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11-13-1998 Minutes Reg SummitBOARD OF SUPERVISORS REGIONAL SUMMIT MINUTES November 13, 1998 Supervisors in Attendance: Mrs. Renny B. Humphrey, Chairman Mr. Arthur B. Warren, Vice Chrm. Mr. Edward B. Barber Mr. Harry G. Daniel Mr. J. L. McHale, III Mr. Lane B. Ramsey County Administrator Staff in Attendance: Ms. Marilyn Cole, Asst. County Administrator Ms. Mary Ann Curtin, Dir., Legislative Services Mr. Bradford S. Hammer, Deputy County Admin., Human Services Mr. Donald Kappel, Dir., Public Affairs Mr. Steven L. Micas, County Attorney Mr. William Poole, Asst. Dir., Planning Mr. M. D. Stith, Jr. Deputy County Admin., Community Development City of Richmond Councilmembers: Mr. Timothy M. Kaine, Mayor Mr. Rudolph C. McCollum, Jr., Vice Mayor Mr. Joseph E. Brooks Mr. John A. Conrad Mr. Saad E1Amin Ms. Reva M. Trammell Ms. Connie Bawcum Interim City Manager Ms. Gall E. Bingham, Dir., Office of Internl. Relat. & Asst. City Attorney Ms. Margaret R. Edmunds, Acting Asst. City Clerk Ms. Kelly Harris, Asst. to City Mgr. for Intergovtl. Relat. & Asst. City Atty. Ms. Rita Henderson, Exec. Asst. te the Mayor Ms. Edna Keys-Chavis, City Clerk Mr. George Kolb, Deputy City Manager Celonel Jerry Oliver, Chief of Police Mr. Antheny Romanello, Dep. Dir. for Human Ser., Internal Support Mr. Mark Strickler, Int. Dir., Comm. Development 98-829 li/13/~8 Henrico County Board Members: Mr. David Kaechele, Chairman Ms. Patricia O'Bannon, Vice Chrm. Mr. Virgil Hazelett County Manager Mr. Harvey Hanson, Dep. County Manager Ms. Angela Harper, Dep. County Manager Mr. Leon Johnson, Dep. County Manager Mr. John Marlles, Dir., Planning Ms. Linda Robinson, Legislative Liaison Colonel Henry Stanley, Chief of Police Hanover County Board Members: Mr. Aubrey Stanley, Jr., Chrm. Mr. John Gordon, Vice Chrm. Mr. Timothy Ernst Mr. Jack Ward Mr. Richard Johnson County Administrator Ms. Marilyn Blake, Asst. to County Administrator Mr. Mike Crescenzo, Dir., Planning Mr. Rhu Harris, Dep. Co. Administrator Mr. John Hodges, Dep. Co. Administrator Others Present: John Sieber, P.E., Vice President, Engrng. Comp Comm, Inc. Mr. Ralph L. Axselle, Jr., Counsel for Cap. Reg. Airport Comm. Other Interested Persons The Council of the City of Richmond and the Board of Supervisors from the Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico convened for a Regional Summit on Friday, November 13, 1998 at 12:00 noon at Crestar Headquarters, located at 919 East Main Street on the Fourth Floor. 1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION Mayor Kaine welcomed the Board of Supervisors from the Counties and requested each of the Chairpersons to comment and to introduce their colleagues and staff members. 2. AGENDA OVERVIEW AND RULES Mayor Kaine briefly discussed the agenda items for the afternoon and the basic ground rules for the Summit as they relate to the adoption of resolutions by the jurisdictions. 98-830 1/13/98 3. REPORT ON PREVIOUS REGIONAL PRIORITIES The Greater Richmond Partnership and The James River Task Force (Presenter: Mr. Warren) Mr. Warren discussed the first regional summit that was held in 1993. He stated that as a result of the initial Summit, the following successes occurred: The concept and the resolution that the region would participate in inner-city visits. The first inner-city visit was in Jacksonville, Florida. Linking with the League of Women Voters to hold the State of the Metro Transportation Conference. The National Cities Conference -- Healing of the Heart of America. The first Regional Crime Commission, which led to the Regional Crime Strike Force. The Regional Caucus, which included jurisdictions from the tri-cities area, joined together to develop consensus items to be presented to the Virginia General Assembly. Mr. Warren added that the two other successes that resulted from the first regional summit were the creation of the Greater Richmond Partnership, Incorporated and the James River Task Force. 3.A. THE GREATER RICHMOND PARTNERSHIP, INCORPORATED Mr. Warren listed the Partnership: following accomplishments of the · A new Director was hired. Over t'he last four years the Partnership has created over 46,900 new jobs and $5 billion in economic investments. Fortune Magazine rated "Greater Richmond as one of the top ten improved cities in North America in 1998". Entrepreneur Magazine rated "Greater Richmond the best mid-sized city for small business". The Greater Richmond Partnership has been ranked as "one of the Top Ten Economic Development Groups in the United States" two years in a row. Mr. Warren stated that the public and private sectors have agreed to commit a total of $15 million to the Partnership over the next five years. He concluded by stating that with this 98-831 1/z3/98 kind of support from government and from businesses, the Partnership will continue to position the Richmond region as a world class community for businesses. 3.B. JAMES RIVER TASK FORCE Mr. Warren stated that the James River Task Force was created to promote and protect the James River as a natural resource. He further stated that under the leadership and direction of members of the Task Force, an advisory board was appointed from the public and private sector who had an interest in the River. He stated that the Advisory Board has created some very unique projects to promote the River which include: James River Days -- which have been expanded to James River month and soon will be James River Year. The event is held in June of each year. The Annual Parade of Lights -- a boat parade held in December. Mr. Warren stated that the Task Force and the Advisory Board have begun a strategic planning process to determine the next phase. He noted that the Task Force is developing a new mission, a new vision, and a name change. He stated that The Task Force will make recommendations to the four localities shortly after the first of the year. He recognized and expressed appreciation to Mr. McHale, who has chaired the James River Task Force for the past five years, and stated that he hopes the localities will continue to support the work of the Task Force. Crime Prevention Strategies and Regional Water Planning (Presenter: Mr. Ernst) 3.C. CRIME PREVENTION INITIATIVES Mr. Ernst stated that the Chief Law Enforcement Executives in the Central Virginia Region have been informally meeting for several years, and in September of this year, adopted the following Articles of Association: To meet and share common information among the common interest of the localities; · To coordinate law enforcement activities among each other; To be a uniformed voice, representing law enforcement executives in Central Virginia; To provide continuity of effort in addressing regional crime issues; To provide mutual aide in the sharing of resources and technology among the different law enforcement groups; 98-832 To provide economies of scale to the coordinated training effort; To provide a consistent decision on legislative issues pertaining to law enforcement; and To promote a positive image of law enforcement through the media. Mr. Ernst listed the following examples to illustrate how the Central Virginia Law Enforcement Chief Executive Association is cooperating along jurisdictional lines: Several organizational meetings are held to exchange information on crime including crime patterns, suspect information, and intelligence information. A Regional Narcotics Task Force is shared among the area agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Virginia State Police. A Cold Homicide Task Force includes the FBI, the Virginia State Police, and the four Law Enforcement Agencies in the Region. The Drug Intradiction Team, consisting of the Regional Law Enforcement agencies. The Metro Aviation Unit enforcement agencies. is shared among all law The Drug dogs are shared among all law enforcement agencies. Mr. Ernst stated that the establishment of another Task Force is under consideration to address bank robberies. 3.D. REGIONAL WATER PLANNING Mr. Ernst stated that in February, 1995 the Local governing bodies appointed the Directors of the Public Utilities of the ~ounties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, and the City or Richmond to serve on the Regional Water Planning Committee. He further stated that the Committee was created to coordinate local water plans and to develop a regional plan that assures adequate, safe water supplies and, where feasible, provide mutual support during emergencies. He stated that the first meeting of the Committee was held in March, 1995 and, since then, several meetings have taken place. He further stated that some of the issues discussed are as follows: 1) water projects and plans of the localities; 2) Richmond's Water Treatment Plant improvements; 3) the proposed Motorola facility in Goochland and water needs; 4) the Richmond Canal and the Riverfront Development; 5) the development of a Regional Water Conservation Plan; 6) the proposed James River Surface Water Management area; 7) water rates, fees and policies; 8) inter- 98-833 11/13/98 jurisdictional water agreements; and 9) the future Regional Water Treatment Plans. He stated that the Committee has reviewed the projected water needs and water resource plans for the region, and the committee has agreed that the projections are no longer accurate for the metro area. He further stated that the development of an updated projection and recommendations for revision to the regional plan will hopefully be completed in the upcoming year. He expressed appreciation to the localities for their cooperation. Public Safety Communications System and Convention Center Expansion (Presenter: Ms. O'Bannon) 3.E. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM Ms. O'Bannon stated that communication is vital to any group or organization and that we all understand and appreciate the importance and significance of communication. Realizing this, she stated that the Henrico County Manager, the Chesterfield County Administrator, and the Richmond City Manager, earlier this year, signed a Memorandum of Understanding wherein they formally agreed that it is the intention of each of the three localities to provide inter-operability among public safety communication systems to the maximum extent possible. She further stated that as a result of the Memorandum of Understanding a Regional Communications Committee was formed with representatives from each of the three participating localities -- the Committee includes a representative from Police Services and a representative from Fire Services from each locality. She stated that the representatives have been meeting on a monthly basis to discuss their progress and a means by which to create the inter-operability Communication System, particularly the Voice Communication on the new digital and 800mhz voice radio system built by Motorola. She further stated that the representatives met with Motorola to discuss how these new systems can be linked, permitting a cross- jurisdictional conversation and permitting public safety officers of each locality to travel from one jurisdiction to the other without losing contact with their home emergency communication system. She indicated that Henrico County anticipates that their 800mhz system will be fully operational by October 1, 1999, followed by Chesterfield and then by the City of Richmond. She stated that once completed, it will be the first time in history that this region will have a system that will allow a Street Officer in one locality to talk to a Street Officer in another locality. She stated that four sub- committees have been established to begin work on these issues including 1) the System Management Technical Sub-Committee; 2) the Operations Sub-Committee; 3) the Mobile Data Computers Sub- Committee; and 4) the Wireless 911 Sub-Committee. She further stated that Henrico County has deployed 388 mobile data computers in the field and have set an aggressive goal to issue to every police officer in the department a mobile data computer by the end of 1999. She stated that Henrico County was selected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to be one of five agencies in the nation to test new technology that 98-834 will permit an officer on the street to send and receive images, including pictures and fingerprints, from his patrol car. She further stated that Henrico has recently began the deployment of Mobile Data Computers in fire vehicles and tests are still underway to determine the full nature of the need for fire services. She stated that Richmond has also initiated an aggressive project for mobile data, much of which will be funded by a grant. She further stated that Chesterfield County recently attended a presentation on Mobile Data Computer Systems and is in the process of reviewing the project based on their needs. In conclusion, she stated that it is time to tie all these systems together in the region and that it is a problem-solving proposal and that she hopes the localities will support the system. 3.F. THE RICHMOND CENTRE EXPANSION Ms. O'Bannon gave a brief overview of the Greater Richmond Convention Centre Expansion project. She stated that it is a remarkable undertaking of partners involving the City of Richmond, the Counties of Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield and the Commonwealth of Virginia. She further stated that the concept of expanding the present Richmond Centre began in the early 1990's when marketing studies substantiated the regional needs and viability of a major convention centre expansion. She stated that the initial studies to expand the Centre were reaffirmed several years later. She further stated that in concert with local governments, regional agencies and the business commun±ty, the project was formally launched over two years ago, with specific designs and programs and studies, and a host of related activities being reviewed by what is now known as the Greater Richmond Convention Centre Authority. She indicated that after significant coordinated efforts by all team players, the necessary funding legislation and participation was obtained from the General Assembly. She stated that property is being acquired, the necessary demolition work is about to begin and plans are underway for the facility to be opened in the summer of 2002. VCU Engineering School/Virginia Biotechnology Research Park and the Governor's School (Presenter: Mr. McCollum) 3.G. VIRGINIA BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH PAR~ Mr. McCollum, Chair of City Council's Public Education Standing Committee, stated that the City Council recognizes the importance of a workforce that is prepared and moving toward the 21st century. He further stated that these efforts include the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park, the new Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Engineering School and the proposed Governor's School. He stated that the Biotechnology Park became a reality in 1993, on a 34 acre site adjacent to the Medical College of Virginia and the Virginia Commonwealth University. He noted that as of October, 1998 the Park had 33 tenants and 663 employees. He stated that when fully developed 98-835 11/13/98 and occupied, the Research Park will have 1.5 million square feet of lab space and will employ 3,000 researchers, scientists, engineers and technicians. He further stated that biotechnology is expected to grow by 25 percent per year -- to a $125 billion industry by the year 2000. 3.H. VCU ENGINEERING SCHOOL Mr. McCollum stated that the Engineering School is another project that will have a significant impact on economic development in the region. He further stated that the school will compete with the best engineering schools nationally including MIT, California Tech, Georgia Tech, and many others. He stated that the School is attracting the best and the brightest students who are interested in the field of engineering. He noted that the first students enrolled in the School in the Fall of 1996. He stated that the School was completed at a cost of $43 million and that the majority of funding came from the private sector with support from local governments in the region. 3.I. GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL Mr. McCollum stated that the Governor's School was founded in 1991 and currently shares space with Thomas Jefferson High School in the City of Richmond. He further stated that the school currently enrolls 560 students from 16 jurisdictions in the metropolitan area and noted that the City will re-locate the Governor's School in the former Maggie L. Walker High School Building located on Lombardy Street in the City. He stated that renovation of the Walker Building will cost approximately $24 million, with $6.6 million coming from localities and the remainder coming from fund raising and tax credits. He further stated that the Board of Supervisors in the Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico have adopted resolutions of support for the new school and that Richmond will consider a resolution in the next few months. He indicated that renovation is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 1999 and the opening date of the new school is scheduled for September, 2001. In conclusion, he stated that education plays a strong role in preparing citizens for the 21st Century. 4. COMMUNICATIONS TOWERS 4.A. INTRODUCTION Mr. Kaechele stated that presentations would be made by representatives from each of the localities to address issues of communication towers. He further stated that local officials must be prepared to play a leadership role in providing land use and zoning policies to ensure that community needs are considered and protected. He stated that Mr. John W. Sieber, Vice President of Engineering Comp Comm, Incorporated, would discuss some of the new challenges that localities may 98-836 face in the future as the communications industry evolves. (It is noted that presentations made by Messrs. Strickler, Poole, Crescenzo and Marlles are on file with the papers of this Board.) 4.B. FUTURE C~ALLENGES (Presenter: Mr. Sieber) Mr. Sieber discussed the future challenges of wireless telecommunications; where technology is headed; what is known today, and what the needs are going to be in the near term. He stated that because there are so many new carriers in the area competition has been created to obtain business. He further stated that in order for the carriers to obtain business, the race is on to build the best system, to be the first to market, be recognized as having the best service, and to cover the area of interest. He made the following statements in his presentation: · There is a great demand for sites · Each Service Provider has its own plan Service Providers see the community as needing service and they build sites where needed Service Providers will follow a comprehensive plan -- if one is well structured · Constituents provide the need for wmreless service Two important issues to the Service Providers are coverage and capacity The Service Providers consider it their right to place towers wherever they wish since they are serving the public · Planning is essential Proper planning and zoning for the expected onslaught is imperative A good plan involves the Planning Department, the Zoning Department, and an accurate technical analysis Following presentations by planning staff from the four localities and much discussion, Mayor Kaine moved that the planning staff of the jurisdictions work together to obtain as much system-wide information from service providers in the area, as possible, and to develop a comprehensive plan to locate communications towers in the region. The motion was properly seconded and unanimously adopted by the jurisdictions. 98-837 5. LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 5.A. INTRODUCTION Mr. Stanley stated that each individual jurisdiction has legislative issues and that it is important as a region to work together to obtain support from the General Assembly. Project Exile (Presenters: Mr. Conrad and Colonel Oliver) Mr. Conrad stated that the City of Richmond will be submitting the following changes to the General Assembly as they relate to Project Exile: The hours that the Magistrate's Office conducts bail hearings need to be limited to between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. to enable the Com~nonwealth's Attorneys to be present at these hearings to represent the public's interest. The Virginia Code needs to be amended to create a rebuttable presumption against the release of persons to bail who have been charged with certain "Project Exile type offenses." Funding needs to be secured for a pretrial service investigator to provide background information to the magistrate for use in bail hearings. The crime of possession of a controlled substance while possessing a firearm by a person previously convicted of a felony needs to be added to the Virginia's Felony Mandatory Minimum Laws. Mr. Conrad stated that Project Exile has been one of the most effective public safety initiatives experienced by the City; has support from the Brady family and the National Rifle Association (NRA); appears to have bipartisan support; and has enjoyed enormous support at the community level. Mr. Conrad requested Colonel Oliver, Richmond Police Chief, to address some of the specifics related to Project Exile. Colonel Oliver stated that Project Exile is a partnership between the United States Attorney's Office, the Richmond Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the FBI, the DEA, the United States Marshal, the Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney's Office and the Virginia State Police. He further stated that since its inception, Project Exile has been extremely successful in reducing the number of armed criminals in Richmond, lowering the City's homicide rate and decreasing the level of violent crime. Following additional discussion, Mr. Conrad stated that the City is requesting support in the General Assembly from the surrounding jurisdictions for Project Exile. After discussion, the City agreed to provide additional information to other localities for consideration. 98-838 .j 5.B. COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES ACT (CSA) FUNDING (Presenters: Mr. McHale and Mr. Hammer) Mr. McHate stated that the Comprehensive Services Act (CAS) outlines for the jurisdictions the services that they provide for at-risk youths. He further stated that the children come from foster care, the courts, schools and mental health services and that often, CSA is the last resort in terms of what assistance a locality can offer its youth. Mr. Hammer was called on to explain legislative requests the region is requested to support. He stated that the purpose of CSA is to improve coordination; build public-private partnerships; strengthen family involvement; maximize flexible use of funds; and control rate of growth. He discussed legislative initiatives including determining allocations based on three year rolling average; opposing any requirement to serve non-mandated youth; and supporting no local match requirement for CSA Medicaid. He further discussed regional initiatives including exploring and using regional procurement and contracting to help lower costs; facilitating the location of more residential facilities in the Greater Richmond area; and moving to standardizing and providing common level of services for CSA. Following some discussion, it was the consensus of the jurisdictions to support the three regional initiatives. 5.C. REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING (Presenter: Mayor Kaine) Mayor Kaine stated that the City of Richmond is seeking support of a General Assembly Bill that will expand bus services and routes in the metropolitan area. He further stated that the expansion should be a joint effort to make bus service available to those needing public transportation such as the elderly or disabled and those needing transportation to jobs outside of the City. He indicated that the projected cost of the expansion is $12.5 million and indicated that the proposed Bill does not address specific bus routes. ~ollowing much discussion, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors stated that they could not vote on the resolution because of the need for additional discussion with Board members who were not present; the Henrico County Board of Supervisors stated that they would support the resolution; and the Hanover County Board of Supervisors stated that they wished to remain neutral and needed additional information. 5.D. AIRPORT EXPANSION (Presenters: Mr. Ward and Mr. Axselle) Mr. Ward stated that the Richmond International Airport is one of the most important economic development tools in the area. He noted that the airport is 1,000 runway feet away from being 98-839 11/13/98 truly an international airport and stated that the extension of the runway will cost approximately $25 million. Mr. Axselle provided further details concerning airport expansion. He stated that the Airport Commission is requesting support for additional jetways (passenger gates), which are essential to attract additional air service; additional competition; and lower fares. He noted that Richmond has the highest airfares of any City in the United States and that additional jetways will cost approximately $25.5 million. Mr. Ward suggested that the City appoint elected officials to the Airport Commission. Mayor Kaine stated that the City would take Mr. suggestion into consideration. Ward's Following additional discussion, it was the consensus of Chesterfield, Hanover and }{enrico to support the resolution. The City of Richmond indicated its support would be tied to support for regional transportation funding. 5.E. SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION (Presenter: Mr. Ward} Mr. Ward stated that the Governor has passed legislation that will appropriate $55 million a year for the next two years for school construction in the State of Virginia. He further stated that Chesterfield will receive $1.5 million; Hanover will receive $564,000; Henrico will receive $1.4 million; and the City of Richmond will receive $868,000. He stated that $55 million is not much money when it is spread over the State and that Hanover is requesting support of a resolution to seek additional funding for school construction. Ail of the jurisdictions agreed to support the resolution. 5.F. METROPOLITAN AREA PROJECTS STRATEGY (MAPS) (Presenter: Mr. Kaechele) Mr. Kaechele provided a brief explanation of the concept of MAPS, indicating that it is the use of a special approved one- cent sales tax on the region to support regional projects. He stated that the tax would generate $780 million in revenue over a seven year period. He further stated that a committee, consisting of members from the Chamber of Commerce, the Managers from the Counties and the City, and two representatives from the Boards and Council decided not to submit resolutions to the General Assembly, but to wait until the year 2000. He stated that this will allow more input into the process by the jurisdictions and will assure citizen buy in. 98-840 11/13/98 5.G. CLOSING REMARKS Mayor Kaine expressed appreciation to everyone for participating in the Summit and suggested that the jurisdictions meet on an annual basis. He then invited everyone to attend the reception following the meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. County Administrator Re~y B H~mph~ey~ Chairman 98-841