AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 7th DAY OF NOVEMBER, TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE AT TWO O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE IN WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA

 

               Present

             Present

                Absent

Charles K Estes, Chairman

Robert P Anderson, V-Chm

Roger A Welch

S. Bryant Lee

John McCarthy, Co Adm.

Peter H. Luke, Co Attorney

Diane Bruce, Clerk

           

         Ronald L. Frazier

           

Chairman Estes called the meeting to order.  Mr. Frazier was absent; all other members were present.

 

MINUTES:     On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the minutes of the October 3, 2005 meeting were unanimously approved. The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:   Estes, Anderson, Welch, Lee.   NAY:  None.  ABSENT:  Frazier

 

AGENDA:     On motion of Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Lee, the revised Final Agenda was unanimously adopted.  The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:   Estes, Anderson, Welch, Lee.   NAY:  None.  ABSENT:  Frazier

 

SCHOOLS:  Superintendent Robert Chappell reported as follows:

            (1)   Distributed November calendar and newsletter.

            (2)  RCES Roof:  The warranty on this roof has expired.  Relief will be sought elsewhere. 

            (3)  RCHS Roofs:  Repairs have not yet been made, but discussions are ongoing with the company that installed the roof over the gymnasium and cafeteria.  Other negotiations are being pursued regarding leaking roofs from other recent construction projects.  One roof is the subject of a class-action suit and a pro-rated settlement is expected.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

            Hazel River Tier III Designation:  Paul Farmer, President of RLEP, Beverly Hunter, Jackson District and Sally Mello, all endorsed the Tier III designation for the Hazel River. 

            Bob Dennis, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, explained the intent of his recent letter to the Rappahannock News regarding review of assessments on properties owned by county government officials.  Mr. Dennis explained that in the past, accusations have been made that the Board of Assessors showed favoritism of some type to certain government officials; therefore the BOA took the extra step of reviewing all assessments to property owned by local government officials to be assured that those assessments were accurate.

            There being no others to speak, the Chairman closed the public comment section of the agenda.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

            Personal Property Tax Relief Program (PPTRP):  This act is an attempt to shore up the state budget problem which was a result of the car tax relief program created several years ago under then Governor James Gilmore.  The state has created a block grant program for reimbursement to localities and the county must devise a program that will call for the fair distribution of those funds.  Further discussion of the two methods of reimbursement will be on the December agenda with ordinance adoption to follow.    The program is effective January 1, 2006.

            Scrabble School Update:  Mr. McCarthy and Bob Lander explained the recent accomplishments of the Scrabble School Preservation Foundation and requested the Board's support for continued efforts to "reclaim, rehab and reuse" the facility.  The Foundation is attempting to rehab the school, a former "Rosenwald School" built in the 1920s, so that it can be placed into use for the county.  Suggestions for possible uses include a Senior Center for the Community Service Board's program, new voting facility for the precinct, meeting hall, site for social events and general community activities.  A capital funding campaign for $350,000 has been undertaken with about one half of that amount already committed.  (See papers of meeting for detail of reports.)

            On motion of Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously, of the members present, to support the efforts to rehab the Scrabble School.  The following vote was taken.  AYE:   Estes, Anderson, Welch, Lee.   NAY:  None.  ABSENT:  Frazier

            Hazel River, Tier III Designation:  The Department of Environmental Quality has offered the county an opportunity to comment on the proposed Tier III designation of the Hazel River.  The county, however, is not required to comment.  Mr. McCarthy advised the Board that Culpeper County is opposed to the designation and he also reminded the Board that it had approved Tier III designations to the Piney River and the north fork of the Thornton River several months ago.  By general consensus, the Board agreed to conduct a public hearing at the December 5 meeting to allow the public an opportunity to be heard and to decide if it wants to comment on the designation to DEQ. (See letter with papers of meeting.)

            Regional Jail Funding Resolution:  On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Lee and the unanimous vote of the members present, the Board adopted a "Resolution Requesting Leave to Study a Regional Jail and Submit a Plan to the Board of Corrections."  The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:   Estes, Anderson, Welch, Lee.   NAY:  None.  ABSENT:  Frazier (See Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part of these minutes.)

 

NEW BUSINESS:

            High School Track, RCHS:   Mr. McCarthy reported that only one bid was received for this project, that bid being from General Excavation in the total amount of $675,045.  The bid does not include a synthetic surface.  The budgeted amount set aside for the project is $350,000.  At this cost, the project would add 2¢ to next year's tax rate.  Further, the $60,000 in the Spieker Fund will be lost if not spent by February 2006.  By general consensus, the Board agreed to research further options.  Mr. Welch will represent the Board as the search for options continues. 

            Water Quality Report, Army Corps of Engineers:  As a result of the low impact development (LID) project at the elementary school and the RappFlow project conducted last summer, the Army Corps of Engineers has offered to conduct a water quality project on the stream leading from the elementary school to Rock Mills.   No funds will be required of the county but  Mr. McCarthy will devote time towards the "in-kind" contribution.  This project will contribute toward the Chesapeake Bay Act requirements due by 2010.  The project is expected to produce a list of items that can be accomplished to help clean the stream.  No action is required.

 

APPOINTMENTS: 

            Community Services Board:  Kay Kohler's term expires December 31, 2005.  She is not eligible for reappointment.    On motion of Mr. Estes, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board voted unanimously, of the members present, to appoint Dorothy Butler for a term commencing January 1, 2006.  AYE:   Estes, Anderson, Welch, Lee.   NAY:  None.  ABSENT:  Frazier (See papers of meeting.)

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE:     (See papers of meeting.)

            Letter from Senator Warner re:  Farm Service Agency office.

            Letters regarding Hazel River Tier III designation.    

 

INFORMATION:

            Shenandoah National Park Draft Fire Management Plan.  (See papers of meeting.)

Building Office Report:  Total construction from September 22, 2005 to October 21, 2005 was $1,780,675.00.  Year to date totals:  (See papers of meeting for more detail.)                 

Year to date totals:

               2004

               2005

New Home Construction

                59

                   49

Commercial Buildings

                11

                   13

           

                       

ACCOUNTS:   On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board voted unanimously, of the members present, to pay the accounts payables dated November 7, 2005.  The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:   Estes, Anderson, Welch, Lee.   NAY:  None.  ABSENT:  Frazier

 

 EXECUTIVE SESSION:  On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board voted unanimously, of the members present, to retire into executive session pursuant to Virginia Code ¤2.2-3711A.  The subject matter of the closed meeting was to discuss the performance of specific public officers, appointees or employees of the Board of Supervisors under Virginia Code ¤2.2-3711 A.1. and to  consider the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, when discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the Board of Supervisors under ¤2.2-3711A.3.  The following roll-call vote was taken. AYE:   Estes, Anderson, Welch, Lee.   NAY:  None.  ABSENT:  Frazier

            On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Welch, the Board voted unanimously, of the members present, to reconvene in open session.  The following roll-call vote was taken. AYE:   Estes, Anderson, Welch, Lee.   NAY:  None.  ABSENT:  Frazier

Whereupon the Chairman polled the members of the Board as follows "To the best of  your knowledge, do each of you certify that only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements under existing Virginia law, and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the executive meeting was convened, were heard, discussed or considered by the Board in the executive meeting just held?" The following roll-call vote was taken. AYE:   Estes, Anderson, Welch, Lee.   NAY:  None.  ABSENT:  Frazier.

 

There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 4:30 o'clock p.m. and recon- vened at 7:00 o'clock p.m. to conduct the following business.  Mr. Frazier was absent.  All other Board members and staff were present.

 

 

(1)       RZ#05-08-02, Salvano Village Commercial rezoning.  (Continued by Planning Commission at request of applicant.)

 

(2)  Six Year Secondary Road Plan:  Resident Engineer David Cubbage discussed the Draft of the FY2007-2012 Six-Year Improvement Program.  The draft plan is in a new format that lists projects in priority number rather than by route number.  There have been no radical changes; all projects have moved up in priority by three notches as a result of projects that have been completed and gone off the prior plan.

            Mr. Lee inquired about progress on improvements on Rt 627, Long Mountain Road, and for a traffic analysis on Routes 622 and 627.  Mr. Cubbage reported that Rt 622 handles 50 vehicles per day and Rt 627 handles 10 vehicles per day.  Additional traffic counts may be taken in the spring and summer.

            The Chairman opened the public hearing.    Each route number on the plan was read, aloud  individually and in sequence and public comment was taken by route number. 

            Ron Makela supported paving Rt. 640.  He also commented that road maintenance in Jackson District needs to be improved, especially with ditching  and shoulder maintenance.  He inquired at to why the speed limit on Rt 640 has not been reduced to 45 mph. 

            Reid Folsom urged VDOT to make improvements at the Grimsley Road intersection on Rts 729 and 628.

            There being no further public comment, the Chairman closed the public hearing. 

            Mr. Anderson requested that improvements on Route 626 near Rock Mills be placed in the plan. 

            Mr. Lee inquired about improving the eastern end of Rediviva Lane. 

            Mr. Welch commented on a site distance project on Rt 635 and the logjam on Rt 637 at the trestle bridge. 

            Adoption of the Six-Year plan will take place at the December 2005 meeting.  (See papers of meeting for list of priorities and details of plan.)

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 o'clock p.m. 

 

 

_________________________________________

                                                                                    Charles K. Estes, Chairman