City Council

CITY OF COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA Regular Meeting of City Council Tuesday, January 14, 2025 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: Councilwoman Elizabeth G. Luck Councilwoman Tricia L. Palmer Councilman Craig R. Skalak Councilman Brad E. Slaybaugh Councilman John T. Wood Vice Mayor John E. Piotrowski 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 Mayor Kochuba. 4. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Kochuba. 5. Adoption of Agenda A motion was made Vice Mayor Piotrowski, seconded by Mr. Skalak, to approve the agenda as presented. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 2 Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS Before continuing, Mayor Kochuba recognized Mrs. Debbie Walwer, who was representing the School Board. 6. Declarations of Personal Interest There were none. 7. Commendations and Presentations A. Presentation of the annual Tourism update by Katherine O’Donnell, President and CEO, and Daniel Fitz-Hugh, Vice President of Community Relations, Richmond Regional Tourism. B. Recognizing Police Captain Mike Foster, Jr., Police Records Technician, Robin Kester, and Utility Billing Supervisor Dianne Piotrowski, for their years of dedicated service to the City of Colonial Heights. 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 There were none. 11. Hearing of Citizens and Council Members Generally on Non-Agenda Items Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 3 Tony Milon, 1201 Burlington Avenue – Requested Council’s consideration of the extension of psychological assistance to City retirees. Harry Smith, 808 Kinsington Avenue – Mr. Smith thanked Council for improvements on Hamilton Avenue; however, pointed out several speeding violations which continue to occur on Hamilton Avenue. Additionally, Mr. Samith pointed out the loud exhaust systems, blacked-out windows, he feels should be addressed by the City’s Police Department. Mr. Wood thanked the Public Works Department personnel who worked to address a water main break during the recent cold weather snap. Mr. Wood asked if those individuals could be recognized publicly. Secondly, Mr. Wood gave accolades to crews who worked to address snow-covered roads to improve transportation and public safety during the recent snow events. Lastly, Mr. Wood asked for feedback from Mr. Smith concerning the leakage of the roof at the Courthouse. 12. Consideration of Uncontested Minutes, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Motions in accordance with the Consent Agenda A. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-FIN-21 (Second Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, by appropriating $4,584, consisting of $1,084 in donations and $3,500 in grant funds, to Public Safety and to Miscellaneous. To amend the Recreation Activity Fund by appropriating $3,000 in grant funds to Recreation Activities and to Miscellaneous & Fund Balance to fund a Tennis Program. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Piotrowski, seconded by Mrs. Luck, to approve the Consent Agena as presented. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 4 Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 13. Introduction and Consideration of Ordinances and Resolutions A. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-1 (First Reading) To amend § 51-54 of Chapter 51, Personnel Policies and Grievance Procedure, of the Colonial Heights City Code, to change the date of the Juneteenth City Holiday. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Piotrowski, seconded by Mrs. Luck, to approve Ordinance No. 25-1. Mr. Smith advised that the proposed ordinance amends Section 51-54 of the City Code to specify that the Juneteenth holiday be observed on June 19th instead of the third Monday in June. Addressing questions for the need for the amendment, Mr. Smith advised that the change would align the date with that set forth as the official state holiday. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS A. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-FIN-1 (First Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, by appropriating $60,236, consisting of: 1) $11,167 in state funds from the Department of Criminal Justice Services to Public Safety ($10,829) and Judicial Administration ($338) and to Intergovernmental Revenues; 2) $5,000 in State Asset Forfeiture Restricted Fund Balance to Public Safety and to Miscellaneous; and 3) $44,069 in grant funds to Public Safety and to Intergovernmental Revenues. Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 5 Also, to amend the General Fund Budget by transferring $48,000 from Nondepartmental (Contingencies & Reserve) to General & Financial Administration for the City Attorney’s Office To amend the Capital Projects Fund by appropriating $16,691 to Miscellaneous and to Ambulance Replacement A motion was made by Mr. Skalak, seconded by Vice Mayor Piotrowski, to approve Ordinance No. 25-FIN-1. Staff provided clarification to several Council member’s question regarding specific allocations within the budget after which time, Mayor Kochuba called for the vote. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS B. A RESOLUTION NO 25-2 Specifying the regular meeting dates of the Colonial Heights City council. A motion was made by Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Vice Mayor Piotrowski, to adopt Resolution No. 25-2. There being no discussion, Mayor Kochuba called for the vote. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 6 Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS C. A RESOLUTION NO 25-3 Declaring the official intent of the City of Colonial Heights, Virginia to reimburse certain expenditures with proceeds of bonds. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Piotrowski, seconded by Mrs. Luck. Mr. Smith advised that the FY2025–FY2029 Capital Improvement Plan includes issuing $6 million in debt to fund various projects, such as replacing stormwater outfalls on Breezy Hill Avenue, Mt. Pleasant Drive, and Yacht Basin Drive, improving drainage, and reconstructing Roanoke Avenue. The City may issue this debt as soon as spring 2025. The City, with the help of its financial advisor PFM Financial Advisors LLC, is exploring financing options, including a stand-alone debt issuance or participation in the Virginia Resources Authority's borrowing program. Some projects are ready to proceed or have already started before the debt issuance. Resolution No. 25-3 allows the City to reimburse itself for costs incurred on these projects before the debt is issued. The City has enough cash flow to cover part of the costs in the short term. Staff addressed questions from Council; however, there were no requested changes. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski 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. Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 7 A. City Manager 1. General Activity Report Mr. Smith presented the following:  At the request of Mr. Smith, Chief Anspach provided an update on the ongoing break-ins and thefts in the area.  Mr. Smith also expressed his gratitude to the Public Works Department staff for their efforts during the recent water main break, as well as those who worked to address road conditions during the recent snowstorm. At Mr. Smith’s request, Mr. Flippen presented slides demonstrating the significance of the work done by City crews during these emergencies.  At the request of Mr. Piotrowski, Mr. Flippen also provided an overview of the cost savings realized by City workers performing the tasks in-house, as opposed to contracting out the work. Several council members extended thanks to Mr. Flippen and his team for their dedicated efforts during these emergencies. 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, 2024, is pending. The major factor for the delay of the audit is: delay in completion of the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 resulting in significant delay in the year-end close and audit work for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, Our estimated date of completion for the audit report is March 31, 2025. B. City Attorney Mr. Fisher provided the following information: Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 8  Mr. Fisher recognized Jeri-Ann Tomlin, the Senior Paralegal for his office and Deputy City Clerk, for successfully passing the national Certified Paralegal Exam. Mr. Fisher acknowledged that Mrs. Tomlin holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a certificate in Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix. Mr. Fisher acknowledged what an asset Mrs. Tomlin was to his office.  The FOIA training for new Council members and Mr. Leonardo Caballero, Assistant City Manager, will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025.  A resolution will be brought before Council in February for condemnation of the two properties at 102 and 109 Boulevard. Mr. Fisher advised that the property owner refuses to communicate with City representatives; therefore, the City is moving forward with the condemnation.  Mr. Fisher will be presenting a Deed of Gift at the January work session for 610 Lakeview Avenue. The Deed of Gift is needed to incorporate certain provisions the State is mandating that were not included in the prior deed the City recorded for 610 Lakeview Avenue. C. Director of Planning and Community Development Mr. Carter reported that the Planning Commission met on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. During this meeting, the Commission approved the 2024 Annual Report of activities (attached). Additionally, the Planning Commission approved PC Resolution No. 24-04, which pertains to an indoor sports and recreational use located at 206 Temple Ave. The Commission also recommended approval of Ordinance No. 24-25 to the City Council for their consideration of the Special Use Permit. This Special Use Permit will be included in the City Council's Regular Meeting Agenda on February 11, 2025. The Board of Zoning Appeals did not hold a meeting in January 2025; however, the Planning Commission is scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. 16. Adjournment There being no further business, Mrs. Palmer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Slaybaugh, 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: Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 9 _____________________________________ Pamela B. Wallace, City Clerk