by Neil Richard
The King George County Board of Supervisors held a non-meeting that began at 7:19pm. Taking a moment to explain the situation, Richard Granger said he has the "opportunity to experience something" that's never happened to him before. Granger said that because there was no quorum present, the Board could not hold an actual meeting. He said there would still be presentations and that they would follow the Agenda in general, but nothing could be voted on. Because warrants still needed to be addressed, he said he would call a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors on December 11, 2018 at 6:30pm at the University of Mary Washington - Dahlgren Campus. [Editor's Note: This has since changed to December 13, 2018 at 6:00 pm at Company 1.] Granger said this meeting would be open to the public just like any other meeting, but would only be held to address the warrants that required a vote. He said the Special Meeting would be followed shortly afterwords by a Town Hall hosted by John Jenkins that would start at 7pm that evening.
With the crowd a little confused and no official meeting to call to order, Granger asked if anyone in the audience had anything to share. There being no comment from the audience, Granger opened it up to Jeff Bueche to give his report.
Bueche said he hosted a Town Hall on November 16 and thanked American Legion Post 89 for hosting the event. He said T. C. Collins from the School Board, Mike Bennett from the Service Authority Board, and County Administrator Dr. Neiman Young attended. Bueche felt it was a fruitful meeting with many residents from Potomac Landing, Potomac Overlook, and Fairview Beach attending. He said the discussions were frank and it was a good opportunity to have a back and forth discussion. Bueche said he attended the Christmas Tree Lighting event on December 2 and that it was great to be part of a community event. He said the lights currently are not working on the tree and felt, as a major point of focus during this season, he would like to explore having additional funds for the Parks and Recreation Department to enhance the event and tree. Bueche said he would be hosting a Town Hall on December 14 to discuss the draft Strategic Development Plan for the County. Although not mentioned during his update, there is a survey available on the County's website for those unable to attend the numerous Town Halls scheduled for December. Bueche then commented that the Service Authority wasn't his "swim lane" but he felt the need to address the public comments from the meeting earlier that evening. He said that Mr. Houston made a good point about getting a progress report on debt and where we stand. He also said the Board of Directors over the last couple of years has made great progress in changing their direction for the better and that they are now addressing the issues.
Richard Granger, being the only other attending Supervisor, thanked Annie Cupka for giving him a tour of the old Vocational building at the King George Middle School. Granger said it would be nice if the School Board took advantage of the existing structure as it had "good bones." He said it was amazing what the King George Education Foundation has done to get the FoxSmart Center started and thanked them for meeting the needs of both students and teachers in need. Granger ended his update by commenting that he was hosting a Town Hall on December 6.
Lorrie Gump, Registrar, gave an update on the last election for those still at the meeting. She said over 600 voters came to cast an absentee ballot in person and that in total, over 9,700 people voted. Gump said this was the most for any mid-term election. She said there were no major issues except for the expected long lines at the Dahlgren and James Monroe precincts. She thanked Sheriff Dempsey, Chief Moody, her own staff, and everyone else involved in making the election process run smoothly for everyone. She also had certificates to present to those students that participated in the election and thanked the citizens for voting and making their voices heard.
Both Granger and Bueche thanked Gump for her hard work and professionalism. Granger added that the student participation was fantastic. Bueche added that he was one of those absentee voters and said the process was painless.
Katie Gibson, a Senior Planner for George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC), then presented an update on the new native plants at Cedell Brooks Jr. Park. Gibson said these were planted as part of the Plant Central Rappahannock Natives Campaign. She said the plants would require less water and fertilizer and would help support more wildlife and biodiversity. She said the garden is located across the parking lot from the ball fields. She said a few more plants will be added in the spring as well as signs. Gibson thanked the over 50 volunteers that put in over 370 volunteer hours, noting that Tim Smith, the previous Parks and Recreation Director, has remained involved after his retirement and did a great job handing the project off to the new Director, Chris Clark.
Wilma Ward, Director of Finance, gave a brief report on the financial status of the County, noting that they were currently in the negative due to paying debt service fees and no tax income until December.
Dr. Neiman Young, County Administrator, gave a brief update, noting his excitement at having a draft Economic Development Strategic Plan complete. He said a lot of work from Ryan Gandy, Annie Cupka, and staff were put into the plan. Although he was concerned "that it's still a ways before the final product is done, he's confident we'll get there." Young also gave kudos to the Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services Department for getting re-certified to provide Advanced Life Support through 2020. Young said the lack of major medical facilities in King George make this certification even more important and congratulated them on keeping King George safe.
Granger again opened the floor for comments from the public. There being none, and never having a meeting called to order, the evening ended before 8pm.
Meeting Attendees:
Jeff Bueche (Board of Supervisors)
Richard Granger (Chairman, Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Absent:
John Jenkins (Board of Supervisors)
Ruby Brabo (Board of Supervisors)
Cathy Binder (Board of Supervisors)
Meeting Agenda
Next Meeting:
The Board of Supervisors will next meet on December 13, 2018 at 6:00 pm at Company 1.
Previous Meeting:
Read about the previous Board of Supervisors Meeting.
[2018-12-07 - Updated to show the new date for the Special Meeting on December 13, 2018 at 6pm at Company 1.]
The King George County Board of Supervisors held a non-meeting that began at 7:19pm. Taking a moment to explain the situation, Richard Granger said he has the "opportunity to experience something" that's never happened to him before. Granger said that because there was no quorum present, the Board could not hold an actual meeting. He said there would still be presentations and that they would follow the Agenda in general, but nothing could be voted on. Because warrants still needed to be addressed, he said he would call a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors on December 11, 2018 at 6:30pm at the University of Mary Washington - Dahlgren Campus. [Editor's Note: This has since changed to December 13, 2018 at 6:00 pm at Company 1.] Granger said this meeting would be open to the public just like any other meeting, but would only be held to address the warrants that required a vote. He said the Special Meeting would be followed shortly afterwords by a Town Hall hosted by John Jenkins that would start at 7pm that evening.
With the crowd a little confused and no official meeting to call to order, Granger asked if anyone in the audience had anything to share. There being no comment from the audience, Granger opened it up to Jeff Bueche to give his report.
Bueche said he hosted a Town Hall on November 16 and thanked American Legion Post 89 for hosting the event. He said T. C. Collins from the School Board, Mike Bennett from the Service Authority Board, and County Administrator Dr. Neiman Young attended. Bueche felt it was a fruitful meeting with many residents from Potomac Landing, Potomac Overlook, and Fairview Beach attending. He said the discussions were frank and it was a good opportunity to have a back and forth discussion. Bueche said he attended the Christmas Tree Lighting event on December 2 and that it was great to be part of a community event. He said the lights currently are not working on the tree and felt, as a major point of focus during this season, he would like to explore having additional funds for the Parks and Recreation Department to enhance the event and tree. Bueche said he would be hosting a Town Hall on December 14 to discuss the draft Strategic Development Plan for the County. Although not mentioned during his update, there is a survey available on the County's website for those unable to attend the numerous Town Halls scheduled for December. Bueche then commented that the Service Authority wasn't his "swim lane" but he felt the need to address the public comments from the meeting earlier that evening. He said that Mr. Houston made a good point about getting a progress report on debt and where we stand. He also said the Board of Directors over the last couple of years has made great progress in changing their direction for the better and that they are now addressing the issues.
Richard Granger, being the only other attending Supervisor, thanked Annie Cupka for giving him a tour of the old Vocational building at the King George Middle School. Granger said it would be nice if the School Board took advantage of the existing structure as it had "good bones." He said it was amazing what the King George Education Foundation has done to get the FoxSmart Center started and thanked them for meeting the needs of both students and teachers in need. Granger ended his update by commenting that he was hosting a Town Hall on December 6.
 |
| Interior of the former Vocational Building shortly after construction completed. (The King George News. June 24, 1970.) |
Lorrie Gump, Registrar, gave an update on the last election for those still at the meeting. She said over 600 voters came to cast an absentee ballot in person and that in total, over 9,700 people voted. Gump said this was the most for any mid-term election. She said there were no major issues except for the expected long lines at the Dahlgren and James Monroe precincts. She thanked Sheriff Dempsey, Chief Moody, her own staff, and everyone else involved in making the election process run smoothly for everyone. She also had certificates to present to those students that participated in the election and thanked the citizens for voting and making their voices heard.
Both Granger and Bueche thanked Gump for her hard work and professionalism. Granger added that the student participation was fantastic. Bueche added that he was one of those absentee voters and said the process was painless.
Katie Gibson, a Senior Planner for George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC), then presented an update on the new native plants at Cedell Brooks Jr. Park. Gibson said these were planted as part of the Plant Central Rappahannock Natives Campaign. She said the plants would require less water and fertilizer and would help support more wildlife and biodiversity. She said the garden is located across the parking lot from the ball fields. She said a few more plants will be added in the spring as well as signs. Gibson thanked the over 50 volunteers that put in over 370 volunteer hours, noting that Tim Smith, the previous Parks and Recreation Director, has remained involved after his retirement and did a great job handing the project off to the new Director, Chris Clark.
Wilma Ward, Director of Finance, gave a brief report on the financial status of the County, noting that they were currently in the negative due to paying debt service fees and no tax income until December.
Dr. Neiman Young, County Administrator, gave a brief update, noting his excitement at having a draft Economic Development Strategic Plan complete. He said a lot of work from Ryan Gandy, Annie Cupka, and staff were put into the plan. Although he was concerned "that it's still a ways before the final product is done, he's confident we'll get there." Young also gave kudos to the Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services Department for getting re-certified to provide Advanced Life Support through 2020. Young said the lack of major medical facilities in King George make this certification even more important and congratulated them on keeping King George safe.
Granger again opened the floor for comments from the public. There being none, and never having a meeting called to order, the evening ended before 8pm.
Meeting Attendees:
Jeff Bueche (Board of Supervisors)
Richard Granger (Chairman, Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Absent:
John Jenkins (Board of Supervisors)
Ruby Brabo (Board of Supervisors)
Cathy Binder (Board of Supervisors)
Meeting Agenda
Next Meeting:
The Board of Supervisors will next meet on December 13, 2018 at 6:00 pm at Company 1.
Previous Meeting:
Read about the previous Board of Supervisors Meeting.
[2018-12-07 - Updated to show the new date for the Special Meeting on December 13, 2018 at 6pm at Company 1.]
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