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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/1/2021 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Roanoke County Administration Center Minutes Roanoke, Virginia 24018 Wednesday, September 1, 2021, the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia met at the Roanoke County Administration Center EDA Members Present Steve Musselwhite, Chair Woody Windley, Vice-Chair Greg Apostolou Max Beyer Ssunny Shah Michael Cagle Steve Anderson Kyle Richardson Barry Thompson Peter Lubeck, Counsel Jill Loope, Secretary-Treasurer Members Absent Patel Kirtesh Guest Wade Tayler, Economic Development Manager, Joe Zielinski, Economic Development Specialist, Jessica Beemer, Assistant Finance Director, Jessica Lovell, Financial Analyst, Philip Thompson, Director of Planning, Bailey Howard- Dubois, Principal Planner, and Allison Fay, Recording Clerk CALL TO ORDER Chairman Steve Musselwhite called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. REQUEST TO POSTPONE, ADD TO, OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA ITEMS No changes to the agenda. APPROVAL OF JULY 21, 2021 MINUTES On motion by Greg Apostolou to approve the minutes of July 21, 2021 as presented, seconded by Ssunny Shah the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Page 2of5 September 1, 2021 Economic Development Authority Minutes FINANCE REPORT Ms. Jessica Beemer, Assistant Director of Finance, introduced herself and explained that Mr. Malone, Financial Analyst for the Department of Finance, recently left county employment and she would be presenting the Finance Report. She then reviewed the information provided in the financial report through July 31, 2021, and discussed recent changes to the report formatting. On motion by Barry Thompson to accept and approve the financial report as presented, seconded by Woody Windley, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Ms. Loope thanked the Board for their patience with changes to Board meeting dates as staff has been working through details associated with grant application deadlines. NEW BUSINESS Authorization of the Chairman (or Vice-Chair) to endorse memoranda of understanding or statements of intent in which the EDA agrees to assist with the financing of broadband infrastructure expansion projects, including Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) projects. Mr. Lubeck reviewed the 2022 Virginia Telecommunications initiative (VATI) grant program to the Board. He discussed the guidelines and requirements of the program and how it relates to broadband infrastructure. Mr. Lubeck stated that 33% of the county is currently underserved and during the COVID pandemic we have an even higher need for broadband in the area. He said September 14th was the grant submittal deadline and reviewed the process. Mr. Lubeck said the VATI program was a very competitive grant application process and the county needed to act swiftly. He reviewed the Memorandum of Agreement included in the Board's agenda packet and said he recommends the Board participate in the program. Mr. Lubeck explained if the grant is awarded, the funds get transferred to the EDA Board and this agreement will assist in passing this requirement and will speed up the process. He stated the certificate that is needed from the Board will help staff to move quicker to meet the guidelines that are required. Mr. Lubeck said if the grant was awarded to the county, a private provider would work with the county in getting the technology installed and listed potential providers. Mr. Beyer said he was concerned with relinquishing the Board's authority to review provider responses. Page 3 of 5 September 1, 2021 Economic Development Authority Minutes Mr. Lubeck said that outside providers will be heavily vetted by the County Attorney's office, County Administration and County IT Department. Mr. Musselwhite said for us to be competitive we need to move forward with the request. Mr. Richardson said the federal infrastructure portion is going to be part of the broadband master plan. He said if awarded funds Bill Hunter, Director of CommiT for the County, is working very diligently on this and a plan will be in place. Mr. Beyer asked why the Board could not just meet when needed. He said he was in support of broadband in the area he was just not comfortable with not having prior review of items that should be going before this Board. Mr. Windley stated there was no risk to the Board by approving the MOU Agreement. Mr. Lubeck said that was correct. Ms. Loope stated the Board does often provide approval for similar requests, and staff will share information to the Board as the VATI grant process progresses. Mr. Greg Apostolou moved to approve the EDA's participation in applying for a 2022 Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and accordingly authorize: 1. The Chairman (or Vice Chair) to endorse Memoranda of understanding with Roanoke County and other private partners, for submission to the DHCD, in applying for VATI grants, and 2. Upon receipt of a VATI award from DHCD, that we further authorize the EDA to receive funds from Roanoke County and to provide such funds to private partners, as grants, in order to facilitate expansion of broadband infrastructure and services in the County. Seconded by Ssunny Shah, the motion carried on a vote of 7 to 1: AYES: Mr. Musselwhite, Mr. Windley, Mr. Apostolou, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Shah and Mr. Richardson, Mr. Cagle, Mr. Thompson, ABSTAIN: None NAYS: Mr. Beyer ABSENT: None Discussion of Vinton Business Center Property Ownership Ms. Loope stated that in 2012, the County transferred ownership of the Center for Research and Technology to the Authority, and explained that the transfer allows for the Authority to expedite property sales with prospective businesses. She stated the request to transfer the Vinton Business Center ownership from the County to the EDA Page 4 of 5 September 1, 2021 Economic Development Authority Minutes is for the same purpose. She stated that the Town of Vinton agrees with the request, and that there was not a lot of remaining property available to market. Ms. Loope stated this item was going before the Board of Supervisors at their October 5 and 19 meetings, and then it would come before this Board. Ms. Loope stated that no action was needed today, she just wanted to let the Board know this would be coming before them. Roanoke County 200 Comprehensive Plan presentation and Update Zoning Director Philip Thompson stated he and his staff would be presenting the 200 Plan. He stated they have started to have community meetings and encourages the public to attend. Ms. Howard-DuBois provided a PowerPoint presentation and reviewed the proposed plan and discussed the following items; purpose of the plan, the plan phases, progress update, data reports and existing conditions, completion of stakeholder meetings, community voice stakeholders, community engagement strategy, meeting schedule, meeting exhibits, story maps and virtual input options and marketing plan. Ms. Loope encouraged to the Board to attend a community meeting. The Board thanked staff for the presentation. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES Ms. Loope said there has been activity at Tanglewood with new businesses coming in and reviewed new developments along the 419 corridor. Mr. Loope explained the September 2nd grand opening of Carilion's Children Hospital was unfortunately canceled due to COVID concerns. She then provided an update on items that would be moving forward to the Board of Supervisors and would be coming before the EDA Board in the coming months. Ms. Loope stated the Economic Development Department had received a Bronze Award for Excellence in Economic Development from the International Economic Development Council and a VaCO achievement award recognizing the Department for the Town of Vinton Revitalization projects. REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS No items reported at this time. Page5of5 September 1, 2021 Economic Development Authority Minutes ADJOURNMENT On motion by Kyle Richardson and second by Barry Thompson, the Economic Development Authority meeting was adjourned at 11:52 a.m. The next scheduled meeting will be on October 20th at 9:00 am on the fourth floor of the Roanoke County Administration Center. Respectfully submitted, Ji Loope Secretary-Treasurer