TOWN OF SOUTH BOSTON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2025 oU dus Est 1864 TGINI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 420 MAIN STREET SOUTH BOSTON, VA 24592 CALL TO ORDER AND INVOCATION Mayor Edward Owens called the South Boston Town Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on April 14, 2025. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Edward Owens, Councilman Joe Chandler, Councilman Tommy Elliott, Councilwoman Barbara Speece, Councilman Brian Burton, Councilwoman Tina Younger Absent: Vice-Mayor Sharon Harris Also Present: Town Manager Matthew Candland, Town Clerk Sarah Lowe, Finance Director Danyell Duncan, Police Chief Ronnie Edmunds, Fire Chief Steve Phillips, Recreation Director Matthew McCargo APPROVAL OF MINUTES On Councilwoman Speece's motion, seconded by Councilman Chandler, the meeting minutes from the Town Council's regular meeting on March 10, 2025, have been approved. APPROVAL OFTHE CONSENT AGENDA The April 14, 2025, meeting agenda was approved on motion ofCouncilwoman Speece, seconded by Councilman Elliott. 459 INTRODUCTION OF NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR SOUTHERN VIRGINIA HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER Charlotte Wooldridge, newly appointed Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, addressed the Mayor and Council members. She began by expressing her gratitude for the town's continued support of the Higher Education Center, emphasizing its critical role in workforce education. She extended an offer of partnership and collaboration to enhance the quality oflife in South Boston, Halifax County, and the broader region. Concluding her remarks, she shared her pride in being a South Boston resident and her enthusiasm for serving the community. AGENDA 1. SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY DAN RIVER CHAPTER, SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Dwight Spangler, representing the Dan River Chapter of the Sons ofthe American Revolution, expressed gratitude to the Town Council for their support in preserving local Revolutionary War history, particularly for the "Crossing of the Dan" event. He presented a framed piece of commemorative artwork, funded by a chapter member, and requested that it be displayed in a prominent location as a token of appreciation. PROPOSED RIVERDALE MASTERPLAN ADOPTION The Town Council reviewed and approved the proposed Riverdale Master Plan, presented in coordination with Mr. Chad Neese ofthe Southside Planning District Commission. Due to frequent flooding, the plan recommends maintaining Riverdale as a passive park with trails, benches, limited structures, potential public art, and possible road and bridge improvements. It will guide future grant applications and development efforts. On a motion by Councilman Burton, seconded by Councilman Chandler, the master plan was approved. Voting Aye: Burton, Younger, Chandler, Speece, and Elliott; Voting Nay: None; Absent and not voting: Vice Mayor Harris 2. TWO-WAY TRAFFIC BUDGET AMENDMENT $250,000 Mayor Owens opened the discussion on the two-way traffic budget amendment for $250,000. On a motion by Councilman Elliott, seconded by Councilwoman Speece, the budget amendment was approved for $250,000. Voting Aye: Burton, Younger, Chandler, Speece, and Elliott; Voting Nay: None; Absent and not voting: Vice Mayor Harris 3. FIRST READING OFTHE PROPOSED 2025-2026 BUDGET The first reading of the proposed FY 2025-2026 budget was presented to the council. The budget closely mirrors the previous years with a few notable additions and adjustments. It includes funding for one additional paid firefighter, the second installment 460 of approximately $142,000 for the two-way street conversion, three police vehicles, a new pickup truck for Parks and Recreation, and $150,000 towards the completion of Harris Park. Also included are $25,000 for necessary repairs to the Cotton Mill Tower and a 7.2% increase in health insurance costs. The budget supports improvements in resident communication, including a semi-annual paper newsletter, and the development of an emergency notification system in collaboration with Halifax County and CivicPlus. It also allocates funds for IT and cybersecurity upgrades and introduces a new "VDOT Street Maintenance" section to track transportation-related expenditures better. Additional funding requests were discussed: an increase for the Lakeshore transportation service from $50,000 to $80,000 (with some council members suggesting a more modest increase to $65,000-570,000), an increase for the Prizery to $50,000, and aj proposed YMCA allocation increase from $12,500 to $15,000. A request was also made to create a separate line item for the Healthy Harvest Initiative. The updated draft budget, incorporating council feedback, will be made available to the public ahead of the final vote, currently planned for the May meeting. 4. FINANCE REPORT Finance Director Danyell Duncan presented the February 2025 financial report to the Council, highlighting the town's status with detailed figures. This report is available at the Clerk's office and online. Revenues to date are $10,642,646, accounting for 63% of the budget. Expenditures total $9,158,053, representing 55% of the budget. 5. TOWN MANAGER UPDATES The Town Manager thanked staff and department directors for their involvement in the budget process, with special recognition to Danyell for her significant contributions. The proposed budget, developed without a tax increase, reflects a collaborative effort. The Town also went out to bid for road paving projects, receiving favorable pricing that will allow for additional streets to be included, with work expected to begin in late April or May. Annual paving and painting efforts are planned to maintain road quality. Key development projects are moving forward, including the Randolph Hotel (expected to start soon), West Side infrastructure work beginning this month, and the 300 Main Street project is nearing completion with a new roof now in place. 6. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Janet Williams of 1312 Porter Lane, South Boston, VA, thanked the Town Manager for improving communication with citizens and raised concerns about the condition of Sutphin Road near Webster Street and the railroad tracks. She emphasized the safety risks posed by leaning utility poles, overgrown vegetation, and the lack ofsidewalks in a high foot-traffic area. Williams also urged the Town to enhance local parks and recreational spaces to serve families better and improve residents' quality oflife. 461 Benita Nelson of 1332 Moore Street, South Boston, raised several public safety concerns, including vehicles, both town and commercial, frequently driving the wrong way on one- way Moore Street, endangering children near school bus stops. She also noted speeding in shopping areas like Hupps Mill and Riverdale, the lack ofspeed bumps or enforcement, and vehicles blocking walkways and ramps, hindering access for those with mobility issues. Nelson also requested clarification on the use oflarge trucks on narrow residential streets under current or future traffic plans. Ruth Brown, of 302 Jewel Street, South Boston, thanked the Council for the budget information and raised concern over the lack of curbs and gutters on her street, a request residents have made for 26 years without resolution. Despite her civic involvement, the issue remains unaddressed, and she asked for clarity on how street improvement projects are prioritized. Brown expressed her commitment to staying engaged in future discussions. Ms. Owen expressed concern regarding the decision to convert a local road back to two- way traffic, questioning whether public input had been adequately considered. She noted the road had previously been made one-way for safety reasons and asked whether those original concerns had been addressed. Ms. Owen raised the issue of fire department response times potentially being affected by the change and questioned whether that was evaluated in the decision-making process. She also challenged the rationale behind altering the traffic pattern, suggesting it may be intended to redirect truck traffic from downtown. She expressed skepticism about the necessity of the change, stating that there have been few reported accidents in the area and criticizing the lack ofa apparent justification. Additionally, she voiced concerns about their impact on truck drivers and the broaderi implications for local traffic flow. 7. CLOSED SESSION On the motion ofCouncilman Chandler, seconded by Councilwoman Speece, the Council voted unanimously to convene in closed session under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss the acquisition of real property for public purposes, or the disposition of publicly held property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy ofthe public body, as allowed under Virginia Code $2.2-3711(A)G). Voting Aye: Burton, Elliott, and Younger. Absent and Not Voting: Vice Mayor Harris. On the motion of'Councilman Chandler, seconded by Councilwoman Speece, the Council voted unanimously to return to open session. Voting Aye: Burton, Elliott, and Younger. Absent and Not Voting: Vice Mayor Harris. On a motion of Councilwoman Chandler, seconded by Councilman Speece, Council certified by the following vote: Burton, Elliott, Younger Opposed: None; Absent/Not Voting: Vice Mayor Harris), that to the best of each Council member's! knowledge, only 462 public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements ofthe Virginia Freedom of Information 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 463 Agenda Summary Mayorand Town Council Meeting May 12, 2025 Agenda Item: Public Hearing for the Proposed FY2025-2026 Budget Prepared by: Matthew Candland, Town Manager Attachments: Proposed FY 2025-2026 Budget document, Notice ofPublic Hearing Ad Background/Analysis: This public hearing has been properly advertised. Itis anticipated that, following this public hearing, Town Council could adopt the proposed budget at its June 9, 2025meeting. The proposed budget is in balance and does not include a tax increase. A few highlights oft the proposed budget include: Funding for 1 new fire fighter 2nd payment to VDOT for the Two-Way Traffic conversion project. 3 new police cars - consistent with our replacement schedule 1 new Parks and Recreation pick up truck $150,000 toward the completion ofHarris Park $25,000 for needed repairs to the Cotton Mill Tower Estimated merit increases for FY: 26 Improvements in our communication efforts with our Town residents, including (1) semi-annual paper newsletter, (2) digital notification system for regular information and (3) digital emergency notification system An increase of7.2% in our health insurance premium Upgrades to our IT system and security o A $125,000 contingency line-item for the overall budget o A newis section of the budget called "VDOT Street Maintenance" to provide enhanced daccountability for the funds we receive from VDOT. Fiscal Impact/Sources: N/A Alternatives: Make amendments to the proposed budget Recommendation: Receive public comment and provide direction forany amendments in preparation for the June meeting