City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: February 18, 2016 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The Special Meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Thursday, February 18, 2016, at the Union Train Station. Mayor Myers called the special meeting to order at 6:30p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member David R. Coleman Council Member John A. Hart, Sr. Council Member Darrin 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 Clerk of Council Nykesha Jackson, CMC 2. CLOSED SESSION: a. Consideration and/or discussion of performance of council appointee(s). Vice Mayor Parham read a letter from Commonwealth Attorney, Cassandra Conover. He stated that the letter stated, “Pursuant to my conversation with you on today, February 18th, 2016, I am asking that you, Martha Mavredes, Auditor of Public Accounts, and you, Col. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, investigate the City of Petersburg in areas of concern dealing with finance. I am making this request pursuant to Virginia Code Section 30.138. Vice Mayor Parham made a motion that City Council of the City of Petersburg retain the law firm of Williams Mullens as their attorney’s to advise council on personnel matters relating to certain City employees appointed by City Council and that either the Mayor or Vice Mayor is authorized to execute engagement letters with that firm. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilson-Smith. There was discussion among City Council Members. Vice Mayor Parham made motion that in a point of order he would like to challenge Council Member Moore’s question by roll call vote to disregard his motion. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilson-Smith. There was discussion among City Council Members. Council Member Coleman made a motion to go into 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, Myers City Council entered closed session at 6:38 p.m. CERTIFICATION: Vice Mayor Parham made a motion to return City Council into open session and certify the purposes of  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: February 18, 2016 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ 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: Hart, Hill, Parham and Myers; Absent: Coleman; Abstain: Moore, Wilson- Smith 16-R-5 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 MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED SESSION WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, OR CONSIDERED. Council Member Hill made a motion to remove all motions on the floor. The motion was seconded by Council Member Coleman. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Wilson-Smith, Moore, Parham and Myers Council Member Wilson-Smith made a motion to order a forensic audit. 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 Vice Mayor Parham made a motion that City Council of the City of Petersburg retain the law firm of Williams Mullens as their attorney’s to advise council on personnel matters relating to certain City employees appointed by City Council and that either the Mayor or Vice Mayor is authorized to execute engagement letters with that firm. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Wilson-Smith, Moore, Parham and Myers Council Member Wilson-Smith made a motion to go into closed session to discuss personnel issues. She stated that according to the Freedom of Information Act, City Council cannot discuss personnel issues in the open. 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, Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham, Myers City Council entered closed session at 7:08 p.m. CERTIFICATION: Council Member Coleman 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: Hart, Hill, Parham and Myers; Absent: Coleman; Abstain: Moore, Wilson- Smith 16-R-6 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 MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED SESSION WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, OR CONSIDERED.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: February 18, 2016 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ Vice Mayor Parham made motion that Williams Mullen would be authorized to negotiate a separation agreement with Brian K. Telfair, City Attorney, on terms authorized by City Council with the understanding that the final terms of the separation agreement be approved by City Council prior to execution. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Wilson-Smith, Moore, Parham and Myers Vice Mayor Parham made motion that Williams Mullen would be authorized to negotiate a separation agreement with City Manager, William Johnson, III, on terms authorized by City Council with the understanding that the final terms of the separation agreement be approved by City Council prior to his execution. 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 Council Member Hart made motion that with the current status of the water bills and the dates that they are due that they extend this to March 15. He stated that this is for the water bill and the personal property taxes. 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 4. ADJOURNMENT: City Council adjourned at 8:14 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor