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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/19/2017 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Roanoke County Administration Center 4th Floor Training Room 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke,Virginia 24018 Minutes Wednesday,April 19,2017 Members Present Chairman-Steve Musselwhite Vice Chairman-WoodyWindley Greg Apostolou Max,Beyer Bill Branch Steve Anderson Kirtesh.Patel Ssunny Shah Leon McGhee Jill Loope, Secretary-Treasurer Ruth Ellen Kuhnel,Counsel Glenna Ratcliffe Guest Brian Carter,Finance Manager;Anita McMillan,Town of Vinton Planning:Director; Philip Thompson,Director of Planning The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County,Virginia met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center. 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 None APPROVAL OF JANUARY 18,2017 MINUTES After a motion by Steve Anderson and second by Woody Windley, the minutes of January 18, 2017 were approved as written: The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Page 2 April 19,2017 Economic Development Authority Minutes FINANCE REPORT Brian Carter, Finance Manager, presented the Financial Report for the month ending March 31, 2017. He reviewed the revenues and expenditures of theEDA Administrative Budget as well as the activity of the Change of Use Grant, Vinton Façade Grant and the Commercial Corridor Grant. The cash balance as of March 31 was$666,542.39. After a motion by Woody Windley and second by Steve Anderson, the financial report was approved as presented. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FY 2017-2018 Brian Carter, Director of Finance, presented the proposed budget for July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017. After reviewing the budget, and after a motion by Bill Branch and second by Max Beyer the budget was approved as presented. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. OLD BUSINESS A grant totalling$41,629 was approved on December 21, 2016 to help design the Mountain Bike Project at Explore Park. The request which was made by the Director of Parks and Recreation in order to expedite the Mountain Bike Project as the Parks and Recreation budget was depleted for 2017 and if funded by the EDA, they could go ahead with the project rather than wait for the next budget cycle. Some discussion ensued regarding this funding. Leon McGhee stated he was in favor of this project but felt the proper channel for funding would by the County and not the EDA. After discussion with the County Administrator, a recommendation was made to rescind this grant and follow the normal budget timeline. A motion was made by Max Beyer and seconded by Ssunny Shah to rescind the grant approved December 21, 2016 I the amount of$41, The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Vinton Facade Grant-New Century Properties,Inc: Ms. Anita McMillan, Planning Director for the Town of Vinton, was present representing the grant application. She stated Mr. Mayer, owner of the property located at 126 E. Lee Avenue (formerly The Barbeque Grill), was requesting the grant in order to replace an existing worn awning. She stated the total cost of the awning was $1,292.50 so the amount requested from the EDA is $646.25,which is one-half of the total cost. Page 3 April19,2017 Economic Development Authority Minutes Max Beyer questioned if this was a Vinton Project. Ms. Loope stated this is a Vinton Facade Grant and is funded jointly by the County and the Town of Vinton, a 50/50 match. After discussion, a motion was made by Bill Branch and seconded by Leon McGhee to approve the request in the amount of$646.25. Vinton Facade Grant—Huy Hguven—Asian Gourmet Homestyle Vietnamese Cuisine Ms. McMillan was present representing the grant application. Ms. McMillan stated Mr. Hguyen was opening an Asia Gourmet, Homestyle Vietnamese Cuisine restaurant at 126 E. Lee Avenue. She stated he was adding wall signs facing Washington Avenue, Maple Street and Lee Avenue as well as a freestanding sign at the parking lot. Ms. McMillan stated Mr. Hguyen hoped to have the restaurant open by the Vinton Dogwood Festival scheduled the end of April. The total cost of the signs will be $3676.40; therefore, he is requesting one-half of this amount, $1838.20. Ms. McMillan administers the grant and follows guidelines as outlined by the grant program. A motion was made by Leon McGhee and seconded by Kirtesh Patel to approve the grant request of$1,838.20. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Discussion of Georgraphic areas of Commerial Corridor Grants At this time, Ssunny Shah stated he would like to see this type of grant available throughout the county. In response to a query by Max Beyer, Steve Musselwhite stated the Cave Spring representatives, Bill Branch Steve Anderson, could talk to the Cave Spring Board member regarding this request or the EDA could prepare a resolution requesting that Brambleton Avenue be added to the geographic area for facade grants. Ms. Loope asked that Philip Thompson, Planning Director, address the Commercial Corridor Grant as the Planning Department administers this grant. Mr. Thompson stated the Commercial Corridor Grant is somewhat different from the Vinton Facade Grant. The grant covers two commercial corridors of the County, Williamson Road/Hollins and Route 460 West. He stated the maximum award is $15,000 unless a special request is made to the Board of Supervisors for an additional $5,000 allowing a request up to $20,000. He stated some things currently are not addressed in the guidelines such as digital signs. He felt both the approved geographical areas as well as the guidelines should be reviewed. ' Steve Musselwhite recommended that this issue be brought to the Board of Supervisors to allow the Commercial Corridor Grant be for businesses throughout the County rather than particular corridors. { Page 4 April 19,2017 Economic Development Authority Minutes At this time, Leon McGhee asked if members could vote by proxy when small request came to them for approval. He felt the County was spending up to $1,000 a meeting in order to approve a request for the same amount. Ms. Kuhnel, County Attorney,pointed out that the EDA had to follow the by-laws with an open vote in an open meeting for approval of such request. BRIEFINGS 419 Town Center Draft Plan Presentation—Philip Thompson,Director of Planning . At this time, Philip Thompson gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the 419 Town Center Draft Corridor Plan. This plan was unveiled at the South County library on March 23 and will support a mixed- use, walkable community. This plan is available on the Roanoke County webpage. The PlanningCommission will hold a Public Hearing at the Roanoke County Administration Center on May 2. A Planning Commission &Board of Supervisors will hold a joint work session at a date to be determined and there will be a Board of Supervisors Public hearing at a date to be determined(probably in July). Utilizing Economic Development Authorities ."Beyond the Basics Workshop" — Greg Apostolou Greg Apostolou and Jill Loope attended the aforementioned workshop on March 22 at Roanoke College. Mr. Apostolou stated the session was very informative with counties and cities represented from Harrisonburg, Lynchburg and Botetourt to name a few. He stated each Board operated at different levels of involvement. He stated it was interesting to learn what is going on around the state in other localities. Greg stated he felt it was important to be involved as a group and have better communication efforts. He felt the Board should meet monthly just to know what is going on. Ms. Loope pointed out that some of the ribbon cuttings are handled by the Chamber of Commerce and not the County. UPDATES Ms. Loope updated the Board on several ongoing projects. Roland E. Cook is nearing completion and plans an open house on April 29. The William Byrd project is moving forward, all the tax credit approvals are final. Lewis Gale Emergency Center on Ogden will have a ribbon cutting on April 25. Page 5 April 19,2017 Economic Development Authority Minutes Oakey's South Cremation Center on Brambleton will have a ribbon cutting on April 28. WVRIFA will meet on.April 26. In response to a query by Max Beyer, Anita McMillan stated the site plans for Macados in Vinton have been approved. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Steve Musselwhite, adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. NEXT MEETING May17,2017 Respectfully submitted, 4C6if Ji oope, Secretary-Treasurer FF#