HomeMy WebLinkAbout8/22/2011 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County
Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
h�r Roanoke,Virginia 24018
Minutes
Monday, August 22,2011, 10:30 A.M.
Members Present
Billy Branch, Chairman
Steve Musselwhite, Vice-Chairman
Greg Apostolou
Paul Henkel
Woody Windley
Carole Brackman
Jill Loope, Secretary Treasurer
Recording Clerk, Glenna Ratcliffe
Members Absent
None
Guest
Paul Mahoney, County Attorney
Laurie Gearheart, Assistant Director of Finance
Anita McMillan, Town of Vinton Director of Planning
The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the
Roanoke County Administration Center, this meeting was rescheduled due to a conflict on
the regularly scheduled meeting date.
Call to order
Mr. Branch called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.
- Financial Report
Laurie Gearheart,Assistant Director of Finance,presented the 2011-12 budget for Board
approval. The budget, as presented, included interest income on investments, contributions from
Roanoke County and assessments from bond holders for a total of$8,060. A motion was made
by Carole Brackman and seconded by Steve Musselwhite to approve the budget as presented.
Ms. Gearheart then presented unaudited financial statements ending July 31, 2011. She reported
the equity in pooled cash to be $639,294. The financial report was accepted by consensus.
Minutes
I A motion was made by Carole Brackman and seconded by Woody Windley to approve the May
18, 2011 minutes as read. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
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Economic Development Authority Minutes
Election of Secretary Treasurer
A motion was made by Steve Musselwhite and seconded by Carole Brackman to elect Jill Loope
as Secretary-Treasurer to complete the term of Doug Chittum who resigned. The motion carried
by unanimous voice vote.
Vinton Facade Grant
Ms. Anita McMillan, Town of Vinton Planning Director, was present representing the
application of The Advancement Foundation for the Charity Cottage Thrift Store. She stated
The Advancement Foundation is a non-profit organization and the Cottage is location at 1114
Washington Avenue, Vinton, Virginia. She presented the application and photographs of the
façade and the fabric to be used on the façade. She stated the plans are in accordance with the
grant guidelines. The grand opening is scheduled for September 9th or 15th depending on the
progress of the project.
Mr. Musselwhite stated the building was in need of a face lift; therefore, he made a motion to
approve the grant in the amount of$5,000. Mr. Henkel seconded the motion which carried by a
unanimous voice vote.
Roanoke Regional Broadband Funding Reaauest
Ms. Loope presented a request from the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission to
consider funding support for a regional broadband study. The Roanoke Regional Broadband
Consortium is composed of economic development and planning entities including the Roanoke
Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, the Roanoke Regional Partnership and several local
governments in the Roanoke Valley. The consortium is working cooperatively to identify
opportunities to improve regional telecommunications capabilities. This analysis is estimated to
cost approximately $60,000 and will provide a blueprint for future infrastructure needs that can
stimulate and support the region's growth. As the lead agency of this telecommunications effort,
the Regional Commission is asking the Economic Development Authority to consider giving
$10,000 toward this cooperative venture.
After discussion, a motion was made by Steve Musselwhite, seconded by Carole Brackman to
approve funding in the amount of $10,000 to the Roanoke Regional Commission toward this
cooperative venture.
BRIEFINGS
Update on Vinton Business Center Rezoning — Ms. Loope reported to the Board that the
Vinton Business Center covenant revisions were approved by the Board of Supervisors and are
now in place.
Valley Gateway Rezoning- Ms. Loope stated the Valley Gateway Rezoning is scheduled before
the Board of Supervisors August 23, 2011, and stated she anticipates approval of the rezoning.
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Economic Development Authority Minutes
The Glebe - Paul Mahoney, Counsel to the EDA, reported that he informally discussed with
the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors the request of the attorneys for The Glebe that
Roanoke County act as a conduit issuer of the refunding or replacement bonds. He stated the
Board Members expressed their reluctance to act as conduit issuer, and they recommended the
Botetourt County Industrial Development Authority handle the transaction.
Mr. Mahoney stated that Roanoke County handled the original transaction for Botetourt County
in 2003 as a courtesy since Botetourt did not have the financial capacity for a project of that size
at that time. Botetourt IDA now has the capacity to handle this transaction and, further, The
Glebe is located in Botetourt County; therefore, Botetourt County should be responsible for the
matter.
Mr. Mahoney stated he contacted the attorneys who filed the application on behalf of The Glebe,
as well as the appropriate officials in Botetourt County and advised them of the circumstances.
He also informed the Board that the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority ultimately
agreed to handle the transaction.
REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF THE BOARD
Ly . A motion was made by Steve Musselwhite and seconded by Paul Henkel requesting the
Attorney's office prepare a resolution thanking Doug Chittum for ten years of dedicated service
to the County, and especially to the EDA. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Mr. Mahoney stated he would prepare the resolution.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
- NEXT MEETING
The next regularly scheduled meeting is September 21, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jil L ope
Secretary-Treasurer