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Meeting Convened.
An Adjourned Meeting of the York County Board of Supervisors was called
to order at 6:01 p.m., Tuesday, September 9, 2003, in the East Room,
York Hall, by Chairman James S. Burgett.
Attendance.
The following members of the Board of Supervisors were present: Sheila
S. Noll, Donald E. Wiggins, James S. Burgett, and Thomas G. Shepperd.
Walter
C. Zaremba was absent
Also in
attendance were James O. McReynolds, County Administrator; J. Mark
Carter, Assistant County Administrator; and James E. Barnett, County
Attorney.
WORK SESSION
PROPOSAL FOR MERGER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENTITIES—PENINSULA AND
SOUTHSIDE
Mr. McReynolds
noted that discussion has taken place over the last several months
concerning the possible merger of the two economic development
organizations. He provided background on the Peninsula Alliance
for Economic Development (PAED) that was created in 1997. Last year
discussion started about the combination resulting in questions
concerning funding, and the issue was postponed. He noted that
discussion was renewed early this year. Mr. McReynolds then reviewed the
merger proposal that would include an equitable board arrangement with
headquarters being in Norfolk and a Peninsula office of substantial
size. Protocol for equal access to inquiries would be determined, and
funding would be determined by $1 per capita. He stated questions
still are outstanding concerning what happens to Workforce Development
on the Peninsula and the staffing requirements for the new organization.
Mrs. Noll
noted the proposal had not been accepted by the Peninsula or Southside
yet.
Mr. McReynolds
affirmed that there has been no formal action taken by either side at
this time.
Discussion followed as to how the proposal was initiated.
Mr. Rick Weigel,
Executive Director, PAED, stated the person who brought the two sides
together to begin discussions was Bill Butler of the Hampton Roads
Partnership and the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA).
Chairman Burgett
asked who worked up the proposal.
Mr. Weigel
stated it was the Southside Alliance that outlined a proposal based on
information provided by both alliances. He stated the PAED officers
looked at it and said it wouldn't work, and they came back with another
proposal. Neither side has formally considered the proposal for
merger.
Mr. McReynolds
then reviewed the comparative data regarding staffing and budget of the
PAED and HREDA.
Discussion followed on the impact such a proposed merger would have on
the Peninsula Workforce Development organization.
Mr. McReynolds
then reviewed expected benefits, merger concerns, as well as York County
considerations/concerns with the proposal. He stated staff at this
time is asking for guidance on how to proceed.
Chairman Burgett
stated the Board needed to reach a consensus on this issue, in that it
is coming up in both Alliance meetings as well as with the Workforce
Development Board. As a member of both, he stated he needed to know the
Board’s consensus to pass on. Chairman Burgett stated he could
remember when the VPEDC was in operation and Mr. Denton coming to the
YCBA to give a report, which stated $462 million was received and 10,000
jobs were in place on the Peninsula, and York County’s share was less
than $1 million. He indicated the County now gets every lead.
He stated if this proposal is adopted, York County will receive leads
the same as before, and there is no way to determine how many York
County will get. He stated the County couldn’t afford to lose the
current marketing support it is receiving.
Mrs. Noll
expressed her agreement with Mr. Burgett, stating she has watched the
evolution of the PAED with the initial thought to look toward merging
the two; but the business community does not want it. She stated
York County is made up of smaller businesses and has a good share of the
opportunities. For the County to join with a group when the
transportation problems in the area can’t be solved, she stated she
feels it is in the County’s best interest to remain as it is. More
ground work will have to be done before any merger can be made.
Mr. Wiggins
stated that even though he would like more regionalism between the
Peninsula and the Southside, he doesn't see it happening. He noted
there are more and more backups on the bridges, and no new bridge
crossings are in sight for the next 10 years. He stated he
envisions a new interstate on the Isle of Wight side, and the two
regions will be more separated than is the case now. Mr. Wiggins
stated the County’s future is in cooperation with the jurisdictions on
the Peninsula side of the Hampton Roads.
Mr. Shepperd
stated the assumption is always that someone is thinking of something
better, but in this case he is thinking about what is wrong with the
Peninsula organization as it is now. He stated he’s very pleased
with and proud of everything he’s seen coming out of the Peninsula
operation. The jurisdictions on the Peninsula are unique, and Mr.
Wiggins was correct in that York County’s focus is more with James City
County and in that direction.
Discussion followed concerning the proposed merger.
By
consensus, the Board members agreed not to support the current proposal
for merger of the economic development organizations on the Peninsula
and Southside.
PROPOSED 2004 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Mr. McReynolds
stated that several weeks ago Mr. Barnett and Mrs. Smith sent the Board
some information on proposed items, and at this time staff wishes to go
over them and add some others for the Board’s consideration. He
asked that as the Board goes through the proposal to let staff know
which ones the Board wishes to be included in next year’s package.
Chairman Burgett
stated the Board wishes to prioritize the legislative items this year in
order to select the ones that have the greatest chance of achievement
with the General Assembly.
At this
time Mr. McReynolds and the Board members reviewed the proposed
2004 Legislative items and by consensus agreed to include the following
issues and directed staff to complete the prioritization process with
the tax/funding income matters having the No. 1 priority and the BRAC
issue having the No. 2 priority:
Impact of State Budget Cuts and State Tax Reform
Restore Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act (VJCCCA) Funding
Transportation Safety—Photo Red Traffic Signal Enforcement
Base
Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC)
Local
Cigarette Tax
Removal of Public Officers
VDOT
Revenue Sharing
Abandoned Advertising Signs
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Enforcement
State
Income Tax Revenues
Substitute Days for Judges of the General District and Juvenile and
Domestic
Relations Courts
Parking Regulations
Consolidated Telecommunications Taxation
Tax
Restructuring
By
consensus, the Board directed staff to prepare a final draft of the 2004
Legislative Program to be reviewed by the Board prior to adoption.
Staff was directed to provide Mr. Zaremba with the consensus reached
this evening for his input prior to developing the final draft.
The Board also directed Mr. McReynolds to add the issue of Optional
Maintenance Provisions for the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
(Volume II) to a future work session agenda.
Meeting Adjourned.
At 7:27 p.m. Chairman Burgett declared that the meeting be
adjourned sine die.
_______________________________
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James O. McReynolds, Clerk
James S. Burgett, Chairman
York County Board of Supervisors
York County Board of Supervisors
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