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Home My WebLink About7/14/1998 - Special July 14. 1998 4è9 Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 July 14, 1998 The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met this day at the Arthur Taubman Welcome Center at Virginia's Explore Park, this being the second Tuesday, and a quarterly joint meeting with the Roanoke City Council. IN RE: INVOCATION The invocation was given by H. Odell "Fuzzy Minnix, member of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors. Lunch followed. IN RE: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Johnson and Mayor David Bowers called the meeting to order at 12:35 p.m. The roll call was taken for the Board of Supervisors. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Bob L. Johnson Supervisors Fenton F. "Spike" Harrison, H. Odell "Fuzzy" Minnix, Joseph P. McNamara MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chairman Harry C. Nickens STAFF PRESENT: Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator; Paul M. Mahoney, County Attorney; Mary H. Allen, Clerk; John M. Chambliss, 4iØ July 14. 1998 Assistant County Administrator; Don C. Myers, Assistant County Administrator; Anne Marie Green, Director, Community Relations; Diane Hyatt, Finance Director; Pete Haislip, Director of Parks and Recreation The roll call for Roanoke City Council was taken. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor David Bowers, Vice Mayor Linda Wyatt, Council members Carroll Swain, Alvin Hudson and James Trout. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Council members Nelson Harris, William White IN RE: OPENING REMARKS Chairman Johnson thanked everyone for attending. Mayor Bowers advised that Roanoke City Manager Bob Herbert could not attend and was being represented by Assistant City Manager Jim Ritchie. IN RE: REQUESTS TO ADD TO OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Johnson added discussion on participating in the New Century Group, the Virginia Headwaters Regional Industrial Facility Authority. IN RE: DISCUSSION ITEMS 1.. Update on Explore Park by Executive Director Rocer Ellmore Executive Director Roger Ellmore reported that attendance has increased by 46 percent ==1 July 14, 199R 4ti and revenues have increased by 86 percent over last year. He reported on the new attractions which include the Arthur Taubman Welcome Center, the Brugh Tavern, the Mountain Union Church, the Parkway Spur, and new mountain bike trails. Mr. Ellmore also reported on the future plans for Explore Park, with the next project being the Sloan Grist Mill from Franklin County. 2. Update on Reaional Detention Facility Roanoke City Director of Public Safety Chip Snead and Assistant Roanoke County Administrator John Chambliss presented the update. Mr. Snead advised that the Roanoke Valley Detention Commission had been created in May 1998, and both the City and County have appointed their members. They are now in the process of transitioning from a Roanoke City facility to a regional facility. The Commission will receive state funding up to $52,000 per bed. The facility will cost $8.2 million, and they hope to have the facility completed by June, 2000. The City will continue to operate the 21 bed facility until completion of the new facility which will serve five localities. 3. Status ReDort on the proposed reaional Teen Center The status report was presented by Roanoke County Director of Parks and Recreation Pete Haislip and Roanoke City Director of Parks and Recreation John Coats. Mr. Haislip advised that an active committee had been established which included parks and recreation staff from both localities, the City Office of Youth, and 472 July 14, 1998 Downtown Roanoke, Inc. The committee has scheduled a teen forum on July 23 at Virginia Western Community College and invited representatives from 56 organizations to attend. The purpose of the teen forum is to receive feedback from the organizations and to look at what facilities and activities teens want. Mayor Bowers reported that the City has joined the America's Promise Program designed for at-risk children which might relate to the proposed teen center. He suggested that Roanoke County might consider joining also to make this a regional effort. 4. Reouest to Darticipate in Viroinia Headwaters Reoionallndustrial Facility Authority Chairman Johnson reported that he and County Administrator Elmer Hodge had attended meetings on setting up the Authority. He asked if Roanoke City planned to participate. Mayor Bowers responded that Roanoke City will participate in the Authority and has been represented by Council member Jim Trout. Mr. Trout advised that State Senator Bo Trumbo introduced the legislation to spearhead regional economic development cooperation. He reported on the proposed Authority and advised that the Authority needs to be in place by September in order to qualify for $3 million which was funded by the General Assembly in the legislation. Chairman Johnson advised that the request to join the Authority will be added to County's regular meeting agenda later in the day. IN RE: COMMENTS ~ July 14,1998 ~ 1.. Members of Roanoke City Council Councilman Carroll Swain advised that he had read an article about Lowe's putting up a monument in Pinkard Court recognizing the community. He expressed appreciation to Lowe's for the monument and asked to be kept informed about the design of the project. Mr. Hodge responded that Lowe's has been working with the Harrison Museum on the design of the monument and should have a proposed design to review within a month. Council member Alvin Hudson commended those involved in the establishment of the Regional Detention Facility and was pleased that the project is moving forward. 2. Members of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Johnson noted that several years ago, Supervisor Nickens recommended joining the two economic development staffs, and suggested looking again at the concept of a joint economic development department that would include tourism. Council member Jim Trout advised that he was in agreement and suggested creating a Task Force with representatives from both localities to focus on the issue. Chairman Johnson responded that he will send a letter to Mayor Bowers asking that Task Force from both localities be appointed to look at the possibility of combining economic development departments. July 14, 1998 ~ . INRE: ADJOURNMENT 1.. Board of Supervisors At 1 :50 p.m., Chairman Johnson recessed the Board of Supervisors meeting until 3:00 p.m. for their regular session. 2. City Council At 1 :51 p.m., Mayor Bowers adjourned the meeting of the Roanoke City Council. Submitted by: Approved by: ~# a~~l~ Mary H. Allen, CMC Clerk to the Board ob L. Johnso Roanoke County airman ard of Supervisors