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NEW RIVER VALLEY PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION
Minutes of the Commission Meeting
held on March 22, 2001
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 13 members present.
PRESENT: Mr. F. Gerald, Chairman, Floyd County; Mr. S. Weaver, Treasurer, Town of Christiansburg; Mr. D. Burdette, Radford University; Mr. T. Garrett, Town of Narrows; Dr. H. Harvey, City of Radford; Mr. L. Light, Giles County; Mr. J. Lovely, Town of Rich Creek; Mr. T. Owens, Pulaski County; Mr. J. Phillips, Virginia Tech; Mr. J. Sheffey, Pulaski County; Mr. R. Shelor, Town of Floyd; Mr. C. Stewart, Town of Pulaski, Mr. B. Stipes, Town of Christiansburg.
ABSENT: Dr. M. Chandler, Blacksburg; Mr. S. Hall, Virginia Tech; Mrs. E. Janney, Floyd County; Dr. A.T. Leighton, Town of Blacksburg; Dr. J. Moore, Vice-Chairman, Montgomery County; Mrs. A. Perkins, Montgomery County; Dr. J. Randolph, Town of Blacksburg; Mr. H. Spencer, Giles County; Mr. T. Starnes, City of Radford; Mr. S. Stewart, Town of Pearisburg; and Mr. J. Weddle, Town of Pulaski.
II. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY MINUTES
Chairman Gerald asked if there were any questions or additions to the February minutes.
Motion: Mr. Owen moved that the February minutes be approved as presented. Mr. Sheffey seconded the motion.
Action: Motion carried unanimously.
III. CHAIRMAN�S REPORT
Chairman Gerald stated he had nothing to report.
IV. REVIEW OF MUTUAL CONCERNS AND COMMISSIONERS� REPORTS
There were none.
V. TREASURER�S REPORT FOR FEBRUARY
Mr. Weaver presented the Treasurer�s Report for February. He stated that the Commission is still solvent. He asked if there were any questions or additions to the February Report.
Mr. Sheffey asked why there is a negative amount in printing. Mr. Rundgren stated that when the revised budget is complete, the copies category will be reduced and the printing category will be increased. Copies made on the Competitiveness Center copier are reflected as printing because we reimburse the Center for them; and copies made on the PDC copier are reflected as copies.
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Motion: Mr. Sheffey moved that the Treasurer�s Report for February be approved as presented. Mr. C. Stewart seconded the motion.
Action: Motion carried unanimously.
VI. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR�S REPORT
Mr. Rundgren reported on the following items:
1.Website - The PDC�s new website is www.nrvpdc.org
2. ARC Conference - The conference was held in Arlington on March 18-20. The NRVPDC was host for the conference. Workshops held included "technology", "sustainability", "succession", and "tools", Legislative issues included funding of ARC�s regular program for FY 02, $75 million; telecommunications initiative for $15 million which includes internet access, distance learning lags, tele medicine in distressed areas; and reauthorization of ARC. Congressional Awards were given to Zach Wamp, Tennessee and Paul Sarbanes, Maryland; and the John D. Whisman Award was given to Gayle Lawson, Kentucky. Displays from all 13 ARC states highlighted Appalachian issues, successful and important projects, and challenges.
Mr. Stipes asked if the $75 million funding from ARC is per year. Mr. Rundgren indicated that it is per year for 5 years.
3. NRV Tourism Strategic Plan - The plan looks at "what do we want to see in place in ten years". Items included a regional conference center, themed regional signage, unified marketing strategy, regional visitor center network, system of theme trails, enhanced cultural attractions, preserved and protected character & environment, annual New River festival, improved river utilization, tourism sensitive economic development, ample services for visitors, and new attractions compatible to the area. Next meeting of committee, March 26, New River Community College, 10:00-2:00.
4. Workforce Investment Board Strategic Plan - The Board�s draft vision statement is "to support the development of a well-trained, well-educated workforce that is flexible to meet changing demands".
5. New River Access Project - EDA asked the PDC to put together a project to include four elements: Radford Access & Information, New River Center Access & River Camping, Whitt Riverbend Park Development, and Education Materials/Mapping. The EDA grant amount could be up to $570,000; matching funds could be a combination of acquisition of land and/or cash match from regional competitiveness fund.
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VII. PUBLIC ADDRESS
There was none.
VIII. OLD BUSINESS
There was none.
IX. NEW BUSINESS
1. Consideration of Transportation Grant Resolution
Mr. Rundgren stated that transportation was ranked one of the top priorities at the last meeting. A regional arterial model is one of the highest priority non-construction transportation projects in the New River Valley, He asked that the Commission approve a resolution in support of a rural transportation planning grant proposal developed by the Rural Planning Organization staff.
Motion: Mr. C. Stewart moved to approve the Resolution of Support for A Regional Arterial Model. Mr. Owen seconded the motion.
Action: Motion carried unanimously.
2. Discussion of Establishing an EDA Revolving Loan Fund
Mr. Rundgren stated that Neal Noyes encouraged the PDC to establish a revolving loan program with funding up to $500,000 from EDA. A small portion of the required matching funds could be from the Development Corporation�s loan fund. The money could be lent to expanding companies in the region, 40% loan fund with 60% other.
Motion: Mr. C. Stewart moved that the Director pursue the establishment of an EDA Revolving Loan Fund. Mr. Burdette seconded the motion.
Action: Motion carried.
3. Consideration of a Portion of the April Meeting Being Devoted to a Discussion of the Region�s Future
Mr. Rundgren stated that he would like to have a work session at the next meeting so that Commissioners can have input for future projects. There was a consensus that a work session be held at the next meeting.
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4. Determination of Terms of Office for University Members
Mr. Rundgren stated that appointed members serve a three year term but can be reappointed; elected members serve the same term as their elected position. Mr. Rundgren suggested that university members serve the same term as elected members.
Mr. Burdette asked if they could have alternates since their schedules vary.
Motion: Mr. Weaver moved that university members terms run as long as their terms of employment and that they can have alternates attend meetings. Mr. Sheffey seconded the motion.
Action: Motion carried.
Department of Environmental QualityX. COMMONWEALTH INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS
A. Continuation or Renewal Projects (Signed-off by the staff)
FY 2001-2002 Ambient Air Monitoring Program -
B. Regular Project Review
Mount Rogers Planning District Commission1. Workforce Intelligence Survey of the New River & Mount Rogers Regions of Virginia -
C. Environmental Project Review
Department of TransportationTom�s Creek Road Interchange -
VPDES Permit, Pearisburg STP -
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)Reissuance of VPDES Permit, Intermet Corp./Radford Foundry -
DEQChairman Gerald asked if anyone wished to discuss any of the projects separately.
Mr. Sheffey asked if item 1 under regular project review is the same as last year. Mr. Rundgren stated that it is not. As this survey gets done and is detailed, it will be a tool that should be good across the board.
Mr. Shelor asked if it is a survey of employers. Mr. Rundgren stated that it is a single point of registry as well as providing information on wages/skills. The survey has an element for registering that will enable everyone to put down information about education and capabilities.
Dr. Harvey stated she feels the WIA Board�s direction is toward training individuals for work first. She�d like to see the region take a position that WIA money be used to retrain workforce who already have jobs but would like to move up, not just finding jobs for retrained individuals.
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____________________Motion: Mr. Stipes moved that all projects be found not in conflict with regional plans, policies, and goals. Mr. Burdette seconded the motion.
Action: Motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business, there was a consensus that the meeting be adjourned.
Fred
Gerald, ChairmanNew
River Valley Planning District Commission
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