Tonight's Board of Supervisors Meeting began with a few words from resident Jim Lynch. Mr. Lynch gave a brief overview of Wilson's Disease, the upcoming Big WOW event on the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail, and the King George High School Cheerleaders [EDITOR'S NOTE - Neil Richard, a co-founder of Project94, is a member of the Friends of DRHT]. Mr. Lynch expressed his praise for the cheerleaders and their volunteer efforts to make previous Big WOW events successful.
With that being the only public comment, the Board gave their reports on recent activities. Supervisors John Jenkins and Richard Granger had nothing to report but thanked Mr. Lynch for his comments. Supervisor Jim Howard's report was lengthy and included attending meetings of COMREL (more formally known as Military-Civilian Council Community Relations) and the George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC). Howard also attended the King George Winter Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony as well as a meeting of the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging (RAAA).
Supervisor Cedell Brooks followed with an apology for missing the last meeting due to a family emergency. He extended his thanks to everyone involved with the Cedell Brooks, Jr. Park dedication, especially the County employees that attended. He also received a call from Congressman Rob Wittman's office about a presentation that will be made to Mr. Brooks on December 19th at 9:30am in the Board Room. The event is open to the public.
Chairwoman Ruby Brabo was next with her report. She attended COMREL and GWRC meetings as well as a White House meeting on taxes. She commented that she enjoyed seeing the new mural at Mary's Cakery and Candy Kitchen and said it helped support the vision of revitalizing the downtown area.
The Board then formally recognized Ted Lovell for his efforts to acquire and deploy the LUCAS Chest Compression Device. The device will allow first responders to administer first aid while the device delivers chest compressions. The Board also recognized Mark Senarich who was not present.
Sheriff Steve Dempsey gave a brief report on extra funding from the state to help pay his employees.
Judy Hart, Commissioner of the Revenue, gave a report about the recent reassessment notices that were sent. The first batch of notices that were sent in mid to late November were incorrect. When Mrs. Hart first learned of the issue over the Thanksgiving holiday, she began working with Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal the following Monday to fix the problem. Blue Ridge absorbed the cost of their error in completing the forms as well as mailing the correct reassessment notices. The corrected versions have already arrived in many households. Some citizens have called asking for appointments to appeal their increased reassessments.
Major Michael Sarro, U. S. Army, 98th Civil Affairs Battalion, followed with a presentation on a proposed Validation Training Exercise (VTX) to be held in King George County. This introductory presentation gave an overview of how small teams of soldiers would parachute into Fort A. P. Hill, conduct their exercise in King George, then return to their home base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Major Sarro said they typically hold exercises in Puerto Rico but with the recent hurricane damage, they were looking for new locations. Their VTX exercise involves various military topics such as firearms and survival training but also covers humanitarian work and infrastructure studies. One interesting point from the presentation was the fact that they would operate in the county in civilian clothes and would not be armed nor use military vehicles. This supported the overall impression that this was not training for a military coup but rather a way for localities to gather vital information on what can be improved in their area while the military gains real-world training experience. The VTX is scheduled to take place in April 2018.
Ms. Kimberly Young of the University of Mary Washington (UMW) gave a short presentation on the GO! Virginia Grant Proposal. Ms. Young said UMW was looking for local support to help fund a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification course. The CISSP certificate is required by many positions and the nearest training location is in Vienna, Virginia. By hosting the course at the UMW-Dahlgren campus and working with Rappahannock Community College, the goal was to fill a class of 30 to 40 students. Ms. Young said the total grant amount was roughly $243,000. Her bottom line for the Board was an in-kind request of $3,000 in marketing via the County website, media relations, and contact lists. She said this could be paid over four quarters or in a lump-sum. She asked that the Board consider the investment tonight and would return at the next meeting to ask for a commitment. There was some discussion among the Supervisors about this course helping fill vacant positions at Dahlgren.
Economic Development Director Ryan Gandy was next with an update on his Strategic Plan. His update included input from County employees, citizens, and others and primarily focused on a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Weaknesses). Top Strengths included Dahlgren and low property taxes. Top Weaknesses included high water costs and a variety of lacking services (connectivity, up-scale restaurants, and diverse entertainment). Top Opportunities included the 301 corridor and a main street. Top Weaknesses included an absence of affordable housing and lacking infrastructure (roads, broadband, etc.). Mr. Gandy said the next step was to have the Board create a Vision based on this analysis.
Mr. Gandy then gave a quick update on the Route 3 Beautification Project. He stated that the Tourism Committee asked for funding from the Board and was working with VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) to move the process forward. Currently VDOT wants a surety bond approved by the Board and a Land Use Permit before continuing.
Angela from the Department of Community Development then gave a quick presentation about the new Finish Line Environmental site plan. The new business would be located in the Industrial Park off of Dennis W. Kerns Parkway. Their plan for Phase 1 was a 9,100 square foot building with Phase 2 planned for 10,000 square feet. The Board approved their site plan and welcomed them to the County.
County Administrator Neiman Young gave his report next and began with the Rappahannock Area Health District asking for the usual contribution from King George County. He then asked that the January 2018 meeting of the Board be delayed to January 9th due to the New Year's holiday. Dr. Young said Dr. Benson and the School Board were willing to work with the Board of Supervisors in a joint meeting, focusing on the transition to a two year budget plan. This joint meeting will be on December 12th at the Fire Station.
County Attorney Eric Gregory had a short update that was rather confusing to the Board and those listening. It sounded like there were a few positions on boards and committees that needed to be filled by the Board but not all Supervisors had submitted candidates.
The meeting then moved to a closed session at 8:35pm with Christopher Werle and Christopher Thomas attending. The Board returned from closed session around 9:45pm and quickly adjourned until December 19th. They just as quickly realized their error in dates, reopened the meeting, and adjourned with their next meeting being December 12th, the joint meeting with the School Board.
One final note on the Consent Agenda, located in the Meeting Agenda below, that was approved by the Board. Buried in the expenses for the General Fund was a line item for over $2,400 for Verizon telephone service. The other five phone lines in this specific section averaged less than $250 per line with the highest being $491.62. Nobody questioned this amount. [2017-12-12 - Editor's Update: We received an update from Chairwoman Brabo that the specific expense of $2,414.87 is related to the 911 Operations Center.]
Meeting Attendees:
John Jenkins (Board of Supervisors)
Richard Granger (Board of Supervisors)
Ruby Brabo (Chairwoman, Board of Supervisors)
Jim Howard (Board of Supervisors)
Cedell Brooks (Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Meeting Agenda
With that being the only public comment, the Board gave their reports on recent activities. Supervisors John Jenkins and Richard Granger had nothing to report but thanked Mr. Lynch for his comments. Supervisor Jim Howard's report was lengthy and included attending meetings of COMREL (more formally known as Military-Civilian Council Community Relations) and the George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC). Howard also attended the King George Winter Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony as well as a meeting of the Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging (RAAA).
Supervisor Cedell Brooks followed with an apology for missing the last meeting due to a family emergency. He extended his thanks to everyone involved with the Cedell Brooks, Jr. Park dedication, especially the County employees that attended. He also received a call from Congressman Rob Wittman's office about a presentation that will be made to Mr. Brooks on December 19th at 9:30am in the Board Room. The event is open to the public.
Chairwoman Ruby Brabo was next with her report. She attended COMREL and GWRC meetings as well as a White House meeting on taxes. She commented that she enjoyed seeing the new mural at Mary's Cakery and Candy Kitchen and said it helped support the vision of revitalizing the downtown area.
The Board then formally recognized Ted Lovell for his efforts to acquire and deploy the LUCAS Chest Compression Device. The device will allow first responders to administer first aid while the device delivers chest compressions. The Board also recognized Mark Senarich who was not present.
Sheriff Steve Dempsey gave a brief report on extra funding from the state to help pay his employees.
Judy Hart, Commissioner of the Revenue, gave a report about the recent reassessment notices that were sent. The first batch of notices that were sent in mid to late November were incorrect. When Mrs. Hart first learned of the issue over the Thanksgiving holiday, she began working with Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal the following Monday to fix the problem. Blue Ridge absorbed the cost of their error in completing the forms as well as mailing the correct reassessment notices. The corrected versions have already arrived in many households. Some citizens have called asking for appointments to appeal their increased reassessments.
Major Michael Sarro, U. S. Army, 98th Civil Affairs Battalion, followed with a presentation on a proposed Validation Training Exercise (VTX) to be held in King George County. This introductory presentation gave an overview of how small teams of soldiers would parachute into Fort A. P. Hill, conduct their exercise in King George, then return to their home base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Major Sarro said they typically hold exercises in Puerto Rico but with the recent hurricane damage, they were looking for new locations. Their VTX exercise involves various military topics such as firearms and survival training but also covers humanitarian work and infrastructure studies. One interesting point from the presentation was the fact that they would operate in the county in civilian clothes and would not be armed nor use military vehicles. This supported the overall impression that this was not training for a military coup but rather a way for localities to gather vital information on what can be improved in their area while the military gains real-world training experience. The VTX is scheduled to take place in April 2018.
Ms. Kimberly Young of the University of Mary Washington (UMW) gave a short presentation on the GO! Virginia Grant Proposal. Ms. Young said UMW was looking for local support to help fund a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Certification course. The CISSP certificate is required by many positions and the nearest training location is in Vienna, Virginia. By hosting the course at the UMW-Dahlgren campus and working with Rappahannock Community College, the goal was to fill a class of 30 to 40 students. Ms. Young said the total grant amount was roughly $243,000. Her bottom line for the Board was an in-kind request of $3,000 in marketing via the County website, media relations, and contact lists. She said this could be paid over four quarters or in a lump-sum. She asked that the Board consider the investment tonight and would return at the next meeting to ask for a commitment. There was some discussion among the Supervisors about this course helping fill vacant positions at Dahlgren.
Economic Development Director Ryan Gandy was next with an update on his Strategic Plan. His update included input from County employees, citizens, and others and primarily focused on a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Weaknesses). Top Strengths included Dahlgren and low property taxes. Top Weaknesses included high water costs and a variety of lacking services (connectivity, up-scale restaurants, and diverse entertainment). Top Opportunities included the 301 corridor and a main street. Top Weaknesses included an absence of affordable housing and lacking infrastructure (roads, broadband, etc.). Mr. Gandy said the next step was to have the Board create a Vision based on this analysis.
Mr. Gandy then gave a quick update on the Route 3 Beautification Project. He stated that the Tourism Committee asked for funding from the Board and was working with VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) to move the process forward. Currently VDOT wants a surety bond approved by the Board and a Land Use Permit before continuing.
Angela from the Department of Community Development then gave a quick presentation about the new Finish Line Environmental site plan. The new business would be located in the Industrial Park off of Dennis W. Kerns Parkway. Their plan for Phase 1 was a 9,100 square foot building with Phase 2 planned for 10,000 square feet. The Board approved their site plan and welcomed them to the County.
County Administrator Neiman Young gave his report next and began with the Rappahannock Area Health District asking for the usual contribution from King George County. He then asked that the January 2018 meeting of the Board be delayed to January 9th due to the New Year's holiday. Dr. Young said Dr. Benson and the School Board were willing to work with the Board of Supervisors in a joint meeting, focusing on the transition to a two year budget plan. This joint meeting will be on December 12th at the Fire Station.
County Attorney Eric Gregory had a short update that was rather confusing to the Board and those listening. It sounded like there were a few positions on boards and committees that needed to be filled by the Board but not all Supervisors had submitted candidates.
The meeting then moved to a closed session at 8:35pm with Christopher Werle and Christopher Thomas attending. The Board returned from closed session around 9:45pm and quickly adjourned until December 19th. They just as quickly realized their error in dates, reopened the meeting, and adjourned with their next meeting being December 12th, the joint meeting with the School Board.
One final note on the Consent Agenda, located in the Meeting Agenda below, that was approved by the Board. Buried in the expenses for the General Fund was a line item for over $2,400 for Verizon telephone service. The other five phone lines in this specific section averaged less than $250 per line with the highest being $491.62. Nobody questioned this amount. [2017-12-12 - Editor's Update: We received an update from Chairwoman Brabo that the specific expense of $2,414.87 is related to the 911 Operations Center.]
Meeting Attendees:
John Jenkins (Board of Supervisors)
Richard Granger (Board of Supervisors)
Ruby Brabo (Chairwoman, Board of Supervisors)
Jim Howard (Board of Supervisors)
Cedell Brooks (Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Meeting Agenda
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