City Council

October 21, 2019 West End Neighborhood Meeting Martinsville City Council toured the West End area on October 21, 2019 beginning at 5:30pm. Those present for the tour were Mayor Lawson, Vice Mayor Martin, Council Member Bowles, and Council Member Woods. Council Member Turner did not attend. Staff participating included City Manager Leon Towarnicki, Assistant City Manager Eric Monday, Police Chief Eddie Cassady, Officer Coretha Gravely, Inspectors Andy Powers and Mark Price, Community Development Megan Spencer, and IT Manager Esther Artis. The tour began at 5:30pm from the rear of the Municipal Building and proceeded to Market Street then West Church. The tour traveled out West Church where there was a brief discussion in front of VM Draper property, out Fayette where there was discussion at the Paradise Inn about the future of building and where attendees noted a location across from Third Street where a house was recently demolished, out Fayette to Pine Hall Road, on to Top Street where they noted several inoperative vehicles, several locations where houses have been demolished, and observed several other properties that have been posted. The tour then proceeded out to Fayette and downhill to Pony Place where discussion occurred about a house and vehicle needing review. The tour traveled back up Pony to Cardinal Lane where they noted a house with several untagged vehicles, out to the end of Cardinal Lane then back to Pony Place. The tour went out Roundabout Road to the end where they noted another house recently demolished. They traveled back up Roundabout to Hickory and Middle Streets where they saw a house recently damaged by fire that is being repaired and rebuilt, back up Fayette to Beaver, across Beaver on Memorial Boulevard then to North Beaver where there were questions about auto storage at the bottom of the parking lot next to Beaver. The tour proceeded up Beaver to Smith Street then to Katherine Street where there another house was noted for review and where trash in the street needed to be picked up. The tour then traveled down to Memorial Boulevard then south where Powers provided information on a visible tire storage area. The tour turned left on Fayette, then Swanson Street and Armstead to the end, back out to Amy and to Fayette where more vehicles and properties were discussed. The tour traveled to Fayette then Market, Barton, Preston, Echols, and Holt where a house recently demolished on Holt was discussed. The tour traveled over to Cemetery Street then to the end Moss where they noticed trash being accumulated at a house. The tour went back out Moss to Market then concluded at City Hall, ending at approximately 6:25pm. The West End Neighborhood meeting was held at High Street Baptist Church, 401 Fayette Street beginning at 7:30pm. Those present for the tour attended along with Council Member Turner and Commonwealth Attorney Andy Hall. Mayor Lawson called the meeting to order. High Street Pastor Rev. Matthew Brown opened with prayer. Lawson asked all whom wish to speak to please identify themselves and their address for the record. City Manager Towarnicki summarized the tour. October 21, 2019 West End Neighborhood Meeting Mark Price, Property Inspector summarized inspections, notices and recognized those properties that required action. Price explained that all complaints are posted to the City website, follow-up documented if the complaint is valid or invalid, and if any action is taken or needed. Carolyn Penn, 1148 Yorkshire Road – noted a house at 1153 Yorkshire as having junk in yard. Kelvin Perry, Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church on Fayette Street questioned the status of a building next to Hairston Funeral Home. Mark Price noted that this house was on the demolition list. Toolie Hairston, 109 Church Street commented about junk on a Fayette Street lot between Mt. Zion AME and Grace Presbyterian Church. Mark Price addressed this location also. Chief Cassady informed attendees of the Drug Take Back Project happening Saturday October 26 from 9:00am to 2:00pm at the Fire Station on Church Street. This project will accept pills only and no liquid prescriptions. October 21, 2019 West End Neighborhood Meeting Councilman Turner asked for comments and thoughts about reuse of the former medical school building at the corner of Fayette and Moss and if residents would be interested in a possible music venue. Toolie Hairston expressed concern about the length of time to get property issues addressed. Various staff members commented on the process, schedule, explaining notices how are issued, etc. It was noted the property maintenance is a complaint-based system and citizen input & reporting is essential. Alexis Lee of Smith Street asked if the City still had a Planning Commission and inquired as to the status of the reversion study and process to revert. Cheryl Millner, Second Street complained about speeding vehicles, trash thrown in the street, and unruly behavior in the street. Chief Cassady will put a speed trailer to record information to help determine what enforcement actions need to be taken. Cassady stressed the importance of citizens calling police when they see something needing attention. Debra Joyce of Yorkshire Road complained about motorcycles speeding on street Resident of Second Street expressed concern about speeding cars, people cursing in public and trash in the area. Ruby Stultz of Pony Place complained about cars speeding on her street. Patricia Lampkins, 711 Second Street expressed concern about loud music coming from cars passing through. City Attorney Monday suggested recording these occurrences on her cell phone as evidence. Toolie Hairston said the Police Department’s ghost car is effective in reducing speed but as soon as the car is moved, speeding resumes. Melissa Moore, 27 Dunlap St inquired as to whether the sidewalk space is public or private. City Manager Towarnicki responded that the sidewalk is generally a public space. Resident shared that the grass at the Peoples’ Cemetery needed mowing. Brenda Manns, 205 Massey Street appreciates the City cleaning up her neighborhood and that City staff has helped greatly to reduce loud noises, wild kids, and trash concerns. With no further questions or comments, Mayor Lawson concluded the meeting at 8:30pm followed by a closing prayer by Rev. Brown. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Karen Roberts Kathy Lawson Clerk of Council Mayor