12:00PM
Richmond, VA
Council Members Present
Officers:
Anton A. Bell (Hampton), Chairman
Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria), First Vice Chairman
R. Bryan Haskins (Pittsylvania County), Secretary
Shannon L. Taylor (Henrico County), Past Chairman
Council District Representatives:
1. Krystyn L. Reid (York County)(Pre-approved Zoom)
2. Matthew R. Hamel (Chesapeake)
4. Colette Wallace McEachin (Richmond City)
5. Bethany A. S. Harrison (Lynchburg)(Pre-approved Zoom)
6. David L. Ledbetter (Waynesboro)
7. Elizabeth K. Humphries (Fredericksburg)(Pre-approved Zoom)
8. Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria)
9. Robert M. Lilly (Giles County)(Pre-approved Zoom)
11. Steve Descano (Fairfax County)(Zoom)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Jeff Haislip (Fluvanna County)
Colin D. Stolle (Virginia Beach)
Meredith D. Adkins (King & Queen County)(Zoom)
Georgette C. Phillips (Isle of Wight)(Zoom)
Derek A. Davis (Surry County)(Zoom)
Regina T. Sykes (Sussex County)(Zoom)
John Alexander (Botetourt County)(Zoom)
Heather D. Hovermale (Winchester)(Zoom)
Clarissa T. Berry (Madison County)
Eric L. Olsen (Stafford County)
Christian E. Rehak (Radford)(Zoom)
Nate Green (Williamsburg/James City County)
Tyler Klink (Charles City County)
Erin Barr (Chesterfield County)
Mackenzie Babichenko (Hanover County)(Zoom)
Marie Walls (Matthews County)(Zoom)
Tiffany Buckner (Petersburg)(Zoom)
Justin Griffith (Pulaski County)(Zoom)
Rick Newman (Hopewell)(Zoom)
Susan Fierro (Prince George County)(Zoom)
Ryan Mehaffey (Spotsylvania County)
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
Lori DiGiosia (Stafford County)(Zoom)
Aaron Foster (Pulaski County)(Zoom)
CASC Staff Present
Jane Sherman Chambers
VACA Staff Present
Amanda Howie, Administrator
Call to Order
Mr. Bell called the meeting to order at 12:03 p.m.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the April 14, 2024, 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 March 31, 2024.
2024 Spring Institute Reimbursements & Audits
Ms. Chambers reminded attendees that the deadline for reimbursement of Spring Institute travel expenses is close of business on May 17, 2024. This is a hard deadline because of Ms. Heard’s imminent departure from CASC. Ms. Chambers circulated via email a list of jurisdictions whose payments have been processed. She also reminded attendees of the CASC reimbursement audit policy. Approximately 10 offices will be randomly selected for audit. Those notices will go out approximately 60 days after the reimbursement submission deadline.
CASC Finance Committee Meeting ~ June 26, 2024
Ms. Chambers reported that she met with CASC staff attorneys to talk about their training program “wish list” for FY25. A proposed budget will be submitted to the Finance Committee at their meeting on June 26, 2024, which will begin after the Council & Board meetings.
“Third Thursdays at Three” Meetings with Secretary Cole
Mr. Bell reported that he has been in contact with Secretary Cole’s office about these meetings. The process for submitting meeting topics was discussed. Attendees were requested to submit ideas for the upcoming meeting on May 16 to Ms. Chambers by Friday, May 10. Members agreed that quarterly meetings would probably be better attended, so Mr. Bell indicated that he would discuss that change with the Secretary.
New Business
CASC Staffing Updates
Ms. Chambers reported that Ms. Heard’s last day with CASC will be Monday, May 20, 2024. In the meantime, CASC has hired Lida Sayeed to replace Ms. Heard. Ms. Heard has been training Ms. Sayeed for the past week. Ms. Chambers reminded attendees that this became a parttime position following budget cuts in 2008. CASC has unsuccessfully sought funding to restore the position to fulltime because the workload is too much for one parttime employee. A second parttime employee may be hired in order to keep up with the workload.
CASC Faculty & Presenter Qualifications
Ms. Chambers reported that Mr. Porter requested that this matter be put on the agenda. Mr. Porter explained his concerns about disqualifying faculty from CASC training programs. Ms. McEachin reported that Mr. Fatehi had called her to ask her to share his concerns, which she did. Ms. Chambers reported how CASC has responded in the past when concerns were expressed about faculty members. Ms. Taylor reported that when she was Chairperson she requested and received copies of all training agendas with faculties listed. Discussion ensued. Ms. Taylor moved that the Chairman direct Mr. Porter to draft a proposed directive regarding removing faculty from CASC trainings pursuant to § 2.2-2618 and to circulate the draft to the CASC Administrator, CASC staff attorneys and Council members. Ms. Humphries seconded the motion. A Council vote was taken and passed with nay votes from Mr. Haskins and Mr. Ledbetter. Mr. Porter asked that he be given until the Annual Summer Conference to prepare a draft directive.
2024 Annual Summer Conference Draft Agenda
Ms. Chambers circulated a draft of the Annual Summer Conference agenda, with the comment that Ms. Howie would complete the VACA social event part of the agenda. No big changes are anticipated. Registration cannot be opened until Ms. Howie is able to get the hotel rooming links from the Marriott.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 1:09 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is June 26, 2024, 12:00 noon, at the CASC offices at Truist Place (formerly SunTrust Building), 919 E. Main Street, Suite 1250, Richmond.