City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The regular meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at the Union Train Station. Mayor Myers called the regular meeting to order at 6:30p.m. REGULAR-SCHEDULED MEETING – 6:30 P.M. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member David R. Coleman Council Member John A. 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 Attorney Joseph E. Preston Interim City Manager Tom Tyrrell Interim Finance Director Nelsie Birch Clerk of Council Nykesha Jackson 2. CLOSED SESSION: No closed session items. 3. MOMENT OF SILENCE: a. Clerk of Council, Nykesha Jackson, led council and the audience in a moment of silence. 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: a. Clerk of Council, Nykesha Jackson, led council and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. 5. PRESENTATION/PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: (Each presentation will be limited to 10 minutes.) a. City Treasurer Update BACKGROUND: City Treasurer contracted with Propel Financial Services and TACS to assist in the collection of delinquent taxes in November 2015. RECOMMENDATION: City Treasurer prepares and presents a monthly collection of delinquent revenue presentation to City Council. Kevin Brown, City Treasurer, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the collection of delinquent taxes. There was discussion among City Council Members and the City Treasurer. 6. CONSENT AGENDA: a. Minutes: Regular City Council Meeting: November 15, 2016; Work Session: November 15, 2016  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ b. Request to schedule a public hearing on the proposed disposition of publicly-owned property addressed as 835 Commerce Street. c. A request for a public hearing of David B. Allen, Inc. for an amendment to the proffers of a previously approved ordinance 05-Ord-50 adopted July 5, 2005. Council Member Coleman stated, “I would like to change 9B to become 6C and 6C to become 6D. The reason for this is that 9B and 6B refers to the same property.” Council Member Coleman made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda with those changes as stated. 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 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 add Section 106-66 to Article III of Chapter 106, of the 2000 Code of the City of Petersburg, to add as a prerequisite to applying to the circuit court for real property tax relief, a review by the Board of Equalization. BACKGROUND: The Code of Virginia Section 58.1-3984, states that any person still aggrieved by an assessment after review by the Board of Equalization may then apply for relief to the circuit court of the country or city wherein such assessment was made. This amendment would make filing for relief with the Board of Equalization a prerequisite. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council approves the attached ordinance. Richie McKeithen, City Assessor, gave an overview on the adding of Section 106-66 to Article III of Chapter 106, of the 2000 Code of the City of Petersburg, to add as a prerequisite to applying to the circuit court for real property tax relief, a review by the Board of Equalization Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comments. Seeing no hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public hearing. Council Member Coleman made a motion to approve the attached ordinance. 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 16-ORD-53 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE III, REAL ESTATE TAXES, OF CHAPTER 106, DIVISION I TO ADD SECTION 106-66, REVIEW BY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION PREREQUISITE TO BRINGING ACTION IN CIRUCIT COURT; OF THE 2000 CODE OF THE CITY OF PETERSBURG, AS AMENDED. b. A public hearing on proposed amendments to the City of Petersburg’s existing charter. BACKGROUND: On June 21, 2016, City Council adopted Ordinance 16-31, creating the Citizenry Committee. This Committee, with the assistance of the City Attorney, was tasked with reviewing the City Charter and provides recommendations, if any, to City Council. To have the charter amended, the following steps are to be followed: 1. City posts notice of public haring in newspaper at least 10 days prior to the hearing. 2. City Council holds public hearing.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ 3. Council adopts a resolution requesting the charter amendments. 4. Council asks General Assembly representative(s) to introduce legislation, sending A. The text of the amended charter. B. A copy of the affidavit of publication from the newspaper. C. A certified copy of the minutes of the meeting “showing the action taken at the advertised public hearing.” 5. Charter bills start in House Counties, Cities & Towns and/or Senate Local Government committees. They are acted on like any other bill, but do require a 2/3 majority vote of the General Assembly. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that Council approve the changes to the charter. Mark Flynn, Former Interim City Attorney, gave an overview of proposed amendments to the City of Petersburg’s existing charter. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comments. Linwood Christian, 410 Mistletoe Street, spoke on the presentation being interesting. He stated that he thinks that council should look over the amendments and to adopt some. He spoke on City Council being held accountable for some of the hardships that the City is dealing with now. Yolanda Stokes, 26 Flank Road, spoke on City Council revisiting the tow policy and making changes to it. She stated that this would be on police towing a vehicle and the cost. Barb Rudolph, 1675 Mt. Vernon Street, spoke on commending Council Member Moore and Council Member Wilson-Smith in overseeing the board that was involved with the changes. She spoke on some of the proposed changes being delayed and being more looked into. Ken Pritchett, 1113 Overbrook Road, spoke on some of the changes needing further discussion and some things that are by the state code and that those should be approved tonight. He spoke on the sale of city property and on if they should be advertised and displayed. He spoke on the items being looked at a little deeper. Seeing no further hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public hearing. There was discussion among City Council Member and Mr. Flynn. Council Member Wilson-Smith asked the Citizenry Committee Members to stand and thanked everyone for participating and helping. Council Member Wilson made a motion to adopt the editorial changes that the committee has written that Mr. Flynn spoke about tonight. 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 made a motion for a referendum for the November 2017 ballot which asks the question of the citizens “Do you wish to vote for your Mayor and Vice Mayor?” The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Parham. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham and Myers; Abstain: Hill Council Member Wilson made a motion that if the current members of the Citizenry Committee are in agreement that they remain on the new CCRA (Commission on Community Relation and Affairs Board). 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 Mayor Myers asked Council Member Wilson-Smith whether she had a commitment from her  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 -4– ______________________________________________________________________________ committee. Council Member Wilson-Smith stated that she said if they so choose. Mayor Myers stated to Council Member Wilson-Smith that if not how she wants to choose them. Council Member Wilson-Smith stated that they will appoint two members per board by application. 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. Mary Howard, 608 South Park Drive, stated, “First of all let’s take away the personal and the political attitudes. This is a reality. It’s not a good feeling to see the death of our youth daily having the fear of coming out of your front door, afraid to allow your children and grandchildren to play in the yard or go into the stores, afraid to drive your regular route home and definitely afraid of your elderly parents and grandparents to sit on the front porch because someone might want to target practice. Just because. We the citizens are standing together not to bash anyone but we are saying that we want somebody that talks to us, somebody that keeps crime down in our community by having a relationship with this community and arresting culprits within several hours of their offense. Someone that takes part in our community and someone that has events for our community and participates. Someone that walks with us throughout the community and someone that already knows our community and has a relationship with us and that worked and started dialogue with gang members. And we do know they are here right? We have seen that with someone and that someone is John Dixon. We want him back and we understand that you, our representatives did not dismiss him and knew nothing of this decision to do so. Therefore, he was wrongfully terminated. Yes, we have heard about some other investigations going on but it has not come out to us yet. But we must remember all of us has some skeletons and so we should be careful when we start digging into others. In conclusion we are crying out for peace again in our community and we want John Dixon back as Chief of Police. Our understanding of the law is that you are innocent until proven guilty. We haven’t seen any guilty in reference to John Dixon. All of us couldn’t be here tonight but they sent their signatures in support. The petition reads ‘Chief John Dixon, III was wrongfully dismissed by the previous Acting City Manager, Dironna Belton, evidence by his employment contract dated June 15th. We the citizens of Petersburg believe that our safety has been compromised by his sudden departure of the chief. Upon his dismissal that has been a strike in crime. We demand Chief Dixon back to his position immediately.’ Believe us you don’t want this to happen to your children before you do something about it. Thank you.” Gina Harrison, 1687 S. Crater Road, stated, “Mr. Vice Mayor not to pick on you, I just want to remind you of two quotes. ‘We ask for the experts and we listened. I was born here, lived here, business here, and hired more Petersburg people and pay more of those taxes. I passed the new. If you don’t want to live here we are not holding you hostage. Balancing the budget was the proudest moment of my life.’ Mr. Bobb stated to all of you that the budget was not balanced. Citizens told you that it was not balanced. You followed through with most of the recommended cuts but not others. Citizens expressed additional cuts would be needed. Councilwoman Smith made a presentation suggesting additional cuts. It was apparent in September that you were ignoring all citizen input. Another reminder that we voted you into office. Not PFM, not Davenport and not the Robert Bobb Group. We expected you to do your research on what you were being advised by groups hired under your watchful eye. One of the cuts was an increase from $0.10 to $0.90 per pack for cigarette tax projecting to increase revenue. During the public hearing and other communications, many citizens stated that the tax would be ineffective. Smokers would just cross the bridge and buy their cigarettes. Recently there was an article in the Times-Dispatch. A study called ‘The Fiscal Impact of Cigarette Tax Increased on Municipalities in Virginia.’ This study suggests that communities imposing or raising such taxes rarely expected revenue and  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 -5– ______________________________________________________________________________ can actually lose revenue. As a result, a local small business suffered the consequences intended and unintended the study concluded. Mr. Brent Reed, a citizen, business owner, residential and commercial property owner is out of town so I am going to speak about a recent experience with the Vice Mayor and what he called the law and unintended consequences as it implies here in Petersburg. The letter was sent to Mr. Parham on 11-25 with no response. One of his retail spaces on North Sycamore that had a lease to Tobacco Shop that opened last summer prior to the increase. Before the tax went into effect he was selling 12 to 13 cartons of cigarettes a day and decreased to three to four cartons a day afterwards. In his letter he stated to Mr. Parham the following: ‘Thank you for being so short-sided and not listening to your constituents.’ He can’t keep these doors open and he listed out the consequences of doing that. In another letter dated December 9, with no response. The new and fellow council members pushed through the consultant recommendation for a cigarette tax increase without exploring the wisdom of such a move. Please repeal the cigarette tax increase and please start listening to your constituents who by the way are the whole City if you are Mayor or Vice Mayor. Thank you.” Shahid Shabazz, 33 West Washington Street, stated, “I’m coming up to speak on some things I spoke on about two or three years ago about the violence going on in Petersburg. Just from a street level there is no way you can make money when there’s violence going on. And that’s what has been going on a lot lately. There is a lot of death going on in this City. And there is nobody that is really going out to these families that is speaking to them to make the neighborhoods feel comfortable. Right now they are living in fear. Chief Dixon was doing a good job coming out in the community. He was coming out speaking to the families. He came out to vigils. He was coming out reaching out to us, community leaders and activist asking us what could we do as far as the City to help what is going on in the community. Those things were very important to a whole lot of people in the community. And that’s what’s not going on now. Nobody is reaching out to the people who are dying. Nobody is coming out and speaking to anybody. So people are living in fear and don’t know what’s going on and that’s a very uncomfortable way to live in the City. And that’s exactly what’s going on. That’s one of the reason I personally would like to bring Chief Dixon back. He was one of the only people who were going out. Now on your side you have people who talk to the police. If they don’t feel comfortable with the police that are here nobody is going to volunteer any information to help out with any crimes that’s going on. So you need to keep the same familiar faces that’s there. I’m not really getting involved with the political side of it. I’m just speaking on the community side. There is nobody coming out and talking to the people. It looks like it’s more tension being paid to certain things going on downtown such as who is stealing money and doing this, that and the other. We are concerned about the bodies that’s coming up. That’s what we are coming up to address. I’m coming up to address what’s going to be going on with the police chief and the police doing more in the community with reaching out to the people. That’s pretty much all I want to say.” Bari Muhammad, 3061 Pinetree Drive, stated, “The speaker before me said a lot and I agree on everything he said. I’m one that wants John Dixon back. Beside me I use to cut the hair of these two women children who are no longer here with us. Their problems are not getting addressed. They are calling downtown and they are not getting any words. I do not know what the problem is. Very often Chief Dixon would come to the barbershop and talk to us and let us know what’s going on. One of my barbers, his son was killed. And Chief Dixon would come and at least address us and let us know what’s going on. But I brought these two with me to stand solidarity with them because they want answers.” Sherita Stewart stated, “I am standing here on behalf of all the mothers who have recently lost their child in just this year alone. My son name was Kawuan Quarles and this is his one year death anniversary. Not one have I heard anything about his death. Not once have anybody talked to me. Not one time have I from my community. I was wondering why would you all take a person like Chief Dixon out of the chair. He was the only one from your side that showed any kind of concern for our community.” Takiesha Jones stated, “My son name was Corby Powell. He passed away this year on October 1st. And I’ve been calling down to the detective station. They don’t answer the calls. We just need some type of communication with these detectives and solve some of these murders. This is just getting out of hand.” Randus Ayres, 9 South Market Street, stated “I have a few concerns and questions from the people that come into my barbershop about the Mayor and Vice Mayor position. The main thing is that if you are not  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 -6– ______________________________________________________________________________ aware of the need for major economic development in Petersburg you are not ready to become mayor or vice mayor. If you are not aware of the needs of low-income people and the need to improve your affordable housing staff then you are not ready to be mayor or vice mayor. If you have no idea that there is darkness in the neighborhoods of Petersburg, the kind of darkness that invites crime then you do not need to be mayor or vice mayor. We’ve had the neighborhood watch been addressed but I haven’t heard anything from anybody about anything that’s dealing with it. If you don’t understand the power of imminent power of economic development then you do not need to be mayor or vice mayor. If you are not a team player and you know the importance of coordinator awards up build community togetherness then you are not ready for this. Also if you have not been involved in securing funding locally, statewide, nationally or educationally by way of lobbying the General Assembly then you are not ready for it. Also if you haven’t taken the time to be involved with some of the community efforts that the people have put together from the Thanksgiving dinners to homeless coordinating to clothes for the homeless or anything dealing with the people out here you do not need to be consider yourself for that. Like I said it’s about the people and the people here elected you. I’m not calling any names or know anything that you might be doing behind the scenes. You are not doing anything for the community. Anything to help them to understand what is going on by going into the projects or the hoods and letting them understand who you are. You do not need to be considered mayor or vice mayor. The people that are here in this meeting right now are the people that really need the help. They need help but it’s the ones that are not going to come to these meetings. They need to understand what is going on. And that’s what we show a lot when you come to the barbershop. Don’t push the people away. I am not saying that you are but just understand that if you are not that person to be for the people don’t apply for the job. Just let it be for someone that is actually concerned. Thank you.” Ron Flock, 1708 Pender Avenue, stated “We have not had a good year. We have not been represented well. We have been treated like substandard people by our current mayor and vice mayor and members of council. I spread this across the board because there have been violations on council rules, violations of the charter and violations of the state code. You all have a responsibility. You all have to know what your job is. You need to stay in your lane. When you get out of your lane the rest of you it is your responsibility to step up put him back in his lane or get him out. That’s how it works. We don’t want to go back through this anymore. So carefully think about who you are going to make the mayor and vice mayor. And if they do step out of line do you have it in you to put them in check or get rid of them if necessary. Thank you.” Talibah Majeed, 1847 Brandon Avenue, stated “It’s December so it’s the end of the year and this is the time when we usually do a review. So I have some outstanding issues. I have been living here for about six years and that whole time I have been living in a food desert. Martin’s grocery store closed. We use to have a fabulous farmer’s market. Don’t have it anymore. So now we have more of a food desert. Rose’s is going into where Martin’s is. I don’t see clothes as a priority when I live in a food desert. The jobs are outside of Petersburg and this is what I was told when I got here. The jobs are still outside of Petersburg which creates a hardship for people that don’t have transportation. There was a press conference a few months ago to promote a hotel that was going to have residential and commercial housing. There was going to be retail and Mama J’s restaurant was going to be there. There was a big press conference. Nothing has happened to that project as far as I have heard. All of these projects are under the economic development director’s responsibility. An economic director who is making over $100,000. Making over $100,000 and not earning over $100,000. My suggestion is that we save that $100,000 and terminate the economic development director and hire someone more competent, more qualified for the job or somebody who is really going to do the job at a more reasonable salary. The other thing is where is our money. Thank you.” Linwood Christian, 410 Mistletoe Street, stated “There were a couple of things that I was going to say but this is one thing that just has to be said. This year someone did mention has not been a good year. And that’s a small statement. Why has it not been a good year? Number one our representative on council and others have allowed our neighborhood in The Heights to be nicknamed the ‘Killing Fields’ and you have done nothing about it. Number two you have gotten rid of the one man who served as police chief who brought our community together, John Dixon, with no explanation. Number three you took $350,000 and brought the Robert Bobb Group in but yet you ended the summer program for recreation. We have lost police officers. WE have spent a whole lot of money. You all have not come to us as a citizen and now come this summer what are you going to do when our children come break into your house, scratch up your car or one of my children  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 -7– ______________________________________________________________________________ are laying in the street dead. Now I’m sorry and enough is enough. We know where our money is. It’s up in the air. First thing that was said what that we shouldn’t have an interim government. But we don’t have a government. Robert Bobb members report to him and he reports to council. When are you all going to report to us? Enough is enough. I would hope that those new members of City Council would hear what it is that we are trying to say. And for those members who have been reelected understand that that seat is not yours to keep. Thank you.” Quiana Wesson, 1516 Regency Ct, stated, “I’m here to talk about all of the murders and shootings that have been going on. As you can see I have on my C. Wesson shirt. My uncle was murdered on his front porch on October 2nd. I have along with the people who are mothers here been trying to get together to have a meeting with the captain and the detectives who are on the case. And it’s been almost two months and we have yet to come to any kind of resolve. These mothers and family members are burying our people here. Our young men are dying. Every night and every morning you come out your house scared to walk out your house to go to work to take care of your home because of all these shootings. Something has to give. We have to come together as a community. We have to come together and have better lines of communication with our people who are supposed to be protecting us. It’s sad when you have a five year granddaughter who hear a pop in the hall or hear a dog’s tail hit the door and she dives on the floor. It’s sad. Something has to be done. You are scared to even turn the radio on or open up your Facebook and see another rest in peace in Petersburg. It’s ridiculous. We have to come together and get something done. Petersburg is known for not solving murders. And that’s what they are saying, ‘We can do it here and they not going to catch us anyway.’ Let’s get together and put a stop to this. Thank you.” Demetra Taylor, 808 S. Gillfield Drive, stated “I’m here representing my family and my son. He now resides in Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery. He was killed on North Carolina Avenue and High Pearl Street. I exhausted every legal avenue that I had to legally fight for justice for my family. And every door that I went to the person who killed my son was known in that office. The detectives worked with us and we put together a case but at the end even in the court room my family and myself was threatened during the murder trial. We have to bring about a change. And if Petersburg is so connected that you can’t get a fair trial for your murdered love one I suggest that we bring in a special prosecutor to prosecute our murder cases because to go through the process of going through the murder trial, seeing the crime scene photos and then walk out and daily see the person that killed your loved one. It’s unimaginable and it should happen. I stand for peace. A peaceable resolution. But we can’t keep on ignoring what’s going on in Petersburg. No one can tell a mother who child is laying in the street that were going to get closure. We never close up because every day was missing our loved one. Everyday were looking for them to be there and we’ll never see them again. We can’t change that but going forward we have to give a better job of coming together. I’m available in the community to talk and try to put together some systems to work. But we cannot keep on dealing with the same thing we dealing with when it comes to murder in Petersburg. Thank you.” Barb Rudolph, 1675 Mt. Vernon Street, stated “It’s pretty hard to talk about anything after some of the stories that we have just heard so I hope you all were listening up. That was very heartbreaking and my best wishes go out to the families that there is some kind of addressing of what’s going on. I know you can’t bring back your loved ones but it’s really hard hearing. Let me go back to my usual talk which is government of Petersburg. I wanted to offer you some reminders for you to consider over your break period. At first I wanted to thank Councilman Moore for trying for the last ten months a forensic audit of the City’s finances. Council it’s been two months since the City Attorney distracted you with the promise that Chesterfield special prosecutor would take care of the audit for you. How is that working out? In a month you will be reorganizing the council including replacing to outgoing council members, Mr. Coleman and Mr. Moore. Thank you for your service. I have no doubt that you are feeling mostly relief right now. For the rest of you better think long and hard about who you elect as your leaders. Yes the mayor and vice mayor are ceremonial positions expect when the current incumbencies want to act like they run the City unilaterally. Most of you have gone along by your conspicuous silence when the Mayor and Vice Mayor repeat attempts to belittle and intimidate citizens. Not only when the citizens ask legitimate questions about how Petersburg is being run but when also citizens attempt to offer constructive suggestions. This abusive leadership keeps throwing criticism on the City. The Mayor and the Vice Mayor have deflected some of this for now by hiring the Robert Bobb Group to run the City. For now Myers and Parham lack of interest in mastering the mechanics of governing are covered up. But  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 -8– ______________________________________________________________________________ RBG will be gone in the spring and you all will be on your own again. You better plan ahead and set the right tone at the top with the Mayor and a Vice Mayor who have repeatedly show willingness to understand the issues placed before them to work with citizens and to acknowledge they are accountable to us. Just forget about all the behind the scenes wheeling and dealing and string pulling. Just think for yourselves and think about who can lead. I’m suggesting that you would send a message that’s not business as usual by considering councilors like Treska Wilson-Smith and John Hart as your leaders. Thank you.” Annette Ampy, 531 Amherst Drive, stated “Just a continuation of where I left off. My children were a part of that police community outreach program with the Petersburg Police. My son was greatly fearful of the police until he was a participant of that program. While they were in the program they learned to appreciate the police more. They were advocates in the school system with the other children about policing. They gained a lot of knowledge about communities. They also visited nursing homes and played a big part in reading to the older seniors in the nursing homes. They went on trips. They visited the jail. That police summer enrichment program was a wonderful program under Chief Dixon. Also one of the other things that was good and I even helped deliver. Under his leadership many turkeys were given to families during Christmas and Thanksgiving. None of this has taken place since he has left or was terminated. I also got a chance to visit stores and small business in the community and talk with them. And they solely miss the presence of Chief Dixon. Because he would visit them weekly. He would stop in and see how they were doing and to see if their presence was needed or policing. I stand here tonight because this past weekend on Sycamore Street there were ten rounds of shots being fired into the air. We didn’t have that when Chief Dixon was Chief of Police. So I stand here right now to say that Chief Dixon was wrongfully terminated. So therefore it is your duty to fix the wrong. You are working for us and we demand that you reinstate Chief Dixon effective immediately. If not then the citizens will not stop until you are all removed. Thank you.” Tanisha Shaw, Petersburg resident, stated “On November 9th of last month my son was coming down St. Matthew’s from the store and someone drove and was randomly shooting a gun. My son got shot in his right eye. He lost his right eye. As of right now he has no sight at all. He is 23 years old. We all know what’s going on in Petersburg with the kids with the guns. I also understand that we have bigger problems downtown and maybe that’s more important to you all. But me as a mother as a single parent having to see your child like that with his eye blown out. I do understand the mother’s that have lost their kids but I’m almost there with him. And something has to stop because it’s not going to stop if you all don’t do anything about it. I can’t do anything about it. I can come here and that this is the first step I made. I contacted you on Facebook when I lost my friend on Young’s Road. He was hit by a car. And you had told me to speak with someone downtown about the light and when I did inquire about it they had said that they have had people for year’s asking for light’s on Young’s Road. So little old me again. With the violence in Petersburg this really needs to stop because it’s going to get worse and I hate to see the kids keep killing themselves and they know they are not going to get caught. I also spoke with the detectives and I spoke with some officers and they know who did it. But they are not going to get them. Now he’s hiding because he’s scared that the guy is going to get him. It’s repetition and it’s going to happen over and over again. It’s going to be bloodshed. And when a mother and a child get killed then I guess that’s when you all will realize it. My son is no angel but I do the best I can. A lot of households only have single parents. I did the best I could to stand in front of the door and not let him go out the door. Now he is in the situation he is in and he is living and we are grateful to God. But before someone else child get killed please help us. Thank you.” Stephanie Mason, 1204 Commerce Street, came up to stand while Ms. Tanisha Shaw spoke regarding her son getting shot. Gloria Brown, 1557 South Sycamore Street, stated “I’m sitting and I am listening with my heart broken with these mothers’ losing their children. I did not plan to come up and advocate for Chief Dixon because on the 2nd Tuesday in July when all of us found out right before council that he was terminated and most of you didn’t know. I came up to the podium then and said it is going to get ugly. I do not feel safe anymore. I said that on the second Tuesday in July. I saw this coming. Because Chief Dixon, no matter how anyone personally feel about him, I saw him and what he did and tried to do for this community from the time he stepped in this community. I been at school board meetings when he wanted to work with the school system. I been at the school board meetings when he wanted to make a way for truancy so the kids would not be on the streets that  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 -9– ______________________________________________________________________________ got suspended. When I heard that Chief Dixon was terminated I was blown away and devastated. I knew then that with the relationship that he has with the community and with the dough boys around he had them under control. He had them under control. He talked their language and he knew exactly what was going on. Now it’s just an open field. So I didn’t expect to talk about it. I wanted to leave with something positive to start 2017 with and with a new attitude because Petersburg and all of us has had a rough year. But this just had to be said. I don’t even know if he wants to come back. But from what I am hearing from these mothers that has to happen. Thank you.” Marlow Jones, 3554 George Street, stated “I come to you as a citizen and an unafraid employee of this City. The effects of your 10% reduction in pay have caused a series of issues in your workforce and within our community. It has destroyed families, broken homes, broken employees, families who are already on the brink of debt and who have gone in debt, increased use of payday loans, check cashing entities, illegal activities trying to make ends meet for the sake of keeping families stable. I read somewhere where one of you guys said crime was on an all-time low. There were 16 murders last year, 14 murders the year before that and nine this year. I don’t know what world you live where any of these numbers are okay. But I’m in these streets. I see the blood lining our streets. I see the tears of these mothers. I value life but my question is what is the value of life to you. Nine murders equal nine families with broken hearts. Nine murders is nine lives taken not given. How can we say that crime is at an all-time low on one hand but on the other hand we say we need police? That is very conflicting statements. You made this. Because crime is not an all-time low. Morale is low, hopes are low, spirits are low and trusting you is low. I would say transparency is low but since Rob Bobb said there is a draw full of checks I can’t even say that so I want to shake your hand cause he showed us a least bit of transparency. Who can we take from to stabilize our families and our households and our streets? We should be able to take from you and you should be able to take from a million plus dollars in raises that you gave department heads. If you are going to give the 10% back give it back like you took it…..all at one time. No employee is more important than the other however job duties are. What about everyone else that you took from? The lord said that as much as you have done onto the least of my burden you have also done to me. So when you took from parks and recreation you took from police. When you took from utilities you took from fire and ems and the social services. Consequently you have taken from yourself. We all deserve to be given back what was taken with interest and without prejudice. Thank you.”’ Senator Rosalyn Dance, 1748 W. Clara Drive, stated “Good evening Mayor and Vice Mayor and Members of City Council. I will be brief and say that as a resident I am concerned about where my tax dollars are being spent and I’m not happy with the leadership as I have seen thus far this year. I will also say as a Senator since February of this year when I addressed Mr. Mayor about an issue that was dealing with the fiscal status of our City I have not spoken to him since that. So anybody that said that I said this or that to the Mayor I will say publicly he is not my child and I am not like his mother. And I have not spoken to cause I don’t speak to people that record me without my knowledge and then try to use that against me. But I’m here to say this. I am use to receiving a legislative package that I can use to fight for you. My early reports went on December 5th. I saved spaces because I work for the people of Petersburg and there is still time for you to give me your legislation so that not only I because I am the only Senator and Delegate Aird who is the only delegate for this City can represent the issues of the people of Petersburg in this upcoming General Assembly session. I will ask you to lead. I thank you Mr. Coleman and Mr. Moore for your services. I look forward to January and I am praying for leadership that we all can believe in and can trust and that we will be a better Petersburg come January reorganization time. Thank you for your time.” 9. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FOR/FROM THE MAYOR OR OTHER MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL: a. Consideration of reappointing/appointments to the Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board. BACKGROUND: The Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority (PRHA) Board consists of seven (7) members who are appointed by City Council to serve four-year, staggered terms. PRHA was created to study blighted areas within the City and to recommend programs for the improvement of such areas; to provide quality housing for low-income families at rents within their ability to pay; and to serve as the duly designated agent of the City to contract with federal agencies for financial assistance in order to undertake  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 - 10 – ______________________________________________________________________________ urban redevelopment and low-rent housing programs approved by City Council. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Council make re/appointments to the Petersburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board. Mayor Myers made a motion to table this item and request for a meeting on Monday at 6:00pm so that we can interview. 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 b. Renewal of Lease Agreement for property at 835 Commerce Street. BACKGROUND: Previous lease agreement has expired and a new agreement is being submitted for approval. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Council approve the Salvation Army the renewal of lease agreement for 835 Commerce Street, Petersburg, VA 23803. *Item was moved under the consent agenda for approval. c. Request to waive a public hearing prior to the Department of Corrections relocation to 151 Wagner Road. BACKGROUND: The Department of Corrections is relocating their office from where it is currently located at the old Southside Virginia Training Center, Washington Street, Petersburg, Virginia. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend council waive the public hearing prior to the relocation of the proposed probation and parole office requirement. *removed from the agenda. Council Member Wilson-Smith stated, “I would like to first of all thank all of you for coming to your City Council Meeting. I would like to take the time to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Secondly, I would like to say farewell to two of my colleagues. To Council Member Brian Moore and Council Member David Ray Coleman it has been a pleasure to have worked with both of you. I wish you much success in the future and peace going forward. And I have no other items.” Council Member Hart stated, “Good afternoon everyone. First, I like to wish all of you a Happy Holidays for the upcoming holiday. I also want to thank those individuals that came out a few weeks ago that helped clean Exit 52. I appreciate your work in helping us clean up these exits around. So I do appreciate all you do. I also want to give a farewell to Council Members Coleman and Moore. Happy Retirement. Two other things that I asked council and the Bobb Group to look into. And that is of the cigarette tax. See if we can reverse or reduce that amount on the cigarette tax. It is hurting our local businesses. People are going elsewhere to buy these products. Also to look into going back and removing the 10% reduction on employees. Thank you.” Council Member Coleman stated, “First of all I want to thank our City Attorney Preston for attending my last council meeting. He did an excellent job. He informed us of what a City is and where the City is going. I thank you so much Mr. Attorney. Also I want to thank my colleague Council Member Hart for also attending that meeting and former City Council Member Ken Pritchett for attending that meeting and the citizens. Thank you so much. That was my last ward meeting. Also this is my last council meeting and I want to thank the citizens of Ward 6 for electing me twice to this position and also to the citizens of Petersburg for your support. I will be leaving City Council but I will not be leaving the City of Petersburg therefore I will continue to do my best to see that Petersburg move forward and only the best happen to the City of Petersburg. And also I would like to say a very Happy Christmas and a very Happy and safe New Year and May God Bless you all. Thank you.” Council Member Moore stated, “Merry Christmas to all. Blessings for you and your families. It’s been 12  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 - 11 – ______________________________________________________________________________ and half years. I thank all my colleagues and all my former colleagues that are out in the audience. I think about my colleague the late Mike Ross, Vice Mayor. He was a great friend of mines and miss him dearly. Yes it has been a tough year but the City will make it. We will have to work hard and we have to keep making tough decisions and get people in the proper roles. I support the Robert Bobb Group coming here. I think it was a very positive move. I hope that we would take the information that is received and do the best you can. Again it was stated I might feel relief. Well there will not be any relief until the City is in relief. I live here and I raised all my children here and I plan on staying right there on Claremont Street down the street from St. Mark’s. Thank you for everything Council Members and thank you to the citizens. May God Bless the City of Petersburg.” Council Member Hill stated, “I like to say Merry Christmas to everyone. I like to thank the Citizen Review Board for looking over our charter. I like to thank the Robert Bobb Group for the short term loan they have acquired. We really need that it gives us a little breathing room. I like to thank the two council persons for their service to our City. I know it’s been a rough year for us with some of us just coming on. We still may give you a phone call here and there for some information that may come up in the future. I like to thank you all for you dedication to your City Councilman Moore and Councilman Coleman. I also want to give my condolences to those individuals who lost their loved ones during the tragic shootings. I will do all I can as a councilperson to get the right person and to bring this City back or bring law and order back to the City. I do realize what’s going on. I do have a daughter who is in the school system and I realize the dangers of her just walking to her bus. So this is not something that I take lightly and I have been talking to the community and I have been out at the YMCA at basketball games and stuff like that in the evening talking to our youth. This is something that is near and dear to my heart and something that I ran on. My heart goes out to the families and I know some of them. I am aware of what’s going on.” Vice Mayor Parham stated “I like to thank everyone for coming out tonight and want to wish each one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and wish all the peace and prosperity to you and your loved ones. My first order of business I want to take care I that we lost Mr. Wert Smith this past year and we have an opening left. He was a great person and a strong member of our Economic Development Authority. I would like to make a motion to appoint Mr. Michael Packer to replace him on the Economic Development Authority Board.” Vice Mayor Parham made a motion appoint Michael Packer to the Economic Development Authority Board replacing the late Wert Smith. The motion was seconded by Mayor Myers. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Parham and Myers; Absent: Wilson-Smith 16-R-73 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MICHAEL PACKER TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR A TERM ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2018. Vice Mayor Parham stated “I also would like to thank Mr. Ray Coleman and Mr. Moore for all your great service here. It was good having you here as a resource to connect the paths. You now we are dealing with some very grave issues and you standing with us has been a great asset throughout this rough year that we have had. We have some bigger problems that we have to face next year and I know this council will be up to making those tough decisions in order to keep the City afloat and alive and thriving. So thank you both and that’s all I have.” Mayor Myers stated “I like to take this time to thank you to the two members that are leaving City Council. We appreciate your service on behalf of the council and City of Petersburg we are going to miss you and your institutional knowledge as well. So thank you all for your service. So the Vice Mayor and the Clerk and Council will join me in providing the certificates of appreciation.” Clerk of Council stated “If possible can everybody join me at the podium, please?” Clerk of Council, Ms. Jackson, read the Certificates of Appreciation out loud and presented them to Council Member Moore and Council Member Coleman. Ms. Jackson stated “You have any further items Mayor Myers.”  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 - 12 – ______________________________________________________________________________ Mayor Myers stated “No. Merry Christmas to all.” Ms. Jackson stated “Can we get a round of applause for Council Member Moore and Council Member Coleman, please.” 10. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA: a. Robert Bobb Group Financial and Operational Update b. Unsolicited Proposal Under Public, Private and Education Infrastructure Action c. City Manager’s Report Mr. Tyrrell gave points on the PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Robert Bobb gave points on the PowerPoint presentation. Ms. Birch gave points on the PowerPoint presentation. Vice Mayor Parham made a motion authorize the Interim City Manager to review and accept for public competition and competing proposals the unsolicited proposal received from Aqua for the visibility of the Water and Wastewater systems privatization. And upon completion of the Competitive Negotiation process with any all interested parties that the Interim City Manager and the Purchasing staff bring before council for public comment any interim or comprehensive agreements derived from this PPEA process. The motion was seconded by Mayor Myers. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Coleman, Hart, Hill, Moore, Wilson-Smith, Parham and Myers Manager’s report: 1. Why is the City putting money into the Farmer’s Market? The City currently owns the Farmer’s Market Building. The building is currently under lease. Per the City’s contractual obligation to the tenant, the City must make exterior repairs while the tenant makes internal repairs and updates. The lease term is the 40th anniversary of the effective date – June 3, 2016. The building will be leased at a graduated schedule as follows: Years Amount 1-4 $5,000 5-9 $20,000 10-14 $35,000 15-19 $42,500 20+ $42,000 + cpi 2. What is the status of the City leases in the BB&T building? Is the City still obligate to lease space for the Tourism Office? The building was sold in January 2015 for $600,000. The City subsequently signed two leases for office space within the building for a term of 10 years beginning at the time of occupancy. The City is still obligated under the terms of the lease. Lease one is on a graduated schedule ranging from $4,848 per month in the first year to $6,326 in the tenth year. The second lease is also on a graduated schedule ranging from $10,665 per month in the first year and $13,915 in the tenth year. 3. Can 10 or 15 days be added to the water billing deadline to avoid cut offs? All utility bills have a notice on the bill which states, “Effective October 1, 2016, the disconnections, and penalties/interests procedures will resume. The disconnection policy for non-payment is as follows: only accounts with a past due amount of 31 days or older, may experience an interruption in services.” However, at this time, the City has only provided service interruptions to utility customers with account 90 days or more delinquent. Payment plans are available for customers  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 13, 2016 - 13 – ______________________________________________________________________________ with delinquent accounts. If utility customers have questions or concerns about their bills or would like to set up a payment plan they should call utility billing at 804-733-2349. There was discussion among City Council and staff. 11. CLERK OF CITY COUNCIL'S AGENDA: Ms. Jackson stated “I would like to say that it has been a privilege to work with Council Member Moore for the last 12 years and Council Member Coleman for the last nine years. It has been learning and teaching lesson. I would also like to say that 2016 has been an interesting year. I am a Petersburg native and I have been here all my life. I would like to say as a citizen and as a City Council employee that I do appreciate the fire department, the firefighters, the police officers and the City employees that are still riding on this ride with us all the way out as well as myself. I pray we have a better year for the year 2017. I still am and always will be Petersburg. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.” 12. CITY ATTORNEY’S AGENDA: Mr. Preston stated “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.” 13. CLOSED SESSION (IF NECESSARY): No items for this portion of the agenda. 14. ADJOURNMENT: City Council adjourned at 8:48p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor