Councilman Williams Update 6/3/26

Zoning change to allow small scale production, explanation of how Dodson water agreement deal was created, Fee discounts discussion and pickle ball courts were all on Wednesday’s agenda.

Approval of Meeting Minutes: April 6, 2026 and April 15, 2026. Approved 7-0

Council Member Reports

Economic Development – goals and objectives were discussed at their last meeting, specifically around the 50+ community.  The economic vitality committee is working with businesses on a survey.

Non-Governmental – the community foundation gave a grant of 7K to high school students and awarded other grants, including to the fire department.  Mentioned Osprey foundation, activities and community garden enhancements.

Public Works – no report

Parks and Rec - June 6 movie night, as well as other events were announced. The Potomac River festival and fireman’s parade will be in a couple weeks.  

Planning Commission - 45 permits were issued including 26 short term rentals. Average days to provide a permit was 12. There have been over 100 short-term rental applications so far this year.

Schools – School year has ended. Book van book giveaway.

Finance – Real estate bills due Friday. New water and sewer rates will be in the bill due July 1st.

Public Safety – Coffee with a cop will be at love bites at 8:30 June 10th. New officer Masonn Manthey will be graduating from the police Academy soon. Reminder of Beach rules, including no grill’s, dogs etc. No fishing except between 6a-10a and 6p-10p and bike/ skateboards and scooters on the boardwalk only 6a-9a. 

Mayor - Met the new officers. Visited public works to see the new sludge press. This weekend is Save The Bay Day. VDOT will be picking up trash on 205 at the same time. The following weekend will be the Potomac River Festival and Fireman’s Parade. She did an interview with NPR.

Years of Service Awards

·       Robert C. Mervine – 5 Years, Public Works - Congrats 

·       William R. Taylor II – 10 years, Public Works - Congrats 

Public Comment

Citizen – Said the rate increase was one cycle ahead of July 1. Citizens are paying for the fee discounts given to the developer. Council should be responsible.

Citizen - Should consider the citizens versus the developers.

PUBLIC HEARING, Ordinance No. 784, Zoning Text Amendment 26-03, Amend Section 20-2 Definitions of the zoning ordinance of the Town of Colonial Beach, Virginia, to add “small scale production” definition, Angela Lawrence, Director of Community Development & Planning - this was to change town code to allow small scale production in commercial zones - Someone requested a coffee roastery in town (old Margaritas Location) and we do not currently have anything in our ordinances allowing for this which is why staff is requesting we add a general small scale production clause to our ordinance.  I asked if additional traffic would be addressed in the CUP and was told yes. Vote was 7-0 to approve.  

PUBLIC HEARING, Ordinance No. 785, Zoning Text Amendment 26-04, Amend Section 7-3 Resort Commercial (RC) District Conditional Uses (Conditional Use Permit Required); Section 8-2 General Commercial (C-1) District (Conditional Use Permit Required); and section 9-3 Commercial Residential (C-R) District Conditional Uses (Conditional Use Permit Required) of the Town of Colonial Beach Zoning - Ordinance to allow for “small scale production, not exceeding 6,000 square feet” Angela Lawrence, Director of Community Development & Planning - Same as above except this vote was for the text amendment.  Vote 7-0

Dodson Memorandum of Agreement, Natasha Tucker, Town Manager - Many concerns have been raised about the discounts given to the Boardwalk developer so the town manager wanted to explain what happened.  The Town Manager (Assistant Town Manager at the time) signed a legally binding agreement (contract) with Dodson Development Nov 21, 2023.  She stated that connection fees are a one-time fee and are paid by the developer to offset water sewer system costs.  The agreement negotiations began in 2022 and only covered water meters.  Phase 3A, Prior location of Willies has 9 residential units and 2 commercial units and 1 meter was installed for all. They were charged $6K for water and $9,375 for sewer (the old rate).  The MOA agreement was to put all 11 units on one meter as if commercial which includes water usage over 15k gal a quarter.  

Phase 3B is currently under construction but there will be 12 residential and 2 commercial units. They were charged $12k for 2 commercial water connections (taps) and $22,500 for 2 sewer connections. The water was the 2022 rate and sewer is for the current rates.  Dodson provided labor for the hookup.  The town manager said the town has received $90k in revenue from this development. That figure was not backed up by actual numbers.  We were also told no discounts were given.  

To be fair, Willies may have had one existing commercial connection but that is only $15,375 of up to $213k that could have been charged which is a reduction of almost $163k.  Some of my colleagues kept saying it’s not a discount but if it’s not, can someone tell me what it is??  I said I didn’t want to litigate whether what was done was legal, but I did point out that the contract was negotiated two months after I asked how many connections and how much was he paying for phase 3A.  After asking a few times I got my answer seven months later.  As predicted some council members made this about an attack on the character of town staff but I can assure you it is not.  No action by council since this was just a town manager presentation.  

Consideration of amendments to the Town Code of Ordinances regarding authority to grant individual and business fee discounts, David Williams, Council Member - I asked for this to be added to the agenda because many citizens have reached out, saying they do not agree with the town, giving discounts without council knowledge or vote.  I stated that our ordinances clearly layout the fact that council should vote for any water sewer discounts.  I specifically pointed out in section 21-73 charges are per unit. Later the code references 23-93 “other incentives as negotiated and approved by council“ which is the only exception for anyone to receive a discount/ reduction in fees.  I also stated the fees were reduced by reducing the number and type of water connections and asked the town attorney to confirm that it was allowed in his legal opinion and he said yes.  After making my case I made a motion to ask the town attorney to draft amendments to town code requiring council votes on fee discounts including items like reducing the number of connections and fees.  Mrs. Grandstaff agreed and pointed out this policy would protect the town manager and council by removing the appearance of impropriety.  She also pointed out we are responsible to the citizens who want to see how we are operating.  Mr. Allison said council soliciting business is a grey area and said businesses will ask council members for a political favor.  He doesn’t want people coming to council members and prefers it to be the Town Managers problem.  Mr. Wood said he thinks citizens distrust has been fomented. All agreement details are aboveboard.  Council should not be negotiating real estate details.  Taking away from town manager is terrible mistake.  Mr. Larson said he was confused and Dodson was not an economic incentive so it’s not a discount and developers already have to come to council for those.  I replied a fee is per unit and I felt the agreement was already outside our code causing a need for my proposal.  He later said the number of connections impacted actual cost.  The mayor had arguments for both sides but seemed to agree we should address by staying solution based.  She even agrees the MOA should have come before council and seconded my motion.  Robin said our ordinances once allowed for one connection fee if under one roof but could not provide proof of that.   At one point Mr. Allison questioned what I considered a significant discount and I said a suggestion would be $1,000 which prompted sarcastic comments from a couple members.  Maggie said I think we have clear direction for staff and let’s move on.  She said to Mr. Wood you’re making this into a bigger thing then it has to be.  Final vote was 5-2 with Williams, Larson, Sanford, Schick and Grandstaff YES and Wood, Allison NO.  

Mr. Larson said to the town attorney after the vote; his recommendation would be to draft something quick and dirty and let us react because he’s not sure it’s going to make it.  Mr. Wood said it’s a waste of time.  All I can say to those comments is, WOW!  

Proposed Pickleball Enhancements at Torrey Smith Park, Sally Adams, Director of Parks, Recreation & Events - The Community Foundation has awarded a $3,700 grant to the town to upgrade its Pickleball court. The upgrade would basically change the lines so that we could have up to four Pickleball courts while still maintaining 1 to 2 tennis courts at a time. There was some more discussion but not a whole lot of concern. Final vote 7-0

Councilman David Williams

Please email or call with questions or comments:

dwilliams@colonialbeachva.gov

540-604-4335