RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS February 13, 2025 MINUTES At a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors for Richmond County, Virginia, held on the 13th day ofFebruary, 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 S Office/ Animal Shelter/ NNRJ Mitch Paulette, Chief of Emergency Services Kristie Brann, Treasurer Jason Lentz, RCVFD Approximately 10 others CALLTO ORDER Chairman Sanders opened the meeting, gave the invocation and led in the pledge. 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 Richmond County Public Schools and Richmond County Public School Board with a letter of appreciation from the Board of Supervisors. Trey Davis was present to receive the recognition they deserve. Mrs. Mothershead commented how much all their work is appreciated. STAFF REPORTS RICHMOND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Dr. Davis had no report due to the postponed School Board meeting. 1 VDOT Mr. Beale was present to give an update for the month of January. Mr. Beale highlighted maintenance activity completed: Shoulder repair (Chestnut Hill & Newland Rd) Winter storm response Pothole patching countywide Work orders countywide Mr. Beale mentioned upcoming activity: Brush cutting (Hales Point Rd. & Mothershead Neck Rd.) Shoulder repair (E. Monroe Ave) Beaver Dam Removal (Rt 634 Naylors Beach Rd) Grade gravel roads countywide Pothole patching Work orders countywide SHERIFF/NNRJ/ANIMAL CONTROL Sheriff Smith reported there were 1,822 calls for service for January 2025. Out of those calls were 790 law enforcement calls for the Richmond County office, 244 protective orders, 85 traffic summons, and 317 civil papers. 7 arrests with 29 warrants served. Several weather related accidents were reported during the arctic blast. Animal Shelter intake was 6 animals and adopted 6. The animal shelter remains at full capacity and doing what they can to get these animals adopted or returned. As for the Northern Neck Regional Jail, the Sheriff reported many meetings have been held with the J6 individuals with concerns of the living conditions from within the jail, the Officers, and the Jail Board. Sheriff Smith expressed his opposing opinion stating he does not agree with these concerns for they have been acknowledged and addressed, and with that he finds no evidence for concern. CHIEF OF EMERGENCY SERVICES Chief] Paulette reported Emergency Services responded to 151 calls for service in January. Total revenue recovery for the month $36,075.87. Chief Paulette stated the year started off with the busiest January to date. The department did have to deal with some logistical issues during the snow storm with transports. We had two patients that needed critical advanced care during the time that all Richmond area hospitals were shut down due to water issues. VCUTappahannock was able to stabilize one patient and have them transported to an area specialty center not affected by the shut down and our crews were able to transport the second patient to Memorial Regional in Mechanicsville. The crews reported 2 that the drive to Richmond took almost an hour and forty-five minutes due to road conditions. This shows how far out the impacts are felt when a specialty care centers have a serious issue. We had no reported incidents or injures during the snow as well. The medication room is now: in stock and are in the middle oft training all crews on the tracking and administration software. The department is ahead of the schedule and may see a soft launch oft the medication program by February 18th. Chief Paulette invited the board to stop by the station and see how this program has taken shape and is now functioning. RICHMOND COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT Jason Lentz reported Fire Company 1(Warsaw) 14 total calls, Fire Company 2 (Farnham) 1 total calls, Fire Company 3 (Newland) 5 total calls. The gun show has been scheduled for March 15-16th. The Annual Fireman' S Banquet Dinner is set for March gth at the Fairgrounds starting at 5 p.m. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. with dinner and awards to follow. All board members are invited. Newland Open House is scheduled for March 29th, 2025, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Career Fair at Richmond County Elementary School is March 28th TREASURER Mrs. Brann stated as for 2024, uncollected taxes set at $875,147.27. Mrs. Brann noted her office has sent out delinquent bills and hopefully things are picking up again. BUILDING/ ZONING/LAND USE Mrs. Mothershead stated fees collected were $4,078, construction cost was $7,250,366 for January. With 3 land disturbing permits and 6 zoning permits. Planning Commission did meet on Monday February 10th, there were no applications for review, however open-burning and light pollution was discussed. The SelfI Solar project and the Drinking Swamp Solar project are entering permitting stages. A pre-construction meeting has been scheduled for next week. Mrs. Mothershead expressed appreciation to the ARM group and Jacob Roberts for their extra efforts with these projects. Mrs. Mothershead stated there is a Wetlands Board meeting scheduled for the end of February to propose a rip-rap revetment along Creek View Lane. In addition, Jacob Roberts has completed the Virginia Sediment and Erosion Control program with DEQ. Mrs. Mothershead mentioned an update to that ordinance is needed and to be on the lookout for those changes. 3 SOLID WASTE Mrs. Mothershead reported there were a total of 52. hauls for the month of January. Indianfield had 29, Farnham had 13, and Newland hauled away 10. The brush site had 46 visits. PUBLIC COMMENT Michael Self, 553 SelfLane, Farnham, VA took the stand and expressed concern for the cedar trees that are obstructing Canal Rd, Norman's Corner Rd, and SelfLane. Mr. Selfis concerned with safety of the drivers. Mr. Self also expressed concern for the signs in front ofl his property in Haynesville. Mr. Self brought attention forth concerning abandoned vehicles and boats throughout the county. Cliff Mullin, 8351 Historyland Hwy, stated he was impressed with the monument presentation and gained great knowledge about the Revolutionary War. Mr. Mullin made comments on all topics being presented in the meeting ranging from the budget, All-points Broadband, RCC, tires, and the solar projects. FARMER & COX-AUDIT UPDATE Taylor Stover, Farmer & Cox, stated the audit went pretty well. Mr. Stover stated the audit team suggested three opinions during the process. Opinions on Financial Statements, Intro Controls, and the Financial Voice Compliance. All opinions were considered "clean" and unmodified which is considered a good audit. Mr. Stover thanked the department leads and Mrs. Mothershead for their instrumental roles played in the audit. FY26 BUDGET Mrs. Mothershead stated she is pleased to meet with many department heads to go over budget requests and talk about how these needs can be met. The Board will hear from many departments on March 13th following the regularly scheduled meeting. UPDATE of RCC HEALTH SCIENCES BUILDING Mrs. Mothershead mentioned excitement continues to rise with the anticipation of this $8,000,000.00 project to benefit students today and many years in the future. Richmond County staff is also working with RCC on a grant application through VDEM that, if awarded, would allow for the purchase of a generator to serve the 9,900 sq. ft. building. Upon completion, there are plans for the Health Sciences building to be added to Richmond County's Sheltering Plan as a warming shelter as needed. A Memorandum ofUnderstanding will be required between RCC and Richmond County to make adjustments to the Sheltering Plan. ALL] POINTS BROADBAND Mrs., Mothershead stated the Planning District Commission held its quarterly meeting this past month and was given an update from All Points Broadband on progress in the Northern Neck. 4 The BEAD program that will benefit those residences who were not listed in the original grant application. SOLAR SITING AGREEMENT FUNDS/DISTRIBUTION Mrs. Mothershead noted with receipt of the first Solar Siting Funds, review of allocation and disbursement with the Board. TIRE PROGRAM COSTS Mrs. Mothershead stated Richmond County is facing an additional cost with the current Tire Program in place. On average, the county is sending out approximately eight loads of tires yearly at a cost of $2,000 per load. Other costs associated with the program is the rental of storage container at Indianfield dumpsite and the time and labor expended by our maintenance team to get the tires to the trailers at the brush site. For the last several years, we have been blessed with a group ofi inmates that helped with loading the tires onto the trailers to leave the site. Currently, the Northern Neck Regional Jail has found themselves with no inmates who are qualified to serve in this capacity and we will have to find an alternative for loading. Mrs. Mothershead stated she was able to find a group to load the last two trailers at a cost of$500.00 per trailer. The loading cost will add approximately $4,000.00 to the overall tire budget each year. "On a motion made by Richard E. Thomas, the Board voted: F. Lee Sanders aye; Richard E. Thomas aye; J. David Parr aye; J.R. Fidler-aye; Robert B. Pemberton-aye; to purchase an additional trailer for tire removal" ONGOING PROJECTS VDOT RECREATIONAL TRAIL PROJECT Mrs. Mothershead stated the next steps on the Trail project are easement agreements with the Fire Department and Mr. Lamb. In addition, the county will be making certain that County matching funds are available to meet the demands ofthe project as it is currently budgeted. COGGIN BUILDING-RENOVATION The Coggin Building is shaping up to be a beautiful space for our Commissioner of the Revenue and Treasurer Office's. Some items that are being finalized are tinting on glass, keyboard trays, camera system, parking bolsters, and final outdoor parking layouts. EMS STATION #2 No new update. 5 COMMERCE PARK EDA GRANT Mrs. Mothershead stated EDA is ready for submission of plans as soon as they are approved by the Town of Warsaw. We will also be meeting with VDOT on this project as there are Access Grant funds that are being used for the County match. EMERGENCY RADIO INFRASTRUCTURE Mrs. Mothershead expressed appreciation to Chris Jett and all County Emergency Services departments for their patience on the time throughout the last month wherein there has been issues with radio connections. A project schedule was discussed. DHCD- COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (SCOTT TOWN) No update. COURTHOUSE REMODEL Mrs. Mothershead mentioned a task order for interior renovations to the Richmond County Courthouse is in the stages of: review and approval. Proposed project mmgemenladmanstation cost projected to be $33,400. "On a motion made by Richard E. Thomas, the Board voted: F. Lee Sanders - aye; Richard E. Thomas aye; J. David Parr aye; J.R. Fidler-aye; Robert B. Pemberton-aye; to allow Mrs. Mothershead to administer the Courthouse remodel contract. 19 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION $1,899.26- Cigarette tax received for the month of December, 2024 The First Quarter FY2025 Bay Transit Report included in binder Richmond County was honored to share in the unveiling and dedication of the Black Patriots Monument on February 1st, > 2025. This Monument was made possible by the National, State, and the James Monroe Chapter Sons oft the American Revolution, The Northern Neck Historical Society and Welch Funeral Home. 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 March 2025 appropriation of Richmond County Department ofSocialServices: for $85,000.00. 19 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 March 2025 appropriation of Richmond County School Boardfor $1,810,336, pending approvalfrom.Schoo! Board.. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES-January 9th, 2025 "On a motion made by J.R. Fidler, the Board voted: F. Lee Sanders aye; Richard E. Thomas aye; J. David Parr - aye; J.R. Fidler-aye; Robert B. Pemberton-qye; to approve the January gth 2025 minutes as presented" BOARD MEMBER COMMENISOTIER BUSINESS Mr. Thomas wished everyone a Happy Valentine': S Day and be safe. Mr. Thomas gave high compliments to the Rescue Squad and the department for their professionalism as they did their best to stay informed. Mr. Fidler mentioned the great job the EMS departments and County staff performed during the snow storms. Mr. Parr congratulated and wished Good luck to the Rappahannock High School Wrestling Team with proceeding to the State levels. Chairman Sanders presented the Board with a few suggestions to the budget. Mrs. Mothershead thanked Chief Paulette, Captain McDaniel and their department with the drug program. Mrs. Mothershead expressed appreciation to J.R. Fidler and his water team for assisting with another county with water assistance. CLOSED SESSION "On ai 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 ofpublic property. 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 convene 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. 3 7 ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION "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-nay; to negotiate a contract on sale of real estate pending discussion and approval at public hearing. 39 ADJOURNMENT After no further business, Chairman Sanders adjourned the meetipg A / & - F. Lee Sanders, Chairman Richmond County Board of Supervisors 8