1974-05-08A230
5-8~7~Cafternoon)
An adjourned meeting~of the Board of Supervisors of Albemarle County, Virginia,
was held on May 8, 1974, in the Board Room of the County Office Building, said meeting
being .adjourned from.April 24, 1974.
The Boar~d began at 3:00 P.M., with several members present, for an informal
discussion of the plans for the new western Albemarle high school. Members of the
Albemarle County School Board and the architect for the high school were also present.
At 4:25 P.M. the Board began with the following members present: Messrs. Stuart F.
Carwile, Gerald E. Fisher, J. T. Henley, Jr., William C. Thacker, Jr., Gordon L. Wheeler
and Lloyd F. Wood, Jr. Absent: None. Officer present: County Executive.
Mr. Jim Butler and Mr. Charlie Perkins were present to introduce a new employee
of the County Extension Office. After a short introduction, motion was offered by
Mr. Wood and seconded by Mr. Henley to appoint Mr. Mark Manno to work as 4-H Club
extension agent. The motion carried by the following recorded vote:
AYES: Messrs. Carwile, Fisher, Henley, Thacker, Wheeler and Wood.
NAYS: None.
Members of the Parks Committee, Mr. Dave Morris, Dr. B. W. Ruffner, Mrs. Dorothy
Brown and Mr. Lloyd Feggans, were present to discuss with the Board their role as
members or. the Parks Committee. The following ideas were presented as ideas for
the committee to study:
(1)
(2)
(3)
'~ (5)
~- ~,.,,1 ~' ()
Long range planning.
Compliance with the Master Plan.
Development of neighborhood parks.
Construction of tennis courts and other recreational facilities.
Purchase of land for future use.
Feasibility and advisability of developing a recreation program.
Use of school facilities for neighborhood recreational activities.
Possible development of a recreational complex to be constructed
with the new County office facilities. Thismight include a
swimming pool, gymnasium, work-shop areas, etc.
Further expansion of facilities of presently owned park lands.
Morris said the Parks Committee feels they have made a contribution to the
County, ~but suggest that it is time to pause and decide were the County wants to go
in relation to recreational services. They feel the long-range needs of the County
should be studied. They have addressed the question of an expanded program and feel
there are tangible areas to be explored. The committee has given thought to exploring
certain seasonal programs with volunteer groups. However, the committee does not want
to expand any programs unless directed to do so by the Board.
Mr. Fisher expressed his appreciation for the work of the committee in bringing
a new rate. structure to the Board. The new rates were adopted as presented. Mr.
Fisher said, if-the committee is willing to explore other ideas, the Board does need
help with some of the items on the list. In particular, the long,range plans for
recreation in the County. This should be studied at this time. As the density of
development increases, it will be more difficult to acquire land for recreational
purposes. The use of school facilities, or lands which are already in the public domain,
should be explored.
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231_
Mr. Thacker also thanked the committee for their work and said he hoped they
would continue to help~the County.
Mr. Wood agreed and said the committee was needed several years ago. The
County's first ~venture into recreation was an attempt to have playgrounds at the
schools during~the summer months. Because of a lack of interest by the citizens, the
programs flopped. If the committee could pick up those pieces, recreation would be
~f great interest in the County in the future.
Mr. Carwile agreed with Mr. Fisher, however, he feels the staff, and the Board,
should consider the amount of funding which is available for recreational purposes.
This would let the committee establish priorities for their programs, otherwise they
Will be working in a vacuum. Mr. Fisher said it is hard to justify any expenditure
until the Board has seen a list of priorities. Mr. Carwile agreed but said funding
possibilities should be explored in order to give the committee guidance as to
programs for which funds will be available. Mr. Henley said he would like to see a
list of priorities before making a commitment. Mr. Wood said funding will be one of
the most important things the committee will have to consider. He suggested that the
committee make'a budget to be presented to the Board for the next fiscal year. This
budget could then be discussed fully during budget hearings for the next year.
Mr. Wheeler said he appreciates the work of the committee, however, when exploring
future facilities he'asked that the committee no% overlook present facilities and the
need to operate these better. Particular attention should be given to the southern
end of the County. Plans should be drawn in the near future so that all areas of the
County will be serviced by recreational facilities. In r~ference to Items No. 1 and
2 on the list, John Humphrey receives numerous plans for future developments in the
County. Certain developers have stated that they want to furnish facilities. He said
they will need some type of cooperation with the committee to see how their plans
fit in the overall plans of the County. Mr. Wheeler suggested that tentative plans
for Totier Creek be drawn by fall so this can be placed in the budget for the next
fiscal year. The committee should present all proposals to the Board as drawn since
it would be foolish to work on a project which cannot be funded.
Mr. Fisher asked~if the committee is studying both Totier Creek and the Hatton
Ferry landing. Mr. Sampson said yes, however, in developing plans for Totier Creek
the committee may need an appropriation for a master plan of this facility.
Dr. Ruffner asked about a comment made earlier concerning sun~mer programs at
schools. Mr. Wheeler said this was a program where certain schools in certain areas
of the County were used, but there was not enough participation. Mrs. Brown asked if
gym and auditorium facilities were used. Mr. Batchelor said the gym at one school
was used during inclement weather. However, the biggest problem encounted was trans-
portation.- The program~was moderately successful at Woodbrook and~Yancey schools
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5-8-74 (afternoon)
because children were close enou~.~to walk. Mr. Wood said this project was funded
with only $6,000 and covered the metropolit'an areas of Earlysville, Crozet and
Scottsville. Many times there was only one instructor and one assistant. The ~programr
began late in the season and was not well advertised. Mr. Wheeler said because this
program had flopped did not mean that the Parks Committee should not study such a
program.
Mr. Feggans asked if money has been set aside for use at Totier Creek. Mr. Thacker
said the Board has considered the use of Federal revenue sharing funds, but has
encountered a problem, mainly, the Davis-Bacon Act. Mr. Batchelor said if Totier
is to be dsveloped, the Board should apply to the State Bureau of Outdoor Recreation
for funding. There would need be only 25% local money expended if funds are approved
by BOR. Mr. Wheeler said before the committee can apply for this money a plan must
be develoPed. Mr. Thacker suggested that some of the planning might be handled through
the architect.ure school at the University of Virginia. Mr. Sampson said they had been
contact.ed last September, but since they receive many requests, they are very
selective. They have been very helpful with the field of low-income housing~ Mr.
Morris said before any plans are finalized, the Parks Committee may need to employ
a professional consultant.
(Nots: At 5:00 P.M., Mr. Carwile left the meeting.)
Mr. J. Harvey Bailey, County Engineer, was present to give the Board a report on
a fire at the Ivy Landfill site. He said the fire broke out on Thursday evening,
April 25, 1974. Since that time, the Air Pollution Control Board has been in touch
with the County. They gave Mr. Bailey the name of W. C. Spratt, Jr., of Fredericksburg,
who has experience in extinguishing landfill fires. Mr. Spratt digs out the fire
and physically extinguishes same, which is a sure method, although extremely slow.
Mr. Spratt has estimated it will take three weeks to extinguish the fire. Mr. Bailey
was also advised, by Bob Foreman, local inspector for the Bureau of Solid Waste, that
fly ash has been used to smother such fires. This method was investigated and it was
~und that the material could be obtained free of charge, but the County would have to
pay transportation charges of $3.25 a cubic yard for delivery from Bremo Bluff to the
site. This method was discounted since it would cost approximately the same as the
method used by Mr. Spratt. Another method has been brought to his attention; that of
using chemicals mixed with water. This would be distributed on the burn area. The
chemical makes the water penetrate to the bottom depth of the fire, however, this
method was tried in Fredericksburg some time ago and failed miserably. Mr. Bailey
said Mr. Kent Reynolds, representing the manufacturer of the chemical, was present
to explain this method. Mr. Bailey said he has discussed the use of a chemical with
Mr. Agnor and Mr. Wade, of the City Department of Public Works, and they have agreed
that this method might be tried on a very small area. Mr. Reynolds has told Mr.. Bailey
5-8-74 (afternoon)
23"3
his company proposes to furnish three d~m~sof thee ckemical and if the County is not
convined, after application, that the chemical will work, the County will not be charged
for the three drums. The chemical cost $4.00/gallon.
Mr. Fisher asked Mr. Reynolds the nature of the chemical. Mr. Reynolds said it
is 78% pure detergent, which is used to make the water spread out and go further.
Mr. Fisher asked how it would be determined if this had been reasonably effective.
Mr. Bailey said it could be reasonably determined by inspection. Some material would
be retained in the event the first or second application did not get to all spots.
However, a definite determination could not be made for two or more weeks. Mr. Fisher
asked if this chemical has been used on a landfill fire before. Mr. Reynolds said
yes, and suggested that the chemical be used on a fringe area, wait no. more than 24
hours., and dig up the area to see if the fire has been extinguished.
Mr. Bailey asked that Mr. Reynolds explain the terms on which they propose to
supply the chemical. Mr. Reynolds said one gallon of this chemical goes as far as
50 gallons of water. He has estimated that it will take 50 gallons per acre. If
the County uses three drums and decides it is not satisfactory, they will lose no money,
and can return what is left to Greensboro. Mr. Bailey said the site is somewhat
limited by the availability of water. There is a stream on the site which produces
approximately 40 gallons per minute, and they can expect to get about~Jz3rgallons a
day. It will take 14 days to make the application.
Mr. Wood asked about the water that runs off of the site. Mr. Reynolds said
there is no pollution involved, this chemical is used in street sweepers and that
water goes into storm sewers. The chemical has been approved by E.P.A.
Mr. Wood asked what effect this chemical will have on the ability of the landfill
site to be used for other purposes. Mr. Reynolds said the chemical will have no
adverse effect on the landfill site. The chemical only takes water down deeper,
makes the w. ater soak up faster, and could possible speed up the decaying action.
Mr. -Wheeler said it was the concensus of ~he Board that the staff, continue their
efforts to extinguish the landfill fire by whatever method proved to be best. These
activities should be coordinated with the City since they have one,half responsibility
in the .operation of the landfill.
At 5:35 P.M. the meeting was adjourned.
Chairman