[00:00:03]
OUR OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER SAYS AT 6:00.[Call to Order]
IT'S NICE TO SEE ALL YOU PEOPLE HERE.I THINK MY IMAGINATION IS RUNNING WILD AS TO WHY WE HAVE SUCH A BIG CROWD TONIGHT.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT A MEETING IS TO BEGIN ON TIME.
AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO END, BUT WE'LL BE HERE FOR THE DURATION.
WE HAVE A QUORUM SO WE CAN CONDUCT BUSINESS, AND WE HAVE SUPERVISOR CORNWELL ELECTRONICALLY HERE, AND WE NEED A MOTION TO LET HIM PARTICIPATE.
SO MOVE. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
ALL STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE INVOCATION, THERE'S ONE CHANGE IN THE AGENDA TONIGHT.
NUMBER 13 WILL BE MOVED UP BETWEEN 5 AND 6 DUE TO A SCHEDULING PROBLEM WITH NUMBER 13.
WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER FROM THE AUDIENCE TO GIVE US AN INVOCATION TONIGHT.
LORD, IN YOUR WORD, YOU SAID THAT THE TRUTH WILL MAKE US FREE.
AND WE THANK YOU TONIGHT FOR THE TRUTH OF YOUR WORD.
AND PEOPLE SHOW UP AND SPEAK UP AND STAND UP AND WE THANK YOU, LORD.
AND THE GOVERNMENT LISTENS AND REACTS TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
AND LORD, WE JUST THANK YOU FOR THIS NIGHT, FOR THIS COUNTY, FOR OUR HOME.
AND WE JUST ASK FOR WISDOM AND GUIDANCE AS WE CONDUCT BUSINESS HERE TONIGHT FOR CANDY.
AGAIN, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND YOUR PEACE.
WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD HELP US TO TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES.
AND THESE THINGS WE ASK IN JESUS NAME, AMEN, AMEN.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SIMMONS. ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER ONE, WHICH IS A CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD.
[1. Citizens Comment Period]
THIS WILL START NOVEMBER 25TH, 2013.I BELIEVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION STARTED IT SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE US.
AND WE'VE SET THIS ASIDE AT LEAST AN HOUR FOR PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
I SAY, YOU CAN'T GO TO WASHINGTON.
YOU CAN'T GO TO RICHMOND AND TALK, BUT YOU CAN COME HERE AND TALK.
SO WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC COMMENT, PERIOD.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD.
ADDRESSES 19130 LAKESIDE DRIVE, DARDEN MILL.
AND I GUESS I WAS ELECTED THE VICE SECRETARY OF THE 58 BUSINESS CORRIDOR.
SO I CAME HERE NOT TO COMPLAIN.
AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS.
I WASN'T EXPECTING TO SEE MR. CORNWELL SO LARGE TODAY, BUT I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO, AND I DO UNDERSTAND IT'S A DIFFICULT JOB.
I'VE COME HERE TO JUST MAKE SEVERAL POINTS.
IS THAT OUR 58 BUSINESS DISTRICT.
IS FRAGILE, AND I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CORRIDOR AS I AM RIGHT NOW.
OBVIOUSLY, I'VE GOT TWO COMPLETED PROJECTS THAT ARE VERY SUCCESSFUL.
[00:05:02]
THERE'S ALSO A VERY EXCITING FUTURE PROJECT THAT YOU'LL BE CONSIDERING INVOLVING RACETRAC PETROLEUM OF ATLANTA WITH HER EXPANSION INTO VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA.OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A LOT OF CONTINGENCIES ON THIS, BUT THAT IS A CONCEPT THAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED ON THE STORY STATION ROAD, ROUTE 58, ON A PROPERTY THAT I OWN WITH MISTER HART.
SO THERE ARE MANY, MANY POTENTIAL THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW ON ROUTE 58.
AND WHAT I AM ASKING IS A BUSINESS OWNER RIGHT THERE AND HAVING TO PAY FOR A RIGHT IN AND RIGHT OUT.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL FOR THE TAX BASE, AND I HOPE THAT WE PLAYED OUR PART AND BEING A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
SO GOVERNMENTS ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE ENACTED POLICIES OFTEN, ALTHOUGH NOT ALWAYS WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS, THAT HARM INTERPRETERS, CONSUMERS AND WORKERS.
AND MANY IN GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP FALL IN THIS CATEGORY.
AN UNKNOWN, UNKNOWINGLY HELP OR HURT BUSINESS.
I MYSELF HAVE MADE BAD DECISIONS ON POLICY.
WHEN I SEE SOMETHING AT FIRST GLANCE, I CAN THINK OF MISTER DRAKE, WHO WAS A FARMER, AND ME AS A LAWYER, AND THE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES THAT WE HAVE IN LOOKING AT AN ISSUE.
I THINK HE WOULD ADMIT HE'S BEEN WRONG, BUT WE CERTAINLY HAVE LEARNED FROM EACH OTHER.
AND LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, WHETHER A FARMER OR A LAWYER AND BUSINESS, EACH OWNER HAS SOME TYPE OF LEVEL OF EXPECTATION OF SUCCESS.
THIS IS THE BUSINESS EXPECTATION THEORY.
BUSINESS OWNERS EXPECT PROFIT WILL INCREASE LASTS FOR GENERATIONS.
INCREASING SERVICE PRODUCTS RELATIONSHIPS BENEFIT IN SOME WAY TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS PAY TAXES, LAWFUL CITIZEN LAW AND ORDER SUPPORT.
OUR GOVERNMENT SET THE GROUND RULES.
NOW, WE'VE HAD MANY GROUND RULES THAT HAVE BEEN KIND OF MURKY IN GOVERNMENT.
THE GAMING REGULATIONS IS ONE THAT HAS CHANGED AND MR. SADLER'S HAD TO DEAL WITH THAT IN COURT.
I HAVE NO PLANS TO GET INTO THE GAMING BUSINESS.
I CAN ASSURE YOU BUSINESS IS NOT PEOPLE RUNNING TO SPEND MONEY.
CAPITALISM INVOLVES FLEXIBILITY, ANXIETY AND HARD WORK.
YOU CAN CERTAINLY ASK MY 20 EMPLOYEES IN CORTLAND WHEN YOU GO BY 58 WHEN THAT PARKING LOT IS FULL.
MOST OF THOSE ARE NOT CONSUMERS.
MOST OF THEM ARE GOING TO TO TOWN BANK USED TO BE FARMERS BANK, BUT THOSE EMPLOYEES LOOK FOR THE SAME THING THAT BUSINESS OWNERS LOOK FOR STABILITY AND EXPECTANCY. OUR BUSINESS DISTRICT 158 IS FRAGILE AND I'M ASKING YOU TO USE EXTREME CARE.
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAYS OUT THE GROUND RULES, IDENTIFIES OUR BUSINESS DISTRICT, SETS A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR US TO FOLLOW, AND THEN FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO INVEST, TO INVEST AND THE RIGHT PLACES IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
WE'RE ASKING FOR STABILITY IN OUR WORKPLACE, OUR BUSINESS DISTRICT.
WE'RE ASKING FOR EXTREME EXPECTANCY WITH TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT, INNOVATION AND DISRUPTION.
THIS IS THE NEW NORMAL IN BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY THE DISRUPTION.
STABILITY IS NEEDED FOR PEOPLE TO DO THEIR BEST WORK.
HAVE TO HAVE THIS FOR ANY ORGANIZATION TO SUCCEED.
WE HAVE PHYSICAL STABILITY AND WE HAVE PSYCHOLOGICAL SECURITY.
YOUR OVERALL OPTIMISM AND RESILIENCE.
NOW, THIS PSYCHOLOGICAL SECURITY IS VERY IMPORTANT.
WHEN I'M SPEAKING TO SOMEONE THAT'S INTERESTED IN A PIECE OF PROPERTY, SUCH AS OUR CURRENT VERY LARGE PERSON THAT IS PUT UNDER CONTRACT, ONE OF OUR PROPERTIES, THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE.
THEY NOT DON'T WANT TO KNOW JUST FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
[00:10:03]
THEY WANT TO KNOW FOR THE NEXT TEN, 15, 20, BECAUSE IN THEIR BUSINESS MODELS, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A PROFIT ON THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY.EXPECTANCY. THIS IS SITE ECONOMICS.
THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN THE 58 BUSINESS DISTRICT.
SO IT IS VITAL RIGHT NOW THAT WE HAVE AS MUCH STABILITY AS POSSIBLE.
THE SMALL BUSINESS DISTRICT COMPARED TO OTHER AREAS.
AND OURS IS MUCH MORE FRAGILE THAN THOSE DISTRICTS.
A SMALL DECISION COULD IMPACT OUR BUSINESS DISTRICT SIGNIFICANTLY.
IT MAY BE SMALL, BUT WE HAVE VIBRANT PROJECTS IN THE WORKS.
OUR CITIZENS HERE LOCALLY IN THIS DISTRICT ARE THE ONES THAT ARE COACHING.
THE BASEBALL TEAMS ARE THE ONES THAT ARE DONATING TO LOCAL NONPROFITS.
AND I WOULD JUST ASK YOUR ATTENTION TO LOOKING AT THIS TO PROVIDE AS MUCH STABILITY AND EXPECTANCY AS POSSIBLE FOR ALL OF OUR.
THANK YOU. MR. RANDALL. I GOT A QUESTION.
YES, SIR. TELL ME WHAT FRAGILE IS.
FRAGILE. FRAGILE IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BREAK AT ANY POINT.
NOW, ARE YOU REFERENCING GOOD OR BAD? IT COULD BE GOOD. OR YOU USE A WORD.
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT GOOD OR BAD? WELL, WHEN I USE THE WORD, IT COULD BE BETTER AND IT COULD BE WORSE.
SO THE POINT THAT I'M TRYING TO MAKE TO THE BOARD IS THAT I THINK THAT THE 58 BUSINESS DISTRICT AND I'M SPEAKING FOR MY OWN BUSINESS, THERE ARE MANY OTHER BUSINESS LEADERS THAT ARE HERE THAT COULD SPEAK, THAT THEIR BUSINESS IS UP.
SOME MAY SAY THEIR BUSINESS IS SLIGHTLY DOWN.
BUT I THINK THAT THERE ARE MANY EXCITING THINGS THAT ARE IN STORE FOR THAT BUSINESS DISTRICT.
IF WE CAN PROVIDE THESE, THE STABILITY AND THE EXPECTANCY THAT OUR BUSINESS DISTRICT IS GOING TO BE THERE AND THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND WE HAVE HAD THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT.
I'M NOT HERE TO WE JUST WANT TO ASK FOR CONTINUED SECURITY AND STABILITY.
I HOPE I ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION.
WELL, REGARDING THE AGENDA, THERE ARE TWO ITEMS THAT I WAS EXPECTING TO BE HOT TOPICS TONIGHT.
ONE WAS OUR CUT, THE OTHER ONE WAS TAXES.
WHICH ONE ARE YOU REFERRING? ARE YOU DIRECTING THESE COMMENTS TO BOTH OR YOU DIDN'T USE EITHER ONE OF THEM IN YOUR COMMENTS? I WANTED TO BE MORE GENERAL BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE MORE PRODUCTIVE TODAY.
IF YOU WANT ME TO ADDRESS FIRST THE TAX ISSUE I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY, AS BUSINESS OWNERS ALL OF US FOR BUDGETING PURPOSES, WOULD WOULD WANT A SMALLER TAX INCREASE INCREMENTALLY RATHER THAN AND I, I GOT IT.
OBVIOUSLY YOU DEFINE IT AND I TRY NOT TO TALK ABOUT THINGS PERSONALLY.
BUT YOU KNOW TWO PARCELS, ONE WENT FOR 1.723 TO 2.422.
THE NEXT WAS 1.107 FOR 100 TO 1.617 600.
SO THAT AND THAT'S PROBABLY 60,000 PER YEAR JUST ON THOSE TWO PARCELS.
SO THE 60 GOING UP TO AROUND 95.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING OF, OF HAVING MANY EMPLOYEES IS YOU HAVE TO BRIDGE THAT GAP EITHER WITH INCOME MINUS EXPENSES OR YOU HAVE TO ELIMINATE AN EMPLOYEE.
YOU YOU'VE ANSWERED THE QUESTION FOR ME AND THE CUT.
I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHEN YOU USE THE WORD FRAGILE, WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THOSE TWO AGENDA ITEMS? YOU'VE ANSWERED IT. AND THE SECOND QUESTION, THE NOT.
I'VE NEVER RUN FROM A QUESTION.
[00:15:06]
WE'RE TRYING TO PUT UNDER CONTRACT.NOW WE CAN LOOK OUT ON 58 AND LOOK AT THE VOLUME.
SO THE R CUT WOULD BRING ANXIETY.
PRETTY MUCH DO ANYONE NOW IS THE ARQUETTE POSSIBLE AND FUNCTIONALITY? THE ANSWER IS PROBABLY YES.
AND LOOKING AT IT OBJECTIVELY, BUT EVERYTHING THAT I'VE SEEN TO THIS POINT.
RAISES MORE QUESTIONS AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAN ANSWERS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT, WHO'S NEXT? GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JOSEPH STEWART.
I LIVE AT 22487 EAST RAILROAD STREET, NEWSOME.
I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO SPEAK ON BOTH OF THESE THINGS THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, MR. GILLETTE. THE FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO CALL BLOOD FROM A TURNIP.
I GOT HOME TODAY, LOOKED AT MY MAILBOX, AND WAS TRYING TO DECIDE, WHY AM I GOING TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTY? I CURRENTLY WORK OUTSIDE THE COUNTY BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IN THIS COUNTY, I CANNOT SUSTAIN MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN AND MYSELF.
SO I CURRENTLY DRIVE AN HOUR AWAY.
FIRST PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT I HAVE TWO ACRES THE LAST TWO YEARS WAS ASSESSED AT $8,700.
MAGICALLY, THIS YEAR THE PROPOSAL IS 32,800.
THERE'S ACTUALLY LESS TREES THAT CUT A FEW TREES DOWN AND THERE'S PILES OF WOOD THERE.
MY HOUSE WAS ASSESSED FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
LOTS OF TERMITE DAMAGE, MOISTURE DAMAGE.
ANYBODY LIKE TO LOOK? I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SHOW THE ASSESSOR.
NOBODY'S SEEN. IF I'VE DONE ANY IMPROVEMENTS, NOBODY'S BEEN UNDER THE HOUSE.
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW I'M GOING TO PAY FOR THESE THINGS.
I'M ON A CURRENT TAX PAYMENT PLAN AS IT IS TRYING TO PAY MY TAXES FROM LAST YEAR.
ASSESSED THE LAST TWO YEARS 133,500.
THAT HOUSE IS IN WORSE CONDITION WITH ROOF LEAKS, ETC..
SHE'S ON SOCIAL SECURITY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
MY NEIGHBOR LIVES ON THE OTHER SIDE.
LAST TWO YEARS, 87,900 JUMPED TO 131 900, SO THE OTHER THREE ALMOST DOUBLED.
BUT YET THE ONE THAT WAS JUST TWO ACRES QUADRUPLED.
MY BIGGEST QUESTION, AND THIS DOESN'T APPLY TO MANY OF YOU.
BUT WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THE MONEY? ARE WE GOING TO GIVE IT TO A GOLF COURSE AGAIN? BECAUSE I'M SORRY, THAT HITS ME PRETTY HARD.
WHEN? YEARS AGO, WE BAILED OUT A GOLF COURSE THAT COULDN'T FINANCIALLY MAKE IT, BUT YET THAT WOULD HAVE PAID MY TAXES IN THIS COUNTY FOR 15 PLUS YEARS. YET.
I'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SUPPLY FOOD.
I'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO KEEP MY LIGHTS ON, CLOTHES ON MY CHILDREN.
ARE WE GOING TO WIDEN THE ROADS THAT AREN'T WIDE ENOUGH? I KNOW A LOT OF THIS IS VDOTS ISSUE, BUT THE COUNTY COULD PUSH SOME OF THESE THINGS.
YOU KNOW, THESE TRACTOR TRAILERS TRYING TO PASS EACH OTHER, FIRE, EMS, POLICE EQUIPMENT.
ARE WE GOING TO HAVE MORE THAN TWO SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ON A 600 PLUS SQUARE MILE COUNTY AT NIGHT? SO IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO YOUR HOUSE AND THEY'RE IN I'VE OR DEALING WITH A RECKLESS DRIVER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT YET YOU'RE IN BRANCHVILLE, GOOD LUCK.
ARE WE GOING TO HAVE ANY CAREER FIREFIGHTERS? I'M A VOLUNTEER.
I WORK IN PRINCE GEORGE'S CAREER.
IF MY HOUSE CATCHES ON FIRE AND NEWSOM'S.
A LOT OF THEM HAVE MORE THAN ONE JOB.
I COULD BE SITTING IN THE FIRE TRUCK AT WORK.
[00:20:01]
I GOT A 45 MINUTE RIDE, MY HOUSE GOING TO BURN TO THE GROUND.I WORK FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THIS PAST WEEK I WORKED TUESDAY, THURSDAY, SATURDAY.
THEY DON'T PICK UP EVERYTHING AND THAT'S A NEWSOM'S BENEFIT.
SO YET AGAIN, I'VE GOT TO COME UP WITH MORE MONEY.
YOU KNOW I DON'T, I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
AND AGAIN, THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY DIRECTED TO YOU INDIVIDUALLY, BUT WHAT WE ARE GETTING OUT OF OUR TAX DOLLARS, OTHER THAN BEING ABLE TO LIVE HERE AND GET SENT ANOTHER BILL.
CAN I. CAN I ASK YOU ONE QUESTION? YES, SIR. HOW MANY MEETINGS HAVE YOU COME TO? IS THIS THE ONLY MEETING? THIS? THIS IS NOT MY ONLY MEETING.
BUT IT'S BEEN QUITE SOME TIME.
THE MEETINGS ARE OPEN, YOU KNOW, EVERY MONTH EVERYBODY CAN COME.
AND IF YOU COME TO THE MEETINGS, YOU'LL FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
I CAN ONLY TRY TO DO MORE IN THE FUTURE.
BUT AS FAR AS THE THE 58 PROJECT ALL I'M GOING TO SAY IS PEOPLE WHO DON'T STOP FOR A RED LIGHT.
PEOPLE WHO DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE LAWS.
PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO TURN AND LOOK BOTH WAYS.
ARE STILL GOING TO DO THOSE SAME THINGS.
SO I DON'T I DON'T THINK PUTTING A MAJOR CHANGE LIKE THAT IN THERE IS GOING TO DO A WHOLE LOT AS FAR AS MAKE IT SAFER OR MORE CONVENIENT.
BUT I THINK IT'S GOT TO DO MORE DAMAGE TO THOSE BUSINESSES.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, WHO'S NEXT? PLEASE TRY TO KEEP IT FIVE MINUTES OR LESS.
BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO TALK TONIGHT.
GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD.
I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE THAT YOU GIVE US IN THE COUNTY.
I RESIDE AT (297) 072-9074 NORTH MAIN STREET IN NEWSOMS. I'M A BUSINESS OWNER ON THE 58 DISTRICT.
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT, BUT 22 YEARS AGO, I CAME TO THE BOARD TO PRESENT A PLAN FOR MY BUSINESS.
AND IN DOING SO, I HAD A MAP DRAWN OUT OF THE LOT AND HOW I WANTED TO POSITION EVERYTHING.
THE ONE THING THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE IS THAT THEY WERE ADAMANT ABOUT SAFETY.
WE TURNED MY MANY PEOPLE ASKED ME WHY I DON'T HAVE A ACCESS OFF OF 58.
AND THAT WAS A RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD WAS TO PUT IN AN ACCESS OFF THE SIDE.
AND IT'S WORKED OUT VERY WELL.
IT'S BEEN SAFE, AND IT'S JUST WORKED OUT REALLY WELL FOR US TODAY.
JUST BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUE.
BEFORE WE GOT WHEN WE GOT STARTED, WE DIDN'T HAVE A LIGHT THERE.
AND SO WE WERE THERE AND SAW I DARE SAY, AS ANYBODY HERE THAT SPENDS AS MUCH TIME AT THAT INTERSECTION AS MYSELF AND MY EMPLOYEES, I HAVE 14 EMPLOYEES, AND WE'RE THERE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 12 HOURS A DAY.
WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE THAT LIGHT WENT INTO PLACE WE SEE THAT ROAD CONTINUE TO GET BUSIER AND BUSIER WITH THE INCREASE, THE SAME, NO DECREASE IN SPEED.
WE SAW SEVERAL REALLY BAD ACCIDENTS.
THE NIGHTINGALE LANDED THREE PARTICULAR TIMES IN MY FRONT YARD TO ATTEND THE ACCIDENTS THAT WERE.
AT THAT LIGHT, WE SAW ONE FATALITY.
FORTUNATELY, SOME DECISIONS WERE MADE IN A LIGHT WENT INTO PLACE.
I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND SAY WE NEVER SAW ANY MORE ACCIDENTS.
WE STILL SEE FENDER BENDERS, BUT THEY THE CLOSE CALLS AND THE CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENTS THAT WE SAW BEFORE DON'T HAPPEN NEARLY AS MUCH AS WHAT WHAT THEY DID THEN.
MY CONCERN. ALSO, AS WITH THE CUT, NOT SO MUCH OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE IN THE INTERSECTION, BUT WHEN WITH THE CUT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CROSS OVER TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET BACK IN TO MAKE A U-TURN.
[00:25:02]
NOW, WITH THE OTHER BUSINESSES ON THE ON THE ON THE WESTBOUND SIDE OF 58 AND I AND I, FORTUNATELY WE VISIT THEM OFTEN, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT NOW TO TRY TO PULL OVER TO GET OVER TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO MAKE THAT U-TURN.FOR EXAMPLE, IF I VISIT MR. RANDALL'S BUSINESS OR THE BANK TO GET BACK OVER, TO GET INTO THE TO THE U-TURN WHERE THE U-TURN WOULD BE WITH THE OR CUT, I'VE GOT TO CROSS OVER TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU IF YOU.
I'M SURE YOU HAVE BEEN THERE, BUT ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON BETWEEN 4 AND 7 IT IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE.
YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THAT LIGHT TO TURN.
THE ADVANTAGE OF HAVING THAT LIGHT THERE IS, IS GIVES A BREAK IN TRAFFIC, AND IT DOES ALLOW YOU TO TO GET PULLED OUT ONTO THE ROAD SAFELY AND TO GET OVER AND MAKE THAT U-TURN ON OUR SIDE, ON THE EASTBOUND SIDE WITH THAT OR CUT IF YOU HAVE TO CROSS OVER TO MAKE THAT U-TURN TO GET BACK WEST, YOU'RE GOING TO CREATE A SITUATION WHERE YOU'VE GOT THREE BUSINESSES FOOD LION, THE HOLIDAYS, GRACE AND ANIMALS.
NOT TO MENTION THE AMOUNT OF TRUCK TRAFFIC THAT DOES GO BACK THERE DAILY.
ALL OF THOSE VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO MAKE THAT U-TURN.
THEY'LL HAVE TO CROSS OVER TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC, MAKE THAT OR CUT TO GET BACK TO GO WEST.
YOU COULD SLOW IT DOWN EVEN MORE.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE PRESSURE IS COMING FROM AS IT.
BECAUSE IT'S SLOWING DOWN THE TRUCK TRAFFIC COMING THROUGH.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES WE SEE THAT LIGHT GET RUN.
USUALLY IT'S A SIGNAL FROM A HORN AND YOU CAN LOOK AND THEY'VE GOT AMPLE TIME IN MANY CASES TO STOP.
BUT RATHER THAN DOING THAT, THEY JUST BLOW THE HORN AND GO RIGHT ON THROUGH.
MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE TO PUT A LIGHT UP A CAMERA.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SUFFOLK AND SOME OF THE OTHER VICINITIES.
WE CAN WE CAN MAYBE OFFSET SOME OF THESE TAX ASSESSMENTS AND GENERATE SOME INCOME FOR THE COUNTY.
I APPRECIATE YOUR LISTENING AND APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
I KNOW SAFETY WILL BE AT FOREMOST ON YOUR MIND AND I SHALL APPRECIATE IT.
BEFORE WE HAVE SOMEBODY, I'D JUST LIKE TO POINT ONE THING OUT.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO TALK ABOUT THE R CUT.
IF YOU LOOK AT NUMBER 12 ON THE TONIGHT'S AGENDA, THE R CUTS GOING TO BE DISCUSSED.
AND YOU WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AT THAT TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE CUT, WHICH I DON'T KNOW.
YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT NOW OR THEN, BUT IT MAY BE A MORE EFFECTIVE IF YOU, IF YOU TALK THEN.
SO WHO'S NEXT? KATRINA GOFF, 17 810 BLACK CREEK ROAD, ZUNI.
I AM ALSO HERE TO TALK ABOUT ARQUETTE.
I'M HERE AS A CITIZEN AND AS THE THE STORE MANAGER OF THE FOOD LION.
I HAVE A LOT OF THE SAME CONCERNS THAT WERE JUST ADDRESSED.
I'LL ADD SOME OF MY OWN INSIGHT TO IT.
WHEN I'M THINKING ABOUT THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE THERE, OUT OF ALL OF THEM, THE FOOD LION IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT, IN MY OPINION, BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT IS A CRITICAL NECESSITY FOR PEOPLE TO GET GROCERIES AND FOOD.
TRAVEL THAT THAT ROUTE EVERY DAY.
AND BASED OFF WHERE THE ROAD COMES OUT FROM, DOWN, DOWN THE OTHER DIRECTION, UNDER THE OVERPASS, YOU CAN'T YOU DON'T HAVE GOOD VISIBILITY TO THAT SPEED THAT THAT THOSE, THOSE VEHICLES ARE TRAVELING.
TRYING TO TURN A U-TURN IS UNREASONABLE.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE TRACTOR TRAILER TRAFFIC THAT COMES IN AND OUT OF MY FACILITY EVERY DAY IS AT LEAST EIGHT OR 9 OR 10 TRACTOR TRAILERS PER DAY, DELIVERING GOODS AND FOOD AND PICKING UP SALVAGE AND TRYING TO IMAGINE A TRACTOR TRAILER MAKING A U-TURN IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY IS.
IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME.
I DON'T SEE HOW THAT WOULD WORK.
I FEEL LIKE THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO DOWN TO FRANKLIN TO DO A SAFE TURNAROUND.
WE HAVE A LOT OF FLOODING, AS IS ON BACK ROADS.
[00:30:03]
THE ACCIDENTS I'VE SEEN OUT THERE.TO HIS POINT, THE TRACTOR TRAILERS ROLLING THROUGH.
I JUST DON'T IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME.
I'VE. I'VE LIVED IN THE WINDSOR COMMUNITY.
I TRAVEL THROUGH THE SUFFOLK COMMUNITY QUITE FREQUENTLY, DOWN ON THE END OF FOUR 60 CORRIDOR, AND TO ME, IT MAKES A LOT MORE SENSE TO ADD A FEW ADDITIONAL STOPLIGHTS, SLOW THE TRAFFIC DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
AND THE LIGHT THAT GOES CURRENTLY FROM STORY STATION ACROSS THE INTERSECTION.
SO IT'S NOT A IT'S NOT SAFE AS, AS IT IS CURRENTLY EITHER.
BUT IT'S A LOT SAFER, IN MY OPINION, THAN IT WOULD BE TO PUT THE U-TURN THERE.
AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.
I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE R CUT.
AND I'M YOUR NEIGHBOR. I'M LEANNE MOSS.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
I'VE MOVED 37 DOGS FOR SOUTHAMPTON IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF ALONE.
I KNOW THIS IS NOT A NEW TOPIC, BUT I THINK IT'S A TOPIC THAT HASN'T BEEN VISITED IN A WHILE.
AND WHILE I TRIED TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING INSIGHTFUL IN A WAY TO ARTICULATE THE NEED FOR EXPANSION, I THOUGHT THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN BACK IN APRIL OF 2013 SAID IT BEST.
A QUARANTINE DOG IS REQUIRED TO HAVE AN EMPTY RUN BETWEEN ITS RUN AND ANOTHER DOG.
THE POUND IS USUALLY FULL AND CALLS FOR SERVICE THAT INVOLVE A DOG THAT SHOULD BE PICKED UP.
THEY'RE BEING TOLD THAT THEY HAVE TO WAIT.
THE NUMBER OF RUNS SHOULD AT A MINIMUM BE INCREASED TO 15.
BASED ON THE SHELTER'S 2023 REPORT, THEY TOOK IN 224 ANIMALS LAST YEAR.
215 OF THEM WERE DOGS, PRIMARILY HOUNDS.
THANK YOU, RYAN GIBBS, WHO'S HERE TONIGHT FOR TIRELESSLY WORKING TO FIND PLACEMENT FOR THOSE DOGS.
THEY WERE PUT DOWN LAST MARCH FOR LACK OF SPACE THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.
MAYBE THE WHEELS ARE ALREADY IN MOTION.
I'M VISITING YOU GUYS HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME TONIGHT.
I AM CURIOUS WHAT THE COUNTY'S POSITION IS ON EXPANSION, WHAT'S BEING DONE OR PLANS TO BE DONE, AND WHAT BARRIERS ARE WE FACING OF THE $11 MILLION IN ACTUAL EXPENDITURES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY? IN FISCAL YEAR ENDING 23, ANIMAL CONTROL ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR $119,977, OF IT MAJORITY BEING VITAL PERSONNEL COSTS. BUT THE CURRENT BUDGET FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR IS ONLY $20,450.
FOR ACTUAL, TANGIBLE THINGS LIKE FACILITIES, UTILITIES, DOG FOOD AND MAINTENANCE, ONLY $100 BUDGETED FOR FOOD FOR AN ENTIRE FISCAL YEAR, AND NOTHING FOR HEAT BECAUSE THERE ISN'T.
MY QUESTION IS, IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO POTENTIALLY USE A PORTION OF THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND, WHICH HAD AN UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE OF OVER $2 MILLION AT THE END OF LAST FISCAL YEAR TO PURCHASE LAND AND EXPAND THE CURRENT FACILITY, OR FROM THE GENERAL FUNDS UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE, WHICH WAS OVER 10.6 MILLION AT THE END OF LAST FISCAL YEAR.
I KNOW WE'RE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE WITH THEIR HANDS OUT, BUT IT'S JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
IF NOT, THERE ARE SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS THAT OUR NEIGHBORS HAVE IN PLACE, INCLUDING HIRING A SHELTER ATTENDANT, APPLYING FOR STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS, AND IMPLEMENTING A FORMAL FOSTER AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM TO ALLEVIATE THAT OCCUPANCY ISSUE, AND TO BRING AWARENESS TO ADOPTABLE ANIMALS TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH
[00:35:07]
EVENTS AND MARKETING.IT WOULD TAKE SIGNIFICANT PLANNING, RESOURCES AND TIME, AS ALL THINGS DO, BUT IT APPEARS THERE MAY BE ROOM IN THE BUDGET TO MAKE THE ANIMALS OF SOUTHAMPTON A PRIORITY, FOR WHICH IT SEEMS THEY'RE LONG OVERDUE.
I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AGAIN.
SO NOBODY HERE HAS SEEN ANY MORE ABOUT IT THAN I HAVE.
BUT OVER THE YEARS THAT HAS CHANGED AS FOUR LANES AND MORE TRAFFIC.
BUT IT'S STILL NOT AN INTERSTATE.
IT'S STILL NOT A SUPER HIGHWAY.
THIS IS WHERE OUR BUSINESSES ARE.
WE HAVE AT LEAST 30 COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES ON HIGHWAY 58.
THREE OF OUR MAIN STREETS FROM OUR SEVEN TOWNS GO RIGHT INTO HIGHWAY 58.
FUTURE BUSINESSES DEPEND ON IT.
OUR STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS DEPEND ON IT.
OUR TAX BASE DEPENDS ON IT AND OUR INCOMES DEPEND ON IT.
SO WE SHOULD. WE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT.
AND THE PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT IS IS AN INDICATION OF THE IMPORTANCE.
BECAUSE IF WE WERE DOING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND WE WERE GOING TO BUILD A LITTLE BUILDING ON OUR PROPERTY, WE'D HAVE TO HAVE ALL KINDS OF NOTICES SENT OUT AND PEOPLE NOTIFIED AND ADVERTISING IN THE PAPER.
BUT NONE OF THAT HAS BEEN DONE FOR THIS WITH SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT US SO MUCH.
AND MY FAMILY IS FOUR OF US THAT DRIVE WE COME OFF THE ROUNDABOUT COMING ONTO 58TH TO GO EAST.
AND EVERY TIME WE COME OFF WE HAVE TO CROSS TWO LANES.
WHEN YOU CROSS THOSE TWO LANES, THEY'LL LET YOU IN THE FIRST ONE.
BUT WHEN THEY LET YOU IN THE FIRST ONE, THEY MOVED OVER TO THE LEFT ONE.
AND NOW YOU CAN'T GET IN THE LEFT ONE.
SO YOU YOU'RE GOING TO GET TO THE POINT YOU CAN'T EVEN GET IN AT ALL.
CUT. YOU'RE GOING TO GO DOWN FURTHER BECAUSE I HAVE TO DO THAT EVERY NOW AND THEN.
SO I SAY KEEP THE STOPLIGHT AND ASK MY OPINION ON THAT.
FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO SAY IS THE TAX IS NOT THE ASSESSMENT INCREASE.
LET ME JUST CHANGE THAT ASSESSMENT AND INCREASE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
IT HAS TO DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
ALL THESE THINGS ARE DRIVEN, THE PRICES UP.
AND THEY'RE GOING UP AND THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP GOING UP.
BECAUSE YOU GOT TO REMEMBER, WE GOT 10 MILLION UNHOUSED PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY.
NOW THEY'VE JUST COME IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND SOMEBODY'S GOT TO FIND A PLACE FOR THEM TO LIVE.
AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT THIS COUNTY RIGHT NOW, I CAN TELL YOU THAT.
BUT WHAT? YOU GOT A PROBLEM? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DROP THE RATE TO BRING IT INTO LINE? LAST TIME YOU HAD THIS OPPORTUNITY, YOU MISSED THE MARK.
SOME WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I'VE ALREADY DONE IT.
TAX RATE. I MEAN YOUR ASSESSMENT, YOU MULTIPLY IT BY 0.089.
GET YOUR NUMBER, TAKE YOUR NEW ONE, MULTIPLY IT BY THE SAME NUMBER, $0.89.
AND THEN START YOUR MATH TILL YOU COME TO YOU MATCH IT UP.
YOU KNOW WHAT? THE RATE IS 51.5 CENTS TO GET.
I'M STILL $12 HIGHER THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR, SO 70 CENT IS NOT GOING TO GET US IN THE BALLPARK.
AFTER YOU DO THAT, YOU NEED TO TAKE ALL SIX OF YOU ALL AND MISS LOW SERGEANT WHITE, I MEAN, SHERIFF WYCHE GET YOU AT LEAST 12, 15 PEOPLE.
[00:40:01]
ALL OF YOU DO THE SAME.THAT'LL GIVE YOU A BALLPARK OF WHERE YOU START FROM WHERE YOU EVEN.
AND THEN IF THEN IF WE NEED A LITTLE INCREASE BECAUSE OF INFLATION AT ALL, YOU CAN WORK FROM THERE.
BUT IF YOU JUST SAY WE'RE GOING TO GO TO 70.
BECAUSE ONE PERSON HAS A 30% INCREASE AND NO ONE HAS 100% INCREASE.
SOMEBODY ELSE EVEN MORE THAN THAT, YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO BRING EVERYBODY INTO LINE BECAUSE OF THAT.
AND I THINK THAT'S AN IDEA THAT WOULD GET YOU CLOSE TO MAKING IT AS FAIR AS YOU CAN TO THE PEOPLE.
BUT I KNOW THAT WHATEVER YOU DO, IT'S GOING TO BE SOME IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF OF CONTROVERSY BECAUSE SOME ARE GOING TO HAVE STILL HAVE HIGHER THAN OTHERS, BUT THAT'S GOING TO BRING YOU CLOSER AS YOU CAN GET.
SO THAT'S THAT'S WHAT I'VE DONE.
AND IF YOU'VE GOT ANY QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK ME.
BUT THAT'S THE WAY TO WORK AT IT.
THANK YOU. WHO'S NEXT? GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS WAYNE GRIFFITH AND I LIVE AT 261 82 SHADY BROOK TRAIL, COURTLAND, VIRGINIA.
I THINK IT'S LIKE MR. DRAKE WAS TALKING EARLIER.
I FEEL LIKE IT'S UNSAFE TO HAVE TO CROSS TWO LANES TO GET TO A J TURN, MAKE A U TURN.
BUT MY NEXT POINT IS ON SHADY BROOK TRAIL.
WHEN WE COME UP TO THAT INTERSECTION, GET ON 58.
WE HAVE TO STOP AND WAIT ACTUALLY FOR THE STOPLIGHT TO STOP THE WEST LANE FOR US TO CROSS THE ROAD.
WITHOUT THAT STOPLIGHT, IT WOULD BE HARD AS THE DICKENS FOR US TO GET OUT OF THAT INTERSECTION.
MY NEXT THING IS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE FOOD BANK.
I HELP WITH THE FOOD BANK BEHIND FOOD LINE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT COME BACK THERE TO THAT AG CENTER TO GET FOOD, AND IF THEY HAVE TO MAKE A BUNCH OF TURNS AND A LOT OF THEM OLD, A LOT OF THEM ARE HANDICAPPED AND THIS KIND OF THING.
BUT NO, I THINK THAT'S MOSTLY WHAT I WANTED TO SAY TONIGHT.
HI. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LESLIE UTLEY.
I CURRENTLY RESIDE AT 5309 DEAN STREET IN VIRGINIA BEACH.
23464. I'M THE BOARD SECRETARY FOR THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY.
WE ARE THE 501 C, THREE APPROVED NONPROFIT THAT SUPPORTS SHERIFF WYCHE'S OFFICE WITH HELPING WITH ANIMAL PLACEMENTS, TRANSFERS AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO LOW COST VETERINARY CARE THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH RESCUES AND CLINICS IN OUR REGION.
I'D LIKE TO THANK DOCTOR EDWARDS AND THE BOARD FOR GIVING US THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
AND THAT IS CURRENTLY THE FACILITY IS LIMITED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
SO WE'RE NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS. HOW THAT WOULD BE RESOLVED WOULD BE OBVIOUSLY IN PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
BUT AS ON BEHALF OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY, WE'D LIKE TO OFFER OUR ASSISTANCE IN CONNECTING WITH REGIONAL RESCUES AND OTHER PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN HELP PROVIDE SOME BENEFITS TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, TO THE ANIMAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT, AND TO THE COUNTY IN GENERAL.
AND WHAT WOULD SOME EXAMPLES OF THOSE BE? SOME OF THE SOFTER SKILLS THAT WE COULD PROVIDE WOULD BE THINGS LIKE BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENTS AND TEMPERAMENT TESTING PET OWNER COUNSELING, ACCESS TO A PET FOOD BANK, VETERINARY CARE, DISCOUNTS FOR PET OWNERS.
[00:45:05]
WE CURRENTLY OFFER TRANSFER AND TRANSPORT COORDINATION.VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS COULD HELP WITH FACILITIES, CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE, FOSTER PROGRAMS, HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAMS. SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS. DOG SOCIAL, DOG SOCIALIZATION AND DAY OUT FIELD TRIPS.
AND AND BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE SOFT SKILLS SUCH AS DATA MANAGEMENT, REPORTING, COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING, EVEN GRANT WRITING AND FUNDRAISING SUPPORT, AS WELL AS SOME STRATEGIC PLANNING AND GOAL PLANNING BASED ON MODELS THAT WE SEE IN OTHER COUNTIES IN OUR REGION. AND I WANT TO JUST USE AS A CASE IN POINT.
SURREY, SUSSEX AND ISLE OF WIGHT.
THE MODELS THAT THEY USE ALL INVOLVE SOME ASPECT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE ANIMAL CONTROL DEPARTMENTS IN THOSE COUNTIES FROM THE COUNTY THEMSELVES.
SO I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANY CHANGES NECESSARILY FROM THE WAY THE SHELTER IS CURRENTLY RUN.
AND WE WOULD LIKE TO OFFER ANY SUPPORT THAT WE CAN IN TERMS OF COORDINATING PRESENTATIONS FROM REGIONAL PARTNERS THAT PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES TO COMMUNITIES AND TO COUNTIES.
WE THINK THAT SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS WOULD HELP THE COMMUNITY BY INCREASING ANIMAL ADOPTION RATES REDUCING OWNER SURRENDERED ANIMALS, INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE VETERINARY CARE FOR DOG OWNERS, AS WELL AS ACCESS TO FOOD BANK DONATIONS INCREASING HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR KIDS, AND ALSO BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE ANIMAL WELFARE COMMUNITY AND THE HUNTING COMMUNITY.
I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF REALLY WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES THIS YEAR WITH FOSTERS COMING FROM THE HUNTSMAN'S COMMUNITY, AND WE'RE REALLY THRILLED TO HAVE THAT PARTNERSHIP, AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THAT BECAUSE IT'S A REALLY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY FOR THESE TWO GROUPS TO WORK TOGETHER.
SO AS YOU'RE MOVING INTO YOUR BUDGET PLANNING MEETINGS THIS SPRING, I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO MAYBE CONSIDER EXPLORING POLICY OPTIONS THAT MIGHT ALLOW FOR THE PRESENCE OF CIVILIAN STAFF AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT COMPLEMENT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
THINGS THAT OUR ORGANIZATION CAN DO IS WE'RE HAPPY TO HELP COORDINATE MEETINGS WITH.
LIKE I MENTIONED, REGIONAL RESCUE PARTNERS.
WE CAN PROVIDE SERVICES FOR DATA MANAGEMENT, REPORTING AND GRANT WRITING AND FUNDRAISING.
THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, WHO'S NEXT? YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THE R CUT IF YOU WANT TO, BUT THAT'S GOING TO BE COVERED.
HI. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS BRANDON ROGERS.
I RESIDE AT 10854 NEW ROAD IN I'VE WAR, VIRGINIA.
AND I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE R CUT.
SO I DID COME HERE TONIGHT TO ASK FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
AS YOU PREPARE FOR BUDGET PLANNING, TIME TO CONSIDER SOME OF THE NEEDS OF OUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WITH FLAT FUNDING MORE AND MORE OF THE PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET HAS GONE TO SUPPORT THE CONCRETE BILLS THAT WE HAVE TO PAY JUST TO KEEP THE SCHOOLS OPERATIONAL, HEAT THEM, COOL THEM, PROVIDE DATA MANAGEMENT SERVICES, ETC.
AND THAT TAKES AWAY FROM INSTRUCTIONAL REVENUE.
SO I'VE TAKEN SOME TIME JUST TO LOOK AT THE LOCAL COMPOSITE INDEX THAT TALKS ABOUT SCHOOL FUNDING WHAT THE LOCALITY PUTS IN VERSUS WHAT IS STATE AND FEDERALLY FUNDED. IF YOU LOOK AT MOST OF OUR NEIGHBORING LOCALITIES, WE ARE THE SECOND LOWEST PERCENTAGE ON LOCAL COMPOSITE INDEX AT 0.2987.
IF YOU LOOK AT NEIGHBORING COUNTIES SUCH AS ISLE OF WIGHT, CITY OF SUFFOLK, THERE ARE 0.3, 7.34 RESPECTIVELY, AND THE ONLY ONE LOCALLY THAT WE ARE HIGHER THAN IS THE CITY OF FRANKLIN AT 0.28.
[00:50:06]
THINGS. THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE GOING TO BE GOING AWAY.I'VE GOT REAL CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT OUR INSTRUCTION BUDGETS AND BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF OUR OF OUR TEACHERS AND OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE FUTURE.
THE OTHER PIECE I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS IF YOU DO A COMPARISON OF SALARY RATES ACROSS TEACHERS AND PROBABLY MOST OF THE REST OF OUR EMPLOYEES, WE'RE ABOUT 5 TO 7% BEHIND MOST OF OUR NEIGHBORING SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN STARTING SALARY.
THAT GETS A LITTLE BIT BETTER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PAY BANDS.
BUT IF YOU LOOK ACROSS THE WHOLE THE WHOLE PAY BAND, WE'RE STRUGGLING WITH 5 TO 7% BEHIND, AND WE'RE LOSING TEACHERS THAT ARE GOOD TEACHERS IN THIS COUNTY THAT HAVE TAUGHT MANY OF MY KIDS AS THEY WERE YOUNGER TO NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS.
AND THOSE ARE EXPERIENCED TEACHERS THAT WE'VE PUT HARD WORK INTO AND WE'VE LOST.
SO WHAT I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU GUYS TO DO TO TONIGHT IS THAT FORM SOME PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH HER ABOUT HOW THE SCHOOLS CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY IN THE FUTURE BUSINESS AND TRAINING AND AND THE WORK THAT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS PUT IN CREATES THE TAX BASE FOR THE FUTURE YEARS FOR THE COUNTY.
SO I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT.
ANYBODY ELSE HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT THAT HADN'T BEEN ALREADY EXPRESSED? YES, SIR. MY NAME IS DANIEL PATRICK BREEN JUNIOR, AND I'VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF SOUTHAMPTON MEADOWS TRAILER PARK FOR THE PAST 22 YEARS.
I'D LIKE TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION TONIGHT.
THE ABUSE OF POWER THAT'S BEEN GOING ON OUT THERE THE PAST YEAR AT THE NEW ORLEANS.
AND HER AND THE MANAGER HAVE BEEN RUNNING THIS PLACE.
BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN KICKING PEOPLE OUT UNNECESSARILY FOR NO REASON.
I'VE SEEN THIS MANAGER DRAW HER GUN OUT TWICE ON A COUPLE OF MY NEIGHBORS FOR NO REASON.
THE ONLY THING WE'D LIKE TO KNOW IS WHERE OUR RIGHTS ARE WITH ALL THIS.
SHE'S BUSY. IT'S BEEN TERRIBLE.
A LOT OF MY NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN KICKED OUT OF THE PARK WERE AFRICAN AMERICANS.
YOU KNOW, SHE'S SHE'S GETTING OUT OF HER CAR.
EVERYTHING. IT'S GOTTEN TERRIBLE.
SO WE FIGURED TO BRING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION.
THE COUNCIL OF WHAT'S REALLY BEEN GOING ON OUT THERE.
SO LET'S FIGURE TO BRING TO YOUR COUNCIL'S ATTENTION AND TELL YOU WHAT WAS REALLY HAPPENING.
AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE? MY NAME IS LINDA SIMMONS.
I LIVE AT 27511 SOUTHAMPTON PARKWAY.
AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT OUR CUTS, BUT I AM TALKING ABOUT THE STOPLIGHT FOR A SECOND.
I KNOW YOU ALL ARE WORKING ON YOUR BUDGET AND STARTING YOUR BUDGET SESSIONS.
WHEN THE LIGHT IS RUN, IT WILL SLOW THE SPEED DOWN.
IT WILL ELIMINATE A LOT OF THE ACCIDENT POTENTIAL, AND IT WILL MORE THAN BENEFIT EVERY CITIZEN IN THIS COUNTY, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FEEL A LOT SAFER GOING AND COMING INTO THOSE BUSINESSES.
GO AHEAD AND PUT IT IN THE BUDGET AND LET'S LET'S EAT IT AND GET IT DONE.
ANYBODY ELSE? MY NAME IS HUNTER DARDEN.
I AM GOING TO SPEAK ON THE ISSUE.
LIKE, EVERYBODY JUST COME UP HERE AND SPOKE ON IT.
[00:55:01]
THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT IT.MY CONCERN IS, IF YOU LOOK AT SUFFOLK, WHERE THEY'RE DOING ALL THE ROAD WIDENING AND WHATEVER THEY'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, THAT NOBODY CAN FIGURE OUT. A LOT OF THOSE BUSINESSES ON THE SIDE OF THAT ROAD HAVE GONE OUT OF BUSINESS.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KICKED OUT OF THEIR HOUSES.
AND I KNOW THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF THE INTERSECTION, IS TO KEEP THE TRACTOR TRAILERS MOVING.
THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY KEEPS SAYING.
BUT WHEN THEY'RE DOING ALL THIS ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC IS NOT GOING TO BE MOVING.
IT'S GOING TO BE MORE ACCIDENTS.
AND A LOT OF OUR PARKING LOTS ARE GOING TO END UP AS PARKING LOTS FOR ALL THE WORK VEHICLES AND ROAD WORK EQUIPMENT, AND PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME AND GO LIKE THEY SHOULD.
AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BRING UP THAT THE LITTLE AREA PASSING THROUGH CORTLAND, WHERE ALL OF OUR BUSINESSES ARE, IS THE ONLY AREA ON 58 BETWEEN SUFFOLK AND EMPORIA WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS NOT 45 OR 35.
SO THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.
I HAVE THE MEDALS, AND I WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS STOOD UP AND SPOKE TONIGHT.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THIS, YOU KNOW EXCUSE ME.
SEEING. IT'S NOTHING THAT YOU ALL CAN DO.
AND I NOTICED THERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU ALL CAN DO.
AND I JUST LIKE TO LEAVE THIS ONE THING WITH YOU.
IF THE GOD TOLD US TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE AUTHORITY OVER US FOR A REASON.
BECAUSE YOU ALL HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DO A LOT, THAT YOU JUST CLOSE YOUR HAND AND DON'T WANT TO HELP.
SO HE WANT US TO PRAY FOR YOU ALL FOR THE REASONS THAT YOU WILL GET THE HEART, THE LOVE, AND THE COMPASSION FOR THE PEOPLE WHO COMES UP HERE AND HAVE CONDITIONS THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE HELP IN.
SO I DON'T WANT YOU TO JUST TURN A BLIND EYE OR A DEAF EAR TO WHAT WE ARE SAYING, BECAUSE WE LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND WE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE CITIZENS OF THESE COMMUNITIES, AND WE LOVE FOR THIS.
SEE THAT OUR PEOPLE IN AUTHORITIES.
THANK YOU. WELL, LET ME LET ME SAY ONE THING.
YOU KNOW, THE THE PROBLEMS YOU HAVE.
WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
YOU ALL HAVE OBTAINED LEGAL COUNSEL TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, WHICH IS THE RIGHT THING.
BUT AS WE SAID BEFORE, IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A GROUP TO GET TOGETHER AND HAVE A SPOKESMAN, YOU GET IN TOUCH WITH MR. THROWER THERE AND WE CAN PUT YOU ON THE AGENDA.
AND WE CAN DISCUSS THAT AS A GROUP.
AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE SUIT YOUR PURPOSE MUCH, MUCH BETTER.
ANYBODY ELSE BEFORE WE MOVE ON? MY NAME IS RON JOHNSON.
I LIVE AT 25 508 DICKENS LANE IN CAPRON.
I TRAVEL 58 EVERY DAY, BACK AND FORTH.
I GO THROUGH THAT EXCUSE ME EVERY MORNING BETWEEN 5 AND 530.
I CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT PEOPLE DRIVE THROUGH THERE ANYWHERE FROM 60 TO 65 MILES AN HOUR.
AND MAYBE YOU, DURING THE VERY BEST YOU CAN, TRYING TO PATROL THAT AREA.
PEOPLE ARE SPEEDING THROUGH THERE.
THEY'RE NOT NOT STOPPING FOR THE LIGHT.
AND I USE MR. DARDEN'S GYM ON OCCASION.
WITHOUT THAT LIGHT, THERE IT IS.
OR ELSE YOU TAKE A CHANCE AND YOU PULL OUT IN FRONT OF SOMEBODY AND TRY TO GET OVER THERE.
I THINK YOU NEED TO PUT SOME KIND OF CAMERA UP THERE.
AND WHATEVER FINES YOU INTEND TO IMPOSE ON THESE PEOPLE, THE FINES NEED TO BE STIFF AND THEY NEED TO BE THEY NEED TO BE VERY FACTUAL AND IT JUST NEEDS TO BE DONE.
IT'S A REVENUE GENERATING OPERATION.
[01:00:03]
CAMERAS, YOU DO WHATEVER YOU GOT TO DO AT THE INTERSECTION.VERY LITTLE VERY LITTLE MAINTENANCE WILL BE.
CONCERNED OR HAVE TO GO WITH IT.
ALL RIGHT. I GOT A FEW MINUTES LEFT.
ANYBODY ELSE? LIKE I SAID, WITH THE R CUT SITUATION, THAT'LL BE COMING UP LATER TONIGHT.
HI, GUYS. HOW ARE YOU DOING TONIGHT? I JUST WANT TO PREFACE THIS.
I AM NOT A CITIZEN OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
I AM FROM NORTH CAROLINA, BUT I TRAVEL TO SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY EVERY DAY FOR WORK.
I'M EMPLOYED BY FREDDY'S PEANUTS, LOCATED BEHIND THE GRAYSON MS AND FOOD LION.
I USE THAT INTERSECTION EVERY DAY TO GET TO WORK.
I'VE RAN ON ACCIDENTS AT THAT LIGHT.
I'VE BEEN STOPPED AND DELAYED TO WORK DUE TO ACCIDENTS.
AT THAT LIGHT, MY COMPANY I WORK FOR, WE DO TRANSPORTATION.
THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT OUR TRANSPORTATION WITH THE CHANGE OF THIS LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION.
THANK YOU. SHE DID GIVE HER NAME.
GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS REBECCA WYCHE.
I RESIDE AT 28399 ARTIST CIRCLE, FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA.
I WANT TO COME PIGGYBACK ON THE GENTLEMAN BEFORE ABOUT THE DUMPS.
AS HE SAID, SOME OF US CANNOT GET THERE ON THE DAYS THAT'S SET FOR US.
SO PLEASE CONSIDER OPENING THE DUMP MORE DAYS TO ACCOMMODATE US BECAUSE WE ARE PAYING THE FEES.
SO LIKE I SAID, THERE'S OTHER THINGS COMING UP TONIGHT.
SO WE'LL CLOSE THE CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD.
ALL RIGHT. MOVE ON TO THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES JANUARY 23RD, 2020 FOR THE REGULAR MEETING.
[2. Approval of Minutes ]
ANYBODY HAVE ANY CHANGES, ALTERATIONS, MISSIONS? I'VE GOT ONE.IT SAID THAT ROBERT WHITE NOMINATED WILLIAM HART, AND THEN IT SAID HE SECONDED THE MOTION.
OKAY. THAT'S A CORRECTION TO BE MADE.
AND WHERE IT SAID ON THAT SAME PAGE, THE BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE, IT SAID THAT WE VOTED AS FOLLOWS, BUT IT DIDN'T LIST HOW WE VOTED.
AND THEN ON THE THE NEXT ONE IT SAID, WE MET AT 6:00 AND WE 15.
PICKY ONE OKAY, WE'LL GET TO THAT ONE.
ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING FOR MOTION TO WITH THOSE CHANGES TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES.
SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
MEETING. A SPECIAL MEETING WHERE WE GOT TOGETHER.
WE DID MEET AT 515, AND WE SELECTED A BOARD OF EQUALIZATION THAT IS GOING TO LISTEN TO YOUR COMPLAINTS. AND MR. THROWER WILL GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN WHEN WE GET THAT, I JUST RUN THROUGH WHO WAS ON THE BOARD.
THAT YOU COME COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR TAXES TO HUNTER.
DARD AND THE THIRD TAMMY CONLEY, LARRY WHITLEY WILBERT WILLIAMS DAVID EVERETT AND PRESTON FUTURE, ALL THE SIX THAT ARE ON THE BOARD.
AND THERE'S TWO ALTERNATES, JACK, CLAUDE AND DARLINGTON.
SAMUEL. SO WE GOT A REPRESENTATIVE OF PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTY WHO ARE.
THIS IS THIS IS A DAUNTING JOB, AND THEY'RE TAKING ON A ONE HECK OF A JOB.
ALL RIGHT. ANY CHANGES IN THAT MEETING? DARLINGTON. SAMUEL.
YEAH. HE GET CONFLICTED WITH HIS WORK.
SO HE WAS ACTUALLY HIS NAME WAS ACTUALLY NOT SUBMITTED.
DREW EDWARDS WAS THE OTHER ALTERNATE.
THOSE ARE THE ONES WE KNOW THAT WE VOTED ON.
[01:05:03]
YOU VOTED FOR SIX AND TWO ALTERNATES.YEAH. WHO? THE TWO ALTERNATES.
DO YOU HAVE THE LIST, RYAN? I DON'T. EDWARDS WAS ONE.
EDWARDS. I THINK, IF I RECALL, MR. FAISON STEPPED OUT AND CALLED MR. DARLINGTON. RIGHT.
CORRECT. YEAH. THAT WAS THAT'S MY MEMORY.
AND SO WE SELECTED DREW EDWARDS, JACK CLARK AND JACK CLARK.
WITH THAT CORRECTION THEN EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT.
OKAY. MOTION TO ACCEPT THOSE MINUTES.
SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR OF THOSE CORRECTIONS? SAY AYE. AYE.
[3. VDOT Matters]
ANYBODY HAVE ANY MATTERS IN YOUR SECTION OR ANY PLACE IN THE COUNTY YOU'D LIKE TO BRING UP? THERE'S A BIG SIGN DOWN WHERE YOU GO TO THE DOWN THERE TO DO ROUNDABOUT.I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. ANYBODY ELSE? OKAY. WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER FOUR MONTHLY REPORTS, MR.
[4. Monthly Reports]
THROWER. YES.JUST A FEW ITEMS. WE DO HAVE THE COURTHOUSE PROJECT ACROSS THE STREET.
THAT IS IN THE WINDING DOWN STAGE, HOPEFULLY.
AND THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT, INCLUDING CHANGE ORDERS AT THIS TIME, STANDS AT $24,001,479.14.
YOU DO HAVE THE LATEST CERTIFIED PAY APPLICATION ATTACHED TO THE MEMO.
WE PROCESSED THE CONTRACTOR'S FIRST 27 PAY APPLICATIONS AND PAID THEM $21,645,748.64. AND YOU'VE GOT SOME PHOTOS OF HOW THEY'RE PROGRESSING ALONG INSIDE. YEAH.
AND AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION IS SLATED TO OCCUR ON MARCH 15TH AND FINAL COMPLETION SOMETIME IN EARLY TO MID APRIL. THAT'S AT THIS TIME.
THE NEWSOME CDBG PROJECT, WE CONTINUE WORKING ON THAT.
AND AS I REPORTED LAST MONTH WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON NOW IS THE DRAINAGE PORTION OF THE PROJECT.
AND LOOKS LIKE WE'RE WE'VE GOTTEN ONE OF THOSE, I BELIEVE, NOW.
BUT THAT'S BEEN THE HOLDUP THERE.
AND BNP CONSULTANTS IS WORKING ON THE BID SCHEDULE AND PACKAGE AS WE SPEAK, SO WE SHOULD HOPEFULLY BE GOING FORWARD ON DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS SHORTLY. THE EDGEHILL INR PROJECT THAT'S BASICALLY DONE THE ONLY THING LEFT TO BE COMPLETED ARE THE PAVEMENT PATCHES, WHICH SHOULD BE DONE EARLY NEXT WEEK OR THE WEEK AFTER.
JUST A HEADS UP. WE ARE IN FINAL STAGES WITH THE VENDORS ON THAT, AND WE WILL BE THE COUNTY AND THE CITY TOGETHER WILL BE, ALONG WITH OUR CONSULTANTS, ENGAGED IN COMPETITIVE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE VENDORS LATER THIS WEEK.
SO YOU'LL BE PROVIDING MORE INFORMATION ON THAT PROJECT NEXT MONTH WITH AN UPDATE FROM CTA HUMAN RESOURCES PERSONNEL.
WE HAVE GONE THROUGH MAKING OFFERS TO TWO UTILITY SYSTEM OPERATOR TRAINEES.
SAMANTHA RICHARDS, WHO PREVIOUSLY WAS EMPLOYED WITH US, HAS COME BACK.
SHE CAME BACK EARLIER THIS MONTH AND WE MADE AN OFFER TO AN INDIVIDUAL, AND WE'RE WAITING ON SOME PRE-EMPLOYMENT ITEMS NOW BUILDING OFFICIAL, THIS IS ON THE AGENDA HERE.
COMING UP. DONALD GOODWIN IS LEAVING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, AND WE APPRECIATE DONALD'S SERVICE TO THE COUNTY AND HIS OVERALL SERVICE TO BOTH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY DURING HIS LONG TENURE.
[01:10:08]
OUT FOR THAT NOW IN MULTIPLE PLACES.SO THERE'S A LOT OF COMPETITION WITH OTHER LOCALITIES FOR THOSE TYPE POSITIONS.
I THINK THE CITY OF FRANKLIN'S GOT THAT SAME POSITION OPEN NOW, ALONG WITH OTHERS IN VIRGINIA.
AND I WILL PROBABLY START REVIEWING THOSE APPLICATIONS FIRST REVIEW IN MARCH, MARCH 25TH.
ANYTHING NEW THERE OKAY I'LL GO DOWN THE LIST.
STOP ME AND JUMP IN IF YOU WANT TO.
WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $1,056,599.93 FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY. IN JANUARY, WE WERE AT 94.02%, IN FEBRUARY, 94.55%.
WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $3,000,178, $212.36.
LAST MONTH, WE WERE AT 80.86%.
WE HAD 81.25% THIS MONTH, AND WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $712,080.08.
ANY QUESTIONS? ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. YOU'RE WELCOME.
BORDER REGIONAL LIBRARY AND SOLID WASTE QUANTITIES.
[5. Financial Matters]
THEN THE FINANCIAL MATTERS, THE BILLS LIST.ANYBODY ON THE BOARD HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BILLS? I SAW WHERE WE YOU GAVE A REBATE FOR $862,698 TO ENVIVA.
HOW LONG DO WE DO THAT? HOW MANY YEARS? SO THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE EXPANSION, THE LATEST EXPANSION THAT ENVIVA HAD DONE.
AND THAT IS A 50% REBATE OF THE NEWEST MACHINERY AND TOOLS TAX.
AND I BELIEVE THAT WAS YEAR THREE.
THERE ARE FIVE YEARS TO THE CONTRACT YOU SIGNED WITH THEM.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON.
AND THE NEXT ONE WE MOVE NUMBER 13 FOR UP TO THE NEXT ONE WHICH IS THE SCHOOL ZONE SPEED CAMERAS.
[13. School Zone Speed Cameras - Josh A. Wyche, Southampton County Sheriff ]
AND WE HAVE SHERIFF WYCHE.DUE TO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF SPEEDING IN THE SCHOOL ZONES, I HAD REACHED OUT TO BLUE LINE SOLUTIONS, WHO CONDUCTED A SCHOOL SCHOOL ZONE STUDY IN THE 58 CORRIDOR AREA FOR THE SOUTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL IN THE KAPLAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
THIS STUDY HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND DUE TO THE NUMEROUS OF VIOLATION, THAT WAS ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY INSTALLING CAMERAS AND INFORMATION ABOUT EXPECTED REDUCTION IN VIOLATIONS THAT THE CAMERA WILL PROVIDE.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE CAMERAS AND THE SERVICE WILL BE AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY.
MY OFFICE IS READY TO PROVIDE A STAFFING TO SUPPORT NECESSARY REVIEW BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OF THE VIOLATION NOTICES PRIOR TO VIOLATORS BEING ISSUED THESE SUMMONSES. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS ABOUT SAFETY, IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS A SURPLUS IN REVENUE GENERATED BY THESE CAMERAS, I REQUEST THAT THE MONIES BE USED TO FUND ADDITIONAL SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS POSITIONS AND VEHICLES EQUIPMENT FOR THE DEPUTY.
THE BLUE LINE SOLUTION REPRESENTATIVE IS HERE.
IF IF ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
AND I'LL ASK MR. RANDY CAMPBELL TO COME UP AT THIS TIME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
[01:15:01]
I'M A RETIRED SERGEANT WITH THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE, AND I CURRENTLY WORK FOR BLUE LINE SOLUTIONS, COVERING THE STATE OF VIRGINIA FOR PHOTO SPEED ENFORCEMENT.40 6.2-8, A 2.1, WHICH GIVES LOCALITIES THE AUTONOMY AND THE AUTHORITY TO OPERATE A PHOTO SPEED ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM IN THEIR SCHOOL ZONES.
SO I DON'T WANT TO RECREATE THE WHEEL.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS.
MR. THROWER COMES THROUGH THERE AND SPEEDING GETS HIS PICTURE TAKEN.
WHAT HAPPENS? WELL, IF MR. THROWER COMES THROUGH DURING THE FLASHING BEACON LIGHT TIMES, LET'S SAY CAPRON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHICH, BY THE WAY, HAD NEARLY 3000 VIOLATIONS IN FIVE DAYS.
AND THOSE VIOLATIONS ARE 11 MILES AN HOUR OR GREATER OVER THE POSTED SPEED.
SO WHEN I TRAVEL AROUND THE STATE, I ALWAYS EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE, YOU ALREADY ARE GETTING A TEN MILE PER HOUR SPEED TOLERANCE, WHICH I'LL TELL YOU FROM A STATE POLICE PERSPECTIVE, IS EXTREMELY GRACIOUS.
BUT LET'S SAY BRIAN COMES THROUGH AS HE COMES THROUGH, AND THE SINGLE BEAM LIDAR CAPTURES HIS SPEED.
THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE AND HIS REGISTRATION PLATE IS CAPTURED.
THAT ENCRYPTED DATA IS SENT TO BLUE LINE SOLUTIONS.
THEY WILL LOOK AT THE REGISTERED VEHICLE OWNER, WHICH IS MR. THROWER. LET'S SAY THE SHERIFF IS THE POINT OF CONTACT.
HE WILL APPROVE THAT VIOLATION.
SEND IT BACK TO BLUE LINE SOLUTIONS.
WE WILL SEND A HARD COPY SUMMONS TO MR. THROWER. HE CAN EITHER PAY THAT OFF OR HE CAN COME TO COURT AND PLEAD NOT GUILTY.
NOW, I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING THAT I WANT YOU TO BE AWARE OF, THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY INSTITUTED THAT I REALLY APPRECIATE IS UNDER THE PHOTO SPEED ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM.
THE FACT THAT MR. THROWER'S VEHICLE AND HIS REGISTRATION PLATE WAS CAPTURED AT A CERTAIN SPEED.
THAT IS REFERRED TO AS PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE.
AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE BURDEN IS ON MR. THROWER TO COME IN AND PROVE THAT HE'S NOT GUILTY.
IT'S NOT ON THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR THE COUNTY TO PROVE THAT.
SO DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, SIR? IT DOES. GOOD.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? HOW MUCH IS THE FINE? THE FINE PER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS $100.
IT DOES NOT GO AGAINST ANYONE'S DRIVER'S POINTS OR THEIR INSURANCE.
AND THE WAY THAT BLUE LINE SOLUTIONS OPERATES IS THAT EVERY SINGLE VIOLATION THAT WE PROCESS.
WE TAKE $25 FOR ALL OF THE PROCESSING, ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE DO EVERYTHING FOR THE COUNTY.
TWO SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, AND OUR CEO WAS VERY ADAMANT IN OUR EXPLAINING THAT YOU WILL NEVER RECEIVE AN INVOICE OR A BILL OF ANY TYPE FROM BLUE LINE SOLUTIONS.
SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS IF YOU GET A 100% COMPLIANCE.
WHICH WILL NEVER OCCUR IN ANY JURISDICTION.
OKAY. SUPPOSE I'M THE PERSON DRIVING MR. THOREAU'S VEHICLE. GOOD QUESTION.
SO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS SET UP A CAVEAT IN THE CODE SECTION.
LET'S SAY I'M DRIVING BRIAN'S VEHICLE AND HE GETS A SUMMONS IN THE MAIL.
HE CAN SIMPLY REACH OUT TO THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, FILL A SIMPLE AFFIDAVIT OUT SAYING THAT HE WAS NOT DRIVING, BUT THE LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS INSTITUTED REQUIRES BRIAN TO GIVE THEM MY NAME AND MY PHYSICAL ADDRESS.
OTHERWISE EVERYBODY WOULD SAY I WASN'T DRIVING AND NOBODY WOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
GOOD QUESTION. HOW ABOUT THE SECOND TIME FINDS THE SAME? THERE IS NO ENHANCED PENALTY.
BUT YES, THIS CODE YOU CITED IS THAT RESTRICTED ONLY TO SCHOOLS, OR CAN THE OTHER STOPLIGHT BE, AS OF RIGHT NOW, PIGGYBACK ONLY SCHOOL ZONES AND ACTIVE WORK ZONES?
[01:20:03]
SO I WILL TELL THE BOARD, IF YOU HAVE ANY WORK ZONES THAT ARE COMING UP IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CAN ALSO OPERATE LEADER IN THOSE.
OH, I HEARD ON TV THAT SUFFOLK HAD NINE CAMERAS AROUND ABOUT THERE.
NOT ALL IN SCHOOL ZONES, ARE THEY? WELL, THAT IS A DIFFERENT VENDOR WHO IS OPERATING IN SUFFOLK.
THE NUMBER ONE GOAL OF THE SPEED ENFORCEMENT CAMERAS IS NOT TO CREATE REVENUE.
IT'S TO CHANGE DRIVER BEHAVIOR.
AND THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
NOW WE'VE GOT A RETIRED STATE POLICE MEMBER WHO'S OLD SCHOOL LIKE I AM.
I CAN TELL YOU THERE, ONCE UPON A TIME, IF YOU WERE ON A HIGHWAY, THE TRUCK DRIVERS WOULD SEE HOW CLOSE THEY COULD GET SOME OF THEM TO YOU TO TRY TO BLOW YOUR HAT OFF AS THE TRAILER COMES BY, AND THEN THE CB WOULD LIGHT UP AND EVERYBODY WOULD LAUGH AT THE TROOPER TRYING TO RUN DOWN THE SHOULDER AND GET HIS HAT.
BUT WE KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED.
SO THINK ABOUT THE MOVE OVER LAW.
IT'S LIKE THE WHOLE CROWD MOVES OVER.
WE DIDN'T GET TO THAT POINT BY WRITING A BUNCH OF TICKETS.
WE GOT TO THAT POINT THROUGH PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION.
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION.
AND IT'S NOT A ONE TIME CHECK THE BOX THING.
THE SHERIFF AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS EARLIER.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY WILL BE DOING ON A REGULAR BASIS, SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHEN THEY COME THROUGH SOUTHAMPTON DON'T SPEED THROUGH THE SCHOOL ZONES OR YOU GET A TICKET. SO WE'RE VERY BIG ON THAT.
IT'S NOT ABOUT GENERATING REVENUE, ALTHOUGH YOU WILL GET NON-COMPLIANT REVENUE.
IT'S ABOUT CHANGING PEOPLE'S DRIVING BEHAVIORS.
IT'S JUST A TOUCHY SUBJECT AND THAT'S NOT OUR BABY.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND MY RESPONSE, MA'AM.
THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU. OKAY, WE'LL GET DOWN TO THE NUMBER SIX BUILDING.
[6. Building Official Appointment - Request to Approve]
OFFICIAL APPOINTMENT.MR. THROWER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE US THROUGH THAT, PLEASE? YES, SIR. AS YOU'RE AWARE, DONALD GOODWIN, AS I MENTIONED DURING MY REPORT A FEW MINUTES AGO, BUILDING OFFICIAL, HE'S LEAVING THE COUNTY AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, ACTUALLY, THURSDAY, THE END OF THE MONTH, SINCE WE HAVE 29 DAYS IN THIS LEAP YEAR.
SO THAT'S WHAT WE CALL AS SUCH, WE NEED TO APPOINT A NEW BUILDING OFFICIAL LEE GRAY, WHO'S HERE? HE'S CURRENTLY OUR PLAN REVIEWER.
HE ATTAINED THAT ON MAY 1ST OF 23.
I'VE ATTACHED THE VIRGINIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.
AND THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY CODE, WHICH IS ALSO ATTACHED, ENABLES THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO APPOINT ALL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE LOCALITY AND GIVEN THE LANGUAGE THAT IS IN BOTH OF THOSE CODE SECTIONS, I'M REQUESTING THAT YOU FORMALLY APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF LEE GRAY TO THAT POSITION.
ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. GRAY TO THE POSITION OF BUILDING OFFICIAL? SO MOVED. SECOND.
WELCOME. MR. GRAY HERE TONIGHT. WE WELCOME.
ALL RIGHT. WELL, NUMBER SEVEN THE RESOLUTION.
[7. Resolution on HB 636/SB 567 Regarding Large Scale Energy Project]
I'LL HAVE MR. THOR READ THAT IN THE MINUTES SINCE HE PUT IT TOGETHER.[01:25:02]
HAD ANY CONTROL OVER THE SOLAR FARMS. IT WAS ALL UP TO THE STATE, AND WE DIDN'T SAY CORPORATION COMMISSION, I BELIEVE, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT MAY HAVE DIED.AND THEN THERE WAS A BILL IN THE HOUSE 567 TO SIMILAR.
AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE THAT WENT.
IS THAT RIGHT? I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TWIN BEALE TO 636.
I BELIEVE THEY WERE TWIN BILLS.
SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY HAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE TOUGHEST AND BEST SOLAR FARM ORDINANCES IN THE STATE.
WE HAVE 1% OF THE LAND SET ASIDE.
I THINK WE HAVE ABOUT 1440 ACRES, SOMETHING LIKE THAT LEFT.
AND IF YOU WANT TO PUT A SOLAR FARM IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, YOU GO DO IT RIGHT.
YOU CAN MAKE SURE IT'S IT'S DONE.
ALMOST 20% OF THE COUNTIES IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE BANNED SOLAR.
AND WE'RE SEEING COUNTIES THAT HAVE.
UNPROTECTED OR BAD ORDINANCES ARE GETTING COATED WITH SOLAR FARMS AND PROBABLY SOLAR FARMS. GO BE OUT OF DATE IN LIKE 8 TO 10 YEARS ANYWAY.
EUROPE IS GETTING RID OF THEM, SO WE HAVEN'T LEARNED FROM THAT ANYWAY, MR. THROWER. WELL THANK YOU.
THIS IS A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING DISAPPROVAL OF LEGISLATIVE ATTEMPTS TO OVERRIDE COUNTY JURISDICTION REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF LARGE SCALE ENERGY PROJECTS, AND I APPRECIATE BETH LEWIS.
THIS IS A COMBINATION OF BETH LEWIS'S EFFORTS AND ALSO REACHED OUT TO VECO TO PUT THIS TOGETHER.
SO WHEREAS DURING THE 2024 SESSION OF THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, HOUSE BILL 636 AND SENATE BILL 567 HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED, AIMING TO GRANT THE STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION THE POWER TO SUPERSEDE LOCALLY ADOPTED COMPREHENSIVE PLANS AND ZONING REGULATIONS IN MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF UTILITY SCALE SOLAR, WIND AND BATTERY STORAGE FACILITIES.
AND WHEREAS, THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION OUTLINES A PROCEDURE ENABLING APPLICANTS FOR UTILITY SCALE ENERGY PROJECTS TO EITHER BYPASS OR CHALLENGE THE DECISIONS MADE BY LOCAL PLANNING COMMISSIONS AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WHEN SEEKING AUTHORIZATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OPERATION OF SOLAR PROJECTS, GENERATING 50MW OR MORE WIND PROJECTS EXCEEDING 100MW, AND ENERGY STORAGE FACILITIES WITH THE CAPACITY OF 50MW OR HIGHER.
AND WHEREAS UTILITY SCALE SOLAR OR UTILITY SCALE ENERGY INITIATIVES SUCH AS WIND, SOLAR, WIND, AND BATTERY STORAGE PROJECTS ESSENTIALLY FUNCTION AS LARGE SCALE POWER PLANTS, OFTEN OCCUPYING EXTENSIVE LAND AREAS EXCEEDING THOUSANDS OF ACRES.
AND WHEREAS THE LOCAL EXAMINATION AND ENDORSEMENT OF UTILITY SCALE SOLAR, WIND, AND BATTERY STORAGE PROJECTS ARE CRUCIAL TO ASCERTAIN THEIR ALIGNMENT WITH A LOCALITY'S LAND USE. OBJECTIVES. OBJECTIVES.
AND WHEREAS IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA RESPECTS AND PRESERVES LOCAL AUTONOMY IN DETERMINING THE PERMITTING PROCEDURES FOR SUCH FACILITIES, AND WHEREAS STATE CODE SECTION 15.2 DASH 2200 DECLARES, THE INTENT OF THE CHAPTER IS TO ENCOURAGE LOCALITIES TO PRESERVE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTED LAND AND TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL AREAS WITH HEALTHY SURROUNDINGS FOR FAMILY LIFE.
AND WHEREAS STATE CODE SECTION 15.2, DASH 2281 SPECIFICALLY BESTOWS ON THE GOVERNING BODY OF A COUNTY THE JURISDICTION OVER ALL UNINCORPORATED TERRITORY IN THE COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ZONING, AND WHEREAS STATE CODE SECTION 15.2 2283 PROVIDES THAT ZONING ORDINANCE SHALL BE FOR THE GENERAL PURPOSE OF PROMOTING THE HEALTH, SAFETY OR GENERAL WELFARE OF THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF AGRICULTURE AND FOREST LANDS AND OTHER LANDS OF SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
AND WHEREAS, THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN 2022 ADOPTED UTILITY SCALE SOLAR REGULATIONS THAT SEEK TO BALANCE PROTECTION OF THE COUNTY'S AGRICULTURAL AND FORRESTAL LANDS, AS WELL AS POPULATION CENTERS, WITH THE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR THE LOCATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTION.
AND WHEREAS, SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY'S UTILITY SCALE SOLAR REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR OVER 2400 ACRES WITHIN THE COUNTY FOR FUTURE UTILITY SCALE SOLAR DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS DEEMED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AS APPROPRIATE FOR SUCH DEVELOPMENT.
[01:30:07]
A STRONG BELIEF BY LANDOWNERS IN THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY TO THE COUNTY'S FUTURE.AND WHEREAS, THE COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY THE PROPOSED OVERRIDE OF ORDINANCES ADOPTED BY THE COUNTY'S ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY RURAL COMMUNITIES WITH LARGE AREAS OF AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY LAND, AND WHEREAS, THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRONGLY URGES HOUSE BILL 636 AND SENATE BILL 567, SITING OF ENERGY FACILITIES APPROVED BY THE STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION BE REMOVED FROM CONSIDERATION.
AND WHEREAS, THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRONGLY URGES THAT LOCAL LAND USE AND ZONING ISSUES PROVIDED BY STATUTE TO BE RETAINED BY THE LOCALITIES REMAIN IN THE HANDS OF THE REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED BY THE CITIZENS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED ON THIS 27TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2024, THAT THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEREBY ARTICULATES ITS OBJECTION TO HOUSE BILL 636 AND SENATE BILL 567, ADOPTED ON THIS 27TH DAY OF FEBRUARY OF 2024.
I CAN SEE HER THOUGHTS IN THIS TOO.
MR. CHAIRMAN, AS I UNDERSTAND THIS, BOTH OF THESE BILLS HAVE BEEN TABLED UNTIL NEXT YEAR.
ACCORDING TO OTTO WAXMAN, THAT'S STILL ONE THAT, YOU KNOW, IF IT FAILED BY A TIE VOTE IN THE HOUSE, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR VOTED NO.
IT WAS 5050 AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR VOTED NO.
SO. MRS. SEARS. VERY STRONG OPPONENT OF GUN CONTROL, GUN RIGHTS AND PROPERTY RIGHTS.
HAVE A MOTION TO A RESOLUTION.
WE NEED A MOTION TO SEND THAT ON.
SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
[8. Public Hearing - Brookside Square Apartments]
THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON BROOKSIDE SQUARE APARTMENTS, AND I THINK WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE.WELCOME. THIS IS MR. CLARK HENRY NAPURRULA.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.
I'M THE SENIOR DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE AT TM ASSOCIATES.
TM ASSOCIATES WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1978 AS A AFFORDABLE RURAL HOUSING DEVELOPER.
WE ARE HERE TONIGHT IN AN EFFORT TO OBTAIN 9% LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT FINANCING TO REHAB.
REHAB THE PROPERTY BROOKSIDE SQUARE APARTMENTS.
OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THIS APPLICATION HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY MORE COMPETITIVE DUE TO THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION ITSELF FAVORING NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
THIS HAS MADE PRESERVING AFFORDABLE RURAL HOUSING A SERIOUS CHALLENGE FOR DEVELOPERS.
IT CONSISTS OF 24 TWO BEDROOM UNITS AND EIGHT ONE BEDROOM UNITS.
THE PROPERTY WAS BUILT IN 1985 AND LAST REHABBED IN 2004, OVER 20 YEARS AGO.
NOW, TO COVER WHAT THE PROPERTY WITH THE REHAB WILL WILL DO TO THE PROPERTY.
THE REHAB WILL BRING UNITS AND SITE ACCESSIBILITY UP TO CODE FOR HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY THROUGHOUT.
IT WILL REPLACE ALL FINISHES INCLUDING CARPETS, FLOORING, APPLIANCES, APPLIANCES AND CABINETS.
IT WILL REPLACE ALL MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.
MY COLLEAGUE CLARK PROVIDED YOU ALL WITH FOUR FORMS A FEW WEEKS AGO.
[01:35:06]
I WILL NOW TAKE THE THE REST OF MY TIME TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU ALL MAY HAVE.WHERE WILL THE PRESENT TENANTS GO? SO WE GIVE THEM THE OPTION.
EITHER WE WOULD GIVE THEM MONEY TO GO LIVE WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS AT THEIR PLACE, OR WE WOULD THEN PAY FOR A HOTEL NEARBY, AS WELL AS MOVING EXPENSES FOR THEIR FOR THEIR PERSONAL BELONGINGS.
AND WOULD THEY COME BACK OR THEY WOULD COME BACK? YES. WHAT ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS? SO WE HAVE TO CERTIFY ALL OF OUR TENANTS.
I'M NOT SURE IF THERE ARE ANY AT OUR PROPERTY CURRENTLY.
HONESTLY. YOU'RE NOT SURE ABOUT THAT? I'M NOT SURE IF THERE ARE ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AT THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY.
I, I'VE DONE SOME LEASING BEFORE AND EVERY MEMBER OF A HOUSEHOLD HAS TO BE VERIFIED.
THEY HAVE TO HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR THEY HAVE TO HAVE A VISA.
WE VERIFIED THAT THROUGH IT'S E THE IT'S AN AUTOMATIC BACKGROUND CHECK THAT WE DO FOR EVERY CITIZEN.
AND THAT GOES FOR MINORS AS WELL AS ADULTS.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? OKAY? OKAY. WELL, THIS THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS SUBJECT.
ANYBODY OUT THERE WANT TO ANY QUESTIONS TO THESE GENTLEMEN ARE DID THEY SAY WHEN IT WAS GOING TO START? IF YOU. SO THE THE REHAB ISN'T GUARANTEED UNLESS WE WIN.
THE WAY THE TAX RATE APPLICATION WORKS, IT'S ACTUALLY A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION.
SO WE'RE COMPETING AGAINST OTHER DEVELOPERS.
WE SCORE VIA A POINT SYSTEM AND THE WITHIN THE STATE IT'S BROKEN UP TO SEVEN POOLS.
AND YOU HAVE TO WIN A POOL IN ORDER TO GET THE FINANCING.
SO IF WE WERE TO WIN, IT WOULD START IN THE SPRING OR SUMMER OF 2025.
EASY. WHERE WOULD THE HOTEL OR MOTEL IF YOU GOING BACK TO PUT THESE PEOPLE IN, HOW FAR WOULD THAT BE FROM WHERE THEY'RE STAYING NOW, OR DO THEY HAVE TO COMMUTE OR HOW DOES THAT WORK. SO THE WE WOULD BE RENTING FROM AN EXISTING HOTEL THERE WE WOULD BE COVERING ALL EXPENSES OF MOVING. WE WOULD HAVE OUR MANAGEMENT COMPANY PUT TOGETHER A IN-DEPTH RELOCATION PLAN THAT WOULD COVER THE COST PER TENANT.
WE HAVE A BUDGET BUILT OUT FOR IT.
BUT THAT WOULD BE MORE CONTINGENT UPON WINNING THE AWARD THAN WE WOULD GO DO THAT IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THE RELOCATION OF TENANTS, THE HOTELS, THE THINGS THAT YOU WERE SPEAKING OF. THEY ARE NECESSITIES.
ARE YOU GIVING THEM ANY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS LIKE ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCES LIKE THAT? NO, WE DO NOT DO FOOD STAMPS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
AND THAT THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE RELOCATION.
IF IF I'M UNDERSTANDING YOUR QUESTION CORRECTLY.
CORRECT. AND NOTHING LIKE THAT.
CARL, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? YOU HAVE A QUESTION UP HERE, I BELIEVE.
OH, OKAY. YOU'RE COMPETING AGAINST OTHER BILL.
LOOK. WHAT WERE THE IDENTIFICATION? I'M SORRY. CHARACTERISTIC THAT IDENTIFICATION.
YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
SO VIRGINIA HAS A PROCESS CALLED THE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROCESS.
[01:40:02]
AND SO WE HAVE A WHOLE COMPLIANCE AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY THAT HAS TO VERIFY EVERY, EVERY TENANT.AND SO THERE'S SOMETHING CALLED E-VERIFY, WHICH YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF.
A LOT OF EMPLOYERS USE IT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW, THE PERSON HAS A BACKGROUND CHECK.
SO THAT'S ANOTHER THAT'S ANOTHER.
DO YOU HAVE TO BE A US CITIZEN? NO, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE A LEGAL CITIZEN.
YOU CAN BE HERE ON A WORK VISA, YOU CAN HAVE A GREEN CARD, BUT SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A US CITIZEN.
NOT NOT PER THE VIRGINIA CODE.
SO THE ANSWER IS YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
SO IT WILL BE OPEN TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN NO, NO NO THEY HAVE TO BE.
YOU CAN HAVE A YOU CAN HAVE A VISA LIKE A WORK, YOU KNOW, A REAL WORKING VISA.
I MEAN, IT CAN BE AN IMMIGRANT, AN IMMIGRANT.
BUT MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT I MEAN, WHO LIVE AT THAT PROPERTY NOW ARE BORN IN THE UNITED STATES, PROBABLY BORN IN THE COUNTY JUST LOOKING AT THE RENT ROLLS.
SO, YEAH, WE I'VE DONE LEASE UPS MYSELF AT PROPERTIES AND WE'RE, WE HAVE TO GO BY THE BOOK.
AND YEAH, WE WE WANT TO GO BY THE CODE.
ANYBODY OUT THERE HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR THE GENTLEMAN? IS IT FULLY OCCUPIED NOW? IT IS.
I THINK THERE'S MAYBE ONE VACANT, I BELIEVE, VACANT UNITS.
IS THAT THE 98, 97%? YEAH, YEAH. AND AND TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE THE TIME THAT SOMEBODY MIGHT BE OUT OF THEIR UNIT UNTIL IT'S RENOVATED, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, IN TALKING TO OUR PRESIDENT, IT'S OUR SCOPE OF WORK AND TALKING TO OUR CONTRACTOR, THEY WON'T BE OUT OF THEIR UNIT THAT LONG.
MOST OF THE CHANGES ARE SORT OF MECHANICAL CHANGES.
I THINK THEY WON'T BE JUST DISLOCATED THAT LONG FROM THEIR RECURRING UNIT.
THE TOTAL REHAB IS APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 12 MONTHS.
BUT THE INDIVIDUAL UNITS ISN'T THAT LONG.
JUST LETTING THEM KNOW THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE STOPPING BY, SO.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE GENTLEMAN? FURTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? ANYBODY UP HERE? IF NOT, THEN WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
THEY'RE LOOKING TO EXPAND, I BELIEVE ABOUT $80,000 PLUS PER UNIT.
SO IN ORDER TO IT'S A COMPETITIVE PROCESS.
SO UNDER THE RECOMMENDATION, RECOMMENDATION IS GOING TO ADOPT THE ORDINANCE TO PARTIALLY EXEMPT BROOKSIDE BROOKSIDE SQUARE APARTMENTS FROM THE REAL ESTATE TAXES ATTRIBUTED TO THE PROPOSED REHAB PROJECT.
AND THAT'S NOT TO EXCEED $2,000 ANNUALLY FOR THREE YEARS.
ADOPT THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION DESIGNATING BROOKSIDE SQUARE APARTMENTS AS BEING IN A REVITALIZATION AREA, AND THREE AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE THE OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUESTED BY THIS GROUP PRETTY.
THAT'S PRETTY STANDARD PROCESS IN EVERY LOCALITY THAT THEY GO THROUGH FOR THIS TYPE OF PROJECT.
THAT MOVE, WE ADOPT IT A SECOND.
ALL RIGHT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
[9. Public Hearing - CUP Application]
NEXT ONE'S A PUBLIC HEARING AND A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT.AND MR. FRANCIS WHITMIRE SEEKS A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO OPERATE AS A SUN SAND MINING OPERATION.
AND WE'LL LET MISS LEWIS INTRODUCE THAT SUBJECT FOR US, PLEASE.
GOOD EVENING. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A SAND MINING OPERATION BEHIND MR.
[01:45:05]
WHITMIRE'S HOME AT 33180 SCHOOLHOUSE ROAD.HE BOUGHT THE PROPERTY A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO.
HE PUT IT INTO A VOLUNTARY AGRICULTURE DISTRICT AFTER TRYING TO GET ANYTHING TO GROW FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, FOUND THAT IT WAS NOT REALLY SUITABLE TO GROW MUCH OF ANYTHING EXCEPT IT'S VERY SUITABLE FOR SAND MINING.
SO HE IS SEEKING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO TAKE 25 ACRES OF HIS 71.27 ACRE PARCEL AND TURN IT INTO A SAND MINE.
THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT OFFERS THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS.
THE EXCAVATION AREA SHALL BE DEFINED ON A SITE PLAN SUBMITTED TO THE PLANNING OFFICE.
NO BLASTING SHALL TAKE PLACE ON THE SITE.
VEHICLE LOAD SHALL BE PROPERLY SECURED PRIOR TO LEAVING THE SITE.
RECLAMATION WILL BE DONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.
SETBACKS SHALL BE PRESCRIBED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.
MINING ACTIVITIES WILL BE LIMITED TO 6 A.M.
STRUCTURES THAT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR STAND WASHING OPERATIONS, WHETHER TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT, WILL BE BUILT IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE CODES UNDER THE A ONE ZONING DISTRICT, AND THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT MAY BE REVOKED FOR FAILURE TO ABIDE WITH THE ABOVE STATED CONDITIONS OR ANY OTHER CONDITIONS.
THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REQUIRES A LOW VOLUME COMMERCIAL ENTRANCE AT THE SITE.
THE COMMERCIAL ENTRANCE SHALL BE MADE OF FORMED CONCRETE TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE TO THE ROAD.
THEY HAVE SPECIFIC DIMENSIONS DUE TO THE HORIZONTAL CURVES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PROPOSED ENTRANCE.
IT'S RECOMMENDED THAT LIMITED TREE CLEARING OCCUR ALONG THE ROAD FRONTAGE, AND THE APPLICANT SHALL INSTALL FIXED POST TRUCKS ENTERING HIGHWAY SIGNS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS TO ALERT MOTORISTS TO THE ENTRANCE.
MR. WHITMIRE WILL BE THE SOLE OPERATOR.
HE HAS A MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY JOB.
HE DOES THIS ON THE ON THE WEEKENDS TO SUPPLEMENT HIS INCOME.
IT WAS 8 TO 1 IN FAVOR OF THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT WITH ONE ABSTENTION, BECAUSE THAT PERSON OPERATES A SAND MINE OF THEIR OWN.
I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS LEWIS AND MR. WHITMIRE AND HIS REPRESENTATIVE ARE HERE? THANK YOU. OKAY.
WE WILL THEREFORE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MR. REILLY. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE.
OUT OF THE SCHOOLHOUSE ROAD AND SMITH FERRY ROAD VICINITY.
IT'S PART OF A SEVEN OR THE PORTION.
HE'S SEEKING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO OPERATE A BORROW PIT ON HIS APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 26 ACRES OF A 71.27 ACRE TRACT, WHICH IS ZONED AGRICULTURAL LAND ON ALL SIDES, IS USED IN AGRICULTURAL OR FORESTRY PRODUCTION.
HE OWNS THE CLOSEST RESIDENCE TO THE PROPOSED MINING SITE.
AT THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PLANNING COMMISSION, NO ONE SPOKE IN OPPOSITION.
IT'S A RELATIVELY LOW, LOW VOLUME SAND MINING OPERATION THAT HE'S PROPOSING.
ALSO, HE'S HE'S MADE SEVERAL PROFFERS WHICH WERE OUTLINED BY MISS LEWIS, AND HE WOULD REQUIRE THEM OF LAND PERMIT FROM VDOT AND ALSO APPROVAL BY THE COUNTY OF HIS SITE PLAN PRIOR TO THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT BEING ISSUED.
I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY, AND AS ALWAYS, MISS LEWIS IS A VERY, VERY HARD ACT TO FOLLOW.
HE FEELS IT'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AS HE PERSONALLY OWNS AND OPERATES A SAND MINING OPERATION IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, SO I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
YOU ALL MAY HAVE OR ATTEMPT TO ATTEMPT TO ANSWER ANY.
[01:50:04]
I THINK THIS THIS USE I WOULD RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT IT'S IT'S WITHIN WHAT'S CONTEMPLATED BY THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.IT'S WITHIN THE THE ADJOINING USES.
HE'S HE'S EVEN TRIED TO SUSTAIN LIVESTOCK ON THE PROPERTY.
IT CAN'T BE DONE WITH WITHOUT FEED BEING BROUGHT IN AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
SO WE WOULD RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT.
IT'S THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF THE PROPERTY.
I'D ASK THAT YOU GRANT HIM A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, AGAIN, I'M HAPPY TO ATTEMPT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
ANY QUESTIONS, MR. REILLY? THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU.
ALL RIGHT THERE. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO PASS ANY JUDGMENT ON THIS? IF NOT, I WILL CLOSE THAT PUBLIC HEARING.
YOU WANT A MOTION? ALL RIGHT. ANY DISCUSSION AMONG THE BOARD? BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, EXCEPT FOR ONE ABSTENTION AND.
I MOVE, WE APPROVE THE REQUEST.
SECOND. AND THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE REQUEST.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
OKAY. THAT CONDITION USE PERMIT HAS BEEN GRANTED.
START MINING. MINING SOME SAND.
OKAY. NEXT ONE'S ALSO A PUBLIC HEARING.
[10. Public Hearing - Landscaping Ordinance]
THE LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE STARTED BACK IN OCTOBER, AND WE'RE FINALLY HERE IN FEBRUARY.MISS LEWIS, IN 2023, THE PLANNING COMMISSION HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LITTER CONTROL COUNCIL ABOUT BEAUTIFICATION OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY ALONG OUR ROADWAYS.
AND AT THERE WAS TALK OF THE COUNTY INVESTING, SEEKING MONEY, WORKING WITH VDOT TO TO UPGRADE THE TRAFFIC CIRCLES AND SO FORTH.
AND MR. THROWER SUGGESTION WAS WELL BEFORE THE COUNTY SPENDS MONEY, WHY DON'T WE LOOK AT A LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE TO HAVE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS? TAKE PART AS WELL.
SO THE PLANNING COMMISSION STARTED WORKING ON THE LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE.
THEY LOOKED AT SEVERAL FROM NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, AND THEY PUT TOGETHER AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL REQUIRE LANDSCAPING, LIKE ALONG IN FRONT OF MR. RANDALL'S PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE FOOD LION.
IF YOU'VE WALKED ACROSS A PARKING LOT IN SEPTEMBER, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU COULD COOK AN EGG ON THE SIDEWALK ON THE DRIVEWAY, SO THIS WILL REQUIRE FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION INTERIOR LANDSCAPING IN THE PARKING LOT.
IT WILL NOT APPLY TO ONE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS.
IT WILL NOT APPLY TO RENOVATIONS OR ADDITIONS TO COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS UNLESS IT INCREASES THE VALUE OF THE THE BUILDING BY MORE THAN 50%.
AND IT AND IT DOES NOT APPLY TO UTILITY SCALE SOLAR REGULATIONS, SOLAR DEVELOPMENTS BECAUSE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE IN THE UTILITY SCALE SOLAR REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE MUCH STRICTER THAN THIS.
AND IT DOESN'T APPLY TO PROPERTIES WITH A PLANNED OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL ZONING DESIGNATION EITHER.
WHAT THIS DOES IS LOOK AT USES AND BUFFERING BETWEEN USES.
YOU SEE THAT THERE ARE CLASS ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR USES.
CLASS ONE USES ARE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND PARKS.
CLASS TWO IS A LITTLE BIT MORE INTENSE.
SO IF YOU HAVE A SINGLE FAMILY HOME AND SOMEONE'S GOING TO BUILD A 7-ELEVEN NEXT TO YOU, THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO PUT IN LANDSCAPING TO SHIELD YOU FROM THEIR IMPACTS. IF YOU BUILT IF THE 7-ELEVEN IS ALREADY THERE AND YOU BUILD THE HOME NEXT TO IT, THEN YOU HAVE TO PUT IN HALF THE LANDSCAPING.
[01:55:08]
BUT YOU KNEW THE 7-ELEVEN WAS THERE WHEN YOU DECIDE TO BUILD THERE.BRAD TURNER IS ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND HE'S THE OWNER OF THE GARDEN CENTER IN FRANKLIN.
AND HE WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN THIS ORDINANCE.
AND, AND SAID THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE ENFORCED AND THAT WOULD CREATE THE EFFECT THAT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY WANTS TO TO HELP PROTECT EXISTING USES FROM NEW, MORE INTRUSIVE USES.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR MISS LEWIS? PLANNING COMMISSION HAD THE REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING AND MADE A RECOMMENDATION OF A UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL.
OKAY. THANK YOU. WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ISSUE THEN.
I MIGHT SAY THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSED THIS PROS AND CONS OF THIS A LOT.
AND WE DID DO HAVE A LANDSCAPING EXPERT, MR. BRAD TURNER, ON THE BOARD, WHO LENT A LOT OF HIS THOUGHTS TO THIS.
SO IT WASN'T LIKE THIS WAS DONE WITHOUT SOME.
IT DOESN'T COVER THESE SOLAR FARMS THAT THE LANDSCAPING HAS DIED, DOES IT? THAT SOLAR, THAT SOLAR INSTALLATION WAS INSTALLED BEFORE LANDSCAPING WAS REQUIRED.
SO NO, WE CAN WORK WITH THEM TO KEEP THE GRASS CUT INSIDE THE FENCE, WHICH IS A STRUGGLE ON ITS OWN.
BUT EVERYTHING, ALL THE BUFFERING ON THE OUTSIDE.
BUT UNDER THE CURRENT UTILITY SCALE SOLAR REGULATIONS, THERE IS LANDSCAPING AND IT IS IT.
IF IT DIES, IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED.
ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS WHILE WE HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN? ALL RIGHT, THEN WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER.
THEN WE APPROVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE THAT THEY CAME UP WITH.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
NEXT, NUMBER 11 IS THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION HEARING DATES.
[11. Public Hearing - Board of Equalization Hearing Dates]
AND I'LL TURN THAT OVER TO MR. THROWER. YES.PER VIRGINIA STATE CODE, SECTION 58.1 DASH 3378, THE GOVERNING BODY OF ANY CITY OR COUNTY OR CITY MAY PROVIDE, BY ORDINANCE THE DATE BY WHICH APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE BY PROPERTY OWNERS OR LESSEES FOR RELIEF.
AND THIS IS SOMETHING THE COUNTY HAS DONE IN PREVIOUS REASSESSMENT CYCLES.
YOU DO HAVE AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR APPLICATION AND DISPOSITION OF REQUESTS FOR EQUALIZATION OF REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE ASSESSMENTS BY THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION. THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION SHALL BE MAY 8TH 24, AND DEADLINE FOR DISPOSITIONS OF APPLICATIONS TO THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION SHALL BE JULY 3RD OF 24.
SO THAT'S PRETTY MUCH A PROCEDURAL THING THAT YOU ALL NEED TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE SETTING THOSE DATES WHERE FOLKS CAN APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION ON THEIR ASSESSMENTS IF THEY SO CHOOSE.
ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? ALL RIGHT. THIS IS THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OUT THERE CONCERNING THIS? I THINK MR. LEE'S HERE TONIGHT.
YOU WERE ON THAT BOARD THE LAST TIME AROUND, WEREN'T YOU, SIR? YES, SIR. WOULD YOU MIND GIVING.
[02:00:03]
JUST COMING UP AND GIVING A SLIGHT.YOU WOULD NOT LET THEM KNOW WHAT GOES ON THERE.
NOTHING LIKE PUTTING YOU ON THE SPOT.
I'M NOT PREPARED. SO I KNOW YOU'RE PREPARED.
WELL HAVING PREVIOUSLY SERVED ON THAT, WE WE DID MEET WITH THE CITIZENS.
THEY HAD TIME TO COME IN AND MAKE APPOINTMENT WITH US AND AND VOICE THEIR CONCERNS.
IT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT A THING WHERE YOU CAN JUST COME IN AND SAY MY TAXES ARE TOO HIGH AND I WANT THEM LOWERED, AND BUT IT IS A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN THERE AND, AND SAY, WELL, MY PROPERTY HAS NOT BEEN REPRESENTED CORRECTLY.
THEY'VE GOT ME SOMETHING ON MY LIST THAT I DON'T HAVE ANYMORE OR, OR SOMETHING IS YOU KNOW, DISREPAIR OR THERE'S SOME REASON THAT THEY HAVE TO TO SHOW YOU THAT SOMETHING'S NOT CORRECT ON THEIR ASSESSMENT.
AND AND THIS OBVIOUSLY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF EVERYBODY BEING TREATED EQUALLY.
ANY QUESTIONS, MR. LEE? THANK YOU, SIR.
YES, SIR. DID OKAY WITH NO NO WARNING.
ANYBODY ELSE? WHILE THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN.
SO WE'D HAVE A GENERAL REPRESENTATION OF JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IN THE COUNTY.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? THEN WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
ALL RIGHT. BOARD. I MOVE, WE ACCEPT THE ATTACHED SCHEDULE.
OKAY. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
OKAY. IT'S UNANIMOUS THAT WE ADOPTED THE THE ORDINANCE.
ALL RIGHT. NUMBER 12 THE SMART SCALE APPLICATION ARE CUT AT US
[12. Smart Scale Application - RCUT at US 58/Story Station Road Intersection]
58 STOREY STATION ROAD.AND WE'LL OPEN THAT THIS IS IS NOT A PUBLIC HEARING, BUT WE CERTAINLY WILL ALLOW ANYBODY LIKES TO SPEAK A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO COME AND SPEAK.
THERE ARE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON THIS.
THE CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE VOTED 3 TO 1 AGAINST.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED.
8 TO 0, WITH ONE ABSTENTION AGAINST.
ANYBODY LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING FURTHER THAT WASN'T SAID DURING THE CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD? YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME FORWARD.
YES, SIR. WELCOME, COUNCILOR TONIGHT.
SORRY ABOUT THAT. I'M JIM HART.
WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO GET AWAY FROM THE SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS BEFORE US TONIGHT.
THERE HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS THERE PRIOR TO THE STOPLIGHT.
THE STOPLIGHT THERE, IT REGULATES THAT TRAFFIC AND IT STOPS IT, AND IT GIVES AN INTERMITTENT FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE CHANGES DOWN THE ROAD EASTBOUND OR WESTBOUND. AND SO I HAVE A QUESTION IS, I MEAN, HAVE YOU ALL SEEN AN OR CUT ANYWHERE LOCALLY? I HAVE IN NORTH CAROLINA, IF YOU GO TO MURFREESBORO AND YOU GO STRAIGHT THROUGH AND GET ON HIGHWAY, I THINK IT'S 11.
I THINK I'M RIGHT AND GO TOWARDS WINTON.
YOU'LL SEE A FEW THERE AND THEY'RE LOCATED ON A TWO, A FOUR LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY, LIKE 58.
BUT IT'S EXTREMELY RURAL, EXTREMELY RURAL.
[02:05:01]
IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYWHERE NEAR THE TRAFFIC COUNT THAT WE HAVE ON HIGHWAY 58.SO YOU'RE GOING TO CREATE A CREATE.
IF YOU REMOVE THAT STOPLIGHT, EVERYONE'S GOING TO HAVE TO TURN RIGHT AND THEN GO NEGOTIATE WITH TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO GO BACK TO FOOD LINE OR TO ANY BUSINESS ALONG IN THAT AREA OR ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET, SAME THING.
AND THEN DOING IT AT THE OTHER END ON THE EASTBOUND END OF IT, YOU'RE GOING TO BE DOWN IN FRONT OF A NOTTOWAY HOUSE DOING THE SAME THING, AND YOU'RE CONSTANTLY GOING TO BE NEGOTIATING, TRYING TO GET BACK OUT IN THAT ROAD.
AND NOT EVERY DAY IS A SUNNY, BRIGHT DAY WHERE IT'S REAL CLEAR.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NIGHTTIME, TALKING ABOUT RAIN, SLEET, SNOW, ALL KINDS OF CONDITIONS.
ALSO TALKING WITH ALL KINDS OF TRAFFIC.
TALKING ABOUT VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
TALKING ABOUT BUSSES, SCHOOL BUSSES.
RATHER THAN TURNING AT A STOPLIGHT AND COMING DOWN INTO STORY STATION, WHICH THAT AREA IS DEVELOPING HEAVILY DOWN THERE WITH BETHEL FARMS. AND THAT'S IN THE PRIMARY AREA DEVELOPMENT, RESIDENTIAL SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF SCHOOL BUS TRAFFIC COMING OUT TONIGHT WAS MENTIONED THAT I THINK MR. SIMMONS MENTIONED 60% OF OUR STUDENTS ARE ON SCHOOL.
WE HAVE ABOUT 8500IN FRANKLIN.
WE HAVE ONE GROCERY STORE IN SOUTH HAMPTON COUNTY, FOOD LINE.
WE DON'T HAVE A LIKE A RITE AID OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
BUT WOULDN'T IT BE NICE TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT OUT THERE? BUT THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ACCESSIBILITY IF THEY COME, IF THEY'RE LOOKING ON HIGHWAY 58.
AND THAT IS IT'S BEEN SAID TONIGHT.
THAT IS OUR BUSINESS DISTRICT FOR SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
NOW THERE'S EVEN MORE REVENUE.
SO WE HAVE TO PROTECT THAT AREA.
SO I ASK YOU ALL TONIGHT TO REALLY CONSIDER THAT.
I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE A BIG MISTAKE.
GREAT MISTAKE TO DO AWAY WITH THAT STOPLIGHT.
THEY'RE REGULAR CUSTOMERS. THEY'RE STOPPING IN AND GET PRODUCE BEFORE THEY GO TO THE BEACH.
HE MAY LOSE BUSINESS IF THEY HAVE TO GO UP AND TURN AROUND, BECAUSE PEOPLE DEAL ON CONVENIENCE.
I'LL GIVE YOU THIS ONE LITTLE LAST LESSON JUST SO YOU'LL NOTICE NEXT TIME YOU GO TO EMPORIA.
EVERYONE SAYS REAL ESTATE VALUES ARE LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.
THAT'S TRUE. AND ACCESSIBILITY AND VISIBILITY IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THAT.
YOU HAD TO GO STRAIGHT THROUGH EMPORIA.
WELL, WHEN THEY BUILT THAT BYPASS, MCDONALD'S SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
AND YOU WON'T FIND ANYBODY WHO WORKS FOR MCDONALD'S.
KNOWING DEMOGRAPHICS AND STUDIES AND THINGS THEY ARE, THEY ARE THE SHARPEST OF THE SHARPEST.
THEY SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BUY AN ADJOINING PIECE OF PROPERTY SO THAT IT WOULD BE MORE AVAILABLE AND MORE VISIBLE FROM THAT ROAD ON ON 58TH, THEY COULD ACTUALLY WALK FROM ONE ONE PROPERTY TO THE OTHER, AND THEY SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO MOVE ABOUT 150FT, MAYBE 200FT, BECAUSE OF LOCATION AND, AND THE CONVENIENCE FACTOR OF MEETING THEIR CUSTOMERS DEMAND.
THIS IS OUR BUSINESS DISTRICT.
WE WANT WE WANT TO PROTECT THAT.
AND WE WANT TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF OUR CITIZENS AND OUR VISITING CITIZENS.
AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU. JIM. ANYBODY ELSE? YES, SIR. GOOD EVENING, GENTLEMEN.
SHADY BROOK TRAIL HAD A BUSINESS ON SOUTH END PARKWAY FOR 20 YEARS.
AND MARK HAWKINS. AND THE STOPLIGHT HAS BEEN A BIG BENEFIT TO EVERYBODY.
[02:10:04]
I WAS IN PART OF THE WHERE THEY LOWERED THE SPEED LIMIT.AND I KNOW THE STATE WANTS THAT STOPLIGHT GONE.
SO THEY CAN BRING THE TRUCKS OUT.
THIS IS ALL ABOUT THE TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK.
THEY NEED TO GET THEM OUT OF CHESAPEAKE.
PORTSMOUTH. NORFOLK. VIRGINIA BEACH, WHATEVER.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF I'M ALLOWED TO ASK THE QUESTION, BUT.
IS ANYBODY ON THE BOARD CAN TELL ME HOW TAKING OUT THE STOPLIGHT WILL BENEFIT ONE PERSON WHO LIVES IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY? I DON'T BELIEVE YOU CAN.
AND I'M JUST, YOU KNOW, I'M PRETTY SURE IT WON'T GO THROUGH.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO ASK THAT QUESTION.
IF ANYBODY CAN, YOU KNOW, TELL ME WHO IT WOULD BENEFIT.
BUT I THINK YOU'LL GET THE ANSWER.
I THINK YOU WILL GET THE ANSWER.
THANK YOU, SIR, I APPRECIATE THAT.
ANYBODY ELSE? MY NAME IS JAMIE LEE AND I LIVE AT 29206 FLAGGY RUN ROAD, COURTLAND.
AND I GO THROUGH THAT INTERSECTION EVERY DAY AND SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.
AND I WOULD JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION.
I'D LIKE TO SEE THE STOPLIGHT STAY THERE.
I THINK IT'S BE SAFER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE.
THAT OR THROUGH A CAMERA SYSTEM OR WHICHEVER WAY Y'ALL DEEM THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.
AND I JUST WANTED TO COME UP, BASICALLY BECAUSE I HAVE A SUGGESTION.
I FARM AND I USE TRACTOR TRAILERS TO HAUL OUR, OUR CROPS.
SO I HAVE TO GO AROUND THROUGH COURTLAND AND COME THROUGH THE LIGHT THAT WAY.
AND WHEN THAT, WHEN THAT LIGHT STARTS FLASHING TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO CHANGE IF YOU'RE IN A LOADED TRACTOR TRAILER, THE TIMING IS NOT RIGHT ON THE THE FLASHING PART.
YOU CAN'T YOU IT'S ALL YOU CAN DO TO STOP WHEN THAT THING STARTS FLASHING BEFORE YOU GET TO THAT LIGHT, THAT THAT FLASHING PART NEEDS TO BE FLASHING LONGER BEFORE THE LIGHT CHANGES.
AND SOMEONE ELSE SAID EARLIER, TOO, IF I'M COMING OUT OF STORY STATION ROAD AND I'M HEADED TO FOOD LINE OR GRACE CINEMAS OR HARDEE'S OR WHATEVER WHEN THAT LIGHT TURNS GREEN AND I DON'T HAVE ANYBODY IN FRONT OF ME BEFORE I CAN GET ACROSS THE ROAD, IT'S ALREADY TURNED RED.
SO THE TIMING PART IS JUST NOT RIGHT.
AND JUST THERE'S NOTHING THAT Y'ALL OR ANYBODY ELSE CAN DO TO, TO CHANGE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE, THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AS FAR AS THIS IS GOING TO BE SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST GOING TO RUN A RED LIGHT, BUT HOPEFULLY SHERIFF WYCHE OR THE CAMERA SYSTEM CAN TAKE CARE OF THAT.
BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO DO AWAY WITH THE LIGHT THERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.
ANYBODY ELSE? YOU CAN SIT UP HERE, MA'AM, AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GET UP.
I'M JACK CLAUDE, 1805 NINE I'VE ROAD.
I DRIVE THROUGH THAT INTERSECTION EVERY DAY.
I CAME IN HERE TWO HOURS AGO, AND.
WE DESIGN PROJECTS SIMILAR TO THAT ALL THE TIME.
THE APARTMENT REHAB THAT WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT, WE JUST FINISHED ONE.
JUST LIKE IT. THE STUFF IS IS NORMAL TO ME.
IT'S. IT'S MY HOBBY, NOT MY JOB.
SO WHEN I CAME IN HERE, I WAS REALLY EXCITED, AND I WAS IN FAVOR OF THE ARCHIVES.
BUT NOW, HAVING LISTENED FOR TWO HOURS, I'M NO LONGER IN FAVOR OF THE ARCHIVE.
I DON'T THINK IT'S THE BEST ENGINEERING IDEA.
THE TRAFFIC THAT GOES THROUGH THERE AND THEN THE KNOWLEDGE I HAVE OF IT AND EVERYBODY ELSE DOES.
ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS WE ALL SEE IS TRUCKS SHOULD BE IN THE RIGHT LANE.
SO IF WE HAD A WAY TO MAYBE FORCE THE TRUCKS TO ONLY BE IN THE RIGHT LANE.
I'M IN FAVOR OF LOWERING THAT SPEED LIMIT AGAIN.
DO THINGS TO CONTROL THE TRAFFIC THROUGH THERE, AND LET'S MAYBE SAVE THE CUTS FOR SOME FUTURE DATE.
I KNOW THE CUTS ARE SUPER POPULAR IN NORTH CAROLINA.
FAYETTEVILLE IS GOING THROUGH A BOOM.
[02:15:01]
THERE'S MORE CONSTRUCTION THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A STICK AT.THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS, BUT THEY'RE EVERYWHERE IN FAYETTEVILLE.
IF WE END UP WITH THEM, IF WE HAVE TO GO THAT ROUTE.
JUST MAKE SURE THAT VDOT DOES.
DOES THEIR ENGINEERING AND DOUBLE AND TRIPLE CHECKS IT, AND MAYBE EVEN GIVE US A CHANCE TO COME BACK AGAIN AND COMMENT ON THEIR PLANS BEFORE THEY JUST GO TO CONSTRUCTION. BUT THE LAST TWO HOURS HAVE CHANGED MY MIND.
THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? I KNOW I SPOKE EARLIER, I JUST HAD A COUPLE NOTES I WANTED TO ADD TO IT.
I'D JUST KIND OF TRYING TO FIND OUT WHO ORIGINALLY PROPOSED THIS IDEA.
WAS IT LIKE VDOT OR I MEAN, WHO CAME UP WITH THE PROPOSAL? V DOT V DOT.
OKAY. SO ONE OF THE THINGS I SAW WHEN I WAS READING THROUGH THE NOTES THAT I FORGOT TO MENTION EARLIER, AND I'M JUST NOT REALLY SURE EXACTLY WHAT'S PERTAINING TO THE MEETINGS BEFORE, BECAUSE I'M NOT HERE ALL THE TIME.
BUT IT WAS TALKING ABOUT KEPT REFERRING TO BUSINESS 58 AS A SECOND MAIN STREET FOR CORTLAND.
AND I REALLY KIND OF WAS CONFUSED ON THAT BECAUSE THERE IS A BUSINESS DISTRICT AND THEN THERE'S AN OLD TOWN, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY MAIN STREET, AND I WASN'T SURE WHERE THE COMPARISON WAS, AS THERE'S NOWHERE TO TO PUT A BUSINESS GROWTH IN THIS DOWNTOWN AREA WHERE WE'RE CURRENTLY SITTING, THERE'S RESIDENTIAL AND COURTHOUSE AND THERE'S NO BUSINESS GROWTH OPPORTUNITY HERE.
SO THAT IS THE BUSINESS DISTRICT.
AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT TO JUST TO PUT SOME SOME BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE INTO IT FOR FROM THE FOOD LION THE, THE, THE BUSINESS ITSELF, IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN RUNNING, THAT STORE HAS DOUBLED, DOUBLED.
THAT'S HUMONGOUS DIFFERENCE IN IN SALES.
AND THAT GOES TO SHOW THAT COMMUNITY IS GROWING.
AND I HAVE SEEN THAT THESE PROPOSALS FOR THESE ROADWAYS HAVE HAPPENED ALL OVER NORTH CAROLINA.
I HAVE GOTTEN THAT RESEARCH INFORMATION.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE'RE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION HERE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
SO THAT'S ALL I HAD TO ADD TO THIS.
ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE? YES, SIR. HOW ARE YOU DOING? MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER SCHRAM.
I'M AT 20936 GOVERNOR DARDEN ROAD.
I LIVE HERE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
FOR THE LAST FIVE AND A HALF YEARS.
I TRAVEL EVERY DAY TO AND FROM VIRGINIA BEACH.
I LIVE HERE, I COMMUTE 120 MILES A DAY.
DOING THIS WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY THE WORST IDEA IN THIS AREA.
THE AMOUNT OF SPACE THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO CREATE IN THIS AREA IN ORDER TO DO THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
AND AS I'VE SEEN IN THIS COUNTY OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, MONEY IS A BIG THING FOR THIS COUNTY.
ISOLATING YOUR BUSINESSES ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD FROM THE OTHER IS HOW YOU MAKE LESS MONEY.
PEOPLE WON'T COME OUT HERE TO BUY STUFF.
THEY WON'T COME OUT HERE TO GROW THEIR BUSINESSES.
YOU HAVE A 7-ELEVEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD.
THE REASON FOR THAT IS PEOPLE ARE LAZY.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TURN AROUND.
THE WAY IT'S GOING TO GO ACROSS THE HIGHWAY TO THAT ONE, THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO THIS ONE.
THAT'S ALL I HAD TO SAY, HONESTLY.
MY NAME IS GREG JACKSON. I LIVE AT 23264 SHANDS DRIVE IN CORTLAND.
EVERYBODY'S HAD A VERY GOOD SUGGESTIONS TONIGHT, BUT I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR THE BOARD TO REALIZE.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO GET THE LAND THROUGH THIS.
MY DAUGHTER USED TO LIVE IN CHARLOTTE.
IT'S POPULAR DOWN THERE WHERE THEY ARE BUILDING THEM.
IT'S A LOT OF LAND ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD.
WHERE'S THE LAND GOING TO COME FROM? BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO NEED AN EXTRA LANE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD.
[02:20:06]
SO YOU WOULD NEED ANOTHER LANE TO KEEP THOSE TWO THROUGH LANES GOING.AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE LAND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH YOU DO NOT, BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE SOMEBODY'S BUSINESS OR YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FILL IN A CREEK OR A DITCH ON EITHER SIDE.
YOU'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT THAT.
AND WHERE IS THAT LAND GOING TO COME FROM, AND HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY FOR IT? BECAUSE THEN YOU GOT TO YOU GOT WETLANDS TO DEAL WITH.
YOU'VE GOT THE EPA TO DEAL WITH THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS AND THE STATE DEQ.
ALL THOSE PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH.
IT'S JUST SEEMS THAT IT'S A VERY POPULAR THING, LIKE THE ROUNDABOUT THAT VDOT DOES EVERY FEW YEARS.
AND IT WOULD THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE STATE POLICE.
THEY DO A GOOD JOB OF RUNNING THAT ROAD, SO TO SPEAK, AND DOING A LOT OF ENFORCEMENT RIGHT NOW.
SO JUST THINK OF IT LIKE THAT TOO.
ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? IF NOT I'LL GIVE YOU MY COMMENTS ON IT.
SO THE CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE VOTED AGAINST IT.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY AGAINST IT.
AND I'M GOING TO SAY THIS AND I'LL STICK MY NECK OUT.
I'M THE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THE BOARD.
I RECEIVED A MULTIPLE CALLS ABOUT THIS AND I HADN'T RECEIVED ONE POSITIVE CALL.
ALL WERE NEGATIVE AGAINST THIS WITH GOOD REASONS.
ARE RECEIVED ANY EDUCATION ON WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN THERE.
SO FOR THAT REASONS THAT I'VE OUTLINED, I'M ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO IT.
IF YOU DON'T MIND, I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE A FEW COMMENTS JUST FOR EVERYBODY'S BACKGROUND HERE.
THE REASON THIS IS ON THE AGENDA.
THIS HAS BEEN A SAFETY CONCERN NOTED BY THE BOARD SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.
BETH AND I DID TALK TO VDOT, AND AT THAT TIME WE WERE ALERTED TO THE US 58 ARTERIAL PRESERVATION PLAN THAT WAS DONE IN 2019 THAT GOES FROM SUFFOLK TO EMPORIA, THAT TALKS ABOUT IN SAFETY, SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH THAT CORRIDOR.
SO THAT IS WHAT WE CAME BACK WITH.
THIS IS NOT TO GO BUILD AND OR CUT TOMORROW.
THIS IS SIMPLY A CONCEPTUAL IDEA TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO BE HOPEFULLY APPROVED BY VDOT IN THEIR SMART SCALE APPLICATION PROCESS.
EVEN IF IT WERE APPROVED BY VDOT, IT WOULDN'T BE CONSTRUCTED FOR YEARS OUT.
SO WHAT WE DID WAS WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT A PLAN THAT WAS ALREADY ADOPTED BY VDOT THAT SHOWS THIS AS THE RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENT IN THAT AREA AND IN TERMS OF SAFETY AND STATISTICS, REAL FACTS IN TERMS OF SAFETY NATIONALLY OR CUTS HAVE DECREASED FATAL CRASHES BY 70% NATIONALLY AND INJURY CRASHES BY 42% AFTER INSTALLING THE RCUT.
SO IF SAFETY IS YOUR MAIN ISSUE, THIS IS PROVEN TO BE THE SAFEST DESIGN CONCEPT THAT YOU CAN DO TO IMPLEMENT SAFETY MEASURES.
MADDOX, LET ME JUST SAY SOMETHING.
LET ME JUST SAY SOMETHING TO REBUT THAT.
I'M DEFINITELY AGAINST THAT CONCEPT BECAUSE WE THIS BOARD HAS ASKED TO HAVE MEASURES PUT IN THERE FOR SAFETY, LOWER THE SPEED LIMIT.
[02:25:02]
AND IT'S NEVER HAPPENED.SO I THINK THIS IS A DRACONIAN.
GIANT WAY OF DOING SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN A MUCH SIMPLER WAY.
AND IF IT'S GOING TO BE 3 OR 4 YEARS FROM NOW, WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO FOR THE NEXT 3 OR 4 YEARS? PAUL IS HERE. IF HE WOULD LIKE TO GET UP AND TALK ABOUT A FEW THINGS THAT THEY COULD POSSIBLY DO, BUT.
I APPRECIATE BEING HERE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.
SO SOME OF THE QUICK THINGS THAT WERE DONE TO PUT IN TO HELP WITH THE TRAFFIC LIGHT THERE IN THE SITUATION WERE THE FLASHING AMBER LIGHTS THAT COME ON BEFORE THE RED LIGHTS GOING TO COME ON TO ALERT PEOPLE AS THEY'RE APPROACHING THE LIGHTS, TO START TO SLOW DOWN, TO STOP.
THE OTHER THING THAT WE'RE DOING, IF YOU TRAVEL 58 IN EITHER DIRECTION, AS YOU APPROACH THE LIGHT, THERE ARE REMNANTS OF RUMBLE STRIPS THAT WERE PUT ACROSS 58. IN EACH DIRECTION, APPROACHING THE LIGHTS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE REDONE.
WE'VE WORKED WITH TRAFFIC ENGINEERING TO GET THE CONTRACTOR TO COME OUT AND REDO THOSE RUMBLE STRIPS, AND THAT'S JUST ANOTHER YOU KNOW, WAY FOR EVERYONE TO BE ALERT THAT THE APPROACHING THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS UP AHEAD.
SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THOSE TWO THINGS.
THE RED LIGHT CAMERAS THAT ARE OPTIONS THAT THE BOARD CAN LOOK AT.
LIKE BRIAN SAID, WHEN WHEN, YOU KNOW, WE LOOKED AT THIS, WE WENT BACK TO THE ARTERIAL STUDY THAT WAS DONE IN JUNE OF 2019, WHERE THEY HAD PROPOSED AN R CUT THERE AS A MEANS OF GETTING THROUGH THERE AND LOOKING AT SAFETY.
SAFETY IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND DOES COME ALONG WITH THOSE R CUTS.
THAT'S WHERE YOU GET A LOT OF THOSE MORE SERIOUS AND MORE FATAL ACCIDENTS.
THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION ON R CUTS.
THE STATES THAT DO USE THEM VIRGINIA IS ONE OF THEM.
THEY WORK WHEN THEY PUT THEM IN THOSE LOCATIONS.
SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, IS AN OPTION FOR THE BOARD TO LOOK AT FOR THAT LOCATION, LOOKING AT AND TALKING ABOUT SAFETY.
THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU KNOW THAT WE CAN DO AND WE CAN LOOK AT THE GENTLEMAN SAID, MR. LEE, WE CAN LOOK AT THE WITH TRAFFIC ENGINEERING, THE DISTANCE ON THOSE FLASHING YELLOW LIGHTS.
WE CAN GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT.
SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO.
BUT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS AN OPTION THAT THAT WAS AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH THE CONCERNS THAT OF RUNNING THE RED LIGHTS, RUNNING THE YELLOW LIGHTS, THE TRUCK TRAFFIC THROUGH THERE.
WE HAVEN'T DONE A STUDY ON ON ON LIGHTS AS TO THE PUBLIC'S RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT COLORS.
I HEARD THIS TROOPER SAY WHEN THEY SEE A BLUE LIGHT.
SO DEFINITELY BLUE TRIED PUTTING A COP LIGHT OUT THERE AND LET THAT THING GO TO FLASHING.
NICE. AND I WOULDN'T I WOULDN'T GO SO FAR PUT A LITTLE SIREN OUT THERE ONCE IN A WHILE. I MEAN, IT SOUNDS CRAZY, BUT PEOPLE RESPOND TO THAT BLUE LIGHT.
OF THE GENTLEMAN. I READ THROUGH SOME OF THE PROPOSAL AND STUFF, AND YOU WENT TO WEBSITES TO LOOK AT THE SAFETY, YOU KNOW, OF THE CUTS. ALL OF THOSE WERE NOT.
IT DIDN'T LOOK APPEAR TO ME THEY WERE TAKING OUT A TRAFFIC LIGHT.
IT LOOKED LIKE TO ME THEY WERE IN AREAS WHERE YOU HAD A STOP SIGN.
[02:30:02]
NOW. I DO BELIEVE IF YOU JUST HAD A STOPLIGHT, I MEAN, A STOP SIGN, AND YOU WERE AND YOU WERE GOING AND SEEING, WELL, WHO'S GOING TO GO FIRST AND WHO'S GOING TO GO, WELL, THAT'S DIFFERENT. BUT THIS RED LIGHT IS NOT LIKE IT.YOU DON'T HAVE TWO, TWO VEHICLES AT THE SAME TIME GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION.
THAT THAT DOESN'T WORK JUST LIKE ONE SIDE GOES, THE OTHER SIDE GOES.
PROBLEM THERE, SO I CAN'T BELIEVE.
I STILL DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE 70% SAFER TO HAVE AN UNCUT.
I ONLY GO BY THE RESULTS OF THE STUDIES THEY DID AND EVERY STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN.
THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE IN AN INTERSECTION WITH A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN, RIGHT? YEAH, I HAVE A QUESTION AND PROBABLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS QUESTION AND WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID.
NOW, DO YOU HAVE A STUDY TO SHOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN A CONGESTED AREA LIKE COURTLAND IN COMPARISON TO ONE THAT'S OUT IN THE COUNTRY SOMEWHERE? THERE ARE TONS OF STUDIES.
YOU CAN SEE SOME BUSINESSES, AND BOTH OF THOSE ARE WERE IN RURAL AREAS.
THEY WERE UP ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY.
OKAY. THERE ARE RURAL AREAS, OKAY.
THERE ARE YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE STUDIES WHERE THEY WERE PUT IN.
AND AGAIN, IT'S NOT JUST NORTH CAROLINA THERE.
I BELIEVE THERE ARE 15 STATES NOW THAT THAT HAVE THAT.
AND IT'S JUST ANOTHER TOOL WHEN THEY LOOK AT INNOVATIVE WAYS, INNOVATIVE INTERSECTIONS.
TRAFFIC LIGHTS SOMETIMES AREN'T ALWAYS THE SAFEST.
BUT IF YOU HAVE A GOOD QUESTION ABOUT THIS, IF THIS IS THE SOLUTION FOR A CONGESTED AREA, IF WE SCOOT UP THE STREET JUST A LITTLE WAYS UP IN SUFFOLK, THERE'S A CONGESTED A SPOT WHERE THEY BUILD NEW WAREHOUSES.
IT'S A BRAND NEW STOPLIGHT TO A CONGESTED AREA.
IF THE CUTS ARE THE SOLUTION AND THE SAFEST SOLUTION, WHY ARE WE NOT PUTTING A CUT ON 58 TO BRING THESE TRUCKS IN, AS OPPOSED TO TO STOP BY JUST BEEN INSTALLED? IF THE STOPS ARE CUTS THE BEST WAY? SUFFOLK SHOULD GET IT, JUST LIKE WE DID.
THEY HAD TO PUT IN STOPLIGHTS TO MAKE THE CUTS WORK.
SO WHAT YOU HAVE IS YOU HAVE CARS GOING INTO TRAFFIC BLOCKING TRAFFIC.
SO AS AN ANSWER, CHAIRMAN, TO YOUR QUESTION THAT YOU ASKED, YES.
WHEN THEY PUT IT IN A MORE CONGESTED AREA, IT REQUIRES MORE STOPLIGHTS.
BY BY DESIGN, THEY HAVE SIGNALIZED RCUTS THAT THAT IS A THING THAT THEY CAN DESIGN AND BUILD IN LOCATIONS LIKE THAT AS WELL. YOU'RE TAKING OUT A STOPLIGHT.
IN ONE OF THE CUTS, 16 YEAR OLD COULDN'T STOP, WENT OFF INTO THE TREES.
HE'S BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL FOR FIVE AND A HALF MONTHS NOW.
WE GET UPDATES FROM HIS MOTHER CONSTANTLY.
WE STOPPED ON THE SCENE. YEAH.
SO WHAT YOU'RE CAUSING IS YOU'RE CAUSING MORE DAMAGE BECAUSE WE NEED TO GET CONTROL OF THIS.
YOU PUT IN TWO MORE STOPLIGHTS THERE.
YOU'RE WELCOME TO QUESTION, BUT COME ON UP HERE.
THANK YOU. SORRY ABOUT THAT, GUYS.
I'M A WALT MILLER. I LIVE RIGHT BEHIND YOU HERE OVER ON LINDEN STREET.
LINDEN. I'VE BEEN IN VIRGINIA BEACH.
I'VE SEEN THE SAME THING THAT WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT, AND THAT'S A FACT.
THEY PUT IN MORE DADGUM LIGHTS THAN YOU SHAKE A STICK AT.
VIRGINIA BEACH ALSO PUT IN A BNP SYSTEM.
EVERYBODY THINKS THAT'S REALLY COOL.
FROM THE ENGINEER'S POINT OF VIEW, IT HADN'T WORKED.
ALL RIGHT. WE GOT VOLUME OUT HERE ON 58 BASED UPON FIVE YEARS AGO.
[02:35:02]
I'VE BEEN HERE 20 YEARS.VOLUME HAS MY GOD ALMOST FIVE FOLD SINCE FIVE YEARS AGO, LET ALONE 20.
AND YOU'RE BASING THIS ON OLD DATA? I GOT A QUICK I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU GOT.
I GOT A QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DIE FOR YOU? BUT LIKE, BACK IN, I'M DONE.
WHAT IF ONE OF THESE BUSINESSES CLOSE TO THIS INTERSECTION HAS AN EMERGENCY, AND EMS HAS TO COME FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY? IF THEY TRY TO GO DOWN AND ARE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, I MEAN, THAT COULD BE LIFE OR DEATH, DEPENDING ON WHAT'S GOING ON.
IT COULD HAPPEN AT JACK RANDALL'S OFFICE.
THERE IS A TURNAROUND THAT GOES ACROSS THE MEDIAN, AND OUR PARKING LOT IS GOING TO END UP AS A TURNAROUND FOR TRACTOR TRAILERS, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE HIGH SCHOOL TO TURN AROUND.
THEY'RE GOING TO PULL IN OUR PARKING LOT, AND THEY'RE GOING TO WAIT TILL THERE'S NO TRAFFIC, AND THEY'RE GOING TO GO ACROSS THE HIGHWAY TO GO BACK TOWARDS FRANKLIN, AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO FLY.
YES, SIR. ANDY BAILEY, I ACTUALLY LIVE ON STORY STATION ROAD 22194 STORY STATION.
AND I DON'T SEE ANY BENEFIT TO THIS.
THE KIND OF LIKE HE WAS JUST SAYING, AS FAR AS TRYING TO GET BACK AROUND TO GO TO THE GYM OR ANYTHING AS FAR AS, LIKE FOR THOSE BUSINESSES RIGHT THERE, IS THERE GOING TO BE ANOTHER ONE OF THESE FURTHER DOWN WHEN THEIR PATRONS CAN'T GET OUT TO MAKE A LEFT TO GO BACK TOWARDS FRANKLIN? I SAW A SIMILAR STATISTIC THAT ACTUALLY SAID 68%, THAT IT WAS A 68% REDUCTION, BUT THAT WAS ON A STOPLIGHT OR A KNOW ANYTHING. I'M CURIOUS, IS THE STATISTICS YOU HAVE THE SAME FOR A STOPLIGHT? KIND OF LIKE THE GENTLEMAN BACK THERE ASKED, AND I'M ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE VOLUNTEER RESCUE SQUAD.
I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR THEM AT ALL.
SO IF VDOT IS GOING TO DO THIS, ARE THEY GOING TO OFFER A LITTLE FUNDING TO LOCAL FIRE AND EMS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO WORK ALL THESE INCIDENCES? JUST A QUESTION MAYBE WORTH TAKING NOTE OF.
AND THEN. I ORDER THIS GENTLEMAN.
WHAT CAME ABOUT TO TAKE OUT? WHAT WAS THE REASONING TO TAKE OUT THIS STOPLIGHT, THE ONLY STOPLIGHT IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY? WHAT WAS THE REASONING TO TAKE OUT OUR STOPLIGHT? SAFETY. EVERYBODY GETS THROUGH IT.
FINE AND GOOD SAFETY FOR WHO? THE TRUCKS.
SAFETY FOR THE CONCERNS THAT EVERYONE HAD WITH TRUCKS MOSTLY RUNNING THE RED LIGHTS.
THAT THAT WAS THE CONCERN AND THE TOPIC THAT GOT US TO LOOK AT THAT THERE.
IS THERE ANOTHER ASPECT OF WHAT WE CAN DO TO STOP THE TRUCKS FROM RUNNING THE LIGHT ENFORCEMENT.
RED LIGHT CAMERA MONEY WELL SPENT.
THANK YOU SIR. OKAY, I THINK WE PROBABLY HEARD ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT PEOPLE FEEL.
BRING THIS TO THE BOARD AND DISCUSSION.
I JUST I DON'T SEE ANY PLUSES HERE.
THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY? I'VE GOTTEN BUCKETS OF PHONE CALLS THE LAST TWO WEEKS.
EMAILS AND NOT ONE POSITIVE COMMENT.
YOU KNOW. FOOD LION HAS BEEN MY FAVORITE STORE EVER SINCE BEEN HERE, AND AND I FREQUENT THERE A LOT.
AND WHEN I LEAVE FOOD LION WHEN I FIRST OPEN, I USED TO COME OUT TO 58, GO AROUND AND TURN AROUND.
OKAY. BUT NOW I ALWAYS GO TO THE STOPLIGHT.
BUT WHEN I GO TO THE STOPLIGHT, I'M CAREFUL.
[02:40:09]
OKAY. TIME FOR A MOTION.CAN I MAKE A MOTION, MR. CHAIRMAN? MR. CHAIRMAN.
THIS. CHRIS, I HADN'T SAID A WHOLE LOT OF NOTHING TONIGHT.
IT'S HARD TO FORGET. I AM AS BIG AS I AM ON THAT SCREEN BACK THERE BEHIND Y'ALL.
I MEAN, WE WE REALIZE THAT IT'S ALL.
IF IF IT'S FOR SAFETY, THEN I FAIL TO SEE HOW WE'RE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH THAT WITH THE ARK, BUT I, I JUST WHERE'S THE DATA? WE HAVEN'T BEEN PRESENTED WITH ANY DATA REALLY REPRESENTING WHAT WHAT WHAT IS THE WHAT'S THE FATALITY RATE? WHAT IS THE CRASH RATE? WHAT WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE? WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO AVOID BY SPENDING THIS MONEY HERE AT THIS INTERSECTION? YOU KNOW, WE, OUR CITIZEN TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE IS 3 TO 1 AGAINST IT.
OUR PLANNING COMMISSION'S 8 TO 0 AGAINST IT.
OUR CITIZENS AND BUSINESS OWNERS ARE AGAINST IT.
I THINK IT'S A NO BRAINER FOR US AS A BOARD AS FAR AS WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH IT.
I REALLY FAIL FAIL TO SEE ANY BENEFIT TO IT AT THIS JUNCTURE.
I MEAN, IF THEY WERE ALL GOOD, I MEAN, I'D WANT ONE THERE AT THE STOPLIGHT.
IF I FELT LIKE THERE WAS ANY GREAT BENEFIT TO THEM AT ALL, IF THERE WAS DATA SUPPORTING ANY BENEFIT TO OUR COUNTY RESIDENTS AT ALL, I MEAN, I WOULD PROPOSE, I DON'T KNOW WHY WE CAN'T LOOK AT OR WHY NO ONE HAS SUGGESTED WE DON'T REDUCE THE SPEED LIMIT THERE TO 45.
WHY IS IT 50? WHY DID WE STOP THERE? WHY DON'T WE SUGGEST THAT THE SPEED LIMIT THERE BE 45 MILES AN HOUR AND AND IT ACTUALLY BE ENFORCED AS SUCH? THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE A SAFER RESOLUTION THAN A MAJOR HIGHWAY PROJECT.
SO THAT WOULD BE MY MY COMMENTS, MY SUGGESTIONS.
I'M OF COURSE OPPOSED TO ANYTHING.
CLOSE MY COMMENTS, MR. CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU SIR.
COULD I SAY SOMETHING? YES, SIR.
OKAY. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE VDOT.
I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
AND I THINK WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS WE ARE DOING.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE BEST SOLUTION AT THIS PLACE.
OKAY. VDOT WAS ASKED TO GIVE A.
A RECOMMENDATION FOR IMPROVEMENT.
AND IT'S IMPORTANT WE KNOW THAT THERE IS NO.
I USED TO BE A SONG THAT I USED TO SING TO.
MY WIFE SOMETIMES SAYS, THERE IS NO GOOD GUY, THERE IS NO BAD GUY.
IT'S JUST YOU AND ME AND WE JUST DISAGREE.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SING THAT? I DON'T WANT TO RUN THE PEOPLE OUT BY SINGING IT, BUT I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.
NOT FORCING IT DOWN OUR THROAT, BUT BRINGING IT TO US SO WE CAN CONSIDER IT.
OKAY. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE OPPOSE THE CUT.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALTHOUGH WE'LL WATCH YOU SEE WHAT YOU DO.
ALL THOSE FOR THE EMOTION TO OPPOSE IT.
OKAY. IT'S IT'S IT'S UNANIMOUS.
WE OPPOSE THAT. AND LIKE I SAID, I MIRROR WHAT CARL SAYS.
AND THIS HAS BEEN THIS HAS BEEN A BONE OF CONTENTION FOR A LONG TIME WITH WITH THE SAFETY THINGS.
AND THERE'S I, WE ALL FEEL THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN DO SHORT OF THIS MAJOR CONSTRUCTIONS.
OKAY. I THINK ONE THING IS TO RECOMMEND REDUCING THE SPEED LIMIT.
EXCUSE ME. I THINK WE NEED TO RECOMMEND TO REDUCE THE SPEED LIMIT TO 45.
WELL, I THINK I THINK WE RECOMMENDED THAT BEFORE AND DIFFERENT THINGS.
[02:45:02]
WE'LL GET INTO THAT LATER OKAY.CARL, THIS MR. HECK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES.
[14. Economic Development Updates - Karl T. Heck, President & CEO of FSEDI]
CARL'S THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SBI.AND TRY NOT TO CLEAR THE ROOM BEFORE WE FINISH MY REPORT, BUT WE HAVE A FEW THINGS IN OPEN SESSION.
WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE VIRGINIA BUSINESS READY SITES PROGRAM.
AND THAT PROJECT CONTINUES ON AT THE COUNTY AS WELL.
START UP FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON APPLICATIONS ARE DUE AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TOMORROW.
WE HAVE 22 IN THE OFFICE VARIETY OF BUSINESSES AND FROM ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTY.
SO WE ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE THOSE.
SO WE SHOULD HAVE A GOOD CLASS FOR THE TWO PRIZES THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
FRANKLIN BUSINESS CENTER IS A 87% CAPACITY, SO THERE'S SPACE AVAILABLE.
THEY'RE NOT IN BANKRUPTCY AT LEAST AT THE MOMENT.
BUT THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S ONGOING THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK WITH.
AND WE HAVE THE ARPA TOURISM VIDEO THAT WE PUT TOGETHER TO SHOW YOU ALL.
SO THAT'S GOING TO COME UP IN JUST A MINUTE.
SO THIS IS THE VIDEO THAT WE ALSO HAVE PHOTO ASSETS AS WELL.
THERE'S STILL SOME PEOPLE HERE BEYOND THE FAMILIAR SIGHTS OF PEANUTS AND PINE TREES.
WE BECKON YOU TO DISCOVER A WORLD OF ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.
TEMPTING ADVENTURES AROUND EACH BEND.
EVERY STROKE OF A PADDLE GUIDES YOU TOWARDS THE NEXT CHAPTER IN YOUR EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY.
EXPLORING OUR FAVORITE FISHING SPOTS.
THE EXCITEMENT LIES JUST BEYOND THE SURFACE.
SEE A FRIENDLY FACE AND BECOME A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
A WELCOMING EMBRACE AWAITS EVERY VISITOR TO SOUTHAMPTON, VIRGINIA.
DISCOVER WHY SOUTHAMPTON IS A TREASURE TROVE OF EXPERIENCES.
SEIZE THE MOMENT, EMBRACE THE CHARM AND MAKE MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME.
YOUR ADVENTURE AWAITS IN SOUTHAMPTON, VIRGINIA.
MORE THAN PEANUTS AND PINE TREES.
SO THAT'S THE THAT'S THE BIG STUFF IN MY REPORT.
SO IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS I'D BE GLAD TO TAKE THEM.
MOVING SOME OF THEM A LITTLE FURTHER AWAY FROM SOME OF THOSE.
SO THEY HAVE A FEW GAPS HERE AND THERE TO FILL IN.
IT'S NOT AS IF THEY'RE NEAR AN INSTALLED SERVICE.
THEY'RE GOING TO GET THE NEW SERVICE.
SO IT HAS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE NEW STUFF.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE LANDLINE FOR MY PHONE AT MY HOUSE AND THE HOUSE I OWN NEXT DOOR.
THEY WERE CUT FOR BOTH OF THEM AND PUTTING THIS DOWN AND THE, THE VEPCO GUY THAT CAME OUT AND VERIZON, VERIZON, VERIZON, THAT'S ALL. BUT VERIZON.
OKAY. HE WAS SAYING THAT THAT'S HAPPENING ALL OVER THE COUNTY.
IS THAT MUCH OF A PROBLEM? IT'S WHAT I'M SORRY I MISSED CUTTING THE LANDLINE, CUTTING LINES TO CELL PHONES.
WE HAVE NOT HAD AN INQUIRY ABOUT THAT.
ALL RIGHT. TWICE. THAT'S THE FIRST I'VE HEARD OF THAT.
SO THAT'S WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
[02:50:01]
BUT YEAH WE HAVEN'T HAD AN ISSUE WITH CONNECTION WITH RISE.AND SO. BUT WE'LL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THAT.
WHY DID THEY SUPPOSEDLY CAME TODAY? YEAH, IT WAS FIXED VERY QUICKLY.
AS SOON AS I NOTIFIED VERIZON THEY WERE OUT AND TOOK CARE OF IT.
OKAY. ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 15.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL RESOLUTION.
[15. African American Heritage Trail Resolution - Karl T. Heck, President & CEO of FSEDI]
MR.. CARL T HECK AGAIN PRESIDENT CEO OF FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THIS IS AN ENDORSEMENT RESOLUTION.
THERE'S NO MONEY INVOLVED AT THIS POINT.
SO THE COASTAL VIRGINIA TOURISM ASSOCIATION, WHICH WE'RE A MEMBER OF AS PART OF BEING SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY'S TOURISM AGENCY, IS PUTTING TOGETHER THIS INITIATIVE TO COVER ALL OF HAMPTON ROADS AND TO DRIVE VISITOR TRAFFIC TO OUR AREA.
SO WE SEE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING, WHICH IS WHAT COASTAL VIRGINIA TOURISM IS TRYING TO DO WITH GETTING ALL THE MUNICIPALITIES TO ENDORSE THE RESOLUTION AND TAKE IT UP TO THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL, KIND OF WHAT WAS TALKED ABOUT EARLIER WITH A COUPLE OF THE OTHER PROJECTS AND TO DRIVE TRAFFIC AND SUPPORT THE INSURRECTION TRAIL, THE MUSEUM EXPANSION, SOME OF THE ASSETS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THIS AREA THAT WE THINK WE CAN DRAW MORE PEOPLE FROM, YOU KNOW, USING A COLLECTIVE APPROACH. SO THAT'S WHY THIS IS ON THE AGENDA.
SO WE WOULD LIKE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THAT SO THAT WE CAN WORK FORWARD TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
DO YOU LIKE TO READ THE RESOLUTION? YEAH. DO I HAVE IT? HERE, I'LL LET YOU HAVE.
WHEREAS THE COASTAL VIRGINIA TOURISM ASSOCIATION IS WORKING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO CREATE A HAMPTON ROADS AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL TO BETTER PROMOTE THE HISTORY OF OUR REGION TO TOURISTS AND RESIDENTS.
AND WHEREAS, THE HERITAGE TRAIL WILL PROMOTE MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS, HISTORIC SITES AND LANDMARKS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, PROGRAM AND CURRICULA, CULTURAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS IN HISTORY AND STORYTELLING THROUGH DESTINATION, HISTORIC TRAILS AND GREEN BOOK.
AND WHEREAS, SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY HAS WORKED TO PROMOTE THE INSURRECTION TRAILS, REBECCA BARNHOUSE AND ULTRA CULTURAL ASSETS RELATED TO THE TIME PERIOD TO BRING MORE TOURISTS TO OUR AREA. AND WHEREAS THE CVTA IS WORKING TO OBTAIN FUNDS TO PROMOTE THE HERITAGE TRAIL AND A VARIETY OF WAYS.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY HEREBY PROVIDES SUPPORT TO CREATION OF THE HAMPTON ROADS AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL, INCLUDING ENDORSING THE EFFORT TO SOLICIT GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENDORSEMENT, AND FURTHER, TO RESOLVE TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO SIGN A LETTER OF SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY IN SUPPORT OF THIS EFFORT.
SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
NUMBER 16, OPEN BURNING ORDINANCE.
[16. Open Burning Ordinance - Unfinished Business]
HERE WE ARE IN FEBRUARY.OH. THIS ORDINANCE IS SIMILAR, THE SAME AS MOST OF THE COUNTIES AROUND, AND I THINK IT FOLLOWS THE STATES OUTLINES ALMOST TO A T.
AND THIS ORIGINALLY CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE BURNING HOUSEHOLD TRASH AND PLASTIC BOTTLES AND TIRES AND CREOSOTE WOOD AND STUFF LIKE THIS. THIS DOESN'T KEEP A FARMER FROM BURNING TRASH IN THE FIELD OR OR HOW A HOMEOWNER FROM BURNING SOME LEAVES OR SOME STUFF IN HIS BACKYARD AT ALL.
SO IT'S MAINLY TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM BURNING THIS NON ORGANIC STUFF.
THAT THERE'S BEEN QUITE A PROBLEM WITH IT IN THE AREA.
AND THAT'S THE ONE I'M EXPERIENCED WITH.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY.
DO YOU WANT A MOTION THAT WE ADOPTED? DO YOU HAVE A MOTION TO ADOPT IT AS A SECOND? SECOND. SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
YEAH. NO, I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF MR. CHAIRMAN. THE BIRD ORDINANCE.
THERE WAS A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE BIRD ORDINANCE.
AND SECOND, AND WE'RE NOW RAISING OUR RIGHT HAND.
[02:55:01]
OKAY, SO IT'S ONE, TWO, THREE.ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
THREE. WHAT IS IT? THREE. THREE. TWO. THREE.
HERE YOU GO. WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE THREE.
DOES IT JUST WHAT HAPPENS? YOU HAVE TO HAVE FOUR VOTES.
IT FAILS. I DON'T THINK WE NEED ANY MORE BURDENSOME REGULATIONS, SO I'M AGAINST IT.
ALL THOSE, ALL THOSE AGAINST IT.
WHAT'S THAT MEAN? YOU KNOW, WE GOT THREE OF YOU.
MEAN WE DON'T HAVE AN ORDINANCE.
IT FAILS. TIE DOESN'T GO TO THE RUNNER.
OKAY. YOU GOT TO HAVE FOUR WITH THE SIX.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, WE'LL GO ON TO THE OTHER TOPIC IS THE BLACKWATER SOLAR PROJECT.
[17. Blackwater Solar Project in Sussex County - Request by Chairman Edwards]
SO SUSSEX COUNTY, EVERYBODY IS FAMILIAR WITH THAT, ABOUT 8000, 8400 ACRES AFFECTED THERE.AND WE'VE ASKED FOR THEIR ADMINISTRATION AND THEIR BOARD TO FILL US IN ON WHAT'S GOING ON THERE, BECAUSE IT WILL PROBABLY AFFECT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
THE PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSED THIS, AND THEY WERE QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECTS.
IT WOULD HAPPEN ON THE ECONOMY AND WHATEVER OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, THERE WAS A MEETING ON MARCH THE 25TH AT THE FORD CENTER WHICH EVERYBODY THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND TO TO HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON.
IT'S 7 OR 6, BUT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE IT IN THE PAPER.
AND IT PRETTY MUCH SURROUNDS THE FORD CENTER.
AND I THINK THERE IS SOME OPPOSITION TO IT FROM OUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES AT THE STATE LEVEL.
SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE SITUATION.
SO AND THERE'S ALSO A WILDLIFE PRESERVE.
YEAH. IT'S A WILDLIFE REFUGE THERE THAT TAKES UP YOU KNOW, 8400 ACRES IS PRETTY BIG SITUATION.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT COUNTY IS BEING BESIEGED BY OTHER COMPANIES AT THIS POINT ALSO MR. CHAIRMAN. YES, IT IT IS AT 6 P.M.
I DID ATTEND THE SUSSEX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING LAST THURSDAY NIGHT, AND WE ACTUALLY HAD MORE REPRESENTATION FROM SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY FROM THE BERLIN, IOWA DISTRICT PRESENT AND SPEAKING AT THAT MEETING, THAN THEY ACTUALLY HAD FROM THEIR OWN COUNTY.
MARCH THE 25TH AT AIRFIELD FOR H CONFERENCE CENTER, AND IT IS IN THE MAIN BUILDING THERE.
THERE'S A LOT OF BUILDINGS OUT THERE.
WHAT WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THE MEETING? WHAT SEEMED TO BE THE CONSENSUS, WHAT SEEMED TO BE I THINK THEIR BOARD IS IS.
I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THEM.
I THINK THAT THE PUBLIC IS MUCH LIKE OURS WAS IN, IN GENERAL OPPOSITION TO IT.
I SPOKE BRIEFLY AND THAT I JUST ENCOURAGED THEM.
AND I SPOKE ON BEHALF OF MYSELF NOT TO REPRESENT ANY PART OF OUR BOARD WHATSOEVER.
SO I WAS REPRESENTATIVE OF MYSELF, AND I JUST ENCOURAGED THEM TO BE MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT THEY WERE ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE AND BE A VOICE OF OF THE PEOPLE THAT THEY WERE ELECTED THERE TO REPRESENT.
AND IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE AN OVERWHELMING CRY FROM THE PEOPLE TO, TO NOT BE IN SUPPORT OF THE PROJECT AS IT STANDS CURRENTLY.
[03:00:08]
SPECIFICALLY. SO THAT THAT APPEARS TO BE THE CASE TO ME AT THIS POINT.SO. SO I HAVE PROVIDED THEM WITH A COPY OF OUR CURRENT ORDINANCE, SO THEY HAVE THAT FOR REFERENCE AS THEY MOVE FORWARD WITH THEIR PROCESS AT THIS POINT.
SO WE'LL SEE WHAT THEY COME UP WITH MOVING FORWARD.
ALL RIGHT. IT IS EVIDENT WE NEED A CLOSED SESSION, MR.
[18. Closed Session ]
THROWER. YES.HONORABLE BOARD MEMBERS, A MOTION IS REQUIRED TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 3711, A ONE PERFORMANCE PERSONNEL MATTER REGARDING THE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 37 OF A5.
DISCUSSION WITH STAFF FROM FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONCERNING A PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY, OR THE EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY, WHERE NO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN MADE OF THE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY'S INTEREST IN LOCATING OR EXPANDING ITS FACILITIES IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 3711, A EIGHT CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTERS REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE PERTAINING TO THE COURTHOUSE PROJECTS, SLASH DOMINION ENERGY DELAYS PRE INCORPORATED PERFORMANCE AGREEMENT AND CAMP PARKWAY SLASH SOUTHAMPTON LANCE LLC LAND SALE.
ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.
SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
THERE WE GO. THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION.
YEAH, WE GOT TO GO. GO INTO OPEN SESSION FIRST.
OKAY, WE GOT ENOUGH TO DO THAT.
YEAH. SO OKAY, WE'RE BACK IN OPEN SESSION.
I'M GONNA READ THE MOTION. A MOTION IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION BELOW.
CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION MUST BE VOTED ON INDIVIDUALLY BY EACH BOARD MEMBER VIA A ROLL CALL.
WHEREAS THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONVENED A CLOSED MEETING ON THIS DATE PURSUANT TO AN AFFIRMATIVE RECORDED VOTE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
NOW THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED, THAT THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBERS KNOWLEDGE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS BY VIRGINIA LAW WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED MEETING TO WHICH THIS CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION APPLIES, AND TWO ONLY SUCH PUBLIC MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED MEETING WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, AND CONSIDERED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
ROLL CALL. NOW WE NEED TO LINDA.
NOT HERE. MR. CORNWELL. YES, YES.
YOU VOTE YES TO THE RESOLUTION.
ALL RIGHT. SUPERVISOR GILLETTE.
HERE SHE COMES. HOW YOU VOTE, LINDA.
GOT A VOICE VOTE? YES. YES, YES.
I HAVE A QUESTION, MR. CHAIRMAN. YES, SIR.
IF I MAY DIGRESS MOMENTARILY, I APOLOGIZE TO THE REST OF OUR BOARD.
WHAT DID YOU SAY? DO WHAT? I APOLOGIZE AS IT PERTAINS TO THE TRAFFIC CAMERAS.
I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THEM EARLIER, BUT THE REVENUE.
I KNOW THE STATE STATUTE ALLOWS FOR THAT REVENUE TO REVERT BACK TO THE LOCALITY.
WHERE DOES THAT COME? THAT MAY BE A QUESTION FOR BRIAN.
DOES THAT REVERT BACK TO OUR GENERAL FUND, ANY REVENUE THAT GENERATED.
YEAH, IT WOULD JUST COME BACK AS A REVENUE IN THE GENERAL FUND.
OKAY. AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
[03:05:02]
WE DON'T HAVE TO VOTE TO APPROVE IT.THIS IS SOMETHING WE ARE GOING TO THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PROCEED WITH AFTER TONIGHT.
CHRIS, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE WHAT WHAT THE SHERIFF AND RANDY CAMPBELL TALKED ABOUT EARLIER? YES, YES.
THAT'S THE AUTHORITY OF EITHER THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.
SO IN THIS CASE, IT'S THE SHERIFF'S DECISION.
SO THAT BASICALLY THAT ITEM WAS JUST FOR INFORMATION TONIGHT.
RIGHT. SO THEY'RE GOING TO PROCEED WITH IT.
BUT THE REVENUE IS GOING TO REVERT BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND.
THAT'S CORRECT. AND THE AND THE SHERIFF IS MINUS COST.
RIGHT. REVENUE MINUS THE PORTION THEY DEDUCT FOR THEIR, THEIR KEEP OF THE 25%.
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR LYNETTE.
WHEN DID THEY PRESENT THAT TO US? THEY DON'T HAVE ANY LEFTOVER FUNDS.
THE BOARD. OUR BOARD? I KNOW SOME OF YOU GUYS WERE NOT ON IT, BUT VOTED SEVERAL YEARS AGO THAT OUR SCHOOL BOARD WAS NOT GOING TO BE ALLOWED GOING FORWARD.
TO CARRY OVER ANY FUNDS, SO THEY DID HAVE A FEW FUNDS LEFT IN DEBT SERVICE, WHERE NOT AS MUCH MONEY WAS NEEDED TO PAY THE LOANS BECAUSE OF THE TIMING OF WHEN BUSSES WERE PURCHASED, BUT THAT REVERTED BACK TO OUR GENERAL FUND.
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE UPCOMING BUDGET? I'M SORRY, WHAT'S LEFT OVER AT THE END OF THE YEAR? THEY HAVEN'T SPENT.
OKAY. THAT WAS IN YOUR AUDIT IN PAST YEARS.
THE SUPERINTENDENT CAME AND TOLD US THAT.
IT'S PROBABLY BEEN AT LEAST SIX YEARS SINCE THAT HAS HAPPENED.
AREN'T THEY? AREN'T THEY SUPPOSED TO DO THAT? THEY'RE NOT THEY'RE NOT HAVING ANY FUNDS LEFT.
AND WE HAVE NOT INCREASED THE MONEY THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE SCHOOLS FOR AT LEAST PROBABLY THREE YEARS OR SO. AND SO I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, LIKE IN EVERY OTHER SCHOOL DIVISION, IF THEY'RE LIKE FRANKLIN JUST WENT THROUGH, THEY CAN GO BACK TO THE GOVERNING BODY AND SAY, WE HAVE X AMOUNT LEFT OVER. WE ALLOW US TO CARRY IT OVER.
SO I THINK WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IS YEARS AGO Y'ALL SAID THEY COULDN'T, BUT BUT THEY, BUT THEY THEORETICALLY COULD COME BACK TO Y'ALL AT SOME POINT SOON AND SAY WE WE DO HAVE MONEY LEFT OVER.
WOULD YOU ALLOW US TO DO SO GOING FORWARD? YEAH. THEY THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO ASK FOR AN APPROPRIATION TO SPEND THE ADDITIONAL MONIES.
BOARD. THEY HAVEN'T SPENT ANY MORE THAN NO, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT IF THEY HAVE.
UNSPENT MONEY, UNSPENT MONIES OF A FISCAL YEAR.
THEY COME BACK TO THE BOARD, ASKED FOR AN APPROPRIATION.
THEY HAVE NOT COME BACK TO ASK FOR SUCH IN A NUMBER OF YEARS, PROBABLY ABOUT SIX OR SO, BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD BY A PREVIOUS BOARD THAT THAT WAS NO LONGER ALLOWABLE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT, I UNDERSTAND ALL THAT OKAY.
SHERIFF WHITE, IS IT YOUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THE MONIES GENERATED BY THE CAMERAS ALIGHT? FINE, FINES AND FEES COMES BACK TO THE.
AND YOU ASKED FOR AN APPROPRIATION TO USE IT FOR THUS AND SO.
SO THAT IS THAT'S NOT THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT WAS STATED TONIGHT.
I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE CLEAR ON THIS ISSUE.
OKAY. SO THE MONEY IS GOING TO COME IN? YEAH. THERE THERE ARE REAL EXPENSES IN PUTTING UP THIS HIGH DOLLAR EQUIPMENT.
EXACTLY. AND THERE'S A CONTRACT.
AND THOSE FUNDS ARE GOING TO BE RECOVERED BY TICKETS THAT PEOPLE PAY.
THEY KEEP $25 OUT OF THE 100 THAT COMES TO THE 75 COMES BACK TO THE.
AND THE SHERIFF IS IN THE GENERAL FUND.
HIS DEPARTMENT IS PART OF THE GENERAL FUND.
BUT YES, IF WE SPEND ANYTHING THAT IS NOT BUDGETED AT ANY TIME, IT GOES THROUGH APPROPRIATIONS.
AND HE ASKED FOR STOP, STOP AT THE POINT IT GOES IN THE GENERAL FUND.
[03:10:02]
WHAT THE SHERIFF SAID TONIGHT WAS HE ASKED HE HE WAS GOING TO GIVE IT TO THE SCHOOLS.HE DIDN'T SAY THAT. HE DID NOT SAY THAT.
HE ASKED FOR THE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO BE UTILIZED FOR A SCHOOL FOR FOR EXPENSES FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER, WHICH IS UNDER HIS DEPARTMENT.
IT IS NOT PART OF THE SCHOOLS.
A PERSON WOULD WORK IN THE SCHOOL.
SO IT COMES OUT OF THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET, NOT THE SCHOOL BUDGET.
ALL RIGHT. I HAVE ONE QUESTION.
YOU'VE SEEN IT IN THE PAPER ABOUT THE $2 MILLION PROJECT THEY HAVE.
NOW, WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY GET INTO TROUBLE WITH THAT? AND IT TURNS OUT TO BE 4 MILLION? ARE WE OBLIGATED? NO, SIR. YOU HAVEN'T SIGNED ANYTHING.
YOU HAVEN'T APPROVED ANYTHING.
DO THEY REALIZE? DO THEY REALIZE THAT? I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WOULDN'T.
IT DID NOT RUN THROUGH US AT ALL.
YOU DID NOT SIGN FOR IT AT ALL.
RIGHT. YOU KNOW, MY THOUGHT IS IF THEY START A PROJECT AND CAN'T FINISH IT, THAT.
AS POOR JUDGMENT ON THEIR SIDE.
I MEAN, THEN WE WE LOOK LIKE THE GUILTY PARTY.
WELL, YOU CAN'T ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT HOW YOU LOOK IF YOU'RE NOT THE ONE THAT SIGNS IT.
IF YOU'RE NOT THE ONE THAT SIGNS THE AGREEMENT.
I DON'T KNOW. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE LINES ARE STRAIGHT.
YOU DO THE MATH? EXACTLY. YOU DO THE MATH.
THAT'S FANTASTIC. THAT'LL PAY.
THAT'LL PAY FOR A HELL OF A LOT OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS.
YES, SIR. WE'LL TAKE THE MONEY AND I'LL LEAVE YOU RIGHT NOW.
SO THEY THEY RAN THOSE RECORDS.
THE INTENT OF THE WHOLE THING IS SAFETY.
SO THE LONGER IT RUNS, THE FEWER TICKETS THERE ARE, BECAUSE PEOPLE GET USED TO THE FACT THAT IF THEY ARE GOING X-MEN OVER, THEY'RE GOING TO GET A TICKET.
AND AND THAT IS WHAT HISTORICALLY IT HAS SHOWN IN OTHER AREAS.
THAT'S FINE. LET THEM GET POPPED 20 MINUTES IN THE SAME DAY.
WHERE DOES THE $5.5 MILLION GRANT SITUATION THAT WE'VE SEEN GOING ON WITH THAT NOW? I THINK IT'S STILL SITTING STILL.
OR IS THAT ALIVE? I MEAN, CAN THEY USE THAT MONEY TO FIX UP THE CATERING SCHOOL WITHOUT US CONTRIBUTING? IF I IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, IT'S PREDICATED ON WHAT IS IT, A 3 TO 1 FOR FOR EVERY.
THEY CAN'T JUST YOU. THEY CAN'T JUST USE THAT $5.5 MILLION BY ITSELF.
THEY WOULD EITHER HAVE WE HAVE TO WE HAVE TO SPEND $3 FOR EVERY DOLLAR USED OUT OF THE 5.5.
THERE'S THAT'S THE REQUIREMENT.
AND LIKE I SAID THAT SCHOOL SYSTEM THEY BEYOND WHEN LYNETTE AND I AFTER WE FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAD GOTTEN THIS GRANT BACK IN WHATEVER IT WAS LAST YEAR, WE HADN'T HEARD ONE WORD FROM THEM.
OKAY. AND SO THAT'S WHY WE WORK.
AS THEY TOLD Y'ALL, IT WAS MURKY TO BEGIN WITH.
YOU GUYS HAVE NOT SIGNED ANYTHING.
WE HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD ANYTHING.
SO AT THIS POINT NOTHING'S HAPPENED.
WELL, LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE SAID SOMETHING.
WHAT'S THE TIME LIMIT ON THAT? IS THERE? IT IS.
I THINK IT HAS TO BE SPENT BY 26.
BUT THE STATE HAS BEEN FIGURING THIS OUT AS THEY GO.
YEAH, THE VO-TECH CENTER IS UNINHABITABLE, AND CATERING TO THEIR STUFF NEEDS TO BE DONE TO KEEP.
[03:15:02]
NOW, WHY ARE WE THEY EMBARKING ON A NEW PROJECT WHEN THEY GOT THAT MONEY TO TAKE CARE AND FIX THOSE OTHER PLACES UP? I DON'T KNOW. I MEAN, I DON'T UNDERSTAND, I DON'T KNOW THE STIPULATIONS.DAVENPORT, ARE THERE GOING TO BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THESE FINANCIAL POLICY GUIDELINES? AND THEY DAVID, MAY HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS AND WE'LL TRY TO FIND OUT MORE.
BUT I MEAN THAT THIS PROGRAM THAT WAS DEVELOPED BY THE STATE HAS BEEN MURKY.
WE FOUND OUT WHAT WE CAN THUS FAR THROUGH DAVENPORT.
THIS THIS THING THAT BRIAN AND I GO TO ONCE A MONTH.
RIGHT. AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FORWARD THAT.
AND THE CULINARY ARTS GUY QUIT.
YEAH. THAT'S GONE. I MEAN, THEY USED TO GET NATIONAL AND STATE HONORS IN THAT IT'S GONE.
I WONDER IF OUR MESSAGE, WHEN SCHOOL BUDGET COMES IS, YOU KNOW THAT.
I MEAN, BECAUSE IT'S NOT DOING THOSE KIDS WHO AREN'T GOING TO COLLEGE ANY FAVORS AT ALL.
THEY WENT TO THE SHIPYARD AFTER THAT AND GOT GOOD JOBS.
I JUST WONDER SOMETIMES IF THE BOARD OUGHT TO OUGHT TO PUSH AND I.
A STUDENT TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A P.E.
I MEAN, THAT'S A WELLNESS CENTER IS NOT GOING TO HELP THOSE KIDS WHO NEED THAT OTHER EDUCATION.
AND LORD KNOWS WE NEED THOSE KIND OF JOBS IN THE WORKPLACE.
MOTION TO ADJOURN, BUT WE DO NEED ONE MORE MOTION ON THE NEW BUSINESS.
MOTION. MOTION ON THE NEW FROM THE CLOSED SESSION.
CLOSED SESSION. CLOSED SESSION.
WHAT IS IT? WHAT MOTION? WE COULD HAVE A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND IDA TO APPROVE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY.
[Additional Item]
AND ENTERPRISE ZONE APPLICATION TO MOVE AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THE LAND SALE REGARDING H4M LLC PROJECT.SECOND. YOU SAID A MOTION AND A SECOND.
WE'LL COORDINATE THAT WITH THE IDA AND DO WHAT WE NEED TO GET MISTER ROGERS PHONE NUMBER.
MISTER ROGERS, DO YOU HAVE MISTER ROGERS? HE'S DEAD. HE DIED.
HE DIED A LITTLE WHILE. HE SPOKE TONIGHT.
HE'S THE NEW TALKING ABOUT MISTER ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD.
YEAH, HE'S ONE OF THE NEW GUYS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.
YEAH. CHRIS, DO YOU HAVE HIS PHONE NUMBER? BRANDON. YEAH, YEAH, I GOT IT.
CAN YOU GIVE IT TO ME? YEAH, YEAH, I'LL TEXT IT TO YOU.
ALL RIGHT. GOOD. RECOMMENDED WE MEET WITH THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
YEAH, WE JUST GOT A LOT OF READING ON THAT WITH HIM.
THOSE KIDS GRADUATE, THEIR INSTRUCTIONAL CATEGORY WENT UP $100,000.
SOLID CITIZENS. THEY MAKE GOOD MONEY.
I DON'T KNOW, I JUST I THINK WE OUGHT TO PUSH THAT SO THAT.
YEAH. WHEN I AGREE TO THE MONEY FROM LOOKED INTO.
THANKS. IT'S A SHAME TO WASTE A YOUNG BOY.
IT'S A SHAME TO WASTE A CHILD.
YES, I.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.