City Council

AGENDA--CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA Council Chambers – Municipal Building 6:30pm Closed Session 7:00pm Regular Session Tuesday April 11, 2023 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. Appointments to boards and commissions, as authorized by Subsection 1. B. 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 Sub section 6 7:00 pm - Regular Session Pledge to the American Flag and Invocation by Council Member Lawson 1. Approve minutes from the March 28 Council Meeting and the April 4, 2023 Closed Session. (5 mins) 2. Read and present a proclamation recognizing the week of April 23 – 29, 2023 as National Library Week. (5 mins) 3. Consider approval of a resolution recognizing April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Martinsville. (5 mins) 4. Consider a request by the Virginia Municipal League to submit nominations for membership on the VML 2023 Policy Committees. (10 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 April 10, 2023. 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. (5 mins)  City Council Agenda Summary Meeting Date: April 11, 2023 Item No: 1. Department: Clerk of Council Issue: Consider approval of minutes Summary: None Attachments: March 28, 2023 Council Meeting April 4, 2023 Closed Session Recommendations: Motion to approve minutes as presented.  City Council Agenda Summary Date: April 11, 2023 Item No: 2. Department: City Council Issue: Read and present a proclamation recognizing the week of April 23 – 29, 2023 as National Library Week. Summary: In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious - they ranged from "encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time" to "improving incomes and health" and "developing strong and happy family life." In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme "Wake Up and Read!" National Library Week was observed again in 1959, and the ALA Council voted to continue the annual celebration. When the National Book Committee disbanded in 1974, ALA assumed full sponsorship. This year, National Library Week will be observed April 23 - 29 with the theme, "There is More to the Story.” Attachments: Proclamation Recommendations: No action by Council needed - the Mayor will read the Proclamation.  PROCLAMATION NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK APRIL 23 – 29, 2023 “There Is More to the Story...” WHEREAS, the Blue Ridge Regional Library System provides the opportunity for everyone to pursue their passions and engage in lifelong learning, allowing them to live their best life; WHEREAS, our Blue Ridge Regional Library has long served as a trusted institution for all members of the community regardless of age, race, ethnicity, creed, ability, or socio-economic status; WHEREAS, our librarians and staff strive to develop and maintain programs and collections that are as diverse as the populations they serve and ensure equity of access for all; WHEREAS, the Blue Ridge Regional Library adapts to the ever-changing needs of Henry County, Martinsville and Patrick County, continually expanding its collections, services, outreach and partnerships; WHEREAS, The Blue Ridge Regional Library plays a critical role in the economic vitality of our communities by providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for job seekers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs; WHEREAS, our libraries are accessible and inclusive places that promote a sense of local connection, advancing understanding, civic engagement, and shared community goals; WHEREAS, libraries are cornerstones of democracy, promoting the free exchange of information and ideas for all; WHEREAS, libraries, librarians, and library workers are joining library supporters and advocates across the nation to celebrate National Library Week; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Martinsville City Council proclaim April 23 - 29, 2023 as National Library Week. During this week, we encourage all residents to visit the Blue Ridge Regional Library, explore the wealth of resources available, and learn “There is More to the Story” of our library. __________________________ LC Jones, Mayor  City Council Agenda Summary Meeting Date: April 11, 2023 Item No: 3. Department: Community Development Issue: Consider approval of a resolution recognizing April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Martinsville. Summary: Every year, the month of April is celebrated as Fair Housing Month. As has been the practice in past years, City Council approves a resolution recognizing the month of April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Martinsville. Attachments: Resolution Recommendations: Approve resolution (voice vote).  Council Members City Manager LC Jones, Mayor Leon E. Towarnicki Aaron Rawls, Vice-Mayor Clerk of Council Kathy Lawson Karen Roberts Lawrence Mitchell Tammy Pearson RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING APRIL, 2023 AS FAIR HOUSING MONTH WHEREAS, the City of Martinsville strives to promote principles of Equal Housing Opportunity by prohibiting discrimination practices in the sale, rental and financing of housing and in implementing its housing and community development programs in a manner to affirmatively further the purposes of the fair housing laws; and WHEREAS, the basis for discrimination outlawed by the federal and state fair housing acts are race, color, sex, religion, national origin, handicap, age and familial status; and WHEREAS, the City of Martinsville believes persons of similar levels should have available to them a like range of housing opportunities and will work to promote equality and freedom of choice; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Martinsville City Council that, on this 11th day of April 2023, in recognition of April as Fair Housing Month it does hereby pledge to work with its citizens in pursuit of the shared goal and responsibility for providing equal housing opportunities for all persons. ******* Attest: _______________________________ Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council April 11, 2023 Date Adopted 55 West Church Street, P. O. Box 1112, Martinsville, VA 24114-1112 276-403-5180 Fax: 276-403-5280 www.martinsville-va.gov  City Council Agenda Summary Date: April 11, 2023 Item No: 4. Department: City Manager Issue: Consider a request by the Virginia Municipal League to submit nominations for membership on the VML 2023 Policy Committees. Summary: Annually, City Council submits nominations for membership to the VML policy committees. Pre-Covid, the committees typically would meet at least once during the summer (and other times as may be needed) for the purpose of developing broad policy statements in addition to submitting specific legislative recommendations for consideration by the Legislative Committee. Recently, the committee meetings have been held virtually. The 2022 Policy Committee assignments were as follows: Community & Economic Development – Tammy Pearson & Chad Martin Finance – Leon Towarnicki General Laws – Eric Monday Human Development & Education –Jennifer Bowles Infrastructure Policy- Kathy Lawson & Chad Martin Attachments: Information from VML Recommendations: Council discussion and decision regarding 2023 committee assignments. March 13, 2023 To: VML Managers and Clerks From: Michelle Gowdy, Executive Director Subject: 2023 VML Policy Committee Appointments and Meetings VML’s 2023 policy process is getting underway! VML has five policy committees that meet in late July to learn about current issues, review current VML policy positions, revise current positions and propose new ones, and recommend issues for consideration by VML’s legislative committee. Who’s eligible to serve? Full-member local governments may nominate their governing body members and appointed staff to serve on a committee How do committees meet? Committee meeting dates and times will be announced soon; all meetings will be held on Zoom. Who serves from my community? We are attaching the 2022 committee lists so you can see who from your local government served on policy committees last year. Your representatives can stay on the same committees, or they can move to a different committee. If no one served on a committee last year, you can make some appointments this year! Just remember that an individual can only serve on one committee per year. Sign us up! Please use the nominations form to fill in your committee nominees for this year and email the form to Keyara Johnson at kjohnson@vml.org by May 15. An explanation of the areas covered by the policy committees and the policy process is attached. Please email Janet Areson (jareson@vml.org) if you have any questions.  VML’s Policy Committee Process Each year the Virginia Municipal League convenes policy committees to involve members in the development of policy statements to guide the League staff and members through the coming year. Policy committees give members an opportunity to hear from subject matter experts on issues of interest and to talk with colleagues from across VML’s member localities about issues of common concern. The policy committees also help develop potential positions for inclusion in VML’s Legislative Program by looking at issues referred to the committee by the Legislative Committee and providing input to that Committee. The policy committees meet once during the year, typically in late July. Meetings will be held via Zoom. FAQs about policy committees What is the role of the policy committees? Policy committees receive briefings on select statewide issues, consider additions and updates to the policy statement, and develop legislative recommendations for the Legislative Committee to consider. How are policy committees appointed? Policy committee membership consists of elected and appointed officials of full-member local governments. Nomination information is sent in the spring to each locality, and each local government determines which of its officials will be nominated for each of the five policy committees. Each local government may nominate up to two people per policy committee, at least one of whom must be an elected official. What are the benefits of serving on a policy committee? VML policy committees offer members an opportunity to learn about current and emerging statewide issues affecting local governments, to develop through policy statements the broad philosophical framework that guides the league, and to network with local officials with similar policy interests. How many policy committees are there? There are five policy committees: 1) community and economic development; 2) finance; 3) general laws; 4) human development and education; and 5) infrastructure (comprised of transportation and natural resources issues). What issues does each policy committee cover? • Community & Economic Development: Authority, administration, and funding of local governments to manage a full range of community and economic development issues, including business development and retention, international competitiveness, infrastructure development and investment, planning, land use and zoning, blight, enterprise zones, housing, workforce development and historic preservation. 1 • Finance: Powers, organization, and administration of local government financing, including taxing authority, debt financing, state aid to local governments and federal policies affecting local finance issues. • General Laws: Powers, duties, responsibilities, organization, and administration of local governments, including state-local and inter-local relations, conflicts-of-interest, freedom-of- information, information management and personnel, telecommunications, utilities, and law and courts issues. • Human Development and Education: Management and funding of social services, prek-12 education, health, behavioral health, juvenile justice and jails, recreation, and aging. • Infrastructure: Development, management, maintenance, and funding of environmental programs including water resources and quality, air quality, and waste management as well as transportation system management and funding. What is a policy statement? Each policy committee develops a policy statement that covers issues in its respective area. The policy statement expresses the agreement of VML’s membership on matters of interest to local governments. The statement generally addresses broad, long-term, philosophical positions. The VML membership approves the policy statements at its annual meeting. How do policy statements differ from VML’s legislative program? Policy statements are general in nature. They reflect local governments’ positions on a range of issues. The Legislative Program is more specific and immediate. It is limited to legislative positions that VML expects to lobby on during the upcoming legislative session. 2  City Council Agenda Summary Meeting Date: April 11, 2023 Item No: 5. Department: Finance Issue: Consider approval of the consent agenda Summary: The attachment amends the FY23 budget with appropriations in the following fund: FY23 General Fund: $ 181,094 – Federal Grant Funds Sewer Fund: $ 5,203,181 – Federal Grant Funds Capital Fund: $ 217,110 – School Construction Grant Attachments: Consent Agenda – 4-11-2023 Recommendations: Approve  BUDGET ADDITIONS FOR 04/11/2023 ORG OBJECT DESCRIPTION DEBIT CREDIT 01102926 442308 ARPA 2023 Funds Revenue 181,094 01311085 508255 ARPA 2023 Funds Expense 181,094 Police Department - Categorical Federal Funds Total General Fund $ 181,094 $ 181,094 - 13102926 442310 Categorial Federal - EDA Grant 3,000,000 13102926 442311 Categorial Federal - DEQ Grant 2,203,181 13551326 508228 Jones Creek Intercepter Project 5,203,181 Federal Grants for Jones Creek Interceptor Project Total Sewer Fund $ 5,203,181 $ 5,203,181 FY23 - Capital - School Construction 16101917 416601 Capital- Categorical State- School Construction 217,110 16579369 508217 School Project - School Construction Grant 217,110 School Construction Grant Program Entitlement Total Capital - School Construction Grant $ 217,110 $ 217,110