Martinsville City RDC approves claims and annual report; levy and park projects await FEMA review

The Martinsville City Redevelopment Commission approved minutes, signed claims and voted to send its annual report to the Martinsville City council, while leaders said the commission’s pending levy re‑certification and a proposed park remain stalled awaiting FEMA action.

Commission leaders opened the meeting and completed roll call before taking up past minutes. The commission cleared two sets of minutes that had previously been delayed; one member, John Badger, abstained because he was not present at the earlier meetings.

Financial business included approval of two claims connected with the levy. A motion to approve claims totaling $7,834.50 passed after a second. The commission reviewed the financial reports and asked staff to clarify account definitions, noting one account is being used to collect interest that staff described as discretionary; staff said they would report back at the next meeting.

Members also discussed property‑holding strategy for certain parcels, debating whether to hold them in the city’s name or under the RDC; the commission did not direct a change and left the issue in committee.

In development updates, the mayor reported ongoing commercial interest along New Ohio Street and Martin Avenue, citing potential locations for a Diamond Donuts, Jimmy John’s and Little Caesars. A resident said Justin Clemens is investing in the old Marsh store to create a vocational school and has also worked on the Newberry building project.

On the levy, commissioners said required documents were submitted to FEMA but that federal processing has been delayed by government shutdowns; the commission reported outreach to Senator Banks’s office for assistance and said it could not predict when FEMA would complete re‑certification. The same FEMA review was delaying a new park on South Drive, the commission said.

Jeff presented the RDC’s annual report showing revenues, expenditures and projects; the commission voted to forward the report to the Martinsville City council for presentation. Commissioners said they will request the item be placed on the council agenda and noted the report does not require city approval beyond presentation.

With little remaining business, members said they would provide a theater project update at the next meeting and adjourned. Several commissioners noted limited spending capacity until tax draws arrive.

Votes at a glance - Approval of earlier minutes: approved; John Badger abstained (not present for earlier meetings). - Claims approval: motion to approve claims totaling $7,834.50 — approved. - Annual report to city council: approved for submission to the city council.

Next steps Commissioners asked staff to clarify account definitions in the financial report at the next meeting, to follow up with FEMA and Senator Banks’s office on levy re‑certification and the park, and to present a theater status update at the following meeting.