The HRPDC Executive Committee took the following actions at its meeting on March 20, 2014:

Workshop Items:

Sewer Special Order by Consent:  Whitney Katchmark, Principal Water Resources Engineer, reported that the hybrid MOA has been executed between HRSD and the localities.  The MOA defines how the Regional Wet Weather Management Plan will be developed and financed.  The next steps in the regulatory process include negotiations between HRSD, EPA and DEQ regarding acceptable levels of service and the implementation timeline for the RWWMP, both of which will drive regional sewer rate increases.  In addition, localities will work with DEQ to modify the existing regional Special Order by Consent to reflect the changes in responsibility as outlined in the MOA.

Retail Sales Analysis from the Economic Quarterly:  Senior Economist, James Clary, provided a brief presentation on the current state of retail sales in Hampton Roads.  Of note, regional retail sales continue to recover from their recession lows, but have been outpaced by retail sales in other metropolitan areas, and in the nation as a whole.

Recurrent Flooding:  Many organizations in Hampton Roads, including the HRPDC, are working on efforts related to recurrent flooding and sea level rise.  Regional Planner, Ben McFarlane provided an overview for Commissioners.

HRPDC/HRTPO/HRTAC Organizational Structure & Succession Planning:  Tom Inglima with Wilcox and Savage iterated that the TPO bylaws indicate that the Executive Director (ED) of the PDC also serves as the ED of the TPO.  HB1253 dictates that the newly formed Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission will rely on the staff of the TPO until it is fully established and functioning.  The Personnel and Budget Committee recommends that the Deputy Executive Director serve as interim ED upon Mr. Farmer’s retirement.

Regular Agenda

Public Comments: 

• Mr. Ellis James of Norfolk expressed his concerns with a proposed MagLev option being explored in Virginia Beach.

• Mr. Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky urged the Commissioners to contact their state representatives encouraging expansion of Medicaid in Virginia.

The following items were approved under the Consent Agenda:

• Minutes:  The Minutes of the February 20, 2014 Joint HRPDC/HRTPO Retreat

• Treasurer’s Report

• Regional Reviews

• Budget Amendments

Other Items approved under the Consent Agenda:

• 2014 Community Development Block Grant

• Letter of Support for Beaches to Bluegrass Trail

• Coastal Zone Management Program-FY15 Grant

• Coastal Zone Management Program-Public Access Projects

Organizational Structure:  The PDC/TPO Joint Personnel and Budget Committee will serve as the selection committee for a new Executive Director, engaging the services of a search firm based on responses to an RFQ.  Total costs of the search not to exceed $65,000.  Upon Mr. Farmer’s retirement, if no Executive Director is in place, the Deputy Executive Director will serve in the interim.

Recurrent Flooding: Based on information provided during the workshop and Commission discussion, a special committee was established to address planning for recurrent flooding and sea level rise in Hampton Roads.

Meeting Schedule:  The May meeting schedule will be amended such that the TPO will meet from 9:30-11:00 am and the PDC will have a retreat from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.  Lunch will be included for Commissioners.

New Business:

The HRPDC was approached to partner with several surrounding PDCs and the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing to apply for designation as a “Manufacturing Community” through the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership initiative with the goal of developing an Advanced Manufacturing Apprentice Academy.  This partnership will foster the beginnings of collaboration on a mega-region scale while providing highly skilled labor for future manufacturing needs.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.