City Council

345 ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL-REGULAR SESSION April 19, 2021 2:00p.m. The Council of the City of Roanoke met in regular session on Monday, April 19, 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 Joseph L. Cobb, Robert L. Jeffrey, Jr., Stephanie Moon Reynolds, Vivian Sanchez-Jones, Patricia White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch (participated by electronic means) 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 The Reverend Jeff Wilson, Pastor, Huntington Court United Methodist Church (participated by electronic means). The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. PRESENTATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: ACTS OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor Lea declared April 12 - 16, 2021 as Youth Violence Prevention Week. (See ceremonial copy of proclamation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) The Mayor presented a ceremonial copy of the Proclamation to Anita James Price, former Vice-Mayor, Member of Roanoke City Council, retired educator and lifetime youth advocate on behalf of the Youth Services Citizen Board. Expression of appreciation was shared by the Mayor and Members of Council to .. Ms. Price and the Youth Services Citizen Board . 346 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. 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 April 19. 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. MISCELLANEOUS: Barbara Duerk, 2607 Rosalind Avenue, S. W., addressed the Council, by electronic communication means, with regard to a transportation HUB for Southwest Virginia with connection to all places around the world. ,..,.,.. CONSENTAGENDA -• 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. YOUTH SERVICES CITIZEN BOARD-VACANCY: A communication from the City Clerk advising of the resignation of Crystal Hall as a member of the Youth Services Citizen Board, effective immediately, was before the Council. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Moon Reynolds moved that the resignation be accepted and the communication be received and filed. The motion seconded by Council Member Jeffrey and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. . 347 PERSONNEL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES COMMISSION-VACANCY: A communication from the City Clerk advising of vacancies on the Personnel Employment Practices Commission created by the out of State relocation of Savannah Taylor and Rick Morrison for terms of office ending June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2022, respectively, were before the Council. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Moon Reynolds moved that the communication be received and filed. The motion seconded by Council Member Jeffrey and adopted by the following vote: A YES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. FY 2020 CITY MANAGER TRANSFER REPORT FOR THE THIRD QUARTER: A communication from the City Manager transmitting the FY 2021 City Manager Transfer Report for the third quarter ended March 31, 2021, was before the Council. (See communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Moon Reynolds moved that the communication be received and filed. The motion seconded by Council Member Jeffrey and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. OATHS OF OFFICE-GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION COMMISSION: Reports of qualification of Taisha Steele, Elliott Major, Shakira Williams and The Reverend Tim Harvey as members of the Gun Violence Prevention Commission for a one-year term of office, two-year terms of office and a three-year term of office; commencing April 1, 2021 and ending March 31, 2022, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively, were before the Council. (See Oaths or Affirmations of Office on file in the City Clerk's Office.) 348 Council Member Moon Reynolds moved that the reports of qualification be received and filed. The motion seconded by Council Member Jeffrey and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. REGULAR AGENDA PUBLIC HEARINGS: NONE. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: MUNICIPAL EQUALITY INDEX SCORE: Caitlyn Sharkey, Tatiana Cherry- Santos, Alexis Ebbrecht, Dylan Sheck and Mary Rose Stark, students, LGBTQ Issues Class, Roanoke College, appeared before the Council, by electronic communication means, with regard to recommendations to the City on increasing the Municipal Equality Index (MEl) produced annually by the Human Rights Campaign. (See presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) The students summarized the recommendations noting that the City of Roanoke was doing good work with regard to inclusion, but documentation was key to improving the score. Mr. Sheck advised that in the area of non-discrimination laws, the City must ensure that all non-discrimination laws were documented and sent to the Human Rights Campaign and must be consistent with both laws pertaining to other marginalized groups and up to date with Virginia state law. Ms. Cherry-Santos explained that with regard to the employer equality recommendation, the City needed to offer transgender inclusive healthcare benefits and ensure that all policies; documentation was submitted to the Human Rights Campaign for consideration; and host mandatory LGBTQ+ inclusiveness and non-discrimination training for all city employees. Following further explanation of the recommendations, Vice-Mayor White-Board commented that the newly created Equity and Empowerment Advisory Board was in the beginning stages, but making strides toward identifying objectives and ultimately focused on inclusion of all people.  349 Mayor Lea inquired as to what the surrounding Counties in the Roanoke Valley were executing with regard to inclusion; whereupon, Council Member Cobb advised that the Municipal Equality Index was geared toward what cities were doing and currently did not measure activities of counties. There being no additional comments by the Council Members, Mayor Lea thanked the presenters and received and filed the briefing. ROANOKE REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION: David S. Jeavons, Interim Executive Director, Roanoke Blacksburg Regional Airport, appeared before the Council, by electronic communication means, introduced himself and presented the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission proposed 2021 - 2022 Operating Budget and Proposed Capital Expenditures. (For full text, see copy of documents on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Vice-Mayor White-Boyd offered the following resolution: (#42034-041921) A RESOLUTION approving the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission's 2021 - 2022 proposed operating and capital budget upon certain terms and conditions. (For full text of resolution, see Resolution Book No. 81, page 646.) Vice-Mayor White-Boyd moved the adoption of Resolution No. 42034-041921. The motion seconded by Council Member Cobb. There being no comments by the Council Members, Resolution No. 42034- 041921 was adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. ROANOKE VALLEY RESOURCE AUTHORITY: Daniel D. Miles, Chief Executive Officer, Roanoke Valley Resource Authority, appeared before the Council by electronic communication means, and presented the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority's proposed 2021 - 2022 Annual Budget. (For full text, see copy of budget document on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Cobb offered the following resolution: 350 (#42035-041 921) A RESOLUTION approving the annual budget of the Roanoke Valley Resource Authority for Fiscal Year 2021 - 2022, upon certain terms and conditions. (For full text of resolution, see Resolution Book No. 81, page 646.) Council Member Cobb moved the adoption of Resolution No. 42035-041921. The motion seconded by Council Member Moon Reynolds. There being no comments by the Council Members, Resolution No. 42035- 041921 was adopted by the following vote: A YES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS AND COMMENTS OF CITY MANAGER: CITY MANAGER: BRIEFINGS: Annual Public Safety Update (Fire) Roanoke Fire-EMS - Public Safety Briefing Fire Chief David Hoback gave an overview regarding yearly performance of the Fire-EMS Department. (See copy of presentation on file in the City Clerk's Office.) • Department Activities • Demand for Service • Structure Fires: Travel Time Performance • Significant Fires • Fire Causes • Arson History • Fire Loss History • Fire Marshal's Office 2020 • EMS Demand for Service Trend • EMS Call Volume During COVID • Critical Advance Life Support Response Time Performance • Advanced Life Support (ALS) Response Time Performance  351 • Basic Life Support (BLS) Response Time Performance • EMS Demand for Service by Time of Day • EMS Transport • EMS 2020- COVID Impacted • Factors Driving EMS Demand • Emergency Management • Emergency Management- COVID • Recruitment and Diversity • Activities for 2021 • Questions Chief Hoback reported that Roanoke in 2020, the department saw a 1.4 percent decrease in calls for ambulances, which followed seven years of rising demand for EMS service. He noted that the decline occurred during the three months when the State of Virginia was under a stay-at-home order issued by the Governor. With regard to structure fires, Chief Hoback said the city did not see a spire in severe fires; however, property damage caused by blazes cost an estimated $3.1 million compared to approximately $2.4 million last year. He also reported that in 2019, the number of working fires were at 60 calls, and saw a rise in cooking fires as more people were at home. There were also more fires in vacant buildings, which were accidentally started by homeless people who were reluctant to seek help at shelters during the pandemic. With regard to emergency calls during COVID, Chief Hoback said the department saw more than a six percent increase in 911 calls during the last two months of 2020 when COVID-19 cases spiked in the region; and continued to report that the department received 25 percent to 30 percent more calls for overdoses last year. He said medics responded to homes, vehicles, motels and restrooms, and said that there was no specific area in the city that have not been impacted by overdose and that overdose issues were in all parts of the city. Chief Hoback concluded the presentation by stating that there should be no surprise that COVID drove a lot of what occurred last year and the unprecedented disruptions with shutdowns, civil unrest, and flooding events affected the annual data collected by the Fire department. Following comments by the Council with regard to the vaccine mobile clinic trailer helping vaccinate the low-income and high-risk populations, recruitment and staffing, Mayor Lea expressed appreciation for the presentation and advised that the remarks would be received and filed. 352 ITEMS RECOMMENDED FOR ACTION: SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM GRANT: The City Manager submitted a written communication recommending the acceptance of the Summer Food Program Grant from the Virginia Department of Education. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Moon Reynolds offered the following resolution: (#42036-041921) A RESOLUTION authorizing the acceptance of a Summer Food Program Grant from the Virginia Department of Education, and authorizing execution and attestation of any required documents on behalf of the City, in connection with such grant, under certain conditions. (For full text of resolution, see Resolution Book No. 81, page 647.) Council Member Moon Reynolds moved the adoption of Resolution No. 42036- 041921. The motion seconded by Council Member Jeffrey and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. Council Member Moon Reynolds offered the following budget ordinance: (#42037-041921) AN ORDINANCE to appropriate funding from the Federal Government, through the Virginia Department of Education, for the Summer Food Program, amending and reordaining certain sections of the 2020 - 2021 Grant Fund Appropriations, and dispensing with the second reading by title of this ordinance. (For full text of ordinance, see Ordinance Book No. 81, page 648.) Council Member Moon Reynolds moved the adoption of Budget Ordinance No. 42037-041921. The motion seconded by Council Member Cobb and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0.  353 VISIT VIRGINIA'S BLUE RIDGE-WAYFINDING KIOSKS: The City Manager submitted a written communication recommending the authorization of an encroachment in the City's right-of-way at various locations for the installation of five Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge wayfinding kiosks. (For full text, see communication on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Cobb offered the following ordinance: (#42038-041921) AN ORDINANCE allowing an encroachment of wayfinding kiosks requested by the Roanoke Foundation for Downtown, Inc. (collectively "Owner") into the public right-of-way at five (5) downtown Roanoke locations including 8 Old Whitmore Avenue, S. E.; 55 Norfolk Avenue, S. W.; 26 Salem Avenue, S. W.; 200 Market Street, S. E.; and 73 Salem Avenue, S. W., and which the five (5) kiosks will be located within the City right-of-ways 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. 81, page 649.) Council Member Cobb moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 42038-041921. The motion seconded by Council Member Moon Reynolds and adopted by the following vote: A YES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd and Bestpitch-6. NAYS: None-0. (Mayor Lea was not present when vote was recorded.) COMMENTS OF CITY MANAGER: NONE. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES: VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: The Roanoke City School Board submitted a written report requesting appropriation of funds for various educational programs; and the City Manager submitted a written report recommending that Council concur in the request. (For full text, see reports on file in the City Clerk's Office.) 354 Council Member Moon Reynolds offered the following budget ordinance: (#42039-041 921) AN ORDINANCE to appropriate funding from the Commonwealth, federal and private grant for various educational programs, amending and re-ordaining certain sections of the 2020- 2021 School Grant Fund Appropriations, and dispensing with the second reading by title of this ordinance. (For full text of ordinance, see Ordinance Book No. 81, page 651.) Council Member Moon Reynolds moved the adoption of Budget Ordinance No. 42039-041921. The motion seconded by Council Member Cobb and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-D. A REPORT OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES, BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS IN WHICH CITY COUNCIL SERVE AS LIAISONS OR APPOINTEES: Council Member Cobb gave an update on the Gun Violence Prevention Commission. Council Member Bestpitch advised of his service on the search committee for replacement of Wayne Strickland, Executive Director, Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission who would retire after 42 years; and announced that the next Legislative Meeting would be held on May 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE. INTRODUCTION AND CONSIDERATION OR ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CITY MANAGER: Council Member Cobb offered the following resolution concurring in the appointment of a Deputy City Manager, effective July 1, 2021: (#42040-041921) A RESOLUTION confirming the City Manager's appointment of Clarence Grier as Deputy City Manager. (For full text of resolution, see Resolution Book No. 81, page 652.)  355 Council Member Cobb moved the adoption of Resolution No. 42040-041921. The motion was seconded by Council Member Moon Reynolds and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. MOTION AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: INQUIRIES AND/OR COMMENTS BY THE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: Mayor Lea announced that the Roanoke City & Alleghany Health Districts invites the general public age 16 and up to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Mayor Lea enthusiastically congratulated the William Fleming High School Fleming football team for winning the Region 50 championship, the Colonels first region championship win since 2003! VACANCIES ON CERTAIN AUTHORITIES, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY COUNCIL: NONE. At 5:04 p.m., Mayor Lea declared the Council Meeting in recess until 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Room 450, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building. At 7:00 p.m., the Council meeting reconvened in the Council Chamber, Room 450, fourth floor, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, with Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr., presiding. PRESENT: Council Members Joseph L. Cobb, Robert L. Jeffrey, Jr., Stephanie Moon Reynolds, Vivian Sanchez-Jones, Patricia White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch (participated by electronic means) 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. 356 The Invocation was delivered by The Reverend Serenus T. Churn, Jr., Pastor, High Street Baptist Church (participated by electronic means). The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was led by Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. PUBLIC HEARINGS: AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S 2015- 2019 CONSOLIDATED PLAN: Pursuant to instructions by the Council, the City Clerk having advertised a public hearing for Monday, April 19, 2021 at 7:00p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, on the consideration of proposed amendments to the City's 2015- 2019 Consolidated Plan, the matter was before the body. Legal advertisement of the public hearing was published in The Roanoke Times on Friday, March, 19, 2021. (See publisher's affidavit on file in the City Clerk's Office.) The City Manager submitted a written report recommending approval of the amendment to the 2015- 2019 Consolidated Plan. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Council Member Moon Reynolds offered the following resolution: (#42041-041921) A RESOLUTION approving an amendment to the City of Roanoke's 2015 - 2019 Consolidated Plan, through its 2019 - 2020 Annual Plan, for Community Development Block Grant COVID 19 (CDBG-CV3) funds received from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act; authorizing the City Manager or the City Manager's designee to submit such amendment to HUD for final review and approval; and further authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents required for such amendment. (For full text of resolution, see Resolution Book No. 81, page 653.) Council Member Moon Reynolds moved the adoption of Resolution No. 42041- 041921. The motion seconded by Vice-Mayor White-Boyd. The Mayor inquired if there were persons present who wished to speak on the matter; whereupon, the following individuals addressed the Council by electronic communication means in support of the amendments to the Consolidated Plan:  357 Karen Mason, Director, Habitat for Humanity and Carol Beck, homebuyer, thanked the Council for supporting housing and neighborhood revitalization in the Melrose-Orange Avenue Target Area and now on the Belmont-Fallon Avenue Target Area in which Habitat plans to build five homes and renovate three vacant structures for eight qualified families. Sarah Vecere, expressed support of the CDBG funding for the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition to expand outreach services particularly in southeast Roanoke. Katherine Lewis, expressed support of the CDBG funding for the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition and spoke of how she takes one homeless person to a meal per week for 52 weeks and truly began to understand addiction and how it impacted the City. The City Manager clarified that the comments provided at Item A.1., were in relation to Item A.2., with regard to the CDBG funding. There being no additional speakers, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed. Council Member Jeffrey inquired as to the amount of funding allocated to the Belmont-Fallon Avenue Target Area; whereupon, Keith Holland, Community Resources Program Administrator advised that a little more than $1.6 million or 67 percent of entitlement funding had been allocated for the project. There being no additional comments and/or questions by the Council Members, Resolution No. 42041-041921 was adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. CITY'S 2019 - 2020 HUD ANNUAL ACTION PLAN: Pursuant to instructions by the Council, the City Clerk having advertised a public hearing for Monday, April 19, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, to receive citizen comments with regard to the City's 2019 - 2020 HUD Annual Action Plan, the matter was before the body. Legal advertisement of the public hearing was published in The Roanoke Times on Friday, March 19, 2021. (See publishers' affidavits on file in the City Clerk's Office.) 358 The Mayor inquired if there were persons present who wished to speak on the matter; whereupon, the following individuals addressed the Council by electronic communication means in support of the HUD funding allocations: Jeanine Underwood, Executive Director, Bradley Free Clinic, thanked the Council for the City's long-standing commitment, which allowed the clinic to provide free healthcare to the uninsured and under-insured citizens in the Roanoke community; and noted that the clinic currently treats 400 patients for behavioral health issues; whereas, they previously treated approximately 50 patients per year. Anne Marie Green, President, Council of Community Services, thanked the Council for adopting the amendments to the Consolidated Plan, which would allow for a homeless management information system to be implemented amongst service providers, and funding for homeless prevention and housing. Karen Michalski Karney, Executive Director, Blue Ridge Independent Living Center, thanked the Council for providing funding to allow for home modifications for persons with disabilities to keep the person in home versus a nursing home facility; and also thanked Keith Holland for his efforts with regard to securing the funding. William Sellari, Beth Macy, Beth O'Connor, Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Rural Health Association (VRHA), Robin Lord Smith, and Lauren Canary addressed the Council in support of funding allocated for the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition noting that the Coalition has strong, compassionate, caring people doing good work with addicted individuals daily. There being no additional speakers, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed. Council Member Cobb inquired if the funding would allow for an additional staff person for the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition street outreach; whereupon, Mr. Holland responded in the affirmative. Council Member Cobb further inquired if Council could receive a future briefing on the efforts of the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how addiction is addressed in the City. The City Manager explained that it would be best to begin with the Coalition, for they represent a larger group that works with individuals with addiction and could expand on the collective initiatives and that he would schedule the briefing.  359 Lastly, Council Member Cobb commented that there were no economic development projects included for the Belmont-Fallon Target Area and asked what projects were typically requested within a target area and the timeline for community outreach; whereupon, Mr. Holland advised that typically no economic development projects were received, but $450,000.00 in funds were set aside for small business grant program; and noted that the community meetings would be held on the second Tuesday of each month beginning May 11, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. DISPOSABLE PLASTIC BAG TAX: Pursuant to instructions by the Council, the City Clerk having advertised a public hearing for Monday, April 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, on a proposal of the City of Roanoke to consider an amendment for a tax in the amount of $0.05 on each disposable plastic bag provided to customers by grocery store, convenience store, and drugstore retailers located within the City of Roanoke, the matter was before the body. Legal advertisement of the public hearing was published in The Roanoke Times on Friday, April 9, 2021 and Wednesday, April 14, 2021. (See publisher's affidavit on file in the City Clerk's Office.) The City Manager submitted a written report recommending the establishment of a disposable plastic bag tax of $0.05 for each disposable plastic bag provided to a consumer by retailers in grocery stores, convenience stores and drug stores, with an effective date of January 1, 2022. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.) Vice-Mayor White-Boyd offered the following ordinance: "AN ORDINANCE amending and reordaining Chapter 32, Taxation, Code of the City of Roanoke (1979), as amended, by the adoption and addition of new Article XVI, Disposable Plastic Bag Tax, to provide for a tax on each disposable plastic bag provided to consumer by certain retailers, in accordance with the provisions of Section 58.1-1745 through Section 58.1-1748 et seq., Code of Virginia (1950), as amended; providing for an effective date; and dispensing with the second reading of this ordinance by title." Vice-Mayor White-Boyd moved the adoption of the ordinance. The motion seconded by Council Member Moon Reynolds. The Mayor inquired if there were persons present who wished to speak on the matter; whereupon, the following individuals addressed the Council by electronic communication means in support of the proposed tax: 360 Terry McGuire, 339 King George Avenue, S. W.; Mark Lazar, 1901 Carter Road, S. W.; and Mike Hill, 1925 Cambridge Avenue, S. W. There being no additional speakers, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed. Council Member Cobb inquired as to how the tax would be implemented; whereupon, the City Manager advised that the tax would be applied to consumers at the time of purchase for the use of a disposable plastic bag. Council Member Cobb further suggested that the Council delay the adoption of the ordinance and gather additional information. Council Member Jeffrey asked about the strategy to inform the community with regard to the impact and implementation of the proposed tax. Council Member Cobb moved that the matter be tabled to date certain, being Monday, May 17, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber. The motion was seconded by Council Member Sanchez-Jones and adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, and Mayor Lea-6. NAYS: Council Member Bestpitch-1. RELOCATION OF TWO POLLING PLACES: Pursuant to instructions by the Council, the City Clerk having advertised a public hearing for Monday, April 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, on a proposal of the City of Roanoke to consider the relocation of two polling places within the City for voter precincts No. 5, East Gate and No. 9, Highland, the matter was before the body. Legal advertisement of the public hearing was published in The Roanoke Times on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 and Tuesday, April 13, 2021. (See publisher's affidavit on file in the City Clerk's Office.) The City Attorney submitted a written report recommending the permanent relocation of the polling place for Voter Precinct No. 5, East Gate Precinct to Hollins Road Baptist and the polling place for Voter Precinct No. 9 Highland to Second Presbyterian Church. (For full text, see report on file in the City Clerk's Office.)  361 Vice-Mayor White-Boyd offered the following ordinance: (#42042-041921) AN ORDINANCE amending and reordaining Sections 10-26, Same - Polling Place, and 10-34, Same - Polling Place, Article II, Election District; Voter Precincts and Polling Places, Chapter 10, Elections, of the Code of the City of Roanoke ( 1979), as amended, to permanently relocate the polling place for Voter Precinct No. 5, East Gate Precinct and the polling place for Voter Precinct No. 9 Highland Precinct; 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 656.) Vice-Mayor White-Boyd moved the adoption of Ordinance No. 42042-041921. The motion seconded by Council Member Cobb. The Mayor inquired if there were persons present who wished to speak on the matter; whereupon, the following individual addressed the Council by electronic communication means in support of the relocation of the polling places: Luke Priddy, 302 51h Street, S. W., spoke in support of the matter and suggested that a drop box be placed outside of the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building for receipt of election ballots. There being no additional speakers, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed. Council Member Sanchez-Jones inquired as to how decisions were made to choose polling places around the City; whereupon, The City Attorney advised that the General Registrar canvassed the City for suitable and ADA compliant places for voting within the voting precincts. There being no comments and/or questions by the Council Members, Ordinance No. 42042-041921 was adopted by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Cobb, Jeffrey, Moon Reynolds, Sanchez-Jones, White-Boyd, Bestpitch and Mayor Lea-7. NAYS: None-0. 362 ROANOKE CITY SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES: Pursuant to instructions by the Council, the City Clerk having advertised a public hearing for Monday, April 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, to receive the views of citizens regarding appointment of three Roanoke City School Board Trustees for three-year terms, each, commencing July 1, 2021. The candidates being Mark K. Cathey, Diane M. Casola, Michael L. Cherry, II, Byron L. Hamlar and Jennifer Owen-O'Quill, the matter was before the body. Legal advertisements of the public hearing were published in The Roanoke Times on Friday, April 9, 2021; and The Roanoke Tribune on Thursday, April 8, 2021. (See publishers' affidavits on file in the City Clerk's Office.) The Mayor inquired if there were persons present who wished to speak in connection with the matter; whereupon, the following persons addressed the Council by electronic communication means in support or opposition of the above-mentioned candidates for appointment to the Roanoke City School Board: Caroline Garcia, 1838 Oxford Avenue, S. W.; Mason Wheeler, 1333 Lakewood Drive, S. W., Michael Ramsey, 2129 Maiden Lane, S. W.; Jasmine Martin, 309 13th Street, S. W.; Dan Summerlin, 3260 Somerset Street, S. W.; Joseph Jablonski, 1505 Red Oak Lane, S. W.; and Gregory McClain, Jr., 123321 Sand Pine Court, Jacksonville, Florida, all spoke in support of Diane Casola. Helen Favor, 2416 Jefferson Street, S. E.; Kerry Morgicwicz, 2501 Mt. Vernon Road, S. W.; and Elizabeth Martin, 2435 Cornwallis Avenue, S. E., all spoke in support of Jennifer Owen-O'Quill. Catherine Koebel, 2625 Longview Avenue, S. W., spoke in support of Diane Casola and in opposition of Mark Cathey. There being no additional speakers, Mayor Lea declared the public hearing closed, and remarked that all comments would be received and filed. Vice-Mayor White-Boyd advised that a Closed Meeting would be held on Monday, May 3, for discussion of candidates and the successful candidates announced at the Monday, May 17 Council Meeting. 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.  363 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 April 19. 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. MISCELLANEOUS: Barbara Andes, 2803 Rosalind Avenue, S. W., addressed the Council, by electronic means, to express dissatisfaction with regard to a denied FOIA request for School Board applications for appointment. MISCELLANEOUS: Freeda Cathcart, 2516 Sweetbrier Avenue, S. W., addressed the Council, by electronic means, to urge the Council to select the best candidate for the school division. There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Lea declared the regular meeting adjourned at 9:48 p.m. APPROVED ATTEST: (2~0-: tfYL~ Cecelia F. McCoy, CMC 0 Sl 'c;;;;~ Q, c Sherman P. Lea, Sr. City Clerk Mayor