TOWN OF SOUTH BOSTON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY MARCH 10, 2025 aus Est, 188A TICINI 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 March 10, 2025. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Edward Owens, Vice-Mayor Sharon Harris, Councilman Tommy Elliott, Councilwoman Barbara Speece, Councilman Brian Burton, Councilwoman Tina Younger Absent: Councilman Joe Chandler 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 Councilman Elliott's motion, seconded by Councilwoman Younger, the meeting minutes from the Town Council's regular meeting on February 10, 2025, have been approved. APPROVAL OFTHE CONSENT AGENDA The March 10, 2025, meeting agenda was approved on motion ofCouncilwoman Speece, seconded by Councilman Elliott. AGENDA 1. LAKE COUNTRY PRESENTATION 459 Marvalene Johnson, President and CEO of Lake Country Area Agency on Aging (LC Triple A), outlined the agency's services for older adults and disabled individuals, including in-home care, adult day healthcare, nutrition services, and more. She highlighted financial challenges, particularly in transportation, and discussed efforts to secure adequate funding. Crystal Washburn, Finance Manager, and John Daniel, Finance Consultant, emphasized the need for increased funding due to rising operational costs. The transportation program's budget is $733,908, with $394,000ofit as the non-federal share. LC Triple A is requesting an additional $31,000 from the Town of South Boston. The presentation concluded with a call for continued support from local municipalities and the community. 2. RIVERDALE AREA MASTERPLAN Chad Neese, Senior Planner and GIS Specialist with the South Side Planning District Commission, provided an overview of the Riverdale Area Redevelopment Project. The town successfully secured grant funding from FEMA to purchase properties and demolish structures in the floodplain. Neese highlighted the limitations on what could be built due to the funding conditions, emphasizing the importance of low-maintenance, natural green spaces. The community has expressed interest in walking and biking trails, landscaping, and preserving natural areas. The conceptual plan includes features such as a tree-lined corridor, pedestrian improvements, potential pedestrian bridge, and space for historical exhibits. The layout also reflects community feedback for passive recreation, with green spaces, trails, and a shelter for small events. Neese discussed the next steps, including gathering further community feedback, refining the vision, and coordinating with agencies like VDOT. The project will proceed once conceptual approval is secured from the Council and Planning Commission. 3. DESTINATION DOWNTOWN SOUTH BOSTON ANNUAL UPDATE Tamyra Vest presented to council an update on the ongoing efforts to revitalize the downtown area and the significant role small businesses playi in the health and well-being of the community. She emphasized that while technology has made it easier for people to stay connected, many still seek lace-to-face interactions and gathering spaces, making the community's support oft these spaces crucial. A key achievement highlighted was the Entrepreneur Assistance Program, funded by a $100,000 grant, which provided mentoring and grants to local businesses, resulting in increased sales,, job retention, and several facade improvements. Tamyra also discussed the importance of storytelling in communicating the progress of these initiatives and the need to improve awareness of downtown development projects. In addition, she provided updates on various grants currently being pursued, upcoming community events, and the arrival of new businesses, such as Cup of Joe Coffee and the South Boston Arts Collective. She concluded by encouraging continued support for local businesses, stressing that even small local purchases make a big impact on the community. 460 4. WESTSIDE REDEVELOPMENT EVALUTION OF BIDS AND APPROVAL OF AWARD On motion ofCouncilman Burton, seconded by Vice Mayor Harris the bid was awarded to Virginia Carolina Paving Company in the amount of$4,217,672.00 5. FINANCE REPORT Finance Director Danyell Duncan presented the. January 2025 financial report to the Council, highlighting the town's fiscal status with detailed figures. The report, now accessible at the Clerk's office and online, shows that the town set both its revenue and expenditure budgets at $16,867,850 for the year. To date, revenues have reached $9,380,541.37, representing 55.61% of the budgeted figure. Expenditures stand at $8,181,351.75, accounting for 48.50% of the planned spending. Key sources of revenue include local sales tax, utility tax, telecom tax, occupancy tax, and vehicle registration fees. Currently, the town is diligently working on crafting a balanced budget for the next fiscal year, aiming to have it ready for presentation soon. 6. TOWN MANAGER UPDATES Matthew Candland, Town Manager, provided several updates, including a productive Town Council retreat last week, with a summary document to be shared soon with Council and posted online. The budget process continues, with a proposed budget expected soon. The Randolph Hotel project is progressing, with a notice to proceed expected this month. The town is also out to bid for asphalt work at Harris Park, with hopes it will stay within budget. Future improvements will include playground equipment and a pavilion, but the current bid is for asphalt and earthwork only. 7. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS None 8. CLOSED SESSION On the motion of Councilman Elliott, seconded by Vice Mayor Harris, 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)(3). Voting Aye: Burton, Elliott, Younger, and Speece. Absent and Not Voting: Chandler. On the motion of Councilman Elliott seconded by Councilwoman Speece, the Council voted unanimously to return to open session. Voting Aye: Burton, Harris, and Younger Absent and Not Voting: Chandler. 461 On a motion ofCouncilwoman Elliott, seconded by Councilman Burton, Council certified by the following vote: Harris, Speece, Younger Opposed: None; Absent/Not Voting: Chandler), that to the best of each Council member'sl knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements ofthe Virginia Freedom ofInformation Act and identified in the Motion convening the closed session were heard, discussed or considered in the closed session. After returning to open session, Mayor Owens made the decision to dissolve the standing committees board that had been reappointed at the February 10th regular Council meeting. This action was taken following a review and consideration ofthe current committee structure. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Mayor Edward Owens Attest: Sarah Lowe, Clerk of Council 462