City Council

April 28, 2020 Council Meeting The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia was held on April 28, 2020 in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 7:30 PM with Mayor Kathy Lawson presiding. Other Council Members present included Jennifer Bowles, Jim Woods, Chad Martin and Danny Turner. Staff present included City Manager Leon Towarnicki, Assistant City Manager/City Attorney Eric Monday, Sheriff Steve Draper, 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. Mayor Lawson explained that the meeting would follow COVID guidelines, allowing Council Members plus ten others in attendance and recognizing social distancing recommendations. Consider approval of the minutes for April 14, 2020 Council Meeting – Mayor Lawson requested a correction on the last page, removing “on a case by case basis” which was noted by City Manager Towarnicki. Council Member Woods made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Council Member Turner seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. Read and present a proclamation recognizing the week of May 3 through May 9, 2020 as National Correctional Officers Week – Council Member Bowles read the proclamation, which was presented to Sheriff Draper. Draper thanked Council for the recognition. Draper stated that the officers are unsung heroes; he is very proud of them and their hard work. Unfortunately, most of officers were unable to attend the meeting due to the COVID restrictions. Draper shared information on how the officers and inmates are being protected during the pandemic. Vice Mayor Martin and Mayor Lawson both thanked Draper and Sheriff’s department employees. April 28, 2020 Council Meeting Consider presentation of a proclamation regarding National Police Week 2020 and Peace Officer’s Memorial Day – Vice Mayor Martin read the proclamation, which was presented to Police Chief Cassady. Cassady thanked Council for the recognition. Unfortunately, the annual memorial service has been cancelled this year due to the COVID restrictions. Cassady said he could not say enough about the work by his officers and staff. Cassady shared information about the neighborhood walks, which serves as a reminder to residents that the Police Department is available to them. The Police Department staff appreciates local residents and restaurants who have contributed to the department with meals, desserts, masks, etc. April 28, 2020 Council Meeting Consider presentation of a proclamation recognizing May 2020 as Building Safety Month – Mayor Lawson read the proclamation that was presented to Building Inspector Kris Bridges. Bridges said homeowners and contractors have been very cooperative during the current pandemic. April 28, 2020 Council Meeting Hear a summary of the City’s quarterly financial report for the period ending March 31, 2020 – Assistant Finance Director Mandy McGhee summarized the financial report for Council. Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve the financial report. Council Member Woods seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. April 28, 2020 Council Meeting City of Martinsville Consolidated Revenues and Expenditures FY20 - 03/31/2020 Actual Remaining Difference Budget Anticipated YTD Balance Ant vs. Actual General Fund Revenues $ 31,000,890 $ 19,287,302 $ 21,772,462 $ 9,228,428 112.9% Expenditures 33,639,914 25,170,942 24,500,061 9,139,853 97.3% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ (2,639,024) $ (5,883,640) $ (2,727,599) (Fund Bal contrib) Actual Remaining Difference Budget Anticipated YTD Balance Ant vs. Actual Capital Funds Meals Tax Revenues $ 2,250,744 $ 1,551,501 $ 1,689,552 $ 561,192 108.9% Expenditures 2,250,744 1,870,930 1,870,930 379,814 100.0% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ - $ (319,429) $ (181,378) (Fund Bal contrib) Capital Reserve Revenues $ 2,776,290 $ 2,364,725 $ 2,155,453 $ 620,837 91.2% Expenditures 2,925,575 2,457,331 2,457,331 468,244 100.0% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ (149,285) $ (92,606) $ (301,878) TOTAL CAPITAL FUNDS: $ (149,285) $ (412,035) $ (483,256) (Fund Bal contrib) Actual Remaining Difference Budget Anticipated YTD Balance Ant vs. Actual Refuse Fund Revenues $ 2,107,000 $ 1,533,210 $ 1,781,958 $ 325,042 116.2% Expenditures 2,893,837 2,130,844 2,122,663 771,174 99.6% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ (786,837) $ (597,634) $ (340,705) MINet/Fiber Optic Fund Revenues $ 2,115,909 $ 1,399,812 $ 1,546,082 $ 569,827 110.4% Expenditures 2,115,909 1,492,916 1,452,950 662,959 97.3% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ - $ (93,104) $ 93,132 Water Fund Revenues $ 3,623,565 $ 2,589,622 $ 2,683,324 $ 940,241 103.6% Expenditures 4,237,475 2,728,881 2,693,328 1,544,147 98.7% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ (613,910) $ (139,259) $ (10,004) Sewer Fund Revenues $ 4,360,382 $ 3,264,909 $ 3,500,121 $ 860,261 107.2% Expenditures 5,178,299 3,633,486 3,633,486 1,544,813 100.0% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ (817,917) $ (368,577) $ (133,365) Electric Fund Revenues $ 21,018,640 $ 15,783,091 $ 14,978,721 $ 6,039,919 94.9% Expenditures 22,192,740 15,497,765 14,680,191 7,512,549 94.7% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ (1,174,100) $ 285,326 $ 298,530 GRAND TOTALS FOR UTILITY FUNDS Revenues: $ 33,225,496 24,570,644 $ 24,490,206 $ 8,735,290 99.7% Expenditures 36,618,260 25,483,892 24,582,618 12,035,642 96.5% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ (3,392,764) (913,248) $ (92,412) (Fund Bal Contribution) Consolidated Revenues and Expenditures FY20 - 03/31/2020 Actual Remaining Difference Budget YTD Balance Budg vs. Actual Cafeteria Revenues $ 1,695,606 $ $ 1,031,314 $ 664,292 60.8% Expenditures 1,715,706 1,214,828 500,878 70.8% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ (20,100) $ $ (183,514) (Fund Bal contrib) Schools Revenues $ 22,415,767 $ $ 15,643,076 $ 6,772,691 69.8% Expenditures 22,575,856 15,580,266 6,995,590 69.0% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ (160,089) $ $ 62,810 Federal Programs Revenues $ 2,014,943 $ $ 998,936 $ 1,016,007 49.6% Expenditures 2,014,943 1,178,506 836,437 58.5% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ - $ $ (179,570) TOTAL SCHOOL FUNDS: $ (180,189) $ - $ (300,275) (fund bal contrib) Actual Remaining Budget YTD Balance Special Revenue Funds CDBG Fund Revenues $ 28,048 $ 13,870 $ 14,178 49.5% Expenditures 47,797 5,281 42,516 11.0% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ (19,749) $ 8,589 TOTAL SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS: $ (19,749) $ 8,589 Actual Remaining Difference Budget Anticipated YTD Balance Ant vs. Actual GRAND TOTALS: (excluding Schools & Special Revenues) Revenues: $ 69,253,420 47,774,172 $ 50,107,673 $ 19,145,747 104.9% Expenditures 75,434,493 54,983,095 53,410,940 22,023,553 97.1% Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenditures $ (6,181,073) (7,208,923) $ (3,303,267) Local Sales/Use Taxes $ 2,010,000 $ 1,327,002 $ 1,416,500 $ 593,500 106.7% Meals Taxes $ 1,880,000 $ 1,367,512 $ 1,503,587 $ 376,413 110.0% The Budgeted Revenue amounts do not include any contributions from Fund Balance. April 28, 2020 Council Meeting Hear information related to local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – Finance Director Linda Conover summarized the projected financial impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on the City including variables of impact, local tax revenues, sales and meals tax, the steps the City is taking and expected recovery. The City is not actively hiring for vacancies. Consider approval of consent agenda – Council Member Turner made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Council Member Woods seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. April 28, 2020 Council Meeting Read and present a proclamation recognizing May 3 – May 9, 2020 as National Travel and Tourism Week – Mayor Lawson read the proclamation, which will be forwarded to the Martinsville EDC. Consider adoption of a resolution declining the right of first refusal in the NCI sale – City Attorney Monday explained that the resolution was requested by the Attorney General’s office as a “housekeeping” matter. Monday explained the transfer of property prior to the NCI facility being built and how that affects the purchase of the NCI building now. The state had requested that the covenant referencing the use and occupancy of Baldwin Block continue as NCI was originally contemplated, but that will remain in the resolution to protect the integrity and the purpose for which that project was intended. Council Member Woods made a motion to adopt the resolution. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. April 28, 2020 Council Meeting Business from the Floor – No requests or comments were received Comments by City Council – Council Member Turner shared that VE Day will be recognized at the old Henry County Courthouse on May 8, 2020 and will be handled according to COVID restrictions and televised on local stations for residents to view. Vice Mayor Martin thanked the police and fire department staff and Tammy’s Grill for donating food to those departments. Council Member Bowles wished her grandfather Albert Petty a happy birthday. Cinco de Mayo is next week, Bowles asked residents to continue to shop local and support businesses. Bowles wished all mothers a wonderful Mother’s Day on May 10. Thank you to residents, health care workers, essential workers and others during the pandemic. Bowles shared that Council had sent a letter to the governor requesting that he include a provision for Martinsville to avoid a “one size fits all” provision for opening back up. Council Member Woods walks the Dick and Willie trail regularly and encourages residents if they plan to walk, be sure to walk against traffic for their own safety. Woods shared his appreciation to those residents and civic groups who are delivering education packets and meals to local children or making masks for workers. Mayor Lawson said a resident on Prospect Hill reached out to her thanking the Electric Department for performing preventative maintenance in their area, getting the power back on quickly and for the tornado warning sirens. Lawson commended the sanitation workers for working extra hard; residents seem to be generating more trash April 28, 2020 Council Meeting during the pandemic and the workers are doing a great job collecting that. The Commissioner of Revenue asks that forms be dropped off at the drive-thru or drop box, mail, email or fax but the forms are due soon. The City is discussing when to reopen the City Municipal building. Comments by City Manager – City Manager Towarnicki mentioned the letter from Council that was mailed to the Governor related to reopening of businesses and how the pandemic impact varies greatly among different localites. The City has plans to paint a pedestrian lane along the street on Country Club Drive, which was mentioned by Council Member Woods previously. Towarnicki reminded residents to complete their 2020 census. The self-response rate for Martinsville is 49% of residents who have completed the survey compared to 57.8% statewide. Towarnicki explained that it is critical for residents to complete the survey to get an accurate census either online, mailing the form back or by calling in. Comments by City Attorney – City Attorney Monday echoed the importance of completing the census survey and how it affects the amount of money that will come back to the City. Monday feels that there is a significant opportunity for Martinsville to continue to be one of the most affordable places to live even after this pandemic is over. Martinsville is a City without limits with impressive gigabyte capacity and broadband streaming capacity, one of the best in the nation providing ideal conditions for workers to work from home. Monday warned residents of are several scams ongoing including blackmail emails and calls regarding relief checks and tax returns. 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 8:50pm. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Karen Roberts Kathy Lawson Clerk of Council Mayor