[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6279451,"mediaKeyId","2623392-25dba01e1a643b7101e3463903f86382","parentId",2623392,"title","Council discusses Hampton Roads regional sales-tax proposal; members express concern about representation and funding distribution","audioSeconds",238,"startMs",2419000,"endMs",2657000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623392-25dba01e1a643b7101e3463903f86382&start=2419&end=2657","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623392-25dba01e1a643b7101e3463903f86382/thumbnail_2419000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6279451/Franklin-City/Franklin-County/Virginia/Council-discusses-Hampton-Roads-regional-sales-tax-proposal-members-express-concern-about-representation-and-funding-distribution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279451-f0131e63aa1d65c4e6e36ecfcb30be00/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116792&Signature=fFoy-~ZkGexhnpsuWBhhGqbHD2X3cewz17ZC5b8q1bM3O~YXcVjH1Js~ZEcLJEOLnYRL5aZhVy4X5ySf1g~QtISMDvybkATN8t~7IpeZL8E4ys~8jHqlTk0wbHk4yTDhi74yVbKdEmC1jYe4rimyqFBCEijLeUQkvvm-0iPtJ6q2pxsC4uz-MgHJqOcFePxL8AbKVQ5E3orYMMTYp2WEBHnGraLziQBZMYu7ab68JB1qqmVxM~5wN14Bckq-7bqYIxwS5Ph7blyAjMczZNrik~E9KT8jtmm1X~fxnQH3PfdIKz9TD2o0YzdJe3AXKdXUDACqBO2Sbdid00r9k4aLjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Franklin, VA","date","2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","article","Franklin City Council members discussed a regional proposal on Jan. 13 to add a 0.3-cent regional sales tax, with roughly two-thirds of the revenue proposed for infrastructure and one-third for coastal-resilience projects in Hampton Roads. Council commentary focused on whether Franklin and Western Tidewater receive an equitable share of funds and whether the city has sufficient representation in regional decision-making.

One council member urged the city to consider signing on to the petition supporting the tax, saying that infrastructure funding could help local highways and corridors used by Franklin residents. Other members cautioned that past regional processes left Western Tidewater “out of the loop” and recommended not supporting a tax increase without clear representation and assurances that the area would receive funding. One council member summarized the concern as “taxation without representation.”

The council elected to set the item aside for further discussion pending meetings with regional partners; no vote to endorse the tax was taken on Jan. 13. Members asked for additional information from those attending regional meetings and said they would report back after upcoming Western Tidewater and Hampton Roads discussions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Franklin 01-13-2025 CC Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmembers debated whether Franklin should support a regional 0.3-cent sales-tax increase to fund transportation and coastal resilience projects in Hampton Roads; some members argued Western Tidewater has been underrepresented and preferred tabling the item until additional information and representation issues are resolved.","taxTitle","Franklin City, Franklin County, Virginia","taxId",59822,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279456,"City manager proposes honorarium policy to handle requests to rename streets; council to consider later",313,2719000,3032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623392-25dba01e1a643b7101e3463903f86382&start=2719&end=3032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623392-25dba01e1a643b7101e3463903f86382/thumbnail_2719000.jpg","/articles/6279456/Franklin-City/Franklin-County/Virginia/City-manager-proposes-honorarium-policy-to-handle-requests-to-rename-streets-council-to-consider-later","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279456-947778e2bd188b18d95d36c44c4baa91/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116792&Signature=oNLzlN4HKCNRxN9IwIPcPDwHPPtaK5C2z2EebJhXe2RdmMfLqqfbetJLictHRnjJsXMYy~iz8uJUnJwCPr5EvkHvgLzOXmgdalKGyjJvyjDA-6FCmOrTLkzPAsYU1W8qOhFeqY3ODVya0uPg9AZnymCXvQAMpep-dPSk8w1Rw3wLT55ICbCmJ6QPOmQ6Db4XMOuTRr0nko9yBZaWYwp~Rt7P5by8els2QW2wUszrcrLVEEW8X2dWYGYy5wtgmHG2HYnarAHiu6Mzb830bsupOyLLH2EafCUKvyCzMX9nmG5hpdNDgXaV5G4VSwKqSa7rN5qGYjONfZo~I5rXfYYdyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Rosalind Oglesby told the Franklin City Council on Jan. 13 she had drafted a policy to guide requests to rename streets or create honorary designations after the city received a resident petition to honor Bishop Stephen Douglas Willis Sr.

Oglesby said the city lacks a current code provision or comprehensive-plan language governing street renaming and that a memorandum from 2019 recommended adding a code chapter but no change was enacted. As an interim approach, she presented a draft honorarium policy that would permit an honorary plaque naming (rather than changing official street names) for persons or groups who have made a “significant impact” on the city. The draft policy would require a $400 fee to cover manufacturing and staff time and would make the honorarium effective for five years; the city would replace the plaque once if damaged and would require a new application and fee for subsequent terms.

Oglesby described the greater administrative burden of formally renaming a street — including notifying the U.S. Postal Service, updating mapping services and contacting property owners — and said renaming would require a petition of property owners and a formal code process. She noted that vacant parcels and absentee owners complicate petition processes. Oglesby provided examples from other localities and said the council could tweak the draft policy before taking action at a later meeting.

Council members asked clarifying questions about notification, petition thresholds and costs. The council did not vote on a final policy during the Jan. 13 meeting; Oglesby said she would return the draft for future consideration if the council did not request edits.

The specific request that prompted the discussion concerns E Street and a petition to honor Bishop Willis. The transcript shows the manager recommended the honorarium option as a lower-impact alternative to full renaming.","City Manager Rosalind Oglesby presented a draft policy for honorary street naming after a resident petition to rename E Street for Bishop Stephen Douglas Willis Sr.; the proposed policy would create a five-year honorarium plaque option with a $400 fee and lay out petition and notice requirements for full renaming requests.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279461,"Electoral board chair asks Franklin City Council not to seat two newly sworn council members without certificates of election",116,140000,256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623392-25dba01e1a643b7101e3463903f86382&start=140&end=256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623392-25dba01e1a643b7101e3463903f86382/thumbnail_140000.jpg","/articles/6279461/Franklin-City/Franklin-County/Virginia/Electoral-board-chair-asks-Franklin-City-Council-not-to-seat-two-newly-sworn-council-members-without-certificates-of-election","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279461-fe7df7c69dc280457ea0d702842d9479/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116792&Signature=YlBAZKPtfrZXf7pLqlL018IOGnUUX4Ktbuhm1FwUe0DYaxalg-age2susqrng8uqfwNrZQccQcqlOGb3Jgn~bKhJzWKQgJqipcOCWFNVU-7ej9iuBeMd2TCymM0stFzIPHJGzoktEEwbKU7CCSqdmgpsiqEsUkqK4d9QmcsqlwaaAZw9uS5Bm6dIsGGxDyrPtl01AVSBpLzknxEWB6Ck2BvmFp~FNVx2EmRh2-8Z0Vmgr9Qx5tRBUMxGmLqpompvDJNlQhzLhyq-otk38irbWhbv6yT0R1uBu9HrXqtdxbX5zVzXdznHhBBLEYh8PT4VWLnTzRCimW8H93G-kHsviA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pearlie Banks, chairman of the Franklin City electoral board, told the council at its Jan. 13 meeting that two sitting council members had taken oaths without first receiving their certificates of election and that the electoral board requested the council “do not allow these 2 gentlemen to be seated until they receive their certificate of election.”

“The electoral board is requesting that you do not allow these 2 gentlemen to be seated until they receive their certificate of election,” Banks said, noting the board’s obligation to follow relevant state code provisions. She referenced state code numbers on the record as part of the explanation for the board’s request and said the late filing of fees by the newly elected members required the board to hold an emergency meeting to appoint an acting secretary so it could process the certificates.

Banks read language explaining the board’s view that certification is a formal attestation that must occur before an oath is administered, and she asked the council to delay seating until certificates are issued. The council did not announce an immediate action in response during the public-comment portion of the meeting.

Sheriff Josh White also used the public-comment period to congratulate newly seated Mayor Paul Kaplan and to offer cooperation between the sheriff’s office and the city.

The transcript captures Banks’ invocation of two state code sections as the basis for the electoral board’s procedural concern; the council did not, on the record during public comment, announce a follow-up vote or directive to staff on the request.","Pearlie Banks, chair of the Franklin City electoral board, urged the council during public comment not to seat two council members who had not received their certificates of election, citing state code and procedural concerns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279466,"Franklin City Council adopts ceremonial resolutions, accepts donations, elects vice mayor; several items approved by unanimous voice vote",1013,1197000,2210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623392-25dba01e1a643b7101e3463903f86382&start=1197&end=2210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623392-25dba01e1a643b7101e3463903f86382/thumbnail_1197000.jpg","/articles/6279466/Franklin-City/Franklin-County/Virginia/Franklin-City-Council-adopts-ceremonial-resolutions-accepts-donations-elects-vice-mayor-several-items-approved-by-unanimous-voice-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279466-beb453b40a05ac2df4992ac3183b69ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116792&Signature=h9E~va~W0twPhHfUxrglyWb1EWf-5lgzZt-43AT7KpTbABeMTu3NRcYPs1ZZ17GZ7lHe19Vzp4gPgkCP0WWTnvJ1472he1QW4gjBSjwBI-O0vwpdTjC3djPQWug8MWjVsySDsyXSQcV2bppWqXroCR0g458m426yW6fBAvYgmKcDmSLBCvZwEZzhp-fx0xu-srgDGOdo6uXG0BZGzGK7m9zWFYYatG9BjFBZnuML8pQRNWcnSJcjYY69~ybdI0tIjRhGIcXyiZ5xrc3w6OR1Lew1AG0bOO9fqeBuBOKAP~Als3kGfnYo4gfNDvtiaeTDZwVBZ7xl2NYLWKr7ToAnjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin City Council on Jan. 13 adopted multiple ceremonial resolutions, accepted two charitable donations to the FY2024–25 operating budget, elected Winland Hilliard Copeland as vice mayor and approved routine appointments and a schedule change in unanimous voice votes.

The council passed resolutions honoring the late June Fleming, former mayor Robert “Bobby” Cutchens II and former councilman Ray Smith. The council also approved budget amendments to accept $77,220 from the Count Family Foundation to be split among Franklin Fire & Rescue ($57,500), Hunterdale Volunteer Fire Department ($5,720) and the Franklin Police Department ($14,000), and $10,000 from Franklin Southampton Charities to be split equally between Franklin Fire & Rescue and Hunterdale Volunteer Fire Department ($5,000 each).

Mayor Paul Kaplan presided over the session. After nominations and a motion to elect Winland Hilliard Copeland, the council voted by voice to reelect Copeland as vice mayor. Council members used a consent vote to approve boards and commissions appointments and adopted the calendar for 2025; the council also voted to adjust the regular work-session start time from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. when those sessions are scheduled.

All recorded roll-call or voice votes on the matters above were announced in the meeting as unanimous “ayes.” The meeting record lists six members present and one absent during roll call; the council used voice votes and individual “aye” responses rather than numbered roll-call tallies for each motion presented on the floor.

A closed-session motion under the cited Virginia code provision was approved to discuss prospective candidates, and the council certified the meeting’s closure before adjourning.

Votes at a glance (motions as stated on the record):
- Adopt resolution honoring June Fleming — motion passed (voice vote).
- Adopt resolution honoring Robert “Bobby” Cutchens II — motion passed (voice vote).
- Adopt resolution honoring Ray Smith — motion passed (voice vote).
- Amend FY2024–25 operating budget to accept $77,220 from the Count Family Foundation (Franklin Fire & Rescue $57,500; Hunterdale VFD $5,720; Franklin Police $14,000) — motion passed (voice vote).
- Amend FY2024–25 operating budget to accept $10,000 from Franklin Southampton Charities (Franklin Fire & Rescue $5,000; Hunterdale VFD $5,000) — motion passed (voice vote).
- Nominate and elect Winland Hilliard Copeland as vice mayor — motion passed (voice vote).
- Adopt boards and commissions appointments as presented — motion passed (voice vote).
- Adopt 2025 meeting calendar and revise 5:30 p.m. work-session start time to 6 p.m. when used — motion passed (voice vote).
- Convene closed session under the Virginia code provision cited on the record to discuss prospective candidates — motion passed (voice vote); certification read when returning to open session.

The council’s actions combined ceremonial recognitions, routine governance housekeeping and acceptance of philanthropic support for public safety services. The meeting record indicates unanimous approval for the listed items; specific recorded roll-call tallies were not read for each motion beyond individual “ayes.”","At its Jan. 13 meeting the Franklin City Council adopted resolutions honoring three local leaders, accepted donations totaling $87,220 for public safety departments, elected Winland Hilliard Copeland as vice mayor and approved routine appointments and calendar items in voice votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council discusses Hampton Roads regional sales-tax proposal; members express concern about representation and funding distribution

City manager proposes honorarium policy to handle requests to rename streets; council to consider later

Electoral board chair asks Franklin City Council not to seat two newly sworn council members without certificates of election

Franklin City Council adopts ceremonial resolutions, accepts donations, elects vice mayor; several items approved by unanimous voice vote