Organizational Meeting – January 4, 2017
Organizational Meeting, Wednesday, January 4, 2017, 5:00 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.
PRESENT: Carolyn S. Bragg, Chairman
Tracy C. Pyles, Jr., Vice-Chairman
Michael L. Shull
Terry Lee Kelley, Jr.
Wendell L. Coleman
Marshall W. Pattie
Gerald W. Garber
Jennifer M. Whetzel, Deputy County Administrator
James Benkahla, County Attorney
Timothy K. Fitzgerald, County Administrator
Angie Michael, Executive Secretary
VIRGINIA: At an organizational meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at 5:00 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 241th year of the Commonwealth….
Chairman Bragg welcomed those present for the meeting.
The Board of Supervisors led us with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Tracy C. Pyles, Jr., Supervisor for the Pastures District, delivered invocation.
Chairman Bragg thanked everyone for their hard work over the past year. It was an educational and eventful year. It was a year of change with a new County Administrator, Director of Community Development, County Attorney, Sherriff, and Commonwealth Attorney. There were a great deal of good economic events that happened this past year. Hopefully there will be more things in the future that come from those efforts put forth over the year. The County has purchased a new fire truck, Mill Place Trail is under way, and the internet services in the County are being improved. Throughout the year, different departments within the County shared with the Board what has been happening within their department. This allowed the Board to learn more about the different departments in Augusta County and what each of them are responsible for. It was a good year and Chairman Bragg looks forward to the coming year.
Mr. Shull pointed out that there was also a new Deputy Administrator and a new Secretary.
Chairman Bragg stated that with all of the changes the transition was very smooth.
Mr. Coleman commended Chairman Bragg and Mr. Pyles on a job well done. It was an eventful twelve months and it went very smooth due to their leadership.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN – 2017
Chairman Bragg called for nominations for Chairman for 2017.
Mr. Coleman nominated Tracy Pyles, Jr., seconded by Mr. Kelley, Chairman for 2017.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Coleman, Bragg, Shull, Pattie, Kelley and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
Chairman Pyles presented the gavel to Ms. Bragg with the following comment:
Madam Chairman I present to you the gavel. It was well used and I thank you for a job well done.
VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR 2017
Chairman Pyles called for nominations for Vice-Chairman for 2017.
Mr. Shull nominated Terry Kelley, seconded by Ms. Bragg, for Vice-Chairman for 2017.
Chairman Pyles asked if there were any additional nominations.
Chairman Pyles closed nominations.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Shull, Garber, Coleman, Bragg, Kelley, Pattie and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
Mr. Pyles commented on the outstanding job Ms. Bragg did the past year. We had concern in the beginning, not because of character, but because of lack of experience that is necessary to fulfil the duties required. The situations brought before her were not an issue or a challenge for her. There was a great deal accomplished over the course of the year. The courthouse was the biggest task for the year. Along with that, there was the shortest Budget Hearing in the history of Augusta County. Seven minutes, one speaker to say we were doing a good job.
That doesn’t just happen. It’s how you work with people asking for money as you go along and how you work through different situations. The Board has different types of personalities and it is not easy to always meet the different needs. Ms. Bragg handled her job with great professionalism, patience and with great success. Economic Development had a boost this year by having Ms. Bragg always available. There was $25 million in new investment, 3 expansions at existing companies and two new companies that came to the County. The hard work from Mrs. Bragg and the Staff are very much appreciated. We are making progress.
BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2017
The Board considered the Board Meeting Schedule for 2017.
Timothy K. Fitzgerald, County Administrator, stated that the meeting schedule will basically remain the same with regular meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays and the Staff Briefings on the Monday prior to the fourth Wednesday regular meeting. Mr. Fitzgerald pointed out some of the special meetings that will take place.
Mr. Coleman moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, that the Board adopt the schedule and resolution:
SCHEDULED MEETINGS OF THE
AUGUSTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FOR THE YEAR 2017
LOCATION: GOVERNMENT CENTER, VERONA, VA
DATES – 2017 Regular Meetings Staff Briefings Wednesday Monday 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m.
JANUARY 4th 5:00 p.m.
(ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING)
JANUARY 11th 25th 23rd FEBRUARY 8th 22nd 21st (Tues) MARCH 8th 22nd 20th APRIL 12th 26th 24th MAY 10th 24th 22nd JUNE 14th 28th 26th JULY 12th 26th 24th AUGUST 9th 23rd 21st SEPTEMBER 13th 27th 25th OCTOBER 11th 25th 23rd NOVEMBER 8th 21st (Tues) 20th DECEMBER 13th Special Meetings:
Budget Hearing April 19, 2017 Budget Adoption April 26, 2017 (or May 3rd) Organizational Meeting January 3, 2018, 5:00 p.m.
* * *
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, § 15.2-1416 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, requires that the Board of Supervisors of Augusta County, Virginia, at its organizational meeting, prescribe by resolution the days on which it will hold future meetings during the ensuing months.
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors now desires to establish its schedule for regular meetings during calendar year 2017.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY,
VIRGINIA:
1. The Board of Supervisors shall hold regular meetings during calendar year 2017, in the Board Meeting Room at the Augusta County Government Center, on the dates and at the times set forth on the schedule attached to this Resolution.
2. In the event the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, or the Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, if the Chairman is unable to act, finds and declares that weather or other conditions are such that it is hazardous for members of the Board of Supervisors to attend a regular meeting, such regular meeting shall be continued to the next business day. Such finding and declaration shall be communicated to the members of the Board of Supervisors and the press as promptly as possible. All hearings and other matters previously advertised shall be conducted at the continued meeting and no further advertisement is required.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Garber, Coleman, Bragg, Kelley and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
TIE BREAKER
The Board considered, in accordance with Section 15.2-1421, appointment of a tie breaker, which is at the discretion of the governing body.
Mr. Pyles stated that tie breaker is required of the Board to take into consideration.
However, it is something that is typically turned down because if there is not enough votes to pass an agenda item, it fails.
Mr. Garber moved, seconded by Ms. Bragg, that the Board not adopt a tie breaker for 2017.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Garber, Coleman, Bragg, Kelley and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
RULES OF PROCEDURE
The Board considered adoption of Rules of Procedure.
Mr. Fitzgerald stated that these Rules of Procedure have not changed from the previous year. It was pointed out that number 13 was one that was added last year in regards to participating electronically. As a reminder, electronic meetings can only be done twice in one year. Typically if something falls outside of these rules and procedures the Roberts Rules of Order will prevail.
Mr. Shull moved, seconded by Mr. Kelley, that the Board adopt the Rules of Procedure, as presented.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Garber, Coleman, Bragg, Kelley and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC – NONE
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD
The Board discussed the following:
Mr. Shull congratulated Ms. Bragg for a year of controversy and somewhat of joy.
She and Mr. Pyles did an excellent job in the past year. Mrs. Bragg did well representing the County and the Board.
Mr. Garber pointed out how when things go well, they go well for the whole region. The money used at the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport for maintenance is based on ticket tax. To be eligible you have to have 10,000 people go through the airport each year. JMU’s success has given 1000 people in this fiscal year.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD
Mr. Coleman is looking forward to 2017. One of the things that stands out from 2016, and is hopefully repeated for this year, is the planning session to look by District and as a County what was accomplished and what is planned for 2017.
Mr. Pyles stated that this planning session would take place.
Mr. Kelley stated that is was a pleasure working with everyone last year. He looks forward to serving the County as Vice-Chairman in the coming year.
Mr. Shull would like to have an update on the schools and the construction taking place in the new year.
Mr. Pyles hopes for the good relationship between the Board of Supervisors and the School Board to continue into the future.
CLOSED SESSION
On motion of Mr. Kelley, seconded by Mr. Shull, the Board went into closed session pursuant to:
(1) 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) Court properties On motion of Mr. Shull, seconded by Ms. Bragg, the Board came out of Closed Session and adjourned subject to the call of the Chairman.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Bragg, Shull, Kelley, Garber, Wendell, Pattie and Pyles 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: Bragg, Garber, Kelley, Coleman, Pattie, Pyles and Shull 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. Pyles moved, seconded by Mr. Kelley, the Board adjourned subject to call of the Chairman.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Garber, Coleman, Bragg, Kelley and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
Chairman County Administrator h:1-4min.17
