AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 7th DAY OF JUNE, TWO
THOUSAND AND TEN AT TWO O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE IN WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA
|
Present |
Present |
Absent |
|
Roger A Welch, Chairman S. Bryant Lee, V-Chairman Ronald L. Frazier I. Christopher Parrish Michael J. Biniek |
John McCarthy, Co. Adm. Peter H. Luke, Co. Attorney Margaret R. Ralph, Clerk |
None |
Chairman Welch
called the meeting to order. All
members were present.
MINUTES: Mr. Frazier requested the following corrections to the minutes: April 26, 2010 minutes: page 3, the person speaking was Scott St.Clair, not Scott Jenkins. May 3, 2010 minutes: page 4, comments by Tom Junk, second sentence should begin with the word "Things" not "Thinks"; on page 5, comments by Cathy Frazier, not Kathy Frazier. On motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Lee, the minutes were approved unanimously as corrected.
AGENDA: Mr. McCarthy explained the changes in the Revised Agenda. On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Biniek, the motion to accept the Revised Agenda was unanimously approved.
ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS: No report
RECOGNITION OF DONATION: Mr. McCarthy recognized Mrs. Patricia Saltonstall for her generous donation to the Civil War Trails Markers Program. He called on John Tole to say a few words. Mr. Tole commented that this donation has been used for the erection of 6 markers in the County relating to African-American contributions during the Civil War. Three are already in place and the additional markers are planned for future installation. Mr. Tole expressed his appreciation to Mrs. Saltonstall for this contribution. Mrs. Saltonstall spoke and thanked John Tole for his work on this and other projects relating to the Civil War Trails. She stated that she is happy to be a part of this effort.
Mr. Welch read the Resolution of Appreciation to Patricia Saltonstall. This resolution will be filed with the minutes of this meeting and a presentation copy will be provided to Mrs. Saltonstall. Mr. McCarthy added that this donation was in the amount of $17,000.00 – a very generous gift.
COMMITTEE PRESENTATION: Mr. McCarthy recognized Brad Schneider, the chairman of the Economic Recovery Advisory Committee who introduced Mr. Preston Whilhelm, Director of Virginia Jobs Investment Program, of the Department of Business Assistance and his associate Deborah Melvin. Mr. Schneider presented a report and slide presentation on the findings of the committee. Mr. Schneider commented that this presentation is only a part of the report that is being presented to the Supervisors today.
Mr. Schneider explained that the mission statement of the group is to examine the economic state of the County, to understand the conditions affecting economic growth and how that affects our residents, and to prepare recommendations to improve employment opportunities. The group, which is made up of ten members, has examined what they believe are the 4 principal economic sectors in the County (1) Agriculture and Farming (2) Retail/Tourism/Culture (3) Non-professional (4) High-Tech & Professional Services.
They used three guiding principles for the development of this report: County businesses
should be assisted by County programs, residents should be encouraged to use and patronize County businesses, and new business and expansion should be complimentary to the County. Key findings were as follows: there needs to be protection from large business development; agriculture is struggling now, and there needs to be ways to assist in this area; and we need to be mindful that technology is an active and vital part of our lives.
A few recommendations are as follows:
Agriculture and Forestry: consider all options, allow diversification, consider exchanges in equipment and services.
Retail/Tourism/Culture: this is an important part of the county and it should be even further promoted and have more county commitment and strategic planning.
Non-professional services: incentives, encouragement of in-county hiring, solicit information from outside the county.
Hi-Tech & professional services: county needs to make an investment in expanding internet access, form a partnership with other businesses, counties, colleges, and schools to develop new ideas.
The most important thing is that we need to support our local services. Mr. Schneider then thanked the members of his group for their work.
Mr. McCarthy suggested that two Board members join this group as liaison members. The Board deferred making appointments at this time.
Mr. Lee asked if all types of businesses were investigated. Mr. Schneider answered that all aspects of each group were examined, but because Rappahannock is unique the data is difficult to amass. Further study is needed. We also need to keep our young people who want to start businesses in the county
Mr. Parrish offered a cautionary comment: efforts to attract new businesses should not be too aggressive because this could result in population growth that may lead to other problems. We need to fine tune what we already have.
Mr. Whilhelm commented that the Department of Business Assistance has aid for all phases of business creation and growth. Trends across the state show that things are tough in jobs growth. However, the Food and Drug industries are growing and some small plants are being built. Control is imperative. We should try to reach out to the other state programs for advice and we should not leave any resource untapped. Things do not happen overnight. We have to persevere.
The issue of the Board liaison will be taken up at the July meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
VDOT representative Brent Sprinkel, Assistant District Administrator for the 9-County Culpeper District, gave an update on the restructuring of VDOT for our area. All communications and information will now flow through the Culpeper District and he will be the Rappahannock contact. Because of the decrease in staff personnel reports will not be made monthly but quarterly. However, these reports will be enhanced.
Mr. Parrish asked about the possibility that VDOT will be attending to roads that were in dire need for repair and gave Rt 647 between the Jordan River and North Poes Road and Route 729 toward Rt. 640 as examples. Mr. Sprinkel appreciated this input but said that these may need to be put on the 6-year plan. He will pass this information on to the local residency. Mr. McCarthy will arrange for a meeting with VDOT.
Mr. Lee commented on a conversation he had with Mr. Cubbage (VDOT) concerning a right of way and a bridge repair.
Mr. Biniek asked about the traffic/speed study in Sperryville. Mr. Sprinkel said that he knew of the study and that the report is still pending. Mr. McCarthy will put this issue on the July agenda if the study is received.
Tom Junk of Sperryville spoke on 4 issues and asked for Board comment:
Mr. McCarthy explained how the school budget process proceeds and how money is apportioned.
There being no further speakers, the Public Comment session was closed.
OLD BUSINESS:
RSW Regional Jail Meeting: Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Welch and Sheriff Smith attended this meeting and a substantial amount of business was conducted, mostly establishing procedures, ie adopting by-laws, electing officers, selection of legal counsel and financial advisors, executing the service agreement, etc. Mr. McCarthy commented on the Report of this meeting, which will be filed with the minutes of this meeting.
Mr. McCarthy explained about the construction bonds, borrowing and costs that will take place in the future, adding that all things are dependent on future actions of the General Assembly. He noted that the Board would be expected to support with its full faith an interim borrowing of the Authority, needed to hire the project architect and pay for start-up costs; this would come back to the Board at their August meeting.
Mr. Lee asked how do we know how much money we will be spending. Mr. Luke explained that costs will be based on a 3-year average of the number of inmates housed.
Mr. Welch commented on the meeting.
Jail Office Expansion: Mr. McCarthy presented the proposed rendering of the jail expansion, which will be an approximate 1250 square foot addition. He continued by explaining the details of the report and said that in-mate labor will be utilized whenever possible. This expansion plan will be presented to the Architectural Review Board for the Town of Washington on Thursday night. Mr. McCarthy will report to the Board at a subsequent meeting.
FY11 Budget Adoption: Packets sent to the Board included the Final Draft for the FY11 Budget, with three resolutions attached: resolution to adopt the budget, resolution to make annual appropriation and a resolution to set tax rates. Traditionally, these are handled in three separate motions: adopt the budget, make annual appropriations, set the tax rates. Mr. McCarthy explained that this final draft of the budget incorporates all the changes made at the Board's recent work session. These changes were given to the Constitutional Officers and to the other offices involved. He added that the budget shows all the amounts requested by the various offices and does not reflect the changes the Board made. Mr. McCarthy did this because appeals have been sent to the Compensation Board to restore all funds that were cut. As a practical matter, the odds of this money being restored are nil. Everyone who is affected realizes that if these appeals fail, the budget will be cut by the amounts agreed upon at the work session.
Mr. Lee commented that he received a letter from an individual, who wishes to remain anonymous, requesting the funding of an additional position in the Sheriff's Office. Mr. Lee feels that this board is unable to do this.
Motion to Adopt Budget: Motion of Mr. Parrish, seconded by Mr. Lee.
Mr. Welch asked for any discussion. Mr. Frazier commented that if the Board adopts this budget which includes the school budget and all other agency budgets, the Board will be responsible. A roll call vote was taken and recorded as follows:
Mr. Frazier Aye
Mr. Lee Aye
Mr. Biniek Aye
Mr. Parrish Aye
Mr. Welch Aye
Motion to Approve Appropriations: Mr. Welch asked for the total appropriation amount. The total is $21,010,615.00. Mr. McCarthy pointed out this figure is less than last year.
Motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Lee. A roll call vote was taken and recorded as follows:
Mr. Frazier Aye
Mr. Lee Aye
Mr. Biniek Aye
Mr. Parrish Aye
Mr. Welch Aye
Motion to set the tax levies: No change in the rates from last year:
$ .53 for real estate with an additional $.05 fire levy
$ 4.00 for personal property with an additional $.20 fire levy
Motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Parrish. A roll call vote was taken and recorded as follows:
Mr. Frazier Aye
Mr. Lee Aye
Mr. Biniek Aye
Mr. Parrish Aye
Mr. Welch Aye
Mr. McCarthy spoke to the Board about the necessity of a second June meeting, pointing out that the only business left for that meeting would be the approval of accounts. He suggested that for this one time only, he could be authorized to approve the accounts and send them to Mr. Welch for his signature. Mr. McCarthy would then make a full report of the expenditures at the July meeting.
On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Biniek, the Board voted unanimously to authorize Mr. McCarthy to approve the accounts for the end of June, 2010 only.
NEW BUSINESS:
A Tourism Budget Amendment was presented by Mr. McCarthy. He explained that the cost of the renovations at the house adjacent to the Library would be paid for by the County because it has the potential to be used as additional office space. While there are some expenses in running the center, the majority of the cost at this time will be covered by donations to that project. Therefore, Mr. McCarthy requested the current year's budget be amended as follows:
Revenue 1800-1859 $9,000.00
Expenses 8504-1001 $1,500.00(part-time salary)
8504-5503 $4,750.00(expenses)
These funds will be expended by the end of the month, but the tourism group has raised more than that amount. No County money will be expended to run or staff this center beyond what we will spend to renovate the space.
On motion of Mr. Biniek, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to amend this year's tourist budget.
Redevelopment, Conservation, Rehabilitation Districts Ordinance Resolution: Mr. McCarthy explained that this is the structural amendment to the County Code that allow the Board to create the above-mentioned districts. This resolution does not create any districts, but it creates the structure that the Board would be able to create them. This subject was discussed at a previous Board meeting. On motion of Mr. Parrish, seconded by Mr. Frazier, a roll-call vote was taken to authorize Mr. McCarthy to advertise this ordinance for a public hearing at the July meeting. The vote was recorded as follows:
Mr. Frazier Aye
Mr. Lee Aye
Mr. Biniek Aye
Mr. Parrish Aye
Mr. Welch Aye
Zoning Amendments Resolution: There is no easy way to go over all of these, except to say that the majority of them are mandated by state law. Most of these would not affect Rappahannock's Ordinance. Mr. McCarthy called the Boards attention to the Temporary Family Health Structure item, which was unanimously passed by both Houses of the General Assembly. This will allow a temporary structure to be erected specifically for the care of a physically or mentally impaired person.
The other significant change concerns the acreage requirement for Tourist Homes and B & Bs. Mr. McCarthy explained the current requirement and the changes that affect the ordinance.
There was some discussion of the Temporary Family Health Structure.
Mr. Lee asked a member of the audience (Phil Irwin, B & B owner) for his opinion of this change. Mr. Irwin felt there would be no negative impact.
On motion of Mr. Parrish, seconded by Mr. Biniek, to authorize Mr. McCarthy to advertise a Public Hearing on this issue. A roll call vote was taken and recorded as follows:
Mr. Frazier Aye
Mr. Lee Aye
Mr. Biniek Aye
Mr. Parrish Aye
Mr. Welch Aye
The School Board has elected to pay the full 5%, and most Virginia jurisdictions are doing the same. There are some that will phase in the amount. Mr. McCarthy suggested that this would probably not affect Rappahannock because the turnover here is so low. The choice today is to decide whether you will continue to pay the full amount or a lesser amount. Mr. McCarthy recommends that you keep the full amount since there would be little impact on the budget, which is based on the full 5% figure. He believes that a change might adversely affect hiring in the future since neighboring counties are electing to pay the full 5%.
Mr. Lee proposed a hypothetical situation in which a decrease in the amount would actually represent a cut in take-home pay.
Mr. Frazier commented that this issue should be given due diligence and maybe the Board should give this issue some thought. Mr. McCarthy explained that this must be decided upon before July 1.
On motion of Mr. Parrish, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously in favor of leaving the contribution at 5%.
Appointments: Mr. Philip Irwin and Mr. Bryant Lee 4-year terms on the Farmland Preservation Committee are expiring on July 1, 2010, and both are willing to be reappointed. On motion of Mr. Welch, seconded by Mr. Parrish, the Board unanimously approved the reappointments of Mr. Irwin and Mr. Lee to the Farmland Preservation Committee.
CORRESPONDANCE: Mr. McCarthy discussed with the Board a VDOT letter concerning a bridge repair on Rt. 729. The problem seems to be with the size of the abutment, debris passing under the bridge and a complaint from a property owner.
The status of the Flint Hill Historic District was discussed. This district will be considered by the Department of Historic Resources on June 17, 2010. Mr. Lee asked if an individual could opt not to be part of the district. Mr. McCarthy answered that this is not possible and explained the reasons. Mr. Welch offered that a large percentage of the residents of a district must vote against it for it not to pass.
INFORMATION: Because the first Monday in July is a legal holiday, the July Meeting of the Board of Supervisors will be moved to July 7, 2010 at 2PM and 7PM.
Please note that the 3rd Saturday in June is "Neighbor Day" at the Shenandoah National Park and admission will be free to county residents.
Mr. McCarthy announced the FEMA funds reimbursement for the 2009-2010 Storm expenditures has been released. Mr. Richie Burke will handle the disbursement to the county and various fire companies.
Anita Ramos thanked the Board for considering the architecture of neighboring structures when planning for the Jail Renovation.
Reed Folsom commented about the presentation on business development and how there has been a shift in businesses conducted at home, especially in rural areas.
Phil Irwin asked if there will be any further hearing on the Flint Hill Historic District. Mr. McCarthy said that all meetings will be at the state level.
There being no other speakers, the Public Comment session was closed.
ACCOUNTS: On motion of Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Parrish, the Accounts were unanimously approved as presented.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
There being no further business, on motion of Mr. Parrish, seconded by Mr. Lee, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
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Roger Welch, Chairman