12:00PM
SunTrust Building, Richmond, VA
Council Members Present
Officers:
Colin D. Stolle (Virginia Beach), Chairman
Nathan R. Green (James City County/Williamsburg), First Vice Chairman
Shannon L. Taylor (Henrico County), Second Vice Chairman
Anton A. Bell (Hampton), Secretary (via Zoom)
Jeffrey W. Haislip (Fluvanna County), Past Chairman
Council District Representatives:
2. Benjamin M. Hahn (York County)(via Zoom)
3. Georgette C. Phillips (Isle of Wight)
4. A. Gray Collins, III (Colonial Heights)(via Zoom)
6. David L. Ledbetter (Waynesboro)
7. Travis D. Bird (Spotsylvania County)
8. Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria)
9. Charles H. Slemp, III (Wise County)(via Zoom)
10. Amy M. Ashworth (Prince William County)(via Zoom)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Donald S. Caldwell (Roanoke City)
Nancy G. Parr (Chesapeake)
E. M. Wright (Buckingham County) (via Zoom)
Beverly P. Leatherbury (Northampton County) (via Zoom)
C. Phillips Ferguson (Suffolk)(via Zoom)
R. Bryan Haskins (Pittsylvania County)(via Zoom)
Marsha L. Garst (Rockingham County/Harrisonburg)(via Zoom)
John Alexander (Botetourt County)(via Zoom)
R. E. “Rusty” McGuire (Louisa County)(via Zoom)
Parisa Dehghani-Tafti (Arlington County/Falls Church)(via Zoom)
Gerald D. Arrington (Buchanan County)(via Zoom)
Christian E. Rehak (Radford)(via Zoom)
Marc H. Abrams (Winchester)(via Zoom)
Stacey Davenport (Chesterfield County)
Colette McEachin (Richmond)
Meredith Adkins (King & Queen County) (via Zoom)
Daniel Rutherford (Nelson County)(via Zoom)
Tiffany Buckner (Petersburg) (via Zoom)
Paul McAndrews (Campbell County) (via Zoom)
Jim Hingeley (Albemarle County) (via Zoom)
Derek Davis (Surry County) (via Zoom)
Vincent Robertson (Sussex County) (via Zoom)
Leanne Watrous (Nottoway County) (via Zoom)
Bethany Harrison (Lynchburg) (via Zoom)
Guests
None.
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
Ramin Fatehi (Norfolk)
David Chappell (Brunswick Co.)
Heather Hovermale (Winchester)
Kristin Knudson (Prince George County)
CASC Staff Present
Jane Sherman Chambers
Elliott J. Casey
VACA Staff Present
Amanda Howie, Administrator
Call to Order
Mr. Stolle called the meeting to order at 12:08 p.m.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the May 5, 2021, meeting were previously posted and circulated to Council. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Chairman’s Report
None.
Administrator’s Report
Ms. Chambers reported that last week she met with Secretary of Public Safety & Homeland Security Brian Moran. She summarized the highlights of the conversation. She also advised that late yesterday she was informed by Staff Attorney Jake Lambert that he had accepted a position with the Crime Commission and will be leaving CASC effective July 9, 2021.
Old Business
CATF Update
Ms. Chambers reviewed the CATF balance sheet reflecting account activity through April 30, 2021.
2021 Annual Summer Conference Update
Ms. Chambers circulated a draft of the summer conference agenda. She reviewed the agenda items. She reported that thus far 312 people have registered to attend the summer conference.
Special Committee on Duties & Responsibilities Outline
Ms. Chambers reported that Mr. Slemp suggested that Ken Lammers in his office would be an excellent person to update this very important outline of Commonwealth’s Attorneys Duties & Responsibilities. She reached out to Mr. Lammers, who has agreed to take on this project. Committee chairman Robert Bauer was very enthusiastic about the selection of Mr. Lammers. Mr. Lammers will be able to start work on the project after he returns from vacation in July.
Upcoming Webinars on Legislative Changes
Ms. Chambers reported that CASC will be hosting a webinar on the Legalization of Marijuana on June 15, 2021, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. The two previous webinars in this legislative changes series (FOIA and probation violations) will be available to watch online.
Reminder: CASC Offices Closed
Ms. Chambers reminded members that CASC offices at the W&M Law School are closed until August due to extensive renovations in the building.
New Business
2021 CASC Legislative & Appellate Update for Law Enforcement
Ms. Chambers reported that Mr. Casey has worked incredibly hard to produce this year’s Legislative & Appellate Update for Law Enforcement. The materials were circulated last week and also are available for download on the DCJS website.
CASC Routine Audit Update
Ms. Chambers reported that CASC is currently undergoing a routine audit. Because of COVID, it has all been done remotely and is taking quite a long time. So far no significant issues have come up. When the final results are available, a report will be provided to Council.
Clarence Elliott Harris Lawsuit
Ms. Chambers advised Council that she received in the mail a copy of a lengthy federal lawsuit in which CASC has been named as one of 33 co-defendants. Mr. Stolle explained that the suit arose out of criminal case prosecuted by his office. Ms. Chambers has been in contact with CASC’s attorney at the Office of the Attorney General and the plan for going forward was discussed.
CASC Website Employment Listings
Ms. Chambers observed that many of the employment listings on the CASC website are quite old. She has instructed Mr. Martin to find out which of the ads are for existing vacancies and which ads can be deleted. She asked for everyone’s cooperation with this effort.
2024 Spring Institute Venue
Ms. Chambers reported that the 2022 Spring Institute will be held at the Richmond Convention Center for the first time. CASC has contracts with multiple downtown Richmond hotels for accommodations. At this point this format is something of an experiment. While CASC has contracts to go back to Norfolk in 2023, 2024 is not yet planned and she asked for guidance on venue. Ms. Taylor inquired about offering two Spring Institutes to accommodate southwest Virginia. Ms. Chambers and Mr. Haislip responded that there was a committee who looked at this before and determined that splitting Spring Institute would not solve the problem. Ms. Chambers also reported that she does not have the staff to run two Spring Institutes and it also would be very expensive. Mr. Slemp stated that he prefers having everyone in the state get together in the same place. Ms. Chambers reported that Roanoke does not have enough downtown hotel rooms to accommodate a group our size. Ms. Chambers advised that CASC cannot wait until after the 2022 Spring Institute to book a venue for 2024. Mr. Ledbetter made a motion to go to Norfolk in 2024 in order to determine how well members like the new Richmond Convention Center format before committing again. Mr. Haislip seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Phone Attendees
Ms. Chambers reminded phone attendees to please email her to confirm their attendance.
Public Comment
None.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 12:41 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Thursday, August 5, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel.