City Council

CITY OF COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA Regular Meeting of City Council Tuesday, April 12, 2022 1. Call to Order The Regular Meeting of City Council was called to order by Mayor Kochuba at 7:06 P.M. 2. Roll Call The following members of Council and Council’s staff were present for roll call by the Clerk: Present: Councilman Kenneth B. Frenier Councilman John E. Piotrowski Councilwoman Dr. Laura F. Poe Councilman Robert W. Wade Councilman John T. Wood Vice Mayor Elizabeth G. Luck Mayor T. Gregory Kochuba Absent: None Also Present: Mr. Douglas E. Smith Mr. Hugh P. Fisher, III, City Attorney Mrs. Pamela B. Wallace, Clerk 3. Devotion A devotional prayer was led by Mr. Frenier. 4. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Kochuba. 5. Adoption of Agenda A motion was made by Mr. Piotrowski, seconded by Mrs. Luck, to approve the agenda. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Piotrowski Poe Wade Regular Meeting Minutes April 12, 2022 Page 2 Wood Luck Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 6. Declarations of Personal Interest A declaration was read by Dr. Poe and filed with the Clerk. 7. Commendations and Presentations A. Recognizing Southern Construction Utilities, Inc. for their Emergency Repair Services for the City Mr. Todd Flippen, Director of Public Works, recognized Mr. Mark Moody of Southern Construction, for efforts to assist the City during emergency situations during the past three years. B. New City Employee Introductions Employees hired by the Fire & EMS Department and Public Works Department. Mr. Flippen introduced Mike Campbell, the new Assistant Director of Public Works. 8. Reading of Manner of Addressing Council. Mr. Fisher read the Manner of Addressing Council. 9. Written Petitions and Communications There were none. 10. Advertised Public Hearing A. AN ORDINANCE NO 22-8 (First Reading) Changing the tax levy on certain tangible personal property for the tax year commencing January 1, 2022, and ending December 31, 2022 to be used for general Regular Meeting Minutes April 12, 2022 Page 3 municipal purposes; and repealing paragraph 1 of Ordinance Number 21-8. Mr. Fisher advised of a modification to Ordinance No. 22-8, stating that the ordinance, as drafted, did not specifically list automobiles in general. Mr. Fisher continued by stating that the ordinance must be modified to include automobiles and re-advertised after such time, Ordinance No. 22-8 could be presented at the April 26, 2022 work session. Mr. Smith provided various scenarios comparing the 2021 assessments using $3.00 and $3.50 per $100 rate. With the needed changes to the ordinance, Mayor Kochuba stated Council would not vote on the ordinance; however, they would continue with the Public Hearing and opened the floor for public comment. Public Comment: None Council Comments: There was much discussion relative to the suggested amounts provided by Mr. Smith. Mrs. Luck states she would prefer that the rate remain the same across the board. Directing his comment to Mrs. Luck’s question, Mr. Fisher asked that Council confirm that Mr. Feasenmyer’s staff would be able to carry out the request desired by Council. Addressing Mr. Wood’s question relative to the difficulty to differentiate between personally-owned and business-owned vehicles, Mr. Feasenmyer stated he did not feel it would be difficult and explained the process by which this would be carried out. Mr. Wood provided his rational for his request to reduce the rate to $3.00 for personal motor vehicles and not business vehicles. Mr. Wood asked that his request be made in the form of a motion. Mrs. Luck stated that due to the increased cost of other essentials for citizens, particularly assessments, she felt it was the right thing to do for citizens. Mr. Piotrowski addressed the time frame for mailing the bills; further stating it may be necessary to provide an extension as was given the previous year. After continued discussion, Mr. Fisher questioned whether to move forward with a hasty approval of the ordinance, given the large amount of new information provided. After deliberation by Council, given Mr. Fisher’s concerns, it was the overall consensus of Council to further consider and discuss changes to the tax rate at the April 26, 2022 Council work session. Regular Meeting Minutes April 12, 2022 Page 4 11. Hearing of Citizens Generally on Non-Agenda Items Derward Rollison, 2006 Snead Avenue – Suggested Council consider making the area proposed for the apartments at the mall an industrial park, which would generate more revenue than retail. 12. Consideration of Uncontested Minutes, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Motions in Accordance with the Consent Agenda A. AN ORDINANCE NO 22-FIN-3 (Second Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022, by appropriating $7900, consisting of 1) $7,500 in E-Citation funds to the Police Department; and 2) $400 in donations to the Library. B. March 8, 2022 Special Meeting Minutes C. March 8, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes D. March 15, 2022 Special Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Dr. Poe, seconded by Mr. Wade, to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Piotrowski Poe Wade Wood Luck Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 13. Introduction and Consideration of Ordinances and Resolutions A. AN ORDINANCE NO. 22-FIN-7 Regular Meeting Minutes April 12, 2022 Page 5 (First Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022, by appropriating $144,073, consisting of 1) $2,043 in Asset Forfeiture funds to the Commonwealth’s Attorney; 2) $2,322 in donations to the Animal Shelter; 3) $3,708 in Byrne Justice Grant funds for the police Department; and $) $136,000 in Restricted Fund Balance for Street Maintenance Pavement projects. A motion was made by Mayor Kochuba, seconded by Dr. Poe, to adopt Ordinance No 22-FIN-7. At the request of Mr. Smith, Mr. Flippen provided information relative to the $136,000 in restricted fund balance for Street Maintenance pavement projects to include patching and crack sealing as needed in the southern end of the City. Additionally, Mr. Flippen addressed Mr. Piotrowski’s question relative to the delay in fixing potholes and areas previously disrupted by main breaks be explaining that typically, patching and filling were not done in the winter months. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Piotrowski Poe Wade Wood Luck Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 14. Unfinished Business, Contested Ordinances and Resolutions, And Items Removed from the Consent Agenda. There was none. 15. Reports of Officers and Documents Related Thereto. A. City Manager 1. Budget Calendar Revisions Regular Meeting Minutes April 12, 2022 Page 6 Mr. Smith stated that due to the changes in the Finance Department, he was requesting a delay of approximately one month in approval of the budget. Mr. Smith provided updates relative to the specific dates proposed for budget meeting discussion items. Mayor Kochuba noted the uncertainty and possible changes to locality budgets due to the late schedule for approval of the state’s budget by the General Assembly. 2. General Activity Report Mr. Smith provided an update on the Fall Line Trail and advised that a public meeting was being hosted by VDOT at the Hilton Garden Inn in Colonial Heights on May 5. Continuing, Mr. Smith provided a brief update on the bond issuance advising that unfortunately, the City was not able to maintain the original lower interest rate as it had originally anticipated; however, they were able to work out a staggered interest payment schedule. B. City Attorney Mr. Fisher reported that his office had been busy addressing FOIA requests related to code violations, environmental issues on properties, and updated real estate data. Additionally, Mr. Fisher asked that Council recall their approval of a resolution for certificates of take concerning three properties impacted by the Westover Avenue Modernization Project and provided information relative to the current condemnation status of the properties. C. Director of Planning and Community Development Mrs. Payne advised that grass cutting season began April 1 and asked that reports of tall grass be reported directly to the Planning Office or through GovQA. Continuing, Ms. Payne advised that the next Planning Commission is scheduled for May 3 at 7:00 PM with three agenda items for discussion; one subdivision and two site plans. Mr. Piotrowski requested that Ms. Payne provide him with zoning citations from the past two months. 16. Adjournment There being no further business, a motion was made by Dr. Poe, seconded by Mayor Kochuba, and carried unanimously on voice vote to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 P.M. Regular Meeting Minutes April 12, 2022 Page 7 APPROVED: ______________________________ T. Gregory Kochuba, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________________ Pamela B. Wallace, City Clerk