by Neil Richard
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The Board of Directors of the Service Authority began their meeting at 6:31 pm.
It was noted that Ruby Brabo could not attend physically but was participating remotely. Eric Gregory, County Attorney, reminded Mike Bennett, Chairman, that the Board needed to make a motion to approve and recognize Brabo before she could officially participate. The Board did so.
There were no amendments to the Agenda.
There was no Public Comment.
Christopher Werle's short report was focused on an update of the Fairview Beach Riverbank Stabilization Project. Werle said that Schnabel Engineering would be sending a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding the lack of impact on the Short-nose Sturgeon. This letter would then be forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service. Werle said that due to the width of the river at the project site, the National Marine Fisheries Service has determined there would be no impact on fish habitats. He said FEMA is also asking for approval from the US Fish and Wildlife Service that no trees would be removed, thus there would be no impact to the Northern Long-eared Bat. Additionally, it was noted that there was no vetch, a plant often eaten by deer, in the project area. Werle said that FEMA would get verbal approval from the Fish and Wildlife Service then get written approval.
Bennett asked what the next step would be and Werle said the Environmental Assessment would go to FEMA for review and comment then a public hearing and then a Request For Proposal (RFP) could be filed.
Richard Granger and Cathy Binder had no report.
Ruby Brabo said the Executive Council for the Chesapeake Bay would be holding a meeting later this week to hear recommendations from the advisory committees.
Mike Bennett said he attended Brabo's Town Hall on the 22nd and met with bond council on the 27th to sign the closing documents for the line of credit.
The Consent Agenda was approved.
The County Attorney, Eric Gregory, had a report regarding Governor Northam's Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Phase III Watershed Improvement Plan (WIP). Gregory said that the Board had previously directed him to submit a letter to the Governor noting their concerns about the plan. Gregory said shortly after the Board made the request, the Governor released the final plan. Gregory said the plan would have a serious impact on the Service Authority and the County because the requirements for waste water effluent, the end product of a Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), would be more stringent and therefore more costly. He said the impact to smaller localities would be heavier due to the increased resources necessary and the increased cost to comply. Gregory said the Virginia Association of Municipal Wastewater Agencies (VAMWA) and their legal council has taken the lead in working on a more reasonable compromise. Because of their expertise, Gregory asked the Board to authorize him to take any action necessary to protect the Service Authority, up to and including litigation, although he felt that was not a likely outcome. Gregory said there would be no cost to the County at this time because of VAMWA's expertise and leading role in the issue.
Brabo said that once again King George was ahead of the game because she was able to bring back information and Gregory was able to react. She said she wished the Local Govt Advisory Committee (LGAC) board understood the impact of this issue but there is a divide among them. She encouraged her peers to support Gregory's request to pursue whatever efforts were necessary to protect the Service Authority. Bennett added that a lot of the information came via email over the previous day, Labor Day, and that some had not had the time to digest everything. He asked if the Phase III WIP applied only to the Potomac River. Gregory deferred to Jonathon Weakley, General Manager, who said that the WIP is extensive and includes the entire Chesapeake Bay basin, meaning it would include both the Potomac River and the Rappahannock River. He added that the Fairview Beach WWTP could meet the new limits but not so much at the other facilities. The Board approved Gregory to take action as necessary.
The Board then scheduled a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors to discuss the future of the Purkins Corner WWTP. It was approved and set for September 19, 2019 at 6:30pm at the Fire Department's Company 1.
Weakley then gave a short General Manager's report. He noted that the Purkins Corner water tank has been tested and placed back into service. He said the Oakland Park water tank should be completed later this month. Weakley said he met with the Veazey family regarding their proposal to allow the Service Authority and County to use the currently idle water tank in Cleydael. He said an inspection report is pending and he would update the Board as more information comes in. Weakley said the Dahlgren WWTP facility should have a repaired UV system by the end of the month. He also shared that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) visited the same facility for a surprise inspection last month and he was waiting on the report. Weakley said two new pumps were installed at Fairview Beach due to an overflow. He noted that the overflow was reported to DEQ as required. Also as required by DEQ, Weakley said the Operation and Maintenance Manuals for each WWTP had been sent to DEQ and that the line of credit had been finalized.
With that, the Board went into Closed Session at 6:56 pm and invited Jeff Bueche and John Jenkins. Jenkins was running a few minutes late due to traffic and joined the session at 6:59 pm. They returned from Closed Session and adjourned at 7:35 pm.
SUBSCRIBE OR DONATE
You can subscribe via email here. You can make a charitable donation here.
The Board of Directors of the Service Authority began their meeting at 6:31 pm.
It was noted that Ruby Brabo could not attend physically but was participating remotely. Eric Gregory, County Attorney, reminded Mike Bennett, Chairman, that the Board needed to make a motion to approve and recognize Brabo before she could officially participate. The Board did so.
There were no amendments to the Agenda.
There was no Public Comment.
Christopher Werle's short report was focused on an update of the Fairview Beach Riverbank Stabilization Project. Werle said that Schnabel Engineering would be sending a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding the lack of impact on the Short-nose Sturgeon. This letter would then be forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service. Werle said that due to the width of the river at the project site, the National Marine Fisheries Service has determined there would be no impact on fish habitats. He said FEMA is also asking for approval from the US Fish and Wildlife Service that no trees would be removed, thus there would be no impact to the Northern Long-eared Bat. Additionally, it was noted that there was no vetch, a plant often eaten by deer, in the project area. Werle said that FEMA would get verbal approval from the Fish and Wildlife Service then get written approval.
Bennett asked what the next step would be and Werle said the Environmental Assessment would go to FEMA for review and comment then a public hearing and then a Request For Proposal (RFP) could be filed.
Richard Granger and Cathy Binder had no report.
Ruby Brabo said the Executive Council for the Chesapeake Bay would be holding a meeting later this week to hear recommendations from the advisory committees.
Mike Bennett said he attended Brabo's Town Hall on the 22nd and met with bond council on the 27th to sign the closing documents for the line of credit.
The Consent Agenda was approved.
The County Attorney, Eric Gregory, had a report regarding Governor Northam's Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Phase III Watershed Improvement Plan (WIP). Gregory said that the Board had previously directed him to submit a letter to the Governor noting their concerns about the plan. Gregory said shortly after the Board made the request, the Governor released the final plan. Gregory said the plan would have a serious impact on the Service Authority and the County because the requirements for waste water effluent, the end product of a Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), would be more stringent and therefore more costly. He said the impact to smaller localities would be heavier due to the increased resources necessary and the increased cost to comply. Gregory said the Virginia Association of Municipal Wastewater Agencies (VAMWA) and their legal council has taken the lead in working on a more reasonable compromise. Because of their expertise, Gregory asked the Board to authorize him to take any action necessary to protect the Service Authority, up to and including litigation, although he felt that was not a likely outcome. Gregory said there would be no cost to the County at this time because of VAMWA's expertise and leading role in the issue.
Brabo said that once again King George was ahead of the game because she was able to bring back information and Gregory was able to react. She said she wished the Local Govt Advisory Committee (LGAC) board understood the impact of this issue but there is a divide among them. She encouraged her peers to support Gregory's request to pursue whatever efforts were necessary to protect the Service Authority. Bennett added that a lot of the information came via email over the previous day, Labor Day, and that some had not had the time to digest everything. He asked if the Phase III WIP applied only to the Potomac River. Gregory deferred to Jonathon Weakley, General Manager, who said that the WIP is extensive and includes the entire Chesapeake Bay basin, meaning it would include both the Potomac River and the Rappahannock River. He added that the Fairview Beach WWTP could meet the new limits but not so much at the other facilities. The Board approved Gregory to take action as necessary.
The Board then scheduled a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors to discuss the future of the Purkins Corner WWTP. It was approved and set for September 19, 2019 at 6:30pm at the Fire Department's Company 1.
Weakley then gave a short General Manager's report. He noted that the Purkins Corner water tank has been tested and placed back into service. He said the Oakland Park water tank should be completed later this month. Weakley said he met with the Veazey family regarding their proposal to allow the Service Authority and County to use the currently idle water tank in Cleydael. He said an inspection report is pending and he would update the Board as more information comes in. Weakley said the Dahlgren WWTP facility should have a repaired UV system by the end of the month. He also shared that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) visited the same facility for a surprise inspection last month and he was waiting on the report. Weakley said two new pumps were installed at Fairview Beach due to an overflow. He noted that the overflow was reported to DEQ as required. Also as required by DEQ, Weakley said the Operation and Maintenance Manuals for each WWTP had been sent to DEQ and that the line of credit had been finalized.
With that, the Board went into Closed Session at 6:56 pm and invited Jeff Bueche and John Jenkins. Jenkins was running a few minutes late due to traffic and joined the session at 6:59 pm. They returned from Closed Session and adjourned at 7:35 pm.
Meeting Attendees:
Christopher Werle (Board of Directors)
Jonathon Weakley (General Manager of Service Authority)
Richard Granger (Board of Supervisors)
Michael Bennett (Chairman, Citizen)
Cathy Binder (Board of Supervisors)
Neiman Young (County Administrator)
Eric Gregory (County Attorney)
Remote:
Ruby Brabo (Board of Supervisors)
Ruby Brabo (Board of Supervisors)
Next Meeting:
The Service Authority will next meet on September 17, 2019 at 6:30 pm at the Revercomb Building.
Previous Meeting:
Read about the previous Service Authority Meeting.
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