[00:00:04]
I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYBODY TO THE REGULAR TALENT COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, DECEMBER 13TH, 2021.
[1. MOMENT OF SILENCE]
WOULD PLEASE JOIN WITNESS IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE.[2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
THANK YOU.IF YOU WOULD PLEASE JOIN US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY COUNCILMAN LSP AND THE FLAG .
[3. ROLL CALL]
WE HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE.COUNCILMAN MCFADDEN, COUNCILWOMAN MORRIS HERE.
[4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – I move that Council approve the Work Session Minutes of November 8, 2021, Regular Meeting Minutes of November 22, 2021, and Special Closed Meeting of December 1, 2021, as presented.]
UP NEXT APPROVAL OF MINUTES.MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT COUNCIL APPROVE THE WORK SESSION MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 8TH, 2021, REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 22ND, 2021 AND SPECIAL CLOSED MEETING.
UM, DECEMBER 1ST, 2021 AS PRESENTED SECOND, HAVE A SECOND.
ANY DISCUSSION MS. VICE MAYOR COCKREL YES.
[5. ADDITION/DELETION OF ITEMS FROM THE AGENDA]
UP NEXT TO ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS, UH, ITEMS OF THE AGENDA.DO WE HAVE ANY YES, MR. MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT WE MOVE ITEM 10 C UH, THE RESOLUTION TO ADOPT SCHEDULE FEES FOR TOWN BUILDING DEPARTMENT AND MOVE THAT TO OUR BUSINESS ITEMS. 11 C GIVE ME A SECOND, SECOND ROLL CALL PLEASE.
[6. RECOGNITIONS/AWARDS/REPORTS– - Recognition of Retirement for William “Billy” D. Sears, Sign Tech in Streets Division of Public Works]
UP NEXT.UH, RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS AND REPORTS.
UH, WE HAVE THE RETIREMENT OF WILLIAM, BILLY D. SEARS SCIENTECH STREETS, STREETS DIVISIONS.
BILLY, WILL YOU COME ON UP? AND WHILE YOU'RE, WHILE YOU'RE COMING TO THE PODIUM, I JUST WANT TO, AGAIN, SHARE WITH EVERYONE THAT A BILL HAS BEEN WITH US FOR 36 YEARS.
HE STARTED OUT AS A, AS A LABOR AND SOLID WAYS IN 85.
AND THEN IN 87, HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE STREETS DEPARTMENT ON HIS OWN.
I MEAN, IT'S MORE OF A, HE WANTED TO TAKE ON A DIFFERENT ROLE.
AND SINCE 1990, UH, HE'S BEEN THE SIGN MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN AND, UM, HE'S DONE SO MUCH FOR US AND HE, HE LOVES HIS JOB AND I KNOW, UM, I'M JEALOUS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.
YOU GET TO GO ON AND DO OTHER THINGS, BUT BILLY YOU'VE YOU, FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD AND WHAT SHORT TIME I'VE WORKED WITH YOU, IF YOU'VE DONE SO MUCH AND ANY TIME SOMEONE DEDICATED 36 YEARS TO A TOWN, YOU MADE A HUGE IMPACT.
SO YOU CAN SAY ANYTHING YOU WANT.
WHY YOU SAID LARGER CHANGES IN HIM 36 YEARS TO ALL THE CHANGES I'VE BEEN THROUGH AND SEEN, SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE COME AND GO TOO.
AND I JUST THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, THIS TIME OF LIFE, JUST TO MOVE ON, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR BOSS IS BEGINNING TO BE YOUNGER THAN WHAT YOU ARE.
IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT OF A HINT TO MAYBE, BUT I REALLY ENJOYED MY TIME HERE, BUT IT'S GOOD.
WELL, I'M HEADING LEFT TO TOWN ALTOGETHER.
I MEAN, I'M STILL LIVING IN TOWN.
WELL, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FOLKS TO SERVE ON COMMITTEES TO BUILD.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S AN INVITATION RIGHT HERE.
IF YOU DON'T MIND, COME ON DOWN.
[00:05:03]
BILLY WAS LOOKING AT ME LIKE .OUR TOWN ATTORNEY WILL BE RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
UM, DOUG, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW THINGS? WELL, ONLY THAT I'VE, UM, ENJOYED MY TIME HERE.
UM, IT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE FOR ME.
UH, UH, OF COURSE I'M TURNED 70 YEARS OLD IN SEPTEMBER, SO IT'S TIME FOR ME TO MOVE ON.
UM, I'VE, UH, LIVED IN FRONT ROYAL AND WARREN COUNTY SINCE I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD.
UM, OTHER THAN MY WIFE AND FAMILY, UM, THIS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN THE LOVE OF MY LIFE.
UM, I'VE DEDICATED MY LIFE TO IT AND, UM, UM, IT'S BITTERSWEET.
SO, UM, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND FOR THIS TOWN.
AND, UM, I WILL STILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW IT'S GOINGS ON.
SO, UM, I WILL MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BOB, UH, WORK AS AN ATTORNEY FOR THE PUBLIC, BUT I WILL STILL CONTINUE TO, UM, SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN OTHER WAYS.
ANYBODY LIKE TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS? I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE.
I KNOW, I BELIEVE I WAS ON COUNCIL.
UM, WHEN WE HAD HIRED YOU BACK IN, I GUESS IT WAS 20 10, 20 11.
AND, UM, I JUST, I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY KNOWS, BUT YOU'VE BEEN SERVING THE PUBLIC FOR AN AWFULLY LONG TIME.
UM, YOU WERE A COUNTY COUNTY, UH, ATTORNEY FOR THE COUNTY FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE YOU CAME OVER TO THE TOWN AND, UM, YOU SERVE THE COMMUNITY WELL, SO YOU DESERVE A, A LONG AND HEALTHY RETIREMENT.
AND I KNOW YOU GOT GRANDKIDS TO KEEP YOU BUSY, SO CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY TO YOU THAT, UM, THAT THERE MAY BE SOMEBODY ELSE THAT COMES AND WORKS IN YOUR ROLE, BUT YOU WILL BE VERY, VERY HARD TO REPLACE.
SO I JUST WANT TO, UH, I BELIEVE IT IS 44 YEARS, RIGHT? I'VE ASKED YOU THAT BEFORE DOUG IS A 44 YEARS AND IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE, I BELIEVE, UH, I BELIEVE THAT'S CORRECT.
I THINK, I THINK THAT'S CALCULATED.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK.
NOT JUST THE COUNCIL, BUT THE CITIZENS
[00:10:01]
AS WELL.I WOULD LIKE JUST, UH, DOUG, UM, I DON'T KNOW THIS, THIS IS HARD.
UM, I HATE TO SEE YOU GO, SIR.
UM, I REMEMBER, YOU KNOW, FUNNY STORY ABOUT DOUG AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN I FIRST CAME TO COUNCIL, YOU KNOW, UH, I KNEW NOTHING AND, UH, DOUG WAS ALWAYS THE PERSON WHO, UM, WHO I LEANED ON A LOT.
UM, WHEN I FIRST COME TO COUNCIL, UM, YOU KNOW, IN THOSE FIRST DAYS, DOUG HAD SENT ME A PACKET OF STUFF THROUGH THE EMAIL AND, AND YOU KNOW, IT TOOK ME PROBABLY ABOUT A WEEK, A WEEKEND TO GET THROUGH IT.
AND, UH, I TOLD DOUG I WAS THROUGH IT AND HE SAYS, WELL, GOOD.
HE SAID, UH, I'M GOING TO SEND YOU SOME MORE STUFF TOMORROW.
SO, YOU KNOW, I, I I'M, UH, DOUG, I'M TRULY GOING TO MISS YOU, BUDDY.
[7. PUBLIC HEARINGS – A. Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 4 – Disclosures of Certain Employees – Tina Presley]
UP NEXT, WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ONUS TO AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER FOUR DISCLOSURES OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES.I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU TO READ THE SUMMARY TOWN IS REQUESTED TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO FRONT RAIL TOWN CODE CHAPTERS, FOUR DASH 44 AND FOUR DASH 45 PERTAINING TO DISCLOSURES BY CERTAIN EMPLOYEES.
IF APPROVED THE TOWN CODE WILL BE UPDATED TO FOLLOW THE CODE OF VIRGINIA WITH REFERENCES TO FILING REQUIREMENTS, APPLICABILITY AND TRAINING.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS SHALL INCLUDE ADDING MEMBERS OF THE FRONT ROYAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES.
SINCE THEY ARE IDENTIFIED IN THE STATE CODE TO FILE STATEMENT OF ECONOMIC INTEREST, ADDING THE REQUIRED TRAINING FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO DESIGNATION OF THE TOWN ATTORNEY CLERK OF COUNCIL AND DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO FILE REAL ESTATE DISCLOSURES.
UH, LIKE OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING.
IS THERE ANYBODY HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME UP AND SPEAK? ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK? OKAY.
I'D LIKE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND OPEN UP THE COUNCIL.
MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT COUNCIL APPROVE THE ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS TO TOWN CODE CHAPTER FOUR DASH 44 AND FOUR DASH 45 AS PRESENTED.
ANY DISCUSSION MR. PRESLEY? COULD WE HAVE A ROLL CALL PLEASE? VICE MAYOR.
[8. PUBLIC COMMENTS NOT RELATED TO PUBLIC HEARINGS]
UP NEXT.WE HAVE, UH, PUBLIC COMMENTS NOW RELATED TO PUBLIC HEARINGS.
IS THERE ANYBODY HERE TO SIGN UP TO SPEAK? NO, SIR.
IS THERE ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? OKAY, COME UP, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE.
UM, MATT TEED, RICK FRONT ROYAL, AND A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS ME BEFORE MY TIME STARTS.
I, I WANTED TO COME IN AND CONGRATULATE DOUG ON YOUR RETIREMENT.
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER WAS SERVING BY YOUR SIDE AND NOT ONE TIME THAT I EVER QUESTIONED YOUR DEVOTION AND LOVE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND, UM, YOU SERVED IT WITH HONOR.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT PUBLICLY.
UH, UH, MEMBERS, COUNCIL, I, AS I SAID, MATT TIDRICK, UM, I'M SURE HAPPY TO BE ON THIS SIDE OF THE PODIUM AGAIN, UH, FREE TO SPEAK.
UM, I'M GOING TO BEGIN BY READING, UH, SOME QUOTES OUT OF THE WARREN REPORT FROM THE NOVEMBER 21 EDITION.
UM, IT'S GOING TO START WITH, UH, STEVIE HUBBARD.
UM, SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW MS. HUBBARD.
UH, I GOT TO KNOW MS. HUBBARD WHEN I WAS, UM, INTERIM MAYOR, I BELIEVE AN INTERIM MANAGER, UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE DIFFERENT POLITICAL OPINIONS AND VIEWS, BUT MS. HUBBARD, I FELT, UM, ALWAYS HAD THE BEST INTEREST OF THIS COMMUNITY AT HAND AND WAS A LADY OF GREAT PERSONAL INTEGRITY.
AND SO SHE, SHE MAKES SOME QUOTES IN HERE THAT I THINK IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT A COUNCIL'S AWARE OF.
HERE'S A, IT SAYS ACCORDING TO DARRYL MERCHANT PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER, THIS REPORT AND THE REPORTS SHE'S REFERENCING IS A REPORT ABOUT A HOLLOWAY CONSTRUCTION, INC AND MR. MAYOR AND, AND, UM, UH, MR. HICKS ALLUDING TO, UM, ALLUDING TO APPROVAL PROCESS.
UH, ACCORDING TO DARRYL MERCHANT, THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER, THIS REPORT WILL BE WE'LL EXPOSE CHRIS HOLLOWAY, MAYOR AND STEVEN HICKS TOWN MANAGER FOR USING THEIR POSITIONS AS MAYOR AND TOWN MANAGER FOR PERSONAL GAIN.
AGAIN, THIS IS A QUOTE FROM MS. HUBBARD DOES SHE'S
[00:15:01]
QUOTING DARRELL MERCHANT.UH, I FIND THOSE TERMS VERY, UM, VERY, VERY, UH, CONCERNING AND, AND, UM, ALARMING THAT, THAT, UH, PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER WOULD ALLUDE TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR MONTHS.
THIS IS MS. HUBBARD FOR MONTHS, I'VE BEEN CONTACTING GETTING BITS AND PIECES OF INFORMATION IN HOPES THAT I WOULD GET UPSET AND RING THE BELL WHEN THIS ISSUE, WITHOUT HAVING ALL THE FACTS.
AGAIN, SHE GOES ON ALLEGEDLY DARRYL LEAKED THIS REPORT TO WALT MAY BOARD OF SUPERVISOR WHO HAD, WHO HAD IT FOR WEEKS.
NOW, I CONTACTED WALT MAE WHO SAID HE WASN'T SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REPORT NOW THAT HE WASN'T RUNNING FOR MAYOR THAT'S CONCERNING, DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE REPORT.
NOW THAT HE'S NOT RUNNING FOR MAYOR, KEEP THAT IN MIND.
AND IN A LATER CONVERSATION, HE SAID THAT IF THE REPORT DIDN'T SAY WHAT HE SAID, WHAT IF THE REPORT DIDN'T SAY WHAT IT NEEDED TO SAY, WELL, WHAT DID THE REPORT NEED TO SAY? DID IT, DID IT, DID IT NEED TO, UH, ALLUDE OR CONFIRM THESE PERSONAL GAINS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES? THAT THAT'S, THAT'S AN ALARMING QUOTE FROM ME.
SO I STARTED, I STARTED THIS THING BELIEVE IN WHOLEHEARTEDLY THAT CHRIS PROBABLY DID SOMETHING WRONG.
I'M NOT SURE IT ISN'T A MANUFACTURED SCANDAL TO HELP WALT IN HIS BID FOR MAYOR.
SHE GOES ON, UM, THOSE TWO STATEMENTS I LISTED WERE DIRECT QUOTES FROM WALL ON THE PHONE TO ME.
I THINK THOSE ARE, THOSE WERE STATED TO HER DIRECTLY.
UM, NOW THERE'S ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL, CHRISTINE NELSON.
I DON'T, I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER PERSONALLY TALKED TO HER.
I BELIEVE SHE, UM, HELPED WALT MAY GET, GET ELECTED.
I THINK SHE ALSO I'VE SEEN HER.
SHE CAME AND SPOKE A FEW TIMES, I BELIEVE BEFORE TOWN COUNCIL.
UM, BUT MS. NELSON STATED, UM, IT WAS GIVEN DIRECTLY TO WALL FOR BOTH REASONS.
I BELIEVE HE CAN'T CONFUSE AS TO WHY HE WAS GIVEN.
UH, THE REPORT WAS CAME FROM HIM FROM DARRELL.
HE ACTUALLY WENT AND PICKED IT UP HIMSELF.
WELL, HE STATED NOW THAT I'M NOT RUNNING FOR MAYOR, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.
AGAIN, A SECOND PERSON SAYS, NOW THAT I'M NOT RUNNING FOR MAYOR, HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT.
UM, SHE GOES ON, SHE SAID THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE ELECTION, AND THAT WAS THE OCTOBER 29TH IS WHEN WALT MAID WENT AND COLLECTED THE SAID REPORT AT THE DAILY GRIND UNDERNEATH THE NEWSPAPER.
NOW THIS IS NOT JAMES BOND MOVIE OR JASON BOURNE.
I MEAN, SO NOW YOU HAVE THIS REPORT THAT WAS CLASSIFIED AS ATTORNEY, CLIENT PRIVILEGE GIVEN TO MR. MAY, BUT ALLEGEDLY UNDERNEATH THE NEWSPAPER IN VIA TEXT MESSAGES, UM, NELSON ADDED, I WAS WITH WALT THAT FRIDAY AND I HAVE TEXT MESSAGES TO PROVE IT.
SO DARYL WAS THE ONE TO RELEASE IT TO WALT, A COUNTY SUPERVISOR IN THE SHANANDOAH DISTRICT.
I HAVE TEXT MESSAGES AND I'M ALMOST FINISHED HERE.
NELSON SAYS SHE HAS CONFIRMATION LATER IN THE DAY THAT MO WALT DID RECEIVE THE REPORT.
NELSON STATES HE MADE IS NOW DENYING THAT HE EVER READ IT.
BUT I HAVE CONFIRMATION THROUGH TEXT MESSAGES THAT HE DID READ IT.
AGAIN, THESE ARE HER WORDS, NOT MY WORDS, NELSON ADDED.
SO WHAT DOES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAVE TO DO WITH THIS? THAT'S, THAT'S A, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, EXCEPT FOR WALT RUNNING FOR MAYOR, WHICH HE IS NOT, WHICH HE IS NOT NOW DOING AND WHY HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR MAYOR.
SHE ADDED, UM, IT'S FOR OTHER REASONS, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO INTO THAT RIGHT NOW.
SO WHEN THIS THING FIRST STARTED AND I HEARD ABOUT IT AND READ ABOUT IT IN THE PAPER, I SMELLED A POLITICAL HIT JOB FROM THE BEGINNING AFTER MERCHANT EXAGGERATED THE MISTAKE BY THE FORMER PLANNING DIRECTOR AND STARTED TO PAINT A NARRATIVE, A POLITICALLY MOTIVATED NARRATIVE, WHEREBY HE ATTEMPTED TO DAMAGE MAYOR HOLLOWAY AND DAMAGE THE NEW TOWN MANAGER.
MY INSTINCTS TOLD ME SOMETHING WAS GOING ON, BUT APPEARS THAT AS STEVIE HUBBARD AND CHRISTINE, CHRISTINE NELSON, WHO HAVE EXPOSED SOME OF THE TRUTH, BUT THAT'S UP TO YOU TO DETERMINE NOT FOR ME AGAIN, I HAVE NO IDEA.
IF WHAT I JUST READ TO YOU IS TRUE OR NOT, BUT HERE'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
IT APPEARS MERCHANT AND MAID'S ACTIONS WERE SO DIRTY THAT EVEN THEIR FRIENDS COULDN'T STOMACH, WHAT THEY DID.
SO THE QUESTION HERE IS, IS THIS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG? IT APPEARS THAT PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER AND FORMER TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATE, DARREL MERCHANT, AND CURRENT COUNTY SUPERVISOR WALT MADE GOT CAUGHT, AND I BELIEVE HAD BEEN FULLY EXPOSED, BUT THE CABAL HAS BEEN DOING THIS KIND OF STUFF.
THESE PEOPLE WILL USE MANIPULATE AND LIE TO ANYONE TO GET POWER AND CONTROL.
BUT YOU ALL KNOW THAT YOU ALL KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
IF YOU'RE FOR IT, THE CABALS AGAINST IT, IF YOU'RE AGAINST IT, THE CAMPBELL'S FOR IT.
SO NOW WHAT, PERHAPS YOU CAN START BY ASKING CHRISTINE NELSON FOR A COPY OF HER TEXT.
IF IN FACT MERCHANT MADE, CONDUCTED THIS SECRET HANDOFF ENCODED TEXT MESSAGES THROUGH A THIRD PARTY TO INTENTIONALLY BYPASS FOYA, ASK HER WHAT THE REAL REASON MADE
[00:20:01]
CAN'T RUN FOR MAYOR ASKED MS. HUBBARD ABOUT HER CONVERSATION WITH ROGER BIANCHINI, WHO WRITES FOR THE ROYAL EXAMINER AND WHOSE BOSS RAN FOR MAYOR AGAINST CHRIS ASKED HER IF ROGER REQUESTED THAT SHE NOT MENTIONED MERCHANT IN HER POST, IF TRUE, IT'S A BIZARRE REQUEST COMING FROM A REPORTER, ASKED MS. HUBBARD.IF SHE GOT ANY PHONE CALLS FROM TERMINATED TOWN MANAGER, MIKE GRAHAM, AND WHAT HE SAID AND WHAT HE WAS GOING TO ASK HER TO DO, THEN ASK MR. MERCHANT, IF IT'S TRUE THAT HE AND MIKE WHO ARE GOOD FRIENDS AND HAVE BREAKFAST TOGETHER, WEDNESDAY MORNINGS AS MR. MAID, WHO IS PART OF HIS THINK TANK, AS HE TOLD ME, THEY WERE CALLED THINK TANK MEMBERS, MIKE GRAHAM, AND JEFF BROWN, AND THE EDA MEET WITH HIM FREQUENTLY TO ADVISE, TO ADVISE HIM.
HE TOLD ME, REGRETTABLY IS TOO LATE FOR THE REPUTATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED OR FOR THE STAFF THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, OR RECLAIMING THE HUNDREDS OF STAFF HOURS ON WHAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A POLITICALLY INITIATED, UH, ATTACK ALL FOR POLITICAL GAIN AND POLITICAL MOTIVATION.
AND DOUG, SIR, YOU'RE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT STATEMENT.
MY FINGERS BEING POINTED AT MERCHANT MAY HAVE IN THEIR COBOL MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, YOU HAVE A DUTY TO UPHOLD THE HONOR AND INTEGRITY OF OUR TOWN GOVERNMENT.
AND YOU HAVE A DUTY TO LOOK INTO MERCHANTS AND MAYBE ACTIONS.
AND IF YOU DETERMINE THAT, IN FACT, THEY CAN ASPIRE TO BYPASS VOYA, INTENTIONALLY IGNORED THE TOWN.
ATTORNEY'S LEGAL OPINION AND TOOK MATTERS IN THEIR OWN HANDS FOR POLITICAL GAIN IS MS. NELSON AND MS. HUBBARD BELIEF THAN YOU.
AND MY HUMBLE OPINION HAVE A DUTY TO UPHOLD THEM, BOTH, UH, HOLD THEM BOTH ACCOUNTABLE.
YOU JUST CAN'T SIMPLY IGNORE THIS DISGRACE THAT IS EMBARRASSED OUR COMMUNITY.
ONCE AGAIN, YOU CAN'T JUST WISH IT WOULD GO AWAY AND DO NOTHING.
IF YOU DETERMINE THAT MERCHANT DIDN'T IN FACT, TAKE PART IN THIS FAILED CLANDESTINE OPERATION, YOU MUST DEMAND HIS IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR HIS SHAMEFUL BEHAVIOR.
AND IF HE DOESN'T RESIGN, FORCE HIM OUT BY COURT ORDER FOR MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE, IF NECESSARY, IT'S CRYSTAL CLEAR, I'M ASKING YOU TO EXERCISE YOUR AUTHORITY, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, AND YOUR DUTY, AND BRING ABOUT TRUE ACCOUNTABILITY, THE INTEGRITY OF OUR PLANNING COMMISSION AND OUR TOWN GOVERNMENT AND YOUR PERSONAL INTEGRITY REST UPON WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND HONORABLE WITH THAT.
UM, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TONIGHT.
I'D LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.
WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU AND YOUR NEW TOWN MANAGER.
I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE A VERY BRIGHT, BRIGHT YEAR AHEAD OF YOU.
IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ALL
[9. a. Report of Town Manager]
RIGHT, UP NEXT REPORTS REPORT TO THE TOWN MANAGER, STEVEN, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS.UH, THE ONLY THING I HAVE TO REPORT ON IS A TOWN HALL WILL BE CLOSED ON THE 23RD AND 24TH TO, FOR CHRISTMAS.
AND I WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
[9. b. Report of Councilmembers]
UM, NEXT COUNCIL MEMBERS, ANYONE? UH, YES.UM, I TOO WOULD LIKE TO, UM, WISH ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES WHO WORK FOR THE TOWN OF MERRY CHRISTMAS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL THE CITIZENS OF OUR TOWN, A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AS WELL.
I JUST WANT TO ASK THE PLANT, THE COMP PLAN SURVEY, UM, THAT WE'VE BEEN ASKING OUR CITIZENS TO FILL OUT.
THEY WERE LOOKING FOR 3000 RESPONSES.
IT CLOSES DECEMBER 31ST AND WE HAVE 350.
WE GOT A LONG WAY TO CUT FOLKS.
SO IF YOU COULD, UH, LOG ONTO OUR WEBSITE OR THERE'S CARDS ALL OVER, I'VE GOT, WE'VE ALL GOT CARDS.
YOU CAN SCAN A QR CODE AND TAKE IT RIGHT TO THE SURVEY, BUT WE REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM OUR CITIZENS.
UM, ON THE SEVENTH I ATTENDED IT'S ABOUT THE COMP PLAN AND WE DECIDED TO TALK TO MEMBERS OF THE UNITED WAY AND SOME OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN OUR TOWN TO SEE WHAT KIND OF INPUTS AND THINGS THAT THEY NEED IN THIS COMP PLAN.
SO THEY COULD SPEAK FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT TAKE THE SURVEY OR HAVE TIME TO TAKE THE SURVEY.
UM, SO WE HAD THE HOUSE OF HOPE.
UM, THERE'S ANOTHER GROUP HERE CALLED GROUPS RECOVER TOGETHER, WHICH IS FAIRLY NEW TO OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT A YEAR OLD AND IT'S, UM, GROUP THERAPY KIND OF SESSIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION.
UM, BLUE RIDGE HOUSING WAS PRESENT, UM, SOLOMON'S TABLE.
UM, WE'RE GOING TO GET A WOMEN'S SHELTER.
UM, JUST A GOOD NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS WERE THERE.
I WENT INTO THINK, UH, LAUREN WAS THERE AND CONNIE MARSHA ORGANIZED AND IT WAS,
[00:25:01]
IT WAS FANTASTIC.UM, LATER THAT WEEK I WENT TO OUR HOLIDAY PARTY.
THEY ALL ARE HAPPY ABOUT THEIR TECHS, AND I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I GOTTA GET, I GOTTA GET WORK ON GETTING QUICKER ON THE DRAW.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO THANK DOUG FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO HIS TOWN AND THIS COMMUNITY.
I MISS MY, MY OPPORTUNITY WHEN THE, WHEN WE WERE HAVING THOSE, UM, THOSE COMMENTS AND, UH, YEAH, TH I THINK THAT'S IT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, MR. T DRAKE.
THERE'S A LOT TO DIGEST THERE.
UH, SO I CAN'T SAY THAT I HAVE MUCH TO SAY AT THIS POINT, BUT THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT TO LIGHT.
THAT'S IT MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY.
ANYONE ELSE? I TOO, JUST WANTED TO SAY, THANK YOU, DOUG, FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE TOWN AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY, YOUR INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE WILL BE SORELY MISSED.
THANK YOU, MATT, FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
I ALSO GOT TO ATTEND THE TOWN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY THIS YEAR, WHICH WAS A REAL TREAT.
THE TOWN DID A GREAT JOB, UM, GIVEN THE TOWN EMPLOYEES THE DAY OFF AND RECOGNIZING THE HARD WORK THAT THEY'VE PUT IN TO MAKE FRONT ROYAL GREAT.
UM, AND IT WAS NICE TO SEE THEM RECEIVE THEIR CHRISTMAS BONUSES, AND I'D LIKE TO WISH ALL THE TOWN EMPLOYEES AND THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN, A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR.
ANYONE ELSE MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE THAT WAS WAITING,
[9. c. Report of the Mayor]
UM, REPORT TO THE MAYOR.UM, I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL THE TOWN EMPLOYEES FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO.
UM, ROBBIE, HOPEFULLY THERE WON'T BE ANY EMERGENCY CALLS OVER THE HOLIDAYS, YOU KNOW, THAT WON'T HAPPEN TO HIM, BUT, UH, AND I REALLY THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL YOU DO.
UM, AND, UM, ALSO DOES ANYONE KNOW, DID THE LIGHTS GET FIXED DOWNTOWN? I, MY UNDERSTANDING, YES, UH, THERE MAY BE ONE OR TWO TREES BECAUSE THE SPACING WAS SO FAR AWAY.
BUT, UH, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP, MAYOR.
UH, YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED? I THINK IT'S, YOU KNOW, MORE ABOUT AN ARM WRESTLING, SO IT'S UNFOLD, FORTUNATELY, UH, AND THE CHIEF IS HERE AS WELL AS, UH, ROBBY BOY OR OUR POLO WORKS, BUT, UH, LAST NIGHT, UH, INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS, UH, DECIDED TO, UM, TO, UH, CUT SOME OF THE, THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WE HAVE DOWNTOWN.
AND I KNOW WE'RE LOOKING INTO IT AND OUR ENERGY DEPARTMENT'S REPAIRING IT, BUT IT'S UNFORTUNATE, BUT WE ARE LOOKING INTO IT.
SO, UM, WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'D JUST LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
[10. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS]
ALL RIGHT.UH, NEXT ITEMS. I HEAR A MOTION PLEASE.
UM, I JUST SAY MR. MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS PRESENTED SECOND, HAVE A SECOND, HAVE ANY DISCUSSION? UM, WE DID REMOVE, UH, 10 D UM, AND IT'S NOW IT'S 10 C KENZIE.
AND IT'S NOW 11 C IN THE BUSINESS ITEMS. UM, DID WE HAVE A SECOND, SECOND, HAVE A ROLL CALL PLEASE? VICE MAYOR.
[11. A. Appointments to Front Royal Economic Development Authority]
UP NEXT APPOINTMENTS TO THE FRONT ROW.ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
MS. PRESCOTT, YOU READ A SUMMARY PLEASE.
TOWN COUNCIL, REENACTED CHAPTER 16, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON JULY 13TH, 2020 TO ESTABLISH AND CREATE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
ALSO KNOWN AS THE FRONT ROYAL EDA PURSUANT TO TITLE 15.2 CHAPTER 49 OF THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND REVENUE BOND ACT OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA COUNCILS REQUESTED TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE FRONT ROW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
I MOVE THAT COUNCIL APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT APPOINTS MEMBERS TO THE FRONT ROW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AS PRESENTED.
THAT INCLUDES THE APPOINTMENTS OF ISAAC RUSHING.
FEEL FREE TO CORRECT ME TERM ENDING DECEMBER 13TH, 2022, DAVID TERM ENDING DECEMBER 13TH, 2020 TO RICHARD NOVAK TERM ENDING DECEMBER 13TH, 2023, MARK TAP SEC TERM ENDING DECEMBER 30TH, 2023.
[00:30:01]
STANK.TERM ENDING DECEMBER 13TH, 2024, JAMES CROUCH, JUNIOR TERM ENDING DECEMBER 13TH, 2024 AND NICK BASS TERM ENDING DECEMBER 13TH, 2025.
I HAVE A SECOND AND DISCUSSION SOME MAYOR THERE.
I'D LIKE TO HAVE A GROUP PICTURE.
WELL, NICK, AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE AT WRESTLING PRACTICE.
YOU GUYS WANT TO COME ON? OKAY, SO WE NEED A VOTE ON THIS, RIGHT? WHO SECONDED THE MOTION.
MS. PRESLEY, CAN WE HAVE A ROLL CALL PLEASE? I SMEAR COCKRELL.
[11. B. Appointments to the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee]
NEXT APPOINTMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE TOWN COUNCIL REENACTED CHAPTER 1 56, FORMERLY URBAN FORESTRY ON AUGUST 23RD, 2021 TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.ISAC IS A FIVE MEMBER BOARD CONSISTING OF THREE COUNCIL POINTED AT LARGE RESIDENTS, HIGH ONE HIGH SCHOOL, SENIOR, AND ONE TOWN EMPLOYEE WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN.
THE CHAIRMAN'S TEA IS TOWN ARBORIST, JIM OSBORNE, AND THE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR IS RMA STUDENT MAGGIE TO WELL COUNCIL'S REQUEST TO APPOINT THREE MEMBERS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
I MOVE THAT COUNCIL APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS PRESENTED.
THAT INCLUDES APPOINTMENTS OF HERSCHEL FINCH TERM ENDING DECEMBER 13TH, 2020 TO JIM PROPTER TERM ENDING DECEMBER 13TH, 2023 AND JEREMY RAY TERM ENDING DECEMBER 13TH, 2024 SECOND.
YOU WANT TO COME? ROBBIE? CAN YOU COME JOIN THE PITCHER?
[00:35:37]
ALRIGHTY.[10. C. Resolution to Adopt Schedule of Fees for Town Building Department – Lauren Kopishke]
UM, RESOLUTION TO ADOPT SCHEDULE A FEES FOR A TOWN BUILDING DEPARTMENT.MS. PROSECUTOR, READ A SUMMARY PLEASE.
PER TOWN CODE CHAPTER NINE DASH 3 0 2 TOWN COUNCIL, WHERE HE WAS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ADOPT AND PUBLISH A SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY THE BUILDING CODE OFFICIAL COUNCIL'S REQUEST TO, TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT ADOPTS THE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR THE TOWN'S BUILDING DEPARTMENT AS PRESENTED THE MOTION, PLEASE.
SO THIS MOTION I MOVED THAT TOWN COUNCIL APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT ADOPTS THE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR THE TOWN'S BUILDING DEPARTMENT AND ALLOWS THE TOWN MANAGER TO AMEND THE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE OF FEES FROM TIME TO TIME FOR THE TOWN'S BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
I HAVE A SECOND, SECOND, SECOND DISCUSSION.
WE HAVE A ROLL CALL, I GUESS MAYOR COCKREL YES.
[12. CLOSED MEETING – Personnel and Investment of Public Funds/Award of a Public Contract]
ARE CLOSED MEETINGS.SOMEONE WANT TO READ THIS OUT OR IN, I SHOULD SAY THAT'S GOD'S GUIDANCE.
MAYBE THE COUNCIL CONVENE AND GO INTO CLOSE MEETING, UH, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2 DASH 3 7 1 1 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA AS FOLLOWS WITH RESPECT TO A JOINT ENDEAVOR WITH ORGANIZATIONS LOCATED IN THE TOWN TO CONSIDER PROVISION OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES, A DISCUSSION OR CONSIDERATION OF THE INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND WHERE COMPETITION OR BARGAINING IS INVOLVED.
WHERE IF MADE PUBLIC INITIALLY IF FINANCIAL INTERESTS OF THE GOVERNMENT UNIT WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION A SIX AND B THE DISCUSSION OF THE AWARD OF A PUBLIC CONTRACT INVOLVING EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, INCLUDING INTERVIEWS OF BITTERS OR OFFERS AND DISCUSSION OF THE TERMS OR SCOPE OF SUCH CONTRACT OR A DISCUSSION IN AN OPEN MEETING WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE BARBECUE BARGAINING POSITION OR NEGOTIATING STRATEGY OF THE PUBLIC BODY PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION A 29 AND TWO DISCUSSION CONSIDERATION, OR INTERVIEWS OF PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATES FOR EMPLOYMENT, ASSIGNMENT, APPOINTMENT, PROMOTION, PERFORMANCE, DEMOTION, SALARIES, DISCIPLINING, OR RESIGNATION OF SPECIFIC PUBLIC OFFICER'S APPOINTEES ARE EMPLOYEES OF ANY PUBLIC BODY SPECIFIC TO THE LOCAL BOARD OF A BUILDING CODE APPEALS AND THE FRONT ROYAL BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION A ONE SECOND.
YOU HAVE A ROLL CALL PLEASE? VICE MAYOR COCKRELL.
THAT CONCLUDES OUR OPEN MEETING.