City Council Meeting   12/18/2023

Yes.

Thomas, would you call the roll, please?

Councillor Payne?

Here.

Councillor Pinkston?

Here.

Mayor Snook?

Here.

Vice Mayor Wade?

Okay, all present and accounted for.

Is there a motion to approve or to amend the agenda?

Are you still good with the plan?

Move for approval.

Second.

We have an amendment or an agenda approved.

It will be followed by a closed meeting and then the City Council Business Meeting which we will try to begin again about 6.30.

Let's start off with budget presentations.

Jeremy.

I know that's fast and a lot.

Is that the transportation or is that another acronym?

They're mandated by Homeland Security and TSA and all things just because it's mass transit.

Absolutely.

Can you remind me, sir, I think you were hired six months ago?

It has flown quickly.

Do you feel like you're getting up ahead of steam?

It just takes a while, you know, when it's one person or, you know, someone who's helping, you know, just you have to do the research, you have to collaborate with some other partners out there to see what they're doing, and it's a lot of writing.

Right.

But we've managed to accomplish a lot in the last year.

Excellent, thank you.

Right.

So I have that if anybody wants a copy.

Is that right?

Oh, so do you take the extra one?

Okay.

There you go.

All right.

I know you're on a really tight timeframe.

I appreciate that.

Any other questions?

All right.

Glad to be moving along.

Next up.

Communications.

Questions?

That was super fast.

I was told to keep it quick.

How have you, yeah, how do you feel like that work is going in terms of changing the narrative?

not only journalists but the community and everyone around.

So if you had sort of your druthers, how many more folks did you have on your staff or what sort of things would you be doing that you're not able to do now?

It's hard to make the time for those things.

Could you describe a little more of the changes that you've made with that kind of thing?

So I think those are two of the main things we've done thus far.

Thank you.

differently this year with some community engagement included.

So we have something that comes out on the website, I guess.

Severe cases, I'll reach out to the journalists myself and let them know so we can get coverage on it.

And are you working with IT folks on the website?

Got it.

And if you're not communicating with them, I think it would be good so that the messaging and things that go out, it doesn't have to be the same or collaborate, at least to be on the same page because it's important.

We have some good ideas coming up.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for your time.

Odd, that you're trying, you feel like really need to, or we'll just put it this way, opportunities, some real opportunities that you mentioned some of those things in terms of our narrative, but are there things that you're like, wow, I'm surprised they're not doing X, Y, and Z, and I really think they should be doing A, B, and C. I think more proactive outreach from the communications team, you know, from everyone, but utilizing the communications team for some proactive outreach, and we're looking at

And I think, you know, these little things really add up and people feel like you're trying to get the information to them instead of withholding the information.

Thank you.

Yeah, thank you.

Thank you.

And next up.

How about that?

So as I mentioned this year is the first year we've had our separate budget in previous years we've been under the umbrella of the city manager at this point personnel makes up the biggest part of our budget and then for the other expenses the second in line is if believe it or not the printing of the budget books is the one of the biggest expenses that we have

I wonder why.

And with that, I'll take any questions.

Does it, you know, I know that it impacts you, but is it as big, you know, for local governments?

But I don't know what those dollars equate to yet.

I'm sure it was a great idea.

wanted to kind of keep the admin part of the city manager's budget as one piece and then all the departments that are under that umbrella to kind of break that out because there's so many of us now.

their budgets.

It gives the public clearer understanding of how the resources are being utilized across the organization.

I've been begging her to.

And, you know, we'll see how it goes.

And did I understand you to say that you're sort of in charge of keeping up with the strategic plan?

City Manager Sanders has changed that so that the strategic plan will be falling under the DCM of admin and we will be reporting that out as part of the budget because that is a required piece of that but not managing it.

Got it.

Thank you.

Did I get that right?

Okay.

Other questions?

They're getting it done.

And that concludes my presentation.

Are you planning, Mr. Cullen, to stick with the same software vendor?

We're going to move to SAP S4 HANA, which is what they call the next version of that.

Is that kind of the industry standard?

We're also going to be utilizing the services of a consultant to help us with that as well.

Thank you.

Any questions?

Thank you.

Welcome.

Questions, anybody?

Is that close to what you were trying to get across?

You're welcome.

Counsel?

Thank you very much, counsel.

We could have taken a full three hours to really go deeper into all of this, but there'll be much, much more information to come.

Is there a motion to go into closed session?

Yeah, I have a very long motion to read to go into closed session.

Go.

Community Development Block Grant Task Force, Historic Resources Committee, Housing Advisory Committee, Human Rights Commission, Personnel Appeals Board, Sister Cities Commission, and Social Services Advisory Board.

See you all in an hour and a half, hour and 40 minutes.

Ready to roll?

He's waiting for Max.

Okay.

She had to recreate the document.

Do you have that motion?

I move that this council certify by a recorded vote that to the best of each councilor's knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered in the closed meeting.

Thank you.

Counselors, any announcements?

First of all, we have a proclamation making note of the 10th anniversary of the Human Rights Commission.

whereas the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Fair Housing Law in 1972, the Virginia Human Rights Act in 1987,

And so is Mr. Niemeyer, Todd Niemeyer here?

Members of the Commission here.

Members of the Commission here.

Members are here, but Todd can be a sick child at home.

Oh, okay.

Oh, there he is right behind.

Shall I present it to you?

I'll take it.

All right.

Sure.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Anyone want to say anything?

So Ty, you have anything to add?

Thank you.

Kelly.

And Jeff Werner, our Preservation Planner.

Thank you.

And I just want to thank you.

Mr. Werner, are you the official recipient of this on behalf of the city?

I appreciate all you've done, but thank you.

Thank you.

We figured better get it in early while there's still people around.

That was a good decision, Mayor.

Okay.

And to December 31st, 2023, in recognition of your commitment to the citizens of the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, and with great appreciation for your dedicated service as a member of the Charlottesville City Council.

Leah, we got one of those when we got off the school board, so you can add that to your collection.

Oh, okay.

Thank you.

Mr. Mayor I just want to thank Leah again and it has been an honor to serve with you for the last 16 and a half years or so I'm sure we're going to continue to run each other as we continue to serve the community I know that you're still going to be around so thank you so much Leah for all you've given to this community

And so thank you for your service.

Thank you so much.

Thomas, would you please read the consent agenda?

We're going to do the Boards and Commissions.

Skip that.

Boards and Commissions.

the Sister Cities Commission, Sheri Stewart, and for the Social Service Advisory Committee, V. Darlene Ariz-Vizel, Josie Perez, Jennifer Slack, and Toya Traeger.

Is there a second?

Second.

All right.

Okay.

Second reading.

Motion passes 5-0.

Mr. Sanders, is there a report from the City Manager's Office?

I will say that the staff have all appreciated the moments of being able to engage with you and always seeing that you elevate the care and concern for everyone in this community.

It's been an honor and privilege to serve.

Thank you very very quickly just because it's new information and important just so just to confirm will council be making a final decision on January 16th about the alternative fuel study good question no you'll get the presentation and then we will allow you all to hear because I'm sure you will hear a lot we'll give you the opportunity to hear and then we will begin to plan the steps that will be necessary from that point forward okay

Okay.

if you would wish to speak if you are one of the first eight you don't need to go through this process you've already got a number one through eight on our list if you did not get one of those one through eights come on down and you'll and Miss Thomas has a bowl full of numbers you can draw a number and we'll just go through whoever draws number nine and ten through sixteen that'll be the people we'll hear from at the beginning of the meeting

And what other numbers will look like?

9 through 30.

So if they get number 30, will they speak?

So the first one on our list is Claire Denton Spaulding.

I'm not sure if any of you have lived in an 800 square foot apartment.

I have.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next is Kirk Bowers.

Next is Peter Gray.

Thank you for your time.

Next is Steven Levin.

So appreciate it.

Next is Julia Jones.

Thank you very much.

Next is Kevin Lynch.

Thank you, Mr. Lynch.

Next is Kitter Bishop.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next is Ellen Cantini-Maraba.

Furrier for your service.

Tell us your name, please.

Thank you, Mr. Jones.

How about number 12?

So I live in Greenbrier and I know you don't hear support of the zoning very often from people who live in Greenbrier.

Next would be number 13.

And secondly, this whole thing about limiting the floor area, that's a horrible idea, and it's exactly counterproductive.

Next, number 14.

Thank you very much.

Number 15.

Number 16.

How about 17.

Thank you very much.

That number 19? 20?

So just thank you for being a part of history and moving us in the right direction.

People must have given up and gone home when they saw they had a high number.

26.

the changes that have been put into this draft so that we can do what we need to do to get this city moving ahead which is what we said we wanted to be doing when we started this whole conversation six seven years ago okay do the right thing folks 27 28 29

So there you go.

but yet there's still houses.

Everybody who is opposed to the 2117 Ivy Road project, please stand.

Is this really an appropriate way to vote?

And all those who are opposed to passing the ordinance period?

A ordinance or a ordinance?

Thank you.

Okay.

And the first action item is dealing with the VERV.

There are a series of action items dealing with the VERV.

Any questions for staff?

No.

I'm sorry.

Otherwise, I think that covers it.

Long or the applicant?

I have two questions.

What does that language imply, like up to?

If it's more than that, they're able to predict it based on that formula.

Is that what I hear you saying?

So the formula, I have the number, but it's, I believe.

Let, let's move on.

I assume there's going to be a sale of the road itself.

250.

Does the city own the road?

It was previously vacated.

Was it back during that era or is it during the time when there was to be some actual payment?

I think I'll let Mr. Offaly address that.

But if an applicant today just finished out the ordinance, moved the utilities, that created a plat that had an easement that prevented units from being developed on Woodrow right-of-way, that would close Woodrow right-of-way per the ordinance passed by City Council in the 90s.

So I guess I just want to make sure that I understand that the bottom line is that because those rights were fixed by Council's action in the 1990s, that's not something we are free to revisit at this point.

Okay.

Any other questions for Ms.

Michael, did you have more?

No, perhaps you answered it as much as you're interested in, but again, out of curiosity, what was justification for landing on that four and a half times amount and why you feel that is in alignment with the comprehensive plan goals?

It's probably going to be right there on that number.

Thank you.

I appreciate the opportunity to clarify.

What is the current thinking about the capacity of this project, either in terms of units or in terms of beds?

But it's still, I think, up in the air based on that.

Sure.

what works well for this property and this project.

Six million?

Oh, I don't know.

The other thing I'm always leery of is sort of Hollywood math when it comes to figuring profits.

So based on the current ordinance and the worksheet, 1.5 million, so that times 4.5% does get you right at, I believe, right at the cap that we're listing.

I'm just wondering what the margin is, what the play is in those numbers.

Okay.

The final product.

That is correct.

Well, I mean, just to be real crass about it, if we decide we want to pursue this because we want $6.8 million and it turns out that by the time the math gets done it's only $4 million, somebody's going to be a little bit irritated.

Right.

trying to get a sense of whether there is any way we can figure out what a floor might look like.

I'm going to let Mitch Corte with subtext help a little bit more on that.

Okay.

At what point do they not build?

Okay.

There you go.

I'd like to move the ordinance to approve a zoning map amendment pursuant to Sections 34-41 of the Code of the City of Charlottesville for properties located at 106-114 Stadium Road, 409 Stadium Road, 104 Stadium Road, 102 Stadium Road, 1705 Jefferson Park Avenue, and 100 Stadium Road, the verb Charlottesville PUD, ZM23-00004.

And is that with the condition amendment to affirm $6.8 million?

It's signed by Woodrow Apartments, Woodrow 2, 1705, JPA, LLC.

Long, could we basically strike from the proffer language an amount equal to $6.8 million and strike the stuff that comes in between there?

Thank you, Mr. Mayor.

Is that?

So that would move for what I just read with that amendment.

Discussion, counsel.

He's rotating.

I already know what they're going to say.

So at this point I'm uncomfortable with it but would probably have to lean towards supporting it.

but you have made a commitment to the city which I hope you will honor and we will accept what you say regardless of how uncomfortable we are.

Again, I'm not going to let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Your voices have been heard, but I'm going to support this.

Thank you all.

That was just part of it.

That's to approve the zoning map amendment.

And then the next question is...

I think if you miss it, we should be able to handle on staffs based on your resolution, but just wanted to put that in your ear Okay, thank you

And if I recall correctly, there was discussion about making this contingent upon the project actually getting built?

There was discussion at BAR, but you, this is going to sound weird after our last conversation, you really can't condition a rezoning.

No, I'm talking about the removing it from the IPP?

as part of this process, as a land use process.

I thought I remembered that there was discussion at the Planning Commission level about if the project doesn't get built, what happens to that house?

And so it's either that land use designation is there or it has been removed.

Okay, folks.