MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2012
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Monday, December 3, 2012, at 8:00 A.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: David Blust, Commissioner
Jim Deal, Commissioner
Tim Futrelle, Commissioner
Stacy C. Eggers, IV, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
[Clerk’s Note: Chairman Miller and Vice-Chairman Gable were both unable to attend due to previous obligations.]
County Attorney Eggers stated that any Commissioner could call the meeting to order.
Commissioner Deal called the meeting to order at 8:02 A.M.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to appoint Commissioner Futrelle to serve as Chairman in the absence of Chairman Miller and Vice-Chairman Gable.
VOTE: Aye-3(Futrelle, Blust, Deal)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Miller, Gable)
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Futrelle called for additions and/or corrections to the November 13, 2012, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
The Clerk distributed a correction for the November 13, 2012, closed session minutes for review by the Board.
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the November 13, 2012, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-3(Futrelle, Blust, Deal)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Miller, Gable)
Commissioner Deal, seconded by Commissioner Blust, moved to approve the November 13, 2012, closed session meeting minutes as amended.
VOTE: Aye-3(Futrelle, Blust, Deal)
Nay-0
Absent-2(Miller, Gable)
Recess until 5:30 P.M.
Chairman Futrelle recessed the meeting until 5:30 P.M. to allow for newly elected Commissioners Billy Kennedy, John Welch, and Perry Yates to take their oath of office at a separate ceremony which was held in the Commissioners’ Board Room at 4:30 P.M.
Reconvene
The meeting reconvened at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners’ Board Room with Commissioners Blust, Kennedy, Miller, Welch, and Yates present.
Board Organizational Matters
The meeting was turned over to County Manager Geouque for the election of the Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
A. Election of Officers
County Manager Geouque called for nominations for Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to nominate Commissioner Miller for Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The meeting was then turned over to Chairman Miller.
Chairman Miller called for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to nominate Commissioner Welch for Vice-Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-2(Kennedy, Welch)
Nay-3(Miller, Blust, Yates)
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Chairman Miller, moved to appoint Commissioner Blust as Vice-Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-4(Miller, Blust, Kennedy, Yates)
Nay-1(Welch)
[Clerk’s Note: As recorded later in the minutes, Commissioner Welch amended his vote supporting the appointment of Commissioner Blust as Vice-Chairman.]
B. Staff Appointments
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to re-appoint Deron Geouque as the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to re-appoint Anita Fogle as Clerk to the Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to re-appoint Monica Harrison and appoint Tammy Adams as Substitute Clerks to the Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to appoint Eggers, Eggers, Eggers, and Eggers as the Law Firm representing Watauga County as legal counsel for Watauga County including the Watauga County Department of Social Services and their Child Support Enforcement Offices.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Fidelity Bonds.
The following individual fidelity bonds were presented for approval:
Position Bond Amount Statutory Requirement
Finance Director $50,000 No less than $50,000, per NCGS 159-29
Deputy Finance Director $50,000
(
Tax Collector $50,000 Amount considered reasonable
by BCC, NCGS 105-349-c
Register of Deeds $50,000 At least $10,000 but no more
than $50,000, NCGS 161-4
Sheriff $25,000 Amount considered reasonable by BCC,
but no more than $25,000 max, NCGS 162-8
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the individual fidelity bonds as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Commissioner Boards & Commissions Appointments
The following Commissioner Board appointments were made by Chairman Miller:
Appalachian District Health Department Yates
AppalCART Authority Blust
Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development Area Blust
Caldwell Community College &Technical Institute
Watauga Advisory Board Welch
Children’s Council/Child Protection Team Kennedy
Committee of 100 Blust
Criminal Justice Partnership Program Miller
Economic Development Commission Yates
Educational Planning Committee (2 appointees) Welch
EMS Advisory Committee Kennedy
Future Forward Blust
High Country Council of Governments – Executive Board Miller
Northwest Advisory Council of Advantage West
Rural Transportation Advisory Committee
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Welch
Library Board Kennedy
Motor Vehicle Valuation Review Committee Welch
New River Service Authority Board Miller
Smoky Mountain LME (Mental Health) Kennedy
POA Advisory Committee (Home & Community Care Block Grant) Kennedy
Watauga County Cooperative Extension’s Advisory Leadership Board Yates
Watauga County Fire Commission Yates
Watauga County Medical Center Board of Trustees Miller
Watauga County Personnel Advisory Committee Miller
Watauga County Recreation Commission Welch
Watauga County Department of Social Services Miller
Watauga Opportunities, Inc. Blust
Workforce Development Consortium Chairman
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to accept the appointments as made by Chairman Miller.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to appoint Commissioner Kennedy as the Commissioner Liaison to the Sheriff’s Office.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Chairman Miller tabled Commissioner appointments to both the Watauga County Planning Board and the Boone Rural Fire Protection Service District until a future meeting.
E. Meeting Schedule
County Manager Geouque stated that the Board of Commissioners’ regular meetings were currently scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month at 8:00 A.M. and the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 P.M.
After brief discussion, Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to set the regular meeting schedule for the Watauga County Board of Commissioners as follows: the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 A.M. and the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Chairman Miller called upon Commissioner Yates to open the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Welch to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the December 3, 2012, agenda.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the December 3, 2012, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Beginner Mountain Bike Trail
Mr. Eric Woolridge, Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Planner, presented a proposed beginner mountain bike trail to be potentially located at the Brookshire Park Complex. The proposed project was intended to compliment the mountain bike trail system at nearby Rocky Knob Park by offering a beginner level facility.
Plans included applying for grant funds, in the amount of $10,000, from the NC Adopt-a-Trail Program. The Boone Area Cyclists and Watauga County Pathways were providing additional funds for the project.
County Manager Geouque stated that the Watauga County Housing Trust had expressed interest in the property being considered as a location for workforce housing.
Mr. Woolridge stated that he planned to present the proposal to the Recreation Commission in December for comments and then return to the Board of Commissioners in January for further discussion and possible submission of the grant.
Valle Crucis Trail Project
Mr. Woolridge stated that the TDA had not yet approved or committed funding to a trail project in the Valle Crucis area but had granted him permission to work on the project. The purpose of the trail was to provide a safer walking environment in Valle Crucis and to promote interconnection to commercial businesses, the school, and park facilities.
Mr. Woolridge stated that Watauga County Pathways (WCP), Valle Crucis Community Council, Valle Crucis Park, and Mast General Store had partnered to construct the trail. WCP submitted an application to the North Carolina Recreation Trails Program Grant for $200,000 which required a $50,000 match. If awarded, WCP planned to use the donated easements from Valle Crucis Community Council, Valle Crucis Park, and Mast General Store to satisfy the $50,000 match.
Local government support was required including a public hearing and endorsement by the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Woolridge also requested the County hold the trail easements as was done with the Middle Fork Greenway easements.
After discussion, Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to schedule a public hearing at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, to allow citizen comment on the proposed Valle Crucis Trail project.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Register of Deeds’ 2012 Records Retention and Disposition Schedule
Ms. JoAnn Townsend, Register of Deeds, presented the recently updated Register of Deeds’ Records Retention and Disposition Schedule from the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. Ms. Townsend stated this update allowed each County to set an administrative value time limit for various documents throughout the Schedule.
After discussion, Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to adopt the Register of Deeds’ 2012 Records Retention and Disposition Schedule and set the administrative value as ending in 1 day with discretion left to the Register of Deeds to keep documents longer than the schedule required.
VOTE: Aye-4(Blust, Kennedy, Welch, Yates)
Nay-1(Miller)
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Interim Tax Administrator Larry Warren presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of November 2012. This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Warren presented the following Refunds and Releases for November 2012 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for November 2012, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Margaret Pierce, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103586-332000 |
Home & Community Care Block Grant (H&CCBG) |
|
$742 |
|
105550-429200 |
POA Program Supplies |
$742 |
|
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The amendment recognized a grant award for an additional allocation received from the High Country Area Agency on Aging. The County match of $82 was present in the Project on Aging budget. |
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Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103300-349909 |
NC Lottery Funds |
|
$79,400 |
|
105911-470001 |
Carpet/Tile Replacements |
$38,400 |
|
|
105911-470005 |
Cafeteria Upgrades |
$21,000 |
|
|
105911-470011 |
Green Valley Restroom Renovations |
$10,000 |
|
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105911-470012 |
Blowing Rock Drop Ceilings |
$10,000 |
|
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The amendment recognized the award of the NC Lottery funds applied for by the Watauga County Board of Education and approved by the NC DPI on October 12, 2012. |
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Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed Performance Guarantee
Mr. Furman presented a subdivision performance guarantee for Southeast LandCo Acquisition Fund/Reynolds Capital Group in the form of a certified check in the amount of $244,200. The subdivision performance guarantee was for 1700 feet of road construction for Section 15 of Blue Ridge Mountain Club and would allow a final plat to be recorded and lots conveyed. The plat was approved by staff, contingent upon the Board of Commissioners’ approval. This request was made pursuant to Section 92 of Watauga County’s “Ordinance To Govern Subdivisions and Multi Unit Structures.”
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to approve the performance guarantee and set a two (2) year time limit for the road construction to be completed.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Appointment of Personnel Advisory Board Member
County Manager Geouque stated that the Watauga County Personnel Ordinance established a Personnel Advisory Committee which was comprised of five (5) persons designated by the Board, authorized to hear employee grievances, and recommend decisions to the appointing authority. The Committee was to consist of one (1) Commissioner, one (1) department head and three (3) non-supervisory regular employees. Current members of the Personnel Advisory Committee are as follows:
Employee Position
Angie Boitnotte Department Head
Stephen Moody Regular Employee
Brent Graybeal Regular Employee
Amy Parsons Regular Employee
Nathan Miller County Commissioner
Rickey Lee Alternate Member
County Manager Geouque stated that Mr. Brent Graybeal was no longer employed with the County and staff recommended John Spear to fill his vacancy.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to appoint John Spear and reappoint Angie Boitnotte, Stephen Moody, Amy Parsons, and Nathan Miller as members and Rickey Lee as an alternate member to the Personnel Advisory Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Announcements
County Manger Geouque announced the following:
· The Annual County Christmas Luncheon will be held at Dan’l Boone Inn on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M.
· Watauga County Library invites the Board to their Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 11:30 A.M.
· The Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, and Tax Department invites you to attend their Annual Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 14, 2012, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
· The NCACC Legislative Goals Conference will be held January 24-25, 2013, in Durham. The NCACC also requests that any counties attending the Conference appoint a voting delegate to represent the member counties. The County Manager stated that the appointment of the voting delegate was due by January 11, 2013. An appointment was not made.
· The UNC School of Government and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) jointly hold a two-day orientation to county government in four locations across the state. This program is for newly elected officials, veteran elected officials and managers.
· County Manager Geouque stated that the Board had cancelled its first meeting in January due to it falling on a holiday.
Discussion was held regarding the second meeting in December. If cancelled then the next regularly scheduled meeting would be the January 15, 2013, meeting which would begin at 5:30 P.M.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Chairman Miller, moved to cancel the second meeting in December.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Public Comment
Mr. Gayle Henson shared that he was writing a book regarding his years of observation of the Board of Commissioners.
Ms. Margaret Buck stated that she was new to the area and shared concerns regarding recreational trails in the area.
Commissioner Comments/Actions
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to amend his earlier vote for Vice-Chairman in support of Commissioner Blust.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to amend the agenda to include possible action after closed session.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Closed Session
At 7:05 P.M., Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Yates, 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-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to resume the open meeting at 8:18 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Action After Closed Session - Appointment of Tax Administrator
Chairman Miller stated that interviews were conducted for the position of Tax Administrator by himself, County Manager Geouque, and Ms. Angie Boitnotte, Director of the Project on Aging. The interview committee recommended the appointment of Mr. Larry Warren to the position of Watauga County Tax Administrator with an annual salary of $70,000.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Vice-Chairman Blust, moved to appoint Mr. Larry Warren as the Watauga County Tax Administrator effective December 4, 2012, and to set Mr. Warren’s annual salary at $70,000.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board