Supervisors traverse brief meeting agenda, get work session updates on AT Connector trail project, Public Works staffing plan

After a morning meeting comprised of four Outside Agency reports, approval of a 13-item Consent Agenda, supervisor and staff reports and adjournment to a Closed Session to discuss property acquisition, and an added item, filling a vacancy on the Airport Commission (resulting in Paul Kosubinsky’s appointment), the Warren County Board of Supervisors convened to work session.

Is that all there is to it? the board may have been thinking after glancing at Tuesday’s agenda. Royal Examiner Photos by Roger Bianchini

That August 3 work session focused on an update on plans surrounding the two-phased Appalachian Trail (AT) Connector project from Planning Director Joe Petty. A total remaining project cost of $3,028,142 was presented. Despite an 80% VDOT match of $527,088 on TAP Funding for the Phase 1 “Eastern Section”, leaving the 20% County TAP share at $131,772, Petty added the unhappy news that a remaining balance of $992,305 on the “Eastern Section Phase 1” was the County’s responsibility.

That, coupled with an as yet unapplied for TAP-funding assistance on Phase 2 “Western Section” projected cost of $2,084,294, accounted for the current County funding responsibility of just over $3 million.

Petty also reviewed design elements for a projected 5-foot AT connector trail along state roads that would transition between paved with varying levels of safety buffering from two feet to fenced separation and in some areas a boardwalk paralleling the roads. The planning director noted geographical challenges like rock outcroppings that present issues with the plan to develop the east-west sections AT Connector totally within the VDOT state road right of way.

Joe Petty reviews the East-West AT Connector plan, its many variables, and costs.

County Administrator Ed Daley suggested the board explore options for use of its funding for related or nearby projects that might intersect with the AT project if delays or funding hurdles are encountered.

Following the AT Connector update, Public Works Director Mike Berry gave the board a status report on the development of an Assistant Public Works Director position not currently in the county staff roster. Berry pointed to a discussion with Deputy County Administrator Taryn Logan on the advisability of creating the backup of an assistant director position in public works. He noted most county departments have some sort of deputy administrator position.

Logan pointed to an excellent staff makeup in Public Works, but noted the added security of someone with the type of departmental overview assistant directors working at the director’s side can provide were the director to be absent for an extended period of time.

Mike Berry told the board a Public Works deputy director could be an integral departmental cog.

See Petty’s full PowerPoint presentation and related comments, along with the Deputy Public Works Director position discussion, in the County August 3rd work session video; as well as the outside agency and board reports in the County August 3rd meeting video.