City Council

March 26, 2019 Council Meeting The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia was held on March 26, 2019 in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 7:30 PM with Mayor Kathy Lawson presiding. Other Council Members present included Jennifer Bowles, Chad Martin, Jim Woods and Danny Turner. Staff present included City Manager Leon Towarnicki, City Attorney Eric Monday, Assistant City Manager Wayne Knox, Clerk of Council Karen Roberts, Deputy Police Chief Rob Fincher, Finance Director Linda Conover and Commissioner of Revenue Ruth Easley. Mayor Lawson called the meeting to order. Following the Pledge to the American Flag and invocation by Council Member Woods, Lawson welcomed everyone to the meeting. Hear an overview of the March 25, 2019 Northside and Chatham Heights neighborhood tour and meeting – City Manager Towarnicki summarized the Neighborhood tour, referencing the locations visited and concerns discussed by Council Members. The Neighborhood meeting at McCabe Church was well attended. Towarnicki shared information presented by Property Maintenance and the Police Department as well as residential concerns expressed at the meeting. Consider presentation of a proclamation recognizing and thanking Mr. Lawrence E. Mitchell, Jr. for his work regarding local African-American cemeteries – Council Member Turner read the proclamation, which was presented, to Mr. Mitchell. Turner shared a story about how Mr. Mitchell spearheaded the cleanup of the People’s Cemetery. Mr. Mitchell thanked Council for the recognition specifically Council Member Bowles, Council Member Turner and City Attorney Monday for their assistance. Mitchell explained that numerous African-American cemeteries are disappearing as properties are sold. Unfortunately, it takes approximately $5,000 to move a grave so some property owners will simply remove the headstones. Mayor Lawson thanked Mitchell for his time and effort and explained that he has done a great service for the City. March 26, 2019 Council Meeting Read and present a proclamation acknowledging April 2, 2019 as National Service Recognition Day – Council Member Bowles read the proclamation, which was presented, to Dana Silicki, AmeriCorps Program Coordinator. Silicki thanked Council for the recognition. March 26, 2019 Council Meeting Read and present a proclamation recognizing the week of April 7 – 13, 2019 as National Library Week – Council Member Woods read the proclamation which was presented to Mr. Kirby, representative of the Blue Ridge Regional Library. Woods stated that it is easy to explore the world when you have a library card. Kirby said the library provides an extraordinary multimedia venue for Martinsville, Henry and Patrick County. Kirby invited everyone to visit their local library and thanked Council for the recognition. Read and present a proclamation recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month – Vice Mayor Martin shared that on average, there are six reports weekly in Martinsville where women seek medical attention after a sexual assault. Martin read the proclamation, which was presented, to Mary Jones of the Southside Survivor’s Response Center. Jones thanked Council as she accepted the proclamation on behalf of Warren Rogers. Jones explained that sexual assault is very prevalent in Martinsville and asked that residents report assaults so that those perpetrators can be taken off the street. Jones invited Council to an upcoming event where survivors will share their stories. March 26, 2019 Council Meeting Consider adoption of a resolution recognizing April as Fair Housing Month and expressing the City’s pledge to provide equal housing opportunities for all citizens – Community Development Director Wayne Knox explained that there are representatives from the State Fair Housing department that visit Martinsville regularly to assist residents. Knox read the resolution. Council Member Bowles made a motion to adopt the resolution as presented. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with all Council members voting in favor. March 26, 2019 Council Meeting Consider approval of a resolution authorizing the preparation and filing of an application for community improvement grant funds through the Virginia Community Development Block Grant program – Community Development Director Wayne Knox explained the need for the resolution and detailed how the money would be invested. Mayor Lawson confirmed that both public hearings had been held as is required. Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve the resolution as presented. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. Council Member Turner expressed his desire to serve on the committee. March 26, 2019 Council Meeting Consider adoption on first reading, Ordinance 2019-3 amending Section 21-109 of Article IX, “Cigarette Tax” of the Martinsville City Code to establish a time limit under which a refund may be issued for unused cigarette tax stamps – Commissioner of Revenue Ruth Easley March 26, 2019 Council Meeting explained that when the cigarette ordinance was adopted years ago, not a lot of thought was put into cigarette stamp refunds after a period of time. Only one other locality in Virginia has amended the ordinance related to a deadline for an unused stamp refund. This adoption would also affect the stamps that are on cigarette packs that are cycled out or destroyed after the cigarettes get old. Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve Ordinance 2019-3 as presented. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Council Member Bowles, aye; Council Member Turner, aye; Mayor Lawson, aye; Council Member Woods, aye; and Vice Mayor Martin, aye. Consider adoption on first reading, Ordinance 2019-4 amending Chapter 21 “Taxation” of the Martinsville City Code by adding new Section 21-13 to provide for an abatement of tax levies on buildings that are razed, destroyed or damaged by a fortuitous happening beyond the control of the owner – Commissioner of Revenue Ruth Easley explained that this amendment is simply a housekeeping step for a procedure followed by the City in previous years which is an abatement of the tax levy. Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve Ordinance 2019-4 as presented. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Mayor Lawson, aye; Council Member Woods, aye; Vice Mayor Martin, aye; Council Member Bowles, aye; and Council Member Turner, aye. March 26, 2019 Council Meeting Consider authorizing staff to certify a Creative Communities Partnership Grant application to be filed by Piedmont Arts Association – City Manager Towarnicki explained that the City approves money to match the grant awarded to Piedmont Arts Association. Council Member Bowles made a motion to authorize the City Manager to certify the application. Council Member Turner seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. March 26, 2019 Council Meeting Consider approval of consent agenda – Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented; Council Member Woods seconded the motion with all members voting in favor. March 26, 2019 Council Meeting Consider approval of changes to the Constitution of the Martinsville Volunteer Fire and EMS Company – Page Brockenbrough and Randall Hundley were in attendance to answer questions. Brockenbrough explained that the request for changes is mostly a housekeeping step. Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve the changes as requested; Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. March 26, 2019 Council Meeting March 26, 2019 Council Meeting March 26, 2019 Council Meeting Business from the Floor – Patrick H. Wright asked if there could be one cell phone company to service the community as a whole instead of having multiple companies. Vice Mayor Martin mentioned a local company that could repair all phones regardless of cell carrier. Comments by Members of City Council – Council Member Turner shared that an announcement was made that Martinsville Speedway will have a night race in May 2020. Turner thanked NASCAR and the Wood Brothers for allowing him and Mayor Lawson to present a proclamation for Glenn Wood. Vice Mayor Martin paid condolences to Fire Chief Anderson in March 26, 2019 Council Meeting the loss of his father. Council Member Bowles acknowledged the Salvation Army’s ribbon cutting for the new store on April 11. Bowles thanked Council Members who were able to attend the Mission Possible meeting and thanked the City for allowing her to serve City employees at the Employee luncheon. Parents interested in enrolling children in summer camp should contact the Collinsville YMCA. Bowles wished her niece and nephew a happy birthday. Mayor Lawson shared that the presentation at the Wood Brother’s museum was well attended and organized and the Wood Family was very appreciative. Lawson thanked Brenda Souther who will be retiring after 39 years of service to the City. Lawson shared that April 6 would be Hazardous Waste Day and wished her husband Ralph a happy 31st wedding anniversary. Comments by City Manager – City Manager Towarnicki explained that the budget would be presented at the next Council meeting on April 9. Council agreed to dates for three work sessions to discuss the proposed budget. There being no further business, Council Member Bowles made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Council Member Turner with all Council Members voting in favor. The meeting adjourned at 8:45pm. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Karen Roberts Kathy Lawson Clerk of Council Mayor