Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – 18 December 2007
That meeting was my turn (Alice) to do the minutes, but when I got into the courthouse building, I’m allergic to molds and dust and the airflow in that old building isn’t good, so with the large crowd, I started coughing and had to leave. Others sent me their notes later. Note that there was a closed session before the meeting and one after the meeting. The meeting itself was only about an hour and a half long.
Prior to convening, the Board met in closed session to deal with the acquisition of real property by the county. The session began with a presentation by several members of the district health department staff on the general well being of environmental and nursing services. There were no significant issues identified. There may be a budget shortfall due to various unpredictable changing conditions in the health services function and budgeting. One thing of interest was the Health department’s mention that WalMart and other big box stores purchase a large amount of flu vaccine (which I suppose they use when they have special days where the public can come in to get flu shots). This actually causes the price of flu vaccine to go up because they are willing to pay more for it than the normal government agency. As a result, our county health department used to get extra revenue for giving flu shots, and now they just get enough money to pay for the medicine itself. Overall they are expecting a budget shortfall of $50,000. Revenue is down by $10,000 and costs are up by $40,000.
A. Abandoned Vehicle Program Contract Extension.The county contracts with a private company to tow away vehicles that have been abandoned. The contract extension was approved.
B. Stonyman Agricultural/Forestal Advisory Committee.This existence of this committee apparently has a specific term. The continuation of its existence is subject to approval by the Board. Approval to continue its activities was granted by the Board. J D Cave was appointed to the committee, replacing Gerald Cubbage.
C. Extended Agreement with Grandview Farms.The extension of the agreement to continue providing for disposal of deceased animals was not renewed. The responsibility for disposal of deceased animals will be assumed by the landfill.
D. Budget Changes.Money was shuffled around within the budget. The action was approved by the Board. They do this regularly, it’s just an administrative thing.
E. Appointment of Committee on the General Assessment.At the last work session, the Commissioner of Revenue proposed considering forming a regional entity with neighboring counties in order to more efficiently deal with future property assessments. The notion was received favorably by other counties. There is a need to appoint a committee to address the details of forming the entity. As a minimum, the committee would consist of the Commissioner of Revenue, the county administrator and a member of the Board. The Chairman asked for volunteers from the Board and will wait to designate the committee until the new members of the Board take office.
F. Stanley Animal Control Ordinance.Stanley has asked that the county assume the responsibility of animal control with the town limits and have adopted the county’s animal control ordinances. The Sheriff’s Office has agreed to assume this responsibility and will do so within existing resources. I don’t remember if this action required a vote but everyone seemed to be in favor of the action.
G. Economic Development Authority Membership.The membership of the EDA is being expanded but I missed the details of exactly who will now be included.
H. Board & Commission Appointments.Supervisor Hoke reappointed Mr. Paul Otto to the Planning Commission as one of the two representatives from District 1. (Note: The Planning Commission terms are four years. These are very important positions, as they relate to zoning ordinances. These are not paid positions, but are volunteer. You should know your commissioners and call them just like the supervisors. In January, we will do a special feature article on the planning commission and post their phone numbers, but meanwhile, they are posted on the county website, too.)
Supervisor Strickler appointed Jackie Sullivan Smoot to the Planning Commission to complete the term of Dot Donato (District 5).
Mike Dart was reappointed to the Northwest Community Services Board.
I. Report from the By-laws committee.The Board approved a change to the provisions in its bylaws that apply to the nomination and election of the vice-chairman. If I understood correctly, there will be for yearly succession as vice-chairman by a member from each district beginning with District 4.
There was only one citizen comment, from Joy Lorien, but I don’t remember it.
Following the regular session, the Board met in closed session to discuss acquisition of real property for the airport and a prospective business or industry.
January 4, 2008 at 9:12 am
Page County Board of Supervisors Meetings
The Page County Board of Supervisors (BOS) holds Business Meetings and Working Sessions that are open to the public. Prior to each meeting, the BOS publishes an agenda. The agenda is available for public viewing via the Internet or, if one chooses, it may be viewed in the County Administrator’s Office prior to the meeting along with materials specific to issues to be discussed.
During calendar year 2007, the BOS held a total of 43 meetings, of which 33 included “Closed Sessions.” What is discussed in these “Closed Sessions” is considered not releasable to the public (according to the BOS) under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. One may wonder why the BOS, elected by the Citizens of Page County, hold sessions that the matter discussed is not considered in the Citizens’ interest and therefore must be conducted in a “secret” manner.
The BOS is required to cite the specific Virginia Code applicable to a “Closed Session.” During calendar year 2007, personnel matters (2.2-3711.A.1), acquisition of real property (2.2-3711.A.3), prospective business or industry (2.2-3711.A.5), and litigation (2.2-3711.A.7) have been used as reasons for “Closed Sessions.”
The BOS has used personnel matters exception (2.2-3771.A.1) eight times, and it is a reasonable use when discussing performance, disciplining of personnel, appointments or other similar matters.
The Department of Public Works stated during the July 3rd BOS Work Session meeting that the County holds title to 84 properties encompassing 420 acres. This being the case, why hold “secret” meetings? Of course, we now know the “A.3 secret meetings” were about the Moore/Wallace Building, the “Emerald City Complex” and now the “secret meeting” concerning the Airport acquisition of real property. This citation (2.2-3711.A.3) has been used 20 times. The BOS must enjoy being Land Managers. Wonder who pays the taxes on the 400+ acres? Is not the acquisition of real property in the interest of the Citizens of Page County?
The BOS will argue that the code states, “…where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body…Public bodies may hold closed meetings….” If the BOS is in negotiations for 20 pieces of real property, why doesn’t the BOS report to the Citizens of Page County about the type property being considered and why. After all who will pay for the acquisition? The Tooth Fairy?
A Retreat was held on June 14th at the Skyland Resort. The Chairman opined: “…through a retreat the Board is normally allowed the freedom to discuss openly without the presence of the public or the media…”, further, “…it is important to be able to freely speak, which they [BOS] normally are not able to do in public.” Isn’t that interesting? Maybe the BOS is not being honest with the Citizens of Page County when in public session – it is all a ruse?
The Business Interest citation (202-3711.A.5) was used four times. That is about the number of businesses who expressed an interest in locating in Page County, and that is also the number of business that “left town” without settling into our neat rural environment. Perhaps when the businesses looked at the tax structure their employees would be subject to and the unfriendly tax atmosphere for businesses, they decided to take their business elsewhere.
In regard to litigation, the code (2.2-3711.A.7) states that litigation must be “probable litigation”, which is “…litigation…that has been…threatened…or…the…body…has a reasonable basis to believe [litigation] will be commenced by or against….” [the County]. This exception has been used on five different occasions. As taxpayers of the County of Page, Citizens hold tight, someone is about to get into your pockets – again.
So what is the result of these “secret” meetings? The big brown spot on the mountain called the “Battle Creek Landfill”. The Citizens of Page County will be paying for that “secret” meeting for years. Then there is the “Emerald City Complex”, and now it looks as though the airport is going to be the next “black hole” that will take the Page County taxpayer for a ride. Wonder what is next?
December 20, 2007 at 8:11 pm
He did say that. There were also letters sent out some time ago to property owners about buying their land. If anybody wants to look more into this and post about it, here are some phone numbers.
Members of the Airport Commission are:
Dr. Eugene Martin, 743-6435
Mark Johnson, 743-5684
Gene Dofflemyer, 743-6663
Powell Markowitz, 743-3658
Alan Eldridge, 743-1887
Dr. Scott Ruffner, 778-5669
Leroy Lancaster, 743-5072
December 20, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Does anyone know what was discussed in closed session in regard to “acquisition of real property for the airport”? August 2007 Powell Markowitz told Alice Richmond that airport expansion (northward) was slated for 2014 or later. Property owners were more or less told not to worry about anything soon. “SOON” seems like it is “NOW”.
December 19, 2007 at 8:02 am
What is with all these closed sessions about buying land? The county seems to own a lot of land. Why? There are specific rules about closed sessions in Virginia, and they relate to making better negotiations so the county does’t get hosed when it buys land. But as we see, the county already did get hosed when it voted to buy the land for Emerald City, so the closed sessions don’t seem to do any good.