City Council

CITY OF COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VIRGINIA Regular Meeting of City Council Tuesday, August 12, 2025 1. Call to Order The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Kochuba at 7:00 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. Jeffrey S. Gore, Interim City Attorney Mrs. Pamela B. Wallace, Clerk 3. Devotion A devotional prayer was led by Vice Mayor John Piotrowski. 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 Mrs. Palmer, to approve the agenda as presented. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Regular Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 Page 2 Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS 6. Declarations of Personal Interest There were none. Before continuing, Mayor Kochuba recognized Mrs. Angie Woody from the School Board. 7. Commendations and Presentations A. Presentation of the Colonial Heights Police Department’s Reaccreditation Certification by Todd Clingenpeel, Program Manager for the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission. 8. Reading of Manner of Addressing Council. Mr. Gore 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 Harry Smith, 808 Kensington Avenue – Thanked public safety. Feels law enforcement are unappreciated and underpaid. Mr. Smith spoke about the uncontrolled use of scooters and skateboards. Kavitha Nallabelli, Administrator of Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, introduced herself and Mary Lou Eirheart, expressing her desire for the City and the Nursing Center to form a partnership to better serve the community. Regular Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 Page 3 Garland Lancaster, 1701 Franklin Avenue – asked if there had been any decision to allow chickens. 12. Consideration of Uncontested Minutes, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Motions in accordance with the Consent Agenda A. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-FIN-9 (Second Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, by appropriating $833,489 in prior year encumbrances. To amend the Water and Sewer fund for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, by appropriating $18,786 in prior year encumbrances. B. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-FIN-10 (Second Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, by transferring $3,000 from Public Safety to Culture and Recreation. To amend the Capital Projects Fund Budget by transferring $77,762 from Hrouda Pump Station to Citywide Infrastructure Replacement. C. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-FIN-11 (Second Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026, by appropriating $38,421, consisting of: 1) $4,000 in state grant funds from the Virginia 9-1-1 Services Board to Public Safety and to Intergovernmental Revenues; 2) $29,723 in state grant funds from the Department of Criminal Justice Services to Public Safety and to Intergovernmental Revenues; and 3) $4,698 in Restricted Fund Balance to Miscellaneous and to Public Safety ($803) and to Human Services ($3,895). D. July 21, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes E. July 14, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes F. July 8, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes G. July 8, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes H. June 27, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes A. June 26, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes Regular Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 Page 4 A motion was made by Mr. Skalak, seconded by Vice Mayor Piotrowski, 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 13. Introduction and Consideration of Ordinances and Resolutions A. AN ORDINANCE NO 25-FIN-12 (First Reading) To amend the General Fund Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026, by appropriating $69,079, consisting of: 1) $8,205 in federal grant funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to Human Services and to Intergovernmental Revenues; 2) $8,438 in state grant funds from the Department of Criminal Justice Services to Judicial Administration to Intergovernmental Revenues; 3) $10,000 in state grant funds from the Virginia State Police to Public Safety and to Intergovernmental Revenues; and 4) $42,436 in state aid from the Library of Virginia to Culture & Recreation and to Intergovernmental Revenues. The General Fund Budget is also amended by transferring $21,690 from Other Local Taxes to Intergovernmental Revenues. A motion was made by Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mr. Skalak, to approve Ordinance No. 25-FIN-12. Mr. Smith provided additional clarification on the allocations noted in the proposed ordinance and addressed questions from the Council. Mr. Wood provided comments thanking those responsible for the submission of grant applications. Regular Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 Page 5 Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS B. A RESOLUTION NO 25-44 Committing to funding the locality share of two projects under agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation and approving signatory authority for the City Manager or his designee. A motion was made by Mr. Slaybaugh, seconded by Mrs. Luck, to adopt Resolution No. 25-44. Mr. Smith advised that the proposed resolution authorizes the submission to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) of an application for federal FY 2027-28 Transportation Alternatives Program funding; requesting financial assistance in an amount up to $1,516,201 for Charles Dimmock Sidewalks and $1,057,679 for Southpark Sidewalks; committing to pay the 20% local match for each project; and providing for future maintenance and upkeep of the completed projects. Mr. Piotrowski expressed his displeasure with VDOT and the lack of sidewalks along the Boulevard. Mayor Kochuba noted that the proposed resolution includes projects around the Southpark Mall that will be a benefit to student soldiers at Fort Lee; however, the construction timeline has yet to be determined. Regarding the high school sidewalk project, Mr. King, Interim Public Works Director, advised that the project has been awarded and construction should begin at any time; however, it is anticipated that the Southpark and Dimmock area sidewalk project will be awarded in October. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Regular Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 Page 6 Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS C. A RESOLUTION NO 25-46 Approving the City’s participation in the proposed settlement of opioid- related claims against the Sackler Family, and directing the City Attorney or the City’s outside counsel to execute the documents necessary to effectuate the City’s participation in the settlement. A motion was made by Mr. Slaybaugh, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, to approve Resolution No. 25-46. There was no discussion on this item. Vote: 7-0 Yes: Luck Palmer Skalak Slaybaugh Wood Piotrowski Kochuba No: None Absent: None Abstained: None Motion: UNANIMOUS PASS D. A RESOLUTION NO 25-47 Authorizing the submission of a revenue-sharing program application to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT); and approving payment of 50% for the total project costs for the complete reconstruction of both Ridge Road and Roanoke Avenue. A motion was made by Mrs. Palmer, seconded by Mr. Slaybaugh, to approve Resolution No. 25-47. Mr. Smith explained the application procedures and requirements for the Regular Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 Page 7 revenue-sharing program noting the September 15, 2025 deadline for application submission. He stated that the resolution authorizes the submission to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) of an application for federal FY 2029-30 Revenue Sharing Program funding; requesting financial assistance in an amount up to $2,850,262 for Ridge Road Reconstruction and $6,847,411 for Roanoke Avenue Reconstruction; committing to pay the 50% local match for each project; and providing for future maintenance and upkeep of the completed projects. There was continued discussion with staff addressing questions from Council. There were no changes to the proposed resolution and 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 14. Unfinished Business, Contested Ordinances and Resolutions, and Items Removed from the Consent Agenda. There were none. 15. Reports of Officers and Documents Related Thereto. A. City Manager 1. General Activity Report Mr. Smith thanked Chief Anspach and Colonial Heights PD staff for their efforts to organize a successful National Night Out. Staff provided the following updates:  Dr. Caballero advised of the City's October Fest planned for October 25 at White Bank Park  Matt Sprill advised that a grant has been awarded to the City for a placemaking fence around Violet Bank. Regular Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 Page 8  At the request of Mr. Slaybaugh, Mr. Spruill provided an update on the $500K appropriation for updates to Shepherd Stadium for the Chili Peppers. Mr. Spruill also provided an update on the Community Garden at the request of Vice-Mayor Piotrowski.  Mr. Spruill advised that construction was moving forward with the completion of the Splash Pad at Floral Hill Park, with an opening scheduled in the Spring of 2026. 2. City of Colonial Heights Audit Statement 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 September 30, 2025. B. City Attorney Mr. Gore, Interim City Attorney, had nothing to report. C. Director of Planning and Community Development Mr. Smith reported the Planning Commission met on August 6 and approved Ordinance No. 25-15, which will be presented at the August Council meeting. Additionally, the Board of Architectural Review met on August 7 for review of Violet Bank Phase II to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness. The Board deferred approval until the rules of procedure and additional items can be resolved. 16. Adjournment Regular Meeting Minutes August 12, 2025 Page 9 There being no further business, a motion was made by Mrs. Luck, seconded by Mrs. Palmer, and carried unanimously on a voice vote to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 P.M. APPROVED: ______________________________ T. Gregory Kochuba, Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________________ Pamela B. Wallace, City Clerk