City Council

April 21, 2016 A special meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, was held on April 21, 2016, in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 6:00PM, to conduct a budget worksession with Mayor Turner presiding. Council Members present included: Mayor Danny Turner, Vice Mayor Jennifer Bowles, Council Member Gene Teague, Council Member Sharon Brooks Hodge, and Council Member Mark Stroud. Staff present included: City Manager Leon Towarnicki, Clerk of Council Karen Roberts, Assistant City Manager Wayne Knox, City Attorney Eric Monday, Finance Director Linda Conover, Public Works Director Jeff Joyce, Telecommunications Director Mike Scaffidi, Fleet Manager Lane Shively, City Engineer Chris Morris, Commissioner of Revenue Ruth Easley, Sheriff Steve Draper and Fire Chief Ted Anderson. Mayor Turner opened the meeting. PHCC has requested an opportunity to address Council - Jack Hanbury, VP of Finance and Administration at Patrick Henry Community College shared a PowerPoint to update Council on a major project involving the Motorsports and Workforce Development Center that is funded in part from City contributions. Review capital needs, funding, and discussion on proposed meals tax increase - City Manager Towarnicki described the list of items that were cut because of budget restraints specifically the Sheriff’s Department needs such as the intercom system. Council Member Teague asked Mike Scaffidi to weigh out options to correct this problem with the City fiber optic and telecom system. Council Member Hodge asked about a joint venture with the County to assist with Sheriff Department needs. Sheriff Steve Draper explained the intercom/security system and the repairs needed at the City Farm. Towarnicki described items that will remain on the capital list. Towarnicki stated that the 0.5% increase in meals tax would increase the revenue, assuming there is no interest in increasing the meals tax then Council would need to rethink those items on the capital list. Council Member Teague made a motion to remove the 0.5% meal tax increase off the table. Council Member Stroud seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. Jeff Joyce detailed the cost of continuing the transportation portion of the Senior Center and maintaining the building if the Senior Center is moved or eliminated. Towarnicki detailed proposed cuts and revenue from other departments that could be used to fund the Senior Center. Teague made a motion to restore funds to the Senior Center. Hodge seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. April 21, 2016 Hodge made a motion to change EDC funding to keep the same agreement but change to per capita funding. Turner seconded motion. Council Members voted: with Turner, Hodge, and Stroud voting aye in favor of the motion, Bowles and Teague voting nay against the motion. Hodge made a motion to not fund the dental clinic. No second was made so the motion dies. Bowles made a motion to fund $100k for the schools to hire assistant principals to assist in discipline problems. Hodge pointed out if the money was awarded that Council could not dictate how it’s used specifically. Stroud seconded the motion. City Attorney Eric Monday reported a disclosure had been signed by Council Member Mark Stroud stating he can vote impartially. Mr. Stroud is a retiree of the city sheriff’s office and his spouse works for city schools. Council Members voted: Bowles and Stroud voting aye in favor of the motion; Turner, Teague and Hodge voting nay against the motion. Stroud made a motion to reinstate $100k for the Fire department for part-time employees. Bowles seconded the motion. Fire Chief Ted Anderson explained the time involved in training, hazard pay and liability and added expenses for the City. Bowles retracted her second so motion dies on the table. Council agreed that if the Fire Department needs funds midyear, Anderson can come back to Council and ask for an appropriation. Hodge asked about departments who may have received market rate adjustments already this year. Towarnicki & Finance Director Linda Conover said to their knowledge, no departments received market rate adjustments. Towarnicki stated that some market adjustments would be necessary to maintain experienced employees. There being no further business, Council Member Teague made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Council Member Bowles seconded the motion with all Council Members in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:05pm. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council Danny Turner, Mayor