City Council
Regular MeetingMartinsville, VA · May 24, 2022
Minutes
May 24, 2022 Council Meeting
The regular meeting of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia was held on Tuesday,
May 24, 2022 in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 7:00 PM with Mayor Kathy Lawson
presiding. Other Council Members present included Danny Turner, Chad Martin, Jennifer
Bowles and Tammy Pearson. Staff present included City Manager Leon Towarnicki, Assistant
City Manager and City Attorney Eric Monday, Clerk of Council Karen Roberts, and Police
Lieutenant Doug Graham.
Mayor Lawson called the meeting to order and advised Council would go into Closed Session
beginning at 6:00 PM. In accordance with section 2.1-344 (A) Code of Virginia (1950, and as
amended) and upon a motion by Vice Mayor Bowles and seconded by Council Member Pearson
with the following 4-0 recorded vote: Mayor Lawson, aye; Council Member Pearson, aye; Council
Member Turner, aye; and Vice Mayor Bowles, aye. Council convened in Closed Session to
discuss the following matters: (A) Discussion or consideration of the investment of public funds
where competition or bargaining is involved, where, if made public initially, the financial interest
of the governmental unit would be adversely affected, as authorized by Subsection 6. Council
Member Martin joined Closed Session at 6:45pm. 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 meeting. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Bowles, seconded by Council
Member Martin with the following 5-0 recorded vote in favor to return to Open Session: Council
Member Turner, aye; Council Member Pearson, aye; Council Member Martin, aye; Vice Mayor
Bowles, aye; and Mayor Lawson, aye. No action was taken out of closed session.
Approve minutes from the April 25, 2022 Neighborhood Meeting, the April 26, Council
Meeting, and the April 27 Work Session - Bowles made a motion to approve the minutes as
presented. Martin seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor.
Hear an overview of the May 23, 2022 West End neighborhood tour and meeting – City
Manager Towarnicki summarized the tour and the neighborhood meeting including those staff
members in attendance, locations visited and concerns expressed by residents which will be
addressed by the Property Maintenance, the Police Department and Public Works. Towarnicki
said approximately 25 residents attended the meeting. The neighborhood meeting ended around
9:00pm but individual conversations continued until almost 10:00pm. Vice Mayor Bowles asked
Towarnicki to follow up on concerns expressed over damaged trash cans and training the refuse
employees to better handle those. Bowles had questions about the park at the old Housing Office
and who owned that property. City Attorney Monday explained that the park is a dedicated
park and appears to be owned by Baldwin Development Corporation and not the City. The park
has not been maintained for many years and the trees falling from the property have caused
damage to neighboring properties. There has been some interest in the past about making it a
pocket park but neighbors were not interested in redeveloping that location, feeling that it would
May 24, 2022 Council Meeting
only draw people as a hangout. Monday encouraged Council to consider residents opinions and
then if they decide to proceed with redeveloping the park, the City would need to take ownership
of the property. Bowles mentioned the possibility of speed bumps in various areas, she asked
what could be done to address the rat issue in the West-end area and she expressed concern
about the entrance to Massey Street and if the Transportation Safety Commission could review
that area. Council Member Turner asked about an abandoned right-of-way and the process for
a resident to take ownership of that property. Council Member Pearson said she heard from
residents voicing concerns that they’ve called or visited City departments and they feel that their
concerns are not being addressed. She asked if a list could be consolidated from the
neighborhood meetings with documentation of steps taken to address those concerns and costs
associated with it and then those answers be provided to residents at a Council meeting or the
next neighborhood meeting. Vice Mayor Bowles suggested that a brief recap of actions taken
from previous concerns be presented at the next neighborhood meeting. Towarnicki explained
that he will make a note of the concerns and then he will put a response to each item. Mayor
Lawson wants to see a record of concerns and action taken to address those.
Consider setting a public hearing for Council’s June 14, 2022 meeting for the purpose of
receiving names of citizens interested in appointments for one 3-year term ending June 30,
2025, and one unexpired 3-year term ending on June 30, 2024 on the Martinsville City School
Board – City Manager Towarnicki explained that interested parties must have their name
mentioned at the public hearing to be considered for the board. Bowles made a motion to set
the public hearing for June 14, 2022; Martin seconded the motion with all Council Members
voting in favor.
Consider approval of Budget Ordinance 2022-U-2 on second reading – City Manager
Towarnicki pointed out that the summary sheet and ordinance were revised. Towarnicki
summarized the proposed budget and actions taken towards approval of the budget so far.
Towarnicki explained there were revisions made to the library and school budgets and a revision
to the tax assessment note at the bottom of the ordinance. Vice Mayor Bowles made a motion
to amend the ordinance; Turner seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor.
Council Member Pearson expressed concern over the schools use of ESSER funds and potential
reimbursement by the City. Pearson touched on Commissioner of Revenue Ruth Easley’s
presentation about personal property tax rates and what action Council should take. Council
Member Martin asked Easley if the City had ever gotten back 100% of personal property taxes.
Easley said to answer Martin’s question, she does not do the collection, the Treasurer’s office
does the collection and she has no idea what the Finance team uses for collection rates because
they don’t have those discussion. With the personal property, what has happened is information
with a conversation that Easley initiated with the Finance team in March. They discussed just
the passenger cars, the trucks and the motorcycles. That number that appears to be budgeted
looks like it’s only for passenger cars, trucks and motorcycles. It doesn’t include any kind of
May 24, 2022 Council Meeting
budget manipulation, trend analysis or anything for the rest of it. Just with that assessment
that she is projecting for passenger cars, trucks and motorcycles is already going to exceed what
she assessed for last year for everything. They did $81million last year in assessments for all
personal property that includes passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, ambulances, trailers, RVs,
boats, jet skis, and she knows she’s missing 6-7 other things but that’s the point. We are looking
at probably about another $9million that was never included in the budget because we don’t
have these conversations. Bowles thanked Easley and stated that she was not in favor of making
a change, she likes the budget as is and she will not vote for an amendment. Mayor Lawson said
if Council sees a change in the budget then they can amend it at a later date. Pearson expressed
concern that Council is leaving nothing towards reversion, stating it feels like they are giving
them a blank check. Vice Mayor Bowles made a motion to approve the Budget Ordinance 2022-
U-2 on second reading; Council Member Martin seconded the motion with the following 4-1 roll
call vote: Vice Mayor Bowles, aye; Council Member Martin, aye; Council Member Turner, aye;
Mayor Lawson, aye; and Council Member Pearson, nay.
Consider approval of the consent agenda – Bowles made a motion to approve the consent
agenda as presented; Martin seconded the motion with all Council Members voting in favor.
Business from the Floor – None
Comments by City Council – Council Member Turner shared that he is looking forward to
Memorial Day and honoring those who gave their life in combat to protect our rights. Wreaths
will be placed in honor of those veterans who died in combat. Council Member Martin asked
the community to pray for the Texas community and the tragedy there. Council Member
Pearson congratulated Martinsville High School graduates, Dr. Talley and Martinsville teachers
as well as the upcoming graduates in Henry County. Vice Mayor Bowles echoed Martin and
Pearson’s sentiments and congratulated Martinsville High School graduates. She was proud
when they toured the West End neighborhood and stated overall everything looked nice and she
was pleased that most issues were already being addressed by Property Maintenance. She was
born and raised and still resides in the West End area. Mayor Lawson congratulated Tim Martin
and Martin Plaza and Showroom for receiving the Uptown Business of the Year Award. Lawson
congratulated all Martinsville High School graduates. Memorial Day is May 30; 50 flags will be
placed at Roselawn and the remainder will be displayed in Uptown Martinsville totaling 160
flags. June 12 at 2:00pm at the Historic Courthouse there will be a Flag Day celebration and
recognition of the Army’s birthday. The Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society will
premiere the movie documentary, “A Conversation with American Heroes from Martinsville and
Henry County” on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 3:00pm in the Walker Theatre of Patrick & Henry
Community College. Lawson also shared that the Martinsville Mustangs will begin their season
on Thursday with an away game and another home game on Friday
Comments by the City Manager – City Manager Towarnicki stated that Monday is Memorial
Day so City Hall will be closed. He invited the public to a Memorial Day event at Roselawn
May 24, 2022 Council Meeting
Monday at noon and on June 9 at 10:00am there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the
battery storage project on Maple Street.
There being no further business, Vice Mayor Bowles made a motion to adjourn the meeting;
the motion was seconded by Council Member Turner with all Council Members voting in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00pm.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council Kathy Lawson, Mayor
Agenda
AGENDA--CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA
Council Chambers – Municipal Building
6:30pm Closed Session 7:00pm Regular Session
Tuesday May 24, 2022
6:30 pm - Closed Session
Items to be considered in Closed Session, in accordance with the Code of Virginia, Title 2.2,
Chapter 37—Freedom of Information Act, Section 2.2-3711(A)—Closed Meetings, the
following:
A. Discussion or consideration of the investment of public funds where competition or
bargaining is involved, where, if made public initially, the financial interest of the
governmental unit would be adversely affected, as authorized by Subsection 6.
7:00 pm - Regular Session
Pledge to the American Flag and Invocation by Mayor Lawson.
1. Approve minutes from the April 25, 2022 Neighborhood Meeting, the April 26, Council
Meeting, and the April 27 Work Session. (5 mins)
2. Hear an overview of the May 23, 2022 West End neighborhood tour and meeting. (10
mins)
3. Consider setting a public hearing for Council’s June 14, 2022 meeting for the purpose
of receiving names of citizens interested in appointments for one 3-year term ending
June 30, 2025, and one unexpired 3-year term ending on June 30, 2024 on the
Martinsville City School Board (5 mins)
4. Consider approval of Budget Ordinance 2022-U-2 on second reading. (20 mins)
5. Consider approval of the consent agenda. (5 mins)
6. Business from the Floor -
The public comment portion of the Council meeting provides citizens the opportunity to discuss matters relevant to the operation
of the City, which are not listed on the printed agenda.
Citizens who wish to participate in a meeting’s public comment period may do so by emailing their comments to Karen Roberts,
Clerk of Council, at kroberts@ci.martinsville.va.us, calling in their 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 12:00noon Monday May 23. Citizens may also request to speak at the Council meeting in the same manner.
Comments, or a request to speak, must be received by noon the day before a Council meeting for consideration by Council at the
meeting.
Any person submitting comments or requesting to speak must identify themselves by name and address, including zip code, limit
their remarks to 3 minutes or less (as read aloud), address a topic of City business, and refrain from making any personal
references or accusations of a factually false and/or malicious nature. Priority for comments is given to City residents, taxpayers,
and business owners. Speakers may not yield time. Groups of speakers on the same topic must designate a single
representative. Comments violating these rules may not be presented at the Council meeting. Any speaker violating these rules
may be removed from the podium or from the Council chamber.
This policy does not apply to public hearings, at which any citizen of Martinsville may appear and speak on the subject of the
public hearing.
7. Comments by members of City Council. (5 mins)
8. Comments by City Manager and City Attorney. (5 mins)
City Council
Agenda Summary
Meeting Date: May 24, 2022
Item No: 1.
Department: Clerk of Council
Issue: Consider approval of minutes
Summary: None
Attachments: April 25, 2022 Neighborhood Meeting
April 26, Council Meeting
April 27 Work Session
Recommendations: Motion to approve minutes as presented.
City Council
Agenda Summary
Date: May 24 2022
Item No: 2.
Department: City Council
Issue: Hear an overview of the May 23, 2022 West End neighborhood tour
and meeting.
Summary: A recap of the West End neighborhood tour and neighborhood
community meeting held at Albert Harris Elementary School at 710 Smith
Street on Monday, May 23rd will be given.
Attachments: None
Recommendations: This item is being presented for public information
purposes – no action needed by Council.
City Council
Agenda Summary
Meeting Date: May 24, 2022
Item No: 3.
Department: City Manager
Issue: Consider setting a public hearing for Council’s June 14, 2022
meeting for the purpose of receiving names of citizens interested in appointments
for one 3-year term ending June 30, 2025, and one unexpired 3-year term ending
on June 30, 2024 on the Martinsville City School Board.
Summary: Only those citizens whose names are brought up during the Public
Hearing can be considered for appointment, and appointments cannot be made
until seven days after the Public Hearing. Citizens may appear in person, stating
their name, address, and interest in the position; or their name, address, and
interest may be offered by another individual. Council typically conducts
interviews with candidates after this meeting, with the appointments to be
announced at or after Council’s second meeting in June.
Attachments: Martinsville School Board current listing.
Recommendations: Set the Public Hearing for June 14, 2022
City Council
Agenda Summary
Meeting Date: May 24, 2022
Item No: 4.
Department: City Council
Issue: Consider approval of Budget Ordinance 2022-U-2 on second
reading.
Summary: The City’s proposed FY23 Budget was presented to Council at
the April 26, 2022 meeting. Work sessions were held on Wednesday, April 27th
with Schools, Fire, and PD, with remaining City departments and certain outside
agencies on Tuesday, May 3rd and Wednesday, May 4th. The budget as presented
includes leaving all tax rates and fees at the FY22 levels with the exception of a
recommended 7% increase in Refuse collection fees.
A public hearing on the proposed FY23 budget was held on Tuesday, May 10
followed by an additional work session on Wednesday, May 18. At the May 18
work session, Council; (1) confirmed an earlier vote to provide an additional
$6,571 for the Library, being half of their request, and noted a willingness to
provide the full request contingent upon Henry & Patrick Counties doing likewise;
(2) agreed to reduce school funding by $350,000 while requesting that efforts be
made to explore options to cover those costs with ESSER funds, but agreeing to
backfill in the event that proves unsuccessful, and (3) agreed on an assessment
ratio of 80% for tangible personal property for the FY23 budget year with an
anticipated reduction of $342,659 to the personal property tax bills of citizens.
Attachments: Ordinance 2022 –U-2, outlining fund details of the proposed
City’s FY22-23 Budget.
Recommendations: Approve on second reading (roll call vote), subject to
additional changes or modifications Council desires to make.
Ordinance 2022-U-2
The Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia, in regular session assembled May
24, 2022, that the following sums of money be and hereby are appropriated — by specific Fund — for the
City's fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, from the following Fund sources of estimated revenue:
SUMMARY STATEMENT OF BUDGET ESTIMATES
2022-2023
PROJECTED BUDGETED CHANGES
FUND REVENUES EXPENDITURES FUND BALANCE
General $33,172,346 $36,764,447 ($3,592,101)
Meals Tax $2,722,721 $2,722,721 $0
Capital Reserve $1,451,116 $1,451,116 $0
Refuse $2,018,795 $2,226,077 ($207,282)
Telecom $2,183,801 $2,193,309 ($9,508)
Water $3,925,600 $3,292,264 $633,336
Sewer $4,597,012 $6,208,661 ($1,611,649)
Electric $20,093,563 $21,350,864 ($1,257,301)
CDBG $1,183,320 $1,090,360 $92,960
Cafeteria* $1,705,775 $2,293,640 ($587,865)
School Operating* $27,054,205 $27,054,205 $0
TOTALS: $100,108,254 $106,647,664 ($6,539,410)
*Cafeteria and School Operating Funds information provided by School Personnel.
Tax Rates:
Real Estate: $1.03975 per $100 assessed value
Personal Property: $2.30 per $100 assessed value (unchanged)
Machinery/Tools: $1.85 per $100 assessed value (unchanged)
Pursuant to Code of Virginia 58.1-3503(B), and with the affirmative agreement of the Commissioner of the
Revenue as publicly stated on May 18, 2022, the City Council as the governing body of the City concurs that all
tangible personal property in the City shall be taxed at an assessment ratio of 80% for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023.
Refuse Collection Fees:
7% increase across all categories
*********
Attest:
Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council
City Council
Agenda Summary
Meeting Date: May 24, 2022
Item No: 5.
Department: Finance
Issue: Consider approval of the consent agenda
Summary:
The attachment amends the FY22 budget with appropriations in the following
fund:
FY22
School ESSER/CARES Funds: $ 32,218 – ARP Homeless Children Grant
Attachments: Consent Agenda –5-24-2022
Recommendations: Approve
BUDGET ADDITIONS FOR 05/24/2022
ORG OBJECT DESCRIPTION DEBIT CREDIT
FY2022
School ESSER/CARES
19102926 499999 ARP Homeless 32,218
98000221 561620 Supplemental S&W 2,000
98000221 562100 Social Security 153
98000221 563000 Purchased Services 1,000
98000221 565801 Community Outreach 5,000
98000221 566000 Materials & Supplies 5,000
98000221 568100 Capital Outlay Additions 19,065
ARP Homeless Children & Youth Grant
Total School ESSER/CARE Fund: 32,218 32,218
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