MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

TUESDAY, MAY 19, 1998

 

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 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 May 4, 1998 regular and/or closed session minutes; there being none, they were approved as presented.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Chairman Coffey called for additions or corrections to the May 19, 1998 agenda.

 

County Manager Ratchford stated he had an additional item to discuss with the Board regarding the Caldwell Community College’s driveway right of way. It was agreed to add this item to the Agenda under Item 18 (Miscellaneous Administrative Matters).

 

Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve the agenda for the May 19, 1998 regular meeting with the amendment.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS

Budget requests for fiscal year 1998/99 were presented by the following:

 

Mr. David Greene & Mr. Jim Deni County School System

Ms. Gail Hawkinson New River Mental Health

Ms. Sue Counts Cooperative Extension Service

Ms. Deb Wynne Parks & Recreation

Ms. Wanda Scott Register of Deeds

Mr. Robert Cox Hospitality House

Ms. Karen Hayes Parent to Parent

 

Ms. Becky Tuttle & Ms. Stephanie Robbins, Watauga County Youth Services Advisory Council, presented a CBA grant proposal requesting total funds in the amount of $123,624 (the local match was $28,478.) Ms. Tuttle and Ms. Robbins reviewed the proposed allocation of these juvenile justice funds among the various programs based on the recommendation of the Youth Services Advisory Council.

 

Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve this grant application.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

Further budget requests for fiscal year 1998/99 were presented by the following:

 

Mr. Rick Herrick Valle Crucis Park

Mr. Roger Alsaker Foscoe Grandfather Comm. Park

Mr. Randy Collins Watauga Resuce Squad

Ms. Cherry Johnson Arts Council

RECESS

Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to recess at 8:20 P.M.

The regular meeting was resumed at 8:30 P.M.

PRISONER MEDICAL COSTS ISSUES

Sheriff James C. "Red" Lyons addressed the Board regarding two issues.

Pursuant to G.S. 153-A-225(a), Sheriff Lyons presented a Medical Co-Payments Policy for non-emergency care services. For this current fiscal year, the Sheriff’s Department had budgeted $6,000 for medical expenses and due to high medical costs had exceeded this budget. This Policy would enable the Detention Center to charge inmates $10.00 (which would be deducted from the inmate’s trust fund or commissary fund) for non-emergency medical visits. If funds were not available, the County would continue to pay. Sheriff Lyons stated medical staff would determine if the requested treatment was non-emergency. The County’s obligation would remain to pay for emergency care. Sheriff Lyons noted it was a requirement that this policy be explained to each inmate, and a Medical Request Form would be completed upon request. In 1994, the Board approved the Jailer Guidelines, and each year the Detention Center reviewed these guidelines with the Health Department to ensure it complied with what was needed at the present time. Sheriff Lyons added that this policy had been implemented in several counties and appeared to work well. This should discourage unnecessary or unimportant medical requests. County Manager Ratchford stated that if approved, this Medical Co-Payments Policy would begin June 1, 1998.

 

After discussion, Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve the Medical Co-Payments Policy as presented to begin June 1, 1998.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

Sheriff Lyons also informed the Board of two large bills incurred at Watauga Medical Center by two inmates that were due presently. He added that the Department of Corrections may reimburse the County for these expenses and stated he would pursue this. In order to cover these medical costs, a budget amendment in the amount of $20,000 was required to pay these bills (from the general fund balance).

 

Account # Description Debit Credit

 

103991-399101 Fund Bal. Approp. New 20,000

104310-469102 Prof. Ser. Medical 20,000

 

Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve this budget amendment in the amount of $20,000 and requested pursuing reimbursement of these medical expenses with the Department of Corrections.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

SESQUICENTENNIAL PROGRAM REPORT

Ms. Len Cone, Coordinator for sesquicentennial activities, addressed the Board and provided a list of volunteers and agencies involved with the County’s impending sesquicentennial celebration. In addition, Ms. Cone stated she was very excited about the enthusiasm and ideas that she had received from individuals throughout the County. She reviewed some of the proposed events with the Board. A two-year budget was presented, and Ms. Cone thanked the Board for their continued support.

 

MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

 

 

Iris Glen Contract – County Manager Ratchford presented a contract amendment with Waste Management of Carolinas, Inc. to divert the County’s trash from the Piedmont Landfill in Kernersville to the Iris Glen Environmental Center in Johnson City, TN. This was a straight forward amendment, and the terms of the basic contract would remain the same. Although a field trip to the site had not been scheduled, Mr. Ratchford requested this amendment be approved in order to finalize arrangements with Waste Management. The Board voiced interest in visiting the site, and a trip would be scheduled in the near future.

 

Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to approve this amendment.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

Survey Costs – County Manager Ratchford informed the Board of unanticipated survey costs in the amount of $1,500 that covered a portion of the Avery County line issue. Contingency funds had been used to cover this expense.

 

Surplus Property – County Manager Ratchford requested the following items be declared as surplus and sold by the County at a public auction scheduled for June 6, 1998:

 

The following items were transferred to Watauga County from the local N.C. Farm Service office.

Transferred from Farm Service Office

  1. IBM Typewriter sn #6394221

(1) Folding chair caddy

(4) Typist chair – red corduroy fabric

  1. Typist chair – green

(1) 2-door supply cabinet

(1) 2-door teal cabinet

(1) 1-drawer beige file

  1. Ash can
  2. oil cans
  1. IBM Typewriter
  1. Sharp copier SF755
  1. Monroe Copier RL-710C
  1. Sharp Copier SF756
  1. Sharp Calculator CS1165
  1. AB Dick offset machine
  1. Pitney Bowes folding machine 3300S
  1. Pitney Bowes sealing machine 4256

The following assets have been sent to surplus storage by various county departments. The items were no longer needed, irreparable or obsolete.

 

Surplus Property-Fixed Assets

Asset # Dept. Description Condition

 

03961 Animal Control 1979 Ford Pickup Truck Poor

03069 Bd. Of Elections IBM Selectric Typewriter Good-unused

09056 Coop. Ext. Panasonic FP 1520 Copier Good/Parts hard to get

02173 Black Office Chair Beyond Repair

01053 Clerk of Court Green Fabric Secretarial Chair Poor

01063 Green Fabric Secretarial Chair Poor

02199 Caldwell Comm. Electric Range Good-unused

College

04686 Data Processing Okidata 83-A Printer Poor

03967 Finance Casio DI 1220 Calculator Beyond Repair

02738 Planning Swivel Chair-Green Poor

04035 Miller UW 101 Desk Good-unused

08534 Bush Computer Workstation Good-unused

02165 Project on Aging Dish Drain Table-Metal 30"x25" Poor

02166 Dish Drain Table Metal 30"x25" Poor

02426 Dishwasher Poor

03071 JVC Video Camera Beyond Repair

03885 16 mm film strip projector Poor

07967 NSR Meal Transport Carriers Beyond Repair

07968 NSR Meal Transport Carriers Beyond Repair

07969 NSR Meal Transport Carriers Beyond Repair

07970 NSR Meal Transport Carriers Beyond Repair

07971 NSR Meal Transport Carriers Beyond Repair

01634** Secretarial Desk Poor

01635 Yellow Fabric Sec. Chair Beyond Repair

01797 2-Shelf Wooden Bookcase Poor

02865 Secretarial Chair Poor

02872 Wooden Chair/Orange Poor

02975 16mm Projector Good-obsolete

05154 Wooden Chair/Orange Fabric Poor

03000 Wall Cabinets-Dry Food Storage Poor

05149 Green Sec. Chair Beyond Repair

05150 Wooden Chair/Green Fabric Poor

05163 Black Exec. Chair Beyond Repair

05164 Wooden Chair/Green Fabric Poor

05190 Chair/Gold Fabric Poor

05192 Wooden Chair/green Poor

05193 Wooden Chair/Orange Fabric Poor

05191 Wooden Chair/Green Fabric Poor

05187 Wooden 4-Shelf Bookcase Poor

05184 ** Wooden Desk/3-Drawer Poor

05186 ** Wooden Desk/2-Drawer Poor

05198 Sampsonite 30" sq. Folding Table Beyond Repair

05228 Wooden Desk Poor

05201 Wooden upright piano Poor

** Note ** Agricultural Extension Office will be getting one of these desks. Unable to identify which one at this time.

02210 Parks & Rec. Glenco Refrigerator Good-unused

08216 Smith Corona Typewriter Beyond Repair

04623 Register of Deeds Wooden Storage Cabinet Poor-obsolete

04985 Reel Cabinet/Hanger Good-unused

04291 Cannon Typewriter w/memory Good (parts not avail)

04292 Cannon Typewriter w/memory Good (parts not avail)

04293 Cannon Typewriter w/memory Good (parts not avail)

04295 Cannon Typewriter w/memory Good (parts not avail)

07833 RP1824 Minolta Reader Printer Poor

07840 Reel Cabinet/Hanger Good-unused

02863 Rivers Build. Desk & 20 Chairs Beyond Repair

02866 Kitchen utensils Poor

(8) tea pitchers

(80) plastic saucers

(20)" cast iron pan

(3) plastic dishwasher trays

03194 Sanitation 1984 Chevy Truck Poor

09258 AT&T Fax Machine Beyond Repair

04571 Social Services Secretarial Chair – Black Poor

05083 Texas Instruments calculator Beyond Repair

05084 Art Metal Desk-4 drawer Poor

05094 Sharp Compet Calculator Beyond Repair

05112 Brown Fabric Exec. Chair Poor

05118 Sharp Compet Calculator Beyond Repair

01967 Facit Electric Typewriter Poor

01991 Wooden Desk w/Cabinet Poor

02019 Green Vinyl Sec. Chair Poor

02026 Green Vinyl Executive Chair Poor

02059 Metal Secretarial Desk Poor

02060 Green Vinyl Executive Chair Poor

05091 Brown Fabric Sec. Chair Beyond Repair

05125 Brown Fabric Exec. Chair Beyond Repair

08705 Executive Swivel Chair/Brown Poor

09390 Sheriff IBM Selectric III Typewriter Poor

09391 IBM Selectric III Typewriter Poor

04123 Tax Tax mapping equipment Poor/Obsolete

Amberon Monitor

Vetrix Monitor

IBM AT computer and keyboard

Priam Data Tower

09871A H.P. Surveyor Computer Obsolete

04669 H.P. Surveyor Printer Poor/obsolete

02679 NCR Electric Cash Register Poor

08057 Max RE-2021 Cash Register Good-unused

02869 Sentry Fire Proof Safe/17"x23"x14" Poor

04673 3-tier file cart wood/metal Good-unused

The following items have been sent to surplus storage by various county departments. The items are not on the fixed asset system, however, they were purchased with county funds.

Surplus Property (not on fixed asset system)

Fire Marshall/Emergency Management

Uniforms – 24 pants/17 shirts/1 sweater

Parks & Recreation

(6) dozen Jr. Hornet nylon jerseys

(8) sets BKB uniforms – 8 red shirts, 8 red shorts and 8 white shorts

  1. Acco-50 stapler
  1. GE answering machine sn #00009705 model #2 9857-A
  2. Tax

  3. Brown office chair (cloth)
  1. Portable file storage unit (green with files)
  1. Sanyo electric cash register sn #43845961
  1. monitor to Sampson deed plotter sn #00301003
  1. ITT single line touch tone phone-beige sn #GV13RE-19475
  1. Western Electronics single line touch tone phone-beige no sn

Sheriff

(7) metal folding chairs (one has old asset #1080)

  1. light wood grain 2 drawer desk

Maintenance

(1) 45-drawer card file (oak)

  1. Panasonic auto logic answering machine sn #2LBDA54811

 

Finance

  1. Wilson Jones 2-hole punch
  1. Panasonic 15 wt desk lamp sn #FS234E
  1. #1654 Green Desk lamp
  1. Unity 2-Line Phone Model 4303S/Beige
  1. Unity single Line phones-beige/SN #59665/36794/4407S
  1. Bellphone Model 51451-off white
  1. Western Electronics Touch Tone Phone/Beige
  1. Bellsouth Touch Tone Phone Model #2500-Dark Brown
  1. Sony 2-line Speaker Phone Model D-200
  1. Brown Metal File Unit
  2. Desk Bells
  1. Extension Cord
  2. Sets Chair Arms (Brown & Black)
  3. Oak panels – these are unused pieces of computer workstation asset #10142
  1. Shelf panel to computer workstation asset #3965
  1. Northern telecom single line phone sn #U-326910
  1. ATT single line touch tone phone-beige

 

Data Processing

  1. Okidata 83A Dot Matrix printers (part of original asset #04129)

sn #255445 255442 255440 255443

 

Cooperative Extension

  1. Tappen Microwave sn #HG24215402
  1. Pager (Broken)
  2. Social Services

  3. #2064, 2065 Grundig Stenorette Stenograph
  1. #2007 Card file
  1. #2014 Texas Instruments electronic calculator
  1. #4414 Steel single pedestal typing desk
  1. #5004 steel, single pedestal desk
  1. #2044 manager’s chair/United/green w/armrests
  1. K-51 personal copier
  1. G.F. #4589 sled chair/gold
  1. steel single pedestal typing desk
  2. wooden double pedestal desk

(2) wooden single pedestal desk

  1. steel "art metal" single pedestal desk
  1. wooden single pedestal desk
  1. Hon single pedestal metal desk
  1. United exec chair/black & brown NCDHR #10121

 

Project on Aging

  1. NCR adding machine tag #1295
  2. (9) #2155, 2153, 2141, 2139, 2147, 2132, 2138, 2161, 2145-metal stacking chairs

  3. 2’x3’ plexiglass sliding doors

(4) 14"x15" glass panels

  1. chair dolly
  1. wall mount fan
  1. Polaroid camera sn #EE100SP/N101G
  2. boxes Sony ¾ inch video tape
  1. set fireplace tongs/fireplace cover
  1. speaker stand
  1. double stainless steel sink
  1. secretarial chair/fabric seat/w rollers
  1. metal locker 2 shelf
  1. folding table w/metal legs

(4) gray coolers

(5) meal caddies/3 lids

(9) orange/yellow food caddies

  1. projector screen
  1. student desk

(3) 24 qt Igloo coolers

(29) plastic stackable chairs

(12) plastic dining room chairs/orange/green/brown

  1. Facit Electric Typewriter-Tag #1812

 

Planning

  1. secretary chair – old asset #01178

 

Library

  1. desk #13-1034
  1. charging desk #3088
  1. View Sonic monitor #5032
  1. Okidata printer

(3) Modems (Fumjitsu, Intel, and Cable Data)

Desk Chairs 3199

  1. Bell & Howell 16mm #1004
  1. revolving book rack
  2. Magazine racks #3067/#3068
  1. Dukane microfilm reader #1014
  1. wooden wall unit #3186
  1. blue/beige shelf
  1. refrigerator #1059
  1. sink cabinet

4-sections single face beige metal shelf #3016

6-sections single face beige metal shelf #3010

6-sections single face beige metal shelf #3009

13-sections single face gray metal shelves #3006

2-sections double face beige metal shelves #3000

9-sections double face beige metal shelves #3001

4-sections double face gray metal shelves

Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Commissioner Craig, moved to declare these items as surplus property and authorize the County to sell all items at a public auction to be held on June 6, 1998.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

SWCD Operational Agreement – County Manager Ratchford presented a new operational agreement that had been devised with the County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). This agreement involved the U. S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Soil and Water Conservation, the Watauga Soil and Water Conservation District and Watauga County, N.C. This agreement helped define what each party’s area of responsibility and contribution was to this program. Mr. Ratchford stated he had worked with the SWCD on this agreement and requested Board approval. He noted that County Attorney Eggers had reviewed the agreement.

Vice-Chairman Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to approve this Operational Agreement.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

CDBG – Fair Housing Plan Update – County Manager Ratchford presented an Update To Previously Approved Recipient’s Plan to Further Fair Housing for adoption. Annual adoption of this plan was a condition for the receipt of Community Development Block Grant funds.

 

Commissioner Craig seconded by Commissioner Wellborn, moved to adopt this update.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

Road Name Public Hearing Date – County Manager Ratchford presented a list of new road names that had been added to the Master Road Name List and requested a public hearing be scheduled for June 16, 1998. He noted that no existing names were being changed. Pursuant to G.S. 153A-239.1, a public hearing was required.

 

Commissioner Craig seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to schedule this public hearing for the June 16, 1998 regular meeting.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

Paving Bond Extension – Heavenly Mountain had received an approved bond for paving in the Pine Ridge area of their development. However, County Manager Ratchford stated Heavenly Mountain had requested an extension of time. County Attorney Eggers noted it was a new agreement that extended the time for one year.

 

Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to approve this extension of time.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

Budget Amendments – County Manager Ratchford presented the following budget amendments for Board Approval:

Account # Description Debit Credit

 

143535-323000 Special Adult Daycare 35,000

145350-440900 Purchases-Adult Daycare 35,000

To appropriate funds for new appropriation from Department of Health and Human Resources for Adult Daycare.

Account # Description Debit Credit

 

143535-323000 Title XX & FSA Daycare 131,103

145850-440900 Daycare 131,103

 

To recognize additional allocation of Daycare funds from Department of Health and Human Resources.

Account # Description Debit Credit

 

143531-323000 Co. Wel. Admn. 12,035

145480-438800 Crisis Inter. Pay. 12,035

To recognize additional allocation of Crisis Intervention funds from the Department of Health and Human Resources.

 

CCC&TI Driveway Right of Way – County Manager Ratchford stated this right of way was at the new CCC&TI campus site at the Highway 105 Bypass. It included 50 feet of right of way as well as a temporary construction easement. Martin Bolick, DOT Division Engineer, requested this right of way. It was uncertain who would maintain the road, and after discussing several options, it was the consensus of the Board to discuss this issue further at the next regular meeting scheduled for June 1, 1998.

CLOSED SESSION

 

Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Commissioner Hodges, moved to enter closed session at 9:40 P.M. to discuss: Land Acquisition – G.S. 143-318.11 (a)(5)(i), Library Property.

 

The Board took no action while in closed session.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to resume the regular meeting at 10:28 P.M.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

ADJOURN

 

Commissioner Wellborn seconded by Vice-Chairman Lawrence, moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 P.M.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

 

___________________________

James Coffey

Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

______________________________

Elizabeth H. Link

Clerk to the Board