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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-09March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page l) 0000 A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held on March 9, 1994, at 7:00 P.M., Room 7, County Office Building, McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. PRESENT: Mr. David P. Bowerman, Mrs. Charlotte Y. Humphris, Mr. Charles S. Martin, Mr. Walter F. Perkins and Mrs. Sally H. Thomas. ABSENT: Mr. Forrest R. Marshall, Jr. OFFICERS PRESENT: County Executive, Robert W. Tucker, Jr., County Attorney, George R. St. John, and County Planner, V. Wayne Cilimberg. Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:03 P.M., by the Chairman, Mr. Walter F. Perkins. Agenda Item No. 2. Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda Item No. 3. Moment of Silence. Agenda Item No. 4. Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from the Public. There were none. Mr. Perkins announced that Mr. Marshall is having some medical tests which could not be rescheduled, so is not able to attend the meeting tonight. He also announced that the applicant for ZMA-93-20 had a medical emergency and requested that the public hearing on the petition be deferred to April 14, 1994. Agenda Item No. 5. Consent Agenda. Motion was offered by Mr. Bowerman, seconded by Mrs. Thomas, to accept the items on the consent agenda as informa- tion. Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Mr. Marshall. Item 5.1. Copy of Planning Commission minutes for February 8, February 15, and March 1, 1994, received as information. Item 5.2. Letter dated February 22, 1994, providing notice of applica- tion by CSX Transportation, Inc., filed with the State Corporation Commission for authority to consolidate existing agency service at Richmond, Virginia, into its Customer Service Center at Jacksonville, Florida, received as information. Item 5.3. Letter dated February 10, 1994, from Jacqueline Lockwood, Community Reinvestment Act Officer, Crestar Bank, re: Public Disclosure Report from a Community Reinvestment Act compliance examination for Crestar Bank, received as information. Agenda Item No. 6. Public Hearing to receive comments from the public on the 1994-95 COUNTY BUDGET before beginning Board work sessions. (Adver- tised in the Daily Progress on February 21 and February 28, 1994.) Mr. Tucker summarized the proposed 1994-95 County Budget, and completed his speech by adding the following comments: Additional revenues projected for FY 1994-95 total approximately $5.0 million, a five percent increase over FY 1993-94. Funding is allocated for School Debt Service at $6.4 million, an increase of $750,000 to cover the construction costs of the Sutherland Middle School. The City-County Revenue Sharing Agreement is funded at $4.5 million, a $155,844 increase. New revenue allocations from the Board of Supervisors totaled $2.38 million, a four percent increase. The allocation was split 60 percent ($1.43 million) for Schools and 40 percent ($0.95 million) for Local (General) Government. This budget is balanced within those resources. Baseline operations for governmental departments are basically level funded. Existing service levels will be maintained. A reduction in FY 1994-95 budget requests for General Government totaled $1.5 million, approximately $1.1 million in unfunded baseline and expanded departmental requests and $400,000 in unfunded agency requests. All Community Agencies were equally funded at a two percent increase over FY 1993-94 levels. Agency requests for new or expanded programs were not funded. (Page 2) · The total Operating Budget is within the stated goal of maintain- ing operational increases below the combined level of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and growth. Market analysis shows that salaries of County employees will be between four and five percent below market by July, 1994. A two and one-half percent salary scale adjustment for all teachers and classified employees is proposed. A survey in December showed that Albemarle County falls far below the average employer contribution to the cost of their employee's health coverage. For FY 1994-95, a five percent increase in the County's share of individual employee coverage is recommended. This is in addition to a projected twenty percent increase in annual premium costs. To fully fund current employee benefits, the budget includes substantial increases in payments for retirement benefits (six percent), worker's compensation (30 percent), and reinstatement of the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) life insurance payment. There are 37 new teaching/bus driver/maintenance positions pro- posed for funding in the School Division budget. Only one position, a sign technician to maintain the road sign program (no longer maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation, VDoT), has been recommended for funding in Local (General) Government. This position is fully offset with revenues collected from the E-911 surcharge. The FY 1994-95 Budget provides for replacement vehicles at a cost of $197,000 over the current year, which should bring the annual funding up to the level required for a five-year replacement cycle. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state environmental mandates for groundwater monitoring at landfills require an increase of $80,000 over the FY 1993-94 appropriation for the now closed Keene Landfill. Mr. Tucker said the largest portion of expenditures is for the Schools (65 percent) plus Debt Service (six percent) for a combined funding of 71 percent of total expenditures being for schools. The next largest percentage is for Public Safety at seven percent, and the next largest is Human Develop- ment at five percent. The rest of the categories of operations are less than five percent each. Mr. Tucker noted that the School Board presented an unbalanced budget this year showing a $2.1 million shortfall. They have requested funds for the following priorities: maintaining the current student/teacher ratios; providing elementary and middle school curriculum revision for grades K-8; funding for opening of the new Sutherland Middle School; growth costs for the 286 additional students projected for FY 1994-95; market competitive salaries and health benefits for teachers and classified employees. Mr. Tucker then went over some funding options he has proposed to the Board of Supervisors. After making a few opening remarks, Mr. Perkins opened the public hearing. Dr. Charles Ward, first to speak, is the parent of children at Henley Middle School and Western Albemarle High School. He supports the School Board for sending an unbalanced budget this year, and supports funding the total School budget including the unfinanced requests which he feels are needed and not just wanted. He wants the instructional student/teacher ratio of 22:1 to be protected to provide quality education. Also, replacing only three school buses a year will lead to buses over twenty years old. At Henley and Western, a "trailer city" is being built, the number going from five to eight next school year. This has been caused by real increases in the number of students and not just to statistics. Dr. Ward said the Supervisors need to exercise leadership to fairly find revenues to support the full needs of the School System. To avoid future budget surprises, he asked that the Supervisors work closer with the School Board to get back to long term planning. Mr. Tom Mabry said he supports full funding for public education in Albemarle County. He then gave a short summary of his family history and said that hard work and access to public education has moved each generation up the economic ladder. Unless the Supervisors provide full funding for public education, the present generation and those to follow will be denied that opportunity. The three "R's" are important, but the basics of education have changed and today's students need more. Development of critical thinking skills is essential. The global marketplace demands that students speak more than just English and have a thorough knowledge of world history and cultures. Competency with computers and other information technologies is paramount. Mr. Mabry said that contrary to what might be said tonight, the School Budget is not a wish list, it is a needs list. Items which he feels are critical to March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting) 00006'~ (Page 3) education have been left out °f~e¥'~~re~ised curriculum has yet to be implemented. Textbook adoptions continue to go unfunded; telecommunication links to the information super highway have yet to be joined; programs for the gifted in the middle and high schools are understaffed. Student/teacher ratios are not what are advertised. Staff positions like librarians, physical education and resource teachers are calculated in the formula used to compute the ratios. A sign above the entrance door at Greer states "we expect success", and full funding of the budget is necessary for any chance of fulfilling that promise to the kids. Ms. Kathy Welch was present to speak for full funding of the Schools budget. In the interest of time, she yielded her time to the remaining speakers. Mr. Sam Kaplan said some members of the Board of Supervisors believe the County should preserve its rural tradition, while.others wish to attract new businesses. It would be inconsistent to welcome growth and yet be unwilling to pay for the services the newcomers will require. In response to those who suggest that there is fat in the School Budget, he said there are two facts to remember. 1) The School Board made an across-the-board cut in the Superinten- dent's proposal before forwarding it to the County Executive. 2) The percent- age of total education costs represented by administrative costs has declined every year since Mr. Paskel arrived as Superintendent. The percentage is so low that Albemarle ranks ll2th out of 135 school divisions. Mr. Kaplan said there is no one present tonight who likes higher taxes, but many have come tonight prepared to ask the Supervisors to raise the tax rate as much as a nickel to cover the School Board deficit. He then asked those present in support of this statement to stand (more than 200 people stood). (A complete copy of Mr. Kaplan's speech is on file in the Clerk's Office.) Mr. Rollins Stanton said he has no children in the County school system. He is not part of a tax reform or tax reduction group. He is a concerned citizen who believes there is a difference between needs and wants and that there is a reality in making trade-offs. The unbalanced budget provided to the Supervisors had one purpose in mind, shock value. They did not try to identify an implementable operating budget, but rather to send the message "there is not enough money to do what we want to do." Mr. Stanton asked if the Supervisors would be surprised to know that the budget presented did not start with the current Year actuals as a basis, or, for that matter, a deep look at the budget from last year. He is sure that a lot of the line items in the budget are required, and he would not be sur- prised after analyzing all of the components of the budget, that there is not more revenue needed to fund the schools. He has no problem in paying higher taxes if that is required, but he feels there is a risk in accepting the School Budget as it stands because it was not put together properly. Mr. Stanton then suggested that Cost Centers 2100, 2115 and 2432 be checked thor- oughly and gave many examples to prove his theory. (A complete copy of Mr. Stanton's speech is on file in the Clerk's Office.) Mr. James Farmer said he is in favor of the unbalanced budget. He has an autistic son who goes to Murray Elementary. His son is in the inclusion program and was in special education last year. His son has to have a helper in the schools, and a helper on the bus, and Mr. Farmer knows that he costs a great deal more than other students. He does not believe there can be any cuts in special education. Using the disabilities act, he could ask the County to pay for alternative education for his son (probably in Winchester, Virginia, at a cost of $96,000 per year). He asks that special education not be made a sacrifice on the alter of fiscal responsibility. The schools have done much better than the Kluge Rehab Center, the University of Virginia, or anywhere else. There must be quality education. "If we don't have good schools, why would anybody want to live here, why would anybody want to move here, where are we gonna get the jobs to pay for anything else. Schools come first." Ms. Sara Reynolds, President of the Albemarle Education Association, said they support the School Board in presenting the Supervisors with an unbalanced budget. It is a statement that the schools cannot effectively do what is expected with the funding available. The Schools have had to cut programs in order to balance the bottom line. The school system has had to absorb growth and fund it out of the operational budget. Why should the schools have to sacrifice the existing in order to support the new? Will current education programs meet the children's needs in the 21st century? Education must be Albemarle County's top priority, even if it means reordering some other priorities in government in order to address education. (A complete copy of Mrs. Reynolds' speech is on file in the Clerk's Office.) Mr. Dayton Haugh said he was present to represent the Jefferson Country Fire and Rescue Association. He asked that all volunteer fire and rescue people present stand (about 70 people). They had come to support the budget recommendations of the County Executive. He said they desperately need the increase in funding. Inflation has soared, and they also have a steady increase in the calls for service. Since 1971, East Rivanna has had a 14 percent, per year increase in the number of calls. Because of the increase in the cost of a fire engine, the volunteers can no longer pay cash for new equipment, but must borrow from the County's Advance Allocation Fund. The March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting.) 0000~ (Page 4) amount of money they:receive~frOm ~'~al allocation each year is reduced by the payback on this fund, so there are fewer and fewer actual dollars available for operating budgets each year. In addition, OsHAandNati°nal Fire Protection Association requirements have created the need for additional training. Mr. Maugh also discussed other costs associated with the volunteers and said they must spend time working bingo games or raising funds rather than training or doing maintenance on the equipment and apparatus. Fund drives - for the last couple of years have remained level or gone down. Income for the companies that rely on bingo dropped after institution of the Lottery in Virginia. For this reason, they are in desperate need of funds, and urge funding in at least the amount recommended by the County Executive. In fact, they recommend funding the entire unfunded amount shown in the budget summary, an additional $63,000. Ms. Cindy Brashear said she has three children in the public schools. She hates government waste. She does want the Supervisors to fully fund the school budget. In the past few years, she has become concerned that budget tightening measures are diminishing the quality of education this community offers. She appreciates the School Board's and the Superintendent's efforts to root out waste and get the most out of tax dollars. When the School Board gives the Supervisors a budget and says there is not enough money to maintain programs and support the 200+ new students next year, they are not being frivolous. Dr. Paskel is a tightwad of a Superintendent. Ms. Brashear said funding for public schools is unfair because it is paid for by a grossly inequitable system based on property taxes. It's inequitable because wealthier localities have more to spend than their less affluent neighbors, but that is what we've got, and the responsibility falls right in the laps of the Supervisors. Responsibility does not mean raising the tax rate to come up with the necessary revenue. It is much more far reaching; it means tax reform, specifically the land use issue. Ms. Brashear said she gets enraged when people claim it is unfair when their tax money is spent on public schools because they have no school age children. This attitude is at best short-sighted, and at worst, stupid and dangerous. Education is not a commodity. Money spent on education is an investment in everyone's future. (A copy of Mrs. Brashear's full speech is on file on the Clerk's Office.) Ms. Pam Moran, Chairperson of the Albemarle Principals' Association, was next to speak. She asked those persons in the audience who also support the fire departments and rescue squads to raise their hands (the majority of those in the audience did so). She said the Principals' Association supports full funding of the unbalanced budget as proposed by the School Board. In several recent years, the School Board faithfully balanced its budget by using the strategy of absorbing growth and holding cost centers constant despite inflation. This strategy no longer works. Ms. Moran said in 1988, eight children could be sent to school or three high school graduates to college for the cost of keeping one human in prison for a year. A recent study reported in a local newspaper showed that the most significant deterrent to a criminal returning to prison for another crime was whether he or she became educated while in prison. Most incarcerated crimi- nals are drop-outs. She quoted Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Barber and ended by saying that a democracy represents not just rights but responsibilities. As a citizenry, we have perhaps become more focused on our rights then responsibilities. (A copy of Ms. Moran's full speech is on file in the Clerk's Office.) Mr. Mike Mallahan, Neighborhood Watch Coordinator for Flordon Subdivi- sion, spoke next. He said that at the recent University/City/County visioning forum, residents named crime as their number one fear. He thanked the Super- visors for their commitment to public safety and encouraged them to respond to this citizen concern about crime and violence by adequately funding the needs of the Police Department. He said there has always been an emphasis placed on the student/teacher ratio in Albemarle County, but emphasis needs to also be placed on the police officer/citizen ratio. He urged the Supervisors to expand financial support of the Police Department and to maintain public safety as a priority issue for the community. As important as quality education is for students, kids cannot learn and excel in an environment that is frightening and threatening to them. An investment in the safety and security of the community benefits all who live and work in Albemarle County. Mr. Ed Strauss said he lives in the western part of the county. He did not know this was School Board night. He came to listen about the County budget. Seventy percent of that budget (counting Debt Service) goes to the schools. He would have a lot of nerve to come before the Supervisors and ask for 70 percent of every tax dollar. He has heard people refer to fairness and -- responsibility, and they all have quotes from Thomas Jefferson, but how much do these people want? Will it make everybody's children smart? He heard competitive wages mentioned, and asked what percent of County employees do not live in the County. Are there opportunities for people in this community who are highly educated? The University cannot hire but so many people. Their salaries are being cut, they are consolidating to try and save money. There will be a tax increase in 1995 from the reassessment, and revenues will not fall short. He believes that 75 percent or more of the landowners will pay more and that is a tax increase. March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 5) Mr. Strauss said he polled a couple of children he knows and they did not know there is an election for Senator coming up. Is that responsibility? There is still a police department and a sheriff's department. If more officers are needed on the road, they should be consolidated. Why is there a duplicate command structure? In reference to the sign technician position at $15,000+, Mr. Strauss said Mr. Tucker, in a letter dated July 29, 1992, indicated that it would cost approximately $15,000/year for sign maintenance. Is that a $15,000 salary plus another $15,0007 If so, and it costs that much to maintain the signs, the County has bought the wrong signs. What is the point? What is quality education? His mother is 87 and she really would like to know what she could have done to save her child. If the Supervisors think money will do it, they should spend their own money. Ms. Diane Behrens, Principal at Agnor-Hurt Elementary School, spoke next. She said Albemarle County has accepted the challenge of providing quality education. A look at the curriculum has helped in developing some guides for a new scope and sequence that was mandated by the School Board. Money does not cure the ills of public education without change. Change costs because teachers have to be in-serviced and they must be educated to provide for the children. Materials costs. The County could do less and be okay, but it needs to do more because it becomes increasingly harder to survive in this world without an excellent education. No longer is good enough acceptable. Ms. Behrens said she feels the citizens in Albemarle County can afford a more than adequate education for the children while holding the leaders accountable for using that money wisely. Ms. Sue Likowski, representing the Western Albemarle High School PTO, spoke next. She moved to the County four years ago because they felt public input was taken on more than politics. They have been amazed at how it seems to work, and hopes the Supervisors will listen to the citizens tonight. It appears that the Supervisors seriously consider the use of public funds, and do not just throw them away. Now, the School Board has come and cried "help", and Dr. Paskel, who is a bigger skinflint then most of us, has really "sucked it down" and said there may be unnecessary expenses. She feels the School Board has cleaned up its act and tried to provide the Supervisors with quality education, but they are saying that they cannot do it anymore within the resources allotted. Ms. Likowski asked that all the money not be put into just one category (education; police; fire departments). She asked that the Supervisors take care of this community and make it what she moved here for and what all really enjoy. She said it's "neat that we can all come here and talk to you, and we all feel you are going to listen to us. Put education up there, and don't make it a priority, just make the County a priority." Mr. Gary Grant said he has lived in and paid taxes in Albemarle County since 1986. He is present to speak on behalf of the Virginia Discovery Museum. Mr. Grant then gave several examples of children and adults who had helped with the Museum. He said he knows "money does not grow on trees", but he hopes Albemarle County will see fit to do its part by restoring to the Museum $13,145 out of the County's $101.0 million proposed budget for 1994-95. Mr. Marshall Chase said he is a concerned citizen, and also a third grade teacher at Stony Point Elementary School. He came to speak on behalf of eight and nine year olds, people who wield no political powers. He knows the School budget is unbalanced, and that four members of the School Board stood bravely to tell the Supervisors that what they had given was not enough to get the job done right. He knows that raising taxes is risky politics, but on behalf of the children he wants the Supervisors to know the alternative has far greater risks. For some of these children, school is the most loving environment they know. For some of them, the school supplies the only hot meal they eat all day. For some of them, school is a place where no one beats them up. For many, school is their greatest chance to soar to new heights, and to prove themselves in academics, art, music and athletics. For all of them, school is where they are taught what society expects from them. He pleaded with each Supervisor to look deep inside and ask "what is the right thing to do?" Mr. Duane D. Karr lives in Scottsville District, and is an employee with the County Police Department. He understands the dilemma the Supervisors have in the way of revenues and expenditures. On the one hand he would like to have a salary increase, but realizes that on the other hand, that means a tax increase. He noted that during one day last week the Department had 200 calls for services during the middle of the storm. They were expected to answer each one of those calls, as well as doing patrolling, etc. Citizens expect the Police to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, no matter what the weather. He requested full funding of the Police Department so it can provide the level of service that the citizens expect and deserve. Mr. Tim Tolson, was present to represent the Crozet Elementary School PTO. They strongly support the School budget. They do not feel there is any waste or fat to be trimmed from that budget. They ask that the Supervisors fund the budget as presented. They understand that additional revenues might be required, and support whatever measures the Supervisors feel are necessary to generate that revenue. The children deserve a good education, and have been getting one in Albemarle County, but that can't continue if the growth in the County is not funded. Spend the money now on education, or spend it later on social services, police, jails and treatment centers. They urge the Supervisors to support the children's education today. Don't sell them short. March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting) 000064 (Page 6) Mr. Bob Paskel said he was present to express thanks to a couple of groups and extend invitations to a couple of other groups. The Schools Director of Fiscal Services suffered a near fatal injury a couple of weeks ago, so he expressed thanks to Mr. Tucker and his staff for helping the Schools staff in an extemely busy time of the year, and also for the assis- tance they have promised to give during this period of time. Thank those present who support quality education, and who stand for strong schools and - great opportunities for kids. To those who have questions about what is being done in the schools, he invites them to ask those questions. To those who would be critics, he asks them to visit the schools and observe the outstand- ing teachers, and students and faculty that are interacting in the buildings the Supervisors provide. Ms. Page Amory said she has three children in the County school system. She graduated from Western Albemarle High School, and it was a great educa- tion. She had been to private schools previously, and she begged her parents to go to public schools, and she is grateful for that opportunity. She wants to give her children the same opportunity. Ms. Martha Harris, a resident of the White Hall District, spoke next. Ms. Harris wished to address the unbalanced schools budget. This budget seems irresponsible in the current economic times, and in a period when numerous companies are downsizing. She has been a resident of Albemarle County for 18 1/2 years and has had three children graduate from County schools. These children have gone on to college, and because of their early education now have challenging careers. Although she values a quality education, she also values fiscal responsibility. She was incensed by the lack of fiscal prudence on the part of the School Board in presenting this unbalanced budget. She is a CPA and decided to analyze this preliminary operating budget document rather than just complain, and to establish that her initial impression was correct. This determination was strengthened when she was told by School Board member William Finley that the School Board did not examine the proposed 1994-95 budget line item by line item, or that the 1993-94 year-to-date actual expenses were not reviewed, or the 1992-93 actual expenses were not reviewed to determine how realistic the actual expenses were to the budget amounts. Ms. Harris said she went through a line item by line item examination of this budget and prepared an analysis which she sent directly to members of the Board of Supervisors. The items listed confirm her initial opinion that this budget is not fiscally responsible. In addition to the items listed, she asked why one enrollment figure is used for income projections (10,622), and a larger figure used for expense projections (10,867). She asked how valid the enrollment projection for 1994-95 is when that for 1993-94 was approximately one-half of the projected number. When all increases for compensation, two and one-half percent for scale, teacher scale movement, vesting, pay for performance, the average compensation increase recommended for Albemarle County employees is 4.21 percent and not the 2.5 percent published. Albemarle County pays $60.00 per year for each employee for dental insurance for a total of $91,388, a benefit which few employers pay for their employees. Addition- ally, why is life insurance coverage also added as a benefit in a year already loaded with extraordinary expenses? One of the Supervisors told her the County's insurance is so good that he dropped the coverage with his employer because his company could not afford to offer the benefits of that insurance. As to being competitive with salaries of other regions, last year in the elementary schools there were 297 applications for 45 vacancies, in the middle schools there were 93 applications for 22 vacancies, and in the high schools, there were 221 for 26 vacancies. Ms. Harris thanked the Supervisors for their consideration tonight. As to increasing taxes, that is not in question this year, however, what will the future bring if this type of budgeting is approved and never really ques- tioned? She said there can be quality education with prudent and conscien- tious management of what is best and needed for our children's education. Mr. Gary Taylor was present to speak on behalf of the Virginia Discovery Museum. He said the majority of those present seem to be talking about education, about children, about investment, and about the future of the community. He said that while the public school system needs support, people learn in different ways and at different times. The Discovery Museum meets the need of providing an alternative means of education for our children. They encourage hands-on learning, and creative learning about the world around us. Their admissions since 1990 rose from 26,000 to nearly 43,000 last year with no increases in staff. They maintain a very tight budget, and face some large decreases in revenues this coming year with the end of the Perry Foundation grant. The current proposed budget also represents a 64 percent decrease in funding from the County. They don't feel that is fair or appro- - priate and ask that the Supervisors reconsider that amount. Ms. Joan Eastrom said she is a resident of the County. She has no children in the County School System, but supports the Schools budget, She thinks the School Board has shown extreme courage in submitting the unbalanced budget, and she urged the Supervisors to fund it. Ms. Peppy G. Linden, Director of the Virginia Discovery Museum, said at the Museum adults and children learn together. The Museum is open to the public six days a week and open even when the schools are closed. They have March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Mee~ing) 00006S (Page 7) had a 44 percent increase in County school trips since last year. They exist to support families, to support classroom teachers, to support tourists traveling with children. Last year, the Museum attracted visitors from 44 states and 36 countries. She asked the Supervisors to reconsider the County Executive's recommendation to cut their appropriation by almost 64 percent. This loss would amount to almost $13,000. The County Executive has recommend- ed that all other organizations in their category who have received previous support, receive an increase in funds. They don't understand this disparity, and encourage the Supervisors to reconsider this recommended cut and demon- strate their support for a unique and valuable community resource. Ms. Jane Haley said she lives in White Hall District. She thanked Dr. Paskel and the School Board for their courage in submitting the budget that they did submit. She has heard many in the community express an interest in going back to the three "R's" in the schools, and it certainly was cheaper, and many think it was a more successful way of learning. Nothing today is easy or cheap. She is a nurse by occupation and for six years conducted a research project at the University. She found that a large number of her patients, particularly those from rural areas, never got past the fourth grade. This was not a scientific project, but when looking at what the basics provided, it provided a good education for the average student. Those who fell on either side of average did not succeed in the old forms of education. The current methods of education seem very labor intensive and expensive, and strike some as being over indulgent, but they are an attempt to create successful learners in the entire spectrum of educational capability. Some do not fit into that narrow margin of what is considered average. Ms. Naley said while they are asking for more funding to allow success- ful learners of all capability levels, as taxpayers and parents, they demand that the schools provide a criteria of success so they know that all third graders can read at a certain level, and that college graduates can balance a checkbook. She has three children, two presently students in the County. Her specific area of interest in funding is in the gifted program. This program had provided a learning environment this year for her children that has been unparalleled in any year so far. Her oldest child last year got nothing from his math class; he was asked to teach his peers. When she confronted the teacher about what he was getting, she was told that he was getting esteem from teaching his peers. At that grade level, where ACE is included in all math classes, without the gifted program the school had nothing to teach her son. She finds that unacceptable in County schools. Mr. Haley said a special program is needed for the gifted children who comprise the top two percent of those in the population. Those top two percent see the world as differently as the bottom two percent. The gifted program provides her children with an opportunity to expand on their gift. They also have a gift which has an incredible value in what they can return to the community. These children are academic treasures, and the community has an obligation to fund its treasures. She has been told that Murray High School may have as many as fifty percent gifted children which the school system failed along the way. She wonders if it would not be cheaper and more successful for these students to have been provided a program that allowed them to succeed from the beginning rather than now having to provide a special school and special programs Ms. Haley said schooling is expensive and Mr. Tucker has shown that growth is expensive. She supports the proposal put out by the Daily Progess shortly after Christmas which said that we need to ask our developers to pay more funds and higher usage and development fees than those that they are currently paying. She said her step-father is in the process of developing several hundred acres in Free Union, land which he inherited and paid only taxes on. That property development, even after paying the taxes, will make him a very wealthy man. As a taxpayer she will have to pay for the schools, the buses, the fire protection, the police protection, that just a few years back taxes will not adequately fund. She thinks there is a problem with excessive growth or unplanned growth in the County, and too little money to fund the quality programs across the board, and not just in education, that many want in this County. All resources, not just taxpayers, should be tapped for this money. She can afford five cents more, but many of her neighbors cannot. She said she is glad her step-father is making money, but she would rather see him make a little less money, and she get her program funded, and the police get their programs funded, and the fire and rescue squads get their programs funded. Mr. John Carter from Earlysville said within reasonable bounds he is on the side of those who object to the size of the Schools budget. Study the proposed budget and it is not a matter of possible higher taxes in the future, -- it is a matter of how it is being spent, and how those spending figures are calculated. To give the School administration more money to balance the budget he suggests would set a precedent which would alter the relationship between the Schools and the Board of Supervisors. In the past, money was allotted to the Schools, and the School administrators and the School Board drafted a budget within those appropriations. Programs and activities which could not be accommodated were left unfunded. While the School Board tried to fund items by asking for more money, they were left unfunded if the County so decided. For 1994-95, they changed the rules of the game. The School Board did not set aside all wished for programs because of a lack of money, but March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 8) included most of them in the budget. School Board is now demanding more. 000066 Instead of pleading for more money, the It has said, in effect, there is $2.1 million in expenses that cannot be delayed or denied. Should the County accede to these demands, Mr. Carter thinks that every future School budget will come to the Supervisors unbalanced. Mr. Carter asked how reliable the proposed budget is. Can the Supervi- sors reject it without damaging the quality of education the children now receive? Some believe that if Albemarle County does not spend $61.0 million next year, the children will suffer. The truth is that even if this amount is approved, it will not be spent. Check the record. Last year, $2.0 million less than the amount budgeted was spent. The year before it was $800,000. Added to this, millions will be spend on things have nothing to do with educating a child. Analyzing a $61.0 million budget is impossible for the average citizen, that is a responsibility of the School Board, although he understands it was not done this year. Nevertheless, one need go only to page A-1 of the proposed budget to raise serious questions as to the budget's reliability. Specifically, the projected increase of 286 students for next year. In the last two years, Dr. Paskel has been off in his projections by 100 percent. At this point, Mr. Perkins reminded Mr. Carter that his allotted time was up. Mr. Carter said he did not realize there was a time limit, and he has a lot more to say, and it is not very good. He said one thing that bothers him the most is that the estimate of revenues for the 1994-95 budget is based on a lower figure of expected enrollment than the expenditures. That does not mean much until you compute it out. That amounts to $850,000 in expenditures. There is a lot more in there. There is $1.5 million that can be cut without touching education. Mr. Claude Monger said he is a parent and a taxpayer. He is probably a concerned taxpayer. He likes to see his money spent wisely and he thinks the Supervisors are doing a good job. He would like to comment on the unbalanced budget. If he has to live within his budget, others should also. As to the signs, and the need for one new position, Mr. Tucker indicated that it would be paid from the surplus on the telephone. Two years ago, it was said that after the initial setup and costs had been paid, it would be removed. If it is removed, how would this sign technician's salary be paid. He does not support a tax increase. He thinks the Supervisors are doing a good job, keep it up! Ms. Peg German said many support the notion that "if it ain't broke, don't spend tax dollars to fix it." There are also parents who think the Schools have enough money, but not many. The parents who see the classrooms in action, and who spend time on committees with teachers and administrators know that the dollars are not adequate to provide a high quality education for all students. A case in point is the program for the gifted students, where there is no money for staffing at middle or high school levels, and only a minimal budget at the elementary level. Ms. German said there has been more instruction for children with special needs in regular classrooms. Now, she understands there is the possibility of changing back from inclusion to seclusion due to the cost of making it an effective program. The School Board has held the budget to a minimum, no-growth budget for several years, despite the growth in the County. Dr. Paskel was chosen in part for his skills in financial management. He has passed on a bare-bones budget, and after much deliberation, the School Board agreed to pass an unbalanced budget. Most people in the County don't under- stand that the budget has not grown for several years despite growth in the school population. Ms. German said money needs to be invested in the tools of the present and the future, and not just the tools of the past. A computer infrastructure is needed in anticipation of the changing environment. The Schools are not now responsive to cultural changes related to technology. Ms. German said it is the responsibility of the Board of Supervisors, the School Board, general government and school administrators to develop and articulate a vision of what this community should be now and in the future. Further, they need to help the community understand the vision and that the vision is worth investing in. (Note: Mr. Martin left the room at 8:41 p.m.) Ms. Connie Wenger said as the parent of children in the County schools, as a volunteer in the schools, and as a taxpayer, she supports the budget presented by the School Board. She attended the budget work sessions, and assured the Supervisors that both Dr. Paskel's staff and the School Board put -- great effort into making a budget which is as lean as possible. In the past few years Central Office staff has been cut, but their work did not go away. The classroom teacher has picked up the slack. That squeeze is being felt. Also, educational areas never before broached are being covered. For example, guidance counselors in elementary schools. One part of her function has been to present curriculum and non-violent problem solving. Ms. Wenger said she is concerned about the areas being cut to make the budget number more palatable. She is pleased with Albemarle County schools March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 9) 000067 and the professionalism of the teachers. She asked that the Supervisors insure Albemarle County a bright future by investing in the young people. Mrs Pam Starling said she feels the County Executive has done a good job of drafting a budget that addresses the most critical needs, avoids waste, and keeps debt to a minimum for essential capital projects. She is frustrated because we continue to struggle to maintain the minimum, unable to undertake the initiates, particularly in education and housing which is recognized as necessary for the continued well-being of the community. (Note: Mr. Martin returned to the meeting at 8:44 p.m.) She is pleased that the School Board chose to forward a budget that realistically stated the minimum needs of the School system, along with their recommendation that the schools will not be adequately served next year without an additional $2.1 million in revenue. She asked the Supervisors to note that with only one exception, even the School Board members who opposed approval of an unbalanced budget did not deny the need for additional revenue, but merely differed on the most effective way to send that message. Ms. Starling said it is clear that instructional funds are decreasing as a larger percentage of the budget is consumed by the increasing costs of building maintenance and construction, transportation, and personnel compensa- tion. There is no administrative bureaucracy to trim, the staff is in the classroom providing direct services to children, and cuts in staff will directly effect the children. Last year she reported that two-thirds of the elementary schools were scoring at or below the state average in reading or math on standardized achievement tests. That number has now been cut in half. Lower staffing ratios, a more equitable distribution of school-based funds, attention to the needs of exceptional students, and clearer curricular expectations appear to be working. The Supervisors have demanded accountabil- ity for improved curriculum and instruction, and the schools are working to comply, but they need the Supervisors support for materials and staff develop- ment to fully implement those improvements. She urged the Supervisors to fully fund the School Board's budget request so that this critical work can proceed. Ms. Starling said Mr. Tucker has made suggestions about the use of reserve funds to address the school system's budget shortfall. This would certainly help with this year's shortfall, but both the schools and general government continue to face increases in recurring operating costs, and are slipping further behind the market in employee compensation. Good staff is being lost because of it. Ms. Starling then discussed the use of land use taxation in the County. She is not suggesting that the system is unfair. She believes that subsidiz- ing the rural use of county land is a worthwhile priority, within limits. She is merely arguing that there does not seem to be a property tax structure that differentiates significantly for the rural landowner and can secure revenue equitably from all county residents, whether they rent or own property. (A copy of Ms. Starling's complete speech is on file in the Clerk's Office.) Ms. Karen Strickland was present to speak for the Broadus Wood PTO. She handed to the Clerk signatures of 89 parents who support the unbalanced budget of the School Board. She said Dr. Paskel had titled his budget "Quality at Risk". She heard him say he had cut to the bare bones. She investigated to find the historical sense of how much had been cut. Starting with the Central Office, she found that in 1986 there were 35 employees, and now there are only 20. Next, she looked at teacher salaries. It is hard to compare salaries because of the way they are grouped. Looking at cluster groups~ Albemarle County teachers are paid 12th out of 15 when they start, and 15 out of 15 at the top of the scale after 12 years. Now they use something called "ability to pay", so Albemarle County fits right in the middle. A teacher can work in Albemarle County for 12 years and get to the top of the scale and not even make the median household income for Albemarle County. That is not fair. Ms. Strickland said she looked at per pupil costs to see what had happened.' She looked at the CPI to see what inflation had been over the past ten years to see how the budget had changed. It supports what Mr. Tucker said, that basically all of the increases are due to inflation. Albemarle County has basically spent about $4000 per pupil every year since 1985 in deflated dollars. There is not a lot of excess there. She said the quality of education was decent in 1985, so maybe the quality of education in 1994 could be the same. She said you wouldn't take a 1994 car to a mechanic and say fix this with 1983 tools. Tools have changed. Times have changed. Mandates have changed. What we expect teachers to do has changed, and she thinks the budget should reflect that. Ms. Strickland said this budget does not represent quality, but just maintaining status quo. This County is behind in what it set out to do in 1989. She commends the School Board for working toward smaller class sizes, but reporting needs to be more accurate. Students needs to be prepared for a new future. The electronics industry has unveiled new standards for workers. Machine operators will have to monitor quality control, interpret statistics, use process control, and perform diagnostic tests. If you go to GE-Fanuc and Comdial, the old time assembly line jobs are gone. They don't exist anymore. Assembly lines are computer controlled and if students aren't ready to deal ~with computers, the children are not being prepared for the future. March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 10) 000068 The Blue Ribbon report said the children need to be exposed to the five fine arts. At Broadus Wood, there is one art teacher who comes one day a week. Elementary school children are supposed to be exposed to foreign languages, and there is supposed to be one counselor for every 200 students. There are no foreign language teachers in the elementary schools. At Broadus Wood there is one counselor for 400 students. There is supposed to be one nurse in every school to promote wellness. There are no nurses. Ms. Strickland urged the Supervisors to fully fund this budget, and then set some direction for the future of the School Board. Tell them to look at the report of the Blue Ribbon Commission. They worked hard on the report, they set some standards, let's try to move toward real superiority and not just maintaining the status quo. Ms. Diane Talarico, President of the Red Hill PTO spoke. She asked the Supervisors to support quality education in the schools. For the past four years, the School Board and Dr. Paskel have been misleading County residents by submitting balanced budgets for funding. On the surface, it appeared that the Supervisors were able to maintain the status quo in educational programs while absorbing growth and inflationary expenses. This was not the case. In the past four years, each and every program the County schools had to offer has been cut to its core. Every service, from the gifted programs to special education programs, have been adversely affected. Teachers have been asked to do more with less. Many areas of teacher support have been cut, such as staff development and on-site technical assistance. The school system has reverted back 30 years in time to a "teach 'em and test 'em" approach to education. Looking to a standardized curriculum to approve the quality of instruction is ineffective according to current educational research. The schools must address the needs of today's complex society. Cooperation, problem solving, responsibility, social skills, and concern for mankind must be taught. In contrast, a cost-efficient standardized teach and test curriculum teaches competition, and self-centeredness. To continue on this path will cost taxpayers more in the future. We can pay more now for a self-sufficient generation of citizens, or we can pay later for a generation of citizens who require more support from social service programs and law enforcement agen- cies. Ms. Talarico requested the Supervisors to support education both fiscally and through leadership of and direction to the School Board and Superintendent insisting on educational programs that empower teachers to teach and students to learn. Mr. James Turner said he speaks for his wife Nancy and their three children. He hates paying taxes but supports full funding of the School Board budget. He mentioned other places where his family had lived, and said he feels the relative value of his tax dollar is much better here than in these other places. The education his children receive in Albemarle County is far superior to these other places. He has been impressed with the creative and contemporary curriculum. He does, however, feel the quality of that education is threatened by the lack of funding. He sees a threat to student/teacher ratios, the gifted program, programs in arts and athletics. He pleads with the Supervisors to consider raising the property tax to preserve the quality of education in this county. Mr. Michael Williams said he has two children in schools now. He is also a teacher but is not here to pursue his own monetary advantage, rather, he is here to look out for what kids need. He feels the Supervisors have done a good job in getting the message down to Dr. Paskel and the School Board to be frugal. Mr. Williams said he would like to see nurses in the schools according to the state mandate. Having at a minimum a trained medical professional in each building would be goal worthy of the County, and a position which the kids would use. The surface problems these children face such as abusing drugs and alcohol, dropping out of school, being pregnant, are not the real problems. Investigation of these people's actions reveals sexual and physical abuse, kids under the strain of addiction, dealing with violence of friends and family members. There are many untold stories that manifest themselves in the schools as headaches, stomach aches and chest pains. These kids find other ways to express these things such as violence and sexual irresponsibil- ity. Mr. Williams said HB 678 has passed the House of Delegates and is now in the Senate. This would require the schools to have one school nurse per each 2500 kids. He has tried to call Senator Robb, and believes he is in favor, but is concerned about how it will be paid for. He heard people talk about the "3 R's" tonight, but he sees, ringworm, Ritalin, and reactive airway disease. He sees kids dealing with these things every day. He invited the Supervisors to come to the schools to see the situation when it comes to health care, and what teachers, and office people are doing. Mr. Williams said he hopes the schools get the message and the parents will support having medical professionals in the schools. Ms. Jackie Binder said she has three children in the school system. She moved here four years ago so is a part of the growth problem here. After 14 years in Tampa they decided they did not want to bring up their children amidst drugs, crime, congestion, traffic, litter, potholes and a steady, obvious decline in the schools. They looked in several states, but chose Virginia, and then chose Albemarle over other localities. They were impressed with the community and government commitment to the schools and the planning March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page ll) 000069 with the community and government commitment to the schools and the planning to maintain the quality of life. They are afraid that what they left in Florida may be following them here, including Disney. She compared notes with Florida friends concerning schools who complain about bulging classes, few if any offerings in arts and music, physical education once or twice a week, a library staffed by volunteers, and a loss of quality teachers to other areas. Ms. Binder asked how it happened, and found that there is an older generation with an attitude that they had paid for schools in other states, and a prevailing attitude that any tax is a bad tax no matter how small, politicals afraid to make unpopular decisions, and they are finding out too late that tourism and lotto cannot fund it all. As the Supervisors undertake the task of finding the funds to make the whole county run, and run well, don't forget the schools and don't let the children get a Mickey Mouse education. Mr. Ed Scharer commended Mr. Tucker for trying to hold the line on taxes. He hopes the Supervisors will be able to finance the budget without increasing real property taxes other than through the normal reassessment. listed three ways to limit taxes: 1) limit growth of the bureaucracy in County government; 2) scrutinize the areas of the School budget that do not directly affect quality education, and, most importantly; 3) make growth in Albemarle County self-sufficient through TDR's, impact fees (fiscal and environment), and service districts. People who demand a higher level of service should pay for those services. Mr. Scharer asked that when the Supervisors talk with their state legislators next year, they ask them for a way to make growth sustainable by letting it pay its way. He Ms. Meggan McFadden said she is a parent, and she applauds the School Board for taking the courageous stand and asking for more funds for the schools. She also admonishes them for not asking for full funding. She said some people had mentioned that they do not have children in the school system, but she believes they probably are a product of the public school system. She was educated in the public school system, and could not afford to send her children to private school. She will be paying for their education long after they are out of the schools. There is talk about cutting funds, cutting programs, and choosing one program over another. In essence, we are talking about choosing one child's needs over another's. All children have the right to the best education to meet their needs. The Supervisors were elected as the guardians of the schools and given a trust to provide for the children's educational needs and to provide for their futures. She hopes the Supervisors will provide the children with the best education they deserve. Ms. Ann Messina said she came to support the integrity of the budget with a stated objective of maintaining service levels and providing a high quality of life for the citizens. She does not believe this budget will do it for many reasons. At least 50 percent of the residents rely on groundwater for their drinking water. All should be concerned that water resource management be properly valued and funded. It is only a small percentage of the Public Works budget. This department is charged with providing and protecting our water resources. You cannot have growth or quality, or even survive, without safe drinking water. Ms. Messina said there is no funding for a county health department, relying instead on the overburdened state health department which serves an area encompassing several counties. Is water at risk? Ask yourself if you have a LUST in your backyard. If you don't know this acronym look it up or call the State Department of Environmen- tal Quality. Ms. Messina said a second resource is children. She also supports statements made for funding education and adds to that list, public safety, human development, parks and recreation, and community development. All of these are fundamental in providing a high quality of life. There is much work to be done, and she thanked each member of the Supervisors for taking this task on. Mr. Harold Pillar said he lives in southern Albemarle County. He learned three lessons in his development years. At 12 years of age he learned how to balance a budget, and he thinks the School Board has done an irrespon- sible thing in presenting an unbalanced budget to the Supervisors. They should have let the Supervisors know what would be cut if they had the money the Supervisors were willing to give them. It is not the responsibility of the Supervisors to way what quality will be cut; the Supervisors cannot measure quality. Sometimes the School Board must be told "no". Mr. Pillar said he was indoctrinated that education is the foundation of this country's greatness. It is not the whole education, it is the founda- tion. He did not have to learn everything for his life in high school, he had to learn how to get an education on his own. He does not think that in twenty-one years of experience with Albemarle County schools his children ever got that lesson. He has a son who was a National Merit Scholar finalist. He was in the gifted program. He applied to a college that never responded, and later they found that the guidance counselor at Albemarle High School had never sent the college a transcript of his grades. He had a daughter at the other end of the scale. She was "ridden out of school" by being compared to her brother and not measuring up. She was a great kid, but ridiculed. She finally quit school. Mr. Pillar said he hears about investment in children today, $5800 a year for 13 years, compounded at eight percent interestv is $125,631 that has been invested in an 18 year old kid. He believes it might be better to just March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 12) 000070 families in Albemarle County, and the Supervisors are asking for $3000 from each of those families to pay for the $102.0 million budget. He is surprised that nobody said tonight, "It is only another Pepsi a day that we have to save." He asked the Supervisors to go to the schools and look at the cars in the parking lot, and then go to a place where the parents are working and look at those cars. Those parents are not here begging for money. They are out looking for money, earning it, or not finding it. Mr. Pillar referred to a remark made earlier by a person who said that kids are not taxes. He said that 56 percent of our income is going to taxes, so that means in a two-income family, one parent is working to pay taxes. He said these kids are taxed, and a lot of it is because of taxes which are "just one more Pepsi a day." (Note: At 9:20 p.m., the Board of Supervisors took a break. At 9:30 p.m. the Board reconvened and continued the meeting. Agenda Item No. 7. Public Hearing to solicit input on the proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application to be submitted to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. (Advertised in the Daily Progress on February 21, February 28, March i and March 6, 1994.) Mr. Tucker said the Board held a public hearing on the CDBG program on March 2, 1994, and voted to submit an application for funding for a housing rehabilitation project. This, the second public hearing, is held on the actual project and the past use of CDBG funds. The Board has been furnished with a summary of a housing rehabilitation project for which the County is seeking $500,000 in CDBG funds to rehabilitate 25 single-family houses in the Porter's District. An additional $330,636 in County funds, HOME funds, and family contributions will also be expended. The County will sub-contract with the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program for project implementation and administration. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Lynne Carruth, Housing Coordinator, and Ms. Theresa Tapscott, Executive Director of AHIP, were present, but did not speak. With no member of the public rising to speak, the hearing was closed. Motion was offered by Mrs. Humphris, seconded by Mrs. Thomas, to approve the proposed housing rehabilitation project and adopt the resolution set out below authorizing the County Executive to sign the application to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the County of Albemarle is committed to ensuring that decent, safe and sanitary housing is available for all its residents; and WHEREAS, pursuant to public hearings held on March 2 and March 9, 1994, the County of Albemarle wishes to apply for $500,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds for the Housing Rehabilitation Project; and WHEREAS, $148,136 from the County of Albemarle and $152,500 from the HOME program and family contributions will also be expended on this program; and WHEREAS, it is projected that this project will result in the rehabilitation of twenty-five units, benefitting sixty-five persons, of which one hundred percent will be low- and moderate- income persons; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, that Robert W. Tucker, Jr., County Executive, is hereby authorized to sign and submit the appropriate documents for submittal of this Virginia Community Development Block Grant application. Roll was called on the foregoing motion which carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. None. Mr. Marshall. Agenda Item No. 8. ZMA-93-14. Rio Associates Limited Partnership. Public Hearing on a request to rezone approx 3.9 ac from R-6 to CO & 0.58 ac from HC to CO. Property at W inters of Berkmar Dr/Woodbrook Dr. TM 45, P's 93A1, 109(part) & 109C are recommended for medium density residential (5-10 du\ac) in the Comprehensive Plan. Charlottesville Dist. (Advertised in the Daily Progress on February 21 and February 28, 1994.) O000?:l. March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 13) Mr. Cilimberg summarized the staff's report which is on file as a part of the permanent records of the Board. He said the staff had identified several factors which were unfavorable to the request. Based on the Compre- hensive Plan and Western Route 29 North Bypass alignment, staff had recommend- ed denial of the request. Mr. Cilimberg said the Planning Commission, at its meeting on March 1, 1994, unanimously recommended denial of ZMA-93-14. At this point, the public hearing was opened. Mr. Charles Hurt, Jr. came forward to speak for the applicant. He read a prepared statement which is included in a booklet given to the Planning Commission on March 1, 1994, and which is a part of the Board's permanent records. He concluded by stating the follows: a) The Bypass and Alternative 10 issue may not be solved this year, next year, or for ten years. b) Regardless of its design, Berkmar Drive will be a major thorough- fare as traffic attempts to avoid Route 29 North. c) The UVA Credit Union will move from the City to Albemarle County and continue its success, employing at least fifty people in the building they want to build on the site. The financial institu- tion hires local people and they would like to be located in Albemarle County, close to where their customers live, which for the most part is north along Route 29. With no other member of the public rising to speak, the hearing was closed. Mrs. Thomas said she has an account with the University of Virginia Employees Credit Union which she does not feel places her in any conflict of interests, but in terms of full disclosure she will state that she is part of a large group of individuals who have accounts with the UVA Credit Union, but she is able to participate in this transaction fairly, objectively, and in the public interest. Mr. Bowerman said he does not disagree with anything Mr. Hurt said, and thinks his analysis of this site is probably accurate, however, he feels the whole area should be restudied. In light of the recent suggestion that the Western Bypass may be moved, and also feeling that the request is premature until this work has been completed, he offered motion to deny ZMA-93-14. Mrs. Thomas gave second echoing the same sentiments. Mrs. Humphris agreed and said the presentation was clear, but she thinks the area needs to be looked at as a whole. Mr. Bowerman said he feels it is likely'that the scenario Mr. Hurt laid out is one the Board could adopt. Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Mumphris. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Mr. Marshall. Agenda Item No. 9. ZMA-93-18. Forest Lakes Association/Hollymead Citizens Association. Public Hearing on a request to amend ZMA-91-04 & ZMA- 92-02 to add 2071 sq ft currently in Hollymead PUD open space to Forest Lakes South PUD as an area for right-of-way dedication. Property E of Kendallwood Dr in Forest Lakes South & directly S of The Greens of Hollymead in Hollymead. The proposed road will cross a tributary to Powell Creek. TM46,P26B1, located in the community of Hollymead, is zoned PUD & is recommended for medium density residential in the Comprehensive Plan. Rivanna Dist. (Advertised in the Daily Progress on February 21 and February 28, 1994.) Mr. Cilimberg summarized the staff's report which is on file and made a part of the Board's permanent records. He said the Planning Commission, at its meeting on February 8, 1994, recommended approval of ZMA-93-18. There were no questions from Board members, so the public hearing was opened. Mr. Steve Runkle was present for the applicant. He said if it is necessary to give land to Hollymead to meet the open space requirements, they can do that. They did not want to go to the expense and legal issues to get that done for what seems to make no practical difference. With no one else rising to speak, the public hearing was closed. Motion was offered by Mr. Martin, seconded by Mrs. Thomas, to approve ZMA-93-18, as recommended by the Planning Commission i.e. - "This approval will result in an amendment to the ZMA-91-04 Forest Lakes Associates Applica- tion Plan to add 2071 square feet, and an amendment to ZMA-92-02 Virginia Land Trust Application Plan in order to modify SP-156 North Corporation/Hollymead Planned Community as follows: Section B net density shall not exceed 4.81 dwelling units per acre." Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: March 9, 1994 (Regular Night Meeting) 000072 (Page 14) AYES: Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Mr. Marshall. Agenda Item No. 10. ZMA-93-20. Albert DeRose. Public Hearing on a requestto amend Buck Mountain Planned Residential Development to allow subdivision of a 5.4 ac parcel zoned PRD. Property on E sd of Rt 601 approx 0.33 mi N of 601/667 inters. TM17,P62. White Hall Dist. (Advertised in the Daily Progress on February 21 and February 28, 1994.) Mr. Perkins had announced at the beginning of the meeting that the applicant could not be present tonight, and the petition would be rescheduled to April 14, 1994. Agenda Item No. 11. Approval of Minutes: April 3(A), 1992; December 1, 1993 and February 2, 1994. Mrs. Humphris had read February 2, 1994, and found them to be in order. Motion was offered by Mr. Bowerman, seconded by Mrs. Humphris, to approve the minutes which had been read. Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Mr. Marshall. Agenda Item No. 12. Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from the BOARD. There were none. Agenda Item No. 13. Adjourn to March 14, 1994, at 1:00 p.m., for Budget Work Session. At 10:10 p.m., motion was offered by Mr. Bowerman, seconded by Mr. Martin, to adjourn this meeting until 1:00 p.m. on March 14, 1994. Roll was called, and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. NAYS: None. ABSENT: Mr. Marshall. Chairman