September 25 Meeting Recap

BOS Approves Special
Exceptions for Lodging Facilities

The Board of Supervisors at its September 25 meeting approved special exception permits for four lodging facilities in Prince George County.

Earlier this year, the BOS had adopted an ordinance that amended the extended stay provisions that had been capped at 30 days for hotels and motels. The special exceptions were amendments to the zoning map that will now allow extended stay up to 20 weeks.

The hotels receiving the special exceptions were Baymont Inn & Suites; Hampton Inn; Comfort Inn; and Holiday Inn Express. The supervisors were unanimous in their support for all the hotels.

Other matters to come before the BOS at its meeting and worksession:

· Received a report from Petersburg Area Regional Tourism (PART) representatives on the impact of tourism on Prince George County and the region.

· Received an update on renovations to the Old Carson School and established the date of October 4 at 4 p.m. to visit the site.

· Held two other public hearings and approved: (1) Ordinance requiring the payment of all taxes and fees prior to receiving various zoning and other permits; and (2) Ratified a General Assembly requirement that requires local governments to exempt utilities from the payment of the consumer utility tax for the purchase of natural gas used to generate electricity.

· Approved on the Consensus Agenda the award of a bid to Management Analysis, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $50,000 to update the County’s Economic Development & Tourism strategic plan.

· Approved on the Consensus Agenda a mutual aid agreement with the City of Hopewell for services to the Dementia Unit.

· Approved on the Consensus Agenda revision to the personnel policy conforming the County’s holiday schedule to the state’s for certain holidays.

· Approved on the Consensus Agenda a resolution proclaiming October as Crime Prevention Month.

· Approved on the Consensus Agenda the waiver of special event permit fees for Prince George Regional Heritage Center.

· Approved on the Consensus Agenda an appropriation of $10,000 from the General Fund Balance to match a $30,000 grant from the John Randolph Foundation for exercise equipment in the Wellness Center at Old North Elementary.

· Approved on the Consensus Agenda an appropriation of $20,950 from the General Fund Balance to purchase a tractor for Parks & Recreation.

· Received a report from Katie Sloan from Smart Beginnings.

· Appointed Andy Petik to the Capital Improvement Plan Committee as a citizen representative by a 3-2 vote, with Supervisors Bill Robertson and Bill Gandel dissenting.

· Appointed Supervisor Alan Carmichael to the Capital Improvement Plan Committee as a BOS representative.

· Authorized a public hearing for October 23 for revisions to the Fire Ordinance.

· Approved a resolution revising the Personnel Policy to allow promotions to be considered County wide and not just within the specific department where the vacancy exists.

· Approved Phase One of sign replacement around the Courthouse Complex by awarding a contract to Walton Signage in an amount of $44,768.75. Proposal was approved 3-2 with Supervisors Robertson & Gandel dissenting.