MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1998

 

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 17, 1998 at 7:00 P.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.

 

PRESENT: James Coffey, Chairman

Jack D. Lawrence, Sr., Vice-Chairman

Linda S. Craig, Commissioner

Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner

Jack Wellborn, Commissioner

Stacy C. Eggers, Jr., County Attorney

James S. Ratchford, County Manager

Libby Link, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Coffey called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. welcoming those in attendance.

 

A moment of silence was observed.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Chairman Coffey called for additions or corrections to the November 2, 1998 regular minutes and the November 9, 10 and 12, 1998 special meeting minutes; there being none, they were approved as presented.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Chairman Coffey called for additions or corrections to the November 17, 1998 agenda.

 

County Manager Ratchford requested that Cherry Johnson be deleted from the agenda per her wishes.

 

Commissioner Hodges seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to approve the agenda for the November 17, 1998 regular meeting with the amendment.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING – COUNTY GOVERNMENT

HELICON CABLE FRANCHISE EXTENSION & TRANSFER

 

Chairman Coffey declared a public hearing open at 7:02 p.m. to consider the transfer of FrontierVision’s Cable TV Franchise to Helicon Cable Communications, as well as, an extension of Helicon’s franchise period to the year 2012.

 

Veterans Service Officer/Safety Director Jim Harmon stated there were two documents which required Board approval – a Cable Television Franchise Agreement (which stipulated that the rebuild of the system would take place by December 31, 1999) and a resolution which authorized the transfer and extension of Helicon’s Cable Television Franchise period to December 31, 2012. If approved, this extension would be a 10-year extension on Helicon’s current franchise. He added that Tony Barlage, Helicon Cable TV Director, and Don Geisler, FrontierVision Regional Government Relations Manager, were present to answer questions.

 

Mr. Barlage addressed the Board stating Helicon was looking forward to providing adequate cable service to citizens throughout the County. He stated system upgrades would be completed in the Meat Camp and Zionville areas of the County providing those residents with the same channel line-up that current subscribers received. Mr. Barlage added that the public would be notified of this transaction.

 

There being no public comment, Chairman Coffey declared the public hearing closed at 7:08 p.m.

 

Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Commissioner Craig, moved to approve the Cable Television Franchise Agreement.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to accept the resolution.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

RESOLUTION BOOK #9, PAGE #44

 

BEECH MOUNTAIN VFD 5-MILE DISTRICT MAP RESOLUTION

 

Planning & Inspections Director Joe Furman presented a 5-mile fire insurance rated map proposal from the Beech Mountain Volunteer Fire Department (VFD). Mr. Furman noted that all other fire departments in the County had implemented the 5-mile fire insurance rated district, and the Beech Mountain VFD was the final department requesting approval. Beech Mountain VFD Chief, Jim Brooks, stated any conflicts with the adjoining VFDs had been resolved.

 

Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve the 5-mile insurance district for the Beech Mountain VFD.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

RESOLUTION BOOK #9, PAGE #43

 

STATE AGING FUNDS PROPOSAL

 

Project on Aging Director Rocky Nelson addressed the Board stating notification was received from the State that an additional $20,790 in State Aging funds had been allocated to Watauga County. These funds required a local match of $2,310 which was present in the agency budget. Mr. Nelson requested the funds be allocated as follows:

 

$10,080 to Home Delivered Meals services in order to serve more meals to more clients with special attention to outlying areas of the County.

 

$10,710 to the In-Home Aide services in order to address the current waiting list for services. These funds would allow an additional half-time regular position to be added.

 

Account # Description Debit Credit

 

103586-332000 20,790

105550-412100 Sal.-Reg. 8,000

105550-418100 Soc. Sec. Cont. 1,300

105550-418300 Hosp. Ins. Exp. 600

105550-422000 Food & Provisions 8,000

105550-429200 Prog. Supplies 2,080

105550-431100 Travel-Mileage 810

 

Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to approve the grant application and the budget amendment with the funds to be used as stated.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

PARKS & RECREATION MATTERS

 

Parks & Recreation Director Deb Wynne addressed the Board regarding several issues.

 

The first item regarded revising the Parks & Recreation Refund/Special Credit Policy. The Recreation Commission and Ms. Wynne recommended the following changes be made to the current policy:

 

       

    1. That persons make any special credit request five (5) days prior to the start of that program.
    2.  

       

    3. All monetary refund requests be made in writing to the Recreation Director within thirty days of the verbal request.
    4.  

 

Ms. Wynne stated County Attorney Eggers had reviewed the revised policy.

 

Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve the revisions to the County’s Parks & Recreation Refund/Special Credit Policy as recommended.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

The second issue involved permission to submit a Very Special Arts Application to receive $600 to help fund the Very Special Arts Festival. Ms. Wynne stated Parks & Recreation planned to have its annual Very Special Arts Festival on December 4, 1998. The additional grant funds would enable Parks & Recreation to better serve over 200 disabled participants who attend the Very Special Arts Festival each year.

 

Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve this grant application.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

In the last item of business, Ms. Wynne requested allowing the Parks & Recreation Department and the Planning & Inspections Department to work together to prepare a comprehensive plan for recreational activities and facilities throughout the County. Planning & Inspections Director Furman stated the purpose of this was to apply objective standards to assess what was needed, compare that to the public’s ideas and then devise a plan. In addition, this objective could help with getting grant funds in the future. Mr. Furman added his staff would be able to work on this project as well as maintain existing duties.

 

Commissioner Hodges seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved for the Planning & Inspections Department and the Parks & Recreation Department to work together to complete this study as proposed.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

TRANSFER STATION REPAVING BIDS

 

Assistant County Manager/OSD Bob Frye stated the following bids had been received to repave the access road and parking area at the County’s transfer station.

 

Brown Brothers Construction Company $51,372.00

 

Stout Construction Company $47,998.50

(submitted bid on behalf of Moretz Paving Company)

 

Vannoy Construction Company $59,770.00

 

Mr. Frye noted that Stout Construction Company would be sub-contracting the paving work with Moretz Paving Company, because Mr. Moretz was not a licensed contractor in North Carolina as required to bid on the project. He added funds had been included in this year’s budget to cover this expense and requested the Board approve the low bidder, Stout Construction Company.

 

Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve the Stout Construction Company bid of $47,998.50.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

 

A. Register of Deeds DP System Budget Amendment – County Manager Ratchford presented the following budget amendment for Board approval:

Account # Description Debit Credit

 

 

213991-399101 Fund Bal.-Cap. Res. DP $176,293

219800-498010 Transfer to Gen. Fund $176,293

103980-398000 Transfer from Other Funds $176,293

104210-452001 Capital Outlay-ROD $160,493

104210-439501 Training-ROD install. $ 15,000

104180-426000 Office Supplies $ 800

 

To appropriate funds from Capital Reserve Fund Balance to fund the acquisition and installation of the Register of Deeds imaging system. Bid approved at the November 2, 1998 Board Meeting. Summary detail below:

 

Approved Bid – Mackin Imaging Systems $164,633

Less: Training Component of Bid $ 15,000 (separate line item)

Net $149,633

Additional Cost – Outside Contract

Wiring $1,800

Hub $3,000

Front-end Interface $5,760

Dedicated Phone Line $ 300 $ 10,860

 

 

Total $160,493 (separate line item)

 

Workstations $ 800 (separate line item)

 

Total Bid $164,633

Additional Costs $ 10,860

Workstations $ 800

 

Total $176,293

 

Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve the budget amendment as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

Boards & Commissions – Chairman Coffey noted board appointments were needed for the following: Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees and Watauga County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee.

 

Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees - Chairman Coffey noted the following board members’ terms would expire 12/31/98: John Blackburn, Dale Greene, Paige Murray and Kenneth Wilcox. Watauga Medical Center submitted the following individuals for appointments for three-year terms:

 

Mr. John Blackburn Mr. Paige Murray

Mr. Fred Connor Mrs. Joni Petschauer

Mr. Dale Greene Mrs. Grace Robbins

Mrs. Reba Moretz Mr. Kenneth Wilcox

 

The following votes were made:

 

Chairman Coffey – John Blackburn, Dale Greene, Grace Robbins, Kenneth Wilcox

Vice-Chairman Lawrence – John Blackburn, Dale Greene, Paige Murray, Kenneth Wilcox

Commissioner Craig – John Blackburn, Dale Greene, Grace Robbins, Kenneth Wilcox

Commissioner Hodges – John Blackburn, Dale Greene, Paige Murray, Kenneth Wilcox

Commissioner Wellborn – John Blackburn, Dale Greene, Grace Robbins, Kenneth Wilcox

 

Based on the results of the vote, the following individuals were appointed to the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees for three year terms:

 

John Blackburn, Dale Greene, Grace Robbins, Kenneth Wilcox

 

Watauga County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee - Chairman Coffey noted that Angie Greene had agreed to continue to serve.

 

 

 

Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to reappoint Angie Greene to the Watauga County Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee for a three year term.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

C. VFD Washing Machine Agreement – County Manager Ratchford presented an agreement between the County and the Firefighter’s Association that defined each parties’ responsibility for the new washing machines which the County planned to purchase for their use.

 

Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve the agreement.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

D. Region D Resolution – Region D Council of Governments (Region D COG) requested approval of a resolution which, if approved, would release State funds ($8,994.38) to Region D COG for economic development assistance to local governments.

 

Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve the resolution.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

RESOLUTION BOOK #9, PAGE #47

 

E. Subdivision Performance Agreement – Planning & Inspections Director Joe Furman presented a subdivision performance guarantee from Terry and Margaret Butler for their development, Sugarloaf Ridge. The guarantee was an Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit in the amount of $10,000 from Branch Banking and Trust Company. This agreement was proposed to guarantee completion of the subdivision road subsequent to final plat approval. Mr. Furman requested Board approval.

 

Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve this subdivision performance guarantee from Terry and Margaret Butler.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

A recess was declared at 7:36 P.M.

 

 

CLOSED SESSION

 

Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to enter closed session at 7:45 P.M. to discuss: Attorney/Client Matters – G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3), landfill litigation.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to resume the regular meeting at 8:20 P.M.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

ADJOURN

 

Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 P.M.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

 

___________________________

James Coffey

Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

______________________________

Elizabeth H. Link

Clerk to the Board