HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/28/2017 - Regular
March 28, 2017
143
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the
Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the fourth Tuesday and the second
regularly scheduled meeting of the month of March 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 District
Superintendent Greg Reynolds of the Wesleyan Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was
recited by all present.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman McNamara called the meeting to order at 3:02 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: REQUESTS TO POSTPONE, ADD TO, OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF
AGENDA ITEMS
Mr. Thomas Gates, County Administrator requested the Briefing to provide
an update on the marketing of the Foster Parent Recruitment Program to the April 11,
2017, meeting. There were no objections.
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IN RE: BRIEFINGS
1. Briefing to provide an update on the marketing of the Foster
Parent Recruitment Program (Joyce Earl, Director of Social
Services; Brittany Shrock, Family Services Specialist)
This agenda item was postponed to the April 11, 2017 Board Meeting.
IN RE: NEW BUSINESS
1. Request to approve the Cable Television budget for fiscal year
2017-2018 (Elaine Bays-Murphy, Director of Cable Access)
Ms. Bays-Murphy outlined the request. Supervisor Bedrosian commented
his approval.
Supervisor McNamara’s motion to approve the Cable Television budget
for fiscal year 2017-2017 was seconded by Supervisor Peters and was approved by the
following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
IN RE: REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND FIRST READING OF
REZONING ORDINANCES - CONSENT AGENDA
1. The petition of Richard Rife, Rife + Wood Architects, to rezone
approximately 0.374 acre from R-1, Low Density Residential,
District to C-1, Low Intensity Commercial, District, located at 3722
Colonial Avenue, Cave Spring Magisterial District
Supervisor Assaid’s motion to approve the first reading and set the second
reading for April 25, 2017, was seconded by Supervisor Hooker and approved by the
following vote:
AYES: Supervisor Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, McNamara, Peters
NAYS: None
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IN RE: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance appropriating funds in the amount of $335,000 from
revenues collected by the County of Roanoke Library System to
the General Government Library Department for fiscal year 2016-
2017 (Christopher R. Bever, Director, Management and Budget;
Toni Cox, Assistant Director of Library Services)
Mr. Bever advised there were no changes from first reading. There was
no discussion.
ORDINANCE 032817-2 APPROPRIATING FUNDS IN THE
AMOUNT OF $335,000 FROM REVENUES COLLECTED BY THE
COUNTY OF ROANOKE LIBRARY SYSTEM TO THE GENERAL
GOVERNMENT LIBRARY DEPARTMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR
2016-2017
WHEREAS, the Library Department receives, throughout the year, revenue
associated with services and products provided to the public; and
WHEREAS, the Library Department receives reimbursement from the Schools
and Libraries program, also known as the E-Rate program, implemented by the Federal
Communications Commission; and
WHEREAS, for fiscal year 2016-2017 those revenues and reimbursements were
not included as part of the approved budget ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Library Department relies on those revenues to offset annual
operating costs; and
WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter provides that funds be
appropriated by ordinance before they are expended; and
WHEREAS, first reading of this ordinance was held on March 14, 2017, and the
second reading was held on March 28, 2017.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
1. That the sum of $335,000 is hereby appropriated from revenue received
by the Library System to the General Government Library Department budget for fiscal
year 2016-2017; and
2. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after the date of adoption.
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the ordinance seconded by
Supervisor Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
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IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA
RESOLUTION 032817-3 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 March 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 4 inclusive, as follows:
1. Approval of minutes – January 24, 2017
2. Request to accept and allocate funds in the amount of $4,523.96 to the Clerk
of the Circuit Court from the Commonwealth of Virginia
3. Proclamation declaring April 9 through 15, 2017, as National Public Safety
Telecommunicators Week in the County of Roanoke
4. Confirmation of appointment to the Virginia Western Community College
Board of Directors (At-Large)
On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the resolution, seconded by
Supervisor Peters and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
A-032817-3.a
A-032817-3.b
A-032817-3.c
IN RE: REPORTS
Supervisor moved to receive and file the following reports. The motion
carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Moore, Bedrosian, Church, McNamara Peters
NAYS: None
1. Unappropriated, Board Contingency and Capital Reserves Report
2. Outstanding Debt Report
3. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Revenues as of
February 28, 2017
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4. Comparative Statement of Budgeted and Actual Expenditures and
Encumbrances as of February 28, 2017
5. Accounts Paid – February 28, 2017
Chairman McNamara recessed to the fourth floor at 3:12 pm for work
session.
IN RE: WORK SESSIONS
1. Work session to review with the Board of Supervisors employee
compensation and benefits as part of the County Administrator's
proposed fiscal year 2017-2018 operating budget (Thomas C.
Gates, County Administrator; Christopher R. Bever, Director,
Management and Budget; Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance;
Anne Marie Green, Director of Human Resources)
Mr. Gates provided a brief introduction and turned the meeting over to Ms.
Green for a PowerPoint presentation. Anita Hassell, Assistant Director of Human
Resources provided an overview of the demographics. Mr. Bever outlined the
information in the proposed budget with regard to compensation and benefits.
Supervisor McNamara commented he likes that our employees are taken
care of and that one of the big factors as noted on page 18 of the presentation is
healthcare costs and staff has taken care of that so the gap is not as bad as the chart
indicates. He indicates that health care is the major factor in inflation.
Supervisor Peters requested that Supervisor McNamara clarify his
comments; chart is worse or better. Supervisor McNamara responded he feels the
employees are better off because healthcare is a significant cost in the inflation factor.
Supervisor Peters stated he respectfully disagreed. Supervisor McNamara provided an
example using healthcare costs at 20% of your GDP. If healthcare went up 10%, that
20% is now 22% so it had a 2% increase in the inflation rate, CPI, of the whole 100%.
He is suggesting that healthcare is probably at least one third (estimate) and of that
inflation percentage, healthcare accounts for about one third and we have kept our
employees, for the most part, reasonably harmless on their healthcare rates. So, he
would say we are probably not doing as bad as the chart would say. Instead of using
inflation, just strip out the healthcare component because that is what everyone’s
expense is.
Ms. Green and Ms. Hassell reviewed the wellness program. Mr. Bever
outlined the budget impact of the wellness changes.
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Supervisor McNamara stated wellness happened because we had no
choice; has been fabulous not only on a dollar standpoint but the health of the
employees. Sound logic behind what was put together today. He indicated that he has
spoken to all Board members and very strong support. He added if we end up with
1.5% on compensation it would be better off than surrounding localities. Supervisor
McNamara then advised the agreement on Board is different than what is proposed;
should we adjust before we have the public hearing.
Mr. Gates indicated that the public hearing is an opportunity to weigh in
and feels there is sufficient time to make any adjustments.
The work session was held from 3:32 p.m. until 4:40 p.m.
Chairman McNamara called the meeting back into session at 7:01 pm
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public hearing for citizen comment on the effective Real Estate
Tax Rate for calendar year 2017 (Christopher R. Bever, Director,
Management and Budget; William E. "Billy" Driver, Director of
Real Estate)
Mr. Bever outlined the need for the public hearing.
Chairman McNamara opened and closed the public hearing with no
citizens to speak.
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION
1. Public hearing for citizen comment on the maximum 2017
calendar year tax rates for Real Estate, Personal Property, and
Machinery and Tools Taxes (Christopher R. Bever, Director,
Management and Budget)
Mr. Bever outlined the request for public hearing.
Chairman McNamara opened and closed the public hearing with no
citizens to speak.
2. Resolutions to set the following maximum tax rates for calendar
year 2017:
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(a) Resolution to set the Real Estate maximum tax rate for
calendar year 2017 to support the fiscal year 2017-2018
operating budget
Supervisor Bedrosian asked Mr. Bever to confirm how much extra
revenue was brought in with the assessments with Mr. Bever advising the 1.1% was
about $965,000 and with new construction the increase was $1.6 million. Supervisor
Bedrosian stated to get the same revenue as last year, the rate would be $1.078 with
Mr. Bever confirming. Supervisor Bedrosian asked to provide a substitute motion with
Chairman McNamara stating he would not entertain; it is not in Roberts Rules.
Supervisor Bedrosian asked for clarification from the County Attorney.
Ms. Kuhnel advised if the Chairman asked you not to, do not offer one and vote on the
motion first.
RESOLUTION 032817-4 TO SET THE REAL ESTATE MAXIMUM
TAX RATE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2017 TO SUPPORT THE
FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018 OPERATING BUDGET
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors of Roanoke Virginia will
set maximum tax rates for calendar year 2017 to support the fiscal year 2017-2018
operating budget; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing for citizen comments on setting maximum tax rates
was held on March 28, 2017, at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County Virginia; and
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors will adopt final 2017
calendar year tax rates to support the fiscal year 2017-2018 operating budget on April
11, 2017, following a public hearing for citizen comments on adopting calendar year
2017 tax rates;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Roanoke County Board of
Supervisors of Roanoke Virginia, set the following Real Estate maximum tax rate for
calendar year 2017 to support the fiscal year 2017-2018 operating budget:
(A) The Real Estate Tax for calendar year 2017 is set at a rate of not more than
$1.09 per $100 of assessed valuation.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
McNamara and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: Supervisor Bedrosian
(b) Resolution to set the Personal Property maximum tax rate for
calendar year 2017 to support the fiscal year 2017-2018
operating budget
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There was no discussion.
RESOLUTION 032817-5 TO SET THE PERSONAL
PROPERTY MAXIMUM TAX RATE FOR CALENDAR YEAR
2017 TO SUPPORT THE FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018
OPERATING BUDGET
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors of Roanoke Virginia will
set maximum tax rates for calendar year 2017 to support the fiscal year 2017-2018
operating budget; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing for citizen comments on setting maximum tax rates
was held on March 28, 2017 at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County Virginia; and
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors will adopt final 2017
calendar year tax rates to support the fiscal year 2017-2018 operating budget on April
11, 2017 following a public hearing for citizen comments on adopting calendar year
2017 tax rates;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Roanoke County Board of
Supervisors of Roanoke Virginia, set the following Personal Property maximum tax rate
for calendar year 2017 to support the fiscal year 2017-2018 operating budget:
(A) The Personal Property Tax for calendar year 2017 is set at a rate of not more
than $3.50 per $100 of assessed valuation.
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
(c) Resolution to set the Machinery and Tools maximum tax rate
for calendar year 2017 to support the fiscal year 2017-2018
operating budget
Supervisor Bedrosian asked what the reduction would be in terms of
dollars with Mr. Bever responding every penny is approximately $9,100 so it would be
$45,400. Supervisor Bedrosian noted out of a budget of $187 million, this is a $45,000
reduction in the tax. He then asked what percentage of the whole budget this reduction
is; hard to calculate. Supervisor stated the Board has done this the last several years
so that we can say we have had a tax cut. He advised he would say yes to this
because any amount of money is good, but would say this is a targeted tax cut and
would also say that we need to start thinking a little bit more broadly and think of what is
best for all citizens of Roanoke County, not just a targeted group of people and we
should have tax cuts for every citizen; that is our job to represent the citizens and yet we
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cannot go with tax cuts on something that would affect everybody and we target it to
something that is so small that again he cannot figure out, it is tenths of pennies on the
dollar so small and yet we can have it recorded in the Roanoke Times that the Board of
Supervisors cut taxes.
Supervisor Peters stated he would like to clarify that he feels this tax cut
effects everyone; not everyone owns real estate, not everybody owns a car, but
everybody buys something and this effects machinery and tools. We have made the
intention over the last several years to reduce it in a manner that is in accordance with
our budget and what we are all trying to achieve here. So, he does not think this is a
targeted cut. He is like everyone else, he would like to see more, but at the end of the
day, this is something that he thinks would affect everyone in our population.
Supervisor McNamara stated he would also like to comment on the tax
cut; any tax cut is a good tax cut. So, he would argue that you would be hard pressed
to find a county in Virginia that has lowered taxes over the last three years and he thinks
you would be even harder pressed to find someone that has lowered taxes three years
in a row. Whether it is big or small, it is still lowering taxes and is demonstrating a
commitment to our business community and our economic development so he is quite
proud to support this action.
Supervisor Bedrosian stated he totally agrees that any tax cut is a good
tax cut, which is why he said he would vote for this. He just thinks though, .0002 of a
percent is the reduction. We have a $187 million that we bring in from the citizens of
Roanoke County and now we are going to give back .0002 and make a big deal about
it. He is saying it is not such a great deal; we should do bigger things. As you just said,
we are bringing in $965,000 more in revenue in Roanoke County from citizens. Citizens
are paying that money with the assessment in real estate going up.
RESOLUTION 032817-6 TO SET THE MACHINERY AND TOOLS
MAXIMUM TAX RATE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2017 TO
SUPPORT THE FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018 OPERATING BUDGET
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors of Roanoke Virginia will
set maximum tax rates for calendar year 2017 to support the fiscal year 2017-2018
operating budget; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing for citizen comments on setting maximum tax rates
was held on March 28, 2017 at a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of
Roanoke County Virginia;
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors will adopt final 2017
calendar year tax rates to support the fiscal year 2017-2018 operating budget on April
11, 2017 following a public hearing for citizen comments on adopting calendar year
2017 tax rates;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Roanoke County Board of
Supervisors of Roanoke Virginia, set the following Machinery and Tools maximum tax
rate for calendar year 2017 to support the fiscal year 2017-2018 operating budget:
(A) The Machinery and Tools Tax for calendar year 2017 is set at a rate of not
more than $2.85 per $100 of assessed valuation.
On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor
McNamara and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: Supervisor Assaid
IN RE: PUBLIC HEARING AND SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES
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)
Mr. Thompson outlined the request for rezoning.
Chairman McNamara opened and closed the public hearing with no
citizens to speak on this item.
ORDINANCE 032817-7 REZONING APPROXIMATELY 6.656
ACRES TO AMEND PROFFERED CONDITIONS ON PROPERTY
ZONED R-4C LOCATED AT 6430 AND 6451 ARCHCREST
DRIVE, HOLLINS MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT (TAX MAP NOS.
026.16-02-14.00 AND 026.16-02-14.06)
WHEREAS, in 2009, the Board of Supervisors approved a request to rezone
approximately 6.656 acres of property at 6430 and 6451 Archcrest Drive, in the Hollins
Magisterial District (Tax Map Nos. 026.16-02-14 and 026.16-02-14.06) (the “Property”)
from C-2 and R-3 to R-4 for the purpose of constructing a mix of multi-family residences
and townhouses, with the proffered condition not to exceed 115 units; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, the Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning request on
the Property to amend the proffered conditions to substitute multi-family units for the
townhouse units; and
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WHEREAS, this rezoning request seeks to amend the previously proffered
condition regarding maximum units as well as the proffered master plan to add one
additional twelve-unit multi-family building to the site.
WHEREAS, the first reading of this ordinance was held on February 28, 2017,
and the second reading and public hearing were held on March 28, 2017; and
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Planning Commission held a public hearing on
this matter on March 7, 2017, and subsequently recommended approval of the rezoning
application; and
WHEREAS, legal notice and advertisement has been provided as required by
law.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as
follows:
1. The proffered conditions on 6.656 acres of property at 6430 and 6451
Archcrest Drive, in the Hollins Magisterial District (Tax Map Nos. 026.16-02-
14 and 026.16-02-14.06) are hereby amended as follows:
a. The developer hereby proffers substantial conformance with the
"Suncrest Masterplan", prepared by Balzer and Associates, Inc. dated
3/17/2014 1/10/2017.
b. The developer proffers a maximum of 115 126 residential units for the
R-4 portion of the subject property.
c. There will be no vehicular access from Vivian Avenue to the subject
parcel.
d. Signage for the Suncrest community will be provided by a monument
style sign not to exceed 8' in height and 15' in width and be in
compliance with Section 30-93 Signs of the Roanoke County Zoning
Ordinance.
e. Site and parking lot lighting shall be provided utilizing residential post
top mounted fixtures.
f. A 15' buffer yard shall be provided along the eastern property line and
a portion of the northern property line as indicated in Section 30-92-6
of the Roanoke County Zoning Ordinance.
g. The community walking trail shall be a minimum of 5' in width and be
constructed of asphalt, concrete, or a crushed stone material to be
completed with each residential phase of construction.
h. The developer hereby proffers substantial conformance with the
"Suncrest Multifamily Residential Development Front Elevation",
prepared by Balzer and Associates, Inc. dated 4/15/2014.
i. The only construction entrance for this development shall be from
Peters Creek Road.
2. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its
final passage. All ordinances or part of ordinances in conflict with the
provisions of this ordinance shall be, and the same hereby are, repealed. The
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Zoning Administrator is directed to amend the zoning district map to reflect
the change in zoning classification authorized by this ordinance.
On motion of Supervisor Bedrosian to adopt the ordinance seconded by
Supervisor Assaid and carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Supervisors Assaid, Bedrosian, Hooker, Peters, McNamara
NAYS: None
IN RE: CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Gary Greer thanked the Board for allowing him to speak to the Board
about a concern of his and of many other Roanoke County neighbors. In 2002, he
suffered a massive heart attack at home. He lived in the City of Salem and their quick
response time saved his life since he needed to be defibrillated back on his living room
floor. When he decided to build a new home in Roanoke County, he felt safe in doing so
as the Mason’s Cove Fire and Rescue is approximately five minutes form his house and
that is his driving time. On November 5, 2016, his wife had to call 911 because he was
having symptoms of a heart attack. It took the rescue squad approximately 30 minutes
to get to his house. When he questioned the officials why it took so long, he found out
that Mason’s Cove only has one squad available due to the lack of personnel. This is
also true for Ft. Lewis and the Hollins squad. On that night, Mason’s Cove was out on a
call already and so was Ft. Lewis and Hollins. Finally, Hollins was able to leave their call
and come to his house. If this had been 2002, he would be dead. In the capital
improvement program, Mason’s Cove Fire and Rescue claims to have a response time
of six minutes, 80% of the time. He questioned that as twice in the last four months he
has had to call them and it took approximately 30 minutes and 15 minutes the second
time and it was not even Mason’s Cove. They did not come at all. This is too long to
save any lives and should not be the case when you live only five minutes from the
closest rescue squad. Rescue Squads for many years relied on volunteers. All
personnel in the Fire and Rescue Department, whether paid or volunteers, should be
applauded for their fine service. However, the days of people volunteering for the
Rescue Squads are long gone due to the changes in society and new regulations. We
can no longer rely on volunteers. He presented to the Board a petition signed by
approximately 400 Roanoke County citizens from many different neighborhoods. There
could have been more signatures if time and his health would have permitted. We would
like to request the Board to provide for the necessary paid rescue personnel to provide a
quicker response time and to provide for the needs of a growing older population and
growing business population. As an example, the Mason’s Cove Squad must serve the
needs of the many hikers that are hiking the trails and biking at Carvins Cove and the
600 employees at the new Allstate building. The top concern of many of the petitioners
is that Roanoke County is spending too much money on plans to bring more people into
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the County, such as Explore Park and the Green Ridge Recreation Center. This seems
to be without providing first for the safety of the already existing citizens. As the Board
decides on the funding and staffing of our Rescue Squads, please keep in mind that
there may be time when the lives of our children, our spouses, our parents, our
grandparents, our neighbors and even themselves may depend on your decision.
IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor Bedrosian first thanked Mr. Greer for presenting the
information that he did. It is definitely something that the Board needs to look at. When
he tries to think about our County and how big it is, it is an impossibility he guesses for
every citizen to always be covered no matter what happens, it is. There is going to
come a time and it is unfortunate in this situation that it was you. He would love to
check when we try to make that measure how many deviations we have from that norm
of the six minutes. He has never heard it be so far off the six minute mark. He also
mentioned something that as we continue to grow our County, which we always try to
do, get bigger and bigger, these problems are going to increase because we will have
more citizens to take care of and a lot of people will move to the outlying areas and it is
going to be harder and harder to take care of everybody all over the County and making
those times. Thank you, he appreciates him bringing it up and all the hard work that he
did. A lot of us on this panel know how hard it is to go out and get signatures from
people. Thank you, he appreciates him bringing to the Board and we will definitely look
at it. A couple of short comments. Around budget time, he always finds himself feeling
alienated from the process, because it is hard for him to believe in the process that we
are in when we do budgets. The reason for that is that he would just never do his own
home budget the way we do the budget here. He just wouldn’t because he would be in
debt the rest of his life and he does not like that as many people on this Board know.
He thinks debt is something to get out of because it gives you more prosperity. The
vision he has for Roanoke County is not to continue to manage our debt, year after year
after year and always go into budget meeting where he hears, “its tight this year, its
tight; can see it coming where we cannot provide the basic services it is so tight.” He
hates listening to that all the time. The reason he has to listen to that is that we
constantly get ourselves involved in projects year after year where we continue to spend
more and more money getting into debt and we have to make payments, which become
part of our operating costs and so we have $300,000 going to this Broadband payment.
We have $400,000 going to the Wood Haven Project. We just keep piling up payments
and we never get ahead, never. So, as Clint Eastwood said, “a man’s gotta know his
limitations” and he just feels like on this Board, he has it. He cannot effect anybody on
this Board; cannot effect how they vote. They will all vote for bigger and bigger budgets
and still vote for all the debt that we have. He just has to be true to the fact, this not the
way he operates his house; he would never do this to his children. He would never
continue to pass on debt to them. His thing is to get out of debt. When he looks at
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some of the things we have been involved in, discretionary spending was one of the
things that the County Administrator sent to us. He is going from memory and things
there is $350,000 with discretionary agency spending. These are like the Roanoke
Symphony or whatever agencies that we spend money on that are not contractual. This
is just discretionary; nice to send a check for this or that. His thing is that he votes zero
on all of them. We should never give a dime to any agency that is looking for money.
They need to get that money on their own. We need to spend our money on things that
are vital to everybody and a great case that came up is Fire and Rescue; $367,000. If
you weren’t so much in debt because of all these other things, you could really do things
that benefitted the community. Now, our County is constantly, we have $170 million
debt now that will go close to $200 million after we borrow the money for Cave Spring
so we will be right back up to what we had before. Again, when you have debt you
have interest obligations of about $7 or $8 million a year, which take away from doing
things that you really should do. He strongly urged the Board; maybe it will be a
different Board next year. Maybe his way of thinking is not the right way and one day
somebody will take his place and there will be five people that will constantly vote yes or
bigger spending and more debt. But, as long as he is here, he will continue to bring
these things up. In the agencies, a lot of people get on him for constantly touting that
United Way that we support and they give money to Planned Parenthood, which he
thinks is wrong. But, he does not discriminate against United Way; it is all the agencies.
We should not give any of them any money at all. It should all be zero and he thinks it
would be fair for everybody and it would be good for the citizens of Roanoke County.
He will end with this. He sits in meetings too; he was just in a compensation meeting
and it is hard for him to bring anything up anymore. We concentrate on Roanoke
County employees and our goal is to make them whole. He gets it; he understands.
Everybody has a family; everybody wants to make a living; they want to be taken care
of. He totally understands it and everybody works very hard, but we never talk about
making the citizens whole. He would just ask anybody in Roanoke County; the staff, if
you really want to know what your citizens of Roanoke County think, don’t put on these
community meetings where 100 come and they all basically have a stake in the process
or benefit from it somehow, go knock on doors. Go knock on doors with me while he
campaigns and any Supervisor on the Board if you go knock on somebody’s door you
will find out what is really going on in Roanoke County and how people are having a
tough time and yet we want to keep employees whole, but we never talk about keeping
the citizens whole and how we can push money back to the citizens and let them keep
more of their hard-earning money instead of constantly taking it into this building here
and then telling everybody how to spend it.
Supervisor Hooker stated she just had one quick note. She thanked Mr.
Greer for his comments and for his hard work and passion. You have a compelling
story and just want to let him know that she is real hopeful that we will have some
money set aside in this budget to add on additional personnel. It is not going to solve all
the issues, but it is a start. Thank you.
March 28, 2017
157
Supervisor Peters stated he also wants to comment to Mr. Greer. As
someone who has been a volunteer for 25 years, he believes it is harder and harder to
come by. However, he also knows there is another issue that you will never get rid of
and this when a 911 calls come in faster than they can be answered. He is out of the
Vinton station and he knows there are times when they are three, four, five calls deep
and those times are going to happen. Supervisor Hooker is right, we have already
requested four new positions in the upcoming budget. He does know that this Board
sees the need and we hope to address it. He knows staff has applied for a grant to get
more firefighters so we are very hopeful there. Beyond that, again, he would like to
thank everybody for the whole budget process. It is an interesting journey every year.
Also, thanks to our employees for all that they do in keeping Roanoke County going.
Supervisor McNamara stated he had just a few things. First of all, there
was a real good wrap up last week relative to the 419 process. He says it is a wrap up,
but it is still has to come before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.
There was a good group at the South County Library. He said at the beginning of the
meeting that as a community we are only as good as our people and very actively
engaged people makes for a fully engaged and very livable community. We are very
fortunate in Roanoke County to have so many folks that have an interest and care about
things, whether it is the visioning process or the Strategic Planning process, which was
very well attended. He would like to thank everyone that was involved with that.
Tomorrow at the Vinton War Memorial, we will have a wreath laying ceremony, which is
occurring at jurisdictions around the County at the same time. It is to honor Vietnam
veterans and their families for their courage, dedication and support that allows us to
maintain our lifestyle that we have. We very much appreciate them and what they do
within their families. It will be a noon tomorrow at the Vinton War Memorial and if
anyone is available and want to join us.
Supervisor Peters reminded Chairman McNamara that is at the
Vinton/Roanoke County Veterans Monument, which is on the ground at the War
Memorial.
Chairman McNamara thanked Supervisor Peters and added he did not
know there was a distinction. He does remember the monument though.
158 March 28, 2017
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman McNamara adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m.
• emitted by: Approved by:
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