Staff Briefing Meeting – September 22, 2008

Staff Briefing Meeting, Monday, September 22, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.

PRESENT: David R. Beyeler, Chairman
Tracy C. Pyles, Jr., Vice-Chairman
Wendell L. Coleman
Gerald W. Garber
Larry C. Howdyshell
Jeremy L. Shifflett
Nancy Taylor Sorrells
Patrick J. Morgan, County Attorney
Dale L. Cobb, Director of Community Development
Becky Earhart, Senior Planner
Jennifer M. Whetzel, Director of Finance
John C. McGehee, Assistant County Administrator
Patrick J. Coffield, County Administrator

VIRGINIA: At an adjourned meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Monday, September 22, 2008, at 1:30 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 233rd year of the Commonwealth….

COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE – RECOGNITION

Jean Shrewsbury, Commissioner of Revenue, announced that Mary Garris, Real Estate Manager, and Jason Hughes, Real Estate Assessor, have been working on being licensed as Real Estate Appraisers through the Commonwealth of Virginia for the last two years. As of Spring 2008, both of them have completed all the necessary requirements. This included 90 hours of Real Estate Appraisal classes and over 2,000 hours of verifiable Appraisal Field experience. At the completion of the classes and hours of field work, they passed the examination required to be licensed. “Their accomplishment demonstrates their desire to do their best for the people that we all serve. Both of them have shown how dedicated they are to our county by completing this important professional certification. And today we are recognizing their dedication.” In addition, Ms. Shrewsbury announced that Jason Hughes has completed the requirements for Master Certification in November 2007 and was recognized by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service in July of this year as a Master Deputy Commissioner of Revenue. She noted that this program takes a minimum of three years to complete, requires a combination of extensive education and governmental experience. This process is an ongoing educational experience which does not end with the receipt of the Master Designation. The Deputy Commissioner must satisfactorily complete a minimum number of continuing education after receipt of their Master Certification.

ROADS

The Board discussed the VDOT follow-up report of August 25, 2008, staff briefing.

Timothy Fitzgerald, Acting Residency Administrator, reported that he, Chairman Beyeler, and Mr. Coffield, attended the Commonwealth Transportation Board meeting in Winchester, and learned our proposal for Revenue Sharing has been approved. They also learned that there will be further reductions in funding for secondary roads. Mr. Pyles asked for a summary report of funding that has already been spent over the past several years and a list of the current and future projects.

The Board accepted report as information.

REVENUE RECOVERY

The Board received a presentation by Emergency Service Support, LLC.

Chairman Beyeler suggested that Larry Howdyshell, Jeremy Shifflett, and John McGehee attend the Emergency Services Support LLC meetings.

The Board accepted presentation as information. The Board authorized placing on September 24, 2008, regular agenda a response to Churchville Volunteer Fire and Rescue’s request to consider Revenue Recovery for their agency.

INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL PROGRAM

The Board received a presentation by staff of 2008 Invasive Species Control program.

The Board accepted presentation as information and suggested that the Agricultural Industry Board review the guidelines for 2009 program.

U.S. FOREST SERVICE – PRESENTATION

The Board received a presentation by District Ranger, North River Ranger District, regarding potential wilderness areas and the management of roadless areas.

The Board accepted presentation as information.

ELDERLY AND DISABLED TAX RELIEF – ORDINANCE

The Board discussed authorization to draft ordinance to modify the financial criteria to qualify for exemption from real estate taxation for elderly and disabled persons.

The Board authorized County Attorney to draft ordinance and submit to the Board for authorization to advertise.

STREETLIGHT POLICY

The Board received a presentation by staff of recommendations to revise streetlight policy.

Chairman Beyeler suggested that guidelines be modified to require that two supervisors serve on the Committee.

The Board authorized placing on September 24, 2008, regular agenda for consideration.

FISHERSVILLE SMALL AREA PLAN

The Board discussed a request to amend the Augusta County Comprehensive Plan 2007-2027 by adopting the Fishersville Small Area Plan. The Planning Commission, at its September 9th meeting, tabled the item and staff would recommend that the Board table until Planning Commission recommendations are received. This item was tabled at the regular meeting of August 27, 2008 to be discussed at the Staff Briefing on September 22nd and considered at the regular meeting of September 24th.

Gerald Garber moved, seconded by Mr. Coleman, that this item be removed from the table.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Howdyshell, Sorrells, Garber, Beyeler, Shifflett and Coleman Nays: Pyles Motion carried.

Becky Earhart, Senior Planner, reported that the Planning Commission has this item under consideration and plans to discuss at its work session on October 2nd. The Board deferred this item until receipt of Planning Commission’s recommendations.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN

The Board received a presentation by consultant on status of Phases II and III.

The Board accepted presentation as information.

PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS

1. SPILLMAN, LLC – REZONING

The Board discussed a request to rezone from General Agriculture to General Business approximately 2.4 acres owned by Spillman, LLC, located on the south side of Jefferson Highway (Route 250) across from the intersection of Jefferson Highway (Route 250) and Kingsbury Drive (Route 1001) (Wayne District). The Planning Commission recommends approval with proffers.

2. GREGORY L. OR BARBARA S. WELLS – REZONING

The Board discussed a request to rezone from General Agriculture to General Business approximately 1.3 acres owned by Gregory L. or Barbara S. Wells located on the south side of Parkersburg Turnpike (Route 254) approximately 0.1 of a mile east of the Route 262 interchange near Staunton (Pastures District).

The Planning Commission recommends approval with proffers.

The Board authorized placing on September 24, 2008, public hearing agenda for consideration.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD

The Board discussed the following issues:

Mr. Howdyshell: Erosion and Sediment fee – a citizen has expressed displeasure of the $500 fee.

Mr. Coleman: Cason Erosion and Sediment Fee Waiver Request – Site has been re-inspected and found in non-compliance. The Board authorized placing on September 24, 2008, regular agenda for consideration.

Ms. Sorrells: Greenville Traffic Control – Ms. Sorrells has asked that the minutes be revised.

Mr. Garber: Ag Forestal District renewals – confusion on names (LLC versus individual) – asked that language be revised to recognize how property is held.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF

Staff discussed the following:

1. Delinquent Tax Collection – County Attorney and County Treasurer discussing reviving prior program.

2. Greenville Streetlight – will ask for an explanation of increase in costs. Will be considered on a future agenda.

3. VACo Voting Credentials – Board concurred with Chairman and Vice-Chairman to serve as voting members.

4. NACo Prescription Drug Card Program – going well.

5. Legislative Liaison – contract renewal. The Board authorized placing renewal on the September 24, 2008, regular agenda for consideration.

CLOSED SESSION

On motion of Mr. Pyles, seconded by Ms. Sorrells, the Board went into closed session pursuant to:

(1) the personnel exemption under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(1) [discussion, consideration or interviews of (a) prospective candidates for employment, or (b) assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining or resignation of specific employees]:

A) Boards and Commissions (2) the real property exemption under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(3) [discussion of the acquisition for a public purpose, or disposition, of real property]:

A) Off of Route 612 in Beverley Manor District Vote was as follows: Yeas: Howdyshell, Sorrells, Garber, Beyeler, Shifflett, Pyles and Coleman Nays: None Motion carried.

On motion of Mr. Coleman, seconded by Ms. Sorrells, the Board came out of Closed Session.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Howdyshell, Sorrells, Garber, Beyeler, Shifflett, Pyles and Coleman Nays: None Motion carried.

The Chairman advised that each member is required to certify that to the best of their knowledge during the closed session only the following was discussed:

1. Public business matters lawfully exempted from statutory open meeting requirements, and 2. Only such public business matters identified in the motion to convene the executive session.

The Chairman asked if there is any Board member who cannot so certify.

Hearing none, the Chairman called upon the County Administrator/ Clerk of the Board to call the roll noting members of the Board who approve the certification shall answer AYE and those who cannot shall answer NAY.

Roll Call Vote was as follows:

AYE: Shifflett, Coleman, Garber, Howdyshell, Sorrells, Pyles and Beyeler NAY: None The Chairman authorized the County Administrator/Clerk of the Board to record this certification in the minutes.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no other business to come before the Board, Mr. Howdyshell moved, seconded by Mr. Coleman, that the Board adjourn subject to call of the Chairman.