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02-02-2004 Continued MeetingBOOK 2~ fa~1Q7 CONTINUED MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. HELD THE SECOND DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND FOUR PRESENT: Stan D. Clark, Chairman Phillip A. Bradshaw, Vice-Chairman Thomas J. Wright, III Richard K. MacManus ABSENT: Henry H. Bradby ALSO PRESENT: .Congressman J. Randy Forbes Andy Halataei, Legislative Director Phil Infantino, Legal Counsel/Grants Coordinator Dee Gilmore, District Chief of Staff Ryan Mottley, District RepresentativelChesapeake Office Also Attending: Jacob P. Stroman, IV, County Attorney W. Douglas Casket', County Administrator Donald T. Robertson,. Assistant County. Administrator Carey Mills Storm, Recording Secretary Chairman Clark called the continued meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. in the 1762 Boykins Tavern Conference Room for the purpose of meeting with Congressman J. Randy Forbes. // Chairman Clark noted that Supervisor Bradby was not in attendance, but had met earlier in the day with Congressman Forbes and- discussed any concerns he had at that time with the Congressman. // Chairman Clark noted that the County is desirous of an opportunity to locate a Regional Workforce Development Center, and ultimately a campus of Paul D. Camp Community College, in the northern part of the County. Supervisor MacManus advised Congressman Forbes that. the County is pursuing this initiative with Dr. Boyce. of Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin. He noted that Paul D. Camp Community College serves the City of Franklin, Isle of Wight County. and the Suffolk area, and .that the Workforce Development Center is currently located in the Franklin area. He advised that the County is prepared to allocate a otal of $1,000,000, or $250,000 over the next four (4) consecutive years, to fund such a Center. BOOK ~~ PAY'1QC7 He advised the County is also currently working with a developer, to include a sixty (60) acre site, for the location of a workforce development center. He noted the County is working closely with Smithfield Foods in this regard. He stated that while the City of Suffolk would like to locate the workforce development center in its locality, the location of a workforce development center in the Benn's Church area would provide a balance to all the communities it would serve.. He stated that County staff has contacted the Congressman's off ce to request that the $250,000 study include both Isle of Wight County and the City of Suffolk. He stated that other jurisdictions have also been contacted to request their support. Congressman Forbes formally introduced Andy Halataei, Legislative Director; Phil Infantino, Legal Counsel/Grants Coordinator; Dee Gilmore, District Chief of Staff; and Ryan Mottley, District Representative for the Congressman's .Chesapeake Office, to the Board. He noted that Mr. Halataei handles all incoming legislative requests and is also reviewing the workforce development center initiative for him. Mr. Halataei stated because the funding request specifically cites the City of Suffolk, he would suggest that the County contact the City of Suffolk to inquire if Suffolk would be agreeable to sharing the study. . Congressman Forbes noted that, if necessary, his staff could request a new'study on behalf of the County. He stated that a workforce development center is a great economic development tool, and he offered to as ist the County in any way that he could. County. Administrator Casket' distributed a briefing paper to Congressman Forbes... Supervisor MacManus suggested that the workforce. development center be tied, in some fashion, to the Smithfield. High School. Michael McPherson, SchoolSuperintendent, also suggested tying in technology aspects..: Supervisor Bradshaw noted that the County has been working in conjunction with other area schools. in this regard. He stated that he believes the. opportunity is present and that it-would economically benefit the County, as well as surrounding areas. // Chairman Clark called for discussion on the appropriation of funds for the acquisition of property for the .Colonel Joshia Parker historic site/family cemetery. 2 R i ,. eooK 2' Nac~1~39 Chairman Clark commented that the property has been purchased by a neighboring landowner who is willing to waif .until the County is ready to proceed. Congressman Forbes offered the assistance of his staff in regards to an historic preservation grant for the cemetery. Chairman Clark advised that the County is currently considering a project at Lawnes Creek in the northern part of the County. He noted that the proffers offered for this project include turning certain land over to the County. He stated the Board might need assistance from Congressman Forbes' office later down the road in this regard. // Chairman Clark called for discussion of an ongoing. grant opportunity. for the Tyler's Beach Dredging Project. Congressman Forbes noted that his staff had met with the Corps of Engineers to request the Corps again look at this project. He noted the Corps of Engineers does. realize that this- project is a priority. He noted an appropriation of $100,000 has been received. He thanked County staff for their efforts. Chairman Clark expressed .the County's appreciation to Congressman Forbes and his staff. He .noted that he is aware that there may be other funds necessary down the road to complete the project. Supervisor Wright also thanked Congressman Forbes and his staff for their efforts. Mr. Halataei stated the Corps of Engineers does have funds that can be shifted and even has extra money at times. Congressman Forbes advised that he and his staff had met with Colonel Hanson and reviewed every project the County has as a priority. He stated Colonel Hanson's staff monitors what we need and he is, therefore, very optimistic about this project. // Chairman Clark called for discussion on the allocation of Transportation Safety. Funds for the installation of emergency signal devices at fire and rescue station locations. Supervisor Bradshaw noted he originally made this request with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). He stated that VDOT should be able to tap into Safety Transportation Funding received from the 3 eoor 2~ Fac~190 federal government. He stated signal lights are needed that will stop other vehicular traffic and allow emergency vehicles to exit from their stations. He advised that VDOT has informed the County that funding for this effort must come through. the County's road funding. Mr. Halataei stated there is a transportation account for this type of work and his office could assist with sending in a request on behalf of the County to earmark funding.. , Congressman Forbes stated he has reviewed the transportation bill and narrowed it down to two (2) or three (3) priority projects. He noted the upgrading of Route 460 is one (1) such priority project. He further noted that when he met with State officials, Route 460 was not listed as a priority. He stated that the Route 460 project has economic, safety and security concerns associated with. it. He requested that County Administrator Caskey submit a request, so that he has something in writing from the County. . Supervisor MacManus noted with respect to education concerns, the "No Child Left Behind" concept is a burden on the County and another unfunded mandate that is being handed down by the federal government. Dr. McPherson expressed concern with certain guidelines and noted that they needed to be reviewed. He noted that IDEA funding legislation is again being considered and requested assistance from Congressman Forbes' office. Congressman Forbes noted that certain legislation could be considered conflicting, but because some of these issues are political, it is often difl•icult to get. them .changed: He requested that Dr. McPherson send any educational. concerns in writing to his office. Supervisor Bradshaw noted that farmers are in need of relief with respect to farming programs due to the .devastating effects associated. with Hurricane Isabel. Congressman Forbes stated that he did not have anything specific at this point in time .with respect to farming relief issues, but he anticipated having some information in the next month or so. Supervisor Bradshaw stated his concern is primarily with timber rights. Congressman Forbes advised that timber rights are a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) concern. He stated he has some real problems with the operation of FEMA. Chairman Clark stated that he and Supervisor Wright serve on the Resource Development Council, in the district that includes Isle of Wight,. 4 BOOK ~ 22 PaC~~~~~ Surry, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and .Portsmouth. He noted that .Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Surry have signed on, and it looks .promising that other localities will as well. He advised .that between these seven- (7) jurisdictions, there will be one (l) full-time staff person and one. (1) part-time staff person provided to work as a coordinator and grants processor. He noted that 80% of the United States is included in a Resource Conservation District and the County is attempting to be a part of this district as funds could be received through this district that the County could not receive as a government. He noted that County staff would be applying again in sixty- (60) days and they would like to coordinate .such efforts with Congressman Forbes' office. Mr. Infantino offered to follow-up on the status, noting that he worked on this issue in the past. Congressman Forbes suggested the County coordinate the application closely with his office. County Administrator Caskey addressed the issue of fluoride .and noted that the County would again be seeking financial support for offsetting the cost of the fluoride treatment. Supervisor Bradshaw noted that the County is currently digging test wells in his district. He noted that on a regional basis, the County could tie in with the City of Franklin. He stated it previously was cost prohibitive to run the lines that far, but it would help if the County could receive grants. He noted that the City of Suffolk could also be brought on board. Mr. Halataei offered to take a look at this issue. // Mr. Halataei provided County Administrator Caskey with a notebook created by his office that is intended to assist Fourth District localities as they request funding for projects through the federal appropriations process. He noted the information contained therein outlines the appropriations request process; timeline of the appropriations pracess; selected programs and accounts of interest; and the appropriations request form. He recommended that the County designate a single contact to coordinate all appropriations requests and that such person submit completed requests electronically to him by March 4, 2004. He noted that each appropriations. request must include a completed appropriations request form; letters of support from the local government, state government and/or community groups, if any; a detailed project purpose description; and any supplementary information, such as statistics and photographs, where necessary. He noted that allocations from subcommittees are normally small, but there is a good chance of securing funds for law enforcement programs, specifically equipment purchases. He noted that any funds saved in respect 5 soar 22 ~AC~192 to equipment could be allocated to salaries. He advised that the. Homeland Security Office handles fire departments and emergency. issues and he requested that County staff submit a request to him so that he could have something in writing from the County. He further advised that the Environmental Frotection Agency .provides grants to localities for water systems, sewer improvements or infrastructure, for which there is a 50% match. County Attorney Stroman inquired if the archeological study at Lawnes Creek is a fundable item. Mr. Halataei stated probably not, as the main purpose is for restoration purposes. He stated much of it depends on how an issue is worded. and he suggested that language be included to reflect. that it is good for economic development, and that other language be used within their guidelines. Dr. McPherson expressed a real need to upgrade computers within the County's school facilities. He noted that he would send his concerns to Mr. Halataei in writing. Mr. Halataei noted it would be helpful to have one (1) person make the request accompanied by a letter of support from the School Board. Mr. Halataei addressed the Transportation Appropriations Bill. He noted that the County might want to coordinate its letter with the fire station and send the information to him. Congressman Forbes advised that his staff needs to receive any requests by the first week of March, 2004. // Chairman Clark thanked Congressman Forbes and his staff for their efforts on behalf of the County. Congressman Forbes thanked County staff for working with his staff // At 5:00 p.m., Supervisor Bradshaw moved the Board adjourn its continued meeting. The motion was adopted unanimously (4-0). ~~_ n D. Clark, Chairman i 1 1 1 6