Petersburg business owners say state health inspections are delaying openings; council pledges roundtable

Nikki Harris, owner of Cool Beans Cafe at 2 North Sycamore Street, told the Petersburg City Council July 1 that her business remains closed because the Petersburg health department has not completed required inspections.

“The fire department's already signed off. Everybody but the health department,” Harris said, adding that she is losing about $3,800 a month in revenue and getting dozens of customer inquiries while unable to open. She said her food trailer had been inspected and certified but subsequent attempts to open at other locations have been blocked and that enforcement visits at times included marked city vehicles with lights.

City officials responded that the health department inspection process is separate from city permitting and that the council will press state health officials for action. Councilman Jones (first reference as Councilman Jones) said the state health department must be held accountable for inspection delays and that he has contacted state officials to request inspections. Vice Mayor Hill (first reference as Vice Mayor Hill) said the council will organize a downtown business roundtable and invite the commission of the revenue, fire, police and the health department to explain permitting and inspection steps.

City Manager Altman (first reference as City Manager Altman) acknowledged this was the first notice some council members had heard of the inspection delays and said staff will follow up to identify whether lapses are on the department side or with applicants failing to submit required materials. He and council members also discussed convening at least two sessions focused on downtown businesses and permitting to improve coordination.

Harris said she had given up her building for a year to support a referendum tied to Cordish Company development and that five highway signs advertising her location will soon direct traffic to a business that is not open. She said customers call daily and that several nearby businesses also face inspection delays.

Council members urged affected business owners to contact their council representatives and to work with staff so city officials can “light a fire” under the appropriate state offices and provide clearer guidance to applicants. The council did not take a formal vote on any ordinance or regulatory change at the July 1 meeting.

The council committed to scheduling a public business roundtable; a date was not specified.