City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The regular meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at the Union Train Station. Mayor Parham called the meeting to order at 6:36p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member Charles H. Cuthbert, Jr. Council Member Annette Smith-Lee Council Member W. Howard Myers Council Member Darrin Hill Vice Mayor John A. Hart, Sr. Mayor Samuel Parham Absent: Council Member Treska Wilson-Smith Present from City Administration: City Manager Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides City Attorney Anthony C. Williams Executive Assistant to Clerk of Council Tanesha Flowers 2. PRAYER: Mayor Parham stated, “Council Member Hill will lead us in our opening prayer tonight.” Council Member Hill led the council meeting in prayer. 3. CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Anthony Williams stated that City Council will now move to go into closed session for the purpose of this meeting is to convene in closed session pursuant to §2.2-3711(A)(7) of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of receiving legal advice and status update from the City Attorney and legal consultation regarding the subject of specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice from the City Attorney and matters of actual or probable litigation specifically including but not limited to matters requiring legal advice from the City Attorney and under Subsection 3 for the purpose of discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose where the disposition of publicly held real property where discussion in an open meeting would inadvertently effect the bargaining position or negotiation strategy of the public body. 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 Myers. There was no discussion on the motion, which was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Wilson-Smith City Council entered closed session at 6:37p.m. CERTIFICATION: Mr. Williams stated, “The Mayor would entertain a motion to conclude the closed session called this evening to certify in accordance with §2.2-3712 that the Code of Virginia that only those matters lawfully identified in the motion for which the closed session was called were discussed during the closed session. If any member believes that there was a departure from the foregoing he should so state for the record *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ identifying the substance of the departure for which he believes occurred. This requires a roll call vote.” 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 Myers. There was no discussion on the motion. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Wilson-Smith 19-R-54 A RESOLUTION CERTIFYING, AS REQUIRED BY THE CODE OF VIRGINIA, SECTION 2.2- 3712, THAT TO THE BEST OF EACH MEMBER’S KNOWLEDGE, ONLY PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS LAWFULLY EXEMPTED FROM OPEN MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF VIRGINIA LAW WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CLOSED SESSION, AND ONLY SUCH PUBLIC BUSINESS MATTERS AS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE MOTION CONVENING THE CLOSED SESSION WERE HEARD, DISCUSSED, OR CONSIDERED. City Council returned to opened session at 7:03pm. 4. MOMENT OF SILENCE: Mayor Parham led council and the audience in a moment of silence. 5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Parham led council and the audience in the pledge of allegiance. 6. DETERMINATION OF THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM: A quorum was determined with the presence of all City Council Members. Mayor Parham stated, “Tonight, I would like to recognize Public Safety Director, Chief Kenneth Miller and the Public Safety team for hosting the Tri-Cities Summit on Violent Crime at Good Shepherd Baptist Church yesterday. The Summit welcomed law enforcement agencies from Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Prince George, and Dinwiddie – And groups including the Drug Enforcement Agency, Virginia State Police, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshal’s Service and the FBI’s Richmond Office. Thank you to Chief Miller and our entire Public Safety team for taking action and facilitating forums like the Summit to foster partnerships and innovative ways to address crime in our community. A round of applause for our public safety team.” 7. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATION OF CEREMONIAL PROCLAMATIONS: Council Member Smith-Lee presented Another Level Barber and Cosmetology School with a certificate of recognition. Wesley Nicholas and Mrs. Nicholas, owners of Another Level Barber and Cosmetology, thanked City of Petersburg and the citizens for allowing them to come to the City. 8. COMMUNICATIONS/SPECIAL REPORTS: a. City Manager Report – Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, City Manager *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ Mrs. Benavides stated, “Mayor and Council you have a copy of my report and the presentation. And given that we have special guest here who are presenting, to not do my public presentation and move on with the other presentation. b. Treasurer Report – Kenneth Pritchett, City Treasurer and CAFR Update *The City Treasurer was not present for the report. CAFR Update: David Myers, Senior Accounting Consultant of VML/VACo Finance, gave an update on the CAFR. Key points:  City has contracted with VML/VACo Finance to provide pre-audit and accounting assistance for the FY18 and FY19 external audits; current engagement began July 1, 2019.  The external audit firm of Robinson, Farmer, Cox and Associates (RFCA) is engaged by the City to conduct the FY18 audit. This is the same audit firm that has conducted the last 10 external audits for the City of Petersburg.  RFCA on-site audit fieldwork occurred September 9th through September 13th.  The City’s desire to have the audit (and CAFR) completed and submitted to City Council by the end of October has been communicated to the external auditors.  VML is prepared to continue to provide as much assistance as needed for external auditors to complete and issue the FY18 CAFR.  VML has begun collecting audit work papers, schedules and support for FY19  Initial discussions call for RFCA to conduct its FY19 external audit in February 2020. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Cuthbert requested the City Manager to bring back a report at the next council meeting as to what the City administration is doing to get the City on track with the November 30th deadlines. Mrs. Benavides responded yes. c. Presentation from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) BACKGROUND: As a result of a meeting held with the State partners, DHCD was invited to share the programs and services that they administer, and to work with the City to identify their programs that may match the initiatives of the City. RECOMMENDATION: That City Council will authorize staff to apply for all the appropriate grants through DHCD to assist us in implementation of our initiatives. Sherry Miles, Program Manager with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, stated, “I work in Real Estate and I currently manage a $77 million-dollar portfolio for *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 -4– ______________________________________________________________________________ Virginia. As part of my job, I work with cities, towns and non-profits around the state. As they look at programs to help real estate, they currently have real estate that they are looking to develop. So, last month I was contacted by the City of Petersburg and met with some of your staff. Had a wonderful meeting and some of things that we discussed were your lots that you all have currently. So, one of the things that we looked at was the vacant lots and the vacant properties that the City of Petersburg owns. And in looking at that, in Virginia that is a unique problem. However, when you look across the United States its not a unique problem. There are several cities out there that have vacant lots, blighted homes, that in the same position that Petersburg is in. So, I reached out to several cities to include Flint Michigan, to include Detroit, to include a couple of cities in Florida, to see what they’re doing with their properties. And some of the issues that we came across and some of the solutions were land banking. And that is actually going on right now in Richmond. We have a Maggie Walker Land Trust that has started up in Richmond and they are working in Richmond and Chesterfield. Currently, this is their first year out. They have come to us about a problem that I want to talk to you about, which is ARS. ARS is Acquired Renovate Sell. It is a new program under my agency that is funded by VHDA and we are the administrators of the program. What would occur is that we would receive $2.5 million dollars for renovating properties. We are working with four grants that are used around the state who can work with you. One of them is actually here tonight and they are with Habitat Virginia. And what this program does is that it allows nonprofits, local government (whether entitled or not) to acquire property using your own funds to renovate property that you already own to renovate these properties with the ARS monies and to resell these properties as affordable housing. One of the great things about this is that you can sell the homes at market rent and the provider or the guarantee partner gets to keep the net proceeds. So, you can keep the proceeds to further your needs in your City or town. We are going to open the application up in about two weeks and we are hoping that the City comes and open the application and that the City partners with them.” Council Member Myers stated, “Thank you Sherry for coming to share this with City Council. I believe that there is going to be another presentation by the Planning Director but I want to say thank you.” There was discussion among City Council and Ms. Miles. d. Presentation on the Comprehensive Approach to Eradicate and Prevent Blight in the City of Petersburg: Part 1 – Real Estate Judicial Policy BACKGROUND: Members from City Council and City Staff met to discuss a comprehensive approach to eradicate and prevent blight. See presentation slides for Phase 1 implemented by the Department of Finance, Billing and Collections Office. RECOMMENDATION: That City Council execute a motion in support of adopting the Real Estate Judicial Sale Policy. Patrice Elliott, Finance Director, gave an overview and update on Phase I for the Real Estate Judicial Policy. Key Points:  A judicial sale is a forced sale of property authorized or required by a court of law in order to satisfy a debt.  The City got to this point based on real estate tax delinquencies. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 -5– ______________________________________________________________________________  Real estate is the single largest source of revenue in the City of Petersburg.  City has third party load agreements through Propel for delinquent real estate balances.  The FY20 goal is to create an institutional roadmap by obtaining, organizing and storing all historical data and developing, adopting and implementing a judicial tax sale policy. Council Member Cuthbert made a motion to adopt the Real Estate Judicial Sale Policy. The motion was seconded by Council Member Myers. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Wilson-Smith 9. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA (to include minutes of previous meeting/s) a. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting September 3, 2019. b. ABC Application for Comeback Burger and Fries LLC, located at 404 N. Sycamore Street, Suite A. c. To schedule a public hearing to consider an ordinance authorizing the lease of a 1-acre portion of the City-owned property at 37 River Street for a Dog Park. d. Appropriate for preliminary engineering work for Six South Crater Road traffic signal improvements - $151,769.00 e. Request to schedule a public hearing to consider an ordinance authorizing the sale of City- owned property at 209 River Street, 209 River Street Rear, 236 River Street, 240 River Street, 275 River Street, 433 River Street, 429 Fifth Street and 501 Second Street. Vice Mayor Hart made a motion to approve the consent agenda with the scheduling of public hearings for October 15, 2019. The motion was seconded by Council Member Myers. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll vote, voting yes: Smith-Lee, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham; Abstain: Cuthbert; Absent: Wilson- Smith 10. OFFICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 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 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 would like to speak about Pocahontas. First, I would like to thank the police department for controlling Pocahontas. Because we have a lot of things going on at river point. Also, I would like to thank the Richard A. Stewart, 129 Rolfe Street, stated, “I would like to speak about Pocahontas. First, I would like to thank the Police Department for patrolling Pocahontas because we have a lot of things going on at the river front. Also, I would like to thank the Buildings and Grounds. They have maintained Pocahontas for the events, we had the canoes down there this weekend then we had in this area the wine and grape festival. I thank you. What I really want to talk about is the river front. Who owns the riverfront? Who ones the property down there? Because they getting ready to expand *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 -6– ______________________________________________________________________________ 43 miles of walking trails and we don’t know how it’s going impact the river and Pocahontas. The thing that I am concerned about is that we cannot give that property away because it’s very historical. It’s the gateway to slavery, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War and different things. So, it’s a very historical shoreline for Pocahontas. So, if for some reason we give that land away, who controls the river and who can control the land? So, we better look at it and stop selling and stop giving away how that riverfront property is going control Petersburg. Another thing I want to ask a question and I know it’s a question that, when is the last time City Council had a pay raise. I guess the people say when the last time the City’s employees had a raise. I found out that City of Petersburg Councilmen is the lowest paid councilmen in this area. So, you need to take a look at it. If our revenue is getting better, then maybe it’s time you need to give City Council a raise and give some bonus to the City employees. Thank you.” Harry Clary, Jr., 1224 Dalewood Ave, stated “I am one of your newest citizens. I moved here a couple of months ago and my name is Harry Clary, Jr. I have a lot of heritage here in the City of Petersburg. I am here to serve the City of Petersburg; I am going to give you all a card before I leave. If you need to call on me for help for anything. I usually serve in the place that I live. I worked for WHAP as a reporter for years. I used to come here into the meetings as well as 5 other places in the area. I am here to serve. Unfortunately, I have a little problem. I moved here into a very, a place that needed a lot of work and I had a lot of stuff to throw away. I threw away 3,000 some pounds of scrap metal. And I was putting stuff near, I’m at the corner of 460 and Dalewood, and I was putting stuff on the road probably 20 feet from 460 and I was told by Code Enforcement I had to move it and I complied. Code enforcement told me also that I needed to dig out my culverts and I’m thinking gosh you ought to see my back yard. There’s trash, enclosed off, this big to the wall full of trash that I haven’t even attacked yet. Much less all that I’ve done, I was told that they were going to bring a trailer, but it was never brought. But anyway, I complied. I was told dig out your culverts and I complied. I asked can I build a fire. No. Then my trouble starts. I get a call one day, ‘Mr. Clary you have a mattress blocking 460.’ I got there soon as I could. The Code enforcement person saw that it was clearly my next-door neighbor who had laid a mattress and broke my fence. She was going to write me a citation but when she found out it was him then they just called and picked it up. Well you think that’s enough, then another mattress is laid on my fence and breaks it again. I called the police. Right on 460, stuffs going by without people going home. I’m having to talk to the law and the children say that I yelled at them and the police were called. Since I’ve had trouble with this neighbor, I’ve had the police called on me more in one week than I’ve had in my entire life. I am going be 65 years old on November 1st. He keeps his trash cans on 460 next to my fence with the flaps in my yard, but I can’t put anything within 100 feet of 460. He burns a bonfire every night. Well you know what, I don’t care that my neighbor does what he does. I want the same code enforced on me as my neighbors. Now, I’m done talking about bad stuff, this is my first time talking and I am going to give City Council a chance to resolve this problem. So that when I come back to the next meeting I can come here and worry about serving the City of Petersburg instead of coming to you with a problem, which I am sorry that I have to do. But I would invite all of you to come by and see with your own eyes, and you’re welcome to come to my house, in my house. Thank you for your time.” Marcus Squires, 1701 Monticello Street, stated, “Did you know, if you work out for 1 hour a day with intense cardio you could actually increase the length of your telomeres. So, if you have longer telomeres, basically you can reverse the aging process. So, it’s sort of like the fountain of youth. I came here to talk to you all tonight about Cameron Field. I don’t know if many of you all have been down to Cameron Field, but it’s sort of a death trap. I was walking down there, the bridge collapsed *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 -7– ______________________________________________________________________________ on me, the banks are giving way, the bleachers are all rotting and falling apart. I mean it’s a wonderful venue I mean, if the City would look at possibly leasing it to a third party. I mean it would make a great concert venue and a great area for people to have festivals. I mean it’s a wonderful location. We have the infrastructure, it just needs you know, some polish and some wooden bleachers reinstalled. And I thank you all for what you are doing in our City and keep up the good work.” Willie Noise, 1508 Circle Drive, stated, “Good afternoon council. All the skills and no wisdom not gone get you nowhere. Prayers, Pastor Wesley Nicholas. I was in here I think it was two meetings ago and that prayer was just awesome. And thank you Mr. Hill, you are our pastor. The subject of no mow zone. The no mow zone was causing a young man to discover the traffic poles and lights and stuff up there near Wilcox Lake. I brought this up a while back, the no mow zone in a park area and it is un-right. Bridging the gap City Council and residents. We have been trying to do that and I done tried every angle I know how and it’s still a gape there. Barbara Rudolph, Marcus and Ron are two of the people that most voices in this council. And I would like for them to turn to a more positive attitude than the negative one. Their voices and opinions and eyesight are very important and we don’t listen hard enough to get that message that’s being presented. Grove Avenue is wonderful. I ride through there and I look in not only the front yard but the back yard. They are beautiful and they go on and on. I don’t know whether a resident own that property or what or just taking care of it, but that example can be passed all over the City, which is not being done. A freeze on the current City Council. On the freeze for two years, so they will be given the opportunity to know each other and know what’s going on in this City to know how to fight it. Changing people in their position all the time, they do not have an idea of nothing but the current chaos. We need to get to the root of things to find out who the devil is. Virginia State, beautiful. I always thought of Virginia State as being our college for Petersburg and it’s been that way forever. The radio station, you got to communicate with them, demand that they do more with their knowledge to help Petersburg. Their operation reports for non-profited. We gave one on the Freedom Center and there was another one. But these people are floating freely and need to be monitored on what they doing and how they’re contributing to fall up under that non-profit field. One item then I’m gone leave. Security guards 24 hours, all these places like Pecan Acres and stay as far back as we go. Every development they done started, we need to have 24 hour security. You talk about crime and all of that. And I thank you very much and it’s a good idea.” Leslie Crocker, 416 Reservoir Heights, stated, “I serve as chair for the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Virginia State University. Also with me this evening is Ms. Celest Wynn, our Administrative Assistant. And we are just here this evening to share with you all about an event that we have coming up for November 1st, which is our annual boxing gala. This event is designed to raise funds for our students as they attend internships and provide them with other professional development opportunities. As you well know, many of our students are from the City of Petersburg, many of our out-of-state students reside in the City of Petersburg. And once our students graduate, a lot of them stay to live and work in the City. So we truly appreciate your support of this event and we hope to see you all on November 1st. Thank you.” Raymond Crockett, 248 Southwood Drive, stated, “Good evening Mr. Mayor and Council. I noticed in the information report on page 5, item 7, about Southside Regional Hospital that the new rate will go into effect in November. But I think it’s about 10 or 12 other business that’s not hooked up to the City new water meter tap there. And we have a problem in the climate change on the bus stop there. We need to get that taken care of. We have those people standing out there drinking beer. I had a customer Saturday in my business waiting for the bus. The bus bypassed because you had all *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 -8– ______________________________________________________________________________ those guys out there drinking beer and ladies out there drinking beer. They be up there at about 6:30am or 7:00am. They are in and out all day long. We need to take care of that climate. Because if you don’t there will be crime in the area there. I noticed what the chief is doing and what he’s doing is a great thing, but we have to work on what’s going on in that area there. If we can take care of that problem and find out about how many other people not hooked up on this new water. It’s been almost 3 years now. We need to take care of it if somebody’s not paying their fair share. Last but not least, I brought some property in November of last year and the real estate agent and the auctioneer, they got 10% buying power priced at whatever the property sold for. Why can’t we have someone in the City, and that money stays in the City, and we paying an outside to come in here and charge 10%. We need the money. We need the money in this City. If we can get our people in the City to auction the property off, then the money can stay within the house. Thank you.” Linwood Christian, 410 Mistletoe Street, stated, “First and foremost, real quickly, Mr. Hart. Thank you for attending our neighborhood association meeting. You answered a lot of questions, especially the one everyone thought you had moved. That was a good one. Also, I would like to let Ms. Crocker know that my son and myself are proud graduates of Virginia State University. Also, as a cancer survivor, I would just like to say happy breast cancer awareness month to all of those who have suffered, who are survivors. And just like we have other things for awareness, I wish we would have had something to honor those persons and have a proclamation here at City Council. Because today is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Men, we are affected. They said that some of the new cases to be diagnosed this year, close to 2,000 or more, will be in men. Also, I want to thank Mrs. Innis for removing that tree that I reported to them about on Johnson Road. Thank you so much. It is very noticeable. So, I want to thank you so much. Also, for all of you that are coming up Halifax Street. See I like to let people know when stuff come up in the hood. Scoop’s and Sundae’s is a new business on Halifax Street. So, if you have not been, there go there. On Tuesday’s, everything is a dollar. Now, they not paying me for this but it’s in my neighborhood and part of the neighborhoods that’s often forgotten and overlooked. It’s right there at the corner of Liberty and Halifax Street, so go in there. Also, I want to say something to you. We want to know about the issue with Wilcox Lake and whatever was found in there and what’s going to be done. Also, thanks to the Mayor’s wife, I met a young man by the name of Ronald McClarin. He’s the outreach coordinator for the Optric House, which is a substance abuse which is an outreach center here in the City of Petersburg. So, Mr. Parham and others, get with your wife, so we find out what we can do to help in this City, here in the City of Petersburg. Last, one of the things also, I would like the recreation department to be again a standalone department. Because I can’t begin to tell you how much that will help make a dent in crime. Last but not least, the street renaming issue that was brought up, I hope you all do right and have public hearings and all on that because the way that you all jumped down Mrs. Treska Wilson- Smith’s throat is not fair to ride her the way that you did and then let someone, the man from the City, come in here and introduce that and nothing is done. Because I guarantee you, I don’t want it shoved down my throat like you all say that other people are doing. So, in honor of fairness, before you allow, I don’t care if he’s a City official, to introduce a street naming, for whatever rhyme or reason, go through the process first. Because, I guarantee I’ll be one of those that calls each of you City Council’s out by name who jumped Mrs. Treska Wilson-Smith and let this other person get away with it. Thank you.” 12. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FOR/FROM THE MAYOR OR COUNCIL MEMBERS: *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 -9– ______________________________________________________________________________ Council Member Cuthbert stated, “Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I enjoyed being part of the Blandford celebration in September. First, I participated in he cleanup along the parade route. And then participated in the parade. And some of the thoughtful neighbors had previously given me a Blandford T-shirt that I wore on the trolley. And a lot of people were pleased to see me wearing that T-shirt. I got a lot of laughs and I have it hanging in my closet for an opportunity to wear it again next time. So, I thank the Blandford community for the opportunity to participate in the life of their community. I think it was a fine event and I was honored to be a part of it and to be on back of trolley beside my good friend Mrs. Annette Smith-Lee and others. It was a good morning in Petersburg and a great morning in Blandford. Thank you Mr. Mayor.” Council Member Smith-Lee stated, “Yes, we are going to get pumped up here. I want you all to support your community. VSU is having a home game on Saturday. Please come out. They are playing Shaw University at 1pm. We have to support our schools and colleges. We can make this like Virginia Tech and UVA. We can have a college town but we have to be supportive. Kudos to Grapes and Hops. I volunteered and it was just an awesome event. Happy Birthday to Councilman Howard Myers. We know that this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please go out and have your mammogram. Early detection prevents death. If anybody is interested in joining my team for the weight loss challenges, and I am eating healthy by eating grapes. My team name is ‘Not Weighed Down.’ So write that down. Please join my team because we are going to be winners. Also, Petersburg High School homecoming is Friday night. Please come out and support the kids. And last but not least go in your ward and volunteer your time at the elementary schools. Go and read to the children. That is my report. Thank you.” Council Member Myers stated, “I have nothing at this time.” Council Member Hill stated, “Good evening everyone. Thank you all for coming out today. There will be a town hall meeting that I will be facilitating Ward 2 on October 24th at 6pm at Good Shepherd Baptist Church. We will try to highlight our safety along with our City Manager and myself will be answering questions. Also, I want to remind everyone that Petersburg Homecoming is this Friday. I want to congratulate the successful time at the Grapes and Hops on this weekend. It was hot but it was real successful. Great to see all the energy in this City. Some of you all may know that I do own one of the businesses here in Petersburg. I have been getting a lot of kudos to the City from where we come from to where we are now. So, I just want to thank the citizens and in particular the staff for the good work that they are doing. It is not always easy. And also the council for making at times the difficult decisions. Do not forget October 24th, Good Shepherd Baptist Church at 6pm. Thank you.” Vice Mayor Hart stated, “Good evening everyone. Thank you for coming out to the meeting. Just a couple of things. Ward 7 School Board representative, Adrian Dance, and myself will have a Ward 7 meeting on October 22nd at Pleasant Lane Elementary. Information will come out soon to let you know all that will be involved. That is all the items that I have. Thank you.” Mayor Parham stated, “At this time I want to wish a very, very happy Birthday to our City Manager Mrs. Aretha Ferrell-Benavides. She just had a big birthday. And because we are City Council we will go ahead and throw in Council Member Howard Myers too. Happy Birthday. And at this time the crowd can join me in singing a Big Happy Birthday. We have Colonel P.T. Taylor’s Walk Against Hunger this weekend. And we are asking everyone to join us this weekend at the park. It is October 5th, at the park starting at 8:30am. Ms. Tyus, do you have something that you want to add.” Ms. Tyus stated, “Good evening everybody. I want to extend the challenge that Council Member Smith- Lee extended to join her team. Our partner in this is the YMCA, who has committed one month of free membership to anybody who participates in this effort. They opened their line today. We expected at the end of this process about 300 people. We have 150 who have registered today. The YMCA and Southside Regional has opened their portals. There are seven people who registered from Social Services today. This could be an *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 - 10 – ______________________________________________________________________________ event that everybody could attend. We welcome our churches and faith-based institutions to participate. We have gotten at least four faith-based institutions that requested to please extend the registration time. But everybody participates and get your teams in. It is going to be an amazing event.” 13. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 14. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 15. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 16. NEW BUSINESS: a. Appropriation for Community Corrections – Grant Funds - $6,998.00 BACKGROUND: Community Corrections in Petersburg is responsible for local probation and pretrial services for individuals in Petersburg and Dinwiddie County. The Commonwealth of Virginia via the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services has authorized the following revenue for the Petersburg Community Corrections agency.  Total Authorized Revenue $418,955 o $184,689 for local probation  $182,060 for personnel  $1,614 for equipment  $1,015 for supplies/other costs o $145,490 for pretrial services  $143,876 for personnel  $1,614 for equipment o $41,256 from fees collected o $47,520 from local funds  This is one City funded position within the Community Corrections agency.  The salary (including benefits) totals $45,008, which is less than the authorized $47,520. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council approve the attached appropriation ordinance in the amount of $6,998.00. Council Member Myers made a motion to approve the appropriation ordinance in the amount of $6,998. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. Mayor Parham opened the floor for public comment. Seeing no hands, Mayor Parham closed public comments. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Myers, Hill, Hart *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 - 11 – ______________________________________________________________________________ and Parham; Absent: Wilson-Smith 19-ORD-49 AN ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, SAID ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2019, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2020 FOR THE GRANTS FUND. b. Consideration of authorizing the City Manager to enter into a MOU with People’s Advantage Federal Credit Union. BACKGROUND: PAFCU is dedicated to strengthening the City of Petersburg and surrounding counties by tackling the financial challenge of the community. PAFCU is not for profit financial institution with the mission to serve the underserved, unbanked community and no credit population to build and fulfill dreams since 1966. The credit union serves over 9,500 members, offering unique solutions to their financial challenges. PAFCU continually creates products to aide in the success of our communities, such as a Reliable Rides Program, a Pay Day Certificate, and multiple educational seminars. This MOU will PAFCU will:  Offer a $5,000 donation to be used for the purpose of purchasing a bus to be used in the local community. This bus will serve as a marketing outlet for PAFCU and will rotate routes as required by state regulation.  Sell tickets for PAT at its Petersburg branch made available to both current and non-members in the community.  Refer individuals who are in need of transportation to PAT when purchasing a vehicle is not a feasible option.  Promote the partnership with PAT on its website, hardship toolkit and other marketing outlets.  Offer financial education seminars and free credit score analysis to PAT employees, riders and partners at no charge. PAT will:  Wrap the bus with material approved by PAFCU.  Provide tickets to be sold at PAFCU branches.  Provide PAFCU access to employees, riders and partners for the purpose of sharing the partnership.  Promote its partnership with the credit union to new employees via new employee orientation.  Promote the partnership on the PAT website.  Allow the PAFCU mobile branch on the PAT premise to offer services regularly with advanced notice. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with People’s Advantage Federal Credit Union on behalf of Petersburg Area Transit. Council Member Myers made a motion to authorize the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with People’s Advantage Federal Credit Union on behalf of Petersburg Area Transit. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Hart. Mayor Parham opened the floor for public comments. Seeing no hands, Mayor Parham closed the public comments. There was discussion among City Council Members and staff. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 - 12 – ______________________________________________________________________________ Stephanie Harris, Executive Director of Petersburg Area Transit, gave a small presentation regarding the MOU. There was discussion among staff and council. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll vote, voting yes: Smith-Lee, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham; Voting No: Cuthbert; Absent; Wilson-Smith c. Appropriation of a donation from People’s Federal Credit Union - $5,000 BACKGROUND: Contingent upon the approval of the PAT’s MOU with PAFCU, a $5,000 donation will be used for the purpose of purchasing a bus to be used in the local community. This bus will serve as a marketing outlet for PAFCU and will rotate routes as required by state regulation. A transit vehicle is funded at 68%, State 28%, Federal Transportation Administration, and 4% Local Match. The PAFCU will take the place of the local match. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council approve the attached appropriation for $5,000 from the People’s Federal Credit Union as a donation toward the purchase of a transit vehicle. Council Member Myers made a motion to approve the appropriation for $5,000 from the People’s Federal Credit Union as a donation toward the purchase of a transit vehicle. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. Mayor Parham opened the floor for public comments. Julian Greene, 1625 Blair Road, stated, “I disagree wholeheartedly with Councilman Cuthbert who happens to be my Councilman for Ward 4. Financial institutions, even though the Federal Credit Union is a nonprofit, there is an obligation that a financial institution bank has to report to the Board of Governors for the Federal Reserve called the CRA (Community Reinvestment Act). IF the other financial institution didn’t come to make an offer intent to participate with Petersburg, then why deny this organization. At the same time, if you are sports fans all the stadiums now are named after major financial institutions. So, I am saying that this is an opportunity for us to participate with the businesses in the community and they can participate with us to give back to teaching our kids financial literacy so that they can understand how to preserve their money in those savings account. I approve your support. Thank you.” Linwood Christian, 410 Mistletoe Street, stated, “Good evening Mayor Parham and Members of Council. I agree a whole lot with what Mr. Greene just said. But when Councilwoman Smith-Lee hit the nail on the head. Very few businesses put up to do anything in this City. I remember some years ago that I wrote a letter to the editor asking people to boycott the Subway on Crater Road because they had a sign up saying they are proud supporters of VCU Rams. And I asked them that with so many people from Petersburg, how come they are not a proud supporter of the Trojans or Petersburg High School Team. VCU has a sports complex. So, I decided that being that you all want to give your money elsewhere then Petersburg needs to stop giving our monies to you. And that sign has since come down. I wish the school systems would pick that up. Maybe we could have had some schools or something built rather than going through these name changes because it was a confederate. But anyway, I am glad to see that this is happening. Because maybe now MR. Cuthbert and others, businesses will look at Petersburg and People’s Advantage Federal Credit Union. I was a member of them until I moved to North Carolina and then I came back and have been lazy about going back there. But maybe others will look at them and get jealous and say maybe we need to step up and do what we need to do for the City of Petersburg. Then maybe we can get somethings done. And then maybe we can raise the salary of some of the City Council Members even though some of you don’t deserve it. And then raising the *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 - 13 – ______________________________________________________________________________ salary of some of our workers like our secretary right here who is filling in for our clerk. The real people who are out there getting their hand dirty. Maybe this will help a whole lot. Thank you.” The motion was approved on roll call. On roll vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham; Absent: Wilson-Smith 19-ORD-50 AN ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, SAID ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2019, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2020 IN THE MASS TRANSIT FUND FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES. 17. REPORTS/REPONSES TO PREVIOUSE PUBLIC INFORMATION PERIOD: Kemi Osoba, Public Relations Officer, read comments and responses from previous public information at the September 17, regular council meeting. 1. What is the status of the former library on Sycamore St.? The former library is in need of extensive structural repairs; an engineering study has been recommended before attempting repairs. 2. When will the Poplar Lawn Park Revitalization Plan be released? The revitalization plan is still in the beginning phases. To date, an inventory of trees has been completed. Public Works and Utilities is in the research phase for a structural assessment of the walkway and will need to determine a funding source(s) for anything that may arise post assessment. 3. What is the stabilization plan for the historic pump station on St. Andrews Street? At the end of the current growing season, Dept. of Public Works - Grounds, Facilities, and Utility Divisions will evaluate the possibilities, processes, requirements and costs associated to clean–out, stabilize and safeguard the remaining structure. 4. Is the Council and City Administration working with the Crater Planning District to possibly have an on/off ramp installed on Graham Road? The City does work with the Crater Planning Office on several transportation issues. In past years, the City has applied for Smart Scale funding for the re-working of Graham road. 5. How much does the City collect for vacant house fees? The collection fee for the vacant registry is $100/year, civil penalty fees are $200 for non-historic and $400 for a property located within a historic area. The City collected $7,800 in FY 2018 and $10,500 in FY 2019 in vacant house fees. 6. For the filming at Peabody, was there an initial inspection of equipment inside and will there be another inspection when filming has wrapped? Yes, an initial inspection was completed, and a follow-up inspection will be conducted post filming. 7. Has SRMC started being charged with the new rate for water? Not yet, Southside Regional Medical Center (SRMC) is charged by cubic feet. The updated rates for cubic ft will not go into effect until the October billing cycle, with a November 1st due date. 8. Where can citizens find the elevator inspection certificates for the City- owned elevators? Elevator Certificates can be found at the Petersburg Facility Management Office located at 1981 Midway Avenue in Petersburg. Office Telephone is: 804-733-2411. 18. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: October 1, 2019 - 14 – ______________________________________________________________________________ *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 19. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM CLERK: *There were no items for this portion of the agenda. 20. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 21. ADJOURNMENT: City Council adjourned at 8:38p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor *Audio available upon request.