Sep 14, 2020 Town Council

COUNCILMAN HOLLOWAY HERE.

COUNCILMAN MEZA HERE.

COUNCILMAN THOMPSON.

[4. Approval of Minutes]

NEXT ITEM DENIED IS, UH, APPROVAL OF MINUTES.

REGGER CATS MAY NEED SOME MEETINGS WORK SESSION COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES, AUGUST 24, 2020.

DO I HEAR A MOTION, MR. MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE REGULAR COUNCIL AND WORK SESSION.

COUNCIL MEETING, MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST THE 24TH, 2020 AS PRESENTED HERE A SEC, SECOND MOTION A SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED MOTION CARRIED.

[5. Receipt of Petitions and/or Correspondence from the Public]

ITEM TONIGHT IS RE RECEIVED PETITIONS OR CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE PUBLIC.

UH, MS. PREVIS DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS TONIGHT? YES, SIR.

WE HAVE TWO.

THE FIRST ONE IS TIMOTHY RADIGAN TIM RADIGAN 607 NINE STONEWALL JACKSON HIGHWAY.

YOU'LL HAVE TO FORGIVE ME FOR MY VOICE.

I'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF TALKING YOU ANJA BULLET, AND THEN TWO DEPUTIES IN CALIFORNIA ARE SHOT IN THERE AND THEY'RE BEING UNCLE DODGE, A BULLET.

AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.

ACTUALLY, TONIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK OUR INTERIM TOWN MANAGER, MR. KENDRICK, THE FRONT ROYAL POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND ANY OTHER TOWN OFFICIAL WHO WAS INVOLVED IN HELPING US MAKE OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION PARADE A HUGE SUCCESS.

NOW WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO I'D LIKE TO EXPOUND ON THAT JUST A LITTLE BIT.

I FIND IT ABSOLUTELY REFRESHING AND WONDERFUL THAT THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL HAS THE ABILITY TO LOOK AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT EVENTS AND FIND A WAY TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE EVENTS SO THAT EACH ONE OF THOSE EVENTS ARE A SUCCESS.

A FEW MONTHS AGO, AN EVENT WAS HELD WHERE THE GROUP NEEDED A ROUTE CLOSE TO THEIR VENUE AND THEIR, THEIR VENUE WAS BING CROSBY STADIUM.

THAT WAS WHAT THEY NEEDED.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY GOT.

OUR EVENT WAS VASTLY DIFFERENT.

WE NEEDED A SHORT AND DIRECT ROUTE THROUGH THE TOWN OF ROYAL WHERE THE, UH, WHERE WE WOULD GET THE MOST SENSIBILITY, BOTH EVENTS WERE VASTLY DIFFERENT AND THEY WORKED OUT WONDERFULLY.

SO THAT SHOULD BE A CREDIT TO THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL, THE INTERNAL, THE TOWN MANAGER, AND ALL PARTIES INVOLVED THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE UNIQUENESS OF EACH EVENT AND WAS ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE BOTH WITH LITTLE TO NO PROBLEM.

IT WAS A WONDERFUL EVENT.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK ANY OF THE TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO TOOK

[00:05:01]

TIME OUT OF THEIR DAYS.

AND THEY'RE VERY BUSY LIVES WITH CAMPAIGNING AND EVERYTHING AND ATTENDED THE PARADE.

IT WAS A VERY POSITIVE UPGRADE, A VERY POSITIVE ONE.

THE ONLY DOWNSIDE WAS THAT SOMEONE MANAGED TO SNEAK A CONFEDERATE FLAG INTO IT.

NOW THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE ABOUT.

WE ARE ABOUT SHOWING SUPPORT AND DEFENDING, PRAYING, AND DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SHOW OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT ITS CITIZENS STAND BEHIND THEM.

ESPECIALLY DURING A TIME WHEN THEIR IMMUNITY WAS ALMOST STRIPPED AWAY FROM THEM.

THANK GOD.

THAT WAS NOT.

THAT WAS THE, THAT WAS THE BULLET THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT AND THE SIMPLE FACT THAT THEY GIVE THEIR THEIR LIVES DAY AFTER DAY WITHOUT KNOWING WHEN OR IF THEY'LL COME HOME.

LET ME SEE THAT IN NORTH CAROLINA, WHEN A 35 YEAR OLD DEPUTY WAS RESPONDING TO A ROBBERY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE WAS APPEARING TO COOPERATE.

AND THEN THE NEXT THING HE KNOWS, HE PULLS THE GUN AND HE SHOOTS HIM THIS 35 YEAR OLD MARINE CORPS VET AND DAPHNE, AND TWO CHILDREN, TWO BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AND FIANCE, WHERE HE WAS ONCE LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING MARRIED TO HIS FIANCE AND CREATING A WONDERFUL FAMILY ON OCTOBER 20TH AND THEIR FAMILY IS NOW DREADING THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE TO LAY HIM TO REST.

SO WHEN YOU ARE BLESSED TO HAVE A LAW ENFORCEMENT LIKE OURS, AND I HOPE TO GOD, THE TOWN COUNCIL WAS WISE ENOUGH TO DO EVERYTHING TO KEEP IT.

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, TIM.

NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE.

BRUCE RAPPAPORT, BRUCE RAPPAPORT, 300 WEST MAIN STREET FROM ROYAL VIRGINIA.

UH, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT.

AND, UH, WHEN IT STARTED OFF WITH A SHORT STORY, UH, MANY OF YOU, UH, REMEMBER MY MOTHER'S BUSINESS ON MAIN STREET, BOSTON STORE THERE FOR 71 YEARS.

AND, UH, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU A SHORT STORY OF AROUND EASTER TIME, BACK IN SIXTIES AND SEVENTIES, MAYBE EVEN THE EIGHTIES, UH, WOMEN FROM FARM, UH, UH, FARM WOMEN, UH, THEY WOULD COME IN AROUND EASTER AND, UH, IT WAS, IT WAS BEFORE LIKE THE CROPS KIND OF LIKE WERE READY TO GO OUT FOR SALE AND MONEY WAS TIGHT.

SO ANYWAY, UM, THESE LADIES, WE COME IN AND, UH, I DON'T MEAN THE BOY BOARD, HE FOLKS WITH THIS, BUT THEY WOULD COME IN, I'M GETTING TO A POINT THEY WOULD COME IN AND, UH, UH, GOSH, THEY WOULD SAY, AH, THAT'S A NICE LOOKING DRESS OVER THERE.

I SURE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT FOR EASTER.

AND SO MY MOTHER, THEY WOULD CALL HER MISS ELEANOR AND, UH, SHE'D COME OVER ALL FIVE FOOT TALL OVER, COME ON OVER AND, UH, FITTER, FED HER UP IN THE DRESS AND GET HER IN THAT THREE WAY MIRROR THAT WAS IN THE BACK LITTLE KIDS LOVED AND MARKED IT UP WITH HER NAILS AND HANDS.

AND, UH, AND UH, I SAW THAT LOOKS SO NICE.

AND, BUT I, I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.

UH, WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY RIGHT NOW.

AND, UH, WELL IT SAYS, WELL, YOU KNOW, LET'S GET YOU A PAIR OF SHOES AND THEY'D GO OVER AND GET HER A PAIR OF SHOES AND THEY LOOK REAL NICE.

AND THEN LET'S FIT YOU WITH A LITTLE POCKET BOOK AND THEN, UH, OH, BY THE WAY, IT'S EASTER, LET'S GET YOU A LITTLE EASTER HAT.

SO, UH, ALL OF THAT CAME DOWN.

WELL, SHE'D SAY MISS ELEANOR, IT LOOKS SO GREAT, BUT I REALLY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY YOU.

AND MY MOTHER WOULD SAY DOTTY OR WHATEVER YOUR NAME WAS.

YOU KNEW YOU REALLY DON'T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.

UH, YOU COME IN AND YOU PAY WHEN YOU CAN.

AND I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT LADY WOULD COME IN EVERY WEEK AND SHE WOULD PUT LIKE $10 DOWN OR $5 DOWN.

AND, UH, AND SHE WAS SO HAPPY AND THEY WOULD HUG AND, AND THEN THEY GO ON, WELL,

[00:10:01]

WHAT I JUST DESCRIBED YOU TO YOU IS THE DEFINITION OF A MORAL OBLIGATION, AND THIS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE ARE UP AGAINST WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO PAY.

WE HAVE TAKEN RESIDENCY THERE.

THE HYPOCRISY OF IT ALL IS WHEN I'LL WALK INTO THE POLICE STATION, THERE IS A, A DEDICATION SIGN THERE, BUT WE'VE NOT PAID A NICKEL FOR IT EXCEPT FOR YOUR $10,000.

UH, SO THE POINT IS YOU, A QUICK DEFINITION IS MORE OBLIGATION DUTY, WHICH ONE OWES IN WHICH HE OUGHT TO PERFORM, BUT WHICH HE IS NOT LEGALLY BOUND TO FULFILL.

YES, YOU'RE NOT LEGALLY BOUND TO FULFILL BECAUSE IT WAS FINANCED AT A RATE THAT YOU DIDN'T LIKE, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO TAKE RESONANCY FOR.

SO, AND I COULD GO ON AND TALK ABOUT THE LEECHES FROM PARKWAY, THE $15 MILLION PROJECT THAT THE STATE PAID $8 MILLION AND WE OWE 34% AND THE COUNTY IS 66%.

WELL, SOMEBODY'S PAYING THAT DOWN EVERY MONTH OR EVERY QUARTER.

JUST WANT YOU ALL TO THINK ABOUT THAT.

UH, YOU KNOW, GOING FORWARD THAT WE'RE COMING UP CLOSE TO WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO START PAYING IN PRINCIPLE.

YOU HAVE A PAYMENT COMING UP IN OCTOBER AND, UH, YEAH, IN NOVEMBER, YOU'RE GOING TO END UP HAVING TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL.

SO LET'S GET THE INTEREST RATE, THE LOW INTEREST RATES.

NOW YOU HAVE THE BONDS, UM, FINANCE IT AND LET'S MAKE THE PAYMENTS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

DO WE HAVE ANY MORE SPEAKERS? NO, SIR.

REPORTS, UH, INTERIM TOWN MANAGER, MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.

NEXT ITEM TONIGHT IS ITEM SIX

[6a. Report of special committees or Town Officials and Interim Town Manager]

THE ONLY THING I WANTED TO, UH, GO OVER THIS EVENINGS, WE HAVE A BENEFACTOR, UH, BY THE NAME OF FRANK WHO IS GOING TO BE DONATING SOME, UH, BANNERS AND SIGNAGE FOR MAIN STREET.

UH, HE WAS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE, UM, THE ARTISTIC, UH, WARREN COUNTY, UH, ARTISTS TO DESIGN THE BANNERS AND, AND, UH, WE'RE REALLY HOPEFUL THAT IT'S GOING TO ADD SOME VALUE TO MAIN STREET.

AND SO WE JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT, UM, THAT'S GOING TO BE COMING HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WE HOPE SO.

YOU'LL SEE SOME MORE VIBRANT SIGNS AND BANNERS AND, UH, PARKING SIGNS ON MAIN STREET.

SO I JUST WANT TO LET COUNCIL KNOW THAT THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

THANK YOU, MATT LEFT SIDE OF THE DICE

[6b. Requests and inquiries of Council members.]

REQUESTING INQUIRIES FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MR. MAYOR.

I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO YOU.

I THINK FRANK FOR HIS GENEROUS DONATION AND ALSO, UM, THE POLICE APPRECIATION PARADE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS.

AND, UH, MY SON AND I ATTENDED THAT, UM, WAS THAT LAST WEEK OR THE OTHER WEEK.

UM, SO I THINK THAT'S IT FOR ME.

I JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY.

ANYONE ELSE, MR. MAYOR? UH, UM, JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE, UM, I AS WELL ATTENDED THE BACK, THE BLUE BRIGHT AND IT WAS, IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS, I THINK.

IS TIM STILL HERE? YES.

AND JEAN THAT, IT, IT, UM, LOTS OF CROWDS, LOTS OF PEOPLE, LOTS OF SPORT.

I HOPE THEY FELT IT.

UM, ALSO ONE TO THANK OUR, OUR BENEFACTOR FRANK FOR THE SIGNS, SOMEBODY WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW THE BANNER BANNERS WOULD BE NICE THERE.

SO I'M GLAD SOMEBODY IS DOING THAT.

UM, ANOTHER THING, MR. RAPPAPORT, I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY, WE, WE DIDN'T PAY $10,000 YET.

I JUST, IT, WE OFFERED IT THAT IT WAS, IT WAS NOT THAT NOBODY, NOBODY TOOK US UP ON IT.

UM, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WHEN YOU SAID THAT.

GOT IT.

NO, THAT'S OKAY.

I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW.

UM, THE NEXT THING IS AN AN I, UM, I'M ASKING AND, UH, ABOUT ELECTRIC.

SO I KEEP HAVING CITIZENS ASKING ME ABOUT WHY WE KEEP HAVING LIKE ELECTRIC OR ELECTRIC CUTOFF AND STOPPED, UM, AND LIKE FLICKERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND IT'S HAPPENED ENOUGH NOW THAT I WAS THINKING, I MIGHT ADDRESS THIS HERE AT THE PUBLIC AND MAYBE ASK FOR SOMEBODY TO EXPLAIN THAT A LITTLE BIT.

UM, I HAD BEEN HEARING CITIZENS HAVE BEEN APPROACHING ME YESTERDAY.

I HAPPENED TO BE IN THE GROCERY STORE WHEN THE ELECTRICITY WENT OFF AND PEOPLE WERE ALL TALKING ABOUT, CAUSE THERE WAS NO STORM.

THERE WAS NO, YOU KNOW, THERE WASN'T ANY SWARMS OF IT DIDN'T REALLY MAKE SENSE.

AND THEN I KNOW WHEN WE GOT TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING, UM, YOU KNOW, IT, ALL THE CLOCKS WERE OFF.

ALL THE, EVERYTHING WAS SET.

[00:15:01]

I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO ASK AN OPEN SESSION ABOUT WHAT COULD BE HAPPENING.

SO MR. THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

THANKS MS. COCHRAN.

UM, UM, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO DAVID JENKINS, OUR DIRECTOR OF ENERGY SERVICES.

EVERY MONDAY WE HAVE A STAFF MEETING AND, UH, HE PROVIDES A REPORT OF WHAT TRANSPIRED OVER THE WEEK.

AND, UM, AND THEN AT THE SAME TIME, UH, OCCASIONALLY HE GOES OVER SOME ANNUAL FIGURES.

SO, UM, HE'S HERE TONIGHT.

HE'S ON, HE'S HERE FOR ANOTHER MEETING MATTER, BUT I THOUGHT HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ADDRESS, ARE YOU PREPARED TO ADDRESS THEM THOSE QUESTIONS? ABSOLUTELY.

SORRY.

I JUST THOUGHT HE MAY BE GOOD FOR EVERYBODY.

I COULD ASK YOU PERSONALLY, BUT I COULDN'T TELL EVERYBODY.

SO THIS LED TO RIGHT, THIS MAY STOP SOME OF THE PHONE CALLS THAT WE'VE RECEIVED AS A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.

AND I CAN ASSURE EVERYONE THAT WE'RE ALWAYS ADDRESSING IT.

AND TO START OFF WITH WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE JUST RECENTLY IS PROBABLY DUE TO AS MORE BEING AT HOME HERE THAN WE'VE EVER BEEN BEFORE, BECAUSE I ACTUALLY, THIS YEAR, WE'RE ACTUALLY HAVING A LOT LESS POWER OUTAGES THIS YEAR, TRENDING FROM WHAT IT'S BEEN IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS.

AND HERE IN A FEW MINUTES, I'LL GIVE YOU SOME RESULTS ON THAT, BUT IF IT'S OKAY, I'D JUST LIKE TO START WITH WHAT THE TOWN HAS AND THE WHOLE THING OF WHAT WE GO THROUGH.

I'LL MAKE IT TURN TURNING INTO A LONG ANSWER, SO TO SPEAK.

BUT ANYHOW, YOU KNOW, AS Y'ALL KNOW, THE TOWN, YOU KNOW, OWNS AND OPERATES ITS OWN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.

WE BUY ALL OUR WHOLESALE POWER FROM AMERICAN MUNICIPAL POWER, WHICH TRAVELS THROUGH TRANSMISSION LINES IS OWNED BY FIRST ENERGY AND RAPPAHANNOCK ELECTRIC.

AND THEN IT DUMPS INTO FIVE SUB STATIONS THAT WE OWN ON BEING ON THE NASA'S AVENUE, KENDRICK LANE, AND THEN ANOTHER ONE ON REMOUNT ROAD.

AND THEN WE HAVE ONE, I DON'T HAPPY CREEK AREA OUT IN ROUTE 606, AND THEN ONE 81 STRAUSBERG ROAD THAT DOES THE RIVERTON AREA ANYHOW, OUT OF THAT COMES 16 DIFFERENT CIRCUITS.

SO ESSENTIALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN YOU SEE A POWER OUTAGE OR A MOMENTARY OUTAGES, WHAT WE CALL IT IS THAT MOMENTARY OUTAGE THAT YOU'RE SEEING IS ACTUALLY PROTECTING THE TOWN'S EQUIPMENT.

SO THERE'S REALLY TWO OPTIONS.

ONE IS, IS THIS JUST SAY THAT, UH, UH, ANIMAL CONTACTS ON THE LAND.

THEM WAS FROM OUR TRANSMISSION PROVIDER AND THAT'S, IN OTHER WORDS, THE, THE LINES THAT FEED OUR SUBSTATIONS WENT DOWN.

THAT THING TRAVELS ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE SUBSTATION.

THE MAIN BREAKER SEES IT.

AND WHAT IT DOES IS IT MOMENTARILY OPENS UP, BUT THEN IT SAYS, WELL, LET'S SEE IF THE FAULT IS STILL ON THE LAND.

AND IT GOES BACK OUT AGAIN.

IF THE FALL HAS CLEARED, THEN THE ONLY OUTAGE THAT YOU SEE IS LOCALIZED INTO MAYBE SAY SOMETIMES SIX CUSTOMERS, 15 CUSTOMERS, WHATEVER THE IS.

SO THE OTHER OPTION THAT WOULD BE IS EVERYBODY ON THAT CIRCUIT GOING OUT.

SO ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, NOBODY FOLLOWS THAT.

THAT, BECAUSE JUST FOR ONE THING IS YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES WHEN YOU WENT BACK TO LOOK INTO IT.

SO THAT'S, THAT'S THE LONG ANSWER OF THAT, BUT, UH, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE, THAT THE BLINKS SO TO SPEAK ARE VERY INCONVENIENT, MAKES YOU CLOCKS HAVE TO RESET PEOPLE'S ON THEIR COMPUTERS TODAY, BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME STATISTICS OF, UM, OF WHAT WE'RE FINDING AND SEE, WE'RE ALWAYS TRACKING THIS EVERY YEAR WE HAVE WHAT'S CALLED AN E RELIABILITY SYSTEM THAT WE'RE A PART OF.

AND, UM, SO WHAT IT DOES IS GIVE STATISTICS AND IT AMOUNTS IT, IT COMPARES US TO ALL THE OTHER, UM, POWER COMPANIES THAT HAVE SIGNED UP WITH THIS AS WELL.

AND IF Y'ALL RECALL LAST YEAR, WE ACTUALLY GOT AN AWARD FOR OUR RESPONSE TIME TO THAT, AS WELL AS PER NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS AND HOW MANY PAIRS OUTAGES OR WAS COMPARED TO THAT SAME TYPE OF NUMBERS.

SO WE ACTUALLY WON AN AWARD OFF OF THAT, BUT, BUT SO FAR THIS YEAR THERE'S BEEN A TOTAL SINCE JANUARY ONE OF 59 POWER OUTAGES WITHIN THE TEAM, 17 OF THEM WAS CAUSED BY ANIMAL CONTACT, WHICH COULD BE MOST OF THE TIME, IT'S A SQUIRREL, BUT IT CAN BE A BIRD SQUIRREL, RACCOON, MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.

WHEN THAT NETS, THERE WAS 15 BY EQUIPMENT FAILURE, WHICH MEANS THAT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE, UH, A TRANSFORMER WAS BAD OR A BAD CUT OUT LIGHTNING ARRESTERS MAYBE THERE'S LIGHTENING IN THE AREA.

IT WAS PROTECTING THE LIGHTENING, ARRESTERS ACTUALLY PROTECT OUR EQUIPMENT.

AND THEN THE, THERE WAS 11 CALLS BY TREE.

AND THIS NUMBER HERE FROM NUMBERS IN THE PAST IS REALLY SOMETHING NINE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS.

SO FAR THIS YEAR IT'S CAUSED BY POWER OUTAGES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS WHEN WE LOOK BACK AND IT WAS ONLY ONE VEHICLE ACCIDENT US, DIDN'T THAT.

SO, AND THEN, UM, THREE OF

[00:20:01]

AND FOR THAT, WE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS WE REACH OUT TO RAPPAHANNOCK ELECTRIC.

WHO'S OUR LAST POINT OF DELIVERY.

FIND OUT IF THEY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE THEM TO CLEAR UP IF IT'S NOT GONNA BE ANY REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME, THEN WE SWITCHED THE FOLKS OVER TO ANOTHER CIRCUIT HIGH TO ANOTHER SUBSTATION.

SO, AND THEN FOR THOSE WAS JUST STRAIGHT UP ON THE, WE, WE GET OUT THERE AND JUST COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM ANYWHERE.

SO, BUT, UM, IN 2000, AND IN 2018, THERE WAS 153 POWER OUTAGES TOTAL WITHIN THE TAIL 2019 WAS ONE 38.

AND LIKE I SAID, TODAY, WE'RE AT 59.

SO WE ARE CONSTANTLY, UM, DOING, UM, MAINTENANCE TO PREVENT POWER OUTAGES.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF, WE PUT UP A LOT OF SQUIRREL GUARDS AND LITTLE SQUIRRELS ARE JUST SO FEISTY.

THEY FOUND WAYS THROUGH THOSE THINGS, BUT, UM, WHEN THEY PAY THE PRICE, YEAH, THEY DO.

THEY DO THAT.

AND, UM, YOU KNOW, THEN AS WELL, WE HAVE, UH, A POLE INSPECTION PROGRAM THAT COMES AROUND EVERY FIVE YEARS.

THAT'S A COMPANY THAT WE HIRE TO EVALUATE OUR UTILITY POLES.

YOU KNOW, THEY ACTUALLY DO SOME BORN INTO THEM TO SEE IF IT'S RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE INSIDE.

AND SO THEN THEY GIVE US A LIST.

WE GO OUT AND CHANGE THEM.

AND THEN AS WELL, YOU KNOW, TELEPHONE COMPANY, THEY OWN A LOT OF THE RENT POLES HERE IN TOWN AS WELL.

AND THEY DO THE SAME TYPE THINGS.

ONCE A YEAR, WE HAVE A GUY THAT COMES IN WITH A THERMAL VISION, UH, CAMERA AND HE CHECKS FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT HOT SPOTS AND HE POINTS IT BACK TO US AND WE GO AND MAKE HIM REPAIRS OFF OF THAT.

SO, AND THEN IT'S JUST A CONSTANTLY TRIMMING TREES, WHICH IS A, A BATTLE WITHIN ITSELF.

SO THANK YOU.

AND, AND THIS IS JUST AN OBSERVATION, BUT I DO WONDER IF, BECAUSE MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HOME THIS YEAR WORKING FROM HOME THAT MAYBE, MAYBE THESE THINGS HAPPENED, BUT THEY WERE AT WORK AND THEY DIDN'T NOTICE IT.

BUT AS YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE HOME, THEY'RE WORKING FROM HOME, THEY'RE ON THE COMPUTERS AND THEY THEY'RE NOTICING IT MORE.

WHEREAS IF YOU'RE, IF YOU'RE NOT HOME AND YOU COME HOME AT NIGHT, UNLESS YOU SEE YOUR CLOCK OFF, YOU DON'T REALLY REALIZE WHETHER OR NOT YOU LOST POWER.

AND THEN, THEN TODAY TOO, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF OUR TECHNOLOGY IS GETTING SO SENSITIVE AND HAVING JUST THE LITTLEST THING.

SO IT USED TO BE THAT SOMETIMES SOME ALARM CLOCKS WOULDN'T EVEN NOTICE IT, BUT TODAY THEY'RE JUST SO SENSITIVE THAT EVERYTHING CATCHES IT.

SO, YEAH.

THANK YOU, MR. JAKE.

I APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THAT.

THANK YOU ALL.

THANKS DAVID.

ANYONE ELSE? I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, UH, I PARTICIPATED IN THE, UH, BACK THE BLUE, UH, PARADE AND IT WAS, UH, IT WAS FAR MORE, UH, VEHICLES THERE THAN I HAD ACTUALLY THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE.

IT WAS, IT WAS A LOT, UM, AND ALSO WANT TO THANK FRANK, UH, FOR THE DONATION.

THAT'S GREAT.

THAT'S AWESOME.

UM, AND ALSO, UH, UH, I'D LIKE TO TOUCH ON MR. RAPPAPORT'S, UH, CONCERN ABOUT THE TOWNS OBLIGATIONS TO THE EDA.

UM, LAST WEEK, UH, I'VE HAD A FEW PEOPLE COME TO ME AND ASK ME THE SAME THING.

SO WHAT I DID, I GOT, UH, WITH OUR OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS, UM, AND THEN, UH, UM, GOT TOGETHER AND WE PUT TOGETHER PRESS RELEASE, UM, THAT I LIKE TO READ TONIGHT IF I COULD.

AND MR. RUBIN.

YEAH, IT IS.

WELL-KNOWN THAT THE ACTIONS OF THE EX EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF WARREN AND THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL, OTHERWISE REFERRED TO AS THE EDA HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT AND ECONOMIC FINANCIAL HARM TO THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL, THE COUNTY OF WARN THE EDA AND THE TAXPAYERS, AND HAVE RESULTED IN THE FILINGS OF TWO LAWSUITS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF WARREN COUNTY.

SO I WANT TO JUST TAKE A FEW MINUTES HERE TO DISCUSS THE TOWN'S POSITION TO THESE MATTERS AND CLEAR UP ANY MISCONCEPTIONS THAT MAY EXIST DUE TO IMPART THE EDA EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY MAKING STATEMENTS THAT ARE ENTIRELY INACCURATE DURING THE RELEVANT TIME PERIOD.

THE WARREN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OVERSAW THE EDA.

IT APPOINTED ALL BOARD MEMBERS AND PROVIDED FUNDING FOR THE EDA OPERATIONS, BUT IT DID NOT ACTUALLY OPERATE THE EDA BY LAW.

THE EDA IS A SEPARATE POLITICAL ENTITY EMPOWERED AND IN FACT, REQUIRED BY STATE

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AND REQUIRED BY STATUTE TO ACT ON ITS OWN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY, THE TOWN AND THE COMMONWEALTH.

AGAIN, BY STATUTE, THE EDA IS OPERATED BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THE DIRECTORS MAKE DECISIONS AND TAKE ACTION AND ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE EDA.

THE EDA BOARD HIRED AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JENNIFER MACDONALD, JENNIFER MACDONALD, I'M SORRY, JENNIFER MCDONALD TO ACT AS THE PRIMARY MANAGER ON ITS BEHALF, BUT MERELY HIRING A DIRECTOR AND EMPOWERING THAT PERSON DOES NOT, OF COURSE, SHIELD THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FROM LIABILITY FOR THE FDA'S ACTIONS.

THE EDA GAVE ITS EX EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MCDONALD UNFETTERED AUTHORITY TO ACCESS AND USE FUNDS EARN MORE FOR TOWN AND COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THEN ABSOLUTELY FAILED TO OVERSEE HER USE THESE FUNDS AS A RESULT, MANS OF DOLLARS OF THE TOWN AND COUNTY FUNDS WERE STOLEN, CONVERTED OR MISUSED.

THE EDA IS RESPONSIBLE TO THE TOWN FOR THE WRONGFUL ACTS OF ITS EX EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MACDONALD INSTEAD OF ACCEPTING SOME RESPONSIBILITY AND BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO THE CITIZENS AND WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THE TOWN IN GOOD FAITH TO RECTIFY THE MIS THIS MESS CREATED BY ITS EMPLOYEE.

THE EDA BOARD HAS INSTEAD TAKING A REGRETTABLE AND THEN SEEMINGLY PATH OF POINTING FINGERS EVERYWHERE, BUT AT ITSELF, AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID THE CONSEQUENCES OF ITS MASSIVE FAILURE OF OVERSIGHT.

IT IS THIS FAILURE OF THE EDA TO TAKE ACTION AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HARM CAUSED BY ITS X X EX EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MACDONALD TO THE TOWN AND TAXPAYERS THAT FORCE THE TOWN TO FILE ITS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE EDA.

THE TOWN HAS MADE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO WORK WITH THE EDA TO TROUBLESHOOT AND RESOLVE THE ISSUES.

THE EDA NEGLIGENCE.

YOU HATE IT, BUT MERELY HAS BEEN LARGELY BEEN EITHER IGNORED OR SOMEHOW BLAMED BY THE EDA FOR THE ADA'S OWN FAILINGS AND MISDEEDS, PERHAPS THE BEST AND MOST PRESSING EXAMPLE OF THE EDA IS FAILURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY CONCERNS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TOWN OF FORT ROYAL POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS.

THE TOWN DOES NOT DISPUTE THAT.

IT AGREED TO FUND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR THE TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT, NOR DOES THE TOWN DISPUTE THAT IT KNEW THE CONSTRUCTION WERE REQUIRED.

THE EDA TO OBTAIN FUND FINANCING.

THE DISPUTE CENTERS ON THE PROMISES MADE BY THE EDA TO THE TOWN COUNCIL, THAT IT WOULD OBTAIN FINANCING FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ACCORDING TO PACIFIC AND FAVORABLE FINANCING TERMS, TOWN COUNCIL ACCEPTED THE PROMISE AND AUTHORIZED THE EDA TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PRO PROJECT.

ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EDA PROMISED TERMS BEFORE CONSTRUCTION BEGAN, THE EX EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EDA TOLD THE TOWN THAT THE EDA HAD IN FACT OBTAINED AUTHORIZED FINANCING, AS STATED BY THE EX EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THEN ASKED FOR AN UPDATE.

THE MONEY IS IN OUR ACCOUNTS.

THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A LOT.

THE LOAN ACTUALLY OBTAINED BY THE EDA TO BUILD THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE LOAN THAT THE EDA PROMISED THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL APPROVED THE LOAN OBTAINED BY THE EDA WOULD RESULT IN THE TOWN PAYING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MORE IN INTEREST ACCORDINGLY SINCE THE LOAN HAS, WAS OBTAINED WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION OR CONSENT OF THE TALENT COUNCIL, THE TOWN HAS OF COURSE, REFUSED TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE FRAUDULENT LOAN AND HAS EXPLORED OTHER MEANS OF RESOLVING THE ISSUE THE TOWN OPERATES AND THE SERVICE OF THE CITIZENS AND AT THEIR WILL.

THE TOWN BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED IN OPEN PUBLIC FORUM WHERE TAXPAYERS ARE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE AND BE HEARD.

AND THE ACTIONS OF THE TOWN ARE AUTHORIZED BY A PROPER VOTE OF ELECTED OFFICIALS.

WHEN TOWN COUNCIL WILL EMPOWER THE EDA TO BUILD A POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT DID SO IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCESS AND SUCH MADE CERTAIN PROMISES AND REPRESENTATIONS TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PROJECT WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED.

THE EDA KNEW THAT THE LOAN IT WAS OBTAINING TO BUILD THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT TOWN COUNCIL HAD APPROVED, RATHER THAN GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

THE EDA CHOSE TO PROCEED OUTSIDE OF THE PROCESS AND OBTAIN THE LINE WITHOUT TALENT COUNCIL APPROVAL.

THE EDA CONTINUES TO MAKE STATEMENTS TO REPORTERS THAT END UP IN LOCAL NEWSPAPERS THAT INCLUDE THE NOTION THAT THE ACCOUNT IS SOMEHOW OBLIGATED TO REPAY A FRAUDULENT ON AUTHORIZED LOAN.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT THE EDS PROTESTATIONS WILL

[00:30:01]

BECOME MORE URGENT AT AS OCTOBER APPROACHES SINCE THAT IS WHEN THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS UNDER THE LOAN START TO BECOME DUE AND PAYABLE.

HOWEVER, SINCE THE LOAN WAS OBTAINED BY THE EDA IN ITS OWN NAME WITHOUT TOWN COUNCIL APPROVAL OR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, IT IS THE EDS SOLE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAY.

I WANT TO MAKE A CLEAR, THE TOWN WILL NOT PAY ANY FINANCIAL OBLIGATION INCURRED BY THE EDA FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TOWN THAT WAS OBTAINED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF TOWN COUNCIL, AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

ALL THE TOWN HAS NO OBLIGATION LEGAL, MORAL, OR OTHERWISE TO REPAY THESE UNLAWFUL DEBTS, BUT INSTEAD HAS A DUTY TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE TOWN TO REJECT THEM, SUGGESTING OTHERWISE UNDERMINES THE VERY PURPOSE BEHIND OPERATING A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION IN THE OPEN AND ALLOWING CITIZENS THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD IN A SIMILAR VEIN.

THE TOWN HAS BEEN PAYING AND WILL CONTINUE TO PAY ANY AND ALL DEBTS INCURRED BY THE EDA ON THE TALENT'S BEHALF THAT WERE AUTHORIZED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL, AS SUCH AS A, AS REPEATEDLY AND CONSTANTLY TOLD TO THE COUNTY AND THE EDA, THE TOWN IS WILLING TO MAKE PAYMENTS TO THE EDA FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS THAT ARE EQUAL TO THE PAYMENTS THAT TOWN COUNCIL AUTHORIZED, WHICH INCLUDE THE ENTIRE PRINCIPAL DEBT AND AUTHORIZED INTEREST RATE AND THE INTEREST OF GOOD AND WILL.

AND THE SPIRIT OF THE COMPROMISE.

THE TOWN EVEN OFFERED PURSUANT TO A LETTER OF INTENT SIGNED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL, WHICH WOULD HAVE ENDED THE LAWSUIT BETWEEN THE TOWN AND THE EDA TO PAY A PORTION OF THE ACCESS INTEREST PAYMENTS THROUGH ITS FUNDING OF THE EDA.

BUT THIS OFFER WAS SUMMARILY REJECTED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WITHOUT EXPLANATION OR FURTHER COMMENT.

THE TOWN OF FRONT ROYAL HAS AND IS WILLING, HAS, AND IS WORKING HARD TO RESOLVE THE MANY FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES CAUSED BY THE ACTIONS OF ITS EX EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EDA AND HER COHORTS.

AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO SO WITH, OR WITHOUT PARTICIPATION OF THE COUNTY OR ADA, IF NECESSARY.

THANKS.

ANYONE ELSE MAKES I HAVE HERE

[6c. Report of the Mayor]

FOR THE MAYOR? UH, HA I HAVE NINE, BUT OTHER THAN THANKING THE PEOPLE FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT TO OUR MEETING NEXT, I HAVE DENIED HIS PROPOSALS WHERE DELETIONS OF ITEMS TO THE AGENDA.

AGENDA ITEMS WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT, UH, F Y 20 2021 AND 22 BUDGET CALENDAR.

NEXT ITEM TONIGHT IS THE CONSENT

[7. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS]

SECOND ONE EXTENSION OF CONTRACT WITH BUSINESS RECOVERY CONSULTING SERVICES AND BID FOR VARIOUS SIZE OF TRANSFORMER.

AND THE FOURTH ONE IS BID FOR TRANSFORMER AND REPLACEMENT AT KENDRICK LANE SUBSTATION TO HEAR A MOTION TO HER MOTION.

MR. MAYOR, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS PRESENTED HERE A SECOND.

DOES ANYBODY WANT TO PULL ANYTHING OFF OF THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY.

COULD I HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASE? WAIT FROM YOUR SILA.

COUNCILMAN COCKEREL.

COUNCILMAN GILLESPIE.

OUR NEXT ITEM TONIGHT

[8. PUBLIC HEARING – Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 138 (1st Reading)]

IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

UM, THE PUBLIC HEARING IS, UH, COUNCIL WAS REQUESTED TO AFFIRM, UH, THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO EVENT FOR ALL TOWN CODE CHAPTER ONE 38, PILLARS, SOLICITORS, AND INTER INTERIM MURPH PURCHASED TO ALLOW THE USE OF VENDING MACHINES OPERATED ON THE TOWN STREETS TO PEDAL ICE CREAM AND OTHER FROZEN DESSERTS.

UM, THIS TIME I LIKE TO OPEN UP TO PUBLIC HEARING.

DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS? NO, SIR.

SURE.

ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO COME AND SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK THIRD TIME.

ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, TURN IT OVER THE CATS WITH A HAIR HAIRBRUSH.

MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT COUNCIL OFF FOR MY FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE TO AMEND FRONT ROYAL TOWNSVILLE CHAPTER ONE 38 PEDDLER SOLICITORS IN THAT TENANT MERCHANTS TO ALLOW THE USE OF VENDING MACHINES OPERATED ON TOWN STREETS TO PEDAL ICE CREAM AND OTHER FROZEN DESSERTS AS PRESENTED.

YOU'RE A SECOND, MR. MAYOR, BEFORE, I'M SORRY.

BEFORE YOU GO TO A VOTE, I'D LIKE TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION.

I BELIEVE IT WAS A TYPO UNDER VENDING MACHINES.

IT SHOULD BE VENDING VEHICLES.

IS THAT RIGHT? MR. NEIGHBOR.

ICE CREAM MACHINE IN THE STREET.

SO UNLESS THAT CHANGES MS. THOMPSON, I'M SURE WE CAN CORRECT THAT.

[00:35:01]

NINE IS CAPSULE APPROVAL.

A MOTION ON THE FLOOR IN THE SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? NO DISCUSSION COULD HAVE A ROLL CALL, PLEASED TO MEET YOU TO SEE LA YES.

COUNCILMAN CLARK ROLE.

[9. COUNCIL APPROVAL – FY21 Budget Amendment for HIDTA Administrative Assistant Position for Police Department]

WHERE FLIGHT 21 BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR HAIDA ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT POSITION FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

COULD YOU READ YOUR SUMMARY PLEASE? THE WASHINGTON BALTIMORE INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA, LLC IS PROVIDING THE FRONT ROYAL POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I GRANT AND THE AMOUNT OF $52,035 TO PAY FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFITS.

IF THE FUNDING IS CUT OR H I D T A DISCONTINUES, THE DESIGNATION, THE POSITION WILL BE ELIMINATED.

COUNCIL'S REQUESTED TO APPROVE AN FY 21 BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $39,025.

FOR THE ADDITION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, WHICH IS 75% OF THE GRANT, THE REMAINING $13,010 WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE F Y 22 BUDGET.

DO I HEAR A MOTION, MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT COUNCIL APPROVE AT FYI 21 BUDGET AMENDMENT IN THE AMOUNTS OF $39,025.

FOR THE ADDITION OF A HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT.

THAT INCLUDES SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFITS FOR THE FRONT ROYAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS 75% OF THE $52,035 OF THE WASHINGTON BALTIMORE HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA, LLC GRANT AT FURTHER MADE WITH THE REMAINING $13,010 BE INCLUDED IN THE FYE 22 BUDGET.

I FURTHER MOVED THAT IF THE FUNDING IS CARD OR HAIDA DISCONTINUES, THE DESIGNATION, THE POSITION WILL BE ELIMINATED.

DO YOU HAVE A SECOND? SECOND? THAT MOTION IS SECONDED.

ANY DISCUSSION HEARING? NONE ROLL CALL PLEASE.

VICE MAYOR SILAT.

COUNCILMAN COCKRELL.

COUNCILMAN GILLESPIE.

[10. COUNCIL APPROVAL – FY21 Budget Transfer for Attrition Position for Police Dept]

10 CASTLE APPROVAL.

FYI 21 BUDGET TRANSFER OF ATTRITION POSITION FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HAD YOU READ YOUR SUMMARY, PLEASE.

COUNCIL'S REQUESTED TO APPROVE AN FYI 21 BUDGET TRANSFER AND THE AMOUNT OF $55,915 FROM GENERAL FUND CONTINGENCY FOR AN ATTRITION POSITION FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IT IS FURTHER NOTED THAT THE POSITION WILL BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY AND BUDGET BASED ON RECOGNIZED NEEDS TO HER ABOUT YOU.

MR. M MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THE COUNCIL APPROVE A F WATCH 21 BUDGET TRANSFER AND THE AMOUNT OF $55,915 FROM GENERAL FUND CONTINGENCY FOR AN ATTRITION POSITION FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

A FURTHER MOVE THAT THE POSITION WILL BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY AND BUDGETED BASED ON RECOGNIZED NEEDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.

HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND.

ANY DISCUSSION? NO DISCUSSION DOC.

I HAVE A ROLL CALL, I GUESS MAYOR C LOT.

COUNCILMAN COCKRELL.