HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/13/2015 - RegularOctober 13, 2015
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
477
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the
Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the second Tuesday and the first
regularly scheduled meeting of the month of October 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
Jason Gault of Mineral Springs Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited
by all present.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Peters called the meeting to order at 3-05 p.m. The roll call was
taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman P. Jason Peters, Supervisors Al Bedrosian,
Joseph B. "Butch" Church, Joseph P. McNamara
MEMBERS ABSENT: Supervisor Charlotte A. Moore
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, Chief Deputy
Clerk to the
Board
IN RE: PROCLAMATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
1. Resolution of appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County to Thomas J. Bier, Battalion Chief — Operations
(Fire and Rescue) after more than twenty-nine (29) years of
service (Stephen G. Simon, Chief of Fire and Rescue)
The resolution was read by the Chief Deputy Clerk. All Supervisors
offered their thanks and congratulations
478 October 13, 2015
RESOLUTION 101315-1 EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION OF
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY TO
THOMAS J. BIER, BATTALION CHIEF -OPERATIONS, UPON
HIS RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN TWENTY-NINE (29)
YEARS OF SERVICE
WHEREAS, Thomas J. Bier was employed by Roanoke County on July 1, 1986,
and has served as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Fire Captain and Battalion Chief -
Operations during his tenure with the Fire and Rescue Department; and
WHEREAS, Chief Bier retired on October 1, 2015, after twenty-nine (29) years
and three (3) months of devoted, faithful and expert service to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, Chief Bier started his service to Roanoke County as a volunteer with
the Bent Mountain Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Chief Bier, 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, Chief Bier has been one of the strongest advocates for improving
firefighter safety in the Department- and
WHEREAS, Chief Bier h�s implemented many safety programs and is a
recognized leader in this area of the Fire -Rescue Service; and
WHEREAS, Chief Bier immersed himself in the latest computer software from
GIS mapping to disaster modeling software to ensure the Department was always
keeping focused on the ever changing technology enhancements for the Fire -Rescue
Service - and
��HEREAS, Chief Bier through his mentoring of junior officers have ensured that
the Department is well prepared for the future- and
WHEREAS, NOW, THEREFORE, 6E IT RESOLVED that the Board of
Supervisors of Roanoke County expresses its deepest appreciation and the
appreciation of the citizens of Roanoke County to THOMAS J. BIER for more than
twenty-nine (29) 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 Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
October 13, 2015 479
2. Proclamation declaring October 25 -October 31, 2015, as Red
Ribbon Week in the County of Roanoke (Sheila L. Lythgoe, Chair
of Red Ribbon Week)
The Proclamation was read by the Chief Deputy Clerk. Each Supervisor
offered their thanks to Ms. Lythgoe.
IN RE: BRIEFINGS
Chairman Peters introduced Carlan Myers, the new Human Resources
Director and Mr. Gates gave a brief description of his background.
1. Briefing to update the Board of Supervisors on the award winning
Real Estate Property Report App (Bill Hunter, Director of Comm
IT; David Wray, GIS Manager)
Mr. Hunter gave a brief background and turned the meeting over to Mr.
Wray, who demonstrated the app.
2. Briefing to update the Board of Supervisors on Police Department
activities and public facing crime maps (Howard B. Hall, Chief of
Police)
Chief Hall provided the briefing with a PowerPoint presentation, which is
on file in the office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors.
IN RE: NEW BUSINESS
1. Request to approve appointment of Building Commissioner
(Tarek Moneir, Deputy Director of Development)
Fils 1111611 RIPq
Mr. Moneir outlined the request. There was no discussion.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to approve the appointment of Robert
"Morgan" Yates as Building Commissioner, the motion carried by the following recorded
vote -
AYES- Supervisors Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYES- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
480 October 13, 2015
IN RE: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance accepting and appropriating grant funds in the amount
of $627,482 from the Office of Justice Programs at the Department
of Justice to the Roanoke County Police Department for the fiscal
year 2015-2016 Smart Policing Initiative (Howard B. Hall, Chief of
Police)
Chief Hall outlined the request for the ordinance. There was no
discussion.
Supervisor Church's motion to approve the first reading and to establish
the second reading for October 27, 2015, was approved by the following vote-
AYES- Supervisors Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
2. Ordinance accepting and appropriating funds in the amount of
$31,883.27 to the Roanoke County Public Schools for various
allocations (Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance)
Ms. Owens outlined the request for the ordinance. There was no
discussion.
Supervisor Peter's motion to approve the first reading and to establish the
second reading for October 27, 2015, was approved by the following vote-
AYES- Supervisors Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
3. Ordinance amending Section 10-45 "Peddler and Itinerant
Merchants" of Chapter 10 "Licenses" of the Roanoke County
Code by reducing the license tax for this category of persons and
businesses (Nancy Horn, Commissioner of the Revenue)
Ms. Horn was joined by Mr. Mahoney, County Attorney. Ms. Horn outlined
the request. Mr. Mahoney explained there were several different aspects that would
apply to food trucks. This approach is just one component of a broader issue. Staff will
be coming back with further changes in zoning ordinance
Supervisor McNamara announced he has an ice cream truck. He has
completed a disclosure statement that is on file in the office of the Clerk to the Board of
Supervisors. He indicated he would participate in the discussion, but will not vote.
October 13, 2015 481
Supervisor Bedrosian stated he likes the first paragraph of the resolution,
"Roanoke County finds that reducing the business license tax for a growing and new
classification of businesses known as food trucks, which are currently classified as
"peddlers and itinerant merchants", would promote economic development in Roanoke
County; and should be done across the Board.
Supervisor Church thanked Mr. McNamara for his disclosure.
Supervisor McNamara stated the food truck issue in Roanoke County is
not the same as in other areas, i.e. Atlanta, Washington, DC. There are only three (3)
in Roanoke County and he is one of the three (3). His truck goes to day care centers.
He indicated there is more to it than the itinerant merchant fee. Regional leadership
should force our legislatures to have a fair tax, i.e. business license tax, meals tax, etc.
He further stated that he thinks expectations are unrealistic in today's environment. He
added that he does not like the business tax because he thinks it is arbitrary and does
not follow the principals of good taxation and you can go back to the older principals of
taxation from Adam Smith and the wealth of nations, which about every five to eight
years he mentions up here. A tax should be equitable proportioned to income level, it is
not. Business licenses should be convenient, should not use a lot of resources to
collect or enforce. We make it very difficult for the food truck vendor. They are now
part of our economy and they break into two different categories. One is business
license and the other is the meals tax. Let's talk business license first and he will try not
to be too confusing, but if he is a painter and he lives in Roanoke County and he goes
paint a house in Franklin County; well guess what I don't have a business license in
Franklin County. So if he is a food truck, he would have to get a peddler's license to go
to Franklin County. There is a disconnect. What if he were a lawyer and lives in
Roanoke County and represents somebody in Roanoke City, he does not need to pay a
business license in Roanoke City, he pays in Roanoke County. There have been
situations and there are allowances in the Code to allocate business licenses for
contractors, but this is it, just contractors and it is not that way for food trucks. They
have to go get peddler's licenses in all these different counties. This does not seem fair
to him and he would suggest that we look at this and try to craft the appropriate
language. It is not fair. This is not a huge issue for Roanoke County at this point; but it
is for Roanoke City and a small issue for the smaller surrounding localities. We ought to
have a peddler's license that is $50 for every location, zero for the home location and
exclude $25,000 for each of the remote locations for the business license tax, which
would equate to the point two percent, which is what the business license tax is. So,
now you would have them on an equal footing. Why would it be done where they are
headquartered, because that is where the Schedule C or the 1065 is going to come
through so you find out who the people are and that is where the tracking occurs? The
second problem is the meals tax liability. Let's say food truck would start at Novozymes
and you go out there at lunch because there are no restaurants around. They have
collected $130 and four percent Roanoke County sales tax. Then they leave there and
they go to the brewery in Salem because it is a Friday, Parkway Brewing Company and
482 October 13, 2015
they do another $150 in sales and now they are collecting six percent on that $150.
They have reprogramed their cash register enroute. They leave there and they go
downtown and try to catch the late night revelers with pizza out of their truck at 1 -00
a.m. and now they are collecting Roanoke City five percent sales tax. Then, say they
went to a wedding in Franklin County and then went to Botetourt. They are doing five
meals tax returns a month; sixty returns a year. Plus, they are keeping track of all this.
These are food people, not necessarily accountants so they either throw their hands up
and say they don't know what to do and do nothing, which is probably what most of
them are doing. It is not right. There is a solution, which would probably work out best
for everybody and that is to have the meals tax liability on their home locality. Once a
year when the business license comes through, they do a simple chart with what other
counties they do business in by ten percent increments. Then, once a year, the
localities get together and do the exchanges. If we say that is too hard to figure out, he
would reply it is too hard for the food truck vendor to keep five localities straight, thirty
days a year and often time multiple times a day. He would encourage us to try and
develop a real solution to this problem, which also would be a step in the right direction
from a real bad tax, which in his opinion is the business license tax.
Ms. Horn read the corresponding State of Virginia Code Section.
Supervisor Peter's motion to approve the first reading and to establish the
second reading for October 27, 2015, was approved by the following vote-
AYES- Supervisors Bedrosian, Church, Peters
NAYS- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
ABSTAIN- Supervisor McNamara
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OR ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance authorizing the lease of space in the Vinton Library to
Nature's Cool Coffee d/b/a/ Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee
Company for the operation of a coffee shop (Richard L. Caywood,
Assistant County Administrator)
Chairman Peters opened and closed the public hearing with no citizens
speaking on this issue. Mr. Caywood advised there were no changes from first reading.
There was discussion.
ORDINANCE 101315-3 AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF SPACE
IN THE VINTON LIBRARY TO NATURES COOL COFFEE d/b/a
LAND OF A THOUSAND HILLS COFFEE COMPANY FOR THE
OPEATION OF A COFFEE SHOP
October 13, 2015 483
WHEREAS, the new Vinton Library is currently being constructed and will include
a coffee shop area in the community section of the building consisting of a caf6
preparation area, counter area, seating area as well as a drive through window; and
WHEREAS, the County has negotiated a lease agreement with Natures Cool
Coffee d/b/a Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Company for the operation of the coffee
shop for the initial five (5) year period beginning November 16, 2015, through November
167 2020, with the option to extend the lease for two (2) additional three (3) year terms,
upon the certain terms and conditions, and that the rent for the leased premises will be
abated for the first six (6) months of the lease and begin for the seventh (7) month and
will be based on five (5) percent of the gross monthly sales; the rent schedule for any
renewals are subject to change and mutual agreement; and
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 Charter of
Roanoke County, a first reading concerning the disposition of the herein -described real
estate was held on September 22, 2015; the second reading and public hearing was
held on October 13, 2015; and
2. That the property to be leased consists of two hundred and fifty-five (255)
square feet located on the mezzanine of the Vinton Library, as shown on the attached
Exhibit "A"; and
3. That it is in the County's best interests to lease this property to Nature's
Cool Coffee d/b/a Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Company for the operation of a
coffee shop area in the Vinton Library.
4. That the County Administrator, or his designee, is authorized to execute
such documents and take such actions on behalf of Roanoke County as are necessary
to accomplish this transaction, all of which shall be upon a form approved by the County
Attorney.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the ordinance, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
2. Ordinance authorizing the purchase of approximately five point
two five (5.25) acres of real estate (Tax Map No. 080.00-05-19.00-
0000) located at the corner of Rutrough Road and Chestnut Ridge
Road from Timothy and Sean Martin for public use as a
recreational amenity in the Vinton Magisterial District for $159,900
and reallocate funds from the Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Reserve Account for such purpose (Doug Blount, Director of
Parks, Recreation and Tourism)
484 October 13, 2015
Mr. Blount advised no changes from first reading. He then provided a
brief update advising since the first reading. The Community Meeting process has
started, 155 citizens participating in meetings. 732 people have participated in the
Master Plan Survey- very positive. The feedback is that our citizens want trails,
overnight activities, �tc. Additionally, the Explore Park website has been updated,
which will allow significantly more flexibility.
Chairman Peters opened and closed the public meeting with the following
speaker-
Trixie Averill, Vice Chair of the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority
(VRFA) and her address is 2278 Ashbury Circle in Vinton. As you know, the VRFA is
the Authority that Oversees Explore Park. She advised the Board of the VRFA Board's
unanimous approval to purchase the Martin property that adjoins Explore Park. She
stated she is sure they are all well aware of the history of Explore Park and its closure
due to a number of obstacles, which the Board was unable to overcome. However, we
never lost our visioning for the Park. We always planned, hoped and expected that one
day it would be a major tourism destination and economic development boon to our
area as well as a favorite local haunt for the residents of the Roanoke Valley. Since the
Board's decision to lease Explore Park to Roanoke County, at a great rent she added,
they have been well satisfied that they made the right call. The master plan that was
recently presented to our Board and then at neighborhood meetings for residential input
has been very well received, with folks offering some very interesting ideas for the
development of the park. One thing is certain, though, and that is we want to keep the
neighbors happy and enthused about whatever might go on at Explore. We want them
to be a part of it, but also allow them their privacy and their space. This 5.2 acre parcel
of land will give us the opportunity to develop a passive type of recreation in that area
and will also provide a buffer between the park and the nearby residents on Rutrough
Road. Something you may not know about her is that she is also a member of the
Board of Directors of the Virginia Tourism Authority as well as a volunteer committee
Chair for tourism and marketing for the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors
Bureau. She is all about tourism; it is the cleanest and most efficient way for localities
to increase their revenue without raising taxes. 2014 tourism numbers exceeded
expectations. Virginia's Blue Ridge had a three point nine percent (3.9%) increase over
2013 and we are expecting more this year as well. Right here in our region, we have
7,602 tourism supported jobs and tourism is the fifth (5 th) largest employer in the State.
This is what our Board is wishing and hoping for in Explore. We want it to be a place
where our families and friends gather for a picnic or a hike or an exciting, fun
recreational activity. Something they will do once and then come back to do it again
and again. A place where people who are traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway stops,
maybe just for rest break, but then see all that Explore has to offer and they decide to
spend the night or two in town and enjoy all the local amenities as well. Perhaps they
will camp in their RV and enjoy the park for a longer period of time. Maybe someone
October 13, 2015 485
who is visiting will like our area so much they will decide to move here. We did and they
might even bring a company with them (no, we did not do that), but how does this one
5.2 acre parcel figure in to all of this? It is a piece of the puzzle. The Martins want to
sell it and someone will buy it. It may be that property is just the piece we need to get
the first shovelful done. She respectfully ask the Board to support the purchase of the
Martin land for the use of Explore Park. Tourism works and it rocks.
Mr. Bedrosian stated as he stated last time, we have a difference of
opinion on vision. He does not think this is something our government should be
involved in spending taxpayer dollars on. He is not a big proponent of the whole
Explore Park idea with government involvement- we have spent millions, tens of millions
of dollars already; been there done that. Not t�at it should not be developed, it should
be with private money. He just thinks we are putting another $159,000 in. The way he
looks at it, he looks at priorities. If you could have all the money in the world and you
could spend all the money in the world, which we seem to do, even if we don't have it.
You get in trouble that way. It is going to come down the line somewhere. A great
example for him is all the recent rain and he drives by people's houses and see the
swamp areas. It was not as bad as it could have been because there have been some
real devastating ones. So, in Community Development, we have projects that are lined
up for the next ten (10) years. He thinks it is sad that we spend money like this on
something that maybe would be nice to have, but we should prioritize things that should
be done. He thinks the money should be allocated differently and fixing this that we
really need now. If you have extra money, somehow at the end of the day we always
seem to have extra money to these things, but we don't have the money that maybe
make a difference in people's lives today. That is what really bothers him. We sit as a
Board and talk about making government smaller, being frugal with people's money and
when something like this comes along, which is not a necessity of life. We have to vote
for this, which is what this Board is going to do today. How would we ever make difficult
decisions on this Board? He wonders sometimes when we do these things; this is an
easy one and we should not do it.
Supervisor Church remarked there has been a lot of money put into this
project, but in his viewpoint, we have an opportunity. The amount is at or close to the
appraised value. It is a buffer. We have to make this work. For the first time in many
years, outside of Larry VanderMaten, which was a hope that did not come through, this
is the most viable option. The downside is that we can always recover this money. He
feels we have no choice and is in favor of the approval of this.
Chairman Peters stated he would add two (2) comments. First, the
gentleman from Hollins likes to refer to tax reduction. He has to piggyback on
something that Ms. Averil said that we only have a few options to increase our tax
revenues; one is raise taxes and does not think there is anyone in this room whom is an
advocate for that. The other is to find other revenue streams. He believes and has
been very supportive of this Explore Park versus the others because we are making it
conducive to bringing private business in here. This is not any kind of immediacy. This
486 October 13, 2015
is not going to be Roanoke County run Explore Park. We are just producing a plan, yes
we have put some infrastructure in there, but at the end of the day, we are making it
conducive to private business. Private business will generate taxes, which will he
hopes in the end will help us lower our taxes. The second comment is an
encouragement to the public to be involved in this. He was not on the Board when the
Vinton Library was proposed, but he did go to all the public meetings. Now that it is
coming to the end of its term and ready to be opened- people are saying, "Who picked
that design?" His response is, "you did." We have pu�lic meetings for the citizens to be
there and to put your input. Now, he is saying the same thing about Explore Park. If
you want to be a part of it, if you want to see what it is going to be, provide input as to
what it is going to be, come to the meetings and do the surveys. Be a part of the
process. This is our home and it will be our project.
ORDINANCE 101315-4 TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF FIVE
POINT TWO FIVE (5.25) ACRES OF REAL ESTATE (TAX MAP
NO. 080.00-05-19.00-0000) FOR PUBLIC USE AS A
RECREATIONAL AMENITY, VINTON MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT
WHEREAS, Timothy and Sean Martin (the "Owners") are the owners of a five
point two five (5.25) acre parcel located at the corner of Rutrough Road and Chestnut
Ridge Road in the Vinton Magisterial District; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County has determined that it
is in the public interest to acquire this property for public use as a recreational amenity-,
and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors and the Owners negotiated a contract with
a contract price of $154,900, with funds from the Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Reserve account; and
WHEREAS, the contract provided the County with a three (3) month due
diligence period for examination of title, environmental and survey, which have now
been completed to the satisfaction of the County - and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter directs that the
acquisition and conveyance of real estate interests be accomplished by ordinance; the
first reading of this ordinance to be held on September 22, 2015; and the second
reading and public hearing to be held on October 13, 2015.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows -
1. That the acquisition of the five point two five (5.25) acre parcel of real estate
located on the Vinton Magisterial District (Tax Map No. 080.00-05-19.00-
0000) is hereby authorized and approved at the purchase price of $ 1547900.
October 13, 2015 487
2. That the expenditure of funds for Phase I environmental assessment,
boundary survey, title examination, title insurance and recordation expenses
totaling $5,000 is hereby authorized and approved.
3. That funds are available in the adopted budgets of the Parks, Recreation and
Tourism Reserve Account to pay the costs of this acquisition.
4. That the County Administrator or Assistant County Administrator are hereby
authorized to execute such documents and take such actions on behalf of
Roanoke County in this matter as are necessary to accomplish the acquisition
of this real estate, all of which shall be approved as to form by the County
Attorney.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the ordinance, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- Supervisor Bedrosian
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 101315-5 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN
CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS
ITEM I- 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 October
13, 2015, designated as Item I - Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and
concurred in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1
through 6 inclusive, as follows -
1 . Approval of minutes — August 31, 2015; September 8, 2015
2. Resolution expressing the appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County to Billy T. Smith, Police Officer, upon his retirement after
fifteen (15) years of service
3. Resolution expressing the appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County to Jeannine Blackburn, Self Sufficiency Supervisor, Social
Services, upon her retirement after more than fourteen (14) years of service
4. Resolution of appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County to
Jerome M. Hoer, Business Ordinance Inspector, after more than thirty-one
(31) years of service
488 October 13, 2015
5. Confirmation of designation of voting delegate to the Virginia Association of
Counties (VACo) conference to be held November 6-10, 2015
6. Request to accept and appropriate grant funds in the amount of $112,500
from the Division of Motor Vehicles to 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 Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
RESOLUTION 101315-5.a EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION
OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY
TO BILLY T. SMITH, POLICE OFFICER, UPON HIS
RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN FIFTEEN (15) YEARS OF
SERVICE
WHEREAS, Billy T. Smith was employed by Roanoke County on August 12,
2000, and has served as a Police Officer during his tenure with the Police Department-,
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Smith retired on September 1, 2015, after fifteen (15) years and
one (1) month of devoted, faithful and expert service to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, Office Smith, 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, during Office Smith's time serving the citizens of Roanoke County,
has maintained a high degree of proficiency in the area of traffic enforcement and traffic
crash investigations. Every year he was a leader in the number of arrests for driving
under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Roanoke County, thus making the roads a
safer place for citizens to drive upon. For this he received many annual awards from
the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization.
WHEREAS, 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 BILLY T. SMITH for more than fifteen
(15) 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 Church to adopt the resolution, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
October 13, 2015 489
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
RESOLUTION 101315-5.b EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION
OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY
TO JEANNINE B. BLACKBURN, SELF-SUFFICIENCY
SUPERVISOR, UPON HER RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN
FOURTEEN (14) YEARS OF SERVICE
WHEREAS, Jeannine B. Blackburn was employed by Roanoke County on July 9,
2001, and has served as an Employment Services Supervisor and Self-sufficiency
Supervisor during her tenure with the Department of Social Services; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Blackburn retired on October 1, 2015, after fourteen (14) years
and three (3) months of devoted, faithful and expert service to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Blackburn, throughout her employment with Roanoke County,
has been instrumental in improving the quality of life and providing services to the
citizens of Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, during Ms. Blackburn's time serving the citizens of Roanoke County,
she supervised staff responsible for providing needs assessments, vocational
evaluations, counseling services, and employment preparation for the Virginia Initiative
for Employment not Welfare program (VIEW). Ms. Blackburn regularly monitored
casework, approved program sanctions and terminations, provided staff development
and training while assisting with complex questions and special projects.
WHEREAS, Ms. Blackburn demonstrated teamwork to meet the needs of our
citizens; including accepting supervision of the Service Intake program where all initial
customer contact is made to our office, documenting and communicating to appropriate
staff the reports of both child and adult abuse and neglect; administering the Energy
Program, serving both the aging and at -risk community population in maintaining heat
and air conditioning throughout the year.
WHEREAS, Ms. Blackburn served on many committees in her time with
Roanoke County, made presentations to promote the overall employment services
program and wrote several grants that aided in the employability of many of our citizens.
Ms. Blackburn faced many changes throughout the years, each met with determination
and commitment.
WHEREAS, Ms. Blackburn was an advocate for our citizens and customers,
identifying and prioritizing their needs in an effort to target and assuage employment
barriers such as childcare and lack of resources. She worked tirelessly during her
tenure with Roanoke County ensuring staff provided in-depth support to their clients
while building and maintaining relationships with valuable community resources in order
to better serve our disadvantaged population.
WHEREAS, 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 JEANNINE B. BLACKBURN for
490 October 13, 2015
more than fourteen (14) years of capable, loyal and dedicated service to Roanoke
County- and
�URTHER, the Board of Supervisors does express its best wishes for a happy
and productive retirement.
On motion of Supervisor Church to adopt the resolution, and carried by the
following roll call and recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
RESOLUTION 101315-5.c EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION
OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY
TO JEROME M. HOER, BUSINESS ORDINANCE INSPECTOR,
UPON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN THIRTY-ONE
(31) YEARS OF SERVICE
WHEREAS, Jerome M. Hoer was hired on January 9, 1984, and has served as
Tax Clerk 1, Tax Clerk 11 and Business License Ordinance Inspector in the
Commissioner of the Revenue's office during his career with Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hoer retired on September 30, 2015 after thirty one (31) years
and nine (9) months of devoted, faithful and expert service with the County; and
WHEREAS, during his time serving Roanoke County, Mr. Hoer provided on-site
assistance in the Town of Vinton for the citizens of Roanoke County and Town of
Vinton during the personal property renewal period. During his tenure, Mr. Hoer also
served the public at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office and made many
field visits to insure compliance; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hoer has assisted Roanoke County citizens with Personal
Property Tax, Business Personal Property Tax and Business License Tax. Mr. Hoer
mastered the IRMS AND EESMC DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION software and
provided records of Daily Rental Tax, Sales Tax and Schedule C's for auditing
purposes; and
WHEREAS, on July 1, 2006, Mr. Hoer earned his Master Deputy Certification
from the Weldon Cooper Center at UVA, which requires a successful passage of a
tested, multi-year course of professional continuing education courses as well as
minimum experience levels thereby, ensuring the highest quality of services to our
constituencies/stakeholders and the development of strategic relationships to further our
organizational goals. Mr. Hoer has attended many regional and state educational
seminars and meetings to improve overall performance; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hoer's wealth of accumulated knowledge of opinions rendered
by Virginia's Attorney Generals, of Title 58 Code of Virginia and of Federal regulations
October 13, 2015 491
has aided and assisted many constituents and colleagues across the State of Virginia-,
and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hoer's desire to serve the public was a profound devotion to his
family, his faith and the citizens of Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hoer's served honorable and was a true public servant.
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 JEROME M. HOER, Business Ordinance Inspector for more than
thirty-one (31) 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 Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
A -101315-5.d
A -101315-5.e
IN RE: CITIZENS' COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
The following citizens spoke -
Mr. William Drury stated he has a very serious problem; a health issue
that needs to be addressed by this Board. He lives in an apartment complex with an
abundant pet population along with their pet owners. His issue is not with the pets, per
se, but the owners who do not clean up after them. He is not against people having
pets, but he is against people who watch what the pets do and then just walk away and
leave a mess. He has tried talking with the owners, the owners of the apartment
complex that he lives in, local government and animal control. The reply that he has
received is that there is nothing that can be done; their hands are tied and there is no
local ordinance to help him. There is a local ordinance, Section 521 under definition of
animal nuisance. He asked to read it, but Chairman Peters advised he is aware of the
Code Section. There is a way to hold the owners responsible so he does not have to
hold his nose and try not to smell the foul orders around the place that he lives. He was
told by the Roanoke County animal control that he could move if he did not like where
he was. Not only that, he cannot take his grandchild outside to play in the grass
because it is full of dog waste. It is not only a health issue, but an environmental one.
He truly believes that this problem should be covered under the campaign, "This is not
your ashtray.", but to say, "This is not your pets' bathroom either.
492 October 13, 2015
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor Peters moved to receive and file the following reports after
Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance explained the changes in the Outstanding Debt
Report. Supervisor Bedrosian commented he thought this was the right course to take.
The motion carried by the following recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara Peters
NAYS- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
1. General Fund Unappropriated Balance
2. Capital Reserves
3. Reserve for Board Contingency
4. Outstanding Debt
5. Annual Report of the County of Roanoke Local Finance Board
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor Bedrosian stated he had three items to discuss. First he
wanted to talk about United Way again. He has done so for several meetings and will
continue to do so. We had a Pastor here today, Pastor Jason Gault and one of the
things he said struck him, talking about making decisions on the Board and using
wisdom. With all that has been exposed by Planned Parenthood, why would it ever be
a wise decision for our County to use any taxpayer dollars to help in any way the
partner with United Way, which gives money to Planned Parenthood? He just does not
see it. He sees United Way doing their own thing with their own money. I see that
people want to donate money; do ahead and do it, but why would Roanoke County still
be partnering with somebody that gives money to Planned Parenthood. It is beyond
him. This has been a national debate; a national conversation for the last several
months and it keeps going on and we put our heads in the sand and act like nothing is
going on. We still partner with people that give money to Planned Parenthood. Within
the last ten days, he has been involved in the Pro -Life Community and he has been
invited to two local events and there are anywhere between sixty to one hundred (60-
100) people who show up that are willing to stand there and talk about defunding
Planned Parenthood. We may think this is a national issue and we should not be talk
about it- it is a social issue or whatever, however 1,200 babies died in Roanoke. There
were a�orted in our County so it is not a national issue, it is a local issue. It is local
issues happening all over the County and we act like we do not care and that it is not a
big deal. Killing babies is a bid deal and it is interesting when we have Pastors come in
a talk about wisdom and he is a firm believer that God will bless us if we do the right
October 13, 2015 493
thing and right now on that issue he does not think we are doing the right thing. Another
issue he has relates to the debate last night at the School Board. He always feels he
need to correct this when it is stated. He was not there and he wishes he could have
gone, but he is reading some of the information and it may be that that really did not say
this. They talked about years without raises. The school teachers have been going
years without raises, those exact three words that he pulled from the news article. It
was not our current Roanoke Times reporter that did that, it was another reporter that
did this. He thought, "years without raises." He has been on the Board for two (2) years
and school teachers have gotten two and one half percent (2 1/2%) a year. However,
they call it a different name, it is a cost of living increase so it is not considered a raise.
Again, government needs to wake up. In the private sector, any increase over what you
made last year, unless you are in sales and are on commission. Any increase is a
raise. He does not and his company does not give two and one half a year and not
consider it a raise. He gets zero. When he gets one percent (1 %) it is a raise. It is not
a cost of living increase. We don't ignore it and say they did not get a raise. Any
increase in salary is a raise and yet he hears it over and over again. He thinks it is
unfair to the County. We are looked at as not giving raises to their employees. No,
Roanoke County employees have received raises the last two (2) years; two and one
half percent (2 1/2%) and some have gotten more. So, he just thinks that really we are
lying. A raise is more than you made last year and if we are getting and if school
teachers are getting more, we need to say it for what it is. You may not think two and
one half percent is enough, but he gets that as that is a fair conversation and a fair
debate. However, to say they are not getting raises is a lie. We need to dispute that lie.
The other thing that he finds interesting is that it is always about teacher's pay. Every
time he hears one of these debates. He wished once we would talk about education.
When you go to an educational forum it is always about teachers' pay and benefits and
it is never about what and how are our children being educated. He gave the example
that the average teacher salary is $36,000 as stated in the news article. Teachers work
ten (10) months of the year. They say they are always working, but we all are always
working. He has friends in the public school that don't work two months in the summer.
So if you extrapolate the ten (10) months of your job, it is over $40,000 for an entry level
teacher. That is not bad. We always make it demeaning like it is so little. The average
salary in Roanoke County is about $45,000 to $50,000. This is another point that he
wanted to make. An average classroom size is about twenty (20) and the average cost
for a student to be educated in Roanoke County is $10,000 and that is about $200,000.
The teacher makes about $50,000, on average. What is the other $150,000 for? What
is it for? Where is that in the education scheme of things? The teacher is making
$50,000, twenty-five percent (25%) of what it cost to educate that class of twenty (20
students. There are a lot of other issues and we are wasting money somewhere and
not directing it to real education. He wished that we could turn that conversation back to
education. Finally, one interest point was that he just heard in the news was that Social
Security recipients are going to get zero increase in the Cost of Living (COLA). This is
494 October 13, 2015
the third time this has happened in forty (40) years. Inflation was zero. So, when we
come up again this year to talk about more increase remember that Social Security
recipients are getting zero increase in the money they get this year. No increases
because inflation is so low. One final thing that he likes to do every year. The promise
that he gave to his constituents was that he would never vote himself a raise. So, the
first year he did not vote himself a raise, but everybody else did. So, he gave the
money back; $341.67. So, that raise from last year is still in effect so he is giving back
another $341.67. Next year if the Board votes a raise, he will add it to this amount of
money and give it back. It is the principle of the matter. People do not like it when
people in office vote themselves raises. It has a bad ring to it, national, in the state and
in local government.
Supervisors Peters stated he would like to have everybody involved in
Explore Park and what is taking place there.
IN RE: WORK SESSIONS
1. Work session to discuss with the Board of Supervisors fiscal year
2016-2017 transportation budget, and applications for Revenue
Sharing Program and Transportation Alternatives Program (David
Holladay, Planning Administrator)
In attendance for this work session were Holly Raney, Budget Analyst-,
Megan Cronise, Principal Planner and David Holladay, Planning Administrator. A
PowerPoint presentation was given that is on file in the office of the Clerk. There was
no discussion. The work session was held from 5-20 until 5-48 p.m.
2. Work session to discuss with the Board of Supervisors the
Virginia Conflict of Interests Act (Paul M. Mahoney, County
Attorney)
Mr. Mahoney provided the Board with a PowerPoint presentation on the
Virginia Conflict of Interests Act.
Mr. Gates, County Administrator stated he would also like the Internal
Auditor, Director of Finance and Assistant County Administrators complete. Supervisor
Peters and Supervisor McNamara were concerned because of the level of information
released in these forms.
Mr. Gates advised he would look at what other localities are doing and get
back with the Board. The work session was held from 5-50 pm until 6-27 p.m.
October 13, 2015 495
IN RE: CLOSED MEETING
At 5-05 p.m., Supervisor Peters moved to go into closed meeting following
the work sessions pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711 A 7. Consultation
with legal counsel and briefings by staff members pertaining to probable litigation,
where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the
negotiating or litigating posture of the Board
The motion carried by the following recorded vote-
AYES- Supervisors Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
IN RE: CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION
At 7-07 p.m., Supervisor Peters moved to return to open session and
adopt the certification resolution.
RESOLUTION 101315-6 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 b�siness 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 Bedrosian, Church, McNamara, Peters
NAYS- None
ABSENT- Supervisor Moore
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
October 13, 2015
Chairman Peters adjourned the meeting at 7:08 p.m.
Approved by:
P. Jason eters
Chairman