Staff Briefing Meeting – July 21, 2008
Staff Briefing Meeting, Monday, July 21, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. Government Center, Verona, VA.
PRESENT: David R. Beyeler, Chairman
Tracy C. Pyles, Jr., Vice-Chairman
Wendell L. Coleman
Gerald W. Garber
Larry C. Howdyshell
Jeremy L. Shifflett
Nancy Taylor Sorrells
Patrick J. Morgan, County Attorney
Dale L. Cobb, Director of Community Development
Becky Earhart, Senior Planner
Jennifer M. Whetzel, Director of Finance
John C. McGehee, Assistant County Administrator
Patrick J. Coffield, County Administrator
VIRGINIA: At an adjourned meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Monday, July 21, 2008, at 1:30 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 233rd year of the Commonwealth….
NON-CONVENTIONAL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
The Board discussed code modifications to address administrative concerns:
A) Subdivision approvals B) Inspection permit process.
Allen Gutshall, Program Manager, for Staunton/Augusta Health Department, distributed information to the Board regarding HB1166 which was enacted by the General Assembly. He advised that this was an opening for engineers to submit and design systems outside of Health Department regulations. He expressed concern that it did not mention vertical distances, reserve areas, or inspectors having to have soil knowledge for inspections. Mr. Howdyshell suggested that this be placed on the punchlist for Ordinance review. It was the consensus of the Board to authorize the County Attorney to explore the expansion of perimeters oversight under Item H.
The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, consent agenda for authorization to advertise for public hearing.
* * * Patrick J. Coffield, County Administrator, distributed a pending application request which has been accepted by the Health Department (John W. and Linda M. Potter – South River District).
The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, consent agenda for consideration.
ROADS
1. REPORT BY VDOT
The Board discussed the VDOT follow-up report of June 23, 2008, staff briefing. Mr. Fitzgerald mentioned the following: 1) funding available for bridge improvements; 2) sign shop consolidation – Richmond; 3) Access management presentation at next Staff Briefing.
The Board accepted report as information.
* * *
2. RURAL RUSTIC RESOLUTION – ROUTE 898
The Board discussed the Rural Rustic Resolution – Route 898.
The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, consent agenda for consideration.
* * *
3. STREET ADDITION
The Board discussed Community Development’s recommendations to adopt resolution for acceptance of the following street into the Secondary Road System in accordance with VDOT request:
a. Windward Pointe, Section 2 (Wayne District) The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, consent agenda for consideration.
VDOT SAFETY IMPROVEMENT
The Board discussed intersection safety improvement at Routes 612 and 685. Right-of- way/easement cost $1,000.
Funding source: Middle River Infrastructure Account #80000-8012-55 The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, regular agenda for consideration.
COUNTY REASSESSMENT
The Board received a presentation by staff on 2009 reassessment timeline.
The Board accepted presentation as information.
PARKS AND RECREATION MATCHING GRANT – CRAIGSVILLE RURITAN CLUB
The Board discussed (A) recommendation of Parks and Recreation Commission to award a grant in an amount not to exceed $17,500 for ball field improvements; and (B) approval of Grant Agreement.
Funding Source: Pastures Recreation Account #80000-8024-19 The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, regular agenda for consideration.
STREETLIGHT REPORTS
The Board discussed recommendations of committee for the installation and/or upgrading of streetlights at the following locations:
1. Route 250, Windsor Drive (Wayne District).
2. At the intersection of Birchwood Road, Woodlawn Drive, and Gish Lane, Staunton (Wayne District).
It was noted that Mr. Flippen had suggested that the streetlight policy be revised regarding the lighting.
The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, consent agenda for consideration.
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY BOARD ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
The Board discussed authorization to advertise an ordinance to amend Section 2-34, Paragraph C, of the Code of the County of Augusta, Virginia, to appoint an Executive Director for the Agricultural Industry Board.
The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, consent agenda for consideration.
VRS – IRS AUTHORIZATION
The Board discussed resolution providing for “formal authorization of Virginia Retirement System (VRS) pre-tax status for member contribution”.
The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, regular agenda for consideration.
2009 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS
The Board discussed 2009 priorities, additions and deletions.
The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, regular agenda for consideration and adoption of resolution regarding State Budget cuts.
ANNUAL AUDIT
The Board received a presentation by staff on GFOA new auditing standards and authorization of Chairman to sign engagement letter.
Mr. Howdyshell suggested that a briefing be given to the Board prior to the final audit report. Chairman Beyeler suggested that Mr. Pyles and Chairman Beyeler be on the audit committee.
The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, regular agenda for consideration.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ANNUAL AND IMPLEMENTATION SCORECARDS
The Board received a presentation by staff on the Comprehensive Plan regarding the following:
1. Executive Summary of Annual Scorecard 2. Implementation Scorecard The Board accepted presentation as information.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS
1. WILLIAM E. AND SARAH FRANCES BRUBECK, TRUSTEES, AND CHARLES
N. AND BETTIE A. BEARD – PUBLIC USE OVERLAY
The Board discussed a request to add the Public Use Overlay zoning designation to approximately .5 acres owned by William E. and Sarah Frances Brubeck, Trustees, and Charles N. and Bettie A. Beard, located on the south side of Middlebrook Village Road (Route 252) just east of the intersection of Middlebrook Village Road (Route 252) and Cherry Grove Road (Route 670) in Middlebrook (Riverheads District). The Planning Commission recommends approval with proffer.
The Board authorized placing on July 23, 2008, public hearing agenda for consideration.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD
The Board discussed the following issues:
Mr. Pyles: Crescent Development – research information distributed to Board.
NOTE: After a short discussion, Mr. Pyles left the meeting at 3:45 p.m.
Ms. Sorrells: Erosion and Sediment new fees may be discussed at the Wednesday night meeting under “Matters to be Presented by the Public”.
Mr. Garber: Verona Recreation Center – rescinding $300,000 allocation from Infrastructure Account will be discussed at Wednesday night’s meeting.
MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF
Staff discussed the following:
1. Disability Services Board – Jennifer Whetzel, Augusta County Director of Finance, fiscal agent; Michael Nickell, Building Inspector, Chairman. Brochures promoting success in agriculture for people with disabilities and their families were distributed to Board.
2. State Appointments announced – Carroll Swortzel (Virginia Financial Group, Inc.), Virginia Sheep Industry Board; and Sandy Greene (Headwaters), Foundation for Virginia’s Natural Resources, Board of Trustees 3. NACo Achievement Awards – “Spirit of Augusta” and “Adopt a Soldier” – Press release will be available Wednesday night.
4. Law Enforcement Grant – receiving data from federal/local agencies – software/hardware available ($244,738 – 100% federal funding).
5. EOC Regional Study – State proceeding with selection of consultant for local study.
6. Expense and Travel Reimbursement policy – distributed to Board. To be discussed at the next Staff Briefing (August 25th).
7. Public forum request at Library (“Eyes Wide Open” – October 12th from 9:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m.) It was the consensus of the Board that the outdoor forum be held at the grassy area at the right in front of the Government Center building where it has previously been designated for other public forums.
8. Route 642 – Barrenridge Winery – infrastructure (Rural Rustic Road project) will be discussed at a future date.
9. Grottoes Rescue – County Administrator and Assistant County Administrator briefed the Board of agency’s request of 24-hour staffing from Rockingham County. Esimated monthly cost to Augusta County – $7,500. Staff indicated that it is working with Rockingham counterparts to develop a long-term strategy to address coverage along the Rockingham/Augusta boundary. Assistant County Administrator will be working with the Board’s Emergency Services Committee to provide recommendations for the Board’s consideration. The Committee will also be considering the Preston Yancy 24-hour staffing request as well as the Churchville funding proposal and the issue of initiating county-wide Revenue Recovery. Assistant County Administrator will also be working with the Rockingham Augusta Liaison Committee on the short-term staffing proposal for Grottoes Rescue.
CLOSED SESSION
On motion of Mr. Howdyshell, seconded by Mr. Coleman, 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) economic development exemption under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(5) [discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of its interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the county]:
A) Pending Industrial Prospects Vote was as follows: Yeas: Howdyshell, Sorrells, Garber, Beyeler, Shifflett and Coleman Nays: None
Absent: Pyles
Motion carried.
On motion of Mr. Howdyshell, seconded by Mr. Garber, the Board came out of Closed Session.
Vote was as follows: Yeas: Howdyshell, Sorrells, Garber, Beyeler, Shifflett and Coleman 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: Shifflett, Coleman, Garber, Howdyshell, Sorrells and Beyeler NAY: None
ABSENT: Pyles
The Chairman authorized the County Administrator/Clerk of the Board to record this certification in the minutes.
Chairman County Administrator H7-21sbmin.08
