Town Council - Regular Meeting

All right, welcome everybody. Welcome to everyone in person here tonight and online. Um, as always, I'd like to start out the meeting to ask everybody to silence your cell phones. just take your cell phone out for just a second and make sure it's all the way on silent, not vibrate so that we can respect one another's time and each speaker speaking. Um, we ask for patience and understanding as council deliberates on various agenda items. We do have a lengthy agenda tonight. Um, we do have also open public comment at the meeting and times and signups are encouraged. They're up at the front and you can sign up right up here. We also have a specific public hearing tonight as well and so you can sign up specifically to that public hearing on a separate signup sheet that is also up front by the podium. I want to acknowledge the staff work and preparation. Their insights are invaluable to each topic of town business and appreciate our town manager uh as we operate under the council manager form of government. Natasha Tucker who sits over here and handles our daily operations in department administration while our town council provides direction and authorizes policy in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and our town charter. While each council member has the ultimate responsibility to contribute um responsibly and we all serve the citizens of Columbia Beach responsibly and ethically and participation of each member contributes to effective leadership. Collaboration is key to productivity and local government. We'll engage in constructive discussion, remain open to different perspectives, and work together for effective resolutions. And finally, I remind us all that the meetings of the town council are formal proceedings and are thus recorded. And with that, we will call the meeting of the town beach town council uh regular November meeting, Wednesday, November 19th, 2025. I got 602

p.m. to order. If you will please join me for a moment of silence which will be followed by the pledge of allegiance. United States. All right. Roll call of members. All members are present. Um on amendments to agenda, I do have several amendments to our agenda to propose. Um the first is under new business. Um I guess it'll be at the end. So that would be C. Under new business. um to add a resolution in support of the introduction to legislation to prohibit waterfell hunting in Monunroe Bay and um as presented in congruence with the board of supervisors meeting last week. So that would be under C new business. Um also an amendment to add language to the closed meeting. Closed meeting. So it would be we have A, it would be B. Um, pursuant to Virginia Code 2.2-3711A88 for consultation with legal counsel retained by the town regarding specific

legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. Also to approve the October 1st meeting minutes which Heather provided by email and asked everybody to review. We could do that under the consent agenda. we just don't want to get behind on those and be able to post them on the website. And then um lastly, um there's a suggestion uh from a council member to add a third uh policy option under the amendments to the financial policy. So that would be item F and so to defer that item. So strike that item from this agenda. We do have a lot going on and uh staff in Davenport will be able to have more time um to get back to us with more information on that.

So move. All right. Is there a second to those amendments to the agenda? Second. Okay. Any discussion? Yes, Miss Williams. Oh, I just um for the uh the hunting band, that's just uh just going to be for legislation to support that. It's not actual we're not voting on an amendment or ordinance or anything. We are not making any legal change here within the town. It is just a uh resolution to support the um senator's uh actions at state level. Okay. Thank you.

Yeah. Okay. All in favor of the amendments to the agenda? I say I I. Any opposed? Okay. All right. Approval of the agenda as amended. So moved. All in favor? Oh, sorry. Go ahead.

I didn't see the minutes. I must have missed them. So, I haven't read them and I can't vouch for them. So, I'm going to have to abstain from a minute approval. Okay. But we'll keep it on the agenda then. She did email them out and then email them us again about them. So, we'll make sure um getting those emails. I assume it was the whole council. Yeah. Okay. All right. Um all in favor of the agenda as amended. This is just on the agenda right now, not the consent agenda. I I All right. Now, we'll go to the consent agenda, which is those meeting minutes. Do I have a motion to approve that? So moved.

Is there a second? All right. All in favor of those? I I right. You want to cla You abstain from that? Yeah, I did abstain from minutes.

Great. Okay. Next up is our council member liaison and commission report. Um I'm gonna start from the inside and go out. How about with you, Kenny? Mr. Alison. Wonderful. Welcome everybody. So, as a public works liaison, um we have a couple updates for you. Uh infrastructure and utilities. Um we had two utility installs, five repaired water leaks, uh two inflow and infow and infiltration issue repaired. Uh six cleared sewer backups and pump station improvements. They installed a new roof on the third street pump station. in terms of the wastewater treatment plant, continue support, maintenance and operation repairs, uh perform tank cleaning and on-site improvements. Moving on to streets, uh ongoing ditch cleaning and rehabilitation for improved drainage and flood prevention, tree work throughout town to improve safety and visibility, filled sand washouts along the beach, the boardwalk, filled potholes across town to maintain safe road conditions, and completed the fall paving round. uh general services uh in event support and beautifification. They assisted with the setup and cleanup for community events, provide general beach and property maintenance, assisted the school with repairing the softball net, and currently working on installing the town's Christmas decorations, which we all love to see. That's all I have. Thank you.

All right, Miss Hamburg.

Uh good evening everyone. So for parks and wreck, um we have um upcoming events for the holiday season. On December um 1st through the 10th, there's a hunt for the golden oyster shell um by downtown Colonial Beach. Find a golden shell in the outside areas of downtown to trade for an artisan shell at the Cooper Library uh Beach Paws Boutique or Magnolia Hall. Uh Saturday, December 6th, there's the Santa's Wonderland and Winter Festival parade. That's 11 to 4:00 p.m. on Town Hill. There will be bike raffles, cookie decorating, and a parade at noon. Also on the 6th, um from 3 to 4, there will be caroling on Washington Avenue next to Town Hill. Um also on the 6th, there's a end of festival tree lighting at 400 p.m. on Town Hill and a lighted Jeep parade at 6:00 p.m. which starts at Dockside Restaurant. And that will go around the point. Then also Friday, December 12th, there's the second Friday coffee walk at 8:00 a.m. Um, a casual walk from Colonial Buzz to the Town Pier and back. Then that evening on the 12th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., there's a sip and stroll and the last Friday art walk of 2025. on Saturday and Sunday, December 13th and 14th, there's a whitest stone Christmas uh for times, contract uh contact the Colonial Beach Museum. And then on the 14th of December, it's the first night of Hanukkah at sundown on Town Hill. Uh commemorate the first night of Hanukkah with a manora lighting. All are welcome to attend um this sun sunset ceremony. And that's all I have for parks and rock. Okay, Miss Grandstaff.

Good evening everyone. Um, I am reporting for the economic development committee on the 12th. We had a really great meeting and I just want to list two highlights from that meeting. Um, they fall under the category of first is tourism. Um, a kickoff meeting of the new tourism committee was held on November 4th. The committee will operate under the town's economic development department and will focus on building a stronger resilient tourism industry on Colonial Beach. One of the first projects on which the committee will focus is the Virginia 250 and SEAL 250 events next year. The second highlight is economic vitality. A kickoff of a kickoff meeting of the economic vitality committee was held on November 12th. The committee will operate as one of the four points under the main street program which downtown Colonial Beach administers and will focus on broader economic development initiatives supporting downtown revitalization. One of the first projects on which the committee will focus will be the findings of the connectivity study which is expected to be delivered by the Timmans group in December. Other than that, they're working on other things behind the scene that we will announce at a later time. Thank you. That's it.

Thank you. Mr. Williams.

Good evening everybody. Uh let's see. I attended the schoolboard meeting last uh Wednesday. Um and one of the things I did and I noticed in their meetings they have a lot of uh turnout kind of like we do here at the council meeting. I invited everybody to come and just see, you know, how town government operates. And I would definitely encourage uh the public to attend schoolboard meetings just to see um what they do and some of the things they discuss. And their their meetings are every second Wednesday at 6 o'clock here right here in this building here. Um and Dr. Lewis is here tonight, so she will be giving the update of what's going on with the schools. Thank you, Mr. Larson.

Uh good evening everybody. Um the finance team wants to remind everybody that the uh personal property taxes and real estate taxes are due December 5th. Penalty and interest start occurring the day after on the 6th. And the Q3 water bills will go out in early December and will be due on January the 1st. And as always, um if you're struggling financially, uh come down to the finance office, have a conversation. Don't go delinquent on your on any of these bills. They'll work with you. NOS's, just a couple of shoutouts. The Colonial Beach Found Foundation just celebrated its 20th year anniversary and uh due to the generosity of of people in this room and many others around town, they've been able to double their food bank grants uh this year, which is super important given the struggles people are having. uh for WWE, our radio station. Uh they just completed their very first live broadcast of a Drifters game. It was a nove November 7th uh football game. Uh pretty cool. And basketball is up next. Um if anybody is interested in in getting involved in that, it requires some technical help at the site, more technical help at the studio, as well as some announcing help. So, if you're interested in doing any of those things, reach out to me or anybody you know that works for the station, Ted T, station manager. And that's it for me.

All right, Mr. Wood.

Okay. The Colonial Beach Police Department is pleased to announce that the holiday toy drive for the kids in our community is underway. Uh the PD will be accepting new unwrapped toys from now until December 19th when they will be provided to our local faith-based partners for distribution to needy children. Donations can be made at the department any time. Mr. Trivet, we're going to give you a run for your money this year. Uh just a reminder that the next neighborhood watch meeting be held on January 22nd at 5:30 p.m. Uh the planning commission uh 24 new permits issued u single family dwellings approved two short-term rental permits approved one and the average days to approve permits is down to a blazing 12 days. Um the commission met on November 13th. You members Lauren Adams and Adam Marie Barstow were welcomed and participated in the meeting. Uh Bob Christensen was recognized for his service on a planning commission from 2017 through 2025. Uh public hearings for zoning text minions uh amendments related to site plans and subdivision review process and timing were held. Uh the planning commission voted to recommend approval of the site plan amendment but deferred action on the subdivision review process and timing amendment. Council will receive both amendments together after the first of the year. And the planning commission is in the process of reviewing bylaws and their action plan for adoption after the first of the year.

All right, great. Thank you. Um so some updates from me. Uh a lot's been going on. Columbia Beach has been quite busy. Uh this last week I uh participated along with um featuring the Coney Beach Museum in an NPR radio interview um that's going to be about the history of gambling here in Coney Beach and um our casinos that once were and how the town has evolved um past that era as well. And uh there was also a ribbon cutting at CB Creative. They've been around for about a year, but uh time to celebrate that they're here to stay. And it was along with the art walk last weekend, which was very well attended. And I just have to give kudos to all the artists that painted on these little 10inch x 10 inch pieces of art and um were sold to support the CB Creative Center. Um it was really a beautiful display and uh a lot to do um for the wintertime. It's just a nice addition to have that um added to our art walk. Um, also the Colonial Beach Foundation is celebrating 20 years now. They have supported many projects in town from Toy Smith Park to um donations to the food banks to scholarships at the school to many things. And they have some um videos to honor that service and to continue that work um hopefully for the next two decades. uh also was election day and we just want to uh congratulate um our elected officials uh for um getting through that day and we have our um same delegate and we will have a new governor. On Veterans Day, we had a service at the cannon and I would just say I gave a really big shout out to public works for their restoration of the cannon. If you have now been by to see it in the daytime or at night, I would say it is just as impressive day

or night because they have added lighting to it. They have restored all of the brass pieces all the way back to their original brass patina and um regrouted the brick ballards, all the whole thing has been refurbished and I just couldn't be any prouder. It shows uh real pride in our community and pride for our veterans. And so just thank you to public works again for that. It was nice to feature that on Veterans Day. Um and there will be further updates under town manager report on some other ongoing town items. So I'll leave that to town manager and you're up next.

Good evening, madame mayor, council members, members in the audience. Um I have three items under my town manager update and um a couple of them were last minute and that's why they aren't listed here on the agenda. Um but we will start off with um first Chief Parsons who will give us an update of a police incident that occurred um a couple of weekends ago followed by the sewer plant update from Emboden and then I would provide updates on two of the projects that the town has. And so we'll begin with Chief Parsons.

Thank you madame mayor, members of council. To begin, the Colonial Beach Department is deeply committed to serving the Colonial Beach community with integrity, honor, courage, uh, and professionalism, and we take any allegations of misconduct, uh, extremely seriously. In furtherance of our commitment to our community partners and acknowledging the questions and concerns brought about by this incident, we made the immediate decision to turn the investigation over to the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations. Turning the investigation over to VSSP ensures that a professional, objective, independent, and thorough investigation will be conducted on the matter. We have committed ourselves to cooperating fully with that investigation and have already begun the process of providing information to the special agent that's been assigned to this case. Once VSP concludes their investigations, their findings will be forwarded to the North umberland uh Commonwealth Attorney's Office for their review and evaluation. The West Morland Commonwealth Attorney Office recused themselves from this matter to avoid a potent any potential conflict of interest and to further the goal of having a fair and impartial review of the matter. Concurrently with the VSSP investigation, the Colonial Beach Police Department is conducting its own internal administrative investigation to determine if all policies and procedures were complied with. Any violation of our policies or procedures will be addressed appropriately. Two of two we had two uh Colona Beach officers on scene at this incident. One of the officers has been placed on administrative leave and uh and will be on leave until the conclusion of the investigations. Given that this matter is still under investigation, I'm not at liberty to discuss the details. However, I can assure council in the community that our goal in this matter is to fully and fairly investigate this matter and we sincerely ask for your patience while this process is ongoing. Thank you.

Good evening everyone. Um uh this uh October was a good quiet month at the wastewater plant. Everything went smooth. No big rain events. We didn't have to shut the plant down to allow for that. Um we are still trying to find ways to get a a more more reduction in the nitrates and that's that's proven to be challenging, but we are we are doing the best that we can. Um, cold weather is going to make it a little bit more difficult. Um, but we are we are indeed trying everything that we can do. Um, outside of that, everything was collected on time, sent to the state and very very quiet, uneventful month. I just want to provide um a couple of updates on two of our projects. First, the North Beach grant update. You all will recall that we received a community flood preparedness fund grant to complete and deliver um design, engineering, permitting and environmental review of approximately 280 linear feet of shoreline along the Ptoac River which we um know as North Beach. Um so we've received the contract um we've received the funding um they have waved the um grant matching requirement of the 20% so that amount has been waved for the town. So the step that we are now in is we are in the process of drafting a request for proposals qualifications for professional engineering services. Um, and as soon as the RFP is drafted and completed, we will um have Jerry Davis, who has helped us with this um process

every step of the way. Uh, we'll post it on to our town site, our EVA site, and also um some sites for uh the CFPD. And once that's closed and we receive the responses, I will report back to council um how many responses we've received. Secondly, I want to update on our sidewalk repairs. We have completed um the repairs for 128 Washington Avenue. Um the next sidewalk which we will address is one Irving Avenue and we have until the end of the fiscal year for 26 to complete um that sidewalk. Um funding for this um has been approved from council and there is a resolution on this evening's agenda to move funds over um to complete that project to complete that project. And as the years go on out to 2030, we will address uh the remaining sidewalks. And that concludes my updates. All right, any questions? The town manager? All right, we'll keep it moving on this lengthy agenda. Uh next up is our Thanksgiving proclamation. Whereas the town of Columbia Beach is blessed with breathtaking waterfront views, sunsets worthy of awards if sunsets held competitions and residents whose kindness is matched only by their enthusiasm for community gatherings. And whereas Thanksgiving Day remains a cherished tradition that calls us to gather with friends and family as we feast, laugh, nap, and when absolutely

unavoidable, share the last slice of pie. And whereas our residents show remarkable holiday spirit each year, coming together with open hearts, generous plates, and the courageous optimism that this will be the year the mashed potatoes are perfectly smooth. And where is Clay Beach as a place where tradition meets good humor, where memories are easily made, and where the simple act of sharing a meal becomes a joyful celebration of life by the water. Now therefore, be it proclaimed that the town council of Colonial Beach declares the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day in Colonial Beach, a day devoted to feasting, friendship, gratitude, and the noble art of pretending we truly need another slice of pie. Thank you, Heather, for this proclamation. Be it further proclaimed that all residents are encouraged to celebrate with joy, kindness, and full hearts, wishing everyone a bright, bountiful, and delightfully memorable Thanksgiving. And happy Thanksgiving everybody for next week. I hope you all have a good one, good holiday. And moving forward on presentations is Mr. Trivet, our district supervisor. Welcome, Mr. Trivet.

Madame Mayor, town council. I'll try to talk fast tonight because I know you have a lot of stuff going on. Um, in October, the commissioner of revenue came to us and we're looking to change, uh, the tangible personal property reporting, uh, transitioning to a non-filing system where it can be done electronically. We've we've issued penalties to a lot of people for a lot of dollars. We've gotten a lot of complaints and I'm glad he's recognizing that maybe we can change the way we do business so we're not penalizing people when they send back a form that already has all their information on it. So, I'll be letting you know how that goes. We're also talking about uh going to twice a year for taxes like the town already does. So, we hope that that'll uh uh may be adopted in an ordinance uh in the next few months. Um shopping with the sheriff. Um last year we were able to uh collect over $17,000. Uh we helped over 40 kids including kids from the town of Colonial Beach. We we're very blessed in the people from this town who have donated to that project year after year. Um the guidance counselor at the school provides names and uh you know I think uh the sheriff spent $400 per kid last year. Um so I'm looking forward to participating with that again this year and uh I know the town does so many wonderful things uh in the town as well. Um, so let's keep that going and um and we'll see Rick um how it rolls. Uh Hunting and Monroe Creek and I just going to talk briefly about this because I know you have it on your agenda and I'm so happy that you do. Um at our meeting I brought it up for the first time and uh it did get a couple comments. I I I have to tell you that I'm very shocked that one of our members that I thought wouldn't support it ended up supporting us doing a resolution to

support you as a town uh to try to prevent hunting in Monroe Bay. Um numerous complaints last year, maybe all of you fielded them. I know the mayor and I fielded many, many of them and and discussed this all year long. And I've kept it in front of our state senator all year long uh to say we have got to resolve this. We've got to do something about it. It's a public safety issue. There was a blind move from from the yach club just right across the creek by that little island on the other side. Now, that blinds facing the town. So, and I don't know how many yards that is, but it's right in front of some houses over there. And uh the problem is if if the county does something without the town and and I don't know where the water line is, whether it's the center of the creek or the low water mark, but they'll just move it over to where they can still do that. And it's unfortunate. um because it's it's just not a good thing. It's too densely populated. Eight mar marinas on our on our bay here and campgrounds and all these other things. And I hope that each one of you will support passing that resolution and it'll go directly to our senator and it's been done in other parts of the state. So, this isn't anything new. Um and hopefully he in his influence will be able to get the legislature to pass uh what you've seen before you the map or um or you know with our support from you as well as the county support. So unless you've got any questions about that I won't say anything else about that but I'm just hoping that you all support that. Um the uh and we had a presentation by Davenport uh on October the 8th and again on uh November the 12th uh with the results of RFP. Uh November the 24th, which is Monday, uh we'll hold our meeting um in public hearing to hopefully uh support that recommendation. Uh the good news about that that I'm really happy about is we put $1.5 million in there to build a new EMS station in the town of Colonial

Beach. We need your support with that. You've been our partner. Uh, you know, which is great. We've collaborated all along. We've got a few other loose things to to to finalize before we move forward with that, but I'm hoping in the next month or two that we're going to be sailing with that new building. And uh it's going to be a great thing for Colonial Beach. We greatly reduce the response times just by West Mullen's EMS being here in town. So, please support us on that. and we're supporting you and I tell you I've seen better support than I've seen in six years with our board uh and your board. So, I thank you for that and let's just see if we can't keep it going because we all gain when we do that. Um, I would also tell you that just keep in mind that um, you know, I know you have legislative agenda every year and important things to you, but but I'm very fortunate because our county attorney is our state legislature and so if things are going on and I've kept water and sew in front of him all year till he's sick of hearing it from me. And I I talked to him about it again. Uh, he was able to get other counties money and they didn't use all that money and I mean it's millions. And so hopefully I've talked to him and I've passed on to those that need to know about getting the information to him uh quickly as possible so that he can try to maybe get some of that money here. Um and we know there's a need. So the good thing is we all he you know he doesn't have to be at the general assembly for us to talk to him. You know I see him every month and talk to him you know weekly or or on a frequent basis. So um just remember I'm always here to help you if you know something's going on is outside of that period of time. if you let me know, I'll make sure the word gets where it goes, uh, where it needs to go. And I've also talked to Hillary Pew just to let you know about the blind situation, and she absolutely supports it as well. Um, so, uh, new emergency service changes that we're going to make and and I've asked the mayor to, uh, and and she's,

uh, I think going to put it on the docket or on the docket on the agenda for December the 3 work session. uh our EMS department is uh going to create a new program called citizens emergency response team um and also one volunteer EMS auxiliary program. So we've tried to do that in the past it didn't quite work out uh in in other ways. So now we're going to create our own through the county where people who have CPR and EMT and all these things and they want to maintain their certification. They're going to be able to uh be vetted and trained and do whatever it takes to keep them going right through our county. So, we're looking forward to that and they'll come on December the 3 and give a presentation on that. Uh, she had also asked me to ask our economic development director to come on that date. Unfortunately, he's not available that day, but I promise that we'll get him down here, uh, Dale Hen, as soon as possible, possibly the next meeting if that's okay. Um, there is a protocol change for for trees and the fire department cutting trees down or there will be. they came to our meeting and gave a presentation that they don't want to respond to those anymore. So, there may be some changes. The good thing about Colonial Beach is I don't think it's going to change what happens in the town. Um, we have public works here as well to help it. It's going to make a big impact in the county for the fact that it takes uh Dominion sometimes two hours to get there if a tree is on a line. Um, it takes uh VOTE two hours to get there if it's on a street. So, I don't know how this is going to work out, but once it does, I'll let you know uh what's going to change. Um 250th Stratford Hall is going to um do a big deal. On the 250th, we know that that our county is where America began. You know, um our our county uh provided a grant for $50,000 for this. So, we really want to see this, you know, as big as it possibly can be. So, um so we're looking forward to that. And um

does anybody have any questions for me about anything um tonight? Uh I saw Mr. Wood first. Mr. Wood. Yeah. Uh Mr. Trivet, I just wanted to thank you and I think it speak for all of us for your leadership on not only the EMT stuff, but uh also working with us on the wastewater treatment plant and also for the duck plant. These are three recalcitant problems that if it weren't for your leadership, I don't know that we where we are today. So, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you very much. Thank you and always appreciate your support, Mr. Williams.

Um, yeah, just to, you know, echo what Rick said. I do appreciate all your efforts. It's definitely a lot of service to the community. So, thank you for that. Um, just a question. Um, because the the 1.4 millions, I haven't heard about that yet. Um, you said they're going to build a building in Colonial Beach. Is that the plan? Uh, the plan is for, uh, West Mullen County EMS to build a new building within the town limits. Okay.

And there's some other hurdles that we need to go through first. Uh, obviously you'll be involved as a council. Um but uh we've met with the architect or at least discussed it with the architect who had drawn up plans for Columbia Volunteer Rescue Squad's building that you know uh we'll probably assume those responsibilities moving forward because there won't we're doing all the operations now and it'll be at West Mullen County EMS building. Um but that ensures that you know we built a huge building out there at um at Oak Grove and when we did that it was to house both units and it was against a lot of objections uh but it happened. So we've really been fighting kind of behind the scenes to ensure that that squad doesn't go back to Orove and if we get the full support of town council this will be just one more step and I think we can make this happen pretty quickly. I don't think 1.5 million's I might have misspoke but I said 1.4 because 1.5 that we were asking for in the uh CIP but um that's probably not going to be enough to build the building and uh if that's the case then we'll have to figure out what it will cost us and and where any extra funding will come from. Um, and just to answer a question, I won't get into this tonight, but you know, we've had a lot of calls, been a lot of a lot of publicity about, you know, people who have donated for a new squad building in town. So, we're hoping at some point in time that those funds will transfer over to West Mullen counties, uh, in order to build that EMS station. Um, and that's where it should go if we're going to build one. I don't anticipate Columbia Volunteer Rescue Squad being able to. They gave up their license uh over a year and a half ago. they haven't been running any operational calls or anything and so I'm going to leave it at that um right now but you know there'll be further discussion about that coming down the uh pretty soon.

Great. Thank you. Appreciate it. Yes sir. Yeah I think the goal remains the same as it always has been. It's just who is going to do what is what is changing and it the role of management and the role of getting it done. Um, also I think we have already been in contact with Senator Stewart's office to set up meeting to follow up with the wastewater treatment plant funds as we have allocated and already budgeted to spend our funds down. We will not be in the same situation that those other municipalities are in.

Well, when he told me that, he asked me and I said, I was just at a meeting a couple months ago where it looked like they were already, you know, allocated and would be spent and we need a whole lot more. Yeah. Um, so he's very receptive to helping us, I think, with that and and I think he's the right person to make it happen. So, we we have a sufficient documentation of all those things. So, we're ready ready to go. Thank you so much. Okay. I appreciate it. Thank you. I'm sorry. I did put a cough drop in my mouth because I do have a little bit of cough tonight. I'm trying not to cough into the mic. Um, next up is Dr. Lewis. Welcome. in for Dr. Ado.

Good evening, Madame Mayor and council members and everyone in attendance. Thank you all for allowing me to be here in Dr. Adtostead tonight and to speak to you. I'd like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to our school board members for their unwavering commitment and and dedication to the students of Colonial Beach. I also want to extend my gratitude to our school leadership um including both of our outstanding principles, Miss Michelle Coats and Mr. Scott Lush. I um feel that I could say couldn't say it often enough um how they work exceptionally and um even though they may face some challenges um and sometimes that is including mandates just like you have that may be unfunded um from VOE. So we're very thankful for their work. I'd like to echo the sentiments also expressed by our Olivia Cook who is our high school school board representative and uh our newly elected school um council student council officers were elected this week and one of the things that she said is our students are very dedicated. They are resilient and they are driven. They are all deeply invested in the rest of the student body and so we are very proud of our students. I'd like to share a little bit about what they're doing and what's happening at our elementary school and at our high school. Um we are really grateful to St. Peter's Episcopal Church who donated gift cards, $15 gift cards to each certified teacher in the school. Um the Northern Neck Electric Company visited and taught lessons in our fifth grade classrooms. The annual pumpkin walk was a huge success and saw many of you there. Um and then the Veterans Day program was very well attended. started a little earlier this year at 7 and people were waiting at the doors at 6:45.

So, it was a wonderful occasion to honor our parents and community members who have served at our high school. We're proud that our football team were in the playoffs this year. They weren't they didn't win, but what an accomplishment. It's been a while since we've been in the playoffs. Uh, also want to thank you, Madame Mayor, for attending the Northern Neck Technical Centers Showcase. Uh, it was spectacular. We got to tour all of the program classrooms. We were served a fantastic dinner and then we moved into board meetings. Um, also at the high school, Mr. Lush has been working on post-secary planning. He hosted a scholarship introduction session with our community members. We talked about a couple of those scholarships earlier. Um, this year's senior class, Mr. Lush feels like in his four years is the most excited about going beyond high school for a career in education. Um partnered with that he's been working with our CTE coordinator to expand um CTE courses for our students and strengthen the program um alignment with post-graduate opportunities. Our high school basketball schedule is complete and the baseball and softball schedule is mostly complete. So stay tuned for those. for our CIP that is currently um that we're currently working towards. The contract for the high school front entrance renovation was awarded to Shaw Construction and the school board approved the budget for the project at last week's meeting. The school board also approved the school board office parking lot. So when you come uh hopefully in the next few months, you'll have a place to park when you come to to visit. Um lastly, our uh on November 12th school board meeting. Many of the sponsors and students came to share out about the progress over the year. Um and also the uh seas shared about their community outreach and service projects.

Yearbook sponsors also shared out and discussed the highlights of their uh ongoing support of the yearbook. Finally, our enrollment. The elementary school without prek is 354. The high school is 200 and prek is 31 with a total enrollment of 585. And that's all that I have. Any questions? Any questions? Thank you.

Thank you again. All right. Next up is our public comment. This is general public comment. We do also have a public hearing. So, I just want to make sure um if you sign up for a general public comment um that's just in general, but then the specific public hearing will be on article 22, the uh Chzbay Preservation Overlay District, and there will be a separate public hearing for that item. Uh during public comment or any hearings, we ask that certain guidelines be followed. You'll stand at the podium, and for the record, please state your name and address. If you'd like to be contacted, uh you just provide your contact information to the clerk. You can write it down on the sheet. If you forgot to, you can hand it to her after. Uh, make your comments to the council as a whole. Be brief. State your position and provide facts. And you may provide written statements or supporting materials to the clerk and she can distribute those to the council and the town manager. Debate is prohibited and follow-up on comments is provided by the town manager. Please speak clearly as we want to hear what you have to say and the town council will try to hear everybody who wishes to speak. They are limited to five minutes. Um, time cannot be transferred to another speaker. And if you represent a group, you may wish to identify the other members of your group who are here in attendance as well. After public comment is closed, I encourage you to stay as the council engages in dialogue and deliberation on continued agenda items um that may be relevant. Okay. And so, next up is public comment. I'll open that now. It's 6:44 p.m.

Welcome, Mr. Mack.

Good evening. Um, Treymac, 1541 Irving Avenue. Um, you guys haven't seen me here in a while. Um, so you probably surmise that my being here means that this is something that I believe a lot in. Um, I'm hoping that the county's resolution to restrict um, duck blinds within Monroe Bay receives full support of the council. Um, as a retired member of the military and as a hunter growing up, I am all about respecting the second amendment rights of all of our citizens, excuse me, and their uh, their legal rights to hunt in appropriate places. but also as a person who's uh been involved with firearms pretty much my entire life, I fully respect the safety that's necessary in the use of those uh those items and I firmly believe that anywhere anywhere within the populated area of Monroe Bay is not a safe place for hunting. Um, I know that it's stated in some places that if you're firing a shotgun that if it's 150 yards, it's completely safe. But as any of us who've dealt with firearms know, um, ammunition is not an exact science. Um, those pellets can go a lot farther than one expects. and for the sake of our citizens in that highly populated area, uh I would hope that it garers your full support. It's nice to see that the county has backed it 100% which is really phenomenal. Um there are areas farther up the creek that I think are very appropriate for the use of duck blinds. I'm not saying we should completely cut it off, but strictly for that um that populated area. So again, hopefully that garners your support for the sake of the

safety of everyone who lives along Monroe Bay uh and the citizens of the town. Thank you. Thank you.

Welcome, Mr. Nelson.

Thank you. Um good evening, Madame Mayor, Council. Eric Nelson, 1321 Lawing Avenue. Um, I have three quick things this evening. Uh, the first is, um, a shout out to public works. Uh, couple of years ago, um, some of us with a Jewish background, uh, wanted to put a manora on town hill and that, uh, we were able to do that. We pulled our money and put a manora up on town hill. Um this year when we went to put in the manora, we've uh learned that the public works folks who had um done all that wonderful planting there had dug up the the contraption that the post that the pole was supposed to be um standing in. So uh I called public works and literally within 20 minutes it was resolved and uh I don't know if they I don't think they found it. I think they jerryrigged something. Um but anyway, thank you very much for acting so quickly and being so responsive. Uh the next thing I just also want to uh thank everyone who came to the CB creative um ribbon cutting. It was uh very well attended and thank you madame mayor for your comments about the the uh exhibition of the 10 x10 panels. That was a a really successful event and raised a lot of money for for CB creative. Um the third thing is that I want to mention is um actually sort of an obligation on my part to report to you periodically about what's happening with downtown Colonial Beach. Um and so I just wanted to give you a brief update which is that uh all of you know that at the beginning of this year we received um uh Main Street status from Virginia Main Street. Uh but we did not receive um status full full status by Main Street America. that requires some additional effort. So, I just wanted to give you all a heads up that we are going through that additional effort and we our mentor Kyle Meyer is going to be coming uh to meet with us in the next couple of weeks. We're going to be

putting all together all the things that we need to accomplish and hope to have full uh full status of by Main Street America within the next couple of months. Thank you. That's all that signed up, but anybody else like to come up? Come on. Yes. Welcome, Mr. Muller.

Yeah. Just I'm Mike Mohler. I live at 117 Riverview Circle, and I would just like to associate my support with what uh Tree had to say. Um, I was I'm expecting Mary to show up and I thought that she would be here to do just what I'm doing right now, but those of us with um Colonial Beach Wildlife Rescue, it's about a dozen of us, we we definitely support what Supervisor Trivet has done uh with Senator Stewart. So, we'd like you to do the same. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else? All right. With that, we'll close public comment at 6:49 p.m. And now we're moving forward into our public hearing tonight, which is on ordinance 771, amendment of article 22, um, which is, uh, been a part of our zoning ordinance for quite some time. Um, this amendment is related to tree preservation, trimming, and permit processing. Um, darling, I'm going to have you intro the item, then we will hold the public hearing. Okay.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Madame Mayor, members of council, um, you have a public hearing this evening on zoning text amendment 253. This is relative to article 22 of your zoning ordinance, the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Overlay District, and this is specifically regarding woodlock management and tree preservation. Just a little background um on this with you. The town obviously is in a Chesapeake Bay preservation area and um the regulations that the town has for the overlay district are found in article 22. The um all of the properties in the town are subject to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Overlay District and so they're regulations that relate to all properties in the town. There are some properties in town that are in a resource protection area. Those are the properties that are um you know close or to the waterways, wetlands, streams, and properties in town that are not in a resource protection area that have certain regulations are in a resource management area. And so they also have regulations that must be met in the ordinance. But for for specifically for this amendment, um, one of the things that we were looking at is the protection of vegetation. Um, it is an important component in the Chesapeake Bay preservation area. And so we were looking to revise the ordinance for clarity of terms and direction on permitted trimming, permitted tree removal activities, and also replanting that's required. So next slide, please. to summarize um the ordinance amendments. One of the amendments add tree protection fencing language to protect trees that remain on a construction site but that are outside of a construction

area. So there would be the tree protection fencing that's required. Um it also defines where the tree diameter is measured for determining if a tree is to be protected given a certain diameter. And rather than saying breast height since that varies on people, we decided to use a measurement of 4 and 1/2 ft. So you'll see that and uh trees that are 6 in or greater in in diameter at 4 and 1/2 ft height are protected under the ordinance. And then we also used the um added because it wasn't in the ordinance a requirement to determine how you measure trees that need to be replanted and what size and where you measure that and that's basically six inches above grade. Um the ordinance amendment defines tree removal activity as cutting down or trimming and pruning trees. And if you trim a tree and you remove over 25% of its canopy, then that would be a tree removal activity. If you recall, we've had some uh if you see in the picture here, you know, we've had some questions about that over the last year of, you know, was that tree removal or or was it um pruning? Um and so we wanted to make sure that it was clear in the ordinance what was would be permitted. Um obviously topping a tree would not meet the clearly in our ordinance now um what would be allowed as far as uh tree removal activities. And um we also have an option that if it's not ample room um and with the zoning administrator's approval that a person could plant three shrubs in place of one of the replacement trees. We've been doing that in practice with people and working with them but it was not codified. So that's part of the amendments that you have before you this evening. Next slide, please.

Um the amendments also clarify that a woodlock management permit approval is required prior to any tree removal activity. Um there was some language we just wanted to clear up and make sure that everybody understands that it's not go cut the tree down and then come get a permit. you need to get the permit prior to making these uh changes. It also clarifies some language for the permit approval process just for ease of understanding uh ease of enforcement and it also streamlines language for the replacement trees in the RPA and RMA areas. Next slide. Um the planning commission with unanimous vote following a public hearing at their meeting on um September the 11th, 2025 recommended approval to town council. Um staff also recommends approval of this these amendments to town town council. The planning commission recommended that council increase the thousand penalty if trees are removed without a permit. However, um staff recommends no change in the thousand penalty um because the penalty that's in our ordinance is recommended by the state's model ordinance. And so we feel like that we are in line with what the state um is recommending that we maintain as far as that penalty. And we don't want to don't think it's I mean we could certainly look into it if that's something you all would like us to bring back later, but as of right now, staff is not make recommending that you increase that. and I'll be happy to answer any questions.

All right, before we start any discussion here, I'm going to go ahead and open the public hearing and call for that. Uh so at this time, we will uh open the public hearing for ordinance 771, amendment to article 22, uh the town of Columbia Beach zoning ordinance, tree preservation, trimming, and permit processing. I open that public hearing at 6:56 p.m. This is an official public hearing, so everything has to go by formal process here. Is there anybody signed up? Anybody like to come up? All right. With that, I will close the public hearing at 6:57 p.m. and we can go next with council action if we'd like to.

I have a question. Yes, Mr. Allison. Is the $1,000 penalty per tree or is it per lot or per how does that work out? It is per tree. Yes. Uh I saw Mr. Williams first.

Yeah. Just a couple of questions. I'm not sure for Darla or just as a general discussion. Um one of the concerns I've had over the years is driving around town and seeing 20 foot stumps just sitting up in the middle of people's yards. Um I know most people probably know what I'm talking about. It's a it's a way to get around the tree trimming rule. That's pretty much what we're addressing here. Um, so my question is is we can we work something into this process where we get rid of those trees. They're just sitting around town everywhere. Some sort of amnesty maybe where people get get rid of them within 3 to 6 months with no penalty. um because they're a safety hazard for one thing because they're rotting away and if they're I've seen them as tall as 20 maybe 25 feet and so eventually they will fall down. Um is there anything we can do to address that in this ordinance?

So there's nothing obviously there's nothing in this amendment at this point that would address that. What I would say to you is that if you look at it from an environmental standpoint, what people would suggest is that you actually keep that root system in the ground. But I agree with you that it could be unsafe, you know, for the tree. Obviously, it's a dead tree, so it could be removed if they got a permit today. Um I guess what you're saying is what kind of incentive or um you know, stick, maybe carrot or stick that we could use um to get people to take them down. Yeah, you know, we don't we haven't been enforcing the tree removal.

Um, you know, to go out to say to someone, you must take this down because it's dead. Um, we've been doing it on an approval of a permit. Um, so I guess that would be up for council discussion if that's something you'd like us to look at. Um, I don't believe that there's anything in the model ordinance that from the state that would require that removal. So, possibly we could come up with something where we say if you can prove that this tree was in this condition prior to the new ordinance, we you could maybe come to the town office and get a permit to just take it out.

They could definitely do that today whether we change anything in this ordinance or not. If people would be willing to come in, they could definitely do it um without penalty. Without penalty. Okay. Yeah. They just need to get But going forward they will be penalized. No sir. If they do it without a permit they would be penalized. Right. If they do it today just come in and get a permit you know or next week or next month come in and get a permit there will be no penalty. Right. But they can't just cut it to 20 feet and leave it set right under the new rules. But they could before. Correct. If it was existing today if they had topped it and completely topped it you know prior to this ordinance. Yes, you're correct.

Okay. Um, thank you for answering that, Mr. Wood. Did I see your hand, too? Mr. Actually, Mr. Williams encapsulated. Okay. All right. Would anybody like to put a motion on the floor to adopt this ordinance? So, move. Okay. Is there a second to that? Second.

Okay. All right. So, now that the ordinance is up for discussion, um I will say I know this issue is I'm glad to see some changes in the ordinance to give you guys um the authority that you need to handle this. It is shocking when it happens because you can't imagine being a homeowner wanting to have something like that in your yard. if you're going to take it out, wouldn't you want to prince plant something, you know, better for your yard and the environment in the place of that? But it does happen. So, I'm glad to see it addressed. I thought the planning commission did an excellent job and staff excellent job with the uh revisions in the ordinance. Is there further questions or discussion on the ordinance? Yes, Mr. Williams.

I would support increasing the fine amount um there especially considering, you know, like the example that I was in all those meetings of board of zone appeals and all that and I saw those people come in very upset about what happened over there. Um and the contractor basically got out stock free. So I know this is going to cut, you know, change that. But you know it's really not a big deal if if they need to spend a few thousand dollar to to you know get a bunch of trees out by having to pay the fine. So I think maybe it wouldn't hurt to consider I mean I would I would consider maybe $2,000. Anybody want to discuss maybe increasing the fines or maybe I'm the only one. I'm not sure

if I can go ahead Mr. ask that question because the amount that you suggested is according to a model statute. Right. Is that canonical law or uh explain what the model statute is? Yes sir. Thank you. Um that is um the so DEEQ puts together an an ordinance that they have prepared based on the laws

that they suggest that localities use to model their local ordinances after. Um I would have to if we if if the direction is look into actually increasing it then I would have to get um the town attorney's assistance in looking at you know what the maximum penalties are actually are under the law. But since it met the model ordinance from a staff standpoint we were saying we think we're okay where we are. you know, we had a person within the last, I guess, month and a half um who ended up having $4,000 of fines because they had four trees that they had taken out without a permit. And it was sort of a miscommunication between a husband and wife. And um

yeah, so that was, you know, you feel bad telling someone.

Yeah. To that point, I would be in favor of staying with the model ordinance only because when it is a contractor that does this maliciously or in a you know um certainly uh rudely way, um you want to hold them accountable to the highest dollar because they're making money off of that, right? But when it's a resident and they didn't get a permit and maybe they're not of any means, you have now imposed a higher penalty to somebody who maybe just should have known better, you know. Um, and I could see that becoming fairly burdensome in that way. So,

uh, also I would like to get this in the books so that it just it stops happening. I would agree with the mayor on that. So the fine piece could be addressed later on if we decide to. That would be a Yes, sir. Would it require another public hearing and all that stuff at some point? Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Question for you, Darla. The statement of the indigenous vegetation. Do you all still hold to the list where we must use those on your list or don't smile at me, you know why, but can we if you choose something that's not on that list, is there a penalty for that? And then also, if there is no, oh, let's how can I say this area that is conducive for what you're mandating that it be replanted? How does that work?

So, the ordinance does require the use of the list. Um, we have the list that we provide folks that is the Virginia native vegetation planting list. I think it's DCR, Department of Conservation and Recreation put that puts that out. So, we do have that. We don't offer options for people to plant different trees. Um, now that I'm talking about the shrubs, not necessarily.

Right. So, saying that, right? I mean, if someone absolutely said, I'm not do not want to plant one of these. I'm I'm assuming they could ask for variance to plant a different species. But we're trying to, you know, follow the what's better for the environment and the indigenous vegetation is is what is recommended and by the state. And so, our ordinance requires that if um there's like An option that we permit now is that say a person took out a tree and they're required to plant two trees back. As I stated, we've codified, if you all approve this, we've cod would codify in here that if you couldn't plant two trees, then we would permit, and this is also part of the recommendations and the models that DEEQ provides, that three shrubs would be appropriate to replace one tree to provide the same um mitigation as far as the loss of the vegetation. So yeah, it would be the three tree the three shrubs for one tree.

And just to clarify on that point, you can plant whatever you want in your yard. This is only if you cut down a tree and what you have to plant for the tree replacement that we have this list for, but it doesn't mean you can't plant something not on the list in your yard. Absolutely. Absolutely. I'm sorry, Lisa, you have more questions. Do you have more followup from that, too? I know she has a personal uh

we go work with everybody. Yeah, Mr. Williams, go ahead. Question for the town attorney. Um I know you were at those meetings the got really heated with the um for the BZA. I was there as well as the liaison. Um, and I heard the the different attorney arguments. And so the I guess the question to you is, is this foolproof now? We won't have another situation where contractors going in and saying, well, the law law is so vague or this won't, you know, we can get around this. Have we have we proofed it?

It definitely would have addressed the past situation we had. Um, and I think it's pretty bulletproof. We had a 25% that you can't do what they did before. Okay. Thank you. That's reassuring. All right. Any further discussion? Do I need a roll call vote on this because it's a ordinance change? Yeah, I should do that. Okay. All right. You guys ready to vote? Yep. All right. Um Wood, hi. Larson, hi. Williams, hi. Grandstaff. Sanford I. Allison. Hi. And I vote I.

Let's get it online, okay? So everybody knows. And please, let's make sure that our landscaping companies that have licenses in Colonial Beach or not licensed but should have a license in Colonial Beach know um that the tree requirements and the permit requirements have changed. I think it would be only fair to make sure we provide a very clear notification of that. Yeah. Is there any way we can address the tree stumps that I was talking about earlier? Is that would that have to be a separate meeting on a different discussion or relative to the penalty

Well, just to figure out a way to get rid of those stumps that are all over town. Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. I mean, public announcement saying, you know, that you can you can take them down for people if they don't take them down, right? I mean, it it would be, you know, I guess if there were going to be any incentives that were offered, that would be, you know, the council's determination or decision if that was appropriate. That might be something that y'all want to take up at another um meeting. Um but there certainly would be no penalty and we would work with them and want them to get a permit though. So public education would probably maybe take a lot of

we could add that to the discussion about um you know hey the rules have changed but by the way if you do have and you want to you know go ahead and get a bring that in now to get a permit. Um okay we we'll add that. Yes sir. Appreciate it.

Great. All right, we keep moving forward. Uh, next up, so this is a series of budget items that we've had over many meetings now. Um, kind of coming um to the point to make some decisions for our FY26 CIP projects. Uh, the first up is resolution 3425. Is that right? 3425. Yep. Um, amend and appropriate the FY26 water fund for the CIP project. This is from reserve funds to the CIP project that is listed for FY26.

Sorry, Lisa, you want to correct say more. Um yeah, the at the special meeting, this is uh from council's direction to use the reserve funds um to pay for this one project that is in the water fund, which is the Dennis well abandonment um for $115,000. Um, so we're just asking that you um go ahead and adopt and appropriate this resolution um so we can move those reserve funds into the budget and the project can be underway. So moved. Is there a second? Second.

All right. Is there any further discussion? We looked at this is in alignment with our financial policies and all those things in the prior documents. I didn't bring all those other documents with us, but we if you uh and Davenport is here as well if there's any further questions about it. All right. Um with that, we'll say all in favor of resolution 3425. I I I

All right. Any opposed? Great. All right. Next up, same thing but sewer this time. Correct. Uh this is again uh from the special meeting. Um council's direction was to pay for um these three projects um from reserve funds and um they are um the vehicle replacement um the third street generator upgrade and the pump station repairs for a total of $234,000. So, we're asking for you to approve and appropriate the $234 from reserves to the sewer fund u for these uh repairs and purchases.

234,000. Correct. 234,000. What did I say? $234. 200 bucks. You got to get one val,000. Yeah. So, move. Yeah. Okay. Is there a second to it? Second. All right. Is there further discussion on this item? These are the projects that were not already allocated for by the remaining funds um from DEQ, the state money. These are the last few items on that list. All right. No further discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. I.

I. Any opposed? All right. All right. Next up, now this is the general fund. Same deal, correct? This is uh resolution 3625. Um last let's see April April this year we had adopted a new capital improvement project um policy um to take any surplus revenue um from our audit that is above um the 30% um unassigned fund balance. and reallocate that to the actual capital improvement fund um so we could start having money to pay for CIP projects. Um so in fiscal 24 um that came to 1,498,16420. Um so we're now asking uh council to approve the moves of those funds. uh from reserves into the actual capital improvement project fund.

Okay. So, this is just the movement. Just a movement. Sorry, Mr. Larson. Go right ahead. I was just going to say so moved. No, so moved. All right. Second. Okay. Is there any further discussion? This is just a follow through of that policy and then we will allocate it to actual projects after that point and that'll come back to council. Correct. All right. Uh, all in favor say I. I. I. I.

Any opposed. All right. All right. Moving right along. Next is our dump debt funded scenario for the utility vehicles on the CIP. So, this was I guess we're going to ask Ted to come up. Mr. Cole, welcome. Welcome back all these meetings with us. Yes. Thank you. appreciate the opportunity to be here. Um,

you all should have a copy of this uh presentation. We're only going to go through the first half this evening. I think we're going to tackle the policy discussion at a subsequent meeting. Um, so what we wanted to talk through and this was direction that we were given at the last meeting. If you go in your materials to page two, just want to reset things here for you all. Um, if you remember in the general fund, this is the debt budgeting model. Um, and and on the left hand side of this page, column B, that is the debt service that has already been committed to. It's tied to debt that's already been issued, the 662, 642, and so on. So, we know those payments are coming. Um, C and D are just placeholders for potential new debt. We'll come to that in a moment. So, column E is just simply restating column B. You'll also remember that part of the strategy and capital funding going forward is to um in column F maintain that $662,000 of debt service um appropriation every year going forward. Now, there's a policy discussion we're going to have about how to how to do that, how to, you know, implement that. But for the purposes of tonight's discussion, we're sort of maintaining that in the current year 2026, you're you're making available for debt service 662,990. And we're suggesting that you do that going forward one way or the other, and that will be determined by the policy. And if you were to do that, what you're going to see under column H, these surpluses evolve because your actual payments are stepping down. But if you flat fund, you

have these surpluses that will be made available in the future to help fund capital, right? So 20,000 21,000 steps up to 49,000 and so on. So with that as the backdrop, what we were asked to look at, if you go to the next slide, page three, was funding the 2026 general fund CIP. And this is a slightly updated CIP from what you saw last time. The the notes at the bottom of the page are what has changed. And what you're going to see there is the line three beach rake and tractor pro uh equipment $200,000 that had been in 2027. It's been moved up to 2026. That was the discussion we had is proposing to go forward and and and fund that. So you've got various um projects in public works in 26 that add up to $850,000. uh town peer reimbursement 60,000 uh nothing in 26 for admin technology public safety 131 and then that bottom section resiliency and sustainability those are the same projects that we showed last time but we um we got better information those are actually going to be state funded so those aren't going to have to be locally funded but we've kept them on the CIP because they are projects so this is a slightly ly updated version of the CIP. And what we're now going to show you is, okay, here's an approach or two on how to fund FY26 only. So, you go to page four.

We've run two scenarios. Scenario one is we um debt fund $570,000 of projects. And it and the table on the right, it's the first three projects, trash truck, beach rake contractor, utility plow truck. Those three projects together, $570,000 could be debtf funded. the other projects um excluding the state funded projects um about $471,000 of projects um would be funded in this scenario under the CIP surplus fund which you just acted on to fund right with that million4. Um so scenario one is a combination of debt and cash funding. Scenario two, uh, in talking with staff and looking through the initial analysis, we wanted to provide you perspective on what if you funded all of those local projects with cash, didn't do any debt this year for your 26 projects. And we're going to show you the results of that. The right hand side just shows you by project under scenario one what's debt funded, what's CIP surplus funded, which is cash, and what's state funded. Right? So, you can just see the the differences between scenario one and scenario two. In scenario one, where we did assume some debt, we're assuming a 10-year term of debt, level annual payments at a 4 and a.5% interest rate. debt service on this if you were to move forward would begin in the next fiscal year fiscal 27. Okay. So the results if you go to page five all we've done here is we've layered in

the new debt service for that $570,000 borrowing potential borrowing. Uh you can see there in column C uh it's about $72,000 a year 10-year term four and a half percent 570,000 and now you've got a new payment schedule under column E rather than stepping down every day every year it's going higher um at least in 27 we are column F we're only providing the same 662 in this model of ongoing revenue that's already in your budget budget and as a result what had been 20,000 plus per year of surpluses we now if we take on this debt we've got to um supplement the debt budget by about 50,000 for the next couple years. So by issuing this debt to fund those projects, we will be using the surpluses that I showed you on the first page and it will be an item you need to address in your 27 budget um to fund that new debt service. Okay, that would be that would be the result of doing that piece of the CIP as debt. Um that aside, if if it's something you do want to do, it would be a relatively straightforward financing process. We can talk a little bit about that in a moment. That's just the debt funded options that we discussed at the last meeting. Any any questions on that before I go to the cash funded option? Okay. Page six, left hand side. This is the four projects in 2026 that we identified as potentially being funded from the CIP fund. 471,000. The top left,

bottom left is just showing you the cash flows of this CIP surplus fund. So in 2026, column B, we had no beginning balance. You just took action to put the first dollars in there, right? A,498. We would be spending 471250 leaving you with a balance of a million26. You will earn interest on that balance. We've not accounted for that. But absent any other use of those monies or additions to that fund, you know, you got a little over a million dollars um accumulated there going forward. We thought it would be helpful just for perspective because a number of the projects that this scenario assumes would be funded out of the CIP fund are ongoing projects. Meaning you expect to have similar expenses every year for those projects. Um and and on the right hand side we're we're acknowledging beach and rip wrap over the CIP period is se a total of 750,000 because it happens every year expected to happen every year sidewalk repairs every year over the CIP period 545,000 peer refurbishment 300,000 police vehicles a little over 600,000 and those are the categories of your CIP that This scenario assumes you fund with cash in 26. But excuse me, the table in the bottom right is just making it clear that that fund, the million498 that you just created without additional contributions in the future will not sustain those investments every year. That doesn't necessarily mean you

shouldn't or can't do what you are possibly going to do for 26. But in 27, you can see without new money coming in, that fund goes from a million to 500,000. In 28, it would go to about 81,000. And that would be about the end of what that fund would support. So, it just thought it was a helpful conversation that really good policy. You've got a nice initial deposit into that fund, but without replenishing it in some way, it will only take you so far for these projects on the CIP. Okay. Page seven. Um, this was a scenar, this is the last slide. This was a scenario that said, you know, we've got the million498 uh in our C CIP surplus fund. Do we really need to borrow? Right? Do we need to do that $570,000 borrowing? And when we do that, we're going to have some issuance costs that we've got to pay. We're going to pay interest over a 10-year term, maybe. So, we just simply on the right hand, excuse me, on the lefth hand side, just acknowledging that you've got enough money to pay for the full 2026 CIP, which is a little over a million dollars, that fund would still have about 450 million, excuse me, 450,000. Um, and you know, we're if you're able to rep put some more dollars in that next year and the year after, again, that will be a function of endofear fund balance calculation. How much do you have above 30%? Can you put more in this fund? But certainly for the 2026 CIP, if there's a desire to skip the debt component, the dollars are there um and they're perfectly um appropriate projects that you could consider using

that cash for. Um the right hand side is again just just a a an ex a display that that fund at that current level um isn't going to sustain a multi-year draw, but um you know it it certainly can cover your 2026 projects. So that's where we I think have decided to stop tonight's discussion. We're not going to cover the uh the policies and I guess if you've got questions, discussion, um you know, if you decide that you want to use the allcash approach, that's a fairly straightforward process at this point. If you decide that you want to consider doing some some of this with debt, um we could start that process. um you know from start to finish it's you know 60 75 days give or take to to go out and solicit funding proposals bring them back to you all present them you make a decision or or we make a recommendation you make a decision to move forward or not just going out and soliciting funding proposals does not commit you to doing the borrowing but it's you know it's moving in that direction so uh if you care to give us some direction on that tonight. That's great. If you need to think through this additional time, um that's up to you. It

all right. So, I don't We're in FY26 right now, right? And we have a million dollars of stuff that we've needed now to do right now. So, I think we're giving you some direction would be and giving staff some direction would be critical because we're getting almost halfway through the year at this point. Um, and the blended effect of the utility vehicles being on a debt doesn't mean we can't pay them off early with no penalty, but it would give us some time for the reimbursement funds that are going to come back through some of these other grant things that we have to reimburse also to CIP because in this second scenario, we're depleting the fund that we just moved those monies to by next year.

Correct. Yeah. Okay. So, is there any discussion by council where we want to whether we want staff to move forward with one or the other, but how are we are we ready to move forward for FY26 CIP projects and how would you like to do that?

I want to make the recommendation that we look at the debt service for those vehicles. um utilize those for a 10-year period. And like you said, if there are refunds or whatever re reimbursements back to us, we can look at paying those off. But um I think utilizing like our trash money that we collect to pay for the trash truck that we have over a 10-year period of what the trash truck is supposed to last for makes perfect sense. Kind of lends to itself. That's a good point. Are you making that in a form of a motion, Kenny, to discuss? Yes. Okay. Second. All right. So, that will be up for discussion now.

Yes, Mr. So, his his motion is to put the town in debt, financing, move forward with financing the utility vehicle items as proposed on the Davenport report. Is that right, Mr. Allison? That is correct. scenario one.

So basically what I'm saying in layman's terms is we collect money right now for trash, right? So we would then pay for new trash equipment with the trash money. It's not necessarily putting us in debt. We're paying for the things that we need to pay for. Otherwise, it's just coming out of our general funding or our like it done before or through our CIP. We're paying cash for everything. Yeah. So, I think we're getting something for our money that we're spending on our trash services.

We were also told that we were going to buy a trash truck with a trash fund that apparently is not ever going to be set up. So, I'm not sure I trust that assessment, but that's just my opinion. I'm personally not in favor of adding debt, so I don't support that. That's my Would you like to cash fund the FY26 items? I would. you would I just I didn't hear you.

Okay. All right. Is there further discussion on looking into the debt option or doing scenario one because that is the motion on the table right now. Okay. All right. We'll vote on scenario one then and see what happens with that. Um, Miss Grandstaff. So, scenario one is the cash funding. Scenario one is the combo of cash and half and half.

Okay. I would be in favor of the half and half because when it comes to vehicle and depreciation, if we can pay cash and debt funds so we don't run into the rares, I would be in favor. Okay, Miss Sanford. Um yeah, I have to agree with um Miss Grand that um with depreciation and everything. I would be in favor of the half. Okay, Mr. Allison, I Okay, I know it's your motion. Uh Mr. Wood, I Mr. Larson,

I Mr. Williams, nay to put in the town in debt. Okay, and I vote I. So, we'll move forward with scenario one from that and then you guys will be back with us again on the um resolution for all the CIP items, right? Policy. Yeah. Uh the policy also separately and we'll we will work on a financing schedule with staff and be able to um figure out which meeting will be back to present the results.

Correct. Again, you you will there will be a couple of actions council will need to take in order to issue the debt. We'll but we will work on a schedule so that we know when we're coming back with the funding proposals and you'll you'll know ahead of time what are the actions necessary and if we win the jackpot in the meantime, we'll let you know. You can stop it. Yeah.

And you want the U cash funded CIP items be brought into the next meeting? Uh yeah, I mean I think we need to all this takes a process. Even once that's approved, implementing the projects takes I mean don't you know the longer we hold up on policy at this point the longer you can't do anything. So so I just want to be clear Mr. You will be bringing back the scenario of the combination of the debt plus the cash.

The debt we will be what we are going to do is we're going to put together a solicitation to lenders of the debt piece. Right. The cash piece you all just direct staff to spend those funds on those particular projects. We'll be back to discuss the debt component um and and have for you these are all of the options that we received from the solicitation. Here are the pros and cons and our recommendation and then you'll have an opportunity to decide yes, we want to move forward with XYZ lender.

Okay? Because that was the clarity I was seeking because to allude to Mr. William's point, the goal is not to leave the town in debt, but we want to be realistic to see what that looks like, but we don't want to pull the town. We've given you estimates. What we're going to bring back is actual proposals, and you'll have an opportunity to decide to move forward with that proposal or not.

Okay. Thank you. Sometimes there are ways to structure that within our system too where we are financed you know alternately tiered right um like we did this with the school where and maybe this isn't big enough for that but in the beginning you know we have the capacity at 20k and then 30k and then 40k so not evenly tiered over the 10 years I mean what we've shown you here is sort of level annual payment if you said look We'd like a couple of years where we can um because there is by that third year a pretty big I mean for this a kind of coverage in that, right? So just consider that

and the solicitation we put together we can have a a a couple two or three scenarios that we will can address for you. Hey, if you do just straight 10year level payment, this is what it would look like. If you had two years to grow into it, for example, this is what it would look like. Those are those are options that we often ask the banks to provide and they are usually willing to provide those options. But I would propose we work with st with your direction tonight. We work with staff to put a financing calendar together, the solicitation that will go out to the banks. We do this quite regularly and then a calendar that will say we will be back with the results of the solicitation. That will be nonbinding at that point. You're not obligated to move forward, but we'll present those and you will have an opportunity to take a vote about whether to move forward or not.

Okay? And Lisa will bring us back the cash items at the next meeting. There's no reason. We may not be ready for the debt at the next meeting, but right that's what I want to work on as a calendar when we uh regroup with staff. One other question. and the fact that we are in a position where as you show that we could cash fund these but for business purposes we want to see a combination with that kind of leverage when you go to the investors is that something they can use to say look they can cash fund this but we want to do it this way to give us leverage for the rate and different things like that

and they're going to look at your your financial profile and that's that's a million5 of of additional reserves in their eyes that will make you look uh it will be a stronger credit review for them and um yes in our conversations you know we can discuss that they may opt for debt fund uh cash funding so that may allow some of these folks to sharpen their pencil but it will be a competitive process we have a very long list of lenders we solicit it's a uniform process the proposals come back on a day and time specific. So, it is a very transparent process um and um you know that cash you have and and those things I think should help lenders get more comfortable with their underwriting process

and as long as there is no like prepayment in the event we want to prepay or that will that will be part of what we assess. Okay. Uh, not every lender will say you can prepay this anytime without penalty. Not all all banks do that. Some do, some don't. But that'll be part of the presentation to say you've got this rate, but you can't prepay it for five years. Whereas you've got this rate and you can prepay it tomorrow if you chose to. So, we'll have those laid out. It'll it'll it'll address all of the salient points, not only the rate, but prepayment fees, other terms and conditions that you all right,

will need to be um comfortable. I appreciate the indulgence. It's just like there are some citizens we don't want to create debt if we don't have to. But to see what our bargaining power and options are is always a good thing. But like I said,

yeah, look, it's it's I mean, I don't know that there's an absolute right or wrong way, but this is a balanced approach, right? You're cash funding some, you're debt funding some. That is a oftent times an approach that local governments are comfortable with rather than relying exclusively on debt. Oftent times doing nothing but cash funding isn't sustainable. Um, so I think you found, you know, a reasonable middle ground and again all you've all you've asked us to do is go out and solicit the proposals. You have not approved the debt. That will come at a subsequent meeting where you'll consider that. All right. Thank you, sir. Appreciate it. Okay. Thank you, Ted. Thank you.

All right. Next up is a request for us to set a public hearing on ordinance 772 amendment to the capital improvement plan funding policy. So this is a um town code. The funding policies in town code. Is that right, Lisa? And so we have

Yes. The current town code um it's regarding the sale of town property. Um, anytime we sell any town property, um, this ordinance, uh, directs us to, uh, divide the proceeds, uh, between the fire department, the volunteer rescue squad, the school, and the general fund. Um, so since the, um, Coney Beach volunteer rescue squad aren't providing EMS services, we are requesting um, to remove um, any percentage allocation to them and um take that 5% that would have gone to the rescue squad and apply that to the general fund. All right. So, would we like to set the public hearing for that at the um December work session or the December regular meeting? My hesitation in setting up for the work session is that it is going to come right after Thanksgiving and I don't know how much staff are we fully staffed on that Friday beforehand to get that

on a little Okay. So, let's do it on the regular meeting. December's regular meeting is the 17th. All right. What do we think about that? or we can postpone it further than that, but we're just setting the date. I've got a question. Is is there a proposal or is the hearing just going to be a general discussion for the public saying, you know, do you have an opinion on what to be done with the money? We're just asking for a public hearing at this point. If you look at tab G, it's a change to the town code if the actual red line of the town code is right there. any any details of the proposal or is it just

No, it's it's exactly as worded. I mean, that's the chapter two. In the event a property is sold, 5% of the proceeds go to the fire department, 5% of the proceeds go to the volunteer rescue squad, 10% go to the school. It's striking the language and moving it to 85% of the proceeds go to a general fund. That will be the actual public hearing. Is that right, Lisa? Correct. Correct. You see it? Yeah. Yeah. I just wasn't sure if we had if we need to discuss what was going to happen so the public knew in advance. You're saying it's already been decided or

Well, I mean, we can hold a public hearing on something different than that if that's I was just setting a date for what the was proposed. All right. Do we want to make a motion to set a date for the public hearing? So moved. Second for the regular December meeting. Regular. Yes. Okay. Is there further discussion on that? All right. All in favor? I I I.

Any opposed? All right. You guys got it. December 17th. Next up is the agreement for the CCTV for the DQ consent order for the next step in that. Miss Tucker, you're up. So, this item is uh just asking council to authorize me to enter into a piggyback agreement with Clark County, Virginia for closed circuit television work. Um, and Bowden currently has an active agreement with Clark County where they perform uh these types of services. Um, this is one of the projects that was identified and council approved funding for during the October 1st meeting. Um, we do have a deadline for completion of October 2026 with DEEQ, otherwise we risk losing um, funding from DEEQ. So the money has already been approved and appropriated. Um so I am just asking for approval to enter into this um piggyback agreement. And what the CCTV work will provide is it will um will insert video recording into the pipes. And um the types of things that we'll be able to determine is to find out if there are cracks or fractures in the pipe, if there are blockages from debris or sediment, if there are any root intrusion from nearby trees um that have encroached into the pipes so that we can then determine um what we would need to replace.

All right. Is there a motion to authorize the town manager to piggy back to the Clark County agreement? So moved. Is there a second? Second. All right. Is there further discussion on that? Yes, Mr. Williams.

I just I read through this. I was just curious how this works exactly. Obviously, is there a lot of language for Clark County in there? Um, some of it I'm not sure if it fits 100% with us. Does that matter? I'm not experienced with piggyback agreements and so I'm not 100% sure what I'm approving. So I just wanted a little clarity on what that means because there's a lot of language for them obviously that's not necessarily pertain to us like like insurance dollar amounts and you know getting out of contracts. I'm sure some of that stuff's good for us but I'm not sure if at all how

so the Clark County contract um when they issued that they had provisions that a piggyback contract for other municipalities to participate. So that's what allows us to do that. The specifics of the Clark County contract are not the specifics of ours, but we can contract with them for other things. I've drafted the contract you have in front of you, which refers to the language allows us to piggyback and it also incorporates the Clark County contract to be a ent that it's applicable. There going to be a lot of provisions that aren't to the extent that this doesn't contradict anything in this contract. So what this contract does is set out the time period and the the amount of the the contract. It also incorporates contract language that council was previously approved to be in all contracts. So the actual contract itself is only like three pages, but you have all the attachments that incorporate all the other language.

Thanks for clarifying that. All right. Any other discussion? All right. All in favor say I. I. I. I. I. Any opposed? All right. All right. Next up is a request for a public hearing on article 13 parking. This went a long time coming. Darla, bless your heart. Yes, I'm mad mayor, members of council. Um, if you want to go to the next screen, that'd be great.

So, just a little background. Um, you know, this zoning text amendment, if you look at it, the number's 24-02. We decided not to change the number related to it because this did come to you back in uh 2024 and um with recommended changes to article 13 and parking and council sent it back to planning commission and said you know this is there are some concerns that were expressed at the time about the proposed changes being too cumbersome. We had heard you all had heard from local businesses about that. So, um, at your work session last fall, you you and the planning commission discussed at at your October meeting that it would be a good idea for the planning commission to re reach out to community stakeholders and get some input relative to the parking ordinance to determine, you know, what changes might need to be made. And so the planning commission was working on another part of the ordinance that they reached out to stakeholders on relative to the floor area ratio. So it was in June when they set up the meetings with the stakeholders relative to parking June of 2025 following that input from the stakeholders which a copy of that um the meeting notes are in your packet for you just so you'll know what the stakeholder meeting involved. But following that input, um the current staff made revisions to the ordinance that you were given under the zoning text amendment 2402 for article 13 and parking. If you look at your copy in your packet that have the um underlines and strikethroughs, uh staff went ahead and made the revisions to the zoning text draft that you were given with 2402 because there were in staff's opinion some good things that were included in that. A lot of

that was some of just modernizing some of the language, clarifying some of the language, reorganizing. So, you're going to see that in this draft. But what we did do, if you'll skip on to the next slide, is um you know, we did make some changes to it. So, you'll see that with all of the underlines and striketh through, and we want you to have a schedule a public hearing on this. But basically, we did maintain some of the portions of the 2024 draft that we felt, you know, were appropriate. We expand the transitory commercial and office parking that may be counted towards the number of required spaces from those within 500 ft to those within 600 ft. Um we also uh more clearly explain in this the reciprocal parking and parking agreements between private property owners that may be um utilized to meet parking needs. We are allowing um the single family dwelling to allow one garage space to count towards the required parking because we have some places that um we're having trouble providing the two spaces on site without increas exceeding the impervious coverage. So we felt like that would be a benefit to all the properties in town to have less impervious coverage if we allow one to count in the in the garage. multif family dwellings and attached single family dwellings. Um we would let those be per approved plans as far as the parking design and layout and that a special exception could be granted by the town council if it was a unique circumstance when a development came through. Um expanded the carport the compact car and golf cart parking that can be um counted towards the required parking. allow that to go up to 30%.

There were some reductions in this draft for drive widths because, you know, the some of the typical drive widths are more of a suburban type design. So, we wanted to allow because of some of the smaller lots, you know, the downtown sort of design to allow some reductions in those drive widths. Um, we removed some of the additional uh landscaping and parking lot design requirements that were in the 24 draft. In other words, there wouldn't be landscaping all throughout the internal um parts of the parking area. Uh we would have the reinstated the ability for the zoning administrator to make some of those determinations of where it may be a you know able to reduce the landscaping requirements on a sightsp specific basis and um in encouraging cross access easements to improve movements in certain areas and also um you had to deal with you know how you calculate parking spaces. Clarifying some of and modernizing some of the terms relative to uses and parking requirements and then um reduce the number of spaces for certain uses. And as an example, like mixed use, if you had a mixeduse development, um bedrooms in that mixeduse development would only have to have a 0.5 space per unit. So, just trying to look at again, how do you make some of those things work? You know, two spaces per dwelling unit doesn't work. in the downtown urban design. And so looking at some of those, we did um not make these up on our own. We did look at some other ordinances that have good examples of downtown areas and um you know modeled some of the parking numbers

based on those areas that we know have been successful. Um, so we are asking that the planning commission at their meeting on October the 9th uh voted unanimously after their public hearing to recommend approval of these revised amendments to you. Um, and with the next slide, uh, staff is requesting that the council authorize the advertisement of a public hearing for these revised amendments for the council's December 17th meeting. and I'll be glad to answer any questions. Okay. So, um, is there a motion to have the public hearing on the December 17th meeting? So, move.

Is there a second to that? Second. Is there any further discussion? Just just that motion. Oh, no. Go ahead. Uh, I saw you first. You want me to go with her? Okay. Go ahead.

I just have a quick question on their um 133. Um, I've had visitors and um, white residents who live outside of town who came to restaurants and different things like that. I don't know if anything in here speaks to it because they haven't read all the way through. Is it crazy to think of like park invalidation because I had where they like we came to visit a restaurant and we came out to a $35 ticket or something like that or is there any concession for that or is there can there be any discussion around that to ease that burden or something like that? So the parking ordinance that you have before you

is part of the zoning ordinance. And so what is included in here is um you know how many spaces are needed for a particular type business. It doesn't deal with the town's ordinances or you know relative to having to have um parking permits or decals how that works. Okay. That's not addressed in here. That's part of the town code. Okay. So, we're dealing with development, redevelopment of properties, you know, say for a new business or development of properties that would allow, you know, new brick and mortar.

Lisa, I wonder to that point, one of the things that we've done in the past, and if you want to bring it back up, I think we could do it again, was we worked with Flowbird to create little vouchers for businesses to give them a free hour to their patrons. And we gave out, I forget, I mean, Adam uh more than that.

2500 free 1-hour parking vouchers and we just gave them in chunks to every business downtown and they could give them to anybody that patronized the business. So, we can do that internally through a policy to but through economic development. I know you have that hat on when you're thinking about that. Um and maybe it's time to do it again, you know, in that way if um Yeah. Right. That's kind of like a validity like a one hour validation then. Yeah. If 133 spoke to that or if it's a different caveat, but thank you.

Okay. Okay. just parking. So before April because it'll come back just my mind. So thank you. Thank you. I saw your hand as well.

Yeah. Just a question. I know we're gonna, you know, get into all the details during the public hearing, but um as I'm looking through this, I want to know um if you can tell me, did the planning commission address any anything any concerns about um new developments with the parking in town? Like the example that I think is pretty glaring is uh school town hills, the the town houses over there. Um a good chunk of their cars park over in the Tory Smith parking. Um did did they discuss anything that would maybe address that kind of thing going forward?

So this establishes what the minimum parking requirements would be for each of those types of uses. So we did talk about, you know, that um there may be I'll take a look at because I it may not be clear enough in here because like with the town homes, the town homes had to provide two spaces for each of the town homes. So, they must have extra cars there and they're choosing to park or they're having visitors. One of the things I will check on and I and I think that's a good point. Appreciate that is that oftent times in ordinances when you have uh a town home development you specifically um could be multif family as well but for us to allow for a certain amount of visitor parking that would be required.

Okay. Thank you. Okay. So the motion on the floor right now is do you hold the public hearing at the December 17th meeting? Is there any further discussion? All right. All in favor? I I I. Any opposed? All right. We'll hold two public hearings on December 17th. Um, next up is the resolution of the town council of Columbia Beach to support the introduction of legislation to prohibit hunting in Monroe Bay. So moved.

I would like um pal to read the full resolution um because it has had to be presented to us tonight. So, um, and I know this was to piggyback off of last Wednesday's meeting and then you were out and now we're So, do you want to intro it or do you just want me to read it and then explains it introduction?

Okay. Um, at last month's or this month's board of supervisors meeting, the board voted to ban hunting in Monroe Creek, but a resolution has not been presented to them yet. Um, Senator Stewart and in his capacity as senator and also as county attorney drafted a resolution u directed mainly at Monroe Bay. We have suggested additional language to make it not just Monroe Bay, but out into the the waterways as you'll see on that map and also 50 feet or I believe or 50 yards into the inland part. So, we're basically trying to address anybody who could try to hunt from the shore or just outside the town limits, which has been a problem before. what people have been doing.

Okay. So, I've sent this to Senator Stewart. He hasn't gotten back to me yet, but he will take this and probably alter his resolution to hopefully reflect this. Right.

Yeah. So, we went a little bit further than the county's um resolution to extend it a little bit in line with what uh has been really in discussions for quite some time to try to get this to the state. So, uh, the map is, uh, provided. Let's thank Miss Sanford for pushing us to make sure we had the map attached to it. I think that was a good good call. Um, all right. So, I'm going to read it here so that it's uh, clear as day. Whereas Monroe Bay, located in and near the town of Clono Beach and along the Ptoac River in West Morland County, is a uniquely and environmentally sensitive area home to numerous residents, visitors, and recreational users. And whereas Monroe Bay is a hub for boating, kayaking, fishing, bird watching, and other waterfront recreation that draw both local citizens and tourists, contributing to the economic vitality and quality of life in Colonial Beach. And whereas the close proximity of residential homes, marinas, public parks, and commercial establishments to the shoreline of Monroe Bay raises significant public safety concerns associated with hunting of foul and other game. And whereas numerous citizens have expressed concern regarding the dangers and disruption caused by hunting activity within or adjacent to Monroe Bay. And whereas the town council recognizes the importance of protecting both public safety and the peaceful enjoyment of the bay. And whereas the current state law limits the ability of localities to enact hunting restrictions in title waters without enabling legislation adopted by the general assembly. And whereas the town council of Clono Beach supports the introduction and passage of state legislation that would authorize or establish a prohibition on hunting within the waters of the shoreline of Monroe Bay and within all Virginia waters and shorelines 500 yards south of the mouth of the Monroe Bay. All as

appropriately shown on the attached map in order to protect residents, visitors, and property. Now therefore, be it resolved that the town council of Colonia Beach hereby express its support for the introduction and passage of legislation by the Virginia General Assembly to ban hunting within Monroe Bay, including 50 yards inland from the shoreline of Monroe Bay and within all Virginia waters and shorelines, including 50 yards inland from the shorelines extending 500 yards south of the mouth of Monroe Bay. And be it further resolved that the town council respectfully requests the town's representative in the Virginia General Assembly to introduce and support such legislation during the next regular session. And be it further resolved that the copies of this resolution will be forwarded to the town's delegation to the general assembly, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, and the town of Ploney Beach and the county of West Morland. Okay, that is the resolution and I have a motion. Somebody did. We already do the motion.

So move. Wood has been on the motions today. We have. We're ready. All right. Do I have a second? Second. Okay. Further discussion on this item. They got a question. Yep. Go right for it. So we're So we're amending the uh or adding the additional 500 yard buffer than what the county has requested or what they're planning to request,

right? I and I Mr. Trivet and I talked about this too and I I believe he agrees that we we need to have it further out and so I expect Senator Stewart will view it similarly and hopefully the county will view it similarly. Now when it gets to the general assembly, you know, there may be compromises on those measurements, but this is what we would be supporting. It's the 500 yards is how the purple comes down here. That's the 500 yards. And I'm just That's not part of the town of Clinton Beach, which is my point of No. If it's not part of what

outside of the town limits, correct? What I'm saying is that would be part of Weston County. We're requesting to add additional than what they have already proposed. They just said Monroe Bay. They didn't really say any. Correct. I'm saying we're adding more than what the county is proposing. Correct. That's correct. Okay. Right. And and the attorney is working with the county to get them to to buy. Understood. I just want to make sure. Okay. Yeah. It's clear to everyone. That's why I was asking the question that we're proposing more than what the county has suggested and that you have reached out to them and notified them. Just making sure everyone hears the conversation, not we're just doing something

right, Mr. Williams. I just wanted to clarify. So, this does cover like the main area that people have had the most complaints about, which is down by the yach club and in that general where the hunting was going on around the yacht club was outside of town limits. Um, and so that was a problem. town and have jurisdiction to enforce that. But now having a state law that prohibits honey there is something entirely different. Thank you.

And to be that's the point of the 500 yards is if we did not add that language that area would still not be included. Right. Clarity Robin just a quick thing when you were reading at the end the last further resolve after town of Colonial Beach. You say and West Morland County. Is that something that needs to be there? I added in West Morland County because we have to provide it. Substitute West Morland for town of Colonial Beach. So, does that need to be corrected? I did an ad for you. Well, that is how I wrote it. So, that is how the motion will be. Okay. Because it wasn't showing on here. So, when I heard you say West Mon County, I'm like, do we need to make this?

You said the town of Columbia Beach and I said and West Mullen County. I did add, right? But it is appropriate that it really should be forwarded to West Morland County. Right. Okay. So, I think yes, we should be adding West Morland County. Thank you. Okay. Yep. Yep. Yep. She's paying attention. She is. So, we need to All right. We have a motion in a second. Is that right? Did I have a motion in a second? Heather, you have a motion, not a second. All right. Oh, Larson seconded it. Somebody did. Somebody did. I think it was me.

Or was it? I don't know. Somebody to the right did. Okay. All right. All in favor say I. I. Oh, wait. The motion is as I read it, I think. Right. As she read it. Are we on the same page? Yes. You probably should do a roll call. I mean, I will do a roll call. Dugen. Mr. Dugen. Sorry. I will do a roll call. All right. We'll go from the inside out again. Opposite this time. Spice it up. Williams. I. Larson. I. Wood. I. Allison. I. Sanford. I. Grandstaff. I. And I vote I.

As read. Correct. West Muller County. As read. Thank you.

Why are you doing that to me? All right. Oh. Um, okay. Before I read this in, do it was brought to my attention by the clerk that um we should maybe consider cancelling the December work session right after the Thanksgiving holiday without staff around that Thursday, Friday beforehand. back in the office

would be tomorrow.

All right. Do we want to consider that canceling the work? So move, she says. Is there a second to that? Second over here. I thank you for picking it up on this side. Seriously. And so you're doing you're doing this by resolution. I just call for a roll call just again. Yeah. Yes, sir. I mean, I don't think you have to, but All right. We're trying to soul certify to get out of here.

I know. All right. Cancel December um work session. and we'll just hold the regular meeting which is going to be pretty full because we'll have also the EMS um presentation from Blake and the two public hearings on it as well. Um okay, so uh I'll roll call vote. Um all right, we'll spice it up again. Allison I Sanford I. Grandstaff I. Uh Williams, I Larson I.

Wood. and I vote I. All right. Now, I'm going to read us in. I move that the town council of the town of Columbia Beach, Virginia, convene in close meeting for the following purposes and to discuss the following subjects, all of which are exempt by Virginia law of public meeting requirements as indicated. Namely, pursuant to Virginia Code 2.2-3711A7 2-3711A7 for consultation with legal counsel pertaining to probable litigation where such consultation and open meeting would adversely affect the litigating posture of the public body and pursuant to Virginia code 2.2-371188 for consultation with legal counsel retained by the town regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. All right, with that move do I have a second?

All in favor? I All right, we'll take a bathroom 10 minute, five minute recess and then be in close session. Thank you. Thank you everybody.

All right. Is there a motion to reconvene an open meeting? Is there a second? All right. All in favor? I I I. Any opposed? All right. Is there a motion to certify that only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed, or considered in the meeting by councel. I need a motion. A second. Second. All right. We're back on this side again. All right. Each uh member needs to individually certify. I certify. I so certify.

I so certify. Lisa,

I so certify. And is there a motion to pass a resolution supporting the board of supervisors attempts to attain the accounting of the funds raised by the Colonia Beach Rescue Squad Incorporated for the construction of the new emergency services building. This resolution adopted today, November 19th, 2025 by the Town Council of Colonial Beach, um, Virginia, reads, "Whereas the Colonial Beach Rescue Squad Incorporated, so-called the squad, has been raising funds for a new emergency services building in Colonial Beach, Virginia, which is the town. And whereas it is believed that numerous residents of Colonial Beach have contributed to the fund. And whereas the town has also contributed f funds to the squad. And whereas the board of supervisors of West Morland County, Virginia, is considering using West Morland County funds to build a new emergency services building in or near Colonial Beach. And whereas as part of determining what funds may be available for the new building, the county needs to know how much has been collected under the fund. And whereas the town understands that the county through its officers or agents has asked the squad for details regarding the fund, but to date the squad has not provided these details or even the total amount that it has raised. And whereas the board of supervisors is considering litigation to compel the squad to supply the requested information to the county. And where is the building in the town currently being used for emergency medical services is prone to flooding and the town council recognizes that a new building is needed. So, West Morland County may continue to provide needed and life-saving services to town residents. And whereas the town council desires that the best services possible should be available to cit citizens of the town and that the squad account to the county for the funds that it has raised. Now, therefore, the town council by this resolution expresses its support for the county's efforts, including litigation, to obtain an accounting of

the fund. I so move. Is there a second to that? Second. All right. And I'm going to individually roll call. I'll start Wood. Hi. Larson. Hi. Williams. Hi. Grand staff. Hi. Sanford. Allison. I. And I vote I. And is there a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Second. All in favor? We'll adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Thank you very much, everyone. Boy, the under