MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2017

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, November 21, 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

                                                Jimmy Hodges, Commissioner

                                                Perry Yates, Commissioner

Anthony di Santi, County Attorney

                                                Deron Geouque, County Manager

                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board

 

[Clerk’s Note:  Commissioner Turnbow was not present due to a prior commitment.]

 

Chairman Welch called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M.

 

Commissioner Hodges opened with a prayer and Vice-Chairman Kennedy led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the October 3, 2017, regular meeting and closed session minutes.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the October 3, 2017, regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Turnbow)

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the October 3, 2017, closed session minutes as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Turnbow)

Approval of Agenda

Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the November 21, 2017, agenda.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the November 21, 2017, agenda as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Turnbow)

Consideration of Proposed Amendments to the Ordinance to Regulate Subdivisions and Multi-Unit Structures

In January of 2017 the Board requested the Planning Board review the Ordinance to Govern Subdivisions and Multi-Unit Structures.  The Planning Board presented the recommended changes to the ordinance and a public hearing was conducted on May 16, 2017.  After completion of the public hearing the Board recommended the Planning Board further consider the amendments and the questions raised during the public hearing. 

 

The Planning Board’s revised proposal was presented for Board consideration and the decision was made to conduct another public hearing, which was held on September 19, 2017, to consider the additional changes.  The proposed amendments were presented with the changes recommended in May shown in red ink and the additional changes recommended in September shown in blue ink. 

 

Since all Commissioners were not present, Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to table consideration until a future meeting.

 

VOTE:  Aye-4(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges, Yates)

             Nay-0

             Absent-1(Turnbow)

 

[Clerk’s Note:  At 5:35 P.M. Commissioner Yates stepped out of the meeting and at 5:38 P.M. Commissioner Yates returned and announced he had to leave the meeting due to a family emergency.]

Request to Accept Grant Award for Middle Fork Greenway Project

Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, stated that, in May, the Board authorized staff to apply for a $200,000 grant from the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) for the Middle Fork Greenway, Section 4.  The County received notification in October that the grant was awarded.  The match for the grant will be provided through grants and other funds the Middle Fork Greenway Association has on hand. No County funds are requested.

 

Mr. Furman also announced that the County was not awarded a recently applied for Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) Grant and stated that staff plans to reapply in the next grant cycle.

 

 

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to accept the $200,000 grant from the NC Division of Water Resources (DWR) for the Middle Fork Greenway, Section 4 with matching funds to come from the Middle Fork Greenway Association and to authorize staff to reapply for a PARTF grant in an amount not to exceed $500,000.

 

VOTE:  Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges)

             Nay-0

             Absent-2(Turnbow, Yates)

Parks & Recreation Out-of-State Travel Request

Mr. Stephen Poulos, Parks and Recreation Director, presented an out-of-state travel request for Ms. Keron Poteat, Recreation Specialist II, to travel to Seattle, Washington, to serve as the Special Olympics tennis coach.  All costs, with the exception of Ms. Poteat’s time and potential comp time, are covered.  Mr. Poulos stated that Ms. Poteat had taken a day off recently to offset comp time.

 

Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to authorize the out-of-state travel for Ms. Poteat as requested. 

 

VOTE:  Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges)

             Nay-0

             Absent-2(Turnbow, Yates)

Tax Matters

A.  Monthly Collections Report

 

Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of October 2017.  This 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 October 2017 for Board approval:

 

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for October 2017, as presented.

 

VOTE:  Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges)

             Nay-0

             Absent-2(Turnbow, Yates)

Finance Matters

A.  Vaya Health Quarterly Report

 

Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, presented the Vaya Health Quarterly Financial Report as required by Statute.  The report was for information only and, therefore, no action was required.  Vice-Chairman Kennedy stated that Vaya had received a clean audit and, even with State funding cuts, continued to meet State requirements.  Mr. Kennedy stated that more funds were needed for mental health. 

 

B.  Proposed Resolution Designating Deputy Finance Officers

 

Ms. Pierce presented a proposed resolution appointing deputy finance officers for the detention center.  The addition of the deputy finance officers is necessitated by the need to release funds for inmates transferring to other detention centers.  Due to the variation in times when inmates are transferred it would be impractical for the Finance Director or County Manager to always be available to sign the checks.  Therefore, to be compliant with state statues, Ms. Pierce requested the appointment of the following four detention supervisors to be listed as deputy finance officers:  Juanita Miller, James Sharpe, Michael Brown, and Barry Trivette. 

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to adopt the resolution appointing Juanita Miller, James Sharpe, Michael Brown, and Barry Trivette as deputy finance officers authorizing them to sign checks not to exceed $1,000 for inmates transferring to other detention facilities.         

 

VOTE:  Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges)

             Nay-0

             Absent-2(Turnbow, Yates)

Miscellaneous Administrative Matters

A.  Proposed SECU ATM Lease Renewal

 

County Manager Geouque stated that in 2012, a lease with the State Employees Credit Union (SECU) for the ATM located at the Human Services Parking Lot was renewed and is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2017.  The County Manager presented a proposed renewal for a five (5) year term which increases the monthly amount from $400 to $450.  No other changes have been made to the current agreement and the Credit Union has been a good steward.

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the lease renewal with the State Employees Credit Union for the ATM located at the Human Services Parking Lot in the amount of $450 a month for a five (5) year period ending on December 31, 2022 and contingent upon County Attorney review.

 

VOTE:  Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges)

             Nay-0

             Absent-2(Turnbow, Yates)

 

B. Second Ratifying Vote of Ambulance Services Contract Renewal

 

County Manager Geouque stated that the Board voted to approve a proposed contract renewal with Watauga Medics for ambulance services at the October 17, 2017, Board meeting which reflected an additional twelve (12) hour crew and the waiving of the CPI escalator for 2018.  The contract has an effective date of January 1, 2018, and would expire on December 31, 2025.  The County Manager stated that North Carolina General Statute 153A-46 requires a grant, renewal, extension, or amendment of any franchise to be passed at two regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners before it may be adopted. 

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to ratify the Ambulance Franchise Agreement as presented for the second required approval.

 

VOTE:  Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges)

             Nay-0

             Absent-2(Turnbow, Yates)

 

C.  Boards and Commissions

 

County Manager Geouque presented the following for consideration:

 

Watauga County Board of Adjustment

The terms of Bill Ragan, Baxter Palmer and Todd Rice expire in November. All three are willing to continue to serve if reappointed.  NC Statutes require a representative (resident) of each zoned area in counties that have partial-county zoning such as Watauga.  Mr. Rice represents the Valle Crucis Historic District, which is a small area with limited population, therefore small pool of potential representatives.  Mr. Palmer is the alternate member and is the representative of the Foscoe-Grandfather zoned area.  Mr. Ragan resides in the Howard Creek Watershed, which is not a zoned area in the traditional sense, but since the watershed ordinance was adopted under zoning authority, the County has attempted to appoint residents of those areas when possible.  

 

The Pond Creek (Beech Mountain) Watershed Ordinance was not adopted under zoning authority as it is not large enough to qualify for partial-county zoning. Adam Rhyne resides in the South Fork New River/Winkler Creek/Middle Fork watershed (the boundaries adjoin and form one larger watershed-regulated area). David Hill and Charles Phillips are at-large members. Those 3 terms are not expiring this year. The new South Fork New River Watershed for the new Boone water intake does not have a representative. The above are second readings.

 

Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees

The Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees has recommended Dr. Paul Dagher and Mr. Joe Miller for reappointment and Ms. Mary Louise Roberts for appointment as Board Trustees.  Each of their terms would be effective January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2020.  The above are first readings.

 

Recreation Commission

The following recommendations were received for consideration of appointment to the Recreation Commission:  Mr. Jason Eldreth to represent Bethel School, Mr. Denny Norris to represent Green Valley School, Mr. Gene Swift to represent Parkway School, and Ms. Carolina Carney to represent Valle Crucis School.  The above are first readings.

 

Economic Development Commission

The terms of two members of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) expired in June.  Mr. Ed Evans and Mr. Tommy Sofield served two consecutive terms and, therefore, were not eligible for reappointment.  Mr. James Bance was appointed to fill one of these seats at the September 19, 2017, meeting leaving one seat to be filled for a three-year term.  A volunteer application has been received from Mr. Erik Carsten Lanier who is interested in serving on the EDC.  The above is a first reading.

 

Consideration of all appointments was tabled.

 

D.  Announcements

 

County Manager Geouque announced the following:

 

·       The Register of Deeds, Clerk of Court, and Tax Office invites you to join them for holiday goodies on Friday, December 8, 2017, from 12:30 – 2:30 P.M. in the hallway between the Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds offices.  There will be collection boxes for non-perishable food items to be donated to the Hunger and Health Coalition.

 

·       The Annual County Christmas Luncheon, scheduled on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, will be held at Dan’l Boone Inn from 11:45 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Public Comment

Mr. Frank Bolick had signed up for public comment by mistake; therefore, there was no public comment.

Closed Session

At 5:56 P.M., Commissioner Hodges, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy,  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-3(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges)

             Nay-0

             Absent-2(Turnbow, Yates)

 

Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to resume the open meeting at 6:41 P.M.

 

VOTE:  Aye-3(Welch, Kennedy, Hodges)

             Nay-0

             Absent-2(Turnbow, Yates)

Adjourn

Chairman Welch adjourned the meeting at 6:41 P.M.

 

 

John Welch, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board