01-10-2022 Retreat RETREAT OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD AT THE
HAYDEN VILLAGE CENTER LOCATED AT 680 OAK STREET, FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA ON
MONDAY, THE TENTH DAY OF JANUARY IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND
TWENTY-TWO
PRESENT:
Rudolph Jefferson, Hardy District, Chairman
William M. McCarty, Newport District, Vice-Chairman
Richard L. Grice, Smithfield District
Don G. Rosie, II, Carrsville 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
Don Jennings, Director of Utility Services
Tony Wilson, Director of Public Works
Jamie Oliver, Transportation Planner
Amy Ring, Director of Community Development
Chris Morello, Director of Economic Development
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Jefferson called the retreat to order at 9:00 a.m. and welcomed all
present.
A tour of the Hayden Village facility was provided by Crystal Bynum. During the
tour, Ms. Bynum responded to questions related to how someone might go about
leasing an apartment at this facility; if the apartments are currently fully rented;
and the amount of rent charged.
Assistant County Administrator Robertson briefed the Board regarding two recent
tours that he, the Director of Parks and Recreation and the County Administrator
had taken of similar senior center facilities in North Carolina, one in Currituck
County and one in Elizabeth City. He provided an overview of the spaces and
educational and recreational programs offered to seniors at the Currituck County
facility which is attached to a YMCA. He noted that the Currituck County and
Elizabeth City facilities are different from each other in that the Currituck facility
appears to be more like the Hayden Village facility in terms of programing while the
facility in Elizabeth City had more in terms of recreational programs.
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Turning the discussion to what the Board envisions for County seniors, he noted
that the senior center at Nike Park does not compare to either one of those facilities
and consists of two moderately sized rooms. He suggested that Westside
Elementary School could be a great venue for senior educational and recreational
programs during weekdays and other types of programs at night and on weekends.
Supervisor McCarty expressed his thought that Westside Elementary School could
be utilized as a dual or multi-use facility with workforce housing on one side and
senior housing/programming on the other.
Supervisor Rosie noted that there is not a lot of affordable housing being proposed
by the private industry.
Mr. Robertson advised that the Board needs to anticipate people coming from
outside the County once they know there is an opening. He stated the Board needs
to be prepared to decide about who gets that space.
Supervisor Grice stated Westside Elementary School is marketable and offers many
opportunities. He stated the Board must first decide if it wants to do something
with the facility or sell it. He stated the Board needs a plan and does not want to
keep it and watch it deteriorate.
Supervisor McCarty endorsed the County keeping the building because to replace
it or build a new facility would cost a lot more. He asked Mr. Morello if there are
any developers that might be interested in renovating Westside Elementary School
into a new use. Mr. Morello offered to research and report back to the Board.
Supervisor Rosie suggested input be solicited from other localities that have
renovated such facilities in the past.
Supervisor Grice stated that the Board could, later in the meeting under the
brainstorming portion of the agenda, appoint a task force charged with developing
ideas.
County Attorney Jones advised the Board that Westside Elementary School is
owned by the School Board, and it is not until the School Board decides it is no
longer using it that it comes back to the County.
Following a break, the Board received an update from staff on existing capital
projects within their respective departments, as follows:
Chris Morello, Director of Economic Development, provided an update on
infrastructure improvements at the Shirley T. Holland Commerce Park.
Assistant County Administrator Robertson, on behalf of David Smith, the Director
of Parks & Recreation, provided an update on the following:
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Bradby Park - plans need to be developed to allow for the clearing of trees in
the spring.
Heritage Park Bleachers - are in place and ready for the rodeo.
Jones Creek Dock Work— needs to be performed.
District Meetings - staff will be holding meetings at each of the districts to
obtain a sense of what types of things they would like to see relative to parks
and recreation.
Nike Park Pavement - ongoing and the equipment at the playground will be
upgraded. There are tennis court restoration projects at Nike Park and the
Smithfield Library.
Pat Humphries, Chief of Emergency Services, addressed public safety capital
improvement needs within that Department.
Supervisor Acree requested a list of the equipment the County has now, to include
the year, model and mileage on vehicles.
The Board took a lunch break.
Don Jennings, Director of Public Utilities, provided an update on the following:
Water/Sewer Utilities Master Planning
Stormwater Master
Roadway Master Plan/Design
Roadway Construction
Benns Grant Water Tank
Lawnes Point Water Extension to Rushmere Shores
Route 10 Water Line Extension
Windsor Sewer Project
Tony Wilson, Director of Public Works, updated the board on the following
projects:
Paul D. Camp Community College
Smithfield Library
Windsor Library
Central Permitting Renovation
Wrenn's Mill Refuse and Recycling
Nike Park Shop
Old Clerk's Office
Attic Space Asbestos
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Heritage Park Improvements
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Jamie Oliver, Transportation Planner, provided updates on the following:
Nike Park Trail
Smithfield Sidewalk
Turner Drive Center Turn Lane
Steve Zollos, Executive Director, Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia, briefed
the Board regarding services offered to seniors, veterans and persons with
disabilities by that organization. He turned the discussion over to the financing of
the Hayden Village Center facility and offered his assistance if the decision is made
to repurpose the Westside Elementary School.
Under future work session items, the Board discussed the following:
Commission on Aging—Social Events
Senior Services and Needs
Task Force with Mission Statement and Target Date
Two Branches of the Commission on Aging
What senior programs currently exist?
Report from Special Needs Task Force
. Needs and Services Task Force
What services for the special needs' population are offered by existing
agencies?
What are the County's most pressing needs?
Narrow Scope of Current Commission on Aging to Activities
Workforce Retention Incentives/Quality Clothing Stores, Retail Lumber Sales
Town Hall Work Sessions
Private-sector Insights on Development
Survey Needs of the County
Solar—Work with Farmers
Job Retention/Regeneration
Public Input (Town Hall Meeting)
By District with Information Specific to that Community
District 2 (February)
District 4 (March/April)
District 1 (May/June)
Zoning Regulations (Examine) too onerous/too lax?
Citizens Portal (customized) Similar to "My Chart" at Doctor's Office
Staff Survey - Needs/etc.
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At 4:00 p.m., Chairman Jefferson declared the retreat adjourned.
Agieg POMP
e,13,40/1165/151111. Rudolph Jefferson, Chairman
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk
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