Loading...
03-05-2024 Legislative Committee Meeting - FINAL PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE March 5, 2024 VIRGINIA: The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors’ (“Board”) Legislative Committee Meeting was held on March 5, 2024, in the Board Meeting Room, 39 Bank Street, SE, Chatham, Virginia 24531. CALL TO ORDER (2:30 PM) Tucker called the Meeting to Order at 2:30 PM. ROLL CALL The following Committee Members were present: Robert M. Tucker, Jr. - Banister District Timothy W. Dudley - Staunton River District Kenneth L. Bowman – Chatham-Blairs District The following Board Members were present: Darrell W. Dalton - Chairman, Callands-Gretna District Eddie L. Hite, Jr. – Dan River District Murray W. Whittle – Westover District William V. (“Vic”) Ingram - Tunstall District APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion to approve Agenda. RESULT: 3-0 (APPROVE) MOVER: Tucker SECONDER: Dudley AYES: Dudley, Tucker, Bowman NAYS: None ABSTAIN: None NEW BUSINESS a. Potential Board Bylaws Revisions Review/Discussion Supervisors Bowman and Ingram facilitated discussion regarding potential revisions to the Board of Supervisors Bylaws. Bowman recommended an increase in mileage reimbursement, from $350 per month to $500. Tucker and Ingram stated they were not in support of this being raised, and Dalton agreed and stated it was bad timing. Ingram recommended the Meeting seating be revised so the Vice-Chair sits to the Chairman's immediate right, and all other seats be selected by Board Members based on longevity of Board membership, combined with any County employment and service to County Boards. Bowman and Dudley agree with the first part regarding the Vice-Chair, but not the ending. Bowman recommended all non-Chairman appointments be handled at the Board's Business Meeting under New Business. Tucker and Dudley stated they would like to leave as is. Ingram stated he likes this idea. Tucker and Dudley agreed that new appointees can be handled under New Business, so they are introduced to the Board, but all re-appointments stay under the Consent Agenda. There was consensus of the Board on these recommendations. Ingram recommended revisions to how the Board handles the Hearing of the Citizens ("HOC") section. Dalton stated he doesn't want to restrict all citizens, but does like the recommendation that they cant speak on the same topic for a period of time. Ingram likes that citizens have the opportunity to come and speak at these meetings but wishes it could be controlled for those who serve on County Boards and Commissions, and that they follow the Code of Ethics they are required to sign for serving. Whittle asked if the HOC could be moved to the end of the Agenda. Tucker asked everyone to take a look at a couple of aspects such as policing the sign-up sheet and the subject matter content, andrequiring groups to have one representative speak for all of them. Dudley stated it is a part of public service and he is not in favor of limiting citizens speech and telling citizens what they can and cannot say. Hite shared that the Board Bylaws state that the citizen should address the Board, and should they choose to violate that, then the Chairman needs to tap the gavel and the meeting be brought back to order. Bowman thinks the HOC should stay on the Agenda monthly with the in-person sign up sheet at the meeting, and possibly pull information from the research and modify the wording. McCluster recommended adding an agreement statement to the top of the sign-up sheet as well. Bowman recommended changes to Article IV, Board Committees (4.2). Tucker stated he is in favor of leaving Reorganizational Meeting as is and he is not in favor of appointments being limited to two (2) years because it takes time to develop relationships with the different partners and their experience is vital. There was consensus to leave as is. Bowman recommended changes to Article IV, Board Committees (4.5) and (4.6) and there was consensus to make those revisions. Bowman recommended changes to Article IV, Board Committees (4.7). Tucker stated this is not a good look for the Board to ask the public to give stipends that were not originally there to attend meetings and cautioned against this change. Dudley stated the last time the Board got a raise they received a lot of negative feedback and he cannot support this recommendation. He stated the timing is not right and times are tighter now than they were the last time the Board got a raise. Dalton stated he understands and respects Bowman, but with the tax issues right now, he cannot support this item. Bowman recommended changes to Article VI, Recordation of Ordinances and Resolutions (6.2). These revisions just delete the repeated information. Bowman also recommended revisions to the Model of Excellence Member Statement that states "all members are equal", and "we are not here to be served, but to serve". There was consensus to accept the changes. Hunt will compile all recommendations and send to the Board for review. ADJOURNMENT Bowman adjourned the Meeting at 3:54 PM.