINCIPLE THE ISSUANCE OF NOT TO EXCEED $120,000,000 OF 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

Chairman Welch presented the proposed resolution approving the issuance of a revenue bond not to exceed $120,000,000 in accordance with the Public Finance Authority for Healthcare Facilities.  The bonds shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the County or a pledge of the faith and credit of the County.  As such, the approval of this bond would have no impact on the potential debt service for the new Valle Crucis Elementary School.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adopt the resolution as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Turnbow, Wallin)

             Nay-0

             Recused-1(Pertalion)

 

PROPOSED FIFTH AMENDMENT TO WATAUGA MEDICAL CENTER LEASE AGREEMENT

Chairman Welch presented the proposed 5th amendment to the lease of County-owned property for Watauga County Medical Center.  The extension was required as a part of the hospital’s bond financing for the new Central Energy Plant and hospital wing, which would include new surgical operating and patient care rooms as well as medical equipment.  The term of the bond for the hospital improvements was anticipated to be thirty-five (35) years and the lease was required to be five (5) years longer than the bond.  The Board of Trustees had requested an extension of twenty-seven (27) years to the lease which would change the expiration date from 2034 to 2061.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the 5th Amendment to the Watauga Medical Center Lease Agreement modifying the expiration date from the year 2034 to 2061 as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Turnbow, Wallin)

             Nay-0

             Recused-1(Pertalion)

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to reinstate Commissioner Pertalion.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Turnbow, Wallin)

             Nay-0

             Recused-1(Pertalion)

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 PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT

Ms. Monica Caruso, County Librarian, presented the Watauga County Public Library Annual Report.  Ms. Caruso reported on youth and adult services, activities at the Western Watauga Branch, volunteer activities and gave an overview of revenues and expenses, statistics, and grants received.  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 January 2021.  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 January 2021 for Board approval:

 

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for January 2021 as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

SHERIFF’S OFFICE FY 21-22 VEHICLE PURCHASE REQUEST

Major Kelly Redmon, with the Watauga County Sheriff's Office, requested to purchase the following vehicles from Ilderton Dodge through the NC Sheriffs Vehicle Procurement Contract:  six (6) Dodge Durango SUV AWD V6 in the amount of $30,702 for each vehicle; one (1) Dodge Charger Sedan AWD V6 in the amount of $26,949; and one (1) Dodge Ram SSV Truck 4WD in the amount of $27,024.  The total Ilderton Dodge amount, including fees, was $245,378.55.

 

Major Redmon stated that he had received an additional lower bid for radios and, therefore, requested to purchase eight (8) Kenwood Viking Dual Band Radios from Two Way Radio of Carolina, Inc. in the approximate amount of $4,281 each, including taxes.  The total amount requested was $279,623.95 including taxes and tags.  Adequate funds have been budgeted to cover the requested purchases.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept Ilderton Dodge’s bid, in the amount of $245,378.55, for the vehicle purchases as presented by Major Kelly.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Pertalion, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept Two Way Radio of Carolina, Inc.’s bid, in the amount of $34,245.40, for the purchase of radios as presented by Major Kelly.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

A.    Designation of Unassigned Fund Balance from the Fiscal Year 2020 Audit

 

County Manager Geouque presented, per direction from the Board, a proposed appropriation in the amount of $982,500 to implement the Employee Compensation and Retention Plan and a proposed transfer, to the Capital Projects Fund, in the amount of $4,000,000 for future County facilities, maintenance, emergency communications, and economic development.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy stated that this would take all employees to a minimum $15.00 living wage.  Mr. Kennedy also stated that all employees would benefit as salaries were adjusted to prevent compression.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the request as presented by the County Manager.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

B.    Boards and Commissions

 

County Manager Geouque presented the following:

 

Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District Board

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.

 

Commissioner Turnbow nominated Jody Eller to serve as the District 4 representative on the Boone Rural Fire Service District Board.  Mr. Eller met the requirements to serve on the Board.  This is a first reading.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Jody Eller to serve as the District 4 representative on the Boone Rural Fire Service District Board.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Pertalion nominated Tommy Critcher to be reappointed as the District 1 Boone Rural Fire Service District representative.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Tommy Critcher to serve as the District 1 representative on the Boone Rural Fire Service District Board.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

 

 

 

Tourism Development Authority (TDA)

The following Watauga County TDA Board members terms expired at the end of February:  Jim Neustadt, Owner/Operator of Valle Crucis Log Cabin Rentals, and Brad Moretz, Owner/Operator of both Appalachian Ski Mountain and Appalachian Ski Mountain Slopeside Lodgings.

 

Both were willing and eligible to be re-appointed to three-year terms and the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Board supported the re-nomination of both.

 

Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Jim Neustadt and Brad Moretz to three-year terms on the Tourism Development Board.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Blowing Rock ETJ Representative for Planning Board and Board of Adjustment

Mr. Kevin Rothrock, Blowing Rock Planning Director, had stated that the Blowing Rock Town Council recommended Harrison Herbst to be reappointed to serve as an Extra-territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) representative on both the Blowing Rock Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.

 

Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Pertalion, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Harrison Herbst to serve as an Extra-territorial Jurisdiction representative on the Blowing Rock Planning Board and Blowing Rock Board of Adjustment.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

C.    Announcements

 

Chairman Welch announced the following:

 

·       The Parks and Recreation Department has scheduled a Drive-Thru Bunny Trail Parade from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 28, 2021, at the Community Recreation Center.

 

·       High Country Senior Games, for those over 50 years of age, will be held May through July 2021 by the Parks and Recreation Department.  Please contact the Parks and Recreation Department for more information.

 

·       The recent Food for Friends Drive, held at the Community Recreation Center by Parks and Recreation who had teamed up with Hospitality House, Casting Bread, and Hunger & Health Coalition, was a success.  1,875 pounds of food were collected as well as $1,250 in cash donations.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

CLOSED SESSION

At 6:44 P.M., Vice-Chairman Kennedy, 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-5

             Nay-0

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:51 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

POTENTIAL ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION

Chairman Welch announced that there was no action to take after closed session.

ADJOURN

Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

 

John Welch, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board