TOWN OF SOUTH BOSTON REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY MAY 12, 2025 0 ndust Est. 1884 TICIN 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 May 12, 2025. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Edward Owens, Vice-Mayor Sharon Harris, Councilman Joe Chandler, Councilwoman Barbara Speece, Councilman Brian Burton, Councilwoman Tina Younger Absent: Councilman Tommy Elliott 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, Public Works Director John Hatcher APPROVAL OF MINUTES On Councilman Chandler's motion, seconded by Vice-Mayor Harris, the meeting minutes from the Town Council's S regular meeting on April 14, 2025, have been approved. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA The May 12, 2025, meeting agenda was approved on motion of Vice-Mayor Harris, seconded by Councilman Burton. AGENDA 1. PUBLIC HEARING FOR 2025/2025 BUDGET 459 Mayor Owens opened the public hearing regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget. The Mayor first invited members of the public who were in favor of the budget to come forward and speak. No individuals came forward. The Mayor then invited those who were opposed to the budget to speak. No comments were made. There being no public comment, the public hearing was subsequently closed. 2. INTRODUCTION OF EMILY SMITH, ADMINISTRATIVE & EVENTS COORDINATOR, DESTINATION DOWNTOWN SOUTH BOSTON Tamyra Vest addressed the Mayor and Town Council to introduce Emily Smith as the new Administrative and Events Coordinator for Destination Downtown South Boston. As part ofher responsibilities, Ms. Smith will also serve as the Market Manager, providing staff assistance to the Downtown South Boston Farmers Market. Ms. Smith brings valuable experience from her previous role as the Events and Facilities Coordinator at The Prizery. In addition to her event coordination background, she is also involved with the arts community as a teacher and creator with the SOVA Arts Collective in downtown South Boston. Ms. Smith resides in South Boston with her husband, Aaron, and daughters, Avery and Olivia. She expressed her enthusiasm for bringing her passion for both community engagement and creativity to her new position. The Council welcomed her and expressed excitement for her future contributions to downtown South Boston. Vice-Mayor Harris added a personal remark, stating that they had the opportunity to work with Ms. Smith during her time at The Prizery and found her to be pleasant, efficient, and welcoming to visitors. It was noted that her personality and professionalism would be a strong complement to the South Boston community. 3. PARKS AND RECREATION ANNUAL REPORT A representative from the South Boston Recreation Department provided an overview of the department': S programs and operations. The department is staffed by two full-time employees, seven year-round part-time staff, and two seasonal workers. Its mission is to provide a variety of activities that support physical and mental health, promote community engagement, and offer safe environments for youth and families. The presentation included a narrated slideshow featuring highlights from the past year, including youth football, summer camps such as Archery Camp and Art Camp, senior programs like the senior exercise group and Walk for Hope, community events including health fairs and kickball games, and popular ongoing programs like basketball leagues for various age groups, adult basketball, and pickleball. Several programs were noted for high participation, including the senior exercise group, bingo and line dancing classes at the Washington-Coleman Community Center. The department has also hosted special events such as the David G. Mites Basketball Camp, the Substance Abuse Prevention Basketball Tournament, and the annual Cornhole Tournament in memory of Sandy Bottoms. 460 In total, the department recorded thousands of participants across its many programs and events. A donation from a community member and the ongoing contributions of volunteers were acknowledged. The presentation concluded with photos and a summary of facility usage, including decorated event spaces, community giveaways hosted at the center, and continued improvements to facilities and programming aimed at enhancing quality of life in South Boston. 4. FINANCE REPORT Finance Director Danyell Duncan presented the financial report for the period ending March 31, 2025. Year-to-date revenue totaled $12,935,475.70, or 76.7% of the budget. Key revenue highlights include real estate taxes at 97%, personal property taxes at 83%, local sales tax at 82%, and business license tax exceeding budget at 117%. Street maintenance funding reached 77%, and public works reimbursements are over budget due to funding received for the Main Street traffic signal replacement. Expenditures totaled $10,552,221.48, or 55.5% ofthe annual budget. Department spending includes Police at 61%, Fire at 71%, Town Manager and Finance both at 71- 72%, and Town Council at 60%. Most departments remain within expected ranges. The town's overall financial status remains stable and on track with the budget. 5. TOWN MANAGER UPDATES Town Manager Matthew Candland provided updates on several ongoing projects. Work has begun at the West Side site, with equipment mobilized and clearing underway. Efforts to expand the town's historic district are progressing, with the goal of including additional properties eligible for historic tax credits; the process is expected to conclude by the end of the calendar year. The 300 Main Street project continues to move forward, with plumbing and electrical rough-ins nearing completion. A site visit is planned for June 16, when significant interior progress is expected. The street in front of 300 Main is expected to reopen in June. Paving will begin this month following a favorable bid ofjust over $300,000, well under the $500,000 budget, allowing additional streets to be included. Streets scheduled for paving include Third Street, Railroad Avenue, Fenton Street, and several others. Citizens wishing to request paving consideration can contact the Town Manager directly. Street selection is typically guided by VDOT recommendations, but the town is open to reviewing additional requests. A five-year capital paving plan will be included in the upcoming budget to provide more transparency on future roadwork. 6. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS Ms. Ruth Brown, residing at 302 Jewell Street, South Boston, expressed her gratitude to the Town Council on behalf of the citizens ofSouth Boston. She thanked the Council for their support of youth and community activities, noting the collaborative efforts that have contributed to the town's success. Ms. Brown specifically acknowledged Mr. McCargo and his staff for their hard work, particularly in maintaining programs that engage both youth and seniors. She highlighted the positive impact ofthese initiatives, including the 461 walking programs held on Wednesdays and Fridays, which she now participates in as a retiree. Ms. Brown also mentioned the start of bingo sessions, which take place on the second Monday of each month at 10:00 AM, and conveyed the community's desire for continued support of the bingo program. She concluded by again thanking the Council for their ongoing support ofthe Recreation Department. Ms. Xena Green, residing at 209 Merritt Street, South Boston, expressed concerns regarding her personal property taxes. She questioned the high late fees associated with her taxes, noting that she was charged $120 in late fees for a $55.58 tax bill. Ms. Green also inquired about being charged for a truck that was no longer registered and had been sitting in her yard since last year, despite having removed the tags. She was informed that as long as she owns the vehicle, she is required to pay the tax until the title is transferred. Additionally, Ms. Green raised concerns about the water department's payment process, citing difficulty accessing in-person payments and being required to pay online or via money orders. Lastly, she reported that the trash pickup service sometimes leaves garbage on the ground without cleanup, and she is unable to reach anyone to address this issue. Town staff acknowledged her concerns and provided explanations regarding the late fees and property tax assessments. Ms. Shirley Turner of 75 Poplar Creek Street, South Boston, raised two concerns. First, she noted the overgrown grass along Southern Road near Webster, stating that it had not been cut in several months and posed a safety concern for pedestrians. She asked whether the Public Works Department had sufficient staff to resume regular mowing. Second, Ms. Turner expressed concern about a leaning utility pole located on the curve of Webster Street, noting that hanging wires near Mill Creek present aj potential hazard. Staff responded that roadside mowing is scheduled to begin the following week and will be placed on a regular rotation. Regarding the utility pole, the matter will be investigated further, with coordination among the appropriate utility providers, including Dominion and Bright speed, to determine responsibility. 7. CLOSED SESSION On the motion of Councilman Chandler, seconded by Councilwoman Younger, the Council voted unanimously to convene in closed session under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss personnel matters, specifically related to performance evaluations, as allowed under Virginia Code $2.2-3711(A)CI). Voting Aye: Burton, Younger, Harris, Chandler, and Speece. Absent and Not Voting: Elliott. On the motion of Councilman Chandler seconded by Vice-Mayor Harris, the Council voted unanimously to return to open session. Voting Aye: Burton, Harris, Younger, Chandler and Speece Absent and Not Voting: Elliott. On a motion of Councilwoman Chandler, seconded by Councilwoman Younger, Council certified by the following vote: Harris, Speece, Younger, Burton and Chandler Opposed: 462 None; Absent/Not Voting: Elliott), that to the best of each Council member'sknowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements of the 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