HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/21/2019 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County
Roanoke County Administration Center
4T11 Floor Training Room„5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke,Virginia 24018
Minutes
Wednesday,August 21,2019,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(arrived at 9:30)
Max Beyer
Michael Cagle
Steve Anderson
Woody Windley
Kirteh Patel
Peter Lubeck,Interim Counsel
Jill Loope, Secretary-Treasurer
Glenna Ratcliffe, Recording Clerk
Members Absent
Ssunny Shah.
Guest
Rebecca Owens, Assistant County Administrator,Philip Thompson,Deputy Director of
Planning;Evan Malone and Jessica Lovell,Financial Analyst with the Department of
Finance
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Steve Musselwhite called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.
REQUEST TO POSTPONE,ADD TO,OR CHANGE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
ITEMS
None
APPROVAL OF APRIL 17,2019 AND JUNE 12,2019 MINUTES
On motion by Max Beyer to approve the minutes of April 17 and June 12,2019 as presented,
seconded by Mike Cagle,the motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
FINANCE REPORT
Evan Malone, Financial Analyst for the Department of Finance, introduced Jessica Levell,
Financial Analyst who will serve in his absence. He reviewed the information provided on the
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financial report for the month ending June 30,2019. He reported a cash balance of$1.8 million,
but that figure did not reflect the transfer of funds from the Authority-to Roanoke County for the
purposes of the County's proposed CIP funding for the Broadband Authority and the Wood Haven
Property Acquisition and improvements for the purpose of economic development in the amount
of$545,778. The County uses Sun Trust Bank and fees are charged.
On motion by Steve Anderson to accept and approve the financial report as presented, seconded
by Woody Windley,the motion carried by unanimous voice vote. •
At this time,Ms.Loope introduced Peter Lubeck,Interim County Attorney. Mr. Lubeck stated he
was appointed Interim County Attorney as Ms.Kuhnel is on extended medical leave.
OLD BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE AUTHORITY'S FEE SCHEDULE
AND RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR REVENUE BOND APPLICATIONS
In October of 2018,the EDA adopted a Fee Schedule,Rules and Procedures for Revenue Bond
Applications allowing the annual maximum administrative fee of 1/8 of 1%for Roanoke County.
In a subsequent meeting,the adopted fee was reduced at the request of Richfield Living (as is
allowed on a case-by-case basis)from 1/8 of 1%to 1/16 of 1%.
After reviewing the Fee Schedule recently adopted,members felt it would be advantageous to take
another look at the schedule and requested the Director of Finance to provide more detailed
information related to boundaries and IRB Fee comparison of surrounding jurisdictions. In the
meeting held October 18, 2018, Ms. Kuhnel, Counsel, stated her concerns of consistency. She
pointed out the fees listed on the chart for the surrounding jurisdictions do not reflect the negotiated
deal and the County does not want to appear to favor certain companies when a deal is negotiated.
Chairman Musselwhite stated the only change to the policy for approval today is the
administrative fee which was changed from 1/8 of 1%to 1/16 of 1%. This fee is in line with the
application recently approved for Richfield Living and in line with fees charged by other
localities.
Steve Anderson also stated the proposed fee structure is based on a competitive market.
On motion by Mike Cagle to accept the revised Policies and Procedures as presented, seconded
by Woody Windley,the motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
DISCUSSION OF ELECTRONIC/REMOTE PARTICIPATION
At a meeting held April 17,2019, Chairman Musselwhite asked if Ms. Kuhnel,EDA Counsel,
would review the option of electronic/remote participation and bring the amendment before the
board for discussion and/or adoption of a resolution to include attending a meeting by telephone,
conference call or other electronic means.
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Ms.Loope stated Peter Lubeck,Acting EDA Counsel,has researched this option and discussion
ensued regarding the issue.
Mr. Lubeck stated this amendment would be subject to Section 2.2-3708.2 of the Code of
Virginia. One of the requirements of the State Code is that a quorum of the Board must be
physically assembled at the primary or central meeting location,therefore negating the call-in
option to constitute a quorum.
Steve Anderson stated it appeared this was not what the Board hoped to accomplish. Chairman
Musselwhite stated he felt the by-laws should just stay are they are currently. In response to a
query by Greg Apostolou, it was determined the Board of Supervisors has adopted this policy.
After further discussion and reviewing more of the code requirements,it was the consensus of the
Board that it was not advantageous to amend the By-Laws allowing for electronic/remote
participation in meetings.
NEW BUSINESS
REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATON FOR ADOPTION OF REVOCATION OF
DELCARATION OF PROTECTIVE COVENANTS AND CONDITIONS,AS
RECORDED JULY 8, 1999 ROANOKE COUNTY CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND
TECHNOLOGY(CRT)
Ms. Loope stated the Board of Supervisors rezoned the CRT to remove the covenants and add the
master plan as a proffered condition to the rezoning. The CRT Property Owners jointly petitioned
the Board of Supervisors to revoke the 2007 Covenants by removing the proffered zoning
condition, and to amend the master plan for the CRT. The petition was granted by the Board on
February 26, 2019.
On motion by Woody Windley to authorize the Chairman, Steve Musselwhite,to sign the
Revocation of Declaration of Protective Covenants and Conditions as recorded July 8, 1999
(CRT),and seconded by Steve Anderson. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
BRIEING—REIMAGINE 419 TOWN CENTER PLAN
At this time,Philip Thompson,Deputy Director of Planning,gave a PowerPoint presentation on
the Relmagine 419 Town Center Plan.
Roanoke County began the planning study in 2016 for roughly 390 acres along Route 419. After
approximately 3 years,the Plan was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on July 23,2019.
Mr.Thompson reviewed all the aspects of the Plan set to begin in the fall of 2019 with construction
through 2024-25.
A printed copy of this presentation is attached to the minutes.
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REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF THE BOARD
Ms. Loope stated she is currently in the process of interviewing for the Economic Development
Manager and anticipates having filled the position by the end of the month.
Interviews have been conducted for the Director of Economic and Community.Development
position. A panel of 10 community leaders participated in the interview process and are still
evaluating the pool of applicants. Ms. Owens stated the goal is to have those concluded as soon
as possible.
Woody Windley suggested that staff look into having electronic board packets as it would
eliminate work and would save paper. Philip Thompson stated the Board of Supervisors and the
Planning Commission uses the electronic method.
Ms. Loope stated she would look into this option for future Board Packets.
ADJOURNMENT
- On motion by Steve Anderson and second by Kyle Richardson,the meeting adjourned
at 10:30 a.m.
•
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Loope •
Secretary-Treasurer
•