12-14-2017 Regular Meeting (2)MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE
COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION HELD IN THE ROBERT C. CLAUD, SR. BOARD
ROOM OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY COURTHOUSE ON THURSDAY, THE
FOURTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND SEVENTEEN
PRESENT:
Rex W. Alphin, Chairman, Carrsville District
William M. McCarty, Vice -Chairman, Newport District
Rudolph Jefferson, Hardy District
Joel C. Acree, Windsor District
Richard L. Grice, Smithfield District
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:
Mark C. Popovich, County Attorney
Randy R. Keaton, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Administrator
Carey M. Storm, Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Alphin called the meeting with Senator John Cosgrove and Delegate
Emily Brewer to order at 3:30 p.m.
Delegate Brewer and Senator Cosgrove introduced themselves and the critical
need for the Board of Supervisors and School Board to communicate their
legislative concerns to them was relayed.
James Thornton, Superintendent of Isle of Wight County Schools, addressed
burdensome regulations associated with Career Technical programs and
unfunded mandates which prevents the hiring of high quality individuals. The
ability of the schools to be innovative was requested and teacher shortages was
communicated as a major issue, along with teacher pay.
Victoria Hulick, Vice Chairman of the Isle of Wight County School Board, remarked
that rules for expulsion of elementary students should not be a legislative matter
and should be left up to localities. She welcomed any assistance with easing the
burden moving forward with the growth in the northern end of the County and
expressed concern with teacher pay, inability of students to access internet in the
County and the over testing of students.
Supervisor Acree spoke about the issue of home schooled students and remarked
on the injustice of them not being able to participate in extracurricular activities.
He spoke about the need for State or regional programs to take care of adults
with special needs.
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Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Administrator, distributed copies of the
County's legislative priorities and relayed the County's concern with the inability
to have a cigarette tax; the need for equality across localities; and the need for
broadband.
County Administrator Keaton remarked that the County is investing $8 million in
its communications system and does not want restrictions placed that prohibits it
from recouping some of its costs from a company willing to pay to co -locate on
one of its towers. He stated that there are many issues around broadband and
we need to ensure it is a level playing field and that the County can serve its
residents.
Supervisor Jefferson requested support of additional funding for public schools,
public safety and the Western Tidewater Regional Jail.
Jamie Oliver, Transportation Planner, addressed State roadway maintenance and
commented that project funds have been reduced over the last several years in
addition to the way in which those funds are utilized based on transportation
priorities on a regional basis versus a rural basis.
Senator Cosgrove advised that constitutionally, road maintenance must take
precedence over road construction and the Virginia Department of Transportation
is required to maintain roads for localities.
Ms. Oliver advised that the definition of maintenance can be a gray area and
covers items such as potholes and shoulder repairs and, the challenge is, is there
a timeframe when substandard roads also become a maintenance issue to bring
them up to standards, rather than always being new construction?
County Administrator Keaton shared that funds for the Nike Park Road project are
being eaten away by charges before the road is even built.
Chairman Alphin commented that when the County receives less funding from the
Federal and State governments in the areas of transportation and education and
is tasked with providing a quality education and maintaining the roads in the
Senator Cosgrove advised that the House and the Senate are having a joint
transportation committee meeting next week for recommendation to the House
Appropriations. He commented that there is less money coming into localities
because there is less money coming into the State.
The need to meet again in mid-November was recommended by Senator
Cosgrove and Delegate Brewer.
At 4:50 p.m., Chairman Alphin declared the meeting with the County's legislative
delegation adjourned.
9W R*RAQT
Rudolph Jefferson, Chairman
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Carey M I s Storrh, Clerk