City Council

August 14, 2023 Work Session A work session of the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia was held on August 14, 2023 in Council Chambers, Municipal Building, at 3:00 PM with Mayor LC Jones presiding. Other Council Members present included Kathy Lawson, Aaron Rawls, Lawrence Mitchell and Tammy Pearson along with Interim City Manager Glen Adams. City Directors joined the meeting at 4:00 PM and included Clerk of Council Karen Roberts, IT Director Esther Artis, Finance Director Mandy McGhee, Police Chief Rob Fincher, Telecommunications Director Mike Scaffidi, Utilities Director Durwin Joyce, Fire Chief Dan Howell, Sherry Hancock of Human Resources, Water Resources Director Mandy Muse, PIO Kendall Davis, Building Inspector Kris Bridges, and Jason Biggs of the Public Works Department. Council reviewed the Strategic Plan and Action Work Plan and discussed the major strategic goal areas listed. Council discussed those goals with department heads with the primary focus on housing and expansion of businesses in the city. Vice Mayor Rawls pointed out the first step is to remove blight and build critical mass. Interim City Manager Glen Adams questioned if there was a way Engineering could use GIS to pinpoint vacant lots within the city for business and residential development. Attendees discussed the SDL software and how it could benefit various departments within the City. Attendees continued to discuss education, revitalization and redevelopment, government performance, economic development, City and County relations, and community engagement goals. Interim City Manager Adams explained that there is a direct correlation with top performing cities and top performing schools. Council has requested a retreat in September to meet with School Board officials and believes there should be a facilities study of the schools to gain a better understanding. Attendees agree that there needs to be better communication with the City residents. MiNET was also discussed along with the possibility of providing utilities to a mega development project happening in Pittsylvania County. August 14, 2023 Work Session August 14, 2023 Work Session The meeting with department directors ended at 5:00pm. Interim City Manager Glen Adams continued the meeting with Council Members until 6:00pm There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:00pm. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council LC Jones, Mayor