The Cape Charles Town Council Regular Meeting is scheduled for next Thursday, February 16th at 6:30.
New agenda items include:
-Short-Term Rental Resolution – Town Council will pass a resolution that fully supports Short-term rentals in Cape Charles, it however reserves the right to manage any such activity as it sees fit.
-Virginia Port Authority Aid to Local Ports Grant Request – Town Council will authorize the Mayor to request a VPA ALP grant in the amount of $228.7K for the rehabilitation of the inner harbor
bulkhead.
-Budget Amendment Request for Purchase of PW Utility Vehicle and Equipment – from the staff report:
In January of 2023, John Lockwood, Public Works Director, was able to find a supplier for a different brand of utility vehicle and also obtain tractor attachment quotes for grounds maintenance equipment. This supplier is Land& Coates, and their quotes are a little lower than the John Deere products originally requested. They have equipment available and should be able to meet the purchasing deadline for this fiscal year. The prices are as follows:
RTV (utility vehicle) $26,000
Heavy duty 60” cutter $ 2,625
Box blade $ 975
72-inch finish mower $ 4,175
Total requested $33,775 USDA Rural Development, if the application is approved, would fund these purchases with an $11,821 grant and a $21,954 five-year term loan.
- Town Manager Contract Renewal – Town Council will review and vote to renew Town Manager Hozey’s contract.
Short-Term Rental Resolution – Town Council will pass a resolution that fully supports Short-term rentals in Cape Charles, it however reserves the right to manage any such activity as it sees fit.
There is a need to increase rentals to increase tax revenue and business profit
There have been rumors circulating that certain people would like the permanent residents of Cape Charles to move out of town and rent their homes for 3 months each summer. Some people consider these homeowners as a nuisance and selfish for not adding summer people’s revenue to the economy. If they don’t volunteer for this program, ordinances might have to be enacted to motivate the selfish among us. To counter this, a citizens committee SFE (stop forced evacuation) has been formed.
There have been rumors circulating that certain people would like permanent residents to not use their cars in Cape Charles for three months in the summer. It is felt that they are interfering with the summer people’s golf cart fun. Stickers will be placed in a conspicuous place on their cars and will be ticketed if seen driving on Cape Charles streets May through August.
Conversely, on our block, more than 1/3 of the homes have been empty since Labor Day, because they are short term rentals. These homes used to be occupied, as recently as 6 years ago, as full time rentals by young families, State troopers, and Hispanic workers. How disingenuous is it that the Town bemoans the lack of workforce/affordable housing, yet lacks the will to put a limit or moratorium on how many short term rentals will be allowed? The latest insult is that one of our very good neighbors, who has rented his cottage for 32 years, has been told he has until April 1 to move out. Any guesses what that cottage will become?