City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 21, 2015 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The regular meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at the Union Train Station. Mayor Myers called the regular meeting to order at 6:30p.m. 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 Council Member Samuel Parham Mayor W. Howard Myers Absent: None Present from City Administration: Deputy City Manager Irvin Carter Assistant City Attorney Danielle Powell 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 Farmer’s Market Week August 2-8. BACKGROUND: The City is wishes to observe August 8, 2015, as Farmer’s Market Day, in so doing, the City will highlight and celebrate the contributions of Petersburg Farmer’s Market to the Petersburg and surrounding community. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Council adopt the attached proclamation. Mayor Myers read the proclamation out loud to the audience. Reginald Tabor, Projects Manager of Economic Development, accepted the proclamation. b. Proclamation designating August 1st, as Petersburg Health Awareness Day. BACKGROUND: The City wishes to recognize a day promoting health awareness, access to care and community engagement. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Council adopt the attached proclamation.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 21, 2015 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ Mayor Myers read the proclamation out loud to the audience. Lisa Speller-Davis, Manager of Community Outreach of Medicaid Medicare Programs at Anthem, accepted the proclamation/. c. Update City Council, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and interested citizens on upcoming operational changes that are being recommended for Petersburg Area Transit. BACKGROUND: The public involvement process can be different for changers to operational and capital transportation efforts. The proposed small operational enhancements to be made are to the County Drive, the Richmond Express and the Downtown Trolley routes are categorized as level one. Projects in this category include small changes in operation of services through route or scheduling adjustments, impacting not more than 15 percent of daily revenue hours and that did not require a formal planning process. In consideration of the public involvement process, Petersburg Area Transit is providing information on the proposed operational changes to City Council and the MPO in the project area. The attached presentation and handout describes the activities and anticipated impacts regarding the operational enhancements. RECOMMENDATION: Review, consider and discuss the proposed operational enhancements to be effective between July 22nd and August 10, 2015. Dironna Belton, Transit Manager, gave a brief PowerPoint presentation on the operational changes that are being recommended for Petersburg Area Transit. There was discussion among staff and City Council. Vice Mayor Parham made a motion to adopt the proposed operational enhancements to be effective July 25th, 2015. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham, and Myers d. Update on VSU from Dr. Pamela Hammond, Interim President at Virginia State University. Dr. Pamela Hammond gave a brief overview on updates of Virginia State University. 6. CONSENT AGENDA: a. Minutes of July 7, 2015 b. Request to hold a public hearing on September 1st Council Meeting to permit the purchase of 357 Canal Street. Council Member Coleman made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda with the changes from 357 Canal Street to 357 University Boulevard. The motion was seconded by Council Member Moore. 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 to receive citizen comment on an appeal of the Architectural Review Board’s decision for 530 Grove Avenue. BACKGROUND: Magdalena Peter filed an application for Certificate of Appropriateness that was approved on May 13, 2015. Charles Willis is appealing the Architectural Review Board’s approval of a  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 21, 2015 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ structure built behind 530 Grove Avenue. He owns the house and property at 415 Doan’s Alley, which is directly across the alley from this structure. The appeals caps information and explain an issue with Mr. Willis and his opposition of the approved appeal. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends city Council to hear an appeal by Charles Willis of 1637 Johnson Road on property located behind 530 Grove Avenue, Tax Parcel 010-13-0020, of the decision of the Architectural Review Board to approve for Certificate of Appropriateness. Charles Willis gave a briefing on his appeal of the Architectural Review Board’s decision of 530 Grove Avenue. Magdalena Peter, owner of 530 Grove Avenue, gave a statement regarding the property in the appeal. Kathleen Morgan, Preservation Planner, gave a briefing on the appeal and property. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Sheryl Jordan, 519 Plum Street, stated that she lives around the corner from Charlie but that her backyard faces Ms. Peter property. She stated that she likes Ms. Peter and that she is a nice person. She stated that she is good for the neighborhood but that her property has not been good for neighborhood. She stated that Ms. Peter painted her house five different colors and stated for the last five years that she will finish painting it but has not. She stated that Ms. Peters had a chicken coot that was not supposed to be there and that now it is gone. She stated that now she has this shed there. She stated that she has worked hard on her house to make sure that it is in compliance with being historic property. She stated that Charlie has been working on his property for over a year bringing it up to current codes and making sure that it is done properly. She stated that Ms. Peter property looks blighted and that the shed is sitting in the alley. She stated that it is not good. Jane Crest, 517 Plum Street, stated that her backyard also faces the alley where the structure is located. She stated that it is quiet an eye soars and that she understands that it is not complete. She stated that it is large enough that if you are in the alley you cannot see to Grove Avenue. She stated that as a single lady living in old town it sort of worries her that this structure is just another safety issue. She stated that there have been serval times and incidents involving the police and other things in that area. She stated that she does not know the home owner personally and that this is not personal. She stated that it distracts from the ambiance of the neighborhood and the safety issue that she brought up. Seeing no further hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public hearing. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Moore made a motion to reject the appeal based upon the lack of a signed Certificate of Appropriateness and then they may move forward. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Hart, Hill, Wilson-Smith, Moore, and Parham; Voting No: Coleman and Myers b. A public hearing on the proposed disposition of publicly-owned property addressed 245 East Bank Street. BACKGROUND: The City is considering the disposition of publicly-owned property addressed as 245 East Bank Street, as identified as Tax Parcel 011-17-0001. The subject property is the current location of the Police Annex. RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation that City Council approves the potential disposition  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 21, 2015 -4– ______________________________________________________________________________ of publicly- owned property addressed as 245 East Bank Street. Reginald Tabor, Projects Manager of Economic Development, gave a brief summary on the publicly-owned property addressed 245 East Bank Street. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Karen Graham, 402 High Street, stated that the subject is of interest by the McCormack. She stated that they have done a stellar job on the projects that they have worked on downtown. She asked whether the City still houses the detectives and police department office in that building and if in fact they do where these offices are going to be relocated. She asked what the cost will be to the City to relocate them. She asked will the property be sold at a fair market value and will the City be entertaining a motion to finance the project or the sale of the building. She stated that she would like some transparency in this potential disposal of property as well as any other of City owned property. Seeing no further hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public hearing. John McCormack, 231 4th Street (buyer of property), stated that this particular building he is interested in because the detectives are moving. He stated that there is no provision for financing and that it will be a cash purchase. He stated that there has been a need a lack of office space in downtown Petersburg. He stated that he would really like to see this come in Petersburg. He stated that this would be an adjunct to the retail and apartments in that area. He stated that in his proposal this is the plan for the property. He stated that they would like to make it another nice development in that corridor. Council Member Moore made a motion to approve the disposition of publicly- owned property addressed as 245 East Bank Street. The motion was seconded by Council Member Coleman. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Parham and Myers; Voting No: Wilson-Smith 15-ORD-54 AN ORDINANCE FOR DISPOSITION OF PUBLICLY-OWNED PROPERTY ADDRESSED AS 245 EAST BANK STREET. c. A public hearing to consider an ordinance to move the Sixth Ward Polling Place from Westview Early Childhood Education Center to A.P. Hill Elementary School. BACKGROUND: Westview Early Childhood Education Center is no longer large enough to accommodate voters in the Sixth Ward. A.P. Hill Elementary School will provide more room for voters, more parking spaces, and increase handicap access. RECOMMENDATION: To approve the ordinance to move the Sixth Ward Polling Place from Westview Early Childhood Education Center to A.P. Hill Elementary School. Dawn Williams, Registrar, gave a brief summary on an ordinance to move the Sixth Ward Polling Place from Westview Early Childhood Education Center to A.P. Hill Elementary School. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Seeing no hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public hearing. There was discussion among City Council Members and staff. Council Member Coleman made a motion to approve an ordinance to move the Sixth Ward Polling Place from Westview Early Childhood Education Center to A.P. Hill Elementary School. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hart. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Wilson-Smith, Moore, Parham and Myers  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 21, 2015 -5– ______________________________________________________________________________ 15-ORD-55 AN ORDINANCE TO MOVE THE SIXTH WARD POLLING PLACE FROM WESTVIEW EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER TO A.P. HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. d. A public hearing for the adoption of a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of tax and Revenue Anticipation Note in the maximum principal amount of $4,500,000. BACKGROUND: The Revenue Anticipation Note is an infusion of cash on a temporary basis to assist in addressing the day to day operations until tax revenue is received. RECOMMENDATION: Adoption. Irvin Carter, Director of Finance, gave a brief summary on a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of tax and Revenue Anticipation Note in the maximum principal amount of $4,500,000. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Michael Edwards, 409 Grove Avenue, stated that he is glad that Mr. Carter is sitting in front tonight. He asked Mr. Carter what is the interest on the loan. Mr. Carter stated that they have not gotten to that particular point where they know what the interest rate is. He stated that in the resolution it can exceed 5%. Mr. Edwards asked how many more years are they going to have to do this and if the City is in better shape than last year. Mr. Carter stated that the City is in better shape and that based on policy and procedure that City Council has put in place no more than three more years. Seeing no further hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public hearing. Vice Mayor Parham made a motion to adopt the resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of tax and Revenue Anticipation Note in the maximum principal amount of $4,500,000. The motion was seconded by Council Member Moore. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Wilson-Smith, Moore, Parham and Myers 15-R-42 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF TAX AND REVENUE ANITICIPATION NOTES IN THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $4,500,000. 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. Willie Noise, 1508 Circle Drive, stated that he wanted to give a shout out to two personnel on council. He stated that they are both absent but they are the City Manager and City Attorney. He stated that on many occasions he has gone to the City Manager for assistance and complaints and he has set up a timely meeting. He stated that they have discussed it in the office or out in the field. He stated that Mr. Johnson had the appropriate department there to assist. He stated that he would like City Council to know that from his stand point and eyesight that Mr. Johnson is doing a very good job. He stated that the next one is the City Attorney. He stated that on many occasions he has bumped heads with the City Attorney.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 21, 2015 -6– ______________________________________________________________________________ He stated that he got off on a bad start with Mr. Telfair when he first got to the City. He stated that so far now his attitude has changed. He noticed that many times with conflict and stuff that is going on with the council person and the City, whereas Mr. Telfair’s advice came in, that he made the property statements and decision. He stated that he thinks that the City Attorney has saved them many times. He stated that he wanted to give a shout out to those two individuals. Vernel Gannaway, 652 Old Wagner Road, stated that he would like to give a shout out to the City Manager on getting some information fast for him that he requested on issues with the traffic light. He stated that he wanted to correct one thing in which the City Manager asked regarding Normandy Drive and Wagner Road. He stated that this was not a concern that was taken care of six months ago. He stated that it was Rives Road and Crater Road traffic light. He stated that asked for this to be checked on and that it came back it was inappropriate. He stated that it was stated about the grass cutting in the City and that it was a new code in the City. He stated that there are new people coming in all the time and they are not aware of the properties in Petersburg. He stated that he is a lifelong citizen of the City of Petersburg. He stated that he believes in keeping the City and City property together. He stated that he looks around and even the City property is not up to standards. He stated that it is embarrassing. He stated that they have to do something about the streets and that the infrastructure is in place. He stated that they have to continue this so that they can beautify the streets and the grass. He stated that the City should not put a mandate on citizens. He stated that it is not an excuse for the City to mandate things from citizens because they have laid-off employees from the City and they do not have ample people to do things. He stated that on Route 460 and County Drive they are speaking on grass on the road. He stated that County Drive needs some improvement and uplifting. He stated that there are people that moved in the City in the last ten months and that they have children. He stated that the City needs to look at bringing the schools up to standards. He stated that there have been clients that have moved out the City because they refuse to put their children in Petersburg Public Schools. Prince Duke, 2793 South Crater Road, stated that he has a concern that he wants to share with City Council and members of the City that are present. He stated that he read the report that was written on the Petersburg Sheriff Department. He stated that after reading the report he has a suggestion for City Council. He stated that he is present today as a concerned citizen and a business owner in the City to ask City Council to immediately extend the investigation to department heads, City governors, City leadership and all City departments. He stated that this should be because if such things can be found in one department of $20,000 of misuse of purchase then you cannot expect that a Sheriff Department is the only department in the City that misused money. He stated that will all respect before anyone else get involved he asked that City Council conduct a serious investigation on other departments and that misuse of money is not happening citywide. He stated that Petersburg has very limited resources. He stated that he has heard the same thing from one Mayor to another Mayor. He stated that they are financially strained in the City. He stated that there are a lot of things that cannot be done because they are financially strained in the City. He stated that he believes that they can use resources to improve the City’s spending. He stated that this can be with Petersburg Public School System, monies to match with school system and pay raises for City employees. He stated that as of right now the City of Petersburg is obligated to pay $2.6 million per year to Riverside Regional Jail. He stated that this is money that could have been spent in Petersburg. He asked them to please conduct the investigation. He stated that if it is not done someone else will do it. Karen Graham, 402 High Street, stated that she is present tonight to discuss an issue that has already been talked about for some time. She stated that this has something to do with the water bills. She stated that the citizens still continue to get higher than normal water bills. She stated that now that the City has gone to a monthly water bill her monthly bill has increased by 1/3. She stated that this is even before the increase is supposed to take place citywide. She stated that she did go to the water department and that she asked to have someone to come out and look at her meter and to make sure she did not have a leak. She stated that she didn’t have leak but there was no rationale or explanation as to why her bill has jumped dramatically. She stated that it was far higher than adjoining properties. She stated that she happened to be home on Monday and noticed a contractor out in front of her home working on the water meter. She stated that it was Johnson Controls. She stated that Johnson Controls was telling her that Petersburg and a locality in Tennessee and potentially in some other areas have faulty  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 21, 2015 -7– ______________________________________________________________________________ water meters. She stated that those meters citywide are going to be replaced. She asked if this is true that the City did have a significant amount of faulty meters and is it being replaced citywide. She asked whether there was going to be a cost incurred by the City to do this. She stated that she hopes that this will solve her problem and that she actually gets an accurate meter read. She stated that this was supposedly the intent when the new meters were installed a number of months ago. She stated that even though there have been a number of people that have been in subsequent to those meters getting installed. She stated that it really is frustrating for people to deal with the absorbent bills and the water billing department. She stated that unless you go in and talk to the individual you may or may not get an answer. She stated that you ask for call back and don’t get a call back. She stated that if you call and actually get somebody to answer the phone and tell you that they will call you back but that they do notcall you back. She stated that if you call and get the voice message and you leave a message you do not get a call back or the voice message box is so full that you cannot leave a message. She stated that she would ask that the City deal with the fact that responses to citizens’ concerns are not happening promptly and that it is not just the water department and that its other City departments as well. She stated that it should not funnel to the Mayor’s office and then to a department head before a citizen gets a response back. 9. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FOR/FROM THE MAYOR OR OTHER MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL: a. To allocate funds to hire a Program Coordinator for the Health Living and Learning Center located in the Petersburg Public Library. BACKGROUND: The Petersburg Public Library has received a grant from The Cameron Foundation to hire a Program Coordinator for the Healthy Living and Learning Center located in the Petersburg Public Library. Through the hiring of a full-time Coordinator, health literacy issues will be impacted in three ways: (1) provision of specific guidance to address the needs of the low literacy population through the guided services of a health information specialist; (2) With the assistance of the health information specialist, customers will have the opportunity to learn how to access accurate and reliable health information on their own; and (3) by continuing to use this model, local partnerships throughout the community will increase and all will incorporate activities that will reinforce strong sustainability and outcomes. RECOMMENDATION: Approve. There was discussion among City Council Members and staff. Council Member Hart made a motion to approve the allocated funds to hire a Program Coordinator for the Health Living and Learning Center located in the Petersburg Public Library. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham and Myers b. To appropriate grant funds awarded to the City of Petersburg for the Chesapeake Bay Regulatory and Accountability Program (CBRAP) Historical Data Cleanup. BACKGROUND: As a Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), the City of Petersburg is responsible for stormwater discharges to receiving waters through an MS4 General Permit administered by DEQ. The regulations stated in this permit require localities to maintain accurate historical data on all stormwater management facilities within their regulated MS4 boundaries in order to properly determine local/regional nutrient loads and required pollutant reductions. In an effort to help MS4 localities in compiling this data, a DEQ grant was established to support these activities. A Request for Applications was issued by DEQ on January 20, 2015 and city staff responded. In April 2015, DEQ awarded the City of Petersburg with the grant funding in the amount of 24,975- the grant agreement was fully executed on June 5, 2015. No match is required for this grant. RECOMMENDATION: Request Council adopts the attached appropriation ordinance in the  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 21, 2015 -8– ______________________________________________________________________________ amount of $24,975. Council Member Moore made a motion to approve the appropriation ordinance in the amount of $24,975. 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 15-ORD-56 AN ORDINANCE, AS ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2015, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2016, IN THE SPECIAL FUNDS FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $24,975 FOR CBRAP HISTORICAL DATA CLEANUP. c. To amend the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Plan to relocate CDBG funds in the amount of $11,300 from the 2015-2016 Center Hill Mansion. BACKGROUND: The Siege Museum is an ongoing project. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends these funds be reallocated for this purpose. Council Member Moore made a motion to amend the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Plan to relocate CDBG funds in the amount of $11,300 from the 2014-2015 Center Hill Mansion. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham and Myers d. To amend the Special Fund by $15,000 to record activities related to Public-Private Education Facilities Infrastructure ACT (PPEA). BACKGROUND: Pursuant to the Public-Private Education Facilities Act of 2002. The City shall receive an analysis of the proposals from internal staff or outside advisors or consultants with relevant experience in determining whether to enter into an agreement with the private entity. In regard to proposals submitted under the PPEA, the City will require an initial processing fee of $5,000 at the time of submission, with an additional proposal fee of $10,000 to be paid within (5) days after notice from the City should the project proceed beyond the initial review. The initial processing fee shall be submitted with initial proposal or competing proposal. The City will refund any portion of fees paid in excess of its direct cost include, but are not limited to, all staff costs, and outside consultants, financial advisors, engineers and attorney fees, associated with evaluating the proposals. The City’s Purchasing Office has collected $15,000.00 from one (1) company that submitted proposals. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Council adopt the attached appropriation ordinance in the amount of $15,000. Council Member Coleman made a motion to adopt the appropriation ordinance in the amount of $15,000. 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-57 AN ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, SAID ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2015, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2016, IN THE SPECIAL FUNDS FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 FOR THE PPEA PROJECTS. e. To re-appropriate the 2014 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds received by the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services. BACKGROUND: The City of Petersburg Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services has received Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Assistance to Firefighter Grant Programs’ primary goal is to meet the firefighting and emergency response needs of the fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 21, 2015 -9– ______________________________________________________________________________ The grant funds will be utilized solely for the purchase of new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and personal protective equipment (PPE) for enhanced firefighting and emergency response safety. The federal share of this grant is $586,410, with a required local match of $56,840. The local match will be provided from the Fire Department’s State Fire Program Funds. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Council adopt the attached reappropriation ordinance. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Hart made a motion to re-appropriate the 2014 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds received by the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services. 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 Council Member Wilson-Smith stated that she will be continuing to have meetings throughout the wards. She stated that she is doing apartments in the month of July and some of August. She stated that the schedule is in the back and that she is trying to reach apartments at least twice. She stated that August 13th she will be having a meeting with all of the ministers in Ward 1. She stated that all of the churches have been sent an invitation. Council Member Hart stated that he put out a couple of times to Mr. Hicks and that he really needs some things addressed as far as areas of improvement in Ward 7. He stated that the following roads need repairs: Squirrel Level Road at the light near bridge, the entire Banister Road, and Seaborne Street. Council Member Coleman stated that he would like to thank Mr. Linwood Christian for the information and pictures regarding Montgomery Street. He stated that they are going to try and take care of this as soon as possible. He stated that Ward 6 will be having a meeting the last of August at A.P. Hill Elementary School. He stated that there will be more information to follow at a later date. Council Member Hill stated that he would like to thank the citizens of Ward 2 for the calls and his response to them for some issues that they had. He stated that they will be working on the Rives Road. He stated that he thinks that there was a mix up as far as the lights on Normandy and Wagner Road. He stated that he would like to wish Major Rohde a happy 39 years for working for the City of Petersburg. He stated that this is his last meeting in inform and that he would like everyone to give him a round of applause. He stated that in October they will be scheduling a town hall meeting. He stated that he would have to get with the pastor at the Baptist Church on Crater Road. Vice Mayor Parham stated that he would like to take this time as they go into the City Council Advance to start to reflect back on the beginning of this year on what was started. He stated that they started at the National League of Cities and that they attended a couple of seminars for fair housing. He stated that they asked VHDA when they were there on affordable housing program in Petersburg. He stated that there was a program that was set up by the President for low-income families to have access to better schools, health care and housing to be able to equal out the playing field in the United States. He stated that currently the VHDA has not gotten back with him. He stated that they are all working for the betterment of Petersburg and one of the complaints was about the schools. He stated that they asked how VHDA pose their credits in housing in Petersburg when it’s supposed to be spread out across the whole region. He stated that they really didn’t have an answer to why all of the projects are centered towards Petersburg. He stated that currently on June 24th the Supreme Court upheld a decision that went on in Texas on discrimination claims on the Fair Housing Act. He stated that as City Council go into their City Council Advance and the City Attorney gets back and is checking into this information. He stated that they need to look into drafting a resolution to equal the playing field in the region. He stated that the resolution would give them more access to better schools and not just empowering on Petersburg and help them make better decisions.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 21, 2015 - 10 – ______________________________________________________________________________ Mayor Myers stated that on August 1st from 10:00am to 1:00pm at Petersburg Sports Complex there will be the “I AM PETERSBURG” Health and Back to School Festival. He stated that transportation will be available at all of the elementary schools at 9:30am as well as at Peabody Middle School. He stated that he encourages everyone to speak with the seniors as well as young adults to come out and participate with the families and welcome the Petersburg families. He stated that they will be giving out backpacks and healthy snacks and health education information to everyone in the City of Petersburg. 10. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA: a. City Manager’s report Irvin Carter, Deputy City Manager, stated that today the City did employee recognition at the baseball game. He stated that it was a very warm and successful event. He stated that warm is an understatement. He stated that it was a hot and successful event. He stated that they encourage that when the citizens of Petersburg get the opportunity to go to the sports complex and seek out a general game for a pretty entertaining evening. He stated that right now they are 11-4 with winnings. He stated that the City has a pretty successful team. He stated that this Friday the Generals will be playing at the Petersburg Sports Complex. He stated that he encourages everyone to go out and support the City’s own Petersburg Generals. 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: City Council adjourned at 7:58 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor