Regular Meeting – March 11, 2015

Regular Meeting, Wednesday, March 11, 2015, 7:00 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.

PRESENT: Michael L. Shull, Chairman
David A. Karaffa, Vice-Chairman
Carolyn S. Bragg
Jeffrey A. Moore
Marshall W. Pattie
Larry J. Wills
Patrick J. Morgan, County Attorney
Timmy Fitzgerald, Director of Community Development
Jennifer M. Whetzel, Director of Finance
Patrick J. Coffield, County Administrator
Rita R. Austin, CMC, Executive Secretary

ABSENT: Tracy C. Pyles, Jr.

VIRGINIA: At a regular meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 239th year of the Commonwealth….

Chairman Shull welcomed the citizens present.

Carrie Dunsmore, a senior at Fort Defiance High School, led us with the Pledge of Allegiance. Carrie is involved with SCCLA, SCA and NHS. She will be attending Virginia Tech and is undecided about her major.

Michael L. Shull, Supervisor for the Riverheads District, delivered invocation.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC

AUGUSTA COUNTY SCHOOL BUDGET UPDATE

Dr. Ocheltree, Chairman of the Augusta County School Board, made the following comment:

I’m here before you tonight, representing the Augusta County School Board, in an effort to keep our communication open and to provide you with accurate information regarding our 2015-2016 budget. We would like to take a little bit of time to let you know where we were in the beginning of our budget process, where we are presently in some decisions that we will have to make to make in the coming weeks before we approve the budget on March 19th, about a week away. Additionally, we felt that this presentation affirms our commitment as elected boards to have an open dialogue with each other and our respective counter-parts. At this time, I would like to ask Dr. Eric Bond to come forward to present our current budget information. Once he completes his presentation, I will have a few closing comments.

Dr. Eric Bond provided information to the Board and made the following comment:

I stand before you this evening to give you a current update on where Augusta County Public I stand before you this evening to give you a current update on where Augusta County Public Schools are with their current budget for next year. I think Mr. Lotts has probably given you a handout that we can refer to and he is also going to present on the overhead as well. On the first page, first box, basically, what we wanted to represent to our Board was the cuts that we make prior to going into our February 19th budget work session. We have them itemized there. You can see the very first one there was a reduction in FTEs (8 teachers) due to declining enrollment. We have taken care of the declining enrollment issue, again, through attrition. The next three lines deal with our technology initiative.

We wanted to have a budget item in our budget that would be, I think what you refer to as a depreciation account and infrastructure account that we can replace the machines and, also, to have some personnel once we do our digital transformation to help support not only our teachers, but our computers, as well. Those have been eliminated from the budget as well. We have basically gone to all of our departments and asked them to cut their budget. The total that we started with cutting, before we even went into our February 19th meeting, was right at $1 million.

Mr. Moore asked Dr. Bond to explain the information at the very top of the report:

“Reduction in State Basic Aid revenues based upon an ADM of 10,005 (a decline of 145 from Revised FY15).” Dr. Bond explained that they are experiencing a history of declining enrollment and have a revenue stream from the State that is based on ADM (Average Daily Membership). “As we lose students, we basically lose funding from our State.” Mr. Moore clarified that the School Board is losing $500,000 based on reduction. Dr. Bond said that was correct.

Dr. Bond’s continued comment:

Again, in total, we reduced our budget about $1 million before we went into our February 19th budget work session.

Dr. Pattie referred to the $375,000 as “reduction of technology replacements” and asked if that was from the additional $1 million that the School Board is receiving from the Board of Supervisors. Dr. Bond said it was not, that it was a depreciation account in the operating budget to do annual updates to machines as needed.

Dr. Bond’s continued comments:

February 19th, we had our meeting; we gave our Board an update on the revenues, which was approximately $97.5 million. Our expenditures at this time was $99.3 million; so we had a shortfall, or deficit, of approximately $1.8 million. The next box—the third box that you have there, those are the primary factors that we’re driving the deficit. The General Assembly passed a 1.5% salary increase for all teachers. We have to match that. They do their share of the SOQ funded; we have to pick up the rest. In essence, what that means for us, 1.5% salary increase for all of our employees is about $1 million. We are scheduled to receive about $450,000 from the General Assembly; we have to make up the difference, which is approximately about $564,000. The raise that the General Assembly approved—they only fund a portion of that; we have to pick up the difference.

The big player, if you will, in our budget shortfall is our health insurance increase. Our health insurance increased a little over 11%, based on our consultant, and that is a little over $1 million. This is the initial change in funding from the County. I say “initial”; I want to stress that. We have worked very closely, myself, with Mr. Coffield and Mr. Lotts and Ms. Whetzel, over the last several weeks. The estimated number at this time for February 19th was a negative growth number of $298,000. Those three factors, primarily, were the major contributors to our $1.8 million deficit.

We wanted to represent this box to our Board, as well. Every year, our School Board has budget goals for the year. There are basically four goals that you see there in the bottom box: 1) To continue with our Salary Improvement and Compensation Package. We actually broke that down in a 5% and a 2%. 2) We want to continue with our Digital Conversion Technology. Dr. Pattie, to your point, this is the exact same figures that were up in the first box. Again, this is an item that we feel like we wanted to put in our operating budget so we can keep replacements going and moving forward with our digital transformation. We realize that when you buy computers, it cannot be a one- time purchase; you have to have a ways and means to replace parts in the computers in the future. 3) We have talked to not only Mr. Coffield, but this board in particular, about our continued maintenance needs and having a budget line in our operating budget for our maintenance infrastructure needs, as well as our 4) bus replacements. These were, again, a part of our School Board’s goals this year and you can see the dollar amounts attached. These aren’t fully funded with the goals. We only took the top twenty-five and we, at this point, have 10 bus replacements as a goal for our School Board.

The total down at the bottom, depending on whether it was a 5% salary increase or a 2% salary increase, that would have been an additional $2.3 million to a $4.4 million deficit that would have been tacked on to the $1.8 million if they want to accomplish and move forward with their goals.

That’s where we were on February 19th. The second page is an update from February 19th until today (March 11th). We’ll do a quick briefing on the revenue side.

Again, on February 19th, we’re about $97.5 million. We got some new information from State, based on the approved budget, that was a reduction a little over $10,000. Line 2 is a reduction of about $131,575 total from our Federal government. Mr. Lotts has itemized what those cuts are. The first one being the reduction in Federal Land Use Revenues (Forest Service Payments): from $166,667 to $35,357 (Secure Rural Schools Act was not reauthorized; thus, funding is based upon a pre-existing Act of 1908 funding= 25% of the previous 6 years funding amounts less 7.3% due to sequestration.) We did see an increase in our revenues for Infant & Toddler program and, then, again, I refer back to what I said earlier. Continuing to collaborate with Mr. Coffield and Ms. Whetzel, they kept working on their number and we went from a negative $298,000 growth number to a negative $64,000 growth number. In essence, we gained $233,000 from the County, which we greatly appreciate. All that being said, our new revenue picture, now, was $97.6 million. Looking on the expenditure side, again, on February 19th, we had $99.3 million. We went back to our departments and went back to work to try to reduce our budget further. We picked up two additional teachers, through attrition—retirements and resignations—and gained some ground there. We went to all of our regional programs and re-evaluated some of the things there based on some of the salary and VRS rates, captured some savings there. We went back to Mr. Houser, our Director of Operations and Maintenance; he basically took the COLA out of his projections and we captured about $111,000 savings there. We had a credit with our Student Information System that we use of $115,000. The bottom line is that our new expenditures were now at $99 million.

The last box there gives you a summary. Again, on February 19th, we had a shortfall of about $1.8 million; as of today, we have a shortfall of about $1.3 million.

The last page are considerations for balancing the budget. These are some of the things that we certainly don’t like to see, but things that our Board will have to consider. The first one, which is not a huge item, but taking basically the pay raise from our supplemental contracts, coaching contracts. There are a number of positions that we have in Augusta County Schools that are extended contracts. We have looked to reduce some of the days on those extended contracts. Again, we can capture almost $500,000.

We looked at second and third grades, increasing our pupil/teacher ratios. Currently, the approved ratio for second and third grade is 20-to-1. We looked at some numbers and ran some data on going up to 22-to-1 in second and third grade. By doing so, we can capture an additional 5 FTEs for a savings of almost $300,000. Again, the big factor that we are dealing with is health insurance increase—about 11%. If we ask our employees to absorb that out of pocket for 11%, it equates to about $65 a month for our employees. Obviously, we would capture $1 million with a savings in our budget. We looked at not only 100%, but we looked at a 50%. If we asked them to pay $32.50, we could capture about half that amount of $525,000. I think it goes without saying that we cannot select #4 and #5. It has to be an either/or. Certainly, this last one—item #6, a little over $500,000, that is if we do not accept the pay increase approved by the General Assembly. In essence, our portion of the 1.5% pay increase was $564,000; we would, basically, leave $450,000 money with the General Assembly and that would save us $564,000. Again, our balance there would be $1.3 million.

As we continue to work over the several week toward our March 19th meeting, and even as we move forward to our June 20th, end of our fiscal year if you will, these are other factors that we continue to evaluate pretty much on a daily basis, actually. We continue to evaluate our enrollment; we continue to evaluate our sales tax receipts; and then, certainly, we continue to evaluate our attrition. I think there will certainly be, between now and June 30th, some additional retirements and resignations that we can capture some more attrition to help balance the budget.

Dr. Ocheltree made the following comment:

As you all can see from everything that Dr. Bond presented, we have some difficult decisions to make before March 19th. We didn’t come tonight to ask for a specific amount of money as reported. We did not come here tonight to insist we present an unbalanced budget as reported. We simply came tonight to present an update on our current budget situation and ask that you consider the data as presented and offer any thoughts with your respective counter-part. We believe that open lines of communication will be number 1 in the coming weeks as we continue to evaluate the expenditures and revenues, which will enable us to make dated-driven decisions for the betterment of Augusta County Schools. We all think it is a goal for both Boards to provide the best education possible for all of the children of Augusta County. You all can see the biggest expense is that insurance bill. We consider that one of the prices of doing business.

There is probably not a person in this room that dislikes health insurance companies more than me. We can’t cut into it. We can’t reduce it. It just has a big price tag. We have always appreciate what you all have done for the School Board. Every penny you can send us, we appreciate. We are just looking for some guidance, some help, whatever rabbit we can pull out of a hat. As usual, the budget process has been fun to say the least. We’re just here tonight to mainly provide you with correct information and just ask for your help.

Chairman Shull appreciated the information that was given tonight to “keep both Boards informed”. “I think everyone can see that, basically, you would have had a flat budget if it had not been for reduced Federal and the State funding. It’s the hand that we’re dealt with. Through the budget process, we’ll move forward and see how things go.” Patrick J. Coffield, County Administrator, mentioned that every time it is reported that the State has approved a 1.5% increase for teacher salaries; in reality, they have approved 45% of a 1.5% salary increase. They did not fully fund 1.5%. He encouraged citizens, when speaking with legislators that when the State sends money to the school system, they should send the amount without strings and let the School Board prioritize.

He hoped that the newspapers will clarify this information.

* * * Leroy Jarvis, of Quick’s Mill Road, expressed a complaint of the noise (humming pitch) from the Ball Corporation, which is located on Dunsmore Road across from the Post Office and asked for the Board’s support of getting the problem corrected. He said that he has contacted Ball Incorporated and they were not helpful.

Mr. Karaffa said that Amanda Glover, Director of Economic Development, has spoken with Ball Incorporated of this problem and has requested a meeting. He hoped that this meeting would be productive in finding resolution. Mr. Karaffa said that he had gone to a home one evening and witnessed the piercing sound. He felt it important that Ball be made aware that a complaint has been made to the Board of Supervisors.

Chairman Shull asked if this had been ongoing since Ball Incorporated began. Mr. Jarvis said it has always occurred.

Mr. Moore asked Timmy Fitzgerald, Community Development Director, if this was Industrial zoning. Mr. Fitzgerald said it was.

FISCAL YEAR – 2015-2016 ARTS GRANT

The Board considered submission of Arts Grant to State for the following programs:

STATE COUNTY TOTAL

Staunton/Augusta Art Center $1,666.67 $1,666.67 $3,333.34 ShenanArts 1,666.67 1,666.67 3,333.34 Stonewall Brigade Band 1,666.66 1,666.66 3,333.32 $5,000.00 $5,000.00 $10,000.00

FUNDING SOURCE: FINE ARTS GRANT ACCOUNT #81020-5698 $5,000

Mr. Coffield advised that the State of Virginia, for a number of years, has provided a matching Arts Grant Program and noted that a regional application has been submitted and is included in the current Operating Budget. He noted that Staunton will be receiving a similar application.

Beth Hodge, of Staunton Augusta Arts Center; Mike Conner, of ShenanArts; and Hannah Bush, of The Stonewall Brigade Band, were present tonight to answer any questions that the Board may have.

Mr. Wills moved, seconded by Mr. Moore, that the Board approved the request.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore and Bragg Nays: None

Absent: Pyles
Motion carried.
OUTDOOR MUSICAL OR ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL

The Board considered application as submitted by Chamber of Commerce for an outdoor event to be held at the Shenandoah Acres Family Campground on September 19, 2015 (South River District).

Mr. Fitzgerald reported that the Chamber of Commerce has an event every year (in the past, known as Good Times Taste and Traditions). In the past, it has been in conjunction with the Viette Day Lilly Festival and also on the Frontier Culture Museum property. This upcoming year, the Chamber wishes to hold this event at the Shenandoah Acres Family Campground on September 19th. This event will have Country and Bluegrass bands, a hamburger cook-off (instead of a chili cook-off), and many other events. The Chamber had met all requirements of the application; a copy had been enclosed with the agenda package for the Board’s review.

Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Karaffa, that the Board approved the request.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore and Bragg Nays: None

Absent: Pyles
Motion carried.
ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE
The Board considered comments for submission to FERC.

Mr. Fitzgerald provided a document noting key issues heard from the public and a new map, which considers the Stuarts Draft economic development sites, to the Board. He noted the FERC meeting, in regards to the Environmental Impact Statement, is to be held on March 19th at the Stuarts Draft High School at 7:00 p.m. The comments are due by April 28th. Also, included in the distributed information, is a Fact Sheet that FERC had given in regards to the process of the Environmental Impact Statement. He noted the importance that the Environmental Impact Statement will look at several issues:

1. Geology and Soils 2. Land Use 3. Water Resources 4. Fisheries and Wetlands 5. Cultural Resources 6. Vegetation and wildlife 7. Air Quality and Noise 8. Endangered and Threatened Species 9. Socioeconomics 10. Public Safety He emphasized that, in conjunction with the concerns heard from the public, the Environmental Impact Statement will be key in addressing a lot of those particular issues heard. He mentioned there was an opportunity for the local government to request to be a “Cooperating Agency”. This could be done if you had specific expertise in a specific area that FERC is considering. The Forest Service has already requested to be a Cooperating Agency. If this Board wished to be a Cooperating Agency, its expertise would be in land use and the public safety issues.

Also, there have already been several environmental issues identified:

 the land use impacts, including the exercise of eminent domain of future land use restrictions;  impacts on property values, tourism, and recreation;  safety issues, during construction and operation of the planned facilities near existing residences, schools, businesses, and military training facilities, and in karst and steep slope terrain;  alternatives, including routing within existing linear corridors, avoiding private property, National Forests, National Parkway lands, National Wildlife Refuge land, and other sensitive environmental features;  impacts on local emergency management systems;  impacts on forested areas and other vegetation;  impacts on surface water resources including springs, seeps, and wetlands;  impacts on groundwater resources and wells;  impacts on protected species and habitat;  impacts on cultural resources including battlefields, cemeteries, and historic properties; and  concerns regarding construction and operational noise, especially related to compressor stations. (At this time, there are no compressor stations in Augusta County.) He added that he felt that after FERC goes through the Environmental Impact Statement, they will find more issues to consider.

Mr. Fitzgerald also mentioned that there is an additional opportunity for the County, once a formal application for the project has been made, that they can request to become an Intervenor for this project. He would like to do more research to determine what the expectations of an Intervenor would be. He noted that if the County chose to be an Intervenor, it would have to notify the entire group of its opinion, which could be quite large. Some of the costs could be significant. He felt that before the time of formal application, staff could evaluate if being an Intervenor would be appropriate for the Board.

Mr. Fitzgerald asked the Board how it wished to handle the March 19th meeting and what comments should be provided. He also asked if the Board wished to be a Cooperating Agency in regards to land use and public safety.

Ms. Bragg asked if Headwaters could be considered to be a Cooperating Agency. Mr. Fitzgerald felt that the Service Authority would be more appropriate to assist as far as the water resource issue.

Mr. Wills asked if the Board to go in together with the Service Authority. He felt that, on the environmental issue, the two studies were valuable in making them experts in terms of “having expert opinions”.

Mr. Fitzgerald felt that it could request that the County be a Cooperating Agency and then depend on the Service Authority to assist them. It could also be formally listed that the Service Authority be a Cooperating Agency.

Mr. Wills asked when a Cooperating Agency needed to be requested. Mr. Fitzgerald read, “Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the Public Participation section of this notice.” Essentially, he explained that they needed to under the Public Participation section and make notification that they want to be a Cooperating Agency. That will need to be prior to April 28th.

Ms. Bragg felt it beneficial for both Augusta County and the Service Authority to participate.

Nancy Sorrells thanked the Board for its support and agreed with the suggestion of Augusta County and the Service Authority being a Cooperating Agency. “This County and the Service Authority have done more research on potential impacts to your citizens than any other community on the whole pipeline.” She also noted that many communities and organizations were formally requesting a 30-day extension for the scoping period, given the fact of the new release of alternate routes. She asked if the map distributed tonight to the Board was the same that was given out two weeks ago.

Mr. Fitzgerald said there were actually two maps: 1) Appalachian Trail that indicates 95 landowners; and 2) the Augusta County Economic Development Alternative that is specifically for Stuarts Draft, that routes away from future economic development. Ms. Sorrells attended the open house meeting last night and stated that landowner information for Augusta County was not available. Given that there are a lot of new issues, especially, the Appalachian Trail Route goes within 500 feet of one of the flood control dams, it would behoove everyone to do more research. She added that even though there are no compressor stations in Augusta County, there will be staging areas, and asked that those locations be identified.

Diane Korte thanked the Board for its support. She said that she has done much research on the karst issue incidents reports and mentioned the Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration, which is the Department of Transportation Division that is Pipeline safety that, after FERC is done with the process of approval, that will “babysit the pipelines and are the actual watchdogs”. During her research, she determined that there is not anyone who goes to the incidents from the Federal agencies that has any kind of “earth sciences background”. When it is said that these incidents are not caused by karst, she had difficulty in finding any actual information that would support that claim. She felt that this was quite disturbing. She supported Augusta County becoming a Cooperating Agency and suggested that the County also be designated as a “high consequence area”. She explained that this is in the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) information that requires a higher level of design, review and inspection. Normally, it is tied to urban densities. Looking at that type of criteria, and being concerned about the maintenance, she felt it would be good for the County to “push for whatever you can to make them pay a little bit more attention”. She felt that the local opinion did matter. “Despite the fact that the County is not the decision makers, it is very important that you are doing the work that you do. I really appreciate you spending my tax dollars on these studies about the water quality.

I hope that you are giving the Environmental Impact Statement that they are preparing on the other side a good reality check. Reading through some of the FERC decisions about other projects, even more than environmental issues, they have a tendency to look at costs benefit.” Mr. Karaffa made the following comment:

Seeing this new revision, I do have some concerns. It is interesting that it is called the Economic Development Betterment. I can see where it is avoiding some properties on Hull School Road; however, as you look closer at 340, they’ve got it going starting to deviate right across the street from the Beiler property. That piece of property is ideal. It sits there right on 340; plus, the Beiler property and that property is in question right now in reference to a rezoning in terms of stormwater. They were going to do a bunch of excavation to fix some problems, but, as I follow that path further down, towards Patton Farm Road, I see where we have the Stuarts Draft Retirement Community and Assisted Living. This line, if this map is correct, is 350 feet away from the almost 40 residents who are in wheelchairs and use walkers. This is the 42-inch big boy that we’re talking about.

Mr. Fitzgerald told Mr. Karaffa that it puts it right beside the existing gas line.

Mr. Karaffa further stated:

That’s even better. So if one goes up, then the other goes up with it! That’s even more encouraging. I really think that the General Assembly and the Federal government need to look at these pipelines when they go in and they need to be kept away from our most highly vulnerable populations – schools, nursing homes, day care facilities, hospitals.

When they’re this size and can have that kind of catastrophic impact, you need to steer them away from those. I find this startling, plus, the fact that we know that under the Target Distribution Center, we have a pretty significant sinkhole there. We found it. We lost a couple of bits when they went to go in to put in part of the foundation. This line puts it closer to where that formation is. It’s very disturbing.

Mr. Coffield mentioned that e-mails were sent out to the Board today from Mr. Pyles, who was absent tonight because of being ill. He wanted to make sure that all members of the Board received his comments for the record and consideration.

Mr. Wills made the following comment:

I think, as far as what we would recommend providing to FERC, that we need to take all of the comments that we have that came in from the public, both through our minutes and through the written comments that came in after our meeting, package them; package the two reports that we have and then have staff prepare, either for presentation by staff, or by you, as Chairman, for the meeting. Our concerns, particularly, as it relates to our water, emphasizing the importance of us being the headwaters in the area and how much actually leaves this area, and let them know that we definitely want to be a cooperating agency in this thing. It’s what we’ve said all along. We want to be a partner in this thing if it goes through. We want them to understand our concerns. Most importantly, if there is nothing we can do to stop it, we want to be able to protect our citizens the best we can as it goes through. I think that comes back to the environmental side of it. I would hope that they would value those reports that we have because I think those are not reports based on somebody’s thoughts. Those are reports based by scientists as to what happens or what can happen and our real concern over water. It’s one of those qualities that once you lose it, you don’t have it. There is nothing you can do to replace it. I just feel like we need to provide them with every bit of information that we’ve gotten from our citizens along with, you know, staff has done a great job of putting together the concerns. I think they can prepare a statement to be given both orally and in writing. I will make that as a motion.

Mr. Wills moved, seconded by Mr. Moore, that the Board authorize staff to provide a package to be presented to FERC at its meeting on March 19th and to have the Chairman present the report on behalf of the Board.

Mr. Moore agreed with what was said about the reports. “That is not what we think; that’s from people who truly know what they’re talking about. That gives us more of a credible concern than, as Mr. Pyles has said, the people’s personal concerns. It’s more of how we are truly unique here and the potential risks that we have because of our uniqueness. I agree with Mr. Wills that we should be a cooperative agency.” Dr. Pattie added that it would be more impactful to have an Executive Summary (a one- pager) at the very beginning, highlighting the concise numbers so that it was user- friendly, and followed by the report.

Chairman Shull reiterated that the Board has heard from citizens and their concerns and agreed that the impact of schools and economic development now and in the future should be strongly considered. “We need to be a key player in this. We may not be able to stop it, but we do need to be the key player in how and where it can go.” Dr. Pattie suggested that staff look into the high consequence area designation.

Ms. Bragg emphasized that Dominion needs to provide the best, as far as construction, and “not cheat us on grading, size of pipes, etc.” for the utmost care and distance from water sources.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore and Bragg Nays: None

Absent: Pyles
Motion carried.
* * *

Mr. Wills moved, seconded by Mr. Karaffa, that the Board authorize staff to seek the designation of Cooperating Agency.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore and Bragg Nays: None

Absent: Pyles
Motion carried.

Ms. Bragg suggested that staff look into becoming an Intervenor. Mr. Fitzgerald said that could not be requested until there is a formal request from Dominion to FERC; however, they will look into what the requirements are and determine if appropriate.

Mr. Fitzgerald explained that staff has shared a few concerns about the Stuarts Draft map that was handed out tonight with Dominion. Dominion has committed that they will review and determine if some adjustments can be made. Mr. Fitzgerald said that one concern was that the line actually goes on the other side of Wayne Avenue, which puts it into one of Augusta County’s prime economic development sites with rail access. “They are taking it out of one economic development site and putting it into another economic development site. We’ve got some tweaking to do to that. It is subject to change.”

WAIVERS/VARIANCES – NONE

CONSENT AGENDA

Mr. Karaffa moved, seconded by Mr. Wills, that the Board approve the consent agenda as follows:

MINUTES

Approved minutes of the following meetings:

 Staff Briefing Meeting, Monday, February 23, 2015  Regular Meeting, Wednesday, February 25, 2015

CLAIMS

Approved claims paid since February 11, 2015 Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Moore, Bragg and Karaffa Nays: None

Absent: Pyles
Motion carried.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD
The Board discussed the following issues:

Mr. Moore: Schools – has sat on both Boards and has learned that you clearly need information before acting on County budget. Agreed with Dr. Ocheltree that insurance increases are a “cost of doing business”. Cannot make any comments tonight concerning the budget; however, hope that the County will be able to help the Schools with its insurance rate increase.

Ms. Bragg: Re-Election – plan to run for re-election of South River District. She has enjoyed the position and learned a lot. “It has been an honor and pleasure to serve the County.” Chm. Shull: Budget – “Hard to meet those goals, but must move forward in the process.”

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF

Staff discussed the following:

1. Property Committee Staff projects circulated to Board. Staff proceeding with projects as identified.

2. Fire and Rescue – Rescue Squad Assistance Fund Grant (RSAF) – grant application for FY2015 award due March 15th for a Lifepak 15.

3. Augusta County Budget – continually revising. “Revenue side – generally across the board is flat. Expenditures – we’ve already cut over $2.3 million. Going to give you some a-la-carte items to consider, mostly personnel driven (Fire and Rescue being the principle one). Noted that Chief is scheduled to present Master Plan Update at next Staff Meeting. Budget Work Session – Monday, March 30th, and if needed, Wednesday, April 1st. Budget Public Hearing: April 15th; Budget Adoption: April 22nd or April 29th. Mr. Wills asked that the budget package be given to the Board as early as possible prior to March 30th.

CLOSED SESSION

On motion of Mr. Karaffa, seconded by Ms. Bragg, 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 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) Courthouse B) Reassessment C) Sheriff’s Department On motion of Mr. Karaffa, seconded by Dr. Pattie, the Board came out of Closed Session and adjourned subject to the call of the Chairman.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Karaffa, Shull, Wills, Moore and Bragg Nays: None

Absent: Pyles
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: Pattie, Karaffa, Wills, Moore, Bragg and Shull NAY: None

ABSENT: Pyles

The Chairman authorized the County Administrator/Clerk of the Board to record this certification in the minutes.

COURTS COMPLEX – RELOCATION

Mr. Wills moved, seconded by Mr. Karaffa, that staff move forward with study phase to secure information requested by the Judge to determine renovation/relocation costs for the Courts Complex necessary for November 3rd Referendum. It was Mr. Wills’ opinion that this matter was so important that it needed to be put before our citizens to let them make the choice.

Mr. Pattie stated that he preferred that the courts remain in Staunton; however, after reviewing Staunton’s current offer, he felt that the Board needed to move forward with relocating the courts.

Chairman Shull commented:

We have met with Staunton. We have tried to work out a deal. The door is not closed. In order to meet the deadline of the referendum, we have to move forward with the study phase.

Prior to approving the referendum, the Judge wanted it cleared up that the public would need to know our architect’s best estimate of what it will cost to move the courts and to specify that we have to move all three courts. That is what we’re doing here tonight—to clarify it and move forward. We’ve already put it in motion to proceed with the study to address the things that the Judge has asked for. If Staunton wants to work out a deal, we still have our hand out there, but at this time, their numbers do not meet up to our expectations. In order to meet the deadline for the referendum, we need to be moving forward with this.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no other business to come before the Board, Mr. Karaffa moved, seconded by Dr. Pattie, the Board adjourned subject to call of the Chairman.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Moore, Bragg and Karaffa Nays: None

Absent: Pyles
Motion carried.
Chairman County Administrator
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