JCC Notebook: Second Debris Pickup, End of Water Restrictions and More

By Desiree Parker Saturday, October 01, 2011

The county notebook is full of news this week, including information on the second round of debris pick-up, an update on the county's hazard mitigation plan, the end of water restrictions for the year, an open house at the new police building, a request for citizens to help survey streams and a new Economic Development Authority grant award. Read on for all the details. Second Debris Pick-Up

The second and final collection of vegetative and storm-related construction materials from Hurricane Irene begins Tuesday on all James City County public streets and private roads in gated communities.

In order to ensure that all debris is collected:

• Residents should have all remaining storm-related debris at the edge of the property line by the end of the day, Monday, Oct. 3.

• Debris should be stacked within 10 feet of the road. Logs up to 10-12 feet in length are acceptable.

• Avoid piling debris near hanging wires and anything that could be hit or damaged by the truck during collection, such as mailboxes, utility boxes and meters.

• Do not mix vegetative and construction debris or it will not be picked up.

• Do not include hazardous materials.

• Vegetative debris can be bagged in clear bags no larger than lawn or leaf-size (40 gallons or less).

Please note, this is the final collection for hurricane debris. For more information, call 757-259-4080.

County Seeks Input on Hazard Mitigation Plan

James City County will hold a community meeting on October 4 to seek input from citizens on the draft 2011 Peninsula Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.

The Plan provides a basis for prioritizing hazard mitigation activities for each locality during emergencies such as flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, nor’easters, winter storms and wildfires. The main components of the Plan include identification of hazards, vulnerability assessment of local and State critical facilities, estimation of potential losses and development of mitigation activities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires localities to update the Peninsula Hazard Mitigation Plan every five years. First adopted in 2006, the Plan has been a collaborative planning effort among the Counties of James City and York and the Cities of Hampton, Newport News and Williamsburg.

The draft 2011 Peninsula Hazard Mitigation Plan Update can be found online.

For more information, contact Kate Hale, Director of Emergency Management, at 564-2141 or khale@james-city.va.us.

The meeting will be held Oct. 4 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the James City County Library on Croaker Rd.

Water Use Restrictions End

On Saturday, outdoor water use regulations for James City Service Authority (JCSA) customers under the James City County Outdoor Water Use Ordinance will end for 2011.

Outdoor water use regulations for JCSA customers have been in effect since 2002. Ordinance details can be found on the County’s website under Outdoor Water Use. Customers may also call the Outdoor Water Info Line at 259-4152 for a recorded message or call JCSA Customer Service at 253-6800.

The regulations will go back into effect for 2012 on May 1 and continue through Sept. 30.

Open House for New Police Building

The James City County Police Department will hold an open house on Saturday for the new Law Enforcement Center.

Department personnel will provide tours of the new building, create Child ID’s and provide information on the Bike Registration program and other crime prevention programs. The Department will also have exhibit on display from Marine Patrol, Bike Patrol, SWAT and Crime Prevention programs. Light refreshments will be served.

The open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the new building on Opportunity Way off Centerville Road.

County Seeks Volunteers to Survey Streams

The county is looking for volunteers who want to promote healthy waterways in our community by conducting field surveys in area streams.

Using the Virginia Save our Streams Muddy Bottom Method, volunteers look for environmentally sensitive insects and provide the data to the county’s Stormwater Division staff. Volunteers choose from a list of available sites and complete a sample two to three times per year.

A free training session will be held Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon. All equipment is provided. Pre-registration is required by phone, 259-1446 or e-mail asdyb@james-city.va.us.

The data collection method is used by volunteer groups throughout the State and is approved by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. For information about Virginia Save our Streams monitoring and to watch a virtual training session, visit the website.

EDA Awards Grant

The Economic Development Authority (EDA) awarded a $10,000 grant to Nouvel, LLC.

Nouvel is the latest recipient of funding from the Business Assistance Program. Nouvel received a $10,000 loan that will convert to a grant if conditions of a five-year performance based agreement are met. The company will use the funding to invest in new equipment for their location in McLaws Circle.

Nouvel is the company behind Mrs. Bryant’s Specialty Foods and Sauces and recently opened Virginia Gourmet located at 264 McLaws Circle. The new retail location features a market and café selling local and regional products including Virginia’s Finest items.

The James City County Business Assistance Program began in late 2009. The Program’s primary purpose is to assist with the retention, expansion, relocation and development of smaller businesses in James City County.

The EDA funds the Business Assistance Program with administrative fees earned by the EDA through its revenue bond financing program. For more information about the business assistance program, please contact the EDA at econdev@james-city.va.us or call 253-6607. Applications are available online.