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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/25/2015 - RegularAugust 25, 2015 399 Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 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 August 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 a moment of silence was observed. 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. Proclamation declaring September 1-7, 2015, Clinical Nurse Specialist Week in the County of Roanoke (Cindy Ward, Surgical Clinical Nurse Specialist, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke Memorial Hospital) The Clerk read the proclamation. All Supervisors offered their thanks. 400 August 25, 2015 IN RE: NEW BUSINESS 1. Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Roanoke, Virginia affirming the Roanoke County Administrator's responsibility for the development and promulgation of procedures related to effective administrative management, policies and procedures related to employment conditions and ethical standards for employees of Roanoke County government (Thomas C. Gates, County Administrator) Mr. Gates outlined the request for resolution. Supervisor McNamara commented that he feels the resolution is appropriate and would like to sit in on the ethics training. RESOLUTION 082515-1 OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF ROANOKE, VIRGINIA AFFIRMING THE ROANOKE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMULGATION OF PROCEDURES RELATED TO EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES RELATED TO EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR EMPLOYEES OF ROANOKE COUNTY GOVERNMENT WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County has previously adopted, amended and revised a handbook for County employees which established the policies and procedures for employment with Roanoke County, and WHEREAS, Chapter 6 of the Roanoke County Charter provides that the Board shall establish a personnel system for county administrative officials and employees, and this personnel system shall include a classification plan for service, a staff development plan, a uniform pay plan and a procedure for resolving grievances for employees, and WHEREAS, Section 15.2-1541 of the Code of Virginia provides for the duties and responsibilities of the County Administrator, which includes various responsibilities for the supervision of County employees, and WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 120914-3 adopted on December 9, 2014 the Board directed the County Administrator to review the various policies, practices and procedures related to human resources management to assess their effectiveness in ensuring the highest of organizational ethics. BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as follows- August 25, 2015 401 1 . That the County Administrator is directed to develop an Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual that provides detailed information on matters that govern the work of employees and departments. 2. That the Board of Supervisors hereby designates the County Administrator as the responsible party for the development and implementation of administrative policies and procedures related to employee work conditions and further directs the regular routine upkeep of the Roanoke County Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual. 3. That the County Administrator is directed to initiate a comprehensive review and rewrite of the Employee Handbook with focus on the Handbook as an informational tool for employees seeking general guidance on work policies, procedures, ethical conduct and employment conditions. 4. That the County Administrator is directed to ensure consistency in the application of policies and procedures to the extent feasible and adherence to all County policies specifically directed by the Board of Supervisors. 5. That this Resolution is effective immediately. On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the resolution, and carried by the following roll call and recorded vote- AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters NAYS- None IN RE: REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND FIRST READING OF REZONING ORDINANCES - CONSENT AGENDA IN RE: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES 1. Ordinance amending Article 111. — Regulation of Open Burning of Chapter 9 — Fire Prevention and Protection of the Roanoke County Code (Steve Simon, Chief of Fire and Rescue) Chief Simon outlined the request for the ordinance. He added 157 letters were sent out to the citizens of which they have heard from ten (10) who now understand the changes. Fire Marshal Brian Simmons was also in attendance to answer any questions. Supervisor Bedrosian stated he had a few people call and ask him about this. He stated he looks at this as a property rights issue. He thinks it is fair for people to do what they want to do on their own property. He asked Chief Simon if the State was talking about safety, but is a carbon emissions issue? Chief Simon stated the reason why we have to do it is because the State Pollution Control Board did amend the regulations. However, it is a safety issue when we have open burning; there have been a number of fires over the years that started from open burning. This will ultimately improve our safety. Supervisor Bedrosian asked the reason for the mandate was not 402 August 25, 2015 about safety. Chief Simon stated it is his understanding that reason is because of air pollution control. People do other types of burning in their own yards- BBQ, etc. How does that differ? Could it ever go to the point that you cannot do oth�r things on your property? Chief Simon stated that currently the regulations allow warming fires, cooking fires, outdoor camping, and outdoor fireplaces. Supervisor Bedrosian asked what about a bonfire. Chief Simon stated it is allowed with a special permit. Supervisor Bedrosian stated he totally understands about safety, but he is concerned because he could not have a bonfire on his own property. Chief Simon stated a bonfire would have to coincide with some type of ceremonial event. If you want to have something like that you would need to file a permit request and the fire Marshal would come out to make sure it would be done in a safe manner. He stated he understands about safety, but this is related to carbon emissions. It goes back to what he considers a slippery slope. If he wants to go out in his own yard and have a bonfire. Would you normally have to come out and check it? Chief Simon responded affirmatively; if you are going to burn brush you would have to get a permit also. All burning in Roanoke County requires a permit. Supervisor Bedrosian responded that now, even if it is safe, it is not allowed because of carbon emissions with Chief Simons responding in the affirmative. Supervisor Bedrosian inquired what would happen if you do not comply. What if we said no; for example suppose we said no to stormwater. Mr. Mahoney advised Stormwater is easy as the State would, through its regulatory process, impose a limit and a prohibition on any new construction in Roanoke County. With respect to air pollution, the State would come in and impose substantial monetary fines on Roanoke County. He would disagree with the Chief to the point that he thinks public health is a component of safety and many of these provisions are tied to a safety component, but also a public health component. The capability of people to breathe and not suffer from asthma. Thomas Gates, County Administrator, interjected that our measured approach to stormwater is significantly in response to the lack of clarity about the requirements from the State regarding Stormwater. So, while we have not fully engaged in a comprehensive stormwater management plan at this point, we believe it is consistent with what the State may ultimately do that is solely because of the lack of clarity with what the requirements are. This is different than the issues we have here; it is very clear in this instance. Chairman Peters asked how many people will this effect; this is only going to effect the rural areas. Chief Simon stated approximately fifty to seventy (50-70) people that would not be allowed to burn today. Commercial purposes is still allowed under an exemption, i.e. pruning. For the most part, this is minimally impacting our citizens. It is less than one percent (1 %). Supervisor Peter's motion to approve the first reading and to establish the second reading and public hearing for September 8, 2015 was approved by the following vote- August 25, 2015 403 AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters NAYS- None IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTION 082515-2 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS ITEM H - 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 August 28, 2015, designated as Item H - Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and concurred in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1 through 4 inclusive, as follows - 1 . Approval of minutes — July 28, 2015 2. Resolution authorizing support of a grant application for the Recreational Trails Program to help finance the design and construction of the Catawba Greenway at the Catawba Sustainability Center 3. Donation of two (2) storm drainage easements on the property of Neal B. Gibson and Gladys L. Gibson and Karen A. Simmons in Section 6 of North Lakes subdivision (Tax Map Nos. 037.09-03-17 and 037.09-03-28), Hollins Magisterial District 4. Request to accept and allocate grant funds in the amount of $9,888.17 from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bulletproof Vest Partnership for the Roanoke County Police Department On motion of Supervisor Church to adopt the resolution, and carried by the following roll call and recorded vote- AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters NAYS- None RESOLUTION 082515-2.a AUTHORIZING SUPPORT OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM TO HELP FINANCE THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE CATAWBA GREENWAY AT THE CATAWBA SUSTAINABILITY CENTER 404 August 25, 2015 This resolution authorizes an application for Federal funding assistance from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). WHEREAS, under the provisions of RTP, Federal funding assistance is requested to aid in financing the design and construction of trails and a trailhead within Roanoke County at the Catawba Sustainability Center owned by Virginia Tech- and WHEREAS, Virginia Tech and Roanoke County consider it in the b�st public interest to complete the project described in the RTP application to promote tourism and enhance outdoor recreation; and WHEREAS, Roanoke County has a twenty-five (25) year Memorandum of Agreement with Virginia Tech for development and maintenance of the Catawba Greenway at the Catawba Sustainability Center; and WHEREAS, in accordance with the RTP procedures, it is necessary that a request by resolution be received from the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County authorizing the filing of the grant application to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, as follows - 1 . That it requests the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) establish a project for the construction and development of approximately three miles of the Catawba Greenway and a trailhead in the Catawba Magisterial District of northern Roanoke County at the Catawba Sustainability Center- and 2. Any funding assistance received be used for implementation and completion of the Catawba Greenway and a trailhead at the Catawba Sustainability Center within the specified grant time frame- and 3. Roanoke County hereby certiiies that project funding is currently available and is committed for the completion of this project while seeking periodic reimbursement through the RTP- and 4. Roanoke County i� aware that the RTP funding, if approved, will be paid on a reimbursement basis. This means Roanoke County may only request payment after eligible and allowable costs have already been paid to our vendors and evidence of such has been provided to DCR- and 5. Roanoke County acl�nowledges that the assisted trail project will have an assigned life expectancy assigned to it and that the facility may be maintained to standards suitable for public use- and 6. Roanoke County a�knowledges that responsibility for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Historic Preservation Act, Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 (Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection) and all other applicable state and federal law; and 7. Roanoke County acknowledges that the appropriate opportunity for public comment has been provided and evidence of such is a required component for approval; and August 25, 2015 405 8. This resolution becomes part of a formal RTP application to DCR; and 9. That total estimated project cost is $231,480; Roanoke County is requesting $154,500 in Federal funding, which is sixty-seven percent (67%) of the total project costs, to address design, engineering, permitting and construction of new pedestrian trails, a bridge, an accessible trail and a trailhead with restrooms. 10. In accordance with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Recreational Trails Program policy, Roanoke County hereby agrees to provide local matching funds in the amount of $20,000, which is nine percent (9%) of the total project costs. Virginia Tech agrees to provide state matching funds in the amount of $16,950 which is seven percent (7%) of the total project costs in cash and in- kind services. The Pathfinders for Greenways, a nonprofit organization, agrees to provide matching funds in the amount of $ 40,030, which is seventeen percent (17%) of the project costs in the form of cash and in-kind services; and 11. If Roanoke County subsequently elects to cancel this project, the County hereby agrees to reimburse the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation for the total amount of costs expended by the Department through the date the Department is notified of such cancellation. On motion of Supervisor Church to adopt the resolution, and carried by the following roll call and recorded vote- AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters NAYS- None A -082515-2.b A -082515-2.c IN RE: CITIZENS' COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS The following citizens spoke. Max Beyer of 2402 Coachman Drive in LaBellvue stated recently the relationship between Roanoke County and Planned Parenthood has been called into question. There was a gathering of about three hundred to four hundred (300-400) citizens from the Roanoke Valley last Saturday at Planned Parenthood, which attests to that. Although there is no formal relationship, the County does act as a facilitator for the United Way, an organization that directly provides funds to Planned Parenthood and County employees. He stated he believes this facilitation includes using County funds for meetings and other activities related to the annual United Way drive. Recently, Planned Parenthood's use of body parts for sale and experimentation has been revealed to the public, an activity that many find abominable and unacceptable and of which the County government should not be associated with in anyway, directly or indirectly. He believes there is sufficient proof to purport the assertion that Planned Parenthood is in 406 August 25, 2015 fact providing this service. In its response to the public, Planned Parenthood has not denied this activity, but has only indicated that it is not making a profit on such services. He finds this position to be extremely deceiving since a non-profit organization by definition cannot make a profit in commercial tax terms. It can, however, conduct its operation in such a manner that the periodic accounting revenue exceeds expenses. There is a surplus of funds that can be used for any purpose that management desires within the tax code and its Board of Directors approves. In a similar manner, United Way also states its contributions are not used for such activities. In fact, money provided to Planned Parenthood in any manner is fundable, that is money that is not of a similar color, it is all green. If an activity is budgeted or planned and donated funds that can be provided to a non -abortion activity and the internal funds derived from other sources for that non -aborted activity can then be diverted to abortion activity. Simply put, you take money out of one pot and put into another and it is taxed the same. He recommends that Roanoke County terminates its role as a facilitator for the United Way drive. If it does not withdraw, then it is contributing to the image of providing the abominable practice of providing fetus bodies and parts commercially. Ray Sandifer of 912 Coburn Avenue stated he came here not to speak in favor of any particular thing, but to speak against something. He wants to speak against bullies. Our dictionary, the Merriam Webster dictionary, categorizes bullies as persons who are blustering and browbeating. He has been listening to a lot of bullying recently from one of you. He is tired of it. We elect Board members to do a job, not to bully. John the Baptist in his comments in the Gospel of Matthew, third chapter, verses 7 through 10 said these words concerning bullies, "when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not think that you can say to yourselves, we have Abraham as our father for I say to you that from these stones of God can raise up children to Abraham. The axe is already laid at the root of the trees and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." He stated he heard the gentleman just now speaking against Planned Parenthood, but he wants to say a word about the United Way. The United Way is a very deserving and worthy organization. It may contribute some to Planned Parenthood, but it also contributes to the Catholic Charities and there is no organization that stands stronger against abortion rights than the Catholic Charities. It also supports something that he is very familiar with, United Methodist Community Outreach Program, here in the valley. It reaches out to young people with backpacks full of books and crayons and all kinds of good and wonderful things. It also reaches out to Feed America, which supports our food banks in this area. United Way reaches out in many ways. He just heard Mr. Bedrosian comment on the "slippery slope" and when we get into the slippery slope of telling our employees who they can contribute to and who they cannot, the money that they have earned whether it has been given to them and put into their bank accounts or not, we are telling them what they can do with the money they earn, then we are on a very slippery slope. The next thing he knows you will be telling August 25, 2015 407 them they cannot give to their church, their favorite charity. He hopes that the Board will stand against bullying. 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. Treasurer's Statement of Accountability per Investment and Portfolio Policy as of July 31, 2015 6. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Revenues as of July 31, 2015 7. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Expenditures and Encumbrances as of July 31, 2015 8. Accounts Paid — July 31, 2015 IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS Supervisor McNamara stated that this morning at 9-02 a.m. he was in the South County Library and at 9-13 a.m. he left the South County Library with three (3) passports- total time was eleven (11) minutes. This is the fourth passport that he has gotten in �is life, but he has gotten a lot of passports because he has five (5) children, different ages, passports are good for different lengths of time depending on your age. By far it was the smoothest operation he has ever had with getting a passport. Ms. Rosapepe, Director of Library Services, should be very, very proud of her staff. It was Mr. Webb who actually talked to us, but thinks it is a great example, a concrete example of Roanoke County staff. We did not tell them to go start processing passports, it was not a Board direction. They recognized the need of our citizens that was not being met in the marketplace. They developed a program and are implementing the program and as he understands it, the fees that you pay wherever you get your passport processed is more than covering their costs. It was very, very well done and would like to put a plug in for them and thank them for that. Somewhere down the road they may want to look into doing the pictures as well that is still being done commercially. It is big money, no one wants to take their own pictures because there are certain requirements whether they are going to CVS, Walgreens, etc. and paying $12 to $15 a picture. We should 408 August 25, 2015 know the number we are processing and we could improve our service to our customers. Thank you. The topic of Planned Parenthood came up again today. He stated that over the last few days, just trying to get a ballpark, we have gotten about fifty-eight (58) letters concerning Roanoke County and Planned Parenthood. Of those fifty-eight (58) letters, the vast majority had one of two exact sentences in them. The sentence was either please immediately stop the funding of Planned Parenthood or somewhere in the letter was the sentence, defund Planned Parenthood. He does not know if the Board should respond to all fifty-eight (58) people that responded. He would like to relay that Roanoke County does not fund Planned Parenthood. We never did fund them in the first place, so the answer to defund Planned Parenthood would be the same, we do not fund them now. There is that confusion out there. Finally, he would like to say Happy Birthday and thank you to Maury Straus, who he thinks is ninety (90) today. The reason that he knows he is ninety today is there was a ceremony at Garst Mill Park. Unbeknownst to him, that was the first park he was every on in Roanoke County thirty (30) some years ago, but that land was all donated by the Straus family back in 1969, forty-five (45) years ago. On his birthday, we did change the sign coming into the Park to recognize that family for their contribution. Thank you again to them. As a community, our Parks are our lifeblood, getting out into the fresh air. The family activity of going to that Park thirty-five, twenty-five years ago or forty-five years from now, you are going to find children, moms, dads, middle-aged people, grown adults and old people. Parks really due cross all socio-economic categories and ages. It is a really wonderful thing. Thank you again to them. Supervisor Bedrosian stated he loves it when citizens come and voice their opinion. He really does appreciate it even though you may think he doesn't- he really does love it. He loves it when people have an opportunity to say what is on �heir mind. Both of the ones that came today were interesting, he wants to pull some things out of each one because he thinks it is a great platform. He thinks we are very similar. Let's start first with the fact that he too agrees that we should not force anybody to contribute if they do not want to contribute to something; that is really his whole premise. He has been here for two (2) years now and every time this government body wants to connect itself with the private sector, he always says no. There should be a separation of County and private sector, it really should in terms of money. The private sector comes to the County to start businesses, hire people and that is great. The government has a very limited role in what it should do. If it gets too broad, it starts getting itself involved in things it really should not. It starts picking winners and losers and that is not our role at all, even in the non-profit groups. There are so many non- profit organizations in the Roanoke Valley. If we were to connect ourselves with each one of those, we would not have any extra money. We pick and choose which ones we are going to give money to, which he has always thought was totally unfair because we are leaving a lot of them out. So, the great compromise of all time in Roanoke County could be just severe relations with all of them. Let them do it. United Way does give money to great organizations, absolutely they do and they should continue it. They August 25, 2015 409 should absolutely continue it on their own with no facilitation by the County, we are government. Are we going to bring in every organization and have breakfast with them and launch their programs for them and payments and deductions for them? It would be silly to do that. United Way is a very big organization. The company that he works for gives money to the United Way and they hand out the cards and try to get everybody to give one hundred percent (100%), but that is private sector and he does not give. We are government and government is different than the private sector. The government should not be involved in those things. Let the free-market, non-profit organization do their own thing. The reality is, and he has investigated too, that anywhere between fifteen and twenty-five percent (15-25%) of what United Way gets in is spent on administrative and salaries. So, let's say they do a really good job and use twenty percent (20%). So, why would you go through the United Way to your favorite charities? I love them, Catholic Charities, feeding the poor. Write a check and give it to them. Why not give them the whole $100 instead of $80 that is his point. He never wants to dictate how you give money. He just thinks we should not facilitate any non- profit organization; it is not our role. It gets our eye off the ball of what we are all about. As he has brought up before, everybody, Roanoke County Schools, Roanoke City Schools, Roanoke County government are all entrenched in the United Way; all have Board members in United Way. It is okay for your personal time, but it really should not be a part of government and does not understand why we do that. He thinks it would be a great compromise, you do what you want to do on your own time, donate to whomever you want to even if you want to donate to Planned Parenthood to do abortions, go ahead, on your own time separate from government. This would make a beautiful system and then we let the best non-profit organization survive and those that are not doing a very good job not survive. Again, he wants freedom, liberty for everybody, do it on your own time. He wants to ask Roanoke County and would love for our County Attorney to put something together that says we don't do it for any other organizations, any other non-profit, he would just like to sever our relationship. Why should we have that kind of relationship with only one non-profit organization, no matter what they do, why should we? It discriminates against so many other non -profits in our area. Just stop it. Let them all be on an equal footing and he thinks that would be very fair. Supervisor Church stated it is now football season within the next couple to three days and that means Glenvar who are the defending State champions and Northside who has won the State championship at least twice in the last five years all in his area will put on the uniform and do battle. He has tried to do a lot of things in his life, but he has never been able to figure out how he can be at both stands at the same time when they play at home. So, it is a stretch and it is just a fun time. He always looks forward to renewing acquaintances with the crowd and the new students and the new players and the coaches and players. Wish us the best of luck to our Glenvar and Northside teams, they are in different divisions so they don't play each other and he does not have to sit in the middle of the field if they were to play. He then thanked 410 August 25, 2015 Supervisor McNamara stated he now knows where he is going to renew his next passport. It is coming up sometime soon and it was such a pain, but the photo session was the easiest, which he had done at the Post Office fairly quickly, but everything else was in quicksand. He is looking forward to it especially if it is as good as you say. It will be a real benefit to anybody that travels. His last comment ties in to what has been in the news recently. He has no problem with United Way, thinks they are a wonderful group. It has been brought to light to him and he is all about openness, fairness and equality. Mr. Gates in looking at the information, it looks to him that Roanoke County has been involved, but not giving money to them. He does not want to even think about what employees do with their own money, it is their business. He added up the number and it is something that bothers him. Roanoke County has spent over $45,000 on breakfasts and kick-off events. Is that a bad thing, maybe not, but when he looks at prizes like $100 and $200 gift cards. He feels that sends the wrong message because we have a lot of organizations that would like to share in that. He hopes that we take a look at that in the future. Nothing else needs to be done for this Board member, but thinks when you have gift cards from Best Buy or Sam's for $100 to $200, he is not sure that is a fair and equitable process to every other non-profit in the valley. Supervisor Peters stated he saw the Chief of Police and asked Mr. Gates to review again the accidents on Rt. 116 on Windy Gap Mountain regarding the tractor trailers. As we all know, there was another one yesterday. There are clearly signs diverting them from that route. We had several last year; we are playing Russian roulette and we have to do something from an enforcement standpoint to keep the trucks off the mountain. Secondly, we received several emails in the last few days regarding recycling. He is glad to see our citizens are engaged and want to know what they can do. Unfortunately, there was an email today from one of our Department Heads stating that it is very difficult when you have a County as large as we have to do curbside recycling. But to facilitate more drop off points is something he would like to see us do. Yesterday was a day that many parents were probably smiling about, the first day of school; his son is a senior at William Byrd. He too has received a lot of questions regarding Planned Parenthood; he is not going to make any additional comments. He stated that he believes his comments on August 11 th were sufficient. If you did not see the meeting, watch the tape. He understands people are frustrated with what is going on and what they are seeing in the videos, and thinks we should encourage those people to challenge their energy collectively to the proper areas. He looks at the numbers reported by either Channel 7 or Channel 10 that $57,000 was given to Planned Parenthood in Roanoke from United Way and he looked at the number and stated it will not shut Planned Parenthood down. If it does stop tomorrow it is not going to change what is happening and what people are frustrated with. If you are really frustrated, go to the Federal or State government, get on your Facebook account. People that are bankrolling them are much bigger than United Way. So, trying to disrupt United Way over that one incident. It is something that maybe we need to look at. The part that is more disconcerting to him is that this Board should not be an issue August 25, 2015 411 driven Board; instead we should maintain our focus on what our citizens elected us to do to keep our eyes on the big picture. Over the past month, he has reached out to citizens throughout this valley. Mr. Gates, under his direction, has been meeting with the business community in small groups to focus on their main concerns relating to job issues in our valley. Whether it is a citizen or someone in the business community, even though there are many concerns about what is going on in our world today, the number one concern he keeps hearing from citizens is their number one concern is our economy. Everything we do hinges on economic development whether it be population growth, housing, schools, taxes, services that we can provide in the County. When we are sidelined by distractions, the issue we need to be focused on and this Board has taken items away from our community and expectations that they have for us and needs to have. Mr. Bedrosian did say a minute ago, and he was right, we need to keep our eye on the ball. In case someone has missed it, according to the Roanoke Times, we have lost 3,500 plus jobs in this valley. Advance Auto is the last Fortune 500 Company left. We need to do what we can to make this valley great again. Focus on making this a hub for business and job creation. He stated that on August 12, 2015, we had a ribbon cutting over in Vinton. The Town of Vinton partnered with the Advancement Foundation and created the Hive. It is basically a business incubator. There is one over in the Grandin Court area. These are the campaigns that we really need to be focused on. He commends the Town and Annette Patterson, who he has grown to think very highly of over the last few years, for doing that. Mr. Gates and he attending the ribbon cutting. What can we do in Roanoke County to create a business friendly environment? Creating jobs for our citizens and the entire Roanoke Valley, not just in Roanoke County is our number one priority and providing the tools for the best quality of life for our citizens. His objective is to have a large gathering of our business community to solidify the needs of the County and of the valley and to bring forth to our community a strategic plan during his State of the County address later this year. He looks forward to working as a valley to accomplish great things. Again, as he ends many of his comments, he wants to thank the citizens for allowing him to serve and lastly to thank our employees and thinks every day that goes by of entrusting all those employees to run a multi-million dollar operation. You do a great job and he thanks everyone. He will not be here at the first meeting in September; he will be turning the reins over to Vice Chairman McNamara. IN RE- CLOSED MEETING At 3-58 p.m., Supervisor Peters moved to go into closed meeting following the work sessions pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2-371 1.A.3 to discuss or consider the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body and Section 2.2-3711.A.l. To discuss and consider the employment, appointment and resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees-, 412 August 25, 2015 namely the County Attorney The motion carried by the following recorded vote- AYES- Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters NAYS- None The closed session was held from 5-50 p.m. until 6-15 p.m. At 3-59 p.m. Chairman Peters recessed to the fourth floor for work sessions and closed session. IN RE: WORK SESSIONS 1. Work session to discuss stormwater and soil erosion ordinance changes (Arnold Covey, Director of Community Development; Tarek Moneir, Deputy Director of Development) Mr. Covey and Mr. Moneir provided a PowerPoint presentation to the Board; a copy of which is on file in the office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor McNamara inquired if all the issues that the Homebuilders Association brought forward are included with Mr. Covey responding they are incorporate throughout the presentation. It was the consensus of the Board to move forward with the first reading of the ordinances. Work session was held from 4-12 p.m. until 4-39 p.m. 2. Work session to review the preliminary financial results for June 30, 2015, for the County of Roanoke (Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance; Jimmy Lyon, Budget Manager) Mr. Lyon and Ms. Owens provided a PowerPoint Presentation to the Board; a copy of which is on file in the office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Peters inquired if the sales tax numbers were lower due to internet sales. Mr. Lyon explained he feels is regional as Roanoke City was even lower than the County. Supervisor Peters requested that a work session be given in October on the fiscal 2016-2017 budget. Mr. Gates explained he wanted to separate the capital from the operating budget and present them separately. The work session was held from 4-40 p.m. until 5-41 p.m. IN RE: CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION August 25, 2015 413 At 6:15 p.m., Supervisor Peters moved to return to open session and adopt the certification resolution. RESOLUTION 082515-3 CERTIFYING THE CLOSED MEETING WAS HELD IN CONFORMITY WITH THE CODE OF VIRGINIA WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia has convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, hereby certifies that, to the best of each member's knowledge: 1 . Only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting which this certification resolution applies; and 2. Only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia. 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 IN RE: ADJOURNMENT Chairman Peters adjourned the meeting at 6:16 p.m. itted by: Approved by: op, I- P. Jasory'Peters Chairman Board ME August 25, 2015 PAGE LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY