Loading...
04-05-1989 MinutesMr. G. E. Applegate, Chairman Mr. ¢. F. Currin, Jr., Vice Chairman M~, ~arry ~. Daniel Nr. M. B. Sullivan County Administrator S~aff in &tt~danae: Mr. ~. E. Carmichael, Asst. Co. Admin., Legis. Svcs. and thtergovern. Affairs Clerk to the Soard Fire Depax%msnt Deputy Co. Admin., Ms. Alice ~effner, Yuuth Sync. Coord. Mr. William E. Howell, -Mr. H. Edward James, Dir., Purchasing ~sntal Health/Retard. M~. Mary Lou Lyle, Dir. of Accounting Mr. Robert ~asden, Dspu%y Co. Admin., Mrs. M. Arline Mc~uire, Mr. S%eve ~ica~, Cc. Attorney MrS. Paulin~ Mitchell, Dir. o~ New~/Info. Sheriff J.W. Mutispaugh, ~heriff'~ ~r. R~ohard A. Nunnally, E~tension Agent Info. Sys. Tach. CO1. Joseph Pittma~, Chief of Police Mr. Richard Sale, Deputy CO. Admin., Development Mr. Jay Dir. of Budget Mr. ~. D. Stith, Dir. of Parks ~ Dr. Robert Wagenknecht, Dir. of Libraries Mr. Frederick Willis, Resource Manas~ment (It is noted waivers were signed calling the meeting to order at ~:00 p.m. rather than 7:00 p.m. as advertised.) 1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Applegate called the meeting to order at the Sunset Cafe at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Applegate requested the rules be suspended to add an Executive Session to the agenda. 4. ~(~JU'£IVE SESSION On motion of Mr. Currin, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Board suspended the rules to consider allowing Item 4., ~xecutive Session for consultation with lagal counsel regarding BBC Brown Boveri, Inc. versus the County of Chesterfield, pursuant to Section 2.1-344 (a) (6) cf the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, to be heard out of sequence. Vote: Unanimous On motion of ~r. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Daniel, the Board moved Item 4,, Executive Session for consultation with legal counsel regarding BBC Brown Boveri, Inc. versus the County of Chesterfield, pursuant to Section 2.1-344 (a) (6) of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, to be heard first on the agenda. Vote: Unanimous On motion of Mr. Daniel, seconded by Mr. Currin, the Board went into Executive Session for consultation with legal counsel regarding BBC Brown Boveri, Inc. versus the County of Chesterfield, pursuant to Section 2.1-344 (a) (6) of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. Reconvening: The Board recessed to travel to the Courthouse for its regularly scheduled meeting. Mr. Applegate called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and stated this date and time had been advertised for public hearings on the proposed F¥89-90 Budget and 1990-1994 Capital Improvements Program, an ordinance establishing the annual tax levy on various classes of property, an amendment to the County Code to increase various water and sewer rates, an ordinance to retain Or reduce the current consumer utilities tax rates, an ordinance to amend the County Code to increase fees for the filing of rezoning applications and to eliminate current exemptions from'site plan filing fee requirements, an ordinance to amend the County Code to increase the motor vehicle license tax on trucks to the maximum permitted by the Commonwealth of Virginia, an amendment to the 1988-89 budget to appropriate $1,90D,925.00 in additional State funds for education, and an ordinance to appropriate designated funds and accounts from designated estimated revenues for fiscal year '1990 for the Operating Budget and Capital Improvements Program. He further stated the purpose of the public hearings was to allow each County resident the opportunity to e~preSS their thoughts relative to these issues; indicated there were sign up sheets available on the podium for those individuals wishing to address the Board r~garding one or more of these items; and stated the Board was present to hear public comments and did not plan to take action on these issues at this meeting, 89~256 Mr. ~tegmaier stated thi~ plan represents the seeQn~ year of the two year operating plan prsviously adopted by the Board; that the two year foeu~ of the financial plan has improved the quality of financial planning and strengthened the County's financial position which ie evidenced by the recent upgrading by the County's bond rating to Aaa by MOOdy's Investor~ Service. Hs stated the budget included, as rsqui~ed by Charter, a three year projection of revenues and as well as capital budggt p~ojec~ione for the Qeneral count~, Schools and Utilities Fund~ and the plan, a~ submitted, is balanced and allocates reBouroe$ judiciously among many competing priorities. ~e stated th~ plan contains an increase in the real estate tax rate of five nents~ which increase was necessary to fund debt ~ervice on the $16~.8 million bond issue passed by the voters in November, I988; that service levelu in the departments, on average, should remain constant at the FY-1989 level. ~a stated th~ plan has been prupared in accordance with stated objectives of the ~aard of Supervisors, ~hlch are= 1.) maintain the current ta~ structure~ accepting that the rate must be adjusted to accommodate the ~evember bond issues; 2.) maintain service levels which insure a high quality of life for County renidmnt$; 3.) provide compensation to regional partner; 5.) continue ~e negotiate sharing of ¢ommunlty~ 6.) fairly and equitably allocate rmsource$ amonq General Fund expenditures; B.) continue education and public safety as priorities in the d~livery cf ~ervic~s~ devalopmen~ to maintain/improve th~ current residential/business tax ratio; lt.) continue policy on a case responsibility for reductions in federal or state f~nding: and I2.} as n newly added objective, r~erv~ fun~e for future "p~y-~-you-go" capital projects traditionally funded by debt, He presented a~ overview of the proposed FY-1990 budgut and ~xplained revenue items, property tax ra~e ¢omparison~, General Fund expenditures, and the proposed Capital I~provements Program f~r 1990-1994. H~ $ta~ed the proposed budge~ represents the staff's efforts to maintain a balanced work program and level of service within a framework of fiscal constraints and expressed appreciation for the support and input of th~ members Of the ~oard and those residents of the County who haue been invnlved in and expressed their views on the budget. INVOCATION Mr. Apptegate introduced Chie£ Robert L. Eanps, Jr. of the Fire Department, who gav~ the invocation. PLEDGE OF ~kLLEGIANCE TO T~ FI~G OF T~ I~NITED STATES OF The ~ledge of Allegiance to ~he flag of the United states of America wa~ recited. ~.A. TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSED ~¥89-90 BUDGET AND 1990-t994 CAPITAL IMPRO%~ZMR~TS ~R0¢RAM Mr. Appleqat~ ~tate~ this da~e and time had bean advertised for a public hearing to cen$ider the proposed FY~9-~0 budget and 1990-1994 Capital Improvements Program. Me. Gall Schweickert, President of the League of Women Voters of the Richmond Metropolitan area, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to review the proposed financial plan for FY-1990, commended the preparers of the the plan for developing a well-written, carefully documented and easily readable presentation, and urged the Board to continue to pursue a more aggressive strategy toward strengthening the County's financial position. Ms. Mable H. Holt, a retired Library staff member; Mr. Theodore Strasburg, a resident of Surreywcod; Ms. Kathyrn Geranios, a teacher and member of the Friends of the Library; and Ms. Mary Ann Harmon, President of the Friends of the Library expressed concerns relative to the lack of reference material in the libraries, insufficient staff to assist citizens, insufficient hours of operation during the evening hours, and urged the Board to consider full support of the Library budget funding as well as other human service needs. Ms. Mary Jo Lux, Chairman of the Coalition for Human Services and a member of the Community Services Board, presented a copy of her statement to the Board and urged that serious consideration be given to not only the funding of each human service agency budget request, as submitted, but also that addback funds be allocated to fund some of the more critical needs. She expressed appreciation for the Board past and future support and r~sp0nsivcnc$~ to the Human Service Departments need~; stated the many ataff members of the various agencies work with public and private agencies and organi~atlons to provide a wid~ array of various services and have been working diligently to eliminate any duplication of services and to coordinate as many of the other services as possible to not only serve Chesterfield citizen~ more effectively but also to be more cost efficient. She stated there are several representatives present to address the generic needs of the various human service agencies relating to cultural enhancement and public information needs, housing and its upkeep, transportation needs, and long-range needs. Ms. Dorothy Armstrong, a member of the Coalition for Human Services; Mr. Peter Ward, Chairman of the Community Services Board and a member of the Coalition for Human Services; Ms. Elsie Elmore, a member of the Coalition for Human Services; and MS. Lois McClellan, Chairperson of the Youth Services Commission, e×pressed concerns relative to affordable housing for the elderly and its upkeep; requested that consideration be given to providing additional staff for the News and Informa- tion Office; that funds from the state transfer taxes be earmarked for use to study what can be done to provide trans- portation cervices to those who n~ed the many programs provided by the Human Service agencies; requested that the Committee on the Future of the County incorporate into its agenda the consideration of cultural facilites/programs for the County;. that the Committee on the Future undertake the respdnsibility, using data provided by a preliminary examinations of the needs and accumulative data, for a comprehensive review and an analysis of the Human Service needs ef the County and their effect upon the 'CIP, cost benefits, producing the desirable climate for business in the County, level of desired privatiza~ tion of service provisions and projected State/local relation- ships affecting delivery and funding; and that consideration be given to funding an additional clerical sta££ person and funds in the mount of $1,700 to publish a new edition of the Youth Service Directory for the Office on Youth. Mr. Philip Winters, President of Ridefinders; Mr. Don Mewcomb, Chairman of the Board of Ridefinders; and Mr. Mike Norvell, Manager of the Richmond VPSI associated with Ridefinder~ presented a bric9 history of the organization; explained its function, a~filiation with Chesterfield County residents, and 89-258 %he consequences to services the{ would result if necessary funding requests were r~due~d er eliminated; and urged the Board to support its request for $7,500 so the organization could montinu~ {o provide the beneficial services it for the residents of the County. Ms. Cindy Chinnfm and M~. Anne overs{rest, voI~nteer~ in the victim Witness Program, explained briefly the vital services end assistance this organization provides to those individuals and their fa/~ilies who are victims of crime and urged the Board to support a request for $18,000 for the necessary s~aff and expansion needs of the program. Mr. Richard Thornton, President of the Mfdlothian Youth soccer League voiced ~upport for {he proposed increased in the Parks and Reoreation Department budget, Specifically the three new maintenance positions for the upkeep of existing and future parks; ~s. Dorothy Ward~ a residen~ of Midlothian and r~presentlng members th~ Fall~ of the James Group of the Sierra Tl~b eneouraqed continua{leu of the programs provided by the ~arks and Recreation DepartmQn~ of introducing people to the outdoors of the County and the many varied activitie~ that are ongoinq; Mr. J~rry ~ynst, Co-~resident of the circle and Swing Square D&nc~ Club, ~egn~ted consiSeration b~ given to {Se abolishmen~ ~d/or reduction in the fees charged his organization for u~e of school facilities; Me. Mildred Darrell, Commissioner of the Chesterfield' Girls' Sol,halt League, a%lbmitted information to the Boa~d and urged the Board to provide additional fending ~o the Par~s and Recreation Department to con{inns the youth athletic programs County-wide. ~r. Tom Patrick and ~9. LOuise W~bu~h, ~peaking on behalf of th~ ~lerican Red Cross, requested increased f~n~ing for ~Q tr{nspQr~ ~itizens, who are handicapped and/or unable drive themselves, to and from {heir medical and other appoin~ezts. re,es{ed funding in th~ ~ount of $~,000 to the Parks custodial charges for use of ~heir facilities and =rged funding for additional ~=aff so =ho Department can continue provide its ~rvic~ %0 the youth of th~ County. Mr. Warren Diet~ioh voiced support for the continumtion of me~t the needs o~ the elderly; transportation specifically activities in saoh district if possible; and pri~ute or public people and f~nancs$ for mature companion s~rvlces, the h~alth pre-~ld~rly age~ ~0-60 population. 89-259 Loyd; Mr. Charle~ Ellis; Mr. John Watkins; and Mr. Daniel Smith expressed concerns relative to burgeoning schools, the current levels of service and q~ality eduoation being provided, compliance with State mandates to avoid reductions in State funding, etc., and voiced supgort for the full funding of the proposed ~chool budget to meet critical needs and urged the Board to consider approval of the School Board budget, as submitted. It is noted several informational handouts and graphs were submitted to the Board. Ms. Ann Anderson, member of the Metro Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau, presented a brief report on the organization's activities and stated the Board of Directors is requesting support and financial commitment from Chesterfield County to the Bureau and requested that the Board earmarked funds as recommended for approval by the County Administrator for the 60% of the occupancy tax. Mr. Otis Patton requested the Board consider holding the real estate tax rate at $1.09 and not increase the real estate assessments/tax rates annually as the citizens of the County cannot eontinns to carry the financial burden of the budget. Mr. Russ Parker, President of Parker and Lancaster Corporation and Chairman of the Chesterfield Legislative Co~m%ittee of the Homebuilders Association of Richmond, presented EBAR's position on the proposed 1989 Utility Capital Improvements Program; stated the association opposes Category 2 projects but feels these items may be necessary in the future CIP's; however, they support Category 1 with the exception of the cost of extending utilities ~o existing developments which they would like eliminated and suggested utilizing special assessment districts; requested the Board consider increasing staff's proposed 50% allocation of existing debt paid by new customers to 65% and to reinstate the policy fo~ off-site refunds at $600,000 per year, as agreed to in the 1989 CIP. There being no one else to address the matter, Mr. Applegate closed the public hearing. It was generally agreed to recess for fiye (5) minutes. 5.B. TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING TBE ANNUAL TAX LEVY ON VARIOUS CLASSES OF PROPERTY Mr. Stegmaier stated this date and time had been advertised for a public hearing to consider an ordinance establishing the annual tax levy on various classes of property for the County O£ Chesterfield. Mrs. Mary Jo Lux voiced support for the proposed ordinance as she felt additional revenue for the County is necessary to provide the many essential service demands placed on the County and if the only alternative for obtaining those funds is to increase the taxes to generate the necessary revenues to finances them, then she favors the increases in order to meet the needs of the citizens of the County. There being no one else to speak in favor of or against the proposed ordinance, Mr. Applegate closed the public hearing. 89-260 5.C. T~ CONSIDER AN AMEND~LENT TO SECTIONS 20-34, 20-37, 20-68 AND 20-~9 OF ~RR C©U~¥ CODE TO INCREASE VARIOUS WATER AND SEWER RATES Mr. gale stated this date and tim~ had been advertised for a public hearing to consider an amendment to Sections 20-34, 20-37, 20-68 and 20-69 of the Code of the County of Chesterfield, ~978, as amended, to ~ncrease various water add There being no one present to speak in ~avor of or against ~he proposed ordinance, Mr. Applegate closed the public hearing. 5~D~ TO CONSIdeR AN 0RDINA~C~ TO RETAI~ OR R~DUCE THE CUR~NT CCNSU~LER UTILITIES TAX RA~ES UNDER SECTIONS S-52, 8-53 AND 8-B3.1 OF THE COUNTY CODE ~r. Stegmaier s~a~ed ~his date and time had bean ~dvertised for a public hearing to considmr an ordinance to r~tain or reduce ~he current consumex u~i%ities tax rat~s and, i~ adopted, will decrease the ~tility tax rate on electric, telephone and natural qa~ COmmercial/industrial ~onsumers. ~r. Applegat9 noted that Mr. Joseph L. Dotscn, Power Manager of ~he Spruance Plant for DuPon~, had b~en present to address thi~ issue but had to leave. Re rea~ into the record a letter indicatin~ Dupent's support for a proposal that would provide relief fro~ th~ current tax rate on i~ustriel users as they felt suet e tax placed a diepropcrtionat~ bord~n~ OR large industries ~hat are heavy usere of electricity, Mr. Daniel reqnested that ~taff provide data, prior to the next me.ting, relative tO the consumer uliltiee tax ra~ee based on electrical u~e~e ver~ns demand. There bein~ ne one present to speak in favor of or against the proposed ordinance, Mr. Applegate closed the public hearing. 5.E, TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO A~%END SECTIONS 21-9 AND 21-77 OF TEE COUNTY COEE TO I~CR~A~ E~ FOR TH~ FILING O~ REZONING APPLICATIONS AND TO ELIMINATE CURILENT EXEMPTIONS the County of Chesterfield, 1978, as amended, rela~ing to an th~ elimination of current egemptions from rite plan filing fee requirements. proposed ordinance, mr. Applega~e ~tosed the public hearing. 5.F_ TO CONSIDER AN ORDIN~NCE TO AMEND SECTION 14.1-2% VIRGINIA ~r. Stegan~ier stated thin date and time had been advertised for a public hearing to consider an ordinance to amend the Code of ~he Conn%y of Chesterfield, 1978, au amended, to increase the maxim~unwae ~Se ra~e a~vertieed, staff has recommended that, if ~,000 peund~ c= ever by only $5.00 for each class of trucks. propose~ ordinance, Mr. ApDlegate closed the public hearing. 89-261 5.G. TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO THE 1988-89 BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE $1,900~925.00 IN ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDS FOR EDUCATION Mr. Stegmaier stated this date and time had been advertised for a public hearing to consider an amendment to the 1988-89 budget to appropriate $1,900,925.00 in additional State funds for education. There bein9 no one present to speak in favor of or against the proposed ordinance, Mr. Applegate closed the public hearing. 5.H. TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE DESIGNATED FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS FROM DESIGNATED ESTIMATED REVENUES FOR FISCAL YEAR 1990 FOR THE OPERATING BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVE- MENTS PROGRAM Mr. Stegmaier ~tated thi~ date and time had been advertieed for a public hearing to consider an ordinance to appropriate designated funds and accounts from designated estimated revenues for fiscal year 1990 for the Operating Budget and Capital Improvements Program. There was brief discussion relative to appropriating the 1990 portion of the Operating ~udget and Capital Improvements Program at this time, It was generally agreed the Board would defer consideration of that portion of the appropriation until next year. There being nO One present to speak in favor of or against the matter, Mr. Appl~gate closed the public hearing. Mr. Applegate stated the School Liaison Committee would meet on April 10, 1989 to discuss the School Board's budget and the Board of Supervisors would meet with the school Board at 1:00 p.m. on April 12, 1989, in the Adminietration Building Conference Room (Room 502), i£ necessary. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion of Nr. Daniel, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Board adjourned at 10:30 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. on April 12, 1989. Lane B. Ramsey ~ ~ County Administrator' 89-262 G. ~. Ap$1~ate J Chairman