Live Blog: Board of County Supervisors Meeting Dec. 14

The Prince William County Board of Supervisors is meeting at 2 p.m. today, where among other agenda items, it will make a final decision on the Environmental Chapter update that has gone back and forth between the board and the Planning Commission several times. Last week, the board moved to approve the update, with the exception of 11 amendments, as well as the definition of a "significant non-RPA stream." Chairman At-Large Corey Stewart proposed a series of amendments, and members of the board felt it necessary for the public--including community organizations such as LOCCA and MIDCO--to have a chance to view the amendments. There will be no public hearing on the matter today, since public discussion was closed with last week's meeting.

To view the entire agenda, see the PDF to the right. Stay tuned to Patch for live updates throughout the meeting.

2:20 p.m.: The board started the meeting with a discussion of a budget amendment to appropriate over $2.8 million to the school department operating fund to cover increased enrollment costs. County Executive Melissa Peacor told the board the money was a state funding match for county funding obtained by reducing class sizes. The board approved the measure unanimously.

3:25 p.m.: Police Chief Charlie Deane made a lengthy presentation to the board, saying that with the increasingly complex challenges the police force is facing, it is vital to have the staffing plan reinstated as soon as possible. The police faced staffing cuts of 10 officers and six civilian employees that were funded by the state, and Deane asked the board to replace those positions immediately. According to Deane, the police need an additional 175-200 officers, but he doesn't expect those immediately. Ideally, Deane said, the department would gain 20 officers plus associated support staff this year. County Executive Peacor told the board that Deane's presentation would be taken into account in the coming weeks of the budget process.

4:15 p.m.: Laura Landram of the Gainesville/Haymarket Youth Football League spoke, asking the board to approve the planned license agreement to allow the GHYFL to build a new park. Landram said the league has the resources to build the fields, which will be available to 7200 children in the county. She also said the fields will be the first in the county high quality enough for youth football playoffs and championships to be played on. Earlier, Prince William County Park Authority Executive Director Jay Ellington cautioned the board that such a deal was an abrogation of the Park Authority's mandate and set a dangerous precedent for the privatization of public resources. Landram said the GHYFL has tried to work with the Park Authority to build new fields at Catharpin Park, but the Park Authority has not responded to its requests for an environmental study. Supervisor Wally Covington of the Brentsville District urged the board to adopt the motion, saying it is a chance to inject a $1 million investment into the local community. County Executive Peacor said that without the partnership with GHYFL, the funding for the fields would likely not be available for the next five to six years. The board approved the measure unanimously.

5:23 p.m.: The board voted 6-2 to approve the updates to the Environmental Chapter with the amendments proposed by Chairman Stewart. Stewart made three adjustments to his amendments during the meeting today. Supervisors Principi and May opposed the motion, saying that the staff recommendations prior to Stewart's amendments had struck the proper balance between land conservation and encouraging development.

5:49 p.m.: The meeting is wrapping up with personal comments from each supervisor, announcing holiday open houses and reflecting on today's work and recent community events.

6:10 p.m.: The board is going into closed session.