City Council

274 HEARING OF CITIZENS UPON PUBLIC MATTERS: NONE. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Lea declared the regular meeting adjourned at 7:12p.m. APPROVED ATTEST: Andrea R. Johnson Sherman P. Lea, Sr. Recording Secretary Mayor c~J-.~&t- Cecelia F. McCoy, CMC City Clerk ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL-REGULAR SESSION March 1, 2021 9:00a.m. The Council of the City of Roanoke met in regular session on Monday, March 1, 2021 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. 41964-010421 adopted by the Council on Monday, January 4, 2021. PRESENT: Council Members Vivian Sanchez-Jones, Patricia White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch (participated by electronic means), Joseph L. Cobb, Robert L. Jeffrey, Jr., Stephanie Moon Reynolds, and Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. (arrived late)-7. ABSENT: None-0. The Mayor declared the existence of a quorum. OFFICERS PRESENT: Robert S. Cowell, Jr., City Manager; Timothy R. Spencer, City Attorney; and Cecelia F. McCoy, City Clerk (participated by electronic communications means).  275 ITEMS FOR ACTION: CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL: A communication from the City Attorney requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting for consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants for the purpose of discussing acquisition of publicly owned property where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiation 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 Moon Reynolds moved that Council concur in the request of the City Attorney as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member Sanchez- Jones and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Jeffrey, and Moon Reynolds-6. NAYS: None-0. (Mayor Lea was not present when the vote was recorded.) CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL: A communication from the City Attorney requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting for consultation with legal counsel on a legal matter requiring advice of counsel, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(?), Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Cobb moved that Council concur in the request of the City Attorney as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member Jeffrey and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Jeffrey, and Moon Reynolds-6. NAYS: None-0. (Mayor Lea was not present when the vote was recorded.) 276 CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL: A communication from the City Attorney requesting that Council convene in a Closed Meeting for consultation with legal counsel on an actual legal matter requiring advice of counsel, pursuant to Section 2.2- 3711 (A)(7), Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Cobb moved that Council concur in the request of the City Attorney as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member Moon Reynolds and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Jeffrey, and Moon Reynolds-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. BRIEFINGS: At this point, Mayor Lea entered the meeting (9:10a.m.) Budget/Financial Planning FY 22 Robert S. Cowell, Jr., City Manager, Amelia C. Merchant, Director of Finance, and Paul Workman, Budget Manager, briefed the Council on the development of the FY 2021 - 2022 budget process. (See presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Ms. Merchant highlighted the following information: • FY 2021 Overview Ms. Merchant advised that through January, FY 2021 local taxes were 3.52 percent ahead of target, mainly due to real estate, sales and transient occupancy taxes; revenues have decreased approximately $4.95 million or 3.96 percent compared to the  277 same period in FY 2020; other revenues have decreased approximately $3.08 million or -~ 3.96 percent compared to the same period in FY 2020 due to the timing of Social Services revenues and lower charges for services revenues; and expenditures decreased approximately $8.4 million or 4.99 percent due to timing and lower transfers to other funds and lower expenditures in street paving offset and fleet capital. She continued by reviewing the FY 2021 monitoring dashboard noting that real estate, sales and transient occupancy taxes were performing 1.22, 9.21 and 43.30 percent ahead of target, respectively; and business license and prepared food and beverage taxes were performing behind target 17.63 and 8.07 percent, respectively. She pointed out that in terms of local taxes; the total for January was ahead by 3.21 percent. Ms. Merchant added that the FY 2021 net local tax growth of approximately $2.1 million would allow for additional funding allocated to the downtown district taxes at $132,200.00, Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge at $384,519.00, Roanoke City Public Schools at $613,521.00 and the City's share of the increase at $920,281.00. • FY 2022 Development and Next Steps Ms. Merchant reported that FY 2022 local tax estimate was based on update from the prior month of February; the real estate estimate was lowered by $100,000.00 resulting from actions taken with regard to the real estate assessment appeals, which adjusted the expectation of growth to 2.19 percent or $2 million. She noted that the transient occupancy tax expected an increase 76.7 percent growth and recognized the drastic drop in expectation in the adopted budget thus moving it back to a previous level. In terms of the total revenue picture for Fiscal Year 2022, she mentioned that the total increase was $3.1 million; intergovernmental category would see a decrease of $352,756 due to allocation shifts from Social Services and as expenditures move with higher and lower revenue allocations from the State the result was a decrease in revenue expectation, so previously if an 85 percent reimbursement was received now a 70 percent may be received. At this point, the City Manager advised that Council asked that administration focus on long standing commitment to equity and the City chose to do that through the budget process using a set of outcomes focused on the seven priorities established by the Council. He noted that beginning this year; the focus has been reoriented to budgeting for equitable and empowering outcomes. 278 He continued stating that the goal was equity versus equality; it would be a two year process to initiate the novel way of budgeting; and it would align with current Council and community priorities across city departments. He pointed that the process was operationalized by requiring that staff review budget offers through the following three questions: • Does the request advance equitable outcomes for residents and/or advance or improve upon an identified neighborhood or community asset? If so, how? If not, could it be adjusted to do so? How? • Does the request burden or benefit communities of color and/or low-income individuals or neighborhoods? If so, how? Could it be adjusted to avoid or mitigate the burden and/or to realize a benefit? How? • Does the request help reduce any identified disparities? If so, how? If not, could it be adjusted to do so? How? Mayor Lea inquired as to the role of the Equity and Empowerment Advisory Board in the budget process; whereupon, the City Manager advised that the Advisory Board had no role in the process as of yet because the budget process was an internal City process. Paul Workman, Budget Manager, continued the presentation explaining how the - new process would work and advised that a disparities and asset report produced by the departments of Planning, Building and Development and Economic Development was developed to utilize findings from the new City's Comprehensive Plan to identify patterns of disparities such as racism, poverty or poor health and identifies area that may be experiencing disparities such as poor building conditions, lack of tree canopy, neglected alley maintenance and difficult access to or unsafe parks, lack of civic engagement and area of high pedestrian risk. Three teams were formed to evaluate each budget offer in an effort to recognize areas of success already in practice and eventually make recommendations on improvements. He noted that the work of the teams would be ongoing including following and delving deeper into areas warranting further study. Council Member Bestpitch inquired if there were other jurisdictions in the Commonwealth attempting to address issues of equity and empowerment; whereupon, Mr. Workman replied in the affirmative and referenced an article in a Virginia publication with regard to the issue. Council Member Bestpitch further stated that it was an opportune time for jurisdictions to share information as they go through the process because it was so new and so significant.  279 Mr. Workman continued the presentation, reviewing the FY 2022 expenditure .. · enhancements' for each budget priority, noting that the figures did not include a compensation increase for employees, but the goal was to eventually be able to include an increase. With regard to the balancing status, debt service and balancing next steps, Mr. Workman advised that the current budget variance was $76,91 0.00; an increase in the real estate tax by one cent would generate approximately $455,784.00 in revenue, increase in the prepared food and beverage tax by 1.1 percent would yield approximately $1.5 million in revenue and a one percent increase in the transient occupancy tax would generate approximately $117,188.00. The City Manager interjected that it the intention was not to recommend tax increases, but there may be a slight increase in solid waste fees based on increases in tipping and tonnage fees the City would incur. Further discussion ensued with regard to the plastic bag tax; whereupon, the City Attorney offered that the tax was not a revenue generating tax because the goal was to move away from using plastic bags and encourage the use of reusable bags. He stated that the measure would be presented to the Council for consideration in April. • Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Next Steps Mr. Workman reviewed the Capital Improvement Plan and debt policies noting that all investments were made within the parameters of the debt policy with consideration of required debt service; net tax - supported debt as a percentage of the total taxable assessed value will not exceed 4 percent; net tax - supported general obligation debt service shall not exceed 10 percent of General Fund expenditures and not less than 60 percent of the outstanding tax - supported debt will be retired within 10 years. He highlighted that in 2023 and 2024 Roanoke City Public Schools requested additional debt service totaling $15.6 million for school needs at Morningside and Preston Park elementary schools; Library Master Plan was not allocated funding and the City Manager indicated that the funds allocated for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan were not sufficient for the projects for completion. Vice-Mayor White-Boyd inquired as to the next scheduled briefing with the financial consultants and infrastructure for electric vehicles and when it would be added to the Capital Improvement Plan for consideration; whereupon, Mr. Workman replied that he was unsure when a briefing with Davenport would be scheduled and the Director of Finance interjected adding that the CIP information had been shared with Davenport for them to provide to the City what the debt service planning needed to be and that the debt service was increased by $500,000.00 for Fiscal Year 2022 and as other projects were added the debt service would have to grow to accommodate the Plan, it was a matter of affordability with regard to the addition of projects. 280 Further discussion ensued with regard to the Capital Improvement Plan and the request from the Schools Division; wherein, Council Member Bestpitch suggested that the School Division brief the Council on the usage of the $5 million requested every few years and cautioned against having no funding included for the Library Master Plan for five years. The City Manager advised that information on the usage of the school funding would be requested and reminded the Council that the projects included was debt funded and the City shied away from issuing debt in advance of being needed. Lastly, Brent Robertson, Assistant City Manager for Community Development reviewed the parking fund and Sherman Stovall, Deputy City Manager concluded the presentation by reviewing the remaining enterprise funds. Mayor Lea thanked the presenters for the informative presentation and advised that the briefing would be received and filed. Stormwater Utility Update Sherman Stovall, Deputy City Manager briefed the Council on the stormwater utility fee and highlighted the following information: Briefing Focus • Stormwater Utility Division/Stormwater Utility Fee o Creation and implementation o Business activities o Prior Council briefing highlights o Capital project funding o Current financial condition o Business case considerations Stormwater Utility Fee - Implementation • Background o Stormwater Utility Fee authorized during FY 2014 o Fee phased in over three years based on billing unit of 500 square feet of impervious surface • FY 2015 - $0.30 per 500 sf /per month • FY 2016- $0.60 per 500 sf /per month • FY 2017 - $0.90 per 500 sf /per month • Fee structure generates revenue of $6.125 million per year o Stormwater Utility Fund operates as a self - supporting Enterprise Fund  281 Stormwater Utility Fee - Program • With utility fee, bond, and grant funds • Drainage Improvements Projects o 215 projects with estimated cost of $140 million • Maintenance of Stormdrain Infrastructure o 10,313 inlets o 296 miles of pipe o 143 miles ditchline drainage channels o 988 outfalls • Water quality • Improve quality of Roanoke River and its tributaries • 147 water quality projects at an estimated cost of $85 million • Watershed Master Plans not complete Prior Briefings • City Council briefed on financial condition of Stormwater Utility Fund o April 1, 2019 Budget Briefing o July 29, 2019 Strategic Planning Session o October 28, 2019 Strategic Planning Session • Council advised that after FY 2021, existing revenue would not be sufficient to fund: o Current level of operating expenses o Inflationary costs o Planned debt issuance to support capital projects o Incremental debt issuance if grant funding declined o Cash funded capital o Planned staff additions • Two Construction Crews and Technical Support positions Capital Project Funding • GO Bonds - $2 million each year o Requires level of debt service to increase each year • Grant Funds- approximately $2 million o Revenue sharing o Stormwater local assistance funds Utility Fee Adjustment • At October 28, 2019 Strategic Planning Session, Council tentatively agreed to fee increase of o $.10 per month each year over 5 years, effective July 1, 2021 o $.90 per month per 500 SF to $1.40 per month o Average Residential- $5.40 per month to $8.40 per month o July 1, 2021 Implementation date to provide time for stakeholders to prepare • Planned increase suspended due to COVID-19 Pandemic 282 Current Financial Condition • As previously projected, without an adjustment in the Utility Fee: o Funding not sufficient to maintain operations o Operating expenses o Debt service o Cash funded capital • Existing level of service will be reduced o Reduction in planned drainage improvement projects o Water quality improvement projects o Maintenance of infrastructure • Revenue Sharing allocation suspended until FY2025 o FY2021 and FY2022 Revenue Sharing allocation shifted to FY2025 and FY2026 Business Case Considerations Consider rate adjustment- effective July 1, 2022 • Option A: o Increase debt funding from $2M to $3M (FY 2022, FY 2023, FY 2024) o Adequately fund cash funded capital o Planned staff additions o Fee increase from $.90 per 500 sf per month to $1.54 per month over five years o Average residential- $5.40 per month to $9.24 per month • Option 8: o Level debt funding of $2M o Reduction in level capital projects (FY 2022, FY 2023, FY 2024) o Adequately fund cash funded capital o Planned staff additions o Fee increase from $.90 per 500 sf per month to $1.52 per month over five years o Average residential- $5.40 per month to $9.12 per month • Option C: o Increase debt funding from $2M to $3M over the planning horizon o Adequately fund cash funded capital o Planned staff additions o Fee increase from $.90 per 500 sf per month to $1.56 per month over five years o Average residential- $5.40 per month to $9.36 per month Note: Rate adjustments scenarios do not include Downtown Flood Reduction/Mitigation - 7 projects with estimated cost $82 million. • Seek Council direction on rate adjustments (See presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.)  283 The Deputy City Manager introduced Mark Jamison, Director, Public Works and lan Shaw, Stormwater Division Manager and Joseph Arthur, Capital Project Manager and advised that the previous way of doing projects on an ad hoc basis was not the best practice and the stormwater utility fee was phased in over three years with full implementation in 2017. He pointed out that the Stormwater Utility Division operates as an enterprise fund activity, self-supporting with no subsidy from the General Fund. He continued stating that the division focused on drainage improvement projects with approximately 215 projects identified at a cost of $140 million, 147 water quality projects at an estimated cost of $85 million and in a short amount of time the division completed 31 capital improvement projects which spoke volumes to the Plan developed an ability to execute the plan. Mr. Stovall stated that in transitioning from Fiscal Year 2021 to Fiscal Year 2022 revenue would not be sufficient to continue to fund stormwater utility operations at its current level; impact would be a reduced level of drainage and water quality projects completed. He pointed out that the anticipated FY21 and FY22 revenue sharing allocation had been shifted to FY25 and FY26 and over the next three years, the City would not receive any revenue sharing funds for stormwater. He concluded by reviewing three options to consider with regard to moving forward and advised that rate increases were critical and staff recommended Option C. He noted that the business case considerations did not include the downtown flood reduction/mitigation and seven projects were slated with an estimated cost of $82 million. Vice-Mayor White-Boyd inquired if it was known what projects would be removed or reduced in connection with Option B; whereupon, Mr. Shaw explained it was fluid because there were grants to ensure matches. Mr. Stovall offered to provide a more detailed list to the Council in approximately two to three weeks. Following discussion with regard to the options for considerations, Mayor Lea announced his support for Option C, thanked Mr. Stovall for the presentation and advised that briefing would be received and filed. 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 appointments 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.) 284 ~·- Vice-Mayor White-Boyd moved that Council concur in the request of the Mayor as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member Cobb and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. At 11:24 a.m., the Mayor declared the Council meeting in recess for a Closed Meeting in the Council's Conference Room, Room 450, fourth floor, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building; and thereafter to be reconvened at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber. At 2:00 p.m., the Council meeting reconvened in the Council Chamber, with Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr., presiding. PRESENT: Council Members Vivian Sanchez-Jones, Patricia White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch (participated by electronic means), Joseph L. Cobb, Stephanie Moon Reynolds, and Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr.-6. ABSENT: Council Member Robert L. Jeffrey, Jr.-1. The Mayor declared the existence of a quorum. OFFICERS PRESENT: Robert S. Cowell, Jr., City Manager; Timothy R. Spencer, City Attorney; and Cecelia F. McCoy, City Clerk (participated by electronic communication means). The Invocation was delivered by Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. PRESENTATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: NONE. HEARING OF CITIZENS UPON PUBLIC MATTERS: City Council sets this time as a priority for citizens to be heard. If deemed appropriate, matters will be referred to the City Manager for response, recommendation or report to the Council. *"""'  285 Due to the recent increase and severity in COVID-19 cases in the City of Roanoke, out of an abundance of caution, the Roanoke City Council has determined that temporary changes are necessary. Roanoke City Council Members will continue to meet in person in City Council Chamber, observing all recommended safety protocols while members of the community wishing to address the City Council during Hearing of Citizens Upon Public Matters are required to participate virtually or via email by contacting the City Clerk's Office at clerk@roanokeva.gov and (540) 853-2541, by 12:00 p.m., on March 1. The Council Chamber will not be accessible to the general public during the meeting. The meeting will continue to be broadcast via RVTV-3 and on the City's Facebook account. BLUE RIDGE LEGAL SERVICES: Lois Caliri, Blue Ridge Legal Services, addressed the Council with regard to insurance enrollment provisions and resources for COVID-19. FIREARM PROHIBITIONS: The City Clerk acknowledged emails from Dr. Catherine Koebel, Katherine Ranson, Bishop J. L. Jackson, Pamela Young and Dr. John Priddy; all in support of adoption of an ordinance with regard to firearm prohibitions in municipal facilities. 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. CITY CODE-PROHIBITION OF FIREARMS IN MUNICIPAL FACILITIES: A communication from the City Attorney requesting that Council schedule a public hearing to be held on Monday, March 15, 2021, at 7:00 p.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 adoption of a proposed ordinance to amend the City Code with regard to the prohibition of firearms in certain municipal facilities. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Vice-Mayor White-Boyd moved that Council concur in the request of the City Attorney as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member Cobb and adopted by the following vote: 286 AYES: Council Members Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Moon Reynolds and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-0. (Council Member Jeffrey was absent.) OATHS OF OFFICE-VIRGINIA'S FIRST REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL FACILITY AUTHORITY: Report of qualification of the Honorable Stephanie M. Moon as an Elected Official representative to the Virginia's First Regional Industrial Facility Authority to fill the unexpired term of Djuna L. Osborne for a term of office ending June 30, 2024. (See Oath or Affirmation of Office on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Vice-Mayor White-Boyd moved that the report of qualification be received and filed. The motion seconded by Council Member Cobb and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Moon Reynolds and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-0. (Council Member Jeffrey was absent.) SALE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY: A communication from the City Manager requesting that Council schedule a public hearing to be held on Monday, March 15, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, or such later date and time as the City Manager shall determine, in his discretion, to sell 119 and 117 Norfolk Avenue, S. W., and two adjacent parcels situated at 0 Railside Avenue, S. W., known as Warehouse Row, to JRM Real Estate Ventures, LLC. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Vice-Mayor White-Boyd moved that Council concur in the request of the City Manager as abovementioned. The motion seconded by Council Member Cobb and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Moon Reynolds and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-0. (Council Member Jeffrey was absent.)  287 REGULAR AGENDA PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: NONE. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS AND COMMENTS OF CITY MANAGER: CITY MANAGER: BRIEFINGS: NONE. ITEM RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION: NONE. CITY ATTORNEY: AMENDMENT OF THE CITY CODE-PARTY BIKE VEHICLES: The City Attorney submitted a written communication recommending amendment of the City Code in connection with party bike vehicles. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Moon Reynolds offered the following ordinance: (#41997-030121) AN ORDINANCE amending and reordaining Section 34-147. Party Bike Vehicle Defined. Chapter 34 Vehicles for Hire, Article IV Horse-Drawn Vehicles and Party Bike Vehicles, Code of the City of Roanoke (1979), as amended; establishing an effective date. (For full text of ordinance, see Ordinance Book No. 81, page 587.) Council Member Moon Reynolds moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 41997- 030121. The motion seconded by Vice-Mayor White-Boyd and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Moon Reynolds and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-0. (Council Member Jeffrey was absent.) 288 AMENDMENT OF THE CITY CODE-LICENSE TAX ON ANTIQUE MOTOR VEHICLES: The City Attorney submitted a written communication recommending amendment of the City Code to repeal Section 20-28( o) which provides for the assessment of the license tax on antique motor vehicles. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Cobb offered the following ordinance: (#41998-030121) AN ORDINANCE, repealing Subsection (o) of Section 20-28, Tax imposed, Article II, Vehicle Licenses, Chapter 20, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Code of City of Roanoke (1979) as amended, which provides for the assessment of the license tax on antique motor vehicles; 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. 81, page 588.) Council Member Cobb moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 41998-030121. The motion seconded by Council Member Moon Reynolds and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Moon Reynolds and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-0. (Council Member Jeffrey was absent.) COMMENTS OF CITY MANAGER: The City Manager offered the following comments: Health District Media Update • Recently, Mayor Lea and I joined Dr. Cynthia Morrow and N.L. Bishop to hold a virtual press conference, sharing information about efforts to reach out to minority groups in our community to ensure equity for those who want the vaccine. • During the press conference we shared that two vaccination clinics were held in our community during February, to reach our African-American and Hispanic residents ages 65 and up who may not have had access to online registrations; 200 people were vaccinated. ...,.,.  289 • I want to thank our librarians and volunteers on the Vaccine Equity Working Group, who helped compile names of those needing vaccination, and High Street Baptist Church and Roanoke City Public Schools for allowing us to use their facilities for the clinics. • I also want to recognize our partners at VDH and our Emergency Manager, Trevor Shannon, for their leadership in this effort. • Citizens are invited to watch the entire Update, which we recorded and posted on the City's YouTube page at YouTube.com, type "City of Roanoke" in the search field. Vaccine Registration • Residents should be aware that the Virginia Department of Health has created a Statewide Vaccine Pre-registration System to help eligible residents sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine. • Residents who qualify for Groups 1A and 1B are currently eligible for vaccinations, and may pre-register for the vaccine online at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by contacting the state's Call Center at 1-877- 829-4682. The Call Center is open seven days a week (8 a.m.-8 p.m.). • More information is available on the VDH website- vdh.virginia.gov, click on the "COVID-19 Vaccine" tab. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: NONE. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OR ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: NONE. MOTIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Council Member Cobb announced March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and advised that the Executive Director of Blue Ridge Independent Living Center requested the presentation of a proclamation recognizing persons with disabilities to be presented at the March 15 City Council meeting; applauded the Human Resources Department for the Become An Ally, Safe Zone Project workshop held on Tuesday, February 23, which provided an opportunity for people to talk, learn, and ask questions about sexuality and gender in a non-judgmental, safe, educational environment. Vice-Mayor White-Boyd commented that the Equity and Empowerment Advisory Board would conduct a virtual public hearing on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. to receive comments from the community regarding the work of the Board. The Board has been appointed by the City Council to advise on actions that may be taken to address the Interwoven Equity policies contained within the City's Comprehensive Plan https://planroanoke.org/interwoven-equity/ and to aid the Council in other policy matters 290 related to equity and empowerment. The Board is interested in receiving comments from the community regarding these matters and suggestions for the renaming of Lee Plaza located adjacent to the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building. Community members interested in participating in the public hearing should contact Angie O'Brien, at EEAB@Roanokeva.gov or (540) 853-2333 by Noon, March 4 to receive information on how to participate in the hearing. Mayor Lea expressed concern with regard to Lime Scooters (dockless scooters) and improper placement on sidewalks and within right-of-ways; suggested stronger enforcement and control, as they may be a potential hazard. The City Manager advised that generally, electric powered scooters and bikes should adhere to the same rules of the road as conventional bicycles. The City of Roanoke has elected not to allow operation of scooters on sidewalks, greenways, or in parks. Operators should communicate with users through the smartphone app about proper parking, at the edge of sidewalk areas where they would not impede pedestrian traffic on sidewalks. INQUIRIES AND/OR COMMENTS BY THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: VACANCIES ON CERTAIN AUTHORITIES, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY COUNCIL: NONE. CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED MEETING: With respect to the Closed Meeting just concluded, Council Member 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 Vice-Mayor White-Boyd and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch, Cobb, Moon Reynolds and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: None-0. (Council Member Jeffrey was absent.)  291 There being no further business to come before the Council, the Mayor declared the regular meeting adjourned at 2:41 p.m. APPROVED ATTEST: c~J'fYU-~ Cecelia F. McCoy, CMC ~~1-~. Sherman P. Lea, Sr. City Clerk Mayor ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL-REGULAR SESSION March 15, 2021 2:00p.m. The Council of the City of Roanoke met in regular session on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.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. 41964-010421 adopted by the Council on Monday, January 4, 2021. PRESENT: Council Members Patricia White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch (participated by electronic means), Joseph L. Cobb, Robert L. Jeffrey, Jr., Stephanie Moon Reynolds, Vivian Sanchez-Jones, and Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr.-7. ABSENT: None-0. The Mayor declared the existence of a quorum. OFFICERS PRESENT: Robert S. Cowell, Jr., City Manager; Timothy R. Spencer, City Attorney; and Cecelia F. McCoy, City Clerk. The Invocation was delivered by Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by Mayor Lea.