City Council

MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING April 12, 2021 7:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION PRESENT: The Honorable Gordon C. Helsel, Jr., Mayor The Honorable Carey L. Freeman, Vice Mayor The Honorable Herbert R. Green, Jr. The Honorable David A. Hux The Honorable Charles M. Southall III The Honorable Thomas J. Cannella II The Honorable Jana D. Andrews J. Randall Wheeler, City Manager Kimberly Healy, City Clerk D. Wayne Moore, City Attorney ABSENT: None MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: Mayor Helsel called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilwoman Andrews rendered the invocation and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Recommended Constrained Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2022-2026 and Beyond Finance Director, Tonya O’Connell, presented the recommended Constrained Capital Improvements Plan (CCIP) that was approved by the Planning Commission by a vote of 6-0 on March 22, 2021. The purpose of the CCIP is to plan for the facilities required to support the City’s public service responsibilities, improve financial planning, establish priorities among projects, plan public facility construction and major equipment purchases and support the physical development objectives contained in approved City plans. Mrs. O’Connell provided an update for ongoing projects with the School Division and the City. She also reviewed the City Manager recommendations for upcoming projects. Councilman Green moved, seconded by Councilman Southall, to approve an Ordinance Approving the Constrained Capital Improvements Plan (CCIP) for Fiscal Years 2022-2026 and Beyond. Recorded vote on the motion: YES: Councilmembers Cannella, Andrews, Green, Southall, Hux, Vice Mayor Freeman and Mayor Helsel NO: None 1  2. Amendment of the FY2021 Budget for 2021 Bond Sales Finance Director, Tonya O’Connell, presented an Ordinance to Amend the FY 2021 Budget for Bond Sales to appropriate funds of up to $3.6 Million to cover approved school projects and refinancing of $3.8 Million from the Sewer Fund. Councilman Green moved, seconded by Councilman Cannella, to approve the Ordinance Amending the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget for 2021 Bond Sales. Recorded vote on the motion: YES: Councilmembers Andrews, Southall, Cannella, Hux, Green, Vice Mayor Freeman and Mayor Helsel NO: None AUDIENCE FOR VISITORS: Mr. Robert Lippincott of 33 Carriage Hill Drive presented 3 photos of Lambs Creek at low tide and provided documents requesting that the City collaborate with York County to dredge Lamb’s Creek to make it navigable again. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Councilman Green moved, seconded by Councilman Cannella, to adopt the minutes of the regular session held on March 22, 2021 as submitted. Recorded vote on the motion: YES: Councilmembers Green, Hux, Cannella, Southall, Andrews, Vice Mayor Freeman and Mayor Helsel NO: None NEW BUSINESS: 1. Fiscal Year 2022 City Manager Recommended Annual Financial Plan City Manager, Randy Wheeler, presented the City Manager’s Recommended Annual Financial Plan for Fiscal Year 2022 (Budget). Mr. Wheeler reviewed the Guiding Principles of the Budget which are stable tax rates, focus on existing services, adherence to financial guidelines, base financial recommendation on best available information and limit new initiatives. In addition, the City Manager recommended one cent reduction in the real property tax rate. The areas of strategic focus are Public Education with a proposed increase to local support to provide a 5% pay increase for qualified staff, Public Safety with new initiative for physical examinations, Quality of Life, Quality of Service contains the 2% pay compensation provided mid-year in Fiscal Year 2021 and recommending an additional 3% pay compensation, and maintaining the goal of $1 Million Fiscal Stability Reserve. Mr. Wheeler reviewed additional steps that have been taken to ensure Fiscal Stability for Fiscal Year 2021 to include delayed penalty and interest on real estate tax payments for June 2020, waived late fees and interest on Sewer and Solid Waste bills and a federal grant to help persons impacted by COVID-19 with delinquent sewer bills. The Economic Development Office also assisted local restaurants with state and federal loan and grant programs. Mr. Wheeler reviewed the following key dates: Joint work session with the School Board, budget public hearing and proposed tax rate public hearing on April 26, 2021 and Final adoption of the budget on May 10, 2021. 2 COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER: City Manager, Randy Wheeler, provided a COVID-19 vaccination update stating approximately 5,185 City residents have had at least 1 dose of the vaccine, this number does not include persons vaccinated by the U.S. Military or Veteran’s Administration. The Peninsula Health Department has a sufficient supply to begin offering vaccinations to anyone 16 and older and there are spaces available this week. If you are homebound and unable to get out to the Hampton Convention Center please call the City Manager’s Office for help with arrangements. Mr. Wheeler notified Council that construction is set to begin on the new CVS replacing the old BB&T building on the corner of Wythe Creek Road and Little Florida Road. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES: Councilman Green commended Mr. Wheeler and his staff on their work on the budget through a very difficult year. Councilman Southall thanked the staff for their work on the budget and the CCIP. He also thanks all of the citizens at home who watch and pay attention to the meeting. Councilwoman Andrews reiterated her appreciation for the staff’s work on the budget and the hard work and time that goes into it. She also thanked Mr. Wheeler for his views and comments when she contacts him with questions or issues. Vice Mayor Freeman states we are blessed with the Manager’s staff and community volunteers that are in the City. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Councilman Green moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Freeman to adjourn the meeting. Recorded vote on the motion: YES: Councilmembers Hux, Southall, Green, Andrews, Cannella, Vice Mayor Freeman and Mayor Helsel NO: None The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:49 p.m. Adopted: April 26, 2021 3