MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2023
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Turnbow called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT: Larry Turnbow, Chairman
Charlie Wallin, Vice-Chairman (arrived at 6:00 P.M.)
Todd Castle, Commissioner
Braxton Eggers, Commissioner
Ray Russell, Commissioner
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Commissioner Eggers opened with a prayer and Chairman Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the August 1, 2023, regular and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the August 1, 2023, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Wallin)
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Turnbow called for additions and/or corrections to the August 15, 2023, agenda.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the August 15, 2023, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Wallin)
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment on the Closeout of the Community Development Block Grant Relief Project (CDBG-CV)
Chairman Turnbow stated that a public hearing was scheduled to allow public comment on the closeout of the Community Development Block Grant – COVID (CDBG-CV) awarded to the County in 2020.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to call the public hearing to order at 5:36 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Wallin)
As there were no comments, Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to close the public hearing at 5:36 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Wallin)
Ms. Michelle Ball, Regional Planner with High Country Council Governments, shared that the County was awarded $900,000 through the grant in December 2020 to assist to low- and moderate-income residents. The County contracted with four non-profits as follows:
|
Non-Profit |
Budget per contract |
Total Amount Spent |
Individuals Assisted |
Households Assisted |
Assistance Provided |
|
WAMY |
$400,000.00 |
$400,000.00 |
260 |
116 |
Subsistence Payments |
|
HC United Way |
$150,000.00 |
$12,332.09 |
19 |
10 |
Subsistence Payments |
|
Hospitality House |
$60,000.00 |
$27,641.70 |
24 |
7 |
Mental Health |
|
Hospitality House |
$150,000.00 |
$30,458.05 |
28 |
10 |
Food Distribution |
|
Daymark |
$50,000.00 |
$50,000.00 |
94 |
38 |
Mental Health |
|
Totals |
$810,000.00 |
$520,431.84 |
425 |
181 |
|
Watauga County residents eligible for assistance had to have a household income below 80% of the County Median Income and have been affected, directly or indirectly, by COVID-19. Payments were limited to 6 months of assistance per household.
$553,203.35 was spent during the 2 ½ year project as follows: $520,432.07 for public service activities and an additional $32,771.28 was expended on planning and administration.
Ms. Ball stated that applications for assistance decreased as the pandemic waned and Federal and State funding received was available for the same services which accounted for the unexpended funds, in the amount of $346,796.65, which would be deobligated and returned to the NC Department of Commerce to be used for other CDBG funded programs.
Ms. Ball stated that June 17, 2023, was the last day the County could submit a reimbursement for funds under the program and the reporting of the project accomplishments was due before September 17, 2023.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the closeout of the Community Development Block Grant Relief Project (CDBG-CV) as presented by Ms. Ball.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Wallin)
Proposed “End Overdose in Watauga County” Proclamation and Request to Use Greenspace at the Human Services Complex
Ms. Mary McKinney requested authorization of the installation of art at the greenspace in front of the Human Services complex in August to be left in place to be incorporated into the September 30, 2023, Recovery Community Block Party. The art installation would include flags or path lights to represent the number of lives lost to overdose last year, making a path to a mailbox/cupboard for people to leave letters for/about their lost loved ones and to access overdose reversal supplies and information, and the "My Loved One," "You Are Not Alone," and "Hope" screen printed flags created for the event last year. On August 31, 2023, free life-saving training and supplies will be offered on site at 6:30 P.M. and at 7:00 P.M. a gathering will be held to remember loved ones lost to overdose. At dusk, a candlelight vigil will be held. Ms. McKinney also presented a proposed proclamation to proclaim August 31, 2023 as “End Overdose in Watauga County” Day.
Chairman Turnbow read the proclamation.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to adopt the proclamation as read by Chairman Turnbow.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Wallin)
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to authorize the use of the greenspace from August 31 through September 30, 2023, as presented by Ms. McKinney.
VOTE: Aye-4(Turnbow, Castle, Eggers, Russell)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Wallin)
[Clerks Note – Vice-Chairman Wallin arrived at the meeting at 6:00 P.M.]
Proposed Amendment to the Opioid Settlement Agreement
Ms. Lindsay Sullivan, Health Strategist with AppHealthCare, stated that the Board recently awarded Opioid Settlement money to the Children’s Council for the Family Connects Program of which AppHealthCare provide the services with grant funds flowing from the Children’s Council. The Children’s Council has requested the Opioid Settlement funds be directly awarded to AppHealthCare to eliminate the additional step of disbursement. The amount awarded to the Children’s Council for the Family Connects Program was $63,824.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to award the Children’s Council Opioid Settlement funds, allocated for the Family Connects Program, directly to AppHealthCare in the amount of $63,824.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Middle Fork Greenway Tweetsie Underpass Bid Award Request
Ms. Carrie Caviness, Middle Fork Greenway, received the following bids for construction of the Middle Fork Greenway – Tweetsie Railroad Underpass:
|
Contractor |
Bid Bond |
Base Bid |
5% |
Bid Alternative |
|
Polivka International Co Inc |
yes |
$1,085,000.00 |
$54,250 |
not listed |
|
Cinderella Partners |
yes |
$425,807.94 |
$21,290 |
not listed |
|
NHM Constructors Inc |
yes |
$520,999.00 |
$26,049 |
not listed |
|
JW Hampton |
yes |
$717,781.00 |
$35,889 |
$2,000 |
Ms. Caviness requested the bid be awarded to Cinderella Partners, the lowest responsive bidder, in the amount of $425,807.94. Funding for the project will come from Middle Fork Greenway and Tourism Development Authority (TDA).
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to award the bid in the amount of $425,807.94 to Cinderella Partners for the Middle Fork Greenway Tweetsie Underpass project.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
WAMY Report
Ms. April Beck, WAMY, presented an update on the 2019-2022 Community Needs Survey (CNS). Housing was identified as the top need in Watauga County with affordability and availability being significant concerns. Home repair services for low-income households were also of concern. This information led to the creation of WAMY’s Community Housing Coalitions which was an effort to bring together stakeholders, concerned about housing, together for collaboration and service delivery. This would include local governments, non-profits, faith organizations, and private citizens. Ms. Beck shared information on WAMY’s Housing Budget for FY 24 as follows:
|
Funding Source |
Allocation |
Allowed Cost Per Unit |
Service Area |
Restrictions |
|
Housing Preservations Grant (USDA) |
$150,000 |
$8,500 |
WAMY |
15 homes across four counties. |
|
Urgent Repair Program (USDA) |
$230,440 |
$11,000 |
WAMY |
20 homes across four counties. Resident must be at risk for environmental hazards which would lead to displacement due to safety concerns. |
|
Essential Single-Family Rehab (HUD Home) |
$162,000 |
$40,000 |
Watauga |
Three homes. Home must be brought up to local code or HUD's minimum housing quality standards, whichever is stricter. |
|
Weatherization (DOE) |
$111,728 |
$8,250 |
WAMY- Four units in Watauga |
Weatherization measures only (air sealing, insulating, whole house ventilation). Home must meet certain quality standards to protect weatherization measures. |
|
Weatherization (LIHEAP/DHHS) |
$377,178 |
$12,000 |
WAMY – Ten units in Watauga |
Weatherization measures only (air sealing, insulating, whole house ventilation). Home must meet certain quality standards to protect weatherization measures. |
|
Heating and Air Repair & Replacement (DHHS) |
$248,806 |
$9,000 |
WAMY – Ten units in Watauga |
Repair or total replacement of heating units (like for like). Home must meet certain quality standards to protect the measure. |
|
Duke Energy Progress |
|
|
Duke Customers |
Only two measures can be combined per household. |
|
Energy Star Appliance Replacements |
n/a |
$1,000 |
|
|
|
Health & Safety |
n/a |
$1,500 |
|
|
|
HVAC Repair & Replacement |
n/a |
$4,000 |
|
|
|
Watauga County Government |
$5,000 |
n/a |
Watauga |
Unrestricted |
|
Women’s Fund |
$15,000 |
$1,500 |
W&A |
Unrestricted. $15,000 must be spread across 10 units. |
Ms. Beck stated that home repairs could be devastating and, left unchecked, could grow into bigger problems. The goal was to help folks with issues so they could stay in their home. Research indicated the need for home restoration through unrestricted funding. Ms. Beck stated that they could offer weatherization for renters but restrictions on grant funding often required the resident to be the homeowner.
Chairman Turnbow requested WAMY to contact the County Manager to set up a meeting with the County Manager, Commissioner Castle, and Commissioner Russell to continue discussions.
Bid Award Request for Updating Library HVAC
Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, stated that the following bids were received for the replacement of five air-cooled condensing units and five air handler coils for air conditioning equipment in the Library building.
|
Vendor |
Bid |
Revised Bid |
|
Pyatt Heating & Air Conditioning |
$145,316 |
Would not submit revised bid |
|
Alpha Energy Solutions |
$153,782 |
$153,782 |
|
Triangle Contractors |
$168,200 |
$240,000 |
Mr. Marsh request the bid be awarded to Alpha Energy Solutions, the lowest responsive bidder, in the amount of $153,782 for air conditioning equipment at the Watauga County Library.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to award Alpha Energy Solutions the contract for the replacement of five air cooled condensers and associated air handler coils at the Watauga County Library in the amount of $153,782.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
County Manager Geouque, on behalf of Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of July 2023. The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
County Manager Geouque, on behalf of Mr. Larry Warren, Tax Administrator, presented the Refunds and Releases Report for July 2023 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for July 2023 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Bid Award for Phase 2 Scale House Improvements
Mr. Rex Buck, Operations Services Director, stated that the following three bids were received for Phase 2 of the Scale House Improvements project:
|
Vendor |
Bid |
|
PADCO Excavating, Inc. |
$606,201.31 |
|
JW Hampton Company |
$645,134.50 |
|
Carolina Grading and Utilities, Inc. |
$663,881.00 |
Mr. Buck reviewed the project phasing. Phase 1 included relocating the utilities, Phase 2 would consist of the installation of inbound scales and the construction of the Scale House, and Phase 3 would be the installation of outbound scales.
County Manager Geouque stated that the Department of Transportation (DOT) was working on a plan to coordinate Innovation Drive with the 911 base adjacent to this project and hoped to have a plan by Fall of 2023.
Mr. Buck requested approval and authorization to contract with PADCO Excavating, Inc, the lowest responsive bidder, in the amount of $606,201.31 for Phase 2 of the Scale House Improvements project.
Commissioner Russell, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to award the bid to, and approve the contract with, PADCO Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $606,201.31 for Phase 2 of the Scale House Improvements project.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Skyline’s Request for Flat Mountain Extension of Sampson
County Manager Geouque stated that during the construction of the County’s Broadband project, it was brought to the attention of the contractor that a small portion of homeowners were inadvertently omitted in the Sampson Area due to a zip code issue. The homeowners meet the requirements of ARP funding and the homes were located in Watauga County. Due to their initial omittance, Board action was required to add the home owners in the Flat Mountain Road area to the current ARP project.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to add the Flat Mountain Road area to the current Broadband ARP project as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Appalachian State University Greenhouse Lease Renewal
County Manager Geouque stated that the public advertisement notice has been met and the Board may now approve the renewal of the lease with Appalachian State University Foundation for the greenhouse located at the Watauga County Landfill.
Property owned by the County may be leased or rented for such terms and upon such conditions as the Board may determine, for up to ten (10) years. Property may be rented or leased only pursuant to a resolution of the Board authorizing the execution of the lease or rental agreement adopted at a regular Board meeting upon 10 days' public notice. Notice shall be given by publication describing the property to be leased or rented, stating the annual rental or lease payments, and announcing the Board's intent to authorize the lease or rental at its next regular meeting.
Commissioner Castle, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, moved to approve the lease renewal with Appalachian State University Foundation for the greenhouse located at the Watauga County Landfill.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Proposed USDA Lease Renewal
County Manager Geouque stated that the advertisement notice has been met for the lease renewal with the United States of America for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) office space in the County’s West Annex building.
Property owned by the County may be leased or rented for such terms and upon such conditions as the Board may determine, for up to ten (10) years. Property may be rented or leased only pursuant to a resolution of the Board authorizing the execution of the lease or rental agreement adopted at a regular Board meeting upon 10 days' public notice. Notice shall be given by publication describing the property to be leased or rented, stating the annual rental or lease payments, and announcing the Board's intent to authorize the lease or rental at its next regular meeting.
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Russell, moved to approve the lease renewal with the United States of America for the United Stated of Agriculture (USDA) office space in the County’s West Annex building as presented by the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Excise Tax Refund Request
County Manager Geouque stated that the County recently received a request for refund of over payment of excise tax. NCGS 105-228.37 details the process for the refund. The incorrect amount paid was $2,627.00. It should have been $1,420 which shows a refund of $1,207 due to Walker & Wright, Attorneys At Law. The County Manager stated that the procedures as detailed in NCGS 105-228.37 have been met.
Commissioner Eggers, seconded by Vice-Chairman Wallin, moved to approve the refund of $1,207 for the overpayment of excise tax to Walker & Wright, Attorneys At Law.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The 116th North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Annual Conference would be held August 24-26, 2023, in Wake County at the Raleigh Convention Center.
· A public hearing is scheduled on September 5, 2023, at 5:30 P.M. to allow citizen comment on the proposed adjustment of the fire protection district for The Ridge Cherry Gap Subdivision from Fall Creek to Beech Mountain.
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Castle, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:56 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Larry Turnbow, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board