Regular Meeting – January 10, 2018
Regular Meeting, Wednesday, January 10, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.
PRESENT: Gerald W. Garber, Chairman
Carolyn S. Bragg-Vice Chairman
Terry L. Kelley, Jr.
Michael L. Shull
Wendell L. Coleman
Marshall W. Pattie
Pam L. Carter
Timothy K. Fitzgerald, County Administrator
Jennifer M. Whetzel, Deputy County Administrator
John Wilkinson, Director of Community Development
James R. Benkahla, County Attorney
Angie Michael, Executive Assistant
VIRGINIA: At a regular meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 242nd year of the Commonwealth….
Chairman Garber welcomed the citizens present.
The following students from Wilson Middle School led us with the Pledge of Allegiance:
Sam Evans is in the SCA at Wilson Middle School and wants to be a Canine Officer.
Kendyl Ketchem is in the Art Club at Wilson Middle School and wants to be a Therapist.
Adison Ketchem is in the 6th grade at Wilson Middle School and wants to be a Veterinarian.
Wendell Coleman, Supervisor for the Wayne District, delivered the invocation.
COMMITTEES & COMMISSIONS FOR 2018 APPOINTED BY THE BOARD
Chairman Garber presented the following recommendations for committee appointments:
LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMISSION
Re-appointed Carson Holloway and appoint Gerald Garber to the Local Emergency Planning Commission for a one-year period.
AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT COMMITTEE
Re-appointed Earl Reeves, Randy Roller, Joseph Zapotoczny, W. Jean Shrewsbury, W. Douglas Riley, Steve Hewitt, Jeff Slaven, Ashlie Kiracofe Howell and appointed Gerald W. Garber and Michael L. Shull to the Agricultural and Forestal District Committee for a one-year period.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR
Appointed Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Gerald Garber, as Emergency Management Director.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CO-DIRECTOR
Re-appointed Timothy K. Fitzgerald, County Administrator, as Emergency Management Co-Director.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Re-appointed Donna Good, EOC Director, as Emergency Management Coordinator.
ASSISTANT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Re-appointed Anthony Ramsey, EOC Dispatcher Supervisor, as Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator.
SHENANDOAH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIAL)
Appointed Carolyn Bragg as the Chief Elected Official for the Shenandoah Workforce Development Board.
Mr. Shull moved, seconded by Mr. Coleman, that the committees appointed by the Board be approved.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie, and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
COMMITTEES FOR 2018 – APPOINTED BY THE CHAIRMAN
Chairman Garber announced the following appointments:
Emergency Services Committee: Michael L. Shull and Terry L. Kelley, Jr. Property Committee: Michael L. Shull and Gerald Garber Parks and Recreation Liaison: Wendell L. Coleman Valley Program for Aging Services, Inc.: Parks & Rec Staff Member (Vacant) Library Board Liaison: Pam L. Carter Recycling Committee Liaison: Wendell L. Coleman Board & Commission Liaison: Carolyn S. Bragg General Assembly/VACo Liaison: Gerald W. Garber Governmental Opportunities Committee with Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro Liaisons: Gerald W. Garber Rockingham/Augusta Liaisons: Marshall W. Pattie and Gerald W. Garber Reassessment Liaison Members: Carolyn S. Bragg and Marshall W. Pattie Audit Committee: Wendell L. Coleman and Marshall W.
Pattie Ordinance Review Committee: Michael L. Shull and Carolyn S. Bragg Agriculture Industry Board Liaison: Michael L. Shull Community Action Program – Staunton/ Augusta/Waynesboro (CAP-SAW): Wendell L. Coleman and Pam L. Carter Shenandoah Valley Partnership: Carolyn S. Bragg School Liaisons: Gerald W. Garber and Carolyn S. Bragg Economic Development Committee: Carolyn S. Bragg and Marshall W. Pattie Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Wendell L. Coleman and Pam L. Carter (Alt) Department of Social Services Liaison: Pam L. Carter Courthouse Committee: Gerald W. Garber and Terry L. Kelley, Jr.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC — NONE
CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE ROOF REPLACEMENT BID
The Board considered the type of roof material and associated cost to replace the roof of the Augusta County Circuit Courthouse building.
Timothy K. Fitzgerald, County Administrator, stated that this was discussed at a previous meeting. There was discussion regarding the type of roof to consider. At that time, it was decided to table the decision and do more research on the best way to proceed. The contractor that has the roof bid has been generous and was willing to wait until the New Year. The first option was a metal roof, which would require painting and had a 30 year guarantee. The second option was a copper roof, which would be a 100 year guarantee. The recommended bid would be the copper roof.
The low bid on the metal roof was $75,000.00 and the low bid on the copper roof was $249,000.00. The difference between the materials is significant, but when painting is required on the metal roof the cost would be $50,000.00 to $60,000.00 today cost.
It is staffs recommendation to move forward with the copper roof at a bid of $249,604.00 with a 10% contingency added for a total of $274,564.00. The added contingency would address some unknowns that may occur. It is anticipated that repairs will need to be made on soffit, fascia, and roof decking.
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Shull that the Board accept the copper roof bid from Don Largent Roofing, Inc. with the 10% contingency at the total cost of $274,564.00.
Mr. Coleman asked what the funding source would be.
Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the Capital Account would be the funding source.
Ms. Carter questioned if there would be repercussion from the removal of the two ventilation turbines.
Mr. Fitzgerald stated that the ventilation turbines are not currently functioning. There has been discussion with the City of Staunton regarding the removal of the ventilation and they approve of the removal. The City is also in agreeance with the use of copper to replace the roof.
Mr. Shull stated that copper will be an asset to the courthouse roof. The Board has been accused in the past of not taking care of the building. This will be a great asset for the courthouse and in Staunton.
Mr. Kelley asked what the timeframe was on the project.
Mr. Fitzgerald stated that this will be a spring project. The contractor will purchase the copper now because prices are where they need to be. The painting of the cupola is still an open project as well. That project will be coming back to the Board for further discussion. The contractor that was awarded that project has backed away so the project will be re-bid. The painting of the copula will take place first and then the roof replacement.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie, and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
STREET ADDITION
The Board considered Community Development’s and VDOT’S recommendations to adopt resolution for acceptance of the following street into the secondary road system in accordance with VDOT requests (Riverheads District) 1. Overlook Subdivision Section 4 and 5A John Wilkinson, Director of Community Development, stated that this is section from Lofty Circle, from White Hill Road to Rebecca Court and the last three lots Upland Court from Lookout Terrace to the end.
Mr. Shull moved, seconded by Ms. Bragg, that the Board accept the street addition into the secondary road system.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie, and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
WAIVERS– NONE
CONSENT AGENDA
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, that the Board approve the consent agenda as follows:
CLAIMS
Considered claims paid since December 1, 2017 Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie, and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
(END OF CONSENT AGENDA)
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD
Mr. Kelley stated that there have been several large fires in the county recently. The staff and volunteers worked together very well and did a wonderful job handling the situations. Mr. Kelley thanked the community and businesses for all of their support.
Mr. Coleman stated that the only thing that could have made the fire worse, is if the structure would have been full of patients. He thanked everyone involved for all of their hard work and dedication.
Ms. Carter has had a request for the Ordinance Committee to review the wording in a current ordinance. The ordinance addressing the provisions for subdivisions of a lot for the conveyance to a family member does not reflect the current Virginia code as it pertains to the definition of a family member. Augusta County’s current ordinance includes family member exception, but it defines a family member as a parent, a spouse, a child or grandchild. The Virginia Code has a broader definition and defines it as any person who is a natural legally defined off spring, step child, spouse, sibling, grandchild, grandparent or parent of the owner. Ms. Carter recommends referring this matter for review and consideration to the Ordinance Committee in hopes that the definition can be expanded. The Board referred the ordinance to the Ordinance Committee.
Ms. Bragg reminded everyone of the round table for the builders coming up. She attended the ribbon cutting for Sooner’s BBQ that started in Stuarts Draft, and has now opened in the Staunton Mall as well. Ms. Bragg sends her condolences to the family of Todd Earhart. He was an asset to the Real Estate office and will be sorely missed.
Mr. Garber stated that it is important to remember that the Board needs to work together. State your position, vote on it and live with the vote.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF
Timothy Fitzgerald, County Administrator discussed the following issues:
1) The Crozet Tunnel Foundation Board has asked Mr. Fitzgerald to be a member as a representative for Augusta County. He is willing, but this is in the Wayne District and Mr. Coleman may be interested.
2) Jennifer Whetzel, Deputy County Administrator, stated that the Radio Project on upgrading to narrow banding system is getting to a point of completion. Tests have been performed on the system over the past month. The County has been running on the microwave for a few months with no complications. Now the radio system is ready to be used. The plan is to switch over the radios next Wednesday. The radios in the field and in vehicles are already programmed for wide band and narrow band so they will just need to be switched. The Board’s radios are not of that capability so as of January 17, the connection may not be as clear. The plan is to collect those radios on January 22 and return them to the Board by January 24. If there are any questions, have the individual or yourself call ECC and let them know of the issue. Technicians will be available to assist with any issues.
3) Annual Priority Board Meeting will be January 22 at 10:00 a.m.
4) Process Improvement Meeting is Thursday, January 11 at 3:00 p.m.
5) VACo Government Day is February 8 in Richmond.
6) Caleb Krammer has been hired in the Commonwealth Attorney’s office and will be handling the Litter Program. Each month at the Staff Briefing, a report will be given to keep the Board up-to-date. If there are roads of concern let Mr. Wilkinson know and he will relay them to Mr. Krammer to be put on the list. The program is expected to begin in approximately 45 days. This is a unique program and hopefully will be a success for Augusta County.
Mr. Coleman stated that Rt. 608 needs to be high on the list.
Dr. Pattie asked if the liability of adding the rivers and streams to this program has been looked into.
Mr. Fitzgerald stated that he would check into it with Mr. Martin.
Mr. Garber requested that the Board inform Ms. Bragg of any event happening in their district. It’s important for the Board to be represented in the County.
CLOSED SESSION
On motion of Ms. Bragg, seconded by Mr. Shull, 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) Augusta Springs Landfill Property b) Ladd Elementary School On motion of Mr. Shull, seconded by Ms. Bragg, the Board came out of Closed Session.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie, and Carter 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:
Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Shull, Kelley, Coleman, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
The Chairman authorized the County Administrator/Clerk of the Board to record this certification in the minutes.
AUGUSTA SPRINGS LANDFILL PROPERTY
Ms. Carter moved, seconded by Dr. Pattie, that the Board approve the sale of the Augusta Springs Landfill property and accept Mr. Smiley’s offer.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie, and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to come before the Board, Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, the Board adjourn subject to call of the Chairman.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Shull, Kelley, Coleman, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
Chairman County Administrator h:01-10min.18
