City Council

495 ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL-REGULAR SESSION January 6, 2020 9:00a.m. The Council of the City of Roanoke met in regular session on Monday, January 6, 2020 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 Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr., 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. 41490-070119 adopted by the Council on Monday, July 1, 2019. PRESENT: Council Members Michelle L. Davis, Djuna L. Osborne (arrived late), Anita J. Price, Patricia White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch and Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr.-6. ABSENT: Vice-Mayor Joseph L. Cobb-1. The Mayor declared the existence of a quorum. OFFICERS PRESENT: Robert S. Cowell, Jr., City Manager; Daniel J. Callaghan, City Attorney; and Cecelia F. McCoy, Acting 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.) Council Member Bestpitch 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 Davis, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-5. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent; and Council Member Osborne was not present when vote was recorded.) 496 DISPOSITION OF APPROXIMATELY 4.11 ACRES OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY, LOCATED AT 1201 PRILLAMAN AVENUE, N. W.: A communication from the City Manager requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting to discuss the disposition of approximately 4.11 acres of City-owned property, located at 1201 Prillaman Avenue, N. W., where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(3), Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Bestpitch moved that Council concur in the request of the City Manager as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Davis, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-5. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent; and Council Member Osborne was not present when vote was recorded.) ..,_ DISPOSITION OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 117-119 NORFOLK AVENUE, S. W.: A communication from the City Manager requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting to discuss the disposition of City- owned property located at 117 - 119 Norfolk Avenue, S. W ., where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(3), Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Bestpitch moved that Council concur in the request of the City Manager as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Davis, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-5. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent; and Council Member Osborne was not present when vote was recorded.)  497 DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES: A communication from the City Manager requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting for discussion and consideration of the acquisition of real property for public purposes, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(3), Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Bestpitch moved that Council concur in the request of the City Manager as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member White-Boyd and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Davis, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-5. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent; and Council Member Osborne was not present when 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. BRIEFINGS: General Reassessment Briefing - FY 2020 - 2021 Susan Lower, Director, Real Estate Valuation, provided an overview of the FY 2020 - 2021 Real Estate Assessment Projections and highlighted the following topics: • FY 2021 Real Estate Assessment Projections • Assessment History by Fiscal Year • New Construction History by Fiscal Year • History of Residential Sales and Foreclosures • Median Residential Sales Price 2010 to 2019 • In Summary • Appealing an Assessment • Tax Relief Programs 498 At this point, Council Member Djuna Osborne entered the meeting (9:22a.m.). • Projected Real Estate Fiscal Impact • Questions & Comments • Appendix • Timeline of Assessment Process • Tax Relief and Abatement Programs • History of Sales Ratio (For full text, see copy presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Ms. Lower advised the assessed value of real estate increased 4. 74 percent, the largest increase since 2007. She reported that since 2007, the overall reassessment increase has topped 3.5 percent and the first year since 201 0 that new construction increased more than 1 percent. Ms. Lower concluded stating that the Office of Real Estate Valuation mailed notices of changes to approximately 80 percent of the city's residents; and advised citizens can appeal their assessment to the Office of Real Estate Valuation by February 3, 2020. She further stated that if the property owner does not agree with the appeal decision, they may appeal to the Board of Equalization; and then file suit in Circuit Court and said appeal forms were located at the city's fire stations, libraries, and •• online. Mayor Lea inquired whether elderly citizens took advantage of the Tax Relief Program; whereby, Ms. Lower replied in the affirmative and noted that the Tax Relief forms for the elderly, disabled and veterans were available through the Commissioner of the Revenue and Real Estate Valuation offices located in the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building. Mayor Lea thanked Ms. Lower for the update and advised that the presentation would be received and filed. Budget/Financial Planning Fiscal Year 2021 Amelia C. Merchant, Director of Finance, briefed the Council on the development of the 2020- 2021 budget process. She highlighted the following topics: • FY 2020 Overview • Preliminary FY 2021 Expenditure Priorities • Five Year Operating Model • Next Steps  499 (For full text, see copy presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Ms. Merchant reported that the FY 20 adopted budget was $299.4 million, and local taxes comprise of approximately 68 percent of all revenue. She indicated that through November 2019, total FY 20 revenues decreased approximately $1.2 million or 1.32 percent compared to the same period of FY 19 due to social services revenue; and local taxes have increased approximately $2.1 million or 3.15 percent compared to the same period of FY 19 due to real estate, sales tax, and business license performance. In addition, Ms. Merchant reported that expenditures and obligations through November increased approximately $2.2 million or 1.64 percent compared to the same period last year, mainly due to the timing of expenditures. Ms. Merchant reviewed the Preliminary FY 2021 Expenditures Priorities on Non- Discretionary Cost increases focusing on the following: • Medical • Dental • VRS • Reserves • Debt Service • Worker Compensation • Compensation- for each 1percent increase- $979,200.00 • Community Safety • Neighborhood Vitality • Comprehensive Plan • Capital Planning • Parks and Recreation Master Plan • Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare- $260,758.00 • Tipping Fees • Recycling- $234,000.00 • General Assembly Action Ms. Merchant concluded that information would be presented again at the February 3 Council Meeting which would include data on the FY 2020 budget performance, FY 2021 revenue outlook, local tax trends, total price of government, FY 2021 Roanoke City Public School estimate, and FY 2020 capital improvement plan current status. 500 Following additional dialogue with regard to the preliminary FY 2021 expenditure priorities, Council Member Bestpitch expressed concern about removal of approximately 333 trees and the replacement of only 93 trees in the city. He noted that there were a number of areas where the planting of trees could help achieve the objectives for the Stormwater and Streets and Traffic Divisions and would reduce runoff and erosion. He asked city departments to be cognizant of replacement of additional trees. Mayor Lea thanked Ms. Merchant for the update and advised the budget briefing would be received and filed. Compassionate City Initiative Laurie Seidel, Coordinator for Mindfulness Programs, Roanoke City Public Schools, gave a presentation on the Compassionate City Initiative and provided the principles of The Charter for Compassion. (For full text, see copy of presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Ms. Seidel stated that The Charter for Compassion was a document urging people and religion of the world to embrace the core value of compassion and build the ~''""' social muscle of a city. She highlighted the following specific ideas from the Charter: • A compassionate world is a peaceful world and a compassionate world is possible whenever man, woman and child treats others as they wish to be treated with dignity, equity and respect. • The Charter for Compassion is a document that transcends religious, ideological, and national differences; supported by leading thinkers from many traditions, the Charter calls on us to activate the Golden Rule around the world. • All human beings are born with the capacity for compassion and it must be cultivated for human beings to survive and thrive. Those are sort of the basic premises for the Charter for Compassion. One of the large initiatives for the Charter for Compassion is a topic that is called Compassionate Communities. She continued by saying Louisville, Kentucky has been a leader in the global compassionate cities movement since 2011, and named a model compassionate city for its programs, and Raleigh, North Carolina also recently adopted the initiative. Ms. Seidel introduced the Board Members of the Mindfulness Institute of the Roanoke Valley: Ted Edlich, Sarah Gatrell Reid, Angela Penn, Frank Dane and not present Edward M. "Eddie" Smith.  501 She concluded by saying The Charter for Compassion was an initiative steeped in positivity and hope; and wished Roanoke would become the first City in the State to become a Compassionate City and shared the Roanoke City Public Schools were participating in mindfulness sessions by teaching students about compassion and kindness. Council Member Bestpitch thanked Ms. Seidel for bringing the initiative to the attention of City Council and asked for additional information regarding the Mindfulness Program in the Roanoke City Public Schools. Ms. Seidel stated there was a very successful pilot that began last year and have focused on four schools: Hurt Park Elementary School, Lucy Addison Middle School, Lincoln Terrace Elementary School, and Westside Elementary School. Mindfulness practice is offered every morning and the focus has been on addressing gratitude and working directly with teachers to bring a curriculum called CARE (Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education), which was a two-pronged approach to also address the well-being and the stress level of the teachers, educators, and school leaders. Following extensive dialogue about the Compassionate Initiative from several Council Members, the City Manager commented that Louisville had become a strong advocate for the program with activities focused on the Kentucky Derby as they prepared the city for the world. Ted Edlich, Board Member, Mindfulness Institute of the Roanoke Valley, thanked City Council for initiating acts of compassion by increasing mental health funding, community-policing efforts, the number of non-profits working on behalf of the citizens, and the many volunteer hours from citizens of the community. Mayor Lea advised that the briefing would be received and filed. At this point, Council Member Michelle Davis left the meeting (10:38 a.m.). Elmwood Park Amphitheater Smoking Regulations R. Brian Townsend, Assistant City Manager for Community Development, gave a briefing on the Elmwood Park Amphitheater Smoking Regulations and highlighted the following: • Background o General Assembly Authorization March 2019 o Adoption of Local Ordinance • Designation of Non-Smoking Area • Requirements for Adequate Signage • Voluntary Cessation/Summons Issuance by Law Enforcement Officer 502 • Civil Penalty not to exceed $25.00 • Civil Penalty proceeds collected to be used for public health purposes • Next Steps 0 City Council Adoption of Ordinance • January 21, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. session 0 Communicate Regulations with Event Operators for Upcoming Season 0 Establish On-Site Signage 0 Monitor Implementation and Compliance 0 Refine Regulations as/if necessary (For full text, see copy presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) At this point, Council Member Michelle Davis entered the meeting (10:45 a.m.). Following a brief dialogue, Mayor Lea advised that the briefing would be received and filed. At 10:50 a.m., the Council meeting was declared in recess until 2:00 p.m., for a Closed Meeting in the Council's Conference Room, Room 451, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building. At 2:00 p.m., the Council meeting reconvened in the Council Chamber, with Mayor Lea presiding. PRESENT: Council Members Michelle L. Davis (arrived late), Djuna L. Osborne (arrived late), Anita J. Price, Patricia White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch and Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr.-6. ABSENT: Vice-Mayor Joseph L. Cobb-1. The Mayor declared the existence of a quorum. OFFICERS PRESENT: RobertS. Cowell, Jr., City Manager; Daniel J. Callaghan, City Attorney; and Cecelia F. McCoy, Acting City Clerk. The Invocation was delivered by The Reverend Anthony Holmes, Pastor, Loudon Avenue Christian Church. At 2:02 p.m., Council Member Davis entered the meeting; and at 2:03 p.m., Council Member Osborne entered the meeting.  503 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 CITY EMPLOYEES: Mayor Lea recognized and presented gifts to City employees having 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service with the City of Roanoke. Following the presentation, the Mayor announced that the Annual Service Awards Breakfast in recognition of those City employees with 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of service in 2019 would be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at 7:30 a.m., at the Holiday Inn Roanoke- Valley View. 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 would be referred to the City Manager for response, recommendation or report to Council, as he may deem appropriate. HARM REDUCTION/SYRINGE SERVICES DROP-IN CENTER: The following individuals appeared before the Council to express concerns about the safety and location of the Harm Reduction/Syringe Services Drop-In Center to be located on Williamson Road. Valerie Brown, Executive Director, Williamson Road Area Business Association (WRABA), P. 0. Box 7082, Roanoke, Virginia, Walter Vance, 2303 Williamson Road, N. E, Roanoke, Virginia Jamie Bailey, 131 Sycamore Avenue, N. E, Roanoke, Virginia Anne Marie Green, 502 Campbell Avenue, Roanoke, Virginia Joyce Waugh, President, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, 202 South Jefferson Street, S. W., Roanoke, Virginia Charlie Overstreet, 2065 Richland Hills Drive, Salem, Virginia BIBLICAL SCRIPTURE: Alexandros Filth, 319 Mountain Avenue, appeared before the Council and read a biblical scripture. CONSENT AGENDA The Mayor advised that all matters listed under the Consent Agenda were considered to be routine by the Members of City Council and will be enacted by one motion. There would be no separate discussion of the items. If discussion was desired, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately. 504 ENVISION CENTER: A communication from the City Manager requesting that Council schedule a public hearing to be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at 7:00p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, or such later date and time as the City Manager may determine, to consider the lease of the former Melrose Library located at 2607 Salem Turnpike, N. W., to Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority as the site of the new HUD designated EnVision Center, was before the body. (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 Price and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) OATHS OF OFFICE-ROANOKE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD-CITY CLERK: Reports of qualifications of the following individuals were before the Council: Scott Tate as a member of the Roanoke Public Library Board to fill the unexpired term of office of John R. F. Lewis ending June 30, 2021; and Cecelia F. McCoy as Acting City Clerk of the City of Roanoke, effective January 1, 2020. (See Oaths or Affirmations of Office on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member White-Boyd moved that the reports of qualification be received and filed. The motion seconded by Council Member Price and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.)  505 REGULAR AGENDA PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: NONE. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS AND COMMENTS OF CITY MANAGER: CITY MANAGER: BRIEFINGS: NONE. ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION: 2020 CARILlON CLINIC GRANT AWARD: The City Manager submitted a written communication recommending acceptance of a 2020 Carilion Clinic Grant Award to supplement funding for a Financial Empowerment Center. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Osborne advised of a personal interest in the abovementioned matter and read into the record the following Conflict of Interest Statement: "STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST I, Djuna L. Osborne, state that I have a personal interest in Agenda Section 7.a.1 of the 2:00 p.m. Session of City Council on January 6, 2020, regarding the acceptance of a 2020 Carilion Clinic grant award to supplement funding for a Financial Empowerment Center because my husband is an employee with Carilion Roanoke Hospital, an affiliate of Carilion Clinic. My husband did not participate in any action with respect to this matter. Pursuant to Section 2.2-3112 of the Code of Virginia, I will not participate in this matter and I ask that the Acting City Clerk accept this statement and ask that it be made part of the minutes of this meeting. Witness the following signature made this 61h day of January 2020. S/Djuna L. Osborne Djuna L. Osborne, Member of Council" (See Statement of Conflict of Interest on file in the City Clerk's Office.) 506 , ..... Council Member Bestpitch offered the following resolution: (#41648-010620) A RESOLUTION authorizing the acceptance of the 2020 Carilion Clinic FEC Grant to the City of Roanoke ("City") from Carilion Clinic; authorizing the City Manager to execute any documents necessary to receive such grant, including a Memorandum of Understanding with Carilion Clinic, granted in order to assist the City's efforts to improve the financial stability of low and moderate income households by supporting the City's Financial Empowerment Center ("FEC"); and authorizing the City Manager to take such further actions and execute such other documents as may be necessary to obtain, accept, implement, administer, and use such grant funds. (For full text of resolution, see Resolution Book No. 80, page 711.) Council Member Bestpitch moved the adoption of Resolution No. 41648-010620. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Davis, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-5. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent; and Council Member Osborne abstained from voting.) Council Member Bestpitch offered the following budget ordinance: (#41649-010620) AN ORDINANCE to appropriate funding from the Carilion Clinic to supplement funding for the Financial Empowerment Center for financial counseling of low and moderate income individuals, amending and reordaining certain sections of the 2019 - 2020 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 712.) Council Member Bestpitch moved the adoption of Budget Ordinance No. 41649- 010620. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Davis, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-5. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent; and Council Member Osborne abstained from voting.)  507 PARKING FUND RETAINED EARNINGS: The City Manager submitted a written communication recommending appropriation of Parking Fund Retained Earnings for capital maintenance projects. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Bestpitch offered the following budget ordinance: (#41650-01 0620) AN ORDINANCE to appropriate funding from Parking Fund retained earnings for parking fund related capital improvement projects for the system's seven (7) garages and four (4) surface parking lots across five (5) years, amending and reordaining certain sections of the 2019 - 2020 of the Parking Fund Appropriations, and dispensing with the second reading by title of this ordinance. (For full text of ordinance, see Ordinance Book No. 80, page 713.) Council Member Bestpitch moved the adoption of Budget Ordinance No. 41650- 010620. The motion seconded by Council Member Price and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE AND SALE OF REAL ESTATE: The City Manager submitted a written communication recommending authorization of an encroachment in City's right-of-way located at the northeast corner of Peters Creek Road and Shenandoah Avenue, N. W., for a bus shelter to service the Creekside Shopping Center. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) 508 Council Member Price offered the following ordinance: (#41651-01 0620) AN ORDINANCE allowing a bus shelter encroachment requested by the Greater Roanoke Transit Company d/b/a Valley Metro ("GRTC"), into the public right-of-way located at the northeast corner of Peters Creek Road, N. W. and Shenandoah Avenue, N. W., between the Food Lion driveway entrance and Peters Creek Road at the Creekside Shopping Center, and which bus shelter will be located within the City Right-of-Way, approximately 50 - 55 feet south of a parcel owned by Food Lion, LLC, bearing Official Tax Map No. 6030107, upon certain terms and conditions; and dispensing with the second reading of this Ordinance by title. (For full text of ordinance, see Ordinance Book No. 80, page 714.) Council Member Price moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 41651-010620. The motion seconded by Council Member Osborne and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) REVISED FY 20 REVENUE SHARING PROGRAM FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: The City Manager submitted a written communication recommending authorization to repeal Budget Ordinance No. 41360- 120219 and transfer funds in connection with the Revised FY 20 Revenue Sharing Program. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member White-Boyd offered the following budget ordinance: (#41652-01 0620) AN ORDINANCE to appropriate funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation Funds to the Roanoke River Greenway Bridge the Gap, Huntington Boulevard, and Stormwater projects, amending and reordaining certain sections of the 2019 - 2020 of the Capital Projects Fund Appropriations, and dispensing with the second reading by title of this ordinance. (For full text of ordinance, see Ordinance Book No. 80, page 716.)  509 Council Member White-Boyd moved the adoption of Budget Ordinance No. 41652-010620. The motion seconded by Council Member Osborne and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) COMMENTS OF CITY MANAGER. The City Manager offered the following comments: Sculpture Installation at Melrose Library • On Friday, January 17, a sculpture titled "Rhapsody in Knowledge," will be dedicated at the Melrose Branch Library, at 1:00 p.m. • The artist, Napoleon Jones-Henderson, will be in attendance, as well as members of the Roanoke Arts Commission. • Regretfully, the timing did not work out so that we could install the sculpture closer to the opening of the library branch last July. • We are delighted, finally, to welcome this new addition of public art for the library that patrons can enjoy. Restaurant Week Returns to Downtown • January 17 - 26 is Restaurant Week in Downtown Roanoke, sponsored by Downtown Roanoke Inc. • This is your chance to experience Downtown's extensive mix of lunch and dinner options. For example, several lunch options will be offered at $1 0.00; dinner options also will be offered at special prices. • In addition, diners will have a chance to win Downtown Roanoke Gift Cards. To enter, they will be asked to post their Restaurant Week food photos on Facebook or Twitter using #RoanokeRestaurantWeek. • This is a great way to promote our downtown eating establishments and bring both visitors and residents into the downtown area. 510 City to Observe MLK Day • City offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. • As a result, the 2:00p.m. Council meeting and 7:00 p.m. Public Hearings will be moved to Tuesday, January 21. • Also, the solid waste collection schedule will be impacted for that week, with "A week" recycling, bulk, and brush collection delayed one day for the entire week. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: NONE. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OR ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: NONE. MOTIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: INQUIRIES AND/OR COMMENTS BY THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: , <"" RECYCLING: Council Member Osborne announced City Council will no longer use plastic water bottles and spoke with regard to proper disposal of recyclable items. LEA HIGH SCHOOL WINTER BASKETBALL CLASSIC: Mayor Lea announced the Lea High School Winter Classic Basketball Challenge on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the Berglund Center beginning at 12 noon; tickets can be purchased for $10.00. CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED MEETING: With respect to the Closed Meeting just concluded, Council Member Price 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 Davis and adopted by the following vote:  511 Due to having a personal interest regarding disposition of City-owned property located at 117 -119 Norfolk Avenue, S. W., Council Member Osborne left the Closed Meeting prior to discussion; and requested that the following Conflict of Interest Statement be entered into the record: "STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST I, Djuna L. Osborne, state that I have a personal interest in the matter that is the subject of the communication from the City Manager requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting on January 6, 2020, to discuss the disposition of City-owned property located at 117 -119 Norfolk Avenue, S. W., because my husband is an employee with Carilion Roanoke Hospital, an affiliate of Carilion Clinic and Carilion Clinic holds interests in the project at 117 - 119 Norfolk Avenue, S. W. My husband did not participate in any action with respect to this matter. Pursuant to Section 2.2-3112 of the Code of Virginia, I will not participate in the action of City Council to convene in a Closed Meeting and I will not participate in this matter and I ask that the Acting City Clerk accept this statement and ask that it be made a part on the minutes of this meeting. Witness the following signature made this 61h day of January 2020. S/Djuna L. Osborne Djuna L. Osborne, Member of Council" (See Statement of Conflict of Interest on file in the City Clerk's Office.) AYES: Council Members Davis, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-5. NAYS: None-0. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent; and Council Member Osborne abstained from voting.) The City Attorney noted for the record that Council Member Osborne having disclosed a personal conflict of interest regarding disposition of City-owned property located at 117 - 119 Norfolk Avenue, S. W., was not present during discussion regarding the matter; and was present and participated in discussions regarding the three requests for Closed Meeting -- vacancies on Council-appointed bodies; disposition of approximately 4.11 acres of City-owned property located at 1201 Prillaman Avenue, N. W.; and acquisition of real property for public purposes. 512 VACANCIES ON CERTAIN AUTHORITIES, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY COUNCIL: MILL MOUNTAIN ADVISORY BOARD: The Mayor called attention to a vacancy created by resignation of William Sellari as a member of the Mill Mountain Advisory Board ending June 30, 2020; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of Jeff Todd. There being no further nominations, Mr. Todd was appointed to fill the unexpired term of office of William Sellari as a member of the Mill Mountain Advisory Board ending June 30, 2020, by the following vote: FOR MR. TODD: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) ROANOKE VALLEY-ALLEGHANY REGIONAL COMMISSION: The Mayor called attention to a vacancy created by resignation of Courtney Campbell (Citizen ,. c-. Representative) as a member of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission ending June 30, 2021; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of Elda Stanco Downey. There being no further nominations, Ms. Downey was appointed to fill the unexpired term of office of Courtney Campbell (Citizen Representative) as a member of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission ending June 30, 2021, by the following vote: FOR MS. DOWNEY: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) LOCAL OFFICE ON AGING ADVISORY BOARD: The Mayor called attention to the upcoming expiration of the one-year term of office of Cindy McFall as a member of the Local Office on Aging Advisory Board ending February 28, 2020; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of Cindy McFall.  513 There being no further nominations, Ms. McFall was reappointed as a member of the Local Office on Aging Advisory Board for a one-year term of office, commencing February 29, 2020 and ending February 28, 2021, by the following vote: FOR MS. MCFALL: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) ROANOKE VALLEY GREENWAY: The Mayor called attention to the upcoming expiration of the three-year term of office of John Francis, Jr., as a member of the Roanoke Valley Greenway ending June 30, 2020; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of John Francis, Jr. There being no further nominations, Mr. Francis was reappointed as a member of the Roanoke Valley Greenway for a three-year term of office, commencing July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2023, by the following vote: FOR MR. FRANCIS: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) ROANOKE VALLEY-ALLEGHANY REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY COMMITTEE: The Mayor called attention to the upcoming expiration of the three-year terms of office of Aisha Johnson (Technical Advisor), Vice-Mayor Joseph Cobb and Council Member Patricia White-Boyd (Elected Officials) as members of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee, each, ending March 31, 2020; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of Aisha Johnson, Vice-Mayor Joseph Cobb and Council Member Patricia White-Boyd. There being no further nominations, Ms. Johnson (Technical Advisor), Vice-Mayor Cobb and Council Member White-Boyd (Elected Officials) were reappointed as members of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee for three-year terms of office, each, commencing April1, 2020 and ending March 31, 2023, by the following vote: 514 FOR MS. JOHNSON, VICE-MAYOR COBB AND COUNCIL MEMBER WHITE-BOYD: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) WESTERN VIRGINIA WATER AUTHORITY: The Mayor called attention to the upcoming expiration of the four-year term of office of Harvey D. Brookins as a member of the Western Virginia Water Authority, Board of Directors ending June 30, 2020; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of Harvey D. Brookins. There being no further nominations, Mr. Brookins was reappointed as a member of the Western Virginia Water Authority, Board of Directors for a four-year term of office, commencing July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2024, by the following vote: FOR MR. BROOKINS: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) Council Member Bestpitch moved that the City residency requirement for Harvey D. Brookins be waived in this instance. The motion seconded by Council Member Davis and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-D. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) YOUTH SERVICES CITIZEN BOARD: The Mayor called attention to the upcoming expiration of the three-year terms of office of Benjamin Bazak (Public/Schools), Ray Bemis, Ill, (Citizen-at-Large/Healthcare) and Karen Pillis (Public/Service); and the one-year term of office of Brianna Wilson (Student Member/William Fleming) as members of the Youth Services Citizen Board, each, ending June 30, 2020; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the names of Benjamin Bazak, Ray Bemis, Ill, Karen Pillis and Brianna Wilson. .•  515 There being no further nominations, Mr. Bazak (Public/Schools), Mr. Bemis (Citizen-at-Large/Healthcare) and Ms. Pillis (Public/Service) were reappointed as members of the Youth Services Citizen Board for three-year terms of office, each, commencing July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2023; and Ms. Wilson (Student Member/William Fleming) was reappointed as a member of the Youth Services Citizen Board for one-year term of office, commencing July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021, by the following vote: FOR MESSRS. BAZAK, BEMIS, MS. PILUS AND MS. WILSON: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) YOUTH SERVICES CITIZEN BOARD: The Mayor called attention to the upcoming expiration of office of the one-year term of office of Lenora Morgan (Student/Alternate Patrick Henry) and Louis Garcia (Student/Patrick Henry) as members of the Youth Services Citizen Board for a term of office ending June 30, 2020; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of Christian Bryant and Louis Garcia. There being no further nominations, Mr. Bryant was appointed to replace Lenora Morgan (Student/Alternate Patrick Henry) and Mr. Garcia (Student/Patrick Henry) was reappointed as members of the Youth Services Citizen Board for one-year terms of office, each ending June 30, 2021, by the following vote: FOR MESSRS BRYANT AND GARCIA: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) AUDIT COMMITTEE: The Mayor called attention to a vacancy created by the resignation of Council Member William D. Bestpitch, as Vice-Chair and a member of the Audit Committee ending June 30, 2020; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. Council Member Bestpitch placed in nomination the name of Vice-Mayor Joseph L. Cobb. 516 There being no further nominations, Vice-Mayor Cobb was appointed to fill the unexpired term of office of Council Member Bestpitch as a member of the Audit Committee, ending June 30, 2020, by the following vote: FOR VICE-MAYOR COBB: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White- Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) GREATER ROANOKE TRANSIT COMPANY, BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Mayor called attention to a vacancy created by the resignation of Council Member William D. Bestpitch as President and a member of the Greater Roanoke Transit Company, Board of Directors ending June 30, 2020; whereupon, he opened the floor for nominations. The Council recommended that Council Member Davis be appointed to replace Council Member Bestpitch as a Director on The Greater Roanoke Transit Company, Board of Directors ending June 30, 2020. This appointment will be considered by the GRTC Board of Directors at its January 21, 2020 meeting, in accordance with GRTC bylaws. 0 '"1t FOR COUNCIL MEMBER DAVIS: Council Members Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-6. (Vice-Mayor Cobb was absent.) There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Lea declared the regular meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m. APPROVED ATTEST: c_~J. <-('&~ ~'?~~. Cecelia F. McCoy Sherman P. Lea, Sr. Acting City Clerk - Mayor