City Council

March 26, 2024 Council Meeting A Work Session was held at 5:00 pm on March 26, 2024, in Room 208, Conference Room, Municipal Building. Mayor Jones, Council Member Lawson, Council Member Pearson, Council Member Mitchell, City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides, Deputy Clerk of Council Richard Phipps, Chief Operating Officer Edena Reese-Atmore, Human Resource Director Travis Hodge, Public Information Officer Kendall Davis, Public Works Director Greg Maggard, and Water Resources Director Mandy Muse were in attendance. The four Council Members in attendance voted to adopt a policy for remote attendance for meetings: The City Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia as a Virginia local public body and governing body desires to adopt a policy, as permitted by Virginia Code §2.2-3708.3, to afford a member thereof the opportunity to participate remotely in a Council meeting when such a member may be unable to attend the meeting thereof due to: (1) a temporary or permanent disability or other medical condition of a member, (2) a medical condition of a family member of the member for whom the member is required to provide care, (3) the member’s principal residence is more than sixty (60) miles from the meeting location identified in the required notice for such meeting or (4) a personal matter that is identified with specificity, allowing Vice Mayor Rawls to participate by TEAMs. Discussion was held regarding the reallocation of capital funds for a pressure washer for public works. Briefings: Just Call Granny gave a brief presentation on the services offered. Josh Blubaugh discussed the new Vision and Mission Statements. March 26, 2024 Council Meeting Public Works Director Greg Maggard provided a PowerPoint and update on the Public Works department March 26, 2024 Council Meeting Mandy Muse provided a PowerPoint and update on Water Resources. March 26, 2024 Council Meeting March 26, 2024 Council Meeting City Council Executive Session began at 6:00 PM. In accordance with the Code of Virginia, Title 2.2 Chapter 37, Freedom of Information Act to discuss the following: (A) 2.2-3711.A.1: Discussion, consideration, or interview of prospective candidates for employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body, concerning Boards and Commissions update and Appointments/Re-Appointments, (B) 2.2-3711.A.3: Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose or disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, concerning a Contract Amendment for “I Won’t Stop Family, LLC” Lease, and (C) 2.2-3711A.7: Consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where consultation in an open meeting would adversely affect the City’s negotiation or litigating posture concerning Henry County PSA. 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 Council Member Lawson; seconded by Council Member Pearson with the following 5-0 recorded vote in favor to return to Open Session: Council Member Lawson, aye; Mayor Jones, aye; Council Member Mitchell, aye; Vice Mayor Rawls, aye; and Council Member Pearson, aye. No action was taken out of Closed Session. March 26, 2024 Council Meeting Regular Session began at 7:00 PM with additional attendees including Clerk of Council Karen Roberts, Finance Director Mandy McGhee, Assistant Finance Director Crystal Ferguson, and Police Chief Rob Fincher. Call to Order – Mayor Jones welcomed everyone to the meeting, pointing out that agendas could be found in the back of the room and on the City’s website. Pledge to the American Flag by Council Member Pearson. Invocation by Council Member Lawson Proclamations and Presentations – Council Member Lawson read the Proclamation honoring Marie Smith Craig who was turning 100 years young. The proclamation will be mailed to Ms. Craig and her family. Council Member Pearson provided background, sharing that she is a member of the Garden Club. Being a Bee City is important as bees are essential to our food supply, but many species of bees are becoming extinct. Pearson read the Proclamation recognizing April 2024 as Bee City Month. March 26, 2024 Council Meeting Consent Agenda – City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides shared that the Boards and Commissions were discussed, but no action will be taken on that tonight. Ferrell-Benavides detailed the reallocation request, the National Fitness Campaign grant, and the amended lease agreement for the I Won’t Stop Family lease for the Armory building. Lawson made a motion to approve the consent agenda items; Mitchell seconded the motion with all Council voting in favor. Regular Agenda or new business: Health Benefits Update – Human Resources Director Travis Hodge provided a PowerPoint update on what changes would be expected in the City’s health benefits for the fiscal year 2024/25. Council Member Lawson asked if the school employees would be front-loaded as usual or if they would be paid out in lump sums. Hodge explained that the City had a larger turnover of staff than the schools. Mayor Jones explained that the school employees are under an employment contract. Communications from Visitors / Business from the Floor – No one approached the podium. Comments by Members of City Council – Council Member Mitchell said their hearts go out to the people of Baltimore after today’s tragic bridge collapse. Council Member Pearson wished everyone a Happy Easter. The spring race is April 5, 6 and 7; the race is a valuable economic resource. Council Member Lawson shared details about Hazardous Waste Day on April 16. March 26, 2024 Council Meeting Information about allowed items will be listed online. March 29 the flags will be out Uptown for National Vietnam War Veteran Day. May 2 is National Day of Prayer and there is a community event that day. Grant opportunities are available for small businesses; that information will be added to the city website. It’s race weekend so please welcome visitors to the community; Martinsville is known for its hospitality. Lawson requested Richard Phipps, the new Deputy Clerk of Council be introduced. Mayor Jones asked PIO Kendall Davis to speak; Kendall will be putting out a casting call for a 30-day fitness challenge and the entire community is invited to participate. The casting call is for a Martinsville edition of Biggest Loser that will include trainers from local gyms and prizes. Events will be held weekly until the end of the competition to include biking, meal prep and to educate the public on a healthier lifestyle. June 1 will be a major celebration to end the initiative and will include competitions. Mayor Jones reiterated their prayers are with the people in Baltimore and a reminder that Martinsville could at any time face a big catastrophe. Jones asked Council for approval to give City employees Friday off for Easter. Council Member Lawson made a motion to give city employees the day off on Friday, Council Member Pearson seconded the motion with all Members voting in favor. City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides explained that Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council has served as Clerk for many years, the City Charter has allowed the City Manager to become the Clerk of Council, so she has hired Deputy Clerk Richard Phipps who is in training; Ferrell- Benavides shared some of Phipp’s experience and background including parks and recreation. Police Chief Rob Fincher warned residents about an increase in fraud cases in Martinsville recently and how to protect themselves. Ferrell-Benavides encouraged Council and citizens to check the email address to ensure it’s the actual person sending the emailing. City employees have been trained in recognizing fraud. Monthly Financial Update – Finance Director Mandy McGhee provided an overview of the March 26, 2024 Council Meeting Monthly Financial Report. City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides said its budget season and they are working to put together the FY24-25 budget. McGhee and her team are working to incorporate budget information in a more user-friendly document. March 26, 2024 Council Meeting Adjournment – Council Member Lawson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45pm. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council LC Jones, Mayor