1/6/1996 - Special
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Janual)' 6, 1996
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Roanoke County Board of Supervisors
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
January 6, 1996
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met
this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center, this being
Saturday, January 6, 1995 and a special meeting for the purpose of a
planning session.
IN RE:
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
The roll call was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Bob L. Johnson, Vice Chairman Harry C.
Nickens, Supervisors Lee B. Eddy, Fenton F.
"Spike" Harrison, H. Odell "Fuzzy" Minnix
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator; Paul M.
Mahoney, County Attorney; Mary H. Allen, Clerk;
John M. Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator;
Don C. Myers, Assistant County Administrator;
Anne Marie Green, Director, Community Relations
IN RE:
DISCUSSION WITH CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
PRESENT:
Alfred C. Anderson, Treasurer, R.
Commissioner of the Revenue, Gerald
Steven A McGraw, Clerk of Circuit Court
Wayne
Holt,
Compton,
Sheriff,
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January 6, 1996
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~ Reports from Constitutional Officers
Sheriff Holt updated the Board of Supervisors on jail
expansion. Mr. McGraw advised that he and Mr. Compton are using
a fax to communicate between the two offices and do not need a
new scanning system at this time. Mr. McGraw also advised that
he is requesting additional storage space in the Capital
Improvement Program for permanent records.
There was general discussion on the need to make
improvements to the leased parking lot across from the courthouse
jail. Mr. Hodge will check on the possibility of a long-term
lease which could make improvements feasible.
h Discussion of city status
Chairman Johnson updated the Constitutional Officers on
the County's efforts to attain city status. There was a general
discussion on annexation, governmental structures in Virginia and
regional cooperation. There was general agreement to pursue a
regional transportation district.
~ Consideration of future involvement in Urban
Partnership
There was consensus to wait until the budget process to
decide whether to continue funding membership in the Urban
Partnership. The determining factor will be whether anything
constructive comes from the process.
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l~mH1ry (1, 1996
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~ Discussion of 24-hour County
Mr. Hodge explained that a 24-hour County would provide
for extended and flexible hours to meet the needs of the public,
and other aspects such as payment of taxes and bills by automated
teller.
He advised that First Union Bank is making changes
toward a 24-hour business.
Mr. Anderson responded that he
supported payment of taxes by ATM machines but Management
Information Services would need to develop a program. There was
discussion on the possibility of "one-stop shopping" whereby
bills and paperwork could be handled at one office.
There was
agreement to pursue this possibility further, and Mr. Hodge was
requested to discuss this with staff.
IN RE:
GENERAL DISCUSSION AMONG BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
~ Penalties for late paYment of utility bills
There was discussion on concerns from citizens about
the penalties for late payment of utility bills, especially if
the bill was very small, or if the citizen had not previously
made a late payment. There was general consensus to look at the
penalties on an individual basis and take special circumstances
into consideration when assessing the penalty.
h Privatization
Supervisor Eddy asked what efforts have been undertaken
to continue privatization.
Mr. Hodge responded that he will
update the previous report and send it the Board of Supervisors.
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Janual)' 6, 1996
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Supervisor Eddy also asked for a status report on payment of
utility bills by automatic deduction from bank accounts.
~ Greenway Fundinq
Mr. Hodge advised that greenways can be funded through
ISTEA grants, transportation district money, or with county
general funds.
Supervisor Eddy announced that the Greenway
steering Committee will be asking for more funding from the
Roanoke Valley governments to hire a greenway coordinator.
Roanoke County's share would be $21,000.
Supervisors Johnson,
Minnix and Nickens indicated that they did not support funding
for the position, but Supervisor Eddy asked that the issue be
considered further during the budget process.
IN RE: DISCUSSION WITH PLANNING COMMISSION AND STAFF
Present: Planning commission members Al G. Thomason, Donald
R. Witt, Martha Hooker and A. Kyle Robinson, Jr.;
Planning and zoning Director Terry Harrington,
Planner Janet Scheid
Absent: Planning commission member William Todd Ross
~ Discussion of Visioninq Process
There was discussion on the visioning process and how
it will fit into the comprehensive Plan.
Discussion included:
(1) how to manage growth without controlling it; (2) knowing when
January 6, 1996
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to tighten regulations and when to loosen regulations; and (3)
when to be flexible in enforcement of the regulations.
Mr. Harrington advised that the Planning Commission
will meet in January to determine their work program for 1996.
Mr. Eddy advised that his priorities were ridgeline and tree
protection and greenways.
IN RE:
LUNCHEON RECESS
At 12:00 noon, Chairman Johnson declared a recess for
lunch.
IN RE:
RECONVENEMENT
At 1:00 p.m. the Board of Supervisors reconvened.
PRESENTATION FROM SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
INFORMATIONAL PROGRAM FOR BOND REFERENDUM
Martin RObison, Executive Assistant for Roanoke County
Schools, presented a draft brochure and a promotional timetable
for the school bond referendum to be held on April 2, 1996. The
Board members offered several suggestions for changes to the
brochure. They also suggested that other organizations get
involved in supporting the referendum.
IN RE: BUDGET DISCUSSION
IN RE:
ON
Mr. Hodge and Budget Manager Brent Robertson presented
the 1995/96 revenue summary and projected revenue for 1996/97.
Mr. Hodge advised that additional revenue is approximately $8
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JanU31)' 6, 1996
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million, and after deducting funds for a five percent salary
increase, there is $3 million remaining. There was discussion on
the 1996/97 budget with the following requests and/or comments
from the Board members: (1) Supervisor Nickens requested that Cox
Cable be billed for the BPOL tax. (2) Supervisor Johnson asked
that both revenue forms be adjusted in the future to reflect
actual revenues. (3) Supervisor Nickens asked that the addback
list be prioritized when presented to the Board of Supervisors.
(4) Supervisor Eddy suggested that the Board members become more
invol ved in the budget process. (5) Supervisor Nickens asked
that the vehicle replacement policy include funding in the
1996/97 budget. (6) Supervisor Johnson asked staff to bring back
a budget calendar to the next meeting.
IN RE:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
Director of Economic Development Timothy Gubala
reported on active prospects that might locate in Valley tech
Park. He informed the Board that only 10 acres are left at
Valleypointe Industrial Park. In response to questions and
concerns from the Board, he presented a status report on the
rezonings sponsored by the Industrial Development Authority to
increase the County's inventory of commercial and industrial
sites.
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January 6, 1996
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IN RE:
ADJOURNMENT
At 3:00 p.m., Chairman Johnson adjourned the meeting
and announced that because of the inclement weather, the planning
session originally scheduled for Sunday, January 7 would be
postponed to a future date.
Respectfully Submitted:
~J'rJ.~
Mary H. Allen, CMC
Clerk to the Board
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January 6, 1996
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