City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The regular meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at the Union Train Station. Mayor Parham called the meeting to order at 6:34p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member Charles H. Cuthbert, Jr. Council Member Annette Smith-Lee Council Member Treska Wilson-Smith Council Member W. Howard Myers Council Member Darrin Hill Vice Mayor John A. Hart, Sr. Mayor Samuel Parham Absent: None Present from City Administration: City Manager Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides Assistant City Attorney Rashaad Bey Clerk of Council Nykesha D. Jackson, CMC 2. PRAYER: Mayor Parham stated, “At this time we will have Mr. Wesley Nicholas from Mount Gilead to lead us in our opening prayer.” Mr. Nicholas led the City in prayer. 3. CLOSED SESSION: *No closed session items. 4. MOMENT OF SILENCE: a. Clerk of Council, Nykesha D. Jackson, led council and the audience in a moment of silence. 5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: a. Clerk of Council, Nykesha D. Jackson, led council and the audience in the pledge of allegiance. 6. DETERMINATION OF THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM: All City Council Members were present. Mayor Parham stated, “For tonight’s Positive Petersburg story, I would like to highlight the Student Development Academy – Job Shadowing Program. Can everyone in the program please stand and give a round of applause please. This program is an important initiative to expose young students to the day-to-day operations of local government. This is the first year for this program in Petersburg and we have the wonderful opportunity to briefly hear from these students tonight. The participants in this program will spend their summer shadowing City staff leadership and will also engage in Educational Awareness Sessions at Virginia State University, attend college tours and travel to Florida to visit Disney and Universal Studios. Thank you to the City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Ms. Tyus, and Tami Yerby for bringing this program to Petersburg. I look forward to hearing more about this and meeting the students later in the meeting. Thank you.”  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATION OF CEREMONIAL PROCLAMATIONS: (Each presentation will be limited to 10 minutes.) *No items for this portion of the agenda. Mayor Parham stated, “For tonight’s Positive Petersburg, I would like to take the time to congratulate all of our students, teachers, administrators, fellow council members and all those who have been instrumental in making sure that our youth enjoyed a great first day back to school for the 2018-2019 school year. On Saturday, we had an awesome time with Petersburg’s own Frank Mason and everyone who took part in the Back to School Basketball Game at Mount Olivet. We appreciate Vice Mayor John Hart for representing council for his smooth jump shot. And on Sunday, we enjoyed a packed building at the YMCA during the Kickback to School Drive with Petersburg’s Shaping Up our Future and many, many other community organizations. Through the summer and even this week, we have had countless individuals, businesses and community organizations put in their time and resources to send our kids back to school properly. I would like to use this time to acknowledge all of those people. Thank you all.” 8. COMMUNICATIONS/SPECIAL REPORTS: a. City Assessor’s Report Brian Gordineer, City Assessor, gave a PowerPoint presentation on his report. Key points:  There five-member team is now currently fully staffed.  City of Petersburg will be featured in the Quarterly Newsletter of Virginia’s Assessment Professionals.  Working with the Clerk of Circuit Court and are no longer receiving paper copies of documents. Everything is now electronic.  Works with the Economic Development Office in helping produce the list of properties.  The Field Inspection Program has begun, and every property will be inspected once every five years. It will be on a subdivision basis and there will be remeasuring structures and verifying property characteristics.  There will be an Open House on September 11, 2018, from 2pm to 4pm. There was discussion among City Council Members and Mr. Gordineer. b. Public Safety Report Captain Walker, Police Department, gave an update on public safety. Key Points:  There has been a lot of fires on Washington Street and that the Public Safety Director wants everyone to that the Fire Marshall’s are working to get leads on whomever is starting fires.  Operation “No Gun” has been a success. They have taken over 190 legal guns off the street. c. City Manager’s Report  AMPAC Chemicals BACKGROUND: AMPAC has a binding agreement with SK Holdings to acquire their business, including their facilities in California, Texas and here in Petersburg. Closing is scheduled for August 30th. SK Holdings representative are scheduled to visit the Petersburg site August 9, 2018, and AMPAC is requesting a response to share the SK Holdings during their visit and prior to closing. With the new ownership investment in  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ new equipment locally may not be as robust as has been previously announced under the AMPAC ownership without the favorable ruling. SK may be more inclined to move some of the production work to one of their other facilities. So, certainly a favorable could lead to an introduction opportunity for the City to deliver the good news to the SK leadership during their August 9, 2018 visit. The City of Petersburg by Ordinance, established a Technology Zone that includes the property of AMPAC, formerly B.I. Chemicals. The development incentive associated with the Technology Zone is a rebate of Machinery and Tools taxes paid by the business within the Technology Zone through the City’s Economic Development Authority. The purpose of the incentive is to promote private investment. According to AMPAC, the tax situation around the Technology Zone incentive was a significant due diligence item for SK Holdings. AMPAC paid $16.1 million for machinery and tools, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and tangible personal property. Of the $16.1 million, $15 million is the cost of Machinery and Tools, subject to taxation.  The total estimated value of the machinery and tools is $15 million ($1.1 non-M&T)  Of the machinery and tools valued at $15 million, 10% ($1.5 million) is estimated to be obsolete or not to be used in future operations.  $13.5 is the estimated maximum value of equipment to be used in future operations.  Of the machinery and tools valued at $13.5 million, some will continue to remain idle and therefore, not taxed.  AMPAC purchased the machinery and tools in 2017, which was the first year the incentive could have been applied.  There are three years remaining in eligibility of the total five-year incentive eligibility 2019, 2020 and 2021. AMPAC used equipment in 2018 valued at $1.2 million and paid $16,188.57 in Machinery and Tools taxes. If AMPAC used all of the equipment valued at $13.5 million, the Machinery and Tools tax would total $513,000 ($3.80 per $100 assessed value) in years 2019-2021, therefore during the three-year period, the maximum foregone tax revenue is $1.54 million. AMPAC does not anticipate utilizing all existing Machinery and Tools during the three-year period. All existing Machinery and Tools would be taxable in 2022. AMPAC anticipates purchasing new equipment valued at up to $10 million in 2018, which would be eligible for the five-year Technology Zone incentive until 2023, after which time the machinery and tools will be taxed. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council consider approval of the requests by AMPAC, regarding machinery and tools valuation and Technology Zone incentives, with an incentive amount not to exceed $250,000 per year (The M&T tax on $13.5 million is $513,000). Reginald Tabor, Economic Development Manager, introduced Mr. Martin Myers, who is the Executive Director of Virginia Operations at AMPAC. Martin Myers, Executive Director of Virginia Operations at AMPAC, gave an update on AMPAC. Key Points:  Based primarily in California near Sacramento.  They are a contract manufacturer for pharmaceutical. They have started outsourcing to China and India.  Has been assisting at the Petersburg Plant and that they just came up on their two years.  They are working on getting 100 people to work for the plant.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 -4– ______________________________________________________________________________  They expanded in the 60s to fine chemicals and in the 90s they did more than just fuel.  They moved from public to private in 2014 and in 2016 they acquired the Petersburg site.  As of last night, they were acquired by Korean Multinational. The deal closed last Friday. Council Member Hill made a motion that City Council approve the requests by AMPAC, regarding machinery and tools valuation and Technology Zone incentives, with an incentive mount not to exceed $250,000 per year. The motion was seconded by Council Member Myers. There was discussion among City Council Members and staff. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Smith-Lee  Deputy City Manager for Community Affairs – Darnetta Tyus Ms. Tyus presented Mayor Parham and Mrs. Benavides with a framed picture of the shadowed students from the City of Petersburg in their appreciation, hard work and participation. She also stated that there are some flyers in the back of the room announcing the next city-wide cleanup. She stated that it will be November 3rd, beginning at 8am and stopping at noon and then followed by a cookout. Council Member Wilson asked Ms. Tyus will they be expanding the volunteer program and if there are any plans for the citizens academy. Ms. Tyus stated that there is no plan to officially expand the volunteer office. They are using the block by block organization now and that this is how they will consistently use this to get as many people to participate. They are expanding the base and pool of volunteers. She stated that effective January the Office of the Deputy City Manager of Community Affairs by way of Tami Yerby and special events and will take over the planning of the Citizens Academy. She stated that Citizens Academy will be a citywide initiative as of January.  Deputy City Manager for Development – Lionel D. Lyons Mr. Lyons stated that there were a number of issues that were asked about regarding code enforcement and zoning administration and the improvements that they are trying to make in that area. He stated that he provided a front and back one-page memo for them to read. He stated that Mrs. Peters and her staff are doing a great job and that they have started to work with Judge Lupold. Michelle Peters, Director of Planning and Community Development, gave updates on the Jarratt House. Key Points  Purchase Order has been secured to do the work from the architect plans for permanent stabilization of the Jarratt House.  The City could do the test pits inhouse and did not have to hire anyone.  The deadlines on the building have been removed and that they want to thank DPW for doing the work for them.  They will have a meeting to focus on how they will engage the Pocahontas Island Community. They have been active participants in the reports that have been done.  They will finally come to council with a public hearing with a recommendation regarding the Jarratt House. There was discussion among City Council Members and staff on the Jarratt House. Mrs. Peters stated that she will come back with an update in October and also have information on community participation and target date. Council Member Wilson-Smith asked that with the work that will be done the plan to keep the Jarratt House in the same format that it was.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 -5– ______________________________________________________________________________ Mrs. Peters stated that the work will preserve everything that it can. She stated that she cannot definitively answer that until she sees the plan. She stated that there may be some things that may deal with the structure. Mr. Lyons presented updates on various departments. Key Points:  Transit Manager, is doing a wonderful job. He stated that a $400,000 plus grant was given to them in terms of purchasing a new bus and that they have been able to secure three new buses. He stated that the new buses will be here around January or February of next year. He stated that this week Mr. Koonce and his department started meeting with Rail and Transit Department to look at the transit operation today.  They are moving forward with Southside Depot.  Met with CFS to figure out the issues that they have with them and that they will be bringing back to council.  They met with CEO at Southside Regional Medical Center to fix various issues that they have as well as conversation on expansion.  Spoke on funds coming out of Public Works budget to hire people to help with the grass cutting in the City of Petersburg issues. Council Member Myers stated that the purpose of his motion to develop a program policy in which citizens may cut grass and remove litter from the City at a nominal fee. He stated that this would spark community pride, temporary employment and self-sufficiency. Council Member Myers made a motion to direct the City Manager to direct the administration to research and develop a program policy in which citizens may cut grass and/or remove litter from the City at a nominal fee. The motion was seconded by Council Member Smith-Lee. There was discussion on the motion among City Council and staff. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham Mr. Lyons stated that they will bring back a comprehensive plan from the public works department in October or no later than November.  Chief Operating Officer – Michael C. Rogers i. Financial Report Mrs. Benavides stated, “What we would like to do is that because the next item under the agenda under public hearings tie into his presentation, if we can move that item to that time. And let him do the presentation at the beginning of the public hearing I think it will keep them together if that is possible.” Mayor Parham responded, “Yes.” 9. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA (to include minutes of previous meeting/s) a. Minutes: Regular City Council Meeting: July 17, 2018 Vice Mayor Hart made a motion to accept the Consent Agenda of the July 17, 2017, minutes of the regular meeting. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. Council Member Wilson-Smith asked, “Can we add a 16d – Amendments to the Rules of Council?” Council Member Wilson-Smith made a substitute motion to add to the consent agenda under item 16 of “New Business” a 16d as the “Amendment of the New Rules of Council.” The motion was seconded by Council Member Cuthbert. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee,  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 -6– ______________________________________________________________________________ Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham 10. OFFICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS: a. A public hearing for the resolution to issue, sale and award the General Obligation Revenue Anticipation Note Series 2018. BACKGROUND: The City Council must schedule a public hearing for the public to provide comment on the issuance of up to $6,500,000 general obligation bonds or noes of the city in accordance with the act. The City Council has determined that it is necessary and advisable and in the best interest of the City to authorize the borrowing of money in an amount not to exceed $6,500,000 in order to pay expenses expected to be incurred prior to the collection of taxes and revenues of the City for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, and that such amount does not exceed the anticipated revenues for such fiscal year, and to issue the City’s general obligation tax and revenue anticipation. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council approve the resolution to issue, sale and award the General Obligation Revenue Anticipation Note Series 2018. Mr. Rogers stated, “Before this public hearing I want to share with you the financial report which lays the foundation of why we are asking for your action on this resolution. We want to discuss the actual cash received from month to month during this fiscal year that just closed, 2017-2018. We want to discuss the actual cash spent month to month.” Key points:  In October 2017, there was a big revenue jump. That is the RAN that the City was able to acquire last year to help the City during difficult periods.  Under expenditures of 2018 as of June 30th was $2.7 million dollars. There is a 60-day pool period.  Significant revenue in June of property taxes and real estate taxes. Each generated several million dollars.  The RAN is projected in October due to it being a heavy period of activities. This is for payments of CVWMA, ARWA, Dominion Power, Greater Richmond Transit and a number of others that come in that October period that presses the cash flow situation.  In FY18 expenditures they were looking at $102 million dollars to be spent as of June 30th and $98 million in cash. The cash is from the bank statements and inflow and outflow cash basis.  Stated that the City needs to put at least $1 million away every year to be back in good standing. Mr. Rogers stated that the bond counsel is present if there are any questions regarding the bond. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Seeing no hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public comments. There was discussion among City Council Members and staff. Council Member Hill made a motion to approve the resolution to issue, sale and award the General Obligation Revenue Anticipation Note Series 2018 in the amount of $6.5 million dollars. The motion was seconded by Council Member Myers. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham 18-R-44 A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE, SALE AND AWARD OF GENERAL OBLIGATION REVENUE ANTICIPATION NOTES, SERIES 2018, OF THE CITY OF  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 -7– ______________________________________________________________________________ PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA AND PROVIDING FOR THE FORM, DETAILS AND PAYMENT THEREOF. b. A public hearing for a Special Use Permit to operate a use involving storage and distribution of more than 200 tires, subject to certain terms and conditions at 756 South West Street with tax parcel 030-08-0001. The property is zoned M-1, Light Industrial District. BACKGROUND: The Zoning Ordinance requires that City Council must take action once a recommendation is forwarded from the Planning Commission. This use in the Zoning Ordinance requires a Special Use Permit. The applicant is requesting to have a warehouse to store and wholesale tires. The applicant currently operates two (used tire) businesses in the City of Petersburg. RECOMMENDATION: Council may affirm the planning commission recommendation, overturn the planning commission recommendation, table for further consideration, or return the item under consideration to the planning commission requesting further review. The recommendation of the planning commission was to approve the special use permit request with a vote of 9-0. Michelle Peters, Director of Planning and Community Development, gave briefing on the request for a Special Use Permit to operate a use involving storage and distribution of more than 200 tires. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Willie Noise, 1508 Circle Drive, stated, “I think this is a go. As long as the fire department has a daily or scheduled inspection date. Because my past watching T.V., the tires when they get to burning are hard to put out. By being a warehouse, it is here, and we can’t just ride by and see inside. So, put that responsibility on the fire department and make sure they do inspections if it is planned or not.” Ron Flock, 1708 Pender Avenue, stated, “I did a little looking on this property and in the description of the property it says that not all of these buildings have sprinklers. I used google maps to look through as much as I can see through my computer and I don’t see any fire hydrants. So, I am wondering how far they are. Depending on which way the wind blows there is two different schools and it is residential right there. And if there is a tire fire, how fast can we evacuate the facilities and those neighborhoods. What is in the adjacent buildings that are 10 ft apart or less? So, if a fire starts is there petroleum stored in the building next door? I think we really have to look at that. Other than that, it is a great idea to help this gentleman out and keep his business clean looking and give him a place to go. We really need to take the time to look at the fire hazard. Thank you.” Seeing no further hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public comments. There was discussion among City Council Members, staff and the petitioner. Council Member Smith-Lee made a motion to approve the Special Use Permit for 756 South West Street. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilson-Smith. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham 18-ORD-21 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR 756 SOUTH WEST STREET. c. A public hearing to amend Sec. 106-63 – Time for Assessment; Tax Lien of Real Estate. BACKGROUND: The proposed amendments to Sec. 106-63. – Time for Assessment; Tax Lien of Real Estate will transition the annual reassessment program to a biennial reassessment program and transition the effective date of valuation from July 1 to January 1. The sparsity of market sales activity makes a two- year reassessment cycle statistically superior to an annual cycle with a smaller sample of market value transactions. Adjustment of the valuation date to January 1 will give the City Manager, Chief Operating Officer  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 -8– ______________________________________________________________________________ and Budget Director actual reassessment numbers, rather than projections, on which to base the upcoming budget. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council approve the proposed changes. Brian Gordineer, City Assessor, gave an overview of the public hearing to amend Sec. 106-63 – Time for Assessment; Tax Lien of Real Estate. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Ron Flock, 1708 Pender Avenue, stated, “July 17th under consent we agreed to have this vote. On the 18th I sent a FOIA request, requesting for specific verbiage of the changes of each one of these. I was denied and told that when they are made people I would be informed. They are still not public. We don’t know what the exact verbiage changes are. If you allow these to go through today, you are signing a blank check to whatever you want to put on there. It’s not fair to us to have to come up here and have an educated discussion about something where there is zero information about it. There is zero information available to you. There is zero information available to us. I sincerely request that you put this off for another meeting until the verbiage is actually issued so somebody can look at it and see what it says. This is a summary. This is nothing. It doesn’t tell you what the amendments are. In the center of that there is an opinion. This has nothing to do with what is being amended here. There is nothing here. I do not doubt the quality of this person doing his job at all. But if someone says that we are going to do this. Okay go head. That is how we ended up in a bunch of mess that we are already in. If we amend anything else there is strikeouts of what is being removed in addition to what is being put in there. That is information that you and I and no one else can make an educated decision on whether this is good or bad without the information and it is not there. It is not public. This was public in July on the 17th. And we have had all this time to get these actual proposal amendments written out, so somebody can see them. It is a sign. You cannot vote on this. This isn’t anything.” Seeing no further hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public comments. There was discussion among City Council Members and staff. Council Member Wilson-Smith made a motion to table until the next council meeting items 10c-10g until they have all the information that is needed. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham d. A public hearing to amend Sec. 106-14. – Permanent Board of Equalization e. A public hearing to amend Sec. 106-66. – Permanent Board of Equalization f. A public hearing to amend Sec. 106-131 – Rehabilitated Residential Real Estate; Qualification; Application; Fee; Building Permits; Verification through Sec. 106-137 – Rehabilitated Real Estate Located in the Virginia Trunk and Bag Building Complex Historic Site. g. A public hearing to amend Sec. 106-138. – Miscellaneous Exemptions *Items 10c-g tabled until September 18, 2018, regular council meeting. h. A public hearing on a proposed Ordinance granting the City Manager the authority to sign a Deed of Ingress/Egress Easement on City owned land located at 1540 Baylor’s Lane. BACKGROUND: The residential property at 1540 Baylor’s Lane is located adjacent to and East of Interstate 85 and west of Baylor’s Lane. The gravel driveway (about 700 feet long) goes through the City Park and currently is the only access route to the residential property. Although this driveway exists, the current Easement of Right of Way is an undeveloped lane with no identifiable path from Baylor’s Lane. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council grant the City Manager the authority to sign a Deed of ingress/egress easement at 1540 Baylor’s Lane to allow the property owners to access Baylor’s Lane.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 -9– ______________________________________________________________________________ Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Seeing no hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public comments. There was discussion among City Council Members and staff. Mr. Lyons stated that they can get with the homeowner of the property and figure out what they need to do and bring it back to City Council for action. He stated that if there is a way to give them access them they can work on that now. Mr. Bey gave a brief description on what an easement is. He stated that they can do a title as well with the land. Council Member Cuthbert made a motion to table action until the next City Council Meeting and ask staff to present options to council for their consideration on giving the property owners access to the property. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilson-Smith. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham i. A public hearing on consider the disposition of City owned properties located at: 1004 and 1015 Commerce Street, 901 Halifax Street, 115 Harrison Street, 516-518 Shore Street, 520 Shore Street, 525 Shore Street, 725 Wilson Street, 729 Wilson Street, 735 Wilson Street, 745 Wilson Street, 747 Wilson Street, 411 Shore Street, 427 Harrison Street, 429 Harrison Street, 431 Harrison Street, 432 Harrison Street, 438 Harrison Street, 440 Harrison Street, 450 Harrison Street, 452 Harrison Street and 602 Harrison Street. BACKGROUND: The Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1800 requires that the City Council hold a public hearing concerning the disposal of City-owned property. This is a request for the City Council to schedule a Public Hearing concerning the disposal of City-owned property at 1004 and 1015 Commerce Street, 901 Halifax Street,115 Harrison Street, 115 Harrison Street, 516-518 Shore Street, 520 shore Street, 525 Shore Street, 725 Wilson Street, 729 Wilson Street, 735 Wilson Street, 745 Wilson Street, 747 Wilson Street, 411 Shore Street, 427 Harrison Street, 429 Harrison Street, 431 Harrison Street, 432 Harrison Street, 438 Harrison Street, 440 Harrison Street, 450 Harrison Street, 452 Harrison Street and 602 Harrison Street. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council approve of the disposition of City-owned properties. Reginald Tabor, Economic Development Manager, gave briefing on the consideration of the disposition of the listed properties. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Linwood Christian, 613 St. Matthew Street, stated, “Good evening Mayor and Members of Council. Before I go any further, especially the ones on Shore Street and Wilson Street, where exactly are those properties again. I wish any other time you guys would have something up their showing it but now there is nothing. Because I know a few of them on Wilson Street. I know at one time then former City Councilwoman Dama Rice owned a couple of those properties and we use to keep on her then about the grass and stuff being cut. And then you are talking about disposing especially some up on Shore Street and all. I do not know who is going to buy them or what. I know one person that I wish he would buy it. That one happens to be my landlord who is sitting in here. But other than that, I would say that I am in favor. But what scares me when you all talk about and I hear people redeveloping these properties. I can’t speak for anyone else in that area, but I can speak for me. I am tired of hearing the same thing over and over and over again. Because what you do is look for these properties to be brought up in the hood then you move people out and come in and redevelop it and jack the prices up so high that you move people out. And there is a name for that and it is called gentrification. Or then you come in there and you sell to these people and they say that we are going to do this, and we are  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 - 10 – ______________________________________________________________________________ going to do that, and we are still stuck with the same mess as we were before. Now Mr. Cuthbert and others, one thing and one song that they continue to sing is what kind of timeline there is. And how are we going to make sure that people are doing what they are supposed to do. You all are not giving the attention to that area as you should. I take it back. At least the police chief is and our city manager. God bless her soul. But they are not the ones that we elected to do the job. We elected the seven of you. Whether or not you live in the second ward or first ward or whatever, just because you are elected by your individual wards you still have to understand the concerns and issues of the citizens of this entire City. We have even got on Reverend Diggs because of some plans that he had for that area. They have not yet come to pass. Again, I don’t have a problem with you all selling the properties but stop using my neighborhood as a test case. Thank you.” Willie Noise, 1508 Circle Drive, stated, “And as I look at this list, I am incline to agree with about everything that Mr. Christian said. He is right on the target a lot of time. And the first thing, and we have talked about this time and time and time again about having some pictures, so we can see what you are talking about. And I know if I can’t see it you all can’t see it either. And my biggest thing is the people that are smarter than you all are. Them the ones that we got to have all our points and checks, and everything balanced and make sure that we know what is going on. These are too many houses on here that mean something in this City. It’s not right to have ten cars in your garage and all of them break down at the same time will tell you something. What I really wanted in keeping my eyesight on is Commerce Street, 1015. That’s not the Titmus building is it. I have been monitoring that Titmus building for a long time. And so is others that are smarter than you guys are. And you all are dragging on that building. Don’t let it get away because it got potential. You all have let every building that had potential in Petersburg over a period of time get out of your hand. And the same thing that happened on Ross Court. All those big ideas and things that went down and how it finally got into this hand and that hand. This world is not fair. And you guys are going to have to look at that. The police department is not the only one that is supposed to be checking these credentials. So, don’t let them take you all as chumps. Now you all watch how this property and who is supposed to do what with it. They have left a track record already which hasn’t been done. For instance, Commerce Street on the other end on the corner. I bidded on it and it has been sitting there and there has not be anything done with it that many years ago. There is nothing wrong with putting it off until tomorrow or the next meeting or whatever. Let’s make sure you all have some information and then checked off and dotted all your ‘i’s’ and ‘t’s’. Thank you.” Dr. Kenneth Lewis, 503 Mistletoe Street, stated, “I thank you for hosting this public hearing regarding the purchase of a piece of City owned property by a private citizen. One of them namely me. Per conversation with Mr. Tabor, I approached the City Council to request to purchase the parcel of City owned property located at 525 Shore Street for the amount not to exceed $3,000 and to pay it in full before Friday, December 21, 2018. And keeping with the City allowed due diligence period of 120 days. I am interested in the property because I already own a piece of the property which is adjacent to it. That when you turn off of Halifax Street and you go up Shore Street and you look to your left there is a single house there of land. That is my property. This piece of property is just before that. It is adjacent to that and it is blight and full of debris and trees are knocked down and grown up. I cut your grass for you and I clear your property for you and I did not put a sign out there in front of your property that says that you are not in compliance with City Code. The two main benefits of my wanting to purchase the property are that an appearance of blight, the debris, the overgrown grass and the accumulated trash would be gone. And it would be owned by a private resident, me. And I will have to pay quarterly taxes on it thus contributing to the City’s revenue. It would be approximately $58 but that is money that you are not currently getting now. I am well qualified to own that property. I said I already own a piece of property next to it. Mr. Tabor as a photo of it and you can see from the picture that my property is clean and all that I do is cut the grass every two weeks. And that is what I intend to do with this other piece of property and perhaps turn it into Kennywood for the birds, bees and squirrels. I plan to pay for the property in full with a certified cashier’s check plus whatever the fees are. If there are any grant funding opportunities that the City might know about I would appreciate that. I feel that you should give it to me at a reduced version because I have taken care of your property for the last eight years. Because I purchased the property in October 2010 and ever since then I have cut over and over and over onto your property. Whatever the appropriate procedure is I hope that you will look upon it favorably.” Tim Turner, 1137 Northampton Road, stated, “I represent ‘The God Investment Group’ and my partners  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 - 11 – ______________________________________________________________________________ are here with me. We have an unsolicited proposal that we would like to revitalize Petersburg. Mainly in the 03- zip code. We would like to start in Ward 5 and Ward 6. Like the gentleman said that he has heard through the years that they are going to do a lot of things over in that area. And what we would like to do, that is why we are asking for 901 Halifax Street, is to use that has our PILOT Project. We would like to come in and use our own money to buy that property and fix it up and to sell it to a resident here in Petersburg and make more people in the City homeowners. And I know that would raise a lot of questions, but we have several ways of going about doing that. We have four local banks right now that is working with us. We have private lenders and we have ways of funding property to people because 60% of the properties here are renting. Our goal is to take that down hopefully to 10%. Even if we can get down to 20% of the people in the City. We open of the floor if you have any questions for us we would be happy to answer those questions for you.” Dama Rice, 1708 Hickory Hill Road, stated, “I just want to make a correction. I have never owned any property other than on Hickory Hill Road in the City of Petersburg. It was stated earlier that I have owned some of these properties but sorry I haven’t.” Brandon Martin, 1546 Berkeley Avenue, stated, “I commend council for finally coming to address uses with City owned real estate that the City had no business in the first place. Most of these were bought at tax sales over the past 15 years or so. Except for the Commerce Street property that was a deal with Titmus when they disappeared. That property was a nuisance around the City. I can bore a lot of you with the stories and you probably would be embarrassed. I won’t. But I think it’s time to get rid of these and a lot of the other stuff. Thank you.” Ray Ferguson, 2476 Poe Lane, stated, “And it kind of goes along with the tax sales, potentially property sales. One of the issues that I would like to bring up for you to consider in the future, and I know we have the tax assessor in here. One of the issues that we have the biggest problems that we have in the City is that taxes are way high on a lot of these properties. Your citizens are getting squeezed both ways and that is property that is roughly $20-$30,000 in value that may be accessed at $60-$70,000. If you look at the City of Petersburg compared to everybody else from Richmond down to Petersburg, we are the highest at $1.35 per $100. Which means that a $100,000 house cost you $1,350. If you take $1.35 per $100 then you also have two to three times the amount for the property and your citizens are getting squeezed. So, I have an issue with that being a homeowner and a business owner here in the City of Petersburg. I love where the City is going. This is just one of the things that I want to throw out there that goes along with these property sales. We do want to make this more homeownership. One of the ways that we can do that is lower the tax base. Thank you.” Seeing no further hands, Ms. Jackson closed the public comments. There was discussion among City Council Members and staff. Council Member Hill made a motion approve of the disposition of City-owned properties. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Hart. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham 18-ORD-22 AN ORDINANCE DISPOSING OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 1004 AND 1015 COMMERCE STREET, 901 HALIFAX STREET, 115 HARRISON STREET, 516-518 SHORE STREET, 520 SHORE STREET, 525 SHORE STREET, 725 WILSON STREET, 729 WILSON STREET, 735 WILSON STREET, 745 WILSON STREET, 747 WILSON STREET, 411 SHORE STREET, 427 HARRISON STREET, 429 HARRISON STREET, 431 HARRISON STREET, 432 HARRISON STREET, 438 HARRISON STREET, 440 HARRISON STREET, 450 HARRISON STREET, 452 HARRISON STREET AND 602 HARRISON STREET. 11. 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 ten (10) people  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 - 12 – ______________________________________________________________________________ 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. Richard Stewart, 129 Rolfe Street, stated, “I want to bring before you tonight Pocahontas. Pocahontas has been in the news. I like to thank the City for cleaning Pocahontas because there has been some celebration over there and they cut the grass. I like to thank them for Pocahontas Day and Uncle Richard’s Day. Also, I would like to just thank them because people have been coming from all over the world because Pocahontas is the oldest black community in the USA. But there is an issue that occurred this week. The Black Panthers did come to Pocahontas. They had wanted to go to First Baptist Church. First Baptist Church turned them down. The Black Panthers were coming here to blow up Petersburg. After they contacted me and asked me could they come to Pocahontas, I said yes. But I said why. They said because Pocahontas is the oldest black community in the USA and First Baptist is considered the oldest black church and Virginia State was included. Vice Mayor Hart thank you for coming and being there. I had military officers there. I thank the police department. They came over and said that if I need them let them know. The fire department was in the area. I had a lot of support. But the group was perfect. I didn’t realize that they had teachers, doctors, superintendents, professional football players and coaches. I thought it was somebody from the ghetto. But it was a good group of men. They brought something to my attention. March 15th of next year marks the 400th Anniversary that slaves landed in Jamestown. They intend to come back next year. Perhaps to Virginia State and this area and Pocahontas to get involved for the anniversary. I haven’t heard the City of Petersburg say anything about that. So, what I am saying to that is that the Black Panthers brought something to my attention. I told them that if they come back here next year and what to be involved in Virginia State and Pocahontas then they have to be involved with the City of Petersburg also. Thank you.” Ron Flock, 1708 Pender Avenue, stated, “In the last three years, the summer has come and I have filled my pool twice. Both times my bill was totally screwed up. I was charged for sewer on the 10,000 gallons of water to run into my pool. This time the bill where it should have been I got billed for zero gallons. But working with Mr. Dixon we got that straightened out. And I want to thank him for that. Because I got billed zero dollars for one month and then got everything on the next month an equitable way to do that was to take the 10,000 out and take it and split it up between what was left in the two months. So, I developed a spreadsheet to go through there and while I was doing that I had a really hard problem figuring out what the tax was supposed to be. So, I looked and looked and looked and everything I did nothing came up. So, I found the actual code of 106.346 and it was changed on May 14, 1996 to where the first $15 of any utility was taxed at 20%. After that then there is nothing just the first $15. That was done but it was never put in the system. So, since 1996 we have been undercharging on the tax. Now the worst-case scenario is that you lost $0.75 on a bill. But, I was speaking with the City Manager tonight and that tax applies to everything. The cable and cellphones and there is no telling how much more has been lost over that code. This isn’t the first time that this has happened. It came through with the water rate increases when RBG was here. It came up when City Council did it and it was never put in place. So, I think you all need to come up with a plan of when you all pass something like this that the authority that handles it report back to you maybe at the next meeting and say okay and that maybe we done it and it’s taken care of it. If it goes any longer than that I am sure it looks aligned and it is no longer 1996. Thank you.” Willie Noise, 1508 Circle Drive, stated, “Man am I glad to see you all. It’s been a month and I have been waiting to say something. Do we still have three minutes, or have we gone up to ten? As a business and four residents with addresses in Petersburg, I am asking assistance from the Vice Mayor to have the respected ward representatives to do the following five things: (1) W. Howard Myers, Council Ward 5, walk through and inspect spot check the American Choice Deli, 847 Washington Street and Dunlop parking lot and entranceway and corner section for safety and appearance; (2) John A. Hart, Vice Mayor, Ward 7, have time schedule for grass cutting on Youngs Road and its present code violation and schedule and plan on docket for finishing curbing Western Hill neighborhood, correct the traffic safety violation at the corner of West Lane and Circle Drive; (3) Walk through and inspection spot check of St. Matthew Street (west and east), Harding Street to Gates Lane. Gates Lane north and south to Shore Street to Virginia Avenue. Writing the City up for violation  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 - 13 – ______________________________________________________________________________ and making City Council persons more responsible for their ward; (4) Having the Chief of Police to ensure that an officer is off duty in the field at all times during shift changes or 91 calls. You rather send the police to do your jobs. It’s like walking around with sun shades on. This is an attempt to understand the duties of council personnel towards the wards and neighborhood watch within them. Thank you.” Dan Seymour, 215 South Jefferson Street, stated, “The issue is that the City needs to follow through on its code compliance procedure. To ensure city code compliance the City needs to be hiring one or two additional code compliance specialists. Please look at the photo of number 426 Grove Avenue, which is before you. As you can see this is neglect. Not of six months or six years but most likely decades. When properties are neglected by the owners and the City takes no action to fix the issue and the property deteriorates and those well-kept properties around it lose value of their home. The plus side is the City of Petersburg has plenty houses that can be fixed up. Some even restored which brings revenue to the City. But it is up to you to make the code compliance work. Please help us to help you alleviate these issues. Thank you for your time and I hope you consider our request. Thank you.” Linwood Christian, 613 St. Matthew Street, stated, “The air condition is putting a job on me tonight. I would like to thank each and every one of you all who came and drove when we had our national night out. And yet again our city manager stole the show whether she believed it or not. Because so many people were so glad to see the person that is often talked about, but no one has ever saw her. But that is their fault because they do not go anywhere. But we want to thank each and every one of you all. We want to thank the chief. First, he had two officers that came, and those two officers did something that we never had done before. Those officers actually got a conversation going as to what we as people need to do to keep our community safe. So, I want to thank them for that. Then again when all of you all came and drove you don’t realize how that made the citizens of this City feel. If you came out there and shook their hand or waved at them. A lot of those people felt special and again we want to thank you. But also, we would like to say that there is always a lot of talk about the gateway to the City and everything like that. But I hope you all don’t forget that part of that gateway is really one of the neighborhoods of the City. Those of you all that do not know the history of the City. The Town of Pocahontas and Town of Blandford and the Town of Petersburg merged and became Petersburg. Along with the area that a lot of people mistake for the heights is where we live at on Mistletoe Street. We are talking about original portions of the City of Petersburg. And the reason why I say that is that while every effort is being put into Old Town let’s not forget about Halifax Street which runs through the hood. But Halifax Street also has a history of being the only street in this country that does not every intersecting street does not continue when it crosses Halifax Street. When Virginia Avenue runs through Halifax Street you think that it would continue to the other side. It does not. So, we deserve a little attention as far as the development of that area. And I have to say that I wish the people from Family Dollar was here. They had a few robbery attempts and thankfully and Mr. Noise touched on it, because of the police being a presence in that area, many have tried but none have succeeded. Thank you.” 12. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FOR/FROM THE MAYOR OR COUNCIL MEMBERS: Council Member Cuthbert stated, “Thank you Madam Clerk. There are two motions that I have circulated to council previously and I would like to bring them forward at this time. The first one is a motion regarding meals tax. I will read it allowed after everyone has a copy in front of them. And the purpose of this motion is to make it clear to those who owe money to the City for meals tax that the City means business. And that the City is going to perceive in a business like way to collect what is owed to it. The motion reads, ‘Whereas, City Code Sec. 106-295 makes it the duty of every seller of meals to act as the agent of the City to collect the meals tax enacted by City Council, and Whereas, City Code Sec. 106-297 states the seller of meals holds all meals tax revenues in trust for the benefit of the City, and Whereas, City Code Sec. 106-302 states that any person violating the meals tax provisions of the City Code shall be guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor. Accordingly, I move that the City Council hereby ask the Commissioner of Revenue and directs the City Manager and the City Collector to accomplish the following: DATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 - 14 – ______________________________________________________________________________ By Monday, September 10, 2018 -The City Manager issues a press release, information the public of the following action to be taken. By Monday, September 10, 2018 -The Commissioner of Revenue writes to each seller of meals who has failed timely to remit meal taxes as required by ordinance, informing the seller of the action that will be taken as described below if remittance in full has not been made by the dates specified. By Tuesday, September 24, 2018 -The Commissioner of Revenue supplies to the City Collector the name and address of each seller of meals still failing timely to remit meal taxes to the City in full as of July 31, 2018, as well as the number of months that the seller has failed to remit By Wednesday, September 25, 2018 -With respect to each seller of meals still failing timely to remit meal taxes to the City in full, the City Collector posts on the City’s website the seller’s name, address and number of months that the seller has failed to remit. On Monday, October 1, 2018 -The City Collector applies for a criminal summons from magistrate against each seller of meals, or if a corporation, the proprietor responsible for remitting meals taxes, still failing timely to remit meal taxes in full, and the City Attorney, with the occurrence of the Attorney for the Commonwealth, shall prosecute, seeking the maximum penalties prescribed. .” Mayor Parham asked, “Mr. Bey, don’t we have to have public hearing to tie into this?” Mr. Bey stated, “We have done some review on this. We will send our opinion up to the attorney general to get an opinion letter regarding the City to provide a letter for meals tax due. Our opinion now is that we can provide a list for the meals tax and a part of that the only reason we can collect is if we have a reasonable basis to provide the commissioner a list. However, the Dillon’s Rule is closed and very constricted. We want to make sure that we can provide that information. So, we are waiting for the Attorney General to respond back to us. We sent the request last week and we received the letter and that they have notified that they will respond back to us and we will provide that as soon as possible. The section says that we can provide a list. The list can be the names and based on the Dillon’s Rule we requested more to provide the name and address. This right here does not state more than just what the amount is that the seller has to remit. We cannot provide information such as income or sales tax. On the surface this seems to be fine. However, I do want to check with the Attorney General just to make sure.” Council Member Cuthbert asked, “Mr. Bey do you have any idea how long this will take. Can we stick to this deadline or do you think that this is not attainable?” Mr. Bey stated, “I cannot make the Attorney General respond any faster than they will respond. I would hope that they could, but I cannot guarantee that. So, at this point I am hesitant to say that this is a reasonable timeline when I am unable to speak with them directly.” Council Member Cuthbert stated, “Well that makes sense. So, you think that this item should be tabled until you receive response from the Attorney General Office? Is that the case?” Mr. Bey responded yes.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 - 15 – ______________________________________________________________________________ Council Member Cuthbert stated, “I think maybe I should table this until we hear back from the Attorney General Office as to whether this is permissible as proposed or what changes need to be made to it. So, that will be my motion that we table it until that time.” Council Member Cuthbert made a motion to table action until the City hears back from the Attorney General. Ms. Jackson stated, “From my knowledge, it cannot be tabled because your motion was not seconded so it died. Or you can withdraw your motion. But you cannot table it because it was not seconded.” The motion dies due to lack of second. Council Member Cuthbert stated, “I think that we will want to do the same with the lodging tax. Let me hand that down the road. I would like this to move forward to the extinct that we can. Mr. Bey have you seen the lodging tax motion that is being passed down?” Mr. Bey stated, “It is on the way.” Council Member Cuthbert asked, “Mr. Bey have you submitted a request to the Attorney General Office dealing with any aspect of the motion dealing with lodging tax?” Mr. Bey stated, “This is the first that I have of this document. So the answer is no. But it does seem to be similar in language and form to the prior document. So, we can again request the same opinion. The fourth row stated that this is a public document. Again, the collector can collect if he or she believes that it will increase the ability reasonably on collection. So, again if this information is reasonable to collect information and does not provide ability for someone to easily determine income then it may be acceptable. But again, the Dillon’s Rule comes into effect. So, again we would have to request information and we can request the review and it can be done in a couple of days. Once we find out information we will bring it back to council.” Council Member Cuthbert asked, “So you will submit a second request to the Attorney General’s Office based on the lodging tax motion?” Mr. Bey responded yes. Council Member Cuthbert thanked Mr. Bey. Council Member Cuthbert stated, “Those are the only items that I had to discuss Mr. Mayor. Thank you.” Council Member Wilson-Smith stated, “Thank you. Just a couple of items. One was during our Advance and we talked about economic development and actually selling the City. I wanted to throw out an idea to be discussed later on at the next budget if City Council agrees. At our Exit 52, if we can have some type of banner or marker saying welcome to the home of some very famous people. Like Moses Malone, Roger Gregory, Judge Gregory, Mark West and Joseph Cotton. If we had some type of marker that showed that these people came from this City. I think it would make people want to get off at Exit 52 and want to come here to Petersburg. Also, on the same line of selling the City, I talked last time about Moses Malone Boulevard and changing High Pearl Street which is joined by Johnson Road by a bridge. I talked a little bit about the history of that street. How High Pearl Street was the African American community. Then you had the bridge and then you went into Johnson Road which was the Caucasian community. Moses Malone graduated from Petersburg High which is on Johnson Road. Please consider and think about changing High Pearl Street and Johnson Road to Moses Malone boulevard. Where he can be recognized as coming from one side of the alley to the other side of the alley and graduating and making a name for this City. We can look at doing things like that for the community. We would sell the community and people would want to come here and we would put something in place to honor our own. Judge Roger Gregory was the first African America Judge and the only one nominated  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 - 16 – ______________________________________________________________________________ by two presidents. One from democratic party and one from republican party. He grew up on North Carolina Avenue. The house he grew up in is still there. We need to start making plans now to do something with that and possibly change that street to Judge Gregory or Roger Gregory Avenue. There are a lot of things that we can do to promote our selves. I think if we think outside the box and look at things like this and look at what we have we can really expand ourselves and sell our City. That is the first thing. The second thing is that I will be having a ward meeting on September 22nd at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church. This is the last ward meeting for the year. And the ward meeting was structured so that when we identified what we needed to do we go back every three months and look at what we have done and what else we need to do. When I say we, I mean the citizens of the City. The citizens of the ward has identified what they want the City to work on and say ‘yah’ or ‘nah’ on whether it is going good. We will meet again on September 22nd to see where we are and where we need to go. And that is all that I have for tonight. The ward meeting starts at 11:00am.” Council Member Smith-Lee stated, “Good evening. First of all I would like to thank all who came out to support the kids coming back to school. I heard it was a great success. Wish I could have got off of work to support the kids. But I sent two coworkers out and they came all the way to Petersburg to Robert E. Lee. And they said that it was a great success. I meant Lamount. Thank you Mrs. Innis. Can you please stand? I commend you for going over and beyond because every time that I have reached out to you, you have responded. And a lot of my citizens in Ward 6 says that the grass is growing up. It’s just property that nobody lives in. My citizens are very annoyed by that. Just like the young man said your property can look good and neighbors don’t. You have gone over and beyond and I really appreciate that. I just wanted to say thank you to you and your staff. Also, I want to say thank you to Kyle Dixon and also Mr. Mullins. I have quite a few citizens that has disabilities in my ward. So, when they get their utility bill they have paid it and it has a negative balance. No matter what I call them, and they are there with the call of duty and give me the information that I need. I want to thank you Mr. Rogers. Please let those individuals know for helping out. Please come out and support Petersburg High School football team. They play on Friday night at 7pm. The community must go out to support them. They only have about 37 boys on the team but all of them stick together. I went to the game on Thursday of last week. They called the game because it started thundering. But I am telling you the way those boys represent the City of Petersburg you would be proud. They had two incidents when the ball was on the two-yard line and the defense stopped them both times. So, please come out and support the kids. Thank you.” Council Member Myers stated, “Thank you Madam Clerk. I have one thing. On this Saturday coming up the Mayor and I are sponsoring Pastor Belinda Baugh of New Divine Worship Center for the Stop the Violence Regional Cookout. It will be held at Third Baptist Church at 550 Farmer Street from 3pm to 8pm. Also, on September 22nd the Chief of Police and I will be assisting Ms. Sherry Dabney who was shot by a drive-by on Melville Street. So, we will be hosting a small Stop the Violence Block Party on the 22nd from 12noon to 4pm. Thank you.” Council Member Hill stated, “Yes, good evening. I would like to welcome Mr. Bey to our team. It is going to be baptized by fire so get ready. I hope everyone had a great summer. I want to thank Mr. Lyons for the update on the fence and People’s Cemetery on Crater Road. I appreciate your updates and emails on that. I want to thank everyone for coming out to the National Night Out. I want to thank the City administrators for our Retreat that we had. We learned a lot and I am looking forward to the deliverables date. If anything gets pushed behind, please just let up know. We thank all the effort that went into coming out. We really appreciate that. Can we get someone to move those stacks of wood piles that are on the corner of Wythe and Union Street. I know that the guy has been supposedly coming by, but it has kind of been out there. And I would like for us to maybe consider, probably at the firsts of year after the elections consider having some type of information workshop with the employees of the City. Somewhat like the school system does at the beginning of the school year. Some type of convocation where we can have all of the departments to sit together and we can address some things positive as well as potential opportunities that we can have to better the City. It can be in a group setting because I know everyone cannot be there. It can take two or something like that for us to do it. Maybe we can use the high school on a Saturday to house that. But I know one time we had a State of the City addressed to the City. I am talking of something more like when we do a convocation. If we can get a date after the November election. I will try to have a town hall meeting in the month of October. I want to thank  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 - 17 – ______________________________________________________________________________ whoever is responsible for getting the lights up here. Now we can work on some chairs. It is a good look. And also, if we going to be making motions on some items that rally should run past the City Attorney Office make sure we get an opinion from the City Attorney Office. That way we will not keep on going back and forth. Also, something that I had brought up at the Retreat. I want to do a Petersburg celebrity weekend. I have spoken with Jamie at the golf course and I have spoken to Bill Lawson and I am going to get with Ms. Tyus and the city manager along with Tami Yerby. I will be calling a meeting to bring everyone on board where we can bring the celebrities and have a weekend where we have to schedule twelve to eighteen months out. And then go from there. And maybe have a banquet or something on a Friday or Saturday evening. Something to bring awareness to the City where celebrities will still come to the City. I know someone that spoke to someone that was really close to Moses Malone when I was at the golf course that was interested in that. So be looking for that in the near future. Thank you.” Vice Mayor Hart stated, “Just several things that I need to announce. First, Jazz in the Stacks will be September 14th at the library. The act that we will have will be ‘Generations.’ The second thing as a member of the Class of 88 we will be doing a cleanup project this Saturday on Exit 52. I have already talked to those that can help with the supplies. So, thank you to them. We will do what we have to do and make sure that we leave the trash in bags for you guys to pick-up. There will be a Joint Ward 7 Meeting with myself and Mr. Dance on the 4th Tuesday in September. But I will get with Ms. Jackson on that. Mr. Noise I will have cleanup on September 22nd on Youngs Road. I am going to come knock on your door first so be there. Mr. Flock you had questions about hydrants around on West Street. There are actually three hydrants that surround those warehouses. I spoke with Sheriff Crawford and she has offered to help bring the inmates in to cut grass. So, if we can get the information. I talked with Mrs. Innis already. So, this will save us a few dollars. That’s all I have. Thank you.” Mayor Parham stated, “Good evening everyone. I would like to thank our City Manager as always for outstanding work. She continues to push the envelope here in the City of Petersburg. She did some great work and made decisions a few weeks ago when she hired our new Director of Public Safety, Chief Miller. A round of applause for him. Thank you stepping up sir. A great man for the job. I also would like to recognize Mr. Bobby Harvell. Our new Assistant Fire Chief, a great man. Thank you all for stepping up. Been here in Petersburg for many years. It’s all about assembling a team to move forward. And I thank all of you for believing Petersburg. That’s what it is all about now, a belief of where we are going and knowing of what we were and moving to that new direction. Also, Council Member Myers mentioned the ‘Stop the Violence Cookout’, but before that we have the Blandford Reunion Parade this coming Saturday. We invite everyone to come out and take part in a great event that has been going on since I been in Petersburg. Also, I want everyone to know that the Petersburg High Football Game has been moved from Friday, September 7th to Thursday night now due to inclement weather. So, we encourage everyone to come out to support our team. Also, I would like to thank Ms. Tyus for the beautiful picture of our Student Development Academy. We had a great closing ceremony last month and it really inspired the young people. It is all about building that next wave for young people in the City of Petersburg and showing them, they have unlimited potential and that they can do anything that they want in this world. And don’t be handicap to the negativity that you may see or hear but you can strive and do great things. It was great today with the schools and seeing all of those young people show up to school with their eagerness to learn and get back into the rhythm. So, please encourage all of the young people to do well this year. Because much of the future of Petersburg depends on what our kids do in those schools. So, we got to continue to press and turn the dial to move the City forward. Thank you.” 13. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA: No items for this portion of the agenda. 14. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: No items for this portion of the agenda. 15. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 - 18 – ______________________________________________________________________________ No items for this portion of the agenda. 16. NEW BUSINESS: a. Consideration of approving recommendation to Department of Social Services Advisory Board. BACKGROUND: The Petersburg Department of Social Services Community Advisory Board is required by the State Department of Social Services for local government to create advisory boards known as “Local Boards of Social Services.” The Local Social Services Board requires involvement of local citizens to be appointed by local government with the board’s emphasis on policy and administrative issues. RECOMMENDATION: City Council approve the recommendation of Nathan H. Anderson to replace Pam Harnett on the Petersburg Department of Social Services Advisory Board. Council Member Myers made a motion to appoint Nathan H. Anderson to the Social Services Advisory Board replacing Pam Harnett. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Cuthbert 18-R-45 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING NATHAN H. ANDERSON TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD. b. Consideration of an ordinance to appropriate $147,462.11 additional funding for VDOT Highway Maintenance Urban Allocation for fiscal year 2018-2019. BACKGROUND: In accordance with Section §33.2-319 of the Code of Virginia, The Commissioner of Highways, subject to the approval of the Board, shall make payments for maintenance, construction, or reconstruction of highways to all cities eligible for funds. The payment rates per the number of peak hour moving lane miles are made to localities based on a state functional classification system. This system classifies roads and streets as principal and minor arterial roads and collector roads and local streets. The City has a total of 105.73 peak hour moving lane miles classified as arterial applied at the updated fiscal year 2018/2019 rate of $21,689.51 per lane mile for a total of $2,293,231.89. The City has a total of 289.43 peak hour moving lane miles classified as collector and local at the updated fiscal year 2018/2019 rate of $12,734.62 for a total of $3,685,781.07. The grand total of payment rates per peak hour moving lane mile is $5,979,012.96. With the supplemental payment for fiscal year 2019 for $2,686.14 for overweight permit fee revenue payments the grand total payment is $5,981,699.10. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council adopt and appropriate $147,462.11 for VDOT Highway Maintenance Urban Allocation funding. Ms. Jackson opened the floor for public comment. Seeing no hands, Ms. Jackson closed public comments. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Hill made a motion to adopt and appropriate $147,462.11 for VDOT Highway Maintenance Urban Allocation funding. The motion was seconded by Council Member Myers. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham 18-ORD-23 AN ORDINANCE AS AMENDED, SAID ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2018, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2019, IN THE  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 - 19 – ______________________________________________________________________________ STREETS FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $147,462.11 FOR PETERSBURG VDOT HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE URBAN ALLOCATION. c. Consideration of Petersburg’ s 2019 Legislative Schedule. BACKGROUND: The City of Petersburg is impacted by legislative action taken by the U.S. Congress and the Virginia Legislature. This is a legislative schedule to identify legislative priorities, develop a legislative agenda, and guide legislative advocacy efforts during 2018-19. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Legislative Schedule. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Hill made a motion to approve the Legislative Schedule. The motion was seconded by Council Member Myers. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith- Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham d. Amendments to the Rules of Council Council Member Wilson-Smith stated that at the Retreat/Advance on August 21, 2018, they discussed making some changes and/or amendments to the current rules of council. Proposed changes/amendments to the Rules of Council: -Section 8. Meeting Schedule: No regular meetings of Council will be held during the month of August each year. Also, there shall be only one regular meeting in the month of December and it shall be held on the second Tuesday of that month, unless otherwise scheduled by Council. No meeting shall be scheduled to take place on any major/state holidays. -Section 2. The Standing Committees: The following Standing Committees are established: Education, Health and Human Services. The Committee on Education, Health and Human Services is responsible for monitoring and recommending to Council official policies on all matters concerning public education, recreation, welfare, social services, youth affairs, homelessness, senior services, disability services, public health, mental health services, substance abuse services, environmental health and human advocacy. -RULE VI – Procedure: 1. In passing upon any question of procedure the presiding officer shall be governed by Roberts’ Rules of Order. 2. No final vote shall be taken on any new matters introduced for the first time by motion, until after two (2) separate readings of said motion. A third reading of said motion, a third reading of said motion shall be required if a monetary amount is required. All first, second and third readings of any motion shall be done at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting, unless otherwise indicated by council. Council may wave the second reading of any motion except a motion involving the expenditure of obligation of the City of Petersburg funds. There was a discussion on the proposed changes and procedure. The proposed changes and amendments will be moved to the next regular City Council meeting agenda for consideration. 17. REPORTS/REPONSES TO PREVIOUSE PUBLIC INFORMATION PERIOD: Folakemi Osoba, Public Relation Officer, read the questions and answers from the previous meeting regarding the public information period on July 17, 2018.  Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: September 4, 2018 - 20 – ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Is there still a Traffic and Safety Commission? Answer: The Traffic and Safety Commission is not currently functioning due to inactivity. 2. How can we have the current “No Left Turn” Sign at Shore and Sycamore Street replaced with a larger sign? Answer: A formal request can be made through the Petersburg Streets Division. Anyone interested in completing this process should contact Wanda White at wwhite@petersburg-va.org or 804-733-2355. Council Member Cuthbert stated, “Let me share with you about the Traffic and Safety Commission. I served on that committee and it was abruptly disbanded by William E. Johnson, III. This is was around 2012 or 2013. And I got a letter through the mail that said that the Traffic Commission is hereby dissolved. Everybody on the committee was taken aback. But that is just the way it was. So, I guess the committee was inactive. But the reason why it was inactive was because William E. Johnson, III dissolved. I thought they did some good work.” Council Member Myers stated, “Excuse me council would have had to approve it and not William Johnson.” Council Member Cuthbert stated, “That may well be. In any event that’s the reason why the Traffic Commission is inactive and got dissolved.” Ms. Jackson stated, “I just want to state for the record. Just like Council Member Myers stated it was an action of council and it was brought on the agenda. It was stated to council members prior to being on the agenda. It became an item and it was approved by City Council. That was the reason why it was taken off as an inactive board.” 18. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA: No items for this portion of the agenda. 19. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM CLERK: Ms. Jackson stated that she is back from vacation and that she was truly missed. 20. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY No items for this portion of the agenda. 21. ADJOURNMENT: City Council adjourned at 10:24 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor