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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/18/2016 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke,Virginia 24018 Minutes Wednesday,May 18,2016, 9:00 A.M. Members Present Chairman-Steve Musselwhite Greg Apostolou Ssunny Shah Max Beyer Bill Branch Woody Windley Jill Loope, Secretary-Treasurer Jay Brenchick,Economic Development.Manager Ruth Ellen Kuhnel, Counsel Members Absent Kirtesh Patel Leon McGhee Dan Toti Steve Anderson Guest Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance;Rebecca James,Planner II; Evan Malone, Financial Analyst; Philip Thompson,Deputy Director of Planning and Richard Peters,Vinton Assistant Town Manager 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 present 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 Page 2 May 18,2016 Economic Development Authority Minutes APPROVAL OF MARCH 25,2016 MINUTES After a motion by Greg Apostolou and second by Ssunny Shah,the minutes of March 25, 2016 were approved by unanimous voice vote. FINANCE REPORT AND PROPOSED BUDGET Finance Report Brian Carter,Finance Manager introduced Evan Malone, a new Financial Analyst for the Finance Department who may be participating in future EDA meetings. He also presented the Financial Report for the month ended April 30, 2016. Total revenues were$1,606,498.30 and total expenditures were$1,599,132.62. The largest portion was due to the incentive reimbursement to Ardagh and the settlement to English Construction. The cash balance at April 30 was$656,803.44. A motion was made by Max Beyer and seconded by Woody Windley to accept the financial report for April 2016 as presented. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. tE Budget Mr. Carter presented the Proposed Budget for FY 2017 totaling$13,760. This budget included $5,000 in miscellaneous revenue for administrative bond fees from the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority related to a Friendship Manor bond issuance. A motion was made by Greg Apostolou and seconded by Max Beyer to accept the Budget for FY 2017 as presented. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Commercial Corridor Grant Request: Creative Therapy Care Rebecca James, Planner II presented a Commercial Corridor grant request for Creative Therapy Care on Williamson Road. A motion was made by Greg Apostolou, and seconded by Max Beyer to approve the grant in an amount not to exceed $13,000. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Downtown Vinton Facade Grant Request: 206 Salon Pete Peters, Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Vinton, presented a Façade grant request for 206 Salon. A motion was made by Woody Windley and seconded by Ssunny Shah to approve the Façade grant for 206 Salon in the amount of $745.80. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Page 3 May 18,2016 Economic Development Authority Minutes BRIEFINGS Strategic Planning Presentation Philip Thompson, Deputy Director of Planning, gave a presentation update on the County Strategic Planning Process. In January, the Board of Supervisors adopted a vision statement and authorized staff to proceed with community meetings to receive County-wide input into the plan. The process included 18 meetings identifying 18 topics, 53 goals and 159 objectives, with 268 people participating in the process. The draft plan is complete and final comments are being accepted by citizen at community meetings on June 16 & 27. The Board of Supervisors will receive the final document at their July 19 meeting and will have a public hearing on the strategic plan with formal adoption on August 9. Steve Musselwhite thanked Mr. Thompson for his presentation and commented on what a great process this has been for the County in guiding future economic development activities. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES Route 419 Library Ms. Loope stated the 419 Library has been sold to American Healthcare for 1.5 million. The property transfer is scheduled for closing on May 20, 2016. Vinton Library&Roland E. Cook School She stated the Board of Supervisors approved the sale of the former Vinton Library to Richard Macher for$700,000 for the purpose of establishing a Macado's Restaurant at this location. The property will need to be rezoned by the Town of Vinton at public meetings in June. Also, the Roland E. Cook building has been transferred to Old School Properties and will be under construction within the next month. Tanglewood Mall She stated that the Tanglewood Mall is for sale and the owners have established a bid process for the transaction. Bids are due back by June 16, 2016. She stated that it was very difficult for the County to articulate its vision for the redevelopment of the property under this quick sale concept, but has been proactively reaching out to and meeting with developers from across the country that are interested in bidding on the property. REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS Following recent Board of Supervisors discussions, Greg Apostolou questioned the status of broadband in the Valley. He stated that it was difficult to determine the real story regarding Page 4 May 18,2016 Economic Development Authority Minutes broadband service from area providers. Steve Musselwhite mentioned that he has lost tenants in the past from his Brambleton Avenue properties due to not having adequate broadband service. Max Beyer stated that even the Virginia website has inaccurate information with maps showing that no fiber exists in the region. He stated that broadband supports economic development and questioned whether the EDA-should take a more active role in encouraging the expansion of . broadband in Roanoke County. Woody Windley stated that the EDA has previously adopted a resolution of support for the expansion of broadband into Roanoke County. Steve Musselwhite stated that he was glad to see regionalism in the Valley,and while the EDA typically serves at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors, they have also previously taken advocacy positions related to economic development. - Greg Apostolou questioned the status of the Hollins area entrance sign. Philip Thompson stated that Hollins University will be landscaping and maintaining the medians through a VDOT Roadside Management Program, -and Roanoke County will provide the entrance sign. Max; Beyer questioned whether WRABA was participating in the Corridor grant program? It was. stated that WRABA and Roanoke County have worked together to improve entrances along the " corridor in the past, and have representation on the WRABA Board. Following an explanation and discussion regarding the County's corridor matching grant program, Steve Musselwhite { suggested that the program be expanded county-wide. - ADJOURNMENT Steve Musselwhite, Chairman, adjourned the meeting at 10:12 a.m. - - NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING - June 15,2016 Res ectfully su mined, Jil ope, Secretary-Treasurer