By Julia B. Hillegass, Pubic Information & Community Affairs Administrator

The Commission took the following actions at the Executive Committee Meeting on December 15, 2011:

Public Comments: 
• Mr. Ellis W. James, resident of the City of Norfolk, addressed the Commission regarding his concerns about uranium mining and potential groundwater contamination.  He was also concerned that the current budget climate in Virginia is insufficient to enforce existing environmental regulations.
• Mr. Anthony Livingston, State Director of the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, informed the Commission that in early 2012 the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee will be exploring possibilities of expanding multi-trailer transport provisions.  The Coalition is opposed to this, citing safety to passenger vehicles and infrastructure damage as major concerns.  The Commission was urged to weigh-in with the region’s Congressional representatives on this matter.

Approval/Modification of the Agenda:  There was a new business item added, Item #21, Appointment to HRMMRS Oversight Committee.  The agenda was approved as amended.

Consent Agenda
The following items were approved by Consent Agenda:
• Minutes of the November 17, 2011 Executive Committee Meeting
• Treasurer’s Report
• Regional Reviews
o    PNRS Reviews
o    Environment Impact Assessment/Statement Reviews
• Sea Grant Application
• Hampton Roads Watershed Roundtable Grant
• Urban Area Security Initiative Contract for WebEOC Mapper
• Urban Area Security Initiative Contract Amendment for upgrades to the Hampton Roads Medical Special Needs Registry
   
Regular Agenda:

Hampton Roads Regional Benchmarking Study:  Chief Economist, Greg Grootendorst briefed the Executive Committee on the latest socio-economic indicators in Hampton Roads.  The report covers industry, demographics, housing, transportation and quality of life issues for the region.  The study was approved at the meeting.  Both the presentation and the report can be found on the HRPDC website at www.hrpdcva.gov.

Hampton Roads Energy Corridor and Energy Forecast:  Mr. Brett Crable, Director of Customer Solutions for Dominion Virginia Power, provided an overview of Virginia’s increasing energy demand.  He also touched on the diverse sources of both fuel capacity and production in Virginia.  Mr. Crable’s presentation is available on the HRPDC website.  Commissioners discussed impacts of potential changes to air quality regulations and the level of power imported into the region.

Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL):  Principal Water Resources Planner, Whitney Katchmark provided an update on the Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan process of the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, specifically outlining the information and process to assist local governments in developing preferred BMP scenarios.  Localities will be submitting individual plans to DCR which focus on narrative strategies.  PDC staff will translate local strategies into a regional input file and identify the gap between target and realistic implementation plans.  Commissioners reiterated their desire for this assistance with the caveat that the PDC cannot commit local resources.  They were also interested in ensuring that localities receive credit for activities that are currently being implemented, specifically work on septic tanks and sanitary sewer projects.  Frustration with the short turnaround time for providing this information to the state was also expressed.  Ms. Katchmark’s presentation can be found on the HRPDC website.  The Commission agreed to move forward with the proposed methodology.  Mr. Wheeler went on record in opposition.

2012 HRPDC Legislative Agenda:  Deputy Executive Director, John Carlock provided a brief overview of the legislative agenda as revised based on discussions at the November meeting.  The Commission approved the revised legislative agenda, with Mr. Seward opposing.  The legislative agenda and presentation are available on the HRPDC website.

Nominating Committee Report:  Per bylaws, Vice Chair Tom Shepperd will step in to fill the unexpired term of Stan Clark as HRPDC Chairman.  Portsmouth Mayor Kenny Wright was elected to become Vice Chair.  The motion was approved unanimously.

Resolutions of Appreciation:  Resolutions were presented to outgoing members Chairman, Stan Clark, Bruce Goodson and Anita Felts.

Retreat Schedule:  Dwight Farmer announced that the HRPDC Retreat would be held on February 16, 2012 with a working lunch format from 11:30 – 1:30.

New Business:
Appointment to HRMMRS Oversight Committee:  The Executive Committee appointed Mr. Clifford Hayes for an initial two-year term to the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Medical Response System Oversight Committee.