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02-24-2000 Continued Meetingao~r ~~ -r:.. 8~ CONTINUED MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD THE TWENTY FOURTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND PRESENT: Phillip A. Bradshaw, Chairman .Henry H. Bradby, Vice-Chairman Robert G Claud, Sr. Stan D. Clark Richard K. MacManus Also Attending: W. Douglas Caskey, County Administrator Donald T. Robertson, Assistant to the County Administrator/Director of Human Resources Jonathan W. Hartley, Director of Planning and Zoning. Patrick J. Small, Director of Economic Development E. Wayne Rountree, P.E., Director of Public Utilities Anne F. Seward, Director of Budget and Finance Carey H. Mills, Recording Secretary Chairman Bradshaw called. the continued meeting to order for the Town Meeting held at Hardy Elementary School. Following introduction of the Board of Supervisors members, Chairman Bradshaw turned .the meeting over to County Administrator Caskey. The following staff members were introduced: Anne F. Seward, Director of Budget -and Finance; E. Wayne Rountree, P.E., Director of Public Utilities;. Donald T. Robertson, Assistant to the County Administrator/Diiector of Human Resources; Richard O. Childress, Director of .Emergency Management; Alan S. Nogiec, Director of Parks and Recreation; Ludford T. Creef, III, Director of Public Works; Jonathan W. Hartley, Director of Planning and Zoning; Debbie J. Sivertson, ' Administrative Analyst; and, Carey H. Mills, Recording Secretary. // Mr. Robertson briefly described the ground rules for the meeting. // Jonathan W. Hartley, Director of Planning and Zoning, explained the process by which the Comprehensive Plan is being updated. He noted significar-t changes are expected in the growth areas, to include reductions in the areas delegated for growth. He stated in attempting to establish a platform for economic development initiatives in the .County, certain areas will remain rush He stated revision to the Plan should be complete by June. of 2000. He :noted tax maps -and other data can be .viewed on the- computer 1 :~,~~ 1.~ ~~ 83 utilizing the .Geographic Information System. He advised staff has applied for, and funding has been approved, for a grant to repair the bulkhead at Tylers Beach Boat Harbor. He advised that the developers of the Eagle Harbor project have notified the County of their desire to withdraw their application for certain variances to the design of the proposed development. // 1 Patrick J. Small, Director of Economic Development, stated the primary purpose of his department is to market the County for economic and business development and to retain and expand existing businesses located in the County. He explained industries are important because they enhance the County's tax base. Also important are quality of life, suitable sites for economic development and necessary utilities. // E. Wayne Rountree, P.E., Director of Public Utilities, advised that sewer lines to promote commercial and economic development have begun in the Camptown area. He stated the .utility systems are self-sufficient and operate on the fees they generate. // 1 Anne F. Seward, Director of Budget .and Finance, stated staff' is attempting to maintain a good level of service to protect the -tax rate that citizens pay each year. She stated there has been no increase in the tax rate over the last six (6) years while services have increased by 52%. She stated the County maintains $54,000,000 in its Operating Budget and $6,000,000 in its Capital Budget. She noted attention is focused on a strong bond rate, with 25% of tax revenues coming from one (1) industry. She stated it is important that the Director of Economic Development solicit other industries for location in the County which will protect the County's tax base. I/ Mr. Robertson opened up the floor for questions and comments by the public, as follows: Terry Chong, Chairman of the Rarnp of Dreams Skate Park project, stated 800 signatures have been collected in support of an in-line skating park. She noted a proposal has been submitted to the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Town Council. for Smithfield. She noted copies of the proposal have also been forwarded to Sheriff Phelps and Police Chief Marshall seeking their support. She noted the fund raising is the. next. step and she is attempting. to secure the support of surrounding businesses and community groups. She noted she is in the process of filing for 501 c status. 2 904M, 1~1 ~;'~° 84 She noted a golf event is scheduled for Apri121, 2000 at the Cypress Creek golf course. Bobby Bowser, a resident of the Hardy District, stated a recreational facility has been promised for the Hardy District. He inquired where do we start. on this? Chairman Bradshaw noted the Board, at its Retreat on February 5, 2000, directed staff to prepare a proposal for a Citizens Committee and that .staff bring it back to the Board for its consideration. Bobby Bowser spoke concerning the issue of the two (2) at-large School Board members. He noted the: County is presently seeking a new Superintendent and he inquired if two (2) proposed at-large members will be apart of the process of electing a new Supe*intendent. Chairman Bradshaw informed Mr. Bowser that the Board of Supervisors allocates funding to the School Board only and it does not have anything to do with School Board issues directly. He stated the nominees will be presented on March 16, 2000 and voted on after that. Bobby Bowser inquired if the County has established a tap-on fee for HRSD users in the Newport District Supervisor Claud advised that tap-on fees have been established. Carl Hill inquired what the process is for having Yellow Rock Road placed in the VDOT secondary road system. He stated currently there are too many homes utilizing this private roadway and that there may be a speculative interest that needs resolving, Pat Clark, a resident of the Newport District, expressed appreciation to the Board for its support. of the Isle of Wight Citizens Group. He requested copies of information generated by High Growth Communities. organization. He requested that the Board support the new Western Tidewater Mental Health Administrator upon his/her arrival. He further requested that .the Board pursue his request for an educational/public access cable channel for broadcasting. Rudolph 3efferson, a resident of the- Hardy District, requested the Board support some form of recreational area in the Rushmere area. He noted the Tyler's Beach Boat Harbor is in need of attention and is glad to hear that a grantfor improvements. to thisarea will be funded. He noted the Rushmere Volunteer Fire Department building is in need of attention and suggested additional Public Works staff may be warranted. He asked if the County has considered the costs of providing year-round schooling:.. 3 ~~~~r ~ ~.~ 85 Richard Cassell, a resident of Carrollton, spoke concerning the dangerous intersection at King's Cove Way and Route 17 at the RacTrac gas station. He requested the Board seek VDOT's assistance in having the bushes addressed in this area so that the right-of-way does not visually impair motorists. Harry Cassell expressed support for controlled growth. He requested the Board give careful consideration when appointing individuals to the Planning Commission. Michael Cassell noted that the area around the RacTrac gas station ~ is trashy and that the drainage. ditches at the same location are not adequately draining storrnwater. Mary Piler addressed the Board on the timing of appointing two (2) at- large School Board members. She expressed support far the existing School Board for their outstanding job, but noted. the timing does not seem right. She requested the Board wait until the 2000 Census figures are finalized because she does not believe this represents the best interest of the entire County. Nancy Cutchin expressed a .concern with the timing of the appointment. of rivo at-large School Board members. She noted if these new members are appointed, it will be well within the timeframe for the search for the new Superintendent and the newly appointed School Board members would miss the background on what has been going on. Joseph Ferguson of the Ivor area requested the Board consider renaming its "To«~n Meeting". He noted the County needs additional coverage from the regional media. He also noted it is time for the County to make a statement as to the appropriate reason for rescue squad use by citizens. Rosa Turner noted support for a recreational facility or playground area in the Hardy District. She advised Gravel. Hill Baptist Church is planning a fundraiser on 1`larch 18, 2000 to address recreational needs in this area. She invited the Board members to attend the fundraiser and requested their individual support in this effort. She noted there are a number of mentally challenged adults that need recreational amenities in the Hardy District anal requested the Board to keep these individuals in mind. She noted that Hardy residents currently must travel too far to go to park facilities. Jane March, Habitat for Humanity, notified the public of the need for support for the project and interested volunteers in the County.. She noted a need far individuals to serve on the Budget and Finance Committee, as well as a need for land. 4 9RC~r 1~ ,,,; 86 Elsie White, a senior citizen residing in Thomas- Park, inquired why water pressure in her neighborhood has been cut in half. William White, a senior. citizen residing in Thomas Park, commented that VDOT does not maintain the roadway which was built in 1980. He also expressed concerns with snow removal during inclement weather. ..Susan Baker spoke against the urgency of adding two (2) new School Board members. She noted that bringing on these members at this time could slow .down the. Superintendent's selection process. She stated it should be based on accurate redistricting figures. Herb DeGroft noted his support of the year-round schooling concept although there will be added costs. He requested that the School Board have all elementary schools go to year-round schooling simultaneously. He urged the Board to provide the School Board with the necessary -funds to accomplish year-round schooling. Joni Griffin spoke against the timing of the appointment of two (2) at- large members on the School Board. She. asked why the .School Board was bypassed. She stated.. she did not want any child to miss out on any opportunity because of demographics. Laura Redland inquired why the Eagle Harbor project was revisited, especially in the rural areas. She noted resources are being stretched. She noted aneed -for a swimming pool in the County. She: asked .for a common umbrella covering. all recreational needs. Gerald White expressed concern with the timing of the appointment of two (2) at-large School .Board members. He requested the Board of Supervisors .address the reasoning behind its decision on the at-large issue. Supervisor MacManus stated he feels like going to a seven (7) .member School Board will make a greater Board. He advised that when he was running for the Board of Supervisors he stated in his campaign that he thought the Board of Supervisors should be a seven (7) member Board. He stated there is nothingmore critical the Board .does in this County than deal with citizens' lives. Lisa Jones inquired why now for the at-large appointments to the School Board. She recommended the Board wait until .July or when the 2000 Census has been completed. Tom Gaskell noted his appreciation for the convenience centers located throughout the County. Regarding growth issues, he noted the General Assembly has not given the County any new growth management tools. He noted the County's rules and regulations are the County's last line 1 Ll [1 5 5~~r. ~~~ .,:.- 87 of defense and requested that the County not give in to variances. He stated the County can not absorb any more new debt. Harry Cassell of Carrollton spoke in favor of seven (7) members on the School Board at this .critical time. 1 Ray .Oliver extended an invitation to the public to attend the Republican Party meetings, held monthly, which address ongoing issues. // The following are responses from the individual Board members. 1 Supervisor Clark stated the primary interest of everyone is quality of life. He noted he does not believe high density hcousing increases the quality of life. He stated the County needs to maintain the educational process and we all. must work together- as a Board to allow our schools to be institutions. of learning. He stated the County curretltly has highly qualified. people on the School Board, but there are other highly qualified individuals in this Count`, as well. He assured those assembled that the Board would not appoint an individual to the School Board that would do anything to add to the process. He expressed his belief that more representatives are better and that it «•ould only enhance the efforts of the School Board. He stated that «•hen he campaigned, he stated that seven (7) members were needed on the School Board and he committed to make that motion when he came on the Board of Super<~isors. Supervisor Claud assured the public that the Board would review all the issues voiced tonight. He stated he .has a particular interest in controlling gro~~-th in the County. He also stated parks and recreation are a mayor contribution to the qualit<~ of life and the Board is willing to look for a site in the Hardy District. He stated a Central Park Task. Force was formed three {~) years a4a in this effort and the County purchased land in the central p rt of the Count~~ approximately a year aQo. He noted there is interest on the part of the citizens concerning adding School Board members at this time and the Board u-il1 work together in this regard. He stated after the redistricting takes place seems a more logical time to make a move in that direction, but that the Board «~ould more forward. D Supervisor Bradby stated the Hardy District is the only district without a recreational facilitti~. He noted he supported the concept of appointing.. two (~} at-large School Board members. He stated he has consulted with many residents in the Hardy District before he made. his motion and he has not heard fr©m any citizens in the Hardy District who voiced an opposition to tv~~o {2} at-large School Board members being appointed. He stated he is here to serve the people.. He noted two (2) additional representatives on the Schaal Board will give additional minds. He stated he wants to discontinue 6 the idea of northern and southern ends of the County and wants the .County to become one in the best interest of the citizens therein. Supervisor MacManus stated we are about working together. He stated your. -voice makes government work .effectively and if you are not. involved in government, it will not work. He invited citizens to the Board's.. ..monthly meetings and requested each express their concerns. He stated we mush work together for .the common good. of all the citizens of the County and we will work to meet he best interests of the entire community. Chairman Bradshaw stated most people. are not. concerned with what happens on the local level. He stated it is important that we are involved in the community and teach our children about what takes place in the. community. He stated the Hardy District needs a recreational facility and the Board has discussed sites. He stated be believes the Board can accommodate something in the near future. He further stated he would not address the School Board issue and he did not support it. He stated his .position is to move forward and not to regress. He stated the decision has been made and the .County needs to move forward in a cooperative manner. He stated County staff will compile notes get responses back to each of you on your concerns. Supervisor Claud moved the Board adjourn its Town Meeting at 10:00 p.m. the motion was adopted unanimously (5-0). // W. Dou s skey, Cler _~ _ P ip A. Bradshaw, Chairman 7 1 1 1