[Call to Order]
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WELCOME EVERYBODY TO THE JANUARY 16TH, 2024 BOARD OF SUPERVISOR MEETING.
MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU HAVE A QUORUM.
I LIKE TO ASK EVERYBODY TO MAKE SURE YOUR SILENT, YOUR, UM, UH, CELL PHONES ARE SILENT, SO YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO ALREADY.
AND, UH, WE'LL SEE HOW FAR WE GET INTO THIS MEETING AS YOUR NEW CHAIR.
BEFORE I SCREW UP FOR THE FIRST TIME, ANYBODY MAKE ANY BETTS, GO AHEAD AND PLACE YOUR BETTS NOW AND WE'LL SEE HOW FAR WE GET.
UM, UH, AT THIS MOMENT, I'D LIKE TO, UH, ASK PASTOR MAGRUDER, UM, FROM Z UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO COME AND GIVE US AN VOCATION.
AND PASTOR MAGRUDER, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHURCH, I'D LOVE TO HEAR IT.
THANK YOU, MR. SUPERVISOR, ADMINISTRATION, AND EVERYONE WHO'S HERE THIS EVENING.
I'M WITH ZION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
UH, WE JUST CELEBRATED AT OUR 200TH ANNIVERSARY A COUPLE YEARS AGO.
UH, IT'S THE, DEMONSTRATES THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT WE'VE BEEN HERE IN YORK COUNTY, AND IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP THAT WE'VE HAD WITH THE RESIDENTS HERE AND, AND OF COURSE, WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.
AND WE'RE ALWAYS WILLING TO, TO SPEAK AND TALK AND CONTINUE TO LEARN AND GROW.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE BEFORE YOU TONIGHT.
SO THIS TIME I INVITE US ALL TO TURN TO GOD IN PRAYER.
LET US PRAY ALMIGHTY AND MERCIFUL, GOD, IN THE MIDST OF THE BUSYNESS OF OUR DAILY SCHEDULES AND OUR RESPONSIBILITIES THAT HAVE SO QUICKLY ENGULFED US IN THIS NEW YEAR, WE PAUSE TO GATHER IN THIS CHAMBER, TO DISCUSS MATTERS CONCERNING THE PEOPLE OF YORK COUNTY.
WE COME TO YOU IN REVERENCE AND IN GRATITUDE FOR YOUR, YOUR MANY BLESSINGS OF NOT ONLY THIS DAY, BUT ALSO OF THIS NEW YEAR, LORD, IN THE MIDST OF A POLITICAL LANDSCAPE THAT HAS BECOME SO CONTENTIOUS AND SO DIVISIVE.
WE PRAY NOW THAT YOU WILL HELP US GATHER TOGETHER AS ONE COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF OUR DIFFERENCES, AND YOU WILL LEAD US IN WAYS TO BE OPEN AND TO BE CONSIDERATE WITH ONE ANOTHER.
AND ALL OF OUR DISCUSSIONS AND OBSERVATIONS HELP US TO BE OPEN TO THE NEEDS OF OTHERS AND BETTER AWARE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD CONSENSUS AND COMMUNITY.
POUR OUT YOUR BLESSINGS AMONG ALL OF US WHO'VE GATHERED HERE TONIGHT.
WE PRAY YOUR WISDOM AND GRACE WILL BE WITH THE MEMBERS OF OUR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, AND TO ALL WHO ARE PART OF THE YORK COUNTY COMMUNITY.
LEAD THE BOARD MEMBERS IN THEIR CONVERSATIONS, IN THEIR DISCUSSIONS AND DECISIONS.
GIVE THEM OPEN MINDS AND HEARTS TO EARNESTLY LISTEN TO THE MATTERS BEFORE THEM, AND GUIDE THEM IN ALL THAT THEY DO FOR THE RESIDENTS AND THE BUSINESSES OF THIS COMMUNITY.
BLESS ALL OF US WHO HAVE MADE YORK COUNTY OUR HOME, AND HELP US TO HAVE IN MINDS OF SER SERVITUDE AND, AND TO CONTINUE TO SHARE OUR GRATITUDE AND KIND AND SUPPORTIVE WAYS TO ALL.
WE ENCOUNTER THIS, WE PRAY IN YOUR HOLY NAME.
HOPEFULLY GET A CHANCE TO SEE YOU TOMORROW AT THE HEAD START POLICY COUNCIL MEETING.
UH, NOW I'D LIKE TO ASK EVERYBODY TO PLEASE RISE AS YOUR ABLE, AND MR. ROY, IF YOU COULD LEAVE US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE.
THE FLAG, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TWO REPUBLIC, WHICH STANDS? ONE NATION.
[1 Freedom of Information Act/Conflict of Interest Act/Virginia Public Records Act: Overview -by Richard Hill, County Attorney.]
OFF TONIGHT WITH SOME, UM, SOME PRESENTATIONS.AND I BELIEVE, UH, MR. HILL, YOU'RE GONNA LEAD US OFF WITH SOME INFORMATION REGARDING THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT AND THE VIRGINIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT.
THANK YOU, UH, MR. CHAIRMAN, UH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, UH, I WANTED TO GIVE A BRIEF, HOPEFULLY, UH, OVERVIEW OF THE THREE, UM, TOPICS HERE.
THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT, AND THE VIRGINIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT, UM, AS MOST RELEVANT TO, UH, YOU, THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, UH, FOR, FOR YORK COUNTY.
UH, SO WE'LL START OFF WITH THE, UM, VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, AND THERE ARE TWO MAIN COMPONENTS.
UH, IT INVOLVES OPEN RECORDS AND OPEN MEETINGS, AND THOSE ARE BOTH, UM, IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF THE VIRGINIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
UH, THE POLICY OF FOIA, AND THAT'S PROBABLY A LITTLE HARD TO READ, BUT, UM,
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THE POLICY OF FOIA IS SPELLED OUT BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VERY CLEARLY IN THE STATUTE.AND, UH, I WANTED TO JUST READ THE, UH, THE FIRST PART OF IT.
IT SAYS, BY ENACTING THIS CHAPTER, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENSURES THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH READY ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS IN THE CUSTODY OF A PUBLIC BODY, OR ITS OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES AND FREE ENTRY TO MEETINGS OF PUBLIC BODIES, WHEREIN THE BUSINESS OF THE PUBLIC IS BEING CONDUCTED.
THE AFFAIRS OF GOVERNMENT ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE CONDUCTED IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF SECRECY SINCE AT ALL TIMES THE PUBLIC IS TO BE THE BENEFICIARY OF ANY ACTION TAKEN AT ANY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT.
AND, UM, THE REST OF IT IS SPELLED FORTH THAT I WOULD CERTAINLY COMMEND ANYBODY TO READ THAT BECAUSE THE PURPOSE AND INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS VERY CLEARLY STATED WITHIN THE LAW AND WITHIN THE STATUTE.
SO, AS IT PERTAINS TO MEETINGS, UH, THE STATUTE, UH, WE'RE WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ALSO DEFINES VERY CLEARLY WHAT A MEETING IS.
UM, AND A MEETING IS WORK SESSIONS, UH, WHEN SITTING, UH, EITHER PHYSICALLY OR THROUGH ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AS A BODY OR ENTITY OR ANY INFORMAL ASSEMBLAGE, WHICH MEANS, UH, AS MANY AS THREE MEMBERS OR A QUORUM.
SO FOR PURPOSES OF OUR BOARD, A QUORUM IS THREE MEMBERS, UM, UH, OR, OR A QUORUM IF IT'S LESS THAN THREE, OF ANY OF THE MEMBERS WHENEVER HELD WITH OR WITHOUT MINUTES, WHETHER OR NOT VOTES ARE CAST OF ANY PUBLIC BODY.
SO THAT VERY CLEARLY EXPRESSES THAT WHAT THE GENTLEMAN ASSEMBLY INTENDS TO BE A MEETING.
AND IT'S INTENDED TO BE INTERPRETED VERY BROADLY, AND IT'S INTENDED TO BE, UH, ENCOMPASS MANY THINGS THAT YOU MAY NOT SOMETIMES CONSIDER WHEN DEALING WITH A MEETING.
UH, AND IN FACT, WHEN DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT AND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT IN GENERAL, UM, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IS WHAT CONSTITUTES THE DISCUSSION OF OR TRANSACTION OF PUBLIC BUSINESS.
AND THE, UH, VIRGINIA CODE DOES NOT PROVIDE A CLEAR DEFINITION OF THOSE TERMS FOR PURPOSES OF IT.
BUT WE HAVE HAD SOME RECENT, UH, GUIDANCE FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF VIRGINIA.
AND THE SUPREME COURT OF VIRGINIA HAS TOLD US THAT A TOPIC CONSTITUTES THE BUSINESS OF A PUBLIC BODY.
UM, IT RELATES TO A SUBJECT THAT FALLS WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE PUBLIC BODY, THEREFORE, THUS, A TOPIC OR TOPICS MAY CONSTITUTE PUBLIC BUSINESS FOR ONE PUBLIC BODY, BUT NOT FOR ANOTHER.
FURTHERMORE, FOR A TOPIC TO CONSTITUTE PUBLIC BUSINESS, IT MUST NOT JUST BE SOMETHING THAT CONCEPTUALLY COULD AT SOME POINT COME BEFORE A PUBLIC BODY, BUT RATHER, THE TOPIC MUST BE SOMETHING THAT IS EITHER BEFORE THE PUBLIC BODY OR IS LIKELY TO COME BEFORE THE PUBLIC BODY IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
AND THIS DEFINITION COMES FROM A CASE THAT WAS DECIDED JUST THIS PAST YEAR BY THE SUPREME COURT OF, OF VIRGINIA.
SO THE MOST, SOME OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO, UH, BE AWARE OF WITH REGARD TO MEETINGS, UM, AND THESE ARE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES THAT ARE SET FORTH IN THE CODE OF VIRGINIA.
ALL MEETINGS MUST BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
UM, CLOSED MEETINGS ARE ONLY ALLOWED IN VERY SPECIFIC ENUMERATED REASONS, AND THOSE ARE SET FORTH IN THE CODE OF VIRGINIA.
YOU CANNOT HAVE A CLOSED MEETING EXCEPT FOR THE REASONS SET FORTH THEREIN.
YOU MUST ALWAYS PROVIDE ADVANCE NOTICE OF MEETINGS AND ACCESS TO THE AGENDA.
AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS MUST BE PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC.
MINUTES MUST BE TAKEN AT ALL OPEN MEETINGS.
AND THERE ARE PROVISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN AMENDED RECENTLY TO PROVIDE FOR REMOTE PARTICIPATION IN MEETINGS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
ALTHOUGH REMOTE PARTICIPATION IS THE EXCEPTION, NOT THE RULE, UM, VOTES ON THE TRANSACTION OF PUBLIC BUSINESS AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, CAN ONLY OCCUR AT A MEETING THAT IS BEING CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
AND THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAN BE PRETTY, PRETTY SIGNIFICANT AS THE SUPREME COURT OF VIRGINIA LAST YEAR.
ALSO, INVALIDATED OF A ZONING ORDINANCE THAT WAS ADOPTED BY FAIRFAX COUNTY AFTER MANY YEARS OF DISCUSSION BECAUSE OF VIOLATIONS OF THE TERMS OF THE OPEN MEETING PROVISIONS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT.
SO BRIEFLY, SOME COMMON REASONS THAT, UH, THE CODE ALLOWS FOR THE DISCUSSION OR FOR CONDUCTING A CLOSED MEETING, UH, DISCUSSION OF, UH, CERTAIN PERSONNEL MATTERS,
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UH, DISCUSSION OF CONSIDERATION OF ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC PURPOSE, UH, OR OF THE DISPOSITION OF PUBLICLY HELD PROPERTY WHERE DISCUSSION IN AN OPEN MEETING WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE BARGAINING POSITION OR NEGOTIATING STRATEGY OF THE PUBLIC BODY DISCUSSION CONCERNING A PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY, UH, OR THE EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY WHERE NO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN MADE OF THE INDUSTRY OR BUSINESS' INTEREST IN LOCATING OR EXPANDING ITS FACILITIES IN THE COMMUNITY.DISCUSSION OR CONSIDERATION OF THE INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS WHERE COMPETITION OR BARGAINING IS INVOLVED, WHERE IF MADE PUBLIC, INITIALLY, THE FINANCIAL INTEREST OF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, UH, THE PROTECTION AND PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUALS IN PERSONAL MATTERS THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO PUBLIC BUSINESS AND CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
THERE ARE OTHER, UH, REASONS THAT A CLOSED MEETING CAN BE HELD.
THEY'RE ALL SET FORTH IN THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, BUT THESE ARE THE ONES THAT MOST COMMONLY ARE UTILIZED, UM, BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND OUR OTHER CONSTITUENT BODIES HERE.
SO IN ADDITION TO MEETINGS, THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT DEALS WITH THE, UM, WITH RECORDS AND ACCESS, PUBLIC ACCESS TO TWO RECORDS AND PUBLIC RECORDS IS ALSO DEFINED VERY CLEARLY IN THE CODE OF VIRGINIA.
AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THIS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT WAS ADOPTED ORIGINALLY IN 1968.
SO YOU CAN TELL FROM THE LANGUAGE THAT SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE PROBABLY NOT UTILIZED AS MUCH ANYMORE, SUCH AS PHOTO STATIN, UM, MAGNETIC IMPULSE, THINGS OF THAT SORT.
BUT THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO BASICALLY SET STATE THAT ANY KIND OF DOCUMENT, NO MATTER HOW THE DOCUMENT IS MADE AND WHAT SOURCE IT IS, CAN BE A PUBLIC DOCUMENT.
UH, AND IT'S REGARDLESS OF THE PHYSICAL FORM PREPARED OR OWNED BY OR IN THE POSITION OF A PUBLIC BODY OR ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS IN THE TRANSACTION OF PUBLIC BUSINESS.
AND THERE WE HAVE THAT LIMITING PRINCIPLE, UH, THE TRANSACTION OF PUBLIC BUSINESS, WHICH AGAIN, WE, WE DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC DEFINITION OF, BUT WE DO HAVE, UM, SOME GUIDANCE FROM THE COURTS AS TO WHAT THAT, WHAT THAT MEANS, UM, REGARDING RECORDS.
IF IT ISN'T MADE IN THE TRANSACTION OF PUBLIC BUSINESS, IT'S NOT SUBJECT TO DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS OF FOIA.
SO, FOR INSTANCE, PERSONAL, PERSONAL RECORDS MATTERS THAT ARE SOLELY PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE.
THINGS OF THAT MATTER ARE NOT, ARE NOT PUBLIC RECORDS THAT NEED TO BE DISCLOSED PER FOIA, BUT THE LIMITATIONS ARE TO BE VERY NARROWLY CONSTRUED.
AND ALL EXEMPTIONS ARE TO BE CONSTRUED IN FAVOR OF DISCLOSURE TO THE PUBLIC.
SO ALL PUBLIC MATTERS MUST BE OPEN FOR INSPECTION UNLESS THERE EXISTS IN EXEMPTION.
AND THAT APPLIES MOST IMPORTANTLY TO ALL RECORDS THAT MIGHT BE IN YOUR PERSONAL POSSESSION, NOT JUST DOCUMENTS THAT ARE IN THE POSSESSION OF THE COUNTY, SUCH AS PERSONAL EMAILS, EMAILS SENT FROM A PERSONAL OR A WORK EMAIL ACCOUNT, UH, OR TEXT MESSAGES SENT FROM A PERSONAL PHONE NUMBER.
IF THOSE RECORDS ARE MADE IN THE TRANSACTION OF PUBLIC BUSINESS, THEY ARE PUBLIC DOCUMENTS TO WHICH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT APPLIES.
AND MY ADVICE IS ALWAYS, WHEN IN DOUBT, ASSUME IT IS A PUBLIC RECORD.
AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT, YOU CAN CONTACT OUR VERY EXCELLENT FOIA OFFICER, GAIL WHITAKER, UM, WHO CAN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE ON THAT.
AND YOU CAN CERTAINLY ALWAYS CONTACT MY OFFICE.
UH, SOME OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IF SOMEONE REQUESTS PUBLIC RECORDS UNDER FOIA, THE STATE CODE SETS FORTH THE, THERE'S A PROCEDURES AND MANNER THAT THE, UH, CUSTODIAN HAS TO RESPOND, AND THERE'S DEADLINES FOR DOING THAT.
AND THAT'S ALL SET FORTH IN THE CODE, AND THOSE DEADLINES ARE SHORT AND THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF LENIENCY.
UM, MANY REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS RECORDS UNDER FOIA COME TO US NOW THROUGH OUR NEXT REQUEST PORTAL.
AND IF ANYBODY'S INTERESTED, UH, YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THE NEXT REQUEST PORTAL AT THE LINK THAT I'VE PUT IN HERE.
THAT PAGE ALSO HAS, UH, A LIST OF THE COUNTY'S FOIA OFFICERS, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON FOIA REQUESTS, AND, UH, A LINK TO THE YORK COUNTY'S FOIA POLICY.
BUT ONE THING I WANNA MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS IS, EVEN THOUGH THE PUBLIC CAN USE NEXT REQUEST, UH, WHICH IS AN EXCELLENT RESOURCE, BY THE WAY, AND IT, AND IT IS A VERY GOOD WAY OF GETTING ACCESS TO RECORDS, THEY'RE NOT REQUIRED TO DO SO.
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SAYS THAT A REQUESTER HAS TO IDENTIFY THE REQUESTED RECORDS WITH REASONABLE SPECIFICITY, BUT IT DOESN'T REQUIRE THE USE OF ANY SPECIAL MAGIC WORDS OR ANYTHING YOU HAVE TO SAY.SO INDIVIDUALS COULD CALL, THEY COULD SEND AN EMAIL REQUESTING INFORMATION, AND IN FACT, THEY'RE MAKING A FOYER REQUEST.
AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE AND UNDERSTAND, UH, IF SOMEBODY IS MAKING A FOYER REQUEST BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DEADLINES AND THE, UH, AND THE, AND THE, UH, THE, THE, UM, THE RESPONSE, UH, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, UH, CAN SUBMIT A FOIA REQUEST DIRECTLY TO ANY INDIVIDUAL HERE ON THE BOARD TO OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES OR THROUGH NEXT REQUEST.
OBVIOUSLY, WE PREFER THAT THEY SUBMIT THEM TO THE FOIA OFFICER AND TO NEXT REQUEST FOR PURPOSES.
BUT A PER A PERSON COULD SUBMIT A FOIA REQUEST TO SOMEBODY ELSE.
AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNIZE WHEN A FOIA REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE.
UM, AND AGAIN, IF THERE'S ANY DOUBT AS TO WHETHER SOMEONE'S MAKING A RE RE REQUEST, ASSUME THAT THEY ARE AND FOLLOW UP WITH 'EM TO CLARIFY THE NATURE OF THEIR REQUEST AND DETERMINE WHAT IT IS THAT THEY'RE, THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR AND GET, GET ASSISTANCE FROM THE FOIA OFFICERS IF, IF, IF THAT'S NEEDED.
UM, SO THERE ARE ALSO EXEMPTIONS TO DISCLOSURE UNDER FOIA, AND THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST.
THERE ARE MANY OF THEM LISTED IN THE CODE OF VIRGINIA.
AGAIN, THESE ARE TO BE NARROWLY CONSTRUED IN FAVOR OF DISCLOSURE.
BUT SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF EXEMPTIONS THAT, UM, ARE UTILIZED ARE, AGAIN, PERSONNEL INFORMATION, UM, ATTORNEY CLIENT AND ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT DOCUMENTS OF VEN CERTAIN VENDOR PROPRIETARY INFORMATION, UM, RECORDS RELATING TO NEGOTIATION, UH, AND AWARD OF CERTAIN CONTRACTS BEFORE THE CONTRACT IS AWARDED, WORKING PAPERS AND CORRESPONDENCE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TAX RECORDS.
UM, TAX RECORDS ARE MENTIONED BOTH IN FOIA ITSELF AND ALSO BY A SEPARATE CODE OF VIRGINIA.
AND I THOUGHT I MIGHT MENTION THIS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC AS WELL, UM, BECAUSE THERE ARE TAX RECORDS ARE PROTECTED SEPARATELY UNDER VIRGINIA LAW, AND THERE ARE POTENTIAL CRIMINAL PENALTIES ASSOCIATED WITH, UH, RELEASING THAT INFORMATION.
SO SOMETIMES IF YOU GET PUSHBACK FROM THE FOLKS IN THE, UH, OFFICES RELATED TO TAXATION, IT'S BECAUSE THEY'RE BEING VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT NOT BREACHING THE CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE PLACED UPON TAX RECORDS.
UM, SOCIAL SERVICES AND HEALTH RECORDS ARE ALSO PROTECTED FROM DISCLOSURE, UH, CER CERTAIN RECORDS RELATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY, UH, AND PERSONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION AS WELL.
AND THEN FINALLY, WE HAVE, UM, PERSONAL CONTACT INFORMATION IN CERTAIN CONTEXTS ARE EXEMPT.
AND THAT'S THE, THE, THE SORT OF CRUX OF THE BASIC EXEMPTIONS THAT WE UTILIZE.
UM, VOYA DEALS MAINLY WITH ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS, BUT THE VIRGINIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT, WHICH IS A SEPARATE STATUTE, ADDRESSES THE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION OF THOSE RECORDS.
AND I DON'T WANNA SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THIS, BUT I DID WANNA MAKE SURE EVERYBODY WAS AWARE OF THE PRESERVATION REQUIREMENTS.
SO ALL POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A RECORDS OFFICER FOR YORK COUNTY.
THAT PERSON IS, UH, DEPUTY CLERK, HEATHER SHOT.
AND, UM, ALL RECORDS, ALL PUBLIC RECORDS HAVE TO BE PRESERVED FOR DESIGNATED PERIODS OF TIME.
AND THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT HAS A SERIES OF SCHEDULES THAT SET FORTH THOSE PERIODS OF TIME AND HOW LONG THINGS HAVE TO BE KEPT.
SOME THINGS CAN BE, UM, GOTTEN RID OF ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.
SOME THINGS HAVE TO BE PRESERVED FOREVER.
UH, AND, UM, SO THE PUBLIC RE THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT STATES EXACTLY WHAT THOSE ARE, AND HEATHER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING TRACK OF THAT.
UM, IT ALSO REQUIRES THAT RECORDS BE DESTROYED WHEN THE RETENTION PERIODS HAVE ENDED, UH, APPROPRIATELY AND THEY, AND IN A TIMELY MANNER.
AND YOU CAN FIND LINKS TO ALL THE INFORMATION.
UH, LOTS OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRGINIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT AT THE, UM, LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA, AND THE LINK IS LISTED FOR THAT.
UM, MY RECOMMENDATION TO EVERYBODY, UH, ON THE BOARD IS TO PRESERVE ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS, UM, THAT ARE IN YOUR POSSESSION AND THEY'RE NOT OTHERWISE MANAGED BY THE COUNTY.
SO, FOR INSTANCE, COUNTY EMAIL IS MANAGED ON THE COUNTY SERVERS, BUT ANY OTHER PUBLIC DOCUMENTS THAT YOU HAVE, KEEP IT THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF YOUR SERVICE AND DO NOT GET RID OF IT UNTIL AFTER YOU'VE CONSULTED WITH HEATHER TO, UH, MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE PRESERVING WHAT YOU NEED TO PRESERVE UNDER THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT.
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AND YOU CAN TALK TO HEATHER IF YOU NEED ANY GUIDANCE ON THIS, UH, REGARDING THE BEST WAY TO PRESERVE PUBLIC DOCUMENTS IN YOUR POSSESSION, PARTICULARLY AS IT PERTAINS TO DOCUMENTS SUCH AS TEXT MESSAGES AND HOW THE BEST WAY TO GO ABOUT PRESERVING THOSE AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE ARE KEPT FOR PURPOSES OF, UM, FOIA.OKAY, SO NOW THE, UM, THE ADDITIONAL TOPIC THAT SOMETIMES GETS OVERLOOKED BUT IS ALSO EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, AND THAT IS THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT, UH, WHICH I'VE ABBREVIATED TO FOR OIA.
AND THE, UH, PROVISIONS OF THAT STATUTE ARE SET FORTH IN THE VIRGINIA CODE.
AND, UH, ELECTED OFFICIALS, MEANING OBVIOUSLY EVERYBODY ON THE BOARD, UH, EDA MEMBERS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS, UM, WHO ARE REQUIRED TO FILE DISCLOSURE REPORTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE MANDATORY TRAINING WITHIN 60 DAYS OF ASSUMING OFFICE AND EVERY TWO YEARS THEREAFTER.
AND THE MANDATORY TRAINING IS, UM, PROVIDED BY THE, UH, VIRGINIA CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND ETHICS ADVISORY COUNCIL.
IT'S, IT'S AVAILABLE TO ANYBODY.
UM, AND THERE'S A LINK THERE WHERE YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THAT.
AND AGAIN, YOU'RE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THAT WITHIN 60 DAYS OF ASSUMING OFFICE IN EVERY TWO YEARS.
AND THAT'S MANDATORY AND IT IS TRACKED, AND OUR, UM, CLERK'S OFFICE DOES KEEP TRACK OF THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE COMPLYING WITH THAT REQUIREMENT.
UM, THAT'S VERY GOOD TRAINING.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO IT.
I'M GONNA REVIEW SOME OF THE KEY POINTS OF KOYA, BUT THE TRAINING ITSELF IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT.
SO THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT HAS WHAT I WOULD CALL THREE BASIC ELEMENTS TO IT.
UM, THERE'S GIFTS, THE CONTRACTS AND TRANSACTIONS SORT OF AS ONE, AND THEN, UM, THE REQUIREMENT OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO FIRE FILE DISCLOSURE REPORTS.
SO UNDER THE ACT ITSELF, THERE ARE GENERAL PROHIBITIONS THAT APPLY, AND THESE RULES APPLY TO ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE, UH, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU HAVE TO FILE A REPORT.
SO THAT'S, THIS IS ESSENTIALLY EVERYBODY WHO WORKS FOR THE COUNTY, FOR ANY OF OUR BOARDS AND FOR THE, UM, AND FOR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
UH, AND THE PROHIBITIONS BEING YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO ACCEPT ANYTHING OF VALUE FOR YOUR SERVICE, EXCEPT OBVIOUSLY THE, THE S THE SALARY THAT YOU RECEIVE AND BENEFITS AND ANY OTHER, UH, APPROVED EXPENSES BY THE AGENCY.
UM, YOU CANNOT ACCEPT ANYTHING OF VALUE IN EXCHANGE FOR GETTING SOMEONE A JOB OR A CONTRACT WITH THE AGENCY.
UM, YOU CAN'T USE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ACQUIRED AS A RESULT OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT TO YOUR BENEFIT.
YOU CANNOT ACCEPT MONEY LOANS, THINGS OF VALUE, BUSINESS OR PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, UH, THAT YOU KNOW, WILL OR HAVE A TENDENCY TO INFLUENCE YOU IN THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR OFFICIAL DUTIES.
AND YOU CANNOT ACCEPT CERTAIN HONORARIA AND GIFTS, AND YOU CANNOT USE YOUR PUBLIC POSITION TO RETALIATE OR THREATEN TO RETALIATE AGAINST SOMEONE FOR EXPRESSING VIEWS ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC CONCERN OR FOR EXERCISING A CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED, RIGHT? AND ALL OF THOSE PROHIBITIONS ARE CLEARLY SET FORTH IN THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, AND AGAIN, THEY APPLY TO EVERYBODY.
SO REGARDING GIFTS, UM, THESE ARE, THIS, YOU KNOW, RE REGARD, THESE ARE ALSO RULES THAT APPLY TO ALL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY'RE REQUIRED TO FILE A A REPORT.
UH, YOU ARE RE YOU'RE PROHIBITED FROM ACCEPTING GIFTS WITH A VALUE OF MORE THAN A HUNDRED DOLLARS, UM, INDIVIDUALLY OR IN AGGREGATE.
SO MORE THAN A HUNDRED DOLLARS FROM ANY A PERSON WHO, FROM REGISTERED LOBBYISTS, FROM LOBBYISTS PRINCIPLES, OR FROM ANY PERSON, ORGANIZATION OR BUSINESS WHO IS OR IS SEEKING TO BECOME A PARTY TO A CONTRACT WITH THE AGENCY OF WHICH HE IS AN OFFICER OR AN EMPLOYEE.
AND THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE, ALTHOUGH PROBABLY THE BEST POLICY IS NOT TO ACCEPT GIFTS, AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE EXCEPTIONS, BUT THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS, UM, GIFTS INVOLVING ATTENDANCE AT A WIDELY ATTENDED EVENT.
AND THERE ARE, THERE'S A NUMBER OF OPINIONS AND DISCUSSIONS, UH, AT THE, ON THE KOYA COUNCIL WEBSITE AS TO WHAT THAT MEANS AND HOW THAT'S TO BE INTERPRETED.
THIS ONE I ALWAYS THINK IS KIND OF AMUSING, BUT, UM, YOU CAN ACCEPT A GIFT FROM A FOREIGN DIGNITARY, BUT YOU HAVE TO GIVE THE GIFT TO THE COUNTY, AND IT HAS TO BE ARCHIVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA.
SO IN REALITY, YOU'RE NOT REALLY ACCEPTING THE GIFT FOR YOURSELF.
IT'S BEING ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY.
YOU CAN ACCEPT GIFTS WITHOUT BEING IN VIOLATION OF THE RULE IF THEY ARISE BECAUSE OF A PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP.
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IN HERE WHO'S NOT AWARE OF IT, OF A FORMER VIRGINIA GOVERNOR WHO RAN INTO SOME TROUBLE WITH THIS PARTICULAR RULE AND BE VERY WARY OF WHAT THAT MEANS.AND, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S, THE RULES ARE BE TO BE TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY.
UM, GIFTS OF TRAVEL CAN BE ACCEPTED IF YOU RECEIVE A, UH, WAIVER FROM THE VIRGINIA CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN ETHICS ADVISORY COUNCIL.
UH, AND THOSE WAIVERS, UH, CAN BE, CAN BE OBTAINED BY FILING FORMS AND, UH, CONTACTING THEM FOR, FOR PERMISSION TO, UM, TO ENGAGE IN CERTAIN TRAVEL ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE PROHIBITED.
UM, KOYA PROBABLY, PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING INVOLVING COIA THOUGH IS THE, UH, PROHIBITIONS AGAINST PERSONAL INTERESTS IN CONTRACTS AND TRANSACTIONS.
AND THOSE ARE DIFFERENT BECAUSE SOMETIMES A CON, SOME PEOPLE MAY CONFLATE THE TWO, BUT THERE ARE DISTINCT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOMETHING THAT'S A CONTRACT, WHICH IS A CONTRACT, AND TRANSACTIONS, WHICH MAY BE MUCH MORE BROADLY THAN THAT, AND INVOLVE BENEFITS OR PERSONAL THINGS THAT YOU COULD OBTAIN.
UH, AND THESE, UH, THERE ARE RULES, THERE ARE GENERAL RULES THAT APPLY TO OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES, AND THOSE ARE SET FORTH IN THE VIRGINIA CODE.
BUT WHAT I WANTED TO MENTION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BOARD ARE THE RULES THAT APPLY SPECIFICALLY TO, UH, MEMBERS OF, UH, COUNTY BOARD'S SUPERVISORS.
SO YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE A PERSONAL INTEREST IN ANY CONTRACT WITH YOUR GOVERNOR, ANYBODY.
THERE ARE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS TO THAT FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER THINGS THAT WERE ENTERED INTO IN THE DISTANT PAST.
BUT THE, THE RULE IS NO CONTRACTS WITH YOUR GOVERNING BODY.
UH, YOU CAN'T HAVE A CONTRACT WITH ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY THAT IS A COMPONENT PART OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND WHICH IS SUBJECT TO ULTIMATE CONTROL OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF WHICH YOU ARE MEMBERS.
SO THE EDA, THINGS OF THAT SORT.
UM, AND ANY CONTRACT OTHER THAN A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT WITH ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, IF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPOINTS A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SECOND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
AND SO YOU ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO DISQUALIFY YOURSELF FROM PARTICIPATING IN CERTAIN OTHER TRANSACTIONS IN WHICH YOU MAY HAVE A PERSONAL INTEREST.
AGAIN, THERE ARE, THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS, AND THERE ARE SET FORTH IN THE CODE REGARDING, UH, YOUR ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN, UH, TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING CONTRACTS AND TRANSACTIONS.
USUALLY THESE, UM, RULES AND EXCEPTIONS ARE VERY HIGHLY SPECIFIC.
AND IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT CONDUCT FALLS WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THE RULES, IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO HAVE ALL OF THE RELEVANT FACTS AND YOU CAN CONTACT ME AND I'M ABLE TO PROVIDE OPINIONS.
UH, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT IN IF, IF YOU DO THAT, I HAVE ALL THE RELEVANT FACTS AND INFORMATION, UM, YOU CAN RELY ON MY OPINION.
BUT, UM, IT, IT ONLY IS, UH, EVIDENCE IF YOU ARE PROSECUTED.
IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY SERVE AS A BAR TO PROSECUTION.
IF YOU ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT AN ISSUE, THEN YOU CAN CONTACT THE COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY OR THE COIA COUNSEL ITSELF, AND IF THEY PROVIDE AN OPINION AND YOU FOLLOW THAT OPINION, ASSUMING THAT YOU'VE PROVIDED ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION, THAT DOES PROVIDE A BAR TO, UH, PROSECUTION FOR THE UNDERLYING ACTS.
UM, DISCLOSURE FORMS, THESE ARE THE FORMS THAT ARE REQUIRED.
THERE'S, THERE'S DIFFERENT TYPES.
THERE'S THE FINANCIAL INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORMS, AND THEN THERE'S SEPARATE FORMS THAT PERTAIN TO INTEREST IN REAL ESTATE.
BUT FOR PURPOSES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, UH, BOARD MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN THE EDA AND HERE IN YORK COUNTY, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARD, AND CERTAIN OTHER OFFICIALS ARE REQUIRED TO FILE A DISCLOSURE STATEMENT OF PERSONAL INTERESTS AND OTHER INFORMATION AS REQUIRED ON THE FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE COUNSEL.
AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE SHOULD PROVIDE EVERYBODY WITH COPIES OF THOSE FORMS. UM, THERE'S OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO FILE DISCLOSURES OF THEIR REAL ESTATE INTERESTS WITHIN YORK COUNTY.
AND, UM, ANY OTHER, IF THERE'S A CONFLICT THAT IS DECLARED BY A MEMBER, FOR INSTANCE, ONE OF ONE OF YOU INDICATES THAT YOU HAVE A CONFLICT IN A TRANSACTION AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO, UM, NOTIFY AND FILE CERTAIN DISCLOSURES REGARDING THAT CONFLICT SO THAT THERE'S A PERMANENT RECORD OF THE NATURE OF THE CONFLICT, OR IF YOU
[00:30:01]
ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE OF SOMETHING ALL THAT HAS TO BE FILED AS WELL.UM, THE DISCLOSURE FORM, THE, THE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FORM HAS TO BE FILED WITH THE CLERK, UH, AS A CONDITION OF ASSUMING OFFICE, AND BY FEBRUARY 1ST OF EVERY YEAR WHILE HOLDING OFFICE AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE WILL FOLLOW UP AND MAKE SURE YOU DO IT.
BUT AGAIN, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THOSE BE DONE ON TIME.
THE AUDITORS ARE, ARE, THIS IS HAPPENING THROUGHOUT VIRGINIA NOW AND EVERY LOCALITY AND WITH MANY GOVERNMENTS, BUT THE AUDITORS ARE NOW, UM, PUTTING NEGATIVE MARKS AND AUDIT REPORTS AGAINST LOCALITIES WHEN THEY HAVE LATE FILINGS, EVEN IF IT'S LATE BY A DAY OR SO.
AND, UM, I SUSPECT IT'S BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEING EMPHASIZED BY THE, UH, PUBLIC ACCOUNTING AND PUBLIC AUDITORS.
BUT IN ANY EVENT, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THOSE, THAT THOSE FORMS BE FILED ON TIME, UH, THEY ARE OF COURSE PUBLIC RECORDS, UH, AS WE'VE DISCUSSED, AND THEY CAN BE RELEASED, BUT THE CLERK, UH, HAS TO REDACT CERTAIN INFORMATION FROM THAT.
UH, AND THAT'S SPELLED OUT IN THE CODES SPECIFICALLY, UM, RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, PERSONAL TELEPHONE NUMBER, EMAIL ADDRESS, SIGNATURE, AND IF YOU'RE LATE, THE CLERK IS REQUIRED TO REPORT THAT TO THE COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY.
AND SUCH LATE FILINGS ARE SUBJECT OF PENALTY, $250, NO EXCEPTIONS.
SO WITH RESPECT TO KOYA, THERE ARE PENALTIES ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
UM, THE PROHIBITIONS AGAINST CONFLICTS AND GIFTS THAT I DISCUSSED CAN BE PUNISHED AS A MISDEMEANOR AND THEY CAN ALSO BE SUBJECT TO CIVIL PENALTIES SUCH AS, UM, CONTRACTS BEING VOIDED, YOU PEOPLE BEING PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR, FOR MONEY AND FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS AND THINGS OF THAT SORT.
BUT IT IS, THEY ARE MISDEMEANOR, IF THERE CAN BE MISDEMEANORS AS WELL.
UH, KNOWING VIOLATIONS CAN CONSTITUTE MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE, WHICH CAN BE ADDRESSED, UM, AND COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN FORFEITING YOUR OFFICE.
AND, UM, UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF SOME ISSUES ARISING FROM FOIA, I'M SORRY, FROM THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT SUCH AS INDIVIDUALS FILING FALSE STATEMENTS, WHICH WOULD BE PERJURY, BRIBERY, THAT, THAT, THAT IS, THAT IS DISCOVERED AS A RESULT OF THE FALSE STATEMENTS AND, UM, THOSE WOULD, COULD POTENTIALLY SUBJECT SOMEBODY TO FELONY CHARGES.
AND, UH, UNFORTUNATELY THAT RECENTLY DID HAPPEN TO THE, UH, CHAIR OF THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WHO'S BEEN CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE CRIMINAL FELONY OFFENSES RELATED TO FALSE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON A DISCLOSURE FORM.
SO, UM, I WOULD OBVIOUSLY ENCOURAGE AND EVERYBODY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE FOLLOWING IT.
IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION OR CLARIFICATION, YOU CAN CONTACT MY OFFICE, YOU CAN CONTACT THE COUNCIL, UM, MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO YOUR TRAINING, MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR FORMS FOLLOWED ON TIME.
AND WITH THAT, THAT IS THE END OF MY PRESENTATION.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS ON WHAT WAS COVERED? MR. DRURY? NO, SIR.
I THINK THE ONLY THING WE DIDN'T COVER WAS WHAT IS THE REPORTING TIME ON A FOIA REQUEST? ORDINARILY THE REQUIREMENT IS THAT THERE'S A RESPONSE WITHIN FIVE DAYS THAT CAN BE EXTENDED, UH, BEYOND THAT SEVEN DAYS.
AND IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE, UM, YOU CAN, WE COULD GO TO, WE CAN GO TO COURT IF THERE ARE, UH, CERTAIN NEEDS TO GET THAT EXTENDED EVEN FURTHER BEYOND THAT.
ORDINARILY THE, THE, UM, THE GOAL OF THE COUNTY AND THE FOIA OFFICIALS IN THE COUNTY IS TO WORK WITH THE REQUESTER, PARTICULARLY IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S REQUIRING A LOT OF DOCUMENTS TO WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT.
SO, BUT THE CODE SETS FORTH VERY SPECIFIC RESPONSES THAT HAVE TO BE GIVEN WITHIN FIVE, FIVE DAYS.
SUMMARIZING A, UH, VERY DETAILED, COMPLICATED AND CRITICALLY IMPORTANT ASPECT THAT, UM, REMINDS US OF OUR LEGAL AND ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS AS WE CONDUCT MEETINGS UP HERE.
UM, BY FAR OUR BIGGEST FOUR, YOUR REQUESTS ARE EMAIL REQUESTS.
SO USING THAT AS AN EXAMPLE, CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF SUMMARY ON THE PATH THAT THOSE REQUESTS TAKE AND THE OFFICES THAT ARE INVOLVED TO FULFILL A, AN EMAIL FOR YOUR REQUEST? SO IF SOMEBODY, I'M SORRY, IF SOMEBODY SENDS IN AN EMAIL WITH A REQUEST OR IS REQUESTING COPIES OF EMAILS, THE LATTER.
WELL, IF, I MEAN, ORDINARILY THE REQUESTS ARE GOING TO GO TO THE, UM, AR FOIA OFFICER AND, UM,
[00:35:01]
SHE WILL REVIEW THE REQUEST, CLARIFY IT WITH THE REQUESTER TO MAKE SURE THERE'S AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S BEING REQUESTED, ASCERTAIN THE VOLUME OF INFORMATION THAT'S INVOLVED, AND HOW LONG, UH, IT'S GONNA REQUIRE TO, TO, TO RESPOND TO THE NAME.THE DATA IS PULLED DOWN FROM THE SERVERS AND REVIEWED AS TO WHETHER OR NOT, UM, UH, EXEMPTIONS MAY BE APPROPRIATE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
AND, AND THEN THAT'S, SO IT'S NOR IT'S ORDINARILY REVIEWED BY THE FOIA OFFICER, USUALLY ALSO BY THE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE EMAILS IT IS.
AND THEN MY OFFICE IS INVOLVED OCCASIONALLY IF THERE'S LEGAL REQUESTS, RIGHT.
SO TYPICALLY WHAT I THINK WE SEE IS IT GOES FROM THE FOR OFFICER TO THE IT DEPARTMENT THAT WILL FORMULATE THE QUERY TO PULL THE INFORMATION OFF THE SERVERS, GOES BACK TO THE FOIA OFFICER WHO DOES SOME SLICING AND DICING TO MAKE IT, UH, EASY, EASIER REVIEW.
THE, THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE EMAILS WILL PROBABLY BE INVOLVED IN THE REVIEW.
YOUR OFFICE WILL PROBABLY GET INVOLVED IN THE REVIEW AS WELL.
ALL THAT GETS, UH, ACCUMULATE IT SENT BACK TO THE FOIA OFFICER, AND THEN EVENTUALLY THAT, UM, RESULTS IN A PACKAGE THAT GOES TO THE REQUESTER FOR THE INFORMATION THEY NEED.
SO MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS GETS INVOLVED IN EV PRETTY MUCH EVERY FOUR YEAR REQUEST.
UM, SO THERE ARE LOTS OF EYES ON IT THAT FURTHER HELPS MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MEETING OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN, IN THE FOIA.
[2 Presentation from Sheriff Ron Montgomery on Camera Speed Monitoring and Enforcement in School Crossing Zones. ]
UM, WE'RE NOW GONNA CALL ON SHERIFF RON MONTGOMERY TO COME TALK TO US ON A, UH, MATTER REGARDING SPEED, CAMERA SPEED MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT IN SCHOOL CROSSING ZONES, WHICH HAVE BECOME SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO.SO, SHERIFF MONTGOMERY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.
JEREMY CHAIRMAN, UH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, UH, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TONIGHT TO DESCRIBE WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.
UM, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE THE SOLUTION TO IT, AND AT THE END, I'M GOING TO DESCRIBE TO YOU WHAT I'M GOING TO ASK YOU AS A BOARD TO DO TO HELP ME WITH THIS.
WHEN SCHOOL YEAR BEGAN THIS YEAR, WE BEGAN, WE, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BEGAN TO RECEIVE A LARGER AMOUNT THAN NORMAL OF SPEEDING CONCERNS IN SCHOOL ZONES WHEN THE YELLOW LIGHTS WERE FLASHING.
SO I STARTED TO LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AND THERE IS A SPECIFIC CODE SECTION IN VIRGINIA THAT ALLOWS A LOCALITY TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH A VENDOR TO INSTALL RADAR CAMERAS THAT ENFORCE SPEED LIMITS.
SO I REACHED OUT TO ONE OF THESE COMPANIES AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY OR TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYING I ASKED THEM TO DO A SURVEY OF THE FIVE SCHOOLS THAT WE HAD BEEN RECEIVING THE MOST COMPLAINTS ABOUT, AND I KNOW THE BOARD'S AWARE THERE ARE 19 SCHOOLS IN YORK COUNTY.
SO THIS SURVEY THAT I'M GETTING READY TO DESCRIBE TO YOU ONLY ADDRESSED FIVE SCHOOLS, THE FIVE THAT I RECEIVED THE MOST COMPLAINTS ABOUT.
SO AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, THESE RADAR CAMERAS WERE INSTALLED AT FIVE DIFFERENT LOCALITIES, FIVE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS IN YORK COUNTY.
THEY WERE ACTIVE WHEN THE YELLOW LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND SCHOOL WAS IN SESSION, AND BOTH THE MORNING AND EVENING SESSIONS.
SO WHEN SCHOOL BUSES WERE COMING ONTO THE CAMPUS AND THE EMPLOYEES WERE COMING ONTO THE CAMPUS AND PARENTS WERE DRIVING THEIR KIDS TO CAMPUS.
AND IN THE EVENING WHEN THE REVERSE WAS OCCURRING, WHEN PEOPLE WERE LEAVING AT THE END OF THE FIVE DAYS, I RECEIVED A REPORT FROM THIS COMPANY THAT I WAS EVEN SHOCKED AT THE NUMBERS.
IN A FIVE DAY PERIOD OF FIVE SCHOOLS, THERE WERE 3,725 MOVING VIOLATIONS WHERE THE PEOPLE WERE SPEEDING IN EXCESS OF 11 MILES PER HOUR OVER THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT.
SO IF IT WAS A 25 MILE AN HOUR ZONE FOR SCHOOLS, THEY WERE DOING 36 MILES AN HOUR OR ABOVE AT YORK HIGH SCHOOL, THEN THEY WOULD'VE BEEN 46 MILES AN HOUR OR ABOVE.
THE COMPANY THAT ACTUALLY DID THIS, UH, WHEN THEY'VE SENT ME THE RESULTS, THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD ACTUALLY BEEN SO SURPRISED THEMSELVES THAT THEY ASKED THEIR PEOPLE TO REVIEW THE RESULTS BEFORE THEY SENT 'EM.
AND THEY VERIFIED THAT THAT WAS THE CASE.
SO IN A FIVE DAY PERIOD, WE HAD 3,725 CARS GOING THROUGH FIVE SCHOOL ZONES, MORNING AND EVENING, EXCEEDING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT IN THE SCHOOL ZONE OF 11 MILES PER HOUR OR MORE.
SO MY SOLUTION TO THIS IS BECAUSE WE HAVE 19 SCHOOLS, WE WOULD HAVE TO DO SOME MORE SURVEYS.
I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT THAT'S PROVIDED BY LAW TO INSTALL THESE RADAR ENFORCEMENT CAMERAS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND WE WOULD COME UP WITH A NUMBER AFTER SOME MORE CONSULTATION.
BUT I'M GOING TO, UH, I'M GOING TO GUESS WOULD BE BETWEEN FIVE
[00:40:01]
AND SEVEN TO BEGIN WITH.NOW, THE RESULT OF THIS WOULD BE THAT YOU, THE VIOLATORS WOULD RECEIVE A CIVIL PENALTY, A SUMMONS OF $100 THROUGH THE MAIL, MUCH LIKE THE RED LIGHT CAMERAS THAT MANY OF THE JURISDICTIONS AROUND US ARE ALREADY USING.
IN MY DISCUSSIONS WITH LOCALITIES ACROSS THE, THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA THAT ALREADY HAVE THESE SYSTEMS, MANY OF THESE LOCALITIES HAVE SEEN REDUCTIONS IN THEIR SPEED ISSUES AS MUCH AS 92%, WHICH IS CLEARLY THE GOAL THAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SPEEDERS SIGNIFICANTLY THAT ARE IN OUR SCHOOL ZONES WHEN CHILDREN AND PEOPLE ARE BEING, UH, BROUGHT TO SCHOOL AND LEAVING SCHOOL EVERY DAY.
SO AT A LATER DATE, I CAN GO INTO THE DETAILS OF HOW THIS PROGRAM WORKS, BUT WHAT I'M ASKING THIS BOARD TO DO IS THAT A FUTURE BOARD MEETING IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE IS TO ADOPT A COUNTY ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ALLOW ME TO MOVE FORWARD AND ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT THROUGH THE COUNTY PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO SELECT A COMPANY TO INSTALL THESE AND THEN HAVE THEM PERMANENTLY PLACED AND START THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VIOLATORS THAT WE HAVE.
NOW, THE WAY THE PROGRAM WILL WORK IS THERE'LL BE A LOT OF CAMPAIGNING AND A LOT OF INFORMATION PUT OUT BY MY AGENCY THROUGH OUR FACEBOOK AND SOCIAL MEDIA, AND I'M SURE THAT WE'LL COLLABORATE WITH THE YORK COUNTY MEDIA AS WELL TO DO THIS.
THERE WOULD BE A 30 DAY GRACE PERIOD ONCE THE CAMERAS WERE INSTALLED AND THE PUBLIC WOULD BE AWARE OF THAT SO THAT IF YOU GOT A VIOLATION OR YOU COMMITTED A VIOLATION DURING THE FIRST 30 DAYS, YOU WOULD RECEIVE A WARNING NOTICE IN THE MAIL THAT YOU HAD VIOLATED THE SPEED LIMIT BY MORE THAN 11 MILES AN HOUR IN A SCHOOL ZONE.
BUT AFTER THE WARNING PERIOD WAS OVER, WE WOULD THEN HAVE ONE MORE ANNOUNCEMENT AND ANOTHER CAMPAIGN SAYING, ON THIS DATE, THIS SYSTEM WILL GO LIVE.
AND FROM HERE FORWARD, YOU'LL RECEIVE A SUMMONS IN THE MAIL FOR A $100 CIVIL FINE.
NOW THE DIFFERENCE TODAY IS IF I HAD THE MANPOWER AND I COULD PUT A DEPUTY TO EACH ONE OF THESE SCHOOL ZONES, YOU WOULD BE WRITTEN A TICKET UNDER THE 46.2 CODE OF VIRGINIA FOR SPEEDING IN A SCHOOL ZONE, WHICH WOULD PROBABLY COST YOU SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THREE TO THREE, $350.
IT WOULD GO AGAINST YOUR INSURANCE AND IT WOULD ALSO COUNT POINTS AGAINST YOU ON YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE.
IN VIRGINIA, THIS IS A $100 CIVIL FINE THAT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARDS YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE POINTS, NOR DOES IT INFLUENCE YOUR INSURANCE.
SO THE GOAL BEING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF VIOLATORS IN THE SCHOOL ZONES, THUS MAKING THE SCHOOL ZONES MUCH SAFER FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR FAMILIES.
SO AGAIN, WHAT I'M GOING TO BE ASKING YOU FOR IS YOUR SUPPORT OF AN ORDINANCE WILL BE COMING FOR YOU IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE THAT ALLOWS ME TO MOVE FORWARD TO BEGIN THIS PROCESS.
SO IF I, THAT'S MY PRESENTATION.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER 'EM.
SHERIFF MONTGOMERY? YES, SHERIFF.
UH, COULD THE, COULD THE CAMERAS BE MOVABLE SO THAT IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 19 SCHOOLS, UH, COULD YOU NOT HAVE X NUMBER OF CAMERAS AND WE PUT THEM DIFFERENT PLACES AT DIFFERENT TIMES.
THESE, THESE ARE ALL STATIONARY, THEY'RE PLACED THEM AND YOU CAN'T MOVE THEM AROUND.
IS THERE AN OPTION? NOT WITH THE TWO COMPANIES RIGHT NOW THAT ARE DEALING IN VIRGINIA, THEY'RE ALL PERMANENTLY PLACED AND WE, MATTER OF FACT, THEY HAVE PEOPLE WITH THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION THAT WORKS OUT THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR THAT AS WELL.
SO THEY'RE NOT PORTABLE AT THIS POINT.
AND WHERE IS, WHAT WOULD THE COST BE TO THE COUNTY? THE COUNTY HAS ABSOLUTELY NO COST.
BOTH OF THESE COMPANIES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH COME IN AND INSTALL THESE CAMERAS AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY.
THE INITIAL UPFRONT COST IS ZERO.
WHY? BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO RECEIVE A PORTION DEPENDING ON WHICH COMPANY WE GO THROUGH OF THE FINES THAT ARE ASSESSED.
AND WHERE THEY RECEIVE A PORTION OF IT.
AND WHERE WILL THE OTHER PORTION GO? IT'S RETURNED TO THE BY STATUTE, IT COMES TO THE GENERAL FUND OF YORK COUNTY GENERAL FUND.
SHERIFF, THAT WAS VERY INTERESTING.
UM, BUT, BUT THERE'S ONE CONCERN THAT I HAVE AROUND, UH, SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THAT'S THE NUMBER OF VIOLATORS OF PEOPLE GOING PAST BUSES WITH THE, UH, WITH THE SCHOOL BUS RED LIGHTS ON.
HAVE YOU, HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THAT ISSUE AS WELL? WE ARE IN DISCUSSION WITH THE SCHOOL DIVISION AT THIS POINT.
UH, THEY ARE GONNA BE LOOKING AT SEVERAL COMPANIES AS WELL TO PUT THE, UH, CAMERAS ON THE STOP ARMS OF THE SCHOOL BUSES.
SO YES, WE ARE ALSO IN DISCUSSION WITH THEM AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE DOING THIS, THIS JURY.
WELL, UH, WHEN YOU SHARED THAT DATA WITH ME SOME TIME AGO, I WAS PRETTY FLABBERGASTED THAT WE HAVE THAT KIND OF VIOLATING GOING ON, AND I
[00:45:01]
DON'T THINK YOU SHARED WITH THE, WITH THE PUBLIC THAT UM, IT WAS WAY WORSE THAN WHAT YOU WOULD'VE THOUGHT.AND, AND I THINK EVEN THE COMPANY THAT DID IT SAID IT WAS WAY WORSE THAN THEY HAVE SEEN.
SO OBVIOUSLY WE DO HAVE A PROBLEM AROUND OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS THAT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED.
UM, I WAS JUST CURIOUS WHAT FIVE SCHOOLS THAT YOU GUYS, UH, PUT PUT THIS, UH, ON ROOT IN HIGH SCHOOL, YORK HIGH SCHOOL, DARE ELEMENTARY, SEAFORD ELEMENTARY, TAB MIDDLE, UM, AND I CAN'T RECALL WHAT THE OTHER ONE WAS.
IT MAY HAVE BEEN GRAFTON BETHEL.
BUT IT WAS THE FIVE THAT WE GET THE MOST COMPLAINTS ABOUT.
UM, SO WE TALK ABOUT, UH, YEAH, THE VIOLATIONS, UH, AS PEOPLE BLOWING OFF THE SPEED LIMIT, OBVIOUSLY.
SO WHAT KIND OF, UM, HAVE WE HAD ANY ACCIDENTS? YES.
SO HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE WE HAD? I DON'T KNOW, INVOLVING SPEED? WELL, IF YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT THE COUNTY IN GENERAL, RIGHT? NO, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE SCHOOLS PROBABLY THIS YEAR.
THE LAST TIME I LOOKED AT THE FIGURES, WE'VE PROBABLY HAD A HALF A DOZEN THAT INVOLVED SPEED.
IS THIS, UH, HAVE ANY OF THE CHILDREN, ARE WE INVOLVED? NO.
THESE WERE CHILDREN BEING HIT? NO, THESE WERE COMMUTERS.
NOT INVOLVING ANY SCHOOL BUSES OR ANY, BUT THEY WERE IN THE AREAS OF THE SCHOOLS.
ARE THEY IN THE ZONE SCHOOL ZONE OR SPEEDING AND THEY HAVE AN ACCIDENT? YES.
CAN YOU JUST BRIEFLY TELL US WHAT KIND OF ACCIDENT IT WAS? IT RUNNING INTO ANOTHER CAR OR RUNNING INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS STARTING TO SLOW DOWN OR BREAK TOO SUDDENLY IS MORE FREQUENTLY WHAT HAPPENS THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
THEY REALIZE THEY'RE IN A SCHOOL ZONE.
SO IS THIS, SO IS THE RESULTS OF THESE ACCIDENTS IS BECAUSE PEOPLE ALL OF A SUDDEN WAKE UP, YOU THINK AND GO, WAIT, WAIT A MINUTE, I'M IN A SCHOOL ZONE AND I GOTTA SLOW TO 25 MILES AN HOUR.
OR IS IT, I THINK, I THINK THAT'S REASONABLE TO BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY REAR END.
ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY, THEY COME UP ON THE FLASHING YELLOW LIGHTS AND THEY REALIZE ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT THEY NEED TO BREAK OR SLOW DOWN QUICKLY.
AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSES THE ISSUE.
WELL, THAT'S AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL ZONE.
BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT, I'M MORE CONCERNED.
IN FACT, YOU MENTIONED, UH, TAB MIDDLE SCHOOL, UM, AS, WHICH IS KIND OF A, GOT A REAL BUSY INTERSECTION RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL.
SO ARE WE TALKING ABOUT, SO THAT'S WELL INTO THE SCHOOL, INTO THE ZONE.
SO WE HAVE AN ACCIDENTS RIGHT IN THESE ZONES LIKE THAT, NOT AT TAB THAT I'M AWARE OF.
NOW THESE CAMERAS ARE CATCHING 'EM AS THEY ENTER THE ZONE.
SO AS SOON AS THEY COME INTO THE SCHOOL ZONE AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY INSIDE THE YELLOW FLASHING LIGHTS, THAT'S WHEN THE SPEED IS PICKED UP.
UM, ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A, WE HAVE A, A ENTRY INTO A SCHOOL ZONE, UM, ON BIG BETHEL ROAD THAT'S INSIDE THE, IT'S INSIDE THE LIGHTS, IN OTHER WORDS, UH, YES, YOU CAN TURN IN AND SO THERE'S NO WARNING.
SO HOW, WHAT KIND OF, UH, WARNING ARE WE GONNA GIVE TO THE, UH, PUBLIC THAT HEY, LOOK, YOU'RE ON COUNTY CANDY CAMERA.
THE STATUTE REQUIRES THAT SIGNAGE HAS TO BE PLACED AT LEAST A THOUSAND FEET PRIOR TO ENTERING THE ZONES.
SO WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S ADEQUATE SIGNAGES THAT EACH ONE OF THE SCHOOLS HAVE, OR MANY DID WE DETERMINE THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE THIS SYSTEM WITH THAT A THOUSAND FEET PRIOR TO YOU ENTERING THE SCHOOL ZONE, THERE IS A SIGN THAT STATES ENTERING CAMERON FOUR SCHOOL ZONE.
THAT'S REQUIRED BY THE VIRGINIA STATUTE.
UM, AND IT RELATED TO THIS, HOW DID WE COME UP WITH A 25 MILE AN HOUR SPEED ZONE? WELL, THERE ARE SOME SCHOOLS THAT HAVE 25 MILE AN HOUR ZONES AND THERE'S 35 AND THEN BRUTON IS 45.
AND SO THE PEOPLE ARE IN BRUTON, THEY WERE EXCEEDING 45 MILES AN HOUR.
THEY, THE BRUTON VIOLATORS WERE EXCEEDING 56 MILES AN HOUR.
THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
UM, I DON'T, I CAN'T RECALL IF YOU MENTIONED THAT, UM, PART OF THE PROCESS IS THAT EACH VIOLATION GETS REVIEWED BY DEPUTIZED OFFICER BEFORE IT GOES TO THE, UH, TO THE PERSON THAT, THAT, THAT THAT'S CORRECT.
THE WAY THE SYSTEM WORKS IS ALL OF THE VIOLATIONS, THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE LICENSE PLATES ALONG WITH THE DMV INFORMATION WOULD BE SENT BACK TO MY OFFICE.
I HAVE TO HAVE A CERTIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
A DEPUTY REVIEWS EACH ONE OF THE, THE PHOTOGRAPHS THAT SHOW THAT THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE LICENSE PLATE MATCHES THE INFORMATION IN DMV.
WHEN THAT DEPUTY APPROVES IT, THEN IT'S SENT BACK TO THE COMPANY, WHICHEVER ONE WE DECIDE ON TO THEN ISSUE THE CIVIL SUMMONS THROUGH THE MAIL.
AND THEY HAVE 30 DAYS TO PAY IT OR TO APPEAL IT.
WHERE DO THEY, WHERE DO THEY PAY? DO THEY SEND, THEY'LL PAY THE COMPANY.
THERE'LL BE, IT GOES WITH THE FORM JUST LIKE THE
[00:50:01]
RED LIGHT NOTICES WE GET AROUND HERE.THERE'LL BE A, A FORM WHERE YOU CAN GO ONLINE OR YOU CAN MAIL IT BACK TO THE, THE COMPANY AND THEN THEY RECEIVE THE SUMMONS, THE, UH, CIVIL FINE.
THEY DON'T COME TO THE COUNTY OFFICESS.
THEY, THE OFFICERS, THEY, THEY OFFICES, THEY PAY THE, UH, COMPANY.
UM, YEAH, AND YOU TOUCHED UPON A LITTLE BIT IN, IN ADDITION TO MAKING SURE SCHOOL BUSES AREN'T RUN INTO, OR THERE AREN'T SOME HORRIBLE ACCIDENTS ACROSS THE SCHOOL, SCHOOL PROPERTY.
THE OTHER ASPECT OF IT IS WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE RUNNING 11 MILES OVER GREATER THAN THE CARS AROUND THE CLOSING RATE IS, IS SO DRASTIC THAT PEOPLE GET IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEY LOOK TO SEE AND THEY'RE CLEAR, BUT BY THE TIME THEY MOVE THAT CAR RUNNING 11, 15 MILES OVER THEIR SPEED LIMIT, IT'S SUDDENLY THERE.
AND THEN YOU, AND THEN YOU'RE HAVING THESE ACCIDENTS JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE OF, OF A SPEEDER LIKE THAT.
SO WE GOTTA SLOW, SLOW THEM DOWN WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO ADHERE TO THE SPEED LIMIT.
AND THEN YOU HAVE THE OUTLIERS NOT THAT'S COSTING THE PROBLEMS. WELL, IN PARTICULAR DAIRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHERE YOU HAVE THE CROSSING ZONE AND THE CROSSING GUARDS WITH THOSE CURVES THAT IF YOU'RE RUNNING 11 MILES AN HOUR AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET KIDS ACROSS THE STREET, THAT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
MR. UH, I FORGOT TO ASK YOU, UH, I FORGOT TO ASK THESE MICS POP ON AND OFF.
UM, WHEN YOU AND I TALKED, I QUESTIONED THE VETTING PROCESS.
COULD YOU GO OVER THAT A LITTLE BIT WITH THE TWO COMPANIES THAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING FOR THE PUBLIC, BOTH COMPANIES ESSENTIALLY ISSUE THE, OR HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE? THERE'S VERY LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN THAT.
UH, BOTH OF THEM USE LIDAR RADAR, WHICH THE ADVANTAGE OF THAT IS TO THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WORKS FOR ME, THAT HAS TO VALIDATE THIS IS THERE WILL BE A RED DOT THAT HE'LL BE ABLE TO SEE IN THE PICTURE TO SHOW THAT THAT IS IN FACT THE CAR THAT WAS PICKED UP BY THE RADAR.
ALSO, THE WAY THESE COMPANIES WORK IS THEY ENSURE THAT THE, THE LIGHTS DON'T, THE RADAR DOESN'T START WORKING UNTIL THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES.
SO THERE'S NO EXCUSE THAT THE LIGHTS WEREN'T ON WHEN YOU CAME THROUGH THERE.
WE WILL WORK WITH THE SCHOOL DIVISIONS AS FAR AS THE TIMING AND THEN THE TWO COMPANIES THAT ARE BEING USED, I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL LOCALITIES THAT HAVE USED EITHER ONE IN, IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
IT'S, WHAT IT'S GONNA COME DOWN TO IS THROUGH OUR PROCUREMENT PROCESS WITH THE COUNTY, WHICH ONE OUR FINANCE PEOPLE OR OUR PURCHASING PEOPLE BELIEVE TO BE THE BETTER CONTRACT FOR YORK COUNTY.
AND I'VE SEEN, I'VE SEEN SOME SUBTLE DIFFERENCES IN THE TWO OF THEM THAT IF I WOULD ASK THE, I WOULD MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON BASED AND BASED ON THE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH THE OTHER LOCALITIES AS WELL.
MR. SHEPHERD, YOU HAD ANOTHER QUESTION? YEAH, JUST FOLLOW UP.
UM, I KNOW THAT, UH, WE HAD THE, UH, THE STATE HAS APPROVED THE RED LIGHT CAMERAS AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS, UM, FOR COMMUNITIES TO, TO DO THAT IF THEY WANNA INSTALL THOSE.
SO HAVE, DO WE HAVE THE STATE OR THE AUTHORITY FROM THE STATE TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS AS, UH, SUPERVISORS? THE, THERE IS A VIRGINIA CODE THAT RIGHT NOW AUTHORIZES THE LOCALITY TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT.
I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, MR. HILL, AND IT'S HIS OPINION AND HIS BELIEF THAT THERE IS A, A MUCH BETTER WAY TO DO THIS.
IN HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER LOCALITIES THAT YOU WOULD BE ASKED, I WOULD BE ASKING YOU TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE, A YORK COUNTY ORDINANCE THAT BASICALLY MIRRORS THE STATE STATUTE AND ALLOWS US TO MOVE FORWARD ON THAT.
MS. NOMAN, I'M SORRY, I HAVE, I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL ASPECT.
AT ANY RATE, I'M JUST CURIOUS ABOUT THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF IT AND I'M WONDERING, OF COURSE COMPANIES WOULD NOT GET INTO THIS BUSINESS UNLESS THEY WERE GONNA MAKE A PROFIT.
IS THERE A, A MINIMUM AMOUNT THAT THEY ARE EXPECTING TO EARN TO MAKE IT VIABLE FOR THEM TO PROVIDE THE EQUIPMENT TO YOU IN AN ANNUAL BASIS? WELL, I'M SURE THAT THERE IS FOR THEIR CONVERSATION.
YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THAT POINT YET TO KNOW WHETHER THAT WAS, AND IF YOU WERE TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR CAMPAIGN TO SLOW PEOPLE DOWN, THEN YOU WOULD HAVE LESS PEOPLE RUNNING OVER 11 MILES PER HOUR.
WELL, THAT'S THE OVERALL SPEED LIMIT AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.
SO IF YOU GET TO A CERTAIN POINT, IS THERE, IS THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN PULL BACK AND TAKE THEM AWAY? SURE.
I WOULD LIKE TO GET, THINK WE WOULD BE SO SUCCESSFUL THAT THREE YEARS FROM NOW I'D SAY COME AND GET YOUR EQUIPMENT.
I DON'T NEED 'EM ANYMORE BECAUSE WE'RE NOT HAVING THE ISSUE.
THAT WOULD BE IN THE CONTRACT THAT YOU SIGNED WITH THEM TO SEE.
SO HAVE YOU SEEN ANY CONTRACTS SO FAR? YES.
OF WHAT THEY WANT? AND IS THAT IT A POSSIBILITY IN THE CONTRACT? I DON'T KNOW OF A LOCALITY YET THAT
[00:55:01]
HAS HAD ANY REMOVED, THEY'VE HAD AS, AS MANY, AS MUCH AS A 92% REDUCTION.IN THE NUMBER OF, BUT THE, THE COMPANIES ARE NOT PULLING OUT.
THAT'S WHAT I'M JUST ASKING YOU.
WHETHER IT WOULD BE A PART OF THE CONTRACT THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE.
I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT IN ANY OF THE TWO CONTRACTS THAT I'VE LOOKED AT YET.
JUST WE'RE JUST ASSUMING THAT IF IT DROPS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL THAT THEY WOULD, IT WOULD NOT BE FINANCIALLY VIABLE FOR THEM ANYMORE AND THEY WOULD JUST PULL OUT, I WOULD LOVE TO THINK THAT THAT WOULD HAPPEN.
ALRIGHT, OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SHERIFF MONTGOMERY.
WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT, UH, THAT, UH, RESOLUTION ORDINANCE WHEN Y'ALL PUT THAT TOGETHER.
[CITIZENS' COMMENT PERIOD]
WE'RE GONNA MOVE INTO THE, UM, SO THIS IS COMMENT PERIOD.AND TO KEEP THIS MOVING ALONG, WHAT I'M GONNA DO IS I'M GONNA CALL THE FIRST TWO SPEAKERS, UM, AND I ASKED, I'LL ASK THE FIRST SPEAKER TO COME ON UP TO THE PODIUM AND THE SECOND PEOPLE, SECOND SPEAKER, KIND OF GET ON DECK NEAR, NEAR THE BACK DOOR READY TO GO SO WE CAN KEEP THINGS ROLLING PRETTY WELL WHEN THE FIRST SPEAKER'S DONE, HAVE THE SECOND SPEAKER COME UP AND THEN I'LL CALL THE THIRD SPEAKER AND WE'LL JUST KEEP IT, KEEP IT ROLLING LIKE THAT.
UM, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT WHEN YOU COME UP, WE ASK THAT YOU, UM, SHARE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND ONCE YOU DO THAT, UH, THE GREEN LIGHT WILL COME ON.
YOUR THREE MINUTES WILL START AT, UH, 30 SECONDS TO GO.
THE YELLOW LIGHT WILL COME ON, LET YOU KNOW TO START WRAPPING UP AND, AND WHEN THE RED LIGHT COMES ON, WE'LL ASK YOU TO GO AHEAD AND CONCLUDE YOUR COMMENTS.
SO WITH THAT, WE'LL START OUT WITH, UH, JACKIE, SHANNON AND GEORGE HANLEY.
YOU'RE, YOU'RE, YOU'RE IN A GOOD SPOT.
I THANK YOU CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY ADDRESS IS 2,600 NORTH ELIZABETH HARBOR DRIVE IN CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA.
UM, I WANTED TO SPEAK BRIEFLY, UM, WHAT'S AT RISK WITH THE POTENTIAL OF THE PRINCESS CRUISE LINE? UM, OPERATING IN THE YORK RIVER? THIS IS A PERSONAL TESTAMENT, BUT I DO WANNA ADD FOR FULL DISCLOSURE THAT I WORK FOR THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION AND I USED TO GROW OYSTERS COMMERCIALLY IN THE YORK RIVER.
AND I FEEL LIKE, UM, THIS EXPERIENCE HAS GIVEN ME, UM, SOME, SOME INSIGHT ABOUT WHAT'S AT STAKE HERE.
UM, AND AS YOU PROBABLY ALREADY AWARE, AWARE OYSTERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT NATURAL, UM, RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE IN THE BAY.
THEY'RE LIKE LIVING WATER TREATMENT PLANTS AND THEY CREATE HABITAT FOR UP TO 300 OTHER IMPORTANT SPECIES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE BAY.
IN NOVEMBER, 2020 FORM FORMER GOVERNOR, UH, RALPH NORTHAM ANNOUNCED $10 MILLION IN FUNDING TO SUPPORT OYSTER RESTORATION IN THE GREAT WHITE COMICO PCA TANK AND YORK RIVERS.
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT VIRGINIA CAPITAL FUNDS WERE DIRECTED TO RESTORING NATURAL RESOURCES.
EVER SINCE THEN, THE VIRGINIA MARINE RESOURCES COMMISSION HAS CONSTRUCTED ABOUT 200 ACRES ALL WITHIN SIGHT OF THE, UM, WATERMAN'S MUSEUM.
THESE ARE SANCTUARY NON-ART REEFS OF THE TIMING WAS PERFECT BECAUSE THE LAST TWO YEARS WE'VE HAD RECORD SPAT SETS OR NATURAL OYSTER RECRUITMENT EVENTS, WHICH HAS SEEDED THESE REEFS, UM, FOR FUTURE SUCCESS.
UM, THAT'S ALL FOR ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF COURSE, UM, BUT WE'RE ALSO RECOGNIZING THE, UH, THE IMPACT THAT THESE, UM, BASICALLY PARENT OYSTERS WILL HAVE ON THE OYSTER INDUSTRY.
UM, I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF A STATE APPOINTED ADVISORY PANEL, UM, AND I ASSIST WITH RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ANNUAL O OYSTER HARVEST REGULATIONS.
I'M VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT THE 2022 AND 2023 OYSTER HARVEST SEASON, UH, WAS THE HIGHEST THAT'S BEEN SEEN IN VIRGINIA IN 35 YEARS, SINCE ABOUT 1982.
UM, SO A LOT OF MOMENTUM IS, UH, IS HAPPENING WITH THE INDUSTRY AND WITH THE ECOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS AS A RESULT OF ALL THESE INVESTMENTS, UM, THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE YORK RIVER IS A HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE RIVER THAT IS CRITICAL TO THE ANNUAL $65 MILLION IN DOCKSIDE VALUE THAT THE OYSTER AND, UM, OYSTER INDUSTRY BRINGS, EXCUSE ME, THE OYSTERS YIELD STATEWIDE, I SHOULD SAY.
AND THE PROPOSED 2024 OYSTER HARVEST SEASON INCLUDES MOST MULTIPLE OYSTER ROCKS WITHIN THE YORK RIVER SYSTEM.
SO IN CONCLUSION, AND SIMPLY, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I FEEL PERSONALLY THERE'S JUST TOO MUCH ECOLOGICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY STATE, TOO MUCH PROGRESS THAT COULD BE LOST OR COMPROMISED BY THE TEMP POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS THAT THIS INDUSTRY COULD BRING TO OUR YORK RIVER.
AND I'M SURE MANY MORE PEOPLE WILL SPEAK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THOSE POLLUTION CONCERNS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING.
AND THEN I'LL ASK, UH, MR. WAYNE ROAD TO GET READY ON DECK.
I RESIDE AT 34 68 OTTER BANKS LANE AND THAT'S IN GLOUCESTER.
I'M HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT THE FEELINGS OF THE BOARD AND THE STAFF THAT WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL WE COMPLETE THE PILOT PROGRAM FOR PRINCESS CRUISE LINES BEFORE WE MAKE ANY DECISIONS ABOUT IT.
[01:00:01]
WELL, I WANT TO SUBMIT, IF I CAN, THAT THE PILOT PROGRAMS USUALLY OCCUR TO PROVIDE THE PROS AND CONS OF THE QUESTION SO THAT A HEDONISTIC CALCULATION CAN BE MADE AS TO WHAT IS FAVORABLE.AND IN THIS CASE, I SUBMIT THAT EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN, AND A LONG HISTORY HAS PROVEN THE RESULTS OF CRUISE SHIPS COMING INTO CAUSE.
PORT OF CALLS, THEY HARM THE RIVERBEDS, THE AIR QUALITY, THE WATER QUALITY ECOSYSTEMS, HABITATS, MARINE LIFE, AND THOSE WHO DEPEND ON A GOOD ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD AND OUR LOCALE, THE CRUISE LINE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION REALIZES THAT THEY HAVE A POLLUTING PROBLEM WITH CRUISE SHIPS AND THAT THEY HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT INSTRUMENTS SUCH AS SCRUBBERS AND LOW GRADE FUEL ARE THE MAIN CONTRIBUTORS TO MANY OF THESE POLLUTING FACTORS.
PRINCESS CRUISE LINES IS A MEMBER OF THIS ASSOCIATION, AS ARE THE OTHER 18 MAJOR CRUISE LINES IN OUR, ON OUR GLOBE.
HOWEVER, PRINCESS IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE 19 MAJOR CRUISE LINES THAT'S PAID AN OUTRAGEOUS $60 MILLION IN FINES FOR POLLUTING AND IGNORING A PROBATIONARY STATUS.
WHY? WHY IS THAT THE CASE? BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY POLLUTE AND THAT THEY HAVE GOT THIS HISTORY OF DOING THAT.
WE ALL KNOW WHAT THE FACTS ARE ABOUT HARMFUL CRUISES COMING INTO PORTS.
WHY DO WE NEED A PILOT STUDY TO TO SHOW US WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW.
CRUISE SHIPS HARM THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR PORTS OF CALL.
SO WHATEVER WE HAVE IN THE WAY OF ADDITIONAL NEEDS FOR A PILOT, SAY WE COULD SAVE.
IF THIS BOARD WOULD JUST SIMPLY SAY, NO, BOY, ISN'T THAT, ISN'T THAT AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION? JUST SAY, NO, I'VE HEARD THAT SOMEPLACE BEFORE.
I'M SURE FOREIGN FLAGSHIPS HAVE NO PLACE IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT.
I LIVE AT 1 0 1 HODGES COVE ROAD.
UM, I'M HERE TONIGHT TO A LITTLE DIFFERENT HERE.
I'M TO DISAGREE WITH A SECTION OF YOUR, UH, YORK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD SUPERVISOR'S RULES OF PROCEDURE.
MY PROBLEM IS, I'M, I'VE TALKED TO THE CHAIRMAN ABOUT THIS AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT A COUPLE TIMES, ABOUT THE REASON BEHIND WHAT AND WHY YOU'RE TRYING TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF TIMES A SPEAKER CAN PLACE THEIR QUESTIONS BEFORE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, ACCORDING TO THE, UH, CITIZENS' PERIOD, IT SAYS, EACH SPEAKER SHALL BE LIMITED TO ONE APPROVED, UM, APPEARANCE TO EACH REGULAR MEETING TO THE BOARD.
TO ME, THAT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT.
IF I HAVE MORE THAN ONE THING I NEED TO BRING BEFORE THE BOARD, THEN I SHOULD BE ABLE TO BRING MORE THAN ONE THING THERE.
BUT IT DOESN'T, RIGHT HERE, IT SAYS ONE THING, ONE TIME BEFORE THE BOARD.
UM, WE'RE THE CONSTITUENCIES, WE'RE YOUR CONSTITUENCIES.
YOU SHOULD BE DOING THINGS FOR US, NOT US HAVING TO DO THINGS FOR YOU.
UM, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY IT ANY OTHER WAY.
YOU'RE PRETTY MUCH BLOCKING WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY.
BUT ON ALSO ON THE OTHER THING, I THINK IT'S, UH, I'VE LEARNED THAT THE CRUISES, THE PRINCESS CRUISE LINE'S GONNA POLLUTE US.
DO QUITE A BIT OF POLLUTION HERE.
I'VE LEARNED SOMETHING FROM SOME OF THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE.
AND I'M GONNA ASK YOU AS A LIFELONG RESIDENT HERE OF THE COUNTY, PLEASE DON'T VOTE 'EM, DON'T LET, LET 'EM COME IN HERE.
MR. ED ASHLEY, GET READY TO GO.
I AM BOB HERGE, 1 46 CARDINAL LANE.
I'D LIKE TO SAY GOOD EVENING, AND I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY FELLOW CITIZENS FOR HAVING THE PERSONAL FORTITUDE TO STEP FORWARD ON THIS BOARD AND, UH, REPRESENT YOUR OTHER FELLOW CITIZENS IN YORK COUNTY HERE, UH, FOR WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF OUR COMMUNITY, THE FINANCIAL AND DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY OF OUR COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY.
[01:05:01]
SAY THAT 'CAUSE I KIND OF LEAN TOWARDS THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR THE DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES THEY HAVE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR NATION.WITH THAT SAID, I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE AN EXCEPTIONAL IDEA IF THESE TWO BOARDS WERE, THEY'RE ABLE TO FIND AVENUES OF, UH, COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER TO, UH, SUPPORT, EXPLORE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND POSSIBILITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
UH, I'M THE LEAD ADMINISTRATOR OF DEVELOPING CITIZENS INITIATIVE, KNOWN AS NEW YORK COUNTY PCOS AND COMMUNITY MISSIONS.
UH, THE YM, THE Y-C-P-C-M INITIATIVE, IS INSPIRED BY OUR CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLICS FOUNDING DOCUMENTS IN THE PRINCIPLE SET FORTH WITHIN THEM, AND IS MANIFESTED BY THE WORKS OF CITIZENS TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY.
THERE ARE A COUPLE GROUPS OUT HERE, I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT.
YORK COUNTY IS AN EXCELLENT ONE.
THE CONCERNED CITIZENS OF YORK COUNTY OUTSTANDING AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE'RE TRYING TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD ON ALL ASPECTS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS AFFILIATED AS A NON-AFFILIATED, UH, FOUNDED AS A NON-AFFILIATED, STRUCTURED ORGANIZ ORGANIZATION FOR ALL CITIZENS.
UM, BASICALLY THE WAY OUR REPUBLIC'S SET UP IS THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THE STRONGEST BOND AND THE STRONGEST AUTHORITY IS AT OUR LOCAL LEVEL.
UH, AND, UH, THAT KIND OF PROPAGATES ACROSS THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, UP TO THE STATE AND UP TO THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
SO RIGHT HERE IS THE STRONGEST BOND WE HAVE IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
THE WAY THESE THING'S SET UP, THERE'S A PLETHORA OF OBJECTIVES OF THE Y-C-P-C-M.
THE ONE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS HAVE THE CITIZENS UNDERSTAND THERE EXERCISE OR TO UNDERSTAND, TO EXERCISE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AS WE THE PEOPLE TO HELP SUPPORT YOU ALL WITHIN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.
THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.
UM, SO TO THE BOARD, I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND TO YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE ANOTHER AVENUE FOR YOU TO COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS AND THOUGHTS TO THE COMMUNITY OUT HERE BY UTILIZING OUR WEBSITE@THEYCPCM.COM.
YOU CAN PUT YOUR THOUGHTS THERE AND WE'LL HELP YOU SPREAD IT.
OBVIOUSLY, YOU HAVE YOUR OFFICIAL CHANNELS YOU CAN GO THROUGH, BUT WE'RE JUST TRYING TO OPEN UP THOSE LINES OF COMMUNICATION FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND SHARING OF INFORMATION AMONGST THE CITIZENS AND OUR CITIZENS ON THE BOARD.
AND LET'S SEE, FINAL COMMENT, BOTTOM LINE.
WE THE PEOPLE ELECT OUR CITIZENS TO SIT UP HERE TO NOT SUPPORT YOU, TO NOT COMMUNICATE WITH YOU AND NOT OFFER SOME TYPE OF OVERSIGHT THAT JUST IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE.
WE'VE GOTTA START COMMUNICATING AMONGST OURSELVES AND MAKE THIS THING MOVE A LITTLE SMOOTHER.
AND, UH, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY BEST WISHES TO MY CITIZENS SITTING ON THIS BOARD AS YOU MOVE FORWARD ON THIS ENDEAVOR.
AND THANK YOU FOR THIS MOMENT OF TIME.
FOLLOW UP BY MR. STEVE KENNEDY, GREEN LIGHT.
I LIVE AT ONE 10 ALLEN HARRIS DRIVE, NEW YORKTOWN.
AND I'M HERE JUST TO ADD MY VOICE TO THE OPPOSITION TO THE PRINCESS CRUISE LINE AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL VOTE NO ON THIS.
THERE ARE MANY GOOD REASONS TO DO THAT.
I THINK WE'VE LAID OUT MANY OF THEM.
WE'VE GOT LOTS OF DATA AVAILABLE THAT THE, UH, PRESERVE YORKTOWN FOUNDATION WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU.
I'M SURE THEY HAVE, BUT I'M OPPOSED TO ANY LARGE SHIPS COMING TO YORKTOWN.
THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS ON THOSE SHIPS, 3000 ON SOME OF THE MEDIUM SIZE.
THEY JUST LAUNCHED ONE THAT'S GONNA BE ABLE TO CARRY 7,500 PEOPLE.
THEY WILL OVERWHELM OUR FACILITIES, OUR ATTRACTIONS, THE RESTAURANTS AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT THE LOCAL CITIZENS GO TO, TO ENJOY.
PROBABLY SQUEEZING THEM OUT OF SOME OF THOSE OR CAUSING PROBLEMS. THE TOURIST MONEY WILL BE SPENT LARGELY NOT IN YOUR COUNTY, BUT IN JAMES CITY COUNTY OR NORFOLK OR VARIOUS OTHER PLACES THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE VISITING.
BUT WE WILL BEAR THE BRUNT OF THE RESULT IN CONGESTION, TRAFFIC WEAR AND TEAR ON THE ROADS AND REPAIR COSTS.
THE SHIPS WILL POLLUTE THE BAY.
THEY HAVE A TERRIBLE RECORD OF DOING SO, PARTICULARLY PRINCESS LINE, UH, MIGHT FIND $60 MILLION FOR BEING CAUGHT DOING THAT AND VIOLATING THEIR, THEIR, UH, THEIR PAWS THAT THEY WERE DIRECTED TO, TO DO THESE, THESE HUGE SHIPS AND HAD ANY ACCIDENTS AT ALL WILL BE A HAZARD TO THE NAVY.
NAVY'S ACCESS TO THE MISSION ESSENTIAL PORTS LIKE CHEETAH MANX AND THE NAVAL WEAPONS STATIONS.
ALL THOSE SHIPS GO IN THERE TO GET FITTED OUT WITH WEAPONS BEFORE THEY GO ON DEPLOYMENT.
ANY HICCUP IN THAT BRIDGE, IF YOU'RE GOING THAT SHIP'S HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE BRIDGE, COULD JAM THAT THING UP FOR WEEKS, MAYBE LONGER.
THE NAVY WOULDN'T BE HAPPY WITH THAT.
I'M KIND OF UPSET WITH THE WAY THE COUNTY BOARD HAS HANDLED THIS SO FAR.
[01:10:01]
I, YOU KNOW, WE, YOU'VE BEEN WORKING THIS FOR A YEAR BEFORE WE EVEN FOUND OUT ABOUT IT.AND I'M, I'M LOOKING FOR MORE OPENNESS ON THE BOARD AND DEALING WITH THINGS LIKE THIS AND TALKING TO THE CITIZENS MORE OPENLY ABOUT IT.
I DON'T WANT ANY OF OUR TAX MONEY GOING TO THE PORT IMPROVEMENTS TO SUPPORT THIS CRUISE LINE ISSUE.
NOT JUST PRINCESS, BUT ANY LARGE CRUISE LINE, BRINGING ANY SHIPS OF THAT SIZE INTO THE YORK RIVER.
PRINCESS ALREADY HAS FIVE LOBBYISTS READY TO ENGAGE IN BRINGING CRUISE SHIP GAMBLING TO VIRGINIA WATERS.
THERE HAVE BEEN NO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES ON THIS WHOLE PROCESS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU APPROACH THE EPA OR DEQ TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET AN IMPACT STATEMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT IN PLACE FOR THIS PROCESS BEFORE IT GOES ANY FURTHER.
AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
MR. KENNEDY, FOLLOW BY MR. THOMAS.
UH, STEVE KENNEDY, 1 0 4 PENN DRIVE.
ALSO VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CONSERVE YORK COUNTY FOUNDATION.
TONIGHT IS THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH.
MANY OF YOU MAY HAVE GONE TO THE DOCTOR, HOPEFULLY GET YOUR YEAR END PHYSICAL HIPPOCRATIC OATH FOR MEDICAL IS DO NO HARM.
PERHAPS YOU COULD ADD TO THE MINUTES THIS EVENING FOR THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH FOR YORK COUNTY OFFICIALS, WHICH WOULD BE, DO THE LEAST HARM, DO THE LEAST HARM.
YOU SEE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT BUDGETS AND BUDGET SURPLUSES.
BUDGET SURPLUSES ARE BAD POLICY.
THEY'RE HARMFUL TO TAXPAYERS, BUT ELECTED OFFICIALS VIEW THIS AS AN ACHIEVEMENT.
SURPLUSES AND GOVERNMENT BUDGETS REALLY MEAN WE'VE SIMPLY BEEN EXCESSIVELY TAXED THEN AT LEAST TO THINGS LIKE PET PROJECTS.
HUBRIS, RESULTING IN LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE CITIZENS AND VOTERS.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FAR IN THIS COUNTY TO FIND EVIDENCE OF THIS.
OUR VERY OWN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OR EDA, THE LAST MINUTES I READ STATED THEIR FINANCIAL REPORTS ARE DELAYED DUE TO AUDITS.
THEY'RE SPENDING $10,000 OF YORK COUNTY MONEY GOING TO WILLIAMSBURG.
JAMES CITY COUNTY, BY THE WAY, SPEND LOCAL ALWAYS SOUNDS NOBLE, BUT THERE'S NO ROI RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR THE TAXPAYERS.
THEN ANOTHER $50,000 REPLENISHMENT OF THE BUSINESS GROWTH GRANT, WHATEVER THAT IS.
EDA DID HAVE A PHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE BEAL BREWERY FOLKS.
THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED DELAYS BUT ARE MOVING FORWARD.
QUOTE, WE PLAN TO PROCEED IN A PHASED APPROACH, WHATEVER THAT MEANS,
AFTER THIS MEETING AT THE END OF THE QUARTER.
YOU JUST LET ME KNOW AND HAVE SOMEBODY AT THE EDA OR STAFF TELL ME, TELL ME WHAT IS EXACTLY YOU'RE DOING WITH OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
WE, THE TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PER YEAR FOR HOSPITALITY PROPERTIES.
WE RECEIVE NOTHING IN RETURN MESSAGE, NO MORE BLANK CHECKS, PLEASE.
THUS, WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE, UH, OUR, OUR PROVERBIAL NEEDS VERSUS WANTS DURING THIS CRUSHING INFLATIONARY TIME, IT IS GOING TO GET WORSE.
SPEAKING OF GETTING WORSE ENFORCEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY, HERE'S THE NO DUMPING SIGN AT THE END OF SPRINGFIELD ROAD IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THERE LATELY.
ALRIGHT, IT MIGHT BE NICE FOR SOMEBODY TO TAKE A DRIVE OUT THERE.
THIS WAS THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY.
MONTY JOHNS, WHO WAS A FORMER PLANNING COMMISSIONER HERE IS, IS NOW A VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CONSERVE YORK COUNTY FOUNDATION.
CONGRATS OF COURSE, TO SHERIFF MONTGOMERY AND HIS TOUGH WORK.
UH, MR. ROHN, MAY YOU CONTINUE TO BRING MUTUAL RESPECT WITH YOUR GAVEL, SIR, TO ALL 71,000 CITIZENS.
MR. ROY, MR. DREW, WE PLAN ON WORKING WITH YOU.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW THEM, THEY'RE BRILLIANT.
THEY, THEY KNOCKED ON THOUSANDS OF DOORS COLLECTIVELY.
SO IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S REFRESHING AND HEARTFELT AND SINCERE, TALK TO THE NEWEST ELECTED OFFICIALS.
WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE DOCK MASTER MEETING.
SO TRY THIS AGAIN, MR. THOMAS DE DE LAVERE.
DID I GET YOU RIGHT? CLOSE? WHAT'S THAT DE GLORIA? OKAY.
LIKE ABOUT TO THE FUTURE CARD.
WE'LL FOLLOW WITH, UH, MS. DOLLAR KRESKY.
MR. ROY AGAIN FOR, UH, GETTING
[01:15:01]
THE POSITION HERE TO BE A CITIZENS OR LISTENED TO US.UH, CERTAINLY HOPE YOU TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN TO ALL THE CONSTITUENTS THIS TIME.
UM, IN THE LAST, UH, FEW MEETINGS, MR. RUMBA, UH, OUTGOING GUY EXPRESSED, UH, HIS DISPLEASURE AND HOW THE BOARD WAS OPERATING.
WITHOUT LISTENING TO THE CONSTITUENTS A FEW DIFFERENT TIMES, UM, SEEMS THIS HAS BEEN DELIBERATELY AVOIDED AND ESPECIALLY ON THE MOST IMPORTANT TOPICS CONCERNING OUR COUNTY.
AND HOPE, UH, TRANSPARENCY, UH, COMES BACK.
UM, FOR YOUR LAST MONTH FOR OPPOSING THAT 30 YEAR MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR GIVEAWAY.
UM, YOU AND MR. RUMBA HAD COMPELLING POINTS, UH, THAT SEEMED TO BE COMPLETELY IGNORED, BUT THEY WEREN'T IGNORED BY US.
WE UNDERSTOOD YOU AND WE HEARD YOU.
UH, MR. SHEPHERD, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR, UH, IN YOUR NOVEMBER MEETING SHOWING US, UH, THAT YOU CAN CARE ABOUT THE CITIZEN AS ASKING, UH, OUR ATTORNEY OVER HERE.
YOU KNOW, WHAT IS OUR EXIT PLAN FOR THIS PRINCESS CRUISE LINE? SO I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING ABOUT THAT TONIGHT.
UH, I HEARD THAT WE'RE HAVING A TOWN HALL FEBRUARY 3RD, SATURDAY.
IS THAT CORRECT? UH, IS THAT CORRECT? FEBRUARY 7TH, YES.
BUT GO, GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE.
SO, UM, I I, I WAS LOOKING AT THE FACEBOOK AND THE YORK COUNTY WEBSITE THIS MORNING.
I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING IN REGARDS TO IT, SO I'M SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GONNA WANT TO, UH, JOIN US ON THAT EVENT.
I ALSO HEARD THE, UH, PRINCESS CRUISE LOBBYISTS ARE GONNA BE THERE TO, UH, ALSO PROVIDE A PRESENTATION, UH, ABOUT THE PRINCESS, UH, DURING THAT TOWN HALL.
SO, HOPE IT'S AN ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES ONE, THAT'S FOR SURE.
UH, THE FIVE, FIVE LOBBYISTS LIKE FRANK WAGNER, THEY ARE REGISTERED AND AFFILIATED WITH PRINCESS CRUISE LINE MATTERS INVOLVING OPERATING CRUISE SHIP CASINOS WHILE IN VIRGINIA WATERS.
ALL FIVE OF 'EM, TRUST ME, THEIR AGENDA IS SO MUCH LARGER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE.
WE DON'T WANT THIS IN HERE IN, UH, YORK COUNTY PRESERVE.
YORKTOWN IS THE LARGEST GROUP OF CITIZENS I KNOW REPRESENTING RESPONSIBLE TOURISM, COLLECTING THE CONCERNS OF MANY.
AND I'M ASKING THAT WE BE PROVIDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE A SHORT PRESENTATION DURING THE TOWN HALL IN THE 7TH OF FEBRUARY, SO THAT WAY THE CITIZENS CAN HAVE A FULL PICTURE OF THIS COMING BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP THAT YOU HAVE.
WE CAN PRESENT IT TO YOU IN ADVANCE.
CITIZENS DESERVE TO KNOW THE STRONG POSSIBLE NEGATIVE IMPACTS, AND NOT JUST A ONE-SIDED STORY ON HOW THIS, UH, THE CRUISE LINE'S GONNA BRING WONDERFUL, MAJOR CHANGES TO YORKTOWN.
AND IF IT'S STILL PLANNED AT THE YORKTOWN LIBRARY, YOU KNOW, I HOPE WE CONSIDER, UH, GETTING LARGER VENUE.
'CAUSE I SUSPECT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE'S GONNA WANT TO ATTEND.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AGAIN.
UH, MRS. KROSKY, FOLLOWED BY CAROL SCHUSTER.
DO, DO WE NEED TO UPDATE OUR WEBSITE OF SOCIAL MEDIA WITH THAT, WITH THAT DATE? I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ON THERE, ON THE PRINCESS PORTAL, OR I'LL CHECK.
I LIVE AT ONE 12 CHURCH STREET, YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA, RIGHT BEHIND THIS BUILDING.
UM, IT IS ALWAYS A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY AND COME AND BE ABLE TO TALK TO, UH, THIS BODY AND TO BE PRESENT WITH MY FELLOW CITIZENS.
UM, I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN TALKING TO, UH, A SCIENTIST WITH THE, UM, CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION, AND I'M GONNA TALK ABOUT ONE SPECIFIC, UM, ITEM THAT I THINK THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE UPON, UM, WHICH IS REALLY RARE
BUT I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE ON THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT IN REGARDS TO THE PRINCESS.
AND IF WE CAN'T, I'M KIND OF WORRIED IF WE CAN'T AGREE UPON THIS.
UM, THERE IS, UM, VERY BELOVED POD OF DOLPHINS THAT HAS DECIDED TO MAKE YORKTOWN THEIR HOME.
IT HAS BEEN GROWING, AND I'VE BEEN WATCHING THEM.
I GO OUT ON THE SAILBOATS AND THEY'RE VERY, VERY CAREFUL ON HOW THEY, UH, GET CLOSE TO THEM.
THERE ARE MANY RULES WHEN YOU DO WHALE WATCHING, DOLPHIN WATCHING ANY TYPE OF MAMMA LIKE THAT.
THERE ARE SPECIFIC RULES ON HOW YOU APPROACH THEM, AND THEY HAVE TO BE PART OF THE ITINERARY.
PEOPLE HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT THIS.
THE REASON I'M MENTIONING THIS, UM, IS BECAUSE THE PRINCESS, AND I THINK I WROTE TO THE BOARD, SO YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THIS, THE OTHER PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW THAT, WAS THAT, UM, THE PRINCESS, UM, DECIDED THEY WOULD DO WHALE WATCHING, UH, WHICH WAS NOT PERMITTED, BUT IT WAS ON THEIR ITINERARY, AND THEY PROCEEDED TO KILL A WHALE.
[01:20:01]
YOU CAN JUST PONDER THAT FOR A SECOND.THEY, UH, WERE NOT ALLOWED TO WHALE WATCH.
I COME FROM AN AREA OF THE COUNTRY WHERE, UM, THERE ARE VERY, VERY SPECIFIC WAYS THAT YOU DO WHALE WATCHING.
UM, THEY WERE FINED $750,000 FOR KILLING A WHALE.
I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY'S AWARE OF THAT OR NOT, BUT IF YOU DO THE RESEARCH ON THE PRINCESS, IT JUST SEEMS TO GET WORSE.
HERE'S WHERE I'M GOING TO ASK YOU SOMETHING, IS, DO WE REALLY WANT DEAD DOLPHINS ON OUR YORKTOWN BEACH? I KNOW THAT SOUNDS, I KNOW THAT SOUNDS HARSH, BUT WOULD ANYONE WANNA SEE A DEAD DOLPHIN ON THIS YORKTOWN BEACH? UM, I, FOR ONE, WOULD BE CRYING OVER THE DEAD DOLPHIN.
AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN THE PRINCESS CRUISE LINE OF DOING ANYTHING EXCEPT THROWING MONEY AT THAT DEAD DOLPHIN.
AND THAT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.
THAT IS OUR BELOVED POT OF DOLPHINS.
THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TOLERATE THE INCOMING OF SUCH, UM, ATROCITIES AND POLLUTION AND OTHER MAMMAL LIFE THAT IS ON, ON CRUISE SHIPS.
MS. SCHUSTER, FOLLOWED BY DEBORAH BULLOCK.
I LIVE UP HERE AT 1717 BALLARD STREET HERE IN YORKTOWN.
AND I'M JUST AROUND THE CORNER.
I'M NOT USED TO THIS, SO PLEASE BEAR WITH ME A MINUTE.
JUST A COUPLE THINGS THAT ARE ON MY MIND.
I'M THINKING THAT THESE MEETINGS MIGHT BE JUST A WAY OF LETTING US VENT, GETTING STEAM OUT ON THIS PRINCESS DOINGS, AND THAT IT'S ALREADY A DONE DEAL AND THINGS ARE ALL SET ANYWAY.
DON'T THEY HAVE SET DATES NOW WHEN THE SHIP WILL BE COMING UP? UH, THEY SURE HAVE HAD A LOT OF FALSE INFORMATION OUT BECAUSE OF THAT.
UH, PEOPLE ARE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT GETTING TICKETS.
I THINK AS MUCH AS WE TALK NOW AND YELL OR NOT YELL, IT'S A DONE DEAL.
UH, AND US LITTLE PEOPLE TALKING AND TALKING, JUST, JUST CAN'T COMPETE WITH THE, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY, MONEY THAT THEY EXPECT TO GET WHAT THEY WANT AND THEY CAN GET DONE.
UH, I WONDER WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN ONE, ONE PERSON THAT I'VE HEARD SAY THAT THIS IS AN OKAY PLACE.
NOBODY HAS COME UP AND SAID IT.
IT'S, IT'S ALL RIGHT TO DO THAT.
I'VE HEARD, UH, IT'S A GOOD DEAL FOR THOSE PLANNING ON MAKING THE MONEY, BUT FOR MOST OF US, THIS BEAUTIFUL AREA THAT WE LIVE IN WILL BE SPOILED BY OUR YARDS BEING WALKED THROUGH BY PEOPLE.
BY OUR HAVING OUR PRIVACY GONE, THE MESS IS COMING UP.
I'M SURE WITH THE EXERCISE COMING UP, THERE'LL ALL BE TRAILS OR WALKWAYS.
NOW YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE CUPS, PLASTIC BAGS, PAPER, FOOD WRAPPERS.
YOU CAN'T DENY THAT PEOPLE DO THAT.
AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE TINY BIT EXTRA MESS.
WE'LL HAVE DISRUPTION OF OUR LIVES HERE AT TIMES.
THIS IS A PLACE OF HISTORY OF UNITED STATES HISTORY.
WILL THEY DISRUPT THAT? THEY THINK NOTHING OF IT.
WE'LL HAVE BIG BUSES TO BE PARKED SOMEWHERE AT TIMES, AND THEY'LL BE FOR TOURS GOING ELSEWHERE, AND THE ELSEWHERE IS GONNA TAKE THEIR MONEY.
SO, UH, I'M GETTING MORE THAN A LITTLE NERVOUS, SO I'LL STOP RIGHT NOW.
AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TAKING TIME TO LISTEN TO ME.
MS. MS. BULLOCK FOLLOWED UP BY MS. ALYSSA ADAMS. DEBORAH BULLOCK, 1 33 WINSOME HAVEN.
[01:25:02]
I'M GONNA DO A LITTLE BIT OF SURMISING SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO HEAR THE SAME THING TOO MANY TIMES.BUT I AM GONNA BRING UP A NEW POINT TO YOU AND SOMETHING TO REALLY CONSIDER.
GREETING BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS AND FELLOW CONSTITUENTS.
CRUISE SHIPS ARE NOT A GOOD USE OF OUR RESOURCES IN YORK COUNTY.
I'M REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MAKE GOOD CHOICES ON OUR BEHALF AND TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS, TURN THE MONEY BACK INTO THE STATE SAYING WE WILL NOT BUILD A PIER.
TELL PRINCESS CRUISE LINE AND THE OTHER CRUISE LINES THAT THIS, THEY SAID THIS HAD TO WORK FOR YORK COUNTY AND IT WILL NOT REFUSE TO PROVIDE THE EXTRA SECURITY AT THE PIER THAT'S NEEDED FOR 12 HOURS BEFORE AND 12 HOURS AFTER SHIP USAGE.
THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THAT THIS WILL BE ECONOMICALLY BENEFICIAL TO YORK COUNTY.
THIS IS A BAD CHOICE, AND THIS IS THE NEW POINT.
MAYBE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THIS BEFORE.
IT IS A BAD USE OF OUR MEDICAL RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
FOR EXAMPLE, A COVID LEGIONNAIRES SALMONELLA NOROVIRUS OUTBREAK COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR MEDICAL RESOURCES.
OUR HOSPITALS ARE CURRENTLY VERY OVERLOADED.
MANY OF YOU HAVE SEEN PEOPLE YOU LOVE AND CARE ABOUT WAITING FOR ROOMS. THIS IS GONNA ADD TO THIS PROBLEM.
ALL OF OUR HOSPITALS WITHIN ABOUT A 50 MILE RADIUS ARE CURRENTLY TAXED WITH OUR CURRENT RESIDENTS.
THERE ARE LONG WAIT TIMES FOR EMERGENCY CARE AND HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS.
ONE OTHER ITEM THAT I THINK IS RELATIVE ALSO IS THAT THIS IS A BAD CHOICE BECAUSE IT DOES OPEN OUR PORT FOR PASSENGERS.
WITHOUT US CITIZENSHIP INCOMERS COULD CHOOSE TO STAY ILLEGALLY IN OUR PORT.
THIS MAY OPEN UP OUR PORT TO ILLEGAL, UM, IMMIGRANTS USING OUR, OUR RESOURCES.
SO I HOPE THAT YOU'LL CONSIDER THE ACTIONS THAT I OUTLINED IN THE BEGINNING AND THOSE OF THE OTHER CONSTITUENTS, AND TAKE AND MAKE A GREAT CHOICE FOR YORK COUNTY.
THANK YOU MS. ADAMS. FOLLOWED BY MRS. ELIZABETH WILKINS.
HI, UH, ALYSSA ADAMS, ONE 11 SMITH STREET.
I'M GONNA READ AN EMAIL THAT I SENT THIS MORNING, SO I'LL BE PRETTY BRIEF.
UH, DEAR SUPERVISORS, AS OF JANUARY 10TH, PRINCESS CRUISE LINES ENGAGED FIVE LOBBYISTS.
THEIR MISSIONS PER THE REGISTRATIONS HAVE EXPANDED TO LOBBY FOR MATTERS INVOLVING OPERATING CRUISE SHIP CASINOS WHILE IN VIRGINIA WATERS TO LOBBY FOR GAMING LEGISLATION AND REGULATION INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING, TOURISM PROMOTION.
WHILE WE MAY NOT YET UNDERSTAND THE FULL IMPLICATIONS, WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS ANOTHER INDICATION HOW SERIOUS PRINCES IS ABOUT EXPANSION IN VIRGINIA AND POSSIBLY YORK COUNTY AND YORKTOWN.
THE CRUISE LINE INDUSTRY IS LIKE THE BAMBOO ON TOBACCO ROAD.
OVER TIME, IT SPREADS EVERYWHERE AND CREATES A SITUATION.
LET'S SERIOUSLY CONSIDER, CONSIDER LET'S SERIOUSLY CONSIDER STOPPING THE PROPAGATION OF THE QUOTE UNQUOTE BAMBOO BEFORE IT TAKES ROOT.
THANK YOU, MS. WILKINS, FOLLOWED BY SA SACRAMENTO FROST.
ELIZABETH WILKINS, 2 28 CHURCH STREET.
AND WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS, MR. HALLOID AND MR. DRURY.
IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME TO PUT THE BRAKES ON PRINCESS AND OTHER LARGE CRUISE SHIPS IN YORKTOWN, THE TIME IS NOW.
IN ADDITION TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS, THERE ARE OTHER NEW BUT UNWELCOME FACES ON THE SCENE HERE.
I REFER TO MR. THEODORE ADAMS, MR. FRANK ATKINSON, MS. LIZETTE CABAL, MR. CHRISTOPHER LLOYD AND MR. FRANK WAGNER.
THEY'RE THE FIVE NEWLY REGISTERED LOBBYISTS HIRED BY PRINCESS CRUISE LINES TO PROMOTE ITS INTERESTS IN VIRGINIA.
ALSO, NEWSWORTHY IS THEIR DECLARED PURPOSE TO INFLUENCE MATTERS INVOLVING OPERATING CRUISE SHIP CASINOS WHILE IN VIRGINIA WATERS AND TO INFLUENCE GAMING LEGISLATION AND REGULATION INFRASTRUCTURE, FUNDING AND TOURISM PROMOTION.
[01:30:01]
DO WE HAVE VISIONS OF FLOATING CASINOS HERE IN YORK, THE YORK RIVER, AS IF THERE AREN'T ENOUGH REASONS TO DENY PRINCESS.HERE'S YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF PREDATORY BEHAVIOR BY LARGE CRUISE LINE CORPORATIONS.
MAYBE THEY'RE CONCERNED THAT HISTORY ALONE WON'T SELL YORKTOWN TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.
MAYBE THEY'D BETTER STEP UP THEIR GAMBLING GAME AS A SUREFIRE ALTERNATIVE.
YOU DECIDE, BUT IT MIGHT NOT BE A COINCIDENCE THAT RICHMOND'S CASINO DREAMS WERE CRUSHED AGAIN IN NOVEMBER'S ELECTION.
DOES PRINCESS SEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILL THAT VOID IN HISTORIC YORKTOWN? THAT'S HOW THEY OPERATE.
AND HOLLAND AMERICA IS STILL SELLING AN ITINERARY THAT INCLUDES YORKTOWN TODAY IN SPITE OF BEING REBUFFED BY THE COUNTY FOR THEIR PRESUMPTION THAT YORKTOWN HAS NOW BEEN OPENED IN THEIR WORDS, PROPHETS BEFORE PEOPLE.
SO AGAIN, THE REASONS WE DON'T WANT LARGE CRUISE SHIPS IN YORKTOWN, THEY ARE CHARACTER ALTERING IN SCALE, ENVIRONMENT, AND INFRASTRUCTURE, DEGRADING, ECONOMIC, FALSE, PROMISING, AND NOW FLOATING CASINOS.
AGAIN, ONCE AGAIN, WE SAY YORKTOWN WILL BE UNRECOGNIZABLE IF WE PROCEED WITH THIS PROJECT.
WE KNOW THE PILOT IS MERELY THE SOFT OPENING, THE FIRST SALVO AND WILL BEAR NO RESEMBLANCE TO THE FUTURE ON SLOT.
JUST ASK SITKA, JUNO, KEY WEST, CHARLESTON, AND OTHERS AROUND THE GLOBE, WE CAN STOP THIS NOW AND SAVE OURSELVES THE BURDEN OF REGRET.
AND AS FOR THE BUDGET SURPLUS HELP TEACHERS, NOT PRINCESS.
AND, AND FOLKS, AS YOU COME UP TO SPEAK, UH, PLEASE USE THE MICROPHONE 'CAUSE WE CAN KIND OF HEAR YOU IN HERE.
BUT FOR THE VIEWING AUDIENCE ON, ON TELEVISION, THEY KIND OF RELY ON THAT MICROPHONE TO PICK EVERYBODY UP.
AND, UH, MR. SCOTT BREM, BREM, BE NEXT.
ME, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MY NAME IS JACQUE VAN FR I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD FROM ME BEFORE.
UM, I'M HERE BECAUSE I'M GONNA ENCOURAGE YOU TO, UH, PURSUE ONE OF TWO CLASSES OF CRUISE SHIPS THAT ARE COMING TO YORKTOWN.
THEY ARE DISTINGUISHED BY BEING EITHER OCEANGOING, CRUISE SHIPS, LARGE LARGE VESSELS THAT, THAT ARE PLANNING TO COME HERE.
AND THOSE THAT HAVE ALREADY, THAT ALREADY HAVE A HISTORY HERE.
THE RIVER, RIVER CLASS OF CRUISE SHIPS.
AND I WANNA CONTRAST THE TWO MOSTLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC PRINCESS CRUISE LINES.
THE ONE THAT'S UNDERGOING A PILOT STUDY.
THEIR SHIPS ARE MADE IN FRANCE, THE CRUISE LINE THAT'S ALREADY COMING HERE AND HAS BEEN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
AMERICAN CRUISE LINES HAS, HAS, THOSE SHIPS ARE MADE IN, IN MARYLAND OR CONNECTICUT.
PRINCESS CRUISE LINES IS REGISTERED IN BERMUDA.
SO THEY, THEY'RE FOREIGN FLAGGED AND THEY DO SO TO AVOID PAYING US TAXES.
ACL IS REGISTERED IN THE US AND THEY PULL, PAY THEIR FULL COMPLIMENT OF US TAXES.
PCL DOES NOT ADHERE TO LABOR LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, WHEREAS AMERICAN CRUISE LINES DOES.
PRINCESS CRUISE LINES REQUIRES EXTREME OR, OR VERY STRINGENT SECURITY MEASURES.
AS WAS MENTIONED BEFORE, AMERICAN CRUISE LINES DOES NOT.
PRINCESS CRUISE LINES OFTEN USE THE LE USE THE LEAST EXPENSIVE HIGH SULFUR CONTENT FUELS.
SO THEY HAVE A VERY HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
AMERICAN CRUISE LINES USES LOW SULFUR HIGHLY, MORE HIGHLY REFINED FUELS.
THEY'RE MORE EXPENSIVE, BUT THEY'RE MORE ENVI, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.
AT LEAST THE, THE PRINCESS CRUISE SHIPS ARE AT LEAST 950 FEET LONG.
THEY USE MORE ENERGY TO MAINTAIN THE NEEDS OF THE PASSENGERS.
THEIR SCALE IS COMPLETELY OUTTA WHACK WITH THE SCALE OF A SMALL RIVERFRONT COMMUNITY LIKE YORKTOWN.
AMERICAN CRUISE LINES ARE 270 FEET LONG OR OR LESS.
THEY'RE THIRD, THE LENGTH OF THESE BIG, BIG OCEAN GROWING SHIPS.
THEY HAVE, THEY USE LESS ENERGY AND THEY'RE FAR MORE COMPATIBLE WITH THE SCALE OF OUR RIVER RIVERFRONT COMMUNITY.
PASSENGER LOADS OF 2,800 TO 3080 LEAD TO OVER TOURISM IN THE TOWN.
WHEREAS PASSENGER LO'S OF THE SMALLER SHIPS ARE 200.
AND, AND MOST OF THE TIME, FAR, FAR LESS THAN THAT.
AND THEY PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE CRUISE SHIP TOURISM.
[01:35:01]
A LARGE NUMBER OF YORK COUNTY RESIDENTS STRONGLY OPPOSE OCEANGOING CRUISE SHIP TOURISM.WHEREAS RES, THE RESIDENTS EMBRACE THE, THE FORM OF, OF SMALLER, UH, RIVER SIZE CRUISE SHIPS.
SO BOTH OF THESE CHOICES ARE ILLUSTRATE ILLUSTRATED, ARE, ARE GONNA BENEFIT YORK COUNTY FINANCIALLY.
I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT YOUR CITIZENS BY PROMOTING AMERICAN CRUISE LINES AND REJECTING PRINCESS CRUISE LINES.
AND, UM, NEXT UP IS, IS MR. CAROL, CAROL.
MY NAME IS SCOTT BARTRAM, UH, 1 0 2 PAGE LAND DRIVE.
I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING THE TIME TO TALK TO US TODAY.
I'M HERE 'CAUSE I REALLY LOVE YORK YORKTOWN.
I'VE BEEN RIDING BIKES HERE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
I'VE SPOKEN TO THE BOARD MANY YEARS IN THE PAST ABOUT DIFFERENT TRAILS AND POTENTIAL OUT HERE.
BUT, BUT TODAY I'M WORRIED ABOUT BUSES.
I CANNOT QUITE IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO BE ON THE PARKWAY RIDING MY BIKE AND HAVE BUS AFTER BUS COME PAST THE SIZE OF THESE SHIPS THAT'S COMING THAT COULD COME, COULD GENERATE UP TO 30, 30 LARGE BUSES TRAVELING FROM YORKTOWN TO WILLIAMSBURG, WHETHER YOU'RE ON 2 38 OR ON THE PARKWAY.
THOSE BUSES GOING PAST ARE DANGEROUS TO CYCLISTS AND THEY DISRUPT THE WHOLE FEELING OF THE COMMUNITY.
IT'S JUST TOO BIG, TOO LOUD, TOO FAST.
YORKTOWN IS A QUIET, BEAUTIFUL, COMFORTABLE PLACE TO BE.
AND HAVING THESE HUGE SHIPS COME IN HERE, ALTHOUGH IT WOULD BE TEMPORARY AND NOT CONTINUOUS, IT WOULD BE ENOUGH THAT IT WOULD JUST DESTROY THE RE RELAXATION THAT A LOT OF US GET HERE BY BEING IN THE TREES AND BEING IN THE BEAUTIFUL RURAL AREA THAT WE LIVE IN.
SO, I'D LIKE YOU TO PLEASE HAVE MORE OPEN MEETINGS ABOUT THIS IF YOU ARE GONNA CONTINUE WITH THIS, BUT IF WE COULD JUST STOP IT NOW, I'D BE VERY HAPPY NOT TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS IN THE FUTURE.
FOLLOWED BY, UH, MR. LARRY RAEL.
GOOD EVENING, CAROL BARTRAM 1 0 2 PAGE LAND DRIVE.
UM, I'M ADDING MY VOICE TO THOSE OPPOSED TO THE PRINCESS CRUISE LINES DOCKING HERE.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE, UM, DRAWBACKS, I ALSO THINK IT JUST IS NOT, DOES NOT PROMOTE THE KIND OF TOURISM THAT I THINK IS APPROPRIATE FOR OUR AREA THAT I THINK NEEDS, UM, IT, UH, PEOPLE THAT WANNA SPEND SOME TIME, UM, REALLY DELVING INTO THE HISTORY HERE WITH SOME REVERENCE AND THOUGHTFULNESS FOR THE, THE PEOPLE THAT, THAT HAVE DIED HERE.
UM, WE'RE NOT MALL OF AMERICA.
I THINK IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF A FEEL.
UM, AND I ALSO THINK WE REALLY NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FIRSTHAND.
AND, UM, THE PRESERVE YORKTOWN WEBSITE, WHICH I, I JUST AM STARTING TO LEARN ABOUT, UM, MORE ABOUT.
BUT THEY HAVE SOME REALLY GOOD TESTIMONIALS, UM, THAT YOU, YOU HAVE PROBABLY READ.
BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO LEARN MORE TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED WITH THESE CRUISE SHIPS.
AND FINALLY, I, I JUST THINK THAT BIGGER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER AND MORE IS NOT ALWAYS MORE.
THANK YOU MR. RE AND FOLLOWED UP BY MR. KENNETH DUNTON.
I'M LARRY RAHEL, 1 1 4 CHURCH STREET, A 10 YEAR RESIDENT OF HISTORIC YORKTOWN RETIRED NAVAL OFFICER.
QUITE FAMILIAR WITH WATERFRONT OPERATIONS.
I'M SPEAKING AGAINST THE PRINCESS CRUISE LINES.
UM, FIRST YEAR OF THE PLANNED PILOT PROGRAM.
HOW DID WE GET HERE? WELL, IT'S BEEN FIVE TO SIX MONTHS SINCE THE PLAN FOR PCL YORKTOWN PORT CALLS BECAME PUBLIC.
AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE, DESPITE SEVERAL SUPERVISORS COMMENTS TO THE CONTRARY, LOTS HAD BEEN GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES TO ADVANCE THE INITIATIVE WITHOUT PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT.
UH, AND YOU, THE BOARD, OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND COUNTIES CONTINUE TO DO NOTHING REGARDS INTERACTIONS WITH THE PUBLIC.
UH, WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT WE, WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT WE, THE PUBLIC, YOUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE DONE A LOT OF INVESTIGATING, A LOT OF RESEARCH, A LOT OF DIGGING ON THE SUBJECT OF CRUISE SHIPS, PORT CALLS, OPERATIONS, AND THE, BY FAR, MOSTLY NEGATIVE IMPACTS, UM, OF CRUISE SHIP PORT CALLS.
[01:40:01]
WE ARE MUCH MORE INFORMED, EDUCATED, AND WE'VE ORGANIZED IN ORDER TO HELP OTHERS BE MORE INFORMED AND UNDERSTAND WHAT'S BEING DONE IN THE ASSOCIATED ISSUES.WE HAVE A PETITION AGAINST THE PORT CALLED, SIGNED BY THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS.
WE HAVE LINKS TO RELEVANT INFORMATION SITES, WE HOLD INFORMATION MEETINGS, AND WE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF MULTIPLE OTHER CONCERNED ORGANIZATIONS.
AND THE OPPOSITION CONTINUES TO GROW WHEN PEOPLE ARE INFORMED THEY ARE BY THE VAST MAJORITY OPPOSED.
AND WE'VE SPOKEN OUT TO YOU, WE HAVE MADE EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE LEARNED AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING YOU, BUT YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE'RE LOOKING AT A PILOT PROGRAM STARTING IN JUST A FEW MONTHS.
WE ARE TOLD THE PURPOSE OF THE PILOT PROGRAM IS TO DETERMINE IF THE PORT CALLS WILL WORK.
IF THEY'RE GOOD, BECAUSE STATED PUBLICLY BY JOHN PAGET, THE CEO OF PRINCESS SAID THAT IF THEY, UM, THAT PORT CALLS ARE NOT GOOD FOR BOTH PARTIES, THEN THE PORT CALLS WILL NOT HAPPEN.
BUT FOR PCL, THE PILOT PROGRAM WILL NOT BE A MATTER OF IF THE PORT CALL WORKS, OF COURSE, IT'LL WORK FOR THEM.
THEY WILL ORCHESTRATE PORT CALL JUST LIKE THEY HAVE AT THE OTHER LOCATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE.
THEY'LL START WITH A BASIC PORT CALL PLAN, UM, AND MODIFY IT ON PAPER FOR YORKTOWN.
AND THEY'LL USE THE PILOT PROGRAM TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS TO THAT PLAN TO MAKE THE CALL GOOD FOR THEM.
THEY'LL EVALUATE THINGS LIKE THE ANCHORAGE AND THE TENDERING AND THE BUSES AND ALL THAT.
THEY'LL BE LOOKING AT HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER, NOT IF IT'S THE RIGHT THING BEFORE HEADING TO RICHMOND.
WHEN ASKED BY PRINCE ABOUT PRINCESS COS LINES, PORT CALLS THE YORKTOWN.
NOW STATE SENATOR DANNY DIGGS RESPONDED TO THE EFFECT OF, BEFORE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, THERE WILL HAVE TO BE ENVIRONMENTAL, UH, STUDIES, TRANSPORTATION STUDIES, PUBLIC CLEARANCE WILL HAVE TO BE HELD WHERE ALL CONCERNS ARE HEARD AND ISSUES WILL HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.
SO THE QUESTION IS, WHAT ACTIONS ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE TO DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP TO CORRECT THE PAST ERRORS OF HOW THIS HAS BEEN HANDLED? WORDS OF THE FORMER, UH, NEIL MORGAN, FORMER COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, UM, TO LISTEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND TO AWARD CONTRACTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND TO SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARINGS WHERE YOU CAN HEAR THE CONCERNS, ADDRESS THE ISSUES, AND WHEN IN BETTER INFORMED YOU CAN MAKE A DECISION TO STOP THE CRUISE VISITS.
MR. DUNN, FOLLOWED BY MR. MICHAEL MYERS.
GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I LIVE AT 3 0 5 DOROTHY DRIVE.
UH, AND SURPRISE, I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE PRINCESS TREES LINE.
AND MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT I HAVE A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTAL BACKGROUND.
I JUST RETIRED LAST YEAR FROM FORT EUSTIS AS ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE CHIEF.
SO I UNDERSTAND A LOT ABOUT THE LAWS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S POSSIBLY THAT HAD NO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OR REPORT HAS BEEN COMPLI, UH, COMPLIED WITH FOR THE PROCESS OF THE CRUISE LINES COMING IN.
THAT DOESN'T JUST COVER THE CRUISE LINE ITSELF.
IT ALSO CO SHOULD BE COVERING THE NEW PIER, SHOULD BE COVERING ANY NEW PARKING LOTS THAT ARE EITHER, UH, CREATED OR EXPANDED.
UH, THIS, UH, IMPACT CAN HAVE, UH, A LOT OF DETRIMENTAL, UH, FORCES AGAINST OUR ECOSYSTEM.
YOU'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE, THE DOLPHINS THAT WERE TALKED ABOUT, THE OYSTERS, UH, OTHER, UH, BEDS AND STUFF.
NOT ONLY DOES IT AFFECT THE AQUATIC SYSTEM, BUT IT ALSO AFFECTS THE GROUND AND, UH, OTHER, UH, PLANT LIFE BIRDS, AMPHIBIANS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
UM, THESE IMPACT ASSESSMENTS CAN GIVE STUDIES AND SHOW WHAT KIND OF POLLUTANTS THAT THESE CRUISE LINERS PERMIT.
NOT ONLY DOES ALL THE EXHAUST AND STUFF GO INTO THE AIR, BUT IT ALSO GOES INTO THE WATER ITSELF, ALONG WITH ANY, UH, SLUDGE OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT THEY, UH, DISCHARGE FROM THE, THE SHIPS.
SO MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN LOOKED AT TO SEE WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IT HAS ON OUR, UH, ECOSYSTEM.
AND WE HAVE A, A VERY, UH, DELICATE ECOSYSTEM HERE IN NEW YORK RIVER.
I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION.
AND THERE'S A LOT OF WORK AND STUFF THAT GOES OUT THERE, NOT JUST BY VOLUNTEERS, BUT THE WORKERS THAT ARE PART OF THESE TO ASSURE THAT WE ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO CLEAN UP OUR WATERWAYS AND OUR WATERSHEDS.
AND IF I THINK IT'S, UH, DISRESPECTFUL TO NOT JUST THE COMMUNITY BUT OUR ECOSYSTEM IF WE DO NOT PROVIDE
[01:45:01]
ANY KIND OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.OKAY? SO I, I, I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE TRY TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE DONE AND ACCOMPLISHED BEFORE ANY FURTHER ACTIONS ARE TAKEN ON ALLOWING THE CRUISE LINES TO COME IN HERE.
AND, UH, THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.
UM, UH, IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.
I CAME OUT TONIGHT BECAUSE I'M JUST A CONCERNED CITIZEN.
NA NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE, SIR.
UM, I LIVE JUST DOWN THE ROAD.
UM, I MOVED HERE FROM LOS ANGELES 41 YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT'S JUST A BIG CITY.
AND I MOVED HERE BECAUSE I LOVE THIS PLACE.
BUT THERE'S NO PLACE FOR BIG CITY AND BIG BUSINESS IN A SMALL COMMUNITY.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOMEPLACE LIKE PRINCESS CRUISES, THAT PLACE, THEY'RE, THEY'RE HUGE.
THEY PROBABLY HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN THEIR ORGANIZATION THAN WE HAVE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE COUNTY.
AND I KNOW THAT ONCE THEY GET THEIR FOOT IN THE DOOR, IT'S VERY, VERY HARD TO GET THEM OUT.
SO, I, I KNOW YOU GUYS, YOU'RE ALL VERY ASTUTE, VERY ASTUTE.
UH, AND, AND I HAVE FAITH IN YOU THAT YOU'LL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION.
UH, I THINK MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY TRULY DO NOT WANT THIS.
FOLLOWED BY MR. RORY PHILLIPS.
MAUREEN MOSS, 2 24 NELSON STREET.
I ATTENDED THE LAST MEETING OF THE BOARD AND AT THAT MEETING, FORMER BOARD MEMBER MR. GREEN, REFERRED TO A CAST OF CHARACTERS.
I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT THOSE OF US WHO SHOW INTEREST IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE NOT A CAST OF CHARACTERS.
WE ARE YORK COUNTY CITIZENS WITH AN INTEREST IN DECISIONS MADE THAT AFFECT ALL OF US THAT LIVE HERE.
AND AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THIS BOARD TAKE THE TIME TO STUDY THE NEGATIVE IMPACT THAT INVITING THE CRUISE INDUSTRY TO YORKTOWN WILL HAVE ON THE FUTURE OF THIS UNIQUE HISTORIC TOWN.
UM, I THINK I'M THE, ONE OF THE ONLY PEOPLE HERE NOT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE PRINCESS
UM, MY CONCERN IS MORE ABOUT, OH, SORRY.
ROY PHILLIPS 1 0 9 CAPE SIDE COURT.
UM, IT'S ABOUT PARKING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, I'M A HOMEOWNER IN THE ARBORDALE COMMUNITY, AND I'M HERE TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE REGARDING PARKING.
SPECIFICALLY IN PHASE THREE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION, UH, COMMISSION ALLOWING THE CONSTRUCTION OF 75 TOWN HOMES, UH, 20 FEET WIDE STREETS WITHOUT PARKING ON BOTH SIDES AND EXEMPTION FROM PROVIDING REQUIRED 25 VISITOR PARKING SPOTS WAS GRANTED.
THE REALITY IS THAT THE GARAGES ARE TOO SMALL FOR TYPICAL VEHICLES, AND THE COMMUNITY REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL PARKING HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY REJECTED.
OUR ASSOCIATION HAS SOUGHT HELP OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, BUT WITH NO SUCCESS, FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY CONCERNS PREVENT PARKING ON CAPE SIDE COURT.
AND THE COUNTY'S RECOMMENDATION TO PARK ON ASHBY DRIVE, WHICH IS A SMALL STREET BEHIND SOME OF THE HOUSES, UM, IS NEEDED, SAFE NOR REASONABLE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO WALK A QUARTER MILE OR MORE TO GET TO THEIR HOMES.
WE SUGGEST REZONING FOR ADDITIONAL PARKING.
WE URGE THE SUPERVISORS TO APPROVE REZONING OR HELP FIND A SOLUTION TO OUR PARKING PROBLEM, EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE PARKING IN YORK COUNTY DEVELOPMENTS.
THAT WAS THE LAST SPEAKER THAT I HAD REGISTERED.
UM, IS ANYBODY ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
UM, SEEING WE'RE APPROACHING, UH, JUST, JUST OF TWO HOURS INTO THE, INTO THIS HERE.
I THINK MAYBE WE'LL USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A SHORT RECESS, TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK, PEOPLE CHANCE TO STRETCH THEIR LEGS, AND WE'LL GET BACK TOGETHER HERE IN FIVE MINUTES.
MR. RICHARD HILL FOR COUNTY ATTORNEY REPORTS, I HAVE NOTHING FURTHER, MR. CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU.
[COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REPORTS AND REQUESTS]
[01:50:01]
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, MR. BELLAMY.MR. CHAIRMAN, I HAVE A FEW THINGS FOR YOU TODAY.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, ON UH, FEBRUARY 10TH HERE AT RIVERWALK LANDING, WE'LL HAVE OUR FIRST WINTER MARKET.
THAT'LL BE FROM 10 TO TWO, AND THAT'LL BE FOLLOWED BY ADDITIONAL WINTER MARKETS ON FEBRUARY 24TH, MARCH 2ND, AND MARCH 16TH, UH, IN THE PUBLIC WORKS REALM, UH, PUBLIC WORKS HAS A SCHEDULED MEETING ON, UH, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17TH, WHICH WOULD BE TOMORROW NIGHT, UH, FIVE TO 7:00 PM AT THEIR OFFICE ON 1 0 5 SERVICE DRIVE.
AND DURING THAT MEETING, THEY WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS WITH THE PUBLIC THAT IS INTERESTED, UH, THE SCHEDULE FOR A SIDEWALK TO BE LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY THAT WILL CONNECT THE YORKTOWN LIBRARY TO THE VILLAS AT YORK.
THAT'S THE COMMUNITY RIGHT THERE NEXT YORK HIGH SCHOOL.
SO IF YOU HAVE INTEREST IN THAT, THAT WILL BE TOMORROW EVENING BETWEEN FIVE AND SEVEN.
WHERE'S THAT GONNA BE? UH, AT, UH, PUBLIC WORKS 1 0 5 SERVICE DRIVE.
UH, ALSO TOMORROW, UH, NOT TOMORROW.
ALSO, REMEMBER THAT, UH, ON JANUARY 9TH, WE HAD A PROPOSED WATERFRONT FACILITIES PUBLIC FORUM, UH, THAT WAS CANCELED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER AND HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR THIS THURSDAY FROM FIVE TO EIGHT, AND THE FREIGHT SHED RIGHT DOWN HERE ON WATER STREET.
AT THAT TIME, PUBLIC INPUT WILL BE RECEIVED ON REPLACING THE DOCK MASTER'S BUILDING WITH A NEW ONE STORY OFFICE BUILDING.
AND TO LOCATE THIS NEW OFFICE ON PROPERTY LOCATED BEHIND THE PARKING TERRACE, UM, WE WOULD BE GLAD TO HAVE THE COMMUNITY'S INPUT ON THAT.
AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE FOR YOU THIS EVENING.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, COMMENTS FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR? MRS. NOEL? NO QUESTIONS, SIR.
ALRIGHT, THAT MOVED PRETTY QUICKLY.
SO WHY DON'T WE JUST STAY ON TRACK AND GO AHEAD AND,
[MATTERS PRESENTED BY THE BOARD]
UM, HAVE MATTERS PRESENTED BY THE BOARD.MR. SHEPHERD, DO YOU WANT TO KICK US OFF? UH, I HAVE NOTHING.
UM, SO, UM, SOMETHING THAT, UM, I'D LIKE TO SEE MOVED FORWARD THAT I'VE TALKED TO, UH, MARK BELLAMY AND SOME OTHERS, UM, FOR THE COUNTY IS A PROPOSAL FOR A BUSINESS ADVOCATE, UH, FOR YORK COUNTY.
UM, UH, WHILE I WAS KNOCKING DOORS, AND I HAVE FRIENDS IN BUSINESS, UM, YORK COUNTY IS NOT BUSINESS FRIENDLY, MUCH TO PEOPLE'S DISMAY.
UM, I'VE HAD PEOPLE CALL ME TO SAY THEY'RE LEAVING YORK COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES THEY'VE HAD WITH THE COUNTY TRYING TO GET THINGS DONE.
I'VE HAD PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTIES OR CITIES THAT SAID THEY WOULDN'T COME TO YORK COUNTY BECAUSE OF HOW DIFFICULT IT IS THAT WORKING WITH YORK COUNTY.
AND SO, UM, YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THAT'S NOT EASY TO HEAR SITTING UP HERE.
AND, UM, YOU KNOW, WE USED TO BE, UH, IN YORK COUNTY, UH, OUR BIGGEST REVENUE GENERATOR WAS SMALL BUSINESS.
WELL GUESS WHO IT IS NOW? IT'S YOU, THE TAXPAYERS.
AND, UH, I FOR ONE, WOULD LIKE TO TURN THAT ON ITS HEAD AND GET SMALL BUSINESSES COMING BACK TO YORK COUNTY.
AND BY DOING THAT, I WOULD PROPOSE THAT WE HIRE AT LEAST STARTING A PART-TIME, WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER A BUSINESS ADVOCATE.
UH, IF YOU'RE IN THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS LIKE I USED TO BE, WHEN I WENT TO GET A PERMIT, I KNEW EXACTLY WHERE TO GO AND WHO TO SEE BECAUSE I WAS IN THE BUSINESS.
IF YOU'RE A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND YOU'RE NOT IN THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS AND YOU NEED TO GET A PERMIT, YOU'RE COMPLETELY LOST.
AND ALL I'VE HEARD IS, WELL, THEY SEND ME TO THIS DEPARTMENT, THEY SEND ME TO THAT DEPARTMENT.
WE MEET WITH THESE PEOPLE, WE MEET WITH THOSE PEOPLE.
AND SO WHAT I WOULD PROPOSE IS THIS BUSINESS ADVOCATE WOULD BE THAT IT WOULD BE AN ADVOCATE THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING TO GO TO 16 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, THEY WOULD MAKE ONE PHONE CALL TO THE BUSINESS ADVOCATE.
AND THAT BUSINESS ADVOCATE WOULD WALK THEM DOWN EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO GET PERMITTING, WHETHER IT'S CONSTRUCTION PERMITTING OR ZONING PERMITTING OR WHATEVER THAT MAY BE.
AND SO I'LL BE PROPOSING THAT IN THE FUTURE.
AND IF ANYBODY HAS ANY, ANY MORE SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THAT, THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO.
I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO WALK THROUGH A PROCESS AND NOT GET CAUGHT AND GO, OH MY GOSH, I FORGOT THAT PERMIT.
AND THEN YOU GET FINED OR YOU GET SLAPPED OR YOU GET TAKEN TO COURT.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS, THIS IS THE KIND OF STUFF THAT DRIVES BUSINESS AWAY FROM YORK COUNTY.
AND SO, UH, AS LONG AS I'M SITTING ON THIS BOARD, I'VE OWNED TWO BUSINESSES HERE IN YORK COUNTY FOR OVER 25 YEARS,
[01:55:01]
AND I WANNA BRING BUSINESS BACK TO YORK COUNTY AND TAKE SOME OF THE BURDEN OFF OF THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS, UH, THAT WE ALL PAY BECAUSE I'M A TAXPAYER HERE AND HAVE BEEN SINCE 1976 WHEN I BOUGHT MY FIRST CAR.SO THAT'S WHAT I WOULD PUR PRO PROPOSE GOING FORWARD.
YES, MR. NOELL, THANK I TURNED THIS THING ON.
I'M GOING TO GET USED TO THIS SYSTEM ONE OF THESE DAYS, BUT NOT TONIGHT.
UM, YOU'VE OFTEN HEARD ME TALK ABOUT VOLUNTEERISM AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO THE COUNTY BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR CITIZEN INPUT ON OUR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, AND IT'S WONDERFUL TO COME HERE AND SPEAK BEFORE US, BUT I'D REALLY LOVE IT IF, IF SOME OF YOU WOULD PLEASE VOLUNTEER FOR SOME OF THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT WE HAVE AND WHAT BROUGHT THIS TO MIND TO TONIGHT AND WHY I AM SPEAK, SPEAKING ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS.
I WENT TO A MEMORIAL SERVICE THIS AFTERNOON FOR A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS A LONG TIME VOLUNTEER FOR THE, UH, AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM.
HE PUT IN OVER 4,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEERISM.
AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE PATRONS OF THE MUSEUM SPOKE AT THAT AND TALKED ABOUT WHAT A DIFFERENCE HE MADE, UH, HOW HE, HOW RECEPTIVE HE WAS AND HOW WELCOMING HE WAS TO PEOPLE AND HOW MUCH THEY LEARNED FROM HIM.
VOLUNTEERS MAKE A BIG, BIG DIFFERENCE.
IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU'RE VOLUNTEERING IN THE SCHOOLS, WHETHER YOU'RE VOLUNTEERING IN THE CHURCH, WHETHER YOU'RE VOLUNTEERING FOR THE COUNTY, YOU GET OUT OF LIFE WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.
AND THIS MAN CERTAINLY DID, AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT JIM PEO, UH, GAVE BACK TO HIS COMMUNITY.
AND SPEAKING ABOUT GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I'M GONNA CHANGE IT A LITTLE BIT AND TALK ABOUT THIS IS TAX SEASON AND A A RP TAX COUNSELING FOR THE ELDERLY AND FOR THE LOWER INCOME PEOPLE ESPECIALLY, WILL BE ONCE AGAIN HELD AT THE SENIOR CENTER.
UH, WE'RE FORTUNATE THIS YEAR THAT WE'VE GOTTEN QUITE A FEW NEW VOLUNTEERS AND I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW HAPPY I AM TO SEE SOME OF THEM TAKE ON THAT BURDEN OF DOING THE TAXES IF THEY CAN PASS THE TEST.
AT ANY RATE, IF YOU WANT ANY MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO THE SENIOR CENTER AND FIND OUT WHEN, UH, THEY ARE GOING TO MEET.
I WAS LATE TODAY, I APOLOGIZE, OR I WOULD'VE GOTTEN THE INFORMATION FOR YOU.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT THAT TAX SEASON BEGINS ON JANUARY 29TH.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET ALL YOUR PAPERWORK, I'M SURE, FROM YOUR VARIOUS INVESTMENTS AND BANKS AND ALL THAT STUFF THAT COMES INTO YOU AND TELLS YOU, UH, WHAT YOU CAN CLAIM AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DEDUCT.
BUT AS SOON AS YOU GET IT, WHAT HAPPENS IS IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO THE SENIOR CENTER, THE OPERATION IS YOU GO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, YOU GO INTO THE SENIOR CENTER, YOU PICK UP THE PAPERWORK, AND THEN YOU MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE YOUR TAXES DONE AT A LATER DATE.
SO THOSE WHO GET STARTED EARLY HAVE A LOT MORE TIME TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.
SO THAT'S JUST A PLUG FOR VOLUNTEERISM.
AND THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE LISTENING AND HAVEN'T TURNED ME OFF YET, PLEASE BE A VOLUNTEER.
I, I WANTED SPEAK BACK TO, UM, ABOUT THE ADVOCATE.
I'VE HEARD SEVERAL TIMES THAT Y'ALL WERE TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER A GROUP OF CONTRACTORS.
I'M NOT AN ADMINISTRATOR, I TELL YOU THAT.
BUT A GROUP OF BUSINESS OWNERS THAT WANT THE COUNTY TO, I'LL, I'LL PUT NAME OF THAT IF THAT'S SOMETHING.
THANK, THANK MR. THANK YOU MR. ROY.
UM, SOME OF YOU'RE AWARE THAT I, I'D, UH, LOST, UH, TWO OF MY DOGS A WEEK AGO.
UH, DESPITE EXTENSIVE SEARCHING, UH, ON FOOT AND BY DRONE, WE WERE UNABLE TO FIND THEM.
I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT BOTH OF THOSE DOGS ARE NOW BACK AT HOME, UH, HEALTHY.
UH, WE WERE ABLE TO TRACK DOWN THE SECOND DOG A BEAGLE WITH THE HELP OF, UH, LOST AND FOUND PETS OF WILLIAMSBURG, JCC IN YORK COUNTY.
UH, SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO THEIR LEADER, UH, MISS, UH, TORY CASTING SEATS, WHO REALLY DEDICATES HER TIME AND ENERGY TO TRACKING DOWN LOST PETS IN OUR AREA.
SHE'S GOT A PHENOMENAL SUCCESS RATE.
[02:00:01]
POSTERS PRINTED AND ON EVERY TELEPHONE POLE WITHIN FIVE MILE RADIUS.UM, AND IT WAS, IT WAS THE RESULT OF HER WORK AND HER ORGANIZ ORGANIZATION AND THE EFFECTIVE USE OF CAMERAS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO, UH, TRACK DOWN OUR SECOND POP.
JUST ONE EXAMPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY OF CITIZENS GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND AND DEDICATING THEIR TIME AND EFFORTS TO A VERY GOOD CAUSE.
SHE DOES THAT ABSOLUTELY FREE OF CHARGE.
UH, MS. UH, TORY CASTS CASTING SEATS.
AND THEN I'VE SPOKEN TO MANY RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT ONE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, ALL CONCERNING PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS.
UM, I HAVE CONSISTENTLY PROVIDED HOMEOWNERS WITH, WITH THE ADVICE TO CHECK THEIR INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENTS WITH THE PROPERTY, WITH THE REAL ESTATE ASSESSMENT DIVISION, IF THERE ARE ANY CONCERNS OR ANY SPECIFIC CALCULATION QUESTIONS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE.
AND ON THAT TOPIC, A SPECIAL SHOWED OUT TO MARIA CUMAN, OUR REAL ESTATE ASSESSOR, WHO HAS DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB IN RESPONDING TO ALL OF THOSE CITIZEN REQUESTS.
AND SHE'S JUST ON TOP OF HER GAME AND AMAZING.
FIRST OF ALL, IF Y'ALL ARE WONDERING WHY WE SEEM TO BE STRUGGLING WITH THE AUDIO SYSTEM IS BECAUSE IF THE NEW YEAR BROUGHT US A BRAND NEW WIRELESS, UH, SYSTEM WITH A LOT MORE FLEXIBILITY AND MANAGEMENT OPTIONS IN IT, THE OLD SYSTEM DEFAULTED ALWAYS ON THIS, DEFAULTS ALWAYS OFF.
SO WE'RE GETTING USED TO TURNING THE MIC ON.
SO JUST IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED OVER THE, OVER THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS.
UM, SECOND OF ALL, SO I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, UM, YESTERDAY TO SPEND MOST OF THE DAY IN, UP AT, UP AT THE CAPITOL IN RICHMOND, UM, IN PARK TO GO KNOCK ON SOME DOORS AND TALK TO SOME OF OUR, UH, UM, LEGISLATIVE, UH, OFFICIALS UP THERE ABOUT SOME OF THE, UH, SOME ADVOCACY FOR YORK COUNTY.
AND I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS BASICALLY THE SECOND WEEK, NOT I GUESS THE FIRST FULL WEEK, UH, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION, WHICH IS A LONG SESSION, WHICH MEANS JUST 60 DAYS, THEY ARE RUNNING FAST AND FURIOUS.
BILLS ARE BEING PROPOSED AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN BLINK.
THEY'RE GOING INTO SUBCOMMITTEE, THEY'RE GOING INTO COMMITTEE.
SO I URGE YOU IF THERE'S ANY, EXCUSE ME, IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN, THERE'S A BILL THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PROPOSED.
IF YOU HAVE AN EXISTING BILL THAT YOU'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT, NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT.
IT, BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THEY WILL GET TOO FAR DOWN THE PIPELINE TO REALLY MAKE ANY EFFECTIVE CHANGES OR TO INTRODUCE NEW BILLS.
SO REACH OUT TO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, LET THEM KNOW WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND NOW SO THEY CAN START FACTORING THAT IN AS THEY'RE DOING THEIR WORK, AS THEY'RE INTRODUC BILLS, AS THEY'RE GOING TO COMMITTEE AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IT.
SO IN OUR CASE, UM, THAT'S EITHER GONNA ME MEAN, UM, UH, DELEGATE CHAD GREEN, OR IN SOME CASES DELEGATE AC, DELEGATE AC CORDOZA, AND OF COURSE SENATOR DANNY D***S.
SO THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE TO REACH OUT TO AND, AND, AND DON'T FEEL SHY ABOUT REACHING OUT TO SOME OF THE, UH, OTHER OFFICIALS TOO.
I MEAN, WE, WE USED TO HAVE EXCELLENT REPRESENTATION FROM MRS. MANNA BATTEN BEFORE REDISTRICTING HAPPENED, AND I'M, I'M SURE SHE STILL HAS A LOT OF FRIENDS AND FAMILIES HERE THAT LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU AS WELL.
IF YOU WAIT UNTIL FEBRUARY, IT'S PROBABLY BE TOO LATE TO REALLY AFFECT ANY CHANGE.
SO THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.
LET THEM KNOW NOW AND, UM, STAY ENGAGED.
SO WE ARE NOW GONNA MOVE INTO PUBLIC, UH, UH, THE,
[3 Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Development. Receive public comments on the development of the proposed FY2025 Budget. ]
THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THE FIRST MATTER ON THE BOARD IS GONNA BE THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR IS 2025 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT.AND I'M GONNA CALL ON MR. MARK BELLAMY FOR A PRESENTATION.
AND MAYBE PART OF THAT PRESENTATION WILL ALSO EXPLAIN WHEN THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINS AND END, AND WHY WE'RE CALLING THIS FISCAL YEAR 25, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE IN 24.
SO, UH, MR. CHAIRMAN, I WANTED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THIS BUDGET AND WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WHY WE'RE DOING IT.
DURING THE LAST BUDGET PERIOD THAT WE HAD, UH, THE BOARD ASKED US TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO GET SOME EXTRA ENGAGEMENT FROM THE PUBLIC AND TO TRY A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS AND TO SEE HOW THE PUBLIC MIGHT RESPOND TO THAT.
SO WHAT WE DID, UH, IS TONIGHT'S BUDGET MEETING IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN NORMAL.
WE'VE TITLED IT A LISTENING SESSION.
WE'RE GONNA GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND ON THE BUDGET THE LAST 10 YEARS, WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, UH, AND ASK THE QUESTION, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU AND GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE COMMENT ON THAT.
UM, WE HAVE ALSO, UH, PROPOSED TO YOU, AND YOU ALL HAVE AGREED TO A TOWN HALL MEETING ON MARCH 26TH THAT THE YORK LIBRARY WILL BE DOING THAT.
UH, UNLIKE THIS, UH, SCENARIO WHERE, UM, CITIZENS ARE HERE TO MAKE COMMENT, BUT THEY DON'T GET TO ASK QUESTIONS.
UH, THE TOWN HALL MEETING WILL BE EXACTLY THAT.
IT WILL BE A QUESTION ANSWER SESSION.
UH, IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE HAS BEEN MAKING BUDGET VIDEOS.
[02:05:01]
YOU HAVEN'T LOOKED AT THE WEBSITE AND THE BUDGET PAGE, UH, WE'RE CALLING THEM BUDGET SHORTS.AND THEY'VE GOT ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN OUT THERE OF SOME COMMONLY ASKED BUDGET QUESTIONS.
UH, THEY HAVE ALSO SOLICITED PRIOR TO THIS MEETING, UH, FOR INPUTS ON WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO SEE IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
UH, AND SURPRISINGLY, UH, WE HAVE ALREADY ACCUMULATED 31 AND WE REALLY HAVEN'T HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE BUDGET AT ALL UNTIL TONIGHT.
SO WE'RE VERY PLEASED WITH THAT.
SOME OF THOSE SUBMISSIONS, UH, YOU'LL SEE TURNED INTO BUDGET SHORTS ALONG THE WAY.
SO WE'VE ALSO USED SOCIAL MEDIA AND THEN, YOU KNOW, WE'RE USING THE TRADITIONAL OUTLET WHERE WE POST YOUR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PRESENTATIONS, UH, AND MATERIALS OUT THERE AS WELL FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT LIKE TO SEE IT IN THAT THE BUDGET TEAM THIS YEAR IS, UH, INTERDISCIPLINARY.
WE'VE GOT PEOPLE FROM HR PUBLIC WORKS, UH, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, WHICH YOU WOULD EXPECT, PUBLIC AFFAIRS, ET CETERA.
SO THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE ALL SUBMITTED THEIR REQUESTS AT THIS MOMENT, AND WE HAPPEN TO HAVE DONE OUR FIRST BUDGET REVIEW WITH THE DEPARTMENTS TODAY.
SO THIS IS, UH, JUST GETTING STARTED REALLY.
THERE'S MUCH TO DO, UH, TO GET TO OUR RECOMMENDED BUDGET.
SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AS WE WORK THROUGH THAT.
WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ASSESSMENTS.
WE UNDERSTAND THE EXPECTATION AND WE'RE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET TO THE BEST OUTCOME POSSIBLE FOR THE RESIDENTS.
SO TONIGHT, UH, GREG GILLETTE, WHO'S OUR BUDGET CHIEF, IS GOING TO SHARE A PRESENTATION ON WHERE THE BUDGET HAS BEEN AND THE TRENDS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.
MANY OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HEAR TONIGHT WILL FORESHADOW, UH, WHAT YOU SEE IN YOUR DELIBERATIONS IN THE FUTURE, SUCH AS SCHOOL CONTRIBUTIONS, PUBLIC SAFETY, STAFFING, COURT STAFFING, ET CETERA.
IN ADDITION TO THOSE CONSIDERATIONS, UH, I'VE INVITED SEVERAL PEOPLE TO COME AND SPEAK WITH YOU TONIGHT TO DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR BUDGET REQUESTS.
SHANDOR ARE IS HERE IN THE OFFICE, IN THE OFFICE, IN THE AUDIENCE.
UM, ADAM KLUTZ FROM Y MCA IS HERE, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, ET CETERA.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY, UH, I MIGHT BE ACCUSED OF PEPPERING THE AUDIENCE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
BUT WE DID THIS WITH, UH, A VERY DELIBERATE INTENTION THERE.
AS YOU KNOW, UH, WE HAVE TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS ON THE BOARD.
THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THIS, UM, HAPPEN BEFORE.
SO WE WANTED TO GET THEM INVOLVED.
WE WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE HERE, THEY'RE MAKING REQUESTS OF US DURING THIS BUDGET SEASON.
WE WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT TO THE COMMUNITY AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS.
SO WE FELT IT'S BEST TO HEAR IT RIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH.
I'VE GOT A COUPLE SLIDES HERE TO, TO SHOW YOU ABOUT, UH, LAST OR THIS CURRENT YEAR'S BUDGET.
UH, AS YOU RECALL, MR. MORGAN USED TO SAY, WE'RE ALWAYS WORKING IN THREE BUDGETS, LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, AND NEXT BUDGET, UH, THAT IS TRUE TODAY AS WELL.
SO WE ARE NOW IN THE 2024 BUDGET AS, UH, MR. RONE JUST ASK.
OUR FISCAL YEAR BUDGET RUNS FROM JULY ONE TO JUNE 30TH.
WE HAVE ABOUT SIX MONTHS LEFT ON THIS BUDGET AND THEN WE'LL BEGIN THE 2025 BUDGET.
DURING THIS YEAR, UM, ALL FUNDS WAS ABOUT $244 MILLION IS WHAT THE COUNTY HAD, UH, TO DISPENSE FOR SERVICES, UH, MATERIALS, PERSONNEL, ET CETERA.
SO I KNOW SOMEBODY'S GONNA ASK THIS QUESTION, SO I MAY, I'M GONNA SAY IT RIGHT NOW.
IF YOU ADD UP THE NUMBERS BELOW THE 244 MILLION, THEY DO NOT ADD UP TO 244 MILLION.
WE DO TRANSFER MONEY BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN FUNDS, UH, TO ACCURATE ACCURATELY REPORT WHAT WE'RE USING IN EACH FUND.
UH, IT'S NECESSARY TO DISPLAY IT THIS WAY.
AND WHAT IT ACTUALLY DOES IS SHOWS A DOUBLE ACCOUNTING OF IT.
SO WE DO TRANSFER ABOUT $41.4 MILLION.
SO THAT GIVES US A NET, UH, POSITION OF $244 MILLION OVERALL OVER TIME FROM 2014 TO, TO THIS.
UH, JUST BEFORE YOU GO, ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE'RE GONNA HAVE, AND I THINK THE PUBLIC'S HAD THAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE YEARS, IS THAT YOU GET TO A POINT ON YOUR PRESENTATIONS WHERE YOU CONFUSE, GET EVERYBODY CONFUSED.
CAN YOU GO BACK TO THAT SLIDE? SURE.
[02:10:01]
LINE, IT'S PA GOT IT, IS GOT THE MILLIONS OF PASS THROUGH DOLLARS, RIGHT? YES, SIR.AND PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT'S NOT THAT MONEY.
WE DON'T, THAT'S PASS THROUGH, MEANING IT JUST COMES THROUGH THE COUNTY AS A MANAGEMENT PROCESS AND GOES SOMEWHERE ELSE.
SO IF YOU'RE SITTING HERE THINKING, WE GOT A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS TO PLAY WITH DOWN HERE, I MEAN, YOU'RE GONNA GET CONFUSED 'CAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY.
SO THE REAL NUMBER IS THE GENERAL FUND.
THAT'S THE NUMBER YOU, YOU, YOU CAN DEAL WITH.
THIS IS THINGS THAT YOU'RE SITTING THERE THINKING, OKAY, WHAT ARE WE GONNA PAY THE TEACHERS? WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO THIS? WHEN ARE WE GONNA DO THAT? THIS IS WHERE THAT MONEY IS.
SO, SO WE GOTTA BE CAREFUL IN, IN THIS LISTENING SESSION.
PEOPLE NEED, UH, THEY, THEY COME UP, THEY WILL COME UP AND THEY WILL SAY, WELL, I THINK THIS IS TOO MUCH OF THIS, TOO MUCH OF THAT.
AND OUR JOB THEN IN YOUR JOB SPECIFICALLY, 'CAUSE YOU'RE GONNA COME TO US WITH A RECOMMENDATION, IS TO SAY WHY WE GOTTA HAVE THIS AND WE DON'T HAVE THESE NUMBERS LINED UP YET.
YOU'VE GOT, YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE, YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE VENEER ON, ON THIS BUDGET, BUT YOU'VE GOT A WAYS TO GO YET, RIGHT? THAT IS CORRECT.
SO WE'RE GONNA, THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO INTERJECT THIS, BUT I JUST WANNA GET PEOPLE LOCKED ONTO THE RIGHT NUMBER.
THANK YOU FOR THAT POINT, MR. GILLETTE.
SO THIS IS THE 2014 2024 GENERAL FUND BUDGET, MR. SHEPHERD.
AND HERE IT IS IN REAL DOLLARS AND INFLATION ADJUSTED.
AND, AND HAVING SAID THAT, I'M GONNA TURN THE REST OF THE PRESENTATION OVER TO MR. GILLETTE AND HE'S GONNA TALK ABOUT THESE TRENDS IN A DIFFERENT WAYS.
SEE, SEE, IT'S NOT JUST BOARD.
UH, MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, UH, WE'RE GOING TO, AS MR. BELLAMY SAID, WE'RE GONNA TAKE A LOOK BACK AT ABOUT THE LAST 10 YEARS OF OUR BUDGETED GENERAL FUND, UH, REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES.
AND WE'RE GONNA KIND OF FOCUS ON THE MAJOR DRIVERS OF THOSE EXPENDITURES AND OUR MAJOR SOURCES OF REVENUE.
UM, THROUGHOUT THIS PRESENTATION WHERE IT'S APPROPRIATE, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO ADJUST FOR BOTH INFLATION AND POPULATION SO THAT WE CAN COMPARE DIFFERENT TIME PERIODS, DIFFERENT LOCALITIES, AND AS HE MENTIONED, YES, SORRY, AS HE, UH, ALSO MENTIONED, THIS IS, UH, BASICALLY TO PROVIDE SOME BACKGROUND FOR THE DISCUSSION DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 25 BUDGET.
UH, AND ALSO HOPEFULLY TO PROMPT SOME CITIZEN QUESTIONS.
SO THIS TABLE LOOKS BACK AT 10 YEARS HISTORY OF OUR MAJOR GENERAL FUND EXPENSES.
SO I BROKE THESE OUT INTO THE FIVE LARGEST EXPENSES PLUS ALL THE OTHER LITTLE STUFF.
SO PUBLIC SAFETY, SCHOOL OPERATIONS, SCHOOL CAPITAL, COUNTY CAPITAL, AND PUBLIC WORKS, WHICH I THINK YOU ALREADY HEARD MR. BELLAMY MENTION.
THOSE ARE OUR MAJOR EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES.
UM, THE EVERYTHING ELSE, UH, WHILE IT'S SIGNIFICANT IN ITS TOTAL, IS REALLY JUST MADE UP OF ALL OF THE SMALLER DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE COUNTY, WHICH INDIVIDUALLY ARE MUCH SMALLER THAN THE REST OF THESE, THESE MAJOR FIVE CATEGORIES.
AND THERE'S NOT GONNA BE A LOT MORE CHARTS OF NUMBERS LIKE THIS.
MOST OF THE REST OF THIS WILL BE A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO SEE IN GRAPHIC FORM.
SO THIS LOOKS AT OUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014.
AND AGAIN, THIS BREAKS OUT THOSE FIVE MAJOR EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES, UH, WHICH REPRESENT ABOUT 77% OF OUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES FROM FISCAL YEAR 2014.
UH, ALL OF THE OTHER SMALLER DEPARTMENTS AND THE NON-DEPARTMENTAL EXPENSES, UH, TOOK UP ABOUT 23% OF OUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES IN 2014.
AND IF YOU FLASH FORWARD TO FISCAL YEAR 2024, OUR CURRENT YEAR, UH, THOSE FIVE MAJOR EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES HAVE GROWN SLIGHTLY TO BE ABOUT 79% OF OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
UH, WHEREAS ALL OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, THE SMALLER DEPARTMENTS REPRESENT ABOUT 21%.
SO IF WE JUST FOCUS ON THOSE FIVE MAJOR EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES, OOPS, OVER THE YEARS, UM, YOU CAN SEE A COUPLE OF THINGS JUMP OUT AT YOU.
FIRST OF ALL, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY HAS GROWN PROPORTIONALLY TO THE OTHER FOUR CATEGORIES, UH, WHILE OUR SCHOOL OPERATIONS CONTRIBUTION HAS DECREASED OVER THAT TIME, TELL PEOPLE WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC SAFETY INCLUDES FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY, UH, SHERIFF AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS.
AND WE'RE GONNA TALK MORE IN DEPTH ABOUT THOSE AS WE GO FURTHER
[02:15:01]
INTO THE PRESENTATION.UM, THE, THE DECREASE IN SCHOOL OPERATIONS WAS MADE POSSIBLE OVER THOSE YEARS BY HIGHER STATE FUNDING.
UM, AND YOU'LL ALSO NOTICE THAT OUR COUNTY CAPITAL, UH, SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED.
WE ALMOST DOUBLED PROPORTIONALLY TO THE OTHER FOUR CATEGORIES, WHICH IS OF COURSE, DUE TO THE BOARD'S COMMITMENT TO A ROBUST CIP.
SO THIS DRILLS INTO, UH, THE GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES FOR SCHOOLS.
THIS INCLUDES BOTH OUR CAPITAL AND OUR OPERATING CONTRIBUTIONS.
AND IT'S A LITTLE HARDER TO SEE AT THE TOP OF THE BAR CHART, BUT THE, THE SCHOOL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION FLUCTUATES SOMEWHAT YEAR TO YEAR, BUT REMAINS RELATIVELY STABLE OVER THAT 10 YEAR PERIOD.
AGAIN, THE OPERATING CONTRIBUTION THOUGH, DID GO DOWN OVER THAT TIME, WHICH AGAIN, WAS DUE TO INCREASED FUNDING FROM THE STATE.
AND HERE, THIS SHOWS OUR EXPENDITURES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OVER THAT SAME TIMEFRAME.
AND YOU CAN SEE THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE, UH, WHICH IS DUE BOTH TO ADDING PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES AND ALSO TO RAISING THE AVERAGE WAGE OF THOSE EMPLOYEES OVER THAT TIME PERIOD.
SO I'M GONNA SHIFT GEARS A LITTLE BIT TO TALK ABOUT REVENUE.
WE'RE GONNA LOOK AT THESE MUCH IN THE SAME WAY.
UM, AS WITH THE EXPENDITURES, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE TOP FIVE REVENUE SOURCES BACK IN FISCAL YEAR 2014, UH, WERE REAL ESTATE TAXES, PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES, STATE AID SALES TAX, WHICH INCLUDES HISTORIC TRIANGLE TAX ONCE IT'S IMPLEMENTED AND BUSINESS LICENSES.
AND THOSE FIVE MAJOR REVENUE SOURCES MAKE UP JUST A LITTLE OVER 80% OF THE GENERAL FUND FROM FISCAL YEAR 2014.
UM, THE REMAINING REVENUE SOURCES, UH, THINGS LIKE LOGIC TAX, MEALS TAX, THE VEHICLE LICENSE FEE, UM, I DID INCLUDE CIGARETTE TAX FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES, ALTHOUGH THAT DID NOT GET IMPLEMENTED UNTIL FISCAL YEAR 2022.
UM, THEY ONLY MAKE UP ABOUT 19% FROM 2014.
AND I JUST REMIND THE BOARD AT THIS POINT THAT THOSE TWO LARGEST SOURCES, THE REAL ESTATE TAXES AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES ARE ALSO THE ONLY SOURCES THAT YOU HAVE DIRECT CONTROL OVER THROUGH SETTING TAX RATES.
SO FLASHING FORWARD TO FISCAL YEAR 24, OUR CURRENT YEAR, UH, YOU CAN SEE THAT REAL ESTATE, PERSONAL PROPERTY, STATE AID SALES TAX AND BUSINESS LICENSES HAVE HAVE GROWN SOMEWHAT PROPORTIONAL TO THE REST OF THEM, AND NOW REPRESENT ABOUT 84% OF OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET.
WHEREAS ALL OF THOSE SMALLER TAXES ONLY GIVE US ABOUT 16% OF OUR OPERATING REVENUE.
SO AGAIN, LOOKING AT THE CHANGES OVER THE YEARS, JUST FOR THE FIVE MAJOR REVENUE SOURCES, UM, YOU CAN SEE THAT OVER THAT TIME OUR REAL ESTATE TAXES HAVE DECLINED PROPORTIONAL TO THE OTHER FOUR, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THE SALES TAX AND HISTORIC TRIANGLE TAXES HAVE INCREASED PROPORTIONALLY.
AND THAT'S REALLY DUE TO TWO THINGS.
ONE IS, I, I MENTIONED BEFORE THAT THE HISTORIC TRIANGLE TAX DIDN'T COME INTO BEING UNTIL 2018.
SO THAT WAS A PART OF THAT GROWTH.
THERE WAS ALSO, UH, THE WAYFAIR DECISION, WHICH WAS A SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT ALLOWED STATES TO COLLECT SALES TAX ON INTERNET SALES, WHICH PRIOR TO 2018, UH, WE WERE UNABLE TO DO SO NOW THAT LOCALITIES CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT INTERNET SALES TAX AS WELL.
UH, LASTLY, I'LL JUST POINT OUT THAT THE STATE AID, WHICH IS GROWING SMALLER OVER THOSE 10 YEARS, UM, INCLUDES OUR PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF MONEY THAT WE GET FROM THE STATE.
AND THAT'S A FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT.
SO AS OUR GENERAL FUND GROWS OVER TIME, IT BECOMES EVER SMALLER AS A PROPORTION OF THE WHOLE.
SO THIS LOOKS AT THE, UH, INFLATION ADJUSTED PER CAPITA REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX BURDEN IN YORK COUNTY.
SO THIS IS BOTH REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES COMBINED, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT OVER THAT 10 YEAR PERIOD WHILE IT'S GONE UP AND DOWN SOMEWHAT, IT IS LOWER TODAY THAN IT WAS BACK IN FISCAL YEAR 2014.
JUST, JUST ADJUST FOR INFLATION, YOU SAID? YES, SIR.
SO BASICALLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT YOU, YOU'RE SEEING MORE DOLLARS, BUT SINCE VALUE DROPS THAT IS CORRECT.
SO IT'S KIND OF A VERY IMPORTANT POINT BUDGET PROCESS.
[02:20:01]
IT IS, AND IT'S BECOME PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS BECAUSE INFLATION HAS BEEN HIGHER THAN IT HAD BEEN IN THE PAST.SO, UH, THIS SLIDE, UH, COMPARES YORK COUNTY TO SEVERAL OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND IT USES THAT SAME REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX TOTAL.
UM, WE CHOSE NEIGHBORING LOCALITIES THAT WERE SIMILAR IN SIZE AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO YORK COUNTY.
SO WE EXCLUDED SOME OF THE LARGER CITIES LIKE NEW NEWPORT NEWS AND HAMPTON THAT ARE CLOSE BY.
AND AS YOU CAN SEE, UH, YORK COUNTY IS IN THE BLUE THERE.
UH, JAMES CITY COUNTY IS IN ORANGE, AND THEY ARE PROBABLY OUR MOST, UH, CLOSELY RELATED NEIGHBOR IN TERMS OF SIZE AND SERVICES.
AND YOU CAN SEE THAT WE'RE PRETTY CONSISTENTLY BELOW JAMES CITY COUNTY OVER THAT 10 YEAR PERIOD.
UH, ADDITIONALLY, UH, WE REMAIN CONSISTENTLY BELOW ISLE OF WHITE COUNTY AND KOSIN DURING THAT 10 YEAR PERIOD WITH WILLIAMSBURG BEING THE ONLY AREA LOCALITY THAT HAS LOWER PERSONAL PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE TAX THAN WE DO.
SO YEAR END SURPLUS AND MENTIONED WILLIAMSBURG.
WILLIAMSBURG IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF ONE OF OUR DISTRICTS TOO, SO IT'S YES, SIR.
NORMALLY THAT'S QUITE APPLE, APPLE COMPARISON, SO IT'S ALSO A LOT OF REVENUE COMES TOURISM A LOT OF TOURISM DOLLARS.
UM, SO WE HEARD MENTION OF YEAR END SURPLUS BEFORE, AND WE'RE GONNA TALK A LITTLE, JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT NOW.
UM, THIS IS A 10 YEAR CHART OF OUR SURPLUS HISTORY.
AND AGAIN, YOU'VE GOT THE NOMINAL DOLLARS IN THE BLUE BARS AND THE INFLATION ADJUSTED SURPLUS IS THE ORANGE LINE.
AND WE USED, UH, FISCAL YEAR 2022 AS OUR BASE YEAR FOR THIS INFLATION ADJUSTMENT.
SO YOUR, YOUR INFLATION ADJUSTED SURPLUS IS ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN THE NOMINAL SURPLUS WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT IN THAT WAY.
AND YOU CAN SEE THAT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE COVID YEARS IN 2021 AND 2022 AND THEN A, A SLIGHT BUMP ABOVE $8 MILLION IN 2017, OUR SURPLUSES TYPICALLY RUN BETWEEN FOUR AND $8 MILLION PER YEAR.
WHICH IF YOU COMPARE THAT TO A $175 MILLION GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS ABOUT 2.3 TO 4.6% OF OUR GENERAL FUND.
AND, AND BEST PRACTICES FOR, FOR THAT IS RIGHT IN THAT 2% RANGE.
AS FAR AS BEST PRACTICES FOR, FOR ANTICIPATING A, A SURPLUS, IF YOU, 'CAUSE IF YOU TRY TO COME IN AT ZERO, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT YOU'LL FAIL AND THEN YOU WON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO OPERATE WITH.
I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD PUT A SPECIFIC PERCENTAGE ON IT, BUT YES, ZERO WOULD BE BAD BECAUSE IF YOU MISS IT NOW YOU'RE RUNNING A DEFICIT FOR YEARS.
FOR YEARS YOU SAID IT WAS, IT WAS ABOUT 2%, 2% STANDARD COUNTY, TWO DECADES AT LEAST.
OKAY, SO I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT, GREG, LET, LET ME INTERRUPT THERE REAL QUICK TOO.
ONE THING NOTEWORTHY HERE IS THAT SURPLUS IS NOT UNIQUE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
OUR STATE RUNS ON A SURPLUS AS WELL.
AND, UH, THAT IS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
THAT IS PRETTY MUCH AN INDUSTRY PRACTICE, A BEST PRACTICE.
UH, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO COVER THE SHORTFALLS.
SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOME MEASURE OF SURPLUS.
WE DO IT, UH, IN OUR ANNUAL BUDGETS.
WE DO IT JUST LIKE THE STATE DOES THAT.
WE HAVE A RAINY DAY FUND THAT AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 12%.
IT, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE THAT MONEY FOR EMERGENCIES.
C-O-V-I-D-I MEAN, IF IT WASN'T FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, YOU WOULDN'T SEE THAT BLUE BAR BE CRASHED BELOW THE, THE ZERO LINE.
SO WE, WE PICKED UP A LOT OF MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THERE, AND WE WOULD'VE BEEN IN BIG TROUBLE HAD WE NOT GOT THAT MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
THE POINT IS THAT THERE, THERE'S A TARGET FOR IT.
SO WE, WE, YOU GOT A LITTLE BIT OF BUFFER TO KEEP YOURSELF SAFE.
IF YOU RUN ABOVE THAT BUFFER, THEN YOU ASK QUESTIONS ALL HOW DO YOU, HOW DO YOU ADJUST TO DO IT BETTER GOING FORWARD? BUT THAT IS A TARGET.
AND TO GO ONE STEP FURTHER, THE RATING AGENCIES THAT RATE US FOR BONDS EXPECT TO SEE THIS KIND OF PERFORMANCE.
UH, SO IT IS, UH, LIKE I SAID, AN INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE.
SO WE OFTEN HEAR QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW WE USE THOSE YEAR-END FUNDS WHEN WE DO HAVE SURPLUSES.
[02:25:01]
ARE A REGULAR COMPONENT OF OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM FUNDING MODEL.UH, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR 24, UH, WE ASSUMED THAT WE WOULD HAVE $2.0 MILLION IN YEAR END SURPLUS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THAT CAPITAL PLAN.
AND THE WORKING NUMBER RIGHT NOW FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 25 CIP IS ALSO $2 MILLION.
UM, ADDITIONALLY, UH, WE'VE USED THAT MONEY FOR CASH CAPITAL FOR THE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED COST IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUILDING, UH, AS WELL AS FOR CASH CAPITAL FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF UNDERGROUND FUEL TANKS AT OUR COUNTY FUEL SITES.
CAN YOU SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE VALUE OF CASH CAPITAL? YES.
WELL, IT, IT PREVENTS YOU FROM HAVING TO BORROW MONEY
PAYGO, WE DON'T, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY INTEREST.
UM, AND WE ALSO BUILT FIRE STATION SEVEN COMPLETELY WITH CASH.
UM, ADDITIONALLY NON-CAPITAL, UH, USES OF THOSE FUNDS WERE, UH, ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR HEALTH AND DENTAL AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION FUNDS.
SO WE'RE NOW GONNA TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PERSONNEL COSTS.
UM, JUST TO KEEP THE NUMBERS DOWN, UM, THE BLUE BARS REPRESENT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES AND THE GREEN REPRESENT ALL OF THE OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
SO THE TOTAL OF THOSE TWO IS OUR TOTAL COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
YOU CAN SEE THAT OVER THE 10 YEAR PERIOD, WE'VE GONE FROM ABOUT 8.9 TO 9.1 EMPLOYEES PER THOUSAND CITIZENS.
SO WE'VE GROWN SOMEWHAT RELATIVE TO THE POPULATION.
UH, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BREAKOUT OF THOSE, YOU CAN SEE THAT THAT'S LARGELY DRIVEN FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES INCREASE.
SO AGAIN, THAT BLUE LINE SHOWS THE PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES OVER THAT 10 YEAR PERIOD.
AND THE TREND, UH, FOR THE GREEN LINE IS THE NON-PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES.
SO THE, YOU CAN SEE THAT WHILE THEY'VE GONE UP IN TOTAL, OUR NON-PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEE HEAD COUNT HAS GONE DOWN WHILE OUR PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEE COUNT HAS GONE UP OVER THAT SAME PERIOD.
IS THERE A NATIONAL TARGET, I WON'T SAY INDUSTRY, TARGET, NOT INDUSTRY, BUT IS THERE A NATIONAL TARGET FOR THE APPROPRIATE NUMBER OF COUNTY STAFF EMPLOYEES PER 1000? DO, HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE'RE AT THE RIGHT NUMBER ABOVE, BELOW? DO YOU KNOW OF ANYTHING? I DON'T.
I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS NO, UM, I WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE LARGELY DEPENDENT ON THE SIZE OF THE LOCALITY AND THE SERVICES THAT THE LOCALITY PROVIDES.
BUT MAYBE WE CAN COMPARE OURSELVES AGAINST SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND SEE, I I DO THINK YOU, DO YOU HAVE A SLIDE THAT SHOWS THAT A COMPARISON, UH, FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES? YES.
LET'S ASK THE QUESTION A DIFFERENT WAY.
WHERE ARE WE TODAY ON TOTAL NUMBER OF, UH, EMPLOYEES? AND YOU CAN BACK UP THE PUBLIC SAFETY.
WHERE ARE WE TODAY VERSUS FIVE YEARS AGO? UH, TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES.
WELL, AGAIN, THESE ARE PER CAPITA.
UM, YEAH, I'M NOT ASKING PER CAPITA.
WE UP, IF WE GONE DOWN, IF WE'VE GONE UP BY HOW MUCH I WOULD SAY WE'VE PROBABLY GONE UP.
WE'VE GONE UP 'CAUSE THE POPULATION WE HAVE HAS GONE UP.
UM, SO THAT'S, THAT'S THE HARD ONE TO TACKLE AND I THINK THAT'S THE ONE WE WANT MORE INFORMATION ON.
UM, SO LASTLY, NOW THIS IS JUST GONNA LOOK AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY SIDE OF THE EQUATION.
SO OVER THAT SAME 10 YEAR PERIOD, NOT ONLY DID OUR TOTAL NUMBER OF PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES GROW, BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT IT ACTUALLY GREW IN ALL THREE OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER.
UM, FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY IS SHOWN IN RED.
SHERIFF IS SHOWN IN BLUE, AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS IS SHOWN IN YELLOW.
AND THERE HAS BEEN GROWTH IN ALL THREE, AS I SAID.
AND ONE DISCLAIMER HERE IS THAT THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE RECENT CONSOLIDATION OF JAMES CITY COUNTY INTO OUR EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER.
THAT WOULD'VE SKEWED THOSE, UH, NUMBERS HIGH IN THIS CURRENT YEAR COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS.
[02:30:07]
SO THIS IS THE SLIDE, UH, MR. BELLAMY WAS REFERRING TO.UH, THIS COMPARES OUR PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES PER THOUSAND CITIZENS TO THE SAME NEIGHBORS THAT WE WERE SPEAKING OF EARLIER.
AND AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE, UH, YORK COUNTY IS IN BLUE AND HAS GROWN OVER THAT 10 YEAR PERIOD AND BASICALLY HAS REMAINED PRETTY CONSISTENTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT PACK.
UM, WILLIAMSBURG AND KOSIN HAVE HAD A HIGHER NUMBER, WHEREAS ISLE OF WHITE AND JAMES CITY COUNTY HAVE HAD A LOWER NUMBER.
AND IF I'M READING THAT RIGHT, THAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BETWEEN YORK COUNTY AND ALL OF WHITE AND JAMES CITY COUNTY IS WHAT ONE PERSON PER A THOUSAND IS WHITE, ROUGHLY ONE PERSON PER THOUSAND, RIGHT SIR.
SO IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE.
SO HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HIRE NEW EMPLOYEES? UM, THE TYPICAL HIRING COSTS FOR A NEW SHERIFF'S DEPUTY, UH, WHICH INCLUDE THEIR PAY AND BENEFITS, ALL THEIR SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND THE CRUISER AND THE ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT WITH THAT CRUISER, UH, YOU CAN SEE IT'S ABOUT $74,000 FOR PAY AND BENEFITS, UH, ABOUT $79,000 TO PURCHASE AND EQUIP THE VEHICLE.
AND THEN ANOTHER $18,000 FOR, UH, EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS, PHYSICALS, ET CETERA.
SO THOSE ARE YOUR YEAR ONE COSTS FOR ONBOARDING A NEW DEPUTY, UH, COMPARATIVELY A NEW FIREFIGHTER, UH, PAYING BENEFITS ALSO RUN ABOUT $74,000, BUT ABSENT THE VEHICLE, UH, YOU JUST HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, UNIFORMS, PHYSICALS, ET CETERA, WHICH IS ANOTHER $18,000.
SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT $93,000 TO ONBOARD A NEW FIREFIGHTER.
AND THEN LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, UH, DISPATCHERS, WHICH HAVE NO SPECIAL EQUIPMENT OR UNIFORMS OR CARS, UH, YOUR SALARY AND BENEFITS COSTS ARE TYPICALLY ABOUT $69,000.
AND THAT COMPARES PRETTY CLOSELY TO THE AVERAGE NON-PUBLIC SAFETY NEW HIRE IN THE COUNTY, UH, WHICH COMES IN AT ABOUT $68,000 IN ONE TIME COST.
AND SO THAT ACTUALLY CONCLUDES MY PORTION OF THIS.
I'M GONNA TURN IT BACK OVER TO MR. BELLAMY TO BRING US HOME, RIGHT? SO WRAP THIS UP.
OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, MY TURN, UH, OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, UH, THE BUDGET HAS BEEN RELATIVELY STABLE.
WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT INFLATION AND THIS, WE, WE DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SPENDING ON SCHOOLS HAS GONE DOWN, BUT IT'S NOT THAT THEY HAVE LESS MONEY, IT'S BEEN SUPPORTED BY THE STATE AND THEN PUBLIC SAFETY HAS GONE UP TO, UM, TO CONTINUE TO MEET THE BOARD'S PRIORITIES.
THE TAX RATE IS GOING TO BE NEED TO SET SUCH THAT WE RECOGNIZE, AS MR. SHEPHERD POINTED OUT A FEW MINUTES AGO, THE VALUE OF MONEY AND WHAT INFLATION HAS DONE TO WHAT WE CAN BUY FOR THAT SAME DOLLAR.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE REALLY GONNA HAVE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION AS WE WORK THROUGH THE BUDGET.
THE NEXT STEPS FOR US, UH, IS THIS IS PART OF THIS DISCUSSION THAT I TALKED ABOUT WHEN, WHEN WE FIRST STARTED.
SO WHAT WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS COMMENTS ON WHAT THEY HEARD AND SAW TONIGHT, WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF SPENDING AS A DESIRABLE, WHAT ARE THE AREAS THAT WE SHOULD PUT MORE EMPHASIS ON OR LESS EMPHASIS AND WHAT WE HAVE TO GIVE UP TO REDUCE THE TAX RATE IF WE HAVE TO GIVE UP ANYTHING AT ALL.
AND IS THE BALANCE BETWEEN REAL ESTATE AND PER PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX REASONABLE? SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE THINK.
THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS WE THINK MIGHT, UH, COME OUT FROM THIS DISCUSSION TONIGHT.
THE BUDGET QUESTIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED TO THESE AREAS ONLINE.
UH, AS I SAID EARLIER, UH, WE HAVE VIDEO RESPONSES THIS YEAR AS WELL.
YOU CAN SEND THE EMAIL AND, UH, THE OLD LOW TECH WAY.
JUST SEND US A VOICEMAIL ON A TELEPHONE, SOME IMPORTANT DATES THAT ARE COMING UP, UH, ON MARCH 19TH, UH, PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED BUS BUDGET.
UH, THE 26TH I MENTIONED ALREADY IS A LISTENING SESSION AT THE YORKTOWN LIBRARY, UH, THE 16TH PUBLIC
[02:35:01]
HEARING.AND BY MAY 7TH, I, I, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
UM, I, I NEED TO EMPHASIZE THIS FOR THE BOARD THAT BY MAY 7TH, WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS HAMMERED OUT.
WHAT YOU'RE GONNA HEAR, UH, NEXT MONTH IS THE, UH, COMMISSIONER REVENUE AND THE TREASURER ARE GONNA COME TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT'S GOING IN, IN THEIR, WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR OFFICES.
THEY'RE ALSO GONNA EXPLAIN TO YOU WHY THAT DATE IS SO IMPORTANT TO GETTING OUT TAX NOTICES AND DOING ALL THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SET THAT UP.
IF YOU DECIDE WE'RE GONNA PROVIDE YOU, UH, WITH A BUDGET CALENDAR.
IF YOU DECIDE THAT WE NEED MORE TIME, WE'LL HAVE TO SCHEDULE MORE MEETINGS BETWEEN NOW AND THEN, BUT WE CAN'T GO PAST THAT MAY 7TH DATE.
SO IF THAT IS THE BOARD'S DESIRE, WE'RE, WE'RE HAPPY TO OBLIGE YOU.
UM, BUT WE'LL, WE'LL BE TALKING IN THE VERY NEAR TERM ABOUT WHAT THE REST OF THE BUDGET PRESENTATIONS LOOK LIKE.
THE NEXT ONE IN FEBRUARY WILL BE THE CIP.
SO THAT'S WHAT YOU COULD EXPECT TO SEE BUDGET RELATED, UH, AT YOUR NEXT MEETING.
AND WITH THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, GREG AND I ARE HAPPY TO GIVE OUR BEST SHOT AT ANSWERING THOSE.
SO QUESTIONS FOR MR. BELLA, MR. GILLETTE? NOT RIGHT NOW.
I THINK WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO KIND OF GRIND THROUGH THIS AND UNDERSTAND IT AND WORK AND WORK WITH, UH, BOTH TREASURER AND, UM, AND, UH, COMMISSIONER REVENUE TO, UM, SEE WHERE WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY.
UH, YEAH, THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION AND I AGREE WITH DOUG.
I THINK WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND WE GOTTA FIGURE THIS OUT.
AND MR. SHEPHERD, YEAH, I I THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LISTENING SESSION FOR YOU TO KIND OF, THIS IS THE SURFACE WAS JUST THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT WE CAN, WHAT WE'RE GONNA WORK WITH.
WE HAVEN'T PUT IT TOGETHER, BUT WE, THE, I DON'T CARE HOW YOU LOOK AT STUFF IN THE END, THE, THE BOARD SUPERVISORS HERE ARE GONNA TRY VERY HARD TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OF YOUR COUNTY AT THE LOWEST COST POSSIBLE.
THAT COST COMES TO YOU AND TO FORM YOUR TAXES.
AND FOR IT COMES TO US IN THE FORM OF THE REVENUE WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS.
UM, SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH, IN FACT, I SUSPECT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A DIFFERENCE OPINION, UH, OVER, UH, WHAT WE'VE GOTTA DO.
BUT WE LOOK AT THE, THE, THE OVERALL PICTURE IS GOING TO BE THAT IT WHAT GIVES US THE BIGGEST BANG FOR THE BUCK FOR WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO.
WE WANT, EVERYBODY WANTS TO LIVE IN A SAFE COMMUNITY.
WE WANT TO HAVE, WE WANNA HAVE SAFETY.
UH, WE WANT OUR SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE THE BEST EDUCATION FOR THE, OUR CHILDREN.
AND WE WANNA LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE WE DO HAVE THINGS, THE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES.
I HAD A FRIEND, A A CONSTITUENT ASK ME YEARS AND YEARS AGO, HE SAYS, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH QUALITY OF LIFE I CAN AFFORD.
YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THERE'S, THERE'S A POINT THERE WHERE YOU GET, YOU CAN'T, YOU GO OVER THE TOP.
SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE IS TO MEET YOUR, WHEN I SAY QUALITY, MEET THE THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE IN THIS COUNTY.
SO WHEN YOU COME UP, MAKE PRESENTATIONS, UNDERSTAND THAT, TRYING TO MIX IT INTO THIS BUDGET, OKAY? WE CAN'T BUY EVERYTHING AND WE CAN'T BUY EVERYTHING IN ONE YEAR.
SALARIES GO UP, MATERIALS GO UP, EVERYTHING GOES UP, OKAY? SO I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN THE INPUTS.
SO, BUT YOU GOTTA PUT ALL THIS TOGETHER WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU COME UP AND TALK TO THE BOARD.
AND MS. BELLA, MS. MR. GILLETTE, THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING A
UM, I LIKE THE, THE BUDGET PORTAL THAT WE HAVE, ALTHOUGH I THINK IT HAS KIND OF AGED OFF THE, THE MAIN, UH, MAIN PAGE.
MAYBE WE NEED TO PIN THAT TO THE MAIN PAGE SO THAT PEOPLE CAN STAY ON TOP OF IT.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO GO FIND IT.
UM, AND A LOT OF GROUND AND COVER, UH, LOT, LOT WE NEED TO, UM, LOOK AT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS AND SO FORTH.
UH, ONE THING I WANNA BE CAREFUL ABOUT TOO IS WHAT COULD BE CONSIDERED A HIDDEN COST? AND THAT IS A COST OF TURNOVER.
I, I THINK FOLKS HAVE BEEN TO BUSINESS KNOW THAT IT'S MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE TO RETAIN GOOD TALENT THAN IT IS TO CONTINUALLY HIRE NEW TALENT THROUGH, THROUGH TURNOVER.
SO AS WE FACTOR ALL THE FIGURES AND, AND TRY TO CONSIDER EVERYTHING, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, WE DON'T LOSE THAT HIDDEN COST AND END UP COSTING US MORE MONEY DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE WE, WE LOSE TALENT
[02:40:01]
AND EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE THAT WE ALREADY HAVE ON, ON COUNTY STAFF OR FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY OR THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT.UM, AND IT ACTUALLY ENDED UP COSTING THE COUNTY MORE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T THINK, THINK THAT THROUGH.
SO I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.
ALRIGHT, ANY, MR. CHAIRMAN, ONE LAST POINT.
I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE, UM, PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS HAVE GONE UP DRAMATICALLY 21% ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
UM, WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED TO DROP THE MILL RATE, UH, ACCORDINGLY.
WE CAN'T BE RUNNING INTO, UH, INTO OUR TAX, UH, UH, BUDGET WITH LAST YEAR'S MILL RATE.
THAT WOULD JUST BE UNACHIEVABLE FOR MOST PEOPLE.
I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE THAT POINT TO THE CITIZENS.
JUST LET THEM KNOW THAT WE'RE WELL AWARE OF THAT ISSUE AND WE WILL BE MAKING NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS, RIGHT? THAT AND, AND, AND, AND WE'RE NOT TRYING TO ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION EITHER.
WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT ASPECT.
AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, END OF THE DAY, WHAT DO WE DO TO REDUCE THE OUT-OF-POCKET TAX EXPENSE? AND THERE'S DIFFERENT AVENUES TO DOING THAT.
AND I'M, I'M LOOKING AT, AT LOOK, WE'RE LOOKING AT A BLENDED APPROACH TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
SO, ALL RIGHT, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? YEAH, I AGREE.
AND, UH, I THINK THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THE BUDGET'S GONNA BE A BIG ONE.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S PART OF THIS WHOLE PACKAGE.
THE MILL RATE, THE BUDGET, UH, THE ASSESSMENTS.
THE ASSESSMENTS ARE WHAT THEY ARE.
AND LIKE DOUG, UH, IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT, GET WITH OUR ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, THEY'RE VERY READILY AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU OUT.
UH, AND IF YOU'VE GOT THE FACTS AND YOU TAKE 'EM THERE, I, EVERYBODY I'VE TALKED TO THAT'S GONE THERE SAID THEY'VE BEEN VERY GOOD ABOUT GETTING BACK WITH THEM AND HELPING THEM, AND A LOT OF 'EM HAVE BEEN CHANGED.
SO DON'T BE AFRAID TO CONTACT THE ASSESSOR'S OFFICE.
UH, AND THE OTHER POINT I WOULD MAKE IS, UH, AS IF WE'RE LOSING EMPLOYEES, WE PROBABLY NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHY WE'RE LOSING EMPLOYEES AND WHERE THEY'RE GOING AND START ADDRESSING SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.
IF, IF ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE LEAVING, TO GO BACK TO YOUR POINT THAT IT COSTS US MORE MONEY TO HIRE SOMEONE NEW AND HAVE TO TRAIN THEM UNLESS THEY'RE ALREADY TRAINED IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
SO I KNOW IF YOUR, YOUR LIFE FIR AND LIFE SAFETY IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT TOO.
SO I'VE, YOU KNOW, I'VE TALKED TO THEM BOTH ABOUT HOW DO WE RETAIN OUR EMPLOYEES.
AND SO I THINK WE PROBABLY NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF FIGURING THAT OUT.
I KNOW SOME OF THAT SALARY DRIVEN AND SOME OF THAT, OUR HANDS ARE TIED, ESPECIALLY IN A YEAR THAT WE KNOW OUR ASSESSMENTS HAVE GONE UP 21%, UH, ON AVERAGE.
SO IT'S A, IT'S A, IT'S A BALANCE WE'VE GOTTA FIGURE OUT AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT AND DO THE BEST WE CAN.
OKAY, LET'S MOVE INTO THE, UH, PUL COMMENT PERIOD.
AND WE'LL FOLLOW THE SAME THANK YOU MR. LET APPRECIATE YOUR TIME UP THERE.
UM, AND WE'LL FOLLOW THE SAME MODEL WE DID EARLIER.
SO FIRST WE'LL CALL, UH, MR. KIM SPENCER AND THEN, UM, MR. ADAM, WE BE BEHIND, OR ADAM STILL? YEAH.
IT WAS KIM SPENCER AND AMBER MARTINS.
HAD A TWO FOR ONE SPECIAL RIGHT.
AND I JUST WANNA THANK YOU ALL FOR GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE THAT HAVE COME OUT TO VISIT US AND TAKE THE TIME TO SEE LACKEY.
UM, I ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE NEW SUPERVISORS, DREW AND
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU COME OUT AND VISIT TO SEE LACKEY.
UM, I JUST WANNA DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO A COUPLE THINGS, BUT BEFORE I DO, UH, LARRY TRUMP OR OUR CEO REALLY WANTED TO BE HERE THIS EVENING, BUT COULD NOT BECAUSE WE ARE ACTUALLY HAVING OUR ONBOARD MEETING TONIGHT,
UM, SO I JUST WANNA DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO SOMETHING HERE.
UM, IT'S OUR LATEST IMPACT REPORT.
ALSO, WE HAVE A VERY EXCITING NEW PROGRAM.
YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY HEARD OF LACKY URGENT CARE.
WE ARE NOW GOING TO SOMETHING THAT'S CALLED LACKY CARE 24 7 CARE.
IT PROVIDES A, UH, AI ALONG WITH OUR PROVIDERS.
WE'D REALLY LIKE TO TELL YOU MORE ABOUT THAT.
THAT'LL BE SOMETHING THAT WE PROVIDE THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
SO WITH THAT, I'M GONNA TURN THAT OVER TO AMBER AND SHE'S GONNA GO OVER THE BUDGET AND WHY WE'RE REQUESTING A LITTLE MORE
UM, OKAY, SO FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH LACKEY CLINIC, LACKEY CLINIC HAS BEEN PROVIDING FREE HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, DENTAL, VISION, AND MEDICATIONS TO UNINSURED ADULTS FOR THE LAST 28 YEARS.
WE'RE LOCATED RIGHT HERE IN YORK COUNTY.
ALL OF OUR PATIENTS ARE UNINSURED AND THEY EARN TOO MUCH TO QUALIFY FOR VIRGINIA MEDICAID, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO AFFORD QUALITY HEALTH OR, UM, OR DENTAL INSURANCE.
SO THINK YOUR CNAS, YOUR RETAIL WORKERS, YOUR SMALL BUSINESSES, 80% OF OUR PATIENTS ARE FROM WORKING FAMILIES.
30% OF THEM ARE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.
[02:45:01]
HELPING 'EM KEEP THEM HEALTHY SO THEY CAN KEEP WORKING.SO WE'RE ASKING FOR AN INCREASE FOR FISCAL YEAR 25, UM, FROM 30,000 FROM YORK COUNTY TO 60,000.
THAT IS JUST 2.6% OF THE VALUE THAT WE'RE BRINGING DIRECTLY TO YORK COUNTY RESIDENTS THAT WE SERVE.
SO IF YOU REFER TO YOUR SHEETS HERE, UM, FOR FISCAL YEAR 23, WE SAW 264 PATIENTS, UM, THAT ARE YOUR COUNTY RESIDENTS, THAT 17% OF OUR TOTAL PATIENTS.
AND THROUGH THAT WE PROVIDED ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS FOR THEM, MEDICAL AND DENTAL CARE, UM, OVER 1,261,000 IN JUST MEDICATIONS ALONE.
WE'RE GIVING TO YORK COUNTY RESIDENTS FOR FREE.
WE ALSO HAVE AN AMAZING CHARITY CARE AGREEMENT.
WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW, UM, CLINICS IN THE, IN THE STATE THAT HAVE A CHARITY CARE AGREEMENT WITH ALL THREE HOSPITALS, MEANING OUR PATIENTS GET THOSE SERVICES FOR FREE WHEN WE REFER THEM TO RIVERSIDE SENTARA OR MARY IMMACULATE BON SECOUR.
SO WE'RE REQUESTING THAT, UM, YOU CAN SEE IN BOOK TWO OR IN THE CATEGORY TWO THERE, THAT OUR COST, UM, IS VERY LOW, UM, FOR YOU GUYS, IT'S ONLY COVERING 23% OF THE COST THAT WE PROVIDE TO YORK COUNTY RESIDENTS.
SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR AN INCREASE THIS YEAR IN FISCAL YEAR 25.
ALRIGHT, MR. KLUTZ, FOLLOW UP.
AND FOLLOWED BY MR. HAL SMITH.
UH, I'M ADAM KLUTZ, THE, UH, CEO OF THE YMCA, AND EXCITED TO BE WITH YOU HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OUR STAFF AND OUR MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A FEW MINUTES TO TALK ABOUT, UH, THE TWO YMCAS THAT SIT IN YORK COUNTY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW SUPERVISORS RECENTLY ELECTED AS WELL.
UM, UH, AT THE YMCA, UH, WE FEEL LIKE THROUGH OUR FOUR, UM, AREAS OF FOCUS, WE BRING TREMENDOUS COMMUNITY BENEFIT.
UH, AT THE Y WE'RE FOCUSED ON PREVENTING DROWNING THROUGH ALL OF OUR SWIM LESSONS AND OUR WATER SAFETY PROGRAMS. UH, WE HELP KIDS SUCCEED, ALL KIDS SUCCEED THROUGH ACCESS OF OUR PROGRAMS, CHILDCARE, UM, UH, SUMMER CAMP, UM, AND OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS OUR FOCUS ON HELPING PREPARE TEENS FOR LIFE THROUGH OUR YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND OUR LEADERS PROGRAMS. AND WE HELP PEOPLE GROW HEALTHIER AND SPIRIT, MIND AND BODY THROUGH ALL OF OUR, OUR WELLNESS PROGRAMS. UM, UH, OUR VICTORY YMCA HAS OVER 14,000 MEMBERS, AND WE HAVE OVER 275,000 VISITS A YEAR JUST AT THE VICTORY YMCA AND OUR WILLIAMSBURG, YMCA HAS OVER 85,000 VISITS A YEAR WITH 5,000 MEMBERS.
COLLECTIVELY, WE'RE PROVIDING ALMOST $400,000 OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BACK, UH, TO THE COMMUNITY.
UM, THE Y PROVIDES HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND RECREATION SERVICES AND CHILDCARE PROGRAMS. UH, AND AGAIN, LIKE I NOTED, WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAS ACCESS TO THESE PROGRAMS. IN A CA GREAT COMMUNITY LIKE YORK COUNTY, UM, UH, THE, UH, UH, YMA PROVIDES SERVICES IN LIEU OF THE COUNTY SAVING TAXPAYERS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WOULD COST TO PUT A COMMUNITY REC CENTER IN OR PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES.
UH, WE RECENTLY CELEBRATED 20 YEARS AT OUR VICTORY YMCA AND 15 YEARS AT OUR WIL, UH, WILLIAMSBURG, YMCA, THE WILKINSON YMCA.
UM, AND JUST AS A REMINDER, WE WOULDN'T HAVE EITHER YMCA IF IT WASN'T FOR THE HISTORIC SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY.
UM, THAT'S BEEN OVER, UM, THE YEARS.
AND SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE WORKING ON, UH, WHAT DOES THE NEXT 15 TO 20 YEARS LOOK LIKE FOR OUR YMCAS AND OUR VICTORY YMCA.
WE'RE, UH, PROPOSING A NINE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS, UH, RENOVATION PROJECT THAT WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH, UM, UH, PRIVATE DONATIONS, GRANTS, UH, UH, SUPPORT FROM YORK COUNTY, UH, AND OUR OWN INTERNAL, UM, FINANCING, UM, UH, MODES.
AND SO, UH, WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU CONSIDER THAT BUDGET REQUEST, UH, OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS TO HELP OUR YMCA TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY LIKE IT HAS FOR THE LAST 15 AND 20 YEARS, RESPECTIVELY.
MR. SMITH, FOLLOWED BY MR. PAUL SCOTT.
GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, UH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
MY NAME IS HAL SMITH AND I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF SERVING AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE VIRGINIA PENINSULA.
WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING, UH, IN YORK COUNTY SERVING YOUTH FOR OVER 15 YEARS.
WE'VE SPENT THE PAST 14 YEARS IN A BEAUTIFUL STATE OF THE ART 20,000 SQUARE FOOT, UH, FACILITY THAT THE COUNTY OF YORK HELPED FUND BACK IN 2010.
SO WE APPRECIATE THAT SUPPORT ON THE BEHALF OF THE FIVE TO 10,000 YOUTH THAT WE'VE SERVED IN THAT FACILITY OVER THE YEARS.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS PROVIDES, OF COURSE, AFTERSCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH, ALL OF ALL SCHOOL AGES SIX TO 18, UH, OVER THE, UH, COUNTRY.
AND THROUGH, UM, OUR PROGRAMS NATIONALLY OR, OR LOCALLY.
HERE WE ARE FOCUSED ON SERVING MORE TEENS WHILE WE PROVIDE OUTTA SCHOOL TIME OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH OF ALL AGES.
UH, TEENS, UH, IS AN AREA THAT WE'RE FOCUSED
[02:50:01]
ON NOW BECAUSE TEENS HAVE MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE WHETHER THEY WANT TO COME TO THE CLUB OR, OR NOT.SO IN THIS REQUEST, WE ARE, UH, ASKING FOR A ONE-TIME GIFT OF $10,000 TO PROVIDE AN ESPORTS PROGRAM, UH, ROOM IN OUR CLUB.
THESE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE, UH, PCS AND GAMING CONSOLES FOR THE FOR THE ROOM MONITORS, TVS, UH, FURNITURE, EVERYTHING TO OUTFIT, UH, THIS PROGRAM.
AND WE FEEL THAT THIS WILL ENGAGE MORE TEENS.
AND SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT, UH, THE BENEFITS OF ESPORTS GAMING, NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS, UH, RECOGNIZES THAT ESPORTS CREATES A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.
YOU'VE GOT, UH, STUDENTS COMING TOGETHER, UH, FOR A COMMON GOAL, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH LEARN TO DEAL WITH THE ADVERSITY OF NOT WINNING IN, IN THE GAMES AND, AND THE GRIT NECESSARY AND, AND TO BE ABLE TO BECOME, UH, A BETTER PLAYER.
STUDIES ALSO SHOW THAT INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES YIELD HIGHER MATH AND READING ASSESSMENTS FOR OUR STUDENTS.
THE TECHNOLOGY INVOLVED WITH ESPORTS ENABLES STUDENTS TO PRACTICE AND DEVELOP VALUABLE STEM SKILLS.
AND FINALLY, STUDENTS WILL SPEND TIME ANALYZING DATA GAME STATISTICS STRATEGIES, WHICH PROVIDE REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS AND EXPERIENCES.
AND, UH, ONE OTHER THING TO MENTION IS THERE'S LOTS OF SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUTH TO, UH, TO ENGAGE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.
AFTER THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ROOM, WE'LL EXPAND OUR OPERATING HOURS TO SERVE MORE YOUTH.
WE WILL FACILITATE MORE TEEN CENTRIC PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON LEADERSHIP AND CHARACTER BUILDING.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE WILL BRING WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAMS TO YOUTH IN YORK COUNTY THAT WILL PROVIDE, UH, UH, FOCUSED ON CAREER, UH, EXPLORATION, DEVELOP EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY.
THIS ESPORTS ROOM WILL BE A TOOL TO ENGAGE MORE YOUTH IN OUR PROGRAMS AND HELP US BUILD THE FUTURE LEADERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
I SERVE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES.
AND FOR THOSE WATCHING IN HOME, YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WE DO IN OUR SERVICES@CDR.ORG.
I WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR BACKGROUND, UH, THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE, THE BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY, AND, UH, EXCITING OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE.
CDRS PURPOSE IS TO PRO, IS TO EMPOWER AND INSPIRE CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, WHATEVER THEIR CHALLENGE IS.
AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORT WE'VE RECEIVED FROM YORK COUNTY AND FROM ITS DEDICATED STAFF.
WE WERE FOUNDED IN 1965 HERE IN, UH, THE COMMUNITY, IN THE HISTOR, IN THE HISTORIC TRIANGLE AS THE WILLIAMSBURG PRESCHOOL FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN.
AND AFTER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PASSED A LAW MANDATING FREE AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES SOUGHT US OUT FOR TRAINING IN HOW TO DO THAT, WHICH LAUNCHED OUR TRAINING MISSION.
IN 1991, WE WERE INVITED BY YORK COUNTY TO MANAGE THE CONTRACT TO OVERSEE THEIR EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER.
SO IT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT FOR THE BOARD AND THE CITIZENS TO KNOW THAT YORK COUNTY WAS A VISIONARY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WORK OVER 30 YEARS AGO.
AND I, UH, APPLAUD THAT WE HAVE SINCE ADDED EARLY HEAD START PROGRAMS, PARENTS AS TEACHERS OF FATHERHOOD AND A RESPONSIVE MOTHERHOOD PROGRAM.
WE SERVE ANNUALLY ABOUT 2000 CHILDREN A YEAR IN THE HISTORIC TRIANGLE.
AND AS OF TONIGHT, WE HAVE, UH, WE'RE WORKING WITH 178 FAMILIES IN YORK COUNTY.
95% OF OUR FAMILIES ARE SERVED IN THEIR HOMES, WHICH MINIMIZES THE IMPACT OF A LACK OF TRANSPORTATION.
AND ABOUT HALF OF THE CHILDREN THAT WE SERVE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND DISABILITIES CATCH UP TO THEIR TYPICALLY DEVELOPING PEERS, WHICH SAVES THE IMPACT, UH, LATER IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
OUR FATHERHOOD PROGRAM INCREASES DAD'S CONFIDENCE IN THEIR SKILLS, WHICH REDUCES THE RISK OF C CHILD ABUSE.
AND OUR MOTHERHOOD PROGRAM, UH, PROVIDES LACTATION SUPPORT AND INFANT MASSAGE.
AND AT THE STATE LEVEL, UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BECOME INTERESTING IS THAT GOVERNOR YOUNGIN HAS ADDED $448 MILLION TO HIS BUDGET FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
AND THE VIRGINIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADDS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AS A TOP PRIORITY FOR ATTRACTING BUSINESS TO VIRGINIA.
WE FIRST STARTED IN A COMMUNITY ROOM OF ST.
MARTIN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AND THROUGH THE YEARS GREW TO NEED ITS, UH, DEDICATED FACILITY, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1994.
UM, WE WERE THE BENEFICIARIES OF SOME SUPPORT FROM JAMES CITY, COUNTY AND YORK COUNTY, 75,000 EACH.
WILLIAMSBURG WAS 60 AND PUM PROVIDED 25,000 FOR THAT FACILITY.
WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO RENOVATE THREE 12 WALLER MILL ROAD.
IT'S IN THE BRUTON DISTRICT ADJACENT TO WALLER MILL ELEMENTARY.
WE ENVISION THIS SITE AS BEING ABLE TO HOUSE ALL OF OUR A HUNDRED EMPLOYEES
[02:55:01]
WITH SOME, UH, SUBSTANTIAL RENOVATION, OBVIOUSLY.AND WE ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF DESIGN AND AWAITING FINAL COST ESTIMATES, UH, AND HAVE RAISED WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE HALF OF THE TOTAL FUNDS NECESSARY TO RENOVATE THIS SPACE.
SO, UH, BE RESPECTFUL OF TIME.
I JUST LOOK FORWARD, UH, AND HOPE I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE FUTURE TO SHARE SOME MORE DETAILS WITH THE STAFF ABOUT THIS EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO RENOVATE A SPACE THAT WAS INTENDED TO BE USED BY THE COMMUNITY.
AND THAT'S HOW WE'D LIKE TO CONTINUE TO SEE IT USED.
FOLLOWED UP BY, UH, MR. AARON THOMPSON.
UM, MR. RONE, MS. NOLL, UH, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE THIS EVENING.
AND, UH, MR. ROY, CONGRATULATIONS MR. DRURY.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ELECTION AS WELL.
I'VE ENJOYED GETTING TO KNOW BOTH OF YOU, UH, PRIOR TO PRIOR TO THE ELECTION WITH THE MEETINGS.
MR. BELLAMY, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS EVENING.
AS YOU KNOW, ALL KNOW I'M THE PROUD SUPERINTENDENT OF YORK COUNTY SCHOOL DIVISION, UH, COMING UP ON MY 10TH YEAR.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME, UH, MR. SHEPHERD SINCE OUR FIRST MEETING 10 YEARS AGO.
UM, I DID WANT TO WANNA SHARE THIS EVENING THAT I'M REPRESENTING OVER 1900 EMPLOYEES AND OVER 13,256 STUDENTS.
WHEN I STAND BEFORE YOU, THE GOOD NEWS IS I'M NOT GONNA ASK FOR ANY FUNDS THIS EVENING.
UM, BUT I DID WANNA JUST SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE BUDGET, MORE IMPORTANTLY, UM, THE STAFF OF THE COUNTY.
SO FIRST OF ALL, UM, I DID WANNA SHARE THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COUNTY AND THE SCHOOLS HAS CONTINUED TO, UM, GET CLOSER OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.
UH, MR. BOWEN, MY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, I SHOULD SAY OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER IS HERE WITH ME THIS EVENING.
UM, AND HE SHARED WITH ME MULTIPLE TIMES THAT OUR MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE A MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE STATE, UH, TO FOLLOW.
AS YOU'RE AWARE, MR. MORGAN AND I IN THE PAST HAVE MET TWICE A MONTH TO KEEP EACH OTHER UP TO SPEED ON VARIOUS PROJECTS AND SITUATIONS THAT WE'RE WORKING THROUGH.
UM, I WANNA SAY PUBLICLY THAT MR. BELLAMY AND I HAVE COMMITTED TO THE SAME PRACTICE.
UM, WE'VE MET MULTIPLE TIMES RELATED TO THE BUDGET.
WE'VE HAD PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE FY 25 SCHOOL DIVISION'S BUDGET.
WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BOTH OF OUR, UM, SORT OF OUR CHALLENGES AND OUR STRENGTHS AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
UM, WE COLLABORATE, UH, WE PROBLEM SOLVE TOGETHER.
WE TRY TO CONTINUALLY IMPROVE THE SCHOOLS, UH, TOGETHER IN THE COUNT FOR THE COUNTY.
UH, WE SHARE INFORMATION RELATED TO THE CIP AS THE CITIZENS HEARD THIS EVENING IN THE OPERATING BUDGET YEAR ROUND.
SO THERE'S REALLY NO SURPRISES BETWEEN US.
MY STAFF AND I APPRECIATE THIS OPEN DIALOGUE.
I DID WANT TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT OUR PROCESS THIS EVENING.
SO, UM, UH, ON JANUARY 29TH, WE WILL BE PRESENTING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO OUR BOARD.
MR. BOWEN RECEIVED THE CALCULATION TOOL FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
WE WILL PRESENT, BE PRESENTING SPECIFIC NUMBERS AT THAT TIME.
ON FEBRUARY 12TH, I'LL BE PRESENTING MY BUDGET TO THE SCHOOL BOARD.
AND THEN ON FEBRUARY 26TH, WE'LL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING, UM, RELATED TO THE SCHOOL BOARD TO THE FY 25 BUDGET.
JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, I HAVE ABOUT 42 SECONDS TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY, OUR PROCESS.
UM, WE'VE HAD LISTENING SESSIONS AS WELL.
UM, WE HAD TWO PUBLIC FORUMS. WE HAD ONE AT MCGRUDER ELEMENTARY IN GRAFTON MIDDLE SCHOOL.
WE HAD SOME CITIZENS SHOW UP THERE FOR SOME DISCUSSIONS AND SHARE INPUT WITH US.
WE'VE ALSO HAD, UH, DEPARTMENT REQUEST, UH, 19 SCHOOL PRINCIPALS SENDING IN THEIR REQUESTS AS WELL AS LET'S TALK PLA PLATFORM FOR COMMUNITY INPUT.
AND WE'VE RECEIVED OVER 300 BUDGET REQUESTS.
MY TEAM HAS CONTINUED TO COMB THROUGH THOSE, REVIEW THOSE AND PRIORITIZE THOSE.
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THAT PROCESS TWO OR THREE TIMES.
UH, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF REFINING THOSE NUMBERS.
UH, SOME OF OUR MAJOR PRIORITIES ARE LEGAL MANDATES AS WE KNOW WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THOSE, SOME SAFETY AND SECURITY, WHICH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT, WHICH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO US.
MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR OUR FUTURE READY GRADUATES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH YOU.
SO WHEREAS MY PREDECESSOR DID NOT ASK FOR FUNDS, I AM MOST CERTAINLY GOING TO ASK YOU ALL FOR FUNDS.
UM, FIRST OF ALL, PLEASE, FIRST OF ALL, IT IS A PLEASURE TO, UH, BE HERE.
I'D LIKE TO GIVE SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT NOT ONLY TO THE CHAIR, TO THE NEW MEMBERS, TO THE BOARD AS A WHOLE AND THE INTERIM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, MR. BELLAMY.
AND I WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT ONE OF MY OLD TOWN BOARD MEMBERS, MR. BRIAN FULLER, WHO SITS IN THE BACK, AS WELL AS, UM, THE INDIVIDUAL WHO DID NOT RUN FOR OUR REELECTION, MR. WALTER ZAREMBA.
AND SO WITH THAT, MY NAME IS AARON THOMPSON.
I SERVE AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OLD TOWN MEDICAL AND DENTAL CENTER, WHERE I'VE HELD THAT POSITION SINCE JULY OF 2020.
MY PREDECESSOR BUILT PREDECESSOR, UH, DR. MANN, UH, WAS INSTRUMENTAL AND HAD A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP, NOT ONLY WITH THE OTHER TWO JURISDICTIONS, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT JURISDICTION.
AS I STAND BEFORE YOU, WE HAVE BEEN TIED TO THE HIP SINCE
[03:00:01]
ROUGHLY 1993.JULY 6TH IS WHEN OLD TOWN WAS FOUNDED.
WE RECENTLY CELEBRATED OUR 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
AND FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT, YOU ALL HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY, VERY ALTRUISTIC TO OLD TOWN SINCE 2000, WHERE YOU STARTED WITH A $70,000, UM, GRANT.
AND TODAY I'D LIKE TO ASK FOR 3% INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR OF THE $120,258 THAT YOU PROVIDED LAST YEAR, AND MOVING THAT UP TO 123,000 AND CHANGE THIS FISCAL YEAR FOR FY 25.
WE ARE ON THE SAME FISCAL CALENDAR AS YOU ALL.
AND AT OLD TOWN, OUR PROVIDERS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF, UH, NURSE PRACTITIONER KENDRA ROBINSON, SEES ROUGHLY 4,000 UNIQUE ENCOUNTERS, WHICH EQUATES TO ROUGHLY 13,000 VISITS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS OF THAT YORK COUNTY, UH, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR.
AND IT'S GONE UP EVERY YEAR SINCE MARCH 13TH, 2020, WHICH OF COURSE EVERYONE HERE KNOWS WAS THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC, WHERE WE SAW A LOW OF 220 PATIENTS AS OF LAST FISCAL YEAR, WE SAW 370 PATIENTS AND WE ARE ON TRACK TO SEE 477 PATIENTS WHO BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICES THAT OLD TOWN PROVIDES.
CURRENTLY, PRIMARY CARE WE PROVIDE GERIATRIC AS WELL AS PEDIATRIC CARE, PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHIATRY.
WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR PARTNERS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF LARRY TRUMBO AND LACKEY.
I KNOW THESE TWO LADIES VERY WELL.
INTEGRATED CARE HAS BEEN VERY, VERY, VERY INSTRUMENTAL AT OLD TOWN.
INTEGRATED CARE IS THE MELTING OF PRIMARY CARE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
IF ONE THING WE HAVE LEARNED OVER THE LAST THREE AND A HALF, FOUR YEARS IS THAT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH HAVE BEEN A NEEDED, UM, ENTITY AND MORE ATTENTION NEEDS TO BE FOCUSED ON THAT.
WITH THAT BEING THE CASE, I DID WANNA SAY THAT YOU ALL ARE EXCEPTIONALLY IMPORTANT.
YOU ARE ROUGHLY RESPONSIBLE FOR 2.7% OF OUR BUDGET.
HENCE WE HAVE, UH, ENSURED THAT THE FOCUS AND GROWING OUR YORK COUNTY POPULATION REMAINS AT THE FOREFRONT.
WE WILL BE HAVING OUR OPEN HOUSE FEBRUARY 1ST.
WE'D LIKE TO SEE YOU THERE BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX.
IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO ADDRESS THEM.
BUT AGAIN, I ASK FOR THIS FUNDING AND GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU MR. CRO AND UH, FOLLOW UP.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME HERE TONIGHT.
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT WITH THE YORK COUNTY CHAMBER.
I AM THE CURRENT PRESIDENT FOR THIS YEAR, FOR 2024, AND I WILL BE ASKING FOR MONEY
SO, UM, YOU GUYS HAVE SUPPORTED US FOR THE PAST COUPLE YEARS BEING OUR PRESIDENTIAL PARTNER FOR THE SPONSORSHIP FOR 20,000.
AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR THAT CONTINUED FOR THE 2025 FOR THAT.
UM, WE HAVE STARTED DOING AMAZING THINGS FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS FOR YORK COUNTY AND FOR OTHER BUSINESSES AS WELL, JUST FROM JUST NOT BEING A HOME-BASED BUSINESS, BUT FOR BRICK AND MORTAR AS WELL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.
UM, WE STARTED OUR INCUBATOR PROGRAM WHEN WE MOVED INTO OUR NEW FACILITY THIS YEAR AND OUR INCUBATOR PROGRAM STARTED PEOPLE FROM A CONCEPT OF HAVING THE BUSINESS TO WHAT IT WAS.
I HAD A THOUGHT TO LET ME HAVE A BUSINESS.
WE JUST STARTED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AND NOW WE HAVE OUR FIRST TWO MEMBERS IN OUR INCUBATOR AND NOW THEY ARE DOING THEIR MARKETING AND EVERYTHING.
WE ARE NOW HAVING A SHARED WORKSPACE WITHIN YORK COUNTY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, JUST LIKE GATHER IN NEWPORT NEWS.
SO WE'RE KEEPING BUSINESS WITHIN YORK COUNTY ITSELF.
SO WE ARE ACTUALLY HAVE STILL ONE MORE OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE.
WE HAVE CONFERENCE ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR YORK COUNTY BUSINESSES WHO ARE HOME-BASED BUSINESSES THAT FEEL LIKE, I DON'T WANT TO GO TO STARBUCKS.
I DO NOT WANT TO GO TO BARNES AND NOBLE OR ANYWHERE ELSE TO HAVE A BUSINESS MEETING 'CAUSE I'M A HOME-BASED BUSINESS.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE A CONFERENCE ROOMS THAT THEY CAN USE FOR THEMSELVES.
SO THERE'S THINGS WE ARE DOING THERE FOR THAT.
WE HAVE JUST LAUNCHED, WE'RE LAUNCHING OUR MENTORSHIP PROGRAM NOW WITH THE EXECUTIVE ROUND TABLE SO PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY GROW THEIR BUSINESSES AND GET EXECUTIVES THAT WE'RE PICKING AND MENTORING WITH THEM TO HELP 'EM GROW THEIR BUSINESS TO BECOME BIGGER.
AND ON THE SAME LEVEL, WE'RE GIVING 'EM ONE HOUR SESSIONS TO HAVE ALMOST LIKE A THERAPY SESSION OF WHAT THEY CAN DO IF THEY WON'T DO NOT WANT TO BE IN THE INCUBATOR, BUT THEY WANT TO GO, HOW DO I HANDLE PAYROLL? HOW DO I DO THIS IN ONE-ON-ONE TIME.
NOW WE ARE NOW LAUNCHING, LOOKING AND LAUNCHING A PODCASTING ROOM AT OUR NEW FACILITY FOR AREA BUSINESSES TO HELP WITH THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA TO HELP THEM GROW THEMSELVES THAT WAY.
THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE'RE BRINGING TO THE COUNTY BUSINESSES AND FOR HOME-BASED BUSINESSES THAT WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO? AND WE'RE A NONPROFIT.
SO WITH YOUR SUPPORT, THAT'S WHAT WE CAN THINK OF WHEN WE'RE IN NHA NEW BUSINESS CONCEPTS.
ALSO NOW WE'RE WORKING WITH OTHER AREA CHAMBERS TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER CHALLENGES, ESPECIALLY WITH UPPER COUNTY.
ON THE 31ST OF THIS MONTH, I'M MEETING WITH TERRY
[03:05:01]
FOR WILLIAMSBURG CHAMBER TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN PARTNER WITH THE TWO CHAMBERS AND WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THE UPPER COUNTY, WHICH IS A UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY AS WELL.SO THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING AS WELL TO WORK WITH HANDS OUT WITH THAT AS WELL, BUT WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.
SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE HERE FOR TODAY TO SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO, WORKING WITH YOU HAND IN HAND TO HELP OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN YOUR COUNTY.
TOP CHAMBERLAIN, TWO 70 BARLOW ROAD.
UM, I'M NOT ASKING FOR MONEY TONIGHT.
UM, I'M ASKING FOR YOU TO TAKE LESS FROM ME.
BUT NO, I REALLY WANT TO JUST TAKE A QUICK MINUTE TO THANK YOU FOR THE CHANGES THAT ARE BEING MADE IN THE, THE OPEN DISCUSSIONS THAT ARE BEING HELD ON THE BUDGET THIS YEAR.
IT'S, UH, THE PRESENTATION, UM, JUST PRIOR TO THIS WAS, WAS GREAT.
GIVE, GAVE ME A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S GOING ON, THE UPCOMING LISTENING SESSIONS, ALL THOSE THINGS.
THE ONLINE, I ALREADY SUBMITTED THE ONLINE COMMENTS.
UM, AND, UH, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPENNESS AND, UH, AND I ALSO, ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS GONNA ASK WAS, DO WE KNOW WHAT IT COSTS TO HIRE A NEW EMPLOYEE? BECAUSE RETENTION IS, IS KEY, UM, TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF COSTS.
AND RETENTION ISN'T JUST ABOUT SALARY, IT'S ABOUT HOW EMPLOYEES ARE TREATED.
UM, AND I ALSO, AND I'VE TOLD YOU THIS BEFORE, I SERVE ON THE, UM, EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE PANEL, UM, THAT HASN'T MET IN I BELIEVE, SIX YEARS.
UM, SO THAT MEANS SOMETHING'S GOING RIGHT BECAUSE NOTHING IS COMING TO, UM, TO THAT PANEL.
SO THE BOARD I SIT ON THAT I DON'T DO ANYTHING FOR, BUT, UH, BUT I AM ALSO ON THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, SO THAT'LL, WE'LL GET SOME BUSINESS THIS YEAR FOR THAT.
I'VE, UH, LIVE AT 1 35 LESLIE LANE IN, UH, TAB LAKE SUBDIVISION.
BEEN HERE SINCE UH, 91 WHEN THE AIR FORCE, UH, BROUGHT US HERE AFTER ABOUT, UH, 20 PLUS YEARS ALL OVER THE GLOBE.
AND, UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRUCK, UH, OUR FAMILY WAS WHAT A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY WE WERE IN ALL THE HISTORY HERE, THE BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS, GREAT SCHOOLS FOR MY KIDS.
AND, UH, IT'S GONE TO THE POINT WHERE NOW WE HAVE, UH, TWO OF OUR THREE GRAND OF OUR CHILDREN, UH, LIVING IN THE AREA WITHIN A 20 MILE RADIUS.
AND WE HAVE 10 GRANDCHILDREN AROUND HERE TOO.
SO WE'RE DEFINITELY VIRGINIANS, UH, THAT WE CONSIDER OURSELVES AT AND GLAD TO BE HERE.
UM, I JUST HAD, UH, A COUPLE OF QUICK COMMENTS.
UH, ONE WAS, UH, I NOTICED THE GREAT INCREASE IN, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY, UH, EXPENSES THIS YEAR.
AND, UH, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE ODD THAT, UH, ALTHOUGH WE WERE SPENDING A LOT MORE MONEY THERE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GOT KNOCKED OUT OF, UH, TRAINING WAS THE, UH, CERT, THE, UH, COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE, UH, TRAINING, UH, OPPORTUNITIES THAT USED TO BE THERE.
UH, WE FOUND OUT THROUGH TAB LAKES, UH, THROUGH THE BOARD THAT, UH, THOSE, UH, TRAINING SESSIONS HAVE BEEN DONE AWAY WITH.
AND, UH, WE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT, THAT SINCE WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST COMMUNITIES TO ACTUALLY BE CERTIFIED AT CERT, UH, WE THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT ALL COMMUNITIES, UH, IN, IN AROUND HERE IN, UH, YORKTOWN WOULD LIKE TO HAVE, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF SKILLS THAT THEY'RE TAUGHT TO THOSE PEOPLE FROM COMMUNICATIONS TO HOW TO TURN THE, UH, GAS LINE OFF IF YOU'RE IN A STORM AND YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE, OR A FIRE GOING ON IN A HOUSE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
SO, UH, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT REINSTITUTING THAT KIND OF TRAINING WITHIN THAT PUBLIC SAFETY SECTOR.
SO THAT, THAT WAS ONE COMMENT.
THE OTHER ONE WAS JUST, UH, I QUICKLY WANTED TO MENTION THAT, UH, I TOOK A LOOK AT THE REAL ESTATE ASSESSMENTS, UH, THING THAT WAS SENT OUT TO ME AND PROBABLY LIKE MANY OF MY, UH, FELLOW CITIZENS, THEY'RE PROBABLY IN A BIT IN SHOCK WHEN I SAW THAT, UH, THE 2024 ASSESSMENT WOULD, I'D GO FROM 2,800 TO 30, ALMOST $3,500 IN MY ANNUAL ASSESSMENT, WHICH IS PRETTY, UH, PRETTY BIG AMOUNT.
AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS ALL SUBJECT TO WHATEVER YOU DECIDE FOR TAX, UH, THE TAX RATE WILL BE.
BUT, UH, I, I DID LOOK UP, UH, WHAT THE, UH, CPI WAS FOR THIS PAST YEAR, AND IT WAS 3.4%.
SO I WOULD THINK NOMINALLY THAT 5% WOULD BE A PRACTICAL, UH, INCREASE RATHER THAN 23%.
AND I HOPE THAT, UH, UH, WHEN I FIGURE THAT OUT, IT BACKS UP TO ABOUT A 0.65, YOU KNOW, 65 CENTS PER HUNDRED RATHER THAN 77.
NOW, YOU MAY NOT GO THERE BECAUSE OF, UH, NEEDS OF THE COUNTY, BUT I HOPE THAT YOU'LL CONSIDER, UH, KEEPING IT REASONABLE FOR US.
UH, THAT WAS THE LAST PUBLIC COMMENT I HAD.
[03:10:01]
ELSE LIKE TO COME SPEAK AT THIS TIME DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? ALL RIGHT.I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, AND I WILL COME TO THE BOARD TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS RE REGARDING THIS DISCUSSION.
MR. JUROR? YES, MAY I THANK YOU, MS. NO.
THE LAST GENTLEMAN, THE LAST GENTLEMAN WHO SPOKE ABOUT THE CERT PROGRAM, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THEY HAD CANCELED IT.
I AM A GRADUATE OF THAT PROGRAM, AND I THINK IT'S AN EXCELLENT, UH, PROGRAM FOR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS, ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCIES, WHETHER IT BE A HURRICANE OR SNOW OR WHATEVER IT IS.
AND I THINK ALSO IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER, AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.
SO THOSE WHO HAVE CANCELED IT, I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER THINKING ABOUT IT.
AND IF THERE'S ANY WAY THAT THEY CAN PUT IT BACK IN OR YOU HAVE REASONS WHY YOU'VE CANCELED IT, I'D LOVE TO KNOW.
ANYWAY, THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS.
SO I APPRECIATE ALL THE, UH, PRESENTATIONS AND I THINK, UH, WE HAVE A BUNCH OF GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP, UH, OUR COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE AROUND US, UH, VOLUNTEERS.
AS, UH, SHEILA SAID EARLIER, I KNOW SOME OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE ALWAYS HURTING FOR VOLUNTEERS, SO WE CAN DO MORE THAN JUST MONEY.
SO, UM, HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO HELP FUND SOME OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING.
AT LEAST THIS TIME I REMEMBER.
UM, SO, YOU KNOW, TRADITIONALLY EVERY YEAR WE GET THE, THE PEOPLE THAT COME FORWARD ARE GENERALLY THE FOLKS THAT HAVE THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE A GREAT SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THOUGH THAT'S, UH, THAT THE SUPERVISORS WILL HEAR FROM THOUGH ARE, UH, JUST BASIC CONSTITUENTS OUT THERE.
I MEAN, THEY'LL COME, THEY'LL GO, I MEAN, GOSH, YOU GET THESE EMAILS.
WHY, WHY IS THE TAX RATE GOING UP AND WHY IS THIS? AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE INFORMATION.
UH, I REMEMBER DOUG SAID HE'S TALKED TO HIS CONSTITUENTS OUT THERE.
I EVEN DID A, UH, SENT AN EMAIL OUT OR A REPORT OUT, UH, A MONTH BEFORE THEY CAME OUT TRYING TO WARN FOLKS.
AND THAT DID CUT SOME OF IT DOWN.
BUT HERE'S, HERE'S SOMETHING THAT I, I, I THINK THAT WOULD REALLY HELP US.
UM, I DON'T KNOW IN MY AREA THAT INDIVIDUALS MAY BE SITTING THERE THINKING, OKAY, LOOK, I GOT A DITCH OUT.
WHY IS THIS DITCH ALWAYS BEING A PROBLEM? AND THEY, AND THEY, AND THEY HAVE THIS STRUGGLE.
AND THEN WHAT WE END UP DOING, IF WE HEAR A LOT OF IT, WE'LL END UP BUYING A, UH, OR BUYING A CREW.
WE'LL GET A WHOLE STORMWATER CREW.
UH, WE'VE DONE THAT AND JUST TO TRY TO ADDRESS THINGS LIKE STORMWATER HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS.
UM, IT'S A THANKLESS JOB TO BE ON ONE OF THOSE BOARDS, BUT IT'S, IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT BOARD THAT WILL GATHER INFORMATION, UM, FROM THEIR COMMUNITY AND, AND CAN HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT PEOPLE WANT.
I MEAN, I HEAR THINGS LIKE, UH, YOU KNOW, WE HAD SOME POWER LINES THAT ARE TOO LOW, SO WE GOTTA GET FOLKS TO DO STUFF.
THE, UH, THE, THE STORMWATER BACKUP'S ALWAYS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM.
UH, MOWING THE GRASS ON THE ROADS.
HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HEAR THAT? BUT GUESS WHAT? STATE'S NOT DOING IT.
SO WE END UP BUYING A CRUISE TO GO OUT TO MAINTAIN THE, UH, CERTAIN ROADS.
THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT WOULD REALLY HELP US.
AND FOR THAT, YOU INDIVIDUALS, UH, OUT IN THE COMMUNITY OR THE COMMUNITY THROUGH HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION WOULD, WOULD SAY, HEY, LOOK, CAN YOU, WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT THIS? A PAINTING, THE PICKLEBALL COURTS.
I MEAN, THESE ARE ALL THINGS, EVERYTHING IS SMALL, BUT WHEN YOU ADD 'EM ALL UP, IT COSTS MONEY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS STUFF.
SO, ANYWAY, I, I APPRECIATED ALL THE BRIEFINGS, UM, AND I'D LOVE TO HEAR MORE FROM THE, FROM HOMEOWNERS AND, AND FROM, UH, JUST FOLKS IN THE, YOU KNOW, OUT THERE THAT, THAT ARE A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THANKS FOR EVERYBODY COMING TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
AND I KNOW WE'LL HAVE, UM, A GREAT DEAL MORE FEEDBACK, CONVERSATIONS ABOUT, ABOUT THE BUDGET, MORE THINGS, MORE INFORMATION FOR US TO, DATA POINTS FOR US TO WORK AGAINST.
ONE OF THE TAKE TAKEAWAYS FOR ME, AND ESPECIALLY IN LISTENING TO THE FOLKS WHO ARE COMING FROM THE, UM, FROM THESE, UH, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND THESE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, IS HOW MUCH THEY ARE A FORCE MULTIPLIER FOR SERVICES WITHIN THE, WITHIN THE COUNTY.
IT MAKES MY EYES WATER TO THINK HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST THE COUNTY TO TRY TO PROVIDE THOSE SAME SERVICES TO CITIZENS AND PROBABLY
[03:15:01]
NOT DO IT NEARLY AS WELL AS THESE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS DO IT.SO THERE'S A, THERE'S A REAL BIG RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT OF WHAT WE DO.
AND, AND NONE OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE ASKING THE COUNTY TO FUND EVERYTHING.
THEY'RE ASKING FOR A COUPLE PERCENTAGE HERE AND THERE.
AND AGAIN, BIG RETURN ON THE INVESTMENT.
AND I'LL GIVE YOU ONE EXAMPLE, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO UP AND, AND MEET WITH THE, UH, FOLKS AT THE LACK CLINIC IN, IN, IN THE LAST YEAR, SAW THEIR OPERATION TOP-NOTCH.
UM, AND I SPOKE TO THE, UM, THE OPTOMETRISTS THEY HAVE THERE ON, ON SITE NOW, AND, AND SHE'S SEEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO GET CORRECTIVE, UH, EYEWEAR IN THEIR LIFE.
AND THESE PEOPLE IN THEIR THIRTIES, THIRTIES AND FORTIES.
AND IT, AND THEY MADE A POINT, AND IT KIND OF DAWNED ON ME, WELL, THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO STILL ARE WORKING AND LIVING AND DRIVING IN THEIR COMMUNITY, BUT PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE THE, THE, THE EYESIGHT THEY NEEDED TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE SAFELY.
SO THEY'RE ON THE ROADS WITH US OPERATING MORE SAFELY, RUN, RUNNING OUR FAMILIES AND, AND SO FORTH.
SO LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT, MAKING BIG IMPROVEMENTS IN PEOPLE'S LIVES AND EVERYBODY ELSE'S LIVES AROUND THEM.
SO, UM, CAN'T DO ALL WE CAN DO A LITTLE AND WE'LL DO WHAT WE CAN.
WE CAN, BUT AGAIN, IT'S HUGE BENEFITS ACROSS ALL OF YORK COUNTY AND ACROSS YORK COUNTY CITIZENS.
ALRIGHT, ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ANYBODY? ALRIGHT WITH THAT, WE'LL CLOSE THAT AND WE WILL MOVE INTO
[4 Application No. PD-58-23, Yorktown Crescent, LLC. Consider adoption of proposed Ordinance No. 24-1 to amend the master plan and conditions of approval for the Yorktown Crescent Mixed-Use Development and to rezone adjacent acres located on George Washington Memorial Highway and Old York-Hampton Highway from GB and IL to PDMU. ]
THE PUBLIC HEARING.FIRST, PUBLIC HEARING OF THE NIGHT, I'LL CALL ON MR. TIM CROSS TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE NUMBER 24 DASH ONE, UH, YORKTOWN CRESCENT TO AMEND THE MASTER PLAN AND CONDITION OF APPROVAL FOR THE YORKTOWN CRESCENT MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT AND TO REZONED ADJACENT ACRES.
GOOD EVENING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
OKAY, AS YOU STATED, UH, THIS IS AN APPLICATION TO AMEND THE, UH, MASTER PLAN AND PROFFERS FOR THE YORKTOWN CRESCENT MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT.
AND TO ADD ABOUT 10 AND A HALF ACRES TO THE PROJECT, UH, THROUGH A REZONING, UH, FROM, UH, LIMITED INDUSTRIAL AND GENERAL BUSINESS TO PDMU PLAN DEVELOPMENT MIXED USE.
UH, YORKTOWN CRESCENT WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD BACK IN 2011 AS A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTHEAST QUADRANT OF THE INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 17 AND FORT EAST IS BOULEVARD.
UH, THE LIGHT BLUE GRAYISH, UH, AREA THAT YOU SEE ON THE ZONING MAP HERE, ALL ZONE PDMU PLAN DEVELOPMENT MIXED USE, UH, THAT'S WHAT'S CURRENTLY ON THE BOOKS.
UH, THE SUBJECT PROPERTY OF THIS APPLICATION.
EVERYTHING THAT'S OUTLINED IN BLUE, UH, WOULD BE COVERED BY THIS APPLICATION.
SO, UH, YOU CAN SEE THE, UH, TRIANGULAR AREA HERE, UH, IS PROPOSED TO BE REZONED AND ADDED TO THE PROJECT.
UH, THIS PARCEL CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY THE YORK ASSEMBLY OF GOD, UH, IS PROPOSED TO BE REZONED AND BROUGHT INTO THE PROJECT.
UH, THIS, UH, INTERIOR PARCEL OCCUPIED BY AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, UH, HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY THE DEVELOPER AND IS PROPOSED TO BE ADDED TO THE PROJECT AND REZONED PDMU.
AND THEN THIS SPLIT ZONE, UH, PARCEL OVER HERE, THE DEVELOPER HAS ACQUIRED, UH, PARTIALLY ZONED GB UH, GENERAL BUSINESS, PARTIALLY ZONED LIMITED INDUSTRIAL, AND THAT IS PROPOSED TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE PROJECT AND REZONED PLAN DEVELOPMENT MIXED USE.
UH, AS YOU CAN SEE, UH, ON THE, UH, ON THE MAP TO DATE, UH, YORKTOWN CRESCENT CONSISTS OF 42 TOWNHOUSES, UH, OUT THERE OFF OF, UH, UH, FORT YUIS BOULEVARD.
UH, HERE'S A, ANOTHER MAP THAT SHOWS EVERYTHING THAT'S YOU SEE IN YELLOW HERE IS YORKTOWN CRESCENT, UH, AS IT'S APPROVED TODAY.
AND YOU CAN SEE THE SURROUNDING PROPERTIES, WENDY'S, ARBY'S, UH, THE ARMY NAVY TATTOO.
UM, AND SO THIS IS AN AERIAL PHOTO FROM 2021, UM, A LITTLE BIT OUT OF DATE BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE, UH, PARCELS THAT APPEAR VACANT, UH, AROUND THE TOWNHOUSES HAVE NOW BEEN, UH, DEVELOPED.
THIS IS THE PROJECT AS A STREET VIEW OF THE PROJECT SEEN FROM FORT SS BOULEVARD.
AND, UH, COMING THE OTHER WAY FROM FORT SS BOULEVARD.
YOU CAN SEE THE TOWN HOMES THERE.
AND, UH, FRONT VIEW OF THE ROW OF TOWNHOUSES, UH, ALONG DAY BEACON STREET, AND THEN THE, UH, THE REAR OF THOSE TOWNHOUSES.
UH, COUPLE THINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT HERE, BECAUSE IT'S, UH, WAS AN ISSUE THAT CAME UP AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE, UH, DEPTH OF THOSE DR UH, PARKING PADS MM-HMM.
[03:20:01]
TO THE REAR OF THOSE TOWNHOUSES.UH, NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE, UM, UH, PARKED VEHICLES, AT LEAST VEHICLES OF A CERTAIN SIZE.
AND YOU CAN SEE THE, THE, THE TRUCK IN THE PHOTO HERE WHERE IT, UH, THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK KIND OF HANGS OVER, UH, ENCROACHES A LITTLE BIT INTO THE, UH, UH, PAVED SURFACE OF THE STREET.
UH, IT'S A 20 FOOT WIDE STREET.
UM, SO A COUPLE THINGS, UH, TO ADDRESS THIS SITUATION, UH, THE CURRENT SITUATION AND PREVENT IT FROM OCCURRING WITH FUTURE PHASES OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
UH, WE HAVE A CONDITION IN YOUR PROPOSED ORDINANCE THAT REQUIRES THAT, UH, ALL THE, ALL THE, ALL THE FUTURE PARKING PADS FOR THE TOWNHOUSES BE A MINIMUM, HAVE A MINIMUM DEATH OF DEPTH OF 18 FEET.
UH, SO THAT'S A NINE BY 18 STANDARD PARKING SPACE.
AND ON THE DEVELOPER SIDE, UH, THEY HAVE, UH, PROFFERED TO WIDEN THIS ALLEY BY TWO FEET FROM 20 TO 22 FEET.
UH, SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY'VE DONE SINCE THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
UH, SO THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT ENTERED INTO THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S, UH, DELIBERATIONS, UH, AND THEIR VOTE, UH, BUT THEY HAVE, UH, RECENTLY PROFFERED TO WIDEN THIS ALLEY BY TWO ADDITIONAL FEET.
AND SO THAT WILL MORE THAN COMPENSATE FOR THE DEFICIENCY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD HERE.
UH, THEY'VE ALSO PROFFERED THAT HERE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE WHERE YOU SEE A VEHICLE PARKED ILLEGALLY.
UM, THE GREEN AREA IS, UH, THEY PROFFERED THAT THE TOWNHOUSES ON THAT SIDE OF THE STREET, UH, WILL HAVE, UH, PARKING PADS WITH A MINIMUM DEPTH OF 20 FEET.
UH, SO I THINK, UH, THESE TOGETHER, THESE THREE THINGS PRETTY MUCH TAKE CARE OF THAT ISSUE.
I MENTIONED THE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING THAT THE DEVELOPER, UH, HAS ACQUIRED.
UH, THERE IT IS, THAT WILL BECOME AFTER SOME REFURBISHMENT, UH, THAT WILL BE THE, UH, COMMUNITY BUILDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.
AND THIS IS THE YORK ASSEMBLY OF GOD.
UH, THEY HAVE A, A DEVELOPER HAS A CONTRACT TO PURCHASE THAT PROPERTY, UH, UH, DEMOLISH THE, UH, CHURCH AND, UH, AND USE THAT AS PART OF YORKTOWN CRESCENT.
SO CHANGES THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED TONIGHT, UH, WHAT YOU SEE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE IS, IS WHAT'S APPROVED UNDER THE 2011 APPROVAL.
AND THEN WHAT'S PROPOSED TONIGHT.
ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY'RE PROPOSING TO REDUCE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS FROM TWO 10 TO 167.
UH, REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MULTI-FAMILY UNITS, UH, BY ABOUT 80, UH, INCREASE THE NUMBER OF TOWNHOUSES, UH, BY ABOUT 45, UH, ELIMINATE LIVE ABOVE UNITS.
THAT'S, UH, THOSE ARE CONDO UNITS WHERE, UH, THERE'S A BUSINESS ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND A RESIDENCE ON THE UPPER FLOOR, TOP FLOOR.
UM, THE COMMERCIAL SPACE, UH, THEY ARE PRACTICALLY PROPOSING TO DOUBLE FROM 28,000 SQUARE FEET, UH, TO 55,000 SQUARE FEET.
SO THESE ARE ALL, UH, POSITIVE CHANGES IN OUR OPINION.
UH, ACREAGE TOTAL ACRE WOULD INCREASE BY ABOUT 10 AND A HALF.
UH, THE NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS PER DEVELOPABLE ACRE WOULD BE, UH, ACTUALLY CUT BY MORE THAN HALF, UH, FROM 13.3 TO 6.4.
UH, NOW THE ZONING ORDINANCE GUIDELINE FOR RESIDENTIAL DENSITY IN A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT IS MAXIMUM OF 10 UNITS PER ACRE.
UH, SO, UH, WITH EACH, WITH THE, UH, WITH THE APPLICATION TONIGHT, THEY WOULD BE WITHIN THAT GUIDELINE.
RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE SLIGHTLY OVER IT.
UH, THE COMMERCIAL DENSITY, UH, ZONING ORDINANCE GUIDELINE IS A MINIMUM OF 1000 SQUARE FEET PER DEVELOPABLE ACRE.
UH, RIGHT NOW THEY'RE JUST A LITTLE BIT UNDER 2000, SO ALMOST DOUBLE UNDER THEIR CURRENT APPROVAL, UH, WHAT THE ZONING ORDINANCE, UH, RECOMMENDS.
AND THEY WOULD ACTUALLY INCREASE THAT UNDER THE PROPOSED PLAN.
2100 SQUARE FEET, UH, PER DEVELOPABLE ACRE OPEN SPACE ZONING ORDINANCE GUIDELINE IS 10%.
UM, AND THEY ARE, THAT IS BEING REDUCED SLIGHTLY FROM 13.8% TO 12, EXCUSE ME, 12.1%.
THIS IS THE MASTER PLAN, AS IT WAS APPROVED IN 2011.
UH, THESE THREE LARGE BUILDINGS WERE ENVISIONED TO BE MIXED
[03:25:01]
USE BUILDINGS WITH GROUND FLOOR, RETAIL AND OFFICE.AND THEN SECOND AND THIRD STORIES, UH, HAVING MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNITS.
UM, THE, WHAT'S BASICALLY DRIVING THIS APPLICATION IS THAT THE DEVELOPER, UH, UH, AFTER, WELL, ALMOST 13 YEARS NOW, UH, HAS NOT FOUND ANY, ANY COMMERCIAL TENANTS, UH, WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THAT KIND OF CONSTRUCTION.
WHO, UH, AND SO THEY'VE, UH, UH, COME IN WITH A NEW PLAN THAT DOES AWAY WITH THE MIXED USE BUILDINGS, AND I'LL SHOW YOU THAT IN A MINUTE.
UH, OTHER FEATURES OF THE CURRENT PLAN, THESE ARE ALL, UM, MULTI-UNIT OR MULTI-FAMILY BUILDINGS HERE ALONG FORT EUSTIS TOWNHOUSES AND A COUPLE OF DUPLEXES.
AND THEN THEY LIVE ABOVE UNITS THAT I SPOKE OF BEFORE.
SO THE PROPOSED PLAN, UM, IS, UH, SORT OF MORE OF A, UH, UM, IT'S SORT OF MORE OF A SUBURBAN, UH, LOOK AND FEEL TO IT THAN THE KIND OF, UH, PSEUDO URBAN, UH, FEEL OF THEIR PREVIOUS PLAN WITH THE LARGE, UH, THREE STORY BUILDINGS WITH THE RESIDENTIAL OVER RETAIL.
SO, UH, WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING, UH, TONIGHT IS TO ELIMINATE THE MIXED USE BUILDINGS.
UH, AND INSTEAD THEY HAVE, UH, CONTRACT UNDER CONTRACT, A, UH, MAJOR GROCERY CHAIN, GROCERY STORE, UH, THAT WANTS TO BUILD, UH, A, A NEW STORE RIGHT HERE IN THIS LOCATION.
UH, SO IT, IT WOULD JUST BE PURELY COMMERCIAL BUILDING, UH, 55,000 SQUARE FEET.
AND THE, UH, REST OF THE, THE APARTMENTS THAT WERE ORIGINALLY SHOWN OVER HERE ALONG FORT EUS BOULEVARD, UH, THOSE WOULD GO AWAY.
AND THESE WOULD ALL BE TOWNHOUSES, UH, IN THIS PORTION OF THE PROPERTY.
UH, THE YORK ASSEMBLY OF GOD, THE CHURCH PROPERTY, UH, THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE PROPOSING A 64 UNIT, UH, APARTMENT BUILDING.
AND THEN IN THE CENTER, UH, CENTER OF THE, UH, PROJECT IS THE, UH, COMMUNITY BUILDING, UH, COMMUNITY CENTER, UH, THAT, UH, HAS BEEN PROFFERED.
AND THEN IT WAS THAT, THAT PICTURE I SHOWED YOU BEFORE ABOUT THE INDUSTRIAL, UH, BUILDING, THAT'S WHERE THEY PROPOSED TO, UH, HAVE THEIR COMMUNITY BUILDING.
UH, SO THEY HAVE PROFFERED, UH, COMMERCIAL BUILDING ELEVATION FOR THE GROCERY STORE.
THE, UH, TRAFFIC ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT.
UH, THE NUMBER IN THE TRAFFIC, UH, IMPACT ANALYSIS SUBMITTED BY THE, UH, DEVELOPER, I CAN TELL YOU, UH, IS HIGH 12,000 1,226, UH, AVERAGE WEEKDAY TRIPS.
AND IT'S, IT'S HIGH BY DESIGN, UH, BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO TAKE, THEIR ENGINEER WANTED TO TAKE A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH, AND SO THEY MADE NO REDUCTION IN TRIPS FOR INTERNAL TRIPS, UH, OR PASS BY TRIPS.
SO THEY'RE ASSUMING, UH, THAT ALL TRIPS TO, UH, YORKTOWN CRESCENT WILL BE NEW TRIPS, WHICH OF COURSE IS HIGHLY UNREALISTIC.
UM, UH, AND, AND PART OF THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT IS TO HAVE INTERNAL TRIPS.
SO WHEN YOU IS TO LIVE FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO COMMERCIAL, SAY YOU LIVE IN THE TOWNHOUSES AND YOU WANT TO, UH, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO GO TO GROCERY STORE, UH, FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, IT'S GONNA BE MORE CONVENIENT TO WALK THAN IT WOULD BE TO DRIVE.
BUT AGAIN, TO TAKE A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH, UH, THEY DIDN'T MAKE ANY DEDUCTION FOR INTERNAL TRIPS OR PASS BY TRIPS.
UH, THEY ALSO AT VDO T'S REQUEST, UH, ASSUMED VERY HIGH TRIP GENERATING USES FOR THE COMMERCIAL OUT PARCELS IN THE PROPERTY.
UM, UH, UH, TWO OF THEM I THINK ARE, ARE ASSUMED TO BE FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS, WHICH SEEMS A LITTLE UNREALISTIC.
YOU ALREADY HAVE FOUR FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS, UH, IN THAT, AT THAT INTERSECTION.
BUT AGAIN, TAKING A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH, UM, AT, AND THAT, IN THAT CASE, IT WAS DIRECTED BY, BY VDOT.
SO, UM, IN ORDER TO MAKE EVERYTHING WORK AS FAR AS THE ENTRANCES, THE INTERSECTIONS TO HAVE ACCESS ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF SERVICE, UH, THE APPLICANT'S TRAFFIC ENGINEER, AFTER
[03:30:01]
DOING THE ANALYSIS, UH, CAME UP WITH THIS ACCESS PLAN FOR THE PROJECT.UH, THERE WOULD BE TOTAL OF SIX ACCESS POINTS.
UM, AND A, A MAJOR FEATURE OF THIS PLAN IS, UH, AND ONE THAT GENERATED A LOT OF DISCUSSION AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MEDIAN DIVIDER, UH, HERE ALONG FORT YUS BOULEVARD, UH, BETWEEN ROUTE 17 AND THE SECOND FOOD LION ENTRANCE, THE PATRIOT SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER ENTRANCE.
UM, THERE, THERE WAS, UH, OP, LET ME ZOOM IN HERE.
YOU CAN SEE A LITTLE BIT BETTER ABOUT WHAT'S PROPOSED HERE.
SO, UH, THERE WAS, UH, HAS BEEN SOME OPPOSITION EXPRESSED, UH, BY THE, UH, TWO FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS, PARTICULARLY WENDY'S, BECAUSE IT DOES CHANGE THEIR ACCESS.
UM, UH, ESPECIALLY, UH, FOR PEOPLE WHO, UH, ARE EXITING, UH, THE WENDY'S, IF THEY WANT TO BE HEADED BACK TO ROUTE 17, DEPENDING ON WHICH WAY THEY'RE GROWING RIGHT NOW, UH, THEY CAN TURN LEFT AND, AND COME TO THE LIGHT, UH, WITH THE, UH, MEDIAN DIVIDER, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
THEY'D HAVE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND, AND MAKE A U-TURN TO GET TO THE LIGHT.
UH, THERE ARE OTHER WAYS IN AND OUT OF THE ARBY OR THE WENDY'S AND ARBY'S SITE, UH, FROM BOTH ROUTE 17 AND, UH, ROUTE, UH, UH, UH, SORRY, THE FORT USES BOULEVARD.
AND, UH, THIS, UH, WHILE IT DOES SEEM ON THE FACE OF IT THAT IT WOULD BE A LITTLE MORE INCONVENIENT FOR CUSTOMERS, UH, I WOULD SAY THAT IT'S NOT UNUSUAL WHEN YOU LOOK AT FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS IN THE COUNTY.
UH, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK, UH, THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF ROUTE 17 ACROSS THE STREET FROM THIS SITE.
UH, MCDONALD'S BOJANGLES, UH, IF YOU'RE COMING OUT, I MEAN, THEY, THEY BOTH HAVE MEDIANS THERE ALONG ROUTE 17.
SO DEPENDING ON, YOU KNOW, WHICH WAY YOU'RE GOING, UH, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE A U-TURN JUST AS YOU WOULD, UH, IN THE CASE OF, UH, THE WENDY'S, IF THIS, UH, IF THIS, IF THIS, UH, APPLICATION IS APPROVED, UH, OTHER, I MEAN THE, UH, HARDEE'S DOWN AT, UH, KILN CREEK, UH, VICTORY BOULEVARD, SAME SITUATION.
UH, YOU CAN'T GO BACK OUT ON VICTORY.
YOU HAVE TO MAKE A U-TURN TO COME BACK, AND SO ON.
MOTOWN ROAD IS ANOTHER ONE, A CHICK-FIL-A UH, THERE'S A MEDIAN DIVIDER RIGHT THERE ALONG MOTOWN ROAD.
SO, ALTHOUGH, YEAH, WE DO THINK IT WOULD BE, UH, A MINOR INCONVENIENCE, IT, IT, WE DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO HAVE A DRAMATIC IMPACT.
UM, AND ANOTHER THING I WANNA POINT OUT IS THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE ANALYSIS THAT WAS DONE WITH THE, UH, TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY, UH, IT'S ACTUALLY QUICKER, UH, WITH THE MEDIAN THAN WITHOUT.
UH, YOU DON'T HAVE THESE, UH, SIX, SEVEN LANES, FIVE, SIX LANES OF TRAFFIC, UH, TO DEAL WITH, WITH CARS COMING OUT FROM THE OPPOSITE END.
AND HERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC.
REALLY, PMP HOUR TRAFFIC, UH, IS THE CRITICAL, UH, IS THE CRITICAL ELEMENT HERE.
UH, BUT IT IS, UH, SIGNIFICANTLY, UH, QUICKER, SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER DELAY, AVERAGE DELAY FOR VEHICLES, UH, MAKING THIS RIGHT TURN AND A U-TURN THAN, UH, COMING OUT HERE AND TURNING LEFT.
AND THAT'S WHAT THE ANALYSIS SHOWS, UH, NOT JUST UNDER CURRENT CONDITIONS, BUT, UH, FUTURE CONDITIONS.
UH, WHILE I'VE GOT, UH, THIS PICTURE, UM, I WANT TO POINT OUT, UH, I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT LANYARD STREET, THIS PRIVATE STREET THAT RUNS BEHIND THE WENDY'S AND THE ARBY'S, UH, THERE WAS SOME CONCERN EXPRESSED AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ABOUT THE CONDITION, UH, UH, OF THAT STREET.
AND I, I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT, UH, UH, AS PART OF THE, UH, THIS DEVELOPMENT, UH, THE DEVELOPER, UH, IS GOING TO BE REQUIRED, REQUIRED BY THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO, UH, PROVIDE WRITTEN ASSURANCE TO THE COUNTY THAT, UH, THEY WILL CREATE A PROPERTY OWNER'S ASSOCIATION AND SPELLING OUT THE MAINTENANCE OF THE STREET REQUIRE, UH, ASSURANCES THAT THE STREET WILL BE PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
UH, CURRENTLY WE DON'T HAVE THAT, UH, WE WOULD HAVE THAT THIS APPLICATION, UH, IS APPROVED.
AND, UH, THAT WILL ENSURE, FIRST OF ALL, IF, IF THE, IF THE APPLICATION'S APPROVED, THE ROAD'S GONNA BE REBUILT.
'CAUSE THE GROCERY STORE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT GONNA WANT THAT, UH, SORT OF TORN UP ROAD AS THEIR, AS THEIR ACCESS THE PROJECT, UH, THE ROAD'S GONNA BE REBUILT, AND THEN
[03:35:01]
WE'LL HAVE WRITTEN ASSURANCES THAT THE COUNTY CAN ENFORCE TO ENSURE THAT, UM, THE ROAD IS MAINTAINED.UH, WE DON'T HAVE A PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE IN THE COUNTY, SO WE REALLY DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW, THE ABILITY TO, TO MAKE, UH, THEM MAINTAIN THAT ROAD.
SO, UH, WE SEE THAT AS A POSITIVE.
AND EVEN THOUGH THAT'S A ZONING ORDINANCE REQUIREMENT, WE HAVE GONE AHEAD AND INCLUDED IT AS A CONDITION OF APPROVAL IN YOUR APPROVING ORDINANCE, JUST SO THAT NOTHING SLIPS THROUGH THE CRACKS.
AND THAT, UH, THE DEVELOPER IS AWARE OF THE, THE, UH, OBLIGATION, UH, TO DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE.
SO THIS IS A CONDITIONAL REZONING AND PR CONDITIONS.
A LOT OF THEM ARE THE SAME AS THE ONES THAT ARE IN PLACE, BUT, UH, OBVIOUSLY REDUCED NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS, UH, INCREASED NUMBER OF AMOUNT OF COMMERCIAL SPACE.
THERE ARE SIDEWALKS, WALKING TRAILS THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT.
UH, DOG PARK, I MENTIONED THE COMMUNITY BUILDING.
UH, I MENTIONED THE WIDENING OF THE ALLEY TO 22 FEET.
UH, ONE THING I DO NEED TO MENTION IS, UM, THAT UNDER THE CURRENT APPROVAL, UM, THEY ARE BASICALLY STUCK AT 42 TOWNHOUSES UNDER THE CURRENT PROFFERS.
UM, UH, THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO, UH, OPEN TO, TO CREATE THAT TO COMMUNITY BUILDING A COMMUNITY CENTER, AND HAVE IT OPEN TO THE RESIDENTS, UM, BEFORE THEY CAN GET THEIR 40 OR CO CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
FOR THE 43RD TOWNHOUSES, RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE 42, SO THEY'RE STUCK AT, UH, STUCK THERE RIGHT NOW.
UH, THE OTHER THING IS UNDER THE CURRENT PROFFERS, UH, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO BUILD THE FIRST OF THOSE THREE MIXED USE BUILDINGS BEFORE THEY CAN GET THE 43RD TOWNHOUSE UNIT.
SO THEY'RE KIND OF STUCK IN A POSITION HERE WHERE THEY'RE REQUIRED TO BUILD A BUILDING THAT NO COMMERCIAL TENANT SEEMS TO WANT.
UH, AS FAR AS THE COMMUNITY BUILDING, THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS FOR THAT TO BE A COMMUNITY CENTER LOCATED INSIDE ONE OF THOSE MIXED USE BUILDINGS.
AND SO IT MADE SENSE TO HAVE, HAVE THE, HAVE THAT SAME THRESHOLD FOR THE FIRST MIXED USE BUILDING.
UM, BUT NOW, UH, THAT'S GONNA BE A SEPARATE STANDALONE BUILDING, AS YOU SAW IN THE PICTURE.
IT'S GONNA NEED SOME WORK BEFORE IT'S READY FOR, UH, FOR OCCUPANCY.
AND SO THEY ARE REQUESTING TO EXTEND THE THRESHOLD FOR, UH, FOR, UH, PROVIDING THE COMMUNITY BUILDING TO THE, UH, UH, 66TH TOWNHOUSE UNIT.
SO BEFORE THEY GET THEIR 67TH CO, THEY WOULD HAVE TO, THAT COMMUNITY BUILDING WOULD HAVE TO BE READY AND OPEN FOR USE BY THE RESIDENTS.
UM, AND, OKAY, SO MOST OF THE STANDARDS IN THE PDMU ORDINANCE ARE GUIDELINES RATHER THAN REQUIREMENTS.
AND THE BOARD HAS THE AUTHORITY SPELLED OUT IN THE, IN THE ORDINANCE TO ALLOW DEVIATIONS, UH, FROM THOSE, UH, GUIDELINES.
UH, THE ZONING ORDINANCE REQUIRES A TRANSITIONAL BUFFER BETWEEN THE ROUTE 17 COMMERCIAL OUT PARCELS.
AND, UH, IF, IF YOU THINK OF BACK TO THAT, UH, STREET THAT RUNS BEHIND ARBY, BASICALLY A TRANSITIONAL BUFFER BETWEEN WENDY'S, ARBY'S, AND THE OUT PARCELS, UH, NEXT TO THEM AND THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN YORKTOWN CRESCENT.
SO YOU'RE BUFFERING COMMERCIAL AGAINST COMMERCIAL, WHICH DOESN'T REALLY MAKE ANY SENSE.
AND SO THEY'VE REQUESTED TO ELIMINATE THAT TRANSITIONAL BUFFER REQUIREMENT.
UH, THE ORDINANCE ALSO REQUIRES A 50 FOOT BUILDING SETBACK FROM EXTERNAL STREETS, IN THIS CASE, FORT YUS BOULEVARD.
AND THEY HAVE ASKED TO REDUCE THAT FROM 50 FEET TO 35 FEET.
UH, STAFF REALLY DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, YOU'VE GOT 15 FEET OF UNPAVED RIGHT OF WAY BETWEEN THE EDGE OF PAVEMENT AND THE RIGHT AND THE RIGHT OF WAY LINE.
SO EFFECTIVELY, YOU'VE GOT A 50 FOOT BUILDING SETBACK, UH, EVEN AT 35 WHEN YOU INCLUDE THE 15 FEET, UH, BETWEEN THE RIGHT OF WAY LINE, AND THE EDGE OF PAVEMENT.
AND FORT YUS BOULEVARD, UH, IS, UH, IS IT'S NEVER GONNA HAVE TO BE WIDENED.
SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY DANGER OF, OF ENCROACHING INTO THAT, UH, THAT SETBACK.
THE LAST, UH, UH, DEVIATION THEY ARE SEEKING IS TO NOT BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A COMMERCIAL REQUE, UH, RESIDENTIAL SEQUENCING.
UH, THE PDME ORDINANCE, UH, HAS A REQUIREMENT
[03:40:01]
FOR, UH, DEVELOPER TO SUBMIT A BUILD OUT PLAN, UH, BASICALLY A SORT OF A PHASING SCHEDULE WHERE, UH, WHERE, UH, THEY'RE PERMITTED TO BUILD A CERTAIN NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS, UH, BEFORE THEY HAVE TO START PROVIDING ANY COMMERCIAL SPACE.UM, IN THEORY, UH, IT SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.
IN PRACTICE, IT'S PROVEN TO BE PROBLEMATIC.
UM, IN FACT, UH, FOR, UH, KELTON STATION UP ON LIGHTFOOT ROAD, UH, THAT PROJECT WAS APPROVED WITHOUT, UH, A RE A REQUIREMENT OF ANY KIND FOR, UH, THE COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL SEQUENCING, UH, UNDER THE, UNDER THE, UM, WELL, I MENTIONED THAT, THAT CURRENTLY THEY'RE REQUIRED TO BUILD THAT FIRST MIXED USE BUILDING, UH, BEFORE THEY CAN PROCEED WITH THE TOWNHOUSE CONSTRUCTION.
UM, IT'S, UH, WHEN YOU'RE, WHEN ALL OF THE COMMERCIAL IS IN A 55,000 SQUARE FOOT GROCERY STORE, IT'S KIND OF HARD TO SAY, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU HAVE TO BUILD, YOU KNOW, 30% OF YOUR
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO HALF OF A GROCERY STORE, UH, UH, IT'S, IT'S ALL OR NOTHING.
UH, BUT THE IDEA IS TO PREVENT IT FROM BECOMING AN ALL RESIDENTIAL PROJECT, AND THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS.
IN THIS CASE, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY, UH, WORRY ABOUT THAT.
UH, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY HAVE THIS, UH, CHAIN GROCERY STORE UNDER CONTRACT, AND THEY'RE READY TO MOVE FORWARD.
AND SO, UH, STAFF REALLY DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ELIMINATING THE, UH, BUILD OUT, UH, REQUIRE, UH, PLAN REQUIREMENT.
SO, UH, IN OUR OPINION, UH, THE CHANGES THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING REFLECT THE REALITIES OF THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET.
AGAIN, THERE'S JUST NO DEMAND IN THIS MARKET, UH, FOR MIXED USE, UH, BUILDINGS, ESPECIALLY AT THE KIND OF DENSITIES THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, UH, MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT WHERE IT WORKS, IT'S TYPICALLY MUCH HIGHER DENSITY THAN 13 UNITS PER ACRE.
I MEAN, THINK ABOUT HIGH STREET NEWTOWN, UH, AND, AND THE HIGH DENSITIES THAT YOU HAVE UP, UH, UP THERE.
UM, AND I THINK THEY, THEY JUST SORT OF, THE, THE, THE CHARACTER OF THE PROJECT AS IT'S RE-ENVISIONED, IS SORT OF MORE IN KEEPING, UH, WITH THE COUNTY'S LOW DENSITY, LOW RISE, UH, UH, CHARACTER.
UH, YOU GOT A HIGHER RATIO OF COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL.
SO NET FISCAL IMPACT IS POSITIVE.
THERE ARE REALLY NO SCHOOL IMPACTS BECAUSE, UH, THE INCREASE IN TOWNHOUSE UNITS, WHICH TEND TO GENERATE MORE STUDENTS PER UNIT IS OFFSET BY THE REDUCTION IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF UNITS.
SO IT'S BASICALLY A WASH IN TERMS OF, UH, STUDENT GENERATION.
SO, UH, WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL, UH, THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 24 DASH ONE R, UH, WHICH WAS GIVEN TO YOU TONIGHT.
THE REVISION, UH, INCLUDE THAT CONDITION THAT I SPOKE OF REGARDING THE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR LANYARD STREET, UH, AND REFERENCE, UH, UH, REFERENCES TO THE REVISED PROFFER STATEMENT AND THE REVISED SKETCH PLAN, WHICH THE, UH, APPLICANT SUBMITTED IN THE PAST, UH, PAST WEEK.
AND SO THAT'S OUR RECOMMENDATION PLANNING COMMISSION CONSIDERED THE APPLICATION BACK IN NOVEMBER AND VOTED, UH, FOUR TO TWO TO RECOMMEND DENIAL.
THE, UH, APPLICANT, UH, AND HIS REPRESENTATIVES ARE HERE TO, UH, SPEAK ON, UH, THEIR BEHALF, AND I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR ME AT THIS TIME.
LET'S MOVE INTO QUESTIONS FOR MR. CROSS'S, UM, PRESENTATION.
UH, MR. CHAIRMAN, I HAD SAID, UM, AT THE NOVEMBER NOVEMBER PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, THAT I WOULD RECUSE MYSELF FROM A VOTE ON THIS, UH, SUBJECT FEEL.
IT'S A BIT OF AN ETHICS ISSUE FOR ME TO VOTE TWICE.
UM, SO, BUT I DO WANNA EXPRESS MY COMMENTS AND CONCERNS, UH, ON THE, ON THE, UH, PACKAGE SO THAT THE REST OF THE BOARD MEMBERS CAN CONSIDER THOSE, UH, THOUGHTS, UH, AS YOU, UM, AS YOU PONDER THE RESOLUTION.
UM, MR. CROSS, I'VE, I'VE READ THROUGH THIS PACKAGE THAT EXTENSIVELY, OBVIOUSLY, THE PROFFERS THAT CAME IN CAME IN VERY LATE.
UM, I THINK THERE'S STILL A, A COUPLE OF ISSUES THAT, UM, THAT CAME UP DURING THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING THAT, UH, THAT NEED FURTHER DISCUSSION.
ONE WAS THE, UM, THE LACK OF VDOT APPROVAL FOR THAT INTERSECTION.
[03:45:01]
TO, UM, WAIT FOR THE PROJECT PIPELINE, UH, STUDY OR PROJECT, UH, STUDY TO BE COMPLETED ON RO 17, UH, WHICH IS EXPECTED IN MARCH, APRIL THIS YEAR.UM, SO I'M STILL, I'M STILL CONCERNED THAT WE WOULD GO FORWARD WITH OUT A VDOT APPROVAL.
I MEAN, THE LAST TIME WE DID THAT WAS COMMONWEALTH GREEN, AND WE ALL KNOW HOW WELL THAT WORKED.
UM, I HAVE, UH, I HAVE, UH, FURTHER QUESTIONS THAT CAME OUTTA THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
I UNDERSTAND HOW YOU'VE REACHED 20 FEET, UH, IN WIDTH.
IT'S ACTUALLY 16 FOOT ZERO INCHES OF, OF ASPHALT.
SO YOU'VE COUNTED THE GUTTERS.
THE GUTTERS ARE ACTUALLY 18 INCHES EACH, SO THAT'S 19 FEET.
I WANT ASSURANCE THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY BUILDING A 22 FOOT ROAD.
UM, THAT WAS A, THAT WAS A CONCERN RAISED AT PLANNING COMMISSION BECAUSE OUR EMERGENCY SERVICES REQUIRE 22 FEET FOR, UH, FOR A PRIMARY ROAD.
AND THEN I THINK THE, UH, THE FINAL ISSUE IS THE DISTANCE BETWEEN BRACEWELL LANE AND FORT EUSTIS IS 104 FEET.
AND WHEN YOU CONSIDER 15 FEET IS PROPERTY LINE AND 35 FEET IS SETBACK, AND 53 FEET IS THE WIDTH OF THESE TOWNHOUSES, I'M AT, I'M AT ZERO REMAINING DISTANCE, AND I STILL HAVE TO PUT A 20 FOOT, UH, DRIVEWAY IN FRONT OF IT.
SO THERE'S A, THERE'S A CONCERN THAT THE SITE PLAN IS SHOWN SIMPLY DOESN'T FIT, AND THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED WELL, IT WAS ADDRESSED BY THE, UH, LET, LEMME FINISH.
YOU STILL TALKING
UH, FIRST OF ALL, VDOT DOES NOT APPROVE, UH, APPLICATIONS.
THEY DON'T APPROVE TRAFFIC STUDIES.
UH, THE WAY THE PROCESS WORKS IS, UH, WHEN THERE'S AN APPLICATION THAT MEETS OUR REQUIREMENTS FOR A TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS, UH, THE DEVELOPER, THE APPLICANT PROVIDES ONE, WE SEND IT TO VDOT FOR THEIR COMMENTS, AND, UH, THEY GIVE US, THEY, UH, AND THEY GIVE THE LOCALITY THEIR COMMENTS AND THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION IN MAKING A DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO APPROVE THE REZONING OR SPECIAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION.
UM, UH, NOW, VDOT, UH, DID EXPRESS, UH, UH, ITS, UH, ITS SUPPORT FOR THAT MEDIAN, UH, ON FORT USES BOULEVARD.
UH, BECAUSE WHEN YOU'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, FIVE, SIX, UH, LANES OF, UH, UH, UH, OF ROADWAY AND OPPOSING ENTRANCES WITH NO CHANNELIZATION, IT'S A PRETTY UNSAFE SITUATION.
UH, WHEN YOU HAVE CHANNELIZATION, UH, IN OTHER WORDS, OBSTRUCT, UH, PHYSICAL, UH, I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO SAY OBSTRUCTION, BUT THAT'S KIND OF WHAT IT IS.
UH, BUT THINK OF, UH, LIKE CURBING PORK CHOPS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
UH, MEDIAN DIVIDERS, UH, WHEN YOU'VE GOT CHANNELIZATION, IT'S SAFER BECAUSE, UH, YOU DON'T HAVE THESE AS MANY CONFLICT POINTS, UH, AS YOU, UH, HAVE WITHOUT THE MEDIAN DIVIDER.
UH, NOW YOU MENTIONED THE PROJECT PIPELINE STUDY THAT'S UNDERWAY.
SO PROJECT PIPELINE, UH, VDOT SELECTS FIVE OR SIX, UH, LOCATIONS IN EACH DISTRICT, UH, IN EACH VDOT DISTRICT, UH, FOR, UH, SPECIAL STUDY.
AND SO THEY HAVE SELECTED, UH, THE SEGMENT OF ROUTE 17 BETWEEN COOK ROAD AND DNB BOULEVARD, GOODWIN NECK ROAD.
THE COUNTY IS, UH, PARTICIPATING.
UM, BUT WHAT THAT STUDY IS GONNA RESULT IN, UH, IS A, UH, A, A PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE, UH, FOR, UH, THE VARIOUS INTERSECTIONS ALONG THAT CORRIDOR.
UH, AND THEY LOOK AT ALL, ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
UH, THEY HAVE THESE NEW INNOVATIVE, UH, INNOVATIVE, UH, INTERSECTION DESIGNS AND, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
UH, BUT ONCE THEY DO THAT, UH, NOTHING HAPPENS.
UH,
[03:50:01]
SO, UH, IT'S NOT LIKE ONCE THE STUDY IS DONE, ANYTHING IS GONNA HAPPEN.WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN IS WE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, APPLY FOR SMART SCALE FUNDING SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD, UH, TO IMPLEMENT WHATEVER TURNS OUT TO BE THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE.
UH, THE NEXT CYCLE FOR SMART SCALE IS THIS YEAR, WHICH MEANS, UH, WE WOULD FIND OUT IN, UM, UH, SPRING OF 2025 WHETHER OR NOT, UH, FUNDING IS APPROVED.
AND IF IT IS, UH, THEN WE WOULD GET THAT FUNDING APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS LATER.
SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 2030 HERE, UH, FOR PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING.
UH, AND, UH, I MEAN, SO THAT'S, I MEAN, THAT'S, THAT'S HOW THE PROJECT PIPELINE, UH, PROCESS, UH, FITS INTO ALL OF THIS.
UM, THE, I'M, I'M CONFIDENT THAT, UH, UH, YOU SAID MARCH OR APRIL AND THAT, AND THAT'S, AND THAT'S ABOUT THE TIMEFRAME WHERE WE SHOULD EXPECT TO GET A RESULT FROM, UH, THIS STUDY.
UH, BUT, UH, I MEAN, THE APPLICANT HAS MADE IT CLEAR AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
HE DOESN'T WANNA BUILD THAT MEETING IF HE DOESN'T HAVE TO.
UH, LIKE I SAY, UH, HE, HE DOES NOT WANNA BUILD THAT, UH, MEETING IF HE DOESN'T HAVE TO.
UM, AND, UH, AND THEY COULD ALWAYS, UH, UH, UH, COME IN WITH A, A, A REQUEST TO AMEND THE PROFFERS TO CHANGE THE, UH, UH, TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DIDN'T MENTION IN THE, IN THE, UH, MY PRESENTATION IS THAT THEY HAVE PROFFERED TO, UH, UH, TO DO A BUNCH OF, UH, IMPROVEMENTS ALONG FORT YUSUF BOULEVARD, UM, TURN LANES, THAT SORT OF THING.
AND THOSE WERE ALL SPELLED OUT IN THE PROFFER STATEMENT.
UH, NOW IT IS, I MEAN, THE BOARD, AL ALWAYS HAS THE PREROGATIVE IF IT WANTS TO, TO, UH, TABLE AN APPLICATION.
UH, IF THEY'RE NOT READY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT, UH, I CAN'T SPEAK, UH, FOR THE, UH, DEVELOPER AND WHAT KIND OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS THEY HAVE WITH THE GROCERY STORE.
IF THE GROCERY STORE WOULD WALK AWAY.
UM, THE, UH, NOW YOU MENTIONED BRACEWELL LANE.
WE MEASURED IT AT 20 FEET FROM BACK OF CURB TO THE, TO THE, TO THE VALLEY GUTTER.
UH, AND THE DEVELOPERS ENGINEER, UH, DID ADDRESS THAT AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING.
AND IT IS A SCALED DRAWING AND, UH, EVERYTHING FITS.
UM, AND I'M SURE, UH, HE'S PREPARED TO ADDRESS THAT AGAIN TONIGHT.
AND THE THIRD ISSUE WAS, SIR, I WENT OUT IN THE RAIN LAST NIGHT TO DOUBLE CHECK MY MEASUREMENTS.
WE CAME UP WITH 20 FEET, STAY ON, I DUNNO WHAT, STAY ON TOPIC.
WHAT WAS THE, WHAT WAS THE THIRD QUESTION? WHAT, WHAT, WASN'T THERE A THIRD? UH, IT WAS, SORRY, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKING NOTES NOW.
IT WAS, BRACEWELL LANE WAS THE WIDTH OF BRACEWELL LANE, AND, AND THEN IT WAS THE, UM, WHERE ALONG THE PROPERTY BETWEEN BRACEWELL LANE AND EUSTIS COULD THE, COULD THE TOWNHOUSE TO START AND STILL ACHIEVE THE DISTANCES.
SO IT, IT TAPERS AT ONE END TO 104 FEET.
IT'S 147 FEET WIDE AT THE OTHER END.
WELL, I'LL LET THEIR ENGINEER ADDRESS THAT, BECAUSE I MEAN, THEY PROVIDED A SCALED PLAN AND IT, AND EVERYTHING FITS.
UM, AND LOOKING AT THE PLAN, UH, YOU KNOW, YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT EMERGENCY VEHICLES NEEDING 22 FEET.
I'M NOT SURE THAT'S ENTIRELY CORRECT.
UH, FIRST OF ALL, THEY HAVE, UH, A ROAD ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THOSE TOWNHOUSES FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE.
THIS IS AN UN UNUSUAL SITUATION.
UH, MOST TOWNHOUSES JUST HAVE FRONTAGE ON ONE ROAD.
THIS ONE HAPPENS TO HAVE FRONTAGE IN THE FRONT AND ALSO THAT ALLEY TO THE REAR.
UM, I MEAN, 20 FEET IS IDEAL FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLE ACCESS, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE, I MEAN, WE SEE VEHICLES GOING UP AND DOWN ROUTE 17 ALL DAY LONG, 12 FOOT LANES.
UH, THEY COME DOWN MY STREET
[03:55:01]
SO, UH, WE GOT THE RIGHT, YEAH, I WAS GONNA, I WAS, THAT'S WHAT I WAS JUST GONNA, I WAS GONNA ASK WHEN, WHEN MR. CROSS FINISHED, IF THE CHIEF COULD SPEAK TO THAT.SO CHIEF KAKI, IF YOU COME ON CHIEF, IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THAT PLEASE, OR APPRECIATE IT.
I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, I DON'T RECALL THE SPECIFICS BECAUSE THEY, IT DOES VARY BASED ON LAYOUT OF THE, THE, UH, DEVELOPMENT AND THAT SORT OF THING.
I KNOW THAT I DID SHARE SOME STANDARDS WITH MR. CROSS, AND I THINK WITH MR. ROY, I THINK HAS BEEN MONTHS AGO.
UH, BUT IT IS NOT UNCOMMON JUST TO HAVE, UH, IN SOME CASES FAR ACCESS LANES 20 FEET WIDE.
AND IN SOME CASES, DEPENDING ON BUILDING HEIGHT AND THAT SORT OF THING, FAR ACCESS LANES WIDER THAN THAT.
SO I THINK IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE SPECIFIC AREA OF THE, THE DEVELOPMENT.
YOU KNOW, WITHOUT LAYING OUT THE DEVELOPMENT AND LOOKING AT EACH LITTLE, EACH PORTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT, IT'D BE HARD TO SAY FOR SURE WHAT'S, GOTTA BE 20 FEET, 22 FEET, 24 FEET, OR 26 FEET.
NOT, NOT TO STEP OUTTA TERM, BUT SINCE YOU'RE UP AT THE PODIUM, LIKE JUST ASK FOR THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD QUESTION.
IT'S, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU SEE IN THE PROPOSED PLAN THAT GIVES YOU PAUSE REGARDING USING YOUR EMERGENCY VEHICLES IN THAT DEVELOPMENT? WELL, I, I, LEMME JUST TALK GENERICALLY IF I COULD.
WE ARE ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT ACCESS TO BUILDINGS AND, UH, LOCATION OF ACCESS, ROADS IN PROXIMITY TO BUILDINGS.
IN SOME CASES WE PREFER A LITTLE BIT OF A SETBACK IN CASE THERE'S A STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
BUT, UH, WE, BEFORE ANY FINAL PLAN IS APPROVED, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT A CONCEPTUAL PLAN.
UH, WE WOULD LOOK AT THE LAYOUT, UH, IDENTIFY, UH, WHETHER THE ROAD PROPOSED ROADWAY OR ACCESS WAY WIDTHS ARE ADEQUATE.
AND THEN, UH, THINGS LIKE TREE CANOPIES ENCROACHING UPON TRAVEL LANES WHERE, YOU KNOW, THEY MAY PROHIBIT VEHICLES FROM PASSING THROUGH AN AREA OR TURNING RADIUSES.
UH, THOSE ARE ALL STANDARD THINGS THAT WE LOOK AT WHEN WE ACTUALLY LOOK AT A SITE PLAN.
WE NORMALLY DON'T LOOK AT IT WHEN WE'VE JUST GOT A CONCEPTUAL PLAN.
BUT THEY ARE ADDRESSED DURING THE SITE PLAN REVIEW AND WE'VE LEARNED SOME LESSONS FROM OTHER DEVELOPMENTS.
UH, BUT PART, PART OF IT IS DRIVEN BY THE STATEWIDE FIRE PREVENTION CODE AND THE WITS BASED ON THE LAYOUT AND THAT SORT OF THING.
MR. DRURY, UH, QUESTIONS FOR MR. CROSS? GOOD LUCK.
ARE YOU GOING TO HER? NO, I'VE GONE TO YOU.
UM, I GUESS THE THING THAT REALLY HAS SURPRISED ME HERE IS, UH, WHEN I QUESTIONED STAFF AND SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS, NOBODY HAD THE UPDATED PLANS AS OF YESTERDAY WHEN YOU, I WAS SENT THE PLAN BY JIM NOEL SOME TIME AGO, AND WHEN I ASKED A COUPLE PEOPLE, THEY HADN'T EVEN SEEN THE UPDATED PLAN.
BUT WE'RE HERE TO VOTE ON IT TONIGHT.
THE, THE, THE ONLY I'LL, OKAY.
THE ONLY CHANGE TO THE SKETCH PLAN, UH, OKAY.
WELL, I GUESS MAYBE TO YOUR POINT, YOU SEE THESE, UH, THIS, UH, THIS ROW OF TOWNHOUSES, UH, IN THE ORIGINAL SKETCH PLAN, THOSE TOWNHOUSES WERE AT AN ANGLE, THEY WERE NOT UNIFORMLY ALIGNED ALONG BRACEWELL LANE, UH, THERE AT THIS, UH, UH, AT, AT A STRANGE ANGLE.
AND, UH, SO YEAH, THE, THE SKETCH PLAN THAT WENT OUT WITH THE PACKAGE, UH, THIS, THIS SKETCH PLAN CAME IN, CAME INTO US AFTER THE PACKAGE WENT OUT.
BUT IT WAS REALLY JUST A MODEST CHANGE.
UH, THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO SHOW THE, UH, YOU KNOW, THE WIDENING OF BRACEWELL LANE.
UH, THEY JUST REORIENTED, UH, THESE TOWNHOUSE UNITS.
SO THEY WOULD BE, UH, UNIFORMLY ALIGNED ALONG THE ALLEY THERE.
UH, I PROBABLY SHOULD MENTION THAT THEY'RE WORKING TO ACQUIRE THIS TRIANGULAR PIECE OF EXCESS RIGHT OF WAY.
THE DEVELOPER IS, UH, FROM VDOT, IT SERVES NO PURPOSE AND IT'S BASICALLY SURPLUS.
AND, UH, UH, IF, IF, IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THAT, THEY WOULD ACTUALLY LOSE, UH, SOME TOWNHOUSES, UH, UH, LIKE ABOUT SIX, I GUESS.
[04:00:01]
UM, BUT I THINK THE PRELIMINARY INDICATION IS THAT IF VDO T'S WILLING TO, TO, UH, LET THEM HAVE THIS, UH, SELL 'EM, I GUESS THE SURPLUS RIGHT OF WAY, UH, WHICH WOULD ALLOW 'EM TO HAVE THE 167 UNITS THAT THEY'VE REQUI, UH, REQUESTED, IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO GET THAT RIGHT OF WAY, THE ORDINANCE IS WRITTEN SO THAT THE NUMBER OF UNITS WOULD DROP TO 161.SO I NEED TO GET SOME CLARIFICATION ABOUT THE PROJECT PIPELINE.
YOU SAID THAT THAT'S NOT AN APPROVAL THING BY VDOT, IT'S A RECOMMENDATION.
THEY LOOK AT DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES, CONS, UH, DESIGN ALTERNATIVES, UH, WELL, I SAY THEY, UH, IT'S VDOT, THEY'RE CONSULTANTS AND THE COUNTY.
AND THE IDEA IS TO, UH, COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEM AREAS IN ALL THE VDOT DISTRICTS, UH, OR AT LEAST WHAT ARE BELIEVED TO BE SOLUTIONS.
AND, UH, BY VIRTUE OF HAVING THIS STUDY DONE, THAT GIVES THE LOCALITY A LITTLE MORE STRENGTH WHEN IT APPLIES FOR FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THESE IMPROVEMENTS, UH, THROUGH THE SMART SCALE PROCESS.
IT'S A NEW PROGRAM, SO IT REALLY HADN'T BEEN TESTED YET.
UH, THIS NEXT ROUND OF SMART SCALE WILL BE THE, UH, WILL BE THE FIRST TIME.
UH, WE HAVE A CHANCE TO, TO TRY THIS OUT.
UM, BUT THAT'S THE IDEA OF IT.
SMART SCALE IT, WAIT A MINUTE.
IT'S NOT SMART SCALE'S A NEW PROGRAM.
THIS IS A SUBSET OF A PROGRAM WELL ESTABLISHED.
WELL, I, I SAY SMART SCALE, BUT A ACTUALLY, UH, YOU CAN USE IT, IT'S INTENDED, THE PROJECT PIPELINE STUDY IS INTENDED TO HELP THE LOCALITY APPLY FOR FUNDS THROUGH ANY OF VARIOUS FUNDING PROGRAMS. IT'S JUST THAT SMART SCALE IS THE MOST LIKELY ONE IN, IN MOST OF THESE SCENARIOS.
SO AFTER THE STUDY'S DONE, IF THEY MAKE ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION OTHER THAN WHAT IS PROPOSED, IF THE FUNDING'S NOT APPROVED, THEN WHO PAYS FOR THE CHANGE? WELL, NOTHING WOULD BE DONE.
UH, VDOT IS NOT, UH, IS NOT COMMITTING TO IMPLEMENTING, UH, ANY IMPROVEMENTS THAT COME OUT OF THE, UH, THE PROJECT PIPELINE PROCESS.
UH, THEY'RE TRYING TO HELP THE LOCALITIES IN APPLYING FOR FUNDING.
UH, IT JUST WOULDN'T GET DONE IF WE CAN'T FIND FUNDING FOR IT.
THROUGH SMART SCALE OR REVENUE SHARING OR ANY OF THE OTHER, CAN I, CAN I JUST ADD A LITTLE SOMETHING ON SMART SCALE PROJECTS? OKAY.
SMART SCALE, YOU GOTTA UNDERSTAND SMART SCALE.
THERE'S A LOT OF PRO, A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS OUT THERE THAT PROVIDE FUNDING, UH, THAT WILL HELP COMMUNITIES DO CERTAIN THINGS.
BUT YOU GOTTA KEEP IN MIND, THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF, THERE'S, IT'S NOT, FIRST OF ALL, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY.
SMART SCALE IN THINKING ABOUT IT THIS WAY, SMART SCALE IS JUST A, LIKE KIM SAID, IT'S JUST ANOTHER FUNDING PROGRAM.
BUT IT IS, I MEAN, IF YOU, THE EXPERIENCE SAYS THAT YOU'RE GONNA USE SMART SCALE, THIS ISN'T WHAT YOU'RE GONNA GO FOR.
BUT THE, THE PROBLEM YOU GOT, AND THIS IS A REAL CHALLENGE, NOT A PROBLEM, IT'S A CHALLENGE, IS THAT YOU'RE ONE PROJECT OUT OF WHAT, COUPLE HUNDRED, MAYBE HUNDREDS JUST IN THE DISTRICT? YEAH, YEAH.
AND YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR THE SAME MONEY PILE OF MONEY.
AND WHAT WE'VE GOTTA DO IS WE GOT TO PUT A FIGHT THAT MAKES SENSE.
IN OTHER WORDS, THIS IS SO VDOT, THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL.
VDOT WILL STEP UP AND KIND OF HELP YOU FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO MAKE YOUR PROJECT COMPATIBLE COMPETITIVE.
WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO COMPETE WITH SMART SCALE MONEY FROM VIRGINIA 17 MUNICIPALITIES, VIRGINIA BEACH, UH, I MEAN, IT, IT IS JUST ALL OVER THE PLACE.
UH, IS WHITE CHESAPEAKE OVER HERE, UH, POCOS NEWPORT, NEWS HAMPTON, YOU NAME IT.
AND THEY'RE ALL FIGHTING OVER THE SAME MONEY PILE OF MONEY AND IT'S TOO SMALL.
SO, I MEAN, I'M HEARING THIS COMMENTS AND THOUGHTS ABOUT, OKAY, THIS, UH, WHAT DO WE CALL IT HERE? THIS THE PIPELINE.
AND I COULD, COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE HECK EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT.
BUT YOU TAKE THE PIPELINE AND YOU PUT IT AGAINST THE SMART SCALE MONEY, YOU KNOW, IT'S MORE, IT'S A ONE STATE FUNDING LINE, IF YOU WILL, THAT YOU'RE PROBABLY GONNA GET, BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE A REAL GOOD ARGUMENT.
A LOT OF IT DEALS WITH HOW MUCH TRAFFIC YOU GOT IN YOUR AREA.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND YOU APPLY FOR THESE THINGS, GUESS WHAT? YOU DON'T STAND A CHANCE.
I MEAN, VICTORY BOULEVARD IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST HEADACHES AND, AND IT'S WORKED, DDOT WORKED WITH, WORKED WITH US, AND TIM'S ON THE, ON THAT, UH, THE, THE COMMITTEE THAT HELPS DETERMINE THESE THINGS.
BUT YOU, THIS IS, DON'T, DON'T LOCK ONTO THIS PIPELINE AS A REAL
[04:05:01]
SOLUTION.I THINK THE PIPELINE JUST GIVES YOU AN IDEA.
IT MAKES YOU, GIVES YOU RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ARGUMENT, BUT IT DOESN'T GIVE YOU THE ARGUMENT.
SO I, WE DON'T GET WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE ON THIS PIPELINE THING.
'CAUSE I, IT'S, TO ME, I'VE SEEN TOO MANY PROJECTS JUST HANG OUT THERE FOR 20, 30 YEARS.
AND WE HAD A LOT OF GOOD BACKUP ON OUR VICTORY BOULEVARD PROJECT.
AND IT DIDN'T GET FUNDED ANYWAY, WHICH WE WERE ALL SURPRISED BY MR. JURY.
WHAT OTHER QUESTION DO YOU HAVE, MR. ROSS? UM, SO I, I GUESS THE BIG RUB I HAVE IS THE, UH, COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL SEQUENCING.
I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT AT ALL.
UM, I THINK IF, IF WE HAVE A, UH, GROCERY STORE THAT'S COMMITTED TO COMING, THEN I THINK THEY NEED TO BREAK GROUND AND GO, GO TO TOWN AT THE SAME TIME.
AND IF, IF THAT'S NOT HAPPENING, THEN I, I WOULDN'T BE FOR THIS.
QUESTIONS FROM MR. CROSS? I THINK I TURN, TURN THE MIC BACK ON.
SO, TIM, UH, SIR, YOU KNOW, I, THE, THE ARGUMENTS WERE ALL GREAT IF YOU HAD THE WHOLE MAP MEMORIZED OF THIS, OF THIS SITE, WHICH I DON'T.
AND, UH, AND SO WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ROADS AND SETBACKS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, YOU NEED TO BE MARKING THESE THINGS SO THE REST, NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE OUT THERE WATCHING IT, BUT THE, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, UNLESS YOU STAND RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT AND KNOW EVERY, WHERE EVERY HOUSE IS GONNA GO, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON.
SO HALF THIS CONVERSATION IS, UH, I WAS JUST IN THE DARK TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ROADS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, WHAT HOUSES YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, WHERE THIS THING, WHERE THIS THING IS NOW THE PROPOSAL HAS BEEN MADE.
AND IN THE GENERAL SENSE, YOU KNOW, I, I DON'T SEE US WEDGING IN A, A BIG TRAFFIC PROBLEM HERE.
IT'S JUST THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANT, WE DON'T WANT TO THIN, TOO THIN A ROAD.
AND WE WANT THAT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GET AROUND.
SO THAT'S GOTTA BE ANSWERED BY THE DEVELOPER HERE, NOT OUR STAFF.
HE'S NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO DO IT.
AND WE WILL HAVE THE APPLICANT COME UP HERE SHORTLY.
WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FINISH UP WITH COMMENTS TO QUESTIONS OF MR. CROSS.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? MR. NOLAN, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING? NO MORE QUESTIONS.
IF I COULD JUST SAY ONE THING.
UH, THEY'RE PROVIDING A LOT MORE PARKING THAN OUR ORDINANCE REQUIRES.
I KNOW THERE WERE CONCERNS EXPRESSED ABOUT PARKING.
UM, BUT UH, IN THE RESIDENTIAL AREA, THEY'RE ACTUALLY PROVIDING, UH, SIGNIFICANTLY MORE PARKING THAN THE ORDINANCE REQUIRES.
STATE RIGHT THERE ON THAT PICTURE WOULD BE GREAT.
UM, ANY OF THE ROADS IN THIS DEVELOPMENT, WILL ANY OF THOSE BE END UP ON THE PDOT MANAGED ROADS OR THEY'RE ALL PRIVATE? OKAY, SO, SO THEY, UH, THIS FIRST LEG OF MARINER'S WAY, UH, WHICH IS THE ROAD, EXISTING ROAD OFF OF FORT YUS BOULEVARD INTO THE PROJECT, UH, FOR ABOUT 400 FEET, THAT HAS BEEN DEDICATED FOR PUBLIC USE BY VIRTUE OF THE PLATT THAT WAS RECORDED FOR PHASE ONE AND PHASE TWO PLATTS, I SHOULD SAY, THAT WERE RECORDED FOR PHASE ONE AND PHASE TWO OF YORKTOWN CRESCENT, THEY HAVE SINCE DECIDED THAT THEY WANT TO GO TO ALL PRIVATE STREETS.
UH, AND SO THEY WILL BE, AND THEY CAN GIVE YOU THEIR REASONS.
UH, AND, BUT THEY WILL BE COMING TO THE BOARD, UH, NEXT MONTH, UH, PROBABLY, UH, WITH A REQUEST TO, UH, VACATE THAT 400 FOOT MARINER'S WAY RIGHT OF WAY.
UH, AND JUST CONVEY THAT OVER TO THE DEVELOPER.
UH, AND THEN THEY WOULD ALL BE PRIVATE STREETS.
ALL OF THESE STREETS, UH, ARE PROPOSED TO BE PRIVATE.
AND YOU SAID ONE OF THE PROFFERS IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO ALLOW OUR SHERIFF DEPUTIES JURISDICTION THERE TO, YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT WE, WE, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WELL, WE CAN, NO, NOT THE SHERIFF.
THE COUNTY CAN, UH, UH, THEY HAVE TO CREATE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION AND PROVIDE US WITH A MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT, UH, ASSURANCE, WRITTEN ASSURANCE, UH, THAT, THAT, THAT ALL THE PRIVATE STREETS WILL BE MAINTAINED AND IF THEY'RE NOT SUFFICIENTLY MAINTAINED, WE CAN APPLY ZONING ENFORCEMENT TO REQUIRE MAINTENANCE OF THE STREET.
LIKE I SAID, WE DON'T, WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE.
BUT IF THEY'RE PRIVATE ROADS AND RESIDENTS CALLING WITH COMPLAINTS REGARDING PARKING, WELL, OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE BE ABLE TO CITE PEOPLE WHO WERE PARKED ILLEGALLY, OR, WELL, THEY RECENTLY, Y Y'ALL RECENTLY AMENDED THE CODE, I THINK, TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE THAT WAS GOING BACK, BUT THERE'S NO, NO PARKING SIGN.
YOU WANNA, WELL, I SAY I, I WAS THINKING ABOUT I THINKING ABOUT THAT TOO.
I DIDN'T KNOW IF THIS WAS GONNA BE IN SCOPE FOR THAT.
YEAH, WELL, YOU KNOW, UH, I REALLY DON'T SEE PEOPLE, FIRST OF ALL, SEVERAL OF THESE STREETS ARE DESIGNED WITH, ON-STREET PARKING DAY, BEACON STREET, UH, STREETS DOWN HERE.
[04:10:01]
ON-STREET PARKING THAT'S PERMITTED.UH, NOW THESE OTHER STREETS, I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU WOULD PARK ON THE STREET BECAUSE THEY HAVE, LIKE I SAID, MORE THAN ENOUGH GUEST PARKING, UH, AND RESIDENT PARKING.
UH, BUT, BUT EVEN ONE, WHAT EVEN ONE OF YOUR PICTURES EARLIER YOU NOTICED, YOU, YOU MAY NOTE OF AN ILLEGALLY PARKED CAR.
WELL, WHEN I SAID ILLEGALLY, I MEANT, UH, CAR WAS PARKED ON PROPERTY THAT THE, THAT PERSON DOESN'T OWN.
UH, UNLESS IT WAS THE DEVELOPER, WHICH, WHICH I DOUBT, UH, BUT THAT'S A COMMON AREA.
AND RIGHT NOW THE DEVELOPER IS, IS THE HOA, BASICALLY.
UH, NUMBER FIVE, WHICH IS THE, THE, THE MULTI-FAMILY, WAS THAT PART OF THE ORIGINAL PLAN OR IS THAT A NEW ADDITION TO THIS PROPOSAL? SO THE ORIGINAL PLAN, UH, IN THAT GENERAL AREA.
WELL, I MEAN THAT, THAT WASN'T EVEN PART OF THE PROJECT.
SO IT'S NEW BECAUSE THIS IS OF THE CHURCH PROPERTY, WHICH IS NOT PART OF THE, UH, APPROVED YORKTOWN CRESCENT.
NOW THEY'RE ALLOWED, UH, UNDER THEIR CURRENT APPROVAL, THEY'RE ALLOWED TO HAVE UP TO 144 APARTMENTS.
THEY'RE SCALING THAT DOWN TO 64.
THAT, THAT ANSWERS THAT QUESTION.
NOT NECESSARILY IN THIS LOCATION.
UM, AND MY LAST QUESTION, JUST TO VERIFY THAT THE INGRESS TO THE EXISTING FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS, ARBY'S AND WENDY'S FROM 17, THAT DOESN'T CHANGE IN ANY PLAN.
OH, THE INGRESS DOES, DOES NOT CHANGE.
ARBY'S HAS A RIGHT IN A WRITE OUT THAT'S WENDY'S HAS A RIGHT IN.
AND, AND NOT TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE, BUT LET ME JUST TRY TO BRING THIS HOME REAL QUICK ON PROJECT PIPELINE.
PROJECT PIPELINE SCOPE IS NOT JUST THIS DEVELOPMENT 'CAUSE YOU SAID IT'S, IT'S THE ROUTE 17 FROM THE COOK ROAD INTERSECTION.
DOWN TO DEMMY BOULEVARD, GOODWIN NECK ROAD.
SO PROJECT PIPELINE'S OBJECTIVE IS TO LOOK AT OPPORTUNITIES WHERE IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE AT INTERSECTIONS AND, AND VDOT MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEN HELPING US OBTAIN FUNDING, AND IF WE GET FUNDING, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
PROVIDING BACKUP SUPPORT TO ALLOW US TO MAKE, MAKE THE CASE FOR FUNDING.
BUT IT, BUT IT, YEAH, BUT PROJECT OUT OUTLAND PROJECT PIPELINE, IT'S A TERRIBLE NAME.
WELL, NO, I, I KIND OF, I KIND OF GET, GET INTO THESE PROJECTS IN, IN THE PIPELINE.
BUT PROJECT PIPELINE ISN'T JUST RELATED TO THIS.
THIS HAPPENS TO BE IN SCOPE FORWARD, BUT IT'S NOT ALL OF THE SCOPE.
AND THERE, IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THERE'S ANY BEARING ON THE CONCLUSIONS THAT PROJECT PIPELINE WILL PRODUCE IN A COUPLE MONTHS TO THIS DEVELOPMENT.
THE DEVELOPMENT HERE PROBABLY ISN'T GOING TO IMPACT PROJECT PIPELINE BECAUSE PIPELINE'S GONNA BE CONCLUDING IN A COUPLE MONTHS, AND THIS IS GONNA TAKE MONTHS OR YEARS TO BUILD OUT.
DID I, DID I SUMMARIZE THAT? NO, NO.
WELL, IT MADE SENSE IN MY HEAD.
ALL, SO THE THING IS YOU'RE LOCKING I GOT IT ON.
VDOT HAS JUST PICKED A, A STRETCH OF ROAD.
THEY JUST PICKED A STRETCH OF ROAD AND IT'S GOT, YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE FORT USES BOULEVARD WAS ONE OF THOSE SHOVEL READY PROJECTS THAT WE BUILT.
AND I MEAN, YOU KNOW, ALL KIND OF STUFF.
SO WHY THEY PICKED IT, I DON'T KNOW.
TIM PROBABLY GOT, KNOWS THE HISTORY ON IT.
BUT ANYWAY, THE, THE, THE, THE REAL IMPORTANT PART OF THIS TO UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP OF VDOT TO, TO ANYTHING ON THAT ROAD IS THAT VDOT OWNS THAT ROAD.
AND THEY'RE ALWAYS INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE SEE AS A PROBLEM.
SO WHAT THEY WILL DO IS ASK US, AND ESSENTIALLY WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE GONNA DO.
THEY, THEY'RE GONNA COME DOWN AND CREATE A PROBLEM.
THEY'RE GONNA ASK US WHAT'S THE PROBLEM, AND THEN WHAT THEY'RE GONNA DO IS WE'RE GONNA SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, WE GOT A LITTLE PROBLEM HERE AND THIS PART OF THE ROAD, OR A LITTLE PROBLEM DOWN THAT PART OF THE ROAD.
AND THEN VDOT WILL STEP UP AND SAY, OKAY, WELL HERE'S HOW YOU MIGHT GET MONEY FOR IT.
AND THEY'RE GONNA MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.
THAT'S ALL THEY'RE DOING, RIGHT? BUT WE'VE GOTTA IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING ELSE.
THEY MAY EVEN HELP IDENTIFY A PROBLEM, BUT, BUT MOSTLY, I DON'T THINK SO.
MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN WE IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.
THEY HEAR FROM PEOPLE, AND, AND THEN VDOT WILL, WILL GO, HEY, VDOT, WHAT CAN WE CAN, WHAT CAN WE DO TO COMPETE FOR THE MONEY? RIGHT.
AND VDOT WILL MAKE THAT RECOMMENDATION.
IN FACT, TO HINT, I DON'T SEE HOW THIS VDOT, UNLESS THEY DO SOMETHING AT FORT USES BOULEVARD, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY'RE GONNA EVEN DO ANY PROJECTS HERE OR RECOMMEND, OR HOW WE ARE GONNA DO ANY PROJECTS HERE.
I MEAN, THEY COULD CHANGE SOMETHING, BUT MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT THEY'RE NOT GONNA STEP IN AND RE-ENGINEER SOMETHING THAT'S GONNA COST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, WHICH THEY DON'T HAVE.
IT'S, WELL, I'M JUST, I WAS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND
[04:15:01]
WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP WAS TO LETTING PROJECT PIPELINE PROVIDE CONCLUSIONS BEFORE APPROVING THIS PROJECT.AND I DON'T SEE THE RELATIONSHIP.
THAT'S THE, JUST SIMPLY PUT, MAYBE SHOULD JUST ASK THAT QUESTION.
WE HAVE PROVIDED VDO T'S CONSULTANT WITH A COPY OF THIS PLAN, UH, IN THE, WITH THE IDEA THAT WHATEVER THEY COME UP WITH, THAT THEY COULD FACTOR THIS, UH, INTO, INTO THEIR ANALYSIS IF THE APPLICATION GETS APPROVED.
BUT WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE, WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE APPLICANT.
NOW LET'S MOVE ON TO APPLICANT'S COMMENTS.
UH, WHO WILL BE SPEAKING FOR THE APPLICANT TONIGHT? MR. NOEL, WELCOME TO THE PODIUM.
MY THOUGHT WAS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. CROSS, UH, CHAIRMAN ROME, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MR. BELLAMY, MR. HILL, IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE THIS EVENING TO REPRESENT YORKTOWN CRESCENT, LLC WITH THIS, UH, REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THIS PROPERTY.
AND I'VE FORGOTTEN HOW MUCH FUN THESE MEETINGS ARE.
I, AND LET ME JUST SAY, THIS PLAN DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
THIS HAS BEEN MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS OF WORK BY THE DEVELOPERS, BY YORKTOWN CRESCENT, LLC, NEGOTIATING BOTH DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS WITH RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS, WITH COMMERCIAL BUILDERS ACQUIRING AN ADDITIONAL 11 ACRES OF PROPERTY.
THIS, THIS PLAN DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
THIS REPRESENTS A LOT OF WORK TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE TONIGHT.
AND THIS IS PIVOTAL, OBVIOUSLY, TO MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD.
AND I, AND I JUST WANNA STRESS TOO, THESE SITE PLAN ISSUES, THEY WILL BE DEALT WITH THE, THE DEVELOPER, THEY WILL DEAL WITH THESE, THEY WILL MAKE SURE WE ADHERE TO THE COUNTY'S REQUIREMENTS, FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
AND SO IT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TONIGHT.
WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO GET THIS PROJECT AND CONCEPT APPROVED SO THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD.
WE HAVE THE FULL TEAM HERE TONIGHT.
UM, BUT THE, THE OWNERS OF YORKTOWN CRESCENT, LLC ARE BOTH HERE.
OUR ATTORNEY, OUR CIVIL ENGINEER, WHO WOULD BE HAPPY TO TRY TO ADDRESS PERHAPS SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE EARLIER.
UH, WE HAVE OUR TRAFFIC CONSULTANT, OLIVER BURKE, AND OF COURSE, MYSELF.
PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE THREE REPRESENTATIVES HERE TONIGHT FROM REDSTONE DEVELOPMENT.
THEY WILL HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH YORKTOWN CRESCENT, LLC, TO DO THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
WE HAVE THREE REPRESENTATIVES HERE FROM THEM TONIGHT WHO WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS I'M SURE YOU MAY HAVE FROM THE COMMERCIAL SLASH GROCERY STORE DEVELOPMENT.
THEY JUST COMPLETED A PROJECT IN SUFFOLK.
YOU MAY BE AWARE THERE WAS A PUBLIX THAT WAS BUILT THERE, AND THAT WAS REDSTONE'S DEVELOPMENT.
SO WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS PROBABLY TILL WE'RE BLUE IN THE FACE, BUT THIS IS A VERY UNIQUE PROJECT COMPARED TO THE OTHER MIXED USE PROJECTS IN YORK COUNTY, IN THAT WE'RE COMING WITH YOU NOT TO ELIMINATE THE COMMERCIAL.
WE'RE NOT COMING TO YOU TO ADD MORE RESIDENTIAL.
WE'RE COMING TO REDUCE RESIDENTIAL.
THAT MAKES IT MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHER TWO MIXED USE PROJECTS.
AND FROM THE COUNTY'S OVERALL PERSPECTIVE, FROM THE FISCAL PERSPECTIVE, FROM THE, THE STRAIN ON, ON SERVICES, THIS IS A MUCH BETTER PROPOSAL THAN WHAT THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS.
AND I'M CONVINCED WILL ABSOLUTELY BE A VERY POSITIVE THING FOR YORK COUNTY.
THIS IS THE, UH, FACADE OF THE PROPOSED GROCERY STORE.
UH, YOU CAN SEE IT'S VERY, VERY ATTRACTIVE.
THEY'RE NOT CURRENTLY IN OUR TRADE AREA.
AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS LOWER YORK COUNTY.
UM, IT'S GONNA BE A WELCOME ADDITION, UH, TO OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
AND I'LL TALK ABOUT THE FISCAL IMPACT IN, IN A FEW MINUTES, BUT IT WILL BRING DOLLARS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT IN THE BUDGET THAT WE NEED FROM THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THE EQUATION IN YORK COUNTY, SOMETIMES IN THESE PROJECTS, IN THE PAST, WHEN I DEALT WITH THEM WHEN I WAS HERE WITH THE COUNTY, THERE WAS CONCERN THAT A NEW GROCERY STORE WOULD CANNIBALIZE THE EXISTING GROCERY STORES.
TURNS OUT A STUDY BY RETAIL STRATEGIES, WHICH IS A, A VERY GOOD RETAIL CONSULTANT.
WE'VE GOT ABOUT 126 MILLION IN GROCERY SPENDING IN THIS TRADE AREA, DEFINED AS A 15 MINUTE DRIVE.
THIS PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO DO 45 TO 50 MILLION IN SALES.
SO IT'S NOT EVEN TAPPING INTO HALF OF THAT.
SO THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM FOR ANOTHER GROCER.
AND WHAT I'VE FOUND IN THE PAST IS THE ONES THAT ARE NEARBY, THEY UP THEIR GAME.
THEY PROVIDE MORE SERVICES, THEY REMODEL.
SO IT ENDS UP BEING A WIN-WIN FOR, FOR THE YORK COUNTY CUSTOMERS AND, AND ANY OF THE CUSTOMERS.
ALSO, ONE OF THE CONCERNS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION WAS THE OUT PARCEL.
I MEAN, THE, THE FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS ARE ALREADY THERE.
ONE THING THAT WASN'T MENTIONED IS WHEN YOU PUT A BRAND NEW GROCERY STORE THAT'S PULLING IN ALL THIS TRAFFIC RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THOSE PLACES, THEIR BUSINESS IS GONNA
[04:20:01]
INCREASE.AND I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANY DETAILED NUMBERS, BUT IT WILL INCREASE, I GUARANTEE IT.
AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM LOST THEIR INGROWS INGRESS ON ROUTE 17, WHICH IS FRANKLY THE MOST CRITICAL MOVEMENT FOR FAST FOOD RESTAURANT IN THAT LOCATION.
RESIDENTIAL OBJECTIVES WE'RE DECREASING THE DENSITY.
THAT'S, AGAIN, TOTALLY COUNTERED TO WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH, WITH THE OTHER TWO MIXED USE PROJECTS.
THEY ARE RETAINING THE APARTMENT PROJECT, AND THEY ARE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TOWN HOMES, BECAUSE THAT'S THE MARKET.
THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO ACQUIRE.
THE CONDOS, THE LIVE ABOVES DIDN'T WORK IN THE OTHER PROJECTS.
IT IS MORE IN CHARACTER, AS MR. CROSS SAID, WITH YORK COUNTY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THIS WILL FIT OUR COMMUNITY VERY, VERY WELL.
SO AGAIN, AND I'M BEING PRETTY REPETITIVE HERE, MR. CROSS, AS USUAL, DID A VERY GOOD JOB.
BUT WE'RE BRINGING IN A NEW QUALITY GROCERY STORE.
WHEN I TALK ABOUT THE TRADE AREA, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LOWER YORK COUNTY, BASICALLY, AND, AND, AND NORTH OF, OF KILN CREEK.
IT'S DECREASING THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS.
IT'S INCREASING THE LAND AREA.
THEY ACQUIRED ROUGHLY 11 MORE ACRES FOR THE PROJECT, MAKING IT A MUCH MORE LIVABLE AREA.
THE RESIDENTIAL PRODUCT MIX IS BETTER DOING AWAY WITH THOSE LIVE ABOVES AND THE CONDOS AND ALL THE AMENITIES STAY IN PLACE.
THEY DID REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE CLUBHOUSE A SMALL BIT, BUT THEY ADDED A PLAYGROUND.
AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, ALL THE AMENITIES THAT WERE THERE BEFORE ARE GONNA REMAIN.
THESE WALKING PATHS WILL BE FINISHED AND WILL ALLOW PEOPLE, HOPEFULLY, TO GET TO THE GROCERY STORE AND TO THE OTHER RETAILERS THAT, THAT WE HOPE WILL COME.
YOU GUYS HAVE KIND OF TALKED THIS ONE
I'M NOT SURE I WANT TO GET INTO IT A WHOLE LOT MORE.
BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, AND WE HAVE OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEER HERE IF YOU'D LIKE TO GET INTO ANY MORE DETAIL, BUT WE THINK THE PLAN THAT'S IN PLACE HERE WITH THE MEDIAN IN FORT EUSTIS WILL MAKE THIS AS SAFE AND ACTIONABLE MOVEMENTS.
ALL SIX PROJECT ENTRANCES WILL BE AT ACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF SERVICE.
AND, YOU KNOW, IT WILL ACTUALLY HELP THAT INTERSECTION IN, IN THE LONG RUN.
I JUST THREW THIS UP AND, UH, MR. CROSS HAD THIS UP BEFORE.
YOU SEE HOW DENSE IT IS, UH, COMPARED TO THE NEW ONE WHERE WE'VE SPREAD THINGS OUT.
I THINK IT WAS MUCH MORE LIVABLE AND OBVIOUSLY ADDING A LOT MORE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
SO SOME OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION CONCERNS WERE, WERE, WERE BROUGHT UP EARLIER.
WE ARE INCREASING OF, UH, FROM 20 TO 22 FEET.
AND THE DEFINITION OF WHERE THAT IS, UH, FROM THE CONCRETE VALLEY GUTTERS, UH, INCLUSIVE OF THOSE, IT DOES INCLUDE THOSE, THE 22 FEET.
UH, SECONDLY, ALL THE NEW DRIVEWAYS ON THE EAST SIDE OF BRACEWELL LANE WILL BE A MINIMUM OF 20 FEET FROM FACE OF TOWNHOUSE TO THE EDGE OF THE, THE CONCRETE VALLEY GUTTER, WHICH, WHICH SHOULD BE ADEQUATE.
AND THIS WAS MENTIONED BRIEFLY, BUT THIS PLAN INCLUDES 68 OVERFLOW GUEST PARKING SPACES.
NOW THE CODE ONLY REQUIRES 34.
I THINK THAT'S GONNA HELP A GREAT DEAL WITH PARKING, UH, IN THE PROJECT.
SO WHAT DOES THIS ULTIMATELY DO FOR THE COUNTY? HOW DOES IT IMPACT THE COUNTY? IT'S NOT IMPACTING THE SCHOOLS.
IF WE THINK THAT THE TRAFFIC ANALYSIS AND WHAT WERE THE IMPROVEMENTS WE'RE MAKING WILL SHOW THAT THIS WILL WORK.
IT, IT WILL BE FINE FOR, FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL, AND IT BRINGS A HIGH QUALITY GROCER THAT'S NOT IN THE MARKET RIGHT NOW.
AND WHAT DOES THAT DO FOR US FROM AN ECONOMIC IMPACT? THAT GROCERY STORE IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT A $17 MILLION INVESTMENT.
UM, THE SALES COMING IN, 45 TO 50 MILLION, 1% OF THAT.
SOME ITEMS, YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE LIKE FORMULA AND SOME OTHER THINGS DON'T GO INTO THAT.
BUT BASICALLY ALL THAT MONEY, 1% OF THAT GOES RIGHT INTO YORK COUNTY'S COFFERS.
SO BETWEEN THAT AND THE B POLE AND THE BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY, THAT THAT ALL TOTAL IS GONNA BE ABOUT $700,000 IN NEW TAX REVENUE FOR YOUR COUNTY, JUST FROM THE GROCERY STORE.
ONE OF THE COMMENTS, AND, AND MR. DRURY MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, THE CONCERN ABOUT THE PHASING.
SO IT'S GONNA TAKE, IF YOU APPROVE THIS TONIGHT, THAT GROCERY STORE WON'T BE UP FOR A YEAR AND A HALF TO TWO YEARS.
AND WHAT THE APPLICANT IS ASKING IS, DURING THAT TIMEFRAME, LET ME BUILD 24 MORE TOWNHOUSES.
I, I THINK THAT IS A, BUT BEFORE THE OTHER AMENITY BUILD KICKS IN.
I THINK THAT'S A REASONABLE REQUEST BASED ON THE DURATION AND LENGTH OF THE BUILD OUT FOR THE COMMERCIAL SEGMENT OF THIS PROJECT.
UM, I MEAN, TO CONCLUDE, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I, IN THE PAST AS A DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, I WOULD'VE LOOKED AT THIS AND SALIVATED TO HAVE FEWER HOUSES, MORE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
[04:25:02]
DONE BRINGING A BRAND NEW COMMERCIAL ENTITY INTO THE COUNTY.I DON'T THINK WE'VE HAD A NEW RETAIL BUILDING ON IN THE COUNTY SINCE TRACTOR SUPPLY.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MORE YEARS AGO THAT WAS.
BUT IF WE WANNA BE BUSINESS FRIENDLY, IF WE WANT TO BRING IN MORE COMMERCE AND HELP OUR COMMERCIAL TAX BASE AND PROVIDE IN DEMAND HOUSING, THAT IS DEFINITELY STILL THERE.
UM, I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE CONVERSATION WITH OUR CIVIL ENGINEER, ROB MANN, I THINK HE'D BE HAPPY TO, TO PERHAPS SPEAK TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS, UH, MR. ROY MADE, UH, ANY OF OUR, OUR TEAM IS HERE FROM, FROM THE REDSTONE TO TRAFFIC.
ALRIGHT, LET'S GET INTO QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT.
UM, LET'S, UH, MIKE, MIKE, HIT YOUR BUTTON.
OKAY, SO WHERE ARE THESE 68 EXTRA PARKING? DO YOU HAVE A, CAN YOU SHOW US SOMETHING? I AM NOT SURE HOW TO MAKE THIS THING GO BACK,
I KNOW THAT'S NOT EASY TO SEE.
UM, RIGHT WHERE THE CURSOR IS, IF YOU CAN, IS THAT SHOWING UP? MM-HMM.
THERE ARE, UH, OVERFLOW GUEST PARKING THERE, THIS STRIP RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE HERE.
HOW WIDE IS THAT, MR. MANN? COULD YOU, COULD YOU JOIN ME? YEAH, I DON'T HAVE, I DON'T FIND IT ON THE APPROVED PLAN WHILE YOU'RE SHOWING THEM WHERE THE OTHERS ARE.
SO THAT'S ALREADY CONSTRUCTED.
THAT'S EXISTING CONSTRUCTION THAT THERE ARE PARALLEL PARKING SPACES ALONG OKAY.
ON, ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS ROAD.
THERE ARE PARALLEL PARKING SPACES FROM, FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER.
AND THAT'S ALL, UH, OVERFLOW PARKING.
AND THEN THERE'S A FEW PARALLEL PARKING RIGHT HERE.
AND THEN I'M MISSING ONE AREA RIGHT THERE.
THERE ARE A FEW ON MARINER WAY, UH, NEXT TO THE POND WHERE YOU'RE COMING IN.
AND THEN THERE ARE, UM, SEVERAL SPACES BEHIND THE TOWNHOUSE
SO THEY LOOK, SO THEY, SO THEY LOOK LIKE THEY'RE KIND OF DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WALK ALL THE WAY ACROSS ONE END OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAVE, UH, EXTRA PARKING.
UM, SO, SO I KNOW ON ONE OF OUR ROADS, MANCHIN ROAD, WHICH IS IN MY DISTRICT, WE ACTUALLY, THEY MOVED IT UP WHEN WE HAD THIS PROBLEM.
IT WAS HARD, HARD TO IMAGINE THREE SUBDIVISIONS BUILT DOWN THIS ROAD.
AND IT WAS ONLY, UH, I THINK IT WAS EIGHT, UH, 20 FEET WIDE.
AND YOU'D MEET A SCHOOL BUS AND A CAR COMING TOGETHER.
IT MAKES IT KIND OF DIFFICULT.
BUT IN THIS, THE WAY THIS NEIGHBORHOOD'S LAID OUT, THESE ROADS GENERALLY ARE ABOUT 20 FEET.
THEY'RE GONNA BE NOW MOVED OUT TO 22 FEET.
AND YOU WANNA COME TO THE MIC? IF YOU CAN TALK, YOU CAN HEAR IT.
SO WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS BRACE WALL LANE, WE, WE'VE AGREED TO INCREASE THE WIDTH BY TWO FEET, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE, CAN WE SHOW THE LINE OR WE USE THE CURSOR? SURE.
SO BRACE WALL LANE IS THIS ROAD HERE.
AND IT IS AN EXISTING ROAD TODAY.
IT HAS MET THE SITE PLAN APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS.
IT'S BEEN REVIEWED BY THE COUNTY.
IT'S BEEN REVIEWED BY THE FIRE MARSHAL.
SO REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE EXISTING WIDTH IS TODAY, WHAT WE'RE PROFFERING IS TO WIDEN IT BY AN ADDITIONAL TWO FEET TO ALLEVIATE ANY TRAFFIC CONCERNS THAT ARE BACK THERE.
NEXT ARE, ARE THERE HOUSES ON IT? THE HOUSES ON THE WEST SIDE ARE CURRENTLY CONSTRUCTED.
SO WHERE YOU SEE THE NUMBER FOUR, THESE ALL EXIST.
SO THEN YOU'RE GONNA TAKE THAT, THOSE HOUSING UNITS ABOVE IT, AND YOU WOULD MOVE THEM MORE TO THE, I GUESS, NORTHEAST.
WELL, WE DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE TO MOVE THEM AT ALL BECAUSE THERE WERE SUFFICIENT DEPTH THERE TO PERMIT WIDENING THE ROAD BY TWO FEET AND THEN STILL PROVIDE A 20 FOOT DE DEPTH ON A DRIVEWAY.
UH, AND, AND, YOU KNOW, BY REDUCING THE SETBACK ALONG FORT EUSTIS BOULEVARD, THAT CERTAINLY ALLEVIATES SOME OF THE CONCERN.
UM, BUT I WILL POINT OUT THAT THAT REDUCTION IN THE SETBACK WAS IN THE DEVELOPER'S MIND
[04:30:01]
APPROVED, UH, WITH THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL PLAN SHOWED BUILDINGS THAT ENCROACHED INTO THE SETBACK.AND UP TO 35 FEET, AND IT WAS APPROVED, UH, BEING SHOWN THAT WAY.
SO THIS IS REALLY JUST A POINT OF CLARITY THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET FORMAL, UH, TRY TO GET IT WRITTEN INTO THE APPLICATION NOW SO THAT IT'S CLEAR THAT IT WAS APPROVED AND THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT MOVING FORWARD.
SO SOME OF THE SUPERVISORS HERE HAVE, AND, AND THEY'VE VOICED THIS SE SEVERAL TIMES, UH, THEY'RE CONCERNED WITH, WITH, UH, PEOPLE HAVING NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO PARK THEIR CARS IN FRONT OF THEIR HOMES.
SO YOU'RE ADDRESSING THAT THROUGH THE NEW HOMES, RIGHT? NOTHING THROUGH THE CURRENT EXISTING HOMES.
WE CAN'T GO REINVENT THE WHEEL.
WHAT, WHAT'S BUILT IS BUILT AND IT WAS APPROVED AND IT MET SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS ARE THE COUNTY ORDINANCE.
UH, AND I WILL, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT REALLY ANY DIFFERENT THAN NELSON'S GRANT ACROSS THE STREET.
I MEAN, IT'S A SIMILAR SITUATION.
WELL, AND, AND THIS, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN IT, BUT I'VE HAD, I'VE HAD PEOPLE TALK TO ME ABOUT IT, THAT PEOPLE ARE PARKING ALL OVER THE PLACE BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO PARK THE CARS AND, AND IT'S SOME CONCERN THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
WELL, I THINK THAT, SO WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID THAT HERE.
I THINK OFTEN IT'S, IT'S NOT A MATTER OF THEM NOT HAVING A PLACE TO PARK.
MAYBE THEY DON'T FIND IT AS CONVENIENT AS THEY WOULD LIKE IT TO BE UHHUH.
SO THEY ARE CHOOSING TO PARK IN PLACES THAT ARE INAPPROPRIATE WHEN THERE ARE PLACES BEING PROVIDED FOR THEM TO PARK.
SO THERE IS, THERE IS ACTUAL SPACE FOR THE, TO ADDRESS THE PARKING OVER THERE FOR ALL THE HOMES.
AND, UM, SO THIS ACCESS PROBLEM HERE, THE ACCESS ISSUE, UM, UH, THE, UH, NOT ACCESS, BUT UH, UM, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL THAT THING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
ON ROUTE 17, WE USE OUT WITH STUFF, THE STUFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
UM, SO I, WE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT ALL THESE LANES MOVING BACK AND FORTH AND, AND WHAT I IS THAT, THAT'S YOUR RECOMMENDATION? THAT'S NOT VDO T'S WELL, THIS WAS ACTUALLY OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEERS PRESENT TO AND CAN ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS.
BUT VDOT HAS HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THIS INTERSECTION AS IT EXISTS TODAY.
THERE'S CURRENT, CURRENTLY AN ISSUE WITH TRAFFIC QUEUING UP TO THE LIGHT.
AND WITH PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THIS LANYARD WAY AND TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN RIGHT, IT BECOMES QUITE CONGESTED THERE.
AND CONGEST CONGESTED ON, CONGESTED ON FORT EUS BOULEVARD, ON FORT SS BOULEVARD AT THE, AT, JUST AT THE LIGHT BETWEEN, BETWEEN THE ENTRANCE FOR FOOD LION AND THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL.
SO IT'S THIS, WHETHER OR NOT IT'S THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION THAT, THAT THEY MAY PROPOSE IN THEIR PIPELINE STUDY, UM, IT'S CERTAINLY A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
AND THIS CERTAINLY ALLEVIATES THE CURRENT SITUATION AND ADDRESSES THE SAFETY CONCERN THAT VDOT HAS.
WELL, I FIND IT, VDOT HAS THIS CONCERN CONSIDERING THEY BUILT THE DAMN ROAD
I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WEREN'T THINKING ABOUT THIS BEFOREHAND.
SO, UM, NOW SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THE TURNING AND ALL THAT WE'VE SEEN THAT, UH, I JUST, NOW THE ROADS IN THERE ARE GONNA BE PRIVATELY OWNED ROADS.
SO A LOT OF TIMES MAINTAINING THOSE ROADS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND YOU DUMP IT ON THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, THAT'S THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.
RIGHT? WELL, IT'S GONNA BE AN OWNER'S ASSOCIATION.
IT WON'T BE SOLELY ON THE HOME OWNERS.
WELL, THAT'S, THAT'S MY QUESTION WAS IS, IS THIS GROCERY STORE GONNA BE PART OF THAT ASSOCIATION? ABSOLUTELY.
AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE ROADS? YES.
BECAUSE TRAFFIC WILL BE, THERE'LL BE A LOT OF TRAFFIC AROUND THE PARKING LOTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
AND WE DON'T WANT TO TURN THIS INTO A DUMP.
SO WE DON'T ROAD ALL BROKEN UP AND STUFF LIKE THIS.
SO WHEN YOU BUILD THESE ROADS, YOU'RE GONNA BUILD THEM TO VDOT STANDARDS? UH, NO.
LIKELY THEY WILL NOT BE BUILT TO VDOT STANDARDS, BUT THEY WILL BE BUILT TO, YOU KNOW, THE COUNTY STANDARD OR TO, UH, YOU KNOW, ENGINEERING STANDARDS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY TO VDOT STANDARDS.
VDOT REQUIRES A SIGNIFICANT, UH, DIFFERENCE IN DESIGN FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF ROADS.
AND AND IS THAT IN TERMS OF, IS THAT IN TERMS OF DEPTH? DEPTH OF DEPTH YEAH.
OF UH, OF MATERIAL AND STUFF LIKE THAT? THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
FOR SURFACE PAVING AND THE DEPTH OF STONE AND THAT TYPE OF, SO THE ROAD PROFILE, IF YOU WILL.
SO I CAN'T SAY THE VDOT STANDARDS ARE ALL THAT GREAT EITHER.
SO MAYBE 'CAUSE WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF ROADS THAT ARE BROKEN UP IN PIECES.
SO, UH, AGAIN, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE IS THAT PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE LIVING IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND THAT WE'RE NOT CREATING A PROBLEM, UH, FOR RESIDENTS WHO GET IN THERE AND GO, OKAY, YEAH, THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.
NOW I GOT, I CAN'T PARK MY CAR, OR, OR WE'VE GOT A, WE GOT A ROAD THAT'S
[04:35:01]
BREAKING UP HERE BECAUSE OF THIS.THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID.
SO HOW DO YOU ADDRESS ALL THAT? UH, THROUGH SITE PLAN REVIEW? I MEAN, IT'S A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE DEVELOPER, THE ENGINEER, AND THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ROAD DESIGNS OR THE PAVEMENT DESIGN MEETS THE SPECIFICATIONS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO DELIVER EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR.
SO
SO 10 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, UM, AND, AND IT'S A PRIVATELY OWNED ROAD, THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO FIX IT.
THE COUNTY'S GONNA MANDATE THAT THEY HAVE TO FIX THIS, RIGHT? UH, IT'S IN THE AGREEMENT AND IT'S AN AGREEMENT PART OF THE THING THAT THE COUNTY'S GONNA MANDATE THAT THE THE ASSOCIATION GET IN THERE AND REPAIR THE ROADS.
BECAUSE WE DON'T, THEY'RE NOT GONNA HAVE VDOT COMING DOWN THERE AND DUMPING, UH, BIG, UH, PILES OF, UH, OF, UH, ASPHALT DOWN THERE, PATCH HOLES.
THEY GOTTA DO IT THEMSELVES, RIGHT? THAT'S CORRECT.
AND, UM, SO, UM, I'M NOT GONNA GO INTO THE, THE HOW HE TIE IN, TIE IN THAT WAY, UH, WITH A, WITH A COUNTY AND THE, AND THE COURTS, BUT, UM, THOUGHT IT WAS ONE GOOD QUESTION I HAD LEFT.
I THINK YOU'VE ADDRESS, YOU'VE PRETTY MUCH ADDRESSED ALL MY QUESTIONS ON IT.
I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT.
SO FIRST OF ALL, UM, GENTLEMEN, UH, I LIKE THE PLAN COMPARED TO WHAT IT WAS FOR LOTS OF REASONS.
ONE IS THE RESIDENTIAL IS DOWN, THE COMMERCIAL IS UP.
UM, I LIKE SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT YOU GUYS HAVE MADE.
SO I'M NOT AGAINST THIS, THIS IS MY DISTRICT.
I THINK, UH, I, HAVING A PUBLIX COMING HERE WOULD BE A GREAT THING FOR YORK COUNTY ON IN MY DISTRICT, AND I THINK PEOPLE APPRECIATE THAT.
SO, UM, I, I LIKE THE EXTRA PARKING.
I, I MADE THE NOTES THAT YOU, YOU GUYS HAVE.
UM, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRAFFIC.
YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN TO MANY RESTAURANTS.
I'VE HAD TO MAKE A U-TURN AND COME OUT, AND IF IT'S A CHICK-FIL-A I'D MAKE THREE U-TURNS
UM, AND ACTUALLY I'D MAKE SIX U-TURNS PROBABLY, UH, FOR CHICK-FIL-A UH, AND YOU, YOU'VE TAKEN CARE OF THE OVERFLOW PARKING.
UH, BUT ONLY BECAUSE, UH, YOU GUYS CAME IN HERE, UH, AFTER A DE BOTCHED, UH, BILLS BREWERY.
I DON'T WANNA SEE THAT HAPPEN WITH THIS PUBLIX.
AND I THINK GROUNDBREAKING NEEDS TO HAPPEN SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE RESIDENTIAL, BECAUSE I DON'T WANNA BE THREE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD IN PUBLIX GOING, WELL, WE JUST HAVEN'T DECIDED TO COME YET.
AND WE'RE STUCK WITH ZERO REVENUE OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
IT'S A HALF A MILLION TO $700,000 THAT IF THEY GET IN THERE AND BREAK GROUND, IF THEY REALLY WANT TO GET HERE, THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY, THEN WE NEED TO FORCE THAT HAND AND GO, OKAY, YOU GOTTA COME IN AND GET, GO GOING.
I MEAN, THEY'RE PUTTING PUBLICS ALL OVER THE PLACE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY'RE PUTTING 12 IN THIS REGION.
SO I DON'T THINK IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY FOR PUBLIX, BUT FOR ME, I DON'T WANT, I DON'T WANT THE LACK OF REVENUE IN THREE YEARS.
WE'RE STILL SITTING HERE WAITING FOR PUBLIX TO BE BUILT.
THAT, THAT'S A BIG CONCERN OF MINE.
AND, AND SADLY TO SAY YOU GUYS ARE COMING IN HERE BEHIND DEALS, AND THAT'S BEEN A HUGE CRAWL ON MY SIDE, LIKE IT HAS BEEN FOR MANY PEOPLE IN OUR, IN OUR COUNTY.
WELL, WELL, I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN.
I THINK IT, IT CREATES A BURDEN FOR THE DEVELOPER SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY'RE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY NEED REVENUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND WITH THE GROCERY STORE.
AND WE HAVE THE GROCERY STORE DEVELOPER HERE TONIGHT, AND THEY HAVE A COMMITMENT ON THIS SITE TO, TO MOVE FORWARD.
UM, TIMING BECOMES AN ISSUE WHEN IT, YOU KNOW, WITH SITE PLAN, THEY'RE GONNA BE INDEPENDENT SITE PLAN REVIEWS, RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL HAVE TO BE SEPARATE.
SO IT BECOMES, IT BECOMES A CHICKEN AND EGG SITUATION AND, AND CREATES A BURDEN FOR THE DEVELOPER.
AND IT'S DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO MEET COMMITMENTS WHEN THERE'S NO REVENUE COMING IN.
SO EITHER REVENUE'S COMING FROM THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, OR IT'S COMING FROM THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
IDEALLY WE WANT THEM TO GO FORWARD AT THE SAME TIME.
WE WANT EVERYTHING TO BE DEVELOPED SIMULTANEOUSLY.
AND JUST CANDIDLY SPEAKING WITH A DEVELOPER, HE'S, YOU KNOW, CERTAIN THAT THE GROCERY STORE IS GONNA GO BEFORE THE RESIDENTIAL, SO LIKELY IT WON'T BE AN ISSUE.
I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT WE'RE IN A POSITION TO MAKE A PROMISE OR A COMMITMENT TO, TO THAT.
CAN SOMEONE SPEAK TO THAT? GOOD EVENING.
I'M WOODY PARRISH, AND UM, I THINK IN 1987, MR. SHEPHERD AND MS. NOEL SUPPORTED US IN THE FOOD LION RIGHT NEXT DOOR.
SO WE DIDN'T JUST SHOW UP YESTERDAY, WE BOUGHT THE HARRIS FARM AND Y'ALL WERE MADE A WISE
[04:40:01]
DECISION, UH, AND YOU GOT A FOOD LION OUT OF IT, AND YOU GOT A SHOPPING CENTER.I, I'D LOVE TO KNOW THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THAT PARTICULAR SHOPPING CENTER HAS EARNED THIS COUNTY SINCE THAT TIME.
MY FATHER AND I BROUGHT THE SEWER AND WATER FROM PRENTICE, SMILEY'S, BURNT BRIDGE, 1800 FEET.
WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY ASSISTANCE FROM ANYBODY.
AND THAT'S WHAT MADE THE MCDONALD'S AND EVERYTHING.
MATTER OF FACT, THESE DEVELOPMENTS IS STILL GONNA GO THROUGH THAT SAME SEWER LINE NOW.
UM, WHAT I'M SAYING IS, AND I THINK NEIL MORGAN TRIED TO IMPRESS UPON PREVIOUS BOARDS TYING THESE THINGS IN.
AND THAT'S WHAT HAS STALLED MY PROJECT.
MY CASH FLOW STOPPED BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIND THE RETAIL GUY.
AND I KNOW IT'S TOUGH ON THE COUNTY.
I KNOW Y'ALL WANT THE COMMERCIAL, BUT THE DEVELOPERS HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN YOU GOTTA HAVE THE HOUSES BEFORE YOU CAN GET THE COMMERCIAL.
NORMALLY NOW WE'RE BUILT OUT IN THIS AREA, SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT BETTER.
BUT WHAT I'M SAYING IS I HAD NEWSPAPER GUYS CALLING ME BECAUSE I THINK HE, THAT NEIL WAS BRINGING IT TO THE BOARD'S ATTENTION.
BE CAREFUL HOW YOU'RE TYING THESE IN.
I HAVE STREETS TO FINISH IN YORKTOWN CRESCENT.
I'M LOOKING AT THE NEXT PART OF YORKTOWN CRESCENT RESIDENTIAL, YOU KNOW, TO GET THE CASH FLOW TO PAY, PUT THE FINISHED COURSE.
NOW IT'S ALL COVERED BY LETTERS OF CREDIT.
SO IF I FLAME OUT, WHICH I'M NOT PLAYING FLAME OUT, BUT THE, THE RESIDENTS ARE PROTECTED, I MET WITH THE HO I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOA CURRENTLY.
I ALREADY HAVE PRIVATE ROADS IN THERE.
THEY ARE COVERED IN OUR BUDGETS ALREADY.
NOW, I DID WANT TO, UM, SPEAK TO ALSO, UM, IF, CAN SOMEBODY PUT THIS ON THE ORIGINAL APPROVED PLAN? I WANNA SHOW Y'ALL SOMETHING JUST SO, SO Y'ALL HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF, OF A COUPLE OF THINGS.
I WANT Y'ALL TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING THAT THIS AREA HERE IS 36 CONDOS THAT I'M APPROVED TO BUILD.
INSTEAD, WE'RE PUTTING 14 TOWNHOUSES IN THERE AS FAR AS THE, UM, SAFETY AND THE WIDTH OF THAT ROAD FOR FIRE PROTECTION.
I DON'T KNOW IF, WERE YOU THE CHIEF IN 2014? OKAY, THAT'S GOOD.
SO WHAT WE AGREED TO BACK THEN, BECAUSE OF BRANDON CURRENS, WHO DESIGNED THIS, UH, HAD DONE PROJECTS LIKE THIS IN RALEIGH AND ALL OVER, DOWN THAT ALLEYWAY, WE MADE A DEAL OR THE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID, OKAY, IF YOU GO OUTSIDE THE CURB AND GUTTER AND PUT IN THIS STUFF THAT'S UNDER THE GROUND, IT'S, IT'S A GRID SYSTEM THAT COVERS OUR OUTRIGGERS FOR OUR, REMEMBER, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER THAT, BUT, SO THOSE ARE FIRE APPROVED.
THAT ROAD IS APPROVED FOR FIRE.
IF IT WOULDN'T, I WOULDN'T HAVE 36.
THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO REALLY TAKE CARE OF THOSE 36 APPROVED CONDOS.
SO ANYWAY, LET ME GET BACK TO YOU.
IT'S, IT'S, IT REALLY IS TOUGH.
AND I KNOW YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LEAP OF FAITH AND I KNOW YOU HAD ONE GO SOUTH ON YOU.
AND WE'RE THREE YEARS AND WE'VE GOT, DON'T KICK MY DOG.
WELL, I'M SAYING
DON'T, IT'S, IT'S THE WORLD WE'RE IN FROM A BUSINESS AND, AND YOU KNOW, BETWEEN COVID AND MY HANDS BEING TIED.
AND, AND THAT'S WHY, YOU KNOW, I'M HAVING TO DELAY, YOU KNOW, I, I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT MURRAY HOW OLD PLACE FOR THE, YOU KNOW, REC CENTER.
SO I'VE DONE ABOUT EVERYTHING I CAN DO TO MAKE THIS THING WORK.
BUT IT, IT IS A BURDEN ON, ON THE DEVELOPMENT WHEN YOU TIE 'EM IN SO TIGHT.
BUT, UM, WELL, WHAT KIND OF COMMITMENT DO YOU HAVE FROM PUBLIX? I HAVE A, I'LL HAVE, I HAVE A DEVELOPED THERE THAT I WOULD NOT SAY IT.
I HAVE A COMMITMENT FOR THAT GENTLEMAN RIGHT THERE SIGNED CONTRACT.
AND, UM, DOES IT HAVE ANY STIPULATION ABOUT WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT GETTING A PERMIT? UM, I'M TRYING TO SET THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT.
I THINK THAT WE PROBABLY HAVE 6, 9, 9 MONTHS TO GET SOUNDS RIGHT.
YOU KNOW, IT USED TO TAKE US SIX MONTHS, A LOT LESS TO GET APPROVED PLANS.
NOW, ANYWHERE I DO BUSINESS, IF YOU GET AN APPROVED PLAN IN TWO YEARS, YOU'RE, YOU'RE WAY AHEAD OF THE GAME.
WELL, THAT'S GONNA CHANGE IN YORK COUNTY, SIR.
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT'S WHERE I AM.
SO THAT'S A DIFFERENT SUBJECT AND I GET IT.
BUT YEAH, YOU KNOW, THAT'S, THAT'S THE WAY THESE CONTRACTS ARE WRITTEN BECAUSE THESE DEVELOPERS KNOW YOU'RE NOT GONNA GO IN THERE IN 120 DAYS OR, YOU KNOW.
[04:45:01]
AND YOU'RE NOT GONNA GO IN THERE IN 120 DAYS AND START BREAKING GROUND EITHER.SO WHAT I'M SAYING IS, IF THIS THING, YOU'RE AWARE OF THE SITUATION, I WAS IN CONSTRUCTION FOR 20 YEARS, SO I UNDERSTAND THAT.
SO I'M SAYING WE NEED TO BE PARALLELING AND WE NEED TO HAVE SOME KIND OF COMMITMENT FROM PUBLIX THAT SAYS, YES, WE'RE GONNA PARALLEL WITH YOU, AND THEY WILL COMMIT TO DOING THAT.
SO WE ARE NOT STUCK HERE THREE YEARS THINKING ABOUT WHERE ALL THAT REVENUE JUST WENT.
'CAUSE THAT'S IN THREE YEARS, IF IT'S 500,000, THAT'S A MILLION AND A HALF BUCKS.
BUT THE OTHER WAY TO LOOK AT THAT TOO IS YOU'RE NOT TOTALLY OUT.
AND I, I'M, I'M, I'M, I'M FULLY CONFIDENT PUBLIC'S GONNA COME, BUT I ALREADY BROUGHT THE FOOD LINE IN THERE THAT NOBODY EVEN TALKS ABOUT.
THAT FOOD LINE IS STILL EARNING FOR THE SAME PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT I STARTED IN 87.
BUT THAT'S A DIFFERENT PROJECT NOW, RIGHT? NO, NO, SIR.
IT'S DIFFERENT PIECE FROM WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING HERE TONIGHT.
BUT I'M JUST ADDING TO WHAT I'VE ALREADY BROUGHT.
EVERYBODY'S ACTING LIKE MY CLOCK'S STARTING AT ZERO, MY CLOCK'S ALREADY BEEN TICKING SINCE 87 AND I PUT IN A, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBER IS.
I'M JUST SAYING THAT'S PART OF THE ORIGINAL PROPERTY THAT WE BOUGHT IN, IN, UH, 87.
I THANKS FOR THAT PERSPECTIVE.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I DO WANT TO SAY ONE, BUT HOLD, HOLD.
JUST HOLD ON JUST A SECOND, PLEASE.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I, I DON'T KNOW.
'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE'S GONNA SAY.
I'M ASKING YOU, DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT HERE AT THE MOMENT? I, I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT, WHAT, UH, RESPONSIBILITY PUBLIX IS GONNA HAVE AND WHAT, WHAT THEIR CONTRACT IS TIED TO AND IS THERE ANY PENALTIES IF THEY START PUSHING THIS THING DOWN THE ROAD? SO IF YOU COULD COME UP TO THE PODIUM FOR THE MICROPHONE, WE APPRECIATE IT.
FIRST OFF, UM, NAME, UH, JOHN SCHWARTZ.
UM, OUR CLIENT BEFORE WE WOULD START AS PART OF THE PERMITTING PROCESS, WHICH HAS TO START AFTER THE ZONING IS IN PLACE.
OBVIOUSLY WE WILL HAVE A LEASE WITH OUR CLIENTS.
THAT LEASE HAS A SCHEDULE IN IT THAT WE HAVE TO ABIDE BY, UH, TO GET THIS CLIENT'S STORE BUILT.
AND THEY ARE THE ONES THAT PUSH US.
AND IF WE DON'T GET IT DONE WITHIN THAT TIMEFRAME, WE HAVE PENALTIES AS A DEVELOPER.
THIS PARTICULAR CLIENT IS VERY PARTICULAR.
UM, AND THEY ALSO GO AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, YOU WERE WORRIED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE ROADS AND THE PARKING LOTS AND WHATEVER.
THEY, THEY HAVE, THEY TELL US IF THEY DON'T THINK THE ROADS LOOK GOOD, THEY TELL US IF THEY, THEY DON'T THINK THE, THE PARKING LOT IS LOOKING GOOD.
IT IS A QUALITY TENANT THAT WANTS TO BE SURROUNDED BY QUALITY.
AND, UH, SO EVERYTHING IS DONE LIKE CLOCKWORK.
IT'S BUILT LIKE CLOCKWORK AND IT'S MAINTAINED VERY WELL.
I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.
WELL, IT DOESN'T GIVE ME ANY PARAMETERS ABOUT THE CONTRACT.
OH, THE, THE CONTRACT IS BETWEEN US AND THE DEVELOPER, AND THE CONTRACT GIVES US NINE MONTHS AFTER THE ZONING IS ISSUED TO GET THE PERMITS FOR THE STORE.
SO IT'S AFTER ZONING IS ISSUED.
SO WE'RE TALKING A YEAR DOWN THE ROAD.
I WOULD SAY THE MINIMUM, I WOULD SAY A YEAR IS A GOOD ESTIMATE.
SO I THINK ONCE THE ALIEN POINT IS THAT WHILE WE CAN'T COMMIT TO WHEN WE'RE GONNA GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE, 'CAUSE SO MANY THINGS ABOUT THE MICROPHONE, PLEASE.
SO SO MANY THINGS ARE OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL.
WE CAN'T CONTROL WHEN THE PROCESS STARTS, WHICH I THINK IS WHAT JOHN WAS TRYING TO COMMUNICATE, IS THAT THERE'S NO HESITATION IN WHEN IT WILL START.
THERE ARE A LOT OF, A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO COMPLY WITH, A LOT OF REVIEW PROCESS THAT HAS TO GO THROUGH.
SO WE'RE NOT ENTIRELY IN CONTROL OF THE TIMELINE AFTER THAT POINT, BUT THEY ARE COMMITTING TO STARTING THE PROCESS.
SO THERE'S NOT GONNA BE ANY DELAY IN, IN BEGINNING THE PROJECT.
UM, THE COMMERCIAL'S GONNA BEGIN IMMEDIATELY AND, AND IT'S A MATTER OF NECESSITY TO GET THE ZONING BEFORE WE CAN START THE PROCESS.
THERE'S, WE CAN'T EVEN SUBMIT PLANS ON PROPERTY THAT'S NOT ZONED PROPERLY.
IT'S OUR, IT'S OUR PLAN TO START THE DESIGN AND PERMITTING PROCESS AS SOON AS THIS HEARING IS APPROVED.
BEFORE I DO THAT, UM, GO BACK TO THE O THE PROPOSED PICTURE, PLEASE.
UM, TRY TO GO BACK TO EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN COVERED.
I, I THINK THE ONE ONE QUESTION I HAD YOU HIGHLIGHTING STUFF, THE, THE ROAD BETWEEN NUMBERS NINE AND
[04:50:01]
FOUR, IT, IT'S PARKING ON EITHER SIDE OF IT.DOES THAT EVEN WITH THE PARKING AT BOTH SIDES, IS THAT STILL A TWO-LANE ROAD? IT'S STILL PASSABLE ROAD, YEAH.
I MEAN, ON SOME MOTOR SPEED, OBVIOUSLY.
THAT'S, I I WANNA CIRCLE BACK TO THAT.
ALRIGHT, LET'S, UM, NO OTHER QUESTION.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND OPEN UP PUBLIC HEARING.
I HAVE, I BELIEVE I GOT TWO AND I HAVE TWO HERE.
AND I'M GONNA FIRST CALL MR. RON REBEL.
RON STRUBLE, 2 0 5 SHADY BLUFF POINT, UH, WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA.
I'M, UH, PRESIDENT OF CONSERVE YORK COUNTY FOUNDATION.
UM, I'M TRYING TO MODIFY MY COMMENTS TONIGHT BECAUSE OF ALL THE DISCUSSION, UH, THAT'S ALREADY TAKEN PLACE.
AND I JUST HAVE A COUPLE POINTS I WANNA MAKE.
FIRST OF ALL, THE ROAD MEASUREMENT SKETCHINESS SOUNDS EERILY LIKE SPRINGFIELD ROAD TO ME.
AND I HAVE WATCHED THAT HEARING MULTIPLE TIMES AND MR. SHEPHERD SAY, PULL OVER WHERE, WHEN THE CARS WERE ASKED TO PULL OVER AND MR. CROSS SAID SOMEWHERE, OKAY.
AND WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED ON SPRINGFIELD ROAD.
MY POINT IS WE GOTTA GET THIS RIGHT.
OKAY? AND, AND WE SEEM TO BE IN A RUSH TO GET THIS RIGHT.
THE RUB IS IN TOWNHOUSES AND WITH THESE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY LIVING THERE IN THOSE 42 UNITS, I'VE WALKED THAT LAND, THERE WAS ONE PICTURE ON THAT GRASS.
I'VE SEEN SIX CARS ON THE WEEKEND IN THAT GRASS.
WHEN YOU PUT TOWNHOUSES ON THERE, THERE'S NO PLACE FOR THEM TO PARK.
AND THESE 68 SPACES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE IN THE BACK.
OKAY? THERE'S NO REMEDY FOR THESE EXISTING PEOPLE.
THEIR CARS ARE STILL GONNA STICK OUT IN THE ROAD ON THAT 12 FOOT OR 20 FOOT OR WHATEVER.
WE'VE GOTTA FIX WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT.
AND FOR ME, IT'S NOT READY FOR TONIGHT.
BUT IF YOU JUST TOOK THOSE TOWNHOUSES THAT ARE RIGHT ON BRACEWELL, JUST TAKE THOSE 10 OR 12 AWAY, YOU HAVE A PLACE FOR THEM TO PARK.
YOU CAN BUILD A PARKING SPACE FOR 'EM.
AND THAT SOLVES THE PROBLEM FOR THE EXISTING RESIDENTS.
MY SECOND POINT IS ON THE, UM, UH, EXCUSE ME, UM, IS ON THE, UM, COMMERCIAL.
MR. DREW'S TALKED ABOUT THAT AT LENGTH.
I MEAN, WE CAN GO THROUGH THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
I KNOW MR. SHEPHERD, YOU'VE TALKED MANY TIMES ABOUT THE FRUSTRATIONS WITH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL TIMING.
I UNDERSTAND, UH, MR. PARRISH'S CONCERNS HERE.
BUT WE'VE JUST HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS FROM THE MOTHER OF ALL FAILURES, MARQUES TO KELTON, STATION RESERVE, COMMONWEALTH GREEN, OTHER ONES THAT HAVE FAILED BECAUSE OF THIS TIMING ISSUE THAT WE HAVE, WE HAVE A CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT TONIGHT IF WE JUST WAIT ON THE TOWNHOUSES FOR THE COMMERCIAL TO KICK UNDER UNDERWAY.
I UNDERSTAND THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH THAT, BUT WE GOTTA GET THIS RIGHT AND THIS IS A CHANCE FOR US TO GET THIS RIGHT.
THE LAST THING I'D SAY IS WE NEED TO BEGIN RESPECTING THESE SETBACK BUFFERS.
OKAY? THEY'RE ESTABLISHED IN THE CODE.
IT'S BECOMING A CONCERNING TREND TO ME BECAUSE THE BOARD HAS NOW WAIVED BUFFER REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CHICK-FIL-A WAR TOWN ROAD, THE PANDA EXPRESS WE'RE IN, WE'RE ENCROACHING IN THESE BUFFERS FAIRLY ROUTINELY.
NOW, IF THEY'RE THE RULES, THEN THEY'RE THE RULES AND THEY NEED TO ABIDE BY THE BUFFERS.
AND RIGHT NOW THE BUFFERS 50 FEET, AGAIN, TAKE AWAY THOSE 10 OR 12 POUND HOUSES, AND THAT ALL GOES AWAY.
WHEN I BUILT MY HOUSE IN 2013, I HAD TO PUT A STRING LINE ON MY TWO ACRE LOT FROM FRONT TO BACK.
AND LET ME TELL YOU, THE INSPECTOR WHO WAS VERY ADEPT WITH THE TAPE MEASURE CAME OUT THERE AND MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE TIMES MEASURE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN MY LOT LINE AND MY HOUSE.
OKAY? I SAY WE DON'T NEED TO BE GRANTING THESE WAIVERS FOR SETBACKS, UH, AND THE COMMERCIAL TIMING OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.
TOM CHAMBERLAIN, TWO 70 MARLOW ROAD.
UM, MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS IS FOR THE EXISTING RESIDENCE, THEY BOUGHT THE, THESE TOWNHOUSES WITH A CONTRACT IN THEIR DEEDED THAT SAID THAT THEY WILL HAVE A CLUBHOUSE AND WALKING PASS AND DOG PARKS, AND THEY DON'T HAVE IT.
IN FACT, TONIGHT, YOU'RE GONNA GIVE THE DEVELOPER PERMISSION TO GO INTO ALL OF THEIR DEEDS AND EXTEND THE REQUIREMENT TO BUILD THOSE UNTIL AFTER HE BUILDS ANOTHER 24.
THIS WAS REDONE IN, WAS DONE INITIALLY IN 2011, WAS REDONE IN 2016.
WE'RE AT 2024, WE'RE GONNA REDO IT AGAIN.
AND I, I HAVE ZERO CONFIDENCE THAT THEY'RE EVER GONNA SEE A CLUBHOUSE BECAUSE WHEN THEY GET TO THE 68 OR 67, HE'S GONNA COME UP HERE AND SAY, WELL, GEE, I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO GO AND DO THAT, SO YOU GOTTA LET ME BUILD OUT THE REST OF IT, AND THEN MAYBE THEN I'LL DO IT.
SO I'M REALLY CONCERNED THAT WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING, WE'RE
[04:55:01]
NOT DOING ANYTHING WITH PARKING, WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING WITH THE CLUBHOUSE TO TAKE CARE OF THESE PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT THIS PROPERTY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY'RE GONNA HAVE THAT A LONG TIME AGO.I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER, UH, APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
DOES ANYBODY LIKE TO COME SPEAK AT THIS TIME? YES.
AND, UM, I WAS AT THE FIRST MEETING.
I'M AT THIS ONE LISTENING TO EVERYTHING.
AND, UM, THE, THE MEETING IS A CONCERN, OF COURSE.
IT, IT MAKES IT LESS CONVENIENT FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.
UM, THEY COME OUT, THEY COME OUT TO FORT EUSTIS AND TAKE A LEFT AND GO TO 17 THE LIGHT, THEY CAN GO RIGHT TO GLOUCESTER, LEFT TO NEWPORT NEWS STRAIGHT ONTO 64.
SO A GOOD PERCENTAGE OF OUR CUSTOMERS ARE GOING OUT TO THE REAR.
SO WHEN I BOUGHT THAT PROPERTY IN 2008, THE INGRESS EGRESS TO 17 AND TO THE REAR OUT FORT EUSTIS MADE IT VERY, VERY DESIRABLE, WHICH IS WHY I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TO DEVELOP IT.
IT'S BEEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL ARBY'S WELCOME THE DEVELOPMENT BEHIND.
UM, I KNOW LOUIS PERISH FROM MANY YEARS AGO.
UH, HE SHOWED ME A LOT OF PLANS, IDEAS HE HAD BACK IN 2008, 9, 10, 11.
UM, SO I KNEW IT WAS GONNA BE DEVELOPED BACK THERE.
UM, I JUST DON'T WANT IT TO IMPACT MY BUSINESS IN A NEGATIVE WAY AS FAR AS THE EGRESS OUT TO 17 OUT FOR EUSTIS WAY, WHICH WE E EVERYBODY'S TALKED ABOUT IT IN BOTH MEETINGS.
SO OF COURSE, THAT'S A CONCERN OF MINE.
THE OTHER CONCERN, I GUESS I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED THEY'RE NOT GONNA BE PUBLIC ROADS.
UM, I REALLY DON'T WANNA BE PART OF AN ASSOCIATION THAT I HAVE TO PAY DUES, UM, BECAUSE IT'S GONNA COST A LOT OF MONEY TO MAINTAIN ROADS.
SO THAT MONEY'S GOTTA COME FROM SOMEWHERE.
AND, UH, GENERALLY I WOULD THINK IS GONNA COME IN THE FORM OF AN ASSOCIATION.
ONCE THIS IS ALL DEVELOPED, DEVELOP, THE DEVELOPERS ARE OUT.
UM, INITIALLY THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE, BUT THE GOAL IS TO DEVELOP ALL THIS.
THERE'S GONNA BE OTHER OWNERS IN THERE UNLESS THEY KEEP THE PROPERTY AND RENT THE, THE BUILDINGS.
BUT, UM, FOR THE MOST PART, THESE DEVELOPMENTS USUALLY END UP IN THE HANDS OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE FORM OF DUES PAID TO AN ASSOCIATION.
UM, I'M NOT PART OF AN ASSOCIATION.
I DIDN'T BUY INTO A DEVELOPMENT LIKE THAT.
UM, SO I, YOU KNOW, IF YOU DO APPROVE PRIVATE ROADS FOR WHATEVER REASON, UM, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE THEY NEED TO BE MAINTAINED.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF THE, UH, TALKS WITH POSSIBLY, UH, IF WE COULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THAT ASSOCIATION.
SO I EXTENDED THE ROAD BEHIND WENDY'S TO GET INTO MY BUSINESS BACK IN 2009.
UH, ALSO THE ACCESS, UH, OFFICE 17, I PUT THAT ROAD IN AS WELL, THE LITTLE, UH, EASEMENT ROADS.
AND, UH, I HAVE NO PROBLEM MAINTAINING THOSE.
I MAINTAIN 'EM AS SAME AS MY PARKING LOT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAINTAIN 'EM.
UH, I JUST DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO BE A PART OF CHIPPING IN, UM, TO AN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ENTIRE DEVELOPMENT.
AND SO THAT'S A CONCERN OF MINE.
I I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS COULD BE ADDRESSED.
UH, IF IT'S POSSIBLE WE COULD BE EXCLUDED FROM AN ASSOCIATION FOR THE REST OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
WE'RE UP THERE ON 17, WE'LL MAINTAIN AND I'D SIGN ANY LEGAL AGREEMENT TO MAINTAIN THE ROADS THAT I BUILT.
UM, SO THAT, THAT'S SOMEWHAT OF A CONCERN OF MINE.
I GUESS THE OTHER CONCERN I HAVE, UM, IS HOPEFULLY, AND THESE GUYS WOULD KNOW BETTER
UM, YOU KNOW, SO THOSE, THOSE ARE ALRIGHT.
FINISH UP YOUR COMMENTS, PLEASE.
FINISH UP YOUR COMMENTS, PLEASE.
THAT, THAT WOULD BE IT FOR ME.
ANYBODY ELSE FOR FOLLOW UP COMMENT? MR. MRS. HOWELL? GOOD EVENING.
MY ADDRESS IS 1 0 4 HORSESHOE DRIVE IN WILLIAMSBURG.
I HADN'T PLANNED TO ADDRESS THIS, BUT AS I LEFT, UH, LISTENED TO ALL THE RHETORIC, I JUST MADE A LIST OF ALARMS. I SPOKE TO THE YOUNG COUPLE DOWNSTAIRS WHO SPOKE WITH YOU EARLIER ABOUT THE PARKING ISSUE AT ARBORDALE.
AND MY HEART IS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE AND WHO WILL POTENTIALLY LIVE THERE IN THE FUTURE, HOW DO WE GIVE THEM A GOOD PRODUCT THAT WE'RE NOT GONNA CALL A MISTAKE DOWN THE ROAD? I KEEP HEARING THAT.
AND YOU ARE VERY WISE PEOPLE, AND I THINK YOU NEED TO WALK THESE PROPERTIES AND REALLY THINK ABOUT 'EM.
I THINK ABOUT MARQUE HILLS BEHIND THE FORMER JCPENNEY BUILDING.
A CHILD FALLS IN THE BACKYARD, THEY'RE GONNA FALL DOWN THAT CLIFF.
HOW DID, HOW DID THAT GET APPROVED? HOW DID THAT SITE GET APPROVED? UM, OUR SON, ACTIVE DUTY AIR FORCE MOVED TO NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
UM, MRS. NOLL, MR. SHEPHERD, YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO TRY TO GET YOUR GOODS FROM ONE LOCATION TO THE OTHER WITH AS LITTLE HANDLING AS POSSIBLE.
SO THEY TRIED TO WORK THIS, THEY ARRIVE INTO THIS VERY LOVELY TOWNHOUSE COMMUNITY THERE.
THE DRIVER OF THE 18 WHEELER ARRIVES
[05:00:01]
AND SAYS, I CAN'T GET THE TRUCK IN THERE.I CAN'T MAKE THE 90 DEGREE TURNS.
AND SO THEY OFFLOADED AT A STRIP MALL IN ORDER TO DELIVER THEIR HOUSEHOLD GOODS.
SO I'M ASKING YOU, DO YOU HAVE THOSE DIMENSIONS AND WITS TO BE ABLE TO, TO GIVE THAT QUALITY TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GONNA BE LIVING AND BUYING? IF AN AMAZON TRUCK IS SITTING THERE AND I'M HAVING A, A HEALTH ISSUE, CAN AN AMBULANCE OR A FIRE ENGINE GET IN TO PUT OUT A FIRE? SO PLEASE THINK ABOUT THOSE THINGS AS YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION TONIGHT.
I THINK ABOUT PARKING IN THESE TIGHT COMMUNITIES, AND IF YOU HAVE A HOLIDAY, YOUR KIDS ARE PARKING AT PUBLIX, MAYBE IN ORDER TO ALL BE ABLE TO VISIT BECAUSE OF THE PARKING TIGHTNESS IN THESE COMMUNITIES.
UM, I THOUGHT ABOUT THE DOG PARK, I COULDN'T SEE IT.
WELL, IT LOOKED LIKE A YAPPY HAPPY PLACE FOR DOGS, BUT IT WAS RIGHT BEHIND SOME OF THE RESIDENTS, AS I'M THINKING.
IS THAT WHAT YOU WANNA LISTEN TO ALL THE TIME? SO I JUST BEG YOU TONIGHT BEFORE YOU REALLY MAKE THIS DECISION TO THINK ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR NOT ONLY THOSE WHO ARE THERE NOW AND ARE STRUGGLING WITH ISSUES AND WHAT MIGHT COME DOWN THE ROAD.
RICHARD HOWELL, 1 0 4 HORSESHOE DRIVE.
SO VERY, VERY QUICKLY, UM, I JUST, A COUPLE THINGS I WANTED TO, UH, TOUCH ON.
FIRST OFF, UM, UH, UH, MR. UH, DRURY, UH, VERY WISELY POINTED OUT THE BAD TASTE WE HAVE IN OUR MOUTH OVER SEVERAL ISSUES THAT HAVE PROMISED COMMERCIAL SAID IT WAS COMMITTED TO IT, IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND IT NEVER DID.
SO I, I APPLAUD THAT, UH, EFFORT TO TRY TO GET SOME COMMITMENT LEVEL TO START TO SOMETHING THAT SAYS THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
SO, VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT.
THE ONLY OTHER POINT I WANTED TO MAKE, TOUCH A LITTLE BIT ON WHAT YOU JUST SAID.
UH, THE, THE NECESSITY OF NOT ONLY BEING ABLE TO GET YOUR FIRE TRUCK DOWN THESE LANES, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET BY, WHETHER IT'S THE UPS TRUCK OR IT'S A MOVING VAN THAT CAN GET DOWN THE LANE, BUT NOW YOU CAN'T GET BY.
WE HAVE HOUSING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE HAVE HOUSING AREAS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT YOU CAN'T DO THAT NOW.
ANYBODY ELSE? ANY, ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT, SEE YOU NOW.
I'M GONNA CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, AND I AM GOING TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO, TO APPROVE A PROPOSED ORDINANCE 24 DASH ONE.
I'LL, I'LL MOVE, UH, 24 DASH ONE.
HAVING, HAVING, UH, THEY ARE NO, THERE'S NO MOTION MOVED.
NOW WE HAVE DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW.
SO NOW IT IS TIME FOR DISCUSSION.
SO I'LL STOP BACK TO MY RIGHT AGAIN.
MRS. NOR CHAIRMAN, DID YOU NOTE THAT IT WAS 24 DASH ONE? THAT'S AN R EXCUSE.
IS IT R ON HERE BECAUSE IT NO, IT'S GOTTA BE ADJUSTED.
IT'S NOT ON, NOT ON THE AGENDA.
SO THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING, THE TABLE, THAT'S, THAT'S ONES LAYING IN FRONT OF US.
I HAVE A MOTION TO, TO APPROVE.
I I JUST GOT ANOTHER MOTION TO TABLE.
SO, MR. ATTORNEY, WHAT IS THE RIGHT, DO WE DISCUSS THE MOTION TO TABLE, DISCUSS IT AND VOTE ON IT FIRST? THE MOTION TO TABLE TAKES PRECEDENCE.
SO I, I JUST GOT A MOTION TO TABLE, SO, AND, AND MY REASON IS I WANT SEE SOME CLARITY ON THE CONTRACT.
SO NOW LET, LET'S MOVE INTO DISCUSSION.
SO I'LL LET YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, YOU MADE A MOTION TO TABLE.
SO I'LL LET YOU START OFF THE DISCUSSION.
I, I NEED TO SEE SOME CLARITY ON THE CONTRACT AND, UM, MOVING FORWARD AND, AND SEEING WHAT, UH, WHAT GUARANTEES WE HAVE, UH, FROM PUBLIX.
EVERYTHING ELSE I'M OKAY WITH.
I MEAN, THERE'S SOME OTHER ISSUES, BUT THAT'S THE BIG ONE FOR ME.
ALRIGHT, DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION TO TABLE COMMENT.
THE, UH, I FOR THE CLAR FOR, I UNDERSTAND, UH, UH, MR. TROY'S CONCERNS ABOUT THE, THE SEQUENCING AND EVERYTHING, BUT, AND, AND, AND BEALS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP SEVERAL TIMES.
THE THING IS, IF BILLS HADN'T BEEN PUT IN THERE, THEY WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY STILL IN PROBABLY 10 YEARS, NOTHING THERE.
OKAY? SO WE CAN'T COUNT MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE.
I MEAN, WE JUST DON'T OWN THAT.
UM, THIS, THIS, UH, UM, PUBLIX IS A, UH, A REALLY HIGH QUALITY.
UH, I SAY PUBLIX, IT'S A, THE STORE THAT'S COMING IN IS GONNA BE HIGH QUALITY.
UH, GROCERY STORES CAN PROVIDE A LOT OF SERVICE TO THE FOLKS UP THERE.
UM, IF, UH, I KNOW THE, THE, THE TABLING
[05:05:01]
ACTION WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, IN FACT IT WASN'T JUST RECENTLY, WE ACTUALLY BROUGHT, BROUGHT BACK A TABLE ITEM THAT A LOT OF TIMES THEY JUST GET DEAD AND THEY GO AWAY.UM, I SUSPECT THAT THERE IS PROBABLY SOME, UM, SOME, SOME, UM, SOME POINT IN HERE WHERE THE STORE JUST SAYS, WE, OKAY, WE'RE NOT THERE.
WE'RE NOT, WE'RE GONNA GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.
AND WE SAW THIS HAPPEN WITH WAGMAN'S IN, UH, IN NEWPORT NEWS.
AND THEY LOST, BELIEVE ME TELL YOU, THEY LOST.
THAT WAS THE, THAT WAS REALLY A DUMB DECISION.
UM, SO MY POINT HERE IN, IN THINKING ABOUT TABLING THIS, WE MAY BE TABLING IT OVER SOMETHING THAT, UM, IN FACT I THINK WE WOULD BE TABLING OVER SOMETHING THAT, THAT, THAT, UM, I DON'T WANNA SAY IT'S IRRELEVANT, BUT THE POINT IS IT'S JUST SIMPLY NOT GONNA A, IT'S NOT GONNA GET THE ANSWERS YOU WANT.
IT'S JUST THE, THE, MY CONCERN HERE IS THAT THE, WHEN WE SAW THOSE APARTMENTS, THERE'S THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF THESE KIND OF ARRANGEMENTS ALL OVER THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
I MEAN, YOU WANNA, YOU WANNA GET A GOOD LOOK AT IT, GO UP TO, UH, NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
BUT YEAH, WE DON'T, THIS IS, THIS IS IDEALLY WE WOULDN'T NECESSARILY WANT SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN TERMS OF THE HOUSING.
HOWEVER, THIS IS THE HOUSING PEOPLE ARE BUYING INTO, THEY'RE BUYING INTO THESE THINGS.
UM, SO TABLING THIS IS NOT GOING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF, OF THIS THING.
IN FACT, IT MAY END UP WHERE IN FACT, HIGHLY SUSPECT WHAT IT WOULD DO IS HE WOULD END UP WHERE WE WOULD END UP WITH THE, THE WHAT WE ORIGINALLY PUT AND NOTHING GETS DONE.
SO, UM, ANYWAY, THAT'S MY COMMENTS.
UM, MR. ROY COMMENTS ON THE, UH, TABLE IN DISCUSSION, I AM INCLINED TO AGREE THAT WE DO NEED TO SEE, UH, MORE CLARITY ON THE, ON THE CONTRACT WITH, UM, WITH PUBLIX.
IF THAT, IF THAT'S IN FACT THE GROCERY STORE, I'D LIKE TO SEE A COMMITMENT.
IN FACT, I'D LIKE TO SEE THE WAIVER DROPPED THAT, UH, THAT TIES THE, UH, TOWNHOUSES TO THE, UH, COMMERCIAL ASPECT THAT, UM, THAT'S, THAT SEEMS LIKE A STRETCH.
WE'VE, WE'VE HAD, UM, FIRST 2011 AND THEN 20, UH, 15 OR 2016 AND NOW 2024.
WE SHOULD HAVE SEEN SOME COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY BY NOW.
AND I'M RELUCTANT TO GO FORWARD WITH, UH, WAIVER THAT CONTINUES TO ALLOW THAT TO BE SEPARATE.
SO MY THOUGHT PROCESS REGARDING THE TABLE DISCUSSION, IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, YOU WANT TO TABLE IT UNTIL WE CAN GET A GUARANTEE THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMMERCIAL WILL BEGIN AT THE ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RESIDENTIAL AND THE SEQUENCE ARE THERE SHORTLY AFTER.
MY, MY ISSUE WITH THAT IS, AND, AND YOU, YOU GIMME SOME PERSPECTIVE AS A WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION, THAT KNOWING WHAT THEY NEED TO GO THROUGH SITE PLAN APPROVAL, UTILITY WORK, DESIGN WORK AND SO FORTH.
I DON'T KNOW HOW ANY DEVELOPER COULD SIT HERE TONIGHT AND SAY, WE WILL COMMIT TO START CONSTRUCTION ON X DATE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS IN FRONT OF THEM THAT THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER.
BUT THAT DOESN'T STOP THEM FROM GETTING THE PERMITS OR GETTING TOWARDS THE PERMITS.
AND THEY'VE ALREADY SAID THAT IF THEY GET APPROVAL TONIGHT, THEY WILL START THAT PROCESS IMMEDIATELY.
SO MY CONCERN IS IF WE TRY TO BURDEN THEM WITH THIS REQUIREMENT, THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO COMMIT TO IT.
AND IF THEY CAN'T COMMIT TO IT, AND WE, WHICH MEANS WE WON'T PROVE, THEN THEY WALK AWAY AND WE'RE STILL SHOULDER WITH THE ORIGINAL PLAN, WHICH I DON'T THINK WE WANT.
THAT'S MY, THAT'S WHERE I'M TIGHT WITH THE, UH, WITH THE REQUEST TO TABLE FOR THE REASONS THAT YOU WANNA TABLE IT.
SO THOSE ARE, THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON IT ALL? SO NOW WE MOVE TO VOTE ON THE TABLE.
SO I'LL ASK FOR ROLL CALL FOR YOU HAVE.
SO ASK FOR ROLL CALL FOR THE VOTE.
THE MOTION MADE BY MR. DREWRY IS TO TABLE, PROPOSED ORDINANCE NUMBER 24 DASH ONE R.
ALRIGHT, SO THAT TOOK CARE OF THE TABLE MOTION.
NOW WE'RE BACK TO THE MOTION TO APPROVE.
AND NOW WE'RE INTO THE COMMENTS ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE.
[05:10:01]
SO I CAN TALK.UM, MR. CHAIRMAN, I THINK WE'VE LISTENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIS.
THIS HAS BEEN DRAGGED ON, NOT JUST WITH US, BUT WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
I DON'T THINK THAT TABLING WOULD'VE HELPED IT AT ALL.
AND I DON'T THINK WE CAN DEMAND CERTAIN THINGS FROM THE GROCERY CHAIN THAT IS COMING IN.
I WANNA TAKE IT ON GOOD FAITH.
I MAY BE OPTIMISTIC, BUT I THINK BRINGING IN ANOTHER GROCERY STORE NEAR FOOD LION IS GOING TO REALLY MAKE FOOD LION GET EVEN BETTER.
AND IT, IT'S GREAT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT'S, IT'S GREAT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO, WHO KNOW WHAT PUBLIX IS LIKE.
AND PUBLIX IS AN EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT TRAIN.
AND, UM, I'M, I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I KNOW THAT, UH, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE PARKING AND THE ROADS AND SO FORTH.
I'M GLAD THAT THEY'VE ADDED A STIPULATION IN THERE THAT THE COUNTY WILL HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER THE ROADS.
AND FOR THAT REASON, I'M GONNA SUPPORT THIS.
MR. JURY COMMENTS ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE MR. SHEPHERD? YEAH, THIS IS, UH, ACTUALLY, IT'S A KIND OF AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE, UH, WHAT WE'VE SEEN ON 17, WE ALWAYS REFER TO 17 AS, GOD, IT'S ON, IT'S ALL, IT'S I GOT IT ON.
GOD, I GOTTA SHOUT IN THIS THING NOW.
SO, UM, SO I SEE THIS AS WE TALKED ABOUT 17 AS BEING OUR, OUR, OUR MAIN STREET IN YORK COUNTY.
I MEAN, ESSENTIALLY IT IS, IT'S A, IT'S A, UH, A LOT OF BUSINESS THAT WE'VE KIND OF, WE DON'T HAVE, IT'S NOT VERY DEEP.
SO WHEN WE GET THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, UM, TO PROVIDE A SERVICE TO NOT ONLY THE CONSTITUENTS THAT, THAT ARE THERE TO SHOP, WE GET A LITTLE STEP UP IN THERE AND, UM, AND QUALITY SERVICE.
WE WE'RE ALWAYS GONNA BE CONCERNED.
I MEAN, WE CAN PROBABLY TALK THIS ALL DAY LONG, BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ONLY CERTAIN THINGS THAT DEVELOPER CAN DO AND IT CAN PROMISE.
AND, AND I TELL YOU THE ONE THING, IF THERE'S ANYTHING IN HERE DRIVING THIS, THERE'S GONNA BE MONEY.
ALRIGHT? SOMEBODY'S GOTTA MAKE MONEY OUTTA THIS IS, WE'RE TALKING, BUSINESS BUSINESSES ARE NOT THERE FOR CHARITY.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE THERE TO MAKE MONEY, RIGHT? SO WE CAN'T MAKE MONEY IF IT'S NOT, THE WALLS ARE NOT UP, THE FLOORS ARE NOT DOWN.
THE GROCERY STORES ARE NOT FILLED.
AND, UH, AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT, WHAT'S THE OLD SAYING THAT ROOS, UH, UH, WHAT IS IT SOMETHING ABOUT ROOS AND BUSINESSES YOU GET, YOU KNOW, YOU GOTTA HAVE THE RIGHT MIX.
SO WE, WE WE'RE, WE'RE CUTTING OUT.
I THINK WE JUST, YOU KIND OF NEAT BECAUSE WE'RE ACTUALLY REDUCING, SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF HOUSING IN HERE.
UH, AND YET WE'RE GETTING A, A REAL BUMP UP IN A BUSINESS.
ALRIGHT, SO WE'VE GOTTEN DOWN INTO THE DETAILS A LOT MORE THAN WE NORMALLY DO, DISCUSSES LIKE THIS, WHICH IS FINE.
IT'S GOOD TO HAVE THESE CON CONVERSATIONS, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO PULL BACK A LITTLE BIT.
COME LOOK AT THIS FROM 50,000 FOOT LEVEL.
AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I'M ASKING THE BASIC QUESTION, WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR COUNTY RESIDENTS IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA AND ACROSS THE COUNTY? SO BASICALLY WE HAVE, WE HAVE TWO THINGS IN FRONT OF US.
IF WE VOTE YES, WE MOVE FORWARD WITH WHAT'S BEEN PRESENTED HERE IN FRONT OF US.
IF WE VOTE NO, WE'RE STILL STUCK WITH WHAT WAS PROPOSED BACK IN 2011, WHEREVER.
WHICH I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WANT TO SEE THAT DEVELOPED, LIKE, LIKE IT IS PROPOSED TODAY.
UH, AND REAL QUICK BEFORE I GO ANY, ANY FURTHER, UM, THERE WAS CONCERN, UH, THE OWNER ARBY'S HAD ABOUT HAVING TO FIT INTO A HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION.
AND I THINK THAT IS, THAT IS NOT THE CASE AT ALL.
SO WE DON'T, SO I, I THINK WE ALLEVIATE THAT FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.
POSSIBLE FURTHER ROAD AT ALL THEN? NO, MA'AM.
SO BACK TO MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT.
SO, SO I PULL BACK UP 50,000 FEET, TAKE A LOOK, ASK THE QUESTION, WHAT'S BEST FOR YORK COUNTY, WHAT'S BEST FOR THOSE RESIDENTS THERE? AND I START TAKING OFF A LOT OF GOOD THINGS.
WE REDUCE, WE REDUCE THE RESIDENTIAL FOOTPRINT AND, AND DENSITY.
WE REDUCE THE, THE HIGH DENSITY THERE.
WE OPEN IT UP, UM, TO A, A, A BETTER FOOTPRINT.
WE'RE BRINGING IN A LARGE RETAILER.
WE'RE GONNA BRING IN REVENUE TO THE COUNTY.
WE'RE GONNA BRING IN DIFFERENT SHOPPING OPTIONS TO THE COUNTY.
WE'RE GONNA BRING IN NEW EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS TO THE COUNTY.
I THINK I SAW A NUMBER IN A PROPOSAL POTENTIAL OF 200 MORE, UH, UM, JOBS OUT OF THIS.
SO AS I START TICKING THOSE THINGS OFF AND, AND THE, UM, PARKING WITH SPACE THAT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED, MAYBE NOT A HUNDRED PERCENT AS WELL AS IT COULD BE, BUT IT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED, IT'S DEFINITELY GONNA BE BETTER.
SO WHEN I START TAKING OFF THOSE THINGS, ALL THOSE BENEFITS FOR YORK COUNTY, I'M, I'M REALLY STRUGGLING TO THINK, WHY WOULD I SAY NO AND THEN BE STUCK WITH THE
[05:15:01]
PROPOSAL THAT WE DON'T WANT TO MOVE FORWARD.AND INSTEAD LET'S MOVE FORWARD WITH SOMETHING WE HAVE NOW.
UM, REAL WORLD CONDITIONS, YOU'RE LOOKING AT RESIDENTIAL BUILDOUT.
YOU'RE LOOKING AT COMMERCIAL BUILDOUT BEFORE ANY OF THAT HAPPENS.
YOU GOTTA FINISH THE SITE PLAN.
YOU GOTTA SUBMIT THE SITE PLANS, YOU GOTTA GET A SITE PLAN APPROVED.
YOU GOTTA WORK WITH THE COUNTY STAFF TO WORK OUT ALL THE ODDS AND ENDS AND DETAILS AND AND WHATNOT.
UM, AND, AND WHO KNOWS HOW THAT GOES FORWARD.
BUT YOU MAY END UP WITH THE COMMERCIAL SITE PLAN APPROVED BEFORE THE RESIDENTIAL, AND THAT GETS STARTED THEN, AND THEN THE RESIDENTIAL COMES BEHIND IT.
OR IT COULD BE VICE VERSA, BUT THAT'S REALLY UP TO COUNTY STAFF TO KIND OF DRIVE THAT, TO BRING THOSE TWO TOGETHER.
NOT, NOT THAT I WANT THEM TO PURPOSELY GAME THE SYSTEM TO BRING 'EM TOGETHER, BUT IT'S UP TO COUNTY STAFF TO WORK THOSE SITE PLANS AND ALL THOSE, ALL THAT APPROVAL PROCESS TO GET THIS THING TO COME TOGETHER.
YOU KNOW, OUR, OUR STAFF CAN WORK THAT.
AND, AND WE COULD VERY WELL SEE BOTH OF 'EM COMING UP TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME.
JUST, NOBODY CAN GUARANTEE THAT, THAT TIMING.
SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, I TAKE OFF ALL, ALL THE PROS.
I TAKE OFF A COUPLE OF THE CONS.
THE PROS FAR OUTWEIGH WEIGH, WEIGH THE CONS.
IT'S A BETTER DEAL FOR YORK COUNTY.
IT'S GONNA TO BRING NEW BUSINESS IN.
IT'S GONNA BRING IN NEW, NEW TAX REVENUE INTO THE COUNTY TO OFF HELP OFFSET SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE HAVING WITH, WITH THE HIGH, WITH THE, WITH THE TAX ISSUE.
LIKE, LIKE YOU MENTIONED ABOUT, LET'S, LET'S FLIP THAT, LET'S FLIP THAT SCRIPT SO THAT THE BUSINESS CARRIES MORE OF THE TAX BURDEN THAN THE RESIDENTS.
THIS HELPS US TOWARDS THAT GOAL.
SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE I'M AT WITH THIS WHOLE THING.
SO, ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ANYBODY? ALRIGHT.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND CALL THE ROLL ON THIS, PLEASE.
THE MOTION MADE BY MR. SHEPHERD IS TO ADOPT PROPOSED ORDINANCE NUMBER 24 DASH ONE R TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION AS AMENDED.
UM, ALL RIGHT, SO WE HAVE BEEN AT THIS AGAIN FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF HOURS.
ARE WE ALL GOOD TO KEEP GOING OR EVERYBODY NEED A QUICK, QUICK BREAK? I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS A BREAK.
WE'RE GONNA TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS.
I'M YOU, I'M VOTING NO ON YOURS ANYWAY, SO IT DOESN'T MATTER.
ALRIGHT, LET'S COME OUTTA RECESS HERE.
LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM,
[5 Application No. UP-1025-23, Worley’s Home Service. Consider adoption of proposed Resolution R24-9 to approve an application for a Special Use Permit to authorize the establishment of a contractor’s shop with outdoor storage at 1210 George Washington Memorial Highway. ]
WHICH IS CONSERVATIVE ADOPTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTION.R 24 DASH NINE, UH, WORDLESS HOME SERVICE.
TO APPROVE AN APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONTRACTOR SHOP WITH OUTDOOR STORAGE, MR. TIM CROSS.
UM, PROPERTY IS OUTLINED IN BLUE HERE ON THE, UH, ZONING MAP.
IT'S ZONE GENERAL BUSINESS, UH, SURROUNDING PROPERTY.
THAT'S THE YORK MEADOWS SINGLE FAMILY SUBDIVISION.
IT'S A NARROW, VERY DEEP, UH, PARCEL.
VERY HEAVILY VEGETATED, UH, BEHIND THE CONTRACTOR SHOP.
YOU CAN SEE HERE THEY'RE ONLY UTILIZING SEVEN TENTHS OF AN ACRE UP FRONT ALONG 17, UH, EVERYTHING BEHIND THE PAVED AREA.
IT'S ALL, UH, HEAVILY VEGETATED.
UH, THIS IS WORLEY'S HOME SERVICES, BY THE WAY.
THIS IS THE VIEW FROM ROUTE 17.
UH, YOU CAN SEE THE, UH, BUILDING AND HERE IS THE, UH, STORAGE YARD.
UM, PARTIALLY FENCED, UH, AND
SO, AND THEN THIS IS THE FENCE ON THE SOUTH SIDE.
UH, CONTRACTOR SHOPS ARE PERMITTED AS A MATTER OF RIGHT IN GENERAL BUSINESS, BUT WHEN THERE'S OUTDOOR STORAGE, DOES REQUIRE A SPECIAL USE PERMIT.
UM, AND SO THE APPLICANT, UH, HAS SUBMITTED SKETCH PLAN SHOWING, UH, THE ADDITION OF A NEW FENCE ALONG THE NORTH, UH, NORTHERN PROPERTY LINE ADJACENT TO THE NORTH SIDE CHURCH.
AND THERE'S AN EXISTING FENCE, LIKE AS I SHOWED IN THE PICTURE, ALONG THE SOUTHERN PROPERTY LINE AND HERE AS WELL.
AND EXISTING FENCE, UH, TO THE FRONT.
THE, UH, LOCATION OF THE, UH, STORAGE CONTAINER UNITS.
CONEX BOXES IS TO THE REAR OF THE BUILDING.
SO THEY WILL, WITH THE, UH, WITH THE ADDITIONAL FENCING, THEY'LL BE SHIELDED, UH, FROM THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH.
UH, WE DON'T REALLY NEED A FENCE ALONG THE BACK BECAUSE IT'S ALL VEGETATED BACK THERE.
AND THAT'S THE APPLICANT'S PROPERTY.
UH, SO IT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE, UH, FOR OUTDOOR STORAGE.
UH, THE, UH, STORAGE YARD IS NOT VISIBLE FROM ANY OF THE HOMES IN YORK MEADOWS.
AND, UH, UH, EXPANSION IS, THERE WAS SOME, SOME CONCERN THAT THEY COULD EXPAND THE STORAGE YARD ALL THE WAY BACK
[05:20:01]
TO THE PROPERTY LAND, BUT THEY CAN'T DO THAT.THEY CAN'T EXPAND MORE THAN 5%, AND THAT WOULD BE LIKE FOUR FEET.
AND WE WOULD REQUIRE, UH, EXTENSION OF THE, THE FENCE AS A SITE PLAN CONDITION.
ANYWAY, ANYTHING MORE THAN 5% HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD.
SO THAT'S REALLY NOT AN ISSUE AT ALL.
SO WE RECOMMEND APPROVAL, UH, SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS RESOLUTION R 24 DASH NINE.
PLANNING COMMISSION CONSIDERED THE APPLICATION BACK IN DECEMBER AND VOTED FIVE ZERO TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
UH, I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.
MR. WORLEY IS HERE TO, UH, SPEAK ON HIS BEHALF AS THE APPLICANT.
MR. CROSS QUESTIONS FOR MR. CROSS? MRS. NOEL? NO QUESTIONS MR. ROY? NO QUESTION.
WE'RE ONLY GONNA VOTE FOR IT IF YOU GET RID OF THAT ORANGE AND GREEN COLOR.
YOU HAVE NO QUESTIONS FOR ME EITHER, APPLICANT.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS, MAKE ANY COMMENTS? I DO.
I'M JUST GLAD IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH VDOT PIPELINES OR DOLPHINS,
I'M JUST SO GLAD THAT, THAT HAD THAT WE, WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
DO WE HAVE, DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE APPLICANT? NO.
SO I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
DOES ANYBODY LIKE TO SPEAK TO THIS MATTER? ALL RIGHT, SEE YOU.
I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO MOVE PROPOSED RESOLUTION R 24 DASH NINE.
CAN WE, DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD REGARDING THIS RESOLUTION? I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU GET OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS.
I KNOW THAT YOU PUT A LOT OF EFFORT IN TO GET, GET THAT LOCATION.
I KNOW YOU HAVE PLANS TO UTILIZE THAT PROPERTY MORE.
SO I'M, I'M GLAD IT'S ALL WORKING OUT IT AND WE CAN DO THAT.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS? ANYBODY? ALL RIGHT.
CAN WE HAVE THE ROLL PLEASE? THE MOTION MADE BY MRS. NOEL IS TO ADOPT PROPOSED RESOLUTION R 24 DASH NINE TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION AS SUBMITTED.
CONGRATULATIONS IS ALL, IS ALL, IT IS ALL WORTHWHILE BRINGING SOME REVENUE.
[CONSENT CALENDAR]
CONSENT CALENDAR.SO WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ITEMS THERE.
I'M GONNA ASK, I'M GONNA ASK TWO QUESTIONS.
ONE, DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING THEY WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT? AND DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING, ANY ITEM THAT THEY WANT TO PULL AND DISCUSS SEPARATELY AND VOTE ON SEPARATELY FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR? DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING THEY WANT QUESTIONS OR CLARIFICATION ON ANY ITEMS? NO.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? I WANNA PULL ITEM SIX.
MR. DREWRY, ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO, DO YOU WANT TO PULL IT TO, TO VOTE ON IT? LY I NEED TO ABSTAIN 'CAUSE I WASN'T A PART OF THE BOARD.
LET, LET DO WHAT? THE MINUTES, THE MINUTES SHOULD BE VOTED ON BY JUST THE THREE THAT WERE PRESENT.
MR. MR. DREW, YOU HAVE ANYTHING, DO YOU WANT, HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT, OR ANYTHING YOU WANNA PULL AND DISCUSS INDEPENDENTLY? THIS ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE END? THIS IS 15.
I'M JUST GONNA MAKE A COMMENT ON, UM, WHERE'S THAT HERE? THE, UM, CRIME CRIME PREVENTION COMMUNITY NUMBER SEVEN.
UM, JUST WANT TO REAL, REAL QUICK, MR. BELLAMY, CLARIFY FOR ME THAT THIS IS, WOULD BE COUNTYWIDE NOT A COMMUNITY, BUT COUNTYWIDE, CORRECT? THAT'S MINE.
AND IT, IT, IT'S NOT, IT HAS CERTAIN SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS THAT NEED TO BE MET.
AND WHEN THOSE STANDARDS ARE MET, UH, THERE ARE SOME BENEFITS TO RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THE POTENTIAL FOR RESIDENTS TO, UH, SEEK LOWER HOME HOME INSURANCE OUT OF THIS.
SO THIS ISN'T JUST A FEELGOOD THING, THEY CAN ACTUALLY SAVE SOME MONEY ON THIS.
SO, UH, VERY WORTHWHILE FOR THE, UM, FOR THE COMMUNITY OVERALL.
SO I HAVE, SO WE NEED TO PULL NUMBER SIX AND VOTE ON THAT SEPARATELY.
UM, SO WE'RE GONNA, SO WE'RE DOING THAT AND WE WILL VOTE ON THAT FIRST AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AND VOTE THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
SO WE ARE NOW GOING TO CALL RO TO VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
I MOVED THE MINUTES OR SHEILA MOVED TODAY.
I MOVED IT, I MOVED THE CONSENT CALENDAR, DIDN'T I? MINUS SIX.
[05:25:01]
DOING SIX.SO YOU JUST SIX? YOU JUST MOVED SIX.
AND DECEMBER 5TH, 2023 AS SUBMITTED.
NOW WE WILL CALL A ROLE TO VOTE ON THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR FOR THE REMAINING ITEMS. WILL I MOVE A NUMBER SIX? NO, WE, NO, WE JUST DID NUMBER SIX.
WE'RE DOING THE REST OF WHICH YOU NOW WE'RE DOING, YOU MOVED THE CONSENT CALENDAR ABSENT NUMBER SIX.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE DOING THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
YEAH, BUT THAT WAS, WE MOVED THE AGENDA MINUS SIX.
NOW WE'RE VOTING ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
I KNOW IT'S GETTING LATE, SO I WANNA GO HOME.
THE MOTION MADE BY MRS. NOEL IS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR AS AMENDED WITH THE DELETION OF NUMBER SIX.
SO THE LAST THING ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT IS THE CLOSED SESSION.
AND BEFORE I ASK MR. SNOW TO TAKE IT INTO CLOSED SESSION, I'M GONNA MAKE TWO COMMENTS.
ONE IS GONNA BE SHORT AND SWEET AND BRIEF AND, UM, THERE WAS NEW BUSINESS.
WHICH ONE? WHICH ONE? WELL, IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA.
OKAY, HOLD ON, HOLD ON, HOLD ON.
SO YOU'RE BRINGING NEW BUSINESS FORWARD? I'M BRINGING NEW BUSINESS FORWARD.
[NEW BUSINESS]
YOU WANNA DISCUSS NEW BUSINESS? WE CAN'T DO THAT.WHAT IS THE NEW BUSINESS? SO HE'S GONNA PRESENT IT.
UH, I'M, I'M GONNA PRESENT MR. BELLAMY.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO TOUCH ON THE PROPOSED NORTH POINT DEVELOPMENT WAREHOUSE PLAN FOR THE FORMER, UH, WILLIAMSBURG POTTERY PROPERTY.
AS STAFF AND MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS ARE AWARE THAT CONFIGURATION OF WAREHOUSES REPRESENTS ONE OF THE LARGEST BUSINESSES TO BE BUILT IN NEW YORK COUNTY.
AND THE IMPACT THIS BUSINESS WILL HAVE ON LOCAL ROADS RESULTS IN A RECOMMENDATION TO REFER THE YORK 64 NORTH POINT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, SUCH THAT THE COMPLEXITY AND AND COMMUNITY INTERACTION CAN BE STUDIED MORE APPROPRIATELY.
LIGHTFOOT ROAD AT ROCHE BO ROAD FOR THE BENEFIT OF MY SUPERVISORS, IS A TWO LANE STRETCH OF ROAD WITH A TIGHT RADIUS CURVE THAT OFFERS VERY, VERY LIMITED SIGHT LINES.
YOU CAN FORESEE THE IMPACT OF TRACTOR TRAILER TRAFFIC ATTEMPTING LEFT TURNS INTO THE WAREHOUSE PROPERTY.
I REQUEST YOU REFER THE ISSUE TO THE PLANNING STAFF SO THAT THEY MAY DEVELOP A RESOLUTION FOR THE BOARD REQUIRING THE ADDITION OF AN SUP SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO THE APPLICATION, OR AN EQUIVALENT MEANS THAT ENSURES PUBLIC REVIEW IS ACHIEVED.
I WOULD FURTHER LIKE TO ASK THAT A RESOLUTION BE BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE BOARD RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF REMOVAL OF THE NOTWITHSTANDING CLAUSE UNDER THE SECTION REFERRING TO INDUSTRIAL PARKS IN EEO ZONING SUCH THAT THIS, UH, CONFUSION THAT HAS, UH, RESULTED FROM THIS INTERPRETATION, UH, IS REMOVED FROM THE LAND USE TABLE.
IS THERE DISCUSSION ON NEW BUSINESS OR IT JUST GETS PRESENTED OR UNDERSTANDING MIKE? MY UNDERSTANDING IS WHAT MR. HORO IS ASKING TO DO IS TO REFER A MATTER TO STAFF.
WE'RE ASKING, ASKING STAFF TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE.
SO THERE'S NO, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S NOTHING DISCUSSED HERE.
SO RIGHT BEFORE YOU BRING US IN TWO POINTS, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A, WE'RE GONNA MAKE THIS AS BRIEF AS POSSIBLE.
'CAUSE AGAIN, NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT.
AND TWO, WE'RE GONNA DO IT IN HERE.
SO WE DON'T TRY TO CRAM EVERYBODY IN THAT, IN THAT ROOM THERE.
SO, ONCE MRS. NOLL TAKES US IN A CLOSED SESSION, UH, THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BUSINESS CLOSED SESSION, PLEASE REMAIN IN HERE.
EVERYBODY ELSE, UH, NEED TO ASK TO EXIT.
[CLOSED MEETING]
MRS. NOLL, TAKE US INTO CLOSED SESSION PLEASE.UM, MOTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION, UH, 2.2 DASH 3 7 11 A, ONE OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONVEY AN ENCLOSED MEETING TO CONSIDER A PERSONAL MATTER INVOLVING APPOINTMENT OF INDIVIDUALS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
I ALSO MOVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 DASH 37 11 A THREE OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA.
I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONVENE ENCLOSED MEANING REGARDING REAL PROPERTY USED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE, SPECIFICALLY PERTAINING TO THE DISPOSITION OF ANNEX PROPERTY.
UH, FURTHERMORE, I, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.2 DASH 3 7 1 11, A SEVEN
[05:30:01]
OF THE COURT OF VIRGINIA, I MOVE THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONVENE ENCLOSED MEETING TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL, CONSULTANTS AND OR STAFF ON A MATTER OF PROBABLE LITIGATION IN WHICH THE COUNTY MAY BECOME INVOLVED.AND THREE, CONSULT WITH LEGAL COUNSEL ON SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTER REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE BY COUNSEL.
WE ARE NOW, NOW IN CLOSED SESSION.