AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 2ND DAY OF APRIL, TWO THOUSAND AND SEVEN AT TWO O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE IN WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA

 

               Present

             Present

                Absent

Robert P Anderson, Chairman Ronald L. Frazier, V-Chm

S. Bryant Lee      

Roger A Welch

Edward D. Wayland

 

John McCarthy, Co. Adm.

Peter H. Luke, Co. Attorney

Diane Bruce, Clerk

                  None    

 

 

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

 

MINUTES:    On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Lee, the minutes of the March 5, 2007 meeting were unanimously approved. The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:   Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier.  NAY:  None. 

 

AGENDA:     On the motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Welch, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the amended Final Agenda.  The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:   Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier.  NAY:  None.

 

SCHOOLS:  Carol Johnson distributed state reports regarding the teacher/pupil ratios for Rappahannock County and surrounding counties as well as for all the smallest school districts in the Commonwealth. The reports (filed with the papers of the meeting) consider "total" staff (teachers, guidance counselors, librarians etc.) in the calculations.

Dr. Chappell, Superintendent of Schools,  made the following report.

RCES Roof:  Repair work will begin during Easter break.  The architect will assume the $20,000 cost of repairs.  Repairs to the cafeteria/gym roof are complete and were paid for by the construction group.

            RCHS Track:  Due to weather-related problems, the final latex cover and paint stripes have not been completed.

            Staffing Reports:  Numerous documents were distributed to the Board members regarding staffing numbers and comparisons over the past five years.  (Copies are filed with the papers of this meeting.)  Dr. Chappell summarized the information by explaining that Rappahannock County averages are comparable to neighboring school systems and other school systems of similar size if the Fauquier County numbers are not used.  Fauquier County numbers skew the averages.

            FY08 Budget:   Individual Board members submitted questions to Dr. Chappell to give to the School Board prior to the public hearing.  The public hearing on the FY08 budget will be held on April 30, 2007 at 7:00 o'clock p.m. at the RCHS auditorium.  A joint worksession with the Board of Supervisors will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2007 at 7:00 o'clock p.m. at the Courthouse.

           

VDOT REPORT: 

            David Cubbage, Residency Engineer, announced that the current week is "Workzone Safety Week."

            Rt 621 bridge was completed 15 days early and is now open.  Mr. Lee asked that "Narrow Bridge" signs be placed on either side of the bridge.

            Rediviva Bridge:  If an engineering study is requested, VDOT will have to fund it from some project on the 6-year plan. The approximate cost is $25,000.  VDOT is preparing to go forward with demolition or with transferring the bridge to others. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:     None.

           

OLD BUSINESS:

            Workforce Housing:  Chris Moyles and Lea Vittitow, who appeared on behalf of the Rappahannock Community Housing Partnership (RCHP), an affiliate member of the Fauquier Housing Corporation, distributed a copy of a Preliminary Housing Needs Assessment prepared in February 2007.  The document is a preliminary summary of available housing data for the county and has grown from a widening discussion among local social service agencies, local government, housing officials, workforce employers and the general public.  See details of report filed with papers of the meeting.

Emergency Communications Update:  The consulting contract with CTI Communications, discussed at the March meeting, has been signed. 

Regional Jail:  The site preliminarily identified in Page County has been denied by the Page County Planning Commission.  The Warren County site may not be a feasible location.  Further discussions will be scheduled. 

Sludge Work Group:  A meeting is scheduled April 6. 

Dominion Power Line:   Mr. Luke, Mr. McCarthy and several staff members from Fauquier County met with the SCC staff.  The SCC evaluates the needs of the company and its customers.  It does not conduct bifurcated hearings; therefore need and siting will be considered at one public hearing.  It will be difficult to prevail upon the "needs" issue; the siting issue may consider drawings of structures, underground installation versus towers as well as confining use to the existing right of way.  Dominion Power has all the data and statistics and has retained the services of all the most knowledgeable and respected consultants and engineers. 

Fauquier County has reduced its budget to $42,000 through the end of the current fiscal year.  Culpeper County has adopted resolutions against the powerline but has not been a part of the discussions or legal challenges. 

Mr. Luke advised that the Board should get the advice of legal counsel, even if told it is a waste of time.

General Assembly Update:  Farm Wineries:  The governor signed the bill as drafted, with no additional amendments.

Workforce Investment Act:  The county is required to participate.  The matter is continued until the May meeting at which time the Board will hear from a staff member.

NEW BUSINESS:

            Living Towns:  The Regional Commission will conduct a meeting at the Schoolhouse in Sperryville on May 31.

            I. Christopher Parrish:  An award was presented to Mr. Parrish for serving 27 years on the Electoral Board.

 

APPOINTMENTS: 

Planning Commission:   On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Frazier, the Board voted unanimously to ratify the appointment of Robert Weinberg to the Planning Commission by the Board of Zoning Appeals.  The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:  Wayland,  Welch, Frazier, Lee and Anderson.  NAY:  None. 

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

            Page County Comprehensive Plan:  Notice has been received that Page County is in the process of reviewing and revising its Comprehensive Plan.  The public hearing will be held on April 23, 2007.  Letter with papers of meeting.               

INFORMATION: 

            Building Office Report:  Total construction from February 22, 2007 to March 21, 2007 was $696,600.00.  Year to date totals:  (See papers of meeting for more detail.)                 

Year to date totals:

               2006

               2007

   New Home Construction

                   13

                    9

   Commercial Buildings

                     2

                    1

 

            Kitty Payne Descendants will visit on April 10.  (Ltr with papers of mtg.)

            VACO Region 7 Meeting will be held on April 20 in Culpeper. (Ltr w/papers of mtg.)

            Stuart Field:  Opening day ceremonies will be held on April 21 at 11:00 a.m.

            School Budget:  Public Hearing on the FY08 budget will be held on April 30 at 7 pm at the RCHS auditorium.

           

ACCOUNTS: On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Accounts Payables dated April 2, 2007.  The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:  Wayland,  Welch, Frazier, Lee and Anderson.  NAY:  None. 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to retire into executive session pursuant to Virginia Code ¤2.2-3711A.7 to consult with legal counsel or to receive a briefing by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation where such consultation or briefings in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiation or litigating position of the Board of Supervisors under ¤2.2-37llA.7.  For purposes of this subdivision, "probable litigation" means litigation that has been specifically threatened on which the Board of Supervisors or its legal counsel has a reasonable basis to believe will be commenced by or against a known party. (Resolution filed with papers of meeting.)   The subject matter of the closed meeting was (1) discussion of legal action and/or settlement of the B&S Excavation matter and (2) discussion of threatened legal action with regard to an assessment.   The following roll-call vote was taken. AYE:  Anderson, Frazier, Lee, Welch, Wayland  NAY:  None.

            Open Session:  On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to reconvene into open session.  The following roll-call vote was taken. AYE:  Wayland, Anderson, Frazier, Lee, Welch.  NAY:  None. 

Certification: 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:  Anderson, Frazier, Lee, Welch, Wayland.  NAY:  None.

There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 4:15 o'clock p.m. and reconvened at 7:00 o'clock p.m. to conduct the following public hearings.   All Board members were present. 

            1)  CIM Real Estate Rezoning, RZ#07-01-01:  This application is continued until the May 2007 meeting.

           

            (2)  Lee Efficiency Apartment, SE#07-02-01:  Elizabeth Lee has applied to convert a separate structure on her property in Sperryville for use as an efficiency apartment.  There will be no change to the footprint of the building being converted.  The apartment will have a total of 756 square feet and will be known as the "River Cottage," 31 Main Street, Sperryville.  The main house contains 3400 square feet.  The property is described as Tax Map 38A-1, Parcel 18, contains .358 acres and is zoned "VC" Village Commercial.  The Zoning Office recommends approval contingent upon final Water and Sewer Authority approval.  (Details of application with papers of meeting.)

            The Planning Commission voted unanimously, of the members present, to approve the application conditioned upon (1) meeting parking requirements of 9 spaces with curb stops as set forth on the plat/site plan; (2) no overhanging awning on the adjacent Woodard property and (3) fencing between the Woodard and Lee properties.

            Chairman Anderson opened the public hearing. 

            Mrs. Lee explained that she will construct a small apartment in the old shop near the river. 

            There being no other comments, Chairman Anderson closed the public hearing. 

            On motion of Mr. Wayland, seconded by Mr. Welch, the Board voted unanimously to approve the application conditioned upon compliance with the conditions imposed by the Planning Commission as set forth above.  The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:  Wayland,  Welch, Frazier, Lee and Anderson.  NAY:  None. 

 

            (3) Price Multiple Dwellings on a Parcel, SE07-02-03:  The applicant has requested the application be tabled until the May meeting.

 

            (4)  Kreyling Proffer Amendment, RZ07-03-01:  Peter Kreyling has applied to amend the proffers on the former Oasis CD property (formerly Faith Mountain Company) to allow for his contractor's operation.  The property is located in Hampton District across from Rock Mills Road and is described as Tax Map 28, Parcels 48B, 49, 52C and 52H and is conditionally zoned "GC" General Commercial.  The use is allowed under ¤170-134 of the Rappahannock County Code.  The applicant seeks to amend the current proffers allowing only retail and commercial office uses to include a contractor's office with interior shop, storage, warehousing and millwork shop operation. The proposed Proffer Amendment is filed with the papers of the meeting.  The Zoning Office recommends approval and notes that the proposed use of the property, particularly the proffers requiring interior storage of materials and supplies, is in keeping with the terms of the General Commercial overlay plan. (Details of application with papers of meeting.)

            The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval conditioned upon (1) any new exterior lighting to comply with the lighting ordinance; (2) a site plan review for any outdoor storage area to be built with a 6400 square foot net for this use and (3) building office approval.

            Chairman Anderson opened the public hearing.   Mr. Kreyling offered to answer questions.   There were no other public comments. Chairman Anderson closed the public hearing. 

            On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to approve the application conditioned upon compliance with requirements imposed by the Planning Commission as set forth above.  The vote was recorded as follows:  AYE:  Wayland,  Welch, Frazier, Lee and Anderson.  NAY:  None. 

 

            There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 7:15 o'clock p.m. and will reconvene on Monday, April 30, 2007 at 7:00 o'clock p.m. at the Rappahannock County High School at which time the Board will conduct a public hearing to consider the School Board FY08 proposed budget.

 

 

 

                                                                        ________________________________________

                                                                                    Robert P. Anderson, Chairman