City Council

408 HEARING OF CITIZENS UPON PUBLIC MATTERS: NONE. At 8:10 p.m., the Mayor declared the Council meeting in recess until Monday, May 24, 2021, in the Council Chamber, for the purpose of conducting public hearings on the City of Roanoke Recommended Fiscal Year 2021 - 2022 Budget at 7:00 p.m.; and Proposed Real Property Tax Increase at 7:10p.m. The recessed meeting of Roanoke City Council was called to order on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Room 450, fourth floor, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S. W., with Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr., presiding. PRESENT: Council Members Stephanie Moon Reynolds, Vivian Sanchez- Jones, Patricia White-Boyd, William D. Bestpitch, Joseph L. Cobb, Robert L. Jeffrey, Jr., 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. Mayor Lea announced that the purpose of the recessed meeting was to conduct two separate public hearings: (1) Recommended Budget for the City for Fiscal Year 2021 - 2022 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be reached; and (2) Proposed Real Estate Tax Rate Increase at 7:10 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be reached. He explained there would be no discussion or action taken by the Council during or at the conclusion of the public hearings. RECOMMENDED FISCAL YEAR 2021 - 2022 CITY BUDGET: Pursuant to instructions by the Council, the City Clerk having advertised a public hearing for Monday, May 24, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, to afford persons an opportunity to speak and state their views concerning all aspects of the Recommended Fiscal Year 2021 - 2022 City Budget, in the amount of $307,630,000.00, the matter was before the body.  409 Legal advertisement of the public hearing was published in The Roanoke Times <;;. on Friday, May 14, 2021. (See publishers' affidavit on file in the City Clerk's Office.) The Mayor inquired if there were persons present who wished to speak on the proposed budget; whereupon, the following individuals addressed the Council, by electronic communication means: Terry McGuire 339 King George Avenue, S. W., spoke with regard to increased funding of $60,000.00 for the urban forestry program. Chris Bryant, 1315 Sewell Lane, S. W., spoke with regard to the planting of more trees within the City of Roanoke. Tatiana Durant, 513 2oth Street, N. W., requested increased funding for policing and law enforcement, increased budget transparency and community engagement. Chris Gewirtz, 513 20th Street, N. W., expressed concern about systemic racism, police funding and Sheriff Department expenditures. Luke Priddy, 302 5th Street, N. W., Suite A, spoke with regard to increased voting hours, drop box installation at Municipal Building, increased funding for planting of trees and the addition of full-time positions within Department of Parks and Recreation. There being no further speakers, Mayor Lea declared the public hearing closed. PROPOSED REAL ESTATE TAX RATE INCREASE: Pursuant to instructions by the Council, the City Clerk having advertised a public hearing for Monday, May 24, 2021, at 7:10 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, to afford persons an opportunity to speak and state their views concerning all aspects of the proposed Real Estate Tax Rate Increase, the matter was before the body. Legal advertisement of the public hearing was published in The Roanoke Times on Saturday, April 24, 2021. (See publishers' affidavits on file in the City Clerk's Office.) The Mayor inquired if there were persons present who wished to speak on the proposed real estate tax increase; there being none, he declared the public hearing closed. 410 There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Lea declared the recessed meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. APPROVED ATTEST: r:~~..:f-~ ~~.[Q. Cecelia F. McCoy, CMC Sherman P. Lea, Sr. City Clerk Mayor