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Home My WebLink About10/16/2014 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke,Virginia 24018 . Minutes Thursday, October 16,2014, 9:00 A.M. Members Present Woody Windley,Vice-Chair Ssunny Shah Steve Anderson_ Paul Henkel Leon McGhee Dan Toti • Greg A ostolou Bill Branch Paul Mahoney Secretary-Treasurer, Jill Loope Recording Clerk,.Glenna Ratcliffe Members Absent Chairman-Steve Musselwhite Kirtesh Patel • Guest Brian Carter, Finance Manager Ann Whitehurst, Financial Analyst Carmen Forman, Reporter.with The.Roanoke.Times The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County,Virginia met this day at the Roanoke.County Administration Center. This meeting was rescheduled and held on Thursday, October 16, rather than the regular scheduled monthlymeeting. g Call to order Vice-Chairman;:Woody Windley called the meeting to order at 9:05 A.M. Minutes Brian Carter, Finance Manager, noted the minutes from the previous meeting stated the financial report should reflect for the "year ending June 30 instead of June 31" and the audit should be "2014 rather than 2013". After these changes, a motion was made by Bill Branch and seconded by Steve Anderson to approve the minutes of August 20, 2014. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote Finance Report Brian Carter, Finance Manager, presented the financial report for the month ending September 30,2014. Mr. Carter stated the annual audit is close to completion and that a copy will be made - available as soon as possible. He Stated the cash balance is:currently;$628,461.53, arid in response to a query by Woody Windley, he stated there are no encumbrances noted. Page,2 October 16,2014 Economic Development Authority Minutes A motion was made by Paul Henkel and seconded by Ssunny Shah, to accept the financial report. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. OLD BUSINESS Resolution in Support of the Broadband Network At the August 20, 2014 meeting of the EDA, a request was made to have the County Attorney draft a resolution requesting that the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors contribute funding to the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority to construct a Broadband Network in the Roanoke Valley. Paul Mahoney, Counsel to the EDA, presented a "draft" resolution for consideration by the EDA. As construction of the broadband network in Roanoke County would promote economic development and would support existing business and industry, members felt this to be an -�; appropriate expenditure. A motion was made by Leon McGhee and seconded by Paul Henkel to approve the draft resolution as written. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The resolution is attached to these Minutes. NEW BUSINESS Vinton Funding Request for Glade/Tinker Creek Greenway Extension Ryan Spitzer, Assistant Manager for the Town of Vinton, presented a matching grant request for the Glade/Tinker Creek Greenway Extension. He stated the Town of Vinton is planning to apply for an additional $47,000 in revenue sharing funds on October 31, and will need that much in matching funds. The trail will then run from Tinker Creek Greenway at Virginia Avenue to Walnut Avenue,providing a linkage from downtown Vinton to Roanoke River Greenway. Matching funds are required as leverage to qualify for the.VDOT Revenue Sharing grant-for the construction. The total project cost is $162,000, to be funded by a $50,000 donation from Novozymes, $31,000 in town funds, and $81,000 FY 2014 VDOT Revenue Sharing Program grant fund. The proposed greenway will be a multi-use trail of approximately 1,600 linear feet of 10 feet wide paved surface. Mr. Spitzer presented a spreadsheet with construction cost estimates to include the proposed extension under the Dale Avenue Bridge to PFG's property to the Virginia Avenue sidewalk. He also presented a map of the proposed extension. Discussion ensued regarding this request. Page 3 October 16, 2014 Economic Development Authority Minutes Greg Apostolou and Leon McGhee expressed concerns that funding this request would set a precedent for the Authority to support future greenway expansions. Ms. Loope pointed out the EDA had previously supported requests for matching grant funds for the Plantation Road Transportation Enhancement project(which has a trails component) and that smaller projects such as the greenway do produce increased direct and indirect economic development benefits. Leon McGhee stated he also had concerns regarding this request as he feels that the Town of Vinton has more serious issues such as outdated water and sewer lines. He stated he felt these issues should be addressed before greenway projects are funded. Ssunny Shah stated that the Roanoke Valley is being marketed as an outdoor destination and he felt the project is good for the community, would support current marketing efforts and should be supported. In response to a query by Paul Henkel, Ryan Spitzer stated the greenway will be handicap accessible. Steve Anderson stated he felt this is a great project; however, it could open the door to other requests of this nature, but this type of development should be anticipated as an improvement opportunity. Greg Apostolou stated he would rather support some other development project to help Vinton. Woody Windley stated he felt this to be a great project for young people coming into Roanoke. After further discussion, Steve Anderson made motion to approve the request and added that a $10,000 limit be attached to any subsequent requests, with a limit of one per magisterial district. Ssunny Shah seconded the motion and the request was approved by the following vote: AYES: Bill Branch, Ssunny Shah, Dan Toti, Steve Anderson, Woody Windley NAYS: Greg Apostolou, Leon McGhee, Paul Henkel ABSENT: Steve Musselwhite, Kirtesh Patel ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES At this time, Ms. Loope gave members an update on current activities. She stated she has received proposals for the 419 library in South Roanoke as well as Roland E. Cook and William Byrd schools in Vinton. She stated the Vinton properties are complex as groups who have expressed interest are seeking a National Historical designation so that they are eligible for tax credits. She stated this could be a long process and very time consuming. Page 4 October 16,2014 Economic Development Authority Minutes Greg Apostolou asked about the furniture now stored in the old William Byrd School. Paul Mahoney stated Board members were given the opportunity to find an auctioneer for the contents. If no auctioneer is found by October 22, then the contents will be disposed of at the Transfer Station. Iny response to a query by Steve Anderson, Mr. Mahoney stated the Lions Club offer has been withdrawn. REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS In response to a query by Leon McGhee regarding the gas line, Mr. Mahoney stated the county is securing more information; however, the request is decided by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The County can file a request for intervener status whereby they can participate in regulatory proceedings and review the document filings and environmental impact statements. He stated this could be a 1 to 2 year process. The FERC will make the final decision and will be influenced by environmental impacts like Spring Hollow Reservoir and the springs and head waters on Bent Mountain. Also, underground caverns in that part of the county would present a problem installing a pipeline. The Board of Supervisors has no power as the process is governed by FERC but the County should have access to the documents He stated that local real estate taxes are assessed through the State Corporation Commission. In response to a query by Paul Henkel regarding the width of the gas line, Mr. Mahoney stated there would be a temporary construction easement of 300 feet to allow for equipment and the permanent easement would be 75 feet. ANNOUNCEMENTS Reappointment of Ssunny Shah Ms. Loope stated that Ssunny Shah was recently reappointed to the EDA with an expiration date of September 26, 2018. Edward Rose "The Retreat" The Ground-Breaking ceremony for "The Retreat", luxury apartments is scheduled for October 23, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Ardagh Packaging The Ardagh Packaging Grand Opening is scheduled for November 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Ms. Loope stated they are hopeful to have the Governor of Virginia here as well as Ardagh owners from Germany. Page 5 October 16,2014 Economic Development Authority Minutes Hilton Garden Inn/South Peake The Grand Opening is scheduled for November 20, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. Mr. Loope asked members to add these dates to their calendar as they will receive invitations to all the ceremonies. She urged each one to attend. Adjournment Woody Windley, Vice-Chairman, adjourned the meeting at 9:50 a.m. Next Scheduled Meeting November 17, 2014 Respectfully submitted, Jill Loope Secretary-Treasurer