City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on February 21, 2023 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The Closed Session Meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Petersburg Public Library. Mayor Parham called the Closed Session Meeting to order at 3:32 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member Marlow Jones Council Member Annette Smith-Lee Council Member W. Howard Myers Council Member Arnold Westbrook, Jr. Vice Mayor Darrin Hill Mayor Samuel Parham Absent: Council Member Charles H. Cuthbert, Jr. (arrived after entering closed session) Present from City Administration: Clerk of Council Nykesha D. Lucas City Manager John March Altman, Jr. City Attorney Anthony Williams 2. CLOSED SESSION: Mayor Parham stated, “I would enter a motion to add three contract items to today’s closed session with the possible acquisition of real property, and consultation with legal counsel regarding the possible location of a new business in the city to the agenda for closed session.” Vice Mayor Hill made a motion to add the discussion to closed session. Council Member Myers seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion, which was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham; Absent: Cuthbert 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 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 discussion regarding Code of Virginia §§2.2-3100 et. seq. and other matters requiring the legal advice of the City Attorney; and under §2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of discussion pertaining to performance, assignment, and appointment of a specific public employees of the City of Petersburg, specifically including but not limited to discussion of the performance, assignment and appointment of a specific public officer of the City of Petersburg; and under §2.2-3711(A)(5) of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of discussion concerning a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business’ or industry’s interest in location or expanding its facilities in the community; and under §2.2-3711(A)(3) of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of the discussion or consideration of the acquisition and disposition of real property for a public purpose or the disposition of publicly held real property where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, specifically including but not limited to the acquisition of real property; and under §2.2- 3711(A)(1) of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of discussion regarding the subject matter of public contracts involving the expenditure of funds and terms or scope of such contracts where *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on February 21, 2023 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining or negotiating strategy of the public body, specifically including but not limited to the discussion of the award and terms of public contracts. Vice Mayor Hill made a motion that the City Council go into closed session for the purposes noted. Council Member Myers seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion, which was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham; Absent: Cuthbert The City Council entered closed session at 3:36 p.m. CERTIFICATION: Mr. Williams stated, “The Mayor would entertain a motion to conclude the closed session called today to certify in accordance with §2.2-3712 that the Code of Virginia, 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 the vote indicating the substance for departure in which he believes has occurred. This requires a roll call vote Mayor.” Vice Mayor Hill made a motion to return the City Council into open session and certify the purposes of the closed session. Council Member Smith-Lee seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham 23-R-13 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. The City Council returned to open session at 6:04 p.m. Vice Mayor Hill made a motion to instruct the City Manager to enter into a lease agreement with Pierce Enforcement Company for the purpose of purchasing a fire apparatus. Council Member Myers seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham Council Member Myers made a motion to add a resolution to the agenda on supporting the governor’s initiative to bring a grocery store to Petersburg. Vice Mayor Hill seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith- Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham Council Member Myers made a motion to approve the resolution supporting the governor’s initiative to bring a grocery store to Petersburg. Vice Mayor Hill seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith-Lee, *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on February 21, 2023 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham 23-R-14 A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR’S INITIATIVE TO BRING A GROCERY STORE TO CITY OF PETERSBURG, VA. Council Member Myers made a motion direct the City Manager and City Attorney to review draft ordinance and come back to the March work session with a presentation on creating an art commission. Council Member Westbrook seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion. The motion was approved on roll call vote. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham 3. ADJOURNMENT: City Council adjourned at 6:09 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor *Audio available upon request.