JCC Supes Approve Mid County Park, Kidsburg Improvements
The James City County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved all agenda items at its Tuesday meeting, including contract awards for improvements to Mid County Park and Kidsburg and the creation of a shared risk management role for the county and its schools.
Discussion about improving Mid County Park and Kidsburg began in January 2011. The playground did not meet safety standards and the pressure-treated wood used to build it tested positive for arsenic, but not at levels threatening to children. Several public hearings have been held since then, and the James City County Planning Commission and the board approved plans for improvements in 2011.
Funds were appropriated for the project, which was estimated to cost about $1.5 million. David A. Nice Builders, Inc., won the bid for the Mid County Park project, and Cunningham Recreation won the bid for Kidsburg. The cost is now estimated to come in just under $1.5 million and construction on the park is projected to be completed by Memorial Day this year.
The board approved refinancing of Williamsburg Landing Inc.’s revenue and refunding bond through the county’s Economic Development Authority. The bond refinance will also go before Essex, Mathews and Gloucester counties and the City of Williamsburg. Internal Revenue code requires the counties to approve the refinance. Kaufman and Canoles attorney Kevin White said there is no liability on debt services for the county — that would fall to Williamsburg Landing.
The board voted to enforce a resolution with the Virginia Department of Transportation to collect illegally posted signs within highway limits and will assess fees to the people who posted the signs. The county will recoup an estimated $34 from each sign collection and a $100 civil penalty can be issued, which will be paid to the state’s Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund.
A shared risk management services role will be created for the county and county schools. The new employee will be responsible for insurance, workers compensation claims, safety training and Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports.
Other Board Notes
- The board approved Berkeley Supervisor Mary Jones’ nomination of Christopher Basic to continue his role on the planning commission, as well as her nomination of Tim O’Connor to continue on the planning commission.
- Jason Purse, who holds a master’s degree in public administration from Old Dominion University and has worked as a county planner since 2005, was appointed to the position of Zoning Administrator for the county. Purse is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners. Christy Parrish will serve as Acting Zoning Administrator, with Allen Murphy as Alternate Acting Zoning Administrator. If Purse is unable to fulfill his duty as administrator, the duties will fall first to Parrish then to Murphy.
Posted by Brittany Voll
on January 9, 2013. Filed under Local News.
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6 Responses to JCC Supes Approve Mid County Park, Kidsburg Improvements
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Rachel Humphrey
March 10, 2013 at 10:51 am
I’m just wondering when it reopens. I’m not actually looking forward to the renovation to the best park in HR to change it to like every other park but my kids have to go somewhere. Just like every other regulation they are trying to meet in the country I like it makes our parks into crap. But what else do you do with the kids.. you have to go to them unless you build one of your own in your back yard.
burger
January 9, 2013 at 6:35 pm
Glad that Mid-County is getting a face-lift, but am still concerned lighting issues around the track. Will there finally be lighting all the way around? It is very dark in some spots, and we miss the lights that were there for the baseball diamonds.
diksum
January 9, 2013 at 2:30 pm
“The board voted to enforce a resolution with the Virginia Department of Transportation to collect illegally posted signs within highway limits and will assess fees to the people who posted the signs. The county will recoup an estimated $34 from each sign collection the remainder will be paid to the state’s Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund.
Hard to believe chasing down people who posted these signs and getting $34 for each one is cost effective.
JR
January 9, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Although I agree that 1.5 Million seem inflated, the fact still remains that the park does not meet safety standards. Thus, issues involving safety and children, should in fact be a priority. One thing we must remember, our community should be inclusive, which means, parents with children should have a place to play. I visited the park with out of town guest with children and they all marvel at the features and wish they had something similar in their communities.
observed
January 9, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Great points! Regardless of how long this has been discussed and how involved this development may be, is this really at the top of the fiscal priority list? Seems to me $1.5MILLION could fix more important problems than this.
Although I frequently disagree with her, we also agree that Ms. Jones is often the only Board member who actually responds, communicates and more importantly listens to the actual citizens, regardless of politics or district. She is the only BOS member many feel we can actually trust.
Or a similar note, why was Mr. Kennedy’s suggestion that gov’t projects be tracked for transparency, accountability and completion met with such hostility by Dr. McGlennon? Furthermore, why was Mr. Icenhour so silent about such?
Maria Paluzsay
January 9, 2013 at 11:11 am
My appreciation goes out to Mary Jones, the ONLY JCC Supervisor who answered my emails and facebook comments about the meeting. In fact, I received a personal phone call and an email with the link to the answers I couldn’t find. (Yes, I still think it’s a complete waste of a unique and developmentally vital resource). Mary Jones isn’t even my supervisor, Jim Icenhour is. Mary, you’re the best. Thank you.