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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/1997 - Special ~ October 28,1997 627 - Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 October 28, 1997 The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the fourth Tuesday, and a joint meeting with the Roanoke City Council. IN RE: INVOCATION The invocation was given by John M. Chambliss, Jr., Assistant County Administrator, and lunch followed. INRE: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Johnson and Vice Mayor Linda Wyatt called the meeting to order at 12:25 p.m. The roll call was taken for the Board of Supervisors. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Bob L. Johnson, Vice Chairman Harry C. Nickens, Supervisors Lee B. Eddy, Fenton F. ""Spike" Harrison, H. Odell "Fuzzy" Minnix MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator; Paul M. Mahoney, County Attorney; Mary H. Allen, Clerk; John M. Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator; Don C. Myers, Assistant, County Administrator; Anne Marie Green, Director, Community Relations; Diane Hyatt, Finance Director, George Simpson, 628 October 28,1997 - - Assistant Director of Engineering and Inspection; Pete Haislip, Director of Parks and Recreation The roll call for Roanoke City Council was taken. COUNCIL PRESENT: Vice Mayor Linda Wyatt, Council members Nelson Harris, John Parrott, James Trout and William White. COUNCIL ABSENT: Mayor David Bowers, Councilman Carroll Swain INRE: OPENING REMARKS 1. Chairman Johnson Chairman Johnson welcomed Roanoke City Council and staff to the meeting and introduced Supervisor-elect Joseph McNamara. He expressed concern at the possible elimination of local personal property tax and advised that the County could lose $12 million in revenue. 2. Vice Mavor Wvatt Vice Mayor Wyatt thanked the Board of Supervisors for their hospitality. She noted that if the personal property tax is eliminated, the City could lose $20 million in revenue. INRE: ITEMS FOR ACTION 1.. ADDroval of Joint Dental Insurance Plan (Diane Hyatt. Roanoke County Finance Director and Kenneth Cronin. Roanoke City Manager of Personnel Management) ~ October 28, 1997 &9 - - R-1028927-1 Ms. Hyatt, County Finance Director, reported that for the past 18 months, a regional team has been exploring the possibility of purchasing joint health and dental insurance. While cost savings for health care could not justify consortium purchasing at this time, dental benefits offered an opportunity to initiate a regional dental plan. Delta Dental Plan of Virginia has been selected and the initial participants will include the County of Roanoke, Roanoke County Schools, City of Roanoke, Roanoke Regional Airport and the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority. The new plan will offer minimal cost savings and the employee and retiree cost will remain the same. However, there are several enhanced benefits for the County. Mr. Cronin, Roanoke City Personnel Manager, advised that this plan provides better coverage for Roanoke City employees and the team was able to get a three-year guaranteed rate. Supervisor Minnix moved to approve the resolution executing the contract with Delta Dental of Virginia. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Eddy, Minnix, Harrison, Nickens, Johnson NAYS: None Councilman Harris moved to approve the dental care contract for Roanoke City. The motion was seconded by Councilman White and carried by a unanimous recorded vote with Mayor Bowers and Councilman Swain absent. 630 October 28, 1997 IN RE: ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION (ITEMS 2. 3. 4 and 5 CONTINUED FROM JUL Y 7 MEETING) .L UDdate on air service at the Roanoke Regional Airport. (Jacqueline Shuck. Executive Director) Ms. Shuck reported that the Airport Commission contracted with AIRTRANS, Inc., an aviation consulting firm, to conduct an Air Service Development Program Evaluation and Opportunities Assessment. The firm reviewed industry trends and market environment, assessed the relative quality of commercial air service available to the users of the regional airport, evaluated the Airport Commission's air service development program, and identified under-served and emerging markets, routes and carriers likely to provide air service in those markets. One of the recommendations of the report was that . the Airport Commission needed to get their message out. The Commission plans to participate actively with hotels, motels and the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau to define their market. Ms. Shuck also presented a competitive fare analysis comparing the Roanoke Regional Airport rates with those in Greensboro, Richmond and Tri-City. the results showed that the Roanoke Regional Airport was competitive with those areas in most instances. 2. UDdate on Storm water Management Proiect on Peters Creek Road. (George Simpson. Roanoke County and Greg Reed. ~. October 28, 1997 6M = Roanoke City ) Mr. Simpson reported that the Stormwater Management Plan has been completed and they are now concentrating on the 16 watersheds. The plan has been presented to the Board of Supervisors. It will be presented to Roanoke City Council on November 3 and will also be presented to the Vinton Town Council. The next decision will be how to fund the project. Mr. Reed advised that the City will come to the Board of Supervisors at their evening session today requesting a Special Use Permit to construct stormwater management basins at North Lakes and Montclair. This will benefit both the City and the County. They hope to begin construction in early 1998. In response to questions, Mr. Reed advised that the stormwater basins will cost $1.6 million; and Mr. Simpson responded that the total regional stormwater mangement plan is estimated to cost $61 million. Councilman Parrott suggested that since the stormwater basins will be dry most of the time, they could possibly be used for skateboarding. .3.. Consideration of a Regional Teen Center similar to the Brambleton Teen Center. (Elmer Hodae. Roanoke County Administrator) Mr. Hodge reported that the County's Teen Center opened in September 1994. Approximately $15,000 was spent for equipment and minor renovations. The 632 October 28, 1997 - - annual budget for the facility is $87,000 which covers a staff of four people and minor expenses. The cost is somewhat offset by annual membership dues, special events and percentages of the revenues from arcade games and vending machine sales. If a Teen Center were located in the market area, costs would probably be similar for renovation and other operational expenses. However, rent and utilities would be additional costs and more staff might be needed. Mr. Hodge reported that if the Board and Council are interested in this regional project, he recommended that a needs assessment be conducted by the Roanoke City and Roanoke County Parks and Recreation Departments. Vice Mayor Wyatt and Supervisors Johnson and Nickens spoke in favor of moving forward on the needs assessment. Chairman Johnson asked that a report be brought back to the next joint meeting. 4. Update on Joint Water and Sewer Lines. (Kit Kiser. Roanoke City Director of Utilities and Operations) Mr. Kiser briefed the governing bodies, advising that there were currently no joint water lines. He advised that the City has completed its water line extension. Relative to the sewage treatment expansion program, he reported that the interceptor is under contract. 5. Report on Low Band Tourist Radio System. (Elmer Hodge. Roanoke Countv Administrator) ---- October 28,1997 ~ - Mr. Hodge advised that at the July 7 joint meeting, the governing bodies requested that a written report be brought back to the next meeting on the possibility of installing a low band tourist radio system on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mr. Hodge reported that the Blue Ridge Parkway philosophically supports the installation but that the National Park Service has regulations limiting the use of the system to public information. If there is consensus that the project should move forward, a proposal can be made to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Following discussion, there was consensus to bring back a report to the next joint meeting that would include more details on the cost, what could be advertised and whether the local tourism industry might be willing to help fund the project. §. Report from Fifth Planning District Commission on the Virginia ReQional Industrial Facilities Act of 1997. (Lee B. Eddy. reDresentinQ the Fifth Plannina District Commission) Supervisor Eddy reported that the Regional Industrial Facilities Act of 1997 was sponsored by State Senator Bo Trumbo. It allows certain localities to enter into agreements for revenue sharing. Three or more localities could develop an authority for this purpose. He advised that if there is enough interest, the 4th and 5th Planning District Commission will hold a special informational hearing on the Act. There was general consensus that 5th PDC Executive Director Wayne Strickland should proceed with scheduling an informational hearing. 634 October 28,1997 - IN RE: COMMENTS .L Members of Roanoke City Council Vice Mayor Wyatt expressed that she felt the joint meetings have been beneficial, and that they bring a cooperative spirit, making the Roanoke Valley better. 2. Members of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Johnson announced that if the Lowe's Route 221 rezoning request is successful, the County will contribute $1 million proceeds from the sale of the old Pinkard Court School to Total Action Against Poverty. This will create a pool of $3 million which will be used to construct and renovate affordable housing in Roanoke County. IN RE: ADJOURNMENT 1.. Board of Supervisors At 1:25 p.m., Chairman Johnson declared a recess until the 3:00 p.rn. regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors. 2.. City Council At 1 :26 p.m., Vice Mayor Wyatt adjourned the meeting for Roanoke City Council. Submitted by: Approved by: ~~;ß.l.Qo-,! "'_ Mary H. Allen, CMC Clerk to the Board ty Board of Supervisors