City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The regular meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at the Union Train Station. Mayor Parham called the meeting to order at 6:30p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member Charles H. Cuthbert, Jr Council Member Annette Smith-Lee Council Member Treska Wilson-Smith Council Member Darrin Hill Vice Mayor John A. Hart, Sr. Mayor Samuel Parham Absent: Council Member W. Howard Myers Present from City Administration: City Manager Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides City Attorney Joseph E. Preston Clerk of Council Nykesha D. Jackson, CMC 2. CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Joseph Preston stated that City Council will now move to go into closed session for one purpose pursuant to Section 2.2-3711.A (1) of the Code of Virginia, 1950 as amended, council will be in closed session for the evaluation of City Council appointees, which such evaluations will necessarily involve questions of the performance of specific individuals. Vice Mayor Hart moved that the City Council go into closed session for the purposes noted by the City Attorney. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. There was no discussion on the motion, which was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers City Council entered closed session at 6:32 p.m. CERTIFICATION: Mr. Preston stated that City Council now moves to come out of closed session and certify that only public business matters lawfully exempted from an open meeting requirement pursuant to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and only such business matters as were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered in the closed meeting. Council Member Hill 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 Cuthbert. There was discussion on the motion, which was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers 17-R-44 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 *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ 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. 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. Mayor Parham stated that he has a couple of “Positive Petersburg Stories” to start the meeting of today. He stated, “First of all for the Petersburg Fire Department who has been enduring the heat and going around doing smoke detector checks. The Petersburg Fire Department learned of an elderly resident who was living with no air condition while they were conducting a smoke detector campaign earlier this week. The team also learned that the resident was receiving chemotherapy treatments. Considering the extreme temperatures as of late, the Fire Department personnel agreed to pool enough money together to buy a window unit air conditioner for the elderly resident. In addition, the Walmart management offered a 20% discount and Walmart assistant manager who was helping with the purchase, donated $30.00 of her own money. Per Captain Magann, ‘A special thanks is in order to Chief Rubin, Chief Reid, Captain Barlow, Sergeant Roberts, Firefighter Dillard and Firefighter Fleming.’ A round of applause for the Fire Department.” Mayor Parham presented certificated to the chief, sergeants and firefighters. Mayor Parham stated, “Although the event about the wastewater pumping station explosion made most of the media outlets, I would like council and the public to understand the heroic efforts of our City employees. At approximately 10:00pm Monday night on June 19th, Fred Satterwhite received an alert that somethings had gone wrong in the wastewater pumping station on Pocahontas Island. “Pump 3” had stopped working, which was one of three pumps at the station. Fred called Jerry Byerly at 10:30pm for assistance. While Fred was working on “Pump 3”, “Pump 1” exploded. Had Fred been closer to “Pump 1”, Fred most likely would not be here with us tonight. One of the electrical panels, which contained the main circuit breaker for the pump station, had been frozen. The electrical arc from the “Pump 3” explosion unfroze the main breaker which shut down power to the station. After Jerry arrived and Fred closed the breaker, electricity was restored to the system which allowed “Pump 2” to start working again. By 11:00am the following morning, two temporary pumps were operating, saving the wastewater system from what would have been a catastrophic disaster. It is with great pride that I recognize these gentlemen and the rest of their team for literally saving Petersburg and their working through the night. They risked their lives for our City and their fellow citizens and I would like everyone to join me in thanking them.” Mayor Parham stated, “Lastly we have had a whole lot of great efforts by the citizens in Petersburg and a ton of community spirit efforts as they continue out the parks today. I would like to thank everyone who has been helping cut grass in the parks and cleaning up and we look forward to additional collaboration in the future and we already have plans for other churches taking on more parks in the City. A round of applause for these citizens and churches.” 5. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: a. Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week July 16-22, 2017, Clients, Communities, Employees: Empowerment through Partnerships. *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ BACKGROUND: During the week of July 16th through the 22nd, 2017, people across the United States and will join together to recognize the work that pretrial, probation and parole officers do for or public safety. This year’s theme for PPP Week is Clients, Communities, and Employees: Empowerment through Partnerships. Many in the field would agree that our work requires a multi-pronged holistic approach. The “triangle of success” in community corrections/supervision is formed by clients, communities, and employees in partnership for positive outcomes for those under supervision; and improve public safety for the community as a whole. The client must be ready for change, held accountable for his/her actions, willing to do the work and remain engaged in the proper level of effective services and interventions. The community should provide the appropriate support systems which include local partnerships and resources to assist individuals with the identified needs, employment and skills development, education, and any other programming that will help in reintegrating individuals back into the community. The employee… the community corrections/supervision professional, must employ and embrace an extensive portfolio of tools including, but not limited to: a body of knowledge of best and/or evidence-based practices; an individualized approach that focuses on the “whole” person’s quality of life; and a willingness to engage in a dynamic way with the client, families, decision-making authorities, private, public and non-profit organizations. To effect change, the collaborative team approach requires that the work of all components of the “triangle of success in community corrections/supervision” must point to efforts to reduce recidivism and increase public safety. During PPP Week, we salute and celebrate the success of the “Pretrial, Probation/Parole Officer/employee” – these are the community corrections/supervision professionals who make our country safer – performing work that is emotionally demanding and sometimes dangerous; yet, necessary. These individuals help men and women make positive changes in their lives, as well as enhance the quality of life, and improve public safety in our communities. For additional information about Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week, please contact Nicole Loving, Director, Petersburg Community Corrections (serving Petersburg and Dinwiddie), at 804-861- 4275, Ext. #4348. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend Mayor Parham read and present proclamation. Mayor Parham read the proclamation and presented it to Nicole Loving and staff. 6. COMMUNICATIONS/SPECIAL REPORTS: a. City Manager’s Report Mrs. Ferrell-Benavides stated, “Good evening Mayor and council. I would like to thank you for this opportunity and this is my first report. I received two questions from council regarding for a City Manager’s update. One is regarding the Southside Depot. Each of you received a written update which gives you a status of where we are. We are about 80% complete. We expect that we will be complete within the next eight weeks. We are going to be working with contractors to ensure that we commit to all of the cost associated with that. The second request I received information for was regarding our utility collection rate. We were committing that to a 92% rate. According to our utility department between April and May we were at an 80% rate. However, in June we dropped down to a 70%. Included in your document is some of the ideas that we are working closure with staff in future days on how do we implement a better process of collection. And so, you will see some ideas that we shared as a briefing. I believe that it would be most appropriate if council so wish that we do a full presentation on all of the ideas that were presented by staff regarding our collection process and ensuring that we are focusing on our utility rates. That concludes my presentation other than I will also be sending each council member an update on a weekly basis some of the projects that we see and hot topics will come to you *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 -4– ______________________________________________________________________________ on a regular basis on Fridays of each week. Thank you.” b. Financial Report BACKGROUND: Monthly, City staff will provide City Council with financial reports. The two reports that will be provided monthly include a snapshot of the daily/monthly cashflow and the previous month’s month-end budget to actual. The reports will be provided to City Council at its second meeting of the month. RECOMMENDATION: This report is for informational purposes only; no recommendation is provided. Ms. Birch presented a PowerPoint presentation. Ms. Birch stated that this will likely be her last financial report as Director of Finance. She stated that this is not audited and that this is the best estimate at this time. She stated that about a month ago, she projected that they would be about $500,000 in the hole. She stated that year-to-date the City collected $72 million on a $68 million-dollar budget. She stated that this is great news. She stated that they actually collected and that the City had a budget that was realistic. She stated that this is really helpful for the new City Manager and Finance Director to have this. She stated that they are projecting that expenditures are going to be just under budget at $68.3 million. She stated that there are many things that could occur during this period. She stated that this could change by the time that the CAFR comes out. She stated that $10.6 million is not what they were going to reconcile in grants. She stated that they are working on bringing this number in line. She stated that they managed the CDBG funds closely. She stated that this is not a worry right now. She stated that they have discovered that the revenues never got booked to the CIP account. She stated that it was never placed on the revenue line. She stated that this is a simple accounting process that needs to be done as they go and close the books for 2017. She stated that the utility system looks good from a budget stand point. She stated that with the stormwater there were some challenges that they did not get off the ground. She stated that they will likely have a small surplus in the stormwater in FY17. She stated that with the Dogwood Trace there is a small surplus in that budget. She stated that the Petersburg Generals team has been sold so that this should be the end of the revenue and expenditure stream for this. She stated that with transit there was an issue of significant bills and invoices that had not been paid that date back to 2015. She stated that the year-to-date expenditures exceeds the revenue for that time. She stated that this is not because they had a new general manager that was over aggressive to spend money. She stated that this is because they finally reconciled all the bills to be paid for transit and much of the overage was because of bills that were paid that were grant funded for something else. She stated that the revenue for the City is $90.6 million that the City maintains. She stated that they still have a negative fund balance. She stated that if the audit was done today without all the accounting things that happened and they drew down a fund balance it would go down by $327,000. She stated that there is a lot of things that happened with respect to accounting so it may not happen or it may be higher. She stated that she is proud of everything that they have done to pay off bills. She stated that when they walked into the door it was $20 million that the City owed and that this is the information that the state had indicated. She stated that they provided the rating agency on Friday with a report. She stated that she thinks that it is down to $4 million dollars. She stated that the $4 million dollars includes one million to the schools, one million to general accounts payable. She stated that at one point in time it was $4.4 million with the checks in the drawer. She stated that it is now down to just one million dollars left. She stated that Mr. Rane is going to develop a plan. She stated that this is one of things that she asked him to do. She stated that the other $2 million is already accounted for in the FY18 budget. She stated that this is the VRS payment of $1.5 million and half a million dollars for the South Central Wastewater Authority. She stated that they had a very productive meeting with the credit ratings company. She stated that she tells the team that success for her is the City not going down any further. She stated that success would be keeping it where it is and having them to say positive things about Petersburg. She stated that these are the things that they have been working on. She stated that she would like to thank the Mayor for attending the meeting with them as well. *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 -5– ______________________________________________________________________________ There was discussion among City Council and Ms. Birch. 7. CONSENT AGENDA (to include minutes of previous meeting/s): a. Minutes: Special Called Meeting June 26, 2017; Regular City Council Meeting June 20, 2017; Work Session June 20, 2017; City Council and Adhoc Water and Sewer Committee Joint Meeting; June 19, 2017; Work Session May 14, 2017; Special Meeting May 9, 2017; City Council Vision Session May 6, 2017; Budget Work Session March 27, 2017; Special Council Meeting March 29, 2017. b. Schedule a public hearing on September 5, 2017, to amend an ordinance which will allow for an additional assessment of sums relative to the electronic summons system. c. Schedule a public hearing on September 5, 2017, to amend the City Code, Article IV Emergency Medical Service Vehicles. d. Schedule a public hearing on July 31, 2017, for the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A) of the 1981 Code of the City of Petersburg, as amended, to restrict and prohibit in certain instances first floor dwelling uses in the B-3 (Central Business) Zoning District. e. Schedule a public hearing on the proposed disposition of publicly owned properties for July 31, 2017. Vice Mayor Hart made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda with the minutes and to schedule public hearings on July 31, 2017, for the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A) of the 1981 Code of the City of Petersburg, as amended, to restrict and prohibit in certain instances first floor dwelling uses in the B-3 (Central Business) Zoning District and the dispositions of publicly owned properties and to schedule public hearings on September 5, 2017, to amend an ordinance which will allow for an additional assessment of sums relative to the electronic summons system and to amend the City Code, Article IV Emergency Medical Service Vehicles. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers 8. OFFICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS: *There are no public hearings. 9. PUBLIC INFORMATION PERIOD: A public information period, limited in time to 30 minutes, shall be part of an Order of Business at each regular council meeting. Each speaker shall be a resident or business owner of the City and shall be limited to three minutes. No speaker will be permitted to speak on any item scheduled for consideration on the regular docket of the meeting at which the speaker is to speak. The order of speakers, limited by the 30-minute period, shall be determined as follows: a) First, in chronological order of the notice, persons who have notified the Clerk no later than 12:00noon of the day of the meeting, b) Second, in chronological order of their sign up, persons who have signed a sigh-up sheet placed by the Clerk in the rear of the meeting room prior to the meeting. Brandon Martin, 1546 Berkeley Avenue, stated that back in 2011 he initiated that the proper conservation and public access steps was taken for a box that was labeled miscellaneous 1830 to 1862. He stated that these were papers of the common council. He stated that he usually calls it the little green shoebox. He stated that he was in contact with administration over 6 years and has had numerous appearances before *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 -6– ______________________________________________________________________________ this body. He stated that they have not accomplished anything so far that he is aware of. He stated that he is left with the distinct impression that the City does not care about anything of its past. He stated that this box and perhaps others are unique links to the day-to-day business of the City of 50 years ago, and more. He stated that there were five things that he recollects. He stated that this was the broad side advertising lot of the Blandford Cemetery from the 1830s, an 1842 receipt from repairs of the clock on Hustings Courthouse, 1855 annual report for the Petersburg Railroad, and 1855 special report to the common council on the financial affairs of Mr. Byrd. He stated that there are other papers in the box but that these are the papers that he could remember. He stated that these papers belong in the state library so that they can be properly reserved. He stated that this is the last time that he is going to ask regarding the status of handling these boxes and inventory. He stated that he suspects that there are more boxes. He stated that this is history and that this is what it is all about. Barb Rudolph, 1675 Mt. Vernon, stated that she is referring to something that was discussed at the end of the special meeting a week ago, which was so-called opening the envelope. She stated that this would explain and enable City leaders to consider what the private water companies, Aqua Virginia and Virginia American, would pay for ownership of the City’s infrastructure and seats on the regional authorities. She stated that according to the Bobb Group the only way that they can get this information from Aqua Virginia and Virginia American is to enter into the PPEA detail stage. She stated that she is pretty sure that they have some or most of this information already. She asked why else did the Adhoc Committee and City Council need to sign nondisclosure agreements. She stated that this would make you wonder why it is so essential according to the Bobb Group that the City take this next step. She stated that those that have been brain washed or brought off maintaining signing up to look at the superseded numbers is totally harmless and that they should all want to know this information. She stated that some of them were told by the auditor’s years ago, that the City was in a hole by $7 million and about to go over a cliff financially. She stated that City Council did not ask one question or made any comments. She stated that the sudden curiosity seems unusual. She stated that the real reason on the squeeze of the details of the PPEA involves negotiating with both providers. She stated that when a minor employee negotiated the PPEA agreement it had already been decided that outsourcing was the only alternative. She stated that here in Petersburg the entire process is engineered to create the City’s commitment to the private company and that this would be very hard to back out of. She stated that especially after the water company hard sell of their two-company rating package hoping that the City is gullible. She asked if any of members of council been offered a free weekend at a resort or nice meals if they attended a 30-minute timeframe on their product of service. She stated that her position that when she gets one of those that she knows that the offeror is going to go all out to get her to commit to the product service or property. She stated that she knows that she cannot afford and that she knows that she does not want it. She stated that she would not want to waste her time or their time going to this event or having any further contact. She stated that this is the kind of tactics that the Bobb Group and the water companies are using. She stated that City Council as leaders need to tell them to go away. She stated that this is taking up a lot of extra time. She stated that they have been told that this could drag out to December or later. She stated that while they are doing this and waiting they are ignoring other opportunities to take control of the City’s own destiny and work with neighboring localities who have expressed a strong interest in paying the City for their excess water allocation capacity. She stated to City Council to please consider these items and do not be convinced that they must know this when this is basically something that they are well aware that the citizens of Petersburg throughout the City do not want. Richard Stewart, 129 Rolfe Street, the citizens of Pocahontas Island would like to know what is going on. He stated that ever since they heard about the improvement of the Jarratt House and the sale of 130 Pocahontas Street (former Roper Brothers), people have been coming into Pocahontas wanting to buy land. He stated that Mr. Edwards informed him at the last council meeting that one million and a half hits had been on Facebook regarding the Washington Post. He stated that people are calling him because they cannot believe that Pocahontas, a black community, is such a peace place. He stated that he is hoping that Petersburg in some type of way can honor these moments. He stated that last weekend there were more *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 -7– ______________________________________________________________________________ people that visited the museum than those that live-in Pocahontas. He stated that today it was someone from Buffalo and that they are still calling saying that they cannot believe. He stated that yet people are still coming. He stated that people are trying to buy Pocahontas. He stated that people now see it has the promised land and sacred land. He stated that people are calling from Canada and soldiers and cyclist are supposed to be coming from Georgia. He stated that to City Council to be aware. He stated that he is hoping that the business in Petersburg benefits from this. Ron Flock, 1708 Pender Avenue, stated that he would like to give a little history on current events that are happening in the City. He stated that this played a major role in the November petition drive to remove the treasurer. He stated that they looked at every legal source to look for direction correctly. He stated that they obviously failed. He stated that the Mayor and one other member of council under accusation has stepped outside of their bounds to ask for the treasury’s resignation on an accusation. He stated that they have all taken an oath to abide by the Rules of Council. He stated that under the Rules of Council, Rule 6 (Procedure), the presiding officer shall be governed by the Robert’s Rules of Order. He stated that he has provided everyone a copy of this information regarding legal rights and trials of members. He stated that the residents with all respect of council demand that council immediately convene a special committee to investigate conspiracy and to ultimately execute a plot to deceive council and residents by reporting a false terrorist threat against members of council and residents in attendance of that City Council meeting on February 16, 2016. He stated that they demand until such time as the committee can come to determination regarding the charges they respectfully request that this member of council be suspended of all duties relating to his position on City Council. He stated to include all decisions and consideration or actions taken by City Council. He stated that the Mayor with conviction demand the resignation of the treasurer for an accusation. He stated that City Council knows who he is talking about. He stated that he would expect each of to take action with the same conviction. He stated that this is their duty and that this is what they took an oath to do. He stated that they cannot have somebody creating conspiracy to influence this council. He stated that this member did so. Willie noise, 1508 Circle Drive, stated that tonight he is directing his questions to Mr. Bobb. He stated that minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on various occasions. He stated that they should get ten public comments out of the public information section of the agenda. He stated that he should follow up on this and see whether the citizens are making any sense of or not because of the division between the citizens and council. He stated that they are divided between moments of silence, Rules of Council and speaking time. He stated that the agenda is Petersburg. He asked can they think of a closer reality than this. He stated that they are divided on priorities and seniorities. He stated that this next comment goes to the Police Department. He stated that the police should know between when to use justice. He stated that they are also failing the senior citizens. He stated that they should be careful what they say out of their eyes and what they pretend to be. Kenneth Lewis, 503 Mistletoe Street, stated that he wishes to bring three points for consideration. He stated that one is that he wishes that City Council give strong consideration to reinstating a traffic light at the corner of Graham Road and Sycamore Street. He stated that it is a great need especially during the end of day travel time. He stated that Graham Road is one of three connectors between Crater Road and Sycamore Street. He stated that the other two are Washington Street, which connects Crater Road and Sycamore Street, and South Boulevard, which connects Crater Road and Sycamore Street. He stated he does not need to use this intersection anymore because he is retired but that it is still an issue. He stated that the light can be put on yellow blinkers during certain hours. He stated that his second point is that he wishes that they give consideration when they know they are going to have closed session meetings. He asked for them to have them at 5:00pm the way that the school board does. He stated that it is a courtesy and convenience for those that attend the meetings instead of having to wait for them to come out. He stated that when he was on the school board they met at 5:30pm when they had closed sessions as a courtesy of the people. He stated that the third issue is the water bill issue. He stated that he thinks that it is unfair to use a metric system on capability versus consumption to charge people for water. He stated that he has a property that he is *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 -8– ______________________________________________________________________________ responsible for and that he knows that this rate situation has happened. He stated that the particular property that he is responsible for is empty. He stated that there is zero consumption, yet his water bill for this home has doubled. He stated that it was $47 and some change and now it is over $90. He stated that this is a 90% increase. He stated that he does not understand that if they have this one inch meter versus this 5/8 meter, that they are still having to attach an adapter to make this 5/8 meter fit the one inch meter. He stated that there is something wrong with the math. He stated that he would ask that they charge for consumption and not the alleged convenience. He stated that he wishes Dr. James Davenport was present so that he can give them the physics lesson on water flow. Michael Herbst, 1594 S. Sycamore Street, stated that last month he received a letter stating that those with one inch meters have been underbilled since 2015. He stated that the fact is that they have not been underbilled. He stated that they were being fairly billed. He stated that the water meters are the first components of the water system. He stated that other components are capacity. He stated that he has a one inch meter and a one inch pipe that travels under for about 40 feet. He stated that after it goes through the wall in his basement it separates into half inch pipes just like the 5/8-inch water meter homes. He stated that the half inch pipes connect to on/off valves from under the sink or toilet reducing down to a flexible 3/8 hose that connects to the toilet fill valve or sink factors. He stated that these fill valves and faucets impose physical constraints to the flow of water, regardless of meter capacity. He stated the larger 1” diameter pipe ensures water can be flowed from the basement to the second floor with minimal pressure loss. He stated that he went around his house with a stop watch measuring the rate of flow for his two bathtubs, three sinks, both toilets and outside faucets and that this is what he got. He stated that it took 42 seconds to refill his gallon per flush toilets which is less than 1.25 gallons per minute. He stated that it took 45 seconds to fill a one gallon milk jug from his kitchen sink of cold water only. He stated that this was 1.25 gallons per minute. He stated that it took 20 seconds for each of his tub faucets to fill the gallon jugs which is three gallons per minute. He stated that his outside faucets came in at six gallons per minute. He stated that apparently washing the car is the most water consuming activity. He stated that assuming that he would have not pressure loss due to his 1” meter and water line. He stated that if he was to fill both of his tubs at the same time, turn on all three of his sinks and two outside faucets, start the dishwasher and a load of laundry while simultaneously flushing both his toilets he would consume 23.5 gallons of water per minute and at least 45 seconds until his toilets were filled. He stated that three minutes later his tub would be full. He stated that this leaves him at 15 gallons per minute and that if he turns off his two outside hose bibs, his demand becomes three gallons per minute. He stated that this is 17 gallons per minute below the surge capacity of the 5/8 meter and 22 gallons per minute less than the continuous flow capacity of the 1” meter. He stated that he did a worst-case water use simulation for he and his wife. He stated that he will never use more than 8.5 gallons of water per minute and that it would be rare and no more than a few minutes. He stated that their typical consumption at most is an intermittent 3.25 gallons per minute. He asked how can the city charge them for surge capacity of 50 gallons per minute. He asked does a 1” meter household with two adults stress the City system more than a 5/8-meter household with two adults and three children between the ages of 10 and 16. He asked does an average family of four with a 1” meter use more water than an average family of four with a 5/8 meter. He asked how would they know this. He stated that they would measure consumption and read the meter. He asked if a household with a 1” meter and a household with a 5/8 meter both get water bills showing consumption of 3000 units, both households used exactly the same amount of water. He stated that the only real difference between a 5/8 meter, residential, and 1” meter, residential is 10 seconds per gallon. He asked how can the City charge the 1 meter household a base rate of more than twice this of the 5/8-meter household. He stated that it is unethical to place any residential properties of any classification in the same billing category as non- residential/commercial/industrial. He stated that the demand and need for the capacity is much different. He stated that the industrial and commercial entities use water to run large boilers and other manufacturing processes and they typically introduce more impurities into the waste water which cost more to remove. He stated that there is a little bit more information and that he will leave it with the clerk. Michael Edwards, 409 Grove Avenue, stated that on Sunday, July 30th, the Petersburg Area Art League *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 -9– ______________________________________________________________________________ will hold their annual “PAAL Gives Back to the Community” summer concert. He stated that the first band starts at 2:30pm and goes until 4:30pm. He stated that the second one goes from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. He stated that it will be held at the art league at 7 East Old Street at the art park. He stated that admission is free. He stated that they will be giving free refreshments. He stated that there will be other items for sale. He stated that he has sent each council member an email with the invite. He stated that he hopes to see each of them there. He stated that he wants to also piggy-back on Mr. Stewart. He stated that he always says that Petersburg is the gem of the midsouth. He stated that the video that Mr. Stewart is referencing is the Washington Post that they posted on their Facebook page on the 4th of July. He stated that since the 4th of July, that post has received 18,000 likes; 22,000 comments; 40,000 shares and 1,694,759 views. He stated that he has followed the conversation on the video and that he has made some comments on the video. He stated that he has received some personal messages. He stated that there are people that he knows of that are planning to come to Petersburg to visit Pocahontas Island. He stated that many did not know that this place is one of the oldest in the country. He stated that since the City has now made national attention through the Washington Post, they need to take more pride in the City. He stated that they need to make sure that it is clean and make sure that the grass is cut. He stated that they never know who is coming to the City or who is going to view the City to call Petersburg their home or open up a business. He stated that it is positive energy before them. He stated that he was rather disgusted yesterday from the news about Christmas banners. He stated that there was far more going on in the City then to talk about Christmas banners. He stated that they do have citizens that are cleaning the parks and that he follows them and commend them. He stated that he cleans his street and that he tries to do his part. He stated that those that want to give back the programs are there. He stated that they should contact public works. He stated that the City has the programs and they have Adopt-a-Street as well. He stated that the supplies are there through grants. He stated that they should take pride in the City and bring something back. He stated that they know that the City has financial problems but that they are getting better. He stated that everyone should work together. Gloria Brown, 1557S. Sycamore Street, stated that she would like to welcome Mrs. Ferrell-Benavides. She stated that she would like to thank Mr. Edwards as well. She stated that she rides through Petersburg. She stated that she has been waiting and waiting and waiting but that it is not happening. She stated that she wanted to bring it to their attention. She stated that she knows that they are focused on other things but that they need to start from the basics. She stated that the grass is uncut at the exit of Exit 52. She stated that there has been a block off after they closed up the road and concreted it. She stated that the grass is two feet high at the former library. She stated that this is also a historical landmark. She stated that on the main corridor through the City of Petersburg on South Sycamore Street the grass is two to three feet high at the Cameron Field Parking overflow on the corner of South Sycamore and Mt. Vernon Street. She stated that she is not sure what ward these fall in. She stated that that this is pretty embarrassing. She stated that if the reason that they would be given is that there is a cut back in the budget then making sure that the basic needs are met for your constituents are obviously not a priority. She stated that they need to be about the business in the City. She stated that Petersburg will not be able to move forward and be about the business because they want to spend so much negative energy on nonsense. She stated that there is no way that with this type of behavior they can get things done effectively in the City. She stated that for the new City Manager she asks all City Council Members and people in the audience to allow her to execute her past experiences in the other jurisdictions that she served. She stated that there is no one that can give her advice on how to run the City and do her job. She stated that if this was the case the City would be a Utopia and not have her here. She stated to please let her do her job effectively. 10. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR OR OTHER MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL: Council Member Cuthbert stated his ward meetings have been very productive. He stated that he had his most recent one this afternoon. He stated that he has scheduled them approximately six weeks apart. He stated that he has scheduled them for 5:00pm on the days that City Council meet. He stated that this is a convenience to City employees who have attended. He stated that today Mrs. Peters attended. He stated that *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 - 10 – ______________________________________________________________________________ he hopes to have his next ward meeting at the train station at 5:00pm before the regular council meeting if it is available the first meeting in September. He stated to do not write this in stone. He stated that he has to clear this with Ms. Jackson to see if this can happen. He stated that he wanted to thank Mr. Kendrick for setting up the chairs and making things available for him. He stated that anyone that wants to come to a Ward 4 meeting is welcome. He stated that they do not have to be a resident in the 4th Ward. He stated that they talk about City issues that extend well beyond Ward 4 including the vision of the City. He stated that he invites all members of the City to attend his next ward meeting. He stated that he would like to welcome Mrs. Ferrell-Benavides to their team and to the leadership of the team. He stated that all members of City Council are enthusiastic of her being with the City and the talent that she has. Council Member Wilson-Smith stated that she would like to start by thanking everyone for attending their City Council meeting. She stated that she has three things. She stated that one is on matter of an ordinance that references the one inch versus the 5/8-inch residential meter. She asked can there be a study done by the next meeting in September that will show them how much is being paid by the 1,700 people that have one inch meters. She asked are they paying what they expected them to pay. She stated that if they will recall she made a motion for the people with one inch meters to pay the same amount as people with 5/8- meters. She stated that this did not pass. She stated that before she brings this back again she would like to have some information on this. She stated that the second thing is that she would like City Council to approve allowing her to work with the Mayor and Vice Mayor on planning the Retreat for August. Council Member Hill asked does it have to be in August. Council Member Wilson-Smith stated that the history has them doing it the first week in August. She stated that it is up to council. Council Member Hill stated that his only reason is that they have been meeting two and three times a week and that most of them were looking forward to not meeting in August. He stated that the new City Manager is just getting to the City. He stated that the City Manager getting up to speed is something that they are working on as well. He stated that normally it is the directors and the City Manager. He stated that he does not want them to get burnt out. He stated that they can come up with another time in the fall and that he is okay with this. He stated that August is kind of aggressive. Council Member Wilson-Smith stated that the council year starts again at the beginning of September. She stated that when they have the Retreat it prepares them for September. She stated that if they do not do it at the beginning of August then they need to do it at the end of August. Council Member Hill stated that he is all for doing the Retreat but just not in August. He stated that he is burnt out. He stated that one person does not stop the show. He stated that it is just kind of aggressive with all the meetings and special meetings that City Council is having. He stated that this is where he stands regarding this. Council Member Wilson-Smith stated that she thinks that they can discuss this when they get together. She stated that the last thing that she is has is a question for Mr. Preston. She stated that she would like to know what steps can they take to have a question on the ballot for the citizens to vote on whether or not they want to sell their water. Council Member Smith-Lee stated good evening to everyone. She stated that first she would like to give her condolences to Nykesha Jackson on the passing of her father, Mr. Timothy Ward. She stated that he was a friend of her brother. She stated that she knows how it is to lose a parent. She stated to Ms. Jackson that they love her. She stated that she also wanted to give thanks to the Petersburg Recreation Department, Jamison McLaughlin, Mt Olivet Baptist Church, Wesley Nicholas, Another Level Hair Salon and Alpha Kappa *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 - 11 – ______________________________________________________________________________ Alpha Sorority, Inc. on the revitalization of the Farmer Street Pool. She stated that the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. are also supplying flip flops and swimming caps. She stated that she takes great pride in the community when they come together. She stated that she thanks the citizens and anyone that has helped in that project. She stated that she would like to also welcome Mrs. Aretha Ferrell-Benavides. She stated that she would like to thank her for being a part of the City. She stated that she knows that she is going to bring great things to the City. Council Member Hill stated that he would like to welcome the new City Manager. He stated that he would like to thank her for coming to Petersburg. He stated that he knows that she will do great things. He stated that he would like to give his condolences to the clerk in the loss of her father. He stated that he is currently still praying for her and her family during their loss. He stated that he would like to do a special thanks to Lemar Johnson. He stated that he is a fireman in the City of Petersburg. He stated that his nickname is Mockingbird. He stated that he thinks he spoke on this before but that he keeps on amazing him with getting the citizens to come together to cut all the parks. He stated that he knows of they have cut Jefferson Street Park twice and they have cut West Street Park twice. He stated that they have revitalized it with flowers and a sign. He stated that just this past Tuesday they were at the park at the end of Morton Avenue. He stated that it is just a collaboration of his leadership that has gone out. He stated that Mr. Johnson goes on Facebook and people just shop up with their lawnmowers. He stated that they have spoken and that he has donated some time to him. He stated that the Vice Mayor has too. He stated that at the end during the fall they were thinking of getting everyone that has volunteered to come together to have an end of the year celebration or BBQ. He stated that he does agree with the citizens when they have closed sessions. He stated that it would be advantageous to do them like they use to do them earlier in the day if their schedule permits. He stated that they need to pay more attention to the exits going and coming into the City as far as cutting the grass and the litter. He stated that the litter is everywhere and that everyone sees and that he thinks that it needs to be some type of initiative from that department in those areas. He stated in his area they have this triangle that had not been cut so the citizens started cutting it. He stated that they have to find a way to have it programmed of who is going to cut what in whatever wards and what time. He stated that it is a lot of grass to cut. He stated that when you go up Sycamore Street where the old hospital is weeds are growing up the sidewalk. He stated that he does not know what is going on with this but that he does not think that it is all just manpower. He stated that with Mrs. Ferrell-Benavides management skills they will look into this situation. He stated that he would like to thank City Council for bringing them this far as a whole. Vice Mayor Hart stated that he thinks that everyone is on the same message today. He stated that this is on cleaning up the City of Petersburg. He stated that he wants to start by thanking Mr. Jarratt and Mr. Hawks for helping with cleaning off the exit off Crater Road across from 7-11 last Friday. He stated that it took them about an hour and a half to get that exit taken care of. He stated that on yesterday he was on Squirrel Level cleaning off 85. He stated that last week he cleaning off Young Road so he does not have to hear Mr. Noise on this situation this week. He stated that they still have more to do on Youngs Road. He stated that as the fall come in they have to really look at beautifying the City. He stated that this is a part if the ongoing message today and how they look at this. He stated that he will have a date for people to come out and help clean Exit 52. He stated that they would be amazed at the amount of trash that you pick up. He stated that there are several things that he knows of that is going on in Petersburg. He stated that the convenient stores, drinking and smoking is all happening because all the liter is on the highway and on that exit. He stated that everyone sees it. He stated that the City has to do a better job with keeping the trash inside the vehicles. He stated that they do not want to have to get into an additional point of getting more money out the citizens for making fines. He stated that they have to do something in regards to keeping the exits looking better. He stated that it is a lot of work that goes into and that it is just not cutting the grass. He stated that it takes at least 15 to 20 minutes to fill up one bag. He stated that he wants to commend the Public Works Department regarding the meter leak in Ward 7 on Saturday. He stated that a call came into him and that he called Public Works and within two hours everything was taken care of. He stated that to Mr. Stewart that he is very interested in the comments that he made earlier. He stated that he would like to sit with him and have a conversation on the inflex of traffic that is *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 - 12 – ______________________________________________________________________________ coming to Pocahontas Island and to see what he can do to help along the way. He stated that the would like to also thank the City for starting the construction on Darby Road in Western Hills. He stated that the street was about to cave in and finally it is being worked on. He stated that he has gotten a bunch of calls in the last few months. He stated that he wants to apologize to any citizen or anyone if he has offended them. He stated that everyone comes up and speak their mind and give their opinion on things in the City. He stated that they are not always the best but that they like to hear what is going on. He stated that he would like to thank them for speaking and expressing themselves with concerns from the City. He stated that they still could stay at home and that they would never hear from them. He stated that he is a believer and that if they do not tell him their problems he cannot work on fixing them. He stated that he welcomes them all to come out and speak during the public information period. He stated that he writes down all the comments during that period to make sure that they address all the concerns and questions. He stated that once again let them look into cleaning up the City. Mayor Parham stated that he would like to welcome the new City Manager Mrs. Aretha Ferrell- Benavides to her first official council meeting. He stated that they are excited to have her in the City. He stated that he would like to welcome the Interim City Assessor, Mr. John Nelms. He stated that he will be helping the City over the next couple of months as they find a permanent City Assessor. He stated that he would like to also thank the Petersburg Police Department. He stated that he wants to thank them for the work that they do. He stated that would like to also talk about Officer Christopher Ayers. He stated that on July 14th, he was off duty as he watched a man get out of his wheelchair and jump over the Martin Luther King Bridge. He stated that Mr. Ayers was off duty and took it upon himself to call for back up and went into the river and saved that man’s life. He stated that he would like to thank Robert Bobb, Nelsie Birch, Jack Berry, Michelle Peters, Blake Ranes and Mrs. Benavides for being there for the City for Standards & Poors. He stated that he feels like they did a good shop with showing them the possibilities and opportunities in the City of Petersburg. He stated that they were really excited and surprised about all the opportunities in the City. He stated that there are a lot of things going on in the southern end of the City. He stated that they do not have just the sheets but another state building going on Wagner Road. He stated that they should be having a ribbon cutting within the next month from the Virginia Employment Commission who the City recruited to move back into the City. He stated that Petersburg is still alive and that they are not going to fall over in the Appomattox. He stated that he wants to also thank all the sacrifices that all the City Council Members make. He stated that he knows that sometimes it goes unappreciated. He stated that they have had a very tough week with the passing of the clerk’s father, Mr. Ward. He stated that he wanted to thank Ms. Jackson for all that she does for the City and that he prays for her healing. He stated that he is happy to have Council Member Wilson-Smith back. He stated that he was really sad when he found out that his homeboy, Buster, was not doing good in northern Virginia. He stated that he wanted to thank Council Member Wilson-Smith for nursing him back to health and being a great mom. He stated that would like to thank everyone for coming out to the Halifax Jazz Festival. He stated that it was huge success. He stated that a lot of work went into this. He stated that the community put much into it to keep the Jazz Festival going in the City for citizens. He stated that everyone had a great time and the weather held up for it. Council Member Wilson-Smith stated that they have all talked about and thanked people for volunteering. She stated that she would like the City Manager and/or City Attorney to have a discussion with human resources. She stated that the citizens who are volunteering their time need to be protected by the City. She stated that they need to know what they can and cannot do. Mayor Parham stated that the City has also been working with Public Works and Kathleen Morgan on making sure that they are given the parameters to work. He stated that they are helping the citizens as they are volunteering. 11. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT: *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 - 13 – ______________________________________________________________________________ *No items for this portion of the agenda. 12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: *No items for this portion of the agenda. 13. NEW BUSINESS: a. Consideration of a Lease Agreement with BB&T Building LLC for the property located at 30 Franklin Street. BACKGROUND: The City sold the building without an agreement regarding the housing and location of the emergency equipment that would remain in the building. RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Lease Agreement for 30 Franklin Street, Petersburg, VA 23803. There was discussion among City Council, Mr. Preston, Ms. Birch and Fire Chief Rubin. Council Member Cuthbert made a motion to approve the Lease Agreement for 30 Franklin Street, Petersburg, VA 23803. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers b. Consideration for appropriation of $3.0 million for Public Safety Emergency Vehicles and approval of budget modification for the Capital Budget and Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan. BACKGROUND: The City Council approved the FY 2018 Capital Budget equal to $6,818,000 and the FY 2018- FY 2022 CIP equal to $64,548,300 on June 6, 2017. On that same night, City Council approved the authorization of the issuance of $3,000,000 in General Obligation Bonds to fund the public safety emergency vehicles. In order for City staff to move forward on the purchase of these vehicles, once the bond issuance is complete, appropriation of the funds is required. Additionally, the FY 2018 Capital Budget needs to be increased by $3,000,000 to $9,818,000 and the FY2018 – FY2022 CIP to $67,548,300, to reflect the purchase of the new vehicles. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council adopt and appropriate $3,000,000 in General Obligation Bond proceeds for the purchase of public safety emergency vehicles and modify the FY2018 Capital Budget to $9,818,000 and FY2018-2022 CIP to $67,548,300. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comments. Seeing no hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public hearing. Council Member Hill made a motion to adopt and appropriate $3,000,000 in General Obligation Bond proceeds for the purchase of public safety emergency vehicles and modify the FY2018 Capital Budget to $9,818,000 and FY2018-2022 CIP to $67,548,300. The motion was seconded by Council Member Smith-Lee. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers 17-ORD-31 AN ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS IN THE CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON JULY 1, 2017 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2018, IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000,000. *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 - 14 – ______________________________________________________________________________ c. Consideration of an appointment to the Appomattox River Water Authority (ARWA) Board for Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, City Manager. BACKGROUND: The Appomattox River Water Authority consists of the Cities of Colonial Heights and Petersburg and the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, and Prince George. The Authority is responsible for the operation of the Appomattox River Water Treatment plant. The Authority Board includes one (1) member and one (1) alternate members from each of the political subdivisions. City Council has, as have other member jurisdictions, traditionally appointed the locality’s chief administrative officer as its representative on the Board and the Director of Public Works as the alternate. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council appoint Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, City Manager to the Appomattox River Water Authority Board. Council Member Hill made a motion to appoint Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, City Manager to the Appomattox River Water Authority Board. The motion was seconded by Council Member Smith-Lee. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers 17-R-45 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING ARETHA R. FERRELL-BENAVIDES, CITY MANAGER TO THE APPOMATTOX RIVER WATER AUTHORITY BOARD. d. Consideration of an appointment to the Appomattox River Water Authority (ARWA) Board for Jerry Byerly, Acting Director of Public Utilities. BACKGROUND: The Appomattox River Water Authority consists of the Cities of Colonial Heights and Petersburg and the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, and Prince George. The Authority is responsible for the operation of the Appomattox River Water Treatment plant. The Authority Board includes one (1) member and one (1) alternate members from each of the political subdivisions. City Council has, as have other member jurisdictions, traditionally appointed the locality’s chief administrative officer as its representative on the Board and the Director of Public Works as the alternate. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council appoint Jerry Byerly, Acting Director of Public Utilities to the Appomattox River Water Authority Board (ARWA). There was discussion among City Council Members and Ms. Birch. Vice Mayor Hart made a motion to appoint Jerry Byerly, Acting Director of Public Utilities to the Appomattox River Water Authority Board (ARWA) as the alternate member. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers 17-R-46 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING JERRY BYERLY, ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO THE APPOMATTOX RIVER WATER AUTHORITY BOARD AS THE ALTERNATE MEMBER. e. Consideration of an appointment to the South Central Wastewater Treatment Authority Board for Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, City Manager. *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 - 15 – ______________________________________________________________________________ BACKGROUND: South Central Wastewater Treatment Authority operates the Petersburg Wastewater Plant, which serves the Cities of Colonial Heights and Petersburg along with the Counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie and Prince George. The Authority Board includes one (1) member and one (1) alternate members from each of the political subdivisions. City Council has, as have other member jurisdictions, traditionally appointed the locality’s chief administrative officer as its representative on the Board and the Director of Public Works as the alternate. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council appoint Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, City Manager to the South Central Wastewater Treatment Authority Board. Council Member Hill made a motion to appoint Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, City Manager to the South Central Wastewater Treatment Authority Board. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilson-Smith. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers 17-R-47 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING ARETHA R. FERRELL-BENAVIDES, CITY MANAGER TO THE SOUTH CENTRAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT AUTHORITY BOARD. f. Consideration of an appointment to the South Central Wastewater Treatment Authority Board for Jerry Byerly, Acting Director of Public Utilities. BACKGROUND: South Central Wastewater Treatment Authority operates the Petersburg Wastewater Plant, which serves the Cities of Colonial Heights and Petersburg along with the Counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie and Prince George. The Authority Board includes one (1) member and one (1) alternate members from each of the political subdivisions. City Council has, as have other member jurisdictions, traditionally appointed the locality’s chief administrative officer as its representative on the Board and the Director of Public Works as the alternate. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council appoint Jerry Byerly, Acting Director of Public Utilities to the South Central Wastewater Treatment Authority Board. Vice Mayor Hart made a motion to appoint Jerry Byerly, Acting Director of Public Utilities to the South Central Wastewater Treatment Authority Board, as the alternate member. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers 17-R-48 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING JERRY BYERLY, ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO THE SOUTH CENTRAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT AUTHORITY BOARD, AS THE ALTERNATE MEMBER. g. Consideration of an appointment to the Riverside Regional Jail Authority. BACKGROUND: The Riverside Regional Jail Authority Board is a seven-member regional jail that oversees the regional jail facility serving the localities of Counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Prince George, and the Cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Petersburg. The City has one member and one alternate to serve on the board. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council appoint Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, City Manager to the Riverside Regional Jail Authority Board. *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 - 16 – ______________________________________________________________________________ Council Member Hill made a motion to appoint Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, City Manager to the Riverside Regional Jail Authority Board. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilson. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers 17-R-49 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING ARETHA R. FERRELL-BENAVIDES, CITY MANAGER TO THE RIVERSIDE REGIONAL JAIL AUTHORITY. h. Consideration of an appointment to the Willcox Watershed Conservancy. BACKGROUND: The Willcox Watershed Conservancy is a non-profit dedicated to the restoration and preservation of Willcox and Lee Park, properties owned by the City of Petersburg, for the education and recreation of the citizens of Petersburg and the surrounding areas. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council appoint John A. Hart, Sr. to the Willcox Watershed Conservancy. Council Member Wilson-Smith made a motion to appoint John A. Hart, Sr. to the Willcox Watershed Conservancy. The motion was seconded by Council Member Smith-Lee. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers 17-R-50 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING JOHN A. HART, SR TO THE WILLCOX WATERSHED CONSERVANCY BOARD. i. Consideration of reappointment to the District 19 Community Services Board BACKGROUND: District 19 Community Services Board (D19 CSB) is a multi-jurisdictional, community-based organization whose mission is to improve the quality and productivity of the lives of individuals who experience, or are at risk of experience, mental disabilities and/or substance abuse. District 19 is licensed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide mental health, intellectual disability, substance abuse and prevention services to the citizens of the cities of Colonial Heights, Emporia, Hopewell and Petersburg, and the counties of Dinwiddie, Greensville, Prince George, Surry and Sussex. Integrated services are available for adults, children and families through a screening/assessment process. Services are provided directly by staff of District 19 and through contracts with private providers in the community. A volunteer Board of Directors provides oversight to District 19. Interested citizens are appointed by each of our participating localities for terms of three years. Our current officers are listed below, and board members are named according to the localities they represent. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council reappoint Rhonda Green to the District 19 Community Services Board. Vice Mayor Hart made a motion to reappoint Rhonda Green to the District 19 Community Services Board. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Wilson-Smith made a substitute motion to table action until City Council has had the opportunity to look at the new rules and laws that have been developed for appointing people. The motion was seconded by Council Member Smith-Lee. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Myers *Audio available  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: July 18, 2017 - 17 – ______________________________________________________________________________ 14. REPORTS/RESPONSES TO PREVIOUS PUBLIC INFORMATION PERIOD: *No items for this portion of the agenda. 15. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA: *No items for this portion of the agenda. 16. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE CITY CLERK: Ms. Jackson stated that she would like to thank everyone for the calls, text, emails, visits and all those that attended her father’s funeral. She stated that she would like to thank staff and the City and the letters that came as well. She stated that she really appreciates it. 17. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY: Mr. Preston stated that he has a briefing. He stated that he has two reports. He stated that as of July 31st, the City of Petersburg will no longer be involved in any way with the leasing of the Freedom Support Center or those buildings that are located on Washington Street. He stated that City Council has asked them to unwind this. He stated that by August 31st, it will be completely unwound. He stated that the second thing that they are happy to announce is that they have a scheduled closing on Friday to get the bus station back from the developer that the City sold it to. He stated that they have a closing date set for this Friday. He stated that hopefully after this Friday the building will be back in Petersburg possession and available for resale or whatever City Council would like to do to this building. He stated that it is an historic site and the developer did not do anything with the building for almost three years. 18. ADJOURNMENT: City Council adjourned at 8:32 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor *Audio available