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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-12March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 1) A regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia, was held on March 12, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., Room 241, County Office Building, McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. PRESENT: Mr. David P. Bowerman, Mrs. Charlotte Y. Humphris, Mr. Forrest R. Marshall, Jr., Mr. Charles S. Martin, Mr. Walter F. Perkins and Mrs. Sally H. Thomas. ABSENT: None. OFFICERS PRESENT: County Executive, Robert W. Tucker, Jr.; County Attorney, Larry W. Davis; and County Planner, V. Wayne Cilimberg. Agenda Item No. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., by the Chairman, Mrs. Humphris. 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. Agenda Item No. 5. Consent Agenda. Motion was offered by Mr. Marshall, seconded by Mr. Martin, to approve Item 5.1 and to accept the remaining items on the consent agenda as information. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES:Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. NAYS: None. Item No. 5.1. Appropriation: Education, $7,893 (Form #96054). The Executive Summary states that at its meeting on January 27, 1997, the School Board approved the transfer of $7,893 to the schools from the Fund Balance for carryover funds and distribution of building rental fees col- lected. School Board Policy KG-R stipulates that 40 percent of building rental fees that are collected are to be distributed to the rented facility to be used toward equipment replacement. As of June 30, 1996, a total of $19,732.50 had been collected from building rental fees. Of this amount, $7,893 (40 percent) should be transferred to the schools per School Board policy. Staff recommends approval of the appropriation in the amount of $7,893, as detailed on Form $96054. By the above shown vote, the Board adopted the following resolution of appropriation: FISCAL YEAR: NUMBER: TYPE OF APPROPRIATION: FUND: PURPOSE OF APPROPRIATION: EXPENDITURE COST CTR/CATEGORY 1996/97 96054 NEW SCHOOL USE OF CARRYOVER FUNDS RESULTING FROM BUILDING RENTAL FEES. DESCRIPTION AMOUNT 1220161101800101 1220361101800101 1220561101800101 1220961101800101 1221261101800101 1221461101800101 1221561101800101 1221661101800101 MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL BROADUS WOOD CROZET HOLLYMEAD SCOTTSVILLE WOODBROOK CALE MURRAY AGNOR- HURT $28 00 4 00 30 00 60 00 146 00 96 00 10 00 697 80 i i 1,1~ i i' ii i ~ ;1 ~ , , i u il i i [ i i , .~ i ~ i !~ ! iI March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 2) 000 3 1225161101800101 1225261101800101 1225361101800101 1225461101800101 1230161101800101 1230261101800101 MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL MACH/EQUIP-REPL BLTRLEY 158.40 HENLEY 187.20 JOUETT 1,788.00 WALTON 21.00 AHS 4,642.60 WAHS 24.00 TOTAL $7,893.00 REVENLTE DESCRIPTION AMOUNT 2200051000510100 FUND BALANCE $7,893.00 TOTAL $7,893.00 Item No. 5.2. Copy of Supts. Memo. No. 1, dated February 24, 1997, from Mr. Richard T. La Pointe, Superintendent of Public Instruction, to Division Superintendents, re: Aid to Localities Appropriations, 1996-98 Biennium, was received for information. Item No. 5.3. Copy of Planning Commission minutes for February 25, 1997, was received for information. Item No. 5.4. Notice from the Department of Transportation that the Location and Design Public Hearing scheduled for March 25, 1997, on the proposed construction of Greenbrier Drive (Route 866) from 0.026 mile south of the intersection of Hydraulic Road (Route 743) to 0.172 mile north of the intersection of Route 29, in Albemarle County, has been canceled, was received for information. Agenda Item No. 6. Public Hearing on an Ordinance to Amend and Reenact the County Code in Chapter 4, Animals and Fowl, Article II, Dogs, Division 2, Running at Large, to add Subsection 4-19(a) (36), Lexington Subdivision in Earlysville as one of those areas where dogs are prohibited from running at large. (Advertised in the Daily Progress on February 24 and March 3, 1997.) Mr. Tucker said that Lexington Subdivision in Earlysville has requested the Board include the subdivision in the County's Dog Leash Ordinance area. Of the eight occupied lots, six are in favor of instituting a dog leash law. Following the County's policy of supporting any subdivision that has at least 51 percent of the residents in favor of the dog leash law, staff recommended setting the public hearing. The Chairman opened the public hearing. Mr. Joseph Becker, a resident of 5830 Lexington Lane, said he was the person who requested the ordinance after many problems with dogs in the neighborhood. He asked that the Board add this subdivision to the County's Dog Leash Ordinance area. Mr. Becker then asked if the ordinance only applied to the leash itself, or did it extend to cleaning up the dogs' excrement. Mrs. Humphris replied that the ordinance simply prohibits dogs from running at large in the subdivision. Mr. Becker said that on one occasion a dog on a leash left excrement on his property. Mrs. Humphris asked Mr. Davis to explain the purpose of the ordinance. Mr. Davis said the ordinance states that dogs must be under the control of their owners or on a leash. Regarding the other problems, those would be addressed as trespassing issues and Mr. Becker could take appropriate civil or criminal action. There being no other comments, Mrs. Humphris closed the public hearing. The motion was offered by Mr. Perkins, seconded by Mr. Bowerman, to adopt an Ordinance to amend and reordain Chapter 4, Animals and Fowl, Article 2, Dogs, Division 2, Running at Large, of the Code of the County of Albemarle, Virginia, to add Subsection 4-19(a) (36), Lexington Subdivision in Earlysville as one of those areas where dogs are prohibited from running at large. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 3) 000234 AYES: Nays: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. None. The adopted Ordinance is set out below: ORDINANCE NO. 97-4 (1) AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REORDAIN CHAPTER 4, ANIMALS /kND FOWL, ARTICLE 2, DOGS, DIVISION 2, RUNNING AT LARGE, OF THE CODE OF THE COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA. BE IT ORDAINED By the Board of Supervisors of the County of Albemarle, Virginia, that Chapter 4, Animals and Fowl, Article 2, Dogs, Division 2, Running at Large, is hereby amended and reordained by amending section 4-19, In certain areas, as follows: ARTICLE II. Dogs. Division 2. Running at Large. Sec. 4-19. In certain areas. (36) Lexington Subdivision as platted and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County in Deed Book 564, page 088. Agenda Item No. 7. Public Hearing to receive comments on the County Executive's Recommended Operating Budget for FY 1997-98. (Advertised in the Daily Progress on March 9 and March 11, 1997.) Mrs. Humphris reminded all present to speak at the public hearing to limit their comments to no more than three minutes per individual or five minutes if representing a group, to stick to the facts and to eliminate applause. Mr. Tucker stated that this was the first public hearing on the proposed FY97-98 budget, and that work sessions would follow during March. A final public hearing would be held before the Board on April 9, 1997. Mr. Tucker presented the County Executive's recommended operating budget for FY 1997-98. The total budget is $126.5 million, an increase of 6.5 percent over FY1997. The school budget represents an increase of 61 percent, which does not include debt service or capital transfer. Including those items, the School Division's budget represents approximately 68 percent of the total budget. The transfer to the School Division is approximately $45.0 million of local funds, or a 5.7 percent increase. This also provides approximately $1.0 million that has been placed in the Board's reserve to address additional needs in the school system to meet the $1.4 million shortfall. There is no proposed increase in property taxes, but there is an increase in the hotel/motel tax. There is an increase of $350,000 in revenue sharing funds to the City of Charlottesville for a total of $5.5 million. The proposed budget funds $7.4 million in debt service for new and expanded school facilities, and transfers $2.3 million to the Capital Fund. From 1981 to the present, the cost of services has been relatively flat. The budget is being driven by the cost of growth and inflation. State and federal governments have also mandated programs which much be implemented. Welfare reform is a major item in the budget, for which the County received both federal and state funds amounting to approximately $700,000. The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) mandated a pre-funded cost of living adjust- ment (COLA) required for school and local government employees, at $750,000. More than 280 new students are projected to enroll in the school system, an increase of almost 2.5 percent over the current year, requiring 15 addi- tional regular teachers and 5.5 special education teachers. Start-up costs for the Monticello High School and support positions in Human Resources, Fiscal Services and Information Services are immpacting growth in the School Division. It is anticipated that 1,600 additional County residents will relocate to this area, an approximate 2.0 increase over the current year, resulting in additional support and Human Resources positions needed in March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 4) General Government. Additional staffing is needed in the Registrar's Office, the Commonwealth Attorney's Office, the Police Department, and the development departments, as well as an Information Technology Trainer. A comparison of Albemarle County's per capita expenditure to the Commonwealth of Virginia shows the County being below the average in every category except education and miscellaneous. The miscellaneous category includes the revenue sharing agreement. Charlottesville and Albemarle is the only city/county in Virginia that have a revenue sharing agreement. The County has been able to provide a quality level of service to citizens, while increasing only one staff member per 1,000 citizens during the past 12 to 13 years. The Police Department accounts for about 40 percent of that increase. The County's effective tax rate is 72 cents. The County actually operates on 62 cents per $100 value. The average tax rate among top populated 20 counties is about 86 cents. The average for all counties is 69 cents. The average for all Virginia cities is $1.04, therefore, Albemarle compares favorably. Regarding changes in revenue, Mr. Tucker said in 1988, property taxes accounted for about 39 percent of the County's total budget. For FY 1998 the reliance has increased to 48 percent of the total budget. In 1988, the County received 35 percent of the budget from state taxes; in FY 1998 it dropped to 23 percent, due to devolution. The General Assembly determines the type of revenue the County can generate, which is primarily tied to property taxes. The County's reassess- ment increases have changed significantly. At the beginning of the decade there was a 22 percent average increase in reassessments. The County reassesses property every two years. In 1991 the County realized there would be a correction in real estate property. Since then, each year, the assess- ment has decreased one-half and it is now 2.26 percent. It is becoming more difficult to rely entirely on property taxes. Mr. Tucker reminded the Board that FY 1999 will be critical, due to the opening of the new high school. Additional costs for Monticello High School include: $1.3 million for operating costs, 300 additional students at a cost of $1.4 million, increased debt service for the new high school at $400,000, VRS COLA for the schools at $400,000, as well as unknown costs such as reversion, and expansion of the Joint Security Complex. In the past, the Board has relied on its reserves, contingencies, creative financing and cutting back on expenditures to balance the budget without increasing the property tax. However, Mr. Tucker said he is now concerned that FY 1999 will be a challenge unless there is a meals tax, property tax or expenditure cutbacks. Mr. Martin clarified that when Mr. Tucker said the County operated on 62 cents as opposed to 72 cents, it should be mentioned that revenue sharing creates the difference. With no further comments from the Board, Mrs. Humphris opened the public hearing. Ms. Karen Lilleleht, speaking on behalf of the new Thomas Jefferson Housing Improvement Corporation (TJHIC), asked the County and the City for $50,000 each to help cover the FY 1997-98 operating expenses of TJHIC. Rural counties will also be asked to provide some funding in conjunction with their own housing provider organizations. TJHIC hopes to put the money into a capital fund available in Charlottesville and Albemarle to help leverage other monies. Projects specific to Albemarle County include Crozet Crossing and an elderly housing project in partnership with the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA). Ms. Lilleleht said that raising private funds is much more difficult than it used to be. (The County will benefit from working with smaller counties' housing development organizations. TJHIC is a tested fundraising group with grant writing expertise, and experience obtaining money through the state's new Regional Competitiveness Act. Ms. Kathy Verell expressed opposition to the School Division's proposed ~maintenance of effort" budget, stating that education would remain at the status quo, allowing for no additional growth. Because of the new differenti- ated staffing ratio, some schools are losing programs or positions. The money March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 5) 000 86 gained from this process will be spent on support personnel at schools with a higher concentration of at-risk students. The school system defines at-risk based on the numbers of students on free or reduced lunches. In her opinion, this is economic bigotry and educational discrimination against students who pack their lunch. Some principals have to make difficult decisions about where to cut programs, while others hire staff, resulting in an inconsistent staffing ratio between schools. Ms. Verell said she takes it personally when parents place children in private schools, but understands that they may feel there is no alternative. Children who want smaller class sizes and access to support personnel must be ~special needs" children, intellectually gifted. She said that average students should not have to pay a price. In closing, sh easked the Board to fund growth. Mr. Don Vale spoke on behalf of the Albemarle County Public Schools Principals' Association. He congratulated Dr. Castner and his immediate staff for their intuition, creativity, and sensitivity in developing the schools' "maintenance of effort" budget, and Ms. Powell and others for the time they spent studying the proposed school budget. Mr. Vale said it is important to at least maintain efforts to provide for the education of children. He thanked Mr. Tucker for his proposed budget without increasing the tax burden, and said that the education of children is the community's single most important task. The school system is one to be proud of, as it has achieved many successes and continues to outperform resources. However, for several years there has been significant growth without growth in funding. Mr. Vale then provided statistics to compare 1992 to 1996 school level funding. He said it has become increasingly more difficult to maintain efforts in operat- ing schools, when added to this difficulty is the concept of differentiated funding and staffing as a strategy to deal with the diverse needs of various schools. The Principal's Association supports the concept, but some schools gain, while some lose. Mr. Vale said this can no longer take place without a significant cost to children. He asked that the Board look at the unfunded initiatives as basic needs, not a wish list. He added that schools and departments have put in place a variety of strategies to meet the needs in each area. Ms. Denise Allen spoke on behalf of the Henley Middel School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The PTO requests that the Board support the entire proposed budget which represents a "maintenance of effort" for the schools. While Mr. Tucker was able to balance the budget for the upcoming year, it is imperative that the Board find viable revenue resources so that the County does not face a ~stop gap" future. With a minimal maintenance of effort budget, teachers will lose jobs, class size will increase, and out-of- date textbooks will not be replaced. Ms. Allen said that some teachers are already involved in fund raising to cover the basics such as replacing out-of- date audio-visual equipment and maps, or spend their own money to purchase books and other materials students need. This should concern all citizens. The basics of education are not being met. This budget does not address the issues of growth and inflation, which will not go away. The Board needs to take politics out of education and look seriously at a meals tax and other revenue sources. Further, she invited each Board member and critics of the proposed budget to spend time volunteering in the schools, including spending time working with at-risk populations. Ms. Martha Redinger, President of the Murray Elementary School PTO, thanked the Board for the extraordinary effort they make serving the County. She said that Virginia L. Murray Elementary School has an active and well- informed PTO. At a recent board meeting, when FY 1998's budget allocation was reviewed, it was apparent that Murray Elementary School lacked support, and that the County had reduced its commitment to public education in general. Murray's board expressed concern and disapproved the proposal, saying that the recommended budget does not accommodate growth in the County and reduces support for individual schools. Ms. Redinger~stated that Albemarle County has been allowed to grow with no concern for the impact on education budgets, and that the County stands at a crossroads. She said that a "maintenance of effort" budget would represent mediocrity, and the proposed budget is some- thing less than that. Stating that differentiated funding addresses those schools that have more inherent hurdles to overcome to achieve success, she agreed that some schools do have greater needs. However, it is not fair to reduce support elsewhere. With new staffing allocations, Murray Elementary stands to lose. The full-time employee (FTE) numbers are the same next year, but there will no longer be a full-time librarian without making reductions elsewhere, plus other requirements have been added without the additional staff. Ms. Redinger said that Albemarle's minimum standards are lacking. A 000237' March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 6) full-time librarian is not guaranteed in any school. To keep a full-time media specialist, the school has to sacrifice its art teacher. The failure to require and fund a strong music and art curriculum reflects a misunderstand- ing; art education is basic education, and that, for some, art education is what unlocks the key in the academic experience. She said experts agree that a strong commitment to the arts stimulates learning ability, improves test scores, aids in understanding other subjects enhances self-esteem and produc- tivity, and teaches discipline. Ms. Redinger said that Albemarle County has never supported an orchestral program in its high schools, while Charlottes- ville impresses us with its strong support of the arts despite its financial difficulties and special student needs. She said that Albemarle must support more than a "maintenance of effort" budget when maintenance implies medioc- rity, and must amend itself to guarantee basic education for all children, including art and music, full-time librarians in every school, and small class sizes. Saying that this budget is less than a maintenance of effort, she said that the Murray PTO Board will not support it or any such reduced effort that does not pay for growth or the basic fundamental education that all children should be offered. Mr. Sam Kaplan said that the County has to plan for the future. He proposed that the Board levy a one cent tax increase in the real property rate to be put into two trust funds. One would be an educational initiative fund, receiving two-thirds of the funds, the other, a law enforcement inititative fund, which would receive one-third of the funds. During prosperity, funds would be allowed to accumulate. By providing these funds, he believes the County will be able to meet the challenge of growth and make qualititative improvements in the educational system in the future, as well as in law enforcement efforts. Mrs. Martha Bain, President of the Brownsville Elementary PTO, said the Albemarle County Schools Parent Council was formed in November, 1996, out of the Superintendent's Advisory Committee. The Council represents each of the County's 23 schools, as well as three at-large members appointed by the Superintendent. The Council supports the Superintendent and School Board, and the request for additional funds. Although additional funds have been promised, the Council does not feel this is sufficient, and that the budget proposal represents a reduction in effort, rather than maintenance. Educators cannot lead the children into the 21st Century as leaders, with school cutbacks. Differentiated funding, which brings more funds to schools with a higher number of children in need, should not occur at the expense of schools with lesser needs. The current system is growing by the size of a small elementary school each year. With 282 new students projected for next year and a new high school coming on-line, she believes the budget should be progressive in effort, and that there should not be a list of unfunded initiatives that include the basics. There is no waste in Brownsville Elementary School, and probably not in any of the other schools. Administra- tion works to manage available funds, but some areas must go without. Mrs. Bain asked the Board whether or not the schools are in the business of educating the whole child, regardless of where talent lies. She said the County will lose valuable teaching staff if it does not support their efforts. As a product of Albemarle County public schools, she is a faithful supporter of public education. She added that Albemarle public education is good, and should be the best. She said that parents want quality in the education of their children that will last. Mrs. Bain said that teaching basics is not good enough any longer; times have changed, children's needs have changed, and society has changed. The state's composit index for Albemarle says the County has a better ability to pay, and she said the County must do so. She proposed that the Board support a meals tax, charge developers impact fees, consider a real estate tax increase and slow the rate of growth. She concluded by adding that all County government and services need more funding, including the police department, parks and recreation, libraries and senior programs. Mr. Marshall Chase addressed the Board, speaking as President of the Albemarle Education Association. He said this is not a maintenance of effort budget; it not only does not maintain currrent services, it falls far short of what the County must do for children. The School Division's budget includes a new differentiated staffing formula. Mr. Chase said it is past time that the County begin an inititative to serve children who need all the help they can get, but added that this program comes with a heavy price. That is the reduction of effort in the instruction of art, music, physical education, elementary guidance and media sciences. It is the reduction in the number of teaching assistants and contract staff. It is an increase in class size. Fine arts are an essential part of human intelligence. Physical education is March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 7) 000 8 essential to the development of healthy bodies and minds. History is on CD ROM. The Schools no longer have librarians; they have media specialists. Guidance counselors are becoming school-based social workers. Mr. Chase said that children who are at-risk go far beyond the buildings that have the highest percentage of free and reduced lunch, citing that they are in every school and in every classroom. It is time for the County to decide what it wants as a community. All children deserve the best the County can give them. He said the biggest mistake this budget makes is that it asks too little for all of the children. Unfunded initatives include full funding of ACADEMIC LEARNING PROJECT Schools Plus (ALPS), health clinicians, Summer School acceleration, a K-5 language arts specialist, textbooks, increase of the Master's Degree stipend for teachers, and the pony van. Next March the budget will include the opening of a new high school. Mr. Chase concluded that next year the County is going to need a meals tax just to hold its ground. He said if the County wants to do more, the people will either have to eat out a lot or add other new sources of revenue. Mr. Karl Monsoor spoke on behalf of Albemarle County Police Department employees. He asked those persons in the room in support of his comments to stand. Approximately 60 stood. He said the employees support Chief Miller and are committed to doing their best for the County. They are also committed to seeing that pay is administered in a fair manner and at a level that is consistent with risk and responsibility. The employees understand that running a County properly is a difficult and complex task. However, Mr. Monsoor said there are numerous pay problems; the most signifiant of which is the compression of salaries. There are many junior level officers whose pay is close to or equal to officers senior to them, although both have done satisfactory, or better, work. He said that numerous employees do excellent work, but do not receive pay raises, including some outstanding officers. Mr. Monsoor said the Hendrix pay plan indicates a mid-point in salary which should be consistent with the mid-point in a career, but many officers who are close to retirement are still at mid-career level pay. This plan actually caused more pay compression when it was implemented. A consultant is not needed to fix this; instead, the County should raise employees' base pay to a level that reflects their years of service. Additionally, whenever the starting salary is raised, other salaries should be raised the same percentage, eliminating the compression problem. Mr. Monsoor also said the evaluation system needs to be changed so that satisfactory or better performance merits a raise. Another problem is the overall low pay for the majority of Police Department employ- ees, sworn officers and civilian personnel, adding that pay problems have an effect on the services that citizens receive. He said the Department has lost many employees due to pay problems, and others seek outside employment to pay their bills, leaving them exhausted and unable to concentrate on their main job. Mr. Monsoor said this is such a high priority that it needs to be fixed now. This issue is very important to the employees. He concluded his remarks by providing the Board a list of 74 signatures from employees of the Police Department who support this position. Ms. Beth Barden also spoke, representing many officers in the Police Department. She said the officers agree with the Hendrix plan, but want to see it implemented fully as had been the intent. The Department serves as a training facility for aspiring law enforcement professionals. Professionals can get their training here, then transfer to larger departments offering higher salaries, more speciality options, more promotions, more prestige and other attractions. Officers faced with few promotional opportunities and low salaries often choose to move. This trend has created a chronic problem of turnover and understaffing. Ms. Barden said the Department is committed to community-oriented policing and proactive law enforcement, but it is hard to be creative when pay is at minimum or below average. She said it is impossi- ble if employees have to concentrate on simply getting the basics done. She pointed out that officers new to a Department require a huge investment ($65,200 for equipment, training, etc.), and a good officer is made, not born, and it takes time. Officers who come with prior experience must be reoriented to the Albemarle County way of doing things, and must complete the Virginia certification requirement, regardless of how much experience they have. Hiring one officer involves the efforts of many, from recruitment, to testing, to interviewing and background checks, to reinterviewing and hiring. Time is spent away from the Police Department's primary function, which is to provide police services. Once an officer is hired, there is a long training and orientation process, and problems with salaries have taken a toll on that process. Many former training officers found that new officers in training made the same salary the training officers made, and would soon surpass that salary, because of the way the pay plan is administered. Consequently, March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) {Page 8) 000239 experienced officers have declined the extra work and responsibility of being a training officer, and currently, the average time in service within Albemarle County as a training officer is short. Ms. Barden said it takes nearly a year to recruit, hire, train and release an officer each time the County loses an experienced officer. There are times areas of the County must make due with occasional patrols and officers only respond to calls for service. Officers have to answer more calls, and therefore cannot be as thorough as they would like on each call, and mistakes can be made and citizens left unsatisfied. The Police Department would like to do better. The employees believe Albemarle's citizens deserve better, but the Department needs the Board's help in fixing the budget in order to keep good officers. This County has all the tools it needs to serve the citizens. The County needs to keep good officers through good and adequate pay, so that it can realize the long-term savings and improve service. Mr. Karl Brown spoke regarding departmental and contractural overtime. Department overtime consists of callouts, holdovers, investigations or arrests which keep an officer past normal work hours. It is sometimes paid at a normal rate, sometimes at time and a half, sometimes compensatory time and sometimes forced time off. Staff does not understand the pay methods. Mr. Brown then attempted to explain the various pay mehtods, i.e., time-and-a- half, contractural overtime, etc. In concluding, he said the Police Officers ask that the Board help make the pay situation better so that officers are not so tired when reporting to work for the County. Mr. Pete Baber also spoke on behalf of the County police officers and employees. He said the employees completely support their Supervisors, the Board and the County Executive. Albemarle County is the nicest community in Central Virginia, due to the quality of services and schools offered. Funding for the schools must be maintained at a level to support teachers in their endeavor. However, Police officers would like to live in the County and take advantage of its services as opposed to living outside of the County. A recent poll showed that only 38 percent of County officers could afford to own a home in the County. Of the homes owned by officers, 86 percent are below the County's average for the cost of a single-family dwelling. Every officer who lives outside the County responded that they do so because they cannot live in Albemarle; however, 68 percent would move here if pay problems were handled so they could be a part of the community they serve. Ninety-four percent of officers rely on other sources of income to pay bills; working an average of 8.2 hours per week part-time, which can add up to between 51 and 60 hours worked per week, not including court, overtime or training. Mr. Roger Mathias, a County police officer, said in 1996 the Police Department handled 33,778 calls for service; an increase in the workload of approximately 13 to 14 percent from the previous year. Manpower levels did not increase by this percentage, yet Police officers handled the workload. Officers serve as counselors or mediators for spousal abuse, to lost, aban- doned, or injured children or adults, etc. Officers arrest petty thieves, drug dealers, drug users, rapists, shoplifters, and murderers, and they deliver death notifications to families. He said that officers are rookies, veterans, married, single, single parents with children, neighbors, coaches and deacons. Officers are part of the community. Last year one-third of all injured Police officers were injured while working in their official capacity. Last year assaults on officers were up 100 percent over the previous year. He said that employees are dedicated to serving their Chief of Police, the County govern- ment, and the people of the County to the best of their ability. However, pay issues need to be addressed. Mr. John Carter addressed the issue of an unbalanced school budget. He suggested the School Board be told they must balance the budget. The County Executive performs this task every year, telling the County's departments and agencies what they will have to spend, not what they would like to spend. The School Board has failed to perform this essential task of school administra- tion. Mr. Carter said that is a deficit, a self-inflicted wound that does not deserve sympathy from County government. In his opinion, the rationale for the excess spending is two-fold. First, effort must be maintained, and secondly, salaries must be or become competitive. Maintaining effort and competitive salaries translates into a spending spree that has little to do with the children in the classrooms. He said that if it did, there would not be $200,000 unfunded for textbooks and $185,000 spent on school operating budgets. Mr. Carter recommended that the School Board develop a balanced budget. If any essential services for educating children are omitted or reduced, they should be listed in a separate document for the Board's consid- March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 9) 000240 eration, so that any extra monies are spent on them. Mr. Carter added that he is currently working on an analysis of past and proposed spending, and will provide it to the Board. Mr. Dewey Cornell, Co-President of the Agnor-Hurt Elementary School PTO, said that all County citizens should be concerned about the school budget because without everyone's tax dollars, many County programs could not be funded, incoming businesses would locate elsewhere to find good schools, and it would cost more to deal with children who fail in school than it does to provide a good education. Failed students of today become the failed parents of tomorrow, etc. Education is the key to stopping the cycle of poverty and education. The proposed school budget is not a maintenance of effort budget. The term really means ~maintenance of expenditures" or ~staying within the guidelines of the Board of Supervisors". Mr. Cornell said the real cost of maintaining effort is only a secondary consideration, and that effort is not being maintained in public schools. The dollar amounts grow, but not in proportion to increased encrollment, increased cost and increased needs. Teachers, administrators and support personnel are expected to increase their efforts by doing more and more with less and less. Teachers are underpaid and pupil expenditures are below average. Since Albemarle is not an impoverished, or even ~average" community, schools should not be either. Substantial numbers of children are economically disadvantaged and hundreds fail the literacy passport test, yet schools are being asked to cut services to some children to shift money to others. There are children with special education needs who must go outside the school to get services the schools should provide. Textbooks cannot be updated; there are staff shortages; schools have to cutback in physical education, arts and music; students are transported in buses that should be replaced; building improvements are needed; caseloads are heavy outside classrooms; and building administrators have difficulty main- taining effort while budgets are frozen. Mr. Cornell said that Albemarle's property taxes are low compared to the rest of the state and the nation, and local government is not pulling its own weight in funding local services. The Board has a responsibility to ensure that schools and other services are adequately funded. Property taxes are not the most desireable forms of taxation, but unfortunately, this is what is available to work with. In conclusion, Albemarle should not settle for maintenance of effort; it should strive for increased effort and increased effectiveness in schools. In order to achieve these goals, there must be an increased effort by the Board. Mr. Dan Dunsmore, President of the Meriwether Lewis Elementary School PTO, encouraged the Board to provide schools with critical funding. He said that the School Board has approved a maintenance of effort budget, which is acceptable if it is a maintenance of effort for all children. What is not acceptable is a budget that results in a decrease in services for some students. All children should continue to benefit from at least a maintenance of effort. An effective education has a positive impact on the entire community. Mr. Brian Clingenpeel, Pastor of Hillsboro Baptist Church in Crozet, spoke in support of fair pay for Albemarle County Police officers. He rides as an observer with officers. He is also a graduate of the Citizens Police Academy, has experienced excellent response from police officers when needed, and has had the opportunity to minister to some of the officers. Employees of the Police Department are top-notch individuals who take their job seriously and perform their duties with professionalism and care for people. Officers endure many hours of training, extra assignments, and court appearances in order to do their jobs, and wear many different hats, including nurse, mediator, rescue worker, psychologist and police officer. Officers put their lives on the line, and assaults on officers are rising. Mr. Clingenpeel said he was amazed to find that the starting pay for a new officer is less than that of a preacher of a small, rural Baptist church. Officers who have been here for several years, and intend to stay, do not make much more. He said that officers are due fair pay, and the pay should be based upon performance. However, if the Department stresses community-oriented policing and problem solving, rather than strictly law enforcement, then performance should be based on community relations, not how many tickets are written and arrests made. He concluded by saying that the Board needs to support not only equipment and training, but also the people in the department. Mr. Mark Echelberger said that growth is a factor in the budget, but that growth also brings resources to the County. The issue is much larger than just growth. This year's budget requests additional expenditures of approximately $4.3 million. Of that increase, approximately $2.5 million March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 10) 000241 represents increases in salaries and benefits to maintain a competitive level of employee compensation. From FY 1994 until FY 1998, the number of students increased by approximately 9.9 percent, but instructional salaries and benefits have increased by 26.22 percent. There is a need to continue to attract good teachers, which is not a growth issue. The number of computers in use has increased more than 1,000, and the number of instructional networks has increased by 20. Mr. Echelberger said this reflects a fundamental way in which children must be educated if they are to have a chance to survive in the new information age. Over the past three years the number of children attending summer school has increased from 275 in 1994 to 675 in 1996, at a cost of $180 per student. These efforts need to continue, but they do cost money. Mr. Echelberger said he is concrned about the list of unfunded priorities: textbooks, summer school, remediation and geometry. Gifted children can also be at risk. These are only some of the issues, and there are many more of equal importance. He pointed out that it costs more to educate children today than it did in the past. Increases in salaries and benefits, changing technology, unfunded mandates and regulatory requirements, as well as past maintenance of effort budgets have all put pressure on the School Division. All these are important, and must be funded to ensure the future success of the School Division and children. Citizens of the County need to decide whether quality education is important. The Board needs to explore means of increasing revenues for the school and the County at large, not just for now, but for the future. Mrs. Elizabeth Way asked that the Board seriously consider the School Board's unbalanced budget, and to reduce the amount requested by the unbal- anced amount. She said that a few years ago an unbalanced budget was pre- sented, and the following year a balanced budget was proposed. She believes that in the past two years, as the result of elected School Boards, there seems to be an attitude that the School Board now has a mandate to ask for whatever they want. Mrs. Way said that the demand is an arrogant one, as the service rendered by the schools is nowhere near commenserate with the monies put into them. She added that the School Division's information is not objective; it is more interested in a beaurocracy than in expanding services. In K-3, there are few teachers teaching children how to read. She said there is a mounting concern that County parents feel that services provided are nowhere near what is expected. Ms. Donna Packard, a parent of two Murray Elementary School children, spoke against any reduction in funds to Murray Elementary School. A reduction in funds at any school serves to increase enrollment at the area's private schools. She said that may be good for the private schools, but detracts from public education. She then asked how many of these Board members attended a school system funded with a maintenance of effort budget. Mr. David Carr, Jr., a parent of a student at Murray Elementary School, said it was clear that growth is a major problem eating away at the school's operating budget and the future of the educational system. There will be a 2.5 percent increase in students this year, which means increased operating expenses throughout the school system. He mentioned that a propozed rezoning request for the Mechums River Land will increase the density on that tract from seven units to 101 units. He pointed out that there needs to be a connection between growth and rezoning and the demands placed on the schools' operating budgets. Mr. Carr noted that Mr. Tucker's presentation emphasized the cost of growth to the County, and said that citizens need to become educated regarding these costs. He urged the Board to seek revenue from a meals tax and a property tax increase to support that growth, as well as to approach the General Assembly for additional revenues. He said that the proposed school budget is called a maintenance of effort budget, but it forces administration to make a choice between meeting additional requirements, meeting the needs of at-risk children and meeting additional requirements on technology. To meet those requirements the Murray Elementary principal has to eliminate the art teacher, who is only there one-and-a-half days a week now, and cut the physical education teacher from full-time to half-time. This is done to preserve the full-time librarian. Mr. Carr said there must be a quality education and environment to ensure a strong economy for the future. Mr. Michael Webb addressed the pay scale for the Police Department. As a result of Police officers responding to his needs, he became a volunteer with both the City and County Police Departments. He feels that officers are not compensated enough for their work. Every situation is handled profession- ally, and officers must maintain self-control and discipline. He encouraged Board members to ride along with police officers to watch their performance March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 11) before evaluating the pay scale. He added that the Police Department is the foundation of the community. Mr. Dan Blake asked the Board to assist officers in making the community a better place in which to live, serve and raise families. There being no other comments, the public hearing was closed. Mrs. Humphris thanked the public for the excellent input provided mostly on the educational system and the Police pay issue. She asked if Board members had any comments. Mrs. Humphris commented that one speaker said the Board should slow the rate of growth, but it does not have the power to do so. The Board was also asked to impose impact fees on developers, but it cannot do this without the General Assembly giving it the power to do so. Mrs. Humphris added that the first budget work session will be held on March 17, 1997, at 1:00 p.m., in Room 241. Agenda Item No. 8. ZMA-96-17. Mechum River Land Trust (Sign #33). ~a~ ~ ........ ~ ,,,~ ..... ~ ~ (Advertised in the Daily Progress on February 24 and March 3, 1997.) Mrs. Humphris said a letter has been received from the applicant, Mr. Hunter Craig, requesting that this item be deferred until April 16, 1997. The motion was offered by Mr. Perkins, seconded by Mr. Marshall, to defer ZMA-96-17 until April 16, 1997. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Humphris. NAYS: None. ABSTAINED: Mr. Bowerman. Agenda Item No. 9. ZMA-96-22. RHH Development Corp (Sign #72). Public ....... .~ .................... ~ ...................... vertised in the Da Progress on February 24 and March 3, 1997.) Mrs. Humphris said a letter has been received from the applicant, Mr. Robert M. Hauser, requesting that ZMA-96-22 be deferred to allow him to secure the signatures of all of the property owners on the final proffers. Motion was offered by Mr. Bowerman, seconded by Mr. Perkins, to defer ZMA-96-22 until April 16, 1997. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. None. ~ Mr. Bowerman added that there will be meetings between residents, the developer and himself to attempt to resolve outstanding issues before April 16. Agenda Item No. 10. Discussion: Regional Competitiveness Program in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District (deferred from March 5, 1997). Mr. Tucker said staff provided Board members a copy of an outline drafted by Mrs. Thomas after the last meeting, that gave direction to the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission as it drafted a resolution to go March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 12) 000243 to other interested localities. He noted that there are potential changes the Board may want to consider at a later date. Mrs. Thomas distributed a second draft for the Board's review, which incorporated individuals' and organizations' responses to the first draft. The other jurisdictions have not reviewed the draft. Mrs. Thomas suggested the Board discuss the subject, but not vote until the draft is discussed with the other jurisdictions. Jurisdictions will be asked to approve the member- ship of the partnership, its charter and bylaws, the plan and the application for funds. The incentive fund distribution formula is required by the state. The other approvals are not required by the regulations, but she said they seem to be responsive to the concerns expressed by individuals. The proposed plan follows the County's Comprehensive Plan Economic Development Policy developed last year. Other juridictions may or may not have similar policies. Giving each jurisdiction a chance to approve it will ensure that the policy is followed. Mrs. Thomas said that partnerships that are formed by the July deadline will get a share of the funds provided by the state from last year and this year, which amounts to $3.0 million. Jurisdictions who get applica- tions in before the December deadline will split another $3.0 million. There is an incentive to meet the July deadline. Mrs. Humphris said that, as Chairman of the Planning District Commis- sion, she thinks it would be a good idea for Mrs. Thomas to contact Fluvanna and Louisa Counties to review the draft. Mrs. Thomas added that Nelson County has also agreed to the partnership. Mrs. Humphris asked where the funds came from to fund staff work in developing the funding formula. Mrs. Thomas said that Planning Distrit Commissions around the state have been level-funded for several years, and were given the new responsibility of developing a strategic plan, with no additional funds. They do receive some funding from the state for planning purposes. The biggest change to the Planning District Commission's charge is that the deadline was moved up from next year. Mrs. Humphris commented that if the Planning District Commission was not developing the formula, someone else would get paid to do it. Mr. Marshall said without Albemarle County's participation this partnership cannot move forward. Mrs. Humphris said that was understood. Mr. Bowerman asked if the Board could be given a complete and revised draft of everything that has been assimilated by Friday. Mr. Tucker replied, "Yes." This draft could simply be incorporated into what has already been prepared. Mr. Martin commented that several areas were singled out, i.e., historic preservation, environmental issues and rural conservation. He asked why not include other issues such as housing and transportation. Mrs. Thomas said the list could be made longer, or the Board could assume that the Comprehensive Plan includes these items. She noted that there is anxiety about the words ~economic development"; the added words were intended to overcome that anxiety. Housing, transportation and other issues can be added. Mr. Martin said it would be good to do so, as there are other important concerns too. With no further comments, the Board deferred this item until March 19, 1997. Non Agenda. At 9:15 p.m., motion was offered by Mr. Bowerman, seconded by Mr. Martin, to go into Executive Session pursuant to Section 2.1-344(A) of the Code of Virginia under Subsection (1) to consider personnel matters relating to appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees; and under Subsection (7) to consult with legal counsel and staff regarding specific legal matters relating to reversion. Mr. Martin advised the Board that he felt uncomfortable going into Executive Session to discuss Boards and Commissions unless a committee other than the Development Areas Initiative Committee was being discussed. As Board representatative to that Committee, he did not have anything to say that the public could not hear. Mrs. Humphris said there were issues that needed to be discussed in Executive Session that relate to individuals. March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 13) 000244 Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. Mr. Martin. At 9:45 p.m., the Board reconvened into open session. Motion was offered by Mr. Bowerman, seconded by Mr. Marshall, to certify the Executive Session. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. None. Agenda Item No. 11. Discussion: Process to appoint additional members to the Development Areas Initiatives Committee. This item was not discussed. Agenda Item No. 12. Other Matters not Listed on the Agenda from the BOARD. Mr. Tucker said that some of the Board members had approached him about increasing the Board's salary for the next year. If the Board wishes to move forward on this item, it must be advertised for public hearing. When asked, Mr. Tucker recommended that the increase be 3.5 percent, the same as other County employees. Motion was offered by Mr. Bowerman, seconded by Mr. Marshall, to set a public hearing for May 7, 1997, to increase the Board's salary by 3.5 percent for FY 1997-98. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. None. Mrs. Humphris said she would be attending the Commonwealth Transporta- tion Board's Pre-allocation Hearing in Culpeper on Friday. Mr. Tucker said that Senator Emily Couric and Delegate Mitch VanYahres also plan to attend the hearing. Mr. Martin said Board members will be talking to certain individuals about the possibility of their joining the Development Areas Initiatives Committee. The Board has not yet decided on the number of people to add to the Committee. Mrs. Thomas questioned whether the Board would be discussing the landfill. Mr. Tucker responded that it was on the agenda for the next meeting. Mr. Bowerman asked if the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) has a monthly collection day where people, other than commercial haulers, can bring in anything. Mr. Tucker said this has been done on occasion. Mr. Bowerman proposed that once a month citizens be permitted to bring items to the landfill without being charged a tipping fee. People then could not complain about the tipping fees. He showed the Board photographs taken of some illegal dumping on a two mile stretch near Walton Middle School. Mr. Tucker said the County may have to pay to cover the cost of the tip fee. Mr. Bowerman said he thought it may be worthwhile to do so. He added that he would also like to see the County penalize people caught dumping trash improperly. Other Board members concurred. Mr. Tucker said he would discuss this with RSWA. Approved by Board Date [0'( *~ ~ March 12, 1997 (Regular Night Meeting) (Page 14) Mrs. Humphris mentioned a letter from Mr. Kenneth A. Schwartz, Associate Dean at the University of Virginia School of Architecture, inviting the Board to a Round Table discussion on Wednesday, April 2, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., regarding University and community interaction. The Board will begin its regular meeting at 10:30 a.m. Mrs. Humphris asked about a proclamation for the Virginia Festival of the Book. Mrs. Carey said that she would prepare a proclamation for the April 2, 1997 Board meeting. Mrs. Humphris said she accepted on behalf of the Board, from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy, a print entitled "Encampment of the Convention Army at Charlotte Ville" a limited edition produced and designed by Calvin P. Otto. She asked that the print be framed and placed in an appropriate location. Agenda Item No. 13. Adjourn to March 17, 1997, 1:00 p.m. At 10:00 p.m., motion was offered by Mr. Bowerman, seconded by Mrs. Thomas, to adjourn to March 17, 1997, 1:00 p.m, for a work session on the budget. Roll was called and the motion carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: NAYS: Mr. Marshall, Mr. Martin, Mr. Perkins, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Bowerman and Mrs. Humphris. None. ~ha~rman