Galax City Council Minutes October 7,2024  Galax City Council convened in regular session in the City Council Chamber on October 7, 2024, at 6:00 At6:00p.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,  p.m.  Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.  PRAYER AND PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE - Vice Mayor White  APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting of September 9,2024  Vice Mayor White made the motion to approve the minutes as corrected by Councilwoman Burnett. Councilman Warrseconded, andi 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 Counciman Bowers. HURRICANE HELENE: RECOVERY UPDATE  City Manager Burnette provided an update on Hurricane Helene reçovery, highlighting 100% Dumpsters to be placed for public debris cleanup, and a Disaster Recovery Center was being set City Manager Burnette introduced key City personnel involved int the emergency operations center, including Megan Helmick, Chief Cooper, Melanie Sumney, Justin Campbell, Captain James Cox, The team's efforts in managing the emergency, including water transportation to the hospital and Councilman Warr and Councilwoman Ritchie expressed gratitude tot the emergency responders and City Manager Burnette and Captain James Cox discussed the upcoming Disaster Recovery Center Councilman Henck and Mayor Greene emphasized the community's resilience and the need for Vice Mayor White and Councilwoman Burnett highlighted the importance of community support  restoration of power, water, sewer, and telecommunications.  up.  Mike Woodel, Mike. Ayers, and Patti Price-Love. extensive public information dissemination, were praised. discussed the need fori information on available assistance. and the importance of public information. post-disaster planning. and information sharing.  DISCUSSION ON NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM  Angela Davis from the' Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation explained the benefits Ms. Davis clarified misconceptions about the program, emphasizing that it did not require Mayor Greene and Council members discussed the potential impact on local businesses and Davis reassured Council that most structures were already outside the Special Flood Hazard Area and that the program can bej joined concurrently with addressing individual properties. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE AMENDMENT OF GOLF CART ORDINANCE Mayor Greene announced this was the date Council set for aj proposed amendment of Chapter 148 ofCity Code regarding the GolfCart Ordinancei to allow the operation of golf carts on City streets where the speed  ofjoining the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  relocation of structures or businesses.  residents.  limit is limited to 25 miles per hour or less.    The Traffic Safety Committee met previously, considering Council's request and making recommendations to Council at the last Council meeting. The next step was to hold aj public hearing. Mayor Greene opened  the floor for public comments.  Council discussed the amendments regarding golf cart usage on city streets. curvy streets, and suggested a case-by-case approach for approvals. light at Main Street & Route 58 (East Stuart Drive). with ai focus on ensuring safety and proper crossings for golfc carts. With no further comments made, Mayor Greene closed the public hearing.  Councilwoman Burnett raised safety concerns of allowing golf carts to be on certain dangerous Confirmed the intent was allow golf carts to cross only at the controlled intersection at the stop There was a consensus from Council that more work needed to be done on1 the proposed amendment  Councilman Warr made the motion to send the ordinance back to the committee for further discussion and adjustments. 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, PUBLICHEARING-AMENDMENT OF CHAPTER 51 OF CITYCODE REGARDING PRIVATE Mayor Greene announced this was the date Council set for aj public hearing to receive public comments on amending Chapter 51 of the Galax City Code to allow private medical transport companies to provide medical transportation ofindividuals within the City limits for non-emergency medical transportation only.  Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.  MEDICALIRANSPORIS WITHINTHE CITY  Mayor Greene opened the floor for public comments.  City Manager Burnette presented the need for changes to City Code to allow private medical transport companies to assist with hospital transports, and an amendment was required. Councilwoman Ritchie suggested including a clause for emergency 911 calls, and Captain James Council discussed thei importance ofensuring qualified transport services and the potential benefits Confirmed the proposed private medical transports would not be for emergency 911 calls, only D transports from Twin County Regional Hospital back to the local nursing homes.(ondothey places  Cox said it was feasible, then clarified the limitations.  for the hospital and EMS.  as hecded).  With no further comments made, Mayor Greene closed the public hearing.  Vice. Mayor White made the motion to approve the amendment as presented. 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 PUBLIC HEARING- REQUEST FOR ZONING CHANGE- - FITZER UPPER, LLC (PARCEL55- Mayor Greene announced this was the date set fora a Public Hearing for a zoning change request submitted by Fitzer Upper, LLC. Mayor Greene opened the floor for public comment. Director of Planning & Community Development Williams, explained the owners ofthe property located at 201 W. Oldtown Street sought to change the zoning district designation from B-2 'General Business' to R-2 'Medium Density Residential : The primary structure on the property had operated as a church building until a structural concern associated with the east exterior wall caused church services and activities to cease. The owner's intended future use for the building is to renovate as a single-amilyresidence. The Planning Commission  Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.  94,95)  heard the request and approved it unanimously.    With no further public comments, Mayor Greene declared the public hearing closed.  Vice Mayor White made thei motion to approve the request as presented. Councilman Henck seconded, and the motion was approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. PUBLICHEARING-REQUEST FOR ZONING CHANGE - DAVID. A. WILSON (PARCEL69-4) Mayor Greene announced this was the date set fora a Public Hearing foraz zoning change request submitted by Mr. David Wilson. Mayor Greene opened the floor for public comment. Director of Planning & Community Development Williams, explained the owners of the property, sought to change the zoning district designation of the 12.42-acre property recently purchased at the intersection of Greenville Road and Kenbrook Drive, from M-1 'Light Industrial' to R-2 'Medium Density Residential : The owner's intended future use fort the property istocomsistasingle-amily home. The Planning Commission heard  Councilman Warr abstained due to a personal conflict ofinterest.  the request and approved it unanimously.  With no further public comments, Mayor Greene declared the public hearing closed.  Councilman Bowers made the motion to approve the request as presented. Councilman Henck. seconded themotion and it was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and PUBLIC HEARING - REQUEST FOR ZONING CHANGE- VIRGINIA CAROLINA HEATING Mayor Greene announced this was the date set for a Public Hearing for a zoning change request submitted by Virginia Carolina Heating & Cooling, LLC. Mayor Greene opened the floor for public comment. Director of Planning & Community Development Williams, explained the owners of the property, sought to change the zoning district designation of the 52-acre property recently purchased at 708 Glendale Road from R-2' 'Medium Density Residential' 'tol B-2'General Business'. The owner's intended future use for the property is to construct a commercial building for operation of their HVAC business. The Planning Commission heard the request and approveditumamimously. Keith Barker spoke briefly about Chad Reeves bringing two businesses to the City ofGalax, and described the site plan and how it fits on the property. With no further public comments, Mayor Greene declared the public hearing closed. Councilman Bowers made the motion to approve the request 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, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and  Councilman Bowers.  &COOLING, LLC (PARCEL37-5,0)  Councilman Bowers. OLD BUSINESS  INTERSECTION OF CENTER STREET AND MAIN STREET UPDATE  Doug Williams provided an update on the intersection improvement project, including the The project now back on track for substantial completion by December 13, with potential Thej project included paving the intersection and addressing stormwater management issues. Council discussedi the impact oft the storm on1 the project timeline and the efforts tos stay on schedule.  placement of curb and gutter and traffic signal installation. extensions to five or six-day workweeks.  SWANSON STREET STORMWATER MPROVEMENIS  Doug' Williams presented the Swanson Street stormwater improvement project to Council, detailing  the scope and benefits.    Thej project would involve replacing water and sewer lines andi installing reinforced concrete pipes Thel low bid for the project came from BW: Infrastructures, LLC, int the amount of $1,231,170, with Council discussed the importance of the project and the need for timely completion to address Councilman Warr made the motion to award the construction contract to the lowest bidder, BW Infrastructures, LLC. Councilwoman Ritchie seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman  to manage stormwater.  the project expected to improve drainage and reduce flooding in the area.  ongoing drainage issues.  Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. TEMPORARY ADDITIONAL DEMAND-RESPONSE BUS UPDATE  Melanie Fleenor, Mountain Lynx Transit provided Council with an update on the results of the recent addition of a Mountain Lynx Demand-Response Bus within the City of Galax. Ms. Fleenor explained how the extra bus had been such an asset to the community. Other Mountain Lynx employees came to describe how grateful they were to have the extra bus. Ms. Fleenor said the funding from the City of Galax would bei int the amount of $10,668 per year. Council discussed the request further that the funding Vice Mayor White made the motion to approve the request as presented. Councilman Bowers 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  would come from the Contingency Fund.  Councilman Bowers. NEW BUSINESS  APPROVALOFI LOCALI EMERGENCYDECLARATION  City Manager Burnette informed Council that he declared a local state of emergency on Friday, September 27,2024 as allowed by the Galax City Code and the Code of Virginia. He further explained by state code, it was required that this declaration be confirmed by the governing body at its next regularly scheduled meeting or at a special meeting within 45 days of the declaration, whichever occurred first. City Manager Burnette requested that Council retroactively approve the local declaration ofa state of emergency due to Hurricane Helene. He confirmed with Capt. James Cox if the City of Galax had emergency designation, then it would be within the city manager's power to lift that sort of Councilman Henck made the motion to retroactively approve the Local State of Emergency declaration made by the City Manager on Friday, September 27, 2024. Vice Mayor White seconded, and the motion was approved by thej following votes of "yea": Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. Mayor Greene briefly left APPROVAL OF DESIGNATION AND PRESERVATION FUND FOR REX THEATER - VA250 Grants Administrator Young discussed the invitation to submit a full application for the Virginia 250 Preservation Fund for the Rex Theater. The 2024-2026 Virginia Biennial Budget toi initiate a grant program tos support improvements at significant historic sites and history museums in Virginia in anticipation of1 the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence. At the September Meeting, the Council approved for City Stafft to submit aj pre-application.  restriction during emergency time sO that we could have folks in here.  during the vote and then returned.  PRESERVATION FUND-REXTHEATERADAACCESSIBILITY    The City met the minimum requirements for the grant, and have been asked to submit a full application. Shel highlighted the competitive nature ofthe $201 million grant with $135 million ini requests from 227 pre- applications. Council was asked to approve a resolution committing a match of $250,000 to potentially receive $750,000 in funding for an improvement project of $1,000,000 at the historical Rex Theater. The project wouldi include installation ofa an elevator to reach 41 levels; a stage lift for equipment and performers; ADA accessible bathrooms int thel basement; andj possibly some HVACimprovements: toi improve air quality. Councilman Warr made the motion to approve the request of the commitment of matching funding and approval of the resolution. Counciloman Burnetts seconded, andi 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. RECREATION ECONOMY FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES APPLICATION  Grants Administrator Young discussed an application for technical assistance from the EPA to extend the trail into downtown andi to Felts Park, with no match required. She explained with Recreation Economy for Rural Communities assistance, aj planning team would help communities bring together local residents and other stakeholders to decide on strategies and an action plan to grow the local outdoor recreation economy. The planning assistance process would take place over 81 to 12 months, with a focal point being a facilitated community workshop. At the workshop, participants would work together to identify a vision, goals, and Councilwoman Burnett made the motion to approve the resolution allowing City Staff to submit an application for EPA RERC Technical. Assistance to determine feasibility of connecting the New River Trail to Historic Downtown Galax and Felts Park with aj future vision to connect to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Councilman Warrs seconded, andi the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman CITIZEN COMMENTS (Limited to 3 minutes per speaker or 5 minutes per group) Mayor Greene outlines the rules for public commeni, emphasizing the importance of addressing the council as a whole  specific actions to realize the locally set goals.  Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman. Bowers.  and limiting personal attacks.  Kayla Yates - Hurricane Helene Charlie Smith - Hurricane Helene CITY MANAGER. AND COUNCIL UPDATES  City Manager Burnette reminded Council about an upcoming event with Senator Mark Warner and Councilman Bowers expressed gratitude fort the city staff's efforts and mentions potential incentives Councilwoman Burnett thanked everyone for their help and mentioned the need for a generator for Vice Mayor Whitel highlighted the coordination efforts with God Storehouse and the importance eof Councilman Henck reported an unsafe area on a sidewalk on Swanson Street that needed to be Councilman Warr discussed donations for first responders, his gratefulness for the City. Mayor Greene and City Manager Burnette discussed the importance of obtaining a generator for  the Galax Fire Prevention Parade. for new businesses. the water treatment plant. having a central location for donations.  Councilwoman Ritchie: noted the volunteer efforts were impressive.  addressed soon. the City Water Plant. CLOSED SESSION  At 8:301 p.m., Mayor Greene entertained a motion to enter into closed: session by Vice Mayor White  in Accordance with Code of VA 2.2-3711:    (A)(3) Discussion oft the acquisition ofr real property or the disposition ofr real property  Rosenwald-Felts 406C Old Town Street  Councilwoman Ritchie 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.  RETURNTO OPEN SESSIONI /ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION  At 9:45 p.m. by a motion by Councilman Bowers, and seconded by Councilwoman Burnett, 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 discussedand no action was taken, Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilman Warr made the motion to adjourn. Councilwoman Bowers 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  with thej following affirmation:  Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers.  Councilman Bowers. ADJOURNMENT: at 9:45 p.m. MLPu  Mayor  P635