City Council

CITY OF COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA Special Meeting of City Council Tuesday, May 20, 2025 1. Call to Order. The Special Meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Kochuba at 6:00 P.M. 2. Roll Call. Present: Councilwoman Elizabeth G. Luck Councilwoman Tricia L. Palmer Councilman Craig R. Skalak Councilman Brad E. Slaybaugh Vice Mayor John E. Piotrowski 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. Jeri-Ann F. Tomlin, Deputy City Clerk The Clerk announced the purpose of the closed meeting. 3. Declarations of Personal Interest There were none. 4. Work Session on the Following Items: A. Discussion Regarding Golf Cart Use on City Streets. Before Chief Anspach make his presentation to Council, Mr. Smith provide Council with language from the Virginia State Code which stated, “no portion of public highways may be designated for use by golf carts, etc., unless the governing body of the County, City, or Town has reviewed and approved such highway uses.” Mr. Smith advised that there must be local approval to move forward with the request. Chief Anspach recalled the initial discussion regarding allowing golf carts and the most recent request from a citizen. Chief Anspach stated he was in favor of safely operating golf carts and felt it was a good way for the community to interact. He is also in favor of enforcing the rules Council chooses to set forth. For clarification, Chief Anspach stated that “highway” as stated in the State Code, is a roadway. Continuing, Chief Anspach provided limitations and requirements set forth for golf carts traveling on roadways. Currently golf carts are not allowed on City roadway; however, that law is not being adhered to and it must be enforced. Chief Anspach particularly noted the use Special Meeting Minutes May 20, 2025 Page 2 of golf carts by underage driver. He feels this is a good opportunity to set guidelines and educate the public on golf cart use. Chief Anspach presented the following requirements for golf cart use on City roadways:  Must have a slow-moving emblem located on the back of the vehicle.  May not operate on any roadway over 25 mph.  Must have a driver's license to operate.  Cannot operate after dark or before sunrise.  Cannot cross a road that is marked 25 mph unless the intersection is covered by a traffic signal. Continuing, Chief Anspach provided several considerations that his staff would like to see implemented to ensure the golf carts are determined to be “street legal,” including a registration and imposing a registration fee and installation of signage in the areas allowing golf carts, advising that there are golf carts in the area. There was a discussion about whether to require insurance. Chief Anspach addressed extending a lower speed limit in some areas to allow safe crossing of roadways to recreational destinations. Chief Anspach stated he would rather see parameters set for golf cart use rather than strict enforcement when there are so many people in favor of the idea. Other options would be to limit to specific neighborhoods which would be difficult to enforce. Addressing Mrs. Luck’s question relative to the next step, Mr. Smith read from the state code which referenced the creation of an ordinance; therefore, this would be something to be reviewed by the City Attorney. There was continued discussion with Chief Anspach, suggesting additional research into the surrounding localities and their policies governing such. At the conclusion of the discussion, it was the consensus of Council for staff to move forward with this request. B. Discussion Regarding Virginia State Budget 1.5% Bonus for State-Supported Local Employees. The General Assembly approved funding for a 1.5% bonus for constitutional officers and their full-time Compensation Board–funded employees, effective July 1, 2025, based on salaries prior to any July 1 adjustments. Eligible positions include locally elected constitutional officers, general registrars, local electoral board members, and full-time employees of constitutional officers. Staff recommended a flat $600 bonus. City electoral board members are part-time and receive no City pay. An ordinance will be presented to Council at the June Regular Meeting, with a second reading at the June work session. C. Shepherd Stadium Improvement Projects Update Council approved Shepherd Stadium improvements including updated locker rooms and restrooms, picnic/beer area concrete, a new storage building, and a donated video scoreboard. Project highlights include completed locker room/restroom plans, concrete and video board Special Meeting Minutes May 20, 2025 Page 3 installation, storage building construction starting next week, and additional seating to be installed in August, with a total expected cost of $521,100. Other updates include a lease extension under review, a new merchandise stand behind the first-base dugout (completion first week of June), and a new beer/wine concession booth replacing the existing trailer. Council agreed that the Chili Peppers are an asset to the City despite operating and maintenance costs. There was no action taken on this matter. D. Updates on Sign Ordinance Revision. Mr. Carter noted that his staff had worked closely with Mr. Fisher to ensure the City’s sign ordinance complies with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, requiring local governments to maintain content-neutral sign regulations. Mr. Aaron Bond presented the proposed changes, which include removing sign categories based on message and classifying all signs as either “freestanding” or “building-mounted.” Additional revisions cover updated definitions, regulations for temporary A-frame signs, allowances for minor signs (up to one square foot and four feet in height), and freestanding flags of certain sizes. Council discussed implementation and enforcement, suggesting a short transition period with existing noncompliant signage grandfathered in. Key components highlighted by Mr. Bond include the prohibition of billboards, restrictions on most sign sizes and illumination, maintenance and removal regulations, and administrative review of sign permit applications. Council and staff also discussed residential signage flexibility and the use of vehicles as advertisement signage. Mr. Smith noted that the Planning Commission will review the proposed ordinance at an upcoming work session, followed by a public hearing at the July work session. E. Discussion Regarding Vape Shops At Mr. Smith’s request, Mr. Carter provided Council with an update on surrounding localities’ approaches to the growth of vape and tobacco shops, including examples of how some jurisdictions are restricting their operation. The council reached consensus to regulate such businesses in specific areas. Mr. Carter also clarified questions regarding the inclusion of tobacco products, CBD, and hemp. Dr. Caballero noted that some localities refer to these regulations as a “Recreational Substances Ordinance.” Council agreed that staff should prepare a recommendation outlining proposed locations and special use permit requirements to be brough to Council for further discussion and consideration. F. City of Colonial Heights Audit Statement City of Colonial Heights Audit Statement In accordance with requirements in the Code of Virginia § 1 5 . 2 - 2511, i f a l o c a l i t y ’ s a u d i t i s n o t c o m p l e t e d a s r e q u i r e d by this statute, the locality must promptly post a statement Special Meeting Minutes May 20, 2025 Page 4 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 June 30, 2025. G. Discussion concerning the Recruitment of a New City Attorney and Training for City Council on the City’s Employment Application System. Mayor Kochuba advised that six applications had been received as of today for the City Attorney’s position. At the request of Mr. Fisher, Mayor Kochuba requested Council’s opinion to extend the advertising date to June 16. After brief discussion, it was the consensus of Council to authorize Jennifer Carpenter, Human Resources Director to extend the application deadline for the City Attorney’s position to June 16, 2025. 7. Adjournment. A motion to adjourn the Special Meeting was made by Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mrs. Luck, and carried unanimously on voice vote at 8:33 P.M. APPROVED: ____________________________________ T. Gregory Kochuba, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________________ Pamela B. Wallace, City Clerk