City of Virginia
April 10th, 2023
Regular Meeting Minutes
Meeting Called to Order: 7pm
Roll Call: Martin, Pratt, Bowman, Wulf, Knous, and Cox all answered present
Agenda Approval: Alderman Cox made a motion to approve the agenda and Alderman Bowman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes Approval: Alderman Pratt made a motion to approve the minutes and Alderman Knous seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Monthly Bills: McClure states that there wasn’t time to do the monthly bills, would like to pay the regular bills that come in. Alderman Wulf made a motion to approve the regular bills and Alderman Cox seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report
Sales Tax: $ 17457.04
Video Gaming: $6995.69
Treasurer Barrett stated that revenues at 77% of budget which is down a bit but we are under on expenses. Need to submit ARPA reporting it is due this month. Next month need to read appropriations to get that filed.
Guests:
Amy Haberman, Pat Noltensmeier, Don Siltman, Nathan Danner, Jeff Waid, Terry Ayres, Lora Jo Cave, Jim Armstrong, Gary Harris, Crista Stanbridge, Denise Minor, Carolyn Defenbaugh, Kent Andrews, Mike Lowe
Nathan Danner: Danner stated that he received the postcard and he has questions. The 3 vehicles that were“abandoned” that need to be removed per the postcard, are not abandoned. The ordinance has not been followed through. Danner stated his vehicles are antiques. These cars are from the 1980s. Danner suggested to the council to read the abandoned vehicle portion of the ordinance. Danner then referenced the part where it says a vehicle can be towed after 7 days. He stated he goes on vacation sometimes for more than 7 days. Alderman Knous asks if they are registered as antique cars? Mayor asks if they have to have a license plate? Chief Shumate asks Danner if he is talking about ordinance or state law? Danner states the ordinance. Don Siltman added antique vehicles are exempt. Chief Shumate states it doesn’t state antique vehicles are exempt. Don Siltman states the exempt part is under part D. Siltman states if you go to court, a judge reads the ordinance, it says they are exempt. Attorney Vieth asks for clarification on what Mr. Danner was looking at. Then stated the ordinance you are looking at is not the one that applies to the exempt. Siltman asks if we get the antique plates we can have it? Danner states they are important vehicles, they aren’t junk.
Jeff Waid: Waid stated that there was a no parking sign put up 320 N Duncan. He talked to neighbors, never had a sign there for no parking. Waid stated they are rarely even parking there to begin with. He requested to see a city map that had that sign on there before. Mayor states can show the map tomorrow when you have time. County came in and GPS everything for us. Danner asked about Main St. by the log cabin?Mayor said that the state came in and they did the signs how they are supposed to be. Danner asks if they are on the map? Mayor states that the state signs are not on the map. Waid distributes a paper to the council on the ordinance. Cox asks what street you live on .
Lora Jo Cave: Cave also received a card for vehicles. She stated that this vehicle doesn’t belong to her. It was in a bankruptcy and they have never came and picked it up. She then asked how did you know my plates were expired? How many in this town are expired and people are driving them around? What is the difference? Cave stated that Danner addressed the abandon vehicle situation, there is one sitting across the street from her for a month. And apparently there is someone living in it. She asked why is that still there? Its been over a month? That is also a safety issue. There is children that live there. Cave is afraid one of them is going to get hurt one of these days because they are darting out behind that vehicle. Mayor stated that is why those cards are sent out as a courtesy. Cave added that on Saturday afternoon, the woman stated she spoke to the chief and it was ok if she sat in car and waited for someone to come get it. Mayor states we will check it out. Chief stated we have already checked it out. It is abandoned and it will get towed. Cave added if you want to tow my vehicle, you can, but don’t send me the bill. She stated you can contact the people that were supposed to get it
Gary Harris: Harris stated he wanted to know if the city had a google account. Mayor states the chief has been working with you on it. Harris added vehicles have disappeared. Chief stated he would get a geo-fence warrant from google. The City was not set up with the police department with google for cybersecurity. Chief Schumate said he is currently working on getting new search warrants so they can go through it and get the information I need.
Ayres: Ayres stated that there are potholes out there on Gridley/Packing House Rd. Mayor states that is the city, Ratliff will have a report on that. Ayres added people are still speeding on N Main. Mayor states we have one police officer, he cant be there all the time watching that. We have sent out to get some part time help, that’s all we can do.
Mayor thanked everyone for coming and stated we are just trying to clean the city up a little bit and trying to follow the ordinances.
Monthly Reports
Police Chief: Chief Shumate stated the Fed Govt’ giving money to increase employee rosters. It is a grant that we can give to the grant writer. We have 9-10 people interested in the part time, none already certified. The Insurance Program Managers Group will be here April 18th, wants to go to fire dept/water plant/park/city garage. This is for risk insurance.
Fire Chief: 1 call Garner Rd got called off, it was a controlled burn. Got the prairie burned off.
Ordinance Officer: Court tomorrow, 2 new cases and some status hearings
Superintendent of Water Report (Hayden Coffey): not present
Superintendent of Street Report (John Ratliff): Ratliff ordered patch and got it last Friday so we will start patching, 34 stumps were removed and put dirt back. Alderman Cox stated there is water standing by Lowe’s. Mike Lowe stated it is filled in with mud and that water is going under people’s houses. Alderman Cox stated Ratliff knows about it so we will try to get that fixed.
Park Board: Alderman Cox stated that Gibby had Pittsfield Correctional Center up there picking up trash and stuff. All the brush is ready to pick up. Gibby has cut up both ball diamonds, will be spraying for weeds and he put up all sponsorship signs. Alderman Cox also added that the light poles are still down, power company is going to donate time and poles. There are 2 HS Baseball/Softball games will be up there. The Touch a Truck event will be up at the park for the kids to touch different kinds of trucks. April 21stis opening day for little league. The park will work on pickle ball after fields/pool is ready. The pool will be painted this year
TIF: nothing to report
Attorneys Report
Attorney Veith stated one case for tomorrow, they have paid the fine and in compliance. There is also two cases with the same defendant, she has hired an attorney. Attorney Veith stated he will meet with the attorney and hopefully come to an agreement.
Mayors Report
Mayor states he was approached by some people and they want the council to consider having a dog park. He said down at the little school there is some property down there we could use. Mayor asks the council to consider and can discuss at next meeting. He also added that the Ad-Hock Committee has been drawn up for the water system. Board: Mayor, Treasurer, Laymon Carter, Eric Hays, Terry Bell, Rodney Becker, and Cathy (Treasurer for Arenzville and North Morgan). Mayor wants to meet four times a year to discuss rates and other issues that could arise. The plant is 13 years old and it will start going downhill pretty fast if we don’t have any money for maintenance. All the members have been contacted and they are on board to be on the committee.
Aldermanic Reports
Cox: Alderman Cox thanked Pratt and Bowman for their service on the council. He congratulated Martin and the new alderman on their victories in the election. He also added that April 22nd is the golf outing benefiting Virginia Daycare.
Knous: nothing to report
Wulf: Alderman Wulf stated that the document that the Chief was talking about, Snedekers had that. He also mentioned the sidewalk program: Safe Passage to Schools. The State has meetings at the end of this month. He said he hadn’t heard anything yet and the Mayor responds the engineers usually contact us. Wulf added he has received calls/texts about the postcards in the mail and he thinks the city should have gave public notice before they went out. Wulf also asked about the policing on nights and weekends? It was stated that we don’t have anyone ye.t
Bowman: nothing to report
Pratt: nothing to report
Martin: Alderwoman Martin thanked the street crew for getting the culverts scooped out, it made a big difference with the last rain. She then asked if the street signs arrived? Ratliff stated they are ordered, posts are in, but no signs yet.
City Clerks Report
Clerk Cox asked the Mayor’s permission to host the Virginia BBQ on June 2nd-4th. Mayor stated he gave his permission.
Unfinished Business
- FY 2023/2024 CITY BUDGET (2ND READING)
With nothing further to discuss, Alderman Cox made a motion to approve the FY 23/24 City budget (2nd reading) and Alderman Pratt seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
- CEMETERY BUDGET AND AGREEMENT (2ND READING)
With nothing further to discuss, Alderman Wulf made a motion to approve the Cemetery Budget and Agreement (2nd reading) and Alderwoman Martin seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
- PARK BUDGET AND AGREEMENT (2ND READING)
With nothing further to discuss, Alderwoman Martin made a motion to approve the Park Budget and Agreement (2nd reading) and Alderman Knous seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
- LIBRARY BUDGET (2ND READING)
With nothing further to discuss, Alderman Pratt made a motion to approve the Library Budget (2nd reading) and Alderman Bowman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business
NO NEW BUSINESS
Public Comment
Danner: why is the number wrong on the card? Chief Shumate stated that was an oversight and it will be corrected.
At 745pm, Alderman Cox made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss Personnel and Alderman Bowman seconded, motion carried unanimously.
At 845pm, the Council returned from Executive Session. Alderman Pratt made a motion to adjourn the council meeting and Alderman Bowman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
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Randy McClure, Mayor Ashley Cox, City Clerk