City Council

April 12, 2022 Council Meeting The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia was held on April 12, 2022 in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 7:00 PM with Mayor Kathy Lawson presiding. Other Council Members present included Danny Turner, Jennifer Bowles, Tammy Pearson and Chad Martin. Staff present included City Manager Leon Towarnicki, Clerk of Council Karen Roberts, Community Development Manager Mark McCaskill, Building Inspector Kris Bridges, and Police Chief Eddie Cassady. Mayor Lawson called the meeting to order. Following the Pledge to the American Flag and invocation by Mayor Lawson, Lawson welcomed everyone to the meeting. Approve minutes from the March 8, 2022 and March 22, 2022 Council Meetings – Vice Mayor Bowles made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Council Member Turner seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. Council Member Pearson asked that it be noted in the minutes that she was not in attendance but she participated electronically at the March 22, 2022 meeting. Recognize City Employees who are eligible for Service Awards for the period January 1 – March 31, 2022 – City Manager Towarnicki read the list of service award recipients and thanked all employees for their years of service. Read and present a proclamation recognizing the month of April, 2022 as Child Abuse Prevention Month – Council Member Pearson read the proclamation which was presented to Ricky and Kerry Walker, representatives for the local Focus on Youth/CASA chapter. April 12, 2022 Council Meeting Read and present a proclamation recognizing April, 2022 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of Martinsville – Vice Mayor Bowles read the proclamation which was presented to Ricky and Kerry Walker, representatives from Southside Survivor Response Center. Walker explained that on average, they serve more than a hundred children throughout the year. They appreciate Council’s support over the years and the proclamation. April 12, 2022 Council Meeting Read and present a proclamation recognizing the week of April 10-16, 2022 as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week – Council Member Martin read the proclamation which was presented to J.R. Powell, Martinsville-Henry County 911 Center. Powell thanked Council for the proclamation and for recognizing the 26 fully dedicated dispatchers working the local center. The Dispatchers process 400+ calls each day. This year marks 33 years since the 911 Center was opened. Powell welcomed Council to tour the 911 Center at any time. Vice Mayor Bowles said she is appreciative of Powell for being an outstanding 911 Director. Council Member Martin said he was one of those 90,000 annual calls recently and he is very appreciative of their service. April 12, 2022 Council Meeting Hear an update on Martinsville Mustangs Baseball – Tonya Davis, Marketing Director for the Mustangs proved details on ongoing improvements to the park, stating that they are 6 weeks out from opening night on May 27. Vice Mayor Bowles asked for confirmation that they would still host a Boys and Girls Club night. Davis shared that they’ve introduced a new logo. Some items must be purchased through authorized league vendors but they hope to support as many local businesses as possible. 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 – Watkins shared updates on the Chamber including retail development with Starbucks and Jersey Mikes along with a few other businesses coming to the area soon. They’ve been focusing on assisting businesses with accessing funding as they continue to move through the pandemic, having accessed over $4.6million to date. Watkins shared a document with details on Start Up Martinsville and Grow Martinsville-Henry County programs, both are training and mentoring programs. They limited the number of applicants this year to 25 by Patrick and Henry College’s request due to COVID restrictions. Watkins pointed out that the audience is diverse and shared details about diversity of those participating in the programs. Watkins touched on the entrepreneurial support in Uptown along with the Farmer’s Market, with some of those vendors venturing out to market online. Kendall Davis, Public Information Officer for the City of Martinsville is doing a series of April 12, 2022 Council Meeting videos to promote Uptown businesses. A small business resource guide to assist any local business owners has been printed and hard copies will be available along with information on their website. The Chamber’s education foundation had partnered with 3 schools where students will be completing murals throughout the City. Council Member Turner said that the Chamber has made great use of funding to help promote businesses within the City, stating that it was a good return for the money. Mayor Lawson said to have an 87% Start-Up success rate especially during COVID is impressive. Council Member Pearson is a Start-Up graduate and funding recipient and explained the program is amazing and very beneficial. Pearson said it is important to stay in touch with the Chamber consistently. Martin said New Orleans had an open pavilion with a food “incubator” for new businesses to test their food business prior to opening a storefront. April 12, 2022 Council Meeting April 12, 2022 Council Meeting April 12, 2022 Council Meeting April 12, 2022 Council Meeting Consider adoption of a resolution recognizing April as Fair Housing Month and expressing the City’s pledge to provide equal housing opportunities for all citizens – Mark McCaskill, Community Development Manager explained that the resolution is adopted every April as required by grant applications. Vice Mayor Bowles made the motion to adopt the resolution. Council Member Martin seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Council Member Turner, aye; Council Member Pearson, aye; Council Member Martin, aye; Vice Mayor Bowles, aye; and Mayor Lawson, aye. April 12, 2022 Council Meeting Hear an update from Building Inspections regarding demolition of structures within the City – Building Inspector Kris Bridges presented a PowerPoint detailing properties on the demolition list. Bridges must follow stringent right-of-entry restrictions when inspecting properties, he cannot go to extreme measures to view damage and rating must be determined from what can be seen from the street. Mayor Lawson asked why the homes on Dillard Street were not demolished when the City had CBD Grant money for that area. Mayor Lawson verified that the City paid nothing for demolitions last year and asked if there were any possibilities of property owners handling their own demolition. Bridges said of the 8 on the list, 1 may possibly pay for their own demolition. Council Member Pearson asked for a presentation on delinquent taxes on these properties and asked if Inspections could be any more proactive and try to work more easily with the public. Bridges explained that his department has hired a third employee to assist with the high visibility problem properties. They do not have the staff to be any more proactive. Mayor Lawson confirmed that Inspections works with property owners, telling them what needs to be done to fix or prevent the issues along with a time limit. April 12, 2022 Council Meeting Consider authorizing staff to execute an option agreement with Martinsville Methodist Properties, Inc. for the possible acquisition of certain properties at the corner of Depot and Lester Streets – City Manager Towarnicki explained that in recent months, there has been a lot of interest in reuse of the property at Depot and Lester Streets. The City has received some grant money allowing them to generate plans for potential revitalization ideas for the project. Towarnicki has met with the church with the option to acquire the property. The City would have site control of the property, giving the City a leg up on applying for grants. A remediation grant would clean up what’s already there at the property. Proposals would be presented for developmental options, working with the church on the final decision. Vice Mayor Bowles made a motion to recess as Council and reconvene as MRHA; Council Member Turner seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Council Member Martin, aye; Council Member Turner, April 12, 2022 Council Meeting aye; Council Member Pearson, aye; Vice Mayor Bowles, aye; and Mayor Lawson, aye. Housing Authority Member Martin made a motion to authorize the MRHA director to execute the option. Vice Chair Bowles seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Housing Authority Member Pearson, aye; Housing Authority Chair Lawson, aye; Housing Authority Member Turner, aye; Housing Authority Vice Chair Bowles, aye, and Housing Authority Member Martin, aye. Housing Authority Pearson made the motion to adjourn as MRHA and reconvene as Council. Vice Chair Bowles seconded the motion with the following roll call vote: Housing Authority Member Turner, aye; Housing Authority Member Pearson, aye; Housing Authority Chair Lawson, aye; Housing Authority Vice Chair Bowles, aye, and Housing Authority Member Martin, aye. April 12, 2022 Council Meeting Consider approval of the consent agenda – Vice Mayor Bowles made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. Council Member Turner seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor. Business from the floor – Keith Owens, 1708 Meadowview Lane and an advocate for using ARPA funds towards a homeless shelter, asked where the City is on creating committees for ARPA funding discussions. Mayor Lawson explained that the City is currently working on creating diverse committees. The City Manager will be sharing additional information. Comments by members of City Council – Council Member Pearson thanked Mr. Owens for asking the same questions she had regarding the ARPA committees and wished a happy belated birthday to Mayor Lawson. Pearson is thankful for the senate bills being signed, giving residents the opportunity to vote on reversion. Pearson wants to note that this is a great time to tap the brakes before Council spends any more money on reversion. Council Member Martin shared a message from City resident Mr. Childress who lives in the West End area. Childress stated that April 12, 2022 Council Meeting he took his son to the West End Park and was shocked that the park looked exactly the same as it did in 1995 and he was sad to see that there had been no repairs or upgrades. Martin explained to the Childress that the plan was to use ARPA funds to address the condition of the park. Council Member Turner said he had a good time at the Martinsville race and looks forward to more night races. Turner met with Congressman Griffith about 10 potential appointments to the Merchant Marine Academy. Mayor Bowles received the same email as Martin and spoke to Mr. Childress as well. Bowles said that Made in Martinsville is conducting a survey and she encourages residents to complete that. The Martinsville chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi will hold an event with free food and to focus on health care and mental health in our area; Bowles encourages residents to attend. Bowles attended the Uptown Partnership at the TAD space yesterday with Mayor Lawson. Angel Face Beauty in Martinsville is doing a giveaway for 2 ladies offering a prom dress, makeup and a photo shoot. Bowles thanked Martinsville-Henry County Social Services for holding a baby and toddler supply giveaway, she was shocked at the statistics when she found out the majority of resident on food stamps have a job but can’t afford basic needs. Bowles also wished Mayor Lawson a happy belated birthday and said that she enjoyed the race with Lawson and Turner; she appreciates all that the race track has to offer. Mayor Lawson remind residents of Hazardous Waste Day on April 23 from 9:00am-12:00pm at the Bassett warehouse. Lawson also attended race and said it was well attended even with the inclement weather. The Field of Flags is up now through the end of April in honor of Child Abuse Awareness Prevention Month; Lawson encourages residents to ride by there. The giveaway at DSS was funded by a grant from West Piedmont; they gave out all products by noon and offered formula, diapers, pack and plays, car seats, etc. Lawson said it was brought to her attention that there are nonprofit organizations purchasing homes in Martinsville to use as halfway houses; these would be considered a business and should fall under zoning restrictions. Lawson invited the public to review documents on the city’s website related to the ARPA funds and the CEDS list and said there were several of the same projects listed on both because the City has recognized for decades that these projects need attention. Comments by the City Manager/City Attorney – City Manager Towarnicki explained that more information on the ARPA funds would be presented at the next Council meeting with recommendations on formation of the committees. The survey revealed generally well thought out logical and reasonable suggestions. Towarnicki said there is $8-9million remaining after the previously approved projects. Turner asked that the potential for reversion be considered with some of the ARPA money set aside to lighten the tax burden. Martin suggested that some high school students be included in the committee. Towarnicki said Council will be busy, noting the April 25 Neighborhood meeting at Southside at Fuller Memorial at 7:30pm and a tour at 5:30pm. Lawson asked the Public Works department to do a drive-by condition statement of neighborhood parks prior to the meeting so that Council will be prepared to discuss those. There will be a Council Meeting on April 26 and budget work sessions on April 27, May 3 and May 4 April 12, 2022 Council Meeting from 6:00-8:00pm. On April 28, there will be a grand reopening of the Chief Tassel Building at 2:00pm. The Martinsville Visitors Center closed in February for financial reasons. Towarnicki met with EDC and they are making efforts to get visitor information to approximately 20 different locations throughout the community for visitors to access. There will be a note added to the door at the visitor’s center directing people to those locations. The City is working with the company that developed the visitor center signs to get those updated. Towarnicki received an email from Donald Aheron, Division President at Nationwide Homes related to the Five Points project. Nationwide Home’s parent company CAVCO submitted the project to the National Manufacturer Housing Institute and was awarded the Community Impact Project of the Year award for the Five Points project. He has counted at least 12 grants currently being administered; there is a lot of work done locally and administratively using other organization’s money totaling approximately $5million. There being no further business, Council Member Turner made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15pm. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council Kathy Lawson, Mayor