TOWN OF SOUTH BOSTON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2025 Est. 1884 CINI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 420 MAIN STREET SOUTH BOSTON, VA 24592 CALL TO ORDER AND INVOCATION Mayor Edward Owens called to order a regular South Boston Town Council meeting at 7:00 pm on February 10, 2025. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Edward Owens, Vice Mayor Sharon Harris, Councilman Joe Chandler, Councilman Tommy Elliott, Councilman Brian Burton, Councilwoman Tina Younger Absent: Councilwoman Barbara Speece Also Present: Town Manager Matthew Candland, Assistant Town Manager Dennis Barker, Town Clerk Sarah Lowe, Finance Director Danyell Duncan, Police Chief Ronnie Edmunds, Fire ChiefSteve Phillips, Recreation Director Matthew McCargo APPROVAL OF MINUTES On Councilman Chandler's motion, seconded by Vice-Mayor Harris, the meeting minutes from the Town Council's regular meeting on January 13, 2025 were approved. APPROVAL OFTHE CONSENT AGENDA On Councilman Elliott's motion, seconded by Councilman Burton the February 10, 2025 agenda was approved. AGENDA 455 1. APPOINTMENT OF STANDING COMMITTEES Mayor Owens appointed Vice-Mayor Sharon Harris as chairof the Finance Committee, with Councilman Tommy Elliott and Brian Burton as committee members. Mayor Owens appointed Councilman Joe Chandler as chair of the Current Issue Committee, with Councilwoman Tina Younger and Councilwoman Barbara Speece as committee members. 2. FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL UPDATE - CHIEF STEVE PHILLIPS Chief Phillips began by expressing gratitude to the town administration, Mayor, Council and everyone involved in supporting the fire department throughout the years. He highlighted that during his 18 years as Chief, the fire department's size has doubled, which has been essential. The meeting discussed recent calls, including a significant house fire and a technical rescue involving a bucket truck malfunction. The Chief noted the ongoing need for trained volunteers, citing the decline in volunteerism nationally, and emphasized that funding will be crucial in the future. In 2023, the fire department responded to 2,478 calls, marking a slight increase from the previous year. He shared statistics and images from various emergency calls, including motor vehicle crashes and fires, emphasizing the department's capacity to handle a range ofincidents. ChiefPhillips also discussed fire prevention initiatives, such as fire safety education for children, and highlighted ongoing training efforts, including electric vehicle safety. He responded to questions regarding efforts to engage younger people in firefighting and the county's struggles with volunteerism, noting that this issue has been ongoing for years and needs urgent attention. Mayor and Council thanked Chief Phillips and his staff for their hard work and dedication. 3. FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT - CAPT. JOE ACREE Captain Acree began by acknowledging thc ongoing support from the town administration and emphasized the importance of fire prevention and safety. Over the past year, he conducted 132 inspections, including courtesy inspections in response to public complaints, and provided training on fire safety to approximately 70 individuals across cight classes. Key violations identified during inspcctions included blocked exits, improper firc doors, and issues with firc extinguishers and smoke alarms. Captain Acrec worked closely with the health department to address restaurant safety, including ensuring grease hoods were properly cleaned and inspected. He also highlighted the importance of fire safety evacuation plans, noting many businesses were unaware of requirements such as fire drills and employee training. Despite improvements, issues with storage in utility rooms and missing fire safety components remain. Ile concluded by noting that education and awareness are central to resolving these violations and improving fire safcty across the community. 456 4. FINANCIAL REPORT The Finance Director presented the November 2024 financial report, covering the General Fund, Tax Comparison, Delinquent Tax Collections, and Selected Revenues. The General Fund reported a budget of$14,921,634, with revenues of$6,556,222 (43.94% ofthe budget) and expenditures of$5,575,879 (37.37%), resulting in a surplus of $980,343. The Cash Operating Fund showed a negative activity of$1,021,805 but retained a balance of$6,872,983. The Tax Comparison Report indicated 42% budget utilization across categories like Local Sales and Consumer Utility. Delinquent Tax Collections were at 42% ofa $126,050 budget, with mobile home collections performing exceptionally at 1343.5% ofthe budget. Selected General Fund Revenues contributed significantly from Categorical Aid, Real Estate, Personal Property, Cigarette Tax, and Vehicle Registration Fees. The Finance Director concluded that the General Fund's financial hcalth remains stable, bolstered by effective tax collection, ensuring favorable conditions for future fiscal commitments. 5. TOWN MANAGER UPDATES Town Manager, Matthew Candland gave an update on projects going on in the town. First, the Riverdalc Master Plan, following two public meetings held in November, is progressing with the South Side Planning District Commission drafting the plan. Iti is expected to be presented to Council either at the March or April meeting, with the draft hopefully ready by early March. Regarding the budget, significant efforts are underway to finalize it, with a first reading scheduled for the April Council meeting. The budget should be submitted to Council by late March or early April, ideally aiming for adoption in May or June. On project updates, the Merritt Hills project is near completion, though it has taken longer than expected, and is expected to finish this month. The Wilborn Avenue culvert realignment will begin next month, anticipated to take several months. Smaller projects, including Poplar Creck and West Side developments, are progressing on schedule. Regarding the 300 Main project, it has been transferred to Mr. Gaskin, who is making excellent progress and is likely ahead of schedule. 6. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS Simon Jones Jr., President of the Halifax/South Boston Dixie Softball, provided an update on the ongoing projects at Carter Field. He shared the history and significance of the ficld, noting that whilc it had fallen into disrepair, there is now momentum to revitalize it. The Dixie Softball organization has received a $10,000 grant from Dick's Sporting Goods to begin thc renovation, but additional funding is needed. Planned improvements include new fencing, lighting, parking, drainage solutions, and the construction of a 7,000 square foot practice facility. This facility will benelit the local 457 community by providing a year-round space for softball and other sports, as well as support for youth, middle school, high school, and college athletes. Jones also highlighted the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Dixie Softball program and the state tournaments to be held at Mary Bethune Complex in June, which are expected to bring 1,000-1,200 people to the area. He emphasized that the project is a community effort and that whilc the organization is working hard, they seek support to ensure the success ofthe revitalization. Jones invited Council to visit the facility and see firsthand the impact of the softball program in the community. 7. CLOSED SESSION On the motion ofCouncilman Chandler, seconded by Councilman Elliott, the Council voted unanimously to convene in close session under the Virginia Freedom ofInformation Act to discuss, consider, or interview prospective candidates fore employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, perlormance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body along with legal matters which is allowed under Virginia Code $2.2-3711(A)() Voting Aye: Burton, Chandler, Elliott, Harris, Specce and Younger. Absent and Not Voting: None. On the motion of Councilman Chandler, seconded by Councilman Burton, the Council voted unanimously to return to open session. Voting Aye: Burton, Chandler, Elliott, Harris, Speece and Younger Absent and Not Voting: None. On a motion ofCouncilman Chandler, seconded by Councilman Burton, Council certified by the following vote: Harris, Elliott, and Younger Opposed: None; Absent/Not Voting: Nonc), that to the best of each Council member' S knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open mecting requirements of the Virginia Freedom ofinformation Act and identified in the Motion convening the closed session were heard, discussed or considered in the closed session. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Mayor Edward Owens Attest: Sarah Lowe, Clerk of Council 458