MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2014
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at 5:30 P.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: Nathan Miller, Chairman
David Blust, Vice-Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Commissioner
John Welch, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Austin Eggers, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M.
Vice-Chairman Blust opened the meeting with a prayer and Commissioner Yates led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the June 17, 2014, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the June 17, 2014, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the June 17, 2014, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Miller called for additions and/or corrections to the July 8, 2014, agenda.
The following additions were requested:
· Sheriff’s Office Out-of-State Travel Request
· Closed Session:
Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143.318.11(a)(3)
Personnel Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(6)
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the July 8, 2014, agenda as amended.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
High Country Recreation Request
Dr. Scott St. Clair, High Country Recreation, presented an update on community meetings held at Green Valley, Cove Creek, and Parkway Schools to allow citizen input regarding a County recreation facility. Specific feedback included a preferred location of the current Swim Complex Site, which is centrally located and integrated with recreation infrastructure, and amenities consistently mentioned in the meetings which were almost identical to a recreation Needs Assessment performed by ASU in 2010.
Dr. St. Clair requested the County appropriate funds for initial architectural renderings and site analysis at the current Swim Complex to determine possible recreational facilities with an estimated cost of approximately $10,000.
County Manager Geouque stated that he and Parks and Recreation Director, Stephen Poulos met with John Francis, NC Community Foundation, to discuss a possible grant to fund all or a portion of the site analysis. Mr. Francis was to contact the County in the next week or two.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve, contingent upon receiving $10,000 from the NC Community Foundation, hiring an architect to provide site analysis and renderings for the Swim Complex area with costs not to exceed the $10,000 awarded.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Cooperative Extension Staffing Request
Mr. Jim Hamilton, Cooperative Extension Director, requested continued authorization for the horticulture agent position to remain at forty (40) hours per week with the County funding twenty-nine (29) hours per week through November. The frozen position has been budgeted in the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 budget.
On April 1, 2014, the Board approved and authorized Mr. Hamilton to use funds budgeted for the frozen horticulture agent to increase the temporary horticulture agent from twenty (20) to forty (40) hours. At that time, the County was paying nine (9) of the twenty (20) hours with the State paying the remaining eleven (11) hours. The salary split was forty-five percent (45%) County funding and fifty-five percent (55%) State funding; which complied with the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Mr. Hamilton was authorized to increase the temporary employee’s hours from twenty (20) to forty (40) hours. The County was to pay twenty-nine (29) of the hours with the State continuing to pay eleven (11) hours. The request required the County to pay seventy-two and half percent (72.5%) and the State twenty-seven and a half percent (27.5%) which was not in accordance with the MOU. The additional funded hours were authorized through June 30, 2014 and would require Board approval to continue into Fiscal Year 2014-2015.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to authorize the County continue to fund twenty-nine (29) hours of the horticulture agent’s forty (40) hour per week salary through November with funds to be allocated from the Cooperative Extension’s budgeted frozen horticulture position.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Soil and Water Equipment Purchase Request
Mr. Brian Chatham, Soil and Water Technician, stated that the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) had requested Watauga County to accept the following three pieces of equipment that were acquired through a grant but were not being utilized at their current location:
· KMC 06-104-DB2 Row Bedder
· Yetter 71 Flex 2 Row Planter
· Knives & 3 Point Hitch Middle Buster
Mr. Chatham requested the Board accept the transfer of equipment by from the NCDA and approve the ADFP Trust Fund Grant Contract Transfer Agreement. The County would assume the maintenance and storage of the equipment which could be loaned to local farmers as needed. Mr. Chatham also mentioned that a future Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) may be presented to the Board between Watauga, Avery, and Caldwell Counties which would allow farmers in those Counties use of the equipment as well.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to accept the donation and approve the ADFP Trust Fund Grant Contract Transfer Agreement as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Planning & Inspections Vehicle Bid Award
Mr. Joe Furman, Planning and Inspections Director, requested the Board authorize the purchase of one (1) 2014 Ford F150 4x4 pickup truck from the State Contract vendor, Wilmington Ford in the amount of $18,804 (includes delivery to the County office) plus $570.12 for taxes and the tag. Boone Ford and Ashe County Ford were both given an opportunity to bid on the vehicle but were unable to match the State contract price. Adequate funds are budgeted to cover the expenditure.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to award the bid for the purchase of one (1) 2014 Ford F150 4x4 pickup truck to Wilmington Ford in the total amount of $19,374.12 which includes the costs of delivery, taxes, and the tag.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Request to Accept Donation to Economic Development Commission
Mr. Joe Furman, Economic Development Director, stated that the Watauga Committee of 100 had donated $1,000 to the Watauga County Economic Development Commission to further economic development projects in the County. Mr. Furman recommended the funds, if accepted, be allocated in the Economic Development budget and be used for economic development expenses associated with the Appalachian Enterprise Center (AEC).
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to accept the $1,000 donation from the Watauga Committee of 100 and to allocate the funds to the Economic Development budget.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Proposed FY 2015 AppalCART Contracts
Mr. Chris Turner, AppalCART Director, presented proposed transportation service contracts for FY 2015 with Project on Aging, at the rates of $0.75 per vehicle mile and $13.29 per vehicle service hour, and the Department of Social Services at the rate of $1.40 per vehicle mile. The proposed rates are the same as the previous fiscal year.
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the AppalCART contracts with Project on Aging and the Department of Social Services as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Communications and Emergency Services Proposed Contract with Wireless Communications, Inc.
Mr. Jeff Virginia, Emergency Services Director, requested the Board approve a maintenance contract with Wireless Communications Inc. for the County’s E911 system in the amount of $52,835.76. Funds for the maintenance contract were included in the current budget.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the maintenance contract with Wireless Communications Inc. for the County’s E911 system in the amount of $52,835.76 pursuant to the review of the County Attorney.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
Tax Administrator Larry Warren presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of June 2014. This report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
Mr. Warren presented the Refunds and Releases Report for June 2014, as well as a report from the new motor vehicle billing system, North Carolina Vehicle Tax System (NCVTS), for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for June 2014, as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the North Carolina Vehicle Tax System Refunds and Releases Report for June 2014 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Town of Boone’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Discussion
Chairman Miller stated that the State recently passed Senate Bill 865 stating that the Town of Boone shall not exercise any powers of extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) as provided in Article 19 of Chapter 6 160A of the General Statutes effective January 1, 2015. Chairman Miller requested a public hearing be scheduled at the second regular meeting in August to allow for citizen comment regarding the issue.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to schedule a public hearing on Tuesday, August 19, 2014, at 6:00 P.M. to allow for citizen comment regarding the effect of Senate Bill 865 on the Town of Boone’s extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Sheriff’s Office Out-of-State Travel Request
County Manager Geouque stated that the Sheriff’s Office had requested approval for out-of-state travel for Detective Patrick Anderson to travel to Quantico, Virginia, for training. Costs for the training were to be covered by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Vice-Chairman Blust, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the Sheriff’s Office out-of-stated travel as requested.
VOTE: Aye-4(Blust, Kennedy, Welch, Yates)
Nay-1(Miller)
B. Contract with LeadsOnline to Provide Data Collection
County Manager Geouque stated that Sheriff Hagaman had requested approval of a contract with LeadsOnline for data collection from pawn shops, precious metal dealers, and scrap metal dealers. The program provides law enforcement and the aforementioned businesses with an online point of sale reporting system for pawned and sold items, along with metals.
The cost of the program is $2,848 annually with an effective date of July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015. If approved, funds could be allocated from the Sheriff’s drug fund (Fund 23). A budget amendment would be forthcoming recognizing the additional revenue and expense.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, moved to approve the contract with LeadsOnline contingent upon the County Attorney’s review.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Appointment of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners’ (NCACC) Annual Conference Voting Delegate
County Manager Geouque stated that the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) Annual Conference is scheduled for August 14-17, 2014, in Buncombe County. Each county in attendance is required to select a voting member for representation at the annual business meeting which is conducted as a part of the conference. The submission of the voting delegate form is due to the NCACC by August 1, 2014.
By consensus, the Board tabled discussion until the next meeting.
D. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque stated that Ms. Laura Jane Ward, Regional Ombudsman with the High Country Council of Governments, has requested that Mr. Herbert Hash be considered for reappointment to the Watauga County Nursing Home Advisory Committee for a three-year term.
Commissioner Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to reappoint Mr. Herbert Hash to a three-year term on the Watauga County Nursing Home Advisory Committee.
VOTE: Aye-4(Blust, Kennedy, Welch, Yates)
Nay-1(Miller)
[Clerk’s Note: As this was a first reading an unanimous vote was required; therefore, a second reading will be held at the next regular meeting.]
E. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
? The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' (NCACC) Annual Conference is scheduled for August 14-17, 2014, in Buncombe County.
? The dedication of the Law Enforcement Memorial will be Saturday, July 26, 2014, at 7:00 PM.
? The renovations to the AEC have been completed and the new Watauga Workforce Center is open for business.
Public Comment
Annette Reeves, Lee Stroup, Jeff Templeton, and Quint David each shared comments regarding the Town of Boone’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Shawna Ryan had signed up to speak but stated that she would wait until the public hearing scheduled in August to share her comments.
Closed Session
At 6:27 P.M., Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Welch, 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
[Clerk’s Note: Chairman Miller had to leave for a previous engagement during the closed session at 6:43 P.M.]
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to resume the open meeting at 6:47 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Blust, Kennedy, Welch, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Adjourn
Commissioner Welch, seconded by Commissioner Kennedy, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:47 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-4(Blust, Kennedy, Welch, Yates)
Nay-0
Absent-1(Miller)
Nathan A. Miller, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board