City Council

September 25, 2017 Neighborhood Tour and Meeting Martinsville City Council toured the Uptown and Druid Hills area on September 25, 2017 beginning at 5:30pm. Those present for the tour were Mayor Gene Teague, Vice Mayor Chad Martin, Council Member Kathy Lawson, and Council Member Sharon Hodge. Staff present included City Manager Leon Towarnicki, Property Maintenance Inspector Andy Powers, Property Maintenance Inspector Mark Price, and Police Chief Eddie Cassady. Mickey Powell of the Martinsville Bulletin was also present for the tour. Council Member Jennifer Bowles was not present. The van left the City Municipal Building at 5:30pm and traveled up Church Street to Starling, over to Mulberry, down Spruce Street to Indian Trail. The tour traveled along Indian Trail to Susan Lane where they observed conditions in front of 713 Susan Lane. An area directly in front of the house next to the street will be turned over to Public Works for mowing. The tour traveled Susan Lane to Sam Lions, up to Mulberry Road then proceeded down Meadowview Lane. They stopped briefly at the one of the construction access points to the Smith River Interceptor Project and discussed a possible future project to create a walking/biking trail along the sewer easement that could eventually tie in to the Dick & Willie trail system. The tour also observed conditions at 1612 Meadowview (site of previous Property Maintenance complaints) noting no current violations. The tour looped through Meadowview to Mulberry, back to Corn Tassel and followed Corn Tassel to Old Spruce Street. The tour then followed Old Spruce Street to New Spruce Street noting the pavement and water line project areas. They traveled Spruce Street to Auburn Place noting several locations of recent Property Maintenance complaints at (722 and 728) which appeared to be in compliance now. The tour traveled back to Market Street to Moss Street, circling back to Church Street where they noted the shrubbery between the Fire Department and entrance to the Police Station blocking the sidewalk and Police Department sign. The tour ended at the rear of the City Municipal Building at approximately 6:15 pm. The Uptown and Druid Hills Neighborhood Meeting was held at Forest Hill Presbyterian Church, 725 Beechnut Lane, Martinsville, VA at 7:30 PM, with Mayor Gene Teague presiding. Other Council Members present included Vice Mayor Chad Martin, Council Member Sharon Hodge, and Council Member Kathy Lawson. Staff present: City Manager Leon Towarnicki, Clerk of Council Karen Roberts, Police Chief Eddie Cassady, Inspector Andy Powers, and Inspector Mark Price. Council Member Bowles was not in attendance. Mayor Teague called the meeting to order. No residents attended. Mark Price summarized the neighborhood tour and provided an update on the property maintenance report. Andy Powers confirmed that the demolition permits currently issued were requested by the property owner. Powers suggested an increase of fees for repeat offenders. March 27, 2017 Neighborhood Tour and Meeting There being no further business, Council Member Lawson made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Council Member Hodge seconded the motion, all Council Members voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:44pm ___________________________________ _______________________________ Karen Roberts Gene Teague Clerk of Council Mayor