Regular Meeting – November 24, 2015
Regular Meeting, Tuesday, November 24, 2015, 7:00 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.
PRESENT: Michael L. Shull, Chairman
Carolyn S. Bragg, Vice-Chairman
Jeffrey A. Moore
Marshall W. Pattie (via electronically)
Tracy C. Pyles, Jr.
Larry J. Wills
G. L. “Butch” Wells
Timmy Fitzgerald, Director of Community Development
Jennifer Whetzel, Director of Finance
Patrick J. Morgan, County Attorney
Patrick J. Coffield, County Administrator
Rita R. Austin, CMC, Executive Secretary
VIRGINIA: At a regular meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 240th year of the Commonwealth….
Chairman Shull welcomed the citizens present.
Chairman Shull led us with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Tracy C. Pyles, Jr., Supervisor for the Pastures District, delivered invocation.
SPECIAL MATTERS:
Because of personal business, Dr. Pattie was unable to attend tonight’s meeting.
A) Entertain motion to consider Supervisor Pattie’s request to attend Board meeting electronically.
Mr. Pyles moved, seconded by Mr. Moore, that the Board allow Dr. Pattie to participate in tonight’s meeting electronically.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Bragg, Shull, Wells, Wills, Moore and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
Pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3708.1(A) (2), Dr. Pattie joined the meeting by telephone.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC
James P. Henderson, of Stuarts Draft, expressed concern of speed limit on Routes 608, Route 609, and Wilda Road. He noted sight problems on Route 609 and asked for a speed limit of 25 m.p.h. to be posted. Wilda Road deteriorates quickly and asked that it be surface treated. Mr. Henderson stated that he had attended the VDOT meeting last week and questioned availability of state funding (noting that gas prices had decreased).
Timmy Fitzgerald, Director of Community Development, advised that a speed study was required in order to lower or modify a speed limit. He was of the opinion Route 609 recently had such a study. He would refer these issues to VDOT. He noted that Wilda Road may need some grading (maintenance) and that it was not on the Rural Rustic Roads list.
Chairman Shull agreed that the County is not getting as much funding as in previous years.
Mr. Pyles agreed that the State has gotten more money; they have increased taxes and more is going into the “Highway Fund”, but they have changed the funding that is allocated in the State. “Because we don’t have as much traffic as Northern Virginia, or other areas, we can’t get Federal funds. Instead of us having $30 million for six years, we have $6 million for six years. It doesn’t have anything to do as to how much income the State gets. It is how much we get back.” Mr. Henderson felt that safety should come first.
Mr. Pyles said that rural roads are the most unsafe when one considers fatalities per mile.
Mr. Fitzgerald thought that Route 608 had not been looked at for a while and would contact VDOT. Mr. Henderson added that he had contacted the Augusta County Sheriff and State Police to see if they could monitor Route 608 (radar).
FIRE AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT GRANT PROGRAM
The Board considered Committee’s recommendations as it relates to Equipment Grant requests from the following agencies:
Agency Request Recommendation Funding Source Churchville F&R $65,763.00 $35,000.00 80000-8152 Riverheads Vol. $14,430.25 $ 9,550.25 80000-8152 Dooms Vol. $26,000.00 $11,000.00 80000-8152 Patrick J. Coffield, County Administrator, advised that this had been discussed at Monday’s Staff Briefing. A revised proposal had been presented.
Mr. Moore added that the Dooms roof will include a 10-year workmanship and material warranty. The documentation will be provided in writing tomorrow (November 25th).
Mr. Pyles moved, seconded by Mr. Moore, that the Board approve the Committee’s recommendations, as revised.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Moore, Wells, Bragg and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
WEYERS CAVE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
The Board considered 25% match for roof repair request.
Funding Source: Middle River Infrastructure Account #80000-8012-90 $7,200 Mr. Coffield reported that this had been discussed at Monday’s Staff Briefing.
Mr. Wills moved, seconded by Ms. Bragg, that the Board approve the request, subject to documentation of costs and the Agency’s submission of the final invoice.
WEYERS CAVE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Moore, Wells, Bragg and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
VALLEY COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD – PERFORMANCE CONTRACT
The Board considered proposed FY16 Budget and corresponding Performance Contract.
Mr. Coffield reported that a presentation by David Deering, Director of the Valley Community Services Board, which handles Mental Health, Retardation and Substance Abuse in the region, had been given at Monday’s Staff Briefing. He had presented the budget, as well as the program for the year.
Mr. Wills noted an article in the Staunton News Leader highlighting the successes of the General District Court’s Therapeutic Docket for individuals with Mental Health issues. It was very complimentary of the program. “I complement the staff there for the job that they are doing.” Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Moore, that the Board approve the request.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Moore, Wells, Bragg and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
DMV ANIMAL FRIENDLY LICENSE PLATES
The Board considered allocation of funds from DMV ($1,755) to support sterilization programs for dogs and cats. This proposal will carry over to the Department of Taxation contributions of tax refunds.
Jennifer Whetzel, Finance Director, reported that, annually, the Department of Motor Vehicles sells Animal Friendly license plates which is issued to supporters of dog and cat sterilization programs. Before the Board tonight, there is $1,755 to be allocated towards the program. Along with that, this will carry over to the Department of Taxation contributions of tax refunds ($245). The recommendation is to allow funding to go to the Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center.
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Moore, that the Board approve Ms. Whetzel’s recommendation and select Option 1.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Wells, Shull, Wills, Moore, Bragg and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
WEYERS CAVE DRAINAGE PROJECT
The Board considered payment to ACSA for work completed on Weyers Cave Drainage project.
Funding Source: Middle River Infrastructure Account #80000-8012-91 $37,496.90 Timmy Fitzgerald, Community Development Director, advised that this had been discussed at Monday’s Staff Briefing. He displayed on an overhead showing the location of the project. He noted that the Service Authority has completed the construction and had provided a final payment for the drainage portion of the work. In completing the project, a pipe under Liberty Street and several hardened crossings of the drainage channel were installed. In addition, the project encountered more rock than expected.
Mr. Wills added that this project has been ongoing for 20 years.
Mr. Wills moved, seconded by Mr. Pyles, that the Board approve the request.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Moore, Wells, Bragg and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
2016 GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE
The Board considered additions to the County’s draft 2016 Legislative Package.
Mr. Coffield advised that this had been discussed at Monday’s Staff Briefing. He distributed information that was not being added to the Legislative Package but was discussed at the Staff Briefing: 1) Jail Diversion Funding, Mental Health Therapeutic Docket; 2) Shenandoah Valley Social Services Administrative Funding (formula should be changed and based on caseloads). He noted that the General Assembly is considering these items within the Governor’s Budget.
He added that this revised package will be submitted to Legislators at its upcoming meeting (December 1st).
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Wills, that the Board approve the revised 2016 Legislative Package.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Moore, Wells, Bragg and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
PIPELINE UPDATE
The Board considered County response to recent Dominion route modification.
Mr. Fitzgerald reported that they have begun drafting the response to FERC and thanked Mr. Pyles for his suggestions. A draft response will be provided at the December 9th meeting.
WAIVERS/VARIANCES – NONE
CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Wills noted, for the benefit of the public, there are a considerable number of items listed under the Consent Agenda that were discussed at the Staff Briefing and have no funding attached to them; therefore they can be approved with one vote.
Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Wills, that the Board approve the consent agenda as follows:
MINUTES
Approved minutes of the following meetings:
• Regular Meeting, Thursday, November 12, 2015
STREETLIGHT REQUEST
Considered request for the installation of the following streetlights and creation of committee to evaluate request and report recommendations back to the Board (Committee to consist of the appropriate Supervisor, VDOT representative, Power Company representative and staff) (Wayne District):
1. Section 2 and 3 of Windward Pointe (12)
LANDFILL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Considered update of Landfill Management Agreement.
NEW HOPE FIRE AGREEMENT
Considered approval of agreement for County to operate 24-hour “Rescue” services out of New Hope Fire Department facilities.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Moore, Wells, Bragg and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD
The Board discussed the following issues:
Mr. Pyles: Happy Thanksgiving!
Dr. Pattie: Happy Thanksgiving!
Ms. Bragg: December 8th (Board of Supervisors Retirement Dinner) sign-up sheet circulated. Happy Holidays!
Mr. Moore: Staunton Christmas Parade – meet at Obaugh’s at 6:00 p.m. for Parade at 7:00 p.m.
Chm. Shull: Happy Thanksgiving! Commended staff in their assistance throughout the year.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF
Staff discussed the following issues:
1. Regional Department of Social Services – received Compliance and Exceptional Performance awards. Commended Anita Harris and Lisa Dunn for their successful transition.
2. Ms. Whetzel informed the Board of the new VRS rates: Currently: 12.55%; for 2017-18: 10.26%
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to come before the Board, Mr. Pyles moved, seconded by Mr. Wills, the Board adjourned subject to call of the Chairman.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Pattie, Shull, Wills, Moore, Wells, Bragg and Pyles Nays: None Motion carried.
Chairman County Administrator h:11-24min.15
