Councilman Williams Update 12/17/25

Council member updates, Town Manager updates including: sewer plant, police department, North Beach, Azalea Park, ADA sidewalks. finance award, connectivity study, audit report, parking ordinance and property sale policy update were all items on Wednesday’s agenda.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

All members were present, but Maggie Sanford had a delayed arrival.

Approval of Minutes: September 17, 2025, October 15, 2025 and October 29, 2025. Vote 6-0 

Council Member Reports

Public Safety- their holiday toy drive will be ending this week.

Planning Commission – the text amendments to the subdivision ordinance passed 6-0 with the PC retaining their rights to approve subdivisions over 50 lots. They also voted to advertise a public hearing regarding a cell tower.

Non-governmental – events were mentioned. The Guadalupe Free Clinic celebrated its 20 year anniversary.  They have provided $36 million in services over the years.

Finance - suggested anyone struggling with taxes or water, sewer bills reach out to the town.

Schools – HS students seeking more robust personal finance class. Michelle Payne resigned. Construction permit received for front entrance.  School had safety training. AI proposed guide was approved. $33k in grants received.  Both high school and elementary are fully accredited with the only caveat being students with disabilities are “off track”.

Economic Development - the county had a business luncheon; Downtown Colonial Beach is working on connectivity study.

Parks and Rec – mentioned the light up the beach contest, the winner was Grinch theme 7th Street - Donnald Diehl.

Public Works – utility installs and repairs. 2,000 feet of sewer main installed. Snow prep and Christmas decorations. Walking Path completed at Eleanor Park.

Mayor - the Polar Express concert was packed. The Christmas parade was a hit. Staff holiday party was great. Fire Department support during the holidays. Thanked Mrs. Payne for her service to the schools.

The mayor made a motion to cancel the January 7th meeting, and give the town staff January 2nd paid day off.  Town staff already gets three days for Christmas so Maggie and myself said we thought that was too much to add another full day off.  Mr. Wood suggested giving extra days off was a way for us to reward employees with no cost to the town. My concern is why does Council never get advanced notice that somebody’s going to move to give free days off. Also, it’s suggested that it’s free for the town to give additional days off, but actually there is a cost to taxpayers so it’s not a free to provide this benefit.  Vote 4-3 with Maggie, Lisa and David voting no.

Town Manager Updates

Charlotte Cole representing Downtown Colonial Beach presented council with COBE the Christmas crab ornaments.

Sewer Plant Update, John Simmons, Inboden Environmental Services - the plant flow is way down due to being in the off-season. All numbers are within limits. Three great years. I asked about the inflow and infiltration progress and was told we would be getting an update soon.

Police Department Update - the Chief said the State is working on the incident investigation, so no real information to provide.

North Beach – a solicitation is out for grant work. I asked if the town would provide that information on their website and the answer was yes.

Azalea Park – groundbreaking will be mid-January.

Sidewalk ADA update – schedule to start One Irving Avenue shortly and should be complete by the end of 2026.

Finance Officers Association (GFOA) award received by town - recognizes excellence in government financial management. We were told this is a high honor.  I give kudos to the town for receiving this award but don’t want to assume this means our overall financial health is good.

Presentations

Connectivity Study Outbrief, Thomas Ruff, Timmons Group - we were given an overview of the connectivity study.  The study has involved public meetings, review of 50 elements and walkability. Perhaps this study will benefit the community unlike many of the others that we’ve seen done in the past.

Comprehensive Annual Audit Financial Report (CAFR), Aaron Hawkins,Robinson, Farmer, Cox & Associates - we were given an overview of the 2025 audit. We were told everything was found to be materially correct. We have a funds balance of $6.3 million mostly unassigned. No findings which is a good thing in the audit world. I asked if our prior findings and internal control issues were cleared and was told yes.

Colonial Beach Public Schools, Dr. Addo, Superintendent - expressed his gratitude to the school board and staff. And thanked Town Council for their support. Mentioned both schools being fully accredited and receiving “distinguished” which is the highest honor. he also recognized the teachers of the year mentioned high school talent show. The High School $1.8M front entrance to start in January and taking around six months.

Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors - 

• Dale Hendon, Director of Economic Development- introduced himself and mentioned how he was looking forward to his partnership with the town to bring more economic development to CB. Also mentioned the 250 anniversary in 2026 and doing a site inventory with the town to provide potential businesses with ready to go locations. 

• Blake Byrd, Director of Emergency Management Services - he mentioned emergency management CERT training offered by FEMA which provides local volunteer opportunities. There are also EMS volunteer opportunities in the county.  These opportunities can be found on the county’s website.

Mr. Trivett - he mentioned the Christmas fundraisers and donations made by all the community and the supervisors. Plans to survey the public to determine how they would like their tax collections in the future A) two times a year, B) keep the same, or C) move collections to November. Stated that the town’s finance award was great news, Congrats! Mentioned Mrs. Payne and her great service to the community. Long speech about the Volunteer rescue squad that started in 1950, said Pat Fitzgerald asked about a monument for the CBVRS and would like support from the town and County.  Mentioned the $1.5 million the county has appropriated for a new rescue squad building. Also discussed the vote for the court to compel the rescue squad to give an accounting of the citizen donated building funds which many believe needs to go to the new building. He emphasized his goal is to get a new rescue squad building in or near CB.

Public Comment

Citizen - representing the historical society mentioned the Colonial Beach House tour being a success and thanked all the volunteers.

Citizen - President of Downtown Colonial Beach said that Timmons Group did a great job. Exciting that the county is partnering with the towns, economic development director.

PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance No. 773, Amendments to Article 13 (Parking), Darla Odom, Zoning Administrator - this ordinance has been discussed numerous times, but essentially it enhances and new development parking by expanding flexibility e.g. golf cart parking modified design standards, counting garage as one parking space.  I asked several questions, including has the issue we are experiencing with School Town Hill been addressed in this ordinance i.e. many residents using Torrey Smith Park as their auxiliary parking.  I was told that is a separate issue, but yes, it will be addressed. I also raised a concern about counting a garage as a parking space and was told that is common and it will not cause issues. I brought up the town counting the same parking spaces numerous times was told that that would not be done. Vote to approve 7-0

PUBLIC HEARING Ordinance No. 772, Amends the Capital Improvement Plan funding Policy, Lisa Okes, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Finance - since the volunteer rescue squad is no longer providing services Council asked this to be addressed by taking the 5% of property sales that normally would go to the rescue squad and putting it into the Capital Improvement Plan fund for the town. No additional discussion. If I thought I had the support, I would have moved to add the additional 5% to the fire department as I know they really need the funds. Final vote 7–0. 

Councilman David Williams

Please email or call with questions or comments:

dwilliams@colonialbeachva.gov

540-604-4335