HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/11/1991 - Special
027 .J
January 11, 1991
=
-
Roanoke County Board of Supervisors
Roanoke County Administration Center
3738 Brambleton Avenue, SW
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
January 11, 1991
The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, met this day at Hollins College for the purpose
of a Board of Supervisors and staff retreat.
IN RE:
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman McGraw called the meeting to order at 1: 20
p.m. The roll call was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Steven A. McGraw, Supervisors Lee
B. Eddy, Richard W. Robers
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Supervisor Harry C. Nickens (arrived at
1:30 p.m.) and Bob L. Johnson (arrived at
2:00 p.m.)
STAFF PRESENT:
Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator; Paul
M. Mahoney, County Attorney, Mary H. Allen,
Clerk to the Board
IN RE: REQUESTS TO ADD TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
Supervisor Eddy requested a discussion on biennial real
estate assessments.
Supervisor Robers requested discussion on
cost cutting measures and Supervisor Nickens added discussion on
the possibility of an amusement tax.
028)'
January 11, 1991
=
=
IN RE:
REVIEW OF PRIORITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS SET DURING
1990 RETREAT
~ citizen Communication
County Administrator Elmer Hodge updated the board
members on the customer service program.
Supervisor Eddy
suggested that telephone responses could be improved by
explaining the problem but not going into detail, and by showing
a positive attitude at all times.
~ Zoninq Complaints
Several Supervisors reported they were very pleased
with the improvement by staff in addressing zoning complaints.
Mr. Hodge responded that the additional zoning enforcement
officer had stepped up enforcement considerably.
~ Economic Development Proqress
Mr. Hodge reported that another employee had been hired
in the Economic Development Department.
There was
a
discussion
on the
75/25
Economic
Development Program, with board consensus that 75/25 was not a
realistic goal at this time and that another way of measuring
success should be developed.
Supervisor Eddy asked for a report
on the Economic Development Specialist's activities since she had
been hired.
~ Development Review Process
Mr. Hodge reported that this process will be a top
priority for 1991. The board members expressed concern about the
-
January 11, 1991
029
-
rigid enforcement of regulations. There was consensus that the
process needs to be improved. Mr. Hodge responded that staff
plans to work with the development community and presidents of
professional organizations to improve the process.
IN RE:
TOPICS SUGGESTED BY BOARD MEMBERS
~ Establish strateqic plan for reqional cooperation
and ioint meetinqs Csuqqested bv Supervisor McGraw)
Supervisor McGraw recommended a long range study of
efficiency of service delivery in the Roanoke Valley. There was
a general discussion on the most appropriate steps to begin
regional cooperation. Suggestions included identification of the
top priority by each jurisdiction, a regional strategic master
plan and requesting involvement from the business community.
~ Update on Grayson Commission and VACo/VML Efforts
Csuqqested bv Supervisor McGraw)
Supervisor McGraw reported that the Grayson Commission
is on "hold" at the present time and the VACo/VML Task Force will
regroup with three members from each organization.
~ Internal AUditor Csuqqested bv Supervisor Johnson)
Supervisor Johnson suggested that the board members
consider appointing an internal auditor.
He advised he did not
recommend adding a new position but appointing one from the
current finance staff.
Mr. Mahoney advised that a charter
amendment may be necessary.
Following discussion, Mr. Hodge was requested to survey
03 0
January 11, 1991
-
=
other localities, gather information on the cost of the position
and who the position reports to, and report back to the Board.
~ Leaf Collection (suqqested bv Supervisor Johnson)
There was a general discussion on whether vacuum leaf
collection should be continued, due to the age of the equipment
being used,
the number of equipment breakdowns,
and the
complaints that have been received.
Mr. Hodge will bring back a report during the budget
process.
~ Landfill Board Membership (suqqested by Supervisor
Nickens)
Supervisor Nickens pointed out that membership on the
Landfill Board is based on population and asked if Roanoke County
could appoint another member because of the population growth in
the County.
County Attorney Paul Mahoney will review the contract
to see if the population growth in Roanoke County is enough to
allow an additional member.
.L.
Biennial Assessments
(suqqested bY Supervisor
EddY)
Supervisor Eddy suggested that the Board consider
returning to biennial real estate assessments rather than yearly.
There was board consensus to make no change at this time. Mr.
Hodge will provide the board members with a copy of a previous
report concerning annual assessments.
~ Cost Cuttinq Measures (Sugqested bY Supervisor
03 1
-----,
J3nn:n"y 11, 1991
-
Robers)
Supervisor Robers suggested that the County department
heads begin preparing a budget with a 10% to 20% cut,
He also
suggested that the budget should be reviewed every six months.
Supervisor Johnson recommended that the County staff begin
planning budgets for a two-year period. Supervisor Nickens
suggested that the employees become involved and that each
employee offer suggestions on what could be eliminated as a cost
saving.
Mr. Hodge responded that he plans to have each
department head present their recommendations for a five percent
cut in their budget. He suggested that the Schools prepare their
budget in s imi lar manner.
Chairman McGraw asked Mr. Hodge to
send Dr. Wilson a letter requesting a five percent budget cutbé,\:>'
list.
~ Amusement Tax
Supervisor Nickens stated he felt that the Board should
implement a maximum amusement tax immediately.
will bring a report to the Board.
County Attorney
IN RE:
UPDATE ON REDISTRICTING PLANS
Mr. Mahoney updated the board members on redistricting,
advising there will be a public hearing on January 22, 1991 to
receive citizen comments. He will have available a draft of
policies and procedures for board consideration and will provide
alternatives regarding the composition of the board.
FOllowing a discussion on possible different board
03 2
,Tnnunry I I r I YY 1
=
-
compositions, Mr. Mahoney was directed to gather information from
other counties on the method of election of a chairman and vice
chairman, and the number of board members.
IN RE:
RECESS
At 5: 35 the Board recessed to 8: 00 a. m. on Saturday,
January 12, 1991.
IN RE:
RECONVENEMENT
At 8:40 a.m., Chairman McGraw reconvened the meeting.
All board members were present.
STAFF PRESENT: Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator, Paul M.
Mahoney, County Attorney, Mary H. Allen, Clerk to
the Board, Don C. Myers, Assistant County
Administrator, John M. Chambliss, Assistant County
Administrator, John Hubbard, Assistant County
Administrator, Anne Marie Green, Public
Information Officer, Reta Busher, Director of
Management and Budget, Diane Hyatt, Director of
Finance, Tommy Fuqua, Fire and Rescue Chief, John
Cease, Police Chief, Clifford Craig, Director of
utilities, Tim GUbala, Director of Economic
Development, Terry Harrington, Director of
Planning, Keith Cook, Director of Human Resources
IN RE:
DISCUSSION OF MAJOR PROJECTS
~ Landfill
Assistant County Administrator John Hubbard presented
the schedule for the landfill, advising that they plan to begin
construction in January 1992.
He advised that the Resource
Authority needs to decide on the membership. He also updated the
board on rail access to the landfill site and on Roanoke City's
-----,
January 11, 1991
OJ j
location of a transfer station.
Supervisor Johnson recommended keeping records of all
direct and indirect costs to site the landfill which would
represent the County's contribution to the start up of the
regional landfill.
~ Water su~plY
Director of utilities Clifford Craig reported that the
project is on schedule and that the rate study should be complete
by February 1991 and will come to the board in March 1991.
Construction should begin in August of 1991.
~ Sewaqe Treatment Plant & Interceptor
Mr. craig presented the schedule for the upgrade and
expansion of the interceptor and treatment plant, advising that
the agreement is now being reviewed by Roanoke County, Botetourt
County, the City of Salem and the Town of Vinton.
The board discussed the possibility of the expansion of
the sewage treatment plant as the first step in a regional
strategic plan.
Supervisor Robers moved that Chairman McGraw be
authorized to check with the other local governments to begin
discussions on a regional authority for water, sewer and
landfill.
Supervisor Eddy offered a substitute motion that
Chairman McGraw work with the County staff to come up with a
proposed regional plan to present to the other local governments
and that the proposal be brought back to the Board of Supervisors
034
January 11, 1991
=
before going forward.
The motion was carried by the following
recorded vote:
AYES:
Supervisors Eddy, Robers, Nickens, McGraw.
NAYS:
Supervisor Johnson
Supervisor Johnson explained that he did not support
the motion because he did not think a retreat work session was
the appropriate forum for action.
~ Zoninq Ordinance
Planning and Zoning Director Terry Harrington reported
that the new zoning ordinance is three-fifths complete and
portions are now being reviewed by the County Attorney.
~ Comprehensive Plan Revision
Mr. Harrington advised that the revisions to the
comprehensive plans revisions are ahead of schedule and 30
interviews have been conducted with citizens and various
community organizations in the Bonsack and Back Creek area. He
explained that the Planning Commission identified fourteen areas
for review and chose the Bonsack and Back Creek communities.
They will also concentrate on the area around the Explore
Project.
IN RE:
1991-92 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
~ Review of Staff Priorities set at January 10, 1991
BUdqet Kick-Off Meetinq.
Mr. Hodge reported that the department heads had
discussed the staff priorities at their budget kick-off meeting
-
January 11, 1991
03.5
-----,
and identified the following as their highest priority items in
the budget:
a. Employees: maintain current level of funding,
fund phase II of the salary survey; continue the current benefit
level; meet state mandates; and evaluate services and program for
potential elimination and prioritization.
~ Facilities/Equipment/ Parks:
Maintenance of
facilities and parks; vehicle replacement; best utilization of
office space; consolidation of space as it relates to service
delivery.
~ Economic Development seed money, look at
fees, and tax rates for possible increased revenue
Mr. Hodge further advised he will bring to the board a
proposed 5% cutback list during the budget process.
~ Preliminary Revenue proiections for 1991-92.
Mr. Hodge reported that the proj ected state funding
loss is $2 million in schools. He further reported he would have
revenue projections available in several weeks.
~ School Budqet
School Superintendent Bayes Wilson and School Board
Chairman Frank Thomas advised their highest priority was
appropriation of funds to cover the anticipated loss of state
funding of $1.8 to $2 million.
other priorities included
$350,000 for school bus replacement and $250,000 for roof
replacement. They advised they do not plan on salary raises but
hope to maintain the current level of programs and personnel.
03 6
January 11, 1991
-
-
In response to an inquiry from Supervisor Eddy
regarding the Capital Improvement Program, Dr. Wilson advised
that Cave Spring Junior High School and Green Valley Elementary
School are the most critical needs of the schools.
He further
advised he would bring back a report on the new Cave Spring High
School on February 12, 1991. Supervisor Nickens also requested a
report on school buses at the February 12 meeting and a report
from Keith Cook on the possibility of converting holidays, annual
leave and sick days to personal time off leave.
IN RE:
ESTABLISHMENT OF OVERALL GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR 1991.
Following discussion, the board and staff identified
the following goals and priorities in no particular order:
- Two year budget analysis
- Regional approach to water, sewer and landfill
- Complete the new zoning ordinance
- Preventative maintenance
- Communication
- Fiscal Planning
- Emergency Services
- Quality school system
IN RE:
ADJOURNMENT
At 12:15 p.m., Chairman McGraw adjourned the meeting.
~q~~-
~teven A. McGraw, Chairman