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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/20/2019 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Roanoke County Administration Center 4TH-Floor Training Room,, 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke,Virginia 24018 Minutes Wednesday,February 20,2019,the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the Roanoke County.Administration Center Members Present Steve Musselwhite, Chairman Greg Apostolou Kyle Richardson Ssunny Shah Michael Cagle Steve Anderson Ruth Ellen Kuhnel,Counsel Jill Loope, Secretary-Treasurer Glenna Ratcliffe, Recording Clerk Members Absent Woody Windley Kirtesh Patel Max Beyer Guest Rebecca Owens, Assistant County Administrator; Laurie Gearheart, Acting Director of Finance; Jay Brenchick, Economic Development Manager; Alicia Petska, Roanoke Times Reporter CALL TO ORDER Chairman Steve Musselwhite 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 JANUARY 16,2019 MINUTES On motion by Ssunny Shah to approve the minutes of January 16, 2019 as presented,seconded by Steve Anderson,the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Page 2 of 5 February 20,2019 Economic Development Authority Minutes FINANCE REPORT Laurie Gearheart, Acting Director of Finance, reviewed the information provided on the financial report for the month ending January 31, 2019. On motion by Steve Anderson to accept and approve the financial report as presented, seconded by Mike Cagle, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. At this time,Rebecca Owens stated staff is still working on the rules adopted around the last bond issue as discussed at the December meeting. NEW BUSINESS. Presentation and Discussion with the County Administrator At this time, Jill Loope introduced Dan O'Donnell, newly appointed Roanoke County Administrator who gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding past EDA initiatives and the proposed FY 2020 and FY 2021 CIP projects for economic development. Mr.O'Donnell gave a brief bio stating the past 18 years he has served as Assistant Roanoke County Administrator, and during that time served as Acting County Administrator prior to the appointment of Mr. Gates. The County Board of Supervisors, Administration and Economic Development Authority (EDA) have partnered together to accomplish many Economic-Development initiatives: Lease Revenue Bond Funding for a variety of projects, Public Private Partnership Agreements, a variety of grant programs and land transactions(purchases and sales).He reviewed these projects and transactions. Mr. O'Donnell stated the County has seen small population decreases over the last two years as well as an aging population, causing County revenues to be flat. He discussed a meeting he attended with Mr. Fralin and Mr. Friedlander regarding the impact of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute on the region. -Although the project is located in the city, the project will have a huge impact on the entire region as they will be similar to the next NS Railroad and Advance Auto of the region. He stated he will attend another meeting at Riverside this spring and would like the (EDA) Chair and Vice-Chair to attend. Hopefully there will be subsequent meetings so other r members can participate. He stated he would also like to hold a work session with the EDA sometime in the summer. He stated he would give Ms. Loope data on the economic impact of the Virginia the School of Medicine at Riverside to share with the Authority members. Mr. O'Donnell stated he will deliver the Budget to the Board of Supervisors on March 12. -He then reviewed the County CIP summary of Projects and funding overview. There are two projects that support Economic Development initiatives in Roanoke County; the "Wood Haven Property Acquisition and Improvements," and the "Roanoke County Broadband Initiative." He stated the Wood Haven Project was moving forward with infrastructure and access road improvements. Page 3 of 5 February 20,2019 Economic Development Authority Minutes •4 After hearing the review by Mr. O'Donnell, Mr. Musselwhite stated he felt the Economic Development staff have done a remarkable job and thanked them for their good work. - Mr. O'Donnell also gave some background on the sale of a parcel of land containing 52.956 acres at the CRT. Mr. O'Donnell stated in 2013,the Board of Supervisors approved the conveyance of 430.27 acres of real estate located in the Center for Research and Technology from the Board of Supervisors to the Economic Development Authority in an effort to allow the County and the EDA to expedite economic development transactions. In December 2018, a contract of sale between the Roanoke County Economic Development Authority and Appalachian Power Company was approved, which generated $1.050 million in new revenues for the County. Mr. O'Donnell stated the County needs assistance for investments in Economic Development projects; the Wood Haven Property Acquisition and the Broadband Initiative (both CIP improvement projects) and would like to request approval to utilize the sale of the land proceeds from the Center for Research and Technology. Wood Haven: This project will create a 100+ acre business park, which will be owned and developed by the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority (WRIFA) which was formed in 2014 by Roanoke County, Franklin County,Botetourt County,the City of Roanoke,the City of Salem and the Town of Vinton. The purpose of the Authority is to provide a mechanism for localities to cooperate regionally on economic development projects. The Authority works closely with member governments and economic developers throughout the Roanoke Valley Region of Virginia. The project will increase the amount of marketable property in the Roanoke Valley available for business development. Wood Haven is included in the County's proposed CIP Projects. Another project included in the County's Proposed CIP is the Roanoke County Broadband initiative. The Roanoke County Broadband Initiative promotes economic development by providing affordable high speed broadband services in the Roanoke Valley. The Roanoke County Broadband Authority, on behalf of Roanoke County and as a part of a multi:jurisdictional effort constructed a 25 mile core fiber network in Roanoke County. The County's portion of the installation joins previous installations in the cities of Salem and Roanoke,ultimately providing a 75 mile fiber system for commercial, business and governmental use. Construction of the core fiber network in the County was completed in October 2017. Annual funding remains in the CIP to support debt service payments for the financing of the project. The EDA has gone on record in support of the Broadband initiative, and Mr. Shah stated that broadband is very important to the area. Page 4 of 5 February 20,2019 Economic Development Authority Minutes Mr. Cagle stated he would like for this to have been requested up front rather than receiving the information, and expected to vote on the request at the same meeting. Mr. Musselwhite stated the EDA wants to do whatever it can to be more a part of business attraction and proactive rather than reactive. On motion by Mr. Richardson, to approve a transfer of funds from the Authority to Roanoke County for the purposes of the County's proposed CIP funding for the Broadband Initiative and the Wood Haven Property Acquisition and improvements for the purpose of economic development for FY 2020 in the amount of$545,778 and FY 2021 in the amount of$545,705 through the use of funds accumulated from proceeds of the sale of land at the Center for Research and Technology (CRT),seconded by Mr. Shah. The motion carried with the following recorded vote: AYES: Mr. Musselwhite, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Apostolou, Mr. Shah, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Cagle NAYS: NONE ABSENT: Mr. Beyers, Mr. Patel, Mr. Windley Mr. O'Donnell stated he would like to continue to work together and find ways to grow the economy and tax base and would like to discuss having a joint work session in the near future with the EDA and Board of Supervisors to discuss Economic Development strategies and initiatives. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES Jay Brenchick stated he is currently involved with Workforce Development, the Apprenticeship Program and working with the Arnold R. Burton Techology Center. He stated we are becoming the locality leading the way in the region and cited that connecting the Burton Center with Carilion to institute a nursing program as an example of this collaboration. Ms. Loope stated that staff would provide more detailed information on workforce development programs in the future. Skills USA Competition Jay Brenchick reviewed with the EDA his involvement with SkillsUSA Competition and thanked Mike Cagle for serving as a judge in the competition. It was noted the importance of the EDA members serving in various projects in support of economic development during the year. Mike Cagle stated the Arnold R. Burton Technology Center is very important to our region and mission. Greg Apostolou stated his children felt Northern Virginia schools are far ahead of Roanoke County schools. Teachers are very important to move children upward. He stated "Teachers First, Buildings second." William Byrd Apartments Ms. Loope stated Hall & Associates have been chosen as the leasing agent for the William Byrd Apartments in Vinton. The opening date is tentatively set for May 7 at 11 a.m. Page 5 of 5 February 20,2019 Economic Development Authority Minutes VFP - Cox Communications The former Cox Communications building has been sold to VFP Inc. for their corporate headquarters. VFP will be leasing some space back to Cox in the building and will hold a grand opening this year, date to be determined. Former Allstate Building The former Allstate building is close to 100%occupancy. A Grand Opening is planned in the near future. Hollins—Oak Grove—Route 419 Community meetings will be held on March 23 & 25th for the Hollins Plan and meetings for the Oak Grove Plan will be scheduled soon. The EDA will receive information regarding these meetings. ADJOURNMENT On motion by Mr. Cagle and second by Mr. Shah, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, — r' v � Jill Loope Secretary-Treasurer