Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/21/2009 - Minutes The:Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County 1 Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke,Virginia 24018 Minutes Wednesday,January 21,2009,9:00 A.M. Members Present Chairman-Bill Branch Vice Chairman-Steve Musselwhite Anthony Conner Greg Apostolou Carole Brackman Allan"Cap" Robinson Woody Windley •, Counsel, Dan Barnes Secretary-Treasurer, Doug Chittum Recording Clerk,Glenna Ratcliffe Members Absent , None; Guest Jill Loope, Assistant Director of Economic Development, Roanoke County, Rebecca Owens, Director of"Finance, Elizabeth Atkinson, Manager of Finance and; Ralph Chumley,Citizen. The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the Roanoke County_Administration Center, this being the Annual Meeting. Call to order Chairman,Billy . . Branch, called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. Minutes : . A motion was,made by Steve Musselwhite and seconded by Carole Brackman, to approve the November 19`"minutes as.read. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote: New Business a , Vinton Downtown Facade Grant Appeal-Citizen's Upholstery Mr. Branch gave a brief overview of the request before the EDA. 'In October of 2008, Ralph '.� Chumley of Citizen's Upholstery requested a Downtown Vinton Façade Grant in the amount of $4,654 Because the work was completed prior to application and because the grant guidelines Page 2 ) January 21,2009 Economic Development Authority Minutes discourage the use of vinyl siding, the request was denied. Mr. Chumley was present and respectfully requested the EDA to revisit his application as he felt his renovation was completed in good faith. Ms. Consuella Caudill, Assistant Town Manager, was present and stated she had worked with Mr. Chumley in 2005 when he first began the process and that she was out on maternity leave when he returned to the town to obtain necessary permits to begin the project. She stated this could have contributed to his confusion regarding the façade grant process. Ms. Brackman queried if there was any sort of sign off by individual steps for processing a façade grant. Ms. Caudill stated there was a checklist online at the Vinton website. Mr. Musselwhite stated his concern was setting a precident allowing applicants to deviate from the guidelines of the grant program; however, felt the process was not the optimal process for Mr. Chumley. A motion was made by Anthony Conner, seconded by Steve Musselwhite to hear the request ,f again. The motion carried on a vote of 4-2 on the following recorded vote. AYES: Carole Brackman, Allan "Cap" Robinson, Steve Musselwhite and Carole Brackman NAYS: Greg Apostolou, Woody Windley At this time, the Chairman asked for a motion regarding the request. The façade grant allows 50% reimbursement of total project cost up to $5,000. The total cost for the project was 9,308.02;therefore his request was for$4,654. A motion was made by Steve Musselwhite, seconded by Anthony Conner,to consider a partial payment of 25%reimbursement to Mr. Chumley. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Election of Officers This being the annual meeting, Dan Barnes, Counsel,stated the officers shall be elected as outlined on page 3 of the By-Laws of The Economic Development Authority of Roanoke County, Virginia. A motion was made by Steve 1Vlusselwhite, seconded by Carole Brackman to reappoint Bill Branch as Chairman. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Page 3 L . January 21,2009 Economic Development Authority Minutes A motion was made by Woody Windley, seconded by Cap Robinson to reappoint Steve Musselwhite as Vice Chairman. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. A motion was made by Steve Musselwhite,seconded by Billy Branch to reappoint Doug Chittum and Secretary/Treasurer. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Review of EDA By-Laws—Annual Meeting Requirement A motion was made by Cap Robinson, seconded by Carole Brockman to amend Article III- Meetings of the By-Laws to state as follows: The annual meeting of the Authority shall be held on the third Wednesday of January of each year at a time and place designated by the Directors. Finance Report Elizabeth Atkinson, Manager of Finance, presented the financial reports for the current period through December 31, 2008 and presented the completed audit for year ending June 30, 2008. Ms. Atkinson stated there were no audit problems. The EDA financial statements referred to present fairly, in all material respects,the financial position of the EDA of Roanoke County as of June 20, 3008 and 2007, and the results of its operations for the years.then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The cash balance is presently $653,642. Ms.Atkinson pointed out that ITT was paid $56,642 according to the terms of the Performance Agreement between the County, EDA and ITT. In accordance with the Novozymes Performance Agreement, a total of 16.94 acres of land was purchased from the county for $170,000 plus interest for a total cost of $191,000. (Tthis is reflected in the account balance of$653,642.) Also, a total of$887 was paid to the BBQ Grill in Vinton(Downtown Vinton Façade Grant). The financial report was accepted as presented. Discussion of Audit—Combining EDA with County Audit Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance, addressed the EDA on the possibility of combining the EDA Audit with the County Audit. She stated the county audit contract will be open for bids this year and in the interest of cost savings felt it a good time to explore the possibility of combining the audits. She stated the advantage would be a combined audit would be less expensive and would be reported more timely. She stated she could not think of a disadvantage. A motion was made by Steve Musselwhite, seconded by Anthony Conner to combine the EDA audit with the County Audit: The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Page 4 January 21,2009 Economic Development Authority Minutes Valley Tech Park Sign Maintenance Jill Loope, Assistant Director of Economic Development, stated the Valley Tech Park sign presently is located on property owned by the EDA. She stated the sign located there needs to be updated and that Sav'On Signs has been contracted to pressure wash the sign and remove "Lincra" letters as well as other letters if necessary and paint the cabinet. This cost will be $1,245. An additional contract will be executed at a later date to add Interstate Battery to the sign at a cost of approximately $2,810. Because the sign is actually on EDA property, Ms. Loope felt the cost should be taken from the EDA budget. A motion was made by Woody Windley, seconded by Anthony Conner to approve the sign costs from the EDA budget. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. Briefing Budget Review r At this time, Doug Chittum, Director of Economic Development, reviewed the county budget status with the EDA. He stated there is a 3 million dollar shortfall as the result of reduced revenue. He stated each department trimmed their current year budget by 5%; $250,000 was taken from the CRT Capital Account and $117,000 was taken from the Public Private Partnership to assist in balancing the overall county budget. Next year each department will be asked to reduce their budget by 23.5%. As a result of county-wide budget cuts, the 2009-2010 EDA operating budget will be cut by $1,600 leaving a balance of$5,400. CLOSED MEETING At 9:45 a.m., Steve Musselwhite moved to go into closed meeting, seconded by.Anthony Conner,pursuant to the Code of Virginia Section 2.2-3711(A) (29), discussion regarding the terms of the 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 and Integrity Windows, Inc. A motion was made by Steve Musselwhite, seconded by Woody Windley to accept a 50% decrease in the per job penalty as set forth in the performance agreement with Integrity Windows, Inc. and authorize the Chairman, Billy Branch,to sign the amended agreement if such recommendation is approved by the Board of Supervisors. Page 5 January 21,2009 Economic Development Authority Minutes The closed meeting was held from 9:45 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Certifying the closed meeting was held in conformity with the code of Virginia. At 10:00 a.m., Steve Musselwhite moved to return to open session and adopt the certification, seconded by Anthony Conner. 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, Section 2.2-3711 A (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, namely contract with Integrity Windows, Inc. Sections §2.2-3711.A (29) 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 Law. 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 6=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, Allan"Cap" Robinson, Woody Windley, Anthony Conner NAYS: None ABSENT: None Reports and Inquiries of Board Members Hearing none Adiourment Billy-Branch, Chairman, adjourned the meeting at 10:00 a.m. Page 6 January 21,2009 Economic Development Authority Minutes Next Scheduled Meeting February 18, 2009 Respectfully submitted, p.i E. Douglas'Chittum Secretary-Treasurer {