FAIRVIEW BEACH RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION Residents Meeting Saturday, August 27, 2016 Meeting called to order by President Terry O Toole @ 9:00 am. Terry started out by welcoming as guests to our meeting KG Fire Chief Moody and members of the fire department who were present, and thanked Chief Moody for some things he has done for us over the past few years, including being instrumental in getting us permission to use this facility for our meetings and activities. Terry stated that Chief Moody also will be involved in developing the FEMA grant for our erosion problems. Chief Moody then addressed the meeting. Gave us an overview regarding funding for our fire station, known as Company 3. Company 1 is by Food Lion on Rt. 3, and Company 2 is Dahlgren. There are plans to build a station in Shiloh. The KGFD responds to approximately 300 calls annually, makes 1600-1700 transports to Mary Washington Hospital. Some days there are no calls and on others 20 calls, some days 12 calls in approximately a 30-minute time period; they must be prepared to handle all. They have worked hard to get this station manned. He explained that this fire station was organized by volunteers despite comments made from time to time this station was never manned, nor shut down officially by the county. Many volunteers here in FVB would move away or stop volunteering. Now there are 6 full-time firefighters to man this station in our community. Two people will work 3 shifts, so when someone must be off one day he cannot put just one person here because must have a driver and an attendant. Shifts are A, B & C with 2 firefighters/emts assigned to each shift, with each person working an average of 56 hours per week. We will have coverage 24 hours, 7 days a week, and holiday coverage. He will continue to advocate for more positions so that we will have continuous coverage. He then introduced the members who accompanied him to our meeting, pointing out that the department had a call after their arrival this morning and so unfortunately a few others who had been here had to leave. Chief Moody stated that unfortunately many homes still do not have smoke detectors if you have one but cannot install it, please call the non-emergency fire department number and they will come out and install it for you. It is recommended that we change the batteries twice a year when we change our clocks forward or back. If the batteries are dead and new ones needed call them! They will gladly supply batteries and install them. They cannot supply the detectors themselves, nor fire extinguishers, but can supply batteries and will install all for you. BJ Strank asked if it would be helpful for the fire department to know about residences with special needs occupants yes. Chief Moody then pointed out the table they had set up with handouts including a form with magnetic backing for the refrigerator which can list emergency contacts, medical conditions, allergies, etc., all information that is very helpful to emergency responders. He was aware that our residents had asked about our fire hydrants. He advised that the fire hydrants in Fairview Beach are all in working order and now with our improved water system are better than ever. The new tank holds 250,000 gallons. When a hydrant must be opened two extra pumps kick in. In answer to a question, Chief Moody stated that they don t flush out the hydrants because it stirs up the water, making it cloudy and causing quality issues. Chief Moody encouraged us to sign up for the King George Alert system for our phones, computers, or both, which can advise of emergency conditions, storm alerts, road closures, etc.
They will be present for FVB Day with some activities for children. They were present for an Open House the day of our Poker Run. Bonnie Stone then invited them all to our annual holiday dinner the first Saturday in December here at the station. Deputy Chief Lynd then addressed those present. He also encouraged us to sign up for KG Alert. September is National Preparedness Month and Fairview Beach knows how to live without power. He encouraged us to have enough supplies for 3 days per person including a manual can opener and medications. He mentioned our January snowstorm that resulted in a state of emergency for our area. Lynd also mentioned their Facebook page, and a weather bug station at Co. 1 that includes a computer application available to the public, as well as a Ready Virginia computer application to educate the public on having an emergency plan. President Terry thanked all the KGFD members for coming this morning, for the handouts they provided and for the coffee, juice, water, and especially the Paul s Donuts! 1. Minutes of July 2016 meeting: Motion was made by Don to accept as written; seconded and approved. 2. Erosion A. FEMA Grant 1. Terry Our project now qualifies for a FEMA grant he s not saying that we definitely will get one, but our situation fits to a T. We have given Steve all the information we have and Mike Bennett and Don Pfalzgraf prepared, at their request, information regarding value of the properties in the questionable area. The local newspaper article recently implied that the Army Corps grant was dead, which it is not, it just did not get chosen for the latest award. He corrected Cathy Dyson s statement that the issue is at 1 st Street, which actually is at 2 nd Street. 2. Mike Mike stated that he never knew that the FD also handles emergency preparedness and Deputy Lynd is in charge of that. There is also a Virginia emergency management agency. The FEMA grant application came about from the Watershed Roundtable meeting held here at the firehouse recently. Chris Werle, citizen member of the service authority and retired from Army Corps has been very interested in the sewer line issues connected with the erosion. It is a federal grant, but administered by Commonwealth of Virginia with a maximum of $4 million. We are not sure from the estimates on what it will cost to fix the bank s erosion. The county is using the figure of $3 million, but Mike don t know where that figure came from. It includes any studies needed but all our previous work with Bayshore has been provided to them, and Mike explained what that entails. There is now less bank than when this plan was designed in 2015. Bayshore also provided information on what needs to be done. If we do get the award, we will have no say in how the money is spent but are willing, able and want to work with them. The application is not from our residents association but from the county. In response to a question, the money will be specifically earmarked for the issue on Fairview Drive and managed by the state, not locally. Steve Lynd has the experience needed in writing the grant application. BJ pointed out that this means the association will save money on a grant writer. 2
Steve and Chris Werle have met with the state grant coordinator. The FEMA grant is different from the Army Corps grant; however, applying for both is good idea until one or the other is definitely approved. As Mike understands it, the state gets 60 days to review and look at it on the merits and will not know the name of the area. Competition is only with other Virginia projects, whereas the Army Corps grant is national. The FEMA grant also is very different from Army Corps project in regard to public interest. For the Army Corps, we have emphasized the public infrastructure. FEMA grant is designed such that for every dollar spent they want to save a dollar or dollar and a half, including houses, road, sewage line. For properties just on Fairview Drive, assessed value by KG County was $7 million, but in reviewing similar Zillow real estate listings the value is less, which is different from how it used to be. This is bad for property taxes but good for the grant application. So we are 2-1/2 times higher of funds to be saved. There is no date on the award announcement. The cost share for the Army Corps grant would be 65% federal and 35% local share, which is King George County, the sponsoring agency requesting it. The FEMA grant is 75% federal, 15% state, and only 10% local, which is a lot better than the 35% local for the Army Corps grant. B. Army Corps 1. Mike Mike spoke to Tony Clark, Baltimore region coordinator. We didn t get the 2016 grant because our request was too late, but the request is still alive with the Army Corps of Engineers. We are now #1 in our region (Baltimore Region) for 2017 funding, but the award is national. Still, this is the best position we can be in and the decision will be made in the fall of this year for 2017 funding. So we re working on both grants, Army Corps and FEMA, and whoever comes through first is how we will go with. 2. Tom Hudson Tom explained that the federal fiscal year ends Sept. 30; however sometimes there are extra funds and if so, we may luck out. The bottom line is that the project would be finished around February of 2019. Terry pointed out that our relationship with the county is very good and they started looking into the FEMA project because they realize that it benefits KG in general. There was a time when we did not get the cooperation that we have now. 3. Jim Howard, KG Supervisor Mr. Howard reported that today is a day for which we have waited for a long time. It is very important for us to have this fire station manned not only for FVB but for the western end of the county. The Board of Supervisors is dedicated to keeping it funded he tried to get 6 more positions and was not successful this time but will try again. Things look good and we need to continue with that. This is a real accomplishment for FVB and KG County. The 6 firefighters include one female who is currently on vacation and so was not present today. He also mentioned the progress on our erosion issue and stated they will continue to work on this project. 4. Elections Nominating Committee Chair Ginny Grimes asked if everyone present is a paid member as of August 1 st. She gave everyone a moment to review the nomination sheet provided with positions currently open and to be voted 3
on. Ginny asked for nominations for President besides Mike Bennett. Jay Steiner moved that nominations be closed. Seconded. By hand vote, Mike Bennett was elected President. No further nominations besides Cindy Lawson for Recording Secretary. Herb Cover moved that nominations be closed. Seconded. By hand vote, Cindy Lawson was approved as Recording Secretary. Since Mike Bennett was elected President but has one year remaining as Vice President, current Board member Don Pfalzgraf was on the slate to fill the remaining term of Vice President. It was moved for nominations to be closed; seconded. By hand vote, Don Pfalzgraf was approved to complete the one year remaining of Mike Bennett s term as Vice President. Board members: Terms ending Oct. 1, 2016: Ginny Grimes, Al Ventura and Dennis Ridgeway (Putz). Nominations for the 3 positions for the term 2016-2018: Ginny Grimes, Al Ventura and Bryan Metts. There were no nominations from the floor, so nominations were then closed. By hand vote, Ginny Grimes, Al Ventura and Brian Metz were elected as Board members. With the election of Don Pfalzgraf as Vice President, his remaining one year as a Board member was now vacant. Connie Gallahan was on the slate to complete Don s term on the Board. There were no nominations from the floor. Motion made to close nominations; seconded. By hand vote, Connie Gallahan was elected to complete the remainder of Don Pfalzgraf s term on the Board. President Terry then stated that for one year he will also serve on the Board as the immediate Past President, as long as he is still in FVB. He thanked Ginny and the Nominating Committee, outgoing Board member Dennis Ridgeway, and the incoming Officers and Board members. 5. Golf Cart Recap-Tara Patteson On Saturday, August 20, 120 golf carts were registered. There was an issue with the decals over which we had no control it was with the company preparing them. She is available after this meeting to place decals on carts already registered. Tom Hudson stated that on Saturday, September 3, Fairview Beach Day, he will be on the west side of 2 nd Street by Janet Jennings house from 9 to 11 a.m. for decal placement for those who have already registered. Tara will not be here for inspections next weekend but please contact her if an inspection is needed. She reminded us that current registrations are legal until end of September. Tim Goolsby will be here for FVB Day and is very accommodating regarding doing inspections. Tara s contact information is on the FVB website. Tom pointed out that the police need to be able to see the decals from 30-40 feet away, so correct placement is important. 6. FVB Day & Fundraising Sande Pfalzgraf reported that this will be our 35 th Annual FVB Day celebrating our residents. Volunteers are still needed for the children s area, including the Moon Bounce. Currently we have 14 baskets to raffle. June has the cash raffle tickets with her today for $1 each or 6 for $5. Golf Tournament is Sept. 30 th. We have significant contributions already with 14 teams scheduled last year there were 16 teams, and the tournament is still over a month away. She named the various ways to sponsor, including the 18 x 24 signs and banners. Sande then requested an additional $1500 for advance expenses for FVB Day, for a total of $3500. Motion made, seconded, and approved by hand vote. 4
Sande reminded us that we are now able to take credit cards which makes it easier than previously when we could only take cash. 7. Open Discussion Mike Bennett stated that paid FBRA members can now use the NSWC Credit Union. He will have handouts available soon. Sande Pfalzgraf mentioned that we can now also use credit cards for FBRA dues payments. 8. Treasurer s Report Membership: 138 Checking Account: Balance Forward $26,748.11 Income 4,065.74 Expenses -1,072.65 Balance: $29,741.20 CD: Balance Forward $50,250.73 Interest 7/26/2016 +30.89 Ending Balance: $50,281.62 Total Available Funds: $30,022.82 Total Number of Golf Carts Registered on 8/20/16: 119 Also during Golf Cart Registration: Bake Sale $312.50 T-Shirt/Sticker Sales $342.00 There was no 50-50 raffle at this meeting. Al Ventura moved to adjourn; seconded and approved by voice vote. Cindy Lawson Recording Secretary 5