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03-17-2003 Continued Meeting- -9eA~ 2~ . -~10 CONTINUED MEETING OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF -MARCH IN THE YEAR TWO. THOUSAND AND`THREE PRESENT: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Richard K. MacManus, Chairman Stan D. Clark, Vice-Chairman Phillip A. Bradshaw Henry H. Bradby - Robert C. Claud, Sr. ALSO PRESENT: SCHOOL BOARD A. Gene Lowery, Chairman Barbara B. Olin Pamela J. Edwards ` Dr. George: A. Bradby ABSENT: Dr. Richard L. Peerey Also Attending: H. Woodrow Crook, School Board Attor~y Dr. Michael McPherson, School Superintendent W. Peyton. Barlow, Executive Director for Administrative Staff Steve Jenkins,. Finance Director of Schools Carolyn W. Harrup, School Board Clerk Jacob P. Stroman, N, County Attorney W. Douglas Casket', County Administrator .Anne .F. Seward,. Director of Budget and Finance. Carey H. Mills, Recording Secretary Board of Supervisors Chairman MacManus called the .continued. meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. for. the. purpose of conducting a joint work session with the School Board. He thanked the School Board members for agreeing to meet .with the Board of Supervisors to discuss items of mutual concern. School Board Chairman- Lowery called the continued meeting of the School Board to order. !/ Chairman MacManus called for discussion of relevant topics between the Board of Supervisors and the School Board * ., 9091(- z~- ~:~:r~~1 Dr. McPherson reported that the School Board is proposing a 5% raise for teachers in January, -2004 which is included in the School's proposal to the County. Supervisor Claud .inquired if this proposal is based on the- State meeting certain objectives. Dr. McPherson replied it is based on the- school's assumption that the State will provide a certain amount of funding, 2.25%, effective January 1, -2004. ~ - . With regard to .legislative issues resulting from. the 2003 Generale Assembly session, Dr. McPherson noted none of the issues got very far in the General Assembly session. Mrs. Edwards stated an increase statewide in the sales tax designated y towards education did not make it out of the committee -and .until that is achieved,. Virginia will. always struggle: Supervisor Bradshaw stated VACo would be supporting the Hanger Committee again next year and that all issues with .respect to taxation were referenced to the Hanger Committee this year.. Chairman MacManus noted that an alignment throughout the State is needed on these issues and that the County is aligned with the Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal. League. County Administrator Caskey distributed an` overview of the major legislation for the 2003 General Assembly session. He stated -that staff focused on the Cigarette Tax to generate a new revenue source for .the County, which .resulted in a tie vote from the Senate. committee. He stated staff would continue to focus on the Cigarette Tax if it is the Board of Supervisors' direction to do so next year. He stated the County is a member of the Coalition of High Growth Communities of Virginia, an organization involved with such issues as land use and adequate public facilities. He .stated as a county government, staff has attempted to generate revenues, .while protecting its land use authority. - Supervisor Bradshaw stated those who attended the VACo .meeting were united; however, some communities pulled. out later. He stated he does. not know now which strategy will be taken. Chairman MacManus stated even for -those legislators open to restructuring,.they don't want to see additional revenue coming to localities. { . Supervisor Bradshaw stated the County is facing reductions in its .revenue stream, and the Machinery and ,Tools tax is anticipated to decrease significantly from International Paper. 2 ,~ /' Regarding Operating and Capital budgetary considerations, Dr. McPherson stated the proposed School Board budget was presentedwith an overall increase of 4.4% ($850,000) which represents a ~2T3,OU0 increase in fuel costs; a 15% increase in health insurance;. and capital debt of X226,040 over last .year. Chairman MacManus inquired when .the School Board anticipates hearing from the state on the amount of funding to be received. Mr. Jenkins stated the Department of Education has advised that funding will. be based on action from the General Assembly. He noted that the Governor would approve and then make any necessary changes. He stated the increase is in respect to the number of students located in a district. Supervisor Ctaud inquired if the School Board anticipates offering any new programs next-year. Dr. McPherson stated special needs are mandated. and a reading. specialist will be brought onboard. He noted with respect to busing, federal laws could force the County to bus additional children if they don't meet the SOLs and the County could be impacted by an influx of students. He noted it is the .School Board's responsibility to make space available. for these students. Mrs. Edwards noted with respect to the "No Child Left Behind" mandate, it will be a monumental task to locate and hire an individual. Dr. McPherson stated the School Board is proposing a 5% increase for teachers and a higher percentage for key support :personnel. He stated an additional allocation of $600,000 could be sufficient if carryover funding was. permitted for FY04 from the FY03 allocation Supervisor MacManus noted the Board of Supervisors appropriated a 3.5% increase in funding to the School Board for the current fiscal year. Dr. McPherson stated he would forward the. information to the Board of Supervisory for their consideration. Supervisor .Bradshaw requested a breakdown, ~ by school, of .the teachers who could retire with .full benefits: Dr. McPherson offered to supply this information to Supervisor Bradshaw. 3 eoe~ 2i -h.r513 Supervisor Bradshaw noted the work force is underpaid. Mrs. Edwards stated the schools have very little turnover and the teachers are marketable. Supervisor Bradshaw inquired. how vulnerable is .the school .system to losing these teachers. Mrs. Edwards noted that job turn over is not a problem in the school system. Mr. Barlow noted the need for an advance capital allocation of FY04 Capital funds for,the hiring of a Project Manager and architect for the new middle school. He noted that the School Board would be meeting with potential vendors in response to previously released RFPs. He stated the School Board anticipates hiring a Project Manager and architect in April, 2003. Supervisor Claud requested the School Board to present its figures to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. // .Regarding cooperative efforts between the County and the schools, .Mrs. Seward advised that a cooperative group has been formed consisting of libraries, health, the school division, and the Department of Social Services in an effort to discuss how needs can be addressed for more cost efficiencies and wfiere services can be :enhanced. She. stated County staff and the schools have begun to address overlaps in areas of buildings and grounds, finance and purchasing. Mr. Barlow stated the schools are also working in conjunction with the j Department of Public Works in an effort to provide cost savings. He noted meetings are taking place on a regular basis and. discussions-have .been helpful to both the County and the schools, without taxing either. party.- He stated he anticipates seeing a difference at the end of the year. Chairman MacManus suggested -the public- be advised of a ballpark figure of cost savings to be realized though this cooperative effort. Mrs. Seward noted in addition to cost .savings, an enhancement of services is also realized. .County Administrator. Caskey stated he anticipates the development of an agreement between the school administration and Parks and Recreation with respect to shared activities between these two {Z} agencies. County Attorney Sturman noted that a draft agreement is under consideration by County. and School Board staff and legal counset. 4 i // Regarding the issue of recognition of volunteers, County .Administrator Caskey noted that the Board of Supervisors recently discussed their desire to consider how to recognize the efforts of volunteers in the County. He distributed a summary of survey information compiled. by Debbie 3. Sivertson, Administrative Analyst, reflecting what other localities statewide have been doing .relative to successful efforts and/or programs to recognize volunteer services. He stated that April' is volunteer. month and explained the various methods by which the Board of Supervisors has recognized volunteers. He stated recognition of volunteers could also be . used as a marketing tool to encourage people to volunteer. Chairman MacManus stated communities recognize that volunteer efforts save dollars for localities. He suggested that the schools .work in conjunction with the Board of Supervisors. He noted the County has two (2) public access channels -which can: serve as additional recognition for volunteers at no cost to the County. .Mrs. Edwards acknowledged that the PTA Council recognizes individuals who volunteer at the schools. Chairman MacManus noted that some individuals are even deserving of receiving special recognition. Supervisor Claud noted that the County has an Events Committee that could be beneficial in recognizing volunteers, Supervisor Bradshaw suggested the Board could request that the Events Committee make a recommendation tothe Board of Supervisors with respect to a cooperative effort with the schools. He stated the. County appears to be ahead of what most localities do for their volunteers. County Administrator Casket' noted that in the 'past the County recognized a volunteer of the year, then held a picnic in honor of volunteers, running ads in the newspapers to solicit their presence. Chairman MacManus inquired if there were any ideas from the School Board members regarding a cooperative effort with the County. Mrs. Edwards recommended using the access channel // Under other issues, Supervisor Clark stated the ballpark field at Smithfield High School needs lighting and other improvements before it cane 5 ~+ >:.i eoa~ ~ 21~ ~M ~ 515 i~ u provide a safe practice field for players. He stated that he has. not noticed any improvement to the field over the last four (4) years. Dr. McPherson stated. he was not aware of Supervisor Clark's- concern as he has not received any calls. He stated there. have been a number of improvements made `on this field last year and he requested Mr. Barlow provide him with a status report on the improvements to the ball field. School Board Attorney Crook stated the old ball field was not improved when the .new high school was built.. He noted that Smithfield High-School is in need of lights. Supervisor Bradshaw recommended that Supervisor Clark work with the Department of Parks and Recreation as they employ the experts ~ on ball fields. Mr. Barlow stated that additional seed is being placed on the grass at the ball field, which is in better shape than ever before.. Supervisor Clark requested that the School Board back up the Board of Supervisors on the issue of adequate public facilities. He requested the School Board help the Board of Supervisors-with growth issues and advise the Board of Supervisors if an influx of students. is anticipated. He stated 4 that the real estate agents are bringing prospective homeowners to .view the .Carrollton Elementary School, but do not advise them that the school is already at capacity. He Stated at these potential residents should be informed that the Carrollton Elementary School is full. Mrs.. Edwards stated .that. she had suggested the- County hold an "information fair" and that all,. real estate agents be invited to attend. She stated the School Board. agrees that there is a need for .real estate agents to be fully informed. School Board Chairman Lowery noted that he is in the real estate business- and he does offer brochures that advise the .schools are overcrowded.. Supervisor Bradshaw suggested information pertaining to the capacity of the schools and .their current enrollment could be placed on the County's. website: He stated that the County does not have the adequate .public facilities to support further: development.. fie noted. that there. are currently three (3) farmers in his area -who are desirous of developing their property. and that most of the homes in his district don't-even make it onto the market before. they are sold.. Supervisor .Clark advised the School Board that the Board.. of Supervisors is pushing the proffer study.... He stated the. towns are lagging 6 .. ,. . ~e~f 2i r~~•51~5 behind and the Board of Supervisors needs help. in persuading the towns to fight for proffers. School Board Attorney Crook inquired if the County is updating its proffer study. Chairman MacManus advised that the proffer study is currently underway. by the Hampton Roads Planning .District. Commission and is anticipated to be complete by April, 2003. He stated the Intergovernmental Committee discusses is issue continually. Mr. Bradby fated is there an effort being .made by the Board of Supervisors on a statute of limitation on .how long land can remain being rezoned without. being developed. Chairman MacManus advised that the Board is considering inclusion of a sunset provision or proffered condition in the County's Zoning Ordinance that will set a limit on the amount of time land can be rezoned without being developed. // Supervisor Clark moved the .Board amend the. agenda to include an appointment to the Planning Commission.. The motion was adopted unanimously (5-0). Supervisor Clark moved the Board appoint Peter Mansell to the Planning Commission representing the Newport District... The motion was adopted unanimously (5-0). // Chairman. MacManus thanked the citizens. for attending the meeting. He thanked the School .Board members for meeting jointly with the Board of Supervisors, as this provides an opportunity to improve the relationship between the two (2) bodies. School Board Chairman Lowery stated the School Board and Board of _ Supervisors are two (2) bodies that represent one (1) county. and whatever can be done to make the County better should be done. ~~ j Supervisor Claud. moved the Board adjourn at 8:20 p.m. The motion was adopted unanimously (5-0) // 7 R a.