Regular Meeting – February 8, 2017

Regular Meeting, Wednesday, February 8, 2017, 7:00 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.

PRESENT: Tracy C. Pyles, Jr., Chairman
Terry Lee Kelley, Jr.-Vice Chairman
Gerald W. Garber
Michael L. Shull
Wendell L. Coleman
Carolyn S. Bragg
Marshall W. Pattie
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 8, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 241th year of the Commonwealth….

Chairman Pyles welcomed the citizens present.

The following student from Buffalo Gap High School led the Pledge of Allegiance:

Anna Cahill is a senior at Buffalo Gap High School and is the President of her class.

Ms. Cahill is on the Cross Country, Indoor Track and Soccer teams. She attend the Shenandoah Valley Governors School and plans to major in pre-med with a focus on psychology. Ms. Cahill hopes to attend Roanoke College.

Wendell Coleman, Supervisor for the Wayne District, delivered invocation.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC — NONE

RESCUE SQUAD ASSISTANCE FUND GRANT

The Board considered submission of the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund Grant application.

Carson Holloway, Fire Chief, stated that the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund Grant has been used in the past for several purchases including ambulances, difibulators and various equipment. Currently there is a 19 year old difibulator that was part of the Craigsville acquisition that needs to be replaced. The estimated cost of the Lifepak 15 is $33,500, which would make the 50/50 split; $16,750 from the grant and $16,750 from the capital account. A 10% contingency is also being requested.

Mr. Kelley moved, seconded by Mr. Shull that the Board approve the submission of the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund Grant application.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pyles, Kelley, Coleman, Bragg, Garber, Shull, and Pattie Nays: None Motion carried.

Chief Holloway also stated that before the Board was a request to submit the application for the Regional Fire Services Training Grant. This is a grant available for burn buildings and training grounds and is a 100% grant up to $50,000 if approved. Mr. Holloway feels strongly that they could move forward with getting a site plan, which has been a desire for Fire and Rescue, the total amount for the site plan is approximately $18,200.00. Also in the grant there is the construction of a metal building which would cost approximately $20,000. The burn props are setting outside and it would be beneficial to have those items under cover. The building will be paid for through the grant, however the grant will not pay for concrete and labor that would be necessary for the building. The estimated cost for concrete is $5,000 and does not include labor which would be an added expense for the County. Finally, a King Ceiling/Wall Training Prop is requested for $6,005.00. The total grant amount is $44,205 if approved.

Mr. Kelley moved, seconded by Mr. Shull that the Board approve the submission of the Regional Fire Services Training Grant and the additional money needed for a training facility.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pyles, Kelley, Coleman, Bragg, Garber, Shull, and Pattie Nays: None Motion carried.

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Report from Superintendent of Augusta County School on status of school construction project.

Dr. Eric Bond, Superintendent of Augusta County Schools, showed a presentation on the screen updating the Board on the construction taking place at Hugh K. Cassell Elementary and Riverheads Elementary. Dr. Bond put together a virtual tour for the Board to view. Both schools are identical with exception of some color schemes so an interior view of Cassell Elementary will only be shown. A drone was used to see the overview of the site at both locations.

Mr. Pyles thanked Dr. Bond for sharing the presentation.

REASSESSMENT

The Board considered the timing of the next reassessment at 5 years (1/1/19) or 6 years (1/1/20).

Jennifer Whetzel, Deputy County Administrator, stated that in the Staff Briefing on January 23rd the timing of a reassessment was discussed. Information was pulled together regarding an in house assessment office with 9 personnel if fully staffed according to the standards for assessing offices. These positions include 5 field people going out and looking at approximately 40 properties per day over the four year period, clerical staff to key the data and keep it up to date, a statistician and a chief assessor that would look at the high end properties such as industries. For that type of office the estimated cost per year was $595,000. Current contractor prices that have been coming in based on the number of parcels in Augusta County has an estimated cost for a new contract of $709,000. If there was an in house office it may be necessary to do the assessments more often to keep everyone busy. The Reassessment Committee met with staff and the Commissioner of Revenue Office and reviewed the options. The decision before the Board is whether to do the reassessment for a 1/1/19 or 1/1/20 date which would be the 5 or 6 years and if the assessment should be done in house or via contract.

Mr. Garber stated that the numbers do not support having an in-house assessment office. After speaking with Harrisonburg, one of the reasons for going to an in-house was to go to two year assessments when the market was moving rapidly. The information sent regarding assessments shows the market has been flat for 6 years.

Another reason was they used a lot of part-time help and the budget was not going work for that. The main objective is simply to get fair assessments. There is no way for anyone to know when the market will go up or down.

Mr. Garber moved, seconded by Ms. Bragg that the Board approve a 5 year assessment contract and to advertise to start the process.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pyles, Kelley, Coleman, Bragg, Garber, Shull, and Pattie Nays: None Motion carried.

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY BOARD FUND REQUEST

The Board considered the request from the Agriculture Industry Board to transfer $5,000.00 to the Market Animal Show.

Timothy Fitzgerald, County Administrator, stated that there is a request from the Agriculture Industry Board to transfer funds in support of the 4-H and FFA Market Animal Show. Each year $10,000 is budgeted for agriculture development and comes from the Farm Account. This money is used for agriculture development purposes.

The Agriculture Industry Board looks at different things throughout the year and then brings it to the Board as thoughts of how they can support agriculture development in the County.

Mr. Shull stated that there will be cost on the Berry Farm and the Farm Account will need to be used for that. Each district has kids that participate in the Market Animal Show and he would like to see the funding come from the infrastructure accounts.

Mr. Garber stated that the Market Animal Show is an educational experience that has grown over the years and continues to grow. This is the largest Market Animal Show east of the Mississippi. The main objective is to allow all kids that can and will be able to participate.

Mr. Garber moved, seconded by Mr. Coleman that the Board approve transfer of $1,000.00 from each infrastructure account to the Market Animal Show.

Mr. Pyles pointed out that the infrastructure accounts are thought of as something of substance and something that is going to last. Will the Board have to do this every year for the Market Animal Show? We are big enough as an Agricultural County that we should be able to support something like this without taking away from our roads and water systems.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pyles, Kelley, Coleman, Bragg, Garber, Shull, and Pattie Nays: None Motion carried.

WAIVERS/VARIANCES – NONE

CONSENT AGENDA

Chairman Pyles asked if the public wished for any item to be removed from the Consent Agenda. No request was made.

Mr. Kelley moved, seconded by Mr. Shull, that the Board approve the consent agenda as follows:

MINUTES

Approved minutes of the following meetings:

• Regular Meeting, Wednesday, January 11, 2017 • Special Meeting, Monday, January 23, 2017 • Staff Briefing, Monday, January 23, 2017 • Regular Meeting, Wednesday, January 25, 2017

CLAIMS

Approved claims paid since January 1, 2017.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pyles, Kelley, Coleman, Bragg, Garber, Shull, and Pattie Nays: None Motion carried.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD

The Board discussed the following issues:

Mr. Garber stated that there was a minor bus incident with some very minor cuts and bruises involving a dog running in front of the bus.

Ms. Bragg reminded everyone of the Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, February 16 at 7:00 p.m.

Mr. Kelley stated that he has attended several Fire and Rescue Banquets over the past few weeks. This is a good opportunity to show support for the volunteer forces.

Mr. Pyles pointed out that one of the things about being on the Board of Supervisors is you get to see things that go on in the County. It’s important to take what is learned and see if things can be done better. The County has had an objective for a long time to have consolidation and cooperation between different groups. Monday the Service Authority discussed buying a new facility for maintenance. They are presently doing their maintenance work in old buildings at the Woodrow Wilson site and the efficiencies, the size, and the lack of good environmental things has made it seem that it is not a safe or efficient place to work. Recently at the Emergency Services Committee meeting Mr. Holloway brought up the cost of maintaining the fire trucks and how he is going well above his budget. There is a lot of cost to the maintenance of volunteer equipment and lost time due to inefficiencies. Things have grown tremendously in the County. Mr. Pyles would like for the Board to agree to allow staff time to figure out how much time is spent on maintenance in all departments. Would the County benefit from constructing a County central garage? Each department is done separately now, but it may be beneficial to combine it. Also, a possibility would be tying maintenance in with Vo-Tech and let the students earn and learn as they go. Mr. Shull often brings up that we are not getting full value out of the Vo-Tech buildings because they only operate half a day.

It may be an advantage to have some second shift workers.

The Board agreed to pull together numbers and evaluate.

Mr. Fitzgerald pointed out that the information is in the budget and it would be easy to compile the information needed. He would contact the School Board and the Service authority to get their information as well.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF

Timothy Fitzgerald, County Administrator discussed the following:

1) Reminded everyone that the Workforce Development Plan review period ends February 21st. 2) Ms. Whetzel has been working on a growth number for next year which appears to be 637,000 in growth for this year for the County and approximately the same for the School Board. Mr. Fitzgerald and Ms. Whetzel have been meeting with Department Heads regarding budgets. There has been requests for 21 new positions.

3) The County received good media publicity on the Mill Place walking trail. As a result of that article, the County made the National Parks and Recreation Association published newsletter.

4) Invitation to Fort Defiance FFA dinner and auction on March 11. There are 2 complimentary tickets and additional tickets are available for purchase at $15.00 each.

5) Bill O’Brien passed away. Mr. O’Brien was a close friend and mentor. He was the Rockingham County Administrator for many years and served on the Airport Commission and was Chair of the Virginia Resource Authority. Services will be Sunday in Harrisonburg. He will be greatly missed.

6) Amanda Glover, Director of Economic Development, gave an update on the Go Virginia Region 8 Council.

7) Mr. Fitzgerald congratulated Amanda Glover on being recognized as a distinguished alumni from the Virginia Tech Agriculture and Applied Economic School for 2016-17.

Mr. Shull informed the Board and Staff that Lyle Harlow passed away this past week.

Mr. Harlow worked at McCormick Farm for 44 years and was involved with the Market Animal Show. He was a good servant of the community.

The Board wishes to express their condolences for the loss of Lyle Harlow and Bill O’Brien.

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) Mill Place (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 On motion of Mr. Kelley, seconded by Mr. Shull, the Board came out of Closed Session.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pyles, Kelley, Coleman, Bragg, Garber, Shull, and Pattie 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: Pyles, Kelley, Coleman, Bragg, Garber, Shull and Pattie 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. Shull moved, seconded by Dr. Pattie, the Board adjourned subject to call of the Chairman.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pyles, Kelley, Coleman, Bragg, Garber, Shull and Pattie Nays: None Motion carried.

Chairman County Administrator h:2-08min.17