Staff Briefing Meeting – November 24, 2014

Staff Briefing Meeting, Monday, November 24, 2014, 1:30 p.m., Government Center, Verona, VA.

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

VIRGINIA: At an adjourned meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors held on Monday, November 24, 2014, at 1:30 p.m., at the Government Center, Verona, Virginia, and in the 239th year of the Commonwealth….

VDOT ROADS

1. The Board discussed the VDOT status report of October 20, 2014, staff briefing meeting.

The Board accepted the report as information.

2. The Board discussed street additions – Autumn Breeze Subdivision (Middle River District) and Vesper View, Section 5 (Middle River District).

The Board authorized placing on the November 25, 2014, consent agenda for consideration.

3. The Board discussed Watch for Children Signage.

The Board authorized placing on the November 25, 2014, consent agenda for consideration.

4. The Board discussed a draft resolution for Bridge Naming Signage.

The Board authorized placing on the November 25, 2014, regular agenda for consideration.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. The Board discussed the Economic Development monthly report of October 20, 2014, staff briefing meeting.

The Board accepted the monthly report as information.

2. The Board discussed Staunton Creative Community Fund – Memorandum of Understanding.

The Board authorized placing on the November 25, 2014, regular agenda for consideration.

FIRE AND RESCUE

The Board discussed the Fire and Rescue monthly report of October 20, 2014, staff briefing meeting.

The Board accepted item as information.

STREETLIGHT REQUEST

The Board discussed 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):

1. James Crawford Lane (North River District) It was the Board’s consensus to proceed with Committee.

PIPELINE SCHEDULE

The Board discussed three options for Pipeline Schedule.

It was the Board’s consensus to proceed with Option 3 (February 25, 2015 Public Hearing).

AUGUSTA COUNTY SERVICE AUTHORITY

The Board discussed contribution to offset cost toward the Emery & Garrett Groundwater Investigations, LLC, report.

Funding Source: Pastures Infrastructure Account #80000-8014-92 $2,000 Wayne Infrastructure Account #80000-8017-90 $2,000 The Board authorized placing on the November 25, 2014, regular agenda for consideration.

ERRONEOUS ASSESSMENT

The Board discussed refund as certified by the Commissioner of Revenue and approved by County Attorney for the following:

Warren K. Saufley $3,426.09 The Board authorized placing on the November 25, 2014, regular agenda for consideration.

AID TO COMMONWEALTH

The Board discussed election of State reduction of aid to localities per State law.

Funding Source: Aid to Commonwealth Account #92020-9996 $120,187 The Board authorized placing on the November 25, 2014, regular agenda for consideration. Recommend that the Board elect to make reimbursement payment directly to the Commonwealth for $120,187.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE

The Board SAW renewal options for 2015 policy. Staff recommends Option 1 (self-insured with separate quotes).

The Board authorized placing on the November 25, 2014, regular agenda for consideration.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS/SCHOOL BOARD SPECIAL MEETING

The Board discussed meeting format for Special Meeting.

Supervisor Pyles presented his proposal and supporting documentation. General Board discussion.

STUARTS DRAFT CHRISTMAS LIGHTING

The Board discussed request to utilize South River District Infrastructure funding to assist with lighting project.

Funding Source: South River Infrastructure Account #80000-8016-80 $1,500 The Board authorized placing on the November 25, 2014, regular agenda for consideration.

ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Board discussed Ordinance Review Committee recommendation regarding backyard chickens in residential districts. This item was tabled at the October 22, 2014 Regular Board of Supervisors meeting to November 24, 2014.

The Board authorized placing on the November 25, 2014, consent agenda for consideration.

PLANNING COMMISSION/PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. LARGE ACCESSORY BUILDINGS – ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

The Board discussed an ordinance to amend Section 25-72.1, Section 25- 122.1, and Section 25-132.1 of the Augusta County Code, to allow accessory structures that do not meet the stated ordinance criteria for accessory structures, to be permitted by special use permit in General Agriculture Districts, Rural Residential Districts, and Single Family Residential Districts, provided that such accessory structure is not out of character with the neighborhood it is to be built in, and is not disproportionately large in relation to other structures located on adjoining or surround properties. The Planning Commission recommended approval.

2. BARKING DOGS – ORDINANCE

The Board discussed an ordinance to enact Section 15-9 and to declare that the howling or barking of dogs for more than ten consecutive or non- consecutive minutes in any 30-minute period of time between 12 midnight and 6 a.m. on property zoned Single Family Residential, Attached Residential, Multi-family Residential, Manufactured Home Park, or Planned Unit Development shall constitute loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise and constitute a violation of the County Code. This ordinance will also amend Section 15-11 of the Augusta County Code by providing that the fine for violating Section 15-9 will be a fine of $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offence in a year, and $500 for the third and subsequent offenses in any one year.

3. REAL ESTATE – TOWN OF CRAIGSVILLE

The Board discussed the conveyance of Augusta County Board of Supervisors’ interest in real and personal property to the Town of Craigsville.

The Board authorized placing on the November 25, 2014 public hearing agenda for consideration.

WAIVERS/ VARIANCES – NONE

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY THE BOARD

The Board discussed the following:

Mr. Moore: Asked for an update on the Animal Shelter regarding the expansion project at the January Staff Briefing.

MATTERS TO BE PRESENTED BY STAFF

Staff discussed the following:

1. VACo Committee Interest Form – Board to remain on the same committee.

2. State Purchasing System – Meeting followup: State agencies pay a fee to use the system. Localities do not pay a fee.

3. PILT – Congressman’s letter shared with the Board.

4. Celebrate Shenandoah – GART considering a $500 donation.

5. PUO – A list of public properties without PUOs shared with the Board.

6. Ethics – Information distributed to the Board regarding changes required under the State and Local Government Conflict of Interest Act.

7. Circuit Court Vacancy – Petition for Special Election to be discussed at the Board’s Organizational Meeting in January (January 7th)

CLOSED SESSION

On motion of Mr. Shull, 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 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 Economic Development prospects On motion of Mr. Shull, seconded by Mr. Karaffa, 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, Bragg and Pyles Nays: None 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, Shull, Moore, Bragg and Pyles NAY: None The Chairman authorized the County Administrator/Clerk of the Board to record this certification in the minutes.

Chairman County Administrator H11-24sbmin.14