For those of us staying home, the world seems to have
stopped. The calendar, however, marches on. Goochland’s Board of Supervisors
held its regular monthly meeting on April 7 reimagined for life in the age of
Covid 19. No more than 10 people were allowed in the board room. The
supervisors sat well apart from each other, with County Administrator John
Budesky and County Attorney Tara McGee, who usually sit among the supervisors,
stationed at tables on either side of the dais. Deputy Clerk Lisa Beczkiewicz, whose normal meeting station is at
the end of the dais, controlled the live stream in front of the room.
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| Social distancing in the board room. No more than 10 people were allowed in at any one time. |
The board convened at 3:15
p.m. to go into closed session to discuss recruitment for a
replacement for Budesky, who submitted his resignation effective June 30 after
having been appointed Hanover County Administrator on March 25. There was no
further mention of this topic during the regular meeting.
After opening the
“regular” afternoon meeting with a prayer and the pledge of allegiance, Board
Chair Susan Lascolette, District 1 reported that the board is observing the
governor’s rules about social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing, and wearing
masks in public. She marveled at the community spirit of Goochlanders and the
many acts of kindness as we take care of each other. Students, teachers and
parents navigate a “new paradigm of online learning” and other facets of this
strange life in quarantine. “We are Goochland strong,” Lascolette declared. She
thanked county staff for continuing to work through their own challenges and continue
to serve the citizens during trying times.
Lascolette commended the
Fire-Rescue and Emergency management department under the direction of Chief D.
E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. for its hard work during these difficult times citing the
following passage from the board packet, available county website:
The Department of
Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services is working in concert with the County
Government and Schools to respond to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic Public
Health Emergency. We are currently participating with the Central VA All
Hazards Incident Management Team (CVAHIMT), along with City of Richmond,
Henrico, Chesterfield, and Hanover Counties.
This collaborative
effort has allowed us, and the region, access to best practices in unified
command, operations, planning, finance, and logistics. The CVAHIMT is
coordinating with the regional VDH health districts, public safety agencies,
emergency services, the healthcare coalition, hospitals, and several other
organizations.
The Department of Fire-Rescue and Emergency
Management is also focused on supporting and meeting the needs of our citizens
in Goochland County in the days and weeks ahead. We have formed a community
citizen task force group, composed of most County Departments, the Sheriff’s
Office, Goochland County Public Schools, VA Dept. of Health, Social Services,
Goochland CARES, Animal Protection, Goochland Pet Lovers, the YMCA, Powhatan
Goochland Community Services Board, Senior Connections, and our Agriculture
Extension Office. In addition, we continue to carry out the daily business of
the Fire-Rescue Department, responding to 911 calls and meeting the needs of
our citizens during times of emergencies. We stand ready to assist our citizens
and community as needs arise. Citizens with needs may contact Fire-Rescue or
any of the aforementioned partners for assistance.
The phone number is 804.556.5304.
Budesky reported
that, on April 7 (the numbers change every day) there were 22 confirmed cases
of Covid 19 in Goochland, several at the Virginia Correctional Center for Women
in Courthouse Village, and five recoveries. The county continues to monitor the
number of local cases but cannot share detailed patient information due to
privacy concerns. Patience of the citizens is greatly appreciated, said Budesky.
He thanked county
staff for the adjustments it has made to keep Goochland operating during the
current emergency. Some departments, including building inspection, which is
working seven days a week, are quite busy, said Budesky. They continue to meet
public service demands.
The West Creek Emergency Center
closed as of April 8 so that its parent organization, Hospital Corporation of
American, can consolidate resources to deal with the demands of the pandemic.
Budesky said that the facility is expected to reopen when the emergency has passed.
While April 1 was the
target date for the 2020 US Census, Budesky urged
everyone to respond online, by mail, or by phone as soon as possible until
August 14. Those who have not responded by May will be visited by a census
taker. Call the county at 556-5800 with questions. Goochland’s self- response
date is already 53.5 percent. It is important for everyone to participate.
Census data, which is very general in nature, is used for a myriad of purposes.
During citizen
comment, made by phone or email, Monacan Soil and Water Director Jonathan Lyle,
who often comments at board meetings, expressed appreciation for the county’s
efforts to make meeting accessible to citizens and continue government’s
business. He asked if there is a way that agricultural tires could be recycled
at the convenience centers even though they are larger than vehicle tires.
The supervisors ratified
temporary
actions taken by Budesky serving as county director of emergency
management. These were: cancellation of an April 4 rabies clinic to avoid gatherings in excess of 10; suspension
of public utility shut offs to ensure that customers have access to water and
sewer; waived adoption fees at the animal shelter, which has helped to clear
the shelter of adoptable animals; suspended sign regulations to help local
businesses that remain open attract customers; and to allow ambulances from
services outside the county to operate in Goochland for routine patient
transfer without going through a cumbersome permitting process. This reduces
the burden on Goochland ambulances so they can concentrate on transporting
citizens.
The supervisors
unanimously authorized a 30-day suspension of the existing10 percent penalty
and 10 percent interest for late payment of real estate and personal property
taxes due on June 5. A public hearing on this matter will be
held on May 5.
Ken Peterson, District
5, asked how the suspension would funds received in the 2021 fiscal year be
accrued for the 2020 fiscal year. Budesky said, based on consultation with
outside auditors, that accruals up to mid-August could be “booked” back to
fiscal year 2020.
Don Sharpe, District
4, asked if there is any way to know how many tax payments would be delayed.
Budesky said it is very hard to estimate, as this is uncharted territory. McGee
pointed out that a large percentage of real estate taxes, perhaps more than 80
percent, are made by mortgage companies.
Neil Spoonhower District
2 asked if this would result in other “downstream” actions, including
collection processes. Budesky said that would not happen.
The board formally
adopted the county pandemic virus policy, which it approved at
an earlier electronic meeting. See April 7 board packet (available at http://goochlandcountyva.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1253&Inline=True)
beginning on page 83 for details of policy.
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