[1:40] Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to the
[1:42] Williamsburg City Council meeting of
[1:43] Thursday, August the 13th. Miss McCay,
[1:45] would you call the role please?
[1:47] >> Williams here.
[1:48] >> Miss Ramsey
[1:49] >> here.
[1:49] >> Mayor Ponds
[1:50] >> here.
[1:50] >> Vice Mayor Den
[1:51] >> here.
[1:52] >> All right. That leads us to matters of
[1:54] special privilege. The first is the
[1:56] consideration and action of a remote
[1:58] participation request from city council
[2:02] member Stacy Kernier for the August
[2:04] 13th, 2026
[2:06] uh city council business meeting. Is
[2:08] there a motion?
[2:09] >> Yes. I move that city council approve a
[2:12] remote participation request from
[2:14] council member Stacy Kernier for the
[2:17] August 13, 2026 city council business
[2:21] meeting.
[2:22] >> Second.
[2:24] Little reluctant there. Miss McCay,
[2:26] would you call the role, please?
[2:28] >> Miss Williams, I.
[2:29] >> Miss Ramsey,
[2:30] >> I.
[2:30] >> Mayor Ponds. I.
[2:31] >> Vice Mayor Dent.
[2:32] >> I.
[2:33] >> Okay. Welcome, Mr. Kernair. Leads us now
[2:36] uh item four on the agenda, city council
[2:38] minutes. We have before us the minutes
[2:40] of July 9th uh for uh city council
[2:43] meetings, two sets there, and then a
[2:46] work sessions and
[2:49] on July 6th. Um, but have any changes,
[2:53] corrections? Is there a motion to
[2:55] approve?
[2:56] >> I move to approve all of the minutes as
[2:59] presented.
[3:00] >> Second. Okay. M.
[3:02] >> Mccay.
[3:02] >> Miss Williams.
[3:03] >> I, Miss Ramsey.
[3:04] >> I,
[3:05] >> Mayor Ponds.
[3:05] >> I,
[3:06] >> Vice Mayor Dent.
[3:06] >> I,
[3:07] >> Miss Kernier.
[3:08] >> Okay.
[3:08] >> Hi.
[3:10] >> Thank you. Let me not forget. [laughter]
[3:14] Um, leads us now to public hearings. And
[3:16] first item A is consideration and action
[3:19] regarding PCR number 26-00007
[3:22] proposing a special use permit for the
[3:24] continued use of two existing temporary
[3:26] learning cottages at Matthew School 3012
[3:30] Scotland Street. Mr. Wayong, welcome.
[3:33] >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and good afternoon
[3:35] to city council. Today I'll be
[3:36] presenting PCR case 26-007.
[3:40] This is a special use permit application
[3:42] that we received from the Williamsburg
[3:44] James City County Public School System
[3:47] for the continued use of the two
[3:49] existing temporary learning cottages
[3:51] that are currently located at Matthew
[3:53] Whley Elementary School. Um, both these
[3:55] cottages are used to provide flexible
[3:57] classroom space for the needs of the
[3:59] school under the current special use
[4:01] permit. The use has expired as of July
[4:05] 31st, 2026.
[4:07] And the school has requested that this
[4:09] use be continued until July 31st, 2030
[4:13] with no changes to the existing
[4:15] structures or the use on site. Just to
[4:18] give some very brief background here, of
[4:20] course, Matthew Whley's been a
[4:21] neighborhood school that served um
[4:24] citizens of Williamsburg for
[4:26] generations. As you can see on this map,
[4:28] the existing cottages are located behind
[4:30] the school. They are set back from the
[4:32] street frontage and are substantially
[4:34] screened by the structure as well as
[4:36] existing landscaping. And the continued
[4:39] use of these cottages does not require
[4:41] any new exterior construction or
[4:43] alterations to the campus.
[4:46] Uh thanks to Mr. Fzone for providing
[4:48] these pictures of the existing learning
[4:50] cottages. Um as you can see, they're of
[4:52] a higher quality design than you might
[4:54] see in the county because of our ARB
[4:56] review design guidelines.
[5:00] And like any special use permit, staff
[5:02] reviewed this against the six criteria
[5:03] within the zoning ordinance. And we
[5:05] found that these learning cottages do
[5:07] align with the comprehensive plan, the
[5:09] intent of the zoning district, and they
[5:11] harmonize with neighborhood character.
[5:13] And we also note that the continued use
[5:15] does not put a strain on public services
[5:18] and does not detract from significant
[5:20] features or cause issues with design,
[5:22] site, and landscaping.
[5:25] Um, one thing I do want to note is that
[5:26] staff does recommend approval, but we do
[5:28] so subject to one condition that the
[5:31] continued use of the two existing
[5:32] cottages be permitted until July 31st,
[5:36] 2030 with no changes to the layout or
[5:38] the structure. One of the interesting
[5:40] questions we received uh from the
[5:42] planning commission and a point of
[5:43] discussion was about the redistricting
[5:46] that's going to occur and what the
[5:48] impact could be and my understanding is
[5:49] the goal is to bring down um the
[5:52] enrollment at Matthew Wh. And so the
[5:54] question was well what if uh what if
[5:57] somebody the school system wanted to
[5:59] change the use of the cottages how would
[6:01] that process work? So under this
[6:03] condition if city council approves it um
[6:06] should the school system want to change
[6:07] the use of the cottages they would have
[6:09] to come back to city council to have an
[6:12] amendment to the special use permit. So
[6:14] in other words they would not be allowed
[6:15] to do anything other than what they've
[6:17] been using the structures for. So at the
[6:20] planning commission uh they voted six to
[6:23] zero to recommend approval to city
[6:25] council of this proposal subject to that
[6:27] proposed condition and Mr. Val Fzone
[6:31] sorry Jim uh is here with us and can
[6:33] answer questions and I'm happy to answer
[6:35] any questions you may have as well.
[6:36] Thank you.
[6:37] >> Thank you Mr. Weissong the um with I
[6:40] mean clearly if this if the students
[6:42] need this just my question is does does
[6:45] the school division have any challenges
[6:47] with the amendment to the proposition
[6:51] >> to the condition for this? Uh no sir
[6:54] they've raised no concerns. Any other
[6:56] questions for
[6:59] with that I will open the public hearing
[7:01] and if anybody would like to come
[7:02] forward um please do so speak to this
[7:06] matter.
[7:09] Seeing none, I'll close the public
[7:10] hearing and I'll come back for uh some
[7:13] consideration. And first I'll just say,
[7:14] you know, if if if the demand requires
[7:18] learning cottages to remain and you
[7:20] know, I think it's in our best interest
[7:22] to make sure that we have um
[7:25] suitable learning environment for our
[7:27] kids and classrooms. And while it may
[7:29] not be the best, you know, I
[7:32] all know I always feel that being in the
[7:34] school is better than being out in a in
[7:36] a cottage for any number of reasons.
[7:38] But, uh, given where we are, uh, I think
[7:41] it's appropriate and I appreciate the discussion about the redistricting
[7:45] and what that may imply for these
[7:47] buildings. So, um, with the conditions
[7:50] set, I'm perfectly comfortable with
[7:51] this, Mr. Vice Mayor.
[7:53] >> Yeah, I agree. We've all visited Matthew
[7:54] Whan and we realize um, they're either
[7:58] at or actually over capacity. Hopefully
[8:01] the redistricting will solve some of
[8:03] those issues at least maybe not
[8:04] immediately but at least in future years
[8:07] um where we can eliminate not just for
[8:09] Matthew why but hopefully I agree with
[8:11] the mayor I would like to see all the
[8:12] kids in a classroom in the building but
[8:15] at some point hopefully we'll be in a
[8:18] position to not need the
[8:21] trailers. So I'm I fully support
[8:25] >> current
[8:26] anything.
[8:27] >> Uh yes I just yeah I have no questions.
[8:30] is I just hope that through the
[8:31] redistricing process hopefully in the
[8:32] future we will need these cottages but
[8:34] until that day comes I think that you
[8:36] know it's obvious that these are
[8:37] necessary so I support this
[8:39] >> thank you
[8:41] >> I support it also for the reasons
[8:44] already um mentioned
[8:47] >> I also support it um and also like it's
[8:50] already been said hopefully we can find
[8:52] a way in the future where all the
[8:54] students can be in the same building but
[8:56] really you know I remember the first
[8:58] time I was going through the learning
[9:00] cottages. I mean, it's really amazing to
[9:02] see how they have created a really a
[9:05] learning space that does still feel
[9:07] inviting at them. So, definitely ready
[9:09] to support.
[9:11] >> All right. Would somebody like to make a
[9:12] motion? So, I move to approve PCR26-007,
[9:18] a special use permit authorizing the
[9:20] continued use of the two existing
[9:23] learning cottages at Matthew Well
[9:26] Elementary School, 301 Scotland Street,
[9:29] with a condition that no changes to the
[9:31] existing layout or structures be made
[9:34] for for the um and this special use
[9:37] permit would be in existence for a
[9:39] period of four years expiring July 31,
[9:42] 2030. 30
[9:43] >> second.
[9:44] >> Miss McKay,
[9:46] >> Williams. I
[9:47] >> Miss Ramsey.
[9:48] >> Hi.
[9:48] >> Mayor Ponds.
[9:49] >> Hi.
[9:49] >> Vice Mayor Dent.
[9:50] >> Hi.
[9:50] >> Miss Kier.
[9:52] >> I.
[9:53] >> Okay. leads us now to item B, which is
[9:56] consideration and action regarding PCR
[9:58] number 25-025
[10:01] proposing a special use permit for a
[10:03] walk-in freezer, storage shed, and
[10:06] basketball court at Berkeley Middle
[10:07] School at 11 uh 1118 Ironbound Road. Mr.
[10:12] Weiss.
[10:13] >> Yes, sir. Well, hello again. Um, I'll be
[10:16] presenting PCR case 25-025.
[10:20] This is a special use permit application
[10:22] that was submitted by the school system
[10:24] to authorize a walk-in freezer, storage
[10:26] shed, and a basketball court at Berkeley
[10:29] Middle School. Um, just to give a little
[10:31] bit of background, Berkeley Middle
[10:33] School is a long established public
[10:34] school that has served the surrounding
[10:36] community for many years. These proposed
[10:38] improvements would be set back from the
[10:40] street frontage and screened from the
[10:42] surrounding properties by the main
[10:43] school building as well as existing
[10:45] landscaping and will not be visible from
[10:47] the rightway. I did my best to blow up
[10:50] the map here so that it's visible, but
[10:52] as you can see, the walk-in freezer will
[10:54] be on the northern part of the property
[10:56] adjacent to the main school building and
[10:58] the storage shed and the basketball
[11:00] court are cited to the southeast of the
[11:02] building away from the street frontage.
[11:05] No, no new, excuse me, roadway or major
[11:08] infrastructure improvements are required
[11:10] to accommodate this proposal. Um, here
[11:13] on the right, you can see an example of
[11:14] a walk-in freezer. This is at Teno
[11:16] Middle School. I believe this is about
[11:18] eight years old, but this is essentially
[11:20] what the product will look like on site.
[11:23] And then on the left, you can see just a
[11:25] zoomed in picture of the proposed shed
[11:28] and the basketball court. Um, similar to
[11:31] our previous application, we reviewed
[11:33] this against the six criteria within the
[11:36] zoning ordinance and staff found that
[11:39] this furthers the mission of the school
[11:40] and aligns with all six of those
[11:42] criteria. So, planning staff uh does
[11:45] recommend that city council approve this
[11:47] application and the planning commission
[11:50] at the regular meeting in July also
[11:52] recommended unanimously approval of this
[11:54] application by a vote of six to zero
[11:57] with one member absent. I'm happy to
[11:59] answer any questions you may have and
[12:00] Mr. Valzone I believe is still here. So,
[12:03] thank you.
[12:04] >> Uh do have a question. What do you know
[12:07] what conditions changed at the school
[12:09] that required them to put the freezer
[12:11] outside? Did
[12:13] >> did the indoor freezer go bad and there
[12:15] and are they creating more space inside
[12:18] and just need to put it outside?
[12:19] >> It's a good question. I'd have to defer
[12:21] to Mr. Felzone to answer that
[12:23] specifically.
[12:32] » Welcome sir.
[12:33] >> Thank you very much for having me today.
[12:35] So um we have seen an increase in the
[12:37] number of meals that we serve um through some federally mandated
[12:41] programs. uh the community eligibility
[12:43] program in particular. We provide more
[12:45] meals, breakfast, free lunches, and
[12:47] breakfasts to most of the kids. That's
[12:49] that requires more storage space in the
[12:51] schools. We were already looking to
[12:53] replace the walk-in coolers and freezers
[12:55] um at Berkeley just as part of our
[12:58] regular capital improvement plan
[12:59] process, but because of the increased
[13:02] need for for cold storage space, we we
[13:05] already put a larger walk-in cooler in
[13:08] place that have occupied both the cooler
[13:09] and the freezer. Senator Freezer needs
[13:11] to go outside.
[13:12] >> Okay, good. Thank you, sir. I appreciate
[13:14] you coming forward. Any questions for
[13:15] him while he's there?
[13:16] >> Just on the basketball court. So,
[13:18] there's there has not been a basketball
[13:20] court there in the past.
[13:22] >> That's correct. It's just an a pave to
[13:24] play space for the kids. It's something
[13:25] actually was initiative that the
[13:26] previous principal initiated with uh
[13:28] with the PTA and fundraising.
[13:30] >> Okay. Thank you.
[13:32] >> Questions?
[13:33] >> No questions?
[13:34] >> Thank you, sir.
[13:34] >> Okay. Thank you.
[13:36] >> Any questions for Mr. Weiss?
[13:38] >> No.
[13:39] >> Okay. With that, I'll open the public
[13:40] hearing. And if anybody would like to
[13:42] come forward to speak to this matter,
[13:43] please come forward.
[13:46] Okay. Seeing none, I'll close the public
[13:47] hearing and come back for uh
[13:49] conversation and and discussion. You
[13:53] know, I think the the answer to the
[13:55] question about the freezer really, you
[13:57] know, solidifies to me that this is a
[13:58] purposeful and needed addition to the
[14:01] school. And so I I certainly support
[14:03] this. you know, having the recreation
[14:05] space, the basketball court makes sense
[14:06] and, you know, a storage shed to to
[14:08] accommodate uh those items, you know,
[14:11] for use makes sense. So,
[14:14] >> yeah, I agree. And they and as pointed
[14:16] out by Mr. Weissong, they're all
[14:18] shielded from public view with um the
[14:21] size of the space they have there at the
[14:23] school. So, I fully support this as
[14:25] well.
[14:25] >> Okay, Miss Current Sheer.
[14:27] >> Yes, I agree. No further comment.
[14:30] >> And I agree. I'm just glad that the
[14:32] space was there to accommodate it in
[14:35] [clears throat] such a way that it
[14:36] wouldn't be visible. So glad to support
[14:38] it.
[14:39] >> Miss Williams,
[14:39] >> also glad to support it and I think it's
[14:41] great um that we're um constructing a
[14:44] basketball court there as well. So happy
[14:46] to support.
[14:48] >> Excellent. Somebody like to make a
[14:49] motion. So, I move that city council
[14:51] approve PCR25-025,
[14:55] a special use permit authorizing a
[14:57] walk-in freezer, a storage shed, and a
[15:00] basketball court at Berkeley Middle
[15:02] School.
[15:03] >> Second. Thank you, Miss McCay.
[15:04] >> Miss Williams,
[15:05] >> I miss Ramsey.
[15:06] >> Hi, Mayor.
[15:07] >> Ps. I may deni.
[15:09] >> Miss Kerner.
[15:11] >> Hi.
[15:12] >> Thank you. Uh, leads us now to uh
[15:15] reports and our financial monthly uh
[15:17] monthly financial statement. Miss
[15:19] Damron.
[15:23] » Good afternoon and welcome.
[15:25] >> Well, good afternoon, Mayor and members
[15:27] of city council. Um,
[15:32] make sure I go the right way here.
[15:36] We're going to take we're still
[15:38] basically in FY26 primarily. A lot of
[15:41] the revenues that we like to tag and
[15:43] talk about have either a one month or
[15:45] two month delay. and the other revenues
[15:47] in the general fund really aren't active
[15:49] in July. And again, um although we have
[15:52] a month worth of July expenditures,
[15:55] there are no outliers there to be
[15:56] discussed. But it we do have good news
[15:59] looking still in FY26.
[16:02] Um the first thing I want to look at is
[16:04] the sales tax. And you'll see that
[16:06] compared um to the activity for May uh
[16:10] to last year, we see a 4.3% increase.
[16:14] We're currently at 94% of budget. We
[16:17] have another month of revenue, the
[16:19] activity for June coming in. Um, and the
[16:24] average increase is about 4%. Now, I do
[16:28] want to point out that for May alone, we
[16:30] saw 8.7%
[16:32] increase when comparing to May of uh of
[16:36] 2025.
[16:38] But if if the next month was ahead of of
[16:42] uh last June's activity by 4%, we come
[16:46] in over a budget about 3% which equates
[16:49] to close to $200,000.
[16:53] And then looking at our room and meals
[16:55] tax before we do any rate adjustment, we
[16:58] see that we have a a 24.6%
[17:01] increase compared to last year. Um
[17:06] and when we rate adjust for just uh the
[17:10] month of June's activity, we see that we
[17:13] had 11.4%
[17:15] increase and the year-to-ate rate
[17:18] adjusted increase is 7.6%.
[17:21] We are atund6%
[17:24] of the budget. So we came in uh over a
[17:27] budget um by about $275,000
[17:32] at this point. And you, if you'll
[17:35] remember the last few months that I
[17:38] talked about meals, I was really
[17:39] concerned that we were going to come in
[17:41] under budget by uh about the same amount
[17:45] that Rune was over budget. But as it
[17:48] turns out, uh before we rate adjust, we
[17:51] see a 14.5%
[17:53] increase. The rate adjusted increase for
[17:55] the month of June is 10.9%
[17:58] and the year-to- date rate adjusted
[18:00] comes out to 1.7%.
[18:02] So, while we didn't quite make budget,
[18:05] we were at 99.7%
[18:08] and basically about $31,000 under
[18:11] budget. So, far far better um than my
[18:14] earlier fears.
[18:16] And then looking at the tourism taxes,
[18:19] the $2 lodging tax is at 12.8%
[18:24] increase uh compared to FY25.
[18:27] We're at 93%
[18:29] of the of the budget. So basically about
[18:32] $86,000
[18:34] under budget or 7% and and and there are
[18:39] a few delinquencies in here. But I also
[18:42] think it is great to see that we do have
[18:46] an increase even though we're under
[18:47] budget compared to last year and I think
[18:50] maybe we were a little aggressive on
[18:51] that budget. Um and then looking at the
[18:54] half percent sales tax again we have
[18:57] another month to to collect. We're
[18:59] seeing a 6.2% 2% is of the May activity
[19:04] increase compared to last year. We're at
[19:06] 96% of budget. And again, if if we saw
[19:11] um that the funds for June activity came
[19:14] in uh at the average increase, uh we'd
[19:18] probably be finishing the year uh over
[19:21] last year's uh or over the budget by
[19:24] about five and a half%. Um so again, I
[19:27] think that's great news. Um
[19:31] and then that ends um my formal
[19:34] comments. Uh we continue to be acrewing
[19:39] both revenue and expenditures back to
[19:41] FY26.
[19:43] Uh we still have some of our yearend
[19:46] entries to make. Uh but we'll look
[19:48] forward to bringing you um final data uh
[19:53] between now and and year end. Happy to
[19:56] entertain any questions though. Uh I
[19:59] don't have any questions, but I said,
[20:01] you know, it's always good to that our
[20:02] revenue exceeds uh budget. And so we've
[20:04] done that. Um and and I suspect with
[20:08] June's when June's numbers fully come
[20:10] in, we'll see that trend continue. And
[20:12] then through July, of course, as a busy
[20:14] month. Um
[20:17] anything in the expense side that you're
[20:19] got your eye on?
[20:20] >> Well, it's a little early yet. I think
[20:23] I've mentioned before, we know we had
[20:24] some overages. We had some um vehicles
[20:28] that had to be repaired, particularly
[20:30] some fire trucks. At this point, I I
[20:33] believe that we have um you know, enough
[20:36] budget to cover that. Uh but as I said,
[20:39] we'll at the end of this month, uh we
[20:42] will have acred all the expenditures and
[20:45] unless something large that we don't
[20:47] foresee comes in after the fact that's
[20:49] material enough, we have to record it.
[20:52] And so we'll have a better idea then. So
[20:55] if you'll allow me to update you in
[20:57] September, that would be uh optimal.
[21:00] >> Absolutely. Large like a sewer repair.
[21:03] Sewer large like a a sewer line repair
[21:06] that we on the agenda.
[21:09] >> Okay. Any questions, Mr. Vice Mayor?
[21:11] >> Yeah. Just one, Miss Dan, when you you mentioned vehicle repairs, and I
[21:14] know we've talked about this in the
[21:15] past. Was there a a significant
[21:18] shortfall that you know of now with with
[21:20] the rising cost of fuel?
[21:22] >> Um [snorts] I mean there there are some
[21:24] places that were over um in that but
[21:27] nowhere that I'm seeing that we don't
[21:28] have savings other other places at this
[21:31] point that we would be able to cover any overages and should you know be
[21:36] within our legal budget. It looks like
[21:39] even though I uh we didn't have a side
[21:41] on the bole, but if we uh remember
[21:44] that's coming in under budget, but at
[21:46] this point I think we'll be able to
[21:47] cover that with other places that were
[21:49] coming in over. So at at this point, I
[21:52] don't see us adding a lot to fund
[21:54] balance. Um the only thing that we may
[21:59] if we pull from it all may be, you know,
[22:01] we we uh authorized some funds for the
[22:04] schooling to come out of our reserves.
[22:07] Um,
[22:09] but other than that, I'm I'm not at this
[22:12] point seeing anything, but certainly
[22:15] should be in better uh situation to uh
[22:19] give you an update in September. And
[22:20] even then, we may still be recording
[22:23] some injuries because we have uh if you
[22:25] recall the leases and sabitas and they
[22:27] have an impact and until we got all that
[22:30] data in um
[22:33] uh but typically they're not huge
[22:34] impacts. I think in September I have a
[22:37] much better feel for sure, but I'm not
[22:39] seeing any anything at this moment.
[22:41] >> Okay. Thank you.
[22:42] >> Thank you, Mrs. Karen. Any questions?
[22:45] >> No. Thank you.
[22:47] >> None for me. Thank you,
[22:49] >> Williams. Anything?
[22:50] >> Well, thank you for the information. I
[22:52] did have one question looking again at
[22:54] the um rooms tax. Just out of curiosity,
[22:57] what are some of the drivers? Um it
[22:59] looks like it came in 106% of budget.
[23:02] So, just kind of wondering um why that
[23:05] is.
[23:05] >> Well, on our on our room tax again,
[23:07] there are some delinquencies mixed up in
[23:09] that. Uh but I still think um even with
[23:13] that uh that we're seeing, particularly
[23:16] um toward the end of the year, some
[23:20] uptick in rooms. Um, and I think we're
[23:23] doing well with the $2 lodging, but
[23:25] there are a lot of factors that come
[23:27] into that in terms of what are the um,
[23:30] you know, rates and terms of the room
[23:33] nights because that is a charge. And
[23:36] actually, um, earlier, not not census
[23:40] report, but last month, I was trying to
[23:42] get in touch with um, visit Williamsburg
[23:45] and just what a naval with vacations to
[23:48] do that. So I think there's some
[23:49] opportunities there to get some of their
[23:51] data that will help us analyze that even
[23:53] better. And so hopefully we'll be able
[23:55] to make that connection in the in the
[23:58] next couple of months certainly before
[24:00] we're ready to finalize the year
[24:02] >> and and just because I have some
[24:04] information. So occupancy is has hasn't
[24:08] grown as much as re u revenue per room.
[24:12] Um and so we have seen growth in our in
[24:14] our average daily rates. So that's been driving a lot of that.
[24:21] Thank you, Miss Damry.
[24:23] >> Okay, takes us now to monthly
[24:25] departmental operating reports. And
[24:27] today we have uh Miss Griffin, who's
[24:29] going to give us an update on our
[24:31] comprehensive plan process.
[24:33] >> I am. Good afternoon, Mayor Ponds and
[24:36] members of city council. I am really
[24:38] pleased to present the first in a series
[24:40] of briefings on the progress being made
[24:42] to update the comprehensive plan. Um,
[24:45] back in May, you authorized the city
[24:46] manager to execute a contract with our
[24:48] consultant WRT. And in early June, that
[24:52] contract was signed. And since that
[24:54] time, staff and WRT have really been
[24:57] working to set a foundation or to lay a
[24:59] foundation for the work that's going to
[25:01] be moving forward over the next 18
[25:02] months. So, my purpose here is today is
[25:05] to give you a briefing on what we've
[25:07] been doing and also what can you what
[25:09] you can expect over the next four
[25:11] months. Um specifically we've been
[25:14] working on our project management plan
[25:16] building a brand and also collecting
[25:19] data and the development of an
[25:21] engagement strategy. So I wanted to talk
[25:23] first about the building of a brand and
[25:26] why this is important. WRT has been
[25:28] leading this charge and on July 20th we
[25:31] held a branding workshop with our some
[25:34] people from our IT team, our
[25:35] communications and planning staff really
[25:38] to set a vision for what we would like
[25:40] the planning brand um to look like and
[25:42] this is the brand that will really give
[25:44] people a unifying um vision of the
[25:48] planning elements moving forward over
[25:50] the next 18 months. We also um feel that
[25:52] it would give people understanding of
[25:54] the planned initiatives. Um we know that
[25:57] we have a lot of things coming out of
[25:59] the city. We have zoning talks coming
[26:01] forward. We have a lot of other um
[26:03] conversations that we're having. We want
[26:05] people to be clearly able to understand
[26:07] and to see and distinguish the um
[26:10] comprehensive plan process um with
[26:12] others.
[26:15] The next thing that we're doing and
[26:16] laying a foundation for is a digital
[26:18] home for a community engagement. And I
[26:20] talked about this back in May, but this
[26:22] is a platform called um the software is
[26:24] called public input. And this is where
[26:26] people if you cannot make a meeting or
[26:28] if you just want to know what's going
[26:30] on, if you want to see event, what
[26:31] events are taking place with the
[26:33] comprehensive plan, you'll be able to go
[26:35] online and engage with this public
[26:37] platform. Um we we now have some
[26:40] elements of that platform available on
[26:42] our on our website. Now, if you go in,
[26:44] you can give us your information. And in
[26:46] doing that, when we launch the
[26:48] comprehensive plan process officially in
[26:50] September, you'll receive updates from
[26:52] us. But this particular page will be
[26:55] fully launched on September the 26.
[26:58] It'll have events, it'll have questions
[27:00] um when we have meetings. If you can't
[27:02] make the meeting, you'll be able to go
[27:04] on engage in that way and to provide
[27:06] your comments.
[27:08] And then September the 24th through the
[27:11] 26th, the consulted team will be in
[27:14] Williamsburg and they're going to we'll
[27:16] take them on a series of tours
[27:18] throughout the city. They'll publicly um
[27:20] meet with city leadership. We'll also
[27:23] have some staff engagement and um we'll
[27:26] launch officially the comprehensive plan
[27:29] update process.
[27:31] The launch will officially take place on
[27:33] September 26. That is a Saturday. There
[27:36] are a lot of things going on on that
[27:38] Saturday and our face will be um there
[27:41] on all of those places. Um we're excited
[27:44] about this. This will be the first time
[27:46] that people will be able to see the
[27:48] brand that we come up with for the
[27:49] comprehensive plan and it'll also be the
[27:52] first time that um they'll be able to
[27:54] pick up an application to be a part of
[27:57] what we're calling the community plan
[27:59] update committee.
[28:01] This particular committee, we're not
[28:03] calling it a steering committee because
[28:05] it's not steering anything, but it's
[28:06] more advising. And it will be made up of
[28:09] 15 to 21 residents and stakeholders. And
[28:12] if you may say, well, what who would
[28:14] consider who would be considered a
[28:16] stakeholder? People that own businesses
[28:17] in this city and community partners um
[28:20] will be a part of this. The application
[28:22] process will open on September the 26th,
[28:25] the first day of the launch, and it will
[28:27] close on October the 26. So that will
[28:30] give people a month to um provide us
[28:32] their application. The applications will
[28:34] be available online on that public input
[28:37] platform that I told you about. You'll
[28:39] be able to go in, put in your
[28:40] information, and submit your application
[28:43] online. Um for those who don't want to
[28:45] do that online, we'll also have paper
[28:47] copies available in various places
[28:49] throughout the city. And all of that
[28:51] information will be pushed through um
[28:53] public input. And also in talking to
[28:56] council, I'll give you a briefing and
[28:57] you'll you'll be able to tell um your
[28:59] constituents where that information will
[29:01] be housed.
[29:05] Next, we'll um start with our fa first
[29:07] phase of listening. In um late fall, we
[29:11] will have our first community workshop.
[29:13] And this workshop will be not popups in
[29:16] various places, but in one location.
[29:18] We're still working on that location
[29:20] now. that information will go out, but
[29:22] this will be an invitation to all
[29:24] residents to come and to take part um in
[29:27] listening. We will be listening to you
[29:29] and and trying to find out really what
[29:31] you want the vision of the city to be
[29:33] over the next um 10 to 25 years. Um at
[29:36] this particular workshop, WRT since
[29:39] they're collecting data now, they'll
[29:41] give us our first um look at the
[29:43] outcomes and what we what we look like
[29:45] as a city. Now, um they will have that
[29:48] information available for us and then
[29:50] also a time of listening and just
[29:52] reflecting on um people's thoughts.
[29:56] Also, during this time, we will have our
[29:59] um citywide community survey. The survey
[30:02] will be launched in October and go all
[30:04] the way until January. Um this will be a
[30:07] time that we'll collect residents um
[30:09] input, have various questions. Again,
[30:12] this will be on the website and in
[30:14] various other locations, paper copies of
[30:16] the survey will be available.
[30:20] And then finally, the um the last in
[30:24] December of this year, we will launch
[30:27] the community ambassador program. Um
[30:29] this is going to be a little bit
[30:31] different than the CPU, and I apologize
[30:34] for all the acronyms, the the the
[30:36] comprehensive plan um update committee.
[30:39] It's going to be different from that.
[30:41] This is going to be an ambassador
[30:43] program and this is really for residents
[30:45] who really want to get engaged with
[30:48] their neighbors um about the
[30:50] comprehensive plan for we want to really
[30:53] find people that usually will not um
[30:56] engage um maybe not come to a meeting,
[30:59] maybe not go online, but really still
[31:01] feel that they want to have a say in how
[31:04] the city shapes over the next 10 to 25
[31:06] years. And so these ambassadors will be
[31:09] the people that go into these
[31:10] neighborhoods and going into these um
[31:12] communities to really hear um what they
[31:16] would what neighbors want to say. And
[31:18] the first quarter of 2027 will be when
[31:21] we have the training for those who would
[31:23] want to be ambassadors. And that program
[31:25] will launch also in the first quarter of
[31:27] next year.
[31:29] And that gives a recap of all of the
[31:32] exciting things coming forward. and also
[31:34] gave you hopefully a little peak into
[31:36] what we've been working on and I'm happy
[31:38] to answer any questions that you may
[31:40] have.
[31:41] >> Well, thank you, Miss Griffin. Um, quite
[31:43] comprehensive. Yes,
[31:44] >> we're we're undertaking and and as I
[31:47] listen to you go through all of the
[31:49] different the steps, the brand and the
[31:51] vision and planning elements and digital
[31:53] home and opportunities for people to
[31:56] participate and and working to make sure
[31:58] that um it's very transparent and the
[32:01] ability to go online to fill out a
[32:03] survey or get a paper survey. um
[32:06] ambassadors. Um we it's clear that you
[32:10] know what we as a city what you as a
[32:12] department and department head are
[32:14] trying to do is make this available to
[32:16] everybody to participate so that
[32:17] everybody can have an opportunity to
[32:20] express their opinion and share their
[32:22] thoughts and their vision for the city.
[32:23] And um all this undoubtedly will lead to
[32:28] I think a a new comprehensive plan uh
[32:31] that that envisions Williamsburg for the
[32:34] future. And so I applaud you for all the
[32:35] work that you've done already and I'm
[32:37] certainly looking forward to um
[32:40] participating in the future. So thank
[32:42] you for that.
[32:42] >> Thank you,
[32:43] >> Mr. Vice Mayor.
[32:44] >> Yeah, [clears throat] no questions. I
[32:46] just also I mean it's very exciting.
[32:48] We're we're finally getting this off the
[32:49] ground and we made a significant
[32:52] investment because that that's how
[32:54] important it is to the future of
[32:55] Williamsburg. And I hope everybody
[32:57] everyone in the community is excited as
[32:59] well and and take the opportunities all
[33:02] the opportunities you laid out that
[33:04] they'll have to provide input because
[33:06] it's important that we hear from
[33:07] everyone. Um but it it it really is um
[33:12] >> really exciting that we have an
[33:14] experienced team. That's right.
[33:16] >> To work with with our experienced staff
[33:18] uh and everyone in the community to
[33:20] guide us through this process and really
[33:22] excited to see what the outcome is going
[33:24] to be. So thank you. Thank you, Mr.
[33:27] >> Kier. Any thoughts, questions?
[33:29] >> Um, no. I don't think I have any
[33:32] questions. I just want to say that it is
[33:34] impressive at this early stage that it's
[33:37] clear that this, as you mentioned, this
[33:39] is strategic, this is thoughtful, this
[33:40] is going to be a very intentional
[33:42] process. And I think that that's been,
[33:44] you know, clear from when we even first
[33:46] began talking about what we what we are
[33:48] doing here. But I am really impressed
[33:50] with the amount of groundwork that has
[33:52] been laid to ensure that we're setting
[33:54] up for success for everyone to be
[33:56] included and be a part of the process.
[33:58] But I do actually the one question I I
[34:00] did just um think of is that you
[34:02] mentioned implicit here is that this is
[34:04] update number one. So, how often or have
[34:07] you thought about are there markers of
[34:09] which you're going to come back to city
[34:10] council and come back to the to um the
[34:13] public and kind of say here we are uh we
[34:15] want to give you updates now because I
[34:17] really am appreciative of this update
[34:19] this early on and just kind of wondering
[34:21] if you're thinking in terms of timeline
[34:23] or benchmarks where you're going to come
[34:24] back again before the public.
[34:26] >> Yes. So, the benchmarks are really once
[34:28] a quarter. If we find that we need to do
[34:30] more than that, we will. Um so for
[34:32] example after our community um launch
[34:34] after the survey and then after our
[34:37] first listening I will come back to you
[34:39] in the first quarter of next year to
[34:40] give you an update.
[34:43] >> Great. Thank you so much
[34:45] >> Ramsey. Uh thank you for this update and
[34:48] uh as has been said it it um lets us
[34:53] know how engaged you and your whole
[34:56] department are in this that uh you're an
[35:00] integral part with the consultant, not
[35:03] just passing it off to the consultant
[35:06] and saying go do this. You want to be
[35:08] sure that everyone is involved and that
[35:11] they know well what we're looking for
[35:13] out of this plan. So, I really
[35:15] appreciate that. I did have a a couple
[35:17] just sort of curious questions. When you
[35:20] mentioned the 26, you are correct that
[35:23] is a big weekend. We've got not only the
[35:25] Pancake Festival, but Bird Quest. So,
[35:29] have you given thought as to where
[35:31] you're going to be setting up the the
[35:34] launch because I think you mentioned a
[35:36] couple different places.
[35:38] >> Yes. And so the idea is that we're not
[35:40] going to try to create a separate event
[35:43] because we have several events going on,
[35:45] but we will have a presence at all of
[35:47] the events that you just named. So we
[35:49] are working, we know that we'll be at
[35:51] the farmers market. Um we've already
[35:52] engaged with the pancake festival. We
[35:54] will be there. We're working with
[35:56] Burquest to be there. And we also want
[35:58] to get out into various neighborhoods.
[36:00] So um I'm searching for maybe there's
[36:02] neighborhood meetings, neighborhood
[36:04] block parties that we could go to. So,
[36:06] we really didn't want to take away from
[36:08] what was already happening, but really
[36:10] um lean lean into what was taking place
[36:12] already. Um we know that residents will
[36:14] be there. So, we're excited to talk to
[36:16] residents. And there's also elements of
[36:18] any comprehensive plan that we need to
[36:20] talk to people who come here. Why are
[36:22] they coming here? Why do they want to be
[36:23] here? What do they find to be exciting
[36:25] um when they get [clears throat] here?
[36:27] Um and so we're excited to be able to
[36:29] really talk to residents and those who
[36:30] are visiting um in those three locations
[36:33] thus far. and we are working on more.
[36:36] So, we'll be busy Saturday. If we have
[36:37] any volunteers, we'd love to have you
[36:39] come and join us.
[36:41] >> Well, um I'll be around that because you
[36:44] never can tell. And I think when you
[36:46] talk about engaging residents and
[36:48] visitors, it's not only to find out what
[36:51] they find exciting, but also what they
[36:53] might find as challenging. Yes.
[36:55] >> In terms of traffic patterns, parking,
[36:59] um and and other aspects. So, so that's
[37:02] good. And I'm really pleased you're
[37:04] doing the community ambassador uh
[37:07] program. I think all of us who have run
[37:09] for city council realize there are a lot
[37:11] of neighborhoods in Williamsburg that
[37:14] don't get that touch that uh those
[37:18] particularly more in the downtown area
[37:20] do. So, uh, is this something where an
[37:23] ambassador might volunteer to go to an
[37:25] HOA meeting, say at a Brandy Wines
[37:28] community, and give them an update and be sure that they're well informed.
[37:34] >> Yes, that's one perfect example. HOAs,
[37:37] if there are religious meetings that
[37:39] they're having, someone's having a
[37:41] cookout, um, meetings like that we would
[37:43] like the ambassador to go to. um and
[37:45] really to go to um communities that for
[37:48] whatever reason um don't feel that they
[37:50] have a voice or usually don't come to a
[37:52] meeting maybe because of babysitting or just various reasons. We want to make
[37:55] sure that we reach everyone because they
[37:57] may not be in the meeting but they do
[37:59] have something important to to say.
[38:01] >> Right. That's that's really good. And
[38:03] one last question on the committee. Will
[38:05] this be I know you said that there will
[38:08] be businesses represented as well as
[38:10] residents. I assume the residents are
[38:13] would all be Williamsburg city
[38:15] residents, but the businesses could have
[38:18] a representative living outside the city
[38:21] limits as long as the business is in the
[38:24] city.
[38:24] >> That is correct. If you are a resident
[38:26] residential, if you're a resident, then
[38:28] it would only be city residents, but a
[38:31] business um in the city, but that
[38:34] business owner could live out of the
[38:36] city. That is correct.
[38:37] >> Thank you. I'm probably getting a little
[38:39] ahead of myself, but just wanted
[38:41] >> No, that's that's great. I was thinking
[38:42] and and I didn't mention um that that
[38:45] meeting those meetings will be eight
[38:47] over the term of the 18 months.
[38:49] >> Okay. Thank you, [clears throat]
[38:51] >> Williams.
[38:52] >> Thank you. Um just for the very
[38:54] comprehensive overview of just the
[38:56] timeline of the comp plan, it's just
[38:59] been very exciting to see it unfold the
[39:01] past couple of weeks, especially as we
[39:03] go into the um next couple of months.
[39:05] just really I have a lot of
[39:07] anticipation. I know the community does
[39:10] as well to see how this will unfo unfold
[39:12] and I really wanted to just applaud you
[39:14] and um the department as well of you
[39:17] really have thought of everything. When
[39:18] we were going through the slides I was
[39:20] like oh my goodness what question do I
[39:22] even ask because all of them were
[39:24] answered. Um so just thank you for
[39:26] really just being diligent um and
[39:28] thinking of everything. Um I did have
[39:31] one more question though. Um so going
[39:34] over the digital platform which I it's
[39:36] really just a remarkable idea. Um how
[39:39] can the community access um I know
[39:41] sometimes the city website there's a lot
[39:43] of information on it and sometimes a
[39:45] little bit difficult to navigate but how
[39:48] can the community find um these
[39:49] resources online or where are they
[39:51] located at?
[39:52] >> Yeah. So we've talked to that about that
[39:54] with our director of communications and
[39:56] so you will be able to um access that
[39:59] page from our um I don't know how to say
[40:02] it. the first page. You get to the the first page. The land page. Thank
[40:06] you. The home. That's right. It's the
[40:08] homepage. So, you'll be able to see that
[40:10] from the homepage. It'll say
[40:11] comprehensive plan and then you can go
[40:13] straight there. You can also get it from
[40:14] the planning department, but we know
[40:16] that that's you have to go through some
[40:17] things for that. So, it'll be on the
[40:19] homepage.
[40:19] >> That's perfect. Thank you.
[40:22] >> Well, thank you, Miss Griffin.
[40:23] >> Welcome.
[40:24] >> Yep. Good luck with everything.
[40:25] >> Thank you.
[40:27] >> Okay. Uh leads us now to city manager
[40:29] report. What have you got, Michelle?
[40:31] Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and members of
[40:33] council. Um, regrettably, the
[40:35] procurement process um could not be
[40:38] completed in time to bring the contracts
[40:40] for the African-American Heritage Trail
[40:42] for your consideration today. We
[40:44] appreciate everyone's patience as we
[40:46] move through the necessary details and
[40:48] we'll bring it back to you as soon as
[40:50] it's complete.
[40:53] » Thank you, Madam Attorney.
[40:55] >> Nothing today.
[40:57] >> Thank you. Yeah, we we apologize for the
[40:59] delay on the African-American hitters
[41:00] trail. So, I know we are all anxious to
[41:02] get that started, but um we'll we'll get
[41:06] going as soon as possible. So, thank you
[41:08] for that update. Okay, that leads us now
[41:10] to an open forum, which is an
[41:12] opportunity for anybody in the audience
[41:14] to come forward. If anybody has anything
[41:16] they'd like to address to council,
[41:18] please do so.
[41:22] Okay, seeing none, I'll close the open
[41:24] form. And we have no unfinished
[41:26] business, which leads to new business.
[41:28] And I first got to compliment Mark. The
[41:31] microphones in here are working
[41:32] excellent.
[41:33] >> Yes.
[41:33] >> Much better than they've been. So, um,
[41:36] all right. New business consideration
[41:37] and action regarding the tour a tourism
[41:40] uh promotion contingency fund request to
[41:42] sponsor a themed entertainment
[41:43] association TA tea explore Williamsburg
[41:47] event. Miss Hutton.
[41:48] >> Well, good afternoon, Mayor and members
[41:51] of council. The first tourism promotion
[41:53] contingent contingency fund request for
[41:56] FY27 is for the themed entertainment
[42:00] association explores Williamsburg event.
[42:04] The applicant is Gernzie Tingle and the
[42:06] request is for $5,000. Uh but before we
[42:10] get into the request, I would just like
[42:12] to uh provide some background
[42:15] information for this program. This
[42:17] program is intended to drive overnight
[42:20] visitation to the city and the funding
[42:23] is for new programs and events or to
[42:28] expand existing programs and events.
[42:30] However, it is not designed to provide
[42:33] yearover-year uh funding for reoccurring
[42:36] projects. Uh past projects include
[42:40] special events, marketing, conferences,
[42:43] exhibits, and festivals. And last year's
[42:46] award winners was uh was a f film
[42:49] festival, the Virginia Dossent Exchange,
[42:52] an art exhibit, the opera, and the
[42:55] African-American Heritage Trail virtual
[42:57] tour. Um the budget this year for FY27
[43:01] is $150,000,
[43:04] which none has uh yet been awarded.
[43:08] This slide provides historical data of
[43:11] this program. Uh to date, this program
[43:13] has awarded 20 applications with just
[43:17] over $638,000
[43:20] awarded
[43:24] today. $5,000 is being requested for the
[43:28] themed entertainment association
[43:31] explores Williamsburg for their opening
[43:34] reception and this is going to be held
[43:36] at the Greater Williamsburg Sports and
[43:38] Event Center. T Explores Williamsburg is
[43:42] a multi-day event that is planned for
[43:44] September of this year. Um the focus is
[43:48] going to be on networking, education,
[43:50] and business development as well as
[43:52] tours. Um this program will be uh open
[43:57] to TE's membership base which has 16,000
[44:01] people and it's comprised of just over
[44:05] 1,200 hospitality focused organizations.
[44:10] This request of $5,000 is at the uh
[44:14] headliner sponsorship level, which
[44:16] includes two tickets, um the opportunity
[44:19] to speak at the reception, sponsorship
[44:22] recognition through their social media,
[44:25] their event website, and onsite signage.
[44:30] Uh Gernzie Tingle is the local um
[44:34] organizer of this event and they are
[44:37] working with the Williamsburg Hotel
[44:39] Motel Association to secure a minimum uh
[44:42] 30 room block for three to four nights
[44:45] at the Williamsburg Lodge. After staff
[44:48] has reviewed this application, it is
[44:51] staff's recommendation to award the full
[44:54] amount of $5,000
[44:56] for this event. I'm happy to answer any
[44:59] questions. And there's also a
[45:01] representative from the applicant,
[45:03] Gernzy Tingle, with us today. Um, it is
[45:06] Emanuel Hails, the director of business
[45:09] development.
[45:11] >> Well, thank you, Miss Hutton. I don't
[45:13] have any questions. I think it's a great
[45:14] opportunity to showcase the sports
[45:16] center, showcase Williamsburg, and it's
[45:18] a small investment to make. So, I think
[45:20] it's a great idea.
[45:21] >> Yeah, I agree. I think the 5,000
[45:23] investment is uh we'll see more than the
[45:26] return we we would uh expect on $5,000
[45:30] investment for this event. And again, I
[45:32] think it's a perfect opportunity to
[45:34] showcase the sports and event center and those folks are going to talk and hopefully bring some other events to
[45:42] the sports center as well.
[45:44] >> Thank you, Miss Kernier. Any thoughts?
[45:47] >> Um not really. There's I just think this
[45:49] is a really a perfect use of these funds
[45:52] and this sounds like it's completely on
[45:53] point with what we endeavor to
[45:55] accomplish with this fund. So I fully
[45:58] support it.
[45:58] >> Thank you.
[45:59] >> And I fully supported as well and I
[46:02] think looking back over the history of
[46:05] this fund particularly since looks like
[46:08] FY20 it's stayed level at $150,000.
[46:13] Some years all being used some years not
[46:15] being used. So I just had one question.
[46:18] If funds are not expended during a
[46:21] fiscal year, I do they go back to the
[46:24] general fund, they're not carried over.
[46:27] Is that correct? So um so in in my view
[46:31] this is an opportunity for us to
[46:33] encourage throughout the year uh groups
[46:36] if they might have need of these funds
[46:38] to be sure and come forward because the
[46:41] last thing we want is for a well
[46:44] intended event not to get some extra
[46:46] funding if if we have it available. But
[46:49] as far as this particular event, I'm
[46:51] sort of excited about it. It seems like
[46:52] something new and different uh coming to
[46:55] Williamsburg to explore all that we have
[46:58] to offer and particularly um being held
[47:01] at the new sports and event center. So
[47:04] I'm all in favor of it.
[47:07] >> Yes, it seems like a great opportunity.
[47:09] I'm ready to fully support as well.
[47:12] >> Thank you. Okay. Um,
[47:15] >> so I move that city council award a
[47:17] tourism promotion contingency fund grant
[47:21] to the themed entertainment association
[47:24] for sponsoring the T Explores
[47:27] Williamsburg opening reception event at
[47:29] the Greater Williamsburg Sports and
[47:31] Event Center.
[47:33] >> Second.
[47:34] >> Miss McCay.
[47:35] >> Miss Williams.
[47:35] >> I miss Ramsey.
[47:37] >> I Mayor Puns.
[47:37] >> Hi.
[47:38] >> Vice Mayor Dent.
[47:38] >> Hi.
[47:39] >> Miss Kerner.
[47:40] >> Hi.
[47:41] >> Okay. Item B is consideration and action
[47:44] on an on the FY27 line of duty act
[47:48] payment. Miss Don Hicks, director of
[47:50] human resources.
[47:53] >> Hi, good afternoon, Mayor Ponds and
[47:55] members of city council.
[47:57] The Virginia Line of Duty Act or LOA
[48:00] provides statutory benefits to public
[48:03] safety employees and volunteers and
[48:06] their families in the event that a
[48:08] public safety employee or volunteer is
[48:11] injured or killed in the line of duty.
[48:14] We the city makes an annual payment to
[48:17] the line of duty death health benefit
[48:20] trust fund every year which is
[48:22] administered by the Virginia retirement
[48:24] system for fiscal year 27. The total
[48:28] cost is $127,143
[48:34] which does exceed the $100,000 threshold
[48:38] that requires city council's approval
[48:40] before payment is executed. So I am here
[48:43] today asking for authorization for that
[48:46] payment to be made.
[48:48] >> Um well certainly something I think we
[48:50] ought to be doing. Mr. Vice.
[48:52] >> Yeah. Just out of Mr. Stakes, thank you.
[48:54] Out of curiosity, do do does the city
[48:57] track the number like over the years the
[49:00] number of employees that have benefited
[49:03] from or had to have um some type of
[49:08] um participation in line of duty.
[49:12] Um, I can tell you that since I've been
[49:14] with the city, um, a little over nine
[49:16] years, I'm aware of one employee that
[49:18] has received benefits from that fund.
[49:20] >> Okay. And that's again, it it doesn't
[49:23] fortunately it doesn't happen often, but
[49:26] it's when it does happen, it's a huge
[49:28] expense is why um that amount for the
[49:31] city's contribution um is what it is
[49:33] today. So, um, but that that's helpful.
[49:37] Thank you.
[49:37] >> You're welcome,
[49:38] >> Miss Crunchier.
[49:40] No questions. Thank you,
[49:42] >> Ramsey.
[49:43] >> So, uh, thank you for bringing this
[49:45] forward. And the only question I have
[49:47] is, um, is this a higher amount than
[49:50] usual? I don't remember us going through
[49:54] this process in the past couple years.
[49:56] >> Sure. So, over the last few years, the
[49:58] amount has slowly creeped up. Um, this
[50:02] is the first year that it's exceeded
[50:03] 100,000.
[50:05] >> Okay.
[50:07] >> Questions? Thank you.
[50:08] >> Thank you. Somebody like to make a
[50:10] motion.
[50:10] >> So I move that city council authorize
[50:12] the city manager to execute the FY27
[50:16] payment to the Virginia Retirement
[50:18] System for the line of duty death and
[50:20] health benefits trust fund totaling
[50:23] $127,143.
[50:27] » Second.
[50:28] >> Thank you. Miss McCay.
[50:29] >> Miss Williams. I
[50:30] >> Miss Ramsey.
[50:31] >> Hi.
[50:31] >> Mayor Ponds. Hi.
[50:32] >> Vice Mayor Dent.
[50:33] >> Hi.
[50:33] >> Miss Kier.
[50:35] >> Hi.
[50:35] >> Okay. Item C is consideration and action
[50:38] regarding the emergency care in place
[50:40] living of TW uh 2,2772
[50:44] linear feet of uh sewer main uh contract
[50:48] for the city of Williamsburg. Mr. Reid.
[50:52] >> Yes, sir. Good afternoon, Mayor and
[50:53] members of city council.
[50:57] Um, public works and utilities recently
[50:59] discovered a significant blockage in a
[51:01] 16-inch gravity sewer man. Um, while
[51:04] we're performing some routine
[51:05] maintenance, this main runs from Pard
[51:08] Park all the way to the Colonial Parkway
[51:11] and is 30 ft deep. Um, we contracted
[51:16] Vortex Services to clean and assess the
[51:18] pipe and following the cleaning,
[51:20] multiple fractures were identified. Um
[51:23] the pipe is made of concrete and several
[51:26] of those areas are considered um
[51:28] requiring critical repairs. Due to the
[51:31] depth and the location of the damaged
[51:33] sections, staff recommends using a cure
[51:35] in place pipe lining. Um it's
[51:39] noninvasive. Rather than excavating the
[51:41] pipe, we can essentially inflate. It's
[51:44] similar to inflating a balloon. Once it
[51:47] adheres to the pipe, we the company adds
[51:51] water and then it cures it in place.
[51:53] It's almost like creating a pipe within
[51:55] the pipe.
[51:56] Um, this will avoid excavation and
[51:59] minimizes any real disruption. Um,
[52:01] Vortex Services has submitted a proposal
[52:03] to line the 2772
[52:06] linear feet of the compromised main for
[52:10] a cost of $262,57.
[52:14] We do have funds available in our sewer
[52:16] system rehab. SSO stands for sanitary
[52:19] sewer overflow program. Um that
[52:23] particular line was created in the event
[52:25] when we find issues like this. Um so we
[52:29] have sufficient funds available. And to
[52:31] give you an idea of how long that sewer
[52:33] run is, it starts all the way around
[52:36] Griffin Avenue, runs through a good
[52:40] portion of downtown and outfalls into uh
[52:44] a manhole along the Parkway.
[52:49] And if you have any questions, please
[52:50] let me know.
[52:51] >> Thank you, Mr. Reid. Uh that is a long
[52:53] stretch. Uh it's probably been there a
[52:55] long time as it's made out of concrete.
[52:59] this this lining that you put in that's
[53:01] cured. This is not a new technology to
[53:03] Williamsburg. I mean, we've we've
[53:04] deployed this in the past, have we not?
[53:06] >> Yes. It's become common practice.
[53:08] >> Yeah. Um and and it's pretty durable,
[53:10] this liner, right?
[53:12] >> Extremely durable.
[53:14] >> Do you have an estimate of do they have
[53:15] a life expectancy of these these liners?
[53:21] » Honestly, a lot of times it's 30 to 50
[53:23] years. And I mean, we hope a lot of it
[53:27] is if it's installed well, if it's
[53:29] installed well, it'll last a really long
[53:31] time.
[53:31] >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor.
[53:33] >> Thank you, Mr. Reed. Could you talk when
[53:35] you said looking through the agenda uh
[53:38] item, you talked about routine
[53:40] maintenance. Can you tell us a little
[53:41] bit how that routine maintenance takes
[53:43] place that you would identify something
[53:45] like this?
[53:46] >> Yes, sir. We we developed a program in
[53:48] house that's similar to what HSD uses
[53:51] where we try to camera 10% of all of our
[53:54] gravity mains each year and the last two
[53:57] years we've been able to do it and we
[53:59] started in the oldest sections of town.
[54:02] Obviously, this is an area where, like
[54:04] the mayor said, it that's an old pipe.
[54:06] And so, we started there. And as we're
[54:08] working our way through the city, when
[54:09] we find something like this, a lot of
[54:11] times to assess it, the next thing we
[54:13] have to do is to clean it. And you once
[54:15] you clean it out, you can get an idea of
[54:17] the the condition of the pipe. And so,
[54:19] this is part of our routine maintenance.
[54:21] >> And then if if approved today, how how
[54:24] quickly do you see this process moving
[54:26] forward?
[54:26] >> We think we can get them out here in
[54:28] about two or three weeks.
[54:29] >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Miss.
[54:32] Current Sheer.
[54:34] >> Uh, yes. Thank you. Glad you and your
[54:36] team found this. Um, my couple of my
[54:38] questions have already been answered.
[54:40] Uh, but it's I just want to clarify it.
[54:43] This is such a long stretch, but it
[54:46] sounds like residents won't see any
[54:48] disruption. It all happens without
[54:51] having you say there's no excavation.
[54:53] There's anything nothing else like that.
[54:54] So, will residents even know that this
[54:58] is occurring or
[55:00] >> you'll see trucks set up around
[55:02] manholes. How we perform the work is we
[55:05] go from manhole to manhole. So, there'll
[55:07] be a truck stationed at a manhole couple
[55:10] hundred feet down the road. There'll be
[55:11] a truck at another manhole. I won't say
[55:14] it's no disruption, but
[55:16] >> essentially just blocking a lane of
[55:18] traffic to perform the work.
[55:19] >> Right. Right. You're not going to dig
[55:20] up, you know, 30 feet from Pard Park to
[55:22] the Parkway. That's that's good news.
[55:24] So, uh so thank you for that. And then
[55:26] my other question is once you begin the
[55:29] process, how long does it take to
[55:32] completion?
[55:33] >> This will take a few weeks. I would say
[55:35] six to eight weeks to do the full
[55:36] project.
[55:37] >> Okay. Thank you very much.
[55:40] >> Uh thank you very much. Thank you for
[55:42] including uh the map. Uh I was in Jack's
[55:45] office this morning. He showed it and to
[55:47] me it helps uh identify the complexity
[55:52] of of the project. It's not just going
[55:54] down Griffin and up Newport uh to make
[55:57] the change uh that it goes through a lot
[56:00] of different uh areas. And when you talk
[56:03] about this material sort of like a
[56:05] balloon. So you sort of
[56:09] I guess sort of blow it in uh in a
[56:12] liquid form and then it cures inside. Uh
[56:16] and then you'll go to the next manhole
[56:18] area and sort of do do the same thing.
[56:21] Um the mayor asked or someone asked
[56:24] about the how long this would last. So
[56:28] if this need if there's a little crack
[56:30] or something, can you go back in a
[56:32] second time and and do this? You can
[56:35] >> just sort of on top of of what's already
[56:38] there.
[56:38] >> Yes, ma'am.
[56:39] >> And I assume it's thin enough that over
[56:43] time it wouldn't sort of clog. I tend to
[56:46] think of like an artery, [laughter] you
[56:49] know, clogging and needing to be cleaned
[56:51] out every now and then.
[56:53] >> We we may still need to clean it from
[56:55] time to time, but the the pipe material
[56:57] should stay intact.
[56:58] >> And and the funding for this, you
[57:00] mentioned that you had it in this
[57:02] special fund. Is is that part that all
[57:05] falls under the utility fund, I assume?
[57:08] >> Yes, ma'am.
[57:08] >> It's not part of the general fund,
[57:10] >> right?
[57:11] >> Okay. Thank you,
[57:13] >> Williams.
[57:14] >> Thank you for the information, and I
[57:16] don't have any specific questions. All
[57:17] my questions have already been answered,
[57:19] but just wanted to thank you and your
[57:21] team for kind of just being vigilant. It
[57:23] seems like over the past couple of
[57:25] months, we've had a couple of unexpected
[57:27] repairs um and unexpected costs come up,
[57:30] but just thank you for being attentive
[57:32] to those changes, especially um you
[57:35] know, a lot of our infrastructure is old
[57:38] here. So, definitely something to keep
[57:40] eye on. So, thank you for all your work.
[57:42] >> Thank you.
[57:44] >> Somebody like to make a motion. So, I
[57:46] move that city council authorize the
[57:48] city manager to execute a contract with
[57:50] Vortex Services to cure and place line
[57:54] of 2,772
[57:56] lineal feet of sewer main for the cost
[57:58] of 262,57.
[58:02] » Second,
[58:04] >> mccay.
[58:04] >> Miss Williams.
[58:05] >> I miss Ramsey.
[58:07] >> I may pond. Hi,
[58:08] >> Vice Mayor Dent.
[58:08] >> Hi,
[58:09] >> Miss Kier. I
[58:11] >> right leads us to item D which is
[58:14] consideration and action of appointments
[58:16] to boards and commissioners. Mr. Vice
[58:18] Mayor,
[58:18] >> yes. I move that city council appoint
[58:20] David Klepinger to the economic
[58:22] development authority to fill an
[58:24] unexpired term ending June 30, 2027.
[58:27] >> Second.
[58:29] >> Mccay.
[58:29] >> Miss Williams.
[58:30] >> I miss Ramsey.
[58:31] >> Hi.
[58:32] >> Mayor Ponds.
[58:32] >> Hi.
[58:32] >> Vice Mayor Dent.
[58:33] >> Hi.
[58:33] >> Miss Kernier.
[58:35] >> Hi.
[58:36] >> Okay. Mr. Vice Mayor, do we have any
[58:39] close session today? We do not.
[58:40] >> Okay. Uh, leads us to item 11,
[58:42] adjournment. Would somebody like to make
[58:44] a motion?
[58:44] >> I move that we adjourn.
[58:46] >> Second.
[58:47] >> Okay.
[58:48] >> Miss Williams.
[58:49] >> I,
[58:49] >> Mr. Ramsey.
[58:50] >> Hi.
[58:50] >> Mayor Ponds.
[58:51] >> Hi.
[58:51] >> Vice Mayor Den.
[58:52] >> Hi.
[58:52] >> Miss Ker.
[58:54] >> Hi.
[58:56] >> We are adjourned.