City Council

CITY OF COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA Regular Meeting of City Council Tuesday, February 13, 2025 1. Call to Order The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Kochuba at 7:13 P.M. 2. Roll Call The following members of the 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 The Honorable Elizabeth G. Luck. 4. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Kochuba. 5. Adoption of Agenda A motion was made by Vice Mayor Piotrowski, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, to approve the agenda as presented. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Regular Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Page 2 Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 6. Declarations of Personal Interest There were none. 7. Commendations and Presentations There were none. 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. A RESOLUTION NO 25-11 A resolution to acquire by condemnation, if necessary, easements in and across certain portions of the following tax map parcel numbers: 55000100001 and 5500010003D for the Route1/Temple Avenue intersection traffic signal replacement improvement project. Mayor Kochuba requested the Council recall previous discussions on the proposed project and advised that the issue has been resolved. A motion was made by Mayor Kochuba, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, to table Resolution No. 25-11, as the condemnation had been resolved. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Regular Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Page 3 Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS B. AN ORDINANCE NO 24-25 (First Reading) To grant a special use permit, with conditions, to JoAnn Bogese and C. Richard Bogese, Jr. permitting a commercial indoor sports and recreation use at 206 Temple Avenue, also known as parcel identification number 56000100046, which is zoned RO – Residential Office District. A motion was made by Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mrs. Luck, to approve Ordinance No. 24-25. Mr. Smith provided background information on a request to allow an indoor sports and recreation facility, specifically for indoor baseball conditioning (not a batting center). Mr. Smith advised that the Planning Commission unanimously approved the request, and there were no public objections during the hearing. The commission viewed the facility as a community benefit, and staff recommended approval. Mrs. Joanne Bogese, the applicant, described the building layout and proposed design while highlighting the facility’s positive outcomes. Mr. Kyle Bogese, who will be managing the property, addressed concerns about outdoor activities on the adjacent vacant property, and assured the Council that all activities would remain indoors. Mr. Bogese also shared their background in baseball and training, supporting his desire to bring such a facility to Colonial Heights. At this time, Mayor Kochuba opened the floor for public comment. Jim Hurley, 209 Bearchase Court, Colonial Heights – Spoke in support of the proposed project. Susan Glance, 14312 Bermuda Court, Chesterfield – Spoke in support of the proposed project. Regular Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Page 4 There being no additional comments from Council, 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 C. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-4 (Second Reading) To adopt a revised General Pay Plan Class and Salary Range that removes the Facilities Superintendent position and the Transportation Coordinator position; changes the grade for the Building Maintenance Tech position; adds Real Estate Assessor’s Office Specialist, Outreach Program Coordinator, and Parks and Facilities Foreman as new full-time positions; adopts the corresponding job descriptions and class specifications for such new positions; and amends the job description and class specification for Recreation Specialist 1. A motion was made by Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mr. Slaybaugh, to approve Ordinance No. 25-4. As the ordinance was approved unanimously upon its first reading, there was no discussion by the Council and no public comment. There being no comments from the public, Mayor Kochuba called for the vote. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba Regular Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Page 5 No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 11. Hearing of Citizens and Council Members Generally on Non-Agenda Items There were none. 12. Consideration of Uncontested Minutes, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Motions in accordance with the Consent Agenda A. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-1 (Second 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. B. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-FIN-1 (Second 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. 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., C. January 2, 2025 Organizational Meeting Minutes D. January 14, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes E. January 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes F. January 21, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes Regular Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Page 6 A motion was made by Vice Mayor Piotrowski, seconded by Mr. Slaybaugh, to approve the Consent Agena as presented. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 13. Introduction and Consideration of Ordinances and Resolutions There were none. 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 2. Discussion and Consideration of a Broadband Grant Support Letter Mr. Smith advised that the BEAD program is a federal grant initiative designed to expand broadband access to unserved and underserved areas. Virginia has been allocated $1.48 billion for this effort. Verizon has expressed interest in using BEAD funds to expand fiber broadband in the City and is mapping potential coverage areas. Support letters are necessary to support further the grant application from the City, which could improve its grant application. No local funding match is required, and the application deadline is March 1, 2025. A vote of the governing body should approve official support letters. Regular Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Page 7 At the request of Mr. Smith, the Clerk called for an official vote to move forward with the request, and a vote was taken in support of the letter of support. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 3. 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 background information on Council’s approval of a warning siren at Tussing Elementary School. Mr. Fisher informed Council the School Board passed a resolution at its January meeting approving the easement for the placement of a warning siren and the original deed has been forwarded to his office for recording. Regular Meeting Minutes February 13, 2025 Page 8 Lastly, Mr. Fisher reminded the Council to complete their state-mandated Conflict of Interest Training. C. Director of Planning and Community Development In the absence of Mr. Carter, Mr. Smith advised that the Planning Commission met on February 4, 2025, and would meet again on March 4, 2025. Staff presented an overview of the draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and a CIP work session is scheduled for February 20, 2025, at 6:00 pm. The 2024 Community Assessment Survey results were also presented to the Commission, at which time they voted unanimously to forward the report to the City Council for consideration. 16. Adjournment There being no further business, a motion was made by Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Vice-Mayor Piotrowski, and carried unanimously on a voice vote to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 P.M. APPROVED: ______________________________ T. Gregory Kochuba, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________________ Pamela B. Wallace, City Clerk