OPENING BOARD COMMENTS – There were no opening Board comments.
PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS
- 2008 Caroline County Relay for Life - Susan Sili reminded everyone that the Caroline's annual Relay for Life event is scheduled for May 30th at Caroline High School. She discussed various activities scheduled throughout the event and requested that the Board declare the week of May 25, 2008 as "Relay for Life Week in Caroline County".
Mrs. Sili also informed Board members that this year's Garden Week is scheduled for the week of April 21st and invited Board members to attend the various events and celebrations scheduled throughout that week. - Monthly Report from VDOT Resident Engineer (including discussion of Six Year Plan for Secondary Roads) – Charlie Stunkle, Residency Administrator for the Bowling Green Office of VDOT, provided a status report on various road improvement projects throughout the County.
APPOINTMENTS
- Recreation Advisory Committee (Mattaponi District) – This appointment was deferred.
- Caroline Indoor Plumbing and Rehabilitation (IPR) Board – This appointment was also deferred.
CONSENT AGENDA
- The minutes from the March 11, 2008 Board of Supervisors meeting were approved.
- The bills list was approved as presented.
- The Board reviewed the actions taken by the Planning Commission at its March 19, 2008 meeting and authorized staff to advertise RZ-10-2007- Third Generation LP, Owner; Quarles Petroleum, Inc., Applicant for public hearing at the May 27, 2008 meeting.
- The Board adopted a resolution declaring April 13-19, 2008 as "Crime Victims' Rights Week in Caroline County".
- Payment Request #13 from Daniel & Company was approved in the amount of $18,005.07 for work completed on the Visitor Center Project.
- The Board approved the revision to Change Order #20 for the Visitor Center Project in the amount of $954. The purpose of this change order is to comply with a construction change directive to replace waterproofing insulation board on the northwest side of the building as requested by the architect and County staff. This change order (revised) will be absorbed in the project budget.
- The Board approved the following change orders for the Visitor Center Project:
- Change Order #22 in the amount of $9,336 to add a row of lightning fixtures in the main lobby area of the building. This change order is a result of an omission by the architect and is therefore his financial responsibility.
- Change Order #23, which is a result of the County’s agreement to eliminate hollow door frames at the request of the contractor, reflects a credit to the County in the amount of $367.50.
- Change Order #24, which is a result of the County’s agreement to eliminate feather banners, reflects a credit to the County in the amount of $4,000.
These change orders add no additional cost to the project.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
- Representatives from the Caroline Chamber of Commerce requested additional funding from the County and asked about the possibility of using County office space for the Chamber office once the Visitor Center is open and County Administration moves to its new location.
- Richard Lieberman, of the Madison District, expressed concerns about the rules and guidelines for the co-ed softball league sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department. County staff is working with the County Attorney to make any required changes to address any separation of church and state issues.
- Dennis Johnson, of the Mattaponi District and representing the Belmont Homeowners Association, asked for the County's assistance in talking with VDOT about the placement of additional stop signs in the Belmont subdivision.
Mr. Johnson also informed Board members that he had been in contact with Congressman Rob Wittman about issues of concern in the County and invited the Congressman to contact the Board of Supervisors about those issues.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Adoption of the State Fire Prevention Code with Additional Local Ordinances to Allow Enforcement by the Caroline County Department of Fire & Rescue - The Board conducted a public hearing on the proposed local adoption of the enforcement of the State Fire Prevention Code. No action was taken on this issue to allow staff to conduct additional research.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
RZ-07-2007 - BGM Ventures, Inc., Owner/Applicant - The Board denied a request from BGM Ventures to rezone 5.15 acres from Rural Preservation (RP) to Residential-1 (R-1) on Cannery Road in the Mattaponi District. Action was deferred at the March 18, 2008 meeting on this rezoning request to allow Chairman Thomas to discuss issues of concern with the adjacent property owners.
Discussion of Location for Donated Historical County Records - The Board discussed possible locations for donated historical County records from Herbert Collins. The Economic Development staff will be moving to the new Visitor Center when it opens this summer and the donated records may be stored in that building on a temporary basis until full-time measures can be put in place, if agreeable to Mr. Collins.
Continued Discussion of Public-Private Education Infrastructure and Facilities Act (PPEA) - The Board adopted guidelines that will enable the County to use the Public-Private Education Infrastructure and Facilities Act (PPEA).
NEW BUSINESS
Establishment of Tax Rates for Calendar Year 2008 - The Board adopted the following tax rates for calendar year 2008:
- Real Estate $0.53/$100 of assessed valuation
- Personal Property $6.25/$100 of assessed valuation
- Minerals Tax $0.53 /$100 of assessed valuation
- Public Service Corporations
- Real Estate $0.53/$100 of assessed valuation
- Personal Property $6.25/$100 of assessed valuation
- Mobile Homes $0.53/$100 of assessed valuation
- Machinery & Tools $3.50/$100 of assessed valuation
- Motor Carrier $3.50/$100 of assessed valuation
Establishment of Percentage of Personal Property Tax Relief for Calendar Year 2008 - The Board established the Personal Property tax relief percentage for qualifying vehicles at 50% for calendar year 2008.
INFORMATIONAL/CALENDAR ITEMS - County Administrator Percy Ashcraft directed the Board's attention to the following calendar items:
- The annual Fire & Rescue Spring Regional School is Saturday, April 12th with the opening ceremony beginning at 8 a.m.
- Little League Opening Day is also Saturday, April 12th with the opening ceremony at 10 a.m.
- A worksession has been scheduled with the Town of Bowling Green for Monday, April 28th.
- The Board is considering a worksession on May 20th to discuss the budget and utility issues.
- The next regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors is Tuesday, April 15th.
CLOSING BOARD COMMENTS
- Chairman Thomas stated that at the recent meeting with the Farm Bureau he had suggested the possibility of a Farmer's Market as a way to promote the cannery. This item will be discussed at a future Board meeting.
- Supervisor Rozell asked staff to work with him in scheduling a community meeting.
- The Board authorized Supervisor Acors to work with Mr. Ashcraft and Financial Advisor Courtney Rogers at the Finance Committee meeting on April 15th on possible areas to make the necessary budget cuts to compensate for the difference in the tax rate.
- Chairman Thomas stated that he wanted to point out that Board members take the budget process very seriously and explained that it was a very difficult task to consider all of the needs in the County and set the tax rate. He thanked staff and Mr. Rogers for all of their work on the budget.