Coraggio Consulting
Prince William Board of County Supervisors Meeting, Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Place: Prince William County Board of County Supervisors, Virginia
Length: 3h 48m (video)
Official meeting video (Prince William County, Granicus): https://pwcgov.granicus.com/player/clip/3657
Official Board of County Supervisors page (Prince William County): https://www.pwcva.gov/department/board-county-supervisors

Machine transcript (speech-to-text) produced by Coraggio Consulting. Not an official county record. Names and numbers may be misspelled; check the video at the timestamp before quoting.
Speech-to-text: whisper.cpp, model large-v3-turbo. Produced 2026-10-29. Timestamps are [HH:MM:SS] into the meeting video.

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[00:42:28] begin with a moment of silence rise if you are able for pledge of allegiance all right thank you so much everyone we are going to go on to agenda item number three and that's

[00:43:07] approval of the minutes can i get a motion to approve the minutes from may 20th second all right it's been moved by gordy and seconded by voting let's go ahead and take our vote all right We are going to move on to agenda item number four, and that's accommodations and proclamations.

[00:43:32] Can I get a motion for 4A through 4C? So moved, Madam Chair. Second. All right. That's been moved by Bailey and seconded by Gordy. Let's go ahead and take our vote. Unanimous. All right.

[00:43:47] For 4A, we can get the people from the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry and Supervisor Gordy, if you could join me. And for 4B, if you can come down for that one, Supervisor Franklin.

[00:44:21] Good afternoon, everyone. I am very pleased to be able to present this commendation to the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry. uh and uh with the following proclamation uh since its founding in 2005 the haymarket regional food pantry has proudly served the community providing nourishment to over half a million individuals in need since its inception that hampton or the haymarket regional food pantry is an all-volunteer organization where every volunteer contributes their time energy and talents to sustain and

[00:44:58] expand the pantry's vital work in our community ensuring that no one goes hungry for 20 years It has remained true to its mission, delivering vital resources to our neighbors with compassion, dignity, and care, with more than 10,000 individuals and organizations contributing to its success through both financial and in-kind donations.

[00:45:19] Therefore, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors hereby commends and congratulates the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry on its 20th anniversary, acknowledging its outstanding service to our community. We express our appreciation for the countless volunteers, supporters, and donors who have made their work possible, ensuring that the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry remains a vital resource for years to come.

[00:45:42] Congratulations. Thank you very much, Supervisor Gordy. I'd just like to remind everybody that food insecurity seems to never go away. And this year, what we are seeing at our food pantry is decreased food coming from our food suppliers and increased numbers of people who are hungry. So when you pass your food pantry in your neighborhood, make sure you drop off a couple of things because we all need a lot of

[00:46:14] help right now. Thank you very much. All right, Supervisor Franklin, if you can join us for the

[00:46:56] next one. And those associated with Lieutenant Astrid Robinson, if you can please come to the front. Thank you. After 24 years with the Prince William County Police Department, Lieutenant Ashert Robinson is retiring, and we want to thank her for her service. After graduating from Hawaii Pacific University and Justice Administration, Lieutenant Robinson began her law enforcement

[00:47:34] career with the Virginia State Police as a trooper in 1989. Twelve years later, in 2001, she joined the Prince William County Police Department and Patrol, going on to serve in different capacities and earning two promotions to sergeant and later to lieutenant. Some of Lieutenant Robinson's career highlights include a Valor Award for a shooting incident in 2005 and recognition for her part in developing the department's women's mentorship program.

[00:47:59] The Prince William Board of County Supervisors hereby commends Lieutenant Asher Robinson for her outstanding service to the Prince William County Police Department and to the community. Her guidance and care of colleagues have given them the opportunity to learn and grow, and we thank her for her leadership and wish her the best in retirement.

[00:48:16] I'll just say very quickly, she's not able to be here today for personal reasons, but one of the reasons why I wanted to commend her is because over the past several years, you can imagine some of the national discussions around policing, and it was really when I started doing ride-alongs that Lieutenant Robinson was able to kind of explain to me some of the things that officers go through that we don't always talk about or see, particularly as African-Americans in law enforcement.

[00:48:49] And while I have my views on how policing should be conducted, she was certainly able to help me see a different side of policing and really understanding the important work that they do and, quite frankly, some of the dangerous work that they do as well.

[00:49:08] So I really commend her and really give her credit for helping me to see a different side of policing. So that's why she's so important to me. We've been able to develop a good relationship, and I understand policing a lot better because of her service.

[00:49:24] So with that, I'm happy to let you say a few words and talk about the work that she's done. I'm honored to accept this award on behalf of Lieutenant Robinson. She has been a pioneer in our agency for many reasons, but most recently the Women's Mentorship Program that has been, I think, a pivotal point in our retention issues with our department and absolutely has made an effect on our diversity within our department.

[00:49:51] So I am sad that she's not here. She is a huge loss and a big set of shoes to fill. So thank you, guys.

[00:49:58] And now if I can have the people with the Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

[00:50:35] Elder adults deserve to be treated with respect and dignity as vital participating members of our community.

[00:50:55] But in fiscal year 2025, there were 873 investigative reports and 346 found in cases of elder abuse or neglect in Prince William County. And our community seniors have lost more than $8.8 million due to financial exploitation.

[00:51:12] We must do better by them. It is up to all of us to make sure that the proper structures exist so that seniors are still respected members of the community and retain their societal connection. Doing so is a proven way to reduce the likelihood of elder abuse.

[00:51:31] Therefore, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors hereby proclaims June 15, 2025 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Prince William County. And if folks witness elder abuse or neglect, help us a phone call away at 888-832-3858.

[00:51:50] Do you have any remarks? Good afternoon, Madam Chair and members of the Board of County Supervisors, Phyllis Jennings-Holt, Director of Social Services.

[00:52:06] This afternoon, I have with me Deputy Director Holly Handy, Lena Puriford, the Assistant Director of Advocacy, Prevention, and Protection, which is better known as the APP Division, and Brenda Nolan Patton is the Human Service Program Manager of APP. Also, we have Joshua Lee, who is the acting director for the Area Agency on Aging, and his staff, who he will introduce in a few minutes.

[00:52:31] On behalf of the Department of Social Services and the Area Agency on Aging, we are honored to accept this proclamation, recognizing Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Elder abuse often goes unseen, yet its impact is deeply felt by victims, families, and the community.

[00:52:49] This month calls for all of us to remain vigilant, raise awareness, and work together to protect the safety and dignity of our older residents. We thank the board for your continued support, and now I believe Josh would like to introduce his team and share some words with you today.

[00:53:09] Good afternoon, Chair Jefferson, members of the board. I'm Acting Director of Prince William Area Agency on Aging. Josh Lee with me today is Laura Halo for our Fiscal and Administration Division.

[00:53:25] I'm honored to join social services today in shining a light on world elder abuse awareness today. In our county, over 16% of residents are age 60 and older. That's almost 90,000 residents, and that number is expected to reach roughly 20% or 120,000 residents by 2030.

[00:53:46] They are an invaluable part of our community whose safety and dignity we must protect at every turn. Just a little bit of data for you all. In fiscal 2024, our agency on aging served more than 100 home services clients through our personal care program, over 45 community-based clients through our adult day care program, helping our most at-risk older adults remain in the community safely for as long as possible.

[00:54:11] We filled over 2,300 requests for information and care coordination and provided Medicare counseling to over 850 adult residents. We empowered more than 1,100 individuals through our supportive services, connecting families and resources that they need and welcomed over 1,300 participants to our senior centers and delivered over 68,000 nutritious meals through Congregate and our Meals on Wheels programs.

[00:54:36] Now, these aren't just numbers. They're lifelines that reduce isolation, ensure nutrition, and guard against exploitation. But no single agency can do this work alone by partnering with social services, law enforcement, health providers, and every level of county leadership. we strengthen the protective network around our older adults and make sure every call for help is met with swift action let this day and every day remind us that elder abuse has no place in Prince William County together we honor the decades of wisdom our seniors bring and recommit to their

[00:55:09] safety dignity and well-being thank you remember the day in May where we had a thousand of these

[00:56:29] and that was a real experience before we move forward I just want to announce for the seven clock meeting that we have two cases for a rezoning SUP that have been deferred. So for the evening session, 13A and 13B have been deferred. So for the evening session, we will have public comment time and then we will adjourn. So quickly, I don't know why you're arguing the thing, Bob Weir. Do you have something, Mr. Weir, Supervisor Weir? Does a request for

[00:57:04] deferral require a vote at this late stage? It's been published. We have not done that in the past honestly. We have not been. The board can pass a resolution if you want. In the past it has just been done by edict that it's been a deferral's been requested. The letter is in the file. Move to defer. Second. Does anyone? Move to defer to a date uncertain. Can you make that amendment? I accept the amendment. All right so it's been moved and properly seconded. We have some speakers. Supervisor

[00:57:40] Madam Chair, this will now be the third deferral. I think it's a disservice to keep stringing the public and this board along. The public is prepared for a meeting for the third time tonight and the applicant stringing this along. I think I know the reason given a meeting I had with staff yesterday and I'm not happy about it. So I'm not willing to defer it any longer. I apologize. My

[00:58:10] screen has frozen. Does anyone else wish to speak on this? All right. I guess not. Let's go ahead and take a vote all right then so then motion fails um so this is kind of interesting so we're

[00:58:49] not we so we we are not deferring um the motion to accept a deferral has not before it and i want to turn to the county attorney see the vote again what the results were it's 4-4 no no but how the votes broke down because I'm okay yes in favor of deferral was Supervisor Bailey Supervisor Bodie Supervisor Franklin and Supervisor Gordy voting against the deferral was Supervisor Angry Supervisor Vega Supervisor Weir and Chair Jefferson so this is fun so where are we

[00:59:29] Madam Chair I'm sorry Supervisor Bailey Madam Chair I'd like to move for deferral to a date certain in september and i'll give you a date because i agree with uh with my colleague to the right that this is a third deferral but i think that it is uh respectful that we present to the public and uh we move the project in a professional way so and if i could give you a date in september just so that we we have to talk to planning we have to talk to planning and it has to be

[01:00:06] the planning department has to give us a date last time i spoke to the attorney who is here okay director washington if you would like to come forward good afternoon tanya washington planning director uh the next date uh that we think will be doable will be september 9th have you spoken to the applicant and agreed on that date september 9th we did offer that date so i'm sure i'd like to move for a date certain of september 9th hold on i would like to have

[01:00:41] the attorney of record come up and see if that is a date that works for the client yeah i'm sure you weren't you can you may step out because there are a few other questions and things that are happening um so you would like to do you would like a motion for september 9th or would you like to wait until the attorney of record comes back with the date that would be fine i say you're going to withdraw your motion for the time being well until she gets back is what you're saying we haven't voted on it so okay hold on a second i want to finish this conversation because i also have vega who wants to speak and now franklin the attorney of record's going out

[01:01:20] to call her client to see if that date works um i am saying do you want to continue with your motion or do you want to withdraw until we have confirmation from the attorney of record i'll just hold on okay all right vega then franklin thank you supervisor bailey because that allows for further discussion since there was a motion on the floor um miss washington do we have a reason for the deferral i actually found out about this being deferred as i was coming in i did not know why it was the request of her deferral came today i understand that but

[01:01:52] what is the reason for the deferral request we were not provided a reason all right supervisor franklin all right so the attorney of record is coming back in madam chair and if the attorney of record can answer the question does she have a reason as to why the applicant requested a deferral if you would please come to the podium because we want to um question has been why are requesting a deferral and the question is also is it to a date certain we had requested a deferral

[01:02:30] to the date uncertain of september i mean a date uncertain i heard you guys ask about september 9th and we would be available on september 9th and we did not have a reason i was just asked to request a deferral do you have anything else supervisor all right i apologize because again my computer is not working let me so no one is supervisor we are i see your line is on thank you madam

[01:02:58] chair ms washington at what time was the deferral request received it was received 1 38 p.m today 1 38 p.m 22 minutes before this board gaveled in and we were not notified immediately because i got

[01:03:31] it through a third party in fact i still haven't been officially notified so this is your official notification i i get that but just like amendments at the dais of proffers and other sorts of things um this circumstance is entirely unacceptable so i'm gonna say this um because i know that we are all i told everyone prepare for a long night i'm dressed really comfortably because i was planning to be here till oh dark 30 we have not and i've had a number of people text me you know once the

[01:04:09] news got out you know why don't you just vote it down why don't you do this why don't you do that how many times has it been has this been is this the third or is this the fourth i don't does anyone know? Third, because I know I want to have a conversation with staff next week about how are we charging for this, because we are incurring a cost every time we advertise. It may not be a huge cost, but that is something that we are going to have to look at, making sure that the applicant covers those costs. So right now, there was a motion on hold from Supervisor Bailey to defer

[01:04:45] this to September 9th. And I'll be honest with you, I'm okay. I can live with deferring it to September 9th. But at some point, we have to make a decision. And I think we all know why this keeps being deferred. It's because the votes aren't there. I have concerns with the application. I know other people have concerns with the application. My math ain't good, but I can count to five. So we can go ahead, Supervisor Bailey, if you would like to make your motion.

[01:05:13] I'm sorry. Supervisor, I'm sorry, angry. And I apologize because we don't have a screen. I just think this is very unfortunate. I don't know how we got here. We should have heard this case. I had no issues with it. I'll tell you right now, I think it's a great project.

[01:05:29] I know it causes all kinds of consultation with folks. I wish we would have done this now and just got it out of the way. I don't know where the applicant is with this and where the team is that could do this. But if this will get back on, I am all ready to hear it and listen to what's going on on both sides and make a decision on the case.

[01:05:48] I think this is, I have never seen this before. So how we got here, I'm not sure. Is there anyone else? Supervisor Bailey. Thank you, Madam Chair. My light is not here to let you know. None of them are.

[01:06:04] That's why I'm having to look around. Okay, good. I just, I don't know the reason why, but I think if the applicant is asking for a deferral, and it is a great, I think it's a good project. I won't say great. I think it's an excellent project. But I think the reason why I tagged a date to it so that we can hear all the specifics and make a final decision and vote on the project.

[01:06:31] Based upon the presentation that I've seen, the applicant has really listened to the supervisor of the district and made all kinds of changes that the supervisor requested. And so I honor that.

[01:06:49] And so I think September 9th, respecting what my other colleague said over here, it is unfortunate. But I think it's the right thing to do if the applicant is requesting it. Does anyone else, Supervisor Gordy, did you have anything to add or no?

[01:07:05] No, Madam Chair, I agree with your sentiment about why there's a deferral. The votes are not there. I think the applicant understands, and I'm not sure what the future of this case will be, whether or not it will even come back.

[01:07:23] But I will leave that up to the hands of the applicant to determine if September 9th, whether they withdraw the case completely or whether they actually bring it forward to the board in September for a hearing. But I'll be happy to work with the applicant on the right pathway forward.

[01:07:39] And I appreciate what Supervisor Bailey said. Yes, the applicants have done a lot of things. But at the end of the day, I still don't believe it's the right project for the location. So I'm happy to support deferral to the 9th.

[01:08:00] All right. I'm looking around. Anyone else? Okay. I'll second. Okay. So then it's been probably moved and seconded to defer this to September 9th. Anyone else? Did you have anything to say? All right. Supervisor Vega and then Franklin. I mean, then Avery.

[01:08:16] Thank you, Madam Chair. You don't look exactly like. I understand that legally the applicant has every right to ask for this deferral. it is a little frustrating because the community, I mean, just last night we were at a town hall with about 100 people, right, that showed up and they shared a lot of concerns specifically about the application that was set to be heard tonight. And I think that we owe it to folks that have planned accordingly today to be here in person to speak, whether for or against this project.

[01:08:42] And I would highly recommend that the applicant, you know, whether this passes or not to schedule it for September, that they either stick to it, figure it out, but we can't be playing these games anymore people's livelihoods are literally being impacted because of this project and we need to make a decision on this one way or the other we can't be playing around with people and we have to make a decision that's our job we got to figure it out supervisor angry you're good all right you're good let's see anyone else screens aren't working screens aren't working going once going twice let's vote i mean they're up just for me not to or people not to put in for questions

[01:09:20] madam chair just so we're clear we're voting the super the district supervisors in agreement to go ahead and vote for a date starting of September 9th and also the attorney on record for this case agrees that this is a good date yes yes I'm looking at you Janelle yes yeah motion passes seven to one supervisor we are voting nay all right well that was fun so we are going on to agenda item number five and that is the consent agenda um before I go ahead and ask for a motion

[01:09:57] does anyone have anything that they would like to pull off I'm looking I'm looking no no no no no okay supervisor weir i knew it that is five c e n l anyone else anyone over here i guess not we

[01:10:30] good all right then i would like to get a motion so manager wait hold on hold on i need to say it first y'all be motioning and seconding i could you know ask to take a thousand dollars you know to go shopping when i go to new york next year then i would go with you all right i need a motion And for 5A, 5B, 5D, 5F through 5K, and 5M through 5P.

[01:11:06] Second. Okay, that's been properly moved and second it. Any discussion on those items? I think I might be up. Supervisor Bode. Thank you, Madam Chair, and you indeed are up. Just wanted to point out a couple of these. So 5B, just wanted to highlight the agritourism, agribusiness, and maritime and tourism master plans.

[01:11:28] I know that quite a few of us have talked about this and been advocating for this, so really appreciate the folks at Economic Development and all the other partner agencies really moving the ball forward on this. I think that the findings of that study will help all of us in the long term. Wanted to highlight something in the Coles District 5D, which is an appropriation for revitalization and redevelopment.

[01:11:46] I think that the more we can codify and actually create programs around incentivizing brownfield redevelopment over greenfield development, I think is helpful. Wanted to highlight something that used to be in the Occoquan District but is now in the Neabsco District, which is a project to put in a shared use path on Elm Farm Road.

[01:12:05] Had been asked for that since I first ran for office in 2019. So really appreciate Rick and his team and the other partner agencies finally getting something like that done. There's one neighborhood in particular I know is on Elm Farm Road where every time I knock on a gentleman's door, that's the first and last thing he always says to me.

[01:12:24] So really appreciate that coming to fruition finally. And last but not least, just wanted to highlight for the public's interest, 5I, which is the Prince William Area Consolidated Housing Community Development Plan for fiscal years 25 through 29. It's dense and heavy, but for folks out there who are interested in our plans regarding housing, really looking forward to us continuing to move the ball in those aspects as well.

[01:12:47] It not only provides a roadmap, but it also opens up avenues for us to get funds and other things. So thank you so much, Madam Chair. All right, before I actually go to you, Supervisor Angry, I am remiss because I needed to acknowledge that we have the clerk of the court, Jacqueline Smith, here, as well as our Commonwealth Attorney, Amy Ashworth.

[01:13:05] Thank you, guys, you gals, for joining us today. Supervisor Angry. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to speak a little bit on item 5G. As you know, the court's district has been approved, but it still has many steps to go with it.

[01:13:20] So this is just one to put in the bypass road to begin that work on the interchange, the SPUI. So I told you guys it's coming, so just bear with us because you're going to see a lot of movement now. And if you can avoid the area, I just ask that you do so.

[01:13:37] And if you have to be in that area, I just ask that you have patience. So I just want to bring that point. Thanks, Madam Chair. Supervisor Bailey. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, and to the audience, I just want to acknowledge 5J for the great work that Seth Hindler Voss and his team has been doing at our very own Forest Greens golf course.

[01:14:00] You've done yeoman's work there, and it is looking more beautifuller and beautifuller. So we really appreciate that. It was very old, and now it looks very pristine and very new. And to our community, we are so proud of Forest Green and Prince Williams Golf Course.

[01:14:19] So just thank you for the hard work there. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. I don't see anyone else in queue, so let's go ahead and take – oh, Tom, sorry. You're still not working? Okay. I want to just point out item 5A.

[01:14:34] This is a grant that we're receiving from the state to support Sunshine Honey Farm to build a roadside stand for their meats, their pastries, for the things that they produce on their farm. I really want to thank Christina Wynn and her team at Economic Development for helping to identify this opportunity and opening the door for this and hope this is one of many to come to support our farms out in Noakesville and the rest of the county.

[01:15:05] And then I also want to agree with my colleague, Supervisor Bode, on the funds for the agribusiness, agritourism, strategic plan, the maritime and tourism master plans. Looking forward to the consultants coming on board and for that moving forward.

[01:15:21] And we'll be having some public meetings related to that. This is getting very exciting and I know is highly anticipated by folks in our agricultural community. That's all I have, Madam Chair. Thank you. All right. Thank you so very much. And let's go ahead and take that vote.

[01:15:41] Vote unanimous. All right. And we are going to move on to 5C. Supervisor Rear, did you want to call anyone up for questions? No, ma'am. I just pulled it for purposes of the vote.

[01:15:58] Okay. I do want to, I believe, clarify if Christina or Mandy is here real quickly. I just want to be clear for purposes of the record.

[01:16:28] With the reimbursement of targeted industry fees, none of that is going to data centers, correct? Madam Chair, Christina Wynn, Economic Development and Tourism. That is correct. We do not provide any sort of financial incentives at all to the data center industry.

[01:16:44] The four projects that receive these 50% waived site plan fees have to do with Malarkey and Temple Hotel and the I-95 distribution center in Potomac District.

[01:17:03] So those are the only projects that received those waive fees. All right. Thank you. Are there any other questions? If not, we can go ahead and take a vote. I see nobody. Let's go ahead and vote. Oh, we don't have a motion? Oh, yeah. Sorry. Second. All righty. I'm ready to go.

[01:17:19] Vote unanimous. Supervisor Weir abstaining from vote.

[01:17:37] All right. We're moving on to 5E. Did you have any questions on that? Yes, Madam Chair. Ms. Nguyen, could you come back up? You're getting your steps in. Let me walk through this and you can address it at the end.

[01:18:04] Second to the last whereas clause, whereas the memorandum of understanding needed to be executed subject to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors' budget and appropriation of funds prior to the Live Golf Tournament, I think we're after the Live Golf Tournament. And then under the resolutions, it says, be it further resolved that the Prince William Board of County Supervisors hereby authorizes the budget and appropriation of unspent grant proceeds to fiscal year 2026.

[01:18:33] But when you go to the MOU, well, first when you go to the staff section, it says the total LIV-approved expenditures were just north of $245,000.

[01:18:46] But when you get to the MOU, under the terms, term B1, county responsibilities, the county acknowledges and agrees that the funds provided via VTC for this MOU shall be used solely to support a major sporting event occurring between June 6th and June 8th of 2025 and shall not be used for any other purposes.

[01:19:15] The county may retain $250,000 for security and transportation services and pass the balance of the appropriation to the organizer of the sporting event. Why are we asking for more than $3 million if we didn't spend more than $3 million? Why are we doing this after the event has occurred, and how are we appropriating funds to 2026 given the terms of the MOU?

[01:19:37] Thank you for that question. Again, Christina Wynn. So the challenge with this particular state grant is the fact that the governor didn't sign the budget until later, and we were running up against a deadline of appropriating these funds.

[01:19:58] And so we had to work with Virginia Tourism Corporation to get this MOU executed and signed before the tournament, knowing that we couldn't get on this agenda until June 24th for you all to publicly consider this grant.

[01:20:20] The reason it's fiscal year 26 is that by the time that we actually get the money from VTC, it's likely that it's going to be after the 30th, and so it'll be in the new fiscal year, and we need it to accommodate for that because of the timing.

[01:20:36] Did I answer all your questions? And the delta between the $2.45 expended and the $3 million will go where? So the $2.75 million goes directly to LiveGolf. So do the Saudis. That is an arrangement, an agreement between the state and LiveGolf.

[01:20:58] Anything else? All right, seeing there's no one else, do you want to make a motion, Supervisor Rear? All right. Does someone want to make a motion?

[01:21:15] Anyone? Come on, we need to move forward. Move to approve. All right. I have angry because I heard him, and then I'll give Gordie, you want to do the second? Yep. Okay. Yeah. Say yes, Gordie. Tell me. All right. I'm very angry Gordie today.

[01:21:32] All right. So let's go ahead and take a vote.

[01:21:55] Mine disappeared. I'm a yes. I'm a yes. Motion passes. Seven to one. Supervisor Weir voting nay. All right. And five aye. Supervisor Bob, what say you?

[01:22:12] Could the Commonwealth's attorney approach, please? I'm sorry. Five aye. 5L. 5L as in lovely. Ms. Ashworth, when we met in my office, it was my understanding there was going to be a clawback of some portion of the money budgeted to your office to be offset by this $10 million.

[01:22:33] Unless I missed it, I don't see it in this resolution or budget amendment. This is just two. Something roughly $460,000, as I recall. So this one, hold on, I'm going to jump in, maybe county attorney. This is simply to accept budget and appropriate.

[01:22:49] We haven't, I know she has made the rounds about some things that she wants to do to, for lack of a better word, some changes that she's going to make, and I think it might have a de minimis impact, but this is simply to accept the money from the Compensation Board.

[01:23:10] Madam Chair, I've been assured by staff and Ms. Ashworth that there would be a certain clawback and a budget amendment associated with this, and I don't see it. I'll just leave it at that. Mr. Shorter, did you have anything you want to say on that? No, I think you've said it. So the funding is an appropriation.

[01:23:28] It's a state comp work appropriation. The Commonwealth Attorney is using it as allowed for the FTEs. You will notice in the item that there's $120,000 in addition to what the state is appropriating from forfeiture funds to add to this value so that there is enough funds to cover the cost of the additional FTEs being requested. So in terms of a clawback, I'm not aware unless there was a specific conversation between the two of you. Did you have anything? Did you want to obviously add? So I think what

[01:24:08] we're asking is that we combine that money from the state comp board with the money that was previously designated for my office add those together and it will fund the 10 positions of the comp board is this what you're understanding that does not track with my understanding madam chair okay all right well do you have any other questions for the coming with attorney no ma'am all right we can settle this you know because it was my understanding is again that we are going to

[01:24:43] be accepting this money and that she does have enough to cover the positions that she wanted and And I don't recall, because you've met with me as well, any discussion of a callback? I don't know if anyone else has any questions, because if not, we'll just go. Oh, Supervisor Vega. Thank you, Madam Chair.

[01:24:58] Ms. Ashworth, thank you for being here, and thank you for reaching out to my office. You and I met in your office where you discussed the situation that you found yourself in. For the record and for the sake of the public here and watching at home, I think it's important for you to kind of really quickly let us know how we got here and how perhaps a request that is being made is, in fact, something that was out of your hands.

[01:25:20] Yes. So after I was here last time and the board voted on the budget for 2026, the state compensation board then allocated the 70 positions they had for across the state, and they awarded Prince William County 10 positions for $858,000 ongoing each year.

[01:25:42] We worked with the budget staff and tried to figure out how we could do that. And what we did is combined it with the money previously allocated for positions in our staff. And the shortfall was about $120,000 for one-time costs, which we were able to pay for out of forfeiture funds.

[01:26:07] So I think the delta was about $10,000, but that was only if every position was filled every calendar day of the year. And given we already have people starting new positions in September, I think we've covered that delta.

[01:26:26] Any other questions? If not, I'd like to get a motion to move this forward. So moved. Second. So that is Bailey Bode. Any other questions? Because you may have a seat. Thank you. Does anyone in discussion? Because if not, we'll just go ahead and take a vote.

[01:26:45] Motion passes 7 to 1. Supervisor Weir voting nay. All right. Thank you very much. We are going to now move on to public comment time. Right now, we have one person who has signed up to speak for public comment time, Lori Lee.

[01:27:07] You, looks like this might be your first time here, so go to the back right there. Just state your name, where you generally reside. Make sure the microphone, you can adjust it so that we can hear you. You have three minutes to speak on any topic that you choose, and right up there is going to be a timer with three minutes.

[01:27:23] Okay, I am Lori Lee. I live in... Bring it to you a little closer. A little closer. I am Lori Lee. in the Potomac District. My concern is a conversation that there might be a data center put into the east part of Prince William County, the Dumfries 234 area. Recently, I came across an article that talked about an admission from data centers called particulate matter. The article stated, and of course, because I know this is out there, I read the article. It stated

[01:27:58] that this particulate matter, there's no safe amount of it. They cited a Harvard study and that said it was particularly dangerous. There also, I checked, there is a study on particulate matter from Harvard. There's also one from EPA. This stuff can travel hundreds and hundreds of miles.

[01:28:24] Now, Prince William County is a total of 340 square miles. Technically, that means everyone in the county of Prince William could be affected. Some of the links are to premature heart attack, increased risk of cancer, autism, and birth defects.

[01:28:47] Is that something we want in the county of Prince William? Does the increased tax revenue offset the harm that it could do to people? And furthermore, I do not know at what point, because I can't find any research, at what point this matter is no longer dangerous.

[01:29:12] What if it lands in farmers' fields, in orchards? Will it impact our food, therefore even giving us greater damage? Thank you. Thank you so very much.

[01:29:28] I do not have anyone else who has signed up to speak in person. Supervisor Bailey, if you would like to go ahead and do remote. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. Shall we begin? Okay. Well, thank you for your service. I see you this afternoon.

[01:29:46] Okay, Madam Chair, back to you. Thank you. We are on to agenda item number seven, and that is public hearings. We are going to start. I'm going to open the public hearing for 7A, 7B, and 7C. We do not have anyone in person.

[01:30:02] Do we have anyone remote? All right, so I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearings for Agenda Item 7A, 7B, and 7C. Unless anyone has any objections, I was going to take them all at once.

[01:30:20] Madam Chair, as I understand it, 7A does not need to be addressed because it was taken care of. Okay, you're right. Only one property. I'm actually going to do that one separately because I know some people how you feel about quick take.

[01:30:37] So for a quick take, for agenda item number 7A, I'd like to get a motion. Motion to approve, Madam Chair. Second. All right. It's been properly moved and seconded. Any discussion? All right. Let's go ahead and take a vote on 7A.

[01:30:57] Unanimous. All right. Let me just get a motion for 7B and 7C. So moved, Madam Chair. Second. Any discussion? All right. Let's go ahead and take a vote. So unanimous.

[01:31:20] All right. We are now going to agenda item number 8, and that is county executive time. Mr. Schroeder, the floor is yours. Excellent. Thank you very much, Madam Chair, members of the board. A few updates I want to give. So first, in terms of directives, there were no directives issued last week.

[01:31:40] There were three directives closed. Just as a reminder on those directives, earlier this month, you approved a resolution to establish Prince William County Board of Supervisors Legislative Committee. That committee's first meeting will be July 15th at 12.30 p.m. here at the Board Chambers, and the meeting is open certainly to the public.

[01:32:01] Second, you were sent a memo earlier this month that closes out the directive related to developing language that will strengthen the county's towing ordinance and eliminate predatory towing practices. And then third, and with the agenda today, we are closing out the directive to bring forth a resolution to use Potomac District proffer funds for the expansion of the grill room at the Forest Greens Golf Course Clubhouse.

[01:32:29] In terms of other announcements, Madam Chair, I really want to sort of just take a moment to lay out a few things that happened over the last week. One, many of you recall that the board agreed to use ARPA funds to expand broadband in the county.

[01:32:48] The project was intended to deliver high-speed fiber-optic Internet to 474 previously underserved and or unserved areas in the county. Happy to report that the project is complete, five months ahead of schedule and under budget.

[01:33:08] We are among just a few jurisdictions in Virginia to achieve high-speed broadband availability countywide, closing the digital divide for residents and businesses here in Prince William County. It's a huge accomplishment, and I just want to give a big acknowledgement to do it and all of the staff that played a part in this process.

[01:33:30] I also want to acknowledge and just express real pride to share that the county's Child Advocacy Center, or CAC, has received full national accreditation from the National Children's Alliance.

[01:33:46] This accreditation is recognition of the county's commitment to trauma-informed child-focused services for victims of abuse. It is worth noting that the accreditation process typically spans five years, yet the county CAC earned full accreditation in just three, a rare accomplishment for a center undergoing first-time review.

[01:34:10] National reviewers routinely place new centers in pending status to allow time for corrections and adjustments. So just want to thank the social services team for the phenomenal work in delivering the highest quality standard for children and families here in Prince William County who suffer from or are impacted by abuse.

[01:34:30] Next, Madam Chair, I wanted to just acknowledge that earlier this month, our Office of Community Safety hosted the first ever inaugural Community Safety Innovations Symposium. The symposium brought together public safety professionals, health experts, researchers, government leaders from across the region and really across the country.

[01:34:56] There were some that came from as far away as Arizona to participate in panel discussions, breakout sessions, addressing critical safety issues such as domestic violence, gang activity, human trafficking, and emergency communications. Experts share innovative approaches to geospatial data, trauma-informed care, and coordinated response models to improve prevention and intervention and recovery efforts across our jurisdiction.

[01:35:24] Very proud of the work that the team did in pulling that kind of effort together. Our communications team put together a great clip, a video clip, just highlighting the work. And maybe, Shane, if you don't mind pulling it up now, I just wanted to make sure that the board saw what the communications team did to highlight the event.

[01:35:50] Maybe if you hit recommended settings. ...symposium at the Potomac Science Center at George Mason University.

[01:36:14] We created this symposium to bring together professionals to discuss best practices and to really learn from each other. Everyone is here to talk about coordinated response. It's how multi-agencies come together to address safety issues within the county.

[01:36:30] Walking into this room today is pretty inspiring. We know that it takes a multidisciplinary approach to violence prevention, violence intervention. And so walking into this room, seeing uniformed officers, seeing practitioners, seeing folks who are coming from many different places in our government is exactly where we need to be.

[01:36:56] Oftentimes when we look at a problem within the community or we look at a safety issue, Many agencies are looking at it from their perspective, right, and only that perspective. But if we have an opportunity to broaden it and to bring in more agencies to respond, we have a real opportunity to innovate and think creatively about how we solve those issues.

[01:37:17] This is a testament to the investment by the Board of County Supervisors and our county exec is making into safety in the county. We are also in a position now where we're seeing our systems evolve. And so what that means is coordinated response.

[01:37:34] What that means is a co-response. What it certainly means is mental health services. And certainly what it means is a convener like each of you in serving like our office, community, safety. We are a need people, business. And on the case of all of us, whether we're uniformed or not, we have come into this work to serve and to make our communities better.

[01:38:02] Thank you very much. So you could see certainly the pride I have in this work and the fact that our office was able to pull together so many professionals in this way, very inspiring. Next, I also want to highlight that earlier this month, the second annual Procurement Expo.

[01:38:23] So this event was absolutely phenomenal. Supervisor Angry also attended the event, the Procurement Expo. I just want to acknowledge and appreciate him for attending. There were over 25 agencies participating, nearly 300 businesses here in Prince William County who attended, learning about the needs of our county agencies, how to do business in the county government, and I really want to thank and acknowledge the entire procurement team for the work of pulling that event together.

[01:38:52] We do not see that very often in other jurisdictions, And I just really want to commend the team for wanting to strengthen the relationship that we have with our business community. And in that, the communications team also did a buzz clip on the Procurement Expo.

[01:39:12] Shane, if you could pull that one up as well. I wanted to welcome you back and to welcome our new vendors and business partners here today.

[01:39:42] This expo is one of many opportunities to freely exchange information on the goods and services that the county is looking to procure and what the vendor community has to offer. I hope that when you leave here today, you look beyond the next contracting opportunity to see the human impact and how your partnership with the county improves our communities and strengthens our economy.

[01:40:08] today is the kind of day where we know that we cannot do this as a government alone so whether you are here you're a construction contractor you are a general contractor or you're here to provide more professional services support whatever that might be know that there is a place for you here in this county and we wanted to make sure that you know that the procurement expo so far has been amazing today.

[01:40:45] I have actually never been a part of one of these before and I found out about it and I was like, I need to get there because we do a lot of contracting with localities within the state of Virginia. And so I thought this would be perfect to just gain some knowledge from the different panels and then also just networking with people.

[01:41:03] I'm leaving the expo knowing, okay, I'm moving in the right direction and I'm understanding kind of where the market is heading to. This is great. I was here last year as well.

[01:41:19] Loved it this year. Loved the improvements. I feel like Shaina and her team, they handle it really well. Loved that. Between the matchmaking sessions and everything here, it's been fantastic. Yeah, it was great. It was awesome to get to meet everyone, make different connections, and kind of hear more about everyone's parts here.

[01:41:37] I want to say thank you for the procurement, Prince William, to give us an opportunity. I think it was a great experience. It was fantastic the way they laid that out, and we have an opportunity and time to talk to the procurement officers.

[01:41:57] And I felt that the people can hear us. This is the best free event. It was fantastic. Yeah.

[01:42:15] So, again, as you can see, a lot to be proud of, excited about in terms of the work that's happening across the board, but certainly wanted to just acknowledge today our community safety office and our procurement team for doing the work that they should, and that is engaging community.

[01:42:34] And I want to acknowledge the communications team for putting together such great videos to highlight the work. Yep. Also wanted to just take a moment to recognize the finance team, in particular the financial reporting and control division for their work on the county's annual comprehensive financial report, or the ACFER.

[01:42:56] The county, once again, is the recipient of the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the ACFER. This is, as you know, the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting.

[01:43:11] This is the 44th consecutive year that the county has received this prestigious award. So big acknowledgement to the finance team for the just phenomenal work that they did and continue to do with the ACFER. And then finally, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge and recognize the tremendous work that Maria Burgos and the Employee Resource Group did, as well as Supervisor Angry and the work that he did with the community to pull together our first ever Juneteenth event with the community.

[01:43:50] It was a tremendous, tremendous success. We understand just before I walked in from PD, just under 5,000, yes, attendees. Just a phenomenal number of community came out to celebrate 31 volunteers, 16 performances.

[01:44:15] Just the count goes on and on. Rain did not, as I was driving into the event, it poured, it started pouring down right at four. And I thought for sure that I would come and there would be no one here. And I walked in and it was full.

[01:44:34] The courtyard was full of community residents, visitors, vendors, volunteers, entertainment, ready to celebrate. So just want to acknowledge the phenomenal work that was done, incredible work of our employee resource group and the employees that played a part in this process.

[01:44:55] and look forward to continuing. Clearly, the community wants to see this kind of thing here in Prince William County. So with that, Madam Chair, that is all for me. Thank you. Well, I have a few people who want to offer comments. So far as the rear. Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Shorter, I'm sure the answer is yes. But going back to the broadband funding, I'm assuming that the ARPA portion of that was not reduced, and therefore we don't have ARPA funding out there, and if that is true, since it's under budget, how much is going to be returned to the general fund? We're going to ask Michelle to respond. Hi, Michelle

[01:45:34] Adtrade. If you recall, we had the board pass a resolution that gave us authority to administratively move within projects, so any funding that was left over was moved to another IT project, so far we are still completely expended with ARPA. Thank you.

[01:45:53] Alright, Supervisor Vega? I might have missed it. For the legislative committee meeting, you said July 15th What time? At 12.30. 12.30. So it will follow the Finance and Budget Committee meeting. What was that, Supervisor Harnley?

[01:46:10] Thank you, Mr. Shorter. Do remember that the calendar was amended. There will be no work session on that day, so just the two committee meetings. Supervisor Bode. Well, later today. Supervisor Bode.

[01:46:26] Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Chris, and to the team. Just a couple things. I wanted to first give a huge shout-out to Rob Mancini and his team for the broadband initiative. I know that quite a few of us have talked about that for years and for it to come through, under budget, behind schedule, excellent work.

[01:46:42] I do want to say, though, that ahead of schedule. I will say, though, that, yes, it's been accomplished, but that, I think, is ongoing work as we continue to have, you know, folks that, you know, they were underserved, but we also know that there's still parts of the county where folks may not have the highest level of service, and we continue to have to put eyes on that.

[01:47:04] I know that it's actually the first step in looking at other ways in which we can help make sure that there's equity and access to other utilities, Wi-Fi in public spaces, things like that. So I just wanted to highlight that. I wanted, of course, also to thank the procurement folks and HR and everyone else that went into the procurement expo.

[01:47:22] I could not make it, but everyone I talked to said it was a really, really good event. And I really appreciate how it's in this ongoing effort to help us broaden the folks that we're doing business with, frankly, as a county. Because I know that we have a very diverse plethora of vendors out there in our community that want to do business with the county.

[01:47:41] And we should be offering as many opportunities to interface as possible. And last but not least, of course, the Juneteenth and Me event. I, like you, came just as it started the torrential downpour. I know there were some vendors that were like, hey, are we going to stick around for another 20 minutes? How is it going to look?

[01:47:56] And then literally at about 435, the sky cleared up. Beaming sunlight came down. it was the perfect match of cooling it down from being 95 degree weather to a cool day for everyone as i hear it i left around almost close to seven but as we got closer to the fireworks more and more people came through which just shows the community uh uh uh how much they supported the event so i want to give a shout to the entire team that put that together including my seat mates who are angry um and we know that you can only go up from here right so to have 5,000 people show up for an event that was

[01:48:33] really inaugural event and on a day like that knows that that event knows no bounds and shows again the community support. Just wanted to say thank you for all that. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Chris. All right, Supervisor Bailey. Thank you, Madam Chair. Just kudos to Rob for staying the course and keeping his eye on the prize for our IT. I see the work that they do all the time but he had a plan and he followed the plan and he's within under budget and within the plan and so that is important for the growth of this county and so we appreciate you bob and team

[01:49:09] and then for all of the community events that we've had here recently they've been phenomenal and and just to see the increased growth in terms of how we are serving this community says that our diverse community is hungry for engagement and interchange with the county at a different level.

[01:49:32] And so I sincerely appreciate that wholeheartedly as we move forward and we keep our ears to the ground to our community as to what the needs are. I think you and your staff really are doing that in a great way. Even in your videos, you're pulling in the community and what that means.

[01:49:52] And then lastly, for the procurement piece, I'm still getting emails in our office about the procurement piece because these are people that want to live, work, and play here in this community but give back as small businesses or large businesses, but specifically the small businesses.

[01:50:11] They want to give back to the community and feel like they're a partner, and I think that's what your team, especially Nikki's team, when she gives it back out, That's what you're portraying. And so thank you for your hard work. Thank you for partnering with us on the board.

[01:50:27] When we have a request, you try your best to fulfill it. And it's not always yes, but it's in the middle of the road, and we like that. Thank you. All right. Thank you so very much. And, again, Juneteenth was an excellent event. I want to thank everyone who's involved, again, including Supervisor Angry, who made the vision come true.

[01:50:49] So thank you very much. We are going to go on to agenda item number nine, and that is county attorney time. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the board. This afternoon in closed session, we will have consultation and discussion with legal counsel and briefings by staff members pertaining to the acquisition of real property for a public purpose.

[01:51:06] With the accompanying legal advice from counsel and briefings by staff members pertaining to actual litigation of circuit court case number CL2500517200 and regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel regarding land acquisition of property interests for the right-of-way located at 13920 Noblewood Plaza, owned by Truist Bank, for the Minerville Road-Prince William County Interchange Project.

[01:51:36] With such, consultation and briefing in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position, negotiating strategy, or litigating posture of the public body. And we will have a personnel discussion relating to the appointment or designation for the voting delegate for the 2025 National Association of Counties, the NACO Annual Conference and Business Meeting.

[01:51:55] These items are appropriate for closed session pursuant to 2.2-3711A137 and 8 of the Code of Virginia. Move for approval. Second. All right, it's been properly moved and seconded. Let's go ahead and take a vote. Vote unanimous.

[01:52:16] All right, thank you. We're now moving on to agency time. Mr. Shorter. I'm sorry. Sorry. Before, thank you, Madam Chair. Before the board considers and votes on item 10A, which is an agreement with the schools for the use of school buses by the county, I need to declare a personal interest in this matter.

[01:52:33] My wife is a school's employee. As a school's employee, my wife and I are members of a group which is affected by these matters. While I will be participating in these matters because I'm able to do so fairly, objectively in the public interest. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, before the board considers and votes on item 10A, which is an agreement with the schools for the use of school buses by the county, I need to declare a personal interest in this matter.

[01:52:58] My wife is a special education instructional aide with the schools. As a school's employee, my wife and I are members of a group which is affected by this matter. I will be participating in this matter because I am able to do so fairly, objectively, and in the public interest. Thank you, Madam Chair.

[01:53:14] All right. Thank you so very much. Mr. Shorter. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. So, Madam Chair, this is not going to be a presentation, but I will ask Seth to come up and just give a quick background on the request, the authorization request, and then to take any questions.

[01:53:32] Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members of the Board. Seth Hendler-Voss, your Director of Parks and Recreation. So the item before you today is an agreement with the school division for providing transportation services for county program needs, mainly summer camps and special events such as the Holiday Walk of Lights.

[01:53:54] This is a longstanding partnership that predates my time back to the Park Authority days. Every three years, we come to the Board to execute a new agreement. The current agreement expires on June 30, and all of the terms from the last agreement are largely intact.

[01:54:11] The one big change is that the school division is increasing their rates for both the drivers and the mileage, and these rates have not been changed since at least 2014. So the rates for the drivers are going up from $32 to $55 per hour, and the mileage rate is increasing from $150 a mile to $250 a mile.

[01:54:31] When we brought this item to you all back on March 18th, we were asked to confirm that the rates were direct costs, not marked up costs on top of the direct costs. And so since then, we've been able to confirm that with the school division.

[01:54:47] The rates that you see in the staff report and resolution are direct costs only. And we're also able to look at the private market to make sure that the rates from the schools are most competitive. And we found that the private market rates were significantly higher than what the schools is providing.

[01:55:03] And we're also able to compare these rates against peer agencies, and we've found that the rates are competitive. The school board approved this agreement back on June 4th. Happy to answer any questions you have. Come on now.

[01:55:23] No questions, anyone? All right. Thank you. I mean, all right. Motion to approve 10A, Madam Chair. This was like a race.

[01:55:38] Boaty, Gordy, any discussion? All right, let's go ahead. Vote unanimous. All right, Madam Chair.

[01:55:54] Oh, I'm sorry. We're good. So with Item 10B, we're going to ask Director Washington to come up. This will actually be a presentation. In this item, we are requesting a board's authorization to transfer funding from contingency.

[01:56:14] And Director Washington is going to walk us through a few slides to give some background on the request.

[01:56:30] Good afternoon, Madam Chair and members of the board. Tanya Washington with the Planning Office. We are here today to request the board's approval of the transfer of $185,000 from contingency to the planning office for the data center opportunity zone overlay district boundary study.

[01:56:57] To provide some background for this request, this will help to implement Directive 24-23 that we received last year. On December 17th, 2024, the Board of County Supervisors directed staff to bring forward a resolution to initiate a zoning map amendment to remove nine areas recommended for removal from the data center opportunity zone overlay district, as well as to initiate a zoning map amendment for the DCOZOD boundary and to conduct a broad analysis of the overlay

[01:57:36] district to inform the Board's decisions on the zoning map amendment. Some of the items that we discussed as part of considerations for the boundary study included proximity to residences in schools, the impact on other industrial uses, as well as the Innovation Park District in terms of space for future growth for science and tech industries.

[01:58:00] Staff also presented a proposed process for the boundary study that included consultant assistance to conduct an in-depth analysis of approved data center applications in existing sites within the overlay district, public engagement, review by DORAC and a planning commission, and finally recommendations to the board.

[01:58:23] On May 13th of this year, the board initiated a zoning map amendment to the data center opportunity zone overlay district map within a zoning ordinance. This amendment aims to review the overlay district boundary and determine which properties should be removed.

[01:58:39] To support this effort, consultant services will be required to analyze affected properties and provide removal recommendations based on proximity to residential areas, parks, and schools. This analysis also will assess the impact of potential changes on existing under-construction and under-review data centers.

[01:58:59] In terms of the anticipated scope of work, we intend to develop a baseline of existing parcels within an overlay district with future data center development potential, Looking at existing zoning, including proffers, as well as comprehensive plan recommendations to identify impacts on residential areas, schools, and parks, and to ultimately develop recommendations to include proposed changes to the overlay district boundary.

[01:59:32] Staff recommends that the board approve the transfer of $185,000 from FY25 contingency to the planning office to fund the overlay district boundary study, as well as to authorize the budget and appropriation of the transferred funds in fiscal year 2026.

[01:59:54] The proposed consultant services will enable the planning office to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the overlay district boundary. The findings will support the planning office in advancing the initiated zoning map amendment for the board's consideration. In addition to our request for the funding transfer from contingency, the staff is also requesting some additional board guidance.

[02:00:21] Staff sees the need for a broader discussion with and further guidance from the board regarding policy objectives related to managing data center development. Current efforts to manage the impacts of data center development focus on specific zoning and regulatory tools which are interconnected, such as the noise ordinance update, development standards updates, as well as the overlay district boundary setting.

[02:00:46] Staff requests holding a facilitated discussion with the board at a future date to provide policy guidance. And just to provide some additional consideration in terms of the staff's thinking of why we are making this recommendation to hold a more broader policy discussion, as noted, the current efforts that the staff have been focusing on, again, the noise ordinance, boundary study for the overlay district, as well as the development standards, they're focused on specific tools that ultimately implement specific policy objectives.

[02:01:18] And from a staff's perspective, we understand the board's focus on mitigating the negative impacts of data centers on residential areas, for example, in schools. But in terms of thinking about options for the board's consideration in terms of the tools, whether it's through the zoning ordinance or other ordinances, there's actually a broader range of tools that might be available for your consideration.

[02:01:43] But in order to figure out what those tools are and how they should be designed, the staff feels the need to get a better understanding of the board's broader policy objectives at this point in terms of data center development and managing that development.

[02:01:58] And so this, we felt that this was a time to kind of take a step back and have a broader policy discussion because then we can help to identify and craft some tools that can meet the policy objectives, the larger policy objectives. So that concludes our presentation and happy to answer any questions.

[02:02:16] All right. Thank you so very much. And I want to agree. We do need to take a step back and have that greater, that larger policy discussion. You know, I've spoken to Mr. Shorter about having a data center work session in the fall so that we can better discuss the noise ordinance, you know, the overlay study, and et cetera.

[02:02:37] I do have problems with this. I have problems with this because I'm worried about it becoming a Stantec 2.0. You know, I'm the one who made the directive, and I realize that it takes time and effort to do these things well. But looking around me and also looking at neighboring jurisdictions like Loudoun where they did get rid of by right data center construction.

[02:03:00] And that's something I'm moving towards. So for this right now in this moment, I don't want to spend any additional money because I do want to have the larger policy discussion. And I do really want to have a frank talk about what by right development looks like and the impact on communities.

[02:03:19] I mean, data centers have been good in terms of revenue generation. And to be honest, yes, you know, our taxes are being held down because of data centers and because we're finally taxing them at an appropriate rate. But I do worry that we are kicking the can down the road.

[02:03:37] We have a lot of stuff that's in the queue, a lot of stuff that's looking at development. We've got to have this discussion sooner rather than later. But I do appreciate your work. You know, we've discussed this previously. We discussed this last year, which is my first year in office. I'm just worried about the increased growth of data centers, and we are looking at some potential applications coming up that are outside of the overlay.

[02:03:58] So with that, I have Supervisor Vega then Gordy. Thank you, Madam Chair. I think the jury is still out on whether or not taxes are being lowered because of the revenue generated by the data center industry. We heard that loud and clear last night, again, at the town hall, that Supervisor Gordy and I, along with Delegate Lovejoy, the sentiment that they voiced.

[02:04:19] But I do think that right now would be the appropriate time to talk about the existence of the overlay. I know that there's been interest by some supervisors on this day as to undo the overlay district. So I'm not sure if investing almost $200,000 is the best course of action.

[02:04:40] But, you know, certainly want to hear from my colleagues and or see if maybe we incorporate that portion also in this right now. what would it mean, right, if the overlay didn't exist anymore? I've heard from some folks that they do believe that the overlay no longer serves the purpose by which it was founded.

[02:04:58] And so if that's the case, you know, we would like some of that information to also come from the planning office, Ms. Washington, or maybe expand on that scope. I'm not sure, but again, I do think that we need to have that conversation, and I'd be curious to see where we land as to whether or not, you know, we go down this path, or if we revisit, you know, the idea of doing away with the overlay altogether.

[02:05:24] Supervisor Gordy. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Supervisor Vega. Yeah, the overlay has outlived its useful purpose. It was identified because all the infrastructure needed to support data center development was there.

[02:05:41] It's no longer there. In my community, as we had 100 people show up last night, because people who are miles away from the data center overlay are being impacted by data centers because of their power requirements. So continuing to allow by-right development of these buildings in Prince William County, and the fact that we already have 90 million already approved and only 10 million square feet of them operational,

[02:06:14] and those are round numbers, but it just demonstrates the magnitude of what's still to come that has even yet to be built. And yet, we can still allow these things to be built by right without understanding the full impact of these, even for people. And again, the power lines we were talking about last night, the people are being impacted because of decisions in Loudoun County, in Loudoun County. But we still haven't felt the full impact of all the decisions of this board the previous board and the board before that and so um i think the the data center overlay

[02:06:53] has outlived its useful purpose and trying to figure out which parcels to take out i think is is is spending time on trying to avoid what we really need to do and that's just end by right development of data centers uh in prince william county and that's my point of view thank you all right i don't see anyone else i do have a quick question though because the contingency funds if we use this how much would we have left i believe it would we would be dangerously low like around eight thousand left if we took this out anyone with the calculator i would need to uh check uh in terms of the current value of the contingency fund i could provide that information for planning

[02:07:33] okay i mean that's not you know it's not gonna be urgent i'm sorry i'm sorry what'd you say michelle a treat got the answer michelle i don't have that answer but i just say it does lapse at your end anyway and then you with the new fiscal year you have a new contingency all right any Any other questions?

[02:07:54] Madam Chair, if I may, just some additional considerations for the board and also in response to some of the comments that were just made. Just a reminder that these funds will go away at the end of this fiscal year. And so if we are to do some type of study that will need consultant assistance, we wanted to use this opportunity to take advantage of funds without having to go back to the board to request new money as part of the board, the budget process.

[02:08:21] With regards to the current data center overlay district, if you wouldn't mind, I'm going to put on my planning professional, sort of planning professor as if I was in graduate school hat, and this is something, again, that we intend and would like to discuss further with the board at this future facilitated discussion.

[02:08:40] The overlay districts in and of themselves are a tool that do whatever it is you want it to do based off of whatever policy objectives, again, you want to accomplish. the way the current data center overlay district is set up was set up to accomplish certain policy objectives, which we believe understand.

[02:08:59] And there's concerns about and questions as to whether or not those policy objectives are still relevant, if there are other needs that the county wants to address through how it manages data center development. But I mention that only to say, to kind of reiterate that there is a broader range of potential tools of what the county, what the board could pursue in terms of managing data centers.

[02:09:26] It isn't just a matter of, do you keep the data center overlay district as it is, or you get rid of it? You could, and I'm just saying very hypothetically, just generally speaking with overlay districts, they can do a lot of different things. We use overlay districts to create historic districts.

[02:09:42] There are overlay districts that are created to not only incentivize a certain type of activity in an area, but also to restrict a certain type of activity in a particular area with specific, sometimes additional zoning standards compared to other parts of a jurisdiction.

[02:10:03] There may be, if you do get rid of the overlay district, then there's the larger question, which is related to the larger siting issue, where then should data centers go? Not just how close they shouldn't be to homes and schools, but do you want them to only go in certain zones? Do you want them to go in other parts of the county? But I'm raising this because these are the things that we feel we need to discuss with the board, but also to help, you know, to help. Really, I think our intent is something that we do at community meetings for small area plans and those type of efforts. In the early stages, we do a lot of community engagement and

[02:10:43] it's really more listening. And sometimes we will do facilitated meetings where we come up with a set of questions, and the intent is to pose the questions and to see, to get responses, ideas, feedback, to help generate ideas or other matters that we should consider in developing that plan.

[02:11:03] And so the staff feels that that might be, we feel that that would be a useful process to use with the board where we can come up with a set of questions for you all to consider in terms of these larger potential policy issues. So we're not thinking of coming to this future session with a set of answers or proposed answers for the board.

[02:11:26] But really here is the sort of broad range of questions that come to us and that we feel would be helpful to get the board's input on it, but not to design a specific solution at this time, but really to kind of, again, take that bigger step back and think much more broadly.

[02:11:43] And then that will be helpful and informative for us in then doing the future, the additional work in terms of looking at siting, looking at the development standards, looking at other matters and other ways to manage data center development.

[02:11:59] With regards to the current boundary study, again, this is a directive that we received last year as an expedited directive. So the board wishes for staff to either press pause or to not move forward with that directive, it will be helpful to get that guidance from the board. One other thing to note is that with regards to the scope of the boundary study, we intend to work with Moseley Architects with whom the staff is already working on the update to the development standards. And so we can

[02:12:34] make the scope broader. So looking at the overlay district, but making it broader to look at some of these larger issues, you know, based off of the further guidance we get to the board. So I just wanted to offer all of that for your consideration i don't know i'm sorry um mr shortage you have something because i know dave sinclair spoke to you i don't know if you had an update or no you're good no dave mentioned what michelle mentioned that we are at the end of the budget year and that the contingency fund will re-up if you will at the start of the new year on july 1 okay thank you and then we have supervisor vega then gordy thank you madam chair and thank you for that uh miss washington i do believe though that we're at a crossroads everything that you

[02:13:14] mentioned is already happening. The overlay was in fact a tool, but that tool is no longer one that we can keep in the toolbox, if you will, because applications outside of the overlay district have come in and gone with more that continue to come. So at what point, you know, do we keep talking about this tool that we no longer really have control over and lean in a direction of where We're, in fact, looking at this holistically, right?

[02:13:40] And so I don't know if, again, the best course of action is to allocate these funds for this. But to that point, what happens to the... You said that if we don't use this funding, we can't roll it over for the next fiscal year.

[02:13:58] Is that what you said? That is correct. It will fall to the bottom line. And ultimately, the board will make decisions on any surplus dollars that we have at the end of the budget year. But we do not carry over contingency account dollars.

[02:14:17] Yeah, understood. I'm not disagreeing with anything that you said. But I just want to reiterate that all of this is already happening. And at what point does the overlay, do we have to reevaluate the overlay district?

[02:14:34] Thank you. Supervisor Gordy. Thank you, Ms. Washington, for everything that you said. I agree with Supervisor Vega yet again on everything that she just said. And in terms of timing, can you get to, what are we talking about?

[02:14:52] Are we talking about two years? Are we talking about six months? What are we talking about? In terms of having a facilitated discussion or to produce? Just for what we're asking for here with this study that you're looking at, getting the funding for and going through this, what do you see as sort of the target that we're trying to hit in terms of a date of completion?

[02:15:13] So when we received the directive last year, we did produce a memo that we sent to the board with a proposed process and timeline, and obviously that time period has shifted. But ultimately, because it would result in a zoning map amendment, which requires board action. It would have to go through direct review, planning commission review, and the board. But I believe we were looking at somewhere up to a year to complete the whole process, including going through the public review process. That's my recollection. But again,

[02:15:50] you know, we can revisit that. But if in terms of as a deliverable from the boundary study being a zoning map amendment that will that will have to go through the you know public review process which has its own additional timelines okay um yeah i mean we've been talking about some of these things for you know with the stantec going back you know when we're talking years now and looking

[02:16:19] for another year um at some point we got to make a decision thank you supervisor body thank you madam chair and to dovetail off of a supervisor gordy's question because he asked the main question that I had, which is what does the timeline look like? I know you sent us a memo, but like you said, it's sort of shifted. It sounds like there isn't consensus yet on the board on whether or not we want to support this. I want to support it because I think this will help accelerate our processes and not decelerate them. Let's say that the board decides not to fund

[02:16:54] the boundary study. What happens? Well, we can certainly, if the board is supportive, hold this facilitated sort of broader policy discussion with the board. But in terms of doing a study that the staff feels consultant services will be needed we will have to come back to the board and still request funding for that and we'll still have to go through whatever the time period it will take to to complete that study and to bring some type of recommendation to the board for action. Sure and my second and final question Madam Chair thank you for that

[02:17:26] Ms. Washington. On that note to a question that Suarez or Vega asked how much would it be an onerous thing to add to the scope of this, looking at the good, the bad, the SWOT analysis, the pros and cons of one of the considerations being removing the overlay outright? We can certainly include that as part of the scope. And would that need to make any additional allocation?

[02:17:52] What does that look like? At this point, at this point, I would say we don't have a specific number if any additional funding would be needed, but we can certainly work within the budget that we are, the funding that we're requesting for that.

[02:18:10] Thank you. Supervisor Bailey. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for your presentation, Director Washington. I certainly support what you're recommending about the future date and concurrence with what's been said in terms of us making good decisions as we go forward.

[02:18:32] One of the things that I think should be included as well, and it may be a part of that already, But there's a vested interest in the buy-right component of this. And we keep talking about it, and some of us understand it from the past, and some of us understand it from the present, but we need to have a collective understanding of it so that we can make good decisions about the buy-right component.

[02:19:02] So that's something that I'm really interested in. So it doesn't, the decisions that we make are not, it's based on facts and how it folds over into this. So I just want to make sure that that's included if it's not already because I think that's really important.

[02:19:22] We can certainly do that. Okay, thank you. Supervisor Vega. Just a quick follow-up. If the majority on the board decides not to allocate the 185 for the original directive that was issued, can our staff, without the need of hiring outside guidance, Give us any feedback on the conversation that we've been having in regards to the overlay district itself.

[02:19:50] I would say given our current workload and other directives that are already in the queue, some of which we've already started working on, it would take us longer to really complete the work that we feel would need to be completed, just given other demands on staff time.

[02:20:07] So that is why we really would like to have a consultant assistance to do this analysis. Again, we are already working with Moseley Architects, and so they already have a familiarity with the current standards and other tools that the county has with regards to data centers.

[02:20:25] So I understand your question, but just, you know, being realistic, it would take us longer to complete this work. Thank you. So I want to close it out because I'm the one who issued the directorate and asked to be expedited. My concern, it's actually twofold.

[02:20:42] One, I do want to have the larger discussion, and I don't know what's going to come out of the larger discussion. And so that's why I'm hesitant to vote for this funding. I mean, we can always come back after that larger discussion and ask for this funding. We've got to act on this issue, you know, and that's not just so much for you and your staff, but more or less for the people sitting up here who are elected on this dais.

[02:21:06] Data centers are our biggest land use issue. They're our biggest land use controversy. We have a lot of people who are being impacted by this, you know, who feel it's too close to their homes, who have a lot of questions. and there's a lot of fear out there you know my recommendation or my suggestion again take it forward you know what it's worth it's free um you different members of this board i would personally like to have that larger discussion and then vote on the you know make a decision which way to move but you know let's go ahead and take a vote on this and see where that lands but i can you know

[02:21:43] mr shordan have had that conversation i'm sorry oh yeah we don't have we don't have to take a vote on money well i'm going to get there can it be um all right there's so much chatter up here um you know it's going to be have to be a decision for the board again data centers don't impact everyone's district equally there are some districts that are impacted more but for members of this board we vote on things that impact the entire county and i just ask the people when you make your decisions on data centers or other land use cases

[02:22:23] think about how you would feel if it impacted your community. But with that, I would like to go ahead and entertain a motion for 10-A, I mean 10-B. So moved, Madam Chair. Second. So that's Bailey and Bodie. Let's go ahead. Is there any further discussion? Let's see. I have Weir and Bodie. Madam Chair, you're absolutely right. This is kicking the can down the road. We're jumping back on the hamster wheel yet again. I believe Supervisor Franklin issued a directive on this issue three years ago? Was it you? Three years ago. There have been more discussions, directive,

[02:23:01] potential policy guidance, questions over the last five years that if staff hasn't got the direction yet, I'm curious if you're ever going to get it. With respect to the actual directive in discussion, this regards the overlay district boundaries. And I would suggest that any consideration of the overlay boundaries should include a discussion, deliberation, option to eliminate. We shouldn't have to be telling you to include that as an option. More money for a study,

[02:23:40] another $200,000. What about the money for the Comboin study, the Stantec study? I could go on and on. Some of them which were pigeonholed by staff for two years. How many studies do you need? How many times do we need to study the same properties?

[02:23:58] We all know which ones they are. And how many times are we going to deliberate adding stuff to it just to make it easier so somebody's got to buy right use? How many times are we going to ignore what public input we've already gotten?

[02:24:14] Multiple public input meetings over the last couple of years, whether it's actual discussion or whether it's post-it notes where they put their thoughts up on a board staff just collects them and does nothing with them. Town hall sessions. You know, this, to my understanding, this issue was tasked to DCOAG and for Citizens Impact, and that hadn't happened yet.

[02:24:43] Yeah, DCOAG has been mired in noise, but before we start going down this road, maybe we should have them sort through what we've already got before we add, like in the noise ordinance, It's a third round of consultants to muddy the picture anymore. To me, this is just more money and more delay, delay, delay, and delay.

[02:25:04] Nobody wants to address the issue. The principal tool we have right now is the overlay, and I know all about it. I wrote it. I drew it.

[02:25:22] And if anybody up here is qualified to say that it's outdated, it's me. I was drafted in 2015 under a completely different set of circumstances, and with circumstances now that didn't exist then.

[02:25:38] It is well past time. Sighting is the principal issue. Let's not fool ourselves. All we're doing is creating more by-right sighting. We can't address by-right sighting, and we can't address sighting elsewhere in the county until we address the overlay, and then change the other ordinances.

[02:26:00] We are so far behind the eight ball on this, and we're going to take two more years to do this. Somebody explained to me why Loudon and Fairfax didn't six months start to finish. Are they that much better than us? With respect to impacts, I wasn't at last night's town hall meeting.

[02:26:23] But I would suggest that, I believe what Supervisor Gordy said, holds true for every district in this county. There are power lines coming to your districts, every one of yours. And they don't necessarily involve Prince William County. I think the two districts on the East End are going to be impacted by the Possum Point wreck and rebuild.

[02:26:45] And that power ain't going to Prince William County. All of that power is going to Spotsy and Stafford. But it's going through our neighborhoods. And I'm not going to support it, and I would hope you don't support destroying people's qualities of lives by increasing the size of the power towers going through their yards as well as the size of the easements.

[02:27:10] We've got a particular issue in the Gainesville and Brentsville districts right now. Morrisville, the Wishing Star, they're already adding to it. They're already taking 60 to 100 feet on the east side of the line. Now they're adding another 100 feet of easement.

[02:27:29] We need to get ahead of this. We need to get ahead of this now. We need to stop delaying. We need to get off our butts, get the work done. And I don't want to hear anything about funding or staffing. Over the last two years, we've given you more staffing. Over my objections.

[02:27:45] And in areas I didn't believe they belong. But you've got it. Let's get it done. Supervisor Bodie. Thank you, Madam Chair. First and foremost, I wanted to thank Ms. Washington and our planning staff for their continuing to bring us these structured check-ins.

[02:28:00] I think that many of us, and certainly our constituents, are frustrated that meaningful updated policies around data center development has taken longer than anyone anticipated. I appreciate that our planning staff, including Ms. Washington, is committed to transparency and that we are still moving toward reform, even if it's taken more time than anticipated.

[02:28:18] I will be supporting this request to transfer the boundary study as long as it's, like I said before, a vehicle to accelerate action in our ability to regulate this industry, not prolong our ability to take action. That said, I need to be absolutely clear. The board has provided substantial repeat guidance on this issue going back several years. The reality is that there were intervening years of lag in actually working on any of that guidance. Ms. Watson and her staff are obviously earnestly working on it right now, but the fact remains that there were years of almost no activity on clear guidance given by this board.

[02:28:52] As far back as March 2021, as referenced earlier, I personally gave a directive and we called for updated design standards, green building requirements, and modernized policies that reflect the fact that data centers are no longer a new or novel industry in Prince William County. They are well-established and require more mature regulation.

[02:29:11] That initial directive resulted in the board's 2023 initiation of amendments to the design and construction standards manual and the zoning ordinance specifically aimed at addressing data center impacts. This work builds on that vision the board laid out as early as 2021. It's important to remember that our current land use policies were built for a time when day centers were considered new and a novel emerging industry.

[02:29:34] That's no longer the case here. This is now a maturing established land use consideration in Prince William County. Our policies need to catch up. I appreciate what was said earlier by my colleague around these things are not happening in isolation or in a vacuum.

[02:29:50] I've been paying close attention to what our neighboring jurisdictions are also doing as far out as York County. Earlier this month, York County recently updated their ordinance to regulate setbacks, screening, noise, water, energy impacts, and proximity in ways we're still struggling to tackle right now, even though they got started after us.

[02:30:08] It's a reminder that we are not operating in isolation, and we shouldn't be falling behind. So I will always support structured updates like today, and I look forward to that facilitated conversation. I will be supporting the funding. I'm increasingly concerned that continuing to ask for new guidance risks us stalling work that is already underway, that this board has clearly initiated, again, as far back as 2021. We don't need to keep reopening this question of whether more regulation is necessary. I think everyone on this board agrees to some level it is. We've already answered that question. The priority now is how we advance and deliver these long overdue updates sooner rather than later.

[02:30:46] Thank you, Madam Chair. All right, I want to do a substitute motion because simply I think we need to wait and I don't think it's going to kill us to wait another three months because I want to make this as part of our larger discussion that we're going to have on data centers. I don't want to go ahead, I personally, and I'm the one who gave the directive, I'd rather have a larger conversation before we move forward.

[02:31:07] so i would move um that we defer this to a date uncertain i don't have a have a second nope okay oh second okay gordy jefferson gordy any discussion on deferring this to a date certain all right supervisor supervisor weir thank you madam chair i don't because of the nature of the funding request i don't think that's going to work it's end of the year i mean we still have time Are we going to have this before the end of June?

[02:31:46] Yeah, we are hoping to have a work session on data centers in the fall. I'm saying the motion is for contingency funds. Well, contingency funds are going to be spent before the end of the year. Yes? Before the end of the fiscal year. Fiscal year. Just at the end of June. Ah, okay. All right. So, I mean, the motion, the substitute motion, I'm in agreeance with having the discussion, but the money aspect of it, because of the timeline that we have to allocate, Something has to be handled before June 30th, close the business June 30th.

[02:32:19] Madam Chair, because of the language outlined, the contingency fund is the contingency fund. It will be re-upped with $1.6 million at the start of the new year. So if this is continued or postponed, when it comes up again, there will be funding in contingency to handle this kind of request.

[02:32:39] But that would also require a revised motion or a revised resolution, correct? Yeah, that's not bad. That's not... anyone else anyone anyone all right let's go ahead and vote motion passes six to two supervisors bailey and bode voting nay all right thank you so very much and thank you miss washington and

[02:33:07] your team for all that you guys do i hope the job is fun all right moving along where do we land look at that paper agenda uh nope we got you yeah right here we are all right guys the real fun agenda item number 11 supervisor's time um 11a 11b 11c and 11d are all calendar um amendments

[02:33:43] dealing with subtracting a meeting um for july 8th we do not need to have an evening session on 11B is canceling the meeting for July 17th as we previously discussed because we're going to have two committee meetings and then amending the calendar October 8th and December 3rd for these are for meetings with the school board.

[02:34:08] Can I get a motion to move 11A through 11D forward? Supervisor Franklin. Can we please separate these out individually? We can do it. Alright, so I'm going to start with 11A. Can I get a Motion for 11A. Move for approval, 11A.

[02:34:24] Second. All right, any discussion? All right, let's go ahead and vote. Motion passes 7 to 1. Supervisor Franklin voting nay. All right, 11B, can I get a motion?

[02:34:41] Move for approval, Madam Chair. It's been moved and seconded. Any discussion? All right, let's go ahead and vote. Motion passes 6 to 2. Supervisors Franklin and Weir voting nay.

[02:34:58] All right, 11C, can I get a motion? Move for approval. Second. Any discussion? Sound like a robot? Let's move for it. Let's put the vote. Unanimous.

[02:35:15] Supervisor Weir abstaining from vote. 11D. Can I get a motion? Move for approval, Madam Chair. Second. Any discussion? All right. Let's vote. Vote unanimous.

[02:35:35] All right. Thank you so very much. We are now going to move on to closed session. I'm sorry. Oh, yeah. I forgot. Y'all want to talk. All right. I'm going to start. Let's keep it interesting. I'll start with, I'll start with Vega.

[02:35:55] Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to thank county staff for joining us. at our annual dumpster day this past Saturday. I'm not even going to read out the total pounds of trash that was collected. You all know that it's always a lot. But if you want specifics, you can call our office or email us, and we'd be happy to give you those numbers.

[02:36:13] Also want to thank Supervisor Gordy and Delegate Ian Lovejoy for working together to ensure that we were able to come together for the community last night at a town hall that was well attended. Obviously, we have some challenges in our county, but I firmly believe that if we sit down, talk about it, do the hard work with proper planning, we can figure this out.

[02:36:33] So I want to just say thank you to our staff for putting it together and helping out, and certainly to everybody that took the time out of their busy lives to make it last night. Also, I want to remind folks that this weekend we have the National Field Day at Noakesville Park for a chance for them to show their science, service, and skill that they offer to the community.

[02:36:56] This is the Old Hams National Field Park. Tom, I don't know if you're aware about this, but it happens every year. And so if folks are interested about this event, it's happening this weekend. Next Tuesday also, we are implementing something new in the Coles District. So I hope that folks are able to join us for our office hours at the park.

[02:37:16] School is out, and the kids are all over the county. But I would actually, if I were a wedding woman, say that they're spending a lot of time at our parks for summer camps. And so we're going to be doing this this summer where we're holding office hours at the park. So that will be starting July 1st, and it will be at Helwig Park.

[02:37:34] We're going to be there from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. So if you have any questions, come on out, say hi. Even if you don't have any questions, we'd be happy to chat with you. Also want to remind folks that we just kicked off our Yorkshire small area plan. I want to thank Ms. Washington.

[02:37:50] They already left. And Rick Conozales and company, also our Department of Transportation. This has been a long time coming. We had a robust discussion surrounding the 28 corridor traffic challenges along with revitalizing efforts for the Yorkshire area.

[02:38:06] So we're really excited about what's coming. And, of course, this is in the early stages. We're going to be giving out more information in regards to the initial community meetings that are going to be taking place. So be on the lookout for that. And lastly, looking forward to celebrating the birth of our great nation.

[02:38:21] July 4th is coming. wishing everybody a happy independence day hopefully i will have an opportunity to see you all at the fourth of july parade but if i don't happy independence day that is all i have madam chair all right keep it interesting supervisor angry well thank you madam chair i'll first start by giving my notice of intent to appoint alisa thornton to the csb and retta young for the housing board uh and so let's get to it okay so again want to congratulate uh all

[02:39:01] Although, well, actually, Maria Burgos and her team for the excellent work they put into the Juneteenth event that we held. I did not know that number was 5,000. That is incredible. I'm sorry for all the grass that was beat up in the courtyard because I imagine that was a lot.

[02:39:17] But I also have to correct one notice in the paper. The fireworks, I did not pay for that. And JK Moving Services wanted to be recognized. They provided the firework display, and so I just want to correct that for the record, that JK Moving Services paid for the firework display that you got to enjoy that night.

[02:39:44] Great event, loved the attendance, happy that we were able to do that. On the 21st, I did attend the Animal Shelter Summer Kickoff event, where they had me as the dunk tank person. I showed up just like this in a suit with a bow tie and got dunked like 20 times.

[02:40:05] I want to congratulate the young man that had the arm that dunked me about 10 times, but he's about 8 years old and probably going to be a pitcher soon and somewhere. So that was a great event. So thank you when I came out. And they did 19 adoptions were made at that event, so that was the best part of that.

[02:40:26] So great job on that. On the 23rd, I did a transit town hall, myself and my colleague. Actually, that was yesterday, wasn't it? Yeah. Did a transit town hall in the Neopsco commuter garage, which it was smoking. It was smoking out there, but that was a good turnout.

[02:40:42] We got to interact with a lot of the folks that ride on the bus system and kind of thanked them for what they did and listened to their concerns. And then earlier today, my colleague and I, we went to my church, Neopsco Baptist, And we pack, I don't know how many box meals we did.

[02:41:01] And right now they're giving those out at the church. They do this every Tuesday. Cars just come by and they hand out a food meal. So that was all, that was fun to do that. So I want to thank them for really what they do with that. And it was fun to just go out and pack those meals and get that.

[02:41:17] So now, July 12th, we're having our Courts District Community Update. That's going to be talking about the status of the Courts District, everything that's going on. You heard a lot of updates today. So that will be at 10 a.m. here, but at the Development Services Building, Conference Room 107A and 7B.

[02:41:35] And it will be an opportunity for residents to hear updates and ask questions about the future courts districts. And more information will be made available on the website and social media. And then on August 2nd, we're going to be partnering with Prince William Community Foundation for their annual back-to-school event at Garfield High School.

[02:41:55] They give out free backpacks to all kids, no matter where they come from. The time will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Again, that's Garfield High School. And leading up to the event, if you want to drop off some backpacks, my office has collection points that you can swing by the office, drop off those backpacks.

[02:42:13] We'll be happy to collect them and make sure they get over to the school on that day. And then I believe, oh, and the old Virginia Hounds. I just want to comment on that. i attend that every year so i'm happy to get back out there this year that is always interesting to hear how they do that radio morse code and it's just a whole weekend full of and they love this stuff so i learn something every time i go out there so i'm looking forward to this year again so thank you madam chair all right supervisor bode thank you madam chair i thought you were to go over to franklin first but it's all good thank you um i was i missed uh mentioned one of

[02:42:52] items that was brought up during uh county exec time so i wanted to also say kudos to dr yassin and the uh office of community safety for hosting that that symposium um really always happy to hear about all the ways in which her her office and everyone that's uh linking arms with her are looking to find b brian bring ways to bring down silos between not only different agencies in the county but us and other counties as well i think that as we continue to have conversation around left of being in prevention, that we continue to be able to do things like that to really move the ball forward as we have those conversations. Also to congratulate Vice Chair Bailey for her June 16th

[02:43:29] crisis receiving center update meeting. I heard it was a smashing success, even though I was unable to get there myself. I was coming back from a Father's Day weekend, but really wanted to give her kudos for her continued advocacy and all the folks that she's brought along with her on that journey. Thank you. I was able to take on June 18th a tour of the JDC with the Office of Youth Services. I know that some of my colleagues have already gone and several folks are still scheduled to go. Anyone who's interested in seeing how our young people interact with the system and how that program and that facility are really trying to alter the trajectories of our young

[02:44:06] people, really invite them, encourage them to go out, and also wanted to highlight the need for us to really continue to lean forward on how we embrace our youth community and how we can reform ways in which we're treating folks that are detained there. Wanted to highlight alongside, obviously, the Juneteenth and Me celebration we had at McCourt this week, but also wanted to highlight in the Sue Hazard-Bailey Sisters Dumfries Juneteenth celebration on the 21st, which is always the inaugural one, I believe, that the county had, but wanted to highlight her and her community and how they've always been highlighting that.

[02:44:41] continuing that work as well. A couple quick final things. I know that folks in my district have been hearing back and forth the last few years about the Charlie Boone Park Project. I want to thank Seth Handler, Voss, Janet, and their team over at Parks and Rec for their continued work with my office and Wendy Boone on that project. We have some good updates we're moving forward with here in the next few months, but really wanted to highlight that project as well. I also wanted to highlight a virtual town hall I attended yesterday alongside several Northern Virginia chambers with Senator Tim Kaine and how some of the efforts and things that are going on on the national level have been impacting businesses and communities throughout Northern

[02:45:20] Virginia. Always appreciate Senator Tim Kaine, his ability to be frank with folks and also sort of highlight things that he agrees with and things that he disagrees with regardless of who administration it is. And finally, as was said earlier, this is our last board meeting before July 4th. So I hope everyone has a safe, healthy, and happy July 4th. Thank you, Madam Chair.

[02:45:39] Supervisor Franklin. Okay, I just want to point out a couple of things. Last week I hosted a town hall open house, rather, with Delegate Roja Henson, along with Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy in my office.

[02:45:56] We had representatives from several county and state agencies, including VDOT Social Services, our library, Transurban was also there. So hoping to continue to do more open houses as such. So thank you to our residents that came out for that.

[02:46:13] Also on June 19th, I participated in our Juneteenth Festival, probably one of the best events that I've been to for the county, and we have some pretty great events, so I just want to thank Supervisor Angry for his vision on this, and of course Maria Burgos and the level of execution that came with that.

[02:46:33] And I believe there was a Tamika whose last name I don't remember, but they were just an incredible team. And I just cannot believe that throughout the storm and the rain, people stayed and more people even came afterwards.

[02:46:49] So we had a great time. We have to do it again. I did not know that it was 5,000, but when I think about it, it kind of looked like 5,000 people. So what an incredible event. I appreciate my colleagues who attended, I believe, Supervisor Wears. office was in attendance with his staff the the chair pretty much most people up here and we we had a great great time had a great band supervisor angry you really you really did a number so thank you just want to point out also attended the transit town hall with omni ride alongside supervisor angry who was the chair of omni ride we were able to meet a number of riders

[02:47:29] on yesterday get some feedback we had dr schneider who's our executive director there as well as their community engagement individuals a great great time to just connect with the riders and hear about kind of their experiences both on our local service as well as our commuter service so thank you dr schneider for excuse me arranging that a couple other things neapsco baptist church food giveaway myself and supervisor angry attended that this morning it was great. He showed up in a suit, and the people didn't believe he was ready to work, but he did

[02:48:02] some work. But we had a great time packing up produce and bread and other items for those in the community in need. I also just want to thank our county exec for highlighting the work of the Child Advocacy Center. I think that's one of the first items that I initiated upon coming into office, and we don't talk about it a lot, but I do feel that it's one of the most important entities that we have in this county, helping children who have been through some traumatic experiences. So I'm always glad to hear the incredible work that they're doing, that they're

[02:48:40] being recognized, and with an accreditation, they can do even more, and they can get even more resources nationwide, so this is a very big deal, and just thank you to our Child Advocacy employees who work to make that facility run smoothly.

[02:49:00] Just upcoming event, July 1st, I'll be hosting a town hall at the Ospreys in Belmont Bay with our transportation department to talk about Route 1, 123 intersection project. We put this on ice for a while, but we're bringing the discussion back because as we talk about some of the rezoning that's potentially taking place in the Belmont community, a lot of residents have asked me, well, we need additional ways to get in and out of the community.

[02:49:29] My response is, well, we have another way to get in and out of the community, but we need to have a discussion about it. So we're going to bring that discussion back and get feedback from the community. And then lastly, I believe that Supervisor Vega has a birthday on july 4th um she's competing with america uh for for for the birthday and so um you know happy early birthday to supervisor vega um and then lastly just uh notice of intent to appoint terry hill to the wetlands board that's it well we didn't say happy birthday for victor maybe we

[02:50:06] can do it for yes i don't know all right supervisor weir pass all right supervisor gordy thank you Madam Chair. Just a few updates of things that have been going on in the Brentsville District on the 14th, Saturday the 14th. I was honored to join Seth Endler-Vos, our Parks Director, and the good community in Noakesville for the dedication of the Townsend Field at Noakesville Park. This was named after we passed the resolution to name it after john townsend who was a dedicated coach and community volunteer and so it was a great day

[02:50:44] out there and then on the 18th joined with rob orson also from our parks department for the williams dollhouse update meeting and i had quite a few folks and he literally just sent me an email reminding everyone about the questionnaire that folks can answer in terms of what they see the best use of the Williams doll house going forward.

[02:51:11] So if you want a copy of that, please email our office. I'll be happy to get that over to you. And then on Saturday the 21st, I want to congratulate the Noakesville Volunteer Fire Department on the commissioning of their new apparatus that they're putting into service and man it's bright it's yellow and and it's it's it's great to have them in service now and then yesterday had the opportunity to go visit the Vulcan quarry over in Manassas amazingly as hot as it is when

[02:51:47] you get 450 feet down in a hole it's not quite as hot so but I appreciate the Vulcan team over there they're a great community partner they do a lot to support the local schools in the area and and they're a great neighbor always proactive in reaching out to the community and so they will be coming forward with a life expansion project to us and so was I had an opportunity to learn more about that. And then last night, as Supervisor Vega mentioned, we had a great meeting with the Noakesville community regarding the Morrisville to Wishing Star

[02:52:26] transmission proposal for Dominion. And I also appreciate Delegate Ian Lovejoy for participating and coming out, because clearly this is an issue that is not something that we're going to directly have a decision on but um the state corporation commission will and as i expressed to the community last night we will be at once the application is filed and we know exactly what the final uh routings are that they're going to submit um we will then have a workshop uh to help educate the community how they can best advocate uh before the state corporation commission so

[02:53:05] stand by for that announcement and look forward to continuing to work with the community as we address that issue. Coming up on July the 3rd, looking forward to joining our folks out at the Marine Corps Base Quantico for their July the 3rd, July 4th Eve celebration. And so look forward to being out there with our Marines and their families. And then lastly, I do have one directive and I'll just read this to everyone. It says, there is a land conservation opportunity I would

[02:53:43] like to bring to the board's attention. The 544 acre tract of land located at 112158 in road directly adjacent to Bristow Station Battlefield is currently under contract for purchase by a non-profit land conservation entity, American Battlefield Trust. The property was part of the core battlefield during the Battles of Kettle Run in 1862 and Bristow Station in 1863 and was recommended for protection in the county's 2016 Bristow Station Kettle Run Preservation Study.

[02:54:12] The land is 75 percent forested, providing numerous environmental benefits as well. The purchase amount is $16 million based on an appraisal. Upon purchase, the non-profit intends to transfer the property to the county to be added to the 395 acres of protected historic property currently owned, entitled, and or under contract by the county. The purchaser is purchasing, is pursuing an $8 million federal grant, which requires a 50% match of $8 million in non-federal funds. Because of its alignment with numerous comprehensive plan goals, our strategic plan, and other county strategic documents, I would like the county to participate in this acquisition.

[02:54:53] Therefore, without objection from the board, I would like to direct the county executive to explore options for raising $8 million in matching funds for the acquisition of 11215 Aiden Road. Options may include state grants and low-interest loans, other private sources, and or county funds.

[02:55:10] The county executive directed to bring back recommendations for the board's consideration. Such recommendations should, where applicable, include timelines, fiscal impacts, and other pertinent impacts for board consideration. The county attorney's office is directed to review the information and recommendations for any legal issues.

[02:55:28] When the research and work is complete, the county executive should report back to the board with his analysis and recommendations during a board meeting or by memorandum as he determines appropriate. And with that, I'm done. Madam Chair. Madam Chair. Sure. I'm not going to object to the directive.

[02:55:44] I just want to make sure that this provides the runway for the county exec to bring back information and then kind of down the road we can look at the recommendations and decide which direction to go in, if any direction. Do you have anything to add, Mr. Shorter?

[02:56:05] Okay. All right, Supervisor Bailey. Wow. Okay. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. Good afternoon. It's still afternoon, 415. I love it. On June 16th, I just want to thank everyone who extended their time and their thoughts to the Crisis Receiving Center Breakfast that was held at Sentara Hospital and their educational center.

[02:56:34] It was absolutely wonderful. We had over 100 people there in attendance, and so thank you to the county exec for coming and for the dais. We had our delegation there to support, and this was for updates on the Crisis Receiving Center that hopefully we'll cut a ribbon on, hopefully in October.

[02:56:53] And so I just want to thank our delegation and to our speakers from Connections and Lisa Majron from the county. And I didn't have the opportunity to acknowledge Chief Kim Stewart, and so thank you for your attendance, Chief. It was really good to see you there. But it was active.

[02:57:10] All minds are focused on the Crisis Receiving Center, so I appreciate your attendance. And to my colleagues that attended or sent their representatives, I appreciate our support for our project. And then on the 18th, I'm beginning, taking a page out of Supervisor Franklin's book.

[02:57:29] I'm participating in the Prince William Water Academy, and I'm having a good old time. So I attended my first class. The next class is tomorrow. I'm excited about that. And then on the 19th, celebrating Juneteenth, a phenomenal job by our own county exec and team.

[02:57:45] And Maria Burgos, hats off to you for the Juneteenth and me. It was wonderful. We had a great time. And then on the 21st, I participated in the Juneteenth celebration with Omega Psi Phi and just remembering the father of the Juneteenth, County Juneteenth celebration, Dr. George M. Hampton, who has gone to heaven.

[02:58:10] But we always have a good time with his illustrious fraternity. And then on the 22nd, I was honored to have a – to worship with Pastor Charles Lundy for his 35th pastoral anniversary. He's still going strong at one of our historical black college – excuse me, churches in the community, Ebenezer Baptist Church.

[02:58:32] Congratulations to you, Pastor. Coming up on the 1st of July, I'll be having a town hall to talk about the ever-moving-forward Hunden Market Study for Fetler Park and how it's going to impact, improve, and progress our Potomac District in that area, and so I'm looking forward to that.

[02:58:56] And then on July 4th, as my colleague mentioned, we'll be going to Quantico to have fun, food, and fireworks how about that i'll see you there navy man how about that yes so i'm looking forward to celebrating with colonel colgate our commanding officer that at uh quantico and happy birthday to our colleagues sitting down there looking all serious you got one coming up yes happy birthday thank you madam chair you actually took that off my mind since you walked away you didn't hear the early half happy birthday wishes you know so you know happy early birthday to you She's turning 25, if anybody's wondering.

[02:59:34] She's our youngest. She's turning 25. Don't take youngest away from me, Sabora. I'm actually the one who's going to be getting the AARP card soon. Okay. It's going to be happening next year. I look forward to it. I need some discounts. All right. I would like to announce my notice of intent to appoint the following individuals to boards, committees, and commissions.

[02:59:55] Melissa Alexander to the Social Services Advisory Board. She is replacing the Honorable Hala Ayala, who unfortunately had to discontinue because of work commitments. And then Mr. George T. Stewart to the PRTC. And with that, I ain't got nothing else, so let's go ahead and go into closed session and go into recess until 7 o'clock.

[03:00:18] Thank you. I'll give everyone 10.

[03:01:08] All right. So we are back from closed session, so I'd like a motion to certify our closed meeting. So moved. Second. Jesus. i'm gonna give it to um leslie and bailey all right oh well we could have left it we could have left it we can leave it we can leave it okay we can do it i'm good

[03:01:33] get certified all right now this is where things could this is where things could fund because we have a resolute i guess we have to vote on the settlement agreement yes county attorney yes so All right.

[03:01:53] Would I like to get a motion? Yeah, Madam Chair, I move for approval to authorize the execution of an agreement to settle a case in the Circuit Court of Prince William County, Virginia, regarding the county's condemnation of a parcel owned by Truist Bank located at 13920 Noblewood Plaza, Woodbridge, Virginia, in the amount of $2,750,000 in conjunction with the Minnieville Road-Prince William Parkway Interchange Project in the Absco Magisterial District.

[03:02:21] Second. All right. Let's go ahead and take a vote. Vote unanimous. And the last thing is, did you want to report out?

[03:02:38] Yeah. Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin is our voting delegate to NACO in Philadelphia. We're just reporting it.

[03:02:57] By acclimation. Yay. Congratulations, Supervisor Franklin, on your journey to Philadelphia to be our voting delegate. All right. and with that it is 4 41 we are in recess until seven o'clock thank you it is seven o'clock and we are going to resume our meeting um to let everyone know um items 13 a and 13 b have been

[03:03:33] deferred to september 9th and so with that we are going to go into immediately into agenda item number 14, and that's public comment time. I see a sea of green. I see a lot of new faces that have never been here before, so let me take a moment to explain. I have a sign-in sheet where everyone has signed their name. I am going to call you up in groups of five. When you go, you're going to go to the back by that microphone, and please adjust it, because if you, if we can't hear you, we can't

[03:04:03] hear you. And so you're going to have three minutes to speak. Hold on. I'm sorry. Okay, staff, hello.

[03:04:19] you got it so i'm just gonna go ahead and talk over myself right now i'm gonna talk over myself so on that screen up there is you're gonna see a counter with your three minutes i'm gonna let them i'm gonna let myself talk or let someone work on this this is the weirdest thing this

[03:04:48] has been an interesting meeting um so when you go up am i done i'm not done it's gonna be really interesting when i talk over myself talking over myself yes thank you chris it's a zoom issue okay

[03:05:19] all right no you don't want to hear that all right so again you're going to go five people time go up to the back state your name clearly and say which magisterial district where you generally where you reside don't need your full address unless you want me to show up and you know um unless you want me to show for dinner and if so i'm kind of a picky eater but I'm going to start with Michael Slater, Lisa Polgar, Layla Bartroff, Alan Gibson,

[03:05:50] and William Jones. If you can guys go to the back. Oh yeah, we're going to need to get the box out the way. Thank you. All right, the first speaker. Adjust the microphone if needed so we can hear you. Is this working? Yes. Okay, when do my time start? My name is Dr. Michael Slater

[03:06:26] and I live in Four Seasons with my wife Jane. I stand here in opposition to the Lexora Park project in my backyard. Those of us in opposition are not driven by politics and profits, and our argument is extremely personal and life-changing. Many of us have invested our savings and our hopes in Four Seasons and communities like Bristow, Brittany, Montclair, and we tasked the government that we elected to protect our rights to pursue our quality of life goals. Our opposition is not

[03:07:01] against high tech, but rather the location next to neighborhoods. We want you to listen, to understand, and to act responsibly before it is irreversible. But your listening and understanding sometimes falls short when we see data centers practically next door to homes in other parts of this county. Apparently, no one is advocating for those constituents. Our votes and your accountability to us should be your concern come election time. And by the way, please remember, HOA boards did not elect you.

[03:07:35] We did. And in other areas, data centers have been rejected. But in this county, no data center application has yet to be turned down. None. What are we? Defenseless, gullible, low-hanging fruit for other people with no conscience?

[03:07:53] Easy pickings for vultures? Is that our image, and how is that image being allowed to maintain itself? The scars of ruined, fractured communities will define what this county stands for. and what the rest of the country will see.

[03:08:11] And the memory of betrayal, bitterness, and loss of trust will be permanently etched in the minds of your constituents and will affect our lives and yours for many years. Elected officials who allow this to happen will have created their own blighted legacy and will be remembered for a lifetime, colored by extreme disappointment, even after they leave office and go to other career endeavors.

[03:08:41] This is a moral, ethical decision of enormous significance and long-lasting ramifications. Thank you. Next speaker, please. Good evening.

[03:08:58] My name is Lisa McFerrin-Polgar. I live in the Potomac District, and I'd like to have the Four Seasons residents to please stand up. Thank you so much. You can sit down. This is to express my strong opposition to the construction of Lexora Park data centers on the property adjacent to Four Seasons at Historic Virginia.

[03:09:20] Data centers should not be built next to homes or schools. As you know, recent bipartisan legislation introduced by Delegate Joss Thomas, a Democrat, restricting data centers away from homes and schools was vetoed by Governor Youngkin. It is alarming to think that this board would continue to approve data centers next to homes and schools, knowing the dangers that it poses to our communities.

[03:09:41] We understand that the application for Lexora Park has not been submitted to the board, Yet our Four Seasons HOA board informed us that discussions have been taking place with the developers of the proposed park since last December without follow-up discussions with our County Board of Supervisor, Andrea Bailey, who has stated to some residents that she would support the wishes of the members of the community.

[03:10:04] We thank you for listening to our concerns. In a recent HOA board meeting in which over 250 residents participated, The vast majority of speakers express strong opposition to Lexora Park, and our HOA's board opinion is not reflected of actual community sentiment.

[03:10:20] The impact on our community locating such a facility directly next to homes poses serious risks and disruptions to the well-being, health, and quality of life of nearby residents. Our concerns include, but are not limited to the following, noise pollution.

[03:10:36] We visited the Carter's Mill 55 community in Haymarket. There was a data center immediately, has a data center immediately adjacent to it. The noise of the fans was deafening, even though I understand that that data center is small compared to the new ones that are being built.

[03:10:52] Air quality and emissions. The Haymarket digital center has 93 diesel generators, and that's a small data center. Aesthetic and property value impact. These industrial-looking structures with limited landscaping negatively affect home values and the overall character of a residential neighborhood.

[03:11:10] On several occasions, data centers have requested that proffers made by developers to mitigate the visual impact be waived, and the board has acquiesced to their requests. Water and energy usage. These facilities often consume vast amounts of electricity.

[03:11:29] Dominion expects a 15% increase in electricity bills. Placing such a facility near homes offers little benefit to residents while exposing them to numerous risks. For those reasons, I respectfully urge you to not consider this application when it comes before you. There are more suitable locations, such as designated industrial zones, that would allow the data center to operate without compromising the health, safety, and tranquility of our neighborhood.

[03:11:54] I hope you will prioritize the voices of the residents and not the HOA who live here and protect the integrity of our community. thank you thank you next speaker hi my name is alan gibson and i'm potomac shores uh resident also um at four seasons um i'm gonna be short and sweet because they pretty much said everything that i was thinking i'm opposed of data centers uh being right next to houses we just moved into this community a year ago and i'm looking now at what was my forever home is now not going to be my

[03:12:32] home because i'm going to move out of this district if these data centers come in because i just can't take that and i know what they do because i've worked in that industry for the last 40 years and i know what they do to the environment i know the noise they put out and i know how hard it is to control it even from you guys with your laws uh they just don't get supported and they just do whatever they want thank you next speaker good evening my name is

[03:13:06] Leila Bartruff and I live on Pageland Lane in the Keynesville district. First I want to thank those of you who've met with me or reached out with concern and support. I deeply appreciate your time and your willingness to listen and your sincere efforts to understand what my what families in my neighborhood are facing. I am here tonight to ask this board to take real proactive steps to address the property tax crisis that's unfolding on Pageland Lane. Right now, residents are being taxed based on speculative future development tied to the digital gateway, a project still

[03:13:45] legally contested and far from guaranteed. The outcome is uncertain. The tax burden isn't. It's immediate. In some cases, it's overwhelming. This isn't just about numbers. It's about people now facing the real possibility of losing their homes. These assessments don't reflect how the land is being used today. They reflect what might happen years from now, depending entirely on how the courts rule. I'm not here to relitigate the digital gateway. I'm here to ask for a path forward

[03:14:20] that acknowledges the unique and uncertain position residents are in and find solutions before the damage becomes permanent. Some of you have asked what you can do, so here's what I'm suggesting. Convene a working session with staff and residents to identify a concrete immediate response. Revisit how these assessments were calculated, especially the assumption of highest and best use. Consider temporary protections while the lawsuits are still unresolved, and implement relief for properties still being used as homes and farms. I understand this is

[03:15:00] complicated, but choosing to do nothing isn't neutral. It's a choice. Please don't let residents become collateral damage in a broader vision for the future. There's still time to do better. I hope you'll take that opportunity. Thank you for listening. All right, before I allow the next speaker, I want to call off the next five people, and that is Denise McGuinn, Dan Castle, Bill Wright, Gwendolyn Myers, and Henry Polgar.

[03:15:35] All right, sir, you may speak. Yes, my name is William Jones, and I'm in the Potomac District. I happen to be a resident of Prince William County for almost 50 years now. My question to the board, when deciding whether to approve or disapprove a data center, has the board approved any regulations, done any research, or had any discussion on how to mitigate the health, safety, and the welfare risk that these data centers are going to pose on us.

[03:16:09] I know you can't answer that right now, but I'm asking you to do that. It is not the responsibility of our government to implement regulations and policies that mitigate the environmental impact that data centers will propose, And using and setting limits on energy consumption and emissions.

[03:16:34] I worked for Fairfax County for many years. And during that time I was there, the board there actually stopped construction simply because they didn't have the infrastructure to go forward. And this is one of the things I think the board here needs to consider, is stopping the construction of data centers until regulations can be in place that will ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our community.

[03:17:02] That's all I have. Thank you. Next speaker. Good evening. My name is Dan Castle. I live in Region Z at Dominion Valley in the Gainesville District.

[03:17:17] I am against the proposal impacting the Four Seasons folks and others in the eastern part of the county. I have seen directly what is happening in the Haymarket in Gainesville area, and please don't do to their communities what is being done to the one where I live in. It's devastating, and I am sure that you would not want to have those kinds of things done

[03:17:57] to the communities where you live. Thank you very much. Next speaker. My name is Bill Wright. I live in Gainesville. I stand with the residents of Four Seasons in opposition to Lexara Park, a proposed data center project on the community's eastern border. The neighborhood of Heritage Hunt shares many similarities with Four Seasons. We are both large 55-plus communities threatened by larger data center developments. I'm sure some of you thought that amidst the COVID pandemic,

[03:18:34] our 70-something retirees would be easy prey for your developer-centric designs. How'd that work out? Ask Ann Wheeler and Pete Canlon. Outrage and spare time are a dangerous combination. The t-shirt I'm wearing tonight came from the Gdansk shipyard, home of Solidarity, an independent trade union movement that inspired popular opposition to communist regimes across Eastern Europe during the 1980s. The word Solidarity means unity of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest. It is with such unity that citizens of Prince William County must band together against the continued ignorance and insensitivity

[03:19:13] of reckless data center development. I hope some board members are starting to acknowledge the mountains of evidence of the impacts you are inflicting on county residents and public resources. And how many deferrals does Stack Infrastructure get on its abysmal Brisno campus project?

[03:19:30] Everyone else knows three strikes and you're out. This application should either stand for a vote or be withdrawn. If all data center opposition is nimby, as is insincerely claimed, why do I drive 20 miles from my home to speak against an ill-conceived development 25 miles from my home.

[03:19:48] Because what this board has done to the county it is supposed to serve is an atrocity. And your citizens deserve the advocacy you are not giving them. Please do not impart data center devastation on Eastern Prince William, an area that has thus far eluded your recklessness.

[03:20:06] Citizens are not going to stand by while your developer sponsors try to co-opt an HOA board and run over another community. With the forthcoming Lexora Park application, you will be asked yet again to choose between the people and the predators. We hope you have learned enough to make the right choice.

[03:20:26] Next speaker. Hello, my name is Henry Polgar, and I also live at Four Seasons. And I also strongly urge you to oppose the upcoming application by developers to construct the Lexora Park data center adjacent to Four Seasons.

[03:20:45] Even though the Lexora project is at its inception, it is our understanding that the Four Seasons HOA board has expressed its support for it, even though there has been a strong outcry by members of the community against it.

[03:21:01] The HOA has indicated they would not hold a vote by the community to ascertain the support for Lexora Park. We therefore urge you to listen to our residents directly on this issue. During the last Four Seasons HOA board meeting, the overwhelming number of residents spoke out against the Lexora data centers next to Four Seasons.

[03:21:24] As I understand it, our county supervisor, Andrea Bailey, has expressed that she would support the will of the community and not that of the board, and we want to make sure that you all hear directly from our residents. We are also concerned that developers are trying to take advantage of the elderly and 55 and over communities to establish data centers, expecting that the residents will not speak out and will passively accept it. While the Del Webb Carter Mills 55 and over community is faced with

[03:21:58] a continuous noise from its data center coolers right in its backyard, the residents of Heritage Hunt have decided to fight, and Four Seasons residents will also strongly express their opposition. Our position is not against data centers. It is against allowing the construction of these industrial data center parks adjacent to residential areas and schools. There are communities in Virginia who are fighting back against data centers. The Pittsylvania County

[03:22:32] government successfully rejected a rezoning request in April this year based on their concern for the health impact on their community. I urge our supervisors to do the same with regard to the Lexora Park when it comes before you. As the residents of Pennsylvania stated, quote, things don't always have to happen just because they are proposed. Everybody has a voice and we found that our voices did count this time, unquote. Thank you. Before I call the next speaker, I wanted to get my next row. I don't

[03:23:08] think I have a Denise McGuinn. I don't know if you spoke. You're going to pass? All right. Jennifer Osborne, Ross Kerr, Catherine Kulik, Liz Marterama, and I apologize, I don't know if this is Greer, Sieben, Potomac District, Greg, okay, thank you, I'm sorry about that. All right, you may proceed, ma'am. Hello, my name is

[03:23:45] Gwendolyn Myers, and I am a resident at Potomac Mill, I mean, Potomac District, and I'm here tonight to state my strong opposition to any effort to build data centers outside the county's established data center overlay district, especially near existing residential communities.

[03:24:03] And I believe I can say with confidence that Forest Houston and their neighbors will organize and speak their opposition to any application of data centers proposed outside of the data center overlay district. Thank you. Next speaker, please.

[03:24:21] Hi, guys. It's me again. I know you love hearing from me. But I wanted to say thank you again for allowing us some time with Supervisor Vega and Supervisor Gordy at our town hall in Noakesville yesterday.

[03:24:37] It was attended by over 100 residents, all concerned about not just data centers, but the power. So we've built all these data centers, but we haven't figured out a way to get the power to them. And the only way that we're doing it so far is to bisect properties and to overtake easements that were granted for data centers that now have these large high transmission lines coming through.

[03:24:59] The Bristow campus project has been crappy from the start. We've been fighting it since 2022, and you guys keep letting them shine that same crappy project at the expense of residents, right? We don't have unlimited resources.

[03:25:15] We don't stand to gain anything from the Bristow campus. It is outside the overlay. That should have been a non-starter. Remember, I don't love the overlay with its right-to-build clauses in there, but the overlay is supposed to keep resources where they need to go, help structure infrastructure for efficiencies, and anything outside of that creates havoc, right?

[03:25:39] It's messing everything up, and you're going to end up with land that becomes not even usable, right? So I do appreciate you guys hearing us, and that's probably why the vote got deferred, is we didn't have enough yeas for the applicant, and I think they heard about it, and somehow did a last-minute deferral, I think we would have preferred them vote and get shut down and have this project killed completely.

[03:26:05] It is not a good project. You've all had our emails about that. There are residents that we need to get this power under control before we do any more data centers, and the one in four seasons, they have a right to be scared. They see what's happening on our side of the county, and it is devastating.

[03:26:23] And that's not a hyperbolized fear. That is, we feel it, right? We hear the sound, we have the power issues, we have the land issues, we have everything that isn't good about a data center that everyone knew from the beginning. They all came to fruition.

[03:26:38] That was never a lie. So we're really struggling that we keep approving data centers and we still don't have the power infrastructure for them and we just make a whole bunch of substations and destroy land, right? We still have to keep some of this. This is the only time in Prince William County history that this type of industry has wreaked such havoc.

[03:26:59] It is unprecedented what is happening. To be the data center capital of the world is not a badge of honor. That means we gave it away. We really did. So we really need to get this under control, and that is stopping projects outside of the overlay, not letting the plans get far when they are crap, just kill them from the start.

[03:27:21] Like, quit doing this and wasting everybody's time. I truly appreciate all of you and your service, and we want you to hear us, residents. Thank you so much. Next speaker. It's on the display.

[03:27:53] I can put it here if you want. I don't care. Good evening. Catherine Kulik, Vice Chair of the HOA Roundtable of Northern Virginia.

[03:28:08] Well, if this public comment time is saying anything, it's saying that data center proliferation is not the only thing sweeping across the county. It's also the opposition to it.

[03:28:24] I congratulate and thank all the residents of Four Seasons coming out and speaking so articulately and carefully about their concerns. They are right to be concerned. Regarding the Bristow campus, it's a good thing that was deferred. That wasn't ready for prime time, and my goodness, that's more than one time it's been deferred.

[03:28:43] Gee, maybe this isn't the right kind of project, right? I could tell you one thing for sure. On March 18th, all of you saw this slide. It was at the workshop to hear, how's that noise ordinance update going? Yeah, that's not going too well, is it?

[03:28:59] I wonder why that is. Well, one thing that you all heard is, why are we doing it? Well, this slide was presented to you because our noise ordinance is 30 years old. It doesn't measure the noise problem that we have today.

[03:29:14] What's our number one noise problem in the county? Well, there's a lot of noise issues for sure. Noise pollution is a problem for our health and welfare, but it's low-frequency noise emanating 24-7 from the number one targeted industry in this county, data centers.

[03:29:31] And we're struggling. You heard at the last couple of board meetings ago, staff got up and told you, struggling, struggling to deal with this. So if that's what's happening, how can you think about approving any more of these until this problem is settled?

[03:29:53] Got to talk about it. Got to answer it. And that brings me to another agenda item that happened today. and that was Director Washington got up and asked you for $185,000 to conduct a study on what? A laundry list of issues surrounding the boundaries of the data center overlay.

[03:30:15] Data centers are not just a problem in the overlay, although that's a problem because it allows by right use, which nobody is building a data center to those standards anymore. So how is it that that makes any sense at all that should be pulled? But the more important thing is, from my perspective, I'm a member of what's called the Data Center Ordinance Advisory Group.

[03:30:37] Director Washington came to one meeting and really didn't give us a good idea of what's happening with that effort. We need to be involved. We haven't been notified. We don't know what's going on, and we've been asking. You all directed this group to deal with this issue, and we can't if planning doesn't work with us collaboratively. That's what needs to happen to help everyone.

[03:31:00] thank you next speaker please yes thank you elizabeth martirana coles district 44 years

[03:31:36] gainsville district presently heritage hunt for five years my thanks to you supervisor weir and your great staff for for providing us with up-to-date data center maps for prince william county the purple on these maps i'm going to show you shows the built under construction and approved data centers more importantly please notice the blue and white meandering residential streets around them. Black parcels are under application. This map is the Prince William Digital Gateway in Gainesville and is rezoned but still in litigation. 34 to 37 data centers in 12

[03:32:13] substations and adjacent to the Manassas National Battlefield Park and the Conway Robinson Memorial State Forest. This next map at the top of the page shows I-66 running east and west with Haymarket and Gainesville to the south of it. Top left are two Amazon data centers that were built after a long drawn-out battle with Dominion as to where the electric cables would be located. The citizens won that battle. Lower right in the picture, Village Tech Park and the Grove, the one as long

[03:32:45] as a football field. Two close to residents and Tyler Elementary and Pace West schools. This map, Where do I begin? I-66 in blue at the top and all the purple data center parcels. On the left, just below I-66 and all those purple parcels, do you see the brown space between them? That's where Gainesville High School and middle schools are located. The 234 bypass in red runs pretty much

[03:33:15] north and south here. More schools, more people. Map four. Wow. Again, data centers, neighborhoods, and in black at the bottom there, number 64, is the Bristow campus.

[03:33:30] Do you really think we need one more data center campus, especially one that is outside of the data center opportunity zone overlay district? When I was speaking here to you about Wellington Glen back in March, I showed you on a map that there were 13 schools within about a three-mile radius from Wellington Glen.

[03:33:49] I have since researched and have found that 13,000 students attend those schools. Noise, pollution, these are our children and our grandchildren. As of the end of May of this year, we have almost 11 million square feet of data centers built, 9.5 million square feet under construction, 52 million square feet zoned but not yet built, and 17 million square feet under application.

[03:34:15] Change the old Verlay district, change the zoning code, do whatever you have to do to prevent one more data center from being built in Prince William County. And for the past five days, I've been sitting in Prince William County Court. Today, this afternoon, we spent the afternoon in the appellate division in Arlington.

[03:34:34] I'm tired of our cases having to go to court. Please make the right decision from now on. Thank you. Next speaker, please. Good evening. Thank you for this opportunity. We appreciate it. My name is Greg Seaman.

[03:34:49] I'm in the Potomac District, and I'm here with my wife, Cindy. We are here to support our community. We are from Four Seasons, as you probably already figured that out, and we are here to voice our opposition to the data center behind our house and in our neighborhood.

[03:35:10] We moved there about four months ago, enjoyed the neighborhood. We knew the road was coming, Van Buren. However, we did not have a full understanding of what the M2 industrial zoning meant. Regardless, we have had a couple board meetings, well, one board meeting and a couple meetings, and the one last week had a large turnout, or so I've been told.

[03:35:33] A majority of the folks who spoke there, as well as the individuals who had discussions afterwards, were highly in opposition to having the data center built there. I'm nervous, so I apologize for taking this a little bit.

[03:35:51] We did do some research, and actually I've walked the area as well, and coincidentally came across a cemetery in our development this last weekend with a family plot of gravestones. And one, in particular, had the name of Charles Bailey on it as a previous Prince William County supervisor.

[03:36:09] I hope that means something. In today's current climate, with hostilities worldwide, data centers present a very opportune target for bad acts.

[03:36:26] That's all I'll say. And to put them in neighborhoods near schools is extremely wrong. I can't put it any other way. I could get into some specifics, but other than that, let's just say they do present a very opportune target given the capacity of data that they share and how much that information is critical to operations for communities, states, and federal governments.

[03:36:53] I hope that you all take this into consideration and understand that if this was coming to your neighborhood and you would have to live through all of the effects that come along with it, that you would act responsibly, professionally, and care for your fellow man.

[03:37:09] Thank you. All right, before the next speaker, I assume you are Cindy. Yes. And then I also have Barbara Benning, and I, sir, I guess you are Mr. Ross Kerr. All right. Hi, I am Cindy Seben.

[03:37:26] I've been a Prince William County resident my entire life and actually sat back there as a child and folded plaits with my mom, who retired from planning and zoning. And we lived in Dale City, and my mom, I would walk with my mom to work on during the summer to help her, too.

[03:37:45] So with that being said, my mom retired from planning and zoning. And when we were looking at four seasons, you know, the first, she has dementia, but she, you know, historical things tend to, you know, if you know about dementia, they tend to be something that can come forward.

[03:38:03] And one of the things she said is, Cindy, you know, make sure you find out what's going behind you. because it's a bunch of trees now, and it's beautiful now, but you've got to make sure, you know, and we had an experience in Lakeridge where that sort of thing happened too. So we're not going to have this mistake a second time.

[03:38:21] So I emailed some people with planning and zoning, and I have a friend, Deb Caldwell, who gave me some information, like who I could talk to, and the information I got back in email was basically there's nothing set. There's nothing that's going to be there.

[03:38:38] and light industrial, and I'm like, okay, so then perhaps, you know, we thought, okay, I think we should move forward with buying this house, so we invested, you know, we sold our house in Ashland Community, so we were only moving 10 minutes away, but we put our entire, you know, proceeds of our house into this house and paid $690,000. So to hear the threat of something being 75 feet, 100 feet, 50 feet, you know, it's going all over the place is extremely stressful. I don't, my neighbor

[03:39:18] next door to me isn't remodeling their kitchen because they're not doing nothing until they find out. And they actually looked at homes last weekend. We are in the process of remodeling. The kitchen is from 2004, and the counters are very, very old, and it's, you know, do we sink money into this?

[03:39:39] So I spent today painting and doing a pre-op appointment with my mom and just reflecting on what have we done. Did we make a mistake here? So obviously we're in opposition of this. We love this community.

[03:39:54] It is amazing. We were so excited. And then, yeah, we have this pressure on our shoulders, like, what is ahead of us? And we just worry for our health, for, you know, the people that are around us as well. Because I've already come to care about a lot of people that I've met in the most recent months when we moved there.

[03:40:15] So thank you so much. All right. Next speaker, please. My name is Ross Kerr, Gainesville District.

[03:40:34] A couple of hours ago, I sat down at the computer to look at what I've written one or two times back to address this same issue. And the one that came up was almost three years exactly to the day, June 28, 2022.

[03:40:56] This topic has been a topic of conversation for years for all the wrong reasons. I was thinking of reprising Joni Mitchell's song, Big Yellow Taxi, this meeting, but decided it was of no use.

[03:41:12] The issue of tearing trees down and paving over or building on the resulting open space seems to have no end in sight. It continues. A big question for you supervisors, especially from the eastern side of the country, is have you no shame?

[03:41:34] How many more monstrous data center buildings will be finally enough when no more land is available or possibly when cooler heads prevail and you lose an election? Apparently, the real issue is that money sure does talk very loud and clear, campaign coffers or a wash in cash.

[03:42:01] The big question for all of you is, have you no shame? And unfortunately, almost three years to the day when I last spoke here, the answer seems to be a resounding no. Next speaker.

[03:42:23] Good evening. I'm Barbara Binney. I live in Four Seasons and live in the Potomac District. And I'm a voter. As all of us are here, we're voters. I am against Lexora Park Project. I will fight to protect Four Seasons community. The Four Seasons HOA board's opinion is not reflective of the actual community sentiment. The HOA board is not authorized to express their opinion on my behalf. My residents or many residents strongly oppose Lexora Park.

[03:42:56] The neighborhood I know and love for over 20 years will come under the attack by the Lexora Park Project. The east side of Four Seasons is a mile long south to north. And if you drive into Four Seasons, and I invite you to do that, when you get to where the clubhouse is, you want to go right.

[03:43:15] And then when you go around and you start making that turn around the 17400 block, that is a mile stretch from there to Secret Grove Court. Imagine a mile. That's 17 football fields, 17. That's more than half of the NFL teams.

[03:43:34] It's a beautiful area, and there's over 700 people that live there, probably like, you know, 500 homes. And just imagine the looming, loud, multi-story structures with rooftop air cooling systems consuming megawatts of electricity and thousands of gallons of water, along with diesel generators and air and light pollution.

[03:43:56] And guess what? They don't serve beer or pretzels. Four Seasons at Historic Virginia is a beautiful, vibrant community. As any data center project proposal comes across the agenda, please come visit us. Please drive along the area of this community.

[03:44:14] You can drive in during the day. The gates are open. Be informed before you make any decision or vote. On the Bristow campus application, I oppose any data center development outside the designated data center overlay district.

[03:44:31] If supervisors can approve Bristow campus, sorry about that, I fear they will also approve Lexora Park. Thank you. All right, thank you to everyone who's come to speak in person. I'm going to turn it over to Supervisor Bailey for remote public comment time.

[03:44:47] Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Are we ready to begin? yes we have one speaker and that is rachel ellis thank you very much miss miss ellison could you begin please uh good evening rachel ellis gainesville district can you hear me you might be on mute i'm unmuted okay great please go ahead okay perfect um rachel ellis gainesville district um i'm speaking tonight because i want to express the frustration of residents as bristow campus

[03:45:22] requested their third deferral on this application on the date of the public hearing. I applaud Supervisor Weir for specifically asking for the reason for the deferral, which there was not. The community deserves better than what this applicant has continued to offer regarding the project itself and also with playing the game when it comes to the public hearing.

[03:45:45] For the third time, they have not had the votes and pulled the application. At some point, this board has to do something different. This board cannot continue to speak out about the data industry impacts, the need for reform, hold joint town halls with state delegates, talk about environmental impacts, sustainability, feign concern over a noise ordinance without actually taking action.

[03:46:11] Your words are hollow if you do not step up and say no or do something different. Impacts are beginning to ripple through all of Prince William County communities, whether it's the power lines or an increase in electric bills. Or, as we saw tonight, the number of speakers from the Potomac District regarding Lexora Park.

[03:46:30] I respectfully ask all supervisors to consider repealing the data center overlay. Bristow Campus is outside of the overlay, and listening to supervisors Angry and Bailey discuss the deferral earlier, being outside the overlay makes no difference to them. They think this is a great project.

[03:46:46] So why do we even have an overlay? And just as a reminder, projects in the overlay are not being built by right. They're submitting applications to ask for more, more height, more square footage, more noise, more construction, all meaning more impacts to the community.

[03:47:03] Five of you on this board are continuing to vote yes to more. These are not by right bills. So again, why do we even have an overload? And finally, my advice to the Four Seasons residents is good luck. Supervisor Bailey has yet to vote no on a data center application, regardless of the community or residents speaking out against it. Organize yourselves, continue to show up and get others involved. And just be aware that those that are for this project are getting some sort of financial benefit from it, period. No matter what they say, someone is benefiting from it.

[03:47:41] And trust me, it's not the residents. That's all I have. Thank you very much. Thank you, Ms. Ellis. Are there any additional speakers? There are no more speakers at this time. Okay, Madam Chair, back to you. All right, again, thank you for everyone who has come out to speak today.

[03:48:00] This concludes our meeting. I'd like to get a motion to adjourn. So moved. Second. All right. I'll go to, uh, we're, all right. So let's go ahead, take our vote.

[03:48:24] All right, next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 8th. Thank you.

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