Councilman Williams Update 9/6/23

Councilman Williams Update 9/6/23

Infrastructure/public works committee voted down, Short Term Rentals, water/sewer tap fees, sewer upgrade funds, Sewer spill update, trash toter update, town audio/ video and town center repairs were all discussed during the work session.

Approval of Minutes - September 7, 2022; December 7, 2022; January 4, 2023; January 13, 2023; January 18, 2023. Vote 7-0

Budget Amendments

• Resolution #34-23, Amends and Appropriates FY 22-23 Budget, General Fund for Beach Survey & Nourishment - This was to fund the $67k beach replenishment council previously voted for. Vote 7-0

Resolution #35-23, Amends and Appropriates FY 23-24 Budget, Sewer Fund for SCADA upgrade purchase - This was to allocate the funds Council previously approved to pay for the system that monitors the sewer treatment plant $160k. Vote 7-0

Council Member Liaison and Commission Reports - It was mentioned that Parks and Rec needs a new member and there’s going to be a community yard sale tentative for October 7th.

Public Comment

Citizen - Thanked the town for addressing safety concerns on Jackson Street.

Citizen - Mentioned the upcoming state budget, question about commercial taps, supported the senior discount, and had some additional questions, concerns about the vagueness of short-term rental off-street parking.

Citizen - Mentioned food truck issues that are still not resolved for private property, thinks we need to get rid of the CUP process for food trucks and $81k tap fees are economic killer.

Citizen - Mentioned that we need growth and economic development, we need to be more business, friendly, and 82K for tap fees is BS.

Citizen - The short-term rental ordinance does not adequately address parking, supports a public works committee, water/ sewer, availability fees are too high.

Citizen - Concern over the huge jump in water/sewer availability fees from $25 to $5,000, this is huge! We should welcome people to CB not push them way! Still in the process of applying for food truck CUP seems like different process for different people.

Citizen - Negative experience with town regarding food trucks. CUP process on private property is way too onerous with $800 application, site plans etc. why do others like rogue food trucks for example, not have to follow the same rules. Love this town but it’s not business friendly.

Citizen – A business owner that employs several people in CB. Food truck rules should be less restrictive and supports the future court. Small businesses need more support from town and to be more consistent regarding rogue, vendors and sign rule.

Write in - Against committees, believes they are for large cities, slows down process, liaisons are good, committees could have agendas, and cause chaos.

Write in - Citizen, feedback solicited from Mr. Wood, person that does GIS analysis for town said we do not need committees, because we do not have enough data, and it would slow things down.

Write in - Supports public works committee, believe it’s time to start one to help prevent things like the sewage spill.

Write in - Agrees with the beach nourishment project, but should have an engineer study, water/sewer Tap fees too high and are hindering business $82K too much, short term rental ordinance is an example of government overreach, does not agree with committees.

Discussion, Sewer Spill FAQ Follow-Up, Acting Town Manager - Mentioned the questions that council requested to be answered (listed on town website) and discussed some of the measures that were taking place to prevent future spills. Mr. Wood gave a long spiel about how he paddles in the river, that we were lucky the marsh stopped some of the sewage, and that we would be implementing a new alert system within three hours, and was happy that citizens were engaging. I said I still do not think that enough was done and stood up there two years ago, stating something should be done after a 3.5M gal spill had occurred. I also stated how I believed an infrastructure/ public works committee could possibly have prevented such an occurrence.

Personal Property License Fee Reminder, Assistant Finance Director - We were told that the town would begin working on personal property tax assessments soon. The $30 decal fee will also be added to this year’s bill. Last year I requested a reduction in the rate due to values going up so much and eventually Council passed tax relief to offset some of the costs. I asked if bills would be going up this year due to values, and I was told Council would need to address that again this fall.

Discussion, Water & Sewer TAP Fees, Director of Public Works - After receiving many complaints about the new water/sewer, tap availability fees I requested this item be added to the agenda. there was a lengthy discussion surrounding the impacts of the $5k availability fee for Residential and the $20k availability fee for Commercial. I asked if we had any actual figures regarding how much availability inquiries actually cost the town, and they could not give an exact answer. Basically, what we were told is that availability fee was so high because the town needed the money for infrastructure. Mr. Allison suggested a discount on availability fees if a builder went through with the development. Ms. Self Sullivan suggested that it would be better for the availability fees to be lower and incorporate the difference back into the taps. Mr. Moncure and myself previously raised concerns about the impacts of fee increases on business. When council originally passed these fees, the mayor and town manager assured us that they would not hamper business but red tape seems to be getting in the way. I suggested that the process for waiving fees should be looked into and said we should not be picking winners and losers. I asked the town manager if Dodson had paid the tap fees for the boardwalk property and if there would be separate meters for each condo. The answer was we are still in the negotiating process and waiting for an MOA (agreement). I find it strange that the business/condos are over half done and we still don’t have answers. Ultimately council tabled discussions to a future meeting so that we could have additional information regarding potentially moving or adjusting fees. Fun fact, apparently nobody has paid a tap fee, since it was increased.

Discussion, Personal Toters, Diane Beyer, Director of Public Works – Toter delivery has begun and people seem confused (I personally did not vote for or support us being in the trash can business or spending $200k in COVID money on trash toters). The town staff tried to stencil the town logo on private toters and people started to get upset so they were advised to stop (legal issues). Originally people were told they could use their existing toters and now they can’t but may be able to donate. There’s a waiting list for smaller cans and now there’s more discussion about people keeping old usable toters as a backup (not sure this will be approved but Mayor and others supports that).

Discussion, Update on Town Center, Director of Public Works and, Town Clerk - Audio/ Video has been an issue during council meetings for as long as I can remember. We were told that the system was still being looked at and may just need cleaning. I stated that I asked for audio/video to be addressed back in 2021 and I’m hoping that this can be FIXED once and for all.

Discussion, Formation of Committees, Town Council Member Request - I requested that council consider, adding an infrastructure/public works committee to the town of Colonial Beach to address our failing infrastructure. With the exception of Mr. Moncure council did not support a committee and Mr. Wood was completely against and at one point seemed visibly upset while discussing it. Three citizens wrote in against the committee and even used words like “highway to Hell”, “division, and chaos”. It is highly unusual for multiple people to write opposing such a topic (one person opposing is even a member of a committee that influences our town policies). I did my best to make my case in a respectful, positive way and mentioned how people felt a committee could put a much-needed focus on our infrastructure. Mr. Wood came back with some heated comments and implied liaisons worked great and committees were bad (NOT TRUE). Local government experts previously told town council, liaisons are not common and deny other council members access to the same information. In the end, Mr. Moncure suggested we table this to the next meeting where we could vote on a resolution but that was voted down 4-2. AGAINST (Caryn, Kenny, Rick and Robin), FOR (Tom and David), Mrs. Roberson abstained (I think that’s what she did)

Your infrastructure will stay behind the curtain.

Town Code of Ordinances, Section 20-69, Exemptions of seniors and persons

permanently/totally disabled, Town Attorney - the senior discount has been discussed multiple times and will have a hearing and vote next meeting.

Short Term Rental Ordinance, Director of Community Development & Zoning

This is 1st read, Public Hearing Scheduled for September 20, 2023 - As many of you know we have been discussing short term rentals STR‘s for a few months now. This discussion was to go over the details and ask initial questions. Other than Caryn mentioning parking was addressed, I was the only member that asked questions. I raised concerns over parking, occupancy, rule enforcement, and other items. I will give a more thorough update on my short-term rental blog page. I asked how parking would be enforced and was told that owners are required to map out spaces available and complaints would be investigated. I did find out permits will be public information so people will know how many spaces, how many guests, etc. if they decide to file a complaint. *Just a reminder these are businesses located in residential neighborhoods.

Closed Meeting items

• Pursuant to VA Code § 2.2-3711 (A) (1) for discussion related to the performance of council- appointed employee(s).

• Pursuant to VA Code § 2.2-3711 (A)(19) for discussion of plans to protect public safety in.

Please email or call with questions or comments:

dwilliams@colonialbeachva.gov

540-604-4335