Martinsville city, VA

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will meet on October 21, 2026, to conduct routine business. The agenda includes the approval of minutes from the September 16, 2026, meeting and a discussion regarding the commission's by-laws with the City Attorney.

• Approval of September 16, 2026, meeting minutes
• Review and discussion of PC by-laws with City Attorney

City Council

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

Tree Board

City Council

Martinsville City Council meets Wednesday, October 7, 2026, starting with a 5:30pm closed session to discuss appointments to the Youth Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, and legal authority for boards and commissions. The regular session at 7pm includes a second-reading vote on an ARC grant, routine approval of September 22, 2026 minutes, and proclamations for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and year-end reviews from the Tree Board and Transportation Safety Commission. Public comment is allowed on city business not already on the agenda, with sign-up required by noon the day before.

• Second reading and vote on an ARC grant
• Closed session on Youth Advisory Committee interviews and Planning Commission appointments
• Proclamation honoring October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, presented to Ella Wickham of Wigs Unlimited
• Tree Board and Transportation Safety Commission end-of-year reviews
• Consent agenda: approval of September 22, 2026 City Council meeting minutes

City Council

Martinsville City Council and the School Board meet in a joint work session at 6pm in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. The agenda lists four discussion topics: an update on the current state of Parks and Recreation, an update on the School-Based Health Center, discussion of the 1% Sales Tax "Penny Tax", and preparation for the upcoming budget and budget priorities. The agenda states that no official action by the City Council or School Board is anticipated at this time.

• Joint work session with the School Board, 6pm, Council Chambers, Municipal Building
• Update on Current State of Parks and Recreation
• Update on School-Based Health Center
• Discussion of 1% Sales Tax "Penny Tax"
• Preparing for Upcoming Budget and Budget Priorities

Tree Board

City Council

The Martinsville City Council will enter a closed session to discuss a potential building acquisition, a show-cause order involving litigation, and an owner-representation request for proposals. After returning to open session, the council will hear reports from boards and staff, consider consent items including fund appropriations, and vote on rescheduling the October 13 meeting.

• Closed session: acquisition/disposition of real property (potential building acquisition)
• Closed session: legal consultation on Show-Cause Order litigation
• Closed session: investment of public funds re: Owner-Representation RFP
• Consent: Resolution appropriating funds for SALT/TRIAD Grant
• Consent: Resolution appropriating funds for Police Department capital expenditure

City Council

The Martinsville City Council will hold a special meeting on September 21, 2026. The agenda includes a demolition and inspections update from the Community Development department and a citizen Q&A session.

• Demolition & Inspections Update by Community Development

Planning Commission

Tree Board

The Martinsville City Tree Board is meeting to discuss routine business, including approval of previous meeting minutes, introduction of a new schools representative, an update on the street tree inventory, and social media development. No major decisions or public hearings are listed.

• Approval of previous meeting minutes
• Introduction of Martinsville City Schools Tree Board Representative
• Update on Street Tree Inventory
• Social Media Development

City Council

The Martinsville City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the 'Martinsville Momentum' Comprehensive Plan. The meeting also includes discussions on an arts and culture master plan, emergency operations, and a special election for the Sheriff position.

• Public hearing for 'Martinsville Momentum' Comprehensive Plan
• Adoption of the City of Martinsville Arts and Culture Master Plan
• Amendment of the City's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
• Adoption of a Cash Reserve Policy for Refuse, Water/Wastewater, and Electric funds
• Authorization for a special election for Sheriff in November 2027

City Council approved the state-mandated 'Martinsville Momentum' Comprehensive Plan and the Arts and Culture Master Plan. The council also adopted a new cash reserve policy for enterprise funds and authorized a special election for Sheriff.

• Approved 'Martinsville Momentum' Comprehensive Plan (5-0)
• Approved Arts and Culture Master Plan (5-0)
• Approved amendments to Emergency Operations Plan (5-0)
• Adopted Cash Reserve Policy for Refuse, Water/Wastewater, and Electric Enterprise Funds (5-0)
• Authorized City Attorney to petition for a special Sheriff election on Nov 2, 2027 (4-0)
• Approved appointments for Roxanne Reeves and Olivia Garrett to city boards
• Approved consent agenda including fund appropriations for Harvest PUP Grant and Capital Projects (5-0)

Tree Board

CPMT

The Martinsville City and Henry County Community Policy and Management Teams will hold a joint meeting to review child welfare cases, approve funding reports, and discuss staffing changes. The agenda includes closed sessions for specific case reviews and expenditures, as well as open discussions on local implementation team follow-ups and FAPT appointments. No new ordinances or major budget items are listed, focusing instead on procedural and case-specific reviews.

• Review of therapeutic foster care placement expenditures over $6,500/month
• Review of case expenditures over $7,000/month
• Appointment of Mayra Chavez to FAPT for both Martinsville City and Henry County
• Addition of Dr. Star Hughes as primary CPMT member for Henry County Public Schools
• Discussion of Local Implementation Team follow-up items including EBP training and Family First Funding Access

City Council

The Martinsville City Council will hold a regular session with several key items: a briefing on the finalized Arts and Culture Master Plan, a second reading of an ordinance accepting an Economic Development Authority grant, and a public hearing on ARC grant appropriations for MiNet. The council will also consider, in its capacity as the Redevelopment and Housing Authority, extending a commitment letter for the Aaron Street Lofts affordable housing project to November 30, 2026. The meeting includes proclamations for Hispanic Heritage Month and National Recovery Month, plus updates from the Planning Commission and Public Works.

• Briefing on finalized Arts and Culture Master Plan
• Ordinance No. 2026-17: EDA grant, second reading
• Public hearing on Ordinance No. 2026-18: ARC grant for MiNet, first reading
• Resolution to extend Aaron Street Lofts commitment letter to Nov 30, 2026
• Proclamations for Hispanic Heritage Month and National Recovery Month

The Martinsville City Council approved Ordinance 2026-17 on second reading, accepting a grant for the Economic Development Authority to continue remediation at 51 Lester. The council also approved first reading of an ARC grant for MiNet fiber expansion, and approved an extension of the commitment letter for the Aaron Street Lofts affordable housing project. The meeting included proclamations, updates from the Planning Commission and Public Works, and a briefing on the Arts and Culture Master Plan.

• Approved Ordinance 2026-17, EDA grant for 51 Lester remediation (5-0)
• Approved Ordinance 2026-18, ARC grant for MiNet fiber expansion, first reading (5-0)
• Approved extension of commitment letter for Aaron Street Lofts affordable housing project to Nov 30, 2026 (5-0)
• Advanced Comprehensive Plan to City Council approval (Planning Commission unanimous)

Planning Commission

Transportation Safety Commission

The Martinsville Transportation Safety Commission is meeting to approve June minutes and receive updates on old business, including traffic signs, stop sign lights, and a sidewalk hazard. They will also hear staff reports from the police and public works departments. The agenda is largely routine updates with no major new decisions.

• Dollar Tree exit signs awaiting installation
• Cleveland/Brown: red flashing light on stop sign proposed
• Mulberry/Rives: stop bar lines needed
• A Street/2nd Street: No Parking sign to be placed
• Moss Street sidewalk uneven, safety hazard for mobility-impaired

City Council

The Martinsville City Council will meet on August 11, 2026, starting with a closed session to discuss personnel matters, including the City Attorney position and board applications. The regular session will include a proclamation for National Farmer's Market Month, an update from the Blue Ridge Library, and a vote on a resolution adopting the official city seal. Council will also hold a public hearing and consider an ordinance to appropriate funds for the Economic Development Authority.

• Closed session to discuss personnel, including the City Attorney position and board applications
• Proclamation honoring August as National Farmer's Market Month
• Resolution adopting the official City of Martinsville seal
• Public hearing and vote on Ordinance 2026-17, a grant appropriation for the Economic Development Authority
• Approval of July 28, 2026 meeting minutes

The Martinsville City Council unanimously appointed James Benkahla as City Attorney and approved his employment agreement, with the mayor authorized to sign. The council also made several board appointments, adopted the official city seal, and approved the first reading of an ordinance granting funds to the Economic Development Authority. All votes were 5-0.

• Appointed James Benkahla as City Attorney and approved his employment agreement (5-0)
• Appointed Melvin Venable to the Planning Commission, term ending 12/31/2030 (5-0)
• Appointed Charles Hill and Tony Davis to the Arts and Cultural Commission, term ending 12/31/2029 (5-0)
• Approved resolution adopting the Official Seal of the City of Martinsville (5-0)
• Approved first reading of Ordinance 2026-17, grant appropriation for Economic Development Authority (5-0)
• Approved July 28, 2026 meeting minutes (5-0)

Tree Board

The Martinsville Tree Board will convene in Room 208 at the Municipal Building to discuss and approve meeting minutes, next steps for the city’s tree strategy, a social media update, and review of the approved tree palette. The board will also prepare a presentation for the Planning Commission.

• Discussion and approval of meeting minutes
• Tree Strategy Next Steps
• Social Media Update
• Review and approval of Tree Palette
• Planning Commission Presentation Preparation

CPMT

The Community Policy and Management Team will conduct joint business reviews including a new contract approval for Beegins With You. The meeting includes discussions on CSA funding reports, parent representative applicants, and various case reviews in closed session.

• New contract approval for Beegins With You
• FAPT Parent Representative Applicant: Wyvette Dillard
• Review of therapeutic foster care expenditures over $6,500/Mo
• Review of case expenditures over $7,000/Mo
• Approval of CSA funding reports and requests

City Council

The Martinsville City Council will meet to discuss rezoning 59 parcels and an ordinance for water/wastewater design. The session includes a closed meeting regarding the City Attorney position and a briefing on a requested new hire.

• Rezoning of 59 parcels generally located along Liberty Street and York Street (Ordinance No. 2026-16)
• Ordinance No. 2026-13 appropriating for Water/Wastewater Design
• Youth Advisory Committee request to apply for Project Hope Grant for Community Care Baskets
• Closed session regarding the City Attorney position
• Briefing from City Manager on requested hiring of new position

The Martinsville City Council approved on second reading an ordinance (No. 2026-16) to rezone 59 parcels along Liberty and York Streets, and also approved an ordinance (No. 2026-13) appropriating funds for water/wastewater design. The consent agenda, including meeting minutes, an appropriations resolution, and a Youth Advisory Committee grant request, was approved. The council also certified its closed session, which discussed the City Attorney position, and received updates from the Planning Commission and City Manager.

• Approved Ordinance No. 2026-16 rezoning 59 parcels along Liberty and York Streets (5-0).
• Approved Ordinance No. 2026-13 appropriating for water/wastewater design (5-0).
• Approved consent agenda including July 14 minutes, appropriations resolution, and Youth Advisory Committee grant request (5-0).
• Certified closed session regarding City Attorney position (5-0).

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will consider draft ordinance amendments addressing blight and derelict buildings, as well as automobile graveyards and junkyards. The commission will also prepare an update to present to the City Council on July 28, 2026. These items are listed under New Business on the agenda.

• Draft ordinance amendment – Blight and Derelict Buildings
• Draft ordinance amendment – Automobile Graveyards and Junkyards
• Preparation of update for City Council meeting on July 28, 2026

City Council

The Martinsville City Council will discuss several items, including a letter of support for the SMART Scale Project on Commonwealth Blvd, Liberty Street, and Market Street. Council members will consider a resolution to place a referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot for an additional one‑percent local sales and use tax to fund school capital projects. Public hearings will be held on the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-13 for water and wastewater design funding and Ordinance No. 2026-16 to rezone 59 parcels along Liberty Street and York Street. Routine consent items such as approval of recent meeting minutes and a grant request for up to $50,000 for kudzu removal are also on the agenda.

• Reimbursement grant request up to $50,000 for Virginia Department of Forestry kudzu removal
• Letter of support (resolution) for VDOT SMART Scale Project on Commonwealth Blvd, Liberty St, Market St
• Resolution to place a referendum for an additional 1% sales and use tax for school capital projects on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot
• Public hearing on first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-13 appropriating funds for water/wastewater design
• Public hearing on first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-16 rezoning 59 parcels along Liberty St and York St

City Council approved a resolution to place a one percent local sales and use tax referendum on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The council also approved a SMART Scale project support letter and two ordinances on first reading regarding water/wastewater design and rezoning.

• Approved referendum for 1% local sales and use tax for school capital projects (4-0)
• Approved letter of support for VDOT SMART Scale Project on Commonwealth Blvd, Liberty Street, and Market Street (4-0)
• Approved first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-13 appropriating for water/wastewater design (4-0)
• Approved first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-16 rezoning 59 parcels along Liberty Street and York Street (4-0)
• Approved consent agenda including June meeting minutes, a kudzu removal grant application up to $50,000, and 1.5% COLA funds (4-0)

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority will hold a closed session to discuss business expansions and property acquisitions. In the regular session, the board will consider a consultant contract for a $50,000 grant and a $500 fee for a leadership scholarship.

• Proposed contract for a $50,000 Virginia Housing Community Engagement grant for 51 Lester
• Board approval for a $500 outstanding fee for Eric Payne's VRLI scholarship
• Request for $525 VEDA Cornerstone Membership fee for Eric Payne
• Closed session updates on Commonwealth Dual – Brand Hotel, National Guard Armory, and Adaptive Reuse Project
• Input on appointments for EDA Board terms expiring September 2026

City Council

The City Council is holding a special meeting to enter a closed session for legal consultation. The discussion pertains to a Facility Show-Cause Order. The council will return to open session to take any necessary actions resulting from the executive session.

• Closed session regarding Facility Show-Cause Order

The Martinsville City Council approved an amendment to the Mosely Group professional services agreement, authorizing the schematic design phase and allowing the City Manager to execute the documents (4‑1). The council also approved a motion to call to question (4‑1) and certified the earlier closed‑session proceedings (4‑1). A resolution on transferring information from former legal counsel was tabled until new counsel is secured (5‑0). The meeting was then adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

• Approved amendment to Mosely Group professional services agreement to begin schematic design phase (4-1)
• Approved motion to call to question (4-1)
• Certified closed‑session proceedings (4-1)
• Tabled resolution on transference of information from former legal counsel (5-0)
• Approved motion to go into closed session (4-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Tree Board

CPMT

The Community Policy and Management Team will discuss funding reports and case reviews for foster care, IEPs, and residential placements. The body will also address FY27 funding for foster care cases and potential policy changes regarding protected and denied funds.

• Review of therapeutic foster care expenditures over $6,500 per month
• Review of case expenditures over $7,000 per month
• Discussion of FY27 funding for foster care cases
• Proposed policy changes to Protected Funds (4.5.1) and Denial of Funds (4.6)
• Removal of Jonathan Martin and Emily Taylor as representatives for Henry County

City Council

The Martinsville City Council will review actions taken in the closed session and then move to the regular session. Council members will consider a resolution appropriating funds and discuss approval of the FY 2026-27 budget on its second reading. The meeting also includes presentations of several proclamations and updates from the Planning Commission and Police Department.

• Resolution Appropriating Funds (no amount specified)
• Second reading approval of FY 2026-27 Budget
• Take any action necessary as a result of the executive session
• Proclamations honoring Independence Day, National Safety Month, and NLC National Small Cities Month
• Planning Commission update

The council approved a special‑called meeting for June 30 to discuss a show‑cause order (5‑0). It appointed Yani Smith and Nekia Blackwell to the School Board for terms ending June 30, 2029 (5‑0). The FY 26‑27 budget ordinance was adopted on second reading (3‑2). Appropriations and an Aaron Mills extension request were also approved unanimously.

• Approved special‑called meeting for June 30 to discuss show‑cause order (5‑0)
• Appointed Yani Smith to School Board, term to 6/30/2029 (5‑0)
• Appointed Nekia Blackwell to School Board, term to 6/30/2029 (5‑0)
• Adopted FY 26‑27 budget ordinance on second reading (3‑2)
• Approved appropriations resolution (5‑0)
• Approved Aaron Mills extension request resolution (5‑0)

Planning Commission

Tree Board

The Tree Board is holding a workshop to review urban forestry strategies. The body will discuss the city's current work capacity and potential financial and administrative support. The meeting includes determining a city tree canopy goal.

• Discussion of city's current capacity for urban forestry work
• Review of potential financial and administrative support opportunities
• Determination of the City Tree Canopy Goal
• Project startup funded by the Virginia Department of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry Program

Tree Board

The Tree Board will meet to discuss the tree strategy budget and identify priority focus areas. The board will also prepare guidance for the June 12 GIC meeting.

• Discussion of tree strategy budget and priority focus areas
• Preparation for the June 12 GIC meeting

City Council

The City Council will discuss the first reading of the FY 26-27 Budget and a rezoning request for property along Chatham Heights Road and Bob Gregory Street. The body will also consider a resolution for a CDBG Planning Grant application for the Lester Family YMCA.

• First reading of the FY 26-27 Budget
• Ordinance No. 2026-9: Rezoning 13.05 acres at Chatham Heights Road and Bob Gregory Street to Residential Transitional (Second Reading)
• Resolution supporting a CDBG Planning Grant application for the Lester Family YMCA
• Closed session regarding School Board interviews and Boards and Commissions applicants
• Closed session regarding a Facility Show-Cause Order

The City Council approved several board appointments, a property rezoning, and a YMCA grant resolution. The Budget Ordinance for FY 26-27 was also approved on its first reading.

• Appointed Dr. Suzanne Ballard to the Arts and Cultural Commission (4-0)
• Appointed Joseph Martin to the Planning Commission (5-0)
• Appointed Brenell Thomas to the Planning Commission (5-0)
• Appointed Johnathan Martin to the Planning Commission (5-0)
• Approved rezoning of 13.05 acres at Chatham Heights Road and Bob Gregory Street (5-0)
• Approved resolution supporting CDBG planning grant for Lester Family YMCA (5-0)
• Approved FY 26-27 Budget Ordinance on first reading (3-2)

City Council

The City Council will hold a special meeting featuring a closed session to interview prospective candidates for the City School Board. The council will return to open session to take any necessary actions resulting from the executive session.

• Interviews for City School Board candidates

The council voted 3‑0 to enter a closed session at 5:30 pm. After discussion, the council certified the closed session with a 4‑0 vote. Council also took a 30‑minute recess at 5 pm.

• Motion to enter closed session approved (3‑0)
• Closed session certification approved (4‑0)
• 30‑minute recess taken at 5 pm

CPMT

The Community Policy and Management Team will consider consent agenda items, approve CSA funding reports and funding requests, and conduct closed‑session reviews of foster‑care and related case expenditures. Old business such as accounts payable registers and safe‑family reports will be addressed. A joint new‑business item will update the DSS Placement Log policy. The meeting will conclude with adjournments for both jurisdictions.

• Approve CSA funding reports for Martinsville and Henry County
• Approve CSA funding requests for Martinsville and Henry County
• Review therapeutic foster care placement expenditures over $6,500 per month
• Review case expenditures over $7,000 per month
• Joint new business: update DSS Placement Log policy