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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/18/2002 - Special April 18, 2002 233 Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 April 18, 2002 The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration, 150 Technology Drive, Rocky Mount, Virginia, this being an adjourned meeting from April 9, 2002, for the purpose of attending the Roanoke Valley Leadership Summit meeting, hosted by the County of Franklin. INRE: CALL TO ORDER The Honorable Wayne Angell, Chairman, Franklin County Board of Supervisors, called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chairman Joseph McNamara, Supervisors Richard C. Flora, Harry C. Nickens MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairman Joseph B. "Butch" Church, Supervisor H. Odell "Fuzzy" Minnix STAFF PRESENT: Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator, Brenda J. Holton, Deputy Clerk to the Board OTHERS PRESENT: Elected officials and staff from the County of Alleghany, County of Bedford, County of Botetourt, County of Franklin, City of Covington, City of Roanoke, City of Salem, Town of Vinton and Wayne Strickland, Executive Director, Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS INRE: Chairman Angell welcomed the participants and introductions were made. The invocation was given by Supervisor Charles Wagner, Franklin County. Following lunch, the business meeting convened at 1 :00 p.m. INRE: DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS 234 April 18, 2002 Consortium for Low Fare Air Carrier Ms. Darlene Burcham, Roanoke City Manager, advised that at a recent meeting of the Mayors and Chairs, Ms. Jacqueline L. Shuck, Executive Director, Roanoke Regional Airport, presented information on a potential Federal grant to improve air service and that the airport plans to apply for this grant on behalf of its service area, including three West Virginia communities. Ms. Burcham also advised that at a subsequent meeting of the City Managers/County Administrators, the matter of forwarding letters of support of the grant application and offering seed money to support the project was discussed. She explained that Ms. Shuck will apply for the $2 Federal million grant; although it will not fully fund efforts to improve air service, a dollar for dollar match is not required. From the experience of other communities that encouraged airlines to provide low cost jet service to a major destination, it is estimated to cost in the range of $2 to $3 million for a multi-year commitment. She stated that the application is about to be finalized and requested that any member localities that have not forwarded their letters of support do so as soon as possible. Mayor Smith expressed appreciation to Franklin County for hosting the Roanoke Valley Leadership Summit Luncheon and advised that he was pleased to see the summit meetings being continued. Mayor Smith advised that at the first Leadership Summit, each participant identified challenges facing the region and improved air service was at the top of the list. He requested endorsement of the Roanoke Regional Airport Alliance which will be used to recruit corporate support for the Roanoke Regional Airport, coordinate/demonstrate the region's unanimous support within the airport service area, provide a forum for exchange of information between the Alliance and the community, provide financial support to the April 18, 2002 235 airport for airport promotion, support local travel agents and assist in developing and implementing a policy that will lead to improved general aviation service. He stated that Roanoke City and Roanoke County, with the concurrence ofthe Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, have retained the services of Barry DuVal to coordinate the efforts of the Roanoke Regional Airport Alliance. Mr. DuVal will report monthly to the Steering Committee, assist with public relations and appear before public boards and commissions, local governing bodies, and State and Federal agencies. In response to several inquiries, Ms. Burcham advised that at the meeting of Mayors and Chairs, it was noted that localities providing seed money were requested to consider the sum of $2,000 and if a locality chooses not to contribute seed money, a letter of support for the grant is still requested. She advised that the City of Roanoke has committed $25,000 in addition to $2,000 of seed money and that since the grant application refers to a consortium of communities, an endorsement letter is requested from the 15 communities served by the Roanoke Regional Airport. The Regional Alliance will become the entity that will be the source for dispensing funds paid to an airline or for a special promotion. She advised that this arrangement has proven successful for the Cities of Richmond, Newport News and Norfolk by serving as a vehicle for funding of grants and other activities. Ms. Linda Wyatt, Roanoke City Council, advised that there is a need for transportation to and from the airport from outlying areas and inquired if funding sources could be identified to provide shuttle service. Reaional Water Study Mr. Wayne Strickland, Executive Director of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany 236 April 18, 2002 Regional Commission, advised that the localities of Alleghany County, Botetourt County, Roanoke County, Craig County, City of Covington, City of Roanoke, City of Salem, Town of Vinton and Town of Clifton Forge are participating in a regional water study to review future water supply alternatives. The proposals are due on Friday, April 19, 2002, and a technical committee composed of Utility Directors from the participating jurisdictions will review the proposals. It is anticipated that a consultant will be engaged in the near future. Brandina effort in the Roanoke Vallev Ms. Burcham advised that Supervisor Harry Nickens attended the branding charette hosted by Roanoke City on April 16, 2002, and asked that she make a report to the group. She stated that the members of the Roanoke City Council who participated in the Roanoke Valley Coalition for Economic Development trip to Portland Maine on April 29 through May 1, 2001, expressed an interest in moving forward to define the image of the Roanoke Region. At a meeting of the City Managers/County Administrators, she presented a proposal to determine if other localities in the region would be interested in partnering with the City in this venture. A request for proposals was issued and there are three firms under consideration as finalists. She advised that the City of Roanoke was selected as one of 16 localities to be a pilot in Partners for Livable Places (Creative City Project) and that the City of Roanoke was offered the opportunity to host a regional branding charette on Tuesday, April 16, 2002, at the Jefferson Center. The forum was facilitated by Partners for Livable Communities and included a two-day visit by six community development/marketing professionals from across the country. Participants in the fonum included representatives from Roanoke County, Franklin County, Salem, Bedford, Vinton and Virginia Tech, as well as numerous private companies and regional April 18, 2002 237 agencies. Alleghany County has expressed an interest in joining the effort. The next steps are to define the region and a small team of marketing research professionals from within the larger group is assigned the task of developing a market research survey to help identify key voices and themes in the region. Each locality was asked to identify the amounts currently being spent on tourism and economic development marketing, and this research will then be used as a basis for the regional branding initiative. Supervisor Nickens advised that he was favorably impressed with the experts and their presentations at the forum and believes that these efforts could have a great impact on the region. Activities and Accomplishments of Franklin County A video was presented highlighting the activities and accomplishments of Franklin County. A tour of the Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration will be available for those interested after the meeting is adjourned. IN RE: CLOSING COMMENTS Mr. Strickland advised that the next meeting of the Mayors and Chairs will be hosted by the City of Covington on May 10,2002. He also advised that the next Roanoke Valley Coalition for Economic Development trip to be hosted by the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission will be held on October 6 - 8, 2002, at which time the delegation will visit Charleston, South Carolina. The Town of Vinton extended an invitation to host the next Leadership Summit Luncheon. Chairman Angell adjourned the meeting at 2:30 p.m. 238 April 18, 2002 Submitted by: Approved by: ~~. i:kJ.~ Brenda J. olton, CMC Deputy Clerk to the Board