07-16-2019 Work Session Minutes - DRAFT
July 16, 2019
Work Session
Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
Work Session
July 16, 2019
VIRGINIA: The Work Session of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors was
held on July 16, 2019, in the Main Conference Room, County Administration Building,
Chatham, Virginia 24531. Chairman, Dan River District, Joe B. Davis, called the Meeting to
Order at 4:30 PM. The following Members were present:
CALL TO ORDER (4:30 PM)
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Joe B. Davis Chairman - Dan River District Present 4:26 PM
Charles H. Miller Vice Chairman - Banister District Present 4:22 PM
Tim R. Barber Supervisor - Tunstall District Present 4:29 PM
Elton W. Blackstock Supervisor - Staunton River District Present 4:29 PM
Ben L. Farmer Supervisor - Callands-Gretna District Remote 4:28 PM
Ronald S. Scearce Supervisor - Westover District Present 4:29 PM
Robert W. "Bob" Warren Supervisor - Chatham-Blairs District Present 4:19 PM
Mr. Farmer participated remotely due to being on vacation. He called in from 328 Sandpiper Court, Nags
Head, NC 27959.
AGENDA ITEMS TO BE ADDED
Motion to Amend Item 8b to include Project 500, and to add a Closed Session regarding the
Pittsylvania County Service Authority Board and the purpose of Discussion of Performance of
Board of Supervisors’ Appointee.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Robert W. "Bob" Warren, Supervisor - Chatham-Blairs District
SECONDER: Charles H. Miller, Vice Chairman - Banister District
AYES: Davis, Miller, Barber, Blackstock, Farmer, Scearce, Warren
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion to approve Agenda to include the proposed revisions and addition.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Robert W. "Bob" Warren, Supervisor - Chatham-Blairs District
SECONDER: Tim R. Barber, Supervisor - Tunstall District
AYES: Davis, Miller, Barber, Blackstock, Farmer, Scearce, Warren
PRESENTATIONS
STAFF, COMMITTEE, AND/OR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER REPORTS
Board of Supervisors
July 16, 2019
Work Session
a. Discussion of Approval of Strategic Plan (Staff Contact: David M. Smitherman); (30
minutes)
Mr. Smitherman stated that County Staff brought this item before the Board at the beginning of
the year, and it was decided to table the item to a later time. Mr. Blackstock stated his concerns
about the Public Information Officer (“PIO”) and stated that he is opposed to this and feels that
there are two (2) County Administrators and does not feel this is necessary. Mr. Barber asked if
funding had become available to implement this Plan and Mr. Smitherman stated there is nothing
that would be pursued within the next year that would require money since there is no new
funding for these items. He feels this is a statement of goals and direction and the Board would
not be committing to any of these items at this time. Mr. Warren does not want to commit to
hiring anyone with this document either, but his interpretation is that County Staff would
evaluate that need and only pursue when necessary and when funding is available. Mr. Warren
recommended the PIO item being changed to year 2021, and Mr. Hunt agreed to revise for the
evening’s Business Meeting.
Motion to amend the Business Meeting item to revise section 4(b) to make the potential
implementation thereof the year 2020; and to Add a statement to the Strategic Plan requiring
County Staff to bring any action item contained in the Strategic Plan involving an appropriation
to the Board of Supervisors for approval before implementation.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Robert W. "Bob" Warren, Supervisor - Chatham-Blairs District
SECONDER: Ronald S. Scearce, Supervisor - Westover District
AYES: Davis, Miller, Barber, Blackstock, Farmer, Scearce, Warren
b. Pet Center Update (Staff Contact: James P. McLaughlin); (15 minutes)
Mr. James McLaughlin was present to give an FY9 update on the Pet Center. He stated in 2018,
there was a 92% live release rate, and, for FY19, it stands at a 94% live release rate. Financials
from January 1, 2019 through June 20, 2019, were $95,310 under Budget and there was a total
revenue of $97,977. The Budget savings were due to revised staffing, updated protocols, animal
transfers to partners, filling an Animal Care Manager, and over $45,000 in in-kind Grants and
donations of supplies. The Pet Center is now partnering with PetSmart on adoptions. For every
fifty (50) in store adoptions, PetSmart gives the Pet Center $1,000, on top of the regular adoption
fee. Danville Toyota and the Pet Center have joined forces to promote the shelter dogs with the
new Furry Friday Ride Along Program, and Wilson Lawn and Garden has agreed to participate
in a Kioti Tractor Raffle. There will also be a Thrift Store at the Pet Center, which will be a joint
operation with the SPCA. Some upcoming events Mr. McLaughlin has planned for the Pet
Center are Wagfest, Tomahawk Mill Event, Golf Tournament, White Oak Mountain Music
Festival, and a Fall Fundraising Event. Members of the Board commended Mr. McLaughlin for
his hard work and dedication.
c. Cascade E-911 Radio Coverage Update (Staff Contact: Richard N. Hicks); (15
minutes)
Mr. Hicks stated that there are still two (2) towers, the Tunstall Fire Department and the Old
Board of Supervisors
July 16, 2019
Work Session
Mayfield Tower, that are still under construction. Once these towers are completed, there will be
significantly less coverage issue. It is anticipated that the completion of the Cascade E-911 Radio
Coverage project will be around mid-November.
d. Virginia Department of Health Changes (Staff Contact: Richard N. Hicks); 15
minutes)
Mr. Hicks stated that he had a meeting with a representative with the Health Department and it
was brought to his attention that House Bill 558 (HB558) mandated that the Health Department
will no longer be the primary designer of septic systems. This law required the State Health
Commissioner to develop a plan to reduce and eliminate evaluation and design services provided
by VDH for onsite sewage system and private wells, shifting those direct services to the private
sector. These services used to be free, but will now have a pretty substantial cost associated with
them. The new State policy goes into effect July 11, 2019.
e. Other Reports
BUSINESS MEETING DISCUSSION ITEMS
CLOSED SESSION
Motion to enter Closed Session.
The Board entered Closed Session at 5:24 PM.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Elton W. Blackstock, Supervisor - Staunton River District
SECONDER: Robert W. "Bob" Warren, Supervisor - Chatham-Blairs District
AYES: Davis, Miller, Barber, Blackstock, Farmer, Scearce, Warren
a. Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or of the
disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would
adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body. (Staff
Contact: Richard N. Hicks)
(1) Legal Authority: Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(3)
Subject Matter: Potential Solid Waste Convenience Center Site(s)
Purpose: Discussion of Acquisition of Real Property for a
Public Purpose
b. Discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing
business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business' or
industry's interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community. (Staff Contact:
Matthew D. Rowe)
(1) Legal Authority: Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(5)
Subject Matter: Projects Emotion and G4
Board of Supervisors
July 16, 2019
Work Session
Purpose: Discussion of Prospective Business/
Economic Development Update
c. Discussion, consideration, or interviews or prospective candidates for employment;
assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or
resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body.
(1) Legal Authority: Virginia Code § 2.2-3711(A)(1)
Subject Matter: Pittsylvania County Service Authority Board
Purpose: Discussion of Performance of Board of Supervisors’
Appointee
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION & CLOSED SESSION CERTIFICATION
a. Closed Session Certification (Staff Contact: J. Vaden Hunt, Esq.)
The Board returned to Open Session at 6:49 PM, and the following Certification was recorded:
CLOSED MEETING CERTIFICATION
BE IT RESOLVED that at the Meeting of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors
on July 16, 2019, 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 (the “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 Act, he
shall so state prior to the vote indicating the substance of the departure. The Statement shall be
recorded in the Board’s Minutes.
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
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Davis adjourned the Meeting at 6:51 PM.