AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 1ST DAY OF JUNE, 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. Welch, seconded by
Mr. Lee, the minutes of the May 4, 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. Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the Final
Agenda. 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:
1) Quiz
Bowl Team: The RCHS team attended the National Championship
comptetition in Chicago and finished 3rd out of 23 small schools represented
and 56th of all schools nationally.
2) Stimulus
funds: RCPS expects to receive $177,632.00 that is intended to help
offset the nearly $400,000 reduction in State funds. Notice of additional
appropriations up to $196,040.94 for Special Education and Title I are expected
in the fall. Dr. Chappell will
request additional appropriations at the October meeting for those
amounts. Stimulus funds will not
be used for personnel because the funds will not always be available; instead
they will be used for equipment programs and training. (See documents filed with papers of
meeting.)
3) School
Efficiency Review: RCPS has implemented 64 of the
recommendations and will implement 90% of the recommendations if funding is
available. The bill for the
efficiency review has been paid in full; another report is expected in August
and an additional report is expected in the Spring 2010. (See six page
follow-up form showing projects both complete and incomplete filed with papers
of meeting.)
Dr.
Chappell explained that the significant difference in the Ameresco proposals
and the Stimulus Fund applications for replacing windows and window air
conditioners was based on a variety of miscalculations in measurements. (See June 1, 2009 letter filed with
papers of meeting.
Mather Architects Facilities
Audit: A copy of the May 15, 2008 report, which is a list of
recommended maintenance and energy upgrades and approximate costs and annual
savings, is also filed with the papers of the meeting.
RCPS Facilities Committee's
Report: This report itemizes costs, estimated annual savings and
number of years to re-coup costs for the energy efficient renovations set forth
in the Mather report.
All reports were distributed and
discussed by the School Board over the past year. (Copy filed with papers of
meeting.)
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Scrabble
School: Bob Lander reported that the old school building
officially opened May 2 and is now operating as the Senior Center for the
county. He noted that many people
worked diligently to make the project happen and further singled out County
Administrator John McCarthy with a Resolution of Appreciation for his untiring
efforts. A copy of the
resolution is filed with the papers of the meeting.
Bob
Lesinski: Mr. Lesinski, a candidate for the House of Delegates, was
recognized.
OLD BUSINESS:
Budget
FY2010: Mr. McCarthy informed the Board that the budget
is properly before it,
having been advertised and a public hearing having been held on April 24,
2009. He noted that several
insignificant changes have been made to the advertised version as a result of
reduction in costs for water testing at the former Aileen factory ($16,000)
and an agreement with RRCSB for
their absorption of a substantial portion of the costs at the Scrabble Senior
Center, in deferral of lease costs.
The Senior Center savings have been reassigned to buildings and grounds
maintenance in order to stay ahead of needs, primarily at the courthouse
grounds. (Summary of changes
in May 21, 2009 letter filed with papers of meeting.) The FY2010 budget is $2.1 million less than the FY09
budget.
Adoption
of Budget for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2010: Resolution attached
hereto as Exhibit A, page 1, (top section) and made a part of these minutes.
Annual
Appropriations for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2010:
Resolution attached hereto as Exhibit A, pages 1 (bottom section)
through 3, and made a part of these minutes.
Property
Tax Levies, Tax Year 2009 (1 January 2009 - 31 December 2009)
Resolution attached hereto as Exhibit A, page 4 and made a part of these
minutes.
Year
End Meeting Date: The end-of-year meeting to pay bills
and complete unfinished business was scheduled for June 24, 2009 at 5:00 o'clock
p.m.
Economic Development Advisory
Committee /Economic Revitalization Advisory Committee (Name Change): The committee that
was appointed at the May meeting has changed its name to the Economic
Revitalization Advisory Committee.
Further, the committee has met four
times. Bradley Schneider is the
chairman; sub-committees have been set up as to various projects; speakers have
been invited to each of the next two meetings; periodic reports will be made to
the Supervisors.
Application
Fees: Continue until July 2009 meeting.
Board
of Assessors: Ads have run in the newspaper
soliciting volunteers. An
Assessment Board is a local option and if created, it must have at least three
members and may have as many as one member from each magisterial district. The Equalization Board is appointed by
the Circuit Court.
On
motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board voted unanimously to appoint
Jean Lillard, Wakefield District, to the Reassessment Board.
This
matter was continued until the End-Of-Year meeting on June 24, 2009 to allow
the opportunity to solicit additional volunteers.
Private
Donations Fund to Schools: This matter was continued from the May
2009 meeting at which time the Board discussed ways to handle a private $500.00
donation to benefit the schools.
At the recommendation of the County Attorney and due to audit and other
onerous reporting requirements, the Board agreed to return the check to the
donor and ask that he make the donation payable directly to the Rappahannock
County Schools. Mr.McCarthy will
meet with the donor.
VDOT
BluePrint Report: This detailed interim report sets forth
the impact of the budget reductions.
(Filed with papers of meeting.)
Regional
Jail Project: Warren County has two sites that are
being considered. At least three counties are required to participate in order
to receive funding from the Commonwealth, however Shenandoah County may no
longer be interested.
The state encourages regional jails because they are far less expensive
to operate than local jails. No
action was taken.
Open
Burning Memo: The Board received recommendations at
its May meeting from the Public Safety Committee regarding "open burns." Mr. Luke advised that the county could
establish a notification and permitting procedure but it would require the
creation of a new costly system.
Such a system brings liability issues, especially if a mistake is
made. Significant responsibility
would fall to the E911 dispatchers who would have to determine where a fire is
located and whether it is permitted or not. (Mr. Luke's memorandum to the Board is filed with the papers
of the meeting.)
Sheriff
Smith added that most calls are from people on the highway and that it is not
yet a significant problem. She
estimated that there may have been ten calls last year.
The
Board agreed to table the subject with thanks to the Public Safety Committee
for their suggestions.
NEW BUSINESS:
Rappahannock
Electric Cooperative Acquisition of Allegheny Power: REC has announced that it
plans to provide electric service to the approximately 3400 consumers in
Rappahannock County who are currently served by Potomac Edison, a division of
Allegheny Energy. The acquisition
process is in the early stages with regulatory approvals being sought. The president of REC will attend the
July 2009 meeting to discuss the acquisition.
Appropriations: At
the request of the Circuit Court Clerk and upon motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded
by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following supplemental
appropriations from funds already on hand.
2106-3009: Library Grant, $3739
2106-7009: Technology Trust Fund, $17,103.44.
Shenandoah
National Park - Fee Free Day: June
20, 2009
Street
Name Change--Luna Lane to Windrush Lane: All three property owners and the E911
Coordinator have agreed to the name change and payment of a $1000 fee to make
the change. By general consensus,
the Board agreed.
Quiz
Bowl Team Resolution: On motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by
Mr. Welch, the Board voted unanimously to approve a resolution of Commendation
and Appreciation 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. A presentation copy
will be delivered to the high school.
APPOINTMENTS:
Rappahannock
Recreational Facilities Authority: Jean Lillard and Jonathan Moore were
reappointed to new four-year terms commencing June 1, 2009 on motion of Mr.
Lee, seconded by Mr. Frazier and the unanimous vote of the Board. The vote was recorded as follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland,
Frazier. NAY: None.
Water
and Sewer Authority:
(1) Michael L. Brown has resigned. Ken Thompson was appointed to fill the unexpired term,
commencing immediately and expiring October 8, 2009. On motion of Mr. Wayland, 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.
(2) Alex Sharp was reappointed to a new four-year term
commencing August 1, 2009 and expiring July 30, 2013 on motion of Mr. Wayland,
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.
Agricultural and Forestal
District Committee: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr.
Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to appoint J. Clifford Miller, Alan Zuschlag
and Don Loock to new four-year terms commencing June 1, 2009 and expiring May
31, 2013. The vote was recorded as
follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland,
Frazier. NAY:
None. Mr. Frazier will
represent the Board of Supervisors on the committee.
CORRESPONDENCE: None.
INFORMATION: (documents filed with papers of meeting)
(1) Route
729 between Flint Hill and Ben Venue
has been designated as a Virginia Byway.
Building Office Report: Total
construction from April 22, 2009 to May 21, 2009 was $404,828.00. Year to date totals: (See papers of meeting for additional
detail.)
|
Year to date totals: |
2008 |
2009 |
|
New
Home Construction |
14 |
5 |
|
Commercial Buildings |
1 |
1 |
ACCOUNTS: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr.
Wayland, the Board voted unanimously to approve accounts payables dated June 1,
2009. The vote was recorded as
follows: AYE: Anderson, Lee, Welch, Wayland,
Frazier. NAY: None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to retire into executive session pursuant to
(1) 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. For the purposes of this subdivision, "probable litigation" means litigation that has been specifically threatened or 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, and
(2) Virginia Code §2.2-3711.A.8 to consult with legal counsel employed or retained by the Board of Supervisors regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. The subject matter of the closed meeting was county owned property. The following roll-call vote was taken: AYE: Anderson, Welch, Wayland, Lee, Frazier. NAY: None.
Open Session: On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to reconvene into open session. The following roll-call vote was taken. AYE: Anderson, Welch, Wayland, Lee, Frazier. 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, Welch, Wayland, Lee, Frazier. NAY: None.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:55 o'clock p.m.
____________________________________
Robert
P. Anderson, Chairman