11:00AM
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Richmond
Council Members Present
Officers:
Raymond F. Morrogh (Fairfax County), Chairman
Nancy G. Parr (Chesapeake), First Vice Chairman
Eric Olsen (Stafford County), Secretary
Michael R. Doucette (Lynchburg), Past Chairman
Council District Representatives:
2. Bryan Porter (Alexandria City)
5. Denise Lunsford (Albemarle County)
6. Donald S. Caldwell (Roanoke City)
11. Raymond F. Morrogh (Fairfax County)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Nathan R. Green (Williamsburg/James City County)
Gregory D. Underwood (Norfolk)
Nicole M. Price (Washington County)
Michael Newman (Danville City)
Shannon Taylor (Henrico County)
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Nancy Oglesby
CASC Staff Present
Jane Sherman Chambers
Marian Heard
Call to Order
Mr. Morrogh called the meeting to order at 11:17 a.m.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the December 5, 2013, meeting were previously posted and circulated to Council. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Chairman’s Report
None.
Administrator’s Report
None.
Old Business
Abbott Lab Settlement: Mr. Caldwell reported that offices that were present at the check ceremony on January 9, 2014 received physical checks to take back to their jurisdictions. It was Mr. Caldwell’s initial impression that the remaining checks would be sent out the following day. He has learned that out of an abundance of caution, the Attorney General’s office has decided to wait until the new staff is in place. He expects checks to be mailed next week to individual offices. The disbursements amount to approximately $2,700 per attorney position per office ($1,350 for part-time attorneys.) These funds will be directed by Council. Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Doucette reminded members that the Abbott Lab settlement is asset forfeiture money with many limitations on its use. Members were reminded that personnel cannot be paid with asset forfeiture money. It can, however, be used to update case management systems, to buy equipment and to send staff to training. Mr. Caldwell indicated that there are a couple of options for the funds in State Treasury, and neither is good. The State Treasury is offering an interest rate of .16% but he will investigate other possibilities with a better rate of return.
Spring Institute: Ms. Chambers is still responsible for the Spring Institute. Currently over 400 are registered. The Marriott is already full, overflow is at the Sheraton. The room block at the Marriott is 275, overflow is 150. Ms. Chambers indicated a need for prosecutor faculty for Sovereign Citizen training. Mr. Underwood stated he had several staff members who are possibilities and he would get them to contact Ms. Chambers. Ms. Parr asked what was covered in the $50 registration fee. Ms. Chambers responded that it covers all staff and speaker travel expenses, AV equipment, binders of written materials, CD’s, beverages, everything but the hospitality suite.
New Business
New Council Director: Mr. Doucette introduced Jane Chambers as the new Council Director.
Search for new staff attorney: Ms. Chambers reported that the deadline for applications for the staff attorney position is January 28, 2014. If anyone would like to participate in the interview process, they are welcome. Typically these interviews are handled in-house by the CASC staff.
Council Vacancies, 2nd and 8th District Representatives: Mr. Morrogh nominated Colin Stolle and Bryan Porter to fill the vacancies. The nominations were seconded and unanimously approved.
Proposed changes to Council Constitution & By-laws: On the agenda was a proposed by-law change to add a financial committee to administer the Abbot Lab settlement funds. Consideration of the by-laws change was deferred to the February 13, 2014, meeting because there was not the required 2/3 of Council members present at the meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 11:34 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Thursday, February 13, 2014 11:00 a.m., at the Crowne Plaza, Richmond, VA, Capital Room, 2nd Floor.