05-02-2019 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 SECOND DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND
NINETEEN
PRESENT:
William M. McCarty, Newport District, Chairman
Joel C. Acree, Windsor District, Vice -Chairman
Don G. Rosie, II, Carrsville District
Richard L. Grice, Smithfield District
Rudolph Jefferson, Hardy District
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:
Robert W. Jones, Jr., County Attorney
Randy R. Keaton, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Administrator
Carey M. Storm, Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman McCarty called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed all
present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AMENDMENTS
Supervisor Rosie moved that the agenda be adopted as presented. The motion
was unanimously (5-0) adopted.
INVOCATION
Reverend Betsy Caudill, Benn's United Methodist Church, delivered the invocation
and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Chris Morello, Director of Economic Development, briefed the Board regarding
startup efforts associated with the Eastern Virginia Regional Industrial Facility
Authority, a new regional authority intended to facilitate economic
development partnerships between localities, such as the Unmanned Systems
Testing and Demonstration Center, in exchange for revenue sharing. The
Board, at its regular meeting of October 19, 2017 adopted a resolution to
participate in the proposed Unmanned Systems Testing and Demonstration
Center project to include a proportional financial contribution for the
development and operational cost associated with the project.
Attorney Steven Meade, attorney with Patten, Wornom, Hatten &
Diamonstein explained that the concept of the Authority is to attract a project
that one locality could not do alone such as the Berryhill Regional Industrial
Park in the Danville area where Danville and Patrick counties could never
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have afforded to finance by themselves because the capital investment was
just too much for one or two localities to finance. Utilities were put in place
which attracted two businesses to date. He explained that it would be a much
more difficult process for the County's Economic Development Authority to
work regionally with other jurisdictions and the Authority is a way that
provides a clean vehicle because it has the necessary powers and authorities
intact because Virginia is a Dillon Rule state and can only do what the
General Assembly stipulates.
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County Attorney Jones updated the Board on the progress to date with the
demolition of a structure located on Cedar Grove Road.
Tony Wilson, Public Work Administrator, updated the Board on the replacement
of the HVAC system for the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department which is
experiencing compressor failure. He offered to look into obtaining an extended
warranty on the new system.
County Administrator Keaton apprised the Board that he had recently met with
Brian Camden, Alpha Corporation, regarding the County's desire to have a
comparison study done for Hardy Elementary School.
The consensus of the Board was for staff to move forward with the contract in the
amount of $19,745 to perform the study of renovating versus building a new
facility for the Hardy Elementary School.
Following a break, the Board discussed the proposed Operating and Capital
Budgets for Fiscal Year 2019-20 and the FY2020-29 Capital Improvements
Program. County Administrator Keaton advised the Board that the budget detail
sheets have been reformatted to aid in the review of the budget.
The Board reviewed various line items under the fire and rescue organizations;
personnel (salaries); Parks and Recreation; Public Utilities; Human Resources; Risk
Management; Public Works/General Services; and, the Sheriff's Department.
Following a lengthy discussion on SROs and the need to be covered adequately
from a public safety standpoint, Supervisor Rosie recommended that the Board
receive a presentation from Homeland Security on school safety and active
shooter situations.
It was discussed that the Schools are not recommending additional SROs and that
the Board needs to discuss this issue further with the School Board.
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Supervisor Rosie expressed his support because elementary and middle schools
are the least likely targeted for something to happen that a Deputy be phased in
over a certain period of years or a Deputy be divided over a few of the schools
that do not have SROs.
Chairman McCarty remarked that the HRPDC reports that while the cost of
government to do business has risen 15% this year over last year, the County has
only increased 4.2%.
County Administrator Keaton reviewed the items contained in the CIP related to a
space needs study of the Social Services Building; fire and rescue; and, public
schools.
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Supervisor Jefferson requested County Administrator Keaton to bring information
to the next meeting regarding the cost of the addition to the bay of the Rushmere
Volunteer Fire Department facility approved by the Board in 2009.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:30 p.m., Chairman McCarty declared the meeting adjourned.
Wi iam M. McCarty, Chairman
Carey �)Us St m, Clerk
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