Councilman Williams Update 1/21/26

Town Manager and other updates, Administrative votes for the upcoming yearly activities, Appointment of liaisons and vote for new Vice Mayor,  New Parks and Rec Commission members, Vote to spend $300K, and Discussion to take on $700K in debt were all on the agenda Wednesday

Approval of November 19, 2025, and December 17, 2025, Meeting Minutes - Vote 7-0

Council Member Liaison and Commission Reports - 

Public Safety- The Chief gave an update on the incident where an officer got into an altercation during a traffic stop.  He announced a meeting with VCI Investigators and said a decision will be issued soon.  

Planning Commission - Special meeting January 29th for CUP on 100 Washington Ave. Nathan Howell was voted Chair and Vicki Luna Vice chair.

Non-governmental – There was a presentation by the Potomac River keepers last week. The big topic was forever chemicals and the shipping of bio solids on the Potomac River.  January 31 there will be a celebration of volunteers.

Finance - a reminder about delinquent tax notices.

Schools – I said I enjoyed my time as school liaison and thanked Dr. Addo and staff.  I did point out that I never attempted to get rid of the schools despite the many false claims made during my 2023 campaign.  

I congratulated Bill Hutchins for introducing the motion and the rest of the planning commission for voting to have public comments read again at PC meetings.

Economic development – The new tourism committee met on January 6. Discussion on the coordination of the celebration of 250th anniversary and CB 134th anniversary. They also discussed the connectivity study actions.

Parks and Recreation- On January 23^rd they held their health and wellness jamboree.

Public Works – mentioned utility install and repairs. 5,800 feet of sewer lines were cleaned.  They also did some ditch cleaning and snow preparation due to the 10-to-20-inch snow/ ice forecast.

Mayor – mentioned the snow prep and suggested people do not park on the streets in preparation. Congratulated Tim Trivett on his election as chair of the board of supervisors for Westmoreland County.

Town Manager Update

2nd Quarter Financial Report, Lisa Okes, Director of Finance - for the general fund we are on track with budget at 50%. Sewer and water are also on target.  The Director said she has been asked for more details on our financial health and will be providing that in the future.

4th Quarter Public Safety Report, Chief Parsons  

Police Department – 2,696 calls for service.   Top offences were destruction of property, DUI and simple assault. Chief acknowledged there needs to be a clarification for the items in the miscellaneous column.  Hired 2 new officers.

Volunteer fire department – 135 calls for service with 237 manhours.

EMS – 248 medical calls averaging 8 minutes. 139 transports.

Sewer Plant Update, John Simmons, Inboden - even with the low flow due to the off-season there have been no major issues.  No rain events. Overall, the numbers are good.

North Beach update – the RFP Request For Proposal went out and the town received 8 responses. The town will form an interview panel and interview the top 2 or 3. The engineering/ design process is expected to take approximately 18 months to finalize.

Azalea Park update – groundbreaking will be last week of January or first week of February.

Sidewalk update – 1 Irving Ave. will be completed by the end of June.  11 to 25 Irving will be completed by June 2027.

Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors, Mr. Trivett, District V Supervisor - He stated that the county is also investigating the impacts of forever chemicals. February 22 is the 250th anniversary at Washington‘s birthplace. Pat Fitzgerald was recognized by the county and the volunteer fire department. He gave an update on the rescue squad.  After the county requested the CB volunteer rescue squad to provide financial data, they dissolved and formed a corporation so the rescue squad is no longer a nonprofit. It appears that the rescue squad is intentionally hiding the status of CBVRS funds and maybe using the money for legal fees to fight the county.  I asked if the corporation officers were public information and he stated yes and said that Tammy Preston was the president. The county has already approved $1.5 million to build a building and most people believe it is only right that the funds raised by the rescue squad should go to the new building.

Colonial Beach Public Schools, Dr. Addo, Superintendent - CB had representatives at the Northern Neck Technical College. Thanked people that donated to the angel tree and the toy drive. Also thanked the teachers and staff for all their hard work. Recognized the PTA. He stated that there was a new traffic pattern due to the front entrance remodel preparation. The Elementary School got a second weapons detection device. They are currently in budget season. The school received a grant for $420,000 with no local match which they will be using to add a weight room and other facilities.  Patrice Lyburn is the new Chair and Ms. Lucas Payton is the Vice Chair.

Public Comment

Citizen – Urged the town council to table resolution 08–26. Stated he disagreed with our repairing sidewalks. Stated most towns normally don’t have sidewalks in residential neighborhoods.

Citizen - suggested that the agenda needed to be out sooner. Ask that we please bring back the reading of public comments.

Citizen - stated she was shocked that the North Beach would take so long to complete. Happy that the town is going to do something. Raised concerns over the dangerous concrete and rocks and said there were prior injuries in that area.

Citizen- before we start new projects we need to finish the current ones, e.g. water meters need to be repaired, which could reduce water bills. Asked if we really needed a new snow plow. Suggested that she agreed fixing a few sidewalks was not a good idea. Stated she did not think owner should pay for sidewalk repair.

Citizen – asked who the North Beach selection committee was, and if they had any qualifications for selecting engineers. Stated that the sand and rip rap recently added to beaches, was a complete waste and that the town has no experience in this process or basic understanding. Original Beach repairs were $50K and now it has tripled $150K a year. Wrong in so many ways and it would be cheap to get the knowledge needed. Stated there’s a cap in the CIP planning and budget.  Don’t understand the liaison process and said it’s a failed concept.

Election of Vice Mayor - the mayor asked for nominations and Rick Wood quickly nominated Kenny Allison.  Maggie Sanford and Lisa Grandstaff nominated David Williams. The final vote was Kenny Allison 4 and David Williams 3. Kenny Allison is the vice mayor for the third time.

Rick Wood, Tom, Larson, Kenny, Allison and Robin Schick voted for Kenny. Lisa Grandstaff, Maggie Sanford and David Williams voted for David.  Vote 4-3

Liaison Assignments

o Public Safety – related entities. David Williams.

o Economic Development – Lisa Grandstaff

o Finance - Tom Larson

o Parks and Recreation - Rick Wood

o Administration - Robin Schick

o Public Works - Kenny Allison

o School Board - Tom Larson

o Alliance of Colonial Beach Community Organizations and other local non-governmental organizations - Maggie Sanford

o Planning, Zoning, and Housing – Rick Wood

Resolution #01-26, Establishes Town Council Meeting Schedule - The Mayor made a motion to cancel the July 1 and September 2nd meetings and the final vote was 7–0

Resolution #02-26, Adoption of 2026 Bylaws and Rules of Procedures - there was some discussion surrounding minutes and agenda requirements. Tom Larson suggested that the agenda be out the Wednesday before the meeting versus Friday and I fully supported that but Rick Wood pushed back. I suggested perhaps we could require the town manager to provide a “draft” by Wednesday and Rick said he would support that. We voted 7–0 to pass the bylaws, but with the caveat that we would discuss the requirement for the agenda draft to be out by Wednesday. 

Resolution #03-26, Appointments to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission - council voted 7–0 to approve 2 new members to the committee. I will say that the parks and rec committee recently voted to recommend new members to the council. Whereas last year, the PC voted to give up that right.  

Authorize Advertisement of a Public Hearings: Zoning Text Amendment ZTA 25-04, Amendment to Article 14 (Site Plan) and ZTA 25-05 (Subdivision Ordinance) Darla Odom, Zoning Administrator - As discussed previously the PC wisely voted to maintain the right to approve subdivisions. This vote was only to schedule a public hearing. Vote 7–0.

Resolution #04-26, Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Calendar, Lisa Okes, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Finance - the calendar was kept the same, but the Mayor did suggest we have a meeting dedicated to council reviewing the budget in public, which is something that I have pushed for and accomplished over the last couple of years. The discussion was to do this meeting on March 4, Vote 7-0

Resolution #05-26, Amends and Appropriates FY26 Budget, General Fund for the Refuse Liter Grant - this vote was to accept $3k in litter grant funding and add to the budget. Vote 7–0.

Lisa Okes, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Finance Budget Amendments for Cash Funded CIP Items, Lisa Okes, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Finance

o Resolution #06-26, Amends and Appropriates FY 25-26 Budget, General Fund for Town Pier Refurbishment - this was to approve $60K for additional pilings. Vote 7 – 0

o Resolution #07-26, Amends and Appropriates FY 25-26 Budget, General Fund for Beach Nourishment and Rip Rap - this vote was to spend another $150K to add sand and rip rap to the beach. I have stated this previously and yet again that I do not believe the town has the expertise or any actual plans other than saying, we are going to put sand and rocks on the beach every year. Several people with expertise in this area have advised me that we are throwing our money away and need a real engineered plan. Final vote was 4–3 with Maggie, David and Lisa voting no.  

o Resolution #08-26, Amends and Appropriates FY 25-26 Budget, General Fund for Sidewalk Repairs - this was to approve $130K required to make ADA violation repairs. I stated that I would vote for this this time, but that the town needs an actual plan versus just repairing sidewalks that were complained about. Vote 7-0

o Resolution #09-26, Amends and Appropriates FY 25-26 Budget, General Fund for Two Police Vehicles - this was to spend another $131K on two police vehicles. Mrs. Grandstaff asked if the vehicles were being driven home by the officers and the answer was yes. It was stated that the vehicles had high mileage and needed to be replaced. I don’t have issues with vehicles being replaced, but what I do take issue with council not being provided with detailed information on our fleet or maintenance. Vote 7-0

PUBLIC HEARING, Consideration of Financing Utility Vehicles and Equipment, Ted Cole, Davenport Financial Services - Previously some council members have stated they support taking on debt to buy a $300K trash truck, a $200K tractor and Beach rake, and a $70K utility/plow vehicle.  We have enough cash in the bank to cover these items and we have collected money through the trash fund, which was supposed to actually pay for a trash truck. Instead, all money has gone into the general fund, but we are still being asked to borrow money to pay for the trash truck and other items. I do not support taking on this debt and many agree it does not make sense.

Citizen - why do you want to go into debt. Why do you think debt is a good thing. Why did you not start the trash fund? Council should find common ground.

Citizen - I personally financed a car when I had cash in the bank so I suggest the town could do the same. Good idea to hold the cash for the future.

Citizen- stated he thought it was strange that this need to borrow money rose to the top. Concerned that the cost of borrowing this money may be up to $125K. Not good use of tax dollars. Keep the use of debt in the toolbox, but not for this particular case. It looks like no is not an option for a council.  Mentioned the weak arguments in favor, said analysis not sufficient. Slow down gather new/ better info.

I stated that I did not support this and I personally do not take on debt and don’t think the town should either. I also stated that we are not considering the risk of taking on debt and there is a cost to associated with that risk. It appears some members felt this was going down the wrong path for them, so Mr. Wood made motion to table the discussion. Council agreed to table. 

Closed Meeting

Pursuant to VA code section 2.2-3711 (A,1) for discussion on performance of specific public appointees of the Town Council. 

Councilman David Williams

Please email or call with questions or comments:

dwilliams@colonialbeachva.gov

540-604-4335