09-29-2003 MinutesBOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MINUTES
September 29, 2003
Supervisors in Attendance~
Staff in Attendance~
Mr. Arthur S. Warren, Chairman
Mr. Edward B. Barber
Mrs. Renny B. Humphrey
Mr. Lane B. Ramsey
County Administrator
Special ~uests~
Congressman Eric Cantor
Delegate Lee Ware
Senator John Watkins
Colonel Carl R. Baker,
Police Department
Mr. Craig Bryant, Dir.,
Utilities
Dr. Billy Cannaday, Jr.,
Supt., School Board
Ms Marilyn Cole, Asst.
County Administrator
Ms Mary Ann Curtin, Dir.,
Intergovtl. Relations
Ms Lisa Elko, CMC
Clerk to Board
Mr Bradford S. Hammer,
Deputy Co. Admin.,
Human Services
Mr. Donald Kappel, Dir.,
Public Affairs
Dep. Chief Paul Mauger,
Fire Department
Mr. Steven L. Micas,
County Attorney
Dr. William Nelson,
Dir., Health Dept.
Mr. James J. L. Stegmaier,
Deputy Co. Admin.,
Management Services
Mr. M. D. Stith, Jr.,
Deputy Co. Admin.,
Community Development
Mr. Warren welcomed citizens to the meeting and explained the
format of the meeting. After several brief presentations he
explained that every citizen would be able to make comments
or suggestions and could meet with representatives from the
insurance industry, utilities companies and governmental
agencies at tables at the rear of the meeting room.
Mr. Warren indicated that Mr. Barber would moderate the
citizen portion of the meeting.
Delegate Ware gave an invocation.
Mr. Warren introduced Congressman Cantor who explained the
federal response to the disaster and thanked County citizens
for their volunteer efforts in helping fellow citizens
recover from the storm.
Ms. Humphrey expressed her concern about the damage to her
area of the county and the effect on individuals who lived in
rural areas.
Mr. Ramsey provided an overview of the extent of the damage
in Chesterfield and the county's response to disaster relief.
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09/29/03
A representative from FEMA explained how the ~EMA claims
process works, mentioned SBA loans and recommended that
people with damage to their property file claims.
A vice-president from Dominion Power explained the extent of
the damage to the Virginia Power grid representing 80% of
their customers without power or 1.8 million accounts. He
also explained the process by which Virginia Power worked to
restore power and how crews were brought in from many states
and Canada.
Dr. Cannaday explained how the school system was affected by
the storm including loss of food and the schedule for
reopening of schools.
Approximately 25 citizens spoke from various neighborhoods
affected by the storm. Their comments included questions
about who was responsible for trees falling from adjacent
properties, whether the County could go on private property
to remove debris and whether electric power rates would be
increased to pay for the cost of recovery. Dr. Nelson from
the Health Department warned about damage to drainfields when
equipment is removing debris. A teacher from James River High
School su~r~arized comments from students particularly about
the lack of a central voice for communication. Several
citizens wanted all power lines to be underground. A resident
of woodmont couldn't understand why it took longer than seven
days to return power and that priority should be given to
those with wells. A Clover Hill Farms resident and an Ashley
Woods resident complained about the slow and random pace of
electricity restoration. Citizens expressed concerns that
rights of way were not cleared on predictable three-year
schedules, that priorities for repair by Virginia Power
should be revised, and that communication from Virginia Power
was misleading. A citizen raised questions about price
gouging which was answered by the County Attorney. Citizens
suggested that ice and water be distributed at multiple
locations such as fire stations and that a shelter be located
in Northern Chesterfield. Comments were made about providing
a central voice for information after the storm and that
communications were not as consistent as it should have been
with WRVA being particularly negative.
The meeting ended with citizens talking to various
representatives from organizations providing assistance to
citizens.
~t~ ' ARadm~:~Ys t r~t or /
Arthur S. Warren
Chairman
03-'74, S
09/29/03