County Supervisors Action Agenda Sees Lone Dissenting Vote on Wave of Approvals – But Final Approval of FY-25 Budget Still Looms

As referenced in our lead story on the Warren County Board of Supervisors meeting of Tuesday, May 21, the board faced three public hearings on rather routine matters, as well as approval of a seven-item Consent Agenda from which two items were pulled for additional discussion. All those items were eventually approved, only the Station 6 AC proposal drawing a lone negative vote. Below is a summary of the supervisors action agenda of May 21.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

33. Public Hearing – VDOT Secondary 6-Year Plan – Mike Berry, Public Works Director; Staff summary: VDOT and the Warren County Board of Supervisors, in accordance with Section 33.2-331 of the Code of Virginia, will conduct a public hearing to receive public comment on the proposed Secondary Six-Year Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-2030 and 2025 Construction Budget in Warren County. All projects in the Secondary Six-Year Plan eligible for federal funds will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which documents how Virginia will obligate federal transportation funds.

Following one public hearing speaker, Paul Hunt, inquiring about a specific road project he was told did not make this year’s plan, on a motion by Richard Jamieson, second Vicky Cook, approved unanimously.

Public Works Director Mike Berry at the podium presents staff summary on a number of items before the board. Below, citizen Paul Hunt didn’t get the answer he was looking for in query on a road he was told did not ‘make the cut’ on this year’s VDOT 6-year secondary roads list. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

7. Public Heariing – Shenandoah Shores Sanitary District Water Rate Increase – Alisa Scott, Finance Director, Mike Berry, Public Works Director; Staff summary: The Shenandoah Shores Property Owner’s Association has voted to approve a 7.5% increase on water rates for Shenandoah Shores residents for fiscal year 2024-2025 and 2.5% for each fiscal year to follow, if necessary, who are hooked up to the community well. It has been three years since the last increase and the cost of material and labor has gone up considerably. The approval of the water rate was voted on by the Shenandoah Shores appointed Board.

There were no speakers at public hearing. On a motion by John Stanmeyer, second Cook, approved unanimously.

1. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement with Front Royal Cardinals, Inc. for use of Bing Crosby Stadium – Dana Winner, Office Manager, Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Dan Lenz, Parks and Recreation Director; Staff summary: The Front Royal Cardinals, Inc. request to lease Bing Crosby Stadium. The Front Royal Cardinals, Inc. will use the complex for their 2024 baseball season. All leases with County-owned real property must first have a public hearing.

Again, no speakers at public hearing. On motion by Jamieson, second Cook, approved unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

PULLED from Consent Agenda for discussion – items L-1 & L-3:

1. MOU for Animal Impound Agreement between Humane Society of Warren County and County of Warren – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator: Staff summary: Section 3.2-6546 of the Code of Virginia allows for the County to contract with a private group such as the Humane Society of Warren County, Inc. (the “Society”) to maintain or cause to maintain an animal shelter on behalf of the County for the confinement or disposition of animals. The County has contracted with the Society previously. The Animal Impound Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Society is for the shelter and control of stray, injured, or quarantined animals brought to the Society’s animal shelter from within the County and the Town of Front Royal, Virginia (the “Town”). Since the Sheriff is integrally involved in Animal Control, they are now a party to this Agreement. This Agreement is for a 3-year term, and if not otherwise terminated will then automatically renew from year to year.

COST & FINANCING:

During the Initial Term, beginning July 1, 2024, (FY24/25) the County shall pay the Society for the services rendered by the Society pursuant to this Agreement the Price of $412,000. Each year thereafter, the Price shall be increased by 2% or the CPI-U for the prior year, whichever is higher, not to exceed 3%. The Price shall be paid out in twelve equal monthly installments ($34,333). There are additional charges stated in the Agreement for various items, including veterinary changes and unusual animals.

On a motion by Cook, second by Jamieson, approved unanimously.

3. Fire Station 6 Air Conditioning System – James Bonzano, Fire Chief, Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator. Staff summary: The Department of Fire and Rescue Services recently explored the feasibility of upfitting the Shenandoah Farms Station Apparatus Bays with an Air Conditioning System. This upfit is needed to better protect the temperature-sensitive medications utilized for the treatment of advanced life support patients and to create better working conditions for the career and volunteer responders of the station.

In early 2022, the Department of Fire and Rescue Services and the County of Warren made the difficult decision to demolish the facilities living areas and southern apparatus bays due to unsafe conditions. This left the station with a standalone apparatus bay which houses an ambulance transport unit, an engine, brush truck and boat. This area is noted to be outfitted with heat via propane fuel but formerly lacked air conditioning due to being readily available to “open” the facility and circulate air via fans and natural air flow during the summer months.

At the request of Supervisor Cullers, staff has researched the viability of retrofitting the medic unit(s) with an onboard refrigeration unit vs. the installation of the Air Conditioning Unit at the Shenandoah Farms location. Below is the cost break down of such system: Onboard Air Conditioning Unit for Medic Units:

$2,852 per cooling unit plus shipping

$2,575 per installation

$5,427.00 total cost per unit.

On a motion by Cook, second Stanmeyer, approved by a 4-1 vote, Chairman Cheryl Cullers dissenting.

Item “L” the Consent Agenda as amended minus items 1 and 3, was approved unanimously. Those remaining items were:

L 2. Cooperative Agreement for the DWR Bentonville Boat Access on Shenandoah River known as Indian Hollow Access – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator

L 4. Authorization to Advertise for Public Hearing – Little League Complex License Agreement with Front Royal Little League – Dana Winner, Office Manager, Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator , Dan Lenz, Parks and Recreation Director

L 5. Authorization to Advertise for Public Hearing – Warren County FY24-25 Budget – Alisa Scott, Finance Director

L 6. Authorization to Advertise – Increased Transfer Station Tipping Fee – Mike Berry, Public Works Director

L 7. Authorization to Advertize – Linden VFD Dissolution – Gerry Maiatico, Assistant Fire Chief

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

Click here to watch the Warren County Board of Supervisors Meeting of May 21, 2024.