City Council

1 ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL-REGULAR SESSION March 4, 2019 9:00a.m. The Council of the City of Roanoke met in regular session on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., in the Council Chamber, Room 450, fourth floor, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S. W., City of Roanoke, with Vice-Mayor Joseph L. Cobb presiding, pursuant to Chapter 2, Administration, Article II, City Council, Section 2-15, Rules of Procedure, Rule 1, Regular Meetings, Code of the City of Roanoke (1979), as amended, and pursuant to Resolution No. 41181-070218 adopted by the Council on Monday, July 2, 2018. PRESENT: Council Members Patricia White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch, Joseph L. Cobb, Michelle L. Davis, Djuna L. Osborne, Anita J. Price, and Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. (arrived late)-7. ABSENT: None-0. The Vice-Mayor declared the existence of a quorum. OFFICERS PRESENT: RobertS. Cowell, Jr., City Manager; Daniel J. Callaghan, City Attorney; and Stephanie M. Moon Reynolds, City Clerk. ITEMS FOR ACTION: VACANCIES ON CERTAIN AUTHORITIES, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY COUNCIL: A communication from Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr., requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting to discuss vacancies on certain authorities, boards, commissions and committees appointed by Council, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1 ), Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) 2 Council Member Bestpitch moved that Council concur in the request of the Mayor as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member Osborne and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Davis, Osborne, Price, and Vice-Mayor Cobb-6. NAYS: None-D. (Mayor Lea was not present when the vote was recorded.) 2D19 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD: A communication from Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr., requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting to discuss the process and criteria for the Citizen of the Year Award, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1D), Code of Virginia (195D), as amended. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Davis moved that Council concur in the request of the Mayor as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member White-Boyd and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Davis, Osborne, Price, and Vice-Mayor Cobb-6. NAYS: None-D. (Mayor Lea was not present when the vote was recorded.) CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL PERTAINING TO ACTUAL OR PROBABLE LITIGATION: A communication from the City Attorney requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting to consult with legal counsel pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where such consultation in an open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body, pursuant to Section 2.2- 3711 (A)(7), Code of Virginia (195D), as amended. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.)  3 Council Member Osborne moved that Council concur in the request of the City Attorney as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member White-Boyd and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Davis, Osborne, Price, and Vice-Mayor Cobb-6. NAYS: None-0. (Mayor Lea was not present when the vote was recorded.) SECURITY OF THE NOEL C. TAYLOR MUNICIPAL BUILDING: A communication from the City Manager requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting to discuss reports or plans related to the security of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, situated at 215 Church Avenue, S. W., Roanoke, Virginia, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(19), Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member White-Boyd moved that Council concur in the request of the City Manager as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member Bestpitch and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Davis, Osborne, Price, and Vice-Mayor Cobb-6. NAYS: None-0. (Mayor Lea was not present when the vote was recorded.) ITEMS LISTED ON THE 2:00 P.M. COUNCIL DOCKET REQUIRING DISCUSSION/CLARIFICATION AND ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE 2:00P.M. AGENDA: NONE. TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION BY THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: NONE. At this point, Mayor Lea entered the meeting; and Vice-Mayor Cobb relinquished the Chair to the Mayor (9:06a.m.). 4 BRIEFINGS: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROCESS UPDATE Chris Chittum, Director, and Wayne Leftwich, Senior City Planner, Planning, Building and Development, updated Council on the City Plan 2040 and highlighted the following items: • Public Meetings • Survey • Community Response Report Update o Findings: Vision Board o Results: Vision Board • Documents available on the website o Community Response Report (November 2018) o Peer Cities Assessment o State and National Comparison • Six Themes o Livable Built Environment o Harmony with Nature o Resilient Economy o Interwoven Equity o Healthy Community o Responsible Regionalism • Working Groups • Going Forward • Open House Community Meetings (For full text, see copy of presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Vice-Mayor Cobb noted 70 percent of the population in Roanoke was Caucasian, and projected in 20 to 30 years, 25 percent of Roanoke's population would be Hispanic and African American, which could shift dynamics. He wanted to be certain specific voices were present in the conversations during meetings of working groups. The Vice-Mayor also encouraged changing the Interwoven Equity as a Working Group to a Commission that would truly interweave equity within the entire Plan. He believed the change would be transformative. Following further comments by the Council regarding employment and clean, safe communities throughout the Roanoke Valley, Mayor Lea received and filed the ~~ remarks.  5 E-SCOOTER REGULATION Chris Chittum, Director of Planning, Building and Development, offered a briefing on E-Scooter Regulation/Dockless Mobility, highlighting the following: • Dockless mobility • Context • About the vehicles • How the system works • Operator practices • Recommendations • Permit conditions • Code changes • Considerations • Next steps (For full text, see copy of presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) During his presentation, Mr. Chittum indicated the City would charge a $5,000.00 flat permit fee, capping the number of scooters permitted, along with barring their use on sidewalks, greenways and in parks. He noted the E-Scooter speed was governed to 15 miles per hour, featured front and rear brakes, headlights and taillights, adding that scooters would be monitored and controlled via GPS technology, and boundaries could be set to disable or slow down the scooter to four or five miles per hour. Unlike the popular Zagster Bike Rental Program, Mr. Chittum explained that the Lime Scooters would not be stationed in docks, but rather around the City based on data tracked by the Company where most used. The scooters activated via a smartphone app, with a fee of $1.00 and $.15 per minute until user is done, and available for use. In addition, riders are required to be 18 years of age and older Council Member Davis inquired about insurance and liability, and was concerned about how to disseminate information about the category for scooters. For example, a child riding an electronic scooter on a sidewalk versus an adult riding an electronically powered scooter on a sidewalk. In conclusion, she believed clarification warrants what constitutes an electronic vehicle, which issue leads to a much larger policy conversation about safety, rather than what should or should not be permitted on the Greenways, sidewalks and in parks. 6 Following additional comments by the Council with regard to E-Scooter regulations, Mayor Lea expressed appreciation for the presentation; and received and filed the remarks. Budget/Financial Planning Fiscal Year 2020 Amelia C. Merchant, Director of Finance, briefed the Council on the development of the FY 2019 - 2020 budget process. (See presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Ms. Merchant highlighted the following: • FY 2019 Overview The Director of Finance advised that with regard to the General Fund, local taxes which included real estate, sales, business license, meals tax and charges for services were performing well; through January, FY 2019 revenues have increased approximately $2.6 million or 2.2 percent compared to the same period in FY 2018; and expenditures which included overtime for public safety, snow removal, street maintenance and tipping fees for FY 2019 have also increased approximately $1.86 million or 1.2 percent compared to the same period in FY 2018. • FY 2020 Development In terms of the tax revenue estimates, the City anticipates local revenue growth for the next fiscal year at 1. 77 percent or $3,516,234 and total revenue growth estimated at 2.0 percent or $5.86 million. Ms. Merchant noted that potential fee increases for Parks and Recreation programs (recalibration), Fire-EMS inspection fees and Fire permit fees were not included, but still being considered. • Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Ms. Merchant continued the presentation, reviewing the three debt policies and pointing out the Fiscal 2019 estimation of compliance of each policy and noting that the City was in compliance with each policy in the current 2019 plan. She highlighted the three categories of the FY 2020 - 2024 Capital Improvement Program expenditures, continuation of funding for existing projects, existing projects requiring additional funding, and projects not currently programmed or funded. She mentioned the continuation of the Roanoke City Public Schools $5 million annual allocation to support capital needs and moving forward with looking at the feasibility of an energy efficiency study and implementing some actions to further enhance savings related to energy cost with HVAC items within the school division.  7 Following further dialogue regarding the projects not funded in the Capital Improvement Program, a comment was made that many of the projects were significant and important to move forward. Ms. Merchant reviewed the five-year plan, highlighting the items identified as not funded in the CIP moving many forward in order to stay within the parameters of the debt service, identified and shifting other items around and in some cases outside the five year window. In reference to the expenditure portion of the budget, the City Manager advised that based on the offers and priorities the City was trying to accomplish, everything currently expended would be evaluated and last year a little over a million dollars out of the base budget was applied towards the supplements. Ms. Merchant also mentioned that $8.6 million in expenditures, above the base budget, were also under consideration which included supplemental requests and inflationary and contractual costs; the FY 2020 budget currently had a variance of $2.5 million and the Budget Committee was evaluating which enhancements should be funded within each priority category, such as new 811/911 Center operating expenses and reallocation of CSA funding for children requiring specialized attention and increased placements in residential facilities. Further discussion ensured with regard to expenditures, inflationary and contractual costs. • Next Steps Ms. Merchant concluded the presentation by noting that the next briefing would be on April 1 and the next steps for balancing the FY 2020 budget included review of supplemental requests from departments, revenue growth estimate review, and expenditure growth revisions. Mayor Lea thanked the City Manager and Director of Finance for the informative presentation; and received and filed the budget briefing. At 12:17 p.m., the Mayor declared the Council Meeting in recess for a Closed Meeting in the Council's Conference Room, Room 451; and thereafter reconvene the Council Meeting at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber. 8 At 2:00 p.m., the Council meeting reconvened in the Council Chamber, with Mayor Lea presiding. PRESENT: Council Members Patricia White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch, Joseph L. Cobb, Michelle L. Davis, Djuna L. Osborne, Anita J. Price and Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr.-7. ABSENT: None-0. The Mayor declared the existence of a quorum. OFFICERS PRESENT: RobertS. Cowell, Jr., City Manager; Daniel J. Callaghan, City Attorney; and Stephanie M. Moon Reynolds, City Clerk. The Invocation was delivered by The Reverend Dave Skole, Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. PRESENTATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: RECOGNITION OF STUDENTS FROM COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS: Mayor Lea recognized students from College of the Holy Cross, hosted by Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church. The Mayor presented each student with a Certificate of Achievement. ACTS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor Lea declared Wednesday, March 13, 2019 as K9 Veterans Day. (See ceremonial copy of proclamation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) The Mayor presented a ceremonial copy of the Proclamation to Steve Roragen and Mark Smoot, Members of the Roanoke Valley Veterans' Council. HEARING OF CITIZENS UPON PUBLIC MATTERS: The Mayor advised that City Council sets this time as a priority for citizens to be heard. All matters will be referred to the City Manager for response, recommendation or report to Council, as he may deem appropriate.  9 COMMUNITY PUBLIC SAFETY: The following persons appeared before Council to express concerns about prior comments by Chief Jones regarding sexual assault/rape on women: Catherine Koebel, 2625 Longview Avenue, S. W. (See written comments on file in the City Clerk's Office.) lvonne Wallace-Fuentes, 2528 Alberta Avenue, S. W. Barbara Andes, 2803 Rosalind Avenue, S. W. Elizabeth JoJack, 4916 Sunnyside Drive, Roanoke County, Virginia Madalyn Sullivan, 1001 Jefferson Street, Lynchburg, Virginia Brienne Nida, 1119 Manassas Circle, Daleville, Virginia COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL PARKING ISSUES: Josh Chapman, 302 Campbell Avenue, S. E., appeared before the Council regarding parking for the community high school and lack of street signs for pedestrians crossing in the right-of- way. CONSENT AGENDA The Mayor advised that all matters listed under the Consent Agenda were considered to be routine by the Members of Council and would be enacted by one motion in the form, or forms, listed on the Consent Agenda, and if discussion were desired, the item would be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL: Minutes of the regular meeting of City Council held on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, was before the body. (See Minutes on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Vice-Mayor Cobb moved that the reading of the minutes be dispensed with and approved as recorded. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. 10 RESIGNATION OF PATICE HOLLAND AS A MEMBER OF THE ROANOKE CULTURAL ENDOWMENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS: A communication from the City Clerk advising of the resignation of Patice Holland as a City representative of the Roanoke Cultural Endowment Board of Directors, effective immediately, was before the Council. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Vice-Mayor Cobb moved that the resignation be accepted and the communication be received and filed. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. LACK OF ATTENDANCE OF KWAN EVANS AS A MEMBER OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD: A communication from the City Clerk advising of the lack of attendance of Kwan Evans as a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, was before the Council. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Vice-Mayor Cobb moved that the communication be received and filed. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. ,..... NAYS: None-0.  11 OATHS OF OFFICE-COURT COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROGRAM REGIONAL COMMUNITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE BOARD-ROANOKE VALLEY GREENWAY COMMISSION: Reports of qualification of the following individuals were before the Council: The Honorable Frank W. Rogers, Ill, as the Juvenile Domestic and Relations Court representative of the Court Community Corrections Program Regional Community Criminal Justice Board for a term of office ending June 30, 2020; and Stephen Ambruzs as a City representative of the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission for a term of office ending June 30, 2019. (See Oaths or Affirmations of Office on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Vice-Mayor Cobb moved that the reports of qualification be received and filed. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. REGULAR AGENDA PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: TOTAL ACTION FOR PROGRESS: Annette Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, h, highlighted the following activities coordinated by Total Action for Progress (TAP) during the past year: Economic and Social Benefits Social Benefits Financial Services Housing Benefits Energy Conservation Benefits Education, Training and Employment Benefits 12 Veterans Service Benefits Benefits to Eradicate Domestic Violence Additional Community Benefits Partnerships (See copy of presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Following an overview activities coordinated by TAP, Mayor Lea received and filed the comments. At 3:30p.m., the Mayor declared the Council Meeting in recess. At 3:40 p.m., the Council Meeting reconvened, with Mayor Lea presiding and all Members of the Council in attendance. Since he and Council Member Price would not be present for the remainder of the meeting due to prior commitments, the Mayor noted that City Council would vote on the Certification of the Closed Session; and thereafter, announce appointments/reappointments on certain authorities, boards, commissions and committees appointed by Council: CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED MEETING: With respect to the Closed Meeting just concluded, Vice-Mayor Cobb moved that each Member of City Council certify to the best of his or her knowledge that: (1) only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and (2) only such public business matters as were identified in any motion by which any Closed Meeting was convened were heard, discussed or considered by City Council. The motion seconded by Council Member Price and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. VACANICES ON CERTAIN AUTHORITIES, BOARD, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTES APPOINTED BY COUNCIL: FAIR HOUSING BOARD: The Mayor called attention to the upcoming expiration of the three-year terms of office of Jessie Coffman, Antwyne Calloway, Stephen Grammer and Peter Volosin as members of the Fair Housing Board ending March 31, 2019; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the names of Jessie Coffman, Antwyne Calloway, Stephen Grammer and Peter Volosin.  13 There being no further nominations, Ms. Coffman, Messrs. Calloway, Grammer and Volosin were reappointed as members of the Fair Housing Board for terms of three years, each, ending March 31, 2022, by the following vote: FOR MS. COFFMAN, MESSRS. CALLOWAY, GRAMMER AND VOLOSIN: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. HOTEL ROANOKE CONFERENCE CENTER COMMISSION: The Mayor called attention to the upcoming expiration of the four-year term of office of Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr., as the City Council representative of the Hotel Roanoke Conference Center Commission ending April 12, 2019; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. There being no further nominations, Mayor Lea was reappointed as the City Council representative of the Hotel Roanoke Conference Center Commission for a four-year term of office ending April 12, 2023, by the following vote: FOR MAYOR LEA: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD: The Mayor called attention to the upcoming expiration of the three-year terms of office of Pete Eshelman, William Modica, Claude J. Page, Ill, and Jared Rigby as members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, ending March 31, 2019; and a vacancy created by the lack of attendance of Kwan Evans for a term ending March 31, 2021; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the names of Pete Eshelman, William Modica, Jared Rigby, and Sue Williams. There being no further nominations, Messrs. Eshelman, Modica and Rigby were reappointed for terms of three years, each, ending March 31, 2022; and Sue Williams was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Kwan Evans ending March 31, 2021, as members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, by the following vote: FOR MESSRS. ESHELMAN, MODICA AND RIGBY, AND MS. WILLIAMS: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. 14 ROANOKE REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION: The Mayor called attention to the upcoming expiration of the four-year term of office of Cynthia Lawrence as a City representative of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission ending March 9, 2019; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of Cynthia Lawrence. There being no further nominations, Ms. Lawrence was reappointed as a City representative of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission for a term of four years ending March 9, 2023, by the following vote: FOR MS. LAWRENCE: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. TOWING ADVISORY BOARD: The Mayor called attention to the expiration of the three-year term of office of Officer Darry Len Miley ended October 31, 2018; and an unexpired term of office of Officer Fatima Foster ending October 31, 2021, as Law Enforcement Officers (members) of the Towing Advisory Board; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the names of Officers Travis Barber and Jada Smith. There being no further nominations, Officer Barber was appointed to replace Darryl Len Miley for a term of office ending October 31, 2021; and Jada Smith was appointed to fill the unexpired term of office of Fatima Foster ending October 31, 2021 as Law Enforcement representatives (members) of the Towing Advisory Board, by the following vote: FOR OFFICERS BARBER AND SMITH: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. YOUTH SERVICES CITIZEN BOARD: The Mayor called attention to the expiration of the three-year term of office of Stephanie Doyle as a (Public/Government) member of the Youth Services Citizen Board ended, June 30, 2018; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of Crystal Hall.  15 There being no further nominations, Ms. Hall was appointed to replace Stephanie Doyle as a (Public/Government) member of the Youth Services Citizen Board for a term of office ending June 30, 2021, by the following vote: FOR MS. HALL: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. ROANOKE VALLEY-ALLEGHANY REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY COMMITIEE: The Mayor called attention to a vacancy on the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee to fill the unexpired term of office of Brandon S. Turner as the Technical Advisor City representative ending March 31, 2020; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of Aisha Johnson. There being no further nominations, Ms. Johnson was appointed as the Technical Advisor City representative of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee to fill the unexpired term of Brandon S. Turner ending March 31, 2020, by the following vote: FOR MS. JOHNSON: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price and Mayor Lea-7. At 3:44 p.m., Mayor Lea relinquished the Chair to the Vice-Mayor; and he and Council Member Price left the meeting. ROANOKE VALLEY REGIONAL CABLE TELEVISION FISCAL YEAR 2019 - 2020 BUDGET: Elaine Bays-Murphy, Cable Access Director, Roanoke Valley Regional Cable Television, transmitted the Roanoke Valley Regional Cable Television Fiscal Year 2019 - 2020 Budget, with the City's share being $463,413.00, plus an additional $2,136.00 for closed captioning for City Council Briefings. (For full text, see communication and supporting documentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) 16 Council Member Bestpitch offered the following resolution: (#41393-030419) A RESOLUTION approving the recommendation of the Roanoke Valley Regional Cable Television Committee to approve the annual operating budget for Fiscal Year 2019 - 2020 for the operation of the regional government and educational access station, Roanoke Valley Television (RVTV, Channel 3), and for the City to provide partial funding. (For full text of resolution, see Resolution Book No. 80, page 256.) Council Member Bestpitch moved the adoption of Resolution No. 41393-030419. The motion seconded by Council Member White-Boyd. Following comments and an overview of yearly activities performed by RVTV, Resolution No. 41393-030419 was adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Davis, Osborne, and Vice-Mayor Cobb-5. NAYS: None-0. (Mayor Lea and Council Member Price were absent.) ROANOKE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL UPDATE: Beth Doughty, Executive Director, Roanoke Regional Partnership, appeared before the Council and provided an overview of activities of the organization for calendar year 2018. (See copy of presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Ms. Doughty summarized the report stating that in 2018 the Partnership continued to evolve into a 21 century program of economic development, experienced a 13 percent increase in requests for information, received $280,000.00 in grant awards equivalent to about 21 percent of the budget, completed nine research studies and won four awards for work accomplished including the Bikes and Brains Campaign resulting in a very active year. In conclusion, Ms. Doughty expressed appreciation to the Council for the opportunity to share information regarding the abovementioned items, and how Roanoke's investment is returning dividend to the City; and the Roanoke Regional Partnership's charge to continue to roll out and invent new ways to connect people.  17 Following the overview of activities of the Partnership and comments by the Council, Mayor Lea received and filed the comments. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS AND COMMENTS OF CITY MANAGER: CITY MANAGER: BRIEFINGS: NONE. ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION: ACCEPTANCE OF THE BUlLT FOR ZERO COMMUNITY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT: The City Manager submitted a written communication recommending acceptance of the Built for Zero Community Technical Assistance Grant from Community Solutions to provide technical assistance to the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member White-Boyd offered the following resolution: (#41394-030419) A RESOLUTION authorizing acceptance of the Built for Zero (BFZ) Community Technical Assistance Grant Award to the City of Roanoke, on behalf of the Department of Social Services' Blue Ridge Continuum of Care, from Community Solutions International, Inc., in the amount of $10,000.00, upon certain terms and conditions; and authorizing execution of any required documentation on behalf of the City. (For full text of resolution, see Resolution Book No. 80, page 257.) Council Member White-Boyd moved the adoption of Resolution No. 41394- 030419. The motion seconded by Council Member Osborne and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Davis, Osborne, and Vice-Mayor Cobb-5. NAYS: None-0. (Mayor Lea and Council Member Price were absent.) 18 Council Member Bestpitch offered the following budget ordinance: (#41395-030419) AN ORDINANCE to appropriate funding from the Community Solutions to provide technical assistance to the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care, amending and reordaining certain sections of the 2018 - 2019 Grant Fund Appropriations, and dispensing with the second reading by title of this ordinance. (For full text of ordinance, see Ordinance Book No. 80, page 258.) Council Member Bestpitch moved the adoption of Budget Ordinance No. 41395- 030419. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Davis, Osborne, and Vice-Mayor Cobb-5. NAYS: None-0. (Mayor Lea and Council Member Price were absent.) TOURISM ZONE IN DOWNTOWN ROANOKE: The City Manager submitted a written communication recommending establishment of a Tourism Zone in Downtown .. Roanoke. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Bestpitch offered the following ordinance: (#41396-030419) AN ORDINANCE amending and reordaining the Code of the City of Roanoke, Virginia (1979), as amended, by adding new Chapter 32.2, Tourism Zones, of the Code of the City of Roanoke, Virginia (1979), as amended; providing for an effective date; and dispensing with the second reading of this ordinance by title. (For full text of ordinance, see Ordinance Book No. 80, page 259.) Council Member Bestpitch moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 41396-030419. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis. ' .  19 Aisha Johnson, Assistant to the City Manager, provided a brief overview of the proposed Downton Tourism District, stating that creating a Downtown Tourism Zone would allow for tourism development projects, defined as hospitality related business that offer lodging or dining in the zone, to apply for state financing to address a gap in financing the business. She further defined the boundaries of the proposed zone and identified the next steps in the process. (See copy of presentation highlights on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Following a response by the Assistant City Manager for Community Development regarding an inquiry from Council Member Davis about tourism funding availability, Ordinance No. 41396-030419 was adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Davis, Osborne, and Vice-Mayor Cobb-5. NAYS: None-0. (Mayor Lea and Council Member Price were absent.) GREENHOUSE GAS MEASUREMENT BASELINE YEAR AND REPORTING PERIOD: The City Manager submitted a written communication recommending adjustment of the Greenhouse Gas measurement baseline year and reporting period. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Bestpitch offered the following resolution: (#41397-030419) A RESOLUTION adopting revised and updated greenhouse gas ("GHG") reduction targets. (For full text of resolution, see Resolution Book No. 80, page 262.) Council Member Bestpitch moved the adoption of Resolution No. 41397-030419. The motion seconded by Council Member White-Boyd and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Davis, Osborne, and Vice-Mayor Cobb-5. NAYS: None-0. (Mayor Lea and Council Member Price were absent.) 20 CLARIFICATION OF LANGUAGE FOR RETIREMENT: The City Manager submitted a written communication recommending clarification of language for retirement. (For full text. see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Bestpitch offered the following ordinance: (#41398-030419) AN ORDINANCE amending and reordaining Chapter 22.3, Pensions and Retirement, to amend Section 22.3-2, Definitions, Article I, General, of Chapter 22.3, Pensions and Retirement, Code of the City of Roanoke (1979), as amended; providing for an effective date; and dispensing with the second reading of this ordinance by title. (For full text of ordinance, see Ordinance Book No. 80, page 263.) Council Member Bestpitch moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 41398-030419. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis and adopted by the following vote: A YES: Council Members White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Davis, Osborne, and Vice-Mayor Cobb-5. NAYS: None-0. (Mayor Lea and Council Member Price were absent.) COMMENTS OF CITY MANAGER. The City Manager offered the following comments: McDonald's St. Patrick's Day Activities Coming Soon • Saturday, March 16- Parade begins at 11 a.m. on Jefferson Street at Elm Avenue • Shamrock Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Freedom First Kids Zone is from 12 to 5 p.m. • The activities and the parade are one of the largest St. Patrick's celebrations in the entire mid-Atlantic region. • More details are available at www.downtownroanoke.org. Participate in Clean Valley Day • Clean Valley Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to noon. • This is a valley-wide clean up event to promote respect and care for the beautiful community we share.  21 • Residents may pick their spot- a park, playground, roadside, stream bank or your very own neighborhood to help get rid of the litter and make it a cleaner, healthier place. Clean Valley Council provides volunteers with trash bags and gloves. • Register on-line at www.cleanvalley.org/events The City Manager called attention to a communication in response to information provided to the City Council at its December 17, 2018 Council Meeting from representatives from Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL) regarding the CCL proposal for enactment of a federal Carbon Fee and Dividend as an initial, substantive step to address the critical issue of climate change and its potential catastrophic impacts on our global community. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Without objection, Vice-Mayor Cobb instructed the City Attorney to prepare the proper measurer for adoption by the Council at its next regular meeting on March 18, 2019, recognizing the actions of the City and its citizens in responding to the challenges of climate change and encouraging national leaders to engage in substantive discussions to develop an appropriate, effective, and sustainable global response to reduce carbon emissions. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: NONE. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OR ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: NONE. 22 MOTION AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: INQUIRIES AND/OR COMMENTS BY THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: VALLEY TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (RVTPO) POLICY BOARD MEETING: Council Member Bestpitch commented that following the January 2019 Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization (RVTPO) Policy Board meeting, a request was made of staff to perform an in-depth analysis of the SMART SCALE program and its impacts on transportation in the region, which was following the January 15th release of the initial FY 2020 SMART SCALE funding scenario; and staff developed this analysis with the intent of: Addressing • The overall performance of RVTPO region; • The reasons for successes and disappointments; Answering • What are the impacts of leveraging funds; • How the Congestion Mitigation factor is calculated; Exploring • Differing processes in project selection; • External forces statewide contributing to success and loss in the region; Reflecting • On the first three rounds of SMART SCALE and developing strategies for continued success. Council Member Bestpitch indicated the General Assembly needed another study that could provide an opportunity for an inter-modal facility in the Elliston, Virginia area; and in closing, mentioned the Alleghany-Highlands drone zone project. In connection with public safety, Vice-Mayor Cobb announced that a comprehensive community solutions effort was being created that will include various agencies, city officials and citizens to address reduction of gun violence, and interested any citizens may contact the City Clerk's Office or City Council.  23 There being no further business to come before the Council, Vice-Mayor Cobb declared the Council meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. APPROVED ATTEST: ,..,,~· rn. ~~MJJA-- stephanie M. Moon City Clerk Rey~s: ~J~· ~Y-i~- Sherman P. Lea, Sr. Mayor