8/24/1996 - Regular
August 24,25, 1996
579
Roanoke County Board of Supervisors
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
August 24, 25, 1996
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, met
these days at the Holiday Inn-Tanglewood, this being an adjourned
meeting from August 13, 1996 for the purpose of a Board of Supervisors
Planning Retreat.
IN RE:
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Johnson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m~ on
Saturday, August 24, 1996. 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
OTHERS PRESENT:
Facilitator Dr. Lee Bowman (arrived at 4:15 p.m.)
The retreat was recessed on Saturday August 24 at 9:10
p.m., and reconvened at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 25.
IN RE:
GUIDELINES AND PROCESS FOR RETREAT
The Board members and facilitator set the guidelines
and the process for the retreat.
They determined that the
meeting would be: informal, participatory, respectful, and only
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August 24, 25, 1996
one would talk at a time. They decided to fully identify
problems, discuss relevant data, brainstorm options and
solutions, evaluate and select options and implement solutions.
IN RE: FACTORS IMPACTING THE BOARD
The Board members identified factors that impacted the
Board and opposing factors which were considered a high priority
and other opposing factors.
DISCUSSION OF SPECIFIC ISSUES, RELEVANT DATA AND
OPTIONS
Several specific issues were discussed in detail and
options were presented.
1. sectionalism
IN RE:
The Board felt that a vocal minority perceives that
some sections of the County get better services than other
sections. options to resolve this issue included optimize
ballfield schedules; communication improvements between Parks and
Recreation and Schools; build/fund more fields; regionalize
fields and park land with other adjacent localities; and
sand/gravel fields; a water park; and expanding the use of
private facilities.
2. Quality of Schools
Options discussed by the Board included dealing with
August 24,25, 1996
581
the physical plant inadequacies, age of the facilities, and lack
of computers. They also recommended a better information program
involving both the School Board and Board of Supervisors. They
agreed to request information and the minutes from the School
Board on the School Comprehensive Facilities study Committee.
3. Relationship between the Board of supervisors and
School Board
The Board discussed problems in the relationship
between the Supervisors and School Board members. They offered
suggestions such as joint planning and agreement to a mutual
plan, less political posturing, scheduling of a retreat to foster
team development; a better understanding by the School Board of
the myriad of issues the Supervisors face in addition to schools.
They recommended looking at efficiencies that could be found such
as combining similar services, and improving the avenues of
communication and understanding of the budget process.
4. Relations with other boards and commissions
There was a discussion on relationships with other
boards and commissions, particularly the Parks and Recreation
Advisory Commission. There was consensus to establish a regular
meeting schedule with the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Commission to share thoughts and future needs.
s. Emotionally Charged Issues
The Board discussed issues which sometimes cause
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August 24, 25, 1996
attacks on selected Board members and how to handle them.
possible solutions included talking about the issue prior to
voting; not taking votes personally, and discouraging game
playing and manipulation.
6. Impact of county's aging population:
There was discussion on the impact on services due to
the aging population in Roanoke County. Service deliveries that
could be affected
in the future
included adult care,
transportation, size of trash cans, funding for the Meals on
Wheels program and the future need for high quality adult care.
7. Other issues:
other items that the Board discussed were: (1)
frequency of field mowing; (2) equipment in fire sta:tions; (3)
education and information programs on the availability of water
and sewer; and (4) the need for awareness and information that
the quality and improvement to public roads is a VDOT
responsibility.
IN RE:
ADJOURNMENT
At 2:58 p.m. on Sunday, August 25, 1996 Chairman Bob
Johnson declared the meeting adjourned.
Submitted by:
Approved by:
YY)~Jf./.~
Mary H. Allen, CMC
Clerk to the Board