Cc Meeting - Regular Meeting

Okay, ladies and gentlemen, appears to be um 6:30 and I will call the um work session for well that's that's live. Um work session for um u Monday, May 11th at 6:30 p.m. Um a roll call. Dr. Johnson absent. Uh Mr. Kitchen present. Mr. Banks here. Miss Copelan present. Mr. Mcmore present. Mr. Grizzard present. All right. Um gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, if you'll turn off turn off your cell phones and um we I guess we'll move right. It wasn't cell phone there.

No, I know. I don't think it's anybody's I think the Can you tell them to turn the turn down a little bit?

So, just so everybody knows the what's happening at this portion of the meeting. This is a work session on the budget. Uh the the actual um uh regular meeting will follow at 7 and at that time we'll have uh several public hearings on the agenda. uh one of them being for school board and two for zoning. The school board vote will not take place tonight. We have to wait at least seven days. Uh the other two can take place tonight. Uh but that'll be during the regular session. I'm going to turn it over to the city manager, Mr. Freeman, and um director of finance, Mr. Deline, for budget presentation.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And uh good evening, honorable mayor and council. The city manager's duty is to provide council with a balanced budget framework with the best information that's available at the moment. Before jumping straight into the budget, I wanted to provide you with some context around our budget backdrop. The budgetary framework includes aligning the revenue picture with the hear you back there, so I don't know. Can Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now? Yeah. Can you hear me now?

Okay. I got this thing really close. There we go. Thank you, Brent. Okay, I I'll start over. Um, the city manager's duty is to provide city council with a balanced budget framework with the best information available at the moment. Before jumping straight into the budget, I wanted to provide you with some content context around our budget backdrop. The budgetary framework includes aligning the revenue picture with the many budgetary expenditure needs and wants. Needs and wants pertain to both internal team members as well as our external partners. Additionally, there are many challenges to consider such as state and federal pressures and challenges that adversely affect the city's operating picture. Some of those pressures and challenges have to do with providing the necessary funding support and our timely budgetary picture for budgetary planning purposes. Some of the obvious challenges are around the political climate of uncertainty at this moment at the national and international levels. Chiefly among them are around energy markets and this is on top of the general inflationary increases that we must consider. impacts are being felt on governmental services around the country that depend directly on and indirectly on energy markets. Simply put, costs are substantially higher now than just only a few months ago, and there seems to be no guarantees of certainty or stability on the horizon. With that said, I don't want to steal any of our director of finances thunder regarding the budget presentation. So, with that said, Jeff, if you would please come up to the podium and walk us through your presentation, if you will.

Thank you. Good evening. Uh, Mr. Mayor, Mrs. May, Mrs. Vice Mayor, all the city council members. My name is Jeff Deline. I am the finance director for the city of Franklin. Uh, what I'm going to do is I'm going to go over a PowerPoint presentation. And this PowerPoint presentation will also be in your budget packets. So, as you follow along, you will have this when we give you your budget packets. All right. So, the purpose of tonight's, let me raise this up a little bit, is to present the FY27 proposed budget across all the city funds, outline revenue assumption, tax rate choices, and key policy decisions. Walk through the general fund priorities, personnel, and capital improvement programs. identify policy questions and the next steps leading to the adoption of the FY27 budget. You're one behind Brent on the slides. Go to the next one. Here's your budget calendar uh and public hearing calendar. Basically, tonight we're doing the introduction of the proposed budget and then on May 26 at 7 p.m. we'll have the public hearing on the proposed budget and the tax rate. And then also on May 26, we'll have the opportunity to adopt the annual appropriation ordinance and the tax rate ordinance. Uh July 1st, we'll start the beginning of FY27 with the adoption of this budget. Next I want to talk about strengthening our foundation. Next slide. Thank you. Uh basically structurally balanced general fund. That means that the recurring revenue is

currently going to be co covering the current recurring expenses. Real estate tax rate is held at 1.03 against a confirmed 10% reassessment lift. In other words, we had an increase in the uh total values of assessed property by 10%. Uh targeted investment in public safety, facility renewal, and comprehensive planning is what we're strengthening as how we're strengthening our foundation. The little bullet down there on the bottom says no unassigned fund balance draw. The general fund is balanced at 36,64767 without drawing on unassigned revenues or reserves and it reserves remained above the 15% policy minimum which means that we'll have greater than 55 days of spending authority in our reserves. Some of the highlights that you will see in your city uh management letter is that it's structurally balanced. Again, unassigned fund balance will not be drawn. General fund balances are like I said before without drawing on unassigned balances. Reserves stay above the 15% uh policy floor. Uh the tax rate choice of one 1.03 03 versus 9364 which is your equalization rate. With the 1.03 and the increase in the assessed value, you have an increase in 871,000 additional revenue. And of course, you'll have a public hearing on May 26 at 7 p.m. to discuss your tax rate. This tax rate has been in effect for over six years. So there's no change in this tax rate as what's been previously done. operating investment uh 2.09 out of the 2.3 million uh has been

accepted. So 57 operating enhance enhancement requests totaling 2.3 million were given to us by the different departments. Of that 2.09 million of the general fund enhance enhancements are funded after review of what was requested. capital investments. There's 12.91 million out of the 13.3 million that was requested that is funded in our capital investment programs. So what does strengthening our foundation mean? Well, strengthen our foundation means our workforce. Okay, first and foremost is our workforce and that's important part of the city itself. We're proposing a 3% cola citywide increase and targeting FTE additions with one additional E911 LMR technician and a half FTE for HR recruiter. It also means our facilities and deferred maintenance. We're proposing 1.87 million for roofs, HVAC, LED lighting, and painting and carpeting. We're also proposing public safety apparatus, 4.4 million communications, radio system, and 475,000 for a new ambulance system. Long range planning includes five uh includes 50,000 comprehensive plan and electric utility health. uh fiscal discipline, structured balance, no unassigned fund balance use, and a contingency of 219,000 just in case. So, how does this build on FY26? Well, basically, uh builds on the FY26 reccalibration work uh from recalibration to reinforcement. We're

trying to reinforce what was done last year and continue to build upon that. protects the building portfolio against further deferred balance maintenance and backlog. Restores Franklin Power and Light through a measured 7% retail rate adjustment. Sustain school social services CSA against rising case load and cost pressure. Sets a multi-year framework for capital and reserve health for FY27. All of our funds together are 91.42 million and the general fund itself is 36.65 million. And all 12 budgeted funds are balanced with revenues equaling expenditures. When you get your budget book, your budget is organized in the following fashion. You'll have your governmental funds, which are your general fund, which is your day-to-day services for operations of the city itself. You'll have your social services funds, your CSA funds, your economic development fund. You have your foundation grant fund, your fire training fund, and also all your school funds, which include the cafeteria and textbook fund. You'll also see in there your enterprise funds, which is your water and sewer fund, your solid waste fund, your airport fund, and your electric fund. In addition, you'll have another section in there for your capital improvement program, which includes a five-year outlook of your capital improvements. Here's a little breakout of all your FY27 appropriations by fund. As you can tell, the general fund, as you would expect, is the largest, followed by the

school fund, and then all your other funds remaining, totaling 91,423,681. So basically year-over-year you'll see that your general fund increased from 35.41 million to 36.65 million. That's a 1.23 million increase or 3.5% which I think is very modest. some of your general fund revenue sources. Of course, your largest is your general property taxes, followed by other local taxes, categorical state aid, and you can read all the rest of them that go down through there. And you'll see all that when you receive your budget book and be able to decipher what creates each and every one of those. Okay. So, let's talk a little bit about the reassessment and the tax rate choice. The real estate tax rate held at 1.03. FY27 proposed rate of course is 1.03 per 100 of assessed value. That's unchanged from the previous six years. Equalization rate per Virginia code 58.13321 is 9364. There has been a confirmed 10% reassessment lift. In other words, the reassessment increased the total property value by 10%. It went from 845.4 million to 929.9 million in the assessment. additional revenue and equalization approximate 871,000 in new revenue for FY27. Basically, uh we're holding the rate

above the equalization rate is treated as a state code as an effective tax increase. So, you'll have a public hearing on May 26, 2026, uh 7 p.m. You're going to have the downtown overlay that's going to hold steady at 0.24 24 and a personal property. It's going to held steady at 4.5, machinery and tools 2.0 and mobile home at 1.03. Some other assumptions and your tax fee assumptions. Again, a lot of those I've already gone over on the taxes held on the utility fee and adjustments. We are proposal proposing a 7% retail electric rate increase effective July 1st, 2026.

Haven't we already voted on that? Was that already approved? I do not know that. No, I didn't think so. Okay.

So, the water and sewer rates are going to remain at current levels. Solid waste residential is $38 a month. No change. And the fee schedule ordinance part D is generally held in the FY26 levels. Any changes that come out through the state will make those changes as necessary when they decide on what they're doing. This slide shows you a little bit of general fund expenditures by function. As you can imagine, the public safety is your police, fire, E911. Those are the the largest expenditures that we have. Those are individuals that work 247 for the city of Franklin and if you call them they're always there. Then you have public works, school operating and general government and then they go down from there. So you'll have that available with more information in your budget book. some personnel comparison. Again, we're we're proposing a 3% increase and we're also proposing 1.5 increase in FTE and the city health uh insurance budget is at 1.92 which is kind of holding steady right now. We're hoping to get some more final numbers on that, but that's where we are right now. and a targeted new position is the full-time E911 land mobile radio system technician and a half-time FTE human resources recruiter. And of course, the 3% COLA is absorbed within the balance FY27 financial plan. All right. on the public safety and emergency readiness. Some of the highlights there are 348,000 in operating enhancements for police and fire services, the E911 land mobile

radio system technician, uh some capital, the 4.5 4.4 communications radio system replacement and a summary of all budgeted funds presented total 14.33 million on a summarized categorical view. So basically, this is the city's largest function that we have right now, and we're we're trying to put some stuff back into it to increase its functionability. on the Franklin City public schools. Uh the general fund commitment uh to the schools is 5,242,000 uh which goes school operating of 4,866 and the school debt which is 376,000. All funds for operating uh school operating and debt that they passed was 21,431,815.

Excuse me. Could you um it takes you back a little bit, but uh could you explain what the acronym for COLA is for the people? Cost of living. COLA stands for cost of living adjustment. Thank you. You're welcome. Pardon? Not the salt. Not the salt. No, that would be CocaCola.

And we don't give those out here. Just water. Now you threw me off. Good job. All right, let's move on. Social services. We're always providing services for our social services. Uh we are going to provide 876,135. That's an increase of 147,000 or 20% over last year. In addition, we are going to provide 8 686,000 or an increase of 241,000 to CSA local match. And this is because social services fund of 4.4 million and the CSA fund of 1.85 million reflects projected case load growth and increase per case costs and also a SNAP federal funding cut observed uh absorbed locally. So the federal uh SNAP funding is going to reduce from 50% to 25%. So we are absorbing that in our budget. Franklin Power and Light Electric Fund uh FY27 appropriations of 17.6 million includes a 7% increase in the retail rate adjustment, not seven cents, but 7%. That rounds out to less than a penny. Okay? It'll bring in about an additional 1.28 million. So basically, of that 1.28, 28400,000 is going to be transferred to the general general fund for debt service assistance and the balance supports operating cost increases, electric capital and rebuilding utility reserves. I think you had a great presentation by Lincoln when he was here requiring or requesting an increase in the reserves.

Question uh maybe you haven't gotten to it yet. The new electrical substation in the industrial park, will it bring any additional revenue that is being included in this presentation? I don't know the answer to that, but I can get back with you on it.

Thank you. Next, we'll go to water and sewer fund. FY27 appropriations of $3.3 million. Water and sewer rates remain current at current levels for FY27. Long-term capital and reserve pressure continue and a rate study needs to be completed. Solid waste airport and special funds. As you can see there on this spreadsheet, the solid waste what they're currently um currently expected for their appropriations and residential rate has no change in it. The airport is 876 720 and Franklin does have a lot of matching fund funds from the federal and the state government. So a lot of their budget will be covered by federal and state matching economic developments 18454.

Sorry I forgot I had Thank you. the um if we could go back to uh water. Yeah. Can I go back to water? Yes. I was telling Brett uh we have um Okay. Uh well the water and sewer practically u the water basically. Have we uh do you know if we check with DEQ to uh get other water reserve because we have a had a water shortage somewhat. Water isn't up my lane, but I can check in on that and get back with you. Okay,

fair enough. Yes. Okay, thank you.

Next slide, please. All right, let's look at the capital improvement program. Our capital improvement program is 12.91 million for FY27 CIP. The general portion of that is 8.25 million and the electric portion of that is 4.66 million. So basically we're looking at 7.1 new debt issuance, 850,000 state revenue, 258,000 cash fund uh for the 88,248,000 general fund portion of the CIP and there'll be more to come on that later. Some of the CIP priorities are next. The communication radio system replacement that's at 4.4 4 million the electric fund capital such as trucks distribution substations of 4.66 66 million. Always updating facility improvements, roof, HVAC, LED lighting, painting and carpeting from the MLK center, city hall, health department, library, uh, ES building, roofs, transportation and infrastructure, the ambulance, uh, police elections, animal control vehicles, parks and wrecks, all that stuff adds up to our total CIP of $12.9 million. And that's only fiscal year 27. Debt service and reserves. Debt service is currently at 2,537,348 for FY27. The general government debt service is 2.1 million. School related debt is 376,000. Uh general obligation debt is to assessed value ratio is currently at 4.62 62 and driven entirely by existing amortization schedule. No new structured

debt. The balance uh budget preserves and reserves the debt capacity for future capital needs. No general fund unassigned fund balance draw for FY27. The contingency reserve is appropriated at 219,000 with non-dep departmental unassigned fund balance remains above the 15% policy minimum. Some enhancements, some major operating enhancements, and I know we kind of touched on them already, but your public safety operating police and fire enhanced by $348,000. Parks and Rex operating 84,600 in the in the regular fund in the general fund and the capital is 320,000 comprehensive plan update 50,000 and the FSI EDI and visitor center support of 55,000. So again 2.09 funded from the 2.3 million that was requested. All right, some department increases. Social services, local supports increasing by 147,000. Public safety total spending is 14.7 up 724,000 from the previous year. Public safety operating enhancements of course 348,000. Debt service rising on existing amortization schedules. Economic development support is being strengthened. Some of the things that are held flat are reduced. School operating local support is held flat at the current rate we add for FY26. School related debt service budgeted separately at 376,000. Water and sewer rates remain unchanged. Solid waste remains unchanged. Most local tax retained in FY26 levels and

the health insurance budget line is held flat at approximately 1.92 million. All right. So, here are some key policy questions for the council. We would propose that you confirm the real estate rate at 1.03 against the equalization rate of 9364. We propose that you confirm 7% Franklin Power and Light retail rate adjustment effective July 1st, 2026. Confirmed CIP funding mix of 7.14 million new debt, 850,000 state revenue, 258,000 in cash. Confirmed targeted personnel additions and contingency levels of 219,000. Direct reconciliation of electric fund detailed figures with summary appropriations. Again, your public hearing is on this budget. And the tax rate is Tuesday, May 26th at 7 PM. And that last slide is just for you. Just talks about what we talked about. Thank you for your attention. I appreciate introducing the budget for FY27.

Mr. Very good. So, so, uh, if I can, Mayor, I just want to thank, uh, Jeff and the budget team, all the city departments, uh, uh, Mr. Saunders, uh, for some of the work that he's done, uh, on this great deal amount of work. Uh, and it's not all just city departments. These there are partners out there in the community that provide their, uh, needs and, um, things that, um, it's like a force multiplier. So, the city doesn't do everything. We rely on our outside partners as well. So, I just want to thank them for giving us information as well. So, uh it's all hands on deck when it comes to this. So, I'm gonna ask Shannon if she would go ahead and pass out because I know we're running low on time to go ahead and pass out the uh the budget books. And what I will try to do is to walk you through as she is uh well and Jeff too uh are passing them out is to let you know what the books contain uh for your education. Uh on one side you'll see a budgeting brief u that's on one side on your left side then you'll actually see the budget book itself in more granularity and then the PowerPoint presentation that you just saw you have it in its entirety on your right side in the pocket. So all those things combine your city manager's proposed operating budget for for your convenience and if you will take a look at it uh we will also simultaneously provide this on the city's website as well as public facing uh city sites including libraries so people can look at it at their leisure or whether if they are computerincclined that if they want to look at it on the city's website they can do that as well. So the that that is going to be available and comments can be received leading all the way up until the public hearing where people can come and make comments at during the public hearing on the 26 as

well. So just wanted to put that out there. Um I know we we had an aggressive timeline to try to meet this year and I want to thank staff again uh one more time for putting all the hard work in at the last minute. There's a lot of needs and a lot of wants. There are a lot of pressures out there. uh particularly in the energy sector these days. So anything directly or indirectly related to the energy sector is taking a whack right now. So uh including if you have fleets of vehicles, anything that relies on gas, those prices are nowhere near what they were just only a few months ago. And I wish I had more positive news on the horizon, but I don't think we get any guarantees in this climate right now. So with that said, I just wanted to let council know um you have the managers balance budget at this point and I know we're going to be talking about u council priorities at the retreat come next Monday. So um there there'll be additional time for you to kind of reflect on things that you think ought to be a priority and uh and we can talk about the direction and how speed how fast uh or our speed in accomplishing those various priorities during our council retrieves. So I'm very much so looking forward to that. Thank Thank you, uh, Mr. Freeman. Um, all right, we're gonna end the I think we're right on time and end the work session and go straight to the Anybody need a break? Well, we'll move right on. All right. Um,

okay. All right, it's over. So, uh, uh, with the same gavl, I'll I'll call to order the 7 pm meeting for May the 11th. Um, I'll do a roll call again. Dr. Johnson, present. Mr. Kitchen, here. M here. Thanks. I'm sorry. Miss Copeland, present. Present. Yes. Present.

My brain's not working. I'm sorry. Um, all right. Um, ladies and gentlemen, if you haven't already, please turn off your cell phones and join me. Stand and join me in the pledge of allegiance, please. Join us. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisibley andice for all.

Thank you very much. May be seated. All right. I'll ask um the two people that are signed up for citizens time. Are either one of you here for the public hearing or do you wish to speak on citizens time? public both both of them public hearing.

All right. So we we'll uh Miss Williams are Miss Williams. Mary Williams are you here for the public hearing? I'm think just want to double check. All right. So we there is nobody for citizens time. We'll um have the approval of the agenda. Have a motion, please. So move second. A move and a second. Any discussion? Being none, I'll take I'll start with Dr. Johnson. I I I I I and I unanimous. All right. Uh and the consent agenda. All right. Have a motion.

So move. Second. Motion to second. Any discussion? All right. Being none, take the take a vote. Dr. Johnson. Consent agenda. I I I I I

and I All right. That consent agenda included a proclamation for National Police Officers Memorial Week. Mr. Kitchen, would you would you read would you read that and Chief, if you'll come down forward, please? Whereas there are more than 800,000 law enforcement officers serving in communities across the United States, including the dedicated members of the city of Franklin Police Department. Whereas since the first recorded death in 1786, there are currently 24,775 law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice and been killed in the line of duty, including one member of the city of Franklin Police Department. Whereas the names of these dedicated public servants are engraved on the walls of National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC. Whereas 363 new names of fallen heroes are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this spring, including 109 officers killed in 2025 and 254 officers killed in previous years. Whereas the service and sacrifice of all officers command to do will be honored during the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's 38th candle vigil on the evening May 13, 2026. Whereas May 15th is the designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of all fallen officers and their families and US flag should be flown at half staff. Therefore, be it resolved that the city of Franklin will observe May 10th through 16th, 2026 as National Police Week in the city of Franklin and publicly salutes the service of law enforcement officers in our community and in communities across the nation. Now, therefore, I Paul Kaplan may the city of Franklin, Virginia, do hereby proclaim May 10th through May 16th, 2026 is National Police Soft Memorial Week and call upon all residents to express their gratitude to law enforcement officers for their contribution in keeping Franklin safe.

Thank you very much, Chief. It's my honor present this to you. I think we got to go two ways for photographs.

I don't think she wanted to come up with comments. All right, the regular agenda. We have a proposal for the by the city manager to accept a funding request uh for the Junth uh celebration Mr. that Almu Rob puts on and um do I have a do I have a motion for that?

Is this isn't this already in the budget? But the budget is already Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I'll make the motion. All right. Second. Motion and a second. Any discussion? Uh yes. Okay. Um how much is the request? 16. It's in the um it's in the packet the back but 16 break down

16,000 actually covers um uh Junth and an event for Martin Luther King Day as well. Aren't we um the city is doing the city is doing a Junth also? Yes, they'll be done in No, they'll be combined together. So, it won't be two years. There'll be a series of events. Three days. Four days. Four days total.

Four days. Uh my question is with um the individuals who have come forward before requesting money. Um we have um the free clinic, we have the stop organization, we have um other organizations. Um we have not designated them that type of money. And they uh legal aid they do a tremendous job every year. Weren't they included in last year's budget? I believe they were

stop. No,

maybe not. Stop. Councilman Johnson, I just like to say that this isn't a uh in my opinion and the city manager may can bring some more clarity, but this is not a donation on the city's behalf to the nonprofit as in what you were mentioning as much as it is the city um sponsoring the event. Alman Rod's basically doing the production, putting it together on behalf of the city, doing all of the leg work as well as contributing to the event, but the city are car is carrying their own weight and the funds are not going to any particular nonprofit. But from the way the city manager had explained it to me, it is better to uh ch channel the funds so that one entity, the nonprofit 5013C is responsible for the dispersement of the funds, but there is no funds really coming from the city to the nonprofit for their benefit. So,

what are you what are you doing with $16,000? Well, I tried to reach out to you on many multiple occasions during this week. We don't need to go into that. There's a packet in there. There's a full packet in there that explains every dollar. So, all you got to do is read it. It's very clear. Um 3,000 is for the event advertisement, radio and possibly television. The uh live entertainment is only 8,000. The sound and light is 25,000. 2500, I'm sorry.

ML 25,000. That'd be pretty high. Uh the ML MLK day is 1,500 and the brochure added is $1,000. So that totals $16,000. Okay.

So, and I would just like to add it is the only event targeted to the African-American community throughout the year and it is a 65% African-American community and it commemorates two things that H uh Southampton and Franklin is known for. the emancipation of slavery being Nat Turner as well as uh Dread Scott and we've never recognized Martin Luther King Day as a city. So we put both holidays into this one thing and I'm taking on the leg work to put it together. That's all. So I call for the question.

Oh my questions been called. Once the question is called, we have to do the vote. Is that correct? I have a comment, please.

Robert's rules.

Robert's rules. That what the questions called. That ends the discussion. Is that right? We're checking after.

After the after the question is called, someone needs to second that motion. Once that motion is second, then y'all can vote to end the debate. So, one person can't just shut it down. Okay. Well, my question is to legal only one person spoke. The whole council had the opportunity to speak. So how can you call a question without giving everybody else an opportunity to speak? I agree. I Yes. Yes, we are.

Do I have a second for the question? The only reason I called for the question was because the the presentation was in the packet and everybody had an opportunity to look at it. It's only eight slides and I actually went over it with the vice mayor and we are prepared for contingencies. Okay. Do I have a second? There's no second on the call. Call the question.

No, the motion was seconded. This is the the question call which which requires that we take a vote as soon as that's done if there's a second. Do I have a second for the question? Call the question. I do not. Okay. So, Miss Copeland, you had a question. Uh, this question is for uh Mr. Freeman regarding the 16,000. What account would it be drawn from? I don't have an account in front of me right now, but I'm a number, but I have our finance director here. So, the general fund. Okay. That would be the general fund.

Well, I' I've already told Council More that I'm in favor of donating 8,000. That's just my comments. I support this event wholeheartedly, but 8,000 is my number. So, do you have a you have a u substitute motion? No, I'm not. Okay. Someone else may want to comment. So, okay. I'm not making a motion at this time. All right. Any further questions? Any further discussion? All right. Call for the vote now. Dr. Johnson. Name. I

I I I And I motion carries. Thank you very much. Uh let's go back to the beginning. All right. Um, Mr. Freeman, you want to take us through these these budget transfers?

Yes, sir. Uh, next four items are a number of budget transfers from the schools. Give you a little background. The finance director, my understanding, has got a situation happening. So, uh, she couldn't be here, uh, from the schools, school's finance director. Uh, however, our finance director, city's finance director, and the school's finance director have worked very closely on this. Uh, I'm going to read them off and I guess I could do them one at a time if you all want to approve them one at a time. So, the first budget amendment, oh, and they were also approved by school system this past Thursday. So, um, and they don't involve city funds. They involve outside revenue sources, uh, for the schools. So, just wanted to make sure that was

it's transfer money. the money's coming in. It's revenue coming in. It's fresh revenue. What what we like to see. So, uh first item uh for consideration is uh item number BA uh number 2026-06 carry forward funds for FY25 grant balance in the amount of 1,139,46048 as a total. And um I guess u look to the attorney. Uh if you guys want to vote on that first. Can we do them all at once? Can we do them all? You want to do them all at once? We have one motion for all.

Okay, I'll I'll finish reading the rest of them there, mayor, into the record so you all can vote as a package deal. Okay, that sounds like the pleasure. Uh second item is uh BA number 2026-07 exempt except grant increases FY26 as reflected in your package. The third one is BA number 2026-08 reduce FY26 state aid revenue as reflected in your package. And the last one is BA number 2026-09 accept extended school year grant as reflected in your package. And those were all four items.

Um I move that BA 20 26 08 be uh table for further discussion. BA 08 08 08 BA08 uh table for discussion because uh with that we have um as effective uh July 268 the public u school system would be uh for summer school be shut down.

Um they would lose 375 941 uh dollars a total of 528 uh three uh in uh 304. So basically instead of receiving money we would be losing money and and the council would have to make up the difference in that when you can get state money for that. There was a vote on the last um school board to basically that that cut out and letters are being put out uh to the public now. Uh basically that u they want they don't want that reduction. Uh they want the money because basically if not um summer school would not start. uh the teachers would uh there would be about three or four positions lost u in the school system of teachers and so forth. So I think we need to re revisit that and um before we vote on that one.

So so that so if I understand it so if I understand it correctly uh Dr. Johnson, you you want to just you're putting forward approval of the three, but but remove that one. Yes. For for discussion. Further discussion. Okay. Yes. All right. Um anybody else have any comments? Going through them. Mr. Captain, the other three are already budgeted or we ask for more?

No. No, no money come from the city. It's state or federal money that's being we're passing through for us. But then the one Dr. Johnson has has set aside is because the it's my understanding uh that the their their average daily population was less than they anticipated. They based it off of last year's numbers, I guess. So they owed the state back $619,260. Is some of that balanced out by by the other monies that are coming in? I don't know that I have a question. I'm at a slight disadvantage because originally we had planned for the uh finance director from school.

Why don't we do the other three? So, so the uh the attorney is suggesting that u if we can vote on them individually so it stays clear and then we could uh a vote to table the other one until such time we could link up with the finance folks on the school side that I think can provide counsel the kind of uh guidance and information that that's very good okay so we'll we'll we'll table that one and then we'll vote on the other three individually

I do like some some discussion in reference to this one. Um, so I guess what you're you were stating is based off of the letter that was posted recently by Franklin City Public Schools talking about um the previous attempts. Um, you said it was voted 32. You made reference to that in your comments. So, you're basing it off of this letter. I can give you a copy of the letter.

No, I have it. Um, I'm sure most of Franklin has it by now. Um, so my question is though, I I have some concern in reference to this as far as tableling it tonight. So, with the the letter, since you you brought it up, the letter talks about how the calendar um the division calendar needs to be modified, but isn't it true that the board has been trying to get the calendar modified and they haven't pushed that agenda forward?

No. I was at the last meeting and there was there was um There was a letter u for modification so forth but it was but it was voted on three to two. My thing is my over over concern is that we're going into summer school but if you go into summer school without any money you cannot function in the schools. And so in order to do that, funds would have to come uh from city council. Um, I just

if not if not in Arizona summer school,

I'd like to to say that um the only reason I would be in favor of of tableabling it is because I think that this is something that was a controversial point on the school board and we need to be able to have some understanding from the school board as to this issue because the last thing I want to do is delay the kindergarten or elementary school children from being able to get started with a schedule. But I agree with you, Miss Banks. They, from what I understand, they have tried to clear this up on at least three different occasions and the opposite side refused to hear it. So, it's not because they did uh the people didn't want to have it. It's because a certain group didn't want to move the whole agenda through and in in federal funds they call it pork and to put stuff into the bill. So I am in a favor of tableabling it only so that we can hear from some of the school board members before we vote on it

or the finance or finance. Um so so mayor uh in further discussion with legal counsel uh I think the suggestion is is a vote on all four but separately and and then the one where there's questions about tableabling it that there's a vote to table that one specific item so we don't just pass over it. Right. Right. Okay. So we'll vote on six seven and nine. Mayor Cap. Yes. Um several people in the audience are indicating they can't hear the city manager speak. Yeah. Okay. He's very soft spoken. There we go. Okay. It's working. Can you hear me now?

Okay. Apologize. Can you group the six the six, seven, and nine and then vote separately on eight then move along? I think I think it's pref is your record. You just want to keep it clean. And if you were going to vote one way for all of them, then you probably could group them. But being that we're switching them up and now you have a vote for a table approve, deny, it may look a little bit discombobulated if you I think we can move forward. Uh do I have a motion to um move forward with U 2026. So move second.

Have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All right. Dr. Johnson. I I I I All right. Do I have a motion for OH 20267? So move second. Have a motion and a second to have any further discussion on this one? Yes. Once again, to be the devil's advocate, this already been budgeted. We're not giving any more money. Correct. And it's not our money. It's it's pass through money. Okay. All right. U any further discussion? Dr. Johnson? I I I I I and I and on 08, do I have a motion to table that? So move second.

Have a motion in a second. Any further discussion on that one? All right. John, if you'll start. I n I I I I and I and uh 20269 have a motion to accept. So move. Second. A motion to second. Any further discussion on this? Once again, I already budgeted already. But I don't know that it's budget, but it's money that's that's outside revenue sources. Yeah. Outside non city funds, outside revenue sources. Um, any further discussion? Dr. Johnson. I I I I I

And I All right. Um, first public hearing is for um, uh, ordinance 2026-12, a special use permit for a private stable. Um, and that would be for, uh, Robin and Britney Renzetti. And we have U from from community development. Did you want to come forward? Good evening, commissioners. Oh, excuse me. Uh, councilman, mayor, city manager, and the public. Uh, I actually have the representative here, so if you'd like to hear from them first. Okay.

That would be great. And then we can answer questions after that. Would that be all right? Sure. I'll stay.

Good evening. Welcome back. Hello. So your desire is to So if you don't know where this property is, it's on Delaware Road right at the city limits of the railroad tracks. It butts up to the to the railroad tracks in the county. Yes, sir. There there's pictures in our packet, but just to be sure, Mr. Renzetti is the representative. I'm going to read a small description of what we're talking. Okay. Go ahead.

The application is by Robert N. Uh Britney Renzetti has a request for a conditional or special use permit. Uh it's a for stable barn that's a small size 30 by 12 uh the running shelter. I don't know if you guys know what that is. She'll explain that. It's fenced in pasture. It's a private non-commercial. So this is private just for them. And the special use permit is required because a private stable is not permitted in a conditional use or not is only permitted with conditional use in the RO zoning district. Any any questions for Mr. Renzetti? That has been approved by the planning commission.

Okay. All right.

Okay. Good spot. Any other discussion? Any other questions? All right. May I have a motion to accept? Make a motion to approve it. Okay. Second. A motion and couple seconds. Any further discussion? All right. Dr. Johnson, if you'll start. I I I uh I I And uh reluctantly I because you know we had horses, lots of horses and I I thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much.

All right. Second one is 202611 conditional uh use permit for uh an age restricted multi-use multif family project. All right. The Franklin Redevelopment Housing Authority has submitted a request for conditional use permit to allow construction of a 78 unit age restricted, that's 55 plus above, senior affordable housing development known as Harrison's Point. The proposed development consists of three-story elevator served residential building aimed at providing safe, accessible housing for older adults.

And I've used the word project. I meant project as in a building project. Yeah, we'll talk about that later.

The developers and Miss Blue is here, our director.

Good evening. Good afternoon, mayor. Um, city council members, vice mayor, new city manager. Uh, how you doing,

Mr. Freeman? It's good. It's great to see you. Um, again, my name is Bruce Watts. I'm vice president of development for Walter Cooper Companies and chief engagement officer. I've been before you guys about two years ago on the same site, but today we we're proud to say that we want to propose a senior development for this site. To my right here is um my colleague Andrew Spencer from Water Cooper Companies out of Columbus. And of course, Miss Blue, who owns the property, we're purchasing a property from the housing authority. So, this development would be a a 78 unit um one and twobedroom apartments for seniors strictly over the age of 55 and over. Um we feel that this particular development is in the right location at the right place. Um it's a three-story building with an elevator in it. Um, we have a community room. Um, we have a walking path. We have a grandma room, a grandpa room where they can take their grandchildren and go to this particular room and play and read stories to them and so forth and so on. Um,

and send them home. You send them home. Yeah. Overall, it's about a $20 million investment. Um the rents are are going to be between um around 550 to 900 depending on your income. Um so we we feel that this is going to be a good development for the senior developments, the senior citizens of Franklin and uh we'd like to pose any questions that you may have. Okay, questions members of council. Miss Blue lives in my warden and she's nowhere near 55 years old. So, I don't have any questions.

Well, you know, uh 55 is a good year. I'm I'm way past 55, but uh you know, we we need quality housing for our seniors throughout the Commonwealth. We're we're um 18 states and we have three developments in the Commonwealth of Virginia and hopefully this would be number 14 and it would be our first senior development in the Commonwealth. But um you know, we we feel very confident that this particular development would move forward with Virginia housing and we would love to be in Franklin. Um you know, I' I've been here before and um I I like this city. I like it a lot and I'm only hours drive. Our office is in Norfolk, so I can be here within an hour. So I I just appreciate y'all's support if we can get it tonight. And uh if you have any questions, please

I just want to make a comment. Um, I appreciate you coming back to our city. If you recall, I was an advocate for the first time that you were here. Yes, sir. And supported the project and I'm just glad to see it's coming to life this time. And hopefully depending on this motion and everything, but thank you so much. And if it's approved, which I hope it will be, um, I just want to thank you for helping our city with this development. Thank you. Well, thank you all very much, too. It's been an honor. I would like to say I publicly um I'm in favor of this project. Thank you for returning to our great city.

Thank you, Vice Mayor. Thank you for inviting me back. Certainly welcome, Donna. Finally, I'm sorry. Finally. Yes. Thank you. I I I have uh two points. Uh first of all, if you will recall two years ago, I visited uh your facility, one of your facilities on Effingham Street in Portsouth. It was a immaculate facility, clean uh everything uh security and so forth. So I look forward for the same thing in the city of Franklin, which I know you'll provide. The other thing is um we're having a public hearing, right? Yes.

Uh we have several people here that would like to comment public as well. Yes. Yes. All right. Normally we say our comments last and the public Well, that's fine. We speak first. That's fine. You're probably right. So I just want to say

it's in my heart. So I'm glad to know that um I grew up with apartments down there. I would raike down there. So, I'm just kind of glad to know that um you all will be doing something with that land. It won't be vacant anymore. And um I just pray that it blesses a lot of people that are over the age of 55 that want a loving community. And I know as long as Vice Mayor is there, she's going to provide support as well. So, kudos to you all and thank you. Thank you. As Dr. Johnson pointed out, I I do think I'm in in in wrong order here, but um we're getting some of this out of the way and I don't I don't know that it makes any big difference. Did you have did you want to assist on this?

Oh, just I just want to say um I want to commend Miss Blue and her leadership uh because I'm sure she stayed persistent. She worked on it very difficult and housing. Thank you. Okay. Uh ladies and gentlemen, if if you'd like to come forward and speak uh one way or the other on this project, please uh please come forward at the podium and tell us your name and where you live and we'll take your comments.

Welcome forward. Come forward. Good afternoon, mayor, vice may you drop the mic just a little bit. There you go.

Good afternoon, mayor, vice mayor, council people. Um, as you see, I'm a senior and proud of it. I'm proud to be a member of the city of Franklin, Virginia. I've been here all my life except for one year that I left to try out New York to see what it was like. But it wasn't for me. I came back home. So I said it's a good thing to have a senior apartment here in Franklin. As you know, we seniors are living a little bit longer. So we need a nice place to live that's affordable. And I think this is a good idea for us because there's not many places that the seniors can uh uh go to here in the city of Franklin. So, I will welcome your support for this project and for anybody who's a senior, get behind this project and make sure it gets done. Thank you.

Can you can you state your name for the record? I'm so sorry. My name is Mary Lane Williams. I live on Thomas Street in Franklin. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. All right.

All right. And good evening. Good evening, council members. I am Von Boon Randolph and I am a staff member at the Franklin Redevelopment and Housing Authority, family self-sufficiency coordinator. And I am speaking this into the atmosphere, the Harrison Point Senior Citizens Complex that is about to be come to fruition. And I just want to say that there's an important aspect to this piece. It's the senior citizens. You want a caliber of people that are going to make you proud to be in the city. And with this comes having an activities coordinator position within the complex. It's a community. This is going to be a structured community and within that community you need to have something that will allow the residents to feel that this is my home. We have people who are considering the needs of seniors, compatibility, structure, activities and activities mean a lot. And I can speak from a personal perspective. Um, as I was an activities coordinator for another apartment complex, senior citizens, it makes all the difference when you have scheduled activities. The seniors appreciate it so much. It improves their maintains their cognitive skills. Okay. The connection. If I feel like my neighbors are part of my community family, it makes everybody in that community happy. So, I'm just asking

that you consider the benefits to having activities, planned, documented activities for the seniors within this upcoming Harrison Point community, senior citizens community. Thank you. Thank you very much. Anybody else like to come forward? Good evening. Good evening, everyone. Good evening.

I'm here in a a different capacity tonight. I'm speaking on behalf of my mom, Gloria Kendrick. She resides 1695 Doorchester Street. And I know I was here probably about a month or maybe two months ago trying to push the Doorchester project through, but I think that the senior project would be even more better for her than the Doorchester project. I wrote a little something. Um, I support the development of a senior facility in the city of Franklin because our community do have a lack of resources and housing. We're currently in a housing crisis right now and there's not many options here in Franklin for them. I was forced to tell my mom that she was going to move um down the road with me, but she loves her community. She loves where she is and she wants to stay here because she helped build it. So, I am definitely in support of it. Moms, you in support of it?

She definitely in support of the senior living facility. Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. Make a second call. Anybody else? Miss this hill.

Good evening everybody. Um good evening.

So just to hear this right cuz that's my my feel is nursing and to see about the seniors. Not only would it be just a good environment but it is a structure a home. Then you got to think about the budget portion of it where because all of our senior on a certain budget. So if you look at the amount they have to pay for their rent to stay, then the light bill is not going to be that high. So they'll be able to afford, you know, food. I mean, there may be meals that's going to be provided there. But this thing right here, if the city would just pass it by and just give it a chance because the seniors do need it. Okay. So I'm a friend with some people in Wakefield. They have a uh uh this thing where they have take their seniors out all the time and and whether they go to the spirit of north, go out to the movies, go out to eat, go out in resorts. But we don't have that here in the city. Pam called me. She said, "What are y'all doing for y'all seniors?" But to have this right here, this project to put them in a secure place, a a place where they can call homes. I I really think that the city should really take advantage of this. I mean really I you they only got one some of them living off one check you know just to make the rest of their life be a nice place quiet place a peaceful place.

Thank you very much. That was second call. That's the third call. Anybody else? All right. I'll close the public hearing and um do we have any further questions for the developer or Miss Blue?

All right. If it passes, sir, what's the expected date of completion? So, um, we have to get, um, approval from Virginia Housing. So, we submit our application uh this week and if we're approved, then it takes about 6 months to get our building permits from the from the city. So, we work with the city to get the building permits and then it takes about a year for us to build it. And the question, the comments came up about um activity director. Is that something that's in the plans or?

Well, um tonight I I just talked to um Miss Fawn and um she's going to be a candidate, that's for sure. You're Wait a minute. You're going to take away from housing authority. Well, she she she gave me a very impressive presentation tonight. So, she's she's she's at the top of the list. If someone else wants to apply, that's fine. But but she's at the top of the list. Thank you very much. Yes, sir. Thank you, Mayor. Yes. I would like to ask if we could expedite u that time period so we can just move forward. Well, and and be on target.

I agree. We should be able to from the city's perspective expedite that uh permitting pro process. Do do keep in consideration we're doing all the plan. They're working on all the plans for the for um global concentrate at the same time. So, it's there's a lot going on there. So, so yes, I do anticipate uh Bruce Bruce and I know each other uh for going back a number. I haven't seen Bruce in years, so I just want to make sure

very clear. So, we go all the way back since the city of NOFK. Uh so, I'm kind of showing my age there, but uh uh a lot of projects Bruce has worked on have been really really great for NOFK and some of the other cities. So, uh, and I get that. And I was getting ready to I didn't want to get in front of things, but I we're going to be announcing some staffing enhancements and I think, uh, folks that are extraordinarily talented in community development, uh, um, in the next few days, I've got something I want to share with the entire council. So, Okay. Yeah. Thank you very much. Thank you, mayor, vice mayor, council members. All right. Thank you. All right. I'll take care, Bruce. Take a motion. I move to approve ordinance 202611 conditional use permit age restricted multifamily use. Second.

All right. A motion and a second. Any further discussion? Take a vote. Dr. Johnson as usual. I I I I I I was a close vote, but I'm going vote I as well. Thank you very much. Motion passed.

Mr. Mayor, um before before we continue, um and we're talking about seniors, I'm having a senior moment right now, and I may need one of those apartments because we are we are being honored tonight by having in our presence one of Suffukk City Councilmen in the house tonight. And the senior moment I'm having, Ward, Lou Ward is in the house. And I'm like, I can't remember Lou's name. Vice Mayor Vice Mayor Lou Ward from Suffach, would you stand up and be recognized? Vice Mayor of Suffach, Lou Ward,

Mr. uh Mr. Mackmore, you stole my thunder, but I was getting ready to say something and um I was waiting for the public hearing to be over, but Luke, welcome. Um I now I owe you one. I owe you one. Um appointment to I think that's the next thing on the agenda, isn't it? Yeah, the appointment to the SIPA board. Uh Mr. Ron Rooseneck has uh has agreed to take that position. Should we give it to him? Uh should we appoint him? It's a he has a background with a with a uh a degree a bachelor of science degree from University of North Carolina in chemistry and um and I think it I think his masters was in human services or um it was either human services or human um resources one or the other. So he has a background in many areas of what we're looking for. So, uh, do I have a motion for that?

I move to appoint, uh, Bo SPSA board member Ron Rouseneck. Second. Uh, I have a motion in a second. I will mention that that what we do at this point is we forward this to the governor's office. Is that right? The governor actually makes the Yeah. Yeah. So, we we forward this to the governor and then so we're appointing him to the governor's name uh appointment to the appointment. But don't we don't we are supposed to for two names. The second one is this is ex official and that be the city manager. Okay.

Yeah. Yeah. So we need to vote on city manager as well. So let's do let's do Ron and then we'll vote on the second person. Has to be a city professional. All right. Um any further discussion? We've been looking for somebody for two year a year and a half. So this motion is for city manager David Freeman and Ron. Uh we can do both. We we can Yeah. Would you would you amend your motion? Oh, you made it. I would like to amend my motion to appoint uh city manager Freeman as well as Ron Rosnneck to the SPSA board member. Okay. As board members

and your second. Yep. Okay. Continue on with your second. Any further discussion? All right. Take the vote. Dr. Johnson. I I I I I I

and I motion carries. Um all right. I think what folks have been waiting for, public hearing on the atlarge school board vacancy. Um, we have four people in the running for this one position and we have uh uh anybody that would like to come up and speak in favor of a or favor or against uh one of the four people. The four people are Regina Hill, Lamont Hill, no no relation. Um Trey Trey Koffield, and I'm sorry, Mr. Warren. Uh

Antoine Antoine Warren. I'm sorry. Thank you. All right. Yes, ma'am. If you come up and say your name, adjust the mic.

Um, Tiffany Warren. Good evening, council mayor, vice mayor. My name is Tiffany Warren, and I'm here tonight because I proudly support my husband, Antoine Warren, in his running for the school board. Our family has been a part of the school system for many years. Our oldest son graduated two years ago and is now a college student. Our youngest son is currently in ninth grade. We have been parents in the district since our oldest son started kindergarten. And throughout the years, we have stayed involved attending sporting events, parent teacher conferences, and school activities, and supporting our schools however we could. We care deeply about this community because this is our home and these are our children and our future. My husband is not running for recognition or titles. He's running because he believes in our schools deserve leadership that listens, leaderships that respect every voice, and leadership that bring people together for one common purpose, our children. Strong schools are not built through division. They are built through trust, communication, respect, and willingness to work together even when challenges arrive. Our children are watching us, and they deserve adults who lead with integrity, fairness, and compassion. Antoine is a strong leader, but he is fair, honest, and approachable. He believes every student matters. Every par parent deserves to be heard and every teacher and staff member deserves support, respect. He understands decisions made today will shape the future of our children for years to come. In the words of one of my favorite

quotes, Ness Nelson Mandela, education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Thank you for listening.

Thank you very much. All right. All right. Anybody else come forward for either any of the four candidates? Good evening again. It is truly an honor to stand before you today to speak in support of someone who I believe has a genuine heart for our students, our schools, and our community. And that is Latree Koffield. In a time when strong leadership and education matters more than ever, we need individuals who not only understand the challenges within our school system, but who also willing to work alongside families, educators, and community members to create meaningful change. And Koffield is just that person. He is very passionate about working with students in the community. and he is very dedicated to ensuring that every child has that opportunity to succeed, grow, and feel supported. He's truly committed to his community in various ways, and it's evident through his willingness to listen, to serve, and advocate for families that he would be just that great candidate. What makes Latre stand out in his knowledge of the education system is his understanding of the real issues that's truly going on right now in our school division. He recognizes the importance of academic excellence. He supports student support services. He knows how to collaborate with other teachers. He knows how to promote school safety and community involvement. And this is what this community needs. We need true leadership. We need leadership that knows what's going on within our school system and I believe Lat Koffield brings that vision. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Good evening. My name is Whitney Hill. 500 Vons Lane. I'm not sure if that's required. I'm going to keep this short and sweet due to time time constraints. I have to walk right out after I speak up here tonight. So, I'm here tonight to support my husband, Lamont Hill, for the school board. As a former coach in our school system, he has spent years mentoring students and working closely with families and staff. He cares deeply about our schools and understands the importance of putting students first. I know he would serve our community with integrity, dedication, and willingness to listen. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much.

Anybody else? Good afternoon. Uh, good afternoon.

Lamont Hill, 500 Vons Lane. Um, I'm not here to promote myself. I'm here to actually promote all of the all of the candidates that applied for this position. um the the time that we spent together standing outside talking about different things, it showed me that all of us had one agenda and that was the the kids. Doing what's best for the kids. Um and I think no matter what you who you choose, who you decide one, don't let it be a popularity contest. Make the right decision for these kids. Um because they need they need strong leadership and all of us bring that to the table. all of us brings a desire for these kids and for our city to the table. Um just you have four great candidates. Um just choose choose with your heart. Thank you.

Thank you.

And just as Mr. Lamont said, we all we we got together and I feel the same way. No matter who you pick, we got it's four wonderful candidates that got the best interest of the children here. So, it doesn't matter who gets to see to for me as well as for them, we know it's going to be the person, the right person, whichever way it goes. Thank you. Good evening everyone. My name is T Koffield and I stand before you today in that second hand. Can you speak up a little?

Oh, sorry. Yes. Good evening everyone. My name is Tene Koffield. I stand before you today in support of my husband Ellis aka Trey Koffield for the um at large seat of the Franklin City School Board. Um so just a little bit about him. Ellis is not simply someone who wants to serve this community. He already has. For years he has poured into the students and families of Franklin through multiple roles within our school system. He has served as a math teacher, a long-term substitute teacher, a graphic design teacher, and a community engagement specialist for the district. These positions have allowed him to build genuine relationships with students, families, teachers, and administrators across the school district. What makes Ellis stand out is not just his resume, but his heart. Students love and respect him because they know he is truly cares about them beyond the classroom. He has mentored students, encouraged students who have felt overlooked, and supported families during difficult times. There have been occasions where he has personally gave shoes from his own collection to students who were without. That is the kind of compassion and integrity he carries daily, not for recognition, but also uh to serve uh sorry, not for recognition, but because serving people is who he is. Ellis has also created opportunities to bring positivity and encouragement into our schools, including organizing the sneaker ball um at SP Morton, which gave students a memorable and uplifting experience that celebrated them in a meaningful way. Beyond the school system, he is also a pastor in this community. Through ministry and outreach efforts, he has continued serving Franklin families in ways that extend far beyond Sunday mornings. Most importantly, Ellis understands the needs of Franklin students because he has

worked directly among them. He knows the challenges and the challenges educators face, the importance of community involvement, and the value of creating environments where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. I believe representation matters, and I believe leadership matters. Franklin deserves schoolboard members who are invested, approachable, compassionate, and committed to the success of every child. Ellis Koffield embodies those qualities. I respectfully ask you to consider his proven dedication, his character, and his long-standing services to this community as you make your decision for the at large school board seat. Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you. Thank you very much. All right. Anybody else? Are you coming up? Are you okay? Come on up. Hug first then then come up. Had to hug my wife first cuz she is an excellent public speaker, but she doesn't like to public speaking. So, I'm just that just made my heart and made me want to cry so bad. But y'all not going to see me cry on on camera. All right. Uh but good evening and good afternoon to each and every one of you. To our mayor, vice mayor, to each of our council members, to our city manager, and to our city attorney, we thank you for all that you do for our community. As it has already been said among all the candidates, we have a heart and a passion for our students. There are things that we see that we may or may not agree with. There are things that we like. There are things that can be enhanced together. We stand unified to share that despite who you choose, you're choosing the right candidate. And so we stand here on one accord sharing that we have a passion for not only our students, but for our community, not only our community, but the staff of Franklin City Public Schools. And there and that all is included within that. And so whomever you choose, of course we all want to be chosen. If there was a way that we could be chosen, we bring that before you on today. If there's a motion in a second, but no, I say that jokingly. And I do I say that jokingly, but I do say thank you so much for your time and your commitment to our community. And we hope and pray that you make the decision that best fits for our school, our school's leadership. Thank you so much. Thank you.

All right, second and second call. And do we have a third call? Close the public hearing. All right, ladies and gentlemen, the vote will take place. Uh, that's something we need to decide. We can do it. Um, we can't do it next Monday. We we could have a call meeting or we can wait till the next meeting, but the the call meeting would have to be the 19th if we we want to do that. Well, I would say uh Mr. Mayor the next meeting because we have on the 18th we have the retreat, right? So, we couldn't do it then

and then we have um if we have a meeting on the 26 that's after um Memorial Day um because normally we were off we had no meetings um in this month because because of the holiday but we're doing one on the 2. We have one on the schedule for the 26th. Yeah. Yes. So, I would think that would be the appropriate time to um reflect and um Okay. do that. Thank you. Anybody else have any consideration for the for the for the 19th or the 26th? 19th would have to be a called meeting.

26th. 26th. 26. Okay. All right. We'll we'll have our vote on the 26th, our next regularly scheduled meeting, which will be the day after Memorial Day. It's already on the schedule, but we're going to I'm sorry. Um it's not a there was a there was a thought there was something on that was in the consent agenda. So, we we've already passed that. I think just clarified. It was just to clarify that uh that the 26 because of the holiday just to make sure. Correct. All right. Um should be well the regular meeting would be 7 o'clock meeting unless we need a work session. Unless we need a work session. Yeah. Yeah.

Okay. All right. Uh so on to city manager report. Just a couple of things. Uh even though I got a number of things listed here. Just a couple of quick touch points. Uh council retreat was already mentioned. Uh Smithfield Station 18th. Looking forward to it. What time does that start?

Uh it's roughly going to be about 8ish 8:30. I'll I'll send I'll I'll send a am. Yes. Yes. I'll I'll send a detailed agenda out to each one of the council. So, you'll you'll be getting that uh as to uh you know what's going to happen throughout the day and so forth, but it'll be Smithville Station right up the road. Uh you won't need to be uh you don't have to worry about dressing fancy or anything. Just uh you know, business casual business casual u and ready to uh kind of discuss priorities and so forth. So, we're looking forward to it. I think we'll have a great time uh you know charting the path for the city. Um I I kind of gave a couple of clues on this. I'm I'm hoping by the time we have our retreat I have some announcements to make uh in terms of progress on key leadership positions um on city staff. So uh making some progress on that. Um, one thing I did want to mention and uh I'll ask our uh I'll ask Kyle to hold his ears, but uh and this is just done as a gentle reminder to council that it's probably a good idea to u talk about at some point um and we could do it in appointments or a close session if you want to talk about um you know maybe reactivating the permanent city attorney uh process. Um but again that's up to council but the city managers have to rely on the city attorney as well. So I know Kyle can't be everywhere and it does it's not a reflection on him. Kyle's doing a fabulous job. Love working with them but um he is he is on the clock. So u every call um the meter's rolling. So I just wanted to make sure I mentioned that. Um and then uh council asked uh me and staff if we would look up u the library appointment for Blackwater Library at the last meeting. They have sent a letter. I think I included it in the packet for

council. U they they um and if you don't have it, you can welcome to my copy um as well. Um they had put forward an existing uh board of trustees member Pam Lease. Apparently, she was in good standing. They recommend her being reappointed uh to the term that she was in um to uh to the to uh continue on with the next term. Uh if that is the pleasure of councel uh wanted to uh let you know about that u since you asked me to look into look into it. There was also an expiring term that is vacant or will be vacated uh or for an outstanding uh member uh that will be expiring June 30th 2028. So uh so there is one vacant position there as well. So if it is the pleasure of council if at some point uh whether it's even tonight if you want to at least reappoint um Pam Lease. So,

okay. Have a motion. Have a second. Second. Have a motion and a second. A motion. Second. Any discussion? Who's second? Mr. Kitchen. So, discussion. We're in discussion. in discussion. Did um did they indicate that uh or did you look this up according to our bylaws or the charter in regards to one of the members being a council member?

They they they also attach their charter, wouldn't it? No. Um it's like the uh housing authority is it in Okay. We you know I can't place it. We fund the library. We get to have a council member and a citizen two seats on the library board

and one of the seats you said one is coming up so for reappointment in 2028. The one I mentioned that that's in this letter here from the library director is uh for uh the term that's about to expire June 30th, 2026 for Miss Pam Lease who they said it was in good standing um and it would be a reappoint. There's another position.

Yeah, I'm sorry. That's doesn't work that well. Um the other the I'll go back and say what I said before. Pam Lease is in her current position that's due to expire June 30th, 2026. And apparently she's in good standing and they had recommend she be reappointed if it's the council's um wish to do so. The other position uh is would be a new appointee uh on on the second position

would be uh filling the vacancy for Terry Hedgepath which expires June 30th, 2028. So that that's that was the second um again you haven't mentioned anything about being one of them being a council person and um council banks had expressed an interest in serving on that board and um I could support that or a council member but we need clarification because I can't rem but it wasn't the council person um who I know was on the board and they passed away and did they mention whose position he took? Well, I don't recall that being refilled.

So, so I don't have that level of detail. I know what they included on the letter was like the board mission and vision expectations of board of trust trustee uh and then um also some of like the description of what the board members actually do. It's in our emailed packet but I don't see it in the okay in the I apologize. I thought that this was also included as I thought it was included as part of your package, but um

so until we have clarification, I don't think we should entertain a motion to fill the position until we have clarification on one of the is it a council member because Councilman Johnson, you recall we were appointed to the housing authority at one time because the provisions say that a council people for the motion but the motion is not for the second position. It's just for the continuation of Miss Le's first one. Yeah.

So, I just want clarification in reference to your comment. So, I brought up the vacant point um the vacant position at the last meeting. I'm not necessarily I'm interested in the position only if a council person has to serve. I had a constituent that was interested in that position. And so I think like Councilman Mammore said, we need clarification whether it has to be a council person or it can be anyone. Um but I'm in support of definitely um Mr. Lee coming. I don't see anything on the library and the charter. So it would be in the it would be in the libraryies charter. Of course the previously our two people were not from council. So

Okay. which I I could I could specifically I could specifically ask u the library director to provide us that information. Um if if that helps but but again I think he it was directed at council pretty much you could whatever your pleasure is. It was just merely a suggestion on So you have a you have somebody that's interested you'd like to nominate but do you Yeah. Right. So why don't we do we and Right. Right. Table it. But we're in discussion. We're in discussion. So Kyle, do you have something? Yeah. Yeah. There's a motion in a second. So I'm sorry.

If you if you want to if you want to withdraw your motion, you can do that. Otherwise, you someone else can vote to have a superseding motion, which would um to table it. But you'd have to vote on that and then vote on the motion at the end. Well, I would like to go forth because we're only voting on just one person. Okay. We're going to look at the other situation after we get clarification. What is the is the second situation in 2028?

Uh it says uh along we respectfully request you to appoint a new trustee to fill the outstanding vacancy for Terry Hedgepath expiring June 30th. So apparently it sounds like uh yeah it's open. That's what it sounds like. So she her her position Yeah. You want to see because I I can't I can't in good good conscience uh vote for someone I can abstain because I don't know who this person is and no I'm talking about the either one we're voting for now. You don't know who Pam Lee is? Came and spoke every every meeting for six or eight meets six or eight months

for the schools. She was about the school situation and she's been on the board on the library board for years. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, well, here I go. I'm getting in trouble.

I'm about to get in trouble again. I'm due for one. It's been a while. Um, how do I put this as generally as possible when the director came before us and he say here you go. When the director came before us um requesting funding for the library, I asked a very simple question and that was um did how many African-Americans were employed at the library? And he told me he couldn't give me an answer right then, but it's been to my knowledge they don't have any and therefore or one part-time person. And I think considering our population being 65% African-American, we should have some representation on that board. Uh so that we just ensure,

you know, particularly the way things are going in the country with things being reduced and stuff. So, um I thank the world of Miss Lee and her participation in the uh on the school issues, but um I would like to see someone that I think um could be sensitive to concerns like that. So, that's my little two. Thank you, Mr. Mack. Um all right, we have a motion for families to be continued on. Any further discussion on that? Okay. Second. We have a second. So, I'll take the vote. Dr. Johnson. I

I I I And I motion carries. And we do not need to take any action on the other position at this point because no motion's been made. Not no. Yeah. Yeah. I can I can report back on Right. And you you do have somebody interested I do unless they say specifically it needs to be a council person. I would love to serve if it has to be a council person, but this the person that I'm recommending is to me very qualified.

So So what I I'll do I'll reach out to the library director and others to see if we can u get some more clarity around that topic and I'll report back just like I did on this one. Yes, ma'am. I got one last thing, Mayor. It's not listed up here. If I can throw it out. the commissioner of revenue contacted me uh this afternoon just to notify that I you know just in case you get any calls that the assessment letters went out like late late so u late um Friday I think it was so I just wanted to make sure council was aware if that get any calls that's all I have all right u boards commissions anything Johnson anything on the jail

yes um we had a meeting um uh this past Monday and um the committee and we had two candidates for um superintendent and we um selected one. I can't say who at this time because we haven't had a board meeting yet. We have that on Wednesday to present it to the board to see if the board wants to uh select that candidate. That's all I have to say about that. Thank you. Anybody else? Boards commissions. Anything on social services, Mr. Kitchen?

All right. Um, council comments. Here we go. Dr. Johnson, anything further? No. All right. Mitch,

nothing. Um I just wanted to say to the community I attended the funeral of Zier um Usher and recently and you know I give we gave kudos to our police officers earlier for what they do but we as a community really have to come together. The violence is just crazy and you know I I sat there and I I wept. I cried through the service periodically because a lot of my students were in the in attendance and you know it was just a sad case. I grew up in Franklin, love Franklin. Um rode my bike down the street on Bank Street, never felt like I had to be worried about anything. But now, you know, you can't even walk out of your house without worried about, you know, violence. So, you know, we've had a lot of division in this community. But my plea at this point is that, you know, if we are going to appoint people to the school board and they're saying they're about the children, then we really need to take that seriously because it's a lot more than just making decisions or trying to get somebody out or this that and the third. Like, we really have to make some decisions about our youth that will impact them so that they will make better decisions instead of turning to the streets and and depending on the streets for loyalty and security and protection. you know, it has to start back home. So, um, that's that's all I have to say tonight. Uh, Ward Five's neighborhood watch meeting will be on Wednesday, May 20th, uh, at Martin Luther King Center at 5:30 p.m. Guest speakers Blue, Selenia Boone, and Bruce Watts. Uh, I'd like to thank my colleagues for support of making sure that we have a united Junth cultural celebration this year. I want to thank Mr. Lou Ward for joining us

tonight. Uh, I got to come to Suffuk City Council meeting, see how y'all do things in the big city. Um, I'd like to say that um I have been watching and I attended a school board meeting and it is imperative that we get another person on that school board to seemingly regardless with it being an even number, it's split right down the middle and a lot of things aren't getting done that should be done. Um, I was very concerned because it's a reflection on our city and when you have school board people that are walking out of meetings and leaving where they to the degree they can't even complete a meeting because there's not a quorum to close the meeting or bring it come out of close session. That's unacceptable. I agree with Mr. Johnson when he said uh that it seems to be seems like it should be a way that we can hold people accountable for what they do. We put them up there. The least we could do is ask why you doing what you're doing what's going on so that we can account to our citizens. That's my priority. I love the kids, love children, but I have a responsibility to their parents as well. And um I think that we need to take these candidates very seriously and appoint someone. I agree with my colleagues with the 26, but I'd have sooner did it sooner than later. The sooner we can get it done, the better. And um I applaud the decision that the C council made tonight on approving the

senior citizens home um facility. That property has been sitting vacant too long. And um we urge people to thank you people for coming out tonight. I hope you'll come out regularly. And again, the ward three ward meeting is going to be this Wednesday at the library starting at five o'clock. And my guest will be Miss Gwen Blue from the Franklin Redevelopment and Housing Authority as well as uh my second person. Who's that? Oh, Chad Chad Everett, the director of public works Edwards. And of course, and he's been very diligent and I appreciate it, our city manager. So between those three, you can have answers. It's a very informal meeting where you get to ask questions of your city department heads and your city leaders. And oftent times council people are always welcome to join and answer any questions that they might want to chime in. And I just want to thank everybody for coming out tonight and encourage you to continue to coming out, especially my citizens from WS 3 I see out there. Loretta, you've been coming continuously and I appreciate that, Darthy. Those W three people. Thank you very much.

No comments.

All right. I'd like to um echo what Miss Bank said about the violence in our city. U our police department does an outstanding job, but as long as citizens um won't come forward, it's hard to hard to close cases. Um it's it's sad to see the see those things happen. But I'm very excited about about a couple things that we've talked about tonight, particular the the the new project on Bank Street that's going to take shape and really be very nice addition to our city. Uh, I I was particularly proud of our of our candidates for for for school board. Um, showing some unity and I was particularly proud of our council tonight. U, we we came together and we we got through a lot of things and and we don't always agree, but but bottom line, we got we got the job done and and I want to thank Mr. D line and city manager and and Lincoln if you're listening um for all the work that was done to get the budget done with no increase in taxes again this year. This is the many years I want to say sixth year or sixth or seventh year we haven't had a tax increase. We need a tax increase but this year we're we're not doing it. So um I'm very proud of that. I also want to comment on that I I had the opportunity week before last uh to go to combat anti-semitism um conference in Savannah, Georgia. It's a very moving event. It was very it was very eyeopening and anytime you pick up a newspaper or watch TV, there's something happening somewhere in this world. people are being uh people of the Jewish

faith are being blamed for what the government of Israel is doing which may not be what they agree with but um we need to come together. Christians and Jews have too much in common and uh we we need to we need to work better to uh to uh to come together. Um, next meeting is scheduled for, as we've already said, ne Tuesday, two weeks from tomorrow. And, um, council council retreat is next Monday at at um, Smithfield Station. It is actually an open meeting. It's actually a city council meeting. Anybody wishing to come can come and observe. Um, you probably find it very exciting, but but we'll get a lot work lot of lot of stuff done that day. We hope. So, uh, did you want to say something else?

Yes. Um, the vice mayor brought something to my attention that I would like to share with the public. I was so excited when the council voted almost unanimously on Junth. I voted with him and uh I would like to let the record reflect that I would like to have my draw my vote withdrawn because we still won but I'd like mines withdrawn because of my affiliation with the nonprofit. Abain. So abstain reflect as an abstension. So let the record reflect it. I would abstain. Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. Very good. Thank you for bringing that up. Thank you for if there's no further business. I'll take a motion to adjurnn. So moved.

Second. A motion and a second. Any discussion? I I I all the way down. All right. Motion carries.