Regular Meeting – February 28, 2018
Regular Meeting, Wednesday, February 28, 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, February 28, 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 student from the Fort Defiance High School led us with the Pledge of Allegiance:
Elias Nafziger is the Co-President for the Student Council and President of the National Honor Society. He will be the Speaker of the House for the Modern General Assembly to be held in April at the Government Center.
Michael Shull, Supervisor for the Riverheads District, delivered the invocation.
STUARTS DRAFT HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY CHEERLEADING TEAM RESOLUTION
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Shull that the Board adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Stuarts Draft High School Varsity Cheerleading Team has enjoyed unprecedented success under the leadership of Coach Tammy Carter; and WHEREAS, the Stuarts Draft High School Varsity Cheerleading Team has worked very hard over the past several years to enjoy the success of 2017; and WHEREAS, the Stuarts Draft High School Varsity Cheerleading team captured the Stuarts Draft, Buffalo Gap, and the Brookville Invitational championships; and WHEREAS, the Stuarts Draft High School Varsity Cheerleading team also won the 2017 Shenandoah District championship and the 2017 Region 2B championship; and WHEREAS, the Stuarts Draft High School Varsity Cheerleading team has been highly recognized with five team members earning all-region cheerleaders and five team members earning All-State cheerleaders. Coach Tammy Carter was also recognized as the coach of the year in both the
STUARTS DRAFT HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY CHEERLEADING TEAM
Shenandoah District, and the Region 2B; and WHEREAS, the Stuarts Draft High School Varsity Cheerleading team also has been recognized in the state with Danielle Ledford earning State Cheerleader of the Year and Coach Tammy Carter earning the state coach of the year; and WHEREAS, on November 4, 2017, the Stuarts Draft High School Varsity Cheerleading Team competed and overcame 30 teams to win the Virginia High School League 2A State Championship; and WHEREAS, all citizens of Augusta County can be proud of the way the Stuarts Draft High School Varsity Cheerleading Team promoted teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, meeting in regular session on February 28, 2018, that the Augusta County Board of Supervisors hereby commends the 2017 Stuarts Draft High School Varsity Cheerleading Team for all of its accomplishments during the 2017 Cheerleading Season.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Augusta County Board of Supervisors applaud Principal Mr. Nick Nycum and Coach Tammy Carter and her staff, for instilling the principles of hard work, determination, teamwork and most importantly sportsmanship to the young women who were members of the 2017 Stuarts Draft High School Varsity Cheerleading Team.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, and be presented to Stuarts Draft High School in recognition for the accomplishments of their team during the 2017 High School Cheerleading season.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
AUGUSTA COUNTY CODE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
This being the day and time advertised to consider an ordinance amendment to Chapter 19, Service Charges and Permit Fees, Article I, Zoning and Subdivision.
John Wilkinson, Director of Community Development, stated that this is a fee for large solar energy systems. The fee would be $3,500.00, which is the same as the cell phone system towers. This would allow the County to have a consultant for the large solar energy system projects.
The Chairman declared the public hearing to be open.
There being no speakers, the Chairman declared the public hearing closed.
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, that the Board accept the ordinance amendment to Chapter 19, Service Charges and Permit Fees, Article I, Zoning and Subdivision as presented.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC — NONE
BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE-UPDATE
Dr. John Downey, President of Blue Ridge Community College, showed a PowerPoint presentation on the past and present of Blue Ridge Community College. This year marks the 50th Anniversary for the college and there have been many changes since 1967 when the college began. It is the goal to consistently serve the needs of students and the community for decades to come. Dr. Downey appreciates the support given by the Board of Supervisors over the years. Particularly, the appointments to the local BRCC Board, Lynn Dively and Debbie Callison.
Mr. Garber remembers working on a sawmill that is now the Blue Ridge campus. He commended Blue Ridge Community College for the great work they have done over the course of the years allowing students to come to the college, mature, and then move on to universities. There is a local industry that produces very high tech machines with fifty employees. Most of those 50 employees come from Blue Ridge Community College.
Blue Ridge is a tremendous asset in the community and continues to grow.
STUARTS DRAFT TOWN CENTER, LLC
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, that the Board bring the item off the table.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
The Board considered a request to add the public use overlay zoning designation with proffer to approximately 0.065 of an acre owned by Stuarts Draft Town Center, LLC located directly northeast of the intersection of Draft Avenue (Rt. 608) and Wayne Avenue (Rt. 639) in Stuarts Draft in the South River District.
Mr. Wilkinson reminded the Board that this item was tabled due to drainage issues that required additional work. All calculations have been received from their engineers and they have been approved. Improvements have been made and the property is now in compliance with the zoning ordinance.
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Kelley, that the Board approve the public use overlay zoning designation for Stuarts Draft Town Center, LLC.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
WAIVERS– NONE
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD
Mr. Garber received the following note from Mr. Coleman’s wife:
Honorable Chairman Garber, I request that my husband, Wendell L. Coleman, be excused so he can be home by 8:30 p.m. to celebrate his 74th Birthday. Thank you for considering this special request.
Respectfully, Betsy Coleman Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Kelley, that the Board honor Ms. Coleman’s request.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF
Timothy Fitzgerald, County Administrator discussed the following issues:
1) Received a letter from the owner of Walnut Hills Campground. He wants additional information and would like to meet with Mr. Fitzgerald. With the Boards direction, a meeting will be set up.
The Board agreed to setting up a meeting.
CLOSED SESSION
On motion of Ms. Bragg, 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) Augusta County Landfill b) Ladd Elementary School (2) the legal counsel exemption under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(7) [consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, and consultation with legal counsel regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, as permitted under subsection (A) (7)]:
a) Mill Place Commerce Park (3) the public safety exemption under Virginia Code 2.2-3711(A)(19) a) Mill Place Commerce Park On motion of Mr. Shull, seconded by Mr. Kelley, 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, Kelley, Shull, 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.
Mr. Kelley moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, that Staff is to proceed as directed and discussed in Closed Session.
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, Mr. Shull moved, seconded by Ms. Carter, the Board adjourn subject to call of the Chairman.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
Chairman County Administrator h:02-28min.18
