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09-01-99 MinutesBOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES September 1, 1999 Supervisors in Attendance: Mr. Harry G. Daniel, Chairman Mr. Arthur S. Warren, Vice Chrm. Mr. Edward B. Barber Mrs. Renny Bush Humphrey Mr. J. L. McHale, III Mr. Lane B. Ramsey County Administrator Staff in Attendance: Dr. William Bosher, Jr. supt., School Board Ms. Jana Carter, Dir., Youth Services Ms. Marilyn Cole, Asst. County Administrator Ms. Rebecca Dickson, Dir., Budget and Management Ms. Lisa Elko, Clerk Chief Stephen A. Elswick, Fire Department Mr. Michael Golden, Dir., Parks and Recreation Mr. Bradford S. Hammer, Deputy Co. Admin., Human Services Mr. Donald Kappel, Dir., Public Affairs Mr. Steven L. Micas, County Attorney Mr. James J. L. Stegmaier, Deputy Co. Admin., Management Services Mr. M. D. Stith, Jr., Deputy Co. Admin., Community Development Mr. Daniel called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. He stated that the Agenda needs to be modified to allow for the addition of a Closed Session to be held in Mr. Ramsey's Conference Room immediately following the session with the Volunteer Fire Chiefs. Mr. McHale made a motion, seconded by Mr. Barber, for the Board to suspend its rules to add to the Agenda a Closed Session Pursuant to Section 2.1-344A.5., Code of Virginia, 1950, as Amended, to Discuss Prospective Businesses in the Dale and Bermuda Magisterial Districts Where No Announcement Has Been Made of the Businesses' Interest in Locating in Chesterfield County to follow the session with the Volunteer Fire Chiefs. Ayes: Daniel, Barber, and McHale. Nays: None. Absent: Warren and Humphrey. 99-732 9/1/99 Mr. Daniel welcomed everyone to the meeting. Mrs. Humphrey and Mr. Warren arrived at the meeting. Mrs. Dorothy Jaeckle, Chairman of the Committee on the Future, introduced members of the Committee on the Future. She stated that the Committee's vision includes a change in the approach to the treatment of youth. She reviewed ways to effect such a change, including the need for adult supervision; involvement of youth in productive activities; different people inspiring youth to action; parental encouragement in positive activities; role models including friends and older youth; impact of schools and teachers; community groups offering opportunities for youth; and business contributions. She then reviewed the importance of parental involvement, including exercising guided freedom; teenagers' desire for parental involvement in their lives; parental role models; impact of work on the parental role; and family being the main priority. She reviewed ways in which youth can be a part of the solution and the school system being a catalyst for youth development by setting high standards for achievement and conduct; teachers being role models; emphasis on important values; changes to the curriculum; providing more activity opportunities at the middle school level; community involvement in schools; utilizing older students as role models; school size and districting; encouraging parental involvement; and core values education. She then reviewed the essential role of community based organizations and the diverse role of the private sector in youth development. She stated that the Committee on the Future feels the County should take a lead in coordinating efforts to support youth development; provide funding of youth programs where necessary; expand the mission of the STEPP Program; develop an ~Adopt-a-Service" Program; spread the message of the importance of youth; and encourage youth input in County decision making. She reviewed the Committee on the Future's recommendation to create a Youth Development Commission which would report equally to the Board of Supervisors and the School Board. Mr. Daniel expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Committee on the Future in preparing the report on youth development in the County and stated that he supports the recommendation to develop a jointly coordinated Youth Development Commission. He requested that County Administration and the School Board provide each other with documentation of the contributions currently being made relative to youth development in an effort to coordinate the creation of a Youth Development Commission. Mrs. Humphrey expressed appreciation for the presentation of the Committee on the Future and expressed concerns relative to the need for structure of youth; the use of church community resources for youth; and the need for service groups for youth involvement. 99-733 There was brief discussion relative to elected and other County officials being required to act as substitute teachers in a school classroom for one day. Mr. Barber stated that he supports the creation of a Youth Development Commission and suggested that the Juvenile Court Judges be involved in the selection of appointees. He further stated that he feels the recommendation of a County seal of approval on businesses who hire youth is a good idea and suggested that the Economic Development Department have input in this endeavor. He further suggested that the County might be able to challenge other localities for a commitment to the donation of time. There was brief discussion relative to the role of the religious community as a school resource. Dr. Bosher stated that, at a meeting held with County ministers in the spring of 1999, discussion included moving beyond communication to partnerships between the church, synagogue and the schools. He further stated that, according to "Religious Expression in Public Schools," a document approved by the Attorney General's Office, the only religious prohibition in schools is prayer at graduation. Mr. McHale commended the members of the Committee on the Future for the strong challenges recommended in their report on youth development. Mr. Warren expressed appreciation for the Committee on the Future's important role in moving the County forward. Mr. Daniel requested that Mr. Ramsey and Dr. Bosher use the report as a guideline to coordinate a possible structure of contributions relative to youth development and identify' areas to devote energy for the coming year. Mr. Barber expressed appreciation for the dedication of the members of the Committee on the Future and each member was presented with a Chesterfield County pin. CLOSED SESSION On motion of Mr. McHale, seconded by Mrs. Humphrey, the Board went into a closed session pursuant to Section 2.1-344A.5., Code of Virqinia, 1950, as amended, to discuss prospective businesses in the Dale and Bermuda Magisterial Districts where no announcement has been made of the businesses' interest in locating in Chesterfield County. Ayes: Daniel, Warren, Barber, Humphrey, and McHale. Nays: None. 99-734 9/ /99 Reconvening: On motion of Mrs. Humphrey, seconded by Mr. McHale, the Board adopted the following resolution: WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has this day adjourned into Closed Session in accordance with a formal vote of the Board and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and WHEREAS, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act effective July 1, 1989 provides for certification that such Closed Session was conducted in conformity with law. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Supervisors does hereby certify that to the best of each member's knowledge, i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Freedom of Information Act were discussed in the Closed Session to which this certification applies, and ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the Motion by which the Closed Session was convened were heard, discussed, or considered by the Board. No member dissents from this certification. The Board being polled, the vote was as follows: Mr. McHale: Aye. Mrs. Humphrey: Aye. Mr. Barber: Aye. Mr. Warren: Aye. Mr. Daniel: Aye. Mr. Hammer introduced Ms. Dorcus Yeager, a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, to present the Commission's ~Vision for the Future." Ms. Yeager introduced Mr. Tim Mick, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, who introduced the other members of the Commission. Ms. Yeager reviewed the past, present and future of the County park system and stated that the system currently includes thirty-eight park/athletic complexes. She stated that the workload of the Parks and Recreation Department greatly increased in 1996 with the added responsibility of exterior maintenance and repairs for all County school grounds. She further stated that more than fifty percent of the park system is over fifteen years old and that the annual cost to replace deteriorating facilities is $926,329. She stated that the bond referendum and the current Capital Improvement Program begin to address the Department's needs and noted that a $2,000,000 shortfall is projected to keep pace with the annual replacements necessary by FY2005. She reviewed the current efforts taking place due to funding by the bond issue. 99-735 There was brief discussion relative to parking needs in County parks. Ms. Yeager reviewed facilities being impacted by bond issue funding. She reviewed new and expanded facilities in the Bermuda District, including Ecoff/Goyne Park; Point of Rocks Park; Bensley Community Center addition; and the Henricus Education Wing. Mr. McHale stated that Henricus and Dutch Gap were featured in the most recent issue of the Southern Living magazine. There was brief discussion relative to the County being the only local government with a designated conservation area. Ms. Yeager continued to review facilities being impacted by bond issue funding. She reviewed new and expanded facilities in the Clover Hill District, including Manchester Middle School; Clover Hill Park; and numerous building renovations. She then reviewed new and expanded facilities for the Dale District, including the fairgrounds; Ironbridge Park and Meadowbrook High School. She reviewed new and expanded facilities for the Matoaca District, including the Western Area Park which will offer water related recreational activities not available in other County parks; Crenshaw Elementary School; and Matoaca Park. She then reviewed new and expanded facilities in the Midlothian District including Huguenot Park; Watkins Elementary; Midlothian High School; and Robious Elementary. She reviewed resource based facilities, which include facilities developed around or from natural, or cultural, resources of that property. She stated that the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission's vision for the future is to develop a comprehensive facilities master plan; a stronger emphasis in development of resource based parks; and establish a maintenance reserve budget for capital facility replacement. Mr. Daniel expressed appreciation for the informative presentation by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. There was brief discussion relative to the Warbro Athletic Complex project and Pocahontas State Park. Ms. Yeager stated that she feels the County should explore the possibility of providing a connection of trails between County parks and including Pocahontas State Park into the Master Plan. There was brief discussion relative to the proposed lake in the Western Area Park. Mr. Daniel suggested that environmental issues and insurance risks be explored relative to the proposed lake. He stated that, in an effort to assure future bond funding, he feels it will be necessary to upgrade existing facilities on an equal basis throughout the County. He expressed appreciation for the efforts of the members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and suggested that the Commission present an annual report of progress to the Board. 9/ /99 99-736 Mr. McHale expressed appreciation to the Commission for acknowledging the importance of maintaining existing facilities. Mrs. Humphrey stated that she appreciates the concept of a resource based park and that she would support a lake in the Western Area Park. It was generally agreed that the Board recess for fifteen minutes. Mrs. Humphrey excused herself from the meeting. Reconvening: Mr. Daniel expressed appreciation for the support of the District Volunteer Fire Chiefs in the County's public safety effort. Chief Elswick introduced Mr. Tom Barry, District Chief of Wagstaff Circle Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Barry expressed appreciation to the Board for the oppertunity te meet. He stated that there has been a decline in the number of volunteers and expressed appreciation to the Beard far funding the recruitment and retention study. He requested the Board's suppert of the findings ef the study and their continued support of the integration of the volunteer and career elements of the fire department and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. He stated that the study indicated the necessity for a change in the volunteer incentive program. He reviewed the efforts towards integration ef the volunteer and career elements ef the fire department, including implementation ef a training program for new recruits; continuing education heurs necessary for recertification; and staffing of volunteer units with duty crews. He reviewed EMS issues, including training of EMTs; lack of EMS equipment for volunteers; and ways to offset the cost of the new system, including the possibility of charging for services and use of an EMS recovery program. There was brief discussion of the feasibility study currently being conducted relative to charging for the cost of EMS services and to legislation enacted by the State of Maryland relative to determining the necessity for medical help. Mr. Daniel commended Mr. Barry for the working relationship between the volunteer and career firefighters. There was brief discussion relative to the volunteer incentive issue. 99-737 Chief Elswick Stated that volunteers are currently compensated at three dollars per call and that the feasibility study will readdress the needs of the volunteers and look at ways to better utilize the existing dollars going to the volunteer system. Mr. Ramsey commended the volunteer firefighters for the concept of functioning as one with the career firefighters. Mr. McHale expressed appreciation for the efforts of volunteer firefighters towards quality life safety. Mr. Warren expressed appreciation for the efforts of volunteer firefighters and noted the evidence of citizen respect for the Fire Department in the Citizens' Satisfaction Survey. Mr. Barber expressed appreciation to Mr. Barry for his presentation. On motion of Mr. McHale, seconded by Mr. Barber, the Board adjourned at 7:30 p.m. until September 8, 1999 at 4:00 p.m. Ayes: Daniel, Warren, Barber, and McHale. Nays: None. Absent: Humphrey. Lane B. Ramsey County Administrator 99-738