5/9/2023 - Regular - DRAFT
May 9, 2023
157
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 May 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, Pastor Anthony L. Holmes, Sr. of
Loudoun Avenue Christian Church provided an invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Hooker called the meeting to order at 3:06 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: PROCLAMATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
1. Proclamation declaring the month of May 2023 as Business
Appreciation Month in Roanoke County (Megan Baker,
Director of Economic Development)
Mr. Joseph Kingma, Medeco, in attendance to accept the proclamation on
behalf of the businesses in Roanoke County.
Proclamation was read.
May 9, 2023
158
IN RE: NEW BUSINESS
1. Resolution approving the Roanoke County Public Schools (RCPS)
budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 upon certain terms and
conditions (Susan Peterson, Director of Finance, Roanoke County
Public Schools)
Ms. Peterson outlined the request for resolution. There was no
discussion.
RESOLUTION 050923-1 APPROVING THE ROANOKE COUNTY
PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024
UPON CERTAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, State Code 22.1-93 requires the governing body of a County to
prepare and approve an annual budget for education purposes by May 15 or within
thirty (30) days of the receipt by the County of the estimates of State funds, whichever
shall later occur; and
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County School Board approved their fiscal year 2023-
2024 budget on April 20, 2023, both by fund and State categories.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia that the fiscal year 2023-2024 Roanoke County Public Schools budget
as set forth by the School Board’s adoption on April 20, 2023, a copy of which is
incorporated by reference herein, is hereby APPROVED, and the County Administrator
and the Clerk are authorized to execute and attest, respectively, on behalf of the
County, any documentation, in form approved by the County Attorney, necessary to
evidence said approval.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public hearing for citizen comments on the proposed Fiscal Year
2023-2024 Operating Budget and the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-
2033 Capital Improvement Program (Steve Elliott, Budget
Administrator)
Chairman Hooker opened and closed the public hearing with no citizens to
speak on this agenda item
May 9, 2023
159
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution approving the Secondary Six-Year Improvement Plan
for fiscal years 2024 through 2029 and the Construction Priority
List and Estimated Allocations for fiscal year 2024 (Megan G.
Cronise, Assistant Director of Planning)
Ms. Cronise outlined the request for resolution. Supervisor Radford
inquired what happened to the McVitty Road project It seems to have disappeared since
we've had that rezoning. We've had several residents complain about the intersection of
Cave Spring Lane, old Cave Spring Road, and the intersection of the McVitty road.
VDOT went through there and purchased a lot of property for McVitty Road. People still
use it as a shortcut. Nothing has changed. We still have traffic. Where are we with that?
Ms. Cronise responded it got caught in the changes in funding with the recession. So
McVitty and Old Cape Spring combined as one project used to be in our secondary six-
year program. It did have funding on it to get it through the right-of-way phase when
VDOT did purchase right-of-way and began overhead utility re-locations, which were
completed. At that point we did not have enough money to move forward to
construction. Instead what funding we did have available was shifted to the Cotton Hill
Road project. At that time, the Route 221 widening was taking place and we wanted to
shift that to get all of that road project, those road projects finished at the same time. So,
there was no more construction money on Old Cape Spring McVitty. We applied for
smart scale funding two times. We split the project and applied again for smart scale
funding as two separate projects, one for each road. Each of the three failed. We
submitted the projects for service transportation block grant funding that failed as well.
So, four tries and we stopped. The estimate as of six or seven years ago it was $20
million. She feels fairly certain that that estimate is at least $30 million if not more. It's a
very expensive improvement for a cut through.
Supervisor North asked with regard to Fallowater Lane and the total of
$4.1 million is it all County money with Ms. Cronise advising $1.5 was secondary, six-
year program funding and then we applied for revenue sharing to supplement. Then,
we learned we were going to need more funding for the right-of-way phase, so we
applied for a second revenue sharing. It is approximately one third or less County
funding. Supervisor North then asked what is the status of the economic development
up on the hills there with regard to residences, apartments, etc. Mr. Caywood advised
he would get the answer and provide to the Board.
Chairman Hooker opened and closed the public hearing with no citizens to
speak on this agenda item.
May 9, 2023
160
RESOLUTION 050923-2 APPROVING THE SECONDARY ROAD
SIX-YEAR IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024
THROUGH 2029 AND THE CONSTRUCTION PRIORITY LIST
AND ESTIMATED ALLOCATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024
WHEREAS, Sections 33.2-331 of the Code of Virginia (1950, as amended)
provides the opportunity for Roanoke County to work with the Virginia Department of
Transportation in developing a Secondary Road Six-Year Improvement Plan; and
WHEREAS, this Board had previously agreed to assist in the preparation of the
Secondary Road Six-Year Improvement Plan, in accordance with Virginia Department
of Transportation policies and procedures; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing which was duly advertised on the proposed
Secondary Road Six-Year Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2024-2029 and
Construction Priority List and Estimated Allocations for fiscal year 2024 was held on
May 9, 2023, to receive comments and recommendations on Roanoke County’s
Secondary Road Six-Year Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2024-2029 as well as the
Construction Priority List and Estimated Allocations for fiscal year 2024.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors does
hereby approve the Secondary Road Six-Year Improvement Plan for Roanoke County
for fiscal years 2024-2029;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors does also hereby
approve the Construction Priority List and Estimated Allocations for fiscal year 2024;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution duly attested be
forthwith forwarded to the Virginia Department of Transportation Salem Residency
Office along with a duly attested copy of the proposed Roanoke County Secondary
Road Six-Year Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2024-2029 by the Clerk to the Board.
On motion of Supervisor Mahoney to adopt the resolution, seconded by
Supervisor North and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
IN RE: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinances to appropriate funds for:
(a) Fiscal year 2023-2024 operations budget and approval of the
Classification and Pay Plan for fiscal year 2023-2024 for the
County of Roanoke, Virginia;
There was no discussion.
May 9, 2023
161
Supervisor North’s motion to approve the first reading and set the second
reading for May 23, 2023, was seconded by Supervisor Radford and approved by the
following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
(b) Fiscal year2023-2024 capital budget for the County of Roanoke,
Virginia; and
There was no discussion.
Supervisor Mahoney’s motion to approve the first reading and set the
second reading for May 23, 2023, was seconded by Supervisor Peters and approved by
the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
(c) Fiscal year 2023-2024 for Roanoke County Public Schools
Categories (Laurie Gearheart, Director of Finance and
Management Services)
There was no discussion.
Supervisor Peters’ motion to approve the first reading and set the second
reading for May 23, 2023, was seconded by Supervisor North and approved by the
following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
2. Ordinance amending Section 10-3 (Levying of License Fees and
Taxes) of the Roanoke County Code, raising the threshold of
annual gross receipts for those entities required to pay the
County Business License Tax (from $135,000 or more to $150,000
or more); and requiring entities that are below the threshold to
pay only an annual $50 license fee (Steve Elliott, Budget
Administrator)
Mr. Elliott outlined the request for ordinance. Supervisor Mahoney noted
this is a $50,000 fiscal impact and does staff have an estimate of how many small
businesses would fall into that category. Mr. Elliott responded 100. There was no
further discussion.
May 9, 2023
162
Supervisor Mahoney’s motion to approve the first reading and set the
second reading for May 23, 2023, was seconded by Supervisor North and approved by
the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
3. Ordinance accepting and appropriating funds in the amount of
$51,000 for fiscal year 2024 for shuttle service to the National Park
Service's McAfee Knob Trailhead Parking Lot, Catawba
Magisterial District (Megan Cronise, Assistant Director of
Planning)
There was no discussion.
Supervisor Hooker’s motion to approve the first reading and set the
second reading for May 23, 2023, was seconded by Supervisor North and approved by
the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 050923-3 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN
CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS
ITEM I- CONSENT AGENDA
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 May 9,
2023, designated as Item I - Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and
concurred in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1
through 9 inclusive, as follows:
1. Approval of minutes – February 14, 2023
2. Ordinance authorizing the approval of new variable width drainage
easements to the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia on
properties on Colonial Avenue and Vest Drive for the purpose of drainage
improvements, in the Cave Spring Magisterial District (Second Reading)
3. Ordinance authorizing the acquisition of new, variable-width easements for a
stream restoration project located on Canter Drive and Titan Trail in the
Windsor Hills Magisterial District (Second Reading)
May 9, 2023
163
4. Ordinance accepting and appropriating $187,242 in Virginia Department of
Transportation Open Container Funding for the West Roanoke River
Greenway Phase 1 (VDOT UPC No. 97171) Project, Catawba Magisterial
District (First Reading and request for Second Reading)
5. Request to accept and allocate the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug
Trafficking grant funds in the amount of $53,375 to the Roanoke County
Police Department for the Roanoke Valley Regional Drug Unit
6. Resolution expressing the appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County to Mark Seiler, IT-Network Services Supervisor, upon his
retirement after more than fifteen (15) years of service
7. Resolution granting a waiver to Hollins University under Section 13-23 of the
Roanoke County Code to the provisions of the County’s Noise Ordinance,
Article II. Noise of Chapter 13. Offenses – Miscellaneous
8. Resolution accepting the donation of a brush truck and equipment from the
Former Hollins Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad
9. Request to accept and allocate grant funds in the amount of $99,101.60 from
the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services for the "Four-For-Life"
distribution
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Radford and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
ORDINANCE 050923-3.a AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF
NEW VARIABLE WIDTH DRAINAGE EASEMENTS TO THE
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY, VIRGINIA,
ON PROPERTIES ON COLONIAL AVENUE AND VEST DRIVE
FOR THE PURPOSE OF DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CAVE SPRING MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT
WHEREAS, it appears that improvements to a drainage system located on three
adjacent properties on Colonial Avenue and Vest Drive 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
4705 Colonial 087.05-05-09.00-0000 Meredith J. Poole
Avenue
4623 Colonial 087.05-05-01.00-0000 Thomas E. Wilson Revocable Trust
May 9, 2023
164
Avenue & Margaret E. Wilson Revocable
Trust
4621 Vest Drive 077.17-04-05.00-0000 Ronald Stafford Thompson III &
Teresa Thompson
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 April 25, 2023, and the second reading was
held on May 9, 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 deeds, 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 Peters to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Supervisor
Radford and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
ORDINANCE 050923-3.b AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF
NEW VARIABLE-WIDTH EASEMENTS FOR A STREAM
RESTORATION PROJECT LOCATED ON CANTER DRIVE AND
TITAN TRAIL IN THE WINDSOR HILLS MAGISTERIAL
DISTRICT
May 9, 2023
165
WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has
assigned Roanoke County a waste-load allocation (WLA) for sediment, which standard
is enforceable under the County’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)
permit; and
WHEREAS, the County is required by its MS4 permit to decrease discharge of
sediment to the Roanoke River to the maximum extent practicable to meet its WLA; and
WHEREAS, one of the methods by which the County has been addressing this
permit requirement is the construction of natural stream restoration projects in streams
within its MS4 service area that are experiencing severe bank erosion; and
WHEREAS, the County has historically designed and constructed one stream
restoration project approximately every 2 years using grant funding from the Virginia
Local Stormwater Assistance Fund (SLAF)(for 50% of the necessary funds), and local
funds from the County’s capital improvement program (for the remaining 50% of needed
funds); and
WHEREAS, it is proposed that the County likewise apply for a SLAF grant to
assist in the funding of a stream restoration project located on Canter Drive and Titan
Trail in the Windsor Hills Magisterial District; and
WHEREAS, the acquisition of easements from property owners prior to grant
application will strengthen the County’s application for a SLAF grant; and
WHEREAS, the next SLAF application period is in October 2023; 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 easements will lie are set forth on this chart:
Address Tax Map No. Owner
5347 Canter Drive
086.07-03-03.00-0000 Michael T. Kupec & Karen N. Kupec
5235 Canter Drive
086.07-02-04.00-0000 Thomas R. Oster & Sherry H. Oster
5367 Canter Drive
086.07-03-05.00-0000 John M. Cummings & Joyce A. Cummings
5359 Canter Drive
086.07-03-04.00-0000 Douglas C. Martin & Kathryn E. Martin
5331 Canter Drive
086.07-03-02.00-0000 Kerlie Talice
5000 Titan Trail
086.07-01-01.00-0000 Roanoke County School Board
WHEREAS, the Property Owners have agreed to convey the new variable-width
easements to the County and have executed deeds to such effect; 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 April 25, 2023, and the second reading was
held on May 9, 2023.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
May 9, 2023
166
1. That the conveyance of these new variable-width easements by the
Property Owners to the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, as set forth in the above
preliminary recitals, 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 deeds and any
other related 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 deeds and any other such documents 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 Peters to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Supervisor
Radford and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
A-050923-3.c
A-050923-3.d
RESOLUTION 050923-3.e EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION
OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY
TO MARK SEILER, IT-NETWORK SERVICS SUPERVISOR,
UPON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN FIFTEEN (15)
YEARS OF SERVICE
WHEREAS, Mark Seiler was employed by Roanoke County on November 12,
2007; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Seiler retired on April 1, 2023, after fifteen (15) years and five (5)
months of devoted, faithful and expert service to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Seiler has served as a Senior Network Engineer and Network
Services Supervisor throughout his career and has been instrumental in improving the
quality of life and providing services to the citizens of Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, throughout Mr. Seiler’s career with Roanoke County, he developed a
5-year replacement program for the County’s technology infrastructure. This 3.2-million-
dollar program keeps the County technology systems at the forefront of industry
standards. The County cybersecurity program has been developed and refined during
his tenure to include employee awareness training and periodic evaluations from
outside agencies. The County programs and measures were described as “best seen to
date” by the Virginia Guard Cyber Security Unit. Mark’s leadership was shown on two
separate occasions, ensuring that County operations would continue even without
commercial power. The replacement of defective transfer switches in the new Public
May 9, 2023
167
Safety Center required the systematic shutdown and restarting of the entire computer
network in coordination with the repairs being made. His attention to detail and the
anticipation of emergency operations allowed all County network systems to operate for
11 days without commercial power during the 2011 Derecho wind storms. Mark took an
outdated Disaster Recovery Plan and developed a “real world” resilient system utilizing
state-of-the-art storage systems, virtualized servers, and a geographically separated
“hot site” to ensure all County data and IT systems would operate seamlessly during
any circumstances. Innovation was the key to the success of the County’s remote
operation capabilities during the 2020 Pandemic all directly due to Mark’s planning.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County expresses its deepest appreciation and the appreciation of the citizens
of Roanoke County to MARK SEILER for more than fifteen 15) years of capable, loyal
and dedicated service to Roanoke County; and
FURTHER, the Board of Supervisors does express its best wishes for a happy
and productive retirement.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Radford and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
RESOLUTION 050923-3.f GRANTING A WAIVER TO HOLLINS
UNIVERSITY UNDER SECTION 13-23 OF THE ROANOKE
COUNTY CODE TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE COUNTY’S
NOISE ORDINANCE, ARTICLE II. NOISE OF CHAPTER 13.
OFFENSES – MISCELLANEOUS
WHEREAS, Hollins University, a private university located in north Roanoke
County, will be holding several events outdoors during “Senior Week” to be held the
evenings of May 16, 17 and 18, 2023, on the grounds of the University; and
WHEREAS, in order to accommodate the advertised time frame and to mitigate
economic hardship by enhancing students’ sense of connectedness with Hollins and the
Roanoke Valley through social interaction that supports recruiting and retaining students
that in turn affects the economic vitality of the University and Roanoke County with this
event, Hollins University is requesting a waiver of the County noise ordinance for (2)
hours from 10:00 P.M. till midnight, on May 16, 17 and 18, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Section 13-23 of the Roanoke County Code establishes certain
standards for the Board of Supervisors to grant waivers from the provision of the
Roanoke County Noise Ordinance to avoid undue hardship upon consideration of
certain factors set forth in sub-section (b) of Section 13-23 and after making certain
alternative findings.
May 9, 2023
168
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
1. That the Board FINDS, pursuant to Section 13-23 of the Roanoke County
Code, that the anticipated noise from the proposed events (as set forth in the
preliminary recitals) will not endanger the public health, safety or welfare; and
2. That the provisions of Section 13-21. Specific acts as noise, sub-section
(5) and Section 13-20. General prohibition of Article II. Noise be WAIVED for a period
of two (2) hours until midnight on May 16, 17 and 18, 2023.
3. That this Waiver is granted specifically to Hollins University for the events
scheduled at the University on May 16, 17 and 18, 2023.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Radford and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
RESOLUTION 050923-3.g ACCEPTING THE DONATION OF A
BRUSH TRUCK AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT FROM THE
HOLLINS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT & RESCUE SQUAD
WHEREAS, the Hollins Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad officially
dissolved as of April 17, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the volunteers of the former organization desire to donate a 2016
Chevrolet Silverado, which has been used as a brush truck, along various items of
equipment, to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, the former Hollins Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad has
presented the County with an agreement to donate the brush truck and equipment,
which is attached hereto and incorporated as Attachment A.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, as follows:
1. The Board hereby accepts the donation of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado
and the various items of equipment set forth on Attachment A.
2. The County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator, or Assistant
County Administrator are hereby authorized to sign the proposed
agreement to receive the donation, and to take any additional actions that
may be necessary to effectuate receipt of the property.
3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Radford and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
May 9, 2023
169
A-050923-3.h
IN RE: CITIZEN COMMENTS
Shirley Noah Martin of 5368 Glen Heights Blvd. stated, “I'm a retiree from
Norfolk Southern. I have been in Roanoke County all of my life. I've been a resident of
the Catawba District all of my life. So, I'm here to this afternoon to publicly support
Martha Hooker for our board of supervisors. I want to, Ms. Hooker has been an
excellent representative of our Catawba district. She's a person of integrity and desires
the very best for Roanoke County. She appreciates and supports the Roanoke County
schools as she dedicated her entire career to teaching in Roanoke County. And I want
to thank you board for being so active. You are just hearing all these reports. This all
comes from where your business and I appreciate you all very much. And I want to
thank you for the way you worked with our school board to grill monies on the school
projects. You certainly did not need the help of Ms. Hooker's opponent as he's
advertising, we know the story, but we do not need him representing me on the
Catawba District. And once again, thank you and trust that all of you board members
are supporting Ms. Hooker. Thank you.”
Supervisor Hooker commented she did not know about Ms. Martin’s
comments and appreciates her sentiment.
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor Peters moved to receive and file the following reports. The
motion was seconded by Supervisor Mahoney and carried by the following recorded
vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
1. Unappropriated, Board Contingency and Capital Reserves Report
2. Outstanding Debt Report
3. Statement of Treasurer's Accountability per Investment and Portfolio
Policy as of March 31, 2023
4. Proclamations signed by Chairman – Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Awareness Month
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
May 9, 2023
170
Supervisor North thanked Ms. Martin for attending and speaking what is
on your mind and also want to salute Norfolk Southern’s former employees, and hope
they are enjoying their retirement; his is a little busy, but that is because he wants it to
be. In any instance on May 6th, opening day, he represented the Board at Explore
Park, which was the opening of Explore Park; we were up there about three hours. First
thing we did was we had a ribbon cutting for a new Chick Pea 1 and 2 all for Adventure
zip line for ages four to six, with over eight unique obstacles and elements on each
course. There were students from a couple of elementary schools there to try out the
course and they were enjoying it to say the least. Some of us didn't go up into the larger
courses because we're not ready for that yet. It's got net bridges, walking features and
seated swings and it's a lot of fun. Then we took a walking tour of the dinosaur exhibit
up there on the trail that you see Illuminights on in the winter. He encouraged everyone
to get out to that. They're still adding some dinosaurs and that will be opening soon.
There'll be more information on that in the future. Secondly, we then came to the new
playground area and had a ribbon cutting there. The playground areas to the left of the
parking lot close to where the Illuminights exist as well as the dinosaur displays where
two organizations through partnerships and generous donations helped put that
playground a reality. Friends of the Blue Ridge donated a generous donation of $50,000
and their mission is to help preserve, promote and enhance the outstanding beauty,
ecological mentality and cultural distinctiveness of Blue Ridge region for future
generations. These are very educational playgrounds to say, at least you have to see it
to believe it. Also, the Roanoke Valley Guns and Hoses donated about $34,000 to make
that playground a reality as well. Lastly, going on at Explore Park this Friday, hope to
make it there, weather permitting is the pre-concert series, which begins at seven
o'clock till nine and friend Scott Ramsburg is going to be there. He plays the kettle
drums, I believe it is, among other things. And so that's a good time by all for free
concert series the first year we're doing this. There'll be others as the summer and the
spring roll out. He encouraged everyone to get up there and enjoy that. It's on the lawn
there between the Visitor Center and Twin Creeks brewery.
Supervisor Mahoney recognized the 2023 Golden Apple Teacher of the
Year, Mary Alcoke. She happens to be a teacher at Penn Forest Elementary where my
children, my grandchildren attended. She also had the opportunity to throw out the first
pitch Friday at the Salem Baseball Stadium. The second recognition is Ashley King.
Ashley's in the back there. Ashley's our Director of our General Services, but she also
does double duty. She is also the chair of the Salem Roanoke County Chamber of
Commerce. And again, on Friday, the Chamber had a business event at the baseball
stadium and they had a lot of local businesses set up with their tables and they had all
their swag that they were giving out to everybody. So, compliments to Ashley for a lot of
her hard work with the Salem Roanoke County Chamber.
Supervisor Radford stated between our last board meeting and today, on
April 27th, we celebrated National Arbor Day at the ribbon cutting at the Oak Grove
Park. We were excited that we had kids from Oak Grove there that helped bring in the
May 9, 2023
171
Arbor Day celebration. We also had Smokey the Bear and a lot of staff were there
getting pictures with Smokey the Bear. It was a fun day; it was great. We received
plenty of press coverage, same type of playground as Mr. North was talking about over
at Explore. It's designed for five through 12 years old and it was just full of kids that day.
We took a tennis court, converted it to a pickle ball court, new bathroom facilities, a new
shelter, an expanded walking trail for people to enjoy around from the neighborhood
and from the school. So, just a lot of good new things at that park. It’s good to see that
it'll be used because it's been sitting dormant for quite a while. We can thank Mr.
“ARPA” for helping fund that. Also, down here at this end of the table here, this is Show
and Tell day, but just want to put another plugin for solar for our schools. Just a small
example, this is one of my security cameras that he uses on my construction site and
it's all powered by solar panel. Just think of the energy that you could produce and the
money you could save if you powered your two new elementary schools, which the
roof's going to have to be replaced, so that's the best time to put stuff on top of the roof
and then the new CTE will take a lot of those panels. This is the newest technology
because the camera operates off of cell signal. That's sort of a newer technology, it was
internet. Also, we use those on our construction sites, but it's powered by solar.
Supervisor Hooker commented first starting with Cardinal Glass. So, we
went to Cardinal Glass where they had a raising of the flag. She wasn't sure really what
that meant, but it was actually an OSHA standard that they achieved, which just goes to
show the amount of safety and concern that they take in consideration of their
employees and making sure they have that high standard of safety. It was quite the
event. It was very fun. Then the second thing was the Catawba market opening and the
Catawba playground ribbon cutting. So, it sounds like we had several playgrounds that
were initiated last week. Friday night, the registered apprentice signing event is what
Mr. Mahoney was speaking of earlier. She still works with the apprentices in her
retirement days. What a great opportunity for our students to see and understand that
there are jobs here in this valley that they can seamlessly go from high school into a
career and have a livable salary and stay here in the Roanoke Valley. She is really
proud of that whole work that is Roanoke County Schools, Roanoke County, Roanoke
City, Salem, businesses are all working together on. There are at least 42 new
apprentices just this year, which is significant because that's 42 young people who
could be living here, earning their living, and doing some good work here in our
community. There's going to be more companies, more students involved. It's really got
an excitement around this whole project. This is also teacher appreciation week. To all
my friends and family who are involved in education, a special shout out to you,
especially my teacher friends, what a good work that's being done in our schools every
day. And I just appreciate the work that they do and the difference that they make in
everyday lives of our students. Finally, there is one more teacher specifically that she
wanted to mention, and his name is Mr. Charlie Filer and he works at Glenvar High
School and he's an outstanding science teacher. And I was just notified today by a
friend that he won the, Elizabeth Abernathy Hole Award from the Garden Club of
May 9, 2023
172
America. This is a competitive national award presented annually. The Hole award
established in 1992 provides a thousand dollars to chosen recipients who honor Miss
Hole's common-sense approach to environmental awareness by inspiring children
under 16 to appreciate the beauty and fragility of our planet and Mr. Filer certainly does
that. He's an outstanding teacher. His classrooms are always fun. So just a special
shout out to Charlie Filer.
IN RE: CLOSED MEETING
At 3:54 p.m., Supervisor Hooker moved to go into closed meeting
pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711.A.1 – Discussion on the performance
and/or compensation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of Roanoke
County; namely the elected Constitutional Officers. The motion was seconded by
Supervisor North and approved by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
The closed session was held from 4:10 p.m. until 5:23 p.m.
Chairman Hooker recessed to the third floor for closed session at: 3:55
p.m.
IN RE: CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION
At 5:24 p.m., Supervisor Hooker moved to return to open session and
adopt the certification resolution.
RESOLUTION 050923-4 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 member’s
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
May 9, 2023
173
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 Hooker to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
Mahoney and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Peters, Mahoney, North, Radford, Hooker
NAYS: None
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Hooker adjourned the meeting at 5:25 p.m.
Submitted by: Approved by:
________________________ ___________________________________
Deborah C. Jacks Martha B. Hooker
Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board Chairman
May 9, 2023
174
PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY