HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/23/2015 - RegularJune 23, 2015
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
319
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the
Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the fourth Tuesday and the second
regularly scheduled meeting of the month of July 2015. 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 an invocation was given by Pastor
Bill Booth of Vinton Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all
present.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Peters called the meeting to order at 3-02 p.m. The roll call was
taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman P. Jason Peters, Supervisors Al Bedrosian,
Joseph B. "Butch" Church, Joseph P. McNamara and
Charlotte A. Moore
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Thomas C.
Gates,
County Administrator; Daniel R.
O'Donnell,
Assistant
County
Administrator; Richard
Caywood,
Assistant
County
Administrator- Paul M.
'7
Mahoney,
County
Attorney;
Amy Whittaker, Public
Information
Officer and
Deborah
C. Jacks, Deputy Clerk to
the Board
IN RE: PROCLAMATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
1. Recognition of the Roanoke County Police Department for
receiving the National President's Award from Mothers Against
Drunk Driving (MADD)(Howard B. Hall, Chief of Police)
Recognition was given. Supervisor Moore thanked and congratulated
Chief Hall. Chairman Peters also thanked Chief Hall for all of their hard work.
320 June 23, 2015
IN RE: NEW BUSINESS
1. Request to utilize Board Contingency funds in the amount of
$36,920.34 to pay for fifty percent (50%) of the renovation costs of
the Vinton Fire House and fifty percent (50%) of needed security
system upgrades (Daniel R. O'Donnell, Assistant County
Administrator)
A-062315-1
Mr. O'Donnell outlined the request and noted Chief Simon is also in
attendance for any questions.
Supervisor McNamara asked if staff had looked at year-end balances in
Fire and Rescue. Mr. O'Donnell responded in the negative stating all year-end
balances would be moved into capital accounts. Supervisor McNamara also noted the
Board Contingency Fund has been reduced to $50,000 for fiscal 2015/2016.
Supervisor Church stated he had no problem taking the funds from
contingency, but wanted to be consistent in how we handled these type of things.
Supervisor Bedrosian asked how these types of things are awarded. Mr.
O'Donnell advised Vinton has been administering this project; but they handle projects
the same way that we do, the Virginia State Procurement Code is followed. So this is
fifteen percent (15%) over the cost. So, when it goes this far over, did one of the bids
go over. Mr. O'Donnell explained when you are renovating an old building you do not
necessarily know what you have until you start tearing into walls, etc. They had a lot of
asbestos and mold and a great deal of change orders for unforeseen items within the
building. It is not that unusual. Supervisor Bedrosian stated so we just went ahead and
did it with Mr. O'Donnell confirming the work has already been done. If the Board does
not approve the additional funds, the Town of Vinton will have to pay the contractor.
Supervisor Bedrosian commented this does bother him that we just go ahead and take
it out of Board Contingency like it is automatic. He thought we were setting a new
process where these things were taken from capital funds. The only reason we are
taking this out of Board Contingency. Mr. O'Donnell advised this project began for the
new process was implemented. He stated the process bothers him more than the
money.
Supervisor Moore stated she supports this as these are the very men and
women who protect us with their lives every day and we need to make sure they are
secure. She added mitigating mold is a safety issue.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated every time he has a comment regarding
things like this, there is always a comment that he is against our Fire and Rescue
personnel. He stated he wanted to make it very clear. It is not about Fire and Rescue,
it is not about people dealing with mold, it is about a process of spending money. He
June 23, 2015 321
wanted to make that very clear. We are in government to watch the money and how it
is spent. There is a process to doing this. We need to be notified before staff has
already spent the money. The funds for security should have been with the original bid
and then it could have been discussed. This is about a process and how we spend our
money versus men and women and what they do.
Supervisor Peters stated he has more experience with this than anyone
else. This was a building that was built in 1976 and there were a lot of things
discovered when we began the process of renovating, which did drive the cost up. We
should have staff come before the Board during the process, but with regard to security,
which he added, is because he believes all of our public safety buildings need to be
secure building. This building is not secure and he will take responsibility for the
security measures that should have been looked at in the beginning.
Chairman Peters asked Mr. Mahoney if he should abstain since he is a
volunteer with Fire and Rescue. Mr. Mahoney advised he did not need to abstain.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to transfer funds in the amount of
$36,920.34 to pay for fifty percent (50%) of the renovation costs of the Vinton Fire
House and fifty percent (50%) of needed security system upgrades, the motion carried
by the following recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Moore, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYES- Supervisors Bedrosian
Supervisor Bedrosian commented with his vote that he just does not like
the way we continue to go off the path; we need to get into a system of doing these
things and feels staff is deviating.
IN RE: REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND FIRST READING OF
REZONING ORDINANCES - CONSENT AGENDA
1. Bergmann Associates, D.P.C, Inc. to obtain a special use permit
for a convenience store in the CVOD, Clearbrook Village Overlay
District, on approximately 29.965 acres, located at the Clearbrook
Walmart, 5350 Clearbrook Village Lane, Cave Spring Magisterial
District
Supervisor Moore's motion to approve the first reading and to establish
the second reading and public hearing for July 28, 2015, was approved by the following
vote -
AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
322 June 23, 2015
IN RE: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance to approve Amendment No. 1 to an
intergovernmental agreement for the Workforce Investment
Area III Chief Local Elected Officials Charter Agreement
(Thomas C. Gates, County Administrator; Jake Gilmer, Director
of Partnerships and Development, Roanoke Valley -Allegheny
Regional Commission)
Mr. Gates advised there were no changes from first reading. There was
no discussion.
ORDINANCE 062315-2 TO APPROVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE
WORKFORCE INVESTMENT AREA III CHIEF LOCAL ELECTED
OFFICIALS CHARTER AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, the cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem, and the counties of
Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin and Roanoke agreed to create a consortium to
work together in accordance with the provisions of the federal Workforce Investment Act
within the Western Virginia Workforce Development Area III; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors authorized the execution of the Workforce
Investment Area III Chief Local Elected Officials Charter Agreement dated July 21, 2003
(Charter Agreement), by Action No. A-051303-6 adopted May 13, 2003; and
WHEREAS, the Mayors of the cities of Covington, Roanoke and Salem, and the
Chairmen of the Board of Supervisors of the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig,
Franklin, and Roanoke (collectively, the Member Jurisdictions) executed the Charter
Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Member Jurisdictions desire to amend the Charter Agreement to
improve the operations and implementation of the Workforce Development Plan,
acknowledge, confirm, and agree that the Charter Agreement is an exercise of joint
powers as permitted by Section 15.2-1300, et sec., Code of Virginia (1950), as
amended, and address changes that may be required as the result of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (29 U.S.C. §§ 3011, et seq.); and
WHEREAS, the first reading of this ordinance was held on June 9, 2015 and the
second reading was held on June 23, 2015- and
WHEREAS, Section 13 of the Cha�er Agreement allows for amendments to the
Charter Agreement with the concurrence of the governing bodies of the Member
Jurisdictions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County as follows-
June 23, 2015 323
1 . That Amendment No. 1 to the Charter Agreement is hereby approved to
improve the operations and implementation of the Workforce Development Plan and to
address changes that may be required as the result of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act of 2014 (29 U.S.C. §§ 3011, et seq.)
2. The Charter Agreement, as authorized and approved by Action No. A-
051303-6 and as amended by Amendment No. 1 is ratified and approved.
3. That the County Administrator, or any Assistant County Administrator, is
authorized and directed to execute this Amendment No. 1 to the Charter Agreement,
and any other documents related to Amendment No. 1, which shall be in a form
approved by the County Attorney's office.
On motion of Supervisor Moore to adopt the ordinance, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance authorizing the vacation of an existing twelve foot (12')
public utility easement located along the side property line on the
property of James Barry Echols (lot 29) and Richard G. and
Shelia B. Huffman (lot 30), block 11, section 3 of Beverly
Heights North (plat book 8, page 16) tax map numbers 044.03-
03-41.00-0000 and 044.03-03-42.00-0000), Catawba Magisterial
District (Tarek Moneir, Deputy Director of Development)
Mr. Moneir provided a brief overview of the need for the ordinance.
Chairman Peters opened and closed the public hearing with no one to speak on this
item.
ORDINANCE 062315-3 AUTHORIZING THE VACATION OF AN
EXISTING TWELVE FOOT (12') PUBLIC UTILITY EASEMENT
LOCATED ALONG THE SIDE PROPERTY LINE ON PROPERTY
OF JAMES BARRY ECHOLS (LOT 29) AND RICHARD G. AND
SHELIA B. HUFFMAN (LOT 30), BLOCK 11, SECTION 3 OF
BEVERLY HEIGHTS NORTH (PLAT BOOK 8, PAGE 16) TAX
MAP NUMBERS 044.03-03-41.00-0000 AND 044.03-03-42.00-
0000), CATAWBA MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT
WHEREAS, a plat entitled "Plat of Section No. 3. Beverly Heights North Property
of Fralin and Waldron, Incorporated" dated Oct. 25, 1971, and recorded in the Clerk's
Office of the Circuit Court of Roanoke County, Virginia, (Plat Book 8, Page 16)
324 June 23, 2015
dedicated a twelve foot (12') wide public utility easement across parcels identified as
Lots 29 and 30 (Tax Map Nos. 044.03-03-41.00-0000 and 044.03-03-42.00-0000); and
WHEREAS, the current owner of the property, James Barry Echols (Lot 29) and
Richard G. and Sheila B. Huffman (Lot 30), have requested that the twelve foot (12')
wide public utility easement located along the side property line be vacated in order to
remove that encumbrance on their property to allow Mr. Echols to build a garage on Lot
29; and
WHEREAS, County staff has reviewed and approved the vacation this twelve
foot (12') public utility easement as shown on the exhibit (Exhibit "A") attached hereto
and entitled "James Barry Echols and Richard G. and Sheila B. Huffman Showing the
Proposed Vacation of a twelve foot (12') Public Utility Easement Situate on Lots 29 &
30, Block 11, Section 3, Beverly Heights North — P.B. 8, PG. 16, Catawba Magisterial
District" prepared by Parker Design Group, Inc. dated 4 May 2015; and
WHEREAS, no other property owner will be affected by the vacation of this public
utility easements, and this vacation will not involve any cost to the County, and the
affected County departments and public utilities have raised no objection; and
WHEREAS, notice has been given as required by Section 15.2-2204 of the Code
of Virginia (1950, as amended); and
THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows -
1 . That pursuant to the provisions of Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County
Charter, the acquisition and disposition of real estate can be authorized only by
ordinance. A first reading of this ordinance was held on June 9, 2015, and a second
reading and public hearing of this ordinance was held on June 23, 2015.
2. That pursuant to the provisions of Section 16.01 of the Roanoke County
Charter, the subject real estate, a twelve foot (12') wide public utility easement, which
was dedicated by plat of Beverly Heights North (Plat Book 8, Page 16) is hereby
declared to be surplus and the nature of the interests in real estate renders it
unavailable for other public use.
3. That the subject real estate, a twelve foot (12") wide public utility
easement, located along the side property lines of Lots 29 and 30, which was dedicated
by plat of Beverly Heights North (Plat Book 8, Page 16) be, and hereby is, vacated
pursuant to Section 15.2-2270 of the Code of Virginia 1950, as amended.
4. That all costs and expenses associated herewith, including but not limited
to publication, survey and recordation costs, shall be the responsibility of the Petitioner.
5. That the County Administrator, or any Assistant County Administrator, is
hereby authorized to execute such documents and take such actions as may be
necessary to accomplish the provisions of this ordinance, all of which shall be on form
approved by the County Attorney.
6. That this ordinance shall be effective on and from the date of its adoption,
and a certified copy of this ordinance shall be recorded in the Clerk's Office of the
June 23, 2015 325
Circuit Court of Roanoke County, Virginia, in accordance with Section 15.2-2270 of the
Code of Virginia (1950, as amended).
On motion of Supervisor Church to adopt the ordinance, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
IN RE: APPOINTMENTS
1. Parks, Recreation and Tourism Advisory Commission (appointed
by District)
Supervisor Church reappointed Larry Peterson for three-year term and
asked that it be put on the Consent Agenda for confirmation.
Chairman Peters reappointed Richard Tomlinson for an additional three-
year term and asked that it be put on the Consent Agenda for confirmation.
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 062315-4 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN
CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS
ITEM K- 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 June 23,
2015, designated as Item K - Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and
concurred in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1
through inclusive, as follows -
1 . Approval of minutes — May 26, 2015
2. Resolution expressing the appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County to Daniel L. Brokaw, Combination Code Compliance
Inspector, upon his retirement after more than twenty (20) years of service
3. Ratify and affirm an agreement with Unified Hurnan SeWiGes Transportation
Systerns, InG. to provide CORTRAN seFViGes for Roanoke County frern july 1,
2015 through june 30, 2016
4. Request to accept and allocate grant funds in the amount of $15,850 from the
Jacqueline S. (Jackie) and Shelborn L. (S.L.) Spangler Fund of Foundation
for Roanoke Valley to Roanoke County Fire and Rescue for the purchase of
326 June 23, 2015
equipment for Bent Mountain station
5. Request to accept and allocate funds in the amount of $10,337.38 to the
Clerk of the Circuit Court from the Commonwealth of Virginia for fiscal year
2014/2015
6. Request to accept the vacation of a variable width Private Drainage
Easement and relocation of a twenty (20) foot wide Private Drainage
Easement as shown on the plat of Mason's Crest, Section 2, recorded as
instrument #201504263, on May 15, 2015, in the Roanoke County Circuit
Court Clerk's Office, said Private Drainage Easement being relocated on Lots
25 through 29 (Tax Map Numbers 097.01-05-17.00-0000, 097.01-05-18.00-
0000, 097.01-05-19.00-0000, 097.01-05-20.00-0000 & 097.01-05-17.00-
0000),Cave Spring Magisterial District
7. Confirmation of appointment to the Economic Development Authority
(appointed by District)- Parks, Recreation and Tourism Advisory Commission
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, with the exception of
Item K-3, which was removed for separate consideration and carried by the following
recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
RESOLUTION 062315-4.a EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION
OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY
TO DANIEL L. BROKAW, COMBINATION CODE COMPLIANCE
INSPECTOR, UPON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN
TWENTY (20) YEARS OF SERVICE
WHEREAS, Daniel L. Brokaw was employed by Roanoke County on January 18,
1994, and has served as Electrical Inspector and Combination Code Compliance
Inspector during his tenure; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brokaw retired on June 1, 2015, after twenty (20) years and
eight (8) months of devoted, faithful and expert service to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brokaw throughout his employment with Roanoke County, has
been instrumental in improving the quality of life and providing services to the citizens of
Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, throughout Mr. Brokaw's with Roanoke County, he obtained
certificates of completion training and licenses in many area including- Pipelines
Emergency Response and Awareness for Excavation Operation- Stormwater
Management; National Fire Protection and Building Fire Safety by N�PA; National
Safety Council Training of First Aid; OSHA Safety Training; Erosion and Sediment
Control Inspection; Best Management Practice "BMP" Inspection & Maintenance;
June 23, 2015 327
Confined Space Awareness and Entry; Building Inspection for Property Maintenance;
Amusement Device and Asbestos Initial.
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 DANIEL L. BROKAW for more than twenty (20) 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, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
A -062315-4.b
A -062315-4.c
A -062315-4.d
A -062315-7.e
1. Ratify and affirm an agreement with Unified Human Services
Transportation Systems, Inc. to provide CORTRAN services for
Roanoke County from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016
Effill-kWi &711-i
Mr. Thomas Gates, County Administrator advised this was a contract
renewal with the same terms and provides transportation for our disabled citizens. The
Board did authorize the funding for this in the fiscal year budget for $420,000.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated when we talked about this in work session
and the only thing that bothered him that is it not just for disabled citizens, but for
anyone over sixty (60) years of age. Why are we offering transportation services to
anyone over sixty (60). This is the one area he has a problem. Additionally, when did
Roanoke County get into subsidizing transportation? The fair is basically subsidized at
80/20. It cost the person taking the trip $4, but the cost is really $18. Is this correct.
Mr. Gates responded $18.55 was the number expended in fiscal year 2015 and divided
by the number of trips. He wants to remove the physically handicapped from this
conversation, because he does not want this to be an emotional conversation. Why are
providing services for everybody else? Mr. Gates explained there are requirements for
use of the system and asked Laurie Gearheart, Assistant Director of Finance, to
explain. Ms. Gearheart advised Roanoke County has been providing this service since
1985. When originally approved by the Board, it was for people sixty (60) years or older
and/or physically handicapped, defined by the Easter Seal requirements. Since that
328 June 23, 2015
time, ADA came into play. Staff has looked at ridership, the amount of people who are
just sixty (60) years old riding just because they are sixty (60) years old and can was
nonexistence the last time she looked at the data. Most of the people riding were riding
it because of their disability or they were aged sixty-five (65). Supervisor Bedrosian
asked why isn't it more strict and limited to people who are disabled, handicapped or for
a medical reason going to the doctor. Why is it left so open that basically just anybody
can use and why don't we do something about it. Ms. Gearheart advised they have
done some pretty extensive work sessions with the Board. One of the items they
looked at was changing the age to sixty-five (65) or over. However, when they looked
at the ridership, they did not have anyone so the Board decided to leave the eligibility as
it was. If the Board so desires, it can be changed. Supervisor Bedrosian stated he
does not have a problem with the age, to restate, he has an issue with it being open to
public over sixty (60). If it was just for people sixty (60) or over that are physically or
mentally challenged. He would like to make it one group versus two. Mr. Gates stated
this issue was discussed in the budget work sessions this year and he committed to the
Board to take a look at this program for fiscal year 2017; we did not have time to look at
the details. He therefore recommends the Board approve the contract so that we can
continue to provide service. If you want to make changes to the program, that can be
done next year. Supervisor Bedrosian stated he has asked for this two (2) years in a
row. He is willing to vote for it, but wants it to zero in on the people who are physically
and mentally challenged over sixty (60). If there is an issue with tightening this up, he
would like to know.
Chairman Peters stated he hears what Supervisor Bedrosian is saying,
but knows people that are in their seventies who cannot drive anymore. This is the only
transportation they have to get to and from doctors. He does not believe there are
people out there that is "free -loading" on the system.
Supervisor Church commented he can recall at least two or three work
sessions over the years. We have taken some hard looks to see if there was abuse.
The ridership is necessary to take care of our people that need it. Ms. Gearheart
responded staff and the Board took a hard look at this program in 2010 and made some
changes. The age factor was looked at. The Board decided at that time there were
people who had a need that needed the service. Supervisor Church stated staff should
take a look at this program on a continuing basis.
Supervisor McNamara stated he had a problem with the cost, why cannot
we just reimburse cab fees. The reason the cab would not work, is that this is for
people who are primarily special needs with special services. A cab is not a substitute.
Secondly, he does not believe anyone is comfortable with a sixty (60) year old living in
Hunting Hills riding. His recollection is that we used federal surface transportation funds
and if we restrict, we would lose all the federal funds, which are subsidizing a large
majority of this program. There is more to it than meets the eye and we can review this
again next year.
Supervisor Moore recommended to the Board that anyone who has not
June 23, 2015
329
toured CORTRAN, go by and get the tour. It is an incredible facility; really does a great
service for our citizens.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to ratify and affirm an agreement with
Unified Human Services Transportation Systems, Inc. to provide CORTRAN services
for Roanoke County from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, the motion carried by the
following recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Moore, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYES- Supervisors Bedrosian
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor Moore moved to receive and file the following reports. The
motion carried by the following recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
1. General Fund Unappropriated Balance
2. Capital Reserves
3. Reserve for Board Contingency
4. Outstanding Debt
5. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Revenues as of
May 31, 2015
6. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Expenditures and
Encumbrances as of May 31, 2015
7. Accounts Paid — May 31, 2015
8. Treasurer's Statement of Accountability per Investment and
Portfolio Policy as of May 31, 2015
Chairman Peters recessed at 3-41 p.m. to the fourth floor for work
session.
IN RE: WORK SESSIONS
1. Work session to discuss recommended revisions to the Roanoke
County Procurement Policy (Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance)
The work session was held from 3-54 p.m. until 4-30 p.m. In attendance
was Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance; Laurie Gearheart, Assistant Director of
Finance; Ashley King, Purchasing Manager.
330 June 23, 2015
Ms. King provided the Board with a PowerPoint presentation and outlined
the recommended revisions that staff would like to implement.
Supervisor McNamara asked if a particular vendor must be chosen if it is
the only one received with Ms. King responding in the negative stating the project would
rebid. He then asked what if there were not four sources. Ms. King responded
document the only three quotes and the research that was done and proceed.
Supervisor Church inquired as to what benefit these proposed changes
would create. Ms. King responded by moving Roanoke County to match the
Commonwealth of Virginia it would allow departments to get what they need quickly by
allowing delegation of authority. Audit will continue to be done and would also free up
the Purchasing Department to spend more time on other items, i.e. vendor outreach.
The limits have changed, but the budgets remain the same as approved by the Board.
There will be more internal controls and will increase the frequencies of the audit. A
new purchasing card will be implemented with more internal controls.
Supervisor McNamara inquired when bonds are issued do we do a
competitive analysis. Ms. Owens responded the last several issuances have been
handled by a financial advisor following the County guidelines.
Supervisor McNamara then asked if staff has done a competitive analysis
on the 457 Plan with Ms. Owens responding it is part of NACo and agreements already
in place. There is a third party audit that is done.
Supervisor Moore asked if US Communities were utilized with Ms. King
responding in the affirmative citing especially for the school system.
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARINGS AND SECOND READINGS OF ORDINANCES
1. The petition of Carl and Carol Slate to obtain a special use permit
for a private stable in a R-11, Low Density Residential, District, on
approximately 2.012 acres, located at 7904 Carvin Street, Hollins
Magisterial District (Philip Thompson, Deputy Director of
Planning)
Mr. Thompson outlined the request for special use permit. He advised
there were no changes from first reading.
Chairman Peters opened and closed the public hearing. The following
citizen spoke -
Charles Dotson of 7802 Enon Drive stated he lived directly behind the
property that is being discussed. He has a thirty-five (35) foot pool in his backyard and
horses draw flys, smell, they get loose and you have occasional people from the Park
that would walk over to visit the horses. He stated it is his understanding there will be
nobody to supervise on site. He stated he has also been to businesses in the
neighborhood and they were not notified of this. He went and talked to them personally.
It effects them as much as it does them, maybe more. He just wished the Board would
June 23, 2015 331
consider his $40,000 pool in his backyard.
Supervisor Bedrosian asked Mr. Thompson about the comment that no
businesses were notified. Mr. Thompson stated normally we notify the adjoining
property owners, but in this case because it was a stable, staff notified everyone on
Carvin Street, residential and business. There was no one that spoke at the public
hearing so the other issues were not addressed. He advised there was one phone call
from a lady, who did not speak at the hearing. There is a six-foot privacy fence on one
side and split rail on the back. It is his understanding they are going to put a six-foot
board on board privacy feet along the back. They do not want the horses to get in or
anyone else to get in.
Supervisor Church stated one of his questions was just answered, he was
concerned with the privacy fence. He was going to ask about buffering because in his
area he has had several requests. No matter where it is, there are proper steps taken
to safeguard. Mr. Thompson advised there were certain standards associated. There
can only be one horse, because it is only two acres (one horse to two acres). Staff
would follow-up if there were any complaints. The Slates currently have this horse on
Friendship, so it is not too far. We have not heard any complaints from where the horse
is now. Supervisor Church asked if there were any proffers, with Mr. Thompson
advising there were no conditions, but there are certain conditions that apply to a stable.
Chairman Peters inquired if it was a full-grown horse with Mr. Thompson
responding in the affirmative.
ORDINANCE 062315-6 GRANTING A SPECIAL USE PERMIT
FOR A PRIVATE STABLE ON APPROXIMATELY 2.012 ACRES
LOCATED AT 7904 CARVIN STREET (TAX MAP NOS. 027.06-
03-12.00) HOLLINS MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT, UPON THE
PETITION OF CARL SLATE AND CAROL SLATE
WHEREAS, Carl and Carol Slate have filed a petition for a special use permit for
a private stable to be located at 7904 Carvin Street (Tax Map Nos. 027.06-03-12.00) in
the Hollins Magisterial District; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on this matter on
June 2, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, held a first
reading on this matter on May 26, 2015; the second reading and public hearing on this
matter was held on June 23, 2015.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows -
1 . That the Board finds that the granting of a special use permit to Carl and
Carol Slate for a private stable on 2.012 acres located at 7904 Carvin Street in the
Hollins Magisterial District is substantially in accord with the adopted 2005 Community
Plan, as amended, pursuant to the provisions of Section 15.2-2232 of the 1950 Code of
332 June 23, 2015
Virginia, as amended, and that it shall have a minimum adverse impact on the
surrounding neighborhood or community, and said special use permit is hereby
approved.
2. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its
final passage. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this
ordinance be, and the same hereby are, repealed. The provisions of this special use
permit are not severable. Invalidation of any word, phrase, clause, sentence or
paragraph shall invalidate the remainder. The Zoning Administrator is directed to
amend the zoning district map to reflect the change in zoning classification authorized
by this ordinance.
On motion of Supervisor Bedrosian to adopt the ordinance, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote-
AYIES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
1. Ordinance to increase the salaries of the members of the Board of
Supervisors of Roanoke County pursuant to Section 3.07 of the
Roanoke County Charter and Section 15.2-1414.3 of the Code of
Virginia (Paul M. Mahoney, County Attorney)
Mr. Mahoney outlined the ordinance and advised there were no changes
from the first reading.
Supervisor Bedrosian inquired if the Board votes on this every year with
Mr. Mahoney responding it is discretionary. Supervisor Bedrosian stated he had
received an email from the County Attorney, which he assumed everyone did asking if
the Board wanted the subject brought up. Some people are under the impression that
we have to do this every year, but we do not. The members of the Board could tell the
County Attorney no and it would not be brought forward. Mr. Mahoney responded in the
affirmative.
Chairman Peters opened and closed the public hearing. The following
citizens spoke -
Warren Coburn wanted to know what the Board has done to earn this
raise. When the supervisors ran for office, they knew what the salary was going to be.
He does not understand how you can just vote yourself a raise. It must be nice.
Normally, this seems like something that would go to the citizens of Roanoke County to
give the Board a raise. His supervisor from the Cave Spring District, Ms. Moore, said a
couple of weeks ago that she wanted to do more for the citizens of her district. Let me
tell you what she has done for me. There is a monstrosity sitting right next to his
property called Friendship Manor Rehab. It's supposed to have been a one story
building. Go out and look at it. It is one story, but it has multiple levels and these
multiple levels reach at least thirty -forty (30 to 40) feet high. If you have not been down
June 23, 2015 333
that way, you need to go out there and look at this and thank Ms. Moore. This complex
should have never been put in that little neighborhood of Crescent Heights. Since this
project started in August, he has had to fight dust blowing on his vehicles, his windows
and his porches. His whole house was shaken by machinery for three to four (3 to 4)
straight days. They were trying to tamp some dirt down and his house shook for three
to four (3 to 4) days. He has had to endure workers coming in at 4-00 a.m. in the
morning and staying as late at 10-30 in the evening. The noise ordinance is a joke.
Nobody enforces noise. At a quarter after six this morning, he was awakened by
machinery over at this project. He really does not see any economic benefit from this.
He sees two or three (2 to 3) twelve (12) passenger vans that have North Carolina
license plates on them. He does not know if they are coming from North Carolina every
day or what. Other vehicles have other area codes; there is a couple of local
companies that he sees out there; roofing and communications companies. Since this
started there has been somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 vehicles passing within
sixty (60) feet of his backdoor, thank you Ms. Moore.
Supervisor McNamara commented to the Chairman that all remarks
should be made to the Chair as a whole and not an individual member.
Mr. Coburn stated thank you to the Board for all this traffic that goes
behind his back door every day. All he wants to say is that he is planning on letting his
neighbors and fellow citizens know how you people vote. He stated go ahead and have
your vote and hopes they enjoy the raise. He knows this has already been decided. He
is wasting his breath. He stated they say that a sign of insanity is to keep doing the
same things over and over expecting different results.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated he had a few comments to make. He had
asked our attorney in the beginning whether we had to vote on this because he has
heard people talk about this like it was something you have to every year whether you
are going to vote it up or down. The reality is that we have a lot of business that we
conduct here and why we add giving ourselves a raise and bring that up as an issue
every year; at least the two years he has been on the Board, he does not understand.
We do not have to bring this up. We do not have to waste anybody's time on talking
about raises. He wanted to make that clear, we do not have to bring this up, we should
never bring this up in fact and that is not why we are here. We are here to do the
business of the people and if we don't want to do the business of the people for what we
knew was the pay, then we should not be doing this job. We should be doing
something else. Obviously, he does not support this raise and never has. Last year he
voted it down and gave the money back to Roanoke County because it is not his. We
are allowed by Virginia law to do this and our charter does say that we can, but there
are a lot of bad laws out there and we are legislators and we can continue blaming
someone else that the law is there and obviously we have to abide by this law so that is
why we keep raising our salaries, or we can just say it is a bad law and get rid of it, that
is our job, we are legislators not just spectators anymore. We are the people that can
actually change this. So, in tonight's discussion and he hopes there is a lot of
334 June 23, 2015
discussion on this. It is not about to him whether we deserve a raise, it is not about all
the work we do for the citizens. It is about whether the citizens of Roanoke County
should look at their County Supervisors voting themselves a raise and not be involved in
that process. He has always stated that the only people that should give themselves a
raise or are allowed to give themselves a raise are people that own companies. We do
not own Roanoke County. The fact that we do not own Roanoke County makes it hard
to give ourselves a raise. Again, it is not about whether we deserve it, it is not about the
long hours people put into, it is about whether we should be doing it ourselves. There is
a solution to this. Every Supervisor on this Board has stated how uncomfortable they
are in voting for this. Well, he can alleviate that discomfort tonight and he will. Before
he offers a substitute motion, he would like to take a look if he could, he put together
something to show on the screen. A lot of times, people do not know what benefits we
have in Roanoke County as Supervisors and thinks it is good for the citizens to know. It
may be hard to read, so he will read out loud. We receive a salary of approximately
$17,500, roughly. We are committed to two (2) meetings a month; that is our
commitment. Actually, he had to be out of the country once and missed a meeting.
Basically we have to be here. A ten (10) hour commitment that you have to be here.
That is $145 an hour, if just looking at the ten (10) hours, not bad. Even if you put in
four (4) times that amount of work. Let's say not only do you put in ten (10) hours a
month, but you go out of your way and you are out there talking to citizens and you put
in forty hours a month; that is about $40 an hour for a Supervisor's job. The Chairman
and Vice Chairman receive on top of that an additional $1,800 and $1,200, respectively.
They do a little more work. They have to put together the agenda and this is all paid for
by the citizens. Three of the Board members on this group receive health benefits from
Roanoke County. The fact is that two of us don't because we work for companies that
provide healthcare. This is an extremely nice benefit to have. In his company that he
works for he is told that benefit alone, which is about the same that Roanoke County
has, is worth several thousand dollars a year. If they actually had to go out and buy that
in the marketplace, several thousand dollar. That benefit is paid for by the Roanoke
County taxpayers. At each meeting, like tonight's meeting and every other meeting we
have, we are provided dinner upstairs at taxpayers' expense. He looks at that as being
okay as we are here working through dinner hours. He is trying to say when he points
out all these things, you are good to us. Taxpayers, if we are working long hours and
work through dinner, you provide dinner for us. Thank you. Sometimes it is nice just to
say thank you to County citizens for paying for that. Almost every week of the year
since he has been on this Board, almost every day of the year, you will find that there is
an invitation to an event or free ticket to some local event. Again, is that wrong, is that
right- that is a toss-up as we are representing the County. He gets invited to an event in
Nortl� County and he goes. Last night it was at Chick-fil-A for their premiere opening
and that is his responsibility as he is kind of like an ambassador to Roanoke County
when he goes to these events. This is a nice benefit to have as a Supervisor of
Roanoke County. He just wanted to dispel these myths that the Board work long hours
June 23, 2015 335
and just need more to keep up and is a very nice benefits. Events, all over Roanoke
County, the Board gets invited to for free, some in Roanoke County that we give money
to, which he has disagreed with. We get free tickets to go to any event. You could
almost go to an event every week of the year, football games, etc. These are nice
benefits for benefits. Every year there is a Virginia Association of Counties meeting.
Last year it was at the Homestead Resort- this year it is at the Greenbrier. We are
invited to go and it is paid for. He thinks th�t is over the top. He does not go to those
meetings because he thinks it is excessive. He thinks it is excessive to go to those
resorts and have meetings with people and that is provided. Board members go. It is
paid for by the citizens of Roanoke County. Each Board member is given a laptop, an
Phone and Pad. He took two out of three and thinks others have taken all of them or
two out of three. It is given to do their job. Again, he is just presenting how well you
treat us. He stated he has a laptop to do County business. He can take it home and
use it. He has an Pad; he did not need an Phone because he already had one. He
pays that expense, but Board members can get a free Phone. All your minutes are
taken care of. You have all the IT support that you need for the laptop and Pad. He is
just telling you that this is not a bad job to have. Don't ever let anybody tell you that
they are working too long and they need a raise. Finally, we are each given an office
upstairs, which is nice. He thinks that is appropriate. He goes to work and he has to
come up here to get something. He can sit down and do his work or Board work. Other
Board members do that also. Again, you treat us very well. You give us wonderful
benefits to have, over the top. The Board's salary is $17,500 and even if we work 40
hours a month it is $40 an hour. This is not a bad salary for Roanoke County and then
you top it with all the other benefits. He would like to propose a substitute motion. He
has spoken with our attorney; he actually wanted it on this agenda today but it could not
make it. The State of Virginia has their code, which then gives us a charge. Section
3.07 of the Roanoke County charter allows us to vote for our own raises. We can
amend it. We can amend the charter. He asked the County attorney to write something
up and he was going to present it at our meeting today, but it was not allowed on the
meeting, but he wants to add it as a substitute motion that we would add item 4 on our
Charter and would say, "No such ordinance (meaning the salaries) shall be adopted
unless the voters in the County shall approve such salary increase by referendum." We
can do that. We can put that in our Charter. So we could vote for a raise, but it will not
be approved until the voters of Roanoke County give the final okay. The reality tonight
is that people are going to do what they want to do. He cannot force anybody; he is
outvoted. There is always going to be a four to one vote; three to one vote, he is going
to be outvoted. But, he is telling everyone that there is a better way to do this that he
thinks the citizens of Roanoke County would appreciate. A lot of people just really get
turned off by government and this is one of the most arrogant things he can think of for
a group of people to get elected and then stand up here and say we need more money,
not for us it is for you and we vote for and we give ourselves a raise. So, he offers this
substitute motion. You can vote it up or down, but that would be to add Item 4 to our
336 June 23, 2015
County Charter that would state that we cannot adopt a pay raise unless the voters in
Roanoke County approve it by referendum. The referendum will cost us about $400.
You have to advertise it in the newspaper and then citizens can vote on it. It is a $400
cost and he thinks it would be well worth it. The other way we could do it is never bring
this up again and then we would not have to do a referendum. This is his substitute
motion; to add Item 4 to our Charter so that the voters in Roanoke County will have to
approve any salary increases.
Supervisor Church asked the Clerk to keep Mr. Bedrosian's chart back up
on the screen so that he can remember some of the items. He stated what he is going
to say is for him only, he is speaking for himself and in no particular order. First of all,
he did not vote for this and did not plan to vote for it tonight. In full disclosure, in
previous years, there has been years that he has voted for it. Our Board usually did
unanimously. Does it make it right or wrong, that is for the citizens to judge. He has
made a statement before and he knows it is factual, but he is the poorest of the five up
here and that is a fact. With his $17,000, he makes about $30,000 a year total and that
is not a lot of money by any stretch of the imagination, but if you look at the hours, he
wished he could work forty (40) hours a month. He is averaging thirty-five (35) hours a
week, but it is still good money, but he does not make the $100 an hour. One time, he
stated, when there were a lot of heavy-duty issues in his area, he thinks he made
minimum wage. If there were an asphalt plant or a jail, where it was eight (8) days a
week; he is not complaining as he knew what the salary was when he ran for office.
The private office is correct. The only time that he has used a private office was when
he was Chairman and that is a necessity. He thinks he has been to this building, and
will try to be conservative, in the last six (6) months and other than Board meeting days,
three (3) times. A couple of times on the weekend; he noticed Supervisor McNamara
was here as well. He came and did some work because he could not get internet
coverage at his home. He is at the end of the line with Verizon, so it works only half the
time and that is why the Pad comes in handy for him. Sometimes if there is a storm,
then he does not have anything so he comes to the County building. He is one of the
people who gets health insurance, and he does appreciate it. The last time he went to a
VACo meeting anywhere was eight to ten years ago. He just quit going because he felt
it was over the top; $200-$300 a night. He does not go to those. He does go to some
softball games, basketball games at the Salem Civic Center, they are not outrageous,
but are still a benefit, $10 to $15. He enjoys watching and associating with people from
the Roanoke Valley. As far as the money, he has already mentioned the money; he is
not ashamed of it. The raise, if he voted for, would have been approximately $12 every
two weeks, but he would have cleared $10.50, but who needs that for all the interior
grief that he feels that the Board should not be sitting up here and give themselves a
raise. He is very uncomfortable; if we never brought it up again it would suit him. He
does not intend to vote for it, he has in full disclosure voted for it in the past. You can
check the records. He wished that the Board never had to deal with this item. He is not
defending himself, but he is letting the citizens know that he does not make $145 an
June 23, 2015 337
hour, it is more like $7 to $8 an hour. Everybody's time that you put in for your people
are different. He has one hundred and twenty-five (125) square miles to cover. Big
enough to put Roanoke City and Salem inside his district two and one half (2 1/2) times.
The reason he is telling this is that when goes to visit a neighbor, it may be five or fifteen
(5 or 15) miles away and he does routinely. So, it is not a complaint, it is just a fact that
his area goes from Montgomery County line to Craig County and down to North
Roanoke- it is huge. So, he is not saying he does not deserve $17,000 a year, he does.
He work� more than $17,000.
Supervisor Moore stated this raise will not affect the sitting Board one way
or the other and she is okay with either way that it is voted on tonight. She is frequently
asked the question, what do Board members do except for two (2) meetings a month.
One of our responsibilities is to serve on Boards and Commissions. It is important that
we attend these meetings so that we can be engaged with our local, state and federal
partners. This allows us to communicate and discuss what our needs are. We have an
opportunity to discuss things like 173, transportation, passenger/rail, broadband, livable
communities, stormwater regulations, BPOL tax, unfunded mandates, education,
economic development, healthcare, work force development, meals tax, body cameras,
Comprehensive Services Act (CSA), unemployment and land uses and many more
issues. These issues can affect us economically, environmentally, socially and
financially. So, it is really important that we discuss these issues with our other
representatives. She is now serving on about ten (10) of these boards and committees.
Some other responsibilities of the Board are meeting the citizens about their concerns,
look at properties that we are asked to be rezoned, attend Community Meetings, attend
hall meetings and meet with our legislators, meet with or talk with organizations like the
Chamber, businesses and other non -profits, attend openings for new businesses so that
we can be supported and let other citizens know what these businesses do. Joe
McNamara and I will attend one tonight at 6-00 p.m. for a grand opening on Brambleton
Avenue. We return phone calls, we research issues, new projects and see how they
will affect our citizens and businesses. We have joint meetings with the School Board
and we need to be prepared for our Board meetings. At times, we have had four
hundred (400) pages on our agenda. We need to go over these, research them,
preview them, have questions, make phone calls and know what the issues are about
before we get here in this chair. These are just some our elected duties; there are a lot
more. We do take our jobs seriously. Will there be passionate candidates who want to
lead our County in twenty (20) years for the same salary that this Board is making now.
They should be compensated also for their economic growth. A reasonable way to
ensure that we will gradually increase these salaries is to give these small, slight raises
so that we can get good candidates, we can get good, passionate representatives for
our citizens in the future. She stated she thinks it is good judgment to want to lead this
County responsibly.
Supervisor Peters stated he wanted to add a few things that he thinks are
interesting. The Supervisor from Hollins refers to how much time we put in. He figured
338 June 23, 2015
it out and Supervisor Church is right. He figured it up for the last few weeks and he
stated he is averaging twenty-five to thirty-two (25 to 32) hours a week. At thirty-two
hours a week it is $10.47 an hour. We deal with stormwater issues (these are things he
has dealt with over the last few days), issues of trash coming off the school lot, we have
this rezoning request and things that you have to go and visually look at. It is one of
those cases, when he refers to arrogance he thinks it is very arrogant for a Board
member to send out emails that he will not copy other Board members to talk about how
they voted in the first reading and lays them all out. If anyone is paying attention, when
he votes and did the same as a planning commissioner, he does not think he has ever
voted against anything on a first reading, whether it is a pay raise, a zoning request, a
private stable, whatever the case may be. He thinks these things need to go through
the process. In this process, it provides an opportunity to seek out civic groups in his
district and contact people that he knows and ask what are their thoughts. So, he
believes he is right, there is a lot of arrogance there, a lot of misrepresentation on
emails that are being sent out and purposely not sent to other Board members. The
other issue that he wants to bring up is the issue of "why now." He views this purely as
a political game. We have had eleven months since the last vote and now we want to
change everything between a first and second reading when you have had eleven
months to contact our delegates in Richmond to work with us as a Board, to work with
our County Attorney and to back up, he was right. We did receive an email from our
County Attorney referring to this raise tonight and he, based on this Board, believe in
transparency and he believed it should be put out there. This is a part of the County's
business. So whether it passes or fails, as Chairman he believes it is part of the
business of this County and that is why he decided and yes he decided as Chairman to
have this move forward on the agenda.
Supervisor McNamara stated it is a shame, it really is a shame and he did
not think Roanoke County would get to the point where Board members are calling
other Board members arrogant and immoral over a two and one half percent (2 1/2%)
raise. Someone says. "Did you see Channel 10, what you are talking about is
immoral?" There is nothing immoral. He will tell you what is immoral, talking about the
last ten raises in the last thirteen years, but we are all the beneficiary of these raises.
He thinks it is immoral to send out an email to talk about an option for raising pay that is
not currently legal in the General Assembly. It is not currently legal. So, all the Board
members probably got fifteen to twenty (15 to 20) emails back saying the citizens
should decide our raises. One of the ones from Windsor Hills, he sent an email back
and said that is fine, but it is not the law that we live in. This has not been the law as
long as he has been associated with this Board. He stated he thinks putting it out to
voters as a referendum, he would be fine with that, but as he understands the substitute
motion it refers to all the citizens of Roanoke County. He wants to be voted on by
Windsor Hills about him. He does not want to be lumped in with perhaps another
supervisor that someone may not like. They may not think they are being positive for
Roanoke County and that is why he would not support that motion. He thinks it is
June 23, 2015 339
politics, pure politics and he is ashamed, ashamed of it. Two and one half percent (2
1/2%), the Supervisor from Cave Spring, two and one half percent (2 1/2%) does not make
any difference. $10.00 or $12.00 does not make a difference, but twenty to thirty (20 to
30) years from now. Basically what we are saying is the Board of Supervisors should
be an unpaid position. It is a valid argument, a valid argument. He does not subscribe
to that argument because he believes that will limit our pool of successful people. He
wants people who are motivated by money, some fair compensation. He does not want
people who are interested in the job so that can further some other aspects of their
career, which is what he believes will happen over time. He stated he did not support
the motion.
Chairman Peters asked the Clerk to repeat the motion. Ms. Jacks
responded that the motion was to add Item 4 to the Roanoke County charter to state a
pay raise could not be approved unless approved by referendum.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated the verbiage that Mr. Mahoney gave him was
no such ordinance shall be adopted unless the voters in the County approve such
salary increase by referendum and added to the Charter as line item 4.
Chairman Peters asked Mr. Mahoney if that was legal or something that
we can even do. Mr. Mahoney responded when he spoke with Mr. Bedrosian last week,
the intent to follow a procedure that is set out in State law to amend the County Charter.
There are two different paths you can follow to amend the County Charter. One path is
to have a referendum of the citizens and assuming that passes that would then be at
the general election in November and then we would seek a patron who would
introduce that legislation to amend the Charter in the 2016 session of the General
Assembly.
Supervisor Church stated is this what we are doing as far as taking it to
the General Assembly.
Mr. Mahoney stated it is a two-step process. The first step would be to
have it on the general election ballot this November and then assuming it passed, the
second step would be to have a patron (one of the delegates or senators from this area)
to introduce that in January of 2016 because the charter is a legislative enactment of
the General Assembly. So, when Mr. Bedrosian and I were speaking, he was seeking
an opportunity to have citizens vote. One way to do that is a process to amend the
County charter, the process involves a referendum and then going to the General
Assembly.
Supervisor Church asked if this would apply to the General Assembly
themselves with Mr. Mahoney responding it would only happen to the Roanoke County
Charter. Supervisor Church then asked if they have this mechanism in Richmond
where they can or cannot, have or have not, acted on a merit raise for themselves. Mr.
Mahoney responded their process is slightly different, but the members of the General
Assembly would vote on increased salaries. His recollection of that process though is
an intervening election must occur before it would go into effect. Supervisor Church
then asked if it had happened often with Mr. Mahoney responding if it happened he just
340 June 23, 2015
cannot remember the last time he did.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated Supervisor McNamara was correct it has
been about thirty (30) years since they have given themselves a raise, which he feels is
the right thing to do. Most of them find it not politically correct or good for them to give
themselves a raise. He then asked for clarification. Tonight's vote would be we would
be putting this out to the voters, so we would be adding item 4 to our Charter and our
charter has three items, we would have a public hearing, adopt an ordinance
establishing a salary and then that salary shall occur not earlier than May 1st no later
than June 30th of each year. This is what is currently on our Charter for Roanoke
County. He has asked to add item 4 that would say no such ordinance shall be adopted
unless the citizens of Roanoke County approve. They are our bosses. Why does it
always go back to how hard we work? It is not the issue. Regardless of the issue,
everyone knew when they ran for office they were going to work hard. He put all those
things up from ten to forty (10 to 40) hours just to give an example. Everybody is going
to say they work hard; got it. The issue here is whether we as the people receiving the
raise should be doing it themselves. It seems to him very obvious and he does think the
act of voting for that is immoral. We should not; it is not our money. We should not be
saying to the taxpayers, "we are voting for our own raise." It is unbelievable to him.
This is why government gets a bad name because we do things like that. His
clarification is that all we are saying here, which is hard to believe anybody would vote
against. All we are doing is letting the voters have a say. What is wrong with letting the
voters have a say. It seems pretty much what the American system is about. Let the
voters have a say when they go to vote. It is funny, on this Board we change many
things that "the way it was or the law." We have made amendments, we changed many
things on the Board because we had the will to do so. Just because something is what
it is today does not mean it cannot change and that is why we are elected. We are
elected to be legislators to change what is wrong and to keep the things that are right
and he views that this is wrong. This right that we are given to give ourselves a raise is
wrong. All we are doing is adding item no. 4 that will let the voters in Roanoke County
be the last say to approve our salary increase. This is all we are voting on right now, to
add that item. How hard can that be? Why would that be wrong? Let the voters have a
say.
Chairman Peters stated the voters can still have their say, but the issue is
and he has said this before. Mr. Bedrosian tried to put this on the agenda last week, we
had not met as a Board in work session and would not be allowed to be put on this
agenda. He still does not think this is the proper time to put this on the agenda. He
does agree and has said this to him on the phone the other day that he too believes if
we are going to do this by referendum he thinks the people of that district should get to
vote on their supervisor. You are voting on what that person representing you is doing
for you. Are they doing a good job for you? People in Vinton don't really know what
Supervisor Church is going because he is not in their back yard. The people in
Catawba need to vote for him and what he is doing.
June 23, 2015 341
On motion of Supervisor Bedrosian to adopt the ordinance, and carried by
the following roll call and recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Bedrosian, Church
NAYS- Supervisors Moore, McNamara, Peters
Supervisor Church stated with his vote that he is not here to politicize
anything. He has said all along that $10 or $12 is not going to cost him a loaf of bread.
He would rather this not be in his vision and if the people want to vote us a two percent
raise, great. If they don't, great. He is still happy with what he does and he enjoys what
he does and thinks it should come back to the citizens to make a decision.
Supervisor McNamara made a motion to deny the original motion. It is not
worth it; it is really just not worth it. He listened to a radio show this morning that the
Supervisor from Hollins was on encouraging people to throw pennies, to come to the
meeting tonight and throw pennies at us because we need the money and that is pitiful.
He agrees with the Supervisor from Catawba, it is not worth it, it is not appropriate and
he is perfectly fine without the $10. He would be real interested, ten (10) hours a week
on a Board of Supervisors job is an absolute joke and he would be ashamed to say he
was working ten (10) hours week on this job.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated something was specifically said was a lie, he
needs to clarify it. A person on a radio show that he was on, and he thinks you need to
say it like that was encouraging people to throw pennies, not Supervisor Bedrosian so
Supervisor McNamara if you could please correct that statement.
Supervisor McNamara stated he thinks he said that a show that you were
on was encouraging people to throw pennies. It is very easy to sit on a show and throw
mud at your fellow supervisors, week after week and say, "I did not say it, the person
next to me was saying it." and then go back on the show. In his opinion, that is not part
of being of good team player. Supervisor Peters stated like he said in the beginning,
he voted on the first ordinance to let it move forward. He did take it to his citizens in his
district and he had overwhelming support for this raise. He also has something that is
unusual- he has another municipality within his district. Everybody knows that the
Vinton i�lks had their real estate taxes raised this year to help with services in the Town
and it was needed. They did not do anything that they should not have done. Even
with the encouragement of the folks in Mt. Pleasant and even East County and he had
made it clear to his Board members today that he would not support this because he
does believe there are a lot of issues out there. He thinks it is very sad that there are
emails from a Supervisor who he feels is trying to stir up discontent. We have other
issues that we need to be working on, economic development.
342 June 23, 2015
Those kind of emails and the comments that we made are not helping the atmosphere
for economic development. That is what we need to be working on. Maybe he was
wrong as Chairman to put this on the agenda, but he felt like everybody wants
transparency. This is part of government. This is part of what Roanoke County does.
Here it is. Just because someone approves a first reading does not mean they are
going to support it in the end.
Supervisor Bedrosian asked for clarification if we were back to voting on
the raise with Chairman Peters responding affirmatively stating the motion is to deny the
raise. If you want the raise, you will vote no. If you want to deny the raise, you will vote
yes.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated he made a motion and that motion was
denied. So we are back to the original motion. Chairman Peters responded if you want
the raise, you will vote yes. If you do not want the raise you will vote no.
ORDINANCE 062315-7 DENYING AN INCREASE OF THE
SALARIES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY PURSUANT TO
SECTION 3.07 OF THE ROANOKE COUNTY CHARTER AND
SECTION 15.2-1414.3 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, Section 3.07 of the Charter of the County of Roanoke provides for
the compensation of members of the Board of Supervisors and the procedure for
increasing their salaries; and
WHEREAS, Section 15.2-1414.3 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended,
establishes the annual salaries of members of boards of supervisors within certain
population brackets; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, has
heretofore established the annual salaries of Board members at $17,425.20 by
Ordinance 062414-11 and further has established the additional annual compensation
for the Chairman for the Board to be $1,800 and for the Vice -Chairman of the Board to
be $1,200; and
WHEREAS, this section provides that the maximum annual salaries therein
provided may be adjusted in any year by an inflation factor not to exceed five percent
(5%); and
WHERAS, the first reading on this ordinance was held on Jun 9, 2015; the
second reading and public hearing will be held on June 23, 2015.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia, that the annual salaries of members of the Board of
Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, are hereby increased by an inflation factor of
two point five percent (2.5%) pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.07 of the Roanoke
County Charter and Section 15.2-1414.3 of the 1950 Code of Virginia, as amended.
The new annual salaries shall be $17,860.83 for members of the Board. In addition, the
June 23, 2015 343
Chairman of the Board will receive an additional annual sum of $1,800 and the Vice -
Chairman of the Board will receive an additional sum of $1,200.
This ordinance shall take effect on July 1, 2015.
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to deny the ordinance, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
IN RE: CITIZENS' COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Noah Tickle stated in case you do not know it, he is the Roanoke County
Catawba Magisterial District representative of Common Sense. Our budget is now
done. So, from here until next time, consider this. The Board of Supervisors legislated
Roanoke County to be debt free and to remain so by (1) directing the County Attorney,
County Administrator, financial staff all have meetings to plan a debt free Roanoke
County. Because this will never happen the way things have always been. Staff will not
do this because it has always been to go along to get along. It needs to be legislatively
incentivized. Give them an excuse to do, give them legislation to do, give them
incentive to do and they will do that. Being out of debt meaning paying no interest. We
all know that. Once out of debt, with common sense take the money we would have
paid as interest and put that in an incentive funds to gratefully/generously reward the
administrative and financial staff with bonuses to keep us out of debt. They need an
excuse. They need your legislation for that excuse. If the average homeowner
household can be debt free/paying no interest so can Roanoke County staff develop
that status for Roanoke County. Paying interest is anti -growth, frowned upon by
business management modeling. The money that would be paid as interest used as
incentive rewarding staff is money very well spent to have health governance. Out of
debt, we can also reward Roanoke County Departments of Sheriff, Police, Rescue,
Teachers and other employees, etc. that are compromised due to burdensome debt.
Why do we fail to understand that incentivizing is the proper governance? State status
is antigrowth. They talk of frameworks, models, formulas, etc., which are all destructive
credit card mentalities. We should never keep wallowing around in this muck and is bad
governance to go along to get along.
Doug Phillips of 1244 Norer Avenue stated the Board has a difficult job
and deserve to be commended for even wanting to run for the position. As Supervisor
Church pointed out, he knew what he had as a starting salary, so it kind of puzzled him
when he read in the paper that maybe the idea was ten to twenty (10 to 20) years down
the road it would be allowed to attract good candidates. He has talked to people about
that and down where he lives, they responded it is typical politician. He just thinks it is a
bad idea to want to raise your own salary. It is the perception, it conveys a very
negative thing about government service. He also read in the paper and if allowed to
344 June 23, 2015
ask the Supervisors one question, he would ask is this true over the last fourteen years
and ask if that is accurate or not. Then, he was really astounded as he has been a
voter about ten (10) years in the district he is in, so he does not know if it is a good idea
or not. He cannot think of any other statement. Like a contractor, once he bids and
wants to raise it, it is something additional or he is going to cut himself right out of the
business. He just does not think it is a good idea to do this and wanted to convey his
thought. One other thing, it makes sense if you are going to do it to have the people
vote on in, because it is like a merit evaluation of that particular district and see how
they are doing. How are you doing in that district because it would not make sense
across the Board as one Supervisor pointed out?
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor McNamara stated he wanted to thank the Roanoke County
citizens and the Roanoke County employees for their hard work. Just as a little aside,
he was talking to somebody the other day and there is a company, we all work hard.
There was conversation about ten hours a week, forty hours a weeks or thirty hours a
week. The point is whether you are on the Board of Supervisors or a Roanoke County
employee, you work hard. A lot of people work hard and that is the way America was
built, which is why America has a high productivity rate and how we defeat the world.
Some people even work harder. An example he saw last Thursday there is a bank in
New York called Goldman Sachs, which is a worldwide bank and Goldman Sachs
adopted a policy. The policy was for the interns, who are not full-time employees at this
point and are usually between graduate programs or summer programs and not full time
employees. Their interns are limited to seventeen (17) hours a day; they are not
allowed to work more than seventeen (17) hours a day. He found that kind of
interesting and did want to share it. So, when we think we are working too hard, there is
probably somebody else working even harder. Hope everyone has a nice evening and
is sorry for all the drama we had here tonight. It is certainly not productive and is
certainly not something we want to participate in.
Supervisor Moore stated this is an invitation from the Roanoke County
Police Department, this Thursday, June 25, 2015, from 2-00 p.m. until 11 -00 p.m., the
Police Department will be hosting a "tweet along," which is a virtual ride -along. All you
have to do is tweet to their account, which is #ROCOPD. During the tweet along, they
will be using the hashtag #ROCOPD tweet. You can also not only participate in the
virtual ride -along but ask questions after you see what they are doing and you can
actually be engaged with a Police Officer. If you are interested in that, go to that
hashtag and join them on this Thursday.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated he would like to congratulate Chick-fil-A. It is
an interesting story with Chick-fil-A because we had a lot of drama about Chick-fil-A
about a year ago, which he voted against them establishing their place right there in
Bonsack. It was very interesting and one of the tougher things he has done since he
June 23, 2015 345
has come on Board. It was done because he just did not feel at the time, it was the
right place to have it. Reality is the other side won out. They put their Chick-fil-A there.
He went there last night for their premiere pre -grand opening and it was wonderful. It
just shows you that can be for something, against something and the reality is that it
goes one way and it is fine. We can all go and enjoy ourselves and have a good time.
He wished Bob the best of luck and his whole family. It is an interesting story. A lot of
us know about Chick-fil-A, but when they say family -run business, you think well the guy
owns it, but it is actually his wife, his daughter, his son and his soon to be son-in-law.
All five of them from that same family had the Chick-fil-A outfit on. They all work there
plus seventy-five other employees; they have roughly eight employees. His daughter,
Madeline, who is sixteen was offered a job there last night by Bob. He appreciates it.
He came around and said, "How old are you?" She replied, "Sixteen" and he said would
you like a job, he needs more people. Madeline if you are listening you may want to
consider that. They will have their grand opening on Thursday so want to tell everybody
out there in the Bonsack area go out and enjoy it. Also, he also wants to say he does
send out emails almost twice a month, talking about what goes on at the Board of
Supervisors meetings and talk about what the next vote is about. Anybody on this
Board who would like to be included can be, just let me know. He only puts people on
who want to be included; just let him know. Also, he is invited on a radio show once a
week and the host has stated he has invited anyone from the Board of Supervisors to
come on the show. He has a history of radio and started his own radio show about ten
(10) years ago and he loved it, he absolutely loved it so he was invited onto the show
and every Board member on this panel has been invited. So anybody can go and talk
about what is going on in Roanoke County. He just happens to go on Tuesday and
talks about what is going on in Roanoke County. The host of the show is a whole lot
more passionate than he is. So, check the voices of who is saying what. He is just a
guest on the show and he does enjoy his part of being on the show. Thank you all for
being here. Government is a great thing and he always tells people you have to get
involved. This is the process of government. What happened here tonight is nothing
unusual and no one should be ashamed; this is what we should be doing on every
issue. It is very hard, our founding fathers told us that, it would not be easy to keep the
kind of government that we have and he sees that in government. It always goes
toward big government. It is very hard to have a limited government where the elected
officials are really accountable to the citizens. The citizens call the shots, so it is a very
difficult thing. This is what it is. He thanked his fellow Board members for allowing him
to be a part of this.
Supervisor Church stated he was not going to say much, but tonight he
thinks he does need to say something. He really enjoys being a Board member. He
really enjoys giving his best effort to take care of the people he represents. Some
meetings he enjoys more than others, for sure. The bottom line is the democratic
process in the sixteen (16) years, he has been at the bottom of the vote, at the middle of
the vote and the top of the vote. You do the best you can and when the votes are cast
346 June 23, 2015
you go forward. There are a lot of people, citizens that hold certain items inside them
and never let go. The one that keeps coming up all over is the Green Ridge Recreation
Center. He has to ask himself, do you want it to fall down? It was built four or five
years ago. For example, when they never quit on an item, it makes him wonder. Are
you hoping the bricks fall out? Let's just move forward. Most of you know, he used to
referee college basketball and it taught him more than anything in the world. He is used
to being in 18,000 people that all bought a ticket to see him fail every night. It is
amazing to be in Oklahoma, Texas or wherever and they know his pets names, his
nickname, they call from the stands. This is not by chance. So, what he enjoys doing is
what he was doing last week and not worrying about a raise. Gunshots were fired in a
few neighborhoods, "Butch, help me." We have potholes that is going to tear my vehicle
up, "Butch, help me." We have a situation where we cannot back out on the road
because we are going to get ourselves killed; it's a blind spot, "Butch, please help me."
This is what comes to his email and his phone every day. Not to mention the Mountain
Valley Pipeline that happens to be all over my district, 125 square miles, so he gets
eight or ten calls and ten or twelve emails a day just on that. It is not like he is looking
for something to do. He really sincerely enjoys what he does. He really feels like and
has told State and Federal legislators that we are in touch with our people twenty (20) to
one (1) than they are. They can grab him at Wal-Mart, Kroger, in the Park and they do.
They give him notes on Burger King napkins, "will you please take care of this?" When
he first started, he accepted those, but now he gives them his card and ask them to call
him at home or email and he will help. He is amazed at how many people stop him and
say, "What do you guys do with all the money you make?" He is not exaggerating.
There are people who think we make $65,000 and has had guesses from $15,000 to
$75,000 and he responds, "I wish." So, what he tells people and he really means this,
and tells the people that he really knows, "Look, I started out with nothing and he still
has most of it."
Chairman Peters commented it has been an interesting evening. Again,
he thinks we do not need to "judge a book by its cover' and ask questions if you want to
know the answers. He thinks it would be appropriate Supervisor Bedrosian if you are
going to reference the Board members he would request that all Board members
receive a copy of the emails. He guesses the conversation that has bothered him over
the last little bit, we have consumed our citizens with something that at the end of the
day really does not matter. A $400 raise or a $2,100 budget item, it does not matter
when we have issues like Home Shopping Network. We have things that have gone on
in our economy. He sits here as Chairman and say as far as he is concerned and
hopes he has support on the Board that he believes our Economic Development Team
is our sales department of Roanoke County and we need to give them the tools they
need to promote Roanoke County to businesses, not only that are here now to help
them expand, but also to find a way to bring new businesses here to fill that 400,000 sq.
ft. warehouse over in the Hollins District. He believes that we need to step up our game
in Roanoke County and if anyone knows about the Ardagh situation on Hollins Road
June 23, 2015 347
that came two years ago. We had an incentive package to help bring it here. We were
in competition with seven (7) other localities. It is no secret, he works for a bank,
Supervisor Bedrosian works for Xerox, Supervisor Church used to sell insurance and
the other two (2) own companies. He does not care what you do in life, you are in
competition. If there is a mindset out that it stops at government's door, it is simply not
true. We are talking about Roanoke County, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the
Federal government. The jobs have left our country to go overseas. We are in constant
competition. For Roanoke County, which we are responsible, he believes this Board
needs to step up its game. We need to give our economic development team the tools
that they need to incentivize businesses to come here because the trend we are on is
not a good one. He does believe we can turn it around. He does believe we have a lot
of good people in place who can go out and advocate for us, not only here in the valley,
but in Richmond. We welcome partners to help develop a lot of the properties that we
have identified as possible sites. He would like to direct staff to begin the process. He
has made it clear, actually Channel 7 and an interview with Joe Dashiell that we are
putting together a timeline to bring some of the business community together to have
this discussion of what are we doing right and what are we doing wrong? What do we
need to do? This is to mainly help our existing businesses but will also need to know
what we can do to foster the growth of other businesses coming here. He again
congratulated the Parks and Recreation Department as he has been told that the
William Byrd clean out is ending and there are nothing but some library books that are
left out on the public surplus site. If you need books, go check them out. Again, wants
to touch on Chick-fil-A in Bonsack. The ribbon cutting is on Thursday at 9-00 a.m.
Unlike Supervisor Bedrosian, he does not want everybody to show up at the sa*me time
because it could be a bad issue on Rt. 460. Come by and see us, they are actually
opening at 6:30 a.m. We are excited to have it down there. There are a lot of citizens
from both the Hollins and Vinton districts that are very excited about that. Thank you for
coming and thanks to his Board members for their participation tonight.
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Peters adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m.
Approved by-
. Jas n Peters
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