City Council

February 25, 2014 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, was held on February 25, 2014, in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 7:30 PM, Closed Session beginning at 7:00PM, with Mayor Kim Adkins presiding. Council Members present included: Mayor Kim Adkins, Vice Mayor Gene Teague, Sharon Brooks Hodge, Mark Stroud and Danny Turner. Staff present included: Leon Towarnicki, City Manager, Eddie Cassady, Wayne Knox, Dave Brahmstadt, Chris Morris and Linda Conover. Mayor Adkins called the meeting to order and advised Council will go into Closed Session. In accordance with Section 2.1-344 (A) of the Code of Virginia (1950, and as amended) and upon a motion by Gene Teague, seconded by Sharon Brooks Hodge, with the following 5-0 recorded vote: Adkins, aye; Teague, aye; Hodge, aye; Stroud, aye; and Turner, aye, Council convened in Closed Session, for the purpose of discussing the following matter: (A) Appointments to Boards and Commissions as authorized by Subsection 1. At the conclusion of Closed Session, each returning member of Council certified that (1) only public business matters exempt from open meeting requirements were discussed in said Closed Session; and (2) only those business matters identified in the motion convening the Closed Session were heard, discussed, or considered during Session. On a motion by Mark Stroud, seconded by Sharon Brooks Hodge, with the following recorded 5-0 vote: Adkins, aye; Teague, aye; Hodge, aye; Stroud, aye; and Turner, aye, Council returned to Open Session. Following the invocation by Mayor Adkins and Pledge to the American Flag, the Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting. Board appointment: On a motion by Gene Teague, seconded by Danny Turner, with a 5-0 vote, Council appointed Max Hall, 4045 Mt. Olivet Road, to the Arts & Cultural Committee as the Theatre Works representative for a term ending 2/25/17. Minutes: On a motion Gene Teague, seconded by Danny Turner, with a 5-0 vote, Council approved the minutes of the November 26, 2013 meeting. Proclamation-Red Cross: Mayor Adkins presented a proclamation recognizing American Red Cross Month to Ralph Lawson. Proclamation Teen Dating Violence Awareness: Mayor Adkins presented a proclamation recognizing Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month to Citizens Against Family Violence representatives, Dee Barbour and Bethann James. Employee Service Awards Recognition: Mayor Adkins recognized the following city employees eligible for Service Awards: Mike Bradshaw Fire Department 10 Marietta Harmon Sheriff's Department 10 Rodney Smith Sheriff's Department 10 Jody Duncan Comm. of the Revenue 15 Wesley Brooks Fire Department 15 Richard Barrow Police Department 15 Stephen Draper Sheriff's Department 20 Pam Norman Sheriff's Department 20 Doug Wickham Wastewater Plant 20 Conduct Public Hearing regarding refunding bonds: Three of the City’s outstanding bond obligations, with interest rates somewhat higher than current markets, will be refinanced, saving over $100,000 over the life of the loans. After speaking with the current holder of these particular loans, it was determined that they were willing to reduce the current rates being charged, producing savings to the City without extending the February 25, 2014 life of the loans. A public hearing is required in regard to the City’s issuance of up to $2,650,000 of Principal Amount of General Obligation Bonds, a Refunding of three outstanding bond obligations. Mayor Adkins opened the public hearing. No comments were made and Mayor Adkins closed the public hearing. Approval Final Ordinance on second reading regarding refunding bonds: At the February 11, 2014 meeting, Council approved on first reading the Authorizing Ordinance, authorizing the issuance of up to $2,630,000 principal amount of General Obligation Refunding Bonds. The required public hearing has been conducted with the following Council action taken: A motion was made by Gene Teague, seconded by Mark Stroud, with the following 5-0 recorded vote: Adkins, aye; Teague, aye; Hodge, aye; Stroud, aye; and Turner, aye, to approve the final Authorizing Ordinance on second reading. Following is the signature page of final ordinance approved on second reading and the Circuit Court certification pages: Conduct public hearing regarding Northside Neighborhood Revitalization Project: Wayne Knox briefed Council on the requirement to conduct a public hearing regarding the Northside Neighborhood Revitalization Project and he provided the following statistics on Community Development Block Grants Projects: (1)Village Street-27 new residences constructed (2)Massey/Endless–30 residences rehabbed (3) Moss/Barton -18 residences rehabbed, 10 demolished, 6 newly constructed (4)Southside –12 residences rehabbed; 2 first–time owners (5) Academy Place–17 newly constructed residences; 10 residences rehabbed; 1 first-time homeowner; 4 building lots available. (6) Cherry Street– 7 residences replaced, 4 rehabbed, 2 first– time homeowners; 3 building lots available. Council discussed concerns with the deficit that needs to be reconciled for past redevelopment projects and asked that measures be put in place so a deficit does not occur on future projects. Mayor Adkins opened the public hearing. No comments were made and Mayor Adkins closed the public hearing. Auditor’s report: Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates representatives, Aaron Hawkins and David Hughes, were present to report on the city’s FY13 Audit. The auditors commended the Finance Director February 25, 2014 Linda Conover and the Finance Department staff for their good job. The audit will be available for public viewing on the city website. Update from Workforce Development Board: Lisa Fultz reported on statistics involving job placements and ongoing efforts on retention of jobs. She stressed importance for employers to support the WIB in their efforts on Career Readiness Credentials to make the community more marketable. Adoption of resolution requesting additions to street maintenance payments from VDOT: Chris Morris presented information on the required resolution. The Liberty Street Widening Project constructed two additional lanes resulting in a total net increase of 0.94 lane miles. The City is asking VDOT to add this to our eligible mileage for street maintenance payments paid to the City beginning in FY15. On a motion by Gene Teague, seconded by Mark Stroud, with a 5-0 vote, Council approved the following resolution: Approval of consent agenda: On a motion by Gene Teague, seconded by Mark Stroud, with a 5-0 vote, Council approved the following consent agenda: BUDGET ADDITIONS FOR 2/25/2014 ORG OBJECT DESCRIPTION DEBIT CREDIT FY14 General Fund: 01100909 490104 Advance/Recovered Costs 6,948 01331108 501300 Sheriff/Corrections - Part-time & Temporary Wages 5,055 01331108 502100 Sheriff/Corrections - Social Security 313 01331108 502110 Sheriff/Corrections - Medicare 73 01331108 506008 Sheriff/Corrections - Vehicle Equipment & Maint. 1011 01331110 506200 Sheriff/Annex - Prisoner Allowance 496 Reimbursement from Henry County for litter pickup - Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec. 2013 01102926 436402 Categorical Federal - Comm Atty - Confiscated Assets 13532 01221082 506079 Commonwealth's Attorney - Federal Asset Forfeitures 13,532 Asset Forfeiture Transfer Total General Fund: 20,480 20,480 Business from floor: Ural Harris-217 Stuart St.-comments on taxation/rates and questions on AMP costs. Wayne Knox-reported CEDS economic development projects list draft was received today and is available for review by the public for next 30 days in his office or library and is available on West Piedmont Planning District Commission website. Council comments: Turner-commended city employees on good job done during recent snow storm; Stroud-also commended employees on snow storm efforts and expressed he is glad to hear Henry Hotel February 25, 2014 project is moving forward; Adkins-announced she will be seeking the democratic nomination for State Senate and will not be running for City Council. City Manager comments: Mr. Towarnicki introduced the city Human Resources Director, David Brahmstadt. Mr. Towarnicki also commended the city crews for their good job and team efforts in working 12-hour shifts during recent snow storm. He noted that statistics during recent storm event (1) 557 calls to 911 during 2pm to 9pm storm period (2) 87 motor vehicle wrecks (3) cost to city with regular time, overtime, and materials and equipment approximately $75,000. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00pm. _______________________________ __________________________ Brenda Prillaman Kim Adkins Clerk of Council Mayor