Onancock' Town Council Meeting- - October 25, 2021  Town of Onancock Town Council Meeting October 25, 2021 7:00 p.m.  Call to Order and Roll Call:  Mayor Fosque called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and roll was called. Mayor Fletcher Fosque and Councilmembers Robert Bloxom, Ray Burger, Thelma Gillespie, Joy Marino, Sarah Nock and Maphis Oswald were present. All members were present, and a quorum was established.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Mayor Fosque acknowledge twoi individuals that recently passed away in Onancock, Miguel Bizzotto of Consideration and Approval of the September 27,2021 Town Council Meeting Minutes: Mayor Fosque asked if there were any changes, corrections or additions to the minutes as submitted. Councilmember Marino stated that the word rabid on page three: should be removed. Councilmember Nock made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Councilmember Oswald  Bizzotto's Gallery Caffé and Mary Ann Connolly of Red Queen Gallery.  seconded the motion. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.  Public Business: No public hearings scheduled. Council Discussion:  a. Comprehensive Plan Discussion: Councilmember Bloxom made ar motion to approve the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Burgerseconded the motion. Council discussion followed. Councilmember Bloxom shared Planning Commission's, journey to getting the document together and ready for Council'sa approval, stressing that Council adoption was appropriate and  needed without further delay.  Mayor Fosque called for the vote. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.  Public Comment: to Town Council (attached).  Mrs. Brenda Smith, Market Street, read her letter of concern regarding the lack of police coverage aloud Mr. Bill Burnham, Onancock Business and Civic Association, shared with Town Council the Christmas season events calendar. Councilmember Oswald asked that Town Hall be kept apprised of the events sO that when people call staff will be able to assist them with the correct information. Rick Turner, Onancock, Street, reiterated Mrs. Smith's concern over the Town's lack of police coverage. Mr. Spuck shared with the public Council's commitment toi increasing our officer's salaries over the next three years, putting Onancock's departments salaries in the top three on the Shore. Mrs. Priscilla Hart, Market Street, also expressed her concerns over the lack of police coverage.  1    Onancock Town Council Meeting- - October 25, 2021  Police Chief, Eric Williams, shared with Council and the public that currently there are two Onancock officers who are at the Police Academy andi that currently the Town only has two certified officers on staff. They are currently rotating shifts. The Department is also looking into putting cameras upi in areas of concern. Councilmember Oswald asked what the citizens could do to help deter crime in Town. Chief Williams suggested that the installation of motion lights will be help deter crime and that businesses should look at their setup to see wherei their security weaknesses are and work to correct those Mr. Glen Smith, Market Street, suggested that the Town look into different approaches to police Councilmember Gillespie shared that the Police cannot be expected to be everywhere and that our  deficiencies.  recruitment, stating that iti is all about the quality of life.  residents and businesses should do all they can do to help themselves.  Committee Reports:  a. HRSD, Robert Bloxom: Councilmember Bloxom deferred to Mr. Spuck. Mr. Spuck shared that he received an email from USDA - Rural Development Friday morning asking to see the signed minutes and adopted ordinance to verify that Town Council approved the transfer for the b. Waterfront Committee Report, Robert Bloxom: Councilmember Bloxom read ChairmanT.Lee  wastewater treatment plant to HRSD.  Byrd's report aloud (report include in the minutes).  Councilmember Nock asked about T&W Block's progress with dust mitigation plan. Mr. Spuck shared that the well is installed and that they are working during normal business hours. Mr. Spuck stated that they are still working on getting the landscaping barrier installed. Planning Commission, Robert Bloxom: Councilmember Bloxom shared that the Planning Commission recently reviewed the zoning of a parcel on Pine Street which backs upi to Pennewell Street, thei initial consensus was to rezone from R1A to R1C. Planning Commission also reviewed the potential rezone of four Town owned parcels into Parksa and Open Spaces which will match their current use. The Planning Commission also discussed how best to upgrade paper roads in Town which may have future construction on them, it was the general consensus to upgrade the roads using VDOT'ss specifications. Lastly, the Commission continued their discussion of the homestay ordinance rewrite. The rewrite will come before Councili in the  New Year.  d. Personnel Committee, Joy Marino: No meeting.  Mayor's Report:  Mayor Fosque asked Council to agree on the best method to interview prospective candidates for Councilmember Bloxom's open seat, which will be vacated after the December meeting. Council decided to hold a Closed Session meeting following the Regular Town Council meeting in November to interview the interested parties. Council has also asked to see resumes a week before thei interviews.  2    Onancock Town Council Meeting- - October 25, 2021  Town Council also had al brief discussion of cancelling the December meeting duet to its closeness to the  holidays.  Town Manager's Report: Attached.  Mr. Spuck highlighted ai fewi items from his Town Manager's Report:  Small Business Grant: stating the Town will be able to assist 31 businesses through this grant totaling approximately $331,000. Mr. Spuck thanked Mrs. Lisa Fiege for all of her help with the Purchase ofa a New Mower: Mr. Spuck explained that the Town outsources some ofi its mowing as does the Historic Onancock School. With the purchase of a new mower, which is already part of the capital expenditure plan, the Town will be able to bring that activity back in house and be Mr. Spuck also updated Council on the Northeast Section Grant which was previously denied due to ANPDC gathering insufficient qualifying surveys. Mr. Eric Luchansky, ANPDC, said that with the inclusion of Pine Street Apartments het feels they will have the required number of  grant administration.  able to cut the lawn for HOS with them reimbursing us for that service.  qualifying surveys to get the grant application approved.  a. ARPA Project Updates -A Attached.  Council Comments:  Councilmember Bloxom stated that hei feels that the Town is on ag good trajectory.  Councilmember Marino thanked Police Eric' Williams and Officer Kim Whitelock for their hard work. Councilmember Oswald thanked Town Manager Spuck for his detailed Town Manager's Report. Councilmember Nock updated the public about the recent Main Street event in which varies groups Councilmember Gillespie thanked Mr. Spuck for her street assignment as well as asked for dates to start  Councilmember Oswald thanked Police Chief Williams for his hard work. were invited to meet with the State and National Main Street representatives.  planning the park in the Northeast Section of Town.  Closed Session: None was had. Adjourn:  Councilmember Bloxom. made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Gillespie seconded the motion. The  motion passed by unanimous voice. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.  Fletcher Fosque,  MEPN dg  3    We purchased our house in Onancock in 2009, expecting to retire here and become part of a family oriented, safe community. We have lived her full time for 5years. In 2018, my husband and Is started noticing small changes around town. Beautification became a priority, while attention to laws decreased. We've seen the kayak park established, the harbormaster's house renovated twice, the gazebo area trees and shrubs planted and replanted, parking area improvements on King Street. In that same time, police patrols, which had been a daily experience, became almost non-existent. There was a noticeable increase in illegal parking-parking in front of fire hydrants, parking close to corners and stop Ons several occasions, we brought our police concerns to the attention of the mayor and council and to the town manager. We were told more than once that the police department is short staffed. They hired people, trained them and then they left for better paying positions. We noted that Onancock advertises that it has its own 24 hour police force and that this simply wasn'ttrue. Sometimes it seemed trivial to complain about not seeing police patrols and about peoples' disregard of parking laws, but we felt that our taxes were paying for police coverage and also that the character of Onancock was sliding downhill. In the last year, I have encountered several drunk people walking the streets of Onancock. The latest, in September, was at mid-day on Market Street, a couple who had their beer (Miller Lite) in koozies. A regular patrol would have spotted On Sunday night (10/17) my purse was taken from my car. While Iwas careless-I usually don't leave it in my vehicle-my car was parked in my driveway! This happened about 8:15 pm. My husband andlsaw it as an indication that Onancock was continuing to go downhill. First, little police presence and general disregard for rules, then riffling thru cars looking for loose change and items that are easy to sell. They probably figured they hit the jackpot with my purse! Next comes breaking and entering and then muggings. Sure enough, Tuesday morning, Onancock has made a great push to make itself a tourist destination and a haven for retirees. The Main Street group and OBCA are working hard to make Onancock a great place to live. How many retirees will seek out this town if their  signs and parking in no parking zones.  this.  Onancock had the breaking and enterings.    safety is not a concern? Why would anyone want to come visit if they know that The dog park is being planned for an area by the old carnival grounds. An area where quite a few houses, priced at $250,000 and up, are being constructed. This isa also the area where on October 13, a shooting took place. The person was shot at about 3:00 in the afternoon! They later died. This is an area where Ifrequently walk, often pushing a stroller carrying my granddaughter. Iknow for a fact that early in the summer my friends spoke to the mayor and town manager about their concerns in that area. They believed there was drug activity, but were told there was nothing that could be done. Perhaps more of a police presence would Whenlcalled Onancock Police to report my stolen purse, there was a phone recording. Ileft a message and then called town hall. Iwas told no one was working-they'l! be in on Tuesday. The person took my name and number and said she'll give him a message. Ihave yet to receive a phone call. Icalled the sheriff's office and was told THEY were shorthanded, sO Iwent to Accomac to talk to a The Onancock Police Department staffing issues have been going on for years. They are not covid related, they are not retirement related, they are the result of the town's failure to plan and budget for adequate coverage. Onancock has pursued a vision of a lovely town for tourists. Money and time have been spent on appearances. Even if grants and outside funding was paying for such things as the harbormaster's house and parking areas, the time spent on finding those grants could have been spent on finding police funding. The safety of residents as When! Ispoke to the person at town hall, Isaid 1 with the shooting last Wednesday and now my purse being stolen, IV was concerned about the path Onancock was on, she assured me that everyone there was also concerned. Ibelieve that the time for concern is over, it's time that the town acted. Stop gussiying up the town and start spending money on infrastructure that will support the safety of  one careless moment will be maliciously exploited?  have prevented this.  deputy. That deputy had been and Onancock Police Officer!  well as tourists needs to be prioritized!  residents.    1012421,2:26PM  Gmail WATERFRONT 10/12  Gmail  TLee Byrd tebyrd@gmal.com  WATERFRONT 10/12 TLee Byrd leebyrd@gmai.com> To: Robert Bloxom cper.poxomemancom Bob please find' Waterfront synopsis front October meeting:  Sun, Oct 24, 2021at2:26PM  THE MARINA WILL CLOSE FOR THE SEASON AT THE END OF OCTOBER. FUEL SALES ARE AVAILABLE WITH 24 HOURS NOTICE BY CALLING THE MARINA. THE TOWN MANAGER PRESENTED THE MOST UP TO DATE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE MARINA. AND ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES FOR MAINTENANCE, AND THE BOAT RAMP IS COMPLETED INCLUDING THE APPROACH BLACKT TOP REPAIRS. VIRTUALLY EVERY TRAILERI BOATERHAS HAD NOTHING BUT GREAT THINGS TO SAY THE RENTAL OF THE OVERFLOW PARKING LOT AS WELL. AS THE SLIP RENTED FROM THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY (BEHIND MALLARD'S) HAVE BEEN COMPLETED FORTHE UPCOMING 2022 SEASON AND ARE WELCOMED ADDITIONS ONCE AGAIN WITH OUR TRANSIENT BOATERS HAVE HAD WONDERFUL COMMENTS REGARDING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE HARBORMASTER, AND STAFF AS WELL. AS THE KIND VOLUNTEERS FROM OBCA AND RESIDENTS OF OUR TOWN THAT WERE WILLING TO TRANSPORT GUESTS TO THE GROCERY STORE, ETC...." "WE HAVENT RECEIVED THAT KIND OF FRIENDLY TREATMENT AT MANY MARINAS IN. ALL OUR' YEARS OF THE WATERFRONT COMMITTEE, MARINAHARBORMASTER AND OUR TOWN APPRECIATE THE NOVEMBER WATERFRONT COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THE: SECOND  REPAIRS DURING THE OFF SEASON. ABOUTTHE NEW RAMP!  LIMITED PARKING AND THE ADDITIONAL SLIP.  BOATING!"  THE GENEROUS VOLUNTEERS.  TUESDAY OF NOVEMBER( 11/9) AT 5:30 IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS    ONANCOCK 60 TPGENIA $ EASTERM SHOPE  Town Council: Bob Bloxom, Ray Burger, Thelma Gillespie, Joy Marino, Sarah Nock and Maphis Oswald  Mayor: Fletcher Fosque / Town Manager: Matt Spuck  ARPA Project and Spending Report  Police Generator:  Have two quotes in hand, comparing them and working with electrician and DPW to determine the best location for the unit itself. Both quotes are for less than the allowed budget, but there will be site work required (cement pad, etc.). There is no reason to suspect that the project will exceed the maximum funds lam exploring the possibility of getting the first layers of the plan from HRSD, who just completed this work for their purposes. Ifv we can work with HRSD to obtain this work, we may be able to save some of the  appropriated by Council.  GIS ofWater System  budgeted funds. More information to come. Police Department/Bathroom Renovation No action taken thus far.  DogPark  lam waiting for the surveyor to provide al larger printout of the plot. Imet with Ray about getting design help and once we have a plan to consider, we will make it publicly available and solicit specific feedback from OBCA and its members. Ideally, we would finish the planning over the winter with an early Spring Ispoke with the Tree Board about reviewing the plantings there to be sure everything is healthy. lintend to speak with the Street Captains from the A-NPDC Northeast Planning Grant to develop a plan for the design This has been completed and paid. We are using town equipment to grade the disturbed land. When thisis The painters are scheduled, and we have received the pressure release valves that are installed on fire hydrants to support the system when the tower is offline, The design for the exterior painting will be presented to Council before it is finalized. That rendering will come to you as soon asi it is available. lwill use the town communication systems to let residents and businesses what to expect and what they will see during the project. There should be no disruption in service, or reduced pressure. Ihave contacted. AT&T and have connected their project foreman with the foreman for our tower painting crew to coordinate when the cell service needs to be paused while they clean and paint around that The tank has been ordered but there is a significant delivery delay. When it arrives, we will construct the  construction. Northeast Park  of the park renovations.  Remove Wood Shop Tower Paint and Seal  finished, this project will be complete.  equipment. Hypo Tank  cement pad and instali it ourselves. This will take place after the firstof the year.  Security for Water Tower No action taken thus far Electric at the Tower  15North Street I Onancock, Virginia 23417 1 757.787.3363 onancock.com  00    Hoping to use the same electricians that we are using for the installation of the pedestals at the Wharf, but I  have not received confirmation from them yet  Air Conditioning at Town Hall - Upstairs No action taken thus far  Matching Grant for Onancock Businesses to Renovate Building Facades  Ab brief email exchange took place between Main Street and one Councilmember, but nothing related to decisions. My plan is to create a team (similar to the one we assembled for the first Cares Act business  grant) to develop a program and present to Council before any action is taken.  Sunset Park  No action taken thusf far Touchless Faucets at Little League No action taken thus far Drainage Ditch Cleanout No action taken thus far Valve Isolation Duckbill at Wharf  This projectis dependent on the GIS mapping of the water distribution system. No action taken thus far  No action taken thus far Clean Out Under Floating Docks  Ipursued a firm that specializes in projects like this one and have received an engagement letter for the surveying and applications services we would require. Ihave sent it to youi in a separate email. This firm will walk us through the entire process from permitting to completion. There is no other firm nearby that performs this work. Ihave not signed the engagement letter yet because lwant to review the budget for the remainder of the project and consider the intricacies of the site we plan to use for disposal. More  information is to follow. No action taken thus far No action taken thus far Walking Path at Little League Complex No action taken thus far  Downtown Aesthetics Town Square Repairs  ESCADV: Support  Plan to discuss the timing of the distribution of these funds once have the near term outlay of the town's DPW and Police Officers are giving me a list of areas int town with standing water issues. Once we have this first-pass list, we will make the list publicly available. At this point, we will work with' VDOT for any priority area that falls on their secondary system to learn about the process for them to repair, for us to cost share in the repair, or for us to undertake the project under their supervision, This is going to be al long process.  ARPA funds. More to come, soon.  Stormwater Management  21 Page2of2    ONANCOCK VIPGASTASEN SHORE  0  Town Council: Bob Bloxom, Ray Burger, Thelma Gillespie, Joy Marino, Sarah Nock and Maphis Oswald  Mayor: Fletcher Fosque / Town Manager: Matt Spuck  Town Manager Report October 25, 2020  HRSD  USDA in D.C. has all the information they requested, and we are simply waiting to hear about their final decision regarding any repayment requirements of the grant portion of the original USDA bond used to Allo other tasks, to the best of my knowledge, have been provided and once we hear back, we will be ready  construct the wastewater treatment plant. too close on the transfer immediately.  After we close, we will begin the process to transfer the Town's collection system. This should be a quick process and once we have permits in hand, we will go to bid. If the project cannot be completed by April 1, we will delay until next fall.  Bulkhead  The permit drawings are complete, and the application has been submitted to the County, State, and Feds, We received a grant of $270,000 from VPA and another grant of $64,500 from BIG for this project. It should require little, if any, Town contribution. lfany funds are required, Council already budgeted for iti in the use Wharf operations cease on 10/29. Fuel purchases can be made off-season by calling the wharf or town Because the bulkhead project is hopefully taking place over the winter, no slip rentals over the winter are Part of last year's BIG grant was to replace the pedestals at the wharf. Those have been ordered and scheduled fori installation in the next month (except those at the bulkhead, we will wait until the completion This year and for the first time, the Town is printing tax bills in-house. We have (as of this writing) the real estate tax file from the County but are waiting for the personal property tax date. Once we have the data, Southern Software (our tax and accounting system) converts the data, and we can print. This saves us a couple of weeks, which for mailing tax bills that are due on December 61 this year, The only change to taxes this year is that Council eliminated vehicle decals and willl be billing that fee Tax seasonis: an intense time in the office with a lot of telephone calls and office visits from taxpayers. Please remember that if you have an outstanding balance, your payment is applied to that balance first and penalties andi interest are charged against any unpaid balance after December 6. Our online payment portal is open and working. hope you are using it for your utility bills already! Also remember, that Council budgeted to absorb thef fee for paying online, 50 there is no fee to pay online - but you will need your account number - so have your bill in your hand  of reserves for grant-matching.  Wharf Operations  office at least 24-hours ahead and someone will meet them at the wharf.  being considered.  oft that project before we install).  Tax Season  that extra time for our residents and businesses is helpful.  on the personal property tax return.  when you go online to pay.  15North Street I Onancock, Virginia 23417 757.7873363 onancock.com    Town Communications senior).  Lately we have had to use our new town communication systems (for water line leaks, and even a missing This system is NOT THE SAME AS CODE RED - Code Red IS a County sponsored app for emergencies lfyous would like communication from the Town for local Issues (like hydrant flushing, traffic issues, etc)  By Text: Text the word ONANCOCK to 91896  By Email: Give your email address to any employee in Town Hall  Small Business Recovery Grant  The term for this grant is coming to an end.  lapplied for the grant over a year ago and has since distributed about $300,000 to about 30 local The town has paid Onancock Main Street $3,000 and has additional funds remaining to pay them for being  businesses. Team Thank you. Department of Public Works  part of the project management team that administered the grant.  The town looks great - limbs are being picked up on time, grasses are being cut, streets cleaned,  maintenance issues are being addressed in at timely manner.  This is all with only one person. Proposal to consider:  We will staff the DPW with a second person.  The town pays a lawn cutting service for some of our parcels about $6,500 each year, The Historic Onancock: School also pays a lawn cutting service about $5,000 each year. Isuggest that the town buy a larger deck mower and cut the parcels we outsource as well as the  grass at the school,  Iwould ask for a 3-year commitment from the school for this service,  We would cut the grass once weekly (which is more frequently that they currently receive) By cutting the grass short at the school and cutting it weekly, after a season the The school, with: shorter grass, would also be a sought-after mid-Shore field that Ihave spoke with. Joani about this and she supports it, in concept.  burrs will not be an issue  could be used for soccer leagues and rentals. We would also have the proper tool to maintain the dog park  The cost of the mower is al little under $20,000. We have a capital budget this year that will cover the cost. With the support of the school and reducing the costs to outsource, we will pay for the mower in 2 years. Witha 3-year commitment from the school, we will have the funds to maintain the mower and continue to keep both DPW employees busy - but not Please allow me to use up to $20,000 of the capital funds already budgeted for this service.  overlyso.  Virginia Tourism Grant  Virginia Tourism received $50 million from ARPA  This amount is being appropriated to each locality (County, in this case).  The method Accomack County is using to allocate its funds has not yet been determined, but because Onancock is both a registered DMO and a separately incorporated Town (only Onancock and Chincoteague Chamber are DMO's),Iwould expect to be a recipient of a portion of these funds lam putting together a spending plan that aligns with the purpose of the grant and will present this plan to Council as soon as itis complete. We need to learn of the County's plan toa appropriate toi its Towns and DMO's! before we finalize this plan for Council's approval,  Purchase of Equipment  At the August 23, 2021 meeting, Council adopted the resolution to borrow and seek grant funding to purchase replacement equipment for the DPW (smalld dump truck, chipper, and trailer). The Accomack  Page 2of3  17    procurement office pointed me toward the state contract vendors for these items (thank you, Accomack') and we have received quotes and submitted the loan/grant application to USDA Ify you reçall, the beginning of the USDA fiscal year is 10/1, sO our uming for this IS good and we are hopeful to receive the maximum We are completing the preparation for the 2021 financialaudit, which should take place over thet holidays The Town's decorations are being organized tested and a schedule for community decorations has been The Christmas Decorating Committee is scheduling a meeting where interested volunteers can attend to At this point, you have heard about the change in leadership coming for the Planning Commission, Planning Commission members appoint the Chairperson, and will help that process as best Ican in the next The two officers attending the police academy are performing well and will join the department here after completion in early January. They will need 240 hours of supervision after they return before theya are fully One of the vehicles Council authorized to purchase is being detailed and equipped currently. The other is still waiting for certain parts to be assembled and then it will be assembled and delivered. We should see  possible grant for this purchase because of that effort.  2021Audit Christmas in Onancock  OBCA is once again planning for the most charming Christmas for any town anywhere!  established.  offer support in the most beneficialway.  Planning Commission  meeting.  Police  certified as Onancock Police Officers. the firsti in a week orso.  Page 2of3 J