Councilman Williams Update 6/17/26

General updates, presentations, fee discount policy discussion, conditional use permit for a coffee roastery, application for FEMA grant to move rescue squad, housing Authority members appointed, PFAS lawsuit and Wilder Lot sales contract canceled were all on Wednesday’s agenda.

Approval of Meeting Minutes: May 6, 2026 vote 7-0

Resolution #23-26, Amends and Appropriates FY25-26 Budget, School Fund

Resolution #24-26, Amends and Appropriates FY25-26 Budget, General Fund - this was to move $500k from the school CIP to pay on the front entrance project.  Vote 7-0

Council Member Announcements 

Highlights - Fireworks July 3. We have a new parking enforcement officer. Golf cart stickers were due April 30. Father’s Day car show this weekend.

Town Manager Update

Sewer Plant Update, John Simmons, Inboden Environmental Services - things are going well at the plant.

Angela from the zoning office is now a certified zoning administrator so she can take over for Darla a long-term contractor.  Currently the town manager is our official zoning administrator.

We hired a new parking enforcement officer that will also act as a crossing guard for the schools.

North Beach meeting was held recently, and there are plans being drawn up.

In a prior council meeting, I requested council support for the town manager to request Congressman Wittman to have the Corps of Engineers come to CB to review all of our beaches and shoreline.  A few weeks ago, I was told by the assistant town manager that he told Wittman’s office we would seek COE assistance on our own versus asking the congressman’s help. I asked for an update last night and was told that we are now going do as I suggested and ask the congressman to support the US Corp of Engineers assistance with our shorelines. The assistant town manager added that they are also seeking assistances with the FEMA grant discussed below.

Years of Service Dyllan Cain – 5 Years of Service, Public Works - Thanks for your service. 

VA250 – America Made in Virginia, Natasha Tucker, Town Manager - she did a presentation.

Annual Marina Way Report, Phil Bolin - representatives were in the audience, and we were informed that the yacht club was sold and is now Stringers Marina. Several economic activities are on the way to try to promote the marinas.

Colonial Beach Public Schools - the Governor‘s budget still has not passed. There are a few vacancies. The front entrance is on time and on budget. School was awarded a $420K grant.

Public Comment

North Beach shoreline meeting, the housing Authority and suggested we have regular updates on the North Beach project. 

Mr. Nelson said he was turning 70 and going to step down from the Downtown Colonial Beach presidency.

Citizen questions the timing of the Dodson phase 3 water sewer connection discounts as it relates to ordinance changes. Stated we needed transparency and accountability, and the ordinance should be strengthened.

Follow up to Town Council’s and Manager’s roles determining the types and number of connections, Powell Duggan, Town Attorney - This was another lengthy discussion but basically the town attorney defended our current policies, the mayor went on a long spiel about how everything is OK and yet again I defended my request to have transparency. The theme was nothing was done wrong and there’s no need for change.  I argued that the fee reductions for the Boardwalk properties were a discount and that the connection fees help maintain the entire system not just meters for specific buildings.  The mayor said no one raised discount concerns in 2023, but what she failed to mention is that the agreement was kept a secret.  In short, I presented a policy to council that would require council votes for any discounts, including reduction in connection requirements and I made a motion for the town attorney to draft a policy for a council. Mrs. Grandstaff asked me to clarify what I was proposing and I said number one a policy on discounts but would also support an ordinance change.  We were told that a policy would not be a strong as a change in the ordinances but it could be beneficial.  The policy I proposed would have required regular reporting for any discounts and council approval.  My motion failed with a 3-4 vote Larson, Wood, Schick and Allison voted NO and Williams, Sanford and Grandstaff YES.

I’m not sure I get the point here, but the Mayor made a motion to require the town manager to follow our current ordinances regarding discounts, which supposedly don’t allow her to reduce connections without council votes (Town Attorney disagrees).  I clarified would this include connection reductions and was told yes.  Vote was 7-0.  I’ll let you decide why this motion was made and what it means.  I voted yes but with reservations.  

Authorize Public Hearing – Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 26-03 – Robert H. Busick, Jr. requests approval of a Conditional Use Permit to allow a specialty coffee roastery (small-scale production) combined with a retail coffee bar in the Commercial-Residential (CR) Zoning District. The property is identified as 201 Wilder Avenue, Colonial Beach, VA 22443. Tax Parcel 3A2-2-86-81 – Vote 7-0

Resolution #25-26, A Resolution Supporting a FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FEMA) Grant Application for the Relocation of EMS Services out of the Floodplain, Mayor Schick - this was a proposal to get Congressman Wittman’s support to quest a FEMA grant to move the rescue squad building to 700 Colonial Ave.  I abstain from the vote because I work for FEMA but it sounds like a good idea to me. I fully support any move that will get a full-time rescue squad location in the town of Colonial Beach.

Colonial Beach Redevelopment & Housing Authority Vacancies, Heather Oliver, Town Clerk - the Housing Authority is struggling right now with minimal funding and only two members, but we appointed two more Wednesday.   Vote 7-0

Engagement of Gray Boughton and/or VanderHahn, LLP on a contingent fees basis to assist the Town in possibly recovering funds that may be available as a result of a PFAS Class Action Settlement, Powell Duggan, Town Attorney - There apparently is a settled lawsuit that localities can join to get funds.  We were asked if we wanted to join the suit and that the fees involved would be minimal.  The town could receive thousands of dollars from the suit. Vote 6-1, Allison voted no, but did not give any explanation.

Closed Meeting

a. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A. 7.) for the purpose of consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, here such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the Town Council.

b. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A. 8.) for the purpose of consultation with legal counsel retained by the Town Council regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel.

After the closed meeting we came out and a motion was made to allow Dodson Development to back out of the Phase 4 agreement which is the Wilder Ave Parking lot land.  Dodson previously presented in public a change to add residential to Phase 4 but original agreement was to build a hotel.  The vote was to return $40k in escrow money and we keep the parking lot.  Many believe the lot is more valuable to us currently as a parking lot.  We receive over $150k a year in parking fees.  I have been advocating for us to keep this lot for years so I believe it is a big win for the town.  Vote 7-0

Councilman David Williams

Please email or call with questions or comments:

dwilliams@colonialbeachva.gov