MINUTES

 

WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1999

 

 

The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, March 1, 1999 at 9:00 A.M. in the Board Room of the Watauga County Courthouse.

 

PRESENT: Jimmy Hodges, Chairman

Sue Sweeting, Vice-Chairman

James Coffey, Commissioner

Art Kohles, Commissioner

Jack Lawrence, Sr., Commissioner

Jeff Hedrick, County Attorney

Barry J. Reed, County Manager

Libby Link, Clerk to the Board

 

Chairman Hodges called the meeting to order at 9:01 A.M. welcoming those in attendance.

 

A moment of silence was observed.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the February 16, 1999 regular meeting minutes.

 

Vice-Chairman Sweeting seconded by Commissioner Coffey, moved to approve the February 16, 1999 regular meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

Chairman Hodges called for additions or corrections to the February 23, 1999 special meeting minutes.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to approve the February 23, 1999 special meeting minutes as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

DISCUSSION CONCERNING HOWARDS KNOB

 

Mr. Mark Lackey, owner of Junaluska Herbs & Botanicals, addressed the Board regarding Howards Knob Park. Mr. Lackey had leased some adjacent property owned by Monte W. Green for herb production. He voiced concerns about trash from the Park blowing onto his herb field and trespassers from the Park. Mr. Lackey stated he planned to post the property and requested the County install a fence along the perimeter border of the Park with Mr. Green’s property to help keep the risks at a minimum. Mr. Lackey also requested the Board appropriate additional funds to keep the Park open on accessible days during its current off-season. In addition, he requested a joint clean-up day of the Park area with the County, Junaluska Herbs & Botanicals, Bio-Preserve and the Mountain Chapter of the N.C. Herb Association. Mr. Lackey stated he had received a key from Parks & Recreation Director, Deb Wynne, to the front access of the Park (where most of the trash was) and requested the Board’s permission to keep the key during the Summer to finish the clean-up effort.

 

Parks & Recreation Director, Deb Wynne, stated that although there was no funding available for a fence, there was a group of individuals who went to the park about once a month to pick up trash, etc. Ms. Wynne added that Community Service sent people to clean the Park also. The Board asked for Ms. Wynne’s opinion regarding the key, and she stated that as far as she was concerned that Mr. Lackey could keep the key, however, due to the County’s liability contract for this area, she needed to be notified of any problems which arose.

 

RESOLUTION FOR YOUTH SERVICE DAY

 

Ms. Jerri Johnson, Volunteer Outreach Center Youth Service Initiative Committee Chair, addressed the Board regarding plans underway for National Youth Service Day (NYSD) in Watauga County scheduled for April 17, 1999. She stated NYSD was designed to give youth volunteers a chance to make a "hands-on" difference in communities. Ms. Johnson discussed the activities and projects planned, as well as, the groups who would participate. In addition, she presented a resolution declaring April 17, 1999 as National Youth Service Day in Watauga County and asked for the Board’s support.

 

Commissioner Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Coffey, moved to approve the resolution declaring April 17, 1999 as National Youth Service Day in Watauga County.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

RESOLUTION BOOK #9, PAGE #54

 

TAX MATTERS

 

 

Monthly Collections Report – Tax Administrator, Larry McLean, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of February, 1999.

 

 

Refunds and Releases – Tax Administrator McLean presented the following Refunds and Releases for February, 1999 for Board approval:

 

TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report as presented.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

Planning and Scheduling for the 1999 Board of Equalization and Review – Tax Administrator McLean stated a schedule and compensation for the Board of Equalization and Review needed to be determined. After discussion, the following schedule was set:

 

Monday, April 5, 1999 – 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 6, 1999 – 9:00 a.m. – noon

Thursday, April 8, 1999 – 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Kohles, moved to continue the current fee schedule ($75.00 per session).

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

DESIGNATION OF A LEAD AGENCY AND ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE BLOCK GRANT

Project on Aging Director, Rocky Nelson, requested the current members serving on the Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG) Advisory Board be re-appointed. Mr. Nelson stated the HCCBG Advisory Board was required to discuss needs and options for aging services and make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. He added all individuals had agreed to continue to serve. A lead agency had to also be appointed.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to re-appoint Jack Lawrence, Sr., Jim Atkinson, Robert E. Nelson, Debbie Edwards, Judy Vernon, Linda Bretz, Joe Howser, A. M. Denton, Jr. and Ottis Powell to serve on the Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Board for one year terms.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to re-appoint Region D Council of Government’s Area Agency on Aging as the lead agency for the Home and Community Care Block Grant Advisory Board for a one-year term.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

Mr. Nelson also invited the Board to Project on Aging’s annual volunteer luncheon scheduled for April 29, 1999 at 11:30 A.M. at the Quality Inn.

FY 2000 BUDGET CALENDAR ADOPTION

County Manager Reed presented for approval the following budget calendar for Fiscal Year 2000:

February 26, 1999 Distribute CIP Preparation Materials

March 5, 1999 Distribute Operating Budget Preparation Materials

March 15, 1999 Distribute Budget Request to Outside Agencies

March 26, 1999 CIP Requests Due to County Manager

April 5, 1999 County Manager Presents Recommended CIP to Board

April 6, 1999 Operating Budget Requests Due to County Manager

April 16, 1999 Outside Agency Budget Requests Due to County Manager

May 18, 1999 County Manager Presents Recommended Budget to Board

May 24, 1999 Public Hearing on Manager’s Recommended Budget

May 25-June 14, 1999 Board Workshops (as needed)

June 7, 1999 Board Workshop

June 15, 1999 Board Adoption of Budget and CIP

Following brief discussion, Vice-Chairman Sweeting seconded by Commissioner Kohles, moved to adopt the Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Calendar as presented.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

SPONSOR FOR THE WATAUGA COUNTY DAY EVENT IN RALEIGH ON APRIL 13, 1999

 

County Manager Reed stated that on April 13, 1999 the County would have the Watauga County celebration in Raleigh for legislators and key state officials. This day would celebrate community, education and commerce in the County. Invitations to possible attendees would come from Appalachian State University (ASU), the Boone Chamber of Commerce and Watauga County. If the County wanted to be listed on the program as a sponsor for this event (behind ASU), a donation of $1,000 was required. This $1,000 donation would provide the County with at least 25 complementary tickets to the event.

 

After brief discussion, Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to appropriate $1,000 for the Watauga County Day Event in Raleigh, N.C. on April 13, 1999.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS

County Manager Reed stated Seven Devils requested Margaret "Shellie" Dollars be appointed to the Parks & Recreation Commission to fill the expired term of Chess Hill.

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Vice-Chairman Sweeting, moved to appoint Margaret "Shellie" Dollars to the Parks & Recreation Commission to fill the expired term of Chess Hill.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

County Manager Reed noted that George Miles had agreed to continue to serve on the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee for an additional three-year term.

 

Commissioner Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Coffey, moved to re-appoint George Miles to the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee for a three-year term.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

County Manager Reed stated that due to a State law passed in the Fall, 1998 the County’s Youth Services Advisory Council (YSAC) had been abolished. He added that each County was to make appointments to a Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) which would take the place of the YSAC. The new law called for a committee of up to 25 members that included several slotted positions (or their designees), including:

    1. School Superintendent
    2. Chief of Police
    3. Sheriff
    4. District Attorney
    5. Chief Court Counselor
    6. Mental Health Director
    7. Social Services Director
    8. County Manager
    9. County Commissioner
    10. Substance Abuse Professional
    11. Faith Community Member
    12. Juvenile Defense Attorney
    13. Person Under 21
    14. Chief District Court Judge
    15. Business Community Member
    16. United Way or N-F-P Representative
    17. Parks & Recreation
    18. Local Health Director

19-25) Up to 7 At-large positions

The YSAC met and agreed to recommend the 25 positions as indicated above. In addition, Mr. Reed stated the YSAC had mailed letters to nominees but had not received responses to date. He requested the Board approve a 25 member JCPC and at least the slotted positions (or their designees) for positions 1-9, 14 and 17. Once responses were received from nominees, this issue would be addressed at a future meeting.

 

Vice-Chairman Sweeting seconded by Commissioner Coffey, moved to develop the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) with the slotted positions (or their designees) as listed above.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

It was agreed that since Commissioner Kohles served on the YSAC, his service would transfer to the JCPC.

 

Commissioner Coffey seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, moved to appoint positions 1-9, 14 and 17 as indicated above.

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

County Manager Reed noted there were several appointments to be considered at a future meeting. He informed the Board of a meeting the Department of Transportation had scheduled for March 8, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. at the Blowing Rock Elementary School cafeteria to discuss the U.S. Highway 321 building project. In addition, he presented the NCACC District Director Board Action Report, a notice that Fellowes Manufacturing Company intended to close its Boone manufacturing facility, Planning & Inspections and the Department of Social Services January, 1999 monthly reports, and minutes from the County’s Fire Commission and Council on the Status of Women. These items were for the Board’s information.

ADJOURN

 

Vice-Chairman Sweeting seconded by Commissioner Kohles, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:58 A.M.

 

VOTE: Aye-5

Nay-0

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________

Jimmy Hodges

Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

______________________________

Elizabeth H. Link

Clerk to the Board