BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Present: Mr. Joe Dan Johnson, Mr. Tommy Bruguiere, Mr. Allen Hale, Mr. Tommy Harvey and Ms. Connie Brennan
HEALTH DEPARTMENT RELOCATION: Mr. Carter reported that he has received input from representatives of Martha Jefferson Hospital on the county’s inquiry into possibly leasing the MJH property (7847 & 7849 Rockfish Valley Highway) which is the present location of Afton Family Medicine, which will be moving to its new facility across from Afton Service Center on October 3rd. MJH representatives said that the property is available for lease or purchase, at a purchase price of $450,000 or a lease of $13 per square foot (approximately 4,600 square feet). For comparison purposes, the county leases 4,160 square feet of space at the Nelson Center for $12.98 per square foot for a total annual expense of $54,000 (includes utilities and housekeeping).
Mr. Carter said that a possible second option is working with Blue Ridge Medical Center to establish leased space within the new BRMC facility (to be completed approximately November 15th). He reported that staff and Health Department representatives will be touring the facility next week and will talk with BRMC staff about the option. Mr. Bruguiere said that with the medical facility there, it would make sense to have the Health Department on the site. Further discussion was tabled pending more information after the site visit to BRMC.
SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES: Mr. Carter presented the county staff reports on providing an open top container, as requested by Mr. Johnson, for Gladstone and Montebello. Mr. Johnson said that Gladstone residents should not have to drive to the transfer station to dispose of large items. Mr. Bruguiere said that no one in Montebello has asked for an open top container and he would not agree to put one there. Mr. Johnson, responding to staff reports of abuse by commercial, contractors and residents, said that Gladstone residents would police their own cleanup around the open top. Ms. McSwain’s report noted that there had never been an open top container at Gladstone – the county simply replaced Waste Management’s compactor with a county-owned compactor. Her report also said that very few people still think that the public should bear the cost of hauling an individual’s privately-owned bulky item to the Transfer Station – individuals should be responsible for paying for their own items. The waste stream from Gladstone averages 50% commercial waste and an open top container is an invitation for even more abuse.
Mr. Hale said that he started working with Mr. Harry Harris in 2006 when the county was plagued with open top sites and with the help of county staff was finally able to establish a solid waste program. He said that both the County Administrator and the Solid Waste Coordinator have presented compelling arguments for the system as it exists with no open tops. Mr. Hale said that the end result of the current system is that the county is a model with the system that works. He said that the reasons for this open top are dubious at best. Mr. Hale said that decisions made by the Board of Supervisors should not be for the benefit of one supervisor or one district but should be in the best interest of all.
Ms. Brennan said that 50% of the Gladstone waste is commercial and the county taxpayers should not have to pay for commercial waste. She said that she could not imagine that the residents of Gladstone would suffer from the lack of an open top. Ms. Brennan said that her vote would be for economic reasons and in the best interest of all taxpayers.
Supervisors voted 3-2 (Mr. Hale and Ms. Brennan voting no) to install a 20-yard container in Gladstone for a 30-day trial period. The container is to be leased if the county does not own a 20-yard container.
MASSIES MILL RECREATION CENTER: Mr. Carter reported that MMRC paid its outstanding real estate tax balance in full on September 19th. He noted, however, that MMRC has not responded to the county’s request for an accounting of the use and balance of funding paid to the organization by the county since August, 2007 ($33,750 in 8/07 for purchase of 3.75 acres of land and $8,671 in 9/09 as payment in lieu of resurfacing the outdoor basketball court, a total of $42,421). After discussion, Supervisors agreed that by previous agreement, the county would rebate the amount of the taxes to MMRC but continue to request an accounting as noted above.
GLADSTONE RESCUE SQUAD: Mr. Carter presented a resolution establishing Gladstone Volunteer Fire Department as an EMS agency. This resolution is required as a part of the VA-Office of Emergency Management Services’ application process to license GVFD as an EMS agency.
Mr. Carter reported that the court-appointed Receiver has recommended that the original contractor (Mr. Shawn Wright) return to complete the renovations of the Gladstone Rescue Squad building. The contract price with change orders totals $83,959 with $46,019 in payments made for a balance remaining of $36,940 plus $3,500 for electrical work due. In addition, the contactor is asking for $5,000 in attorney fees. After discussion, Supervisors voted 4-1 (Mr. Hale voting no) to pay the legal fees. In addition, the Board agreed by consensus to move forward with the contract minus the cabinet work.
NOVEMBER MEETING: Supervisors agreed by consensus to change their November meeting to Thursday, November 10th at 2:00/7:00pm to accommodate Election Day.
Meeting adjourned.
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