City Council

MINUTES OF THE JULY 14, 2020 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING A regular meeting of the Hopewell City Council was held Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting was scheduled to be held by electronic communication only, pursuant to Va. Code § 2.2-3708(A)(3). PRESENT: Jasmine Gore, Mayor, Ward 4 Patience Bennett, Vice Mayor, Ward 7 Deborah Randolph, Councilor, Ward 1 Arlene Holloway, Councilor, Ward 2 John B. Partin, Jr., Councilor Ward 3 Janice B. Denton, Councilor, Ward 5 Brenda Pelham, Councilor, Ward 6 John M. Altman, Jr., City Manager Sandra R. Robinson, City Attorney Camisha M. Brown, Assistant City Clerk ROLL CALL Mayor Gore opened the meeting at 5:33 p.m. Due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the meeting was held via Zoom Video Communications. Council was allowed to either call in on the telephone, or were able to video in using a smart phone, computer, laptop, or tablet. Citizens were able to watch the meeting live via YouTube. Mayor Gore waited a couple of minutes for everyone to get logged in or to call in. At 5:33 p.m., Mayor Gore requested a roll call, as follows: Mayor Gore - present Vice Mayor Bennett - present Councilor Randolph - present Councilor Partin - present Councilor Holloway - present Councilor Denton - present Councilor Pelham - present CLOSED MEETING At 5:35 p.m., Councilor Denton moved to go into closed meeting pursuant to Va. Code Sections 2.2-3711 (A)(1) to discuss and consider personnel matters, including the appointment, assignment, and performance of specific appointees and employees and consideration/discussion of prospective candidates for employment and appointment; (A)(3) and (A)(6) to discuss the investment of public funds for the acquisition of real property for the General Registrar/Voter Registration where bargaining is involved, and discussion in open meeting would adversely affect the City’s bargaining position and financial interest; and to the extent such discussions will be aided thereby, (A)(4) for the protection of the privacy of individuals in personal matters not related to public business. Councilor Randolph seconded the motion. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes  Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 7-0 RECONVENE OPEN MEETING At 7:10 p.m. Councilor Pelham moved that Council come out of Closed Session. The motion was seconded by Mayor Gore. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - -- (excused early) Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 6-0 CERTIFICATION Immediately thereafter, Council responded to the question pursuant to Virginia Code § 2.2-3712 (D): were only public business matters (I) lawfully exempted from open-meeting requirements and (II) identified in the closed-meeting motion discussed in closed meeting? Upon the roll call, the responses resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - --- (silent) Vice Mayor Bennett - --- (silent) Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 6-0 Councilor Denton moved to approve the commercial lease for the Registrar’s Office relative to the paragraph dealing with liquidated damages and the provision and to authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute upon City Manager’s final acceptance. Her motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - --- (silent) Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 6-0 . WORK SESSION At 7:16 p.m., Councilor Pelham moved to adopt the Work Session agenda. The motion was seconded by Mayor Gore. There was discussion among Council. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: 2  Councilor Denton - no Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - no Councilor Holloway - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 4-2 WS - 1 Office on Youth and Youth Services Commission- Councilor Pelham requested to place this item on the agenda. Councilor Pelham and Mayor Gore apologized to guests who have been waiting on the line. Councilor Pelham stated that this was a conversation leading up to a Special Meeting that has been scheduled for August 13th. Councilor Pelham requested to have a motion to rescind back on the agenda. She would like to have that motion reconsidered in regards to the Office on Youth. Pelham stated that Gerald Napper, Director of Office on Youth has made great changes since becoming Director. Mr. Gerald Napper, Director of Office on Youth, thanked Council for allowing him to provide comments in regards to the Office on Youth. Mr. Napper discussed the emotions and events that have taken place since the Office on Youth vote. He stated that since becoming the Coordinator he has put a lot of new things in place to better the Office on Youth. Mr. Napper continued to discuss the present and future status of the Office on Youth. Councilor Randolph moved to end the Work Session so that the Regular Meeting can start. Her motion was seconded by Councilor Denton. There was discussion by Council. Councilor Pelham stated that it was unfair for Council to not allow the Office on Youth to finish the Work Session. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - no Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - no Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - no Motion passed 4-3 REGULAR MEETING PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA At 8:08 p.m. Mayor Gore called the meeting to order, and requested a roll call. 3  Mayor Gore - present Vice Mayor Bennett - present Councilor Randolph - present Councilor Holloway - present Councilor Partin - present Councilor Denton - present Councilor Pelham - present The prayer was led by Charles Dane, Assistant City Manager, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, led by Councilor Denton. AMEND/ADOPT AGENDA Councilor Denton moved to amend the regular agenda by having the information the City Manager sent Council as R-1 then DeCarlo case as R-2 and R-6 becomes R-3, R-5 to become R-4 and R-2 to become R-5 and then continue on. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett. Councilor Pelham requested to add to the motion that the meeting be extended past 8:30. Councilor Denton agreed to extend the meeting to 9:30 and Vice Mayor Bennett agreed as well. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - -- (silent) Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - -- (silent) Motion passed 7-0 Consent Agenda All matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered routine by Council and will be approved or received by one motion in the form listed. Items may be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion under the regular agenda at the request of any Councilor. C-1 Minutes: C-2 Pending List: C-3 Routine Approval of Work Sessions: C-4 Personnel Change Report & Financial Report: 1. Personnel Report 2. Financial Report C-5 Ordinances on Second & Final Reading: C-6 Routine Grant Approval: 4 C-7 Public Hearing Announcement: C-8 Information for Council Review: C-9 Resolutions/Proclamations/Presentations: SUGGESTED MOTION: To amend/adopt consent agenda Councilor Pelham moved to adopt the Consent Agenda and to pull out C-4 and move to R-6 for discussion. Her motion was seconded by Mayor Gore. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - -- (silent) Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 7-0 Public Hearings PH-1 Amendment of the Hopewell Public School’s Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget- The Hopewell Public School’s received additional state, federal and grant funding for the FY 2020 operating budget in the amount of $699,985. HPS is requesting the budget and appropriation of these funds. Mayor Gore opened the Public Hearing at 8:21 p.m. after confirming there were no public comments, the Public Hearing was closed at 8:22 p.m. Councilor Partin moved for the City of Hopewell to receive and accept the additional state and federal grant funding in the amount of $699,985 and appropriate that money to Hopewell Public Schools Operating Budget. His motion was seconded by Councilor Denton. There was discussion by Council. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - -- (silent) Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - -- (silent) Motion passed 7-0 5 PH-2 Amend Fiscal Year 2020-2021 School Board Operating Budget- Amendment of the FY 2020- 2021 Hopewell Public Schools operating budget by $1,136,069 increasing local support to $13,451,263. Mayor Gore opened the Public Hearing at 8:33 p.m. after confirming there were no public comments, the Public Hearing was closed at 8:33 p.m. Councilor Partin moved to adopt the resolution amending the fiscal year 2020-2021 Hopewell Schools operating budget in the amount of adding $1,136,069 to their annual operating budget. His motion was seconded by Mayor Gore. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - -- (silent) Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 7-0 PH-3 Amendment of FY 19-20 City of Hopewell Operating Budget - CARES Act Funding- Resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2020 City of Hopewell Operating Budget by budgeting and appropriating $2,026,790 of one-time federal grant funds made available to the City through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. After a presentation by March Altman, City Manager, Mayor Gore opened the Public Hearing at 9:12 p.m. after confirmation of no public comments, Mayor Gore closed the Public Hearing at 9:12 p.m. Councilor Partin moved PH-4 Community Development Block Grant FY 20-21 Public Hearing- After a presentation by Tevya Griffin, Director, Department of Development, Mayor Gore opened the Public Hearing at 9:28 p.m. after confirmation of no public comments, Mayor Gore closed the Public Hearing at 9:29 p.m. Councilor Pelham moved to accept the grant as presented. The motion was seconded by Mayor Gore. Councilor Pelham requested to add the grant amounts $210,670 and for fiscal year 2019 to add $178,243. Mrs. Griffin also asked to add the approval of the block grant and to authorize the City Manager to submit the plan. Councilor Pelham and Mayor Gore agreed. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes 6  Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 7-0 PH-5 Community Development Block Grant- Coronavirus Funding (CDBG-CV) Public Hearing- After Mrs. Griffin presented to Council, Mayor Gore opened the Public Hearing at 9:42 p.m., after confirmation of no public comments, Mayor Gore closed the public hearing at 9:42 p.m. Councilor Pelham moved to approve the CDBG COVID-19 Block Grant in the amount of $123,919 and provide Council with the building block software and support Commonwealth Catholic charities. The motion was seconded by Mayor Gore. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - no Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 6-1 REGULAR BUSINESS R-1 FY22 VDOT SMART Scale Resolution- March Altman, City Manager presented the proposed ordinance and requested for Council to approve ordinance on behalf of the Engineering Department. Johnnie Butler, City Engineer, discussed what projects would be completed upon approval of the resolution. Councilor Pelham moved to close the meeting after the current discussion. The motion was seconded by Mayor Gore. Upon roll call the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - no Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - no Councilor Randolph - no Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - no Mayor Gore - yes Motion failed 4-3 Councilor Denton made a motion to extend the meeting until Council finishes R-4. Her motion was seconded by Councilor Randolph. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: 7  Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - -- (silent) Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - no Motion passed 6-1 Councilor Denton moved to give approval to do the FY22 SMART Scale project resolution to include the SMART Scale resolution letter. Her motion was seconded by Councilor Pelham. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 7-0 . R-2 DeCarlo case- Mayor Gore discussed the Angel DeCarlo case and she asked if Council can submit a letter to the Commonwealth Attorney. Mr. Altman suggests sending a letter to the Prosecutor’s office and the Attorney General’s office. Councilor Randolph moved for the City Manager and City Attorney to draft a letter to send to the Attorney General Mark herring and the prosecutor’s office to be approved and signed by all of Council. Her motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 7-0 R-3 Office on Youth Ordinance & Resolution- Councilor Denton moved to approve the resolution and ordinance that has been given in Council’s packet. Councilor Partin moved to make a substitute motion to charge the City Manager, Director of Recreation & Parks, the Youth Coordinator, Superintendent and the School Board chair to develop a plan for youth programs and how the funding will be spent and what a new Youth Advisory Board would look like and report back to Council at the first meeting in September. His motion was seconded by Mayor Gore. Councilor Randolph wanted it stated on record that she objected that there was not sufficient time given for a second on the original motion. Councilor Pelham requested that the Mayor be 8 added to the motion, Councilor Partin declined. Gore, Bennett, Pelham and Holloway confirmed they can attend the special meeting scheduled for August 13th. Denton and Randolph could not confirm if they will be able to attend. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - no Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - no Councilor Randolph - no Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 4-3 Councilor Pelham moved to lay on the table the ordinance and resolution until staff meets and/or brings back information to Council at the first September meeting. The motion was seconded by Mayor Gore. There was discussion by Council. Councilor Partin moved to call for the vote to end discussion, Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 7-0 Upon the roll call for Councilor Pelham’s motion, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - no Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - no Councilor Randolph - no Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 4-3 Councilor Randolph made a motion to adjourn. Motion failed due to lack of a second. R-4 Hopewell Small Business Recovery Program- Charles Dane, Assistant City Manager, presented to Council and provided details to what this program entails. There was discussion by Council. Councilor Pelham moved to approve the Small Business Recovery program to include all businesses and home businesses that have a business license on file. The motion was seconded by Mayor Gore. Upon the roll call, the vote resulted: Councilor Denton - yes 9  Councilor Pelham - yes Vice Mayor Bennett - yes Councilor Randolph - yes Councilor Holloway - yes Councilor Partin - yes Mayor Gore - yes Motion passed 7-0 ADJOURN Based on the previous motion made by Councilor Denton, the meeting adjourned at 11:23 p.m. Jasmine E. Gore, Mayor Camisha M. Brown, Interim City Clerk 10