Jun 24, 2025 Board of Supervisors

[ Call to Order]

[00:00:09]

GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY HERE. WE HAVE A QUORUM TONIGHT.

WE HAVE EVERYBODY HERE. SO WE'RE ABLE TO VOTE ON ANY ISSUES THAT COME UP.

FIRST THING IS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

DO WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT WILL GIVE US AN INVOCATION? I'LL DO IT. THANK YOU. NO PROBLEM. LORD THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO IN OUR LIVES EACH AND EVERY DAY WE PRAY THAT THIS MEETING COMES TO A LOT OF PEOPLE'S INFORMATION THAT MIGHT BE NEEDED AND JUST GIVE YOU THE GLORY THAT ALL TO YOU, LORD.

AND WE'RE JUST SO THANKFUL WHAT YOU DO IN OUR LIVES EACH AND EVERY DAY. IT'S IN YOUR SONS PRECIOUS HOLY NAME WE PRAY.

AMEN. AMEN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. THE FIRST THING ON THE AGENDA IS CLOSED SESSION.

[1. Closed Session ]

WE NEED A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION. YES.

A MOTION IS REQUIRED TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES ONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.23711A3 DISCUSSION OR CONSIDERATION OF THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY TAX MAP NUMBER 105- 11 FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES OF A RECREATIONAL AREA WHERE DISCUSSION AND AN OPEN MEETING WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE BARGAINING POSITION OR NEGOTIATING STRATEGY OF THE PUBLIC BODY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.23711A5.

D ISCUSSION 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 AND SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY AND SECTION 2.23711A8 CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING THE SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTERS REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE PERTAINING TO THE INVESTIGATION OF THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION.

SO MOVED. SECOND. AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO CLOSED SESSION. [INAUDIBLE] SECOND. SECOND. IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE BACK IN OPEN SESSION. YES. COMING OUT OF CLOSED SESSION, 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 CONVENED A CLOSED MEETING ON THIS DATE PURSUANT TO AN AFFIRMATIVE RECORDED VOTE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. AND WHEREAS, 02, SECTION 2.23712D OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA REQUIRES THE CERTIFICATION BY THE BOARD, THAT SUCH MEETING WAS CONDUCTED IN CONFORMITY WITH VIRGINIA LAW.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED THAT THE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HEREBY CERTIFY 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 THE CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION APPLIES, AND ONLY SUCH PUBLIC MATTERS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED MEETING WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, AND CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESOLUTION. SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VOICE VOICE VOTE ON THIS.

SUPERVISOR CORNWELL. YES. SUPERVISOR WHITE. YES.

SUPERVISOR FAISON. YES. I VOTE YES. SUPERVISOR GILLETTE.

YES. SUPERVISOR UPDIKE. YES. OKAY IT'S PASSED.

OKAY. NEXT ONE IS THE NOTTOWAY RIVER SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATION AND WE'LL HAVE A PRESENTATION BY MR.

[2. Nottoway River National Scenic River Designation- Presentation by Jamie Craig, Beechtree Group, LLC ]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OH, I GET A CLICKER. YAY! DOES IT HAVE A LASER? I DON'T KNOW. THE ONE IN SUSSEX HAD A LASER.

MY NAME IS JAMIE CRAIG, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, IT'S NICE TO BE HERE.

I HAVE A SHORT PRESENTATION, AND I'M GOING TO EDUCATE YOU ON AN OPPORTUNITY THAT'S PRESENTED ITSELF THAT IS UNIQUE TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND YOUR SISTER COMMUNITY, SUSSEX COUNTY. THE NOTTOWAY RIVER, AS MOST OF YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE.

OH, THANKS. THANKS. IS IT NOT WORKING. OH, THERE WE GO.

[00:05:10]

AND I'M GOING TO DISCUSS THE VARIOUS HIERARCHIES OF SCENIC LEVELS AND WHY THIS RIVER IS SIGNIFICANT AND WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY IS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.

THIS IS AN AGENDA THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. WE HAVE A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

OTTO WACHSMANN IS HERE TONIGHT. I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH DELEGATE WACHSMANN FOR OVER A YEAR, TWO YEARS. AND WE'VE HAD COMMUNICATIONS WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN THE SENATE, AS WELL AS IN CONGRESS AND THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

OOPS. WHY IS IT DOING THAT? OH. ALL RIGHT. TELL YOU WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY SLIDE.

I'M DANGEROUS WITH THAT BUTTON. WE'RE GOOD. SLIDE, PLEASE.

OKAY. THIS IS A MAP OF THE NOTTOWAY RIVER WATERSHED.

IF YOU SEE AT THE TOP OF THE MAP, THERE'S AN INDICATION A CALL OUT THAT SAYS STONEY CREEK, VIRGINIA. STONEY CREEK HAPPENS TO BE THE ORIGIN POINT OF NOT ONLY THE STATE SCENIC NOTTOWAY RIVER, BUT ALSO THE ELIGIBLE PORTION OF THE NATIONAL SCENIC NOTTOWAY RIVER.

THE RIVER IS PRETTY CLOSE TO 80 MILES LONG, IT'S THE LONGEST STATE SCENIC RIVER IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE ON THIS MAP, THE DARK GREEN BLOCKS REPRESENT PROPERTIES THAT HAVE BEEN CONSERVED BY THE LANDOWNERS THAT FRONT ALONG THE RIVER.

I COULD PRETTY MUCH NAME EVERY ONE OF THOSE TRACKS EXCEPT FOR 1 OR 2 THAT I WASN'T INVOLVED WITH.

THE GOLD TRACKS ARE PARCELS THAT ARE PRESENTLY IN IN PROCESS.

THE THREE GREEN TRACKS AT THE VERY TOP THE ONE ON THE LEFT WITH THE DONUT HOLE IN IT IS OWNED BY THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, THE ONE IN THE MIDDLE I OWN AND THE ONE NEXT TO IT THE VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH OWNS.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE A WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA FOR DWR.

SO I'M PERSONALLY INVESTED IN THIS, NOT JUST HERE SAYING, HEY, YOU SHOULD DO THIS.

I'VE GOT MY OWN MONEY INVOLVED IN THIS, AND I'VE COMMITTED TO HELPING CREATE A BOAT RAMP THERE BECAUSE IT'LL CREATE A NICE FIVE MILE TRAIL.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO WHY IS THIS RIVER A STATE SCENIC RIVER? THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION, UNDER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S AUTHORITY ANALYZES RIVERS TO LOOK FOR A NUMBER OF CHARACTERISTICS AND THOSE CHARACTERISTICS ARE LISTED HERE I WON'T READ THEM.

BUT BASICALLY, THEY'RE LOOKING FOR RIVERS THAT ARE INTACT, UNOBSTRUCTED, DO NOT HAVE A DAM, AND ARE, AS THEY USED TO BE, MEANING THEY'RE THEY'RE BASICALLY IN THEIR NATURAL STATE.

THAT IS INCREASINGLY LESS COMMON. I SAID THAT THERE WERE THREE ELIGIBLE RIVERS IN VIRGINIA FOR NATIONAL SCENIC LISTING, AND ONE OF THEM IS ALREADY GONE BECAUSE THE DEVELOPMENT HAS OVERRUN THE BANKS OF THE RIVER.

THE OTHER ONE, THERE'S NO THREAT AT ALL, SO IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. YOUR RIVER, HOWEVER, IS REMARKABLE IN MANY, MANY WAYS, AND 72.5 MILES.

I CAN'T ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT NUMBER. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO A NATIONAL SCENIC RIVER IS DESIGNATED UNDER THE NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT.

IT HAS WHAT ARE CALLED OUTSTANDING AND REMARKABLE VALUES.

THOSE VALUES ARE ON THE NEXT SLIDE. SO IS IT FREE FLOWING? MEANING NO MAJOR DAMS. AND THE ANSWER IS YES.

DOES IT HAVE OUTSTANDING SCENIC VALUE? AND THE ANSWER IS IT HAS A VERY HIGH SCORE BECAUSE AS I DISCUSSED WITH YOU MOMENTARILY A FEW MOMENTS AGO THIS LAND IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD DOESN'T TRADE.

YOU DON'T FIND THE LAND BEING SOLD ON THE PUBLIC MARKET IS GENERALLY INHERITED OR SOLD TO FAMILY MEMBERS.

AND SO THE STEWARDSHIP THAT OCCURS HERE IS REMARKABLE IN TERMS OF THE PEOPLE'S AFFINITY FOR THEIR PROPERTY AND BEING GOOD STEWARDS.

YOUR RIVER IS INCREDIBLE TO PADDLE AND FISH. THERE'S TREMENDOUS THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES, NOT ONLY AT A STATE BUT ALSO A FEDERAL LEVEL.

THE AREA BETWEEN RACCOON CREEK AND THREE CREEKS, PARTICULARLY, IS AN AREA THAT HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST BIODIVERSITY SCORES ANYWHERE IN THE STATE ON ANY WATERWAY. THERE ARE OVER 40 SPECIES DOCUMENTED THERE.

AND THEN IT HAS SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC AND CULTURAL VALUE.

AND IF YOU'VE EVER BEEN ON THAT RIVER IN THE SUMMER WHEN IT WAS DOWN LOW AND YOU COME TO A LITTLE DROP WHERE THERE MIGHT BE A LITTLE RIFFLE OR SOMETHING, AND YOU PALM AROUND DOWN THERE, YOU'LL COME UP WITH A SHARK'S TOOTH OR A FOSSIL OR SOME OTHER THING.

I MEAN, I HAVE ONE OF MY CLIENTS WHO HAS A PIECE OF PROPERTY UP THERE.

I MEAN, HE'S GOT PETRIFIED WOOD THAT HE'S DUG OUT OF THE SIDE OF THE RIVERBANK, AND PROBABLY 500 SHARKS TEETH.

IT'S INCREDIBLE. NOT TO MENTION, YOU SEE THAT LITTLE PHOTO IN THE TOP, I MEAN, THE SWAMP ITSELF AND JUST THE THE CYPRESS TREES I MEAN,

[00:10:01]

AND RIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER ON ONE OF THE FARMS, THERE'S ANOTHER TREE THERE THAT'S ESTIMATED TO BE 800 YEARS OLD.

SO THEY'RE THEY'RE STILL SIGNIFICANT EXAMPLES THAT ARE INTACT AND ARE TREASURED BY THE PROPERTY OWNERS.

SLIDE, PLEASE. ALL RIGHT. LET'S HIT PLAY. I'M GONNA LET THIS SPEAK FOR ITSELF.

[VIDEO] I'M RICHARD RAILY I LIVE HERE IN COURTLAND.

THIS IS MY WIFE, ANN. WE'RE STANDING ON THE SHANDS TRACK, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 440 ACRES.

AND IN THE INTERESTS OF GENERATIONS THAT COME HEREAFTER WE HAVE PUT IT IN A CONSERVATION EASEMENT.

THIS TRACK IS UNIQUE TO ME BECAUSE I'VE HUNTED AND FISHED AND EXPLORED AND PLAYED CHILD'S GAMES AND CAMPED AND RIDDEN BOATS ON THIS TRACK ALL MY LIFE.

WE WALKED THIS PATH WE, YOU KNOW, OUR CHILDREN HAVE PLAYED BACK HERE OUR DOGS RUN BACK HERE.

SO IT'S JUST BEEN A NICE AREA FOR THE KIDS AND EVERYBODY TO BE ABLE TO COME AND CAMP AND PLAY AND DIG.

I'M BRUCE PHILLIPS. WE ARE RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE NOTTOWAY RIVER IN SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA.

THIS FARM HAS 956 ACRES. IT HAS BEEN IN MY FAMILY OVER 100 YEARS.

WE HAVE PLACED CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON THIS FARM AND ANOTHER ONE THAT ADJOINS IT.

THIS IS A STATE SCENIC RIVER, AND WE WANT TO MAKE IT WHERE WHEN PEOPLE TRAVEL THE RIVER EITHER FLOATING OR, YOU KNOW, THE RIVER OR KAYAKING OR CANOEING, IT'S THEY SEE HOW IT USED TO BE AND WHERE AND HOW IT WILL BE IN THE FUTURE.

AND WE ARE STILL HOPING TO KEEP THE HARDWOOD FOREST AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

AND THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT HAS ALLOWED US TO DO THAT THROUGH SOME OF THE FUNDS THAT IT HAS GIVEN US.

HAT'S CHIEF AND THAT WAS ONE OF MY DOGS PUPPIES.

FOOTNOTE FOR THE FOR THE CREW. NEXT SLIDE. OKAY.

SO WHY WHY WOULD YOU EVEN CONSIDER ENGAGING IN SUPPORTING SEEKING A NATIONAL SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATION? WELL, DAVID CONMY, WHO'S THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR UP IN SUSSEX, WHO BRIAN HAS BEEN WORKING WITH AND I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH AND I CAN TALK ABOUT, THEY'VE DONE ANALYSIS. THEY HAVE A WHOLE PLAN FOR THE RIVER, AND THEY'VE DETERMINED THAT THE NATIONAL SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATION IS A TROPHY, AND IT'S SIMILAR TO OWNING A HISTORIC PROPERTY OR OWNING A BATTLEFIELD PROPERTY.

AND SO THE PROPERTY OWNERS ON THE RIVER, THEIR PROPERTY IS GOING TO BE THAT MUCH MORE DESIRABLE, BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY GOING TO BE ONE IN THE STATE ANYTIME SOON.

SECONDLY, THERE'S A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE THAT IF OUR PLANS WORK, WE CAN ATTRACT FUNDING FOR ADDITIONAL BOAT RAMPS.

RIGHT NOW I'M BUILDING TWO BOAT RAMPS ON THE MEHERRIN RIVER, ONE, TWO, THREE ON THE NOTTOWAY AND ONE ON THE BLACKWATER.

OH, WAIT A MINUTE. FOUR ON THE NOTTOWA Y, SORRY.

AND SO THE IDEA IS THAT WE CREATE ENTRY AND EXIT POINTS EVERY 5 TO 7 MILES SO THAT YOU CREATE A 4 TO 5 HOUR FLOAT.

YOU KNOW, DELEGATE WACHSMANN CAN TALK ABOUT THAT'S ABOUT AN OPTIMAL DISTANCE FOR AN AFTERNOON.

I MEAN, I THINK HE'S TAKING SOME 12, 13, 14 MILE FLOATS, BUT THOSE ARE THOSE ARE ALL DAY DEALS.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE ON THE RIVER THAT LONG. SO THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO ATTRACT PEOPLE HERE.

STAY IN YOUR HOTELS, EAT AT YOUR RESTAURANTS.

MORE THAN LIKELY ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WILL COME OUT OF THIS, IF WE'RE ABLE TO PURSUE IT IS, IS THAT WE'LL WORK WITH DELEGATE WACHSMANN AND, YOU KNOW, WE'LL TALK TO RYAN BROWN ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A NATIONAL SCENIC RIVER PERMIT.

SO IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN THIS COUNTY OR IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN SUSSEX COUNTY, THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO ON THE RIVER, YOU'VE GOT TO BUY A PADDLING PERMIT. AND THAT WOULD BE A SOURCE OF REVENUE TO HELP MAINTAIN THE BOAT RAMPS AND EXPAND THE ACCESS.

DWR ALREADY HAS THAT POLICY IN PLACE FOR THEIR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE EITHER A HUNTING LICENSE, A FISHING LICENSE, OR YOU HAVE TO HAVE PURCHASE A PERMIT TO GO ON THOSE STATE LANDS, AND THAT'S HOW THEY SUPPORT IT. AND WE WOULD DO SOMETHING SIMILAR HERE. AND I THINK DELEGATE WACHSMANN WOULD PROBABLY BE WILLING TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE, AT LEAST. AND I THINK SENATOR AIRD AND JORDAN WOULD PROBABLY DO THE SAME IN THE SENATE. RIGHT? I THINK WE COULD SUPPORT THAT. RIGHT. SO IT'S NOT REALLY INTENDED TO COST YOU ANY MONEY IT'S INTENDED TO BRING PEOPLE HERE.

AND THE ANALOGY I'LL GIVE YOU IS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL THE COUNTRY TO GET THEIR PASSPORT STAMP IN NATIONAL PARKS.

THERE ARE PADDLERS THAT PADDLE SPECIFIC SECTIONS OF SPECIFIC RIVERS BECAUSE OF THE OUTSTANDING AND REMARKABLE VALUE OF THAT RIVER.

[00:15:06]

I'M SORRY. I CAN'T HELP IT. THEY'LL COME FROM VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. BUT THOSE PEOPLE, THEY GOT MONEY TO.

NEXT. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? WELL, THE REALITY IS AND THIS IS A TREE ON THE RIVER, BY THE WAY, IT'S A 52 INCH TREE THIS WAY. JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEA.

THAT'S A BIG TREE. THAT'S THAT'S WIDER ACROSS THAN A SHEET OF PLYWOOD IS WIDE.

I CAN'T TELL YOU WHERE THAT TREE IS, BUT IT'S IT'S AMAZING.

WE HAVE TO GET GRASSROOTS SUPPORT. AND TO THAT END WE HOPE TO OR ARE PLANNING TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETINGS AND I CAN'T REMEMBER THE DATE.

IT'S SOMETIME IN AUGUST. RIGHT, BRIAN? AUGUST 14TH.

RIGHT. AND SO EVERY LANDOWNER WHO IS A LANDOWNER WHO HAS FRONTAGE ON THE NOTTOWAY RIVER IS BEING SENT A MAILER AND INVITED TO ATTEND SO WE CAN EDUCATE THEM ON THE PROCESS, WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS TO THEM ARE AS LANDOWNERS, WHAT THE BENEFITS ARE.

AND IF THEY ANSWER ALL OF THEIR QUESTIONS. AND WE WILL TAKE A POLL AFTER THIS AND SEE WHERE PEOPLE STAND.

AND IF WE GET SUPPORT AND PEOPLE THINK THIS IS GOOD AND THEY LIKE IT, THEN WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO THE NEXT STEP.

AND WE'RE DOING THIS IN SUSSEX COUNTY AS WELL, I THINK TWO WEEKS LATER.

IF THE GRASSROOTS SUPPORT IS NOT THERE, I DON'T THINK THAT WE'LL GET PAST THOSE MEETINGS, BUT WE KIND OF FEEL THAT IT'S GOING TO BE THERE.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THAT MAP THAT HAVE VOLUNTARILY ENTERED INTO CONSERVATION TRANSACTIONS ALONG THE RIVER, YOU KNOW, YOU FARM YOUR FARMLAND, YOU MANAGE YOUR POND LANDS, AND YOU NEVER CUT YOUR HARDWOOD UNTIL YOU ARE IN TROUBLE.

AND SO PROTECTING THESE HARDWOODS IS WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO DO BY THEIR GENERATIONS OF FAMILY BEFORE THEM.

AND SO THIS IS A NATURAL EXTENSION OF WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING ANYWAY.

AND IT WON'T PRECLUDE THEM IF THEY WANT TO DO A CONSERVATION TRANSACTION, WHETHER WITH ME OR ANYBODY ELSE AND THAT'S NOT WHY I'M HERE THIS IS SOLELY ABOUT THE RIVER. THEY CAN DO THAT LATER. NEXT SLIDE. SO LANDOWNERS ON THE RIVER ARE THE NUMBER ONE KEY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, SUCH AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HERE. AND BRIAN, YOU WEREN'T THERE, BUT DELEGATE JACKSON WAS, AND I THINK HE'LL SPEAK IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION HE'LL TELL YOU WHAT THE RESPONSE WAS FROM THE SUSSEX BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

WE'VE ALREADY BEEN WORKING WITH I MEAN, THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, THE VIRGINIA OUTDOORS FOUNDATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION RECREATION, THEY ALL HOLD EASEMENTS ON PROPERTIES ALONG THE RIVER, AND THEY'RE ALL GOING TO SUPPORT THIS 100%. I'VE NOT CONTACTED THE LOCAL TRIBAL NATIONS BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS, IS THAT ONE OF THE LOCAL TRIBES ACTUALLY RECENTLY ACQUIRED THE BLACKWATER OUTFITTERS.

IS THAT ACCURATE? DOES ANYBODY KNOW? THAT IS CORRECT.

OKAY. SO I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT THEY WOULD OBJECT TO THIS, BUT I HAVEN'T HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.

I HAD A MEETING WITH A CLIENT AT 4:00 THIS AFTERNOON THAT KNOWS THE CHIEF OF THE TRIBE, AND SO THAT MEETING IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE THE NEXT TIME I'M DOWN.

I WILL HAVE THAT AT LEAST THE CATERING PORTION OF THE TRIBE.

AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO WALT BROWN, BUT I'LL HAVE TO MEET WITH HIM, TOO, JUST TO MAKE SURE I CATCH EVERYBODY.

AND THEN I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE A FRIENDS OF THE NOTTOWAY RIVER.

I KNOW WE HAD A RIVERKEEPER. I'VE BEEN ON A CALL WHERE HE WAS ON THE CALL, BUT IF HE WAS IN THE ROOM, I WOULDN'T RECOGNIZE HIM. HE'S NOT IN THE ROOM, IS HE? YEAH. OKAY. THANK YOU. SO WE WOULD CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, ENGAGE THOSE TYPES OF FOLKS.

WE WANT LOCAL SUPPORT. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S IT. WHAT QUESTIONS DOES THE BOARD HAVE OR ANYBODY ELSE HAVE.

ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. WELL, NEXT STEP WILL BE WE'LL HAVE OUR PUBLIC OPINION, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC MEETINGS. WE'LL TAKE STRAW POLLS AT THE END TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE THINK.

AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AND EITHER BRIAN OR I WILL REPORT BACK TO YOU, AND THEN WE'LL FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE.

LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP OUT. RIGHT.

WELL, THAT'S WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS NOT SEEN AS SOMETHING THAT'S BEING PUSHED.

WE WANT TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON IT AND GET THEM COMFORTABLE WITH IT BEFORE WE ENGAGE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN TERMS OF TAKING ANY ACTIONS, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO WASTE YOUR TIME. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. I ENJOYED BEING HERE.

IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU. I JUST JUST WANT TO SAY WE APPRECIATE JAMIE'S SUPPORT AND DELEGATE WACHSMANN'S SUPPORT ON THIS AND IT'S BEEN A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT SO FAR, SO THANK YOU ALL. OTTO FLOATED THE RIVER THIS PAST WEEKEND.

OKAY. NEXT IS THE CITIZENS COMMENT PERIOD. WE SET ASIDE SOME TIME FOR PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT ANY ISSUES THEY HAVE

[3. Citizens Comment Period ]

AND SO THE ONLY THING WE ASK IS YOU COME FORWARD TO THE PODIUM, GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD, AND YOU CAN SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT. WELCOME.

[00:20:06]

MY OFFICIAL ADDRESS IS 12218 STONEY CREEK, VIRGINIA, WHICH IS IN SUSSEX COUNTY.

AND I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK ON THE LAST PRESENTATION.

GROWING UP, I ALWAYS ENJOYED FLOATING THE STONY CREEK AND STONY CREEK, AS WELL AS AN NOTTOWAY RIVER.

I GOT OUT OF IT WHEN I GOT MY DRIVER'S LICENSE AND HAD OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE THINGS.

BUT CAME BACK INTO IT ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO AND REALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE RIVER.

I'VE PUT IN AT CAREYS BRIDGE JUST RECENTLY ON SATURDAY AND FLOAT IT DOWN TO ONE OF DR.

EDWARDS PROPERTIES THAT HE OWNS AND HAD ABOUT 20 PEOPLE JOIN ME AND AND HAD A GOOD TIME ON THE RIVER.

IT'S NICE, SCENIC. IT'S PRISTINE, AS MR. CRAIG TALKED ABOUT.

BUT I'D ALSO PUT IN IT CAREYS BRIDGE AND WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO COURTLAND AND TOOK THAT.

THAT WAS ABOUT A 6 OR 7 HOUR DRIFT. RED THROAT WERE JUST AMAZING THAT DAY.

IT'S OUR NOTTOWAY RIVER, AND OUR SYSTEM THROUGH HERE IS REALLY A JEWEL THAT PEOPLE DON'T REALLY RECOGNIZE.

I REALLY SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN UP SOME ENVIRONMENTAL TOURISM.

SO PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA CAN REALLY SEE THE PRISTINE RIVER THAT WE HAVE, AS MR. CRAIG SPOKE ABOUT, THAT HASN'T BEEN OVERDEVELOPED.

AND I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HIM ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF ON THIS.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF WAYS TO TRY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT, EITHER GO THROUGH THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS RECOMMENDATION OR GO THROUGH CONGRESS.

AND WE'VE BEEN HAVING SOME BACK AND FORTH ON WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO PURSUE THAT.

AND WE GOT TO THE POINT WHERE WE ARE NOW, WHERE I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO REALLY INVOLVE THE TWO COUNTIES AND CITIZENS TO SEE IF THIS IS THE WAY THAT THE PEOPLE AND THE COUNTIES WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD. I SEE IT AS A REAL POSITIVE.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON IT. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE? CHAIRMAN EDWARDS, BOARD MEMBERS, AND MR. THROWER I'M HERE WITH KENNY.

I LIVE AT 23250 SHANDS DRIVE HERE IN COURTLAND.

AS YOU TRAVEL THE INTERSTATE 95 TO RICHMOND MILEPOST 62, COME AROUND THE CURVE AND THERE IN FRONT OF YOU IS THIS VERY, VERY BIG AMERICAN FLAG. YOU TRAVEL RIGHT 288 COMING SOUTH GET ON THE EXIT TO GET ON 95 GOING SOUTH. PERFECTLY PLACED IN FRONT OF YOU IS THIS BEAUTIFUL, GIGANTIC, BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN FLAG.

AND WHAT A SIGHT. AND YOU BETTER TO MAKE A COMMENT, WHETHER IT'S HOW PRETTY IT IS, OR AT LEAST IF THE WIND IS BLOWING IN WHICH DIRECTION THE WIND IS BLOWING. ACCORDING TO GOOGLE, THIS FLAG IS 76FT WIDE, 40FT HIGH, THE STARS ARE 3 FOOT WIDE, AND THE POLE IS 212FT.

THE LARGEST FLAG IN VIRGINIA IS THE 5TH LARGEST FLAG IN THE UNITED STATES.

YOU MIGHT REMEMBER WHEN BLAKE BLAKE FORD HAD A PLACE ON COLLEGE DRIVE.

HE HAD A FLAG AND IT WAS 30FT WIDE AND 20FT HIGH.

I BELIEVE SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY NEEDS A LARGE AMERICAN FLAG.

MAYBE NOT QUITE THAT LARGE, BUT YOU KNOW THE OLD SAYING BIGGER IS BETTER.

THERE'S A GRASSY AREA RIGHT OFF OF 58, RIGHT OFF 58 BETWEEN THE EXIT COMING INTO COURTLAND AND THE EXIT RAMP TO GET ON 58 GOING WEST. I THINK IT COULD BE A GOOD PLACE WE LL SEEN BY THE PUBLIC TRAVELING PUBLIC, COMING WEST FROM FOOD LINE, TRAVELING EAST UNDER THE OVERPASS OVER 58 AND LEAVING COURTLAND WOULD BE A GREAT SIGHT FOR US TO SEE. COULD GENERATE INTEREST FROM NEWS, MAYBE TV, MAYBE OUR GOVERNOR, MAYBE SOME BUSINESSMEN TRAVELING. AND THIS COURTLAND IS THE COUNTY SEAT.

NOW, THAT'S NOT THE WHOLE REASON WHY WE NEED IT.

WE JUST NEED IT BECAUSE WE NEED MORE AMERICAN FLAGS FLYING.

A FLAG POLE SHOULD BE 3 TO 4FT, 3 TO 4 TIMES THE WIDTH OF A FLAG.

SO A 10 BY 15 FLAG WOULD NEED TO BE ABOUT 60 FOOT TALL.

POLE. AND A FLAG STAYS UP ALL THE TIME SHOULD HAVE LIGHTS ON IT.

AND I THINK YOU WOULD AGREE THAT THERE'S NOTHING BETTER LOOKING THAN A WELL LIT FLAG AT NIGHTTIME.

[00:25:02]

AND SATURDAY, JULY THE 4TH, 2026 WILL BE OUR 250TH BIRTHDAY ONE YEAR AWAY.

NOT MUCH TIME, BUT IT WOULD BE A GREAT THING TO SEE AND CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE? GOOD EVENING HONORABLE BOARD. MISS LOWE, MR. THROWER.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING.

FIRST, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR DECISION TO STREAM THESE MEETINGS LIVE.

AS A PARENT, JUGGLING WORK, MY CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, AND LOCAL CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES IT CAN BE CHALLENGING TO ATTEND IN PERSON.

THE LIVE STREAMS HAVE MADE IT SIGNIFICANTLY EASIER TO STAY INFORMED AND ENGAGED WITH OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND I'M TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THAT ACCESSIBILITY.

I HAVE TWO MATTERS OF CONCERN TO BRING BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH ME. FIRST IS THE ONGOING SEWER PROJECT IN BOYKINS.

I KNOW IT IS NEEDED AND HAS BEEN ON YOUR TO DO LIST FOR A WHILE.

BUT I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST, IF POSSIBLE, YOU VISIT BOYKINS TO SEE FIRSTHAND THE CURRENT STATE OF OUR STREETS.

AS PART OF THE PROJECT TRAFFIC HAS BEEN DETOURED DOWN A NARROW RESIDENTIAL STREET THAT BARELY ACCOMMODATES TWO VEHICLES SIDE BY SIDE AS IT IS, AND THE INITIAL DAYS THERE WAS INADEQUATE SIGNAGE AND LARGE TRUCKS ATTEMPTED TO NAVIGATE THESE SMALL ROADS, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND THE DESTRUCTION OF A ROAD SIGN.

ALTHOUGH SIGNAGE HAS BEEN HAS SINCE IMPROVED, ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN MINIMAL, WITH ONLY THE TOWN SERGEANT DOING HIS BEST TO MANAGE THE SITUATION. THE MAIN STREET PORTION OF THE PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON BEATON AVENUE, HIGHWAY 186, EITHER TONIGHT OR TOMORROW. UNFORTUNATELY, PROPER SIGNAGE HAS AGAIN NOT BEEN PLACED IN ADVANCE.

JUST THIS MORNING, A LARGE TRUCK ATTEMPTED TO TRAVEL DOWN AN UNSUITABLE RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN THERE'S NO ROADWORK GOING ON AT THIS TIME, BUT THEIR SIGNS HAVE CLOSED THE ROADS ANYWAY.

TAKING THIS TRUCK TOOK DOWN A CABLE LINE AND CAUSED MORE PROPERTY DAMAGE.

I'VE NOTIFIED MR. HOWELL, WHO ASSURES ME THAT MORE SIGNAGE WILL BE PLACED OUTSIDE OF BOYKINS TO REDIRECT TO REDIRECT TRUCK TRAFFIC APPROPRIATELY.

WHILE I APPRECIATE HIS RESPONSIVENESS MY PRIMARY CONCERN REMAINS THAT THE COUNTY ENSURE OUR STREETS AND STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE ARE FULLY REPAIRED ONCE THIS PROJECT CONCLUDES.

MY SECOND CONCERN INVOLVES THE REVENUE GENERATED FROM THE TRAFFIC CAMERA, CITATIONS AND SCHOOL ZONES.

IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE BLINKING LIGHTS AND THE SIGNAGE THAT DEFINED THESE ZONES, SIGNS THAT ARE DIRECTLY TIED TO THE ISSUANCE OF TRAFFIC FINES.

DRIVERS ARE ONLY TICKETED WHEN SPEEDING DURING THE ACT OF FLASH AND LIGHT PERIODS.

IT SEEMS INEQUITABLE FOR THE SCHOOLS TO SHOULDER THE COST OF SIGNAGE THAT DIRECTLY ENABLES THE COUNTY TO GENERATE FINE REVENUE.

I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE BOARD CONSIDER REIMBURSING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL ZONE SIGNAGE.

ADDITIONALLY, SINCE THE FAN REVENUE HAS NOT YET BEEN FULLY ALLOCATED, I SUGGEST THE BOARD CONSIDER DEDICATING A PORTION OF THOSE FUNDS TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS.

WITHOUT SCHOOL ZONES, THIS REVENUE WOULD NOT EXIST.

DIRECTING SOME OF IT BACK INTO OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM WOULD BE BOTH REASONABLE AND IMPACTFUL.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR SERVICE, AND FOR CONSIDERING THESE CONCERNS.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WHO'S NEXT? GOOD EVENING.

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. FRANK URQUHART 38465 GENERAL HOME BOULEVARD, IBERIA, VIRGINIA.

I'M HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE YOUNG FARMERS CLUB AND WOULD LIKE TO PETITION THE BOARD TO WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR VDOT MATTERS AT 36102 SEAHAWK CHAPEL ROAD IS THE LOCATION OF THE YOUNG FARMERS CLUB.

AND THE LAST COUPLE OF STORMS, WE'VE HAD MAJOR EROSION IN OUR PIPE COMING IN AND HAS WASHED ALL THE ROCKS AND EVERYTHING OUT, AND THE DITCHES NEED TO BE CLEANED DOWN THROUGH THERE.

AND THEN MY LAST ITEM, WHICH WAS AN ITEM THAT HAS BEEN ON PRIOR AGENDA, IS THE SPEED STUDY ON ON 460 HIGHWAY PROJECT FROM FROM IOWA TO ZUNI, THROUGH THE COMMUNITY DOWN THERE.

AND I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU GUYS WANT TO GIVE AN UPDATE ANY PARTICULAR TIME WHERE THAT IS AT.

AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE?

[00:30:07]

MY NAME IS DYLAN TAYLOR I LIVE AT 1642 MOUNT VERNON STREET IN PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA.

I FREQUENT DOWN HERE A BUNCH. I WORK WITH ENERGY, AN EDUCATIONAL NONPROFIT HELPING COMMUNITIES AND CITIZENS NAVIGATE THE CLEAN ENERGY LANDSCAPE HERE IN THE STATE. I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO A COUPLE OF YOU GUYS DIRECTLY, BUT I WANTED TO DO A WIDER INTRODUCTION AFTER LAST MONTH'S PRESENTATION, NOT AFFILIATED WITH THAT COMPANY.

JUST WANTING TO DO EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH HERE IN SOUTHAMPTON.

HEARD A LOT OF GREAT FEEDBACK AND QUESTIONS FROM Y'ALL AND CITIZENS ABOUT WHAT THE PROJECT CAN IS GOING TO DO FOR THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF SETBACKS, BUFFERS AND I DO BELIEVE IT WAS YOU, CHAIRMAN EDWARDS AND SUPERVISOR WHITE THAT SAID, IF YOU CAN MEET OUR ORDINANCE, WHY NOT GIVE IT A FAIR SHOT? YOU GUYS HAVE A REALLY STRICT ORDINANCE COMPARED TO OTHERS IN THE STATE.

BUT YOU DID YOU DID SAY, IF YOU CAN MEET ALL THESE REQUIREMENTS, THEN WE SHOULD GIVE YOU GUYS A FAIR SHOT TO LOOK AT IT.

WE JUST WANT TO BE A RESOURCE FOR THE COUNTY.

AS THESE CONVERSATIONS RAMP UP, I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

AND LIKE I SAID, WE JUST WANT TO BE A RESOURCE.

WE HOST EDUCATIONAL ONE ON ONES. OUR MY PHONE NUMBER IS IS AN OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION ALONG WITH MY EMAIL.

I DID LEAVE CARDS ON THE BACK TABLE FOR ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CONTACT INFORMATION.

PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO REACH OUT IF ANYTHING COMES UP YOU GUYS OR HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT JUST PLEASE, PLEASE CONTACT US. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL HAVE THE MOST INFORMATION POSSIBLE WHEN YOU MAKE THESE DECISIONS, BECAUSE AN EDUCATED COMMUNITY IS A RESILIENT COMMUNITY.

SO AGAIN, I LEFT I LEFT MY BUSINESS CARDS ON THE BACK.

AND I JUST WANT TO BE A HELPFUL RESOURCE TO THE COUNTY AND CITIZENS.

THANKS. HI. THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? LOOKS LIKE NOBODY ELSE. LAST CALL. ANYBODY ELSE? OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE THE CITIZENS COMMENT, PERIOD.

THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR SPEAKING. NUMBER 4 IS APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.

FIRST IS MAY 14TH, 2025. OUR PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING MEETING IS ABOUT TO HAVE ANY QUESTIONS,

[4. Approval of Minutes ]

MAY 27TH IS OUR WAS OUR REGULAR BOARD MEETING.

ANYBODY HAVE ANY CHANGES THERE? MOTION TO APPROVE.

SO MOVED. SECOND? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

ALL THOSE TO STAND AS WRITTEN. NUMBER 5 IS VDOT MATTERS.

[5. VDOT Matters ]

WELL, I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE ABOUT THE STREETS, AND I CERTAINLY AGREE WITH THE PROBLEM THAT EXISTS THERE.

DO YOU HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT? YEAH, THAT'S AS FAR AS I'M AWARE TRI-STATE IS STILL DOING THAT WORK, AND IT'S UP TO THE CONTRACTOR, TRI-STATE, IN THIS CASE, TO SUBMIT A PLAN DETOUR PLAN TO VDOT.

VDOT APPROVES THE PLAN, JASON FOWLER. SO THIS IS THE SAME TYPE OF WORK THEY DID BEFORE WHEN THEY WERE DOING THE WORK OVER IN THAT AREA, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY PASS IT ON TO KIMLEY-HORN, WHO'S OUR CONSULTANT AND TRI STATE AND VDOT TO SEE IF THEY CAN LOOK AT THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE CLOSELY AND TRY TO MAKE SOME IMPROVEMENTS OVER THERE.

SEVERAL PEOPLE LIVE ON DARDEN POINT ROAD HAD ASKED ME ABOUT WHAT WHAT THE PLANS ARE TO FIX EVERYTHING THERE.

THEY'VE BEEN AFTER THAT FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.

ANYBODY KNOW? CAN WE GET A REPORT FROM VDOT ON THAT NEXT TIME? YEAH, I BELIEVE GEORGE WAS HERE FROM VDOT A MONTH OR TWO AGO AND ADDRESSED ALL THAT.

BUT I'LL, I'LL FOLLOW BACK UP WITH HIM ON THAT.

OKAY. THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING? MR. [INAUDIBLE] AND I HAD JUST REACHED OUT TO DAVE REGARDING THE TRAFFIC STUDY FOR THE EMERGENCY SIGNAL LIGHT THERE, AND I WILL RESCUE SQUAD BUILDING THAT WE HAD ASKED FOR SOME TIME BACK THEY WERE DOING ONE THERE, RIGHT, RIGHT THERE IN TOWN FOR THE PURPOSES OF THAT EMERGENCY SIGNAL LIGHT.

SO I ASKED FOR THAT UPDATE. WE'LL ADD THE UPDATE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE FROM TUCKER SWAMP CHURCH TO, I MEAN, TUCKER SWAMP ROAD THERE. YEAH, YEAH, WE'RE THE COUNTY.

WE'RE STILL WAITING ON THOSE STUDIES FROM FROM VDOT.

SO THEY'RE SAME SAME WITH US. SAME WITH US 58 HERE SO WE'RE JUST WAITING TO HEAR BACK.

[00:35:06]

OKAY. ANY OTHER VDOT MATTERS? ALL RIGHT. WE'LL MOVE ON DOWN TO THE MONTHLY REPORTS, MR.

[6. Monthly Reports ]

JUST A FEW HIGHLIGHTS WHAT'S GOING ON. THE NEWSOME CDBG PROJECT, WE'RE WRAPPING UP THAT SOON HOPEFULLY.

STILL WORKING ON THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PORTION WITH KCH CONTRACTING AND WE'RE HOPING THEY FINISH UP SOMETIME IN LATE JULY OR EARLY AUGUST.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO WRAP THAT PROJECT UP, THE RADIO PROJECT.

AS YOU'RE AWARE, WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK ON THAT.

RIGHT NOW, I THINK I MENTIONED AT THE LAST MEETING WE'RE TRYING TO WE'RE LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING A NEW TOWER IN THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE COUNTY.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT THE BERLIN DUMP SITE AS A POSSIBILITY FOR THAT SITE TO GO UP.

WE'RE STILL DOING SOME FEASIBILITY ON THAT, JUSTIN OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR HA S BEEN WORKING ON THAT WITH CTA CONSULTANTS AND THE WORK GROUP ON THAT. AND AS I MENTIONED, LAST MEETING, WE'VE SUBMITTED SOME FUNDING APPLICATIONS TO CONGRESS.

STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK ON THOSE FUNDING APPLICATIONS.

AND BUT I WILL LET THE BOARD KNOW, CERTAINLY, IF WE'RE AWARDED ANY FUNDS FOR THAT PROJECT.

PERSONNEL, WE DID HIRE A PERMIT TECH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING OFFICE.

THAT THE JR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND BUILDING OFFICIAL, LEE GRAY AND I INTERVIEWED.

AND THAT PERSON STARTED LISA BARNES ON JUNE 16TH, AND WE WELCOME HER ON BOARD.

WE'RE ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING A PUBLIC SERVICE WORKER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.

WE'VE OFFERED THAT PERSON THE POSITION, AND THEY HAVE ACCEPTED AND THEY TENTATIVELY WILL START JULY 14TH.

SO WE'RE ONCE THAT POSITIONS FILLED, WE'LL HAVE ALL OF OUR POSITIONS FILLED WITH THE COUNTY.

REFUSE COLLECTION SITES. I'M GONNA GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE WITH OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR HART COUNSELS.

HE'S HERE TO GIVE YOU SOME UPDATES. BUT I'LL CALL HIM UP IN A MINUTE.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK ON THE BUSINESS READY BUSINESS READY SITES GRANT PROGRAM FOR VDP.

GRANT THAT WE RECEIVE TIMMONS IS WORKING ON THAT, AND THEY SHOULD BE WRAPPING UP ANYTIME SOON ANY TIME NOW ON THAT PROJECT.

BILL FARM, WE'VE MOVED FORWARD ON THE FARM LEASE WITH ROSE VALLEY FARM.

SO THEY'RE FORMING THE PROPERTY NOW. AND AS YOU'RE ALSO, WE'RE WORKING ON A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR THE BILL FARM PROPERTY.

WE'RE IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE POTENTIAL BUYER TRYING TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS OF THAT AGREEMENT.

WE DID HAVE A GROUNDBREAKING LAST WEEK FOR PROJECT WATER WITH STANDARD FOOD AND BEVERAGE, THAT WAS A VERY NICE EVENT.

THANK THANK DR. EDWARDS FOR BEING THERE AND FSEDI ORGANIZING THAT EVENT WE HAD.

IT WAS A VERY NICE CEREMONY AND THEY STARTED CONSTRUCTION ON THAT, AND WE'RE HOPING THEY START UP, I THINK, IN SEPTEMBER OR SO. SO WE'RE WISHING THEM WELL AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR DEVELOPMENT OF THAT PROJECT.

AND DO HAVE A LIST OF SEVERAL OF THE MEETINGS I'VE ATTENDED OVER THE LAST MONTH.

I WOULD ASK HART TO COME UP, OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THESE REFUGE COLLECTION SITES LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

AND BACK IN MARCH, I BELIEVE WE HAD A COUPLE OF MEETINGS WITH OUR SITE ATTENDANCE HERE IN THE BOARD CHAMBERS HARD.

AND I'VE BEEN GOING OUT LAST FEW WEEKS AND TALKING TO VISITING EACH OF THE SITES AND TALKING TO THE SITE ATTENDANTS TO GET FEEDBACK FROM THEM ON THINGS WE COULD POSSIBLY DO TO IMPROVE THE SITES AND OPERATIONS.

YOU DID APPROVE $150,000 IN THE BUDGET TO DO SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SITES.

AND I'M GOING TO LET HART GO THROUGH WHAT WE'RE PLANNING ON DOING, AND HE CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

SO I'LL TURN IT OVER TO HART. WHAT OUR GUY'S IMPROVEMENTS AND COST ESTIMATES FOR EACH OF THE TRASH SITES THAT WE GOT AND THE ESTIMATED TIME FRAME.

BERLIN IMPROVEMENTS TO ENTRANCE BUILDING AND PUT DOWN CRUSHED ASPHALT.

THE ENTRANCES WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS ASPHALT THEM OVER IS BY THE CHEAPEST WAY WE SEE TO GO.

THE BUILDINGS, WE CAN DO SOME WOODWORK ON IT, COVER THEM IN SIDING AND THEN TRIM THEM BACK .

SO SADLY IMPROVEMENTS, INTEREST BUILDING, CRUSHED ASPHALT, GEORGE BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS TO INTEREST AND BUILDINGS BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY DONE THE ASPHALT. HANCOCK'S SAME THING ALREADY DONE THE ASPHALT.

IMPROVEMENTS IN CAPRON SAME THING. BUILDING CRUSHED ASPHALT, INTEREST.

[00:40:02]

ADAM GROVES ENTRANCE, OR IMPROVEMENTS TO ENTRANCES AND BUILDINGS BECAUSE THE ROCKS SEEM TO BE FINE THERE.

BRANCHVILLE SAME THING. THE ROCKS SEEM TO BE FINE.

ALL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BUILDING AND CRUSHED ASPHALT AT MONROE RIGHT 258 IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ENTRANCE BUILDINGS AND PUT DOWN CRUSHED ASPHALT. [INAUDIBLE] SAME THING.

IMPROVEMENTS TO ENTRANCE BUILDINGS PUT ON CRUSHED ASPHALT.

UNITY SAME THING. IMPROVEMENTS TO INTEREST BUILDINGS AND PUT ACROSS ASPHALT.

NEWSOMS SAME. IVOR IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO THE BUILDING ONLY BECAUSE THAT SITE IS OWNED BY [INAUDIBLE].

BOYKINS, NO IMPROVEMENTS TO BE MADE BECAUSE SITE AND BUILDINGS IS OWNED BY [INAUDIBLE].

COST ESTIMATES FOR INTEREST WILL RANGE FROM 2 TO $3,500.

THAT'S RE ASPHALT AND ALL THE DUST FROM THE ROAD TO THE GATE.

COST ESTIMATES ON THE BUILDINGS, BECAUSE SOME AIN'T IN QUITE AS BAD A SHAPE AS OTHERS FROM ANYWHERE FROM $1,000 TO $3,000.

ESTIMATED CRUSHED ASPHALT ON THE SITES WHEN YOU'RE GOING UP THE HILLS AND STUFF WILL RANGE ABOUT 6 TO $500 PER SITE.

ALL. ALL WORK WE'RE TRYING TO ESTIMATE TO GET DONE BETWEEN JULY THE 1ST 25 TO JUNE THE 30TH TO 2026. THE ONLY OTHER THING WE WERE GOING TO DO WITH THESE SITES WERE HAVING SOME PEOPLE SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT THE OVERFLOW WE GET LIKE JONAH BRIDGE, SADLY. WHERE WE CAN FIT THEM IN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE AN EXTRA BOX TO THE SIGHTS, SET THEM ON THE SIDE SO WE CAN THEY CAN USE THAT FOR THE OVERFLOW, LIKE ON THE WEEKENDS OR MAYBE SOME HOLIDAYS OR SOMETHING.

AT LEAST WE HAVE THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE ROOM FOR PEOPLE TO PUT THE TRASH, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO PUT IT ON THE GROUND.

SO AND THAT'S ABOUT ALL WE GOT THAT I KNOW OF ANY BRIAN.

THANKS. SO WHAT WHAT WHAT HART'S REFERENCING THERE'S A MEMO HE PUT TOGETHER IN YOUR PACKET HERE THAT I THINK MOST OF Y'ALL HAVE, BUT THAT'S WHAT HE WAS READING OFF OF. ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SIR. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT. FINANCIAL REPORTS. YES, SIR.

SO IN YOUR PACKET YOU'LL SEE THE COMPARISON OF MAY 2025 TO MAY OF 2024, YEAR TO DATE.

EACH OF THOSE TIME PERIODS. AS OF MAY OF 2025, WE HAVE COLLECTED OVER THE AMOUNT OF THE BUDGETED REVENUE 101.35%. LAST YEAR AT THE SAME TIME, IT WAS 95.42% OF THE BUDGETED AMOUNT.

AS FAR AS THE EXPENDITURES GO THROUGH THE END OF MAY OF 25, WE HAVE SPENT 84.48% PERCENT OF OUR BUDGET. AND WE LAST YEAR WE HAD SPENT 86.91%.

SO WE ARE STILL RIGHT ON TARGET. ANY QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. TREASURER'S REPORT. YOU WERE HIDING BACK THERE.

I DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE HERE TONIGHT. I'M PANNING.

GOOD EVENING. I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE COLLECTIONS FROM LAST MONTH TO THIS MONTH .

IN MAY THE REAL ESTATE WAS AT 99.7% IT'S NOW AT 99.71%.

WE HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $630,244.13.

PERSONAL PROPERTY LAST MONTH WAS AT 96.57% WE'RE CURRENTLY AT 96.7%, AND WE'RE LOOKING TO COLLECT $2,066,094.45. THE SOLID WASTE LAST MONTH WAS 78.69%.

WE'RE CURRENTLY AT 79.68%, WITH AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF $767,578.40. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? LOOKS LIKE THE NEW NORMAL ON THE SOLID WASTE IS 80%. YEP. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU'RE WELCOME. ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO THROUGH THESE.

ANYBODY HAS ANYTHING TO JUMP IN? ANIMAL CONTROL, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, BLACKWATER REGIONAL LIBRARY. WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT COMING UP LATER ON THAT.

AND SOLID WASTE QUANTITIES. IF NOT, WE'LL MOVE ON HERE.

[7. Financial Matters ]

[00:45:06]

ANY QUESTIONS? NO QUESTIONS. IF NOT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO BE WITH AN APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION FOR THE YEAR 26 BUDGET THAT'S TOTALING $87,887,099.

YEAH, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT. WE NEED ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? MOTION TO APPROVE. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. OPPOSED NO. OKAY.

THAT BUDGET IS APPROVED. ALMOST $88 MILLION. C, THE APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION FOR THE SCHOOL FUND, WHICH IS $108,386.72. ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT? MOTION TO APPROVE. SO MOVED. SECOND? SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. OKAY. THE NUMBER D IS APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION VARIOUS FUNDS.

THAT'S A TOTAL OF $3,391,583.39.

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT? MOTION TO APPROVE. IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OKAY.

THAT'S UNANIMOUS TOO. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS.

NUMBER 8 BLACKWATER REGIONAL LIBRARY. BILL WORSHAM'S TERM WILL EXPIRE THIS MONTH ON JUNE THE 30TH.

[8. Appointments ]

AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. SO WE NEED A ANOTHER NAME HERE.

I'D LIKE TO NOMINATE MARGIE MCLENNAN. SHE'S A RETIRED SPECIAL ED TEACHER AND HAS TIME TO DEVOTE. SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD ONE. YEAH, I'D LIKE TO NOMINATE WATSON, KEISHA WATFORD. SHE'S A RETIRED TEACHER.

SHE RETIRED, I THINK, YEARS AGO LAST YEAR. AND SHE WAS A PRINCIPAL AT RIVERDALE.

RIVERDALE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO NOMINATE HER.

WHAT'S HER LAST NAME? WATFORD. W A T F O R D.

WELL NOT OFTEN WE HAVE TWO APPLICANTS FOR ONE JOB.

THAT'S THE FIRST. THE FIRST. CAN YOU APPOINT BOTH OF THEM? IT'S JUST ONE OPENING. I DON'T KNOW EITHER.

WELL, I DON'T KNOW EITHER ONE OF THEM, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW TO. WELL, I TALKED TO MISS MCLENNAN TODAY SHE'S RECENTLY RETIRED AND HAS THE TIME. AND SHE WAS A SPECIAL SPECIAL ED READING SPECIALIST FOR YEARS. AND SHE GOES TO THE LIBRARY EVERY WEEK.

YES AND SHE DID INDICATE HER TO ME TODAY THROUGH A PHONE CALL THAT OF HER INTEREST IN FILLING THIS POSITION. I KNOW HER, SHE'S EXTREMELY QUALIFIED.

AND I'LL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT. AND I THINK WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE PERSONS, BOTH OF THEM HIGH QUALITY PEOPLE FOR THIS POSITION. AND I CERTAINLY GIVE KEISHA WATFORD MY RECOMMENDATION.

SHE I'VE KNOWN HER FOR A LOT OF YEARS. SHE TAUGHT MY KIDS AND MY KIDS RAVED ABOUT THE FACT THAT SHE WAS A GOOD TEACHER AND SHE'S DONE VERY WELL.

AS WAS POINTED OUT, SHE'S BEEN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE UP THROUGH THE RANKS TO BEING PRINCIPAL OF ONE OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.

SO I GIVE A VERY HIGH RECOMMENDATION FOR HER.

AND AGAIN, I THINK WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE WILLING TO SERVE ON THESE BOARDS.

[00:50:01]

OKAY, WE'LL VOTE ON THAT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF MRS. MCLENNAN, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. I'M REALLY [INAUDIBLE] BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW .

ME I'M I'M NOT PERSONALLY, I DON'T I'M NOT PERSONALLY PREPARED TO VOTE FOR EITHER ONE REALLY, BECAUSE I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR BOTH. FOR FOR EVERY PERSON THAT'S MAKING A RECOMMENDATION FOR ALL THESE INDIVIDUALS.

I LOVE AND RESPECT CARL AND HIS EXPERIENCE WITH MAKING THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT HE HAS, AS WELL AS LYNDA AND MR. UPDIKE. AND I MEAN LYNDA AND MR. GILLETTE. I'M SORRY I WAS LOOKING AT YOU ALONE AND NOT KNOWING ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE INDIVIDUALS OR THEIR EXPERIENCE I DON'T THINK I CAN BASE MY VOTE ON THAT INFORMATION ALONE, AND I APOLOGIZE. I REALIZE THIS IS THE BLACKWATER REGIONAL LIBRARY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I WANT MY VOTE TO MEAN SOMETHING WHEN IT COMES TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE EXPERIENCE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS.

SO I LIKE MR. WHITE AT THIS TIME, I'M UNABLE TO VOTE BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US.

I APOLOGIZE, I DON'T KNOW IF WE WERE ABLE TO TABLE FOR 30 DAYS, HAVE THEM SUBMIT TO US A RESUME, POSSIBLY TO REVIEW. I DON'T CAN CAN THEY EMAIL US SOME INFORMATION FOR US TO, TO GARNER SOME EXPERIENCE, POSSIBLY TO BETTER BASE A VOTE ON. OKAY MAYBE IS THAT UNREASONABLE? NO, HOW ABOUT A MOTION TO TABLE THAT UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING.

I'D LOVE TO GET TO KNOW BOTH CANDIDATES PRIOR TO.

YES. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE THAT TO THOSE TWO TO CONSIDER THOSE TWO FOR THE NEXT MEETING? YOU MAKING THAT MOTION? YES. IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND IT. ALL RIGHT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION, RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

OKAY. I GUESS I HATE TO KICK THE CAN I APOLOGIZE.

I THINK IT WAS A GOOD MOTION. I DON'T KNOW EITHER ONE OF THEM.

CARL, IF YOU WOULD YOU NOMINATE THAT PERSON IF YOU COULD GATHER A LITTLE RESUME AND THIS MRS. UPDIKE WILL GET A LITTLE RESUME ON THE OTHER CANDIDATE.

OKAY. OKAY. GOOD ENOUGH. ALL RIGHT. LETTER CONTROL COUNCIL.

WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BE BE REAPPOINTED CHARLES HOOD, MISS HEATHER RANDALL AND MISS NORRIS LANE.

NOW WE CAN TAKE THEM. WE CAN DO THAT SEPARATE FROM THE OTHERS, CAN WE NOT? OKAY. I'D LIKE TO HEAR A MOTION. THEY WANT TO BE REAPPOINTED.

I THINK THAT'S FINE. A MOTION TO REAPPOINT THOSE THREE.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT ALL THREE? ALL THREE.

OKAY, I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. THANK YOU FOLKS, YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN REAPPOINTED.

AND WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS DO NOT WISH TO BE APPOINTED DONNA TAYLOR, DENNIS WHITBY, FRANKLIN DALLAS AND JOHN BURCHETT. SO WE NEED FIVE MORE PEOPLE. IS THAT RIGHT, BRIAN? THAT LET'S SEE, YOU NEED THE ONE FROM EACH DISTRICT, RIGHT? THAT'S ALREADY GOT THREE. YOU'VE ALREADY GOT THREE.

SO YOU NEED TWO OTHERS BEING FROM THE NORTHWEST DISTRICT AND NORTHEAST DISTRICT.

ALL RIGHT. SO WHAT DISTRICTS ARE NOT REPRESENTED? NORTH. NORTH. NORTHWEST AND NORTHEAST.

MEETING? YES, SIR. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. GOOD. MOVE ON TO THAT, THEN.

COMMUNITY POLICY AND MANAGEMENT TEAM CMPT . WE NEED AS MRS. BARHAM HERE TONIGHT SAID SHE WOULD GIVE US SOME INFORMATION.

SHE'S NOT. WE WE DID GET SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM HER.

SHE IS REQUESTING THAT YOU CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY MALCOLM HEDGEPETH.

THAT WAS THE RECOMMENDATION AND REQUEST FROM THE SHERIFF.

SHERIFF WYCHE TO DO SO. SO PER STATE CODE, YOU JUST YOU WOULD HAVE TO NEED TO CONFIRM THEIR APPOINTMENT.

MRS. BARHAM, MRS. BARHAM HAS MET WITH HIM AND GONE OVER SOME TRAINING ITEMS AND SHE WAS VERY PLEASED WITH HIS KNOWLEDGE. ALL RIGHT.

MOTION TO GO WITH THAT RECOMMENDATION. SO MOVED.

SECOND. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. OKAY. GOT THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS.

[00:55:09]

[9. Public Hearing - Taxation Exemption-Request by Kingdom United Church in Jesus Christ ]

SO WE'VE BEEN COMMUNICATING THE PAST FEW FEW MONTHS ON THIS.

SO I APPRECIATE HIS PATIENCE ON THIS MATTER. YOU'RE CORRECT US, MR. FAUCETTE SAID, REPRESENTING KINGDOM UNITED CHURCH IN AND JESUS CHRIST IS REQUESTING THE PROPERTY, LOCATED AT 2121 5 BUCKHORN QUARTER ROAD, CONTINUE TO BE EXEMPTED FROM REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES FOR VIRGINIA CODE SECTION 58.1 - 3651. HE CURRENTLY OWNS THE PROPERTY AND ALLOWS THE CHURCH TO UTILIZE IT FREE OF CHARGE.

AT YOUR MARCH 25TH MEETING, YOU DID AUTHORIZE CONDUCTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS REQUEST.

THE STATE CODE SECTION DOES SAY THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT GOVERNING BODIES BY ORDINANCE CAN MAY EXEMPT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS USING THEIR PROPERTY FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES FROM TAXES. YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH A PUBLIC HEARING WHAT YOU'RE DOING TONIGHT TO DO SO.

IT SAYS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COLLECTS THE COST OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE REQUESTER.

AND BASICALLY, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH A QUESTION WHERE YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S IN THE STATE CODE AND GO THROUGH THEIR EXEMPTION REQUIREMENTS.

AND BASICALLY IT IN MY OPINION, IT MEETS THE, THE REQUIREMENT OUTLINED OUTLINED IN THE STATE CODE FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION. AND JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION AMY CARR DID SEND US INFORMATION ON THE ASSESSED VALUE OF THE PROPERTY.

IT'S $383,800, AND THE TAXES ASSESSED AGAINST THE PROPERTY EQUATE TO $2,724.98. AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING, YOU WOULD HEAR COMMENTS AND OBVIOUSLY TAKE ACTION.

AND THE RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE EXEMPTING THE PROPERTY.

OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS REQUEST FOR THE TAX EXEMPTION.

ANYBODY LIKE TO SPEAK CONCERNING THAT? YES, SIR.

GREAT. I WAS SUPPOSED TO SPEAK. COME ON UP HERE.

TONIGHT. AND AS TO YOU SUPERVISORS THAT I SIMPLY THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING MY REQUEST FOR FOR THE TAX EXCEPTION.

BUT THE MAIN REASON I WANT TO COME UP AND MAKE A COMMENT IS I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I GIVE JUST EXTREME SPECIAL THANKS TO MR. THROWER TO THIS CAR. AND THE LAST TIME WE HAD THIS THING, I HAD A LITTLE MOMENT.

WELL, LYNDA WAS HAVING HER MOMENT. AND I'VE LEARNED THAT YOU HAVE AN ANGEL IN YOUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT, AND I WANT TO BRING OUT TO YOU THAT HER NAME IS CHRISTY NEWSOME, AND SHE WAS JUST AN ABSOLUTE ANGEL.

OH, THAT PARTICULAR EVENING I WOULD BE WRONG NOT TO WALK UP HERE.

AND I HOPE I DIDN'T EMBARRASS HER BY PUTTING HER NAME OUT THERE AS AN ANGEL, BUT I DO.

I DO. THANKS SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THIS CAR HAS JUST THE COOPERATION HAS JUST BEEN PHENOMENAL.

AND I THINK YOU AS A SUPERVISOR NEED TO HEAR THAT SOMETIMES.

SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.

I WAS TOLD I HAD RECOMMENDED IT. HAVING DONE KIND OF WHAT HE DID FOR A LIFETIME.

I KNOW IT'S TIME TO SHUT UP AND GO SIT DOWN. YOU ARE A 501C3.

YES, WE ARE TRULY REGISTERED 501C3. YES. WHY DIDN'T YOU GO BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION? FOR THE CHURCH THIS YEAR WAS IT WAS THE VILLAGE GROVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

YEAH. SO WE JUST KEPT IT AS CHURCH PROPERTY. BUT I DID NOT GO TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

I MEAN, IN TERMS OF YOUR QUESTION NO, MA'AM, I DID NOT.

I BROUGHT IT STRAIGHT TO YOU GUYS. ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. FAUCETTE? ALL RIGHT, SIR. I GUESS THERE'S NO QUESTIONS.

GREAT. THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE? OKAY. IF NOT, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANY DISCUSSION HERE? WELL, I CERTAINLY RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE FOR

[01:00:06]

ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OKAY. IT'S UNANIMOUS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SIR. ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT ONE IS THE CONCERNING THE AG AND FORESTRY DISTRICTS.

[10. Public Hearing- Voluntary Agricultural/Forestal District Application-Request by Michael C. Hancock ]

IN THE MAY 8TH, 2025 MEETING, THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY 8 TO 0 TO APPROVE THIS APPLICATION.

LITTLE HISTORY HERE, THESE AG AND FORESTRY DISTRICTS WERE MADE LAW OR OKAYED BY THE STATE IN 1977, AND THIS COUNTY PASSED AN ORDINANCE CONCERNING THAT IN JUNE 2017, I BELIEVE.

SO IT'S BEEN IN EFFECT THEN WE HAVE A I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY DISTRICTS WE HAVE AROUND, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF THEM.

SO THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS, AND I'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS FIRST ONE.

GOOD EVENING. OH, MICHAEL COULDN'T BE HERE. HE'S TRYING TO GET SOME [INAUDIBLE] BEANS PLANTED AND AND SPRAYED. SO WE BOTH WANT TO BASICALLY THE SAME THING.

I'M WILLIAM HANCOCK AND MICHAEL AND I IS WANTING TO ADD TO HIS ACREAGE THAT HE RECENTLY BOUGHT TO THE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY DISTRICT, AND IT'S I THINK YOU ALREADY HAVE THE ACREAGE LISTED.

MR. HANCOCK, CAN YOU GIVE THE 100 AND 157 ACRES? THIS IS A 100.57 ACRES. I'M SORRY I'M NOT HEARING YOU.

THIS IS THE FIRST ONE IS 100.57 ACRES. THAT'S MICHAEL'S.

THAT'S WHAT MICHAEL HANCOCK BOUGHT. THAT'S THE ONE WE'RE GOING AFTER.

AND IT SAYS 34. THE FARM IS 3409 . RIGHT. I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE WITH THE ANSWER YOU GAVE THE PLANNING COMMISSIONER WHY YOU WANTED TO DO THIS. WELL, FIRST, I CAN SPEAK FOR MYSELF. I, I BOUGHT 64 ACRES OF THAT SAME FARM. AND IT'S A FARM THAT'S A VIRGINIA CENTRIC FARM.

MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER BOUGHT IT IN 1867, AND SHE'S BURIED ON THE FARM.

IT'S BEEN IN MY FAMILY EVER SINCE, AND I WANTED TO ADD MY 6 4 ACRES TO TO THE FARM THAT I CURRENTLY OWN, WHICH IS DESIGNATED OF 3412, WHICH IS RIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD.

AND SO IT'S THE FARM MY DAD BOUGHT IN 1937, AND IT'S JUST BEEN IN MY HOME PLACE EVER SINCE.

AND SO I BELIEVE THE OTHER ANSWER YOU GAVE WAS YOU WANTED TO KEEP THIS FOR FARMING.

YOU STATED YOU WANTED TO KEEP THIS FOR FARMING.

I WANTED TO KEEP IT IN THE IN THE FARM. AND IT'S BEEN IN FARMING ALL MY LIFE.

AND AS LONG AS MY DAD HAD IT, HE WELL, HE FARMS PEANUTS AND COTTON, CORN, CATTLE, HOGS ALL ON THAT FARM AND AND POULTRY TOO. I WANT TO I WANT TO KEEP IT IN AGRICULTURE FOR MY CHILDREN COMING ALONG. THEY THEY'LL WANTING TO TO MOVE OUT INTO THE COUNTRY.

AND I'VE GOT TWO, TWO GRANDBABIES COMING ALONG.

ONE OF THEM'S THREE YEARS OLD, AND HE'S A HE'S ALREADY A HUNTER AND A FISHERMAN.

SO YOU KNOW NO BETTER PLACE FOR A CHILD TO GROW UP THAN ON A FARM.

ALL RIGHT. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THIS GENTLEMAN? ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS SUBJECT? THANK YOU. MR. URQUHART. YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. I DON'T NEED NO MORE INFORMATION.

[01:05:04]

YEAH. OKAY. GOOD EVENING, FRANK URQUHART AGAIN.

I HOPE NOT SPEAKING OUT OF TURN, BUT I'M ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND MR. HANCOCK'S PRESENTATION WAS SO GREAT OF HOW HIS FAMILY WANTS TO CONTINUE ON A LEGACY FARM THAT HAS BEEN IN THEIR FAMILY STEWARDSHIP, AND WE ARE LOSING A LOT OF LEGACY FARMS IN THE COUNTY.

AND HIS PRESENTATION AND HIS HEART FELT SENTIMENTS ON WHY HE WANTED TO DO THIS AND WHY HE IS, WHY HIS FAMILY WANTED TO DO DO THIS MOVED THE ENTIRE PLANNING COMMISSION TO WHY WE GAVE A 7-0 UNANIMOUS CONSENT VOTE ON HIS SITUATION. AND AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I THANKED HIM THAT NIGHT AND TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD BE HERE IN SUPPORT OF HIM BECAUSE WE NEED INDIVIDUALS TO CONTINUE ON THEIR LEGACY FARMS. AND I HOPE YOU ALL TAKE THAT IN CONSIDERATION POINT.

THANK YOU SIR. ANYBODY ELSE? ALL RIGHT. IF THERE'S NO ONE ELSE, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS FIRST APPLICATION OF THE 100, ALMOST 100 AND A HALF ACRES.

I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING. IT'S GOOD PROTECTION, GOOD ASSURANCE THAT THIS LAND WILL BE PRESERVED.

AND YOU'RE ALSO PROTECTED FROM THE LAND USE TAXATION SITUATION BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE REQUEST.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. AYE. OPPOSED NO. YES, SIR.

YOU HAVE YOUR FIRST PIECE OF LAND THERE. ALL RIGHT.

THE NEXT PUBLIC HEARING IS ONE ON THE 64.0888 ACRES, THE SAME SITUATION THEY APPROACHED THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND SAID THEY WANT TO KEEP IT

[11. Public Hearing - Voluntary Agricultural/Forestal District Application- Request by William Hancock ]

AND THAT'S THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS TO TO PRESERVE THIS OUR FORESTRY AND OUR FARMLAND.

SO ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR. IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PIECE, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. I'M SORRY. MY TURN NOW. YES.

GOOD EVENING, BOARD MEMBERS. I'M WILLIAM HANCOCK.

I'M AT 15023 COTTAGE HILL ROAD, SEDLEY AND I RECENTLY PURCHASED 64 ACRES OF THE FARM MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER BOUGHT IN 1867.

IT IS OF A VIRGINIA CENTURY FARM, AND IT WAS JUST 6 4 ACRES I PROPOSED TO ADD TO THE FARM THAT I CURRENTLY OWN. THIS IS FARM 3412 IN THE COUNTY RECORDS, AND IT'S DESIGNATED NUMBER FOUR ON THE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY DISTRICT MAP, THE APPLETON MAP. AND IT'S KNOWN AS THE WHITFIELD HOME PLACE.

AND THIS HOME HAS BEEN IN MY UNDER CONTINUOUS CULTIVATION SINCE MY DAD BOUGHT IT IN 37.

AND UNDER HIS STEWARDSHIP WE GROUP GREW PEANUTS UNTIL ABOUT CORN, COTTON, SOYBEANS, HOGS, BEEF CATTLE AND POULTRY FOR THE MARKET. AND WHILE MUCH OF OUR FARMING HAS CHANGED SINCE HIS DAY, SO CROP ACREAGE IS STILL PRODUCING AND IS RENTED TO INTO TO MICHAEL HANCOCK.

THERE'S ALSO OVER 50 ACRES OF MATURE STANDING TIMBER ON THE FARM, AS WELL AS 30 PLUS ACRES OF [INAUDIBLE] .

AND AT A TIME WHEN SO MUCH LAND IS BEING TAKEN UP BY QUESTIONABLE PROJECTS, THE LAND FOR FARMING HAS GOT TO BE MAINTAINED AND PRESERVED.

OH, I'D HATE TO SEE ANY MORE OF LAND LOST TO SOLAR FARMS AND MYSELF, BUT BUT IT

[01:10:05]

ANYWAY, IT'S MY INTENTION TO TO KEEP MY FARM AND AGRICULTURE FOR THE REST OF MY DAYS.

I'VE GOT TWO CHILDREN THAT ARE INTERESTED IN LIVING ON THE FARM.

AND THEY'VE GOT I GOT TWO GRANDKIDS THAT THE OLDEST ONE IS THREE YEARS OLD AND HE'S, HE'S ALREADY A HUNTER AND A FISHERMAN. AND THAT THERE'S NO, NO BETTER PLACE FOR A CHILD TO GROW UP THAN ON A FARM.

AND I OUGHT TO KNOW BECAUSE I GREW UP ON IT. BUT ANYWAY, I APPRECIATE YOUR YOUR TIME, YOUR CONSIDERATION.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. HANCOCK? THANK YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? IF NOT, WE'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ISSUE.

OR DON'T. I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT HIS REQUEST.

SECOND IT. ALL RIGHT. MOTION TO ACCEPT US INTO AGRICULTURE CULTURE FORESTRY DISTRICT.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

AYE. OKAY. VERY GOOD. NUMBER 12 IS THE REQUEST FROM THE

[12. Newsoms Ruritan Club Fireworks Permit Application- Request to Approve ]

YEAH. YES, SIR. AND WE DID GET THE PERMIT APPLICATION, AND MR. RANDOLPH COOK IS HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE, BUT BY CODE THE BOARD HAS TO APPROVE ANY KIND OF FIREWORKS DISPLAY.

SO WE WOULD RECOMMEND YOU MOVE FORWARD AND APPROVE THEIR FIREWORKS.

I MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE IT. SECOND. ALL RIGHT.

I'LL IN FAVOR SAY AYE, AYE. GOOD JOB. IT'S OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY, RANDOLPH YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. PERMIT APPLICATIONS ARE GOING TO BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEWIDE FIRE PREVENTION CODE IN 10-73 OF OUR MUNICIPAL CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE COUNTY WHEN THEY SUBMIT IT.

YES. ALL RIGHT. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU RANDOLPH.

APPRECIATE YOU. OKAY. MR. CARL HECK, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES, PRESIDENT, CEO OF THE FRANKLIN SOUTHAMPTON

[13. Economic Development Updates- Karl T. Heck, President & CEO of FSEDI ]

SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A REASON TO CELEBRATE OUT WHEN THE FIREWORKS COME.

SO SOME OF THE ENGINEERING'S GOING TO BE DOING A LOT OF ROAD MAINTENANCE SUPERVISION WORK IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.

SO WITH RANDOLPH HERE WE'RE GLAD TO I WISH HE HAD SAID IT, BUT I'M GLAD WE DID IT.

THANK YOU, DR. EDWARDS AND MRS. UPDIKE, AND WE'RE COMING TO THE GROUNDBREAKING THAT WE HAD FOR STANDARD FOOD AND BEVERAGE.

THEY SHOULD BE UP AND RUNNING IN THE FALL WHERE THEY'RE WORKING ON SOME OF THEIR PLANS.

LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BUY THE PRODUCT IF THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A RETAIL COMPONENT AT THE LOCATION IN THE SOUTHAMPTON BUSINESS PARK.

BUT THEY ARE UP AND RUNNING. IT IS VIRGINIA AGRICULTURE WEEK THIS WEEK.

SO I WILL MENTION THAT WE'RE ALMOST READY FOR THE GROUNDBREAKING.

WE DID BUY SOME MORE SHOVELS, SO HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER GROUNDBREAKING SOON. THAT'S FOR STEVE PAYTON'S STORE OUT IN IVOR FOR FEED AND PRODUCTS THAT SHOULD BE UP AND RUNNING VERY SHOULD BE, AT LEAST FOR THE GROUNDBREAKING STATE VERY SOON.

WE CONTINUE TO HAVE VACANCIES IN THE BUSINESS CENTER. SO PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN LOCATING OFFICE SPACE THAT IS STILL AVAILABLE.

OUR OFFICE IS ALSO NOW DOING FIELD PRINT FINGERPRINTING SERVICE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED FOR VARIOUS APPLICATIONS AND TO APPLY FOR JOBS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

SO WE'VE STARTED THAT SERVICE ON JUNE 1ST. WE'VE DONE ABOUT 60 FINGERPRINTS SO FAR, DAYCARE, SCHOOL WORKERS, ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT WE'VE LEARNED A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED THEM.

SO IT'S LIKE THAT IS AVAILABLE. THAT WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY AVAILABLE IN FRANKLIN, SOUTHAMPTON SO THAT'S PEOPLE HAVE TO DRIVE.

PEOPLE TOLD US THEY WERE DRIVING TO SUFFOLK AND NEWPORT NEWS AND PLACES LIKE THAT.

SO THAT'S THE SERVICE THAT WE ARE IS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE FIELD PRINT SITE.

BUT YOU CAN COME TO OUR OFFICE AND HAVE THAT DONE.

AND AS MR. THROWER MENTIONED, WE'RE WORKING ON THE BUSINESS READY SITES PROJECT FOR THE [INAUDIBLE] FARM.

WE HAVE MONEY THROUGH GO VIRGINIA THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTING SOON FOR THE COMMERCE AND LOGISTICS CENTER TO DO KIND OF THE SAME STUFF.

SO THAT'S MY REPORT. SO I'LL BE GLAD TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY.

I LIKE MY ONE COMMENT ABOUT THE WATER WORKS. THEY'RE USING ALUMINUM CANS, WHICH WILL BE ENTIRELY

[01:15:02]

AND I THINK THEY'RE SMART ABOUT THAT. THAT'S BECAUSE I THINK IN A FEW YEARS, PLASTIC IS GOING TO BE VERY HARD TO GET SO.

YES, IT'S A [INAUDIBLE] FACILITY. YES. THEY ARE USING ENTIRELY RECYCLABLE. THEY TOLD US THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A PURER WATER THAN NORMAL.

ANYBODY OUT THERE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. HECK? I HAVE ONE COMMENT. TOMORROW IS BRIAN'S BIRTHDAY, SO BE SURE TO WISH HIM A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

NO WELL THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. WHAT IS IT, 60? WELL, YOU KNOW, MY BEARD MAY LOOK 60. I'VE BEEN I'VE BEEN CALLED A SOMETHING ANYWAY, LIKE ANY OF THAT.

BUT YEAH I'LL BE 49 TOMORROW. YEAH. THANK YOU AGAIN.

YEAH. WELL, MAYBE 39 OR 29. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU CARL.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING BEFORE WE LET EVERYBODY GET OUT AND ENJOY THE HOT NIGHT? AIR CONDITIONING. MOTION TO ADJOURN. SO MOVED.

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING.

THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.