RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS January 9, 2025 MIINUTES At a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors for Richmond County, Virginia, held on the gth day ofJanuary, 2025, thereof in the Public Meeting Room of the County Office Building. Present: F. Lee Sanders, Chairman J. David Parr, Member Richard E. Thomas, Vice-Chairman Robert B. Pemberton, Member JR Fidler, Member Also Present: Hope Mothershead, County Administrator Dr. Davis, Richmond County Public Schools David Beale, VDOT Sheriff Smith, Sheriff' S Office/ Animal Shelter/ NNRJ Mitch Paulette, Chief of Emergency Services Kristie Brann, Treasurer Jason Lentz, RCVFD Halle Cullison, Voter Registrar Approximately 10 others CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sanders opened the meeting, gave the invocation and led in the pledge. PUBLIC HEARING In accordance with Section 15.2-2204 ofthe Code ofVirginia, 1950 as amended and pursuant to Section 15.2-2507 ofthe Code ofVirginia, 1950 as amended, the Richmond County Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice that a Public Hearing will be held starting at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, January 9, 2025 in the Richmond County Public Meeting Room, 101 Court Circle, Warsaw, Virginia 22572 to receive public comment on an amendment to the FY25 budget in the amount of81,350, 000.00 offunds available from Department ofHousing and Community Developme/Conmuanty Development Block Grant Program. These funds will be used to fund the Scott Town. Road Housing Rehabilitation Project. There was no public comment. 1 "On a motion made by J.R. Fidler, the Board voted: F. Lee Sanders aye; Robert B. Pemberton -aye; J. David. Parr -aye; J.R Fidler-aye; Richard E. Thomas-aye; to amend the FY25 budget in the amount of $1,350,000. " COUNTY DEPARTMENT RECOGNITION Mrs. Mothershead stated Richmond County is fortunate to have employees in place who truly care about the County and each other. Mrs. Mothershead recognized the Voter Registrar/Electoral Board with a letter of appreciation from the Board of Supervisors. Halle Cullison were present to receive the recognition they deserve. Mrs. Mothershead commented how much all their work is appreciated. SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS Chairman Sanders, The Board of Supervisors, and Hope Mothershead presented a letter of recognition to Glenn Bowen for his 12 years of dedication and commitment to the Planning Commission. The Board also recognized Timika Croxton for her Planning Commission service. A life-saving award was presented to Officer Albert Sanchez for his bravery in assisting to save a life in the line of duty. STAFF REPORTS RCPS Dr. Davis reported for the month of December, highlighting snow days, the Tennis State Ring ceremony. FFA's float took first place in the Christmas parade. A new cell phone policy that is place. RCEM updates included Holidays and Spirit Week. VDOT Mr. Beale was present to give an update for the month of December. Mr. Beale highlighted maintenance activity completed: Ditch cleaning (Sharps Rd, Beaverdam, & Suggets PointRd.) Shoulder repair (Luttrellville Lane) Winter storm response Pothole patching countywide Work orders countywide Mr. Beale mentioned upcoming activity: Brush cutting Shoulder repair Grade gravel roads countywide 2 Pothole patching Work orders countywide SHERIFF/NNRJ/ANIMAL CONTROL Sheriff Smith reported there were 21,417 calls for service for the fiscal year 2024. Out of those calls were 19,791 law enforcement calls for the Richmond County office, 244 protective orders, 634 traffic summons, and 4,730 civil papers. 94 arrests with 210 warrants served. As for Animal Control, Sheriff Smith stated there were 595 calls for service. Taking in 130 animals, adopting and returning 122. The other animals were euthanized due to medical reasons or Vet recommended. Sheriff Smith thanked Tonya Murray and his officers for all they do at the Shelter. CHIEF OF EMERGENCY SERVICES Chief Paulette stated for the month of December Richmond County Department of Emergency Services responded to 155 calls for service in December. Total reyenue recovery for the month was $44,994.45. The department remained busy throughout the final month of the year. December missed being another record month by 3 calls, and a transport record by 8. The department set upi its first aid tent at the Christmas Town in Warsaw this year. While they had some excitement down by the bridge, searching for a person in the marsh, Christmas Town was mostly uneventful. There was only one reported injury with a refusal for transport signed. We were able to use the drone twice in December for call out missions. We continue to learn more about the air frames capabilities and limitations as well. The drone is another helpful tool in our toolbox and continues to provide useful in multiple situations. We continue to move forward with our medication program implementation. We have acquired our spare medication boxes and have removed all the PEMS labeling and added our department labels. January will be a month to stock and inventory in house medications. RICHMOND COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT ChiefThomas reported Fire Company 1(Warsaw) 18 total calls, Fire Company 2 (Farnham) 9 total calls, Fire Company 3 (Newland) 4 total calls. Chief Thomas stated the gun raffle has ended and plans for the next one is underway. The gun show has been scheduled for March 15-16. An open-house for the Newland station is in the planning stages. Chief Thomas extended an invitation to the Fire Department annual banquet. 3 TREASURER Mrs. Brann stated for the month ofDecember, uncollected taxes set at $996,079.75. Mrs. Brann noted her office is moving forward with delinquent collections. BUILDINGIZONING/LAND USE Mrs. Mothershead stated fees collected were $4,135, construction cost was $2,309,609.00 for December. With 3 land disturbing permits and 7 zoning permits. SOLID WASTE Mrs. Mothershead reported there were 59 total hauls for the month of December. Indianfield had 29, Farnham had 13, and Newland hauled away 17. PUBLIC COMMENT Charles Belfield, Warsaw spoke on the new monument that was installed honoring the Black Patriots oft the American Revolution. Mr. Belfield stated the monument was installed to bring recognition and educate the community on the Black Patriots. Cliff Mullin, 8351 Historyland Hwy, via ZOOM wished everyone a happy new year. Hats off to VDOT for winter storm response, and expressed excitement for the solar updates. FY26 BUDGET Mrs. Mothershead stated budget requests are starting to come in from departments and also requests for appointments to discuss submissions. A budget review session is scheduled with two members of the School Board on January 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room. Ifthere are items that they feel strongly about and wish for them to be included/adjusted in the FY26 Budget, please let me know as soon as possible SO those matters may be planned. DHCD ENTERPRISE ZONE In the packet a letter from the Commonwealth of Virgina-Department of Housing and Community Development indicating five-year renewal to the Richmond County-Town of Warsaw (Zone 50) Enterprise Zone. In addition, a press release was issued by the Town of Warsaw announcing this news. Mrs. Mothershead mentioned she looks forward to working alongside the Town on projects that may be able to benefit from the Enterprise Zone funding avenue. WESTMORELAND COUNTY SOLAR APPLICATION NOTICE Mrs. Mothershead stated staff from Westmoreland County have once again notified Richmond County of a project that abuts land in our locality. Westmoreland is processing a Special Exception Application for a utility scale (55MW) solar facility including battery storage on 4 Kings Highway between Tallent Town Rd. and Woodbine Rd. This project abut Richmond County at Muddy Creek. SOLAR UFDATIS-RICHMOND COUNTY Mrs. Mothershead mentioned with the Booker's s Mill project reaching substantial completion" on December 18, 2024 and siting agreement funds being delivered, wanted to share typical inspection reports from the larger solar sites under construction. The ARM Group and Jacob Roberts completed inspections on a regular basis and reported to the group. In addition to this inspection, Dominion and Strata have their own individual inspectors that making certain the facilities are being built to specs and are also being mindful of runoff or any other environmental impacts. ONGOING PROJECTS VDOT RECREATIONAL TRAIL PROJECT Mrs. Mothershead stated after a meeting with Mike Fiore at. ARM Group, we've agreed to run the plans for final approval and get a quote from a bid on the project. With this information, we'll be able to decide if there is sufficient funds to complete the project with VDOT or pursue alternate funding at a later date. COGGIN BUILDING-RENOVATION Mrs. Mothershead noted final tests are being completed with the HVAC units. Clay Woolard walked the building with the contractors this week to view final touches. We have not been given a final completion date as of yet. Furniture is being delivered within the next few weeks and plans for a move will be finalized. Once the building is complete and the Treasurer Office and Commissioner's office feel comfortable in the building, I would like to plan a small open house/reception style event to allow the community to see the new Coggins. EMS STATION #2 Mrs. Mothershead said she's been asked by ARM Group to gather some additional information on the existing well at the fire house in Farnham. She will work with the health dept. to see what information that can be obtain. In addition, there are some concerns about the design of the fire department addition that it may have issues with snow load calculations. COMMERCE PARK EDA GRANT No new update on this item 5 EMERGENCY RADIO INFRASTRUCTURE Additional deliveries have been received with new equipment for the tower. We've also discussed the need for removing unused equipment on the tower when the new equipment is installed. We are still hearing of installation dates in mid-February. DHCD - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (SCOTT TOWN) Public Hearing held today to appropriate funds this is a requirement of the final contract to move to the next step. COURTHOUSE REMODEL No new update on this matter at this time MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION . $2,025.86 - Cigarette tax received for the month of November, 2024 A newsletter from Three Rivers Health is included in your packet setting forth Health Resolutions and also Clinic Schedules for our area. . Please mark your calendars for the monument dedication planned for February 1, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.. . FOIA training was scheduled for the January 9th meeting, however, the pre-recorded online training program is temporarily unavailable as it is being updated to reflect changes in the law. We will reschedule once the online training becomes available. In person training dates that are available do not match our meeting date times. BOARD APPOINTMENTS IDA - District 2, existing term expires 12-31-24. MONTHLY APPROPRIATIONS RICHMOND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES "On a motion made by. Robert B. Pemberton, the Board voted: F. Lee Sanders aye; Robert B. Pemberton aye; J. David Parr aye; J.R. Fidler-aye; Richard E. Thomas-aye; to approve the February 2025 appropriation of Richmond County Department of Social Services for $85,000.00. 6 RICHMOND COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD "On a motion made by J.R. Fidler, the Board voted: F. Lee Sanders aye; Robert B. Pemberton - aye; J. David Parr = aye; J.R. Fidler-aye; Richard E. Thomas-aye; to approve the February 2025 appropriation of Richmond County School Board for $1,810,336. 3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES-December 12th, 2024 "On a motion made by Robert B. Pemberton, the Board voted: F. Lee Sanders aye; Richard E. Thomas aye; J. David Parr = aye; J.R. Fidler-aye; Robert B. Pemberton-aye; to approve the December 12, 2024 minutes as presented" OTHER BUSINESS/BOARD COMMENTS Mr. Thomas- Happy New Year! J.R. Fidler-Looking into plowing Commonwealth Attorney's Office parking lot and Animal Shelter. Mr. Parr-Happy New Year and be safe. Mrs. Mothershead-Pamming District Commission set to meet at Relish January 27, 2025. CLOSED SESSION "On a motion made by J. David. Parr, the. Board voted: F. Lee Sanders - aye; Richard. E. Thomas - aye;J. R. Fidler aye;J. David. Parr-aye; Robert. B. Pemberton aye: as permitted by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A)3 a matter involving the use/disposition of public property AND as permitted by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(a)(1), a personnel matter involving job assignments of specific employees and salary of specific employees. 19 CERTIFICATION MOTION AFTER RECONVENING IN PUBLIC SESSION "On a motion made by. Robert B. Pemberton, the Board voted by roll call: F. Lee Sanders aye; Richard E. Thomas aye; J. R. Fidler - - aye; J. David Parr - aye; Robert B. Pemberton = aye; that the Board certifies that, in the closed session just concluded, nothing was discussed except the matter or matters (1) specifically identified in the motion to conyene in closed session and (2) lawfully permitted to be sO discussed under the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act cited in that motion. 39 ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION "On a motion made by Robert B. Pemberton, the Board voted: F. Lee Sanders - aye; Robert B. Pemberton aye; J. Dayid Parr aye; J.R Fidler-aye; Richard E. Thomas-aye; to approve continued research on construction of a pier at Jones Creek Boat Landing. 39 7 "On a motion made by Robert B. Pemberton, the Board voted: F. Lee Sanders aye; Robert B. Pemberton aye; J. David Parr - aye; J.R Fidler-aye; Richard E. Thomas-aye; to approve continued communication with possible developer interested in 43 acres owned by Richmond County.' 99 ADJOURNMENT After no further business, Chairman Sanders adjourned the meeting. N - F. Lee Sanders, Chairman Richmond County Board of Supervisors 8