City Council

January 13, 2015 The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, was held on January 13, 2015, in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 7:30 PM, Closed Session beginning at 7:00pm, with Mayor Danny Turner presiding. Council Members present included: Mayor Danny Turner, Vice Mayor Jennifer Bowles, Gene Teague, Sharon Brooks Hodge, and Mark Stroud. Staff present included: Leon Towarnicki, City Manager, Brenda Prillaman, Eric Monday, Linda Conover, Wayne Knox, Dave Brahmstadt, E. C. Stone, Rob Fincher, and Sean Dunn. Mayor Turner 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 Mark Stroud, seconded by Sharon Brooks Hodge, with the following 5-0 recorded vote: Turner, aye; Teague, aye; Hodge, aye; Stroud, aye; and Bowles, aye, Council convened in Closed Session, for the purpose of discussing the following matters: (A) Appointments to Boards and Commissions as authorized by Subsection 1. (B) Discussion of the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, including interviews of bidders or offerors, and discussion of the terms or scope of such contract, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body as authorized by Subsection 29. (C) Consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members, attorneys or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, or other specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, as authorized by Subsection 7. Council recessed Closed Session and will continue at the end of regular session. Following the invocation by Vice Mayor Bowles and Pledge to the American Flag, the Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and announced action to be taken from Closed Session. ICSM Medical School: A motion was made by Sharon Brooks Hodge, seconded by Mark Stroud, with a 5-0 vote, to execute the performance agreement with ICSM Medical School and the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission for $800,000. Signature Page: Minutes: On a motion by Gene Teague, seconded by Jennifer Bowles, with a 5-0 vote, Council approved the minutes of the October 14, 2014 and October 28, 2014 meetings. January 13, 2015 Recognition of Magna Vista High School Football team: Mayor Turner turned meeting over to Vice Mayor Bowles to read proclamation and handle recognition of football team. Recognition of Assistant Fire Chief Rodney Dan Howell, II: Mayor Turner turned the meeting over to Council Member Stroud to handle recognition of Dan Howell for his completion of the Executive Fire Officer Program. Recognition of Ginny Wray and Mike Wray: Mayor Turner turned the meeting over to Council Member Gene Teague to handle recognition of Ginny Wray and Mike Wray of the Martinsville Bulletin. Update from Goodwill Industries: Mayor Turner announced an update to be given by Goodwill Industries. Misty Adams, Donated Goods Events Coordinator, gave the update to Council. Update regarding Animal Control: Animal Control Officer E. C. Stone updated Council on statistics regarding animal control policies and procedures. Update regarding city diversity hiring: Human Resources Director Dave Brahmstadt presented the following information: After lengthy discussion among Council members, Mr. Brahmstadt was thanked for his presentation acknowledging that the first step to get better is to have the conversation. Approval of Northside Grant documents: Wayne Knox briefed Council on the CDBG revitalization project. A resolution authorizing the contract documents starts the clock ticking on this 24-month endeavor. The program design is probably the most important document to review as it details the process and procedures by which this project will function. The documents for executing the contract for the official start of the Northside Neighborhood Comprehensive Community Development project are included in the City Council packet. On a motion by Gene Teague, seconded by Jennifer Bowles, with a 5-0 vote, Council approved the four contract documents to authorize the City Manager to execute required contract for Northside Neighborhood Comprehensive Community Development Project-CIG#14-13. January 13, 2015 Consent Agenda: On a motion by Gene Teague, seconded by Sharon Brooks Hodge, with a 5-0 vote, Council approved the following consent agenda: BUDGET ADDITIONS FOR 1/13/15 ORG OBJECT DESCRIPTION DEBIT CREDIT FY15 General Fund: 01102926 443403 Categorical Federal - LEMP Grant 7,500 01334122 506131 Safety Coordinator - LEMP Grant Supplies 7,500 Local Emergency Mgmt Performance Grant 01101917 442402 Categorical Other State - Confiscated Assets - C Atty 1,822 01221082 506105 Comm Atty - Conf Assets State 1,822 01101917 442401 Categorical Other State - Confiscated Assets - Police 5,263 01311085 506078 Police Dept - Conf Assets State 5,263 Asset Forfeiture Proceeds Total General Fund: 14,585 14,585 CDBG Fund: 47102926 447061 Categorical Federal - NCI Comm. Improv. Grant 35,000 47833380 503191 NCI CIG - Prof. Services - Contractors 35,000 NCI pass-through funding Total CDBG Fund: 35,000 35,000 School Operating Fund: 18103905 489909 Sale of Other Equipment 22,365 80004500 568100 Vehicle Services - Capital Outlay Replacement 22,365 Funds rec'd through GovDeals sales of surplus Total School Operating Fund: 22,365 22,365 Business from floor: Will Boyd-912 Carol St.—comments on fluoride in city water and why he thinks it should not be in city water. City staff will research the fluoride issue and provide information to Council; Chad Martin-gave details on Martin Luther King events and said he is going to South Africa in February for the Peace Corps. Council comments: Stroud-looking forward to a new year; Bowles-asked if Council could have a conversation regarding legislative aide to localities; Teague-asked for Council to pass a resolution that the City Attorney will draft and send to legislators and governor’s office to eliminate aid to Commonwealth by localities as a means to balance the state budget. A motion was made by Mark Stroud, seconded by Jennifer Bowles, with a 5-0 vote, to have the City Attorney send the resolution. City Manager comments: Mr. Towarnicki reported the city website now has mobile friendly access on smartphones; The Henry is scheduled to have tenants in by June and project is moving forward; funds will be forthcoming from the USDA generator grant; Hooker Field artificial turf project looking good and the National Baseball Association have again signed tournament contracts. Mayor Turner commented the medical school funding is a good announcement and stressed the importance of everyone to be our biggest cheerleaders. Council will now reconvene to Closed Session. 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 the Session. On a motion by Sharon Brooks Hodge, seconded by Mark Stroud, with the following recorded 5-0 vote: Turner, aye; Teague, aye; Hodge, aye; Stroud, aye; and Bowles, aye, Council returned to Open Session for following action: Board actions taken: On a motion by Gene Teague, seconded by Mark Stroud, with 5-0 vote, Council appointed Daniel Spencer, 1215 Preston Rd. to the Transportation Safety Commission for a 4 year term January 13, 2015 ending 12/31/18 and with same motion appointed Smith Chaney, 55 General Longstreet, to the Transportation Commission for a 4 year term ending 12/31/18 with a 5-0 vote. A motion was made by Sharon Brooks Hodge and seconded by Jennifer Bowles to appoint Ural Harris, 217 Stuart St. to the Planning Commission for a 4 year unexpired term ending 6/30/16. A second motion was made by Gene Teague, seconded by Mark Stroud, to appoint Jonathan Martin, 1203 Valley View Rd. to the Planning Commission for a 4 year unexpired term ending 6/30/16. The vote on the first motion carried with a 3-2 vote (Teague-nay and Stroud-nay) to appoint Mr. Ural Harris, so no vote was taken on the second motion. On a motion by Gene Teague, seconded by Mark Stroud, with a 5-0 vote, Jennifer Bowles was appointed to serve in the Council Member spot on the West Piedmont Planning District Commission for a 4 year term coinciding with term on Council. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:20 pm. _______________________________ __________________________ Brenda Prillaman Danny Turner Clerk of Council Mayor