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02-08-2003 Continued Meeting ~oG~ 21.~~~4:3~' COrl7~'II~TUED MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD THE EIGHTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND THREE PRESENT:. Richard K. MacManus, Chairman Stan D. Clark,. Vice-Chairman Robert C. Claud, Sr. Henry H. Bradby Phillip A. Bradshaw ALSO PRESENT: -Jacob P. Stroman, N, County Attorney W. Douglas Casket', County Administrator Dr. Michael McPherson, Superintendent of Schools Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County ' Administrator/Director of Human. Resources ' Anne F. Seward, Director of Budget and. Finance Jonathan W, Hartley, Director of Planning and Zoning Donald M. Long, Director of Public Works Alan S. Nogiec, Director of Parks and Recreation Lyle D. Hornbaker, Information Services Coordinator . Diane W. Howard, Director of Tourism - Patrick J. Small,.. Director of Economic Development E. Wayne Rountree, Director of Public Utilities Richard O. Childress, .Director of Emergency Services Sherri A. Bush, Emergency Communications Center Arthur E. Berkley, Superintendent of Inspections. Debbie. J. Sivertson, Administrative Analyst Chairman MacManus called .the continued Board meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. for the purpose. of conducting a "Community Meeting" held at Smithfield Middle School.. Following a welcome to all present, Chairman MacManus turned the proceedings over to .Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Administrator. Mr. Robertson introduced -the members of the Board of Supervisors, the County Attorney, and staff members.- Several staff briefings were made as follows: Mr. Robertson described various legislative proposals presented by Isle of Wight County to the General Assembly and their results. He noted. that while the cigarette tax. legislation (to allow Isle of Wight to levy a local cigarette tax) failed in subcommittee, significant progress was made as such proposal failed in a tie. vote. l eoo~ - 21:~~-43 .Similarly, although a proposal for equal taxation for counties and _-cities, an objective of the Virg;7ia Association of Counties, failed at the subcommittee level, significant strides .were -made due to the growing amount of support expressed by.legislators. As requested by the .Isle. of Wight County Citizens Association. approximately :three (3) years .ago, Delegate Barlow introduced again this session legislation to allow land rezoned for residential use, if dormant for a determined number of years, to automatically revert back to its original zoning. While this .legislation failed at the .subcommittee level, it is important to remember that Isle of Wight County citizens are berg heard in the General Assembly.. : I Mr. Robertson further stated that, while a. number of different bills. . relative to adequate public facilities were introduced. during the session, none were `successful. However, legislation to allow mobile/manufactured homes in at least two (2) zoning districts,.which was opposed by the County, was. defeated. } . Mr. Jonathan W. Hartley, Director of Planning and Zoning, discussed- the status ' of the County's Zoning Ordinance rewrite, which .:started - in January. of 2002. In phase one (l ), the County's village centers .were defined. A final- report will be completed within the next thirty (30) days. in phase two (2), meetings. were held in the Newport District to discuss with citizens .their. issues of community design. Phase three (3) includes text revisions to the Zoning Ordinance with a "hearing draft" to be available by the end of April, and public hearings to be held in the JulylAugust time frame: Mr. Donald M. Long, Director of Public. Works,: presented. information relative to current recycling and litter control issues. Due to citizen opposition to the Southeastern Public Service. Authority (SPSA)'s suggestion to discontir~ue~recycling in the Hampton Roads area (due in large part-to the escalating cost), three (3) options have been offered to localities: Option<one (1) is to continue at the existing level of household pickup service at an increased price of $1.21 a month :per household, up from $1.05` amonth-. per household. Drop-of~'container bins would continue to be emptied at a charge of seventy-five dollars ($75) per pull. Option two- (2) offers an automated system, which would increase. the household :pickup charge to $2.92 per home per month. Option three (3) relies exclusively on the. use of drop-otf containers, at a charge of seventy-five dollars ($75) per pull to empty.:. Mr. Long noted that `the Board recently elected to continue the current recycling service. level for six (6). months (beyond July 1, 2003),: and is asking the Towns for their assistance in this matter. While recycling may not be a profitable venture, it beneficially extends the productive life. of a landfill :~ 2 i eoe~ 21 ~N~~43~ Relative to litter removal, Mr. Long explained the current dilemma whereby the Governor is looking to-cut State funding to localities for litter grants. The. County's share, $6,780, is used for salaries, supplies, a litter prevention program, as well as to subsidize the cost of removing freonfrom refrigerators which have been discarded. He noted the constant challenges faced by the County, as .litter removed on major public roadways (by County stag, Community Service workers, or Western Tidewater Regional Jail work release individuals) builds up again quickly, particularly' at Tyler's Beach during the Spring and Summer time frame. Mr. Robertson briefly. described the ground .rules for the .meeting advising that all public .comments would be recordF;d, and responses to questions posed would be made available at the Courthouse Complex, local libraries, and the County's Web Site. Mr. Robertson .then opened the. floor for questions and comments by the public, which were as follows: Mr. Pat Clark, Isle of Wight Citizens Association, discussed his concerns with realtors who. have organized to heavily influence. the General Assembly, as specifically -noted at recent hearings on adequate public facilities legislation. Additionally, the Citizens Association will continue to support the Board's slow growth policies, to prevent pro-growth members from being elected in the future, as has happened in Loudoun County.. Mr. Clark also described recent successful efforts by Isle of Wight County citizens to have the- appointment of Ms. Slaughter reconsidered by the Water Control Board. He also complimented the Director of Public Works for the Jones Creek's Convenience Center staff, and the Administrative Analyst for her work on the Colonel Josiah Parker project. As attendance was relatively low at today's Community Meeting, Mr. Clark suggested the Board consider an evening workshop as an option. Mr. Pete Munsell requested that the County's Web Site be updated relative to posting " of the Board of Supervisors' agendas and minutes.. He asked that the Planning Commission's agendas and minutes, as well as the County's real. estate appraisals, be placed on the County's Web Site as soon as possible. Additionally, he would like for County government .meetings to be submitted by staff to the Daily Press for listing in the public agenda section as a reminder to citizens. Mr. Munsell stated that he did attend a General Assembly hearing on adequate public facilities and encouraged. the County to continue. to make this issue a legislative priority, as well as equal taxation.. 3 n _ eooK ~ 21 w~:~.~35 1 L . - _ ~ Ms. Grace .Keen complimented the Board for conducting today's. Community Meeting, and suggested that aworkshop -.with more open dialogue may be a better approach. She would `like for historic zoning. to be increased around. St. Luke's Church, particularly in light of recent plans -for development nearby. ,Ms. 'Keen announced a "town- meeting" on -March 31, 2003 at The Smithfield Center sponsored by the Isle of ,Wight .County Citizens Association and. The Daily Press. Such .meeting will. address the. issues of growth and adequate public facilities. Mr. Rick Bodson, a new resident of the County, thanked the Board for taking the time today to hear-from citizens. Mr. Robertson thanked all of the speakers, and turners the meeting back over to the Board members for comments. ~. Supervisor Bradshaw extended -his ..appreciation to citizens and staff .present today. The. Board is .working diligently to ensure that growth will not -` overwhelm Isle of Wight's :quality of life, and supports education. and Stmt Hued expansion in economic development.- The County has developed a ~ eg~c Plan and has a small staff compared to .other localities. He thanked the Isle of Wight Citizens Association -for its excellent presentation .last: month. Thanks to the citizens and .their ,support- of the equal- taxation issue.. that he represented on behalf of the Virginia Association of Counties. Supervisor Glaud thanked. the citizens for coming today: He was present when the adequate public facilities legislation was considered in the Senate and. noted that the County is a member of the- High Growth Coalition, which monitors all growth legislation. Supervisor -Claud stated that the .budget process will be improved as the School Board's budget and the County's general. operating budget .will be considered in .the same :time' frame. Supervisor. Claud stated that in the upcoming three. (3) to f ve (5) years, there may be new pressure from -the agricultural community, as due: to .the recent Farm .Bill, ..farms may not be as profitable- and. appeals may:. be made. to the Board to allow the division and reselling of land. Supervisor. Bradby stated that it is .important that citizens can: share with the Board and thanked everyone in attendance. He-also concurred. with. Ms. Keen that St. Luke's .Church should be guarded as a shrine. :, 4 -, eoa~ 21-r~r~43fi Supervisor Clark said that the Board is feeling the effects naw of rezoning decisions made twenty (20) or more years ago. Fortunately, the County does. not have the massive residential rezonings of some neighboring communities. Growth does have a ripple effect on schools, fire and rescue, etc.. Landscaping design specifications are needed, he stated. Supervisor MacManus expressed thanks to those in attendance and noted the value of hearing firsthand the citizens' input. Hie stated that 2003- is "the best of times and the worst of times" for the County. While the State. is in a financial crisis, the .County should be proud. of our school system, tight budget- control and new revenue streams acquired by Economic Development and Tourism Departments.. The County will continue .to address the issue of growth .through a new Zoning Ordinance. At 11:05 a.m., Chairman MacManus moved the Board adjourn-.its meeting: The motion was adopted unanimously (5-0).