City Council

February 11, 2020 Council Meeting The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia was held on February 11, 2020 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, Water Resources Director Mike Kahle, Building Inspector Kris Bridges, Finance Director Linda Conover, Assistant Finance Director Mandy McGhee 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. Approval of minutes for October 22, 2019 Council Meeting, October 29, 2019 Closed Council Meeting, November 12, 2019 Council Meeting and November 19, 2019 Council Meeting – Council Member Turner requested that the spelling of a name be corrected in the November 12, 2020 minutes. Council Member Wood made a motion to approve the amended minutes as presented. Council Member Bowles seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. Conduct a public hearing on a request from Homero Sandoval Ramos for a Special Use Permit for a vehicle display lot and custom designed vehicle wrap business at 128 Clearview Drive – Kris Bridges invited Council to ask any questions of the Mr. Ramos who was in attendance. Of the three individuals who spoke at the Planning Commission hearing, two expressed concerns about the business regarding possible increased traffic, the potential for it to become a junk yard, etc. Mr. Ramos’s son spoke in defense of the business assuring that the appearance of the building would remain professional and that they would not allow it to look junky. There will be security cameras and they would not offer services or sell items at this business that would invite the wrong customer base. The Planning Commission voted to send this request to Council for a final decision with the recommendation that the special use permit be granted. Council Member Turner said he does not feel that the use of this location as a vehicle wrap business would cause any increase in traffic flow. Council Member Bowles asked how a car would be wrapped at the business if it cannot be driven into the building. Mr. Ramos explained that a garage door would be installed and they are reviewing their best options for that. Ramos does not plan to store many vehicles at this location, possibly three or four that that are being wrapped since that process could take a week or more. Mayor Lawson opened the public hearing. No one approached the podium. Mayor Lawson continued the public hearing until May 12, 2020 allowing Mr. Ramos time to submit additional information to the Building Inspector’s office. February 11, 2020 Council Meeting Consider setting a public hearing for Council’s February 25 meeting to rezone property at 201 and 209 Aaron Street from ED-I Economic Development Intense to R-T Transitional Residential – City Manager Towarnicki explained that this is the Aaron Street property that burned a few years ago. The project focuses on elderly living is moving forward but rezoning will need to be completed beforehand. Council Member Bowles made a motion to set the public hearing for February 25, 2020. Council Member Turner seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. Consider setting a public hearing for Council’s February 25, 2020 meeting regarding a planned Community Development Block Grant application for the Pine Hall Road area – City Manager Towarnicki explained there were two public meetings held earlier today. Janet Jonas met with the Department of Housing and Community Development who brought up additional information that needed to be looked into and requested the hearing be moved back one meeting. Council Member Turner made a motion to set the public hearing for March 10, 2020 as requested by Jonas, providing an extension on the public hearing. Council Member Bowles seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. Hear an update on FY20 Water Resources operations – City Manager Towarnicki introduced Mike Kahle who took over after Andy Lash retired last fall. Kahle provided a PowerPoint updating Council on the water and wastewater revenues and expenditures, current projects including the Smith River Interceptor completion and the Beaver Creek Spillway project, and listing of department managers and supervisors with contact information. Kahle confirmed that there is an additional cost to get new staff trained and certified. Towarnicki explained the turnover of staff and training costs are not a huge impact to the budget. The February 11, 2020 Council Meeting spillway repair was required by inspectors but should be adequate for another 50 years. Kahle explained the need for regular flushing to keep the water supply fresh. February 11, 2020 Council Meeting Business from the Floor – Donna Rivera of 30 Barton Street asks that Council consider putting in a stop light or warning signal at the intersection of Moss Street and Market Street. There have been numerous wrecks at this location and one fatality. After her uncle was killed crossing the road at this intersection, she and her mother collected over 100 signatures on a petition requesting this addition; this petition was turned into the City Manager earlier in the day. Council Turner acknowledged that this is a “blind” location. Her family has requested a light at this location for years after her daughter was almost hit getting off the school bus. Mayor Lawson explained that this intersection would be looked at and options considered. City Manager Towarnicki said Mattern and Craig was hired about ten years ago to study the need for a traffic light at this location which at that time, it did not meet the criteria. Vice Mayor Martin suggested that if not a stop light, maybe rumble strips or other warning could be installed. Mike Stowers, US Census said that the census begins April 1, 2020. Henry County has also hired a census liaison. He thanks Martinsville for getting ahead of other localities. The Census Bureau needs thousands of people to fill vacancies to assist with the census, offering salaries ranging from $13 to $40 per hour with varying hours. Mayor Lawson encouraged residents to complete the census as soon as they receive the post card late March to prevent anyone from having to visit your home. Stowers explained that there is $675billion dollars at stake depending on location census information. Virginia’s share of that in 2010 was $9billion so an accurate count is vital to receiving the maximum amount of funds. For every resident who does not complete the census, it could cost Martinsville $1500 to $2,000 per person. Comments by Members of City Council – Vice Mayor Martin received a call on Sunday night that Emma Edmonds, the historian of the Civil Rights museum in Danville, has passed away; he offered condolences to her family. Council Member Bowles congratulated all Start- Up Henry County-Martinsville participants and looks forward to seeing who received those awards. She requested Mike Scaffidi of the MINet Department provide information for areas where Wi-Fi is available. Bowles wished residents a Happy Black History Month and discussed February 11, 2020 Council Meeting scholarship information. Council Member Woods shared that on January 31, he had the good fortune of being with the Albert Harris Wildcats when they were presented the accreditation. Woods congratulated Ms. Brown and Dr. Wilson and the administrative staff and students. Mayor Lawson reminded residents that Monday is President’s Day. The flags will be out Uptown and reminded Uptown merchants that since Monday is a City holiday, trash will not be picked up. Comments by City Manager – City Manager Towarnicki explained that the census office in Henry County will be taking employment applications and that information is posted on the Martinsville website. There were maps produced that displayed geographical areas that were substantially under-represented during previous censuses. Only 60% of the West-End residents completed the census previously Comments by City Attorney – City Attorney Monday said that over a decade ago Kiplinger’s named Martinsville and Henry County were among the top 10 least expensive places to live. Martinsville was previously listed as number 5 overall. 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 8:30pm. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Karen Roberts Kathy Lawson Clerk of Council Mayor