MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2019
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at 8:30 A.M. in the Commissioners' Board Room of the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
PRESENT: John Welch, Chairman
Billy Kennedy, Vice-Chairman
Larry Turnbow, Commissioner
Charlie Wallin, Commissioner
Perry Yates, Commissioner
Anthony di Santi, County Attorney
Deron Geouque, County Manager
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board
County Manager Geouque called the meeting to order at 8:37 A.M.
BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
County Manager Geouque called for the election of the Chairman and Vice-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.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to nominate Commissioner Welch for Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to nominate Commissioner Kennedy for Vice-Chairman.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
The meeting was then turned over to Chairman Welch.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the November 19, 2019, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the November 19, 2019, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the November 19, 2019, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
BOARD ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS (CONTINUED)
B. Staff Appointments
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reappoint Deron Geouque as the County Manager.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reappoint Anita Fogle as Clerk to the Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reappoint both Monica Harrison and Tammy Adams as Substitute Clerks to the Board.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to reappoint di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson, & Garrett as the Law Firm representing Watauga County as legal counsel including the Watauga County Department of Social Services and the Child Support Enforcement Offices with rates to remain as current and to authorize di Santi Watson, Capua, Wilson, & Garrett, Social Services Attorney, to hire outside council when they have a conflict.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
[Clerk’s Note: The current rate for legal services by the County Attorney is $125.00 per hour.]
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
(County Manager)
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 Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the individual fidelity bonds as presented and to approve the Finance Director, County Manager, and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners as the authorized signers for disbursements on all County accounts and to approve additional signers and Deputy Finance Officers, on the Inmate Commissary account only, as Randy Greene, James Sharpe, Barry Trivette, and Michael Brown and to approved the official depositories of the County as First National Bank and BB&T.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Commissioner Appointments to Boards & Commissions
Chairman Welch presented the attached list of current Commissioner Board appointments:
|
Board/Commission |
Member |
|
Appalachian District Health Department |
Yates |
|
Appalachian Theatre Board of Trustees Ex-Officio Member |
Wallin or Welch |
|
AppalCART Authority |
Wallin |
|
Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development Area |
Turnbow |
|
Caldwell Community College &Technical Institute - Watauga Advisory Board |
Welch |
|
Children’s Council |
Turnbow |
|
Child Protection Team |
Kennedy |
|
Cooperative Extension Advisory Leadership Board |
Yates |
|
Economic Development Commission (EDC) |
Turnbow |
|
Educational Planning Committee (2 appointees) |
Wallin & Welch |
|
EMS Advisory Committee |
Yates |
|
High Country Council of Governments Executive Board Rural Transportation Advisory Committee |
Turnbow |
|
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) |
Welch |
|
Humane Society |
Turnbow |
|
Library Board |
Kennedy |
|
Motor Vehicle Valuation Review Committee |
Welch |
|
New River Service Authority Board |
Wallin |
|
Northwest Regional Housing Authority (five-year term expires Dec. 12, 2019) |
Pat Vines |
|
POA Advisory Committee (Home & Community Care Block Grant) |
Yates |
|
Sheriff’s Office Liaison |
Kennedy &Turnbow |
|
Vaya County Commissioner Advisory Board |
Wallin |
|
Social Services Advisory Board |
Wallin |
|
Watauga County Fire Commission |
Yates |
|
Watauga County Personnel Advisory Committee |
Welch |
|
Watauga County Recreation Commission |
Welch |
|
Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees |
Kennedy |
|
Watauga Opportunities, Inc. |
Turnbow |
|
Workforce Development Board (WDB) |
Chairman |
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to accept the appointments as currently seated including the reappointment of Pat Vines to a five-year term as the Northwest Regional Housing Authority representative.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Regular Meeting Schedule
Chairman Welch stated that the Board of Commissioners’ regular meetings were currently scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month at 8:30 A.M. and the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 P.M.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to retain 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
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the December 3, 2019, agenda.
County Manager Geouque requested to add a proposed resolution establishing the Register of Deeds’ salary.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the December 3, 2019, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PROPOSED RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE REGISTER OF DEEDS’ SALARY
County Manager Geouque stated that, per Statute, for the filing period for 2020 elections, the Board must establish the salary for the Register of Deeds in order for filing fees to be determined. The entry level salary on the County’s current pay plan is $60,629 and is the amount listed in the proposed resolution.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to adopt the resolution establishing the Register of Deeds Salary as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
SANITATION MATTERS
A. Bid Award Request for Motor Grader
Mr. Rex Buck, Operations Services Director, presented a bid for one (1) new Leeboy Motor Grader in the amount of $187,652 from Ascendum Machinery which includes an eight foot front blade. The motor grader will be utilized for maintenance of roads to county cell towers and ball field maintenance and repair. County Manager Geouque stated that adequate funds were available in the current Sanitation budget to cover the expense.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to authorize the purchase of one (1) new Leeboy Motor Grader in the amount of $187,652 from Ascendum Machinery.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Bid Award Request for Tub Grinder
Mr. Rex Buck presented a bid for one (1) new DuraTech Model 2009 Tub Grinder in the amount of $231,383.22 from Public Works Equipment, Inc. County Manager Geouque stated that adequate funds were available in the current Sanitation budget to cover the expense.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to authorize the purchase of one (1) new DuraTech Model 2009 Tub Grinder in the amount of $231,383.22 from Public Works Equipment, Inc.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Bid Award Request for Container Delivery Truck
Mr. Rex Buck presented a bid for the purchase of one (1) new Container Delivery Truck in the amount of $115,866.19 from CES, Inc. County Manager Geouque stated that adequate funds were available in the current Sanitation budget to cover the expense.
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to authorize the purchase of one (1) Container Delivery Truck in the amount of $115,866.19 from CES, Inc.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
103311-312013 |
TDA Donation – Rocky Knob Playground |
|
$40,079 |
|
104288-451000 |
Capital Outlay – Equipment |
$72,408 |
|
|
103311-312014 |
Grant – Rocky Knob Playground |
|
$32,329 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized acceptance of a donation from the Watauga County District U Tourism Development Authority and a grant from GameTime as part of the 2019 NCRPA Statewide Training and Funding Initiative and for replacement of the Rocky Knob Playground. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
103300-349606 |
Soil and Water Grant |
|
$18,001 |
|
104960-449917 |
Soil and Water Grant – Resource Institute |
$18,001 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized the acceptance of the Division of Water Resources pass-through funds. No match is required. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
103991-399100 |
Fund Balance Appropriated |
|
$375,000 |
|
104199-457008 |
Capital Outlay – Valle Landing Property |
$375,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment recognized the purchase of the Valle Landing property from fund balance as approved by the Board at the June 4, 2019, Board Meeting. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
103991-399100 |
Fund Balance Appropriated |
|
$367,129 |
|
104199-469150 |
Watauga County Humane Society Loan |
$367,129 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amendment shows funds used to pay off the Watauga County Humane Society loan for refinancing through Watauga County as approved at the November 19, 2019, Board Meeting. |
|||
|
|
|||
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Watson.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
PROPOSED PROCLAMATION IN SUPPORT OF NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH IN WATAUGA COUNTY
Chairman Welch presented a proposed proclamation in support of National Radon Action Month in Watauga County as requested by Mr. Phillip Ray Gibson, North Carolina Radon Program Coordinator with the Division of Health Service Regulation, Radiation Protection Section, of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adopt the proclamation supporting National Radon Action Month in Watauga County.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
A. Presentation of the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association (NCRPA) Healthy Plan and Recreation Initiative Grant
County Manager Geouque stated that at the November 19, 2019, Board of Commissioners meeting, Ms. Michelle Wells, Executive Director of the NC Recreation and Parks Association (NCRPA), presented the County with the NCRPA Healthy Plan and Recreation Initiative Grant for new playground equipment. The $70,000 grant required a fifty percent (50%) match that will be provided by the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (TDA). Board approval was required to accept the grant from the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Association in the amount of $70,000 and authorize staff to purchase the new equipment. However, during the presentation of the grant no formal authorization was given.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to formally accept the NCRPA Healthy Plan and Recreation Initiative grant and to authorize staff to purchase the new playground equipment.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Proposed Forest Service Lease
County Manager Geouque presented the proposed Forest Service lease with a three (3) year term from December 1, 2019, to November 30, 2022.
Property owned by the County may be leased or rented for such terms and upon such conditions as the Board may determine, for up to ten (10) years. Property may be rented or leased only pursuant to a resolution of the Board authorizing the execution of the lease or rental agreement adopted at a regular Board meeting upon 10 days' public notice. Notice shall be given by publication describing the property to be leased or rented, stating the annual rental or lease payments, and announcing the Board's intent to authorize the lease or rental at its next regular meeting.
County Manager Geouque stated that the notice requirement has been met. The County Manager stated that Board approval, contingent upon County Attorney review, is required to approve the lease and completion of PO-28 Lease proposal form. County Attorney di Santi stated that he had reviewed the lease which is worded the same as the current lease.
County Manager Geouque stated that in the near future the Forest Service would be requesting to rent office space from the Cooperative Extension Building. He stated that he had offered for the State to move a new office trailer onto the property currently being lease. The State, however, planned to continue to use that for connex boxes and vehicles.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the lease as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. January’s Meeting Schedule
County Manager Geouque stated that the Board has traditionally cancelled one of the meetings in either December or January depending on how the holidays have fallen. Due to where Christmas and New Year’s fall during the week, staff would recommend the Board cancel the first meeting in January as there would be insufficient time to prepare the Board packets for that meeting. Historically, December and the first weeks in January have few issues requiring Board action.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to cancel the January 7, 2020, Board meeting.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
D. Boards and Commissions
County Manager Geouque presented the following for consideration:
Watauga County Planning Board
The four year At-large Planning Board term of Mr. Jamie Hodges will expire in December. Mr. Hodges does not wish to be reappointed. Volunteer Applications from Mr. David Hill, Mr. Chuck Phillips, and Ms. Kimmy Tiedemann are included for consideration as second readings.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to appoint Ms. Kimmy Tiedemann to serve as an At-large Planning Board member for a four year term ending in December 2023.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
E. Announcements
County Manager Geouque announced the following:
· The Annual Employee Christmas Lunch will be held at Dan’l Boone Inn on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, from 11:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The first lunch group will begin at 11:30 A.M. and the second lunch group will begin at 1:00 P.M.
· The Register of Deeds, Clerk of Court, and Tax Office invites you to join them for holiday breakfast on Friday, December 13, 2019, from 8:30 to 10:00 A.M. in the hallway between the Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds offices.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CLOSED SESSION
At 9:00 A.M., Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to enter Closed Session to discuss Attorney/Client Matters, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(3) and Land Acquisition, per G. S. 143-318.11(a)(5)(i).
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to resume the open meeting at 9:37 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
POSSIBLE ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION
There was no action after Closed Session.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Wallin, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:37 A.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board