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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/16/2002 - Special February 16, 2002 63 Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 February 16, 2002 The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met this day at Tanglewood Mall, this being an adjourned meeting from February 12, 2002 for the purpose of an annual planning session IN RE: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Church called the meeting to order at 8:40 a.m. The roll call was taken. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Joseph B. "Butch" Church, Vice Chairman Joseph McNamara, Supervisors Richard C. Flora, H. Odell "Fuzzy" Minnix, Harry C. Nickens 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; Dan R. O'Donnell, Assistant County Administrator; Diane Hyatt, Chief Financial Officer; Brent Robertson, Budget Director; Douglas Chittum, Economic Development Director; Danial Morris, Finance Director SCHOOL BOARD PRESENT: William Irvin, Chairman, Drew Barrineau, Jerry Canada, Michael Stovall SCHOOL BOARD ABSENT: Marion Roark 64 February 16, 2002 SCHOOL STAFF PRESENT: Dr. Linda Weber, School Superintendent; James Gallion, Deputy Superintendent, Lorraine Lange, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction; Tom Hall, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel; Penny Hodge, Budget and Finance Director; Patricia Radcliffe, Pupil Personnel & Special Education Director; JoAnn Burkholder, Student Assistant Program Director; Brenda Chastain, School Board Clerk IN RE: WELCOME School Superintendent Weber and School Board Chairman Bill Irvin thanked the Board of Supervisors for inviting the School Board and staff and indicated that they appreciated the opportunity to work together. County Administrator Elmer Hodge thanked everyone for attending and giving up their Saturday for the meeting. Board Chairman Church noted that this may be one of the most important retreats because of all the State budget problems. He noted that both groups need to pull together and recognize the County's priorities. Chairman Church led everyone in a team exercise. INRE: DISCUSSION WITH SCHOOL BOARD AND STAFF Dr. Weber presented the Schools Six Year School Improvement Plan. She advised that Roanoke County Schools rank 8th out of 133 school systems in Standards of Learning scores. She pointed out that mandates are not a choice but need the financial support of the state and federal government to meet them. February 16, 2002 65 Assistant Superintendent Lorraine Lange reported on the needs assessments ofthe system. She presented the one-year review as of September 1,2001. She advised that the County School System is beginning a series of specialty schools that will start with an engineering school. This program will bring in people from the community to the specialty schools. They will also be integrating character education through the Character Counts Program. Patricia Radcliffe, Pupil Personnel and Special Education Director, updated the Board of Supervisors on improvements to special education as a result of identifying seven goals to attain. Supervisor Nickens commended Ms. Radcliffe and remarked that she had made a difference in improving the program. Mr. Hodge asked how the County Board and staff could help the schools. Dr. Weber suggested more openness between the Board of Supervisors and the School Board. She commended the Budget and Finance Director for Schools, Penny Hodge, for the increase in openness and trust between the finance and budget departments for both Schools and Administration. Dr. Weber advised that she was still concerned about the school bus garage. It was suggested that the Chairs of the Board of Supervisors and School Board meet with Mr. Hodge and Dr. Weber on a monthly basis to improve communication. Mr. Hodge pointed out some of the joint issues which are health care, the demand on facilities, parks and recreation facilities and fields. Dr. Weber responded that 66 February 16, 2002 they will not have enough fields or gyms for some time. Assistant Superintendent Tom Hall reported on personnel issues. He advised that 500 employees out of 2,000 total have left over the last two years, including 300 teachers. Employees must give 120 days notice before retiring and the County still has the best retirement program in the state. He reported that they did not need to use a signing bonus this year and saved $55,000 as a result. The school staff is now being paid twice a month and that has improved morale and made it easier to hire new employees. Dr. Weber reported that the Blue Ribbon Committee will make their recommendations in March, but they are concerned because of the potential cost of their recommendations. Supervisor Flora responded that he did not think there would be "dollar shock" because the committee is aware of the budget constraints. Concerning salaries and benefits, Dr. Weber advised that the middle of the salary scale is their biggest concern, and Ms. Hodge pointed out that the health care costs are equal to a two percent salary increase. INRE: RECESS Chairman Church declared a brief recess at 10:45 IN RE: MYERS-BRIGGS EVALUATIONS At 11 :00 a.m., Human Resources Training Coordinator Leah Coffman February 16, 2002 67 presented the results of the Myers-Briggs personality evaluations that the Board and staff had taken earlier in the week. IN RE: RECESS FOR LUNCH At 12:00 noon, Chairman Church recessed the meeting for lunch with invited business leaders. IN RE: DISCUSSION WITH ROANOKE VALLEY BUSINESS LEADERS Present: Dennis Fisher, Carilion Biomedical Institute; Michael Pace, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce; Catherine McCullough, Cox Communications; Neil Gallagher, ITT and Industrial Development Authority; Jackie Shuck, Roanoke Regional Airport; Billy Branch, Chair, Industrial Development Authority; Victor lanello, Synchrony Industrials Controls; Ray Smoot, Virginia Tech Absent: Supervisor Flora (left at 12 noon) IN RE: REMARKS Chairman Church welcomed the business leaders to the meeting and thanked them for attending. Economic Development Director Douglas Chittum reviewed the new Economic Development web site. Mr. Smoot advised that improved air services are critical and that those improvements need to be made on a regional basis. He believes that a major health care center will grow with technology. Regionalism needs to behave like there are no 68 February 16, 2002 boundaries and should include Montgomery County. The complete failure of tax policies by the State will result in poor public services. Mr. lanello advised that he has been involved in several government type organizations and thinks that regionalism is important. Some great examples are working on a regional economic strategy with the Regional Alliance and the new water study. If government doesn't start working together in better ways, businesses will demand it. Mr. Pace advised that he is pleased that there now seems to be a common effort at regionalism. The Chamber is an advocate for businesses in the region. He feels that work force development is critical. Businesses have not been as active as they should be in letting government know what they need. Regionalism means looking outwards. Transportation is critical in recruiting businesses. Mr. Branch indicated that it costs dollars to operate businesses and there is a need to look at used buildings to keep rents and costs down. The Industrial Deveiopment Authority needs to be proactive on working with businesses to assist them throughout the process. Mr. Gallagher thanked Mr. Hodge for expediting the construction of new water lines which now serve ITT's facility. He advised that the Economic Development web site is a very good start; that health costs are going up; and that businesses are going through a cash crunch. Ms. McCullough advised that she has been in Roanoke for two years and February 16, 2002 69 commended Roanoke County for their positive relationship with the community. She advised that the cable franchise needs to be finalized and that there is a need for a regional optical network. Ms. Shuck advised that there are 17 counties in the primary air service area and that the Economic Development web site will be very helpful to familiarize people with the airport as a resource. She would also like for the City and County governments and economic development officials to consider using the airport and its staff as a resource to aid them in their efforts. Carriers look at revenues and incentives and the Airport Commission by law cannot offer incentives. Mr. Fisher advised that he was proud of the City and County governments and believes that they are proactive and experiencing more regional cooperation. He feels that education is a great asset and we have many types of educational opportunities. He suggested expanding the airport services by forming a larger regional airport within a two and one-half hours' drive of Roanoke which would include Charlottesville. He felt that cultural institutions and activities are very successful. After discussion, it was the consensus of the group that several items need to be done. These include: (1) Establish a regional identity. They were advised that the Fifth Planning District Commission is working on this identity. (2) Focus education on 21st century to educate the work force and for life-long learning. (3) Education should be focused with business concerns. (4) Need to support cultural programs. (5) Availability of 70 February 16, 2002 capital is needed. Supervisor Minnix questioned that if the County is tied to Virginia Tech, will the County be tied to others such as the New River Valley? He used as an example the Center for Research and Technology. Supervisor Nickens left at 1 :45 p.m. after advising that this has been the most positive dialogue, both internally and externally, that he has heard since 1982. He suggested that the Economic Development Department continue holding the magisterial district breakfasts. Supervisor Minnix asked if the County needs to formalize a structure to work with the businesses. Mr. lanello and Mr. Pace advised that they did not think a structure is needed. Supervisor Minnix advised that he did not think Roanoke will ever be a regional hub for air traffic. Supervisor McNamara asked what Roanoke County should be doing specifically as it relates to water. Supervisor Church advised that the County and City must work out some things first before moving toward a water authority, such as solving the immediate water problem. Mr. lanello advised of the need to at least coordinate efforts and move forward with the water study. Mr. Hodge advised that he is working with the City but there are many legal issues. Mr. Smoot advised that he would encourage the City to move forward with the water authority. February 16, 2002 71 INRE: DISCUSSION WITH BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND STAFF At 2:25 p.m., Mr. Hodge updated the Board on the recent Chairs and Mayors meeting. He advised that a lot of interest was expressed about Interstate-81 and the group would like a resolution of support for the widening of 1-81. Supervisor McNarnara asked if we should adopt a resolution to support 1-81. Mr. Hodge asked how staff should work with the Blue Ribbon Committee. Supervisor McNamara advised that his response would be to give the total amount of funding figure to the School Board and after the Blue Ribbon Committee prioritizes the projects, then the County and School Board could make the final priority determinations. Mr. Hodge asked if the Board wants to consider using a General Obligation bond issue. Supervisor Minnix suggested the Board wait to see what their financial position might be. Mr. Hodge advised that two issues need to be worked on: (1) water (2) sewage treatment plant upgrade. He highlighted the County's successes over the past year which include: Regional Training Center; Joint Clearbrook Fire & Rescue; SPCA; Citizen Inquiry System; Economic Development Magisterial District breakfasts; and Novozymes. Other things to be considered are the economy, expanding the region, and the Virginia Tech connection. Mr. Hodge advised that he is looking at this year's budget to reduce the deficit and will provide a list of reductions to the Board for consensus. He advised that he has been very pleased with the support of County departments. Supervisor Church advised 72 February 16, 2002 that there is a need to be consistent and reduce all departments equally. He would like to schedule a work session on the budget. He mentioned that there are significant needs in the Information Technology Department and nine dispatchers are needed in the Police Department to handle the cell phone calls. Mr. Mahoney stated that Governor Warner was honest and blunt about the budget crisis and that we have communicated the County's concerns about the budget to our local legislators. Ms. Hyatt advised that the County should know several key pieces of information in early March concerning the amount of funds to be allocated by the State. Chairman Church adjourned the meeting at 3:20 p.m. Submitted by, Approved by, ~.~~ Mary H. Allen, CMC Clerk to the Board ðrL Jose B. "Butch" Church Chairman ~~q,~ Brenda J. olton, CMC Deputy Clerk to the Board