11:00AM
Richmond, VA
Council Members Present
Officers:
Anton A. Bell (Hampton), Chairman
Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria), First Vice Chairman (pre-approved Zoom)
Julia H. Sichol (Westmoreland County), Second Vice Chairman (pre-approved Zoom)
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)
8. Bryan L. Porter (Alexandria)(pre-approved Zoom)
9. Robert M. Lilly (Giles County)
Other Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Present
Donald S. Caldwell (Roanoke City)(Zoom)
Jeff Haislip (Fluvanna County)
Patricia T. Watson (Greensville County/Emporia)
Colin D. Stolle (Virginia Beach)(Zoom)
Jane Wrightson (Northumberland County)
Georgette C. Phillips (Isle of Wight)(Zoom)
Anton A. Bell (Hampton)
Ramin Fatehi (Norfolk)(Zoom)
Derek A. Davis (Surry County)(Zoom)
Regina T. Sykes (Sussex County)
Megan L. Clark (Prince Edward County)(Zoom)
John Alexander (Botetourt County)(Zoom)
Heather D. Hovermale (Winchester)(Zoom)
Clarissa T. Berry (Madison County)(Zoom)
Eric L. Olsen (Stafford County)
Parisa Dehghani-Tafti (Arlington County/Falls Church)(Zoom)
Christian E. Rehak (Radford)(Zoom)
Michael D. Jones (Wythe County)(Zoom)
Amy K. Ashworth (Prince William County)(Zoom)
Andrew Nester (Henry County)
Tiffany Buckner (Petersburg)
Cooper Brown (Franklin County)
Josh Elrod (Buena Vista)
Joe Platania (Charlottesville)
Marie Walls (Matthews County)
Paul McAndrews (Campbell County)
Rob Cerullo (Powhatan County)
Ryan Mehaffey (Spotsylvania County)
Susan Fierro (Prince George County)
Tiffany Webb (King William County)
Tyler Klink (Charles City County)
Wendy Hannah (Cumberland County)
Gray Collins (Colonial Heights)
Justin Griffith (Pulaski County)
Fuller Cridlin (Lee County)
Jim Hingeley (Albemarle County)
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorneys Present
Lori DiGiosia (Stafford County)
CASC Staff Present
Jane Sherman Chambers
VACA Staff Present
Amanda Howie, Administrator
Call to Order
Mr. Bell called the meeting to order at 11:02 AM.
Minutes
The draft minutes from the January 23, 2024, 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 January 31, 2024.
2024 Spring Institute Update
A copy of the most recent agenda previously was circulated. Ms. Chambers reported that as of February 12, 683 people have registered to attend Spring Institute in person, while 150 have registered for the limited simulcast. The leadership track for deputies has 67 people registered. Ms. Chambers described some changes to ballroom assignments on Tuesday, April 16, to better accommodate the expected demand for Track A.
“Third Thursdays at Three” Meetings with Secretary Cole
Ms. Chambers reported that the next meeting with Secretary Cole is scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024. Possible meeting topics were discussed.
Status of CASC Budget Requests
Ms. Chambers reported that CASC requests for funding for a fulltime administrative assistant and a new staff attorney were not included in the Governor’s budget. She will submit a similar request next year.
New Business
VPM “Admissible: Shreds of Evidence” Podcast Review Workgroup
Ms. Chambers reported that she and staff attorney Elliott Casey have been invited to participate in the “Admissible: Shreds of Evidence” podcast review workgroup. The workgroup is being headed up by the Crime Commission with the support of DFS. An agenda has not yet been circulated but Ms. Chambers will report back at the next Council meeting in April.
Meeting with U.S. Attorneys
Ms. Chambers reported that she and Ms. Howie have corresponded with both U.S. Attorneys for Virginia about speaking to Commonwealth’s Attorneys at Spring Institute. Ms. Chambers saw U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber (Eastern District) on February 9th and confirmed that she will attend the Spring Institute Council meeting on April 14, 2024.
Public Comment
None.
Adjournment
There being no further business before Council, the meeting adjourned at 11:24 AM. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Marriott Waterside Hotel, Norfolk.