HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/28/2017 - Regular
February 28, 2017
115
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day atthe
Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the fourth Tuesday and the second
regularly scheduled meeting of the month of February 2017. 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
Chaplain Harold “Fuzzy” Minnix of the Christian Motorcyclists Association. The Pledge
of Allegiance was recited by all present.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman McNamara called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m. The roll call
was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Joseph P. McNamara, Supervisors George G.
Assaid, Al Bedrosian, Martha B. Hooker and P. Jason Peters
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
Thomas C. Gates, County Administrator; Daniel R.
O’Donnell, Assistant County Administrator; Richard
Caywood, Assistant County Administrator; Ruth Ellen
Kuhnel, County Attorney; Amy Whittaker, Public Information
Officer and Deborah C. Jacks, Chief Deputy Clerk to the
Board
IN RE: BRIEFINGS
1. Briefing by the Roanoke Regional Partnership (Beth Doughty,
Executive Director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership)
Ms. Doughty provided the Board with an update. A copy of her remarks is
on file in the office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors.
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IN RE: REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND FIRST READING OF
REZONING ORDINANCES - CONSENT AGENDA
1. The petition of North Point Apts, LLC and North Point Apts II, LLC
to rezone approximately 6.656 acres to amend proffered
conditions to increase the maximum number of residential units
from 115 to 126 to allow the construction of an additional
apartment building on property zoned R-4C, High Density Multi-
Family Residential, District with conditions, located at 6430 and
6451 Archcrest Drive, Hollins Magisterial District (Philip
Thompson, Deputy Director of Planning)
Supervisor Bedrosian’s motion to approve the first reading and set the
second reading for March 28, 2017, was seconded by Supervisor Peters and approved
by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisor Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, McNamara, Peters
NAYS: None
IN RE: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance accepting and appropriating funds in the amount of
$215,000 to the Roanoke County Schools for a grant from the EPA
National Clean Diesel Rebate Program (Due to time constraints, it
is requested that, upon a four-fifths vote of the Board, the second
reading be waiver per Article V Chapter 2, Section 2-123 (h) of the
Roanoke County Code) (Mike Stovall, Supervisor of
Transportation, Roanoke County Schools)
Mr. Stovall outlined the request for the ordinance and the need for the
waiver of the second reading. There was no discussion.
ORDINANCE 022817-1 ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $215,000 TO THE ROANOKE
COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR A GRANT FROM THE
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY NATIONAL CLEAN
DIESEL REBATE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Public Schools was awarded a grant of
$215,000 from the EPA National Clean Diesel Rebate Program to encourage school
bus fleet turnover so more children can ride buses with the cleanest emissions
standards; and
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WHEREAS, the grant funds will be spent replacing older, high-mileage school
buses; and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter provides that funds be
appropriated by ordinance; and
WHEREAS, first reading of this ordinance was held on March 8, 2016, and due
to time constraints the second reading was waived, upon a four-fifths (4/5th) vote of the
Board pursuant to Article V, Chapter 2, Section 2-123(h) of the Roanoke County Code.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
1. That the sum of $215,000 is hereby appropriated to the Roanoke County
Public Schools; and
2. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after the date of adoption.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the ordinance and waive the second
reading, seconded by Supervisor McNamara and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
IN RE: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance accepting and appropriating Federal Lands Access
Program Funds in the amount of $1,733,750 from the Eastern
Federal Lands Highway Division of the U. S. Department of
Transportation Federal Highway Administration for extension of
the Roanoke River Greenway from the Blue Ridge Parkway to
Explore Park (Doug Blount, Director of Parks, Recreation and
Tourism)
Mr. Blount advised there were no changes from the first reading.
Chairman McNamara noted this is a “win” for Roanoke County. There was no
discussion.
ORDINANCE 022817-2 ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING
FEDERAL LANDS ACCESS PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF $1,733,750 FROM THE EASTERN
FEDERAL LANDS DIVISION OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
FOR EXTENSION OF THE EAST ROANOKE RIVER
GREENWAY FROM THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY TO
EXPLORE PARK
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WHEREAS, in April 2015, Roanoke County, in coordination with the Roanoke
Valley Greenway Commission, the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority, and the
National Park Service, submitted a request to the Eastern Federal Lands Division of
the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration for Federal
Lands Access Program (FLAP) funds for the eastern section of the Roanoke River
Greenway extensions proposed between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Explore Park;
and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter provides that funds
be appropriated by ordinance; and
WHEREAS, Roanoke County is committed to provide a twenty percent (20%)
matching contribution for this project in the amount of $346,750, which may be in the
form of cash, private contributions, donations of goods and services and land value;
and
WHEREAS, the FLAP funds must be allocated to the East Roanoke River
Greenway extension from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Explore Park for
engineering, environmental permitting, right-of-way acquisition, and construction; and
WHEREAS, the appropriations designated for the East Roanoke River
Greenway Project will not lapse at the end of each fiscal year, but shall remain
appropriated until the completion of the project. It is acknowledged, however, that
FLAP funds are subject to deallocation if not expended within four years of
allocation; and
WHEREAS, Roanoke County will be responsible for maintenance and operating
costs of any improvement or facility constructed with FLAP funds unless other
arrangements have been made with the Virginia Department of Transportation
(VDOT); and
WHEREAS, Roanoke County is willing to enter into a project administration
agreement with VDOT and to provide the necessary oversight to ensure the project is
developed in accordance with all state and federal requirements for design, right of
way acquisition, and construction of a federally funded transportation project; and
WHEREAS, if Roanoke County subsequently elects to cancel this project,
Roanoke County acknowledges that it will be required to reimburse VDOT for the total
amount of costs expended by VDOT up until the date VDOT is notified of such
cancellation. Roanoke County also acknowledges that it will be required to repay any
funds previously reimbursed that are later deemed ineligible by the Federal Highway
Administration.
WHEREAS, the first reading of this ordinance was held on February 14, 2017,
and the second reading was held on February 28, 2017; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED
by the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County, Virginia as follows:
1. That the sum of $1,733,750 is hereby accepted from the Federal Lands
Access Program and is appropriated to the Department of Parks,
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Recreation and Tourism for fiscal years 2017 through 2021; and
2. That the County Administrator or Assistant County Administrator is hereby
authorized to execute such project agreements (all of which shall be
approved as to form by the County Attorney) and take such actions on behalf
of Roanoke County in this matter as are necessary for the extension,
maintenance, and operation of the East Roanoke River Greenway from the
Blue Ridge Parkway to Explore Park.
3. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after the date of adoption.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Supervisor
Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
2. Ordinance approving a lease agreement with the Roanoke Valley
Broadband Authority (RVBA) to lease 90 square feet in the
Roanoke County Public Safety Building located at 5925 Cove
Road in Roanoke, Virginia (Rob Light, Director of General
Services)
Mr. Light advised there were no changes from the first reading.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated he had a couple of points. He always likes to
explain when he votes no why he is voting no. He stated that he expressed some of
these concerns the last time, but thinks it is appropriate since we have different people
tuning in at different times. He has never been a supporter of the Roanoke Valley
Broadband Authority and the reasons are such that he feels like we have a free market
and we have government and we ought to keep them as separate as we can. A
comment was made last time that if the free market providers were doing their jobs, we
would not need the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority. He stated he thinks that was
a little misleading and wanted to make sure that he clarified that. The reason we have
the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority is not because we have providers that are not
doing what they are supposed to be doing or businesses cannot acquire those services.
Every provider that has come and spoken to us in our work sessions have stated Apple
Computer and Microsoft could come in at the same time and they would be provided
everything they needed. Unless they are lying, he would take them at their word since
they have been in the business for decades and we are just getting into the business of
providing Broadband.
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He thinks the real issue all along has been maybe businesses cannot get it at the rate
they want to get it, which is a valid argument, but in a free market system usually it is
the market that dictates the rates and he was trying to think who on our Board we have
a couple that are not in the free market system and one that is in the free market, he
was trying to think of a similarity. For business to grow, they need capital and banks
and usually where businesses will go for capital to run their businesses. A lot of times it
has been stated that is hard to get. Credit was hard to acquire and it is difficult to get
money at rates that people wanted to get money at. He would love to borrow all of his
money at 0%, but that is just not the case. There is a free market in essence of being
able to borrow money, but if Roanoke County decided to make the Bank of Roanoke
County and undercharge the rates and make it 2% or 1% to get money for a business,
that would be great. We would probably have a lot of people coming in to borrow
money and building things and for the short-term have a spur in our economy, but he
just does not think that is the system we have. We have a free market representative of
the governance system. We don’t have a system of government where we centralize
everything and he is really concerned about it. When this issue came up, that now we
are allowing the Broadband Authority to use facilities of Roanoke County at under
market prices he thought, “wow” now we are going down this road that every time we
have a facility open up or we renovate a school, we will put in a Roanoke Valley
Broadband Authority substation or whatever they need in those facilities. Again, he
thinks we are again unfairly competing against the private sector and he would just
caution this Board that he thinks the easy way out of a lot of things is footed on the
backs of taxpayers and let the taxpayers subsidize everything. One day the money is
going to run out and he thinks it is unfair and would also caution that we have good
providers in the Roanoke Valley that may not look at the Roanoke Valley anymore as
being a very hospitable place to offer broadband services because it is hard for them to
compete and they may slowly move out and so that is why he will be voting no today.
There was no additional discussion.
ORDINANCE 022817-3 APPROVING A LEASE FOR 90 SQUARE
FEET OF SPACE IN THE ROANOKE COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY
BUILDING TO THE ROANOKE VALLEY BROADBAND
AUTHORIT
Y
WHEREAS, the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority (“Authority”) is an authority
formed and existing in accordance with Chapter 49 of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia,
1950, as amended, the Virginia Wireless Services Authorities Act §§15.2-5431.1, et
seq; and
WHEREAS, Roanoke County is a member of the Authority and benefits from the
services of the Authority; and
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WHEREAS, the Authority wishes to lease space in the Roanoke County Public
Safety Building located at 5925 Cove Road, Roanoke, VA 24019 for placement of
necessary equipment and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, such lease will not interfere with the operations of the County Public
Safety Center; and
WHEREAS, such lease is mutually beneficial to the parties and the consideration
paid by the Authority to the County will represent the County’s costs of providing
electricity for the Authority’s equipment; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance authorizes the Authority to place its equipment in the
designated leased space in accord with the terms of the Lease dated March 1, 2017;
and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter directs that the
acquisition and conveyance of real estate interests by ordinance; the first reading of this
Ordinance was held on February 14, 2017, and the second reading was held on
February 28, 2017.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
1. That the Lease Agreement between the County and the Authority dated
March 1, 2017, is hereby approved; and
2. That the lease of the ninety square feet of space in the County Public Safety
Building, located at 5925 Cove Road, Roanoke, Virginia, 24019 (Tax Map
#036.16-01-11.01-0000), to the Authority from March 1, 2017 through March
31, 2032, is hereby approved; and
3. That the County Administrator or an Assistant County Administrator is hereby
authorized to execute a lease agreement on behalf of the Board of
Supervisors of Roanoke County and to execute such other documents and
take such further actions as are necessary to accomplish this transaction, all
of which shall be upon form and subject to the conditions by the County
Attorney.
4. That this ordinance shall be effective on and from the date of its adoption.
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the ordinance, seconded by
Supervisor Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: Supervisor Bedrosian
3. Ordinance approving a lease agreement with the Roanoke Valley
Broadband Authority (RVBA) for 500 square feet of ground space
on the parcel for the South County Library, located at 6303
Merriman Road in Roanoke, Virginia (Rob Light, Director of
General Services)
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Mr. Light advised no changes since first reading. Chairman McNamara
asked how much will Roanoke County save with Mr. Light responding $150,000.
Supervisor Bedrosian asked if this was offered to the private sector with
Mr. Light responding in the negative. Supervisor Bedrosian then commented “ditto” to
the comments he gave on the previous agenda item.
There was no additional discussion.
ORDINANCE 022817-4 APPROVING A LEASE TO THE
ROANOKE VALLEY BROADBAND AUTHORITY AT THE SOUTH
COUNTY LIBRARY
WHEREAS, the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority (“Authority”) is an authority
formed and existing in accordance with Chapter 49 of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia,
1950, as amended, the Virginia Wireless Services Authorities Act §§15.2-5431.1, et
seq; and
WHEREAS, Roanoke County is a member of the Authority and benefits from the
services of the Authority; and
WHEREAS, the Authority wishes to lease space on the site of the South County
Library, located at 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke, Virginia, 24018 (Tax Parcel ID
097.05-01-26.00.0000), for placement of a building (the “Hut”) to house necessary
equipment and infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, such lease will not interfere with the operations of the Library; and
WHEREAS, the County will utilize approximately 500 square feet of space within
the Authority’s building to house the County’s disaster-recovery information technology
equipment, subject to NIST 800-14 and other applicable data security standards; and
WHEREAS, such lease is mutually beneficial to the parties; and
WHEREAS, this Ordinance authorizes the Authority to construct the Hut on the
designated leased space in accord with the terms of the Lease dated March 1, 2017;
and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter directs that the
acquisition and conveyance of real estate interests by ordinance; the first reading of this
Ordinance was held on February 14, 2017, and the second reading was held on
February 28, 2017.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County, Virginia, as follows:
5. That the Lease Agreement between the County and the Authority dated
March 1, 2017 is hereby approved; and
6. That the lease of the 500 square feet of space at South County Library,
located at 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke, Virginia, 24018 (Tax Parcel ID
097.05-01-26.00.0000) to the Authority from March 1, 2017 through March
31, 2032 is hereby approved; and
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7. That the County Administrator or an Assistant County Administrator is hereby
authorized to execute a lease agreement on behalf of the Board of
Supervisors of Roanoke County and to execute such other documents and
take such further actions as are necessary to accomplish this transaction, all
of which shall be upon form and subject to the conditions by the County
Attorney.
8. That this ordinance shall be effective on and from the date of its adoption.
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the ordinance, seconded by
Supervisor Hooker and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: Supervisor Bedrosian
IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 022817-5 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN
CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF
SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS
ITEM J- 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 February
28, 2017, designated as Item J - Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and
concurred in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1
through 7 inclusive, as follows:
1. Approval of minutes – January 10, 2017
2. Request to accept and allocate grant funds in the amount of $50,000 from the
Virginia Department of Emergency Management for the purchase of equipment
for emergency sheltering of citizens
3. Request to accept and allocate grant funds in the amount of $40,000 from the
Virginia Department of Emergency Management for the purchase of equipment
for Emergency Sheltering of Citizens
4. Request to accept and allocate grant funds in the amount of $42,564 from the
Virginia Department of Emergency Management for the purchase of equipment
and furnishings for the Emergency Operations Center and Mass Care supplies
for sheltering citizens
5. Resolution expressing the appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke
County to Diana I. Rosapepe, Director of Library Services, upon her retirement
after more than thirty (30) years of service
6. Resolution expressing support for Roanoke County’s military and veterans
caregivers
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7. Confirmation of appointment to the Clean Valley Council (At-Large)
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution; seconded by Supervisor
McNamara and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
A-022817-5.a
A-022817-5.b
A-022817-5.c
RESOLUTION 022817-5.d EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION
OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY
TO DIANA L. ROSAPEPE, DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES,
UPON HER RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN THIRTY (30)
YEARS OF SERVICE
WHEREAS, Diana L. Rosapepe began her association with Roanoke County on
May 5, 1986, serving as Branch Librarian of the Hollins Library from 1986 to 1990,
Assistant Director of Library Services from 1990 to 2001, and Director of Library
Services from 2001 until her retirement on February 1, 2017, after 30 years and nine (9)
months of devoted, faithful, and expert service to Roanoke County; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Rosapepe performed her duties with professionalism and
tireless devotion throughout her career, dedicating long hours to the day-to-day
operation of the library system; reporting to the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors,
the Library Board of Trustees and The Friends of the Roanoke County Public Library;
being actively engaged as a member of the Roanoke County management team; and
working with the Roanoke Valley Libraries consortium to share library resources and
provide convenient library services for Roanoke Valley citizens; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Rosapepe’s primary focus was to provide Roanoke County
citizens with a strong and vibrant library system. Through her vision and leadership, she
anticipated a seismic nationwide shift in libraries would reach Roanoke County and
effectively transitioned the Library from a primarily paper-based service to a progressive
technology model; and
WHEREAS, after it became evident that the system’s then-existing infrastructure
could not adequately adapt to the demands of current technology, Ms. Rosapepe
worked through Roanoke County’s Capital Improvement Program process, which
resulted in the construction of three new library facilities to replace the outdated and
deteriorating Headquarters (South County), Glenvar and Vinton branches; and
WHEREAS, these new facilities, starting with South County, revolutionized how
people in the Roanoke Valley and beyond viewed libraries, replacing them as “book
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boxes” with attractive, well-planned and high-tech community centers where people
study, meet, socialize and learn; and
WHEREAS, during her time as Director, overall circulation increased thirty-four
percent (34%), visits twenty-two percent (22%), and programming attendance fifty-three
percent (53%); and
WHEREAS, Ms. Rosapepe was a beloved mentor to many as she humbly
shared her gifts of intelligence, wit and wisdom. She, too, was admired for her
inexhaustible work ethic as well as her patience, honesty, kindness and determination
to always find the best solution. She will be deeply missed by all who have had the
honor to work with her.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County expresses its deepest appreciation and the appreciation of the citizens
DIANA L. ROSAPEPE
of Roanoke County to for more than thirty 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, seconded by Supervisor
McNamara and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
RESOLUTION 022817-5.e SUPPORTING ROANOKE'S
MILITARY AND VETERAN CAREGIVERS
WHEREAS, the series of wars in which our nation has been engaged over
time, since World War II, has resulted in 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers
who are parents, spouses, siblings and friends, caring for those wounded, ill or
injured who have served our nation, as documented by the 2014 Rand study
commissioned by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation ; and
WHEREAS, the daily tasks of these military and veterans caregivers can
include bathing, feeding, dressing and caring for the grievous injuries of wounded
warriors, administering medications, providing emotional support, caring for the family
and the home and working outside the home to earn essential income; and
WHEREAS, the nation provides multi-faceted support to our wounded, ill and
injured veterans and service members through public, private and philanthropic
resources, but their caregivers receive little support or acknowledgement; and
WHEREAS, most military and veteran caregivers consider the challenging work
they do as simply carrying out their civic and patriotic duty, without realizing they are, in
fact, caregivers, and do not identify themselves as such; and
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WHEREAS, an alarming number of military and veteran caregivers, according to
research, are suffering numerous debilitating mental, physical and emotional effects as
a result of their caregiving duties; and
WHEREAS, the County of Roanoke desires to recognize and support those who
are serving in these vital roles in our own community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the
County of Roanoke, as follows:
I. The Board of Supervisors of the County of Roanoke hereby designates the
County of Roanoke as a military and veteran caregiver supportive city.
2. The County of Roanoke will seek to identify military and veteran caregivers
residing in our County.
3. The County of Roanoke will work to ensure that our government,
organizations, employers and non-profits are aware of the unique challenges of
military and veteran caregivers and are encouraged to create supportive environments
and opportunities for assistance.
4. The County of Roanoke will plan an observance each May, during Military
Appreciation Month, to honor and recognize the City's military and veteran caregivers
in partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's national Hidden Heroes
campaign.
5. The County of Roanoke encourages all who care for and support veterans
and service members to extend that support to their caregivers.
6. The County of Roanoke designates the County Administrator or his
designee to serve as point of contact, for the public or private sector, for citizens
and organizations wanting to offer support, and caregivers who need that support.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
McNamara and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
A-022817-5.f
IN RE: CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Keith Moore stated he lived on Sequoia Drive off Woodhaven Road, which
is up on a hill overlooking the project that the Western Virginia Regional Industrial
Facility Authority, a long name, is currently working with. They had a meeting with the
WVRIFA on January 31, 2017, at Quality Inn on Thirlane Road and a lot of interested
citizens were there wishing to express their concerns and have questions that we would
have liked to had answered. However, the way that meeting was conducted was
unsatisfactory in his opinion and in the opinion of many of the people in his
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neighborhood who unfortunately because they work and he is old and retired could not
be here. He would like to express to the Board his disappointment in the way that they
meeting was conducted with sticky notes and so forth rather than an open mic session
where were could express our concerns and ask questions that would be answered
immediately. Right now, they have no idea what the feedback is because it has not
been posted yet on the WVRIFA website. His wife attended the meeting, as he is sure
they are aware of, last week at Shenandoah Life where Carillion was going to develop
or sell off a part of their property they purchased, (14 acres) to build 240 apartment
buildings right next to a residential neighborhood. That meeting also had a large crowd
there and they were told that the WVRIFA meeting that they went to was held in such a
fashion because of the large crowd, but there was an equal-sized crowd at the
Shenandoah Life meeting with the city and they did have open mic and took questions.
Actually, if someone comes up to an open mic and asks questions, you have eliminated
50 other people that were going to ask the same question. The reason he came here
today is that there are two more meetings that are scheduled one in March and one in
April and as much a jurisdiction that you have over the Regional Authority with two
appointees and two alternates. Is that correct? He knows there is a total of six
jurisdictions. Chairman McNamara advised he was correct. There is a total of 6
jurisdictions and twelve members and twelve alternates. So, he does not know how
much jurisdiction the County has, but he would just like to recommend to the Board that
they speak with Ms. Doughty and the Regional Partnership and hopefully convince her
and them that it is necessary to listen to the citizens as we come up and address our
questions and concerns. This is not something that is going to go away for the Western
Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority because we have a petition with over 250
signatures; there were more than 100 people at the meeting on Thirlane Road and the
better they get their message across the better the process will go forward.
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor McNamara moved to receive and file the following reports and
Supervisor Peters seconded the motion. The motion carried by the following recorded
vote:
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara Peters
NAYS: None
1. Unappropriated, Board Contingency and Capital Reserves Report
2. Outstanding Debt Report
3. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Revenues as of
January 31, 2017
4. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Expenditures and
Encumbrances as of January 31, 2017
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128
5. Accounts Paid - January 31, 2017
6. Proclamation signed by the Chairman – Vietnam Veterans Days
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor Peters stated he would like to make a couple of comments.
First he would like to reiterate the success of the Regional Partnership. It has done a lot
of great things for our region. Secondly, he also noticed that the Airport was in the
news about a week or so ago with increased traffic and thinks that is a good sign for our
airport and something we have been working very diligently with the staff and the
executor over there to see what we can do to facilitate growth at that airport. We know
that it is important to our business community. He would like to thank our general
assembly, who just finished their session and passed a budget that will take care of a lot
of our State employees and with that being said he would like to thank our employees
for everything they do to keep our County moving forward.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated he just had a couple of points. He sent out
an email today to his constituents because he had a couple of people asking him and it
has come up before. This one was prompted because a couple of the news sites were
talking to the governor about the budget and every year within a budget cycle or
anytime, it seems like either surplus or deficit; extra money for this, no money for that. It
confuses people and when the Governor came on the news outlet, he said that we had
a balanced budget and possibly even a surplus and that really confused some folks. He
wants to clarify something and this is to the best of his knowledge and if it something
that he needs to be corrected on, so be it. Most people in the community think that a
balanced budget means that you are able to pay all of your bills with the money you get
in. The caveat that has been added by government especially is that they borrow
money all the time to pay for things that they do, but they still consider it a balanced
budget. When he looks at people’s homes, if you always had to use a credit card to buy
things, but you pay the credit card bill when it came in all the time, the minimum
amount, would you really have a balanced budget at home. He would have to say that
we could argue about that, have a discussion, but the reality is he thinks when someone
says they have a balanced home budget, they are not into debt; they are not into credit
cards. They pay because they make the money and use it to buy the things they want.
He added that he wanted to remind everybody or maybe for the first time, let people
know that no government has a balanced budget because they just use the money they
get to pay for stuff. They all borrow money. Roanoke County has a $170 million debt
load right now and we distribute a lot of our debt even to other Authorities that we have
created. We created eight authorities; one of them was just speaking today. We have
the Water Authority, the Broadband Authority. All of those Authorities borrow money
also and Roanoke County will pay part of that bill. We don’t consider that debt, but they
borrow money and that is about $260 million of debt that the Authorities have. Roanoke
County has another $170 million of debt and then all the other Cities and Counties
February 28, 2017
129
around our area also have debt. He sent out a note saying there is about $1.5 billion
worth of debt in SW Virginia. That is the debt load that we handle in SW Virginia if you
look at Montgomery County, Roanoke City, Franklin County, City of Salem. He has
looked at the numbers so don’t think that your local governments are operating without
debt. They borrow money and in order for us to do anything that we want to do, we
have to borrow money and that is just the way it is. A lot of times we focus all of our
attention on the federal government and say the federal government has all this debt,
trillions of dollars. Every locality has debt and he would like to see us get away from it.
He is old fashioned; he realizes that. He was brought up a certain way, his brother, his
sister and himself, they are all out of debt. Everything they get they just pay for it. It is a
beautiful way to live life and he would strongly suggest it for governments to do the
same. Finally, as he ends, he continually urges United Way to stop funding Planned
Parenthood and he loves it because our President has actually told four nations that
they will no longer be using the money we give them to support abortion across the
globe. He thinks that is a great first step. He appreciates his leadership on that and
hope we would continue it. We here in Roanoke do help the United Way, which in turn
does help fund Planned Parenthood and anyway you look at it, Planned Parenthood is
in the business of abortions. So, he would strongly urge Roanoke County to stop
funding United Way.
Supervisor Hooker stated she just has one quick comment. In response
to Mr. Moore. Thank you for coming. Thank you for your comments and living near the
Woodhaven property, she understands his concerns and wants to give input that is
being heard and have heard the same commentary from other citizens. She just wants
him to know that she is here for him and she will be giving input and she appreciate his
coming today.
Supervisor McNamara stated the only thing he would add is that we will be
going into a work session. We are in budget time. So, there is a lot of folks in certain
areas with a lot of needs with limited resources. So it is our job at the end of the day to
try to align those needs with the resources and find where those lines cross. It is
certainly one of the most important things we do. We do take it very, very seriously.
Everyone on this board is certainly involved in the development and the input we put
forward is very much appreciated.
Chairman McNamara recessed to the fourth floor at 3:40 p.m. for work
session.
IN RE: WORK SESSIONS
1.Work session to review with the Board of Supervisors fiscal year
2017-2018 General Government Fund operating budget revenues
(Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance; Christopher Bever, Director
of Management and Budget)
130 February 28, 2017
Mr. Bever provided a PowerPoint presentation. He then explained the
need for the public hearing on the "increase" in real estate on March 28, 2017.
Supervisor McNamara inquired with regard to outside agencies, why not
do ahead and get out of the way. He added that he wants to see both contractual and
other.
The work session was held from 3:56 pm until 4:40 p.m.
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman McNamara adjourned the meeting at 4:40 p.m.
b itted by: Approved by:
Deborah C. Jar • eph P. McNamara
Chief Deputy erk to the Board hairman