AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 6th DAY OF MARCH, TWO THOUSAND AND SIX AT TWO O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE IN WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA

                                    Present                                                                       Absent

            Charles K. Estes, Chairman

            Robert P. Anderson, Vice-Chairman                                                    None

            S. Bryant Lee              Peter H. Luke, Como Attorney

            Ronald L. Frazier        John McCarthy, County Adm

            Roger A. Welch          Diane Bruce, Clerk

 

            Chairman Estes called the meeting to order.  All members were present.

 

MINUTES:     On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the minutes of the

February 6, 2006 meeting were approved as printed. The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:   Frazier, Lee, Anderson, Welch.  NAY:  None.  ABSTAIN:  Estes.

 

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

 

SCHOOLS:  Dr. Robert Chappell, School Superintendent, reported as follows:

            (1)  Distributed weekly newsletter reporting certain academic and athletic accomplishments; Lord Fairfax Community College series of lectures on Civil War; Academic, schedule of fine arts and other activities for the week.  (See handout with papers of meeting.)

            (2)       State Reimbursements:  Distributed resolution to General Assembly adopted by the School Board on February 14, 2006 requesting that the "Add-On Cost of Competing Adjustment" (COCA) be included with state reimbursement to the county because Rappahannock County is located in the high cost of living area.  (Resolution filed with papers of meeting.)  Dr. Chappell added that unless a budget amendment had been included in the budget, there is little likelihood of receiving extra funds.    

           

VDOT REPORT:   David Cubbage, Residence Administrator, made the following monthly report.

            (1)  Rediviva Road:  Recent research revealed that VDOT did not complete the Route 211 project in completing its records, therefore Rediviva Road carries all the rights, benefits and privileges of a primary road.  There are other roads in the system where the same thing has happened.  A resolution will be presented to the Supervisors at a meeting in the near future transferring this road from the Primary System to the Secondary System. 

            The old Rediviva Bridge will either be demolished or transferred to the abutting owners.

            (2)       Maintenance Expenditures:  Revenue reductions will force reduction in contracts for mowing and tree-cutting; state employees will not be affected.

            (3)       Rt 645 Bridge:  This project should be complete before the April Supervisor's meeting.

           

RESOLUTION:  Joyce and Ann Harmon, Culpeper Soil & Water District Award:  Continued until the April meeting.

           

PUBLIC COMMENT:        

Washington (Town of) Wastewater System Proposal:  Monira Rifaat inquired about the third-party engineer retained by the county to review the Town of Washington's wastewater system permit application.  Mr. McCarthy reported that the engineer's report had not been received.

SB262:  Phil Irwin suggested that this bill be discussed because it sets forth regulations that would permit the siting of energy facilities in any rural area in the state. 

           

OLD BUSINESS: 

            General Assembly Update: 

            HB 1435--Farm Winery Bill:  A compromise was reached that preserves the status quo for one year and calls for the more complex issues to be studied by the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry and various stakeholders, including local governments. 

            Budget Bills:  (1) Civil War Trails project was not included.  (2) Scrabble School grant was not funded. 

            SB 343--Regional Jails provisions:  Passed by indefinitely, but still alive.

 

            Tax Relief for Elderly and Handicapped:  Pursuant to the recent reassessment, property assessments have increased significantly.  Mr. McCarthy recommended that this relief program should be re-evaluated.  Mr. Luke and Mr. McCarthy will submit options at the April meeting. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

            Employee Health Insurance Program:  Mr. McCarthy reported that rates will increase 21% for the next year, an increase of $1100 per employee for a total budget increase of $70,000.  He also noted that there still are employees who are unhappy because they have no access to the $215 per month dependant care benefit.  Both issues will have budget consequences.  Because the open enrollment period for Anthem/Local Choice is April 1 through May 15, the insurance benefit questions must be resolved no later than the April 3 meeting.  This matter will be considered at the April meeting. 

            Capital Projects and Spending:  Mr. McCarthy distributed a  "Multi-Year Capital Projects Planning FY2007-2012" report.  The report, attached hereto as Exhibit A and made a part of these minutes, shows the major projects to be accomplished by the county over the next 6 years and their estimated costs.

            Budget Amendment, Sheriff's Office:    A technology grant for the installation of cameras and computers for all cruisers has been received.  These funds are entirely flow-through revenues; there is no county match.  On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board voted unanimously to appropriate $59,198 to Account #3201-7005, Sheriff's Office Grant.  The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE: Estes, Frazier, Lee, Anderson, Welch.  NAY:  None.

            Landfill Brush, Tree Waste Disposal:  Mr. McCarthy reported that the current landfill policy for disposing and/or burning of brush should be changed because it is not cost effective, permits too much out-of-county brush disposal and is overly intrusive on the neighbors.  He advised the Board that he plans to change the current policy to charge commercial haulers $43 per ton and to go to a grinding operation in lieu of a burn operation.  Mulch will be either sold or given away.  The Board agreed by general consensus to Mr. McCarthy's plan.   

 

APPOINTMENTS:   None. 

 

CORRESPONDENCE:  (See papers of meeting.)

            Mark Obenshain letter reporting that the state's fiscal year budget includes an amendment providing authority for the Board of Corrections to approve the state share (up to 50%) of the capital costs of a new regional jail serving the counties of Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren, conditioned upon approval by DOC of a planning study for the regional jail to be conducted by the participating jurisdictions.

           

INFORMATION:  (See papers of meeting.)

            Building Office Report:  Total construction from January 22, 2006 to February 21, 2006 was $1,274,000.00.  Year to date totals:  (See papers of meeting for more detail.)                    

Year to date totals:

               2005

               2006

New Home Construction

                 5

                   9

Commercial Buildings

                 1

                   2

 

JLARC Report Summary:  Land application of sludge.

Shenandoah National Park:  Prescribed burns.

Washington Wastewater Report:  DEQ public hearing on March 28 at RCHS. 

 

ACCOUNTS: On motion of Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Accounts Payables dated March 6, 2006.   The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE: Estes, Frazier, Lee, Anderson, Welch.  NAY:  None.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  None.

 

            There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 o'clock p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                        _________________________________________

                                                                                    Charles K. Estes, Chairman