AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD ON THE 6TH DAY OF DECEMBER, TWO THOUSAND AND TEN AT TWO O'CLOCK P.M. AT THE COURTHOUSE IN WASHINGTON, VIRGINIA
|
Present |
Present |
Absent |
|
Roger A Welch, Chairman Ronald L. Frazier I. Christopher Parrish Michael J. Biniek |
John McCarthy, Co. Adm. Peter H. Luke, Co. Attorney Margaret R. Ralph, Clerk |
S. Bryant Lee |
Chairman Welch called the meeting
to order.
MINUTES: On motion of Mr. Parrish, seconded by Mr. Biniek, the November 1, 2010 minutes, were unanimously approved.
AGENDA: There
was one addition under Old Business and two additions under New Business. None require any Board Action and are
reports only. On motion of Mr.
Frazier, seconded by Mr.
Parrish, a motion to adopt the revised
agenda was passed unanimously.
ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS: Dr.
Boone invited everyone to the School programs being held on Thursday, December
9 at both the High School and at the Elementary School. He also announced the school holiday
schedule: Schools will be closed
on December 20 and will reopen on January 3, 2011.
Dr. Boone delivered the Final
Version of the Superintendent's Annual Report. He also shared the Calendar for 2011-2012 Budget Development. He commented that this plan may be
different from those seen in the past and that it would include more in-house
budget development as well as more input from the teachers and staff. Between January 5 – 7, 2011,
meetings will be held with the Divisional staff and on January 18, there will
be a meeting with the Finance Committee to share information and to keep the
budget process going.
Dr. Boone is proposing a joint
meeting of the School Board and the Board of Supervisors on March 15, 2011. At this meeting, the preliminary school
budget will be presented. He is
hoping that feedback of both boards at a meeting of this type will result in a
smoother budget process.
Mr. Frazier commented that this
process would give all parties a good opportunity to review the school budget
and to formulate questions and/or recommendations.
Mr. McCarthy will coordinate the
scheduling of this meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Chairman Welch opened the Meeting to Public Comment.
Jim Gannon, Hampton District, commented on the after-school program proposed by Headwaters at the last meeting. He spoke on the issue of public funding and disclosure, the mission of the public schools and its responsibilities in providing after-school programs, the commitment of county funds in these poor economic times, and the competition with other after-school programs (CCLC and private day-care services). Finally he stressed the need for full budget disclosure – who, how much, how many, etc. and asked the Board to consider this issue very carefully.
Don Loock, Jackson District, employee of the Piedmont Environmental Council, spoke on the proposed new cell towers. He acknowledged the need for cell service but commented that other counties have worked with the cell providers to insure that the landscape in not marred by the installation of these towers. He added that the cell providers are willing to assist the county in accomplishing these changes without any adverse affect on the view shed. He requested that the County ask ATT for a coverage map that will show the tower heights so that impact can be determined.
Phil Irwin, Flint Hill, asked that the Planning Commission not favorably consider single towers. Rather, there should be an overall plan/application for countywide installation.
Tom Junk, Piedmont District. He and his wife think that the Headwaters After-school Program is a bad idea. He spoke about other private organizations that came to the Board with requests for money to implement "good ideas". If these "good ideas" fail, the Board is still "on the hook". He spoke about the undetermined costs of repairing the failing heating systems at the schools and said it would be better to spend funds on repairing the heating systems and installing windows than contributing to a new program.
Roger Cordani, Wakefield District, commented that it is not wise to start a new program in these unsafe economic times especially when past programs that have been very expensive. People cannot give any more and taxpayers should not be put "on the hook" for another $60,000+.
Demaris Miller, Hampton District, reiterated the things that have been said already and added that she is very concerned about creating a new entitlement. She applauds Headwaters for their concern about after-school activities and suggests that they provide scholarships for these purposes.
Toni Egger is part of the group trying to establish the After-school program and wants to clear the record. CCLC is not opposed to the Headwater's Program. This new program is not a "day-care program", it is an enrichment program.
There were some additional comments by Mr. Cordani on the program.
There were no comments by the Board
There were no further comments and Mr. Welch declared the Public Comment closed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Drought Relief: Mr. McCarthy presented an update on the County's Drought Disaster Designation. Rappahannock does have confirmation for assistance from both the State and the USDA.
Economic Recovery Advisory Committee: Mr. McCarthy updated the Board on the progress of the ordinance. A draft copy of this ordinance was included in the Supervisor's Packet. Mr. McCarthy explained that this draft has many holes in it and he has given it to Mr. Luke for his input and clarifying language. The main item to be addressed in subsequent drafts is to document the time commitment of the property owners. The will be another update at next month's meeting
Mr. Biniek asked about the issue of the 200 ac being contiguous. Mr. McCarthy said that typically it is contiguous, but it does not have to be one parcel.
Mr. Parrish commented about the fact that this issue is tied to some type of government program and that almost always these types of programs require the expenditure of public funds to participate in the program. Mr. McCarthy pointed out that there are other activities for people to be part of. There is a choice. Commitment is for a period of time, but the property owners can opt out but will have to pay roll back taxes. Mr. Parrish asked if Mr. McCarthy could see any downside to this program. Mr. McCarthy answered he did not.
Redistricting: In the wake of the 2010 census the Board will have to face the job of redistricting. There is a 2-page memo in the packet but the bottom line is that in February 2011 the census bureau will release census data. Then there will be a very short clock for the redistricting to be done. The Bailout pre-clearance project is still on going. Department of Justice approval has not been received yet, but counsel is still working on our behalf. Hopefully, we will hear something definite by next month.
Mr. Luke and Mr. McCarthy commented about the statistics gathered by the Weldon Cooper Center. A brief discussion followed.
VaCO Region 7: This legislative agenda has not passed for the past 4 years, but we will still be asked for a resolution from us. On motion of Mr. Parrish, seconded by Mr. Biniek, the Board voted unanimously to table this issue until the next meeting.
VCE "Blue Print" for the Future: A resolution from Madison County on the issue of VCE's consolidation plan is included in the Packet. There has been considerable opposition to the Plan. Mr. McCarthy will keep the Board apprised of any future developments. No action is requested.
Headwater's Proposed After-School Program: The Board has before them two handouts: one is a copy of an e-mail from John Lesinski relating to the Boy Scout's position on participation in the program. Boy Scout officials will address the issue and an answer will be forthcoming. The second is a copy of the proposed After-School program draft Budget. It requests $20,000.00 from the county in the first year, $15,000.00 in the second year and $10,000.00 in the third.
As discussed at the last meeting, Mr. McCarthy proposed that this issue be made a part of the County's normal budget process for next year. No action is asked for, but Mr. McCarthy will answer any questions the Board may have.
Comments were made by Mr. Frazier. He is not opposed to the program, in general, but Headwater's needs to fund it with private money. A discussion followed. Mr. Welch commented on the fact that any staff would be hired by Headwaters and they would not be under the control of the County. He asked for Mr. Luke's input.
Mr. Luke replied that the County is essentially being asked for a donation. Legally the Board can donate public money but you do lose control over it and how it is spent. Mr. Luke questioned the requests for funds as listed in the proposed budget.
Mr. Frazier made a motion that the Board is not able, under current fiscal restraints, to comply with Headwaters request for funding the proposed after-school program. Mr. Welch seconded the motion. The question was called. Mr. Frazier and Mr. Welch voted Aye. There were no nays. Mr. Biniek and Mr. Parrish abstained. The motion carried.
Shenandoah National Park 75th Anniversary: There was a brief update by Mr. McCarthy. At a recent event at The Inn at Little Washington, $5,000.00 was raised. There will be many local events.
NEW BUSINESS:
DARE Funds: On motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Parrish, the motion to appropriate $2,172.50 in private contributions to the County Sheriff's Office Children's Fund was unanimously passed.
Green Building Resource Center: Mr. McCarthy attended a meeting at Germanna Community College that dealt with a grant Culpeper County received to establish a Green Building Resource Center open to all members of the Planning District. This center will provide access to grant funds, tax programs available to those who want to take advantage of them, and other types of construction resources. More importantly it will provide training for certification of building officials. These training sessions will be held at Germanna and possibly at local fire halls. The sessions will be free and paid for by the grant.
Confederate Currency: Mr. Luke gave a report on Confederate Currency found in the Clerk's Lockbox and sought the Board's direction as to what to do with these bills. These bills are the property of Rappahannock County. It was the general consensus of the Board to have these bills appraised and then decide what to do with them.
Next month, Mr. Luke will present a report on the property owned by the County.
APPOINTMENTS: None
CORRESPONDENCE:
Letter from 4-H Coordinator Jennifer Kapsa re: after school program
Letter from DEQ re: Wastewater treatment plant on Thornton Gap (formerly Panorama)
INFORMATION:
November Building Report
Tourism Report – As expected traffic at the Visitor's Center has declined. Current plans are to close the Center for January and February
Article from "Governing" magazine.
VDOT monthly report
Mr. Welch opened the public comment session:
Art Candenquist, Jackson District, commented on the presentation given by Mr. Luke on the Confederate Bills found in the Clerk's Lockbox. He stated that these bills are probably worth several thousand dollars.
Anita Ramos also commented on the Confederate Money. She suggested that the Board find out how to properly care for these bills. She also mentioned the redistricting issue and hope that any reports and/or plans presented to the public will be projected so that people can understand exactly what is being done.
Philip Strange spoke on the after-school program being proposed by Headwaters. He is an avid proponent of this program and hopes that some seed money could be made available.
Phil Irwin, Flint Hill, thanked Peter Luke for his contribution of research and especially for the program on the Shenandoah National Park, which he presented at the Library last month.
John Lesinski echoed Mr. Strange's comments concerning the proposed Headwaters after-school program. He was disappointed with the Board's vote. He is hoping that Budget process will find some way to help with this program. He added that there are many good examples of private/public programs, which could be used as models.
Tom Junk, Piedmont District, commented about the two Board members who abstained in the Headwaters after-school program vote. Abstaining does not serve the people of their district.
Chairman Welch offered that it is the prerogative of any Board Member to abstain.
There being no further comments, the Public Session was closed.
ACCOUNTS: On motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Biniek, the Accounts were approved as presented.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
On motion of Mr. Biniek, seconded by Mr. Parrish, the Board voted unanimously to retire into closed session pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711A. (1) 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 under Section 2.2-3711A.7. The subject matter of the closed meeting will be County Office Space leases. Roll call vote was as follows: Ayes: Mr. Welch, Mr. Frazier, Mr. Parrish. Mr. Biniek. Nays: none.
Open Session: On motion of Mr. Parrish, seconded by Mr. Biniek, the Board voted unanimously to reconvene into open session. The following roll-call vote was taken: Ayes: Mr. Welch, Mr. Frazier, Mr. Parrish, Mr. Biniek. Nays: 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 matter 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: Ayes: Mr. Welch, Mr. Frazier, Mr. Parrish. Nays: none.
The Board reconvened into Open Session.
On motion of Mr. Frazier, seconded by Mr. Biniek, the meeting was adjourned
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Roger Welch, Chairman