Cc Meeting - Regular Meeting

new um new presentation for the proclamations. Well, just the new new this is new format uh new nicer paper and the frame and all that. Yeah. Can be can be hung up. We have one for Dr. Xavier Scott and one for the links.

Um, Greg Scott's cousin Call the um April 13th work session to order. 6 pm. Do a roll call. Mr. Kitchen

here. Miss Banks present. Um, Miss Copelan present. Mr. Mackmore present. And myself. All right. Um, please silence your cell phones and um, we have um two matters on the agenda for the close session for the work session and we're going to move directly to those matters. Do we need to do we need to vote on it doesn't say is it doesn't say it's an agenda.

You have to vote to go into close session, right? But there's there's no pending vote as a result of coming out of that. This was more of a So there's no agenda. We don't have to approve this agenda. I guess we do, don't we? When you say approve it, the agenda for for the uh close session uh beyond voting to go inside of Okay. Yes, you have to take that vote. I have a motion to go into close session. Do we need script. Do it. Johnson.

Hello, Dr. Johnson. Let the record reflect that Dr. Johnson is here. You want to complete that for us? Okay. [clears throat] I move that we enter into close session pursuant to 2.2- 3711A 1 of the code of Virginia for discussion, consideration or interview of prospective candidates for the city manager. The subject matter close session is confined to these specific personnel matters. We amend that to from city that's that's an old one. Yes. For for candidate to discuss candidates for appointments appointments for yes

for um appointments in real estate. I'm like just appointments. I didn't know it till I got to Yeah. Yeah. Right. All right. So, we got a motion. So, is a as amended with that. Can I have a second? Second. We have a motion and a second. Um any discussion? Take the vote. Dr. Johnson. I I I I I and I ladies, we're going to close session. We're going to the conference room. All of the um matters are in the notebook. So, thank you very much.

testing. Is this a little low? Can we Can we turn this down? Let's go for the

Okay. So, what do we do? Okay. We can just still present it. We can vote on it tonight and then present it. Yeah. [snorts] All right. Sure. Ladies and gentlemen, we're going to finish up our work session with a motion to come back into out of close session. You don't have you don't have your eyes on. Okay. I just need a motion. So moved. You have a motion and second.

A motion second to come out of closed. Um we can take the vote and then we'll read the certification. Here you go. This starts here. All right. Have a motion and a second. Any discussion to come out of close session? Being none, I'll take the vote. Starting with Dr. Johnson. I I I

I I I and I thank you very much. And um Miss Mel, will you read the certification? I move to certify that to the best each member's knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempt from open meeting requirements under Virginia Freedom of Information Act and only such business matters identified in the motion to convene the closed session were heard discussed or considered in the closed session. Excuse me. Okay. Um certification Dr. Johnson I certify. I certify. I certify. I certify. I certify. I certify.

I'm sorry. I s and I certify it. I apologize. Uh so the Now we uh need a motion to to table the parks general general table not to specific. I make a motion that we table the uh park discussion for further information. Have a motion of second. Second. A motion a second. Any discussion? Carol Johnson. I I I

I Okay, I need a motion to table the applicants for city school board until a date determined by us for interviews. So moved. Second. Second. Okay. Any discussion? Take a vote. I I abstain. abstain.

I All right. Did you have a question?

Oh, that is not catch that. Okay. All right. Um, there is nobody. Excuse me. Uh, please I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen. Now, we need a motion to close the to end the close session. No, I'm sorry.

Uh, I think we need to first of all is uh ask everybody to turn off their cell phones and roll call has already been done and we'll do the pledge of allegiance, ladies and gentlemen. If you'll stand please to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right. There is nobody signed up for citizens time tonight. So we'll move right into approval of the tonight's agenda. Can I have a motion for that? So move second.

Have a motion in a second. Any discussion? Dr. Jones. I I I I And I thank you very much. And we move on to presentations. Um I think we have uh Chief Py coming forward. Sergeant Renetti. Come on out, Brett. Mr. Mayor, madam vice mayor, members of council, city manager, good evening.

In August of last year, then city manager has always been informed you that we had completed our on-site assessment and that the standards review team that came was going to be recommending us for four credit status. In December, we met [clears throat] with the Executive Board of Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission, otherwise known as Lepsi, at which point the on-site assessment was reviewed and we were granted full-way accredited status. In my discussions uh with Mr. Freeman, he asked that we take a few minutes this evening to inform you of just what that means and the significance of having earned this status because earning accredited status is an achievement that represents a significant milestone for the department and reflects our commitment uh continued commitment to professionalism, accountability and excellence in policing. Accreditation through Valpy is a voluntary comprehensive process in which a law enforcement agency is evaluated against a set of 192 standards. These standards encompass all aspects of agency operations, including policies and procedures, training, use of force, evidence handling, administrative practices, and community engagement. The process requires a thorough internal review, the development and refinement of policies, and an independent on-site assessment conducted by trained evaluators. Agencies must demonstrate not only that appropriate policies exist, but that they are actively followed and that we document to show that we are doing what we say we are going to do. Earning accreditation is widely recognized as a mark of excellence in law enforcement. It signifies that the department meets or exceeds established best practices in policing, operates with a high level of transparency and accountability, is committed to risk management and continuous improvement, and provides professional, consistent, and effective service to the community. Only a limited number of agencies across the Commonwealth have achieved this distinction, making it a notable and meaningful accomplishment. Out of nearly 400 law enforcement agencies across Virginia, only 114 have achieved state accredited status, placing our

department among a select group with fewer than one in three agencies meeting the rigorous professional standards. This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication, expertise, and persistence of department personnel. In particular, I would like to recognize Brent Gail and Sergeant Brittney Renzetti for their leadership and commitment throughout what has been a multi-year effort to navigate [clears throat] the accreditation process. Their efforts included coordinating the extensive documentation that was required, ensuring compliance with all standards, facilitating internal reviews, and preparing the department for the on-site assessment. Their attention to detail and sustained effort over an extended period were instrumental in our achieving this success. Achieving Gle accreditation is a proud moment for the Franklin Police Department. It reflects a collective commitment to excellence and positions the department to continue providing the highest level of service to our community. We appreciate the continued support of the city council and remain dedicated to maintaining these high standards moving forward as we prepare for our next reacreditition assessment in 2029. If you would please join me in thanking, recognizing, and congratulating Brent and Sergeant Renzetti for a job well done. [applause]

[applause] And also just forformational purposes, I would also ask just to give you a heads up in a future meeting coming up, Brent, Chief Francis and I will be presenting you with a brief update on where our radio communications project is. Thank you. Congratulations. All right. Um move on to the consent agenda. I have a motion to accept the consent agenda. So move second. Have a motion and a second. Do I have any discussion? All right. Being none, I'll take to start with Dr. Johnson. I I I I

I

All right. And I Thank you very much. Um part of that consent agenda are two proclamations. one of them. We're going to we're going to move on to the next meeting because they could not be here tonight, but we'd like to have Dr. Xavier Scott come forward. And um [applause] I'm going to um start off by saying that that I I didn't know much about Cover Three. I knew where they were. I I I knew kind of what they did and um at Vice Mayor uh Copelan's suggestion, I contacted Dr. Scott and on Friday, Mr. Kitchen and I went by and did a tour and we were I can't speak for him, but I was blown away. I just could not believe everything they were doing to feed kids throughout Tidewater to to as far as Brun Brunswick County, as far as Petersburg every single day. And we were just we were so impressed. I was so glad that that Vice Mayor Copeland brought this to my attention. I've wanted to go by there for years, just never done it. And and and and so glad so glad I did. I don't know if anybody else want to speak, but um I'm gonna let

Oh, yes. Go ahead. Go ahead. Yeah. Go ahead. Well, just thank you for your service. I've known you since you were living in Dorchester and you you you're a great role model. Just thank you for everything. Thank you.

Um Dr. Scott, I want to thank you for um the marvelous job that Cover Three is doing, not only in this area, but in the Hampton Roads area. And before, you know, I' I've come by and I've had a tour and it was fantastic. um even some years ago in the thing that you're doing for the area um it needs to be known uh basically because it's almost like a diamond in the rough sir. Uh there's so many things that you're doing and constantly moving forward with and it makes um Franklin uh proud of you uh what you're doing to have such a facility in our area in our city. I thank you for that.

Doctor, um I've known you probably almost as long as Miss Copelan has. Your mama used to drive the school bus. I talk to her all the time. I just have one question. Why did you waste your time playing for the Panthers when you [laughter] could play for the Redskins like Greg? Well, that's a good question, but when they call your name, you got to go. [laughter] You got to go. And you're proud to do it, weren't you? Absolutely. Absolutely. All right. Anybody else? You go.

Just want to say thank you to you and also Mr. Greg Scott. Um, Cover 3 provided uh meals for my summer camp program in the beginning phases and everything was always done in decency and order. So, I can appreciate that and I mean that was years ago. So, to know that you all are still continuing the journey of feeding and fighting against hunger in our communities is um amazing. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I ju I just like to add that uh there's an old saying that apple don't fall far from the tree. And on several occasions, we've had the privilege of welcoming your brother Greg up there. And it's good to see you up there tonight. And I want to recognize Gerald Scott. Yeah.

Because Mr. Scott has produced some wonderful sons who have been a benefit to the city of Franklin. Your brother has a restaurant on South Street and uh a very good restaurant and Cover Three has always supported the Junth cultural celebration that we have every year. And I want to thank you for your support and for all that you do for all of the children. You're on your way to being like a McDonald's, millions fed. Thank you so much. And I think the uh recognition is welld deserved. Yeah. The uh cousin, not not brother, but I'm still the honorary brother. So, you're always there. Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely. Mr. Chris,

thank you so much for what you do, not just for the city, but the expansion that you've done as well of feeding children. I think it's very vital and very important. And I'm proud to say that someone from Franklin has done that. Uh it's major major accomplishment and very proud of you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. And we'll get to the reading.

Proclamation recognizing Dr. Xavier Scott Appreciation Day. Whereas the strength of any community is rooted in the unity, dedication, and service of its people. And whereas it is both fitting and proper to recognize individuals and organizations whose efforts uplift, inspire, and create lasting impact. And whereas Dr. Xavier Scott has demonstrated outstanding commitment, leadership, and excellence through his contributions to the city of Franklin and surrounding communities. Whereas his work has positively influenced countless lives, fostering growth, opportunity, and a spirit of collaboration. And whereas such dedication serves as an example to all, encouraging others to pursue greatness and serve with purpose. Now, therefore, I mayor Paul Kaplan do hereby proclaim March 2nd, 2026 as Dr. Xavier Scott's apprec appreciation day. In recognition of his invaluable contributions and unwavering commitment to excellence and witness thereof, I have here to set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Franklin to be affixed this 13th day of April 2026. Paul Kaplan mayor, city of Franklin, Virginia.

Thank you. [applause]

I know we got to say we got March 27 yesterday 26. No, no, no. We're going to let you have this one. We'll bring you another one. Anything you want to say?

Um, I just want to say uh thank you um Vice Mayor uh Copelan. I thoroughly and and I'm grateful and I appreciate um everything that led up to this moment. Um, I appreciate the the entire council uh for allowing, you know, me, myself, and um, a host of others that contributed to the push of uh, fighting every single day um, making our environment and our community better than once we found it. And I always want to make sure people understand that it's great things that come out of the great city of Franklin. And it's also great things that come out of the neighborhood in the community of Dorchester. So, I'm a living witness and I stand before you once again to show my sincere gratitude on behalf of myself and my family. Thank you. [applause]

I must say I don't think we've ever had a since I've been mayor the the proclamation being read or resolution where everybody wanted to speak up and I was that just beautiful thing. That's a beautiful thing. All right. Um Mr. May I just want to say he's not the only one from Dorchester in the house. That's right. [laughter] I'm from Dorchester. All right. Um uh on to the regular judgement budget amendment. Some financing that has come in. I'll pass that on to the city manager. Got to get down to it. They say the two grants from the Camp Family Foundation. Do we need to talk on those? They were on the consent.

They were on the consent, Mr. Mayor. So, we're good with that. Council's already approved it. Uh the grant we have here is actually for uh Quesa. I'm trying to flip through here. Make sure I get There we go. So, it's for a budget amendment uh for this year uh to demonstrating the need for additional funding throughout the remainder of this fiscal year. The Children's Services Act, CSA services. Uh we were notified by the state that we will need a total of $414,51864 in funds. Of this amount, $163,8341 is to come from the locality in order to leverage the state share of $277,71523 coming from the state. Um, so we do have the director of uh social services here uh to answer any questions in regards to that. State notified us about a few months back letting us know that this was coming down the pike. So I wanted to get this in front of council as opposed to waiting towards the end of the fiscal year uh just to make sure you had it uh in front of you as soon as we received notification. So, um, didn't know if you had any questions on it, but, uh, the state provides a lot of services to our Franklin residents, uh, that are in need and, uh, bringing down this money from the state and, u matching it with our local share is something that's, uh, truly, uh, needed. So, again, I'll say we've got the director of social services. If you

and the money was available in the budget. Yes, sir. We we we just moved some money around to make sure we leverage that state money to provide the services. Anybody have any questions for um, Mr. Retro. She's here to answer if anybody. Yes. Okay. I'll take a motion to approve. So move. Second. A motion and second. Any further discussion or any discussion? All right. I'll take the D Johnson. I I I I I

and I motion passed. Thank you very much. Thanks for being here, Rexro. Um and Chief Francis, thank you for being here. We didn't have any questions on the other. So, all right. Um, city manager board.

Yes. Only thing that I uh would say to council is thank you for uh welcoming me here to Franklin. Uh, I appreciate it. Everybody's been very, very wonderful. Had a great time at the event this past um weekend with Springfest. Uh, it really uh was exciting uh to uh receive a warm welcome this past weekend. So, I just wanted to say thank you uh to council and thank you to the community for a warm welcome. One thing I did want to mention, Mr. Mayor and council is that um I've I've heard council we're going to be looking at spatial uh uh requirements that are needed uh for various city functions and services and so forth. One thing I am proud to say is that we uh are making space available for a constituency office for the mayor and council uh to be able to meet with uh residents and also business prospects uh should they desire.

Can I interject really quick? Yes, ma'am. Sorry for the interruption. I'm sorry. Some of the um citizens can't hear you in the back. If you could speak up just a tad bit louder.

Yes. I apologize. My green light was on so I I was unaware of that. Hopefully. Can you hear me now? Okay. Well, the uh basically is uh we have a constituency office that we are going to put on the second floor. So, if you want to meet with your council representative, there will be a place where you can meet on the second floor in city hall. Uh the room is being redone and it's it's being done on a cheap actually. So, we're not spending like a ton of money. We've got some eager employees that are coming in doing repainting and some uh elbow grease. We're very proud to to do the work and we're repurposing some uh furniture, but it's going to it's going to pop. So, when you go up there, you're going to you're going to be saying, "Wow." But I want to reassure you, we've not spend a lot of money uh to to do this. So, uh we've got some very eager employees. So, it will not only be utilized for coni constituency services for residents to meet with your council person and the mayor, but also uh for business prospects. So, if there's business prospects that want to come to the city, gives you a little bit of elbow room and a place to talk business. So, with your council representative. So, I just want to let council know that I heard your voice loud and clear.

Thank you very much. Um, David, is Shannon gonna be our secretary as well as yours? [laughter] I think she's already stuck with that. I don't know what I would do without Shannon. She does a great job. So, love her to death. So, can we set a date? Um, now for the uh interviews for council for a school board appointments at 6 o'clock on the 27th. Um, 10 minutes each. I don't think we can do it in 10 minutes each. Speed dating. Yes.

Can we do it next Monday 20th? week from today.

Speak up. I couldn't hear you. What other date? Well, yeah, but got to remember the time that somebody ran over.

No, you could do 5:30. [clears throat] We can do that. We could We can move our regular meeting till 5 till 7:30 and and start at 5:30. Miss Copen could be here at 5:30. Okay, that work that work. That should give us plenty of time. Yeah, it probably won't take that long, but to seven. You good with that? Okay. Five. Our next meeting night. Two weeks from tonight. Yes. Yeah. We just we'll have the work session at at um 5:30. That sounds good.

All right. Um our next meeting is scheduled for that night, April 27th. Uh council comments. Dr. Johnson, anything for you?

Meet Tuesday.

Tomorrow. retired. Wednesday guest protest ISIS protesters. allow them to Express that. We have good security. [laughter]

Yeah, we're just mixing it all together. It's the only thing on the on the agenda. Anything else? basically everyone together. Thank you.

I have nothing. I would kind of wish that we could drop the council member comments. My opinion, it causes conflict and dissension and that's nothing something we don't need anymore. Myself included. Um I don't see where it does any good. It's it's other phases of the meeting that we can discuss things.

Spect. Um, so I want to thank the constituents that came out to the W 6 meeting, coffee time. I want to thank the owner of Storehouse Coffee. She was pleasant to work with. Um, of course supporting local businesses downtown Franklin. Thank you to Councilman McLemore and to Mr. Ricky Sykes who also came to the meeting. Um and then I also attended Councilman McLemore's meeting and there was conversation about a task force for um the utility bills just to kind of put together a task force to see if we can keep a pulse on how that's being tracked. So just thank you to the constituents or citizens that came out to just voice their opinion and I I plan to kind of follow not kind of I plan to follow up on that. Also, um I received an email from MissWindelin Blue recommending um someone for the Franklin Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board for War Six. So, I have a name. I'm not sure if this is the appropriate time to give that name, but I wanted to also let that be known that W 6 has a recommendation for that board. Okay, Copelan,

I would like to announce a financial literacy meets meets touch base that's on April 21st, uh, 5 to 7:00 p.m. It's about financial literacy and is sponsored by Bronco Federal Credit Union, Franklin Department of Social Services, and Franklin City Public Schools. M.

Um, I would just like to say that I'd like to thank the citizens, especially from Ward Three, but other citizens throughout the city who attended our last Ward 3 meeting along with the city manager and um we had our special guest which was [snorts] which two did we have this time? City manager and um and Zack.

Yeah, the electric people. We brought in the director of uh power and lights as well as the finance director so that we can uh find out how the let people ask questions in regards to how these electric uh bills are being generated and we got a lot of participation and as councilwoman Banks said, we came up with ideas um about a task force and trying to um we're still brainstorming and hopefully we're going to bit deeper into that in our retreat, upcoming retreat, how we can um institute some relief for the citizens and structures besides just the extensions that we have granted the people. And um thank you so much. The next W 3 meeting is going to be on April 22nd at 5:00 at the Franklin Library once again. And I'd like to say uh I don't want to go back But we did skip agenda item 2026-30 and that is the appointment to the city manager to the HR PDC board

agenda. Okay. Part of the consent agenda. You did it all at one time.

Okay. So, um again, thank you for coming out and I haven't found out yet which my which two guests we're going to have. I did speak to uh Miss Blue today and she will be our one of our guests because we take um recommendations from citizens as to which department heads and uh community partners or city partners that they would like to hear from and people have expressed that they would like to hear from uh the housing authority. It was also brought to my attention that they would like to hear from and I'm supposed to be reaching out to somebody from HUD for because HUD is financed finances the local um redevelopment and housing authority. So, we will be bringing them in for guest in the near future. But the guest for the 22nd meeting is still to be announced, but I hope that you guys will come out and uh support the W 3 ward meeting. Thank you. you said it was the 22nd

22nd of April.

The only comment I have is I'm like everyone else, I'd like to cons continue to see us work together and do what's best for our citizens. Thank you.

I would like to echo uh what's been said again just as Mr. Brrizard did. I want to report that I um I last week before last first and the second I attended a conference on um uh the defense industry and the shipping industry and how we can make our communities more user friendly was part of the part of it. We certainly have a lot of folks from the military moving to Franklin and a lot of people working at the shipyards and and that's going to grow. They're looking to hire 42,000 more employees throughout the ship building industry than Hampton Roads. And they got to live somewhere and they they seem to be liking Franklin. So we like them. Um also I think that's it. Uh do I have a motion to adjurnn?

So moved. Second. All right. Motion. Any discussion on adjouring? All right. Dr. Johnson. I I I I and I thank you for coming, ladies and gentlemen.