City Council

CITY OF COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA Special Meeting of City Council Tuesday, November 19, 2025 1. Call to Order. The Special Meeting of City Council was called to order by Mayor Kochuba at 6:00 P.M. 2. Roll Call. 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 (arrived late) Also Present: Mr. Douglas E. Smith, City Manager Mr. Hugh P. Fisher, III, City Attorney Mrs. Pamela B. Wallace, City Clerk 3. Declarations of Personal Interest There were none. The Clerk announced the purpose of the closed meeting. 4. Closed meeting pursuant to the Code of Virginia in accordance with the following provision:  Paragraph A.3 of Section 2.2-3711, to discuss or consider the disposition of an industrially zoned 19.83-acre parcel of publicly-held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of a public body.  Paragraph A.8 of Section 2.2-3711, to consult with legal counsel employed by a public body regarding a specific legal matter – a conflict of interest issue concerning an elected official – requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. A motion to convene in a closed meeting was made by Vice-Mayor Wade, seconded by Dr. Poe. Vote: 6-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Special Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 Page 2 Wade Wood Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion UNANIMOUS PASS 5. Vote to come back into open meeting. A motion to reconvene in open session was made Mayor Kochuba, seconded by Vice-Mayor Wade, and carried unanimously on roll call vote at 6:50 P.M. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wood Wade Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion UNANIMOUS PASS As stated by the Clerk, the Council was in a closed meeting pursuant to the Code of Virginia in accordance with the following provisions:  Paragraph A.3 of Section 2.2-3711, to discuss or consider the disposition of an industrially zoned 19.83-acre parcel of publicly-held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of a public body.  Paragraph A.8 of Section 2.2-3711, to consult with legal counsel employed by a public body regarding a specific legal matter – a conflict of interest issue concerning an elected official – requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. Consideration of the following certification: Each member will now certify that to the best of the member’s knowledge (i) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements of the act and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting Special Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 Page 3 was convened were heard, discussed, or considered in the meeting by the public body. Any member who believes there was a departure from the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii), shall so state prior to the vote, indicating the substance of the departure that, in his judgment, has taken place. Council members approved this certification, without any stating departure from the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii), by the following roll call vote: Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wood Wade Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion UNANIMOUS PASS 6. A Work Session on the Following Items: A. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Presentation At the request of Mr. Smith, Travis Gilmer of Brown Edwards provided information relative to the City’s audit. Mr. Gilmer advised that the results and deliverables of the audit had been discussed at length with the Audit Committee. Mr. Gilmer thanked staff, particularly Lori Challis of the Finance Department, for her efforts to provide necessary information. Mr. Gilmer also commended City and school staff for their efforts in preparation of the audit. Mr. Gilmer stated that this was a clean/or unmodified audit; however, there were five findings, but the majority were related to the financial management system, MUNIS. Mr. Gilmer stated he did not anticipate any findings in next year’s audit. At the conclusion of Mr. Gilmer’s presentation, Mayor Kochuba thanked him for his support and efforts. Addressing Mr. Wood’s question regarding suggestions to better streamline the reporting process, Mr. Gilmer advised he did not have any suggestions due to City staff overcoming the difficulties with the financial software. Mr. Gilmer stated that the City looks “healthy.” There being no further comments, Mr. Smith thanked Mr. Gilmer and echoed his comments thanking City and School staff for their efforts. Special Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 Page 4 B. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-FIN-19 (First Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023, by appropriating $2,042,232 to transfer to the School Board pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the School Board. A motion was made by Mr. Frenier, seconded by Dr. Poe. To approve Ordinance No. 24- FIN-19. Mayor Kochuba clarified that per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and school division, City schools receive 50.73% of specific revenue sources from the City. Mr. Smith explained that the FY 23 revenue came in substantially above budget in addition to the application of FY22 Schools True-up funds that were not distributed, resulting in an additional transfer to the Schools of $2,042,232. This item requests an amendment to the FY 22-23 budget to appropriate the additional transfer. This is a budgetary appropriation, but funds will not be paid to the schools directly from this appropriation. These funds are rolled forward to be distributed with the FY24 transfer as part of Ordinance 24-FIN-20 which was presented as Item 6C. There being no comments, Mayor Kochuba called for the vote. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wood Wade Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion UNANIMOUS PASS C. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-FIN-20 (First Reading) Top amend the General Fund Budget for the Fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024, by appropriating $3,908,301 to transfer to the School Board pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and School Board. Special Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 Page 5 A motion was made by Mr. Frenier, seconded by Dr. Poe, to approve Ordinance No. 24-FIN- 20. Mr. Smith further clarified the appropriations and addressed questions from Council. Mrs. Sadler provided additional comments and information supporting Mrs. Luck’s statement that the City paid over $400K in comprehensive services. There being no additional discussion, Mayor Kochuba called for the vote. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wood Wade Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion UNANIMOUS PASS D. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-21 (First Reading) Amending §§ 277-4 and 277-9 of Chapter 277, of the Colonial Heights City Code by (1) increasing from $15 to $95 the fee a consumer shall pay to have his water meter tested; (2) increasing from $150 to $250 the security deposit for water service a tenant leasing a residential property shall furnish (3) increasing from $150 to $500 the security deposit for water service a tenant leasing a commercial or industrial property shall furnish; (4) mandating that for new construction, only meters that are capable of reading remotely the amount of water used shall be installed; and (5) increasing the charges for water usage. A motion was made by Dr. Poe, seconded by Vice-Mayor Wade, to approve Ordinance No. 24-21. E. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-23 (First Reading) Amending § 245-23 of City Code Chapter 245, Stormwater Management, by increasing the monthly stormwater utility fee on owners or tenants of all developed real property in the City by $0.75. A motion was made by Mayor Kochuba, seconded by Vice-Mayor Wade, to approve Ordinance No. 24-23. Special Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 Page 6 There was no discussion. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wood Wade Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion UNANIMOUS PASS F. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-24 (First Reading) To amend § 238-8 of Chapter 238, Sewers and Sewage Disposal, of the Colonial Heights, City Code, to increase charges for sewer service. A motion was made by Mrs. Luck, seconded by Dr. Poe, to approve Ordinance No. 24-24. Mr. Smith provided brief comments; however, there were no comments from Council. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wood Wade Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion UNANIMOUS PASS G. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-22 (First Reading) To adopt a revised General Pay Plan Class and Salary Range that removes the Economic Development Administrator position from Grade 18 and increases the hourly rate and range of certain part-time positions by $0.50 pursuant to the new minimum wage effective January 1, 2025. Special Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 Page 7 A motion was made by Vice-Mayor Wade, seconded by Dr. Poe, to approve Ordinance No. 24-22. Mr. Smith provided brief comments to further clarify the proposed changes; however, there were no comments from Council. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Frenier Luck Piotrowski Poe Wood Wade Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion UNANIMOUS PASS H. Discussion on Chickens Mayor Kochuba recalled Council’s decision and the passing of an ordinance not to allow chickens in the City. Since that time, there has been a request for Council to reconsider their decision and Mr. Piotrowski asked that the request be brought to Council, once again, for discussion. I. Discussion of Proposed changes to Recreation and Parks’ Schedule of Fees and Facility Use Policy. 7. Adjournment. A motion to adjourn the Special Meeting was made by Dr. Poe, seconded by Vice Mayor Wade, and carried unanimously on voice vote at 8:10 P.M. APPROVED: Special Meeting Minutes November 19, 2024 Page 8 ____________________________________ T. Gregory Kochuba, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________________ Pamela B. Wallace, City Clerk