City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The regular meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, in a virtual meeting. Mayor Parham called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Parham stated, “This meeting was postponed from February 15, 2022. At this time Madam Clerk will you please call the roll.” 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member Charles Cuthbert, Jr. Council Member Treska Wilson-Smith Council Member W. Howard Myers Council Member Arnold Westbrook, Jr. Vice Mayor Annette Smith-Lee Mayor Samuel Parham Absent: Council Member Darrin Hill Present from City Council Administration: Clerk of Council Nykesha D. Jackson City Manager Stuart Turille City Attorney Anthony C. Williams City Assessor Brian Gordineer 2. PRAYER: Mayor Parham stated, “At this time, we will have Council Member Treska Wilson-Smith led us in our opening prayer.” Council Member Wilson-Smith led the council meeting in prayer. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Parham led council and the citizens in the pledge of allegiance. 4. DETERMINATION OF THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM: A quorum was determined with the presence of all City Council Members. Council Member Hill was not present at the meeting. 5. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/PRESENTATION OF CEREMONIAL PROCLAMATIONS: a. Proclamation designation March as National Procurement Month Mayor Parham read the proclamation out loud. b. National Social Work Month Mayor Parham read the proclamation out loud. Mayor Parham stated, “Thank you to those two departments and for what you do here in the City of Petersburg.” *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. RESPONSES TO PREVIOUS PUBLIC INFORMATION PERIOD: a. Presentation by City Assessor, Brian Gordineer Key points:  Petersburg City Assessor Office is one of the 50 offices in the US and in Canada to receive CEAA.  An assessment is an estimate of value used as a basis to levy taxes.  The fair market goal is 100% per the constitution.  Review of sales since the last assessment was two years ago.  Each sale is verified to determine if it reflects fair market value.  Of the almost 3,000 recorded transfers during the past two years there were approximately 1,000 fair market value transfers.  Many parcels in Petersburg have not been adjusted in ten years.  Office Reviews deadline is March 1st.  And the appeal deadline to the board of equalization is April 1st.  The State Department of Taxation performs a ratio study of Petersburg and all Virginia jurisdictions annually. b. Presentation by Commissioner of Revenue Brittany Flowers Key points:  The tax policies and tax rates that City Council set, the Commissioner of Revenue implements and administers those policies by establishing assessments and determine what is taxable.  The city estimates that up to 15% of registered vehicles will experience appreciation rather than depreciation this year.  Vehicle owners naturally expect their vehicle values to go down each year, but this is not always guaranteed.  Values did go down for 81% of registered vehicles, and remained the same for 4%, but approximately 15% will see an increase.  On January 24, 2022, an email was sent out to city council stating that the assessed values for personal property have increased up to 30% across the Commonwealth of Virginia due to the lack of supply.  Commissioner of Revenue suggested to decrease the tax rate for personal property from $4.90 to $4.40 for 2022.  On January 20, 2022, the file of 20,915 of PP was sent to NADA. The file was sent back on February 1, 2022, with 20,803 process and 112 errors. This process was completed on February 3, 2022. 7. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA (to include minutes of previous meeting/s) a. City Council Minutes: January 25, 2022 – Special City Council Meeting February 1, 2022 – Closed Session Meeting February 1, 2022 – City Council Work Session b. A request to schedule a public hearing and consideration of an ordinance approving a petition to rezone property addressed as 3605 Halifax Road, Parcel: 096010003, 3625 Halifax Road, Parcel: 096010004, and 3607 Halifax Road, Parcel: 107020017, from R-1, Single Family *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ Residence and A-Agricultural Districts to M-2, Heavy Industrial District. c. A request to schedule a public hearing and consideration of an ordinance approving a petition from a Special Use Permit to allow for the construction of an office and operation of a crematorium business along a portion of the property addressed as 3605 Halifax Road, Parcel 096010003, 3625 Halifax Road, Parcel: 096010004 and 3607 Halifax Road, Parcel: 107020017. d. A request to schedule a public hearing and consideration of an ordinance approving a petition for a Special Use Permit (SUP) to establish and operate a stand-alone used vehicle sales business not associated with a new vehicle dealership at 2306 East Washington Street, Parcel: 003030002. Council Member Myers made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Council Member Westbrook. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Westbrook, Smith-Lee, and Parham; Absent: Hill 8. OFFICIAL PUBLIC HEARINGS: a. A public hearing for the consideration of FY2020-2021 Proposed Schools Operating Budget Supplement in the amount of $2,001,759.10 BACKGROUND: The fiscal year 2021-2022 budget developed by Petersburg City Public Schools included revenues totaling $57,833,416. The City Council approved the 1st round of supplements on October 19th, bringing the total appropriation to $71, 117,861. Petersburg Public Schools is bringing a 2nd round of supplements for approval in the amount of $2,001,759.10. This additional appropriation will bring schools’ revenues for FY2022 total to $73,119,620.10. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council approve the Budget Supplement for the Petersburg Public Schools for FY2021-2022 in the amount of $2,001,759.10. Stacey Jordan, Director of Finance, gave a briefing on the request for the budget supplement for Petersburg Public Schools for FY2021-2022. Mayor Parham opened the floor for public comments. Seeing no hands, Mayor Parham closed the public hearing. Council Member Myers made a motion to approve the Budget Supplement for the Petersburg Public Schools for FY2021-2022 in the amount of $2,001,759.10. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Smith- Lee. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Westbrook, Smith-Lee, and Parham; Absent: Hill b. A public hearing on February 15, 2022, for the consideration of an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to establish the Enterprise Zone Capital Investment Real Estate Tax Rebate. BACKGROUND: The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development established The Virginia Enterprise Zone (VEZ) program. It is a partnership between state and local government that encourages job creation and private investment. VEZ accomplishes this by designating Enterprise Zones throughout the state and providing two grant-based incentive, the Job Creation Grant (JCG) and the Real Property Investment Grant (RPIG), to qualified investors and job creators within those zones, while the locality provides local incentives. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 -4– ______________________________________________________________________________ On June 21, 2005, the City of Petersburg City Council adopted a resolution to establish a local Enterprise Zone in the City of Petersburg. The enterprise zone provides incentives to existing and new businesses such as permit fee waiver, façade improvement grants, and architectural assistance grants. To continue to encourage development in the City of Petersburg, the Department of Economic Development will offer the following incentive for capital projects. RECOMMENDATION: The Department of Economic Development recommends that the City Council approves the ordinance authorizing the City Manager to establish the Enterprise Zone Capital Investment Real Estate Tax Rebate Incentive. Mr. Turille stated, “The Economic Development Team and I have discussed this review and they need one more week. I am sorry until the March meeting. It is only one week away. So, I am requesting to reschedule for a workshop presentation first. I do not see why the ordinance cannot then go forward to the March meeting for a final public hearing and approval.” Mayor Parham stated, “Okay so this is a motion to table this until you have the work session or the second meeting in March, Mr. Turille.” Mr. Turille stated, “I would like to first have staff to discuss it in the work session. But I think that we can just reschedule the hearing for the March meeting. And just give you a review at the workshop first. So, the motion would be to reschedule the public hearing to the March meeting with staff to make a workshop presentation first.” Council Member Myers made a motion to table action until March 1st. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilson-Smith. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Westbrook, Smith-Lee, and Parham; Absent: Hill 9. PUBLIC INFORMATION PERIOD: A public information period, limited in time to 30 minutes, shall be part of an Order of Business at each regular council meeting. Each speaker shall be a resident or business owner of the City and shall be limited to three minutes. No speaker will be permitted to speak on any item scheduled for consideration on the regular docket of the meeting at which the speaker is to speak. The order of speakers, limited by the 30-minute time period, shall be determined as follows: a) First, in chronological order of the notice, persons who have notified the Clerk no later than 12:00 noon of the day of the meeting, b) Second, in chronological order of their sign up, persons who have signed a sign-up sheet placed by the Clerk in the rear of the meeting room prior to the meeting. Marcus Omar Squires, 1701 Monticello Street, stated, “I would first like to ask council if they could help me with the installation of the Walnut Hill banners. I have been working really hard to turn Walnut Hill into a historical district and help uplift their community here. And everything was going great with Dominion Energy and all of a sudden, a couple of weeks ago they reached out to me, and they said that the banners were automatically declined. The poles were too short. But I see other poles in Old Towne that are even shorter that have banners on them. So, I don’t know if the city can help me navigate this. I am funding the banners out of my own funds. So, it would be a great way to uplift the community even more. And has the city been looking at street sweeping. I drive all around Petersburg and I notice that all of our gutters are full of debris and trash. On the city website it is listed that the city is actually sweeping the city daily. But I drive up and down these streets because I live and work and run and exercise in Petersburg. The gutters are all full. And the city under the former regime was giving us a blight update. We were seeing slides of progress in Petersburg and what was going on in the community. Is there anyway that we can bring that back? My final thing that I am going to bring up today is in regard to speeding here in the city. Ever since Crater Road closed off, I noticed that more and *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 -5– ______________________________________________________________________________ more people are flying up and down Claremont Street and Sycamore Street and Graham Road. It is almost like they want to cut through the city without a regard for anybody that lives here in our neighborhoods. They are flying through stop signs in Walnut Hill. So, is the police department looking at increasing patrols here in our communities now that more and more members are coming through. Oh, and also will St. Andrews Street Bridge be open. Because more and more people could utilize that as a cut through in our city. Again, thank you for your time and consideration today. Stay safe.” Michelle Murrills, 131 S. Market Street, stated, “I am coming to you today to ask about the ARPA funds. At the September 7, 2021, City Council meeting, the City Manager announced that there had been a total of eleven households that had requested a total of $42,196 to be given to them from the $10.4 million that had been given to the city from the federal government. At that time, you guys were not happy about the low amount to be dispersed to the citizens of Petersburg and requested that more money be put into that fund so that more citizens could apply to get that relief. At the September 27th meeting the city manager came back with another $500,000 put with the $20,000 to be given to Petersburg citizens to help with money loss due to COVID. I am one of the people who applied for this money. The paperwork had to be turned in by the end of August and everything that was requested to prove monetary loss was given the city by the beginning of September. Again, 11 households applied for this. We are almost to the beginning of March, six months after the paperwork was turned in. I have not received any money from the community recovery needs portion of the ARPA funds. And to my knowledge neither has anyone else. I sent an email asking what was going on and I was told that the city auditor is still reviewing all applications as to whether they meet federal requirements. How long does it take to look at 11 applications? The only federal requirement is that people applying have proof that they have lost income between April 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021. I know that this city is a big bureaucracy but how long can it take to look at 11 applications. The point of the money was to get it in the hands of the public so that it can help with the loss of income and not just sit in a bank account accruing interest. And what about the other $500,000? How are people supposed to apply for that? It is ridiculous that in a city like Petersburg that needs as much as possible brought into the community the city is not doing enough for the citizens. Five months ago, when I heard the city council was actually wanting more money set aside to be given to citizens I was impressed. Unfortunately, once again there is no follow through on it. Other communities in the area and nation have been able to give their citizens monetary relief. I do not understand why Petersburg cannot do this simple thing. As I said there were only 11 households that applied. Please can we get this money and figure out how to get this other $500,000 out into the public hands. This will go a long way in helping people that truly needed. Thank you.” Mr. VanVoorhees stated, “And before he starts, Mr. Mason has I believe a couple of citizens in with him at transit that would like to speak. So, we may call on him more than once.” Darius Mason, Petersburg Area Transit System Manager, stated, “I have five citizens who would just like to speak to council briefly about their way of life. Alvina Spurrell, 110 Perry Street, stated, “I have been riding the transit since November. I have been riding from Hopewell to Colonial Heights. And it will make six months, this month, that I have been working at Wal-Mart. And I would like to make it a year in August. Thank you.” Sarah Raines, 2701 Park Avenue, stated, “I am here tonight. I love to ride the city transit bust because I have been having problems with my car. It has been very helpful for me getting to work and from work. Thank you.” Michelle Baum, 1800 Boydton Plank Road, stated, “I speak on behalf of my colleagues here that ride the bus with me. I, myself, do not have a vehicle and I do not have a driver’s license. And I depend on the bus transportation to take me to work and back home from work. I work in Colonial Heights in Wal-Mart at the deli. And I do not think it is right and I do not think it is fair to take that away from us. Thank you.” *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 -6– ______________________________________________________________________________ Timothy Kates, 110 Perry Street, stated, “I use the transportation back and forth to shop and stuff. Thank you.” Burgundy Brown, 101 Seaboard Street, stated, “I drive to and from work. I work at the Colonial Heights Chipotle. Thank you.” Mr. Mason stated, “Thank you council. Those are just some individuals that wanted to speak to council in regard to utilizing our transit services to and from Colonial Heights.” 10. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR OR OTHER MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL: Council Member Cuthbert stated, “Thank you Mr. Mayor. I want to give a shoutout to two people affiliated with the 4th Ward. One is Ms. Victoria Sanders, she appeared on the article of the front page of the Progress-Index that I am showing here on the camera dated January 14th. Ms. Sanders spearheads a COVID vaccination clinic. She is stationed at Virginia State University. And I am proud to represent her on city council. I was particularly pleased to see that she is doing way more than her part to live what we should all be doing. And that is setting an example, for others as to how to protect our community from the COVID-19 as Pastor Diggs pointed out at the meeting with the Governor. Pastor Diggs told us all that he felt that it was important as a leader of our community to set the example and that he made a point of putting on a mask before he went into the sanctuary to conduct services. I am quite impressed with that. Speaking of churches doing their part there is also a significant contribution made by Bethany Missionary Baptist Church in the 4th Ward in Blandford. Led by Pastor Eli Melvin. They also conducted a vaccination clinic. And I am sure that there are many other churches that conducted vaccination clinics in Petersburg attempting to do their part to live the New Testament teachings and even the Old Testament teachings. So, I want to thank all of them. I want to thank Victoria Sanders and I want to thank Reverend Diggs and Pastor Eli Melvin. Thank you, Mayor.” Council Member Wilson-Smith stated, “I would like to thank the recreation department for the program that they presented on African American History Month on Saturday. It was very nice and very well done. So, I want to give a round of applause to them. Also, I would like to ask for two things. One of which might get tonight. This is the second time I am asking now. We received some money for water bills, and we have not discussed yet how that money is being disbursed. How many people are we helping and how many are left behind? If someone can report that to us at the next meeting, I would appreciate it. How much of it is left and what is left do we return it. And what is the plan for the distribution of such funds. Another thing I asked at the last meeting was the draft copy of a brochure for African American History month that I had been requesting since 2018. I do know that it is being worked on. But it would be nice if council can see it prior to anything else being done with it. And that is all that I have today. Thank you.” Council Member Westbrook stated, “Thank you Mr. Mayor and City Council. First of all, just a Happy Belated Valentine’s Day to everybody as we are in this month of February. As far as my words this month, I would like to highlight some recent activity. One being on February 9th I helped with the Pleasant Lane Elementary School with food distribution. The event was hosted by the school along with the Petersburg Community & Schools. A full course of chicken, heads of cabbage, carrots, beans, rice, fruit boxes, assorted fruits, pizza rolls and other food items were distributed to over 60 cars and people picking up students from Pleasants Lane. I think that was a great service to the community. Secondly, I would like to shoutout a great black history celebration by the Department of Social Services this past Friday, February 8th. The Department of Social Services under the direction of Mr. Norris Stevenson where they had multiple spoken word pieces by Destiny Brown as well as a display of black artist exhibiting one of their actual workers in the department, Ms. Tamara Coleman. This program was a stellar event held by the Department of Social Services. And there are a few acknowledgements that I would like to close out. I would like to shoutout Petersburg Basketball Team under the direction of Coach Massenburg. If you haven’t heard the Petersburg Crimson Wave had a stellar regular season with 15-3. And now we begin that march with the state title that we have not had in many *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 -7– ______________________________________________________________________________ decades or years. We are hoping that this team will bring one home. The actual playoffs start tomorrow. So, please support Crimson Wave Basketball. Please support them as they march towards that state title. One of our former Petersburg Basketball and stand out athletic, Mr. Quinton Spain. I would like to give a shoutout to him. You know he came up on the losing end with the Cincinnati Bengals he was a participant with Super Bowl 56 in LA. So, I would like to give a shoutout to him. And my last acknowledgement is to my resident of one of my constituents in Ward 7, Sheriff Vanessa Crawford. As she was recently acknowledged as Sheriff of the Year. And that was on the front of today’s paper. But it has been mentioned circles around, but I did want to give her due diligence at this council meeting. And my last acknowledgement is to Mr. Montray Howard of whom I just recently met. He is doing great things with Petersburg Solutions. He has his own website that he is putting out positive images of Petersburg. And my last piece of the day is not an acknowledgement but a little push for the City of Petersburg. It is called the ‘Stop Littering Campaign’”. I think that it was Mr. Marcus Squires that said that sometimes we do drive around, and we see trash in our gutters and streets of Petersburg. But as citizens I hope that we can do a little bit better and challenge each other as well as ourselves to do a little bit better in stopping the littering. I have five bullet points to show why liter is so important. Cleaning up liter cost US taxpayer’s and businesses $11.5 billion dollars each year. And that is just not in Petersburg but that is a national number. A lot of that money can be going to other services here in Petersburg. I have been working with the city manager and deputy city manager to highlight some things in Ward 7. But do your part please and if you see some trash and it is too much for you to pick up then alert the proper official so that we can get out there and cleanup Petersburg. The second thing is that liter along the side of road causes traffic accidents. Where people have to swerve out the way for big pieces of not just your normal cup or food that you might throw out the window. There are big pieces of liter that people may casually throw out. Highly littered areas experience more crime and reduced property values. Again, if you want to do something about making the city a stellar City of Petersburg, we have to make sure that you are cleaning up. When we do pollute it pollutes are lakes and streams. And that effects our wastewater and management treatment. And from that we do not want to have these high-water bills. And lastly, with Petersburg being at the very bottom of the state’s health code as far as what we rate, liter is a breeding ground for germs and pathogens. So, when you through those things out the window that causes the rodents and bugs and other things and those things get in the air. Maybe if we can pick up the liter in the city it would change the healthiness of the City of Petersburg. Thank you very much Mayor.” Council Member Myers stated, “I do not have anything to announce tonight. It will be a meeting sometime next month for Ward 5. But I just want to add to Councilman Westbrook when he brought to our attention about liter. It is a huge problem here. And even though we cannot put motions on the floor for tonight, but I hope that everyone will support a motion on the floor that littering is a $500 fine in the City of Petersburg. So, I would like for you all to consider that moving forward. Thank you.” Vice Mayor Smith-Lee stated, “Arnold took a lot of my stuff. How dare you, Arnold Westbrook? (laughing) First of all I just want to say great job to the workers in city who is collecting the utility and water bills and the personal property taxes. The line was moving and everything. I noticed this young lady who was working with the other workers. And low and behold guess who that was, the director. Stacey Jordan was back there putting it down with her employees. Now let me tell you something. That is what a great leader does. A great leader will step in and do what she needs to do to make sure that here employees are efficient and doing their job. And that is why if you noticed that things have kind of calmed down in reference to billing and collections. So, kudos to Stacey Jordan and her group and Brittany Flowers and her group. Keep the good work up guys. Petersburg High School Basketball Team is going to the regionals tomorrow and Petersburg High School at 7pm. We talk about wanting a community to pull together. Go out there and support these young boys that have been working so hard. One thing work on those free throws by tomorrow. Next, thing I want to say is Sheriff Crawford you rock it. You continue to put Petersburg on the map. We appreciate you and your leadership. Good leaders make things happen. Thank you. Quinton Spain, another Petersburg stand out. Right Arnold, they did not win but guess what, I know his mom from Stainback Street, 5th Ward. He worked hard in high school, and he went to college and guess what he has played on three NFL teams. And he made *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 -8– ______________________________________________________________________________ it to the Super Bowl. Go Petersburg, Wave Pride. I probably have some other stuff, but I get hyped up when I talk about Petersburg. Just try to be there and support them with anything that they need. So, Arnold you are right about littering. I have a trash bag in the back of my car. I have a trash bag that I use to pick up trash all the time. In order for us to have a clean and prosperous city we need to do something about it. So, don’t talk about it be about it. Thank you, Mayor.” Mayor Parham stated, “Just to chime in on what you have for liter, the city manager has designated a liter person. His name is Thomas Hairston. And Tommy is putting together efforts now to clean out the city and he is looking for ward captains for the cleanup to start the process on how we can keep a cleaner city. If any of you have your ward captains, I have mines. And Richard Taylor is going to be my ward captain in Ward 3. He stepped up and said that he is willing to work on it. We are going to also utilize a lot of help from our friends at Fort Lee. We are going to get a ton of soldiers over here and get me your names so I can get it to Tommy Hairston so we can get the city cleaned up before the spring. It was a privilege to be on a great Black History Month program with council Member Wilson-Smith. I know that Councilwoman Wilson-Smith talked about parks and recreation but I also want to give a shoutout to Wayne Crocker of the library for hosting it and putting together a wonderful event with Marquis Allen in Parks and Recreation. It was a great time and very informative. Not to be the broken record but Sheriff Crawford is amazing. She is the matriarch of Petersburg with the efforts that she does. She is definitely the trailblazer in the City of Petersburg, and we are all inspired to be like the great Sheriff Crawford. Also, just to let everybody we have been hard at work at the General Assembly. We currently have $2.6 million in the current budget for the Ramada to take down the Ramada Inn Hotel. So, we hope to see that through. I know that myself and Councilman Myers have spent a lot of time up there with delegates and senator in trying to keep our bill alive. Because this can be a huge year for the City of Petersburg. Another thing is that we have another $26 million for the state budget for infrastructure for Poor Creek. And I just cannot thank enough for Andrew Barnes for putting those numbers together for us. And for shedding light on the needs that we have. Andrew has worked super hard on this and all of my Build Back Better meetings that I have, the team from Richmond definitely commends Mr. Barnes. I do not think that people know that this has been 50 years in the making. So again, we cannot do it without our team, Andrew, and his staff and all that they do. Lastly, I do not know if we have it in the packet or not. Ms. Jackson, do we have Ms. Adaku application for Planning Commission. She has put in the necessary paperwork. She is a wonderful person to represent Council Member Wilson-Smith which is long overdue.” Ms. Jackson stated that she checked her application and the address that she posted as home address is not in Ward 1 and that she believes that it is in Ward 3. 11. ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 12. FINANCE AND BUDGET REPORT: a. Cash Flow and Budget Calendar Update Stacey Jordan, Director of Finance, gave a briefing of the cash flow and budget calendar. Key points:  For the month of January, the cash in was $8.8 million and cash out was $8.3 million.  Right now, the monthly balance is $38 million dollars and that does include ARPA, which is $28 million dollars.  This time last year the city was at $14 million dollars which included $5.5 million dollars in CARES funds.  All department head meetings have been completed and the working budget document will be *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 -9– ______________________________________________________________________________ complete for presentation to the deputy city manager and city manager on February 25th.  They will presenting a preliminary budget on March 8, 2022. Mr. Turille stated, “I would like to note that the schools come before council at a special meeting on the 24th.” Ms. Jordan stated, “And Dr. Pitre-Martin has been notified as well.” 13. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: a. An ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a purchase agreement for the sale of city- owned property at 835 Commerce Street, parcel ID 024-130012. BACKGROUND: The Department of Economic Development received a proposal from Quality Trailers, Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation, and Habitat for Humanity to purchase City-owned property located at 835 Commerce Street, which is currently a vacant commercial building. The three proposals are attached for review and consideration by the City Council. Quality Trailers - $225,000 Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation - $220,000 Habitat for Humanity - $220,000 This proposal is following the City’s Disposition Guidelines, City’s Zoning, and the City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Property Information The zoning of the parcel at 835 Commerce Street is M-1, light industrial. Address: 835 Commerce Street Tax Map ID: 024-130012 Zoning: M-1 RECOMMENDATION: The Department of Economic Development recommends City Council review the attached proposals for the purchase of City-owned property located at 835 Commerce Street. Brian Moore, Director of Economic Development, gave a briefing of the request. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Wilson-Smith made a motion to approve and support Habitat for Humanities. The motion was seconded by Council Member Myers. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Westbrook, Smith-Lee, and Parham; Absent: Hill 22-ORD-8 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PETERSBURG AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. b. A public hearing on the consideration of revised city council ward maps following population changes identified in The 2020 Census. BACKGROUND: Article VII, Section 5 of the Constitution of Virginia specifically requires any locality that conducts elections by district to change its district boundaries every 10 years in the year ending in *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 - 10 – ______________________________________________________________________________ one. Districts must be drawn using U.S. census data. The United States decennial census is the primary data source on population, age, and race used in redistricting. The 2020 census, conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce through the Census Bureau, is the twenty-fourth census in U.S. history, and it will also be used to redraw congressional, state legislative, and local election districts. There are two basic pieces of information needed to redraw election district lines: population data (Section 4.2) and maps (Section 4.3). The Census Bureau provides both. The Constitution of Virginia Article VII. Local Government, Section 5. County, city, and town governing bodies, requires that the governing body of each county, city, or town shall be elected by the qualified voters of such county, city, or town in the manner provided by law; If the members are elected by district, the district shall be composed of contiguous and compact territory and shall be so constituted as to give, as nearly as is practicable, representation in proportion to the population of the district; that when members are so elected by district, the governing body of any county, city, or town may, in a manner provided by law, increase or diminish the number, and change the boundaries, of districts, and shall in 1971 and every ten years thereafter, and also whenever the boundaries of such districts are changed, reapportion the representation in the governing body among the districts in a manner provided by law; that whenever the governing body of any such unit shall fail to perform the duties so prescribed in the manner herein directed, a suit shall lie on behalf of any citizen thereof to compel performance by the governing body. The 2020 Census population is 34,013, and the average Ward population for each of the seven (7) wards is 4,859, with a 10% range being 5% above (5,034) - 5% below (4,905). Wards 1 and 2 are above the range, and Wards 6 and 7 are below the range. To establish Wards that are within the range, all Ward boundaries and populations will need to be adjusted. The Wards must be contiguous and compact. Additionally, observable boundaries should be used (roadways, waterways, greenways, etc.), and a goal of maintaining intact neighborhoods has been identified. The most recent decennial population figures for each locality, as adjusted by the Division of Legislative Services, are to be used. Beginning with the 2021 redistricting, any person incarcerated in a federal, state, or local correctional facility within the Commonwealth is to be counted as a resident of the locality where his address at the time of incarceration is located. A new requirement for the 2021 redistricting is that a Geographic Information System (GIS) map that shows the district boundaries must be sent to the local elected board, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the Department of Elections, and the Division of Legislative Services. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council holds a public hearing and approves an amendment to the City’s Ward Map. Reginald Tabor and Alec Brebner gave a briefing on the amendment to the City’s Ward Map. There was discussion among City Council Members and staff. Mayor Parham opened the floor for public comments. Larry Hall, Grove Avenue, stated, “I am supporting map 10 that Grove Avenue stay in Ward 4. I strongly support it and that is all that I want to say.” Greg Hospodor, 530 Grove Avenue, stated, “Thank you all for taking our public comments tonight. I *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 - 11 – ______________________________________________________________________________ want to say good evening to all and thank you giving me the opportunity to speak. I am the president of the Grove Avenue, Cross and Low Street Neighborhood Association. And I speak to you tonight on behalf of the association members. It is the unanimous opinion of all of the association members that I have heard from that we support Map 10. We are not requesting a change and we are not requesting any special consideration. Only to remain in Ward 4 where we have been for a very long time. All of which is to say that we hope tonight that you will vote to keep us in Ward 4 by adopting Map 10. Just a couple things about why. First, we think that our neighborhood’s interest aligns with Old Town. What happens in Old Towne effects our neighborhood and vice versa. We thrive or decline together. We believe that it is in the best interests of all residents and businesses of Old Towne Historic District that political representation within the city aligns with the boundaries of the historic district to the maximum extent possible. For example, historic preservation, which is part of the city’s future as well as it’s past might best be coherently advanced by having our oldest areas nested together political. Therefore, speaking with one voice. In our neighborhood, which contains Petersburg’s oldest street, remains committed to advancing historic preservation. We are dedicated to the development of our city and saving its architectural past. I believe that we can best contribute to this by remaining in Ward 4. Second, history and precedence support our request. Our neighborhood has been a part of Ward 4 since at least 1877. That is 144 years. Again, we do not want no special consideration or no changes on our behalf only to remain where we been for well over a century. We believe that the adoption of Map 10 is in the best interest of our neighborhood. It is in the best interest of Ward 4 and of the Old Towne Historic District and of the City of Petersburg as a whole. Thank you for your time and consideration.” Dr. Henri Thompson, business owner in Petersburg, stated, “It is my understanding that map option 10 may have come about through a conversation that may or may not have been appropriate. And I say that from some comments in the newspaper. I say that from having conversations with other residents in the City of Petersburg. And what I would like to offer up here this evening is comment related to perhaps this process and decision needs to be made by another party. And we are all aware of the influence of individuals and corporations in the process. But I think that we should make decisions that are in the best interest of citizens and not any particular elected officials. So, I do not know what that looks like. Again, I am speaking here this evening for myself and not for any organizations. But I think that in order to have a fair process regarding this process that we should be careful and thoughtful. We all saw what happened with the Commonwealth of Virginia, House Maps, and the Congressional Maps and the Senate Maps. And I do not think we should do anything different per say in terms of making a decision regarding our city maps. I do not know what that looks like. May be that can be another conversation offline with the elected officials here. But I would kindly suggest that we be careful about making decisions that may seek to influence or impact elected officials than the public at-large. And I thank you all for the opportunity to offer some comments.” Kristen Katzenbach, 301 S. Jefferson Street, stated, “I am a proponent of Map 10 for many of the reasons mentioned this evening. I think that consistency and the historic preservation needs to have consistent leadership. Whoever is in charge of Ward 4 can have that whole holistic approach to the historic district and the surrounding historic areas. That is all. Thank you.” Barbara Rudolph, 1675 Mt. Vernon St., stated, “Thank you for having the hearing. I like what Mr. Thompson had to say. Because some of this discussion does have a stench of a lot of lobbying and arm twisting going on. I hope you all will look at the needs of the whole city. I heard the gentleman from the Planning Commission say something. I may have misheard him when he mentioned Walnut Hill and talking about a plan that would have divided Walnut Hill. Walnut hill has been divided among different wards for a very long time. And somehow all of us in Walnut Hill are managing to work out okay. It is not that big of a deal whether I am in Ward 3 or Ward 4 or even if I get put somewhere else. I hope that others around the city will feel the same way. My preference, as I mentioned the last time you had a public hearing is Map 6. Thank you.” Hadley Katzenbach, 301 S. Jefferson Street, stated, “I am in support of Map 10 just as the gentleman in Grove Avenue Association had mentioned. I believe that Grove and Old Towne share a common vision. And it *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 - 12 – ______________________________________________________________________________ would be for the best interest of that ward to stay together as they have been for the last 144 years. Thank you very much.” Seeing no further hands, Mayor Parham closed the public comments. There was discussion among City Council, staff, and Mr. Brebner. Mayor Parham made a motion that city council adopt the ordinance proposing and correcting item 13b with the provision that Exhibit A to the ordinance incorporates the boundaries delegated in Map 10. The motion was seconded by Council Member Westbrook. The motion was not approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Westbrook, and Parham; Voting No: Wilson-Smith, Myers, and Smith-Lee; Absent: Hill Vice Mayor Smith-Lee made a motion to approve Map 6. The motion was seconded by Council Member Myers. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Wilson-Smith, Myers, Smith-Lee, and Parham; Voting No: Cuthbert and Westbrook; Absent: Hill **Motion was reconsidered at the end of the meeting, which changed the motion from being approved. Ms. Jackson stated, “Mayor Parham before you move onto the next item, Ms. Joanne Williams had one item in which we had missed during the consent agenda. She wanted an ordinance added to the consent agenda to schedule for a public hearing. You may have to call on her to get more information on it.” Ms. Williams stated, “Good evening. This is an ordinance that pertains to pharmaceutical complex and the EDA group that we will discuss in a few minutes. I would like to put it on the consent agenda. It is a small item where there will need to be land conveyed to the city of about two acres to place the water tower. I think that it will be a very smooth process and will not be a burden on the city at all. I ask that it be put on the consent agenda and then to be heard March 1.” Council Member Myers made a motion to add the item as discussed by Ms. Williams to the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Smith-Lee. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Westbrook, Smith-Lee and Parham; Absent: Hill 14. NEW BUSINESS: a. Consideration of appropriation of the FY22 Circuit Court Preservation Grant in the amount of $44,058.75– 2nd Reading. BACKGROUND: The City of Petersburg Circuit Court Clerk has been awarded a grant from the Library of Virginia for FY22 Circuit Court Records Preservation Grant in the amount of $44,058.75. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that City Council approve the appropriation ordinance of the FY22 Circuit Court Records Preservation Grant in the amount of $44,058.75. Council Member Myers made a motion to approve the attached appropriation for $44,058.75. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilson-Smith. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Westbrook and Smith-Lee; Abstain: Parham; Absent: Hill 22-ORD-9 AN ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, SAID ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2021, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2022, FOR THE GRANTS FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $44,058.75. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 - 13 – ______________________________________________________________________________ b. Consideration of a Department of Criminal Justice Services Grant in the amount of $15,972 – 2nd Reading BACKGROUND: The City of Petersburg Police Department has been awarded a grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for FY22 Youth and Family Master Plan Grant in the amount of $15,972. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that Council approve the appropriation ordinance of the FY22 Youth and Family Master Plan Grant for $15,972. Council Member Myers made a motion to approve the attached appropriation for $15,972. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilson-Smith. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Westbrook, Smith-Lee, and Parham; Absent: Hill 22-ORD-10 AN ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, SAID ORDINANCE MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2021, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2022, FOR THE GRANTS FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,972. c. Consideration of a motion regarding stop signs. BACKGROUND: See below: Motion: Council directs the City Manager to direct staff to erect stop signs at the following locations: 1. Intersection of South Sycamore Street and Marshall Street. 2. Intersection of South Jefferson Street and East Fillmore Street (making this a four-way stop). 3. Intersection of St. Andrews’ Street and Webster Street 4. Intersection of Claremont Street and Blair Road 5. Intersection of Graham Road and W. Roy Smith Drive (entrance road to the SVEC building). 6. Intersection of Liberty Street and Harrison Street (making this a four-way stop) The City Attorney has advised that VDOT requires a speed study before the city erects a stop sign on state-designated roads. The City Attorney has further advised that there are no legal requirements for a speed study before the city erects a stop sign on roads that are not state designated that the liability risk resulting from the erection of such a stop sign without first obtaining a speed study is not significant absent unique circumstances. Accordingly, Council directs the city manager to direct staff to erect stop signs at the foregoing intersections by the following deadlines: 1. As to the stop signs on state designated roads before August 1, 2022. 2. As to the other intersections specified above which are not state designated roads before May 1, 2022. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend that Council approve the motion requested by Council Member Charles Cuthbert, Jr. There was discussion among City Council and staff. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 - 14 – ______________________________________________________________________________ Council Member Cuthbert made a motion to approve the updated motion of February 20, 2022, revision. Vice Mayor Smith-Lee stated, “I would like to add West Clara Drive and Talley Avenue; Custer and Hawk Street; Custer Street and Hamilton Street; and Patterson Street and Augusta Avenue. Thank you.” Council Member Cuthbert stated, “Annette that is all fine with me and I appreciate your input.” Vice Mayor Smith-Lee stated, “Okay and thank you.” There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Wilson-Smith made a motion to table until a study is done. The motion was seconded by Council Member Westbrook. There was discussion on the motion. Council Member Cuthbert made a substitute motion to adopt the February 20, 2022, revision of the motion with the exception of the intersection of South Sycamore Street and Mars and the intersection of Graham Road and W. Roy Smith Drive. As with the two exceptions, ask staff to conduct a study that staff thinks will yield useful information to city council and go forward with the proposal including the four- intersections identified by Vice Mayor Smith-Lee. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Smith-Lee. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Myers stated, “Mr. Mayor, I am going to ask Charlie if he will rescind his motion until the next meeting. They are on here arguing about how much the cost is going to be. So, how much is the cost going to be for a study or a fatality. I have where my constituents are asking me about stop signs and not being able to cross the street and all those kinds of things. You may ride down the street one or two times, but these folks live on the street. And they are out there all day long. If I could put a stop sign on every block on Washington Street, I would demand it instantly. Most of my neighbors’ cars have been hit five times. In front of their houses people are flying down the street. And even though there is a stop sign at the corner it is a deterrent. It doesn’t mean that they are going to stop. So, until we reinforce out law enforcement to provide the services that we need. What is the cost Mrs. Innis with respect to a study?” Mrs. Innis stated, “$7,000 sir.” Council Member Myers stated, “For the study of every street?” Mrs. Innis stated, “No. Not for every street but for the streets on this report.” Council Member Myers stated, “I would like for each council member to tell me why do you oppose having stop signs at these particular corners. And Charlie, the only thing I ask is that we wait until the next meeting to give your council members a chance to digest what we are asking for. I am going to be supportive of these stop signs. Because the public safety means a lot. And I think that you are riding around there for one time or another, but there are more cars on the road than there were five years ago. And so, I see it all day every day. They are flying down the street. Charlie, what do you think?” Council Member Cuthbert stated, “You make a good point Howard. What if we do this. What if we table the matter until we get together again? We have a special meeting and a work session on March 1st. We cannot vote at our work session.” Council Member Myers stated, “You can set aside the Rules of Council and vote if you want to Charlie that is not a problem. But the fact of the matter is that you would want to have your police chief there to *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 - 15 – ______________________________________________________________________________ corroborate some of the instances there rather than hearing what someone else said. I would like to have law enforcement there to corroborate what it is that you are trying to do and if it is a helpful opportunity for the City of Petersburg and the citizens. I have seen people trying to cross the street and people are flying like crazy and throwing trash out the window. Stuff that we see every day.” Council Members Cuthbert stated, “Well Howard what are you suggestion? That we continue this until our business meeting on March 15th. And at that time have the police chief. Can we have a public hearing at that same time?” Council Member Myers stated, “Yes, sir. I believe that would be advisable. That way you will have some substantial evidence provided to the other members of council that you are not grasping at straws when you are doing this.” Council Member Cuthbert stated, “I think that makes a lot of sense. I would like to retract the pending motion that I have made and offer another substitute motion in line with what Council Member Myers just suggested.” Council Member Cuthbert made a substitute motion to table until a public hearing is held at our business meeting on March 15, 2022. The motion is seconded by Council Member Myers. There was discussion among City Council Members. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Myers, Westbrook, Smith-Lee, and Parham; Absent: Hill d. A resolution of the City Council of the City of Petersburg, Virginia committing funds for Water and Wastewater Improvements necessary to support an advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D Cluster Project. BACKGROUND: See attached. RECOMMENDATION: Recommend City Council Members approve the resolution. Joanne Williams, Director of Communications, Marketing and Government Relations, gave a briefing of the resolution. Council Member Myers made a motion to approve the resolution. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Smith-Lee. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson- Smith, Myers, Westbrook, Smith-Lee, and Parham; Absent: Hill 22-R-10 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA COMMITTING FUNDS FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENTS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT AN ADVANCED PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING AND R&D CLUSTER PROJECT. 15. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA: a. City Manager’s Report Mr. Turille gave a briefing of his report. Key points:  The FY20-21 audit indicates that the Personal and Real Property tax collections are unacceptably low, about a 70% collection rate. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 - 16 – ______________________________________________________________________________  The Finance Officer and City Manager discussed this during his first week with City of Petersburg. Ms. Jordan has increased the current year rate of collections to 81% (Personal Property) and 94% (Real Property) by following the VA statutory code to move cases from delinquency to notice, penalties and ultimately to tax sale if delinquency continued.  Finance Director created a separate collections department to focus solely on the current and delinquent collections efforts for the city.  Deputy City Manager worked with the utilities billing to improve collections. The city received $3.67 million to reimburse the city for eligible accounts over 60 days, which will drive up the utility collection rate.  With transit, South Park Mall is 10% of total trips monthly, 7th out of 9 major routes.  Monthly operating cost to city is $51,927 for the mall route.  Staff estimates at least 25% of riders are for Petersburg residents to work in the mall and return home.  Community Concerns report: Neighborhood Services Director will demonstrate the new iWork’s software to track code and building cases.  Economic Development department working on a GOVA grant to bring 69 miles broadband access to nine locations in Petersburg.  Dogwood Trace received a grant to provide golf clubs to Petersburg Children; coordinated with Parks & Recreation. Mr. Fagan’s staff also worked with Parks & Recreation to improve the Sports Complex fields. There was discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Cuthbert asked Ms. Jordan to give city council an estimate as to how many properties were taken to tax sale in 2021. Ms. Jordan stated that she will get that information to city council at the next city council meeting. Council Member Wilson-Smith asked if they could also calculate how much it would cost the city if the people did not have a job and were on social services and food stamps because they cannot get to work and have to be dependent on others. She also asked can they calculate with the money that they lose as a cost to the city of the evictions that will take place if the city has to clean it up and the mental health. She stated that she would like that information when they come back with the information for Council Member Cuthbert. There was continued discussion among City Council and staff. Council Member Wilson-Smith asked when will the city reopen back up to the public. Mr. Turille stated that he is keeping a look on the numbers with regards to the cases. He stated that once he receives the new numbers that it will determine when he reopens the city back up. He stated that he is keeping a close look on the numbers and cases in the city and surrounding areas. Council Member Westbrook asked about the drainage near Ramblewood Road. He stated that it floods when it rains and that they have to shut down the road when this happens. Mrs. Innis stated that she will have staff to look into this and bring information back at the March 1st meeting. 16. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE CLERK: *No items for this portion of the agenda. *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 - 17 – ______________________________________________________________________________ 17. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM CITY ATTORNEY: *No items for this portion of the agenda. Mayor Parham stated, “Mr. Williams under this section I want to state for the record my vote to reconsider my vote on Map 6 tonight.” Mr. Williams stated, “Are you making the motion to reconsider?” Mayor Parham stated, “Yes. I am making the motion to reconsider.” Mayor Parham made a motion to reconsider his vote on Map 6. The motion was seconded by Council Member Cuthbert. Council Member Cuthbert stated, “I will second the motion and would add to it that we bring this back at a special meeting on March 1st.” Mr. Williams stated, “Vice Mayor Smith-Lee call for the vote.” Vice Mayor Smith-Lee stated, “Madam Clerk can you call for the vote.” Council Member Wilson-Smith stated, “I need to understand what we are doing first. Can we have discussion? So, Mr. Parham is taking his vote back for Map 6, right?” Mayor Parham stated, “Yes, I am taking my vote back to reconsider on March 1st.” Council Member Wilson-Smith stated, “So, okay, if your vote goes back that means that it was a tie. Is that right?” Mayor Parham stated, “Yes.” Council Member Wilson-Smith stated, “So, if it is a tie then it did not pass and so we are going to revisit all of this on March 1st. That is what we are saying?” Mayor Parham stated, “Yes.” Council Member Wilson-Smith stated, “So, what is going to be the difference between now and March 1st? Are we looking for something? Never mind.” The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Wilson-Smith, Westbrook, Smith-Lee, and Parham; Absent: Myers and Hill ***This motion changed the approval to item 14b. With this motion approval, item 13b did not pass. 18. ADJOURNMENT: City Council adjourned at 9:26 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council meeting held on February 22, 2022 - 18 – ______________________________________________________________________________ APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor *Audio available upon request.