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At a regular meeting of the Southampton County Board of Supervisors held in the Board Room of the Southampton County Office Center, 26022 Administration Drive, Courtland, Virginia on January 28, 2020. 6:00 p.m.

SUPERVISORS PRESENT Dr. Alan W. Edwards, Chairman (Jerusalem District)

William Hart Gillette, Vice Chairman (Capron District) Christopher D. Cornwell, Sr. (Berlin/Ivor District)

Carl J. Faison (Boykins/Branchville District) Dallas O. Jones (Drewryville District) Lynda T. Updike (Newsoms District)

Robert White (Franklin District)

SUPERVISORS ABSENT None

OTHERS PRESENT

Michael W. Johnson, County Administrator (Clerk) Lynette C. Lowe, Deputy County Administrator/Chief Financial Officer

Beth Lewis, Deputy Director of Community Development Richard E. Railey, Jr., County Attorney

Nora C. Atkins, Administrative Assistant

OTHERS ABSENT None

Chairman Alan Edwards calls the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Edwards says the first item on the agenda is a closed session. Chairman Edwards moves that the Board enter into a closed meeting in accordance with the provisions set out in the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, for the following purpose:

In accordance with §2.2-3711 (A) (5), Discussion with staff from Franklin Southampton Economic Development Incorporated concerning confidential communications and negotiations with commercial or industrial prospects, or the expansion of existing commercial or industrial businesses, where no previous announcement has been made of the prospects’ or businesses’ interest in locating or expanding its facilities in Southampton County.

A motion is required to convene a closed meeting for the purpose described above. Supervisor Carl Faison seconds the motion, and the Board approves the motion to go into closed meeting. BOARD ENTERS INTO CLOSED MEETING AT 6:00 P.M. BOARD RETURNS TO OPEN SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. Chairman Edwards calls the meeting back to order at 7:00 p.m. following the closed session. Chairman Edwards says, okay, ladies and gentlemen, we are close enough to 7:00 p.m. to welcome you all to our open session, our regular meeting, the first meeting that we had to do any business this year, January 28. I like to remind people that it’s good to see a crowd here, because you can come here and speak your piece and we will listen to you. You can’t do it in Richmond, and you

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sure can’t do it in Washington. So, welcome to you all. First of all, does anybody like to volunteer for the invocation, please? Ms. Earva Lee Jones comes forward and presents the invocation. Chairman Edwards says to Ms. Jones, thank you very much. Chairman Edwards continues, okay, we will have Supervisor Gillette read the certification resolution of our closed meeting. Vice Chairman William Hart Gillette reads:

WHEREAS, the Southampton County Board of Supervisors convened a closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and WHEREAS, §2.2-3712 (D) of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the Board that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Southampton County Board of Supervisors hereby certifies that, to the best of each member’s knowledge, (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certification resolution applies, and (ii) only such public matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed and considered by the Southampton County Board of Supervisors.

Supervisor Gillette says, Mr. Chairman, I move that this resolution be adopted and entered into the record. Chairman Edwards says, thank you. Do we have a second? Supervisor Carl Faison says, second. Chairman Edwards says, we have a proper second. All those in favor of supporting the resolution say aye.

Dr. Alan Edwards AYE William Hart Gillette AYE Christopher Cornwell AYE Carl Faison AYE Dallas Jones AYE Lynda Updike AYE Robert White AYE

Chairman Edwards continues, thank you. It is unanimous. Chairman Edwards says, we are now officially back in open session. We did not do any voting in closed session, and we followed Virginia law to the letter. Okay, we’ll go on to number 4, Citizens Comment Period. We’d like to hear from you, just please limit your comments if you could to less than 3 minutes. If you are real interesting, we might give you some extra time. Mr. Ash Cutchin comes forward and says, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good evening. Welcome to all of you. Welcome to the New Year and welcome to the new board members. My name is Ash Cutchin and I live on Darden Point Road in Sedley. I would like to make a few brief comments. I bring up two items. First, solar farms because I may not stay for the entire meeting. Now I visited solar farms in Accomack County and in North Carolina and in Georgia. And I’m seeing them in other places. And personally, I think they are ugly. And I see that every one that I’ve seen has taken cropland or pastureland out of production. I have not seen a single one that was put in cutover woodland. And I see no reason whatsoever to establish one so close to the residential town of Courtland, our historic county seat. If approved, I think they should be way out in the boondocks and out of sight. I know this is hard to do. But a solar farm has been recently approved in Isle of Wight County, adjacent to

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some property that I own, on 300 acres surrounding the home of my great-grandfather, Joseph James Cutchin whose home is on the National Register of Historic Places. I think that it’s disgusting. Another thing, and this might surprise some of you. Eventually I think it will be the state and not the local boards to decide how to tax these eyesores. And if that’s the case, what is the financial benefit to the county? Mr. Cutchin continues, and my other comment concerns the new Board that we have. I know that some of you ran unopposed. I’m sure that some of you were elected because the voters voted against your opponent. But some also voted for you. But whatever the reason, I’m positive the voters elected you because they (we) support fiscal responsibility, and we think you represent that. We expect you to be the guardians of our tax payments and to spend the public funds wisely and responsibly, wasting not a single dollar. It will be hard to do, I know. We don’t expect miracles. But we do expect you to sit up there and deliberate, only after thorough research and understanding of each issue before you. And only after listening to your constituents’ wishes. Please, please, I beg you. Do not sit up there with the opinion that because you are up there and we’re out here, that you are somehow wiser and more intelligent than we are. We’ve had enough of that situation in the past few years. I know that you are empowered to make decisions behind closed doors, but I encourage you to be as transparent as possible with those of us who have elected you. Thank you for your willingness to serve. I know it is not an easy job. Thank you for listening and for letting the citizens speak. Chairman Edwards says, thank you, sir. Anybody else? Mr. Jack Randall comes forward and says, good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Jack Randall. 19134 Lakeside Drive, Courtland, Darden Mill. I respectfully wanted to address the Chairman, Assistant Chairman, and the Board as it relates to your specific application. And it’s labeled number 1 (and I think it’s very appropriate) – 2019:01. I wanted to direct your attention to page 3 as it relates to the Conditional Use Permit, §18-512, General Guides and Standards.

(a) A conditional use permit should be approved only if it is permitted with a conditional use permit in the district regulations and only if it is found that the location is appropriate and not in conflict with the comprehensive plan, that the public health, safety, morals and general welfare…

Mr. Randall continues, now it goes on to say the various specifics under 18.512, that is any locality in its discretion and why it is called a Conditional Use Permit because it is, in fact, conditional. So I wanted to point that out very specifically, that you are the policymakers of Southampton County, and many times politically there is pressure put on putting folks in a box. I feel very confident with the election that you all will use great discretion and do what is best for Southampton County. Mr. Randall says, now, that being said, I would want to point out specifically of the Comprehensive Plan and the current zoning, and I think that there are two things going on. Current zoning is A2 Agriculture, and then the current designation on the Comprehensive Plan is Low-Density Residential, Courtland Planning Area. So there’s two things going on. Currently it’s being farmed as farmland, and then secondarily the Comprehensive Plan there is a future outlook for some type of future expansion from the town of Courtland. And I would submit, and I did not GPS it, but it is within a 1000 yards to 800 yards from the water tower. So I would respectfully request you all to consider in great detail the public policy of agriculture, and that coupled with the future development of the town of Courtland. Now at some point I would like to make is, the watershed is within great and close proximity to that. And I think that that is a significant factor for you to consider in the analysis of the application. [Buzzer sounds.] So that is just several factors I would like the Board to consider and overall after considering to deny the application, as a citizen of that district. Thank you for your time and your efforts. Chairman Edwards says, thank you very much, sir. All right, who’s next? Mr. Joe Vick comes forward and says, Mr. Chairman, I’m Joe Vick. I live on Indian Town Road. Mr. Gillette is my representative. And congratulations to all of you who have won your respect of your electorate in the elections. And to anyone else who may be in the running who won their election, and especially thanks to Sheriff Wyche. It’s refreshing, sir, to see our sheriff here in this chamber tonight and I appreciate it. And I hope that you all will keep the concerns of your constituents in the forefront of your minds as you go throughout your terms here, and there is every indication that you will. There is no reason to believe that you won’t. In the past, though, we have

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got the feeling that the Board has not always kept the wishes of their citizens in the front of their minds. And I know some of you have heard this from your own constituents in the past, “Why is this room normally empty?” Tonight there is a crowd here and I’m pleased to see that. I hope this is the start of something new. But along with that, there is apathy that tends to surround these meetings. And I know that some of you have heard that, “They don’t listen to us.” That is the term I’ve heard quite often. Or, “Their minds are already made up. There is no need for us to go to those meetings.” So I hope that this is a change. And I am, in fact, looking forward to it. Mr. Vick says, and of course I’m going to offer you some tips, maybe to help you. Maybe involve the public a little more. And the first two things that I ask you to do is to get rid of two things in this room. First is the timer. I think we are all adults here and we can be at the discretion of the Chairman. If we get too repetitive, you can cut us off. Sometimes it takes more than three minutes for people. And I have heard people up here having to rush through their arguments where you can’t really understand what they’re trying to say because they’re trying to read so quickly. And the second thing I would remove from the room is our cassette recorder. I don’t know if any people know this, we’re still recording these meetings for public record on a cassette recorder. One of these things that you have to press Record and Play at the same time, and flip the cassette after 60 minutes. I think in this day and age, we can do a little better than that. I’m not asking for any immediate changes, but think about this. Franklin does video recordings and they can post them online, and hundreds of people have access to them. So I would like you to consider that. I would like you to consider more budget workshops. For those who haven’t attended the budget workshops, these are interactive occasions for the public to come and talk about the budget, and not only have public comment but to have feedback from their representatives. And actually get answers to questions in real time. I recommend doing more of those if possible and then advertise them. Franklin has had some success with town hall meetings. I think that’s a good idea to involve the public. I know that some of you attended these various candidate forums in the county leading up to the election, and they were very well attended in my opinion. Maybe having some meetings out in the towns in next few years. [Buzzer sounds.] That’s neither here nor there. And if you will indulge me, Mr. Chairman, I understand that the timer has gone off. Chairman Edwards says, we’ll let you stay on for a few more seconds. Mr. Vick continues, well, that’s all I need is just a few more seconds. I just wanted to say that I think you’ll regret not involving the public. So I would hope that you will at least look forward to that, and try to see what you can do to involve others more. We’re expecting a lot out of you, and I have no doubt that you will be responsible. And once again, congratulations and thank you. Chairman Edwards says, all right. Who’s next? Ms. Earva Lee Jones comes forward and says, again, my name is Earva Lee Jones. I reside at 33306 Joyner’s Bridge Road in the Franklin District. Happy New Year to everybody, to the Chairman and then of course to my Board of Supervisors representative, Mr. White. I am here before you tonight, and I noticed looking on the back that item number 13 deals with replacing a compactor. But I am here to make an appeal on behalf of the citizens across the county to ask you to maybe consider if you will to lower the $200 waste tax fee this year, giving the citizens just a little bit of relief because several things have taken place in their budget. I am sure if you are over 65 you saw that the Medicare Part B premium increased this year, which means that the majority of the citizens have a decrease of expendable income, as well as increased deductibles and co-insurances. So if you will consider lowering that $200, I think it would be greatly appreciated to the citizenry of this county. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says, okay. Anybody else? Sheriff Josh Wyche comes forward and says, good evening, Board members. Chairman Edwards says, welcome, Sheriff. Sheriff Wyche says, welcome, Chairman Edwards. My name is Josh Wyche, Sr. I reside in Southampton County. I am your newly elected sheriff, as many of you are aware. I am here to say to each of you that I am looking forward to working with each of you. If there is ever a concern, I gave each one of you my card. Please contact me. If you are by my office, just stop in and we’ll sit down in my office and discuss whatever your concern may be. I have with me today Major Cobb. I

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may not be in the office, but I’m sure he’ll be around. But again, I’m looking forward to working with each and every one of you. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says, thank you. All right, who is next? Mr. Glenn Updike comes forward and says, I’m Glenn Updike. I would like to congratulate each one of you on the election, and I’m looking forward to great things from you all on the Board. First of all with the leadership that we have sitting before us, I am sure that you will be able to go out, talk to businesses, and beg some money from them so that you can put some cushions on these seats. I mean, I’ve been sitting back there for twenty-thirty years and I’ve gotten sore. So I’m really serious for you to see if we can find some funds somewhere to help us out. And number two, I would like to say that I know for a fact that years ago, we had the closed sessions after the regular meeting. And the reason we changed from the regular before the meeting was so that the economic development person can attend Franklin and the Southampton meetings on the same night. One early, one late. But I’m sure it would be nice to have the meetings, the closed sessions, after the regular meeting. Chairman Edwards says, Mr. Updike, if we made the seats more comfortable, a lot people would probably fall asleep. Mr. Updike says, I can assure you that we have a rowdy enough crowd that that won’t happen. If they do, I will wake them. Chairman Edwards says, okay. Anybody else? This is your opportunity, come on forward. Ms. Coleen Flick comes forward and says, do my three minutes start when I got up or when I stand here? The timekeeper says, now. Ms. Flick continues, okay. I’m Coleen Flick. I live on Sadler Road in Southampton County. I’ve lived for twenty, going on twenty-one years. Just asking questions about the solar. The first gentleman who spoke about the Comprehensive Plan, I would suggest that you all read it. I have. It’s very long, it’s 157 pages. I blew out the toner at work. Anyway, some of the questions are – how long is the solar company going to hold on to the lease before selling it to another entity? The other thing is – is the owner who is wanting to lease the land in Courtland living on the land now and if they are not going to be living on the land, why not? My other question, too, was – would the runoff affect the Chesapeake Bay watershed? And then, my other thought is some research that $1000 was paid to Southampton County for the permit, but half a million was paid to Dominion Power from the company. It seems a little one-sided. And it seems that Southampton County is being used and abused, and I love this county. I love it. When my husband and I were looking for a place to retire, and being in the Navy, this was a place that he hunted. And he said, “Let’s go look right there. I like the people. It looks like land that we grew up on back in New York that’s now overrun with people and houses and all kinds of stuff. So let’s look over there.” And sure enough, we found a spot that was covered with deer tracks. So I love this county, and we’re trying to make it the best that it can be. And not be torn apart and turned into a dump waste. How many of us have had old satellite dishes that are this big? Where are they now? They’re obsolete. I think solar energy is fantastic. I think it’s great. But let’s think about this a little bit slower. How many years is it going to take before that becomes obsolete? There’s lots of other things coming out there. I think about the radios. Those of us who are older like me can remember the old Victrolas that were as big as this table. The Japanese came out with a transistor, and now they can have something that it’s about an inch, like so. I think there are too many questions and not enough answers. And I’m afraid that the company, if they do end up leasing it to somebody else or selling the lease to somebody else, that the owners of the property are going to end up with a problem and that Southampton County is going to end up with a problem. Thank you, and I humbly ask that you please read the Comprehensive Plan. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says, okay. Anybody else? Please come forward. Mr. Terry Dudash comes forward and says, good evening. My name is Terry Dudash. My wife and I reside at 7243 Freeman Road in Wakefield. I’m kind of the new kid in town, based on I’ve only been living here for about 10 years. But I fell in love the land and I’m sure many of you share the same sentiment. I agree with the first gentleman that spoke, that it is rather an eyesore. It is a very

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aesthetic disturbance that impacts a place right in with all the neighbors. It just seems totally incompatible. But on a more pragmatic sense in the research that I’ve done, solar panels are not really compatible with agriculture. It’s very much unlike wind power, where you can put the shafts up and farmers can still farm underneath of it. This uses huge, huge tracts of land. It’s harsh, and they’re talking 35 years. No green manure, no organic manure. Nothing to really stimulate the soil. It just scorches the earth. The ones that suffer the most are the fauna, the flora, especially the birds. Toxic waste, what I’ve come to discover, is that when we are ready to dispose of these solar panels we got to put them in some site. It produces 300 times more toxic waste per unit of energy than what we get with energy from nuclear fuel. Most of this stuff that we put together is not compatible with the glass or the metal to remove. It’s cost prohibitive. We end up shipping it to China, India, or Ghana. Anyone who makes a claim that they’re going to stay in business for 35 years – I don’t know about you, my last 24 years have been bought out by about 7 different companies. I still get a paycheck, I just don’t know who’s signing it until I pick it up. They make these claims like they’re in it for the long term, but they aren’t. You know, from the not-too-distant past, if you are looking at just within Southampton County, I call them land scars. In the 80’s and 90’s, we had all these people put up the poultry farms. There’s not a faster and more expedient agricultural industry if you will – method by which they could get their kids through college, pay off their houses. But then they walked. When they got done they just said, “It’s just not worth it to us to demolish and return it back to agriculture.” When I hear from these Recurrent Energy and these other solar companies is that this will return to an agricultural state. But then they place these concrete pilings ten to eighteen feet apart down deep into the soil. Who’s going to dig that up and reclaim that land? It seems to me that again, they’re going to walk. So I don’t think we’re afraid [Buzzer sounds]. But I do see what we do know. But there are many questions like Coleen just mentioned that we don’t know and we haven’t answered. We’d like you to look into that. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says, thank you, sir. All right. Is there anybody else who would like to speak? Please come forward. [No response.] All right, if there is not – last call. Anybody change their mind? [No response.] If not, then we will go ahead and close the Citizens Comment Period. Chairman Edwards continues, next on the agenda is number 5, Approval of the Minutes. The regular session in December and the organizational meeting on January 2. Does anybody have any corrections or amendments to those minutes? [No response.] All right, if there are no corrections or amendments, then they will stand as printed. Chairman Edwards says, number 6, Highway Matters. Does anybody have any Highway Matters? We’ll start with you, Ms. Updike. Supervisor Lynda Updike says, at the intersection at Gum, at the intersection of Cypress Bridge Road and 671. It’s where a stop sign used to be and there’s a big hole. It just needs filling in, I guess. Chairman Edwards says, okay. Mr. Michael Johnson asks, is this stop sign no longer there? Supervisor Updike says, no. Mr. Johnson asks, does it need to be there? Supervisor Updike says, I think it’s over on the side. Mr. Johnson says, then they just moved it. Chairman Edwards asks, Supervisor White? Supervisor Robert White responds, I don’t have any concerns. Chairman Edwards asks, Supervisor Faison? Supervisor Faison says, no. Chairman Edwards asks, Supervisor Gillette?

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Supervisor Gillette says, not at this time. Chairman Edwards asks, Supervisor Jones? Supervisor Dallas Jones responds, no. Chairman Edwards asks, Chris, do you have anything? Supervisor Christopher Cornwell says, not at this time. No, sir. Chairman Edwards says, it looks like we’re okay, then. If you notice any road problems, call your representative so we can bring those up at the meeting. Number 7, Appointments. The Industrial Development Authority and the Western Tidewater Community Service Board. First of all, do we have a volunteer? Supervisor White says, I have a volunteer from my district, Brad Turner, and I would like to make a motion that he get that position. Supervisor Updike says, second. Chairman Edwards asks, for the Industrial Development Authority? Supervisor Faison says, yes. Chairman Edwards asks, is there a second to that motion? Supervisor Updike says, second. Chairman Edwards says, any further discussion? [No response.] If not, all those in favor say aye.

Dr. Alan Edwards AYE William Hart Gillette AYE Christopher Cornwell AYE Carl Faison AYE Dallas Jones AYE Lynda Updike AYE Robert White AYE

Chairman Edwards continues, it looks like it is unanimous. Any volunteers for the Western Tidewater Community Service Board? [No response.] Well, would anybody volunteer to find one and bring it in next meeting? Supervisor White asks, can that be from any district? Mr. Johnson responds, yes, any district. Chairman Edwards asks Supervisor White, would you volunteer there, sir? Supervisor White says, no. I’m going to look and see if I can come up with somebody. Chairman Edwards asks, Mr. Faison? Supervisor Faison says, yes, sir. I will. Chairman Edwards says, Supervisor Faison has volunteered to take care of it and bring his nominee to the next meeting. Super. Chairman Edwards continues, okay. We will go to the Reports. Mr. Johnson says, real quick, Mr. Chairman. We also have a vacancy on IDA from Drewryville district. I’m not sure if Mr. Jones has anyone yet or not.

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Supervisor Jones says, I have someone but I haven’t been able to see him yet. I’ll be ready by next meeting. Chairman Edwards says, okay. You will be ready by next meeting. Supervisor Jones says, yes, I will. Chairman Edwards continues, all right. Reports, number 8. Financial Reports – anybody have any comments or questions? [No response.] If not, Sheriff’s Office. Anything over there? [No response.] Animal Control? [No response.] I’m going to go through this rather quickly, so if I call your section, just pop up. Cooperative Extension, Treasurer’s Office, Solid Waste Quantities, the Blackwater Regional Library. [No response.] And Personnel. Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson says, we had a number of personnel changes to report, Mr. Chairman. We had five employees that were hired during the month.

Rhonda V. Griffin, effective January 1 in the Finance Department, annual salary $44,500 Jerry L. Stivers, effective January 1 in the Sheriff’s Office, annual salary $38,000 Bristol E. Phillips, effective January 6 in the Sheriff’s Office, annual salary $35,213 Matthew Fuhrmann, effective January 6 in the Sheriff’s Office, annual salary $35,213 Monica D. Harris-Hall, effective January 6 in the Sheriff’s Office, annual salary $38,000

Mr. Johnson continues, there were six reclassifications, all in the Sheriff’s Office, all effective January 1 with the exception of the last one that I’ll read.

The first one is Camden S. Cobb, annual salary $75,500 Ernest L. Parsons, annual salary $60,165 Justin T. Boone, annual salary $45,000 Bruce W. Turner, annual salary $51,765 and Serena C. White, annual salary $52,025

Mr. Johnson says, Mark Patterson was effective January 9, again this is the Sheriff’s Department with an annual salary of $45,848. We had four retirements during the month:

Julien W. Johnson, Jr., effective December 31 in the department of Utilities Sheriff John B. Stutts Major Gene H. Drewery and J. Michael Blythe, both from the Sheriff’s Department.

Mr. Johnson continues, we also had a couple of adjustments by the Comp Board from the election. Our new sheriff, Josh A. Wyche, Sr., effective January 1, annual salary $117,589; and Cynthia J. Edwards, effective January 1 in the Treasurer’s office, annual salary $71,557. Chairman Edwards says, thank you, sir. Anybody have any questions for Mr. Johnson about those? [No response.] All right, then we’ll move on then. Financial Matters. We need an Appropriation Resolution concerning the School Fund. Mr. Johnson says, yes, sir. We’ve got a resolution in your agenda package. It is one green sheet. It appropriates $26,834.74 in revenue from various sources to Southampton County Public Schools. Chairman Edwards says, any questions about that? [No response.] Supervisor Faison says, I move the resolution be approved. Chairman Edwards says, okay, we have a motion. Is there a second to that? Supervisor Jones says, second. Chairman Edwards says, all right. All those in favor of the resolution say aye.

Dr. Alan Edwards AYE William Hart Gillette AYE Christopher Cornwell AYE

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Carl Faison AYE Dallas Jones AYE Lynda Updike AYE Robert White AYE

Chairman Edwards continues, opposed, no. [No response.] Okay, that resolution is passed.

Mr. Johnson says, item B is an Appropriation Resolution as it relates to your General and Building Funds. These are the blue sheets in your agenda package. The resolution appropriates a total appropriation of $2,626,368.11. That is comprised of a combination of note proceeds, expenditure refunds, reimbursements, donations, and grants. The revenues have been received from the sources that are indicated on the resolution. But of that total amount $233,481.58 is for the General Fund and $2,392,886.53 is for the Building Fund which is for the replacement of the school roofs. The resolution does include $14,704.35 of new money for items that were not included in the FY 2020 budget. This is to cover the payout for vacation, sick leave, and comp time for a departing employee.

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Chairman Edwards says, thank you. I believe that everybody has a list of those appropriations there. Any questions? [No response.] I will entertain a motion to pass the resolution. Supervisor White says, so moved. Supervisor Faison says, second. Chairman Edwards says, moved and seconded. Okay, any further discussion? [No response.] All those in favor say aye.

Dr. Alan Edwards AYE William Hart Gillette AYE Christopher Cornwell AYE Carl Faison AYE Dallas Jones AYE Lynda Updike AYE

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Robert White AYE Chairman Edwards continues, opposed, no. [No response.] The ayes have it. We will pass that resolution. Chairman Edwards says, Bill Lists, C. Does anybody have any questions about the bills? [No response.] If not, we will entertain a motion to pay the bills. Supervisor Gillette says, so moved that we will pay the bills. Chairman Edwards asks, second? Supervisor Faison says, second. Chairman Edwards says, Mr. Faison. All those in favor say aye. The Board of Supervisors approved the motion to pay bills in the amount of $1,764,061.62 to be paid by check numbers 166451 through 166977 with a voice vote recorded as follows:

Dr. Alan Edwards AYE William Hart Gillette AYE Christopher Cornwell AYE Carl Faison AYE Dallas Jones AYE Lynda Updike AYE Robert White AYE

Chairman Edwards continues, okay. [Motion passed.] Chairman Edwards says, and the last one in that category is the Budget Calendar and the Call for Estimates. We’re doing it a little bit different this year, Mr. Johnson. Would you like to share? Mr. Johnson says, sure. So included in your agenda packets for your review and consideration, you’ll find a draft Budget Calendar and the Call for Estimates to department heads and agencies. Subject to your approval, we will transmit these documents to all the department and agency heads on or before February 1. I will point out the most substantial change this year, and this came out of the meetings with the 452 Committee. You will see it on the very last page of the attachment with that particular agenda item highlighted in yellow. But for any department or organization that receives a local appropriation or more than $1 million, we are asking them to submit three proposed budgets this year – one would be a reduced budget, one would be a level budget, and one would be what we would call a growth budget. So we’re asking those – that would basically affect Southampton County Public Schools, it would affect the Sheriff’s operations in both Detention and Law Enforcement, it would affect Public Utilities, and EMS. It will basically affect those. Those are the ones that receive appropriations of more than $1 million. Chairman Edwards says, okay, very good. Any questions about that? [No response.] I thought that I would mention to everybody that our 452 Committee that meets several times a month with Mr. Johnson. That’s Supervisor Cornwell, Supervisor Gillette. And thank you for your extra time and effort. That in the past has been a very valuable committee. Chairman Edwards continues, I understand, number 10, that Mr. Brent Burger could not attend tonight due to illness, so we will give him an invitation to the attend the next meeting in February. Chairman Edwards says, and number 11, Planning Assistance to States (PAS) Project for Dam Safety Assessments in Southampton County. Were there any questions about that? That’s mainly FYI, and we don’t have to vote or pass anything on that. Mr. Johnson says, I want to bring it to your attention just in case you hear or see anybody out in the community. But I was contacted late last year by the representatives of the Department of Conservation and Recreation regarding a federal grant program that’s called Planning Assistance to States. It’s available to them for preparation of plans that might be associated with development or utilization or conservation of water resources. They have worked over the past five years with three

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different private property owners in Southampton County that have had their dams on their mill ponds to fail. So they decided that it might be worthwhile to pursue this federal funding for a Dam Safety and Failure Study in the city of Franklin and Southampton County, which would be jointly funded (50-50) between the state and federal governments. Mr. Johnson continues, the study that they plan to do is a two-phase study. The first phase will be conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers, and this is a very high-level look at 14 private dams in Southampton County and 1 in the city of Franklin. It’s really a desktop exercise at this point. They’ll utilize GIS data as well as LIDAR technology to help determine the area, capacity, and dam height for each of these 15 ponds. In determining those things, they will be able to determine whether or not those dams are of regulatory size pursuant to the Virginia Dam Safety Act. And they will also further determine the hazard potential classification for each one of those dams. So the regulatory size includes dams that are 25 feet or greater in height and that create an impoundment capacity of 15 acre-feet or greater; or dams that are 6 feet or greater in height and that create an impoundment capacity of 50 acre-feet or greater. So my sense is, based on the preliminary work they’ve done that I’m aware of, I suspect that all 15 of these ponds are probably going to be determined to be of regulatory size. There might be one exception that the jury may still be out on. Mr. Johnson says, so the second phase of the study will be much more detailed. They will actually perform a dam break inundation study. And this is something that is usually required at the owner’s expense in accordance with §10.1-606.2 of the Code of Virginia. If the owner is willing, they will come do a physical inspection of the dam. They will help the property owner to develop the Emergency Action Plan that the state code requires. And they will evaluate the potential dam breaks, how they may impact the county floodplain. Mr. Johnson says, so the benefits to the County for this study are:

1) There is no cost to the locality; 2) Very limited time and effort by County staff; 3) The information that they come up with as part of this study can be incorporated in our next

Comprehensive Plan update. And dam failures are specifically referenced in the code of Virginia as a component of your Comprehensive Plan. We can also use it for Hazard Mitigation planning to make sure that we avoid any future development in these dam break inundation zones;

4) And potentially we don’t currently participate in the community rating system but, if in the future the County decided to do that, the results of this study may reduce the cost of flood insurance to Southampton County residents.

Mr. Johnson also says, the benefits to the private dam owners are:

1) It does position them to obtain either a regular certificate of compliance or a conditional certificate of compliance as required by the state regulations.

2) And it would also position them to pursue grants and loans from the Virginia Dam Safety Protection Assistance Fund in order to achieve regulatory compliance to address any shortfalls that the inspection may determine.

Chairman Edwards says, thank you. We certainly don’t need to do any voting or motions on this. But unless anybody objects, we ought to have a statement from the Board that we are definitely in favor of this. Mr. Johnson says, there are maps in your agenda package that showed the location of all 14 of these ponds that are in Southampton County as well as the 1 in the city of Franklin. Chairman Edwards says, thank you. Anybody have any comments? [No response.] Chairman Edwards continues, Okay, we are down to number 12 then, Public Hearing which we’ll start in a little bit after an introduction. The first part is a Zoning Map Amendment from A2 Agriculture to Conditional CM1. And the second one is a process of Conditional Use Permit. So Mr. Johnson, do you have any introductory remarks? Mr. Johnson says, this public hearing is held pursuant to §15.2-1427 and 15.2-2204 of the code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, to consider an application by Arick Wilson, North Carolina Renewable Energy, who is the applicant, on behalf of Cathie Bradshaw, who is the owner, for a zoning map amendment and substantial accord review in accordance with §15.2-2232(H), code of Virginia,

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1950, as amended. The request seeks to amend the zoning of approximately 39 acres of a 68.19-acre parcel identified as Tax Parcel 60-53 from A2 Agricultural to CM1, which is Conditional Limited Industrial, for the construction of a utility scale solar energy project. The property is located on the south side of Flaggy Run Road approximately 2,100 feet northeast of the intersection with Linden Street in the town of Courtland. This particular property is located in the Jerusalem Voting and Magisterial Districts. At a December 12, 2019 meeting of the Planning Commission, a motion to approve the zoning map amendment failed on a 4-4 vote, with one member absent. Mr. Johnson continues, the notice of public hearing for tonight’s meeting was published in The Tidewater News on January 12 and January 19, and all the adjacent landowners were notified by first-class mail as required by law. At the conclusion of tonight’s hearing, the Board will consider the comments offered and proceed to approve, deny, or defer action on the proposed amendment. Ms. Beth, who is Secretary of the Planning Commission, will provide some introductory remarks after which all interested parties are invited to come forward and express their views. As Ms. Beth Lewis comes forward, Chairman Edwards says, welcome, Ms. Lewis. Ms. Lewis says, thank you. Good evening. This is a request to amend the zoning of 39 acres of a 68.19-acre parcel from A2 Agricultural, to a CM1 Conditional Limited Industrial district. This is also a substantial accord review. That’s explained in the Staff Report. In 2018, the General Assembly deleted the need for a plan amendment to something besides Agricultural, if that’s what the plan designation was. For solar installations, if the zoning permitted that use, it’s called the substantial review. The facility is deemed to be substantially in accord with the Plan if it “is located in a zoning district that allows such solar facilities by right…” Since the zoning amendment will permit the facility upon completion of the application approval process, the solar facility can be deemed substantially in accord with the Plan as per the legislation. The solar facility that is located in the Boykins/Newsoms area, the first step it had to go through was the Comprehensive Plan amendment from Agricultural to Institutional to permit the development of a public utility. The General Assembly deleted the need for that plan amendment while still leaving the zoning in the hands of the local communities. But the need for the Plan amendment was deleted by the action of 2018. Ms. Lewis continues, so this is a 39-acre parcel, 39 acres of a 68-acre parcel. Now this 68-acre parcel, about 37 acres of it is under agricultural production. So this is about the size of the area that is in agricultural production now. This will consist of 39 acres more or less of solar panels and 2 inverter boxes, producing 5 megawatts of energy per the NCRS solar accord. 59% of the site is Not Prime Farmland, another 19% of the site is Prime Farmland if drained, and the final 22% of the site is Prime Farmland. All zoning map amendments are required to be sent to VDOT for review. And comments included that a moderate volume commercial entrance is required for this proposal for all access points onto the public right of way in accordance with Appendix F of the Road Design Manual. One of the proffers that was offered with this is that there will be video and still photographs taken of the road conditions before work begins and after work is done. And any repairs that become needed and are apparent in the photographs will be done and the owner will make those repairs to the VDOT roads. Ms. Lewis says, when the application was originally submitted, there were two proffers. The first one was the property may only be utilized for the operation and maintenance of the solar generation facility, to include supporting structures and infrastructure, with the exception of potential battery storage provided utility and local government authorization. And the second one was the photographing of the roads. At the Planning Commission meeting, several other proffers were added:

Hours of construction will be limited to Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work will not take place on Sundays.

The project owner must provide an emergency contact for the lifetime of the project. The team who will be selected for landscape operation and maintenance will communicate

on a monthly basis with the County in reference to noxious weeds. Per the noxious weeds control plan, a licensed herbicide technician will be contacted for an initial assessment and biannual treatments for the first 3 years, known as the establishment period. In accordance with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, native vegetation and seed mix will be used for all planting to the extent possible.

The owner of the project will maintain the entire parcel including the area outside the fence.

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There will be no removal of trees in the buffer except to prevent the shading of the panels as outlined on the site plan and in a notarized agreement with the property owner.

The decommissioning of the project will be accomplished within 90 days of commencement. Any stockpiling of materials will be temporary and limited to such decommissioning.

Ms. Lewis continues, this is the first application that was submitted under the County’s solar ordinance that was adopted in December of 2019. All of their requirements of that ordinance were met by this application. A Narrative was provided, a Site Plan was provided, documentation on the right to use the property was provided, a Decommissioning Plan was provided. Their draft of the decommissioning plan used the wrong salvage value. The most recent copy of the decommissioning plan limited 50% of the salvage value toward decommissioning. They will apply for liability insurance at the building permit stage. Fencing is required. They have plans for groundwater monitoring in the site plan. They provided landscape and noxious weeds plans. And the phasing plan and interconnection agreement. The ordinance does not permit the County to accept speculative applications. You have to have somebody who is going to use the power, and you have to have an interconnection agreement. And they provided that with their application. They had the required community meeting. The ordinance requires that notices be sent to all property owners within one mile of the property, and in this case they held the community meeting in this room. There were members of the staff who are submitting this application and I believe 10 or 12 citizens who came to the meeting. Ms. Lewis says, and the site is fairly flat, so little ground disturbance will be necessary. They don’t call it grading, we call it land disturbance (our department calls it land disturbance). But the property is in agricultural use now. So they will remove the ground cover that’s there now and install the posts on that. The posts are not installed in concrete, the posts are pounded into the ground. They’re not held in place with concrete. The buffer around the edge (you will see that on the site plan that they have) surrounds three sides of the site. The fourth side of the site is in large part the railroad track that is elevated up above the solar installation. If you’ve driven down Flaggy Run Road, it’s just coming from Courtland toward the eastern part of Flaggy Run Road, just before you go over the railroad track. Just immediately before you get to the railroad track, there is a driveway off to the side and a gate. And that will be the entrance to this facility. Right now when you look in that gate, you can see a silo and some farm buildings that are there and they’ll remain and will block the view of the solar panels. Ms. Lewis says, you’ll see from the minutes that I’m sure that you got, that the Planning Commission had extensive discussion over two meetings and 3 hours, 4 hours I believe of discussion. And they made a recommendation of approval, that was a 4-4 vote and it came through this as a tie vote. One of the Commission members was not at the meeting. The applicant is here, the property owner is here. I will be glad to answer any questions. Chairman Edwards asks, any questions from the Board for Ms. Lewis? Supervisor Gillette says, you mentioned land disturbance. Is it or is it not quite a bit of crush-and-run of the type of material brought in so that you can traverse the property? Ms. Lewis responds, the site plan shows that there is a path that goes through the property that will permit them to install the inverters. But the ones under the panels will be a ground cover, grass or something. But it there will be maintenance crush-and-run paths that circulate and cut through. Supervisor Gillette says, go through it and around it. Ms. Lewis says, right. But it is, in large part, vegetation. And the Department of Environmental group studied the site plan. They will be required – of course, they have erosion and sediment control measures while they are under construction. But once the construction is over, there will not be any BMPs (any best management practice) features, because the vegetation will take care of any rainwater runoff. So all the runoff is required by law to stay on site. And that’s required throughout all Virginia. Supervisor Gillette says, you don’t see that as a problem? Ms. Lewis says, that the runoff will stay on site? That’s what the state law is and that’s what Southampton County’s law is. So they have to make their site plan and their engineering plan so

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that happens. And that is the same whether you’re building a solar installation or a shopping center. The water runoff has to be retained on site. Chairman Edwards says, anybody else have any further questions? Supervisor Cornwell? Supervisor Cornwell asks, is there any provision, aside from the fence, to maintain the security of the site? To prevent unlawful access from juveniles or anyone else who may want to tamper? Ms. Lewis responds, not that I know of. It’s required to be a 7-foot fence with barbed wire on top. Supervisor Cornwell says, okay. And that’s required by the National Electric Code, because it is a power generation facility. Chairman Edwards says, we’ll let Supervisor Faison go ahead. Then we’ll let Supervisor Updike. Supervisor Faison says, you mentioned some of the land in question is prime farmland? Ms. Lewis says, 22% is noted in the soil studies as prime farmland. Supervisor Faison asks, the facility itself, will it be on the prime farmland or on the land that is not considered prime? Ms. Lewis says, I believe that much of the prime farmland will be utilized for the solar installation, yes. Supervisor Updike asks, but it’s irrigated. The cropland is irrigated. Ms. Lewis says, I believe that’s so, but the Farm Agency reports no. But the discussion includes that it is irrigated. Supervisor Gillette says, under decommissioning – by the way, it took longer than 3 hours to read all this stuff. Under decommissioning, when it is decommissioned, and it could be 20-30-40 years as I understand it? Ms. Lewis says, yes, sir. Supervisor Gillette continues, when we get to that point, I saw no resolution to complete decommissioning. There were several things in there that I read. Five years intervals, as an example. Every five years, they go and they assess the value of the salvage of what’s going to be taken out, torn out, removed. But in the end, even though a bond is required, there was no specific, “I’ll take care of this.” Other than what was required in the bond. And the value of the materials that would be involved in the decommissioning coming out of there, they mentioned stockpiling. I noticed in his notes, in the minutes, that the engineer said that he would change that because he wouldn’t stockpile. Has that been changed? Ms. Lewis says, yes. What the engineer meant and what their proffer says, that is decommissioning and clean removal of the stockpiles will take 90 days from beginning to end. The engineer said that what he meant was they’re not going to take away the material every day as they remove it. They will save up until they get enough that’s worth removing and remove it all at once. The proffer that was submitted at the Planning Commission meeting said that from beginning to end, including removal of the stockpile materials, will take 90 days. Supervisor Gillette says, and I read at the end of all of that, it will be restored in grass as in a meadow. Ms. Lewis says, yes, that is the language in the decommissioning plans. Supervisor Gillette says the solar land, now, that concerns me. By my map, it’s 40 almost 50% prime or very good productive land and it’s got irrigation. At the end of this project, it is put back in agriculture and then you got to go back and rezone it. Is that correct? Ms. Lewis says, no, sir. Because one of the permitted uses is agriculture.

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Supervisor Gillette says, okay. But he said “grass.” He didn’t say any kind of crop. Ms. Lewis says, the engineering firm that did the decommissioning plan can answer more technical questions. But I think that it is grass or ground cover agreeable to the owner. Supervisor Gillette says, that’s a concern, and I’ll tell you why. I have read about poverty and found out that nations and countries that are in poverty situations, it’s pretty much the opinion of people that they’ll never get out of it. And that’s not true. Even under dictator governments, people have been able to move out of poverty. Except in one condition is it hard to move out from under poverty. And that is the nations or countries that have poor soils. My concern is taking a perfectly good or even above good soil and over time ending up with a poor soil, which is going in the wrong direction for Southampton County. Taking good land and, over a period of 20-30 years, no one is going to guarantee that it will be left with the same capacity of production that you had in the beginning. That is taking the County in the wrong direction. We don’t want to move toward poverty. We want to take our natural resources and move toward better things. And another point that concerns me is the footprint. You hear all about climate change and the footprint. This is a huge footprint for no more current or electricity, over and above other means of producing the electricity. And that’s a concern because the footprint is getting larger, not smaller. And taking land, and taking good land on top of that. So, there are other things that trouble me also about that. Immediately there will be a hookup. This power is going on to the grid. Have they done any research on when the average resident of Southampton County is going to benefit from this? Ms. Lewis says, that would be a question for them, but that isn’t how solar generation and connecting to the grid works. Supervisor Gillette asks, so they could sell the electricity? Ms. Lewis says, yes. So I understand. I’m a planner, I’m not an electrician. But the power goes into a big pot. Supervisor Gillette says, I understand. Now once it’s in this big pot, when it comes out of this big pot anybody can use it. Ms. Lewis says, it goes to where it’s needed. Supervisor Gillette says, as in northern Virginia and Chesterfield. And if a company wants to come into northern Virginia or Chesterfield and maintain the policy of the state or whatever regarding green energy. They can actually use what is produced here on the land in Southampton County to bring a company into northern Virginia or Chesterfield and those taxpayers benefit and we lose. Ms. Lewis says, that is what is taking place with Southampton Solar in the Boykins and Newsoms area. What the sign outside says, it is an Amazon solar installation. Supervisor Gillette says, and in my experience, are wetlands. Up and down the James River and some other waterways in the state, you can stockpile or bank wetlands and sell them. When they built the bypass out here, VDOT had to replace I think – is anybody from VDOT here? I think it destroyed an acre of wetlands, they had to replace them with two. So they went to these banks and purchased wetlands to replace them. And they didn’t have to be in the County. They could be somewhere else, somebody that stockpiled or gone into the venture capitalists or what-have-you, who went up and along and created wetlands for that purpose. And I’m wondering if maybe this could the end result of all of this in Southampton County. I’ve lived here all my life. So where it is marketable and it can be sold anywhere to anybody, the needs to offset energy produced by fossil fuels to energy produced by green. And that concerns me. And not only that, it concerns me with what Southampton County would be left with, which is poor soil. Meadows are pretty, but they’re allowing meadows that can’t grow bountiful crops, I’ll put it that way. My father said, “Son, I’d like to come back in 50 years.” And I said, “No, you wouldn’t.” But it didn’t take five years before 6000 pounds of peanuts would be produced in this County. Absolutely amazing. It could never happen without the soils that we’ve got. So I’m concerned not only about the initial concept. But I’m concerned about the decommissioning. And when we look back 20 years, 30 years, 40 years and realize – oops! And nowhere in the discussions that I read in the Planning Commission or meetings did I see that anybody – did I see that anybody, there were no guarantees at all, even to the conclusion

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to the bond. Nobody was going to guarantee, “I’m going to foot the bill. I’m going to clean it up.” There would be a bond, but what happens if they go broke? Ms. Lewis says, that’s a question for Mr. Railey. That’s been a point of discussion for several years with the planners. Mr. Richard Railey says, there are two protections. One is everybody in the chain of title is jointly and severably liable. Two, the bond is looked at every five years. And as a part of the second, if Southampton County monitored it and became of the opinion that the principal of that current owner was insolvent, you could call the bond based on insolvency then. Now it would take some fairly sophisticated monitoring of the bond, but those avenues are available and come to my mind right away. Now when you say “joint and severable liability,” I trust you understand that concept. That means that everybody in the chain, it’s not comparative negligence. They may or may not, they are going to be liable if they are in the chain of title. Now, that assumes for that to be protection, that there is somebody in that chain that is solvent. Supervisor Gillette adds, that will pay for it. Mr. Railey says, a good example. I’ve made it before and I’ll make it again. Under Virginia law, we don’t have what you call comparative negligence context for automobile accidents. So if three cars cause an accident, say it causes death, one car is only 10% (a minor factor but is a contributor to the situation). But that car happens to have $5 million worth of insurance. You can tap into it. But that assumes that you – and I don’t want to talk too much like a lawyer – but somehow you get lucky and you go ahead and you have some deep pockets. Supervisor Gillette says, that’s my point. It’s all dependent on who’s got the deep pockets at the end. The one that’s got the deep pockets at the end, I think it’s fair to say, would tie you up in court until it’s left for us to clean it up. Because they got the money to do it. Chairman Edwards says, that’s a good point. Mr. Cornwell? Supervisor Cornwell says, I would like to say something. Chairman Edwards says, yes, sir. Supervisor Cornwell says, just a couple of things that came to mind as we were discussing this. As we talk about the industrial use and what it retires to at the completion of the project after decommissioning, you stated that it could remain in industrial. It would not have to be rezoned as agricultural purposes as it would fit under industrial. Supervisor Cornwell continues, how does that affect land use? Would it be eligible in industrial zoning or would it have to be indeed rezoned in order to be eligible for that? Ms. Lewis says, that would be a question for the Commissioner of Revenue. Chairman Edwards says, I thought that with the Conditional Use Permit expires and the activity ceases, does it go back to the original? Ms. Lewis says, no. There is no sunset. No, it remains Conditional M1. Supervisor Cornwell says, the other thing. After the initial installation of the panels is complete – all right, they’re installed, they’re done – how many jobs do they anticipate to generate in the County? Ms. Lewis says, that’s a question for the applicant, but it’s usually 1 to 2 FTEs. That doesn’t mean that there will be 1 to 2 people going to work every day, but there will be the equivalent of 40 to 80 hours a week worth of maintenance. And that will probably be more intense during the growing season when the grass that’s growing under the panels needs to be cut. But there will be people who take care of the fence and the panels and so forth. Chairman Edwards says, I have a lot of issues with this situation. And I agree with Supervisor Gillette. Decommissioning is the one that’s the foggiest to me. And I just don’t see how that bond’s

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going to pay for that. Because we have had reputable engineers that have told us that it’s going to take 2 to 3 times to decommission it than it took to construct it. And I haven’t seen any reference to that in those figures about the salvage rights, etc. It didn’t make any sense. Who knows what 30 years from now, who will want that? And during the decommissioning, are there any time constraints? Could they take 20 years to do it? Ms. Lewis replies, no, the most recent proffer that they added says that the decommissioning from beginning to end will be no more than 90 days. And that will include removing all the stockpiled material and reseeding the land. And I think that every 5 year review, since there has not been any solar facilities in the United States that have been decommissioned, I think that every review will be more and more useful every five years. Every five years there will be more experience to draw on. So while there is not an example to point to today, I think in the first five-year review there will be a lot more information available than there is today and that will continue. As to the salvage value and how much it actually costs us to do it, I think the five-year review is an important part of the decommissioning plan. We get a little smarter every time. Supervisor Gillette says, can we look five years back in this plan? Because there’s a solution to all of this. And take advantage of solar and save everybody out here money. Put up a clothesline. But that would decrease the use of electricity, more than the state could put up in solar farms. The whole state. But that’s not going to happen, see. We’re not going to go back and tell people to put up clotheslines, because the neighbors are not going to want to see their underwear hanging outdoors. Ms. Lewis says, and I have received complaints about clothes on clotheslines from property owners. And I tell them there is no zoning regulation prohibiting them from using a clothesline. Supervisor Gillette says, there you go. Don’t they know that’s part of the green new deal? Ms. Lewis says, I suggested a fence. Chairman Edwards says, are you aware of any federal money involved in this? I’ve heard there is, and the time on that is going to run out very soon. Ms. Lewis says, the applicants may have more information on that. My area of knowledge is planning rather than finance. Supervisor Faison says, the poles that these panels are on. Those poles go into the ground. There is no cement or anything around them, right? Ms. Lewis says, that is correct. That’s kind of a nice deal. Supervisor Faison says, so in the decommissioning, there wouldn’t be any problem to remove cement or anything, would it? Ms. Lewis says, that is correct. Supervisor Faison says, is there any history of decommissioning? Ms. Lewis says, not in the United States. I wouldn’t know in other countries, but in the United States, no solar panel/utility scale solar has been decommissioned as yet. Chairman Edwards asks, anybody else? [No response.] Ms. Lewis says, we have the applicants here, the owners here, and everybody who knows all the answers to the tough questions can answer them for you. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says to Ms. Lewis, thank you. Please don’t run away, we may need you later. Chairman Edwards continues, okay. This is a Public Hearing and the first thing we need to go over is the Zoning Map Amendment from Agriculture to Conditional Light Industry 1. So I will open up the Public Hearing, and anybody who wants to speak pro or con on this, please come forward and give your name and address for the record.

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Mr. Whitney Saunders comes forward and says, my name is Whitney Saunders. I’m an attorney in Suffolk, Virginia where I have my office. I’m here representing the interests of Cathie and Lloyd Bradshaw, the property owners, and Flaggy Run Solar 1, which is the entity which is going to construct the solar facility should you choose the approve it. I’ve been listening to Mr. Gillette’s comments and, we wanted to make sure that we addressed the soil conditions from the very beginning. And I’m going to ask Tim if he would come forward for that very purpose. Mr. Tim Barker joins Mr. Saunders and says, good evening, my name is Tim Barker from Cary, North Carolina. Supervisor Gillette asks, Tim? Mr. Barker says, Tim Barker. Barker, B-A-R-K-E-R. After some discussion, the correct name and spelling of Mr. Tim Barker is conveyed. Chairman Edwards asks Mr. Barker, is this your field of expertise? Mr. Barker replies, yes, I’m the project manager of this project. Chairman Edwards asks, are you trained in soil science? Mr. Barker says, I am not trained in soil science, no. But I have had multiple tests done on sites for soils. It has involved the metal posts that we put in the ground and what would happen if 100% of the posts ever did dissolve into the ground and what the end result is. The result is basically that there is no contamination on these sites. The site would be there on a temporary basis for 40 years which is what we have our lease for. They would be seeded with native mix, according to the Virginia DEQ. The growth and depth of that native mix – flowers, plants, grass – it would be maintained through the life of this project. When the project is removed in 40 years with the expiration of the lease, then scientific results have proven that there is no contamination left and what is left is very fertile ground. And as it happens with this project, we are not actually changing the native topography, so we’re not grading this project. It’s going to stay as it is. In reference to the last part of the decommissioning, this is why we reseed it at the end. That’s for stability. We have to have land stability to stop any form of runoff of the topsoil of the land. And we do that during construction, while our machinery is in there doing all the work. We have to stabilize the ground before erosion control measures are removed; otherwise, we will lose the topsoil. We don’t want to do that. Supervisor Gillette says to Chairman Edwards, can I ask him a question? Chairman Edwards replies, yes, sir. Supervisor Gillette says to Mr. Barker, would you consider at the end of this, planting the crop that was there the year before you started? Mr. Barker says, yes, we would. Supervisor Gillette says, instead of grass? Mr. Barker replies, I believe it’s been corn. We are happy to plant corn at the end of it as well. Supervisor Gillette says, and if you don’t achieve the productivity, some more negotiations? So you would guarantee the productivity of the land? That’s what I’m asking. Mr. Barker says, I would like to say yes, definitely, but – Supervisor Gillette says, you’re allowed to say yes. Mr. Barker says, but I can’t tell you definitely yes. I can’t afford to. Chairman Edwards says, you’re saying at the time of cleaning this up, putting everything back together, that there won’t be any contamination to the land?

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Mr. Barker says, there is zero contamination to the land. The posts that are in the ground are exactly the same as road barriers, road signs, every other bit of galvanized steel that you have is the same. It’s galvanized steel. Chairman Edwards asks, how many sites have you gone through this process with? Mr. Barker says, in the U.S.? We currently have one in South Carolina, a big 75-megawatt project. We built five in North Carolina. And around the world, I have built an additional seven or eight. Chairman Edwards says, you haven’t replaced any sites that have been there 35-40 years? Mr. Barker says, no, we haven’t. Chairman Edwards says, then how can you say there won’t be any contamination if you haven’t experienced it? Mr. Barker replies, with the scientific laboratory tests that we had to do. In the laboratory, what they did they took cutoffs of the posts and they dissolved it down into each element that they consisted of. And then they took those elements and they went to the soil and they took soil samples. And they test for exactly the same elements that have been in the metal. And what they do is, the amounts in each, they add them together and see what is left. And they all fall below federal levels for residential living. Supervisor Gillette asks, have you done any work with carbon? Mr. Barker asks, carbon? Supervisor Gillette repeats, carbon. This seems to be the elephant in the room. Have you done any analytical work with carbon? Mr. Barker says, no, we personally haven’t. But we do keep up to date with NC State and the University of Oregon as well. We do a lot of farmland versus solar studies. Supervisor Gillette asks, have you found it to be beneficial? Mr. Barker asks, solar to be beneficial? Supervisor Gillette says, to production of plants, of crops? Mr. Barker says, yes. It’s everywhere we’ve been living. Land that we’ve done. We’ve had several sites that we’ve worked with for – Supervisor Gillette says, so carbon is essential? Mr. Barker asks, carbon in what ways is essential? Supervisor Gillette answers, for photosynthesis. Mr. Barker says, yes, they require it to grow. Supervisor Gillette says, okay, so we want to do away with it. Mr. Barker asks, we want to do away with what? Supervisor Gillette says, carbon. Mr. Barker says, we’ve increased our CO2 output. Supervisor Gillette says, we want to decrease it, right? Mr. Barker says, yes, we do.

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Supervisor Gillette asks, does that make sense to you? Mr. Barker says, well, it does because it’s the main source of global warming. Because CO2 molecules absorb more heat than oxygen molecules. Supervisor Gillette says, would I be out of order to share something with the gentleman? Chairman Edwards says, I think you can share whatever you want. Supervisor Gillette says, I’ve got a letter that was written to the General Assembly by about 500 scientists worldwide that says about it. And it was introduced to the United Nations in September 2019. It went to the Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. There is no emergency. 500 scientists worldwide were on this thing. And the summation, “CO2 is plant food, the basis of all life on earth.” And I mean they went through the process kind of like you’re describing. Melting down the posts, etc., etc. They actually found it to be beneficial. And the things that we are attacking here to try to improve are actually becoming a detriment. And I got a copy if you want it. Have you seen this? Mr. Barker says, no, I haven’t. Supervisor Gillette says, it was introduced in New York at the UN, and the professor’s name is here, and also the other gentlemen that signed off on it, not all 500 of them. But probably a dozen or more scientists signed off on it. That is something that, being a member of this Board – I don’t know if I’ll live long enough to see it. I hope that nobody in this room lives long enough to see a mistake that could be made. And that is what troubles me. Because the value of the crops in producing oxygen we breathe is extremely important. And these crops produce as much in the growing season as a rain forest. That’s troubling to me when we are talking about eliminating that, putting something else in the grid that other people can use by itself, to attract businesses (they don’t come here), all of this is very problematic for me. Mr. Barker says, understood. The reference to the crop and its carbon usage and oxygen output. Most crops are carbon neutral. It’s like a deep breath. It breathes in only carbon but when it decays it also releases an equal amount of carbon and it releases it back. So the plant itself is carbon neutral, which is perfect for the world we live in. It’s everything else that we add into the world from emissions, from fossil fuel burning, and all that stuff that is creating a problem. Supervisor Gillette says, kind of like a volcano? Mr. Barker says, volcanos can cause problems. It’s not the crop that’s the issue, it’s what we do to the world to get what we want from the crop – the heavy machinery, the fossil fuels we burn, all of our cars, everything like that. That’s what puts more carbon into – Supervisor Gillette says, how do you get oranges from Florida to New York? Mr. Barker says, usually by boat or plane I should imagine. Supervisor Gillette says, there you go. Bingo. Mr. Barker says, and that adds to the carbon emissions. Supervisor Gillette says, but you love oranges. Mr. Barker says, I love orange juice from Florida, yes. Chairman Edwards asks, does anyone else have any questions for this gentleman? [To Supervisor Gillette] Do you have any more? Supervisor Gillette responds, no, I better not. Chairman Edwards says, now’s the time to ask him. Thank you, sir.

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Mr. Whitney Saunders speaks, I wish I could say we’re going to solve the mystery of global warming, but I don’t think we’re going to be able to do that here today. Supervisor Gillette says, I thought that was why we were having this. Mr. Saunders says, I don’t think so. I think this is limited to one, property rights and the individual property rights of the owners of this property. And I think we have that to consider. I think we also have to consider the fact that this County, through some of you and the hard work that some of you put into it, passed an ordinance which deals with this issue of solar power. And it was several years that you went through the process of creating this ordinance. Now that seems to indicate to me that there’s been some thought within the County that solar power is not only something that is here with us but is worth considering. I don’t think you would have spent two years trying to create an ordinance without that thought in mind. So if that is correct, then we have a number of issues that we have to concern ourselves with. And that is, what do we do in this case in order to conform to the ordinance which you created because you thought solar power was something that should be considered?

Mr. Saunders continues, so I would like to go through some of those items within the ordinance. Now Ms. Lewis gave you a very thorough and, I thought, a very excellent review with regards to the issues that are associated with this through your ordinance. And I’d like to first start with the visual aspects of it if we could [Slide 1 above]. Now this behind you, you will see the site. But that is showing you the general shape of the property involved. The railroad track, which has been described to you, is at the upper segment of that drawing. And I know that a lot of you, if not all of you, have been to the site and have taken a look at it. So you are familiar with it. Flaggy Run Road is the part over to the left as you look at this. That is the very, very tip of the triangle. The sharp angle over to your left. And you can see that the site is surrounded by vegetation and separated from any of the adjacent properties visually. Now we can demonstrate that, I believe, a little bit more successfully.

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Supervisor Gillette says, before you go to that, could you look at the capacity? Mr. Johnson asks, would you like to go back [to Slide 1]? Mr. Saunders says, we can go back, certainly. Yes, sir. Supervisor Gillette says, is that tax exemption because of the capacity? Mr. Saunders says, it’s a commercial project. And I can’t tell you whether it’s because of that. That is a commercial project. Mr. Barker says, it’s because of the data that was submitted to the utility. It was not due to the size. That size was not tax-exemptible 100%. It was because of the data that was submitted to the utility. Mr. Saunders says, and I think you are referring to is the equipment which is on the site – Supervisor Gillette says, yes, sir. Mr. Saunders, not the underlying value of the property. Supervisor Gillette says, that’s exempt as I understand it. Mr. Saunders says, that is correct. Yes, sir. The underlying value of the property is associated with use. Supervisor Gillette says, right. Mr. Saunders continues, so that will increase, but they will not be able to tax the equipment which is on the property. Supervisor Gillette says, the equipment has a 100% tax exemption with us. Mr. Saunders says, yes, yes, it does. Let’s go on. Does anyone have a question here? Then you can see the separation from the facility to the north as you look at this photograph across the railroad tracks at the area that Ms. Lewis was referring to. That is somewhat raised. There you can see even more clearly the vegetation that surrounds the site and creates the visual buffer. If we go to the next photo [Slide 3], this photo is from Flaggy Run Road, right on the road, looking toward the site where you can see the farm structures that will remain in place as you look toward the area where the array would actually be placed.

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Mr. Saunders continues, this is from the museum, and the edge of the museum looking in toward the site. You can see that this is screened fully as well. And this is fall with the trees without the leaves on it, and you still can’t see through that area. [Slide 4 below.]

Mr. Saunders says, now we are at the water tower, and we’re looking back toward the site and the same situation. It’s fully screened. [Slide 5.]

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Mr. Saunders says, from East Nottoway Road [Slide 6 following], that road ends at that point so the photograph is taken from the end of the road in toward the site. And once again, fully screened even with the leaves off the trees.

Mr. Saunders says, coming in from the other direction, this is from Benson Woods. [Slide 7 below.] Benson Woods is, I think, a 5- or a 4-lot subdivision. It was approved for residential purposes in 1968, and there is one home that has been built there since 1968.

Mr. Saunders continues, again, this is a typical profile of the steel stanchions that will be placed into the earth but with no concrete. Now I think, Mr. Edwards, you asked the question about the multiple associated removal and what it would cost to remove the site and restore it. I think that the numbers that you may be getting on that would be from those sites if they were reinforced with concrete placed in the ground and the cost then of removing. The cost would certainly dramatically increase at that point. But this is not the case here. This is being driven into the ground without any kind of concrete base associated with it. [Slide 8 following.]

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Chairman Edwards says, if I may. But from looking at your site, nobody’s cutting the grass. Is anybody taking care of the weed growth? Mr. Saunders replies, there is a noxious weed plan and there is also to be maintenance of the facility. Mr. Barker says, the whole project is to be maintained, especially the grass. It’s maintained to a certain height so that it doesn’t affect the array itself. If you get too much growth, it can cause shading. Mr. Saunders adds, now as far as – has it been cut enough? I guess that’s a matter of – Mr. Barker says, that is not a bad height. That’s quite a reasonable height. It doesn’t affect the array and also it stabilizes the ground more. That’s what we’re after, ground stabilization. Mr. Saunders says, and the requirements, as Ms. Lewis indicated, like it would be for any other project. You must not have any more, under current water quality and water quantity rules. You can’t have any more water come off the site than is coming off of it today. That is the regulation that we have to work with. And that’s true for all kinds of development. Mr. Barker says, yes, sir. Supervisor Gillette says, back to Mr. Barker’s point. Did I understand you that there really is no regulation on height as long as it didn’t interfere with the array? Mr. Barker says, I suppose there’s no regulation. It has to be maintained to look nice as well. We have to maintain the solar. There will also be maintenance teams there. Supervisor Gillette says, it could get much higher than this. Mr. Barker says, we wouldn’t want it to be much higher than that because of the maintenance teams that have to go in there and do the electrical testing throughout the project. And that would inhibit them from doing their job. Ms. Lewis explains, the County’s ordinance limits vegetation height to 12 inches. Once it gets more than 12 inches, it has to be cut. Supervisor Gillette says, a lot of weeds can seed out at 12 inches. Just so you know. Mr. Saunders asks, any other questions before we go on? This is just a – I guess it’s really just a representation of what the site would be like at the time of construction. If we could go on. And here

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is the site plan that has been submitted to your planning department showing the site itself as well. [Slide 9.]

Mr. Saunders says, I think that may be the last slide. Is it?

Mr. Saunders says, all right. [Slide 10.] I wanted you to see, and some of you I know have been to the site. So this may be supplement to what you have already seen on site. But it’s important from the visual aspect because that is a large component of the ordinance. We want to make sure that it’s clear. That you have no visual affect from this site if it were used for this purpose. This person indicated that we have met all requirements associated with the ordinance. I think that’s important to know. And the visual impact was one. Noise is another. There is a traffic impact analysis. Now the traffic impact analysis has the condition that we do a baseline study and then after construction, that we come back and we correct anything that has happened with Flaggy Run Road as a result of the construction. So that is part of the application. There is a fiscal impact analysis as well. An environmental analysis. There was a wetland delineation. There is a landscaping and noxious weed plan which is part of what we’ve just been talking about. A storm water plan which deals with the runoff issue that we just talked about and insuring that there will be no more runoff on this site than what would have occurred today with its current state. Mr. Saunders continues, now the decommissioning plan. That was the source of great conversation during the course of hours of hearings that occurred at the Planning Commission. You’ve heard

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from Mr. Railey with regard to that issue. He just amplified that a bit. Absolutely true that the liability follows the ownership and follows the parties who have a right to do something on the property. So that’s the company that’s building this. And what gives you some warm and fuzzy feeling that there will be decommissioning here and it will occur. And the real answer is the same thing that happens whenever you have a subdivision constructed within the city. There’s a performance bond. For within this County, there’s a performance bond. And the performance bond is there to insure that the roads within that neighborhood are completed. And if they’re not, the bond is there to be called in order to complete those roads. And that happens all the time. Cities and counties all over Virginia go through this same process. And they have bonds that are very similar to the ones we’re talking about here. The one that you’re talking about here. One, because every five years we’re renewing this bond. So it’s the same process that you see in ordinary, everyday, residential construction that you would have within the County. That bond is there, and in this case is reconsidered and refigured each and every five years. What is the downside? The only way that the bond does not save you from the decommissioning issue is if the County does not keep track of the bond. So it’s a matter of calendaring. I assume that’s correct. The County has to keep track of the bond, and it has to make sure that it stays in place. As long as that is done there, that bond is there, just like it is for the road construction for the neighborhood, just like it is for other projects that you have and that you approved. It’s no different. It’s as great an assurance as you can get, and it goes beyond that because as Mr. Railey has indicated to you, you also have the fact that there is joint and severable liability which follows the project. So – yes, sir? I’m sorry. Supervisor Gillette says, your residential analogy. When housing projects are approved and they often begin the roads, but then the developers’ domain of building those roads, etc., etc. It is safe to say generally, that VDOT takes those over roads after certain specs have been met? Mr. Saunders says, in the County, that would be correct. Supervisor Gillette continues, okay. In this, no VDOT will come in and say, “We’ll decommission.” Mr. Saunders says, that is correct. They will not come in. Supervisor Gillette says, so in the residential scenario, the bond at that point is irrelevant. Mr. Saunders says, well, let me point out that VDOT will not take over that road unless it has been completed in accordance with the terms of the performance bond. So that is required, so you know that you got your finished product at that point. Supervisor Gillette says, right. But it’s generally not extended for 40 years. Mr. Saunders says, no, but you have the 5-year renewal of the bond here. That’s part of it. Supervisor Gillette says, I understand that, I understand that. Mr. Saunders says, that was a good thing that was done by the County in that ordinance. Supervisor Gillette says, but that depends on a whole lot of factors. Mr. Saunders says, well, the only factor is the bond gets paid. If the bond gets paid, then you have the protection. Supervisor Gillette says, what’s the cost of labor going to be in 40 years? Mr. Saunders says, that’s part of why you go through the bond process every five years. It’s in order to update that amount, to make sure that you do have enough to be able to pay for decommissioning. Supervisor Gillette says, will that affect the insurance of the bond, the cost of the bond? Mr. Saunders says, it may very well. And that will be the duty of the operator to pay that bond. Supervisor Gillette, what if they fight it?

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Mr. Saunders says, well, if they want to lose the right to be able to operate their solar facility and they don’t have the bond, then you have the right to revoke that. Supervisor Gillette says, and is it a chance that that might coincide with the effectiveness of the project to start with? Mr. Saunders says, I’m not sure how that would happen. Supervisor Gillette says, in terms of the energy being put into the grid and it’s not worth it. Mr. Saunders says, if it did then they would default and the bond would be called. So that’s how. Supervisor Gillette says, then we get to Mr. Railey’s scenario or whoever had the deepest pockets. Mr. Saunders says, no, we don’t because the bond’s been called at this point. And that calls for the decommissioning. So no, we don’t get back to Mr. Railey’s point. It’s not a matter of – Supervisor Gillette says, even if they’re broke. Mr. Saunders says, even if they’re broke. Because the bond company is there. You have the bond. And it really is the same situation as you would have with a road and a neighborhood. Supervisor Gillette says, minus the 40 years. Mr. Saunders says, but you’ve got every five years – you did the right thing in the ordinance. So at any rate, as we go through these issues, I think that Ms. Lewis’ characterization that the applicant has done everything that your ordinance has asked is correct. And if that is the case, then don’t you have some feeling that there may be some obligation to improve once you have had all of the terms of your ordinance completed? The other aspect of this that I do want to emphasize is the individual property rights of the owners. And we have the owners of the property here tonight. And I’m going to ask that you come forward, Ms. Bradshaw. Ms. Cathie Bradshaw comes forward and says, my name is Cathie Bradshaw and I’ve been a resident of Southampton County for over 50 years. I own the 63-acre farm on Flaggy Run Road which we are seeking approval for putting in a solar farm. We were approached almost 2 years ago by the North Carolina Renewable Energy Company to see if we would be interested in turning our farm into a renewable energy source. And after much thought and several meetings and discussions, we decided to allow our farm to become a source of renewable energy on solar. We have leased this property for many, many years, receiving the appropriate amount of rent, which is not a huge amount considering the small amount of cultivated land. We’ve been satisfied with our tenant and are happy that his farming operation and family have benefitted from our relationship. But now, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has come along for me to do for my family. I own this piece of property free and clear, and I feel that it is my God-given right and freedom to decide for myself how I want to use this land for my family’s benefit without hurting anyone else. This project will also insure that the farm will remain in my family at least for the next 20 years. It is not my desire or my right to tell others how they should use their land, nor would I ever want to. I believe strongly in the property rights for the individual. I only ask that you respect my freedom and my rights as a landowner to decide along with my family how we want the property to be used, and to consider the merits of this one project. Chairman Edwards says, okay. Is there anybody else? Mr. Lloyd Bradshaw comes forward and says, I am Lloyd Bradshaw. I am the husband of Cathie Bradshaw, the owner. I don’t know if you all realize how difficult it was for her to get up here and speak. She does not like to. As she said, we were approached with this proposition and discussed it at some length. And to us, it seemed like a win-win situation. It would be a win, of course, for us. We felt it would be a win for the County. The underlying land would be taxed at a higher rate and bring in more income to the County. We also felt that it would be a win towards renewable energy. What we are asking is that you allow us to use our property for what is considered a lawful use and that would benefit us in our retirement years as well as our children and grandchildren after we are gone. We hope that you will consider these things in your deliberations, and we thank you for the opportunity to come before you and to speak. Thank you.

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Mr. Whitney Saunders comes forward and says, I’ll finish up because I know that this have been going on for quite some time. I would just like to emphasize that this is a small parcel of property that we’re talking about – a 39-acre parcel that we are asking that you rezone. And there’s one thing that Ms. Bradshaw mentioned that I think bears repeating. She indicated that there is no harm to anyone as a result of this request. No one is harmed. You can’t see it. It’s a senses test. You can’t see it. You can’t hear it. You can’t feel it. You can’t smell it. You can’t feel it. It’s there and it is totally unobtrusive. It is not harming anyone or anything. And I think that their plea to you, to honor their property rights, is well worth your consideration. And I hope you will consider it. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says, all right. Is there anybody else who would like to talk? Mr. Robert Wallace comes forward and says, my name is Robert Wallace and I live on Freeman Road. 77277 Freeman Road in the Ivor area. The attorney represented his clients’ position well, but I think that there is a number of other individuals in this room who need to be represented as well. And that is the rest of the property owners in Southampton County. They can make the claim and we can make the claim that nobody’s being harmed. That’s because at this point in time, nobody will be harmed. But who’s going to be harmed potentially during the decommissioning process? What landowners in that area, what homeowners in that area are going to be harmed if the decommissioning process does not go according to plan? Can that happen? Well, what happened in California with Solyndra, if you remember that company? Another great, green company, and it cost the taxpayers a billion dollars to step in and take care of it when it failed. A billion dollars to take care of that. I’m sure that when that project was presented to the federal government, they said, “It’s going to be great. It’s going to change the nature of electricity. It’s going to lower our energy costs.” I’m sure they sold that project very, very well. And yet, look what happened with that company. Gentlemen, ma’am, I sat through the Planning Board’s meetings, and I listened to the arguments that were made, and quite honestly I was taken a little aback at the lack of knowledge that they were relying on when they made their decision to move this forward. I think that’s part of the reason why they ended up with a 4-4 decision. There was just not enough information available. If I can go back to that wonderful state of California. Just recently they passed a law in California where it deals with subcontractors – it’s a little different issue. A different issue, but it’s analogous to what we going through here. They passed a law in California that impacted subcontractors. And the whole thing’s gone south on them. They’re putting thousands and thousands of people out of work. And the people that proposed that bill have stood back and said, and I mean this literally, they stood back and said, “I guess we didn’t consider all the repercussions that could take place.” And the rest of us sit back here and said, “You think?” Because that’s truly the case. Mr. Wallace continues, I wish I had time to just listen to tonight’s meeting and to spend an hour just going through what was said here. The company that they represent is a multinational corporation. If you step out of this room, if you look at the map on your wall, right around the corner, it shows that power from this project is potentially going to go to a multistate area. It’s not staying in Southampton County. The revenue that’s going to be produced by this project, it’s not going to help Southampton County. I can’t say that, I guess they are going to hire 2 or 3 lawn care workers seasonally. So at least a couple of guys will have a lawn-mowing job. But the rest of that revenue is not staying here. And here’s the real issue for me, and I would guess for a number of other people in this room (I can’t just speak for them). They’re talking about a 39-acre parcel. Up where we live, coming to you soon, they’re going to ask for 1000 acres. A different company, I believe. They’re going to ask for a 1000-acre parcel, not 39. We can’t even answer what’s going to happen on a 39-acre decommissioning project. What are you going to do with 1000 acres? And they’ve been working on this for 2 years, 3 years. How do we know in this County that they’re not actually looking at 10,000 acres? 15,000 acres? 25,000 acres? Way out in front of everybody else, prepping it? And that leaves us as citizens of this County, literally in some cases with a couple of weeks, to try to answer these questions that are being presented to us when they have been working on this for years. And we have to come in as citizens. In the last meeting, in the Planning meeting, one of the gentlemen said (on the Board), “Green energy, solar energy, the wave of the future. And we can’t be concerned about what we do not know, or because it’s unfamiliar to us.” And my response at that time was the same as what it’s going to be right now. We’re not concerned because what’s unfamiliar, we’re concerned because we do know about these things. 39 acres tucked away, bordering Courtland. Maybe that’s a test project. But in a short period of time, they’re coming to you with a thousand and that’s going to have a much, much greater impact. As citizens, we do feel that we’re not represented by Washington, DC. We watch the oftentimes just disgusting antics that take place in DC. We watch what happens in the General Assembly. We come to our local ones,

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because it’s the closest place that we have to be best represented by the people who represent us. So I’m asking you as a citizen of this County to take those things into consideration. Not pass this project at this time without more knowledge, without more understanding of what this costs us in far more detail than what we currently have in front of us. I wish I had a lot more time. I’m waiting for a buzzer to go off and then I’ll have to leave. I’m going to ask you today. I know there is a lot more people sitting in this room because they share the same concerns that I have. So I’ll just ask you, either table it until far more information is available to you or just not pass it. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says, all right. Anybody else? Mr. Ash Cutchin comes forward and says, Ash Cutchin and I’m 78 years old. And this is one of the worst personal dilemmas I’ve had to face. Because I want you to let you know that Lloyd Bradshaw and I have been in the first grade together and we’ve known each other for 70 years or so. I want to say I’m neutral on this issue, but I have a few comments I’d like to share based on a couple of personal experiences. Whether this land becomes a solar farm or not will not affect me as an individual, and I don’t care what decision you all make. I’d like to point out a few things. A prior solar group that came up here a year or two ago talked about all the jobs it would create. So I was curious. I happened to be going to Accomack County on a Saturday and there was a project over there near Chincoteague, and I drove off Highway 13 and went to the site. And it was a Saturday, of course. But I saw one worker. And I went up to him and said, “How many local people are employed here?” Well, he didn’t speak a word of English, so he didn’t know what I was asking. But the gist of it is, they didn’t hire anybody local, either construction or post-construction. I noticed earlier tonight from the comments up here, and you all talked about solvency quite a bit. And you asked Mr. Railey to give his opinion. I’ve been personally involved in a situation where solvency became an issue. It didn’t involve land, but it involved my previous career. I was an airline pilot, making about what the sheriff makes today, and my company went bankrupt. So most of our employees were lucky to get 50 cents on the dollar in their retirement fund. And many of them had an unpaid fuel bill of a billion dollars. They had unfunded pension benefits of a billion dollars because the IRS let them go three consecutive years without contributing to the employer portion of the pension. So they’re all vaporized. Finally after about 28 years, because some Libyan Arab had blown up PanAm 103 over Lockerbie, they found the deep pockets were in the country of Libya. Muammar Khadafy was still in power then before he was overtaken, overthrown, and killed. But 25 years after the fact, I got a check for $1700 from Libya. That was the equivalent of about one week’s worth of my pay. Anyway, that’s what happens when people that have these big multibillion dollar outfits become insolvent. The employees and other people suffer, suffer tremendously. Mr. Cutchin continues, and I mentioned earlier that they’re about to put 300 acres of these things over there on my great-grandfather’s farm. He’s been long dead. But they’re going to surround on three sides the house where my cousin Jennifer lives, and she’s so upset that she wants to try to sell her house. The house is on the National Register of places built before the Revolutionary War in fact. But the landowner lives in Texas, and he inherited it from people who bought it from my family. He’s a professor in a Baptist seminary, so he has no personal interest other than income. He’s never lived there, never will live there. And I don’t guess Lloyd and Cathie ever plan to live there either, but that’s of no consequence. But too often, people ask what both Cathie and Lloyd ask you to do, respect their property rights. Property rights have a limit. For example, you wouldn’t allow them to build a house of prostitution on this farm, and that’s because of zoning. So individuals have property rights, but all their neighbors have property rights and it’s subject to zoning. So you people have some input into their property rights. And I’m sorry. However, it comes out, I don’t think everybody’s going to be happy. But those are my comments. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says, okay, anybody else? Mr. Joe Vick comes forward and says, right now, I’m wondering what the zoning is for a brothel. My name’s Joe Vick. I’m from Capron. And there’s still obviously a great deal of uncertainty in Southampton whether or not solar installations are beneficial to the County. This has been the discussion in the Planning Commission. Anyone who’s attended those meetings know that this has been a great discussion over the last couple of years. And it’s still unresolved. For example, there is no ongoing decommissioning that we’ve heard. In fact, there was a $10,000 decommissioning bond requirement placed on solar installations that we’ve heard of not long ago however, the year before last I think now, and the General Assembly eliminated that $10,000 bond. And also in 2016, the Rubin Group, if you do any investigating, has shepherded through the General Assembly, with the help of some energy companies and developers, what gives us 80% tax exemption and 100% tax

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exemption to this particular facility. A lot of people have worked on the state level to help these companies to get these installations in, but there doesn’t seem to be too many people helping the citizens here in Southampton County. Now there was a bill that was placed – House Bill 2810 – by Tommy Wright out of Victoria who would have sunset these exemptions, actually this month. There would be no exemptions for this particular facility. But it didn’t even make it out of committee. So, these exemptions are in place until December of 2023. And at that time, in January of 2024, those exemptions will possibly disappear, unless they are extended between now and then. So that’s what we’re talking about as far as these tax exemptions go. I do not like the fact that we will not get any property tax from this piece of property. That seems to me like a real detriment to the County. It’s certainly not helpful to the County. And there are also certainly some concerns about invasive species in the County that would definitely cause harm to the welfare of our economy should some of these invasive weed species get out. I think we’ve already had some problems in Boykins with this. You can investigate yourselves and find that out. Mr. Vick continues, finally, I don’t have to tell you about the importance of the Comprehensive Plan. You all should already know that. And we have no solar facility guidelines in that plan. Now the Planning Commission has been working on solar facilities ordinances and passing them through this body. But it’s still a work in progress. And as you know, the Commonwealth can come in at any time and change just about anything, as they have with property tax exemptions and the decommissioning bonds. So there seems to be a lot of uncertainty surrounding solar panels. And this particular site, the Comprehensive Plan recognizes it as future use for low density housing, and that seems appropriate for the area. And Courtland, as we learned recently, doesn’t have a lot of room to expand. We are bounded by the river and wetlands. I’m looking 30-40 years from now when Courtland’s a larger town – where will we build the houses when people start populating this County eventually? And I think in 2040 it might be now – we’re only scheduled to have maybe 25,000 people in the County. So we haven’t had any growth in the past 40 years and we’re not expected to have some until the next 30-40 years, then possibly some growth. So I would be concerned about – the river’s not moving, the wetlands aren’t moving. Where’s Courtland got to grow? The Comprehensive Plan calls for this to be low-density housing. And that makes sense. I believe that with all this uncertainty surrounding tax exemptions and everything else that’s going on with it, then it wouldn’t hurt this Board to maybe slow down, put the brakes on solar panels in the County until we can get a grip on this. And have the Planning Commission look at what further needs to be done as far as decommissioning, and how the various ordinances and bonds and what-not. And also give us time to address the Comprehensive Plan, and it’s due for renewal in 2025, I think. That’s not too far away. I think by then we could have some areas of the map identified that we might want to put solar in and use that for these developers – to use that as a guideline and a blueprint. So I would ask you maybe to hold off approval of any solar panels, the rezoning certainly, until 2024 would be my suggestion. And that would give you plenty of time to think through this. This has all been too fast. As has been stated before, we don’t really know what’s going on in a lot of these instances. Now I’ll give you this finally. In Chapter 9 under your Comprehensive Plan, this is under “Goals and Implementation Strategies.” And just briefly when you’re considering land use rights and landowner rights, it says, “[I]n considering the roles… and this is from your Comprehensive Plan. [I]n considering the roles and status of the plan, the County must remain mindful that the policies and map contained in the plan may be used to support land use decisions at the local, state, and federal level. This may include the denial of permits for areas not slated for development in the comprehensive plan.” [2015-2025 Southampton County Comprehensive Plan, p. 9-1] So I understand the property owner rights. I am a big proponent of property owner rights. But I am also a big proponent of zoning in the County and our Comprehensive Plan. And I think we do need to look at that, no matter what the General Assembly says. So I would just ask you to put the brakes on this for 2 or 3 years until we can sort it all out. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says, okay. Anybody else? Mr. Hunter Darden comes forward and says, good evening, I’m Hunter Darden. Mr. Jones is my Supervisor. I’m glad to be able to see you back, Mr. Dallas, and the rest of you, and I’m looking forward to a good year. I spoke at the Planning Commission about it. I’m not an advocate of solar panels. I don’t care where they are and who wants them. I want Southampton County to stay an agricultural county. And if the ordinance is such that somebody can meet it, you didn’t write it tough enough. We don’t have hog farms anymore. There’s no chicken farms anymore. And we can’t black-powder hunt in Southampton County. So don’t tell me you can’t stop it. You can stop what you want to stop. And I am a property owner. The state gives me the right to buy a black-powder hunting license, but the County doesn’t like me to hunt. So when you tell me it’s my right, my property right,

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we got limits to all of it. I live here because I like Southampton County. I don’t like riding to Boykins and looking at a fenced-in solar panel farm. And Mr. Powell’s farm over in Boykins, and he is a good friend of mine, if anybody had gone in and looked at it when they destroyed his property and buried all the topsoil in the ravines, and going to tell me that they are going to put it back like it was – it will never happen. Nobody that’s even been born yet is going to see that farm back like it was. And I’m just saying that at this time, we’ve got a new Board and people in this County are looking for a Board that we can trust and get our faith back. And it’s time for you stand up and look out for Southampton County. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says, okay, anybody else? Mr. Gary Cross comes forward and says, good evening, Chairman Edwards, and Board. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Railey and others. And in case you don’t recognize me tonight dressed up, my name is Gary Cross. I live in the Berlin-Ivor district. Our prayers need to go out tonight, Chris [Cornwell], to a family on Millfield Road that’s just lost a house. So this might not be important to some people, but for us here tonight it is important. But our prayers should go out to these people. Usually I just fly off the cuff and try to tell you all what I have to say, but I always get waylaid with the information that I’ve heard prior to me getting up here. If you will indulge me tonight, I’m going to have to read – I will try to read my own handwriting tonight – and I’ll be as quick and brief and to the point as I can be. Is January the first month of a new year? Is the first year a new decade? Now it’s also the first meeting for most of you all on the Board of Supervisors. This should be an optimistic and exciting time in our lives; unfortunately, we find ourselves overshadowed by events that could shape and affect our lives and the lives of our children for generations to come. In our nation’s capital, we have a president working hard to secure our borders, improve trade with other countries, and bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. This president has been able to walk on foreign soil that has never been able to be walked on by an American president before. At the same, there are many trying to remove him from office. At our state capital here in this Commonwealth, we have a governor surrounded by like-minded, elected representatives trying to take away rights given to us in the Constitution. In sessions right now, these same people are debating bill after bill to remove rights that we take for granted each day. Mr. Cross continues, here in Southampton County, we find ourselves starting this decade confronting the issue that could potentially change the County as we know it forever. All who were present at the Planning Commission meeting when this rezoning request was discussed, as with any of the utility solar scale projects that has been heard in this County and probably any yet to come, saw that only the people or parties in favor of these projects are the ones who stand to profit from it. Hopefully each of you have read the results sent forth by the Planning Commission. A tie vote on whether to rezone or not. The discussions that night, recognizing close proximity of the town of Courtland and should this land be saved for future growth. Others recognized the land as productive farmland that had costly irrigation equipment installed. My concerns that night had to do with the runoff of rainwater. Once farmland is transformed into what will be a glass parking lot, the land no longer absorbs the rain, and where does this water go? Has it been properly planned for? We’ve heard some of that this evening. Maybe it has. The town of Courtland is in the path of that water reaching the river. Also, as in typical Southampton County style, no one presenting the plan knows if any underground drainage is on this farm. I shouldn’t have to tell this board that if underground tile is damaged and no longer functions as it should, the result would be failure to control the structures. I feel that not all potential risks have been addressed once again by developers. And doesn’t our Comprehensive Plan recommend we protect our productive farmland? Mr. Cross says, what page reveals here in the County of a business that has located or expanded here in Southampton County in the last decade came here for our agriculture or our forestry? The development of our agriculture or our forestry district show businesses looking to expand or start if we are committed to producing the raw products that they need. There is a long-term commitment from us for you not to allow land in our County to be transformed into alternative uses will kill the economic engine we have currently running. When will we be able to say, “This is enough”? Will it be just this one project? Maybe just five or six more of the size of those in Newsoms and Boykins? How many farmers will be put out of business? How many loggers, logging outfits, and trucking companies will suffer in years to come? You have been elected to do what’s in the best interest of this County. We can’t wait to start that responsibility. This whole thing is larger than just someone meeting a few requirements on a zoning request. This is about economic impact that occurs each time we remove valuable farmland from its present use. I haven’t seen the impact study from this group, but it is my understanding that it varies greatly from others being done in the state. Your

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responsibility as Supervisors is to know the fiscal impacts the solar projects will have on this County. I will ask everyone in this room if they like seeing their state and federal tax dollars being shoveled through this nation in exorbitant amounts just so a few large companies like Amazon can boast that they use all green energy. Green energy preached by environmentalists that say we are polluting our planet and we must stop global warming. Do you know that the corn crop in the United States at height of its growth cycle removes more harmful carbon out of the atmosphere than does the rain forests? So why is it okay to remove these green fields and replace them with glass panels? If you watch any TV, any commercials lately, you see Michael Bloomberg campaigning for president. And he says if elected, the US will be 80% clean energy by 2028. What does that mean for us here? Not only will the coal miners all be out of business, but so goes the American farmer. This rezoning tonight goes well beyond the borders of this County. We must take a stand against it. This County must stand against this kind of development now. This rezoning also goes beyond a single landowner’s rights. Where are the rights of other citizens that are negatively impacted? Impacted through inconvenience by having to look at it every day. Or maybe they are impacted economically through the continued approval of these projects. Whether you like to admit it or not, landowner’s rights are almost nonexistent in today’s society. The ability to do as you please on your own property has diminished almost entirely. In today’s world, if the construction of hog houses, chicken houses, racetracks, shooting ranges, party venues, scrapyards, any number of things should remotely be an inconvenience to someone, then it’s likely not to going to be permitted, especially in this County. Why should solar fields be treated any differently? Maybe, Mr. Chairman, since I’ve been restricted from enjoying many of the previous activities mentioned, I should seek legal counsel also and sue the County. That is a threat we live with daily. In today’s society, an improper sneeze in a crowded elevator could land you in court. If anyone here is influenced by the threats of lawsuits, you need to go home and lock your doors because this level of responsibility is not for you. Mr. Cross concludes, lastly, Mr. Chairman and Board, it is imperative for you to realize that tomorrow morning legislators are in session. Many groups are lobbying for the matter that concerns them the most. VACo and Farm Bureau, tomorrow morning, are trying to get counties and localities a bigger piece of the pie. They want the sunset date to be moved up and higher compensations given to counties. It would be negligent of this body to move forward with any project whatsoever if the possibilities of higher income exist. If at such a time solar energy is proven to be of economic benefit, I believe we should poll the citizens of the County and ask of them if, being of equal revenue to this County, would you prefer to see agriculture or forestry as it now exists, or do you want fields of glass solar panels? At the beginning of the next decade, 2030, what will Southampton County look like? At the beginning of the next decade, what will be our economic engine? And I believe this Board holds the keys for that answer. I appreciate you listening, and thank you for being here. Chairman Edwards says, okay, anybody else? Cathie Bradshaw comes forward and says, I would just like to make one statement to the gentleman’s remarks. There were a lot of comments made at the last meeting, but there was no fact to back them up. One thing that he suggested, that there might be water drainage tiles underneath that farm. To my knowledge and I’ve been there for 50 years, there are no drainage tiles under that farm. Mr. Whitney Saunders asks from the audience, sir, may I speak? Chairman Edwards says, yes, sir, please. Mr. Whitney Saunders comes forward and says, I just wanted to correct one thing that had been said. That is, that there would be no property tax paid on this property. That is not correct. There will be property tax paid. It will be paid, I’m sure, based upon the use that would be put in place which would be as a solar farm. Which will be, I’m sure, an increase in value. Property taxes will be paid; what will not be paid will be a tax on the equipment on the property. So there is in the fiscal impact and there is generally an increase in the taxes for the benefit of the County. And I just ask you, if we’ve heard a lot about many different wide-ranging topics in the course of this discussion. This is one project. We ask you to evaluate it based on your ordinance. That’s all we ask for. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says, I just have one question. Mr. Saunders replies, yes, sir.

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Chairman Edwards says, sorry if I beat someone else on the Board. I don’t understand – but I do understand where it comes from – why doesn’t this industry pay equipment tax? Mr. Saunders says, the legislature has determined that it wishes to advance forms of energy that are renewable, and so they have given tax advantage to those forms of energy for them to be able to operate and meet the state’s budgeted targets for renewable energy within the Commonwealth. So, this is a state-mandated or it’s a state-allowed tax exemption. Now those dates, I don’t know exactly what those dates are for them sunsetting. Mr. Arick Wilson of North Carolina Renewable Energy says, the gentleman who spoke earlier is correct. Currently it’s going to sunset at the end of 2023. So the beginning of January 2024 is the current date for that to expire. Mr. Tim Barker says, but not for any project done with 5 megawatts. Mr. Wilson replies, true. That was pretty much grandfathered. Our date for the submission of the interconnection application in this case was before December 31, 2018. That’s a key date for this project. Mr. Barker adds, so any other project that comes through with an application date after that date would have 80% rather than 100% paid for. Mr. Saunders says, so there will be a different tax structure at that point in time. For applications made after 2018 – correct? Is that the date? Mr. Wilson replies, yes. Mr. Saunders says to Chairman Edwards, does that answer your question? Chairman Edwards says, no. It seems to me it would be only fair if our legislature would make farm equipment exempt from taxes, too. Mr. Saunders says, well, I don’t disagree with that. Chairman Edwards says, everybody eats up there, right? Mr. Saunders says, yes. But that is what the legislature has indicated. [To Supervisor Gillette] Yes, sir, Mr. Gillette. Is this for me? Supervisor Gillette says, I’m just curious. Are my taxes going to pay for a solar farm in any way? Is there tax money to put this equipment in? To attract the attention of the energy companies to go forward with this? Or are they doing it solely on the economics of the returns? Mr. Saunders says, no, there’s no tax money that goes directly to them. Supervisor Gillette says, so they’re going solely on the return of the company, the energy that they sell. Mr. Saunders says, yes, sir. Supervisor Gillette says, and it’s been stated that by the former president that my electric bill is going up not down because of green energy. So, I got a problem with that. We would like business that helps us with the awesome challenge that this Board has, to help hold the line on taxes if not reduce them, for gosh sakes. That includes personal property as well as equipment as well as real estate taxes. And I travel quite a bit in southwest Virginia. It’s pretty disheartening to see millions of dollars of coal trucks parked out there. Now I haven’t been out there in 3 years, maybe 4. But I’ve got some real good friends out there that went broke. Their coal trucks are parked, no way to pay off the loans. You know what’s happened to the energy sector, and they’ve lost jobs. But energy is out there – the natural gas and coal. So what happens? They come down here and come up with solar that puts the ag sector out of jobs. As more and more land is introduced to solar, there’s going to be stress put on current agribusiness. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to see that some of these companies that deal in agricultural products will have to cut back, lay off people, probably even

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move from this area because of the revenue that’s not generated that supports those businesses. And thereby we lose jobs here, they lost jobs there. It doesn’t make sense to me. Mr. Saunders replies, I don’t know if I’m qualified to answer. Supervisor Gillette says, I can give you the phone number of a guy that will answer your questions. You better believe it. Mr. Saunders says, what we ask for is that you review this project as what it is. One project coming before you. Just this project, based upon the ordinance that you have put into place. And that’s all that we can ask you. Supervisor Gillette, I understand. I would like to talk to you about a lot of revelations that have come about because of coal dust. That has been snuffed out. Chairman Edwards asks, anybody else? Mr. Glenn Updike comes forward and says, I tell you, these seats are extremely hard. Supervisor Gillette says, ball your coat up, Glenn. Mr. Glenn Updike says, I’m Glenn Updike from Newsoms. The latter remark by Mr. Jones who came in and said, “Every day is a good day when you wake up.” Now my take on it, is that every day when I wake up, I demand oxygen. The second thing I demand is food. If anyone here doesn’t agree with those two items, then I’m wasting my breath. You got to remember, we got to do and repeat a lot of things have already been said – carbon is taken up by plants. I haven’t seen any solar panels taking up any carbon and reducing the carbon footprints in this world. At least I haven’t seen it. If you’ve seen it, let me know. The second thing, we’re talking about energy. Have you listened to the news recently? I think it was this week. That we’ve got enough gas for the next 400 years. And the gas prices have dropped over 30%. How in the world, and they don’t do it now when gas prices are up, how are they going to compete when gas prices drop? I’ll tell you how they can compete. They’re going to compete with the government taking our money, taxing the public to support the solar industry. I support the solar industry, too, but where do I want this solar energy to be produced? Any cutover woodlands or mining areas in the state that won’t grow a cotton-picking thing. Put them in those areas, put them on rooftops, out on airfields that are no longer being used. Why in the world are you going to be taking my food away from me to support this industry? People got to wake up. The next major war is going to be fought over food, not over energy because we’ve got plenty of that. We’ve got it running out of our ears right now. So solar panels and solar energy have never been economical for this economy. So I’m just saying, and go back to the comment about the amount of carbon that’s taken up by corn and cotton, too. And you remember, I don’t know if you’ve seen it or read it, in the state of Virginia a farmer had 467 bushels of corn. That means, it takes at least 3 pounds of carbon to produce a pound of grain, you just put that in your computer and come up with something like 18 tons is being taken out of the air and providing me with some oxygen so I can breathe in the mornings. So please, please, for people promoting solar panels, put them where they belong. Not on productive cropland. Chairman Edwards says, so, anybody else like to speak? Mr. Blair Bunn comes forward and says, I’ll be brief. I’m Blair Bunn. I live in Newsoms, Virginia, smack dab in the middle of the solar panel field that they put up on 671 on the Powell farm that people were talking about. And nobody here, before you think you know which way I’m going to go with this, there’s nobody will stand up for landowner rights and fight for it no more than I will. I’ll fight every one of you, get in line, over landowner rights. So I understand what people are talking about. But when it comes to things of this nature going on in Southampton County or the United States, the value should be put on what destruction it is doing first in the environment. I don’t think anybody can tell us exactly what those galvanized 20-foot sections of rod driven into the ground, thousands of them (and I saw them every day), what it’s going to do to the water system. Because it hasn’t been there yet that long to tell. Nobody can tell you what the runoff is going to be from these panels in our water system. You talked about that you wanted to keep your land, the owners. And this would be a way, the revenue to do it. But I hope that they realize that, in reality, if they put these solar panels on your farm, you’ve actually sold your land. You’ll never walk on it again, you’ll never do anything with it. So I hope it’s things you thought about. Some of the concerns I’ve heard tonight

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are good concerns and some do have meaning to each and every one of you. But I think that they’re kind of irrelevant. And don’t hit me with a rod. But the person who owns land at any time can put trees on it or put cows on it at any time. You’re not guaranteed to farm that land forever. But the way the land is treated, what does it do to neighbor landowners? What does it do to the environment? And those are issues that concern me from living in the middle of that large solar system in Newsoms. Mr. Bunn continues, he’s talked about the weeds that possibly come up. What is it going to look like? What is it going to do to the neighbors? There is one issue, and it’s a small issue that I don’t think anybody realizes. And the point is, who is going to be accountable for the things you’re talking about that are – I think the word is proffered or you’re giving up or keeping things on the program? I got Michael Drake to come out one day to show us on the road where you’re living, Mr. Faison. Does anybody here know what a fire ant is? Mr. Ash Cutchin says, I do. Mr. Bunn says, our area never had a fire ant. When the solar people came in – and like I say, I’m in the dead middle of it – they parked on my land, I couldn’t keep them off. They were everywhere. Now my property is eat up with fire ants. Every place they put a tree along the fence, the border, had fire ant mounds. Nobody saw it. But I work all over from Maine to Florida. I’ve seen and been in them everywhere and when I saw the first one, I said, “Oh, my gosh. What have we got here?” So I called Michael Drake. He came out. We had people come. Someone from the solar board came with us, Mike? Mr. Michael Drake says, extension department. Mr. Bunn continues, the extension came out. Now my farm is eat up with fire ants. Chance Crowder, a farmer right next to me, we rode around Friday night and looked at places. And his place is eat up with them. If you vote for them – I’m in the middle of them, I’m not going to tell you to or not. But I don’t know if we have anybody that will hold the companies accountable that are coming into the County. I’ve not heard anybody question, is there a group that’s going to watch it if these people who are doing it adhere to it? Who’s going to hold them accountable? I don’t know where you guys are, I mean on Three Bees Road, I’m the sheriff until he shows up. I mean they tore the ditches up. I mean they tried when they put the fiber optics under the ground going from one solar field to another. The water wouldn’t drain, it washed across the road and mud got a foot deep in the road. The school buses couldn’t come to where we have a business going on. It’s just, my thing is, let’s get the accountability. Let’s know what it’s going to do to the environment. With property rights, too, they do have a place in this. So you got to respect them, but as long as the environment is taken care of and the rest of the County is not negatively affected. But we’ve got to have somebody accountable that’s going to keep them accountable. I haven’t heard anybody ask that question yet. And I don’t know who’s going to do it. I know that Three Bees is washed out, but that’s all I know. Anybody got a question? Chairman Edwards says, okay. Anybody else? Mr. Westley Drake comes forward and says, Mr. Chairman, my name is Westley Drake and I reside in Newsoms on Sands Road. Unlike like Mr. Cross who prepared his statement, I did not tonight. I probably will wish that I would have. But I just wanted to come up and address you on this topic. I’ve done this before about 2 or 3 years ago. Many of you weren’t here then. I want to just say that right now I’m 29 years old. I turn 30 this coming October. And what we are talking about is a project with a 40-year life span, which is basically statistics would suggest is most of my life, or if not all of it. And I have yet to be convinced that solar farms are something that I want to encourage to be built in my time and the best use of land. I happen to think that solar farms on any kind of farmland or productive woodland is the most unethical way to produce green energy. Solar panels themselves as a way of capturing sunlight do have a place in our nation and in our world, but it is not to replace what our agricultural assets are. They need to be placed anywhere else, basically. But in cities that have large footprints, but there is a lot of buildings and things, flat places that can be used for anything, I wish that was where they were placed. Unfortunately, they approach rural areas because they think that you are a pushover. And I don’t mean to say that bluntly, but they do. They come from out of town, they come into rural areas and they say, “We can push these people over and sell them on green energy.” So that’s what they’re here doing tonight. But you know better. And in my brief history lesson I will give you, the last time I addressed this Board, a huge pile of people turned

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out from Newsoms and Boykins. Citizens, just like me, to voice their opposition to that project. Four members of this Board sold out to the out-of-town solar company, and three of them were not re-elected last time. So I just wanted to let that be out here in the open, that way we know. The other thing as far as the history lesson goes, this large billboard sign on the back wall I find to be very offensive because based on that, the majority of the population in this County does not support this kind of development. It looks like we’re advertising it back here in the hallway. We need to get that straight. I think it needs to be taken down, me personally. I’ve never seen what comes on the TV screen, but I hope that’s a countdown clock to when that site in Boykins is taken down because I’m looking forward to it. I’m kind of getting tired of looking at these things. So I hope that you will not approve this project tonight. Thank you. Chairman Edwards asks, is there anybody else that has anything that hasn’t been said tonight who would like to speak? Supervisor Gillette asks, a quick question. Does it take fossil fuels to build this equipment? Mr. Tim Barker says, yes. Supervisor Gillette says, it does? Mr. Barker says, yes. Supervisor Gillette says, thank you. Chairman Edwards says, okay, last call. Anybody else need to speak? [No response.] You’ve heard a lot tonight, a lot to digest here, a lot to think about. So I will close the Public Hearing on this aspect. And discussion among the Board members. I would like to start with Ms. Updike and come around the table and see just what everybody thinks. Supervisor Updike says, is this for a discussion or motion? Discussion. Okay, I think this is not in the best interest of Southampton County agriculture. If our Comprehensive Plan says we need to protect our farmland, these things need to go on brown land. This is a top tier of farmland, irrigated prime farmland, and it encroaches on Courtland’s future expansion. Chairman Edwards says, thank you. Supervisor White? Supervisor White says, well, I came in here tonight thinking about landowner rights. That was my biggest concern. But listening to everybody and thinking about it, that’s why we have these public hearings so we can listen to the community and try to figure out the right thing to do. But the biggest thing that upsets me is they can come out here and put millions of dollars of equipment in these solar fields, and they don’t have to pay a dime in taxes. I know they’re paying land, the real estate tax, but the machinery and tools tax or equipment tax is 100% exempt. I thought they were going to pay 20% is what I thought. Anyway, I got a bunch of trucks running up and down the road. I got a trucking facility with 20 acres of land, a fuel facility to hold 40,000 gallons of fuel. And I pay taxes out the [deleted] every year. Anyway, I’m not too happy about the taxes. Excuse the language, but that’s just the way I feel about it. Supervisor Faison says, I’ve listened to all the comments tonight, and they have really had an impact on me. I hear all that’s being said. And even those about property rights, this is a small place in comparison to the solar panels, 39 acres. And if there’s going to be a place where solar panels could be put and have the least amount of impact on the County, I think this would probably be that place. We have large solar farms in Boykins and Newsoms as it’s been pointed out. And I recognize all of the things that they said tonight. And they are concerns. But I just can’t make an example of this place to be one that would be the one that I see stopped. There are others that will be forthcoming, and we certainly need to look at them and consider all the things that were brought up tonight. There are some concerns that I don’t think we finally answered to. And if tabling this and giving us more time to find those answers could be done, I would be in favor of that but I am not in favor of saying no to this tonight. Chairman Edwards says, Supervisor Gillette?

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Supervisor Gillette says, well, I’m a property owner also and I do respect Ms. Bradshaw. I had a plan about 20 years ago and I definitely wouldn’t be sitting here if it had happened, I can tell you that. But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do it on my property. And so I understand what it’s like. I understand what it’s like to stand up before a group of people like you all sitting out there. My wife got so upset at the public hearing, she told me she’d never come to another one with me. And it wasn’t in this County. I had people in the community come up to me and apologize profusely for the project that I proposed and it was turned down. So I understand. And it was a project that was going to afford me a livelihood, one that I was even going to have a career change. Lots of people wanted to invest in that idea. And the public didn’t want it, and it was voted down. So I understand, Ms. Bradshaw, I can assure you that I do. If this paid and if it did not require taxpayers to bail it out, I don’t know how else to say it, it would make a big difference in my thought process. But it takes tax money to get it going. And even on top of that, the economics of it is not benefitting the rest of us because the electric bills are going to go up, they’re not going to go down. They’re going to go up. And it even takes fossil fuels to generate this equipment. They want to do away with fossil fuels or certainly reduce it. And I’m telling you, you’re not going to be able to get what you need. That’s the greatest thing about this country, it’s the transportation. It is the greatest thing this country has going for it, and it runs on fossil fuel. To produce batteries and that kind of thing to make these cars and trucks that don’t burn fuel, it takes fuel to get there. It’s stupid. And this country has that advantage over most of the world. The transportation system. That’s why people starved in Russia when they couldn’t get the potatoes to the market. And I don’t want to see the land digress from farming productivity – high producing land turned into low producing land. That takes you to poverty. I would certainly vote to deny the request tonight. I don’t think based on my questions and what I’ve said that would be a secret to anybody out there. I support property rights, but I also know that those Comprehensive Plans have been written in the best interest in the County by those who sit on these boards. I see no reason to change that at this point. Thank you. Chairman Edwards says, Supervisor Jones. Supervisor Jones says, I’ve been here for a while and I’ve heard about rights of the property owner. And I think that the property owner ought to have rights to some of the things they want to do with their property. And I feel like if we don’t let them do that, then what’s going to happen to our rights? What about if we want to do something else? It might be in the wrong place. But 39 acres against 1000? To me that’s not very much. Chairman Edwards says, okay, Supervisor Cornwell. Supervisor Cornwell says, I’d like to start by thanking everybody for taking the time to come out here tonight and spend your time with us. Everybody that spoke on both sides of this issue, thank you for what input you were able to provide on both sides of the argument. I really get both sides of it, I really do. I dare say most of us in this room are property owners of some kind, and I think we all probably appreciate the rights that we have on our own property. Just as a matter of interest those who are here tonight that are interested in the preservation of agriculture and forestry lands here in Southampton County, please stand up. [Majority of the audience stands.] Okay. I knew this was coming long before I even ran to take this seat. This is not a surprise to me that this is coming. Of course, this is the first meeting. I didn’t expect for this to come the first meeting. But anyway, this isn’t a surprise. I’ve done considerable research on this and its environmental impact to the County. Its economic impact to the County. I’ve read the Universal Challenges and Local Solutions that the Berkley group did for Mecklenburg County. They paid a lot of money for that study. I feel like I’ve benefitted by being able to read the fruits of their labor as it pertained to Mecklenburg County. I reached out to the professors of environmental science at Virginia Tech and weighed a lot of this off of their input and what research they have done on the matter. The economic impact study of Virginia’s ag and forestry industries that Weldon Cooper did – I reviewed all that out of UVa. I have talked to countless citizens, the Farm Bureau, the Citizens for Responsible Government – I sought input from all of them. [Supervisor Jones leaves the Boardroom.] Supervisor Cornwell continues, and what all that led me to was several things. The community impact, there is this ripple effect happens whenever you take something like farmland out of the equation. That farmer needs less help, he needs less fertilizer, he needs less fuel, and he needs less seed. These are dollars that he’s not going to spend in our local economy because there’s no need there anymore. And those solar panels don’t need anything. They’re not spending a dime for us in

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our local economy. The American Farm Bureau Federation, Young Farmers and Ranchers Program Chairman Zach Honeycutt stated and I quote, “Access to adequate land to begin farming or expand an existing operation are a top major concern for today’s young farmer.” That becomes a major concern of mine when we start selling it off, we start giving it away for other things in our County that don’t benefit our economy or our citizens, then what are we going to have left at the end of the day? This last one – and I know everybody is tired and I’m not going to try to keep you any longer than necessary – but this is an increased risk to first responders due to high voltage. I am one, I know. There is an increased risk to the children. That’s why I was asking about security. I got three of them. Fences ain’t going to keep them out. They’re going to be in there throwing rocks at the panels, causing damage. They’re going to circumvent that system any way they can. And the hazards of the high voltage concern me because I am a resident of the community. It creates essentially zero jobs. I haven’t seen any economic job benefit to our County. We’ve had several report that what few jobs there are in the grass maintenance around these facilities are outsourced to people that are outside of our area. My son won’t be able to say when he leaves here and goes to college, “I want to return back to Southampton County to work at the solar farm.” Whereas he could work at an industry, if we were able to bring that here. Or he could work for that farmer on his tractor when returns home from college. There is no job generated by the solar farm here for him to return to, which is a major concern I think of all of ours – is retaining our youth here in the County for future generations to come. Supervisor Cornwell says, and then the over/under that we’ve all talked about, the what-happens when all the green incentives dry up and the government quits paying these incentives for these companies to build these solar farms. What happens then? What happens if it’s no longer sustainable for the landowner? Then they’ve got a piece of land that they’re not getting the benefit of the money for the solar farm off of, but it’s not good for agriculture either. So where does that even leave them at the end of the day? The environmental impacts are unknowns. The wildlife impacts are unknown. The disposal of the panels and the decommissioning, all of that, is a great big unknown. I, too, read the study that this gentleman here brought up about the nuclear energy, read the same study. 300 times more toxic waste per unit than nuclear energy, causing serious health concerns for the improperly disposed-of panels. These are just some of the things that I found doing my own independent research of the matter on how it would affect us and the citizens of Southampton County as we consider this move forward. Chairman Edwards says, okay, thank you. I just have a few of my thoughts. As Supervisors we are charged with doing the best in representing the majority of people in this County. I have some difficulties with this. I don’t think it fits in with the Comprehensive Plan. The area is designated on the Comprehensive Plan as low-density housing. It’s very close to the town of Courtland. It’s close to a water source. I’m still wondering about the decommissioning. That’s still very fuzzy to me. I don’t think I’ve gotten any concrete answers on that from anybody. A lot of nebulous things there. And most experts and engineers that I’ve talked to tell me that these panels are going to be obsolete in four to six years. And then what’s going to happen? The Navy actually is developing panels – I treat some engineers that work for the Navy at the Naval Shipyard – that are no bigger than a shoebox. Of course, they’re very expensive but they do the same work as two or three of these panels. They’re going on ships. That technology is coming along. And I think there are enough when you weigh the positives and the negatives – to me the negatives far outweigh the positives. And that’s my feeling on it. There may be some other reasons that are minor, but that’s the major thing. I really resent the control that the state has over us, or tries to put over on us, concerning these things. These people in Richmond don’t know anything about Southampton County. And I don’t think they care anything about Southampton County. So sooner or later, we’re going to have to stand up on our hind legs for ourselves. And as far as I’m concerned, perhaps we can start that tonight. Chairman Edwards asks, is Supervisor Jones coming back? Mr. Johnson says, he’s sitting down out there. I’m not sure he’s doing well right now. Chairman Edwards asks, shall we wait for him? Mr. Johnson says, I’d go ahead. Chairman Edwards says, I’d entertain a motion then. Supervisor Updike says, I make a motion to deny.

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Chairman Edwards says, is there a second to the motion to deny the rezoning? Supervisor Cornwell says, second. Chairman Edwards says, a proper second. I’ll call for a voice vote then. Supervisor Updike, yes or no? Supervisor Updike responds, yes to deny. Chairman Edwards says, okay. You made the motion. Supervisor White? Supervisor White says, deny the application. Chairman Edwards says, okay. Supervisor Faison? Supervisor Faison says, deny. Chairman Edwards says, deny the application. Supervisor Gillette? Supervisor Gillette says, deny. Chairman Edwards says, deny. And Supervisor Cornwell? Supervisor Cornwell says, deny. Chairman Edwards says, I also vote to deny this very heartily. We have a 6-0 vote. I guess Mr. Jones would be an abstention. [Motion carried to deny the application.]

Dr. Alan Edwards DENY William Hart Gillette DENY Christopher Cornwell DENY Carl Faison DENY Dallas Jones ABSTAIN/ABSENT Lynda Updike DENY Robert White DENY

Chairman Edwards continues, so Mr. Railey, there is no use going over the Conditional Use Permit since the first part of this is gone, is that correct? Mr. Railey says, that’s your option. I think if you don’t go over it, you’re within your rights. I don’t think you have to go over it. My position is you don’t have to go over it. Chairman Edwards says, you don’t have to? Mr. Railey says, you do not. Chairman Edwards says, what does the Board think? Supervisor Gillette says, I don’t see any need prolonging it. Chairman Edwards says, I don’t either. Does anyone have any problems with that? [No response.] The remaining Board members concur. Chairman Edwards says, we’ll move on to the Replacement of the Solid Waste Compactor at Joyner’s Bridge. Joyner’s Bridge is evidently a very active site. Supervisor Gillette says, do you want to check on him [Supervisor Jones]? Supervisor Cornwell suggests, let’s take a break for a few minutes.

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Chairman Edwards says, yes, let’s take a three-minute break. [Meeting breaks at 10:07 p.m.] Chairman Edwards reconvenes the meeting at 10:17 p.m. and says, have we got everybody? I believe so. We’re back on again. [Speaks to Supervisor Jones] Will you join us, sir? Supervisor Jones says, yes, I’m okay. Chairman Edwards says to Supervisor Jones, if there are any problems, just let us know. Supervisor Jones says, thank you. Chairman Edwards says, number 13. Replacement of Solid Waste Compactor at Joyner’s Bridge Refuse Site. Mr. Johnson says, Mr. Chairman, as you all know, Southampton County operates sixteen refuse convenience sites servicing a geographic area of more than 600 square miles. Two of these sites (the ones in Boykins and Ivor) are owned and maintained by the Southeastern Public Service Authority, the other fourteen are maintained by Southampton County. At four of our higher-volume sites and that’s the Courtland, Capron, Joyner’s Bridge, and Southampton Meadows, solid waste compactors were installed to maximize efficiency and reduce the total number of hauls to the SPSA transfer station from those sites. You may recall that we replaced the Courtland compactor last year. Earlier this month, the compactor at the Joyner’s Bridge site succumbed to the elements and unfortunately is no longer serviceable. So we’re seeking your consideration tonight in replacing that compactor. The compactor itself was installed in 1993, so it was 27 years old. Mr. Johnson continues, we’ve got a competitively-solicited quotation through Sourcewell, which is a cooperative procurement organization that leverages the buying power of over 50,000 local governments across the country and public school systems. And the cost to install a new replacement compactor at Joyner’s Bridge is $45,071.94. So our FY budget included $56,000 in the Building Fund to install a new compactor at the Sebrell refuse convenience site to improve our efficiency in hauling recyclables to Bay Disposal’s Materials Recovery Facility in Hampton. Given the fact that Joyner’s Bridge is our highest-volume convenience site and the urgent need of having a working compactor there, we’re seeking your consideration in deferring that Sebrell Compactor Project and utilizing a portion of those budgeted funds to move ahead and replace the compactor at the Joyner’s Bridge. Chairman Edwards says, okay, thank you. What say you, Board? Supervisor Faison says, now the one in Sebrell, that project is being delayed or whatever. How much delay are we talking about or what is in place to recoup those funds or whatever? Mr. Johnson responds, your budget runs on a fiscal year of July 1 to June 30. So we can certainly reconsider the Sebrell project in your FY 21 budget deliberations this spring. We may have some different thoughts and changes in the recycling market about that project anyway, and we can certainly talk about that in the budget process next year. Supervisor White asks, how many trips does a compactor save? Mr. Johnson says, it depends on exactly what’s put in the hopper, but you can get anywhere from 7 to 10:1 compaction ratio. Supervisor White says, oh yes, it’s a big difference. Chairman Edwards says, well, it certainly is a high-volume site and that would probably be where we can get the best use out of it. Does anybody have any further considerations? [No response.] Supervisor Jones says, I would like to make the motion that we go ahead and allow Mr. Johnson to replace the compactor. Chairman Edwards says, yes, sir. Supervisor Faison says, second.

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Chairman Edwards says, second. All right, all in favor say aye.

Dr. Alan Edwards AYE William Hart Gillette AYE Christopher Cornwell AYE Carl Faison AYE Dallas Jones AYE Lynda Updike AYE Robert White AYE

Chairman Edwards continues, opposed, no. [No response.] Well, Mr. Johnson, it’s unanimous. We’ll let you replace that. Chairman Edwards says, all right, number 14, Capital Funding Request from the Drewryville Volunteer Fire Department. They need $14,000 to buy some equipment and that is in Supervisor Jones’ neighborhood. Supervisor Jones says, yes, sir. I think everybody knows that we have so much money each year for every fire department, and they draw it out when they want to draw it out. And so everything is in order and Drewryville needs it so I would like to make a motion that we allow them to withdraw that. Supervisor Faison says, second. Chairman Edwards says, there’s a second to that. Any discussion? [No response.] All those in favor say aye.

Dr. Alan Edwards AYE William Hart Gillette AYE Christopher Cornwell AYE Carl Faison AYE Dallas Jones AYE Lynda Updike AYE Robert White AYE

Chairman Edwards continues, so moved. [Motion passes unanimously.] We will give them the money that they need. Chairman Edwards says, number 15, Surplus Property Designation to the 2006 Copier. Mr. Johnson says, it’s a longwinded resolution that asks to allow the Voter Registrar to get rid of a 2006 photocopier. Supervisor Updike says, so moved. Supervisor White says, seconded. Chairman Edwards says, all right. Any discussion on that? [No response.] All in favor say aye.

Dr. Alan Edwards AYE William Hart Gillette AYE Christopher Cornwell AYE Carl Faison AYE Dallas Jones AYE Lynda Updike AYE Robert White AYE

[Motion passes unanimously.] Chairman Edwards continues, how’s he going to get rid of that? Mr. Railey says, put it in the trash compactor. [Laughter]

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Chairman Edwards says, number 16, Miscellaneous. Mr. Johnson says, just a few items. First of all, I am pleased to report that I do have everybody’s Statement of Economic Interests, so we can check that off the list. Just a reminder for the newly elected officials, you are required to take the mandated Conflict of Interest Act training. So you’ve got 60 days from the day you assumed office to do that. So just keep that in mind. I have to get in touch with them to get the list of the people who have completed it, and some have already. But I haven’t checked that in a couple of weeks. So if you haven’t done it, go ahead and do it. And I’ll check in a couple of weeks, and I’ll get back with you if I don’t see your name on the list. Chairman Edwards says, take my advice and drink a pot of coffee before you do that because it’s an hour of lawyers talking. Okay, can you continue there, Mike? Mr. Johnson says, in B, the 7th Annual Partners in Progress Breakfast Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30 a.m. at The Main Event, 110 North Main Street in Franklin. If you all would like to go, you need to RSVP to Ashley Covington at FSEDI. You can either call or email. The numbers are right there. Mr. Johnson continues, item C. You got a copy of the Turnover Audit as required by the state code when a Treasurer leaves office. Based upon the examination of the Auditor of Public Accounts, the audit does present fairly, in all material respects, the Commonwealth’s assets of the outgoing treasurer that was turned over to the incoming treasurer at December 31st. Mr. Johnson says, item D. You have a four-page update from the president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Association. I won’t go into all the details with that, but certainly you can read that at your leisure. A number of you all are scheduled to go to their annual meeting on Thursday over in Newport News, and we look forward to that. Mr. Johnson continues, let’s see, item E. Re-Invent Hampton Roads Recap. There is a recap in your agenda packages that shows their 2019 Annual Progress Report. Mr. Johnson explains, item F. I put this in there to plant a seed for next month. And Supervisor Gillette went with me to the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission Meeting this month. We saw a presentation there by the Deputy Director of the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy, who is the Governor’s point person for the development of offshore wind. And she is of the opinion that there are tremendous economic opportunities for localities that prepare themselves for the development of these windfarms off the Virginia/North Carolina coast. So I have invited her to come to your meeting next month to share with this full board the same thing that she shared with the Planning District Commission. And we look forward to her remarks next month. She has already confirmed that. So, Mr. Gillette, if there is anything else that you wanted to add about that. Supervisor Gillette says, now, it’s a huge undertaking and they’re going to need a lot of labor, a lot of skilled labor. Chairman Edwards says, it would be nice if we were a manufacturing stage here for their equipment to go offshore. I see a great value in that. Okay, we will look forward to listening to her next month. Mr. Johnson says, item G are just the typical notices that we receive that are included in your agenda packages for your information. The environmental notices, notices from the State Corporation Commission, as well as residential foreclosure notices. Routine items of correspondence as well as articles of interest are also included. Chairman Edwards says, okay. Late Arriving Matters. Mr. Johnson says, we have one. Dr. Edwards indicated to me last week that he had received several calls encouraging another review of our Utility Scale Solar Ordinance (Chapter 18, Article XXII of the Southampton County Code). And I went ahead and I included a copy of that ordinance in the agenda package. In his discussion with Chairman Drake, Mr. Drake indicated that the Planning Commission serves at the pleasure of the governing body and would be pleased to review that ordinance again if that’s the Board’s desire. So Dr. Edwards wanted this matter added to tonight’s agenda for your discussion and direction to the Planning Commission.

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Chairman Edwards says, I just held a conversation with Beth Lewis, and she said she would be glad to go ahead and start setting it up for the February meeting of the Planning Commission. I imagine it will take more than one meeting. Supervisor Updike says, do we need to meet with them? Or let them meet and then meet with us? Chairman Edwards says, I think that would probably be better since they had the experience the first time around and we know where the holes are and the gaps are, and to let them go ahead and do the leg work. And later on if we need to, I think once they’re finished we can have a combination meeting. Now I guess we need a mandate to send them, a mandate to officially ask them to review the Utility Solar Ordinance and all. So I’ll entertain a motion for that. Supervisor Updike says, so moved. Supervisor Faison says, second. Chairman Edwards says, second. Any further discussion? [No response.] All in favor say aye.

Dr. Alan Edwards AYE William Hart Gillette AYE Christopher Cornwell AYE Carl Faison AYE Dallas Jones AYE Lynda Updike AYE Robert White AYE

Chairman Edwards continues, it’s unanimous. Okay. Mr. Ash Cutchins says, may I make a comment on this renewable energy? I’ve got two emails not long ago. One of them showed one of these battery plates where you can plug in your car to recharge your car. And right beside it was a big diesel generator and the battery to recharge your car. And then I got another one that showed one of these big windmills, and it showed this helicopter hovering spraying deicing equipment on the blades. Those helicopters used gallons and gallons of jet fuel to clean off this big propeller blade that was coated with ice. Chairman Edwards says, helicopters aren’t too popular right now. Mr. Cutchins adds, I realize that. But the point is this renewable energy, still it’s going to depend on fossil fuels to make it work. That’s the point. Chairman Edwards says, okay, we have several members of the Planning Commission here tonight, I see. Thank you for coming and spending your time. You will be getting a second shot at it, and see if we can plug the gaps and make improvements. We figured the first time around, it wasn’t going to be perfect. All right, does anybody have anything they need to go over, for the Board? Any thoughts, any problems? [No response.] Okay, we will entertain a motion for adjournment. Supervisor Cornwell says, so moved. Supervisor Jones says, second. There being no opposition and no further business, Chairman Edwards adjourns the meeting at 10:30 p.m.

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_______________________________________ Dr. Alan W. Edwards, Chairman _______________________________________ Michael W. Johnson, County Administrator (Clerk)

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