September 11 Meeting Recap

BOS Advances Ordinance
For Staggered Term Elections

The Board of Supervisors at its September 11 advanced a proposal that calls for staggered term elections for members of the Board of Supervisors and School Board beginning with the 2015 election.

By a 4-1 vote, with Chairman Henry Parker dissenting, the BOS will hold a public hearing on October 9 to consider an ordinance that establishes a staggered election system.

If adopted, one member from each Election District from the BOS and School Board would be elected for a single two-year term at the November 3, 2015 General Election. Thereafter, all elections would be for four-year terms.

After the election, if sufficient successful candidates do not volunteer to accept the two-year term, the Electoral Board will select by lot two names from the Board of Supervisors and School Board, one from each Election District, to serve the two-year initial term.

This change must be approved by the United State Justice Department under the Voting Rights Act.

Other matters to come before the BOS at its meeting and worksession:

• Received a report from General Services Director Bill Hamby on space allocation for government offices and agencies.
  
• Discussed the use of private roads for residential subdivisions and authorized a public hearing at the October 9 BOS meeting.
  
• Held three public hearings and approved: (1) Rezoning request of James R. Jones to amend existing proffer conditions relative to the location of a future fire station and associated uses at Jefferson Park; (2) Special Exception request of James R. Jones to construct multiple-family dwellings at Jefferson Park; and (3) Ordinances regulating nuisance animals and limiting dog ownership on residentially zoned lots to three. 
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda appropriation of unexpended FY 2011-12 budgets to FY 2012-13.
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda authority to post delinquent real estate taxes for tax year 2011 and 2012 and delinquent tangible personal property taxes for tax year 2012.
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda authority to apply for a grant for renovation of Old Carson School.
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda a resolution revising the County Procurement Policy.
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda an appropriation of $46,098 for DMV Highway Safety Grant.
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda the performance contract with District 19 Community Services Board.
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda an appropriation of $28,311 for police vehicle.
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda an appropriation of $10,450 for the Community Corrections Fund.
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda an appropriation of $2,237.60 for storm assistance.
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda an appropriation of $377,439.98 to recover expenses incurred by Hurricane Irene.
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda an advertisement for public hearing to name the Director of Community Development & Code Compliance as the Planning Director.
  
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda an advertisement for public hearing to amend an ordinance to add “Trail” as a permissible street name in Prince George County.
  
• Received a report from VDOT representatives on a recent safety study of Route 460. Among the recommendations will be to lower the speed limit to 50 MPH in designated areas now 55 MPH.
  
• Received a report from Sharon G. Juozapavicious, Chief Executive Officer of CCHASM for social ministry, on its services to Prince George County.
  
• Received a report from Social Services Director Shel Douglas on the Back to School Fair held August 18.
  
• Accepted a request from Carson Volunteer Fire Department to withdraw its original proposal seeking $20,000 for its 50^th anniversary celebration.
  
• Approved a resolution allowing a 25 percent waiver of certain permit fees associated with the renovation and reconstruction of facilities by the Disputanta Ruritan Club.
  
• Appointed Shel Douglas to the Capital Area Partnership Uplifting People (CAPUP) Executive Committee.
  
• Approved authority to advertise a public hearing for October 9 for personal property tax relief for disabled veterans.
  
• Approved a contract with Arch Creek Estates for $30,575 to renovate the restrooms at Scott Park.
  
• Approved by a 3-2 vote with supervisors Bill Robertson & Bill Gandel dissenting the purchase of 123.75 acres known as the “Tacon” parcel for $239,000.
  
• Received a report from Utilities Director Steve McBride regarding the County’s current water & wastewater capacity.
  
• Approved a resolution appropriating Carry Forward Funds from FY 11-12 for certain volunteer fire companies.
  
• Approved authority to advertise public hearings for ordinance changes authorized by the 2012 General Assembly: (1) Allows localities to exempt from personal property tax rate motor vehicles and farm trucks used exclusively for farming; (2) $250 license tax for certain non-licensed, inoperable vehicles; and (3) allows localities to provide personal property tax exemption for volunteer deputy sheriffs for one vehicle.
  
• Agreed to further discuss at a future meeting the making of a recommendation to name the new Fort Lee Round-a-Bout in honor of deceased soldier Captain Jesse Ozbat.