08-05-2021 Work Session WORK SESSION OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HELD IN
THE ROBERT C. CLAUD, SR. BOARD ROOM OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY
COURTHOUSE LOCATED AT 17090 MONUMENT CIRCLE, ISLE OF WIGHT, VIRGINIA
ON THURSDAY, THE FIFTH DAY OF AUGUST IN THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND AND
TWENTY-ONE
PRESENT:
Richard L. Grice, Smithfield District, Chairman
Don G. Rosie, II, Carrsville District, Vice-Chairman
Rudolph Jefferson, Hardy District
William M. McCarty, Newport District
Joel C. Acree, Windsor District
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: •
Robert W. Jones, Jr., County Attorney
Randy R. Keaton, County Administrator
Donald T. Robertson, Assistant County Administrator
Carey Mills Storm, Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Grice called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m.
INVOCATION
Assistant County Administrator Robertson delivered the invocation and led the
Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Supervisor Jefferson moved that the agenda be approved as presented. The
motion was adopted unanimously (5-0) with Supervisors Grice, Rosie, Acree,
McCarty and Jefferson voting in favor and no Supervisors voting against the motion.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Uwe Weindel, P.E., the new Department of Utilities Engineer, was introduced by
Don Jennings, Director of Utility Services.
On the subject of County irrigation meters, Board and staff discussion revolved
around the billing of water used for irrigation. The Board was apprised that the
County currently caps sewer billing based on a cap of 15,000 gallons per month
regardless of water consumption. Staff and the Board discussed various examples
and scenarios which resulted in the issue being prompted as a work session item
based on customer inquiries regarding irrigation-only meters. The Board directed
staff to contact local Homeowner Associations regarding mandatory irrigation and
to contact the Hampton Roads Sanitation District to determine if it can credit
accounts as the County currently does (with a usage cap). Finally, staff was asked
to look into flat rates where possible to provide some relief to customers who
irrigate their lawns.
1
On the subject of the Route 10 waterline, discussion of connection fees in general
occurred. The two topics' of discussion were connection fees in general and a
commercial example showing an opportunity to extend water from the newly
constructed Route 10 water main and multiple parcels on the opposite side of
Route 10, including the Isle of Wight Industrial Park (IWIP). Alternatives for moving
forward with residential connections included raising the rate and keeping the rate
structure as-is or creating a two-part fee based on availability and tap components
of the cost. In the latter scenario, the customer would be charged based on the
construction/infrastructure costs the County has incurred to ensure water is readily
available at the customers meter and the actual cost of making the connection. The
Board directed staff to provide a pie chart showing the various components of the
County's costs to produce water for public information/record as well as to provide
information on the County's website showing the budget and including a
percentage of population served by the County.
Regarding the subject of solar/renewable energy, Josh Bateman, Principal Planner,
Community Development, presented a map of parcels and prime farmland located
within two miles of high-voltage lines and presented various options for amending
the Zoning Ordinance to further regulate utility-scale solar facilities going forward.
The Board took a break and returned to open session.
Following a COVID-19 update by Will Drewery, Emergency Services Coordinator,
County Administrator Keaton reported that forty-one percent of County employees
have been vaccinated and a requirement for masks to be worn by staff and the
public in County buildings has been implemented. He advised employers are
allowed by law to require its staff to be vaccinated.
Mr. Drewery was requested to invite Dr. Todd Wagner, Director, Western
Tidewater Health District, to a future meeting to explain the benefits of
vaccinations.
Regarding the subject of the American Rescue Plan Act, at the request of Chairman
Grice, staff is to be prepared to provide an update on the distribution of the
additional rescue funding that will be available at the State at the Board's next
meeting.
County Administrator Keaton advised that the County has received its first
allocation in June in the amount of $3,603,994 with the second block of money
anticipated in June of 2022. He stated staff has thought about using that money
for the large utility projects that will be coming up such as the Hardy Elementary
School waterline and an elevated water tank which will serve Hardy Elementary
School and the other water systems such as Thomas Park, Tormentor Creek and
Days Point. He stated that the Board has committed in the past $1 million for
broadband as a match for the VATI grant that is being applied for at this time and
the American Rescue Plan funds can be used for that match. He stated that there
2
will be approximately $1.5 million remaining of which some of that money can be
used as revenue replacement if the County needed to use it for that.
Vice-Chairman Rosie recommended adding an additional $500,000 to VATI grant.
The Board was agreeable with adding an additional $500,000.
Assistant County Administrator Robertson advised that he would be returning to
the Board at its August 19, 2021 meeting with a resolution of support. He further
advised that hot spots to go in the County have been identified and created access
points at the fire and rescue facilities and at County facilities where we have
broadband access.
Chairman Grice requested to see what the County can assist with and identify other
parts of communities that exist; a timeline be provided to ensure only those funds
are spent; and, Chris Morello, Director of Economic Development, is to develop a
list of grants and a gift certificate program and report back to the Board (not just
retailers).
•
Regarding the subject of a Board Retreat, the Board was requested to check their
respective calendars; advise staff of their availability; and identify proposed topics
for discussion.
CLOSED MEETING
County Attorney Jones requested a closed meeting pursuant to Section 2.2-
3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia, for the limited purpose of discussion regarding
the sale and lease of publicly held property namely a portion of Tax Map Parcel
21.A.-01-084 and a portion of the old Circuit Court Clerk's Office and a discussion
regarding the acquisition of property for the purpose of a road improvement
project where discussion in open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining
position and the negotiating strategy of the Board.
Upon motion of Supervisor McCarty and all voting in favor (5-0), the Board entered
the closed meeting for the reasons stated by County Attorney Jones.
Upon motion of Supervisor McCarty and all voting in favor (5-0), the Board
reconvened into open meeting.
County Attorney Jones reminded the Board that in accordance with Section 2-10(G)
of the Board's Rules & Procedure, all those who participated in the closed meeting
are reminded that all matters discussed in closed meeting are to remain confidential,
.as provided under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and that such matters as
were discussed in closed meeting should not be acted upon or discussed in public by
any participant unless and until a public, formal action of the Board of Supervisors is
taken on that particular subject matter.
Upon motion of Supervisor Acree and all voting in favor (5-0), the following
Resolution was adopted:
CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED MEETING
3
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors has convened a closed meeting on this date
pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the
Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and,
WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3712(D) of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by this
Board of Supervisors that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with
Virginia law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors hereby certifies
that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (i) only public business matters
lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed
in the closed meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such
public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed
meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Board of Supervisors.
VOTE
AYES: Acree, Grice, Jefferson, McCarty. Rosie
NAYS: 0
ABSENT DURING VOTE: 0
ABSENT DURING MEETING: 0
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:30 p.m., Chairman Grice declared the work - ion adjourned.
Richars=Chairman
eartgA,1,46Carey mm, Clerk frt
A