[00:00:01]
>> OUR OFFICIAL TIME SAYS AT 6:00, SO WE WILL OPEN THIS APRIL 22ND 2025, SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY HERE.
WE HAVE A FORM, WE HAVE EVERYBODY HERE TONIGHT, SO WE CAN VOTE ON ANY ISSUE WE NEED TO.
FIRST THING ON THE AGENDA IS THE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE.
ALLEGIANCE] WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER FOR INVITATION FOR TONIGHT.
>> BACK YESTERDAY. LET US PRAY.
HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME TO YOU ONCE AGAIN ASKING FOR YOUR GUIDANCE.
WE ASK YOU TO SEND YOUR HOLY SPIRIT TO PRESIDE OVER THIS MEETING OF OUR SUPERVISORS.
WE THANK YOU FOR THE COURAGE, THEIR WISDOM, THEIR SKILL, AND THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS FOR THE CITIZENS OF SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
THESE THINGS WE ASK IN JESUS NAME. AMEN.
>> THE FIRST THING WE HAVE IS A CLOSED SESSION.
[1. Closed Session]
RIGHT AFTER THAT, EVERYBODY STICK AROUND AND THERE WILL BE THE CITIZENS COMMENT HEARING WHERE YOU CAN COME FORTH AND TALK ABOUT ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT CONCERNING THE COUNTY.>> YES, HONORABLE BOARD, TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION, YOU'LL NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING.
A MOTION IS REQUIRED TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES.
ONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 3711A5 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 TWO IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 3711A8.
CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTERS REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE PERTAINING TO THE INVESTIGATION OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, THE COURT HOUSE RENOVATION PROJECT INVOLVING DOMINION ENERGY AND A POTENTIAL SOLAR PROJECT SITING AGREEMENT.
>> ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. [BACKGROUND] WE'LL BE CLOSED SESSION.
WE'LL BE BACK IN A FEW MINUTES.
WE NEED A MOTION TO GO BACK IN OPEN SESSION.
[BACKGROUND] WE'RE BACK IN OPEN SESSION.
>> SINCE YOU'RE COMING AT A CLOSED SESSION, YOU A MOTION TO RETURN TO OPEN SESSION, AND A MOTION IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION BELOW, THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION MUST BE VOTED ON INDIVIDUALLY BY EACH BOARD MEMBER VIA ROLL CALL, WHEREAS THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONVENE A CLOSED MEETING ON THIS DATE PURSUANT TO AN AFFIRMATIVE RECORDED VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORM ACT, AND WHEREAS SECTION 2.2 3712D OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA REQUIRES A CERTIFICATION BY THE BOARD THAT SUCH CLOSED MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN CONFORMITY WITH VIRGINIA LAW, NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER'S KNOWLEDGE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS BY VIRGINIA LAW WERE DISCUSSED.
IN THE CLOSED MEETING TO WHICH A CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION APPLIES, AND ONLY SUCH PUBLIC MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING, THE CLOSED MEETING WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED AND CONSIDERED BY THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
>> SECOND. WE VOICE FOR SUPERVISOR CORNWELL.
>> SUPERVISOR EDWARDS, I SAY YES.
>> SUPERVISOR, OKAY, UNANIMOUS.
>> ANY MOTIONS AT A CLOSED SESSION WOULD BE WELCOME NOW.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON
[00:05:04]
A SIGHTING AGREEMENT BETWEEN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AND VAP POWER, ALSO KNOWN AS SYNERGY POWER SOLAR FACILITY SIGHTING AGREEMENT.[BACKGROUND] THAT'S UNANIMOUS.
WE'RE GETTING DOWN TO THE CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD.
[2. Citizens Comment Period]
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS APPROACH THE PODIUM, GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, AND WE TRY TO LIMIT PEOPLE TO 5 MINUTES OR SO.I WILL OPEN THE CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD, VERY IMPORTANT FOR US.
GET TO HEAR FROM YOU AND GET TO HEAR FROM US.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I'LL BE BRIEFER THAN I NORMALLY AM.
MY NAME IS ASH KUCHIN AND I LIVE AT 29018 DARDEN POINT ROAD, AND I JUST HAVE TWO BRIEF COMMENTS TONIGHT.
THE FIRST ONE CONCERNS THE UNPAVED SECTION OF MY STREET.
I HAVE BEEN UNPAVED SINCE THE HURRICANE, HELEN LAST OCTOBER, A SECTION ABOUT HALF THE SIZE OF THIS ROOM, AND I'VE BEEN THE THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES THAT HAD BETTER STREETS THAN MY STREET HAS BECOME IN THE LAST YEAR.
THE SECOND COMMENT, SOME PAPERWORK GOT MISPLACED ON MY DESK AND I MISSED MY $200 SALTWATER PAYMENT IN MARCH, AND I GOT A BILL A FEW DAYS AGO FOR $225.50.
I WROTE A CHECK AND PAID THAT.
BUT I'VE ALSO HEARD THAT AFTER THREE YEARS OF PEOPLE NOT PAYING THIS, THE UNPAID DEBT IS FORGIVEN.
THAT'S $600. MY WIFE SAID, WHY DON'T WE JUST QUIT PAYING IT? I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH YEAR IT STARTED, BUT I'M GUESSING IT WAS AT LEAST TEN YEARS AGO.
I'VE PROBABLY PAID $2,000 IN SOLID WASTE FEES IF I PAID EVERY YEAR AND I HAVE.
I HEAR THE TREASURER COME UP HERE EVERY MONTH AND TALK ABOUT THE TAXES SHE'S COLLECTED, AND THEN SHE TELLS US THE AMOUNT OF THE UNPAID TAXES, AND I USUALLY WRITE DOWN THE THREE FIGURES, AND IT OFTEN TOTALS $2 MILLION.
WE HAVE CITIZENS OUT HERE WHO HAVE NOT PAID $2 MILLION WORTH OF UNPAID TAXES, AND YET THEY BILL ME FOR $25.50.
I THINK THAT'LL GO VERY FAR TOWARDS PAYING UNPAID $2 MILLION, BUT IT SEEMS ALMOST CRIMINAL TO CHARGE ME $25 WHEN I'VE PAID 2000, PROBABLY, AND SOME PEOPLE DON'T PAY AT ALL, AND YOU JUST AFTER THREE YEARS STAY THE HECK WITH IT.
I'M COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT, AND I THINK I SEE SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT, ITEM 16 TALKS ABOUT TAX RELIEF, BUT A SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FEE.
HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO BE CONSIDERED ELDERLY? DOES ANYBODY CAN ANYBODY ANSWER THAT? WELL, I'M 83, SO LET ME KNOW IF I QUALIFY. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LINDA JOHNSON, AND I LIVE AT 18485 LAKESIDE DRIVE.
I NEED TO GET SOMETHING OFF MY CHEST, AND I'M GOING TO MAKE IT AS BRIEF AS POSSIBLE.
AND I DON'T WANT TO THROW ANYBODY UNDER THE BUS, SO I'M NOT GOING TO NAME NAMES, BUT IN SOME CASES, YOU'LL KNOW WHO I'M TALKING ABOUT.
I'VE GOT TO READ THIS I CAN'T MEMORIZE IT.
I'M PAST THAT PART OF MY LIFE, SO PLEASE BEAR WITH ME.
I RETIRED FROM SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOLS IN JUNE 2013, AFTER NINE YEARS AS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR AT HUNTERDALE, AND THEN AT RIVERDALE.
MY EXPERIENCE EXTENDS TO VARIOUS TEACHING ROLES IN TIDEWATER AREA SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS IN MILITARY SCHOOLS IN JAPAN.
WITH THIS BACKGROUND, I BELIEVE I AM WELL POSITIONED TO SPEAK ON SOME OF THE CURRENT CHALLENGES.
SINCE 2009, I HAVE OBSERVED A GRADUAL DECLINE IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM WITH COMMUNICATION REACHING AN ALL TIME BOW, NOT JUST FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD, BUT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS, INCLUDING PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS.
THE CONCEPT OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN PARENTS AND TEACHERS TO SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS IS ADMIRABLE.
YET, ANY PARENT WHO TRIES TO ENGAGE RISKS BEING SEEN AS A TROUBLEMAKER, I HAVE NEVER MET THE SUPERINTENDENT, EITHER AS A STAFF MEMBER OR AS A GRANDPARENT OF A SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENT.
[00:10:01]
I HAVE ALSO NEVER SEEN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR, WHICH MAKES ME QUESTION IF SHE IS EVEN AWARE THAT MY GRANDSON IS PART OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.THE SCHOOL DIVISION'S WEBSITE HAS ALSO BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE.
AS A COUNSELOR, I REGULARLY ACCESSED IT FOR RESEARCH, REPORTS, PARENT COMMUNICATION, AND MORE.
WHEN TECHNICAL ISSUES AROSE, THE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT ONLY ACTED PROMPTLY IF IT WAS AN URGENT SCHOOL WIDE ISSUE, SUCH AS DURING SOL TESTING, WHICH I ADMINISTERED.
FOR OTHER ISSUES, RESPONSE TIMES WERE SLOW AND OFTEN REQUIRED REPEATED REQUESTS TO BE RESOLVED.
THIS INDIFFERENT ATTITUDE HAS PERSISTED, AND THE WEBSITE REMAINS SUBSTANDARD REINFORCING MY CONCERN ABOUT COMMUNICATION FAILURES.
THE PRINTED NEWSLETTERS ARE SIMILARLY OUTDATED.
AFTER READING THE FIRST ISSUE, I HAVE LOST INTEREST IN FUTURE ONES.
I HAVE USED THE REMIND APP, THOUGH IT IS FAR FROM IDEAL AND DOESN'T MATCH THE COMMUNICATION OPTIONS THAT COULD BE AVAILABLE TO US WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY.
NOW, I AM GOING TO SAY A NAME HERE.
SINCE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT, MR. CHARLES TURNER RETIRED, TRUST IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DECLINED, WHICH HAS LED TO A TROUBLING LOSS OF TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, PROFESSIONALS, AND SUPPORT STAFF.
LOWER SALARIES IN COMPARISON TO SURROUNDING SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE CERTAINLY A FACTOR, BUT THE REAL ISSUE IS THE LACK OF SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP AT THE TOP.
MANY OF THOSE WHO REMAIN SEEM TO STAY OUT OF LOYALTY OR DUE TO PROXIMITY TO RETIREMENT.
THE DETERIORATING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE SCHOOL BOARD IS ALSO CONCERNING PROFESSIONAL TRANSPARENCY IS ESSENTIAL, AND I CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE SCHOOL BOARD'S RELUCTANCE TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH THE SUPERVISORS OR THE PUBLIC.
THIS LAG OF OPENNESS GIVES THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE IS SOMETHING TO HIDE.
FURTHERMORE, THE SUPERINTENDENT SALARY SEEMS EXCESSIVE FOR OUR COUNTY'S MEANS, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THE AVERAGE CITIZEN LIVES ON FAR LESS.
I QUESTION WHY THE TAXPAYERS WHO FUND HER SALARY DON'T HAVE MORE TO SAY IN THIS DECISION.
I HAVE WATCHED STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT DECLINED OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES.
LACK OF INTEREST FROM BOTH STUDENTS AND PARENTS PLAY A ROLE, AS DOES THE FOCUS ON SOL TESTS, WHICH FORCES TEACHERS TO TEACH TO THE TEST RATHER THAN FOSTERING COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING.
ADDITIONALLY, HIRING TEACHERS WITHOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS FOR CLASSES WITH SPED STUDENTS, OFFERING VIRTUAL SCIENCE CLASSES WHICH DO NOT WORK WELL FOR SPED STUDENTS, AND PROVIDING INADEQUATE PLACEMENT OPTIONS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL TRANSITIONS, ALL CONTRIBUTE TO THIS DECLINE.
WHILE I AM LESS INFORMED ON THE SPECIFIC ISSUE OF PARTNERING WITH FRANKLIN CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT SEEMS LOGICAL TO CONSIDER COLLABORATION, WHICH COULD OFFER GUIDANCE, PROGRAMS, AND IDEAS THAT WOULD BENEFIT OUR STUDENTS.
AS BOTH THE PARENT AND GRANDPARENT WITH OVER 21 YEARS IN THIS COUNTY, I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS SUGGESTIONS TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, ONLY TO BE MET WITH SILENCE OR INDIFFERENCE.
MY 11-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON HAS ATTENDED THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM SINCE PRE-K.
ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF RIVERDALE WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH HIM DESPITE HIS DIFFICULTIES, BUT I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THE MIDDLE SCHOOL'S FAILURES TO ADDRESS HIS SPECIFIC NEEDS ADEQUATELY.
WE ARE NOW EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLING OPTIONS, AND I FEAR WE WILL SOON BECOME ANOTHER STATISTIC IN THE COUNTY'S DECLINING ENROLLMENT.
I AM NOT OPTIMISTIC THAT MEANINGFUL CHANGE WILL OCCUR IN COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, OR LEADERSHIP WITHIN THIS SYSTEM BEFORE MY GRANDSON GRADUATES IN 2031.
IT IS DISHEARTENING TO SEE SUCH A ONCE GREAT SCHOOL SYSTEM DETERIORATE SO QUICKLY NOW.
THAT WAS WRITTEN IN NOVEMBER 8TH, 2024.
A FOLLOW UP, PLEASE GIVE ME A MOMENT.
AS A FOLLOW UP TO MY COMMENTS FROM NOVEMBER, I AM PLEASED TO SHARE THAT CERTAIN AREAS OF CONCERN HAVE GREATLY IMPROVED, ESPECIALLY THE WEBSITE.
IT IS INSPIRING, AND AS A PARENT, DEEPLY COMFORTING TO KNOW THAT FAMILIES ARE BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN IN A PROFESSIONAL AND CARING MANNER.
WE WANT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOLS TO BE NOT ONLY THE BEST IN THE TIDEWATER AREA, BUT AMONG THE VERY BEST IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
THAT SAID, THERE ARE STILL AREAS THAT REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT, PARTICULARLY AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL.
WE MADE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO WITHDRAW OUR GRANDSON AT THE END OF NOVEMBER.
COMMUNICATION WITH ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHERS DURING THAT TIME WAS MINIMAL AT BEST.
[00:15:05]
ADDITIONALLY, IT TOOK FOUR MONTHS, AND NUMEROUS FOLLOW UP REQUESTS TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE EDUCATIONAL RECORDS, DESPITE PARENTS HAVING THE RIGHT TO REQUEST SUCH RECORDS UPON WITHDRAWAL REGARDLESS OF THE REASONS.MORE IMPORTANTLY, I REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.
RIVERDALE ELEMENTARY OFFERS AN EXCELLENT LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM THAT SERVES YOUNGER STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO BENEFIT FROM SMALLER CLASS SIZES AND INCREASED ONE-ON-ONE ATTENTION.
HOWEVER, WHEN WE INQUIRED ABOUT SIMILAR SUPPORT FOR OUR GRANDSON AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL, WE WERE TOLD THAT WHILE A LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM EXISTS, HE WAS CONSIDERED TOO HIGH FUNCTIONING TO QUALIFY, DUE TO HIS LIMITED SOCIAL SKILLS, HE THRIVES IN SMALLER CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENTS WITH INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT.
UNFORTUNATELY, NO VIABLE PLACEMENT ALTERNATIVES WERE OFFERED AS A RESULT AND BECAUSE OF OTHER RELATED CONCERNS.
THAT'S JUST THE ICING ON THE CAKE.
WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO REMOVE HIM FROM THE SYSTEM.
IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT I HAVE NO ISSUES WITH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
I CANNOT OFFER AN INFORMED OPINION ABOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL AS I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OR PROGRAMS. HOWEVER, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO YOU ALL IF YOU GET THE SCHOOL BOARD TO COOPERATE I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT GREATER BUDGETARY RESOURCES BE ALLOCATED TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL TO ENHANCE HIRING PRACTICES, CULTIVATE A STRONGER CULTURE OF RESPONSIVENESS TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENT NEEDS, AND EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ALL DISCIPLINES.
IN CLOSING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THESE MATTERS.
I OFFER THESE COMMENTS SINCERELY IN THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION AND WITH THE SINCERE HOPE THAT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOLS CONTINUES TO GROW AND STRENGTHEN FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL STUDENTS. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WHO'S NEXT? YOU HAVE PLENTY OF TIME. WELCOME.
>> I AM COLLEEN FLICK AT 7447 SADLER ROAD, WAKEFIELD BUT SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY.
I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT SOME THINGS.
I WAS HERE IN 2023 AT ONE OF THE MEETINGS, AND I HEARD THAT WE HAD 481,000 IN OUTSTANDING REAL ESTATE TAXES AND 1,854,000 OUTSTANDING PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES, AND 2,084,000 OUTSTANDING SOLID WASTE.
I DIDN'T HEAR ANY QUESTIONS OR ANY COMMENTS OR, LIKE, SHOCK TO ME, THAT WAS LIKE, IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
THEN I CAME IN 2025 AND HEARD THAT THE OUTSTANDING REAL ESTATE BALANCES WERE EVEN WORSE.
IT WAS 764,311, AND THAT THE PERSONAL PROPERTY WAS 2,077,000.
THE SOLID WASTE WAS A LITTLE BIT BETTER, IT WAS 632,000, BUT I GUESS WHAT I'M WONDERING IS, WHY IT'S LIKE THAT? I'M WONDERING, HAS AN AUDIT BEEN DONE WHEN ALL THIS MONEY COMES IN AND GOES OUT? I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO OVERSEES ALL OF THAT.
I WAS SHOCKED WHEN THIS FELLOW GOT UP BECAUSE MY HUSBAND ACTUALLY SAID THE SAME THING TO ME.
HE SAID, I HEARD THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DON'T PAY THEIR SOLID WASTE, SO WHY ARE WE PAYING IT? I SAID, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
MY OTHER QUESTION IS, WHAT IS THE SOLID WASTE ACTUALLY GOING TO? THAT WAS MY OTHER QUESTION.
THEN I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE SUCH IN DEBT WITH THAT AND WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT.
THOSE ARE JUST QUESTIONS I HAVE.
I WAS HOPING YOU GUYS MAYBE COULD ANSWER IT.
I HEARD MR. WHITE SAY SOMETHING ABOUT A SOLAR FACILITY, AND THAT ALWAYS PIQUES MY EARS WHEN I HEAR THAT, AND I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THAT WAS, AND I WAS HOPING THAT WE WERE GOING TO STILL FOLLOW THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PLAN AS FAR AS SOLAR FACILITIES ARE CONCERNED.
THAT WAS IT. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
>> MS. EDWARDS WILL PROBABLY BE SPEAKING TONIGHT ON OUR TREASURE, AND SHE MAY ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE THINGS.
[00:20:02]
>> WHAT IS NEXT? CAN YOU TALK HERE? YOU CAN'T TALK IN RICHMOND OR IN WASHINGTON. WE CAN TALK HERE.
DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE. ANYBODY ELSE? LAST CALL, THEN WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
NEXT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 25TH REGULAR MEETING.
[3. Approval of Minutes ]
ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DELETIONS OR IF NOT THEN LIEUTENANT AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THOSE?>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY, AYE.
>> THE APRIL 2ND WORK SESSION.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY CHANGES THERE?
>> APPROVED. VDOT MATTERS. NUMBER 4.
[4. VDOT Matters]
>> I'VE GOT ONE. BUT IT'S NOT IN MY DISTRICT ANYMORE, IT USED TO BE, BUT IT'S IN YOURS NOW, BUT I'VE HAD SOME PEOPLE ASK ME ABOUT IT RIGHT THERE AT THE CORNER OF HARRIS ROAD AND BLACK CREEK.
THERE'S A PROPERTY RIGHT THERE THAT PEOPLE AREN'T CUTTING THE GRASS ON IT.
THEN YOU PULL UP THERE FROM HARRIS ROAD, TO TAKE A RIGHT, YOU CAN'T SEE THE TRAFFIC COMING.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.
I KNOW VDOT HAS GONE THERE AND CUT THE GRASS AS FAR AS THEY CAN CUT IT, BUT IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT?
>> WE'LL LOOK IF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CAN SEND OUT, IF IT MEETS THE GRASS VIOLATION ORDINANCE EXCEEDING THE HEIGHT. WE CAN [OVERLAPPING].
>> WE'LL LOOK AT IT. ANYBODY ELSE?
I KEEP REPEATING ON STATESVILLE ROAD SOUTH OF ME.
WATER WAS GUSHING ACROSS THE ROAD BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL PASS IT ALONG SEVERAL TIMES TO VDOT.
>> ALSO, THERE'S A BIG HOLE ON THE CURVE ON BARNES CHURCH CIRCLE IN FRONT OF WESLEY VICK'S HOUSE.
>> ANYBODY ELSE? MR. CUTCHIN BROUGHT UP AGAIN ABOUT THE DARDEN POINT ROAD THAT'S BEEN OUT FOR A LONG TIME. WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?
>> IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT CULVERT PROJECT, I BELIEVE, SOMEBODY, I THINK GEORGE SAID IT WAS SOME CRITTER THAT HAD GOTTEN INTO THE CAUSE SOME ISSUE WITH THAT PROJECT, WHERE THE CULVERT IS.
IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. MANY GRAVEL IS WASHED AWAY.
IT WAS FAIRLY SMOOTH FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
>> I'LL TOUCH BASE WITH VDOT AND GEORGE BOWMAN ABOUT THAT AGAIN.
>> LET'S HAVE VDOT COME TO THE NEXT MEETING AND EXPLAIN TO US WHAT'S GOING ON THERE.
>> VDOT WILL BE HERE NEXT MEETING REGARDLESS BECAUSE YOU'LL HAVE YOUR PUBLIC HEARING ON YOUR SIX YEAR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, SO MAYBE THAT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY.
>> THAT'S ON THE AGENDA. ANYBODY ELSE? NO MORE ROAD MATTERS.
WE MOVE ON TO THE MONTHLY REPORTS,
[5. Monthly Reports]
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, MR. THROWER.>> YES, BOARD MEMBERS. JUST A FEW NOTES.
YOU DO HAVE A WRITTEN REPORT IN YOUR PACKET, VARIOUS PROJECTS, PRETTY LENGTHY.
JUST A FEW UPDATES ON SOME MAJOR THINGS, AS YOU KNOW WE'RE WORKING ON THE FY26 BUDGET NOW.
THAT'S TAKEN UP MOST OF THE TIME THESE DAYS.
WE'RE PROGRESSING ON THE NEWS CDBG PROJECT, THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PORTION PROJECT WITH KCH.
HOPEFULLY, THEY'LL BE DONE IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE MONTHS.
THE RADIO PROJECT, WE'RE MOVING ALONG WITH THAT PROJECT.
WE DO HAVE MONTHLY RADIO UPDATE MEETINGS WITH JVC KENWOOD AND CTA.
JUSTIN HERMAN, OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR WHO'S HERE TONIGHT, AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND I VISITED A COUPLE OF THE RADIO TOWER SITES LAST WEEK.
JUSTIN WILL BE TAKING OVER MAINTENANCE OF THOSE SITES HERE IN JULY, SO WE HAD A LITTLE FIELD TRIP AND VISITED A COUPLE OF SITES. YOU CAN SEE THERE.
[00:25:03]
HUMAN RESOURCES PERSONNEL.WE DO HAVE THE PERMIT TECH POSITION OPEN, AND WE'RE MEETING WITH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND BUILDING OFFICIAL NEXT WEEK TO START REVIEWING THE APPLICATIONS WE'VE RECEIVED AND SCHEDULING SOME INTERVIEWS FOR THAT POSITION.
PUBLIC SERVICE WORKER 2, WE DID INTERVIEW AN APPLICANT, AND THAT APPLICANT HAS ACCEPTED OUR EMPLOYMENT OFFER, SO WE'RE DOING THE REQUISITE BACKGROUND CHECKS AND WHATNOT NOW WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL.
HOPEFULLY, THAT PERSON WILL START HERE IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE WEEKS.
BEALE FARM PROPERTY PROPERTY, AS YOU KNOW WE SENT OUT A RFP FOR A FARMING LEASE, AND WE'RE WORKING ON PUTTING A LEASE TOGETHER WITH ROSE VALLEY FARMS AT THIS TIME TO HAVE THEM FARM THE PROPERTY FOR THIS YEAR.
AS YOU'RE ALSO AWARE, WE'RE WORKING ON THE BEALE FARM PROPERTY WITH A POTENTIAL PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH A PROSPECTIVE BUYER THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH NOW.
WE'RE STILL MOVING FORWARD ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COUNTY FAIR PROPERTY WITH THE FAIR BOARD AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE REBUILDING OF THE FOOD COURT.
AS YOU CAN SEE IN YOUR PACKET, THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR HART COUNCIL.
I'VE BEEN WORKING ON REFUSE SITE PAST FEW MONTHS. WE'VE MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS.
WE'RE PUTTING SOME CRUSHED ASPHALT AND ROCKS DOWN AT SEVERAL OF THE SITES.
I HOPE YOU CAN TELL SOME IMPROVEMENTS AT THOSE PLACES.
WE'VE BEEN VISITING SOME OF THE SITES THEMSELVES, AND I DO HAVE A PICTURE IN THERE WHERE WE VISITED OVILLE SITE ON APRIL 11TH TO LOOK AT SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SHELTERS AT THOSE LOCATIONS.
CARLA AND I CONTINUE TO WORK ON VARIOUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MATTERS.
COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I WORK TOGETHER DAILY ON VARIOUS ITEMS, AND I DO HAVE A LIST OF SOME OF THE MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS AND TRAININGS I'VE BEEN TO LAST MONTH IN YOUR PACKET.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING UP A RADIO TOWER MAYBE AT DOW SCHOOL.
PUTTING THAT TOWER GIVE OFF OF RADIATION.
>> I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND ON TOWERS, BUT WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR CONSULTANT CTA ON THAT AND PRELIMINARILY DISCUSSED THAT WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO SEE IF THAT'S A LOCATION.
I'M NOT A SCIENTIST ON ON TOWER, SO THAT IT'S A PROPER LOCATION.
>> I'M CONSIDERED ABOUT CHILDREN.
THE FOOD COURT BUILDING AT THE FAIR GROUNDS.
IS THAT GOING TO BE COMPLETE SOON?
>> IF NOT COMPLETE, SHOULD BE COMPLETE SOON, IF NOT ALREADY COMPLETE.
LAST TIME I RODE OVER THERE A MONTH OR TWO AGO, IT WAS PRETTY MUCH ALMOST ALL THE WAY UP.
>> ROOT CLUBS HAVING A BIG BEEF BARBECUE.
MAY THE 17TH, AND WE NORMALLY USE THAT FACILITY.
>> WE'LL CHECK WITH GLYNN AND ANTHONY.
I'LL RIDE OUT THERE TOMORROW AND CHECK ON THE [OVERLAPPING].
>> LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT.
>> YES, SIR. IN YOUR PACKAGE, YOU'LL SEE MARCH 2025, COMPARED TO MARCH 2024.
AS OF THE END OF MARCH, WE HAVE COLLECTED 96.18% OF ALL REVENUES THAT WERE BUDGETED.
MARCH OF 2024, WE HAD COLLECTED 88.67% OF ALL REVENUE THAT WAS BUDGETED AT THAT TIME.
YOUR EXPENDITURES YEAR TO DATE ARE RIGHT AT 75.06%, WHICH IS RIGHT IN LINE WITH BEING THREE FOURTHS OF THE WAY THROUGH THE FISCAL YEAR.
LAST YEAR, AT THIS TIME, WE WERE AT 73.77%.
>> ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? TREASURER'S REPORT. I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF BURNING QUESTIONS FOR YOU TONIGHT.
>> I GOT A COUPLE OF BURNING ANSWERS, TOO.
[00:30:02]
[LAUGHTER] THE COLLECTION PERCENTAGES COMPARED TO LAST MONTH, WE'LL START WITH THE REAL ESTATE.LAST MONTH, WE WE AT 99.65% COLLECTED.
THIS MONTH, WE AT 99.68% COLLECTED.
WE HAVE A OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $700,965.61.
PERSONAL PROPERTY LAST MONTH, I COLLECTED 96.04% THIS MONTH, 96.31%.
WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $2,312,273.83.
THIS SOLID WASTE, WE HAVE PASSED THE 31ST MARCH.
YOU MIGHT BE AWARE THAT THE PERCENTAGE IS GOING TO BE LESS.
WE HAVE OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $897,729.27.
I'LL START OFF BY STAYING MY COLLECTION PERCENTAGES ARE BETTER THAN ANY THAT ARE ON RECORD.
I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE CODE OF VIRGINIA.
I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE COUNTY CODE.
AS FAR AS A SOLID WASTE, YES, THREE YEARS IS WHAT I CAN COLLECT.
NOW AS FAR AS IF I GET A JUDGMENT ON SOMEBODY, I CAN COLLECT FOR UP UNTIL IF THEY WERE ALREADY IN A JUDGMENT, THEY WERE GRANDFATHERED IN.
BUT JULY THE FIRST OF 2023, I COULD GET A JUDGMENT ON IT, AND IT'S ONLY GOOD FOR 10 YEARS.
THE STATE CODE CHANGED ON THAT.
I DO HAVE JUDGMENTS ON A LOT OF PEOPLE.
I DO BANK LIENS, I DO EMPLOYMENT LIENS.
IF THEY'RE NOT WORKING, I CAN'T COLLECT.
IF THEY DON'T HAVE A BANK ACCOUNT, I CAN'T GET ANYTHING.
THEIR VEHICLES, SOME I HAVE, HAD THEM WHERE THEY WERE GOING TO BE SOLD, AND THEN THEY PAID.
BUT IF THE VEHICLE, IF THE VALUE OF IT IS NOT MORE THAN WHAT IT WOULD COST ME TO HAVE THAT SOLD, THEN I'M WASTING THE COUNTY'S MONEY TO SELL IT, SO I DON'T SELL IT.
THAT'S THE WAY IT IS ON PERSONAL PROPERTY.
PERSONAL PROPERTY I CAN COLLECT FOR FIVE YEARS.
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO I HAVE BOOTED RECENTLY.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THE LAW AND REMOVE THE BOOT.
WELL, THEN THAT'S A FELONY CHARGE.
AS FAR AS REAL ESTATE, IF YOU LOOK INTO TIDEWATER NEWS, YOU'LL SEE THAT I'M SELLING PROPERTY THAT HAS NOT BEEN PAID.
YOU DO HAVE TO WAIT THREE YEARS BEFORE YOU CAN SELL THAT.
I AM SELLING REAL ESTATE, SELLING PERSONAL PROPERTY IF THE VALUE IS ENOUGH THAT IT'S A BENEFIT TO THE COUNTY.
I CAN GET A JUDGMENT ON PEOPLE FOR ANY OF THIS.
BUT LIKE I SAY, JULY 1 OF 2023, A JUDGMENT IS GOOD FOR 10 YEARS, IF THEY WERE ALREADY GRANDFATHERED IN ALREADY HAD A JUDGMENTS FOR 20 YEARS.
I'M DOING EVERYTHING THAT I CAN DO TO COLLECT.
YOU'RE GOING TO ALWAYS HAVE THE DEADBEATS WHO DON'T PAY.
THEY DON'T HAVE A JOB, THEY'RE DEADBEATS FROM THE GET GO.
THEY DON'T HAVE A JOB, THEY DON'T HAVE A BANK ACCOUNT, THEY DON'T PAY.
I'M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO COLLECT.
IF THERE'S ANY NEW LAWS THAT COME INTO EFFECT THAT ALLOW ME TO DO SOMETHING MORE THAN WHAT I'M DOING, I'LL BE HAPPY TO DO IT, BUT I'M DOING ALL I CAN TO COLLECT.
AGAIN, MY PERCENTAGES ARE THE HALF THAT'S BEEN IN THE COUNTY.
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
IT PROBABLY PERTAINS TO THE "DEADBEATS" THAT DON'T PAY.
WE'VE HAD SOME CITIZENS COME TO OUR PODIUM IN THE PAST AND I'LL BE QUITE HONEST.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN.
>> I RECOGNIZE LIKELY, MOST OF MY COLLEAGUES, MIGHT AS WELL THAT LIFE HAPPENS TO MANY OF US, AND WE MIGHT FIND OURSELVES WITH A JOB OR WITH A CHILD IS SICK OR ONE THING OR ANOTHER.
IF I WAS THAT PERSON, I'LL USE MYSELF IN THE FIRST PERSON IN THIS EXAMPLE, IF I WAS BEHIND ON MY TAXES, AND I RECOGNIZED THAT AND I WAS TRYING TO MAKE RIGHT BY THE COUNTY AND ENSURE THAT MY DEBT SOCIETY WAS PAID, AND I CAME TO YOU BEHIND AND RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT I NEEDED TO PAY MY TAXES, AND I WANTED TO SET UP SOME TYPE OF PAYMENT PLAN TO ENSURE THAT MY DEBT TO THE COUNTY WAS PAID,
[00:35:02]
HOW WOULD THAT WORK? HOW COULD I MAKE IT RIGHT?>> WELL, IF YOU OWE TAXES AND YOU COME TO ME, I WILL TRY TO WORK WITH YOU ON A PAYMENT PLAN.
NOW, IF YOU'RE SEVERAL YEARS BEHIND AND YOU HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHING, YOUR TIME TO MAKE A PAYMENT PLAN IS WAY PAST.
BUT IF YOU REALIZE IMMEDIATELY THAT YOU CAN'T PAY, YOU'VE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL, YOU'VE BEEN SICK.
I WORK WITH PEOPLE AS LONG AS THEY WILL DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO DO.
BUT THEY NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY OWE AND GO AHEAD AND COME TO ME AND GET ON A PAYMENT PLAN INSTEAD OF SEVERAL YEARS GETTING BEHIND, AND THEN YOU WANT TO COME AFTER ONCE I PUT A LIEN ON, PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE A PAYMENT PLAN.
IT'S TOO LATE TO MAKE A PAYMENT PLAN THEN.
THAT'S PAST TIME TO MAKE A PAYMENT PLAN.
BUT I WORK WITH PEOPLE EVERY DAY ON PAYMENT PLANS.
THEN I HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON PAYMENT PLANS, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PREPAYING, IN CASE SOMETHING DOES COME UP, THEY'VE ALREADY PREPAID ON THE CURRENT DEAL.
>> IT'S TOO LATE AT THAT JUNCTURE, MEANING THAT IT'S GONE TO COLLECTIONS.
>> WHAT WILL BE MY OPTIONS BE TO GET THAT MONEY PAID.
SOMETHING'S BETTER THAN NOTHING.
>> SOMETHING'S BETTER THAN NOTHING.
>> AT THAT POINT, IF I WANTED TO PAY SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD I DO THEN AT THAT POINT?
>> IF YOU COME TO ME AS SOON AS YOU REALIZE YOU'RE IN A BEHIND.
>> I'M BEHIND. I REALLY MESSED UP. [OVERLAPPING]
>> SO MANY YEARS BEHIND. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YEAH, SO WE IS AND YOU'RE BEHIND.
I SAY, I WANT TO GET CAUGHT UP.
SOMETHING'S BETTER THAN NOTHING. THERE IS NO OPTION.
>> ONCE AFTER SIX MONTHS, I TURN IT OVER TO TACS IF IT'S PERSONAL PROPERTY AND ALSO SOLID WASTE.
IF IT'S REAL ESTATE, I TURN IT OVER TO DOLLA REED.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, MY OFFICE IS STILL TRYING TO COLLECT BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE LIENS ON PEOPLE THAT AT TACS, AND WE'VE BEEN THE ONES TO COLLECT IT HERE NOT THE COLLECTION COMPANY.
BUT IF YOU'RE WAY BEHIND AND YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO ME, IT'S ALREADY AT COLLECTIONS, AND YOU'RE GOING TO OWE THAT V. NOW, IF SOMEBODY HAS BEEN SICK WITH CANCER AND MAYBE FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS OR WHATEVER AND IGNORED THE FACT THAT THEY OWE TAXES, I CAN PULL IT BACK FROM COLLECTIONS AND THEY NOT PAY THE 20% FOR THE COLLECTION COMPANY.
I COULD DO THAT TO HELP THEM OUT.
>> ANOTHER REASON THESE NUMBERS ARE SO INFLATED TO HER QUESTION.
THESE ARE LIKE THE COMBINED AMOUNTS OWED FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, IT'S NOT THE CURRENT AMOUNT.
>> THAT'S WHY IT'S SOUNDING SO LIKELY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YEAH. THAT'S WHY IT'S SAYING SO BECAUSE THE SOLID WASTE IS THREE YEARS' WORTH UNITS.
>> WHAT ABOUT PERSONAL PROPERTY? [OVERLAPPING].
>> PERSONAL PROPERTY IS FIVE YEARS, AND REAL ESTATE IS 10.
>> THAT'S WHY THOSE NUMBERS ARE SO INFLATED BECAUSE YOU'RE LOOKING AT A COMBINED 10 YEAR IT'S NOT THE CURRENT AMOUNT THAT'S OWED, BECAUSE SHE'S COLLECTING 99% OF EVERYTHING, SO IF YOU'VE GOT LESS THAN 1% THAT YOU HAVEN'T COLLECTED, HOW MUCH IS THAT JUST SAY FOR REAL ESTATE? LESS THAN 1%?
>> THESE ARE THE COMBINED NUMBERS PUT TOGETHER FOR 10, 05, AND 3 YEARS.
THAT'S WHY I SAID ONE OF THEM IS 700,000, ONE OF THEM IS 800,000, ONE OF THEM IS A MILLION.
BUT THAT'S FOR COMBINED, IT'S NOT ONE YEAR OF DELINQUENCE. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?
>> TO MY FRIEND, HERE IN MR. CUSSONS' POINT HE PAYS HIS TOP FEE.
>> RELIGIOUSLY, THIS YEAR, HE'S GOT THE FEE TACKED ONTO IT.
HE'S GOING TO KEEP DUMPING HIS TRASH.
>> BUT IT'S GOING TO RUIN YOUR CREDIT IF HE DOESN'T HE CONTINUALLY DOESN'T PAY THE FEE.
[LAUGHTER] I DON'T PAY MY DUMP FEE, WHAT HAPPENS?
>> WELL, YOU KEEP GOING TO GO? [OVERLAPPING] THAT'S ANOTHER REASON I KEEP SAYING, WE NEED TO GET RID OF THE SOLID WASTE FEE.
PUT IT ON SOMETHING THAT I CAN COLLECT BY DOING SOMETHING ELSE.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT'S WHAT WAS SAID WAS GOING TO HAPPEN BACK IN 2012, WHICH SHE WAS WONDERING WHEN THAT WENT ON 2012 IS WHEN THE SOLID WASTE FEE WENT ON.
IT WAS SAID THAT AFTER ONE YEAR IT WOULD BE DONE AWAY WITH.
IT WAS ALSO SAID THAT WHEN THE PERCENTAGE RATES, THE TIPPING FEE WENT DOWN, THAT THE FEE WOULD GO DOWN, AND IT HASN'T.
[00:40:03]
BUT THAT'S SOMETHING I CAN'T CONTROL.I CAN'T CONTROL AND STOP PEOPLE FROM GOING TO THE DUMP, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVEN'T PAID.
>> WHAT DO YOU BRING IN ON THE TRASH FEE A YEAR? [OVERLAPPING] WHAT'S THE TOTAL AMOUNT? OVER A $1 MILLION, RIGHT?
>> IF YOU DO AWAY WITH IT, YOU'RE JUST GOING TO THROW IT ON THE TAX-PAYING CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY.
THAT'S WHY TO ME, IT'S THE FAIREST TAX WE PAY THE TRASH FEE A EVERYBODY'S GOT STICK.
I UNDERSTAND, YOU DON'T HAVE BUT THREE YEARS TO GET IT.
>> IF WE DO AWAY WITH IT, SOMEBODY'S GOT TO COME UP WITH $1 MILLION, DID IT GENERATE.
>> IT TALKS ABOUT IT EVERY YEAR AT $1.2 MILLION [OVERLAPPING] WE GENERATE 200 MILLION.
>> WHATEVER THAT GENERATES IS GOING TO THROW IT ON EITHER THE REAL ESTATE TAX OR THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX.
WHICH ONE DO YOU ALL WANT TO PUT IT ON? [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, IN ADDITION TO THAT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE'RE GOING TO DO THE SAME THING UNTIL WE FIGURE WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS LAND ONE OF THESE DATA CENTERS.
[OVERLAPPING] ANYBODY IN DATA CENTERS IN HERE THEN WE [OVERLAPPING] DO AWAY WITH IT.
>> THAT'S FOUR CENTS FOR REAL ESTATE. [LAUGHTER]
>> WE'VE GOT THE VOTE FOR THINGS TO COME INTO THE COUNTY BEFORE IT'S GOING HAPPEN.
>> THEY WAY, WE'RE WORKING ON IT.
>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WAS THE 2012.
>> 2012 WHEN WE STARTED SAILORING.
>> IS THAT WAS A STATEMENT THAT WE WOULD REVIEW THIS EVERY YEAR?
>> IT WAS A STATEMENT TO REVIEW IT EVERY YEAR.
>> YOU REVIEW IT THAT POINT WE DECIDED EACH YEAR, WHETHER WE SHOULD DO AWAY WITH IT OR NOT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> WE DID DECIDED THAT ONE YEAR THAT NEXT YEAR IS GOING TO BE GONE.
>> IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE MINUTES, ALAN EDWARDS IS THE ONE WHO SAID THAT WE WOULD DO IT FOR ONE YEAR.
THEN HE ALSO MADE THE COMMENT IF THE TIPPING FEES WENT DOWN, THAT THE RATE WOULD GO DOWN.
THOSE THINGS HAVEN'T HAPPENED.
>> MAYBE WE WERE ABOUT TO PUT OUT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> EXCUSE ME. CYNTHIA, I'D LIKE TO CORRECT YOU ON THAT.
IN THE MINUTES OF 2012 NOVEMBER, THE QUESTION WAS ASKED.
IS THIS FOR ONE YEAR? THERE WAS A COUPLE OF COMMENTS MADE, AND THEN ATTORNEY RICHARD RILEY CORRECTED IT AND SAID IT WOULD BE FOR ONE YEAR WITH REVIEW.
IT DID NOT SAY THEY WOULD DO AWAY WITH IT IN ONE YEAR.
WHAT WAS SAID, IT WOULD BE A YEARLY CHARGE AND COULD BE DONE AWAY WITH BY THE CURRENT BOARD OR A FUTURE BOARD, BUT IT WOULD BE A YEARLY CHARGE UNTIL IT WAS REVOKED.
IT DID NOT SAY IT WOULD BE A ONE-YEAR, AND THEN WE'LL DO AWAY WITH IT. THAT'S NOT CORRECT.
>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT RICHARD RILEY SAID, BUT WHAT DR. EDWARDS SAID THAT WE WOULD DO IT FOR ONE YEAR.
HE SAID THAT THE TIPPING FEES WENT DOWN.
>> YES, HE DID. I'VE GOT THE MINUTES.
I HAVE QUOTED THAT TO YOU BEFORE.
I'VE QUOTED THAT TO YOU SEVERAL TIMES.
>> YEAH, I KNOW YOU HAVE, AND I'M READING THE MINUTES. [LAUGHTER]
>> BUT THAT'S WHAT WE ORIGINALLY DECIDED AS THE TIPPING FEE CAME DOWN, SUPPOSEDLY THAT WOULD COME DOWN.
>> THE RATE WOULD COME DOWN. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN EITHER.
>> ANYBODY HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?
>> THAT'S WHAT SIPS OF A CHARGES US A TON.
I DID COME DOWN, BUT SEE ALL THE COSTS JUST SKYROCKET, TRUCK COSTS, EMPLOYEES, TIRES, FUEL, EVERYTHING ELSE.
>> MISS EDWARDS, I'D LIKE TO READ TO YOU WHAT IT SAYS.
SUPERVISOR EDWARDS SAYS, THIS IS A ONE-YEAR THING? SUPERVISOR PORTER SAID, NO, NO, NO.
SUPERVISOR EDWARDS SAID, SO WE'RE ONLY GOING TO DO THIS ONE TIME? SUPERVISOR PHILLIPS SAID, HOPEFULLY.
SUPERVISOR WEST SAID IT EXTENDS A PAYMENT PERIOD.
MR. RICHARD RILEY SAID THE ORDINANCE TAKES CARE OF EVERY YEAR FORWARD UNTIL THE BOARD OR SOME OTHER BOARD REPEALS IT.
>> WELL, THAT'S CORRECT. [OVERLAPPING]
>> BUT DR. EDWARDS ALSO MADE THOSE COMMENTS THAT I JUST SAID, HE SAID IT'LL BE DONE YEARLY. [OVERLAPPING]
>> THE COMMENTS DON'T MEAN ANYTHING UNLESS IT'S VOTED ON.
>> WELL, THEN YOU SHOULDN'T BE MAKING THOSE COMMENTS IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH WHAT'S BEEN SAID. [LAUGHTER]
>> YOU MAKE COMMENTS, AND OUT OF THE COMMENTS, A MOTION IS DERIVED.
WHEN THE MOTION IS DERIVED AND VOTED ON, THEN YOU CAN SAY THAT THAT IS WHAT HE SAID, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT HE SAID, AND THEY CORRECTED IT, AND THE ORDINANCE IT TAKES CARE OF EVERY YEAR FORWARD UNTIL THIS BOARD OR SOME OTHER BOARD REPEALS IT, AND IT HASN'T BEEN REPEALED.
>> NO, IT HASN'T BEEN REPEALED, BUT I WILL BRING YOU THE QUOTE THAT I HAVE BROUGHT SEVERAL TIMES FOR YOU ALL.
>> YOU'RE NOT READING WHAT I QUOTED.
BUT I'LL BE HAPPY TO BRING IT THE NEXT MEETING. [OVERLAPPING]
>> I'LL BE HAPPY TO BRING YOU WHAT I HAVE.
>> WHO I'VE GOT THE MINUTES RIGHT HERE?
[00:45:01]
>> WELL, WHAT I'M SAYING AND HAVE SAID SEVERAL MEETINGS IS IN THE MINUTE.
>> YOU'VE BEEN SAYING IT FOR FIVE YEARS.
>> I'LL SAY IT FOR FIVE MORE IF YOU DON'T REMOVE IT.
>> WELL, YOU CAN SAY I'M NOT CORRECT.
YOU CAN INTERPRET IT ANY WAY YOU WANT TO INTERPRET IT, BUT I KNOW WHAT I READ.
IT'S RIGHT THERE. PLAINLY IT'S IN BLACK AND WHITE.
>> WELL, YOU'RE NOT INTERPRETING IT THE WAY THAT IT WAS STATED.
>> IT'S NOT FOR INTERPRETATION.
>> WELL, THEN WHY ARE YOU SO WORRIED ABOUT READING IT? [LAUGHTER]
>> BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO INTERPRET THE MONEY?
>> WELL, LIKE I SAID, I'VE BROUGHT IT UP HERE SEVERAL TIMES, AND I KNOW WHAT WAS SAID.
I KNOW YOU ALL TRY TO SAY, WELL, YEAH, YOU'LL BRING IT UP EVERY YEAR.
WELL, YOU ALL AREN'T LOOKING AT IT EVERY YEAR.
I TOLD YOU BEFORE, WHAT MIKE JOHNSON PUT THAT IN THE BUDGET FOR? YOU NEED TO BE CUTTING THE BUDGET BY THAT AMOUNT SO YOU CAN DO AWAY WITH IT.
THAT WAS JUST USED TO GET THROUGH WHAT WANTED TO BE FUNDED FOR 2012 WHEN THEY WERE DOING THE BUDGET.
THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS JUST ADDED TO PUT IN THERE TO COVER WHAT HE WANTED IN THE BUDGET.
>> IT WAS PUT IN THE BUDGET BECAUSE WE WERE AT A POINT THAT WE WERE HAVING TO TAKE FUNDS FROM THE FUND BALANCE EVERY YEAR, AND OUR FUND BALANCE HAD GOTTEN DOWN TO $4 MILLION AND WE HAD TO FIND A WAY TO STOP TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE FUND BALANCE AND HAVE THAT SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FEE SEEMED TO BE THE FAIREST WAY TO DO IT.
IT'S NOT EASY, BUT THAT'S WHAT WAS DONE.
>> TAXES ARE JUST NOT FUN FOR ANYBODY. NOBODY LOVES IT.
BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE A WAY TO COME UP WITH THE REVENUE TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE COUNTY.
I CERTAINLY LIKE THE FACT THAT ALTHOUGH WE HAVE THE TRASH FEE, THERE IS SOME RELIEF OFFERED TO PERSONS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY PAYING.
I THINK THAT HELPS TO MAKE THIS AS FAIR AS WE CAN MAKE IT.
I DON'T LIKE IT, BUT I THINK IT'S THE BEST THING THAT WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO APPLY, BUT ONCE THEY FIND OUT THAT THEY'VE GOT TO SHOW ALL OF THEIR FINANCIAL INFORMATION, THEN THEY JUST BACK OFF AND DON'T APPLY.
>> IT SHOULD BE ALSO NOTED THAT THE COUNTY PROBABLY FACE THAT FEE TO $100 MORE THAN YOUR 200 ALL YOUR TRASH, IS THAT NOT CORRECT?
>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN EDWARDS.
WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT THE LAST BUDGET MEETING, AND THERE PROS AND CONS, BOTH WAYS ON A TAX VERSUS A FEE, AND YOU CAN DEBATE BOTH WAYS.
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF YOU TRIED TO SET UP TRASH COLLECTION AS A TRUE ENTERPRISE FUND WHERE THE COST OF THE SERVICE WAS COVERED BY THE FEE, YOU WOULD HAVE TO INCREASE THE FEE TO $300 OR $400.
IN ESSENCE, YOUR TAXES ARE ALREADY SUBSIDIZING TRASH COLLECTION COST ABOVE THE $200 YOU PAY REGARDLESS.
IF WE TRY TO MAKE A CHOICE. [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT DIDN'T EVEN PAYING DIDN'T COVER THAT.
>> YOUR $200 IS NOT COVERING THE COST OF THE SERVICE.
TAXES ARE ALREADY "PAYING" FOR PART OF THE SERVICE, REGARDLESS.
>> IT'S NOT FAIR TO ASSUME THAT WE DON'T LOOK AT THIS EVERY SINGLE YEAR, BECAUSE WE HAVE EVERY SINGLE YEAR, I'VE SERVED ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE.
WE'VE LOOKED AT THIS WITH A FINE TUNE.
>> WHAT ARE WE GOING TO CUT BY $1.2 MILLION TO COVER THE COST OF THE SUBSIDY? IF YOU WILL, WHOSE BUDGET ARE WE GOING TO CUT BY 1.2 MILLION TO SCHOOLS TO SHERIFFS? IT'S GOT TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE.
[LAUGHTER] OH, WE'RE GOING TO RAISE PERSONAL PROPERTY, WITH NO SHARE. DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
>> THAT'S THE REALITY OF IT THE MONEY'S GOT TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE.
WE'RE GOING TO RAISE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES OR THE REAL ESTATE TAX TO ACCOMMODATE THE $1.2 MILLION INCREASE THAT IS GOING TO COST TO SUBSIDIZE THE TRASH DISPOSAL FEE BY THAT MUCH.
WE LOOK AT IT EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
A MEANS OF TRYING TO DO AWAY, BUT THEY DON'T THINK, NONE OF US LIKE IT. NONE OF US DO.
>> SAID 50 CENTS ON THE PERSONAL PROPERTY THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT.
>> WE DON'T WANT TO CUT ANYBODY'S BUDGET BY ANOTHER $1.2 MILLION.
WE DON'T WANT TO RAISE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES.
WE DON'T WANT TO RAISE THE REAL ESTATE TAX.
THEREFORE, THE FAIREST ONE OF THEM ALL THAT WE RESOLVE OURSELVES TO EVERY SINGLE YEAR IS THE DON'T FEE THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE BEFORE FIVE FOR THE SIX OF US WERE EVEN HERE TO START WITH.
DO ELLIS WAS HERE, BUT YEAH, THERE ARE SEVERAL THAT WEREN'T.
>> WELL, EITHER BE 50 CENTS ON THAT OR 4 CENTS ON THE REAL ESTATE.
SO MAYBE WE BE TO LEAVE IT UP TO PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.
THE HONORARY PART OF IT IS, YOU GET IT ON ONE LUMP SUM OF THE $200 BILL.
[00:50:01]
COMES IN THAT'S WHAT IF YOU LIVED IN FRANKLIN, YOU'D BE PAYING $17 A MONTH THROUGH YOUR BILLS.>> YOU'LL ALSO BE PAYING A HUGE ELECTRIC BILL IF YOU LIVE IN FRANKLIN.
>> THIS HAS REALLY GENERATED SOME GOOD DISCUSSION.
>> ONE OTHER THING THAT I'M DOING TO COLLECT, IF YOU ARE GETTING A TAX REFUND AND YOU HAVEN'T PAID YOUR TAXES, I'M GOING TO GET THAT REFUND.
I'M GOING TO BE COLLECTING A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY BECAUSE THE STATE'S GIVING THAT $200 REFUND TO INDIVIDUALS AND 400 TO A MARRIED COUPLE.
I WANT TO BE GETTING A WHOLE LOT OF $200 WHEN THAT COMES.
>> YOU HAVE VERY GOOD EXPLANATION.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR DISCUSSION TONIGHT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER, AND JUST REMEMBER.
YEAH, IT'S THE BEST COLLECTION RATE WE'VE HAD.
>> I'M AFRAID TO ASK YOU ANY. [LAUGHTER]
>> OH, YOU'RE AFRAID TO ASK ME ANY.
>> WE'LL MOVE ON TO ANIMAL CONTROL, ANYTHING, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
BLACKWATER REGIONAL LIBRARY, SOLID WASTE QUANTITIES.
MOVE ON NUMBER 6, FINANCIAL MATTERS.
[6. Financial Matters]
THE BILLS LIST. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BILLS LIST?>> IF NOT, THEN WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION, GENERAL FUND. MR. SCHROER?
>> YES. WE DO HAVE AN APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION FOR THE GENERAL FUND OF $1,807,922.81 AND REVENUE FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, LINETTE, I WILL BE TO ANSWER THOSE, BUT IT'S JUST A REGULAR APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THAT AMOUNT.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RESOLUTION.
IT'S OUR PUBLIC HEARING OF THE NIGHT,
[7. Public Hearing - Rezoning - Request by Robert T. Parker]
WHICH IS A REZONING QUEST BY MR. ROBERT T. PARKER.WE HAVE OUR ECONOMIC PLANNER HERE, MR. J RANDALL, AND HE WOULD GIVE US A RUNDOWN ON THIS, PLEASE.
>> GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
TONIGHT, YOU HAVE A RESCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATION OF ROBERT T. PARKER.
THIS IS FOR A CHANGE IN ZONING CLASSIFICATION FROM M1 LIMITED INDUSTRIAL TO A1 AGRICULTURAL FOR A 3.9 ACRE PARCEL.
THE PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION IS TO ALLOW FOR A PRIMARY RESIDENCE TO BE ESTABLISHED ON THE PROPERTY.
THE PARCELS ON THE EAST SIDE OF OLD CART ROAD, APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF MILE SOUTH OF THE INTERSECTION WITH INDIANTOWN ROAD.
SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS APPLICATION AT THEIR MEETING FEBRUARY 13TH, 2025.
YOU DO HAVE A COPY OF THE APPROVED MINUTES FROM THIS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING IN YOUR PLANNING REPORT PACKAGE.
AFTER DISCUSSING THE MATTER, THE PLANNING COMMISSION MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ZONING CHANGE REQUEST.
THE MOTION WAS ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY EIGHT TO ZERO.
SHOULD THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THOSE.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. RANDALL? THANK YOU, SIR. WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ISSUE.
ANYBODY LIKE TO SPEAK OR COMMENT ON THIS ISSUE.
>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ROBERT PARKER AND 28210 SOUTHAMPTON PARKWAY.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO REQUEST MY APPROVAL FOR REZONING.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR THIS COLEMAN? WE THANK YOU.
>> ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS PUBLIC HEARING? IF NOT, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT.
>> APPROVE THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION>.
>> IT IS APPROVED, SIR. NUMBER 8, BRIDGE NAMING REQUEST FROM MR. WILLIAM COLE.
[8. Bridge Naming Request from William W. Cole - Resolution for Adoption ]
IT'S A RESOLUTION.>> YES, HONORABLE BOARD MEMBERS.
[00:55:01]
THIS WAS CARRIED OVER FROM THE LAST MEETING.IF YOU REMEMBER TWO OR THREE MONTHS AGO, BILLY COLE HAD REQUESTED YOU PURSUE NAMING THE BRIDGE CURRENTLY IDENTIFIED AS THE RIVER RIDGE OVER SWAP BRIDGE AS THE JORDAN WALTER WHITEHEAD JUNIOR MEMORIAL BRIDGE THROUGH THE PROCESS OUTLINED IN STATE CODE SECTION 33.2-213, WHICH YOU DO HAVE ATTACHED.
AT YOUR JANUARY MEETING, YOU WOULD DIRECT THE STAFF TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS REQUEST.
PER STATE CODE, THE GOVERNING BODY IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE NAMING.
IF ADOPTED, THE RESOLUTION WILL BE SENT TO THE COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD FOR ITS CONSIDERATION.
THE STATE CODE ALSO STIPULATES THAT THE COST OF PRODUCING PLACING AND MAINTAINING THE SIGNAGE SHALL BE PAID BY THE LOCALITIES IN WHICH THEY ARE LOCATED.
DO YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION MAKING THE REQUEST TO COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD AND WOULD RECOMMEND YOU MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT IF THAT'S YOUR INCLINATION.
>> I MOVE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO MOVE WITH THAT. A SECOND?
>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION, AYE?
>> NUMBER 9, TAXATION AND EXEMPT BY THE KINGDOM UNITED CHURCH AND JESUS CHRIST.
[9. Taxation Exemption - Request by Kingdom United Church in Jesus Christ]
>> YES, HONORABLE BOARD MEMBERS, AS YOU REMEMBER, THIS ITEM WAS CARRIED FORWARD FROM LAST MEETING AS WELL.
SIDNEY FASSETT, WHO REPRESENTS THE KINGDOM UNITED CHURCH AND JESUS CHRIST, LOCATED AT 21215 BUCKHORN QUARTER ROAD IN CORTLAND, IS REQUESTING YOU EXEMPT HIS ORGANIZATION FROM PROPERTY TAXES AS ALLOWED BY STATE CODE PER STATE CODE SECTION 58.1-3651.
A LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES BY ORDINANCE MAY EXEMPT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS UTILIZING A PROPERTY FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES FROM REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES.
WE HAD A SIMILAR REQUEST A FEW MONTHS AGO.
A PUBLIC HEARING IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO DOING SO.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SHALL ALSO COLLECT THE COST OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION REQUESTING THE EXEMPTION.
BEFORE ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE GRANTING EXEMPTION STATUS, THE GOVERNING BODY SHALL CONSIDER THE EIGHT QUESTIONS OUTLINED IN STATE CODE IN READING MR. FASSETT'S LETTER, AND THE STATE CODE, IT APPEARS A CHURCH MEETS THE CRITERIA TO BE GRANTED AN EXEMPTION.
PER AMY CARR, COMMISSIONER OF THE REVENUE, THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THE PROPERTY IS $383,800, AND THE TAXES ASSESSED AGAINST THE PROPERTY EQUATE TO $2,724.98.
I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU AUTHORIZE CONDUCTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS MATTER AT YOUR MAY 27TH, 2025 MEETING.
>> ARE WE HAVING DISCUSSION? MOTION TO APPROVE THIS FOR A PUBLIC HEARING.
>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT MAY NOT KNOW THAT'S THE OLD VINCENT'S GROVE METHODIST CHURCH AND THEY ARE 501C3, SO IT WON'T BE ANY DEDUCTION FROM TAX REVENUE.
BUT I SUPPORT THE PUBLIC HEARING SO WE CAN GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SUPPORT IT AND A SECOND.
ALL FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING, SAY AYE.
>> WE'LL MOVE THAT TO PUBLIC HEARING ON NEXT MEETING, I GUESS.
NUMBER 10. SIR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO THROUGH THAT?
[10. VML/VACO Financing Resolution - Request to Adopt]
>> YES, HONORABLE BOARD. THIS OFF TO LINETTE.
BUT BASICALLY, THIS IS A FINANCING RESOLUTION THROUGH VML VACO FINANCE TO FINANCE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT THAT YOU APPROVED IN THE CURRENT YEAR BUDGET, AND YOU HAD PREVIOUSLY APPROVED REIMBURSEMENT RESOLUTION AT YOUR JULY 23RD, '24 MEETING, WHICH ALLOWS US TO REIMBURSE OURSELVES, BUT I'LL HAND IT OVER TO LINETTE.
>> SURE. ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN WORKING WITH VML VACO FINANCE TO FINALIZE THE FINANCING OF VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT.
YOU PREVIOUSLY APPROVED A REIMBURSEMENT RESOLUTION, AS BRIAN JUST STATED, AT YOUR JULY 23RD, 2024 MEETING, WHICH ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO REIMBURSE ITSELF USING THE FINANCING PROCEEDS.
THE REASON WE DID THAT IS WE HAD A NUMBER OF EQUIPMENT ITEMS TO PURCHASE,
[01:00:04]
BUT IT IS MORE COST EFFECTIVE TO ONLY HAVE ONE LOAN AND ONE CLOSING COST.THE ITEMS TO BE FINANCED THAT WERE APPROVED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET.
FOUR PICKUP TRUCKS FOR THE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT, ONE PICKUP TRUCK FOR BUILDINGS AND GRANTS, ONE ROLL OFF TRASH TRUCK FOR PUBLIC WORKS, ONE EXCAVATOR FOR PUBLIC WORKS, AND FIVE SCHOOL BUSES.
THE COUNTY WILL BE FINANCING THESE COSTS THROUGH M&T BANK AT A RATE OF 4.112% OVER 5.1 YEARS.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT TO BE FINANCED TOTALS $1,225,617.
ATTACHED, YOU WILL SEE WE HAVE THE FINANCING RESOLUTION AND ALL OF THE OTHER CLOSING DOCUMENTS.
THE CLOSING DATE IS ACTUALLY APRIL 25TH, THIS FRIDAY.
AFTER EVERYTHING IS APPROVED TONIGHT, WE'LL BE GETTING ALL OF THOSE DOCUMENTS SIGNED AND SENT BACK OVER TO THE BANK.
>> GOOD EXPLANATION. ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?
>> JUST LIKE TO SAY, I APPRECIATE LINETTE AND CHRISTIE'S WORK ON THAT. THANK YOU.
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION, SAY AYE.
[11. Livestock Damage Claim - Request to Authorize Payment ]
LIVESTOCK DAMAGE.>> [LAUGHTER] YES, THIS IS AN INTERESTING TOPIC.
ONE I HAD NOT RUN ACROSS UNTIL I STARTED WORKING FOR THE COUNTY HERE.
STATE CODE SECTION 3.2-6553 PROVIDES THAT ANY PERSON WHO HAS ANY LIVESTOCK KILLED OR INJURED BY A DOG, NOT HIS OWN IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE $10 PER FOWL PROVIDED CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET.
HE FILED A CLAIM WITH US, AND IT WAS CERTIFIED BY DEPUTY BRAD MUTTER.
THE CLAIMANT IS ENTITLED TO $120 AS COMPENSATION FOR 12 OF HIS CHICKENS BEING KILLED.
YOU HAVE THE STATE CODE SECTION THERE.
HE IS ENTITLED TO IT AFTER CERTIFICATION.
I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU AUTHORIZED PAYMENT OF THE CLAIM.
>> TWELVE CHICKENS, $10 APIECE.
>> THEY DON'T KNOW. THEY CAN'T THEY HAVE TO CERTIFY, THEY DON'T KNOW WHO KILLED. [OVERLAPPING] EXACTLY.
I WAS JUST WONDERING DOES HE HAVE A DOG?
>> I DON'T KNOW. BUT I KNOW WHEN I TALKED WITH THE DEPUTY, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHOSE DOG IT WAS.
I DO THINK THE DOG IS NO LONGER HERE WITH US.
>> I DID NOT KNOW THE STATE CODE EXISTED UNTIL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
>> I AGREE, I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE BUT IT EXISTS.
>> IT MEETS THE CRITERIA, SO I RECOMMEND WE APPROVE IT. I MOVED THAT WE APPROVE IT.
>> THE DEPUTY SAID THAT IT WAS TRUE, SO CERTIFIED MOTION TO APPROVE IT.
>> WE'LL PAY FOR THE 12 CHICKENS. THING WE'VE DONE IN THAT.
>> JUST INTERESTING. I THINK THEY DID HAVE SOME AMENDMENTS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR.
I'M NOT SURE IF IT PASSED TO INCREASE THE COST OF CHICKENS AND VARIOUS LIVESTOCK.
THESE COSTS COULD GO UP IN THE FUTURE, I'M JUST SAYING.
>> HOW DID WE DETERMINE THE MARKET VALUE OF THE CHICKEN?
>> IT HAD TO DO WITH CODE OF VIRGINIA.
>> I'M SURE THAT'S WHAT WE DID.
>> IF YOU LOOK IN THE CODE, IT'S GOT A DOLLAR VALUE NOT TO EXCEED $750 PER ANIMAL OR $10 PER FOWL.
>> WELL, THE PRICE OF EGGS, THOSE CHICKENS PROBABLY WORTH MORE THAN $10.
>> THE EGGS ARE WORTH MORE THAN CHICKEN.
>> WELL, I REALLY DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS.
BUT THEN AGAIN, I GUESS ONE OF THE DEPUTIES APPROVED IT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW IT WAS A DOG THAT KILLED THEM?
[01:05:04]
>> THEY WENT AND VISITED THE SITE AND EVERYTHING WAS ON PREMISES.
>> AFFIRMATIVELY, RELOCATED TO HEAVEN.
>> I GUESS IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE DEPUTY THAT THERE WAS NO OWNER TO THE DOG.
>> THEY CERTIFIED THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW THE OWNER OR OWNERS OF THE DOG THAT DID THE DAMAGE?
>> THIS IS SOMETHING I'M GLAD TO FIND OUT.
YOU GOT ONE OF THOSE DOGS? I HAD SOME.
I MEAN, THE LADY TOLD ME MY DOG KILLED A CHICKEN.
I SAID, WILL YOU TAKE $20. SHE SAID, YEAH.
>> GLAD I FIND THAT OUT. [LAUGHTER]
>> IT'D BE CHEAPER NEXT TIME FOR YOU TO SAY NOT MY DOG.
>> ANY FURTHER COMMENTS ON THAT? THAT LIGHTENED UP IN THE EVENING A LITTLE BIT.
NUMBER 12, PLANNING COMMISSION ORDINANCE THAT REQUEST TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING.
[12. Planning Commission Ordinance - Request to Conduct a Public Hearing ]
WE REDISTRICTING THE BOARD IS GOING DOWN TO FIVE MEMBERS, AND WE DISCUSSED THAT, AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION WOULD GO DOWN TO ONE FROM EACH DISTRICT, WHICH WOULD BE FIVE PLUS ONE AT LARGE AND ONE FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.WE HAVE THAT AT LARGE IN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS THERE.
ONE THING I SAW THERE THAT SAID MEMBER WILL BE A MEMBER.
I THINK SHOULDN'T THAT BE SHALL.
>> I THINK IN THE PAST, IT'S BEEN SHALL.
WE DIDN'T ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE A LSO MEMBER.
I'M NOT SURE IF WE CHECK ON THAT.
>> LET'S SEE. YEAH, THAT WAS THE EXISTING LANGUAGE.
THE TERM OF THE MEMBER FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SHALL BE COEXTENSIVE WITH THE TERM OF THE OFFICE OF WHICH HE'S BEEN ELECTED UNLESS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
AT THE FIRST REGULAR MEETING BEACH HERE POINTS ANOTHER TO SERVE AS A REPRESENTATIVE.
YEAH, ALL THE WORDING I SEE SAYS SHALL.
>> WHICH MEANS IF NOBODY WANTS TO DO IT, THEN WE'D HAVE TWO AT LARGE, ONE NOT INVOLVING THE BOARD.
EVERYBODY OKAY WITH THAT? WE'LL NEED A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE.
>> IF IT SAYS SHALL, THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE AN OPTION OF HAVING SOMEBODY.
>> [OVERLAPPING] WILL MEANS WE HAVE TO.
>> ISN'T THAT CORRECT, [INAUDIBLE]?
>> [OVERLAPPING] SHALL MEANS YOU HAVE TO.
>> SHALL MEANS YOU GOT TO DO IT.
>> SHALL MEANS YOU HAVE TO DO IT. IT'S COMPULSORY.
>> YOU DO HAVE THE STATE CODE.
THIS IS WHAT THE STATE CODE SAYS.
IT SAYS ONE MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION MAY BE A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE LOCALITY.
THE COUNTY'S EXISTING ORDINANCE.
I DIDN'T CHANGE ANY OF THE WORDING WITH SHALL OR WILL.
THE SHALL IS CURRENTLY IN THERE.
[OVERLAPPING] THAT'S UP TO YOU.
>> YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION BE A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
SOME JURISDICTIONS CHOOSE TO APPOINT A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNING BODY TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION, SOME DON'T. IT'S UP TO YOU.
YOU CAN CHANGE THE DRAFT ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU OR KEEP IT AS IS AND MAINTAIN A MEMBER OF THE BOARD AS A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OR NOT?
>> I'M GOOD WITH IT LIKE IT IS. YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE IT.
>> NEED A MOTION TO ADVERTISE PUBLIC HEARING.
>> THAT'LL BE NEXT MONTH, TOO, RIGHT, MR. THROWER?
>> NUMBER 13, IDA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ORDINANCE REQUEST
[13. Industrial Development Authority Ordinance - Request to Conduct a Public Hearing]
TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING.>> YES, SIR. THIS GOES ALONG THE SAME LINES.
THE PREMISE OF ALL THIS, WE'RE TRYING TO ALIGN THE PLANNING COMMISSION
[01:10:03]
AND THE IDA WITH THE NEW ELECTION DISTRICTS.THIS BASICALLY SAYS, MOVING FORWARD, YOU'LL HAVE AN APPOINTEE FROM EACH OF THE NEW ELECTION DISTRICTS PLUS TWO AT LARGE APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE BY STATE CODE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SEVEN MEMBERS.
THAT'S WHERE THE TWO AT LARGE APPOINTMENTS COME FROM.
SAME BASIC PREMISE AS THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
>> NOW WE ONLY HAVE THREE, IS THAT RIGHT, IN IDA?
>> I BELIEVE IT'S SEVEN, CURRENTLY.
BASICALLY, THIS JUST ALIGNS WITH YOUR NEW DISTRICTS AND TWO AT LARGE.
I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU MOVE FORWARD ON A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THAT AS WELL.
>> SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO GET A QUORUM.
WE NEED AT LEAST FOUR AND SOMETIMES WE DON'T HAVE FOUR, SO [INAUDIBLE].
>> WE'LL HAVE TO BUMP THE MONEY UP A LITTLE BIT.
>> I KNOW THAT. THAT'S WHY I SAID THAT.
>> BY STATE CODE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE SEVEN.
[14. FOIA Policy - Request to Approve Amendments]
THAT'S A FAMILIAR TERM.IF YOU REMEMBER WE DISCUSSED THIS AT YOUR APRIL 2ND WORK SESSION.
WE PUT TOGETHER SOME REVISIONS TO OUR EXISTING FOIA POLICY THAT PERTAINS TO CHARGES, AND WE'VE ADDED SOME LANGUAGE IN OUR POLICY THAT CLARIFIES UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES THE COUNTY WOULD CHARGE FOR FOIA REQUEST.
BASICALLY, THIS IS WHAT IT INCLUDES, SUPPLY COST, AND WE TRY TO BALANCE.
OBVIOUSLY, PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED TO MAKE RECORDS REQUEST UNDER FOIA LAW.
WE DIDN'T WANT TO BE OVERLY BURDENSOME TO BOTH THE REQUESTER AND THE COUNTY BY MAKING CHARGES TOO ONEROUS OR ONEROUS ON OURSELVES BY HAVING TO CREATE AN INVOICE., SO WE TRY TO BALANCE THE TWO TOGETHER.
FOR SUPPLY COST ON RECORDS THAT ARE TRANSMITTED ELECTRONICALLY, NO CHARGE.
PAPER COPY REPRODUCTION, AGAIN, CREATING AN INVOICE WOULD IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE REQUEST, TAKE LONGER THAN JUST FULFILLING THE REQUEST.
LIKE SOME LOCALITIES DO, WE PUT THE FIRST 10 PAGES WOULD BE FREE AND 25 CENTS PER PAGE AFTER THAT, STARTING WITH THE 11TH PAGE.
PAPER COPY REPRODUCTION, ANY SIZE OTHER THAN 8.5 BY 11, DATA CD, FLASH DRIVE, OR OTHER ELECTRONIC STORAGE DEVICE.
POSTAGE GREATER THAN STANDARD LETTER POSTAGE.
SUPPLIES FROM OUTSIDE VENDORS, WE WOULD JUST CHARGE OUR ACTUAL COST.
AGAIN, WE'RE TRYING TO BALANCE BOTH THE COUNTY'S TIME AND THE REQUESTERS REQUEST AND TRY TO MAKE THOSE FAIR AND BALANCED.
WE WILL NOT CHARGE FOR REQUESTS TAKING ONE HOUR OR LESS OF STAFF TIME COLLECTIVELY.
REQUESTS TAKING ONE HOUR OR MORE COLLECTIVELY WILL BE BILLED AT EACH STAFF MEMBER'S HOURLY RATE.
THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE BENEFITS.
THAT'S A PRETTY STANDARD PRACTICE.
WE WOULD CHARGE THE ACTUAL COST OF CHARGES INCURRED BY THE VENDORS OR EXTERNAL PARTY.
WE JUST PASSED THOSE COSTS ALONG.
WE THINK WE'VE GOT A GOOD POLICY TO MOVE FORWARD ON THAT.
MOST OF OUR, IF NOT ALL OF OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS ALREADY CHARGE FOIA CHARGES.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT BEEN DOING SO, SO WE FEEL IT'S PROPER TO DO SO GOING FORWARD.
WE WOULD ASK THAT YOU APPROVE UPDATES TO THIS POLICY.
>> IN THAT ESSENTIALLY, STATE POLICIES THAT WILL FOLLOW?
>> THE FOIA POLICY THAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE ALREADY WAS A MODEL POLICY THAT ALL LOCALITIES HAD TO ADOPT YEARS AGO.
SO THIS JUST BASICALLY CLARIFIES.
YOU'VE ALREADY HAD THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHARGES.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT BEEN DOING SO.
THIS JUST CLARIFIES GOING FORWARD THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH WE WOULD CHARGE FOR FOIA REQUEST.
>> WHAT DOES NOT TO INCLUDE BENEFITS MEAN, BRIAN?
>> JUST WOULDN'T INCLUDE HEALTH INSURANCE, FRINGES, ANYTHING ELSE.
WE WOULD JUST TAKE THE HOURLY RATE FOR FOIA CHARGES.
>> ANYBODY HAVE ANY DISCUSSION COMMENTS? IT LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT IT RIGHT.
MAKE A MOTION FOR THAT? I'LL MAKE A MOTION, WE APPROVE IT.
IS THERE A SECOND [OVERLAPPING] TO THAT MOTION TO APPROVE IT?
>> ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION SAY AYE?
[01:15:12]
>> NUMBER 15, PROPOSED BUDGET REQUEST TO ADVERTISE AND CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING.
[15. FY26 Proposed Budget - Request to Advertise and Conduct a Public Hearing]
>> YES, HONORABLE BOARD. YOU DO HAVE, AS WE'VE DISCUSSED AT THE LAST BUDGET WORK SESSION IN THE MEETING BEFORE THAT.
WE'RE ASKING THAT YOU AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET AS IT STANDS AS IT IS RECOMMENDED AND TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 14TH AT 6:00 PM.
JUST AS A RECAP, THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS $87,887,099.
YOU'VE GOT THE BUDGETS FOR EACH FUND BROKEN DOWN BY FUND AND WITH NO TAX INCREASES INCLUDED WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND FIVE DOLLAR RATE INCREASES FOR WATER AND SEWER AT EACH CATEGORY.
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE SUMMARY OF THE BUDGET.
>> MOTION TO MOVE THIS ON TO THE MAY 14TH MEETING.
>> ANY DISCUSSIONS? ALL IN FAVOR OF SAY AYE. MAY THE 14TH.
>> OUR NEXT MEETING, I BELIEVE.
>> MAY THE 14TH, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> I BELIEVE THAT IS YOUR NEXT.
I BELIEVE SO. I BELIEVE MAY 14TH IS YOUR NEXT MEETING.
>> ROBERT IS CORRECT. THAT'S A WEDNESDAY. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
>> A REMINDER TO EVERYBODY. THANK YOU.
>> NUMBER 16, TAX RELIEF FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED.
[16. Tax Relief and the Solid Waste Management Fee for the Elderly and Disabled - Request to Conduct a Public Hearing]
HAVE MR. CUTCHIN HERE.YOU'RE NOT QUITE DISABLED OR ELDERLY.
>> [OVERLAPPING] I'M GETTING CLOSER.
>> JUST AS A REMINDER, WE DISCUSSED THIS AT YOUR WORK SESSION LAST WEEK.
THESE ARE SOME AMENDMENTS THAT AMY CARR, COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE HAD REQUESTED YOU CAN CONSIDER RAISING THE INCOME LIMITS.
BASICALLY, IT RAISES THE INCOME QUALIFICATION LIMIT TO $45,000, AS WELL AS INCREASE THE MAXIMUM EXEMPTION AMOUNT.
ALSO, AS PART OF THAT, THE SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FEE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, BOTH OF THOSE ORDINANCES ARE TIED TOGETHER THAT'S WHY YOU NEED TO HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON BOTH OF THOSE ORDINANCES TO RAISE THE LIMITS.
BASICALLY, AS YOU REMEMBER, THE AMENDMENTS ARE NEEDED TO KEEP UP WITH THE COST OF LIVING INCREASES AND WAGE INCREASES SO THAT THE RESIDENTS THAT DO QUALIFY FOR THESE PROGRAMS WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.
WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT YOU AUTHORIZE CONDUCTING PUBLIC HEARINGS ON BOTH OF THE ORDINANCES AT YOUR MAY 27TH MEETING.
>> ALL IN FAVOR TO ESTABLISH A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS, SAY AYE.
>> NUMBER 17, NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK RESOLUTION REQUEST TO ADOPT.
[17. National Small Business Week Resolution - Request to Adopt]
>> YES. THIS IS A RESOLUTION THAT MR. [INAUDIBLE] FSEDI REQUESTED IT BE ON TONIGHT'S AGENDA.
IT'S JUST BASICALLY A RESOLUTION THAT CELEBRATES NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK COMING UP HERE MAY 4TH THROUGH THE 10TH.
>> [OVERLAPPING] LIKE THE FLOOR, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN EDWARDS, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
AS MR. THROWER SAID, THIS RESOLUTION IS ONE WE BRING EVERY YEAR TO HONOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY.
FSEDI WILL BE HOLDING OUR ANNUAL NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK EVENT FRIDAY, MAY THE 2ND AT THE BUSINESS CENTER FROM 7:30-8:45, AND YOU-ALL ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.
LIKE I SAID, THIS RESOLUTION IS SOMETHING WE DO EVERY YEAR TO HONOR ALL THE BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE.
>> IT'S FROM 7:30-8:45 IN THE MORNING.
WE ARE DOING IT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON AREA, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SO WE CAN GET YOU SIGNED UP IF YOU'D LIKE TO ATTEND.
>> WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION ON IT?
[01:20:03]
>> FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANYTHING FURTHER ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHILE YOU'RE HERE?
[18. Economic Development Updates - Karl T. Heck, FSEDI President & CEO]
>> I'VE GOT A COUPLE JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS I'LL MENTION.
WE WERE AT THE PINE CREST TIMBER RIBBON CUTTING LAST WEEK.
IT WAS A VERY WELL ATTENDED EVENT.
WHITMAN HAS CLEANED UP CONSIDERABLY.
THEY'VE BROUGHT 42 EMPLOYEES TO SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY ALONG WITH THEIR TRUCKING OPERATION.
WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE BEALE FARM, AND WE'RE IMPLEMENTING A GRANT TO HOPEFULLY DO THE SAME THING AT THE COMMERCE.
I'M JUST EXCITED TO MAKE BOTH OF THOSE MORE MARKETABLE AS WELL TO POTENTIAL BUSINESSES.
WE HAVE GOTTEN A TOURISM GRANT TO WORK ON KAYAK LAUNCHES THROUGH THE DRIVE PROGRAM FROM VIRGINIA TOURISM, SO WE'LL BE HEARING A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THAT AS WE GO FORWARD.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WATER THEIR NOTICE TO PROCEED YESTERDAY, SO THAT PROJECT WILL BE STARTING IN THE SOUTHAMPTON BUSINESS PARK IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A GROUNDBREAK IN SEEING THEM IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THOSE ARE THE BIG THINGS. IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE GLAD TO TAKE THEM.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? ANY QUESTIONS? ANYBODY OUT THERE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM TECH CONCERNING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHILE HE'S HERE?
>> THERE HAS BEEN INTEREST FROM DATA CENTERS.
MANUFACTURING IS ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY AS IS WITH [INAUDIBLE] COMPANIES THAT HAVE.
APPARENTLY THAT'S A 203 ACRE SITE OF WHICH 86 ACRES OR SO IS ON THE RAIL SIDE SO THAT CAN BE ATTRACTIVE TO RAIL DEPENDENT MANUFACTURING AS WELL. [INAUDIBLE]
>> I HAVE A COMMENT, IF I MAY.
>> THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, I BUILT IT ON 460 A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND MET A COAL TRAIN COMING EASTBOUND.
IT WAS A CLOUD OF COAL DUST BLOWING ACROSS 460 THAT YOU COULD BARELY SEE THREE CARS IN FRONT AHEAD OF YOU.
I'M THINKING THAT TRAIN PROBABLY CAME ALL THE WAY FROM WEST VIRGINIA.
IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN EITHER HAVE TO DRIVE UNDER SOME WATER ONCE IN A WHILE TO KNOCK [LAUGHTER] THAT DOWN OR SOMETHING? IT'S REALLY UNHEALTHY. THAT'S MY COMMENT.
>> ANYBODY OUT THERE GOT A SOLUTION TO THAT? ANYBODY FROM WEST VIRGINIA? [LAUGHTER] I GUESS NOT. WELL, THANK YOU.
>> ONE OTHER THING BEFORE WE ADJOURN.
[INAUDIBLE], JUST HANDED THIS TO ME.
DON'T FORGET HARDY'S DAY, WHICH IS ON SATURDAY, MAY THE 10H, AS WELL, WE'RE GOING TO.
HE PASSED THAT AROUND AND DOES LOTS OF GOOD STUFF THERE AND MEETS LOTS OF GOOD PEOPLE, AND I WOULD ASK YOU TO COME AND SUPPORT THAT.
>> [OVERLAPPING] AT THE [INAUDIBLE].
IT'S NICE. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE, A LOT OF FOOD, A LOT OF EVENTS.
YOU GET YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKED, THAT SORT OF THING.
WELL, TONIGHT, I MUST SAY THAT THE CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD DID GENERATE A LOT OF GOOD DISCUSSIONS.
THIS GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT HOUR IS VERY SPECIAL TO US.
I THINK THAT'S IT. ANYBODY HAVE MOTION TO ADJOURN UP HERE?
>> WE'RE ALL EXCITED ABOUT LEAVING.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.