MINUTES
WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting, as scheduled, on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 5:30 P.M. remotely with the meeting originating in the Commissioners’ Conference Room located in the Watauga County Administration Building, Boone, North Carolina.
Chairman Welch called the remote electronic meeting to order at 5:41 P.M. The following were present:
PRESENT VIA ELECTRONIC MEANS:
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
Commissioner Wallin opened with a prayer and Commissioner Turnbow led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the August 4, 2020, regular meeting and closed session minutes.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the August 4, 2020, regular meeting minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the August 4, 2020, closed session minutes as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Welch called for additions and/or corrections to the August 18, 2020, agenda.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to approve the August 18, 2020, agenda as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Update
Ms. Jennifer Greene, AppHealthCare Director, was to provide an update on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; however, Ms. Greene wasn’t available at the time of the meeting. Therefore, the update was tabled until the September 1, 2020, meeting.
Rivers Walk Utility Easement Request
Mr. Alan Crees, with Municipal Engineering Services, presented a request for a water easement on County-owned property for the Town of Boone. The easement through the West Annex property would allow for a tap on to the new twelve-inch water main on West King Street. The water line would then go across the West Annex property on the western side of the Cooperative Extension Building to connect to the Rivers Walk Project.
Mr. Crees stated that originally there were two options for the water line. One was for the water line to run under Burrell Street from West King Street and the other was for the line to run on the eastern side of the Cooperative Extension Building where Watauga Medics’ ambulance base is located.
Mr. Crees stated that contractors met with County Manager Geouque and County Maintenance Director, Mr. Robert Marsh, to formulate the better route so as to not interfere with ambulance services during the construction phase. Mr. Crees stated the County had also requested a fire hydrant be located at the County’s unpaved lot (Impound Lot) adjacent to the Rivers Walk Project and a tap be installed in the event the County improved the property for future use.
During discussion, concerns were raised regarding the route of the waterline across County property. County Manager Geouque stated that a Department of Transportation Right-of-Way inhibited the Burrell Street option and if the County improved the Impound Lot the line nearest that area may, at that time, have to be relocated. Mr. Crees stated that the line could come straight out of the Poplar Grove Road Line in place of curving toward the project or the line could be pushed to the edge of the drive closer to Poplar Grove Road. Rivers Walk Attorney, Mr. Tucker Deal, joined the discussion to add that the County could elect the exact location of the portion of the water line located on County property.
Commissioner Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to approve the easement as to be prepared by the County Attorney with the route for the water line to be located to the best advantage of the County.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Tax Matters
A. Monthly Collections Report
County Manager Geouque, on behalf of Tax Administrator, Mr. Larry Warren, presented the Tax Collections Report for the month of July 2020. The report was presented for information only and, therefore, no action was required.
B. Refunds and Releases
County Manager Geouque presented the Refunds and Releases Report for July 2020 for Board approval:
TO BE TYPED IN MINUTE BOOK
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to approve the Refunds and Releases Report for July 2020 as presented.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Budget Amendments
Ms. Misty Watson, Finance Director, reviewed the following budget amendments:
|
Account # |
Description |
Debit |
Credit |
|
105550-422000 |
Food and Provisions |
$38,127 |
|
|
103300-332008 |
FFCRA Grant |
|
$38,127 |
|
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The amendment recognized the acceptance of the NC Division of Aging and Adults Services funding for the FFCRA Act as approved per Board action on June 9, 2020 |
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|
104286-457002 |
Capital Outlay – Leasehold Improvements |
|
$24,655 |
|
109800-498021 |
Transfer to Capital Projects Fund |
$24,655 |
|
|
213980-398100 |
Transfer from General Fund |
|
$24,655 |
|
213991-399101 |
Appropriated Fund Balance |
$24,655 |
|
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The amendment returned unused CIP funds from the Anne-Marie paving project to CIP. |
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293270-312009 |
Occupancy Tax Revenues |
|
$32,000 |
|
294140-469900 |
Watauga County District U TDA |
$32,000 |
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The amendment recognized additional projected occupancy tax revenues above original budgeted amount. |
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Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Vice-Chairman Kennedy, moved to approve the budget amendments as presented by Ms. Watson.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Miscellaneous Administrative Matters
A. Request from Watauga Humane Society Regarding Current Loan
County Manager Geouque stated that the Watauga Humane Society had requested to modify their current loan agreement with the County. The current loan went into effect November 26, 2019, with a maturity date of December 1, 2029. The Humane Society had requested the Board authorize interest only payments from September 1, 2020, through August 1, 2021, which would extend the loan expiration date to December 1, 2030.
Commissioner Turnbow stated that the Humane Society had required updates to the dog kennels. The same type of updates, to the cat condos, were made in 2019 with funds generated through fundraisers. With the COVID-19 pandemic, fundraisers have not generated enough funds in 2020 to cover the required dog kennel updates.
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to authorize the loan modification and direct the County Attorney to draft the necessary changes to the current loan agreement.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
B. Boards and Commissions
Recreation Commission
Chairman Welch stated that Dr. Joy James had been recommended by Dr. Melissa Weddell, the Recreation Management Chair, to replace Dr. Stephanie West, as an Appalachian State University (ASU) representative to the Recreation Commission for a three-year term.
Chairman Yates, seconded by Commissioner Turnbow, moved to waive the second reading and appoint Dr. Joy James to a three-year term to serve as an Appalachian State University (ASU) representative to the Watauga County Recreation Commission.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
C. Announcements
Chairman Welch stated that there were no announcements.
Vice-Chairman Kennedy asked County Attorney di Santi if there was anything he could share with the public in regards to the Rainbow Trail Board of Adjustment Appeal. Mr. di Santi stated that the case was pending before Judge Gavenus in Superior Court.
Chairman Welch stated that more information would be provided on a future agenda.
Public Comment
Chairman Welch stated that written comments were made available to view on the County’s website and at the County Manager’s Office.
[Clerk’s Note: Written comments were received by the 5:00 P.M. deadline on August 17, 2020, from the following: Tony Hemp, Melissa Riley, and Jill Flood.]
Closed Session
At 6:19 P.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). The following lawsuits were included in discussion during closed session: The Rainbow Trail Board of Adjustment Appeal, the Town of Boone lawsuit regarding sales tax distribution and the lawsuit against the Town of Boone regarding the water allocation.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Vice-Chairman Kennedy, seconded by Commissioner Yates, moved to resume the open meeting at 6:51 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
Adjourn
Commissioner Turnbow, seconded by Commissioner Wallin, moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 P.M.
VOTE: Aye-5
Nay-0
John Welch, Chairman
ATTEST:
Anita J. Fogle, Clerk to the Board