On the agenda: Emporia meeting — Flock Safety (Jan 20)

MINUTES
PLANNING COMMISSION JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF EMPORIA MUNICIPAL BUILDING
SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
Note to Reader: Although the printed agenda document for this City Council
meeting is not part of these minutes, the agenda document provides background
information on the items discussed by the City Council during the meeting. A
copy of the agenda document for this meeting may be obtained by contacting the
Office of the City Clerk.

Emporia City Council held a Joint meeting with the Planning Commission on Wednesday,
September 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, located at
201 South Main Street, Emporia, Dr. Carolyn S. Carey, Mayor of Council, presided over the meeting

with Council Member Threat offering the invocation.

ROLL CALL

The following City Council members were present:
Councilman Mark S. Lilly
Councilman James C. Saunders
Councilwoman Carol Mercer
Councilwoman L. Dale Temple
Councilman Clifton Threat
Others present:
Dr. Carolyn S. Carey, Mayor
William E. Johnson III, City Manager
Tessie S. Wilkins, City Clerk
Beverly Walkup, Planning and Zoning Interim
Absent:
Councilwoman Doris T. White
Councilwoman Yolanda Hines
The following Planning Commission members were present:
Mr. Michael Allen
Mr. John Kinsey
Mr. Linwood Pope
Mr. Harrell Pratt
Mr. William Robinson

CITY OP EMPORIA
BUILDING/FIRE INSPECTIONS REPORT
CALENDAR YEAR 2025
During the year of 2025 the following activities have taken place:
PERMITS:
New residential homes

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New commercial Buildings
Residential Remodel/alteration
Commercial Alteration
Trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical)
New tenant/Existing building
Miscellaneous/Elevator
Accessary Structure/Pool
Demolition
General Building
Land Disturbance
Signs
Fire Protection
Tents/Amusement Devices
Fireworks
Water/sewer taps
Hood Suppression

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30
32
129
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4
25
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4
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Total

250

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Fees collected:

$29,890

Fees waived (Enterprise):

$70,175

Total Fees:

$100,065

Inspections completed for Building permits:

403

Emporia Police Department
Troy Hawkins
Chief of Police
thawkins@emporiapolice1�ug

Monthly Police Report
December 2025

310 Budd Street
Emporia, VA 23847
Website: bllp__&;/J.www&i,[email protected]/26..3.l.e..o.Y1te:De1uu.tmtm.t

CITY OF EMPORIA SHERIFF'S OFFICE
401-D S Main Street
Emporia, Virginia 23847
Phone: 434-634-4671

DAMEON D. WHITE, SHERIFF
January 1, 2026

TO:

FROM:
RE:

The Honorable Mayor of the City of Emporia
Honorable Members of the City Council
Honorable City Manager

£)___ D. i-L�

Dameon D. White, Sheriff for the City of Emporia
Monthly Progress Report
December 2025

The Emporia City Sheriff's Office performed the following duties for the month of

December 2025: FEES COLLECTED_.-_$0.00; TIME SPENT IN COURTS-117 HOURS;
CIVIL PAPERS SERVED - 232. Civil Papers served are broken down as follows:
Child Support Enforcement- 4
Garnishments- 10
Notice of Hearing-7
Protective Orders- 2
Show Cause-7
Subpoena Duces Tecum-0
Subpoena for Witness -133
Summons for Unlawful Detainer-8
General District Court Summons -2
Juvenile & Domestic Summons-14
Summons to Answer Interrogatories -14
Transportation Orders- 5
Warrant in Debt-17
Warrant in Detinue- 6
Writ of Eviction-1
Writ of Possession & Fieri Facias - 2
Writ of Fieri Facias - O

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Memorandum
January 15, 2026

TO:

The Honorable Mayor and City Council

FROM:

William E. Johnson, III, City Manager

SUBJECT:

Public Hearing- Code Amendment Section 74-1.1 - Enforcement of
Vehicle Size and Weight; Participation in DMV Locality Disbursement
Program

ITEM:

Public Hearing - 1

A public hearing is being held this evening on the proposed ordinance amending the
Emporia City Code to add Section 74-1.1, authorizing vehicle size and weight enforcement
under §46.2-1137 of the Code of Virginia and allowing the City of Emporia to participate
in the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Locality Weight Enforcement
Disbursement Program.
The purpose of the public hearing is to receive public comments on the proposed ordinance
prior to City Council's consideration of adoption. The ordinance formally identifies the
Emporia Police Department as the local law enforcement authority responsible for
enforcing vehicle size and weight regulations on City-maintained streets and acknowledges
the City's intent to participate in the DMV Locality Weight Enforcement Disbursement
Program, as required by DMV.
Following the closure of the public hearing, City Council may take action on the proposed
ordinance at its discretion.
Attachment:
Ordinance

PO BOX 511,201 SOUTH MAIN ST., EMPORIA, VA 23847 TELEPHONE: (434) 634 3332 FAX (434) 634 0003
Visit Our Website at: www.ci.emporia.va.us

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Memorandum

January 15, 2026

TO:

The Honorable Mayor and City Council

FROM:

William E. Johnson, III, City Manager

SUBJECT:

Code Amendment Section 74-1.1 -Enforcement of Vehicle Size and
Weight; Participation in OMV Locality Disbursement Program Request to Adopt the Ordinance

ITEM:

26-01

A public hearing has been duly held on the proposed ordinance amending the Emporia City Code
to add Section 74-1.1, authorizing vehicle size and weight enforcement and participation in the
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Locality Weight Enforcement Disbursement
Program. Following the closure of the public hearing, the matter is now before City Council for
consideration and adoption.
Recommendation

Staff respectfully recommend that City Council adopt the amended ordinance adding Section 741.1 to the Emporia City Code, authorizing vehicle size and weight enforcement under §46 .2-113 7
of the Code of Virginia and participation in the DMV Locality Weight Enforcement Disbursement
Program.
Attachment:
Ordinance

PO BOX 511 201 SOUTH MAIN ST., EMPORIA, VA 23847 TELEPHONE: (434) 634 3332 FAX (434) 634 0003
Visit Our Website at: www.ci.emporia.va.us

EMPO

CEDEPAR

310 Budd Street♦ Emporia, Virginia 23847
Phone: {434) 634-2121 ♦ Facsimile: {434) 634-7326

Chief of Police
Troy Hawkins

MEMORANDUM
January 15, 2026
To:

The Honorable Mayor and City Council

Through:

William E. Johnson, Ill, City Manager

From:

Travis W Allen, Captain, Emporia Police Department

Re:

Animal Control Operations - Feral Cat Management and Shelter Capacity­
Request for Public Hearing

Item:

26-02

At your December 16, 2025, meeting, City Council authorized staff to move forward with
evaluating proposed changes to the Emporia Animal Shelter's intake policies. As a next step
in this process, staff respectfully request that City Council schedule a public hearing to
receive public input and consider the proposed changes.
Specifically, it is requested that a public hearing be set for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to
consider a proposal for the Emporia Animal Shelter to discontinue accepting owner
surrenders of animals and to no longer take in feral cats.
It has been proposed that continuing to accept both owner surrenders and feral cats has a
negative impact on shelter operations and capacity. These intake practices may result in the
shelter attendant being forced to turn away sick, injured, or bite-related cases due to space
and resource limitations. The proposed policy changes are intended to prioritize public
safety cases and ensure the shelter can operate effectively within its capacity.

Recommendation
1

EMPORIA POUCE D
310 Budd Street♦ Emporia, Virginia 23847
Phone: (434) 634-2121 ♦ Facsimile: (434) 634-7326

To:

The Honorable Mayor and City Council

Through:

William E. Johnson, Ill, City Manager

From:

Troy Hawkins, Chief of Police

Re:

Appropriation of 2026 HEAT Training Grant Funds

Item:

26-03

Chief of Police
Troy Hawkins

January 15, 2026

BACKGROUND
The Emporia Police Department has been awarded funding through the Virginia State
Police Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) Program for calendar year 2026. The total award
amount is $5,000, representing the maximum allowable grant amount, and is intended to
support specialized training related to vehicle theft investigation and enforcement. The
grant requires no local match for the awarded amount.
This funding supports officer attendance at the Southeast Chapter of the International
Association of Auto Theft Investigators (SEIAATI) Vehicle Crimes Conference, scheduled
for June 7-11, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
DISCUSSION
The Police Department proposes to appropriate the HEAT Training Grant funds into the
Police Department budget to support training-related expenses associated with
attendance at the SEIAATI Vehicle Crimes Conference. This training directly supports the
department's efforts to investigate and prevent auto theft, vehicle fraud, and organized
vehicle crime activity.
Conference instruction focuses on emerging auto theft trends, organized theft rings,
fraudulent vehicle transactions, investigative best practices, and officer safety.
1

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PORIAPOUCE
310 Budd Street+ Emporia, Virginia 23847
Phone: (434) 634-2121 ♦ Facsimile: (434) 634-7326

Chief of Police
Troy Hawkins

January 15, 2026

To:

The Honorable Mayor and City Council

Through:

William E. Johnson, 111, City Manager

From:

Troy Hawkins, Chief of Police

Re:

Acceptance of DCJS Operation Ceasefire Grant and Reappropriation of Funds

Item:

26-04

BACKGROUND
The Emporia Police Department has been awarded funding through the Virginia
Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Operation Ceasefire program for the grant
period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027. The total award amount is $175,000 in
state special funds and requires no local match. The Statement of Grant Award and
Acceptance (SOGA) has been executed, with the City of Emporia listed as the subgrantee.
This grant supports the department's continued efforts to reduce gun violence and gang­
related crime through the use of forensic and analytical technology, data-driven policing
strategies, and regional intelligence sharing.

DISCUSSION
The Police Department proposes to utilize these grant funds to enhance its forensic,
analytical, and investigative capabilities in direct support of Operation Ceasefire
objectives. The funding will support subscription-based technology platforms and service
agreements that provide real-time intelligence, ballistic analysis, and regional data
integration.
Specifically, grant funds will support the expansion and sustainment of the Flock Safety
Operating System (FlockOS), renewal of a two-year Ballistic IQ subscription, and related

1

RIAPO
310 Budd Street+ Emporia, Virginia 23847
Phone: (434) 634-2121 ♦ Facsimile: (434) 634-7326

Chief of Police
Troy Hawkins

January 15, 2026

To:

The Honorable Mayor and City Council

Through:

William E. Johnson, 111, City Manager

From:

Troy Hawkins, Chief of Police

Re:

Acceptance of DCJS Operation Ceasefire Grant and Reappropriation of Funds

Item:

26-05

BACKGROUND
The Emporia Police Department has been awarded funding through the Virginia
Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Operation Ceasefire program for the grant
period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028. The total award amount is $210,000 in
state special funds and requires no local match. The Statement of Grant Award and
Acceptance (SOGA) has been executed, with the City of Emporia listed as the subgrantee.
DISCUSSION
The Police Department proposes to utilize these grant funds to support two part-time
Firearms Violence Intervention and Prevention Specialists positions directly tied to
Operation Ceasefire enforcement and operational objectives.
To ensure the continued effectiveness and compliance of these grant-funded positions,
$10,000 of the total award will be allocated to training and professional development over
the two-year grant period. This funding will support required training, certifications, and
educational opportunities necessary to maintain program standards and operational
readiness.

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Memorandum
January 15, 2026

TO:

The Honorable Mayor and City Council

FROM:

William E. Johnson, III, City Manager

SUBJECT:

Agenda Item Request by Councilman Saunders - Important Information
About Your Water Service Line - Letter

ITEM:

26-06

Councilman James Saunders has requested that this item be placed on the agenda.
Attachment:
Letter

PO BOX 511,201 SOUTH MAIN ST., EMPORIA, VA 23847 TELEPHONE: (434) 634 3332 FAX (434) 634 0003
Visit Our Website at: www.ci.emporia.va.us

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Memorandum

January 15, 2026

TO:

The Honorable Mayor and City Council

FROM:

William E. Johnson, ill, City Manager

SUBJECT:

Approval of 2026 City Council Meeting Calendar

ITEM:

26-07

Staff have prepared the proposed 2026 Calendar of Regular City Council Meetings and Agenda
Request Deadlines for City Council's consideration.
The calendar establishes the regular meeting dates, times, and corresponding agenda submission
deadlines for the 2026 calendar year.
Recommendation
Staff recommend that City Council approve the 2026 City Council Meeting Calendar as presented.
Attachment:
Calenda

PO BOX 511,201 SOUTH MAIN ST., EMPORIA, VA 23847 TELEPHONE: (434) 634 3332 FAX (434) 634 0003
Visit Our Website at: www.ci.emporia.va.us