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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/10/1998 - Special ~ January 10,111998 11 . Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive S. W. Roanoke, Virginia 24018 January 10, 1998 The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met this day at the Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Center, this being an adjourned meeting from January 5, 1998 for the purposes of a planning retreat. IN RE: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 9:25 a.m. The roll call was taken. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Bob L. Johnson, Vice Chairman Harry C. Nickens Supervisors Fenton F. "Spike" Harrison, Joseph P. McNamara, H. Odell "Fuzzy" Minnix, MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator; Paul M. Mahoney, County Attorney; Mary H. Allen, Clerk to the Board; John M. Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator, Don C. Myers, Assistant County Administrator; Diane Hyatt, Finance Director; Gary Robertson, Utility Director; William Rand, General Services Director; Brent Robertson, Budget Director; Pete Haislip, Parks and Recreation Director. IN RE: REQUESTS TO ADD OR CHANGE THE AGENDA Mr. Hodge requested that the Update on Roanoke Valley Resource Authority 12 January 10,111998 landfill operations and financial position be moved to the first item. :-- IN RE: 10:00 A.M: DISCUSSION OF MAJOR TOPICS 1. Update on landfill oDerations and financial position (Bill Rand and Diane Hyatt) There was a discussion on the loss of commercial stream and it's affect on the Resource Authority, possible expansion of Resource Authority membership, and giving up the host locality fee. Mr. Hodge suggested scheduling a meeting with the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority and the localities' chief elected officials and managers. There was a discussion on trash collection during holidays and snow or inclement weather. Chairman Johnson asked the staff to develop an emergency plan for trash collection that includes keeping the Transfer Station open on Sundays. 2. Resolution adoDtina a legislative program for the 1998 session of the Virainia General Assembly. (Paul Mahoney) (CONTINUED FROM JANUARY 5, 1998) R-011098-1 Supervisor Nickens asked that the Town of Vinton receive a copy of the resolution. Mr. Mahoney advised that Chesterfield County has requested support for legislation to amend the Code of Virginia to require the state tax department to remit sales taxes derived from catalog, out-of-state and home TV. purchases based on -. January 10,11 1998 13 - population percentage within a zip code. Supervisor Minnix moved to adopt the resolution including the request from Chesterfield County and amendment by Supervisor Nickens. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Minnix, Harrison, Nickens, Johnson. NAYS: Supervisor McNamara RESOLUTION 011098-1 ADOPTING A LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR THE 1998 SESSION OF THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND PETITIONING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO FAVORABLY CONSIDER THE TOPICS AND ISSUES ADDRESSED HEREIN WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, has identified major legislative issues of state-wide concern to be considered by the 1998 session of the Virginia General Assembly; and WHEREAS, the Board adopts this resolution as its Legislative Program for the 1998 session of the Virginia General Assembly. NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, that the following legislative initiatives are submitted for its legislative program for the 1998 session of the Virginia General Assembly for its favorable consideration and adoption. I. A. Education. Realizing that public education is the foundation of American democracy and the cornerstone of our future economic well being, the County urges the General Assembly to consider favorably the following actions. 1) The General Assembly should enhance funding for public education, including increasing the funds available to the Literary Fund for local school capital construction or renovation projects. The General Assembly should increase funding for capital construction and renovation projects based upon the locality's local effort in support of these capital projects. 2) Local school divisions should be authorized to establish opening dates for school. 3) Disparity funding should be based not only upon the number of students eligible for free or reduced fee lunches, but also upon the locality's local tax effort in support of education. Disparity funding should be based upon the composite index (which measures a locality's relative fiscal ability to provide its share of the cost of a local school system that meets the standards of quality) and the locality's local effort in support of that school system. 14 January 10,111998 4) Roanoke County opposes legislation that would permit the creation of chartered schools unless (I) local and/or district school boards and governing bodies are guaranteed that no funds will be withheld from the public school system for the establishment of or the support of chartered schools, and (ii) that no charter school shall be established in any locality without the consent of the school board and the governing body of that locality. The elimination, modification or waiver of laws or regulations for charter schools shall also be eliminated, modified or waived for all public schools. 5) Roanoke County supports the creation, funding, and implementation of the Higher Education Center Project located in the City of Roanoke. 6) Roanoke County supports funding in the biennial budget for the College of Health Sciences located in the City of Roanoke. - 8. TransDortation and Highwav Safetv. 1 ) Roanoke County supports additional new construction and maintenance funding for the Virginia Department of Transportation for secondary and primary roads. Additional funding for new construction projects will address critical transportation needs of all local governments. Additional maintenance funding shall be used for an expanded program to mow grass and weeds, and inspect and clean drainage pipes and culverts. 2) Roanoke County supports expanding local authority to create transportation districts, to impose local option motor vehicle fuels taxes, and to expend these tax proceeds for local transportation improvements. 3) Roanoke County requests that Section 33.1-75.3 be amended to add Roanoke County to the list of counties authorized to expend general revenues, revenues derived from the sale of bonds, or federal revenue sharing funds for the purpose of constructing or improving primary or secondary highways. C. Public Safety. 1) Roanoke County supports legislation appropriating funds and directing the State Compensation Board to modify staffing standards for local jails and court services positions for Sheriff's offices. 2) Roanoke County requests that Section 46.2-1001 be amended to add Roanoke County to the list of jurisdictions whose law-enforcement officers are . authorized to perform vehicle safety inspections. 3) Roanoke County requests the General Assembly to authorize the establishment of a commission to fund and/or operate a joint juvenile detention facility for the Counties of Roanoke, Botetourt and Franklin, and the Cities of Roanoke and Salem. 4) Roanoke County supports increasing the "Two-for-Life" funding for the benefit of rescue squads and the emergency medical services system to a "$4-for- Life" Program. January 10,111998 15 = D. Environment. 1) Roanoke County supports amending Chapter 6.1, "Virginia Tire Tax" of Title 58.1, "Taxation" (a) to increase the tire tax from $.50 to $1.25, and (b) to direct and authorize the Department of Waste Management to utilize the increased Waste Tire Trust Fund to remediate illegal or abandoned waste tire dumps. 2) Roanoke County supports legislation relieving local governments of the responsibility of meeting recycling rates on all wastes collected by private haulers and diverted from waste disposal facilities identified to receive such wastes as set out in the local solid waste management plan. This legislation should also require that private haulers diverting such wastes be held accountable and responsible to meeting the same recycling rates and requirements as the local governments, and require that private haulers be subject to the same recycling mandates as local governments. 3) Roanoke County supports allowing the disposal of land clearing vegetative debris (including tree stumps) in less expensive facilities in a manner not detrimental to the environment. This would require groundwater and methane gas monitoring, financial assurances from the owner/operator, and local governing body certification of compliance with all local ordinances. E. Local Taxation and Funding. 1 ) Roanoke County vigorously opposes any attempt to restrict or eliminate local sources of taxation, including personal property taxation and business and professional occupational licensing, unless local governments are guaranteed the opportunity to replace lost sources of local revenue with comparable, equivalent, independent sources of revenue to allow localities to fulfill their public service obligations. 2) Roanoke County supports continued and increased funding for the Comprehensive Services Act, the Virginia Community Juvenile Crime Control Act, the Family Preservation Act, local police departments (HB 599 funding), and the Regional Competitiveness Act. 3) Roanoke County supports increasing state aid for public libraries by $1.4 Million each for FY 99 and FY 2000; That the Commonwealth fully fund state aid by FY 2001; and that the Commonwealth shall adopt and fund a statewide technology plan for public libraries. The objective of such a plan will be to provide public libraries with the technological support for public, universal access to networked information. 4) Roanoke County supports an amendment to the BPOL tax (Chapter 37 of Title 58.1) to provide for a limitation of gross receipts for employee leasing companies. 5) Roanoke County supports authority to impose an additional one- half percent (%%) local option sales tax. 6) Roanoke County supports legislation amending Section 14.1- 46.0:1 to increase the salary supplement for the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors 16 January 10,111998 - from $1,800 to $2,500 per year. 7) Roanoke County supports Chesterfield County in its proposal to amend the Code of Virginia to require the state tax department to remit sales taxes derived from catalog, out-of-state and home T.V. purchases based on population percentage within a zip code. II. That the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors is directed to send a certified copy of this resolution to Senator John S. Edwards, Senator Malfourd W. "Bo" Trumbo, Delegate H. Morgan Griffith, Delegate Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, Delegate C. Richard Cranwell, Delegate A. Victor Thomas; Mary F. Parker, Roanoke City Clerk; Members of the Roanoke City Council; Forest Jones, Clerk for Salem City Council; Members of the Salem City Council; Carolyn S. Ross, Clerk for the Town of Vinton; Members of the Vinton Town Council and the Fifth Planning District Commission, and the Virginia Association of Counties. On motion of Supervisor Minnix to adopt the resolution as amended by Supervisor Nickens and with language requested by the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors, and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Supervisors Minnix, Harrison, Nickens, Johnson Supervisor McNamara 3. Update on phase I school proiects. (Diane Hyatt and Elmer Hodge) Ms. Hyatt provided an update to the Board on the individual Phase I school projects. There was concern expressed that the Schools had included additional funding for value engineering which was supposed to save money, and that not enough funds were included in the contingency account. Supervisor Johnson expressed support for funding a 3% salary increase for school and county employees at a recurring cost of $4 million. Supervisor McNamara suggested using a percentage of that amount for bonuses, but there was no consensus to pursue. 4. Overview of budget (Elmer Hodae and Brent Robertson) January 10,11 1998 17 - Mr. Robertson presented a preliminary budget calendar, estimated - revenue and expenditure projections and the various implications from changes to the personal property tax as proposed by Governor Gilmore. There was Board consensus to set the tax rates as soon as possible. IN RE: RECESS Chairman Johnson declared a luncheon recess from 12: 15 p.m. to 1 :00 p.m. 5. Report on courthouse needs (John Chambliss) Mr. Chambliss presented four options to address the parking and office space needs. Option A would cost approximately $135,000; Option B would cost $305,000; Option C would cost $705,000; and Option D would cost $5,325,000. Following discussion on the merits of the options, Mr. Chambliss was requested to bring back a report on Option A with the addition of removing the two houses for additional parking. 6. Update on the Reaional Juvenile Detention Home Mr. Chambliss advised that discussion is continuing on the development of a Regional Juvenile Detention Home with representatives from Franklin County, Roanoke County, Salem and Roanoke City. They are requesting approval from the General Assembly to form a Commission to finance and/or operate the expanded facility. Roanoke City will be expanding by 22 new beds and the other three localities 18 January 10,111998 will try to build 30 beds. The total project cost of the project is $7,591,000. Roanoke City's share is $4,837,000 and the other localities would share the remaining cost. Only $30,000 for Architectural and Engineering is needed this year and the Commission will issue revenue bonds. F= IN RE: DINNER RECESS At 5:30 p.m., Chairman Johnson declare a dinner recess. IN RE: RECONVENEMENT At 6:30 p.m. Chairman Johnson reconvened the meeting. L Economic Development (Tim Gubala) Mr. Gubala updated the Board on economic development projects including ValleyTech Park, Valley Gateway, and the Glenn Mary project, Supervisor Nickens updated the Board on Explore Park, the Interpretive Center and McDonald Farm. Mr. Mahoney updated the Board on the Catawba Farm Project. Mr. Gubala advised that he would bring back to the Board possible names for the Glenn Mary project. Chairman Johnson suggested that the April joint meeting with Roanoke City Council be held at Explore Park. .8 Update on regional sewaae treatment Dlant (Garv Robertson) Mr. Robertson reported that contracts for Phase A and Phase B of the ~~, January 10,111998 19 = Roanoke River Interceptor have been awarded to Alex E. Parish Contracting for a bid of $18,632,063. He presented three alternatives for the Roanoke River Interceptor. The Roanoke County estimate with a Pump Station option is $26,074,900; the B&V estimate with pump station option is $29,885,700; and the B&V estimate with gravity only option is $30,367,064. IN RE: EVENING RECESS At 9:00 p.m. Chairman Johnson recessed the meeting for the evening IN RE: RECONVENEMENT ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 11,1998 At 9:00 a.m. on January 11, 1998, Chairman Johnson reconvened the meeting. IN RE: DISCUSSION OF OTHER TOPICS 9. Government Access Channel (Anne Marie Green! Ms. Green reported to the Board on opportunities to increase programming at RVTV including the use of programs from other sources such as the Government Services television Network and WBRA, hiring additional staff, and encouraging County staff to produce their own shows. There was a discussion on ideas for future television shows including live programs from the schools, information on the Blue Ribbon Committee, Camp Roanoke renovations, Explore Park, Spring 20 January 10,11 1998 - - Hollow Reservoir, and marketing videos for economic development projects. IN RE: GENERAL DISCUSSION There was a general discussion on presentations at Board meetings. There was consensus that staff and the Board should address people by their titles and last names and should dress appropriately. Speakers should always use a microphone and staff should be advised in advance when questions will be asked. Other issues discussed included: (1) the possibility of using Parks and Recreation newspaper inserts for general information on the County; (2) correspondence to the Board of Supervisors of a general nature should be responded to by the Board Chairman and correspondence related to specific districts should be answered by the Supervisor from that district; (3) whenever possible a person should be answering the phones rather than voice mail. The Board members asked for the following information: (1) the opportunity to review copies of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority minutes; (2) a report on charging for emergency services; and (3) a work session on funding alternatives for the stormwater management program. IN RE: ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIORITIES The Board members and staff discussed and agreed to the priorities for 1998. Mr. Hodge was directed to bring back to the next meeting for formal adoption the following priority list: --.. January 10,111998 21 = = 1. PUBLIC EDUCATION - Operating: salaries and benefits - Capital: new construction and renovation 2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Valley Gateway - Glen-Mary - McDonald Farm (with Vinton) - Catawba Farm -Infill development 3. HEALTH AND SAFETY - upgrade 800 MHZ - Emergency Medical Dispatch - ALS Support - Continue regional efforts 4. PARKS AND RECREATION - South County Park - Lighted soccer field in North County - Camp Roanoke - Recreation at Spring Hollow Reservoir ~ REGIONAL COOPERATION - Education Center - Meeting with Bedford County to discuss joint agreements and projects - Juvenile Detention Center - Economic Development and other projects with Salem - Increase RVRA membership §.. .M.!.S. - Complete Year 2000 upgrades INRE: ADJOURNMENT 22 January 10,111998 At 1:'::: 10 p.m., Chairman Jonnson aOJournea me I-'Ianntng Ketreat. Ë Submitted by: Approved by: ~yV~ Mary H. Allen, CMC Clerk to the Board