MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2017
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Andrea Capua, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
Commissioner Yates opened with prayer and Vice-Chairman Kennedy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the May 2, 2017, regular and closed session minutes as well as the May 4, 2017, and May 8, 2017, special meeting minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the May 2, 2017, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the May 2, 2017, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the May 4, 2017, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the May 8, 2017, special meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the May 16, 2017, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add Commissioner Comment prior to Miscellaneous Administrative Matters.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the May 16, 2017, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment on Proposed Amendments to the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi-Unit Structures
A public hearing was scheduled for citizen input on the proposed amendments to the ordinance to govern subdivisions and multi-unit structures.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to call the public hearing to order at 5:33 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The following citizens shared comments regarding the proposed changes:
Mr. Nathan Miller stated that proposed changes to steep slope regulations would increase the cost of construction and that the green space regulations were interpreted by Mr. Furman to include septic but needed to be clear.
Mr. Jim West shared a handout which stated his concerns.
Mr. R. K. Jones requested clarification be made on the green space regulations and stated that construction would decline due to the proposed steep slope regulations.
As there were no further citizen comments, Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to close the public hearing at 5:47 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Following discussion, the Board, by consensus, agreed to direct the Planning Board to review the public comments made during the hearing.
Public Hearing to Allow Citizen Comment on the FY 2018 Proposed Budget
A public hearing was held to allow citizen comment on the County Manager’s Recommended FY 2018 Budget. County Manager Geouque presented the following changes to the proposed Budget as discussed at the Budget Work Sessions held on May 4 and May 8:
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Budget Change Summary |
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General Fund |
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Revenues |
Expenditures |
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5/4/2017 |
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(1,225) |
Remove 3% from BCC cola |
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777 |
Children's Playhouse from $1,223 to $2,000 |
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500 |
Children's Council from $1,500 to $2,000 |
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(52) |
General Admin, Misc. Expense reduced from $39,777 to $39,725 |
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3,523,475 |
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Ad Valorem Taxes Revenues increased by 4 cent from .313 to .353 cent per $100 of value |
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1,500,000 |
Transfer to CIP increased for School Long Term CIP |
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2,023,475 |
Transfer to CIP increased for County Community Recreation Facilities |
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5/8/2017 |
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8,000 |
Community Care Clinic from $17,000 to $25,000 |
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500 |
Children's Playhouse from $2,000 to $2,500 |
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500 |
Children's Council from $2,000 to $2,500 |
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(3,000) |
Retiree Health Insurance from $200,000 to $197,000 |
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(2,000) |
Unemployment Contributions from $15,000 to $13,000 |
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(2,000) |
General Liability and Property Insurance from $200,000 to $198,000 |
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(2,000) |
General Admin, Misc. Expense reduced from $39,725 to $37,725 |
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net change |
$ 3,523,475 |
$ 3,523,475 |
Overall Budget Increase |
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CIP Fund |
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5/4/2017 |
3,523,475 |
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Transfer from General Fund |
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1,500,000 |
School Long Term CIP |
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2,023,475 |
County Community Recreation Facilities |
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net change |
$ 3,523,475 |
$ 3,523,475 |
Overall Budget Increase |
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to call the public hearing to order at 5:54 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The following shared comments:
Ms. Trimella Chaney, supporting Appalachian Theatre
Mr. Neville Chaney, supporting Appalachian Theatre
Mr. Neil Hartley, supporting Hospitality House
Mr. David Winkler, supporting recreation and education
Mr. Brian Crutchfield, supporting Appalachian Theatre
Ms. Susan McCracken, supporting Appalachian Theatre, recreation, and education
Mr. John Cooper, supporting recreation center and Appalachian Theatre
Ms. Melissa Selby, supporting Community Care Clinic
Mr. Dave Robertson, supporting Appalachian Theatre, education, and recreation center
Mr. Bob Holder, Western Youth Network and recreation center
Mr. Frank Mohler, supporting Appalachian Theatre
Mr. Carson Coatney, supporting recreation center, education, and Appalachian Theatre
Mr. Eric Plaag, supporting Appalachian Theatre
Ms. Tina Krause, supporting Hospitality House
Ms. Kate Cahow, supporting Appalachian Theatre
Ms. Jenny Koehn, Western Youth Network and recreation center
Ms. Rebekah Farthing, supporting recreation center
Mr. Hanes Boren, supporting Appalachian Theatre
Mr. Paul Davis, does not support a tax increase
Mr. Nathan Miller, supporting sales tax increase over property tax increase
Mr. David Jackson, supporting economic development, recreation, education, and Appalachian Theatre
Mr. Chuck Eyler, supporting recreation center and Appalachian Theatre
Mr. Jeff Templeton, supporting recreation center and Appalachian Theatre
Dr. Jay Jackson, supporting recreation center, education, and Appalachian Theatre
Mr. Fulton Lovin, supporting Appalachian Theatre
Mr. George Wilcox, supporting Appalachian Theatre, Western Youth Network, and recreation center
Dr. Stephanie West, supporting recreation center
Mr. Tim Wilson, supporting recreation and education but against a tax increase
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to close the public hearing at 7:12 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Chairman Welch recessed the meeting at 7:27 P.M. and reconvened the meeting at 7:39 P.M.
Proposed Proclamation for Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Project on Aging Director, and Ms. Betsy Richards, Social Worker Supervisor III, presented a proposed proclamation declaring June 15, 2017, as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” in Watauga County.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of April 2017. 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 April 2017 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for April 2017 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Property Tax Appeal
Mr. Warren stated that the Appalachian Theatre applied for a tax exemption on their property located in downtown Boone. The untimely application was because the organization was under the understanding that the exemption was automatic due to their non-profit status. Staff understands that the application would be granted going forward so long as the application was submitted in a timely manner. The current amount owed, if the appeal is not approved, is $8,152.73. Since the Board of Equalization and Review has adjourned, the appeal is required to be heard by the Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to accept and approve Appalachian Theater’s application for tax exemption on the requested property.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Unpaid Real Estate Tax Bills
Mr. Warren requested authorization to advertise the 2017 unpaid real estate tax bills.
County Attorney Capua stated that authorization would need to be given retroactively as the advertisement has already taken place.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to retroactively direct Mr. Warren to advertise the unpaid real estate tax bills for 2017.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vaya Health Quarterly Report
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented the Vaya Health Quarterly Financial Report as required by Statute. No action was required.
Commissioner Comment
Commissioner Yates shared comments regarding Appalachian District Health Department.
Commissioner Yates stated a concern of a possible conflict of interest for the County Attorney. County Attorney Capua stated that she could address a specific case, if named; however, her firm did consult with the Bar Association regarding conflicts of interest upon becoming the County Attorney.
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. A Resolution of Support for An Entrance to the Future Site of the Town of Boone Municipal Complex and County Ball Fields At the Intersection of Hwy 421 and Bamboo Road
County Manager Geouque presented a proposed resolution supporting the Town of Boone in regards to the construction of a new entrance at the intersection of Highway 421 and Bamboo Road. The entrance would serve the new municipal complex along with the proposed county ball fields.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adopt the resolution in support of the Town’s request to construct a new entrance to the proposed municipal complex at the intersection of Highway 421 and Bamboo Road.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Town of Boone Easement Request
County Manager Geouque stated that the Town of Boone has requested a temporary construction easement on County-owned property located on Shadowline Drive and currently occupied by Watauga County Arts Council. Staff will notify the Arts Council in the event that the Board approves the easement. The purpose of the temporary construction easement is to allow the Town to upgrade an existing culvert that will service a proposed new development.
Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to grant the temporary construction easement on the County-owned property located on Shadowline Drive as requested by the Town of Boone.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The Trustees of Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute invites the Board of Commissioners to a meeting on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at 6:00 P.M. at the Watauga Instructional Facility on Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone NC, in Room 112.
· The US Army Corps of Engineers invites you to a Ribbon-cutting Ceremony for the Watauga Section 206 Project on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. at the Covered Bridge at the Town of Boone Greenway.
· OASIS invites you to a breakfast on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, from 7:30 – 11:00 A.M. at the Family Justice Center to view the space created to improve services for survivors and meet other partners.
· The Military Officers Association of America’s 11th Annual Memorial Day Program will be held at Boone Mall on Monday, May 29, 2017, with the ceremony commencing at 10:30 A.M. Please see the invitation for more details.
Public Comment
Mr. Terry Hamilton shared appreciation for support of the Watauga County Library. Ms. Anne Ward shared concerns that homeowners need protecting from developers, requested clarification of green space in the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi-Unit Structures, opposed a tax rate increase, and shared support for recreation and education. Mr. Craig Sullivan had signed up to speak but was not present at the time of public comment. Ms. Melissa Selby and Mr. Frank Mohler had signed up to speak but had spoken during the public hearing for the budget instead.
Closed Session
At 8:01 P.M., Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:55 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Possible Action After Closed Session
There was no action after closed session; however, discussion was held regarding the use of Economic Development funds for the Appalachian Theatre.
Adjourn
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST: Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board