eNews October 15, 2021
Friday, October 15, 2021 - 03:47pm
In this issue
- Site Suitability Regulatory Advisory Panel concludes…for now
- Proposal for new tipping fees on municipal solid waste expected
- ARPA Tourism Recovery Program webinars happening this month
- Invitation to submit proposals: Heirs Property Funders Forum seeking pilot initiatives for funding
- Virginia Tourism to hold its final virtual Orientation for the year on October 26-28
- American Public University System offering 2021 Fall Webinar Series: “Navigating the Changing Workplace”
- Grants training in Portsmouth being held in-person December 1-2
VML News
VML 2021 Annual Conference a success!
From October 3rd through 5th, more than 500 local government leaders, organization representatives, and subject matter experts from a variety of disciplines gathered at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg for the VML Annual Conference…and it was great! Aside from simply enjoying being together to trade stories and share advice, VML members benefitted from dozens of sessions covering a range of topics relevant to local governments.
VML was also pleased to welcome several new and returning Community Business Member (CBM) organizations to this years’ conference including Diamond sponsors Dominion Energy and Virginia Housing as well as Gold sponsors MITRE Corporation, Timmons Group, Blue Line Solutions, and MissionSquare Retirement. Learn more about all our CBM organizations here >.
The last in-person Annual Conference was held in the City of Roanoke in 2019 and the next conference is scheduled to be held in October 2022 in the City of Richmond. 2021, however, was a time for towns to shine as the Towns of Loudoun County put on a fantastic Host Night at the Marshall House in Leesburg and were active throughout the event hosting sessions, highlighting their localities at their tables, and enthusiastically welcoming their fellow VML members.
Day 1 of the conference began with a tribute video to outgoing President Willie Greene (mayor, City of Galax) put together by members of the City of Galax Volunteer Fire Department.
Watch the Willie Greene tribute video here >.
Also, during the opening session, President Greene presented the 2021 Innovation Awards to the winners and announced the Town of Vienna would take home the coveted President’s Award for their entry in the Local Champion category. Read the full press release here >.
Watch the Innovation Awards highlight video here >.
At the Annual Business Meeting on Day 2 of the conference, VML members adopted the 2022 Legislative Program and elected Jon Stehle (councilmember, City of Fairfax) as their new President, Jill Carson (vice-mayor, Town of Pennington Gap) as their Vice President and filled other board positions (read full press release here).
During the Closing Session on Day 3, National League of Cities’ CEO and Executive Director Clarence Anthony took the opportunity to provide encouragement to VML members after nearly two years of strain on local governments and the people who make them work. Senator Mark Warner provided comments via video and newly installed President Jon Stehle capped the event by discussing how he would make “connections” his theme for the coming year.
Thank you to our host town Leesburg, all the Towns of Loudoun County, Visit Loudoun, and everyone who attended the 2021 Annual Conference for helping us make it a year to remember!
VML Contact: Rob Bullington, rbullington@vml.org
2022 VML Legislative Program now available
The 2022 Legislative Program was approved by the membership at the Annual Business Meeting held in Leesburg on October 4, 2021. The program is available on VML’s website here >.
Thanks to the policy and legislative committee members for their work in putting this together.
VML Contact: Janet Areson, jareson@vml.org
Environment
Site Suitability Regulatory Advisory Panel concludes…for now
The Department of Environmental convened a Regulatory Advisory Panel to compile the constellation of perspectives on what makes a site suitable for a facility or entity seeking a permit from the air pollution and control board. We anticipate that rulemaking will follow the conclusion of this panel and draft language will be released at a future date.
It is possible that local authority regarding land use decisions could be impacted by this rulemaking process. Accordingly, VML staff have engaged in this process to make our concerns known and to work to protect local authority to make land use decisions. Although the Regulatory Advisory Panel may be reconvened for further work, at present it looks to have concluded its business.
It is uncertain when draft language will be available or when the regulatory process might start but this is likely to happen in the coming months.
More detailed information can be found at the DEQ Site Suitability for Air Permits website.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Proposal for new tipping fees on municipal solid waste expected
A proposal to assess a statewide tipping fee of $3 per ton of solid waste at Virginia’s municipal and private landfills is being revived this fall in advance of the 2022 regular session of the General Assembly. The revenue raised by these tipping fees would be directed to Virginia State Parks and is intended to provide a dedicated revenue source for state parks and reduce the amount of solid waste imported into Virginia.
VML has several concerns about the proposed fee, including:
- It would be assessed on every solid waste facility and affect every Virginian regardless of jurisdiction as these fees are passed along to consumers.
- It would burden municipalities that own and maintain their own solid waste facilities and would present a threat to local revenues for those localities.
- This type of proposal could impose a significant burden on existing operations and endanger local solid waste facilities and operations.
This fee proposal is particularly odd given that the Commonwealth of Virginia’s revenues are running well ahead of the revenue forecast for the current fiscal year and hundreds of millions in American Rescue Plan funds remain to be appropriated by the General Assembly. There are plenty of revenues that could be put towards Virginia State Parks that would not impact localities.
Localities should be aware that this proposal is likely to be introduced as legislation in the 2022 regular General Assembly Session. To prepare to oppose the fee, we encourage those localities that own and operate solid waste facilities to work to determine what type of impact an additional fee of $3 per ton would have on individual facilities. Then, contact your legislators and let them know how this will impact your locality and your residents who will ultimately have to pay this fee as a result of increased solid waste costs.
VML will continue to update members on this issue as we learn more.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Marijuana
Cannabis Control Authority and Oversight Committee updates
The Cannabis Control Authority has started the process of standing up this new regulatory agency. Currently the members are focused on logistical concerns such as hiring staff and acquiring office space. Thought not off to an exciting start, it is a welcome sign nevertheless and we look forward to continuing to update members on this new agency and working with the agency board and staff on issues of local concern.
In related news, the General Assembly’s Cannabis Oversight Commission met this week and discussed issues of legislative concern including caps on regulatory licensing, regulation of hemp processors, license categories, and the start date for legal adult-use sales of marijuana. Members also heard a presentation on resentencing those previously convicted of marijuana offenses. There was clear interest in how the date of legal sales could be moved up, but no clear consensus on the appropriate avenue to do so. There was also discussion about moving the regulation of hemp processors under the purview of the newly created Cannabis Control authority for improved simplicity and efficiency and discussion as to whether more license categories need to be considered in statute or future regulations.
As stated above, there is a clear desire among commission members to begin legal recreational sales earlier than January 1, 2024, possibly working with medical dispensaries. It is unclear whether allowing medical dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana would allow the social equity goals and policies in the law passed by the 2021 General Assembly to be fulfilled or not and this remains one of the key points of contention in the conversation about whether (and how) to speed up the timeline for recreational sales. This conversation will likely evolve in advance of the 2022 session, and we will continue to keep members informed of new developments.
VML Contact: Mitchell Smiley, msmiley@vml.org
Agencies
VRS to seek legislation to streamline hybrid plan administration
Staff with the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) announced at the Oct. 14 VRS board meeting that the agency would seek legislation in the 2022 General Assembly session to streamline administration of the hybrid plan for employers. If successful, the implementation date for administrative changes would go into effect by July 1, 2024, to allow time for the rate-setting process, as well as programming, communications, and outreach processes.
According to VRS there are 108,798 political subdivision employees in the hybrid plan.
The changes are being sought because of learned experience with the hybrid plan and the unintended consequences for employers with how VRS collects the contributions. Staff said they had been working with stakeholders on ways to reduce the administrative burdens on employers.
The proposed changes would potentially allow VRS members new flexibility to change their voluntary contributions more often. Changes are currently limited to a quarterly basis.
VML Contact: Janet Areson, jareson@vml.org
Events & Opportunities
ARPA Tourism Recovery Program webinars happening this month
The Virginia Tourism Corporation is pleased to provide a free series of educational and training webinars for submitting plans for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Tourism Recovery Program.
Registration is required for all attendees to participate. Please register for the region which your locality identifies.
Coastal Virginia (includes Eastern Shore, Hampton Roads, and Chesapeake Bay)
- Oct. 19, 10-11:30am
- REGISTER HERE
Northern Virginia
- Oct. 19, 2-3:30pm
- REGISTER HERE
Virginia Mountains & Shenandoah Valley
- Oct. 20, 10-11:30am
- REGISTER HERE
Southwest Virginia (includes Blue Ridge Highlands and Heart of Appalachia)
- Oct. 20, 2-3:30pm
- REGISTER HERE
Central Virginia
- Oct. 26, 10-11:30am
- REGISTER HERE
Southern Virginia
- Oct. 26, 2-3:30pm
- REGISTER HERE
Virginia ARPA Marketing Programs (optional webinar)
After all the regional webinars are complete, the VTC Brand Team will walk through the resources available for your ARPA-funded marketing efforts including refreshed WanderLove Creative, vetted Paid Media Programs, and helpful Media Planning Guidelines.
Registration is not required.
- Date: Thursday, November 4
- Time: 2:00pm
- To join the Zoom meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86188582552
VTC Contact: President Rita McClenny, president@virginia.org
Invitation to submit proposals: Heirs Property Funders Forum seeking pilot initiatives for funding
On December 2, 2021, in Atlanta, GA, the Funders’ Forum will seek to bring together potential funders with dozens of nonprofit and other organizations from 22 states (including Virginia) and the District of Columbia. The intended outcome of this forum is to establish a capital, human, and organizational support basis for heirs’ property resolution and prevention pilot initiatives in the following areas: education and awareness; pro-bono legal services; academic research; local government innovation; and developer/contractor driven affordable housing initiatives.
Potential funders, including philanthropic and other grant and resource providers, law firms, financial institutions, and builder and realtor trade groups, will have the opportunity to hear from nonprofits and other organizations as they pitch scaled pilot solutions to this group in an in-person and virtual environment.
What is “Heirs’ Property”?
Heirs’ property occurs when a property owner dies intestate or with a will that leaves property to multiple beneficiaries, resulting in a fractured or entangled title. Left unresolved, this becomes a barrier to the ability to sell, collateralize, improve, or otherwise transfer the property. Because heirs’ property is disproportionately found in racial and ethnic minority, low-wealth, rural, and distressed urban communities, it is a critical barrier to minority homeownership and the creation of generational wealth and racial equity.
How to submit your proposal
Organizations and local governments in Virginia with proposals for projects are encouraged to participate.
Deadline for submitting proposals: October 31, 2021
To receive an online form, contact:
Shana Jones
University of Georgia
Faculty, Carl Vinson Institute of Government
shanaj@uga.edu
706.542.3641
Virginia Tourism to hold its final virtual Orientation for the year on October 26-28
Join Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) staff and tourism colleagues from around the Commonwealth for a three-day virtual orientation to learn about VTC’s marketing programs and how you can increase your visitation and business.
Participants will interact with VTC staff and hear about opportunities in digital marketing (Virginia.org), public relations, domestic sales, international marketing, welcome center promotions, grants, partnership marketing, cooperative advertising and much more.
- Dates: 26-28, 2021
- Time:9:00 AM – Noon each day
- Cost: There is no cost to attend this event.
VTC Orientation is for tourism marketers, DMOs, managers/owners of Virginia tourism properties and those who want to increase their visitation and business. Learn more here >.
VTC Contact: Special Projects Manager Judy Watkins, JWatkins@virginia.org
American Public 
University System offering 2021 Fall Webinar Series: “Navigating the Changing Workplace”
Join VML Community Business Member organization American Public University System for a free webinar series. From the pandemic to emerging technology, many factors are driving change in the workplace. Speakers will discuss the catalysts behind the changes as well as opportunities to mitigate unproductive obstacles.
Upcoming webinars:
- 10/19 @ 2 PM ET – “Pillars of Emotional Intelligence in a Changing Workplace”
- 10/26 @ 7 PM ET – “10 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Degree Program”
More information and links to register available here >.
APUS Contact: Buster Nicholson, anicholson@apus.edu
Grants training in Portsmouth being held in-person December 1-2
The Portsmouth Police Department/Training Unit and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grants workshop in Portsmouth, December 1-2, 2021.
Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county and state agencies as well as healthcare organizations, nonprofits, K-12, colleges and universities are encouraged to attend.
More information including learning objectives, class location, graduate testimonials and online registration is available here.
All health and safety guidelines will be followed. Class enrollment is limited to ensure proper distancing.
Online training is also available, please visit the Grant Writing USA calendar of events for details.
Discounted rate for VML members
Tuition for Virginia Municipal League members and their staff is $425 and includes everything: two days of instruction, workbook, and access to our Alumni Forum that’s packed full of tools, discussions and more than 200 sample grant proposals. Please use the discount code “ASSN” at the time of registration.
Discounts for Grant Writing USA alumni and groups are also available. Please call for details. Payment is not required at the time of registration.
Grant Writing USA Contact: Janet Darling, 888.290.6237 or janet@grantwritingusa.com
