[00:00:01]
>> GOOD EVENING, FOLKS. WE'LL CALL THIS MEETING THE JULY 23RD,
[Call to Order]
2024 FOR A MEETING OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ORDER.THE FIRST ITEM IS THAT ALL STAND FACE THE FLAG FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER FROM THE AUDIENCE FOR A BRIEF INVOCATION? YES, SIR.
WE THANK THEE FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
WE THANK THEE FOR THE GATHERING AND WE THANK THEE FOR THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THAT WERE ELECTED OFFICIAL.
WE COME THIS AFTERNOON AND ASKING THAT THEY WILL BE ON ONE O'CLOCK AT ONE MIND AS THEY'RE ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD GO WITHOUT LEADERS.
THEY ASK YOU TO PROTECT THOSE ASCENDING ON THE FRONT LINE OF FREEDOM [INAUDIBLE].AMEN
>> THANK YOU. NUMBER 1 ON THE AGENDA IS CLOSED SESSION.
[1. Closed Sessions]
WE'RE GOING INTO CLOSED SESSION FIRST TONIGHT AND WE HAVE A FEW ITEMS TO DISCUSS.MAYBE A LITTLE WHILE WE GET OUT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE BACK AS QUICK AS WE CAN. MR. TROY.
>> YES. HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION, THE BOARD WILL NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING.
A MOTION IS REQUIRED TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 37 11 A 1 PERSONNEL MATTER REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING DIRECTOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 37 11 A 3, DISCUSSION OR CONSIDERATION OF THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES, BEING A RECREATIONAL AREA WHERE DISCUSSION AND AN OPEN MEETING WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE BARGAINING POSITION OR NEGOTIATING STRATEGY OF THE PUBLIC BODY.
THREE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 37 11 A5 DISCUSSION WITH STAFF FROM FRANKLIN, SOUTHAMPTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCORPORATED 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 FOUR IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 37 11A EIGHT, CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTERS REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE PERTAINING TO AGREEMENTS REGARDING HELENA/ PRTI INC, A POTENTIAL SOLAR PROJECT SITING AGREEMENT AND THE COURTHOUSE RENOVATION PROJECT. THAT'S IT.
>> WELL, THANK YOU. WE NEED A MOTION TO GO IN CLOSED SESSION.
>> A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> WE'RE GOING IN THE BACK AND WE'LL BE IN CLOSE SESSION.
WE'LL BE OUT THIS AS QUICK AS WE CAN.
>> MOVE. WE MOVE GO BACK INTO OPEN SESSION.
>> WE'RE BACK IN OPEN SESSION.
I GUESS WE HAVE TWO ISSUES THAT GO OVER THAT WE WANT OVER IN SESSION AND VOTE.
>> YOU WANTED TO READ THE MOTION FOR ME.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I WOULD LIKE TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXERCISE A LOT OF INTENT THAT CARRIES US THROUGH A GRANT TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY ON TAX MAP.
NUMBER 105-11 IN A BARGAIN SALE AGREEMENT.
I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THAT MOTION.
>> DO YOU HAVE A SECOND TO THAT? ANY DISCUSSION? CAN WE SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON THERE? THAT'S BASICALLY, IT'S A WIN WIN SITUATION FOR THE COUNTY.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PLACE DOWN ON THE NOT AWAY RIVER,
[00:05:01]
WHERE A RECREATION AREA, MAY BE A CONSERVATION EASEMENT, AND IT WON'T COST THE COUNTY PENNY.>> BOAT RAMP FOR CANOEING AND KAYAKING, WHICH YOU MAKE ABOUT A SIX MILE TRIP FROM PUTTING IT AT HERCULES DOWN TO THIS PLACE AT MONROE BRIDGE.
ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND THAT, AND SECOND, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION.
>> OPPOSE LIKEWISE? WE POWER AND POWER, MR. SHOR TO GO AHEAD AND SIGN WHATEVER HE NEEDS TO SIGN THERE.
>> THE SECOND ISSUE WAS I'M JUST READING THE MOTION.
SOMEBODY WILL ACTUALLY HAVE TO FORMALLY MAKE IT AND SECOND IT.
A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH HELENA AS SEEN AS AGREED AS SEEN AS AGREED AND APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS TO THE IDA FOR PAYMENT/SATISFACTION OF THE AGREEMENT.
>> I'D LIKE TO MAKE ME A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THAT LETTER OF AGREEMENT.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> MR. THROWER, DO YOU NEED AN APPROPRIATION TO FUND THAT?
>> I BELIEVE THAT WAS IN A MOTION TO APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS TO THE IDA FOR PAYMENT/ SATISFACTION OF THE AGREEMENT.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO CLOSE OUT.
>> I THINK THAT WAS IT, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>> WE'LL MOVE ON THEN. SECOND ONE.
PROCLAMATION CERNAC, NOW INDIAN DAY,
[2. Proclamation - Cheroenhaka "Nottoway" Indian Day]
AND WE HAVE FIRE CHIEF HERE.FIRE WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP THERE? COME UP HERE.
A THE HERE, COME UP HERE TO FIRE THAT.
>> YOU CAN STAY THERE IF YOU WANT TO.
WHEREAS THE CANELA NOTAWA INDIANS REPRESENT THE NATIVE PEOPLE WHO WERE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS OF AND WHO GOVERNED THE LANDS, WHICH IS NOW CONSTITUTE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA, AND WHEREAS THE CANELA NOTAWA INDIANS ARE CELEBRATING 444 YEARS OF DOCUMENTED ETHNO HISTORY 1580-2024 AND WHEREAS A MULTIPLICITY OF RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES, HIGHWAYS, AND LOCAL LANDMARKS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA CONTINUED TO BEAR NAMES, WHICH MAY BE TRACED TO THESE FIRST INHABITANTS, SETTLING AS LAST REMINDERS OF THE PAST PRESENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE, AND WHEREAS THE CANOOKA AND NATAWA INDIANS CONTINUE TO BRING STRENGTH TO DIVERSITY, ENRICHING THE LIVES OF LOCAL CITIZENS BY TEACHING AND SHARING THE REMARKABLE HISTORY AND VIBRANT CULTURE THROUGH STORIES, DANCE, COLORFUL COSTUMES, AND TRADITIONAL FOODS.
WHEREAS SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY WISH IT TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CENA NAWA INDIANS AND TO JOIN IN CELEBRATING THEIR TRADITIONS, LANGUAGE, AND RICH CULTURAL LEGACY.
THEREFORE, I DOCTOR ALLEN W EDWARDS, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA TO HEREBY PROCLAIM THIS WAS SATURDAY, JULY 6TH, 2024 AS CHAIRMAN WALK OF NORAWAY INDIAN DAY.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THIS TO YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
I WILL TRAVEL SHIELD THAT IS TAT OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS IN 2002.
YOU GO TO THE WEBSITE, YOU SEE THE HALDERY THAT ASSOCIATED WITH THAT EXPLAINS EACH ONE OF THE SYMBOLS.
>> I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
[00:10:04]
>> NUMBER 3. CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD.
[3. Citizens Comment Period]
THIS STARTED IN NOVEMBER 2013, AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ANY ISSUE CONCERNING THE COUNTY, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, AND WE'D LIKE TO KEEP IT 5 MINUTES OR POSSIBLE.WE'LL OPEN THE FOR THE CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD EVENING, RATHER.
MY NAME IS ARIS LANE, 263 ON FIVE SHADY BROOKE TRAIL.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD, THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT AND THE CITIZENS OF SHADY BROOKE TRAIL.
I SPOKE TO YOU ON YOUR LAST MEETING, WHICH WAS IN JUNE ABOUT THE TRAFFIC OF THE TRUCKS COMING DOWN MY ROAD.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, BUT AS A COLLECTIVE BOARD, INDIVIDUAL PERSON OR THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, SOMETHING HAPPENED BECAUSE THE TRUCKS STOPPED COMING DOWN.
THEY HAVEN'T 100% STOPPED, BUT THEY HAVE DIMINISHED A LOT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.
>> MY NAME IS WARREN SIMMONS, E LIB 27511 SOUTHAMPTON PARKWAY IN CORTLAND.
I HAD TWO THINGS I WANTED TO BRING UP IN THE NIGHT.
LITTLE OVER A WEEK AGO, WE RECEIVED AN E MAIL SAYING THAT THE COURTHOUSE WOULD NOT BE BEING MOVED INTO ON THE WEEK OF THE 15TH.
I ASKED A FEW QUESTIONS AROUND AND SEE WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE, AND IT SEEMS TO BE NUMEROUS.
IF YOU REMEMBER WAY BACK WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THIS CONSTRUCTION, I SAID, THIS NEEDS TO HAVE INSPECT ON SITE, AND I THINK I WAS RIGHT.
WE NEEDED SOMEBODY THERE ALL THE TIME.
IF WE EVER DO ANY MORE CONSTRUCTION, THIS MAGNITUDE, SCHOOLS, WHATEVER, WE NEED TO HIRE A PERSON THAT'S LOOKING AFTER OUR INTERESTS AND NOT WAIT TILL IT'S DONE, AND THEN WE'VE GOT TO WASTE MORE TIME, MORE MONEY TO GET EVERYTHING STRAIGHT.
THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, AND IT WOULDN'T HAVE COST AS MUCH AS IT PROBABLY IS GOING TO COST US.
SECOND ITEM IS ON YOUR AGENDA TONIGHT, YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT PAYING OR NOT COLLECTING THE TAXES ON ONE VEHICLE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.
I'M ALL FOR THAT. I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.
THEY DESERVE SOMETHING FOR THEIR SERVICE, PLUS WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER, AND MAYBE THAT WOULD BE AN INCENTIVE.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I KNOW HOW ORGANIZATIONS ARE.
YOU HAVE THE GUNG HO FIREFIGHTERS AND YOU HAD THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT SHOW UP JUST ENOUGH THAT MAKES YOU THINK THEY'RE STILL IN THE DEPARTMENT.
IT NEEDS TO BE SOME WAY THAT THE ONES THAT ARE ACTIVE AND INVOLVED AND TURN OUT WHEN THEY GET CALLED, THAT THEY ARE THE ONES THAT QUALIFY AND NOT THE SLACKERS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT WILL EVEN CAUSE HARD FEELINGS AND DISCUSSIONS AMONG THE FIRST RESPONDERS, IF THERE'S NOT SOME WAY TO EVEN IF THE FIRE CHIEFS KEEP UP WITH WHO QUALIFIES, BUT SOME CHECKOFF SHEET OR SOMETHING, HOW MUCH THEY INVOLVED, HOW MUCH THEY ATTENDED TRAINING, WHATEVER TO QUALIFY, NOT JUST EVERYBODY, BECAUSE I THINK MR. CONWAY COULD TELL US THERE'S PROBABLY SOME THAT REALLY DON'T DESERVE IT, AND SOME PROBABLY NEED DESERVE EVEN MORE.
BUT ANYWAY, THAT'S MY THOUGHTS ON THAT, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. WHO'S NEXT? NO ONE ELSE I GUESS WE OUTWITED EVERYBODY.
WE'LL THEREFORE CLOSE THE CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD.
WE'RE MOVING ON TO NUMBER FOUR APPROVAL OF MINUTES,
[4. Approval of Minutes]
WHO HAVE THE MAY 28TH, 2024 MEETINGS WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD OF SCHOOL FACILITIES.DID ANYBODY HAVE ANY CORRECTIONS, COMMENTS, DELUSIONS? MOTION TO APPROVE.
[00:15:01]
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> THOSE ARE APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
JUNE 4TH, 2024 BUDGET ADOPTION MEETING.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY COMMENTS, CORRECTIONS, DELETIONS, ANY PROBLEMS THERE? MOTION TO APPROVE?
SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF SAY AYE.
>> THOSE MINUTES ARE APPROVED.
THE LAST ONE THE JUNE 25TH, 2024 REGULAR MEETING.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY CHANGES, DELETIONS, CORRECTIONS THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THERE.
>> SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> AYE. THOSE ARE APPROVED ALSO.
WE'RE GOING TO NUMBER FIVE VDOT MATTERS.
[5. VDOT Matters]
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY V.MATTERS.>> I HAVE A QUESTION. WHAT ABOUT THE TRAFFIC STUDY?
>> THE LAST CORRESPONDENCE I GOT FROM THEM, THAT ALL THOSE WERE IN THE QUEUE, AND THEY TAKE A LITTLE TIME.
I JOINED US BRIDGE, 58, ALL THE ONES THAT YOU ADOPTED AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE MEETING BEFORE.
>> WHAT'S THE TIMETABLE ON THAT?
>> THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME A TIMETABLE.
THEY JUST SAID THEY'RE IN THE QUEUE AND THEY'RE WORKING ON THOSE.
>> ANYBODY HAVE ANY ROAD CONCERNS OVER THAT MATTER? YES, SIR.
>> I'D BEEN TALKING WITH BRIAN PREVIOUSLY ABOUT MY CONCERN THERE WITH ACCESS FROM THE IVOR VOLUNTEER RESCUE SQUAD BUILDING INTO 460, BOTH THE EAST AND WEST BINDS, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A STOP LIGHT THERE, VDOT'S INDICATED THE NECESSITY FOR US TO CONVENE US A BODY AND PASS WHAT, BRIAN, RESOLUTION MUCH LIKE WE DID THE OTHER TWO DIRECTING THEM TO CONDUCT A TRAFFIC STUDY THERE ON 460 TO DETERMINE THE NEED AS TO WHETHER OR NOT.
>> IF YOU ALL WANT TO CONSIDER SOME TYPE OF FLASHING LIGHT OR WHATNOT ON THAT ROAD IN THAT AREA WHERE THE RESCUE SQUAD WOULD REQUIRE TRAFFIC STUDY THROUGH VDOT JUST LIKE YOU ALL HAVE DONE BEFORE, AND THAT THEY INDICATED THE FLASHING SIGNAL WOULD BE ON THE COST OF THE COUNTY IF THEY DO DECIDE THAT IT'S WARRANTED.
ANYWAY, I CAN BRING THAT BACK TO YOU NEXT MONTH IF THAT THAT'S WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO DO?
>> WE'VE DONE SEVERAL OF THESE LATELY. WE'LL JUST DO ANOTHER ONE.
>> JUST CHANGE THE ROAD NAME AND MAKE IT SOUND GOOD.
>> IS THE DARDEN SCOUT ROAD BEING PAVED THIS MONTH? THAT'S WHAT I HAD HEARD EARLIER.
>> THAT'S WHAT THEY HAD INDICATED PREVIOUSLY THAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE THIS SUMMER.
>> THIS SUMMER. OKAY. GO AHEAD.
>> SPEAKING OF UNPAVED ROAD, THERE'S A ROAD IN DREWRYVILLE, OLD CHURCH ROAD THAT ISN'T PAVED.
NOBODY LIVES ON THE ROAD, BUT THERE'S A GRAVEYARD THERE.
THE WAY THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING LATELY, THAT'S BEEN FREQUENTED QUITE A BIT.
EVEN IF THE WHOLE ROAD IS NOT PAVED, IT COULD BE PAVED UP TO THAT GRAVE SITE, THAT WOULD BE A BLESSING TO THE PEOPLE WHO USE IT.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? ANY OTHER ROAD CONCERNS? IF NOT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE MONTHLY REPORTS,
[6. Monthly Reports]
NUMBER 6, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. MR. SCHROER.>> YES, HONORABLE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
TERMS OF THE COURTHOUSE RENOVATION PROJECT, WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE FINAL ITEMS REQUESTED BY THE END USERS BEING THE COURTS AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE BUILDING AS YOU'RE AWARE.
SOME OF THE CLERK OF COURTS ITEMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MOVED BACK INTO THE BUILDING.
THE COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WAS MOVED LAST WEEK.
THE MAJORITY OF THE MOVING WAS PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE LAST WEEK, THE WEEK OF JULY 15TH.
AS SEVERAL OF YOU ALL NOTED, THAT WAS PUSHED BACK TO EARLY SEPTEMBER.
WE GOT A DATE OF SEPTEMBER 9TH AS YOU ALL AWARE PER THE DECISION OF THE END USERS AND COURTS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE FINAL ITEMS. NEWSOM CDBG PROJECT, AS YOU'RE AWARE, WE HOLD THOSE ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
WE'RE WORKING ON THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PORTION OF THE PROJECT.
WE DO HAVE SIGNED EASEMENTS FOR MOST OF THE OWNERS,
[00:20:01]
AND WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH CONDEMNATION OF ONE OF THE PROPERTIES IN THE PROJECT AREA AS YOU APPROVED IN THE RESOLUTION A COUPLE OF MEETINGS AGO.THE NOTICE OF AWARD FOR THE ACTUAL IMPROVEMENT WORK HAS BEEN SIGNED AND SENT TO KCH CONTRACTING, AND WE HAVE RECEIVED, LUCKILY, ALL THE REQUIRED BONDS FROM THEM, AND WE'RE NOW SCHEDULING A PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING WITH THEM HERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE SO THAT PROJECT CAN COMMENCE.
RADIO PROJECT, WE'RE STILL PROCEEDING WITH THAT.
WE HELD A KICKOFF MEETING WITH JVCKENWOOD ON JUNE 25TH, AND WE'LL BE HAVING MONTHLY MEETINGS, THE PROJECT TEAM WITH JVCKENWOOD GOING FORWARD TO IMPLEMENT THAT PROJECT THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.
CARL AND I'M WORKING ON SEVERAL PROJECTS NOW WITH HM4E INC TO LOCATE A BUSINESS IN SOUTHAMPTON BUSINESS PARK.
THAT'S THE PROPERTY BEHIND FOOD LINE, AND WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD AND IDA AND WE'RE NOW FINALIZING THE PLAT AND LAND TO SELL TO THAT COMPANY AND DELINEATE WETLANDS AT THIS TIME.
THOSE ARE PRETTY MUCH THE HIGHLIGHTS OF MONTHLY REPORT.
>> ANYBODY HAVE ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? FINANCIAL REPORT.
>> HEY. THE REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2024 AS COMPARED TO MAY OF 2023.
TOTAL REVENUES COLLECTED AS OF THE END OF MAY OF 24 IS 95.16%, WHICH IS COMPARED TO 95.37% COLLECTED AS OF LAST YEAR.
AS FAR AS THE EXPENDITURES PER EACH DEPARTMENT, AS OF MAY 2024, THE EXPENDITURES YEAR TO DATE ARE 86.9% HAVE BEEN SPENT AS COMPARED TO MAY OF 23, WHICH WAS 86.70%.
>> LYNETTE, THERE WERE TWO SETS OF BILLS WITH ONE OF THEM FISCAL YEAR.
>> '24 AND THE OTHER ONE IS '25.
YES. WE HAVE TO KEEP THOSE SEPARATED.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? TREASURER'S REPORT.
>> GOOD EVENING. I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE COLLECTIONS.
REAL ESTATE FOR JUNE WAS AT 99.68%, IN JULY, IT'S AT 99.72%.
WE'RE LOOKING TO COLLECT $555,824.12.
PERSONAL PROPERTY IN JUNE, WE WERE AT 95.87%.
WE'RE CURRENTLY AT 96.51%, HAVE OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $2,029,345.03.
THE SOLID WASTE IN JUNE WAS AT 78.40%, AND IN JULY, 79.43%.
WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $778,232.34.
>> ANY QUESTIONS TO MS. EDWARDS? OKAY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'LL RUN DOWN THE LIST, SO STOP ME IF YOU WANT TO JUMP IN.
ANIMAL CONTROL, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, BLACKWATER REGIONAL LIBRARY, SOLID WASTE QUANTITIES.
[7. Financial Matters]
THE BILLS LIST, NUMBER 7.>> WE SPENT $35,000 TO HAMPTON ROADS PLANNING DISTRICT AS CONTRIBUTION. WHAT WAS THAT FOR?
>> EVERY YEAR, THERE'S A X AMOUNT THAT WE OWE FOR DIFFERENT ITEMS THROUGH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
THOSE ARE ANNUAL FEES, AND SO THAT WE ARE PAYING OUR SHARE OF THE ANNUAL FEES FOR THAT.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE A BREAKDOWN OF THE INVOICE, I COULD GIVE IT TO YOU.
BUT IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT 20 DIFFERENT ITEMS ON THERE.
>> DOES IT COME FROM A CENT OF THE GAS TAX OR?
WHAT PERIOD OF TIME DOES THAT COVER?
>> DAVENPORT SPLIT THE BILL IN HALF,
[00:25:05]
WHERE THEY WERE HELPING US WITH OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES AND EVALUATING OUR CASH FLOWS.THAT PART WAS FINISHED UP LAST DECEMBER-JANUARY, AND SO WE WERE WE PAID HALF BY THEN, AND THEN WE FOLLOWED UP WITH THE OTHER HALF OF THE BILL.
>> I WAS LOOKING AT WHAT WE HAD PAID FOR HEFTY & GORE, WHICH IS OUR ATTORNEY, AND IT LOOKED LIKE WE PAID HIM TWICE IN OCTOBER.
>> I KNOW THERE WERE TWO BILLS IN HERE FOR THIS QUARTER, BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS FOR MAY AND FOR JUNE?
>> YEAH, BUT THIS WAS BACK IN OCTOBER.
>> BACK IN OCTOBER. I'D HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK THERE.
>> WE PAID $5,333 FOR THE PARTIAL MONTH OF OCTOBER.
THEN IN NOVEMBER, WE PAID FOR OCTOBER AND EACH MONTH, WE PAID.
>> WELL, I KNOW THE $5,300 WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN FOR A PARTIAL MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, AND THEN EACH MONTH IS $8,000 AFTER THAT.
>> WAS THAT PARTIAL FOR SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER?
>> YES, MA'AM. THE PARTIAL WAS FOR SEPTEMBER BECAUSE HE CAME IN PART OF THE WAY THROUGH.
>> THEN THAT'S RIGHT. THAT'S WHAT I HAD.
>> WOULD IT HELP MS. LOWE IF WE LEAVE AN OPEN CHANNEL SO WE COULD GET THESE QUESTIONS TO YOU BEFORE THE MEETING?
>> IT DOES, BECAUSE IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT ME TO LOOK UP THE DETAILS OF, THE ONLY WAY I CAN THAT IS [OVERLAPPING].
>> IT WILL PUT YOU ON THE SPOT WITH EVERY MEETING TO GIVE YOU TIME TO INVESTIGATE.
ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF THE BILLS LIST? WE MOVE ON TO MUCH ANTICIPATED PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT WITH CHRIS?
[8. Appointments]
>> YES, SIR. I'M WORKING A COUPLE OF PROSPECTIVE ANGLES, IF YOU WILL, I'LL HAVE A NAME OF DOG IS MEETING. YOU HAVE MY WORD.
>> YOU'LL HAVE SOMEBODY BY NEXT MONTH, WE HOPE.
I GOT ABOUT 10 PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT WOULD LIKE IT.
>> WE'VE MADE SOME GOOD PROGRESS [LAUGHTER] AND HAVE SOME VERY GOOD PROSPECTS.
>> YOU MENTIONED THE SALARY, THE $50 A MONTH?
I'M TRYING TO GET THEM TO COMMIT FIRST.
>> GOOD ENOUGH. BROADBAND UPDATE.
[9. Broadband Update]
ERIC COLLINS, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS WITH CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS. GOOD EVENING, SIR.>> GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I HAVE BEEN WITH YOU TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON OUR FIBER TO THE PREMISE BUILD THAT WE ARE.
IT'S CURRENTLY UNDERWAY AND THE THREE LOCALITIES PARTNERED TOGETHER.
I THINK I'M WAITING FOR THE POWERPOINT TO COME UP HERE, A SECOND.
[LAUGHTER] WHILE WE'RE WAITING FOR THAT, WE'RE REALLY ENTHUSED ABOUT WHERE WE'RE AT IN THE COMPLETION TOWARDS THE BUILD.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED WITH HRPDC AND DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE VATI GRANT ON JULY UP TO JULY 8, 2022, WHICH GAVE US A 36-MONTH PERIOD TO COMPLETE THE BUILD FOR THE THREE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
THERE WAS A TOTAL FOR ALL THREE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OF OVER 12,000 PASSINGS.
OF THOSE 12,000 PASSINGS, WE'LL GET THE SLIDE UP HERE FOR A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO SEE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AND WHAT WE'VE COMPLETED, WHERE WE'RE DOING CONSTRUCTION, AND WHERE WE WILL BE GOING NEXT.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I WILL SAY THIS, IS THAT I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH FOR OUR CONSTRUCTION TEAM.
WE ANTICIPATED THAT WE WOULD GET THE BUILD DONE ON TIME AND WE EXPECT TO GET IT DONE ON TIME, BUT WE'VE HAD SOME DELAYS BASED ON THE FACT THAT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO ATTACH TO SOME POLLS DUE TO A PARTNERSHIP ISSUE THAT WE HAD, AND WHICH REQUIRED US TO GO COMPLETELY UNDERGROUND WITH THIS PROJECT IN NOT ALL AREAS, BUT IN SPECIFIC AREAS.
THE ONE THING THAT IT DID FOR US FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT WAS BUDGETED FOR $34 MILLION.
THAT WAS BASED ON THE FACT THAT WE WOULD BE GOING AERIAL WITH THIS BUILD,
[00:30:04]
BUT BY GOING UNDERGROUND, THE PROJECT COST MORE THAN DOUBLE.INSTEAD OF IT BEING A PROJECT COST OF ABOUT $34 MILLION, IT'S NOW PROBABLY LOOKING AT OVER $60 MILLION.
OF COURSE, THE COUNTY PUT YOUR MATCHING GRANT AND THE LOCALITIES PUT THEIR MATCHING GRANT, BUT THAT DOESN'T HELP GET THE BUILD DONE.
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS EAT THAT COST, THE REMAINING COST TO GET IT BUILT.
DHCD, A VATI GRANT WILL NOT ALLOW FOR ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO BE SPENT BECAUSE WHAT THE GRANT CONTRACT STAYS FOR IS WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE BILL.
OUR COMMITMENT WAS TO GET THIS BILL COMPLETED WITHIN THE 36-MONTH TIME FRAME.
THEREFORE, WHATEVER THAT ADDITIONAL COST IS THAT'S DOUBLING, CHARTER WILL BE TAKING THAT COST ON.
FOR THE SLIDE HERE, YOU CAN SEE THERE'S 12,223 PASSINGS FOR THE THREE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THAT VATI BUILD.
IT IS GOING TO BE A FIBER-TO-THE-PREMISE BUILD PREDOMINANTLY HERE, ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
WHEN WE DID THE VATI GRANT, WE LEVERAGED THE ART OFF PASSINGS THAT WE HAD, WHICH IS THE RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND THAT I TALKED ABOUT BEFORE WHEN WE WERE HERE.
WE LEVERAGED THOSE 3,873 PASSINGS IN THAT GRANT ALONG WITH THE 1,089 PASSINGS, WHICH GAVE US A TOTAL OF 4,962 PASSINGS HERE IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
HERE'S A MAP. I HAVE A BETTER MAP, BUT I WANTED TO DO A GOOGLE EARTH MAP FOR YOU.
IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, WHAT WE HAVE HERE, THE SHADED AREAS ARE THE AREAS THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED.
ON THIS MAP, THERE ARE SOME EXTENSIONS THAT WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK TO AND BUILD ON SOME ROADS IN THE SHADED AREAS.
THERE'S JUST SOME LINE EXTENSIONS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO COMPLETE THOSE AREAS WITHIN THE SHADED BOX.
THE AREAS THAT YOU SEE WITH THE STRIPES IN IT, THESE ARE AREAS THAT CONTINUALLY CONSTRUCTION IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS, I GUESS, WEST OF CAPRON IN THAT AREA.
LET ME GO TO ANOTHER MAP THAT WILL GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT BETTER VIEW OF IT HERE.
THAT'S A LITTLE BIT BETTER VIEW THAT YOU CAN SEE.
YOU CAN SEE OVER IN THE WHITE SHADED AREA AROUND FRANKLIN CORTLAND AREA.
YOU SEE SOME POINTS THERE WHERE THE PINK DOTS ARE AT.
THOSE PINK DOTS ARE HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO THE VATI GRANT.
THE GREEN DOTS ARE THOSE THAT ARE OF THE RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND.
ONCE WE COMPLETE THE AREAS IN THE STRIPE SECTION, THE CONSTRUCTION TEAM WILL MOVE OVER TO THOSE AREAS THAT'S NOT SHADED AT ALL.
>> TODAY, I'M REALLY PROUD OF THIS SINCE THE LAST TIME WE'VE MET.
WE'VE ACTIVATED AS FAR AS YOU SEE ARPA.
THAT IS ACTUALLY THE VATI AWARDS.
BUT RDOF, WE'VE ACTIVATED 2,614 PASSINGS FOR A TOTAL OF 3,227 HOUSEHOLDS.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE MILEAGE, IT IS REALLY ASTOUNDING IN WITH VATI AREA, WE'VE BUILT 351.24 MILES OF FIBER.
IN RDOF AREAS IN THE COUNTY, WE'VE BUILT 567 MILES.
FOR TOTAL, WE'VE BUILT 918 MILES OF FIBER HERE IN THE COUNTY.
WE'RE REALLY PLEASED THAT WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH, WE ANTICIPATE THAT WE WILL COMPLETE THIS BUILD WITHIN THE 36-MONTH TIME FRAME.
I HAVE RECEIVED SOME CALLS TODAY THIS MORNING, AND I'VE RECEIVED SOME CALLS IN THE PAST, REGARDING SOME AREAS WHERE SOME RESIDENTS HAVE CALLED AND SAID, MY HOME HASN'T BEEN SERVED.
WHY AM I NOT SHOWING UP ON THE MAP? I WANT TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPLAIN WHEN I'LL MOVE BACK TO THE MAP HERE JUST FOR A MOMENT.
ALTHOUGH SOME OF THOSE EXTENSIONS, AND YOU SEE THOSE PURPLE OR THE PINK DOTS AND THE GREEN DOTS, THE GREEN DOTS ARE THE RDOF, SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE BUILT.
BUT THE VATI AREAS, WHICH IS THE PINK DOTS, THERE MAY BE SOME HOMES THAT'S NOT SHOWING UP ON THE MAP.
THE REASON BEHIND THAT IS WHEN THE LOCALITIES DECIDED THAT THEY
[00:35:02]
WANTED TO PARTNER AND DETERMINE THE HOUSEHOLDS THAT'S BEING SERVED, WE HAD TO USE AND WE USED FCC DATA, AND WE ALSO USED STATE DATA.THE FCC DATA AND STATE DATA TELLS US THE HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE CURRENTLY NOT BEING SERVED.
THE FCC HAS GUIDELINES AS WELL AS DHCD, IN NEVADA PROGRAM THAT YOU CANNOT BUILD TO A HOME, AND YOU CANNOT ADD THAT HOME IF THE DATA SHOWS ON THE FCC MAP AND THE STATE MAP THAT THEY'RE RECEIVING 100 MEGABYTES PER SECOND.
A LOT OF SOME OF THOSE ADDRESSES ARE BACKED OUT, BUT WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THE FCC MAP, AND THE STATE MAP IS WE FOUND OUT IT'S NOT REALLY ACCURATE.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT KNEW IT WASN'T ACCURATE BECAUSE THE WAY CENSUS BLOCKS READ, AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT CENSUS BLOCK DATA.
IF ONE HOUSEHOLD IS SERVED WITHIN A CENSUS BLOCK, THE FCC CONSIDERS THE ENTIRE CENSUS BLOCK BEING SERVED, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
YOU MAY HAVE 30 HOMES IN A CENSUS BLOCK.
IF ONE HOME IN THAT CENSUS BLOCK IS SHOWING SERVED, THE FCC DEFINES THAT ENTIRE AREA AS BEING SERVED.
NOW, THAT'S THE OLD MAPPING DATA.
THE FCC REALIZED LAST YEAR THAT THIS MAPPING DATA WAS NOT ACCURATE TO BE ABLE TO GET INTERNET AND BROADBAND TO EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN THE UNITED STATES THROUGH THE BEAD PROGRAM, WHICH IS NOW COMING INTO EFFECT.
THEY WENT BACK AND THEY CHANGED THE DATA ON HOW THE DATA IS REPORTED.
NOW THE DATA COMES BACK FROM THE FCC, WHICH FILTERED DOWN TO THE STATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
WHERE IT ACTUALLY SHOWS EVERY ADDRESS POINT THAT IS SERVED AND UNSERVED.
THAT TOOK PLACE AFTER THE VITA PROGRAM.
NOW, THERE'S SOME ADDRESSES WHEN TALKING TO THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE SHOWING UP ON THE SHAPE FILES THAT WE SUBMITTED IN THE APPLICATION.
OUR GUYS ARE CURRENTLY WRITING THE ENTIRE THREE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AREAS, WRITING THEM OUT AGAIN TO IDENTIFY THOSE HOMES AND THE SHAPE FILES THAT WAS SUBMITTED TO MAKE SURE WE GET THOSE SERVED.
THOSE ARE GOING TO BE EXTENSIONS.
ONCE WE COMPLETE THESE, WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK.
WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING THAT IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, WE'RE HAVING TO DO THAT IN THE CITY OF SUFFOLK, AND WE'RE HAVING TO DO THAT IN THE COUNTY OF WHITE.
I HOPE THAT'S SOME EXPLANATION AS TO WHY SOME HOUSEHOLDS ARE BEING MISSED.
WE'RE MISSED BASED ON FCC DATA.
BUT OUR HOPE IS NOT LOST BECAUSE I THINK THE STATE OF VIRGINIA RECEIVED $3.2 BILLION TO BUILD FOR BEAD, BROADBAND EQUITY BILL FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY TO BUILD THE ENTIRE STATE OF THOSE ADDRESSES THAT WERE NOT IDENTIFIED IN THE OLD MAPPING SYSTEM TO THE NEW MAPPING SYSTEM.
NOW, THE BEAD PROGRAM, THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE APPROVAL OF VOLUME 2, THE STATE IS WAITING FOR NTIA.
A FEDERAL AGENCY TO APPROVE THE VOLUME 2 WITH THE VOLUME 2 BEING APPROVED.
ALL THE ISPS HAVE GONE THROUGH THE MAPPING DATA TO IDENTIFY THOSE ADDRESSES THAT BEING SERVED, AND THOSE ADDRESSES THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SERVED BY ANOTHER PROVIDER, BUT IT WASN'T CAUGHT.
THE CHALLENGE PROCESS WAS IS THAT ALL PROVIDERS WILL GO THROUGH THE MAPPING DATA TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY HOUSEHOLD TRULY THAT'S UNSERVED IS UNSERVED.
NOW, WITH THE BEAD PROGRAM, IT DOESN'T REQUIRE ANY PARTNERSHIP WITH ANY LOCALITY.
THE PARTNERSHIP IS DIRECTLY WITH THE STATE WITH THE ISP.
I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT THE TIMELINE IS.
MY CONVERSATIONS WITH DHCD AS SOON AS VOLUME 2 IS PUBLISHED AND IS APPROVED, THEY'RE GOING TO BEGIN THE PROCESS FOR BIDS AND APPLICATIONS FOR THE BEAD PROGRAM.
CHARTER, BECAUSE WE ARE THE MAJOR PROVIDER HERE, WE'RE GOING TO BE APPLYING FOR ANY UNSERVED ADDRESSES THAT WERE MISSED, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S AN AREA THAT EVEN IF IT'S AN AREA THAT HAS ONE OR TWO HOMES IN TWO MILES.
THE BEAD CALCULATES FOR THOSE COST TO BUILD THOSE TWO HOMES WITHIN THOSE TWO MILES.
I DON'T WANT TO KEEP GOING ON BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'VE HAD A LONG MEETING.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COST OF BUILDING TWO MILES AT
[00:40:04]
ROUGHLY 50 SOME THOUSAND DOLLARS A MILE TO BUILD TO TWO HOMES, THEN YOU BEGIN TO SEE WHY WE HAVE TO HAVE A GRANT, AND WE NEED A PARTNERSHIP AND SOME FUNDS IN ORDER TO GET BROADBAND TO THOSE UNSERVED HOMES THAT'S IN THOSE RURAL COMMUNITIES.WITH THAT, I'LL BE GLAD TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> I'VE GOT ONE. THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON DELAWARE ROAD AND MONROE ROAD THAT DIDN'T GET SERVED, WHAT'S THE PROGNOSIS FOR THEM?
>> YEAH. THE THING IS SOME OF THE ADDRESSES WERE FINDING OUT THEY ARE PART OF THE VALLEY BUILDING.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE AND BE CLEAR, THAT IF AN AREA HAS BEEN BUILT, IN OTHER WORDS, IF SOME RESIDENTS SAY THAT THEIR NEIGHBOR HAS BROADBAND, BUT THEY LIVE OFF OF AN EXTENSION OF A ROAD, THOSE EXTENSIONS, WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS GET THE FIBER DEPLOYED FOR TRUNK LINES.
WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK FOR THOSE EXTENSIONS THAT'S OFF THE ROAD THAT IS PART OF THE VALLEY BUILD, THEY WILL GET BUILT.
WE'LL COME BACK AND BUILD THOSE.
>> THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE TALKED TO ME LIVE RIGHT ON THE ROAD.
>> THE FIBER GOES BY THE HOME?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT GOES BY THEM OR NOT, BUT THEY DON'T.
>> YEAH. WE'LL HAVE TO IDENTIFY THOSE ADDRESSES.
IF WE COULD GET THOSE ADDRESS POINTS, WE CAN IDENTIFY THEM.
IN FACT, THROUGH THE BID PROCESS, WE'LL BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THOSE ANYWAY.
BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE ADDRESS POINTS OF ALL THE UNSERVED HOMES THAT ARE NOT PART OF VATI AND NOT PART OF RDOF.
WE HAVE A BIWEEKLY MEETING STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING THAT I SERVE ON WITH THE LOCALITIES.
CARL SERVES ON THAT STEERING COMMITTEE AS WELL.
WE MEET EVERY TWO WEEKS AND WE DISCUSS ADDRESS POINTS THAT HE'LL RECEIVE, AND OUR CONSTRUCTION TEAM WAS ON THAT CARL.
CARL'S REALLY GOOD ABOUT PROVIDING THOSE ADDRESS POINTS TO GET INFORMATION TO THEM.
>> IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, EVERY HOUSEHOLD IN THE COUNTY SHOULD BE SERVED.
IF A PROVIDER, FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE APPLY FOR BID FOR THOSE UNSERVED HOUSEHOLDS AND WE ARE AWARDED THAT GRANT? SURE. ABSOLUTELY. EVERY HOUSEHOLD.
BECAUSE THAT'S THE WHOLE INTENT IS TO MAKE SURE THE THREE LOCALITIES HAVE UNIVERSAL SERVICE.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MOST OF THESE HOMES.
THERE'S JUST GOING TO BE SOME HOMES HERE AND THERE THAT JUST SHOWED UP ON THE OLD FCC DATA MAP, AND WE'RE FINDING THEM ON THE NEW FCC BDS MAPPING THAT WAS NOT FOUND AND WAS NOT ON THE OLD MAP BASED ON CENSUS BLOCKS. YES.
>> ANY QUESTIONS? WHAT'S THE TIMELINE ON COMPLETING EVERYTHING IN THIS COUNTY?
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED JULY 8TH OF 2022.
WE'RE LISTING A YEAR OUT OF COMPLETION.
WE'RE MOVING PRETTY RAPIDLY WITH THE NUMBER OF MILES THAT WE'VE DONE HERE IN THE COUNTY.
YOU PROBABLY SEE THE CONSTRUCTION TEAMS OUT.
>> ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EXPLANATION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I LOOK FORWARD TO COMING BACK AND DOING ANOTHER PRESENTATION.
>> NUMBER 10, RADIO PROJECT FINANCING.
[10. Radio Project Financing]
IS A PRESENTATION BY AJ ALLEN, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT WITH DAVENPORT AND COMPANY. GOOD EVENING, SIR.>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. THESE ARE HANDOUTS OF THE SAME PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
WE ARE HERE TONIGHT TO DISCUSS THE COUNTY'S RADIO PROJECT FINANCING.
I AM ALSO JOINED BY ANNE CURTIS SAUNDERS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL MCGUIRE WOODS, WHO WILL BE HELPING WITH ALL THE LEGAL DOCUMENTATION FOR THE RADIO FINANCING.
WE ALL REMEMBER EARLIER THIS SPRING,
[00:45:01]
THE COUNTY IDENTIFIED THE NEED FOR APPROXIMATELY $2.5 MILLION TO CLOSE OUT THE REMAINDER OF THE PROJECT COSTS WITH THE RADIO SYSTEM, PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEM.IN ORDER TO SECURE THAT $2.5 MILLION FOR THE COUNTY, DAVENPORT WORKED WITH COUNTY STAFF TO PERFORM A COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION FOR LOAN FROM BANKING INSTITUTIONS.
THIS IS WHERE WE DISTRIBUTE RFP AND BANKING INSTITUTIONS, SEND US THEIR BEST BID FOR THE COUNTY'S LOAN.
WE EXTENDED THIS RFP PROPOSAL FOR A NOT TO EXCEED TERM OF 15 YEARS AND A FIXED INTEREST RATE FOR THE COUNTY, AND THE COUNTY RECEIVED VERY STRONG DEMAND.
FIVE PROPOSALS FROM LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL BANKING INSTITUTIONS, ALL FROM LOCAL VIRGINIA BANKS ALL THE WAY UP TO JP MORGAN CHASE, WE'LL RECEIVE LATER ON IN THIS PRESENTATION.
ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE, WE'VE INCLUDED THE RESULTS FROM THIS PRESENTATION.
AS MENTIONED, JP MORGAN CHASE HAS PROVIDED THE MOST COMPETITIVE PROPOSAL FOR THE COUNTY'S FINANCING.
AS REQUESTED, THIS IS A FIXED INTEREST RATE FOR 15 YEARS.
WE ALSO WORKED WITH JP MORGAN TO NEGOTIATE A VERY FAVORABLE CALL PROVISION FOR THE COUNTY.
THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR PREPAYMENT AFTER TWO YEARS.
IN THE EVENT THAT THE COUNTY RECEIVED GRANT FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT, AFTER CLOSING, THE COUNTY MAY BE ABLE TO PREPAY A PORTION OF THE BORROWING.
ADDITIONALLY, IF THE INTEREST RATE ENVIRONMENT CHANGES TO THE COUNTY'S FAVOR, THE COUNTY WOULD BE ABLE TO REFINANCE THE DEBT TO ACHIEVE A LOWER ANNUAL COST OF THE BORROWING.
ADDITIONALLY, THE STRUCTURE ALLOWS FOR PARTIAL PREPAYMENT.
THE COUNTY RECEIVES ONLY A GRANT FOR A PART OF THE PROJECT.
THE COUNTY WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO PREPAY.
THE INTEREST RATE PROPOSAL BY JP MORGAN IS LOWER THAN OUR PLANNING RATE OF 5% BACK AT THE MAY MEETING.
THE COUNTY FURTHER WOULD NOT NEED TO PLEDGE ANY ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL SO THERE ARE NO NEW BUILDINGS BEING PLEDGED BY THE COUNTY, EXCUSE ME.
THIS WOULD ALL BE ISSUED UNDER A PREVIOUS BOND INDENTURE.
THEN FINALLY, JP MORGAN'S PROPOSAL.
THEIR INTEREST RATE IS GOOD THROUGH CLOSING AND WILL BE FIXED FOR THE FULL BORROWING.
ONE BULLET POINT NOT PRESENTED HERE IS CURRENTLY AT THE INTEREST RATE PROPOSAL BY JP MORGAN.
THE COUNTY WOULD BE ABLE TO EARN MORE ON THE BOND PROCEEDS INVESTED IN THE VIRGINIA STATE NON-ARBITRAGE PROGRAM THAN IT COSTS.
RIGHT NOW, VIRGINIA STAFF IS EARNING NORTH OF 5%, AND THE COUNTY'S INTEREST RATE WOULD BE BELOW 5%.
ALL OF THOSE BOND PROCEEDS WOULD BE ABLE TO GENERATE THE COUNTY MONEY FOR THE PROJECT.
AS ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS, AS MENTIONED EARLIER, WE ARE JOINED BY THE COUNTY BOND COUNCIL TONIGHT, MCGUIRE WOODS WHO ARE PREPARING ALL THE LEGAL BORROW, WHO ARE PREPARING ALL THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY.
THEN FURTHER, GIVEN THE STRUCTURE OF THIS FINANCING, WE WILL ALSO REQUIRE APPROVAL FROM THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY FOLLOWING TONIGHT'S MEETING.
OUR RECOMMENDATION AND NEXT STEPS, WE RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNTY MOVES FORWARD AND ACCEPT THE JP MORGAN PROPOSAL.
AGAIN, IT WAS THE MOST COMPETITIVE OF ALL PROPOSALS PRESENTED AND ALLOWED FOR THE MOST FAVORABLE PREPAYMENT PROVISIONS.
FURTHER, WE RECOMMEND THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVE THE FINANCING RESOLUTION AS PREPARED BY THE COUNTY'S BOND COUNCIL MCGUIRE WOODS.
FOLLOWING THE BOARD'S APPROVAL TONIGHT, IF THE BOARD CHOOSES TO APPROVE, WE WILL THEN FOLLOW UP WITH THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY TO RECEIVE COUNTY'S IDA TO RECEIVE APPROVAL FROM THE IDA FOR THE BORROWING.
THEN FINALLY, FOLLOWING ALL APPROVALS FROM THE PROPER GOVERNING AUTHORITIES.
DAN COURT WOULD WORK WITH MCGUIRE WOODS AND JP MORGAN CHASE TO CLOSE ON THE SERIES 2024 BOND.
THIS CLOSING WOULD OCCUR ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 9TH, SO THE COUNTY WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE ALL NECESSARY FUNDS IN HAND FOR THE RADIO PROJECT BY MIDDLE OF AUGUST.
I MOVE FAST THROUGH THAT. DO WE HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE BORROWING?
>> ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> LOOKS LIKE IT COVERS EVERYTHING.
>> DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS?
>> GREGORY, WE NEED A VOICE VOTE ON THIS.
>> I WOULD RECOMMEND A ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
>> MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESOLUTION, WE AUTHORIZE MOVING FORWARD ON THE PLAN OF FINANCIAL RECOMMENDATION TO DAVENPORT.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? MR. CORNWELL.
>> IT'S UNANIMOUS. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.
[00:50:07]
NUMBER 11, VOLUNTEER AND FIRE RESCUE,[11. Volunteer Fire and Rescure Personal Property Tax and Vehicle License Tax Exemption Ordinances]
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX, AND VEHICLE LICENSE TAX EXEMPTION ORDINANCE.REQUEST TO AUTHORIZE A PUBLIC HEARING.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO READ THROUGH THAT? JUST A SUMMARY ON THIS IN YOUR AGENDA PACKET.
AS YOU'RE AWARE AND REMEMBER AT YOUR PLANNING SESSION EARLIER THIS YEAR, YOU DEVELOPED YOUR VISION FOR 2040 AND YOUR THREE-YEAR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES.
ONE OF THOSE PRIORITIES IS THAT OF RELIABLE PUBLIC SAFETY.
THE RELIABLE PUBLIC SAFETY SECTION OF THE VISION STATES SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AS A PLACE WHERE CITIZENS AND VISITORS FEEL SAFE, VALUED, AND WELCOMED.
THE COUNTY IS DEDICATED TO RETAINING AND RECRUITING EXPERIENCED, TRAINED, AND COMPETENT LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE AND RESCUE PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO SAVING LIVES, PROTECTING PROPERTY, AND MAINTAINING ORDER.
EMERGENCY SERVICES PERSONNEL WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO MAINTAIN THE SAFETY OF COUNTY CITIZENS AND VISITORS AND STAND READY TO RESPOND TO ALL EMERGENCIES INCLUDING NATURAL OR MAN-MADE DISASTERS.
FURTHERMORE, ONE OF YOUR THREE-YEAR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES UNDER THAT SECTION STATES, EXPLORE STRATEGIES THAT WOULD FURTHER INCENTIVIZE VOLUNTEER FIRE AND RESCUE PROVIDERS.
PER STATE CODE, SECTION 58.1-3506, LOCALITIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO EXEMPT ONE VEHICLE OWNED BY A MEMBER OF A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT OR RESCUE SQUAD FROM PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES, IF THE CHIEF OF THAT DEPARTMENT CERTIFIES THAT THE VOLUNTEER IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO MEETS THE DEFINITION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL OR A MEMBER OF THE VOLUNTEER AGENCY WHO REGULARLY RESPONDS TO CALLS OR REGULARLY PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES FOR THE EMERGENCY.
MEDICAL AGENCY, SERVICES AGENCY, OR FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE VEHICLE OWNED OR LEASED BY THE VOLUNTEER IS IDENTIFIED.
THE FIRST ATTACHED ORDINANCE WOULD ACCOMPLISH THE AFOREMENTIONED PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR QUALIFIED VOLUNTEERS, AS WELL AS RESCUE SQUAD PROVIDERS.
THE SECOND ORDINANCE ATTACHED WOULD EXEMPT THOSE QUALIFIED VEHICLES FROM THE VEHICLE LICENSE TAX OF $28 CURRENTLY.
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW I DID DISCUSS THIS WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ORDINANCE WITH AMY CARR, COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE, AND GREG VICK, WITH THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION.
HE'S THEIR PRESIDENT, AS YOU KNOW.
SHOULD THE BOARD ADOPT BOTH ORDINANCES ON AUGUST 27, THE EXEMPTIONS WILL TAKE EFFECT THIS CALENDAR YEAR, DECEMBER 5TH, 2024, PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX DUE DATE.
FURTHERMORE, YOUR ADOPTED FY '25 BUDGET INCLUDES A REDUCTION IN PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX REVENUE TO IMPLEMENT THIS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TOOL IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
THAT'S BASICALLY WORDED ALMOST EXACTLY LIKE THE STATE CODE.
YOU'VE GOT THE STATE CODE SECTION THERE.
YOU'VE GOT YOUR ADOPTED VISION AND PRIORITIES DOCUMENT.
YOU'VE GOT THE FY '25 PROPOSED BUDGET MEMO THAT TALKS ABOUT THIS EXEMPTION IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET.
AND YOU DO HAVE THE STATE CODE SECTION THAT OUTLINES ALL THIS AS PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU AUTHORIZE CONDUCTING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THOSE ORDINANCES AT YOUR AUGUST 27TH MEETING.
AT THAT MEETING, IF YOU DO GO FORWARD WITH THAT, YOU'LL BE ASKED TO ADOPT BOTH ORDINANCES AT THAT MEETING.
>> THAT'S ONE VEHICLE, YES, SIR.
>> MY QUESTION IS, I'M FOR IT.
I THINK IT'S GOOD TO HELP RECRUIT PEOPLE FOR THIS JOB.
BUT IF I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT'S WORTH X AND I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT'S WORTH 10X, WHICH ONE IS GOING TO GET A DISCOUNT?
>> THAT WOULD BE UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL.
WHATEVER VEHICLE, IF THEY OWN BOTH VEHICLES, IT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE TO EXEMPT THE MORE COSTLY ONE, THE HIGHER VALUE ONE.
>> THAT ONE IT SHOULD SPECIFY, THOUGH, SHOULDN'T IT?
>> HOW MANY FIRE AND RESCUE MEMBERS ARE THERE IN THE COUNTY?
>> I DON'T HAVE THAT NUMBER OFF MY HEAD.
>> GREG VICK COULD COME UP WITH THAT.
>> BUT WE ESTIMATED DEDUCTING THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE OUT OF YOUR ADOPTED BUDGET BASED ON WHAT IT WOULD PER SE, COST THE COUNTY, WHICH WAS, I THINK, A LITTLE OVER 216,000.
>> 216,000 IS WHAT WE DEDUCTED.
I BELIEVE THERE ARE ABOUT 270 VOLUNTEERS WITHIN THE COUNTY.
[00:55:04]
>> AND IT'S ONLY VOLUNTEERS, NOT THE HIRED.
>> YEAH. IT'S ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS THAT RESPOND TO CALLS.
>> AND IT'S UP TO THE CHIEF OF EACH AGENCY TO DETERMINE WHO REGULARLY RESPONDS.
YOUR ORDINANCE IS WORDED JUST BASICALLY THE STATE CODE READS IN EFFECT.
>> WE'LL FIND ALL THAT WHEN WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING, I GUESS.
ANY OTHER QUESTION? MOTION TO MOVE THIS ON TO A PUBLIC HEARING?
>> WILL THAT BE NEXT MONTH OR?
>> MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOMEBODY FROM THEM.
NUMBER 12. REIMBURSEMENT RESOLUTION FOR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, REST TO ADOPT.
[12. Reimbursement Resolution for Capital Expenditures]
>> THIS IS A REIMBURSEMENT RESOLUTION, AS YOU JUST STATED, AS APPROVED IN THE ADOPTED FY '25 BUDGET.
WE WILL BE MOVING FORWARD ON THE PURCHASE OF MULTIPLE VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT INCLUDING SIX PICKUP TRUCKS, FIVE SCHOOL BUSES, A ROLL-OFF TRASH TRUCK, AND AN EXCAVATOR.
WE INTEND TO FINANCE THESE VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT THROUGH VML/VACO FINANCES THE COUNTY HAS DONE BEFORE.
IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE PURCHASES, WE REQUEST THE BOARD ADOPT THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION, WHICH WILL ALLOW THE COUNTY TO REIMBURSE ITSELF USING FINANCING PROCEEDS.
THIS IS A TYPICAL THING THAT LOCALITIES DO TO REIMBURSE THEMSELVES.
THE ITEM HAS SET VARIOUS BUILDOUT DATES, AND WE HAVE FOUND IT MOST COST-EFFECTIVE TO COMBINE THE FINANCING.
ALL ITEMS ARE BEING PURCHASED THROUGH EITHER A STATE CONTRACT OR COOPERATIVE PROCUREMENT OR COOPERATIVE CONTRACT FOR BEST PRICING.
AND YOU DO HAVE A RESOLUTION TO REIMBURSE OURSELVES FOR THOSE EXPENSES.
>> AS USUAL FIVE BUSES WE GET TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
>> YEAH, BUT THIS IS ALL EVERYTHING WE DISCUSSED AND HASHED OUT WITH THE BUDGET, SO I'M MAKING A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE OF THE RESOLUTION.
>> SECOND. ANY FURTHER SECOND.
>> UNANIMOUS. WE STARTED THIS WAY BACK 12, 13 YEARS AGO.
WE'LL PROBABLY SEE THE SCHOOL BUS FLEET.
WE HAVE ONE ITEM I SEE ON LATE-ARRIVING MATTERS, NUMBER 13.
[Additional Item]
IF YOU'RE AWARE, RECENTLY, I THINK THE SCHOOL BOARD HAD DISCUSSED A CHARTER CONSIDERING CHARTER RULES THAT WOULD GOVERN THE TWO BOARDS ENGAGING IN MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE.I BELIEVE THAT'S IN PROCESS NOW.
THAT'S GOING TO GO TO THE SCHOOL BOARD THE NEXT MEETING, AND WE'LL SEE WHAT THAT SHOWS.
WE CERTAINLY WANT THAT TO MOVE FORWARD AND MAKE SURE IT'S A PROCESS FOR THERE'S FREE EXCHANGE OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
SOME OF US HAVE BEEN TALKING AND LOOKING AT THINGS, AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MR. GILLETTE.
WE HAD VISITED WITH A COUPLE OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS THAT WANTED TO MEET AND THEY ARE WORKING LIKE MR. EDWARDS SAID, THEY'RE WORKING ON A CHARTER FOR THE TWO BOARDS TO COME TOGETHER TO TRY TO HELP WITH RELATIONSHIPS.
WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A STARTING POINT THERE THAT WILL GET A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
THERE'S A COMMITTEE THAT AUDITS ALL OF YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES ONCE A YEAR NOW.
I'M GOING TO INQUIRE WITH THEM TO SEE IF THEY CAN GIVE US ANY INFORMATION AS TO THAT, WHAT MIGHT HELP US COME TO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD.
[01:00:04]
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE SCHOOL BOARD HAVE COMMON GROUND TO BEGIN THESE DISCUSSIONS.I'LL HAVE MORE INFORMATION AT THE NEXT MEETING.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ THAT? WHAT OUR INQUIRY WOULD BE?
I GOT A NAME OF A PERSON IN RICHMOND THAT SERVES ON THAT COMMITTEE, WITH THAT AUDIT COMMITTEE, AND HE GAVE ME THE CONTACT INFORMATION.
I DRAFTED UP. THIS IS JUST A DRAFT.
IT SAYS I'M WRITING TO SEEK ASSISTANCE WITH A FORENSIC ARTICLE OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOLS.
SOUTHAMPTON CITIZENS VOTED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD, WHICH WILL TAKE THREE YEARS TO FULLY SEAT ALL ELECTED MEMBERS.
THE CURRENT BOARD IS A MIXTURE OF APPOINTED MEMBERS AND THREE NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS.
CURRENTLY, THE SCHOOL BOARD IS DRAFTING A CHARTER TO SET UP A PROCESS THAT WILL AID IN FUTURE MEETINGS TO DISCUSS ISSUES BETWEEN THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
WHEN REVIEW OF THE CHARTER, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO BEGIN ON NEUTRAL GROUND FOR BOTH BOARDS REGARDING THE OVERALL GOVERNANCE, HIRING PRACTICES, PURCHASING ATTRITION RATES, RECORD DOCUMENTATION, STIPENDS, AND SO FORTH.
YOUR HELP WITH INFORMATION ON HOW TO BEGIN WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL.
I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.
WE JUST WAIT AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY.
IF THEY HAVE ANY ADVICE THAT CAN HELP US TO GET THIS STARTED.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE HELPFUL ONCE THEY ADOPT THAT CHARTER.
>> ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? MOTION THAT WE PROCEED WITH THIS?
>> WE NEED A MOTION TO PROCEED WITH IT OR WE NEED IT NEXT MONTH?
>> I DON'T THINK WE NEED A MOTION.
THIS IS JUST FOR INFORMATION AT THIS POINT.
BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO MEET AND DISCUSS ISSUES THAT COME UP FROM EITHER BOARD, I THINK WE NEED A STARTING POINT.
I'LL BRING BACK SOME MORE INFORMATION AND IT CAN BE PUT INTO ACTION OR NOT.
>> I THINK THIS IS A GOOD STARTING POINT.
WE NEED TO GET RIGHT DOWN TO IT AND ESTABLISH WHATEVER WE NEED SO WE CAN MEET ON COMMON GROUNDS AND WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER AND WE ESTABLISH A PROGRAM WHERE WE HAVE A FREE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
I THINK, DEFINITELY NEED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. MORE ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF THIS CHARTER THAT THEY'RE WORKING ON.
I'VE BEEN TO THE MEETINGS AND READ THEIR STUFF AND LOOKED AT THE VIDEOS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
I'M GLAD WE'RE DOING SOMETHING TO BRING THESE COMMUNICATIONS ON BOARD THAT WE'VE HAD FOR MANY YEARS NOW, BUT HAS ANYBODY SAID ANYTHING TO ANY OF YOU ALL ABOUT PARTICIPATING AS A PART OF THEIR CHARTER DRAFTING PROCESS AT ALL? I POSED A QUESTION BECAUSE THEY'RE COMING UP WITH A PROCESS THAT'S GOING TO DICTATE HOW OUR MEETINGS ARE CONDUCTED WITH THEM SOLELY, AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY INPUT IN THAT AT ALL WHATSOEVER AT THIS POINT.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CHARTER IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY FINISHED WITH IT, BUT IT'S GOING TO DICTATE.
>> WELL, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THEY WERE GOING TO LET US REVIEW IT.
>> YEAH, IT'S SUPPOSED TO COME UP IN THE NEXT COMING MEETING, I UNDERSTAND.
>> THEIR NEXT UPCOMING MEETING.
>> THERE ARE SEVERAL MEMBERS WHO ARE DRAWING UP THIS CHARTER.
IT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.
WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE STIPULATIONS ARE.
I HOPE THAT IT'S LIBERAL ENOUGH THAT WE CAN ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WHERE EVERYBODY'S FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS AND BE OPEN.
[01:05:05]
>> GIVE US A FOLLOW-UP ON THE NEXT MEETING, THEN, WHENEVER WE HEAR.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THAT? I THINK IT'S A GOOD BEGINNING.
WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
I CAN GUARANTEE, I THINK THIS BOARD WILL GO ALONG WITH ANYTHING THAT ESTABLISHES THAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP, WHICH WE NEED TO HAVE.
ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THAT? ANY OTHER LATE ARRIVING MATTERS?
>> SECOND. ANYBODY WHO DOESN'T WANT TO ADJOURN?
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.