See my blog for details about Wednesdays meeting. Some of the topics were: Taxes, Parks Master Plan, Massage Therapy Business Approved, Planning Commission Meetings Now Being Recorded and a Number of Public Works and other updates.
Approval of Minutes, November 3 & 17, 2022 - These minutes were from last Novembers work session and regular meeting.
Resolution #39-22, FY 22-23 Budget Amendment & Appropriation, General Fund - The request was to move $98k of last years approved police equipment expenditures to the current budget because the purchases were not completed prior to the end of the budget cycle.
Resolution # 40-22, Establishment of Personal Property Tax Relief Rates for Tax Year 2022 - The personal property tax relief I advocated for back in September was passed 7–0. I made this request due to the significant vehicle value increases so that the residents could get some relief especially after the real estate tax increase earlier this year. Thanks again to everyone that supported this effort for the benefit of the taxpayers.
1st Quarter of FY 2023 Financial Report - This update can be found online
Council Member Updates -
Schools - many events for the fall season including trunk or treat. Parks and Rec and the Planning Commission are looking for new committee members (I personally feel this is a good way for people to make a positive change in their government). Admin - All candidates are invited to be in the Home Coming Parade.
Town Manager Update -
The audit is underway, a $160k grant to hire a full-time employee to help the PD (Police Department) work towards accreditation was awarded to the town. This is great news because the accreditation will help the chief and his team move the PD to the next level as they continue to address public safety concerns. The town has several job openings. Parks and Rec is creating an activities catalogue. Town Hall on Town Hill event will be on Oct 29th. The parking enforcement officer will be working in other areas in the off-season (example sidewalks and other illegal parking). See below for public works update.
Referrals to the Planning Commission - zoning referrals in reference specifically related to mobile vendor program. The question is do you want Food Trucks on private property in commercial area Zones RC, C1 and CR (Residential R2 is not one of the proposed areas).
Halloween Proclamation was read by Mayor Schick
Colonial Beach Public Schools, Principal - Hiring expo November 2nd and they have a number of vacancies, both schools are fully accredited, several Capital improvement projects were mentioned including: lighting, cameras, outdoor weight room, awning, HVAC, bleachers and fencing.
3rd Quarter Public Safety Report, Chief Deaver of Colonial Beach Police Department - This report can be found online. The largest number of calls are 3-4pm and after 9pm. Fire and rescue Numbers were presented. Parking enforcement over 300 tickets were issued for the quarter with 250+ of those being from the new enforcement officer hired in July (Over $10k was collected).
Prioritizing External Funding, Grant Manager - The town has received almost $800k in grants since hiring a grant writer and most are without matching funds. ($387k from the Eleanor Park easement is included in this figure). The town will start to use a strategic planning approach to obtaining grants.
Citizen Input – Citizen had concerns about ADA accessibility and she has started studying areas in town strictly as a citizen and would like town to address. Several complements to the town from a council candidate. Support for the massage therapy business.
Resolution # 41-22, Adoption of 2023 Legislative Agenda, Town Manager - There was a town wide survey (kudos to the town manager for reaching out for citizen feedback) and Council voted to choose the priority selected by the citizens in the order listed below:
1- shoreline and Beach erosion control, 2 - sidewalks and accessibility, 3 - town pier, 4 - broadband, 5 - municipal center, 6 - path to Monroe‘s birthplace.
· The agenda request is basically us asking the federal government for assistance with things that we don’t currently have funds to do.
Resolution # 42-22, Parks Master Plan, Director of Parks and Recreation - After my request to add a North Park back to the agenda last month it was suggested that we address this by hiring a contractor to create a parks master plan. The cost estimate is around $30k. The company will hold several public meetings to solicit resident feedback, will give cost estimates for annual maintenance, and will provide an overall plan for our parks versus the lack of planning that we have currently. I asked if beaches would be included because I feel like they are considered parks and was told no (I believe they should be included). I voted for this because I believe the benefits outweigh the costs and this will lead to overall better management of our parks. Final vote was 7-0.
PUBLIC HEARING, Ordinance No. 734, Amendments to Town of Colonial Beach
Town Code of Ordinances, Chapters 1, 6 and 17, Town Attorney - The Planning Commission reviewed Chapter 1,6 and 17 and recommended edits for council to approve. Passed 7-0
PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance No. 733, Amends Town of Colonial Beach Zoning Ordinance, Article 20, Definitions, Town Attorney -
The Planning Commission reviewed article 20 and recommended edits for council to approve. I was not prepared to vote since we had less than 24 hours to review but after raising my concern the town attorney went line by line with council to explain the changes. Passed 7-0
PUBLIC HEARING CUP- 04-2022: 509 Colonial Avenue: Conditional Use Permit application for a Service Establishment in the General Commercial Zone (C-1), Town Attorney - This was to approve the request for a massage therapy business on colonial Avenue. The permit was approved 7–0
Closed Meeting
Discussion of performance of duties of specific public officer, appointee, or employees of the Town of Colonial Beach, including the office of the Town Clerk and possibly other departments.
The mayor also requested other legal cases be added to the closed meeting discussion and it was approved by council.
Planning Commission Meetings - Are now being recorded and added to YouTube per my request. These recordings are something I've advocated for since December 2021 and it is finally happening.
The comment at the last meeting was only 16 people watched so help me proved this is "important for transparency" by viewing the meeting and we will see how high we can get that number up :) https://youtu.be/l3AKax8LP7k
Public Works Updates
· Storm prep for IAN
· Town wide resilience stormwater plan coordinate.
· Paving the utility patching was completed and the week of November 14 the road paving will begin. The town has published a map showing the areas for paving/ patching.
· Golf-cart path and fencing are currently underway. There will be 6 pull offs, 2 per section. Milling (grinding of old pavement) will occur the weeks of Oct 24th and Oct 30th and final paving is scheduled for the week Nov 14th. Expect some closures. Lighting and Memorial Benches will come later.
· Central Drainage Area Plans had a final review by the attorney and is going to bid soon.
· I brought up citizens’ concerns about drainage/ flooding in their yards. Public works Director clarified that proper actions depend on the cause, if by neighbors then it could be a civil matter but the town would look at properties to help determine.
Please email or call with questions or comments:
dwilliams@colonialbeachva.gov
540-604-4335
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