2019-12-06 MinutesA
CEJ
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MINUTES
December 6, 2019
Supervisors in Attendance:
Ms. Leslie A. T. Haley, Chair
Mr. Stephen A. Elswick, Vice Chair
Mr. James M. Holland
Mr. James A. Ingle, Jr. (Supervisor -Elect)
Mr. Kevin P. Carroll (Supervisor -Elect)
Dr. Joseph P. Casey
County Administrator
Delegates in Attendance:
Ms. Roxann L. Robinson
Mr. Riley E. Ingram
Ms. Lashrecse D. Aird
Mr. R. Lee Ware, Jr.
Mr. M. Kirkland Cox
Ms. Delores L. McQuinn
Ms. Carrie E. Coyner (Delegate -Elect)
Senators in Attendance:
Ms. Amanda F. Chase
Ms. Ghazala F. Hashmi (Senator -Elect)
Mr. Joseph D. Morrissey (Senator -Elect)
I. WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Haley called the meeting to order at 8:50 a.m.
Ms. Haley welcomed the legislators. She noted the incredible
partnership that exists between the Board of Supervisors and
the county's local delegation. She asked those in attendance
to introduce themselves.
II. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION REMARKS/PRESENTATION
Dr. Casey presented an abridged version of the State of the
County address. He highlighted aspects of the presentation
which include who we are as a county; learning for a
lifetime; protecting our community, noting implementation of
a regional opioid awareness campaign; serving our community;
and investing in our community, noting many major
announcements such as Carvana, Torch Clean Energy, Cartograf,
Shamin Hotels, The Summit at Magnolia Green, Casa Del Barco
and Island Shrimp Co., and a fourth water source from the
Appomattox River. He discussed the county's legislative
requests which include support for full funding for K-12
education; transportation funding; stormwater funding; and
Compensation Board funding. He then reviewed the items which
the county opposes, including elimination or reduction of
local revenue sources; additional unfunded mandates or cost
shifts; and limitations or caps on existing local land use
authorities.
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III. GENERAL DISCUSSION
Mr. Holland echoed Dr. Casey's remarks regarding taxation
equality among cities and counties.
In response to Mr. Morrissey's request for comment on
Dominion Energy's coal ash pond and landfill that is
contiguous to the James River, Dr. Casey discussed the
memorandum of understanding between Dominion Energy and the
county.
Ms. Haley encouraged Mr. Morrissey to take a tour of the
facility for a better understanding of its operations.
Mr. Elswick stated keeping the landfill on-site is a safer
option for citizens.
In response to Delegate Ware's question regarding the
Compensation Board and disparity of funding for
constitutional offices, there was discussion about possible
reasons funding has not grown, the need for a study, and the
impacts on education and public safety.
In response to Senator Chase's question about citizens having
an opportunity to address the Board relative to Second
Amendment gun rights at its upcoming meeting, Mr. Elswick
assured Senator Chase the Board would handle this issue and
asked Senator Chase to work with her delegation to address
the issue in the General Assembly.
Mr. Holland stated this is an opportunity to educate the
community about the roles of local, state, and federal
government.
Ms. Coyner expressed concerns relative to the impact of
projects on roads and businesses and the lack of citizen
inclusion in discussions about road impacts and quality of
life.
Ms. Haley noted the strict timeline to address the county's
concerns relative to the Dominion Energy project.
Delegate Cox congratulated the county on the Helping Addicts
Recover Progressively (HARP) program. He stated he is
sympathetic to the difficulties experienced with the State
Board of Elections' website during the recent election. He
discussed higher education and matching jobs with degrees.
Delegate Ingram noted businesses are having difficulty
finding people to work.
Ms. Haley discussed the workforce development partnership
between the county and John Tyler Community College.
Mr. Holland stated there is a need to match high school skill
sets with what is needed in the community and he noted the
problem of the continuing increase in the cost of college.
Ms. Coyner relayed concerns of parents relative to the swing
between college and career and technical education. She noted
students should have the path they want. She cautioned
against tracking students for very specific jobs which could
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leave them without employment should an industry leave the
community.
Delegate McQuinn stated at the last appropriations retreat
they were looking at the challenges of having more jobs than
workers to fill those jobs. She further stated it is
incumbent upon the delegation to help jobseekers be
successful.
Ms. Haley stated it has been a priority of this Board to
provide citizens with resources to allow them to be
independent and self-sustaining.
Senator Chase expressed her appreciation for the partnership
between the county and the delegation and recommended more
frequent meetings to allow for more collaboration.
Ms. Haley thanked Senator Chase and encouraged the delegation
to contact Board members anytime for assistance. She
suggested a "wrap up" meeting might be appropriate if there
is interest.
Mr. Holland agreed that scheduling a post -legislative session
would help everyone to understand what happened and what laws
the county needs to implement.
Mr. Elswick expressed his appreciation to the delegation and
reiterated his position regarding the separation of roles
between the Board and the delegation.
Ms. Haley noted Ms. Jaeckle and Mr. Winslow regret they were
unable to attend the meeting today. She stated the Board
looks forward to working with the delegation and encouraged
the delegation to reach out to Board members or county staff
with any questions.
Delegate Ware thanked Board members and county staff for
their timely assistance whenever he had a question.
Delegate McQuinn relayed Delegate Dawn Adams' regrets for
being unable to attend the meeting today.
Mr. Holland thanked everyone for attending. He reiterated the
county's request to oppose unfunded mandates or costs shifts
and asked the delegation to be cognizant of the importance of
the budget and financial sustainability.
IV. ADJOURNMENT
It was generally agreed that the Board adjourn to its
regularly scheduled meeting on December 11, 2019.
Ayes: Haley, Holland and Elswick.
Nays: None.
oseph,r. Casey
ountr< Administrator
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