City Council

December 10, 2019 Council Meeting The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia was held on December 10, 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, Police Chief Eddie Cassady, Deputy Police Chief Rob Fincher, and Police Captain Jim Minter. Mayor Lawson called the meeting to order. Following the Pledge to the American Flag and invocation by Council Member Bowles, Mayor Lawson welcomed everyone to the meeting. Consider adoption of a resolution in support of Second Amendment rights – City Attorney Monday explained that these resolutions have been adopted by 57 localities and considered by many others. Monday read the resolution which was modeled after the resolution adopted by Culpeper, Virginia. Council Member Turner asked if the resolution declares Martinsville a sanctuary city and asked if that could be stated legally. Monday explained that the word “sanctuary” is not used in the resolution; we have to respect the enforceable laws of the United States. Mayor Lawson invited the public to speak. Council Member Bowles requested that City residents should be allowed to speak first. Charles Cousins of 1203 Top Street said gun control is not about guns but about control. We are the first defense of ourselves and of our personal property. Joshua Jennings of 1720 Canton Road Danville and a local gun storeowner was present on behalf of his customers who live in the Martinsville city limits. Jennings spoke on a range of arguments in support of gun rights. As Virginians, we should stand firm on the belief that every Virginian has the right to protect their property and their safety. Melody Cartwright 713 Jefferson Street said at the age of 62 she trained, studied and received her concealed carry license. It took less than 10 minutes to be approved to buy a gun but took longer to receive her concealed carry permit. She feels that everyone should be required to follow those procedures and follow the “letter of the law”. She is not as concerned about legal gun owners but expressed concern about guns owned by the bad people. Nelson Evans of Mulberry Road and a resident of Martinsville for over 40 years expressed his support. Some say what is happening in Virginia with the Second Amendment resolutions is illegal under the Dillon Rule. He will not debate the rule but says that John Dillon was wrong in what powers are allowed by local government. Nowhere in the constitution does it state that Virginia is a Dillon rule state. Ural Harris of 217 Stuart Street encourages Council to adopt the resolution. These proposed laws will only harm citizens. Harris said criminals do not obey laws and referenced Chicago’s crime rates even though the state has the strictest laws. Maine has more lenient gun laws and has fewer issues. Assault is an action, not a weapon. The new laws are December 10, 2019 Council Meeting unreasonable. The response time for the police can be lengthy, but the first thing you will do when you feel threatened is call an officer with a gun. James Hyler of 211 Oakdale Street urged Council not to pass the resolution. He does not feel it is what most residents want. Everyone has liberty; we all want to have freedom until freedoms intrude on someone else’s rights. When you live in a democracy, you must respect the rights of others. Gun owners do not need every weapon available to keep them safe. Council must respect the laws. Sam Wells of 1307 Hillcrest Avenue is a seventh generation Martinsville resident. A while back, three individuals approached his wife on her way to work. His wife had 911 dialed and she had a handgun in her possession. He supports Council’s approval for residents’ rights to bear arms. Until the police were there to assist his wife, she was able to fend for herself. Sharp Shooters in Roanoke recently assisted them to get their training and concealed carry permit. Wells encouraged Council to adopt the resolution. Ellen Jesse, 701 Starling Ave spoke against the resolution. She is part of a family of law- abiding gun owners and was raised with a deep respect for the danger of guns. Gun safety is nonpartisan. She finds it confusing that law abiding gun owners are lobbying for the rights of others who are not law abiding to obtain guns. Tim Craddock of 1054 Westover Drive stated that we do not live in a democracy state. When it comes to firearms killing people, law-abiding owners are not the ones killing people. More people die from hammers or constipation than die from guns. It is our God given right to possess guns. Jason Pozella of 1010 Mountain Road thanked officers and City staff for serving Martinsville. Pozella is 28 years old with three children. The Second Amendment right was not put into place for hunting. It was imposed for safety of family and possessions. He supports residents’ rights to defend what so many men and women have fought for. Where do you draw the line? The devil has his hand on evil people. Tony Lawson of 2039 Spruce Street has worked closely with law enforcement for years. There is not one person in law enforcement who will tell you that disarming honest people will reduce crime. When you take guns away from honest people, it will not thwart crime. An officer once asked Lawson what he thought was stopping someone from kicking the door in and assaulting him or his family. The answer was not the police; it was that criminal not knowing what was waiting for them on the other side. Mayor Lawson closed the public comment. Council Member Wood spoke passionately in favor of the resolution referencing four fundamentals and the constitution. Wood no longer owns a gun but feels that it should be a resident’s right to own a gun to protect themselves and those around them. December 10, 2019 Council Meeting Council Member Bowles thanked everyone for attending and said that the residents offering their voice inspired her. She apologized for not responding to all texts that she had received but she said that she had read them all and listened to all voice mails. It is her job to listen to all sides and put her personal beliefs aside. In her heart, she does not support any legislation that allows the government to remove guns from her or from others. Bowles said that it is our constitutional right to possess a gun. She has her concealed license to protect herself and her home and she encourages others to do the same. She has not read or seen any legislation stating that it was anyone’s intent to confiscate guns and she feels that that false belief is caused by propaganda and lies. Until there is real legislation proposed that is unlawful or unconstitutional, she will not approve the resolution. She respects everyone’s opinion but she believes this resolution will not help anything until there is actual legislation to fight against. She will abstain her vote. Council Member Turner said there is no actual passed legislation but that it is in the process of being written up. The proper thing to do is lobby the general assembly and if unconstitutional legislation comes out then the argument can be made at that time. Vice Mayor Martin thanked everyone. He believes when evil is around us and we need good people to do something about it. It is unfair to allow someone to fight overseas but not be allowed to protect their home in cases where they may have been diagnosed with post- traumatic stress disorder. Martin’s father was in the military so he was taught gun safety at a young age. He supports the resolution. Mayor Lawson thanked those in attendance, stating that this is her first meeting where there were residents waiting in the hallway. She is a firm believer in the constitution. Lawson said it is her right to possess a gun so she will support the resolution. The resolution is not legally binding but expresses Council and Martinsville City residents’ wishes Council Member Turner made a request to amend the resolution, requesting that it state that the City of Martinsville chooses to be a sanctuary city. Council Member Turner made a motion to approve the Resolution as amended. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the amendment with the following roll call vote: Mayor Lawson, aye; Council Member Woods, aye; Vice Mayor Martin, aye; and Council Member Turner; nay. Council Member Bowles abstained. The motion carried 3-1. December 10, 2019 Council Meeting At 6:55PM, Mayor Lawson advised Council would go into Closed Session. In accordance with section 2.1-344 (A) Code of Virginia (1950, and as amended) and upon a motion by Council Member Turner seconded by Vice Mayor Martin with the following 5-0 recorded vote: Vice Mayor Martin, aye; Mayor Lawson, aye; Council Member Bowles was not present during the vote; 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 Turner; seconded by Council Member Bowles, with the following 5-0 recorded vote in favor to return to Open Session: Mayor Lawson, aye; Council Member Bowles, aye; Council Member Woods, aye; Vice Mayor Martin, aye; and Council Member Turner, aye. Council returned to regular session at 7:30PM. Hear a report from Robinson Farmer Cox Associates on the City’s FY19 audit – A representative from RFC summarized the auditor’s report. The auditor’s opinion is that this audit is clean, the financial statements are correct according to principles and standards. He December 10, 2019 Council Meeting discussed a change in fund balance with a net decrease of around $1million after transfers and insurance recoveries, statements of revenue, expenses and a net increase of around $2.7million after transfers. The statistical section provides several tables of historical information including the change in fund balance over the past 10 years. There were no notable deficiencies reported and no issues reported in their review of the programs. Mayor Lawson said the City did better than they expected and that is proof that Martinsville is well run. Conduct a public hearing on the City’s consideration of reversion – City Attorney Monday turned the presentation over to Steven Piepgrass and Robert Claiborne of Troutman Sanders, LLC who presented a PowerPoint of the reversion studies. Piepgrass shared two studies commissioned by the City including the fiscal impact of reversion and the consolidation of school systems. The larger, more complete report is in the works depending if Council votes for reversion. Mayor Lawson opened the floor for public hearing. Former Mayor Gene Teague of 921 Hunting Ridge Road thanked Council for the job they do and for allowing the public to provide input. Teague believes reversion is in the best interest of taxpayers. The City can provide the same services currently provided but with a cost savings to tax payers. All localities who have reverted to a town continue to pay a lower rate than they did as a City. The City is not broke and he feels that it never will be as long as Council makes the decision to revert. While the reversion study is required, the numbers do not model what future Council members and City Managers will do to to cut programs or increase revenue. The City has challenges that will continue to make future budgets difficult, including school funding, housing inmates outside the City, etc. The aging housing stock must be addressed also. The City’s problems extend beyond the schools that Henry County is open for discussing. Teague believes the County can bring other things to the table and they can further delay revenues that pay back the county for expenses. The County through PSA could go back to a joint water/sewer operation, which could save on average $1million annually. Reversion is the best method. Change is hard and there will be people who will fight that change. Former Mayor Council Member Barry Green said in 1980 he served as a City representative on the City Council Merger study committee. After two years of studies, it was concluded that a school consolidation was in the best interest of the entire area but the recommendations were not implemented. 20 years passed and in 2002, he chaired a school system merger study, which included members of the school administrations and school boards. It was concluded that 1. A merged school system will enable our community to continue to offer students a quality education in the most cost effective manner with one administration, one bus system, and purchasing department. 2. While cost is important, quality is the most important issue and the quality of education for all students in both school systems will improve if the systems merge. 3. In a merged system, most students will attend a December 10, 2019 Council Meeting school that is convenient to their home. 4. If the schools do not merge and the local economic conditions remain unstable then residents will have to pay millions more or will have to cut services to support the schools. In 2004, the Henry County School board voted not to proceed with a school consolidation. Consultants outlined two choices, to increase revenue and cut services or revert from a City to a Town. November 2013 Martinsville City Council voted 3-2 not to go forward with reversion. By 2045, the City’s population will decline 31% and Henry County’s population could decline 41%. The City Manager and the Finance Director have done a remarkable job budgeting each year but they are running out of options. It has been 70 years since AL Philpott, Tom Burge, and J. Frank Wilson studied the feasibility of a Martinsville and Henry County reversion and felt it would benefit citizens of both counties but felt the political climate was not right, Study after study have determined that the reversion would benefit both the County and the City. Ruth Easley, Commissioner of Revenue said that City leaders have been kicking around the option of a merger since the late 1950s. Easley disputed some of the information provided by Green and by Towarnicki previously. Financial studies are beneficial and they prove what can happen if corrective action is not taken. Thankfully, Council and staff have taken those corrective actions to prevent the City from becoming bankrupt. There are ways to consolidate services with Henry County but she questions whether reversion is still the best option. There is an additional impact in personal property and businesses but those have not been addressed. She respectfully suggests that tonight not be the night to vote. She believes that discussions should be had on consolidation of some services, but not necessarily reversion. Mayor Lawson closed the hearing. Turner expressed his support stating that he had voted for reversion when he served on Council previously and he would be in favor to make a motion for reversion. Vice Mayor Martin supports the vote for reversion but he does not feel like tonight is the best time. Martin suggested that January would be a better time to give residents adequate time to access the studies. Council Member Wood believes it is imperative that Martinsville City Council come to the table with Henry County, Wood expressed his support for reversion. Council Member Bowles thanked residents for reaching out. Bowles has a strong sense of pride in Martinsville. Reversion has been discussed for decades and the facts have mainly stayed the same. Bowles is in favor of reversion. Lawson thanked former Mayor Green and former Mayor Teague for sharing their thoughts and experiences in the past relating to reversion discussions. Martinsville wants to sit down with Henry County and negotiate. Motion: Council Member Turner made a motion to authorize Troutman Sanders, LLC to prepare and file a petition to become a town. Council Member Woods seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Vice Mayor Martin, aye; Council Member Tuner, aye; Council Member Woods, aye; Council Member Bowles, aye; and Mayor Lawson, aye December 10, 2019 Council Meeting Hear an update from Lisa Watkins of the M-HC Chamber of Commerce regarding activities related to the City / C-PEG Small Business Development contract – Lisa Watkins presented a hardcopy update on Chamber activities including small business activities, uptown activities, retail activity and the Start-Up Martinsville program. Watkins asked residents and merchants to be friendly and offer good customer service and to be proud of our community. Council Member Bowles asks that Watkins promote the Start-Up program more using social media. December 10, 2019 Council Meeting Consider approval of the City’s 2020 Legislative Agenda – City Attorney Monday explained that the Legislative Agenda has been revised after the past few meetings. Council Member December 10, 2019 Council Meeting Turner made the motion to adopt the Legislative Agenda as presented. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. December 10, 2019 Council Meeting Consider approval of projects listed for the City’s 2020 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) list – Mayor Lawson and City Manager Towarnicki detailed four changes made from the previous meeting. Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve the CEDS list. Council Member Turner seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Council Member Tuner, aye; Vice Mayor Martin, aye; Council Member Woods, aye; Council Member Bowles, aye; and Mayor Lawson, aye. December 10, 2019 Council Meeting December 10, 2019 Council Meeting Consider approval of a refund resulting from payment of 2019 statutory business personal property assessment prior to assessment adjustment – Commissioner of Revenue Easley explained the need for the refund. Council Member Turner made a motion to approve the refund. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. December 10, 2019 Council Meeting Recognize City Employees who are eligible for Service Awards for the period October 1 – December 31, 2019 – City Manager Towarnicki shared names of those employees who received milestone service and thanked them for their years of service to the City. SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS SECOND QUARTER- FISCAL YEAR 19-20 FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2019 Name Department Years of Service GORDAN ROBERTSON WATER IMPOUNDING and FILTRATION 15 PAMELA SHOEMAKER 25 COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE RANDY GREGORY 30 PUBLIC WORKS TERRY MORTON CIRCUIT COURT 40 Consider approval of consent agenda – Council Member Woods made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Council Member Bowles seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. December 10, 2019 Council Meeting Appropriation Request BUDGET ADDITIONS OB CREDI ORG JECT DESCRIPTION DEBIT T FY20 SCHOOL FUND 40 90,22 18101917 2022 Basic Aid 7 40 18101917 2072 Gifted Education SOQ 771 40 18101917 2082 Prev/Inter/Remed 6,496 40 18101917 2122 Special Education SOQ 9,721 40 18101917 2142 Textbook Payments 1,584 40 18101917 2172 Vocational Education SOQ 2,375 40 18101917 2212 Social Security 4,939 40 10,91 18101917 2232 Teacher Retirement 7 40 18101917 2412 Group Life 330 40 18101917 2652 At Risk 9,935 40 18101917 3092 ESL -7,936 40 18101917 4002 Other State Funds 4,433 56 80008200 1133 Technical SandW 30,000 56 80008200 2100 Social Security 1,860 56 80008200 2150 Medicare FICA 435 56 80008200 2220 Retirement Prof Hybrid 4,704 56 80008200 2300 Group Medical 5,076 56 80008200 2400 State Life 393 56 80008200 2521 VLDP Prof 71 56 80008200 2700 Workers Comp 81 56 80008200 2750 RHCC 360 56 80002130 1133 Technical SandW 32,000 56 80002130 2100 Social Security 1,984 56 80002130 2150 Medicare FICA 464 56 80002130 2700 Workers Comp 96 56 80002120 1660 Employee Bonuses 5,000 56 80002120 2100 Social Security 310 56 80002120 2150 Medicare FICA 73 56 80002120 2700 Workers Comp 14 56 80002220 1131 Licensed School Nurse SandW 975 56 80002220 2100 Social Security 60 56 80002220 2150 Medicare FICA 14 December 10, 2019 Council Meeting 56 80002220 2220 Retirement Prof Hybrid 153 56 80002220 2400 State Life 2 56 80002220 2521 VLDP Prof 3 56 80002220 2700 Workers Comp 12 56 80002220 2750 RHCC 2 56 71001100 3100 Part Time SandW 14,500 56 75101100 5503 Travel 489 56 75101100 5800 Misc 3,048 56 75101100 6000 Materials and Supplies 12,179 56 52001100 3200 Purchased Services Instructional 19,434 Budget adjustments due to increased enrollment (Increase in ADM) 48 146,1 18103919 9904 Private Grants - Harvest 80 56 81621310 1120 Support Staff - Instructional SandW 15,996 56 81621310 2100 Support Staff - Social Security 825 56 81621310 2150 Support Staff - Medicare 231 56 81621310 3000 Support Staff - Purchased Services 8,820 56 81621310 3142 Support Staff - Professional Development 32,436 56 81621310 5503 Support Staff - Travel 29,400 56 81621310 6013 Support Staff - Instructional Materials 10,664 56 81631310 2100 Support Staff - Social Security 549 56 81631310 2150 Support Staff - Medicare 155 56 81631310 3000 Support Staff - Purchased Services 5,880 56 81631310 3142 Support Staff - Professional Development 21,624 56 81631310 5503 Support Staff - Travel 19,600 Harvest Grant appropriation 48 44,21 18103919 9904 Donations/Contributions/Gifts 6 56 85001009 1300 Part-time SandW 25,282 56 85001009 2100 Social Security 1,567 56 85001009 2150 Medicare 367 56 85001009 3000 Purchased Services 9,000 56 85001009 6056 Non-Cap Equipment 8,000 UVA Telemedicine 324,1 Total School Fund: 324,188 88 School Federal Programs Fund: 40 1,107, 21102926 1008 TITLE 1A 176 December 10, 2019 Council Meeting 56 21601601 1120 INSTR SandW 333,767 56 21601601 1151 AIDES SandW 16,884 56 21601601 1620 SUPPORT STAFF SandW 13,476 56 21601601 2100 SOC SEC 22,576 56 21601601 2150 MED FICA 5,280 56 21601601 2220 HYBRID PRO 54,982 56 21601601 2300 GROUP MED 41,088 56 21601601 2400 STATE LIFE 4,594 56 21601601 2520 LONG TERM 278 56 21601601 2521 VLDP PROF 842 56 21601601 2750 RHCC 4,208 56 21601601 6040 TECH ONLIN 19,650 56 21601604 1120 INSTR SandW 144,363 56 21601604 1620 SUP SandW 13,476 56 21601604 2100 SOC SEC 9,786 56 21601604 2150 MED FICA 2,289 56 21601604 2220 HYBRID PRO 22,636 56 21601604 2300 GROUP MED 15,228 56 21601604 2400 STATE LIFE 1,891 56 21601604 2520 LONG TERM 70 56 21601604 2521 VLDP PROF 347 56 21601604 2750 RHCC 1,732 56 21601605 3000 PURCHSERV 3,899 56 21601605 6017 SUBSCRIPTS 535 56 21601606 1120 INSTR SandW 148,288 56 21601606 1620 SUP SandW 1,500 56 21601606 2100 SOC SEC 9,287 56 21601606 2150 MED FICA 2,172 56 21601606 2220 HYBRID PRO 23,252 56 21601606 2300 GROUP MED 15,228 56 21601606 2400 STATE LIFE 1,943 56 21601606 2520 LONG TERM 104 56 21601606 2521 VLDP PROF 356 56 21601606 2750 RHCC 1,779 56 21601608 1120 INSTR SandW 33,015 56 21601608 1520 SUBS SandW 7,636 56 21601608 2100 SOC SEC 2,047 December 10, 2019 Council Meeting 56 21601608 2150 MED FICA 479 56 21601608 2210 RETIREMENT 5,177 56 21601608 2300 GROUP MED 1,692 56 21601608 2400 STATE LIFE 432 56 21601608 2520 LONG TERM 12 56 21601608 2521 VLDP PROF 79 56 21601608 2750 RHCC 396 56 21601608 3000 PURCHSERV 4,434 56 21601608 6013 INSTR MAT 70,086 56 21601609 1150 CLER SandW 32,453 56 21601609 2100 SOC SEC 2,012 56 21601609 2150 MED FICA 471 56 21601609 2210 RETIREMENT 5,089 56 21601609 2300 GROUP MED 3,046 56 21601609 2400 STATE LIFE 425 56 21601609 2520 LONG TERM 20 56 21601609 2750 RHCC 389 43 131,3 21102926 6708 TITLE 2A 93 56 21611605 6013 INSTR MAT 783 56 21611607 6000 MAT SUPP 408 56 21611608 1620 SUP SandW 1,311 56 21611608 1660 EMP BONUS 112,493 56 21611608 2100 SOC SEC 6,975 56 21611608 2150 MED FICA 1,631 56 21611608 3000 PURCHSERV 6,934 56 21611608 6000 MAT SUPP 48 56 21611608 6013 INSTR MAT 810 43 12,98 21102926 6580 TITLE 3A 0 56 21631664 1120 INSTR SandW 5,328 56 21631664 2100 SOC SEC 740 56 21631664 3000 PURCHSERV 2,828 56 21631664 5503 TRAVEL 3,066 56 21631664 6000 MAT SUPP 218 56 21631664 6013 INST MAT 800 43 39,08 21102926 5808 TITLE 4BB 5 56 21641608 1660 EMP BONUS 2,960 56 21641608 2100 SOC SEC 238 December 10, 2019 Council Meeting 56 21641608 3142 PROF DEV 34,264 56 21641608 6013 INSTR MAT 1,623 42 80,67 21102926 0620 TITLE 4 SUP 9 56 21681608 1120 INSTR SandW 30,772 56 21681608 1151 AIDES SandW 32,000 56 21681608 2100 SOC SEC 11,838 56 21681608 3142 PROF DEV 6,069 40 566,9 21102926 2708 TITLE 6B 20 74 56 21651621 1120 INSTR SandW 45,867 56 21651621 1151 AIDES SandW 85,614 56 21651621 2100 SOC SEC 8,152 56 21651621 2150 MED FICA 1,906 56 21651621 2210 RETIREMENT 20,616 56 21651621 2300 GROUP MED 25,380 56 21651621 2400 STATE LIFE 1,722 56 21651621 2520 LONG TERM 139 56 21651621 2750 RHCC 1,578 56 21651622 1120 INSTR SandW 43,080 56 21651622 1151 AIDES SandW 16,884 56 21651622 2100 SOC SEC 3,718 56 21651622 2150 MED FICA 869 56 21651622 2210 RETIREMENT 9,402 56 21651622 2300 GROUP MED 10,152 56 21651622 2400 STATE LIFE 786 56 21651622 2520 LONG TERM 35 56 21651622 2750 RHCC 720 56 21651623 1300 PT SandW 9,900 56 21651623 2100 SOC SEC 758 56 21651624 1151 AIDES SandW 17,886 56 21651624 2100 SOC SEC 1,109 56 21651624 2150 MED FICA 259 56 21651624 2210 RETIREMENT 2,805 56 21651624 2400 STATE LIFE 234 56 21651624 2520 LONG TERM 35 56 21651624 2750 RHCC 215 56 21651625 1151 AIDES SandW 53,844 56 21651625 2100 SOC SEC 3,338 December 10, 2019 Council Meeting 56 21651625 2150 MED FICA 781 56 21651625 2210 RETIREMENT 2,867 56 21651625 2220 HYBRID PRO 5,576 56 21651625 2300 GROUP MED 15,228 56 21651625 2400 STATE LIFE 705 56 21651625 2520 LONG TERM 104 56 21651625 2521 VLDP PROF 85 56 21651625 2750 RHCC 646 56 21651627 1120 INSTR SandW 43,080 56 21651627 1151 AIDES SandW 35,711 56 21651627 2100 SOC SEC 4,772 56 21651627 2150 MED FICA 1,116 56 21651627 2210 RETIREMENT 12,070 56 21651627 2300 GROUP MED 15,228 56 21651627 2400 STATE LIFE 1,008 56 21651627 2520 LONG TERM 70 56 21651627 2750 RHCC 924 56 21651628 3000 PURCHSERV 15,000 56 21651628 5503 TRAVEL 5,000 56 21651628 6013 INSTR MAT 20,000 56 21651628 6056 NON CAP EQ 20,000 41 21102926 7308 TITLE 6BPS 7,044 56 21661622 1120 INSTR SandW 2,690 56 21661622 2100 SOC SEC 383 56 21661622 3000 PURCHSERV 2,487 56 21661622 6013 INSTR MAT 1,484 40 69,61 21102926 4808 PERKINS 2 56 21672607 3000 PURCHASED SERVICES 31,480 56 21672607 5503 TRAVEL 6,500 56 21672607 5800 MISC EXP 1,001 56 21672607 6056 NON CAP EQ 30,631 Appropriate Title funds as approved by Federal Govt. 2,014, Total School Federal Programs Fund: 2,014,943 943 Business from the Floor – Patrick Wright of Spruce Street attended dressed as Santa Clause and wished Martinsville residents a Merry Christmas. Wright said he hopes to find employment as Santa this year. Alexis Lee of Sellers Street thanked Council for taking on several tough issues tonight. Lee asked about a canopy from the park to the museum that December 10, 2019 Council Meeting was mentioned at a previous meeting. Mayor Lawson confirmed that was still listed on the CEDS list. Lee expressed concern about illegal drug use in a City park. Comments by Members of City Council – Council Member Turner wished residents a Merry Christmas. Council Member Woods wished residents a Merry Christmas. Woods Congratulated the Martinsville Robotics team who represented Martinsville well. Council Member Bowles wished residents a Happy Holiday. She thanked Council Member Turner for attending the New Heights event and for others who showed support. Vice Mayor Martin wished residents Happy Holidays and thanked the former City Mayors for speaking and sharing their wisdom. Martin thanked residents for sharing their thoughts. Mayor Lawson apologized for not responding to everyone who contacted her but all opinions were read and considered. Lawson thanked residents for their input. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Thank you to City employees for jobs well done, they make Council very proud. Ron Ferrell needs prayers at Kings Grant. Martin encouraged residents to attend the annual Richard Sarver dinner on December 25. Comments by City Manager – City Manager Towarnicki recognized Mark McCaskill who is the new Community Development Director. The City has been very fortunate for bringing on some outstanding new employees. United Way contributions were up from $8,000 to 10,500. Employees volunteered last week to ring the bell for the Salvation Army for 3 days. Towarnicki referred back to the reversion studies stating that they look at current situations then project the outcome if those situations do not change. By dropping the Armory, adjusting EDC funding, turning the Housing office over to Danville, Start-Up Martinsville, savings on the Martinsville Mustangs, rate increases on utilities and cigarette tax, reduced staff, and the partnership with the YMCA have all made major impacts on those projections. Comments by City Attorney – City Attorney Monday spoke as a City resident, not as an attorney, stating that it is time to stop playing “kick the can”. Reversion has been discussed, debated, multiple studies have been completed so he thanked Council for taking a vote in the best interest of residents. 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 9:20pm. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Karen Roberts Kathy Lawson Clerk of Council Mayor