AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 6th DAY OF APRIL, TWO THOUSAND AND NINE AT TWO O'CLOCK
P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE IN WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA
|
Present |
Present |
Absent |
|
Robert P Anderson, Chm. 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. Lee, seconded by
Mr. Wayland, the minutes of the March 2, 2009 meeting were unanimously
approved. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY:
None.
AGENDA: On motion of Mr. Welch,
seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the Final Agenda as
published and with the additional entry "Authorization to Prosecute Unpaid
Meals and Lodging Taxes." The
vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland,
Frazier. NAY: None.
SCHOOLS: Dr. Robert Chappell,
Superintendent of Schools, made the following report: (See documents filed with papers of meeting.)
1) Stimulus Funds: The
Facilities Committee is interviewing architects in regard to a stimulus fund
application.
2) The Building Trades class won the state-wide competition.
3) Facts 4U filed.
4) Non-resident Students: Mr.
Frazier and Dr. Chappell discussed the issue of non-resident students who pay
tuition and those who do not pay tuition as well as students who illegally
attend the schools without paying tuition. There are 7 paying students. Dr. Chappell will report as to how many
legal, non-paying students attend the school. He advised the Supervisors that the School Board chose not
to prosecute students who illegally attended the schools during the past school
year.
5) Performance Contracts: Mr.
Frazier objected to a line item in the proposed FY10 budget that is for the
not-yet approved Performance Contracting proposal being considered by the
county and the School Board.
VaCo PRESIDENT: Donald L. Hart, Jr., supervisor from
Accomac County and new president of the Virginia Association of Counties,
described ways that VACO can help its member counties with legislation. He encouraged the Board to get involved
with the Rural Caucus which has become more effective as it has become
stronger. Steve Walker from
Culpeper County is Chairman of the Rural Caucus.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Phil
Irwin and Ron Maxwell, both from Flint Hill, cautioned the Board about creating
an Economic Development Committee
and suggested that if created, it should only be advisory with no powers except
to make recommendations.
Sharon
Pyne, Department of Social
Services and Chairman of the Rappahannock County Eldercare Coalition, invited the Board and community to the 2009
Community Conversation at The Link in Sperryville on April 30, 2009. Dr. McCue will speak.
Jean
Lillard, Flint Hill, stated that the appraisal recently prepared on the Kramer
Building did not use recent or local
comparables.
Tom
Pelikan, Woodville, reported on the local entries in the Piedmont Area
Soap Box Derby and thanked the Board
for donating the county seals.
Art
Candenquist complained of mind-boggling noise caused by ATV riders on a farm
near his home. He asked the Board
to consider a noise ordinance.
John
Lesinski, Hampton District, introduced himself and announced that he will
be the Democratic Party nominee from the 15th District for the House of
Delegates election in November 2009.
He added that he has lived in Rappahannock County since 2003, has spent
23 years in the military services and currently owns a commercial real estate
business.
Todd
Gilbert, the sitting Delegate to the House of Delegates was also present and
offered to answer any questions about the recent legislative actions. Mr. Lee and Mr. Frazier offered thanks
for his help in obtaining additional school funding. Mr. McCarthy expressed gratitude regarding the amendments to
HB1788 relating to regulations on
alternate sewage systems and explained that amendments help make the bill more
palatable.
Henry
Gorfein, Hampton District, urged the Board not to reduce the tax rate but
to use the funds to grant teachers their step raise.
There
being no further comments, the Chairman closed the Public Comment section.
OLD BUSINESS:
Scrabble
School: The re-dedication is scheduled for May 2, 2009 at 1:00 p.m.
Landfill
Closure: The project is complete.
Economic
Development Advisory Committee (RCEDAC) Mission Statement: On
motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to
adopt the Rappahannock County Economic Development Advisory Committee
Mission Statement. The Mission
Statement is attached as Exhibit A and made a part of these minutes. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland,
Frazier. NAY: None.
By
general consensus, the Board authorized the County Administrator to advertise
for volunteers to serve on this committee.
Property
Acquisition, Kramer Building: The
acquisition of this property was discussed at an earlier meeting at which time
the Board agreed to obtain a professional appraisal. The appraisal prepared by
Walter A. Robinson, Jr., Certified Real Estate Appraiser, reports a market
value dated Februaryy 25, 2009 of $820,000; the contract price is
$975,000. On motion of Mr.
Frazier, seconded by Mr. Welch, the Board voted unanimously to NOT
ratify the contract.
The vote was recorded as follows:
AYE:
Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None.
Performance
Contracting, Energy Audits: Mr. McCarthy reported on the various
energy savings projects proposed by Ameresco for the schools and several county
office buildings as shown on the Cash Flow Analysis dated April 7, 2009. (filed with papers of meeting). The eight projects proposed are (1)
lighting & lighting control; (2) energy management system; (3) window
replacement, w/ or w/o Kalwall system; (4) a/c for the gym; (5) window a/c unit
replacement; (6) waste oil furnace; (7) converting trailer at RCHS and (8)
Performance Contracting management.
Under the proposal, the total capital costs would be approximately $2.5
million. Guaranteed energy
savings, as shown on the analysis, range from $3.8 million to $4.3
million.
The
Board members agreed as to the need to replace windows, especially at RCHS,
with Supervisors Lee, Wayland and Welch agreeing that this may be a good
opportunity to obtain funding that will be returned by the guaranteed energy
savings. Mr. Frazier
objected to the School Board including these costs in its FY10 budget prior to
the Board's approval of the project.
He suggested a referendum to permit voters the opportunity to
decide.
If
the county chooses to pursue the proposal, financing can be obtained through a
bond issue with the Virginia Resources Authority (VRA). To apply for the June bond issue, the Board must make a decision and
application to VRA no later than the end of April.
A special meeting is anticipated
for April 27, 2009 to consider the School Board and General Fund budgets for
FY2010. By general consensus, the
Supervisors agreed to continue this matter for further consideration at a
special meeting to be scheduled later at this meeting.
General Assembly Update:
HB1788 was discussed during the Public Comment section.
Application Fees:
Continue until May 2009 meeting.
Credit Card Payment for Taxes:
Continue until May 2009 meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Fauquier
County 250th Anniversary: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr.
Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to adopt a "Resolution of
Appreciation and Congratulations to the Board of Supervisors and Citizens of
Fauquier County" attached hereto as Exhibit B and made a part of
these minutes. The vote was
recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland,
Frazier. NAY: None.
VDOT-Maintenance
& Operations Service Standards: David Cubbage, Resident Engineer,
presented VDOT's "discussion draft" of the Maintenance and
Operations Service Standards.
(filed with papers of meeting) This document sets out 16 services
provided by VDOT through in-house staff or through the use of private sector
vendors and partners. He noted
that although many levels of service will be eliminated statewide, the level of
service for category D roads and higher will remain the same. VDOT is soliciting public comment
regarding these standards through April 15. Mr. Cubbage emphasized the opportunity for the county to
make its concerns known prior to that date.
Retiree
Health Benefits: Mr. McCarthy explained that this
resolution should have been adopted several years ago but has been overlooked
because there have been no recent retirees in county staff. The effect of the resolution is to
allow retirees to purchase and pay for health insurance upon retirement; there
is no cost to the county. On
motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to adopt
the Retiree Health Benefits Resolution, attached hereto as Exhibit C and
made a part of these minutes. The vote was recorded as
follows: AYE:
Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland, Frazier. NAY: None.
FY10
Budget Public Hearing: By general consensus, the Board agreed
to schedule public hearings on the FY10 General Fund and School Board budgets
for Friday, April 24, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rappahannock County High
School. The FY10 School Budget can
be adopted at the May 4, 2009 Supervisor's meeting. The FY10 General Fund budget can also be adopted on May 4,
2009 or can be continued until a later time.
Further
consideration of the Performance Contracting proposals, previously discussed,
will also be on the April 24, 2009 agenda.
Virginia
Byway Designation - Route 729-Ben Venue to Flint Hill: The
Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has informed the county that Rt
729 between Flint Hill and Ben Venue meets the criteria for inclusion in the
Virginia Byway system. (letter with papers of meeting). On motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by
Mr. Welch, the Board voted unanimously to support the designation of Route 729
between Routes 211 and 522 as a Virginia Byway.
Authorization
to Prosecute Unpaid Meals and Lodging Taxes: Mr. Luke explained that
meals and lodging taxes are down 23% over past years. Several businesses have closed. Hillsdale Country Store is two years delinquent. He asked for authority to take legal
action against Hillsdale. On
motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Welch and the unanimous vote of the Board,
the County Attorney was authorized to take the necessary legal action to
collect delinquent taxes owed by Hillsdale Country Store. The vote was recorded
as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland,
Frazier. NAY: None.
APPOINTMENTS:
Planning
Commission: Charles Strittmatter was reappointed to a new four year term
commencing May 1, 2009 on motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Lee and the
unanimous vote of the Board. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland,
Frazier. NAY:
None. This term will expire
May 1, 2013.
RREMS
Council: Jack Atkins was reappointed to a new three-year term
commencing June 2009 on motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Welch and the
unanimous vote of the Board. The
vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland,
Frazier. NAY:
None. Mr. Atkins' term will
expire June 2012.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Franklin
B. Reynolds, Esq.: Letter
supporting purchase of Kramer/Washington Arts Building.
Piedmont
Softball Association, Inc.: Thanks for contributions and support.
Rappahannock
Benevolent Fund: Thanks for $2500 county contribution.
INFORMATION:
Robert P. Anderson, Chairman: Mr.
Anderson announced that he would not seek re-election to the Board of
Supervisors at the November 2009 election. All Board members expressed their enormous sense of loss
upon the retirement of the Chairman who has served as a supervisor for 20
years.
Building Office Report: Total
construction from February 22, 2009 to March 21, 2009 was $290,874.14. Year to date totals: (See papers of meeting for additional
detail.)
|
Year to date totals: |
2008 |
2009 |
|
New
Home Construction |
4 |
3 |
|
Commercial Buildings |
0 |
0 |
ACCOUNTS: On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr.
Welch, the Board voted unanimously to approve accounts payables dated April 6,
2009. The vote was recorded as
follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland,
Frazier. NAY: None.
There
being no further business, the meeting was continued at 4:05 pm until Friday,
April 24, 2009 at 7:00 o'clock p.m. at the Rappahannock County High School.
____________________________________
Robert
P. Anderson, Chairman