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NEW RIVER VALLEY PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION

Minutes of the Commission Meeting

held on December 14, 2000

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

I. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL

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

PRESENT: Mr. F. Gerald, Chairman, Floyd County; Mr. D. Burdette, Radford University; Dr. H. Harvey, City of Radford; Mr. T. Garrett, Town of Narrows; Mrs. E. Janney, Floyd County; Dr. A.T. Leighton, Town of Blacksburg; Dr. J. Moore, Vice Chairman, Montgomery County; Mr. T. Owen, Pulaski County; Mrs. A. Perkins, Montgomery County; Mr. J. Sheffey, Pulaski County; Mr. R. Shelor, Town of Floyd; Mr. T. Starnes, Radford; Mr. S. Weaver, Treasurer, Town of Christiansburg; and Mr. J. Weddle, Town of Pulaski.

ABSENT: Mr. J. Lovely, Town of Rich Creek; Mr. S. Hall, Virginia Tech; Mr. L. Light, Giles County; Mr. J. Phillips, Virginia Tech; Dr. J. Randolph, Town of Blacksburg; Mr. H. Spencer, Giles County; Mr. C. Stewart, Town of Pulaski; Mr. S. Stewart, Town of Pearisburg; and Mr. B. Stipes, Town of Christiansburg.

Chairman Gerald thanked the PDC staff for the refreshments which they provided prior to the meeting. He then had the staff to introduce themselves.

II. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER MINUTES

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

Motion: Mr. Weaver moved that the October minutes be approved as presented. Mr. Starnes seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

III. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Weaver stated that the Executive Committee met and discussed per capita rates for the 2001-2002 fiscal year. The Committee is recommending the rate be set at 73 cents per capita using the new 1998 population estimates. Mr. Weaver stated that State and Federal grant funding to the PDC has to be matched 50/50. The PDC's survival is based on these grants. However, the grant amounts usually do not increase therefore salary increases have to be covered with local monies.

Mr. Shelor asked how much is the State grant? Mr. Rundgren stated, $98,000, which is used to match local grants.

Mr. Starnes stated that when the City goes through the funding process, salaries are dealt with separately, but it's not that way with the PDC.

Dr. Leighton stated that when he does grant applications, salary and benefits are included.

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Mr. Rundgren agreed that salaries and benefits are included, however the grants still have to be matched therefore taking away from non-grant supported salaries.

Motion: Mr. Starnes moved that the Executive Committee's recommendation of 73 cents per capita rate on the 1998 population estimates for FY 01-02 be approved. Mr. Sheffey seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

IV. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Chairman Gerald stated that he had nothing to report.

V. REVIEW OF MUTUAL CONCERNS AND COMMISSIONER'S REPORTS

Mr. Sheffey stated that the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors is wrestling with approval of cell phone towers. Our board thought maybe this could be looked at on a regional basis, and the PDC could send letters to county administrators/town-city managers for input to do a study to determine how many towers are actually needed. The board felt this is something each jurisdiction will have to deal with in the immediate future. Mr. Starnes agreed; he stated the City has been dealing with the same issue. Ms. Perkins stated that Montgomery County is working with Christiansburg and Blacksburg on is this issue and have hired a consultant. Dr. Leighton stated that VDOT has right-of-ways all over the State and are considering offering land to companies to build these towers. Ms. Perkins stated that the Commission on Transportation said they could put the towers where they want and if you don't want to be a part of it, then you won't have the communication capabilities.

It was the consensus that PDC staff send letter to jurisdictions asking their input for a regional approach.

VI. TREASURER'S REPORT FOR OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

Mr. Weaver presented the Treasurer's Report for October and November.

He stated everything is on schedule and asked if there were any questions or additions to the Treasurer's Reports.

Motion: Mr. Sheffey moved that the October and November Treasurer's Reports be approved. Mr. Weddle seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

VII. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Mr. Rundgren reported on the following items.

VAPDC Winter Conference - The Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions will hold their winter meeting on February 7 in Richmond; an agenda has not been finalized.

Grants - Governor Gilmore announced that the New River Valley Development Corporation will be granted $250,000 to help with the 20,000 square foot expansion of the Competitiveness Center.

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VDOT announced secondary road surface treatment projects in Giles (14 mi.), Montgomery (12 mi.),

Pulaski (23 mi.), and Floyd (87; mi.).

Chmura Report - Commissioners were provided with a copy of the Chmura Report which provides an overview of the New Century Region Economy.

Rural Virginia Prosperity Commission - On November 21^st, Commission staff provided pre-hearing workshop assistance to the Prosperity Commission, with an attendance of 21 people.

Workforce Investment Board - WIB is engaged in a significant plan preparation activity as required, and is bidding for one-stop operations.

Dr. Harvey stated that she has seen so many of the people in this system come through the door with bad attitudes and poor attendance. If they to not attend class, we drop them which lowers their welfare.

Mr. Rundgren stated the one-stop system is not only for the unemployed but anyone wanting assistance. The one-stop operators have a set of rules to go by and a process to go through to be eligible to access Workforce Investment Act funds.

Mr. Sheffey stated that there should be a process of evaluation, at the end of a year if you haven't done what you're suppose to, you're no longer in the program.

Mr. Rundgren stated that the one-stop operator should be charged with seeing that the participants follow through with the training; if the one-stop fails to monitor progress, then the operator should be re-evaluated.

Dr. Harvey stated she would like to know the exact guidelines. Mr. Rundgren stated that the Virginia Employment Commission is in charge of the WIA and will share the guidelines.

Rural Transportation Planning - The program will be continued and will be more focused with VDOT being more involved. PDC 4 is at the top in the ARC region.

Staff Changes - Cindy Miller, Criminal Justice Planner, has taken a part-time position with New River Community College; however, she will be continuing to work with the PDC on a part-time basis until June. Jan Reynolds, Information Systems Manager, will no longer have reception duties, she will be concentrating on information management and preparing for 2000 Census data. Kim Alger has been hired to be Office Manager and take over some of Jan's duties. Shawn Utt has been hired as a regional planners who will focus on Disability Services and grant writing.

VIII. PUBLIC ADDRESS

Mr. Gerald stated that there was no one in the audience to address an agenda item.

IX. OLD BUSINESS

A. Consideration of Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail Resolution

Mr. Rundgren stated that this item was tabled at the October meeting for more information. The project has a budget of approximately $100,000, and has been supported by the Prosperity Commission. Existing roadways will be used, and the sites will be nominated by individuals and jurisdictions.

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Motion: Mr. Starnes moved to approve the resolution of support for this project. Dr. Burdette seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

X. NEW BUSINESS

A. Approval of FY 99-00 Audit

Mr. Rundgren stated that audit had only been finalized this week; if everyone would like to have extra time for review, it could be tabled until the next meeting.

Motion: Mr. Weaver moved to table approval of the audit until the next meeting. Mr. Sheffey seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

B. Report on Prosperity Commission Hearing

Mr. Rundgren stated he covered this under the Executive Director's Report

XI. COMMONWEALTH INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS

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

1. Wetlands Protection Development Grants Program - DEQ

2. FY 2001 State Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Program - DEQ

B. Regular Project Review

There are none.

C. Environmental Project Review

1. Lane Stadium Expansion - VPI & SU

Chairman Gerald asked if anyone wanted to discuss this project.

Motion: Dr. Burdette moved that the project be found not in conflict with regional plans, policies, or goals. Dr. Harvey seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned by unanimous approval.

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