City Council

CITY OF COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA Regular Meeting of City Council Tuesday, October 8, 2024 1. Call to Order The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Kochuba at 7:06 P.M. 2. Roll Call The following members of the 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 Vice-Mayor Robert W. Wade Mayor T. Gregory Kochuba Absent: Councilman John T. Wood 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. 5. Adoption of Agenda A motion was made by Mr. Piotrowski, seconded by Vice-Mayor Wade, to approve the agenda as presented. Vote: 6-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wade Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 2 Kochuba No: None Absent: Wood 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. A PROCLAMATION Designating the month of October 2024 as “Community Planning Month” in the City of Colonial Heights, Virginia. B. A PROCLAMATION Designating the month of October 2024 as “Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month” in the City of Colonial Heights, Virginia. C. A PROCLAMATION Designating the Week of October 6-12, 2024 as “Fire Prevention Week” in the City of Colonial Heights, Virginia. 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 There were none. 10. Advertised Public Hearings A. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-20 (Second Reading) To grant a special use permit with conditions to Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. to allow temporary warehousing and distribution use of 113,545 square feet at property located at 114 Southpark Circle, also known as parcel identification number 68204700013. Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 3 A motion was made by Vice-Mayor Wade, seconded by Mr. Piotrowski, to adopt Ordinance No. 24-20. Mr. Smith provided background information on the proposed ordinance, recalling staff’s previous presentation and Council’s discussion and approval on first reading. Mr. Smith also advised that the lease was through December 31, 2025. There were no comments from the public nor Council. Vote: 6-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wade Kochuba No: None Absent: Wood Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 11. Hearing of Citizens and Council Members Generally on Non-Agenda Items Patricia Edwards, 414 Whippoorwill Court – Provided comments relative to the condition of the city-owned lot next to her property located at 302 Highland Avenue. Harry Smith, 808 Kensington Avenue – Provided comments on several issues, including the pavement condition on Floral and Colonial Avenues, faded pavement markings on Conduit Road, and noted several issues he felt City Police should address. 12. Consideration of Uncontested Minutes, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Motions in accordance with the Consent Agenda A. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-FIN-16 (Second Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, by appropriating $7,748 in state funds from the Department of Criminal Justice Services to Intergovernmental Revenues and to Public Safety ($7,527) in state funds from the Department of Criminal Justice Services to Intergovernmental Revenues and to Public Safety ($7,527) and Judicial Administration ($221) for reimbursement of Temporary Detention Order/Emergency Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 4 Custody Order personnel costs. To amend the Capital Projects Fund by appropriating $1,211,746, consisting of $1,111,746 from the Virginia Department of Transportation to Intergovernmental Revenue and to SGR Boulevard Paving and $100,000 from Miscellaneous (unallocated bond funds) to the City Facilities Security Upgrades Project. B. July 16, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes C. September 10, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes D. September 10, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes E. September 17, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Dr. Poe, seconded by Mr. Frenier, to approve the Consent Agena as presented. Vote: 6-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wade Kochuba No: None Absent: Wood Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 13. Introduction and Consideration of Ordinances and Resolutions A. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-FIN-17 (First Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, by appropriating $110,129, consisting of: 1) $49,067 in grant funds from the State Aid Grant to the Library to Intergovernmental Revenues and to Culture a& Recreation for technology equipment and upgrades and for books and publications; 2) Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 5 $30,878 in grant funds to intergovernmental Revenues and to Public Safety, consisting of: a) $17,480 in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds for reimbursement of Police Department personnel costs related to Selective Enforcement; b) $5,000 from the Virginia Risk Sharing Association to the Fire Department for the purchase of fitness equipment; and c) $8,398 in Bureau of Justice Assistance funds for the purchase of protective equipment; 3) $1,500 in donations to Miscellaneous and to Public Safety; 4) $3,000 in grant funds from the Virginia 9-1-1 Services Board to Intergovernmental Revenues and to General and Financial for GIS Software; 5) $1,084 in donations to Miscellaneous and to Human Services for the Shoe Fund; and 6) $24,000 from the Distributor Opioid Abatement funding to Intergovernmental Revenues and Human Services to support the Mobile Outreach Cooperative Partnership. Also amending the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, by transferring $55,000 from Nondepartmental to Public Works for emergency roof repair to the Courthouse. To amend the Recreation Fund by appropriating $4,000 in state grant funds from the Virginia Commission for the Arts to Recreation Activities and to Miscellaneous for expenses related to the “If This Tree Could Talk” Storytime Program. A motion was made by Mrs. Luck, seconded by Vice Mayor Wade, to approve Ordinance No. 24-FIN-17. Mr. Smith provided brief comments on the donations made to the Police Department and the Office on Youth, and the transfer of funds for repair of the Courthouse roof. Mr. Smith noted that the roof was a 10-year roof, and Mr. Larry Melvin, Purchasing Agent, supported the purchase of 15-year warranty roof. Mayor Kochuba requested the addresses of the donors so that thank-you letters could be sent. Vote: 6-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wade Kochuba Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 6 No: None Absent: Wood 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 At Mr. Smith's request, Mr. Todd Flippen, Public Works Director, provided updates on the Pavement Preservation Project, which will begin on Conduit Road in the upcoming weeks. Mr. Flippen stated that crews would work according to the school's schedule and move to neighborhood streets once the Conduit Road paving is finished. After Mr. Flippen’s comments, Mr. Smith provided the upcoming Council meeting schedule. At that time, the Council decided to indefinitely postpone the October Work Session due to the lack of items to be discussed. 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) the implementation of a new financial system and 2) turnover in critical staff related to the completion of the audit, specifically the Director of Finance. Our estimated completion date for the audit report is October 15, 2024. B. City Attorney Regular Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 7 Mr. Fisher reported on the following items:  The city's outside condemnation lawyer was notified to proceed with the condemnation of two properties on the Boulevard owned by Staples. A resolution relating to the proposed action will be presented to the Council possibly in November.  He provided FOIA training to the Planning Commissioners at the September Planning Commission Meeting.  The cost of the City’s annual 4th of July fireworks contract has increased to $17,500; and the 2026 cost likely will exceed $20,000. C. Director of Planning and Community Development Mr. Carter had nothing additional to report. 16. Adjournment There being no further business, Vice-Mayor Wade made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Luck, and carried unanimously on voice vote to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 P.M. APPROVED: ______________________________ T. Gregory Kochuba, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________________ Pamela B. Wallace, City Clerk