Galax City Council Minutes September! 9,2 2024  Galax City Council convened in regular session in City Council Chambers on September 9, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. At 6:00 p.m. Mayor Greene called the meeting to order with the following Council members present: Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and  Councilman Bowers.  PRAYER AND PLEDGE ofA ALLEGIANCE- - Councilman Bowers  APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting of August 12, 2024  Councilman Warr made the motion to approve the minutes as presented. Councilman Henck seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman. Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.  RECOGNITION Galax Maroon Tide Soccer Team Class 1A State Soccer Champions.  Mayor Greene presented a proclamation and congratulated the players and coaches oft the Galax Maroon Tide, VHSL Councilman Henck. made the motion to approve the proclamation. Councilwoman Richieseconded, andi thei motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Counciloman Burnett, and Counciman Bowers.  PUBLIC: HEARING  Proposed Amendment ofl FY2025 City Budget  Mayor Greene announced this was the date and time Council set to hold a public hearing to solicit public input on amending the FY25 Operating Budget for the City ofGalax. He declared the public hearing open, and asked Finance Director, Judy Taylor-Gallimore to address Council. She explained the purpose of the amendment was to adjust General Fund, Utility Fund, and Storm Water Fund revenue as well as expenditures for updated projections. Mrs. Taylor-Gallimore concluded that thet total proposed FY25 budget amendment was $4,761.197. With no further public comments, he declared the public hearing closed. City Manager Burnette confirmed when asked by Mayor Greene, Councilman Warr made the motion to approve the FY25 budget amendment. Councilwoman Burnett seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. PRESENTATION OF THE: PROPOSED AMENDED FY2025 GALAX CITY SCHOOLS BUDGET School Superintendent Susan Tilley provided Council with amendments to the FY2025 City Schools budget. She explained that the schools had received an additional 2.4M funding over the past summer. After an in-depth discussion of where the funds would be used. Superintendent Tilley thanked Council for all their support. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION AND APPROPRIATION OFT THE AMENDED FY2025 CITY BUDGET After hearing public comment related to the amending of the FY2025 City Budget, Council was asked to adopt and Councilman. Henck made the motion to adopt and uppropriate. the amended. FY2025 City Budget. Vice Mayor White seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman  the staffrecommendation to approve the FY25 budget amendment.  appropriate the amended FY2025 City budget.  Bowers.    CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION AND APFROPRIATION OF THE AMENDED FY2025 CITY After hearing public comment related to the amending of the FY2025 City Schools Budget, Council was asked to Councilman Warr made the motion to adopt and appropriate the amended FY2025 City Schools Budget. Councilwoman Ritchie seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilwoman Burnett, and  SCHOOLS BUDGET  adopt and appropriate the amended FY2025 City Schools Budget.  Councilman Bowers. Councilman Henck abstained due to a personal conflict.  OLD BUSINESS  Lead Water Service Lines Inventory Update  Planning Director Doug Williams gave an in-depth discussion on the Lead Service Line Inventory program. He explained it was at federally mandated program with a goal of enhancing the safety and reliability ofthel Nation's water distribution infrastructure. Iti is defined by the US EPA's20211 Lead and Copper Rule Revision and thej proposed 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvement. The program requirements apply to ALL utilities in the country, regardless of size or history of lead or lead-related issues. It is not due to any deficiencies in the City of Galax's drinking water supply. He noted the City'sd drinkingwater remained safe and fully compliant with all national regulations. The City's inventory program would be fully funded through a loan-forgiveness program administered by the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (VDH ODW), and as such would have no impact on user rates. Planning Director Williams further explained the Lead Service Line Inventory program required the City to develop ap publicly available inventory of every water service lateral pipe in the City and determine the pipe material for both the City-owned portion (between the water main in the street and the meter box at the property line) and the Customer-owned portion (from the meter box at the property line tot thel home or building). He added thisi information was compiled from data such as billing records, historical documents, physical investigations, and customer outreach. The initial Lead Service Line Inventory would be submitted to VDH ODW by October 16, 2024.  Intersection ofCenter Street and Main Street Update  Planning Director Doug Williams gave an update on work currently ongoing to improve the intersection of Center Street and Main Street to meet Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. He said Staff was continuing to work with the Contractor to attempt to find ways to open access through the construction zone to assist impacted businesses. Council discussed their frustration and dissatisfaction with the progress ofthe current contractors on the project, and hope to find a solution to get the work back on track. City Manager Burnette informed Council that he felt optimistic since obtaining a verbal agreement with the contractors to open Main Street back up when they were  not working. He added that temporary signals are being worked on to get the street open.  Main Street Agreement  Grants Administrator Jolena Young, introduced the new Main Street Director, Hailey Ryan to Council. She said that Ms. Ryan had hit the ground running, and she felt Council would be very pleased with her. Mrs. Young requested to change the order of the agenda to discuss the Main Street Agreement first, then discuss the Galax Vice Muyor White made the motion to approve the request to change the order of the agenda as requested. Councilwoman Burnett seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Under New Business, Mrs. Young discussed a proposed agreement between the Galax Grows Downtown Development Committee and the City. The agreement between the local government and the Main Street 501(c)3 was one of the documents required for the Advancing Main Street application. Mrs. Young discussed the requirements and benefits of achieving and maintaining Advancing Main Street. She informed Council the  Grows Downtown Planning Update.  Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.  agreement had already been approved by the Galax Grows board.    Vice Mayor Beth made the motion to approve the agreement as presented. Councilwoman Ritchie seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman  Bowers.  Galax Grows Downtown Planning Update  Under Old Business, Main Street Director Ryan provided Council with an in-depth presentation and overview oft the Downtown Development Strategic Plan currently in-process. Public input on the plan was received on August 27th, and Council was now being asked for their input on this proposal. After much discussion by Council, there wasa consensus to choose the Rex alley as the priority initial project. City Manager Burnette said due to the budget amendment, there was potentially extra funding available. It would be discussed at a later meeting. Mrs. Young said  we had $80K to start with, and the estimates were still being worked on.  Potential Grant Discussion  Grants Administrator Young discussed aj potential grant from T-Mobile for $50,0001 that, ifa awarded, could be used tot fund ani initial project ofthe Galax Grows development plan. Ms. Young will provide various options for funding Councilman Henck made the motion to approve the submittal ofa T-Mobile grant, for the Rex Alley Project. Councilman Warrseconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Grants Administrator Young, informed Council that Destination by Design would attend the October meeting to  and will seek Council input and direction.  Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.  discuss the strategic plan, then hold aj public hearing for public comment in November.  VML Voting Credentials  Mayor Greene left the meeting for a few minutes. Vice Mayor White announced the next topic, VML voting credentials. City Manager Burnette explained at the upcoming VML Conference beginning October 13th, a business meeting of the organization would be held and each locality gets one vote. Each locality must designate a voting delegate by Friday, September 13th. Council was asked to approve a designated voter and alternate voting Councilwoman. Ritchie made the motion to appoint. Mayor Greene as the voting member, and Vice Mayor White as the alternate to represent Galax at the VML Section and Annual Business Meeting. Councilman Henck seconded, and the motion approved by thej following votes of "yea": Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. Mayor Greene re-  representative for the Section Meeting and Annual Business Meeting.  joined the meeting and notified him of his appointment.  CITIZENS COMMENTS (Limited to 3 minutes per speaker or 5 minutes per group)  Sandy Bryant - Mount Rogers Community Services update  Mike Larrowe, Bill Alley, David Ritchie - Main Street Closure, Twin County Regional Hospital =  GGEMS transport issues discussion Patra Manocha - Galax Outdoor Art Expo  COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY MANAGER, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, AND COUNCIL  COMMITTEES City Manager Burnette  Recommendation by Traffic Safety Committee:    At Main 37./58 orat Conkalldinkaeckons  To allow GolfCarts on all city streets 25 mph and less, and allow them to cross er-aH-sther-strets. Public Councilman Warrmade the motion tos setapublic hearing at the next meeting to amendi the City Code regarding Golf Carts as presented. Vice Mayor White seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr,  Hearing would need to be held at the October 71 meeting.  Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.  Toadd 4-way stops signs at Lafayette & Center, and Lafayette & Washington due to confusing traffic pattern. Councilman Warr made the motion to approve the request as presented. Councilman Bowers seconded. Mayor Greene mentioned a concern ofe emergency traffic being slowed down through that area. After further discussion, the motion was approved by the following votes of "yea": Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Counciloman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. Mayor Greene was  opposed.  Depreciation on Business Machinery & Tools Tax - Consensus to assig the issue to the Audit & Finance VDOT funds 69K approved in budget amendment to use 60K for new building at Public Works fors storage. Zoning requests (three) Fit'zer Upper LLC, Dave Wilson, and VA Carolina Heating & Cooling. If approved by the Planning Commission for public hearings at the October Council meeting. Ar reminder that the October 15th Council meeting willl be held on October 7th due to the VML Conference. Councilman Henck made the motion to approve the date change, Vice Mayor White seconded and the motion wus unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice. Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman. Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman. Bowers.  Committee to consider the allowance of depreciation. GPD Shooting Range, formal opening, Sept. 21 at 1:00 p.m.  Deer population in City - Chief Cooper overview discussion. Permit obtained and expires in October. He said they don't have time to thin the heard. He mentioned Urban Archary as a possible solution. Councilwoman Burnett added that there had to be 3 acres for that sO it was almost impossible with the  strict guidelines. Councilman Bowers  Main Street closure concerns Cleanliness of Downtown Galax  Councilwoman Burnett  Public Safety Meeting Galax Schools Convocation Public Services GGEMS Meetings Galax Grows Meeting  Vice Mayor White  God's Storehouse Open House 9/16 at 4 p.m. The Great Race -approved for next summer    Monta Vista Cemetery - Thanked City for their efforts  Councilman Henck  Public Services Meetings - First Tuesday every month  Rosenwald Revamped  Galax Grows Meetings - $50K approved for 6-81 façade improvements Downtown businesses Sen. Stanley & Del. Williams - Action step: for New RiverTrail office relocation  Councilman Warr  Next' Tourism Meeting date discussion  Mayor Greene  RV Groups - New River Trail  CLOSED SESSION  At 8:551 p.m., Mayor Greene entertained. a motion to enter into closed: session by Vice Mayor White  in Accordance with Code of VA2.2-3711:  (A)()Personnel Discussion  (A)(3) Discussion oft the acquisition of real property or the disposition of real property  Kipling Lane Downtown Galax Parcel(s) Rosenwald-Felts  Councilman Bowers seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman  Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.  RETURN TO OPEN SESSION. AND. ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION  At 10:30 p.m. by ai motion by Councilman. Bowers, andseconded. by Councilman Warr, Council reconvened. in open session, with unanimous approval by all, and Mayor Greene certified that no items other than those allowed under the cited Virginia C ode section were discussed. and no action was taken, with thej following affirmation: Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman, Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman. Henck, Councilwoman  Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. Rooftop Lease Renewed  Vice Mayor White made the motion to renew the Rooftop Lease through July. 31, 2025, excluding the renew clause. Councilwoman Burnett seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck,  Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.  Public Hearing Set  Vice Mayor White made the motion to set a public hearing to amend Chapter 51 of the City Code at the October 7 Council meeting. Councilman Henck seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck,  Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.    Councilwoman Ritchie made the motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Burnett seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice. Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie,  Councilman Warr, Councilman. Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.  ADJOURNMENT at 10:40 p.m. Wabktbsesp  2GS  Mayor  Clerk