City Council

November 12, 2019 Council Meeting The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia was held on November 12, 2019 in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 7:30 PM with Mayor Kathy Lawson presiding. Other Council Members present included Chad Martin, Jennifer Bowles, 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, Building Inspector Kris Bridges, Community Development Megan Spencer, and Police Chief Eddie Cassady. 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. Read and present a proclamation recognizing Saturday, November 30, 2019 as Small Business Saturday in the City of Martinsville – City Manager Towarnicki explained the purpose behind Small Business Saturday, which is recognized each year on the last Saturday of November. Lisa Watkins of the Chamber of Commerce noted that this was the 10th Anniversary of this campaign. The Chamber has additional information on events on the Martinsville Uptown website. Vice Mayor Martin read the proclamation, which will be sent to Watkins at the Chamber. Read and present a proclamation recognizing November 15, 2019 as the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Day – Mayor Lawson shared that the Salvation Army will have a kick-off event at November 12, 2019 Council Meeting 10:00am Saturday morning with family fun, the Martinsville High School Band, and other activities along with resident testimonies on how the Salvation Army has helped them. Lawson read the proclamation that was presented to Lieutenant Mumford of the local Salvation Army. Mumford thanked Council for the proclamation and asked the residents of Martinsville to be a “shield”, to step up and make time to help raise funds for Red Kettle Day and acknowledge the real reason for the season. The warming center is currently closed but there is an internal coalition that has gathered to support the program. For those who are homeless, the Salvation Army is providing clothing and food to assist their needs. Conduct a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission on a request from T-Mobile Northeast, LLC for a Special Use Permit to allow placement of roof-mounted antennas at The Henry located at 50 East Church Street – City Manager Towarnicki explained that the City received the request two months ago for a special use permit to place roof mounted antennas on the Henry building. The permit originates through the Planning Commission, which has requested a joint public hearing with Council to expedite the request. Joseph Martin called the Planning Commission to order. Building Inspector Kris Bridges explained that staff recommendation was to approve the request with two conditions. Martin opened the public hearing for the Planning Commission. Mayor Lawson opened the Council meeting for the public hearing. No one approached the podium so both public hearings were closed. The November 12, 2019 Council Meeting request for the special use permit was approved by the Planning Commission. Council Member Turner made the motion to approve the request; Council Member Bowles seconded the request. The antennas will be upgraded in the future to provide 5G but for now, they will provide 4G in a wider coverage area. T-Mobile is responsible for all costs associated with the installation and maintenance of the towers. There is already a lease agreement with the property owner, they only require approval by City zoning. Studies are done regarding the health effects of the installation of the towers, a representative explained that the antennas put off minimum radiation so there is no health hazard to residents of The Henry. All Council Members voted in favor. November 12, 2019 Council Meeting Hear a brief update from Martinsville City School Superintendent Dr. Zeb Talley, Jr. – Dr. Talley said they experienced a very smooth school opening. The high school and middle school both received state recognition awards including the second highest award in the state issued from Richmond. Talley praised the teachers and the administrators for that achievement. He expects Patrick Henry and Albert Harris to be on the list next year and expects the High School and Middle school to receive the highest academic achievement award. All schools met the criteria for attendance. All schools are accredited. The Schools received a $15,000 STEM grant for the Robotics Program along with technology and safety grants. Every school currently has a resource officer. He hopes to do another tour of the schools with Council in January. The School Board began the budget process yesterday. There are six vacancies in the school system but they are still interviewing for those. The goal for next year is for all four schools to earn the state awards and they hope to reinstate the JROTC program. They invite past alumni to visit the schools and see the changes in hopes that those alumni will offer their support. Talley said that they are seeking bus drivers. Some administrators are driving the buses because of the shortage. There are trainers on site to train bus drivers and the school system will cover all costs to receive the CDL licensing. They are still trying to reduce class sizes with a strong emphasize on reading skills. Saturday is the Robotic tournament at the middle school. Last year the tournament was so large they turned teams away; having a tournament of this size brought people into town. There will always be challenges but the main focus is to improve on what they are doing and continue to get the community support. Council Member Bowles commended Dr. Talley and the staff on their dedication and hard work to get the November 12, 2019 Council Meeting schools accredited and for doing a tremendous job for the students. Council Member Woods said he gets to experience the school success first hand by being a substitute teacher. Consider discussion of the City’s 2020 Legislative Agenda – City Attorney Monday explained that this is the second meeting to discuss the Legislative Agenda. Monday summarized previously suggested changes. Monday recommended that Council add Local Composite Index to the education amendment as item 1. Council Member Turner proposed that Martinsville be excluded as a sanctuary city. Council Member Bowles supports Monday’s suggestion but not Turner’s. Monday says he believes there will be legislation to allow sanctuary cities but he feels that it will be up to the locality to make the decision and not a mandate. Turner made the motion to be excluded as a sanctuary city. Bowles amended Turner’s motion but she does not support any mandated legislation to become a sanctuary city, Council Member Woods seconded the amended motion with all Council voting in favor. Monday explained this past summer after the shooting in Virginia Beach, Council endorsed the concept of giving localities the authority to regulate firearms possession particularly on government property and asked to verify that Council wanted this added to the Legislative Agenda. Vice Mayor Martin made a motion to lobby the state to change the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Day. Bowles seconded the motion. Turner stated his opposition to changing the name of the holiday. Council Member Bowles and Vice Mayor Martin voted for the motion; Council Member Turner, Mayor Lawson and Council Member Woods voting against the motion. Vice Mayor Martin argued the facts about Christopher Columbus discovering America. Turner opposed the elimination of school resource officers. Mayor Lawson suggested that Council wait for more information on that subject. November 12, 2019 Council Meeting Consider information related to the 2020 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) list – Council Member Woods noted the Rives Theater renovations request as well as the Paradise Inn which is irreparable, should be removed. City Manager Towarnicki confirmed that the Paradise building is not owned by the City and is not inhabitable and verbiage should be revised. Not everything on the list will be completed but anything that needs to be removed will be. Council Member Turner suggested that the total for the fiber optics expansion should be amended. Bowles referenced the Rives Theater. Bowles also mentioned the lot and building on the corner of Fayette and Beaver Street, asking Council to focus on rehabilitating buildings more than preparing lots. Building Inspector Bridges pointed out that the building and two buildings beside it are on the top 10 commercial demolition list, City Manager pointed out that there are sections already related to redevelopment of property. November 12, 2019 Council Meeting November 12, 2019 Council Meeting Consider approval of the fiscal year-end financial report FY19 – 6/30/19 – Finance Director Linda Conover summarized the fiscal year-end financial report, pointing out minor changes. Council Member Woods made a motion to approve the financial report; Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with all Council members voting in favor. November 12, 2019 Council Meeting November 12, 2019 Council Meeting Consider adoption of a resolution regarding Martinsville Fire and EMS – City Attorney Monday explained the need for the resolution. Council Member Bowles made the motion to adopt the resolution; Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. November 12, 2019 Council Meeting Business from the floor – no one approached the podium Comments by Members of City Council – Council Member Woods shared details about opening night Thursday for the Theater Works presentation. Council Member Bowles said she will be participating in Dancing with the Arts April 4, 2020 and asked that residents support the arts and cultural amenities in the area. On December 6 from 6:30-9:00pm at NCI, New Heights will be hosting their Fifth Annual Gala with food, an auction, raffles and games. Council Member Turner congratulated Lou Whitaker, a Martinsville resident being considered by the Hall of Fame players committee. Saturday November 23 from 12:00-2:00pm, Sonny Wade will be signing autographs at Coach’s Restaurant. Vice Mayor Martin said that on Saturday November 16 from 11:00-2:00pm there will be a Soul Food Festival in Danville; this would be a free event. Mayor Lawson shared that Monday, November 11 was Veterans Day with several honorable ceremonies held throughout the City. She was honored to co-present the Veteran of the Year to Charles Washburn. Council Member Bowles made the motion to cancel the November 26 Council Meeting; the motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Martin with all Council Members voting in favor. Lawson wished residents a Happy Thanksgiving since there would be no meeting the Tuesday before Thanksgiving per Council request. Comments by City Manager – City Manager Towarnicki said the Dick and Willie trail section 6B opened last week and this past weekend received a lot of use and compliments. This section November 12, 2019 Council Meeting of trail is maintained by Henry County. He has been in discussions with Dr. Talley about the budget and scheduling; Towarnicki hopes to move the City’s budget process up by one meeting to be able to present the budget by the second meeting in March 2020. The next Council meeting will be December 10 with a presentation of the annual audit. The auditor will be here prior to that meeting to discuss the audit with Council members. Towarnicki explained that there was a study commissioned a year ago to update the reversion studies, which were not completed until early 2019. On June 18, there was a worksession where additional information regarding schools was presented but there was a delay getting that information because of the LCI affecting the study. Another worksession was held on October 29. The public information meeting will be November 19 at 7:00pm with detailed presentation of reversion information and lasting approximately one hour. There may or may not be time for public comments. A public hearing may be set at the December 10 meeting. Towarnicki explained that there are slots left to ring the bell for the Salvation Army on December 3, 4 and 5. There being no further business, Council Member Turner 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 9:00pm. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Karen Roberts Kathy Lawson Clerk of Council Mayor