Martinsville City Council adopted a resolution and approved a bond package for sewer improvements, approved new traffic calming plans, heard comments from several residents and concerns from outgoing member Tammy Pearson (related story), and Vice Mayor Aaron Rawls.
The council also approved a resolution after holding a public hearing on revenue bonds for the Doe Run Sewer Project.
In 2021, an inspection of the Doe Run, Smith Lake Road, and Industrial Park sewer interceptors was completed, and a preliminary engineering report was prepared based on the condition assessment that identified the project needs. An application was submitted in 2022 to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requesting project funding.
The DEQ identified Martinsville’s project as a priority project for funding through the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (VCWRLF). Construction plans have since been completed, the project is ready to go out to bid, and the City recently received drafts of the funding and financing agreements.
In September the council approved entering into VCWRLF loan and appropriated $559,610 from the Water/Sewer Fund Balance for the Doe Run, Smith Lake Road, and Industrial Park Sewer Improvements. Bids were opened November 4, with the low bid coming in about $2 million more than the engineer’s estimate, and with other “soft costs” such as survey, acquisition, etc., added, the budget shortfall increased to $2,732,000.
The city contacted the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund and has secured additional loan proceeds to resolve the shortfall, according to Greg Maggard, director of Public Works.
“We’re required by the requirements of the loan to have a public hearing on this, and then if we approve the resolution, we’ll move forward,” Maggard said of the upgrades that will increase capacity when transporting wastewater from homes and businesses to the treatment plant.
Maggard also presented upcoming changes to streets after a 2023 Uptown Survey identified the need to control speeding in the Uptown District. Previous attempts to address this issue have failed. Raised crosswalks were recommended in the 2023 study but were not used in a previous attempt.
The installation of raised pedestrian crosswalks at mid-block crossings has been proven to provide increased visibility and safety for pedestrians. Additionally, the elevated crosswalks provide a “speed bump” effect in these areas, naturally slowing traffic. The intersection of Church and Broad streets was identified as a critical point for speed control and will be an “all-stop” intersection. This includes six raised crosswalks, with only one extra being added in front of city hall, flashing red lights at the intersection of Broad St. and Church St., and three stop signs that will be placed along Moss St and Walnut St.
The project is meant to control speeding and make the area more pedestrian-friendly. The crosswalks are meant to create more visibility. “They are about three to four inches wide, they are not speed bumps,” Maggard said, but the new crosswalks will have the impact of a smaller speed bump. The stop sign placements on Moss St. and Walnut St. came from positive feedback, and “that light right there on Walnut (Street) will go away,” Maggard said.
“What I was trying to do is break this up into segments to try to control the acceleration rate,” Maggard said, and explained that he believes the key to reducing speed will be the red flashing lights at the intersection of Broad St. and Church St.
The changes will cost an estimated $30,000, and are expected to be completed in the spring.
In a follow-up report about cameras at red lights, Police Chief Rob Fincher said localities “are allowed to have one red light camera per 15,000 residents.” This would allow only a single red light camera to be placed in the city, and companies that Fincher contacted weren’t interested in placing a single camera.
In other matters:
*Susan Tyler raised concerns about racism. “I see the divide between blacks and whites in this community, and now I see it in city council. We must learn how to better communicate and understand each other. I love you all and I pray for the best community can be, we can do this together.”
*Benjamin Bailey, owner of Skyline Tree Service, offered a public apology about a recently viral video that showed discriminatory speech by a former employee. “I am appalled by the words and language that was captured online,” said Bailey, adding the worker had been removed from the company.
“This is my community, and I’m committed to serving this community, once again please accept my apologies again for all that occurred. I truly am sorry they do not represent my views,” he said.
*Denied one person to speak. Rozine Baig was denied an opportunity to address the council during the public comment portion of the December 17 meeting.
Before that portion began, Mayor LC Jones said “all we ask” from speakers “is to state your name at the podium. Keep your business relevant.” He added that on advice from the city’s attorney, comments were not to include “pending legal or personnel issues.”
Council members did not elaborate, however, Martinsville Police Chief Rob Fincher went to the podium after Baig repeatedly tried to be heard.
*Council members Kathy Lawson, Mayor LC. Jones and Rawls thanked Pearson for her service, and during his comments, Rawls detailed what he believes to be current issues in the city.
“To be quite frank, we are probably walking into the worst council we’ve had in history.”
Rawls said that the city is backtracking, and that people are looking down on Martinsville due to internal issues. “We saw ridiculous absurd lies on people who are in public office. People from outside of Martinsville want to help Martinsville more than the people of Martinsville.”
Noting former charges and allegations of racism leading up to the November election cycle, Rawls said, “the world does not have time for these silly problems.”
Issues with water infrastructure were also pointed out with Rawls expressing concern about funding for repairs. “Now we don’t have people wanting to do projects here anymore. Now people are going to go 600 feet outside of the city limits because the counties are better to work with than the city. Guess what, your taxes are going up, your rates are going up.”
Rawls asked voters to support change in the next election.
“I think a lot of people got race-hustled into silliness, and now you are all going to pay for it,” Rawls said, adding “frankly, I’m about the only person that a lot of people in here trust.”
*After thanking outgoing council member Lawrence Mitchell for his service — Mitchell did not attend the meeting, Jones said:
“A lot of different comments tonight, different various topics. It’s been a turbulent year, a rollercoaster sometimes” and regardless of who says what and how who feels, you are the victim circumstances that you create yourself, and a lot of times individuals have to look themselves in the mirror before they start pointing the finger at anybody and accept responsibility for their own actions.”
Jones also thanked city employees, who have worked hard despite changes and turnover. “The he guys, the boots on the ground, from the fire department, police department, sheriff’s department, public works, electric, every department, HR, thank you for everything you’ve done. I look forward to 2025.”
Julian Mei and Rayshaun Gravely, who were elected in November, will begin their first terms in January.
