City Council

CITY OF COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA Regular Meeting of City Council Tuesday, May 13, 2025 1. Call to Order The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Kochuba at 7:01 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 Craig R. Skalak. 4. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Kochuba. 5. Adoption of Agenda A motion was made by Mrs. Luck, seconded by Mr. Skalak, to approve the agenda as presented. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Regular Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 2 Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 6. Declarations of Personal Interest Declarations of Personal Interest were read by Mayor Kochuba and Mr. Slaybaugh and filed with the Clerk. Before continuing, Mayor Kochuba recognized Mr. Stephen Neece, Chair, representative from the School Board. 7. Commendations and Presentations A. A PROCLAMATION Proclaiming May 11 through 17, 2025, as National Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Week in the City of Colonial Heights, Virginia B. A PROCLAMATION Recognizing May 23, 2025, as Poppy Day in the City of Colonial Heights, Virginia. C. Citizens Government Academy Recognizing the program participants of the Spring 2025 Citizens Government Academy. 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 25-11 Regular Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 3 (Second Reading) To adopt a revised General Pay Plan Class and Salary Range with revised and new job descriptions and class specifications for certain positions; and to adopt a revised Public Safety Step Plan with one new job description and class specification. A motion was made by Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mr. Skalak, to approve Ordinance No. 25-11. Mr. Smith clarified that the proposed ordinance involves adopting the pay plan and job descriptions as part of the upcoming resolution to approve the proposed budget. There being no discussion, 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 11. Hearing of Citizens and Council Members Generally on Non-Agenda Items Michael Ellis, 1309 Hermitage Road - Mr. Ellis expressed concern about the city's "overbearing ordinances," particularly those related to inoperable vehicles and the parking of boats and trailers in residential driveways. Elizabeth Cannon, 1307 Hermitage Road – Mrs. Cannon praised Tussing Elementary, the Recreation and Parks Department, and various city events. She appreciated the city-wide survey as a useful tool for citizen input but criticized the lack of adequate notice. She also mentioned several issues she believes the city should address in the future. 12. Consideration of Uncontested Minutes, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Motions in accordance with the Consent Agenda A. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-9 (Second Reading) Providing for a tax levy on certain personal property for the 2026 tax year, for general municipal purposes. Regular Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 4 B. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-10 (Second Reading) Providing for a levy on all real estate located in the City not exempt from taxation to be fixed at $1.20 for the tax year commencing January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026 for general municipal purposes. C. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-FIN-4 Adopting the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, and appropriating the estimated revenues for the year for the principal purposes stated. D. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-FIN-5 (Second Reading) Adopting the budgets for various funds for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, and appropriating the estimated revenues for the year for the principal purposes stated. E. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-FIN-6 (Second Reading) Appropriating and providing funds for financing the City of Colonial Heights Public School Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, and approving such budget. F. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-8 (Second Reading) Awarding the City Manager a bonus of $4,000.00. G. March 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes H. March 11, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes A motion was made by Mr. Skalak, seconded by Mrs. Luck, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS Regular Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 5 13. Introduction and Consideration of Ordinances and Resolutions A. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-FIN-7 (First Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025, by appropriating $616,441, consisting of: 1) $3,718 in state funds from the Department of Criminal Justice Services to Public Safety ($2,834) and Judicial Administration ($884( and to Intergovernmental Revenues; 2) $11,000, of which $2,244 is in book sales, $2,035 is in donations, and $6,721 is in Assigned Fund Balance to the Library, to Miscellaneous and to Recreation & Culture; 3) $65,413 in Federal funds from Housing and Urban Development to Human Services and to Intergovernmental Revenues; 4) $11,310 in State Fire Aid to Localities to Public Safety and to Intergovernmental Revenues; and 5) $525,000 in Unassigned Fund Balance to Miscellaneous and to Deb Service & Transfers Out. Also, to amend the General Fund Budget by transferring $66,521 from Human Services to Health and Social Services and $4,912 from Public Works to Nondepartmental (Contingencies & Reserve). To amend the Economic Development Authority Budget by appropriating $100,000 in transfer from the General Fund to Operating Transfers In and to Economic Development. To amend the Stormwater Fund Budget by appropriating $425,000 in transfer from the General Fund to Non-operating Transfers In and to Stormwater. To amend the Water and Sewer fund by appropriating $124,033 from the Water & Sewer Fund Balance to Non-Operating Revenue and to Wastewater Treatment. A motion was made by Mr. Slaybaugh, seconded by Mrs. Luck, to approve Ordinance No. 25-FIN-8. Mr. Smith discussed funding for opioid abatement, economic development incentives, and emergency stormwater repair. Mayor Kochuba explained that money from the General Fund was being used for the Charlotte Avenue stormwater repair. Mr. Flippen, Director of Public Works, noted that in-house resources were handling the repair and responded to Council questions about resident concerns. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Regular Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 6 Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS Before proceeding, Mayor Kochuba requested that Ordinance No. 25-2 be removed from Item 14A and moved to Item 13B, before the approval of Resolution No. 25-25. Mayor Kochuba explained that Ordinance No. 25-2 was part of the overall budget. This will ensure all ordinances in the proposed budget are approved before the overall budget is approved. B. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-2 (Second Reading) Amending § 244-13 of Chapter 244, Solid Waste, of the Colonial Heights City Code by increasing the monthly charge for solid waste collection and disposal and for the collection and disposal and for the collection and recycling of recyclable material. A motion was made by Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mrs. Luck, to approve Ordinance No. 25--2. Mr. Smith clarified how billing was determined, while Mr. Slaybaugh explained that he had voted against the ordinance at the previous meeting because he believed the services provided did not justify the fees charged to customers. It was Mayor Kochuba's recommendation to invite Kim Hynes from Central Virginia Waste Management Authority to attend an upcoming work session to address the declining service. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Regular Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 7 Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS C. A RESOLUTION NO 25-25 Approving the City Manager’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Proposed Annual Operating Budget. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Piotrowski, seconded by Mrs. Luck, to approve Resolution No. 25-25. Mr. Smith thanked Council for their input during the budget process and thanked Mrs. Sadler and her staff for their efforts in compiling the overall budget. Mr. Smith advised of several minor updates to be made to the final budget book. There being no additional discussion, 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 D. A RESOLUTION NO 25-30 Approving the following: 1) salary adjustments for full-time Public Safety employees who are included in the Public Safety Step Plan; 2) a 3% salary increase for each full-time employee who is not included in the Public Safety Step Plan; and 3) additional salary adjustments for Maintenance employees. A motion was made by Mrs. Luck, seconded by Vice-Mayor Piotrowski, to approve Resolution No. 25-30. Council discussed various concerns regarding employee compensation. Mrs. Sadler and Mrs. Carpenter addressed questions from Vice-Mayor Pitrowski about staff earning $12.50 per hour. Mrs. Sadler also noted that she would provide Council with data on seasonal employees who work 28 hours per week. Regular Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 8 Mr. Slaybaugh proposed forming a work group to examine a commercial compensation plan to address employee pay issues. Mr. Skalak expressed concerns about how additional compensation could be accommodated within a balanced budget that has already been approved. Mr. Wood questioned whether sufficient funding sources exist to support potential future adjustments. In response, Mr. Smith explained that such funds would come from contingency reserves. Mr. Fisher recommended that Council consider conducting an external salary study to help address ongoing employment and salary concerns. The discussion continued with an emphasis on the fact that a large portion of the City’s budget was devoted to employee compensation. There being no additional discussion, 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 E. A RESOLUTION NO 25-31 Approving revisions to the City of Colonial Heights Fiscal Years 2026- 2030 Capital Improvement Plan. A motion was made by Mr. Skalak, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, to approve Resolution No. 25-31. Mayor Kochuba noted the CIP had been reviewed and several revisions had been made. Mr. Smith stated that the revisions were a VDOT requirement related to specific funding opportunities for several sidewalk projects in the Southpark Boulevard and Charles Dimmock areas. To qualify for the funding, the projects needed to be included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Smith advised that the Planning Commission had reviewed and approved the revisions. There was a brief discussion regarding the revisions; however, no additional changes were made. Regular Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 9 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. At the request of Mayor Kochuba, Ordinance No. 25-2 was moved to Item 13B. There was no other unfinished business. 15. Reports of Officers and Documents Related Thereto. A. City Manager 1. Fund Balance Assignments Consider a motion to approve the City Manager’s recommended assignment of fund balance. Mr. Smith requested Council’s approval of the below fund balance assignments: • Total amount being assigned for use in the FY 26-30 CIP: $2,241,129 • Total mount being assigned for use in the FY 26 Operating Budget: $1,161,827 • Total amount of additional assignments: $443,849 (needed for assigned fund balance corrections for FY 25) A motion was made by Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Vice-Mayor Piotrowski, with the motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Regular Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 10 Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 2. General Activity Report Mr. Smith commended Matt Spruill, Director of Recreation and Parks, for the successful execution of the Fort Clifton Festival, recognizing the efforts of both him and his staff. Mr. Spruill expressed his appreciation and informed Council about the installation of a memorial plaque by the Daughters of the American Revolution at the City’s War Memorial. Additionally, Mr. Smith reminded Council of the upcoming work session scheduled for May 20th. 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 April 30, 2025. B. City Attorney Mr. Fisher reported that he was in the process of drafting a new, state-mandated chapter to consolidate stormwater management and erosion and sediment control regulations into one chapter of the City Code. The state provided a model ordinance, but it requires shortcomings, requiring extensive revisions. Currently, Mr. Fisher said his draft is 27 pages with more work still to be done. The ordinance includes an appeals process, which the state mandates but does not specify its contents. Once finalized and reviewed by Public Works Department representatives, the draft will be presented to Council. Planning Commission review is not required. Regular Meeting Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 11 C. Director of Planning and Community Development Mr. Carter reported that the Planning Commission met on May 6, 2025, and approved two preliminary development plans—one for Kroger at 114 Southpark Circle and one for East Coast Appliance at 119 Temple Lake Drive. It also approved a resolution recommending that the Southpark Boulevard and Charles Dimmock Sidewalk projects be added to the FY 2026–2027 Capital Improvement Plan. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for May 28 (work session) and June 3 (regular meeting). The Board of Zoning Appeals held its annual meeting on April 16, 2025, and approved three variances related to lot size, rear yard setback, and light fixture height for properties on Yorktown Drive and Southpark Circle. Mr. Carter also provided information from recent code violation reports. 16. Adjournment There being no further business, a motion was made by Mrs. Luck, seconded by Mr. Skalak, and carried unanimously on a voice vote to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 P.M. APPROVED: ______________________________ T. Gregory Kochuba, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________________ Pamela B. Wallace, City Clerk