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Home My WebLink About1/6/1996 - Special ~ Janual)' 6, 1996 ~ Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 January 6, 1996 The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center, this being Saturday, January 6, 1995 and a special meeting for the purpose of a planning session. IN RE: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. The roll call was taken. 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 IN RE: DISCUSSION WITH CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS PRESENT: Alfred C. Anderson, Treasurer, R. Commissioner of the Revenue, Gerald Steven A McGraw, Clerk of Circuit Court Wayne Holt, Compton, Sheriff, L4 January 6, 1996 ~ ~ Reports from Constitutional Officers Sheriff Holt updated the Board of Supervisors on jail expansion. Mr. McGraw advised that he and Mr. Compton are using a fax to communicate between the two offices and do not need a new scanning system at this time. Mr. McGraw also advised that he is requesting additional storage space in the Capital Improvement Program for permanent records. There was general discussion on the need to make improvements to the leased parking lot across from the courthouse jail. Mr. Hodge will check on the possibility of a long-term lease which could make improvements feasible. h Discussion of city status Chairman Johnson updated the Constitutional Officers on the County's efforts to attain city status. There was a general discussion on annexation, governmental structures in Virginia and regional cooperation. There was general agreement to pursue a regional transportation district. ~ Consideration of future involvement in Urban Partnership There was consensus to wait until the budget process to decide whether to continue funding membership in the Urban Partnership. The determining factor will be whether anything constructive comes from the process. :::=¡ --- l~mH1ry (1, 1996 J5 ~ Discussion of 24-hour County Mr. Hodge explained that a 24-hour County would provide for extended and flexible hours to meet the needs of the public, and other aspects such as payment of taxes and bills by automated teller. He advised that First Union Bank is making changes toward a 24-hour business. Mr. Anderson responded that he supported payment of taxes by ATM machines but Management Information Services would need to develop a program. There was discussion on the possibility of "one-stop shopping" whereby bills and paperwork could be handled at one office. There was agreement to pursue this possibility further, and Mr. Hodge was requested to discuss this with staff. IN RE: GENERAL DISCUSSION AMONG BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ~ Penalties for late paYment of utility bills There was discussion on concerns from citizens about the penalties for late payment of utility bills, especially if the bill was very small, or if the citizen had not previously made a late payment. There was general consensus to look at the penalties on an individual basis and take special circumstances into consideration when assessing the penalty. h Privatization Supervisor Eddy asked what efforts have been undertaken to continue privatization. Mr. Hodge responded that he will update the previous report and send it the Board of Supervisors. 16 Janual)' 6, 1996 Ë Supervisor Eddy also asked for a status report on payment of utility bills by automatic deduction from bank accounts. ~ Greenway Fundinq Mr. Hodge advised that greenways can be funded through ISTEA grants, transportation district money, or with county general funds. Supervisor Eddy announced that the Greenway steering Committee will be asking for more funding from the Roanoke Valley governments to hire a greenway coordinator. Roanoke County's share would be $21,000. Supervisors Johnson, Minnix and Nickens indicated that they did not support funding for the position, but Supervisor Eddy asked that the issue be considered further during the budget process. IN RE: DISCUSSION WITH PLANNING COMMISSION AND STAFF Present: Planning commission members Al G. Thomason, Donald R. Witt, Martha Hooker and A. Kyle Robinson, Jr.; Planning and zoning Director Terry Harrington, Planner Janet Scheid Absent: Planning commission member William Todd Ross ~ Discussion of Visioninq Process There was discussion on the visioning process and how it will fit into the comprehensive Plan. Discussion included: (1) how to manage growth without controlling it; (2) knowing when January 6, 1996 17 --- to tighten regulations and when to loosen regulations; and (3) when to be flexible in enforcement of the regulations. Mr. Harrington advised that the Planning Commission will meet in January to determine their work program for 1996. Mr. Eddy advised that his priorities were ridgeline and tree protection and greenways. IN RE: LUNCHEON RECESS At 12:00 noon, Chairman Johnson declared a recess for lunch. IN RE: RECONVENEMENT At 1:00 p.m. the Board of Supervisors reconvened. PRESENTATION FROM SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION INFORMATIONAL PROGRAM FOR BOND REFERENDUM Martin RObison, Executive Assistant for Roanoke County Schools, presented a draft brochure and a promotional timetable for the school bond referendum to be held on April 2, 1996. The Board members offered several suggestions for changes to the brochure. They also suggested that other organizations get involved in supporting the referendum. IN RE: BUDGET DISCUSSION IN RE: ON Mr. Hodge and Budget Manager Brent Robertson presented the 1995/96 revenue summary and projected revenue for 1996/97. Mr. Hodge advised that additional revenue is approximately $8 .----~---_._--_.._---~._-- 18 JanU31)' 6, 1996 - million, and after deducting funds for a five percent salary increase, there is $3 million remaining. There was discussion on the 1996/97 budget with the following requests and/or comments from the Board members: (1) Supervisor Nickens requested that Cox Cable be billed for the BPOL tax. (2) Supervisor Johnson asked that both revenue forms be adjusted in the future to reflect actual revenues. (3) Supervisor Nickens asked that the addback list be prioritized when presented to the Board of Supervisors. (4) Supervisor Eddy suggested that the Board members become more invol ved in the budget process. (5) Supervisor Nickens asked that the vehicle replacement policy include funding in the 1996/97 budget. (6) Supervisor Johnson asked staff to bring back a budget calendar to the next meeting. IN RE: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES Director of Economic Development Timothy Gubala reported on active prospects that might locate in Valley tech Park. He informed the Board that only 10 acres are left at Valleypointe Industrial Park. In response to questions and concerns from the Board, he presented a status report on the rezonings sponsored by the Industrial Development Authority to increase the County's inventory of commercial and industrial sites. ===:3 January 6, 1996 19 IN RE: ADJOURNMENT At 3:00 p.m., Chairman Johnson adjourned the meeting and announced that because of the inclement weather, the planning session originally scheduled for Sunday, January 7 would be postponed to a future date. Respectfully Submitted: ~J'rJ.~ Mary H. Allen, CMC Clerk to the Board 20 January 6, 1996 ~ This sheet left intentionally blank