Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-04-18April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 1) 79 A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held on April 18, 1990, at 7:30 P.M., Auditorium, County Office Building, McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. PRESENT: Messrs. Edward H. Bain, Jr., David P. Bowerman and F. R. Bowie, Mrs. Charlotte Y. Humphris, Mr. Walter F. Perkins and Mr. Peter T. Way. ABSENT: None. OFFICERS PRESENT: County Executive, Mr. Guy B. Agnor, Jr.; County Attorney, Mr. George R. St. John; and Chief of Planning, Mr. Ron Keeler. Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by the Chairman, Mr. Way. Agenda Item No. 2. Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda Item No. 3. Moment of Silence. Agenda Item No. 4. Consent Agenda. Motion was offered by Mr. Bain, seconded by Mr. Perkins, to approve Item 4.1, and to accept the remaining item on the consent agenda as information. There was no further discussion. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way. NAYS: None. Item 4.1. Statements of Expenses for the Director of Finance, Sheriff, Commonwealth's Attorney and Regional Jail for the Month of March, 1990; approved as presented. Item 4.2. Planning Commission Minutes for April 3, 1990; accepted as information. Agenda Item No. 5. SP-90-08. Riverbend Limited Partnership. The applicant is proposing to locate a veterinary clinic in the Pantops Shopping Center. Rivanna District. (Deferred from March 21, 1990.) Mr. Keeler said the Board had expressed concern about a number of details involved with the proposed veterinary clinic. He said staff has researched these details and gathered the following information. The proposed clinic is to be a care center for small animals. The Board of Veterinary Medicine requires that all examinations take place in an exami- nation room, with the exception of emergency examinations. Dead animals are to be stored in a freezer, which is required by the Board of Veterinary Medicine to be used exclusively for the storage of dead animals awaiting pickup by the SPCA. The Board of Veterinary Medicine also requires that an isolation room be provided for infectious animals. Dr. Charles Wood, the veterinarian who spoke at the public hearing on this application, mentioned the possibility that infectious diseases could be spread from the proposed clinic to the neighbor- ing pet store. Mr. Keeler said staff discussed this possibility with repre- sentatives from the Board of Veterinary Medicine and learned that normal building and veterinarian practices would not promote the spread of infectious diseases to any adjacent property. Mr. Keeler said the Board was also concerned about the noise that could be generated by the clinic. He said staff recommends specifying a noise level in the adjoining levels, as outlined in the Airport Impact Area Overlay District. Mr. Keeler said that Dr. Wood also mentioned the need to protect the employees and patrons of adjacent properties from radiation emanating from x-ray machines in the proposed clinic. The Board of Veterinary Medicine April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 2) 80 requires approval from the State Department of Health for any x-ray equipment. This requirement is similar to that for dentists' and doctors' offices. The Board of Veterinary Medicine also requires that veterinary clinics be ventilated and receive adequate water and sewer service to insure the well- being of the animals. The site is served by public water and sewer. The disposal of animal tissue is addressed by the Board of Veterinary Medicine, which has no requirements for the disposal of tray chemicals or medical instruments. Mr. Keeler said the Albemarle County Service Authority, in cases of certain kinds of discharge, require that businesses file an Industrial Waste Survey form. The Authority then determines if this discharge can be disposed of by the public sewage system. He said the Service Authority does not require this Industrial Waste Survey form for veterinary clinics, due to low demand clinics place on the sewage system. Mr. Keeler said the last issue concerning the Board was whether the request was speculative and if a veterinarian has agreed to occupy this office space. He said staff did not address this concern. Mr. Bowie asked the applicant, Mr. Don Wagner, if a veterinarian-has agreed to locate a practice in this office space. Mr. Wagner said that Dr. Tom Jones is interested in locating his veterinary practice in this office if his plans to locate in Winchester fall through. To date, Mr. Wagner, said no one has signed a lease for this office. Mr. Wagner said he thinks it would be a mistake for the Board to start specifying how noisy some businesses can be. If the Board determines a noise level for this use, he said, it will have to set noise levels for other uses, such as restaurants with bands, pet stores, and music stores. He added that sick animals do not make noise, anyway. Mr. Bowie asked Dr. Tom Jones if he plans to lease this office for a veterinary clinic. Dr. Jones said it is possible that he may still be inter- ested in this site for his practice. He added that there are regulations designed to handle most of the problems with locating veterinary clinics in shopping centers. Mrs. Humphris asked if animals would be examined outside the clinic in emergencies. Dr. Jones said he would never examine an animal outside the clinic. If the animal were too injured to walk into the clinic, it would be carried inside. Mr. Way asked what staff recommended as the specified noise level for the clinic. Mr. Keeler said staff recommends that the noise not exceed 55 deci- bels at the adjoining commercial space and 40 decibels at the nearest agricul- tural or residential lot line. Mr. Bowerman said that when the Board amended the Zoning Ordinance to allow veterinary clinic in shopping centers by special use permit, he thinks the Board at that time contemplated instances where there may be an applica- tion, without a specific applicant, since office space is rented in shopping centers. Mr. Bowerman said he thinks this application is consistent with the amended Zoning Ordinance and that the staff has addressed the concerns raised at the last meeting. Motion was then offered by Mr. Bowerman and seconded by Mr. Perkins to approve SP-90-08, subject to the conditions set out below. There was no further discussion. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way. NAYS: None. April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 3) Note: The following are the conditions of approval: 1. There shall be no outside exercise area; 2. Use shall be limited to 388 Pantops Center; 3. Noise measured at the nearest agricultural or residential lot line shall not exceed 40 decibels; 4. No animals are to be confined outside; 5. No overnight boarding except for medical treatment; 6. Noise generated from the veterinary office shall not exceed 55 decibels in the adjoining commercial space. Not Docketed: Mr. Bowerman remarked that Mr. Wagner is leaving the Albemarle County Service Authority Board of Directors after seven years of service as the representative of the Charlottesville District. Mr. Bowerman thanked Mr. Wagner for his service to the County. Agenda Item No. 6. Public Hearing: 1990-1991 County Budget. Mr. Bowie said the budget presented this evening is the culmination of six months of effort. He then summarized the progress of the budget through various stages of review and highlighted some of the proposed expenditures. Contrary to what was reported in the news media, Mr. Bowie said, the budget for the Police Department was not cut; instead, the Police Department received one of the largest increases in general government. With transfers from this year's contingency fund and the funds in this proposed budget, the County has added six patrol officers, one narcotics investigator, and the equipment needed with these positions. Mr. Bowie said the proposed budget for the school division increased by 8.8 percent, or $4.4 million. He said this increase funds the growth in enrollment and several new initiatives. The Board also allocated an addi- tional $100,000 to the schools with the stipulation that this money be used in the classrooms. Mr. Bowie said the Board is committed to funding the U. S. Route 29 North Branch of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. When the site is selected and the cost can be estimated accurately, Mr. Bowie said, the Board will fund the operating budget of this branch. Mr. Bowie asked Mr. Agnor to summarize the proposed revenues and expendi- tures for the public. Mr. Agnor said the Countz's revenues total $86.58 million, which includes a one-time revenue of $5.08Z~l~°%ealized by the split collection of personal property taxes and allocated to the Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Recurring revenues total $81.5 million, an increase of $6.15 million, or 8.16 percent~ over this year's revenues. Mr. Agnor said revenues from all property taxes are estimated to be $34.28 million, an increase of $2.55 million. Of this increase, $0.5 million will result from the pro-rata assessment of vehicles, which will begin in 1991. The increase projected in revenues from property taxes also includes an increase of two cents in the tax rate on real property, which provides an additional $632,000. This increase was allocated to the debt service on the 1989 Virginia Public School Authority (VPSA) bonds. Mr. Agnor said local revenues provide 67.62 percent of the County's resources. Included in the local revenues for the proposed budget is the beginning of additional user fees, estimated at $0.5 million, to be collected from the solid waste disposal operation at the Ivy Landfill. Mr. Agnor said proposed expenditures total $86.58 million. The budget for the Administrations Division of general government increases by 12.64 percent, due to the funds needed by the Finance Department to begin the programs of pro rata assessment and split collection of personal property April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 4) 82 taxes. Mr. Agnor said the category of Public Safety shows an increase of 9.01 percent, most of which can be attributed to the Police Department. The category of Public Works increases by 15.09 percent, which reflects the opening of the County's first solid waste transfer station (Keene) and the incr, cost of operating the Ivy Landfill due to changes in the State's regulations. Funding for the category of Parks, Recreation and Culture increases by 11.28 percent, which includes the opening of the Southern Regional Park. The budget for the School division increases by 9.75 percent, when both the operating budget and the debt service are considered. This funding provides a five percent increase in teachers' salaries and a 5.5 percent increase for classified employees. Mr. Bowie opened the public hearing and asked for comments concerning the category of Administration under general government. Ms. Connie Devine, a certified public accountant, addressed the Board. She said she thinks the proposed increase for General Government is too great and some of these funds should go to the Schools Division. Mr. Herman Key addressed the Board and thanked the Supervisors for proposing to fund the additional amount requested by the Jefferson Area United Transportation (JAUNT) to subsidize the fares for handicapped riders. There were no comments concerning the category of Judicial. In reference to the category of Public Safety, Ms. Barbara Ashburn, President of the Albemarle Crime Prevention Council, addressed the Board. She said the Council is composed of about 65 neighborhood watch associations and a variety of businesses and individuals concerned about crime. She said the Council endorses the budget proposed by Chief John Miller. She said the members of the Council believe that the additional police officers requested by Chief Miller are essential to patrol the County and run the Police Depart- ment effectively. She said these additional police officers would be assigned a beat or sector where they could be more visible to the public and develop a close working relationship with the citizens under their protection. Ms. Ashburn said the more cooperative the relationship between police officers and citizens, the better the officers are able to serve and protect the citizens. At the level of staffing proposed to be funded in this budget, the County will have less than half of the State average of the ratio of officers to citizens. She said the County has 1.1 officers per 1000 residents; the State's minimum recommendation is two officers per 1000 residents. She said the Council believes that it is in the best interests of the taxpayers of this County to maintain the highest level of police protection that is economically feasible. Mr. Tuck Landry addressed the Board and said he thinks having such a low ratio of officers to citizens is an embarrassment to the County. He said that one of his neighbors in the rural area called the police because her father was being chased by a drunken man; it took the police 45 minutes to reach the house. He said the County needs more police officers and it needs them now. Ms. Julia Jolie addressed the Board and said her husband is a County police officer. She said her husband loves his job and will continue to work in law enforcement. Every day, she said, he puts his life on the line and yet he has to pay for his own training and his own travel expenses and he earns only $18,000 a year. She said she works, too, but they cannot afford to buy a house. She said most professions pay for their employees' training. She asked that the Board consider the citizens of this County, who depend on these police officers to be educated and trained enough to help them when they need it. Mr. George Bailey addressed the Board. He said he supports the Police Department, but he does not think the public is aware of what the County has in law enforcement. He said the Police Department employs about 80 people. The Sheriff's Department currently consists of one Sheriff and 11 deputies, who have attended the same Police Academy as the police officers. If the State police officers assigned to this area are included in the figures, Mr. Bailey continued, there are 107 law enforcement officers working in the County. He thinks there should be more cooperation between the County's Police Department, the Sheriff and the State Police Department. He said that insuring this cooperation is the responsibility of the Board. April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 5) 83 Ms. Dorothy Robinson addressed the Board and said her husband is a police officer with the K-9 division of the County's Police Department. She said her husband is on call 24 hours a day and makes only $18,000 a year, $14,000 a year after taxes have been deducted. She said this is not enough for a job that can be so dangerous. The next category to be addressed was Public Works. Mr. Warren Van Dell spoke concerning the need for recycling. He said recycling should be a joint effort between individuals and industries. He said small resource recovery facilities are also needed to make recycling profitable. He noted that tipping fees at the landfill are scheduled to increase, and said the County should focus on recycling, rather than just charging more money for more waste. Since no one else wished to speak concerning Public Works, Mr. Bowie asked for comments on the category of Human Development. Ms. Helen Parish spoke on behalf of the Sexual Assault Resources Agency (SARA). She thanked the Board for approving the additional funds for the victim services program. Unfortunately, she said, this community needs SARA: the number of sexual assaults reported to SARA has increased by 50 percent in the last six months. The number of people asking for help through the victim services program has increased by 100 percent during the last six months. Ms. Parish then recognized the efforts of Ms. Cindy Lamb, the victim services coordinator, who has worked for many hours to meet the increasing demand for help. Ms. Ann Causey, the President of the Charlottesville chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She said members of NOW~support the proposed increase in the tax rate to pay the debt service on the school bonds and to continue needed social programs that improve the quality of life for many residents. She said she is pleased that the proposed budget include increases for several social programs, including the United Way Child Care Scholarships, the Jefferson Area United Transportation agency and SARA. She said members of NOW are concerned about the funding proposed for the Central Virginia Child Development Agency (CVCDA). The proposed allocation of $7000 is just over one-half of the agency's request. She asked that the Board consider increasing the amount proposed for CVCDA and Shelter for Help in Emergency (SHE). She said members of NOW also urge the Board to fund the Monticello Area Community Action Agency and its Project Discovery at the highest level possible. Mr. Lynwood Coffman addressed the Board and asked why the budget for the District Home increased by 100 percent over that of FY 89-90. Mr. Agnor said the County is called upon to supplement the Home's operation when federal funds from Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security will not cover the cost of a patient in the Home. He said the federal funds are not increasing, while the costs of medical care are, so localities are being called upon to contribute more to this facility. Since no one else wished to speak concerning Human Development, Mr. Bowie asked for comments on the category of Parks, Recreation and Culture. Mr. Roger Wiley, Vice-President of the Albemarle-Charlottesville chapter of the Literacy Volunteers of America, spoke. He thanked the Board for approving the Volunteers' request for money to fund a full-time coordinator for the program. Ms. Shirley Dorrier addressed the Board on behalf of the Jefferson- Madison Regional Library. She thanked the Board for its support of the Library. She said the Library continues to grow: the number of registered borrOwers has increased from 24,000 to 42,000 in the past 18 months and over 10,000 new books were added to the Library last year. Ms. Dorrier asked if the Board plans to add funds for the operating budget of the proposed North 29 Branch Library to the amount currently pro- posed for the Library. Mr. Bowie said the amount needed to open the proposed branch library has not been included in the allocation to the Library proposed by the Board, but will be approved later in the year when that cost is determined. April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 6) 84 Ms. Dottier said that members of the Library Board believe there is a need for more services for young adults between the age of 15 and 19. She said there is no staff or programs geared especially for this age group. She said the City of Charlottesville has agreed to fund one-half of a young adult services librarian, a trained staff member who could act as a liaison to the high schools and their libraries. Mr. Doug Hurt, President of the Friends of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, addressed the Board. He said the staff, director and trustees of the Library have worked hard to make this Library one of the best in the State. He thanked the Board for its commitment to the proposed Route 29 North Branch Library. He reported that the recent annual book sale held by the Friends raised $50,000 for the Library. He said the Friends plan to continue their support of children's programs, collection development and other needs of the Library. Mr. Arthur Hess, former President of the Friends of the Library, addressed the Board. He described the history, organization and duties of the Friends. He said the Friends are especially committed to children's programs and fund all of the Library's annual programs for children. He said the Friends are ready to assist with raising funds for the proposed North 29 Branch Library. There were no further comments on Parks, Recreation and Culture. The next category, Community Development, elicited the following comments. Mr. C. Timothy Lindstrom addressed the Board on behalf of the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC). He urged the Board to consider funding an another experienced senior planner, in addition to the position added to the proposed budget. He said thatmajor ordinances to implement proffered zoning have been delayed because the County lacks the staff needed to put these proposals into action. Mr. Lindstrom said the $250,000 requested by the Planning Department for additional staff could have been recovered from developers, had the ordinances implementing proffered zoning been in place. He said that two major residential developments, approved by the Board since the State authorized proffered zoning, could have generated $300,000 to $500,000 in proffers. Mr. Lindstrom said it does not make sense to him to allow this much money to bypass the County, for the lack of $25,000 to $30,000 for a planner. Mr. Lindstrom said he thinks the County should also implement the recom- mendations of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. He said he has been told that the County will have to wait for at least a year before acting upon these recommendations, due to a shortage of staff. Mr. Lindstrom said this shortage is also delaying an adequate and thorough overlay protection plan for the major highway corridors leading to and from the County. Mr. Lindstrom said he believes the need for at least one additional senior, experienced planner is critical. He said that now is the time to protect what everyone enjoys about the County and accommodate the growth that is coming. Mr. Scott Peyton, Chairman of the Greenwood Citizens Council, addressed the Board. He feels the Planning Department is overburdened and understaffed. He urged the County to take a more active stance in guarding the County's resources by funding an additional planner. He said this additional planner is needed to work on a corridor protection plan, an ordinance allowing the County to accept proffers, a mountainside protection plan, an historical district overlay and ordinances to implement the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. Ms. Marie Reel addressed the Board on behalf of ALERT, a coalition organized to encourage the intelligent use of tax revenue in the County. She said she agreed with the comments made by Mr. Lindstrom and Mr. Peyton. If the Board will not fund an additional senior planner, she advocated funding a consultant who could insure that the infrastructure required by growth can be planned and its cost estimated. This would help the County take advantage of proffered zoning. She said the County also needs ordinances for historical April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 7) overlays, corridor and mountainside protection and the Chesapeake Bay Preser- vation-Act. Mr. Jack Marshall, President of Citizens for Albemarle, addressed the Board. He asked that the Board approve additional funding for the Planning Department, specifically for the position of a another senior planner. He said the Planning Department shapes the future of the County. While he thinks the current staff is competent and hard-working, there are simply not enough of them. Mr. Marshall said the Comprehensive Plan lists 13 programs to be developed by the Planning Department and the Board has asked the Planning staff to develop ordinances focusing on another eight to ten issues. Without additional staff, these important tasks will be left undone. He said the County cannot afford to delay any longer: developers are testing the limits of current planning policies and creating subdivisions wherever they can. When a hillside, an historic site, or a farm is lost to development, he said, it is lost forever. Mr. Ken Boyd, President of the Key West/Cedar Hills Community Associa- tion, addressed the Board. Mr. Boyd said that a recent apartment complex approved by the Board is estimated to cost the County $500,000 more in ser- vices than the revenue its residents would generate. He is concerned that this information was not Part of the staff's report. He said there is no reason why developers should not pay a share of the cost of their developments, now that the state has enabled localities to accept proffered zoning. If hiring one additional senior planner will make it possible for the County to receive these revenues, then he thinks it makes sense to fund the position. Mr. Bill Frampton addressed the Board on behalf of the Southwest Mountain Association. He does not think the County has enough staff in the Planning Department to properly and professionally handle the work load. He said the Association asks that the Board fund the Planning Department at level 3, rather than the modified level 2 proposed in this budget. Mr. Pete Hallock, a resident of Keswick, addressed the Board. He said the new growth area at Glenmore Farm was created within 90 days, yet it has taken over a year to create an historical district, and it is still not completed. He said he thinks the County needs more staff in the Planning Department. Since no one else wished to speak concerning the category of Community Development, Mr. Bowie asked for comments concerning Education. Ms. Helen Lockwood, President of the Meriwether Lewis Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), addressed the Board. She said the Board has been urged to fund many worthy causes this evening. Nevertheless, she said, the ability to provide the kind of economy needed to support all of these causes depends on the quality of education £n the County. If education suffers in 1990, she warned, the economy will suffer in the year 2000. Ms. Lockwood then read several statements from leading businessmen in the area who are concerned about the effect of low standards of education on the business world. These business leaders complained of the difficulty of finding litera~te and intelli- gent employees. Ms. Lockwood said that these concerned representatives are willing to do what they can to improve ieducation, but the County needs to do its part as well: pay superior teachens what they deserve and provide the environment and resources conducive to learning. Ms. Margo Coldwell, second Vice-President of the Albemarle Education Association (AEA), addressed the Board. She thanked the Board for proposing an additional allocation to the schools of $100,000. Despite the additional funding, she said, there remain needs that are not met in the proposed budget. She said the County must bolster the morale and retain the experience of those who care for and teach the children. She said a recent survey of salaries showed that an increase of 7.5 percent is needed to make the salaries of classified employees competitive with those of their counterparts in industry and surrounding localities. She said a decision by the Board to vest fully the 5.5 percent proposed increase would~ show appreciation for and good will to the schools' classified employees. Ms. Coldwell said the career ladder should be modified if it is to remain viable, using suggestions from teachers. She said some teachers supported the April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 8) 86 career ladder because they thought the base salary would increase signifi-' cantly-as well and that choosing a career path would be truly voluntary. Some teachers have said they chose the career ladder simply because they needed the money. Senior teachers have found that the wages at the top rung of the career ladder are thousands of dollars below salaries for teachers in other areas. Ms. Coldwell said teachers and administrators also must provide their services at the current level of quality as new programs are initiated and rapid growth occurs. She said the middle schools are having problems as the size of their classes expands. The upper grades of the elementary schools are overcrowded too, with 29 and 30 children per class. Ms. Coldwell said that low test scores and irate parents are the predictable result. Ms. Coldwell said that continuing to defer action on the career ladder, salaries of classified employees, and overcrowded schools may lead to bigger, more expensive problems later. Since no one else wished to comment on the funding proposed for Educa- tion, Mr. Bowie asked for general comments on the budget. Ms. Lois Rochester addressed the Board on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. She said it has become apparent to the League that growth is putting.stress on the County's fiscal resources. The League would like to see growth managed and controlled as much as possible and agencies and programs operated efficiently and held account- able for their spending. But, she said, there comes a time when the County must pay for growth and the commitments the Board has made in its Comprehen- sive Plan and ordinances. She said the citizens of this County must pay not only for new school buildings, but also for the education that goes on there. They must pay to help needy citizens fund adequate housing and child care. They must pay to manage the solid and hazardous waste generated by a rapidly increasing population. They must pay for police and fire protection, for recreational facilities and libraries. They must pay for the staff needed to handle the growth coming to the County. Ms. Rochester said the League supports the funding in the proposed budget for an office assistant and zoning inspector in the Zoning Department. The League also supports funding for the transportation planner as set forth in the proposed budget and for at least one additional planner not included in the budget. The League agrees with the need for a housing specialist in the Albemarle Housing Improvement Program (AHIP). She said the League also believes that additional staff may be needed in the Finance Department if the County plans to continue with zero-based budgeting and long-range financial planning, both of which the League strongly supports. Ms. Rochester said the League is pleased to see that the Board is follow- ing through on the recommendations of the Solid Waste Task Force by providing funds for wood chipping, the hazardous waste collection program and hiring a recycling coordinator. She said the League supports the institution of tipping fees at the landfill. The League is pleased that the following items are also proposed to be funded: full-time staff for the Literacy Volunteers, SARA's Victim Services program and the United Way Child Care Scholarships. On the subject of day care provided by the Social Services Department, the League supports increasing the pay for providers to at least $1.25 an hour, which is $0.25 above the amount proposed in the budget. At the present low pay, it is very difficult to keep child care providers, and so the Social Services Department is sometimes forced to purchase day care at the more expensive centers. Ms. Rochester said the League is satisfied that the schools have enough funding to accommodate the anticipated student population; nevertheless, the League continues to be concerned about the shortage of funding to hire the elementary guidance counselors mandated by the state. Given the limited sources of revenue available to the County, Ms. Roches- ter continued, the League supports an increase in the real property tax rate. Instead of the proposed increase of two cents per one hundred dollars to fund the debt service, the League advocates restoring the tax rate to $0.77 per one hundred dollars. She said it will be more difficult to raise taxes next year when three members of the Board will be running for re-election. She asked April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 9) 87 that the Board place the County in a truly strong and healthy fiscal position this year. Mr. Lynwood Coffman addressed the Board and said he is a member of the "affluent poor"; he owns his own house, several cars and has educated his children, but he does not have any money. He said there are many people living in similar circumstances in the County, people who are facing retire- ment and beginning to scrutinize their expenses. He said he realizes that growth is responsible for increases in the tax rate. He wants the Board to know that it can say "no" to new development. He thinks the County needs to hire planners who know how to restrict growth and how to preserve rural areas. He said there are two growth areas in the County that are not growing: Scottsville and North Garden. He said these areas are not growing because they receive no water and sewage service. Instead of trying to encourage development in these areas, he thinks they should be down-zoned to rural areas. He suggested that the Board keep developers out of the County and hold down taxes. Ms. Emily Johnson addressed the Board and said she agreed with the comments made by Mr. Coffman. She said she moved to the County because she could not afford to pay the taxes levied on her previous home. She suggested that the developers be taxed to offset the cost of their developments. She said people living on fixed incomes can bear only so much of the burden and then they must move again in search of taxes they can live with. Ms. Johnson added that she believes the County should use recycled paper for its budget and reports. Mr. Marvin Edwards addressed the Board and said that people like Mr. Coffman who own their own homes are not the poor people of Albemarle County. Mr. George Bailey addressed the Board. He said President George Bush and Governor Douglas Wilder have said the federal and state governments must reduce spending. Mr. Bailey said he believes the County has to do the same thing. He said residents of the urban area demand more services, not resi- dents of the rural area, yet a tax increase must be borne by everyone. He said many County residents are living on a fixed income and cannot afford to pay higher taxes. He said the way to get the job done is to work a little harder, not hire more people. Since no one else wished to speak concerning the proposed FY 90-91 County Budget, Mr. Bowie closed the public hearing and asked members of the Board if they wished to make statements. Mr. Bain said he' would prefer that the County not have to hire more employees, but he thinks it is unreasonable to expect the same number of employees to serve a population that has grown as rapidly as the County's has. He thinks the County is going to have to spend some money in order to regain some control over its future. Until there is a public facilities plan, until the County can determine the cost per resident, per house and per development, the Board cannot ask developers for cash contributions to offset the cost of development. Mr. Bain said he believes there are needs above and beyond what are covered under the proposed budget. However, when the Board voted on a tax rate to be advertised for this hearing, a motion to increase the tax rate by more than two cents per one hundred dollars failed. Nevertheless, he said, he believes that an additional $300,000 should be allocated to the Police Department and the Department of Planning and Community Development and he plans to recommend at the end of the current fiscal year that these funds be allocated to these departments, from either the Board's contingency account or the General fund balance. Mr. Bain said he sympathizes with people living on a fixed income. That is one reason why he supported the meals tax, because it would be paid in part by tourists and people living outside the County. Mr. Bain said he is unhappy with the way the new school buses will be funded, by amortizing the cost over seven years. April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 10) 88 Mrs. Humphris said she would like to make one point in the County's defense. Even though the County did not use recycled paper for its Annual Report, County employees have begun to place all used paper in recycling bins. Mrs. Humphris said she is pleased that a number of citizens cared enough about the needs of the Planning staff to come to this public hearing and ask that the Planning Department receive additional funding. Mr. Bowie thanked the citizens for their comments and said the Board would act on the proposed budget next week in accordance with State code. (Note: The Board recessed at 9:42 P.M. and reconvened at 9:56 P.M.) Agenda Item No 7. Report-Solid Waste Task Force Recommendations (deferred from April 11, 1990). Mr. Tucker compared the cost of establishing a new authority in charge of solid waste disposal with the cost of expanding an existing authority, the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA), to handle the matter. The estimated cost for a new authority is $511,847; for an expanded RWSA, $258,997. Details of these estimates are on file in the Clerk's Office. Mr. Bain asked if the advisory committee was discussed with City Council. Mr. Tucker said "no". Mr. Bain said he thinks an advisory committee would be a critical compo- nent. He said there is a lot of expertise in the community that could be o~ use to such a committee. Mr. Bowie said he thinks an advisory committee is important, but before the Board now is what type of organization the Board wants for a solid waste authority. Once the Board has chosen the type of organization, Mrs. Humphris asked, who will draw up the articles of incorporation and the rules for the author- ity. Mr. Tucker said that Mr. St. John would probably take on this responsi- bility. Mr. Bowerman said he thinks the responsibility facing the proposed authority is much too critical to relegate the duty to an existing agency. He thinks members of this Board and City Council should form a subcommittee to work out the details of a solid waste authority. He said he will support using the RWSA as a start-up organization for the new authority if that will expedite things, but he thinks a solid waste authority will need a lot more resources in the future than a water and sewer authority. Mr. Bain said he thinks it is important that the County proceed with the recommendations of the Solid Waste Task Force. He said he can support Mr. Bowerman's suggestion. Later, the Board can discuss the details of creating a separate authority to oversee the disposal of solid waste. Mrs. Humphris said she is afraid that there may be legal problems if the Board uses the RWSA for solid waste management. However, she said, she is willing to put aside those feelings in the interests of proceeding as quickly as possible with recycling and solid waste management. She is concerned that using the staff and resources of RWSA for solid waste management may anger the bondholders of the Authority. Mr. St. John said he does not think the bondholders will be concerned over this use of the RWSA's resources, nor do the bondholders have legal standing to challenge this use, because the enabling legislation for the Authority includes solid waste management as one of the functions that could have been originally assigned to the Authority. Mr. Agnor suggested that the Board members list what each wants in the articles of incorporation and then assign a subcommittee to work out the details with attorneys. April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 11) Mr. Bowie said this suggestion seems sensible and he thinks the lists should~ be made available to the County Attorney as soon as possible, who would offer his input, and then the subcommittee would have something to work with. Motion was offered by Mrs. Humphris to establish a Rivanna Solid Waste Authority, a separate legal entity having the same board of directors as the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, as outlined in Mr. Agnor's memorandum of April 24, 1990. Mr. Bain asked that the clause concerning the identical board of direc- tors be excluded from the motion. Mrs. Humphris agreed. Mr. Bain then seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way. NAYS: None. Agenda Item No. 8. Appointments. No appointments were made at this time. Agenda Item No. 9. Approval of Minutes: December 6(N) and Decem- ber 20(N), 1989; January 10, January 17(N), March 7, and March 21, 1990. Mr. Bain had read pages 17 to the End of the minutes for December 20(N), 1989; and pages one through ten of the minutes for January 10, 1990, and found them to be in order with the exception of a few typographical errors. Mrs. Humphris had read pages 13 to the end of the minutes for January 17(N), 1990; and pages one to 14 of the minutes for March 21, 1990, and found them to be in order with the exception of typographical errors. Mr. Way had read the minutes for March 7, 1990, and found them to be in order. Mr. Perkins read pages 14 to the end of the minutes for March 21, 1990, and found them to be in order. Motion was offered by Mr. Bain and seconded by Mrs. Humphris to approve the minutes as read. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman, Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way. NAYS: None. Agenda Item No. 10. Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from the Public and the Board. Mr. Bowie said the Board has been invited by the Charles City County Board of Supervisors to see the first triple-lined sanitary landfill in the State and to lunch with Governor Douglas Wilder on Monday, April 30. He asked any members of the Board interested in attending to contact the Clerk. Mr. Bowie said the Board has also been invited to a breakfast on April 24 at the Omni Hotel sponsored by the Thomas Jefferson Child Advocacy Group as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Mr. Bowie said the Board members are invited to attend the Private Industry Council Local Elected Officials Institute in Richmond on May 10, 1990. Mr. Bowie said the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDoT) will hold its Annual Round Table meeting on May 8 in Culpeper. Mr. Bain said he is interested in attending. April 18, 1990 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 12) 90 Mrs. Humphris said she was honored to represent the Board at the wreath- laying ceremony at Mr. Thomas Jefferson's tomb on April 13. She thanked the Board for giving her this opportunity. Agenda Item No. 11. Adjourn to April 25, 1990, 4:00 P.M. At 10:27 P.M., with no further business to come before the Board, motion was offered by Mr. Bain and seconded by Mr. Bowerman to adjourn to April 25, 1990, at 4:00 P.M. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Messrs. Bain, Bowerman Bowie, Mrs. Humphris, Mr. Perkins and Mr. Way. NAYS: None. CHAIRMAN