City Council
Regular MeetingMartinsville, VA · August 11, 2020
Minutes
August 11, 2020
The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia was held on August
11, 2020 in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 7:30 PM with Mayor Kathy Lawson
presiding. Other Council Members present included Jim Woods, Danny Turner, Jennifer Bowles
and Chad Martin. Staff present included City Manager Leon Towarnicki, Assistant City
Manager/City Attorney Eric Monday, Community Development Mark McCaskill, and Police
Chief Eddie Cassady.
Mayor Lawson called the meeting to order. Following the Pledge to the American Flag and
invocation by Mayor Lawson, she welcomed everyone to the meeting. Lawson explained that the
meeting would follow COVID guidelines and recognizing social distancing recommendations.
Approve minutes from the July 28, 2020 Council Meeting – Council Member Woods made a
motion to approve the minutes as presented. Council Member Bowles seconded the motion
with all Council Members voting in favor.
Hear an update from Martinsville City Schools on plans regarding the upcoming
2020/2021 school year – Dr. Zeb Talley, School Superintendent explained that three phases
for the school schedule had been approved with student safety as the priority. It will take
some time for students to become acclimated to the new virtual learning format. The schools
have established help lines for students and parents. Talley explained the meal deliveries
being made to student homes and the locations where students can access Wi-Fi. All
students will have technology to perform their assignments and paper packets are being
provided to the students who need them. The special needs students and the ELL students
have a teacher assigned to them to assist with their assignments. Travis Clemons detailed
how the COVID funds are being used to equip the school with sanitizer stations and other
options for student and staff safety along with funds invested in technology.
Continue the 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 125 Clearview
Drive – City Manager Towarnicki explained this request had been brought before Council
previously and had been continued. Inspections and Community Development staff have
reached out to the petitioners for additional information and it was learned that the original
plan for a vehicle wrap business had changed. Unfortunately, Community Development has
not been able to get anything specific in writing from the petitioner. Staff recommends
reopening the hearing for additional comments, if no comments are voiced then they request
Council deny the request for the permit. Mark McCaskill of the Community Development
Department explained that they were able to reach the petitioner after several attempts. After
a recent conference call, there was verbal acknowledgement that the petitioner was not
interested in pursuing the original business plan but his department has yet to receive
anything official in writing or by email. Mayor Lawson reopened the public hearing. No one
approached the podium so Lawson closed the public hearing. Council Member Woods made
August 11, 2020
the motion to deny the request for the special use permit. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the
motion with all Council voting in favor.
Hear a staff update on various projects and activities – City Manager Towarnicki updated
Council on the internet service within the City, stating that they are working to ensure
students have access in all residential areas. Towarnicki summarized the CARES Funding,
137 applications had been reviewed with grants totaling $404,376 made to small businesses
within the City. More applications will be reviewed tomorrow. He has been advised that the
City could receive a second installment for CARES Funding and all paperwork for that
funding has been completed and returned. There is a lot of assistance available for small
businesses through the state and the Harvest Foundation also. Towarnicki detailed updates
to City Hall to protect staff and visitors during the pandemic. He provided updates on
numerous ongoing projects including the Chief Tassel building, the BB&T building, the
American of Martinsville site on Aaron Street, two electric projects, the Commonwealth
Boulevard bridge, and the Reservoir project. Towarnicki explained the Virginia First Cities
grant benefiting individuals on TANF who want to work but are unable to for whatever
reason. The City was awarded $270,000 along with the WIB office and the United Way office
through this grant. Towarnicki said there have been a number of meetings with local child
care providers in the community to discuss community needs and solutions for child care.
The City partnered with the County, Harvest Foundation and EDC to complete a housing
August 11, 2020
study that will be presented to Council in the near future. This study was completed to detail
the need for new housing construction to contractors and developers. Towarnicki updated
Council on the completion of Section 6B of the Dick & Willie Trail. The County is working on
plans for Section 6A of the trail. Towarnicki said the Hooker Field concession project is
moving forward after receiving funding through the Harvest Foundation. Towarnicki
answered Council questions about the Electric Department and their efforts to trim trees
away from power lines.
Consider approval of consent agenda – Council Member Bowles made a motion to approve
the consent agenda as presented. Vice Mayor Martin seconded the motion with all Council
Members voting in favor.
Business from the Floor – None
Comments by City Council – Council Member Turner recognized former Patrick County
Board of Supervisors Chairman Locke Boyce who passed away yesterday. Saturday is the 75th
Anniversary of Victory in Japan Day; the Honor Guard will honor six WWII veterans with a
special presentation at their homes. Vice Mayor Martin announced that this year marked the
100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment and Women’s Suffrage and asked if a proclamation
could be made. Martin presented a gift to female Council Members. Council Member Woods
said that Theater Works would be doing a live stream of 20 Musicals in 20 Minutes on
Thursday at 7pm. Mayor Lawson commended the Martinsville Mustangs on a 21-10 season,
the first winning season the Mustangs have seen since 2007. Lawson said there were several
major league recruiters in attendance this season along with other out-of-towners to attend
the games. In September, there will be baseball under the lights events for middle and high
school kids.
August 11, 2020
Comments by the City Manager and City Attorney – none
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 9:00pm
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Karen Roberts Kathy Lawson
Clerk of Council Mayor
Agenda
AGENDA--CITY COUNCIL -- CITY OF MARTINSVILLE,
VIRGINIA
Council Chambers – Municipal Building
7:30pm Regular Session
Tuesday August 11, 2020
7:30 pm - Regular Session
Pledge to the American Flag and Invocation by Mayor Lawson
1. Approve minutes from the July 28, 2020 Council Meeting (5 mins)
2. Hear an update from Martinsville City Schools on plans regarding the
upcoming 2020/2021 school year. (20 mins)
3. Continue the 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 125 Clearview Drive. (10 mins)
4. Hear a staff update on various projects and activities. (20 mins)
5. Consider approval of consent agenda (2 mins)
6. Business from the Floor - CANCELLED
As a result of COVID-19 issues, business from the floor will not occur at City Council meetings until further
notice. Citizens desiring to present comments for Council’s consideration may do so by emailing the comments
to Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council at kroberts@ci.martinsville.va.us, calling in the comments to 276-403-5182,
faxing comments to 276-403-5280, or mailing comments to City of Martinsville, attn.: Karen Roberts, P.O.
Drawer 1112, Martinsville, VA 24114. Comments must be received by noon, August 11 for consideration by
Council at this meeting.
7. Comments by members of City Council. (5 minutes)
8. Comments by City Manager and City Attorney. (5 minutes)
City Council
Agenda Summary
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020
Item No: 1.
Department: Clerk of Council
Issue: Consider approval of minutes
Summary: None
Attachments: July 28, 2020 Council Meeting
Recommendations: Motion to approve minutes as presented.
City Council
Agenda Summary
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020
Item No: 2.
Department: City Manager
Issue: Hear an update from Martinsville City Schools on plans regarding
the upcoming 2020/2021 school year.
Summary: Martinsville City School Superintendent Dr. Zeb Talley will provide
an update regarding plans for the upcoming 2020/2021 school year. The Covid
19 pandemic has forced school systems nationwide to develop strategies to resume
public education in a safe and effective manner and Dr. Talley will discuss
Martinsville School’s plans.
Attachment: None
Recommendation: No action needed – presented for information purposes.
City Council
Agenda Summary
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020
Item No: 3.
Department: Community Development
Issue: Continue the 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.
Summary: On Thursday, January 23, 2020, the Planning Commission conducted
a duly advertised 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. At the Public Hearing, two residents of the neighborhood spoke
in opposition to the proposed Special Use Permit, and a representative of the planned
business addressed those concerns. Following the hearing, the Planning Commission
voted unanimously to forward the request along to City Council with the
recommendation that the Special Use Permit be granted. At Council’s January 28th
meeting, a public hearing was set for the February 11th meeting.
Council conducted a duly advertised public hearing at the Tuesday, February 11, 2020
meeting, and no one spoke except the petitioner. Following questions by Council, a
decision was made to continue the hearing to the May 12, 2020 Council meeting to
allow the petitioner time to submit additional information to the Inspections Office. No
additional information was submitted by that date and the petitioner did not contact
the Inspections Office nor respond to contact attempts by Inspections. This matter was
placed back on Council’s agenda for the May 12, 2020 meeting with the staff
recommendation to deny the permit, and Council decided to continue the hearing until
June 23, 2020, citing restrictions on attending public meetings due to the Covid19
pandemic. Since that time, City staff has been unable to obtain written confirmation of
the petitioner’s desire to either move forward with the project, or withdraw the petition.
Attachments: Excerpt of minutes from the February 11 Council meeting, staff
report
Recommendations: Reopen the public hearing for additional comment. Unless
additional information is provided before, or at the hearing addressing questions from
the February 11th hearing, staff recommends denial of the Special Use Permit.
Excerpt of minutes from the February 11, 2020 Council meeting
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.
Martinsville City Council
May 12th, 2020 at 7:30PM, Council Chambers
Staff Report
Subject: Conduct a Public Hearing for a Special Use Permit to Consider an Application for a Car
Display/Lot and Custom Vehicle Wrap Business at 128 Clearview Drive
Applicant: Homero Sandoval Ramos, Owner
Location: 128 Clearview Dr, Martinsville VA 24112
Tax Parcel Number: 13 (02) 00/ 06A (000226000)
Existing Zoning: C-N (Neighborhood Commercial District)
Adjacent Property Zoning(s): R-N (Neighborhood Residential District) and C-N (Neighborhood
Commercial District)
Requested Action: To obtain a special use permit for a car display lot and custom designed car wraps
(Automobile Sales, including display lot and Automobile Repair and Service), for the location of 128
Clearview Dr, Martinsville VA, 24112. This is permitted by special use only in the C-N (Neighborhood
Commercial District), per Section XIII, Letter D in the City’s Zoning Ordinance.
Circumstances: To obtain a special use permit for a car display lot and custom designed car wraps for
the address of 128 Clearview Dr, Martinsville VA, 24112. The building located on the property was
constructed in 1940 and is the former site of the Midget Market. According to a record of ownership,
this property is owned by Homero Sandoval Ramos since October 29th, 2019. Since 1963 this building
has been used as a convenience store/restaurant under the name of the “Midget Market.” Although
the ownership has changed over the years, the convenience store has always been re-opened under
the same name according to records. This property has been used historically for commercial, retail
purposes until the Midget Market closed around 2017. Future Land Use Map from the 2009 City of
Martinsville’s Comprehensive Plan designates this property as a “Professional.”
Both the City’s Planning Commission and City Council requested additional information from the
petitioner and extended the public hearing until May 2020. As of May 2020, the Community
Development Office has not received any new information related to the development at 128
Clearview Drive.
Staff Recommendation: Therefore, Staff recommends the Council deny the request due to lack of
supporting information submitted to the Community Development Office and the applicant’s lack of
contact with City employees regarding continuance of interest in the project despite numerous
outreach attempts on the part of City Staff.
Attachments: Application, Property Information
City Council
Agenda Summary
Date: August 11, 2020
Item No: 4.
Department: City Manager
Issue: Hear a staff update on various projects and activities.
Summary: City staff will provide an update on various projects and activities
including CARES funding, construction projects, and grant-funded projects.
Attachments: None. Additional information will be presented at the
meeting.
Recommendations: Presented for information purposes. No Council action
needed.
City Council
Agenda Summary
Meeting Date: August 11, 2020
Item No: 5.
Department: Finance
Issue: Consider approval of the consent agenda
Summary:
The attachment amends the FY20 and FY21 budgets with appropriations in the
following funds:
FY20
General: $ 30,998 – Forfeited Assets; Grants
FY21
General: $ 758 – Forfeited Assets
Attachments: Consent Agenda – 8-11-20
Recommendations: Approve.
BUDGET ADDITIONS FOR 8/11/20
ORG OBJECT DESCRIPTION DEBIT CREDIT
BUDGET ADDITIONS
FY2020
General Fund:
01102926 405555 Brownfields Grant - EPA 7,345
01812247 503136 Brownfields - Hazardous - Consultant 6,153
01812249 503136 Brownfields - Petroleum - Consultant 1,192
Requisition #6
01102926 436401 Categorical Federal - Confiscated Assets - PD 23,653
01311085 506079 Police Dept - Federal Asset Forfeitures 23,653
Forfeited assets from Federal Gov't
Total General Fund: 30,998 30,998
FY2021
General Fund:
01101917 442401 Categorical Other State - Confiscated Assets - PD 606
01101917 442402 Categorical Other State - Confiscated Assets - CA 152
01311085 506078 Police Dept - State Asset Forfeitures 606
01221082 506105 Commonwealth's Atty - State Asset Forfeitures 152
Forfeited assets from Commonwealth
Total General Fund: 758 758
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