City Council

41 At 8:26 p.m., the Mayor declared the Council meeting in recess until Thursday, August 27, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., at Charter Hall, 32 Market Square, S. W., for a Council Strategic Planning Work Session. The Recessed Meeting of Roanoke City Council was called to order on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at 1:00 p.m., at Charter Hall, 32 Market Square, S. E., with Mayor Lea presiding. PRESENT: Council Members Joseph L. Cobb, Michelle L. Dykstra, Djuna L. Osborne, Anita J. Price (arrived late), Patricia L. White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch 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; Troy A. Harmon, Municipal Auditor, and Cecelia F. McCoy, City Clerk. OTHERS PRESENT: Sherman M. Stovall, Deputy City Manager; W. Brent Robertson, Assistant City Manager; Timothy R. Spencer, Senior Assistant City Attorney; Tiffany T. Bradbury, Community Engagement Manager; and Cecelia T. Webb; Deputy City Clerk. Mayor Lea remarked that the purpose of the recessed meeting was to discuss items and provide feedback to the City Manager. Mayor Lea announced that the City Manager has called a special meeting for Friday, August 28th at 4:00 p.m. at Charter Hall for the Council to (I) consider adoption of measures to provide hazard pay to certain public safety employees; and (II) consider the adoption of measures to provide bonuses to other employees; and the Mayor has called a special meeting for Monday, August 31, at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber to interview candidates for the position of City Attorney. The City Manager gave a brief overview of the objectives, update process, retreat conduct, and highlighted the efforts of each Council Member with regard to the series of focus group meetings comprised of city residents, business owners, and senior City staff related to the seven Strategic Priorities. He commended each Council Member for hosting the focus groups and identifying key points of emphasis and concern. 42 City Department Directors gave an overview of their department as it related to the City's vision and strategic areas of importance: Community Safety Sam Roman, Chief of Police David Hoback, Chief of Fire/EMS Education Sheila Umberger, Director of Libraries During the overview (2:03p.m.), Council Member Price entered the meeting. Human Services Steve Martin, Director of Human Services/Social Services Sheila Umberger, Director of Libraries Infrastructure Vanessa Bohr, Director of Technology Mark Jamison, Director of Public Works - Good Government Amelia Merchant, Director of Finance Angelia Vernon, Director of Human Resources Livability Chris Chittum, Director of Planning, Building, and Development Michael Clark, Director of Parks and Recreation Economy Rob Ledger, Director of Economic Development Brian Mann, Executive Administrator, Park Roanoke and Executive Director, Hotel Roanoke Conference Center Commission (See presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Following the overview, the City Manager provided a description of the agenda for the August 28, 2020 workshop discussion. There being no additional comments by the Council, Mayor Lea recessed the meeting at 5:18p.m.  43 The Recessed Meeting of Roanoke City Council was called to order on Friday, August 28, 2020 at 9:00a.m., at Charter Hall, 32 Market Square, S. E., with Mayor Lea presiding. PRESENT: Council Members Joseph L. Cobb, Michelle L. Dykstra, Djuna L. Osborne, Anita J. Price, Patricia L. White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch 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; Troy A. Harmon, Municipal Auditor and Cecelia F. McCoy, City Clerk. OTHERS PRESENT: Sherman M. Stovall, Deputy City Manager; W. Brent Robertson, Assistant City Manager; Timothy R. Spencer, Senior Assistant City Attorney; Laura M. Carini, Assistant City Attorney II; Amelia C. Merchant; Director of Finance, Tiffany T. Bradbury, Community Engagement Manager; and Leisha S. Cook, Administrative Assistant IV. Mayor Lea remarked that the purpose of the recessed meeting is to continue discussing Strategic Plan and provide feedback to the City Manager. Mayor Lea advised that the City Manager has submitted a communication requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting to discuss the disposition of City- owned property and/or the acquisition of real property by the City, where discussions 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. Council Member Davis moved that Council concur in the request of the City Manager as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member Osborne and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. 44 The City Manager briefed the Council on the purpose of the Strategic Plan and update process. He underscored the following considerations: • WHY ~ Vision, Mission • WHAT ~ Goals • HOW ~ Strategies, Values • WHAT ~ Tactics, Actions • HOW DID WE DO ~ Outcomes He reminded the Council of the vision statement: 'The City of Roanoke is a safe, caring and economically vibrant community in which to live, learn, work, play, and prosper. A vibrant urban center with strong neighborhoods set amongst the spectacular beauty of Virginia's Blue Ridge"; and asked if Council Members were comfortable with the vision related to emphasis on equity. He highlighted the following considerations: EQUITY TOOL: • What Are The Racial/Economic Impacts • Who Will BenefiUBe Burdened • Accessible Regardless of Ability/Status • Help Build Just, Equitable, Sustainable Future • Mitigation of Unintended Negative Consequences At 10:34 a.m., Mayor Lea left the meeting. Council Members made comments with regard to the seven areas of strategic importance including the use of the "equity" in the City's vision statement, focusing on the use of eco-systems for minority businesses and programs, entrepreneurial development, enterprise zone opportunities, livability for seniors, creation of sustainable neighborhoods, financial planning support for small businesses, recycling reconsideration, youth athletics, transportation necessities, review effectiveness of Boards and Commissions, and community engagement and leadership academy. At 11:47 a.m., Mayor Lea entered the meeting. At 12:19 p.m., Mayor Lea declared the Council Meeting in recess for a Closed Meeting; and thereafter reconvened at 1:49 p.m., in Charter Hall, 32 Market Square, S. E.  45 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 Cobb, Davis, Osborne, Price, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. The City Manager continued dialogue with regard to the areas of strategic importance with City Council Members proposing additional areas of concentration such as focus on community safety concerns with the Sheriff's Office and the Roanoke City Jail; Police Department involvement in mental health calls for service, traffic enforcement by zone, officer initiated incidences, and accessibility to human services and School Resource Officers' effectiveness. Additional areas of significance were the City's poverty rates, sidewalk and street paving schedules, internet and broadband access for citizens, area college recruitment, partnerships with Roanoke City Public Schools such as internships, summer employment, and apprenticeship programs. Mr. Cowell advised he would revisit all recommendations and prepare for the budget proposal to be presented next spring to the existing Council Members and the perspective new Council Members that will be elected on November 3, 2020, and will begin serving on January 1, 2021. He concluded the meeting expressing thanks to the City Council Members for their participation and feedback. There being no additional comments by the Council, Mayor Lea adjourned the recessed meeting at 3:48p.m. APPROVED ATTEST: (}_~J.~ Cecelia F. McCoy, CMC City Clerk Mayor