City of Colonial Heights

The meeting agenda included several key items for discussion and action. A first reading of an ordinance (No. 26-5) was held to amend the duties and responsibilities of the Youth Services Commission, allowing for more flexible committee creation. A second reading and approval of Ordinance No. 26-FIN-2 took place to transfer $42,500 from Nondepartmental funds to General & Financial Administration to support an employee compensation and classification study initiated during the annual retreat. The City Manager provided a general activity report, including updates on City Holidays and upcoming community events. Furthermore, a summary of Planning Boards & Commission activities was presented, noting the Planning Commission's review and recommendation regarding an ordinance on recreational substances.

Key discussions during this regular meeting included the first reading of an ordinance amending the duties of the Youth Services Commission to allow for flexible committee creation. The Council also considered the second reading of an ordinance to transfer $42,500 in General Fund budget from Nondepartmental to General & Financial Administration to fund an employee compensation and classification study. Reports were provided by the City Manager, including updates on scheduled city activities and a statement regarding pending 2024 and 2025 fiscal year audits, with estimated completion dates in March 2026 and June 2026, respectively. The Planning & Community Development report noted the Planning Commission's public hearing on recreational substance definitions and standards.

The retreat focused on establishing goals and objectives categorized under four strategic pillars: Distinctive and Vibrant Community, Strong Financial Stability, Transformational & Forward Thinking, and Operational Excellence. Key financial actions included following up on Cigarette Tax enforcement and providing breakdowns of Business License costs. Community discussions covered the need for fencing and trees along the Fall Line Trail Route, overhauling code enforcement, formulating a beautification plan, and developing a comprehensive signage strategy. Road project actions involved reviewing drainage issues before paving and beginning manhole cover repairs. Financial stability topics included discussions on the property tax rate breakdown, utility rate reviews (with a decision to halt the planned FY 26 utility rate increases), and revisions to the process for requiring payment of past-due amounts before permit or license approvals. Transformational topics included developing an RFP for a comprehensive master plan and exploring options for repurposing the Violet Bank structure. Operational excellence items included support for conducting a Compensation/Classification study and reviewing the City Charter and various ordinances.

The Special Meeting of the City Council commenced with a closed session conducted under provisions of the Code of Virginia. Discussions during the closed session concerned appointments to the Advisory Board to City Council, the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, and the Virginia's Gateway Region Board of Directors. Additionally, the closed session addressed the potential acquisition of two parcels of real property zoned Boulevard Business and Planned Unit Development, where open discussion could negatively affect negotiating strategy. Following the closed session, the Council reconvened into open session and unanimously certified that only lawfully exempted public business matters were discussed. The subsequent open session involved the approval of several resolutions pertaining to appointments for the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, the Virginia's Gateway Region, and the Advisory Board to City Council. The meeting concluded with an adjournment motion.

The Planning Commission meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the preceding regular meeting held on February 3, 2026. A section detailed the manner of addressing the Commission by the public, including time limits. The key discussion item was a public hearing concerning PC Resolution No 26-01; Ordinance No 26-3, which proposes amending Chapter 286, Zoning, of the Colonial Heights City Code by modifying definitions and standards related to recreational substances and recreational substances, retail, which was subsequently approved. Reports were received from the Chairman, other Planning Commission Members, and the Directors of Planning and Community Development, Public Works and Engineering, as well as updates from the City Manager and City Attorney. The meeting concluded with adjournment.