9:00AM
COVID-19 State of Emergency – Zoom Meeting
Council Members Present
Officers:
Jeffrey W. Haislip (Fluvanna County), Chairman
Colin D. Stolle (Virginia Beach), First Vice Chairman
Shannon L. Taylor (Henrico County), Secretary
Council District Representatives:
1. LaBravia J. Jenkins (Fredericksburg)
2. Benjamin M. Hahn (York County)
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 Attorney’s Present
Donald S. Caldwell (Roanoke City)
Nancy G. Parr (Chesapeake)
E. M. Wright (Buckingham County)
Eric L. Olsen (Stafford County)
Beverly P. Leatherbury (Northampton County)
Benjamin M. Hahn (York County/Poquoson)
Gregory D. Underwood (Norfolk)
C. Phillips Ferguson (Suffolk)
Susan O. Fierro (Prince George County)
R. Bryan Haskins (Pittsylvania County)
John Alexander (Botetourt County)
Christian E. Rehak (Radford)
Marc H. Abrams (Winchester)
Bethany Harrison (Lynchburg)
Rick Newman (Hopewell)
Buta Biberaj (Loudoun County)
Tom Bowers (Salem)
Leanne Watrous (Nottoway County)
Andrew Nester (Henry County)
Eric Cooke (Southampton County)
Les Fleet (Appomattox County)
Colette McEachin (Richmond City)
Joe Platania (Charlottesville)
Vincent Robertson (Sussex County)
Meredith Adkins (King & Queen County)
Stacey Davenport (Chesterfield County)
Rusty McGuire (Louisa County)
Julia Sichol (Westmoreland County)
Clarissa Berry (Madison County)
Justin Griffith (Pulaski County)
Brian Holohan (Roanoke County)
Mary Pettitt (Montgomery County)
Pat Scales (Cumberland County)
Deputy & Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
Heather Hovermale (Winchester)
Lori DiGiosia (Stafford County)
Ramin Fatehi (Norfolk)
Matt Pollard (Salem)
Cari Steele (Arlington County/Falls Church)
Matt Lowery (Fairfax County)
CASC Staff Present
Jane Sherman Chambers
Elliott J. Casey
VACA Staff Present
Amanda Howie
Call to Order
Mr. Haislip called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the November 4, 2020, meeting were previously posted and circulated to Council. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Chairman’s Report
None.
Administrator’s Report
Ms. Chambers reviewed the agenda items:
Old Business
CATF Update
Ms. Chambers reviewed the CATF balance sheet reflecting account activity through October 31, 2020.
2020 Executive Program Update
Ms. Chambers reviewed the agenda for CASC online Executive Program scheduled for December 3, 2020. One-hundred eighty-eight Commonwealth’s Attorneys and deputies have registered to attend.
CASC Finance Committee Meeting
Ms. Chambers announced that she will be scheduling a Zoom Finance Committee meeting once the incoming Chairman completes his committee appointments. Typically, all officers are included plus up to 3 additional members. She does not anticipate a heavy agenda because there are not a lot of expenditures taking place because of the state of emergency.
Council Vacancy
Ms. Chambers reminded members that there currently is a vacancy in the 4th Congressional district because Lyndia Ramsey went on the bench. She asked that members from the 4th caucus in advance of the VACA Annual Meeting scheduled for December 4, 2020, and select a Council representative.
New Officer Training
Ms. Chambers reported that the Compensation Board’s New Officer Training will be held online from December 9 – 11, 2020. The agenda for the first day and half was set by the Comp Board and the second day and half agenda was set by CASC and VACA. Ms. Chambers anticipates that 5 newly-elected or acting Commonwealth’s Attorneys will attend.
New Business
CASC COVID-19 Update
Ms. Chambers reported that nine attendees associated with the Murder One & Two programs have tested positive for COVID-19. CASC exceeded all recommended protocols in conducting the training and all CASC employees present for that event have tested negative. CASC provided daily updates to all attendees as the situation developed. Both CASC’s Trauma to Trial and Sound of Silence programs were conducted this fall without incident.
Format for Upcoming CASC Training Programs
Ms. Chambers inquired how members want to conduct upcoming CASC training events in view of current news, including the forthcoming vaccines and the current 25-attendee cap on group gatherings. She reported that the Red Flag program in February 2021 already has been switched to virtual. Spring Institute in April is a much bigger question.
After much discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Stolle to conduct Spring Institute 2021 online, with the option of holding a supplemental conference in September at the same venue. Mr. Slemp seconded the motion. A vote of Council members was taken and the motion passed unanimously.
Reminder to Phone Attendees
Ms. Chambers reminded anyone attending by phone to email her with that information.
Public Comment
None.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:43 a.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is January 26, 2021, 11:00 a.m. via Zoom.