07-15-2021 Work Session WORK 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 FIFTHTEENTH DAY OF JULY IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND
TWENTY-ONE
PRESENT:
Richard L. Grice, Smithfield District, Chairman
Don G. Rosie, II, Carrsville District, Vice-Chairman
Rudolph Jefferson, Hardy District
William M. McCarty, Newport District
Joel C. Acree, Windsor 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
CALL TO ORDER
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Chairman Grice called the work session to order at 3:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Supervisor McCarty moved that the agenda be adopted as presented. The motion
was adopted (5-0) with Supervisors Rosie, Acree, McCarty, Jefferson and Grice
voting in favor of the motion and no Supervisor voting against the motion.
INVOCATION
Supervisor McCarty delivered the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the
American flag of the United States of America.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
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The Commission on Aging was brought up for discussion by County Administrator
Keaton who asked for the Board's thoughts and ideas on how to proceed with
regard to the restructuration of the Commission.
The floor was opened for discussion by Chairman Grice who asked Board members
to communicate specific ways in which staff can move the Commission on Aging
forward.
Supervisor Jefferson inquired what services are currently being provided to County
seniors by the Commission. He further inquired about the results of the recent
community survey disseminated to County residents.
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Amy Ring, Director of Community Development, recalled that the Board had
received a presentation in April of 2021 from staff on the results of the community
survey which was conducted in March of 2021. She continued that the same
presentation had also been provided to the members of the Commission on Aging
who had appointed five of its members to represent a stakeholder group charged
with developing policies that could be incorporated into the County's
Comprehensive Plan entitled the "Plan on Aging" which would be reviewed by the
Commission on Aging, the community, the Planning Commission and finally by the
Board.
Ms. Ring offered to resend the survey focused on the setting of priorities for future
direction and to better serve the senior population in the County to the Board for
its perusal and information.
Assistant County Administrator Robertson advised that the Commission on Aging
has primarily been providing annual social and interactive opportunities for seniors
responsive to a survey conducted a number of years ago which include a fish fry,
Valentine's Day dance, and a Christmas and health care event which provides an
opportunity for healthcare providers to have access to seniors in a common place
and also partners with TRIAD to provide information to seniors regarding how to
be safe with respect to scams. He advised that all the events are done in
cooperation with Parks and Recreation, Social Services and law enforcement.
Supervisor Acree remarked this can present an opportunity to develop a vision of
a commission that would look at the entire population,to include those with special
needs, age and health conditions.
Supervisor Rosie agreed with the development of programs and socialization for
both seniors and those with special needs.
Chairman Grice, as the Board's representative on the Commission on Aging, noted
that the County only has the facilities to accommodate 360 seniors which means
that only a small number of the 3,000 seniors are being reached. He advised that
the administration of these senior programs is being provided by a single staff
member from the Department of Parks and Recreation and to persons with special
needs to the senior population creates a population that exceeds the number of
children in County schools which currently the County spends $27,000,000 of
County taxpayer money to ensure they are educated. He stated any programs for
seniors or those with special needs must be developed by a senior staff member
that is a full-time employee. He recommended a coordinator position and stated
that the Commission on Aging is not the right organization to be that coordinating
entity. He stated until recently the Board has not asked the Commission on Aging
what services seniors should be receiving from the County and while it is important
to have these events, an agency is needed within our organization that addresses
specific needs within our community as it relates to seniors and special needs
groups and has the authority to return to the Board with ideas for coordinating the
money. He stated we need some type of group that has the authority to coordinate
these activities, publish information when needed and disperse it through
electronic means or other means of communication. He requested staff to provide
the Board with a route to accomplish that.
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Supervisor Acree commented that items have come before the Board in the past
that could have gone before a commission for consideration such as an age-
restricted community. It might give an application more merit if this group could
make a report to the Board regarding whether they endorse it or make a
recommendation on how it can be improved. He can envision there being a section
on staff's report to inform the Board about their recommendation.
Supervisor Jefferson remarked that there are some of the most acknowledgeable
people employed by the County who can provide the Board with the insight needed
to best address the needs of the mentally and physically challenged residents of
the County. He stated we have the staff that can accomplish what needs to be
accomplished if the Board tells them what they want to accomplish.
Supervisor McCarty stated he did not believe a single entity is going to be able to
answer all of these challenges that have arisen lately because there has been
frustration and aggravation. He stated he would never be in support of doing away
with events that embrace seniors. He stated seniors have tax issues, federal issues,
State and local issues, mental health and healthcare issues, recreational issues
along with estate planning involving wills and trusts, training with family members
when they have a parent who is beginning to face those issues. He continued with
living on a fixed income, dealing with Social Security. We really need a multi-tiered
approach. He recommended the Board investigate along with the County
Administrator how to revolutionize Parks & Recreation to include a potential
Director position that covers seniors or understands special needs. He stated the
solution is multi-tiered with three separate layers, i.e., a group that deals with
special needs; a group that deals with the educational aspect of dealing with
seniors, while at the same time meeting their recreational needs.
Supervisor Jefferson agreed with having an individual dedicated to streamlining or
funneling some ideas and not be spread thin doing a bunch of other things.
Chairman Grice stated needs and services are two aspects of the Commission on
Aging and there needs to also be a socialization.
County Administrator Keaton clarified that he is hearing from the Board that it
would like a group that can look at all the needs of seniors and identify where there
are any holes and ensure that seniors are aware of the different types of services
offered. He recommended getting all the groups together that are currently
providing services and the Planning Commission and get their input. He offered to
bring back some options after bringing all the interested parties together at a staff
level and receiving their input.
Supervisor Acree requested feedback if a Recreational Therapist would be
beneficial as a resource.
David Smith, Director of Parks & Recreation, clarified that this is a specialized field
called therapeutic recreation which focuses on people with all types of special
needs. They develop recreational prescriptions for their clients and a set program
step-by-step. It is very specialized and growing field and more geared towards
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those with special needs. Senior events, on the other hand, tend to be staffed with
a recreational specialist who specialize in senior citizens.
The consensus of the Board was for staff to return with recommendations
regarding a direction with which to move the Commission on Aging forward.
Jamie Oliver,Transportation Planner, provided a comprehensive review of the Nike
Park Road extended project which began in collaboration with VDOT in 2013-14 to
conduct the Brewer's Neck Corridor Study. The following was reviewed with the
Board: The original SMARTSCALE application; timeline; SMARTSCALE budget of
2017; the current project agreement; a December 2020 update; the current VDOT
proposal; and the current Project Agreement of February 2020.
CLOSED MEETING
The following matter was identified for discussion in closed meeting by County
Attorney Jones: Consultation with legal counsel regarding actual litigation
regarding M&T tax where such consultation would adversely affect the negotiating
or litigation posture of this public body pursuant to subsection 7.
Upon motion of Supervisor McCarty and all voting in favor (5-0), the Board entered
the closed meeting for the reasons stated by County Attorney Jones.
Upon motion of Supervisor Acree and all voting in favor (5-0), the Board
reconvened into open meeting.
County Attorney Jones reminded the Board that in accordance with Section 2-10(G)
of the Board's Rules & Procedure, all those who participated in the closed meeting
are reminded that all matters discussed in closed meeting are to remain confidential,
as provided under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and that such matters as
were discussed in closed meeting should not be acted upon or discussed in public by
any participant unless and until a public, formal action of the Board of Supervisors is
taken on that particular subject matter.
Upon motion of Supervisor McCarty and all voting in favor (5-0), the following
Resolution was adopted:
CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED MEETING
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has convened a closed meeting on this date
pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the
Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and,
WHEREAS Section 2.2-3712(D) of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this
Board of Supervisors that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with
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Virginia law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors hereby certifies
that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters
lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed
in the closed meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such
public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed
meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Board of Supervisors.
VOTE
AYES: Acree, Grice, Jefferson, McCarty. Rosie
NAYS: 0
ABSENT DURING VOTE: 0
ABSENT DURING MEETING: 0
ADJOURNMENT •
At 5:00 p.m., Chairman Grice declared the work session adjourned.
t
Richard L OOPairman
eaftel:t8Carey rm, Clerk
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