MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.

 

                        PRESENT:      Jimmy Hodges, Chairman

                                                David Blust, Vice-Chairman

                                                Billy Kennedy, Commissioner

John Welch, Commissioner

Perry Yates, Commissioner

Austin Eggers, County Attorney

                                                Deron Geouque, County Manager

                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.

 

Commissioner Yates opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Welch led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the August 4, 2015, regular meeting and closed session minutes.

 

The following correction was requested:

 

Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the August 4, 2015, agenda.

 

County Manager Geouque requested to add a Closed Session per, G. S. 143-318.11(3) and possible action after Closed Session.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the August 4, 2015, agenda as presented amended.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the August 4, 2015, regular meeting minutes as amended.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the August 4, 2015, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Hodges called for additions and/or corrections to the August 18, 2015, agenda.

 

County Manager Geouque requested to add the following:

 

?  A proposed contract with Superior Mulch for FY 2016 brush grinding services.

?  Add appointments to the Personnel Advisory Committee and the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Board to Boards and Commissions.

?  Add Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the August 18, 2015, agenda as amended.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

proclamation Honoring the Life and Memory of the Honorable William Eugene “Gene” Wilson

Chairman Hodges presented a proclamation honoring the life and memory of Mr. William Eugene “Gene” Wilson to his family.

Update on Appalachian District Health Department Services and Financial Matters

[Clerk’s Note:  Ms. Lovette arrived at the meeting after it began and, therefore, gave her presentation after Public Comment.]

Proposed Grant/Contract for FY 2016 Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)

Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Director of Project on Aging (POA), requested the Board accept the FY 2016 grant/contract for the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP).  The grant is for $3,051 and requires no County funds.  The funds are used to provide assistance and outreach to low-income citizens. 

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to accept the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) grant in the amount of $3,051.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Maintenance Vehicle Bid Award Request

Mr. Robert Marsh, Maintenance Director, presented a bid from Capital Ford in the amount of $18,104 for a new 2015 Ford F150.  Capital Ford was the lowest responsive bidder with no local vendors able to match the price offered.  Funds have been budgeted for the expense in the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 budget. 

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to award the bid to Capital Ford for a new 2015 Ford F150 in the amount of $18,654 which includes taxes and tag.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Smoky Mountain Center Quarterly Report

Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented the Smoky Mountain Center Quarterly Financial Report as required by Statute.  The presentation was for information only and, therefore, no action was taken.

Sheriff’s Office Vehicle Bid Award Request

County Manager Geouque presented vehicle prices for six (6) new Ford All-Wheel Drive Police Interceptor SUVs and one (1) new Ford All-Wheel Drive Police Interceptor Sedan for the Sheriff’s Office.  The price for the All-Wheel Drive Police Interceptor SUVs is $26,110.29 and $23,426.85 for the All-Wheel Drive Police Interceptor Sedan for a total cost of $180,089.  Including $5,444.66 for taxes and tags the total amount is $185,534.  The County Manager stated that at a future meeting, a bid would be forthcoming for both the purchase and installation of the equipment in the new vehicles.  Adequate funds have been budgeted to cover the cost of the vehicles. 

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to award the bid to Asheville Ford for six (6) new Ford All-Wheel Drive Police Interceptor SUVs and one (1) new Ford All-Wheel Drive Police Interceptor Sedan in the amount of $180,089 plus $5,444.66 for taxes and tags for a total amount of $185,534.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Bid Award Request for Brush Grinding Services

County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. J.V. Potter, Operations Service Director, had recommended the award of a bid with Superior Mulch in the amount of $18.24 per ton for brush grinding in Fiscal Year 2016.  Adequate funds have been budgeted to cover the contract expense.

 

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the contract with Superior Mulch for the grinding of brush at a rate of $18.24 per ton for Fiscal Year 2015-2016.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

A.  Boards and Commissions

 

Economic Development Commission

County Manager Geouque stated that Scott McKinney was relocating and has resigned from the Economic Development Commission.  His term expires in June, 2016, therefore, an appointment to fill his unexpired term (which expires June 2016) was needed.  Volunteer applications have been received from the following:  Ms. Anne Ward, Mr. Douglas McGuire, Ms. Missy Harrill, Mr. Ray Cameron, Ms. Lisa Cooper, Mr. Merrill Littlejohn, and Mr. Tad Dolbier.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to appoint Ms. Lisa Cooper to fill the un-expired term on the Economic Development Commission which will expire in June 2016.

VOTE:  Aye-2(Kennedy, Welch)

             Nay-3(Hodges, Blust, Yates)

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to appoint Mr. Douglas McGuire to fill the un-expired term on the Economic Development Commission which will expire in June 2016.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Personnel Advisory Committee

County Manager Geouque stated that the Watauga County Personnel Ordinance established a Personnel Advisory Committee which is comprised of five (5) persons designated by the Board, authorized to hear employee grievances, and recommend decisions to the appointing authority.  The Committee consists of one (1) Commissioner, one (1) department head and three (3) non-supervisory regular employees.  Current members of the Personnel Advisory Committee are as follows:

 

            Employee                               Position

            Ms. Angie Boitnotte               Department Head

            Mr. Stephen Moody               Regular Employee

            Mr. John Spear                       Regular Employee

            Ms. Amy Parsons                   Regular Employee

            Mr. Jimmy Hodges                 County Commissioner

            Ms. Karen Ward                     Alternate Member

 

Mr. Stephen Moody has served for several years and wishes to resign from the Committee at this time and the alternate member, Ms. Karen Ward no longer works for the County.

 

The County Manager stated that staff recommended Mr. Brandon Saunders be appointed to fill Mr. Moody’s position and Ms. Regina Houck be appointed as the alternate member.

 

Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, waived the second reading and appointed Mr. Brandon Saunders as a regular member and Ms. Regina Houck as the alternate member to the Personnel Advisory Committee.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Caldwell Community College Board

County Manager Geouque stated that Dr. Boham with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) recommended the reappointment of Mr. Billy Ralph Winkler to their Board.

 

Vice Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Mr. Billy Ralph Winkler to the Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Board as recommended.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

B.  Announcements

 

County Manager Geouque announced the High Country Council of Governments’ Annual Banquet as scheduled for Friday, September 4, 2015, at Linville Ridge. 

Public Comment

The following citizens spoke during public comment:

Carolyn Henion (concerns with HILU setbacks)

Susie Winters (concerns with potential development on Rainbow Trail)

John Lasater (concerns with Mountain Motor Speedway)

Jette Terpner (concerns with Mountain Motor Speedway)

Jill Hoekstra (concerns with Mountain Motor Speedway)

Update on Appalachian District Health Department Services and Financial Matters

Ms. Beth Lovette, Appalachian District Health Director, presented an update regarding services and financial matters.  The report was for information only and, therefore, no action was taken.

 

Commissioner Comment

Commissioner Welch wished his daughter, who was in attendance, a happy tenth birthday and requested to be excused from the remainder of the meeting due to a family matter.

 

Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to excuse Commissioner Welch from the remainder of the meeting.

 

[Clerk’s note:  due to an oversight, a vote was not taken on the above motion.]

Closed Session

At 6:51 P.M., Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3), Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i), and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).

 

VOTE:  Aye-4

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:35 P.M.

VOTE:  Aye-4

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Welch)

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Yates, moved to recess the meeting until Thursday, August 20, 2015, at 12:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room.

Reconvene

Chairman Hodges reconvened the meeting at 12:05 P.M. on Thursday, August 20, 2015, at 12:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room with the following present:  Chairman Hodges, Vice-Chairman Blust, Commissioners Kennedy, Welch, and Yates, County Manager Geouque, Clerk to the Board Fogle, and County Attorney, Stacy C. Eggers, IV.

Closed Session

At 12:05 P.M., Commissioner Welch, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to enter Closed Session to continue discussions from the closed session on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, for Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3), Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i), and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to resume the open meeting at 12:57 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Possible Action After Closed Session

Town of Boone Easement Request

County Attorney Eggers reviewed a proposed easement with the Town of Boone at the County-owned former Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Continuing Education Building.  The easement would include terms in which the Town of Boone would provide a water allocation of five-hundred-thousand (500,000) gallons per day from the Town of Boone’s new capacity upon the completion of their water intake project.

 

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the easement contingent upon the Town of Boone providing the County with a water allocation of five-hundred-thousand (500,000) gallons per day from the Town of Boone’s new capacity upon the completion of their water intake project.

 

VOTE:  Aye-3(Hodges, Kennedy, Welch)

             Nay-2(Blust, Yates)

 

Representation for Board of Adjustment Appeals

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, approved a contract with Mr. Dave Pokela, with Nexus/Pruitt, providing legal representation for staff in Board of Adjustment appeals.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

Adjourn

Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to adjourn the meeting at 1:10 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-5

             Nay-0

 

 

Jimmy Hodges, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board