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WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER[Board of Supervisors on October 21, 2026. ]
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.WE'RE GLAD TO SEE ALL OF YOU HERE.
WE JUST ASKED IF YOU HAVE YOUR CELL PHONES, IF YOU WILL PUT THEM ON MUTE OR OFF.
AT THIS TIME, IF YOU WOULD LIKE, WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO JOIN US AS WE ASK THE REVEREND BRENDA...
REVEREND BRENDA LAWS FROM THE UNION, UM, UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN GREENBACKVILLE TO COME TO DO OUR INVOCATION.
WE ASK THAT YOU REMAIN STANDING FOR OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
DEAR LORD, WE ARE SO THANKFUL TO BE HERE THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US TRAVELING MERCIES, KEPT US ALL DAY LONG, OUR CHILDREN, OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS.
SO RIGHT NOW WE THANK YOU FOR THIS GATHERING.
WE THANK YOU FOR THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE SERVING ACCOMACK COUNTY.
AND WE PRAY THAT YOU GIVE THEM WISDOM, GIVE THEM KNOWLEDGE, GIVE THEM COMPASSION.
WE PRAY THAT THEY HAVE EARS AND WE HAVE EARS TO HEAR, EYES TO SEE, AND THAT OUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH LOVE AND AGAIN, COMPASSION.
SO BLESS US NOW IN EVERYTHING THAT WE DO AND SAY, REMEMBERING OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN WE ARE AND THOSE WHO HAVE, WHO LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS.
IT IS IN THE BLESSED NAME OF JESUS THAT WE PRAY AND SAY TOGETHER.
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITHIN LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THANK YOU AGAIN, REVEREND LAWLS.
AT THIS TIME WE GO TO 1.3, ADOPTION OF AGENDA.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECOND THAT WE ADOPT OUR AGENDA.
IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION HAS CARRIED.
WE HAVE TWO ABSENT, UM, BOARD MEMBERS HERE THIS EVENING.
ONE IS ILL AND WE SOLICITED DONALD HART AND WE SOLICIT YOUR PRAYERS FOR DONALD.
BUT ONE IS, IS SEEKING REMOTE PARTICIPATION.
SO SUPERVISOR JEFF PARKS NOTIFIED ME EARLIER TODAY THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENING'S MEETING REMOTELY BECAUSE HE'S OUT OF TOWN ON BUSINESS.
OUR ADOPTIVE REMOTE PARTICIPATION POLICY REQUIRES THAT ALL, REQUIRES, REQUESTS RATHER, FROM G - FROM BOARD MEMBERS TO REMOTELY PARTICIPATE IN A PUBLIC MEETING MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CHAIR IN WRITING ON OR BEFORE THE MEETING AND SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE BOARD.
I CAN ATTEST THAT THE, THE REQUEST TO PARTICIPATE REMOTELY WAS RECEIVED BY ME IN WRITING ON 10 / 21 / 26.
IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SUPERVISOR PARKS IS CURRENTLY CONNECTED VIA ZOOM TO THIS MEETING.
SUPERVISOR PARKS, CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES MA'AM, I CAN MADAM CHAIR.
FOR THE RECORD, SUPERVISOR PARKS, WOULD YOU STATE THE REASON YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE REMOTELY AND THE EXACT LOCATION FOR WHERE YOU ARE PARTICIPATING FROM? YES.
I HAVE A, I'M ATTENDING A CENTER, UH, MEDICAID AND, UH, MEDICARE SERVICES CONFERENCE IN COLUMBIA, MARYLAND.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, SINCE WE HAVE A QUORUM PHYSICALLY ASSEMBLED HERE TONIGHT, WOULD SOMEONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ALLOW SUPERVISOR PARKS TO REMOTELY PARTICIPATE IN TONIGHT'S MEETING IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR BOARD'S ADOPTED REMOTE PARTICIPATION POLICY? SO MOVED.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECOND THAT WE ALLOW SUPERVISOR PARKS TO, UH, JOIN THIS MEETING REMOTELY.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, AND THAT MOTION HAS CARRIED AS WELL.
AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT RULES, OKAY, WITH OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
THE PUBLIC COMMENT RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS.
PUBLIC COMMENTS SHALL NOT ADDRESS MATTERS
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ON THE PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA FOR THE NI - FOR THE DAY.PUBLIC COMMENTS SHALL ADDRESS MATTERS ON THE CURRENT MEETING AGENDA.
HOWEVER, THE CHAIR SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ALLOW COMMENTS NOT RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS PROVIDED DOING SO DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THE TIMELY AND ORDERLY CONDUCT OF THE PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS ON THE AGENDA.
NO INDIVIDUAL SPEAKER SHALL BE PERMITTED TO ADDRESS THE BOARD FOR MORE THAN FOUR MINUTES.
THE CHAIR SHALL ALLOCATE THE TIME AMONG THE SPEAKERS IN AN EQUITABLE MANNER.
INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY SPOKEN ON A SUBJECT AT A PUBLIC HEARING SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED TO READDRESS THE BOARD ON THE SAME SUBJECT DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS SHOULD BE RESOLVED PRIOR TO THE MEETING BY CONTACTING A BOARD MEMBER OR THE APPROPRIATE STAFF MEMBER.
ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION FOR THE PUBLIC MEETING MUST PRESENT THE PRESENTATION 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE FOR REVIEW BY STAFF FOR APPROPRIATENESS.
QUESTIONS SHALL BE DIRECTED TO THE CHAIR WHO WILL IN, AT HER DISCRETION, SOLICIT THE RESPONSE FROM THE APPROPRIATE PERSON.
PERSONS ADDRESSING THE BOARD SHALL NOT USE INAPPROPRIATE OR THREATENING LANGUAGE OR VERBALLY ATTACK ANY BOARD MEMBER OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC.
THE CHAIR SHALL DIRECT ANY PERSON WHOSE BEHAVIOR IS VIOLENT OR DISRUPTIVE TO LEAVE THE MEETING ROOM.
AND THE CHAIR HAS THE RIGHT AND DUTY TO MAINTAIN PROPER ORDER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESE RULES.
OUR FIRST, UH, PERSON WHO HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IS NICOLE SHREEVES AND I ASK HER TO APPROACH THE PODIUM.
AND MS. SCHREEVES, WOULD YOU, UM, STATE YOUR NAME, WHERE YOU'RE FROM, AND THE SUBJECT THAT YOU WILL BE SPEAKING ON? OKAY.
IT'S NICOLE SCHREEVES, MELVILLE, VIRGINIA, AND IT'S REGARDING ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL.
AND IF YOU LISTEN TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, I'M SORRY, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S RULES, IT'S AT MY DISCRETION BECAUSE THE, UH, ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL IS NOWHERE ON THIS AGENDA FOR THIS EVENING - UH-HUH.
BUT I'M GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO SPEAK, OKAY? OKAY.
AND BY NOW, I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TOUR THE ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL, ESPECIALLY THE HOUSING AREAS.
AND NOTICE THAT I SAY THE HOUSING AREAS, BECAUSE REGARDLESS OF WHY SOMEONE IS INCARCERATED, THAT BUILDING IS WHERE THEY LIVE.
FOR THREE MONTHS NOW, I'VE STOOD HERE TELLING YOU ABOUT THESE CONDITIONS, BUT THE COUNTY'S OWN 2017 BUDGET IDENTIFIED EXTREME HEAT AND A HOUSING UNIT WITH CONSTANT PLUMBING, ELECTRIC, AND HEATING PROBLEMS. THESE AREN'T JUST MY CONCERNS.
THE COUNTY WROTE THESE DOWN YEARS AGO.
THAT WAS IN TE - THAT WAS IN 2017.
NEARLY 10 YEARS LATER, THE COUNTY OWNED BUDGET STATED, STATED COAL PROVIDING SAFE AND HUMANE CONDITIONS AT THIS JAIL STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ACHIEVED.
WHEN DID THIS STOP BECOMING A PRIORITY? AT SOME POINT, KNOWING ABOUT THE SERIOUS PROBLES, PROBLEMS FOR YEARS AND FAILING TO CORRECT THEM STOPS LOOKING LIKE OVERSIGHT AND IT START REALLY LOOKING LIKE INDIFFERENCE.
NOW FAST FORWARD TO 2024, I HAVE ALSO BOUGHT THE STATE'S OWN NUMBER.
THE COMPENSATION BOARD FISCAL YEAR 2024 JAIL COST REPORT SAYS THE ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL HELD AN AVERAGE OF 99 PEOPLE A DAY, A FACILITY RATED FOR ONLY 46, THAT IS TWICE THE RATED CAPACITY.
THE CAPACITY IS SET AT THIS, AT THE DESIGN OF THE BUILDING AND NEVER CHANGE.
BIDS CAN BE ADDED, BUT THE PIPES, THE WIRING AND VENTILATION ARE DESIGNED FOR 46 PEOPLE.
THE REPORT ALSO LISTS NO AIR CONDITION AND ONLY $2,400 UNDER CAPITAL ACCOUNTS OPERATING FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
ONCE AGAIN, THE BUILDING THAT'S USED THE MOST HAS RECEIVED THE LEASE, THE LEASE OVERSIGHT, THE LEAST PRIORITY AND THE LEAST CARE.
AND THE PEOPLE LIVING INSIDE OF IT FILL IT EVERY BIT.
AND MEANWHILE, THE MONEY KEEPS COMING IN.
THE SAME YEAR, THE COMMONWEALTH PAID MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION TOWARDS THIS JAIL.
THE REPORTS SHOW MORE THAN THREE THOU, 231,000 IN COMBINED CANTEEN REVENUE AND TELEPHONE CO- COMMISSIONS.
THIS IS MONEY TIED TO COMMISSARY AND PHONE CALLS.
AND ANYTHING, IF ANYONE WANTS TO CHECK ME, FACT CHECK ME, THESE ARE PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
WHERE'S THAT MONEY GOING? NOW IT'S REALLY STARTING TO LOOK THAT ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL MIGHT JUST BE A LITTLE BIT OF A CASH COW.
AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS FIX UP THE BARN.
ACCOUNTABILITY DOES NOT STOP WITH THE PEOPLE LIVING IN JAIL.
IT APPLIES TO LEADERSHIP AND THOSE PRESENTED WITH SERIOUS PROBLEMS THAT FAIL TO ADDRESS THEM.
A HEALTHY COMMUNITY REV - REQUIRES BOTH HUMANE TREATMENT AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP.
I'M NOT ASKING THIS BOARD TO FIX EVERY PROBLEM AT THE JAIL.
I'M ASKING YOU TO FIX THE PART THAT YOU CAN CONTROL.
FOLLOW THE MONEY AND USE IT TO MAKE THIS BUILDING SAFE, HUMANE, AND SANITARY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR TOURING AND APPRECIATE THE STEPS THAT YOU'VE TAKEN SO FAR.
BUT A TOUR IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.
A TRUE MEASURE OF LEADERSHIP IS WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE TOUR, AND I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT MONTH.
AND THIS, I WILL SEND YOU ALL THE EMAIL WITH THE, UH, ATTACHMENTS THAT I SPOKE, SO PLEASE FACT CHECK THE INFORMATION AND I WOULD LOVE TO
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FIND OUT.OUR NEXT PERSON WHO HAS SIGNED UP IS MYRA RILEY TAYLOR.
MS. TAYLOR, AGAIN, WOULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME AGAIN, OF COURSE, AND, UH, WHERE YOU RESIDE AND THE SUBJECT MATTER THAT YOU'RE SPEAKING OF? OKAY.
MY NAME IS MYRA RALEIGH TAYLOR.
UM, I RESIDE AT 19387 DOGWOOD DRIVE IN MELFORD, VIRGINIA.
AND THE SUBJECT MATTER IS IN REFERENCE TO THE AGENDA ITEM THAT YOU HAVE WITH THE AMENDMENT FOR THE COUNTY AND THE TOWN OF ANANCOCK'S WATER AGREEMENT.
THE, TONIGHT YOU WILL BE PRESENTED FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WITH AN AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE TOWN OF ANANCOCK.
UM, IN THAT DOCUMENT, THERE IS AN ALLOCATION FOR A WHISPERING PINE SITE.
WHISPERING PINE SITE DOES NOT HAVE A DEVELOPMENT, BUT THERE HAS BEEN AN ALLOCATION FOR WATER AND SEWER FOR THAT PARTICULAR SITE.
WITHIN A EIGHTH OF A MILE FROM THE WATER TREATMENT CENTER AT ONANCOCK IS THE COMMUNITY OF TOWN ROAD.
AND WITHIN MILES OF THAT IS THE COMMUNITY OF ONANCOX BAYSIDE, WHICH I REPRESENT AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE NANCOCK'S BAYSIDE REVITALIZATION.
WHAT I WOULD ASK THIS EVENING IS THAT YOU CONSIDER REALLOCATING, UM, THE ALLOCATION THAT YOU HAVE FOR WATER OR WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO WITH HAMPTON ROAD SANITATION AND CONSIDER THOSE ALLOCATIONS FOR THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE RESIDENTS LIVING THERE TODAY.
IN THE TOWN OF, UM, ON TOWN ROAD, THERE'S ABOUT 50 PARCELS THERE.
IN THE COMMUNITY OF NANCOCK BAYSIDE, THERE'S ABOUT 150 PARCELS.
AND WITHIN THOSE AREAS, YOU ARE WELL AWARE THAT WE HAVE FAILING SEPTIC SYSTEMS AND WE HAVE WELLS THAT ARE CONTAMINATED.
SO I WOULD ASK AGAIN, RESPECTFULLY, THAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER A SITE OF WHISPERING PINES THAT HAS NO SITE DEVELOPMENT AND THERE IS AN ALLOCATION FOR WATER AND DESIGNATE THOSE ALLOCATIONS TO THOSE COMMUNITIES.
THERE'S NO ONE ELSE WHO HAS SIGNED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO - MADAM, MADAM CHAIR.
YES, GO AHEAD, MR. UH, AT YOUR PREFERENCE, UM, UH, MR. TAR AND I TOOK A TOUR OF THE JAIL TODAY AND I'D LIKE TO HAVE SOME C - I HAVE, HE AND I BOTH HAVE COMMENTS CONCERNING THAT TOUR.
WE CAN DO IT NOW OR WHENEVER YOU'D LIKE.
I THINK YOU NEED TO DO IT AT YOUR, UH, PUBLIC COM - AT YOUR, UM - SUPERVISOR COMMENT.
BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER SUPERVISORS WHO HAVE COMMENTS AS WELL.
OKAY? YEAH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
UH, AT THREE, I'M GOING TO 3.1, UM, MOVE THE MINUTES.
IT'S BEEN MOVED, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECOND THAT WE MOVE OUR MINUTES.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MINUTES? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR LET THEM BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, AND THAT MOTION HAS CARRIED.
GFGOA DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRES- PRESENTATION AWARD FOR THE COUNTY'S ANNUAL BUDGET DOCUMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027.
OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS? YEAH.
MIKE MASON, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
UH, IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, THE COUNTY RECEIVED NOTICE FROM THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION THAT IT HAD RECEIVED GFOA'S DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD FOR ITS BUDGET DOCUMENT.
THIS AWARD REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT REFLECTING THE COMMITMENT OF THE GOVERNING BODY AND STAFF TO MEETING THE HIGHEST PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETING.
IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE BUDGET AWARD, THE ENTITY HAD TO SATISFY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GUIDELINES FOR EFFECTIVE BUDGET, BUDGET RE - PRESENTATION.
THESE GUIDELINES ARE DESIGNED TO ASSESS HOW WELL AN ENTITY'S BUDGET SERVES AS A POLICY DOCUMENT, A FINANCIAL PLAN, AN OPERATIONS GUIDE, AND A COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE.
UH, BUDGET DOCUMENTS MUST BE RATED PROFICIENT IN ALL FOUR CATEGORIES AND IN 14 MANDATORY CRITERIA WITHIN THOSE CATEGORIES TO RECEIVE THE AWARD.
UH, THE COUNTY HAS RECEIVED THIS AWARD, UH, FOR A NUMBER OF CONSECUTIVE YEARS, BUT IT'S STILL WORTHY OF FORMALLY RECOGNIZING, UH, THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF STAFF AND THE BOARD, WHICH HAS LED TO RECEIVING THIS ACCOLADE ONCE AGAIN.
SO, UM, WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE, UH, LESLIE, UH, LEWIS, UH, WHO'S OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR AND OUR, AND OUR FINANCE DEPARTMENT FOR A JOB WELL DONE.
WE DON'T HAVE THE AWARD? WELL, SO YEARS AGO THEY USED TO GIVE YOU A SEPARATE WORD.
NOW THEY GIVE YOU A BUTTON TO STICK ON.
I KNOW ONE TIME USED TO SAY IT WAS A BIG PLAQUE.
I MEAN, I KNOW EVERYBODY'S DOWNSIZING.
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SO IT'S GOT A LITTLE SMALL.IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECOND THAT WE'LL MOVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED? AND THAT MOTION HAS CARRIED.
UH, TO RECEIVE REQUESTS FROM FIRE COMMISSION FROM THE COUNTY TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO LOCAL VOLUNTEER EMS DEPARTMENTS TO COVER THE OEMB, OEMD, SORRY, EXPENSES.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
CHARLES PRUITT, DIRECTOR PUBLIC SAFE FOR ACCOMACK COUNTY.
SO BEFORE YOU TONIGHT IS ACTUALLY IN YOUR AGENDA PACKET IS TWO DOCUMENTS.
UM, THE FIRST ONE IS A LETTER FROM, UM, HARRY STANLEY.
HE'S THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACCOMACK COUNTY FIRE RESCUE COMMISSION.
UM, THAT LETTER IS REQUESTING THE BOARD CONSIDER, UH, PAYING, UH, UH, $1,125 EACH, UH, FOR THOSE VOLUNTEER EMSH'S OMDS.
ALSO ATTACHED THERE IS THE, UM, LETTER FROM THE FIRE COMMISSION'S EMS COMMITTEE.
SO AS YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A FIRE COMMISSION, AND AT THE COMMISSION LEVEL, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES THAT DO OBVIOUSLY DIFFERENT THINGS.
UM, THE EMS COMMIT - EMS COMMITTEE LOOKS AT, UM, WAYS TO ENSURE THAT EMS SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BETTER AND, UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THEY WANTED WAS, IS THE BOARD TO PAY FOR THEIR OMD, UH, OMDS.
SO WHAT I WANT TO DO IS KIND OF BRING YOU FULL CIRCLE AND LET YOU KNOW HOW WE GOT THIS FAR.
SO EVERY EMS AGENCY, LICENSED EMS AGENT HAS TO HAVE OMD, JUST AS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
THEY, UH, IN 2000, UH, JANUARY 25, 2025, DECIDED THEY WANTED TO RETIRE, WHICH WE AS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, UM, BATTALION CHIEF GREER, WHO IS RETIRING NOW, UH, ACTUALLY STARTED SEARCHING FOR OMD TO ALSO, TO LOOK, I'D SAY OVERSIGHT FOR THE VOLUNTEERS AND OVERSIGHT FOR THE CAREER STAFF.
MCATEE AGREED TO HANDLE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND ALSO OUR DRUG BOT PROGRAMS. YOU KNOW, THE COUNTY, UH, FUNDS AND WE MANAGE A DRUG BOX PROGRAM FOR THE VOLUNTEERS, EXCLUDING.
UH, MCATEE WAS INTERESTED, BUT HAD NO INTEREST IN THE VOLUNTEERS.
HE DID NOT WANT TO ENTERTAIN THAT.
SO BATTALION CHIEF GARRIS CONTINUED LOOKING AT, UH, MET WITH DR.
DAVIS, UH, AND I'M SOMEWHAT ENTERTAINED THE IDEA, ACTUALLY ATTENDED ONE OF THE, UH, EMS COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
SHE DID HAVE TWO CONCERNS, UM, BE- BEFORE SHE WOULD TAKE THAT TASK ON.
UH, SHE HAD A FROWN UPON SOCIAL MEDIA, AS YOU KNOW, A LOT OF VOLUNTEER AGENCIES HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA AND, UH, HER CONCERN WAS PATIENT CARE OR INFORMATION GETS TO THE PUBLIC, UM, AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA IS.
HER NEXT CONCERN WAS WHEN IT COME DOWN TO, WHEN IT COME DOWN TO, UH, PROVIDERS HAVING THEIR CALLS REVIEWED.
SO HOW PUBLIC SAFETY DOES THIS, IF I GO ON AN EMS CALL, UM, THE MOMENT THAT CALL IS COMPLETED, THE CAPTAINS REVIEW DATA.
WHEN IT'S CALLED, WHERE THE LOCATION IS, CALL TIME, SO FORTH.
ONCE THAT IS SUFFICED, THAT CALL GOES UP TO OUR BATTALION CHIEF WHO REVIEWS IT TO ENSURE THAT THE NARRATIVE IS CORRECT, THE TIMES ARE CORRECT, ALSO MAKE SURE ALL THE MEDICATION IS CORRECT, BECAUSE WE'RE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THAT FOR A PHARMACY PROGRAM.
THEY BASICALLY REVIEWED HER OWN CALLS.
SO SHE HAD A CONCERN, SHE DIDN'T WANT TO BE A OMD AND NOT HAVE SOME TYPE OF MECHANISM IN PLACE.
SO WITH THAT, THAT GOT PUSHED AROUND AND BASICALLY CAME DOWN TO THE VOLUNTEERS CHOSE THEY, QUITE FRANKLY, DIDN'T WANT THAT, UM, OVERSIGHT.
SO THEY HAVE CHOSEN, CHOSEN, I THINK IS A KEY WORD, CHOSEN TO FIND THEIR OMD.
SO I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO YOU.
I'VE RELAYED THIS TO THE FIRE COMMISSION.
I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR MR. CROCKETT, BUT HE WAS ALSO THERE.
UM, SO THAT'S WHY WE COME TO THIS.
UM, WHAT I DID TELL THE VOLUNTEERS THAT NIGHT, I FELT CONFIDENT THE BOARD WOULD PROBABLY PUT THIS AS A BUDGET ITEM AND, AND ATTACH IT TO THEIR FUNDING AGREEMENT.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE, MADAM CHAIR.
MADAM CHAIR - DID YOU LIKE TO SPEAK OKAY, MR. CROCKETT? MADAM CHAIR, I REPRESENT THE BOARD ON THE FIRE AND RESCUE COMMISSION.
AND I WAS PRESENT AT THAT, UH, SEPTEMBER MEETING AND, AND, UH, MR. PRUITT IN HIS PRESENTATION TO THE COMMISSION WAS PRETTY WELL IDENTICAL TO WHAT HE, UH, MENTIONED TONIGHT.
AND, UM, AND I, I SUPPORT THIS REQUEST.
IT'S EIGHT, UH, IT'S, UH, IT'S A TWO, TWOFOLD REQUEST.
THE FIRST REQUEST IS TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR THE FUNDS THAT THEY'VE ALREADY SPENT - UH-HUH.
UH, FOR THE YEAR AND THAT'S $9,000 TOTAL, AND THAT'S 1,000 AND - IT'S 11, 11, 20, 1,125 EACH.
DOLLARS EACH, UH, TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR THIS CURRENT YEAR.
AND ALSO THEY, THEY ARE ASKING FOR US TO BE PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS SYSTEM, UH, WHEN WE, UH, START MEETING WITH THE, UM,
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UH, FY28, UH, BUDGET.AND, UH, AND MOST OF THE, MOST OF THE AMBULANCE CALLS TODAY ARE RUN BY, AND IF I'M, IF I'M NOT CORRECT, CORRECT ME, MR. PRUITT, MOST OF THE, THE BIG, THE HIGH MAJORITY OF AMBULANCE CALLS ARE RUN BY OUR PAID STAFF.
BUT THE VOLUNTEERS DO RUN SOME CALLS, AND WE NEED THEM TO RUN CALLS, AND THEY CAN'T RUN CALLS WITHOUT THE OMB.
AND IT'S A, IT'S A MINOR COST, $9,000, UH, FOR THIS, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NEEDED.
AND WE WERE GONNA PAY, WE'VE BEEN PAYING IT PREVIOUS YEARS ANYWAY, I MEAN.
I KNOW Y'ALL THROWING THIS OMB AROUND.
OMB, OPERATIONAL MEDICAL DIRECTOR.
I, I MEAN, I, I, I, I'M IN THE SOCIAL SERVICE WORLD.
WE HAVE A LOT OF ACTIVITIES TOO.
SO THE, SO, YOU KNOW, WE, WE'VE BEEN PAYING FOR THEIRS, UH, PREVIOUSLY, AND THE, THE DIFFERENCE NOW IS THEY'RE SEPARATED FROM US.
I THINK WE SHOULD STILL CONTINUE TO PAY.
SO AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO, UH, TO, UH, APPROVE THE REQUEST, THE, THE TWO-FOLDED REQUEST TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR, FOR THE CURRENT YEAR, AND ALSO TO PLACE IT ON THE AGENDA TO DISCUSS IT IN, UH, WHEN WE START DOING THE BUDGET DELIBERATIONS, UH, FOR FY28.
AND THAT'S MY - I THINK YOUR, I THINK YOUR MOTION'S IN...
I THINK WE CAN MAKE THE MOTION.
ANYBODY ELSE? THAT'S MY MOTION.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECOND THAT, UH, I'M NOT EVEN GONNA RESTATE WHAT HE SAID.
YOU NEED ANY CLARIFICATION OF THE MOTION? OKAY.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? OKAY.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, AND THAT MOTION HAS CARRIED.
WE'RE DOWN TO OUR APPOINTMENTS.
DO WE HAVE ANY NEW OR IS THIS CONTINUATIONS? IT'S NONE.
HERE, YOU WANNA, YOU WANNA SEE IT? IT SAYS, IT'S THE TWO THAT WE HAD ON THE AFD.
UH, I BELIEVE I HAD SENT ONE IN TO THE ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE.
YOU DID? COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, DID YOU GET IT? I, I...
UH, SO I, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT, UH, MS. SA - UH, MS. SATTERWHITE BE NOMINATED OR, UH, TO THE BOARD FOR, UH, THAT POSITION.
IT'S BEEN MOVING PROPERLY SECOND THAT MS. SATTERWHITE BE, UH, APPROVED OR, UH, ADOPTED TO THAT POSITION.
IS IT AGRICULTURE AND FORESTER DISTRICT? I DON'T THINK SO.
THE AG AND FOREST, I'M SORRY, MADAM CHAIR.
NO, I'M, I, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE, YOU'RE, UM, PUTTING HER ON WHAT YOU WANT TO PUT HER ON.
THIS IS A - UH, NO, I UNDERSTAND.
THERE, THIS IS CURRENTLY FOR THE VACANCIES OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FORESTER DISTRICTS COMMISSION.
IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT HER ON? UH, YES.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET THEM BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED? AND THAT MOTION HAS CARRIED.
UH, WE GOT A COUPLE MINUTES FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING.
RECEIVE THE EASTERN SHORE COM - OH, NO.
ARE Y'ALL GONNA BE LONGER THAN FIVE OR SIX MINUTES? OH, COME ON UP.
I'M THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR THE EASTERN SHORE COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD.
IN SEPTEMBER, WE PROVIDED THE PERFORMANCE CONTRACT DOCUMENT, UM, TO THE, TO MIKE MASON TO SHARE WITH THIS BOARD.
UM, THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED TO US BY OUR REGULATORY AGENCY, WHICH IS THE DEPARTMENT OF, UM, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES.
AND SO, UM, EACH TIME THAT WE ARE PRESENTED WITH A NEW PERFORMANCE CONTRACT, WE ARE ASKED TO PRESENT THAT TO OUR LOCAL GOVERNING BOARDS AND, UM, DISCUSS SOME OF THE ASPECTS OF IT.
THIS IS A HUGE DOCUMENT, SO I'M NOT GONNA TAKE
SO THE PERFORMANCE CONTRACT IS BASICALLY A TRANSACTIONAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN OUR LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES, OUR, UM, DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL
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SERVICES IS OUR REGULATORY AGENCY, AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD ITSELF.UM, THIS AGREEMENT LAYS OUT AND PROVIDES GUIDELINES FOR ALL THE SERVICES THAT THE COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARDS PROVIDE IN THEIR LOCALITIES.
IT IS WRITTEN WITH FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE, UH, MOST OF THE REGULATIONS ARE FOR STATEWIDE.
UM, AND SOME OF YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW THAT THERE ARE 40 COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARDS OR, OR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES ACROSS THE STATE.
SO EVERY COMMUNITY IS DIFFERENT, AND THE PERFORMANCE CONTRACT IS WRITTEN WITH GENERIC GUIDELINES TO, UM, PROVIDE MANDATES AND, UH, AROUND PRIORITY SERVICES, BUT ALSO GIVES THE FLEXIBILITY FOR LOCAL GOVERNING BOARDS AND FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARDS TO DECIDE WHAT THEIR COMMUNITIES NEED AND HOW TO APPLY THOSE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS. SO ONE OF THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF OUR LOCAL GOVERNING BOARDS, UM, IS TO PROVIDE A LOCAL MATCH OF FUNDS.
AND, UM, THIS IS THE CURRENT GUIDELINES FOR, THAT WERE WRITTEN IN 2026 THAT ARE, UH, MOVING FORWARD WITH 2027.
UM, IT, AT ONE TIME, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WAS HERE, I THINK, BACK IN, UM, MARCH OR APRIL OF THIS PAST, UM, YEAR, AND DISCUSSED THIS AND WHAT OUR, OUR LOCAL MATCH WAS.
BUT, UM, AT ONE TIME, WE WERE ABLE TO SUBMIT WHAT WAS CALLED A WAIVER AND EXCUSE LOCAL, LOCAL GOVERNING BOARDS FROM BEING ABLE, UM, TO NOT PROVIDE A LOCAL MATCH, UH, DUE TO OWN, THEIR OWN FINANCIAL CONCERNS OR, OR LIMITS.
THAT HAS CHANGED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF BEH- BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHANGED THAT REQUIREMENT AND SAY THAT WE MUST MEET AT LEAST 10%, UM, LOCAL MATCH FOR THE APPROPRIATED FUNDS.
SO THAT'S ONE OF THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES, AS WELL AS THE LOCAL GOVERNING BOARDS ALSO APPOINT OUR BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBERS, UM, THAT OVERSEE AND MONITOR OUR SERVICES.
UM, THE LOCAL MATCH IS WRITTEN INTO THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, UH, UNDER THE 2991S, AND THIS IS THE LANGUAGE THAT WE HAVE.
I BELIEVE YOU ALL HAVE, UM, COPIES OF THE SLIDES.
I'M NOT GONNA STAND HERE AND READ IT TO YOU.
AND, UM, THE INCREASE THAT WAS ATTEMPT THAT WE'VE CREATED A, AN INSTALLMENT PLAN TOWARDS THAT PAYMENT, AND, UM, IT'S 10% OVER, UM, WHAT THEY WOULD BE.
AND SO WHAT WE'RE, UM, WHAT ACCOMAC IS PLA - PAYING ON THE QUARTER IS $66,287.
I'LL STOP THERE FOR A MINUTE IN CASE YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
SO THAT WAS ALL I HAD TO PRESENT.
UM, WE WOULD LIKE TO COME BACK A, A COUPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO GIVE YOU A STATUS UPDATE ON THESE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, WHICH ARE MANDATED PROGRAMS UNDER OUR, OUR, OUR LOCALITY - RIGHT.
PERFORMANCE CONTRACT SO THAT YOU KNOW AS BOARD MEMBERS WHAT YOU'RE PAYING FOR LOCALLY AND WHAT YOU'RE SUPPORTING.
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BOARD MEMBERS? THANK YOU.
MAN, YOU HAD TWO MINUTES TO SPARE.
MS. DO, DO YOU NEED AN ACTION FOR THEM TO APPROVE IT? NO.
THANK YOU, UM, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
I DIDN'T SAY THAT WE, WHILE WE PRESENT THE PERFORMANCE CONTRACT TO OUR LOCAL GOVERNING BOARDS, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO VOTE ON IT OR SIGN IT, BUT YOU ARE GIVEN THE OPTION TO DO SO.
SO IT'S REALLY UP TO EACH BOARD HOW YOU WANNA HANDLE IT.
WHAT'S THE COUNCIL? THEY DO NOT.
IT'S NOT A REQUIREMENT TO SIGN.
THERE IS NO HARM IN NOT SIGNING IT.
IT'S REALLY UP TO LOCAL BOARDS TO DECIDE HOW THEY WANNA HANDLE THAT.
IF YOU WANNA GO ON THE RECORD AND SIGN IT, THEN WE WOULD SUBMIT IT BACK TO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
WHAT'S THE COUNCIL, UM - IF IT'S NOT REQUIRED.
IS THAT FINE COUNTY ATTORNEYS, COUNTY ATTORNEYS? YEP.
[00:30:01]
YOU.I'M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION.
UH, WE, TO OUR PUBLIC HEARING AND IT'S 11.3 PUBLIC HEARING ON A REQUEST FROM ACCOMACK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICE TO AMEND THE FY27 ACCOMACK DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES BUDGET TO BRING IT IN LINE WITH THE STATE BUDGET AND TO APPROPRIATE THESE FUNDS.
LET ME, LET ME DO THE RULES FIRST.
VERY QUICKLY, YOU GOTTA BE ON TOP WITH THESE GUYS.
I, I CONSIDER THIS A FAIRLY, UM, UH, RUDIMENTARY ACTION.
WHAT, WHAT IT IS, IS, UH, WHEN THE COUNTY'S BUDGET IS INITIALLY ADOPTED, WE DON'T HAVE THE FINAL NUMBERS ON FEDERAL AND STATE AID FOR, UH, THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
AND, AND SO WE GO WITH ESTIMATES AND ONCE WE HAVE THE ACTUAL ALLOCATIONS FROM THOSE TWO BODIES, UM, WE GO AHEAD AND WE AMEND THE BUDGET TO BRING IT UP, TO ADJUST IT TO WHATEVER THE STATE FEDERAL, UM, UH, AMOUNT JUSTIFIES.
SOMETIMES THE ADJUSTMENTS ARE, ARE MINOR AND TO THE POINT WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO DO A PUBLIC HEARING.
BUT IN THIS CASE, BECAUSE, EXCUSE ME, THEY WERE MORE THAN 1% OF THE BUDGET BY CODE WE HAD TO, HAD TO DO A PUBLIC HEARING ON.
AND, AND ONE OTHER KEY POINT, THE LOCAL MATCH DOES NOT CHANGE.
THIS IS JUST FEDERAL AND STATE AID.
THAT LOCAL MATCH THAT THE BOARD APPROPRIATED AS PART OF THE FY27 BUDGET REMAINS AT A CONSTANT LEVEL.
I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WHAT'S THE, UH, PLEASURE OF THE BOARD? MADAM CHAIRMAN, UH, MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE THE PROPOSED BUDGET AMENDMENT.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECOND THAT WE APPROVE THE, UH, UH, APPROVE, UH, BUDGET AMENDMENT.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON IT? I DON'T HEAR ANY.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED? AND THE MOTION HAS CARRIED.
I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE, UH, THE INTERIM DIRECTOR GAR KELLAMS II, AS WELL AS THE FINANCE DIRECTOR, WENDY LIN- LINTON.
INTRODUCE LOCAL REGULATORY OPTIONS REGARDING MARIJUANA CULTIVATION, DISTRIBUTION PROCESSING, AND RETAIL SALES DUE TO THE CHANGE IN STATE LAW.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
AGAIN, MIKE MASON, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
THIS, THIS IS GONNA BE THE LONGEST PRESENTATION YOU HAVE TONIGHT, BUT PROBABLY, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A LONG PRESENTATION, UH, MANY OF THE DECISIONS, UH, THAT WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE BY THE STATE.
UM, THIS, MY PRESENTATION COVERS NOT ONLY ITEM 12.2, BUT 12.3 AS WELL, UM, WHICH IS, UH, A REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR SOME ZONING RELATED, UM, FOR REVIEW OF SOME ZONING RELATED AMENDMENTS TIED TO, UH, THE, UH, CHANGES IN STATE LAW FOR MARIJUANA.
SO, SO THE BOTTOM LINE UPFRONT, UM, RETAIL MARIJUANA SALES IN VIRGINIA WILL BEGIN JULY 1ST, 2027.
AND SO LOCAL ORDINANCES SHOULD BE ADOPTED BY THIS DATE AND BECOME EFFECTIVE ON THIS DATE.
AND SO A LOT OF WHAT YOU'RE SEEING TONIGHT AND WHAT WAS ATTACHED TO YOUR AGENDA, UH, CAME FROM A MODEL ORDINANCE THAT THE, UH, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ASSOCIATE, OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS, UH, ASSOCIATION PREPARED AND SENT OUT TO, UM, ALL THE LOCALITIES OUT THERE.
BUT, UM, LOCALITIES MAY NOT REGULATE OR PROHIBIT THE CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, POSSE- POSSESSION, SALE, DISTRIBUTION, HANDLING, TRANSPORTATION, CONSUMPTION, USE, ADVERTISING, DISPENSING OF MARIJUANA OR MARIJUANA PRODUCTS UNLESS EXPRESSLY AUTHORIZED TO DO SO.
AND, AND IN MANY CASES YOU HAVE NOT BEEN, THAT'S WHY IT SAYS LOCAL AUTHORITY IS SIGNIFICANTLY LIMITED.
THE STATE HAS MADE THOSE DECISIONS, MANY OF THOSE DECISIONS FOR YOU.
OH, OH, YES, MR. CAN I EMPHASIZE THAT FOR THE MEDIA, THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT THE BOARD IS CONSIDERING DOING ON THEIR OWN.
WE'RE, THE STATE HAS DONE THIS.
[00:35:01]
YEAH.WELL, I THINK HE'S GOING TO EXPLAIN THIS.
WELL, I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR OUT THERE - YEAH.
THAT IT'S, UH, THAT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE, UH, PUT TOGETHER.
GO AHEAD, MR. SO, SO LOCA - ON THAT NOTE, LOCALITIES MAY REGULATE MARIJUANA RELATED BUSINESS LICENSE BY THE STATE, INCLUDING ZONING LAND USE AND BUSINESS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS.
AND WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR AUTHORITY LEVEL IN ALL THIS IS AND, AND SOME OF THESE COMING SLIDES.
ONE, ONE POINT I WANNA MAKE UP FRONT IS COUNTY REGULATION WILL NOT APPLY WITHIN ANY INCORPORATED TOWNS.
UM, SO RE - WHATEVER YOUR ORDINANCE ENDS UP, IT'S JUST, IT JUST APPLIES TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS.
IT IS THE EXPECTATION AND TO THE POINT WHERE I PROBABLY, WELL, NOT PROBABLY, I'M GOING TO NOTIFY ALL THE TOWNS THAT THE COUNTY'S ORDINANCE DOES NOT APPLY IN THEIR JURISDICTION, ENCOURAGE THEM TO, UH, DEVELOP THEIR OWN ORDINANCE FOR ADOPTION.
UH, BECAUSE IF, IF, IF THAT DOES NOT OCCUR, THEN THERE'S ESSENTIALLY NO DECISIONS BEING MADE BY THE TOWN ON THESE PROSPECTIVE BUSINESSES THAT COULD COME WITHIN THEIR BOUNDARIES.
UM, THE ONLY ACTION TONIGHT IS REQUEST, THE ONLY ACTION THAT'S REQUESTED IS REFER RELATED ZONING AMENDMENTS THAT WE'LL COVER IN A SECOND TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR REVIEW AND A RECOMMENDATION.
SO THIS WHOLE PRESENTATION IS INTENDED AS A GENERAL BRIEFING FOR YOU WITH DECISIONS TO COME LATER, OTHER THAN TAKING THAT INITIAL STEP OF REFERRING THE ZONING RELATED MATTERS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
SO LET'S TALK ABOUT, UH, UH, IN A COUPLE OF SLIDES WHAT YOU CAN AND CAN'T DO AS A LOCALITY.
SO THE FIRST THING, UM, YOU CAN'T, A LOCALITY MAY NOT BAN OR OPT OUT OF THE CAMPUS MARKETPLACE.
AND, AND BY THE WAY, CANNABIS AND MARIJUANA ARE USED, UM, INTERCHANGEABLY IN THIS PRESENTATION.
UM, SO JUST TO POINT THAT OUT, YOU'RE GONNA SEE THAT TERM, THOSE, BOTH THOSE TERMS DURING, DURING THESE, OR INCLUDED IN THESE SLIDES.
A LOCALITY CAN'T IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON CANNABIS BUSINESS OPERATIONS, SO YOU JUST CAN'T SAY NO, THERE'S NOT GONNA BE ANY CANNABIS RETAIL, UH, OR CULTIVATION OR PROCESSING OR TESTING IN, IN YOUR LOCALITY.
YOU, UM, YOU CAN'T REGULATE ADVERTISING OF CANNABIS OR ITS PRODUCTS.
YOU CAN'T REGULATE POSSESSION LIMITS, PRODUCT TYPES, POTENCY OR PACKAGING.
YOU CANNOT CAP THE NUMBER OF LICENSE WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES.
UH, THE, UH, CANNABIS CONTROL AUTHORITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ISSUING THE LICENSE AND YOU HAVE NO, UM, AUTHORITY IN THAT PROCESS.
AND A- A- AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THOSE, UM, LICENSES WILL BE ISSUED TO OR WHAT BUSINESS THEY WILL BE ISSUED TO.
THERE IS A CAP AT THE STATE LEVEL, BUT IT'S QUITE POSSIBLE THAT CERTAINLY, UM, SOME OF THE LICENSE COULD BE ISSUED TO, UH, LOCAL BUSINESSES HERE.
UH, YOU CANNOT INCREASE, UM, THE CANNABIS CONTROL AUTHORITY'S MINIMUM DISTANCE OR BUFFER REQUIREMENTS.
UM, AND YOU CANNOT IMPOSE ANY TAX ON RETAIL SALES OTHER THAN A TAX THAT'S YOU'VE BEEN EXPLICITLY AUTHORIZED TO IMPOSE, WHICH IS 1% TO 3.5%, AND YOU HAVE TO PICK, UM, YOUR LEVEL OF TAXATION.
WHAT YOU CAN DO IS YOU CAN DESIGNATE ZONING DISTRICTS FOR SPECIFIC CANNABIS RELATED USES.
YOU CAN, AND, AND THIS IS A LITTLE BIT DEBATABLE, UH, DEPENDING ON, BASED ON THE LANGUAGE THAT'S BEEN ADOPTED, THAT REQUIRE CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS, BUT A- ANY OVERLY RESTRICTIVE APPROVAL PROCESS EXPOSES THE COUNTY POTENTIAL RISK.
SO, UH, UH, SPECIAL USE PERMIT OR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IS NOT RECOMMENDED, UM, IN, IN THAT REGARD.
UH, YOU CAN ESTABLISH SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS, YOU CAN ESTABLISH, UH, SETBACK AND BUFFER DISTANCES LESS THAN, LESS THAN THE MINIMUMS ESTABLISHED BY THE BCCA BOARD.
UH, YOU CAN ADOPT PROVISIONS PROHIBITED IN PUBLIC CONSUMPTION AND POSSESSION CONSUMPTION ON PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUNDS AND LOCAL PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND ADJACENT TO ANY PUBLIC STREET AND ASSOCIATED PENALTIES.
YOU CAN ALSO FIX THE HOURS DURING WHICH CANVAS MAY, MAY BE SOLD IN, IN THE LOCALITY, BUT YOU CANNOT MAKE THOSE OVERLY RESTRICTIVE, THOSE TYPE OF, UM, UH, UH, REQUIREMENTS FOR WHEN CANVAS MAY BE SOLD.
AND, UH, AS PREVIOUSLY SAID, YOU CAN ESTABLISH A LOCAL TAX ON RETAIL SALES ANYWHERE FROM 1% TO 3.5%.
SO, UM, DIVING A LITTLE BIT DEEPER INTO THE AREAS WHERE THE LOCAL AUTHORITY CAN BE EXERCISED.
SO, UH, FOR TAXATION OF RETAIL SALES, LOCALITIES ARE REQUIRED TO ADOPT RETAIL SALES ON THE SALE OF MARIJUANA AND MARIJUANA PRODUCTS THAT RATE ARE NOT LESS THAN 1% AND NOT GREATER THAN 3.5%.
UM, THROUGH MY INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER LOCALITIES IN THE STATE, I DON'T KNOW OF ANY LOCALITY IS CONSIDERING PASSING A TAX UNDER 3.5%, SO MOST HAVE GONE FOR THE MAX.
UH, THE COUNTY TAX SHALL NOT APPLY WITHIN THE INCORPORATED TOWNS.
AND, AND NOTE THAT THE LOCAL TAX RATE WILL BE ON TOP OF THE 6%
[00:40:01]
STATE TAX RATE AND, AND THAT STATE TAX RATE'S GONNA GO TO 8% IN, IN A FEW YEARS, UM, JULY 1ST OF 2029 TO BE SPECIFIC.NO OTHER TAX CAN BE ASSESSED ON THE RETAIL SALES.
UM, HOWEVER, LOCALITIES MAY ASSESS A BUSINESS LICENSE TAX OR FEE ON THOSE BUSINESSES.
THE, WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF NOTIFYING, UM, RETAIL MARIJUANA STORES AND MICRO BUSES, BUSINESSES OF ANY ORDINANCE YOU PASS.
UM, THE ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SECOND MONTH FOLLOWING ITS ENACTMENT AND ADOPTED, ADOPTED RATE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AT LEAST THREE YEARS.
AND, UM, ONE THING ALSO TO NOTE, THIS IS GONNA FUNCTION A LOT LIKE SALES TAX WHERE WE DO NOT COLLECT THE TAX.
THE COUNTY DOES NOT COLLECT THE TAX, UM, INDIVIDUALLY.
IT'S COLLECTED BY THE, UH, BY THE STATE THROUGH THE CANNABIS CONTROL AUTHORITY REMITTED BACK TO THE LOCALITY.
SO AS PREVIOUSLY SAID, YOU CAN FIX THE HOURS DURING WHICH WE, RETAIL SALES CAN OCCUR.
YOU CAN'T SAY THAT RETAIL SALES CAN ONLY HAPPEN FROM 80 AM MORNING TO 9:00 AM IN THE MORNING.
UM, ANY SUCH ORDINANCE ADOPTED BY A COUNTY IS NOT, UH, AND, AND YOU'LL SEE THIS, I KEEP HARPING ON IT'S NOT EFFECTIVE WITHIN THE CORPORATE TOWNS, BUT, UM, YOU MAY SET THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF THE HOURS, BUT SUCH, UM, PUNISHMENT SHALL BE ENFORCED AS IF THE VIOLATION WAS A CLASS ONE MISDEMEANOR WITH A RIGHT OF APPEAL TO A COURT OF RECORD.
YOU MAY ADOPT ORDINANCES DECREASING THE MINIMUM DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS PROMULGATED BY THE COMMONWEALTH.
SO BOTTOM LINE HERE IS THEY'RE SETTING, UM, THE MAXIMUM.
YOUR ONLY AUTHORITY IS TO SET, UH, A, UM, A BUFFERING REQUIREMENT THAT'S LESS THAN THAT.
UH, SO AGAIN, YOUR AUTHORITY'S LIMITED HERE.
UH, LOCALITIES MAY PROHIBIT ANY PERSON FROM CONSUMING MARIJUANA OR MARIJUANA PRODUCTS OR OFFERING, UM, THOSE PRODUCTS TO ANOTHER IN ANY PUBLIC PARK, P- PLAYGROUND, PUBLIC STREET OR SIDEWALK.
UH, THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATION OF THE LOCAL ORDINANCE IS NOT TO EXCEED THAT WHICH IS PROVIDED UNDER GENERAL LAW.
YOU MAY ALSO PROHIBIT PERSONS FROM POSSESSING OR CONSUMING MARIJUANA OR MARIJUANA PRODUCTS UPON THE GROUNDS OF ANY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL DURING SCHOOL HOURS OR, OR, UH, DURING SCHOOL, UH, STUDENT ACTIVITIES.
UM, AND THEN YOU CAN READ THE REST, BUT YOU DO HAVE SOME AUTHORITY IN, IN COMING UP WITH SOME PROHIBITIONS REGARDING ITS USE AND WHERE IT'S USED.
REALLY, MOST OF THE AUTHORITY IN THIS COMES DOWN TO THE ZONING SIDE.
UM, PURSUANT TO CODE, YOU MAY EXERCISE ZONING AND LAND USE AUTHORITY EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THE STATUTE.
SO YOU, UM, YOU'RE PROHIBITED FROM RE- REGULATING OR BANNING THE CULTIVATION.
I'M NOT GONNA READ ALL THE OTHER TYPES OF BUSINESSES ASSOCIATED WITH MARIJUANA.
YOU'RE PROHIBITED OR FROM BANNING IT.
THUS, THE EXTENT TO WHICH ZONING REGULATIONS ARE PERMITTED IS UNCLEAR.
SO THAT GETS INTO THE CONDITIONAL USE AND, AND, AND SPECIAL USE PERMIT AND WHAT AUTHORITY THE BOARD REALLY HAS.
IT'S GENERALLY ACCEPTED THAT LOCALITIES MAY LIMIT THE VARIOUS BUSINESSES TO CERTAIN ZONING DISTRICTS.
HOWEVER, IT'S DEBATABLE WHETHER A LOCALITY MAY REQUIRE A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT OR SPECIAL USE PERMIT, WHICH IS WHAT I JUST SAID.
IT IS BELIEVED THAT LOCALITIES MAY ADOPT REASONABLE SETBACKS AND, BUT IT'S UNCLEAR.
AG- AGAIN, THERE'S, THERE'S, YOU HAVE LIMITED AUTHORITY AND THERE'S SOME AREAS THAT ARE STILL A LITTLE GRAY ON THIS.
AND SO WE WILL WORK THROUGH THESE AS WE GAIN MORE INFORMATION PRIMARILY FROM THE, FROM THE, UH, CANVAS CONTROL AUTHORITY AND AS OTHER INFORMATION IS DISSEMINATED ACROSS THE STATE.
UM, BUT ALL THAT ASIDE, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS PROVIDED FROM A ZONING PERSPECTIVE, SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, UM, WHICH I WOULD CONSIDER SORT OF A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH.
I GUESS YOU WOULD, UH, AGREE WITH THAT, UM, AS WELL, JAN.
SO, UM, THEY INCLUDE LIMIT THE USES TO ONE OR MORE ZONING DISTRICTS SUBJECT TO STATE LICENSURE AND COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.
SO THAT, THESE ARE THINGS THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION THROUGH YOUR, THROUGH THE ACTIONS THAT YOU'RE REQUESTED, UM, AFTER THIS AGENDA ITEM AND REFERRING THAT TO THEM.
THESE ARE, SOME OF THESE ACTIONS OR, OR MOST OF THEM ARE GONNA BE DEBATED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION, BUT THE IDEA IS, IS TO LIMIT, UM, UH, THE VARIOUS DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUSINESSES ASSOCIATED WITH MARIJUANA, UH, TO ONE OR MORE ZONING DISTRICTS.
UM, AND SPECIFICALLY NOT REQUIRE A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, SPECIAL USE PERMIT, OR SPECIAL EXCEPTION.
USE WILL BE ALLOWED BY RIGHT AND DESIGNATED ZONING DISTRICTS.
UM, YOU WOULD HAVE TO, UM, THE PLANNING COMMISSION WILL BE LOOKING AT ADOPTING REASONABLE REGULATION PERTAINING TO SETBACKS, MINIMUM LOT SIZE, MINIMUM FRONTAGE, LANDSCAPING
[00:45:01]
AND ACCESS, INCORPORATING THE BUFFERING, BUFFERING REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE ALREADY SET OUT IN STATE LAW, INCORPORATING, UH, THE STATE IMPOSED MINIMUM MAXIMUM SQUARE FOOTAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR BUILDING AND STRUCTURES, INCORPORATING THE SIGN LOCATION AND IMAGE RESTRICTIONS SET OUT IN STATE LAW.SO SOME OF THESE THINGS WILL MAKE IT INTO YOUR ORDINANCES, BUT THEY'RE NOT ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN CONTROL AS FAR AS THE REGULATION OF THEM, FOR INSTANCE, SIGN LOCATION.
UM, BUT IT'S GOOD TO HAVE THEM IN THE ORDINANCE SO THAT IT'S VERY CLEAR AS TO WHAT, WHAT'S BEING REGULATED.
UH, ADOPT SUCH REGIONAL ZONING-BASED OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AS RELATE TO SANITATION, HEALTH, PEACE, AND GOOD ORDER PROVIDED ANY SUCH REQUIREMENT DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH STATE LAW.
SO FROM A ZONING PERSPECTIVE, THESE ARE SORT OF THE AREAS THAT, AND, AND, UM, RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS, HAS, UM, CONVEYED, UH, TO ME AND, AND WILL BE CONVEYED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION WHEN IT'S, UH, WHEN, ASSUMING YOU INITIATE AND REFER THE, THE ZONING SIDE OF THIS TO THEM.
SO HERE, HERE'S SOME KEY DATES SO YOU, YOU KNOW, UH, PRETTY MUCH WHEN CERTAIN ACTIONS NEED TO BE MADE.
IT STARTS WITH A LITTLE HISTORY BECAUSE THE, UH, CANNABIS CONSTR - CONTROL ACT IS NOT NEW.
IT WAS, IT WAS ESTABLISHED BACK IN 2021.
WHAT IS NEW IS AMENDMENTS THAT OCCURRED DURING THE 2026 GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACCESSION THAT LARGELY HAVE AUTHORIZED A RETAIL SALE OF CANNABIS.
SO, UM, FEBRUARY 1ST OF 2027 IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE CANNABIS CONTROL AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION.
IT IS ALSO THE SAME DATE ON WHEN THE AUTHORITY WILL BEGIN ACCEPTING LICENSE APPLICATIONS.
AND AGAIN, THEY HAVE A CAP ON NUMBER OF LICENSE THEY CAN, UH, ISSUE.
ON MAY 1ST OF 2027, THE CANNABIS CONTROL AUTHORITY WILL BEGIN, BEGIN ISSUING LICENSES.
SO AT THAT POINT, WE WILL KNOW, UM, LARGELY WHERE THOSE BUSINESSES ARE, ARE GOING TO LOCATE, AND THAT WOULD TRIGGER ANY TYPE OF NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FROM US BASED ON WHAT EVENTUALLY IS, IS, UH, APPROVED IN AN ORDINANCE.
THE JULY 1ST OF 2027 IS A PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE FOR FORTHCOMING LOCAL ORDINANCE TO BE ADOPTED BY ACCOMACK, AND THEN ON JULY 1ST ALSO IS, THAT IS WHEN RETAIL SALES COMMENCE, INCLUDING TAXATION O- OF, OF THE SALES.
AND THAT'S NOT, AGAIN, A DATE THAT YOU CHOOSE, THAT IS A DATE THAT'S BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE.
SO AGAIN, W - STAFF IS NOT ASKING FOR ANY TYPE OF DECISIONS OTHER THAN REFERRING THE ZONING PART OF THIS TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
IT'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION GOING ON ACROSS THE STATE ABOUT IT.
I, I WANTED TO INTRODUCE YOU TO WHAT, WHAT WAS BEING CONVEYED TO LOCALITIES AND WHAT YOUR AUTHORITY LEVEL WAS.
THAT WAS THE, THE NUMBER ONE PURPOSE OF THIS PRESENTATION.
AND THEN AS, AS WE START TO FINE TUNE THE ORDINANCE, WE WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE BOARD WITH SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCLUDE IN THERE.
UM - MR. CROCKETT? MADAM CHAIR, THIS IS JUST A, A QUESTION FOR OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND, AND I, I DON'T WANNA CATCH YOU OFF, OFF GUARD WITH THIS, BUT MIKE MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT NOTHING WE DO WITH THIS CAN CONFLICT WITH, WITH STATE LAW.
BUT IT'S A, THAT'S A COINCIDENCE THAT, UH, MARIJUANA IS STILL A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE UNDER FEDERAL LAW.
SO DOES THE STATE LAW NOT CONFLICT WITH FEDERAL LAW? THAT'S...
WHAT HAPPENS HERE, MADAM ATTORNEY, UH, COUNTY ATTORNEY? PRIMARILY, THAT'S BEING ADDRESSED THROUGH THE EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS, YOU KNOW, THAT WE CANNOT TEST EMPLOYERS OR POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS.
AND IF THEY HAVE A MEDICAL CERTIFIED, UM, REGISTRATION WITH THE STATE, THEY CAN, THEY CAN USE, NOT ON, NOT ON OUR PROPERTY, NOT ON COUNTY PROPERTY OR WHILE IN COUNTY EMPLOYEE, BUT THEY CAN AT THEIR HOME USE THIS, THIS MEDICAL CANNABIS.
UM, SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE, WE ARE STUCK WITH AND, AND THE STATE HAS WORKED WITH US ON THAT A LITTLE BIT AS FAR AS GIVING US SOME LEEWAY.
BUT WITH THIS, AND THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO, DO ABOUT IT WHATSOEVER.
THIS IS, THIS IS BEING DICTATED, MAN- MANDATED, BUT I FIND IT, UH, INTERESTING THAT IF SOMEBODY OPENS UP A, A MARIJUANA SHOP IN, IN THE COUNTY AREA, NOT THE TOWN LIMITS, WHICH I WOULD BE TOTALLY AGAINST IF WE HAD A RIGHT TO - SURE.
BUT THE MOMENT THEY OPEN THOSE DOORS AND THEY GET THE PRODUCT IN THAT DOOR, THEY'RE VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW.
I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT, HONESTLY.
THAT'S WHAT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN TAUGHT.
AND, AND I THINK IT MAY HAVE TO DO WITH SOME OF THE MAKEUP OF
[00:50:01]
THE MARIJUANA VERSUS HEMP, AND IT'S, IT'S VERY COMPLICATED DISTINCTION.UM, BUT WE'LL SEE WHAT'S COMING DOWN.
SO AGAIN, THE BEST YOU CAN DO IS TRY TO CONTROL THE DECISIONS THAT YOU HAVE THAT YOU'VE BEEN AUTHORIZED.
AND, AND ONE THING I FAILED TO MENTION, IT'S IN THE ACTUAL NARRATIVE THAT'S ON BOARD DOCS.
WE HAVE SENT THE MODEL ORDINANCE TO THE SHERIFF FOR COMMENT.
UM, CERTAINLY, UH, WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIS FEEDBACK ON THINGS LIKE HOURS OF SALE.
UM, SO WE HAVE, UH, LOOPED HIM INTO THE DISCUSSION AS WELL.
AND MADAM COUNTY, C - ONE MORE.
MADAM COUNTY ATTORNEY, IF WE WANNA BE THE TEST CASE, JUST SAY NO AND TAKE IT TO COURT.
WE CAN GET SOME PLEADINGS FILED BY THEN IF THAT'S THE WAY YOU WANT TO GO.
MR. DEGEORGE, H - I, I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
ONE IS DEFINITION, WHAT IS A MICRO BUSINESS? THERE, THERE ARE SPECIFIC DEFINITIONS IN THE CODE.
I, I, I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME.
IS THAT A SIZE DESIGNATION OR DOLLAR AMOUNT? IT'S TWO DIFFERENT OPERATIONS THAT ARE IN, UM, IF YOU'RE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY.
IF ONE TYPE OF OPERATION IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO ANOTHER, SAY, SALES AND PROCESSING, THEY CALL THAT A, A MICRO BUSINESS.
IN ORDER TO CULTIVATE, DO I HAVE TO GO TO THE VCCB OR CAN I GROW MY OWN? NOT ME PERSONALLY.
ALL, ALL THAT - IS THAT GONNA BE REGULATED? ALL THAT'S BEING HANDLED BY THE CANNABIS CONTROL AUTHORITY.
SO THEY'LL BE THE ONES ISSUING THE LICENSE.
THE, THERE, IT WON'T BE THE COUNTY ON, ON THAT SIDE.
ONE, ONE THING TO POINT OUT, AND I'M GLAD YOU BRING THAT UP, AND, AND I, I COVERED IT JUST BRIEFLY, AND WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT RETAIL SALES BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT EVERYONE SORT OF TUNED IN, BUT THERE IS JUST A LIST OF DIFFERENT AFFILIATED, UM, BUSINESSES TIED TO THE INDUSTRY.
EVERYTHING FROM CULTIVATION TO PROCESSING, TO TESTING, UM, TO RETAIL.
AND, AND I'M LEAVING OUT A FEW...
TRANSPORT, THEY'RE ALL IN THERE AND THIS, THE ORDINANCE IS GONNA COVER ALL THAT, PARTICULARLY ON THE ZONING SIDE.
SO WE, THE ONLY INPUT WE HAVE IS SOME SORT OF ZONING INPUT, BASICALLY.
AND, AND SO THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA - THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS TO INITIATE AND REFER AMENDMENTS TO THE AKAMAI COUNTY CODE, CHAPTER 106 ZONING TO REGULATE, UH, RETAIL CANNABIS.
MR. PLEASURE? I MOVE WE SEND IT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
IT'S BEEN MOVING PROPERLY SECOND THAT WE SEND IT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
OUR NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS 12.4, CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNTY AND TOWN OF A NANCOCK WATER SERVICE AGREEMENT.
UM, MIKE MASON, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, LET'S START WITH THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT THAT'S BEEN ATTACHED TO YOUR AGENDA BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE ACTUAL AMENDMENT THAT'S BEING PROPOSED.
SO THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN AND COU- COUNTY REGARDING WATER SERVICES DATES BACK TO MARCH 24TH OF 2014.
AND THE CATALYST, MANY OF YOU WHO WERE ON THE BOARD AT THAT POINT WILL REMEMBER, WAS CONSTRUCTION OF RIVERSIDE SHORE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, WHICH DESIRED CENTRALIZED WATER SERVICES.
AND AT THAT TIME, UH, THE COUNTY AND THE TOWN WORKED TOGETHER TO PROVIDE WATER SERVICES TO THE HOSPITAL AND TO THE HOSPITAL AFFILIATED ENTITIES ON THE HOSPITAL PROPERTY, THE, THE, THE MEDICAL BUILDING.
UH, UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THE COUNTY OWNS AND MAINTAINS THE HOSPITAL WATER SUPPLY LINE BEGINNING FROM THE TOWN SUPPLY POINT TO THE HOSPITAL PROPERTY.
AND THE COUNTY MAY USE THAT SAME LINE TO RESELL WATER TO OTHER CUSTOMERS IN ADDITION TO THE HOSPITAL, WHICH WE'RE, WE'RE NOT CURRENTLY DOING.
UH, THE TOWN PROVIDES CONTINUOUS AND UN- UNINTERRUPTED DELIVERY OF WATER TO THE TOWN SUPPLY POINT, INSUFFICIENT QUANTITY FOR THE HOSPITAL, THE HOSPITAL AFFILIATED FACILITIES, AND, AND FUTURE COUNTY WATER CUSTOMERS TO BE SERVICED FROM THE LINE.
AND THAT'S NOT JUST PROVIDES, THEY, THEY HAVE AGREED TO PROVIDE AT THAT LEVEL.
THE HOSPITAL AND THE HOSPITAL AFFILIATE- AFFILIATED ENTITIES ARE DIRECT CUSTOMERS OF THE TOWN AND ARE BILLED AT CUSTOMARY TOWN RATES, UM, AND THE AGREEMENT CALLS FOR THAT TO BE, UH, OCCURRING FOR 40 YEARS.
UM, AND, AND THE PIECE THAT THE ADDENDUM, UM, THE AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT THAT IS, IS BEFORE YOU TONIGHT THAT'S REALLY ZEROED IN IS THAT LAST BULLET IS THE TOWN HAS NO RIGHT TO SELL WATER DIRECTLY TO ANY CUSTOMER LOCATED IN THE COUNTY
[00:55:01]
OTHER THAN THE HOSPITAL AND OTHER HOSPITAL AFFILIATED FACILITIES ON THE HOSPITAL PROPERTY.SO THE TOWN CANNOT PROVIDE WATER SERVICES, UH, TO ANY PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT BASED ON THIS AGREEMENT, UM, AS IT'S WRITTEN TODAY.
SO THE PROPOSED FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT AUTHORIZES THE TOWN TO SELL WATER DIRECTLY TO COASTAL SQUARE DEVELOPMENT AND TO OTHER DEVELOPMENTS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE TOWN'S BOUNDARY, PROVIDED THAT THE TOWN MAKES A WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE COUNTY TO SELL WATER, UM, LOCATED OUTSIDE ITS BOUNDARIES AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVES THE REQUEST.
SO THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER IT'S ADOPTED OR NOT, IT DO - IT, IT DOES NOT MEAN, IT DOES NOT DICTATE A PARTICULAR ACTION BY THE TOWN.
IT GIVES AN AVENUE FOR THEM TO PROVIDE SERVICES OUTSIDE THE TOWN LIMITS IF ALL PARTIES AGREE.
UM, IT STIPULATES THAT ALL WATER SOLD TO DEVELOPMENTS LOCATED OUTS- OUTSIDE THE TOWN BOUNDARIES SHALL BE AT THE CUSTOMARY TOWN WATER RATES AND THAT THE TOWN MAY ASSESS CONNECTION FEES AND CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE FEES.
SO NOTE THAT THE TOWN HAS ALREADY AGREED TO PROVIDE COASTAL SQUARE WITH WATER SERVICE, AND THAT'S EVIDEN- EVIDENCED BY A WELL-SERVED LETTER THAT WAS PROVIDED TO THE DEVELOPER AND ALSO BY APPROVAL BY THE TOWN COUNCIL, UM, AT A, AT A DUALLY RUN MEETING, UM, I BELIEVE BACK IN, UH, DECEMBER OF, UH, 2024, 2025.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE YEAR, BUT IT HAS BEEN VOTED ON BY TOWN COUNCIL BECAUSE I'VE SEEN THE MINUTES.
UH, STAFF SUPPORTS THE AMENDMENT.
I SUPPORT THE ELIMINARY ALIGNS WITH THE BOARD'S STRATEGIC PRO - UH, PRIORITIES OF, OF PROVIDING MORE HOUSING, UM, IN THAT SORT OF ONLY A NANCOCK CORRIDOR.
UH, THERE WAS SOME, UH, SOME COMMENTS EARLIER ABOUT, UM, WATER SERVICE AND, AND WHISPERING PINES.
THIS, THIS AGREEMENT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHISPERING PINES.
THIS ONLY IS GIVING THE AUTHORITY FOR THE TOWN, IF EVERYONE AGREES, TO PROVIDE SERVICES OUTSIDE ITS TOWN LIMITS.
THERE IS AN AGENDA ITEM LATER, AND IT'S JUST A NOTE THAT THE, UH, HAMPTON ROAD SANITATION DISTRICT IS GONNA BE CONSIDERING A SERVICE AREA FOR, UH, RE - UH, EXPANSION REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDED.
AND, AND WE, THE SERVICE AREA WAS ALREADY PREVIOUSLY VOTED ON BY THE BOARD.
AND FRANKLY, I'VE BEEN WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TRYING TO GET THAT ADVANCED SO THAT THE HAMPTON ROADS SANITATION COMMISSION WOULD ACTUALLY, UM, UH, DEBATE THAT ISSUE, UH, AND THEY ARE GOING TO OCTOBER 27TH.
THAT WILL BE THE DATE THAT THEY DECIDE WHETHER THE EXISTING SERVICE AREA WILL BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE WHISPERING PINES, UH, UH, MUCH OF THE AREA THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, UM, BETWEEN ONLY IN NANCOCK, UM, AND, AND THERE'S ANOTHER PARCEL RIGHT ON THE DOORSTEP OF A NANCOCK BY THE, UM, UH, BY THE, UH, THE, THE, UH, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY OUT THERE.
UM, BUT, BUT MY POINT IS WATER SERVICE AND, UH, WHISPERING PINES, THAT THERE'S NO CORRELATION THERE.
UM, SO, UH, AGAIN, UM, THIS, THIS PAVES THE WAY IF ALL PARTIES AGREE FOR SERVICES TO PROVIDED BY THE TOWN OUTSIDE THE TOWN LIMITS.
IT DOES NOT MEAN THE TOWN HAS TO PROVIDE THEM.
IT DOES NOT MEAN THE TOWN HAS TO MAKE A REQUEST, BUT AT LEAST IT OPENS THE DOOR FOR IT TO HAPPEN AND PROVIDES A MECHANISM IF THAT'S WHAT, UH, ALL THE PARTIES WANT TO DO.
SO THE ASK HERE IS, UH, FOR THE BOARD TO APPROVE, UM, THE PROPOSED, UH, FIRST AMENDMENT.
I HAVE DISTRIBUTED THIS AMENDMENT TO THE TOWN.
I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANYTHING TO DATE.
I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE TOWN MANAGER AND THE MAYOR, UH, REGARDING, UH, WATER SERVICE AND, UM, UH, THE TOWN OBVIOUSLY WOULD HAVE TO, UH, CONSIDER THIS AMENDMENT JUST LIKE WE'RE DOING HERE TONIGHT, BUT I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT I HAVE SHARED THE INFORMATION, UH, BOTH THE AMENDMENT AND, AND VERBALLY WITH, WITH TOWN OFFICIALS.
MADAM CHAIRMAN? YES, MR. A- ALSO JUST TO FOLLOW UP A LITTLE BIT ON CONTINUING, UH, WITH THE ALSO, THE TOWN MANAGER AT THAT TIME ALSO HAD, UH, PUT IN WITH THE DEQ FOR ADDITIONAL, UH, WITHDRAWAL, WHICH WAS APPROVED, UM, WHICH WAS APPROVED FOR THIS, UH, THIS COASTAL SQUARE DEVELOPMENT.
SO I JUST WANNA ADD THAT AS WELL, THAT WAS APPROVED.
SO, SO, AND IF YOU, IF, IF YOU'RE READY, I WOULD MAKE A, I HAVE A MOTION.
UM, MADAM CHAIR, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT AS IT'S BEEN PRESENTED.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECOND THAT WE APPROVE THE AMENDMENT AS PRESENTED.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED? AND THAT MOTION HAS CARRIED.
12.5, CONSENT APPROVING OF 2026 VEHICLE VOTING CREDENTIALS AND PROXY.
[01:00:01]
ANNUAL MEETING WILL BE OCCURRING IN, IN THE NEXT MONTH AND THERE'S BUSINESS THAT TAKES PLACE DURING THAT MEETING AND, UH, WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TO FORMALLY DESIGNATE WHO CAN CASK A VOTE FOR ACCOMACK COUNTY.TYP - UH, I USUALLY ATTEND, UM, TYPICALLY I'M LIKE SECONDARY, UM, SUPERVISOR HART WHO'S A MAINSTAY AT THAT CONFERENCE IS USUALLY THE, UH, PERSON WHO'S PRIMARY, BUT, UM, BUT CERTAINLY I, RIGHT NOW I BELIEVE WE HAVE SUPERVISOR HART ATTENDING AND SUPERVISOR PARKS ATTENDING.
SO OBVIOUSLY IT COULD, BOTH OF THOSE COULD ALSO BE, UM, UH, THE, UH, APPOINTED OR SELECTED FOR WHO CAN CASK A VOTE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE IT ME IF YOU - OKAY.
SINCE YOU HAVE TWO SUPERVISORS GOING.
WELL, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT BOTH.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECOND THAT WE APPOINT BOTH SUPERVISOR HART AND SUPERVISOR PARKS AS, UH, THE PROXY VOTES AND THEY'LL BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR, ON OUR BEHALF.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
SO MOST OF THESE ARE JUST INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND THE FIRST FEW ARE REMINDERS REALLY OF SOME UPCOMING MEETINGS, UM, FOR THE BOARD.
ON OCTOBER 27TH, YOU HAVE YOUR NEXT JOINT WORK, WORK SESSION WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON THE, UH, COMP PLAN.
UH, THAT IS AT THE, UH, SAME LOCATION, THE PUBLIC LIBRARY IN PARKSLEY, AND THAT'S AT 5:30 PM THERE.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S OCTOBER 27TH.
SO PLEASE MARK YOUR CA- CALENDAR FOR THAT AT 5:30.
UM, AFTER THAT, YOU HAVE A WORK SESSION ON WATER, WASTEWATER MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT.
UM, THAT'S ON NOVEMBER 4TH, UM, AT 5:30 IN THE BOARD CHAMBERS.
I WILL BE PARTICIPATING REMOTELY, UH, DUR - IN THAT MEETING BECAUSE I HAVE A CONFERENCE OUT IN CHARLOTTESVILLE THAT STARTS THAT EVENING.
STEWART WILL BE THE STAFF LEAD AS HE WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN IF I WAS HERE, SO, UH...
UH, ANOTHER MEETING WHICH HASN'T BEEN SET THAT I WOULD LIKE THE BOARD TO CONSIDER IS A WORK SESSION DEVOTED TO, UH, COUNTY STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR FY28 AND BEYOND.
UM, WE'VE HAD THESE, UM, MEETINGS FOR THE LAST COUPLE YEARS TO HELP FINE TUNE YOUR PREVIOUS STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND IT HELPS, UH, STAFF SORT OF GUIDE WHAT BUDGET REQUESTS THEY'RE PUTTING FORWARD.
UH, THERE IS NO DATE SET YET, BUT THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF DECEMBER, WHICH IS DECEMBER 2ND, I- IS A LOGICAL DATE BECAUSE THAT ALIGNS WITH THE BOARD'S, UM, ESTABLISHED, UH, WORK SESSION DATES THAT ARE IN YOUR RULES OF PROCEDURE.
SO I DON'T KNOW, I, I DON'T HAVE A MEETING PLACE DETERMINED.
I JUST WANTED TO FIRST SEE IF DECEMBER 2ND WAS POSSIBLE FOR THAT, FOR THAT MEETING.
NOW THIS IS A, THIS IS, THIS IS A WEDNESDAY EVENING AND WE HAVE HAD STRATEGIC, UH, PRIORITY MEETINGS BEFORE ON SATURDAYS.
AND CERTAINLY WE CAN, WE CAN DO THAT.
UM, BUT, BUT DECEMBER 2ND IS OPEN RIGHT NOW.
YOU WANNA DO THAT? WHAT'S YOUR PREFERENCE? WHERE YOU, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IT? I'D MAKE A MOTION WE DO IT HERE ON DECEMBER 2ND.
IT'S, IT'S A MOVING PROPER SECOND THAT WE HAVE OUR WORK, BOARD WORK SESSION ON DECEMBER THE 2ND HERE IN THE BOARD CHAMBERS.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
THOSE OPPOSED, THE MOTION IS CARRIED.
13.4 IS, IS REITERATING AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT'S ALREADY BEEN COVERED BY, UM, SEV- SEVERAL MEDIA OUTLETS AND THAT IS THE COUNTY WAS AWARDED 1.25 MILLION FOR A COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT GRANT IN THE HORNTOWN AREA.
UH, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ACTUAL CONTRACT DOCUMENT, BUT WE CERTAINLY HAVE THE, THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
UM, S - 13.5 IS, UM, WHAT I SORT OF REFERRED TO A FEW MINUTES AGO WITH HRSD COMMISSION SCHEDULED TO CONSIDER SERVICE AREA EXPANSION, THE COUNTY SERVICE A- AREA EXPANSION REQUEST ON OCTOBER 27TH, 2026.
SO AGAIN, THAT IS, UM, BASED ON THE BOARD'S PREVIOUS, UH, APPROVAL OF EXPANDING THE HRD, HRSD SERVICE AREA IN CERTAIN KEY LOCATIONS.
UM, AND, AND FRANKLY, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR AND IT'S FINALLY ADVANCING, UM, TO THE POINT WHERE, UH, A VOTE'S GONNA BE TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION.
AND, AND THE, AND, AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, HRSD HAS BEEN ASKING COUN - THE COUNTY FOR SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WE,
[01:05:01]
I SH - PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE PUT IN THE INITIAL APPLICATION, BUT I HAVE BEEN SUPPLYING THAT AS THOSE QUESTIONS HAVE, HAVE COME IN.SO NOW IT IS, IS, IT HAS ADVANCED TO THE STAGE WHERE THE COMMISSION'S LOOKING AT, UH, UH, PROVING IT.
UH, 13-6, AND, AND THIS HAD A UPDATE AS, UM, AS EARLY AS YESTERDAY.
SO AT, AT YOUR LAST MEETING, THE BOARD INDICATED THEY WANTED A STUDY OF TRAFFIC IMPACTS OF CONFINED POULTRY OPERATIONS, UM, CONDUCTED.
I DID HAVE A SCOPING MEETING WITH A THIRD PARTY TO PROVIDE, UM, TO, TO, TO PERFORM THAT STUDY.
UM, IT'S GONNA BE QUITE AN EXTENSIVE STUDY AND WITH, WITH AN EXTENSIVE STUDY COMES, UH, PROBABLY A HIGHER PRICE TAG THAN WHAT YOU WERE EXPECTING.
BUT THE, UM, THE COST OF DOING THIS, THIS STUDY IS, IS $38,300.
UM, IT IS, THE SCOPE IS GENERALLY, UM, LET ME PULL MY NOTES HERE.
IT'S, IT'S A STATED TO CONFIRM WHETHER CONFINED POULTRY OPERATION, AND, AND I'M READING THE SCOPE DOCUMENT, BUT WHETHER CONFINED POULTRY OPERATIONS CREATE IMPACTS ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE THAT WARRANT TRAFFIC REVIEW REQUIREMENTS IN THE ACCOMAC COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE.
UM, IT'S UNDERSTOOD THAT CONFINED POULTRY OPERATIONS ARE PERMITTED BY RIGHTS SUBJECT TO SETBACK DENSITY AND LANDSCAPING STANDARDS AND THE ORDINANCE HAS NO, THE CURRENT ORDINANCE HAS NO TRAFFIC STANDARDS, UM, AND THAT TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS ARE NOT REQUIRED.
SO, UH, THERE'S A LOT MORE TO THE SCOPE THAN THAT, BUT, BUT AT, AT THIS POINT, UH, WHEN I DRAFTED THIS AGENDA, IT WAS JUST TO SAY WE'VE MET WITH CONSULTANTS TO GET THIS GOING.
NOW I HAVE A NUMBER, SO I'M, I'M LOOKING FOR A BUDGET SOURCE, UM, FOR THIS, A BUDGET ACTION.
YOUR ONLY REAL SOURCE AT, AT THE MOMENT IS YOUR CONTINGENCIES, WHICH HAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000 AS, AS OF TODAY.
SO I NEED A WAY TO PAY FOR THIS.
MAYBE WE SHOULD HEAR FROM MR. PARKS.
IT WAS MR. PARKS WHO REQUESTED THE, UH, THE STUDY.
UH, UH, SO MIKE, UH, YOU'RE SAYING WE'RE GONNA DO THE STUDY, UH, IN ADVANCE OR BASICALLY TO, TO DETERMINE THE NEED OF THE ORDINANCE THAT I PROPOSED OR THE, THE CHANGE TO THE CODE THAT I PROPOSED? YEAH, TO DETERMINE WHETHER, UH, BASICALLY THAT, UH, TRAFFIC IMPACT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE ORDINANCE.
I, UH, IF, IF - WHICH THEY ARE NOT RIGHT NOW.
MADAM CHAIR, THE - I'M LISTENING.
UH, JU- JUST WHICH THEY ARE NOT RIGHT NOW.
UH, MADAM CHAIR, I, I WOULD, I THINK, AND I HAD AN INCIDENT THIS WEEK THAT THERE'S, THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT THE COUNTY, WE NEED TO, UH, LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF THE INCREASED TRUCK VOLUME FROM INDUSTRIALIZED POULTRY OPERATIONS ON SECONDARY ROADS AS A SAFETY ISSUE.
UM, IF, IF THIS IS THE STEP WE'VE GOTTA TAKE, I WOULD MOVE, UH, THAT WE MOVE FUNDS, ALLOCATE FUNDS TO PERFORM THE STUDY.
THIS MOVE AND PROPERLY SECOND THAT WE ALLOCATE FUNDS.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE, BUT ANYWAY.
WE ALLOCATE FUNDS TO, UH, PROVIDE FOR THIS, UM, IMPACT STUDY.
YOU'VE HEARD THAT IT'S BEEN MOVING PROPERLY SECOND.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
THE ONLY OTHER, UM, TOPIC I'D LIKE TO BRING UP, UM, FOR THE BOARD'S BENEFIT IS, UM, AND THIS IS, AGAIN, SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENED THE LAST COUPLE DAYS.
YESTERDAY, UM, MINUS NINE TO FIVE PROVIDED A CHILDCARE GAP ANALYSIS, UH, AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
UH, THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR BOTH ATTENDED THE MEETING.
IF, IF ANY OF THE REST OF YOU WERE THERE, LET ME KNOW.
BUT, UM, ANYWAYS, VERY INFORMATIVE MEETING, UH, ABOUT, UH, AND, AND IT, AND THE MEETING PROVIDED JUST A WEALTH OF QUANTITATIVE DATA ABOUT THE, THE NUMBER OF SLOTS THAT WE ARE BEHIND IN ACCOMACK COUNTY IN ORDER TO MEETING THE DEMAND.
UM, WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR, AND JUST FOR THIS MEETING, AND I'M, I'M NOT GONNA GO OVER IT BECAUSE DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO PREPARE SINCE IT WAS YESTERDAY, ANY TYPE OF FORMAL PRESENTATION, BUT ATTACHED TO YOUR AGENDA IS THE SLIDE DECK THAT, UH, W - THAT WAS, UH, PROVIDED BY MINUS NINE TO FIVE.
AND REMEMBER, MINUS NINE TO FIVE IS AFFILIATED WITH ODU AND THEY'RE OUR PARTNER ON OUR, UM, HOME BASE CHILDCARE INITIATIVE
[01:10:01]
THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.UH, BUT THE, I, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT THE SLIDE DECK SO THAT YOU CAN GET, UM, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, SOME REAL DATA ON, ON WHAT THE CHALLENGES ARE.
AND, AND THEN I'LL PROBABLY PREPARE JUST A VERY SHORT FEW, UH, S - FEW SLIDES AT A FUTURE MEETING JUST TO, TO BRING HOME THE POINT.
BUT GOOD INFORMATION, UM, IT, THE, THE, IT WAS ABOUT A TWO HOUR MEETING AND IT, AND IT COVERED BOTH NORTHAMPTON AND ACCOMACK COUNTY.
WELL ATTENDED, A LOT OF, UH, OF OUR PROVIDERS WERE REPRESENTED THERE.
UM, SO AGAIN, I THINK IT, IT, TO ME, IT'S WORTH IT MENTIONING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT CERTAINLY ALIGNS WITH SOME OF THE BOARD ACTIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE THAT YOU'VE APPROVED, UM, SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT ARE, THAT YOU'VE AUTHORIZED TO, TO MOVE FORWARD TO HELP ADDRESS TH- THIS GAP.
AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.
THANK YOU, CHANTAL ADMINISTRATOR.
THE NEXT THING ON OUR AGENDA IS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COMMENT PERIOD.
UH, SUPERVISOR WASHINGTON? YES.
UM, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, UM, ON MY VISIT, UM, TO THE JAIL.
UM, ONE THING THAT I WANNA SAY BEFORE I GIVE MY PRESENTATION IS MY PRESENTATION IS IN NO WAYS TO DOWNPLAY, UM, MR. SREEVE'S, UM, WORK THAT SHE'S DONE.
YOU'VE GIVEN US SOME REAL GOOD INFORMATION, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
UH, BUT ON MY VISIT, UH, I WOULD WITH, I THINK IT'S LIEUTENANT GREER? YES.
AND SO LIEUTENANT GREER CARRIED ME THROUGH DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE JAIL.
UM, THEY WERE VERY, AT THE TIME THAT I WAS IN THERE, UM, THEY WERE, THERE WERE A LOT OF CLEANING GOING ON IN THE JAIL.
UH, THEY WERE LETTING ME KNOW THAT THAT HAPPENS CONSTANTLY.
UM, ALSO, UH, I DID HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO INTO SOME OF THE CELL AREAS AND TO TALK WITH SOME, UH, ACTUALLY SPOKE WITH SOME OF THE INMATES THERE.
UM, NONE OF THE INMATES COMPLAINED TO ME ABOUT THE CONDITIONS, BUT THEY DID COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FOOD.
THE ONE THAT I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO.
THEY DID COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FOOD.
AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I ASKED TOO WAS AS FAR AS THE MONITORING RECORDS OF THE TEMPERATURES AND ALL GOING ON, I WANTED TO SEE SOME DATA ON THOSE THINGS.
AND THEY DID PRESENT ME WITH SOME DATA STATING BACK TO JULY.
THERE ARE, THERE WERE SOME DAYS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DID EXCEED WHAT THOSE TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE JAIL AND EXCEEDED THAT.
BUT WHAT I FOUND WAS THAT DURING THOSE DAYS THAT THEY DID EXCEED THAT THEY WERE FOLLOWING THEIR PROTOCOL.
THEY FIND THAT THEY WERE FI - THEY WERE FOLLOWING THEIR PROTOCOL.
SO IN THE AREA THAT I WAS IN, THERE WERE FANS, THEY WERE BLOWING.
AND I, AND I WENT THE DAY AFTER, UH, I THINK, UH, LABOR DAY.
UH, SO THEY, IT WASN'T REAL HOT THAT DAY.
UM, BUT THEY DID, UH, TAKE ME TO THOSE AREAS, UM, WHERE I DID SEE THE FANS BLOWING.
UM, THE OTHER THING THAT I OBSERVED, UM, THEY TOOK ME TO SOME OTHER AREAS, UM, AND SHOWED ME SOME THINGS THAT THEY HAD MADE IMPROVEMENTS ON.
THEY DID MENTION TO ME THAT THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE SEWAGE DID BACK UP.
IT DID, BUT THEY HAD IT TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY.
THEY WORKED ON GETTING IT RESOLVED.
UM, AND SO THE THINGS THAT I SAW IN THERE, UM, ACCORDING TO WHAT MY OBSERVATION WAS AT THAT TIME, IS THAT THEY WERE FOLLOWING THEIR PROTOCOL.
NOW, WHAT I WILL BE TELLING YOU I'M GONNA BE DOING MAKING FUTURE VISITS.
I WILL MAKE FUTURE VISITS THERE, UM, AT THE JAIL.
UM, UM, ONE THING THAT I DO KNOW IS THAT WHEN, YOU KNOW, CAN I SPEAK FRANK AND BE HONEST? WHEN, WHEN, WHEN I KNOW THAT SOMEBODY'S COMING, I'M DOING THINGS.
BUT THERE ARE GONNA BE SOME TIMES THAT I WANNA GO JUST TO GO.
AND, AND, AND, AND I TALKED TO HIM AND HE SAID ANYTIME THAT I WANTED TO COME, I COULD COME.
SO THERE ARE GONNA BE SOME TIMES THAT I'M GONNA GO, UM, AND CHECK OUT THINGS.
UM, AND, AND HERE'S WHAT I WANNA SAY THIS THING.
ONE THING THAT I'VE LEARNED THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS GO IN AND FIND THINGS WRONG, BUT I'M GOING TO SEE IF THEY'RE DOING THINGS RIGHT.
THAT'S WHAT I WANNA CHECK OUT.
SO THAT'S WHAT MY OBSERVATION WAS, AND I WANNA SHARE THAT WITH YOU.
AND ONCE AGAIN, IT'S NO WAY TO DIMINISH THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE SHARING WITH US, BUT BASED ON WHAT I SAW AT THAT POINT IN TIME, THAT'S WHAT I, THAT WAS MY OBSERVATION.
[01:15:01]
THANK YOU.UH, SUPERVISOR CH - VICE CHAIR JOHNSEN.
I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE ACCOMAC COUNTY JAIL FACILITY INSPECTION, A REPORT.
MY OVERVIEW ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER THE 24TH, 2026, AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 AM, I CONDUCTED A VISIT AND INSPECTION AT THE ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL IN ACCOMACK, VIRGINIA.
AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION, 90 INMATES WERE HOUSED AT THE ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL AND AN ADDITIONAL 11 OF THE ACCOMACK COUNTY INMATES WERE HOUSED AT THE EASTERN SHORE REGIONAL JAIL IN EASTVILLE, VIRGINIA.
UPON MY ARRIVAL, I WAS GREETED BY STAFF, LIEUTENANT WAYNE GREER.
I WAS ASKED TO SIGN IN THE FACILITIES SIGN-IN RECORD BOOKLET.
I MET WITH LIEUTENANT GREER IN HIS OFFICE, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 12 BY NINE FEET AND SHARED WITH THREE ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS.
THE AREAS THAT I VISITED DURING THE INSPECTION, I WAS PERMITTED TO VISIT AND OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING AREAS.
THE HOLDING CELL, THE BOOKING AREA, THE KITCHEN AND FOOD SERVICE AREAS, UP AND DOWNSTAIRS AREAS, LIBRARY/OLD VIDEO CONFERENCE ROOM, THE LAUNDRY ROOM, INMATE HOUSING AREAS, MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AREAS, OUTSIDE RECREATION AREA, TRUSTEE AREA, AND THE SUPPLY AND STORAGE AREAS, CLEANLINESS AND SANITATION.
OVERALL, THE FACILITY APPEARED CLEAN AND REASONABLY MAINTAINED BASED ON THE AREAS I INSPECTED.
THE HOUSING UNITS WERE CLEAN AND FREE OF EXCESSIVE TRASH.
FLOORS WERE CLEAN AND MAINTAINED, AND WALLS AND CEILINGS WERE GENERALLY CLEAN AND FREE OF SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.
SEVERAL SHOWERS HAD BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS MOLD CONCERNS.
DURING THE INSPECTION, I DID NOT OBSERVE MOLD, MILDEW, OR EXCESSIVE MOISTURE IN THE AREAS I INSPECTED.
CLEANING SUPPLIES WERE APPROPRIATELY STORED AND CONTROLLED AND TRASH WAS REMOVED REGULARLY.
I DID NOT EXPERIENCE UNPLEASANT ODORS OR SEE EVIDENCE OF PEST ACTIVITY DURING THE INSPECTION.
RENOVATIONS OF THE INMATE HOUSING AREA.
THE INMATE HOUSING AREAS HAVE UNDERGONE SIGNIFICANT RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
THE RENOVATIONS INCLUDE NEW OR REMODELED FLOORING, CEILING, WALLS, DOORS, SHOWER STALLS, WINDOWS PANELS, AS WELL AS PAINTING THROUGHOUT THE HOUSING AREA.
THE SHOWERS AREAS HAVE BEEN RENOVATED, INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF SHOWER, SHOWER STALLS WERE NECESSARY.
THESE IMPROVEMENTS HAVE ENHANCED THE OVERALL CLEANLINESS, APPEARANCE, SAFETY, AND FUNCTIONALITY OF THE INMATE HOUSING AREAS.
DURING MY INSPECTION, UH, DURING, UH, THE INS - MY INSPECTION, THE RENOVATED AREAS APPEARED TO BE CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED, AND IN GOOD CONDITION.
THE IMPROVEMENTS DEMONSTRATED THE COUNTY'S CONTINUAL EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN AND UPGRADE THE JAIL FACILITY TO PROV - TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE LIVING CONDITIONS FOR INMATES.
I WAS PERMITTED TO ENTER INMATE CELL BLOCKS AND SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH INMATES.
THE INMATES WERE RESPECTFUL AND COOPERATIVE DURING THE INSPECTION.
BEDS AND BUNKS APPEAR SAFE AND IN GOOD CONDITION.
MATTRESSES APPEAR CLEAN AND APPROPRIATE.
LIGHTING, FANS AND VENTILATIONS WERE PROVIDED AND DOORS, LOCKS, AND CELL HARDWARE APPEARED TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.
THE HOUSING AREAS DID NOT APPEAR OVERCROWDED AT THE TIME OF MY VISIT.
STAFF REPORTED THAT WHEN ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL REACHES CAPACITY, INMATES MAY BE TRANSPORTED TO THE EASTERN SHORE REGIONAL JAIL IN EASTVILLE, VIRGINIA.
THE FOOD AND SERVICE IN THE KITCHEN.
THE KITCHEN AND FOOD PREPARATION AREAS APPEARED CLEAN AND SANITIZED.
FOOD PREPARATION AREAS WERE PROMPTLY MAINTAINED.
REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS WERE GENERALLY OPERATING PROPERLY.
HOWEVER, ONE REFRIGERATOR, UH, WAS NOT OPERATIONAL AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION.
STAFF REPORTED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR HAS A WORK ORDER SUBMITTED AND THE FACILITY WAS SCHEDULED TO RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT REFRIGERATOR.
TEMPERATURE READINGS FOR THE APPLIANCES WERE DIGITALLY DISPLAYED ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE APPLIANCES.
FOOD WAS PROPERLY LABELED AND DATED.
DRY STORAGE AREAS WERE CLEANED AND ORGANIZED AND PEST CONTROL MEASURES WERE IN PLACE.
DISHWASHING AND SANITATION PROCEDURES WERE BEING FOLLOWED AND STAFF DEMONSTRATED APPROPRIATE FOOD HANDLING PRACTICES.
MENUS WERE POSTED FOR UP TO TWO WEEKS AND STAFF REPORTED THAT MEALS WERE BEING PROVIDED AS REQUIRED, MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AREA.
MEDICAL RECORDS WERE APPROPRIATELY SECURED AND PROCEDURES WERE IN PLACE FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND FOR OUTSIDE OF MEDICAL CARE.
TWO NURSES WERE ON DUTY DURING THE INSPECTION.
ONE NURSE REMAINED ON DUTY UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 10:00 PM.
STAFF REPORTED THAT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ARE IN PLACE FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES OCCURRING AFTER THAT TIME.
FIRE, SAFETY, AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.
THE FACILITY HAD EMERGENCY AND SAFETY PROCEDURES IN PLACE.
DURING THE INSPECTION, FIRE ALARMS WERE OPERATIONAL.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS HAD BEEN INSPECTED.
EMERGENCY EXITS WERE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED.
[01:20:01]
EMERGENCY LIGHTING WAS FUNCTIONING.EVACUATION PLANS WERE POSTED WHERE REQUIRED.
EMERGENCY DRILLS WERE DOCUMENTED.
FIRST AID SUPPLIES WERE AVAILABLE.
THE EMERGENCY GENERATOR WAS MAINTAINED.
STAFF DEMONSTRATED FAMILIARITY WITH EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.
THE DOORS AND LOCKS INSPECTED APPEARED TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.
SECURITY CAMERAS APPEARED TO BE FUNCTIONING WHERE REQUIRED AND SECURITY CONTROL SYSTEMS WERE OPERATIONAL.
KEY CONTROL PROCEDURES APPEARED TO BE PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
INCIDENT REPORTS AND REQUIRED SECURITY CHECKS WERE DOCUMENTED.
CONTRABAND CONTROL PROCEDURES WERE IN PLACE AND REQUIRED SECURITY CHECKS WERE BEING CONDUCTED AND DOCUMENTED.
LAUNDRY, CLOTHING, AND HYGIENE.
THE LAUNDRY FACILITY APPEARED CLEAN AND FUNCTIONAL.
STAFF REPORTED THAT INMATES RECEIVED CLEAN CLOTHING AND THAT BEDDING IS CLEANED AND CHANGED ACCORDING TO THE FACILITY'S POLICY.
LAUNDRY WAS PROPERLY STORED AND PROCEDURES WERE IN PLACE FOR HANDLING CONTAMINATED OR BIOHAZARD CLO- CLOTHING.
STAFF STATED THAT TRUSTEES CLEANED THE FACILITIES EACH MORNING.
INMATE CLOTHING IS CLEANED ON TUESDAYS.
LINENS ARE CLEANED ON THURSDAYS.
PERSONAL HYGIENE SUPPLIES WERE AVAILABLE, INCLUDING SOAP, TOOTHBRUSHES, TOOTHPASTE, TOILET PAPER TOWELS, AND OTHER NECESSARY HYGIENE PRODUCTS.
STAFF REPORTED THAT THE HAIR CARE AND PERSONAL HYGIENE NEEDS WERE ADDRESSED AND THAT SHOWER SCHEDULES WERE BEING FOLLOWED.
RECORDS REVIEWED DURING THE INSPECTION APPEARED CURRENT AND MAINTAINED.
FIRE DRILL RECORDS, MAINTENANCE WORK ORDERS, PEST CONTROL RECORDS, FOOD SERVICE INSPECTION RECORDS, TEMPERATURE LOGS, CLEANING SCHEDULES, MEDICATION REPORTS, INCIDENT REPORTS, STAFF TRAINING RECORDS, AND THE REQUIRED LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION DOCUMENTATIONS.
I ASKED THE FACILITY ABOUT CURRENT AND RECENT MAINTENANCE CONCERNS, DOORS AND WINDOWS.
STAFF REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT BROKEN DOORS.
STAFF ALSO REPORTED THAT THE WINDOW PANELS PREVIOUSLY REQUIRING REPLACEMENT HAD BEEN REPLACED.
NO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGED FLOORING WAS IDENTIFIED DURING THE INSPECTION.
PLUMBING ISSUES HAVE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY.
HOWEVER, STAFF REPORTED THAT SUCH PROBLEMS ARE ADDRESSED PROMPTLY.
THE FACILITY HAS USED BUNDIT WELL AND COMPANY, BOGGS WATER AND SEWAGE INCORPORATION AND BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING- PLUMBING WHEN PLUMBING SERVICES ARE REQUIRED.
STATE, STAFF REPORTED THAT APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS AGO, AN INMATE FLUSHED A UNIFORM DOWN THE TOILET RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT PLUMBING PROBLEM.
STAFF ALSO REPORTED INSTANCES IN WHICH INMATES FLUSHED POTATO CHIP BAGS AND OTHER INAPPROPRIATE MATERIALS DOWN TOILETS.
TOILETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WHEN NECESSARY.
STAFF REPORTED THAT WHEN LEAKS OR OTHER PLUMBING PROBLEMS OCCUR, REPAIRS ARE MADE AND THE AFFECTED AREA IS SANITIZED AFTERWARDS.
I ASKED HOW OFTEN WAS THE FACILITY INSPECTED? STAFF REPORTED THAT ONE FACILITY, THAT, THAT THE FACILITY RECEIVES ONE RANDOM INSPECTION EACH YEAR AND ONE REGULAR, UH, SCHEDULED INSPECTION.
I ALSO ASKED RATHER THERE ANY CURRENT AREAS CONSIDERED UNSAFE OR REQUIRED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.
NO SUCH AREAS WAS IDENTIFIED DURING THE INSPECTION.
THE OLDEST OUTSTANDING MAINTENANCE ORDER WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK OLD, AND THAT INVOLVED A NON-OPERATIONAL REFRIGERATOR IN THE KITCHEN.
I ASKED TO, ASKED THE FACILITY TO IDENTIFY ONE OF THREE BIGGEST MAINTENANCE CONCERNS.
STAFF IDENTIFIED PLUMBING AS AN AREA REQUIRING CONTINUED ATTENTION, PARTICULARLY THE MAINTENANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 100 TOILETS THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY.
ALTHOUGH PLUMBING ISSUES DO OCCUR, STAFF REPORTED THAT PROBLEMS ARE ADDRESSED PROMPTLY WHEN THEY ARISE.
ALTHOUGH TEMPERATURE READINGS WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED IN A ROUTINE MANNER, STAFF ENS- ENSURES THAT FANS AND VENTILATIONS ARE CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE VIRGINIA STATE REQUIREMENTS.
DURING THE INSPECTION, TEMPERATURE RECORDS WERE AVAILABLE AND I HAVE RECEIVED THEM.
IF AN INMATE HAS A MEDICAL CONDITION OR OTHER HEALTH RELATED CONCERNS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE HEAT, THE INMATE IS EVALUATED BY, IS, IS EVA - IS EVALUATED BY THE MEDICAL STAFF.
STAFF REPORTED THAT THE NURSE MAY DETERMINE WHETHER THE INMATE SHOULD BE REMOVED TO THE TRUSTEE AREA WHICH HAS AIR CONDITIONING.
STAFF REPORTED THAT DURING INCARCERATION AT THE ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL, INMATES HAVE ACCESS TO SEVERAL SERVICES AND AMENITIES, INCLUDING WIFI, INCLUDING, UH, THEIR OWN INVE - INDIVIDUAL TABLETS, DEVICE, FREE MOVIES, FREE MUSIC, LEGAL MATERIALS, TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, CLOTHING, MEDICATION, HOSPITALIZATION WHEN NECESSARY, FREE DENTAL, UM, FREE, UM, WEEKLY COMMISSARY ORDERING OFF THEIR INDIVIDUAL TABLET DEVICE, PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS, THREE MEALS PER DAY, INCLUDING HOT AND COLD
[01:25:01]
MEALS AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, UPCOMING FACILITY PRO- PROJECTS.THE FOLLOWING UPCOMING PROJECTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR COMPLETION AT THE ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL, THE VISITATION ROOM, IMPROVEMENTS AND/OR RENO - OR RENOVATIONS TO THE VISITATION ROOM TO PROVIDE A MORE APPROPRIATE, FUNCTIONAL AND WELCOMING AREA FOR INMATE VISITATION.
NURSE'S OFFICE, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE NURSE'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE WORKSPACE FOR MEDICAL STAFF AND TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUED DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES.
STAFF OFFICES, IMPROVEMENTS TO OTHER STAFF OFFICES AND WORK AREAS, INCLUDING FUNCTIONAL WORKSPACE FOR EMPLOYEES.
THESE UPCOMING PROJECTS WILL ADDRESS THE FACILITY'S NEEDS AND IMPROVE THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT OF STAFF WHILE ALSO IMPROVING THE OVERALL FUNCTIONALITY OF THE JAIL.
IN CONCLUSION, BASED ON MY SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2026, THE ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL WAS GENERALLY CLEAN, ORDERLY, AND RE - UM, REASONABLY MAINTAINED.
I WAS GIVEN ACCESS TO MULTIPLE AREAS OF THE FACILITY AND WAS PERMITTED TO SPEAK WITH INMATES AND STAFF.
THE AREAS INSPECTED APPEAR TO HAVE APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES FOR CLEANLINESS, SANITATION, FOOD SERVICE, MEDICAL CARE, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, SECURITY, LAUNDRY, INMATE HYGIENE, AND MAINTENANCE.
ONGOING MAINTENANCE CHALLENGE REMAIN, PARTICULARLY CONCERNING PLUMBING AND THE CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF THE FACILITY'S TOILETS AND PLUMBING SYSTEM.
STAFF REPORTED THAT MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS ARE ADDRESSED WHEN THEY OCCUR, AND I DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY EMERGENCY REPAIRS DURING MY INSPECTION.
ALTHOUGH TEMPERATURE DOCUMENTATIONS HAVE NOT PRE - HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN ROUTINELY MAINTAINED, STAFF REPORTED THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONTINUES TO USE VENTILATION AND FANS TO MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE CONDITIONS.
CURRENT TEMPERATURE RECORDS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THAT REVIEW.
COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE AND COMPARISON OF NEEDS.
DURING MY VISIT AT THE ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL, I WAS OB - I WAS TO OBSERVE FIRSTHAND THE CONDITIONS OF THE FACILITY AND SPOKE WITH STAFF AS WELL AS INMATES.
I RECOGNIZE THAT THE COUNTY HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT INMATES ARE HOUSED IN A SAFE, SANITARY, SECURE, AND APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE, MAINTAINED ENVIRONMENT.
THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND LEGITIMATE CONCERNS REGARDING THE JAIL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
AT THE SAME TIME, I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO PLACE THE DISCUSSION OF JAIL CON- CONDITIONS WITHIN THE BROADER CONTEXT OF THE NEEDS AND CHALLENGES FACING THE CITIZENS OF ACCOMACK COUNTY.
ON MONDAY, AUGUST THE 24TH, 2026, I CHAIRED A COMMUNITY MEETING AT TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH IN HORNTOWN, VIRGINIA, WHERE 45 TO 50 CITIZENS ATTEND.
MANY OF THOSE ATTENDING WERE SENIOR CITIZENS.
DURING THAT MEETING, CITIZENS SHARE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF THEIR HOMES AND THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES THEY FACE EVERY DAY.
SOME CITIZENS REPORTED NOT HAVING ADEQUATE AIR CONDITIONING IN THEIR HOMES AND RELYING ON FANS PLACED IN WINDOWS, SOMETIMES WITHOUT ADEQUATE VENTILATION.
OTHERS EXPRESSED THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE RISING COST OF FOOD, MEDICATION, ELECTRICITY, AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES.
FOR SOME OF OUR CITIZENS, MEETING THESE BASIC NEEDS REQUIRE DIFFICULT DECISIONS ABOUT WHICH BILLS AND NECESSITIES THEY CAN AFFORD.
THERE IS AN IMPORTANT CONTRAST THAT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED WHILE INMATES ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE BASIC NECESSITIES REQUIRED FOR THEIR CARE WHILE INCARCERATED, INCLUDING THREE MEALS EACH DAY, NECESSARY MEDICATION, PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS, TOILET PAPER, CLOTHING, AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
OUR CITIZENS OUTSIDE OF THE FACILITY MUST PERSONALLY BEAR THE COST OF THESE SAME ESSENTIAL BASIC NECESS- NECESSITIES.
OUR CITIZENS MUST PAY FOR THEIR GROCERY BILLS.
THEY MUST PAY FOR THEIR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS AND OTHER MEDICAL NEEDS.
THEY MUST PAY FOR THEIR ELECTRICAL AND UTILITY BILLS, INCLUDING THE COST OF HEATING AND COOLING THEIR HOMES.
THEY MUST PURCHASE THEIR OWN PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD NECESSITIES.
I AM NOT MAKING THIS COMPARISON TO SUGGEST THAT INMATES SHOULD BE DENIED APPROPRIATE LIVING CONDITIONS OR THAT LEGITIMATE JAIL CONCERNS SHOULD BE IGNORED.
RATHER, I BELIEVE THAT THE NEEDS OF BOTH POPULATIONS DESERVE THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION.
AS AN ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE, I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO, TO LISTEN WHEN CITIZENS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT THE JAIL.
I ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO LISTEN WHEN CITIZENS TELL ME THAT THEY ARE STRONGLY, STRUGGLING TO KEEP THEIR HOMES A- ADEQUATELY HEATED OR COOLED, PURCHASE FOOD AND MEDICATIONS AND PAY INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE, UH, UTILITY BILLS.
THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED AT THE AUGUST 24 COMMUNITY MEETING REMINDED ME THAT MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE REPRESENT ARE FACING SIGNIFICANT HARDSHIPS IN THEIR OWN HOMES.
SOME OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS ARE MAKING DIFFICULT CHOICES SIMPLY TO AFFORD FOOD MEDICATIONS AND UTILITIES.
THEREFORE, IT IS, UM, AS WE CONTINUE TO EVALUATE AND PROVE THE ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL, I BELIEVE WE MUST ALSO REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS WHO LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
OUR GOAL SHOULD BE TO MAINTAIN SAFE AND APPROPRIATE CONDITIONS AT THE JAIL WHILE CONTINUING TO FIND RESOURCES AND SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE
[01:30:01]
FOR THE CITIZENS OF ACCOMACK COUNTY.THIS IS NOT ABOUT CHOOSING ONE GROUP OR THE OTHER, IT'S ABOUT RECOGNIZING THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ALL THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE, THE NEEDS OF OUR CITIZENS REMAIN AN IMPORTANT PART OF ACCOMACK COUNTY'S PRIORITIES.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE ACCOMAC COUNTY SHERIFF TODD WESSEN FOR HIS AUTHORIZATION FOR THE VISIT OF THE ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL, LIEUTENANT WAYNE GREER AND SERGEANT CONNOR KING FOR THE TOUR OF THE JAIL AND THE ENTIRE ACCOMACK COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR CORPORATION TRANSPARENCY AND ASSISTANCE DURING THE VISIT OF THE ACCOMACK COUNTY JAIL.
UM, MR. GEORGE? YES, ACTUALLY I HAVE TWO THINGS.
BUT MINE WILL BE HOPEFULLY QUICKER THAN THAT.
WELL, I GOT THIS ABOUT A MONTH AGO, FOLLOWED UP BY THIS LETTER.
I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYONE GOT THIS, BUT IT'S FROM SOME MAN WHO I HAVE NO IDEA WHO HE IS.
WELL, TO ME IT WAS, IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE THAT SOMEONE WOULD GO OUT ON THEIR OWN AND START TRYING TO CANVAS CITIZENS TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE ACCOMACK COUNTY.
HE CAME UP WITH FIRST, I DON'T KNOW, A COUPLE HUNDRED IDEAS AND FILTERED IT DOWN TO, I DON'T KNOW, 30 OR 40 MORE.
BUT THEN SINCE THEN I'VE COME TO UNDERSTAND HE'S ACTUALLY PUT TOGETHER COMMITTEES THAT ARE LOOKING TO WORK ON IT TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO, UM, SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.
AND THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MY MIND WAS BACK IN THE '60S, THERE WAS A FAMOUS MAN WHO SAID, "ASK NOT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY." WHAT EXCUSE ME, "ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY." AND THAT MAN WAS JFK, JOHN F.
AND TO ME, THAT REPRESENTS WHAT KENNEDY WAS TALKING ABOUT.
YOU SEE A PROBLEM, YOU GET INVOLVED, YOU TRY AND FIX IT WITHOUT GOING TO THE GOVERNMENT.
I JUST THINK THAT'S COMMENDABLE.
AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY ON THAT.
I, I DON'T KNOW WHO THE MAN IS, BUT THANK YOU, UH, MR. MCMATH.
AND THE LAST THING I'LL LEAVE WITH IS MY READINGS THIS PAST WEEK.
I FOUND SOMETHING THAT JARRED MY MEMORY AND IT'S A VERY SIMPLE QUOTE AND IT BASICALLY SAYS WHILE YOU'RE GOING THROUGH YOUR DAY PERFORMING ANY ACTS TO CHARITY, MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ACTS ARE WRAPPED IN DIGNITY BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANNA TAKE AWAY A MAN'S DIGNITY.
AND THAT REALLY IS ALL I HAD TO SAY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HOPEFULLY IT, IT GOT COMMUNICATED CORRECTLY.
MR. PHILLIPS? UH, NOTHING MADAM CHAIRMAN TO ADD.
MR. TARR? IF, UH, FIRST OF ALL, UH, I'D LIKE TO THANK, UH, UH, MADAM VICE CHAIR FOR THAT DETAILED REPORT.
THERE IS A FUTURE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IN RICHMOND IF YOU, UH, PROBABLY WANNA HEAD OUT THERE.
I THINK THEY PUT ME AT THE PASTURE THERE, BUT I, I LEARNED A LOT IN THAT JAIL AND THAT, UH, AND THOSE INSPECTION REPORTS WAS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WENT OVER.
AND, UH, I HAD REALLY HAVE NOTHING TO ADD ABOUT MY VISIT THERE TONIGHT OTHER THAN I KNEW THAT THE BLEACH WAS GONNA OPEN MY SINUSES UP BEFORE I LEFT.
THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, AND TO MR. UH, MS. UH, WA - UH, MRS. JOHNSEN AND MR. UH, MR. UH - WASHINGTON.
THANK YOU BOTH FOR, UH, FOR TOURING THE JAIL.
AND, AND, UM, AND MS. JOHNSEN, VICE CHAIR, THAT'S AS THOROUGH REPORT AS I'VE EVER HEARD.
AND, AND I HAVE HEARD AND READ A LOT, AND I'LL ECHO WHAT MR. UH, TAR SAID.
UH, DOC WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU AS, UH, AS ONE OF THEIR AGENTS, THAT'S FOR SURE.
AND, AND YOU REALLY, FOR, FOR MR. TAR, MR. TAR AND I, UH, WE TOURED THE JAIL TODAY AND SPOKE WITH MR. GREER AND, UM, THEIR, UH, UH, COURT SERGEANT THERE AND ALSO SHERIFF, UH.
AND THE FIRST THING THAT IMPRESSED ME WAS THEY WERE HAPPY WE'RE THERE.
THEY WERE DELIGHTED THAT WE CAME THERE TO TOUR THE JAIL AND, UH, AND TO SPEAK WITH THEM.
AND I CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO ADD TO WHAT MR. WISE, UH, MADAM, UH, MRS. JOHNSEN AND MR. WASHINGTON, UH, HAS SHARED.
BUT, UH, JUST ANSWER OR RESPOND TO A COUPLE THINGS THAT, THAT WAS SAID HERE BY MRS. REEVES AS FAR AS, UH, A COUPLE OF HER CONCERNS.
AND ONE WAS THE, UH, REVENUE FROM THE COMMISSARY AND REVENUE FROM THE PHONE.
BY STATE LAW, THAT HAS TO GO BACK TO THE INMATE SERVICES.
THEY CAN'T SPEND THAT FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN INMATE SERVICES.
[01:35:01]
SO THAT'S, UM, THAT, UH, THAT IS SAID IN, IN LAW.AND FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN READING AND TO SEE WHAT A LOCAL JAIL IS REQUIRED AS FAR AS THE POLICIES AND THE REQUIREMENTS TO OPERATE A, A REGIONAL JAIL, I JUST SUGGEST GO TO 6VAC15-40, AND YOU'LL SEE ABOUT 150 REQUIREMENTS LISTED.
AND WHEN THAT JAIL'S INSPECTED TWICE A YEAR, THAT'S WHAT THEY GO THROUGH.
ONE INSPECTION IS ANNOUNCED, THE SECOND INSPECTION IS UNANNOUNCED.
AND, UH, SO THE EXPERIENCE I HAD TODAY DID NOT SURPRISE ME.
BUT AGAIN, UM, UH, MS. JOHNSEN AND MR. WASHINGTON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORTS AND, UH, AND AGAIN, UH, MS. JOHNSEN, GREAT, GREAT REPORT AND I APPRECIATE THAT.
UM, I JUST WANTED TO SAY I DO THANK, UM, EVERYBODY WHO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE JAIL.
UM, BECAUSE OF MY MOBILITY, I'M NOT ABLE TO DO THAT, BUT I'VE LISTENED AND I HAVE TO CONCUR.
UH, THAT WAS A THOROUGH REPORT OF VICE CHAIR.
I DID, HOWEVER, HAVE A CHANCE TO GO TO THE CHILDCARE MEETING AND, AND, UM, JUST MIMICKING WHAT OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SAID, THAT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE.
ALSO WANTED TO NOTE ALSO DELEGATE BLOSSOM WAS THERE.
SO HE GOT TO HEAR, UM, ABOUT, UH, DIFFERENT TYPE OF CHILDCARE NEEDS WE NEED ON THE SHORE, THE, UH, HOW YOU, THE, UM, MAXIMUM REIMBURSABLE RATES, UH, FOR THE, UM, CHILDCARE, UH, PROVIDERS NEED TO BE RAISED.
SO HE GOT TO HEAR A LOT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SO I, I JUST COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT, UH, THERE ARE A LOT OF, UH, NEEDS AS FAR AS CHILDCARE ON THE SHORE.
SO, UM, THAT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND GOOD, AND I'M GLAD I HAD A CHANCE TO GO THERE.
UM, AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.
UH - MADAM CHAIR? UH, YES, MR. PARKS.
WELL, DID YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? NO, I ALSO...
I WANNA THANK EVERYONE WHO VISITED THE JAIL AND ECHO EVERYONE'S COMMENTS AND ESPECIALLY, UH, UH, THE VICE CHAIR'S REPORT WAS INCREDIBLY THOROUGH AND THANK YOU.
I WOULD ALSO ASK, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT, THAT MR. MCMATH, I BELIEVE FORMER SENATOR MCMATH'S, UH, REPORT COULD BE ENTERED INTO OUR OFFICIAL RECORD TO DOCUMENT ALL THE WORK HE'S DONE WITH THAT.
MR. PLEDGER OF THE BOARD? SURE.
I'LL MAKE, UH - I'LL LET HIM DO THAT.
YEAH, I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT THE REPORTS THAT, UH, DISTRIBUTED TO THE COUNTY AND THE BOARD BY, UH, MR. GEORGE MCMATH BE ENTERED INTO THE COUNTY'S OFFICIAL RECORD.
SO MOVE AND PROPERLY SECOND THAT THE, UH, REPORTS AND THINGS THAT MR. MCMATH HAS, HAS DISTRIBUTED BE ENTERED TO OUR COUNTY RECORD.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
UH, BUDGET AND APPROPRIATE ITEMS CONSIDER APPROVING RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FY27 BUDGET? MOVE IT.
AND MOVE AND PROPERLY SECOND THE DISCUSSION.
HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR LET IT BE KNOWN BY.
NEXT THING IS, UH, TO PAY THE BILLS.
UH, FIRST, DO YOU CERTIFY? I CERTIFY.
THE MOVEMENT SECOND THAT WE PAY OUR BILLS.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR LETTER TO BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, AND THAT MOTION HAS CARRIED.
WE DO HAVE A CLOSED SESSION, UH, THAT'S COMING UP AND I DO EXPECT ACTION AFTER THE CLOSED SESSION.
SO IF YOU WANNA STICK AROUND, YOU MAY.
GO AHEAD AND YOU HAVE A MOTION.
I MAKE A MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED, UH, SESSION PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA CODE SECTIONS 2.2 - 37.1A7 FOR CONSOLATION OF LEGAL COUNSEL RETAINING TO ACTION ON PROPER LITIGATION REGARDING TO A BATTERY STORAGE FACILITY WHERE SUCH CONSOLATION OR BRIEFING IS OPEN MEETING WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE NEGOTIATION AND LITIGATION POSTURE OF THE PUBLIC BODY.
IT'S BEEN MOVING PUBLIC SECOND THAT WE GO INTO, UH, CLOSED SESSION BASED ON WHAT HAS BEEN, UM, HEARD IN YOUR HEARING.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON IT? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
[01:40:01]
WE ARE NOW IN CLOSED AND AYE ONLY PUBLIC.BUSINESS MATTERS WERE IDENTIFIED AND IN THE MOTION BY WHICH THE CLOSED SESSION WAS CONVENED WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED OR CONSIDERED IN THE MEETING.
IT'S BEEN, IT'S BEEN MOVED IN PROPERLY SECOND BY BOARD'S AFFIRMATION.
THAT BRINGS US OUT OF CLOSED SESSION.
AND IS THERE - MOVE WE ADJOURN.
ONE OTHER MISLANS THAT I NEED TO BRING UP FOR A CORRECTION AFTER THIS.
MOTION AND I'LL LET YOU TALK, MR. SCOUT STORAGE MOTION TO APPROVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT OCTOBER THE 21ST, 2026.
I MOVE TO APPROVE THAT THE SCOUT STORAGE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT DATED OCTOBER THE 21ST, 2026, HEREBY LAWSUITS FILED BY THE SCOUT STORAGE AGAINST THE COUNTY WILL BE DISMISSED AND THE DEPENDENT APPEAL WITH AGNES COUNTY BZA WILL BE WITHDRAWN.
AND HEREBY THE COUNTY WILL RECEIVE AN ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY TRAINING AND $200,000 IN COMMUNITY FUNDS TO BE PAID IN FOUR INSTALLMENTS OF $50,000 EACH.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPER SECOND OF THE MOTION THAT, UH, MS. JOHNSEN HAVE JUST READ.
DO YOU HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION? IF NOT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, AND THAT MOTION HAS CARRIED.
MR. S- SO JUST QUICKLY, EARLIER THIS EVENING, UM, THE BOARD ENTERTAINED AND APPROVED APPOINTING, UM, MS. SATTERWHITE TO THE AFD.
UH, WHAT, WHAT WE HAD DISCUSSED, AND, AND THIS IS PERHAPS STAFF'S, UH, THOUGH HERE, WAS HAVING HER APPOINTED, UM, TO THE GROUNDWATER COMMITTEE.
UH, THE, THE PROBLEM IS WE'RE NOT SURE WE HAVE A VACANCY WITH THE GROUNDWATER VACAN - UH, ON THE GROUNDWATER COMMITTEE.
SO THE BOARD MAY WANT TO ENTERTAIN RESCINDING ITS PREVIOUS MOTION, UM, TO APPOINT HER TO THE AFD AND THEN PERHAPS, UM, APPOINT HER TO THE GROUNDWATER COMMITTEE CONTINGENT ON THERE BEING AN OPENING.
UM, AND, AND YOU, SUPERVISOR WASHINGTON, YOU MAY KNOW IF YOU DO HAVE ONE.
I UNDERSTAND THERE'S ONE MEMBER WHO WAS DISCUSSING RESIGNING.
IT WOULD, YEAH, UH, MR. GRAYSEN? GRAYSEN.
GRAYSEN WAS REPLACED BY MR. FITCHEN.
SO, SO WE DON'T, WE DON'T HAVE A CURRENT VACANCY ON THE GROUNDWORK.
SO WE DON'T HAVE A, A AFD FOR THE AFRICA - WELL, WE HAVE, WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING NOT TO PUT MEMBERS ON THE AFD BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO DO AWAY WITH THE AFDS IF LEGISLATION IS INTRODUCED IN A GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT DOES THAT.
SO, UM, IT'S NOT A VERY, IT'S NOT A COMMITTEE THAT MEETS A LOT.
SO, SO DO YOU NEED US TO, TO HAVE, TO, TO BRING THAT BACK TO, TO VOTE TO RESCIND THAT? SU- SUPERVISOR PARKS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESCIND THAT? THE BOARD TO RESCIND THAT? YEAH.
I, I WOULD, I'D LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION TO RESCIND THAT APPOINTMENT NOMINATION AT THIS TIME.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND PROPERLY SECOND THAT WE RESCIND THE MOTION OF MS. SATTERWHITE JOINING AFD.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, AND THAT MOTION HAS CARRIED.
ANYTHING ELSE? MOTION TO ADJOURN.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, LET IT BE KNOWN BY AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, AND THAT MOTION HAS BEEN.