BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF STAFFORD
STAFFORD, VIRGINIA
MINUTES
Special Meeting
January 12, 2010
Call to Order. A special meeting of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors was called to order by Mark Dudenhefer, Chairman, at 7:01 P.M., Tuesday, January 12, 2010, in the Board Chambers, Stafford County Administration Center.
Roll Call. The following members were present: Harry E. Crisp II; Mark Dudenhefer; Paul V. Milde III; Gary F. Snellings; Susan B. Stimpson; Cord A. Sterling and Robert “Bob” Woodson.
Also in attendance were: Anthony J. Romanello, County Administrator; Joe Howard, County Attorney; Marcia C. Hollenberger, Chief Deputy Clerk; Pamela L. Timmons, Deputy Clerk; associated staff, and interested parties.
Pledge of Allegiance Ms. Stimpson led in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Invocation Ms. Stimpson gave the Invocation.
Opening Comments Mr. Dudenhefer thanked everyone for attending and noted that the meeting was to discuss Stafford County’s economic future. It was time to recognize the County’s weaknesses and to turn them into strengths. The County needs to maintain and strengthen its place to be a location that companies want to come to, and build a future. By growing its economy, the County will be able to keep taxes low and provide the services that the residents require.
Ms. Chris Chmura, Chmura Economics and Analytics, gave a presentation and answered Board member questions. Mr. Woodson inquired as to what types of businesses were coming into (and leaving) the County following Ms. Chmura’s comment that 400 businesses came into Stafford County and 300 businesses left.
Mr. Sterling asked what Ms. Chmura felt would help to build the employment base in the County. Ms. Chmura responded that the County should pursue business opportunities and provide training. She also felt that the County needed to look at the skills/employers of the citizens who were commuting, and talk with those businesses about possible expansion into Stafford County.
Mr. G. William Beale, CEO and President of Union Bank & Trust (FRA and VEDP), gave a presentation and answered Board members questions.
Mr. Sterling asked what, in Mr. Beale’s opinion, were important items for the County to focus on. Mr. Beale’s response was workforce, keeping the drop-out rate low, keeping taxes low, and making businesses feel welcome.
Mr. Crisp asked Mr. Beale if the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance kept records of the total tax burden for the different localities in the area. Mr. Beale responded that to his knowledge they did not but he would look in to it and provide any information available to the Board as well as to Mr. Baroody.
Mr. Dudenhefer asked Mr. Beale if he thought there would be any interest in forming an Economic Council which would provide feedback to the County. He responded that it may be of benefit and suggested that the proposed Council meet quarterly.
Mr. Don Newlin, EDA Chairman, Anderson Strudwick, gave a presentation and answered Board members questions.
Mr. Sterling asked what, in Mr. Newlin’s opinion, were important items for the County to focus on. Mr. Newlin’s response was to encourage businesses, to make the permitting process easier, to watch the taxes on small businesses, and the monitor revenue streams.
Mr. Woodson wanted to know what the definition of a small business was. Mr. Newlin and Mr. Sterling responded that it is typically a business with a small number of employees (approximately 500 or less), but neither was sure of the exact definition.
Ms. Susan Spears, Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce, gave a presentation and answered Board members questions.
In her opinion, Ms Spears felt that the County should be “business friendly” and expressed her concerns regarding the BPOL tax.
Mr. Tim Baroody, Deputy County Administrator, gave a presentation and answered Board members questions.
Mr. Dudenhefer motioned, seconded by Mr. Sterling to adopt the Economic Development Action Plan 2010 and have staff provide a detailed list of ways to accomplish this at the February 2nd meeting.
Discussion ensued.
The Voting Board tally was:
Yea: (7) Sterling, Milde, Woodson, Crisp, Dudenhefer, Stimpson, Snellings
Nay: (0)
The Stafford County Board of Supervisor’s Economic Development Action Plan 2010 reads as follows:
Ten Point Plan
1. Improve overall Fiscal competitiveness;
2. Enact business friendly policy initiatives;
3. Improve Stafford’s ability to attract and retain high quality workforce;
4. Improve Stafford transportation/public safety Infrastructure;
5. Accelerate redevelopment activities;
6. Create opportunities to gain more input on economic development policies from the private sector;
7. Enhance small business assistance programs;
8. Create economic development incentive program;
9. Reinvigorate the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Initiative;
10. Enhance FY2010 Economic Development Marketing Plan;
Mr. Milde motioned, seconded by Ms. Stimpson to authorize a public hearing on February 2, 2010 to rescind Ordinance O08-64. Mr. Milde’s motion further directed the Commissioner of the Revenue and the Treasurer to immediately cease all actions regarding the collection of the BPOL tax, which took effect Jan. 1, 2010.
The Voting Board tally was:
Yea: (5) Milde, Stimpson, Dudenhefer, Sterling, Snellings
Nay: (2) Crisp, Woodson
Legislative; Closed Meeting At 10:15 P.M., Mr. Sterling motioned, seconded by Mr. Milde, to adopt proposed Resolution CM10-02.
The Voting Board tally was:
Yea: (7) Sterling, Milde, Woodson, Crisp, Dudenhefer, Stimpson, Snellings
Nay: (0)
Resolution CM10-02 reads as follows:
A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE CLOSED MEETING
WHEREAS, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors desires to consult with counsel and discuss in Closed Meeting an Economic Development matter regarding a Potential Business or Industry Prospect Where No Public Announcement Has Been Made of the Business’ or Industry’s interest in locating in Stafford County; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 A.5, Va. Code Ann., such discussions may occur in Closed Meeting;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Stafford County Board of Supervisors on this the 12th day of January, 2010, does hereby authorize discussions of the aforestated matters in Closed Meeting.
Call to Order At11:02 P.M., the Chairman called the meeting back to order.
Legislative; Closed Meeting Certification Mr. Crisp motioned, seconded by Mr. Milde, to adopt proposed Resolution CM10-02(a).
The Voting Board tally was:
Yea: (7) Crisp, Milde, Dudenhefer, Snellings, Stimpson, Sterling, Woodson
Nay: (0)
Resolution CM10-02(a) reads as follows:
A RESOLUTION TO CERTIFY THE ACTIONS OF THE STAFFORD COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN A CLOSED MEETING ON JANUARY 12, 2010
WHEREAS, the Board has, on this the 12th day of January, 2010 adjourned into a closed meeting in accordance with a formal vote of the Board and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, as it became effective July 1, 1989, provides for certification that such Closed Meeting was conducted in conformity with law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Stafford County Board of Supervisors does hereby certify, on this the 12th day of January, 2010, that to the best of each member's knowledge: (1) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act were discussed in the Closed Meeting to which this certification applies; and (2) only such public business matters as were identified in the Motion by which the said Closed Meeting was convened were heard, discussed, or considered by the Board.
Adjournment At 10:08 P. M. the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned.
____________________________ _____________________________
Anthony J. Romanello, ICMA-CM Mark Dudenhefer
County Administrator Chairman
