City Council

January 2, 2019 An organizational meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, was held on January 2, 2019, in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, beginning at 9:00 A. M., with Ashby Pritchett, Circuit Court Clerk, presiding. Council Members present included: Jennifer Bowles, Jim Woods, Chad Martin, Danny Turner and Kathy Lawson. Clerk of Court Pritchett called the meeting to order and welcomed Pastor Michael Harrison who delivered the invocation. Circuit Court Clerk Ashby Pritchett issued the oath of office to newly elected Council Member Danny Turner and re-elected Council Member Jennifer Bowles. Mr. Pritchett called for nominations for Mayor. Council Member Turner nominated Council Member Bowles, Council Member Martin nominated Council Member Lawson. Council Member Woods made a motion to close nominations; Bowles seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. With a 3-2 vote with Council Members Martin, Lawson and Woods voting Council Member Lawson for Mayor and Council Members Bowles and Turner voting Bowles as Mayor, Pritchett declared Council Member Kathy Lawson as the new Mayor of the City of Martinsville and issued the oath of office. Circuit Court Clerk Pritchett then turned the meeting over to Mayor Lawson who asked for nominations for Vice Mayor. Council Member Turner nominated Council Member Bowles, Council Member Woods nominated Council Member Martin. Martin made a motion to close nominations; Bowles seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. With a 3- 2 vote with Council Members Martin, Lawson and Woods voting Council Member Martin for Vice Mayor and Council Members Bowles and Turner voting Bowles as Vice Mayor, Mayor Lawson declared Council Member Martin as the new Vice Mayor of the City of Martinsville. Circuit Court Clerk Pritchett issued the oath of office. Mayor Lawson requested that Vice Mayor Martin maintain his seat to the Mayor’s right. Council Member Woods requested to keep his same seat. Council Member Bowles requested the seat to the left of the Mayor, leaving the seat to the left of the City Attorney for Turner. Council Member Bowles made a motion to continue the City Council meeting schedule of twice a month on second and fourth Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm with closed session held at 7:00pm on meeting days. The motion was seconded by Council Member Turner with all Council Members voting in favor. Brief comments were made by Council Members thanking Martinsville City residents as well as their family and friends for their support. Members congratulated the new and returning Council Members as well as the newly elected Mayor and Vice Mayor. Council Member Woods stated that he looks forward to the upcoming year and serving on Council. Council Member Bowles thanked God for allowing her to serve on Council for a second term and thanked her friends, family and coworkers for their support. Bowles thanked voters, stating that she is humbled and grateful and promises to work her hardest. She hopes that January 2, 2018 Council can work cohesively together in 2019, leaving any pettiness behind and respecting each other’s opinion. Council Member Turner thanked the citizens for allowing him to serve again. The next four years will be the most important for Council. Turner then presented the Mayor and Vice Mayor a list of four topics to be considered for the January 8 Council agenda. Vice Mayor Martin said he was looking forward to serving, stating there are some very strategic times coming. Mayor Lawson thanked Jesus Christ and Council Members for their faith in her to serve as Mayor. She thanked her boss Robbie Burton for allowing her to serve on Council as well as her coworker Courtney for helping cover when she has Council obligations. Lawson said she is blessed to have a wonderful husband who is her biggest supporter. As a Martinsville J.C. member, she was taught that service through your community is very important and that giving back to her community and supporting City staff is important. Lawson feels that the current Council will work cohesively together. City manager Towarnicki congratulated Bowles, Turner, Lawson and Martin. 2019 will be an interesting, exciting and challenging year for the City of Martinsville. There being no further business to come before Council during their organizational meeting, Council Member Turner made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Woods seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. Mayor Lawson adjourned the meeting at 9:18am. _______________________________ __________________________ Karen Roberts Kathy Lawson Clerk of Council Mayor