09-19-90 MinutesSEPTF24RRR 19, 1990
Mr. C, P. Cnrrin, Jr., Chairman
Mr. M. D. Snllivan, Vice Chairman
Mr. 6. H. Applegate
Mr. Jesse J. Mayes
Mr, Harry G. Daniel
Staff i~ Att~nd&nce:
M~. William Davenport
Commonwealth's Attorney
Ms. A/~y Davi~ Exee,
Asst. ko CO. Admln,
Mrs. Doris
Asst. Co. A~mln.,
L~qi~. Sync. and
~ntergov~rn. Affairs
Clerk to the Seato
Chief Robert Fanes,
Fire Department
Mr. Bradford ~.
Deputy Co. Admi~.,
Management
M~. Mary Leu
Dir. of Accounting
D~puty Co. Admin.,
~r. R'. J. McCracken,
Transp. Director
Mr. Rickar~ McE!fish,
Dir. of Env. Eng,
Mrs. M. Arlinu ~cGui~e,
Mr. ~teve ~icas,
A~torney
Dir. of News/Info.
Services
Sheriff W. J. ~inton~
Sheriff's Department
Col. Joseph
Chi~ of
Mr. Richard Sale,
De=element
Mr. Jay
Director of
and Management
~r. David Welchons,
Dir. O~ U%ilities
Mz. Frederick Willi=,
1. CA/~'I"OORDER
Mr. Currin called the meeting to orde~ at 7:1~ p.m, (D~T) at
the M~teaca ~igh School Audltori~m and welcomed all thos~
2. INVOGATION
Reverend Harold Braxten, P~stor of Union Grove Baptist Church.
gave the i~v~cation.
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Mr. Millard D. "Pete'~ Stith, Jr., Director of Parks and
Recreation, led tho Plods? of Allegiance to the Flag o~ the
United States of America.
Mrs. Alenia B. Wilder, Principal sf Matoaca High ~ehool,
welcomed all those present, e~preseed appreciation faf the man~
services and support provided by all the various County
agencies that assist the school system~ and extended an
invitation to not only thoss present but also other Csunty
residents, to attend the school's open house Scheduled fo~
~r. Curtis stn:ed ~r. Harry Daniel, Dale District Supervisor,
was unable to attend the meeting due ~o a prio~ commitment, and
Mr. G. H. Ap9legat~, Clover ~ill District Supervisor, would b~
azriving later during ~he meeting. He stated the ~oard was
pleased to be present and was pre~nt to receive conu~ent~ and
concerns of those in attsndance regarding the needs of the
District a~d, in particular, the needs/concerns of the County'S
minority citizens as they relate to local government agencies
and p~og~ams.
5. COM~E~$ OF DIST~LICT
~r. ~ayes expressed appreciation =o tho~e present for their
interest and-attendanc~ to tak~ aduantage of the opportunity to
e~prcss =heir concerns and opinions to the Board regarding
issues they felt important to their District.
6. ~OU~TY AI)ltINIST~ATO~"$ COMMENTS
Mr. ~amsey stated the County's department directors, other
staff and constieu%ional officers were present to ii,ten to the
concerns of the District residents, pertic=larly those of the
minority eormmunity. ~e stated Chesterfield County recogni=ss
the n~ed te keep ~ac~ ~ith the ~ervi~e need~ of all the
residents throughout the County. He stated, in order to do
this~ tho COunty must have a mechanism by which to accomplish
this and Community input is an invalnabls asset ts the Coun=y
with r~mpect to identifying and providing such information and
vital in continuing to develop and strengthening local
government services. Ke stated the purpose of this me~tinq was
to solicit such cemments~ opinions, ideas, etc., rsg~rding
services and policies. 5e referenced accomplishments h~at had
been accomplished in the M&tcece District, invited those
pre,mst to addre~ the Board and added that siqn-up ~heets are
available for those desiring that a written response be
provided.
Mr. Curtis stated the Board and staff w~re present to listen,
note concerns and follow-up with written responses after
compiling data on the issues discussed.
PUBLIC CO~4ENTS
Dz. Wesley ~cClure, President of ~irginie state university,
expressed appreciation for the opportunity to share with the
Board the University's outstanding progress that ha~ transp~ed
over tho last few years; referenced ongoing programs,
grants/scholarships provided through funding by the County;
reiterated tho University's awareness of Csunty issu~u and
endorsed the Doard'~ e~forts an~ to reafiirmed the University's
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commitment to assure the continued poat~ri~y of the citizens
Chesterfield County and improving the quality of life for the
entire southside region; and thanked the Board for its past and
continuing ~ee0gnition, support and generosity in general.
Dr. Clinton Pet=ns, a resident of Natoaea District and employee
of Virginia State University, ~xpressed concern regarding the
lack of more involvaman~ of Ma=ceca residents in County
activities and Suggested th~ use u~ a databank listing of
citizena who are available and desire to serve in such
capacltieu; suggested =hat consideration be given to conductiag
a Board meeting in the Ma=ceca District at least one time a
year i~ such were within legal parameters of procedure.
Dr. Harold Braxton, President of the Civic and ~rogressive
Action Association of the Matoaca Magisterial District,
addressed a lis~ of specific issues which included the need to
provide trash/garbage pickup ~rvie~ more than one tim~
month; a centralized corm/lenity center for ~ocial/cultural
activities and how same would be administered; additional pilot
pro,rams for ameliorating childrens' needS/problems; County
plans to offset the average per capita difference of Ma=ceca
Die=riot residents* income a~ COmpared to more affluent
Districts in the County: upper level management hiring for
minorities? utilizing resources cf and working more closely
with Virg~Dia State University~ appoin~nsnt of an
African-American representative to the School Heard at the next
opportunity; inconsistencies in sp~cd limits; excessive
patrolling Cf certain areas of the County; etc.
Mr. Applegate arrived at {he m~eting.
Reverend C~rti5 Harris, a resident of Hopewell oho
President of the ~outhern christian ~eadership Conference,
~tuted he was interested in matters regarding minorities
regardless of where they livod and =hue =he reason for his
presence. He addressed issues relative to equity in the work
place and appointed poeition~ un boards and committees;
suggested that, sinc~ the School Beard had never had an
A~rlean-American m~mber, th~ ~oar~ of supervisors considered
expanding th~ Board to include two additional members for
to accomplish thi~ ac=ion through a Charter ehan~e, if
n~e~ssary, and to appoint African-Americans to serve in %hose
poeiticns~ ~istributed tc the Board copies of a survey entitled
"Southern Christian Leadership Conference 0potation
Basket ECOnomic Development Survey" and asked that; under the
Freedom of Information Act, said information be provided; and
introduced Ms. Darlene Goodwyn~ the President of Chesterfield
County's newly chartered chapter of the Southern Chris,tan
Leadership Conference~ who addrezzed the goals and objectives
of the organization; stated citizens perceive the County to be
hostile~ unresponsive and unreceptive to their needs; and
suggested the organization of. a Festival as an outreach
approach =o the citizens that could ~liminate barriers,
mlsperceptlons and demonstrate good faith on the part of
County toward its citizens, their service need~ and quality of
Reverend Lawrence Pollard, ~residen= of the local chapter
the NAACP~ expressed appreciation for the opportunity to
address the Hoard and voiced concerns r~lative =o the nurmber of
African-Americana in capacities of top level man~gem~nt in
County government; whether or not the County has an EEO Plan
with goals, statistics, timetables, etc., and. which he
toques=ed be prcvlded to.him; ~ple~m~nt practices, the effect
of a hiring freeze on the emplolnnent of African-Americans; what
policy, if any, th~ County utilizes . to respond to
African-American companies for the provision of gOOdS and
~er¥ices; requested more, i~preved recreational programs and/or
opportnnitiee be p~ovide~ i~ the southern area o~ the County;
construction of iow-income, afforable he, sing; public
transportation services; appointment Qi an African-American to
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the School Board; criteria for the selection ef the Board cf
8u~ervisore Chairman; what action being implemented to curb
crlm~ la Matoaoa District; stc. ge stated ke anticipats~
documentation of results end follow-up tO concerns addressed at
this meeting and hoped the County would respond in a timely
manner to its citizens.
Mr. Willie J. Bradley, Jr. addressed concerns relative to
redistrictiug; promotion of ~onomic development in the
southern portion of the County; increased ~ehoe] drop-out
rates7 indicated that services provided by Stoner Cable are
inadequate and be investigated; requested that conditions at
Dopey Road and Roosevelt Avenue be investigated; and stated
wished to formally request that the Board consider the
appointment of an African-American to the School Board and
offered to provide the names of individuals qualified and
willin~ to Serve On s~me.
~r. ~lwecd ~. ~oona, ~r. referunued the 1988 m~eting i~ the
Matoaca District for the sol.etlon of a candidate to serve on
the school Board, expressed ~isappointment in the manner in
which that process was handled. ~e f~rther note~ diffieultiee
encountered wi~h the County bureaucracy in efforts to ~htaln
a~istance with hi~ n~ighbor's property infringing on his.
Mr. George Peddles address ¢o~¢er~ rmgarding finding a means
by Which staff cOuld provide information to citizens in a more
timely manner and suggested the Doard of Supervisors Agenda
Summary be distributed at least a week in ~dvanss of the
s=hed~l~d Board meetings so thc public has sufficient time to
become knowledgeable and/or involved in issues of interest
them.
Dr, J. Upadhyaya, a resident of Colonial Heights, stated he
owns property in Chesterfield County and e~pressed concern
regarding improvements to an area in ~he vicinity of Rowanty
Court off Dupuy Road; noted his personal expense in efforts to
improve thc road; and stated he felt the appropriate local
government agency responsible for such matters should correct
the problem.
Mr. J. Briggs addressed issues reqar~ing ~mprov~men~s to
existing youth ~ervicen in the Dimtrict; organization of a
program for providing summer employment for youth and if such a
program exists to provide him with information regarding
and asked that the county identify resources, to combine with
community efforts, to resolve an existiug problem at the
Virginia Modern Cemetery which has been abandoned and in a
state of disrepair.
Mrs. Ire=re Ridley addressed concerns relative to increased
minority representation in upper levels o~ County goverrk~ent?
treate~ wXth disrespect, hostility and unresponsiveness when
they ars at the Courtheus~ tu ~ak~ care o£ business; and ~tat~d
the County must take positiv~ steps to eliminate these
perceptions and set an example for other jurisdictions.
Mr. Peyton Goodall e~pressed concerns regurdlng the inetalla-
~iQD of a stop ~ign on the southern side of the road at the
corner of Laurel Avenue and Woodpecker Road; stated he would
like ~e ~ee the Ettrick Annex building used, and co~mended
County overall for its progressiveness and'accomplishments
the last few years, stating h~ was proud of th~ COunty Board,
stuff and citizens.
Reverend J. H. Goode expressed concern regarding an abandoned
railroad house, within close proximity oi his home, which is
deteriorating and danqerous and becoming rodent infested due to
a lack of maintenance; stated the area is used for illegal and
inappropriate purpOse~ by youth and requested the building
boarded up.
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Hr. Ramsay introduced MS. Mary Ma~tin, ~ecently hired
Coordinator £or the Co~ntyTs Human Resource
Department, and members of the minority Advisory Committee who
are working in conjunction with his office on minority issues
and/or concerns~ which persons he asked to stand to be
recognized.
Ms. Marie Jordan presented mr. Mayas with a list of concerns
which she wished addressed which included an abandoned house
near her home, poor lighting, etc.
~s. Kathy Bow~ps, representing ~he ~ttrick sports Youth
Association, inquire~ if f~n~ing were available to
the contribnhions/donation~ of parents with children active in
sport~ activitie~ in th~ D~triCt; a0~es$~d pour lightin~
conditions; and stated she would like to see more beautifies-
tiCn projects and/Ct i~p~0vemen%$ in the ~euthern portion of
the County.
Ms. Laura Dewell, a resident on Rive~ Road~ recounted her
experience when a tornado struck her residential area in May,
1990 and conqratulated the f±r~ and ~m~rgenc~ services
p~rsonnel ~ur the ~ficient and immediate service an~ support
they D~ovided the residents of +_he County in their time of
MS. Queen Brown~ representing ~enior sitizens, voiced concern
for the provision o~ home~ for the elderly who have no place to
meet; stated a previou~ facility being used for such purpo~
was nO longe~ available to them; and asked that consider~tlon
be given to their needs for providing them with a place to
meet.
There being no c~e else to sp~ak~ public comment was closed.
Mr. Apptegate stated the concerns he had heard expressed were
no d~fferent than thos~ he listene~ to in hie District; that he
felt the most appropriate plan for the citizens would be to
oonta=t and work through ~r. mayas to remedy their concerns;
and suggested that the Youth Athletic Coordinator COn%aCt
psrsnn meet with Mr. Stith, Director of Parks and Recreatien~
tO discuss recreational servlces/ne~ds and perhaps the
District's Three Cent Road Fund monies could be used to match
other funds to provide the services n~e~ed, whioh is what he
has don~ in his District on several occasions.
Mr. Sullivan stated h8 was pleased to be present; that he
understood th~ anxieties and conser~s O~ the residenbs who were
present to express their views and opinions and wss
appreciative of the fast they were concerned enough to attend
the meeting; stated he condusts monthly meetings in his
District ~lso and many oi his constituents express the same
concerns he has heard here tonight~ end referenced budget
shortfalls and noted that ~undlng ceD~traints mns~ ba exercised
to remain within tho in~rastructure of the budget.
Mr. Currin expressed appreciation for the opportunity to attend
and anticipated good response in a timely manner to their
uonoerns; invited any of these interested to attend his monthly
meetings in the Bermuda District; ~nd stated every effort would
be made ~e continue to provide in£ermatinn to the residents and
k~up open the channels of com~lunication.
Mr. Maye~ ~preeeed hi~ appreciation for the interest and
attendance of all tho~e present, particularly Officials
~ther localities wh~ participated in the process; a=knowledged
the Administration and staff for their consideration and
efforts on behalf of organiziug the meetinq; that he was
appreciative of the expressions of concerns and opinions voiced
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by his censti~uente; referenced several organizations/civic
~roup meeting~ wheleby residents could attend to b~come
informed of onqoing ~ven~/~on~ern~ within %he Di~krieb; and
stated he felt the meeting was very successful.
(It is noted several handouts of data/information ware
submitted to the Board for their informationr copies of which
are filed with the papxrs cf this Board.)
On motion of Mr. Mayem, seoonded by Mr. A9plegate, the Board
adjourned at 9:15 p.m. (DST) until 9:00 a.m. (DST} on September
26, 1990.
Ayem: Mr. Ceftin, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Applegate and Mr. Mayer.
Absent: Mr. Daniel.
~iaea B. Ramsay /
County Administrator
Chairman