City Council

Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on October 3, 2023 -1– ______________________________________________________________________________ The work session meeting of the Petersburg City Council was held on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at the Petersburg Public Library. Mayor Parham called the meeting to order at 6:04 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 Vice Mayor Darrin Hill Mayor Samuel Parham Absent: Council Member Arnold Westbrook, Jr. Present from City Council Administration: Clerk of City Council Nykesha D. Lucas City Manager John March Altman, Jr. 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. Council Member Westbrook was absent from the meeting. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS: William Jones, 1504 Duke Drive, stated, “My reason for coming today is that I am trying to find out the reason we cannot build a new school in the City of Petersburg. I have a book here from 1969, Peabody. During that time, it was considered a Black school. They had an aerospace program and a golf team. This is long before Tiger Woods. Every kid in this city that goes to school is going to the same school that either their grandparents or great grandparents attended. There is no excuse. I understand that we were talking about a casino to help fund this, but Prince George, Dinwiddie, and Chesterfield have all found the money to build new schools without a casino. I have been told that we have council members whose children do not attend the public school system. I am not here to question that. But I must believe that the reason there has been no urgency in getting new schools built is because they have no skin in the game. If their children are not attending the school, then it does not affect them. But for the rest of us, there is something that you know since you hired the administration to put these people in place that we need to know. If it is not good enough for your kids, then why is it good enough for our kids? Now, this is something that needs to be addressed and addressed soon. This is inexcusable. We keep getting poor scores. I am a product of the Petersburg school system. I have friends and you can learn but you have to give yourself something to learn from. It is inexcusable at any day and time to sit there and expect our kids to go to schools that do not have proper air conditioning, ventilation, heating, or none of these things. I am 68 years old. These are schools that were old when I went to school there. So, all I am asking of you is this. Get a sense of urgency, please, to find some Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on October 3, 2023 -2– ______________________________________________________________________________ way to find out from the other jurisdictions to find out where they found their funds in order to do it. We have two interstate highways passing through this city and a major military post. There is no excuse for not being able to raise revenue to get these things done. And it is surely not fair to our children. Our kids deserve better, and the parents deserve better. This entire community deserves better. And with that I thank you for your time.” Kelly Parker, 829 Commerce Street (Tri-Cities Habitat), stated “I am here to request a situation that has come about. We are the lender for several properties here in the City of Petersburg. And unfortunately, we do not receive the tax bills from billing and collections. So, what has happened in recent times is that a property that was not being paid for by taxes has gone now to the tax collector. And we are prepared to pay the taxes on it, but I have several emails where we have requested that the city do allow us to have the bills as every lender receives them. Anyone that has an escrow on the property, their taxes are paid by the lender because the bill goes directly to the lender and then the taxes are paid. I have emails dating back to 2020, requesting this action. I spoke with Ms. Gholson in the Commission of Revenue office back in July 2022. And she gave me the name of Mr. Ward. I took a list of properties to Mr. Ward, and I was assured that we would start receiving tax bills. But to date we still have not. And now, one of our properties that is a family partner of ours has gone to tax sale. We are prepared to go ahead and pay them, but we just want the city to start making use of the bill so that we can make sure that the taxes are paid as every other lender in this country receives. I have also requested that because we have been trying to get these bills, the payments go directly to VHDA, so we do not see the bills until there is a problem. So, I have requested that the late fees and penalties be waived, and it gets pulled from Jason Dunn’s Office so that we can go ahead and reinstate the taxes and get them paid and moved forward. So, that is my request. Thank you.” Bobby Beverly, 3412 Watson Street, stated, “There is an ongoing effort by many to destroy African Studies. The Governor of both Florida and Virginia have both displayed a total disguise for the planets first inhabitants. Recently, it was brought to my attention about plans concerning the hallucinations of the history of Petersburg and loosely presented to the audience for their comprehension. Unfortunately, there are only a few locals who can professionally present the narrative of Petersburg to the masses with the exception of Mr. Dabney and Ms. Alexis. Both are from Petersburg National Battlefield. I have been told of another whose name I do not know. This city has a rich history. Dr. Carter G. Woodson so eloquently spoke of this during the 1920s. Petersburg van say that the two oldest churches are located here. The first president of Liberia was from here also. And lastly, the last major campaign of their civil war incurred likewise in the city in slaved African’s built. Until the gatekeeper’s are removed and the history of Petersburg in this nation of African people will continue to be destroyed by city council member’s, HBCU president’s, school boards and their handpicked superintendent’s posing as African people. Thank you very much.” Barbara Rudolph, 1675 Mt. Vernon Street, stated, “I want to revisit the Rules of Council, Rule 3, Ordinances and Amendments, Section 4. Public Hearings. It says, ‘The preceding officer should provide an opportunity for the public to be heard on each ordinance or resolution considered by the council.’ For other than the scheduled public hearings there is another quotation. It says, ‘Public comment will be heard after a motion for adoption of the ordinance or resolution has been accepted by the preceding officer and prior to discussion by council.’ I am mentioning this because it is a long-standing rule of the council. But it is routinely ignored or forgotten. I am not interested in why, but I would like to remind everyone that it is a rule, and it is many times that ordinance and resolutions come up and they are not on the schedule of public hearings, and it just rolls right through. One of you moves to approve it and then there is a second and a roll call vote and there is never a pause to ask if there are any public comments. And according to your rules there is supposed to be. In fact, we just had an example a few minutes ago with the Emergency Operation Plan. It was a resolution, and it was moved and seconded and then voted on. And there was no request to let the public speak. I do not want to break any council rules myself; I mean there are times that this has happened, and I was tempted to say something or get up and speak but I think that might be rude. So, in the spirit of the season, this is what I came up with. You all may not recognize this, but you see it on TV on Sunday. So, I might be bringing this to the meeting and if we gloss over that public comment that is supposed to happen and if one of you sees me through this in the air this is the reason for it. I do not want to yell or make a fuss. But I do think sometimes that Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on October 3, 2023 -3– ______________________________________________________________________________ we have gotten out of the habit of doing that. And I think we can get back to that habit. There are times when I and other citizens would like the opportunity to comment. Thank you.” There was discussion among City Council Members. 6. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA (TO INCLUDE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING/S): a. Minutes: -September 19, 2023 – Closed Session Minutes -September 19, 2023 – Regular City Council Meeting Minutes b. Request to schedule a public hearing for the consideration of an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a Pilot Operating Agreement with Bird Rides, Inc. to establish a Stand-Up Electric Scooter sharing system within the City of Petersburg – 1st Reading. c. A request to schedule a public hearing and consideration of an ordinance recommending approval of a petition for a Special Use Permit at the property located at 2744 South Crater Road for a hand car wash and detailing use in B-2, General Commercial District – 1st Reading. d. A request to schedule a public hearing and consideration of an ordinance to authorize the city manager to execute the master development agreement between the city and Virginia Development Consortium for the conveyance of real property in furtherance of the “Adams North” and “Sycamore Grove” Projects. Vice Mayor Hill made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Council Member Myers seconded the motion. The motion was approved on roll call. On roll call vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Myers, Hill, and Parham; Absent: Smith-Lee and Westbrook 7. SPECIAL REPORTS: a. Presentation for Petersburg Police Chief. Dana Sharad, Executive Director of Virginia Association of Chief of Police, presented Chief Christian with a certificate from the Virginia Association of Chief of Police. Chief Christian stated that he would like to thank council members, the city manager, and the community for their ongoing support. He stated that he would like to mostly think the men and women of the Petersburg Bureau of Police. b. Presentation on Bird Scooters from Jeremy Lynch, Senior Government Partnerships Manager. Jeremy Lynch presented a PowerPoint presentation on Bird Scooters. Key Notes:  Bird is a dockless electric micro-mobility vehicle sharing company that operates in over 350 cities and seventy universities.  The mission is to make cities and campuses more livable and bring communities together by providing affordable, environmentally-friendly transportation.  The policies help regulate the usage and access of our vehicles to ensure both riders and members of the community are able to move throughout the city safely and freely.  Scooters will only be active within the city’s boundary.  Operating zones can be tailored based on city design. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on October 3, 2023 -4– ______________________________________________________________________________  Vehicles will become inoperable should they leave the zone.  All vehicles are tracked with GPS.  When riders enter a designated geo-zone, vehicles follow set rules.  Vehicles will slow down or stop, and riders are notified of a vehicle sound and an in-app notification. There were comments and discussion from the city council members and Mr. Lynch. c. Presentation from Crater Planning District Commission. Jay Ellington, Executive Director of Crater Planning District Commission, gave a PowerPoint presentation. Key Notes:  Planning District Commissions (PDCs) are associations of local governments, enable by Chapter 42 of the Code of Virginia – The Regional Cooperation Act (1968).  The PDC are intended to foster intergovernmental cooperation to address regional issues, coordinate regional responses to issues at a greater scale, and develop a regional strategic plan.  They are funded by state and federal funding as determined by appropriations committee, dues from member localities, and grants.  Some services provided by PDC are grant management & administration, feasibility & location studies, emergency preparedness planning, mapping & information services for localities with limited resources, MPO staffing and regional coordination & convening.  The Crater region covers 2500sq mi in South-Central Virginia, encompassing the Tri-Cities area and straddling I-95 to the North Carolina border.  The Fort serves primarily as a training center for Army troops in its capacity as headquarters of the United States Army Combined Army Support Command and Sustainment Center of Excellence.  The Crater Region has also been designated as an Economic Development District by the U.S. Economic Development Agency.  EDDs are responsible for the regional economic development planning process. Mayor Parham and Council Member Myers thanked Mr. Ellington for the presentation. 8. MONTHLY REPORTS: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 9. FINANCE AND BUDGET REPORT: a. Presentation and update from Davenport on Bond Rating Roland Kooch, Davenport, gave an update of the bond rates. Key notes:  As a part of the General Fund Financial Review, Davenport analyzed the effect of the city’s upcoming major capital projects on the General Fund. These projects included a mandated Courthouse Project and a school project.  The school Project is still early in development, the Courthouse Project is expected to begin the design process in 2023, with construction beginning in the second half of CY 2024. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on October 3, 2023 -5– ______________________________________________________________________________  As a part of the process of issuing the 2023 Bonds, the city met with Moody’s Investors Services, S & P Global Ratings, and Fitch Ratings to provide an update on the city’s economic and financial position.  Prior to the 2023 Bonds, Moody’s last updated its assessment of the City in April 2023, upgrading the City’s rating from A2 to A1.  In August 2023, S&P affirmed the City’s A+ rating and revised the city’s outlook to positive, noting the following factors in their decision of improving taxable and assessed values, solid record of adopting and adhering to policies and practices.  The 2023 Bonds successfully priced on September 12th and closed on September 26th.  Additionally, the city was able to take advantage of economies of scale and incorporate financing for a Pumper Truck. The city was able to obtain funding at an interest rate of 3.24%, compared to the 5.34% interest rate offered by the equipment provider.  In addition, Davenport will work with City staff to develop a plan of finance for the previously discussed school project as the cities and schools’ plans progress. There were comments and discussion from the council members, staff, and Mr. Kooch. 10. CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE: *There are no items for this portion of the agenda. 11. UTILITIES: Mr. Altman stated, “I just want to thank our folks in public works for all their work over the weekend. There was a great deal of emphasis placed on Sycamore Street with the water leak. There was also one that occurred on Saturday night that we were able to address. So, thank you to all of our staff in public works and the contractors that helped us to get all that done. We appreciate that very greatly. I just wanted to give them a shoutout and thank them for all the hard work.” 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: a. Presentation and Update from JMT on Poor Creek Project. Michael P. Luning, Vice President of JMT, gave a briefing. Key Notes:  DEQ requested confirmation on existing and proposed force main sizes which was emailed on 8/4/23. JMT submitted a memo describing the size increase needed due to existing capacity issues on 8/24/23. Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on October 3, 2023 -6– ______________________________________________________________________________  Ninety-nine percent complete of the asset management plan to meet with the city to review plan.  Joanne Williams reported just under $1 million awarded if budget approved.  EPA grant application submitted on 8/11/23, submitted revised form on 9/1/23.  Plan is drafted and awaiting final design plans to submit to the Battlefield approval/coordination.  VMRC emailed stating that they do not have jurisdiction. USACE is processing their “No Permit Required” Letter.  Met and briefed EDA on project on 9/28/2023.  Reimbursements from DEQ are being processed. There was discussion and comments from the council members and staff. Mr. Altman stated, “Mr. Mayor, I just have a few quick items. Number one, I want to remind everyone that tomorrow night, here in this room there will be a Downtown Plan Community Input Session at 5pm. We encourage everyone to come out. And then I would like to publicly thank all of those that assisted us with our incident on Halifax Street last Monday. So, thank you Petersburg Fire Department and all the personnel and the police department and all of their assistance and the public schools. We disrupted their day for a little bit and utilized their area for Life-EVAC Helicopter for a landing pad. And I would also like to thank Southside Volunteer Rescue Squad, Colonial Heights, Prince George, Gregg-Adams, Hopewell, Henrico, and Chesterfield and all the fire departments that provided support to help with the tactical rescue. Dominion Power and Colombia, they had to come out and make sure that utilities were cut to the building when it happened. And last and not least I want to thank Support 6 for coming out and providing needed relief and supplies to all that were working on the scene that day. So, I just want to provide a public thank you for their assistance in that situation.” 16. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE CLERK: Mrs. Lucas stated that the November 7th meeting falls on election day and that the city council would need to move the meeting pursuant to the Rules of Council. She stated that the Rules of Council say that the meeting would have to be moved to the following Tuesday. She stated that she would like to suggest that the council suspend the Rules of Council and move the meeting to the next day, which is November 8th. Vice Mayor Hill made a motion to suspend the Rules of Council for the purpose of rescheduling the November 7th meeting. Council Member Smith-Lee seconded the motion. The motion was approved on voice vote. On voice vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Hill, and Parham; Absent: Westbrook Vice Mayor Hill made a motion to move November 7th, 2023, meeting to November 8th, 2023. Council Member Myers seconded the motion. The motion was approved on voice vote. On voice vote, voting yes: Cuthbert, Jones, Smith-Lee, Myers, Hill, and Parham; Absent: Westbrook 17. BUSINESS OR REPORTS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY: *No items for this portion of the agenda. Mayor Parham stated, “We ask everyone to continue to pray for the city attorney. He had a little accident, but he is recuperating at home. So, Tony, we will see you at the next one.” 18. ADJOURNMENT: The City Council adjourned at 7:28 p.m. _________________________ Clerk of City Council Minutes from the Petersburg City Council Work Session meeting held on October 3, 2023 -7– ______________________________________________________________________________ APPROVED: _________________________ Mayor