MINUTES
WATAUGA
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2010
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, October 4, 2010, at 9:00 A.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room of the
PRESENT:
Anthony di Santi,
Robert E. Nelson, Jr.,
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Deal called the meeting to order at 9:02 A.M., welcoming those in attendance.
Commissioner Cooper opened the meeting with a prayer.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the September 21, 2010, regular and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the September 21, 2010, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the September 21, 2010, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Deal called for additions and/or corrections to the October 4, 2010, agenda.
Chairman Deal stated that the
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to approve the October 4, 2010, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PROPOSED PROCLAMATION IN SUPPORT OF THE HIGH COUNTRY UNITED WAY
Ms. Nancy Reigel, President of the
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to adopt the proclamation as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST TO ALLOW FOR CITIZEN COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE WATAUGA COUNTY VOLUNTARY FARMLAND PRESERVATION ORDINANCE
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to set a public hearing for 6:00 P.M. at the October 19, 2010, Board meeting to allow citizen comment on proposed amendments to the Watauga County Voluntary Farmland Preservation Ordinance.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REQUEST TO ACCEPT DONATED PROPERTY FOR A
Mr.
Mr. Woolridge stated that the TDA was working on several options to cover the annual costs associated with the maintenance of the Park, once operational. The following options were being considered to assist with said maintenance: networking with other non-profits, such as, in this case, the Watauga River Conservation Partners; establishing a program in which local businesses could adopt a park to maintain; and requiring guides to purchase permits to use the access points for their for-profit businesses. Mr. Woolridge stated that, while these options were being explored to help with the maintenance of the park, the TDA requested that the County assume maintenance of the park once the project was completed.
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to accept Rob and Beverly Holton’s donation of four acres of property adjacent to Hwy 321 and
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PROJECT ON AGING MATTERS
A. Additional Appropriation of State Funds for Senior Centers – Ms.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to accept the additional State funds for the Senior Centers and approve the local matches as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Presentation of Annual Report – Ms. Boitnotte presented the Project on Aging’s Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2010.
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to accept the Project on Aging’s Annual Report as presented by Ms. Boitnotte.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PROPOSED LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR BUCKEYE MOUNTAIN VIPER TOWER SITE
Mr. Steve Sudderth presented three agreements associated with sub-leasing the
County Attorney di Santi stated that he had reviewed the documents and gave his approval to their form. The documents under consideration included a memorandum of sublease, a sublease agreement, and a sub-sublease agreement.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to approve the memorandum of sublease, sublease agreement, and sub-sublease agreement with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for the location of the VIPER communications system at the
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
FINANCE MATTERS
A. Budget Amendments – Ms.
Account # Description Debit Credit
103300-345000 E&D Transportation Grant $47,000
103300-345001 WorkFirst Transportation Assistance $10,281
103300-345002 Rural General Public $83,414
104500-469843 AppalCART-RGP $83,414
104500-469844 AppalCART-WorkFirst $10,281
105210-469845
105550-431301 POA-E&D $23,000
105890-469846 Watauga Opportunities-E&D $22,000
143300-345000 E&D Transportation Grant $26,448
145310-469845 E&D Transportation Grant $24,448
145410-444000 WorkFirst Participant Expenses $2,000
The amendment recognized the award of the NC Public Transportation Division FY 2010-2011 Rural Operating Assistance Program grant funds, per Board action on August 2, 2010.
Account # Description Debit Credit
103300-343302 NC Department of Crime Control $1,750
104330-449908 Search and Rescue Exercise Grant $1,750
The amendment recognized grant funding from the NC Department of Crime Control and Public Safety for a search and rescue exercise and training to be conducted by the Emergency Management Department, per Board action on July 20, 2010.
Account # Description Debit Credit
103300-343307 NC DOT Enhancement Funds $90,000
104285-457002 Brookshire Greenway Trail $90,000
The amendment recognized funds awarded by the NC DOT under enhancement agreements for engineering and construction of a Greenway Trail at
Account # Description Debit Credit
103300-343308 NC DOT Enhancement Funds $45,000
104285-457003 Hwy 421 Underpass/Tail Plan $45,000
The amendment recognized funds awarded by the NC DOT under an enhancement agreement for engineer and design work for an underpass which was to allow the South Fork Greenway to cross Hwy 421 near
Account # Description Debit Credit
103300-343306 NC DENR CWMTF Grant $35,000
103330-384000 Watauga Co. District U TDA Grant Match $7,000
104285-457004 CWMTF Greenway Plan Design $42,000
The amendment recognized funds awarded by the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund for engineer and design work for a Greenway Trail at
Vice-Chairman Winkler, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Pierce.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Surplus Property Request – Ms. Pierce presented a list of property and requested the items be surplused and subsequently sold through GovDeals, recycled, or scrapped as appropriate.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Cooper, moved to surplus the property as presented by Ms. Pierce and to authorize the property to be recycled, scrapped, or listed for sale on GovDeals.com as requested.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
TAX MATTERS
A. Monthly Collections Report – Tax Administrator
B. Releases and Refunds – Mr. Byrd presented the following Refunds and Releases for September 2010 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for September 2010, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
REQUESTED APPOINTMENT OF COORDINATOR FOR VETERANS’ MEMORIAL
Ms.
Chairman Deal stated that staff had recommended Ms. Lyons to serve as the lead contact and represent
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to appoint
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
SFL+A REQUEST TO UTILIZE THE TAX DEDUCTION FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS FOR THEIR DESIGN OF THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL
Deputy County Manager Geouque stated that, at the last Board meeting, SfL+a’s request to utilize the Tax Deduction for Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings for their design of the new high school was tabled. The Deputy County Manager presented a report from SfL+a detailing their position on the LEED process as well as additional work needing to be completed prior to closing out the high school project. SfL+a was to bear all costs of the engineering and certification that was required in submitting an application to claim the tax deduction.
Chairman Deal stated that the intent of the tax credits was to encourage green construction and that
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to authorize SfL+a to utilize the Tax Deduction for Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings, contingent upon SfL+a bearing all costs associated with applying for and receiving the tax credits.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Discussion of Termination of PBC+L Contract for Recreation Center – County Manager Nelson stated that the County Attorney had reviewed the contract with PBC+L for architectural services associated with the proposed recreation center and gave the opinion that the contract could be terminated with proper notice.
Board members briefly discussed the County’s recreational needs and their commitment to continue to work toward meeting those needs by evaluating the condition of the existing pool and exploring opportunities such as contacting the YMCA to begin discussions to determine if a joint effort would be beneficial to the County.
Commissioner Kinsey, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to terminate the contract with PBC+L for architectural services for a recreation center in
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. De-obligation of Recovery Zone Bonds – County Manager Nelson stated that the County had previously applied for and been granted preliminary authority to issue $12,000,000 in Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds from the North Carolina Tax Reform Allocation Committee (TRAC). If the August 31st Sales Tax Referendum had passed, the Board would have had a revenue source dedicated to the repayment of the Bonds which were to be used to fund the construction and operation of a recreation center, eastern community center, and other recreation needs within the County. As part of the Tax Reform program, the County was to have been reimbursed for 45% of the interest associated with the Bonds. Since the revenue source was not available, the TRAC could be contacted to de-obligate the amount awarded to
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to release the the NC Tax Reform Allocation Committee’s (TRAC) obligation to
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to agree to lease AT&T space for the cellular antennas for an amount of $500 per month, to be allocated for
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Boards and Commissions – County Manager Nelson stated that the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees recommended the following for reappointment to their Board: Mr. Sam Adams, Ms. Susan Roggenkamp, and Mr. Kenneth Wilcox. Each appointment was for a three-year term beginning January 1, 2011, and ending December 31, 2013.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to waive the second reading and reappoint Mr. Sam Adams, Ms. Susan Roggenkamp, and Mr. Kenneth Wilcox the Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees for three-year terms set to expire on December 31, 2013.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
County Manager Nelson stated that the Boone Town Council recommended the following appointments: 1) James P. Marsh, Jr. as the ETJ representative to the Boone Board of Adjustment and 2) Chad J. Michael as the ETJ representative to the Community Appearance Commission.
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to reappoint Mr. James P. Marsh, Jr. as the regular ETJ representative to the Boone Board of Adjustment for a three-year term set to expire June 30, 2013.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to reappoint Mr. Chad J. Michael as the regular ETJ representative to the Town of
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Futrelle, seconded by Commissioner Kinsey, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Dr. Brian Ellison to fill an unexpired term as the regular ETJ representative to the Boone Board of Adjustment with the term set to expire June 30, 2012.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Announcements – County Manger Nelson announced that ASU Chancellor Ken Peacock was hosting a reception on Monday, October 4, 2010, from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. for LEADERSHIP
County Manager Nelson announced that a public hearing was scheduled for the October 19, 2010, Board meeting to allow citizen comment on the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Secondary Road Improvement Program for Fiscal Years 2009-2011. The
Commissioner Cooper announced that the High Country Council of Government’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan Committee was to hold their first meeting on Thursday, October 7, 2010.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CLOSED SESSION
At 10:11 A.M., Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Vice-Chairman Winkler, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3); Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i); and Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Futrelle, moved to resume the open meeting at 11:25 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
ADJOURN
Chairman Deal adjourned the meeting at 11:25 A.M.
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board