City Council

April 23, 2018 Budget Work Session A special meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, was held on April 23, 2018, in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 6:00PM, to conduct a budget work session with Mayor Gene Teague presiding. Council Members present included: Mayor Teague, Vice Mayor Chad Martin, Council Member Kathy Lawson, Council Member Jennifer Bowles and Council Member Sharon Brooks Hodge. Staff present included: City Manager Leon Towarnicki, Assistant City Manager Wayne Knox, City Attorney Eric Monday, Finance Director Linda Conover, Telecommunications Manager Mike Scaffidi, Public Works Director Chris Morris, Water Resources Andy Lash, Human Resources Kathy Vernon, and Fleet Manager Lane Shively. Mayor Teague opened the Council meeting. City Attorney Monday stated for the record that since he anticipates the committee making motions at the meeting, Vice Mayor Martin had executed the required disclosure under the Conflict of Interest Act since he is an employee of the Commonwealth Attorney’s office which is a constitutional office so there could be a perceived conflict. City Manager Towarnicki recapped some of the questions that were brought up at the previous two meetings regarding training for residents to pay bills online, shortage of staff in the Treasurer’s office, telecommunication questions, cell phone concerns, fuel budget estimates, demolition budget and suggested properties, school demographic population, etc. Finance Director Linda Conover explained that there are several offices that could not cross-train or share employees due to audit restrictions. Public Works Director Chris Morris touched on the benches and trashcans in the City with a proposal for sandblasting and powder coating to bring them back up to standards. Uptown parking lots and leases were discussed as well as assigned parking and paid parking. Morris explained that there was an increase in the Farmer’s Market budget due to maintenance and repairs and elaborated on overtime expenses related to housekeeping staff. Morris explained changes in other department budgets including West Piedmont Planning Commission, the Housing office, park maintenance, senior services, and Hooker Field. Wayne Knox answered questions regarding Community Development related to mileage and grants, the potential to update the look of the municipal building as well as the Planning and Zoning budget. Council discussed funding for outside agencies, comprehensive services and general expenses. City Manager Towarnicki explained the contract regarding the first floor of the Henry Hotel. Council then moved forward discussing the refuse department and landfill. April 23, 2018 Budget Work Session Mike Scaffidi answered questions regarding the telecom budget and explained that the customer base continues to grow. Council continued the meeting with questions regarding the water department including the increased cost to paint water tanks, spillway repairs and a work truck. Water Resources Director Andy Lash said the new monitoring system is working well, providing water leak alerts early helps both the City and the resident. Council had questions about the sewer budget including the sewer camera and whether that purchase can be postponed for one year. Council Member Lawson made a motion to discontinue the lot lease on the Main Street parking lot; Council Member Hodge seconded the motion with all Council voting in favor. Council Member Bowles made a motion to level fund Piedmont Arts for $19,240; Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion. Martin and Bowles voted in favor, Teague, Lawson and Hodge voted against the motion. Council discussed funding a part-time versus a full-time employee for the Treasurer’s office Council Member Bowles made a motion to use the $125,000 from the sewer budget in place of the electric rate increase to lower those costs for residents. Motion dies for lack of second. Lawson asked if Council could get a list from the Inspections department of properties that need to be demolished. Mayor Teague thanked City Manager Towarnicki, Finance Director Linda Conover, City department staff and Council Members for their work and cooperation on the budget. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00pm. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Leon Towarnicki, City Manager Gene Teague, Mayor