Galax City Council Minutes March 11, 2024 Galax City Council convened in regular session in City Council Chambers on March 11, 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 Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilwoman Burnett, Councilman Bowers. Councilman Henck joined the meeting by phone. Mayor Greene confirmed his location and reason for his absence from the meeting. Vice Mayor White made the motion to approve Councilman Henck's request to, join the meeting by phone. Councilwoman. Ritchieseconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice. Mayor White, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman. Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. SPECIAL RECOGNITION Councilman Warr gave the opening prayer and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Galax Maroon Tide- VHSL State Varsity Football Championship their achievement, hard work, and positive impact on our community. JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH PLANNING COMMISSION Players and coaches from the State Champion Galax Maroon Tide was recognized by Mayor Greene and Council for Brandon Boyles, Planning Commission Chair, called the joint meeting to order and confirmed a quorum with Mr. Boyles, Sharon Ritchie, Dana Sworsy, and Janet Nuckolls present. Mayor Greene opened the public hearing. Gavin Blevins informed Council of an application filed by Mr. David Bremmer, regarding property owned by Shihua Xu Bremmer. The request was a zoning change to Parcels 78-12 and 81-1(A), located at 1011 S. Main Street, from R-1 Residential Low-Density, with as section of M-1 Light Industrial to B-2 Business General, to allow for redevelopment of the property into a compliant commercial use. The general usage range of the proposed amendment would be expanded to permit a broader range of commercial uses. Mayor Greene and Mr. Boyles opened the floor for public comments. Dave Bremmer informed Council and the Planning Commission of his plans for the proposed rezoned property which included a motorcycle city and campground. The property would also have a 50's theme and includea waterfall, pool, beach, motorcycle repair shop, general store, a chapel, baptism pool, movie theater, and many other plans. Davidl Hankley and] Ernest Hodges spoke ini favor of the rezoning request. All positive comments were made by both. With no further comments, Mr. Boyles and Mayor Greene declared the public hearing closed. Recommendations from staffi included Mr. Blevins who gave additional information regarding the property's] past, current, and future uses. He noted that Mr. Bremmer's planned use of the property would be allowed and compliant if rezoned. Mr. Blevins made the request of the Planning Commission and City Council to approve the rezoning request, and consider map amendments to thei neighboringr parcels along Southl Main Street which doesn'tconform with current zoning. Mr. Boyles asked Mr. Blevins if the rezoning was approved, this would remedy the non-conforming neighboring parcels. Mr. Blevins confirmed. Mr. Boyles made the recommendation: to City Council that the application for rezoning as presented be approved. Mayor Greene called for comments from Council. Councilman Warr stated the work that had been done by Mr. Bremmer and adjacent property owners was amazing and greatly appreciated. Councilman Warr made the motion to approve the recommendation, from the Planning Commission to approve the rezoning application request as presented. Councilman Bowers seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Counciloman Ritchie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Counciman Bowers. Dana Sworsy made the motion to adjourn the Planning Commission from the public hearing. Janet Nuckolls seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by all votes of "yea" by the Planning Commission. Mr. Boyles declared the meeting adjourned. APPROVAL OFI MINUTES Regular Meeting 2-12-24 Vice Mayor White made the motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of February 12, 2024. Councilwoman Ritchie seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Wart, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. OLD BUSINESS FY2024 City Audit Results Corbin Stone of Robinson' Farmer Cox & Associates, was present to review the 2022-23 fiscal year audit with Council. Mr. Stone informed Council that the City was currently in a good position. Mayor Greene thanked the Tom Hager, Building Official, addressed Council regarding a few citizens comments for many months regarding the City's Maintenance Code compliance, and an inadequate response from the City. He explained there have been misunderstandings, and misinterpretation of local & state codes, and some legitimate concerns brought forth by Staff and citizens. The City Attorney was asked to review thesei issues to seei ifany changes should be made tot the City Code. A draft list of proposed amendments to Chapter 160 (Zoning) was established. After Council discussion ensued with Mr. Hager, there was a consensus to bring the final ordinance changes back to the April meeting for Council's review City Attorney, Steve Durbin, addressed Council regarding a proposed False Alarm Ordinance for the Galax Fire Department. The matter was discussed in January by Fire ChiefMike. Ayers who made a request on behalfoft the GFD, that al False Alarm Ordinance be developed for the City ofGalax. He explained since 2019, the calls for service fort the department had risen 42%1 to an average of 500 calls per year. Overt the past three years' worth of data, it has been found that 20% of those calls have been false alarms. He: stated while a certain number of false alarms were to be expected and accepted, the majority of false alarms were due to repeat offenders. The situation is causing safety and morale issues, as well as taking up precious and finite resources.. ACouncil discussion ensued. There was a consensus for Staff Councilman Warr made a motion to review the False Alarm Ordinance, for the next month, put on the April meeting agenda to discuss further, and then set a public hearing at that time. Vice Mayor White seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. City Manager Burnette updated the Council on the current progress of the FY2025 City Budget, including an updated auditors and City staff fort their hard work on the audit. Potential Ordinance Changes - Code Maintenance Issues after the City Attorney finalizes the document. False. Alarm Policy to meet toi finalize details of the ordinance. 2024-2025 Budget Update budget calendar. NEW BUSINESS Code Enforcement. Activities Report Joey Davis, Property Maintenance Official provided Council with an overview of his first few months on thej job taking complaints and working with property owners to make sure properties within the City satisfy the City Manager Burnette informed Council the City had received ai request for support from the Appalachian Center for Hope in Smyth County. He explained this was a collaborative group and a 501(c)3 which existed to address the devastating effects of substance abuse in our region. He explained they were getting closer tol being able to renovate ab building upon the grounds of the state hospital in Marion as a 60+ bed residential treatment center, which was desperately needed in our area. There was further discussion regarding assisting withi thei first year's operating costs. Smyth County would be willing to apply for funding from the Opioid Abatement Authority, and the organization had asked the City of Galax to support that application. To date, the organization has been awarded grants of $3 million from the Smyth County Community Foundation, $650,000 in federal funds from Congressionally directed spending, and $50,000 from the Virginia General Assembly. Council was asked to support a regional OAA grant Vice Mayor White made the motion to approve the request as presented. Councilwoman Ritchie seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Wart, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. Jolena Young, Grants Administrator, requested that aj public hearing date be reset for 2 SMART SCALE VDOT Grant Projects. They included a Sidewalk Project from Larkspur Lane to Glendale, and to Upgrade Intersections on the Maintenance Code. Appalachian Center for Hope Grant Support fora a 60+ bed residential treatment center in Marion, VA and adopt a resolution of support. Grants Submission Authorization Main Street corridor to be ADA compliant Vice Mayor White made the motion to reset the public hearing for the May 13 meeting. Councilman Warr seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman. Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. Jolena Young, Grants Administrator, requested that Council approve the submission of an application foras $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant. Mrs. Young explained the Main Street Board and City Administration were scoping possible projects which included a mural or improvements to Historic Mainstreet entry points. Councilman Warr made the motion to approve the request as presented. Councilwoman Ritchie seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. Jolena Young, Grants Administrator, made a request of Council to approve the submission of an application fora $15,000 Virginia Main Street Vitality Grant. She explained the DHCD Community Vitality Grants were designed to assist organizations and communities in achieving their downtown revitalization goals. There would be a $7,500 match required for this project. The total project would be $22,500. The Main Street Board and City Administration were scoping the following possible projects: I)AN Main Street website or 2) Wayfinding System Development. Councilman Warr made the motion to approve the request as presented. Councilwoman Ritchie seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. T-Mobile Hometown Grant Main Street Vitality Grant CITIZEN COMMENTS (Limited to. 3 minutes per speaker or 51 minutes per group)-I NONE COMMUNICATIONS CITY MANAGER City Manager Burnette discussed the following topics: Tourism Website Unveiled - www.isityalax.com Solid Waste Authority requested specific terms: Two. School Board: seats expire 6-30-24. Council consensus to advertise. Mayor Greene to run concurrent with his Council term City Manager Burnette to run concurrent with his employment C.M. Mitchell - to run 4 year term. Jan. 1,2 2024 -1 Dec. 31, 2027 Vice Mayor White made the motion to approve the terms as specified. Councilwoman Ritchie seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved be the following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. Health insurance quote from current provider showed an 11% increase for employees. Human Recourses Discussion regarding PUSH Ministries $2000 contribution. Council discussion ensued regarding the contribution. Consensus to recommend Ms. Burcham to go through as a regular (formal) FY2025 Budget advertised an RFP for other quotes. request by sending in specific details of the request to be considered. MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES Councilman Bowers District Three Meeting Councilwoman Burnett Public Safety Committee Meeting Blue Line Solutions Public Services Committee Meeting Blue Line Solutions School Board Social Event Vice Mayor White VML Conference Lafayette & Grayson St. traffic. signal to dismantle Four way Stop Signs = Painting the intersections Councilman Henck Councilwoman Ritchie Councilman Warr o Joining via phone held comments until next meeting Patient & Family Advisory Committee at' TCRH-making improvements Discussed wwwyisitgalax.com: - huge improvement VTC Strategic Planning Session Tourism Committee discussed Harvest Host CLOSEDSESSION Mayor Greene accepted a motion made by Vice. Mayor White at 8:45 p.m. to enter into closed session under the following Codes of Virginia in Accordance with. 2.2-3711: (A)(1) Personnel Discussion ofa appointments to City Boards, Commissions, etc. (A)(3) Discussion oft the acquisition of real property or the disposition oft real property (A)(5) Prospective or expansion of business or industry where no previous public announcement has been Councilwoman Ritchie seconded, andi the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of."yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman. Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. At 9:30 p.m. Councilman Warr made the motion to come out of Closed Session. Councilman Bowers. seconded, andi the motion was unanimously approved by all votes of "yea". Council reconvened in open session. Mayor Greene certified that no items other than those allowed under the cited Virginia code section were discussed and no action was taken, with the following affirmation: Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. made ACTION FROM CLOSED SESSION Councilman Warr made the motion to set a public hearing for Grounded Coffee at the April meeting. Councilman Bowers seconded, andi the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice Mayor White, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Ritchie made the motion to adjourn. Councilman Warr seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved by thej following votes of "yea": Mayor Greene, Vice. Mayor White, Councilwoman Richie, Councilman Warr, Councilman Henck, Councilwoman Burnett, and Councilman Bowers. Councilwoman Burnett, and Counciman Bowers. Mayor Greene adjourned the meeting at 9:35p.m. Wlle TbAeeuE BA3s Mayor Clerk