New River Valley Competitiveness Center, Fairlawn, 7:30 p.m.

I.    CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

Chairman Gerald called the meeting to order with 14 members present.

PRESENT: Mr. F. Gerald, Chairman, Floyd County; Mr. S. Weaver, Treasurer, Town of Christiansburg; Mr. T. Garrett, Town of Narrows; Dr. H. Harvey, City of Radford; Ms. E. Janney, Floyd County; Dr. A.T. Leighton, Town of Blacksburg; Mr. T. Owen, Pulaski County; Mrs. A. Perkins, Montgomery County; Mr. J. Sheffey, Pulaski County; Mr. T. Starnes, City of Radford; Mr. C. Stewart, Town of Pulaski; Mr. B. Stipes, Town of Christiansburg; J. B. Sutphin, Alternate for Mr. S. Hall, Virginia Tech; and Mr. L. Tucker, Pulaski Town.

ABSENT: Mr. D. Burdette, Radford University; Dr. M. Chandler, Town of Blacksburg; Ms. B. Hanson, Montgomery County; Mr. L. Light, Giles County; Mr. J. Lovely, Town of Rich Creek; Mr. J. Phillips, Virginia Tech; Dr. J. Randolph, Town of Blacksburg; Mr. R. Shelor, Town of Floyd; Mr. H. Spencer, Giles County; Mr. S. Stewart, Town of Pearisburg; and Mr. J. Weddle, Town of Pulaski.

Mr. Charles Stewart introduced Leland Tucker as the Town of Pulaski�s replacement for the unexpired term of Joe Weddle. Chairman Gerald announced that Beth Hanson, who was unable to make the meeting, will be Montgomery County�s replacement for the unexpired term of Jim Moore.

II.    APPROVAL OF AUGUST MINUTES

Chairman Gerald asked if there were any questions or additions to the August minutes.

Motion: Mr. Brad Stipes moved that the August minutes be approved as presented. Mr. Weaver seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

III.    CHAIRMAN�S REPORT

Chairman Gerald stated that an election for a new vice-chair needed to be held, and he opened the floor for nominations.

Mr. Starnes nominated Brad Stipes. Mr. Weaver seconded the nomination.

Motion: Dr. Leighton moved that the nominations be closed and that Mr. Stipes by elected by acclamation. Mr. C. Stewart seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Rundgren stated that with Mr. Weddle vacating his membership on the Commission, this also leaves a vacant seat on the Development Corporation Board.

02-07

Chairman Gerald opened the floor for nominations.

Mr. Starnes nominated Charles Stewart. Mr. Owen seconded the nomination.

Motion: Mrs. Janney moved that the nominations cease and Mr. Stewart be elected by acclamation. Mr. Owen seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

 

IV.    REVIEW OF MUTUAL CONCERNS AND COMMISSIONERS� REPORTS

There were none.

 

V. APPROVAL OF TREASURER�S REPORT FOR JUNE & JULY

Mr. Weaver presented the Treasurer�s Report for August. He asked if there were any questions or additions to the report.

Motion: Mr. C. Stewart moved that the Treasurer�s Report for August be approved as presented. Mr. Owen seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously

VI. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR�S REPORT

Mr. Rundgren reported on the following items:

Grants - EDA Application for Pulaski Tech Center for $600,000 has been filed; EDA Applications for New River Mapping, Workforce Survey , and Revolving Loan Fund have been delayed due to re-routing of funding.

Competitiveness Center Groundbreaking - On September 20^th, Neal Noyes and NRVDC directors held groundbreaking ceremonies for Phase 2 of Competitiveness Center.

Regional Competitiveness Program - The Commission�s Economic Competitiveness Plan will need to be updated by March 2003 in order to continue receiving Regional Competitiveness Partnership funding.

EDA Visit - Tentatively planned for the end of October.

Recognitions - Commissioner Weaver was recognized for over 30 years of service to the Commission, and Commissioners Starnes and Leighton for over 25 years of service.

Metropolitan Planning Organization Designation - Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and parts of Montgomery County are eligible to be designated as MPO areas. The Metropolitan Planning funds are 80% federal, 10% state, and 10% local. These funds are for projects identified in the Long-Range Transportation Plan.

02-08

VII. PUBLIC ADDRESS

There was none.

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

There was none.

IX. NEW BUSINESS

A. Report from Education & Training Committee

Dr. Harvey stated that the Education and Training Committee met to focus on all suggestions at first meeting, setting priorities, and discussing where to get funding. Two components discussed were: (1) ideas for combining academic elite (tri-partnership of VT, RU, and NRCC) to establish a hi-tech center for special training of self-designated students as well as distance learning courses; and (2) training courses for students failing SOLs, high school drop outs and people needing to get GEDs.

Dr. Leighton asked how classes will differ for the elderly and the young. Dr. Harvey stated there would be instructional methodology for the young.

Dr. Harvey stated that the superintendents would like to see those students who do not pass SOLs or have dropped out of school have a place to go where they can be taught a skill, as well as furthering their education.

It was suggested that Mr. Sutphin look into what a charter school would entail.

Mr. Sheffey stated that regional endeavors seem to get funding easier.

Dr. Harvey asked if the Commission wanted the Committee to continue their meetings to discuss alternative schooling and funding issues.

It was the consensus of the members that the Committee continue meeting.

B.    Consideration of Date for the October Meeting

Dr. Leighton stated that the Town of Blacksburg will be co-hosting the annual dinner meeting this year. The Town had originally checked with the German Club, however the only date available was November 8^th; they thought that representation would be good on this date. After further checking, Mr. Rundgren would be out of town and not able to attend. Therefore, the Town then looked into having the meeting at the Donaldson Brown Center on the normal Commission meeting night of Thursday, October 25^th.

Mr. Starnes stated he thought the dinner should be held on the regular meeting date so that Mr. Rundgren could attend, since he was instrumental in setting up the first dinner meeting. It was a consensus that the meeting be held at the Donaldson Brown Center on October 25^th.

02-09

C.  Discussion of Menu of Recommendations

Mr. Rundgren provided the Commissioners with draft recommendations under consideration by the Virginia Rural Prosperity Commission (RPC). He stated that recommendations the Commission offers are a package. No one of the recommendations alone is likely to be a silver bullet. Yet if all of the recommendations are implemented, the odds for success are very promising.

X. COMMONWEALTH INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS

A. Continuation or Renewal Projects (Signed-off by the staff)

1. Safe Drinking Water Act - VA Department of Health

B. Regular Project Review

1. Prices Fork Water System - Montgomery County PSA

2. Installation of Rotating Beam - New River Valley Airport Commission

C. Environmental Project Reviews

1. Parking Lot & Athletic Practice Fields Land Acquisition and Development - Radford University

Chairman Gerald asked if anyone wished to discuss any of the projects separately.

Motion: Mr. Starnes moved that all of the projects be found not in conflict with regional plans, policies, and goals; if any negative comments are received, attach with letter. Mr. Sheffey seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

There being no further business, there was a consensus that the meeting be adjourned.

 ____________________

Fred Gerald, Chairman

New River Valley Planning District Commission

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