City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on March 7, 2023 -1– The Closed Session Meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the Petersburg Public Library. Mayor Parham called the Closed Session Meeting to order at 3:04p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member Charles H. Cuthbert, Jr. 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 Marlow Jones (absent during roll call) Present from City Administration: Clerk of Council Nykesha D. Lucas City Manager John March Altman, Jr. City Attorney Anthony Williams 2. CLOSED SESSION: a. The purpose of this meeting is to convene in the closed session pursuant to §2.2-3711(A)(1) for the purpose of discussion pertaining to performance, assignment, and appointment of 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 locating or expanding its facilities in the community; and under §2.2-3711(A)(29) of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of discussion regarding the subject matter of a public contract involving the expenditure of funds and terms or scope of such contract where 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 contract; and under §2.2-3711(A)(7) and (8) of the Code of Virginia for the purpose of receiving legal advice an 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 discussion regarding Code of Virginia §§ 2.2- 3100 et. seq.; 15.2.2204; and other matters requiring the legal advice of the City Attorney 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: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham City Council entered closed session at 3:06 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 that to the best of each members knowledge *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on March 7, 2023 -2– 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 City Council into open session and certify the purposes of the closed session. 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 23-R-21 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 open session at 5:49 p.m. Mayor Parham stated, “Next, I would like to add a resolution recommending approval of Virginia Development Consortium, LLC to deliver Development Plan as part of the Partnership for Petersburg Initiative.” Mayor Parham read the resolution aloud. Council Member Myers made a motion to add and approve the resolution recommending approval of Virginia Development Consortium, LLC to deliver Development Plan as part of the Partnership for Petersburg Initiative. 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 23-R-22 A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF VIRGINIA DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM, LLC TO DELIVER DEVELOPMENT PLAN AS PART OF THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PETERSBURG INITIATIVE. Council Member Myers stated, “I would like to add something to the consent agenda for March 21st. And that is that I move that we add an ordinance to amend and readopt the Petersburg City Code to add Chapter 21 to create an “Arts Council.” Mr. Williams stated, “Mr. Mayor that was to schedule for a public hearing for consideration for adoption on that day I believe.” Mayor Parham stated, “This is for today’s consent agenda for the next meeting.” Council Member stated, “Yes.” Council Member Myers made a motion to add to the consent agenda to hold a public hearing on March 21st the consideration of an ordinance to amend and readopt the Petersburg City Code to add Chapter 21 to *Audio available upon request. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting held on March 7, 2023 -3– create an Arts Council. 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 3. ADJOURNMENT: City Council adjourned at 5:54 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor *Audio available upon request.