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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/2/2003 - Special 1 January 2 , 2003 Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 January 2, 2003 The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the organizational meeting and the nd 2 day of January, 2003. IN RE: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Church called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. The roll call was taken. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Joseph B. “Butch” Church, Vice Chairman Joseph McNamara, Supervisors Michael W. Altizer, Richard C. Flora, H. Odell “Fuzzy” Minnix MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator; Paul M. Mahoney, County Attorney; Diane S. Childers, Clerk to the Board; John M. Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator; Dan O’Donnell, Assistant County Administrator; Diane D. Hyatt, Chief Financial Officer IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES The invocation was given by the John M. Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present. 2 January 2 , 2003 IN RE: REQUESTS TO POSTPONE, ADD TO, OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Hodge added a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A) (5) discussion concerning a prospective business or industry where no previous announcement has been made. IN RE: ANNOUNCEMENTS Supervisor Church conveyed his sympathy to Supervisor Minnix upon the recent death of his father. Supervisor Minnix expressed his appreciation for the kindness extended to him by members of the staff. IN RE: ORGANIZATION OF COUNTY BOARD 1. Election of Officers a. Chairman and Vice-Chairman Supervisor Church stated that prior to his election in 1999, the Republican Party was in the minority on the Board of Supervisors by a 3-2 margin. Following this election, they were in the majority by 3-2. He wanted to clarify misconceptions by citizens who have indicated that they are uncertain about the manner in which the Chairman and Vice-Chairman are selected. He indicated that the selection is made by the political party in the majority at the time, and that to his knowledge there has never been a formal, written agreement to rotate the Chair. He stated that he has been informed by a majority of the current Board that is their position that the position of 3 January 2 , 2003 Chairman should be rotated. Board members who have previously served as Chairman include Supervisors McNamara, Minnix, and Church. It is his position that in keeping with the consensus to rotate, Mr. Flora or Mr. Altizer should be given an opportunity to serve as Chair. Supervisor Church nominated Supervisor Flora to serve as Chairman. Supervisor Flora thanked Supervisor Church for the nomination but stated that in accordance with discussions held in January 2002, it was his understanding that Supervisor McNamara would serve as Chairman in 2003 and he would serve in 2004. He respectfully declined the nomination. Supervisor Flora nominated Supervisor McNamara to serve as Chairman. Supervisor Church stated that if there was a discussion concerning the next Chairman, he was not privy to the discussion. He stated that if it was the Board’s desire to rotate the position of Chair, then it would be fair for the two members who have not served to have an opportunity to be elected as Chairman. He stated that he felt the Board is sending mixed signals and it would be four years before he and Supervisor Flora would be serving under a true system of rotation. He asked if Supervisor Flora is comfortable with this decision. Supervisor Flora restated that he felt a moral obligation to adhere to the conversation held in January 2002 which indicated that he would serve as Chairman in 4 January 2 , 2003 2004. He stated that he was comfortable with this decision and he appreciated the support of Supervisor Church. Supervisor Church nominated Supervisor Altizer to serve as Chairman. Supervisor Flora moved to close the nominations for Chairman. Supervisor McNamara was elected by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Flora, McNamara, Minnix NAYS: Supervisors Altizer, Church Supervisor Church commented that he feels it is depriving two districts of the opportunity to have two districts represented by the position of Chairman. He stated that the position of Chairman is an important and time consuming position requiring attendance at many functions. He stated that an individual serving in this capacity needs to be available, and the system of representation needs to be fair. The motion to appoint Supervisor Altizer to serve as Chairman was defeated by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Altizer, Church NAYS: Supervisors Flora, McNamara, Minnix Chairman McNamara thanked Supervisor Church for his service as Chairman and also extended his condolences to Supervisor Minnix upon the death of his father. He stated that it is critical to maintain the rotation of the position of Chairman, and that the position remain more important than the person occupying the 5 January 2 , 2003 position. He stated that every area should be represented by the Chairman, but indicated that the Board has been consistent in that new Board members serve as Vice- Chairman in their second year and as Chairman in their third year. He thanked the majority of the Board for their support. Supervisor Minnix nominated Supervisor Flora to serve as Vice-Chairman. Supervisor Church stated that in light of Supervisor Flora declining the nomination to serve as Chairman, he nominated Supervisor Altizer to serve as Vice- Chairman. There were no other nominations and Supervisor Flora was elected by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Flora, McNamara, Minnix, Altizer NAYS: Supervisor Church The motion to appoint Supervisor Altizer to serve as Vice-Chairman was defeated by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisor Church NAYS: Supervisors Flora, McNamara, Minnix, Altizer Supervisor Flora stated that he never would have suspected that there would be five Republicans on the Board of Supervisors at one time. He stated that he sincerely regrets that the Board seems to be divided because this is an opportunity for the Board to set an example of how Republicans can lead Roanoke County. He stated 6 January 2 , 2003 his desire for the Board to come together as a unit to look out for the best interests of the County. Supervisor Church stated that he will support Supervisor McNamara as the new Chairman and Supervisor Flora as Vice-Chairman. He indicated that they are each individuals who can agree to disagree, and he emphasized the importance he places on each vote he makes. He stated that he did not feel there was divisiveness on the Board, and he had acted according to his personal beliefs. Supervisor Altizer clarified that his vote was not intended as a vote against the nominee, but rather based upon his perception of the definition of rotating the position of Chairman. He indicated that there is goodness inherent in the support of new views, and his vote was based on this conclusion concerning the process. 2. Length of Term for Chairman and Vice-Chairman Supervisor McNamara moved that the term of office run from January 2, 2003 to the organizational meeting on January 5, 2004. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Flora, McNamara, Minnix, Altizer, Church NAYS: None 3. Resolution establishing the schedule for Board meetings in 2003 R-010203-1 7 January 2 , 2003 Mr. Mahoney reviewed the proposed meeting dates for 2003. He indicated that there were three issues that the Board may wish to consider: (1) It is the custom of the Board to meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month and it was assumed that the Board would continue with this custom. (2) In the past the Board has modified the schedule in November and December to avoid potential conflicts with Election Day, Holidays, etc. (3) The organizational meeting is typically held on January 2. In 2004, January 2 will be on a Friday. It was suggested in the draft resolution that the organizational meeting be scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2004 to avoid potential conflicts with travel over the holiday. Supervisor Minnix asked Mr. Hodge if the floating holiday system had worked well. Mr. Hodge responded that the floating system had worked very well by enabling the County to keep the offices open for citizens while at the same time providing greater flexibility for the staff. He suggested that the Board continue with this system. Supervisor Flora indicated that the April 22, 2003 meeting occurs during the week of Spring Break for Roanoke County Schools and he will be unable to attend that meeting. Supervisor Minnix moved to adopt the resolution establishing the meeting schedule for 2003. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Flora, McNamara, Minnix, Altizer, Church 8 January 2 , 2003 NAYS: None RESOLUTION 010203-1 ESTABLISHING A MEETING SCHEDULE FOR THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2003 BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as follows: 1. That for calendar year 2003, the regular meetings of the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, are set forth below with public hearings scheduled for 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise advertised. Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at 3 pm Tuesday, January 28 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, February 11, 2003 at 3 pm Tuesday, February 25, 2003 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, March 11, 2003 at 3 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, April 8, 2003 at 3 pm Tuesday, April 22, 2003 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 3 pm Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, June 10, 2003 at 3 pm Tuesday, June 24, 2003 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, July 8, 2003 at 3 pm Tuesday, July 22, 2003 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, August 12, 2003 at 3 pm Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, September 9, 2003 at 3 pm Tuesday, September 23, 2003 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, October 14, 2003 at 3 pm Tuesday, October 28, 2003 at 3 pm and 7 pm Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 3 pm and 7 pm 9 January 2 , 2003 Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at 3 pm Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 3 pm and 7 pm 2. That the organizational meeting for 2004 shall be held on Monday, January 5, 2004 at 9 am. Supervisor Minnix moved to adopt the resolution. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Flora, McNamara, Minnix, Altizer, Church NAYS: None IN RE: CLOSED MEETING At 9:27 a.m. Supervisor McNamara moved to go into Closed Meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 A (5) discussion concerning a prospective business or industry where no previous announcement has been made. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Flora, McNamara, Minnix, Altizer, Church NAYS: None IN RE: CLOSED MEETING The Closed Meeting was held from 9:30 a.m. until 9:42 a.m. IN RE: CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION R-010203-2 At 9:42 a.m., Supervisor McNamara moved to return to open session and adopt the Certification Resolution. The motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Flora, McNamara, Minnix, Altizer, Church NAYS: None 10 January 2 , 2003 RESOLUTION 010203-2 CERTIFYING THE CLOSED MEETING WAS HELD IN CONFORMITY WITH THE CODE OF VIRGINIA WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia has convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, hereby certifies that, to the best of each members knowledge: 1. Only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting which this certification resolution applies, and 2. Only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia. On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the resolution, and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Flora, McNamara, Minnix, Altizer, Church NAYS: None IN RE: ADJOURNMENT Chairman McNamara adjourned the meeting at 9:43 a.m. Submitted by: Approved by: ________________________ ________________________ Diane S. Childers Joseph P. McNamara Clerk to the Board Chairman