Call the meeting to order. Roll call please. Mr. Dishman. Here. Mr. Lewis. Here. Mr. O'Brien. Here. Mr. Farmer. Here. Mr. Scary. Here. Mr. ZimBrien, Mr. Farmer, Mr. Scary, Mr. Zimp, Ms. Wabkins. We have a full house and we have definitely met Corm. Adoption of the agenda. Everyone has the agenda in front of them. You're called toarrer motion. Mr. Farrer motion. Mr. Farrer motion. Mr. Lewis. Mr. Farrer motion. Mr. Lewis. Mr. Farrer motion. Mr. Farrer motion. Mr. Farrer motion. Mr. Farrer motion. Mr. Farrer motion. Mr. Farrer motion. Mr. Farrer motion. Mr. Scary. Aye. Mr. Zimp. Aye. Ms. Watkins. Aye. Mr. Dishman. Aye. Motion carries. Is there any public comment? Seeing none. I guess we will move on to the action items. So first we need approval of a minute from the April meeting Sir a motion I move the approval minutes I'll second all right. We have a motion from mr. O'Brien second from Miss Watkins. Thank you Mr. Lewis right Mr. O'Brien Mr. Farmer hi mr. Scary. Hi mr. Zimp. Hi miss Watkins. Hi mr. D. Mr. Scary. Aye. Mr. Zem. Aye. Ms. Watkins. Aye. Mr. Dishman. Aye. Motion carries. And now we need approval of the subcommittee meetings from June 12th. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I make a motion. Second. So Mr. Farmer motion. Mr. O'Brien seconded Approval of the subcommittee of June minutes mr. Lewis. I Mr. O'Brien ah mr. Farmer. I mr. Scari. Hi mr. Zimp. Hi Miss Watkins. Hi mr. Dishman. Hi motion carries So now we're ready for the grant reviews. I'm sorry we do need to do them full minutes for June 20th. Oh miss that Approval of the full minutes from June 20th. I'm like a motion we're proven Thank you Mr. O'Brien Mr. Farmer seconded So we're gonna go with Miss Watkins. Hi Mr. Zem. Hi Mr. O'Brien. So Mr. Farmer seconded. So we're going to go with Ms. Watkins. Hi. Mr. Zem. Hi. Mr. Scary. Hi. Mr. Farmer. Hi. Mr. O'Brien. Ma'am. Mr. Lewis. Hi. Mr. Dishman. Ma'am. Motion carries. All right. Now we have grants. She's just getting there. We're looking for your putt. There we go. All right. There you go. Good evening. We received a revitalization grant application on September 4th from around the table the gathering place. Just to quickly go over the grant overview of the revitalization grant. It's offered to assist businesses within the Ashland Town boundaries to make improvements to commercial buildings. In the application, it has suggested projects listed as facade enhancements, historic preservation projects, and adaptive reuse construction. Scoring priority is given to those projects considering a scope of significant restoration for properties in a high visibility corridor and this is a rolling grant program with no deadline for submission with a maximum board of $20,000. So let's take a look at where around the table is. 155 junction drive in the Rose's shopping center in the Ashland Junction Shopping Center. And they have proposed owners of the restaurant have proposed a renovation of the space next door to 155, so they currently own or leasing one space the gathering place, which is used for gathering, I mean, gathering space for... Eating some fruits. Yes. Every time. And then there's also their location around the table that has a restaurant. And so they have now leased the space next to them. That was formerly a barbershop and it's about 1200 square feet and they are looking at doing an estimated cost of improvements of $65,239. So they will take up the flooring and put down the new flooring to match in the current other location, add a handicapped accessible bathroom, upgrade the existing bathroom, add a handy capped accessible bathroom, upgrade the existing bathroom, add office space and storage space, which they currently do not have. They're going to open walls from their existing restaurant into the new restaurant and framing out that entryway, update lighting, painting the interior, and adding a new water heater. If you're not familiar with around the table, here's a couple pictures. So this is a picture of the outside space, and then there's also the event space. That's the word I was looking for of the gathering place. So this is the estimate that was provided also at your station. You will see that there is an updated version of the renovations that just is a more itemized detail that's not in the report, but it is there is a hard copy at your seat for you, for your review. So while you're taking a look through that, I'll take you through the proposal. And as you can see right next door to around the table was the former barbershop. They have currently assumed that lease. That lease is now been combined with the gathering place and around the table to expand, and they are now on a, um, have rolled it into a new five-year lease. So as you can see, it's right next door. Oh, that extend the restaurant. Correct. So currently they are not able to meet all of their customer needs. They have, um, turning customers away, they have longer wait times, so they have decided to expand their business to be able to meet the needs of all their customers in the community. Kelly, do we know how long the existing lease was extended? I do not know how long the existing lease was extended. They're here. I don't. Yes, but what was remaining on the existing lease before you it was combined to a new five year lease three and a half. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. So inside of the location, you can see that this is the existing space next door to around the table. Again, form of our workshops. You can see all the floors need to be redone, repainted. They will also be removing existing walls, updating, adding space. So just taking a look at our score sheet will this project result in economic growth? Is this property positioned in a high traffic or highly visible part of town? Will this project be a positive benefit to the community? Are the improvements creative and or offer aesthetic enhancements and does the project fall under facade enhancement, historic preservation or adaptive reuse construction? So again, those are all the criteria from the score sheet. Does anybody have any further questions for me before we move on to the staff recommendation. Yes, sir. Have they ever applied for economic? So you opened up that restaurant? And then the expansion of gathering place. We are at the beginning of the open restaurant. We build the committee. We have a meeting with the committee. We have a meeting with the committee. We have a meeting with the committee. We have a meeting with the committee. We have a meeting with the committee. We have a meeting with the committee. We have a meeting with the committee. We have a ongoing business and a shopping center that they want to have great successes of that shopping center. I would consider that we would give that $20,000 maximum for this product as opposed to any lesser amount. If that's maybe discussion on that, that would be my recommendation. So my view was the incremental tax, meals tax to the town over the five year period was a limiting factor. I saw that in the subcommittee meeting, but I would calculate what the business as a whole. Yeah, that's what I brought. I brought that up in the subcommittee. I think that would be. In fact, that they have extended the lease of the existing facility. And it should have, I will assume that there's going to be more traffic coming when Harbor Freight comes to that shop and center. Instead of vacant food line and shopping center, I would think the traffic's going to increase as well as another proposed tenant in that shopping center. Dan, you wanted to comment? First, I just... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... This is one of the few event places in the town that has access to wheelchairs and and has access to like a lot of things parking and so forth that that's really easy and you may all know this I just I just thought it was important to recognize that because it's it's one of the rare spaces that has that and and so But also we have a little trouble here in y'all because to you know if you could talk into the mic then I'm sorry Sorry But anyway, I just thought I'd mention that things. Thank you. As we did discuss in the our subcommittee meeting they are receiving $6,000 from the landlord upon completion of the renovation. Any more questions or information people need to have to help determine if we modify the request? So can you just for I guess a little further clarification why we the initial recommendation was 10,000 because of the limit the increase in the mailstacks for the for the additional restaurant space is over the five-year period you're paying more than what you're getting back in so that was my that was my thought in my opinion that would limit the amount that you provide. Yeah. So, sorry, maybe that's two plus to the microphone. So if I'm reading this, so your calculation was 10,000 would be, the mills tax is what, 4,300, or that two-year period? A five-year period. But of the new space. Right, so their prediction estimate was $4,000 to $6,000 additional revenue each month. And then 6% mills tax from that. So if you go from the high end of $6,000, you get at $4,300. And we'll take over two years to earn their return on investment from around. That's the line I'm sort of focused on. So what's the two years referred to? If you gave the 20,000 that you basically would be given all the money that you're getting back from the town and the old stocks. So for the duration for how long on duration? Five years. Five years. Five years. No, not twenty three. Forty three a month. Is that a month? Forty three twenty a month. A year. A year. A year. Okay. Did that include. Would you like to say something? three through twenty a month. A year. A year. Okay. Did that include- Would you like to say something? Yeah. That's what you do in my home. Not a month. I'm very loud. Not only would that space be used for the rest of the month, also include the offer for small gatherings. For instance, the map used to be here there be in the gathering place, so we offer that as well. I'm just gonna introduce to what I'm talking and this is a draw, a line we pay for, Mil-Tex is a text period for the town of Ashland then we do the state. In the 4,300, it is just on the new space so we're not taking into account. That's right. That's right. That's right. That's right. That's right. Existing space that had no grant funding. With the revitalization is on the new space. New space. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, just just for clarity. I'm just going to read from the notes here. Mr. Dishman noted that the estimated amount of meals tax per year to the town of Ashland will acquire from this expansion is 4320 and will take over two years to earn their return on investment from around the table. So that there's, we're anticipating $4,320 per year in additional meals tax. Right. Gotcha. And so I think the calculation was based on that $10,000 would basically be over two years. $20,000 would be lower over four years. Some four, five years. Yeah, okay. I just want to make sure I or you can propose new recommendations. Move to approve the root one enhancement grant application request. Oh, excuse me. That's the wrong one. Hard part request. Excuse me, that's the one. Pardon? That's why I'm not tearing today. I can do it. Please. Okay. I move to approve the revitalization grant application request in the amount of $20,000 around the table located at 155 junction drive according to the terms set out by the talent attorney in accordance with the program guidelines. Second. Mr. Zamp motion to prove approved $20,000 with da da da da da. Mr. Lewis seconded the motion. Roll call. Ms. Watkins. Aye. Mr. Zamp. Aye. Mr. Scary. Aye. Mr. Farmer. Aye. Mr. O'Brien. You have aye. Nay abstain. Or did he? I didn't hear what he said. I said aye. Okay great great great. Sorry. I'm Mr. Lewis. I Mr. Dishman. Oh, name. So motion carries Good luck. Next. Oh. Oh, there it is. The second grant that we're going to review this evening is Possean Decay 9 Ranch. They applied for Route 1 Enhancement Grant. This grant is for improvements to enhance and revitalize the visual appearance and appeal of commercially-zoned property buildings and entrances, priority for funds, shall be for the creation of non-disposable tangible asset assets. Projects are subject to evaluation and typically awarded on a dollar for dollar basis. Taking a look at this property on the map up here, it is located at 705 North Washington, highway. This property was just recently acquired by Jeff and Gail Stoneman. They own Posseanda Ranch in Montpelier. So this is going to be their second location. This property has currently been used for storage, an auto lot at one point, lots of, I believe, different things and underutilized. Their estimated cost of improvements are over $50,000 and they have requested $20,000 in grant money for a new sign, a six-foot privacy fence, play yards, landscaping, car ports, and the number six project is a preparation, car port preparation. The sign project is a custom sign that has been designed built and will be installed. It includes all material and labor at $8,529.49. It's a double-faced sign that will sit on the corner of, if my mouse, it'll be I think he said about right here. You have the estimates and the information in your staff report. This is a picture of what the six foot privacy fence will look like. The estimate includes labor, lumber and other materials at $4,480. Again, these are, this is just a picture of the type of wooden fence. And this where that arrow is, the privacy fence, so this is if you're looking at the property from standing at Route 1, if you from this corner where that arrow is all the way across the parking lot is where that fence will go. So all of this area will be behind the six foot wooden privacy fence. All of that. It will leave all of this parking area will be open. And then this is just where it will start right here on this side. They also submitted estimates for play yards at $12,000, $12,114, and $30, which includes the list of materials and labor there. Oh, this is the one that is, I'm sorry, if you see the asterisk there, where it's for DGO matting, their estimated cost was 508, and I believe you have the updated copy in your staff report. So that number is different than this number, because I think their math was incorrect. their bath wasn't correct. This is their Site plan that they added so you'll notice here this is North Washington highway Right here and again you should have the site planned in front of you you have the barn And the area and then the fence they're gonna have or I'm sorry I think the fence might be over here, but all of this, these play yards and car ports will be behind the barn location and not visible from Route 1. They have a landscaping project estimate of $7,319.50. And again, if you have your site plan in front of you, it's very tiny, put your glasses on. But you can see where they will have renditions of what the bushes and the plants. But there is a list of the landscaping that's going to go into the project, which is pretty extensive. There's currently nothing there, but grass and dirt and gravel. And then that's pretty hard to see, but this is for the carport preparation. They have to do some land work, bring in and level the platform, bring in the crushed run. And this is an estimate for that at $4,250. And then they're having two custom car ports built and installed for a total of $13,509.70. And upon meeting with our subcommittee, our subcommittee recommendation, Mr. O'Brien. As Kelly said, we met on the 12th and we eliminated all we considered under this estimate number one, number two, and number four, because number three, the play yards in the site ready project for carport installation were not visible from the rat one. So we eliminated those costs and came up with 20,000, 328, and we have that and recommended that we approve the grant for 10,165. Any questions? Comments? I'm sorry, can you just repeat the location on the car ports again? Sure. I was just trying to find that in here. I'm sorry can you just repeat the location on the car ports again? Sure. I was just trying to find that in here. Yeah. No, no. Did you come unplugged? Did I? I'm still plugged in. Did you come unplugged? Did I? I'm still plugged in. It says you're unplugged. Okay. Well, I'm glad because my apologies. I thought I had that ready. We just don't even see the hookup on the system. I guess my question regarding that though was are the car ports actually considered a visual enhancement? So you should be able to see in your site plan or I'm sorry I have it pulled up here but I can't share the screen. But we did not consider that. Yeah, we're doing one, two, and four, which is sign, fence, and landscape. And that's how we came to the $20,000 in some dollars that we have that we eliminated the car port and the play yards because they were not visible from I thought you had just eliminated the I thought you said just the play yards were a little bit more we did one two and four Okay, never mind that Trying to keep within the spirit of what the route one enhancement Right see it from all one. Mm-hmm as opposed from Well, that was me the very I just thought you had included that in your total. I'll move that we approve this application right when it has been application. Well wait a minute I'm sorry you move with what amount? It's 10,000. I just want to make sure so that it's on the record is such. Hold on, I have a sample motion. I'm 10,165. OK. Do you want to continue? Or the applicant just walked in the door. Did you have any questions? Yeah, I think I had one. So this property is being modeled after the current property that they have out in Mount Billy. I'm just I could let Mr. Stoneman speak a little bit more to that but from what I understand it is a doggy daycare essentially and training facility with no overnight boarding. And the, I'm just curious about, you know, does the car ports, you know, is there like HVACs, it's type of situation where, I mean, there's a further infrastructure that needs to be considered and so far supporting the business and is that a part of this improvement? As of right now the only piece that's included in the estimate is the building in the installation of just the carports. There is no further, they're not going to be heating and air if that's your question. And that's the way the business out and out pillar set up. I just, I don't know how I'll talk you to ES. Yes, please. Sorry, I. Sorry. My name is Jeff Suman. I'm passing the Pet Resort in Montpelier. And so with the question I'm asking about the car ports for the daycare areas, they're going to be, so it's going to be, we're going to have fans obviously in there to help to bring some cool if we need to. But the big thing is having the shade for the pets. The current facility we have at Mallpillier, we don't have the shade structures for them. We do have the windsale, the shade sales up, and that provides a lot. But the solid roof, I think with the fans, we'll put fans in there as well. And then we've got artificial turf for the, for the plet dogs to play fans in there as well. And then we've got artificial turf for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, for the, you know, you can have a couple different operations. If you have an all indoor facility where you have the heating and air condition, that's all, that's nice, but then you have the odors and everything. So it's so, you know, it's hard to keep them, you know, smelling clean. So the open air environment tends to be the best for that kind of stuff. And yeah, so. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks. Any more questions? Comments? Do we have a motion? I've made a motion for approval. The 10,165. Second. Mr. O'Brien made the motion. Mr. Farmer seconded. Ms. Watkins. Aye. Mr. Zimp. Aye. Mr. Scary. Aye. Mr. Farmer. Aye. Mr. O'Brien. Aye. Mr. Lewis. Aye. Mr. O'Brien. Mr. Lewis. Aye. Mr. Edition. Aye. Thank you, motion carries. And now we have one more from NWA Auto Sale. Where did you get plugged back in? Our third grant for review this evening is MW Auto Sales for a Route 1 grant application. As we just discussed, for improvements to enhance, revitalize the visual appearance of commercially-zoned property buildings and entrances. This location is at 1,2290 Washington Highway. This building, this property was recently acquired by Matthew Williams, MW Auto Sales owner. And as he acquired the building there had been some things that he wanted to change maybe some regular maintenance that had not been maintained that he was there or before he purchased the building. So the estimated cost of improvements that the applicant has requested is or submitted is $21,140 and 20 cents. And as this is a dollar for dollar grant program, he has requested $10,550. The projects that he has submitted are pavement and sidewalk for $16,066 new sign creation installation design installation $2,274.20 and then also the removal and trimming of trees on the property at $2,800. You do have the estimate of the pavement and the sidewalk in your staff report that's pretty detailed. They will be treating grease spots, filling in cracks, and then also repainting the parking lot. And then this project also includes a hundred square feet of sidewalk replacement. This is the estimate broken down. And then also, so some of these pictures I didn't realize they are a little shady in, but in your application, your staff report, you should see additional pictures in the estimate that's been given. But as you can see, this is one of the giant Bradford payers that is up front and the roots of those are busting up the concrete. And it's hard to see, but this is the tripping hazard. Mr. Williams has described. And then you can also see the faded of the paint. And then, whoops, sorry. This right here, again, hard to see. My apologies is a hole that were the sidewalk ends and the road begins right over there. Mr. Williams has also requested half of the sign project estimate at $2,274.20. Here is a picture and rendition of his sign. And the third project is tree removal. And I think I have that $2,800 and I have that as a... I think that's my mistake on that tree removal project because I have the... You should have the pay for... Okay. $2,800. Removal of three Bradford pair trees out of the front parking lot because again pulling up the roots and tearing up the sidewalk, grinding out the stumps, trimming back the trees on the remaining property, and then cleaning up and hauling it away. I don't know why. So as you can see, the other reason the removal for these trees is you can see how closely they're blocking the front of the building. So this is from standing at almost Route 1 kind of Cady Cornered looking in and you can barely see the building. You can see the trees that are. So when we met, we looked at this as someone who's purchased the property, invested money into it, has ties to the community, I think, as a local college graduate. Seems very dedicated to want to take a property that I've learned has been many different things over the years. I think none of which have ever stuck for a long period of time. And we viewed it as a very positive, a long route one to enhance that property to make it a business that will bring tax revenue and add jobs into the community. Sorry. So he's recently relocated his business after 19 years in Henrico County. Yeah, so he has the history of that successful business. Is this a second property for him or is he just moving his property? Is it a second or is this main property? Was that on their param and route one, his old one? Would it be a Henrico? It might be. I actually financed this building a long time ago for the Gilmans and it has been many, many different things. Fortunately I have strong power, but it's been many, many things in that building. My son went to daycare there. But there's no plans to at least what's been present to essentially address anything in the building with the building. Or was there anything like that discussed perhaps on the meeting? No. No. The only estimates and discussion that we received was enhancement to the property. Passade enhancement outside of the property. There will be no additional tenants in the building. He will be using the whole building for his business. One of the things that Mr. Williams also did disclose is that he is interested in making this a retail space so that it is not just used for car storage or like a parking lot essentially, which it's been used for in the past. He would like this to make this a retail space for car sales. Which is the driving force between wanting to do these enhancements. So in the past we've not... Can you get closer to the microphone please? So in the past, we've not. You stuck with that closer. Bring it here. Yeah, through the mask, sorry. In the past, we've not assisted existing owners with sidewalk repair and parking lot repair, just because of the fact that we considered it maintenance. But the difference from the subcommittee, what they're speaking of, it is a new venture in an existing place and it enhances Ashland's receptivity to new business. And that's why we're going to, what we would consider normally not covering maintenance item. If it was an existing business, this would be, this is the difference, is that it's a new business moving in. And we've viewed it as investment in the property that has probably been long vacant or underutilized. Great. In an area of route one that needs some enhancement. Make a motion. Oh, sorry. I don't have the language in front of me. Here it is. Jonathan. I moved to approve the route one enhancement grant application request for MW Auto Sales in the amount of $10,550. Second. Motion by Mr. Farmer, seconded by Mr. O'Brien for $10,550 for MW Auto Sales. Ms. Watkins. Aye. Mr. Zemp. Aye. Mrkins, aye. Mr. Zemp. Aye. Mr. Scari, aye. Mr. Farmer, aye. Mr. O'Brien, aye. Mr. Lewis, aye. Mr. Dishman, aye. Motion carries. Thank you, aye. Next, we have the treasures report. As of 9-1, there was $424,071.22. We wrote a check for the lawyer for $750, and then all the outstanding grants leaves us an Allocated before tonight 300,000 336 22 Thank you One thing that Sean and I did talk about with Nora at this subcommittee meeting was to be cognizant of the grants that we give out and making sure we still have money over the term to be able to provide grants to the things we really want to make grants to. So as we see more and more, because this rank has been very active to bring economic development opportunities to us. We just got to make sure that we don't spend all of our money before we we have money to keep going. The one that we have allocated and we don't have to look at it right now but I just wonder if that's expired the 67 by which one was that it's the first one I was there I am a schedule is to when we expect more money to come in? That's a Dan question, no. We have talked about doing a forecast of that out. And I think Mrs. Frankie is going to cover how we're handling the strategic plan update. So I think part of the purpose of that was to help narrow and focus how you're giving money, but also how you may be able to make additional income. And so there are opportunities for additional income over the years. We've really focused on most of the income, has come from bond revenue or a contribution from the town of Ashland that hasn't really been specifically earmarked. But about two years ago, once you all approved the hotel renovation grants and the hotel in restaurant I-95 grants, the town council took action to give you all a percentage of the revenue, the additional revenue that we're bringing in each year. And so every July first, after the budget's approved, usually in May or June, we send you all a check with a percentage of that. And I think last year was maybe 35,000 or so. And that was just with the true hotel. Now you have Chipotle and five guys soon to be dunking doughnuts. I think those are the four we have. So you all will receive a percentage of the meals and transient tax. So I'm guessing you mean that may get to about the 60,000 level annually. Right now that's about it on your income. Do we know how much was allocated last year and a year before? That's what I was trying. I'm sorry I don't have it in front of me. But I think it was about 35,000. So I mean that we gave out the EDA. Well they gave out. I don't have it in front of me. I don't have it in front of me. But I have the number. I think something that would be useful for us is to see kind of maybe a three-year forecast so we can see what we anticipate coming in and what's going out and just to kind of help us strategically make sure we don't spend our piggy bank. What I can do is I'll find that number. All would be interested, whether it's relatively the same every year or in the ballpark. Are you talking about the amount of money that the town has given or the amount of money that the EDA is giving out? So it's more now than it has been in the past. I do believe Yeah, I think I just be first from sitting on the committee. I can say that we've been a lot more active Well, we didn't have any funds We certainly have more money than we've had in the past But I do have that number. Okay, I have a total a running total. I can get that for you for the past three years. Sure. Do we need to approve the treasure report? No, it's filed with the minutes. Okay. So next, this one will be Economic Development Update. In front of you in your Economic Development Update, I have listed all of the business licenses that we have approved since June, since it's been a while since we've met. In addition to those businesses that have recently or since June have applied for business licenses we've had just in the past couple months for new ribbon cuttings of businesses. Ilforno-N, Tynail Spa, and Classic Coffee Tea in Books. For your grant updates, as Mr. Scari was speaking about the R&DC grant, and that allocated $67,500. I just received a report from them, and I should have more information next month. That grant expires or the performance agreement expires December 31, 2024 and currently their personal property they are reporting $600,000. The performance agreement requirement, as you can see in front of you, is $491,491,341. And their real property currently is at a 2.1 million and their requirement is over 2.6. Stanley construction, we have awarded a grant for them around $9,235. They are expected to be finished by November 1st. And Ash and Olive, the new location in the DPO location down there about two weeks out. I visited with the owner today and the new sign has been installed. The facade has been painted. The awnings have been added. Countertops are up and next week the remaining kitchen equipment will be installed and then we're looking at a ribbon cutting in late October. It is also my request today that we put together a subcommittee to appoint a subcommittee to review our current grants and score sheets in the way that we are evaluating the grants. I've been here a year and I've learned a lot and I've learned a lot through all of the experience from U-Board members, also every discussion that I get to sit in and reading through these grants and looking at the score sheets and then also speaking to the applicants. And so I think now would be a really great time with we have some new members. Our grant activity is significantly picking up and I think I propose that we get a subcommittee together to review the grant score sheets and the grant language to make this a simpler, easier, understandable process clearer for all parties involved. How many volunteers would you like? Well, I think what would be really great is that if you would like to volunteer, if you'd like to put your name in the hat, then you can email Mr. Lewis and myself. And then Mr. Lewis can see who is interested and then appoint a subcommittee. Is that okay with you, Mr. Lewis? And then lastly, the strategic plan follow up. So there was some confusion in the delivery of the strategic plan. We were given a draft about six weeks ago and unfortunately we were given an organizational strategic plan. So they had put together a plan that we already had for the way that our EDA is currently operating and what we were really looking for is an economic development strategic plan. So again, just to address some of the things that Mr. Dishman discussed, increasing revenue, all of those things. So opportunities to be able to give more grants and have more money in the bank and then the areas and the things that we want to focus on. So we are currently working with our consultant to have a refresh of that. Soon. All I've got. Do you have any questions for me. Anything else? Yeah. Turn around. Oh, yeah. Thank you. Thank you. It's hard because I'm not on the agenda. So I don't know if I get forgotten or not. Oh, I appreciate Mr. Brant and what you were mentioning, how much money is coming in and when, because it's something I wanted to bring up. We've had a great experience working with the EDA because you all are independent from the town and so you're like we're kind of symbionic almost like we are with Randolph-Macon, right? We do things independent. Every time you all do something successful the town is successful and Dashin is a perfect example of what has happened. And so that's why our Cal Manager had come up with the idea of every time you help bring in a new business, you get a portion of those proceeds to help bring in new business. Because every time you do something great, it helps us. So I think it would be great if you got more information about things coming to the future in what you've done in the past. And if you want to like get a group together to say, hey, maybe we want more money from the town. I would encourage you if you have good reason to ask for more. I don't see a problem in that. And so when you say we might run out of money, I don't think we want that to happen. Right? So I just wanted to mention that. The town heard from Chief Aaron Haught, two sessions ago. He did the awards for our police officers, and I wish I could recount all the cool words that he said. But what was really neat was to hear officers in really dangerous situations with people who had potentially violent actions in our officers de-escalated didn't bring out weapons. We were able to apprehend suspects. Some of them with dangerous weapons, and yet they were able to calm the situation and apprehend suspects with no problems, which was just amazing. So I just wanted to give a shout out to our police and also wanted to give a shout out to Sergeant Adam Agner. He's been on the force now for 25 years and he's the one who was the first responder for me in 2012 in my heart failed. So I just want to say I wouldn't be here if he was not part of the town. Presentations were given for the Ash from the Richmond the Richmond foundation. It's a Richmond Regional Foundation. It's a private partner, nonprofit organization that oversees a lot of of nonprofits in general. They work a lot with some of the education foundations in our area, and Ashland Foundation is considering joining them. And I just wanted to give you a heads up on that. This is not to replace anything. This is not to compete with any nonprofits. In fact, it could actually be a benefit to them because the Richmond Foundation connects with really large donors who don't want to be named, and they want to do good stuff, but they don't want to have their phone all always being called. And so being able to connect with some of those donors while we also have our own personal investment could actually increase what not some of our nonprofits could gain from. And all of the revenue there stays in Ashland just because our Richmond is helping us with it. Yes, they get a small percentage of a commission for fees, but when we saw the amount, it was negligible. So I don't know what the Ashland Foundation will do. They are separate from the town of Ashland, but in the past we have donated to them. It was originally created I think for our 200th anniversary, 150th anniversary, you have 250th anniversary? 150th anniversary. 150th anniversary. Okay, 150th anniversary and then it hasn't been as active but I think they want to be active again. And so I just wanted to give you a heads up on that. It was just a presentation. There was no decision made. And again, that's Ashland's foundation's decision whether or not they want to participate in that. That's not the town of Ashland. We did. Sorry, I was just going to ask a question. So is that in sort of our sort of in the town sort of bag of tricks and so far as you, when someone comes in and is looking to do something, you have the EDA, your toolbox, do you have the Ashland Foundation and your toolbox to sort of help support? Yes, yes. So what happens every year? We're trying to do our budget and there are organizations nonprofits usually who come to us and say, this is a need we have, this is what we're doing for the community. And in some ways, government's limited and how much they can help, any what ways they can help. But private industry isn't limited by what the government is. We can contribute to that fund and then we can create some guiding principles for the money that we give and how they govern it. But yeah, it's just a way to enhance it. It's just one more avenue. I see it as that. I do know that some residents were maybe concerned that we might be giving away our authority for someone else to make decisions. But I see it kind of the way you described it. We help fund the EDA because EDA does great stuff. Maybe we help fund another group that also does good stuff. And so far, our members have mismiller has been talking with some of the nonprofits and it's had good positive responses so far. And so. All right. We also appointed Sylvia Bowman to the planning commission and I think that see. Oh, the England Street, the England Street scape is well underway. All of the easements have been purchased and everything looks like it's going to be happening pretty soon. You might see construction this year on it and basically what that is is moving the power lines to behind the building So we have a nice clearer look extending the sidewalks and potentially slightly narrowing the roads But we'll still have the three lanes so just thought you'd like to know about that That's it Thank you for to the construction Progress alright anything else Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Progress. All right. Anything else? Meeting is adjourned.