-1- AT A JOINT MEETING OF THE GLOUCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HELD ON THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014, AT 7:00 P.M., IN THE GLOUCESTER LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM, 6920 MAIN STREET, GLOUCESTER, VIRGINIA: I. Call To Order and Roll Call Mr. Orth called the meeting to order and Ms. Garton took roll call for the Board of Supervisors. THERE WERE PRESENT: THERE WERE ABSENT: ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: Robert J. Orth, Chair Ashley C. Chriscoe, Vice Chair Phillip N. Bazzani Christopher A. Hutson Andrew James, Jr. John C. Meyer, Jr. Michael R. Winebarger [arrived at 7:02 p.m.] Edwin Ted Wilmot, County Attorney Brenda G. Garton, County Administrator II. Economic Development Authority Call to Order and Roll Call Mr. Jeffrey Smith, Economic Development Authority (EDA) Chair, called the EDA meeting to order, and Ms. Trish Cronin, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Supervisors, took roll call. The following members were present: Mr. Smith, Chair; Ms. Pat Houtz, Vice Chair; Mr. Warren Deal, Mr. Rudolph Heinatz, Mr. David Meeker, Mr. Evan Van Leeuwen, and Dr. Wesley Wilson. Mr. Doug Meredith, Economic Development Director was also present. III. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance Dr. Wilson gave an invocation and then all in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Mr. Winebarger joined the meeting at 7:02 p.m. IV. Welcome Comments A. Board of Supervisors Mr. Orth welcomed all in attendance. He stated he had been invited by Delegate Hodges to participate on September 3 in a joint meeting with the Secretary of Commerce. The Secretary would like to work with members of the Middle Peninsula to foster business development in the area. He stated that he looked forward to input from the Board and the EDA tonight to take to that meeting, and noted that he would keep everyone informed. B. Economic Development Authority Mr. Smith stated he was pleased that the Board and the EDA were having their first joint meeting after four decades. He also stated that he hoped that this would be
-2- the first of many joint meetings. He reviewed the bond issues that the EDA had worked on in the past including: Riverside Walter Reed, Sanders Nursing Home, Canon Environment Technologies, McDonalds at Crewe Road, Carter Lumber Company, and Hayes Shopping Center. He noted that they also worked on financing and building the business park. He stated that it is of note that all this had been accomplished by a staff of two, numerous EDA members along with others, and all on a limited budget. He reviewed that the EDA is made up of members who are non-paid, non-political, and who care deeply about the future of Gloucester County. He introduced the members of the EDA along with the date of their current terms. He reviewed the names of some of the past members of the Authority. Mr. Smith advised that the EDA developed a strategic plan in 2011 with the support of Mr. Carter Borden, the Board of Supervisors liaison at the time. He stated that the EDA would like to have the Board s input and thoughts on how the Board would like the EDA to move forward. He further stated that everyone needed to be on the same page to work jointly on development opportunities and opportunities for investment in Gloucester County. He concluded that he hoped the discussions tonight would allow the focus to remain on the future, and to allow both the Board and the EDA to move forward as one to make the best decisions for the County. V. Overview Mr. Smith stated that Mr. Meeker would lead the overview discussion. He encouraged the Board members to feel free to ask questions, as they wish to have a two way conversation. A. Industrial Revenue and Bond Act - State of Virginia B. EDA & Department of Economic Development Relationship as defined by Board of Supervisors Resolution Mr. Meeker reviewed that many states, including Virginia, have adopted Industrial Revenue and Bond Acts of one form or another. He stated that states recognized that economic development was something that localities would be interested in, and those acts provide for, and grant powers to, the EDA. He advised that the EDA is a function of state statute and also by resolution of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors in 1988. That resolution established the EDA as the lead economic development agency for the County. VI. A. Discussion of IDA/EDA Activities General Discussion of the role of the EDA and the Department of Economic Development Mr. Meeker advised that as part of its activities, the EDA acquires, owns, leases, and sells property which provides support for economic development projects. He stated that the EDA, with the support of the Board, had provided projects that offered
-3- something to the County by way of employment and tax revenue. He noted that bond inducement resolutions are brought to the Board for its support. He reviewed that bonds are issued to foster jobs in the commercial and manufacturing segments of businesses. He stated that he believed the EDA and the Board, through its appointed liaison, had a cooperative relationship. Mr. Meyer asked if the EDA felt there was a need for another industrial park and if so, how the process would work to make that decision; he also asked if the guidance would come from within the EDA or from within the Board. Mr. Meeker stated that members of the Authority did feel that a second park was necessary. He also stated that the guidance could come from either side, and there are many ways to accomplish the task. He advised the Board could decide to set the money aside and establish the park; although he felt that it was more of a collaborative process. It was noted during further discussion on the process that the EDA would make recommendations to the Board, and it would be the responsibility of the Board to make a decision. Mr. Meyer then asked where the vision came from for the types of businesses that are needed in the County. Mr. Deal stated that the vision came from the EDA s strategic plan. Dr. Wilson noted that the Board has a permanent seat on the EDA, and therefore the Board is fully engaged through its representative. He stated that although the EDA concept is to be able to work under the radar to some extent, it does not mean that the Board is unaware of the discussions. Board and EDA members discussed matters further and it was noted that the EDA is not as much of a public body as the Board. Business owners have come to the EDA to make presentations and discuss opportunities. The EDA can then do research and help them polish their presentations prior to taking them to the Board. There was some discussion regarding the Highway Corridor Overlay District (HCOD), and whether the EDA had seen that as a hindrance to companies locating in the County. Mr. Smith stated that the three largest expenses for companies locating in the County are the VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) requirements, water and sewer, and the Chesapeake Bay Act. He further stated that there were some aspects of the HCOD that could be backed out, but as a whole, the overlay is a good thing for those businesses who have built by the standards. B. EDA Strategic Plan Mr. Deal reviewed that the EDA spent some time considering where they wanted to head and how to get there in the development of their strategic plan in 2011. He stated that the goals were to increase job opportunities for Gloucester citizens through existing businesses or new businesses; to decrease the reliance on the residential tax base; and to improve the quality of life in the County, to include schools and parks. He then reviewed the steps to achieve those goals. He noted that they have worked
-4- with existing businesses and recruited new businesses. He advised that due to a lack of resources, it is best for smaller localities like Gloucester to work through regional groups. He stated that Mr. Meredith has done a good job in doing this, and has traveled around the country on marketing trips. He noted that Gloucester is hindered by a lack of infrastructure, including a lack of internet accessibility. He stated that new businesses require internet access. He reviewed that the EDA had heard from many that there is a need for another business park. He stated that there is a need for a blue collar business park to cover the gap between businesses that are too big to be a home based business, but not large enough to go into the current business park if there were space available. Mr. Deal stated that the County had two jewels Gloucester Point and Gloucester Courthouse. He advised that the EDA would love to see a regulation change to allow for higher density housing in the Gloucester Point area in order to provide living space for students at VIMS as well as office staff. He stated that the Board, EDA, Main Street Preservation Trust, and the Chamber of Commerce had all put a lot of effort into the Courthouse area to ensure its viability. He specifically noted the ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) grants that the Board had obtained in the past for the streetlights and sidewalks on Main Street. Mr. Deal stated that one of the County s primary natural resources is history. He further stated that the County had not been doing a very good job in leveraging that resource. He noted that there is a state park site in the County that will never develop fully into a park unless Gloucester lobbies to make sure it is funded operationally at the State level. He stated that tourism is second only to Gloucester s natural resource of access to the water. He concluded by summarizing the points of focus as local businesses, new businesses, representation on regional economic development organizations, Gloucester Point, Gloucester Courthouse, and natural resources of history, water, and recreation. Board and EDA members discussed jobs, lack of railroad and natural gas as a hindrance to manufacturing, ideal size of a second industrial park, incubator spaces to encourage business development, acreage available in the current business park, restrictive covenants in the current business park, and the possibility of removing the restrictions or diminishing their impact. Mr. Orth asked for information on how the EDA is attempting to achieve item two of the strategic plan to recruit new and expand existing businesses. Mr. Smith advised that to recruit new businesses, Mr. Meredith has been participating in the regional economic development groups and attending marketing missions in order to attempt to bring businesses to the area. He reviewed that to encourage expansion of existing businesses, Mr. Meredith and Ms. Linda Evans have held individual meetings in conjunction with the Chamber and the Main Street Preservation Trust. He stated that in addition monthly small business workshops are
-5- held to help the existing businesses grow and expand. He noted, however, that in some of these cases it is hard to get the business owners out to the meetings. Mr. Bazzani asked if the County allows small manufacturing to locate along Route 17. Mr. Meredith noted that manufacturing can only be located in an I-1 zone and the only I-1 zone left on Route 17 is in the business park. There was further discussion on the possibility of the Board considering this type of zoning on Route 17, the consideration of access that would be necessary on Route 17, and the importance of considering where it is logical to locate certain types of businesses. The members discussed a possible third York River crossing, and the County s access to Interstate 64. After a discussion on zoning, Mr. Meredith noted that the EDA is the major contributor of funding to explore redoing the implementation ordinances for the village plans. He stated that the ordinances are currently being reviewed and it is hoped that changes will be presented to the Board in the fall. It was noted after further discussion that the EDA seemed to be providing some staff functions for the Board. However, EDA members indicated that they were more of a think tank that served as a consultant group to the Board. In response to a question regarding actionable items for the Board to pursue, Mr. Deal suggested that the Board look at the Comp (Comprehensive) Plan. He noted that some aspects of the plan have never been implemented. He recommended reviewing the plan to identify the gaps. Mr. Orth noted that the Business Development Focus Group had recommended that all the zoning along Route 17 be changed to B-1, and that this may be something to pursue. He asked Mr. Curry if he knew the status of that item. Mr. Curry, Assistant County Administrator for Community Development, noted that certain areas that had been zoned as B-3, which was more restrictive, had been rezoned. He cautioned however, that changing the zoning along Route 17 to all B-1 would be a bigger issue for the current property owners along the road. Mr. Meyer stated that he would like to have the EDA update the strategic plan and have it brought to the Board for review and approval. He further stated that would codify that it is the intent of the County to move along those lines. VII. Closed Meeting A. Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose and discussion concerning a prospective business or industry Mr. Hutson moved, seconded by Mr. Bazzani, to enter closed meeting. motion carried and the following resolution was approved by the following roll call vote: Mr. Orth, Mr. Chriscoe, Mr. Bazzani, Mr. Hutson, Mr. James, Mr. Meyer, Mr. The
-6- Winebarger yes and Mr. Deal, Mr. Heinatz, Ms. Houtz, Mr. Meeker, Mr. Smith, Mr. Van Leeuwen, and Dr. Wilson yes. CLOSED MEETING RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority desire to discuss particular subjects in Closed Meeting during the course of the of ; and WHEREAS, the nature of the subjects is discussion or consideration of the potential acquisition of real property for a public purpose, and discussion concerning a prospective business in the County. The discussion of same in Closed Meeting is expressly permitted by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) and (5). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority do hereby convene in Closed Meeting for the purposes herein expressed pursuant to the legal authority herein recited. Mr. Chriscoe moved, seconded by Mr. Hutson, to return to open meeting. The motion carried and the following resolution was approved by the following roll call vote: Mr. Orth, Mr. Chriscoe, Mr. Bazzani, Mr. Hutson, Mr. James, Mr. Meyer, Mr. Winebarger yes and Mr. Deal, Mr. Heinatz, Ms. Houtz, Mr. Meeker, Mr. Smith, Mr. Van Leeuwen, and Dr. Wilson yes. RESOLUTION TO RETURN TO OPEN MEETING WHEREAS, the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority have completed their discussion in Closed Meeting, and now desire to continue their open meeting; and WHEREAS, only public business matters lawfully exempted from Open Meeting were heard, discussed, or considered during the Closed Meeting, and the only subjects heard, discussed, or considered in said Closed Meeting were the matters identified in the Resolution by which it was convened. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors and the Economic Development Authority do hereby reconvene in Open Meeting at their of, and certify the matters set forth in Virginia Code Section 2.2-3712(D). VIII. Other Matters There were no other matters discussed. IX. Adjournment Mr. Hutson moved, seconded by Mr. Meyer, to adjourn. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m. by the following voice vote: Mr. Orth, Mr. Chriscoe, Mr. Bazzani, Mr. Hutson, Mr. James, Mr. Meyer, Mr. Winebarger yes and Mr. Deal, Mr. Heinatz, Ms. Houtz, Mr. Meeker, Mr. Smith, Mr. Van Leeuwen, and Dr. Wilson yes.
-7- Robert J. Orth, Chair Brenda G. Garton, County Administrator