City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening to all and welcome. It's good to see everybody here tonight. We got a great crowd again this month. So, we always appreciate that. We go to great lengths to make certain these meetings are cordial and pleasant and positive. So, we do appreciate a good turnout. And this Picosen City Council meeting is now called to order. And we'll move on to item B on the agenda, which is the invocation and pledge of allegiance, which will be led tonight by Councilman Carrie Freeman. Stand, please. Dear Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to meet as an elected council. Please guide us and direct us. Help us to work together, respect and understanding, striving for the common good of our city. We ask our military, especially those deployed and first responders who serve our city. In your name 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.

Thank you, Mr. Frame. Ladies and gentlemen, item C on our agenda is a proclamation uh in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. So, if I could ask Miss Jessica Adams to join me at the podium, please, we will take care of that.

Jessica, good evening. Good evening. Pleasure to see you here tonight. You as well.

And uh just just a brief picosen story. One of the things that I love so much about this community is the personal relationships that we share and that so many of those are generational. And I can remember when Jessica and her brother Carl were just little kids. And uh back when I was in high school, uh Jessica's granddaddy, Mr. Bob Whitewood, he he worked at the shipyard, but he had a roofing business on the side. And I remember one Saturday I had the privilege of helping him put a roof on a house. So that was pretty cool. And I also remember Miss Sylvia or her grandmother making cakes for for special occasions. And Jessica is a professional educator right here in Picosen City Schools at the primary school.

That's right. SO and her father and her uncle were both uh retired firefighters. as as well as her great uncle. That's right. That's right. So, a lot of close ties.

So, this is the proclamation in honor of child abuse prevention month. Whereas, city of Picosen applauds the exchange club of Picosen for its dedicated work in the prevention of child abuse in our community. And whereas the city of Picosen commends the exchange club of Picosen for its promotion of ongoing programs in our community which are designed to help prevent child abuse. And whereas the city of Picosen stands firmly on the side of prevention of any type of abuse and believes no child should endure verbal, emotional or physical abuse for any reason. And whereas the National Exchange Club adopted the prevention of child abuse as its national project in 1979 in response to a request by its national president who as a physician noticed an increase in child abuse cases in his medical practice. Since then, April has been designated as child abuse prevention month, and the city of Picosen supports and encourages all of our residents and community leaders to wear blue each Monday in April in observance of child abuse prevention month. Now, therefore, I, David A. Hux, mayor of the city of Picosen, Virginia, to hereby proclaim the month of April to be child abuse prevention month in the city of Picosen in recognition of our commitment to healthy, happy children and to help eliminate child abuse in our community and to support the efforts of the Picosen Exchange Club and all others who observe this important cause in their mission to bring awareness of this tragic problem to the forefront. and to help make our community a stronger and

more loving city where children will be able to grow and thrive without fear of harm. In witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Posan, Virginia to be affixed this 13th day of April, 2026. Thank you, Jessica. Thank you. Yes. not not only for this but for all the great things the exchange club does in Picosen and uh we're so fortunate to have so many community groups uh like the exchange club that contributes to the greater good. Thank you. So it takes all of us working together. Thank you. I appreciate that. Am I able to give just a slight research behind it like we normally do? Is that okay?

Please do. It wouldn't be the same. It will only be a second. It wouldn't be the same if you did. Perfect. All right. Y'all come back and see us again. That's right. Next year we'll do it again. That's right.

That's right. Thank you, Mayor Hooks. Um, child abuse uh prevention month has been observed across the country in April since its first presidential proclamation in 1979. Since that time, millions of Americans have participated in a variety of exciting public awareness activities. It is the Picosen Exchange and Excel, our high school club's national project. Each year, April is designated as child abuse prevention month by the mayor of our city of Pakosen in a proclamation that initiates numerous projects throughout the city. Pinwheels for prevention. Pinwheels are fast becoming the national symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention. The pinwheel represents our hope that every child will be raised in a healthy, safe, and nurturing environment. It is also a call to action encouraging people everywhere to recognize that children are our future and that we have a role to play in keeping them safe. Understanding this, the Exchange Club of Picosen is endeavoring to paint Picosen blue during April. With blue and silver pinwheel gardens located throughout the city, you may have noticed them. Each year, we expand the number of gardens. In the past couple of years, we have expanded to all four schools, local churches, and both entrances to the city. Each of our new gardens contain at least 25 pin wheels and a small yard sign designating our club. The exchange club provides them pinw wheels, plants them, and removes them at the end of the month. Um, and we'd like to thank you for assisting us with this year's campaign to paint picosen blue. And please reach out to me with any suggestions or questions. So on behalf of the exchange club of Possen um from the child abuse prevention committee chairs Jessica Adams and also Miss There we go Rachel Marne Rachel Marne um and the rest of the exchange club of Picosen who is here today with

me. So thank you Mayor Hooks and the rest of the BOARDMAN ASK. Sure that would be great. Councilman Freeman, would you like to do that now or later or what? If y'all want to come on up, we can do it right now. That would be lovely. Thank you.

I'm sure you all get announced. Where you want to be?

One of these ones. I don't know.

Oh, picture. Thank you. Thanks again to the Picosian Exchange Club. And with that, we will move on to item D on the agenda is our audience for visitors. And at this time, we will open the floor for public comment related to the city. uh for anything other than the public hearing, which we'll have an opportunity for public comment a little bit later in the evening when we get down to to item F on the agenda. So, the floor is now open for public comment. Okay. Well, seeing none, uh we will close the floor, it will move on to item E, approval of the minutes of the regular session of March 23rd, 2026. Do we have a motion and a second?

So move, Mr. Mayor second. Thank you. Any questions or comments? Okay. Christie, call for vote, please. Vice Mayor Bunting. I. Councilwoman EMTT. I. Councilman Freeman. I. Councilman Southhaul. I. Councilman Huard. Hi. Mayor Hubs. I. Mr. Mayor. Carry by a vote of six to zero.

Thank you, Christie. All right. Now, we are at item F, uh, the public hearing. This is for a resolution to approve or deny a conditional use permit for the operation of a whole house short-term rental to be located at 428 with Creek Road tax parcel 27-04-0000-001 zone B2 business commercial and this is located between Alpha Street and Little Road uh on the east side of W Creek and we'll now open the public hearing and uh Mr. Wally Horton our director of community development has a presentation. Uh after that uh we'll have a opportunity for council members to ask questions or make comments and then we will open the floor for for public comment. So Wally the floor is yours my friend. Thank you very much. Thank you, mayor, vice mayor, members of council, staff, uh citizens either here or at home. Welcome. Thank you. This is a short-term rental. Uh you may remember uh we did some work on short-term rentals about a year ago. and uh short-term rentals, the whole house uh are allowed in B2 by conditional use permit uh only. Uh this is the actual site and I will uh I will endeavor to this is the uh the short term rental that was passed about I don't know several years ago I guess. Uh this is the metro. This is the empty uh write aid building and that is the

McDonald's building right there. So uh that that's where it's located pretty much in the heart of our central business district. Um notices were sent out to the daily press on uh April 1st and April 8th and letters were mailed to the adjoining property owners on April the 1st. The applicant's proposal uh again it is fully furnished uh short-term rental. Uh he is going to have noise and emergency notices placed prominently within the uh the house. Uh trash trash receptacles are going to be located on the left side of the garage. Uh trash pickup is going to be uh by Possen Public Service. Uh the permit information form state. Parking spaces are available. staff count six. We'll get to that in a moment. In the conditions, uh check-in and checkout processes will be designed to be executed remotely. Uh there will be cleaning, maintenance, and enforcement uh officials available for the site. Uh the lodging, as I said before, will be fully fully fully furnished and outfitted. property is zone B2. As we've covered, uh B2 allows a wide range of uh commercial business and service uh service type businesses. Um short-term rentals are not specifically called out, but but as appendix E, which we worked on last year, points out, they are allowed by conditional use permit. So that's why we're we're here with the conditional use permit tonight. Comprehensive plan situate uh considerations. Comprehensive plan does

not specifically call out short-term rentals, but the fact of the matter is this is in a central business use and they are there is a popularity among the public for these type uses. So uh you know from a very general uh outlook it would be a very appropriate use for this location. Now this is his uh his um uh well that's actually a survey of the property uh drawn to scale. Uh any site plan will be drawn the scale as well. uh but uh short-term rental traffic and access the planning commission did recommend approval 5 to zero of this particular application. However, there was a fair amount of discussion at that planning commission meeting about drainage requirements and how the uh the parking would work with that. Uh I believe in your uh condition use permit memo you've got a rendition of what the planning commission looked at. I want to concentrate primarily on what uh what you're looking at tonight. Um Mr. Howard did come in and meet with staff several days after the planning commission hearing uh looking at ways to reduce his impervious area and to improve drainage. I talked to Mr. Failen, our city engineer, uh Miss Noose uh and uh Ken Somerset, our building of visual, and myself were in that meeting. uh along with Mr. Howard who's here tonight by the way. Um there is going to be room for six vehicles. There's going to be sort of a I guess you'd say a semicircular type drive. The entrance on the right side uh right here uh will be a new entrance going into the

property. He's got room to park as many as four cars in that semic-ircular area and two more cars in the concrete driveway. So, he will be able to meet his parking requirements. Um, and it's also more residential look. It's it's less of an industrial look than what the planning commission looked at. Um, as I mentioned before, he will be required to do a site plan. It will be required to be drawn the scale and he'll have to address training concerns uh you know as we go. So the planning commission did vote as I mentioned before 5 to zero to approve the request with the follow or recommend approval of the request with the following conditions. The business will be subject to all applicable taxes as determined by the commissioner of revenue to include a transient occupancy tax at the time of implementation. All signage is subject to architectural review. Uh the use must compile of all aspects of this application with the exception of parking which will be required uh to be compliant with condition seven below. Basically, what that's going to say is uh a minimum of five parking spaces and one per unit. So, total of six. Uh the use must comply with all local, state, and federal permits, licenses, and regulations, site plan among them. If at any time this use is operating in violation of any of the regulations set forth by the affformentioned agencies, the city council may revoke the permit. If at any time the specified use uh becomes inactive for a period of two years or more, again this permit will become known as voyage.

Uh at no time shall more than two persons per bedroom occupy the the dwelling, excuse me. Parking for the use shall be accommodated for on-site in a paved driveway and or parking area as approved by the community development staff. This is where site plan comes in. Parking spaces shall be provided and I put in red because it was a planning commission addition at a rate of a minimum of one per unit and one per bedroom. Uh this one's a mouthful. No parking of major recreational equipment, including but not limited to travel trailers, utility trailers, pickup campers or coaches, motorized dwellings, tent tent trailers, boats and boat trailers, house boats or other similar equipment normally used for recreational purposes uh shall be conducted in front of the building uh building line. City Council does reserve the right to review and amend the conditions of this permit as they see fit. Uh, and number 10 was added to in response to uh, some neighbor concerns. A 6 foot in height above grade privacy fence shall be erected along the rear property line. That is my presentation. I'll be happy to take any questions.

One question. Are are these the same property owners for the other rental property next door? Um the adjoining properties you mean property owners Oh yeah. Yeah. These are the same people that operate operate the one at 4:30. The turret back then we call them tourist town homes. Yeah. Council members, any other questions for why? No. My question had been around the parking and how that was resolved and you took care of that. You explained it very well. Thank you, Wall-E. Thank you. Any others from council members? Mr. Freeman.

Yeah, the other rental property has been what, three or four years? I don't remember exactly. And as far as I'm aware, we've never had any problem with it. So, oh, I'm sure this one will be the same way.

Uh, that's that's what I'm thinking as well. in about January of 2023, but had personal knowledge that as soon as the uh the Next Door property uh came available as a short-term rental, uh the the very next week, uh there was a family in Picosen that was in in dire need of a place to go and uh this short-term rental uh served the purpose. It allowed them to stay in Picosen. It allowed their kids to be in Picosen who was obviously in in school down here and take advantage of the the transportation that the school supplies. Uh if if this short-term rental would not have been there, it's a good possibility they would have had to moved out of town. So, uh it's certainly a demand for it and and serves a good purpose. And uh like Mr. Freeman had just commented on and confirmed by the manager. I mean, we we've had no no negative issues at all uh with with the the unit next door. The best predictor of future performance is past performance.

I do have a question. I'm sorry. Yes. Yes, ma'am. So, definition of a shortterm rental. How long can someone rent in a short-term rental? From 1 to 30 days. 1 to 30 days. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. You You're welcome. Okay. Well, anything else, council members? Okay. At this time, we'll open the floor for public comment. Seeing none, uh we will close the floor. And Wy, thank you very much. Well done on your presentation. And uh with that, do we have a motion and a second?

Mr. Mayor, I propose a resolution to approve a conditional use permit for the operation of a whole house short-term rental to be located at 428 W Creek Road, Tax Map, partial 27-04-00001, zone 2, business commercial. Second. Thank you, Christie. Call for vote, please. Councilman Freeman, I. Councilwoman EMTT. Hi, Councilwoman Hall. Hi, Councilwoman Hubard. Hi, Vice Mayor Bunty. Hi, Mayor Hugs. Hi, Mr. Mayor. The motion carry by a vote of six.

Thank you, Chris. And with that, we will close the public hearing. And we will move on to item G, new business. We have four topics tonight. Uh the first topic is an ordinance making additional appropriations for fiscal year 2026 in the general fund for the Virginia Fire Services Board mini grant funding for the fire department. And we have with us tonight uh a newly promoted deputy fire chief uh Mr. Chris Walker. He's going to give us a presentation. Welcome, Chris.

So, as far as the hoods go, which are particulate blocking, it it blocks cancer. The old hoods we used to wear back in the day, they're single layer, sometimes double layer. Um, and all the carcinogens we get from fires would go through, especially when they weren't washed. So now with the new type of technology, NFPA standards last year made a um a requirement for when we hand out these new hoods, they must be particulate blocking. So um with this grant and this money, we're going to be able to not only get everyone a a first set, but also get some of the volunteers and ourselves the second set to stop us from or prevent cancer as much as we can. Um, right now they are the more expensive types and with the $3,821 that we've been awarded will get us approximately 30. So, and we have 33 firemen and several of our firemen already have too. So, we'll be able to help out the volunteers and ourselves. So, Deputy Chief, y'all certainly have some talented grant writers and uh y'all y'all have saved the citizens u countless tens of thousands of dollars o over the years. Thanks so much for your efforts with that and among so many other things. And council members, any questions for the deputy chief?

Very well. Chris, thank you for being with us. We appreciate it. Thank you. and congratulations on your promotion. You're welcome. Do we have a motion in a second? Mr. Mayor, I move that we approve the ordinance making additional appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 in the general fund Virginia Fire Services Board mini grant funding for the fire department. Second. Thank you. Any questions or comments on that? Christie. Councilwoman Hover. I. Councilman South Hall. I. Councilman Freeman. I, Councilwoman EMTT, I, Vice Mayor Bunty, I, Mayor Hu, I, Mr. Mayor, by a vote of six to zero.

Right. Thank you, Christie. Uh, moving on to topic number two under new business. Uh, we have an ordinance making additional appropriations for fiscal year 26 and the capital project fund for the Mess Point Breakwater. And we have with us tonight our, uh, brand new city engineer, uh, Mr. Paul Failen. Mighty thankful to have him working with us. and he's going to give us a presentation on this topic. So, welcome Paul. Do you hear me now?

Uh, unfortunately I do not have a presentation for this topic. Uh, we do have a um a grant that uh just does the design and the study for the Messic Point breakwater. Uh, this will replace the three uh current wooden breakaters that we have down there with a uh stone breakwater. Um the grant is $105,000. 90% or 90,000 is from uh FEMA. 10,000 is from VM and another 5,000 is uh also from FEMA, but it's for the um management of the project. Uh I do plan to put that onto the engineering services contract as soon as we get the the new one uh executed. Any questions?

Is there an opportunity for a follow-on grant for the next phase if the phase one is successful? There is an opportunity for the next grant and I do believe that is going to be similarly funded with the 9010 between FEMA and the uh but I think you know they want to see the final design and the final cost before they actually say yes to it. There is a stipulation of no ground disturbing activities during the study. So I have to be very careful about that. What did you say the construction material was going to be? Uh stone. Okay. Yes, sir. I thought that's what you saw, wouldn't you?

Sure. I've gotten several complaints about the dock area being unprotected right now. So that's a good thing. Yes, sir. Any other questions, council members? Paul, thank you for for sharing that with us. And uh I know you'll be right back with us for the next topic. Yes, sir. So, uh we'll we'll make it quick. So, thank you. Do we have a motion in a second, Mr. Mayor? I propose ordinance making a reimburseable appropriation for fiscal year 2026 in the general fund, Miss Point Breakwater. Second. Thank you, Christie. Councilwoman Hubard,

I. Councilman South Hall, I. Councilman Freeman, I. Councilwoman EMTT, I. Vice Mayor Bunting, I. Mayor Hugs, I. Mr. Mayor, by a vote of six to zero.

Thank you, Christie. All right, moving on to item I'm sorry, topic number three under item G, new business. This is a resolution officially cancelling the Little Falls Road Picosen Avenue laden way intersection project from VOTE smart scale and uh and city engineer Mr. Paul Failen is back with us again. So Paul the floor is yours. Thank you, mayor, uh, council, staff, and guests. Um, is there a slider?

One sec. Can we please? Thank you.

So, we do have a slide for this one. This is uh just showing, you know, uh, this has already been approved, I believe, back in 21 it was. And the uh idea is that you know you're going to change Layon Way to make it line up with Posen Avenue and uh put in some medians there. Uh at the time that was estimated at 700,000 current estimate is 975,000 which our portion would be 625,000. So, at this point, uh, you know, VOTE's going to start their, um, part of the project at the beginning of their next fiscal year, which I believe is October 1st. And if we we either have to come up with the our 625,000 by then or cancel the project. So, at this point, I uh am looking to have council direct me to either find the funding for the project or I also have a resolution in to cancel project. Any questions?

Uh no, no question, just a comment. Um it was back before your time when we planned this project and uh I was looking so forward to a Buddy Green traffic circle there. And buddy, if you're watching, I I hope you know it's going to hurt me tonight to uh vote for this. I will vote for it, but I forward to a Buddy Green traffic circle there. Yes, sir. A question. What's the um the current estimate you said was about 900 and some thousand? Was that just for the design and the phase one or would that be from start to finish?

That would be start to finish. Okay. So, I have a question. Um, and I'm not sure if you know if Randy if you have uh some input on this as well. I'd welcome welcome it for clarity for everyone because this has been a project that has been wanted and for a long time and you know VOTE we haven't been able to get traction and now we're looking at having to come up with funds that we can't. Um, and so like you, Bud, I'm very sad that this project is going to end up having to go the way it goes. Here's the question. What does the process look like at some point in our future to raise this up again? I mean, because we started this a long time ago and now VOTE's like, "Okay, we can start." And we're like, "Great, we can't." So, what does that look like? Can you talk to that either one of you?

Sure, I can. Thank you, Andy.

I was um I was here when we uh began this process. So, we applied for revenue sharing funds, which is a 5050 match fund. Um this it was approved. Uh council took a couple of votes on it. The last vote is reflected here. At the time, the local expense was $350,000. Um and VOTE's match does not escalate. And so when you ask for smart scale money uh or often revenue share money, it comes years out. Like if we had a smart scale project that was miraculously approved today, we would be five full fiscal years before it became available. So that's why, you know, in 2026 we're talking about council members will recall we've talked about this every year as we've gone up with the uh the CIP and and talked about sort of our plan and this has always been a financial arbitrage which is we either have to prioritize this and move forward with it or stand down. our our costs are going up and as as Paul said come October 1st VOTE will begin to spend money on this project and if for any reason we're unable to proceed then we will owe them for whatever monies they have spent um by standing down it doesn't um preclude us from asking again but uh we would have to start that whole process over um which if successful would set us on another 5year clock.

So um unless we got to the point that we wanted to do it with our own local funds only at which point if that was a high enough priority we could proceed without VOTE. That's really the the procedural step that has so much time in it is the the time between getting an approval from VOTE and the funds becoming available which is typically five fiscal years.

Thank you for explaining question. You absolutely did. I think that that kind of clarity is important and understanding that the weight of this is we are pushing this down at least 5 years and some of us won't be around to see it happen. Um so it's uh it's weighty and I wish I could direct you to go find the money but I can't but I can't. Well, we made some improvements to the Pakosen Avenue Little Florida intersection and ship wreck island, I believe, somewhere in this process too, didn't we?

Yes, sir. We made um some changes to the pedestrian way across following u an accident that happened a little bit uh if that's oriented top to bottom, a little north from there. Um, we have made some changes, but we have not realigned the uh the intersection. Any other questions or comments from council members? Uh, good questions there. Randy, thank you for your your explanation. Paul, thank you as well. It provides some excellent insight uh for the public. Um, do we have a motion and a second?

Mr. Mayor, I propose a resolution officially counseling Little Florida Road Makosen Avenue Laden Way intersection project V dot Smartscape. Second. Thank you, Christie. Councilman Southhaul, I. Councilman Freeman, hi. Councilwoman Hubard, I. Vice Mayor Bunting, I. Councilwoman EMTT, I. Mayor Hu, I. Mr. Mayor, thank you, Christie. Moving on to topic number four under item G, new business. This is a resolution making an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Do we have a motion and a second?

Mr. Mayor, I propose a resolution appointing Charles Colrren to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. His term will expire on March 31st. Second. Thank you, Christie. Councilman Freeman, I. Councilwoman EMTT, I. Councilman Southhaul. Hi, Councilwoman Hover. I, Vice Mayor Bunting, I, Mayor Hooks, I, Mr. Mayor, the motion carried by a vote of six to zero. Thank you, Christie. And we have w here with us tonight Mr. Charles Culrron. So, Charles, thank you for your willingness to serve and cong congratulations on your appointment. Thanks,

sir. Well, that concludes our new business. We'll move on to item H. We have a special presentation and this is the city manager's recommended budget for fiscal year 27 and our city manager Mr. Randy Wheeler is going to provide us with that presentation. And if I could make just a few comments before Randy begins. Uh this development of the budget is almost ongoing year round. I mean by the time we approve uh the budget for one year shortly after that staff uh starts with the development of the budget for the the next year and making projections planning uh the staff as well as council always looks ahead not only one year but many years and even decades into the future as they're making preparations and developing the budget. uh towards the end of the calendar year uh that process be becomes more focused and even more so in in January of the calendar year. Uh staff is hard at work uh with projections uh monitoring what the general assembly is doing in Richmond uh plugging in the numbers as they become available into their equations. So, I just cannot overstate the the level of effort that that Randy and Tanya and all the city staff uh put into this. Uh in particular, thank you to our acting finance director, Miss Robin Bellamy, who is also here with us tonight. But just want to give credit where credit's due. and council also provides input to

staff uh so they have an idea of what the priorities are uh as the budget is being developed. And Brandy is going to talk a little bit about the pay increase that is proposed for not only city staff but school staff as well. And the point I'd like to make with that is this pay increase does not include city council. So just want to let that sink in. uh the city council in Picosen we focus on the public service aspects of it and with without exception all of us and this has been a tradition that we've that has been longstanding in Pussen and continues to today this day uh city council members serve for what we can give not for what we can get and we we take great pride in that so just wanted to make that clear that this proposed pay increase does not include uh city council and this is not something that gets talked about a lot and if I didn't do what I do I I wouldn't I wouldn't be aware of this either but the compensation for city council member Picosen is $100 a month uh and that's before taxes so after taxes are taken out it equates to about $75 a month to serve the mayor's position uh actually receives an extra $25 a month. So after taxes, it's about a hundred a month. Um but again, it we we focus on on what we can give and not what we can get. So with that, I'll turn it over to Randy for his presentation.

Thanks, sir.

Right. So your comments about planning sometimes decades uh in advance really it hit a light bulb with me because I remember the first budget that that I was here for 17 years ago. We were talking about the debt trough coming in 2029 and I've been around long enough to actually get there. So um so yeah, we really do do that. So, as council knows, each year before we figure out where we may be able to go in the future, we take a hard look as to where we are and where we've been in the immediate past couple of years. Uh despite COVID, despite the economy being um superheated at times, changes in federal priorities, our financial position remains very strong and actually strengthened over that period of of challenge. Uh one thing that is different this year and you spoke to it, city council had a budget retreat in February. that is not always an annual occurrence. And at that time, council provided direction that the budget should be prepared uh focusing on a 4% pay increase for our employees, including school employees. And so this budget reflects that uh all the way through. And I'll highlight the details of that as we go forward. So I've spoken to some of these things but uh they're the usual things but there are also some some additional things and the the additional things the significant headwind uh the everinccreasing impact of the tax exemption programs. I'll have a slide or two on that in a couple. Uh we continue

to uh to be in a competitive hiring market and retention market and um and no matter how hard we swim at this, we always seem to get outpaced by others. And um and that that that is that is still true. um this the school board with your help was able to make some significant headway this year but now their challenge is is maintaining that position and on the local government side we still got some catching up to do. Um we saw as you know a much larger than anticipated increase in health insurance rates this year. Um over the next nine months we'll be examining other options for health care. the the rate of increase exceeding 19% is unsustainable over time. So we have some work to do there and um schools contributions and support of our school system continues to be a significant issue for us and I'll talk more about that. So um as we go through the budget we uh this is sort of our cornerstone on how we start. We always try to limit our new initiatives because there's never enough money to do the things we feel like we have to do. Um so we don't really get to the things that we wished we could do uh very often in city of Picosen. We use the best information that we have recognizing that we don't have a crystal ball on the economy. Uh impacts at the federal level do affect us. the impacts at the state level affect us in both in terms of how the state government will support us but also their support of the school system constitutional officers and others as council is aware uh for almost uh every year that I can remember lately the general assembly is still not done with

the budget u I remember a time in Virginia where that was not the case uh we we do what we can to maintain uh pro stable property tax rates we focus as I said before on existing services because we uh we don't have the budget flexibility to make uh too many investments in new things. And lastly and always we use the city council's adopted financial guidelines as the bedrock of of all of our work going forward. So everything that you see in this budget uh starts with adherence to your financial policies. So 2027 the the fiscal year we're about to go into is not a reassessment year. I just footnote that because every other year in Picosen it is. Um we have significant new growth uh still um from from new development. Um, I had hoped to be able to present a budget that did not have a tax rate increase recommendation in it, but in keeping with the instructions that you all provided um, at your budget retreat, uh, and you may recall we talked about needing potentially a four to six cent tax increase to facilitate uh, that direction. We're very pleased that we've been able to reduce that to one. Um we would like obviously to reduce that to zero but uh but this budget does contain a 1 cent tax increase. Um couple of things to highlight. Um we continue to have a a very large and increasing um tax exemption program for the disabled veterans. There's also a small local program and the real estate exemption programs themselves are equivalent to 9 and a half cents on our tax rate next year. I've got a chart

that will show that in a minute. In personal property, which is vehicles and the like, um, the rate remains the same. We've not adjusted the rate for that the entire time I've been here. Um, however, I did want to point out that in addition to the the the real estate tax exemptions, fairly recently, the general assembly added some veterans uh disabled veterans personal property as well. So, take those two together, um, you see the line down at 400,000. You combine that with the real estate and you're about 11 cents on the tax rate is the impact of that. Here's the uh here's the graphic depiction of that. It's hard to see. Um for those that are interested, um the the budget is available online. It's available at the library and the city manager's office and finance if you'd like to see it. I apologize. There's really no way to make this much better. But the uh what you see there, and I can if I can read my color coding from here, that would probably help. But the uh the green uh is the is the largest disabled veterans the real estate program. And you see how that's gone from a couple of hundred,000 dollars to to closing in on on 2 million. The uh orange is the local option program that you all have had for for for the elderly and and for disabled folks. And that number has been relatively similar the whole time I've been here. It hasn't changed very much. And then you see the blue additions is the is the personal property ones. And when you when you roll that all up together, it's $2,754,000 of tax exemption. Um, which again is uh is 11 cents on the tax rate.

All right. I'm not going to spend too much on time on this because I've already talked about it, but uh I did want to to uh to mention again there are no significant new initiatives or positions in the city budget. There is a small uh initiative for police department accreditation and it is the only uh thing that even remotely would would qualify as a new initiative in the city's budget. The total cost of that is about $17,000. Um, and I just want to highlight again, uh, not only are we waiting to see, uh, what the governor will do and and maybe has done today, this is her day to to sign or veto or mark up bills, but the state budget itself hasn't even made it out of the general assembly yet. So, uh, both we u are vulnerable to that as well as the school system. you know, they modeled their budget on outgoing Governor Yncan's budget and they're waiting for a general assembly budget to uh to narrow it in and then one to be finally approved by Governor Spanberger. And those two most important steps have not yet happened. But uh despite that, we have a budget uh that we need to prepare and to to make some decisions on the next month. So, we've always divided our budget up uh into strategic focus areas which are similar to the strategic initiatives that council identified in its retreat. They're presented in one through five, but they're not in any particular order. The um the first though is education. Uh we start with education. in the city of Picosen school board requested an increase from you all of close to $1.1 million

um coming out of the retreat and the guidance we proce uh received from you there we calculated that and and we were able to provide um and recommend to you uh to support your direction of the retreat an allocation of an additional 1.017 017 million uh for next year in hopes that the school board would use it uh in accordance with the the intention of city council at least as articulated at your retreat of a 4% pay adjustment for for school employees. Uh unlike for the public, the city council does not set school employee salaries. that is a responsibility and authority in school board. Um, as we talked about, it's based on Governor Yncan's budget. They do propose a small adjustment in the ADM, which is the average daily membership. That is a key factor in what the uh in in the amount of state aid that we get. An even bigger uh factor is the local composite index listed here as LCI. Um, what you need to know about that is the smaller the number, the smaller the percentage of what the state would consider the basic standards of quality school budget the locality needs to pay. And it ranges anywhere from 20% up to 80%. But from a year to year or every other year because it's a two-year calculation, the relative change is the thing that really gets your attention. um our our composite index is increased about three and a half points. Uh that turns into according to the superintendent about a $750,000

um dent in school funding for education from the state. And so that's along with the with the tax exemptions, we got about $3.5 million with a headwind in this budget that we've had to work our way through. I would say, and council's aware of this, only one other locality on the peninsula had their LCI go up. It was the city of Newport News. It was, if memory serves, about 3/4 of a percent. um all of the other school systems um on the peninsula had their composite index go down which means that the state share of their basic SAQ budget will go up. Um there is just as a footnote no additional major funding for school uh debt planned in next year's budget. Um, we've uh we've done what we can up till now. We're going to we're going to need to pause on some things to sort of let this uh let this financial challenge that we have sort of work its way out. Focus two, public safety. U council will recall uh year and a half or so ago you implemented a a pay plan for our public safety folks and that is uh it's fully funded. again this this uh in this budget recommendation in addition to that is a 2% uh cost of living adjustment. So uh that's a 4% overall for for our folks in public safety. Uh just a reminder for our budget is we have we have the core budget which is us and then we have a lot of other things that we support and one of those the biggest is our school system but we also um have a shared services agreement with York County for the sheriff's office and the clerk of the court um as examples we u work with animal control in Newport

News not only do our animal control but our animal sheltering we are partner in the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail and the Juvenile Detention Commission. Um, so these are these are change numbers. These are not the the full numbers. The full numbers are are in in your budget document. Um, quality of life. Um, we're in focusing on the um the the compensation initiative the council articulated retreat. Um we haven't been able to add uh much in the way of additional new quality of life initiatives. However, uh we are in the in the final stages of of completing the design for both the uh the upper little Florida uh sidewalk project and and also the upper coin avenue sidewalk project. Both of which should be completed in this fiscal year. In terms of the design, this budget recommends a series of strategies to put together the budget to complete the first project. It is a combination of money that you've already articulate are already appropriated for sidewalks plus some VOTE money which is eligible for sidewalks and and roadside drainage. And then uh we are working with uh both Congressman Whittmann and Senator Kaine's office pursuing a federal uh special project uh designation and allocation for the uh Picosen Avenue project. We expect to hear back from that uh prior to October the 1st and that's part of the federal appropriation process. So to the extent that that gets delayed or has a continuing resolution, we we may have to wait longer. Excuse me a second.

Um strategic focus area four is quality of services. As we've talked about, um we've chosen not to focus on on new things, but rather investments in the folks that uh that provide the the quality of services that we have now. So, consistent with your retreat guidance, there is a 2% uh cola for the general workforce as well as a 2% merit for all the nonpublic safety folks because those folks are on the step plan. So in the end everybody sees a 4%. Um this uh sort of I started with this and I'll sort of end this section with this. Fiscal stability is is really important. We try mightily to not create future problems in solving short-term problems. Our position financial position remains strong through this. Our bond rating remains with S&P at the AAA level. Our this budget conforms to all of your financial policies. Your general fund uh fund balance exceeds your minimum guidelines. As you are aware, we um have a fiscal stability fund which in 2024 council made its latest deposit into um of 1.2 2 million. And and earlier in the last uh earlier in this fiscal year, council took action to establish a special reserve uh for what would be intended a middle of a budget year uh for the disabled veterans tax exemption, which as you saw from that graph, uh no matter how much we projected going up, we have seemed to it has overperformed. And so, uh, we we've built in with your with your help, uh, a circuit breaker,

uh, on that at least for for one year to give us time to, uh, to rep prioritize. So, I'll go quicker now. So, the overall general fund budget is increased as with this recommendation, a little bit over 4%. This is what it looks like. If you if you have interest in any of this, the budget document really has a whole lot more details than than this um than this chart can can show. And I know it's hard to read, but the uh the dark blue color that is our general property taxes. And uh you'll see that that is about 3/4 of uh of the pie there. And then that's where all the rest of it comes from. And one thing I I would like to just point out for the public, it's the third from the bottom line that federal revenue. That's uh that's how much federal revenue support the city of Picosen, not counting the school system, uh gets on a routine basis, not counting the the the occasional grant. Um, and so, uh, it's really the state government as a junior partner, but really we're we're our we're our own senior partner in in that. The um expenditures, it's again, I know it's hard to see, but the uh orange is education. Uh, keep in mind that that is only the local portion. The state the the the school board appropriates its state and federal monies. So that's our portion. Our public safety is green. And then the top piece um I know it's hard to see. It says transfer out school debt. That is um that is the debt service that we pay outside of the contribution to the school division to support uh all of the debt including the most recent debt uh that you undertook at your at your last

meeting. Um this is uh our budget similar to the school's budget is very personnel heavy as a percentage um of our of our budget about $17 million is directly um for personnel related expenses. That does not count the the money that also goes to the schools. The increase is a little over $1.2 million. And what made that uh significant this year again was the the increase in our health insurance which was at a rate um none of us could have expected and and also um complying with the guidance that we received from the retreat. You take those two, you roll it together. We were fortunate that our retirement rates actually went down this year. So that helped offset the cost somewhat. That's an every other year rate set by the by the Commonwealth of Virginia for us. And um anyway, that number is is larger than normal because of primarily the insurance. It's a near nearly $600,000 is what we're talking about. So there's lots of ways to look at the budget and go back to that idea that that we're largely about people. 41% of our budget is uh personnel expenses, but if you take out the the transfer to the schools and the monies to to York County and 911 center and the jail and stuff like that, our uh our general fund expenses are more than 75% personnel related. Already talked to the fact that our VRS rate actually went down. That actually helped. It also helped the school system manage their uh their budget

expenditures as well. They also saw a reduction. Um just uh just want to to give you a little bit of of context uh about we often talk about how much something is changing, but this is the uh this is the amount of money that we're talking about transferring to the schools. You can sort of see where we are. And when you add in the debt service, it's a little bit of 41% uh or so of our general fund expenditures. Um this is the school board's adopted budget. Just uh it's here for your reference. It's also available on the school's website if you'd like to see it. That's the uh the totality of the school's budget uh for next year. That includes um their recommendation or their request from city council again of a almost $1.1 million increase doesn't include the debt service which we carry on our side of the ledger for their for their property. You see once again their uh their increase uh projections in students. I'm hopeful that the final uh number may be a little bit higher than that. You will recall uh last year when we met with the school board and the superintendent the superintendent said I won't quote it exactly right but I think he said there were seven jurisdictions in Virginia whose school had at least an increase of one the previous year. So uh so we are bucking the trend there a little bit. Um, and the the school board's budget as adopted by them in the form of a request to you is about 55% from the state. We're at 41 and and their percentage of federal money is is larger than ours,

but 3.3% is um is is really not not very much. And uh there are lots of reasons for that. But uh our some of the folks that the school board competes with for u for salaries for for new teachers and teacher retention, they have a much higher federal number, meaning that they're that and often more favorable LCI their community's uh share of the overall school budget is is lower. Few things and I'll be finished. Um at your next meeting we will have a budget work session. We are also planning to have a joint session with school board. Uh that evening there will be the required public hearing on the budget and proposed tax rate. The budget is scheduled for adoption uh May the 11th and we stand by to assist you by adding as many additional work sessions between the 27th and the 11th or shortly after the 11th as as you may require. As stated previously, this budget is available online in our library, in the manager's office upstairs, and the finance office. And with that, that concludes my presentation, sir.

Randy, thank you very much. Uh, well done as always. Uh, council members, any questions or comments for the manager? Mr. Freeman? Uh, it's just mostly a comment for the general public. People ask me frequently about the effect of the legacy u buildup on our school system and I was told nine this uh says eight students net for the entire year. So there's no or nearly no effect on our school system so far from legacy and we're not getting to the point where we're overcrowded in our schools. We really need more students. just wanted to make that.

Uh, thank you. It It's a good point to be made and I can remember from my days on the school board, the last year I was on the school board was in 2016 and thinking back on that, if my memory holds true, in 2006 we had peak enrollment at about 262 students. And my last year on the school board in 2016, a decade had passed. And by that time, we were down to about 2,32. So over a decade, we had we had seen a reduction in enrollment by about 600 students. uh to the point that back in 2011 2012 we're actually looking at at closing a school uh for for a school system that has or had 2600 students to lose 600 of them that's a whole school building full of students for us but the decision was made not to consolidate the schools not to shutter a building and to go ahead with the middle school modernization which started in earnest in 2013. It was a 10-year process which actually completed in 2023. And it's it's been a tremendous improvement and so thankful that we were able to do that. But, you know, another decade has passed since 2016 and our enrollment has only increased slightly from about 2032 or so. This year we're projecting uh that ADM, which is enrollment, uh to about 2067, I believe. So we're about where we were

uh 10 years ago. And to give you an idea of the impact of that, this year, each student equates to $7,500 of tax support from mostly the state, a little bit from federal. So do the math on that. $7,500 per student. Suppose we had those 600 students back. Look at the millions of extra dollars that we would have coming into the the school system. That that's an issue that we're working with. And that was among the main driving forces, if not the main driving force for the approval of the legacy project back in 2015. So many people don't realize how long ago that was actually approved and the reason behind that. It was to provide housing for families with school children. and the Weld and Cooper Center in Charlottesville, which is the state uh agency that does the projections, they projected that when Legacy was built out, and we still got a ways to go, that the increase enrollment would be about 297 students. And uh we're we're a long ways away from that, but hopefully that will hold true when Legacy is built out. The final phase of legacy involves the construction of the single family homes which uh is where most in theory most of the uh the students would would live. So hopefully that that that will hold true. And to Mr. Freeman's point, we've got lots of room uh from a facility standpoint. E even when we were at peak enrollment in 2006, we we were still out at capacity then we

we still had room for a couple hundred more students at that time. So where we are now, we got lots of room. Of course, we would need more staff, but from a facility standpoint, we have lots and lots of of room for growth. Um, another way to look at at where we are with the legacy e even though it hasn't resulted in the the projected enrollment increases yet. Another way to look at it is if we didn't have the legacy then the e the extra few students that we have realized we probably wouldn't have those and would probably be significantly less than where we are now. So it it it's it's still resulting in a a positive uh effect for us so far as a school enrollment goes. So just just wanted to elaborate. Thank thanks for setting me up Mr. Freeman. But that's some excellent points uh to be made on that.

I got one other comment as well. Well, go ahead, Jean.

Well, thank you. Um and this is a question for you, Randy. If you could um just reiterate when you use um big words that my pea brain isn't always all that good at understanding. When you say the 11 cents um on our tax rate is for the unfunded unfunded mandates related to uh property tax and real estate tax. And you know I'm the granddaughter of a veteran, the daughter of a veteran, the spouse of a veteran. And the military is what brought us here. And it's what made my parents want to stay here and retire here. And so, uh, Picosen has a probably a disproportionate number of wonderful people who've given service to our country. However, the reality of that, and this is what I need your help on. So, 11 cents of the $114 current, I would say it this way. If we didn't have any of those programs, which also includes our local option program, then our tax rate to do the exact same government

would be 11 cents lower.

11 cents lower. So, we as a community share in that benefit to our veterans who have been uh who are part of those programs. And you know, we are all touched in many ways by the military. Just as we're here for the schools, we're here because the military brought many of us here. Um, and so I just want to recognize that as a community, when you have an unfunded mandate, it only is unfunded to some of us. The rest of us have to pick that up. And you're saying it's 11 cents on your money, on your taxes, your taxes, your taxes, your taxes, your taxes, your taxes, and mine. And all y'all. So, we share that and that's the reality that we choose to live in because we live in this wonderful town and even though unfunded mandates are no fun.

Yes, ma'am. You articulated absolutely correctly and I just doesn't get lost in the message when we talk about the difficulties and the financial fiscal impact of this. It's not talking negatively about the program,

right? But the uh the state uh made some decisions that affect us and we could really use their help in offsetting some of the cost as they help offset some of the cost with roads and schools and other things. And that is what we have been trying um with our delegation with our regional partners our state partners to to build some momentum around that. I think we'll get there. I think it's our fiscal years, but uh but I think we'll get there.

So, the bottom line to that is when you have an unfunded mandate and you learn so much when you sit over here, right guys? Um cuz you you're touching it much more closely. I mean, I think I knew what an unfunded mandate was before, but it it touches you differently when you're reading it and being asked to sign your name on something that says you're approving it, right? And in this case, um, you know, it it's wonderful that our veterans, our disabled veterans, the people who qualify for these programs can, but when the state says this is going to happen, they don't offer any money to pay for it. It's not coming out of their budget. It's coming out of your pockets. Okay? So, that's what unfunded mandate means. And that's the impact to us. And again, we live in this community. We share in this burden. Um, but that's why unfunded mandates are something that you, you know, when you're asked to vote on a new program, think about it.

Thank you. That's it. I'm pontificated enough.

Jeannie, thanks again for setting me up for that. Uh, it for this as well. Um, if I can elaborate just a little bit, uh, this unfunded mandate goes back to a state referendum in 2010. Uh this community is a a very patriotic community. Just a few examples of that are the Memorial Day service that we have, the Veterans Day service that we have uh out front uh of city hall. And in addition to the the military memorial that we have uh to pay tribute to our veterans that have sacrificed their their lives for for the the freedoms and liberties that that that we so enjoy. But back in 2010 when the referendum was held, if memory holds true, this community voted about 86% uh in support of that referendum. And I remember personally voting for it. We certainly believe in the program. Uh we support the program, but since it's an an unfunded state mandate, we we believe that the state should be helping the localities to offset the effects of it. And like the like the manager mentioned just a minute ago, uh we're working w with our our state delegate, state senator, as well as coordinating uh throughout the Hampton Roads region. And we've expanded that to coordinate with other regions throughout the state, especially the ones that are most affected up the I95 corridor all the way up to the Washington DC area. And I can also assure you that that coordination at the regional level was initiated uh upstairs in the conference room of the coin city manager's office. That's just

another example of of this little city use one of the the managers uh terms uh punching above our weight class. And even even though we're small, the this this little city leads at at the state level uh often. So very thankful to be able uh to do that. Just wanted to shed some light to provide a a little little bit more in insight as is into where we stand on this and and also with the the $2.7 million that the manager spoke to combined with the $34 of a million hole in the school's budget because of the increase in the LCI that we have no control over at the $563,000 uh in increase in uh employee uh health insurance benefits, the cost to the city. That's about $4 million uh of of headwind that staff is faced with when they're starting this budget development process. and uh be to be able to to get to this point and provide the the benefits that's proposed for our employees at at the cost of of a a one penny tax rate increase uh by the grace of God is is nothing short of miraculous. though I cannot overstate uh the credit that staff deserves uh for being able to come up with this. And just to quantify a little bit more, the average home price in the city of Possen is $450,000. This one penny tax rate increase equates to less than $4 a month. Just let that

sink in as well. less than $4 per month for the average homeowner of $450,000. Of course, some will be more, some will be less, but uh for for that increase, which is very minor, we can provide a a 4% pay increase for our employees and school employees, too, is our So, just want to be able to elaborate on on that a little bit and and quantify. And Mr. Freeman, you had another comment as well. Well, I um councilwoman nearly summarize what I was going to say. Anyway, I was going to add just a little bit to get this uh benefit. Uh the law requires that you 100% disabled and I think that these people deserve everything that uh we can give them. But it's really hard on our city budget and a lot of the the wounds that someone in combat suffers are not visible to you and you say, "Well, looks like a normal person to me just walking up and down the street." But you don't know what they have to do to get there to walk them down the street. And like I say, it's killing our budget, but I think that 100% of those people absolutely deserve it. And it's just kind of more what you think.

Well, uh uh thank you, Mr. Freeman. And for everybody watching, everybody here tonight that might not know, uh those comments are coming from, uh uh Councilman Carrie Freeman, who retired from the United States Air Force after 25 years, I believe. Um he's a combat veteran. Uh he flew B-52s over North Vietnam uh back in the mid 1960s uh when I was a baby and diapers in the comfort and safety of my my parents' home. So uh just one example of the caliber of the people that that I have the privilege of serving alongside of. So to hear those comments from somebody like like Mr. Freeman, it it carries a a tremendous amount of weight. And uh I do I do take issue with uh with one comment from uh Councilwoman uh Hubard uh when she referred to her own uh PE brain. Uh I I adamantly disagree and for for all all those that that might not be aware uh that is Councilwoman uh Dr. uh Jean Jeannie Huard. So, uh, I I would I wouldn't think anybody with a PhD has a PE brain. So, just respectfully disagree with your assessment of yourself and, uh, recognizing your, uh, your modesty and humility. So, and you're also one of the people I have the the privilege to serve alongside of. So, council members, any other questions or comments? All right. Very well. Uh, thank you, Randy, and staff for a job well done. And uh but with that the the presentation will be closed. And just to remind everybody again as as Randy had commented on two weeks from tonight on April 27th will be our second reading uh of the proposed budget also be our our

public hearing of the budget and we'll have the joint work session with the school board. So would encourage everybody to tune in or even better uh come and and and sit in with us as the public's business. So we'll move on now to to item I, which is comments of the city manager. Mr. Mayor, I I think you've heard enough from me, so I'm going to I'm going to Okay. Uh thank you, Randy. And we'll move on to our uh council directives. Uh, Genie,

but I always have more to say. Um, tonight I want to pause for just a moment and offer some thanksgivings. This week our community really felt some losses. Um, we remember Margie Whistinger and Sandra Barnes. These are two women um who are mothers of fellow classmates from the class of 87 um who passed um this past week. and the memorial service for Margie was yesterday and Sandra will be tomorrow. Um, they've impacted so many lives in Picosen. And growing up in this community, I am forever reminded at these events how much we're more than just people who, you know, run into each other at Food Lion or or at church. You know, we love each other. Um at both events uh I became a grandmother today for the first time and at those events when people are hugging and offering condolences and at the same time knowing and loving you and welcoming in the next generation which I hope to bring back into Picosen. Um, you know, this is a special community and I want my grandkids to be raised here and I want when my time comes for as many people to remember me for the way I've loved this town as the way that Margie and Sandy have been remembered by this community.

Thank you. Thank you, Jeanie. And congratulations on becoming a grandmother. Thank you. That's a big deal. First time Yes. Yes. Uh Angie,

um I just want to reiterate, so Randy mentioned that the proposed financial plan is available on the website. You can come over um see a physical copy of the library, I believe. Um I really encourage everyone just to take a few moments and read through especially the introduction and the budget interview. It gives you so much context um and really helps paint the picture. And I think this entire financial plan, the way it's put together um and just the the graphs in it and the charts and how it's broken up is really uh readable for a lay person like myself to go through it and at least have some sort of understanding. So, I do encourage you um between now and the next couple of weeks if you have a chance to take a look at it and um kind of learn the context of it. It's very very helpful.

Thank you, Angie. Uh Mr. Sal.

Well, as always, I'm going to run my mouth just a little bit. Okay. Um first off, I'd like to thank everyone out here tonight. Um really appreciate you attending. Invite your friends. more people should pay attention to the city government also attention to the state government and the federal government. I'd also like to thank the people who are at home. Let's invite your friends to turn on their TV sets or come out to the city and pay attention to what's happening. One of the things I really hate and I'll get back to other is it when people complain about something that happened and it happened a year or two ago. It was all it was discussed in public in these very chambers many times and then they say, "Well, I didn't know that. I don't like that." Come pay attention to what we're doing. It's got so you're aware of what we're doing when we do it, not two or three years later and then don't like it. um know why we did it. Uh I made a comment week before last and I apologized last week that I hate politicians. And so last week I I apologized for saying I hate politicians. Okay. But what I did say is I hate it when elected officials because Carrie reminded me weren't necessarily politicians. We were elected officials by the citizens and we are elected to represent the citizens. What I do hate is when the elected officials act like politicians and do things for parties instead of for the citizens of Virginia or the citizens of Pakosen. That doesn't happen in Pakosen. We always look after the citizens of Posen. But there's an election going on right now and it's not for the benefit of the citizens of Virginia, for the benefits of a political party. I urge everybody to vote and I'm going to vote no. Okay. I think everybody should consider what they're going to vote, but everybody should vote. Congratulations on your grand. They're more fun than your kids.

Thank you, Mr. Salaul. Mr. One other comment. Yes, sir. Carrie Freeman said last week, I mean last last meeting that you did not intend to run for election again. Okay. Uh he's done a great service for this city. Uh I also do not intend to run next time for and you and you both have done great service to the city done what I've done. I I think between the two of you y'all have about 46 years combined se several decades

like I've told many people. Okay. My brain still thinks I'm 27. My body knows it's real age and my heart thinks it's 104. Thanks. So there we go. Thank you, Mr. Salaul. Mr. Freeman, I don't have anything else.

Um, I would like to thank the Exchange Club and Jessica Adams for coming out tonight and for bringing awareness to child abuse prevention month and and putting those reminders around in the city for all to be reminded. And also I would like to say congratulations to Mr. Charles Culrron who was appointed to the parks and recovery board this evening. Thank you for your willingness to serve in that capacity. And would also like to thank uh Mr. Bob Sherah who held a position on the board since February 1996. um he was not reappointed um at this time, but someone who served over 30 years um in a position um I think they deserve to be recognized and really want to thank him for serving that amount of time. Um it is an undertaking for our citizens when they serve on you know boards and commissions. The time the commitment and it is appreciated and any time that anyone's interested in serving on a board or commission you can go to our website and you can see what's available and it's very user friendly to put in an application. And if you have any questions about any of the boards and commissions you can also call the city manager's office and um they're very help you and answer any questions. So thanks to all and thanks all um to all who are here tonight and I have

well thank you Debbie I appreciate that and wanted to thank Miss Alaster Barefoot and Miss Jen Canela for their IT support ladies couldn't have the meetings without y'all so we very much appreciate that and also wanted to give a shout out to two very special uh members of staff and council uh who weren't able to be here tonight. I like to do this because it it's a a very rare occasion uh for us to have absences. Uh but just want to give a shout out to our assistant city manager. I know she's watching from home. Uh Miss Tanya O'Connell. Uh look forward to having her back at the next meeting. And Councilman Keith Fi. uh he is out of state tonight uh taking care of uh family and uh with his level of dedication and Tanya's level of dedication. I just want to give a special shout out to to Tanya and Keith and uh remind them how much we miss them, how much we appreciate them, and uh look forward to having them back with us uh at the next council meeting. And want to thank in advance our city attorney, Mr. Wayne Moore. Uh he's going to give us some legal counsel in just a few minutes when we go into close session. So, Mr. Moore, thank you in advance for for your your guidance and your your your constant oversight. Uh always much appreciated. So, with that, we'll move on to item K on our agenda, uh which is a close session pursuant to section 2.2-3711. 2-3711 A7 of the code of Virginia from 1950 as amended to consult with the city attorney pertaining to pending litication. We have a motion

move second. Uh thank you Christie. Vice Mayor Bunting I. Councilwoman EMTT I councilman Freeman. Hi. Councilman Southhaul. Hi. Councilwoman Huard. Hi. Mayor Ho. Hi. Mr. Mayor of 6. Thank you. We're now in close session.

Right. We will move on to item L on the agenda which is reconvenement and certification of the closed session. Do we have a motion and a second? Mr. Mayor, I move we to uh propose a regulation that uh we only talked about what we said we were going to talk about and didn't talk about any other stuff.

Second. Thank you. Any questions or comments? Okay, Christie. Councilwoman EMTT. I. Councilwoman Hover. Hi. Councilman South Hall. I. Vice Mayor Bunting. I. Councilman Freeman. Hi, Councilman Hu. Hi. I'm sorry, Mayor Hu. That's close enough. First, thank you, Christie. You're welcome. Uh, and with that, we'll move on to item M, adjournment. Do we have a motion in a second? Thank you, Christie. Vice Mayor Bunting, I. Councilman Southhall, I. Council Freeman, I. Councilwoman Huard, I. Councilwoman EMTT, I. Mayor Hugs, I. Mr. Mr. Mayor, the motion by a vote of 6 to zero.

Thank you, Christie. We arejourned. Amen.