In the minutes: South Boston Minutes, Flock camera (Aug 10)

TOWN OF SOUTH BOSTON
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY AUGUST 10, 2026

COUNCIL CHAMBERS
420 MAIN STREET SOUTH BOSTON, VA 24592

CALL TO ORDER AND INVOCATION

Mayor Edward Owens called to order a regular South Boston Town Council meeting at 7:00 pm
on August 10, 2026,

ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Edward Owens, Councilman Joe Chandler, Councilman Tommy Elliott,
Councilwoman Tina Younger, Councilwoman Barbara Speece, Councilman
Brian Burton

Absent: Vice Mayor Sharon Harris

Also Present: ‘Town Manager Matthew Candland, Assistant Town Manager Patrick Elwell,
Town Clerk Sarah Lowe, Finance Director Danyell Duncan, Public Works
Director John Hatcher, Police Chief Ronnie Edmonds, Fire Chief Ray Conner,
Recreation Director Matthew McCargo

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

On motion of Councilwoman Speece, seconded by Councilman Elliott the meeting minutes from
the Town Council’s regular meeting on July 13, 2026, were approved.

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
On motion of Councilman Chandler, seconded by Councilwoman Tina Younger, the agenda for
August 10, 2026 was approved.

AGENDA

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1. CONSIDERATION OF BOARD OF VIEWERS
RECOMMENDATION AND RESOLUTION FOR STREET
CLOSURE — SOUTHWEST END OF THE UNNAMED ALLEY
ADJACENT TO PARCEL 5302

Council considered the Board of Viewers’ recommendation and resolution regarding the
proposed street closure of the southwest end of the unnamed alley adjacent to Parcel
5302. Mr. Kevin Willis of Commonwealth in Charlottesville, Virginia, appeared before
Council on behalf of the applicants and thanked Council for considering the request,
stating that there were no new matters to report beyond those previously discussed. In
response to a question regarding the proposed additions, Mr. Willis explained that the
project would include 19 new units, with one existing unit being removed to connect the
addition to the existing building and additional units being removed as part of the
reconfiguration of the dining area. He stated that the project would result in a net increase
of 16 units, with 10 of the new units being one-bedroom units and the remaining nine
being studio-style units. There being no further questions, Mr. Willis was thanked for his
presentation. On motion of Councilman Elliott seconded by Councilwoman Younger,
Council approved the proposal as presented. The motion carried, with Councilman
Burton abstaining due to a potential future conflict of interest.

A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF SOUTH BOSTON, VIRGINIA, TO
CLOSE, VACATE, AND ABANDON AN UNOPENED ALLEY

WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Section 15.2-2006 of the Code of Virginia,
1950, as amended, and Section 46-3 of the Town Code, the Town Council has the
authority to close, vacate, and abandon a public right-of-way; and

WHEREAS, an application has been received for the closure of an unopened alley,
shown as “Portion of 20’ Alley to Be Closed, 0.07 Acres, 2,927 Sq. Ft.” (the “Alley”) on
a Plat of Survey of a Proposed Boundary Adjustment prepared by Hurt & Profit dated
February 10, 2026 and revised March 16, 2026 (the “Plat”), a copy of which is attached
hereto as Exhibit A and made a part hereof; and

WHEREAS, after due notice as required by law, the Town Council held a public hearing
on May 11, 2026 to receive citizen comment regarding the application to close and vacate
the Alley;

WHEREAS, the Town Council appointed a Board of Viewers to view the Alley and
make appropriate recommendations for vacation of the Alley, including purchaser and
price.

WHEREAS, the Board of Viewers has reported that the owners of all property adjacent
to the Alley have consented to the closing of the same and no other adjacent property
owner is interested in purchasing any portion of the Alley; and

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WHEREAS, the Board of Viewers, after careful consideration, advised the Town
Council that there would be no inconvenience to the general public resulting from the
closing of the Alley; and

WHEREAS, the requirements of Section 15.2-2006 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as
amended, Section 46-3 of the Town Code have been met.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF SOUTH BOSTON, VIRGINIA,

Section 1: The unopened Alley, shown as “Portion of 20’ Alley to Be Closed, 0.07
Acres, 2,927 Sq. Ft.” on a Plat of Survey of a Proposed Boundary Adjustment prepared
by Hurt & Profit dated February 10, 2026 and revised March 16, 2026, is hereby closed,
vacated, and abandoned as a public right-of-way of the Town of South Boston and all
rights of the public therein shall cease and terminate.

Section 2: That the Clerk of Town Council is directed to deliver a certified copy of this
Resolution for filing and recordation in the land records of the Circuit Court of Halifax
County, Virginia.

Section 3: That the Town Manager is authorized to execute and deliver a special
warranty deed in which the Town conveys the Alley, shown as “Portion of 20° Alley to
Be Closed, 0.07 Acres, 2,927 Sq. Ft.” on a Plat of Survey of a Proposed Boundary
Adjustment prepared by Hurt & Profit dated February 10, 2026 and revised March 16,
2026, to Dhruvinkumar K. Mistry in exchange for the purchase price of $2,576.00. The
Town Manager is further authorized to execute and deliver such additional documents as
are required to effectuate the sale of the Alley to the applicant.

Adopted this 10th day of August, 2026.

Attachments: Exhibit A- Plat of Survey of a Proposed Boundary Adjustment

Mayor Edward Owens
ATTEST,
Sarah Lowe, Clerk of Council

STATE OF VIRGINIA
County of Halifax

The foregoing was acknowledged before me this __ day of 2026 by Edward Owens,
Mayor, and Sarah Lowe, Clerk of Council, for the Town of South Boston, Virginia on behalf of the
Town of South Boston.

(seal) Notary Public

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Registration Number:

My Commission Expires:

2, FINANCE REPORT
The Council received the June financial report. Cash receipts totaled $1,701,356.66, with
cash disbursements totaling $1,580,729.54, resulting in a cash operating balance of
$8,214,556.62. The FY 2025-2026 general fund revenues collected totaled approximately
$16.3 million, or 88% of budgeted revenues, while expenditures totaled approximately
$14.99 million, or 81% of the adopted budget. Staff reported that revenues from business
license tax, meals tax, local sales tax, and personal property tax exceeded budget
projections, while several other revenue categories were below projections due in part to
timing. Fire and Police expenditures remained within budget at approximately 92% and
91%, respectively. Public Works expenditures totaled $2,134,031.93, or approximately
64% of budget, with remaining funds expected to support paving and other capital
projects that carried over into the next fiscal year. Staff reported that the Town remains in
a stable financial position, with approximately $500,000 in funds expected to carry over
for ongoing projects. Questions regarding the bank stock tax were addressed, with staff
explaining that the delayed receipt of approximately $115,000 would be reflected in the
following fiscal year. There being no further questions, the Council thanked staff for the
report.

3. TOWN MANAGER UPDATES
The Town Manager reported that renovations to Town Hall have begun, with Ferry Street
temporarily closed as demolition work proceeds. Town Hall personnel have relocated to
the Washington Coleman Community Center, with Destination Downtown continuing
operations in the Council Chambers. The hotel project continues to progress, with
completion anticipated in early 2027. Interviews for the Code Enforcement Officer
position are underway, with a hiring decision anticipated by the next Council meeting.
The Town Manager also reported continued community interest in the development of a
dog park. While the Town has no current funding available for the project, community
members are seeking potential private pledges, and a preliminary concept and estimated
budget have been developed for a potential site near the Riverdale boat ramp, subject to
Town and FEMA approval. Ryland Clark and Christian Roberts are expected to provide
an update to Council at the September meeting regarding community and business
interest in funding the project. Finally, the Town Manager reported that, following recent
discussion by the Board of Supervisors regarding Flock cameras, the Police Department
would provide a presentation to Council and the public regarding the Town’s current
license plate reader camera program.

Captain Mann provided Council with a presentation regarding the South Boston Police
Department’s use of Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. He explained

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that the cameras capture license plate information, vehicle characteristics, date, time, and
location, but do not use facial recognition, GPS tracking, audio recording, or continuous
video. The Department currently has five Flock cameras, including four stationary
cameras and one mobile camera mounted on a message board trailer. Captain Mann
reviewed the Department's policies and state requirements governing ALPR use,
including limited data retention, restricted access, user accountability, quarterly audits,
and reporting requirements to the Virginia State Police. He explained that searches must
be for legitimate law enforcement purposes and that misuse may result in loss of system
access, disciplinary action, termination, or criminal charges. Captain Mann also noted
that Flock has implemented additional auditing and transparency tools to assist agencies
in monitoring system use. He advised that the Department has used the system for
approximately three years and that it has assisted with numerous investigations and
provided leads for law enforcement. Captain Mann further clarified that the Department’s
in-car Axon cameras also have license plate reader capabilities and are subject to the
same policies, audits, and state reporting requirements. Council thanked Captain Mann
for the presentation and information.

. CITIZEN COMMENTS
During the citizen comment period, a resident addressed Council regarding the need for a
sidewalk along the Halfway Road area toward the high school. He expressed concerns
about pedestrian safety, noting the narrow roadway, ditches, traffic, and previous
accidents in the area. He requested that Council revisit the possibility of pursuing the
sidewalk project, particularly in light of the new school location. Council discussed
potential right-of-way and funding considerations and agreed to look into the matter. The
resident also brought to Council’s attention to a tree on North Main Street that appeared
to be leaning onto or near utility lines and expressed concern for public safety with
school beginning. Council agreed to look into the tree and thanked the resident for
bringing the concerns forward.

. CLOSED SESSION
On the motion of Councilman Chandler, seconded by Councilwoman Speece, the Council
voted unanimously to convene in closed session under the Virginia Freedom of
Information Act to discuss the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, as
allowed under Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(3). Voting Aye: Chandler, Younger, Speece,
Burton and Elliott. Absent and Not Voting: Harris

On the motion of Councilman Chandler, seconded by Councilwoman Speece, the Council

voted unanimously to return to open session. Voting Aye: Chandler, Younger, Speece,
Burton and Elliott. Absent and Not Voting: Harris

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On a motion of Councilman Chandler, seconded by Councilwoman Speece, Council
certified by the following vote: Chandler, Younger, Speece, Burton and Elliott. Opposed:
None; Absent/Not Voting: Harris; that to the best of each Council member’s knowledge,
only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements of
the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and identified in the Motion

convening the closed session were heard, discussed or considered in the closed session.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Mayor Edward Owens

Attest:
Sarah Lowe, Clerk of Council

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