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
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