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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