01-05

NEW RIVER VALLEY PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION

Minutes of the Commission Meeting

held on August 24, 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 12 members present.

PRESENT: Mr. F. Gerald, Chairman, Floyd County; Mr. D. Burdette, Radford University; Dr. H. Harvey, City of Radford; Mrs. E. Janney, Floyd County; Dr. A.T. Leighton, Town of Blacksburg; Dr. J. Moore, Vice Chairman, Montgomery County; Mrs. A. Perkins, Montgomery County; Mr. J. Sheffey, Pulaski County; Mr. Robert Shelor, Town of Floyd; Mr. T. Starnes, Radford; Mr. C. Stewart, Town of Pulaski; and Mr. S. Stewart; Town of Pearisburg;.

ABSENT: Mr. G. Eaton, Town of Rich Creek; Mr. Tom Garrett, Town of Narrows; Mr. S. Hall, Virginia Tech; Mr. L. Light, Giles County; Mr. J. Morgan, Pulaski County; Mr. J. Phillips, Virginia Tech; Dr. J. Randolph, Town of Blacksburg; Mr. H. Spencer, Giles County; Mr. B. Stipes, Town of Christiansburg; Mr. S. Weaver, Treasurer, Town of Christiansburg; and Mr. J. Weddle, Town of Pulaski.

II. APPROVAL OF JULY MINUTES

Mr. Gerald asked if there were any questions or additions to the July minutes.

Motion: Mr. Sheffey moved that the June minutes be approved as presented. Mr. Starnes seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

III. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Mr. Gerald stated that he had nothing to report.

IV. REVIEW OF MUTUAL CONCERNS AND COMMISSIONER'S REPORTS

There were none.

V. TREASURER'S REPORT FOR JULY

Chairman Gerald asked if there were any questions or additions to the July Treasurer�s Report.

Motion: Mr. Starnes moved that the Treasurer's Report be approved. Mr. Sheffey seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

01-06

VI. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR�S REPORT

Mr. Rundgren reported on the following items.

Unemployment

June unemployment in the District has risen from 3.5% to 3.8% with 3,089 persons reported as unemployed. It significantly rose in Floyd County (4.8% to 8.3%) because of a number of plant closings. Giles County significantly went down from 7.0% to 4.7%.

Regional Projects

New River Foreign Trade Zone & User Fee Airport - Customs Agent now on site. There have been 722 formal entries and $60 million in value cleared. The Alliance is in the process of hiring an International Marketing Manager.

Commerce Park - three phases to include 326 acres for Phase I, 200 acres for Phase II, and 480 acres for Phase III.

Floyd Industrial Park - EDA Grant Applicant under review. Water and Sewer RD Loan, support for Jacksonville Center and Industrial Park development.

Workforce Investment Act - although very complex, area still ahead and working to establish processes. Joe Sheffey and the Local Government Consortium are to be commended for their diligent work on this project.

Disability Services Board - staff evaluated handicapped access to the District�s poling places, prepared a brochure, and distributed ADA guidelines.

Pretrial Program - program development authorized for regional jail localities, consideration being given to jail based vs community based program.

New River Valley Magnet School of Information Technology - training for previously unavailable workforce; seeking construction funds; coordinating with Southwest Virginia�s Governor�s School.

Juvenile Detention - home authorized to undertake construction; regional project still under review.

Department of Social Services Needs Assessment Issues - needs assessment has been conducted with each jurisdiction. Partners for Self-sufficiency is the title the Directors are using for their joint efforts.

New River Access Project - the PDC will serve as applicant to EDA; five project elements (portage at Claytor Lake, Radford Access, Pulaski Access/Camping, Whitt Riverbend, educational materials and mapping.

New River Valley Competitiveness Center - 20,000 sq.ft. expansion, EDA grant being reviewed for $2,000,000.

01-07

Transitional Housing - community development block grant received by Women�s Resource Center, contract awarded, site work complete, and construction underway.

Jacksonville Center - Craft/Business Incubator, awarded incubator grant of $250,000, application sent to RD for $98,000.

Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) Conference - to be held March 2001 in Washington D.C.; PDC staff will be host for the conference and have started working on details and plans for the conference. The theme will be "Tools, Resources, and Strategies for Prosperity in Appalachia. There will be display booths of representative economic products from each district.

Route 177 Corridor Study Update - draft plan update to be reviewed at public meeting on September 21^st.

Small Urban Area Transportation Plans - for Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Pulaski, Radford, Narrows and Pearisburg; and looking toward MPO for Blacksburg-Christiansburg.

IX. NEW BUSINESS

A. New River-Highlands RC & D Report by Joe Gorman

Mr. Gorman stated that the RC&D appreciated the PDC�s support. He stated that there are 6 soil conservation districts in the 3 pdcs served by the RC&D. He reported on the National Historic River concept - land management for grazing, water quality in the NRV and NC. Grant monies available to framers who need equipment to pump water from streams to ponds and to dig ponds.

B. Presentation By Mary Schnitzer Concerning the Development of Christansburg Institute as an Historical Site

Jacqueline Eaves, Elaine Carter, and Mary Schnitzer each provided background information about the Christiansburg Institute site with a slide show, and spoke of their plans to preserve the Institute and renovate the Edgar A. Long building located at the site. They asked the Commission to think about endorsing reopening the CI, partner in construction of site and assist in seeking funding.

Mr. Starnes suggested that this item be placed on next month�s agenda to review a letter of support.

Chairman Gerald thanked them for their presentation.

VII. PUBLIC ADDRESS

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

VIII. OLD BUSINESS

There was none.

01-08

X. COMMONWEALTH INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS

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

Chairman Gerald stated that the continuation/renewal projects signed-off by the staff were:

1. FY 2001 Underground Storage Tank Program

2. FY 2001 106 Water Pollution Control Program

3. FY 2001 106 Ground Water Protection Program

4. FY 2001 Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program

5. FY 2001 Water Quality Management Planning Program

6. FY 2001 105 Air Pollution Control Program

7. FY 2001 Hazardous Waste Management Program

8. FY 2001 Superfund Support Agency Cooperative Agreement

(Above projects submitted by DEQ)

9. Pesticide Performance Partnership Federal Grant - Dept of Agricultural & Consumer Services

B. Regular Project Review

There are no regular projects for review

C. Environmental Project Review

1. VPDES Permit Reissuance - Town of Christiansburg

Chairman Gerald asked if anyone wanted to discuss the environmental project.

Motion: Mr. Sheffey moved that this project be found not in conflict with regional plans, policies, or goals, if no negative comments are received. Mr. Starnes seconded the motion.

Action: Motion carried unanimously.

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