11:00AM
Henrico Sheriff’s Office
Members Present
Robert B. Beasley (Powhatan) – Chairman
Harvey Bryant (Virginia Beach)
Robert L. Bushnell (Henry County)
Donald S. Caldwell (Roanoke City)
Michael R. Doucette (Lynchburg)
C. Linwood Gregory (New Kent County)
LaBravia J. Jenkins (Fredericksburg)
Wade A. Kizer (Henrico County)
Nancy G. Parr (Chesapeake)
Neil S. Vener (Campbell County)
Kim S. White (Halifax County)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Eileen M. Addison (York County)
Joel R. Branscom (Botetourt County)
Lisa K. Caruso (Dinwiddie County)
Paul B. Ebert (Prince William County)
James R. Ennis (Prince Edward County)
Dennis L. Godfrey (Washington County)
Michael N. Herring (Richmond)
Richard E. Trodden (Arlington/Falls Church)
Patricia T. Watson (Greensville/Emporia)
Gregory Underwood (Norfolk)
CASC Staff Present
Robert Q. Harris
Jane Sherman Chambers
Call to Order
Mr. Beasley called the meeting to order at 11:00 am.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the May 4, 2011, meeting were previously posted and circulated to Council. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Chairman’s Report
None.
Administrator’s Report
Mr. Harris reported that CASC currently is interviewing candidates for the Program Specialist position and that he hopes to fill the position in the near future. Mr. Harris also reported that Top Gun went well this year. At this point CASC has not identified a funding source for Top Gun next year, but suggestions are welcome. Mr. Harris notified Council that nine scholarships have been awarded for the AGACL conference to be held in July 2011. Mr. Harris reminded Council that the fiscal year ends on June 30, 2011. It appears that CASC will finish the year with a small amount of general funds remaining.
Old Business
VACA Annual Summer Conference Training Program Update
Mr. Harris reported that Judge Margaret Spencer in Richmond has been tasked with disseminating drug court information to commonwealth’s attorneys. She suggested a joint presentation at the Annual Summer Conference by a drug court prosecutor and a drug court judge. Mr. Harris reported that the agenda for that program is full. Mr. Beasley recommended that such a presentation be scheduled for the Executive Program in December 2011. Mr. Beasley reported that he received a similar request to gather a panel of General Assembly members to address commonwealth’s attorneys. Since the Annual Summer Conference agenda is full, Mr. Beasley suggested that the Executive Program in December would be the best venue. Mr. Doucette inquired as to whether the panel would be bipartisan in nature. Mr. Beasley stated that he would suggest that a bipartisan panel of delegates and senators be invited to attend the Executive Program in December 2011.
John R. Justice Loan Forgiveness Program Funding
Mr. Harris reported that there will be continued funding of the John R. Justice Loan Forgiveness Program for another year, although likely at reduced levels. More details will be forthcoming. Mr. Harris encouraged Council to notify their assistants of this funding to encourage them to remain in public service.
New Business
VCAIS Status Update
Richard Whetstone, VCAIS Lead Engineer, attended the meeting at the request of Council in order to discuss the future of VCAIS. He reported that the primary problem is that, with few exceptions, there is no support for Lotus Notes in most government IT organizations. Lotus Notes has been running with no serious problems and will continue to be a viable product, but Mr. Whetstone is concerned that he is the only person with expertise in VCAIS. He reported that Virginia Beach decided to switch to SunGard case management system, which is expected to go online in February 2012. Mr. Whetstone listed other case management systems that are available and are similar to SunGard in features and cost. Mr. Doucette suggested that Council form a small ad hoc committee to address this issue. Ms. Jenkins volunteered to chair this committee. E.M. Wright and Nate Green were suggested as committee members. Mr. Beasley asked Mr. Whetstone to provide assistance to the committee in developing their recommendations.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 11: 35 a.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Thursday, August 4, 2011, 3:00 p.m., at the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach.