MINUTES REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 8, 2020  The regular meeting oft the Council: for the City of Covington was held electronically on Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. from the Council Chambers ofCity Hall located at 333 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas H. Sibold, Jr. The invocation was given by Rev. Doug Hollenbeck. Because members were participating via Zoom, Mayor Sibold dispensed Roll Call of Council showed all members present electronically as follows: Mayor Sibold, Vice Mayor David S. Crosier, Councilman William E. (Lance) Carson, Jr., Councilman Raymond C.  W. Locust Street, Covington, Virginia.  oft the Pledge of Allegiance.  Hunter and Councilman S. Allan Tucker. City Manager: Krystal Onaitis City Attorney: Mark Popovich  As the meeting was conducted electronically via Zoom, Mayor Thomas Sibold read a statement declaring that due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus health emergency and pursuant to Chapter 1283 oft the 2020 Acts of Assembly, Council would convene electronically for this meeting to transact the business statutorily required or necessary to continue the operations ofthe City.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA approve the agenda as presented. CITIZEN COMMENTS  Upon ai motion by Vice Mayor Crosier, seconded by Mr. Hunter, Council voted by consent to  City Clerk Rebecca Scott read an email from Adam Lacks concerning the inconvenience ofroad closures on both Mallow Road and Edgemont Drive, asking why two projects with road closures were being completed concurrently. Mayor Sibold stated that City Manager Krystal Onaitis  would deal with this inl her report later. CORRECTION AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Upon ai motion by Vicel Mayor Crosier, seconded by Mr. Hunter, Council voted to approve the following minutes as presented: Called Meeting ofNovember 3, 2020; Work Session of  November 3, 2020; and the Regular Meeting ofNovember 10, 2020.  SPECIAL PRESENTATION  Mr. Gordon Jones of Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates, PLLC, presented the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for 2020. Overall, Mr. Jones called the audit "a clean report"    Page 2: December 8, 2020  that showed no material weaknesses. In areas that needed addressing, Mr. Jones noteda a deficiency in internal control in the Treasurer's office that needs a segregation of duties, which he said has been in the CAFR since 2008. He stated that moving the entire tax collection process Mr. Jones showed that audit oft the General Fund for 2020 showed a 3.19 percent growth in general property taxes and 2.17 percent in other local taxes, with an increased fund balance showing 1.11 percent less total operating expenses and debt services with 1.1 percent less Int the Audit Recommendations, he noted that reporting procedures for urban highway maintenance need to be specific to the actual location. His final recommendation concerned the annual Conflict of Interest Forms required by the Virginia Ethics Council be: fully completed by all members as one council member and one school board member left at least one portion Ms. Onaitis highlighted the City's "positive cash position" that grew the fund balance by $1 million with no use ofthe fund balance and no department overspending its budget in 2020. However, she warned that the financial impact of COVID: has yet to be determined and noted that tax delinquency was up slightly and at tenj percent increase in unemployment has occurred  online on Munis should allow these duties to be segregated.  because ofa a school board loan being completed.  incomplete on last year's forms.  since this time last year.  REPORT OF THE CITY MANAGER  1.1 Road Improvements: On Mallow Road, at least 181 trees that were dead or presented a safety risk have been cut. The ditch around the curve has been upgraded, and drainage ditches have been lined with impervious liners. The road is slated toi reopen next week, with paving and guardrail installation to follow. Ini regard to the question from the Citizen Comments section concerning two major road closures at the same time, Ms. Onaitis stated that the Mallow project took longer than anticipated because ofthe drainage issues, It is also more financially sound to keep two crews working to reduce mobilization costs that occur each time a crew: moves. Ms. Onaitis acknowledged problems with traffic control on Edgemont Drive. Although her office had communicated that only large vehicles were prohibited from using Grass and Mumford streets, the contractor's staff prohibited all traffic from those streets. The Public Works staff1 has installed signs for local traffic only int those areas. Another miscommunication occurred when that portion of Edgemont Drive was closed completed at approximately 3 p.m. on. Friday, December 4, due to safety issues. The ground became unstable and cracks and larger fractures occurred int the asphalt, making it unsafe for even small vehicles. Police Chief Chris Smith posted ai message online, and Public Works Director Allen Dressler personally addressed residents, but many residents did call her office. Mayor Sibold asked that local media, specifically listing the newspaper, radio station, and online journal, be contacted in any such event. Despite issues, the project is on schedule, and Edgemont Drive should reopen on  Thursday, December 9.    Page 3: December 8, 2020  2. Maple Avenue: Inl Phase 2, conduit is being installed and then concrete poured around it. VDOT consultants havei inspected several times, and environmental work has been completed for Phase 3. VDOT staff also wants ai meeting to discuss funding in case transportation  alternative funds don'tbecome available.  3.Jackson Street: Work continues on1 the Department ofl Housing and Community Development Funding Application. Two public meetings must be held; CHA consultants have completed the 4.1 Department of Environmental Quality Consent Order: Ms. Onaitis met with Thompson and Litton representatives today, which followed aj joint meeting with CHA consultants on Dec. 2. 5.1 Main Street Revitalization Project; Consultants from Head Down Strategies will complete an on-site visit on Friday, Dec. 10. They will meet with the grant management team and complete 6. Rayon Bridge: She has spoken to Delegate Terry Austin and continues to work with the VDOT district office on various funding sources for the bridge repair. An inspection will bel held the week of December 14-18, with one. lane slated for closure for one day. UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS (Ordinances and Resolutions)  preliminary engineering report focusing on infrastructure and drainage.  an historical walking tour with Anne Wright.  Onar motion from Vice Mayor Crosier and seconded by Mr. Tucker, members voted 5-01 to adopt Ordinance 0-20-15 regarding Chapter 8, Buildings, Section V, Spot Blight Abatement with this tally: Mayor Sibold-For; Vicel Mayor Crosier: For; Mr. Carson-For; Mr. Hunter-For; Mr. Tucker- Ordinance 0-20-16 regarding amending and reenacting certain sections of Chapter 41, Taxation, was passed unanimously on ai motion by Vice Mayor Crosier, seconded by Mr. Tucker. Mayor Sibold, Vice Mayor Crosier, Mr. Carson, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Tucker all voted For. Finance Director David Bryant, who participated in the meeting, submitted a financial impact statement for delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest as was requested ini the December 1 meeting. Members also voted on a motion from Vice Mayor Crosier and a second from Mr. Tucker toj pass Ordinance 0-20-17 regarding amending and: reenacting certain sections of Chapter 19, Storm Water Management: Mayor Sibold-For; Vicel Mayor Crosier: For; Mr. Carson-For; Mr. Hunter- For Resolution R-20-337 regarding an $800 contribution to DARE for the Covington Police Department, ai motion was made by Vice Mayor Crosier, seconded by Mr. Tucker, to approve. Motion carried 5 to 0: Mayor Sibold, For; Vice Mayor Crosier, For; Mr. Carson, For; Mr.  For,  For; Mr. Tucker-For.  Hunter, For; Mr. Tucker, For.    Page 4: December 8, 2020 NEW BUSINESS  Vice Mayor Crosier complimented the Public Works staff for their rapid and professional response ini repairing a water leak in Parrish Court in cold and wet weather. Ms. Onaitis also praised their efforts as several water main breaks occurred when the weather turned cold. Mayor Sibold praised the entire city staffi in dealing with construction, water breaks, and working  virtually. CLOSED SESSION  Upon ai motion by Mr. Crosier, seconded by Mr. Tucker, Council completed an aye vote to move into closed session pursuant to the Freedom ofl Information Act Sec. 2.2-3711 (A)(3) for the discussion or consideration ofthe acquisition ofi real property for aj public purpose and the investment of public funds where discussion in opening meeting would adversely affect the Following the closed session, Council reconvened and voted to certify that only the matter stated was discussed. Because the meeting was held virtually, Council: members will sign the Closed Session Certification later, peri instructions from City Attorney Mark Popovich. With no further business to come before Council, the meeting was adjourned on ai motion from  bargaining position or negotiating strategy oft the City.  Vice) Mayor Crosier and seconded by Mr. Tucker.  Respectfully submitted, Rebecca W. Scott City Clerk