Coraggio Consulting Henrico County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting, Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Place: Henrico County Board of Supervisors, Virginia Length: 2h 8m (video) Official meeting video (Swagit): https://henricocountyva.new.swagit.com/videos/338389 Official agenda (Henrico County): https://henrico.gov/pdfs/manager/meetings2025/032525ag.pdf Official minutes (Henrico County, regular meeting): https://henrico.gov/pdfs/manager/meetings2025/032525regmins.PDF Minutes, Apr 8, 2025 (record the Board's approval of these minutes): https://henrico.gov/pdfs/manager/meetings2025/040825regmins.PDF Machine transcript (speech-to-text) produced by Coraggio Consulting. Not an official county record. Names and numbers may be misspelled; check the video at the timestamp before quoting. Speech-to-text: whisper.cpp, model large-v3-turbo. Produced 2026-10-25. Timestamps are [HH:MM:SS] into the meeting video. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [00:03:33] Good evening, everybody. Welcome to the first of two meetings this evening on Tuesday, March 25th. We're going to begin. We're beginning a little early today, 5 o'clock. Welcome to all those of you that are here and those that are tuned in online. [00:03:52] This first initial meeting will be our public meeting with regard to the budget. As we'll begin, as we always do, with a Pledge of Allegiance. And if you're able, please remain standing for our invocation brought to us tonight by Will Clements, chaplain for Henrico Police Division. [00:04:08] Pray. Lord God, we thank you for this day. We thank you, Lord, for your goodness and mercy. We thank you, Lord, for those who serve our county, our community. Lord God, we pray that you would bless this meeting tonight, that you would give direction and give wisdom and decisions that need to be made. And we thank you for it, and we pray it in Jesus' name. Amen. [00:04:45] To our budget public hearing, for those of you who are tuned in online, you can also participate in tonight's public comment period. [00:05:21] This afternoon we'll receive public comments from those that are in the room at the lectern in the back. If you are streaming online, please go to henrico.us backslash supervisors, click on guidance for Board of Supervisors meetings, and scroll down to WebEx event, and the moderator will help you out when it's your turn to speak. [00:05:38] Mr. Mayor. Mr. Chair, members of the board, agenda item 88-25 is a resolution. This is approval of operating and capital annual fiscal plans for the fiscal year 25-26 and allocation of car tax relief for tax year 2025. This is the budget public hearing, which at the end of this meeting, you'll be asked to defer this action until adoption until April the 8th. [00:06:03] This is for input of the residents. Mr. Crawford has a presentation for those in attendance and those that may be watching online with some budget information. It's a point of information also the board spent the third week in March going through each of the departmental budgets line item by line item with each of the agencies. [00:06:28] So without further ado, Mr. Crawford. Thank you, Mr. Manager, and good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board. It's my pleasure to present the highlights of the county manager's proposed operating and capital budgets for fiscal year 2025 and 2026. [00:06:46] This is the continuation of a process that started in earnest internally in September with the initial review of revenue estimates along with the initial estimates of operating requirements looking at first personnel costs of current salaries and benefit rates and has matriculated into where we were able to present the highlights of this budget on February 25th with the formal introduction of the budget two [00:07:22] weeks ago and then as the manager noted the review that this board conducted with all all county agencies last week so with that I'll just start right in the fiscal year 26 budget operating the general fund which is where the predominant is where most of the risk most of the county's agencies budgets are are located for 26 is estimated at 1 billion 355 million dollars this slide [00:07:59] here shows the kind of the high level revenue breakout with and you can see the table on the left and then really the pie chart is look at how we how the revenue side has looked for a number of years with a little bit of maybe a percent or two fluctuation with real estate being about one third state and federal revenues and then other local revenues equaling the third piece on the expense side again just kind of staying at the high level [00:08:36] you'll see the table on the right each kind of service area and you know what I'll point out here is that education and public safety continue to be the major priorities on the expense side of the budget it's both of those account for 78 percent of the total budget and if you look at the amount of what where the new resources went in this budget over 82 percent of the general funds budget growth was dedicated towards education and public safety switching [00:09:15] brief quickly to an overview of the county's capital budget the the proposed total is over four hundred sixteen million dollars you you can look see on the pie chart on the left the kind of the how it is split up amongst the by departments and then on the right the various funding sources that go into the county's capital budget a number of reserves ongoing revenues however one [00:09:50] of and kind of as was pointed out on the title slide tax relief in this budget was a priority and really so there's I have a few slots dedicated to that here the first is the two cent reduction in the real estate tax rate this is you know a tax you know a tax rate that has not been increased since 1978 or 47 years now and then on the personal property side there's a proposed reduction to bring the um the kind of highest [00:10:29] personal property tax rate to three dollars and 35 cent uh this is a five cent reduction on for over 300 000 vehicles and in a 15 cent reduction for 20 000 businesses with that the kind of value of tax relief put forward in this budget uh over 18 million dollars um offset by the normalizing of [00:10:59] the data center rates of the data center rate being set at 260 for tax year 25 this is kind of picking up you know a maturing industry there and at 260 they're still receiving a tax break off of the three dollar and 35 cent rate that I noted before and then I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the the additional tax relief is on top of this county's long tradition of whole withholding the tax burden on our residents far. This is an analysis that the Office of Management [00:11:38] and Budget puts together annually, and you can see that we, you know, among the 10 largest communities in the Commonwealth, this county maintains the lowest tax burden for its residents, a number of, you know, lowest on the real estate tax rate and a number of of taxes and fees that this county does not impose that are imposed elsewhere. [00:12:02] um moving into the expense highlights um start with you know with you know rewarding our with the county's workforce you know the lifeblood of local government i've probably said a number of years now is is the people doing the people's work and so with that uh there's a proposal for a six percent salary increase for all eligible employees there are also a number of uh target adjustment or targeted market adjustments that are proposed on the [00:12:38] Henrico County Public School side that are shown there on the slide and in keeping with education the budget that was adopted by the school board is fully funded along along with the additional amount for the salary increase some of the highlights in the education budget includes the second year of the of the phase-in for the Henrico cares program enhancing our school system's ability to [00:13:13] care for the mental well-being of our students there are also a number of additional security officer positions English language learning positions something you know this budget also picks up the full cost of the elementary planning positions that this board signaled that they would they were in support of a year ago and then there's nearly five million dollars for the soon to be completed overhaul or renovation and of the virginia randolph campus [00:13:54] this will account for some expanded programming at this site very exciting project there's also an increase allocated on the capital side of bringing their roof the roof and mechanical programs for hcps up to 16 million dollars in fiscal 26. this is a significant increase especially when you look at where those programs were just a couple years ago and that amount is also on top of the nine million dollars of capital resources that come from the meals tax that go that every [00:14:34] penny of the of that uh resource goes into our school system each and every year on the public safety side the proposed budget includes 13 new firefighter positions none of which were approved by this board for a new medic unit and then an additional four for expanded for expanding [00:15:04] minimum staffing there's also in the police budget new resources allocated to enhance technology efforts in order to assist with combating crime and keeping the community safe there's also on the on the capital side there's construction funds put forward for the replacement of firehouse 1 and then we are continuing to kind of right-size public safety over time budgets [00:15:40] a pedestrian transitioning to pedestrian safety this the 26 proposed budgeting enhances side sidewalk and a pedestrian pedestrian and bicycle path funding from five million dollars a year to seven million seven hundred fifty thousand this is all local funding and then this budget also continue continues the street lighting initiative that this board started in September with the inclusion of an additional 1.5 million [00:16:18] dollars further infrastructure I'll start with the water and sewer capital budget nearly 200 million dollar effort here to maintain and expand the county's water and source system this that number includes a the first of a multi-year effort 50 million dollars a year in order to ensure safe clean drinking water throughout the entire county you know and also keeping some [00:16:51] flexibility and what that approach may look like other projects identified here [00:16:59] Transfer transportation funding through the Central Virginia Transportation Authority, $27.5 million from the local taxes that are collected here that go into our transportation network, $3 million to upgrade fuel sites, $1.5 million to provide some renovations in our juvenile courts building. [00:17:31] IT enhancements, here the ERP replacement project or enterprise resource planning, that totals $11.5 million in the jail management system. These are critical system efforts that are necessary for, well, on the ERP side, really for all agencies to be able to do its job. [00:18:00] I mean, it's the financial and personnel backbones. The jail management system is really the kind of the backbone system for our jail system. There's also funding for enhancements identified with the implementation of the new community development or Posse system. [00:18:21] And then you heard a bit last week about some of the security enhancements that are going into our county parks. budget also can continues the referendum projects list you see them listed here in addition to firehouse one which i mentioned earlier there there's construction funding for the renovation of johnson elementary planning and site work funding for a new fairfield elementary school [00:18:56] to be located in the river mill area and there's also some funding for a new social services building on this campus in order to allow the department to meet current and future service demands and in a number of environmental initiatives continuation of funding for the county stormwater program actually the enhancement of funding in that area an additional two million dollars all without a stormwater utility tax which I alluded to earlier wetland and stream mitigation bank [00:19:32] funding. The bond-funded drainage projects, $10 million of the total 50, that will bring the total amount appropriated of the bond program to $20 million. And then a continuation of funding for our heart committee and energy management programs. So with all of the uncertainty kind of out in the world, and really the, you know, whether it's, you know, what's going on with the federal [00:20:08] government or just the fact that economies are cyclical and, you know, it's, you know, depending on how you look at it, it's anywhere from five to getting close to 15 years since the last recession. [00:20:26] We find it prudent to take a look at all facets of county operations, both on the general government and school side with with the objective to find permanent cost savings six million dollars on each side for a total of twelve million dollars roughly roughly the equivalent of two pennies with the idea that you know we can always do things better and it may end more efficiently and it may be coming high time that we are going to have to implement a number of these [00:21:04] measures in order to continue the services that our residents have come to expect from this county and then quickly just to discuss you know last week's reviews one of the things that did want to highlight here was looking at streamlining field scheduling between recreation parks and the sports and entertainment authority we are still reviewing what that looks like from a cost perspective uh cost shift perspective but what we bring forward in a couple weeks should [00:21:38] include that transition so i did want to highlight that as a result of the reviews a week ago i think the board for its for its time and consideration both tonight and last week and i would like to take a minute to first thank the budget office staff who's in attendance behind me um you know the work that they've done to get you know to put this budget together has been great i'd also be remiss if i didn't thank uh all the departments throughout the county um you know it's this is [00:22:18] really a team effort and we don't get to this point tonight without uh everyone's everyone pitching in so a big thank you and then with that that is uh my presentation um i would be happy to answer any questions that the board may have before opening it up uh to the public thank you mr crawford after all those hours we spent last week i asked this question i think i know the answer but any questions before we move to public comment from my colleagues on the budget as Mr. President. Seeing none. This is a public hearing. So we will take any questions or [00:22:57] comments on the budget from those in the audience and then we'll check WebEx. Do we want to go to anyone pre-registered first, Mr. Manager? I do have a number of individuals that have signed up. So we're asking Julie Bilodeau with Crossover Healthcare to come forward. And the comments are from the lectern at the back of the room. Ma'am, do ask that you limit your comments to five minutes if possible. Good evening. So, thank you for allowing me to speak with you this evening. [00:23:34] My name is Julie Bilodeau, and I'm the CEO of Crossover Healthcare Ministry. I'm here tonight to just give you some information about Crossover and the services we provide to the county. Crossover exists to provide essential healthcare services to patients who would struggle to access these services on their own. This past year, Crossover provided care for over 7,200 patients, And the largest percentage of our patients, 45%, live in Henrico County. [00:24:06] Our patients fall into two key groups, low-income, uninsured, and patients who are on Medicaid. Without Crossover, these patients would probably go to the emergency room or they would forego care completely, which would lead to a future preventable health crisis. [00:24:24] Our patients come to us from all over the world. Crossover has cared for patients from over 115 countries, and our patients speak over 30 different languages. In our work welcoming newcomers to our community, we work with the Henrico County Health Department, Commonwealth Catholic Charities, International Rescue Committee, and the Welcome Center at Tucker High School. [00:24:50] So we provide these services at two locations. We have a clinic in the Manchester part of Richmond, and our largest clinic is in Henrico County at 8600 Cuyacuson Road at the corner of Parham and Cuyacuson. So our Henrico County clinic opened in October of 2005, so we'll be 20 years old this year. [00:25:13] And so I wanted to tell you just a little bit about what we do at our Henrico clinic. We provide primary care to adults and children. Within our primary care, we offer preventative care and chronic disease care. Over 60% of our patients have at least one chronic disease. [00:25:30] Our pediatrics program cared for over 1,000 children that live in our community last year. We offer them well visits, sick visits, school physicals, and the immunizations they need to go to school. This past year, we added audiology screenings to our pediatric care. [00:25:47] We offer over 15 subspecialty services, including neurology, cardiology, and rheumatology, basically a lot of ologies. We offer full dental service, including dentures. We provide vision care for our patients, providing eyeglasses, diabetic eye exams, and other eye care services. [00:26:08] We also offer behavioral health services through a licensed professional counselor and a partnership with VCU. We offer a Ryan White program, and we care for over 250 HIV patients, and we offer free HIV and STD testing to our community. [00:26:26] And finally, we offer a licensed pharmacy at our Henrico Clinic, and this past year we distributed over $8 million in prescription medicines to our patients, and we only charge them $3 to $5 for a prescription. We also provide our eye and pharmacy services to patients at other safety net clinics in our area. [00:26:49] So Crossover is in the process of renovating our Henrico Clinic with the goal of increasing our capacity and improving our spaces. In late 2025 or 2026, we will open a new maternal and child health suite. [00:27:05] This new space will provide prenatal care to women in our community who are low-income and will merge this with our pediatrics program. This will allow our clinicians to work with families and to give additional focus for important issues for our community, like postpartum depression and breastfeeding. [00:27:25] So as you've just heard, Crossover provides comprehensive services to our clients. This care is essential for our patients who often have low health literacy and have problems navigating our complicated health care system. We form relationships with our patients. [00:27:42] This was most evident during COVID, when we were able to reach out to our patients, educate them on fevers, hand washing, and social distancing. And we were open every single day during the pandemic, and we were vaccinating high-risk patients in our community as early as January of 2021. [00:28:01] So we're able to do our work through the generosity of our community. Our local hospital systems partner with us to provide this care. The philanthropy community and local governments, including Harrico County, provide funding for our services. [00:28:18] And over 550 generous residents in our community volunteer their time to provide care. And so together, we all create a true safety net for the most vulnerable in our community. And thank you for your time. Just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for the work that you do. [00:28:41] I really thought that you guys had been in existence much longer, simply because in about 20 years I've worked with folks that are often in need of Crossover's care. It just seems like a staple. Crossover has a well-known reputation for being a reliable partner. [00:28:57] Little-known secret is that even as an attorney for many years I was uninsured because I had my own practice and had to navigate systems. And I never went to Crossover, but I did, for example, use Planned Parenthood for care. And so clinics that are working with people, maybe your population isn't necessarily what everybody assumes when we talk about people that need help securing quality medical care. [00:29:20] So thank you for all that you guys have been doing. So thank you. And so actually Crossover opened in 1983. So we're 40 years old, and our clinic down in Manchester, which also serves East End Henrico patients, that clinic has been open for about 35 years now. [00:29:36] yeah thank you next mr. chair uh max my cells mr. my cells are there you are i'm max my cells and i live at 2017 old prescott court i'm here to ask the board to drop henrico county's membership in the virginia association of counties known as vaco there's 85 000 as a line item in the budget and an additional $13,175 for junkets and other things. [00:30:14] And if you maintain your membership by the time you're done, you're probably going to be around $100,000, which is the taxes that my whole subdivision pays. This organization primarily lobbies at the General Assembly on behalf of counties, which is usually against the interest of the citizenry. [00:30:35] And if you're worried about lobbying at the General Assembly, You have a full-time lobbyist, Mike Schnurman, so you would not be not represented. Any other services that are offered by VACO are offered a la carte, and that includes insurance and educational seminars and other things. [00:30:53] So if you want to avail yourself of the auxiliary services that VACO offers, it can be done at a far lower rate than the $100,000 that I expect the county to spend this year. Most of my information on VACO comes from the Goochland people, the folks that run Goochland. [00:31:13] And I would encourage you to have an informal conversation with the Goochland County Administrator, who not only doesn't have any regrets over leaving VACO, but is gleeful over it and thinks that their county is better off not being a member of VACO. [00:31:31] I think that most of the residents of Enrico County don't know about VACO and the money that you waste on it. And if they did, I think they would be outraged. If the public knew that you were spending $100,000 to be a dues-paying member of this organization, if you ever had to really cut your budget and look for places to cut, I think this would be close to the top of a non-essential item that could be eliminated. [00:32:00] You used to be members of the Virginia Municipal League, which was mostly the cities. And when you dropped out of that, I don't think the county suffered one bit. I don't think that not being a member of ACO would affect the daily life of any citizen of the county. So I'm asking you to delete that from your budget. [00:32:19] I wanted to compliment you on dropping the tax rate, two cents. But calling it tax relief is really a deceptive misnomer. Because by state law, if you did nothing, if you didn't vote on the rate at all, it would drop another $0.03 to $0.80 per hundred. [00:32:38] So this really is a tax increase by the budget that you're adopting, even though you're saying you dropped the rate $0.02 because of the increased assessments. It's really a tax increase, and it's really not relief because almost everybody's taxes will go up in the county. [00:32:55] So if you're looking for a place to save money and to be able to cut the tax rate to 80 cents, which it would do if you did nothing, I suggest that dropping out of Vaco would be a good place to start. Thank you, sir. Next, Hamed Zakiri. Mr. Zakiri, are you here? [00:33:19] He's on WebEx, sir. Okay. We've got him on WebEx. Now, so I have Hamed Zakiri, Paolo Tripodi, and Stephan Brown. So you are all members of ARIA EVA FC? [00:33:38] Yes, sir. Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity to talk here. My name is Hamid Zakiri, and I'm executive director of ARIA RVA FC. ARIA RVA FC is a non-profit organization, youth soccer club. [00:33:56] Can we do something with the volume? Sorry? Control room, can we do something with the volume? Go ahead, Mr. Zakiri. All right. So, yeah. RVAFC is a non-profit organization, youth soccer club, home to over 100 young, talented players. [00:34:22] Our goal is to provide quality and affordable soccer training to the kids all over Henrico area. We offer very low fees because most of our teams are from low-income families. It's our goal to not let money get in the way of the kids achieving their dreams. [00:34:41] We started in 2021 with only a few kids and have grown over the years to now having the six different age groups competing in various leagues and tournaments across Richmond and Virginia. [00:34:58] And also we have witnessed our growth from recreational team to now competing in top leagues and tournaments. And I would like to thank the county for all the support they have provided us throughout the years and providing us with the training field has had a huge impact on the growth of our clubs. And also, as our team is growing, we require more fields in order to hold training sessions. The county has been reserving field for us three times a week in a different area. [00:35:37] And because of the amount of players and the team we have, we believe it would be beneficial if we got assistance on having our own field. The two locations we have in our mind is Laurel Park and Woodman Park. Turning these fields into an area home field would be beneficial to grow our goals of providing training for all our teams. Being able to provide training and host home games would also increase the attraction to our teams and further our growth. We have a big dream of improving youth soccer in RICO with the assistance of the county [00:36:16] will reach these dreams. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you, Mr. Zakiri. Next, Paolo Tripodi. Are you on Webex, sir? He was, sir, but I no longer see him. [00:36:34] Okay. Mr. Brown, the floor is yours. Thank you. So to kind of follow up from what Coach Hamed was saying, first of all, thank you for your time. So I represent, I'm a coach for RER, RBA, FC. And to give some insight, travel soccer is very competitive. [00:36:50] Most of the time, you charge $2,000 just for the registration to play travel soccer. We charge $500 to the kids who can't afford it. A lot of kids can't afford it. With that being said, it hasn't stopped us. In the last year, we've won six tournaments. Ninety percent of these kids go to Henrico schools. [00:37:08] They go to Greenwood. They go to Hungry Creek. And we're getting better as an organization. With that being said, the county has been gracious. They have allowed us in the off-seasons to utilize Glover Park. But when the season starts, we get transferred to Brookley Field and to Laurel Park, or Woodman Park, I should say. [00:37:32] Woodman Park has no goals. Two weeks ago, we attempted to try and start playing at Brookley Park. Brookley Park, the goals are still locked. They have no nets in them. I'm supposed to be at practice right now. [00:37:48] I got a call from the other coach. They're still locked. So that's three straight weeks now where we're trying to prep for our first game that's coming up this week, and we can't practice. For a small organization like ARIA, when you're trying to compete against Strikers, Richmond United, and these families show up and we don't have the basics like a field and or goals, it's hard to keep people. [00:38:15] Kids will leave, and that's okay for maybe the two, three kids who can afford to leave and go play for strikers but a lot of the kids can and so they're just looking at us like what do you want to do coach and we do what we can but it is a struggle um i'm coming here to appeal to the board to ask for um limited access we have five teams even if you gave us a turf field once a week we'll we will practice all five teams on that one field we have been in contact with the parks and recreation mr zanino he's been great to us he works with us but to a small organization [00:38:51] something is like getting access to a field for three hours during the week that we know we can get would be really beneficial um right now we're at brookley yes they rained out so the turf fields they're great because you can get access to those even when it rains but this is another example of this week yes their rain got canceled okay guys we'll try and get you there on tuesday or tuesday we get there and it's the same thing happened last week we don't have any goals so when you have access to a turf field even if it's raining you still can practice with your kids but when you're [00:39:26] relegated to a field that rains a lot during the springtime we're probably not going to get access to the fields continually or or consistently um because the county closes them up for good reason the fields get torn up but it limits is it limits our ability to to to to practice these kids and get them to a place where they can compete with the best um and that's what they're doing so i'm coming here to again appeal that we can work out some type of creative solution where we can get access to a turf field um for three hours once a week and and and you know i'll end it with this [00:40:05] these are kids that these are henrico kids i'm a henrico parent i have three kids to go to the schools um all these kids go to our schools and um they deserve to have access to a field and um and that's why I'm here so I'm hoping at some point you know I can get some feedback to see if you guys can help us with that. Thank you sir. I know you mentioned I'm glad to hear that you met with our director of recreation and parks. How long ago was that conversation or [00:40:39] meeting? We first made it brought it to the attention two weeks ago to Mr. Tavares that the fields were locked and they had no nets. He told me he told us he's putting a work order in um and so the conversation with zanino i believe was a couple of days ago um and he is um expressing that he maybe will try and work out a situation where maybe we can practice that clover on saturday and sunday which is we'll take what we can get at the same time that's when we play games um saturday [00:41:14] and sunday is when soccer teams play games so we can't really practice on those days but um any creative solution we have to getting our kids some access to practice would be greatly beneficial to us well thank you very much you're in luck tonight too mr zino's here so i would just ask that you guys have some face time in the hallway so you can put a face to a name and you're in the right place i will tell you that that those folks are entrusted with the dozens near hundreds of facilities and fields and use so you're talking to the right group um i will also tell you that there this is not new not unique we've heard we've all heard it everybody's looking for field space [00:41:52] but i will give you some hope that you're in the right room tonight and you have the right guy to meet right there sir appreciate it thank you for your time okay next mr chair uh marlene sherlock sherlock are you here yes ma'am good evening my name is marlene sherlock i come here tonight as a 40-year resident of the fairfield district and a very proud parent of two hcps students One, a recent graduate of J.R. Tucker High School, with another soon to follow. [00:42:30] But I also come as a longtime advocate of public education, not just for my children, but for all children in Henrico County. After spending over $2 billion, that's with a B, in just the past four years, and bringing two brand new $100 million piece schools online, I think we find ourselves at a crossroads. [00:42:55] Many of our West End schools have classroom sizes that will make you cringe, and our East End schools have test scores that will make you cry. Both things no one should be happy with. At what point will we come to the conclusion that we shouldn't be doing things the same way and expecting a different result? [00:43:15] And by that I mean giving the school division everything it's asked for. Our family was about halfway through our HCPS journey when I realized school funding is, well, different. The moment you write them a check, you lose any leverage you might have had. [00:43:31] Schools has their own elected board and budget that you have so generously funded for many years. So it's now, now during this budget approval process, that it's the time for you, our board of supervisors, to ask for what you want. It's not about telling them or telling the school division how to do their job. [00:43:51] No one likes that. But it can be about laying out more clearly your vision and expectations and how you intend to hold them accountable. It's a very high stakes game of pay to play. The overcapacity and disappointing test scores are not new. [00:44:10] These problems certainly didn't arrive overnight and even predate COVID. I'll be the first one to admit there's plenty of blame to go around with us parents also needing to take a good long look in the mirror. So we collectively and realistically shouldn't have the notion that things will change quickly either. [00:44:30] That also doesn't mean we must accept the status quo. I once heard someone say that frustration is really an expression or emotion of something that's already transpired. Yet I find, all too often, we allow frustration to color our decisions of the present and future. [00:44:51] What's done is done, but I don't think it's inappropriate to question the path forward. Throwing money and lots of it at the matter simply has not worked by any measure. In my opinion, it'll be far more productive as we look ahead to really focus on the core mission of public education, to not be afraid to try a new tactic, and as always, remember that we're all in this together. [00:45:19] United, we can stand, and stand very tall. Divided, we will inevitably fall. Thank you for your time. Thank you, ma'am. Next, Gray Montrose. Good afternoon, members of the Board of Supervisors. [00:45:45] My name is Gray Montrose, and I live at 4300 Eanes Lane, and that's in the Verina District. I wanted to communicate that I am dismayed at this budget proposal thematically, because it not only continues the same bad financial policies, but doubles down. [00:46:03] on what amounts to trickle down economics. The policy is, put very simply, to take a massive financial loss on property tax revenues to incentivize rich people to move to Henrico from somewhere else that has higher taxes. [00:46:21] Then hope, someday, that the revenues from their spending will eventually trickle down to cover the costs of services like schools, roads, parks, water, sewer, police, and firefighters. Meanwhile, we spend our savings, our green bank of green fields, to realize quick infusions of cash to cover those losses, hoping, despite 40 years of evidence, that someday those rich people will pay for the services they consume. [00:46:52] For a reference point, on average, according to national data, a typical single-family home in a typical suburban development will cost two and a half times in services what it ever recoups in property taxes. We've been trying this sort of economic growth strategy for 40 years. [00:47:11] We haven't raised property taxes in 40 years. This strategy didn't work when we bulldozed Tuckahoe. It didn't work when we developed Three Chopped. It's not going to work when we develop Verina. Every time, we are always looking for more. [00:47:27] What's the next quick infusion of cash? And we will run out of room. We heard just the other night that if only East End schools weren't such an albatross, that's a quote, albatross, weighing the county down, then rich people would move to Varina and gentrify it. [00:47:45] And it would all be better once those rich people moved to Varina and gentrified it. That reference to an albatross is more apt than perhaps was clear at that time. Because in that story, which is the Rime of the Ancient Mariner from 1798, the namesake mariner was blessed by the presence of the albatross, which was a symbol of good luck and good fortune the mariner shot the albatross destroyed it in what was initially hailed as a good decision short-term good decision but then realized it [00:48:21] was a terrible terrible thing that could not be undone short-term gain turned into long-term consequences and the reference to the albatross is that that story that character literally had the albatross tied around his neck as a physical reminder of the weight of shame and regret for bad decisions in the short term made with bad information that turned into long-term consequences. [00:48:52] I would ask this board of supervisors to consider 40 years of evidence that trickle-down economics does not work. Spending lavishly to not keep up with inflation, to not raise taxes, to keep up with inflation and instead spend to keep those rich people moving into Henrico County to the tune of thousands of people a year, now putting us on the hook for something like 1,500 kids a year moving into Henrico County. That's a high school a year moving into Henrico County that we are now [00:49:26] financially responsible for. These kinds of numbers, these kinds of bills that we are racking up based on someday hoping it will all trickle down is old-fashioned policy it's bad policy and we should not double down on what has been done for the last 40 years by continuing to reduce taxes and then vote like we are planning to do on april the 8th to increase fees like our water bills increasing costs for henrico residents who already live here [00:50:00] Increasing assessments for Henrico County residents that already live here to incentivize more people to move. Thank you for your time. Loathe as I am to belabor a point, I do want to make a clarification and correction because I do not ever want my comments to be misconstrued or twisted for whatever reason. [00:50:32] The comment about East End Schools being an albatross, as interesting as the literary lesson was, is not applicable. In fact, the comment that I made was not in suggestion that the goal is for rich folks to gentrify the East End, I believe is the characterization that is made. I want to be clear that my comment was that we need to make adjustments very similar to the comments of the speaker that just spoke, and I applaud you and thank you for that commentary. I don't know, much of what was said in our school's presentation last week was exactly along that line of thinking [00:51:08] of new things to be innovative and stop repeating the same cycle of just dumping money at the problem and my comment was that just dumping money into the problem is not going to solve it but that parents on the east end or families throughout the county should feel just as comfortable living in the eastern part of the county and knowing that they're getting a good education as parents in the west end are and it had nothing to do with folks gentrifying the east and i find that an offensive interpretation of my remarks so um since for those who do not have the benefit of having heard exactly what was said i cannot let it stand that that was an [00:51:46] interpretation so thank you for the opportunity to correct that mr chair mr chair i just want to add something for the record we don't we do not have 1500 kids in our um in our school system a year actually we have less kids in our school system now than we had i think seven years ago what we saw a decade ago has been stagnant so some of that some of those comments are pretty inflammatory and not true so at this point i don't have anyone else that is signed up to speak is [00:52:20] there anyone in attendance that wishes to speak regarding the budget is there anyone on webex that wishes to speak on the budget there's no one to speak on webex sure thank you mr manager any other further discussion or comments by my colleagues on the budget as presented by mr Crawford all right seeing or hearing none I'll accept a motion for a deferral of this item to our Tuesday April 8th meeting so move second and a motion by mr. Nelson improperly second by miss Roundtree those in favor say aye [00:52:59] any opposed motion carries mr. manager thank you very much mr. manager mr. newbie you know exactly what I'm gonna ask you would you like us to gavel out of the budget meeting and gavel back in six o'clock you should take a recess at this point gaveling out is fine if you prefer to hit the gavel and we'll come back in we'll knock this thing so uh thank you all very much for participating in our budget hearing we'll see you in seven minutes at six o'clock for our bi-weekly meeting [00:53:33] thank you everybody and welcome back for those of you who are here at our five o'clock meeting we [01:03:14] just concluded our five o'clock annual budget review had some public comments thank you for tuning back in for our regular march 25th 25th board of supervisors meeting certainly welcome you all here in the room and for those of you tuned in on WebEx. As a reminder, for this public meeting, those of you who are in the room who wish to speak during the public comment period or during any of the public hearing items can do so at the lectern in the rear. [01:03:36] And for those of you on WebEx can also participate in this public meeting by going to Henrico.us/supervisors, clicking on Guidance of Board of Supervisors meeting, and then scroll down and click on WebEx event where our wonderful moderator will help you out and call upon you when it It is your turn to speak. [01:03:53] We have already had our Pledge of Allegiance and our invocation today, so we'll move right into approval of minutes. Colleagues, I'll accept an approval of the minutes from our March 11th supervisor. So moved. Motion by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Rogus. [01:04:09] Those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Mr. Manager. Mr. Chair, members of the board, I'd like to ask Senator Van Valkenburgh to come forward to the podium. Here's a very special presentation for the family of a very special man. [01:04:29] You know, Mr. Elvin Cosby was Henrico County's longest-serving employee, and he passed away on December 8th of 2024. Mr. Cosby served under nine different public works directors, holding positions as laborer, truck driver, equipment operator, labor foreman, and ultimately as maintenance supervisor. [01:04:51] A number of folks on campus will remember that a number of years ago in 2018, when Mr. Cosby celebrated his 72nd year as a county employee, the record, by the way, was 80 years for an individual, and that's in Guinness. [01:05:10] So there's a road on campus referred to as Elvin Cosby Way, and he is our model. But I also want to recognize that in addition to the family, We do have a number of special friends of Mr. Cosby. [01:05:26] The most worshipful Grandmaster Beverly Butch Morgan from the Fairfax Lodge 298. Also, District Deputy Grandmaster Lin Woody Jones from Lodge 27 in Richmond. And Assistant District Deputy Master Chris Jacobs works for us. [01:05:46] Jonathan Lodge, number 112. So, Senator, thank you for everything, especially that you have done this year for our county, and I know you have a very special presentation. Thank you, and before I get started, let me thank you guys as well for all the efforts in the last couple months. [01:06:08] It's been a team effort on a variety of issues, and I think what they all have in common is about what we're about to celebrate, which is people and prioritizing people, and so thank you for having my back as well and the citizens' back. And so we get to celebrate a guy who, I mean, epitomizes Henrico. [01:06:29] For those of you who don't know me, I'm the state senator for Western Henrico, but I'm also a Henrico County employee myself, Henrico County Public Schools, and I'm at 20 years, so I've got a long way to go. I've got a long way to go. 20 this year, and 53 more sounds like a lot of years. [01:06:46] I'm not going to lie. I don't know what kids will be up to in 53 years, but I don't know if I'll be able to handle it. So, you know, we lost Mr. Cosby right before session started. And he meant a lot to the county, as the county manager stated. [01:07:03] And I thought it was only fitting that we do a resolution, a memorial resolution, to make sure that the state also did its job in recognizing his importance to the county. And so we passed Senate Joint Resolution 318, celebrating the life of Elvin Russell Cosby, Jr. [01:07:20] and if you'll indulge me, I'll read through it, because I think it deserves that. So, whereas Elvin Russell Cosby, Jr., a long-time and dedicated employee of Henrico County Public Works, esteemed faith leader and beloved member of the Henrico County community, died on December 8, 2024, and whereas, after working in a variety of jobs, Elvin Cosby joined Henrico County Public Works in April 1946, Embarking upon a career devoted to the development and maintenance of Henrico County's infrastructure that would span a remarkable 73 years. [01:07:59] And whereas, over his tenure with Henrico County, Elvin Cosby played an outsized role in shaping the principles and values guiding the locality's workforce, while also advancing a number of initiatives that would make an impact in the community, such as advising the county's early efforts to increase diversity in its workforce. [01:08:16] And whereas, as an expression of gratitude for Elvin Cosby's extraordinary legacy of service as both an employee and community member, Henrico County established the Elvin R. Cosby Award in 2015 to recognize longstanding county employees for their exceptional contributions and also named the street Elvin Cosby Way in his honor. [01:08:36] And whereas, Elvin Cosby was a steadfast member of the most worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia, free and accepted Masons, for more than 50 years. So we've got a trend here. First as a member of Limelight Lodge 301, where he achieved the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1967, and later at Jonathan Lodge 112, and whereas Elvin Cosby was guided throughout his life by his deep and abiding faith, and for many years served as a deacon at St. Peter Baptist Church in Glen Allen, leading and mentoring others in their spiritual journeys, and whereas preceded in death by his sons William and Marvin, [01:09:17] Elvin Cosby will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 73 years, Lottie Jane, his children Lena, Kathy, Sandra, Joyce, Della, and Chartel and their families, and numerous other family members and friends. Now therefore be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, that the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Elvin Russell Cosby Jr., a treasured member of the Henrico County community whose work ethic, devotion to his family and church, an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others inspired all who knew him, and be it reserved further that the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution [01:09:55] for presentation to the family of Elvin Russell Cosby Jr. as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory. [01:10:18] Cosby, Cosby family, I would thank you for this presentation. [01:10:41] Yes, he's truly missed, but thank you. Thank you so much. I'm aware, ma'am, that you just took a seat, and I apologize for this, But before we close this part of our agenda out, would you mind gathering your family and the folks who are here with you and the senator and come on up here so we can all thank you, number one, but also get a picture with you all? [01:11:18] Thank you. [01:11:58] Thank you all very much. [01:13:29] Mr. Manager, I'll never get tired of celebrating an employee like that with that kind of tenure. So thank you very much for bringing that out. I do have one other comment, Mr. Chair, members of the board. And for this one, I'm going to ask Ms. Jaleesa Turner to come forward. I think the members of the staff and the members of the board know how remarkable of an employee and a person Jaleese is, but maybe some of the members of the community would like to know that our Director of Outreach and Engagement, Ms. Jaleese Turner, has now received another new honor. [01:14:08] She has been selected by the publication Virginia Business as an inaugural 2025 40 Under 40 recipient. This award recognizes exceptional young professionals from across Virginia who are 40 years old or less. [01:14:48] Honorees were selected by the editorial team of Virginia Business based on their professional accomplishments, community service, and commitment to inspiring change. Before Ms. Turner became Henrico's first outreach and engagement director, she was the care program manager for our Division of Fire, and she previously served as the county's advocate for the aging. [01:15:09] Our county is fortunate to have Jaleesa among its leaders, and we are honored to celebrate her continued success and commitment to our county's residents and community. We know as the young, I can say that being my age and you only being 40, under 40, that's right, influential leader that she is, she will continue to serve as an inspiration and role model to aspiring professionals in our community and to her colleagues in our own county workforce. Julissa, congratulations once again. [01:15:45] Thank you. It's an absolute honor to serve the residents of Henrico County. And as I told Deputy County Manager Monica Smith Callahan earlier today, the grind continues and there's more work to be done. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Manager. Any comments from my colleagues? [01:16:15] Seeing none, let's take a moment and recognize Linda in German with BPM for being here. Thank you, sir, for your continued coverage. Appreciate you making time to be here with us. Mr. Manager, I think that brings us to presentations. Is that right? [01:16:37] Recognize April 2025 as Kiepenrico Beautiful Month. There are members here. I think for a proclamation, Mr. Manager, we don't need a motion, right? It's not a resolution, or do we take one? [01:16:53] There is no motion, Mr. Chair. I do have some individuals here that uh so we have uh Jody Rogish who is at the podium and he's going to recognize uh Brooklyn District Representative Teresa Harris Lynn Yurchak and Camila Phelps Fairfield District Representatives Rupi Anderson and Marie Massey Prechop District Poonam Kapila Tuckahoe District Nicole Bridge and Colin Waltall and joining them are Megan Brown our Executive Director of our Keep Henrico Beautiful Committee Bentley Chan [01:17:30] and alvin christensen and if you all would all come forward and join mr rogish that would be exceptional you all for coming up so we all know we have a wonderful beautiful henrico we want to thank you as a committee for for keeping us such a great uh beautiful green space in henrico county so our proclamation uh for april 2025 keep henrico beautiful month whereas littering is unlawful [01:18:09] unsightly and hazardous to health, and whereas the Keep Henrico Beautiful Program and Keep Henrico Beautiful Committee of Appointed Volunteers were established in 1980 to develop and lead educational litter prevention activities and encourage participation of all Henrico County residents in litter prevention and recycling, and whereas for the past 45 years, members of the Keep Henrico Beautiful Committee have dedicated their time, talent, and energy to the successful direction of anti-litter education programs and whereas the keep henrico beautiful committee [01:18:45] disseminates educational materials and sponsors programs special events and workshops to foster public awareness of the environment including the land lovers series in partnership with henrico county public libraries and whereas the keep henrico beautiful program annually recognizes five residents and one business with a land lover or clean business award honoring their commitment to sustainable yard practices and providing these individuals the opportunity to share their passion for environmentally conscious practices with the entire county and whereas in response to the needs [01:19:22] and passionate interests of our residents in native plants the keep henrico beautiful program in collaboration with recreation and parks and local organizations now co-organizes one of the largest native plant festivals in the commonwealth of virginia offering a wide array of native plants and the education necessary to support their growth and sustainability benefiting not only our community but the entire region now therefore be it proclaimed that the board of supervisors of Henrico County, Virginia hereby recognizes April 2025 as Keep Henrico Beautiful Month, [01:19:58] urges all Henrico residents to show their environmental stewardship by recycling and not littering, and encourage the public to celebrate our clean county by joining the efforts of Keep Henrico Beautiful. Signed by Tanya Brackett, our clerk, and Dan Schmidt, our chair of the Board of Supervisors. [01:20:15] Thank you all to this committee. And one of you with the green shirt wants to say something? Or? Somebody else has comments? Yeah, I'm Colin Walthall, Chairman. Come on up here. [01:20:31] All right. Yeah, thank you, Jake. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, Colin Walthall, Chairman, thank you so much for your support. We look forward to continuing to serve the residents of Henrico County. Check out our Facebook information. Thank you. [01:20:47] Next, Mr. Chair, members of the board, we have a proclamation for Crime Victim Rights Week. [01:21:05] And for this item, I'm going to ask Misty Roundtree, Three Chop District Supervisor, to the podium to present the proclamation to the following individuals and if you all would also come forward. Shelly Schumann-Johnson, Kristen Camp, Renee Duffy, Mariah Chamberlain, Nicole Mayten, Karen Giroux, and Kate Bennett. Some may find it ironic that I, as the lone criminal defense attorney on the board, am giving this proclamation. But as I say all of the time, [01:21:42] criminal justice in my mind is that the right person receives a fair punishment for something they've actually done and I know that that is something that is shared by all sides of the table in that and I do work with these wonderful women on a daily basis and they do absolutely phenomenal work representing the interests of survivors and victims and making sure that they know that they are felt and heard and supported. Proclamation of the Board of Supervisors of Henrico County, Virginia, Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 6th through 12th, 2025. Whereas crime affects [01:22:21] individuals, families, and communities in profound and varied ways, often leaving lasting physical, emotional, and social challenges, and whereas the concept of kinship underscores the connections that build bridges to support services and shared strength among survivors, advocates, and communities and whereas kinship is the foundation of victim advocacy inspiring trauma informed care that meets survivors where they are and whereas through kinship we build peer networks and community alliances that empower survivors foster resilience and offer pathways to healing [01:22:58] and whereas kinship reminds us of the strength that comes from connection the importance of listening to every voice and the power we have to create lasting change when we work together now therefore be it proclaimed that the board of supervisors of henrico county virginia hereby recognizes april 6th through 12th 2025 as crime victims rights week this proclamation reaffirms the county's dedication to building connections standing in kinship with survivors and creating a future where healing and hope are within reach for everyone signed daniel j schmidt [01:23:34] chair board of supervisors and tanya and bracket clerk to chairman members the board mr manager thank you for this proclamation it's wonderful that you do this every year for us we also are very pleased that we were able to hang a banner out front of the administration building we appreciate the county supporting that and hope that if you are available you'll join us this year for our walk and awareness event that's on april the 9th at six o'clock out in the courthouse [01:24:13] around the courthouse we're going to walk and also have members of the community and and other programs here to make sure that we're connecting the community with service providers in the area so i hope you guys can join us then thank you mr chair members of the board our final proclamation will recognize national library week this proclamation recognizes april the 6th through the 12th as national library week and encourages all residents to visit their library in person online to enjoy the amazing resources the county's libraries offer our vice chair roscoe [01:24:53] cooper is proceeding to the podium and he's presenting this to library advisory board chair gail atkins patricia bayan vice chair sharon cox and valerie mcbee and joining us from the friends of the library our ann koutz president and our amazing library director uh barbara weedman Weidman, Angie Bennett, and Alexander Hamby. [01:25:20] This proclamation is for National Library Week, April the 6th to April the 12th, 2025. Whereas libraries spark creativity, fuel imagination, and inspire lifelong learning, offering a space where individuals of all ages can explore new ideas and be drawn to new possibilities. [01:25:39] And whereas libraries serve as vibrant community hubs connecting people of knowledge, technology, and resources while fostering civic engagement, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. And whereas libraries provide free and equitable access to books, digital tools, innovative programming, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have the support they need to learn, connect, and thrive. [01:26:05] And whereas libraries partners with schools, businesses, and organizations to help maximize resources, increase efficiency, and expand access to essential services, strengthen the entire community, [01:26:16] And whereas libraries empower job seekers, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners by providing access to resources, training, and opportunities that support career growth and economic success, whereas libraries nurture young minds through story time, STEAM programs, and literacy initiatives, fostering curiosity and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime, and whereas libraries protect the right to read, think, and explore without censorship, standing in champions of intellectual freedom and free expression, And whereas dedicated librarians and library workers provide welcoming spaces that inspire discovery, collaboration, and creativity for all. [01:26:56] And whereas libraries, librarians, library workers across the country are joining together to celebrate National Library Week under the theme drawn to the library. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of Supervisors of Henrico County, Virginia, that the week of April the 6th through the 12th, 2025, will be celebrated in the County of the National Library, week all residents are encouraged to visit their library, explore its resources, and celebrate all the ways the library draws us together as a community. [01:27:28] Signed by Daniel J. Schmidt, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Tanya, in bracket clerk, March 25, 2025. Mr. Chairman, members of the Board of Supervisors and Mr. Manager, as chairman of the Library Advisory Board, I thank you for this proclamation. [01:28:09] I am proud of all that the Enrico Public Library System has to offer. We, the Library Advisory Board, would like to thank all of you and the County Manager for your continued commitment and support of public libraries in Enrico County. [01:28:26] National Library Week has been recognized annually for half a century. We encourage all Henrico citizens to take advantage of the lifelong learning opportunities available to them at their libraries, whether it be for research or homework help, pleasure reading, story time, job search assistance, e-books, or one of the many other services our libraries offer. [01:28:57] To quote Vicki Myron from the book Dewey, The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, a great library provides. It is enmeshed in the life of a community in a way that makes it indispensable. A great library is one nobody notices because it is always there and always has what people need. Thank you again for your continued support and commitment to [01:29:30] providing to all the citizens a great library system. I'm going to butt in to say that this is Gayle's 20th year on the Library Advisory Board. Thank you all. [01:29:57] Mr. Manager, public hearing items? Mr. Chair, you have four public hearing items for your consideration this um this evening the first two of the board received a letter on uh last week agenda item 89-25 is a resolution for condemnation these are easements for the fall line trail lakeside community trail this is phase two of the project addresses 1900 clifford lane which is in the fairfield district mr anthony yes sir thank you mr manager mr chair honorable members of the board ladies and gentlemen this would authorize the condemnation proceedings for property that [01:30:34] needed the construction of fall line trail lakeside community trail phase two project it's a variety of easements needed in order to establish the plan for trail we did make an offer of 167 thousand three hundred ninety dollars for the required property interest but the parties have not been able to reach make an agreement so this board paper authorizes the county attorney to institute and conduct condemnation proceedings in accordance with the code of virginia i'll be happy to address any questions that you may have thank you sir welcome this is a [01:31:11] public hearing any questions uh from mr anthony from my colleagues right seeing none this is a public hearing anyone in the room wish to speak to this condemnation resolution anyone on webex there's no one to speak to this item thank you uh ma'am mr cooper so moved motion made by mr cooper seconded by mr roguish those in favor say aye any opposed motion carries mr manager next Next, Mr. Chair, agenda item 90-25 is the resolution for condemnation, in this case, for right-of-way and easements. [01:31:44] Again, for the Fall Line Trail Villa Park Phase Project, this is 7600 Brook Road and 7801 Villa Park Drive, both in the Fairfield District. Mr. Anthony. Yes, sir. Thank you once again, Mr. Manager, Mr. Chair, honorable members of the board. This would authorize condemnation proceedings for property that is needed for the construction of the fall line trail community trail Phase two project. It's a variety of easements needed in order to build this fall line trail The county did make an offer of fifty five thousand eight hundred and sixty dollars for the required property interest [01:32:19] But the parties have not reached an agreement it would authorize the county attorney to institute and conduct condemnation proceedings in accordance with the code of Virginia. I'll be happy to address any questions that you may have. Thank you, sir. Any questions for Mr. Anthony? I think you said in the past that if a resolution can be attained as far as the price is concerned, then we would not proceed with the condemnation, correct? That is correct, and the conversations will be had all the way up until court date. Thank you, sir. You're welcome. Any other questions? This is a public hearing. Anyone in the room wish to speak to this resolution? Seeing none, Anyone on Webex? [01:33:00] Yes, and I want to speak to this item. Thank you, ma'am. Mr. Cooper. Mr. Chair, I make a motion. Motion made to approve the resolution by Mr. Cooper, seconded by Mr. Nelson. Those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed. Motion carries. Mr. Motion. Next, Mr. Chair, 91-25 is the resolution for signatory authority, lease of portions of real property, Old Parram Road between West Broad Street and East Parram Road. [01:33:22] This is in the Three Chop District. Mr. Anthony. Thank you once again, Mr. Manager, Mr. Chair, honorable members of the board. This would authorize the county manager to execute an assignment an assumption of agreement of current leases on a portion of one 1.453 acres strip mall on Old Perham Road roughly situated between West Broad Street and East Perham Road for the use For use in a future public transit project before previously approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of the property on August 13th 2024 directors of public works and real property recommended proof of the board paper the county manager concurs I'll be happy to answer any questions Thank you, sir. [01:33:59] Any questions for Mr. Anthony? Seeing none, this is a public hearing. Anyone in the room wish to speak to this resolution? Anyone on WebEx? There's no one to speak to this item. Thank you, ma'am. Ms. Roundtree. Move to approve the resolution. Okay. Motion made by Ms. Roundtree, seconded by Mr. Nelson. [01:34:15] Those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries, Mr. Mayor. Next, Mr. Chair, 92-25 is the resolution for signatory authority. This is for assumption of farm lease at Wilton Farm, which is in the Verona District. Mr. Anthony. again sir mr. manager mr. chair honorable members of the board this would authorize the county manager executed an agreement to assume an existing farm lease between the EDA economic development authority of Henrico County Virginia and Engel Farms Incorporated the farm lease and covers a portion of Wilton farm which the EDA wishes to convey to the county the farm lease is not expected to interfere with the county's plans county's plans for the [01:34:55] property the chief of staff to the county manager and the director of your property recommend approved the fourth paper the county manager concurs I'll be happy to address any questions that you may have with the help of mr. Tina who is in the house so layman's wait so we're approving what in layman's terms it's just a section of the Wilton farms to be utilized for this purpose for fun performing yes yes sir all right thank you sir any questions for mr. [01:35:29] Granted, he has already acknowledged he has enlisted the help of Mr. Tina, should he need it. Any questions for him? Anyone in the room wish to speak to this resolution? Anyone on WebEx? Yes, and I want to speak to this item. Thank you, ma'am. [01:35:44] Mr. Nelson. So moved. Second. Motion made by Mr. Nelson, seconded by Mr. Cooper. Those in favor say aye. Aye. Any post? Motion carries. Mr. Manager, as we move into public comments, this is an opportunity, I know, where folks in the room and on WebEx get to speak to the board of supervisors, if you can limit your comments to i believe it's five minutes we're going to go with the folks who have pre-registered first in order of their registration is miss susan ramsey in the room or on webex thank you [01:36:12] ma'am indulge me because i'm an education i have to have a visual it's all right here i did in pink what i wanted to talk to the board about my name is susan ramsey i live at one two seven three five cane road and i've been at that property since 2006. i wanted to talk about how concerned i am about the exclusion of long-standing residents on the north side of cane road from the tuckahoe [01:36:49] creek trunk sewer phase 2 project being excluded while the recent 64 million dollar grant from the american rescue plan funds this expansion it is troubling that only newer developments such as west in the states are slated to receive access in the beginning of this project leaving many established homes without essential services and the homes i'm referring to here in pink are outside of any planned neighborhood and existed prior to all that development prior to the existence of [01:37:21] north gaten prior to the existence of weston estate which was originally denied their right to build in 2012 because of water and septic concerns and the wellwood homes that you have put behind the fire station as well as the south side of cane work that i won't even go into listing all the developments there residents excluded from phase two have been informed that they may be included in phase three by 2031. however that is not with secured funding and that timeline is still [01:37:55] uncertain. Meanwhile, this affluent pipe will cross Cane Road beside my house, yet homes with aging grandfathered septic systems, systems that would not meet today's environmental and health standards, are being left out. West in the States has already demonstrated that alternative septic systems in the area fail, or that people maybe don't know how to utilize septic systems. I had to learn myself, coming from a planned neighborhood in 2006, how you live with a septic system. [01:38:25] but proving that delaying sewer access for other residents is unequitable and not sustainable. Negative impacts that we have already incurred from construction to our properties. We've had groundwater disturbance and septic system failures. [01:38:41] I did not call the county. I called the septic service and had my lines redone twice since 2006. We've had heavy construction activity, excavation, vibrations with this construction that have upset the sewer line installation and damaging these aging septic systems and drain fields. We've had well contamination and water supply disruptions since July. I have seen a pH increase in my well from 7.8 to 9.1, which is the 1.3 increase in pH, which is very significant. [01:39:17] That is a logarithmic number. And in addition to that, with an elevation of total dissolved solids. And that predates the current construction that we are living with. In addition to that, we've had drainage and soil changes with all the addition of impermeable surfaces. [01:39:37] They've altered the land elevations and soil conditions that's impacted our absorption fields and causing backups and malfunctions, increased runoff and flood at our properties, as well as impacted from the habitat loss that's come with all the animals that have come to our property as a result of the addition of all these developments. I'm not against progress. I'm happy for them to be there, but I don't think that we should be excluded from the inclusion in this pipe [01:40:09] that's literally shaking my house daily and is within 1,500 feet. The water is here, and when you came up Kane. The plan includes five properties on Kane, and there were 12 of us outside of a planned neighborhood that were excluded. That seems inequitable. We also think it would be more cost effective for the county to figure out how to do this now and support us. It would help with duplicating construction costs to come back in another phase. It would also be an increased labor and material cost if you try to come back five years from now. There's also issues where [01:40:47] you've paved cane and planned to pave it again that would have to be torn up and again we we're outside of any planned neighborhood the only fair and reasonable course of action is to immediately include these affected homes in the current phase these are homes that exist between axe handle lane and will lane of the 16 homes in this area four are set to receive water and sanitary sewer service and 12 were excluded these homes predated neighborhoods of cane road as well as north [01:41:22] gaten as its own highway in addition to all those neighborhoods expanding the project now is the smartest financial decision why delay and spend more money later to do the same work the county would benefit from utility fees from all affected residents for decades to come additionally roads should not have to be torn up multiple times impacting the quality of the of the services that already exist. Completing the sewer installation, sorry I was corrected, the sanitary sewer lines before the road work is finalized will prevent unnecessary disruptions and additional taxpayer [01:41:59] costs. The primary beneficiaries of the current plans are new developments while long-standing residents have been left behind. A lobby should not be necessary for citizens to be treated fairly and equitably by the county decision makers. [01:42:18] I urge the board to consider the inclusion of those homes that are currently excluded from Phase 2. Thank you for your time. Thank you, ma'am. Just a minute, may I? Yes, ma'am. Thank you for speaking to us this evening and for bringing your map as well. [01:42:36] That is helpful. I've spoken with Mr. Chan about this, and I think there may be also someone else speaking about Cane Road as well. So I can assure you that the planning process in no way was based upon value of homes or anything like that. And I'm not taking away from your perception just the way that the visual looks, but it was based more so on the foundational lines that needed to be laid first. [01:43:03] But there is some flexibility with the timing, and I've spoken with Mr. Chan about that. And he is here. I don't know if you've ever had a conversation with him, but he's here in the room and he's expressed to me that he would be happy to speak with you and anyone else here that would like to talk about this particular issue. [01:43:20] So thank you for coming. Thank you, ma'am. The next registered speaker is Yasmin Hamad. Is Yasmin in there? Thank you, ma'am. Good evening, and thank you for everything you do for Henrico County. [01:43:44] I know it's not easy sitting up there time and time again listening to people's problems without getting paid the therapy fee. I am also here to speak on behalf of the 12 to 14 Kane Road residents who are not receiving public utilities. [01:44:01] We will experience for over two years the construction, the noises, all the problems that come with laying pipe, and we will receive no benefits. I mean, I think a change order is in place because you do not want to have to go back in two or three years and bring in the new contractors, bring in, pay new fees, pay new permitting, have more expensive costs to put this in for 1,500 to 1,600 linear feet of space on a roadway that could connect all these people. [01:44:37] The county has already made it aware, made us aware, that there is a need for sewer and water. And we should not be that close to great civilization and not have amenities such as that in an area that's so close to everything. [01:44:55] And I just am appealing, as she is and the rest of the neighborhood, that road, that you look at that and see if we can do something. put in a change order now instead of waiting to double or maybe triple or quadruple the costs. They're already out there. The contractors are there. [01:45:13] All you have to do is you don't need new permits. You don't need extra fees. It's going to cost more. Why not do it now for 1,500 to 1,600 feet because there is a need, not because the grade doesn't work, there isn't any money. Where there's a will, there's a way. You need to put in a change form to include this portion of Kane Road that's going to suffer for two to three years with all of this impact happening because they have to pass our house day and night. [01:45:40] We have to hear whatever they're doing out there, blowing up things daily. So I just think we just need to be in consideration for that, and I appreciate your time. Thank you, ma'am. [01:45:59] The next speaker that is preregistered is Ms. Ramsey. Sarah Ramsey. Good evening. [01:46:19] We know that fluoride injures the brain and body, So would it be considered a crime to deliberately add fluoride to the county water supply? Let's talk about it. The federal statute 42 U.S.C. makes it a crime when one person tampers with the public drinking water system with the intention to do harm. [01:46:39] Fluoride is a neurotoxicant which harms the brain and body. Therefore, fluoridated in water would likely show intention to do harm. Additionally, the Code of Virginia 18.2-54.1 Attempts to Poison makes it a Class III felony for anyone to administer a prescription or over-the-counter medicine in the waterworks with the intent to injure another person. [01:47:09] Because the Public Utilities Director knows that fluoride is an unimproved drug and a neurotoxicant which harms the brain and body, I believe that this shows intent to do harm. harm. So why does the board allow one man to drug 330,000 residents with fluoride? The claim given by Mr. Chan is that the health department is forcing him to add toxic fluoride into our sacred water supply. If this man is truthful, then that would mean that VDH has been blackmailing [01:47:47] our beloved county, for VDH does not have the authority to require fluoride due to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Additionally, the Virginia Administrative Code 12VAC 5-590-930 fluoridation says, quote, the board recommends that all community waterworks in Virginia be optimally fluoridated. VDH deliberately use the word recommends because they know they cannot [01:48:23] require water fluoridation. Board of Supervisors, you must know by now that VDH cannot lawfully require Henrico to fluoridate their water. And you must know by now that the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act 42 USC prohibits requiring any substance to be added to the drinking water for preventive health care purposes. This includes fluoride. Moreover, on December 19, 2024, the Public Utilities [01:49:00] Director inappropriately directed fluoride chemicals be added back into the water, the public water supply after it was taken out of the water for nearly a year. I believe that Mr. Chan's tyrannical ordering of fluoride to be added back into our water is an abuse of discretion and a violation of state and federal laws. People should have the choice as to what they spit [01:49:33] and what they swallow. Mr. Chan added fluoride to the water despite HHS's recent release of its damning toxicology report, which reveals neurological health risk in children. This information should have automatically banned fluoride everywhere in Virginia under the state code 32.1-170 regulations which mandates pure water that protects public health. So why has [01:50:09] this board allowed such egregious conduct to continue? Hasn't the Nuremberg, Tuskegee, or COVID taught you that we mustn't let anyone in the government to force medication on us and that the public water systems should be about fresh, clean, safe drinking water. Not a means for delivering government prescribed medicine without the consent of the consumer. Last, it costs the county close to a million dollars a year in fluoride chemicals and operational costs and [01:50:48] millions more to constantly replace the equipment due to the corrosive effects of the hydrofluorosilic acid. So before you vote on April 8th to raise everyone's water bill, think about how much money you could save us all if you stopped adding fluoride to our public water. Remember, legally speaking, VDH cannot force fluoride, and anyone telling you otherwise is a liar. You do have a [01:51:21] choice, so please stop this unethical, barbaric practice of mass medicating the public without our consent and save the county buckets of money at the same time. Just because VDH has not changed the regulatory code to reflect scientifically backed federal rulings doesn't mean that you have to follow their ill-advised recommendations like a bunch of half-baked lemmings walking off the side [01:51:54] of a cliff. Read the Federal Act laws and science and then decide if you still want us all to swallow thank you thank you ma'am all right um that concludes the folks who have pre-registered we will certainly accept comments from anyone else in the audience that wishes to speak to the board this evening on any item and of course those on webex if you wish to speak tonight in the room the microphone in the back is back there please go right on ahead as a reminder this is the public [01:52:31] comment period to speak during the board meeting tonight after this we'll close up with our general agenda ma'am mr. chair while she's coming up that means that during general agenda there are no public comments correct yes sir so if someone has a state has a comment even if it is toward a general agenda item they are to come and speak right now this is this is the time yes sir ma'am uh welcome and please identify yourself and your um your address thank you i'm elisa jones i live at 4110 [01:53:05] Townhouse Road, Staplesmouth Town Halls, and Henrico. I am here today to address the issues that profoundly affects the fairness and integrity of our judicial system. The inherent bias in hair follicle drug testing, particularly as it pertains to African Americans. Scientist research has consistently demonstrated that hair follicle tests are not equally reliable across different racial groups. Studies have shown that certain drugs bind more readily to melanin, the pigment [01:53:43] responsible for darker hair color. As a result, individuals with darker hair color may exhibit higher concentrations of drug metabolites, even when drug usage is equivalent to that of individuals with lighter hair. For instance, research indicates that for the same drug dose, African-American individuals can show drug concentration levels averaging 14.9 comparing to 3.1 in individuals with blonde hair. [01:54:19] This disparity is further compounded by the potential for external contamination. Drugs present in the environment can adhere to hair and may not be entirely removed from washing, leading to false positives. [01:54:35] The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration has acknowledged this issue, noting that hair color bias due to melanin content and external contamination are significant concerns in hair testing. The implications of these biases are not merely theoretical, but have real-world consequences. [01:54:56] There have been numerous legal cases highlighting the unreliability of hair follicle tests. In 2019, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in favor of Michael Gannon, a police cadet who was denied employment based on positive hair drug tests. [01:55:17] The court recognized that without additional evidence, such tests were insufficient to prove drug use. Similarly, in the city of Boston, settled a lawsuit for $2.6 million for police officers and a 911 operator who challenged the scientific validity of hair drug tests, alleging racial discrimination. [01:55:41] My presence here today is deeply personal. The juvenile court system mandates hair follicle testing to assess ongoing drug use. Despite providing negative urine tests from reputable institutions such as VCU Medical and my probation office, these results are deemed inadmissible. [01:55:59] The court relies solely on hair follicles who is placing me at risk of unjustly losing parental rights of my three sons. I have complied with every requirement set forth, yet I am confronted with a testing method that is inherently biased against me due to my natural composition of hair. [01:56:21] This is not merely a personal grievance, but a systematic issue that demands immediate attention. The reliance on hair follicle tests as the sole determinant in such critical decisions is unjust and unproportionately affects African American individuals. [01:56:41] I urge the council and relevant authorities to acknowledge the scientific evidence highlighting these biases and to consider alternatives, more adequate testing methods. [01:56:56] It is imperative that our justice system does not perpetuate discrimination through flawed mythologies. In conclusion, I respectfully request that the courts reevaluate the weight given to hair follicle tests in determining parental rights and considering and cooperating about more reliable and unbiased testing methods. [01:57:18] These stakes are too high to rely on a system that science has shown to be flawed, especially when the future of our children and families are at risk and thank you thank you ma'am I believe you have you might already have a meeting set is that correct yeah I think we have a meeting set for you with one of our deputy county managers to discuss the issue ma'am thanks for being here tonight good evening good evening members of the board of supervisors and thank you again for your time for the record my name is Gray Montrose and I live at 4300 Eanes Lane in Henrico that's in the [01:57:57] Varina District. I wanted to speak tonight on the resolution to approve the issuance of revenue bonds by the Economic Development Authority of Henrico County, Virginia, for the benefit of Bon Secours Mercy Health. I would like to draw the board's attention to a 2022 article in the New York Times that basically detailed Bon Secours abuses of a historically black community in East Richmond. To read you a short excerpt, the drug program centered on community hospital in Richmond's East End was created with the intention that hospitals would reinvest windfalls into their [01:58:36] facilities, improving care for poor patients. But Bon Secours slashed services at Richmond Community Hospital while investing in the city's wider, wealthier neighborhoods, according to more than 20 former executives, doctors, and nurses. Quote, Bon Secours was basically laundering money through this poor hospital to its wealthy outposts. Some of the ways that they were doing that, Some of the things they were spending money on was golf carts to transport people while folks in the East End couldn't get ambulances. [01:59:08] They were spending money on marble fountains while they couldn't find otoscopes in the emergency room. That's the thing that they use to look in your ears. They cut services like cardiac services, OBGYN services for patients in need. [01:59:24] All kinds of diagnostic services, emergency services, were all cut at Richmond Community Hospitals so they could have private chefs at facilities in Henrico's West End. And Henrico is getting ready to partner with this same organization that systematically exploited communities in the East End to benefit communities in the West End of Henrico and other communities like Chesterfield's wealthier western suburbs. [01:59:52] This proposal, floating $600 million in bonds, would do something very similar, letting Bon Secours build hospital facilities in wealthy suburbs in Hanover, Chesterfield, and again, Western Henrico. [02:00:09] The same sort of programs, the same sort of pattern that the New York Times exposed back in 2022. So yes, Bon Secours is one of the biggest employers in Henrico, but should that absolve them of their sins? Thank you very much. [02:00:27] Thank you, ma'am. Anyone else in the room wish to make public comments today? Anyone on Webex? There's no one to speak on Webex. Thank you, ma'am. Mr. Manager, I believe that takes us to the general agenda. Mr. Chair, you begin with Agenda Item 93-25, which is a resolution approving the issuance of revenue bonds by the Economic Development Authority of Henrico County, Virginia, for the benefit of Bon Secours Mercy Health Incorporated. [02:00:54] Mr. Romanello. Thank you, Mr. Manager. Good evening, Mr. Chair and members of the board. This board paper approves the issuance of up to $180 million by the county's Economic Development Authority for the benefit of Bon Secours, Mercy Health, and its St. Mary's Hospital facilities. [02:01:11] In the county, as you saw in recent media announcements, St. Mary's is about to undergo a major expansion and renovation. The EDA serves as the conduit for the bonds. Approval of this board paper tonight and issuance of the bonds creates no financial obligation for the county or the EDA. [02:01:32] This board paper is a component of a $600 million bond issue for 12 bond secure facilities in 11 localities. The Henrico EDA is the conduit for the entire issue, certainly the largest industrial revenue bond in our history. [02:01:48] The EDA approved the bond issue at their March 20 20 March 20th meeting and recommends your approval Thanks, sir. Any questions from mr. Rowan on seeing that is there motion so move motion made by mr Rogas seconded by mr. Nelson those in favor say aye any post motion carries or submitted next mr. [02:02:12] Chair 94 - 25 is a resolution for award of contract. This is for audit services mr. Chafin. Thank you, sir Good evening, Mr. Chair, members of the board, Mr. Manager. This board paper would award a contract to Cherry Beckert, LLP, to provide audit services for the county. On December 11, 2024, five proposals were received in response to a request for proposal. [02:02:35] And addendum number one, following a review and evaluation of proposals, the Evaluation Committee interviewed the following firms, Brown, Edwards & Company, Cherry Beckert, Clifton, Larson, Allen, LLP. Based on the written proposals interviews the evaluation committee selected cherry beckard as the top-ranked offer and negotiated a fee schedule The term of the contract is for a period of one year and the county may renew for four additional one-year terms The director of finance and purchasing recommend approval and the county manager concurs Sir any questions or is there a motion so moved motion made by mr. Cooper seconded by mr. Roundtree those in favor say aye [02:03:15] aye any opposed resolution carries next mr. chair 95-25 is the resolution for signatory authority this is for construction change orders for the cobs creek reservoir dam and facilities in cumberland county mr chan thank you mr manager uh mr chair members of the board uh good evening this is an authorization for the execution of two change orders for the construction of the cobs creek Reservoir Project. The project reached substantial completion on November 8, 2024, and the county [02:03:47] and the contractor have proposed a change order in the amount of $10,123,837.05 to resolve outstanding claims for additional work and design changes for the project. In addition, the Department of Public Utilities anticipates a final change order will be necessary to complete work on the raw water pump seals for the project at a cost approved by the project engineer not to exceed $190,000. Funding is available and will be provided by the Water and Sewer Revenue Fund. [02:04:23] With that, I'll be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you, sir. Any questions for Bennett? I see none. Is there a motion? So moved. Second. Motion made by Mr. Rogas, seconded by Mr. Roundtree. Those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Mr. Manager. Next, Mr. Chair, 96-25 is a resolution for award of contract. This is the annual contract for engineering services for bridge and facility design and repair projects countywide. Mr. Hughes. All right. Thank you, Mr. Manager, Mr. Chair, members of the board. Good evening. This poor paper would award a contract [02:05:00] to Whitman Reckhardt Associates, or WRA, to provide annual engineering services for bridge and facility design and repair projects. These services will include facility inspections and repairs for bridge components, dam evaluation and repair, and pipe rehabilitations, et cetera. [02:05:19] Three proposals were submitted, and the selection committee interviewed two firms. Based upon a review of the written proposals and interviews, the selection committee selected WRA as the top-ranked firm and negotiated an hourly rate schedule. The contract is for a period of one year, and the parties may renew for three additional one-year terms. [02:05:40] And compensation will be based on an hourly rate schedule, and fees must not exceed $2.5 million for any single project or $10 million in any one-year term. The Director of Public Works and the Purchasing Director recommend approval of the board paper, and the county management occurs, so happy to answer your questions on this. Thank you, sir. Any questions from Mr. Hugh? [02:05:58] Seeing none. Is there a motion? So moved. Second. Motion made by Mr. Cooper, seconded by Mr. Roegers. Those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Resolution carries, Mr. Manager. Next, Mr. Chair, 97-25 is a resolution for acceptance of road. [02:06:14] This is Bakova Club Court in the Three Chop District. Mr. Hughes. Mr. Manager, this board paper would accept 0.1 miles of Bakova Club Court into the county road system for maintenance. The Director of Public Works recommends approval of the board paper and the county manager concurs. So happy to answer any questions on this. [02:06:30] Any questions for Mr. Hughes on the acceptance of road? Seeing none, Ms. Roundtree. Motion to be by Ms. Roundtree, seconded by Mr. Nelson. Those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Mr. Manager. Mr. Chair, at this time I'd ask the board to add an item to the agenda by unanimous consent. [02:06:50] I've labeled this item number 98-25. The item is titled Resolution, Initiating Zoning Ordinance Amendments to Consider Enacting New Zoning Regulations for Data Centers. If approved, this resolution will direct staff to develop proposed changes to the zoning ordinance for review and recommendation by the Planning Commission and final consideration by the board. Thank you, sir. I'll entertain a motion to add Resolution 98-25 to the agenda. Second. Motion made by Ms. Roundtree, seconded by Mr. Nelson. Those in favor say aye. Aye. [02:07:26] Any opposed? Thank you very much. Is there any discussion on the item that we just added? All right. I'll entertain a motion to approve Resolution 98-25. So moved. Second. Motion made by Mr. Cooper, seconded by mr. Nelson those in favor say aye opposed motion carries mr. manager chair and no other business this evening thank you very much any closing comments from my colleagues see none y'all have a great Tuesday thank you ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Coraggio Consulting ยท aguyonx.com