City Council

August 27, 2019 Council Meeting The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia was held on August 27, 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, Assistant City Manager/City Attorney Eric Monday, Clerk of Council Karen Roberts, Finance Director Linda Conover, Water Resources Manager Andy Lash, Commissioner of Revenue Ruth Easley, and Building Inspector Kris Bridges. Mayor Lawson called the meeting to order and advised Council would go into Closed Session beginning at 7:00 PM. In accordance with section 2.1-344 (A) Code of Virginia (1950, and as amended) and upon a motion by Council Member Bowles seconded by Vice Mayor Martin with the following 5-0 recorded vote: Vice Mayor Martin, aye; Council Member Bowles, aye; Mayor Lawson, aye; Council Member Turner, aye; and Council Member Woods, aye. Council convened in Closed Session to discuss the following matters: (A) Consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members, attorneys or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, or other specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, as authorized by Subsection 7. At the conclusion of Closed Session, each returning member of Council certified that (1) only public business matters exempt from open meeting requirements were discussed in said Closed Session; and (2) only those business matters identified in the motion convening the Closed Session were heard, discussed, or considered during the A motion was made by Council Member Bowles; seconded by Council Member Turner, with the following 5-0 recorded vote in favor to return to Open Session: Mayor Lawson, aye; Council Member Woods, aye; Vice Mayor Martin, aye; Council Member Bowles, aye; and Council Member Turner, aye. No action was taken out of Closed Session. Following the Pledge to the American Flag and invocation by Mayor Lawson, Lawson welcomed everyone to the meeting. Consider approval of the minutes from the June 11, 2019, June 18, 2019 and June 25, 2019 Council Meeting – Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve the minutes as presented with two corrections requested by Council Member Turner. Council Member Turner seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor Recognize City Employees who are eligible for Service Awards for the period July 1 – September 30, 2019 – City Manager Towarnicki explained that with all employees listed, there are over 300 years of service. Towarnicki read the list and thanked those employees for their dedication to the City. August 27, 2019 Council Meeting Recognize retiring Water Resources Director Andy Lash – City Manager Towarnicki said among other things, that Andy’s service to the City over the years was greatly appreciated. Andy has written many computer programs for various departments within the City. Mayor Lawson read the proclamation which was presented to Lash by Council. Vice Mayor Martin read and presented the Key to the City. Lash said it had been an honor and a wonderful place to work. Mayor Lawson thanked Lash for his service and his ability to think outside the box has been a benefit to the City. Council Member Bowles hopes if Lash has free time during his retirement, that he will consider contracting with the City on new programs. Vice Mayor Martin said it has been a fun experience working with Lash, he is truly one of a kind. August 27, 2019 Council Meeting Consider adoption of a resolution setting the allocation percentage for personal property tax relief for qualifying vehicles in the City of Martinsville for tax year 2019 -– Commissioner of Revenue Ruth Easley explained the need for the resolution, which needs approval annually. Council Member Turner made a motion to approve the resolution. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Bowles, aye; Martin, aye; Woods, aye; Lawson, aye; and Turner, aye. August 27, 2019 Council Meeting Conduct a public hearing for consideration of citizens interested in an appointment for one unexpired 3-year term ending June 30, 2021 on the Martinsville City School Board – City Attorney Monday explained that anyone interested in being considered for the vacancy must express their interest during the public hearing or have their name read. Lawson opened the public hearing. City Manager Towarnicki read the name Domonique Hylton and Vice Mayor Martin read Tony Jones’ name. No one else approached the podium so Mayor Lawson closed the public hearing. August 27, 2019 Council Meeting Consider adoption on second reading, Ordinance 2019-U-2 approving an updated permit fee schedule – City Manager summarized the need for the updated permit schedule. There have been no resident concerns expressed since Council’s approval on first reading. Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve the ordinance on second reading. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Council Member Turner, aye; Council Member Woods, aye; Mayor Lawson, aye; Vice Mayor Martin, aye; and Council Member Bowles, aye. August 27, 2019 Council Meeting Consider adoption of Reimbursement Resolution – City Manager Towarnicki explained the plan which was outlined to develop short-term capital lease financing for several major vehicles and equipment needs. Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve the resolution. Vice August 27, 2019 Council Meeting Mayor Martin seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. City Manager Towarnicki explained that this resolution is not usually needed, however is recommended this year due to the large equipment purchase requests. August 27, 2019 Council Meeting Consider request from City Schools to transfer $294,136 to the Capital Reserve Fund for School Capital Projects from the General Fund Balance for the roof replacement/repair of the gym roof at the Middle School – Mayor Lawson said Council did allocate $357,000 previously but the bid for roof repairs came in lower than expected. City Manager Towarnicki said the purchase order has been issued and the work is being done now. Towarnicki explained that the student enrollment information will be available in September and he does not expect to add anything else to the school budget due to increased enrollment. Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve the transfer of $294,136. Council Member Turner seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. Business from the Floor – Patrick H Wright of 1201 Spruce Street works at the Virginia Museum of Natural History and inquired a good way to promote VMNH. Council Member Turner suggested that he send information on VMNH to the City of Martinsville to be promoted on Channel 22. Comments by Members of City Council – Council Member Turner invited Charles Roark to video tonight’s meeting and to analyze the problems with the current video system. Turner asked that Council reconsider the investment to repair the system and asked that someone outside the city look at the issue. Coach’s restaurant should open soon as well as Richard Howell’s new business. Council Member Bowles says she has had several residents reach out to her who would like to see the meetings televised or shown by Facebook LIVE. She explained that some residents have volunteered to do that. Comments by City Manager and City Attorney – City Manager Towarnicki explained that the municipal building would be closed for Labor Day. Lawson asked that uptown businesses not put their trash out during the holiday weekend since there is no trash pickup on Monday. Towarnicki confirmed that businesses should not be putting their trash on the curb before August 27, 2019 Council Meeting Monday morning on any weekend. City Attorney Monday warned residents that his son now has his learners permit. 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 8:12pm. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Karen Roberts Kathy Lawson Clerk of Council Mayor