Mayor Costin called the meeting Martinsville Common Council to order on Monday, December 13, 2021. Dr. Keith Gore of Evangelical Methodist Church led the prayer followed Mayor Costin leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE
THOSE MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE
- Kenny Costin, Mayor
- Phil Deckard, District 1
- Ben Mahan, District 2
- Josh Ferran, District 3
- Suzie Lipps, District 4
- Phil Deckard II, District 5
- Ann Miller, Councilwoman-at-Large
- Jim Wisco, Councilman-at-Large
- Dale Coffey, City Attorney
- Rebecca Tumey, Clerk – Treasurer
- Ben Merida, Deputy Clerk
A quorum was declared present.
No Council members participated electronically. Councilman Ben Mahan was absent.
MINUTES
Mayor Costin presented the Minutes of Monday, November 22, 2021. to the Council. A motion to accept and allow the Minutes was made by Councilman Phil Deckard Sr. Councilwoman Ann Miler seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken resulting in “yays” from all Council members. The Minutes are approved 6-0.
MAYOR’S REPORT
None
Mayor Costin recessed the Council meeting for two public hearings.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Victoria Bechert of ARa, appeared to answer questions regarding a wastewater/drinking water grant application. The proposed project would allow the city to reline sewer lines. Mayor Costin called three times for public comments. Hearing none, Mayor Costin closed the public hearing.
ARa representative Victoria Bechert discussed a grant application in which the city would be the pass-through for a recovery housing program. Mayor called for public comment. Resident Cecelia Kreff, 11 N. Jefferson Street appeared and voiced her support for the project. Mayor Costin called three times more public comment. Hearing none, Mayor Costin closed the public hearing.
Mayor Costin reconvened the Council meeting.
Staff Reports
Fire Chief Kevin Greene reported November statistics for the fire department.
Police Chief John Richards reported the November statistics for his department, noting runs were down slightly from the previous month.
Department of Planning and Engineering Gary Oakes gave the following updates: I-69 is expected to be open by the end of the year; Miller Pipeline will be finishing the water projects this week; a new lab and office has been installed at the N. Mulberry Street water building and the WWTP Phosphorus project has been completed, but we are waiting on the delivery of the overhead doors.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2021-640 / Wastewater/Drinking Water Grant – A motion to accept and allow was made by Councilman Phil Deckard II. Councilman Josh Ferran seconded the motion. A roll call vote resulted in all Council members voting “yay.” The Motion passes 6-0.
Resolution 2021-641 / Recovery Housing Program Grant – A motion to accept and allow was made by Councilman Phil Deckard II. Councilwoman Ann Miller seconded the motion. A roll call vote resulted in “yays” from Council persons, Miller, Deckard Sr., Deckard II, Wisco and Lipps. Voting “nay” was Councilman Josh Ferran. The Motion passes 5-1.
Discussion of City’s Buffer Zones – City Attorney Dale Coffey, participating via the telephone, asked the Council what they wanted pertaining to the buffer zone. Councilman Jim Wisco said he would not participate in the discussion or vote, due to his already representing the County. Councilman Phil Deckard II made the motion to move forward with keeping the buffer zone. Councilwoman Suzie Lipps seconded the motion. A roll call resulted in “yay” votes from Council persons: Miller, Deckard Sr., Deckard II, Lipps and Ferran. Councilman Wisco abstained. The Motion passes 5-0-1.
Ordinance 2021-0028 / Amendment to Martinsville Municipal Code Chapter 94: Zoning and Subdivisions Article 1: In General Section 94-5 General Definitions Garage Sale – This is the first reading, therefore, no action. However, the Councilman Phil Deckard II made the motion to move the proposed ordinance to Plan Commission. Councilwoman Suzie Lipps seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with “yay” votes from Council persons Deckard Sr., Deckard II, Wisco, Lipps and Ferran. A “nay” came from Councilwoman Ann Miller. The Motion passes 5-1.
Ordinance 2021-0029 / Amendment to Martinsville Municipal Code Chapter 2; Administration Article 2: Revision to Section -63, Roll Call Votes Required – A motion to suspend the rules and allow action on the first reading was made by Councilwoman Suzie Lipps. Councilman Jim Wisco seconded the motion. The Motion passes 6-0. A motion to not require roll call votes on all Council business was made by Councilman Phil Deckard. Councilman Jim Wisco seconded the motion. The Motion passes 6-0.
Ordinance 2021-0030 / Establishing the Hanna Farms Planned Unit Development District – Melissa Garrard, representing the developer Forestar, gave a power point presentation of the proposed development. As this is the first reading, no action was taken.
CLAIMS
Mayor Costin presented the Claims. A motion to accept and allow the Claims was made by Councilman Phil Deckard II. Councilwoman Suzie Lipps seconded the motion. The Motion passes 5-1. Councilwoman Ann Miller voted “no.”
COUNCIL COMMENT
Councilman Phil Deckard II made comments regarding draining in the north west area of Martinsville. Also, comments regarding regulating traffic traveling west bound at Grand Valley.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Citizen Cecelia Kreff made comments regarding Manna Mission and meals served on Thanksgiving.
Mayor Costin wished a Merry Christmas to all.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, Mayor Costin declared the meeting adjourned.
