Regular Meeting – October 10, 2018

Regular Meeting, Wednesday, October 10, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.

PRESENT: Gerald W. Garber, Chairman
Carolyn S. Bragg-Vice Chairman
Michael L. Shull
Terry L. Kelley, Jr.
Marshall W. Pattie
Wendell L. Coleman
Pam L. Carter
Timothy K. Fitzgerald, County Administrator
John Wilkinson, Director of Community Development
James R. Benkahla, County Attorney

ABSENT: Angie Michael, Executive Assistant

VIRGINIA: At a regular meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, 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 Wilson Memorial High School led the Board of Supervisors in the Pledge of Allegiance:

Reed Jones is a senior. He runs cross country, is on the wrestling team and plays soccer. He is a member of the debate and forensics team and President of the Chess Club. Mr. Jones hopes to double major in Statistics and Computer Science at University of Virginia or Ohio State.

Terry Kelley, Supervisor for the Beverley Manor District, delivered the invocation.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC –NONE

LEGISLATIVE LIAISON CONTRACT

The Board considered contract renewal.

Jennifer Whetzel, Deputy County Administrator, stated that a contract renewal for the Legislative Liaison is before the Board for consideration. Eldon James and Associates has been the liaison for several years. An official solicitation was performed last year and the contract was awarded to Eldon James. This contract is reviewed annually in October. The new contract is for $28,430.00 which is a 3% increase from last year.

Mr. Fitzgerald stated that there was a meeting with the liaisons and the Legislatives last week. They have been beneficial to the County.

Ms. Bragg moved, seconded by Mr. Shull that the Board approve the contract renewal.

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

BROADBAND GRANT

Ms. Whetzel stated that the Department of Housing and Community Development have established another telecommunications grant. This grant has the capability of awarding up to $4 million state wide for any eligible applicants. In order to apply for the grant, the County would have to partner with a provider in the area. A project would need to be completed by May 2020. The County issued a request for proposals, it has been advertised in the newspaper and an email has been sent to providers in the area.

The responses are due by the end of October and the Broadband Committee will review any responses and bring forth a recommendation to the Board at the November 14th meeting. At that time, the Board can consider local match and projects available.

There is a public comment period of fifteen days for the County. The application deadline is December 14th.

2019 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The Board considered the 2019 Holiday Schedule.

Faith Duncan, Director of Human Resources, stated that each year when the schedule is completed for the Holidays, the state and other localities are reviewed. On the actual schedule, the regular Holidays are added with an additional day for Christmas Eve.

There is one Personal Day that is offered. Ms. Duncan suggests replacing the Personal Day with either Lee Jackson Day, Columbus Day or Veterans Day. The City of Waynesboro and the State observe Veterans Day, but the City of Staunton does not.

Employees tend to forget about the Personal Day until December and then it can be a struggle to take the day before December 31 so they lose the day.

Ms. Bragg clarified that two Personal Days were offered at one time. Last year an extra day was given for Christmas Eve which is not historically done. It was added due to the way the Holiday fell on the calendar.

Mr. Fitzgerald stated that before the Board for consideration is an extra day added to the Holiday calendar and a request to take the personal day and change it to Veterans Day.

Ms. Bragg moved that the Board approve adding Veterans Day in place of the personal day and removing December 24th.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber and Bragg Nays: Shull, Coleman, Kelley, Pattie and Carter Motion denied.

Mr. Kelley moved, seconded by Dr. Pattie that the Board accept the Holiday schedule as presented and remove the Personal Day and add Veterans Day.

Ms. Bragg asked is the Personal Day could be permanently replaced with Christmas Eve.

Dr. Pattie called for the vote.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Shull, Coleman, Kelley, Pattie and Carter Nays: Garber and Bragg Motion carried.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF

Ms. Whetzel stated that last year for 2019 8.5% was budgeted for a health insurance increase. The health insurance amount is coming in at .8%. When the budget is balanced, there is an escrow account that will be used towards health insurance as needed. The money can be kept aside and used at a later time when needed. Open enrollment begins next week and the new rates will come out so there will be a small adjustment for the employee and employers amount.

WAIVERS — NONE

CONSENT AGENDA

Chairman Garber asked if the public wished for any item to be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. There was no request.

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

CLAIMS

Considered claims paid since September 1, 2018 Vote was as follows: Yeas: Garber, Bragg, Shull, Coleman, Kelley, Pattie and Carter Nays: None Motion carried.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD

Mr. Kelley is excited about Mill Place Park Walking Trail being officially open. The Greater Verona Business Association is having a fall festival at Ironwood on October 20th.

Dr. Pattie was pleased with the first Broadband Committee meeting. He is impressed with the committee that has been formed. Delegate Stanley has created a bill to build new schools. It is primarily for districts such as Richmond. Dr. Pattie suggests for the Board to take a position against this bill because it will never happen in Augusta County.

Ms. Bragg stated that Middlebrook Library celebrated their 10th year anniversary. The Volunteer Rescue and Fire Appreciation dinners are going well. The Legislative Breakfast was successful. Ms. Bragg and Ms. Carter attended the disaster drill held and the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. The Hazardous Waste Day is October 13th.

The VDOT I-81 hearing will be next Wednesday.

Mr. Shull asked what the issue was with truck 11. He also asked what the status was on the letter being drafted concerning the issues with truck 11.

Mr. Fitzgerald has a list of the issues and is working with the County Attorney on the next steps.

Mr. Shull reiterated how important it is for the Board to attend the Volunteer Rescue and Fire Appreciation dinners. The volunteers are appreciative of the Board showing interest.

Mr. Shull would like to see a dinner provided for the outside agencies as well. The Broadband Committee needs to be placed on the website.

Ms. Carter would like for Staff to review the possibility of FEMA reimbursement and what it means.

Mr. Garber reminded everyone that life is very precious.

Timothy Fitzgerald, County Administrator discussed the following issue:

1) An email will be sent to the Board regarding the Valley ASAP Annual Report.

2) The Emergency Officers committee voting rights have been reviewed. The voting rights have not been lost. The bylaws are clear in stating that if they run calls in Augusta County they have a right to vote on that committee.

Mr. Kelley suggested that Staff use one email for volunteers that should take care of the question of being a member or not.

Mr. Coleman stated that personal responsibility is also important.

3) Cost for Hurricane Florence for Augusta County was approximately $25,000.00. The County is eligible for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. This is a grant program that requires a 25% local match on projects that qualify. Community Development is reviewing potential projects that may meet the requirements.

4) The AFG grant is in the preliminary stages and will likely be brought to the Board at the end of the month meeting.

5) Ms. Whetzel updated the Board on the process of the reassessment. Notices went out in the mail on September 28, 2018. The contractor is holding the hearings in lieu of the Board of Assessors. The hearings are currently being held in the kitchen and training room of the Government Center. After the hearings are completed the contractor will finalize the book and make any changes related to hearings. The book will be given to the Commissioner of Revenue by December 31, 2018. This will be the book for 2019. Mr. Fitzgerald will contact the Judge to set up a Board of Equalization as the Judge appoints the members for that Board. The Board will take place in January. State code requires the equalized tax rate be advertised in the newspaper if there is an increase in assessments. The Board of Supervisors will have the opportunity at the normal budget meeting to discuss the tax rate.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no other business to come before the Board, Mr. Kelley moved, seconded by Ms. Bragg, the Board adjourn subject to call of the Chairman.