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Home My WebLink AboutAGENDA APRIL 9, 2001AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMISSION Minutes of Regular Meeting April 9, 2001 The regular meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Commission was held in the Creeds Ruritan Barn. Chairman Don Horsley called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. All the Commissioners were present. Deputy City Attorney called and indicated that he was unable to participate but would respond to any concerns the next day. Representing Resource Conservation and Development was Gene Crabtree, Keith Boyd of the Eastern Shore and Wayne Howell of Perquimans, NC.Also present were: Planning Commissioner John Baum, Public Works representatives Carol Bowen, Mike Shahsiah, Bobby Wheeler and Bill Lloyd. Jack Whitney, Melvin Atkinson and Louis Cullipher of the Department of Agriculture. In the audience were growers Barbara and Winston (Winky) Henley, Ann and Tom Baker and Mike Cullipher. Vice Chairman David Flanagan made a motion, seconded by John Cromwell, to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the special meeting on January 29, 2001 and the regular meeting on January 9, 2001. Chairman Horsley changed the order of the agenda to accommodate the out of city presenters. New Business' USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D). NRCS District Conservationist Gene Crabtree explained the expansion efforts of RC&D into Southeastern Virginia. - RC&D is a non-profit, 5013C organization. There are currently 5 multi-county RC&D's in Virginia. RC&D is a non-government organization. - Purpose of RC&D is to enhance resource conservation and economic development in local communities - Local communities identify needs for projects. Examples of projects are' piers, and canoe launches (eco-tourism), clearing and snagging of waterways (water quality) and dry hydrants (fire protection). - RC&D Council is made up of appointees from sponsors. Sponsors for the proposed South Hampton Roads RC&D include: Peanut and Virginia Dare Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), Hampton Roads PDC and the following localities: Surry and Isle of Wight Counties, Cities of Suffolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Portsmouth. - USDA/NRCS provides full-time coordinators and part-time administrative clerks to the Council. USDA also provides office space for the staff. - RC&D seeks grants to fund local projects. Engineering assistance can be provided by NRCS to reduce costs. - Funding: typically RC&D needs $20,000 per year to cover postage, travel and hire a part-time clerk (make position full-time). If seven (7) localities contribute annually the cost would be $3000 per locality. - - Keith Boyd and Wayne Howell gave examples of RC&D projects -the Eastern Shore, VA and northeastern NC. Outcome - The AAC recommended that the City Council be briefed regarding the benefit of the City being a sponsor of RC&D in Southeastern Virginia. - Louis Cullipher will contact Council Member Barbara Henley and the Director of Management Services, Catheryn Whitesell regarding including $3,000 for RC&D in the upcoming budget. Report from Public Works - Bobby Wheeler - The Rural Road CIP is $500,000. This is an increase of $200,000 as compared to a few years ago. Following is the report: - Pavement Marker Program 18 locations identified for installation. Work will be performed in 3 Phases. One project completed - West Neck Rd. - Indian River Rd. to PA Rd. Work on remaining should begin by late April 2001. - Hungarian Road Design plans in process of being finalized. Right-of-way acquisition completion anticipated by 10/01. Construction scheduled for 1/02. - Mill Landing Road Fee negotiations for final design in process. Design completion- 3/02 R. W. completion- 8/02 Construction 11/02-11/03 - Indian Creek Road (Crags Causeway) Fee negotiations to complete design completed - Nanneys Creek Road Scope and fee for design to be negotiated with A/E next month - West Neck Road Scope and fee for design to be negotiated with A/E next month. - Gum Bridge Road Due to expressed opposition by affected citizens, AAC requested project to be moved to the bottom of backlog list. - Indian River Rd. (New Bridge - Muddy Creek) ACC requested project to be moved to bottom of the backlog list. - Pungo Ridge Court Discussions with affected property owners to relocate ditch in progress. - Indian River Road Mrs. Henley's concerns regarding drainage issues under evaluation. The wetness concerns on Old Carolina Road were discussed. Mrs. Goodson has expressed her drainage concerns to city officials. It was reported by Bill Lloyd that drainage work had been done on this road. Don Horsley indicated that he was aware of the drainage problem, and he was pleased that PW had corrected the problem. Hungarian Road improvements. It was recommended by the AAC that the road not be closed as scheduled for the fall, but wait until Jan-March, 2002 due to use of road during grain harvest. It was mentioned by Mrs. Henley that some signs are installed opposite each other making it difficult for farm equipment to "wiggle" through obstacles. Don Horsley also mentioned that some mail boxes were installed too close to the edge of pavement impeding the movement of farm equipment. It was also mentioned that some mail boxes had concrete/steel post erected to protect them. This would do extensive damage to farm equipment if they were struck. Also safety factor since operator could lose control. Commissioner John Cromwell mentioned that 1316-3024 east side of New Bridge Road had a culvert stopped up resulting in flooding. Other concerns re: roads Land of Promise - shoulder at city line Unfinished Business Agricultural Signs Louis Cullipher explained the ordinance approved by City Council on March 27, 2001. Carol Bowen explained the size, color and installation of typical highway signs. Mrs Henley expressed her concern as a citizen. She indicated that she was not comfortable with the size and that City Council did not know they would be 5-6 ft. long. She mentioned that City Council should know the exact size and be comfortable with it. Mrs. Henley also believes that signs should be removed if growers were not selling. In order to accommodate the Henley's request, the Commission made the following recommendations' - Use double line signs to reduce length - Length no longer than 48 inches - All capital letters - There will be a border - Color - dark green letters on white background - Replace icon on ends with logo at top of pole(s) It was further suggested that Public Works develop several signs with varying fonts and display at a conspicuous area along the highway (Dam Neck Road in front of the Amphitheater). Tom Baker mentioned that he liked the icon because it differentiated ag signs from other signs and was consistent with rural character. Commission Kathy Vaughan-Lloyd stated that she liked the icon but that she would be willing to eliminate the icon in order to shorten the length. Harvest Fair- Don Horsley Planning moving ahead for October 18, 10, 20 and 21 at Princess Anne Park and Amphitheater. Nontidal Wetlands - Jack Whitney Progress is being made for the Commonwealth to assume the new Federal program. The record is open for public comments. Fiscal impacts are being determined, and a time line is being developed. Within one year the State will petition the take over of the nontidal wetlands program from the Corps of Engineers (CE). The CE will retain the review function for a specified period. Mitigation Banking - Jack Whitney It is reasonable that the City will need wetlands mitigation banks for CIP projects during the planning horizon. The City can save 50-75% of cost of credits by developing their own bank as compared to using commercial banks. It takes about three years to establish a bank. A City staff work group is conducting a study to determine the needs and feasibility of expanding the City's mitigating bank. ARP - Mel Atkinson (See attached report) COMMISSION CONCERNS John Cromwell - litter along roads mostly along Sandbridge - New Bridge Roads. This has been reported to City officials before, but Louis Cullipher will follow up. Mrs. Henley mentioned that an increase in the stormwater fee is proposed in the budget. The budget funds will be used for many projects in the rural area. Chairman Horsley adjourned the meeting at 11:00 p.m. The next meeting will be July 9th at 8:00 at the Ruritan Barn. Kathy Vaughan-Lloyd Secretary