5-7-2020 Work SessionWORK SESSION OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD IN
THE ROBERT C. CLAUD, SR. BOARD ROOM OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY
COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 17090 MONUMENT CIRCLE, ISLE OF WIGHT, VIRGINIA
ON THURSDAY, THE SEVENTH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND
TWENTY
PRESENT:
Joel C. Acree, Windsor District, Chairman
Richard L. Grice, Smithfield District, Vice Chairman
Rudolph Jefferson, Hardy District
William M. McCarty, Newport District
Don G. Rosie, II, Carrsville District
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:
Robert W. Jones, Jr., County Attorney
Randy R. Keaton, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Administrator
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk (via video)
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Acree called the work session of the Board of Supervisors to order at
6:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA/AMENDMENTS
Supervisor McCarty moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was
adopted unanimously (5-0) with Supervisors Acree, Grice, McCarty, Jefferson and
Rosie voting in favor of the motion and no Supervisors voting against the motion.
INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Assistant County Administrator Robertson delivered the invocation and led the
Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag of the United States of America.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Responsive to citizen inquiry, County Attorney Jones recapped State law
pertaining to the levy of a local vehicle license tax and associated budgetary
impacts. He recommended that the ordinance be amended to reflect the County's
current practice and eliminate the blanket prohibition against proration.
It was the consensus of the Board that County Attorney Jones proceed with
advertising an amendment to the County's ordinance for public hearing at the
Board's June 18. 2020 meeting.
H
County Administrator Keaton presented a request for personal property tax
exemption from Smithfield VA Events. He advised that all proceeds from the
events goes into community organizations such as Christian Outreach Program or
the Western Tidewater Free Clinic. He noted for the record that the total
cumulative donations back to various organizations in the County since 2012
through January 2020 are $1,209,050.
It was the consensus of the Board that a public hearing on the request be advertised
for the Board's June 18, 2020 meeting.
Regarding a request by Vice -Chairman Grice that the Board discuss the feasibility
of the County providing assistance to homeowner's associations relative to
compliance with homeowner's covenants, County Attorney Jones advised that
State law does not allow the County to withhold a Certificate of Occupancy if the
building passes final inspection and is in compliance with the building code.
Vice -Chairman Grice advised that homeowners are being charged to bring things
up to Homeowner's Associations requirements that should have been performed by
the builder. He inquired if the County would be violating any law if a builder
could be asked to certify that he has complied with HOA.
County Attorney Jones advised State law stipulates that a buyer is supposed to be
given notice of what is required when a house is bought. He advised that the
purchaser could contact the Homeowners' Association to determine if there are any
violations noted prior to purchasing the home.
At the request of Vice -Chairman Grice, the creation of a Broadband Internet Task
Force was discussed.
County Administrator Keaton advised that the County has a potential private
partner now which will allow the County to apply for a VATI grant to assist with
the cost of infrastructure.
Assistant County Administrator recommended that the Task Force incorporate
members from Southampton County and the City of Suffolk because the future
direction of VATI is regional and not locality specific.
It was the consensus of the Board that staff develop an outline of talking points for
the Board's consideration at its May 28, 2020 meeting.
In anticipation of the date approaching to conduct the July 2020 fireworks, County
Administrator Keaton suggested that one event for the County and the Towns of
Smithfield and Windsor be held at the Fairgrounds which would provide adequate
room for social distancing.
It was the consensus of the Board that staff return with a plan for moving forward
with conducting the July 2020 fireworks.
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III
County's Reopening Date (COVID-19): It was the consensus of the Board that
May 26, 2020 be the County's reopen date.
Regarding a reopening date for the County complex due to COVID-19, County
Administrator Keaton advised that the Treasurer and Commissioner of Revenue
plan to open their offices on May 26th to accommodate citizens who wish to pay
their taxes in person by the June 5th due date. He further advised that ways in
which to reopen other County offices to the public on that date or later are being
discussed as well, however, the Supreme Court determines when the Courts
building can be reopened.
H
Due to a conflict with Chairman Acree's schedule, Supervisor McCarty moved to
adopt a resolution changing the Board's May 21, 2020 meeting date to May 28,
2020 at 5:00 p.m. The motion was adopted unanimously (5-0) with Supervisors
Acree, Grice, McCarty, Jefferson and Rosie voting in favor of the motion and no
Supervisors voting against the motion.
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:30 p.m., Chairman Acree declared the work session adjourned.
Carey NOs St , Cler
V,
Joel C. Acree, Chairman