June Board highlights
Goochland supervisors ended their June 4 meeting well into
the next morning. They began in the afternoon, however, with County Administrator
John Budesky reflecting on the shooting incident in the Virginia Beach
government offices on Friday, May 31.
“That could have been anyone,” said Budesky. “Our hearts go
out to the families of the fallen and the survivors. We pride ourselves on
being accessible to hear, listen and serve the citizens. We are now reviewing
our safety plans and hope to God we never have to use them.” Goochland County, he said, provides an
opportunity for civil discourse and doors are open for service and support of
the citizens. Budesky also cautioned that we need to be alert to potential
danger and urged using the “if you see something, say something” approach to
situations that seem troubling.
Indeed, Goochland County offices are open and accessible to
all. Unguarded doors and signage guides visitors around the admin building where
employees and other visitors, GOMM included, are happy to direct people to local
government agencies including DMV, the Treasurer’s Office and Community
Development.
Later in the meeting Interim Fire-Rescue Chief D. E. “Eddie”
Ferguson Jr. said that previously scheduled “Campus Emergencies Prevention,
Response, and Recovery” FEMA training for a wide range of disruptions,
including hazardous materials incidents and weather-related incidents, will
take place next week. This training session has been scheduled for a while but
could not be timelier.
Budesky announced that the county’s first dog park, “Tucker
Bark”, will be dedicated on June 17 at 6 p.m., rain date the 18th.
This new facility will feature dog bone shaped benches and other amenities for
dogs and their people. He thanked Goochland Pet Lovers, Lowe’s, and the
Reynolds Family for their support.
During citizen comment period, Linda Moore reminded the
Supervisors of the important of disaster preparation for those with “different
abilities to ensure that they are able to interact with first responders during
emergencies. District 2 supervisor candidate Wendy Hobbs urged the supervisors
to file a lawsuit to prevent disenfranchisement of the 207 Goochland taxpayers
whose righto vote in local elections was removed by an action of the Goochland
Electoral Board. Board Chair Manuel Alvarez, Jr., District 2, said that the
supervisors are investigating litigation in the matter. A
homeowner in the Bridgewater subdivision expressed support for the creation of
a service district to fund competition of the roads in that community. (A
public hearing on the road service district was scheduled for July 2 at 7 p.
m.)
A newcomer to the county, with first responder experience in
another state, expressed concerns about local EMS response times in excess of
four minutes. During medical emergencies, she contended, “seconds matter”.
Ferguson discussed the matter with her. Given Goochland geography, a four-minute
response time may never be a reality. Ferguson also said that recruitment is
underway to fill new fire-rescue career jobs. He thanked the supervisors for enhancing
the pay scale to help Goochland compete with neighboring jurisdictions for
personnel.
Other public hearings were set for July 2. These include: amendment
to the definition of adequate shelter and space for companion animals; revision
of the dangerous dog ordinances; the definition of a dwelling with regard to
the tax exemption for the elderly and seabed and cover non-commercial structure
used for household goods or motor vehicles; personal property tax exemptions to add motor vehicles used primarily for
agricultural purposes and amend related provisions. Many of these changes are
needed to bring county laws into conformance to state statutes.
Budesky was authorized the execute a performance agreement between
the county, the Goochland Economic Development Authority, and Notch Hotel, LLC under which the county will
provide up to $200,000 real estate and personal property tax reimbursements (no
TCSD taxes involved) and the hotel will, through September 30, 2025, spend $16,
130,000 to build the hotel and maintain 13 jobs (defined as permanent full-time
paying a minimum annual salary of $27,218). This “rear end” tax reimbursement incentive
does not involve any out of pocket costs.
The full text of these proposed amendments and contracts is
included in the June 4 board packet, available on the county website www.goochlandva.us.
Budesky was also authorized to execute an agreement for the
construction of the pedestrian path to connect the east and west sections of
Tucker Park for $138,000 and appropriate $19,103 for the project.
Paul Drumwright, administrative services manager, presented
a wrap up on the 2019 Virginia General Assembly Session.
Efforts to “fix” the legislation that hobbled the ability of
localities to use cash proffers as a land use tool in 2016 are ongoing. Some of these “will move the needle.” He said
that the governor has recalled the GA to address gun control legislation and was
not optimistic that legislation to “patch” the voter disenfranchisement issue
will be addressed.
Three items involving broad band expansion was the ability
to create service districts for private providers. Details are being worked
out. Both Dominion and Appalachian Power were authorized to implement pilot
projects to leverage their infrastructure for middle mile broadband expansion. The GA increased funds available to $19
million and this impact of this on Goochland is not yet clear.
In anticipation of the 2020 session, Drumwright is compiling
a list of issues to be discussed with our GA delegation in the traditional
annual luncheon to be held in late summer or early fall. Bills, he said, tend
to be written well in advance of the GA session.
County Attorney Tara McGee said that a proffer workshop will
be held on June 10 at which she will present Goochland’s perspective on the
issue. “Whether or not this is a dead horse we are still beating, I cannot tell,
but thought it was worth participating,” she said.
The supervisors adopted an updated economic development strategic
plan. The department was restructured
following the departure of Matt Ryan about a year ago. Now, said Todd Kilduff,
Deputy County Administrator for Utilities and Economic Development, we have a
fully staffed four-person department. Sara Worley will concentrate on existing business,
Casey Verburg, a new hire from North Carolina will concentrate of new business
and Killduff and Budesky will work closely with them.
Using input from a workshop with the Economic Development Authority,
the supervisors, Chamber of Commerce, and other interested parties, the revised
plan was drafted. (The entire plan is available at http://www.goochlandforbusiness.com/DocumentCenter/View/233/2019-2024-Strategic-Plan---Adopted-6419)
The strategic plan includes goals, strategies, vision
statements. The establishment of target markets and create a Goochland tourism
brand. Agritourism is seen to preserve the rural nature of the county in a way
that enable landowners to generate income from their property without selling
it for development. The goal is to attract a wide range of business types to
bring robust economic activity to all parts of the county.
Creation of a county business center is part of the plan. Budesky
hoped that this will be a reality later in the year, perhaps through a partnership
with the Chamber of Commerce. Kilduff said that the EDA will play a larger part
in economic development activities going forward. Metrics to illustrate the
progress made toward specified goals are also included. Budesky pointed out
that the tourism piece of the plan will be developed further over the summer.
Susan Lascolette, District 1, said she does not want to see incentives
baked into the plan. She acknowledged that sometimes they are necessary.
Budesky said that sometimes incentives can be best business practices such as
low tax rates and fewer regulations. He also said that the plan will be flexible
to keep pace with the prevailing business climate.
The supervisors then met in closed session “To discuss the performance
and duties of the county administrator and county attorney.”
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