Martinsville City Council met on July 16, following a lengthy work session to view a presentation on needed improvements and purchases.
A proposed capital spending budget for FY 2024-25 was presented, with many examples of needed improvements around the city and individual costs. Proposed projects included updated bathrooms for Fire Department Station One, traffic barriers that will cost $10,000, and laptop replacements that will cost $85,000. Several other improvements, including repairing substations and replacing the hypochlorite chemical containment building, also were noted. The purchases will be discussed further as the council works through them.
The projects would be funded by dividing up what’s already in the capital budget.
A separate fund is set up for street maintenance.
“Should we be asking for additional funding,” asked Council member Tammy Pearson, referring to funding road maintenance.
“I would say that’s probably not necessary at this point,” said Public Works Director Greg Maggard.
In other matters, the council:
*During matters from the public, Ural Harris asked about the current state of the BB&T building and rumors about the movement of city hall.
“How come it’s taking so long, and why is council giving them so many extensions,” Harris asked about the project. “And I would like somebody to address the word on the street that y’all plan to move city hall down there.”
“Haven’t heard that one,” Mayor LC Jones said.
Vice Mayor Aaron Rawls said that Martinsville received a large grant for the project, but was frustrated as it affected their deadlines. “That was $3 million to the city that we get to keep,” Rawls said.
Harris also commented on the city’s relationship with the county, critiquing several points.
“There was a comment made by a council member that the county did more for the city than everybody else,” Harris said, adding that the county had ‘knocked’ the city out of revenue sharing with the shell building and also affected the city when the county acquired Clearview Park.
“The city made a mistake when they rezoned that (property) to let them put the social services building down there,” Harris said. “So, there was never supposed to be any governmental building down there on that grant.”
After adding that he was surprised the city didn’t get in trouble for the use of the grant, Harris said, “I think the city council was very wrong when they rezoned. They should have demanded to know who was buying it because that was an underhanded deal.”
*The council approved the application of two grants – the Safe Streets 4 All Safety Action Planning grants grant and CDBG Grant for planning.
“The reason we bring them to council is that they may require a match,” said City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides.
Pearson discussed the city’s boards and committees.
“I want to thank everyone because you can really start to see those committees headed in the right direction.”
For instance, the Arts and Culture Committee recently used a Hope Grant to help improve sidewalk safety at Albert Harris and Patrick Henry elementary schools.
* Recognized the work of the water resources department
* Recognized Martinsville City Public Schools for two Awards of Excellence.
* Recognized Mustang’s 10 game win streak.
