City Council

April 23, 2019 Council Meeting The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia was held on April 23, 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, Finance Director Linda Conover, Fire Chief Ted Anderson, Safety Director John Turner, and Human Resources Director Kathy Vernon. Mayor Lawson called the meeting to order. Following the Pledge to the American Flag and invocation by Vice Mayor Martin, Lawson welcomed everyone to the meeting. Consider approval of the minutes from the February 26, 2019 Council Meeting, March 12, 2019 Council Meeting, and the March 25, 2019 Neighborhood Meeting – Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve minutes as presented; Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with all Council voting in favor. Hear an update on the Interstate 73 project – City Manager welcomed Rob Catron, Co- Executive Director for the I-73 Coalition. Catron presented a PowerPoint regarding the General Assembly passage of the New I-81 and “other interstates” funding, three projects underway at this time, the Martinsville southern connector study and preservation corridor study, and the Route 220 safety improvement. A tax increase would affect everyone from the West Virginia state line to the Tennessee state line. Catron explained that the local project and fixing 220 is a priority to make the roads safer and more easily traveled. Catron explained the importance of having the coalition fighting for local projects. Catron explained EIS, the Environmental Impact Statement and its purpose. April 23, 2019 Council Meeting Hear an overview of the April 22, 2019 Southside neighborhood tour and meeting – City Manager Towarnicki summarized the Southside neighborhood tour, the locations visited and concerns discussed. Towarnicki shared residential concerns expressed at the neighborhood meeting held Monday April 22 at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church and how those concerns are being addressed by the City. The meeting was well attended. Council stayed after the meeting to talk with those in attendance. Towarnicki thanked the church for hosting the meeting. Consider presentation of a proclamation recognizing Friday, April 26, 2019 as National Arbor Day – Mayor Lawson read the proclamation which will be presented to a representative of the City’s Tree Board. Lawson explained that Martinsville is honored to be a Tree City. April 23, 2019 Council Meeting Read and present a proclamation recognizing the week of May 5 through 11, 2019 as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week in the City of Martinsville – Council Member Bowles read the proclamation that was presented to Lt. Walker of the City Sheriff’s Department. April 23, 2019 Council Meeting Consider adoption on second 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 this is a housekeeping measure which needs approval on second reading to allow the Commissioner of Revenue to abate the tax levies as needed. Council Member Turner made the motion to adopt the ordinance on second reading. Council Member Bowles seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Council Member Bowles, aye; Council Member Woods, aye; Vice Mayor Martin, aye; Council Member Turner, aye; and Mayor Lawson, aye. The Ordinance was adopted on a 5-0 vote. April 23, 2019 Council Meeting Consider adoption of Ordinance 2019-5 requiring removal of unsafe structures – City Attorney Monday explained the need for the ordinance which will directly assist with the cleanup of the Aaron Street properties. Council Member Bowles made a motion to adopt the ordinace on first reading; Council Member Turner seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Mayor Lawson, aye; Council Member Woods, aye; Council Member Turner, aye; Council Member Bowles, aye; and Vice Mayor Martin. April 23, 2019 Council Meeting Consider authorizing execution of an agreement with the Virginia Retirement System allowing VRS to offer a Voluntary Long Term Care Insurance Program to City and School employees – Human Resources Director Kathy Vernon explained the agreement. There is no cost to the City and employees will be contacted directly. Council Member Bowles made a motion to authorize the execution of the agreement, Vice Mayor Martin second the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. April 23, 2019 Council Meeting Conduct a public hearing on the FY19-20 Budget and consider approval of Budget Ordinance 2019-U-1 on first reading – City Manager Towarnicki provided a summary of the presented budget and suggested adjustments for FY19-20. Fire Chief Ted Anderson presented a handout detailing current data and actions that the Fire Department expects to take this coming year. John Turner, Emergency Management Director summarized the amount of calls received and how often multiple calls were received at the same time. Anderson provided department steps, positive changes made and the reassurance of what the department has been doing when multiple calls are received by prioritizing life before property. Council Member Bowles thanked the Fire Department for being receptive to their requests and stated that she would like to see additional data and results. Bowles asked about the discrepancy of the EMS report vs the 911 report and asked for clarification. April 23, 2019 Council Meeting Dr. Zeb Talley, Martinsville School Superintendent stated that one of the top concerns in the community is the education of the youth. The School had already made a cut in the budget prior to the proposed reduction, putting the school budget below level funding. Talley does not want to see the students in crowded classes; he feels that would cause a distraction and cause students to not learn as well. The students are entitled to all necessary resources and to the education they deserve. Talley does not agree with the proposed cut in the school budget. Talley asks Council to restore the school budget back to level funding. He notices that the schools are the only department to take such a drastic cut in budget. Mayor Lawson clarified the per-child amount was not skewed, it was determined by the numbers provided by the school to Council for the previous years and the upcoming year. Council approves the funds per student which has continued to decrease over the years while Dr. Talley’s view of level funding would be to award the same amount as the previous year even with the decrease in student enrollment. City Attorney Monday explained that no one knows what enrollment will be when schools reopen, but suggests that Council consider awarding more money after April 23, 2019 Council Meeting enrollment if the enrollment of students is more than expected. Talley explained that Council has a budget timeline while the school has a contract timeline and suggests that Council provide level funding then take it back if enrollment is less than projected. Mayor Lawson opened the public hearing, instructing attendees that they will be limited to 5 minutes each. Bobby Phillips of 810 Parkview Avenue and retired City Emergency Management Coordinator expressed his concern when he heard that Stone Ambulance had closed. Phillips said residents do not care who responds but when calls are missed or delayed, it could mean life or death of the patient. The last thing callers want to hear during an emergency is about cost restrictions or that there may not be a crew or ambulance available to respond to them. Phillips shared his opinion of the suggested options to resolve the loss of coverage. The suggestions and practice changes being made by the Fire Department now are great and helpful but they won’t fix the issue. James Roundtree, 1221 Mulberry Road states that the school system does most of the work to prepare people to fill positions of fire or police. Roundtree asked about level funding for outside agencies. Towarnicki explained that the City is required to provide level funding to several of those agencies while other agencies are able to take that level funding and apply for grants and receive additional money. Roundtree questioned how the City can level fund outside agencies but not the school and said that it was a very unfair decision. All children deserve to receive the best education. The schools have come a long way with all schools being accredited and currently have great, qualified personnel and they deserve to be treated fairly. Roundtree asked Council to reconsider and provide level funding for the schools. Giles Smith, 1101 Country Club Drive came to Council regarding a tower that would increase the efficiency of the 911 communications. Residents are encouraged to call 911 and there will be someone there to help them. Smith says there have been many statistics presented related to the shortage of emergency vehicles and personnel since Stone Ambulance called and from his perspective, the most important thing is to be able to provide the help needed to someone experiencing a heart attack or house fire. Residents deserve to feel safe and know that the City departments are working to keep them safe. Tim Jamison, 815 Hazelwood Lane and Captain of the Fire Department explains that the City does not promote their services as they should and he firmly believes that you cannot find better staff. He is concerned for possible mandates and the possibility that they will not be able to provide necessary service. The Fire Department is doing everything they can, with excellent leadership and top fire fighters. Early this month there was a record 23-call shift with six fire calls where firefighters on staff only received 1-hour sleep. He asked that Council keep it in mind that the department does everything they can to ensure residents are safe. If the City provides mutual aid to the County, they could take hours on a single call since transport could go to Morehead or Franklin County or other hospital. Ural Harris, 217 Stuart Street says the sewer increase should be addressed. The residents are burdened by this April 23, 2019 Council Meeting increase because Henry County is not paying their share. Harris feels that this is a failure of the City to pursue compensation from the County. Mayor Lawson explained that was being addressed but that it is a process that takes time. Mayor Lawson closed the public hearing Vice Mayor Martin explained there is a timeline that the schools are waiting for and he feels the schools need assurance to be able to hire the staff needed. Talley said they are in the process of negotiating with teachers now. Talley explained that with Council’s proposed budget, they would lose 17 positions. Bowles would like to see if Travis Clemons could provide a total of what those 17 positions would cost. Bowles experienced a family health scare recently and was concerned about the delay that could have been caused by the lack of emergency services. Bowles agrees that the school system is what trains all positions. She feels that the City is in a difficult budget year and in such financial distress. Bowles says that she has spoken to residents who are agreeable to an increase in real estate tax. Mayor Lawson asked to schedule another work session to discuss the budget recommendations. Council Member Turner made the motion to approve the budget on first reading with the option to amend the budget in 3 weeks before Council’s next meeting. Council Member Woods seconded the motion with the following roll call: Council Member Turner, aye; Vice Mayor Martin, nay; Council Member Woods, aye; Mayor Lawson, aye; and Council Member Bowles, nay. A Work Session will scheduled for Friday at 5:30pm to accommodate all Council members. Mayor Lawson said if Council were to consider an increase tax rate, it would need to be advertised again legally. Mayor Lawson, Council Member Turner and Vice Mayor Martin made it clear that they would not support the tax increase; Martin questioned the number of residents that had expressed support on the increase. April 23, 2019 Council Meeting Business from the Floor – Ural Harris, 217 Stuart Street questioned which residents would be willing to pay more taxes and asked Council to release details about the medical school and legal action against Dr. Boaz. City Attorney Monday said the Commonwealth Attorney has access to the file on Dr. Boaz and recommended Harris contact that department. Harris questioned why the electric rates are so high and said that it is ridiculous to suggest an electric or water increase. Harris requests that Council find a way to get out of the AMP Ohio contract since residents are threatening to move out of the City. Comments by Members of City Council – Council Member Bowles thanked the City Manager, Linda Conover and other departments who worked hard on the budget. Council member Turner has an event at Wild Magnolias Thursday with Congressman Goode and Mr. Law of the Discovery Channel regarding the history of moonshine in Franklin County. Vice Mayor Martin wishes Council could give the schools and the fire department everything they need and it is frustrating that the City does not have the funds to do that. Mayor Lawson reminds residents that it is against the law to mow grass into the street. The Mustangs are looking for host families for their players. There will be a drug takeback on Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Fire Department drive thru. Lawson reminds senior citizens that when you turn 65, you can enroll for a utilities discount through utility billing. April 23, 2019 Council Meeting Comments by City Manager – City Manager Towarnicki asked Council to email him with information they need for the work session on Friday. May 10 and 11 there is an event at the Virginia Museum of Natural History from 9:00am to 5:00pm; there will be a World War I / World War II mobile museum on site free of charge and they ask residents to bring pictures, documents, letters, post cards and other memorabilia to be scanned and permanently archived. There being no further business, Council Member Bowles made a motion to adjourn the meeting; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Martin with all Council Members voting in favor. The meeting adjourned at 9:45pm. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Karen Roberts Kathy Lawson Clerk of Council Mayor