11:00AM
On-line Webconference pursuant to State of Emergency EO-51
Council Members Present
Officers:
Jeffrey W. Haislip (Fluvanna County), Chairman
Colin D. Stolle (Virginia Beach), First Vice Chairman
Nathan R. Green (James City County/Williamsburg), Second Vice Chairman
Shannon L. Taylor (Henrico County), Secretary
Roy F. Evans (Smyth County), Past Chairman
Council District Representatives:
1. LaBravia J. Jenkins (Fredericksburg)
3. Georgette C. Phillips (Isle of Wight)
5. Megan L. Clark (Prince Edward County)
8. Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria)
9. Charles H. Slemp, III (Wise County)
10. Amy M. Ashworth (Prince William County)
11. Steve Descano (Fairfax County)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
Donald S. Caldwell (Roanoke City)
Nancy G. Parr (Chesapeake)
E. M. Wright (Buckingham County)
Beverly P. Leatherbury (Northampton County)
C. Phillips Ferguson (Suffolk)
Susan O. Fierro (Prince George County)
Tracy Q. Martin (Halifax County)
R. Bryan Haskins (Pittsylvania County)
Marsha L. Garst (Rockingham County/Harrisonburg)
John Alexander (Botetourt County)
Gerald D. Arrington (Buchanan County)
Anne M. Williams (Clarke County)
Marc H. Abrams (Winchester)
Vincent Robertson (Sussex County)
Les Fleet (Appomattox County)
Parisa Dehghani-Tafti (Arlington County)
Tim Martin (Augusta County)
Stacey Davenport (Chesterfield County)
Joe Platania (Charlottesville)
Grey Collins (Colonial Heights)
Bethany Harrison (Lynchburg)
Tom Bowers (Salem)
Vince Donoghue (Essex County)
M. Andrew Nester (Henry County)
Clarissa Berry (Madison County)
Mary Pettitt (Montgomery County)
Leanne Watrous (Nottoway County)
Derek Davis (Surry County)
Julia Sichol (Westmoreland County)
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
David Chappell (Brunswick County)
Marie Walls (Suffolk)
Brent Johnson (Norfolk)
CASC Staff Present
Jane Sherman Chambers
Elliott J. Casey
VACA Staff Present
Michael R. Doucette, Executive Director
AV Provider
Richard Lesko, Blue Ridge Event Production
Call to Order
Mr. Haislip called the meeting to order at 11:04 a.m.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the February 11, 2020, meeting were previously posted and circulated to Council. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Chairman’s Report
Mr. Haislip welcomed everyone to CASC’s first online Council meeting. He explained the statutory provisions for holding digital meetings during a declared state of emergency. He conducted a roll call of Council members and declared that a quorum existed. Mr. Haislip praised CASC staff for their efforts in responding to the COVID- 19 crisis and keeping CASC’s business moving forward.
Administrator’s Report
Ms. Chambers reported that because CASC is an executive branch state agency located in the Peninsula Health District, their office is closed. All CASC employees are continuing to work on their regular schedule from their homes. Ms. Chambers praised Mr. Casey’s extraordinary efforts in providing legal guidance to Virginia’s prosecutors, law enforcement officers and city/county attorneys regarding the Governor’s emergency orders, the Virginia Supreme Court’s orders and the law of states of emergency, pandemics and quarantine generally. His resources have been shared nationally, as well. Mr. Casey reviewed the resources that he has prepared.
Ms. Chambers stated that pursuant to FOIA restrictions, this meeting’s agenda items must be related to the current state of emergency.
Old Business
CATF Update
Ms. Chambers reviewed the CATF balance sheet reflecting account activity through February 29, 2020. The Fund balance dropped considerably during the month of February and she anticipates that, as this state of emergency continues, the Fund balance will reflect the current instability in the markets. The good news is that a lot of money will be saved by conducting Spring Institute online.
Richmond Training Space Update ~ City Inspection and Materials Delays
Ms. Chambers reported that she participates in regular conference calls with SunTrust management and the contractors working on the training space. They have experienced delays getting inspections done because of the current emergency. They also are having difficulty sourcing some materials, particularly ceiling tiles. They are not able to provide a move-in date at this time. Ms. Chambers reported that furnishings and appliances have been selected but they have not been ordered because of the uncertainty of the move-in date. The cost estimate for these items is within the anticipated range.
DFS Customer Working Group (CWG) Postponemen
Ms. Chambers reported that the kick-off meeting of the CWG has been postponed because of the current state of emergency. She does not know when that meeting will be rescheduled.
New Business
Updated Plans for 2020 Spring Institute
Ms. Chambers reported that the 2020 Spring Institute will be conducted entirely online with an abbreviated agenda. The general schedule will remain the same but there will be only one track. Mr. Casey reviewed the updated agenda. Currently 837 people are registered. The registration deadline is April 1, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.
Emergency Plans for Other Upcoming CASC Training Events
Ms. Chambers advised that CASC staff are working on long-term emergency plans for CASC training programs. All trainings through May have been cancelled or are being converted to an online format. Until things are back to normal, CASC will be offering shorter online training programs on current and relevant topics. She asked Commonwealth’s Attorneys to send her an email if there is a topic they would like to see addressed.
COVID-19 and Recent CASC Training Events
Ms. Chambers reported that there were two CASC training events held prior to the Governor’s emergency declaration. CASC has reached out to attendees and faculty at each of these programs to determine if any were experiencing any symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
Planning for Upcoming Council Meetings
Currently, the Governor’s most recent emergency order extends through June 10, 2020. Therefore, unless the Governor amends EO-55, the next two Council meetings will be held remotely. They are scheduled for May 6 at 12:00 Noon and June 3 at 12:00 Noon.
Reminder to Phone Attendees
Ms. Chambers asked anyone attending this meeting by phone to please email her to confirm their attendance. The meeting software only records phone numbers, without names.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is May 6, 12:00 noon, via webconference.