[00:00:02]
[1. MOMENT OF SILENCE]
MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021.TO ORDER, PLEASE JOIN US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
[2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
WOULD YOU NOW PLEASE JOIN HIS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.LIVE BACK VICE MAYOR COPPER NATION.
[3. ROLL CALL]
LICK.COUNCILOR REMOULADE, COUNCILMAN MCFADDEN, COUNCILMAN MEZA HERE.
[4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES –Regular Meeting of March 22nd and Work Session April 7th, 2021]
NEXT ITEM FOR APPROVAL OF MINUTES, REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 22ND AND WORK SESSION, APRIL 7TH, 2021.DO I HEAR A MOTION, MR. MAYOR? I MOVE TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH THE 22ND AND THE WORK SESSION MINUTES OF APRIL THE SEVENTH, 2021 AS PRESENTED SECOND, ALL APPROVED.
DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA? ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS? ALL RIGHT.
[6. RECOGNITIONS/AWARDS – Proclamations for Arbor Day & National Public Works Recognition Week - Mayor]
PROCLAMATION FOR ARBOR DAY.IF I MAY IN 1872 J STERLING MORTON PROPOSED TO THE NEBRASKA BOARD OF AGRICULTURE THAT A SPECIAL DAY TO BE SET ASIDE FOR THE PLANTING OF TREES.
AND THIS HOLIDAY CALLED ARBOR DAY WAS FIRST OBSERVED WITH THE PLANNING OF MORE THAN A MILLION TREES IN NEBRASKA AND ARBOR DAY IS NOW OBSERVED THROUGHOUT THE NATION AND THE WORLD.
AND TREES CAN REDUCE THE EROSION OF OUR PRECIOUS TOPSOIL ABOUT WIND AND WATER, CUT HEATING AND COOLING COST, MODERATE AND TEMPERATURE, CLEAN THE AIR AND PRODUCE LIFE-GIVING OXYGEN AND PROVIDE HABITAT FOR WILDLIFE AND TREES ARE A RENEWABLE RESOURCE GIVING US PAPER WOOD FOR OUR HOMES FUEL FOR OUR FIRES AND COUNTLESS OTHER WOOD PRODUCTS AND TREES IN OUR CITY INCREASE PROPERTY VALUES AND HAS THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF BUSINESS AREAS AND BEAUTIFIES OUR COMMUNITY AND TREES WHEREVER THEY ARE PLANTED, OR A SOURCE OF JOY AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL.
AND THEREFORE, UH, CHRIS HOLLOWAY, MAYOR OF COUNTER FRONT ROYAL, YOU HEREBY APPROVE APRIL THE 26, 2021, ALL IN FAVOR.
WE HAVE PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK OR AS PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES AND SERVICES THAT ARE VITAL IMPORTANCE TO OUR SUBSTANTIAL AND RESILIENT COMMUNITY COMMUNITIES AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE AND WELLBEING OF THE PEOPLE AT TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL.
WHEREAS THESE INFRASTRUCTURES FACILITIES AND SERVICES COULD NOT BE PROVIDED WITHOUT THE DEDICATED EFFORT OF PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE ENGINEERS MANAGERS AND EMPLOYEES OF ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REBUILDING, IMPROVING AND PROTECTING OUR NATIONS, TRANSPORTATION, WATER, SUPPLY, WATER TREATMENT, AND SOLID WASTE SYSTEMS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND OTHER STRUCTURES AND FACILITIES ESSENTIAL FOR OUR CITIZENS.
AND WHEREAS IT IS THE PUBLIC INTEREST, PUBLIC INTEREST AND THE CITIZENS, CIVIC LEADERS AND CHILDREN, AND THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND TO MAINTAIN A PROGRESSIVE ENTRUST AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMS AND THEIR PERSPECTIVE COMMUNITIES.
THE YEAR 2021 MARKS THE 61ST ANNUAL PUBLIC WORK NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION, CANADA PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION,
[00:05:01]
BE IT NOW RESOLVED.MAYOR CHRIS W HOLLOWAY DO HEREBY DESIGNATE THE WEEK OF MAY THE 16TH TO 22ND, 2021 AS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK.
I URGE OFFICES AS TO JOIN WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION AND CANADA PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, AND CEREMONIES DESIGNED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE PUBLIC WORKS PROFESSIONALS, ENGINEERS, MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES, AND RECOGNIZE THESE THESE SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO MAKE THERE, TO MAKE PROTECTING OUR NATIONAL HEALTH, SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE.
WE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE ALL THE HARD WORK OF THE PROXIMITY, THE TALENT OF FRONT ROYAL 75 PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES WHO WORK HARD DAY DURING THEIR SHIFT.
AND WHILE ON CALL 24 SEVEN FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILY.
HERE'S A FEW SAMPLE EXAMPLES OF, UH, WHAT THEY, WHAT THEY DO HERE FOR A TOWN OF FORT ROYAL.
THEY MAINTAIN 138.2 MOVING LANES, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ROADS MAINTAINS 92 MILES OF STORM SEWER MO WEEDY AND TRACTOR MODE, TALENT PROPERTIES, RIGHT OF WAYS.
AND MEDIANS PLANS, DESIGNS INSTALLS AND MAINTAINS FLORAL LANDSCAPES AND TREE PLANTINGS COLLECTS TRASH RECYCLING YARD WASTE FROM 5,557.
CUSTOMERS CLEANS DISINFECTS TALENTS, BUILDINGS, AND PERFORM SKILLED MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO THE TOWN.
BUILDINGS, FABRICATES, INSTALLS, AND REPLACES TOWN STREET SIGNS AND MAINTAINS CROSSWALKS PERFORMANCE PAVING, POTHOLE, AND STREET REPAIRS, BRIDGE MAINTENANCE AND STREETS.
WEEPING ASSIST WITH TOWN ASSIST THE TOWN WITH COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ROAD CLOSURES, SNOW REMOVAL, REPAIR, WATER BREAKS, SEWER BACKUPS TREAT SEWAGE FROM 5,980 RESIDENTS AND WARREN COUNTY CUSTOMERS TREATS 4.5 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY OF SEWAGE PROVIDES WATER TO 6,293.
RESIDENTS MAINTAINS 119 MILES OF WATER LINE, 124 MILES OF SANITARY SEWER, AND 724 FIRE HYDRANTS REVIEWS AND THE SPECS ALL PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE TOWN LIMITS AND THE COUNTY.
WHEREAS WATER AND SEWER ARE PROVIDED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE TOWN STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS.
THEREFORE SET MY HAND CALL SEAL 10 FRONT ROLL OF FIXED DONE.
SO THE WEEK OF MAY THE 22ND TO THE 26, I BELIEVE IT WAS A NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS PROCLAMATION.
SO NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK.
[7. PUBLIC COMMENTS (COMMENTS NOT RELATED TO PUBLIC HEARINGS)]
PUBLIC COMMENTS, MS. PRESLEY, DO WE HAVE ANY BODY SIGN UP TO SPEAK? YES, SIR.STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.
I LIVE ON CATLETT MOUNTAIN ROAD AND AS PRESIDENT I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE FRONT WARREN COUNTY TREE STORE IT'S FOR 24 YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY AND CARE FOR ITS BEAUTIFUL TREES.
WE'VE ENJOYED A SOLID WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TOWN, BUT WE ARE HEARTBROKEN OVER RECENT ACTIONS TAKEN BY TOWN COUNCIL AND ITS MANAGERS.
WE RECENTLY SENT EACH OF YOU A LETTER FROM OUR ORGANIZATION, AND IT'S EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING THAT NOT ONE OF YOU, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE REACHED OUT TO TALK WITH US.
THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THE TOWN'S DISREGARD FOR ITS COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS.
SO I'D LIKE TO CONVEY THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS LETTER FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD UNTIL LAST YEAR, OUR WORK WAS GUIDED BY THE TOWN HORTICULTURIST EMBODYING THE TOWN'S COMMITMENT TO TREES, PLANTS, AND THE BEAUTIFICATION OF FRONT ROYAL.
THIS CRITICAL STAFF POSITION HAS BEEN VACANT SINCE DECEMBER, 2019, DESPITE REMAINING A LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET.
CONSEQUENTLY, THE TREE STEWARDS ARE NO LONGER DIRECTED TOWARD PROJECTS OF GREATEST NEED DESTRUCTION OF THE RIPARIAN BUFFER ZONE
[00:10:01]
ALONG FRONT STREET AND CHANNELIZATION OF HAPPY CREEK HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT NEITHER THE COUNCIL NOR ITS MANAGERS VALUE OF ITS 24 YEAR PARTNERSHIP.THE DECISION TO DESTROY A SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY LED MODEL PROJECT WAS REACHED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE URBAN FORESTRY ADVISORY COMMISSION ESTABLISHED BY THE TOWN IN RESPONSE TO THIS VIOLATION OF TOWN CODE.
YOU FAC MEMBERS RESIGNED IN DECEMBER, 2020.
WELCOME STEVE HICKS AS OUR NEW TOWN MANAGER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BEAUTIFICATION OF FRONT ROYAL COMMITTEE AND THE TREE STEWARDS MET WITH HIM TO PROVIDE A HISTORY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE TO THE TOWN.
AT THAT TIME, MR. HICKS ASKED THE TREE STEWARDS TO HELP WITH THE TOWN'S RENEWAL APPLICATION FOR TREE CITY USA TRADITIONALLY COMPLETED BY THE NOW DEFUNCT TREE BOARD.
IT'S DUE TO THE TREE STEWARDS EFFORTS THAT FRONT ROYAL WAS FIRST AWARDED TREE CITY USA STATUS IN 2000 AND EVERY YEAR, SINCE SINCE 2003, STEWARDS HAVE ALSO PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PLANNING AND HOSTING THE ANNUAL ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION.
UNTIL NOW, WHEN I CONTACTED MR. HICKSON MARCH ABOUT PLANS FOR THE 2021 ARBOR DAY, HE TOLD ME HE'D TASKED THE NEW TOWN COUNTY TOURISM COUNCIL WITH THE EVENT AND WOULD GET BACK TO ME.
THE NEXT COMMUNICATION WAS AN ARBOR DAY, PRESS RELEASE FROM THE TOWN DETAIL'S ALREADY DETERMINED.
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS, THE TREE STEWARDS WERE NEITHER CONSULTED NOR INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY ROLE.
OTHER THAN SPECTATOR, THE ACTIONS OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION SPEAKS VOLUMES IN VIEW OF THESE ACTIONS, THE TREE STEWARDS VOTED TO FOREGO THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TOWN FOR THE COMING YEAR.
THE TREE STEWARDS DO REMAIN HOPEFUL.
HOWEVER THAT A MORE PRODUCTIVE TONE MAY BE RESTORED.
POSITIVE ACTIONS SHOULD INCLUDE HIRING A QUALIFIED ARBORIST TO SERVE AS OUR LIAISON ON TREE RELATED MATTERS, REINSTATEMENT OF A TREE BOARD THAT INCLUDES ISA CERTIFIED ARBORISTS REPLANNING OF THE BUFFER ZONE ALONG HAPPY CREEK.
AND WE ASK THAT YOU REMOVE THE HISTORIC MARKER ALONG FRONT STREET.
THAT ONCE WAS A PROUD SIGN OF A MODEL RIPARIAN BUFFER ZONE, AND IS NOW SIMPLY INACCURATE AND MISLEADING.
FINALLY, WE HOPE THAT THE TOWN WILL SEEK THE SERVICES OF QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH FUTURE PROJECTS, THEREBY PREVENTING FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE TO THE TOWN IT'S NATURAL AND SCENIC RESOURCES AND ITS CITIZENS.
I'M A LIVE THREE 67 OVERALL ROAD IN BENTONVILLE, VIRGINIA, AND I'M THE VICE VICE PRESIDENT OF A BEAUTIFICATION IN FRONT ROYAL COMMITTEE IN 1992, A SMALL GROUP OF WARREN COUNTY RESIDENTS LED BY LOUISE LA BARCA TOURED THE STATE VISITING VIBRANT TOWNS.
THESE TOWNS ALL HAD IN COMMON.
WHAT THESE TOWNS ALL HAD IN COMMON WAS THAT THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL WITH TREE-LINED STREETS AND TRAFFIC ISLANDS BURSTING WITH FLOWERS.
RESIDENTS WERE RIGHTFULLY PLOWED, PROUD OF HOW THEIR TOWNS LOOKED.
THE GROUP WANTED TO REPLICATE THAT ATMOSPHERE HERE IN FRONT ROYAL.
SO THEY FORMED THE BEAUTIFICATION IN FRONT ROYAL COMMITTEE.
IT INCLUDED MEMBERS FROM THE FOUR LOCAL GARDEN CLUBS, AS WELL AS INTERESTED CITIZENS, OUR TOWN PLANNER AT THE TIME AND THE HEAD OF PUBLIC, UH, PARKS AND RECREATION, WHICH WAS A TOWN, UM, ORGANIZATION AT THAT TIME.
SO THE TOWN HAS BEEN OUR PARTNER FROM THE BEGINNING OVER THE LAST 28 YEARS.
OUR COMMITTEE HAS RAISED OVER $250,000 AND INVESTED THE MONEY IN TOWN PLANNINGS WITH THE HELP OF THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROGRAMS AT BOTH UVA AND VIRGINIA TECH, WE HAVE OVERSEEING THE PLANNING AND MORE THAN 800 TREES ALONG TOWN STREETS.
WE HAVE PURCHASED HANGING BASKETS AND THE FLOWERS THAT GO IN AND WE'VE PROVIDED BENCHES FLOWER BEDS IN PARKS AND MUCH, MUCH MORE.
EVERY ONE OF OUR PROJECTS HAS BEEN APPROVED AND ENDORSED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL THROUGH A YEARLY OUTSTANDING LANDSCAPE AWARDS TO BUSINESSES AND PRIVATE CITIZENS.
WE'VE RAISED AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GREENLAND URBAN SCAPES.
WE'VE BROUGHT IN NOTED SPEAKERS TO EXPLAIN HOW TREES AND OTHER PLANNING HELP CLEAN THE AIR, REMOVE POLLUTANTS FROM THE WATER AND PROVIDE SHADE, WHICH LOADERS LOWERS SUMMER TEMPERATURES.
OUR EFFORTS HAVE MADE FRONT ROYAL
[00:15:01]
A MUCH MORE DESIRABLE PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK AND RAISE FAMILIES.OUR EFFORTS HAVE ALSO HELPED MAKE THE TOWN MORE ATTRACTIVE TO TOURISTS, A PLACE NOT JUST TO DRIVE THROUGH, BUT TO STOP AND EAT HERE, TO SHOP AND TO SPEND THE NIGHT FOR MOST OF THE PAST 28 YEARS WE'VE HAD.
AND WE'VE WORKED HAND IN HAND WITH A TOWN HORTICULTURIST WHILE THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PLANTS.
WE HAVE DEPENDED ON THE EXPERTISE OF THE TOWN HORTICULTURIST TO KNOW WHICH TREES AND FLOWERS ARE TOUGH ENOUGH TO THRIVE IN AN URBAN SETTING.
WE ALSO RELIED ON THESE EXPERTS TO PLANT AND WATER THE TREES TO HANG THE DOWNTOWN BASKETS OF FLOWERS AND WATER THEM, AND TO KNOW WHERE TO AVOID UNDERGROUND UTILITIES RECENTLY.
HOWEVER, THERE'S BEEN A SHIFT.
THE TOWN NO LONGER HAS A HORTICULTURIST.
THE TOWN TURNED DOWN OUR EFFORT, OUR OFFER, EXCUSE ME, OUR OFFER OF 100 DAFFODIL BILLS BULBS TO PLANT ALONG THE GREENWAY.
THE COUNTY HOWER WAS PLEASED TO ACCEPT THEM AND PLANT THEM.
WE ASKED THE TOWN TO COMMIT TO CONTINUE THEIR MAINTENANCE OF OUR TREES, SHRUBS AND FLOWERS AS PER OUR MUTUAL AGREEMENT AND TO MAINTAIN THE TOWN'S TREE CANOPY CANOPY BY REPLACING ALL THE TREES REMOVED, UNLESS THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL IS WILLING TO CONTINUE AS PARTNERSHIP WITH US AND HIRE A HORTICULTURIST.
OUR PLANT PLANTING WORK CAN NOT CONTINUE.
SUSAN SHEER HEART RESIDENT OF THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL THREE, TWO SEVEN SKYLINE PLACE AS CHAIRWOMAN OF THE WARREN COUNTY FRONT ROYAL APPALACHIAN TRAIL COMMUNITY COMMITTEE.
I'M HERE TO REPORT OUR UNANIMOUS DECISION TO SUPPORT THE FRONT ROYAL WARREN COUNTY TREE STEWARDS BY SUSPENDING 80 COMMUNITY OPERATIONS IN THE TOWN FOR THE COMING YEAR.
REASONS FOR THIS DECISION INCLUDE THE FAILURE OF TOWN STAFF TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON STATED COMMITMENTS REGARDING ARBOR DAY AND THE TOWNS TREE CITY USA APPLICATION PROCESS, AS WELL AS THE DESTRUCTION OF A MODEL RIPARIAN BUFFER MAINTAINED FOR 16 YEARS BY THE TREE STEWARDS ALONG THE FRONT STREET SECTION OF PAPPY CREEK.
ONE OF THE 80 COMMUNITY PROGRAM'S CENTRAL GOALS IS TO PARTNER WITH DESIGNATED COMMUNITIES IN PRESERVING AND PROTECTING GREEN SPACES NEAR THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL, INCLUDING THE STRETCH OF HAPPY CREEK THAT RUNS THROUGH THE HEART OF FRONT ROYAL SINCE 2012 AND THE TOWN IN THE COUNTY ACHIEVED DESIGNATION.
THE 80 COMMUNITY COMMITTEE HAS SUCCEEDED IN LEVERAGING PROXIMITY TO THE INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED APPALACHIAN TRAIL TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
AS A RESULT FRONT ROYAL AND WARREN COUNTY ARE NOW KNOWN AS ONE OF THE FRIENDLIEST COMMUNITIES ALONG THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL.
SADLY, THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL SEEMS TO HAVE DEVELOPED A CULTURE OF DESTRUCTION, DECIMATING ITS STAFF, ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE SERVED THE TOWN FOR DECADES.
SEVERAL MONTHS OF MISLEADING STATEMENTS MADE BY THE TOWN COUNCIL AND STAFF AS WELL AS NUMEROUS PERMIT VIOLATIONS ON THE HAPPY CREEK CONSTRUCTION SITE CONFIRM THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION'S OPERATIONAL DYSFUNCTION AND DISRESPECT FOR THE VALUES OUR ORGANIZATIONS HOLD DEAR.
SIMILAR TO OUR PEER ORGANIZATIONS.
THE HD COMMUNITY COMMITTEE HAS EXPERIENCED A DISHEARTENING LACK OF FOLLOW-UP FROM A MEETING WITH STOUT TOWN STAFF IN PREPARATION FOR WHAT PROMISES TO BE A RECORD BREAK IN HIKING SEASON.
I'VE GIVEN TINA A SET OF PACKETS FOR YOUR REVIEW.
THESE INCLUDE A PRESS RELEASE SUBMITTED TO REPORTERS HERE TONIGHT, AND TWO ADDITIONAL NEWS OUTLETS AS WELL AS A COPY OF A PRESENTATION SHARED WITH MR. HICKS DURING OUR MEETING ON MARCH 11TH.
AT THAT TIME, WE HAD ALSO HOPED TO SHARE THAT PRESENTATION WITH YOU AS A REVIEW OF THE HD COMMUNITY DESIGNATION AND ITS BENEFITS TO THE TOWN.
LASTLY, YOU'LL FIND A COPY OF EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS CONFIRMING THE TOWN.
MANAGER'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW UP ON COMMITMENTS MADE DURING OUR MEETING THE SLIDE PRESENTATION IN MY EMAIL, THANKING THE TOWN MANAGER FOR MEETING WITH US BOTH INCLUDE REQUESTS RELATIVE TO PREPARATION FOR THE 2021 HIKING SEASON.
PERHAPS THE LACK OF RESPONSE INDICATES THE TOWN STAFF HAS BEEN OVERLY RIGHT-SIZED.
IN WHICH CASE ONE WOULD THINK THAT PARTNERSHIPS WITH HIGHLY QUALIFIED VOLUNTEER PROFESSIONALS COULD BE VALUABLE ASSETS.
DURING THE UPCOMING YEAR, THE 80 COMMUNITY COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE ITS AFFILIATION WITH THE TOWN COUNTY JOINT TOURISM COMMITTEE AND THE WARREN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CARRYING OUT ENVIRONMENTAL BEAUTIFICATION AND OUTDOOR RECREATION ACTIVITIES ON THEIR BEHALF.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE AND PARTNER WITH ITS 80 COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS, 22 LOCAL BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE HIKING COMMUNITY.
IF THE PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT US ANYTHING, IT IS THAT BEING OUTDOORS IN NATURE IS ESSENTIAL AS INDICATED BY THE BOOMING LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET.
THE WAVE OF NEW RESIDENTS SEEKING
[00:20:01]
OUTDOOR RECREATION AND OPPORTUNITIES TO LAUNCH OUTDOOR BASED BUSINESSES HAS BEGUN AND THEY COME HERE SEEKING OUR GREATEST ASSET.THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF OUR SURROUNDINGS.
THEREFORE THE HD COMMUNITY COMMITTEE URGES YOU TO ACT ON RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE TREE STEWARDS AND THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE DEMONSTRATING YOUR COMMITMENT TO PARTNERSHIPS THAT ARE MUTUALLY RESPECTFUL AND COLLABORATIVE AND SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND ITS NATURAL ASSETS.
THANK YOU, DAVID MEANS GOOD EVENING.
DAVID MEANS TWO 10 WEST FIRST STREET, FRONT ROYAL VIRGINIA.
THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO TO GIVE SOME EXAMPLES.
I'M NOT TRAINED TO MANAGE A HOSPITAL, TEACH SCHOOL REVIEW PLANS FOR PLUMBING AND GAS LINES, PROVIDE FITNESS TRAINING, LEAD SALES AND MARKETING CAMPAIGNS OR SET FEDERAL POLICY.
BUT IF I NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT ANY OF THOSE THINGS, I KNOW WHO I COULD CALL.
WHAT I DO KNOW IS STREAM DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, PROVIDING KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WITH A BORDER CULTURE, URBAN FORESTRY, HORTICULTURE, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, EROSION, AND SEDIMENT COUNTRY, AND THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS INVOLVED.
DURING MY VISITS TO THE HAPPY CREEK CONSTRUCTION SITE, OBSERVATIONS AND CONVERSATIONS REVEALED THE TOWN CREWS, LACK OF TRAINING MADE THEIR JOB MORE DIFFICULT AND STRESSFUL THAN NECESSARY WORKING IN A STREAM BED.
IT'S NOT LIKE PAVING A STREET.
A STREAM BED IS A LIVING ECOSYSTEM THAT REQUIRES SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND KNOWLEDGE.
YOUR CREW WAS FURTHER HANDICAPPED BY A POORLY DESIGNED PLAN, INADEQUATE FOR THEIR LEVEL OF ACCESS.
FOR EXAMPLE, REMOVING THE BUDGET.
WE ALREADY HAVE NATURAL STREAM CONTROLS INSTALLED OVER THE PAST 12 YEARS.
IN ADDITION THOUGH, SOME TREES REQUIRED REMOVAL.
THE LEVEL OF DEVASTATION WAS UNCALLED FOR HOWEVER, YOUR DESIGN ENGINEER FAILED TO PROVIDE A DETAILED PLAN FOR REMOVAL AND RETENTION AS A FORMER EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL INSPECTOR.
I KNOW THE PLAN SET CALLED FOR MAINTAINING STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THE VIRGINIA EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL HANDBOOK.
YET I WAS TOLD BY A MEMBER OF THE TOWN CREW THAT I WAS HOLDING THEIR WORK TO MY OWN PERSONAL STANDARDS.
OBVIOUSLY THEY WERE UNAWARE OF STATE STANDARDS AND AS DEMONSTRATED BY FRONT STREET AND THE EARLIER EIGHTH STREET PROJECT, THE TOWN MAKES A PRACTICE.
SO IGNORING THE REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN PROPER PERMITS.
MEANWHILE, IF THE TOWN CREW IS TO CONTINUE WORKING IN SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTS, DOESN'T IT MAKE SENSE TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING RATHER THAN WASTE TIME AND MONEY ON STOP WORK ORDERS AND UNNECESSARY MATERIALS.
YOU SHOULD ENSURE THAT CREWS ARE NOT ONLY CONFIDENT IN THEIR SKILLS, BUT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY'RE BEING ASKED TO FOLLOW SPECIFIC PROCEDURES.
I'M SURE MR. BOYER WOULD APPRECIATE SUCH TRAINING HIMSELF.
CHOOSING AN ENGINEERING COMPANY THAT UNDERSTANDS STREAM CHANNEL DESIGN SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR FIRST PRIORITY.
THERE ARE MANY QUALIFIED COMPANIES NEARBY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMPETENT SITE MANAGEMENT WOULD HAVE ENSURED PROPER CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES.
FOR EXAMPLE, A LAYER OF GEOTEXTILE IS REQUIRED UNDER RIP RAP, ALONG STREAM BANKS.
HOWEVER YOUR CREW VIOLATED THEIR PERMIT BY FAILING TO INSTALL FABRIC ALONG MOST OF THE EAST BANK, ACCORDING TO THEM, THE BANKS WERE TOO STEEP USING GEO-TEXTILE WOULD CAUSE THE RIP RAFT TO SLIDE INTO THE WATER.
PROPER ENGINEERING WOULD HAVE RECOMMENDED GABION BASKETS OR IMPLICATED RIP RAP TO CONSERVE STEEP BANKS DURING HIGH WATERS, BOTH OF THESE MATERIALS MAINTAIN THE FULL WIDTH OF THE STREAM BED WHILE PROVIDING LONG-TERM STABILITY TRAINING STAFF OR HIRING A COMPETENT CONTRACTOR TO INSTALL A COMPLEX DESIGN PROPERLY IS ESSENTIAL.
THEREFORE, I ASK YOU TO FUND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUR WORK CREWS, PROVIDING THEM WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO MAINTAIN OUR PUBLIC LAND RESOURCES AND MAKE OUR TOWN PROUD.
THANK YOU, CHRIS ANDERSON, GOOD EVENING TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS CHRIS ANDERSON AND I LIVE IN BLU-RAY.
UM, I AM THE PAIGE AND WARREN COUNTY COORDINATOR FOR THE ALLIANCE FOR THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
AND OUR VISION IS A VALLEY WHERE OUR WAY OF LIFE IS SUSTAINED BY RURAL LANDSCAPES, CLEAN STREETS IN RIVERS AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES.
THE ALLIANCE FOR THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY ADVOCATES EDUCATES
[00:25:01]
AND CONNECTS PEOPLE TO CONSERVE THE NATURAL RESOURCES, CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND RURAL CHARACTER OF OUR REGION.WE WORK IN AUGUSTA, ROCKINGHAM CHANDU, A FREDERICK PAIGE AND WARREN COUNTIES, AS WELL AS WITH THE TOWNS AND CITIES WITHIN EACH LOCALITY OR WITHIN, WITHIN EACH COUNTY LOCALITIES ACROSS VIRGINIA ARE IN THE PROCESS OF UNCOVERING OR DAYLIGHTING.
THE STREAMS THAT FLOW THROUGH THEIR URBAN CENTERS AND CREATING GREENWAYS BESIDE THESE WATERWAYS GREENWAYS OFFER RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, A PLACE TO WALK NEXT TO WATER AND DOWNTOWN AREAS, A PLACE TO CONNECT TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY TOWNS AND CITIES DOMINATED BY ASPHALT BUILDINGS AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION.
EXAMPLES INCLUDE THE BLACKS RUN GREENWAY AND HARRISONBURG THE SOUTH RIVER GREENWAY IN WAYNESBORO AND THE AWARD WINNING GREENWAY IN LORRAINE FRONT ROYAL HAS BEEN FORWARD-THINKING WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ROYAL SHENANDOAH GREENWOOD IN GENERAL, IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO WALK AND ASSET TO DOWNTOWN.
HOWEVER, I WAS EXTREMELY DISTURBED TO SEE THE WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED ALONG THE STRETCH OF HAPPY CREEK BETWEEN PROSPECT STREET AND SOUTH STREET WITH THE REMOVAL OF THE MAJORITY OF TREES AND SHRUBS, TOWNS AND CITIES ARE SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO PLANT NATIVE VEGETATION NEXT TO THEIR GREENWAYS AND URBAN STREAMS TO ENHANCE THEIR GREEN SPACES ON PRIVATE LAND HERE IN THE VALLEY STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, UH, AGENCIES ARE WORKING NONSTOP WITH LANDOWNERS TO PLANT NATIVE RIPARIAN BUFFERS, ADJACENT TO STREAMS, AGAIN, SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
PLEASE CONSIDER REPLANTING THE MAJORITY OF THE NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS, WHICH USED TO GROW NEXT TO THE SECTION OF HAPPY CREEK BETWEEN PROSPECT AND SOUTH STREET.
AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT, UH, BRADFORD PAYERS AND FORSYTHIA, THOSE ARE NOT NATIVE.
UM, THAT'S NOT THE SPECIES THAT SUPPORT OUR LOCAL ECOSYSTEM.
THE REPLANTING SHOULD BE WITH OUR VALUABLE VIRGINIA NATIVE SPECIES.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT TREES AND SHRUBS, GREENWAYS STREAMS, UH, THEY ARE NOT THERE SOLELY FOR OUR ENJOYMENT BY REMOVING THE RIPARIAN BUFFER AND THE CANOPY ALONG 1300 FEET ON EACH SIDE OF HAPPY CREEK.
THE FOLLOWING WILL LIKELY OCCUR IN HAPPY CREEK.
A WATER TEMPERATURE WILL LIKELY INCREASE HARMING THE AQUATIC HABITAT, FISH, MINNOWS, MOLLUSCS, AND ALL OTHER LIFE IN THE STREAM, UH, IS NOW MORE EXPOSED.
THE TREES AND SHRUBS PROVIDED FOOD AND HABITAT TO THE BENTHIC, MACROINVERTEBRATES AND LIFE IN THE STREAM.
CHANNELIZING THE STREAM BANKS INCREASES STORM WATER VELOCITY, LIKELY CREATING MORE PROBLEMS DOWNSTREAM.
THERE'S VIRTUALLY NO HABITAT FOR BIRDS AND INSECTS.
UM, RIP RAP IS COMPLETELY DEVOID OF, UM, ANY ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS.
THE FILTER STRIP BETWEEN THE LAND AND WATER IS GONE.
POLLUTANTS CAN NOW FLOW STRAIGHT INTO THE WATER WITHOUT TREE ROOTS TO KEEP THE SOIL IN PLACE AND HIGH WATER EVENTS.
THE LIKELIHOOD OF SOIL EROSION IS INCREASED TO HELP REPAIR THE DAMAGE DONE TO HAPPY CREEK.
AGAIN, I ASK YOU TO REPLANT THE PROTECTIVE AND VALUABLE RIPARIAN BUFFER AND NOT REMOVE ANY OTHER SECTIONS NEXT TO THE STREAM.
THANK YOU, SONYA KARLBERG SONYA KARL BORG TWO 10 WEST FIRST STREET, FRONT ROYAL.
UH, MY COMMENTS INCLUDE EXCERPTS FROM THE VIRGINIA CONSERVATION NETWORK, UH, WEBSITE.
OUR STATE RECENTLY PASSED SEVERAL BILLS TO ENCOURAGE POLLUTION REDUCTION PRACTICES.
THESE INCLUDE THE STORMWATER LOCAL ASSISTANCE FUND, $75 MILLION AVAILABLE TO LOCALITIES LIKE FRONT ROYAL FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF FLOOD MITIGATION MEASURES SUCH AS ADOPTING HIGHER PERCENTAGES FOR TREE REPLACEMENT, WHERE TREES ARE USED TO MEET WATER QUALITY, FLOOD PREVENTION AND EQUITY GOALS WITH INCREASED TREE CANOPY, VIRGINIA LOCALITIES WILL BENEFIT FROM REDUCED WATER POLLUTION AND FLOODING.
I FIND THE READING OF THE TREE CITY USA PROCLAMATION.
[00:30:01]
OUT BEFORE WE UNDERSTOOD HOW TO DESIGN PRODUCT PROJECTS TO MINIMIZE RUNOFF.AS A RESULT, MOST URBAN WATERWAYS HAD BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY DEGRADED CONVERTED FROM WILDLIFE FILLED BUFFERS THAT NATURALLY TAKE UP POLLUTION INTO SCOURED DESOLATE DRAINAGE CANALS THAT CHALLENGE LARGE LOADS OF POLLUTION DIRECTLY INTO OUR STREAMS WITH EVERY HEAVY RAIN.
DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR? EVEN SMALL AREAS OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACES CAN SUBSTANTIALLY DEGRADE WATER QUALITY, STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THIS LEGISLATION INCLUDED DELEGATE WEBERT WHO REPRESENTS THE SECTION OF HAPPY CREEK RECENTLY CONVERTED FROM A WILDLIFE FILLED BUFFER THAT NATURALLY TOOK UP POLLUTION INTO A SCOURED DESOLATE DRAINAGE CANAL.
ACCORDING TO TOWN CODE FRONT ROYAL HAS A TREE FUND THAT REQUIRES DEPOSITS FROM DEVELOPERS WHO FAIL TO REPLACE OR INSTALL TREES ACCORDING TO A PREDETERMINED FORMULA.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH IS IN THAT FUND AND WHETHER THE CODE HAS BEEN FOLLOWED MR. NAPIER, UM, OTHERWISE LIKE MUCH OF OUR TOWN CODE IT'S APPARENTLY JUST WALLPAPER.
BUT MY REAL QUESTION IS WHERE LIES THE TOWN'S RESISTANT TO DOING THINGS WELL WITH INTEGRITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH BEST PRACTICES.
IN THIS CASE, SIMPLY OBEYING THE LAW WOULD HAVE SAVED US TAXPAYERS.
WHAT YOU SEEM TO EXPECT IS PRAISED FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING WITHOUT ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK I'VE BEEN IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH THE THREE AGENCIES CONNECTED WITH THIS PROJECT.
THEY MAY HAVE PERMITTED THIS DESTRUCTION, BUT I SUSPECT THAT CHANNELIZING HAPPY CREEK WAS NOT WHAT THEY ENVISIONED.
FOR ONE, YOU FAILED TO INCLUDE TREE REMOVAL IN YOUR PERMIT APPLICATION THOUGH, THIS WAS SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED THEIR FAULT LIES IN FAILING TO REQUIRE MORE DETAIL ON REMOVAL OF WHAT YOU DISINGENUOUSLY CALLED VEGETATION.
HAVING RECEIVED PHOTOS OF HEAVY MACHINERY, CHURNING UP THE STREAM BREAD, IMPROPERLY INSTALLED SILT FENCE AND BANK SCOURED OF TREES.
THEY ARE AWARE OF THE MORE THAN 20 PERMIT AND REGULATORY VIOLATIONS THAT HAVE ALREADY TAKEN PLACE.
AT THIS POINT, I HOPE THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WILL SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM CHA CONSULTING IN LEARNING HOW TO PROPERLY INSTALL A COFFER DAM AND IN PRESENT PREVENTING DAMAGE TO THE TOWN ARBORETUM DURING THE UPCOMING SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT ACROSS HAPPY CREEK AT STONEWALL BRIDGE, WE WILL BE MONITORING THE PROJECT AND ANY OTHERS IN THE FUTURE.
I SINCERELY WISH YOU GOOD LUCK.
KELLY HART, KELLY HART, WEST 15TH STREET TOWN RESIDENTS DISAGREE ABOUT WHETHER THE SECTION OF HAPPY CREEK BETWEEN SOUTH AND PROSPECT STREETS LOOKS BETTER OR WORSE SINCE REMOVAL OF THE RIPARIAN BUFFER.
BUT THE ISSUE IS NOT ABOUT AESTHETICS, NOT ABOUT PERSONAL TASTE.
SAY TWO NEIGHBORS HAVE CARS THAT DIFFER ACCORDING TO THEIR TASTE.
ONE MAY THINK THEIR OWN CAR IS BEAUTIFUL AND THE NEIGHBOR'S CAR IS UGLY, BUT WHERE THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD IS WHETHER THE ENGINE ON ANY CAR CAN DO ITS JOB.
UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT WE HAVE ON FRONT STREET IS A CAR THAT SOME FINE, LOVELY, EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS IN LOUSY SHAPE.
WHAT'S BAFFLING IS THAT THE URBAN FORESTRY ADVISORY COMMISSION, A GROUP OF OUTSTANDING MECHANICS, WILLING TO OFFER EXPERT ADVICE ON PREVENTING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, BUT YOU CHOSE TO IGNORE THEM AS A RESULT.
WHEN THE CAR BREAKS DOWN, WE TAXPAYERS WILL BE FOOTING THE BILL.
MR. HOLLOWAY STATED IN A MARCH 31 EXAMINER ARTICLE THAT HE AND COUNCIL MEMBERS MADE A MISTAKE BY NOT ASKING THE ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR INPUT ON THE PROJECT.
BUT ON NOVEMBER 23RD, CURRENT AND FORMER MEMBERS OF THAT COMMISSION OFFERED THEIR HELP AT THIS COUNCIL MEETING.
HAVE YOU HAD YOU ACCEPTED THOSE OFFERS FURTHER DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.
INSTEAD THE PROJECT PROCEEDED IN A TYPICAL WAY ACT.
NOW APOLOGIZE LATER, DUE TO THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, COALITION MEMBERS HAVE SPENT $314 ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST TO THE TOWN.
IF MR. MCFADDEN SUCCEEDS IN FIXING THE INCONSISTENCIES AND BILLING CITIZENS FOR THAT SERVICE, THEY LOOK FORWARD TO A REFUND
[00:35:01]
SINCE OCTOBER THE AID ORGANIZATIONS OF THE SAVE HAPPY CREEK COALITION HAVE REPEATEDLY REACHED OUT TO TOWN STAFF AND ELECTED OFFICIALS IN AN EFFORT TO MITIGATE DAMAGE AND INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL COSTS OF THE HAPPY CREEK PROJECT.THEY INVITED ALL OF YOU, INCLUDING MRES, MCFADDEN, AND LLOYD, UH, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SITUATION BY WALKING THE CREEK WITH RIVERKEEPER AND THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE UFAC.
I'M STILL CURIOUS WHY ONLY MS. COCKRELL AND MR. TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY, BUT THE INVITATION STILL STANDS.
FINALLY, A GOOD MANAGER KNOWS THAT CONFLICT RESOLUTION REQUIRES GOODWILL FROM BOTH SIDES.
AND A WILLINGNESS FOR DISCUSSION YET INITIATIVE HAS BEEN LEFT TO THE TREE STEWARDS BEAUTIFICATION IN 80 COMMUNITY COMMITTEES.
WHO'VE REPEATEDLY MADE ONE WAY EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS.
IN RESPONSE, THE TOWN HAS IGNORED THEM, DENIED THEIR HISTORY OF SERVICE AND FAILED TO EXHIBIT GOOD FAITH RATHER THAN FULFILLING COMMITMENTS CONFIRMED BY EMAIL, MR. HICKS INFERRED HIS COMMITMENTS TO THE TREE STEWARDS WERE MISUNDERSTOOD OR NEVER MADE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
CASTING DOUBT ON THE INTEGRITY OF THOSE WHO HAVE DEVOTED DECADES OF HONEST SERVICE TO FRONT ROYAL.
THE TOWN MUST ONCE AGAIN, OFFERED THE RESPECT AND RECOGNITION THAT THESE OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE EARNED AND DESERVE.
THANK YOU, SHEILA SMITH, GOOD EVENING TO THE MAYOR AND TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I FEEL LIKE A SORE THUMB BECAUSE I'M NOT TIERED TO STAND UP TO TALK ABOUT THE HAPPY CREEK, EVEN THOUGH TO ME, IT'S BEAUTIFUL, BUT THAT'S MY OPINION, BUT I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT MY NEIGHBORHOOD.
MY NEIGHBORHOOD SHEILA SMITH, SEVEN OH SIX PARK VIEW DRIVE HERE IN FRONT OIL.
MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN WHICH I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF, UH, UH, FOR 45 PLUS YEARS HAS TURNED, HAS TAKEN A TURN FOR THE WORSE, UH, IN THE RESET EIGHT MONTHS, IT HAS BECOME A NIGHTMARE AT THAT TIME AT SEVEN OH FOUR PARKVIEW DRIVE, MY NEIGHBOR STARTED ACCUMULATING DEBRIS, TRASH JUNK, WHICH IS ALSO TRASH AND DEBRIS.
AND ALSO THAT ATTRACTS RODENS ODORS BECAUSE OF UNCAPPED AND UNATTENDED DOG PINS AND THE DOGS ARE THERE BARKING CONSTANTLY.
I DID CALL THE TOWN ASSISTANT OR ATTORNEY TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS THE ORDINANCE, BECAUSE I KNEW THAT THERE HAD TO BE SOME TYPE OF ORDINANCE HERE IN TOWN BEING A HOMETOWN GIRL, MYSELF AND 10 MINUTES OR MORE IS I, IF I CAN GET THAT, I'M NOT SURE WHETHER MR. NAPIER WAS YOUR ASSISTANT WHO GAVE ME THE INFORMATION, BUT I'M NOT SURE HE GAVE ME THE ACTUAL LAW AND THE INFORMATION ON THE DOCKET, UH, TO SAY THAT, UH, THESE DOGS, WHICH ARE THREE RIGHT BESIDE OUR BEDROOM AND WERE OLDER PEOPLE, 65 PLUS, AND OUR BEDTIME IS NINE, NINE 30.
SO, AND THEY WILL BARK UP UNTIL 11 OR 12 O'CLOCK.
AND SO I AM THE SPOKESMAN PERSON FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY'RE PROBABLY ABOUT FIVE OR SIX HOMES THERE THAT WE CAN CONVEY EACH OTHER'S PROBLEMS, BUT I'M THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
SO AT THIS TIME I'M ASKING THE TOWN TO PLEASE TAKE SOME ACTION.
GIVE US OLD FOLKS, JUST A LITTLE, LITTLE BIT OF REST.
[00:40:11]
I'M LILLIAN SLOAN FOUR, SIX, EIGHT ACTING STREET, FRONT ROW, MR. TOWN MANAGER, MAYOR MEMBERS OF TOWN COUNCIL AND THE TOWN ATTORNEY.I HAVE BEEN A TAX PAYING HOMEOWNER IN FRONT ROW FOR OVER 70 YEARS.
AND I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF MY DAUGHTER IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH IS ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FROM ME.
I, I OWN TWO RENTAL PROPERTIES RIGHT IN BACK OF THE PROPERTY THAT SHE'S TALKING ABOUT.
AND IN ONE, HOME IS AN ELDERLY MAN AND IN THE OTHER HOME IS A WOMAN AND HER TWO SONS.
AND I'M SO AFRAID THAT I'M GOING TO LOSE MY ATTENDANTS BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION AT THE PROPERTY, SEVEN OH FOUR, ACTING OUR PARKVIEW AT PARKVIEW DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE ANNOYANCE AND THE NUISANCE AND THE ODOR THAT WE HAVE, UH, HAD TO COME INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
UM, THERE ARE AT THIS BECAUSE THE WEATHER'S GETTING WARMER.
IT'S GONNA ATTRACT RODENTS AND SKUNKS AND SNAKES, AND IT'S GOING TO BE VERY, VERY UNPLEASANT.
UM, I KNOW IN THE PAST I HAVE HAD A DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE TOWN TO ADDRESS OTHER CONCERNS THAT I HAVE HAD ABOUT CONDITIONS OF HAVING NEIGHBORS TO HAVE, UH, DEBRIS AND WHATNOT, TO ACCUMULATE IN THE YARDS AND IT'S, AND IT'S BEEN HARD AND IT SHOULDN'T BE LIKE THAT.
I'M A TAXPAYER, I'VE BEEN PAYING TAXES AND BEEN A HOMEOWNER IN THIS TOWN SINCE 1948.
AND I FEEL THAT WE DESERVE BETTER.
AND I WOULD ASK THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE TAKE OUT REQUESTS SERIOUSLY AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO HELP, TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.
AND EVEN ENJOY OUR DECKS AND COOK OUT TOO, JUST OUT OF THE QUESTION, BECAUSE OF THE CONDITIONS I MAINTAIN MY PROPERTY, UH, AND PAY MY TAXES.
I'VE NEVER HAD DELINQUENT TAXES.
AND I, I FEEL THAT BECAUSE OF THAT, CERTAINLY WE SHOULD BE, UH, UH, OUT, UH, I REQUEST SHOULD BE, UH, CONSIDERED AND TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION TO MAKE CONDITIONS BETTER.
PARK VIEW DRIVE IS A THROUGHWAY FROM THREE 40, ROUTE THREE 42, THE TOWN TO, TO, UH, SOUTH STREET.
AND WHEN IN THE FALL AND SPRING, WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMING TO GO TO THE, UH, NATIONAL PARK, THEY COME THROUGH THAT AREA, THEY COME UP ACTING STREET AND THEY GO THROUGH PARK VIEW, DRIVE OVER TO CRI SCHOOL BUSES COME THROUGH THERE.
AND IT'S, UH, IT'S JUST A BUSY THROUGHWAY.
AND THERE'S A SECTION OF NEW TOWNHOUSES THAT ARE BEING BUILT RIGHT NEXT TO MY DAUGHTER.
AND WE, WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO COME INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, SEE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THINK THAT THIS IS APPROPRIATE FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE LIKE THIS.
AND I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE, UH, HELP US TO GET THIS CONDITION CORRECTED THAT LATER, BUT SOONER.
AND MS. LANE, UM, HAVE Y'ALL UH, MS. SMITH, MS. SLOAN HAD HAVE Y'ALL SPOKE, UH, WITH OUR ZONING DEPARTMENT APPLIANCE OFFICER CHRIS BROCK.
HE GOES, MOMMY, HAVE YOU BEEN OUT THERE CRUISE? UM, WHERE, WHERE MY DAUGHTER LIVES, MY HUSBAND AND I,
[00:45:01]
WHEN SHE, WHEN SHE GOT MARRIED, MY HUSBAND AND I GAVE HER TWO LOTS.SHE AND HER HUSBAND, TWO LOTS.
WE GIFTED THEM WITH TWO LOTS TO BUILD THEIR HOME.
AND SO PLEASE LET THEM ENJOY THEIR SENIOR YEARS IN THIS HOME THAT THEIR MOM AND DAD HAD GAVE HIM THE PROPERTY.
AND WE'LL GET AN UPDATE, UH, FROM, UH, MR. BROCK TOMORROW.
I WISH I COULD SAY THAT I HAVE THE TOWN CODE AND ALL THE ORDINANCE MEMORIZED, BUT DO YOU KNOW OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, HOW LONG A DOG GETS? UM, MS. SMITH MENTIONED LIKE 10 MINUTES.
IS, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE, WHAT THE CO LIKE HOW, WHAT, WHAT THE PARAMETERS ARE WITH CONTINUOUS BARKING? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD? OKAY, THAT'S FINE.
COULD WE POSSIBLY BRING THESE ORDINANCES UP AT A WORK SESSION AND DISCUSS IF WE MAY NEED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO THEM? CAUSE I GET A LOT OF COMPLAINTS MYSELF ABOUT TRASH AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
SO I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO BRING IT UP AND HAVE A LOOK AT IT TO SEE IF, IF WE, WE NEED TO MAKE SENSE.
UH, ANYBODY ELSE, TINA? UM, DAVID MEANS YOU'RE ON HERE TWICE WHERE YOU'RE GONNA COME UP AGAIN OR HAVE YOU SPOKE? THAT WAS A MISTAKE.
DO WE HAVE ANY COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO, UH, SPEAK TO, UH, ANYTHING THAT WAS SPOKEN OF TONIGHT? ANYBODY? SURE.
I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT AND, UH, AND SPEAKING TONIGHT, UM, I FEEL LIKE I'VE READ THROUGH MOST CORRESPONDENCE THAT HAVE COME FROM THE TREE STEWARDS OR THE 80 COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR TOWN EMAIL AS, UM, THE TOWN MANAGER IS VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE CORRESPONDENCE THAT, UM, THAT HE GETS SENT OR, UM, THAT'S, UH, CORRESPONDS TO IT'S INTENDED FOR THE REST OF COUNCIL.
UM, SO THERE'S, THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMENTS TONIGHT AND A LOT TO UNPACK.
UM, AND, UM, I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO FURTHER DISCUSSIONS.
UM, I'VE, I'VE ACTUALLY, I MEAN, I'VE TALKED WITH DAVID FOR YEARS, UH, IN AND OUT OF COUNCIL.
AND SO I THINK, I HOPE HE WOULD ATTEST ANYWAYS, THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD APPROACH ME AND THAT I'LL, I'LL HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH YOU, UM, WHETHER WE'RE IN FULL AGREEMENT OR NOT, I'M DEFINITELY OPEN TO THE CONVERSATION.
THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT FOR, FOR PUBLIC RECORD.
UM, YOU KNOW, UH, FIRST OFF I WANT TO JUST KIND OF ASK THE QUESTION JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M CLEAR ON THIS.
THERE WAS A COUPLE OF COMMENTS WERE AROUND PERMIT VIOLATIONS AND ILLEGAL ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE TOWN.
AND SINCE MR. WILSON IS IN THE HOT SEAT TONIGHT, UM, I'D LIKE TO ASK, HAS THE TOWN OF INCITED WITH ANY PERMIT VIOLATIONS OR ILLEGAL ACTIONS THAT WE SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF? I'M NOT AWARE OF THAT AT THIS TIME.
UH, I HAVE MR. BOYER HERE, MR. BOYER MAY BE ABLE TO ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT MORE.
YOU'RE PUTTING THE HOT SEAT NOW.
UM, AND I'M SORRY, WHEN YOU SAY IT AT THIS, I'M SORRY, MAN.
UM, SO I THINK THAT WHEN THERE WAS SOME RECENT CONCERNS ABOUT FORTH TO THE TOWN, UM, I REMEMBER HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH MR. HICKS.
UM, OBVIOUSLY COUNCIL WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.
UM, AND UM, WE ASKED HIM TO REACH OUT TO, UM, THE STATE AGENCIES THAT WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PERMITTING PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING WE WERE DOING, UM, WAS APPROPRIATE AND ABOVE BOARD AND THAT WE MET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS.
I'M NOT, UH, I'M NOT ARGUING THE POINT OF, COULD WE DO IT BETTER OR MAKE IT NICER OR, UM, HAVE, HAVE DONE MORE THOROUGH PLANNING OR, UM, DAMAGE REALLY TO ANY OF THE POINTS THAT DAVID HAD MENTIONED? UM, I'M NOT, I'M NOT ARGUING AGAINST THAT.
I JUST WANT IT TO BE CLEAR THAT WE WERE ABSOLUTELY, UM, IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH STATE AGENCIES AND CORRESPONDING WITH THEM ON THE, UM, ON, ON THE PROJECT, ESPECIALLY AFTER, UM, THE TREE STEWARDS BROUGHT IT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT THERE WAS, UM,
[00:50:01]
I THINK THE WORD WAS USED MORE LIKE CLEAR CUTTING THAT WAS HAPPENING, UM, THEN, YOU KNOW, BEING DILIGENT AND WORKING THROUGH OUR TREES.UM, SO I WANTED TO, I WANTED TO ADDRESS THAT I AM HAPPY, UH, THAT I THINK IT WAS POINTED OUT TONIGHT THAT THE 80 COMMUNITY, UH, SAID THAT THEY HAVE LINKED UP WITH THE JOINT TOURISM COMMITTEE, UM, TO WORK THROUGH, UM, UH, YOU KNOW, GETTING MORE, UM, LINE OF SIGHT INTO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL COMMUNITY.
THAT'S COMING INTO THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL.
THAT ACTUALLY, I'M REALLY GLAD TO HEAR THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS ACTUALLY PART OF THE INTENTIONS OF TOWN COUNCIL.
WORKING WITH THE COUNTY TO ESTABLISH A JOINT TOURISM COMMITTEE IS TO HAVE A MORE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT, UM, WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS TO, TO IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE TO DRAW HIKERS ATTENTIONS, UH, TO EVERYTHING THAT THIS TOWN HAS TO OFFER.
AND SO I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING AND FRANKLY, UM, A MUCH, MUCH BETTER COMMUNICATION MECHANISM THAN A DESIGNATED POINT PERSON, UM, WITHIN THE TOWN THAT BEING SAID, UM, TWO MORE QUICK THINGS.
UM, AGAIN, I, I'M VERY, VERY CAREFUL AT USING BROAD STROKES ON THINGS.
AND SO WHEN PEOPLE SAY THERE'S ONE WAY COMMUNICATION, OR THEY'RE JUST FLAT OUT IGNORED, UM, I DON'T, I DON'T THINK THAT THAT IS PARTICULARLY THE CASE.
AND IN FACT, SOME OF THE EMAILS THAT WERE PROVIDED TONIGHT TO US, UM, ACTUALLY HAVE SOME OF THE CORRESPONDENTS.
NOW, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE ASKED FOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN DONE OR GIVEN, UM, TO THE PARTICULAR INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE ASKED, AND I'M SORRY IF THAT'S BEING PERCEIVED AS IGNORED.
UM, BUT THAT INFORMATION OR THOSE CORRESPONDENTS WERE SHIRTS SHARED WITH, UH, WITH TOWN COUNCIL, A COUPLE OF GOOD THINGS THAT I THINK HAVE COME OUT OF THIS.
UM, I THINK YOU'LL ALL BE HAPPY TO KNOW THAT AN ARBORIST FOR A COURTROOM LIST, UH, IS BEING ADVERTISED FOR THE TOWN THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN ELIMINATED.
UM, YOU KNOW, UM, STEVEN HICKS HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB ADAPTING TO, UM, ADAPTING TO THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL AND TRYING TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.
UM, AND I THINK AS HE WAS TRYING TO GET HIS BEARINGS AND EVERYTHING, AND WE'RE WORKING THROUGH SOME OF THESE PROJECTS, AND THIS IS ONE OF THESE PROJECTS THAT HE INHERITED RIGHT OUT RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE.
UM, I DON'T THINK HE EVER SAID, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HIRE THAT POSITION BACK.
UM, RATHER WE WERE EVALUATING, UM, THE INTENT OF THE PERP.
UH, THEY TEND TO THE POSITION AND, UH, TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MAXIMIZING THE OPPORTUNITY WITH THAT POSITION, OBVIOUSLY FOR TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
UM, SO THAT'S, THAT'S BEEN ADVERTISED.
UM, AND I THINK THAT WAS ONE OF THE ASK NOW, AS FAR AS WORKING WITH THE TREE STEWARDS, UM, AND YOU FAC, UM, I THINK THAT YOU ALL WOULD BE HAPPY TO KNOW THAT AS THIS TOWN COUNCIL IS ABOUT READY TO MOVE INTO OUR COMP PLAN, UM, PLANNING SESSIONS, ONE OF THE MAIN GOALS IN OUR COMP PLAN PLANNING SESSION IS TO DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE AND URBAN FORESTRY PLAN.
AS PART OF THE COUNCIL GOAL IS TO LOOK FOR A HOLISTIC COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT NOT ONLY ADDRESSES THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, BUT ALSO SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL ISSUES THAT ARE, THAT ARE CRITICAL TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THAT PLAN.
SO THIS IS GOING TO BE PART OF, I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY, HOW MANY PARTICULAR GOALS, I THINK THERE'S LIKE MAYBE SEVEN OR EIGHT PARTICULAR GOALS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ADDRESSING.
UM, AND FOR THOSE OF YOU DON'T KNOW, THE COMP PLAN IS OUR GUIDING LIGHT.
THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SET OUR TRAJECTORY TOWARDS FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
UM, AND, AND THIS IS A SERIOUS COMPONENT OF OUR COMP PLAN.
SO AGAIN, I JUST KINDA WANT TO WRAP THIS UP A LITTLE BIT TO SAY THAT, UM, I AM TRULY SORRY FOR THE FRUSTRATION AND THE FACT THAT, UH, PEOPLE, OUR GROUPS HAVE FELT LIKE THEY'VE HAD TO RESIGN OR, UM, LEVERAGE THEIR ORGANIZATIONS OR RESOURCES AGAINST THE TOWN BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T FELT LIKE THERE'S BEEN STRONG ENOUGH COMMUNICATION OR THEY HAVEN'T, THE THINGS HAVEN'T BEEN MOVING IN THE DIRECTION THAT THEY WANTED TO SEE FAST ENOUGH.
WHAT I HOPE YOU ALSO SEE THAT THERE IS, IS AN INTENTION BEHIND COUNCIL, UM, TO MAKE THIS A PART OF A FOCAL POINT OF OUR FUTURE MOVING FORWARD.
AND I THINK A FEW OF YOU MENTIONED IT TONIGHT, EIGHT YEAR, YOU'RE HOPEFUL THAT THE DOORS OF COMMUNICATION AREN'T CLOSED, THAT, UM, SOMETHING WILL, WILL START TO TRANSPIRE AND TAKE PLACE.
AND SO I JUST KIND OF WANT TO LEAVE IT ON THAT NOTE, UM, THAT I THINK THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT THAT CAN BE OVERCOME.
AND I HOPE YOU'RE GOING TO START SEEING SOME, SOME OF THE ACTION THAT YOU'VE REQUESTED AND THEY'VE EARNED YOUR FUTURE.
ANYBODY ELSE? ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON
[8A. To receive Comments and Concerns from the Public and Approve an Ordinance Pertaining to the Vacation of a 50-foot Strip of Land Approximately 6,268.3 Sq.Ft. (0.1439 acres) on Commonwealth Drive – Robert Williams and James Williams – Town Attorney]
TO OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS, OUR FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT, UH, IS TO RECEIVE COMMENTS AND CONCERNS FROM THE PUBLIC AND APPROVE AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE.IF IT PUTS STRIP AND LAND APPROXIMATELY 6283.2 HUNDRED, 6268.3 SQUARE FEET ON COMMONWEALTH DRIVE.
MS. PRESSLEY, COULD YOU READ THE SUMMARY PLEASE? COUNSEL'S REQUESTED TO RECEIVE REQUESTED TO RECEIVE COMMENTS AND CONCERNS FROM
[00:55:01]
THE PUBLIC AND APPROVE AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO A REQUEST FROM ROBERT WILLIAMS AND JAMES WILLIAMS TO VACATE A 50 FOOT STRIP OF LAND, APPROXIMATE MOLLY, 6268.3 SQUARE FEET LOCATED BETWEEN 1663 COMMONWEALTH DRIVE AND 1669 COMMONWEALTH DRIVE IF APPROVED.IT WILL, UH, ROBERT WILLIAMS AND JAMES WILLIAMS TO MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY PROPERLY LIKE TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYBODY HERE TO SPEAK ANYBODY HERE TO SPEAK CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING, AND OPEN UP THE COUNCIL? THE MAYOR, I MOVE THAT COUNCIL APPROVE AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO REQUEST FROM ROBERT WILLIAMS AND JAMES WILLIAMS TO VACATE A 50 FOOT STRIP OF LAND, APPROXIMATELY 6268.3 SQUARE FEET, OR, UM, 0.141439 ACRES LOCATED BETWEEN 1663 COMMONWELL DRIVE IN 1669.
COMMONWEALTH THRIVE ALLOWING ROBERT WILLIAMS AND JAMES WILLIAMS TO MAINTAIN THE PROPERTY PROPERLY, A FURTHER MOVE TO DIRECT THE TOWN MANAGER AND TOWN ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS TO FINALIZE THE VACATION.
ANY DISCUSSION MS. BRESLIN? COULD WE HAVE A ROLL CALL PLEASE? VICE MAYOR COCKREL YES.
COUNCILMAN THOMPSON'S ABSENT PUBLIC HEARING PASSES NEXT PUBLIC HEARING
[8B. Rezoning Application Requesting to Reclassify Parcels Approximately 0.45 acres from R-3 District to C-1 District Located on the West Side of Pine Street Near the Intersection of South Street, to Allow for Additional Employee and Customer Parking, Accessory Storage and Office Use for Spelunkers Restaurant – Chris Brock ]
REZONING APPLICATION REQUESTING TO RECTIFY PARCELS, APPROXIMATELY 0.45 ACRES FROM OUR THREE DISTRICT TO SEE ONE DISTRICT LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF PINE STREET, NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH STREET TO ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEE AND CUSTOMER PARKING, ACCESSORY STORAGE AND OFFICE USE FOR SPLUNKERS RESTAURANT, MS. PROSECUTOR, READ A SUMMARY, PLEASE.COUNSEL HAS REQUESTED TO CONSIDER A REZONING APPLICATION THAT REQUESTS THE RECLASSIFICATION OF TAX MAP.
NUMBER TWO ZERO EIGHT SEVEN DASH SIX DASH 22 AND 23 FROM RESIDENTS RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, OUR DASH THREE TWO COMMUNITY DISTRICT C1, THE TWO PARCELS TOTAL ZERO POINT 45 ACRES LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF PINE STREET IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF SOUTH STREET.
THE PURPOSE OF THE REZONING IS TO ALLOW FOR THE AMENDMENT OF A ZONING SITE PLAN FOR SPLUNKERS RESTAURANT TO ADD THESE TWO PARCELS AND APPROVE THEIR USE FOR ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEE AND CUSTOMER PARKING, ACCESSORY STORAGE AND OFFICE USE FOR SPLUNKERS RESTAURANT, LIKE TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING.
IS ANYBODY HERE TO SPEAK? WE HAVE ONE SIGNED UP.
THAT'S ANGELA HAS SOME WILLIAM PLUMSTEAD.
JUST PLEASE COME AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AT THE PODIUM PLEASE.
HI, I'M ANGELA HAS AT THREE 56 PINE STREET, AND I HAVE SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS WITH THE REZONING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON THERE.
THE, UH, FIRST ALLOWANCE WAS BECAUSE THERE WAS TWO LOTS AND IT SAID THAT THREE SIDES OF THAT WAS ALREADY COMMERCIAL.
AND IT'S ACTUALLY THE SECOND LOT FACES THREE SIDES.
THE HOUSE THAT'S DIRECTLY ON PINE STREET THAT THEY WANT TO TURN INTO OFFICE SPACE AND STORAGE IS RESIDENTIAL.
AND, UM, IT HAS CAUSED A LOT OF EXTRA TRAFFIC ON A ONE-WAY STREET OF PEOPLE COMING DOWN THE WRONG WAY.
IT HAS ALSO CAUSED A LOT OF EXTRA TRAFFIC THAT HAS INCREASED, UH, NOISE.
IT HAS CAUSED MY DOGS TO KEEP BARKING.
I'M WORRIED THAT IT'S GOING TO CAUSE THE SOUND ORDINANCE AGAINST ME FOR THE DOGS BARKING.
UM, EXCESSIVELY THE NOISE THAT COMES FROM SPLUNKERS IN GENERAL, UM, AS THEY ARE ON THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE, LIKE THEIR PARKING LOT IS RIGHT AGAINST THE SIDE, UM, HAS BEEN EXCESSIVE AND THERE'S NOT REALLY ANY SOUND BARRIER THERE AT ALL.
SO THEN NOW THAT THEY'RE SPREADING ACROSS THE STREET AND IN FRONT OF ME NOW IT'S SPREADING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET.
[01:00:01]
AND GOING ACROSS THEY'RE PARKING THERE, THEY'RE DRAGGING, UM, PERFECT.THEY'RE DRAGGING THEIR CARTS ACROSS THE ROAD UP THE SIDEWALKS, THEY'RE CARRYING STUFF IN AND OUT.
IT'S REALLY NOT A RESIDENTIAL, UM, AREA ANY LONGER.
AND SO, UM, REALLY ADAMANT THAT I'D LIKE TO KEEP THE STREET ITSELF AND THE HOMES AS RESIDENTIAL AS POSSIBLE AND KEEP THE SOUND DOWN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
THEY'RE OUT THERE ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT TO WHERE IF I HAVE MY WINDOWS OPEN AT ALL, I MIGHT AS WELL JUST HAVE SPLUNKER SITTING IN MY LIVING ROOM OR IN MY BEDROOM WITH ME WATCHING TV OR HAVING DINNER OR SOMETHING.
THE NOISE IS VERY, VERY EXCESSIVE BETWEEN THEM RUNNING THEIR BUSINESS.
AND I UNDERSTAND IT IS A BUSINESS AND I UNDERSTAND THAT I DO LIVE IN TOWN, BUT IT HAS BECOME EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE.
SO THE FACT THAT IT'S SPREADING CAUSES GREAT CONCERN.
WE HAD ACTUALLY HAD HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT ARE GETTING BURGERS OVER THERE, SLEEPING IN BETWEEN THE FENCE OF OUR HOUSE AND IN BETWEEN SPLUNKERS.
I JUST
AND SO THEY'RE DOING THAT AND I'VE ASKED THEM TO TRIM BACK THEIR TREES THAT ARE HANGING OVER ONTO MY PROPERTY.
UM, AND INSTEAD OF TRIMMING BACK THE TREES, THAT'S HANGING OVER ONTO MY PROPERTY.
THEY'RE TAKING OUT WHAT IS ANY KIND OF NATURAL SOUND BARRIER AND THE TREES ARE STILL HANGING OVER ON TO MY PROPERTY.
SO THE COMMUNICATION FOR THE LAST JUNE WILL BE 20 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN THERE.
SO HE'S NOT BEEN THE PROPERTY OWNER THE WHOLE TIME, BUT THE COMMUNICATION AND, UM, I GUESS HOW, HOW CAN I SAY THIS? THE EFFECTIVENESS OF US GETTING ALONG AND SEEING EYE TO EYE AND GETTING THINGS ACCOMPLISHED HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN THERE.
SO I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO THIS, UM, ON A BAD NOTE, BUT CAN WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEING RESIDENTIAL VERSUS BUSINESS ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET ALREADY? IT'S ONLY ONE WAY WITH PARKING ON ONE SIDE OF THE STREET.
AND WE HAD TO HAVE A MEETING HERE WHERE SOME OF THE PEOPLE CAME FROM THE STREET FROM THE TOWN ON OUR STREET, AND WE HAD IT TO WHERE THE STREET WAS MARKED, RESIDENTIAL PARKING ONLY.
AND IF SMUCKER'S EMPLOYEES PARKED THERE, THEY WERE GOING TO BE TOWED AWAY THAT TOTALLY IGNORED, TOTALLY IGNORED.
AND NOW THAT THEY HAVE THE PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET AND THEY OWN THAT AND IT'S THEIRS OUT, THERE'S JUST NO PARKING AT ALL.
AND SO THERE WAS ONLY, THERE'S A HANDICAP ONE AND THERE WAS ONLY THREE TO BEGIN WITH THAT WAS GIVEN FOR THE WHOLE STREET FOR ALL THE HOUSES.
SO, UM, ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO PROTECT US AS HOMEOWNERS AND RESIDENTS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
UM, I KNOW THAT THEY'VE BEEN LOOKING AT WANTING TO DO A CHANGE, THE OPENING OF IT AND HAVE THEY'VE HAD INSPECTORS OVER THERE AND BUILDING PEOPLE OVER THERE TO HAVE THE FRONT OF THE OPENING OF THE HOME REDESIGNED FROM FACING PINE STREET TO FACING THE PARKING LOT AND DOING SOME OTHER THINGS AND USING IT MORE COMMERCIALLY.
SO I JUST BEGGED THAT SOMETHING COULD BE DONE TO PROTECT US AS SENATE, AS HOMEOWNERS AND GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF PRIVACY, A LITTLE BIT OF, UH, PEACE, PEACE AND QUIET BECAUSE
[01:05:02]
THEY'RE OUT THERE ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT AND THEY'RE OUR EMPLOYEES THEY'RE WELL PAST NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.THEY WORK THEY'RE WELL PAST, LATE INTO THE NIGHT.
THEY'RE THROWING THINGS INTO THE DUMPSTERS AT NIGHTTIME, THEIR WHOLE THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE THEY'RE TALKING THEY'RE, THEY'RE JUST, I MEAN, IT'S, IT'S, IT'S A NUISANCE TO SAY THE LEAST.
SO ANYTHING TO PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS ON THE STREET WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
I GUESS THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE TO SAY.
I JABBERED ON FOR SO LONG, BUT I'M JUST VERY FRUSTRATED.
SOMETIMES WE JUMPED OUT OF BED BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY THINK SOME WAS TRYING TO BREAK INTO IT.
I MEAN, MY HOUSE SITS VERY CLOSE TO THE PROPERTY LINE.
IF ANYBODY'S EVER BEEN BY THERE, THEY'RE MY FENCE.
THAT'S VERY CLOSE TO THEIR PARKING LOT.
SO IF I OPEN MY BEDROOM WINDOW TO JUST GET A CRACK OF FRESH AIR AND TRY TO SLEEP SINCE IT'S BEEN NICE, THEY'RE OUT THERE ALL NIGHT LONG.
AND I SWEAR, IT'S JUST LIKE, THEY'RE IN MY BEDROOM WITH ME.
I SOMETIMES I CAN'T EVEN HEAR MY TV BECAUSE THEY'RE SO LOUD.
AND IF THEY'RE OUT THERE IN THE DUMPSTERS AND THEY ARE BANGING AROUND, IT SCARES YOU TO DEATH.
SO, UM, AND THEN IT'S GOT ALL THE DOGS BARKING AND SO IT'S JUST A DOMINO EFFECT.
AND ANGELA, CAN I ASK A QUESTION? YES.
DID YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND, UM, DID YOU ALL BY ANY CHANCE TO ATTEND THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING WHEN THIS PROPOSAL CAME BEFORE THE THING? NO.
UM, I'M JUST SO I DON'T KNOW WHY THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL MAILS, MY STUFF TO THE WRONG ADDRESS.
UM, I HAD, I BROUGHT THE LETTER WITH ME.
THEY MAILED IT TO 51 PART ROAD.
AND SO I DID NOT GET THE FIRST ONE.
AND JUST BY CHANCE, I GOT THIS ONE OUT, I GET MY LIGHT BILL, I GET MY TAXES, I GET EVERYTHING AT MY HOME ADDRESS, BUT THEY WOULD MAIL THE THING TO THE WRONG ADDRESS.
SO I DIDN'T GET THE FIRST ONE.
AND I HAPPEN, I WAS GOING TO CALL THE CAUSE THE YELLOW PUBLIC HEARING SIGN IS THERE AND I WAS GOING TO CALL AND WE HAPPENED TO BE OUT OF TOWN.
I WAS LIKE, OH, I'VE GOT TO CALL AND WE MISSED IT.
SO, UM, THAT LETTER, I GOT THIS ONE BEFORE.
OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BEEN AT THE VERY FIRST ONE AND I WOULD'VE BEEN JABBERING THEN.
THANK YOU GUYS VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING TO ME, HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING.
IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK TO PUBLIC HEARING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VARIOUS ISSUES, THE RESIDENT, UNLESS YOU WANT IT TO COME UP AND, UH, SPEAK, YOU KNOW, UM, I WANT TO OPEN IT UP ON THE CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING HERE IN A MINUTE AND OPEN IT UP TO COUNCIL.
YEAH, I'M UH, I'M UH, STEVEN ANSANELLI I, UH, OPERATE SPELUNKERS UM, IT'S A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS.
UM, IN REGARDS TO THE PARKING, UM, ON, ON PINE STREET, THERE IS SIGNS SAY RESIDENT PARKING ONLY.
UM, IF, IF, IF ANY OF MY STAFF MEMBERS ARE IN VIOLATION OF, OF THAT PARKING, FEEL FREE TO TELL THEM.
UM, MY GUYS ARE I'VE INSTRUCTED THEM NOT TO PARK BEHIND THAT SIGN WHERE IT SAYS RESIDENT PARKING ONLY.
UM, SO AS FAR AS I, I KNOW THEY ARE NOT DOING THAT.
UM, ONE OF THE REASONS FOR US ATTEMPTING TO GET THE REZONING HERE IS, IS FOR, UH, EMPLOYEE PARKING, BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PARKING FOR OUR, OUR CUSTOMERS AND OUR STAFF.
UM, AS FAR AS THE NOISE, UM, I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE NOISE VIOLATIONS ARE.
I MEAN, WE DO HAVE A CLEANING CREW THAT DOES THE INSIDE CLEANING AND THEY, THEY DO WORK OVERNIGHTS.
UM, THEY SHOULD NOT BE OUTSIDE THERE SHOULDN'T BE, I MEAN, YES, THERE MIGHT BE SOME TRASH TAKE IT TO THE DUMPSTER.
[01:10:01]
UM, BUT BASICALLY THEY'RE INSIDE CLEANING AS FAR AS NOISE DURING THE DAY.I MEAN, WE ARE A BUSY RESTAURANT.
UM, YOU KNOW, THANKFULLY, UH, FRONT ROW HAS BEEN A VERY GREAT BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR US AND WE'VE DONE VERY WELL.
UM, AND, UM, THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE NEED MORE, MORE SPACE AND MORE PARKING AND MORE ACCESS BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY HAVE DONE FAIRLY WELL.
SO IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS, WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, JUST SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT ARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT WERE BROUGHT UP.
SO, SO WITH THE PARKING, AS I, FROM LOOKING AT THE PLAN OR THE IDEA OF THE TWO PIECES OF PROPERTY IS THAT ONE OF THOSE IS GOING TO BE FOR EMPLOYEE PARKING, RIGHT.
IT'S GOING TO BE OVERFLOW AND EMPLOYEE PARKING.
AND I BELIEVE, DID YOU MENTION SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRAFFIC PATTERN? HOW THIS, YEAH, BECAUSE WHAT'S, WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS, IS, IS, UM, CARS ARE STACKING ON SOUTH STREET.
UM, WE HAVE A TWO WAY ENTRANCE AND EXIT GOING INTO THE SOUTH STREET ENTRANCE OF, OF SMOKERS.
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TURN THAT INTO A ONE-WAY.
SO IT'S ONLY GOING IN AND THAT THE TRAFFIC THEN WOULD FILTER THROUGH EITHER THROUGH THE DRIVE-THROUGH OR THROUGH THE EXIT ONTO PINE STREET.
SO IT WOULD BE ONE WAY GOING IN AND ON PINE STREET ONE WAY GOING OUT.
SO THERE WOULD BE ONE WAY STREET ANYWAYS, IT'S, IT'S A TWO WAY STREET UP UNTIL THE, THE EDGE EDGE OF OUR PROPERTY.
AND THEN AFTER THAT, IT GOES TO ONE, ONE WAY.
SO GOING DOWN, I'M GOING DOWN PINE STREET UP UNTIL THE EDGE OF OUR PROPERTY.
IT'S TWO WAY, I GUESS MY QUESTION IS SOME OF THE CONCERN OR NOT EVEN QUESTIONS, JUST A COMMENT, LIKE JUST THAT SOME OF THE CONCERNS, YOU KNOW, I WOULD HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE COULD WORK ON THINGS THAT COULD BE, COULD BE, UM, RESOLVED.
I REALIZE YOU PROBABLY CAN'T RESOLVE EVERYTHING, BUT LIKE, EVEN LIKE THE NOISE AT NIGHT, OR LIKE YOU SAID, WITH THE CLEANING CREW, JUST MAYBE JUST EVEN POINTING IT OUT TO THEM AGAIN, THAT THERE'S CONCERNS.
WELL, I, I DIDN'T, YEAH, I CERTAINLY DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE IT WAS A PROBLEM.
I MEAN, I I'D SPOKEN TO THE RESIDENT, UH, A COUPLE, I GUESS, A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, AND SHE HAD TALKED ABOUT THE, UH, THE TREES HANGING OVER.
UM, SO I'D HAD OUR GUYS TAKE AWAY ALL THE BRANCHES THAT WERE HANGING OUT OVER THE FENCE THAT WERE TYPICALLY DEAD.
AND THEN WE'VE ALSO, UM, UH, UH, PUT RIBBONS AROUND A COUPLE OF THE TREES THAT ARE SEVERELY LEANING THAT NEED REMOVAL BECAUSE THOSE COULD POTENTIALLY FALL INTO THEIR PROPERTY.
BUT, UM, CURRENTLY THERE'S, I, I, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANY BRANCHES THAT ARE HANGING OVER.
SHE HAD MENTIONED THINGS THAT WERE TOUCHING HER GUTTER.
UH, I TH I BELIEVE THAT MY LANDSCAPER HAS ADDRESSED THOSE IMMEDIATE ISSUES.
NOW WE'RE JUST LOOKING AT THE ISSUES OF POTENTIAL TREES THAT COULD FALL ONTO THEIR PROPERTY THAT ARE LEADING.
I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M, I'M THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT'S LIKE A PROBLEM SOLVER.
IS THERE ANY ROOM THERE BETWEEN YOUR ALL'S PROPERTY FOR SOME, UM, SOME TYPE OF PLANTING OR TREES THAT WOULD BUFFER WE'LL SEE WHAT WAS INITIALLY, UH, WAS INITIALLY PUT THERE WAS, UM, THE NAME ESCAPES ME THE, THE FAST FAST-GROWING KIND OF PINE LOOKING LELAND.
SO WHAT PROBABLY WAS A GREAT BUFFER 10 YEARS AGO, 15 YEARS AGO NOW HAS BECOME VERY SPARSE IN THE MIDDLE AND THE LOW AREAS AND IS HIGHER UP BECAUSE THESE ARE NOW 30 AND 40 FOOT TREES, RIGHT? SO IT'S NOT PR IT'S NOT PROVIDING ANY OF THE, THE COVERAGE YOU'D WANT AT THE LOWER LEVEL.
SO, UM, OBVIOUSLY IF WE'D REMOVE THOSE, THOSE TREES WE'LL WE'LL PLAN SOMETHING ELSE.
I JUST THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING.
LIKE JUST BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR.
WELL, THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO WITH, WITH HER TOO, IS, YOU KNOW, SHE'D ASKED ME IF WE COULD REMOVE THEM.
AND SO I WAS TRYING TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND ACTUALLY ADDRESSING SOME OF HER CONCERNS.
ANYBODY ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK? ALL RIGHT.
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND OPEN IT UP TO COUNCIL.
MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THE COUNCIL APPROVE THE REZONING APPLICATION REQUESTING TO RECLASSIFY TWO PARCELS, APPROXIMATELY 0.4 OR FIVE ACRES FROM OUR
[01:15:01]
THREE DISTRICT TO SEE ONE DISTRICT LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF PATTON STREET, NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH STREET TO ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEE AND CUSTOMER PARKING ASSESSORY STORAGE AND OFFER SHOES FOR SPELUNKERS RESTAURANT.SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION? LET'S PRESS NEXT.
WE'LL HAVE A ROLL CALL PLEASE.
COUNCILMAN THOMPSON'S ABSENT PASSES NEXT PUBLIC
[8C. An Ordinance to Amend Town Code Chapter 16 “Industrial Development Authority” to Include Residents of Warren County Who Owns a Business in Town, as Directors of the Front Royal Economic Development Authority (FREDA) - Mayor]
HEARING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND TOWN CODE CHAPTER 16, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO INCLUDE RESIDENTS OF WARREN COUNTY WHO OWNED A BUSINESS IN TOWN AS DIRECTORS OF THE FRONT ROW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.MS. PRESLEY, COULD YOU READ THIS? COUNCIL'S REQUESTED TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO TOWN CODE CHAPTER 16 DASH FOUR E BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TERMS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICE TO INCLUDE RESIDENTS OF WARREN COUNTY, WHO OWN A BUSINESS IN TOWN AS DIRECTORS OF THE FRONT ROYAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, LIKE THE OPEN, A PUBLIC HEARING, ANYBODY SIGN UP TO SPEAK? NO, SIR.
ANYBODY LIKES TO SPEAK CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AND OPENED UP THE COUNCIL.
MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THE COUNCIL TO APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO COUNT CODE CHAPTER 16 DASH FOUR E BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TERMS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICE TO INCLUDE RESIDENTS OF WARREN COUNTY WHO OWN A BUSINESS IN TOWN AS DIRECTORS OF THE FRONT ROW, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, ANY DISCUSSION.
I JUST, I, I JUST WANT TO COMMENT THAT I THINK THIS IS REALLY GREAT.
UM, OPENING IT UP, UM, TO A WIDER AUDIENCE, ESPECIALLY THOSE FOLKS IN THE COUNTY BUSINESS.
YOU KNOW, OFTEN I HEARD ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, ET CETERA, THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE A VOICE BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN.
UM, THIS GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN IF THEY'RE BUSINESS OWNERS AND RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY.
[8D. An Ordinance to Amend and Re-Enact Town Code Chapters 134-22.1, 134-22.4, 134-30, 134-31.1 and 134-31.2 To Increase Water and Sewer Rates – BJ Wilson]
PUBLIC HEARING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND.AND RE-ENACT TOWN CODE CHAPTER ONE 34 DASH 22.1, ONE 34 DASH 22.4, ONE 34 DASH 31 34 DASH 31.1 AND ONE 34 DASH 31.2 TO INCREASE WATER AND SEWER RATES.
COULD YOU READ A SUMMARY PLEASE? COUNCIL'S REQUESTED TO APPROVE AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO TOWN CODE CHAPTER ONE 34 PERTAINING TO THE INCREASE OF WATER AND SEWER RATES EFFECTIVE JULY ONE, 2021 AS PRESENTED IF APPROVED THE AMENDMENT WOULD BE IN CHAPTER ONE 34 DASH 22.1 22.4 30 31.1 AND 31.2 AND BE EFFECTIVE BEGINNING JULY 1ST, 2021, LIKE TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING.
IS ANYBODY HERE TO SPEAK? ANYBODY SIGNED UP TO SPEED? NO, SIR.
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND OPEN IT UP TO COUNCIL.
MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THE COUNCIL APPROVE AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REENACT TOWN CODE CHAPTER ONE 34 DASH 20 TWO.ONE, ONE 34 DASH 22 DOT FOUR, ONE 34 DASH 31 34 DASH 30 ONE.ONE AND ONE 34 DASH 31 DOT TWO TO INCREASE WATER AND SEWER RATES AS PRESENTED EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2021 SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION THIS PRESS LIKE WE HAVE A ROLL CALL.
YES, COUNCILMAN THOMPSON'S ABSENT.
[8E. Annual Appropriation Ordinance for FY2021-2022. Budget effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, as proposed – BJ Wilson]
LAST PUBLIC HEARING ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR F Y 2021, 2022 BUDGET EFFECTIVE JULY ONE 2021 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2022.AS PROPOSED IS PRESSED TO GET YOU TO READ THIS NUMBER.
COUNCIL'S REQUESTED TO APPROVE THE TOWN'S ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FY 2021, 2022 BUDGET EFFECTIVE JULY ONE 2021 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2022,
[01:20:02]
AS PROPOSED, LIKE TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING.THERE'S ANYBODY HERE TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK? NO, SIR.
ANYBODY LIKE TO SPEAK A CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AND OPEN IT UP TO COUNCIL.
MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THE COUNCIL APPROVE THE TOWN'S ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE 20 2021 2022 BUDGET EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2021 THROUGH JUNE 30TH, 2022 AS PROPOSED SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION? YES, MR. MAYOR.
I JUST WANT TO, AGAIN, THANK, UH, COUNT STAFF FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND UH, AND, AND COMING UP WITH THIS A BUDGET, ANYBODY ELSE I'D LIKE TO ECHO COUNCILMAN GILLESPIE'S, UM, UH, KUDOS TO, TO THE TOWN STAFF.
I KNEW THEY WERE TARRED AND THE RESULT IS A MUCH LEANER BUDGET THAN WE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN CONTEMPLATING AND VERY HAPPY TO SEE, SEE, UM, THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT IT REFLECTS.
MS. PRO SCHOOL EVER ROLL CALL PLEASE.
COUNCILMAN THOMPSON'S ABSENT MOTION PASSES.
REPORTS, UH, STEVEN HICKS REPORTS TO TAIL MANAGER, UH, BJ.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO REPORT AT THIS TIME? I WOULD JUST FILL IT IN FOR STEVEN UNTIL HE RETURNS.
[9B. Report of Councilmembers]
MEMBERS.MR. MARIN JUST WANTED TO MENTION SINCE LAST MEETING, UM, APRIL NINE, WAS IT HOW IT FEELS LIKE, UM, THE PAVILION HAD THE RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE PAVILION, IF ANY TOWN CITIZEN HAS NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, UH, TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT IT'S WONDERFUL IN THE BATHROOMS. UM, I KNOW SATURDAY I RODE BY THERE BECAUSE MAIN STREET WAS CLOSED FOR THE EMPTY BOWL, UM, SUPPER EVENT.
AND THERE WERE PICNIC TABLES AND PEOPLE WERE EATING UNDERNEATH THE PICNIC TABLE, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, REALLY OUR INTENTION THAT THE COMMUNITY, UM, GET TO ENJOY THAT ALSO.
UM, I'M GONNA PUT IN A PLUG FOR THE PROM DOWNTOWN AGAIN, IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SPONSOR A SENIOR IT'S ON MAY 22ND.
AND THEN ALSO JUST A REMINDER THAT THIS FRIDAY, UM, AND IN HONOR OF ARBOR DAY DOWN BY THE PAVILION, WE'LL BE PLANTING A TREE, SO CITIZENS WANT TO COME DOWN.
MR. MAYOR, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO, UM, PUBLICLY, UH, REMIND EVERYONE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT THE TOWN IS DOING.
UM, WE EXTENDED THE DEADLINE, I BELIEVE IT WAS UNTIL APRIL THE 29TH.
AND, UM, WE, WE WOULD LOVE TO, UM, HAVE, HAVE A LOT MORE APPLICATIONS AND THAT'S ALL I GOT.
ALONG THOSE LINES, AREN'T THERE THREE, $1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS.
IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.
I CAN'T IMAGINE ANY PARENT OR STUDENT THAT COULDN'T USE THAT.
SO ANYBODY IN THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL, ANYONE ELSE? YES.
UM, I HAD A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WANTED TO MENTION TONIGHT.
UM, FIRST OFF, YOU KNOW, UM, I THINK THAT, UH, DEFINITELY CAN SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS COUNCIL, UH, OR RECENT COUNCIL, UM, THAT WE'VE BEEN PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THE, UM, ABOUT THE MOMENTUM WE'VE HAD WITH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND WORKING ON DIFFERENT PROJECTS AND COMMUNICATION, YOU KNOW, AND WE BROUGHT UP THE JOINT TOURISM COMMITTEE TONIGHT.
I THINK THAT WE'VE HAD A LOT OF REALLY STRONG COLLABORATION.
UM, AND I THINK I COULD SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS COUNCIL TO SAY THAT THAT THAT'S BEEN EXCITING AND, UM, UH, LED TO OPTIMISM ABOUT OUR FUTURE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS.
UM, I WAS DISMAYED TO HEAR LAST TUESDAY OF, UM, WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER HARASSMENT, UM, BY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OF OUR TOWN STAFF AND WHY I WAS DISMAYED ABOUT THIS IS BECAUSE I FELT LIKE THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS EASILY CORRECTABLE THROUGH COMMUNICATION THROUGH OUR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, UH, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, UM, THROUGH, UH, THE SHERIFF TO OUR CHIEF, UH, THROUGH ED DAILY TO STEVEN HICKS, ANYBODY.
[01:25:01]
FOR THOSE OF YOU DON'T KNOW, I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO RELAY THE HIGH LEVEL FACTS.UM, SO THE TOWN TREATS SEWAGE THAT'S BROUGHT IN FROM THE COUNTY, UH, FROM SEPTIC SYSTEMS. IT TREATS IT AT OUR PLANT AND THEN FOR MANY YEARS HAS TAKEN, UH, THE TREATED SEWAGE, UM, OUT TO IT'S NOT SEWAGE, BUT IT'S TREATED, UM, WHATEVER YOU CALL IT, UH, MICS OUT TO THE LANDFILLS TO DUMP IT.
UM, LAST TUESDAY, THREE OF OUR CREW MEMBERS ON OUR SANITATION TRUCK WERE GREETED AT THE LANDFILLED BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND NOT JUST THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, BUT SHERIFF, MARK BUTLER HIMSELF WAITING TO SURPRISE OUR, OUR STAFF, UM, WHILE THERE WERE, UM, MAKING THEIR NORMAL RUN TO EMPTY THEIR TRUCK, UM, AND THEN CONFRONT THEM AND DIDN'T CONFRONT THEM IN A HEY GUYS.
I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT YOUR DUMPING PRACTICES.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE COMPLIANT WITH DEQ, UM, CONFRONTED THEM BY GETTING THEM OUT OF THE TRUCK, THREATENING ARREST, THREATENING TO TAKE AWAY THEIR, UH, THEY'RE LICENSED TO OPERATE THE VEHICLES, THREATENED THEM WITH $25,000 FINES ALL FOR THE SAKE OF, UM, SUPPOSEDLY DUMPING SLED A SLUDGE AT THE LANDFILL.
UM, SOMETHING AGAIN THAT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A PHONE CONVERSATION, UM, BETWEEN OUR TOWN MANAGER, UH, MR. BOYER HIMSELF.
UM, IT DIDN'T SEEM TO ME THAT, UH, THE SHERIFF HAD TO GO THERE, GO TO THAT LENGTH TO PROVE SOME SORT OF POINT ABOUT THE TOWN VIOLATING, UH, REGULATORY OR NO, NOT BEING COMPLIANT WITH REGULAR REGULATIONS.
THREE OF OUR, THREE OF OUR TOWN STAFF WERE HARASSED THAT DAY.
AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT.
I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT WE CAN'T COLLABORATE STRONGER TO WORK THROUGH OUR DIFFERENCES.
I'M DISAPPOINTED IN OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR TAKE, GOING TO SUCH LENGTHS.
I'M DISAPPOINTED IN MR. BUTLER, UH, FOR TAKING THAT STEP AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.
HE SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO DO THAT.
AND FRANKLY, AFTER HE CALLED DEQ PERSONALLY, AGAIN, TO HAVE THEM COME OUT AND FIND OUT THAT WE ARE INDEED COMPLIANT, UM, AND THAT THERE WASN'T A VIOLATION.
UM, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM MR. BUTLER, WHY HE WAS THERE WHILE HE WAS DOING, WHAT, WHAT, WHY CAN HE, HE PICKED UP THE PHONE AND CALLED, WHY DID HE FEEL THAT HE HAD TO GO TO SUCH LENGTHS? IS THERE MORE TO THE STORY THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING? I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT.
SO I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP TONIGHT BECAUSE, UM, JUST BECAUSE IT HAPPENED LAST TUESDAY AND WE HADN'T HAD A CHANCE TO GET TOGETHER, UH, AS A COUNCIL.
UM, UH, MY, FOR ME PERSONALLY, AGAIN, NOT SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL, UM, BUT I WOULD LIKE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS.
UM, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR SOME COMMUNICATION AS TO WHY THAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN THE FUTURE, UM, TO PREVENT LEVERAGING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, TO HARASS A TOWN OR ANDORRA COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO MAKE A POINT I'M ON A ROLL.
SO I ACTUALLY HAVE ONE MORE THING.
UM, IT'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT, AND I THINK THAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT'VE FORGOTTEN THIS ALREADY, CAUSE THAT'S SEEMS TO BE THE WAY THE NEWS CYCLE WORKS.
UM, BUT ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, THE TOWN, THE TOWN ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE, UM, REGARDING THIS TOPIC.
AND SO, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT I WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE SUCCINCT IN MY THOUGHTS, I WANTED TO JUST READ A BIT OF A STATEMENT REGARDING, UM, MY APPOINTMENT AND THE CHALLENGE OF MY APPOINTMENT, UM, BACK IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR.
SO A LITTLE OVER THREE MONTHS AGO.
SO I WANTED TO THANK THE TOWN FOR ISSUING THE PRESS RELEASE REGARDING THE DISMISSAL OF THE DAVID DOWNS CASE AND WHICH HE USED MR. ALDRIDGE TO CONTEST THE DECISION OF COUNCIL TO APPOINT ME FOR ONE YEAR WITH A SPECIAL ELECTION WIRELESS SPECIAL ELECTION WAS CONDUCTED.
I HOPE JUDGE SHARP'S DISMISSAL OF THE CASE WILL HELP PUT TO REST THE FALSE ACCUSATIONS AND PERSONAL TAX THAT WERE LEVIED AGAINST OUR TOWN ATTORNEY, CURRENT COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MYSELF.
WHILE I REALIZE I CAN LET THE JUDGE'S DISMISSAL SPEAK FOR ITSELF, I WANTED TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO DRIVE HOME MY DISAPPOINTMENT WITH HOW A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN WILL MANIPULATE THE TRUTH TO FIT THEIR NARRATIVE.
IT AMAZES ME HOW COMFORTABLE THEY ARE WITH LAUNCHING FALSE ACCUSATIONS AND ENGAGING IN A FREE FOR ALL ATTACK ON SOMEONE'S CHARACTER.
BUT PERHAPS I SHOULD REALLY, SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED BECAUSE THERE'S A LITTLE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR GETTING IT WRONG.
REALLY ISN'T SINCE IT'S BEEN A FEW MONTHS, LET ME RECAP SOME OF, UH, SOME, UH, LET ME RECAP.
SOME OF THE SALIENT POINTS, SOME SAID THE APPOINTMENT WAS A SLIMY BACKDOOR DEAL, THAT IT WAS CHEAP.
AND THAT THE TOWN CHARTER ONLY REQUIRED A QUOTE, COMMON SENSE INTERPRETATION ASSERTING THE COUNCIL BROKEN, VIOLATED CHARTER AND ACTED ILLEGALLY.
[01:30:01]
THEY CALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF THE APPOINTMENT BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED IT WAS UNJUST DESPITE YEARS OF STANDING DUE DILIGENCE OF COUNSEL AND LEGAL REINFORCEMENT.SO NOW THAT JUDGE SHARP'S DECISIONS OUT THERE WHERE ALL THESE PEOPLE TONIGHT WHERE'S THAT SAME GROUP, HOW MANY ARE LINING UP TO APOLOGIZE FOR NOT ACTUALLY CONDUCTING ANY RESEARCH AND RELYING ON AN ERRONEOUS INFORMATION WHEN CHALLENGING THE WELL-GROUNDED AND THOROUGHLY VETTED LEGAL DECISION FOR THE APPOINTMENT.
ARE THEY HAPPY THAT THE TOWN HAD TO SPEND TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND WASTE COUNTLESS HOURS OF STAFF TIME TO PUT THEM AT EASE? I REALLY HOPE THAT OUR COMMUNITY WILL START TO RECOGNIZE THAT SOME INDIVIDUALS WITH THROUGH THE TOWN, ANYTIME THEY DON'T GET THEIR WAY, REGARDLESS OF RIGHT OR WRONG.
LASTLY, I'M DISAPPOINTED IN THOSE THAT LEVERAGED MY RELIGIOUS BELIEF AS JUSTIFICATION TO CALL ME A MORAL UNETHICAL AND A DISAPPOINTMENT TO THE FAITH BASED INSTITUTIONS THAT I'M AFFILIATED WITH IS A SAD TIME THAT WE WERE LIVING IN WHEN PEOPLE WHO DISAGREE WITH YOU OR DON'T LIKE THE OUTCOME FEEL FREE TO ACT IN SUCH A MANNER AND ATTEMPT TO HURT SOMEONE THEY HAVEN'T EVEN SPOKEN WITH.
I, FOR ONE AND THANKFUL FOR BEING TAUGHT TO ARGUE THE FACTS INSTEAD OF APPEALING TO FEELINGS ARE PREJUDICE TO CONVEY.
MY POINT, COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS ARE A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN FRONT OF ROYAL COUNCILMAN COCKRELL.
COUNCILMAN GILLESPIE WERE BOTH APPOINTED BEFORE THEY WERE ELECTED.
AND I WAS APPOINTED PRIOR TO MY ELECTION IN 2016 AS IT BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD.
I HOPE WE CAN FIND A WAY TO TREAT FUTURE APPOINTMENTS WITH COMMON COURTESY AND RESPECT DESPITE OUR DIFFERENCES OR OPINIONS ON WHO SHOULD BE SERVING ON COUNCIL.
I FELT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BRING IT UP BECAUSE IT'S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT, UM, INDIVIDUALS ARE GONNA COME OUT AND SAY, AND THEN DISAPPEAR INTO THE WIND ONCE, ONCE, UH, THE TRUTH COMES OUT.
THANKS, JAKE, AND ANYBODY ELSE,
[9C. Report of the Mayor]
UM, REPORT TO THE MAYOR.UM, I JUST WANT TO TOUCH ON THE INCIDENT LAST TUESDAY ALSO, UM, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, UH, SUPERVISOR CALLERS, UH, SUPPOSEDLY GOT A CALL FROM A SUPERVISOR, SOMEBODY AT THE LANDFILL AND SAID THAT WE WERE DUMPING SLUDGE.
UM, THEN SHE INTERNED, CONTACTED MR. DALEY WHO CONTACTED, UH, SHERIFF BUTLER AND THEY SET UP, UH, I GUESS YOU COULD CALL IT A STING OPERATION.
UM, AND NOT ONLY DID THEY THREATEN OUR DRIVERS, UH, WITH THE $25,000 FINE AND LOSING THEIR CDLS, UH, HE ALSO TOLD HER, UH, TOLD THEM, UH, NOT TO DISCUSS THE INVESTIGATION OR THEY'D BE CHARGED WITH OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE.
I JUST, DON'T NOT ONLY THAT, BUT SHERIFF FELDER ALSO CALLED SHERIFF, UH CUBBAGE AND PAIGE AND SAID WE WERE DUMPING BIOHAZARD AT THEIR LANDFILL.
ANYWAY, I WANTED SOMETHING BETTER.
UH, WE HAVE A COMMUNITY, UH, UH, VACCINATION CENTER, UH, UP AT THE 15TH OH 15TH STREET SCHOOL AND, UH, FOR THE, UH, COVID VACCINE.
UM, AND, UH, THERE NEEDED VOLUNTEERS, ESPECIALLY NURSES.
UM, SO ANYBODY THAT'S ABLE TO VOLUNTEER ON THE 29TH OR IF YOU KNOW ANYBODY, UH, DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A NURSE.
ANYBODY CAN COME HELP VOLUNTEER IF THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH, VOLUNTEERS ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE CLINIC.
SO, UH, UH, MS. PRESLEY IS GOING TO TAKE IN, UH, POSTING INFORMATION ON THE TOWN'S WEBSITE.
AND IF YOU WOULD, UH, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN GOING TO WEBSITE, GET THE INFORMATION AND GET IN CONTACT WITH THEM.
[10. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS]
ALL RIGHT.CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. IS ANYBODY WANT TO PULL ANYTHING OFF? ALL RIGHT.
DO WE HEAR A MOTION, MR. MAYOR? I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS PRESENTED SECOND, ALL APPROVED.
OH, DO YOU RECALL MS. PRESLEY, VICE MAYOR COCKREL YES.
HOUSEMEN GILLESPIE, COUNCILMAN LOYD, HOUSEMAN MCFADDEN COUNSELING.
COUNCILMAN THOMPSON'S ABSENT WILL LOVE IT.
[11A. Resolution to Delay Charges for Real Estate and Personal Property Taxes Penalty and Interest – BJ Wilson]
TO DELAY CHARGES FOR REAL ESTATE, PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES, PENALTIES, AND INTEREST.MS. PRESLEY HAS TO READ THE DECEMBER.
COUNCIL'S REQUESTED TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION TO DELAY CHARGES FOR PENALTIES AND INTEREST RELATED TO 2021 REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY BY A PERIOD OF 16 DAYS DUE TO A DELAY OF RECEIVING
[01:35:01]
THE ASSESSMENT FILES FROM THE COUNTY OF WARREN, IF APPROVES A PENALTIES AND INTEREST WILL BE ADDED AFTER JUNE 21ST, 2021, YOUR EMOTION, MR. MAYOR I'M AM THE COUNCIL APPROVE THE RESOLUTION TO DELAY CHARGES FOR PENALTIES AND INTEREST RELATED TO THE 2021 REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX BY A PERIOD OF 16 DAYS TO DELAY A RECEIVING AND ASSESSMENT FILES FROM A COUNTY OF WARREN, ANY DISCUSSION BJ WOULD YOU, COULD I JUST CLARIFY THIS IN CASE ANY CITIZENS ARE WONDERING? SO BASICALLY BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET THE INFORMATION FROM THEM, WE, WE ARE LATER BEING ABLE TO SEND OURS OUT, CORRECT? YES.IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL BE APPROVING A SIMILAR RESOLUTION.
THEIR DELAY HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER SITUATION.
UM, BJ, WHERE DID THE 16 DAYS COME FROM? UM, SO THE 16 DAYS IT TAKES US OUT, OBVIOUSLY THE, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE OVER TWO WEEKS.
SO IT'S THE MONDAY, THE MONDAY FOLLOWING A, UM, I FALL ON THE WEEKEND TO GIVE THROUGH THE WEEKEND TO PAY.
UH, WE DO WANT TO HAVE AS MANY OF THE TAXES PAID BEFORE JUNE 30TH AS POSSIBLE TO ALLOW CLOSE OUT OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
UM, SO WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO BOOK THAT RECEIVABLE IN THIS FISCAL YEAR TO ACCOUNT FOR THE REVENUE.
SO THE DUE DATES, THE SAME, IT'S JUST AN EXTRA 16 DAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT NO, UM, PENALTIES ARE ASSESSED FOR IT.
A TAXES ALREADY WILL REMAIN DUE JUNE 5TH, BUT IT'LL SEND OUT THE, UM, THE PENALTY AND INTEREST THERE, UH, ADDITIONAL 16 DAYS.
ANYBODY ELSE? MS. PRESLEY, WHATEVER WE'LL CALL PLEASE.
COUNCILMAN THOMPSON'S ABSENT MOTION PASSES.
[12. CLOSED MEETING – Consultation with Legal Counsel]
HAVE CLOSED MEETING.RIGHT? I MOVE THE COUNCIL CONVENE AND GO INTO CLOSE.
MEANING FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNCIL EMPLOYEE TO RETAIN MY TALENT COUNCIL TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC LEGAL MATTERS, REQUIRING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL ADVICE AS SUCH COUNSEL PURSUANT TO A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE TOWN PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2 DASH THREE SEVEN 11 DOT A DOT EIGHT OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA.
NEED A ROLL CALL AND I'LL TELL YOU, RIGHT? VICE MAYOR.