Staff Briefing Meeting – March 24, 2008

Staff Briefing Meeting, Monday, March 24, 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, March 24, 2008, at 1:30 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 232nd year of the Commonwealth….

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – RECOGNITION

Faith Souder, Director of Human Resources, made the following statement:

Good Afternoon, I am here today to recognize our employee of the year for 2007. First let me tell you a little about the program.

The Employee of the Year is a personnel recognition program established by the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator to recognize one or more employees each year for their commitment and contribution to the organization.

All full-time employees, with the exception of department heads, are eligible.

Nominations are required from department heads in the form of a letter or memorandum. The employee of the year is then selected by a panel, consisting of the Assistant County Administrator, Personnel Director, and a rotating department head.

At this time I would like to recognize our employee of the year for 2007, Todd Flippen. Todd is a Civil Engineer with the Department of Community Development. He was nominated by Dale Cobb, Director of Community Development.

Since May of 2007 when County Engineer Doug Wolfe was deployed to Iraq, Todd has stepped in and taken over the majority of Doug’s duties, while maintaining his own workload.

According to Dale, Todd has completed several projects in his extended duties including; the Mount Sidney School Lane project, the engineering and overview of the Forest Springs Detention Basin Improvements, and the Torry Lane storm sewer extension. He also worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in completing the stream bank restoration on St. Mary’s. In addition to these projects, Todd has put a lot of time and energy into reconstructing the County’s Erosion and Sediment Control Program.

Todd took on these responsibilities willingly and has handled them in a very professional manner. His attitude has been very positive and he has handled the circumstances professionally.

We also want to recognize our honorable mention recipient, Jackie Zetwick, Assistant Director of the Information Services Department.

Thank you to both of you for your continued dedication and commitment to the County.

ROADS

1. The Board discussed the VDOT follow-up report of February 25, 2008, staff briefing.

The Board accepted report as information.

2. The Board discussed Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) Methodology.

The Board accepted report as information.

FARMERS’ MARKET ANNUAL REPORT

The Board received a presentation by John Matheny, Committee Chair, on Annual Report.

The Board accepted report as information.

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY

The Board discussed memorandum of understanding and resolution to partner with Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro to create regional agency. This was tabled at the March 12, 2008, meeting.

Ms. Sorrells moved, seconded by Mr. Coleman, that the Board remove Community Action proposal from the table.

Vote was as follows: Yeas: Howdyshell, Sorrells, Garber, Beyeler, Shifflett, Pyles and Coleman Nays: None Motion carried.

The Board authorized placing on March 26, 2008, regular agenda for consideration.

CELL TOWERS

The Board received a presentation by County consultant regarding wireless and broadband systems and prospect for improving coverage in rural Augusta County. Mr. Pyles asked that a scope of work be developed and that Mr. Howdyshell work with staff and present recommendations to the Board.

The Board accepted presentation as information.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY REGIONAL AIRPORT

The Board received a presentation by Gregory W. Campbell, Executive Director on new commercial service.

The Board accepted presentation as information.

BUILDING INSPECTIONS ANNUAL REPORT

The Board received a presentation by G. W. Wiseman, Building Inspector, on Annual Report.

The Board accepted report as information.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARD PLAN

The Board discussed prescription drug card plan options.

The Board authorized placing on March 26, 2008, regular agenda for consideration.

FIRE FLOW

The Board received from staff the fire flow improvement prioritization list.

The Board accepted as information and requested staff to finalize draft Fire Flow Policy.

FISCAL YEAR – 2008-09 ARTS GRANT

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

STATE COUNTY TOTAL

Staunton/Augusta Art Center $1,583.33 $1,583.33 $3,166.66 ShenanArts 1,583.34 1,583.34 3,166.68 Stonewall Brigade Band 1,583.33 1,583.33 3,166.66 Shenandoah Valley Art Center 250.00 250.00 500.00 $5,000.00 $5,000.00 $10,000.00 The Board authorized placing on the March 26, 2008, regular agenda for consideration.

PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS

1. BEAGLE GAP – PRELIMINARY PLAT

The Board discussed Beagle Gap, Preliminary Plat, Section 4, containing 134 lots zoned Single Family Residential, 42 lots zoned Rural Residential, and 2 utility lots located adjacent to Beagle Gap Forest Subdivision, Section 3 (Wayne District). The Planning Commission recommends approval.

The Board authorized placing on the March 26, 2008, consent agenda for consideration.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD

Mr. Howdyshell: Water Resource Planning (Resolution) will be coming forward for Board consideration.

Mr. Pyles: Board of Supervisors transition with ACSA – detailed information given by district. Indicated considering requesting Service Authority to provide more detail information by Magisterial District.

Mr. Garber: Conferences – Encouraged Board to attend NACo/VACo conferences – great networking and learn about new programs which may benefit Augusta County.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF

Staff discussed the following:

1. Staff has responded to abandoned structure fire protocols requested by Mr. Pyles.

2. NRCS information and pictures distributed to Board regarding Inch Branch construction status. Indicated NRCS supporting funding for Toms Branch.

3. Historical marker request – 372 Kyles Mill Road, Mt. Solon (Mossy Creek Presbyterian Church) 4. Website compliment – e-mail from an engineering firm – Great job!

5. Virginia Agriculture Week – Draft resolution distributed to Board. Board consensus to place on Regular Agenda.

6. Economic Development Announcement by the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission –Central Shenandoah Valley’s Regional Data Center update – distributed to the Board.

7. Grandma Moses and Gochenour-Yount Houses status report given by John C.

McGehee, Assistant County Administrator 8. Fire Truck (American Lafrance, LLC) – Chapter 11 – update given by Mr. McGehee.

Chairman County Administrator H3-24sbmin.08