Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/7/1999 - Special ~, June 7.1999 395 - Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 June 7, 1999 The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met this day at the Commonwealth Building, 210 Church Avenue, Roanoke, VA, this being the second Mondayand an adjourned meeting from May 27, 1999 for the purpose of a joint meeting with the Roanoke City Council. IN RE: INVOCATION The invocation was given by the Reverend Nelson Harris, member of the Roanoke City Council. Lunch followed. IN RE: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Johnson and Mayor David Bowers called the meeting to order at 12:45 p.m. The roll call was taken for the Board of Supervisors. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Bob L. Johnson, Vice Chairman Harry C. Nickens, Supervisors H. Odell "Fuzzy" Minnix, Joseph P. McNamara MEMBERS ABSENT: Supervisor Fenton F. "Spike" Harrison 1% June 7, 1999 .- STAFF PRESENT: Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator; Paul M. Mahoney, County Attorney; Mary H. Allen, Clerk; John M. Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator; Don C. Myers, Assistant County Administrator; Anne Marie Green, Director, Community Relations; Diane Hyatt, Finance Director; Pete Haislip, Director of Parks and Recreation, George Simpson, Assistant Director of Community Development; Deborah Pitts, Assistant Director of Recreation; Joyce Waugh, Assistant Director of Economic Development Mayor Bowers announced that Roanoke City Council was already in session. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor David Bowers, Vice Mayor Nelson Harris, Council Members Linda Wyatt, Carroll Swain, Alvin Hudson, William White and James Trout. COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None ROANOKE CITY STAFF PRESENT: James D. Ritchie, Acting City Manager; Diane S. Akers, Acting Assistant City Manager; William Parsons, Acting City Attorney; Mary F. Parker, City Clerk; James D. Grisso, Director of Finance; Robert H. Bird, Municipal Auditor; William N. Claytor, Director of Real Estate Valuation; William F. Clark, Director of Public Works; Kit B. Kiser; Director of Utilities and Operations; Glenn D. Radcliffe; Director of Human Development; George C. Snead, Director of Public Safety; John Coates, Manager of Parks and Recreation; Victor C. Garber, Supêrintendent of Recreation. IN RE: DISCUSSION ITEMS 1., Discussion with reaard to increased fundina fortourism. (Mavor Bowers) -" " June 7,1999 3.97 - Mayor Bowers noted that the City was raising the motel tax to increase their revenue. He suggested that Roanoke Valley governments look at ways to market the area better and direct more money to tourism. The Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director David Kjolhede advised that Roanoke, Roanoke County and Salem increased their funding to the organization this year. He announced they received $80,000 in state grant funding and described the Virginia Tourism grant fund. 2. Review of the Reaional Stormwater Manaaement Droaram. (Georae SimDson. Roanoke County Assistant Director of Community DeveloDment) Mr. Simpson updated both governing bodies on the regional stormwater plan which was completed in the fall of 1997, and approved by both the City and the County. He also briefed the Board and Council on Project Impact, explaining that 75% of the funding is from federal grant money, and that funding varies from year to year. He advised that the Citizens Advisory Committee, appointed by both localities, would like some direction from the Board and Council on how to proceed. 3. UDdate on the joint Skateboard Park. (John Coates. Roanoke City Manaaer of Parks and Recreation: Pete HaisliD. Roanoke County Director of Parks and Recreation) / / . 398 June 7, 1999 ~- Mr. Coates reported that the opening ceremony was April 26, and both Mayor Bowers and Chairman Johnson were present. The first skate jam will be held June 12 and there will be music and exhibitions. Mr. Coates advised that there are usually 30 to 40 people at the park, and it has already received regional and national recognition. 4. Results of the Teen Center Survey. (Deborah Pitts. Roanoke County Assistant Director of Recreation: Vjc Garber, Roanoke City SUDerjntendent of Recreation) Director of Parks and Recreation Pete Haislip reported that the committee worked with the entire City and County community and held a teen forum hosted by Virginia Western Community College. A consultant was hired and 50 groups were identified for input. Eighty-nine teens participated in the survey. Mr. Garber advised that the survey of teens indicated that they did not want a teen center in downtown Roanoke but offered other suggestions for teen activities including an amusement park, a water park and improved marketing of the current programs. The teens also recommended consideration of regional comprehensive multi- purpose recreation facilities for all ages on each side of the Roanoke Valley. 5. UDdate on the joint 800 MHZ Radio System. (John Chambliss. Roanoke County Assistant County Administrator: ChiD Snead. Roanoke City Director of Public Safety) Mr. Snead reported that the joint radio system works; it is on schedule; and ~ June 7, 1999 399 it is within budget. He briefed the governing bodies on the history of the project which was approved in 1997 at a cost of $8 million. He advised that the Roanoke City and Roanoke County fire and rescue departments are now on the joint system. The Police departments will join the system next, followed by public works and other departments. Mr. Chambliss advised that the Town of Vinton, the airport and Salem Fire Department are also now on the radio system. In response to questions concerning Y2K compatibility, Mr. Snead advised that the system is completely compliant according to the vendor. He also reported that a regional group of public safety officials are continuing to meet to work on other joint opportunities. 6. ReDort on the Reaional Refuse Collection ProDosal. (Don Mvers, Roanoke County Assjstant County Administrator) Mr. Myers reported that in 1995, a team was formed to explore areas to reduce expenses and regional refuse collection was investigated. At that time action was postponed because of the differences in the two collection systems. However, with the implementation of automated collection in the City, the team is meeting again and looking at the pros and cons of regional refuse collection. The team has been discussing proposed levels of service and cost comparisons between the current method and proposed regional collection. Mr. Myers advised that the team will continue meeting and will bring back a recommendation to both governing bodies. 7. Briefina on the Blue Ridae Parkway InterDretation Center. / 400 June 7,1999 - (Elmer C. Hodae. Roanoke County Adminjstrator) Roanoke County Assistant Director of Economic Development Joyce Waugh briefed the Board and Council on plans for the Blue Ridge Parkway Interpretation Center. The Center will be located near Explore Park off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and will house workshops, galleries and an auditorium. The facility will be 7,000 to 10,000 square feet, and it is expected to break ground in the fall. 8. Djscussion with regard to water conservation. (Council Member Hudson) Acting City Manager James Ritchie updated both governing bodies on the - drought conditions at Carvins Cove Reservoir and emphasized that the City is not yet in a crisis situation. The reservoir is currently 20.75 feet low. The City began voluntary conservation measures when the reservoir was 17 feet low. At 22 feet they will begin to buy water from the City of Salem. At 24 feet low, they anticipate a 6 months supply will remain and they will begin mandatory conservation, and at 30 feet low, sanctions will be imposed. Mr. Ritchie advised that the City and County staffs have been meeting and exploring opportunities for assistance and he expressed appreciation to Mr. Hodge and his staff. He emphasized that the City will not cut off water to North Lakes in the County. Board chairman Johnson reported that he has discussed the water situation with Mayor Bowers and Council member Wyatt, and he assured those present that as long as the -" June 7, 1999 40J - County has water at Spring Hollow Reservoir, the city will also have water. He suggested that this was a good time for the two localities to consider the possibility of a joint water authority. Mayor Bowers again thanked the County Board and staff for their willingness to assist in the water shortage. IN RE: RECESS (Roanoke City Council): At 1 :50 p.m. Mayor Bowers declared the meeting ofthe Roanoke City Council in recess until 2:00 p.m., in the City Council Chamber, 215 Church Avenue, S. W. IN RE: ADJOURNMENT (Board of Supervisors): At 1 :50 p.m., Chairman Johnson declared the meeting of the Board of Supervisors adjourned. Submitted by: Approved by: ~ fl·O~'o",- Mary H. Allen, CMC/AAE Clerk to the Board Bob L. John n, Chairman Roanoke Co ty Board of Supervisors / 402 June 7, 1999 - This Daae left intentionallv blank