City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on April 4, 2023 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The work session meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Petersburg Public Library. Mayor Parham called the meeting to order at 5:51 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: Present: Council Member Charles H. Cuthbert, Jr. 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: None Present from City Council Administration: Clerk of City Council Nykesha D. Lucas City Manager John March Altman, Jr. City Attorney Anthony C. Williams 2. PRAYER: Mayor Parham stated, “Vice Mayor Hill will lead us in our opening prayer.” Vice Mayor Hill led the council meeting in prayer. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Parham led the council and the citizens in the pledge of allegiance. 4. DETERMINATION OF THE PRESENCE OF A QUORUM: A quorum is present. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Richard Stewart, 129 Rolfe Street, stated, “I am here complaining as always on speeding on Martin Luther King Bridge. It is still fast, and I thank the Chief and the Fire Department for coming over to Pocahontas to look over us. And I really appreciate that. But today is a special day when I come to think about the library. Today is the day that Martin Luther King was assassinated. And he was very instrumental in coming to this city and getting them to integrate with the library. What is going on with Donald Trump right now? Alvin Bragg, his father, went to Peabody High School with me. When I look at the roots from Petersburg, and a man like Alvin Bragg got ties to Petersburg. It is something special. Thank you.” Paula Chester, 1013 Oakmont Drive, stated, “My main concern is that now that it is spring, will there be more street pavements upcoming. That is my concern. Thank you.” 6. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA (TO INCLUDE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING/S): a. Minutes: -March 7, 2023 – Work Session Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on April 4, 2023 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ -March 8, 2023 – Special City Council Meeting -March 21, 2023 – Closed Session -March 21, 2023 – Regular City Council Meeting b. A request to schedule a public hearing and consideration of an ordinance approving a petition to rezone the property located at 113 W. Bank Street from M-1 to PUD for April 18, 2023. c. A request to schedule a public hearing and consideration of an ordinance approving the petition to rezone the property located at 221 Bollingbrook Street from M-1, Light Manufacturing District to PUD, Planned Unit Development for April 18, 2023. d. Consideration of an appropriation ordinance for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Fire Programs Fund – Aid to Localities, Funding Carryover – 1st Reading Council Member Myers made a motion to approve the consent agenda with respect to any amendments that may be further needed thereafter. Council Member Westbrook seconded the motion. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Westbrook, Hill, and Parham; Absent: Cuthbert 7. SPECIAL REPORTS: Mayor Parham stated, “Under special reports, the schools, we are moving you all up so that you can make your presentation.” Jeff Ryder, Director of Finance for Petersburg City Public Schools, gave a brief PowerPoint presentation. Key notes:  The figure that was given earlier of $12,361,477 is now $12,502,531. It is not the final number because the state still has to wait for their final ADM number. Mayor Parham stated, “I will circle back around to special reports. I know Mr. Ken Pritchett is here. We talked about some issues on blight. Correct?” Kenneth Pritchett, 1113 Overbrook Road, stated, “I am not up on your latest motive, but I would have signed up if this was a regular council meeting. It is nice to see all of you up there. I noticed that Mr. Jones and Mr. Cuthbert had a meeting on derelict properties and things like that in their ward last week. And I wanted to comment briefly, to find out if any of the blight ordinances that we have in the books would be applicable to some of the things that I have been observing over the last few years. We have a great opportunity in the city right now too, real estate wise, to take care of some issues with a lot of the derelict properties. Especially in the West High Street area. The house that I pictured there for you all and I started emailing and asking that almost two years ago. And this is today’s condition of the house, and nothing has been done. Chief Reid stated that it was in the attorney’s office about six to eight months ago. I would just like to know if there is anything going on. I realize that they are out-of-state people who own this house and they started to do it as a flip home about two years ago. So, this is a small example of a lot of things that are around the city. I go back to West High Street. And my question is, are there ordinances that can make the tenant, landlord, or owner move their warehouses from the front porches to the back yard. So, that you do not see all of this junk in the yards. They have to have a permit to have a junkyard in a residential district. Maybe you all can look into that and let me know what we can do because we have a great opportunity right now to make that street look great. Because about half of the houses have been remodeled and there are about six or eight more under construction right now. That would really help the neighborhood and help the real estate and help people find homes in Petersburg. Because right now, it is the lowest number of houses on the market in Petersburg that I have seen in the 12 Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on April 4, 2023 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ years that I have been in the real estate business. So, thank you very much and hope to hear from you soon.” Council Member Cuthbert asked the City Manager to add 1917 Powhatan Avenue to the Neighborhood Services list so something can be done with the property. He stated that blight is a city-wide problem with the City of Petersburg. He stated that he would like this to be on their agenda for their second meeting of the month on April 10th with neighborhood services. Council Member Jones asked Mr. Pritchett about his reference of the warehouses on properties. Mr. Pritchett stated that it was regarding packages and items on the porch. Council Member Jones stated that there is an ordinance on that and that he would like to ask the City Manager to look into that as well. a. Presentation on the recommendations on vacant City Buildings with respect to which buildings are viable, cost, timeline, & staff. Randall Williams, Department of Utilities and Public Works, gave a PowerPoint presentation on vacant city buildings. Key notes:  142 North Union Street – Assessed Value - $54,000; Budget - $64,000; Timeline – May 30, 2023  400 East Washington Street – Assessed Value - $322,000; Budget - $51,000; Timeline – June15, 2023  1898 Midway Avenue – Assessed Value - $236,000 (Building $86,000); Budget – N/A; Timeline – within a month of beginning.  106 West Tabb Street – Assessed Value - $171,000; Budget - $110,000-$135,000 (demolition); Timeline – TBD  400 Farmer Street – Assessed Value - $2,500,000 (Future home of police headquarters)  135 North Union Street – Assessed Value - $438,000: Rood Replacement $65,000  103 West Tabb Street – Assessed Value - $445,000 There was discussion among the City Council and staff. Council Member Cuthbert requested an update on 1898 Midway at the May Work Session. Mr. Altman stated that he will provide any information he may have during that time on that property as an update if available. There was continued discussion on blighted and vacant properties with council and staff. Council Member Cuthbert made a motion to go into closed session for conflicts of interest with city council members. Motion dies due to lack of second. Council Member Cuthbert asked whether any member of council is receiving a commission for rental at 30 Franklin Street. Some of the City Council Members responded no. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on April 4, 2023 -4– ______________________________________________________________________________ There was continued discussion among the city council and staff on getting rid of buildings and blighted property. Vice Mayor Hill asked if the city manager can bring back options on 142 North Union Street and 108 West Tabb on whether it needs to be sold or if it can be used for something else in the city. Mr. Altman stated that staff will bring back a comprehensive plan on whether the property can be sold, reused or demolition of the property by the May work session. Council Member Cuthbert asked about the empty building right across from the Sheriff’s Office and any thoughts of what the building could be used for. He also asked about the cost of renovations to bring the building up to standard for future occupancy of a city office. Mr. Williams stated that he did not include it in his presentation, but he can add it and bring it back. Council Member Cuthbert asked if this property can be added to the list that will come before council at the May work session. 8. MONTHLY REPORTS: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 9. FINANCE AND BUDGET REPORT: a. Update of FY24 Budget Development Process and calendar. Stacey Jordan, Chief Financial Officer, gave a briefing of the process and budget calendar. Key Notes:  Revenues as of March 29, 2023, are $76,976,766.  The expenditure is $95,078,103.  The management approach is building up departments to meet current and future needs, with goals of improving public safety, creating jobs, and developing business wealth in the community; enhancing tourism, improved code and building inspections, permitting; street cleaning and maintenance and engineering expertise to manage significant infrastructure projects; more grounds facilities maintenance; parks and recreation program and field upgrades.  These are the areas that will produce the most immediate and long-term improvements to the quality of life of the community.  Funding local match increases to the schools of $2.3 million.  Increased funding to public safety, parks & recs and marketing and tourism, code compliance.  Five percent increase for constitutional officers and social services.  Increase of 8.8% in healthcare cost that will be absorbed by the city.  Promote economic development to attract new businesses and strengthen the city’s tax base.  Support community development activities to enhance neighborhoods and improve housing.  Provide good governance for efficient, effective, and equitable service delivery, productive citizen engagement, and community improvement.  Celebrate Petersburg’s history and culture.  Currently, there are 544 employees in the City of Petersburg. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on April 4, 2023 -5– ______________________________________________________________________________ Calendar: - April 14th – Finalize Budget - April 18th – Notice to newspaper for budget community meetings - April 26th-April 27th – Community Meetings - May 2nd – Notice to newspaper for budget public hearing - May 16th – Budget public hearing for FY23-24 Budget Resolution; Appropriate FY23-24 Budget - July 1st – Beginning of new fiscal year. Mayor Parham asked that the increase for fire, police and public works be fair across the board. Mrs. Jordan stated yes. There was discussion among the city council and staff. Council Member Jones stated that staff and the city have to start getting information out and on time to the public and council. Council Member Cuthbert asked Mr. Altman if a wage survey had been done for the city and is it important. Mr. Altman stated that it is important to do one with a periodic interval between it to keep up with the market. He stated that there was one discussed for the current fiscal year but that it was taken out during the budget process. He stated that the city is in a position to do one this upcoming fiscal year. He stated that they are moving forward with an RFP to do a class compensation study and bring the results and recommendations back to council. 10. CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 11. UTILITIES: a. Presentation and Update on Poor Creek Michael P. Luning, Vice President of JMT, gave briefing. Key Notes:  Engineering design team selections have been completed and contracts prepared and returned to the city. The design is on the way.  Contract highlights: -Design teams committed to compressed schedule. Out for bid in November 2023. -Prepurchase of material (pipe/tank) with long lead times. -Early water tank bid. -Review progress weekly. Continue to monitor supply chain issues, adjust as needed.  Schedule beats funding agency requirements (EDA. DEQ, VDH)  Schedule accelerated by approximately 5 months.  The goal is to complete construction in 2025.  Project is on schedule and on budget. There was a discussion between the City Council and Mr. Luning. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on April 4, 2023 -6– ______________________________________________________________________________ 12. STREETS: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 13. FACILITIES: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 14. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 15. CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA: Mayor Parham asked Mr. Altman can there be a follow-up on street paving that was questioned by Ms. Chester. Mr. Altman stated that he will have a response at the next meeting. 16. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE CLERK: *No items for this portion of the agenda. 17. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY: *No items for this portion of the agenda. 18. ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned at 7:21 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor