AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 3rd DAY OF JANUARY, TWO
THOUSAND AND SEVEN AT TWO O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE IN WASHINGTON,
VIRGINIA
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Present |
Present |
Absent |
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Robert P Anderson, Chairman Ronald L. Frazier, V-Chm Roger A Welch Edward D. Wayland |
John McCarthy, Co. Adm. Peter H. Luke, Co. Attorney Diane Bruce, Clerk |
S. Bryant Lee |
Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order. Mr. Lee was absent.
RESOLUTION, ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Chairman Anderson turned the meeting over to John McCarthy, the County Administrator, for election of officers for calendar year 2007, whereupon Mr. McCarthy opened the floor for nominations and elections.
Following
nominations, on motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted
unanimously to adopt the Organizational Meeting Resolution, electing officers,
making appointments, setting dates, establishing meeting guidelines and
memorializing its votes, as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part of these
minutes. The following roll-call
vote was taken.
Robert P Anderson None S. Bryant Lee
Ronald L. Frazier
Roger A Welch
Edward D. Wayland
Delegate Todd Gilbert, Rappahannock County representative to the House of Delegates, was introduced. He asked that county officials and citizens feel free to contact him about proposed legislation and/or other concerns.
MINUTES: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Wayland, the minutes of the December 4, 2006 meeting were unanimously approved as edited. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None. ABSENT: Lee
AGENDA: On the motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Frazier, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the amended Final Agenda. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None. ABSENT: Lee.
SCHOOLS: Dr. Robert Chappell, Superintendent of Schools, distributed the monthly school calendar and presented a brief overview of activities and events taking place during the month.
Farm to Table Program: Dr. Chappell also introduced Trista Scherlein, coordinator of the program, who described the program, which was made possible by an anonymous donor, and its activities. It partnerships with the public schools, Headwaters, Cole Family Foundation, Rappahannock Farm Bureau, the Young Farmland Fund and several private individual supporters. There were 40 students involved in 2004; the program now enrolls over 300 students. The mission is to cultivate students to be good stewards of the earth; to provide seasonal and local food tastings at the schools and to teach students about nutritional foods. Students are involved with hands-on learning experiences as foods are grown at the schools and used by the culinary classes. Over 200 pounds of food have been donated to the Senior Citizens group.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Phil Irwin noted that contributions to the Farm to Table program are tax deductible.
OLD BUSINESS:
Emergency Communications Update: Mr. McCarthy reported that the first shipment of donated radios from Fairfax County have been received and that 15 radios have been purchased with a Homeland Security grant.
Sludge Work Group Report: Meetings are being held on a regular basis. A draft ordinance may be ready to present at the March Supervisor's meeting.
Staggered Terms of Office: Pursuant to the County's ordinance establishing staggered terms for the Board of Supervisors and the School Board, the Chairman of the Electoral Board will select the names of the two districts whose representatives will only serve a two-year term commencing January 1, 2008. Subsequent terms will revert to the usual four-year terms. The drawing will take place in the Courtroom on Monday, March 5, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. (See memo from county attorney with papers of meeting.)
NEW BUSINESS:
Consumer Utility Tax: The Local Consumer Utility Tax (LCUT) was replaced with the Virginia Communications Sales and Use Tax (CST). Federal, state and local government organizations (includes fire and rescue departments) are exempt from the tax. The law preserved an exemption for certain entities exempt from the tax under the old laws. The county is being asked by Verizon Communications to assist in identifying the exemptions that were in effect on January 1, 2006. Churches and church-related properties that wish to be included on the exemption list should contact the County Administrator's office before February 28, 2007 and ask to be placed on the exempt-list that will be submitted to Verizon. (Memo from Verizon with papers of meeting)
Rappahannock-Rapidan Medical Reserve Corp: The mission of RRMRC is to establish teams of trained volunteers to strengthen the public health infrastructure and improve emergency preparedness and response. The November 2006 report and Newsletter were distributed. The Board was urged to review the documents. (with papers of meeting.)
Dominion Power Line Resolution: On motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution entitled "Rappahannock County Opposition to the Designation of a National Interest Transmission Corridor and Concern Over the Air Quality Effects Resulting from Continued Reliance on Ohio River Valley Power Producers." (Exhibit B attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.) The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None. ABSENT: Lee.
APPOINTMENTS:
Building Code of Appeals: Terms for three of the Board members will expire after two years. Subsequent appointments to these three positions will resume as 4 year appointments. On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to make the following appointments to the Building Code of Appeals. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None. ABSENT: Lee.
William Anderson Term to expire: 1/1/2009
Jonothan Monroe " 1/1/2009
Peter Kreyling " 1/1/2009
Chris Stanton " 1/1/2011
T. G. Taylor " 1/1/2011
Thomas Tepper " 1/1/2011
CORRESPONDENCE: (with papers of meeting)
Scrabble School: Letter to Senator Mark Obenshain thanking him for his efforts on behalf of the Preservation Foundation.
INFORMATION: (See
papers of meeting.)
Building Office Report: Total construction from November 22, 2006 to December 21, 2006 was $4,870,225.00. Year to date totals: (See papers of meeting for more detail.)
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Year to date totals: |
2005 |
2006 |
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New Home Construction |
60 |
67 |
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Commercial Buildings |
15 |
6 |
ACCOUNTS: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Accounts Payables dated January 3, 2007. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Wayland, Welch, Frazier and Anderson. NAY: None. ABSENT: Lee.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 3:30 o'clock p.m. and reconvened at 7:00 o'clock p.m. to conduct the following public hearings. Mr. Lee was absent. All other Board members were present.
(1) VDOT--Six-Year Secondary Road Plan: David Cubbage, Residency Engineer, appeared on behalf of VDOT and requested input and offered to answer questions regarding the 2006-2007 through 2011-2012 road plan. The proposed projects are listed and filed with the papers of the meeting.
Chairman Anderson opened a public hearing on the Six-Year Secondary Road Plan to include comments and discussions of proposed solutions for the Rediviva River Bridge over the Covington River, and called for comments from the public.
Project #14, Bridge Replacement on North Poe's Road, Wakefield: Jackie Burke, Bob Dennis, Bob Belfort, Joyce Harmon, Betsy Parker, Janice Cleary and Ron Perry all expressed concern about the proposed replacement of the bridge over the Jordan River and inquired as to need and the appearance of a new structure. Mr. Cubbage explained that the proposed structure will be an "in-kind" replacement similar to the new Tapp's Ford Bridge. It will be more structurally sound, of the same elevation, within one foot of the same width of the existing bridge and visually similar.
Project #13, Rock Mills Road: Deak Deakins, Hampton, asked if there are any projects for Rt 622 this year. (Rock Mills Road is scheduled for reconstruction and to widen the non-hardsurfaced road.)
Project #8, Lizzie Mills Road: Ken Hickman inquired about progress. Right of way acquisitions will begin in late 2007.
Rediviva River Bridge, Covington River: Mr. Cubbage explained that VDOT believes it owns the right of way of the old turnpike and the bridge, that it has discontinued maintenance on the road and bridge but has not abandoned them and further believes that the bridge is not structurally sound enough to carry traffic. On December 7, due to it responsibility for liability, VDOT recommended that the bridge be closed to public traffic and took action on December 19 to close the bridge to the public. VDOT would like to either demolish the bridge or transfer ownership to neighboring landowners, but remains open to suggestions and options. Demolition and disposal costs could exceed $75,000. Complete bridge rehabilitation would likely exceed $400,000 plus engineering, environmental permits and inspection costs. (See background and condition report filed with papers of meeting.)
John Anderson, Robert Bridges, John Clark, Mitch May and Alice Anderson objected to demolition. They suggested that the bridge be repaired and a weight limit placed on it.
Monira Rifaat inquired as to protection of the stream from debris from demolition and trash. (Ans. VDOT must obtain environmental permits and will remove all debris.)
There being no further comments, the public hearing was closed by Chairman Anderson and the Board was advised that Mr. Cubbage will present the final Secondary Plan at the March 2007 meeting.
(2) Amendments to the Subdivision and Zoning Chapters: Mr. McCarthy reported that the Planning Commission held its public hearing on November 16, 2006 and recommends adoption of amendments to Chapter 170, "Zoning," and Chapter 147 "Subdivision of Land" of the Rappahannock County Code. The proposed amendments have been advertised as required by statute. These amendments bring the County Code into compliance with changes in state law including the replacement of the existing overflow floodplain district.
Chairman Anderson opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Chairman Anderson closed the public hearing.
Mr. Luke advised that the flood plain maps are in existence and will be incorporated into the county code. (Digital copies are available in the County Administrator's Office).
On motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to adopt "An Ordinance Amending Chapter 170, The Zoning Ordinance of the County of Rappahannock, Virginia, by Re-Establishing Floodplain Districts, by Requiring the Issuance of Permits for Development and By Providing Factors and Conditions for Variances to the Terms of the Ordinances" as specifically set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto and made a part of these minutes. The roll-call vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Wayland, Welch, Frazier and Anderson. NAY: None. ABSENT: Lee.
(3) Finley Productions Festival: (Tabled by Planning Commission at request of applicant. Will be on agenda for February meeting.)
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 o'clock p.m.
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Robert P. Anderson, Chairman