11:00AM
Delta Hotel, Richmond
Council Members Present
Officers:
Roy F. Evans (Smyth County), Chairman
Jeffrey W. Haislip (Fluvanna County), First Vice Chairman
Theo K. Stamos (Arlington County/Falls Church), Secretary
Council District Representatives:
1. LaBravia J. Jenkins (Fredericksburg)
8. Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria)
10. Marc H. Abrams (Winchester)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Donald S. Caldwell (Roanoke City)
E. M. Wright (Buckingham County)
John L. Mahoney (Caroline County)
Colin D. Stolle (Virginia Beach)
Gregory D. Underwood (Norfolk)
C. Phillips Ferguson (Suffolk)
Darrel W. Puckett (Appomattox County)
R. Bryan Haskins (Pittsylvania County)
W. Lyle Carver (Amherst County)
Shannon L. Taylor (Henrico County)
Eric Olsen (Stafford County)
Guests
Barry Faison, Virginia Retirement System
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
Lori DiGiosia (Stafford County)
Matt Lowery (Prince William County)
CASC Staff Present
Jane Sherman Chambers
VACA Staff Present
Michael R. Doucette, Executive Director
Call to Order
Mr. Evans called the meeting to order at 11:04 a.m.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the January 22, 2019, meeting were previously posted and circulated to Council. The minutes were approved as submitted.
Chairman’s Report
Ms. Chambers reported that the first annual CASC Prosecutor Boot Camp for new prosecutors is underway in Staunton. From all reports things are going very well.
Administrator’s Report
Ms. Chambers reviewed the agenda items:
Old Business
CATF Update
Ms. Chambers reviewed the CATF balance sheet reflecting account activity through January 31, 2019.
2019 Spring Institute Update
Ms. Chambers circulated the most current draft Spring Institute agenda along with Council meeting materials. She reported that thus far 611 people have registered to attend. The main hotel and the first overflow hotels are full and she is waiting to hear if the 2nd overflow hotel still has availability.
Richmond Office and Meeting Rental Space Update
Ms. Chambers circulated the most recent spreadsheet showing the status of negotiations with SunTrust for meeting and training space for CASC. She reminded membership that CASC is represented by the Dept. of General Services, who will be the agency actually signing the lease. The most recent annual rental figure shown on the spreadsheet falls within the amount CASC has budgeted for FY2020. The lease will likely become effective July 1, 2019. The lease will include 5 parking spots. Parking vouchers for visitors will be available for bulk purchase.
CASC Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP)
Ms. Chambers reminded members that both of CASC’s current part-time TSRP’s plan to retire this Spring. She had approached the DMV about combining these positions into one full-time position. Those negotiations have stalled because the DMV has indicated that they will fund only a full-time telecommuting position. Ms. Chambers advised that it is her belief that the efficient functioning of the office requires that this staff attorney be located primarily on-site in Williamsburg. Council members agreed with this assessment.
New Business
Report from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) – Barry Faison, VRS CFO
To accommodate his schedule, Mr. Faison was permitted to address Council at the beginning of the meeting. He circulated materials, including a snapshot of the CATF performance since its inception. He provided a detailed overview of VRS and reviewed its fund performance and asset allocation. In response to Mr. Ferguson’s question, Mr. Faison stated that VRS does not charge CASC an administrative fee for managing the Fund.
Time Study
Mr. Olsen stated that due to his involvement in the National District Attorneys Association he has become aware that other states have many more prosecutors per capita than Virginia. He suggested that Virginia’s Commonwealth’s Attorneys investigate the possibility of hiring an organization, such as the National Center for State Courts, to conduct a time study of Commonwealth’s Attorney offices.
Public Comment:
None.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 11:46 a.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is April 7, 1:00 p.m., at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel.