3/28/2023 - Regular
March 28, 2023
99
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the
Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the first regularly scheduled meeting
of the month of March 2023. Audio and video recordings of this meeting will be held on
file for a minimum of five (5) years in the office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors.
IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES
Before the meeting was called to order, a moment of silence was
observed. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Hooker called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. The roll call
was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Martha B. Hooker; Supervisors Paul M. Mahoney,
Phil C. North, P. Jason Peters and David F. Radford
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Richard L. Caywood, County Administrator; Rebecca
Owens, Deputy County Administrator; Doug Blount,
Assistant County Administrator; Peter S. Lubeck, County
Attorney; Amy Whittaker, Public Information Officer and
Deborah C. Jacks, Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board
IN RE: REQUESTS TO POSTPONE, ADD TO, OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF
AGENDA ITEMS
Richard Caywood requested a second work session - Work session for
additional discussion / Q&A on the County Administrator’s proposed fiscal year 2024
Budget and Capital Improvement Program and requested that item G-4 - Resolution
requesting the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) accept Fairway Ridge
Court of Ridge at Fairway Forest Section 3 in the Catawba Magisterial District into the
VDOT Secondary Road System. There were no objections.
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IN RE: BRIEFINGS
1. Briefing to discuss with the Board of Supervisors the County
Administrator's Proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating
Budget and Proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2033 Capital Improvement
Program (Richard Caywood, County Administrator and Laurie
Gearheart, Director of Finance and Management Services)
Briefing was given by PowerPoint presentation, a copy of which is on file
in the office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors.
Supervisor Peters commented that he is thankful for fulling the
commitment to our public safety, finishing up the step plan that had been put out there a
couple of years ago. Under the new budget, we are transferring $96 million to the
schools. Is that correct. Ms. Gearheart responded we are transferring $87 million to
their operating budget, then we pay on their behalf $1.88 for the Children’s Services
Act. The $7.1 million in debt services, we pay directly, but it is on the school’s debt
issuances that they have had over the years.
Supervisor North commented all of these numbers are based upon a
number in February for the year-over-year growth. The growth could be more than that
once we know more about sales tax revenues and meals tax between now and the end
of June. Is that correct. Ms. Gearheart responded potentially. Supervisor North added
that could also impact the school’s operating revenue transfer. Is that correct? Mr.
st
Caywood responded the transfers to the schools are really fixed essentially on July 1
of each budget year. Supervisor North then asked with regard to slide 20, it says
incremental increase in maintaining joint funding for 17-17-17; that is the $300,000. We
all know that number could change when we go to 20-20-20, but it also could change
depending upon what we finally come to in agreement with the schools. Ms. Gearheart
responded in the affirmative.
Supervisor Peters then inquired when do we transfer to the schools with
Ms. Gearheart responding on a monthly basis. Mr. Caywood added once the
calculation is done, it is given to the schools month by month, it is not recalculated.
Supervisor Radford asked would it be safe to say, looking at the first slide
where you projected $244,372,999 that tax relief would be another $1 million if we went
to a tax rate of $1.06. Ms. Gearheart responded it would be approximately $1.108
million.
Supervisor Peters then asked so you stated before that our budget went
up $23 million and looking at $3.59 million in tax relief. Are you saying the schools
would only feel half of that? Ms. Gearheart explained going forward, that is correct.
IN RE: NEW BUSINESS
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1. Resolution 1) designating signatory authority for grant
applications to the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority and 2)
voluntarily agreeing to meet the Authority’s “gold standard”
requirements for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 (Madeline Sefcik,
Assistant to the County Administrator)
Ms. Sefcik outlined the request for resolution.
Supervisor North inquired if we apply for a grant, would we get 25% more
with the gold standard with Ms. Sefcik responding in the affirmative.
Supervisor Mahoney stated assuming we adopt the resolution and we are
successful with the grant application and we receive the funds set forth in the resolution,
there are only three (3) months remaining in the current fiscal year. Do we have any
idea when the Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) will award and secondly do we have
enough time to meet the Virginia Public Procurement Act requirements and still be able
to find an appropriate opportunity to spend the funds? Ms. Sefcik advised the OAA has
stated they are going to award the grants on a rolling basis; it appears they award at the
end of each month. So, each month they published the date, they have the committee
review and distribute the funding. Ms. Sefcik advised with regard to the procurement
laws, we do have to abide by them, which would be a lengthier process than just
selecting a group to work with. Supervisor Mahoney stated so the worst case as we go
through the procurement process and perhaps it takes longer than we anticipate, but if
we sign a contract you can allocate the funds back to the previous fiscal year. Mr.
Lubeck responded in the affirmative stating it is his understanding the grants will be
awarded for both this fiscal year and the next. If the funds are not expended due to
procurement delays, they can and will be carried over to the next year. So, he does not
anticipate that to be a problem. He added there are two (2) types of grants. They will
be awarded to us automatically if the board does adopt the resolution proposed today.
The 25% will be automatic for grants that are specific to the County. The County is
guaranteed the amount set aside for us individually by the Opioid Abatement Authority;
we just have to apply for it. If we apply for an appropriate project, we're guaranteed
those funds and we are also guaranteed the 25%. We are not guaranteed an additional
25% for grants that are cooperative in nature, that we would apply for together with
other localities.
RESOLUTION 032823-1 1) DESIGNATING SIGNATORY
AUTHORITY FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS TO THE VIRGINIA
OPIOID ABATEMENT AUTHORITY AND 2) VOLUNTARILY
AGREEING TO MEET THE AUTHORITY’S “GOLD STANDARD”
REQUIREMENTS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2023 AND 2024
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County seeks to mitigate and
abate the impacts of the opioid epidemic in Roanoke County; and
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WHEREAS, the mission of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority (OAA) is to
abate and remediate the opioid epidemic in the Commonwealth through financial
support in the form of grants, donations, or other assistance; and
WHEREAS, the OAA has invited each city and county in Virginia to submit
proposals for grants to support efforts to treat, prevent, and reduce opioid use disorder
and the misuse of opioids in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the financial assistance offered by the OAA is needed to provide
opioid mitigation and abatement efforts in Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, the County intends on preparing and submitting grant proposals for
fiscal years 2023 and 2024 that accept the terms and conditions required by the OAA;
and
WHEREAS, Roanoke County further voluntarily agrees to meet the OAA’s “Gold
Standard” requirements in return for a 25% increase in OAA funding eligibility during
these two fiscal years; and
WHEREAS, in addition to any cooperative grant proposals that the County may
elect to file (in conjunction with partnering localities), the County anticipates filing an
application for funds in the amount of $139,537 (for fiscal year 2023) and $23,473 (for
fiscal year 2024), plus the additional incentive amounts of $34,884 (for fiscal year 2023)
and $5,868 (for fiscal year 2024), which amounts total $203,762.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, as follows:
1) The Board authorizes the County Administrator or his designee to execute the
grant application to the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority, to accept the
grant award, and to execute all documents in connection therewith.
2) The Board voluntarily agrees to meet the OAA’s “Gold Standard”
requirements for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
On motion of Supervisor North to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Radford and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
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IN RE: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Emergency ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a public
access easement located at 7515 Friendship Lane for a sidewalk
on private property along Plantation Road and Friendship Lane,
Hollins Magisterial District (Due to time constraints for the
project, it is requested that the second reading be dispensed with
upon an affirmative vote of 4/5ths of the members of the Board,
and that this matter be deemed an emergency measure pursuant
to Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter) (Megan G.
Cronise, Assistant Director of Planning)
Ms. Cronise outlined the request for ordinance.
Supervisor Mahoney asked would this action require the Board to go back
and amend the proffer from the rezoning or do we have sufficient authority under site
plan review to accommodate this action. Ms. Cronise responded the proffer was written
to indicate substantial conformance with a concept plan and providing sidewalk in either
location is substantial conformance.
EMERGENCY ORDINANCE 032823-2 AUTHORIZING THE
ACCEPTANCE OF A PUBLIC ACCESS EASEMENT LOCATED
AT 7515 FRIENDSHIP LANE FOR A SIDEWALK ON PRIVATE
PROPERTY ALONG PLANTATION ROAD AND FRIENDSHIP
LANE, HOLLINS MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT
WHEREAS, Roanoke County’s Plantation Road Bicycle, Pedestrian and
Streetscape Improvement Plan was initiated in 2009, and its scope envisions the
construction of pedestrian accommodations along Friendship Lane in Roanoke County;
and
WHEREAS, the owner of the property located at 7515 Friendship Lane (Roanoke
County Tax Map No: 027.06-05-06.00-0000) agrees to convey a permanent public use
easement across the said property in order for the general public to use a sidewalk to
be installed across the said property; and
WHEREAS, the said sidewalk would assist in implementing the Plantation Road
Bicycle, Pedestrian and Streetscape Improvement Project; and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter directs that the
acquisition and conveyance of real estate interests be accomplished by ordinance; the
first reading of this ordinance was held on March 28, 2023, and the second reading has
been dispensed with, upon an affirmative vote of 4/5ths of the members of the Board,
this being deemed to be an emergency measure pursuant to Section 18.04 of the
Roanoke County Charter.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
1. That the conveyance of a new permanent public use easement by
Margaret O. Klapperich to the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, in the Hollins
Magisterial District, located at 7515 Friendship Lane (Roanoke County Tax Map No:
027.06-05-06.00-0000), shown and designated as “PROPOSED PUBLIC VARIABLE
WIDTH SIDEWALK EASEMENT (2,553 SF)” upon the plat entitled “PROPOSED
EASEMENTS EXHIBIT FOR INSITE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PROPERTIES,
L.L.C OF TAX MAP #027.06-05-06.00-0000 – 0.933 ACRE – INSTRUMENT
#202209719 SITUATE ALONG FRIENDSHIP LANE AND PLANTATION ROAD 7521
FRIENDSHIP LANE (f/k/a 7515 FRIENDSHIP LANE) HOLLINS MAGISTERIAL
DISTRICT ROANOKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA” prepared by Parker Design Group, dated
January 25, 2023, is hereby authorized and approved.
2. That the County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator, or Assistant
County Administrator, any of whom may act, are authorized to execute, deliver and
record the deed, and any other documents on behalf of the County, and to take all such
further action as any of them may deem necessary or desirable in connection with this
project. The form of the deed is hereby approved with such completions, omissions,
insertions and changes as the County Administrator may approve, whose approval shall
be evidenced conclusively by the execution and delivery thereof, all of which shall be
approved as to form by the County Attorney’s Office.
3. An emergency is deemed to exist, and this ordinance shall be effective
upon its adoption.
On motion of Supervisor North to adopt the ordinance as an emergency measure
and waiving the second reading with a 4/5ths vote; seconded by Supervisor Radford
and carried by the following recorded vote:
YES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
IN RE: APPOINTMENTS
Supervisor Radford asked to reappoint Sunny Shah to an additional term
to expire September 26, 2026.
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 032823-3 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN
CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS
ITEM I- CONSENT AGENDA
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BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
That the certain section of the agenda of the Board of Supervisors for March 28,
2023, designated as Item G - Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and
concurred in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1
through 5 inclusive, as follows:
1. Approval of minutes – December 7, 2022; December 13, 2022
2. Resolution requesting the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)
accept Fairway Ridge Court in the Catawba Magisterial District into the VDOT
Secondary Road System
3. Ordinance authorizing the approval of new variable width drainage
easements to the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia
properties located along Denise Circle for the purpose of drainage
improvements, Vinton Magisterial District (Second Reading)
4. Ordinance authorizing the approval of new variable width drainage
easements to the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, on
properties on Girard drive for the purpose of drainage improvements, Cave
Spring Magisterial District (Second Reading)
5. Confirmation of appointment to the Roanoke County Board of Zoning Appeals
(District)
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Mahoney and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
ORDINANCE 032823-3.a AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF
NEW VARIABLE WIDTH DRAINAGE EASEMENTS TO THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA,
ON PROPERTIES ON DENISE CIRCLE FOR THE PURPOSE OF
DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, VINTON MAGISTERIAL
DISTRICT
WHEREAS, it appears that improvements to a drainage system located on two
properties on Denise Circle in the Vinton Magisterial District are needed; and
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WHEREAS, the names of the property owners for the individual properties at
issue (collectively, “Property Owners”) and the corresponding tax map numbers across
which the variable width drainage easements will lie are set forth on this chart:
Address Tax Map No. Owner
2044 Denise Circle 039.04-01-32.00-0000 Randall Lee Light & Susan B. Light
2049 Denise Circle 039.04-01-26.00-0000 Rosemarie Novotny
WHEREAS, in order to assist the Property Owners in making such drainage
system improvements, the County has requested that the Property Owners grant new
variable width drainage easements to the County; and
WHEREAS, the Property Owners have agreed to convey the new variable width
drainage easements to the County; and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter directs that the
acquisition and conveyance of real estate interests be accomplished by ordinance; the
first reading of this ordinance was held on March 14, 2023, and the second reading was
held on March 28, 2023.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
1. That the conveyance of these new variable width drainage easements by
the Property Owners to the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, in the Vinton
Magisterial District, is hereby authorized and approved.
2. That the County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator, or Assistant
County Administrator is authorized to execute, deliver and record the deed, and any
other documents on behalf of the County, and to take all such further action as any of
them may deem necessary or desirable in connection with this project. The form of the
deed is hereby approved with such completions, omissions, insertions and changes as
the County Administrator may approve, whose approval shall be evidenced conclusively
by the execution and delivery thereof, all of which shall be approved as to form by the
County Attorney.
3. That this ordinance shall be effective from and after the date of its
adoption.
On motion of Supervisor Mahoney to adopt the ordinance, seconded by
Supervisor Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
ORDINANCE 032823-3.b AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF
NEW VARIABLE WIDTH DRAINAGE EASEMENTS TO THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA,
ON PROPERTIES ON GIRARD DRIVE FOR THE PURPOSE OF
DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, CAVE SPRING MAGISTERIAL
DISTRICT
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WHEREAS, it appears that improvements to a drainage system located on six
adjacent properties on Girard Road in the Cave Spring Magisterial District, are needed;
and
WHEREAS, the names of the property owners for the individual properties at
issue (collectively, “Property Owners”) and the corresponding tax map numbers across
which the variable width drainage easements will lie are set forth on this chart:
Address Tax Map No. Owner
4515 Girard Drive 077.17-02-41.00-0000 Robert D. & Jennifer A. Perdue
4525 Girard Drive 077.17-02-42.00-0000 Mark D. Tanis
4531 Girard Drive 077.17-02-43.00-0000 Shirley D. Evans
4537 Girard Drive 077.17-02-44.00-0000 James S. Burnett & Julie E. Leighton
4543 Girard Drive 077.17-02-45.00-0000 Saunders Living Trust
4557 Girard Drive 077.17-02-46.00-0000 Barry K. Agnew & Elizabeth M. Merritt
4566 Girard Drive 077.17-02-11.00-0000 Michael Allen Simmons, Jr.
WHEREAS, in order to assist the Property Owners in making such drainage
system improvements, the County has requested that the Property Owners grant new
variable width drainage easements to the County; and
WHEREAS, the Property Owners have agreed to convey the new variable width
drainage easements to the County; and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter directs that the
acquisition and conveyance of real estate interests be accomplished by ordinance; the
first reading of this ordinance was held on March 14, 2023, and the second reading was
held on March 28, 2023.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
1. That the conveyance of these new variable width drainage easements by
the Property Owners to the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, in the Cave Spring
Magisterial District, is hereby authorized and approved.
2. That the County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator, or Assistant
County Administrator is authorized to execute, deliver and record the deed, and any
other documents on behalf of the County, and to take all such further action as any of
them may deem necessary or desirable in connection with this project. The form of the
deed is hereby approved with such completions, omissions, insertions and changes as
the County Administrator may approve, whose approval shall be evidenced conclusively
by the execution and delivery thereof, all of which shall be approved as to form by the
County Attorney.
3. That this ordinance shall be effective from and after the date of its
adoption.
On motion of Supervisor Mahoney to adopt the ordinance, seconded by
Supervisor Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
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AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
A-032823-3.c
IN RE: CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Richard Hemberger of 8124 Golden Oak Lane stated, “He was here to talk
about the Glo Fiber project and its impact on his neighborhood. They showed up in at
the end of February, started digging holes, pulling conduit, and then walked away from
the job. They have not restarted as of this day. There were holes, there are piles of dirt.
It's a mess to the point where our landscaper has had to mow around the stuff. I can't
get the place mulched because it's going to be digging up the mulch beds. We get no
response. Talked to Glo Fiber, promised to return, phone call, nothing. They sent the
supervisor who is a sub of Glo Fiber who's supervising the other subs. He had no idea
where they were. They just disappeared. It's a local company. In short, what we're
dealing with is a mess. The workers we think damaged our gazebo. They threw their
garbage chicken bones just on the lawns. It is a completely incompetent group of
people. Glo Fiber doesn't want to accept responsibility. I would ask that you tell Glo
Fiber, "Time out. Don't do anything more in the county until you come up with a plan." I
heard last night that they're talking about the end of April and they'll be out of here. That
concerns me. I don't want them to be out of here until our neighborhood's put back the
way it was.”
Supervisor Hooker stated she appreciated Mr. Hemberger coming. She
then asked staff if they could reach out and get some mitigation. Mr. Caywood
responded Madeline and Doug have done a good job. We have had challenges across
the County. We do speak to folks from Glo Fiber every Friday morning at 8:30 and we
will continue to do all we can to get them to clean up. Their actual permit is with the
Commonwealth through VDOT, not the County so we don't have direct control, but keep
in touch with us and we will do everything we can to force as much restoration as
possible with the company. Mr. Hemberger responded let me be clear. They haven't
finished the project, but they've gotten the conduit on one side of the street, they haven't
done the other side. We have half of this to go yet. We don't know where they are.
Supervisor North advised he has encountered this problem before
personally, but also with other people. I'd like to ask staff, if you don't mind, instead of
waiting to Friday and bringing it up, let's get ahold of the government affairs
representative who will get ahold of the regional manager and have him come down and
meet and take a look at this for this gentleman and his name. Mr. Caywood responded
in the affirmative.
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Supervisor Peters commented he has called Mr. Caywood frequently due
to the same issue where they're digging holes in our streets and leaving. He knows that
Mr. Caywood is correct and that they have the permitting through VDOT, not through
us, but is there any way we can go back through VDOT and have VDOT help us apply
or State of Virginia apply some pressure to get these things done properly? Because
they're leaving potholes in the middle of the street and we've had to go back and
forcefully, kindly ask them to fill the holes. Can we get some help at another layer of
government that we're not able to do ourselves? Mr. Caywood responded we can
elevate. We've actually sat down in person with some of their higher-level folks. He
thinks there might be a good opportunity to do that again. I just want to keep
expectations reasonable just because we don't have a permit to pull so our direct
authority is somewhat limited, but I think staff is fully committed to doing everything in
our power. Mr. Caywood then suggested that he would try and have them come to a
Board meeting.
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor Radford moved to receive and file the following reports. The
motion was seconded by Supervisor Mahoney and carried by the following recorded
vote:
AYES: Supervisors Mahoney, Hooker, North, Radford, Peters
NAYS: None
1. Unappropriated, Board Contingency and Capital Reserves Report
2. Outstanding Debt Report
3. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Revenues as of
February 28, 2023
4. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Expenditures and
Encumbrances as of February 28, 2023
5. Accounts Paid – February 28, 2023
6. Statement of Treasurer’s Accountability per Investment and Portfolio
Policy as of February 28, 2023
rd
Chairman Hooker recessed to the 3 floor at 4:07 p.m. for work session.
IN RE: WORK SESSIONS
1. Work session to discuss the new Police Chief’s vision for the
Police Department with the Board of Supervisors (Michael
Poindexter, Chief of Police)
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Chief Poindexter provided PowerPoint presentation. In attendance with
Chief Poindexter was Assistant Chief Chapman and Assistant Chief Mark Tuck.
Supervisor Hooker asked with regard to the School Resource Officers
(SRO’s), she has been seeing all the social media and what the department has been
doing, but how are you feeling about that hiring process? Do you see that improving
quickly, she was pleased to hear that there are now four? Chief Poindexter stated they
have actually refined how we're recruiting our school resource officers. It's easy to just
put an ad out and say we're looking for help, but the four that we've hired came from our
contacts within. We have personally reached out to each applicant, had conversations,
explained the program, and we were able to get those hired. So, we are now looking to
build upon relationships that we have and the contacts we have of police officers who
are about to retire or recently retired, to recruit them as school resource officers.
The work session was held from 4:26 p.m. until 4:57 p.m.
2. Work session for additional discussion / Q&A on the County
Administrator’s proposed fiscal year 2024 Budget and Capital
Improvement Program
Mr. Caywood provided PowerPoint presentation, a copy of which is on file
in the office of the clerk.
First, we want to talk to you a little bit about personal property tax and
some things you need to consider as we finalize rate setting for personal property tax.
He wanted to talk a little bit about the question that was raised earlier about how you
could get to an additional penny on real estate and what would happen if you did that.
finally, we could give just a brief update on our fire station project. Ms. Laurie
Gearheart, Director of Finance and Management Services, provided a couple of
scenarios. Some people are going to see increases in personal property tax bills on
existing vehicles that they've had, especially through the pandemic, and that's just due
to variable rates of depreciation. There's actually a fairly big spread of how that has
changed kind of as the market is normalizing. Then just the concentrated effect of doing
the formulaic reduction, which only applies to the first 20,000 in value and only applies
to personal use vehicles. So, a tax rate change affects folks in a different way than
formulaic changes.
Supervisor Peters asked Ms. Gearheart to walk through what would
happen if we dropped the real estate to $1.06. Ms. Gearheart responded if you took
another penny off the real estate tax, you would be looking at about $1.1 million less
revenue Since we have not finalized our budget, we would adjust our school revenue
sharing formula. So that would save us about not quite $457,000 that we would reduce
their transfer. We would decrease our transfer to some of our reserves that we had
included for about $300,000 and then we would start chopping away at some of the
operating items that we shared with you today. Supervisor Peters then asked if we are
stilling sitting on year-end surplus that we have not spent, some of those reserves could
March 28, 2023
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be topped off with that year-end surplus. Further, some of the items that is in capital,
one-time capital that we’ve been putting money in those account, we could use of that
surplus for that. Ms. Gearheart responded as it gets a little closer to June 30th, staff are
looking at all of those current year accounts and monitoring them very closely.
Supervisor Peters stated he feels like we're already sitting on surplus from last year. We
know we're going to have surplus for this year, probably in the neighborhood of what we
had last year. He just has a hard time believing we can't top off some of these reserves
with that because it's one-time money, we can top them off with that rather than
justifying why we can't reduce another penny. Ms. Gearheart responded, that is
definitely the direction in which we are thinking to be able to do our best to shore up as
any of those reserve possible as we go into fiscal year '24. Supervisor Peters stated he
thinks that we need to send a better message to our business community and our
citizens in general. We are doing a 7% pay adjustment. The private sector is not
anywhere near that.
Supervisor North commented we have time to look at this.
Supervisor Mahoney commented he is in support of the two (2) cent
reduction.
Supervisor Radford commented that we have to keep inflation in the back
our minds. So, while he can appreciate the reserves or the surplus that we end up with,
but the capital costs that we're talking about doing, they're going up. He is cautious too,
if we give back that three, will we not have to go borrow from something else? Not
taking the account, the surpluses. Because that's a different calculation. But I'm a little
concerned about inflation and our cost
The work session was held from 5:07 p.m. until 5:35 p.m.
Chairman Hooker opened the evening session at 7:01 p.m.
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION
1. Resolution adopting an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan
for Roanoke County, Virginia, by incorporating the U.S. Route 460
Land Use and Connectivity Study (Megan G. Cronise, Assistant
Director of Planning)
Ms. Cronise provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Chairman Hooker opened the public hearing with the following speaker
commented on this agenda item.
Travis Chipp of 4224 Challenger Avenue stated, “. As it pertains to the 460
Land Use and Connectivity Study, road F, E, and D comes through our property, me
and my neighbors, and those around us. When we purchased this home, it was to be
our permanent home for our family to raise our kids. Currently, we enjoy living there,
and we are in support of the majority of this plan. But that area does affect us directly,
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and I wanted to come here and state tonight that I have young children, and my
neighbors as well. All of my neighbors, we all have children, who play there as well as
wildlife. And as it pertains to topography and the road, the grade, I'm just unsure about
how a road would come and cut through my property in addition to different buildings
that I have that would be affected by the road. Two buildings now, farmland that I use to
grow crops each and every year, these sort of things would have to be removed and
dealt with. So, I'm in opposition to that particular portion of the 460 Land Use and
Connectivity Study, and I just wanted to make that known.”
Chairman Hooker closed the public hearing and asked for questions from
the Board.
Supervisor North asked Ms. Cronise to bring the map back up. He stated
the area he is talking about is East Ruritan going over to Walmart with that dotted line,
correct? Ms. Cronise advised it’s East Ruritan under the bridge. Supervisor North
stated that is segment E, which would be constructed by a developer if they had a
development plan. So, there's no imminent domain involved here. This is just there in
case one day somebody wants to purchase the land and develop it from the current
owners. It has nothing to do with it's going to happen next year or the year after. Ms.
Cronise added these dotted lines in particular, this is all going to be development
related. So, if you wanted to sell your land to a developer, then the developer could put
a road in to help with connections between East and West Ruritan. So, if you don't sell
your property, this doesn't have to happen at all. But it gives you options if you would
like to sell your property for that development to have a better way in and out other than
having access right along Challenger Avenue.
Supervisor Radford stated he is hearing from the gentleman that just
spoke with “F” might be cutting through his property.
Mr. Caywood stated based on some of the feedback we had heard
previously, Ms. Cronise and I spent a fair amount of time trying to work on the wording
of the note to try to make it more clear that the way this is drawn is not necessarily
trying to dictate a specific location, and the intent that this would be something worked
on in the future with the cooperation of a property owner again trying to do some
development. That was one of the things. We went through a couple of versions and
actually probably one of the last changes that was made to this plan was to try to work
on that text to try to make that more clear. But that is somewhat difficult to communicate
just in a document. But that was an effort we've made course.
Supervisor Peters stated he is going to voice the concerns brought to him
one by one. First, people that are pulling of the lower part of Bonsack Road, are going
to be forced to go up Rt. 460 to make a u-turn in front of Country Corner. Is that
correct? Ms. Cronise responded in the affirmative, stating that is the plan on that
project. Supervisor Peters stated, the site distance is much worse at Country Corner
looking towards Walmart than it is allowing them to come across there at the current
Bonsack cutover. His concern, with the traffic that's already on 460, the speed on 460,
is we have not taken the slight distance into account? Ms. Cronise responded she
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believed that was taken into account when the consultants worked on the plan for Route
460. And Brian Blevins, our Salem resident engineer is here to help explain those things
for us today. Additionally, she believes we could certainly take a look at as preliminary
engineering has just begun and is looking at the site distance at that intersection during
project design to potentially improve it so it's easier to see. The other option is you could
go down to the Huntridge intersection and make a U-turn there. Site distance is good at
Huntridge. Supervisor Peters then added he has talked to several of the folks that he
represents over in Bonsack. He thinks it's a grand idea. It's shutting off both ends of
Bonsack Road, and why not just put a crossover right there in front of Walmart? We'd
add one leg to that intersection as far as the lights, and just have one road that would
come straight down and we would remove a lot... I mean, that's what this is about is
traffic flow. So, you'd remove both ends of that Bonsack Road and you'd have one
cutover. I know there's a creek or something right there. Ms. Cronise responded that is
a great idea, however, there is a lot of flood plain there. We do have the tributary for
Glade Creek that comes under Rt. 460 there and we have had development challenges
there because of the flood plain. The other factor is VDOT has made a big push over
the last five plus years to limit four-phase traffic signals on major corridors. If that were
to be implemented here, it would need to be a through-cut configuration where the
Bonsack to Walmart movement would not be allowed because we're trying to preserve
capacity on 460 because we get so many complaints about congestion on 460.
Supervisor Peters stated that would be okay as well, it made a lot of sense to me if we
could make that work because if you're standing at Walmart and Lowe's, and looking
back across the street over into Bonsack, if you had that road that would just cut straight
across, even if we made it so you couldn't go straight across.
Supervisor Mahoney asked what assurance can we give Mr. Chipp that he
and his family will be protected. Mr. Mahoney advise you could block any of areas E
and F as long as you own the property. Mr. Chip advised he thought it would be an
eminent domain issue and the County would condemn. Supervisor Mahoney advised
the County is not going to condemn your property.
Supervisor North commented to the point of the road coming from
Bonsack Village into 460 across from Walmart, our good friend from VDOT, Mr. Blevins
is right there. One of the things that I understand about this whole plan, Mr. Blevins, is
that we want to reduce the number of signalization steps at these intersections. So, that
would really be adding another signal at that 460 interchange. Whereas today, it's really
a T, if you will, coming to and from Walmart. And that would counter what we're doing in
every place else along there by putting these R cuts. Mr. Blevins responded that is
correct. That's one of the reasons why that signal wasn't included in the study in the
first place to make any changes because it's already a three-phase signal. It's about as
good as it's going to get without actually removing something, or taking away another
movement. Supervisor North asked Mr. Blevins about the R cuts that are being
installed along 460 in the County and the City; why aren't they also being installed in
other areas similar to this across the Commonwealth? Mr. Blevins responded VDOT
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has been using what we call an innovative intersection design around the State. We're
not the first to use it and we won't be the last. North Carolina uses it fairly extensively on
higher volume, higher speed roadways. South Carolina does as well. You'll see them on
220, on Greensboro Road, and on South Carolina 9 headed into North Myrtle Beach.
So, if you head that way, you'll see some of those. They work very well. It reduces
conflict points, and while some people don't really agree with the U-turn movements, it
only requires you to see in one direction, so you're only having to see what the people
coming at you're doing. You're not crossing intersections, so you're reducing those
conflicts. Supervisor North stated part of this new technology with regards to traffic
management is to improve safety, but it's also to mitigate the high cost of going to three
lanes, which is driven by the land acquisition that has to take place. This has some
benefits because getting money to three-lane that road is just a steep climb. It's
probably almost next to impossible anytime soon.
Supervisor North asked Ms. Cronise to look into the flashing yellow left
turn as it relates to being a contributor with the accident rates in this area.
Supervisor Peters asked Mr. Blevins to check the site distances.
RESOLUTION 032823-4 ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR ROANOKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA BY
INCORPORATING THE U.S. ROUTE 460 LAND USE AND
CONNECTIVITY STUDY INTO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR
ROANOKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, Virginia Code § 15.2-2223 requires that every jurisdiction adopt a
comprehensive plan for the physical development of that jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, Virginia Code § 15.2-2230 requires that the Planning Commission
review the comprehensive plan at least once every five years to determine whether it is
advisable to amend the plan; and
WHEREAS, it is proposed that the Comprehensive Plan be amended to
incorporate the U.S. Route 460 Land Use and Connectivity Study into the
Comprehensive Plan for Roanoke County, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, three community meetings were held on January 13, 2022, May 18,
2022, and September 29, 2022 on the U.S. Route 460 Land Use and Connectivity
Study, as well a 29-day public comment period on the same ending on March 17, 2023;
and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed
amendment to the Comprehensive Plan on March 7, 2023, after providing notice as
required by Virginia Code § 15.2-2225; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommends that the Board of
Supervisors amend the Comprehensive Plan to incorporate the U.S. Route 460 Land
Use and Connectivity Study into the Comprehensive Plan for Roanoke County, Virginia;
and
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WHEREAS, the Board held a public hearing on the amendment to the
Comprehensive Plan on March 28, 2023.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia, as follows:
1) The Comprehensive Plan is hereby amended by incorporating the U.S.
Route 460 Land Use and Connectivity Study into the Comprehensive Plan
for Roanoke County, Virginia.
2) This Resolution is effective upon its adoption.
On motion of Supervisor North to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor North commented he attended the Roanoke Chamber Forum
with the legislators this morning, even though a budget hadn't passed in Richmond. At
one point, Delegate Austin cited $3.6 billion in surplus funds. Of that amount, $1.7 billion
is recurring money and these State revenues are tracking much higher with sales tax
and withholding up 4.7% as the year moves on towards the end of June. Also, this
Board wants to work with our schools to fund the CTE and the two elementary schools
with open classroom mitigation. While we have made a substantial offer for their
consideration, we look forward to discussing with them in the near future and look
forward to the CTE celebration. Our schools are important for the County and its
communities. We also note that our schools have submitted the application for our
regional CTE school grant to the Department of Education to be considered for a state
grant. This was a very impressive supporting document, 302 pages, and a supporting
document that went along with the application was left on our desk to peruse. This was
also shared in terms of not the document, but he did share with Delegate Austin that the
document was being delivered or sent to the Department of Education because he had
conversations with Secretary Guidera and the Department of Education about the
scoring methodology. We'll keep our fingers crossed to see if that works. If it doesn't
work, there is plan B. Plan B has a component of the current budget to see what
happens over in the Norfolk, Chesapeake, Tidewater area. If it passes, we're going to
go back to the well and try to get some funding like the other part of the State.
Supervisor Mahoney commented he is the Board’s representative on the
TAP board, Total Action for Progress. And just wanted to report on a sad event for TAP.
TAP obviously is struggling with funding for its teachers and aides for the Head Start
Programs. Based upon the funds they receive for Head Start, they're unable to compete
with the salary schedules of Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem. If you're a certified
teacher and you work for TAP, you can leave and go to work for Roanoke County, or
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Roanoke City, or Salem for almost double your salary. What that means in real terms is
we have a whole lot more children who would like to be in Head Start and they're unable
to be in Head Start. TAP had to submit an application to the federal government to get
approval to reduce their program, and they're going from 784 children to 337 in Head
Start. They are dropping about 447 kids who would really benefit from that. In early
Head Start, we're going from 213 children to 156. That's 57 kids who would be in early
Head Start. It's unfortunate. It's one of the byproducts of funding for these programs. He
is a firm believer in the value of Head Start to help those children and thinks we all
believe that education is crucial to our society and its sad news. We're waiting to see if
the federal government will approve that. The second item is we are in the midst of a
series of holy days. All of these are before or during our next meeting on April 11th. So,
he just wants to suggest to all of our citizens that these holy days are important to them.
Remember the purpose and keep it in your heart.
Supervisor Radford commented he is going to just add to what Supervisor
North said He held up the supplemental document that we got today, this was the
supplemental document that the Roanoke County schools applied for the State
Competitive School Construction Grant. It's 350 pages. It is a great book with a lot of
documentation on it, and he appreciates the school administration applying for that
grant and applaud Supervisor North for pushing that through with them and encouraging
them. Secondly, at our last meeting, we were given the annual report from the Roanoke
County Planning Commission Department of Planning. And while four of the five of us
who were on the planning commission, we never saw this when we were on the
commission. This is the summary and I really like reading that and it brought me back to
our planning days, but it's available on our website. We have printed copies and it's on
our Facebook page, but it's great resource to read about our planning department.
Supervisor Peters commented the only thing that he really wanted to talk
about this evening is some comments that were made at the last school board meeting.
It was very unprofessional, and he feels that things need to be cleared up. As he
understands it, all my Board members are here, none of us have ever spoken about
closing a school. The only thing that's ever been said is we want to make sure as we're
moving forward, we're doing what's right for our schools, our taxpayers that we answer
to. When we get one shot at doing this, we want to make sure we do it right. We have
been looking for options to fund our schools. He has made no qualms about it and he
has not supported the last two MOUs because he feels like we do not have all the
information needed to make a decision about our elementary schools. He did ask that
we do a clean MOU just for the CTE because he thinks that we need to have a better
understanding of what the schools need when it comes to our elementary schools and
not just writing a blank check. After those comments were made in their open session,
then they went into a work session to see what those schools were going to look like.
So, even when the comment was made, they didn't even have the information. I would
never speak for my other Board members, but I have ten (10) years on this board. I
have supported our schools every step of the way. To make an insinuation otherwise,
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quite honestly, he thinks deserves a public apology by the people that want to make that
comment. He is here and is continuing to look for options to help our schools. He is an
old person, but he went to what was called Hardy Road Elementary at the time, which is
now W.E. Cundiff. He knows the challenges of open classrooms. He wished it were
fixed 35 years ago, but it wasn't. He looks forward to finding a path forward. He is
committed to a path forward, but he is also not going to tolerate the miscommunication
and the misrepresentation of myself or this Board.
Supervisor Hooker commented yesterday she was able to go to Round
Hill Elementary School in Roanoke City where the Governor came and actually brought
his desk and signed some of Senator Suetterlein's legislation. There were some really
magnificent bills that were coming forth, being signed into law that dealt with students
with disabilities and helping parents make good decisions going forward for those
students, and also for English language learners and finding their place in the
workforce; it was a great day. There was great bipartisan participation and it was really
a great thing. She also attended the legislative wrap up breakfast this morning. There
were a lot of good things. One of the things that's still ringing in my ear a little bit is
Delegate Terry Austin's comment about, proceed with caution with our economy and be
careful. Take careful steps going forward.
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Hooker adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
• itted by: Approved by:
wew
•orah C. Ja Martha B. Hooker
Chief Deputy C - to the Board Chairman
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