Goochland is open for business

Those of us who live “in the Gooch” know that our county is a special place. We have wonderful people, beautiful country, and easy access to other places via Interstate 64 and state Route 288. Our schools are excellent, tax rates low, and local government that lives within its means.

Many Goochlanders lamenting that growth, both residential and commercial, signals the end of our rural culture. However, most new construction is concentrated east of Manakin Road, enabled by public utilities—water and sewer. In fact, the county’s 2035 comprehensive land use plan (https://www.goochlandva.us/Search?searchPhrase=2035%20Comprehensive%20Plan%20) indicates that about 85 percent of Goochland will remain rural for the foreseeable future.

The remaining 15 percent, mostly contained in the Tuckahoe Creek Service District, much in the West Creek Business Park, is destined for development. The county’s goal is to derive 30 percent of tax revenue from business, the remainder from residential property tax. Currently, the split is about 80/20 non-business/commercial. Thanks to Jonathan Lyle for catching an error in the initial posting.

In recent years two apartment communities; an Audi dealership; a rehabilitation hospital; medical office buildings; Drive Shack; Hardywood Park Craft Brewing; Tractor Supply; a hotel, and high-density residential subdivisions have sprouted east of Manakin Road. Mixed use enclaves in the heart of the Centerville Village, and on the “Oak Hill” site north of Rt. 6 in West Creek are on the horizon.

So far, economic development has been a bit scattershot—the county was grateful for any kind of investment, especially in the TCSD. That is changing.

Casey Verberg and Sara Worley, economic development coordinators for Goochland County, have created a detailed database of existing businesses, and available properties. The women work with state and regional economic development agencies to put Goochland on the radar screen of site selection scouts, and make sure the county is not overlooked by prospects investigating moving facilities to Virginia.

At May meeting of the Goochland Economic Development Authority, Verberg introduced via Zoom, representatives from the Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development (OED), which has been retained to perform an industry cluster analysis for Goochland. This agency works to fulfill the land grant mission of Tech helping localities capitalize on resources to improve their economies.

The presentation can be viewed at https://www.goochlandva.us/960/Video-of-Past-EDA-Meetings for May 20.

Verberg said the cost of the project is approximately $15,000, about half charged by private firms.

Dr. Sarah Lyon-Hill of the Tech OED explained that an industry cluster is comprised of businesses that interact with each other. For instance, an automotive cluster includes auto manufacturers and related suppliers. The analysis will combine secondary data collected from public and private sources with local knowledge to create a final document and strategy to recruit new companies to come to Goochland. It will list the county’s strengths, potential growth, and competitive advantages compared to similar localities. Public focus groups, which OED has used in similar projects, will not be used here.

Data collection, said Zach Jackson, Tech OED analyst, will use proprietary software to understand where strengths of Goochland’s labor force and other resources lie. Federal databases will supply an understanding of the “overall direction” of county demographics, including regional labor force assets. The study would likely concentrate on greater Richmond, within a certain proximity of Goochland. The analysis will use projected trends supplemented by national and statewide market research from industry specific perspectives.

Lyon-Hill said that they examine existing industry clusters to ascertain how Goochland works and functions with its neighbors. County ED staff and EDA members will provide local knowledge and gather feedback from local businesses and major landowners.

The EDA will receive periodic feedback from Lyon-Hill and Jackson during the analysis. A final report, expected in September will include trends, both backward and forward looking specific to Goochland’s unique assets.

Verberg said that at least two EDA members will be involved in the process. The final report will include specifics about expansion possibilities for local businesses and a list of companies that do not currently operate in Virginia. Results will be used to craft marketing messages touting the advantages of locating in Goochland for targeted companies.

Feedback from discussions with major employers in the county will be part of the analysis. Major land and business owners, said Verberg, including those in West Creek, have asked what kind of businesses the county wants to attract.

Verberg said that Goochland has no interest in heavy smokestack manufacturing but otherwise has no specific wish list, yet. She is hopeful that the cluster analysis will identify enterprises that complement existing businesses and find new ones that need what we have to offer.

Instruction in the time of Covid

Elected officials learn soon after taking office that no matter how hard they work, not everyone will be pleased with their efforts.

A case in point is school boards. Those elected to the Goochland School Board last fall probably anticipated working to continue the upward trajectory of excellence of our school division to realize the potential of every learner.

Then the black swan of Covid pooped on the world.

With little notice schools were ordered closed in mid-March, initially for a few weeks, then for the remainder of the school year. Goochland school administrators swiftly crafted, almost out of thin air, ways to continue learning. This was complicated by the absence of internet access in many parts of the county. It was not perfect, and many families were frustrated by the dearth of broadband access.

As 2020 inched along, hopes that the virus would be in the rear-view mirror by summer were dashed as the number of cases rose.  

Goochland’s school will start in August as scheduled, but instruction will be quite different from last year. School administration worked long and hard to devise an in person learning schedule that prioritized health and safety with as much flexibility as possible. Like every school division in the country, options ranging from full time in person instruction to virtual distant learning were considered.

Following many hours of discussion and consideration at an afternoon retreat, at its July 14 monthly meeting, the Goochland School Board unanimously approved a hybrid plan with some in person instruction and virtual learning. The plan may be viewed at http://goochlandschools.org/2020/07/15/school-reopening-plan/ .

To achieve social distancing, students will be divided into “cohorts” to be determined by early August. They will attend in person classes, by cohort, only two days per week, either Monday and Tuesday, or Thursday and Friday. Wednesdays will be used to deep clean all facilities according to CDC guidelines, and for teachers to plan and provide supplemental support for distant learners. Start and end times have changed.

Health plans were crafted according to CDC guidelines with input from the local health department. Students and staff must wear face coverings at all times. Parents are charged with ensuring that students have no temperatures or other Covid symptoms before leaving home.

Transportation will be a challenge. Buses, whose usual capacity of 60 students, will carry about 20 students to ensure adequate separation.

The plan was devised with maximum flexibility to allow students and families to navigate instruction options.  (See http://goochlandschools.org/2020/07/16/gcps-reopening-2020-2021-frequently-asked-questions/ for answers to questions about specific parts of the plan) Some students may switch from all virtual learning to in person classes.

Pandemic conditions will be constantly monitored. The instruction plan could change as the situation improves or worsens. Parents are encouraged to contact school officials with any questions.

The coming school year will be challenging. May it prove to be an anomaly, that next year will be closer to normal.

Evening session July 7

For the first time since March, the Goochland Board of Supervisors held an evening public hearing session that was open to the public, as opposed to livestreamed meetings.

During citizen comment, time set aside for comments about subjects not on the agenda, Wendy Hobbs, President of the Goochland NAACP lambasted the board for its failure to make a statement condemning circumstances surrounding the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and racism. She took most of the board to task for failing to attend the peaceful rally held at the county administration building on June 6. Don Sharpe District 4 did attend. Hobbs’s remarks included chastising the entire bord for its failure to participate in a more than 200-person peaceful march on June 19 to mark Juneteenth, the true celebration of the end of slavery. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/943/Video-of-Past-BOS-Meetings at about the 1 hour mark to hear these remarks in their entirety.

Rev. Adlai C. Allen, Pastor of Chief Cornerstone Baptist Church, read a public proclamation signed by pastors of many Goochland Churches and the Goochland Christian Churches Association, dated June 22, denouncing racism in all its forms as a destructive force that harms individuals and divides communities.  (This follows Hobbs’ statement on the recording.)

Larry Hine, who is building a home on Cedar Plains Road, contended that there is an “Amazon Prime infection” in Goochland County. He said that between two and twenty contract Amazon delivery vehicles drive through his private property every day. The Sheriff’s office has responded to trespassing complaints at least five times. He said that Amazon uses an “uber” model for independent contractors based on Google Earth routes, which do not differentiate between public and private roads.  He contended that the drivers do not get paid if they deviate from the proscribed route. He said this is dangerous and asked the county to contact Amazon to tell them to stop trespassing.

Public hearings:

Benedictine Society of Virginia- Amendments to a 2011 conditional use permit to allow construction of additional buildings at its site at 12829 River Road, just east of Rt. 288 to accommodate additional students from St. Gertrude high School, a monastery, and allocate an additional 10,000 gallons per day of water was approved. Staff said that there is more than 125 k gallons per day of available water capacity. The total number of students, staff, and monks remains below the numbers approved in the original CUP. A road bond, established in 2011, part of the original CUP, will be used in the near future to offset the cost of improvements to the intersection of Route 6 and River Road, which are expected to be completed this year.

GCJ Holdings, LLC- A CUP application to operate a campground and place of public assembly at 1978 Cardell Road, north of Randolph Elementary School was approved for five years. The site was formerly Camp Little Hawk, operated by the Boys and Girls Club of Richmond.

The event venue would be limited to 75 guests, with the usual prohibition against fireworks, amplified music, requirement to obtain an ABC license when alcohol is served: and ending events by 9 p.m. on Sunday, 10 p.m. on other days. A schedule of events must be submitted to the county zoning administrator.

No more than 24 guests may stay overnight at the campground. A maximum of five campsites including those for RVs may be used. No guests may stay on the site for more than 30 days. Guests must be informed in writing of conditions that include no trespassing; no discharge of firearms or hunting; no amplified sound outdoors and no music after 10 p.m. The applicant must obtain approval from the Virginia Department of Health before RVs are allowed to stay overnight.

Salem Baptist Church Electronic message board- The supervisors approved a CUP to place an electronic message board on the site of Salem Baptist Church, 465 Broad Street Road, west of Centerville. This will be the first such sign approved since these were included in the zoning ordinance rewrite. (Similar signage for Reynolds Community College is on state property and exempt from local regulations.)

As filed, the CUP application requested special exceptions to allow the sign to be lit around the clock and to change the message every five seconds. County regulations require signs to be turned off overnight and that messages may not be changed more than once per minute. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the CUP but not the special exceptions. Pastor Zack Zbinden, speaking as the applicant before the supervisors, agreed to turn off the sign at 11 p.m. as well as a 15 second interval for message changes.

Ordinance changes

The supervisors approved several changes to county ordinances to bring some of them into comportment with state law.

Animal Abandonment- the penalty for abandoning a companion animal was changed from a Class 3 to a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Agricultural Equipment Tire Disposal Fee- a $30 per large agricultural equipment tire was added to the county’s fee schedule. This will cover costs incurred to dispose of these tires between 19 and 24 inches off rim, which has posed a problem for local producers. The amount was agreed to by the agricultural community and will be cost neutral to the county.

Competitive Sealed Bidding-this changed the time frame for action against a surety on a performance bond from one to five years from completion of a contract and defines when a contract has been completed. This gives the county a bit more authority and gives the county additional time to sue. County Attorney Tara McGee said the longer period gives the county time to accurately assess any damages that may result from the breach of a contract but does not increase the term of the bond. Five years, she said, is the standard in Virginia.

Sharpe raised concerns that this would place smaller contractors at a disadvantage, forcing the county to use larger, and more expensive, contractors. Neil Spoonhower, District 2, asked if this would increase the cost of a contract. John Lumpkins, Jr., District 3 said this could increase the cost of a bond. He too was concerned about placing an extra burden on smaller contractors.

 Director of Purchasing Wanda Tormey said the length of a bond can increase its cost. She said that on larger projects, like the courthouse, the longer period is to the county’s advantage

The supervisors voted to defer a decision to their August 4 meeting to gather more detailed information on the consequences of the change.

Small purchase maximum- this increases the maximum amount of small purchases from $100,000 to $150,000 and changes to amount of capital projects needing board of supervisors’ approval from projects over $100,000 to projects over $150,000.

Farm equipment- adds farm equipment used for forest harvesting and silvicultural activities to the list of personal property tax exemptions, effective January 1, 2021.

Court fees- increases the courtroom security fee from $10 to $20. These fees are available to be used for courthouse security or equipment expenses, but their use must be approved by the board of supervisors. This is part of court costs levied on convictions in addition to a $5 fee for courthouse maintenance and construction.  The $10 fee has generated about $50,000 historically. Past practice has used these finds to cover the cost of courthouse security personnel. The effective date is August 1, 2020.

The new normal

Goochland County entered phase 3 reopening on July 1.  Although a special called meeting was held on June 10, the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors since March happened on July 7. Masks are required in the administration building, and seats were marked to ensure proper social distancing. Highlights from the afternoon session follow.

At the start of the afternoon session, both Board Chair Susan Lascolette, District 1, and Interim County Administrator Derek Stamey “gave a shout out” to Commissioner of the Revenue Jennifer Brown and her staff for going above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic.

People wait for their turn at  Goochland DMV Select

During the lockdown, Goochland’s DMV Select was one of the few branches of that agency to remain open in the entire STATE. People have been coming to Goochland from quite a distance to take advantage of this for months. On July 7, for example, tents supplied with cold water were set up outside the admin building to provide some relief from the heat for people waiting their turn. The county purchased a pager system to ensure that only a limited number of people enter the building at a time. Kudos to Brown and her staff for adapting to the emergency and continuing to work through the pandemic for the citizens in a safe manner. Demand for these services has been high, said Stamey. He reported that on July 6, more than 700 DMV Select transactions were completed; the count for a “normal” day is around 200.

Stamey reminded those who have not yet participated in the 2020 Federal Census to do so. The information gathered from this is vital to making sound decisions for the future. So far, Goochland’s response rate is 68.4 percent ahead of the statewide rate of 66.7. Details of this Census will not be released to the public for 72 years, in 2092. Numbers reported in December will be general, as in “how many people lived in Goochland County, Virginia on April 1, 2020”.

Jonathan Lyle, Director of the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District commended the supervisors for partnering with Central Virginia Electric Coop (CVEC) to expand broadband in the unserved western part of the county. He also thanked Matt Longshore, county director of utilities for keeping MSWCD in the loop about storm water management for an alfalfa field near Holly Lane in the eastern part of Goochland.

Lyle believes that there will not be a four percent decline in property values—real estate tax revenues provide the bulk of county funds—and urged the board to strongly consider restoring items supporting public safety, education, and county staff cut to deal with expected revenue shortfalls, to the budget.

This weekend the Alvis Farm Sunflower Festival will return, reported Lyle. The event, family friendly on a site large enough easily accommodate social distancing, will take place on the weekend of July 11 located on acreage off of Seay Road, north of I 64, east of Oilville Road. Go to https://www.alvisfarmsva.com/ for details.

Glorious fields blooming for the Alvis Farms Sunflower Festival

The supervisors adopted a revised human resources policy manual. (See the July 7 board packet on the county website goochlandva.us for details.)

A resolution to request that VDOT accept the streets in the Bridgewater subdivision, on the north side of Rt. 250 west of Fairground Road, into the secondary system of state highways for maintenance and provide a one year warranty on the  roads was unanimously adopted by the Board. This seems to be the final step in a long and convoluted journey to complete construction to bring Bridgewater roads to state standards.

Goochland has needed a new circuit courthouse to replace the existing structure, which has been in use since 1826—no, that’s not a typo—for quite a while.  A security annex completed late last year, made security screening better, but a new courthouse is still needed. The county’s 25 year capital improvement plan includes about $26 million to build a new courthouse sometime in the next decade.  The county has been acquiring land adjacent to the courthouse green, presumably for the new building, though no specific site has yet been identified.. Last year, the county purchased the medical office building  in front of the courthouse green from Goochland Cares.

The county will purchase this property as a possible site for a new courthouse

Note: clarification of the original post are in bold.

On July 7, the supervisors authorized Stamey to execute a contract to purchase properties located at 2952 River Road West from 2952 River Road West, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company, owned in part by the family of John Lumpkins, Jr., the current District 3 supervisor. Lumpkins, through a power of attorney, handles the financial affairs of  this relative. He does not own the property.

Before the matter was addressed by the board, Lumpkins read a conflict of interest disclosure statement and left the room during the discussion. The supervisors, Lumpkins said, expressed an interest in the subject properties before he joined the board in 2018. Since that time, he said he has never discussed the issue with other supervisors or staff.

Stamey said that an independent appraisal of the property set its fair market value of $313,000. The supervisors authorized execution of a purchase agreement for $299,000. Phase I and II environmental studies on the parcels, which contain underground tanks, including boring samples around the tanks and toward the road, indicated no evidence of leaching into the soil.

Neil Spoonhower, District 2 said the purchase, unlike other proposed expenditures that he has pushed back on during Covid, is prudent and wise given the current real estate market conditions.

Director of Finance Barbara Horlacher presented a monthly update on county money matters. As first half real estate and personal property tax deadlines were extended for a month without penalty or interest, the amount of tax revenue actually collected was an unknown when the revised budget was approved in April. Erring on the side of caution, a four percent decline from last year’s collections was used to craft balanced budgets for FY 2020, which ended on June 30, and FY 2021, which began on July 1.

Horlacher reported that so far, for FY 2020, $27.7 million in real estate tax has been collected, which is $1.2 million over the amount budgeted. Year to date personal property tax receipts are $12 million, $1 million over budget. Sales tax receipts, which Horlacher explained are two months behind actual sales, currently total $3.1 of the $3.2 million budgeted. The total received for building permits, was $1.075 million, ahead of the $1 million budgeted. Interest on bank deposits was forecast at $1 million, but for 11 months, $824 k was received, Horlacher did not expect that number to increase significantly.

Preliminary figures for FY 2020 show revenues at $59.5 million, $2.3 million over budget and expenditures expected to come in $1.8 million under budget, resulting in a surplus of $4.3 million. In August, the board will look at ways to determine one-time uses for the surplus in the FY 2021 budget.

Horlacher reported that the county received $2,072,358 in June from the CARES Act to offset one-time costs attributable to Covid response. Eligible expenses include overtime for public safety employees; equipment to enable employees to work remotely; extra cleaning and other sanitizing costs; acquisition of PPE; and modification of public spaces for safety. The funds may also be used to provide economic support for those adversely affected by the pandemic but may not be used to offset losses of revenue.

Horlacher said that the CARES expenditures will be part of the annual audit and treated like a federal grant. The supervisor approved use of CARES funds to offset a variety of proper expenses including $400 k to the schools for maintenance, transportation, and technology.

The board approved a motion to donate surplus self-contained breathing apparatus to the Charles City County Fire Department. Goochland Fire-Rescue recently replaced this equipment. The donation will help a new department.

A public hearing on August 4 was set by the supervisors to consider an unsolicited proposal to build a pedestrian walkway between the east and west portions of Tucker Park. It would take the form of a boardwalk along the James River under the Rt. 522 bridge.

The supervisors met in closed session to discuss candidates for the county administrator position. No time frame for filling the job has been announced.