MINUTES
 
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2006
 
            The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, April 3, 2006, at 9:00 A.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.
 
                        PRESENT:       Jim Deal, Chairman
                                                William R. Winkler, III, Vice-Chairman
                                                David Blust, Commissioner
                                                Keith Honeycutt, Commissioner
                                                Winston Kinsey, Commissioner
                                                Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
                                    Robert E. Nelson, Jr., County Manager
                                                Deron Geouque, Assistant County Manager
                                                Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
 
            Chairman Deal called the meeting to order at 9:06 A.M. welcoming those in attendance.
 
            Commissioner Blust opened the meeting with a prayer.
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
 
            Chairman Deal called for additions or corrections to the March 21, 2006, closed session minutes and the regular meeting minutes which included minutes for the March 21, 2006, work session.
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the March 21, 2006, regular meeting minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the March 21, 2006, closed session minutes as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
 
            Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the April 3, 2006, agenda.
 
            County Manager Nelson requested to add an Economic Development Incentives discussion, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(4) to closed session and to add consideration for a proposed Resolution in Opposition to the National Forest Land Sales under Miscellaneous Administrative Matters.
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the April 3, 2006, agenda as amended.
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
PROPOSAL FOR PHASE II – ANNE-MARIEDRIVEAREAPARK
 
            As Mr. Larry Greene, Architect for the Anne-Marie Drive area park project, was not able to attend the meeting, Maintenance Director, Mr. Robert Marsh, reviewed a proposal for the Phase II design of the Anne-Marie Drive area park. Phase II consisted of redrawing and resubmitting the plans for two baseball fields as opposed to the original plan which included soccer fields. Phase II also included electrical design and lighting plans for both baseball fields. The amount of the proposal was $8,250.
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the contract with Mr. Larry Greene for Phase II of the Anne-Marie Drive area park contingent upon the County Attorney’s review.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
LIBRARY ROOF PROJECT REPORT
 
            Mr. Marsh also presented a progress report on the Library Re-roofing project on Mr. Greene’s behalf and stated that the projected final inspection was scheduled for Thursday, April 6, 2006, at 3:00 P.M.
 
            This report was issued for information only and therefore, no Board action was required           
 
BID AWARD PROPOSAL FOR CAMP YONAHLOSSEE PROJECT
 
            Mr. Derek Goddard, Watauga County Soil and Water Conservation District, reviewed a proposal in the amount of $173,340 from ESI, Inc., for the Camp Yonahlossee restoration project. The project was to remove the dam and restore the stream bank. The County had received a grant from the state in the amount of $168,667 with local match to be provided by the Yohnahlossee Property Owner’s Association ($84,333) for a total budgeted amount of $253,000 at no costs to the County. 
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to award the contract to ESI, Inc. contingent upon the County Attorney’s review and approval of the contract upon receipt.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
TAX MATTERS
 
            A.        Monthly Collections Report – Tax Administrator Kelvin Byrd presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of March 2006.
 
B.         Releases and Refunds – Mr. Byrd presented the following Refunds and Releases for March 2006 for Board approval:
 
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for March 2006 as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            C.        Board of Equalization and Review – Tax Administrator Byrd stated that the Board of Equalization and Review was set to convene on April 27, 2006. Mr. Byrd requested dates from the Board to schedule meeting dates to review appeals and an adjournment date for accepting new appeals.
 
            By consensus, the Board agreed to schedule regular meetings of the Board of Equalization and Review for Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:00 P.M. beginning on May 4, 2006, (with exceptions of other Board of Commissioners scheduled meetings) and scheduled the adjournment date for accepting new appeals on Friday, May 19, 2006, at 8:00 A.M.
 
DISCUSSION OF IMMIGRATION REFORM BILL
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt requested a discussion on the Immigration reform bill.
 
            After discussion Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Vice-chairman Winkler, moved to direct the County Manager to draft a letter requesting that the necessity of agricultural workers be taken into consideration so as to not cause a negative impact to the agricultural industry. The letter was also to request that immigrants and employers follow social security and tax laws.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
 
            A.        Proposed Solid Waste Ordinance Revisions – County Manager Nelson reviewed proposed changes to the Solid Waste Operations Ordinance which provided clarification on the Solid Waste fee schedule. The County Manager stated that previously the fees were known as landfill fees and was proposed to change to a solid waste user fee with detail added to the collection provision as a property tax bill. The changes were not substantive and were for clarification only.
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to schedule a public hearing to allow citizen comment on the proposed changes to the Solid Waste Operations Ordinance at the April 18, 2006, Board meeting at 6:00 P.M.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            B.         Landfill Surplus Property Bid Award Request – County Manager Nelson stated that previously the Board had directed that the upset bid process be employed to dispose of a surplus .163 acre parcel of landfill property. The bid was advertised as required with no upset bids having been received. The current bid on the property was the original from Ms. LouAnn Phillips in the amount of $3,683. 
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to accept Ms. LouAnn Phillips’ bid of $3,683 for the .163 acre parcel of landfill property off Green Briar Road contingent upon the County Attorney drafting the appropriate documents and completing the sale.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            C.        AppalCART’s Rural Operating Assistance Program Public Hearing Request – County Manager Nelson stated that each year AppalCART applied for funding from the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the Rural Operating Assistance Program (ROAP). A public hearing was required to allow citizen comment on the proposed use of the funds prior to the application.
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Honeycutt, moved to schedule a public hearing to allow for citizen comment on AppalCART’s Rural Operating Assistance Program application at the Board meeting on April 18, 2006, meeting at 6:00 P.M.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            D.        EMS Funding Request – County Manager Nelson stated that Mr. Craig Sullivan, Watauga Medics, Inc., had determined through the North Carolina Office of Emergency Management Services, that the State potentially had unexpended grant funds available. The County Manager stated that Mr. Sullivan had requested approval for Watauga Medics, Inc., to apply for these funds to be used for laptop computers and software which was to allow for the electronic submission of data.
 
Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve Watauga Medics’ request to apply for funding for laptop computers through available state grants.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            E.         EMS Services Mutual Aid Agreement Proposal – County Manager Nelson reviewed a mutual aid agreement between Watauga and Avery counties for the provision of emergency medical services which was to formalize the process that had been in place for several years. 
 
            Commissioner Blust, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the mutual aid agreement with Avery County contingent upon review by the County Attorney.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            F.         Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute Request for Capital Meeting Space – County Manager Nelson stated Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) had requested an allocation from the County’s capital reserve account in the amount of $429,535. The current amount earmarked for the Community College’s future use in the capital reserve account was $455,966. The purpose of the request was to match $1,349,155 in North Carolina State Bond Construction funds for a total budget of $1,778,690 to construct a 9,000 square foot vocational center at the White Oak Road campus.
 
            Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the allocation from the County’s capital reserve account in the amount of $429,535 to Caldwell Community College as requested.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            G.        Proposed Policy for the Use of Courthouse and Administration Building – County Manager Nelson reviewed a proposed Policy for the Use of Courthouse and Administration Building Meeting Space.
 
            After discussion and by consensus, the Board tabled further discussion and action until the April 18, 2006, Board meeting.
 
            H.        Proposed Resolution in Opposition to National Forest Land Sales – County Manager Nelson presented a draft resolution which was in opposition to the proposed sale of national forest land.
 
            After discussion, Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to adopt the Resolution in Opposition to National Forest Land Sales as presented.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            I.          Announcements – County Manager Nelson stated that the 2006 NACo Annual Conference was scheduled for August 4-8, 2006, in Chicago.
 
            County Manager Nelson announced that a joint meeting was scheduled with the School Board for April 4, 2006, at 4:00 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room to discuss the long range Capital Improvement Plan for the schools and the Watauga High School project.
 
            County Manager Nelson announced that the Project on Aging was hosting a Volunteer Recognition Breakfast on Thursday, April 27, 2006, from 8:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
 
            County Manager Nelson announced that the May meeting schedule for the Board of Commissioners was set as follows:
·        May 8, 2006, 1st Regular BCC Board Meeting 9:00 A.M.
·        May 10, 2006, 1st Budget Work Session 4:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
·        May 11, 2006, 2nd Budget Work Session 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
·        May 23, 2006, 2nd Regular BCC Board Meeting 6:00 P.M.
 
            County Manager Nelson announced that the School of Government offered a course for County Commissioners entitled “Managing Conflict: Strategies for Elected Officials” which was scheduled for Tuesday, May 23, 2006.
 
PUBLIC COMMENT
 
            There was no public comment.
 
CLOSED SESSION
 
            At 10:12 A.M., Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Economic Development Incentives, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(4).
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
            Commissioner Honeycutt, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to resume the open meeting at 11:18 A.M.
 
VOTE:   Aye-5
              Nay-0
 
ADJOURN
 
            The meeting adjourned, by consensus, at 11:21 A.M.
 
 
Jim Deal, Chairman
 
ATTEST:                                                                                
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board