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Home My WebLink About1/19/2011 - Minutes The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County Roanoke-County Administration Center. 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke,Virginia 24018 Minutes Wednesday,January 19,2011, 9:00 A.M. . Members Present Billy Branch, Chairman Steve Musselwhite, Vice-Chairman Greg Apostolou Carole Brackman Paul Henkel Secretary-Treasurer, Doug Chittum Recording Clerk, Glenna Ratcliffe Members Absent Woody Windley. Guest Jill Loope, Assistant Director of Economic Development Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance Elizabeth Atkinson, Manager of Finance Paul Mahoney, County Attorney The.Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the . Roanoke County Administration Center, this being their Annual Meeting. Call to order Mr. Branch called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Introduction of New Member Mr. Chittum introduced Paul Henkel who resides in the. Hollins-Magisterial District of the County. . Minutes A motion was made by Steve Musselwhite and seconded by Carole Brackman to approve the November 17, 2010 minutes as read. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Page 2 January 19,2011 Economic Development Authority Minutes Addition of Agenda Item At this time, Doug Chittum requested approval from the Board to add an agenda item. Steve Musselwhite made a motion, seconded by Carole Brackman to allow the addition of an agenda item that being discussion of the Route 460 West Matching Grant Guidelines. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. NEW BUSINESS Election of Officers Mr. Chittum stated the floor is open for nominations for Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer of the Economic Development Authority. A motion was made by Steve Musselwhite to nominate Brill Branch as Chairman. Hearing no further nominations, Mr. Musselwhite's nomination was seconded by Greg Apostolou. The motion carried by a unanimous voice vote. A motion was made by Carole Brackman nominating Steve Musselwhite as Vice-Chairman. Hearing no further nominations, Ms. Brackman's nomination was seconded by Paul Henkel. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. A motion was made by Steve Musselwhite, seconded by Carole Brackman nominating Doug Chittum as Secretary-Treasurer. There were no further nominations. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Finance Report& Yearly Audit Discussion Elizabeth Atkinson, Finance Manager, presented the financial report for the first six months of the fiscal year ending December 30, 2010. She also presented and reviewed the annual audit for the EDA. The EDA audit was presented as a component of the county audit. The EDA received an unqualified opinion. She reported the equity in pooled cash to be $646,279. She stated recent activity included payment to the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce for an Entrepreneurial Center and a Downtown Vinton façade Grant payment to Southern Property Investments, Inc. Mr. Musselwhite asked that the minutes reflect that he did abstain from voting regarding the façade grant to Southern Property Investments, Inc. as he felt it a conflict of interest. The report was received and filed. Page 3 January 19,2011 Economic Development Authority Minutes Audit Charges to Current Bond-Holders At this time, Mr. Chittum reviewed the process in which current bond-holders are billed for audit and legal expenses incurred by the county. He stated the total EDA audit cost was $3,090 for the year ending June 30, 2010 and in the past; the EDA covered one-half of the audit expense and billed bond holders for the balance based on the outstanding balance of the bond. Mr. Chittum stated he felt it would be more equitable to divide the audit expense equally between the bond holders and eliminate the attorney fee since the County Attorney now represents the EDA. After discussion, Carole Brackman made a motion to have the EDA continue to pay one-half of the audit fee and divide the balance of the fee equally between bond holders and eliminate the attorney fee. The motion was seconded by Steve Musselwhite and carried by unanimous voice vote. Rt. 460 West—Matching Grant Guidelines Mr. Chittum stated he wanted to apprise the board of a recent inquiry from a business located on Route 460 West regarding a digital sign. He stated neither the grant guidelines nor the sign ordinance address digital signs. Mr. Chittum stated he did not have a grant request before the Board; however, felt he needed direction for consideration of a grant should a request be submitted to the Board to include a digital sign. It was the opinion of the board that the business should be given the opportunity to request a grant (including a digital sign) and the EDA would have the authority to approve or deny the request based on the application presented. Greg Apostolou stated that he was concerned about setting a precedent should a digital sign be approved. CLOSED MEETING At 9:05 a.m., Carole Brackman moved to go into closed meeting, seconded by Steve Musselwhite,pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711A(29) discussion regarding the terms of scope of a public contract where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, more specifically a performance agreement between Roanoke County, Roanoke County Economic Development Authority and Edward Rose Properties, LLC. The closed meeting was held from 9:35 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. Certifying the closed meeting was held in conformity with the code of Virginia. At 9:50 a.m., Greg Apostolou moved to return to open session and adopt the certification, seconded by Steve Musselwhite.. v WHEREAS, the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia has convened a closed meeting on the date pursuant to an affirmation-recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act. WHEREAS, pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711A (29) discussion regarding the terms of scope of a public contract where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, more specifically a performance agreement between Roanoke County, Roanoke County Economic Development Authority and Edward Rose Properties, LLC. Sections §2.2-3712 (D) of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia, that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with the Virginia Code. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia, hereby certifies that, to the best of each members knowledge on such public business matters as were identified in the motions convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia On a motion of 5-0 to adopt the Certification or Resolution for a Closed Meeting and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Chairman, Bill Branch, Vice Chairman, Steve Musselwhite, Greg Apostolou, Carole Brackman, and Paul Henkel NAYS: None ABSENT: Woody Windley A motion was made by Steve Musselwhite, seconded by Paul Henkel to approve the spirit of the Edward Rose Performance Agreement based on further negotiations between Edward Rose Properties and the County of Roanoke and authorize the EDA Chairman to sign the agreement providing the only substantive changes would be the date and providing that the amount of grant funds would not be changed. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Reports and Inquiries of Board Members Hearing none Adiourment Billy Branch, Chairman, adjourned the meeting at 9:55 a.m. Next Scheduled Meeting February 16, 2011 Respectfully submitted, E. Dou 1 s hittum �� J✓�7't Secretary-Treasurer