Regular Meeting – January 9, 2019
Regular Meeting, Wednesday, January 9, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.
PRESENT: Gerald W. Garber, Chairman
Carolyn S. Bragg-Vice Chairman
G.L. “Butch” Wells
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 9, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 243rd year of the Commonwealth….
Chairman Garber welcomed the citizens present.
The following students from the Shenandoah Valley Governors School led us with the Pledge of Allegiance:
Emily Hamrick is a junior at Riverheads High School and is in the STEM Program at SVGS. She hopes to become a Software Engineer.
Nicholas Whitmer attends Buffalo Gap High School and is in the STEM Program at SVGS. He hopes to become a Nuclear Engineer.
Hannah Diamond attends Buffalo Gap High School and is a part of the Visual Arts Program with SVGS. Ms. Diamond hopes to be a children’s illustrator.
Kirsten Foltz is a junior at Fort Defiance High School and is in the Humanities Program at SVGS. She plans to pursue a career in pharmacy.
Rhiannon Fultz is a junior at Fort Defiance High School. She is a part of the Humanities Program with SVGS. Ms. Fultz plans to become a registered nurse.
Garrett Mongold is a junior at Wilson Memorial High School and is in the STEM Program at SVGS. Plans to pursue engineering such as aeronautical or mechanical.
Hannah Chatterton is a senior at Stuarts Draft High School. She plans to attend college in Tennessee at Milligan and major in mechanical engineering.
Max Elkins is in the STEM Program at SVGS. He plans to attend Virginia Tech and study Air Space Engineering. Mr. Elkins plans on an NRTC scholarship and fly for the navy after college. He thanked the Board for inviting everyone to the meeting.
Mr. Garber thanked each one for coming and stated that they have restored his faith in the youth of Augusta County.
Butch Wells, Supervisor for the Beverley Manor District, delivered the invocation.
COMMITTEES & COMMISSIONS FOR 2019 APPOINTED BY THE BOARD
Chairman Garber presented the following recommendations for committee appointments:
LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMISSION
Appointed David Nichols and 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 Marshall Pattie 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.
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, that the committees appointed by the Board be approved.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Wells, Shull, Coleman, Pattie, and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
COMMITTEES FOR 2019 – APPOINTED BY THE CHAIRMAN
Chairman Garber announced the following appointments:
Emergency Services Committee: Butch Wells and Gerald Garber Property Committee: Michael Shull and Pam Carter Parks and Recreation Liaison: Wendell L. Coleman 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 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 School Liaisons: Gerald W. Garber and Carolyn S. Bragg Economic Development Committee: Carolyn S. Bragg and Gerald Garber Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Wendell L. Coleman and Pam L. Carter (Alt) Broadband Committee: Pam Carter and Marshall Pattie Shenandoah Workforce Development: Carolyn Bragg
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC — NONE
REFUND REQUESTS
The Board considered the following refund request from the Commissioner of Revenue:
James Benkahla, County Attorney, stated that the Commissioner of Revenue is requesting a refund for two individuals. The first is for John C. Groome. He has qualified for 100% disabilities through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The County previously refunded the 2018 taxes due to disabilities. Mr. Groome provided a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs stating he was 100% disabled for the years 2015-2017. Mr. Benkahla has reviewed the paperwork.
1. John C. Groome, Jr. in the amount of $4,061.16 Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Ms. Carter, that the Board approve the refund request.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Wells, Shull, Coleman, Pattie, and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
Mr. Benkahla stated that the second request is for Vital G. Boisset. He was determined by the Department of Veteran Affairs to be 100% disabled and has been since 2014. He purchased property in Augusta County in 2016. The Commissioner of Revenue certified that for tax years 2016, 2017 and 2018 he is due a refund. Mr. Benkahla has reviewed the paperwork.
2. Vital G. Boisset in the amount of $4,765.57 Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Ms. Carter, that the Board approve the refund request.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Wells, Shull, Coleman, Pattie, and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
WAIVERS– NONE
CONSENT AGENDA
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Dr. Pattie, that the Board approve the consent agenda as follows:
MINUTES
Consider minutes of the following meetings:
• Regular Meeting, Wednesday, November 14, 2018 • Staff Briefing, Monday, November 26, 2018 • Regular Meeting, Wednesday, November 28, 2018 • Regular Meeting, Wednesday, December 12, 2018 • Special Meeting, Tuesday, December 18, 2018
CLAIMS
Considered claims paid since November 1, 2018 Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Wells, Shull, Coleman, Pattie, and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
(END OF CONSENT AGENDA)
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD
Dr. Pattie had a person contact him about starting a bed and breakfast in his district.
He is from Pennsylvania, but his business partner has agreed to run the bed and breakfast and live on the property. In the bed and breakfast ordinance it doesn’t require the landowner to live on the premises, but because this is zoned agriculture, the rules are slightly different. Dr. Pattie requests the Ordinance Committee look into getting the wording changed regarding an agricultural zoned property for bed and breakfast.
Mr. Wilkinson stated that the change was made last year to state the owner of the property must live on the premises if zoned agriculture, but with Board direction, the Ordinance Committee can draft the change.
Ms. Bragg stated that Snyder Park in Stuarts Draft is operated by the Stuarts Draft Ruritan Club. The deed is written to say if the ruritan club no longer chooses to operate it as a park then it reverts back to Hollister. The County has no ownership of the park.
The County could operate the park, however if the County decides to not operate it then the park would revert back to Hollister.
Mr. Benkahla stated that the park is deeded to the ruritans, but there is a reversionary clause. As long as it is used for public purpose and if at any time they choose not to use the park for that purpose then the property reverts back to Hollister. Hollister is okay with the County taking it over if the ruritans don’t want it, but the reversionary clause remains. The purpose in this being brought up, is under the Parks & Recreation grant policy. In order to be eligible for funding, the County typically has a first right of refusal on the property.
Ms. Bragg asked the Board if they are in agreeance to the park reverting back to Hollister should the County have control of the property and decide not to keep it running as a park.
After a discussion of what the agreement means, the Board agreed to accept the terms if the opportunity is given.
Ms. Bragg informed the Board that she has scheduled town hall meetings in her district.
Ms. Carter did a presentation to Craigsville Town Council regarding the Comcast reduced fees for students who receive free or reduced lunches. Eighty-three percent of the students in Craigsville are on the national program for the lunches. This qualifies the entire school to be eligible for the Comcast reduction.
Mr. Garber would like an updated copy of the Employee Directory with pictures. He also requests the spreadsheet with infrastructure information from other districts.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF
Timothy Fitzgerald, County Administrator discussed the following issues:
1. The Augusta County Job Fair is February 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Expo.
2. VACo Legislative Day is January 31. Per discussions with the Board, it is recommended to choose a different day to meet with Legislators. Mr. Fitzgerald will make sure the date will work with Legislators.
3. Board Prioritization meeting is January 23 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
4. The Board agreed to January 28th at 1:00 p.m. as the date to tour the solar special use permit properties.
Mr. Coleman reminded everyone that this is a very serious thing and is about Augusta County not a specific district.
Mr. Shull would like a map of the area that has the industrial area defined. This will give a better understanding while during the tour of the solar special use permit properties.
Mr. Coleman stated that another item that will be addressed at the last meeting in January is the Stuarts Draft Small Area Plan. The Board needs to be mindful of what the community desires.
5. With Mr. Kelley’s resignation from the Board of Supervisors, the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission needs an appointment made.
Dr. Pattie moved, seconded by Mr. Coleman, that the Board appoint Butch Wells to serve the unexpired term for the CSPDC effective immediately.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Shull, Coleman, Pattie, and Carter Nays: None Abstain: Wells Motion carried.
Ms. Carter asked if the meeting on February 27 would have an earlier start time.
Ms. Bragg would like to keep the time at 7:00 p.m. Citizens are accustomed to that start time for the regular meetings.
The Board agreed to start the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Pattie would like to have an update on organizations interested in be involved in the Job Fair.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to come before the Board, Dr. Pattie moved, seconded by Ms. Bragg, the Board adjourn subject to call of the Chairman.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Shull, Wells, Coleman, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
RECONVENE
Dr. Pattie moved, seconded by Mr. Wells, that the Board reconvene for student questions.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Shull, Wells, Coleman, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
Chase Reed from Riverheads High School asked the Board if there was a problem with the ruritans running Snyder Park in Stuarts Draft.
Ms. Bragg stated that the ruritans are doing a terrific job and will continue to do a terrific job. Augusta County has a matching grant program through Parks and Recreation. In order to use funding from that matching grant program, the County must be in control of the property.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to come before the Board, Dr. Pattie moved, seconded by Ms. Bragg, the Board adjourn subject to call of the Chairman.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Shull, Wells, Coleman, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.
Chairman County Administrator h:01-9min.19
