HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Actions 11-03-05 SpMtg SPECIAL MEETING
ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL
ROANOKE CITY SCHOOL BOARD
NOVEMBER 3, 2005
4:00 P.M.
ROOM 159
AGENDA
Call to Order. Council/School Board.
Roll Call. Council/School Board.
Invocation.
Statement of Purpose. The purpose of the special meeting is to
discuss Victory Stadium and a football stadium at Patrick Henry
and William Fleming High Schools.
Remarks by Mayor Harris/Chair Stockburger.
Discussion.
7. Adjourn.
C. NELSON HARRIS
Mayor
CITY OF ROANOKE
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
215 CHURCH AVENUE, S.W., ROOM 452
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24011-1594
TELEPHONE: (540) 853 2444
FAX: (540) 853-11,45
November 2, 2005
The Honorable Vice-Mayor and Members
of the Roanoke City Council
Roanoke, Virginia
Dear Vice-Mayor Fitzpatrick and Members of Council:
Pursuant to Section 10, Meetings of Council Generally, of the Charter of the
City of Roanoke, this is to advise you that I am calling a special meeting of
the Council on Thursday, November 3, 2005, at 4:00 p.m., in Room 159,
Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S. W. The purpose
of the special meeting will be to meet with the Roanoke City School Board
to discuss issues in connection with the consultant's report regarding
Victory Stadium and a football stadium at Patrick Henry and William
Fleming High Schools.
With kindest regards.
Sincerely,
C. Nelson Harris
Mayor
CNH:MFP:sm
pc:
Darlene L. Burcham, City Manager
William M. Hackworth, City Attorney
Jesse A. Hall, Director of Finance
Mary F. Parker, City Clerk
C. NELSON HARRIS
Mayor
CITY OF ROANOKE
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
215 CHURCH AVENUE, S.W., ROOM 452
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24011-1594
TELEPHONE: (540) 853-2444
FAX: (540) 853-11~5
November 2, 2005
The Honorable Vice-Mayor and Members
of the Roanoke City Council
Roanoke, Virginia
Dear Vice-Mayor Fitzpatrick and Members of Council:
Pursuant to Section lO, Meetings of Council Generally, of the Charter of the
City of Roanoke, this is to advise you that I am calling a special meeting of
the Council on Thursday, November 3, 2005, at 4:00 p.m., in Room 159,
Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S. W. The purpose
of the special meeting will be to meet with the Roanoke City School Board
to discuss issues in connection with the consultant's report regarding
Victory Stadium and a football stadium at Patrick Henry and William
Fleming High Schools.
With kindest regards.
Sincerely,
C. Nelson Harris
Mayor
CNH:MFP:sm
pc:
Darlene L. Burcham, City Manager
William M. Hackworth, City Attorney
Jesse A. Hall, Director of Finance
Mary F. Parker, City Clerk
C-1
398
ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL
November 3, 2005
4:00 P.M.
A special meeting of the Council of the City of Roanoke and the Roanoke
City School Board was called to order on Thursday, November 3, 2005, at
4:00 p.m., in the Emergency Services Conference Room, Room 159, Noel C.
Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S. W., City of Roanoke, with
Mayor C. Nelson Harris and Chair Kathy G. Stockburger presiding.
ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: M. Rupert Cutler, Beverly T.
Fitzpatrick, Jr., Sherman P. Lea, Brenda L. McDaniel, Brian J. Wishneff, and Mayor
C. Nelson Harris ............................................................................................ 6.
ABSENT: None ..................................................................................... 0.
(Council Member Dowe arrived late.)
ROANOKE CITY SCHOOL TRUSTEES PRESENT: Jason E. Bingham, David B.
Carson, William H. Lindsey, Alvin L. Nash, Courtney A. Penn, David B. Trinkle,
and Chair Kathy G. Stockburger ...................................................................... 7.
ABSENT: None ..................................................................................... 0.
The Mayor and Chair declared the existence of a quorum of their
respective bodies.
The invocation was delivered by Vice-Mayor Fitzpatrick.
OFFICERS PRESENT: Representing the City of Roanoke: Darlene L.
Burcham, City Manager; William M. Hackworth, City Attorney; Jesse A. Hall,
Director of Finance; and Mary F. Parker, City Clerk.
Representing the Roanoke City Public Schools: Marvin T. Thompson,
Superintendent; Cindy H. Lee, Clerk; and Timothy R. Spencer, Legal Counsel.
The Mayor read the following communication calling the special meeting:
399
"November 2, 2005
The Honorable Vice-Mayor and Members
of the Roanoke City Council
Roanoke, Virginia
Dear Vice-Mayor Fitzpatrick and Members of Council:
Pursuant to Section ]0, Meetings of Council Generally, of the Charter of the City
of Roanoke, this is to advise you that I am calling a special meeting of the
Council on Thursday, November 3, 2005, at 4:00 p.m., in Room 159, Noel C.
Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S. W. The purpose of the special
meeting will be to meet with the Roanoke City School Board to discuss issues in
connection with the consultant's report regarding Victory Stadium and a
football stadium at Patrick Henry and William Fleming High Schools.
With kindest regards.
Sincerely,
S/C. Nelson Harris
C. Nelson Harris
Mayo r"
The Mayor advised that the special meeting was called for the purpose of
discussing an issue, not to discuss people, and if the discourse in any way
becomes uncivil, he would adjourn the meeting.
The Mayor referred to a communication from the Chair of the School
Board under date of October 27, 2005, transmitting a report submitted by the
Superintendent's Athletic Committee; whereupon, he called upon the School
Board Chair for remarks.
Council Member Dowe entered the meeting.
Chair Stockburger advised that it is the intent and the responsibility of
the School Board to provide safe, high performing schools for Roanoke's
children during a time of significant and time critical challenges, therefore, to
the extent that athletic programs help the school system to achieve its goals,
the conversation that is about to take place is important. However, she stated
that it is hoped that future conversations will center on instruction, learning
and building high quality schools.
The Chair reviewed the contents of the interim report submitted by the
Superintendent's Athletic Committee that was appointed in April 2005, and was
charged with the responsibility of evaluating City Schools athletic needs.
400
She added that the committee will not complete its assignment until the
end of the calendar year; however, the interim report stated that it would be in
the best interests of Roanoke City students to locate a stadium at each high
school. Historically, she explained that the rationale has been for a shared
stadium, due to cost effectiveness and the fact that fewer students were
involved in athletics than they are today; and while the rationale supports and
the School Board prefers school based stadiums, it understands that costs are a
consideration as well as the impact on neighborhoods. She added that the
issue is ultimately a decision that will be made by the Council; therefore, the
position of the School Board is in support of school stadiums, however, the
School Board would support ultimately the decision of Council. She stated that
this is not an eleventh hour maneuver by the School Board; the School Board did
not encourage or request any of the petitions or advocacy groups to come
forward, but the above stated position was taken after reviewing the report of
the Athletic Committee.
A summary of the report of the Superintendent's Athletic Committee is as
follows:
"Charge:
The Superintendent's Athletic Committee was unanimously
agreed to by the School Board at its April 2005 meeting.
This committee was established to discern District athletic
needs. These needs include, but are not limited to:
Determining short-term facility, management, safety,
maintenance, and cost needs for a high school football
facility for the next three to four years.
Being ready to respond to the upcoming' Roanoke City
Council decision regarding a stadium, confirming and
lobbying for the needs of our student athletes and
school system as a whole as it pertains to this decision.
Evaluate and make recommendations for athletic
programming at the middle and high school level,
including hiring practices, stipends, transportation
needs, relationship with the City Parks and Recreation
department, intramurals, etc.
Planning long-range and short-term capital plans for
football as well as all athletic programs and facilities in
the school system.
History:
Discussions
401
The committee convened in September.
The committee has met for two-hour sessions on three
occasions.
The committee is made up of board members, parents,
coaches, teachers, athletic directors.
The committee hopes to present its report to the
school board at the December school board meeting.
and Decisions to Date:
Preparations are underway to determine a location for
high school football within the City and on the grounds
of RCPS. Final cost analyses are due soon. It is
anticipated that a subcommittee will be formed to work
with the school system, the Parks and Recreation
Department, and neighborhoods in order to be fully
ready for football in August 2006.
Much time has been spent discussing the difficulties in
fielding equitable teams in all ten sports at the middle
school level. Concerns regarding costs, travel, and
skill development have been discussed. "Out-of-the-
box" alternatives are being considered. It is hoped that
a way to provide competitive sports in a cost effective
manner can be found. This is felt to be vital to school
spirit, student health and developing feeder programs
for the high schools. There is still much work to do in
this area. We will probably have a public forum on this
and other issues before the committee finishes its
work.
Much time has also been spent on the longer term
stadium decision. We have carefully reviewed the
history, including many documents, regarding the
Victory Stadium decision as it pertains to the school
system. The committee has understood the decision
of previous school boards and school administrations
to support a shared stadium. It is felt, based on
documentation, that if cost, space, and ongoing
maintenance were not issues, the school system would
have supported two high school stadiums throughout
the debate. "Plan B" for a shared stadium was
"satisfactory" due to perceived cost savings in a shared
facility. However, this committee feels that with the
402
time that has elapsed in this debate, the changes in
school board and administration, the now available
space on the high school campuses and the possibility
that it may very well be more cost effective to have a
stadium at each high school. "Plan A" should be more
fully promoted by the School Board. This, again, has
been the school system's "Plan A" all along, and if
indeed it is more cost effective, then this is the right
path to take. We feel it is okay for the School Board to
adopt this decision based on all the new information
that has become available. Again, if there are not cost
savings in a shared facility (which we do not know at
this time), then the School Board should strongly
support what appears to be what it has wanted all
along: two high school stadiums. It is the unanimous
consensus of the committee that each high school has
a stadium on campus. The reasons given by
committee members include:
'Home games' should actually be 'at home.' Omsite
stadiums would promote student involvement if for no
other reason than to eliminate the need for
transportation. It is time to give these children their
own memories as opposed to trying to relive a bygone
year. The booster clubs could actually earn money.
'Better school control of facility - Improved pep and
morale - Multiple uses: soccer, band, convocations,
pep rallies, etc. - Opportunity for booster clubs -
Improvement opportunities for city wide events with
better complexes and facilities - Less cost associated
with travel, security, etc.'
'We would use the field for more than just football. We
not only struggle with scheduling home games on
Friday night but we are without a place to play soccer,
lacrosse, sub varsity football, as well as sub varsity
soccer, lacrosse, and a place for the band to practice
on a regulation field. We are at a huge disadvantage
for students to have opportunities to use a school field
and we lose money, spirit and community support not
having our own field.'
403
'1. Build school spirit and pride. 2. Eliminate
transportation costs for home games. 3. Booster
clubs, school clubs, and other teams could earn money
from concessions. 4. Home fan attendance would
increase due to decreased travel.'
'1. The students develop a better school identity by
playing on their own campuses. 2. Transportation
costs can be reduced. 3. Students take ownership and
develop pride. 4. Schools can make a schedule without
constantly having to coordinate with another school or
another government agency.'
'Constructing two stadiums to be used for high school
athletics (football, soccer, lacrosse, etc.) will cost less
than a shared City stadium and they will certainly
improve student morale, foster school and community
pride and spirit. They will allow schools and booster
organizations the opportunity to collect revenues that
a shared stadium will not allow and will reduce the
costs that the high school must now incur in terms of
facility rent and transportation costs. Stadiums at the
high schools are what our students deserve.'
Work on short-term and long-range capital plans for
the athletic needs of our school system have just
begun by this committee. Obviously these will be
related to the outcome of the pending City Council
decision, and the recommendations as related to
programming and this work will, therefore, be the last
task of this committee."
The Mayor opened the floor for discussion.
The Superintendent reviewed the following High School Statistics 2000-
2001 through 2004-2005:
404
Roanoke City Public Schools
High School Statistics 2000-2001 through 2004-2005
Dropo,~S
School Year
Grade Level 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005~
Patrick Henry High
Grade 9 39 '15 20 24 20
~rede 10 38 22 21 13 17 ~
The Superintendent reviewed the following fact sheet with regard to
proposed high school athletic facilities:
405
ROANOKE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bernard 3. Godek
Office of Associate Superintendent for Management
Discovering the Wealth in Every Student
The Superintendent reviewed the following conceptual estimates for high
school stadia under date of October 27, 2005:
406
Vice-Mayor Fitzpatrick advised that since his children are no longer
enrolled in the City's School system, he is not attuned to what today's young
people need as the school system tries to intergrate both academics and
athletics to provide an overall holistic education; his purpose in asking for the
joint meeting of Council and the School Board was not for the purpose of
requiring the School Board to take a position but to ask the School Board and
the School Superintendent to share their thoughts on what is best for Roanoke's
young people. Therefore, he asked the School Board and School
Superintendent to help the Council to understand the relationship between
academics and athletics.
Superintendent Thompson advised that Roanoke currently has two high
schools that are undergoing change with regard to not only their physical
location, but their physical design; Roanoke has had two campus-style schools
for many years; in a matter of a few short months, Patrick Henry High School
students will be moved into a singular facility, which, in itself, changes the
culture of the school community; and in approximately three years, students at
William Fleming High School will do likewise. In terms of cultural changes, he
explained that for years, students have passed each other in pods, but when
students are brought together in one unit, different types of communication
takes place which presents certain implications for the school to begin to grow
into a total school community.
407
He stated that there are certain numerical values to examining the need
to provide on site stadiums and reviewed information with regard to Roanoke
City's graduation and drop-out rate which demonstrates the pattern for the past
five years. He added that the City's graduation rate has not been above 60 per
cent during the last five years; as the school system strives to improve the
graduation rate, numbers will be added to every class each year, and as the
school system moves to progress and change, numbers at each grade level
could increase by about 200 students on average for each year; therefore, 600
extra students every year in each school in a school system that is already at
capacity at both high schools brings to mind questions with regard to the
future impact of a third high school in six to seven years. He stated that he
expects the school system to become better at closing the gap in the
graduation rate, and Roanoke's schools will be well over capacity in six years or
more.
He advised that when talking about building stronger school
communities, at some point in time William Fleming and Patrick Henry High
Schools may not be the only entities in the City of Roanoke in terms of
providing educational and other opportunities for high school students.
Council Member Cutler asked the Superintendent to be more specific with
regard to the role of athletics, particularly football stadiums on school
campuses, insofar as contributing to the graduation statistics.
The Superintendent advised that currently in the athletic community, a lot
of time is being spent on feeder patterns and developing stronger athletic
programs overall and an increase in student participation. He stated that in his
experience as a high school administrator, it is quite telling when strong
athletic programs are not in place which leads to idle students; students look to
the school for a sense of belonging, for activities and opportunities; many
students have to travel away from the school to participate in and to practice
sports activities, therefore, there is no true connection to the school which is
the missing piece. He called attention to certain inherent intangibles that can
translate into negative discipline numbers, the number of students who drop-
out of school who are not inspired or motivated, and athletics is the first phase
of enhancing opportunities for the largest number of students in any high
school and creates the greatest number of opportunities for all students to
participate by the number of sports activities that are offered. For example, he
added that the Science Club is simply the Science Club for those students who
are interested in science, but athletics has many bounds and offers students an
opportunity to expose their skills based on their personal preference.
408
With regard to the relevance of athletic fields versus the drop-out rate,
the Superintendent advised that Roanoke City is losing students as early as the
seventh grade; as we look at what the schools and school programs are doing
for children, it is important to look at feeder patterns to involve young people
as early as possible in order to formulate strong athletic programs; walking out
of a student's own school down to his or her locker room and onto the school's
athletic field instills a source of pride, decreases travel time for young people
who drive to practice, and removes a transportation barrier for some students
who do not have the means to travel to other locations.
He stated that athletic fields have a great impact on not only students but
parents who use the facilities after hours for walking or jogging which enables
the school to become a part of the entire community, rather that simply a
building where students attend school.
Council Member Wishneff requested clarification on the Superintendent's
statement that providing an athletic field for practice and sports activities will
help to decrease the school drop-out rate; whereupon, Mr. Thompson advised
that it is a variable that provides an opportunity for students to participate and
to become a part of the school community.
Council Member Wishneff requested data to confirm that the student
drop out rate will decrease if practice fields are located on the school campus;
whereupon, Mr. Thompson advised that he would provide research articles that
speak specifically to the effects of interscholastic sports participation on
academic achievement at the middle and high school levels.
Chair Stockburger called attention to a school district in the State of
Pennsylvania that recently constructed a stadium, and research reveals that
extra curricular activities increased the school systems graduation rate.
The Superintendent advised that a 3,000 seat capacity athletic facility
located at each of the high school sites has been discussed.
Council Member Cutler inquired if there is sufficient land for an athletic
field at Patrick Henry High School; whereupon, the Superintendent advised that
according to the architect, the sitting is located to the rear of the building,
below level in a kind of bowl configuration, and he has been assured that the
area will accommodate a 3,000 seat athletic field.
When questioned if the bowl configuration would help to alleviate light
and noise issues, the Superintendent advised that he would confer with the
architect and advise Council accordingly.
409
Council Member McDaniel inquired as to the number of night games that
would be held on each athletic field; whereupon, the Superintendent advised
that football is the primary night event and each high school plays five home
games, and other events could include soccer which is played during early
evening in the spring.
On the cost handout, Council Member Dowe requested a clarification of
the term domestic water and testing allowance.
Upon question, Dr. Trinkle advised that subsurface evaluations were
performed and utilities were purposely moved out of the area at Patrick Henry
High School.
Question was raised as to whether the School Board/School
Administration had entertained the idea of limiting lights to football play only
so that the neighborhood would not be subjected to a 24/7 kind of use.
The Chair responded that the fears articulated by the Raleigh Court
community relate to "what if" types of questions such as traffic control, or
whether the field is used 15 or 20 lighted nights a year. She stated that if
stadiums are constructed at the two high schools, residents of the areas should
provide input.
Council member Wishneff advised that 16 per cent of the City's
population is 65 years of age or older, the City has a limited amount of tax
dollars, Roanoke's taxpayers have been generous by allowing the City to
construct/renovate $100 million in high schools improvements; therefore, he
inquired if the School Board had $10 million dollars to spend and the question
was raised as to the best way to improve the high school drop-out rate, would
the answer be to construct stadia at the two high schools.
Superintendent Thompson responded that the School Board was invited
to the meeting because the City of Roanoke has $15 million to spend on
stadiums that impact schools.
Council Member Dowe inquired about traffic as it relates to present
school activities versus the addition of a sporting venue; whereupon, the
Superintendent advised that any school when addressing new goals, new
challenges and certain changes could, by its design, create a new traffic pattern
or increase the volume of people.
Vice-Mayor Fitzpatrick expressed appreciation to the School Board and to
the Superintendent for meeting with Council and advised that the sharing of
information will help Council to make the best decision on behalf of Roanoke's
children.
410
Council Member McDaniel advised that concerns have been expressed
not only in the Raleigh Count neighborhood, but in the Grandin Court
neighborhood concerning the stadium at Patrick Henry High School. She
inquired if the stadium at Patrick Henry will include a track; whereupon, the
Superintendent advised that the track will be located at the William Fleming
site.
She inquired if students drive from game events back to the school sites
for post game activities; whereupon, the Superintendent responded in the
affirmative and advised of the risk of various negatives that could happen.
Council Member Cutler advised that he was not comfortable in spending
taxpayers' money on Victory Stadium which is located in a floodway; and after
spending 50 years studying natural resources management and water
management, he can attest to the fact that floods on the Roanoke River will
continue and worsen as suburbs in Blacksburg develop on the headwaters of
the Roanoke River, and as more development takes place in Roanoke County,
flood water will flow down the Roanoke River.
He advised that when touring the new Patrick Henry High School, it
appeared that the design created the sense of smaller schools by dividing the
school. He inquired if a stadium has the potential of bringing groups of
students together around one athletic program in order to generate a sense of
one school.
Superintendent Thompson advised that the design of Patrick Henry offers
great opportunities for internal small learning communities; a variable of the
school drop-out rate involves curriculum and when the curriculum is changed,
students will be engaged in a different way; and stadia at the two high schools
will provide an opportunity that Roanoke's students have not previously had.
Mayor Harris inquired if the Superintendent was comfortable in advising
the Council that two stadia could be constructed for a combined cost of $8.2
million; whereupon, the Superintendent advised that he was quite confident
with the $8.2 million figure. He stated that inflation is always a variable, if
stadia for the two high schools are approved by Council, it would be two years
before the stadium at Patrick Henry High School is completed; and it would take
three to four years before construction on the William Fleming stadium could
begin therefore, a natural five per cent inflation rate was built into the $8.2
million figure.
Mayor Harris inquired about the opinion of the athletic community; i.e.:
athletic directors, coaches, parents, teachers etc., concerning school athletic
fields; whereupon, the Superintendent advised that they support stadia at the
two high schools.
411
Other than football, Mayor Harris inquired if there would be a need to
hold other athletic events at a shared stadium; whereupon, the Superintendent
advised that compacted school stadiums with more green space would allow
other events to occur on site.
Mayor Harris inquired if stadia were constructed on the two high school
campuses as a part of the school complex, would the School Board operate,
manage and maintain the facilities; whereupon, the Superintendent responded
in the affirmative and advised that it was one of the reasons the school system
chose to look at astroturf which is Iow maintenance and creates greater
opportunities for more frequent play.
Mayor Harris asked the Superintendent to discuss how concessions would
be addressed at a high school-based stadium versus a shared stadium;
whereupon, the Superintendent referred to a concept where revenue generated
at school activities would go back to the school's athletic programs; some
programs could become self sufficient; and operating concessions would
provide an opportunity for students that participate in clubs and organizations
to increase their activities.
Assuming that stadia for both high schools are approved, Mayor Harris
inquired about the timeline for completion; whereupon, the Superintendent
advised that the Patrick Henry stadium would be completed in the fall of 2007,
followed by the William Fleming stadium in the fall of 2010.
Mayor Harris made the observation that the William Fleming stadium
would include a track and field within the stadium footprint; however, the
footprint for the Patrick Henry stadium would include improving the existing
track on the other side of Shrine Hill. Dr. Trinkle advised that some of the track
and field events will be moved to the outside of the track. It was noted that a
price of $160,000.00 was quoted to rotorize and remove everything from the
outside, however, it was not clear if the $160,000.00 was included in the $4.1
million figure for a stadium.
The Mayor advised and the Superintendent confirmed that the stadium
would be constructed in the general vicinity of McQuilkin Hall located on the
Patrick Henry campus. He inquired if participation by students in high school
athletics has increased or decreased; whereupon, the Superintendent advised
that participation has declined.
Dr. Trinkle advised that participation, city-wide, in Parks and Recreation
programs, as well as middle school participation has declined and no one
understands why; the school system enjoys a good relationship with the City's
Parks and Recreation Department and a part of the solution will involve a better
relationship between the Parks and Recreation Department and the schools to
develop a new and more competitive programs at the middle school level in
order to feed the high school level.
412
When going off site for an athletic event, Mayor Harris inquired if a cost
analysis was prepared comparing on campus versus off campus activities;
whereupon, the Superintendent advised that figures have not been quantified to
this point.
The Mayor inquired if there is any liability exposure to going off campus
for an athletic event; whereupon, the Superintendent advised that there are
always liability issues when students travel to and from school activities.
Mayor Harris requested more information on the thrust of Roanoke's
school system to enhance the school athletic program on a number of levels.
Dr. Trinkle advised that to date there has been no mention of athletics
within the school system, no studies have been completed on how athletics
affect academics or school morale, and there are no short term or long term
budgetary plans in the school budget involving athletics. He stated that the
goal of the Athletic Committee is to determine and to prioritize needs leading
to short term and long term capital, as well as programming needs that involve
athletics. He explained that various options are under consideration such as
eliminating certain programs, enhancing other programs, working with the
City's Department of Parks and Recreation, and cutting back on transportation
expenses, etc., all of which will be presented to the School Board for
consideration.
Should the Council approve stadia at the two high schools, Mayor Harris
inquired about the strategy of the School Board to engage the Raleigh
Court/Grandin Court neighborhood in discussions; whereupon, the
Superintendent advised of the importance of receiving input from the
neighborhoods by listening to concerns and establishing an oversite committee
that would participate in implementation.
In the event of a sell out at the 3,000 seat stadium at Patrick Henry,
Mayor Harris inquired about parking capacity; whereupon, the Superintendent
advised that approximately 1500 persons attend a average football game so
there will be sufficient parking.
Council Member Cutler advised that the School Board has other priorities
to consider, particularly instruction and academics; City Council also has other
priorities such as a new library, a recreation center, etc., therefore, if stadia can
be constructed for less that $15 million, any excess funds could be used to
address other City/School priorities.
The Mayor expressed appreciation to the School Board for meeting with
the Council and advised that Victory Stadium options will be discussed by the
Council on Monday, November 7, 2005, at 2:00 p.m.
413
The Mayor advised that Council is scheduled to meet on Monday,
November 7, 2005, at 9:00 a.m., for the Council's monthly work session;
however, a quorum of the Council was not expected to be present until
10:00 a.m.
Following discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that Council
Member Cutler would open the meeting on Monday, November 7 at 9:00 a.m.,
declare that a quorum was not present and recess the meeting until 10:00 a.m.,
in Room 159, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Avenue, S. W., City
of Roanoke, Virginia.
There being no further business, at 5:40 p.m., the Mayor and the School
Board Chair declared their respective meetings adjourned.
APPROVED
ATTEST:
Mary F. Parker
City Clerk
C. Nelson Harris
Mayor