Civic Issues

Zoning hearing covering HEA 1001

City officials reviewed House Enrolled Act 1001, a new state law designed to speed up housing construction and remove local roadblocks like certain building requirements. The law requires municipalities to review their development ordinances and report housing data to the state.

SR 44 Sun Energy Farms PUD subdivision (Forestar)

The City Council rejected the rezoning the Forestar solar-farm subdivision needed, and the plat docket died with it. The developer can't refile for a year, so this stretch of SR 44 stays as-is for now.

Historic Downtown District request — 23 E. Washington St.

Two downtown businesses got sign approvals within the Historic Downtown District's size and design rules. The RootFolk Society's photography studio at 23 E. Washington St. will mount gold floating letters into the mortar, preserving the historic brick.

Anti-monotony standard for subdivisions

The board began discussing Martinsville's residential zones and subdivision rules to see if changes are needed to encourage more housing. Commissioners agreed to study Chapter 14 of the zoning code and resume the conversation in November.

Historic downtown building remodel and business signage

Two downtown buildings got remodel approvals — First Christian Church and the Boren Oliver & Coffey building — while a third at 65 W. Morgan St. stalled again over missing design drawings.

Ethics, Nepotism and Council Procedure Resolutions

Four new rules are in the works: a policy on buying meals with city funds, updated council meeting procedures, required ethics training, and nepotism/conflict-of-interest procedures. All come back October 26.

Sewer Bill Adjustments

Four property owners got credits on sewer bills, including a $3,257.52 adjustment for a Harriet Street leak that ran unnoticed for about six weeks.

489 E. Walnut St. unsafe building

The owner won't respond to certified letters or let inspectors inside — the latest letter is literally stuck in Houston, Texas. The city will try again and invite him to next month's meeting.

Street paving project bids

The four blocks around the courthouse square are getting milled and repaved, with the city splitting the $228,780 cost with Morgan County. The city's $114,390 share comes from the stormwater fund.

Maple Hills subdivision rezone (159 lots on SR 252/44)

A question was raised about a potential new housing development by Four Star on property between State Roads 252 and 44.

TIF revenue and No Pass Through decision

The commission finally got its TIF disbursement, so there's actual money to work with again after months of just covering bond interest. Members are eyeing the wish list — including possibly paying cash for the Southview Drive park down the road.

Park department staffing and salary ordinance

The park board sets pay for everyone who works at Martinsville's parks — from lifeguards and concession workers up to the superintendent. The 2027 plan keeps seasonal pay modest ($13-$18.25/hour) and full-time staff get health insurance, retirement contributions, sick-day buyback, and longevity pay. It shapes who the park department can attract and retain.

2027 Salary Ordinances

The salary ordinance sets pay for city employees and appointed officials for 2026, with this amendment focused on hourly rates for clerk positions across several departments. It passed on first reading after a public hearing with no public input.

M.E.T. theatre management transfer to Arts Council

The city-run theater needs roughly $40,000 in equipment — including an encrypted DCI-compliant projector so Disney films stop losing money — plus foyer speakers and sound upgrades. The commission approved moving $75,000 to cover it and is working on shifting the theater to a nonprofit by around June to escape State Board of Accounts and Board of Works restrictions.

City Financial Health Report

The mayor reported record building fee revenue of about $191,547 in 2025 and estimated the recent snowstorm cost the city about $25,000 in labor, salt and sand. Both are early-year signs of growth and weather costs on the city budget.

TIF district additions deferred to June

The commission plans to evaluate adding properties to the TIF district this summer, since changes can capture value back to the start of the year and should be finalized before year-end.

Parks and Recreation Master Plan

The consultants behind the park's five-year master plan are wrapping up input, with a site visit and focus group at the park on May 7.

2025 Annual Report on TIF spending and projects

The RDC's year in review: the arts theater is finished and paid off, downtown gained new parking, sidewalks went in, and a skate park could be next pending FEMA approvals. Cash reserves are low after big spending.

Traffic study at Ohio and Ruth Rusie Drive

The area around Ohio Street and Ruth Rusie Drive is getting busy fast — a new Turkey Hill, a coffee shop, restaurants, and a 160-home subdivision nearby. The commission approved a $3,900 study so the city knows what road improvements might be needed and can show developers the groundwork is done.

Attorney's report from Joseph Gaunt

City redevelopment attorney Joseph Gaunt was scheduled to give his regular legal update. In past meetings his reports have covered TIF-related matters.

Home for the Holidays Christmas Parade Route

Trick-or-Treating Street Closures

A resident asked to close East Washington Street between Sycamore and North Second for trick-or-treating on October 31. The board liked the idea but wants the organizer present to answer questions about traffic control and neighbors' access before approving it.

Legendary Hills Lift Station Bids

The city has never had a proper access road to the lower lift station and has been using a family's private driveway. A new concrete road with a retaining wall is planned, and the lone bid comes in around $47,000.

OCRA Stormwater Grant Application

The city is chasing a $750,000 state grant to fix undersized, flooding storm sewers on six streets, putting up about $2.7 million locally. Third try for this grant — the priority statement helps score points.

Flock license-plate camera program

The police department briefed the board on the city's six Flock cameras, which read plates for investigations, traffic enforcement, and missing-person alerts. The contract has lapsed and an $18,000 annual renewal came into question at the council — expect more discussion before any renewal decision.

Flock Camera Agreement

The police department briefed the board on the city's six Flock cameras, which read plates for investigations, traffic enforcement, and missing-person alerts. The contract has lapsed and an $18,000 annual renewal came into question at the council — expect more discussion before any renewal decision.

Humane society animal control contract

A councilor asked whether the city is still getting animal control service under its $30,000 annual contract with the humane society, given reports the shelter is overcrowded and the county hasn't been paying.

2027 City Budget

The proposed budget spends 2.47% less than this year and projects a surplus, with the city starting to build cash reserves for the first time. Final revenue numbers come from the state in August.

Tulip Drive Real Estate Purchase

The city has been maintaining Tulip Drive for years without owning it. The council bought it from the landowner for $7,500, in line with appraisals.

Downtown speed limits

A councilor asked about slowing traffic around the square after a near-miss, suggesting a 15 mph limit. Deputy Chief Brown will deploy the speed trailer to collect data.

Downtown lease for clerk-treasurer's office

The city will keep renting the lower level at 60 East Morgan Street for the clerk-treasurer's office, but at a lower price — $3,400 a month for a year starting October 1. That's real savings on rent for taxpayers.

Levee project lawsuit settlement

The city has turned in all the paperwork to FEMA to recertify the levee, which would help residents drop flood insurance. Federal shutdowns keep delaying the review; the city has asked Senator Banks' office for help.

Traffic study ordered

The agenda notes a traffic study has been ordered, though no discussion appears in the recording.

SR 44 Water & Sewer Extension design expansion

A roughly 160-home subdivision off State Road 44 is coming, with the county chipping in $1.5 million of ARPA money to extend water and sewer. The work must finish by November 30 or the funds disappear, and Reading Sun is the winning bidder.

Aging pool and splash pad infrastructure

The 30-year-old pool's dive well had a leak from settling clay crushing a return pipe; it's repaired, but officials warn more leaks are likely and the pool's future should be discussed in the five-year master plan. A costly VFD fan repair on the main pool pump is also pending.

Park maintenance equipment and pond conditions

The pond's reconstruction wasn't done properly, causing a drainage issue that will be expensive to fix. The parks department can't cover it, so the board will have to ask City Council for extra money.

Sunrise Yoga venue selection

The board was set to decide where the Sunrise Yoga program will be held. Program location can affect accessibility and park usage.

Joint training session with City Council and BZA

The commission wants a strong turnout for a late-September joint training meeting with the City Council and Board of Zoning Appeals, led by a retiring state planning expert. Members say it's the last chance to learn from her before she retires in November.

Comprehensive Plan update discussion

Commissioner Richard Durnal flagged that some rezoning petitions this year don't match the future land use map, which hasn't been updated in about four years. The commission agreed to raise it at the joint training session instead of a separate executive meeting.

Penny rounding procedures

New procedures let cash transactions be rounded to the nearest penny, reflecting the phase-out of penny distribution.

Maple Hills subdivision fire-safety concerns

The proposed 159-lot Maple Hills PUD off State Road 44 is delayed again because of worries about houses built only 10 feet apart. Fire Chief Green wants staggered front setbacks and wants to recheck with the fire marshal before the council votes.

North Sycamore Street parking and pedestrian safety

Parking on both sides of Sycamore between Harrison and Cunningham has gotten dangerous, with kids crossing between cars. The police chief will be asked to review it and report back.

Downtown street closures for Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Spectacular

Downtown streets will close December 5-6 for the Bobby Helms Christmas festival and tree lighting, including a Santa barn delivered Saturday morning. Residents and businesses along Morgan, Jefferson and Pike Streets should expect closures from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and notice from the organizers at least 48 hours ahead.

Cashless and electronic payment procedures

The city still mails paper checks for utility bills, which sometimes misses net-15 deadlines. Electronic payments will speed things up without changing who approves what.

65 W. Morgan St. unsafe structure

Bricks falling out, windows open, holes in the walls — neighbors are dealing with a deteriorating building that anyone can enter. The board gave the owner 30 days to board it up or the city steps in and liens the property.

Unsafe and blighted properties across Martinsville

A resident handed the board a list of about a dozen structures he says are open to the elements and animals, and the board is tracking six known problem properties. How fast owners repair — or whether the city has to spend money demolishing — affects neighborhood safety and property values.

599 E. Morgan St. restaurant grease trap and roof

A grease trap behind the Morgan Street building is caving in and has clogged the city's alley sewer main for years, forcing repeated city repairs. Strader will get the water department involved.

Doris Daily Park shelter fire

Someone pried open an outlet box on the Venue stage trying to scrap wiring and cut an irrigation line — both repaired by staff.

Hill Mower for Park Grounds

The parks department needs a new mower; the affordable option is $18,555 but the mayor prefers a $40,000-plus model the budget may not support. Grant research continues for a month.

Citywide ordinance code cleanup

The city is cleaning up its code by repealing an old open-burning rule (Chapter 66) that was replaced by the newer fire ordinance two years ago. The newer rules carry stronger penalties for violations.