AGENDA DATE: 11/1/2017
TITLE:
Title
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Albemarle Entrance Corridor Beautification Program
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution to approve an MOA with the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail Authority for the use of offender labor crews for roadside beautification
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Walker, Letteri, Kamptner, Herrick, Henry, Freitas
PRESENTER (S): Michael Freitas
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Douglas C. Walker
BACKGROUND: The accumulation of litter along the roadways of Albemarle County is a growing concern. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) sponsors an Adopt-A-Highway program for individuals and groups who volunteer to pick up litter along designated sections of highway. VDOT also uses an inmate labor force to perform certain roadside maintenance tasks, to include litter control. VDOT has used this labor force to respond to County staff requests for litter cleanup. This work supports the County’s following strategic priority: Revitalize Aging Urban Neighborhoods: By January 2019, work with partners to increase efforts to address aesthetic appearance of entrance corridors and high visibility urban public spaces.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Thriving Development Areas: Attract quality employment, commercial, and high density residential uses into development areas by providing services and infrastructure that encourage redevelopment and private investment while protecting the quality of neighborhoods. Rural Area Character: Preserve the character of rural life with thriving farms and forests, traditional crossroad communities, and protected scenic areas, historic sites, and biodiversity
DISCUSSION: Staff has prepared a draft MOA (Attachment A) to address, in part, the Board’s strategic initiative regarding the aesthetic appearance of the entrance corridors as it pertains to roadside litter. In March 2017, Facilities and Environmental Services (FES) staff met with Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail Col. Martin Kumer to discuss the availability of offender work crews to assist in addressing the litter issue. Col. Kumer suggested the use of weekend inmates. FES staff briefed the Board at its March 28th meeting and recommended proceeding with this opportunity. Under this agreement, the Jail will provide inmate labor crews on Saturdays and Sundays, eight hours a day. The Jail will provide supervision, transportation, meals, work zone traffic safety devices, and all other incidentals. The County will identify work sites and compensate the Jail $45.00 per hour for each Jail Officer supervising an offender labor crew under this program. If this agreement is approved, FES will establish a pilot program in FY18, using existing funding supplemented with a request for FY 17 carry-over funds, to judge the program’s effectiveness. If the outcome of the pilot program is favorable, specific funding will be requested in future budget submittals.
BUDGET IMPACT: A request for FY 17 carry over funding is included in the November 1st consent agenda appropriations request.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
If the Board wishes to enter into this agreement, staff recommends the Board adopt the attached resolution (Attachment B) approving the MOA.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Memorandum of Agreement
B - Resolution