Regular Meeting – November 12, 2015
Regular Meeting, Thursday, November 12, 2015, 7:00 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.
PRESENT: Michael L. Shull, Chairman
Carolyn S. Bragg, Vice-Chairman
Jeffrey A. Moore
Marshall W. Pattie
Tracy C. Pyles, Jr.
G. L. “Butch” Wells
Larry J. Wills
Patrick J. Morgan, County Attorney
Timmy Fitzgerald, Director of Community Development
Jennifer Whetzel, Director of Finance
Patrick J. Coffield, County Administrator
Rita R. Austin, CMC, Executive Secretary
VIRGINIA: At a regular meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Thursday, November 12, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 240th year of the Commonwealth….
Chairman Shull welcomed the citizens present.
Erin Fosnocht, a senior at the Wilson Memorial High School, led us with the Pledge of Allegiance. Erin enjoys Physics and is a member of the Robotics Club at the Governors School. She also enjoy English and History. She plans on attending Virginia Tech and major in Physics and minor in Computer Science and English or Spanish and become a High School Educator.
Michael L. Shull, Supervisor for the Riverheads District, delivered invocation.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF APPOINTMENT OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Chairman Shull made the following statement:
After the completion of a nationwide search, which brought to us 31 candidates from 12 different states, the Augusta County Board of Supervisors is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Timothy K. Fitzgerald as the County’s next Administrator to begin his duties on January 1, 2016.
A lifelong resident of Augusta County, Mr. Fitzgerald holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Organizational Development from Eastern Mennonite University, a Master’s Degree in Transportation Policy from George Mason University, and is a graduate of the Senior Executive Institute at the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia. Mr. Fitzgerald is an International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager, and serves as an Executive Board member for the Virginia Local Government Management Association and on the Advisory Board of Graduate Education for the International City/County Management Association.
Mr. Fitzgerald has served Augusta County since 2010 as Director of Community Development and brings a wealth of experience, strong leadership, and knowledge of local issues that will keep Augusta County moving forward. Prior to his time with Augusta County, he served at the state government level for 15 years with the Virginia Department of Transportation.
We had candidates as far away as Washington, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida. It was advertised nationally. We went through the process and narrowed it down.
There were fine candidates, but we felt Mr. Fitzgerald was the best.
Mr. Wills moved, seconded by Mr. Pyles, that the Board approve the appointment of Mr. Timothy K. Fitzgerald as Augusta County Administrator, effective January 1, 2016.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Wells, Moore, Pyles and Bragg Nays: None Motion carried.
Mr. Fitzgerald made the following comment:
I thank the Board for putting the trust in me to lead this group. We’ve got a great team of folks here at the County—a great group together. We have a lot of challenges going forward. I think you all know that and I think the folks who have been elected know that we have a lot of challenges, but we have the right people in place. I appreciate the Board’s support and moving forward, I am looking forward to it. It’s been a lifelong journey as a hometown Augusta County guy that was born and raised here and having the opportunity to lead this County to something that is really exciting for me.
I didn’t share the announcement with my children until tonight. I gave the press release to my son and said, ‘Take a look at this’. He read it and got to the first two sentences and he jumped up and said, ‘You got the job!’ I said, ‘Yeah, I got the job’. My daughter asked, ‘What is the job?’ I had to explain to her what it was all about.
Thank you so much. I think I would be remiss in saying that for the past 25 years, we have had a great leader. He deserves his retirement and we thank him for what he has done and I am hopeful that I can carry the torch on for the next 25. Pat, thanks so much.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC
Wendell Coleman said that he is looking forward to serving on the Board and working with the newly elected members. He realizes that there are some challenging issues but is confident with the group that is returning and the new group that will be coming in January 1st “that we will be up to the task”.
Terry Lee Kelley, Jr. stated that he is also looking forward to serving on the Board. He thanked Mr. Wells for his service as interim for Beverley Manor. He thanked those who would be leaving the Board for their service.
COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD/HB2
The Board considered County comments for the Commonwealth Transportation Board in regards to HB2 funding applications.
Timmy Fitzgerald, Director of Community Development, reported that the Commonwealth Transportation Board Member and the Secretary of Transportation will be at the public meeting at the Government Center next week to receive input on the HB2 projects. He noted that this meeting will be different from previous meeting. This session will have displays and a “town hall session”. Summary comments will be presented in support of the HB2 projects consisting of Route 616, Route 610 and the LifeCore Drive Shared Use Path. The County also supported four other projects through the High Priority Projects Program: I-81, Exit 213 Interchange; I-81, Exit 220 and 221 Interchange; I-81, Exit 222 Interchange and the Route 262 at Route 613 Interchange.
MILL PLACE COMMERCE PARK
The Board considered bids for the stormwater management upgrade to BMP#3.
Funding Source: Stormwater Capital Account #80000-8164 $264,000 Mr. Fitzgerald displayed property on the overhead. He stated that staff received sealed bids for the conversion of the farm pond off the end of Lakeview Court in Mill Place Commerce Park into BMP#3, a stormwater quality and quantity treatment facility.
Howdyshell Excavating was the low bidder ($240,000) and Atkins Excavating was the high bidder ($419,220). While there is a substantial difference in the bids, staff has analyzed the bids and feels that Howdyshell Excavating is the lowest responsible bidder, and recommends awarding the bid to Howdyshell Excavating at $240,000 with a 10% contingency for a total funding commitment of $264,000.
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Wills, that the Board approve the request.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Wells, Moore, Pyles and Bragg Nays: None Motion carried.
WAIVERS/VARIANCES – NONE
CONSENT AGENDA
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Pyles, that the Board approve the consent agenda as follows:
MINUTES
Approved minutes of the following meetings:
• Staff Briefing Meeting, Monday, October 26, 2015 • Regular Meeting, Wednesday, October 28, 2015
CLAIMS
Approved claims paid since October 14, 2015 Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Wells, Moore, Pyles and Bragg Nays: None Motion carried.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD
The Board discussed the following issues:
Mr. Pyles:
1. Fitzgerald Appointment – Congratulations! Informed the public about the appointment. “There may be questioning of searching the nation over and the person we found was two offices down. It wasn’t like that. Mr. Fitzgerald brings a particular skill-set to go with other things that make him valuable to Augusta County. When he took over the responsibility for Community Development, he really did not have the background, but he had some attributes that made him stand out when he first applied for the previously advertised Economic Development Director appointment. His handling of Community Development office as replacement of Dale Cobb, was seamless. His department responded well; he was able to work with his people and he seemed to be embraced by the development community. Transportation is more and more an issue for the County: 1) We have lost so much money from reductions in State funding that we have had to contribute local dollars to what we do on secondary roads. The first year of this seated Board, I approached Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Burnett and Mr. Coffield about changing the Crescent Development TIF and going through with a full road to the Hospital. That happened without problems. We got the road built and leveraged VDOT and private sector funding with local funding. In every way I watched, Mr. Fitzgerald worked well with the rest of senior staff, his staff and he got the job done. I think he can bring us extra on roads. Knowing how Virginia works gave him a leg up on other candidates. I also think he’s got the right personality to take the edges off of me and others.” 2. VACo meeting – Attended several meetings: 1) a potential change to allocation of wastewater management (asked that Jane Woods, Legislative Liaison, to research); 2) STP credits; 3) Aid to the Commonwealth – reimbursement; 4) Landuse Dr. Pattie: VACo meeting – General Government discussions on broadband, body cameras and cyber security.
Ms. Bragg:
1. Fitzgerald Appointment – Congratulations!
2. VACo: 1) Mr. Pyles received 20-years recognition; 2) Legislative Package approved (distributed to Board) 3. Dinner for retirement of Board members. Asked suitable date for Board. Board determined December 8th was best date.
Mr. Wills:
1. Fitzgerald Appointment – Congratulations!
2. VACo – Encouraged new Board members to get involved.
3. Route 616 VDOT Public Hearing – December 15th at Clymore Elementary School (4:00 – 7:00 p.m.) Mr. Moore:
1. Fitzgerald Appointment – Congratulations!
2. Mill Place Commerce investment – Emphasis to make best place for businesses to locate.
Mr. Wells: Congratulated Mr. Fitzgerald and stated that the short time that he has served on the Board, he and staff have been quite helpful.
Chairman Shull:
1. Fitzgerald Appointment – Congratulations! Pat Coffield has been “Fearless Leader and has run the County well. I wish him the best in his retirement”.
2. VACo – Septic/soil testing concerns discussed.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF
Staff discussed the following:
1. Fitzgerald Appointment – “Not sure he is as happy as I am!” Three years ago, when I discussed with Board about my retirement, I suggested that a “realignment of staffing duties with an added emphasis on staff development. I believe the Board’s support layed the foundation for the decision you have made tonight.
2. VACo Committees – Current list notes four members. List will be circulated during transition meeting for the three new Board members to determine what committee they wish to join.
3. Parks and Recreation – “Activities Guide” – great user-friendly document.
4. BOS Organizational Meeting – January 6th at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to come before the Board, Mr. Pyles moved, seconded by Ms. Bragg, the Board adjourned subject to call of the Chairman.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Wells, Moore, Pyles and Bragg Nays: None Motion carried.
Chairman County Administrator H:/Word/Minutes11-12min.15
