Regular Meeting – April 11, 2018
Regular Meeting, Wednesday, April 11, 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, April 11, 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 the Riverheads High School led us with the Pledge of Allegiance:
Colton Tyree plans to attend Old Dominion University and study Mechanical Engineering.
Samantha Brooks plans to attend George Mason University and study Forensic Science and Criminal Justice.
Pam Carter, Supervisor for the Pastures District, delivered the invocation.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION
Ms. Bragg recognized the following individuals and expressed her appreciation on their outstanding work to enable the County to be a better place to live:
Rebecca Simmons Valley Community Services Board 5 years Matthew Altis Parks & Recreation Commission 2 years Doug Layman Parks & Recreation Commission 16 years Bruce Bowman Blue Ridge Community College 10 years Doug Cochran Valley Community Services Board 4 years Joe Davis Department of Social Services Board 8 years Chad Kauffman Youth Commission 4 years James Brenneman Building Board of Appeals 39 years Eric Shipplett Building Board of Appeals 15 years Planning Commission 7 years Larry Wills Augusta County Service Authority 22 years
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC – NONE
FIRE-RESCUE GRANT FUND
The Board considered the committee’s recommendation for funding in the amount of $7,641.45 for the following:
1) Churchville Volunteer Fire Company $2,947.20 2) Stuarts Draft Volunteer Fire Company $4,694.25 Carson Holloway, Augusta County Fire Chief, stated that the Fire-Rescue Grant Committee reviewed the March 2018 grant requests. Churchville Volunteer Fire Company has requested $11,392.20 for an 80/20 matching grant from the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund for a Lucas Device. They also request $8,445.00 for 2 RIT Packs (SCBA’s), since the BOS are purchasing 5 SCBA’s for each agency, the committee recommended not to fund this portion. The committee recommends a partial funding of $2,947.20 for the request from Churchville Volunteer Fire.
Stuarts Draft Volunteer Fire Company requested $4,694.25 for a Task Force Tips Osculating Blitzfire Package. They applied for a grant through the Firehouse Sub Foundation and were denied. The committee recommends funding this request with the exception of an invoice for the item(s) purchased be forwarded to Augusta County Fire-Rescue prior to sending the agency the Board approved amount, Augusta County will pay the exact amount of the invoices up to $4,694.25.
Mr. Kelley agrees with not granting Churchville Fire Department the RIT Packs.
Mr. Kelley moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, that the Board approve the funding request.
Ms. Carter questioned what part of the RIT Pack is on the SCBA.
Mr. Kelley stated the RIT (Rapid Intervention Teams) Pack is an SCBA that goes into a small backpack. It is used as backup.
Ms. Carter asked if the RIT Packs were also purchased when the SCBA’s were purchased.
Mr. Kelley stated that they were not purchased. The RIT Packs are used in a different setting. It’s a smaller unit that is used in case there is an emergency inside of a fire for rescue technique.
Ms. Carter is confused as to why this would not also be approved if it’s not an SCBA.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Kelley, Shull, Coleman, and Pattie Nays: Carter Motion carried.
Ms. Carter voted against the funding because she would recommend full funding for Churchville Volunteer Fire Department.
WAIVERS– NONE
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD
Mr. Kelley took Ms. Carter on a tour around his district.
Ms. Bragg attended the welcoming of the new airline at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. She was one of the ones to take the inaugural flights from Shenandoah to Dulles. She also attended the Valley Vo-Tech open house. A reminder of the Lunch with the Herd on Tuesday at Expo and the Budget Public Hearing next Wednesday.
Ms. Carter will be trying out the new airline on Friday.
Mr. Coleman stated that the Litter Control Program has been implemented. It started on the landfill road on March 30. The advisory group has met twice and will continue to meet monthly. The committee consists of Blue Ridge Court Service, Sheriff Department, John Wilkinson, Mr. Coleman, Caleb from the Commonwealth Attorney Office and several community members. There are a number of miscellaneous items that are needed, but were not discussed previously. Most of the items have been donated. The biggest item needed is a small bus, which will come from Augusta County Schools. Mr. Coleman is willing to cover some of the expenses out of his infrastructure account for the first year. In the years to come, the budget will include a line item in the Commonwealth Attorney’s budget. The program is off to a good start.
Mr. Kelley was impressed with the number of trash bags along the road that the crew had picked up.
Mr. Coleman would like for the Commonwealth Attorney’s office to come at least once a quarter and give an update on the program at the Staff Briefing. He also believes that with proms and graduations coming up, there will be an influx of people to join the program.
Ms. Bragg questioned who is held liable for the people in the program.
Mr. Coleman will raise the question to the committee.
Mr. Shull questioned who is held responsible for the Adopt a Highway Program.
Mr. Fitzgerald stated that part of the process is a Hold Harmless Agreement done through VDOT. The Commonwealth Attorney may want to have a Hold Harmless agreement that is signed.
Mr. Shull reminded everyone of Spring Cleanup next week. Water quality is an issue that needs to be taken back to VACo. Mr. Shull recommends staff to put together thoughts to be presented to the Ag Committee. Water quality is going to hurt a lot of people.
Mr. Garber stated that it has been a good week at the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. There are talks about a shuttle between JMU and the airport. JMU is encouraged adopt the airport.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF
Timothy Fitzgerald, County Administrator discussed the following issues:
1) Reminder of the Budget Public Hearing on April 18. The Board was given the agenda and the budget handout.
2) This is Animal Control Officers Week and Emergency Communication Dispatcher Week.
3) Ms. Whetzel reminded the Board that revisions to the Broadband Committee she created are needed. Possible Board appointments could start as early as July.
4) The Board received an email from Mr. Craig in regards to blowing grass into the roadway and the dangers associated with that. After researching the issue, there is not a locality around Augusta that has an ordinance on this matter. Also in research, there are code sections pertinent to the issue. Code 18.2.324 is regarding throwing or depositing certain substances upon the highway. It specifically talks about no person show throw or deposit upon any highway, glass bottles, glass, nails, tacks, wires, cans, other substance likely to injure a person or animal or damage any vehicle. It also talks about soil, sand, mud, gravel on the road and other substances to create a hazard to the traveling public. Grass could be a hazard to the traveling public from a motorcycle standpoint. Also code section 33.2.802 that talks about dumping of trash. It would be up to the Judge to determine whether debris would be grass or not. It is up to the Sheriff and Commonwealth Attorney to enforce the matter. Mr. Fitzgerald suggests writing a letter to Mr. Craig on behalf of the Board and share the research that has been gathered.
Mr. Shull agrees with sending the letter. It should be common courtesy to not blow grass into the road.
5) The Weyers Cave Route 256 Smart Scale Project did not score very well and was unsuccessful in receiving funding. When looking at it this year to re-submit, VDOT indicates that it’s not going to score well again. VDOT suggests looking at a smaller scaled version to get started. It is recommended to build right turn lanes and a left turn lane into a new Park and Ride facility. The right turn lane going into northbound Interstate 81 has been approved as a part of the project.
It is also recommended to build a ten foot shared use path. The path would have to be built or proof would need to be given as to why it’s not being built.
VDOT has a policy to provide pedestrian or bike access.
Dr. Pattie asked if an easement is already owned for the Park and Ride area.
Mr. Fitzgerald stated that it is land owned by Houff.
Mr. Coleman stated that this project is important, but it needs to be handled properly.
He questioned whether the Park and Ride would have electric charging stations.
Mr. Fitzgerald stated that it would most likely have charging stations.
Dr. Pattie questioned the off ramps being wide enough for a second lane.
Mr. Fitzgerald indicated the ramps are not being touched.
Mr. Shull is in support of the project.
Ms. Carter asked if the land for the Park and Ride would need to be purchased.
Mr. Fitzgerald stated that it would be included in the estimate with VDOT.
There is one more project application that can be submitted. The intersection of Route 254 and Route 640 has been recommended by VDOT. This intersection has a safety concern. VDOT has not decided what the treatment is for this intersection. They are ready to do studies and evaluate to come up with the best option.
The Board agrees to proceed with the fourth application.
Ms. Bragg presented Rebecca Simmons with the certificate for serving on the Valley Community Services Board.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to come before the Board, Ms. Carter moved, seconded by Dr. Pattie, 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:04-11min.18
