07-26-2018 Meeting Minutes - DraftJuly 26, 2018
Thursday, July 26, 2018 Meeting
VIRGINIA: The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors Strategic Planning Training
Session and a Closed Session was held on Thursday, July 26, 2018 in Room 206 of the Institute for
Advanced Learning and Research located at 150 Slayton Avenue, Danville, Virginia 24540. Robert
W. Warren, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. The following members were present:
Tim R. Barber Tunstall District
Elton W. Blackstock Staunton River District
Joe B. Davis Dan River District
Ben L. Farmer Callands-Gretna District
Charles H. Miller, Jr. Banister District
Ronald S. Scearce Westover District
Robert W. “Bob” Warren Chatham-Blairs District
Mr. David M. Smitherman, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board; Mr. J. Vaden Hunt
Esq., County Attorney; Mr. Greg L. Sides, Assistant County Administrator for Planning &
Administration, Mr. Richard Hicks, Assistant County Administrator for Operations, and Mrs. Kim
Van Der Hyde, Director of Finance, were also present.
Dr. Joey Faucette began the strategic planning training session by getting the previously
designated groups to present their presentations on the SWOT Analysis. Mr. Farmer, Mr.
Smitherman, Mr. Hicks, and Mr. Sides presented for their respective groups, and their presentations
are attached.
Plans for future strategic planning meetings were discussed.
Motion made by Mr. Barber, seconded by Mr. Scearce, to enter into Closed Session. The
following roll call vote was recorded: Mr. Barber-Yes; Mr. Blackstock-No; Mr. Davis-Yes; Mr.
Farmer-Yes; Dr. Miller-No; Mr. Scearce-Yes; Mr. Warren-Yes. Mr. Blackstock and Dr. Miller
objected for transparency purposes.
A. Consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding speci fic
legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel.
• Legal Authority: Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(8)
• Subject Matter: DSS Assessment
• Purpose: Review, Discuss, and Receive Legal Counsel regarding/on
the DSS Assessment and Potential Next Legal Steps
The Board entered into Closed Session at 7:50 PM.
Upon a Motion by Mr. Blackstock, seconded by Mr. Barber, the Board re-entered Open
Session at 9:25 PM and the following Certification was recorded:
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
CERTIFY CLOSED MEETING
July 26, 2018
BE IT RESOLVED that at the Meeting of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors on
July 26, 2018, the Board hereby certifies by a recorded vote that to the best of each board member’s
knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements of
the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and identified in the motion authorizing the closed meeting
were heard, discussed or considered in the closed meeting. If any member believes that there was a
departure from the requirements of the Code, he shall so state prior to the vote indicating the
substance of the departure. The statement shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board.
Vote
Tim R. Barber Yes
Elton W. Blackstock Yes
Joe B. Davis Yes
Ben L. Farmer Yes
Charles H. Miller, Jr. Yes
Ronald S. Scearce Yes
Robert W. Warren Yes
MOTION #1:
“I make a Motion that Robert W. Warren, Chairman, Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors,
transmit a letter to Reverend Stedman Payne, Sr., Chairman, Pittsylvania County Social Services
Board, outlining the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors’ concerns contained in the Pittsylvania
County Department of Social Services Organizational Assessment recently conducted by the Virginia
Department of Social Services.”
• Motion by: Farmer
• Seconded by: Barber
• Voting: Motion passed 5-2 (Ayes (5): Barber, Davis, Farmer, Scearce, Warren; Nays (2):
Blackstock; Miller))
MOTION #2:
“I make a Motion authorizing the Pittsylvania County Administrator, David M. Smitherman, to
engage the County’s Auditor, Robinson, Farmer, Cox, to perform an in-depth Audit of the
Pittsylvania County Department of Social Services’ finances.”
• Motion by: Blackstock
• Seconded by: Barber
• Voting: Motion passed 7-0 (Ayes (7): Barber; Blackstock; Davis; Farmer; Miller; Scearce;
Warren; Nays: 0)
MOTION #3:
“I make a Motion directing Pittsylvania County Administrator, David M. Smitherman, and/or
Pittsylvania County Attorney, J. Vaden Hunt, Esq., to contact the Department of Virginia State Police
requesting an investigation into Supervisor Scearce’s Pittsylvania County Department of Social
July 26, 2018
Services’ corruption allegations referenced in his July 17, 2018, Statement to the Board of
Supervisors by the end of the day Friday, July 27, 2018. Mr. Smitherman and/or Mr. Hunt are then to
report back to the Board of Supervisors, in its entirety, the results of any communications with
officials from the above two entities.”
• Motion by: Blackstock
• Seconded by: Barber
• Voting: Motion passed 6-1 (Ayes (6): Barber; Blackstock; Farmer; Miller; Scearce; Warren;
Nays (1): Davis)
MOTION #4:
“I make a Motion directing Pittsylvania County Administrator, David M. Smitherman, and/or
Pittsylvania County Attorney, J. Vaden Hunt, Esq., to research and provide a list of Human
Resources specialists and attorneys specializing in Human Resources for the Board of Supervisors’
selection to interview the current and former Pittsylvania County Department of Social Services
employees Supervisor Scearce referenced in his July 17, 2018, Statement to the Board of Supervisors.
Interviewed individuals should be afforded all legal requirements available under applicable federal
and state laws but shall be required to sign a waiver allowing the Pittsylvania County Social Services
Board and/or the Pittsylvania County Director of Social Services to present any evidence, including
personnel records, in response to results of any of their interviews or statements.
• Motion by: Blackstock
• Seconded by: Barber
• Voting: Motion passed 7-0 (Ayes (7): Barber; Blackstock; Davis; Farmer; Miller; Scearce;
Warren; Nays: 0)
Adjournment
Mr. Warren adjourned the meeting at 9:34 PM.
__________________________________________
Robert W. “Bob” Warren, Chair
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
__________________________________________
David M. Smitherman, Clerk
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors