Recap of October 11 BOS Meeting

The Board of Supervisors at its October 11 meeting heard a proposal from Prince George Electric Co-Op to offer a pilot program on broadband in Prince George County.

Long known for its ability to provide electric to customers, PGEC will branch out in the area of providing broadband. The initial step will include a limited area of Prince George County.

PGEC officials told the BOS the test case will include 75 homes and public buildings. Customers will be given a chance to be offered internet service on West Quaker Road, between Route 460 and Route 156. This is expected to improve customer internet speeds to 30Mbps and there will be no restrictions for the amount of data a member can use.

The cost is estimated to be around $82 per month.

“We see this as a benefit to the community in three ways,” commented Casey Logan, Vice President of Engineering. “It will benefit students and parents regarding education; upgrade emergency service buildings and County institutions; and economic development.”

The installation of cable is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

Other matters to come before the BOS at its worksession & meeting:

• Approved on the Consensus Agenda advertisement of a public hearing for November 9 regarding changes in the ordinance pertaining to ‘direct sales & massage parlors.’
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda a resolution of intent to participate in the Great Southeast Shakeout and work toward becoming a safer community.
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda a resolution authorizing the chairman to execute stormwater declaration of covenants for the Carson Volunteer Fire Department.
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda a resolution appropriating $38,795 from the Library of Virginia Circuit Court Records Preservation Grants.
• Approved on the Consensus Agenda a resolution authorizing financial support not to exceed $2,000 in naming a bridge for deceased Virginia State Trooper Nathan-Michael W. Smith.
• Presented a resolution to the James House proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
• Received from VACO an Achievement Award for the Toddler Fair.
• Received the monthly report from VDOT.
• Received a report on Saturday’s Czech-Slovak Festival.
• Unanimously approved a request by the Prince George Youth Wrestling Association for use of the office located beside the cafeteria in the Wellness Center and additional air conditioning units.
• Unanimously approved a grant application to FEMA for the Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator’s position.
• Approved a grant application to the John Randolph Foundation to provide exercise equipment at the Wellness Center by a 3-2 vote, with Chairman Bill Robertson & Supervisor T.J. Webb dissenting.
• Unanimously rejected bids to an RFP for community-wide recycling plan.
• Unanimously approved a resolution granting authority for Staff to execute a contract to HVC Chenault for architectural and engineering services for the renovation and buildout of the Courthouse Basement area in the amount of $199,207.20.
• Unanimously approved Chairman Robertson to cast vote(s) for Prince George County at the VACo Annual Business Meeting in November.