City Council

CITY OF COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA Regular Meeting of City Council Tuesday, April 9, 2024 1. Call to Order The Regular Meeting of City Council was called to order by Mayor Kochuba at 7:00 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 Councilwoman Elizabeth G. Luck Councilman John E. Piotrowski Councilwoman Dr. Laura F. Poe Councilman John T. Wood Vice-Mayor Robert W. Wade Mayor T. Gregory Kochuba Absent: None Also Present: Mr. Douglas E. Smith, City Manager Mr. Hugh P. Fisher, III, City Attorney Mrs. Pamela B. Wallace, Clerk 3. Devotion A devotional prayer was led by Vice-Mayor Wade. 4. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Kochuba. Before the adoption of the agenda, Mayor Kochuba recognized Mrs. Lisa Kochuba from the School Board. 5. Adoption of Agenda A motion was made by Mr. Piotrowski, seconded by Vice-Mayor Wade, to approve the agenda as presented. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Regular Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 Page 2 Luck Piotrowski Poe Wood Wade 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 PROCLAMATION Proclaiming the Month of April 2024 as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in the City of Colonial Heights, Virginia A PROCLAMATION Proclaiming April 2024 as Month of the Military Child in the City of Colonial Heights, Virginia Presentation of the Proposed FY25-29 Capital Improvement Plan 8. Reading of Manner of Addressing Council. Mr. Fisher read the Manner of Addressing Council. 9. Written Petitions and Communications by members of the Public and Council Members Kevin Burcham, 224 Maple Lane – Requests to address Council Regarding Traffic Issues at the Intersection of Meridian Avenue and Maple Lane. Mr. Burcham addressed the ongoing speeding and running of stops signs at the intersection of Maple and Meridian. Mr. Burcham stated he had the support of his neighbors, who all requested assistance to address the situation before there was an accident at the intersection. Regular Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 Page 3 At the request of Mr. Smith, Chief Anspach provided comments supporting Mr. Burcham’s claims, further advising this intersection has been an issue for several years. Chief Anspach advised of the Department’s enforcement measures to address the violations and noted he had consulted with Mr. Flippen, Director of Public Works, to determine the best way to further address the situation. 10. Advertised Public Hearings There were none. 11. Hearing of Citizens and Council Members Generally on Non-Agenda Items Harold Francis, 1001 Conduit Road - Requested the extension of the existing guardrail in front of his home due to continued accidents causing damage to his property. Nicholas Colleti, 301 Fairmont Drive – Spoke of the condition of the civic organization sign located at the City’s War Memorial. 12. Consideration of Uncontested Minutes, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Motions in accordance with the Consent Agenda A. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-4 (Second Reading) Amending § 273-37 of Chapter 273, Vehicles and Traffic, of the Colonial Heights City Code by authorizing the Chief of the Department of Fire and EMS to designate volunteers working under the Chief’s direction to issue a citation for the illegal parking of a motor vehicle in a fire travelway. B. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-FIN-5 (Second Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024, by appropriating $170,991, consisting of: 1) $12,000 in DMV Select revenue to the Treasurer’s Office: 2) $3,000 in DMV Select revenue to Contingencies and Miscellaneous; 3) $2,891 in Assigned Fund balance to the Sheriff’s Department to reimburse for the Christmas for Kids event; 4) $17,875 in State Funds to the Fire Department for training, equipment, and supplies; 5) $2,120 in assigned Fund Balance to the Police Department for the purchase of supplies; 6) $42,000 in grant funds from the state Homeland Security Grant Program to the Fire Department for rescue task force training; 7) $45,000 in grant funds from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority, and a $5,000 contingency match from Distributor Opioid Abatement funding, for Strategic Planning; 8) $5,105 in grant funds Regular Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 Page 4 from the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program to the Police Department to strengthen crime control; and 9) $28,000 in assigned fund balance and $8,000 in unassigned fund balance for the purchase of an emergency alert siren. To amend the Emergency Response Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024 by appropriating $3,157 in American Rescue Plan Act Tourism Recovery Program funds for reimbursement of media, public relations, and marketing expenditures. C. February 13, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes D. February 13, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes E. February 20, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes F. March 12, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes G. March 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Vice-Mayor Wade, seconded by Mrs. Luck, to approve the Consent Agena as presented. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wood Wade Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 13. Introduction and Consideration of Ordinances and Resolutions A. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-5 (First Reading) Amending Chapter 30, Finance, of the Colonial Heights City Code by grouping existing §§ 30-1 through 30-11 into Article 1 of such chapter, and adding an Article II, Tourism Regular Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 Page 5 Improvement District (consisting of new §§ 30-12, 30-13, 30-14, 30-15, 30-16, and 30-17) to the chapter. The new sections relate to the establishment, operation, duration, and administration of a Tourism Improvement District. A motion was made by Dr. Poe, seconded by Vice-Mayor Wade, to approve Ordinance No. 24-5. Mr. Smith recalled Council’s prior discussions and approval moving forward with the creation of a Tourism Improvement District (TID). Mr. Smith advised that other localities had already established such districts. Mr. Fisher added that all but one of the City’s hotels were supporting the establishment of a TID. Mr. Wood stated his support would be focused on the participants in the district, as they would benefit from the establishment of the TID. Mrs. Luck stated she would not be voting in support of the TID due to the manner in which the revenue generated would be handled; and she could not support an additional fee being passed on to the consumer. Dr. Poe echoed Mrs. Luck’s comments. Vote: 5-2 Yes: Frenier Piotrowski Wood Wade Kochuba No: Luck Poe Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: PASS B. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-FIN-6 (First Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024, by appropriating $17,272, consisting of: 1) $6,331 in state funds from the Department of Criminal Justice Services to the Police Department for reimbursement of Temporary Detention Order/Emergency Custody Order personnel costs; 2) $7,972 in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grant funds from the state to the Police Department for reimbursement of personnel Regular Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 Page 6 costs related to Selective Enforcement; and 3) $2,969 in donations to the Police Department for the 2024 Honors and Awards Banquet. To amend the Emergency Response Fund Budget by appropriating $3,485 in American Rescue Plan Act Tourism Recovery Program funds for reimbursement of media, public relations, and marketing expenditures. To amend the Capital Projects fund by transferring $465,499 from the Total Maximum Daily Load Project to the Citywide Infrastructure Project. Mr. Smith provided brief comments further explaining the appropriations noted in the proposed ordinance. There was no further discussion or comments provided by Council. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wood Wade 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. General Activity Report Mr. Smith advised that staff had made a funding request to Senators Kaine and Warner, and Congresswoman McClellan for:  Waterline replacement (phase 2) in the amount of $1.6 million Regular Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 Page 7  Police Department laptops for detectives in the amount of $40,000 At the request of Mr. Smith, Mr. Flippen provided brief comments supporting the Public Works utility staff for their efforts to address daily and emergency repairs the City’s aging infrastructure. To conclude, Mr. Smith provided the dates of interest for April which included several upcoming City events and scheduled budget Council meetings. 2. City of Colonial Heights Audit Statement In accordance with requirements in the Code of Virginia §15.2- 2511, if a locality’s audit is not completed as required by statute, the locality must promptly post a statement on its website with the following information:  That the required audit is pending,  The reasons for the delay,  And the estimated date of completion. City of Colonial Heights Audit Statement The City of Colonial Heights audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 is pending, the major factors for the delay of the audit are: 1) implementation of a new financial system; and 2) turnover in critical staff related to completion of the audit, specifically the Director of Finance. The City of Colonial Heights finance team is working diligently to complete their tasks for the auditors to prepare the FY23 audit report. Our estimated completion date for the audit report is February 29, 2024. B. City Attorney Mr. Fisher provided comments on the following:  His review of the contract of the current year pavement preservation plan for City streets. The total amount is approximately $600,000.  Phase III of the middle school sidewalk project was awarded. Mr. Fisher noted this was the final phase with a 60-day turn-around time. C. Director of Planning and Community Development Aaron Bond, Assistant Planning Director, provided updates on the Yard of the Year contest. Regular Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 Page 8 16. Adjournment There being no further business, a motion was made by Vice-Mayor Wade, seconded by Dr. Poe, and carried unanimously on voice vote to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 P.M. APPROVED: ______________________________ T. Gregory Kochuba, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________________ Pamela B. Wallace, City Clerk