11:00AM
Richmond, VA
Council Members Present
Officers:
Anton A. Bell (Hampton), Chairman
Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria), First Vice Chairman
Julia H. Sichol (Westmoreland County), Second Vice Chairman
R. Bryan Haskins (Pittsylvania County), Secretary (Zoom attendance)
Shannon L. Taylor (Henrico County), Past Chairman
Council District Representatives:
1. Krystyn L. Reid (York County)
4. Colette Wallace McEachin (Richmond City)
5. Bethany A. S. Harrison (Lynchburg)(pre-approved Zoom attendance)
6. David L. Ledbetter (Waynesboro)
7. Elizabeth K. Humphries (Fredericksburg)
8. Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria)
9. Robert M. Lilly (Giles County)(pre-approved Zoom attendance)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Donald S. Caldwell (Roanoke City)(Zoom attendance)
Jeff Haislip (Fluvanna County)
Colin D. Stolle (Virginia Beach)
Meredith D. Adkins (King & Queen County)(Zoom attendance)
Ramin Fatehi (Norfolk)(Zoom attendance)
Derek A. Davis (Surry County)(Zoom attendance)
Regina T. Sykes (Sussex County)
Megan L. Clark (Prince Edward County)(Zoom attendance)
John Alexander (Botetourt County) (Zoom attendance)
Heather D. Hovermale (Winchester)(Zoom attendance)
Clarissa T. Berry (Madison County)
Eric L. Olsen (Stafford County)
Michael D. Jones (Wythe County) (Zoom attendance)
Amy K. Ashworth (Prince William County) (Zoom attendance)
Ryan Mehaffey (Spotsylvania County)
Tiffany Buckner (Petersburg) (Zoom attendance)
Erin Barr (Chesterfield County) (Zoom attendance)
Marie Walls (Matthews County) (Zoom attendance)
Jim Hingeley (Albemarle County) (Zoom attendance)
Cooper Brown (Franklin County) (Zoom attendance)
Wes Nance (Bedford County) (Zoom attendance)
Andrew Nester (Henry County) (Zoom attendance)
John Lumpkins (Goochland County) (Zoom attendance)
Anne Williams (Clarke County) (Zoom attendance)
Bucky Blevins (Smyth County) (Zoom attendance)
Russ Rabb (Culpeper County) (Zoom attendance)
Tyler Klink (Charles City County) (Zoom attendance)
Mary Pettitt (Montgomery County) (Zoom attendance)
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
D. J. Hansen (Chesapeake)
CASC Staff Present
Jane Sherman Chambers
Nancy Oglesby
VACA Staff Present
Amanda Howie, Administrator
Call to Order
Mr. Bell called the meeting to order at 11:00 AM.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the November 29, 2023, meeting previously were 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 December 31, 2023.
Updated Council & Board Member List
Ms. Chambers circulated an updated Council and Board member list that reflects the election results from the VACA Annual Meeting in December in Roanoke.
Updated 2024 Meeting & Event Calendar
Ms. Chambers circulated an updated 2024 Meeting & Events calendar. She highlighted the change to the June Council & Board meeting date. It is now scheduled for June 26, 2024, at 12:00 Noon.
2024 Spring Institute Update
Ms. Chambers circulated the most recent draft of the agenda for the 2024 CASC Spring Institute. She reported that as of Sunday, January 21, 644 persons were registered to attend in person, with 111 registering to attend online. Last year approximately 200 people attended online, which has resulted in a larger than usual demand for hotel rooms. CASC staff attorney Jill Harris has gotten additional room blocks for this year and next year in order to accommodate the increased demand. Ms. Chambers reminded members that CASC has to be mindful of not over-contracting for hotel rooms.
New Business
John R. Justice Loan Forgiveness Program Status Report
Ms. Chambers reported that she attended the John R. Justice Loan Forgiveness Program meeting at DCJS on December 15, 2023. In 2023 $158,000 was awarded. There were 26 applicants, 24 of whom were assistant commonwealth’s attorneys. The highest award was $10,000 a year for up to 3 years; the lowest award was $3160 a year for up to 3 years. Recipients have to reapply each year, but they are given priority. In 2023 applicants reported their taxable income (joint or otherwise). Next year the application also will ask for applicant’s individual income.
Vacancies on Ethics Committee
Ms. Chambers reported that there are two vacancies on Council with the departure of Mr. Arrington and Ms. Davenport. These positions need to be filled until the December 2024 meeting, at which time all committee members will need to be appointed for another term. Ms. Clark and Ms. Reid volunteered to serve. A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed by Council to appoint Ms. Reid and Ms. Clark to the CASC Ethics Committee.
Third Thursdays at Three Meeting with Secretary Cole
Ms. Chambers reported that the first “Third Thursdays at Three with Secretary Cole” online meeting was held on January 18, 2024. About 35 Commonwealth’s Attorneys, CASC, VACA and Public Safety & Homeland Security staff attended. The meeting included introductions, a discussion about what the PS&HS office does, and discussions about domestic terrorism issues, violence on campuses related to the Israel/Hamas war and DCJS’s implementation of the Witness Protection program. Ms. Howie advised that there is Witness Protection funding that needs to be spent before the end of this fiscal year. Jon Schleffer from PS&HS will report back with new information about that program.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 11:17 AM. The next regularly scheduled meeting is February 13, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the CASC offices at Truist Place (formerly SunTrust Building), 919 E. Main Street, Suite 1250, Richmond.