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OKAY, THANKS.[B. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America]
ALL RIGHT.GOOD EVENING EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE MARCH 19TH BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING, AND WE WILL START OFF WITH A PRAYER FROM REVEREND GURLEY.
I HOPE I PRONOUNCED YOUR NAME CORRECTLY.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN THIS, UH, MEETING IN PRAYER.
IF YOU DON'T MIND, I'D LIKE TO READ A SMALL EXCERPT OF SCRIPTURE.
THIS IS FROM PROVERBS ONE, TWO, TO KNOW THE WISDOM INSTRUCTION, TO PERCEIVE THE WORDS OF UNDERSTANDING, TO RECEIVE THE INSTRUCTION OF WISDOM, JUSTICE, AND JUDGMENT AND EQUITY.
TO GIVE SUBTLETY TO THE SIMPLE AND THE YOUNG.
UM, TO THE YOUNG MAN, KNOWLEDGE AND DISCRETION.
A WISE MAN WILL HEAR AND WILL INCREASE LEARNING, AND A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING SHALL ATTAIN UNTO WISE COUNSELS.
AND WITH ALL HEADS BOWED AND EYES CLOSED, DEAR LORD AND OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, WE ASK THAT YOU BLESS THESE PROCEEDINGS.
WE ASK THAT YOU GUIDE THE HEARTS AND THE MINDS OF THE BOARD AS IT TO MAKE DECISIONS TO GOVERN OVER THE WARREN COUNTY BODY.
AND WE ASK THESE THINGS IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
I CALL THIS BOARD MEETING TO ORDER AND IF EVERYONE WOULD STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, PLEASE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH STANDS, STANDS FOR NATION UNDER GOD AND THE FOR LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.
[C. Adoption of Agenda – Additions or Deletions]
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA.ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS? HEARING NONE.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED? MADAM CHAIR? SO MOVED IT THERE.
[D. Public Comment Period (60 Minute Time Limit)]
COMMENT PERIOD IS A 60 MINUTE TIMEFRAME WHERE EACH SPEAKER GETS THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING THAT'S NOT PART OF A PUBLIC HEARING.ALL COMMENTS WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND NOT TO THE AUDIENCE.
BE CONSIDERATE OF YOUR FELLOW SPEAKERS.
THERE SHOULD BE NO APPLAUSE, BOOING, OR OTHER AUDIBLE DISRUPTION TO THE PROCEEDINGS.
THROUGH A SHOW OF HANDS, THE CHAIRMAN MAY ASK FOR A SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR COMMENTS MADE BY SPEAKERS.
PLACARDS, POSTERS, AND OTHER MEANS OF VISUAL DISPLAY OF COMMENTS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED IN THE BOARDROOM.
THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE INFORMATION OR MATERIALS USED AS PART OF A FACTUAL PRESENTATION, AND THE BOARD WILL NOT TOLERATE PERSONAL ATTACKS BY ANYONE.
MR. HENDERSON, HAS ANYONE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK? UH, NO MA'AM.
WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? YES, MA'AM.
IF YOU COME UP AND SAY YOUR NAME AND THE DISTRICT YOU LIVE IN, WE'D APPRECIATE IT.
I LIVE IN THE NORTH RIVER DISTRICT.
UM, I WAS JUST COMING TO SPEAK ABOUT THE, THE FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
UM, IN OUR COUNTY, IN OUR DISTRICT.
UM, THE THREE WORDS THAT I HAVE BEEN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IS, UM, FLAT LOCAL FUNDING.
THOSE ARE THE THREE WORDS I'VE BEEN MOST CONCERNED ABOUT.
UM, WHEN DOING MY, MY RESEARCH IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS IN OUR FUNDING, I REALIZED THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE, WE'VE BASICALLY BEEN ABLE TO STAY AFLOAT THROUGH FLAT LOCAL FUNDING BECAUSE OF COVID FUNDING, UM, FROM, YOU KNOW, 20 20, 20 21 AND 2022.
THOSE SPINNING PERIODS HAVE ENDED ON THOSE COVID GRANTS.
AND THEN SECONDLY, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO STAY AFLOAT BECAUSE, UM, HISTORICALLY IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, THE STATE OF VIRGINIA HAS DECIDED TO INCREASE EDUCATION SPENDING.
UM, AND SO THE SENATE BILL LAST YEAR PASSED, WHICH INCREASED SPENDING.
SO LOCALLY WE REALLY HAVEN'T HAD TO INCREASE FUNDING.
BUT THIS YEAR, THIS UPCOMING, UM, BUDGET FOR THE 24 25 SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST YEARS WHERE WE HAVE NO LONGER HAVE ANY KIND OF COVID-19 SPENDING AVAILABLE TO US.
WE DON'T HAVE A GUARANTEE FROM THE STATE THAT THEY'LL PASS THE HIGHER BUDGETED EDUCATION FUNDS.
AND SO THAT'LL LEAVE OUR COUNTY.
I KNOW OUR COUNTY'S ALREADY ON A DEFICIT, BUT THAT'LL LEAVE OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM ON AN EVEN BIGGER DEFICIT.
AND I JUST THINK IT'S, IT'S ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS
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THAT OUR COUNTY CONTINUES TO BE A FARMING COUNTY THAT HAS TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS LEAVING TO GO TO BETTER PAYING COUNTIES.UM, OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM ALREADY HAS A LOT OF ISSUES THAT I'VE GONE TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND DISCUSSED, BUT, UM, FROM YOU GUYS, I JUST REALLY WANT TO SEE, EVEN IF IT'S JUST A A, A 1% INCREASE IN LOCAL SPENDING ON EDUCATION, IT'S STILL AN INCREASE.
UM, AND I THINK OUR KIDS AND OUR STUDENTS DESERVE THAT.
UM, I KNOW OUR COUNTY DOES HAVE A BIGGER SHARE OF HOMESCHOOLERS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLERS, UM, BUT I JUST REALLY THINK THAT 1% OR 2% INCREASE IN LOCAL FUNDING WOULD GREATLY SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS.
AND IT WOULD ALSO HELP, UM, WITH INCREASED TEACHER PAY, SO WAY WE CAN RETAIN SOME OF THE WONDERFUL PROFESSIONALS THAT WE HAVE WORKING IN OUR COUNTY.
SO, UM, THAT'S, THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO COME UP AND SAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HEARING ME TODAY.
WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? SECOND CALL, THIRD AND FINAL.
[E. Reports – Joe Waltz (Front Royal Town Manager), Board Members, County Administrator, County Attorney]
WILL MOVE ON TO REPORTS AND WE HAVE, UH, MR. WALTZ FROM THE TOWN TO GIVE US A REPORT.APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TONIGHT.
AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE TIME TO TALK TONIGHT.
UM, I'M ACTUALLY GONNA GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE AND I'M GONNA USE THIS METRIC SHEET THAT WAS HANDED OUT TO YOU.
AND WE'RE GONNA START ON THIS SIDE WITH THE PIE CHART.
AND I THINK THAT WHAT WE START OUT THE CONVERSATION TALKING FINANCE, SO IT'LL BE UP AT THE TOP PIECE HERE.
SO THE TOWN HAS A $50 MILLION BUDGET AND OF THAT 50 MILLION, 12 MILLION IS BASED ON TAXES.
AND THE OTHER 38 MILLION ARE BASED ON SERVICE FEES FOR OUR ENTERPRISE FUNDS WE RUN.
SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR GENERAL FUND, WE ARE EIGHT MONTHS INTO THE YEAR, WE SHOULD BE ABOUT 66%.
AND AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR SALES TAX, LODGING AND MEALS ARE RIGHT ON TARGET, OUR APP BUDGET, WHICH TELLS US WHICH IS A GOOD THING 'CAUSE THAT TELLS US PEOPLE ARE COMING IN OUR COMMUNITY, SPENDING THEIR MONEY VISITING OUR RESTAURANTS AND OUR HOTELS.
SO THAT'S A REALLY GOOD THING.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION, THE 38 MILLION ARE OUR FOUR ENTERPRISE FUNDS THAT WE RUN AT ZERO COST, NO PROFIT.
UM, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR ELECTRIC AND WATER ARE RUNNING RIGHT ON, ON, ON TARGET FOR REVENUE, BUT OUR SEWER AND OUR TRASH ARE RUNNING A LITTLE BEHIND.
UH, THAT'S WHY, UM, I PRESENTED A BALANCED BUDGET TO TOWN COUNCIL ON MARCH 4TH WITH TAX RATE BEING THE SAME.
BUT WE'RE LOOKING AT RAISING OUR SEWER AT TWO AND A QUARTER PERCENT IN JULY, AS WELL AS WE'RE GONNA RAISE OUR SOLID WASTE TRASH 9.5% IN JULY.
NOW, RECOGNIZING THAT THAT NINE AND A HALF PERCENT EQUATES TO ABOUT A DOLLAR AND A HALF FOR OUR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS FOR TRASH OVERALL, THE TOWN IS IN GOOD SHAPE RIGHT NOW.
ALRIGHT, MOVING FORWARD, WE'LL MOVE RIGHT DOWN TO THE BUSINESS LICENSES.
WE AVERAGE ABOUT EIGHT, WELL, WE AVERAGE ABOUT 10 TO 12 BUSINESS LICENSES A MONTH IN TOWN.
A LOT OF 'EM ARE HOME BUSINESSES, BUT THEY STILL ADD TO THE TAX BASE.
WHAT I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IS THE REESTABLISHMENT OF OUR FRONT ROW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
WE HAD OUR FIRST MEETING IN OCTOBER WITH THEIR EMPHASIS IS ON REDEVELOPMENT.
AND I THINK WHAT, WHAT WHAT I'M REALLY ENCOURAGED ABOUT IS THEIR FOCUS ON EXISTING BUSINESSES, RECOGNIZING THAT THESE EXISTING BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING US ALL ALONG.
AND SO WE NEED TO TURN THE TABLE AND ASK THEM WHAT THEY NEED TO THRIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY, WHAT THEY NEED TO DO, EXPAND.
SO I'M REALLY, I'M, I'M, I'M REALLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT US TAKING AN INVENTORY OF OUR EXISTING BUSINESS AND SEEING HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THEM.
I THINK IN THAT SAME CONVERSATION, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
WE GOTTA MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE SKILLS, OUR WORKFORCE HAS THE SKILLS TO ATTRACT THE INDUSTRIES IN THE GOOD PAYING JOBS IN THIS COMMUNITY.
AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GONNA START WITH LOOKING AT BLUE RIDGE TECHNICAL AND LAUREL RIDGE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE COVERING ALL THOSE BASES.
ALRIGHT, SO MOVING OVER TO CODE ENFORCEMENT AND, UH, ZONING PERMITS.
I WANTED TO TALK THAT LAST YEAR THE TOWN APPROVED THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH IS A GREAT PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.
SO THE NEXT STEP IS THE REVIEW AND THE REWRITE OF THE ZONING AND SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE.
I'M, I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT TOWN COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION HAD A JOINT MEETING LAST NIGHT TO START THAT, TO KICK THAT OFF.
I BELIEVE THAT THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS A GOOD PLAN AND THE NEXT STEP IS ACTION.
AND THAT IS TO REWRITE REVIEW AND REWRITE THE ZONING AND SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE.
WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL HAVE A DRAFT OF THAT BY MIDSUMMER GOING DOWN TO THE VISITOR CENTER AND THE TROLLEY.
UH, AS YOU KNOW, UH, MARCH WE REOPENED THE VISITOR CENTER SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, AND FROM MARCH TO DECEMBER, WE SAW OVER 20,000 VISITORS.
THESE ARE VISITORS THAT WE ACTUALLY INTERACTED WITH, GAVE RECOMMENDATIONS, SUGGESTIONS FROM VISITING.
I'M ALSO EXCITED ABOUT US REINTRODUCING THE RETAIL SIDE OF THE VISITOR CENTER.
NOT TO MAKE ANY MONEY, BUT THAT THOSE 20,000 VISITORS THAT COME THROUGH THAT VISITOR CENTER, IF THEY CAN TAKE SOMETHING BACK WITH THEM THAT SAYS FRONT ROYAL, THAT COULD BRING MORE PEOPLE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
[00:10:01]
TROLLEY.I, I ALWAYS HEAR THAT NOBODY'S RIDING THE TROLLEY, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, WE GET OVER A THOUSAND RIDERSHIP A MONTH.
WE, UM, WE STOPPED CHARGING DURING THE PANDEMIC AND WE HAVEN'T STOPPED.
WE'RE, WE'RE STILL FREE OF SERVICE.
THIS IS A GREAT SERVICE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY DEPEND ON THIS.
WE HAVE TWO ROUTES IN TOWN, AND I THINK AS WE GROW AS A COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO LOOK AT MORE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
THE LAST THING I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT, UM, IS OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
THAT, UH, THOSE, THOSE METRICS ARE JUST FOR FEBRUARY.
UM, OBVIOUSLY THIS NATION AND THIS COMMUNITY IS IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
MY HAT IS OFF TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
THEY ARE IN IT DAY IN, OUT DAY, DAY IN AND DAY OUT.
THEY ARE THE FRONT LINES AND MY HAT'S OFF TO 'EM.
SO IF YOU FLIP OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE, THOSE WERE PRETTY MUCH GENERAL FUND IDEAS.
THE OTHER SIDE IS OUR ENTERPRISE FUND.
OUR BIGGEST ONE IS OUR ELECTRIC, ABOUT 18 MILLION.
THERE'S TWO THINGS I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THIS.
UH, FIRST IS OUR REDUNDANT WATERLINE OUT TO THE CORRIDOR.
THIS IS AN $18 MILLION PROJECT.
UH, WE ARE ABOUT 50% COMPLETE.
THIS WILL ADD REDUNDANCY AND RELIABILITY OUT TO THE CORRIDOR.
WE'RE HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE FINISHED WITH THAT BY JUNE OR JULY.
THE OTHER THING IS OUR SEWER SYSTEM.
UH, WE ARE CONTINUALLY PUTTING INVESTMENTS BACK INTO OUR SEWER SYSTEM.
WE JUST INITIATED A CONTRACT FOR TWO AND A HALF MILLION TO CONTINUE TO REPLACE PIPES.
WE CONTINUE TO DO SEWER LINING AND MANHOLE REHAB.
BUT TO FACE THE, THE FACT IS WE HAVE 110 YEAR OLD SYSTEM AND IT NEEDS MAINTENANCE.
AND I COMMEND COUNSEL FOR DEDICATING THOSE FUNDS BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT WILL PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND BE COST SAVINGS FOR FUTURE RATE REPAIRS.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I HOPE TO COME BACK IN THE NEXT QUARTER WITH SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
AS A COUNTY RESIDENT, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND I'LL, I'LL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. WAL? THANK YOU.
I ABSOLUTELY NOT, NOT REALLY A QUESTION, BUT JUST, UM, TO RAISE SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS GOING TO BE AN ONGOING DISCUSSION.
UH, I, I HEARD FROM A CONSTITUENT, UM, UH, WHO'S A, A RESIDENT OF THE TOWN AND THE COUNTY, UM, ABOUT CRIME CONSIDERATIONS AND JUST HEARING FROM HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND HIS CANVASSING HIS NEIGHBORS CRIME GOING UP, UH, IN GENERAL, PEOPLE'S CARS BEING BROKEN INTO, UM, FEELING LESS STRAIGHT, LESS SAFE ON THE STREETS AND SO FORTH.
UM, HE, I, HE MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE REACHED OUT TO OTHER SUPERVISORS, BUT I, HE, HE SAID THAT HE'S GOING TO TRY TO START SOME DISCUSSIONS BOTH WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY AND WITH THE TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
UM, SO, UM, THE SECOND REASON THAT THIS WAS IN MY MIND RECENTLY IS AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING LAST WEEK, UM, THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT MAYBE SH MARY SHADY LANE, WHICH IS BOTH IN THE COUNTY AND IN THE TOWN.
AND, UH, A RESIDENT THERE WHO HAD A SHORT-TERM RENTAL IN FRONT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, UM, WAS LAMENTING THE INCREASE OF CRIME BACK THERE.
AND, UH, UH, THERE SEEMED TO BE A LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN THE TOWN AND THE COUNTY OR, UH, UH, REF OR POINTING THE FINGER TO THE OTHER DEPARTMENT AND MAYBE, UM, LACK OF CLARITY ON WHICH JURISDICTION IT WAS.
UM, SO I'M JUST SEEING OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE OUR POLICING ACROSS THE BOARD IN THE TOWN AND IN THE COUNTY.
AND I KNOW, UM, I KNOW THAT, UH, OUR NEW SHERIFF IS OPEN TO THAT AND I, AND I'M HOPING THE TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS OPEN TO THAT.
UH, BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE, UM, IN, IN GENERAL, YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, UM, I, I THINK THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE CAUSING INCREASING CRIME NATIONWIDE.
AND THAT AS A SMALL COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THAT.
SO THAT'S JUST SOMETHING I WANTED TO POINT OUT.
UH, NO SPECIFIC ACTION AT THIS TIME OTHER THAN TO, UH, SAY IT'S A CONVERSATION I THINK WE SHOULD, UH, BE THINKING ABOUT.
AND I, I DO HOPE THAT THERE'S COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE TOWN OF COUNTY 'CAUSE WE'RE, WE'RE POLICING THE SAME AREA BASICALLY.
SO, UM, I DO KNOW THAT THE TOWN OF TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL DID ISSUE AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT I COULD SEND TO THE BOARD AS WELL TO KIND OF GIVE YOU AN UPDATE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE, IN THE CORPORATE LIMITS LAST YEAR.
BUT I'LL DEFINITELY FOLLOW UP WITH THE CHIEF ON THAT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? THANK YOU.
ALRIGHT, MOVING ON TO BOARD MEMBER REPORTS.
I THINK I JUST GAVE ONE OF THESE A WEEK AGO, SO I DON'T HAVE A LOT TO REPORT ON.
UM, OTHER THAN, UH, THE, UM, THE, UH, DISASTER RECOVERY EXERCISE THAT I WENT TO LAST WEEK ON WEDNESDAY.
UM, IT WAS, UH, I THINK LAST TIME I SPOKE OF IT AS A FUTURE THING.
IT, IT'S NOW IN THE PAST AND IT WAS, UM, IT WAS, UH, BETTER THAN I EXPECTED.
AND, UH, I THINK THAT THE DEPARTMENTS OF OURS WHO WERE THERE, THERE WERE PEOPLE THERE FROM, UH, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE REALLY, UM, HAPPY TO SEE THE SUPERVISORS ENGAGED ON THAT.
UM, AND IT GAVE US A LOT OF THINGS AS A COUNTY THAT WE SHOULD LOOK, UH,
[00:15:01]
TOWARDS, UH, PLANNING FOR IN THE FUTURE.THE, UH, JUST BEEN WORKING CLOSELY ON THE, UH, ON, ON THE BUDGET AND, UH, TAKING A LOOK AT, UH, UH, WHERE WE CAN, UH, UH, WHERE WE CAN AFFORD SOME CHANGES AND STUFF AND, AND, UH, BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME ON THAT, SO THANK YOU.
UH, ALSO WENT TO THE EMERGENCY, UH, WHAT WAS THAT? EMERGENCY PLANNING OR RECOVERY, FEMA.
THAT WAS ALSO VERY ENLIGHTENING.
UH, I REALLY HAD NO IDEA THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE PREPARING AND READY TO HANDLE EMERGENCIES IN, IN THE STATE, IN THE AREA.
SO I ALSO, UH, WAS REALLY IMPRESSED WITH, WITH, UM, BRIAN AND, UM, CHERYL OR CRYSTAL'S INTERACTION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT, THAT THIS WAS ALL FAIRLY FAMILIAR TO THEM AND THEY WERE, THAT WERE BASICALLY READY, UH, FROM MY POINT OF VIEW.
UH, IT, IT SHOWED ME THAT THERE WAS A LOT TO LEARN AND IT MADE ME, UM, AWARE OF TRAINING, UH, THAT'S AVAILABLE TO US AT NO COST.
SO I PLAN TO, UH, GET MYSELF INTO SOME OF THAT TRAINING.
OTHER THAN THAT, UM, THAT'S IT.
MRS. COOK? UH, YES, I, I WANNA PIGGYBACK, UH, MR. BUTLER'S COMMENT ABOUT THE, UM, THE BUDGET.
UM, UM, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT WE WE'RE CONTINUING, YOU KNOW, UM, TO MAKE OUR HARD DECISIONS, YOU KNOW, UH, HOW TO REDUCE THE BUDGET REQUESTS AND, AND SETTING TAX RATES FOR OUR CITIZENS.
IT'S, IT'S A, IT'S A HARD, HARD DECISIONS AND I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT I, MY THOUGHT PROCESS WHEN I LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS AND, UM, AND IN OUR DISCUSSIONS, YOU KNOW, AND SO I'M, I LOOK AT WHAT IS MISSION CRITICAL WHEN I LOOK AT OUR BUDGETS, WHAT NEEDS THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THINGS DO WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT'S, YOU KNOW, SHOWSTOPPERS, IF YOU WILL, WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
SO THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME.
AND I ALSO WANNA, YOU KNOW, I LOOK AT THE EXP EXPENSE, YOU KNOW, THE, THE BUDGET FOR THE THINGS THAT ARE, THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR OUR CITIZENS, YOU KNOW, OF TO CONTINUE PROVIDING VERY IMPORTANT SERVICES, YOU KNOW, SO I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH THE COMMUNITY, AT LEAST WITH MY THOUGHT PROCESS, WHEN I LOOK AT ALL THE NUMBERS AND ASK MY QUESTIONS, THAT'S KIND OF, YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M GOING.
UM, I ALSO, THIS MORNING I VISIT THE SENIOR CENTER AND, UM, I WANNA THANK THE, UH, SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
THEY WERE THERE, UM, THE SHERIFF AND, UM, ONE OF, I THINK IT WAS A MAJOR THAT WAS THERE TO TALK TO THE SENIORS ABOUT SCAMS AND, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO I WANNA, UH, THANK, THANK THEM FOR COMING OUT AND THANK 'EM FOR THE DONUTS, UM, THAT THEY BROUGHT.
UM, AND THE SENIORS WERE VERY, VERY HAPPY.
UM, I ALSO WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THE SENIOR CENTER.
I WAS READING THE, UH, THE ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT THAT THE SENIOR CENTER SHOULD BE HOPEFULLY COMPLETED BY MAY, AND SO THAT WE CAN, UH, THE SE SENIORS CAN MOVE IN.
UM, RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, THE, WE'RE JUST WAITING ON THE HOOD, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, WHEN WE'RE IN OUR BUDGET, UM, EXCUSE ME, IN OUR BUILDING MEETING.
SO, UH, ONCE THE, THE HOOD IS, YOU KNOW, COMPLETED AND INSTALLED, UH, THE SENIORS WILL BE READY TO COME IN.
I JUST WANTED TO, YOU KNOW, GO ON TO SAY THAT THE SENIORS ARE ANXIOUSLY WAITING TO, TO MOVE IN.
AND, UM, I SHOWED THEM SOME PICTURES TODAY AND KIND OF GAVE THEM AN UPDATE.
YOU KNOW, I ALSO WENT BY THE CENTER, I THINK IT WAS ON MONDAY, TO LOOK AT THE PATIO, WHICH WAS, I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO SEE A BIG OLD, UM, STONE WALL THAT SAYS WARREN COUNTY SENIOR CENTER ON IT, YOU KNOW, SO THAT WAS, UH, I WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT BECAUSE I THINK OUR, OUR SENIORS REALLY DESERVE WHAT WE'RE JOINED FOR THEM AS WELL.
UM, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK EVERYONE, I JUST WANNA SHARE SOME OF THE, THE, UM, CHALLENGES THAT WHAT OUR SENIORS HAVE AT THE CURRENT LOCATION.
YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY'RE AT THEIR, THEY'RE AT THEIR CAPACITY, YOU KNOW, AND THEY'RE TURNING SENIORS AWAY.
UM, AND BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ROOM FOR THEM.
AND THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE ECONOMIES.
YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WHEN THE SENIORS COME TO THE SENIOR CENTER, THE NUMBER ONE, THEY GET A GOOD MEAL THAT THEY MAY NOT GET.
UM, AND THEY SOCIALIZE AND IT, IT'S, UM, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT, UH, THE BOARD OR IN THEIR COMMUNITY RECOGNIZES HOW IMPORTANT OUR SENIORS ARE.
SO, UM, BUT, AND THAT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO REPORT.
UM, I ALSO ATTENDED THE FEMA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TRAINING, UM, AND IT WAS VERY WELL RUN.
[00:20:01]
I DO APPRECIATE BRIAN FOLEY.UM, HE IS, UM, ON TOP OF HIS GAME WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING, UM, THE DOCUMENTATIONS, BUT WE STILL ALL REALIZE THERE'S A LOT MORE THAT WE, WE LEARNED THAT DAY, UM, ABOUT WHERE OUR WEAKNESSES AND SO FORTH ARE.
AND I'VE ASKED HIM IF, UM, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE LIKE A MINI SESSION OF WHAT WE WENT THROUGH WITH MAYBE OUR SURROUNDING COUNTIES SO THAT IF WE ALL, LET'S SAY A TORNADO COMES THROUGH HERE, WE'RE ALL GONNA BE STRUGGLING WITH THE SAME THING SO THAT WE COULD SHARE RESOURCES.
UM, SO THAT'S, UH, SOMETHING FOR THE FUTURE.
UM, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REMIND FOLKS WE'RE SPRING IS SPRING HERE.
I THINK TODAY'S FIRST DAY OF SPRING, I HEARD ON THE RADIO, UM, DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT TOO MUCH TODAY, BUT TREES ARE BLOOMING, THE, THE DAFFODILS AND THINGS ARE UP, AND WE HAVE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY.
UM, AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE TO PLEASE TRY WHEN YOU'RE TAKING YOUR TRASH FROM, UM, YOUR HOME TO THE TRANSFER STATION TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE IT SECURED.
THE TRANSFER STATION ACTUALLY HANDS OUT, UM, NETTING TO COVER YOUR LOADS.
THEY'RE FREE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM.
BUT WHEN YOUR TRASH FALLS OFF YOUR VEHICLE, EVEN IF IT'S IN ONE OF THOSE NICE BIG BLACK TRASH BAGS, IT HITS THE GROUND.
IT'S, YOU'RE LUCKY IF IT DOESN'T BURST.
BUT IF IT DOESN'T, THEN THE ANIMALS GET IN IT DURING THE NIGHT AND THEY SCATTER.
AND THERE'S OUR BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY SPREAD WITH TRASH.
SO IF YOU WOULD REALLY TRY TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THAT.
UM, SO WE DON'T HAVE SUCH AN UNSIGHTLY MESS ALONG THE ROADS.
AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO ADDRESS THE UNFORTUNATE MISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT THE BING CROSBY STADIUM.
UM, AND WE'RE NOT TRYING TO KEEP THE BASEBALL TEAMS, UH, AT EACH SCHOOL FROM USING BEAN CROSBY.
WE'RE TRYING TO LIMIT VANDALISM AND UNAUTHORIZED USE OF THE FIELDS, WHICH IS CAUSING A HUGE EXPENSE TO THE TAXPAYERS IN EFFORTS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARKS AND REC.
AND THE USERS, THE COACHES FROM WARREN SKYLINE, KRISTEN DUMB, AND THE CARDINALS MET ON MONDAY TO DISCUSS THE USE OF THE STADIUM.
THE VARSITY COACHES WILL BE ASSIGNED A KEY AT THE START OF THE BASEBALL SEASON AND RETURN THE KEY AT THE END OF THE SEASON.
THE COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOCKING THE STADIUM AND KEEPING IT CLEAN AND SECURE.
WE APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP FROM PLAYERS AND COACHES AND MAINTAINING THE FIELDS IN THE FACILITIES.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT BOTH HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE PRACTICE FIELDS AND THAT THE STADIUM IS PRIMARILY FOR ACTUAL GAMES WITH LIMITED USE FOR PRACTICE, UM, EACH SEASON.
SO PLAYERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE FIELD.
CONTINUAL PRACTICE WILL, THE GRASS WON'T, WON'T MAIN, YOU KNOW, BE MAINTAINED AT THE LEVEL IT IS.
AND THEN YOUR FIELD IS NOT AS GOOD TO PLAY ON THE JV TEAMS, UM, UTILIZED CHAMPS 53, THAT FIELD FOR THEIR GAMES AND THEIR GAMES IN ORDER TO NOT OVERUSE THE BING CROSBY FIELD.
I PERSONALLY LOVE SEEING THE SCHOOL TEAMS AT THE BING CROSBY.
I'M FROM THE DAY WHEN FOOTBALL GAMES WERE ACTUALLY PLAYED THERE, AS WELL AS BASEBALL GAMES.
WE DIDN'T HAVE THE FACILITIES AT THE HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WE DO NOW.
WE HAD PRACTICE FIELD AND THAT WAS IT.
AND IT WASN'T MUCH OF A PRACTICE FIELD, ACTUALLY, AND I WISH GIRLS COULD HAVE THEIR SOFTBALL GAMES THERE TOO.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS IS, YOU KNOW, IN THESE GIRLS A, A FIELD THAT THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PLAY AND PRACTICE WELL ON.
THIS IS ONLY AN ATTEMPT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TO CURB VANDALISMS NOT TO STOP OR HINDER THE YOUNG ATHLETES OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THIS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SCHOOLS, PARKS, AND RAIL WILL AID IN THE MAINTENANCE AND USAGE OF OUR FACILITIES.
SO I HOPE THAT KIND OF CLEARS THAT UP.
UM, AS FAR AS THAT, THE ONLY OTHER THING I WANNA SAY IS THAT THIS IS NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL WEEK AND VIRGINIA STILL AN AGRICULTURAL STATE.
AND WARREN COUNTY STILL HAS QUITE A BIT OF LAND THAT'S IN AGRICULTURAL USE AND I HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY.
UM, WHICH GOES WELL WITH MARCH BEING NATIONAL NUTRITION.
IT'S NATIONAL IRISH AMERICAN MONTH AND MARCH IS MARCH ALL OVER CANCER AND CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
AFTER, UH, MR. WALTZ'S CHARTS AND THE PERCENTAGES AND ALL THAT, WE REMIND YOU WE ARE RUNNING AT 60% RIGHT NOW.
UH, THREE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE SENT THEIR, UH, PRIORITY CHIPS BACK TO JANE, AND TWO OF YOU STILL HAVE THEM OUT THERE.
IF YOU COULD GET THEM IN, THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
UM, THURSDAY WE WILL MEET AT FIVE O'CLOCK AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING FOR OUR BUDGET WORK SESSION, AND THEN NEXT TUESDAY AT FIVE O'CLOCK, WE WILL
[00:25:01]
CONTINUE THE BUDGET WORK SESSIONS.THERE WILL BE NO MEETING NEXT THURSDAY ON MONDAY, THURSDAY AS PART OF THE EASTER WEEKEND.
I HAVE NO REPORT AND I WILL APOLOGIZE.
I'M ONE OF THOSE TWO THAT DIDN'T GET THAT BACK, BUT IN MY DEFENSE, I HAD MY GRANDCHILDREN THIS WEEKEND AND I MADE THEM MY PRIORITY, SO I WILL WORK ON IT AND GET IT TO YOU.
[F. Appropriations and Transfers]
WE ARE AT APPROPRIATIONS AND TRANSFERS.IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS OR APPROPRIATIONS AND TRANSFERS? IF NOT, IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT AS PRESENTED? SECOND.
[G. Approval of Accounts]
APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTS OR IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS ON THOSE? I WILL SAY I LEARNED SOMETHING THAT I'M GONNA GET WITH MRS. SCOTT ABOUT, UM, BEING ABLE TO SEE THE RECEIPTS.I HAVEN'T DONE THAT BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN QUITE BUSY THIS WEEK WITH, UM, WITH ALL THE OTHER BUDGET THINGS.
BUT I DO PLAN TO DO THAT BECAUSE I NOW KNOW THAT THERE'S A SHAREPOINT THAT I DID NOT, WAS NOT AWARE OF BEFORE.
SO THAT WILL BE VERY HELPFUL FOR ME IN MY DECISIONS OF VOTING ON THE ACCOUNTS.
SO IF THERE'S, UM, NO DISCUSSION, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED? OH, IF I MAY.
I I DO WANNA THANK ALL THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, UM, UH, RESPONDING TO MY EMAIL ON REGARDS TO THE PERCENT COMPLETES AND THE REASONS WHY THEY'RE ABOVE MY, MY THRESHOLD OF 10% PLUS OR MINUS 10%.
AND I APPRECIATE EVERYONE WORKING TOWARDS THAT AND, UM, GIVEN AND SHARING WITH THE BOARD, UH, THEIR, THEIR, WHAT I'M CALLING A, A, A COST VARIANCE REPORT.
SO I JUST WANNA THANK EVERYONE FOR THAT.
DO I HAVE A MOTION? MADAM CHAIR? SO MOVED.
CONSENT AGENDA, ARE THERE ANY ITEMS TO PULL FOR, UM, APPROVAL OF,
[H. Approval of Minutes: 2/20/2024 ]
UH, MINUTES? SORRY, JUST ABOUT SKIPPED OVER THOSE.IS THERE ANY CORRECTIONS ON THE ADDITIONS? DELETIONS ON THE MINUTES FROM 2 20 24? HEARING NONE.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED? SO MOVED.
[I. Consent Agenda]
THE CONSENT AGENDA.ARE THERE ANY ITEMS TO POOL FOR DISCUSSION? YES.
I'D LIKE TO REMOVE ITEMS SEVEN AND EIGHT OFF THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION SEVEN AND EIGHT.
IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NUMBER SEVEN AND NUMBER EIGHT? MADAM CHAIR IS SO MOVED.
[I.7. Social Services Advisory Board - Board of Supervisor Representative - Jon Martz, Director of Social Services]
FOR ITEM SEVEN, UH, IT'S, LOOK, UH, IF I'M READING THE COVER SHEET CORRECTLY, THAT, UM, WE, YOU'RE LOOKING AT TO FUNDING A BOARD OF SUPERVISOR TO BE ON THIS, UH, SOCIAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD? YES.I SENT AN EMAIL OUT ASKING WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THAT POSITION AND SO FAR I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE.
SO I WAS GONNA SAY THAT I WOULD TAKE THAT COMMITTEE IF NO ONE ELSE WANTED IT.
AND IF THERE'S A MOTION TO ADD ME TO THAT COMMITTEE.
OKAY, THEN I WILL REPRESENT THE BOARD ON THAT COMMITTEE.
[I.8. Warren County Airport Commission Representative Appointments - Mike Berry, Public Works Director]
THIS IS THE WARREN COUNTY AIRPORT COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE, REPRESENTATIVE APPOINTMENTS.AND WE DON'T HAVE A NAME HERE.
UM, I KNOW THAT WE HAD INTERVIEWED A COUPLE CANDIDATES, SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON A CANDIDATE
[00:30:01]
TODAY OR ARE WE STILL THINKING ABOUT IT? UM, 'CAUSE THERE IS NO NAME ON THE COVER SHEET.IS THERE A NOMINATION FROM THE TWO INTERVIEWS FOR THIS POSITION? MADAM CHAIR, I NOMINATE, NOMINATE, UH, MS. JULIE AND I, I CAN'T PRONOUNCE HER LAST NAME.
I, I WOULD HAVE MS. JULIE AND JAR.
UM, IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND ROLL CALL.
MR. HENDERSON, BEFORE WE DO ROLL CALL, I DO WANT TO MAKE A A STATEMENT ON THIS.
UM, YOU KNOW, AS YOU READ THE COVER SHEET THAT THE AIRPORT COMMISSION IS AN ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE, UM, WARREN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
THEY ADVISE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNTY STAFF, USER GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS USING AIRPORT FACILITIES FOR MAINTENANCE AND PLANNING AND EVERYTHING, OPERATIONS OF THE AIRPORT.
AND I KNOW THAT, UM, THE, THE CANDIDATE THAT'S JUST BEEN NOMINATED IS A, A BUSINESS OWNER, AN AVIATION FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS OWNER, A BUSINESS OWNER AT THE AIRPORT.
AND I JUST WANT TO, UM, STATE THAT, UM, I, UM, I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE NOMINATING A, UM, AN OP AN OWNER AND AN OP AN OWNER OF A BUSINESS AT THE, UH, AIRPORT FACILITY.
THAT TO ME WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, A PERCEPTION OF, YOU KNOW, A CONFLICT OF, IN INTEREST OF DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE BY THE COMMISSION.
BECAUSE AS I JUST READ, THE COMMISSION IS REALLY, REALLY INVOLVED WITH A LOT OF COUNTY DECISIONS OF GOING FORWARD.
UM, I I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, UM, THERE'S, THERE'S TIMES WHERE THE COMMISSION ACTUALLY HAS INPUT TO DIFFERENT PROPOSALS, RFPS, WE DID THAT, UM, A A LOT A COUPLE YEARS AGO, AND THE COMMISSION COMES IN AND THEY, THEY READ THE RFPS, THEY HELP PREPARE A STATEMENT OF WORKS.
THEY EVEN SAT IN THE, THE SELECTION COMMITTEES WITH THE INTERVIEW OF THESE, UM, OF THE CANDIDATES.
UM, THEY, YOU KNOW, THEY ALSO MAKE DECISIONS TO US ON WHAT BUSINESSES, UH, COULD OPERATE OUT OF THE AIRPORT, YOU KNOW, SO I DON'T KNOW, WOULD THAT, YOU KNOW, RESTRICT COMPETITION? I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW.
THAT'S WHY I'M SAYING IT'S A PERCEPTION OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST THERE.
SO, UM, I KNOW DISCUSSIONS THAT WE CAN SAY, WELL, THIS, UH, THIS PERSON WILL RECUSE THEMSELF FOR THESE DECISIONS, RIGHT? AND, AND, AND, AND I, YOU KNOW, I RESPECT THAT.
I DO, BUT AS A COMMISSION MEMBER, WHAT MAKE, YOU KNOW, WHAT WOULD BE THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS PERSON STILL BEING PRIVY TO INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS AT THE COMMISSION AND THEIR DISCUSSIONS WITH, UM, WITH THE COUNTY? SO, UM, SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, YOU KNOW, I, I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT ON THE RECORD BEFORE WE WE MOVE ON, ON A VOTE.
MADAM CHAIR, IF I COULD COMMENT ON THAT.
UH, I TOOK ALL OF THOSE INTO ACCOUNT.
I THINK HAVING A BUSINESS OWNER ON THE COMMISSION IS A, UH, IS A PLUS.
AND, AND THE, UH, BECAUSE THAT GIVES THE COMMISSION A LITTLE BIT MORE, UH, YOU KNOW, ROBUSTNESS, ROBUSTNESS AND IN DEPTH.
AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT SHE WILL BE OF, UH, YOU KNOW, UH, THAT SHE, THAT SHE WILL RECUSE HERSELF FROM ANYTHING THAT, THAT WOULD BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
UM, SO THE, UH, SO THAT'S, THAT'S WHERE I STAND ON THAT.
IF I MAY JUST ADD TO THAT, UM, AS, AS YOU KNOW, WE, WE DID DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH HER DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.
UM, SHE AND I DID HAVE A FOLLOW UP CONVERSATION WHERE I PRESSED A LITTLE HARDER ON THAT.
UM, UH, NOT ONLY ON RECUSAL, UH, IN CASE OF, UH, CONFLICT OF INTEREST, UH, BUT ALSO ON, ON HER TAKING THE INITIATIVE TO DO THE RE THE RECUSAL AND NOT BEING ASKED TO.
UM, AND, UH, SHE MADE ME SOME ASSURANCES TO MY SATISFACTION AROUND THAT.
UM, I ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE NEED TO RECUSE HERSELF IN ANY SORT OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SITUATION, WHICH COULD HAVE UNDUE BENEFIT TO HER COMPANY.
UM, I DO AGREE THAT THE, THE, UM, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE ONE OF THE AIRPORT, UH, COMMUNITY WHO'S A BUSINESS OWNER THERE, UM, SORT OF AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR BUSINESSES AS A WHOLE, UH, AND FOR THAT PORTION OF THE AIRPORT COMMUNITY.
I ALSO FEEL WITH HER PRESENCE BEING NEARLY DAILY, UH, FOR THREE SEASONS OF THE YEAR, UM, IT'S A CERTAIN, UH, AWARENESS OF WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE AIRPORT THAT JUST WOULDN'T BE
[00:35:01]
THERE WITH, UM, THE OTHER CANDIDATE.UH, AND EVEN IN THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, THERE WAS A, AN EXAMPLE THAT CAME UP, UM, REGARDING THE AS OS BROADCAST AND WHETHER OR NOT THE IRREGULAR PATTERN WAS INCLUDED IN THAT, AND THE FACT THAT SHE WAS UP TO DATE ON THE LATEST STATUS OF THAT, AND THE OTHER CANDIDATE, UH, HAD OUTDATED INFORMATION, IT JUST, UH, REASSURED ME OF THE VALUE OF HER PROXIMITY TO THE AIRPORT, BOTH, UH, PHYSICALLY IN TERMS OF DISTANCE AND IN TERMS OF DAILY INTERACTIONS.
THERE, UM, WAS SOMETHING THAT, UH, WAS OVERALL NET PLUS.
UM, AND IDEALLY, IF I HAD MY DRUTHERS, WE COULD HAVE BOTH BECAUSE THEY HAD COMPLIMENTARY SKILL SETS, UM, AND THEY BOTH BROUGHT A LOT TO THE TABLE, UH, THAT THAT'S NOT REALLY POSSIBLE AT THIS JUNCTURE.
UM, SO, UH, BUT AFTER GIVING A LOT OF THOUGHT, UM, AND REALIZING THAT I MAY BE, UM, IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS CONVERSATION, I, I, I DID, UH, DECIDE TO COME DOWN AND, UH, I WILL BE VOTING TONIGHT FOR MS. UH, VAN FEL.
I, UM, I THINK WE RE WE RECEIVED TWO, UH, OUTSTANDING APPLICANTS AND, UH, THEY'RE, UH, BOTH HAVE A LOT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE AIRPORT.
UH, THEY'RE VERY DIFFERENT THOUGH.
I, I SHARE
UM, I HAVE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT VIEW THOUGH IN TERMS OF THE COMMISSION.
I DON'T REALLY HAVE TOO MUCH OF A CONCERN ABOUT A DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONAL ASPECT OF IT.
UM, I DO, I DO SEE IN MR. CHRISTEN CHRISTENSEN, EXCUSE ME, UM, AT VERY DEEP, DEEP EXPERIENCE WITH, UH, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANT TYPE APPLICATIONS.
I, I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY THERE.
UH, IMPROVING AN AIRPORT IS VERY EXPENSIVE.
AND, UH, WE'VE ESTABLISHED, I THINK THIS BEING AN ENTERPRISE ACCOUNT, THAT THE COUNTY'S NOT GONNA BE FOOTING THE TAB FOR THAT.
UM, SO SOMEBODY WHO HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH THAT PROCESS, UM, YOU KNOW, AND I'M, I'M MAKING AN ASSUMPTION THAT HE, BY SAYING HE HAS EXPERIENCE WITH THAT, HE HAS THE INTENTION OF, OF APPLYING HIS, HIS KNOWLEDGE AND HIS SKILL IN THAT AREA FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE AIRPORT AND, AND OBTAINING AS MANY, UH, GRANT, YOU KNOW, FEDERAL, FEDERAL MONIES AS POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT THAT.
UM, SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE I COME DOWN ON IT IN FAVOR OF, OF THE, THE DEPTH OF, OF HIS EXPERIENCE, THIS SEASONED, UH, KNOWLEDGE HE HAS ABOUT DEALING WITH THE FAA AND SO ON.
UM, AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, HAVING SAID, I THINK THEY'RE BOTH OUTSTANDING APPLICANTS.
I WANTED TO, I GUESS IT'S CALLED TIPPING MY HAND, BUT THAT'S, THAT'S THE DIRECTION I'M, I'M LEANING, UM, FOR THIS.
SO, AND IF, AND IF I MIGHT ADD, YOU KNOW, WITH, UM, THAT HE ALSO HAS OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN AVIATION, AND HE'S BEEN PART OF THE FRONT ROW WARREN COUNTY AIRPORT COMMUNITY FOR OVER 15 YEARS AS WELL.
SO HE, HE KNOWS THE OPERATIONS AND THE PEOPLE AND, AND THAT AS WELL.
SO I JUST WANTED TO ADD, ADD THAT TO HIS RESUME.
BOTH OF THEM WERE VERY STRONG, VERY CAPABLE APPLICANTS.
UM, I LOOK AT WHAT I HAVE SEEN FROM, AND I CAN'T SAY HER LAST NAME, I'M GONNA GO WITH JULIE.
I DON'T THINK SHE'LL MIND THAT.
UM, I DO BELIEVE THE GENTLEMAN HAS, UM, AN OUTSTANDING RESUME, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
BUT I LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, WHAT I FEEL THAT SHE HAS ALREADY BROUGHT, AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE THERE'S A CONFLICT ANY MORE OF A CONFLICT THAN I, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE CHOSE SILENT FALCON TO BE THE FBO, SOMEONE WHO HAD A BUSINESS THERE, WHO, AND WE ACTUALLY PAID HIM, SHE'S NOT GONNA BE A PAID EMPLOYEE.
WHERE IT BEHOOVES HER TO IMPROVE THE AIRPORT BY IMPROVING THE AIRPORT.
SHE BY PROXY, IMPROVES HER BUSINESS.
HER EDUC HIGHER EDUCATION IS IN MARKETING.
UM, SHE'S BEEN WORKING IN PRODUCTION.
SHE WAS WARREN COUNTY RESIDENT.
SHE WAS RAISED HERE, WENT SCHOOL HERE, LEFT TO GET THAT HIGHER EDUCATION, UM, AND CAME BACK.
SO SHE'S INVESTED IN THE COMMUNITY.
SHE'S, UM, SHE'S HERE FOR THE LONG RUN.
AND I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED WITH THE, UM, PRESENTATION SHE GAVE ON THE COURTESY CARD.
AND I, I THINK, YOU KNOW, SHE HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMISSION
[00:40:01]
AT THIS POINT, WORKING, UH, WITH MR. BIRD.AND, UM, I, I THINK THE DYNAMICS THERE IS, IS, UM, PRODUCTIVE TO, AND THE IDEAS THAT SHE HAS TO BRING IN TOURISM AND EVENTS AND THINGS THERE, I, I JUST THINK THAT'S, YOU KNOW, A HUGE POSITIVE IN MOVING THAT AIRPORT, YOU KNOW, FU FURTHER INTO THE FUTURE.
AND AFTER HEARING EVERYONE DO, I, WE HAD A MOTION, HAD A SECOND.
SO ROLL CALL MS. MADAM SIRAM CHAIR.
THE, THE, UM, I WONDER IF, UH, MR. BUTLER WOULD BE KIND ENOUGH TO MODIFY HIS MOTION TO INCLUDE THE TERM.
IT'S A FOUR YEAR TERM ENDING JUNE 30TH, 2027.
UM, WELL, THERE, THERE'S A, UM, YOU HAD JUST APPOINTED, VOTED TO APPROVE JULIE TO THE AIRPORT COMMISSION.
THERE IS A SUGGESTED MOTION IN THERE THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE DID THAT.
SO THEN WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE TERM IS.
SO I MOVE THE, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPOINT MS. JULIE VAN DALE, OR MS. JULIE AS REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE FRONT ROYAL WARREN COUNTY AIRPORT COMMISSION FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM ENDING ON JUNE 30TH, 2027.
I WAS GONNA SAY SECOND FOR THAT ROLL CALL.
MADAM CHAIR? YES, MR. BUTLER? AYE.
WE'RE AT ADDITIONAL NEW BUSINESS.
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL NEW BUSINESS? IF NOT, IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SO MOVED.
EVERYONE HAVE A SAFE TRIP HOME.