The February 20, 2018 meeting of the Service Authority Board of Directors began on time at 6:30pm. It would be a very short meeting.
With no public comment, the Agenda moved to reports from the Board. Only Chris Werle, Chairman, had a report. He met with the General Manager, Chris Thomas, and Mike Bennett, fellow Board member, for several days to review the expenditure data for the upcoming 2018/2019 budget. The highlight of his report was that the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) announced the funding of Phase I of a grant to make repairs in Fairview Beach. The Fairview Beach Riverbank Stabilization Project was awarded $230,193 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as $61,384 in state funding. With the total cost of the project slated to be about $307,000, the funding from FEMA would cover 75% and the state another 20% of the total price tag. Werle stated there was a hope that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) would cover the remaining 5% of costs but said other local opportunities for funding are also being explored. Werle then cautioned that while this was certainly promising news, this was only Phase I, the engineering study, and not a guarantee that any repairs would be made after the study was complete.
Bennett then added a few comments stating that as a resident of Fairview Beach, "we're happy and excited" and that even though it's only Phase I, "we can't get to Phase II without getting to Phase I first." He also said the Army Corps of Engineers program that would study the same issue would only cover 65% of the funds so the funding from FEMA was a better deal. Bennett also thanked Ruby Brabo for her leadership in getting the grant as well as Werle for his efforts in writing the grant. Bennett then said the FEMA study would look at storm water runoff while the Army study would not, so again, this was a better deal for the County. Clarity was also provided as to why the sewer line was placed between the road and the beach and it was because when it was installed, there was 30 to 40 feet of river bank there.
Dr. Young, County Administrator, added that they should know by the end of February if VDOT was willing to contribute to the project.
The Consent Agenda was passed without comment.
The General Manager, Chris Thomas, then gave his report. He reminded everyone that the first budget work session would be held on February 27, 2018 at 6:30pm at Company 1. He said he was asked to give an overview of the Service Authority and the facilities at this meeting but he would also present preliminary budget expenses. He also gave an update on the Dahlgren treatment plant and the final cost of the stone that was needed to complete the project. There was some technical difficulties in the Board Room making things hard to hear but it sounded like roughly $149,000 was left to be paid. He also gave an update on service connections, both residential and commercial, in the County.
And with that, the meeting adjourned at 6:43pm.
With no public comment, the Agenda moved to reports from the Board. Only Chris Werle, Chairman, had a report. He met with the General Manager, Chris Thomas, and Mike Bennett, fellow Board member, for several days to review the expenditure data for the upcoming 2018/2019 budget. The highlight of his report was that the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) announced the funding of Phase I of a grant to make repairs in Fairview Beach. The Fairview Beach Riverbank Stabilization Project was awarded $230,193 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as $61,384 in state funding. With the total cost of the project slated to be about $307,000, the funding from FEMA would cover 75% and the state another 20% of the total price tag. Werle stated there was a hope that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) would cover the remaining 5% of costs but said other local opportunities for funding are also being explored. Werle then cautioned that while this was certainly promising news, this was only Phase I, the engineering study, and not a guarantee that any repairs would be made after the study was complete.
Bennett then added a few comments stating that as a resident of Fairview Beach, "we're happy and excited" and that even though it's only Phase I, "we can't get to Phase II without getting to Phase I first." He also said the Army Corps of Engineers program that would study the same issue would only cover 65% of the funds so the funding from FEMA was a better deal. Bennett also thanked Ruby Brabo for her leadership in getting the grant as well as Werle for his efforts in writing the grant. Bennett then said the FEMA study would look at storm water runoff while the Army study would not, so again, this was a better deal for the County. Clarity was also provided as to why the sewer line was placed between the road and the beach and it was because when it was installed, there was 30 to 40 feet of river bank there.
Dr. Young, County Administrator, added that they should know by the end of February if VDOT was willing to contribute to the project.
The Consent Agenda was passed without comment.
The General Manager, Chris Thomas, then gave his report. He reminded everyone that the first budget work session would be held on February 27, 2018 at 6:30pm at Company 1. He said he was asked to give an overview of the Service Authority and the facilities at this meeting but he would also present preliminary budget expenses. He also gave an update on the Dahlgren treatment plant and the final cost of the stone that was needed to complete the project. There was some technical difficulties in the Board Room making things hard to hear but it sounded like roughly $149,000 was left to be paid. He also gave an update on service connections, both residential and commercial, in the County.
And with that, the meeting adjourned at 6:43pm.
Meeting Attendees:
Christopher Werle (Chairman, Board of Directors)
Christopher Thomas (General Manager of Service Authority)
Richard Granger (Board of Supervisors)
Michael Bennett (Citizen)
Ruby Brabo (Board of Supervisors)
Cathy Binder (Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Next Meeting:
The Service Authority will next meet on March 7 2018 at 6:30 pm at the Revercomb Building.
Previous Meeting:
Read about the previous Service Authority Meeting.
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