City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: April 7, 2015 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The regular meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at the Union Train Station. Mayor Myers called the closed session meeting to order at 5:30p.m. 1. CLOSED SESSION MEETING – 5:30 P.M. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member David R. Coleman Council Member Darrin L. Hill Council Member Brian A. Moore Council Member Treska Wilson-Smith Vice Mayor Samuel Parham Mayor W. Howard Myers Absent: Council Member John A. Hart, Sr. (arrived at 5:40pm) Present from City Administration: City Manager William E. Johnson, III City Attorney Brian K. Telfair Clerk of Council Nykesha D. Jackson, CMC 3. CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Brian Telfair, stated that it was City Council’s desire to enter into a closed session under Section 2.2-3711.A (1) of the Code of Virginia under Subsection 3 to discuss the disposition of publicly held real property where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the City; and under Subsection 5 to discuss a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business’s or industry’s interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community; and under Subsection 6 to discuss the investing of public funds where competition or bargaining is involved, where, if made public initially, the financial interest of the City would be adversely affected. Council Member Moore moved that the City Council go into closed session for the purposes noted by the City Attorney. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Parham. There was no discussion on the motion, which was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham and Myers; Absent: Hart City Council entered closed session at 5:30 p.m. CERTIFICATION: Council Member Moore made a motion to return City Council into open session and certify the purposes of the closed session. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hart. There was no discussion on the motion, which was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham and Myers 15-R-23 A RESOLUTION CERTIFYING, AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, SECTION 2.2-3712, THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER’S KNOWLEDGE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF VIRGINIA LAW WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED SESSION, AND ONLY SUCH PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: April 7, 2015 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED SESSION WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, OR CONSIDERED. 1. REGULARLY-SCHEDULED MEETING – 6:30 P.M. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member David R. Coleman Council Member John Hart, Sr. Council Member Darrin L. Hill Council Member Brian A. Moore Council Member Treska Wilson-Smith Vice Mayor Samuel Parham Mayor W. Howard Myers Absent: None Present from City Administration: City Manager William E. Johnson, III City Attorney Brian K. Telfair Clerk of Council Nykesha D. Jackson, CMC 3. MOMENT OF SILENCE: a. Clerk of Council, Nykesha D. Jackson, led council and the audience in a moment of silence . 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: a. Clerk of Council, Nykesha D. Jackson, led council and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 5. PRESENTATION/PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: (Each presentation will be limited to 10 minutes.) a. Proclamation designating April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. BACKGROUND: The city has been supportive in the past and issuing a proclamation allows citizens to see the City taking a proactive approach to addressing the issue of sexual assault. RECOMMENDATION: Proclaim April 2015 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Mayor Myers read the proclamation to the audience. A representative from The James House thanked Mayor Myers and City Council Members for the proclamation and recognition. b. Proclamation designating April as Alcohol Awareness Month. BACKGROUND: Each April since 1987, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) sponsors NCADD Alcohol Awareness Month to increase public awareness and understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage local communities to focus on alcoholism to focus and alcohol-related issues. This April, NCADD highlights the important public health issue of underage drinking, a problem with devastating individual, family, and community consequences.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: April 7, 2015 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Mayor Myers read and present the proclamation designating April as Alcohol Awareness Month. Mayor Myers read the proclamation to the audience. Margo Hardy, Program Manager of the Petersburg Juvenile Community Crime Control Program and Co-chairperson of the Coalition Against Alcohol, Nicotine & Drug Under-Age Use, thanked Mayor Myers and City Council Members for proclamation. c. Proclamation designating April 1-7, 2015, as Local Government Education Week BACKGROUND: In 2012, the General Assembly adopted a Resolution proclaiming the first week of April as Local Government Education Week in recognition of the work performed by local governments in Virginia and to increase students’ awareness of career opportunities in local government. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Mayor Myers read the attached proclamation. City Manager William E. Johnson accepted the proclamation for Local Government Education Week. d. Proclamation designating April 6-12, 2015, as National Public Health Week. BACKGROUND: In recognition of National Public Health Week, the Health Department will host events and provide information regarding preventing disease and improving the health of the members of the community. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Mayor Myers read the attached proclamation. Vice Mayor Parham read the proclamation out loud. Dr. Alton Hart thanked Mayor Myers and City Council Members for the proclamation. e. Presentation by Paul Agnello, Transportation Planner with the Virginia Department of Transportation, regarding the I-95/I-85 Interchange Study. BACKGROUND: The I-95/I-85 Interchange Study was performed by VDOT to address safety, capacity, and deficiency for the interchanges with cost estimates to be used as part of VDOT’s project reviews SYIP update. Paul Agnello, Transportation Planner for the Virginia Department of Transportation, will present the I-95/I-85 Interchange Study recommendations. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Council consider the options presented by VDOT regarding improvements to the interchanges and authorize the City Manager to send a letter to the Tri- Cities Area Metropolitan Planning Organization endorsing the I-95/I-85 Interchange Study for consideration of inclusion in VDOT’s Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP). Paul Agnello, Transportation Planner for the Virginia Department of Transportation, gave a brief PowerPoint presentation. There was discussion and comments among City Council Members. f. Presentation by Pamela Hairston, Commissioner of the Revenue, regarding the process of obtaining a business license. BACKGROUND: At the request of City Council, this presentation is being given to convey to Council and the public the process and requirements in obtaining a City of Petersburg business license.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: April 7, 2015 -4– ______________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: For informational purposes. No action is recommended. Pamela Hairston, Commissioner of Revenue, gave a brief PowerPoint presentation. There was discussion and comments among City Council Members. g. Presentation by Lorraine Adeeb, Director of Human Resources, regarding the City’s new electronic applicant tracking system. BACKGROUND: The new applicant tracking system will provide the City with a paperless application process that is proven to be a more efficient recruitment system and will provide greater accessibility to the employment opportunities with Petersburg. The City will also receive national exposure of available jobs through Government Jobs.com which uses the NEOGOV search engine for job opportunity searches. Every job posted in NEOGOV is simultaneously posted on Government Jobs.com. Currently, applicants submit their application in paper format for each position they wish to apply for. The hiring manager and/or Human Resource staff must review and screen each hard application that is received. The new system will eliminate hard copy applications and pre-screen applicants automatically as they apply by using weighted supplemental questions and screening tools. The interview schedule and application status will be updated throughout the recruitment process. The system will also generate email status notifications to the applicant. Applicants will now be able to view and apply for City jobs online, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week from any location with Internet access. The applicants will have the ability to create one application that they can use to apply for multiple jobs without having to recreate a new application each time. The applicants may check their application status on-line anytime. The City’s use of the electronic applicant tracking system will decrease screening time, increase collaboration between Human Resources and the hiring department, and allow Human Resources to provide departments with the most qualified candidate pool by using robust screening tools. The system was launched on April 6, 2015. There will be a transition period from April 6, 2015, through May 31, 2015, where both paper and hard copy applications will be accepted. RECOMMENDATION: For informational purposes. No action is required. Lorraine Adeeb, Director of Human Resource, gave a brief PowerPoint presentation. There was discussion and comments among City Council Members. 6. CONSENT AGENDA: a. Minutes of the March 17, 2015, City Council meeting b. Request to schedule a public hearing on an amended Ordinance granting to the City Manager the authority to sign a Deed of Easement with Verizon Wireless (“Verizon”) to provide a non-exclusive easement on City property located at 255 East South Boulevard. c. Request a public hearing be scheduled on a proposed Ordinance amending Sec. 114-136 and Sec. 114-236 of the Code of the City of Petersburg, changing the method of measurement of water from cubic feet to gallons. d. Request a public hearing be scheduled on the proposed Operating Budgets for Fiscal Year 2015/2016. e. Request a public hearing be scheduled on the proposed disposition of publicly-owned  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: April 7, 2015 -5– ______________________________________________________________________________ properties addressed as 1206 Hinton Street, 1162 Hinton Street, 1203 West Washington Street, and 1157 West Washington Street. Council Member Moore made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda and schedule four public hearings for April 21, 2015. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Parham. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham, and Myers 7. OFFICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS: (In accordance with the Rules of Council, public comment will be heard before discussion by Council. Once discussion has started, no further input from the public will be accepted. Each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes.) a. A public hearing on the potential disposition of publicly-owned properties addressed as 106, 119, 121, 123, 127, 140, 147, 151, 153,155, and 116-122 Halifax Street; 110, 112,114, and 116 South Avenue; and 137 South Market Street. BACKGROUND: The City is considering the disposition of the publicly-owned properties referenced above. The subject properties are zoned B-3, Central Commercial District and have an assessed value of $335,000. RECOMMENDATION: Following a duly advertised public hearing, Council may affirm staff’s recommendation; make changes to staff’s recommendation, or table for further consideration. Reginald Tabor, Economic Development, gave an overview on the potential disposition of publicly- owned properties addressed as 106, 119, 121, 123, 127, 140, 147, 151, 153,155, and 116-122 Halifax Street; 110, 112,114, and 116 South Avenue; and 137 South Market Street. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Charlie Cuthbert, 133 South Adams Street, stated that he is not sure of the protocol but he does not understand how there can be a public hearing on a proposal when there is not a proposal. He stated that there needs to be a proposal to comment on. He stated that at some future date the City may dispose of this property. He stated that if and when the City disposes of this property he ask that they consider putting in a PUD so that they will have more control of the use of the property. He stated that this has been done in the past for the Titmus property as well and the Perry Street property. He stated that being that the proposal has been withdrawn; if it comes back at any time he hopes that they go against it. He stated that he thinks that it is disrespectful of the businesses that are staying in Petersburg and to the commercial black history including the Ralto. He stated that he thinks that this is disrespectful bring more low-income into the City of Petersburg. Seeing no further hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public hearing. Council Member Moore made a motion to table the public hearing on the potential disposition of publicly-owned properties addressed as 106, 119, 121, 123, 127, 140, 147, 151, 153,155, and 116-122 Halifax Street; 110, 112,114, and 116 South Avenue; and 137 South Market Street. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilson-Smith. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham, and Myers b. A public hearing on a petition for a Special Use Permit to operate a Bed & Breakfast Inn at 132 East Fillmore Street. BACKGROUND: This request includes the re-establishment and operation of a Bed and Breakfast Inn. The property was purchased by the applicants on July 7, 2014, with the intent to reside and operate a bed and breakfast. The applicants have operated a five (5) guest room bed and breakfast in Tacoma, Washington. The property is located in the locally designated Poplar Lawn Historic District, and is subject to  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: April 7, 2015 -6– ______________________________________________________________________________ review and approval of the Architectural Review Board (ARB) for any exterior changes. In 2010, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) was approved for the wood fence to enclose the rear yard. The ARB noted that the fence should be painted/stained within one year following its installation. This requirement has been met and is in compliance with the approval. No exterior changes, which will require ARB review and approval, are proposed at this time. In 2001, Mr. Christopher Shorr was granted a Special Use Permit upon certain terms and conditions to operate a bed and breakfast. The previously approved ordinance 01-ORD-34 adopted June 5, 2001, was conditioned that the Special Use Permit be transferable upon sale, so long as the use was not discontinued for a period of one year or more for any reason. The Special Use Permit would terminate in the event of discontinuance for the aforementioned time period. The use has been discontinued for more than a year; therefore, the applicant must obtain a new special use permit to re-establish the use. The applicants currently reside at the above-referenced address, and it is designed and arranged as a single-family residential use. RECOMMENDATION: Following a duly advertised public hearing, Council may affirm the Planning Commission recommendation, overturn the Planning Commission recommendation, table for further consideration, or return the item under consideration to the Planning Commission requesting further review. The recommendation of the Planning Commission was to approve with conditions. Michelle Peters, Director of Planning and Community Development, gave a briefing on a petition for a Special Use Permit to operate a Bed & Breakfast Inn at 132 East Fillmore Street. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Seeing no hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public hearing. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Moore made a motion to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to approve the Special Use, with conditions, to operate a Bed & Breakfast Inn at 132 East Fillmore Street. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Parham. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith and Parham; Abstain: Myers (property was purchased by his sister-in-law) 15-ORD-25 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT WITH CONDITIONS, FOR PROPERTY ADDRESSED AS 132 EAST FILLMORE STREET TO OPERATE A BED & BREAKFAST INN. 8. PUBLIC INFORMATION PERIOD: The Public Information Period is established by the Rules of Council to hear input from City residents or owners of businesses in the City. It will last for a maximum of 30 minutes. Speakers will be called in the order that they have signed up to speak. If there are ten or fewer speakers, each shall speak for a maximum of 3 minutes. If there are more than six (6) people desiring to speak, the time allotted to each person may be adjusted or the number of speakers limited to meet the time limitation. A speaker may speak on items except those that are listed on tonight’s Council agenda. Any matter brought before the attention of the City Council during the public information period will not be acted upon by the City Council at this meeting. Ms. Jackson stated that all requests received for public records during the Public Information Period will be regarded as a FOIA request, including all applicable fees to provide the information. Albert Stone, 406 North West Street, stated that his concern is on the 14% increase in water. He stated that he has been living in Petersburg for about 65 years. He stated that he is on a fixed income and that at the moment only him and his son stay in the home. He stated that every time he turns around he  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: April 7, 2015 -7– ______________________________________________________________________________ gets different bills and amount. He stated that the drainage in the area is also stopped up as well. Minister J. Downing, Petersburg, VA, stated that he has complaints on blighted property in his neighborhood. He stated that he is surrounded by a lot and abandoned houses. He stated that critters run through his home from other properties. He stated that he spoke with his ward representative. He stated that he is disabled, a veteran, a recovering drug addict, and a felony. He stated that he know that there is a law where you are cited if grass grows over 12 inches. He stated that there are a lot of areas that need to be cited for tall grass. He stated that he will no longer sit back and observe. Linwood Christian, 410 Mistletoe Street, stated that he would like to comment on the interesting news on the state of affairs of the City of Petersburg. He stated that it bothered him to know this always. He stated that it bothered him as well to know that the school system will not be getting any extra monies. He stated that he thinks that the citizens deserve the right to know what is going to be discussed before the City Manager presented his budget. He stated that they have been asking this since the beginning of time. He stated that since the beginning of time and until present they have been washed off. He stated that they need to know that when they talk about transparency it is council’s case when they talk about closing the jail. He asked how is transferring the inmates back and forth going to affect the City’s budget. He stated that no meeting was held like it should have been with the Sheriff. He stated that this should not surprise him that the citizens are not afforded the same opportunity to find out what the state of financial affairs is. He stated that it was interesting to see what the Mayor was stating in what interesting things that the city has going on. He stated that a five minute blurb was given to the school system and that this does not speak well on education. He stated that on the agenda there is information on Local Government Week. He asked how are they are going to have anything on Local Government Week when the school system is closed this week. He stated that furthermore how they are going to teach the children that it is okay to violate the citizens because they owe fines in the City. He asked are they going to teach the children that the City government is not really for the people. He stated that he hopes that come November and June 9th that the people know in local government that just like a tree you can be uprooted and moved. 9. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FOR/FROM THE MAYOR OR OTHER MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL: a. Consideration of amending the Community Development (CDBG) Annual Plan to reprogram funds in the amount of $50,000. BACKGROUND: The Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority have requested CDBG funds to provide assistance to low moderate income buyers of new homes in Van Buren Estates. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends Council approved the reprogramming of $50,000 for this purpose. There was discussion among City Council Members and staff. Vice Mayor Parham made a motion to approve the reprogramming of $50,000. The motion was seconded by Council Member Moore. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham and Myers; Abstain: Coleman b. Consideration of amending the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Plan to reprogram funds in the amount of $25,000. BACKGROUND: The Freedom Support Center will expand its current space to accommodate additional meeting and service space for its program and The Police Athletic League (PAL) Summer Camp needs start-up assistance for its upcoming summer program. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the reprogramming of $25,000 for the following purposes:  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: April 7, 2015 -8– ______________________________________________________________________________  Freedom Support Center $20,000  Police Athletic League (PAL) $5,000 There was discussion among City Council Members and staff. Council Member Moore made a motion to reprogram funds in the amount of $25,000 for the Freedom Support Center and the Police Athletic League (PAL). The motion was seconded by Council Member Hart. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham, and Myers; Abstain: Coleman c. Consideration of amending the Special Fund Budget for funds received by the Earth Day for Kids Foundation. BACKGROUND: The Earth Day for Kids Foundation is a separate entity which is in the process of acquiring 501(c)(3) organization status. The Foundation raises monies to provide the children of Petersburg with opportunities to learn about and enjoy the environment. An Earth Day for Kids Foundation golf tournament was held on April 22, 2014, at Dogwood Trace Golf Course which raised $10,102. There are plans to hold a 3rd Annual Earth Day for Kids on April 22, 2015. The money raised will be used to provide the Petersburg Public Library with $5,000 to start a Natural Resource and Sustainability Section. The goal is to create an environmental educational section/book resource that would cover a broad range of topics from recycling and pollution to natural resources and wildlife. The environmental education programs will target all ages from preschool children to high school seniors. We hope this provides the guided resources for K-12 students to learn about the environmental effect of pollution and waste and what action they can take for improving the environment. In addition, money raised will be used to assist Parks and Leisure Services in providing nature field trips for the City’s youth. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Council adopt the attached appropriation ordinance and resolution. Council Member Coleman made a motion to adopt the appropriation ordinance in the amount of $10,102 and a resolution. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hart. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham, and Myers 15-R-24 A RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING MONEY DONATED TO THE EARTH DAY FOR KIDS FOUNDATION INTO A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND. 15-ORD-26 AN ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, SAID ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2014, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2015 IN THE SPECIAL FUNDS FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,102 FOR EARTH DAY FOR KIDS FOUNDATION. d. Consideration of the appropriation of grants funds received by Petersburg Area Transit. BACKGROUND: Petersburg Area Transit was awarded funds in the amount of $55,000. There is a required local match of $13,750, for a total of $68,750. State and Federal capital funding programs make resources available to PAT for the purchase of capital items related to transit and transit facilities. These funds will allow PAT to purchase automated passenger counters for our transit fleet. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Council adopt the attached appropriation ordinance. Vice Mayor Parham made a motion to adopt the appropriation ordinance in the amount of $68,750. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hart. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham, and Myers 15-ORD-27 AN ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE MASS TRANSIT FUND, FOR  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: April 7, 2015 -9– ______________________________________________________________________________ THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON JULY 1, 2014, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2015, FOR $68,750 FOR FTA CAPITAL GRANT – VA-34-0005. Council Member Hill stated that he would like to thank the citizens in Ward 2 and the other citizens in Petersburg for coming out to his first ward meeting. He stated that there was a lot of conversation of things that they are working on in the City. He stated that he would like to thank all of the City officials as well for attending. He stated that in the near future he and Vice Mayor Parham will be having a joint business ward meeting. He stated that this will be for the businesses in their ward. He stated that this meeting would be to see how they can help the businesses in the City. Council Member Moore stated to Mr. Johnson that they do have budget work session and that he would like him to bring back the potential items of giving the city workers a 3% raise. He stated that also he was at the bus station with his daughter on Sunday and that there were homeless individuals using the bathroom on the property of the bus station. He stated that the transit officers did a wonderful job taking care of the situation. He stated that things like this would pull security of the bus station. He asked Mr. Johnson whether they can look into getting extra security at the bus station. Council Member Coleman stated that Ward 6 will be having a ward meeting on April 28, 2015, at A.P. Hill Elementary on Talley Avenue. He stated that he invite all to attend. Council Member Hart stated that Ward 7 will be having a ward meeting on April 27, 2015, at Stuart Elementary School at 6:30pm. He stated that he invites all to attend as well. Council Member Wilson-Smith stated that she would like to thank everyone that attended the Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things Event. She stated that it was a huge success. She thanked everyone that was in attendance during the month of February for the play that was sponsored at Petersburg High School. She stated that she would like to also bring City Council up-to-date as a FYI. She stated that she was given permission to work with the City Manager last year to meet with people influencing health, wellness, and safety symposium. She stated that they did have meetings. She stated that she spoke with everyone in the end and that they agreed on the concentration of the poverty portion. She stated that it seems that poverty is the umbrella under which they are addressing issues. She stated that they are still meeting and that they will come back to City Council sometime soon with information. There was discussion among City Council and staff with regards to information stated during the Public Information Period regarding FOIA request. Mayor Myers stated that on this Saturday, April 11, 2015, City Council will be having a Restore Day. He stated that they invite everyone to come out and attend this event. He stated that it will be from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Freedom Support Center extension building. He stated that they will help with employers who will hire felons and also help with filling out applications for jobs and other various things that are needed to move forward in life. 10. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA: a. City Manager’s report 1) Request for RFP and process for selecting Johnson, Inc. The RFP for the City’s branding campaign was awarded to Johnson, Inc. through the competitive negotiation process. Total of (17) proposals were received. Proposals were received from the following agencies: 93 Octane, Buford Advertising, Johnson, Inc., Sparks Design, Diversity, Aptive Resources, This is Think, Press Media Genius, Boomhitch, Firestarter, Woodpile studios, DIA, Wilesmith Advertising, Commonwealth PR, Crabtree & Co., North Start, and Cahoon & Cross. A copy of the RFP and the scoring criteria for selection have been provided to Mr. Larry Akin Smith per his request at the March 17, 2015, City Council meeting.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: April 7, 2015 - 10 – ______________________________________________________________________________ 2) Request for the documented expenses and outcome of trips for: Former Councilman Horace Webb and William E. Johnson, III during 2014 trip to London and expenses during their recent trip to Washington, DC. This public records request is being handled as a FOIA request and will be sent directly to the requestor, and will not be responded to at this time. 3) Request to answer concerns by residents during Public Information Period. Resident’s questions are gathered during the current City Council session and are answered during the following meeting during City Manager’s Agenda portion of the City Council meeting. City Manager does not respond to public information period concerns that are more opinions vs. questions or action items to follow up to. Mr. Johnson stated that as part of the process the answers to all of these questions are in Council Communicates as well. He stated that he would like to remind everyone that on Saturday, April 18, 2015, they are promoting an “I AM PETERSBURG” weekend. He stated that it will begin with the fireworks for the 5k Marathon. He stated that also in partnership with the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce there will be a Smoking BBQ in Old Towne from 12noon until 5:00pm. He stated that there will also be a Revolutionary War Reenactment on Saturday and Sunday as well. Mr. Johnson stated that since City Council has received the budget it is his recommendation that they have a work session to have Public Utilities come in and talk about the increase in the water and sewer fees and then a work session to speak on non-departmental expenses. He stated that even though Council Member Moore made the request for a raise for the City employees they will look at the numbers in the budget. He stated that once they are given that number and City Council receives the budget it is now City Council’s Budget. He stated that any cuts from any particular agency have to make up from another agency. He stated that this is a very tight year. He stated that it will reduce hiring and that they will have to take a hard look at people being in seats as well. He stated that there will be a public hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, and that they will be hearing input from citizens and council. 11. CLERK OF CITY COUNCIL'S AGENDA: No items for this portion of the agenda. 12. CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA: No items for this portion of the agenda. 13. CLOSED SESSION (IF NECESSARY): No closed is necessary. 14. ADJOURNMENT: Council Member Coleman moved for adjournment. The motion was seconded by Council Member Moore. There was no discussion. The motion was approved on voice vote. City Council adjourned at 8:26 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor