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Home My WebLink About1/16/2019 - Minutes - The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Roanoke County Administration Center 4TH Floor Training Room,,5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke,Virginia 24018 Minutes Wednesday,January 16,2019 The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County,Virginia met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center ANNUAL MEETING Members Present Vice Chairman-Woody Windley • Greg Apostolou Max Beyer Kyle Richardson Ssunny Shah Kirtesh Patel Ruth Ellen Kuhnel, Counsel Jill Loope,Secretary-Treasurer Glenna Ratcliffe, Recording Clerk Members Absent Steve Musselwhite, Chairman Leon McGhee Michael Cagle Guest Rebecca Owens, Assistant County Administrator;Evan Malone, Financial Analyst; Ashley A nderson, Finance Manager; Amanda McGee, Regional Planner II at.Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chairman Woody Windley determined a quorum was established and called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. REQUEST TO POSTPONE, ADD TO, OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA ITEMS No Changes APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 12,2018 MINUTES A motion was made by Mr. Apostolou and seconded by Mr. Shah to approve the minutes of December 12, 2018 as presented.The motion carried by unanimous voice'vote. Page 2 of 5 January 16,2019 Economic Development Authority Minutes FINANCE REPORT Evan Malone, Financial Analyst, reviewed the information provided on the financial report for the month ending December 31, 2018. On motion by Mr. Byer to accept and approve the financial report as presented, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. NEW BUSINESS ELECTION OF OFFICERS At this time, Vice-Chairman Windley stated the floor was open for nominations for Chair and Vice- Chair of the EDA. Greg Apostolou made a motion to reappoint Steve Musselwhite as Chairman. Steve Anderson seconded the motion which carried by unanimous voice vote. Kirtesh Patel made a motion to reappoint Woody Windley as Vice-Chair. Ssunny Shah seconded the motion which carried by unanimous voice vote Ms. Kuhnel stated the EDA By-Laws assign the Secretary-Treasurer position to the Director of Economic Development. BRIEFING BY AMANDA MCGEE At this time, Amanda McGee gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Roanoke River Blueway. A copy of the presentation is attached. The Roanoke River Blueway is a 45-mile stretch of the Roanoke River which begins in Montgomery County and stretches through the heart of the Cities of Salem and Roanoke before continuing on to the scenic Roanoke River Gorge in Roanoke County. Ms. McGee reviewed the regional funding contribution which runs for 5 years (FY16 — FY20). She stated a goal of the committee is to renew funding from the localities. Ms. Loope requested that Ms. McGee forward information regarding the Blueway for inclusion in the Economic Development Newsletter. - Ms. McGee stated an important issue now is wayfinding signage as there is currently very little directional signage throughout the region. The City-owned bridges have signage but there needs to be communication for BlueWay signage region wide. Mr. Shah stated wayfinding signage is very important throughout the county and suggested a briefing in the future from Virginia's Blue Ridge on their plan. Ms. Loope stated that the wayfinding implementation plan is being refined and would be presented at a future meeting. Page 3 of 5 January 16,2019 Economic Development Authority Minutes CLOSED MEETING At 9:20 a.m., Woody Windley moved to go into closed session,pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711 A (5) Discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business' or industry's interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community. The motion was seconded by Ssunny Shah and carried by the following recorded vote. AYES: Kirtesh Patel, Ssunny Shah, Steve Anderson,Max Beyer, Greg Apostolou,Kyle Richardson, and Woody Windley NAYS: NONE ABSENT: Leon McGhee, Mike Cagle and Steve Musselwhite The closed meeting was held from 9:20 a.m. until 10:05 a.m. Certifying the closed meeting was held in conformity with the Code of Virginia WHEREAS,the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia has convened a closed meeting on January 16, 2019 pursuant to an affirmation-recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act. WHEREAS,the public business matters addressed in the closed meeting were exempt from the open meeting requirements,pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 A(5) discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business' or industry's interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community. Section §2.2-3712(D) of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia, that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with the Virginia Code. NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED,that the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia, hereby certifies that,to the best of each members knowledge only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia At 10:05 a.m., Steve Anderson moved to return to open session and adopt the resolution. The motion was filed and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Kirtesh Patel, Ssunny Shah, Steve Anderson, Max Beyer, Greg Apostolou,Kyle Richardson, and Woody Windley NAYS: NONE ABSENT: Leon McGhee,Mike Cagle and Steve Musselwhite Page 4 of 5 January 16,2019 Economic Development Authority Minutes UPDATES—JILL LOOPE Ribbon Cutting Ceremony—January 24th at 11:00 a.m. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and announcement next Thursday at the Bent Mountain Fire Station. She stated a new wireless internet provider, MtnNet will be announced which will serve approximately 118 homes in the rural Bent Mountain area. Regional Entrepreneurship Summit—January 16 at 4:00 p.m. The Valley's Innovation Council will hold a Regional Entrepreneurship Summit and a Pre- Summit Regional Leaders Event at 4:00 p.m. on January 16th at Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Members are encouraged to attend. The Gauntlet The GAUNTLET is Virginia's Largest Business Program and Competition open to interested entrepreneurs of all ages and skill sets. Entrepreneurs participate in weekly business training sessions and network with-successful entrepreneurs, fellow GAUNTLET participants, and mentors, to develop business strategies that provide a roadmap to success. Roanoke County Economic Development has been instrumental in the success of this program by providing support in manyareas. Applications are available now with weekly classes beginning Tuesday, February 5th,2019 from 6:00—7:30 pm. AEP Land Transaction Complete The real estate transaction between the Economic Development Authority and Appalachian Electric Power is'complete. As reflected in the financial report, the sale proceeds of $1.050 million have been deposited into the EDA account. The rezoning process continues with the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meeting in February to accommodate the project and amend the covenants for the Center for Research and Technology. All parties involved are in agreement with, and have signed the rezoning application. Lidl Property Greg Apostolou asked if there was any movement on the Lidl property on Williamson Road. He stated this property has been disturbed for some time and is unsightly to the public and adjoining businesses. Ms. Loope stated the property is for sale; however, there has been no movement and there is really nothing.the county can do to improve the situation. Tanglewood County representatives plan to meet with owners of Tanglewood next week to discuss their progress with leasing and redevelopment plans. Page5of5 January 16,2019 Economic Development Authority Minutes Route 419 Plan The Route 419 Plan is scheduled to go before the Board of Supervisors in the spring or early summer. Ms. Kuhnel pointed out this is only a plan and no money is attached to the approval of the Plan. Implementation of the Plan will be a separate process. SouthPeak Venture Storage Group, LLC plans to go through the rezoning process for an indoor climate control storage building at SouthPeak. Lengthy discussion is expected regarding this request to determine if this is an appropriate use for SouthPeak. The Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors will conduct public hearings regarding this request. EDA Members can reach out to Board Members and attend the public hearings to offer input on any rezoning request. At this time, Mr. Beyer recommended the EDA reach out to the new County Administration in an effort to ascertain the Administration's priorities regarding the Economic Development Authority. Ms. Loope stated that this is being discussed and plans for a future meeting are underway, with the date to be determined. NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING The next scheduled meeting is February 20,2019 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted, ikoope Secretary-Treasurer