City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The regular meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at the Union Train Station. Mayor Parham called the meeting to order at 6:30p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member Charles H. Cuthbert, Jr. Council Member Annette Smith-Lee Council Member Treska Wilson-Smith Council Member 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 City Attorney Anthony C. Williams Clerk of Council Nykesha D. Jackson 2. PRAYER: Mayor Parham stated, “Council Member Darrin Hill will lead us in our opening prayer.” Council Member Hill led the council meeting in prayer. 3. CLOSED SESSION: *No items for a closed session. 4. MOMENT OF SILENCE: Mayor Parham led council and the citizens in a moment of silence. 5. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Parham led council and the citizens 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. 7. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATION OF CEREMONIAL PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor Parham presented certificates of recognition to Crimson Tide “Burg Boyz” Football Team. 8. REPORTS/RESPONSES TO PREVIOUS PUBLIC INFORMATION PERIOD: Folakemi Osoba, Public Information Officer, read comments and responses from previous public information at the November 19, 2019, regular council meeting. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. What is the status of St. Andrews Bridge? Construction plans and specifications have been finalized by Timmons Group. Construction plans &specifications have been sent to purchasing for use in preparation of the Bid Package. Public Works staff will meet with purchasing to review the project and address questions within the next two weeks. 9. COMMUNICATIONS/SPECIAL REPORTS: *All reports and PowerPoint presentations:  http://petersburgva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4969/20191210_Council-Assessor-Report - City Assessor  http://petersburgva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4970/Petersburg-Council-121019-Presentation - CAFR Report  http://petersburgva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4968/1210_2019ProposedEnterpriseZoneAmend ment - Enterprise Zone  http://petersburgva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4971/Utility-Collections_FY2020-Oct-Nov2019 - Utility Collections a. Treasurer Report – Kenneth Pritchett, City Treasurer *No report for the Treasurer’s Report b. City Assessor Report – Brian Gordineer, AAS, City Assessor Key points:  Assessments are currently being done now and finalizing the work in December.  They will be sending reassessment change notices on January 28th.  Website has information on the assessments and appeal forms are online as well. c. City Manager Report – Aretha R. Ferrell-Benavides, City Manager Mrs. Benavides stated, “Mayor a copy of my report is in the packet and if you have any questions, I do have some special updates that we would like to provide at this time. I would start with Mr. Lyons on the Jarratt House and the Southside Depot first.” Mr. Lyons gave an update on Jarratt House and Southside Depot. Key points:  The bid was extended to 12/12 for Jarratt House.  Bid for Southside Depot was closed on 11/26 and there were no proposals received.  Procurement is looking to go out for solicitation next week and the project manager will be hitting the streets with this information. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Patrice Elliot, Finance Director, and Paul Mullins gave an update on Billing and Collections. Key points:  They are processing the October payments now.  They billed out sewer and commercial accounts at $502,805 and collected $502,466 with a *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ 99.93% rate of collection.  Water & sewer on industrial accounts $66,655 was billed and $25,847 was collected with a collection rate of 37.78%  Water & sewer on residential accounts, $1,408,283 was billed out and $715,067 was collected with a collection rate of 50.77%.  The overall rate was 53.05%.  They are still doing the numbers for November and they will get the information out as soon as possible. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Wilson-Smith stated that she would like for them to look into where they are billing at. She stated that there could be bills sent to people that are deceased or not living at the homes anymore. There was discussion among City Council and staff. d. Presentation by Waukeshaw Development, Inc. BACKGROUND: Waukeshaw Development is leading revitalization and rehabilitation efforts throughout southside Virginia and continues to advance unique projects around the state and in North Carolina. Current adaptive reuse and historic tax credit developments, in varying project stages, comprise more than 500,000 square feet and reflect a value of more than $90 Million. Waukeshaw was a first-mover in the Tri-Cities area of Virginia, in 2006 breaking ground on the first market-rate multi-family project in Petersburg, VA — a town in which at the time, traditional developers saw no potential. A combination of conventional bank financing and state and federal historic tax credits brought the $26M project to life, yielding 220 apartments in what is now known as the Mayton Transfer Lofts. The success of that project opened the doors to further development, and Petersburg now boasts more than 1,000 new residential units downtown. Waukeshaw seeks out interesting, game-changing projects in challenging locales, often working closely with municipalities to further their economic development efforts. To achieve these goals, Waukeshaw attracts traditional bank financing, seeks grants and other incentives, and works with a practiced team of architects, CPAs, and legal and historic consultants to syndicate state and federal historic tax credits. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Waukeshaw Development, Inc. be provided an opportunity on the Agenda to make a presentation to the City Council. Zoey York, Project Manager of Waukeshaw, gave a presentation on Waukeshaw Development, Inc. Key points:  They have been working on the Wayfinding Signage with getting logos on I-95.  Signage is up locally with Demolition Coffee, Saucey’s and Trapezium Brewery.  Signs will go up on the highway in January or February 2019.  They can do a site walk in which it is recommended to do it with Economic Development, Planning Department and Right-of-Way.  They will be looking at the right-of-way permitting fee schedule. It cost $390 to put up three signs through this process.  Give thanks to Mr. Tabor, Ms. Sangregorio, Mrs. Robinson and Ms. Tirado in the City of Petersburg. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 -4– ______________________________________________________________________________  They are working with Mr. Tabor and Mr. Mullins on the gateway entry in the City. e. CAFR Update David Myers gave a PowerPoint presentation on the CAFR There was discussion among City Council and staff. 10. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA (to include minutes of previous meeting/s) a. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of October 15, 2019 b. Minutes of the Special Called Closed Session Meeting of November 12, 2019 and November 19, 2019 c. Minutes of the City council Retreat of October 27, 2019 – October 28, 2019. d. A request to schedule a public hearing on an appeal of the Architectural Review Board (ARB) decision for 115 N. Sycamore Street. e. To appropriate CDBGG funds. (1st Reading) Council Member Myers made a motion to accept the consent agenda with the scheduling of a public hearings to January 7, 2020. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart, and Parham 11. OFFICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS: a. A public hearing to consider approval of amendments to the Enterprise Zone Map. BACKGROUND: The City has an established Enterprise Zone. The purpose of the Zone is to incentives development with the targeted area through state and local incentives. The current size of the Enterprise Zone is based on the allowed 7% of the locality’s land area, and totals 922 acres. The maximum acreage for the Petersburg Zone is more than 1000 acres. The new boundary will include commercial and industrial areas that can benefit from associated zone incentives. In accordance with applicable legal requirements, a public hearing is required prior to approving and authorizing the amendment of Enterprise Zone Boundaries. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council schedules a public hearing on December 10, 2019 and subsequently considers adoption of amendments to the Enterprise Zone Map in accordance with applicable legal requirements. Reginald Tabor, Project Manager of Economic Development, gave a briefing on the amendments to the Enterprise Zone Map in accordance with applicable legal requirements. Mayor Parham opened the floor for public comments. Seeing no hands, Mayor Parham closed the public comments. There was discussion among City Council Members. Council Member Hill made a motion to approve the amendments to the Enterprise Zone Map in accordance with applicable legal requirements. The motion was seconded by Council Member Smith-Lee. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 -5– ______________________________________________________________________________ There was discussion among City Council. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham 19-R-61 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE ENTERPRISE ZONE MAP IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. b. A public hearing for amendment of CDBG 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan. BACKGROUND: An amendment to the Annual Action Plan is required because City Council made a motion and approved funding for the Downtown Churches United Hope Center in the amount of $9,987.00 on July 21, 2019. This was made after the approval of the FY2019-2020 CDBG Action Plan on May 15, 2019. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council adoption of this amendment. Michele Peters, Director of Community Development, gave a review of the amendment of CDBG 2019- 2020 Annual Action Plan. Mayor Parham opened the floor for public comments. Marcus Squires, 1701 Monticello Street, stated, “The CDBG Grants are supposed to have a Citizen Advisory Committee filled with committee members, one from each ward in our City. At this time there is only member. Is that one member making all the decisions with City staff? It is your job as City Council Members to either recruit or appoint members so that we can have citizens involved. Thank you for your time.” Seeing no further hands, Mayor Parham closed the public hearing. Council Member Hill made a motion to approve the amendments to the Enterprise Zone Map in accordance with applicable legal requirements. The motion was seconded by Council Member Smith-Lee. There was discussion among City Council. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham c. A public hearing to adopt ordinance amending the provisions of Section 22 of the city code to authorize the use of civil penalties with a fee schedule for each offense for violations of the building code (Property Maintenance) BACKGROUND: Staff has been working diligently to present processes and create the best method for addressing these challenges. This civil penalty will hopefully encourage people to make the necessary repairs to their property or face enormous penalties that can be levied against the real estate and personal assets. RECOMMENDATION: That City Council will adopt the proposed policy allowing the City to assess civil penalties for certain code violations. The policy will allow the city to determine whether it will enforce against a violator the civil penalty or the criminal summons. Utilization of the civil penalty will allow the City to collect revenue as long as the violations persists and will hopefully entice the homeowner to make the necessary repairs versus paying the required civil penalties allowed by the proposed ordinance. Francis Poulin, Assistant to the City Manager, gave a review of the proposed amendments. Mayor Parham opened the floor for public comments. Richard Stewart, 129 Rolfe Street, stated, “The property that he is speaking about, I do not understand. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 -6– ______________________________________________________________________________ All this property has been burned by arson on Washington Street. I see on Harding Street a house just burned. How do you fine somebody for that type of property? That property is just standing there, and it has been burnt. What is being done pertaining to finding somebody for this type of property?” Mr. Poulin stated, “We are actually moving to the process now. We have ten burned out properties that we are working with Mr. Williams. And we have posted advertisement in the paper and delivered certified individuals of the property owners last know address. So, that once the ad runs for the second week in a row you will be able to wait 30 days and then possibly move forward with demolition if the property owners do not demolish it themselves. Once these first ten are done then we will move on with the other burned out properties.” Seeing no further hands, Mayor Parham closed the public hearing. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Cuthbert made a motion to approve the proposed policy allowing the City to assess civil penalties for certain code violations. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. There was discussion among City Council. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham 19-ORD-56 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND RE-ADOPT PROVISIONS OF SECTION 22 OF THE CITY CODE TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF CIVIL PENALTIES IN ADDITION TO EXISTING CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE BUILDING CODE. Council Member Cuthbert requested of the City Manager to have City staff conduct a comprehensive review of the remaining portions of Section 22 and then come back at the January 21st, 2019, Council meeting with recommendations. Mrs. Benavides stated that staff will bring that information back as requested. Mr. Lyons thanked staff and Council Member Cuthbert on the assistance on the changes. 12. 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, “What is happening in Pocahontas? Ever since the article of Channel 6, we have a lot of people coming into Pocahontas. It seems like after 12 midnight. I have called the police department and they are doing an outstanding job, but it is more people coming to Pocahontas after 12 then before 12. Even the other day I followed a guy down to the river and he wants to dump whole tires. I told him if he didn’t remove those tires, I was going to call the police department. So, he removed them. So, what I am saying is that we have a lot of seniors who have been dying in Pocahontas. And a lot of them are living by themselves. I hope the police department would step up and patrol because Pocahontas is becoming a focal point of history. Even today I had people come in from Midlothian. They want to include Pocahontas in their tour. Only thing I can say is that I would like the police department to step up their patrol. Because some of them are not coming on a tour they are coming to break into property and invade the place. Thank you.” *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 -7– ______________________________________________________________________________ Marcus Squires, 1701 Monticello Street, stated, “I first want to talk to you guys about the retaining walls in Lieutenant’s Run and Cameron Field. I just reported to City staff members that trees are growing out of the granite stacked concrete walls. And the City said that the trees growing out the walls are a natural buffer. But if the trees grow anymore the walls will collapse into Lieutenant’s Run causing an even greater issue. I hope that you will look at that. I hope that the council will continue to ensure that it’s boards and commissions are keeping minutes and updating and posting agendas as well as I hope that council will appoint members to these boards and commissions to ensure that they are all filled. I hope that the City will do something about the old library building on Sycamore Street. The front is almost completely falling off. There is a lot of ivy growing along the back of the building. If that is not cut off, then you will have more maintenance work to do when it pulls apart the mortar and bricks. How are the streetsweeper’s going to clean the street’s in the residential districts if there are no posted signs asking cars to move on certain days. On Liberty Street on the site next to Halifax Street, a lot more traffic is going through there but there are no painted lines, so cars are parking to the end. So, cars are coming off of Halifax turning onto Liberty Street have to wait for cars to actually leave Liberty Street. If the City can copy what is going on at the other end of Halifax Street closer to Poplar Lawn Park, I feel that can help with the flow of traffic in that area. The City should look into upgrading their lighting system to led lights. The City of Boston did this and saved $1 million dollars in the first year and crime went down as well. Perhaps the City of Petersburg could save revenue. In the Southside Depot right here in the rear side there are trees growing. I was told in the summer have filming was done that the City would go in and remove those trees. They are still growing as well as another concern for Southside Depot is the fact that the old iron columns from the Gas Works sitting back in the field. Citizens are interested in purchasing them or having the City to move them to a safe location so that no one comes in and damage them or do something to them. With the legislative piece why isn’t the City asking the General Assembly for more funds to help tackle crime? Is the City applying for grants from the Department of Homeland Security? The Department of Homeland Security give $1.7 Billion Dollars each year and security and safety grants. Is the city looking at applying for some of these grants from the federal government? In regard to the railroad on Puddledock Road, I spoke to VDOT earlier this week about that crossing and they informed that the City does have the ability to cite the railroad company for that railroad crossing. In regard to the Walnut Hill Historical District Plan, we are having another meeting on December 17th at 6:30pm. The previous meeting was posted on the City Facebook page and there was an email that was sent out to Councilman Cuthbert, Mayor Parham and Mr. Myers, as their wards intersect. Our cohort has been to over 500 homes in the district and we have spoken to the residents. And the residents are a state and national designation and they are not for a local district. I do have some frequently asked questions about historical districts that were provided to our residents of Walnut Hill. And we also printed flyers out with frequently asked questions, and we are planning on fundraising for the district as well as grants. Thank you.” Mary Howard, 608 South Park Drive, stated, “I am going to get straight to the point. Please, I need you all to take me seriously. Over the holidays, I need you to think about this. I am here to leave you a few notes. The police department can battle crime but what is leading to all this crime. We have youth either on drugs, joining or organizing a gang, killing each other, learning how to have sex and have babies, or robbing you or me. Our youth do not have and have not had a recreational outlet in this City for the past 10 years and more in which they can live and grow into their future. YMCA is not it. Parks and Leisure Services is not it. The Boys and Girls Club is not it. Yes, they provide a few services but that is not enough. The most vulnerable youth the parents cannot afford. You all were elected to represent our community collectively. Is there recreation in either of the City’s ward for youth or our City? I will tell you no. Our kids need a free center where they can go for social outlets and community skills and mentorship to express themselves and be mentored with respect and dignity and honor. Do not tell me about funding because whether you know it or not, we hear about raises and people under people, under people with sizable incomes. Also, just in case if you all don’t know and but I do, and you should probably research it that the Community Development Block Grant that we are talking about comes through HUD and definitely can be used for a recreation center and it should be. This gentleman was correct in saying that a citizen is supposed to take a part. I do not know who it was. It is supposed to be used *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 -8– ______________________________________________________________________________ to provide services to the most vulnerable in our community. We need to save our kids and they have expressed to me that they need recreational, social and emotional outlets. I participate with parks and recreation and have been for the past five years every summer for a week to mentor some of our City’s youth. So, I know firsthand what effects their hearts. We need you all to stop battling and fighting each other. We you all to open your eyes and come fight for our kids. I was convicted to come before you all tonight. And I promise you all that if you al don’t hear the cry of the youth that is passionate to me then the next time, I come I am seriously coming with the community. Understand that this is not a threat to you and its not about the publicity and I am not speaking behind your backs. This is straight from the heart to your face. A change has to come and as long as God has breathe in my body, I will not stop for these kids are concerned. Yes, we have lost some generations and now it is time to save some. You all have a happy holiday. Thank you.” Gary Talley, 2323 Fort Rice Street, stated, “I am here as a representative to the Community Services Board District 19. We met last Thursday, and I discovered something that kind of surprised me and disappointed me. Mr. Williams you might want to check into this. I was told that the Code of Virginia requires the City to provide a 10% local match fund. And you did not do that last year. Petersburg was requested to provide $215,461 but you all appropriated $209,185. A shortfall of a little over $6,000. Now District 19 serves eight jurisdictions. Most of the clients come from Petersburg. In FY19, we served 1,631 clients in Petersburg. That is 922 more than the next jurisdiction which was Hopewell. And to put it in more prospective that is more clients served by Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Emporia, Sussex and Surry combined. Most of the clients are from here and we are not paying our fair share of what is even required to do. Now they often discussed because the new regulations are asking for an increase. Now the request that is going to be coming in to you all is an additional $19,000 which includes the amount of shortfall from last year. Please put this on your agenda. District 19 serves as the only menta health outlet to many citizens. We cannot let them struggle without our help. Thank you.” Willie Noise, 1508 Circle Drive, stated, “Good afternoon Council. May your New Year be better than the old one. I have a couple of things here. Number one the flag. This flag just bothers me because it is right on the route that I travel mostly on every day. As a season veteran on honorable discharge veteran from the United States of America to ride by and see this flag flying by. Bigger than any I have seen or compared to here in the City. And the one there at VEPCO on Washington Street, they are flying the American Flag. Speed Light on 85 and 95. Those vehicles are coming through Petersburg very fast. I don’t know what needs to be done but these school buses are flying up and down the streets which are not made for large vehicles because of spacing. These buses are coming down the street over the double yellow lines and not yielding for cars that have to share that road with them. Every appraisal that you all can give, give to the Petersburg Police Department under the Chief’s direction. Chain of Command, we need to get straight with our chain of command from the Mayor on up to Nancy Pelosi. She is our new leader of the United States of America. She will fit the plug believe me. The National Armory should host the recreation center for the time being. I noticed when some of us come up to talk, especially with this information period, we run the City and you all run the Council. And when we talk, I at least like to see a couple of pins moving. You know what I am saying. Buffalo Soldiers and the Vet Center keep that in mind please. Surveillance cameras, there has been an incident in Petersburg that called for two cameras on University Boulevard and High Street, upper and lower. This is what the police department needs to monitor the City. This is a start. And it is several more, I guess. And serenity prayer, be the united prayer for Petersburg. Thank you. You all have a Happy New Year.” Barb Rudolph, 1675 Mt. Vernon Street, stated, “Just one initial comment stating the obvious of the combination on the presentation of the poor collection rate of billing for October and the non-status report on the CAFR. Neither of those were very enhancing from the City’s financial credibility. I will just leave that at that. What I really want to talk about tonight is that after watching a video from last Thursday night’s special meeting that had less than three days’ notice, there was one topic at that meeting that was not an emergency and that was the legislative proposal. But that is what was interesting. Councilman Myers proposed an add on to your package that sounded like it would allow the City Council to decide on their own salaries without any kind of *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 -9– ______________________________________________________________________________ wasted time for the new salaries to take effect. In this case he said some really important things that I wish that some of you would listen. He has talked about not acting. You are not monarchs. He said that the appearance of feathering your own nest would result in this kind of an action. It was interesting that there was a lot of discussion about the Circuit Court being the decider but actually the Circuit Court a key feature in the language is that the Circuit Court appoints five citizens. The citizens are the ones that work on the proposal of councilor’s salaries. I mean you do not have to assume a citizen group would not approve you all greeting an increase. If you are not being paid fairly that is what a citizens group might include. But there is a reason for that. As others here tonight have even stated including Mr. Noise, you all work for us and there is a reason for that to be in the Charter. And that’s because citizens, we are the ones who are looking and saying what you should be paid. But this idea of ‘oh we are going to decide for ourselves and the heck with citizens.’ I mean the reference to Colonial Heights was also misleading. Colonial Heights does not have anything special in its Charter. It just lists the salaries. But they use the State Code that has a range of salaries for different size City’s. So, I think the case of Petersburg it could go up to $12,000 or where you all want to take it. But also, to mention that the State Code has a waiting period too. And if you are going to try to put together something to change the City Charter through the General Assembly and have Petersburg have no waiting period but all the other Cities are still going to have to wait until after the election, I do not see how that is going to apply. I think that you are embarrassing yourself if you go forward with that. What I would leave you with is before you go and approach any legislators or do anything else I think this half-baked idea really needs to be reconsidered in terms of do you want to actually be going out there and doing it anterolaterally and expect to get some special dispensation to do it immediately when no other City has that. Thank you.” Linwood Christian, 410 Mistletoe Street, stated, “Please forgive me for a minute, but when you get over 22 your eyes don’t act right. Be quiet Mr. Hart. Our 5th Ward Councilman along with our City Manager who got our Assistant City Manager up in the various hours in the morning because of an accident that was on Halifax Street that got that light put up their near Tony’s Disco Lounge and Restaurant. I want to thank them for doing that. And also, I wanted to bring something back to the attention that Ms. Howard brought up, which ties into another subject. I am going to continue to say that one of the problems, because we talk about our residents in Pecan Acres, Pin Oaks, Croatan and how things are in the City, but one of the things that we need to look at is when we listened to Robert Bobb and merged recreation with the library. Which means that the salary that Mrs. Yerby used to pay people was a great service to our young people as well. Because it really still has not gotten from me on how this City is carrying on about a dog park, but our kids do not have a decent recreational park or recreational center. I can’t understand that. Also, when we talk about the overlooked populations here in the City our young people and our seniors. Two people that really go out of their way to help our seniors and we do not thank them enough, Sheriff Crawford and our Police Chief/ Director of Public Safety Chief Miller. And those are people that we really need to thank. Because they do look out for our seniors and our young people. But again, the City needs to do their part. I am tired of all these stop the violence rally and everybody praying and speaking in all kinds of unknown tongues and nobody is taking any action. So, what our neighborhood association is going to do, hopefully before the new year comes in, is work with the Chief and try to establish a fund that somebody can use to help our victims. So, that people can come forward and start saying we know who did what. If they are afraid this fund will help them. Our City and our councilors, we warned you about a lot of things even before Redevelopment & Housing got rid of Petersburg East. We warned you about a lot of things. And before anybody say it, we know a lot of you all were not on council. Some of you on council were part of the problem. But now you are here. I am going to tell you like I tell my own pastor. Stop talking and let’s see you do some walking. Thank you.” 13. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FOR/FROM THE MAYOR OR COUNCIL MEMBERS: Council Member Cuthbert stated, “Thank you Mr. Mayor. I want to thank once again Chief Miller for what he is doing for our City. Previously I have commented on his responsive in helping to get inoperable vehicles off the street. And this is a small thing and every small thing builds on another small thing and then pretty soon we have got a real difference. Thank the Chief and his staff Sergeant Hall and I believe there is a *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 - 10 – ______________________________________________________________________________ new sergeant in charge of traffic who will be helping with that now. But I want to thank them all and I think that council is grateful to for what they have done and what they continue to do. Also, for the traffic enforcement that under the Chief has become lot more comprehensive. Just today I reported a problem and relayed to him a problem that a citizen had reported to me about a stop sign being disregarded and he quickly responded saying that he would put that on the list and that it would be addressed. And I think all of us are grateful for that responsiveness. Mr. Mayor thank you very much.” Council Member Wilson-Smith stated, “First of all I would like to thank you all for being here Happy Holidays to you all. I wish you a wonderful and above all a safe new year. Secondly, I would like to ask the City Attorney if he could in January come back with some guidance. And perhaps you might have to meet with the finance team or City Manager in establishing a local tax on gasoline with the sole purpose of increasing monies for the school system.” Mr. Williams stated, “I can talk about the legality’s with regards to imposing tax offline, but I will look into that for you.” Council Member Wilson-Smith stated, “Thank you. Also, I see in the City Manager’s report that we got tonight that she is addressing. I have been asking at several of the meetings on where is the money going for filming. And the answer is that on October 2, 2012, City Council made a motion to approve the appropriation of $11,950 to the Department of Cultural Affairs. I think that was with the movie ‘Lincoln’. With the elimination and consolidation of departments by the Robert Bobb Group there is a possibility the fund was eliminated, and funds were reallocated to the general fund. Now given that and given the fact that we are receiving, hopefully, monies from other movies such as ‘Turned’ and ‘Harriet’ and something else came through that I cannot remember. We are getting something from movies coming in. I do not wish to make this motion tonight, but I do want us to come back in January and that will give us time to consider that money coming in from movies and theater be allocated to the Petersburg Public Schools. Another thing that I wanted to ask about, and we had an email about it, but it is not saying much is the water situation at Wilcox Lake. Is there any way that we can have that turned back on by the Spring for the Azaleas? Have we come to a conclusion about that yet?” Mrs. Benavides stated, “Do you mind if Mr. Lyons speak to it? I know that we sent out an email in regard to the water being cut-off and not being activated. Can you respond to everybody on what happened to the water and why the water was disconnected?” Mr. Lyons stated, “I do not remember all of the details but at the same time I responded back on that today because Mr. Squires was asking the same question. I responded back. Staff has been working with the conservatory board. There is a board associated with this and we are trying to get them engaged and involved in this process. But we have doubled again today to reach out with them as well to address that issue. Staff has been working the issue, but we are just not getting a response from them to make sure that we have a cooperative working relationship as to how that process is to take place. But I will endeavor to keep you posted between now and the next few days. But we did double down today to follow up with that.” Council Member Wilson-Smith stated, “Thank you. And the next to the last thing, Madam City Manager can we please by the first meeting in January have an established at least six-month calendar to include the date and place of the follow-up retreat in April. Can we have a calendar?” Mrs. Benavides stated, “I think that would be the City Clerk.” Council Member Wilson-Smith stated, “Okay. There is a lot of rederick of us having a youth center. And I totally agree with the citizens. We do need to do this. There are some persons who are interested in doing this, but I remember us discussing putting a youth center out at the sports complex. Which is the absolute best place to do such a project. There is available land plus it had other sports arena with the baseball. Can we get *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 - 11 – ______________________________________________________________________________ someone to at least look into that possibility? Or go back and review the records to find out what it is we are going to do with that. I know you were not here Mrs. Ferrell-Benavides, but we did discuss putting something there and we had someone coming into this town to put something there. It is still the idea location because it is not in anybody’s backyard so to speak. It is just a perfect place where people can go. If you wouldn’t mind looking into that. And I think that is all that I have and thank you.” Mrs. Benavides stated, “Just to note for all council members, India is taking note of each of the action items and we will have a response before the next council meeting. You will receive them in advance to all of your questions. If the follow studies is a documentation or a presentation, we will give you a brief overview. If you want further presentations just make sure that you ask that in your request.” Council Member Smith-Lee stated, “Good evening everyone. Last Friday the tree lighting was awesome down here. We had a singing group. We had the first lady from Gillfield Baptist Church. We had a band and we had Santa here for the kids, hot chocolate and The American Red Cross was here. It was just an awesome event. And for the Christmas parade I want to give Tami Yerby and her staff for doing such an awesome job. Also, yesterday a very poplar young man who is 57 years old was killed in the City of Petersburg, Kevin Starke. A magnified person from Petersburg High School and it is really sad. Because you have someone who was doing great things with the youth and the seniors. And everybody that he touched here in the City of Petersburg. So, please keep his family in prayer. Also, kudos to Chief Miller and his staff. It is not easy. It is really sad that our youth are just killing each other. Just the other day, I don’t understand why if you have a disagreement with someone that it diverts to pulling out a gun and shooting somebody. It seems like we are losing our generation of youth. And we have to make a conscience effort to try to figure out how can we get this toxic out of our City and steer our youth. These are young men that are 17, 18, and 19 years old that don’t have, and it looks like their conscience has shut down. I have a conscience. Everybody has a conscience. When you say a bad word and you know that you are not supposed to say it you ask for forgiveness. So, I am just praying for our youth here in the City of Petersburg. Thank you, Ms. Tyus and your staff, and Tangela. The City is looking great. I have gotten so many calls and comments saying that coming off the exits that they do not see the trash like they used to. So, kudos to you. I just want all of us to realize that we can do some other things to help our youth. If we can come to council meetings we can go and support our youth at their basketball games on Tuesdays and Friday. Even if you don’t go and sit there for a quarter. We have to let them know just like they did earlier today that these young men and young ladies mean something to us. But also, I want to say, have a Happy Holiday and a prosperous New Year. Thank you.” Council Member Myers stated, “Good evening, I have nothing to add. But merry Christmas and Happy New Year.” Council Member Hill stated, “Good evening everyone. I also want to give my sentiments on the Christmas lighting event that we had. It was great. I want to thank the team for putting it together and all the City staff that decorated in here. This place really looks festival and very nice. One thing, Tami Yerby and Darnetta Tyus also for the parade and recreation department for helping out and doing the parade this weekend. We had a great weekend. As far as in Ward 2, the Dunkin’ Donuts that I am hearing, I do not think that they are having a grand opening yet. I am not sure, but it will be open on Saturday. Q’s Beauty Supplies just opened where the old bowling alley used to be. So, that is good we have businesses that are still coming into the City. I want to especially thank Darnetta Tyus because I saw that it did my heart good. This morning I went to AutoZone and they were cleaning up the lot beside Butterworth’s. I know that we had been working on that and pretty much all of the debris is gone. So, I want to thank everybody. I know that your kind of spearheaded and pushed it long with Code and Compliance and things like that and the chief and all those involved. I don’t know everybody, but I know that we made a couple of phone calls and we have been working on this for a while. So, I guess the next thing was to make sure that they put up a fence so, that nobody else can use it as a landfill again. Also, in front of the Farmer’s Market we have a marque that kind of tells our history. It is starting to fade out and it is kind of hard to read. So, if we can get someone whoever I part of that *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 - 12 – ______________________________________________________________________________ department to take a look at it. Like everyone else, we are concerned with the crime as well. Let me add that Kevin Starke did not die from gun violence. He was a good friend to me and my family. It was a car accident that he passed in. So, a lot of times when we say someone was killed or die, we automatically think it was gun violence. But it was not that. He passed during a car accident yesterday morning. I would like to thank the employees for a good year. It had been rough at times, but we do see light at the end of the tunnel. I would like for us to keep our head to the grind and hands to the plow and never look back. Thank the staff and the citizens for keeping us and holding us accountable. I know that it is not always easy, but we do hear you and we are going to try to make the best decisions possible. And have a happy New Year and a prosperous New Year as well. Merry Christmas.” Vice Mayor Hart stated, “Good evening everyone. Thank you for coming out to your meeting tonight. Just want to say happy holidays to everyone. Also, I just want to congratulate the staff on the hard work that you are doing. Keep up the great work as we move into the new year. Keep things moving forward. The 3rd Annual Hart to Heart Christmas Dinner will still take place on Christmas Day at the Masonic Temple from 12pm to 4pm. Things are a little tight this year, so we are seeking donations view food, utensils, plates, and drinks. We are there and this is for anyone that wants a meal. It does not mean that you are homeless or anything. It might be that you do not want to cook on Christmas. So, come out and grab a meal. We are there for four hours to break bread and fellowship. So, come out and participate in this. For any additional information just reach out to me and I can lead you in any direction that you need to go. Thank you all and have a Happy Holiday.” Council Member Hill stated, “Madam Clerk, can you check our board and commissions to make sure that everything is up to date as well. Because I got a phone call from our advisory board for the Department of Social Services and I heard that two people fell off because one moved, and one got a job and is no longer there. So, can you just kind of maybe check all of them to see if they are up-to-date and if we need to make my moves on that.” Council Member Smith-Lee stated, “Yes, I want to also say thanks to the Hope Center. On, Thanksgiving Day we fed over 50 homeless people as well as people who did not have a family to have Thanksgiving Dinner with. We had two students, Mariah Taylor and Anasia Monroe that went with me to deliver dinners at Petersburg bus station. There were homeless people that were sitting out there. And also, people who were waiting on the bus to come. And one of the young men had said that he had been out there for four hours and that he was hungry. So, he was appreciative of us bringing him something to eat. We always have to remember those who are less fortunate than us.” Mayor Parham stated, “Next, I would like to tell everybody a Merry Christmas. And our City staff did an excellent job for this weekend’s activities. A round of applause for them and all that they did. We had a great illumination ceremony on Friday. This place was packed and with live music and hot chocolate. All the talk was about the Christmas Parade on Saturday and it was an excellent turn out. I think that Christmas parade, Mrs. Benavides, has more people than Virginia State Homecoming Parade. It was packed out there. Also, on Sunday we had holiday homes tour thrown by Battersea which was an excellent event. Hundreds of people come out and take tours around the City to see some of our most beautiful home. Followed by the weekend of Petersburg Symphony of their holiday concert at Petersburg High School. So, its so many things going on in Petersburg and we can always look at what we don’t have but we need to look at the things we do have. This is the season here in which it is a lot going on. Not just in Petersburg but around the world. I have a 19-year- old son and he was quite baffled and sad about one of his favorite rappers, Juice World, passed on Monday behind something stupid. He said, ‘Dad, why would he do something stupid and swallow drugs and kill his career trying to transport drugs when he is making $200,000 a show dad.’ And I said you have to realize in these times son you have to have Christ in your life, and you got to have a higher being. And you have to get to the root and cause of a lot of these things. We have 150 churches in this City, and they are doing a grip of events for all of our kids and family. We still have Virginia Cooperative Extension. And I spent most of my *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 - 13 – ______________________________________________________________________________ summers with Linwood Christian. Linwood Christian ran programs through the summer with my generation and we came out and we did it. Therefore, we have to focus on what we have and keep moving the City forward. We would like to have a lot of things that we don’t have but it is all about the people. The people are the ones that dictate these things. So, if people step up and do it, they will do it. I remember Council Member Wilson- Smith, we used to have her sons with me out in Cub Scouts out at Tabernacle flying kites. Look going to church every Sunday. You have to realize that Council Member Wilson-Smith set that bar high. Her kids are doing wonderful because she has them grounded. And this Christmas is about much Christ. It is not about all of the toys and all of those things. We have to find this out in our hearts. We have to have love and piece with one another and keep that has the center of the season. So, I would also like to thank Shahid Shabazz and Bari Muhammad. Those guys were shaping up your future. They did their last midnight basketball at the YMCA and they are going to try and focus on something else. The youth were not coming out to the midnight basketball the way that they did, so they decided to stop it. So, we thank those guys efforts and hopefully they can redirect and find out what is important to the youth here in the 21st Century. I have a 19-year-old and he is into his phone and it is hard to get him to come out too many events outside of his cocoon. So, we have to get creative on how to get through. So, again Merry Christmas to everyone and we look forward to 2020. Can’t believe that it is here already. And also, I would like to get with Councilman Cuthbert and Councilman Myers and possibly Councilman Hill because he has part of East Walnut Hill. I would like to have a joint town hall meeting with all of these wards to talk about the historic district to get some dates together that work best for all of us. So, I will keep you posted, and I am ending.” 14. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 15. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: a. Resolution to preclude ex-parte communications by Members of Council on matters pending or future pending formal action. BACKGROUND: This resolution was prepared at the direction of City Council as a result of discussions at their Retreat on October 28, 2019. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend by City Council. Council Member Myers made a motion that “15a” be stricken because it goes against the 1st Amendment. The motion was seconded by Council Member Cuthbert. There was discussion among City Council Members. The motion was not approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Myers, and Parham; Voting No: Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Hill and Hart Council Member Wilson-Smith made a motion to adopt the resolution as written. The motion was seconded by Council Member Smith-Lee. There was discussion on the motion. Council Member Hill made a substitute motion to have the City Attorney to rewrite the information and talk about it at the next retreat. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Hart. There was discussion on the motion. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill and Hart; Voting No: Parham 16. NEW BUSINESS: a. Consideration of a supplemental appropriation for Petersburg Public Schools for the current fiscal year - $7,137,097.72 *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 - 14 – ______________________________________________________________________________ BACKGROUND: Once we determined the amounts that would need to be carried over in our grants, and as we received grant awards for the exact totals, the School Board approved those amendments to the FY2020 appropriation. We are now requesting that Petersburg City Council formally approve and appropriate these budget amendments in accordance with State Code. The summary of appropriations as of October 31, 2019 is as follows:  Carryover of state and federal funds from FY2019 into FY2020 for $1,863,242.76  Use of Food Services Reserves accounts for $36,720  Amendments to existing grants and new grants adds an additional $5,237,134.96 The supplemental appropriation totals $7,137,097.72 RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that City Council approve the supplemental appropriation for Petersburg Public Schools. Council Member Hill made a motion to approve the supplemental appropriation for Petersburg Public Schools. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Hart. Mayor Parham opened the floor for public comment. Marcus Squires, 1701 Monticello Street, stated, “I hope that the City will look into the capital needs of the school system. Thank you.” Seeing no further hands, Mayor Parham closed the public comments. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham 19-ORD-57 AN ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, SAID ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2019, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2020 FOR PETERSBURG PUBLIC SCHOOLS. b. Consideration of a RE-appropriation of funds for the Virginia Resources Authority - $5,188,949.72. BACKGROUND: In consultation with the City’s Financial advisor, Davenport & Company LLC (the “Financial Advisor”) and bond counsel, Sands Anderson PC (“Bond Counsel”), City staff has evaluated the current capital needs of the City and wishes to update and amend the descriptions of the 2013 Projects, the 2014 Projects and the 2015 Projects to defer or reduce expenditures on certain projects originally included as part of such Projects and to provide additional funding for other capital needs and related expenditures including capital interest on the 2013 Bond, 2014 Bond and 2015 Bond, as appropriate all such project costs to be funded only as permitted under Section 62.1-199 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council approve the attached appropriation ordinance in the amount of $5,188,949.72. Council Member Hill made a motion to approve the appropriation ordinance in the amount of $5,188,949.72. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Hart. Mayor Parham opened the floor for public comments. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 - 15 – ______________________________________________________________________________ Seeing no hands, Mayor Parham closed the public comments. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham 19-ORD-58 AN ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, SAID ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON JULY 1. 2019 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2020 IN THE UTILITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (CIP) BUDGET. c. Consideration of an Appropriation for FY2020 funds of the Facilities Management Capital Improvement Projects - $392,443.67 BACKGROUND: - Southside Depot The City of Petersburg was awarded funding for the purpose of renovating the center section of the historic Southside Depot. The City, in partnership with the National Park Service, intended to use this section to create a visitor contact station. It should be noted that the City applied for a Transportation Alternative grant to fund the completion of the Southside Depot. Also, in FY2019 the City received a $100,000 grant from American Battlefield Trust and to date has received $75,000. - Westview Early Childhood Education (replace roof) The roof of the Westview Early Childhood Education is a project that was identified several years ago. The project was funded and in the process of being completed by mid-November 2019. The cost of the project is $241,129. It should be noted that operating funds from Facilities Maintenance in the amount of $84,129 supplemented CIP funds to help pay for this project. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council approve the attached appropriation ordinance in the amount of $392,443.67. Vice Mayor Hart made a motion to approve the appropriation ordinance in the amount $392,443.67. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hill. Mayor Parham opened the floor for public comments. Seeing no hands, Mayor Parham closed the public comments. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham 19-ORD-59 AN ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, SAID ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON JULY 1, 2019, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2020 IN THE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (CIP) BUDGET. d. To accept Firehouse Subs Equipment grant. BACKGROUND: The City of Petersburg receives various grants and donations to assist with various programs to prevent harm in our community and improve the safety of our personnel. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that Council approve the acceptance of the Firehouse Subs *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on: December 10, 2019 - 16 – ______________________________________________________________________________ Public Safety Foundation’s donation for this fire and rescue equipment. Council Member Wilson-Smith made a motion to approve the acceptance of the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation’s donation for this fire and rescue equipment. The motion was seconded by Council Member Smith-Lee. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Smith-Lee, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hill, Hart and Parham 17. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA: Mrs. Benavides stated, “Just a reminder to council that we are holding our employee recognition this week and we will be honoring employees of service from five years to the highest of 45 years of service. So, we would ask that all council members participate because this is an opportunity to thank our employees for their service and also to start the process of regular acknowledge of the commitment of our employees of the City of Petersburg. It is tomorrow night at Petersburg High School, and it starts at 5:30pm. For someone who just signed a bunch of certificates we have a number of five years. But we do have four individuals with over 40 years of service with the City. It is very important that we celebrate them and thank them. Hopefully, all will be.” There was discussion among City Council and staff. 18. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE CLERK: Ms. Jackson stated, “I have no items but to just wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.” 19. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY: *No items for this portion of the agenda. 20. ADJOURNMENT: City Council adjourned at 9:01p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor *Audio available upon request.