City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on May 12, 2021 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The Special Called Closed Session Meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, on live stream. Council Member Parham called the Special Called Closed Session Meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member Charles H. Cuthbert, Jr Council Member Treska Wilson-Smith Council Member John A. Hart, Sr. Council Member Darrin Hill Vice Mayor Annette Smith-Lee Mayor Samuel Parham Absent: Council Member W. Howard Myers (arrived after roll call) Present from City Administration: Kenneth Miller, Interim City Manager Nykesha D. Jackson, Clerk of Council Anthony Williams, City Attorney 2. CLOSED SESSION: a. The purpose of this meeting is to convene in the closed session pursuant to §2.2- 3711(A)(7) and (8) 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 by the City Attorney specifically including but not limited to matters requiring legal advice from the City Attorney concerning U.S. District Court Civil Action. 3:19-cv-00750 and legal consultation on issues relating to §15.2-1525 of the Code of Virginia and §2-2.1 of the City Code and other legal matters requiring the advice of the City Attorney. Council Member Hill made a motion that the City Council go into closed session for the purposes noted. The motion was seconded by Council Member Hart. There was no discussion on the motion, which was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Hart, Hill, Smith-Lee, and Parham City Council entered closed session at 12:02 p.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 to the best of each members knowledge that only public business matter lawfully exempted from the opening meeting requirements were discussed and that only such public business matters were identified in the motion by which the closed meeting was convened, heard, discussed, or considered. If any member believes that there was a departure from the foregoing requirements should so state prior to *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on May 12, 2021 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ the vote indicating the substance for departure that in his or her judgment has taken place. This requires a roll call vote Mr. Mayor.” Council Member Myers 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 Hart. There was no discussion on the motion. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Hart, Hill, and Parham; Absent: Myers and Smith-Lee 21-R-41 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 12:49 p.m. 3. CONSIDERATION AND DISCUSSION: a. Discussion and consideration of renaming pavilion located at William Spratley Park on Farmer Street after Willie Fobbs. BACKGROUND: Mr. Fobbs is worthy of having the pavilion named in his honor mainly because he was a pillar of the 6 Ward neighborhood. He was a staunch supporter of all hometown sports, adult, and youth alike. Mr. Fobbs was truly an icon to members of the Whop City Committee and inspired them to become better men through his leadership and example. Naming the pavilion will encourage persons to keep the area clean as a memorial to a man who was loved and respected all over the City and especially in Ward 6 neighborhood. The Whop City Committee, Inc will be celebrating Whop City Day on May 29, 2021 and would like the pavilion name to coincide with that event. RECOMMENDATION: Renaming the William Spratley Park on Farmer Street to Willie Fobbs Park. Vice Mayor Smith-Lee gave a brief overview of the request. There was discussion among City Council Members. All members of council agreed with the renaming of the pavilion. Ms. Jackson stated that she will add it to the May 18, 2021, City Council agenda for approval. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on May 12, 2021 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ 4. ADJOURNMENT: City Council adjourned at 12:55 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor *Audio available upon request.