City Council Meeting   9/16/2024

1. Call to Order/Roll Call

• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 00:00:11
    I responded to a question like, are you real?
  • 00:00:16
    Or how does this get started?
  • 00:00:49
    Oh, there's a new one.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:00:52
    Yeah, it seemed like it's, I don't know, it's a counter now to the first wave.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 00:00:58
    Oh, boy.
  • 00:01:02
    Why did they think we...
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:01:09
    Welcome Ms.
  • 00:01:20
    Brown.
  • 00:01:24
    Thank you very much.
  • 00:01:48
    Is anyone heard from Michael?
  • 00:01:52
    I guess we can get started.
  • 00:01:54
    I'll call the Charlottesville City Council meeting to order.
  • 00:02:01
    The September 16, 2024 Charlottesville City Council, come to order.
  • 00:02:05
    Ms.
  • 00:02:05
    Thomas, will you please call the roll?
• • Kyna Thomas
  • 00:02:08
    Yes.
  • 00:02:09
    Councillor Oschrin.
  • 00:02:11
    Here.
  • 00:02:12
    Councillor Payne.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:02:13
    Here.
• • Kyna Thomas
  • 00:02:14
    Councillor Plyes, Mayor Pinkston.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:02:16
    Here.
• • Kyna Thomas
  • 00:02:16
    Councillor Snook, Mayor Wade.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:02:19
    Here.
  • 00:02:19
    Thank you.

2. Agenda Approval

• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:02:21
    Is there a motion to approve or amend the agenda?
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 00:02:27
    Move for approval of the agenda.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:02:30
    Second.
  • 00:02:31
    Second.
  • 00:02:31
    Can we vote?
  • 00:02:35
    We have the agenda.
  • 00:02:37
    The meeting will be divided into three sections.
  • 00:02:40
    The first is a work session to hear and discuss presentation that does not require a council vote.
  • 00:02:46
    And the second is a recess.
  • 00:02:49
    We actually don't have a closed session today, and then we'll come back at 6.30 for the business meeting.
  • 00:02:56
    I just want to add that for the 6.30 meeting, I'll be late for that.
  • 00:02:59
    We have a big group of individuals in town, and I want to welcome them.
  • 00:03:05
    Capital Region USA a lot of tourist officials throughout the East Coast and so I'm on the tourism board and I and being the pistol currently will be walking them them to the area at Mont Alto So I'll be coming back down a little bit later about 730 or so and Brian will take us from there and

3. Reports

• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:03:31
    So that being said, we have reports, and it will be the budget kickoff FY26.

4. FY26 Budget Kickoff

• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:03:38
    And before Ms.
  • 00:03:39
    Hamill starts, we're going to invite Ms.
  • 00:03:41
    Brown up.
  • 00:03:42
    I just wanted to take a moment to introduce everyone to our new NDS director, Kelly Brown.
  • 00:03:49
    I'll let you say more.
• • Kellie Brown
  • 00:03:52
    Hello.
  • 00:03:52
    Good afternoon.
  • 00:03:53
    My name is Kelly Brown, and I'm really happy to be here in Charlottesville.
  • 00:03:56
    I started last Monday and I've really been enjoying onboarding with the department and with the city, getting to know my team.
  • 00:04:04
    It seems like it's a really dedicated, strong team and I'm really looking forward to supporting them.
  • 00:04:10
    I'm looking forward to continuing to implement the comprehensive plan and the new development code.
  • 00:04:17
    I'm coming to you from Arlington, Virginia, where I was a planner in the planning division for 16 years.
  • 00:04:24
    and worked on similar initiatives to the types of work that Neighborhood Development Services is doing, neighborhood planning, sidewalk infrastructure projects, zoning ordinance amendments for a wide variety of issues.
  • 00:04:39
    Most recently I was working on Arlington's expanded housing initiatives to allow missing middle housing types in areas that had previously only allowed single detached homes.
  • 00:04:50
    Very excited to be here in Charlottesville where that work has also recently been completed and helping to support the county's goals for increased housing supply and housing choice.
  • 00:05:02
    So very happy to be here.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:05:05
    Welcome.
  • 00:05:07
    After the death settles, I don't know, 90 days or six months or so to come back and hear our things are going.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:05:13
    Oh, you know we go deep.
  • 00:05:16
    James and I had a conversation this morning about when Kelly will be back.
  • 00:05:20
    The plan is to have her come back and share with you an update to the implementation schedule for the zoning ordinance as he had previously
  • 00:05:30
    presented that to you all.
  • 00:05:31
    Of course, things change when I pulled him and now we had to find someone else.
  • 00:05:35
    So we're going to let Kelly spend a little time with that and then bring that back with guidance for you.
• • SPEAKER_14
  • 00:05:40
    Thank you.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:05:41
    Thank you.
  • 00:05:44
    All right, Ms.
  • 00:05:44
    Hamlin.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:05:48
    Thank you.
  • 00:05:48
    Good afternoon, Council.
  • 00:05:51
    Hard to believe we're here already, but ready to start talking about the next budget, the FY26 budget.
  • 00:06:00
    So this afternoon we're going to talk about the staff budget development timeline, talk to you about your work sessions, some key dates regarding the upcoming budget, the CIP process, as well as where to find information.
  • 00:06:16
    Go through some questions that I think we've been collecting along the way that we'll be addressing during the budget, the budget drivers.
  • 00:06:25
    and then also take some time for any questions or comments that you all may have as we start this process.
  • 00:06:33
    So staff is already working on the budget.
  • 00:06:37
    The budget's opened up on the third.
  • 00:06:41
    We are, as you can see, these are the steps along the way.
  • 00:06:44
    In October, people will primarily be working on their CIP budget submissions.
  • 00:06:50
    In November, they're primarily working on their operating budget.
  • 00:06:56
    In November, December, after those proposals are submitted, they will be meeting with the budget teams to go over those proposals.
  • 00:07:07
    In December, we're going to have a city manager budget forum where there'll be an opportunity for the community to come out and weigh in on priorities that they think the city manager should consider.
  • 00:07:17
    And then in March, in that little picture up there, you'll see Sam will have all those little money trees along the way.
  • 00:07:24
    Sam will be taking his shears and pruning the tree down to what will be his proposed budget that will be submitted to you in March.
  • 00:07:40
    A couple of dates in which city council and the school board will meet together to discuss their budget priorities as well as their budget December 19th.
  • 00:07:52
    The timing location will be determined and then also again in February.
  • 00:07:57
    So the December meeting, the idea is there that we'll give council on the school board an opportunity to discuss
  • 00:08:04
    Priorities that the school board has for their upcoming budget and then in February that is when we normally meet and they give you a preview of what they will be presenting as their proposed budget in March.
  • 00:08:23
    We're also going to do, if you recall, last year we had departments come before council at 4 p.m.
  • 00:08:29
    last year to give you information about each of their departments.
  • 00:08:36
    This year we're going to switch that up a little bit.
  • 00:08:39
    We're going to do only four of those.
  • 00:08:41
    And this time we're going to talk about strategic outcome briefings.
  • 00:08:45
    So you can see that tonight we're kicking off the budget.
  • 00:08:49
    In October there will be one on organizational excellence and equity.
  • 00:08:53
    In November we'll be talking about housing and infrastructure and then in December there will be a meeting on the public safety and transportation.
  • 00:09:04
    Do you want to add anything else there?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:09:06
    Just to say that as we have continued to work towards implementing the strategic plan that you all adopted the framework for last year, it's important that over the next remaining years, as we get through the five years that that's reflective of, that each of our budget cycles should really do its best to attach to those.
  • 00:09:27
    So that's what the spirit of these briefings are.
  • 00:09:29
    in order to bring information to you on what's active in the budget today, what we may be thinking about in the budget going forward, where there may be challenges, and just really check in and make sure that you're seeing how we're trying to implement the vision that you set for us in setting the framework.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 00:09:45
    Quick question.
  • 00:09:46
    For housing and infrastructure, does infrastructure mean like utilities since there's the transportation on the next day?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:09:53
    Yeah, it would be.
  • 00:09:54
    That's public works utilities more like and Parks and Rec even.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 00:09:57
    Sam, you were trying to say something a second, but I didn't quite grasp.
  • 00:10:06
    Is the notion here we're trying to reconnect to the strategic plan?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:10:09
    That we are connecting.
  • 00:10:10
    The goal is to make sure that every budget cycle we're demonstrating how we're connecting the budget to the strategic plan so that you can see its implementation.
  • 00:10:19
    Thank you.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:10:23
    So again, those meetings start tonight and they'll run through December.
  • 00:10:29
    As I mentioned, City Manager Budget Forum, that will be at Carver Recreation Center.
  • 00:10:34
    That's scheduled for December 12th.
  • 00:10:36
    You might recall last year was the first year, well, second year that we did that.
  • 00:10:42
    We had a really good turnout.
  • 00:10:44
    People were able to go to different stations and provide feedback.
  • 00:10:48
    So we'll be doing that again this year.
  • 00:10:53
    We also have the community budget forum.
  • 00:10:56
    That will be held on March 20th.
  • 00:10:57
    That will be in city space like the other work sessions.
  • 00:11:01
    This also serves as our public hearing, one of our public hearings on the budget as well.
  • 00:11:11
    And then we'll spend the month of March through our series of work sessions.
  • 00:11:18
    So they will start on March 6, which will be the Thursday after we will have presented the proposed budget to you on the 4th.
  • 00:11:26
    We'll be talking about revenues and expenditures.
  • 00:11:30
    The next week we'll
  • 00:11:31
    dig into the outside and nonprofit agencies.
  • 00:11:36
    March 27th, we'll be talking about the CIP program, and then April 10th, we will wrap that up and talk about everything.
  • 00:11:46
    And can you remind us?
  • 00:11:48
    Oh, never mind.
  • 00:11:48
    There it is.
  • 00:11:49
    So a couple of key dates.
  • 00:11:52
    January 30th, we have scheduled a work session with you all.
  • 00:11:56
    That will be the date that we will like to talk about.
  • 00:12:01
    We would like for you to commit at that point.
  • 00:12:04
    What if any increase in the tax rate you would like to advertise?
  • 00:12:08
    That is not a decision date.
  • 00:12:10
    That is just what would be the maximum.
  • 00:12:13
    We can, as we've talked about many times, we can always go down from what we advertise, but we can't go up once we advertise.
  • 00:12:21
    So that's January 30th.
  • 00:12:23
    March 4th, we will have the proposed budget.
  • 00:12:29
    The city manager will present his proposed budget and the school boards will present their budget that night as well.
  • 00:12:35
    That is sort of when the budget is handed over to you all and you are able to work your magic to mold it into what will finally be the adopted budget.
  • 00:12:46
    March 17th we'll have the first tax rate public hearing so that will be the date in which we will have a public hearing on what you have advertised and you'll decide that on January 30th again.
  • 00:13:00
    April 7th will be the second public hearing and then finally we will have a second reading and formally adopt the budget on April 14th.
  • 00:13:09
    that gives us only one day to be in compliance with the city charter.
  • 00:13:15
    So we don't have much room in the schedule, but it was basically the way the calendar fell this year.
  • 00:13:23
    So and again, this is just a visual of what we just talked about.
  • 00:13:29
    So we'll have a total of five budget work sessions, January 30th, March 6th, March 13th, March 27th, April 10th.
  • 00:13:37
    Two public hearings, one community budget forum, and then one will adopt the budget on April 14th.
  • 00:13:49
    As you know, the capital budget process happens a little earlier than the operating budget.
  • 00:13:55
    We'll be having a work session with the Planning Commission November 26th.
  • 00:14:00
    That is when we will issue a proposed draft of the CIP.
  • 00:14:08
    Then on April 16th, I think 10th, excuse me, I can't see that from here.
  • 00:14:14
    We will actually hold the public hearing on the CIP budget.
  • 00:14:17
    Again, at that point, it's just a draft.
  • 00:14:20
    It gets adopted with everything else in April.
  • 00:14:23
    So you'll really have from December to April to chew on the CIP.
  • 00:14:30
    and then one other thing just as we're kicking this off with you all tonight on the 24th the Planning Commission will be having a work session of September and they are going to be talking about their budget priorities and talking about the priorities that we're talking about in this presentation as well.
  • 00:14:51
    Again, where can you find budget information?
  • 00:14:53
    Please be sure to check out our budget website.
  • 00:14:56
    We try to keep that up to date with all of the PowerPoints and the any information that is being distributed.
  • 00:15:05
    We have our online budget book.
  • 00:15:07
    All of this can be found at www.Charlesville.gov slash budget.
  • 00:15:12
    Online budget book.
  • 00:15:14
    This right now is the 25 budget.
  • 00:15:17
    Once we issue the proposed budget, this will come down in the
  • 00:15:21
    and the 26 proposed budget will be up.
  • 00:15:26
    Again, at the top, if you go to our webpage, there is a page for budget work sessions.
  • 00:15:31
    That's where you can find all the PowerPoints and information that we distribute or talk about in the work sessions.
  • 00:15:40
    We have the Budget Explorer, which is updated on a quarterly basis.
  • 00:15:43
    Again, you can look at this at a very high level, but also drill down to a department level.
  • 00:15:48
    That is updated quarterly and gives you some trend information as well.
  • 00:15:56
    And so those are the important dates.
  • 00:15:59
    We're going to transition a little bit.
  • 00:16:01
    I think through the course of several different meetings, we've heard several big ideas, big questions from you all that we intend to address in a more
  • 00:16:14
    We're going to talk about a couple of those questions that we've heard and give you an opportunity to weigh in on those.
  • 00:16:23
    One is when will we talk about the impact of big decisions on our long-term financial health?
  • 00:16:30
    We'll talk about that several times throughout the budget process with the CIP.
  • 00:16:36
    We'll talk about debt projections.
  • 00:16:37
    We'll be bringing budget guidelines, financial policies to you all to approve throughout the entire budget process.
  • 00:16:49
    Also happy to take any notes or things that you want us to think about if you have any of those ideas either tonight or at any point.
  • 00:16:58
    Did you want to add anything there?
  • 00:17:02
    Okay.
  • 00:17:03
    The second one is, how might we provide annual support for large community events that are part of the city's quality of life?
  • 00:17:10
    Some of the questions here is, do we set aside a pot of money?
  • 00:17:14
    If so, how much at whose discretion would that be discretion for a pot of money for council to make those decisions?
  • 00:17:22
    Would it be a pot of money for the city for people to come to the city manager?
  • 00:17:26
    What would that application process look like?
  • 00:17:30
    Those sorts of questions are things that we'll be working through.
  • 00:17:38
    Finally, when might we see the financial benefits of the payment and loot contributions from developers who did not integrate affordable housing units on site?
• • James Freas
  • 00:17:50
    Good evening, Mayor Wade, Members of Council.
  • 00:17:53
    James Fries, Deputy City Manager for Operations,
  • 00:17:56
    So I guess I have this question for the next few, right?
  • 00:18:00
    Yeah.
  • 00:18:01
    So really there's two projects that we have right now that are making payments in lieu for affordable housing contributions.
  • 00:18:09
    Those are the Verve and 2117 IV.
  • 00:18:13
    The Verve is on the hook for 6.8 million.
  • 00:18:17
    That'll be delivered before issuance of the first certificate of occupancy.
  • 00:18:23
    So this is after they've constructed.
  • 00:18:25
    and before they're able to occupy that first unit, they have to provide us with 6.8 million.
  • 00:18:30
    So to understand where they are right now, they just on September 10th got their site plan approved by planning commission.
  • 00:18:36
    So we anticipate somewhere in the vicinity of 2026 or 2027 when they would be actually be coming forward for that first certificate of occupancy based on their, based on what we understand of their projected construction schedule and phasing.
  • 00:18:53
    Similarly, 2117 IV is on the hook for 3.25 million.
  • 00:18:57
    They are, we anticipate their site plan review being finished soon.
  • 00:19:02
    We know we're very close and they're likely on a similar schedule for construction.
  • 00:19:07
    So again, 2026, 2027 somewhere in that timeframe.
  • 00:19:11
    Can't get it any narrower than that.
  • 00:19:13
    That's kind of where we are right now.
• • Michael Payne
  • 00:19:15
    I think there was a third project that had a significant payment lewd JPA.
  • 00:19:20
    I'm guessing that's just not as far along as the Verve and Ivy Road in terms of like site plans.
• • James Freas
  • 00:19:25
    2005 JPA?
• • Michael Payne
  • 00:19:26
    I believe so.
• • James Freas
  • 00:19:27
    Yes.
  • 00:19:27
    So that one, I apologize.
  • 00:19:29
    I forgot about that one.
  • 00:19:31
    They are, and they have gone through a change in ownership.
  • 00:19:35
    So I don't know where they are in the process at this point.
  • 00:19:37
    They are behind those other two, even though it was initially approved by council before then.
  • 00:19:42
    They are, they're behind them now.
• • SPEAKER_14
  • 00:19:44
    Okay.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:19:45
    I can find out where they are.
• • James Freas
  • 00:20:04
    So just to level set where we are, Safe Routes to School program is currently funded through a state grant from VDOT that we get basically every two years.
  • 00:20:17
    We just received 183
  • 00:20:19
    $18,842 and that goes into effect January 1st of 2025 and again is good for a two-year period of time.
  • 00:20:28
    That covers most of the salary of our Safe Roots to School staff person, most of but not all of, and then it covers materials that support the programmatic elements of that work.
  • 00:20:40
    So things like bike helmets, bike parts, clothing for crossing guards, stuff like that.
  • 00:20:49
    What I'm going to call the more interesting side of our Safe Roots to School program is the infrastructure improvements we've been making.
  • 00:20:56
    I think you guys are familiar with the quick build work we've been doing to get to essentially move quickly to address safety concerns around schools.
  • 00:21:06
    Those funds have been primarily coming from CARES Act, from the CARES Act, $500,000 to date.
  • 00:21:14
    About half of that money has been spent on
  • 00:21:18
    80 to 100 projects per year, roughly 70 to $100,000 per year.
  • 00:21:23
    The remaining funds are dedicated to completing seven projects that are moving from that quick build phase to a more permanent phase.
  • 00:21:34
    So we take what we've learned from the quick build and we apply that into basically concrete asphalt permanent solutions in those spaces, which are obviously more expensive.
  • 00:21:47
    and then it's also going towards upgrading flashing school zone signage throughout the city.
  • 00:21:54
    We also, our safe routes program also works obviously with the rest of the transportation team but also in particular our bike pad coordinator and we'll be going forward starting to tap into some of the CIP funds we have set aside for bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
  • 00:22:09
    Yeah, that's what I got on safe routes to school.
  • 00:22:13
    Any questions on that program?
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 00:22:18
    The speed cameras, have they been installed yet?
• • James Freas
  • 00:22:22
    I don't know.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:22:23
    We're close, but they're not in yet.
• • James Freas
  • 00:22:27
    Close, but not yet.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 00:22:28
    How close?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:22:29
    Like, weeks.
  • 00:22:33
    Like a few weeks, I believe, the last update that I received.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:22:36
    Thanks.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:22:38
    We'll check on that.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:22:42
    Another question we've heard is, where do we stand with a stormwater utility?
• • James Freas
  • 00:22:50
    All right, so the stormwater utility was established in 2013.
  • 00:22:52
    The fee that's associated that was last discussed with you all at the utility rates any meeting this past spring.
  • 00:23:03
    That overall program consists of three parts, the capital improvement program, maintenance of the overall system, and then our regulatory compliance portion.
  • 00:23:12
    That's the part where we make sure that development projects are consistent with our stormwater requirements.
  • 00:23:20
    I want to highlight right now that we have a celebration of a recently completed project coming up.
  • 00:23:31
    The Shanks Branch Restoration Project over in the Botanical Gardens off of Melbourne.
  • 00:23:41
    There'll be a celebration of the completion of that project on September 24th at 10.30 a.m.
  • 00:23:46
    So if that's something you'll be interested in,
  • 00:23:48
    It's a great example of where those funds go, the type of project those funds go to.
• • Michael Payne
  • 00:23:55
    And with any conversation we have about like floodplain regulations in addition to just like general policies to better deal with increased you know extreme rain events, would that basically fall within conversations of the stormwater utility or those would be separate public works more broadly?
• • James Freas
  • 00:24:11
    Floodplain right now is being development
  • 00:24:14
    Development regulations associated with our floodplain ordinance is part of the zoning ordinance and currently being administered out of neighborhood development services.
  • 00:24:23
    So I'd say where those conversations might happen.
  • 00:24:28
    Back in March, we talked about a future project being a another look at our overall environmental regulatory program, right?
  • 00:24:37
    We need to look at our stormwater program.
  • 00:24:39
    We need to look at our floodplain program.
  • 00:24:41
    We need to look at tree preservation.
  • 00:24:43
    Across the board, we have a number of environmental programs that are due for a look again, that we weren't able to do within the SEVO Plants Together process.
  • 00:24:55
    That's the venue where I would anticipate having that conversation.
• • Michael Payne
  • 00:24:59
    Yeah, I just know, I think a long time ago at this point, I think the presentation was from Public Works about the state of our regulations and the deficiencies compared to like national averages.
• • James Freas
  • 00:25:10
    Absolutely.
  • 00:25:11
    And that, at that time, Public Works was the entity administering the floodplain program.
  • 00:25:19
    Okay.
  • 00:25:20
    Thank you.
  • 00:25:20
    Absolutely.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:25:27
    What additional resources are needed to facilitate the implementation of the zoning ordinance and affordable housing initiatives?
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:25:35
    Yeah, I think she just left.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:25:40
    Just one.
• • James Freas
  • 00:25:42
    But that does kind of highlight one of the Sam referenced a minute ago, the update that Miss Brown will be bringing back to us
  • 00:25:53
    bringing back to you on where we stand on the projects we identified at that meeting back in March.
  • 00:25:59
    Those are all implementation projects coming out of the Seville Plants Together process that support implementation of both the zoning ordinance and the affordable housing initiatives.
  • 00:26:08
    Let's say the other thing is we're about eight months into implementation in the new zoning ordinance.
  • 00:26:13
    I think there's been a lot of lessons learned already around kind of what that looks like on a day-to-day basis with a variety of different projects that are coming in through the door.
  • 00:26:23
    So over the next couple months, I'll be talking with NDS and OCS about what resources do we need, if any, to support both those projects that we've discussed in the past that would move us towards implementation of the zoning ordinance, the comprehensive plan, and the affordable housing plan.
  • 00:26:47
    and also, do we need any additional support for the ongoing implementation of both of those programs?
  • 00:26:55
    Affordable housing, particularly in the monitoring and compliance side of things and the zoning ordinance in terms of project review and enforcement.
  • 00:27:03
    So we're going to be having those conversations over the next couple of months.
  • 00:27:08
    And then, I lost my other thought on that.
  • 00:27:16
    Ms.
  • 00:27:17
    Brown will be coming back to have that share with you, kind of a schedule looking ahead for those other projects.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:27:27
    So with those ideas in mind, we also are taking a look at the anticipated drivers for the budget.
  • 00:27:37
    We have primarily listed those.
  • 00:27:40
    and
  • 00:27:56
    have capital needs that they will be requesting as well.
  • 00:28:00
    A couple honorable mentions here.
  • 00:28:03
    We will be getting our real estate assessments in January.
  • 00:28:07
    As you know, that is our biggest revenue source.
  • 00:28:12
    We are not anticipating big numbers like we have seen.
  • 00:28:19
    We'll see.
  • 00:28:20
    That's what our crystal ball is telling us right now, still early.
  • 00:28:23
    Additionally, the ARP and the one-time federal funding pots that we've had, they're almost all going away.
  • 00:28:33
    There aren't new ones in the pipeline.
  • 00:28:37
    And then also, as you know, we have, we are anticipating that FY24 will end with a surplus
  • 00:28:45
    The Finance Director, Mr. Cullinan will be coming to you in November, December to give you those exact numbers we projected for you, what we think our revenue numbers were going to look like in terms of a surplus.
  • 00:28:57
    You know, we've talked about vacancy savings that we know are generating surplus, that we took steps in the 25 budget to address.
  • 00:29:06
    We still have some work to do there, which we'll be addressing in the 26 budget as well.
  • 00:29:10
    So all of these things, we have a lot of work before us to get things in the pipeline and get things balanced.
  • 00:29:21
    and did you want to add any more there?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:29:23
    Yeah, let me just add in this section.
  • 00:29:26
    I mean, this is probably the most important slide when you look at what it is that we are right now spending our time.
  • 00:29:33
    I'll say what I'm spending my time thinking about.
  • 00:29:35
    She's trying to make other numbers come together first before we start settling on what goes where.
  • 00:29:42
    But you recall at the end of the budget cycle or the last conversation that I recall us having about alternative fuels.
  • 00:29:50
    I felt convinced and compelled to say to you that transportation would be the top priority for this new budget year.
  • 00:29:56
    I just left a message, left a meeting with Mr. Freese who confirmed in that conversation, there's some big stuff in transportation that needs to be considered.
  • 00:30:07
    So I think that's going to pretty much hold true with what we have to identify an ability to address.
  • 00:30:12
    We have our own collective bargaining continuing.
  • 00:30:15
    The Teamsters contract is going to be the largest bargaining unit of the four we will have as of FY26.
  • 00:30:21
    So that's going to come at a nice cost for us to absorb along with what we are going to be able to anticipate by the schools sharing with us what their numbers are going to look like.
  • 00:30:32
    and
  • 00:30:49
    One of the things that I've repeated over and over is that it doesn't come cheap and it's not one time.
  • 00:30:54
    It's the kind of thing that you make a commitment that we invest and we have to continue to make a substantial investment if we're going to manage the concerns that arise out of people facing issues of being unhoused.
  • 00:31:06
    and then affordable housing just because it is one of our top priorities.
  • 00:31:09
    We have spent a great deal of time and great deal of resources in that space and a goal is to balance that among all the many other things.
  • 00:31:17
    And I think it's just important for us to not lose sight, which is why we're kicking off the budget cycle now.
  • 00:31:23
    We're a little bit ahead.
  • 00:31:24
    I said to Christie that I wanted to kick off early because I need you thinking about it.
  • 00:31:28
    because we're thinking about it.
  • 00:31:31
    And we're starting early because we have to.
  • 00:31:33
    We can already see that the list is already building.
  • 00:31:36
    It has a little more momentum than I might like it to have at this moment for the many things that we need to start considering.
  • 00:31:43
    And as we start talking to you, to the Planning Commission, to schools, we anticipate that we're going to hear more.
  • 00:31:50
    We know that when we talk to our team, they're going to give us reasons to go in different directions.
  • 00:31:56
    So it's important for us to try to figure out how to balance all of that and to do so in a way that if at all possible, it is my desire to bring to you a balanced budget that does not require a tax increase.
  • 00:32:08
    I'll say that up front that I never start there.
  • 00:32:10
    I don't really like to end there either.
  • 00:32:12
    But if I have to, it'll be at your direction.
  • 00:32:15
    And my goal will be to give you options so that we can figure those things out and try to avoid it being anything that is too significant for folks to be able to adjust to.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 00:32:28
    Can I ask a quick question about that?
  • 00:32:30
    I appreciate that with transportation there.
  • 00:32:33
    In your mind, is that just buses?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:32:35
    I mean, that's where the big part of it, but it wouldn't be that exclusively.
  • 00:32:39
    Know that we're going to have an ADA transition plan that's going to identify a number of things that need to be prioritized that touch multimodal transportation and other things.
  • 00:32:49
    We also know that we have our sidewalk priorities that are separate and apart from that list, even that we need to balance how do we begin tackling that and sustained contributions towards being able to retire that list.
  • 00:33:04
    I mean, there's a lot of different things that could go into that space.
  • 00:33:07
    So I think that's part of why it was important for me in that priority section was to hear what I could hear from you early.
  • 00:33:14
    Let's start talking about it, but to basically say to you, help us understand what more you're interested in and how specific are you looking at going in some of these places so we can start digging into that.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 00:33:25
    By Clay?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:33:26
    I know.
  • 00:33:28
    Thank you.
  • 00:33:30
    We'll have to figure out exactly how to bring something to you to show where we are on that because we're having a lot of different conversations.
• • Michael Payne
  • 00:33:41
    Cares Act money, when again, will we get the update on how much money is unallocated and then start the conversation about how it will be allocated?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:33:50
    Sure.
  • 00:33:51
    So we, the finance director at MyRequest has completed his audit, sat down with both he and Deputy Ratliff to look at the results of that work to see what funds we have.
  • 00:34:03
    There's some additional effort that's happening while I'm reviewing that.
  • 00:34:08
    Chris is actually making contact with various staff who have awards of funds to them to see how they're making progress on the projects that are funded.
  • 00:34:18
    The goal is to identify whatever is not going to actually be expended to pull it back and to do so within the month of October.
  • 00:34:26
    That's what I have set as my deadline, so then I will be able to come back to you.
  • 00:34:30
    and demonstrate to you how we could reuse those funds.
  • 00:34:34
    We have to have everything encumbered by the end of the year by December 31st, so that just basically means that we have to have decided how we're going to spend it and have the various things in place, a purchase order, a purchase on a credit card where the project hasn't been completed, a sub-agreement to another party and the funds are in their hands and their possession.
  • 00:34:56
    And then we have two years remaining.
  • 00:34:57
    So we have until December of 26 to spend every dollar.
  • 00:35:03
    Once we pass December 31 of this year, we can't change what we use it on.
  • 00:35:07
    So we have to know exactly what we're going to use the money on by December 31.
  • 00:35:12
    with as much detail as possible and we won't be creative after that point.
  • 00:35:18
    So that's part of what I'll be coming back to you because we'll have to reallocate any funds that haven't been allocated or have been allocated for a different purpose than to change that purpose.
• • Michael Payne
  • 00:35:30
    And I guess with transportation, one thing I'd be
  • 00:35:34
    curious about, I mean, whether we could fund it or not, I don't know, but to know the number of, like, what the assessment is of given the number of existing buses and capacity of CAT, like, how many drivers could be hired to expand the service as much as possible under their current capacity, and just to at least know that number and kind of work from there.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:35:55
    Yeah, and I'll say we're working in that space.
  • 00:35:57
    I think part of the conversation today is with the decision that has been made to convert the fleet.
  • 00:36:04
    Converting the fleet isn't accommodated by the site that we have today.
  • 00:36:08
    There's changes that have to occur at the Avon Yard, and we have to begin to prepare for those changes just to make that possible.
  • 00:36:16
    Once we start getting to a full fleet of more buses that are battery electric to support and or where hydrogen plays into that There might be a need for us to acquire a distance or property and then preparing that site So those are the conversations that we're having today We're digging into that kind of stuff right now because ideally we've got to spread that out That's going to have to be spread out as phased work over years in order for us to have
  • 00:36:43
    Investments in the facility happening as we're bringing on bus inventory and drivers to go along with that, because we can't just buy buses.
  • 00:36:51
    We have to get drivers to go along with that.
• • James Freas
  • 00:36:56
    As well, at a certain point you have to start thinking about additional maintenance staff as well.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 00:37:00
    For sure, yeah.
  • 00:37:05
    Thank you for this.
  • 00:37:08
    I appreciate the way you've laid this out and basically give us a preview of the things that we'll really need to focus on and what you think the pinch points will be.
  • 00:37:20
    I know that every year when we roll in to actually squeezing out the nickels that we need to do this, we sometimes look in far afield.
  • 00:37:31
    Last time we got creative with personal property tax, which I
  • 00:37:37
    I wish we had done that in years before.
  • 00:37:41
    I'm not suggesting a number, but I guess what I am suggesting is that we be open-minded and flexible in terms of the sorts of revenue that we pursue.
  • 00:37:55
    I know that we spoke about last, during the middle of the last budget season
  • 00:38:01
    What might be an option in terms of trash pickup and the cost of that, whether we're subsidizing things or subsidizing things, but at least be thoughtful about and own up to what we're subsidizing versus not.
  • 00:38:20
    Another thing that comes to mind is Airbnb.
  • 00:38:22
    Is that a revenue source?
  • 00:38:29
    Not only is it a revenue source that we're not taking advantage of, but are we being thoughtful in our approach to homestays so that people don't feel like they're being invaded on the weekends by out-of-town guests?
  • 00:38:48
    I'm sure there's on everyone's list at some level, but I'm just wanting to kind of bump them up to the top for people to think about as we go back into this, because I know that those topics will come up again.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:39:05
    Let me just say that short-term rentals will definitely be on the list that Kelly will come back and reorient you to what we think the schedule is going to be.
  • 00:39:14
    I don't believe that we have any recommendation on interim changes at this point.
  • 00:39:21
    It is to look at the issue for the issue globally.
  • 00:39:24
    Let's just address it.
  • 00:39:25
    So that will be later and I would not imagine that it would have any impact on this budget if I had to just kind of look into the crystal ball and talk about what could be.
  • 00:39:37
    We do owe you a response to the inquiry that was made during the budget cycle in regards to parking fees and trash.
  • 00:39:48
    We put that as a list of analysis work to do and before we get through the end of this year you will hear those results and be able to have that information to take into consideration.
  • 00:40:00
    One, we need you to be able to tell us if you wanted to make a change of any kind because then we get to factor that in as we're making the nuts and bolts of all of this come together.
  • 00:40:10
    So there is those two things that we will definitely be bringing back to you.
  • 00:40:14
    and I guess that's an indication of if there are things like that that you are thinking about have considered and wonder though this is the time to begin sharing that with us.
  • 00:40:24
    We would like to hear that now so that we can then deploy the team to go in those different directions, figure those things out and bring that information back because that too might be a part of how we can put this together and not have it feel like we've already started baking and now we're adding ingredients and doesn't always work.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:40:43
    And I'll just add that's kind of the reason we dropped in that January 30th meeting as well.
  • 00:40:52
    That would be the time you would talk about what you want to advertise for the tax rate, but also to talk about any of these other fees.
  • 00:41:00
    We are trying to be very intentional so that we're not, you know, picking from here and there and there, but to try to give you a more comprehensive picture.
  • 00:41:09
    So, for example, tonight on your regular agenda, there's an item for fire fees.
  • 00:41:14
    You'll notice permit fees, excuse me.
  • 00:41:16
    and you'll notice that for right now we're just asking you to approve that ordinance and we're waiving the fees in the short term so that we have time to get that all set up and so then comprehensively we can come to you with the 26 budget and say here's a menu of fees and taxes that you are considering raising so that we're not just kind of doing them all over the place but we can get them all packaged in the budget.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:41:42
    It would be my desire that, and we have issued to staff, if there is any consideration in the form of a recommendation from any department or office across the city organization for changing a fee, increasing a fee, we wanted to know about that as soon as we possibly could.
  • 00:41:58
    Mainly because I do think it's important for us to be able to lay that out for you as the body that is looking at what does it cost to reside in this community.
  • 00:42:08
    You should be able to take into consideration
  • 00:42:11
    If I'm about to consider making a change to the tax rate, how many other fees could I be layering in there that my populace could be finding themselves coming to terms with over the course of any given year?
  • 00:42:25
    I think it's important for us to try to present that information to you as much as we possibly can as early as we possibly can as well.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:42:33
    And it also gives us the time to build in the administrative capacity that
  • 00:42:37
    is on the back end.
  • 00:42:38
    A lot of times even, you know, we vote on a fee, but then we still have to figure out how we're going to collect it, how we're going to manage it, who's going to track, you know, there's a lot of administrative setup behind that too.
  • 00:42:48
    So if we could talk about that in January and it's something you want to put in the budget, that still gives staff about seven months to kind of get that worked in.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:42:56
    So yeah, so it would be great as I'm looking at the anticipated budget drivers
  • 00:43:03
    They all seem really costly, and it would be so ideal that if we could go this year without a tax increase, and I know that's your goal, it's all of our goals, and I know, Chris, that you explain this to us each time, but can you just give us a quick rundown as like, how is it that we have surpluses, you know, I know we do it the best we can to anticipate.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:43:30
    No, it's a very fair question.
  • 00:43:31
    So, you know, I think if you go back and look at our surpluses over the last few years, particularly since COVID is really what I'm referring to here, largely, it's just an uncertain time.
  • 00:43:46
    So we don't a lot of the of our top driving revenues are consumer driven.
  • 00:43:53
    It was hard to predict consumer behavior.
  • 00:43:56
    A lot of times when we're working on the budget and we are projecting out what we think the budget might look like, we're doing that, you know, 12 to 18 months ahead of time.
  • 00:44:06
    And so the last few years, our revenues have performed better than we expected.
  • 00:44:13
    Largely the one that is the hardest to sort of tie down is our real estate assessment.
  • 00:44:20
    In particular the last few years we've had double digit percent increases on those real estate assessments The market is is changing slightly According to today's crystal ball But again, we don't know and we won't you know, we're tracking that as we go But we won't have that final number until January.
  • 00:44:41
    So that's one piece of it
  • 00:44:43
    The other piece is vacancies.
  • 00:44:47
    We know that we've had a large amount of vacancies that have occurred in the budgets over the last several years that have been anywhere from five to seven million dollars worth of vacancies.
  • 00:44:59
    Some of that is from COVID.
  • 00:45:01
    Some of that is from just the
  • 00:45:05
    the way we've been turning over the management and everything of the organization we are working on that we are filling positions as you know City Manager Sanders took a big step in the 25 budget to change the way we're budgeting for vacant positions we are tracking that now on a quarterly basis and hopefully we can incorporate that some of that as a report out to you to give you a little bit more
  • 00:45:33
    of an update of where we stand with that.
  • 00:45:35
    So those are the big things.
  • 00:45:38
    And you're right.
  • 00:45:40
    You stand up and you talk about tax increases in a surplus.
  • 00:45:43
    That's a hard thing, I'm sure, to tell someone who has to pay a tax bill.
  • 00:45:48
    But those are one-time monies.
  • 00:45:50
    And so we can't use those dollars to balance the budget.
  • 00:45:54
    But what we can do is try to hone in on that and refine our projections and try to get it so that
  • 00:46:01
    You know, we don't want to be in a deficit, but a 2 to 5% surplus, I'll take that.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:46:09
    So my other comment or question is, and I concur with my other colleagues up here, is that a few months ago we had a young lady that, for the staff that's now in the new grant writer or coordinator.
  • 00:46:23
    Ms.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:46:24
    Ryan.
  • 00:46:24
    Harvey Taylor Ryan.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:46:25
    Yes.
  • 00:46:26
    And so I know that we as counselors, if we're at conferences or whatever, we can bring things to her to review.
  • 00:46:34
    I just, I know that there's just like a lot of federal money out there, you know, you apply for this, you know, type of thing.
  • 00:46:41
    It may not be.
  • 00:46:43
    Well known.
  • 00:46:45
    I don't know if it's possible to just be out there.
  • 00:46:51
    I know she's probably busy, but just searching to know about different grants and things like that that we could apply for.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:46:59
    Yeah, let me just say that Taylor has been a ball of energy.
  • 00:47:06
    It's probably the best way to describe her.
  • 00:47:08
    She has come in and she has gotten to know everybody.
  • 00:47:13
    She's gone to every department, every office.
  • 00:47:15
    She's asked all kinds of questions.
  • 00:47:17
    She's been able to pull together for the first time an inventory of all grants that we have across the city organization.
  • 00:47:24
    She's now updated that a couple times.
  • 00:47:27
    Her effort was, was that my request of I just want to know what are we doing?
  • 00:47:31
    Because the assumption is that we might not be doing enough and maybe that we're not hitting every opportunity that we possibly can.
  • 00:47:39
    So I wanted to just see what is it that we're doing.
  • 00:47:41
    and we're doing quite a bit.
  • 00:47:43
    So I was pleased to see the volume of the work that we have across all the departments.
  • 00:47:49
    Part of where we're getting is that she's been able to help identify opportunities for offices and departments having gone and kind of become a consultant in a way with different departments identifying what their needs are.
  • 00:48:02
    We would like to do this, but we don't necessarily have a funding source that gives her something to look at when she's looking at opportunities.
  • 00:48:08
    She's be
  • 00:48:09
    reading proposals, trying to make our proposals stronger so that we're more competitive when we go up against all the many others that are being submitted beyond that.
  • 00:48:18
    She has taken on the compliance function that goes beyond just our grants, but that's now lending its hand into
  • 00:48:26
    how we manage the grants that we're making outward to other external to the organization.
  • 00:48:32
    We are going after everything that we can at this moment with the capacity that we have.
  • 00:48:38
    We're working to get better at that.
  • 00:48:40
    I'll just give you an example.
  • 00:48:41
    Today alone at CAT for a meeting that we had, we have roughly $30 million already earmarked for us by the federal government.
  • 00:48:50
    and it's all aimed at the work that we're talking about needing to invest in.
  • 00:48:55
    That reduces dramatically what it would cost us just to fix the site to accommodate what we have adopted as our strategy for electrifying the bus fleet.
  • 00:49:06
    that came through our relationships with the state that then feed our relationships with the federal government.
  • 00:49:12
    There are more of those moments that we can do, and I think that's what we're seeing out of this.
  • 00:49:17
    And being able to have all of that information in one place has just made it positive for me to just see that, okay, what else can we do?
  • 00:49:24
    What more can we do?
  • 00:49:25
    Everybody around me now knows I'm always asking questions.
  • 00:49:28
    That's what I like to do.
  • 00:49:29
    So I'm pushing through, have we checked on this?
  • 00:49:33
    Did we look at this?
  • 00:49:34
    What other ways do we have to guarantee that we're doing this?
  • 00:49:38
    And I would say that we're doing a really good job globally for bringing in a lot of other people's money, which is always what you want to do, spend other people's money before you have to spend your own.
  • 00:49:49
    And then the goal would be to reduce how much we have to lean on our tax base.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:49:56
    Yes, she's working hard.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:50:03
    I would just add to your surplus comment as well, if you look around the state, from the state and other localities,
  • 00:50:12
    everybody's kind of been experiencing a very similar situation so not to excuse it but just to say we're we're in company with others but we we are working on that and we do recognize that that's not a great story so yeah and you know as you said I just needed to remind you is when we're in the
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 00:50:34
    Grocery stores in the streets and people here, you know, it's like to hear about a surplus.
  • 00:50:40
    But I just needed that refresher on what factors go into it.
  • 00:50:46
    So thank you.
  • 00:50:47
    And I may ask again, please.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:50:50
    It's a heavy conversation point.
  • 00:50:52
    I mean, Chrissy has heard me talk about it a lot.
  • 00:50:55
    And I said that as a part of my presentation for the budget this year was that if we're going the route that a tax increase is necessary before I can consciously bring to you what I would recommend we're going to cut first.
  • 00:51:10
    and that's what we did in making the changes to how we fund these vacant positions.
  • 00:51:15
    It was necessary.
  • 00:51:16
    We didn't have all the work done, but it was a risk that I chose to take in saying that it might reduce the actual number of people we can bring on board when it's all said and done.
  • 00:51:25
    But I'm willing to take that cut just so that we wouldn't have to push those numbers any higher than they were at the time.
  • 00:51:31
    I'm committed to making sure that we look at it that way again going into this season.
  • 00:51:36
    And we very well may have to make a change that
  • 00:51:39
    resembles what that feels like, and that's just more work on our part to figure out how to make it work, but I think we can figure that out.
• • Michael Payne
  • 00:51:49
    For the teamsters, is the full cost of that going to be incorporated into this next budget, or is it more planning for anticipation of what the full cost would be?
  • 00:52:01
    I'm not sure the timeline of when the cost increases would hit, or if they are already
• • SPEAKER_23
  • 00:52:08
    like a bargaining unit
  • 00:52:30
    , Michael
  • 00:52:54
    kind of well situated with that information to do the best job they can going into the fall and into the early stages of winter to try to figure that out.
  • 00:53:01
    So we'll get that information the best we can developing the budget, but there are some timing constraints there, but we're looking for kind of the beginning of the calendar year to hopefully be in a good place with it.
  • 00:53:11
    Thank you.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:53:11
    And we're planning that be included in the 26th budget.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 00:53:16
    And at some point we'll get the customary update on how we've spent the past, the current surplus,
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:53:24
    So that will happen in November-December timeframe once the audit is finished.
  • 00:53:30
    Mr. Cullinan will come before you with that info.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 00:53:37
    Could I ask, maybe a sort of a sort of subject from years past, are we expecting any different changes to the VCF process this year?
  • 00:53:51
    Every year we have a change, a VCF or home or whatever.
  • 00:53:57
    Where are we?
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:53:58
    So I think that's a very good question.
  • 00:54:01
    I'm going to tell you what I think has happened.
  • 00:54:03
    And then we might have to go back to Hunter and Misty or Sam, maybe clarify.
  • 00:54:09
    I think that our Ms.
  • 00:54:11
    Marshall, I believe that the instructions have already gone out and the application process is open for VCF.
  • 00:54:18
    I believe one of the biggest changes that we instituted this time is that there is a cap on the application of 150,000, I believe.
  • 00:54:28
    Can you recall other changes?
• • SPEAKER_22
  • 00:54:32
    That's the largest change that can impact our potential grantees is that there is a cap on organizations so also it's important to know it's not a programmatic cap so for example if I had program A and program B
  • 00:54:47
    It's not that each
  • 00:55:08
    A orientation session in, I believe, late August.
  • 00:55:12
    So our non-profit partners are very aware of those changes going into the application opening.
  • 00:55:19
    And nothing else will change about the process for this round until the next round.
  • 00:55:25
    So we will not surprise them with a rope and open the middle.
  • 00:55:29
    and so that I believe is the largest change that was instituted was that cap and also looking at organizational asks kind of in buckets so that's more for the evaluation side of it.
  • 00:55:48
    People of course can still ask for what they need to be able to run their programs and organizations
  • 00:55:53
    with the knowledge that there is that cap and with the continued acknowledgement of how our scoring system works where depending on what you score depends on the percentage that at least the scoring team will recommend.
  • 00:56:05
    Just like it's been since I know Mayor, you've scored for us before, I believe.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 00:56:10
    And I think the other things that are continued to kind of, we kind of wrangle with is, you know, who can or cannot apply as well as
  • 00:56:21
    I just totally lost my train of thought.
  • 00:56:24
    Who cannot apply?
  • 00:56:26
    And also who is considered fundamental versus who is not?
  • 00:56:30
    I know that we have sort of defined a list of that, but there every year continue to be agencies that come forward and say, well, how come I'm not fundamental?
  • 00:56:38
    Or how do I become fundamental?
  • 00:56:40
    And so those are some of the things that continue to kind of be a little bit ambiguous, quite frankly.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:56:47
    And I'll tell you that.
  • 00:56:49
    So I also add that we are not anticipating home CDBG or CAF or hops changes.
  • 00:56:56
    Everything is pretty standard there.
  • 00:56:59
    There was no reason to look at any adjustments on that space.
  • 00:57:03
    But to what Ms.
  • 00:57:04
    Hamel just said about the ambiguity tied to fundamental
  • 00:57:09
    and a governmental off-cycle contractual, whatever we call it, now above 150,000 tiny amounts that might be 2,000.
  • 00:57:21
    How do we deal with all that?
  • 00:57:23
    You can expect that a part of this recommended budget, I will be bringing clarity to all of that because the frustration has gone on too long, in my opinion.
  • 00:57:32
    I think what I want us to be able to do is that we'll work through
  • 00:57:36
    and Michael Payne.
  • 00:57:55
    Good organization for the effort that they're attempting to make in this community.
  • 00:57:58
    And every one of them has a reason to ask us for money.
  • 00:58:01
    But there's a process and a way in which we have to be able to manage yes and no considerations.
  • 00:58:08
    And we don't need that cloud around why don't we do it here and why don't we do it there?
  • 00:58:14
    It should make sense.
  • 00:58:15
    And I think that's what we want to try to define for you in this process as well.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 00:58:19
    And related to my question is, of course,
  • 00:58:26
    The way that it came up with the most procedural difficulty last year was with the Buck Squad.
  • 00:58:34
    And that's one of the reasons we've now got the cap in there that we didn't have in there before.
  • 00:58:41
    Has there been any further discussion of how violence prevention efforts in general are going to be handled?
  • 00:58:50
    Is it going to be handled through some
  • 00:58:54
    A line item in the budget someplace as opposed to a VCF kind of a thing?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:58:59
    That clarity isn't there yet.
  • 00:59:00
    I think that's what I'm wrangling with on how to go about doing it.
  • 00:59:03
    We have a line item, a gun violence fund that Mr. Rogers asked for when he was here.
  • 00:59:11
    It's $200,000 and that so far has been used to spread amongst a few different organizations at the same time.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 00:59:19
    Right.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:59:20
    Things for kids to do to avoid doing the things that we're concerned about.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 00:59:24
    I should point out that the youth football league won both of their games this weekend.
  • 00:59:29
    Very good.
  • 00:59:30
    Good things are happening.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 00:59:31
    And in that moment that was a seed to them getting restarted that they then could build on.
  • 00:59:36
    So I think there'll always be a desire for us to find ways that we can help bring something else to the table and not necessarily become that sole reliance of how it gets done.
  • 00:59:48
    But I think there's a big question in that gun violence space, and that is one of those angles of how we put funds together for intended purposes that I'll have to try to bring clarity to you on.
  • 00:59:59
    There's more conversation for us to have there.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:00:01
    Yeah, and Sam and I, we've been meeting with the representatives several times, and I think we have one coming up in another one in a week or so.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 01:00:09
    And a variety of groups to go along with that.
• • SPEAKER_22
  • 01:00:12
    And council members, I apologize.
  • 01:00:14
    I just wanted to add in case you all are working with a non-profit or you'd like to see for it yourself.
  • 01:00:19
    The orientation video as well as slides are up on the website.
  • 01:00:24
    above where the application is and applications are due October 21st.
  • 01:00:29
    So even if an organization for whatever reason perhaps missed the orientation or maybe they have a new hire that's going to help with that grant application, all of that information is already publicly available on the website.
  • 01:00:40
    So again, no surprises.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:00:42
    And Hunter is very open to meeting, answering questions as well.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 01:00:54
    So that pretty much concludes what we have for you tonight.
  • 01:00:57
    I just say, you know, don't feel like you have to wait until March or until the work sessions.
  • 01:01:02
    If you're thinking about stuff, please feel free to reach out.
  • 01:01:06
    We're happy to provide information.
  • 01:01:09
    You know, if you have a thought, it's much easier for us to incorporate those thoughts as we are thinking and working through things.
  • 01:01:17
    So please feel free to to reach out and
  • 01:01:23
    We look forward to the season, budget season.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 01:01:25
    Let me take advantage of that invitation.
  • 01:01:30
    It actually came up, it'll come up again tonight in the 630 agenda for other reasons, but we've got a grant that Crystal Rearvald is going to be helping implement to do a bunch of
  • 01:01:46
    Energy Efficiency Test for low-income folks, $76,000 for that.
  • 01:01:51
    And I asked her, I said, do we have any program to take those results and turn them into a fixed house?
  • 01:02:00
    And she said, well, we're looking for some state and federal money in 2025, but we don't have anything in the budget now.
  • 01:02:09
    And I'm not trying to say, gee, you got to go out there and solve this problem today by the end of this month.
  • 01:02:17
    But it strikes me that a hope for money from someplace else isn't really a plan.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 01:02:24
    Yeah, I guess part of what I would say to that is that we set up the Climate Action Fund and part of what we will do as a part of this cycle of the budget is to sit down with Crystal and team and determine what are the proposed uses of it.
  • 01:02:39
    And where there is some room, then maybe that is an ability for us to pilot something until we can land something bigger to go beyond that.
  • 01:02:47
    But that's really what we're saying is that we're asking the team to be even more creative because
  • 01:02:53
    They are good at asking for what they need.
  • 01:02:55
    That's what we hire them for.
  • 01:02:57
    They're very good at figuring out problems and approaches to solving them.
  • 01:03:01
    But usually they come with a big price tag and we just can't get to everything.
  • 01:03:04
    So I think that's part of what we're tasking them with is how else can we try to come at that?
  • 01:03:10
    Even if it's just a pilot, we only can do 10 households this year.
  • 01:03:14
    It's something that gets us to prove a concept.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:03:16
    and also think that aid help, they do little, I mean, it may not be little, but they do things like that as well.
  • 01:03:23
    We didn't give them any money this past year.
  • 01:03:26
    I think they got money.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 01:03:27
    They got money, they just didn't get extra.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:03:29
    It was an additional amount.
  • 01:03:30
    It was administrative or operating or something like that.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 01:03:33
    So now I don't have to send you an email.
  • 01:03:37
    Very good.
  • 01:03:38
    We'll take note of that.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 01:03:39
    So I have a couple things I feel like we have to follow up on.
  • 01:03:42
    Let me just make sure we're going to summarize the VCF changes for you.
  • 01:03:46
    We'll follow up on this grant, on this home energy thing.
  • 01:03:52
    I think that's it, other than just sort of the normal things we discussed that we'll be talking about in the budget.
  • 01:03:58
    Did I miss anything else we need to bring back?
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:04:01
    This is just something, if you could email me just a sheet with all of the dates on it.
  • 01:04:06
    I think I have it, but I just want to make sure.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 01:04:08
    I actually haven't sent it out yet because we were waiting to confirm a date or two.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:04:12
    We're done.
  • 01:04:13
    We're done.
• • Krisy Hammill
  • 01:04:14
    Okay, I will send it to all of you.
  • 01:04:15
    It will also be up on the website by tomorrow on the budget web page as well.
  • 01:04:20
    and I think Ms.
  • 01:04:22
    Thomas has already put it on most of them on the calendar.
  • 01:04:24
    So you should have invites on your calendar.
  • 01:04:26
    Okay.
  • 01:04:30
    Great.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:04:31
    Okay.
  • 01:04:32
    So any other questions or comments?
  • 01:04:37
    Thank you.
  • 01:04:37
    Thank you so much.
  • 01:04:39
    So that ends our business meeting.
  • 01:04:42
    There's no closed session.

5. RECESS - No CLOSED MEETING

• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:04:44
    So we don't have to read anything to go out.
  • 01:04:45
    We'll come back at 6 30.
  • 01:04:47
    And again, I'll be
  • 01:04:49
    coming in, I'm meeting late.
  • 01:04:51
    Vice Mayor Pinkston will get us going with that.
  • 01:04:55
    So, I'm sorry.
• • Michael Payne
  • 01:04:57
    Sorry, what's the timeline for when you'll be, are you leaving the meeting or coming back late?
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:05:04
    It's Montalto, so it's only one way up, so I can't go up to 6.35 and then
  • 01:05:10
    that's opening at 7.
  • 01:05:12
    So I imagine 7.30.
• • Michael Payne
  • 01:05:14
    You'll be back.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:05:15
    Yeah, so 7.37.
• • Michael Payne
  • 01:05:18
    OK.
  • 01:05:19
    We might be here.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:05:19
    We might be going.
• • Michael Payne
  • 01:05:22
    Yeah, I was wondering if we should move any items because I think we have one that requires a vote.
  • 01:05:27
    But it sounds like maybe we'll figure it out.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:05:31
    OK, so that's a good point.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 01:05:35
    I mean, so the consent agenda shouldn't take long.
  • 01:05:39
    The one item that we do have that is of significant significance really is the hearing for the CDBG at $25,000, but really it's the forgivable loan for Carlton.
  • 01:05:55
    I'm sorry.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 01:05:56
    Yeah, Carlton is the big guy.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 01:05:57
    Yeah, we'll need four out of five.
  • 01:05:59
    So I guess if you're not here, we'll get four out of four.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:06:02
    Yes.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 01:06:03
    You should be fine as long as no one else disappears.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 01:06:07
    Okay, thank you all so much.
  • 01:06:09
    See you back at 6.30.

6. BUSINESS SESSION

• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:30:22
    Good evening.
  • 02:30:23
    We will restart our meeting now.
  • 02:30:25
    Mayor Wade is out at another event.
  • 02:30:28
    He'll be back in a little bit.
  • 02:30:29
    My name is Brian Pinkston.
  • 02:30:31
    I'm vice mayor.
  • 02:30:31
    We will begin our meeting with a moment of silence.

7. Moment of Silence

• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:30:52
    Are there any announcements?

8. Announcements

• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:30:54
    I think we have a couple here.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 02:30:57
    Yes, I have a couple of announcements.
  • 02:31:00
    The first is that on the 28th, there will be Loop DeVille, which is a day-long trail, run, walk, and bike starting at Ravana River Company at 8 in the morning, and then going all around the city via the trail network, and then it concludes back at Ravana River Company that afternoon, and then there'll be an after party and a concert.
  • 02:31:25
    Head to loopdiville.com to register and check out more info.
  • 02:31:30
    It's going to be hopefully a beautiful day.
  • 02:31:33
    Also, on November 16th, CHS is hosting an alumni night for the 50th anniversary
  • 02:31:49
    The 15th anniversary of CHS is host in part of that celebration.
  • 02:31:53
    There will be a band, chorus, and orchestra alumni concert.
  • 02:31:57
    So bring your instrument if you still have it.
  • 02:32:01
    And all alums are welcome to participate.
  • 02:32:05
    It will be on November 16th.
  • 02:32:07
    So you can find more information by there's an article about it on 29 News, but then also Google it and the website will show up.
  • 02:32:17
    So that'll be really fun.
  • 02:32:18
    I was a former orchestra member myself.
  • 02:32:20
    I do not have an instrument anymore.
  • 02:32:22
    No one wants to hear me play.
  • 02:32:23
    But it'll be fun to go back and watch everybody else.
  • 02:32:27
    And then the third announcement I have is that on Monday, October 7th, there will be a candlelight vigil
  • 02:32:37
    hosted by the Shelter for Help in Emergency taking place at the Ting Pavilion starting at 7pm to memorialize and honor victims of domestic violence.
  • 02:32:48
    So all are welcome to join.
  • 02:32:50
    There will be an ASL interpreter there.
  • 02:32:52
    And then we have a council meeting that night, but if we get out early enough, we have been invited to join as well.
  • 02:32:58
    So you can find out more about that at the Shelter for Help in Emergency website and their social media.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:33:07
    Great.
  • 02:33:07
    And I had this announcement from our city treasurer.
  • 02:33:10
    The city treasurer's office is pleased to announce that DMV select services have returned to the lobby of city hall.
  • 02:33:17
    The DMV select window is available from nine to four Monday through Friday.
  • 02:33:21
    Vehicle transactions such as titles, registrations, plates and handicapped placards are available.
  • 02:33:28
    No appointments are necessary.
  • 02:33:30
    For more information, please contact the city treasurer's office.
  • 02:33:35
    and we have a proclamation.
  • 02:33:37
    Are there any other announcements before then?
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 02:33:40
    Okay.

9. National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week September 15-21, 2024

• • Lloyd Snook
  • 02:33:40
    Okay, so this is National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week and we have a proclamation in honor of that, whereas the City of Charlottesville with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States have continued to address the issue of mental health concerns and substance abuse disorders.
  • 02:34:00
    and whereas mental health concerns, substance abuse challenges and co-occurring conditions often can lead to homelessness, incarceration and emergency room visits which are more intrusive and costly for communities than earlier interventions and connections to behavioral health services.
  • 02:34:18
    And whereas many communities, towns, cities, counties and states have realized the need for additional resources to address these issues, and specifically when individual persons are experiencing crisis situations, including those in the City of Charlottesville, have identified the promising emerging practice and effective program called co-response.
  • 02:34:39
    and whereas co-response is defined as pairing a crisis-trained mental health professional with a first responder such as a police officer or a firefighter or a medic who respond as a team to collaboratively intervene in varying levels of crisis with the goal of diverting individuals from arrest and jail, diverting individuals from emergency department visits and connecting those individuals in crisis with necessary and effective resources.
  • 02:35:06
    And whereas the City of Charlottesville's co-responder program, the Anchor team is the acronym, stands for Assisting Navigation Crisis Help and Outreach Resources Team, was established in 2024 to partner mental health professionals and peers from our local non-profit, Partners for Mental Health, with members of the Charlottesville Fire Department and Charlottesville Police Department to respond collaboratively to individuals in crisis.
  • 02:35:34
    and whereas since its launch in July 2024, the five-member anchor team has responded to over 50 calls for help by members of our community who were in crisis due to mental health and substance abuse concerns that caused them to call our public safety professionals via 911 for help, engaged in over 20 follow-up calls or resource provision services to members of our community who were in crisis or otherwise needed supportive services.
  • 02:36:00
    Now, therefore, the Charlottesville City Council recognizes September 15, 21, 2024 as National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week in appreciation and gratitude for the Anchor Team members and the International Co-Responder Alliance.
  • 02:36:15
    And we call upon the community to join in celebrating the addition of co-response to our community.
  • 02:36:21
    Signed and sealed the 16th day of September of the year 2024, Juandiego Wade Mayor.
  • 02:36:26
    Is there anybody representing the recipients
• • Sam Sanders
  • 02:36:30
    The team is here.
• • SPEAKER_07
  • 02:36:33
    Well, first of all, somebody needs to be the actual recipient of the proclamation.
• • SPEAKER_06
  • 02:36:59
    Thank you, Mayor, who is not here with us right now, and members of the Council for the recognition of National Corresponder Awareness Week.
  • 02:37:07
    As you're aware, Anchor stands for assisting with navigation, crisis helping outreach resources.
  • 02:37:12
    Four out of our five members are here today, and I'll give each of us a chance to introduce ourselves.
  • 02:37:17
    My name is Norman.
  • 02:37:18
    I serve as a mental health navigator for the team.
• • SPEAKER_00
  • 02:37:22
    My name is Tammy Shiflett, and I serve as a police officer providing safety for the team.
• • SPEAKER_22
  • 02:37:30
    My name is Jackie and I'm a Firefighter EMT.
• • SPEAKER_23
  • 02:37:36
    My name is Andrew and I'm a firefighter paramedic.
• • SPEAKER_06
  • 02:37:41
    Since July 1 of this year, Anchor has been able to respond to over 50 calls for service for residents in need.
  • 02:37:48
    We feel honored to be part of this community and thank you for supporting this very important initiative and bringing a co-responder model to Charlottesville.
  • 02:37:57
    Thank you all.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:37:59
    Thank you.
  • 02:37:59
    I appreciate the work that you do.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 02:38:05
    So if I could, I would just like to say to the team before you leave that we definitely thank you for your contribution.
  • 02:38:12
    It has not been lost on me that we have already exceeded a bit of your capacity.
  • 02:38:16
    And we've tested a couple of you in ways that we did not necessarily anticipate in the very beginning.
  • 02:38:21
    But as we work on this budget cycle, we'll continue to do things that we can hopefully make a little easier for you to do your jobs.
  • 02:38:27
    And thank you for what you're doing.
• • SPEAKER_22
  • 02:38:29
    Thank you.
  • 02:38:30
    May I request a photo, Lithium?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 02:38:32
    Sure.
• • Michael Payne
  • 02:38:36
    Yeah, with them.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 02:38:41
    With.
• • SPEAKER_14
  • 02:38:43
    Yes, with.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 02:38:46
    We'll be in the back getting you, buddy.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 02:38:51
    Yeah, you should be in it too, Misty.
  • 02:38:56
    Not over here.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 02:39:06
    I'd like to take just a moment to note that back in 2020, Sena McGill and I were sort of co-leading a group that was trying to put together
  • 02:39:31
    some sort of a mental health crisis response team.
  • 02:39:35
    And we spent about a year learning all about these kinds of things, but didn't actually get partly because of COVID and other issues getting in the way, didn't actually get to do anything.
  • 02:39:46
    And I'm just so glad that with the city manager's assistance and people pushing for it among the first responder programs,
  • 02:39:57
    that we've got going and we're looking forward to more action from you, hopefully a few more members of your team as well to take part in some of that action.
  • 02:40:08
    But it's a badly needed service and we're so glad you're doing it.

10. Community Matters

• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:40:19
    Okay, so we're now at Community Matters.
  • 02:40:23
    We have one pre-registered speaker leaving 15 slots for additional speakers on Community Matters.
  • 02:40:29
    Each speaker will have up to three minutes to speak.
  • 02:40:32
    We'll now open the floor to pre-registered speakers.
  • 02:40:34
    Is our first speaker available?
  • 02:40:36
    That would be Jamel Simpson.
  • 02:40:46
    No?
  • 02:40:46
    Okay.
  • 02:40:47
    Well, maybe next time.
  • 02:40:50
    Who else?
  • 02:40:51
    We have 16 slots coming up.
  • 02:40:57
    Please remind us of your name and your topic, please.
• • SPEAKER_20
  • 02:41:04
    Hi, I'm Robin Hoffman.
  • 02:41:06
    I live in Charlottesville, Willow Mills.
  • 02:41:10
    And I have three announcements.
  • 02:41:12
    First of all, there's going to be voting for everything, President, Senator, and Governor on Friday of Virginia.
  • 02:41:23
    What?
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 02:41:24
    Not Governor.
• • SPEAKER_20
  • 02:41:25
    What?
  • 02:41:25
    Oh, what did I say?
  • 02:41:27
    Senator, Congresswoman, please.
  • 02:41:31
    Okay, and I will give everybody a free caricature, including their dog,
  • 02:41:38
    The next day at the Ixard Park Love Fest, if you wear your eye-roaded badge.
  • 02:41:44
    That's one thing.
  • 02:41:46
    Also, I want to mention that Gloria Witt has been campaigning here in the Fifth District.
  • 02:41:54
    She's awesome.
  • 02:41:57
    She did this.
  • 02:41:59
    Oh, I'm getting this wrong.
  • 02:42:01
    It's called Virginia State Swimming Men Person.
  • 02:42:05
    at the center of Belvedere.
  • 02:42:07
    Anyway, she was awesome.
  • 02:42:09
    And I just want to say please look for her name on the ballot.
  • 02:42:13
    Then the third thing is dirt, dirt, dirt.
  • 02:42:17
    Dick's Woods Road, everybody, has all our refuge, our vegetable refuge.
  • 02:42:22
    They're doing an amazing job.
  • 02:42:26
    So they process all the stuff that we give the recycling center on McIntyre.
  • 02:42:34
    And they process it into this beautiful topsoil or compost.
  • 02:42:40
    I just grabbed a bunch and put it in the back of my car.
  • 02:42:54
    and I think that if everybody did the same, it cost me $6 for a whole car full of dirt.
  • 02:43:03
    So I'm just saying, if you can do that, we can reach the goal of putting 500 miles, I think it is, of topsoil back on this earth, or 500 years, that's what it is.
  • 02:43:19
    and it will actually absorb the heat from the atmosphere and help our biosphere.
  • 02:43:25
    So we can all do that, everybody individually.
  • 02:43:28
    And then the Botanical Gardens had a art fest and I was involved.
  • 02:43:34
    And anyway, so a lot of turnout and they raised $4,000.
  • 02:43:39
    They're doing an incredible thing.
  • 02:43:42
    There were 200 volunteers since 2019, old people mostly retired.
  • 02:43:49
    pulling out all the weeds, taking down the katsu, and that place is gorgeous.
  • 02:43:54
    Go to their events, support them, and also I'll be on NPR this week if you listen.
  • 02:44:03
    Okay, bye.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:44:04
    Thank you, Ms.
  • 02:44:04
    Hoffman.
  • 02:44:06
    Who else would like to speak?
  • 02:44:08
    Yes, sir.
  • 02:44:09
    Come on up.
  • 02:44:10
    Please tell us your name.
• • SPEAKER_24
  • 02:44:22
    My name is Clifford Michael Hall, and what I'm going to speak on is the homeless community.
  • 02:44:28
    And the first issue about the homeless community, this is an example.
  • 02:44:35
    Where do policies happen?
  • 02:44:38
    Where do things happen?
  • 02:44:39
    They start at city council, at the level.
  • 02:44:44
    How many people have I spoken to that are homeless within Charlottesville telling them that I would speak?
  • 02:44:51
    A thousand or more through Facebook, WhatsApp, what have you?
  • 02:44:57
    Well, I'm the only one here.
  • 02:44:59
    What does that say?
  • 02:45:01
    Homeless community, I'm really speaking to you because if you don't make a presence at City Council where decisions are made, you can't complain about what happens.
  • 02:45:12
    Now, there's a big issue with business owners and the homeless as far as issues going on.
  • 02:45:20
    Businesses are there to make money.
  • 02:45:23
    The homeless have been a nuisance to the business owners.
  • 02:45:28
    What's the compromise?
  • 02:45:32
    with the most recent Supreme Court ruling that left the decision of how to handle the homeless.
  • 02:45:43
    It appears to me that we're going back to 1980s, Reagan issues on how to deal the homeless that I would call vagrancy.
  • 02:45:56
    Now, really,
  • 02:45:58
    because there's no homeless people here other than me.
  • 02:46:02
    I'm speaking to you homeless people.
  • 02:46:04
    Whether you see this or not, if we're not, a squeaky wheel will never get grease.
  • 02:46:13
    If we want anything, improvements, housing, this is where it starts.
  • 02:46:22
    So if you're not here and make your presence here, make your voice known, you can't complain.
  • 02:46:29
    I've got 55 seconds and you know, homeless people, it's really on us.
  • 02:46:35
    If we want to improve our state, we've got to speak.
  • 02:46:41
    If we don't speak, no one hears us.
  • 02:46:44
    That's it.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:46:45
    Thank you, sir.
  • 02:46:48
    I'd also like to speak.
  • 02:46:52
    no one else.
  • 02:46:53
    Okay.
  • 02:46:53
    With that, we'll close community matters, community matters, and we will move to the consent agenda.

11. Consent Agenda*

• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:47:00
    Ms.
  • 02:47:00
    Thomas, if you could please read the consent agenda.
• • Kyna Thomas
  • 02:47:04
    Consent agenda number two minutes, September 3rd, regular meeting three resolution appropriating funds from the 2024 energy efficiency and conservation block grant $76,840 second reading
  • 02:47:19
    for resolution for state pass-through funding for the tonsiler league, $250,000 second reading, five resolution to appropriate fiscal year 2025 fire programs, eight to locality funding or the fire fund, $238,581 second reading, six resolution to appropriate funds from the Department of Housing and Community Development, Virginia homeless solutions program grant,
  • 02:47:47
    $470,805 Second Reading, 7 Resolution to Approve the Seventh Amended Grant Agreement, Charlottesville Supplemental Rental Assistance Program, Second Reading, 8 Ordinance for Stonehenge Avenue Encroachment Agreement, Second Reading,
  • 02:48:06
    9.
  • 02:48:06
    Ordinance amending the city code to extend the public safety supplement retirement benefit to EMS only employees enrolled in the defined benefit plan 2nd reading 10.
  • 02:48:18
    Resolution to appropriate insurance claim reimbursement for the Avon fuel station replacement project $65,000 one of two readings 11.
  • 02:48:28
    Resolution to appropriate victim witness assistance program grant funds $257,024 one of two readings
  • 02:48:36
    12, Resolution to Appropriate State Historic Resources Grant Funds to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center $500,000, one of two readings.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 02:48:48
    Thank you.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:48:49
    Is there a motion to adopt the consent agenda?
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 02:48:53
    I move to adopt the consent agenda.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:48:55
    Is there a second?
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 02:48:57
    Second.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:48:58
    Okay, please cast your votes.
  • 02:49:03
    Consent agenda passes
  • 02:49:08
    All right, so now we'll turn to the city manager report.

12. City Manager Report

• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:49:16
    Mr. Sanders, do you have a report for us?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 02:49:18
    I do.
  • 02:49:19
    Deputy Marshall is going to go first and then I will also have a presentation.
• • SPEAKER_22
  • 02:49:25
    Thank you so much for City Council and the community.
  • 02:49:30
    We wanted to take a few minutes to make sure that we made everyone aware of the Blue Ridge Health District, Centara Martha Jefferson Hospital, and UVA Health's fifth Math to Health Community Health Assessment process.
  • 02:49:42
    A community health assessment is really a process that
  • 02:49:45
    allows all of those entities to dig into what's needed for community health, whether that's more doctors, different services, accessed healthy foods, questions can be about all of those things.
  • 02:49:59
    Blue Ridge Health District wants to make sure that the community is aware of two opportunities to have input into this program.
  • 02:50:07
    First are some focus groups.
  • 02:50:09
    So starting in October, they're going to have 21 focus groups throughout the year looking for diverse community members to talk to.
  • 02:50:18
    Interested residents can complete a focus group form on their website and it is also both of these tools are found in multiple languages.
  • 02:50:26
    and there also is a community health survey that's been launched on their website for residents 18 and older from our community as well as Albemarle, Bluvanna, Green, Louisa and Nelson and their goal is to have 500 responses by December and so I really encourage anyone in our community
  • 02:50:46
    in those fellow counties to go to Blue Ridge Health Department's website.
  • 02:50:51
    It'll be easy to find, to find both the focus group if you're interested in participating, but also if you could please do the community health survey.
  • 02:51:00
    It's Googleable.
  • 02:51:02
    I don't know if they have paper formats.
  • 02:51:04
    I'm happy to find that out.
  • 02:51:06
    And that is all I have sitting here.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 02:51:10
    Thank you.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 02:51:23
    Okay, so I wanted to this evening go through a quick review of my 2025 work plan.
  • 02:51:33
    This is a document that I shared last year, I think in October of last year, I shared this with Council and the public and it's basically to outline my goals for the year, things that I'm working on and how they go across the entire city organization.
  • 02:51:48
    Some things are specifically me.
  • 02:51:50
    Other things are me in association with other staff members.
  • 02:51:53
    So just to kind of reorient everyone to this document and it will be posted online tomorrow.
  • 02:51:58
    Counselors, I just sent this email to you so that you all have it to take a closer look.
  • 02:52:03
    But it's framed around the strategic outcome areas.
  • 02:52:06
    So all nine outcome areas plus the commitment to JEDI have been identified in this five page document where I am demonstrating to you understanding the importance of the strategic plan.
  • 02:52:18
    and making sure that the work that I am doing and the team is focused on doing is supporting the implementation of that particular plan.
  • 02:52:26
    As you go through the document, what you'll see is me attempting to identify where we are prioritizing efforts today.
  • 02:52:33
    This may not be exhaustive.
  • 02:52:35
    It's not really meant to be every single thing because the pages will get too long and you might not be inclined to read it.
  • 02:52:41
    but ideally I'm trying to make sure that I highlight things that are of critical importance.
  • 02:52:46
    So under JETA, the commitment to JETA, the first thing that we have here is conduct a comprehensive ADA needs assessment and right below that is operationalizing those priorities.
  • 02:52:56
    It's to demonstrate that while we know that we have a lot of work and historically we have fallen down as it relates to being good stewards of
  • 02:53:03
    making sure that projects ensure that there are no barriers for those that are within our ADA community.
  • 02:53:09
    The goal is for us to turn the tide on that.
  • 02:53:12
    We've had a transition plan.
  • 02:53:14
    We have a new transition plan that's in the process right now.
  • 02:53:16
    We expect to have it out at the end of the year.
  • 02:53:19
    The goal will be to immediately get to work and operationalizing it so that we're making changes.
  • 02:53:24
    I'm using that particular framework to have conversations with staff so we'll be talking about how everyone has a role to play in the culture of compliance around ADA.
  • 02:53:34
    That's something that we've kind of taken for granted that we're not necessarily prioritizing
  • 02:53:38
    There are individuals who have difficulty interacting with this local government and our community, our city as a whole.
  • 02:53:44
    And our responsibility is to do something about that and we're made aware of it.
  • 02:53:48
    Also in the operationalized section, you see the sidewalk priorities list.
  • 02:53:51
    That is one of my favorite subjects as I've commented to you all that I keep talking about sidewalks because we have so much work to do.
  • 02:53:59
    Ideally, we want to make sure that we're making some steadfast improvements along the way.
  • 02:54:04
    This is a multi-year priority.
  • 02:54:06
    ADA work is something that does not happen overnight.
  • 02:54:09
    It took us a long time to get into these situations.
  • 02:54:11
    It's going to take us a long time to get out of some of those situations.
  • 02:54:14
    And then the last box there is implement critical community-based interventions.
  • 02:54:19
    Marcus Alert, the presentation to our anchor team is the beginning of our Marcus Alert work.
  • 02:54:26
    There's more for us to do, so I'm looking to figure out what else can we do between now and 2028 when the mandate is in place for us to meet as well as what are we doing with opioid abatement funds.
  • 02:54:39
    So I'm just going to quickly move through.
  • 02:54:40
    I'm not going to go over the whole thing because you can read that, but you see the next section is climate action.
  • 02:54:45
    We have a lot of work that we need to do in that space.
  • 02:54:47
    and economic prosperity, education and housing.
  • 02:54:52
    Each of these are meant to just be specific project areas, projects that we are working on, things that are being done.
  • 02:54:59
    Identify resource allocation because that's either the team member that's in charge of it or is working with me on it.
  • 02:55:05
    It's the person that you will at some point hear from as we bring the deliverable forward if it requires action by council.
  • 02:55:11
    If it's an update as to how we're making progress, if it's a change, there are various things that we're going to continue to do in this space again to implement your strategic outcome areas as it relates to the strategic plan that has been set for the city.
  • 02:55:27
    I'll jump down to housing and go with the first item is implement homeless intervention strategy as we just heard from the individual who spoke about conditions that some of the members of our community face.
  • 02:55:37
    You see there a low barrier shelter concept and a long term investment plan are the two priorities that I've set for this year.
  • 02:55:43
    It is my intention for us to do everything that we possibly can to bring forward that reality of a shelter because it's the piece that's missing, but it's not the only piece.
  • 02:55:53
    It's not the only thing that needs to be done.
  • 02:55:54
    We'll continue to work on what those other things are, but it's just to demonstrate for you how important it is for it to appear here and that we're setting goals around being able to deliver some clarity as to can we do this, when can we do this, and how do we do this?
  • 02:56:12
    Organizational Excellence, that's my favorite subject.
  • 02:56:14
    So when you look at that, it is the biggest of all.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 02:56:17
    Hey, I thought the sidewalks were your favorite subject.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 02:56:20
    This is my most favorite subject, so.
  • 02:56:22
    It's like kids.
  • 02:56:23
    You don't have one favorite kid.
  • 02:56:24
    They're all favorite, and I have two.
  • 02:56:27
    But Organizational Excellence is really the work.
  • 02:56:30
    It is what I spend a lot of time thinking about working on.
  • 02:56:34
    It is getting this team strong, stable.
  • 02:56:37
    It is making sure that we internalize what does organizational excellence mean.
  • 02:56:42
    It means that we show up to work and we get the job done and we have all that we need to do it.
  • 02:56:46
    We want to do it.
  • 02:56:47
    We want to make sure that we're making a difference.
  • 02:56:49
    And we end it with focusing on service and impact.
  • 02:56:52
    So a lot of the things that are there, some of the same things that have been there that were there last year, rebuilding staff capacity, where we have vacancies.
  • 02:56:59
    We're prioritizing getting those positions filled, working on staff morale.
  • 02:57:04
    One of the biggest things that had to be done in this past year was really implementing class and compensation.
  • 02:57:09
    And while it does not make everyone perfectly happy,
  • 02:57:12
    It was a full transition for this entire organization, something that I thought was very important to be able to deliver.
  • 02:57:19
    The goal is to continue to make that work, do that work.
  • 02:57:22
    Our Teamsters contract is going to be our next collective bargaining unit.
  • 02:57:27
    They're going to be the largest of the four we will have in FY26.
  • 02:57:30
    That was at a price, but it's a part of that possibilities that we allow employees to talk to us about what their needs are.
  • 02:57:38
    And then the last thing I'll say is prioritizing the analysis of feedback for optimal performance.
  • 02:57:43
    We will be launching an employee survey and a community survey this fall.
  • 02:57:47
    We've been able to do those for the past two years, two year increments, multiple times for the past two year increments.
  • 02:57:53
    And the goal is to continue to do that.
  • 02:57:55
    And the reason for trying to stick to that schedule is that we then can use it more as a longitudinal study.
  • 02:58:00
    You can see measuring change over time.
  • 02:58:03
    and ideally we'll begin to see that bear out as we do a lot of this work and what you see on some of the other pages.
  • 02:58:11
    And there's a section on public safety.
  • 02:58:13
    We start with gun violence intervention because that is probably the hottest issue that falls under public safety category.
  • 02:58:19
    Our goal is to look for different ways to do things.
  • 02:58:22
    That's why that box under target measure has multiple things there because we're not looking for one silver bullet.
  • 02:58:27
    There's no such thing.
  • 02:58:28
    We have to do a variety of things.
  • 02:58:30
    And our goal is to continue to focus on justice reform measures as well as finding ways to
  • 02:58:37
    ensure that our emergency management framework is in place so that we can handle things that may happen in our community.
  • 02:58:44
    And then the last things I'll point out to you, recreation arts and culture because quality of life comes in many different ways and we have to focus on more than just the hard stuff.
  • 02:58:52
    Sometimes the fun stuff is important for us as well.
  • 02:58:55
    and then transportation as we talked to you about earlier this evening that transportation is the top driver for the budget.
  • 02:59:01
    There are a number of things that we need to do.
  • 02:59:03
    This section could be multiple pages all into itself and ideally we're beginning to show you that the work is being done to convert our fleet.
  • 02:59:10
    Those last two items are focused on climate impact and that again is demonstrating for you that we are doing what we said we would do to implement your vision.
  • 02:59:18
    So I'll end there with any questions based on what you just saw.
  • 02:59:22
    But again, you have copies and it will be online for the public to appreciate seeing what it is that we're working on.
• • Michael Payne
  • 02:59:28
    I have no questions, but I hope anyone in the public who's interested will read it because I think it clearly shows there's a tremendous amount of work that's been ongoing for a number of years.
  • 02:59:40
    And this is showing that it's clearly being tracked with goal dates and is continually being checked in on.
  • 02:59:47
    And a lot of the things, you know,
  • 02:59:49
    Progress is never as quick as it needs to be, but even this, you know, it's clear with exploring a low barrier shelter and other solutions.
  • 02:59:56
    Homelessness is something that has been seriously worked on by the city for many months at this point and will hopefully get funded and move forward.
  • 03:00:04
    Again, even just in our consent agenda tonight was about $500,000 for different homelessness services.
  • 03:00:10
    So it may not always seem like it to the public, but there's constant action happening on a daily basis.
  • 03:00:15
    And I think this is
  • 03:00:16
    Just showcasing what that actually looks like.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:00:23
    Yeah, I agree.
  • 03:00:23
    It's a great list.
  • 03:00:26
    Clearly a lot of work has happened in the last year plus and there's a lot of work that's ongoing and a lot of work that will get done but I think this sort of transparency coming before us and show us what you've been working on, what y'all have been working on is really important and I just commend you for the work your staff is doing.
  • 03:00:55
    Okay, so that takes us to action items.

13. Public Hearing and Resolution to approve the 2024 Parks & Recreation Accessibility Enhancements Project at Jordan Park and to reprogram associated Community Development Block Grant funds, a major amendment, $25,000 (1 of 2 readings)

• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:01:00
    Item number 13 is a public hearing to approve the 2024 Parks and Rec Accessibility Enhancements Project at Jordan Park.
  • 03:01:11
    Anthony Warren and Alex Ikefuna will introduce the item for public hearing.
  • 03:01:16
    Yeah, if you could just go in there, Anthony.
• • SPEAKER_15
  • 03:01:21
    Good evening, Vice Mayor Pinkston, Ms.
  • 03:01:26
    Thomas, Councillors.
  • 03:01:28
    I want to thank City Manager Sanders for queuing this up so well by talking about accessibility work in the Office of Community Solutions.
  • 03:01:37
    That's been a big priority.
  • 03:01:39
    I'm here to introduce Chris Gensik as well.
  • 03:01:41
    We're partnering up with
  • 03:01:42
    Parks and Recreation to put forward a proposal to reprogram some community development block grant funds from prior years to enhance accessibility at Jordan Park.
  • 03:01:55
    It's over here.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 03:01:57
    I'm sorry.
  • 03:01:57
    Well, it's over here under the bottom.
  • 03:02:00
    I didn't realize you had a presentation.
• • SPEAKER_15
  • 03:02:07
    So as you might remember, we built a new
  • 03:02:12
    Bridge over tributary in Jordan Park, like right next to Jordan Park and cost increases prevented the extension of the trail out to the street.
  • 03:02:27
    So what we're proposing to do is take a little bit of extra money and that will enable parks and recreation to go through and replace the pathway that you see coming up through the middle if we
  • 03:02:42
    Go back for a second.
  • 03:02:43
    This is an overhead view and it shows Jordan Park.
  • 03:02:48
    You can see where the bridge is up in the top.
  • 03:02:50
    The pathway currently goes from the accessible ramp on 6th Street up to the basketball court.
  • 03:02:57
    It elides completely the two playground areas in the park and does not go onto the bridge.
  • 03:03:03
    And if you see
  • 03:03:05
    The pathway right now is very narrow.
  • 03:03:08
    It's cracked.
  • 03:03:09
    It's uneven.
  • 03:03:09
    There's places where water accumulates after it rains and stays there for a couple of days.
  • 03:03:16
    It's not close to what you would call accessible.
  • 03:03:19
    And what we would propose to do is similar to the work that we did at Washington Park last year in advance of the health fair.
  • 03:03:31
    the Healthy Streets Healthy People Fair back in July of 2023 in which we took a pathway on the left dug that completely out and replaced it with a completely brand new reinforced drainage equipped pathway approximately eight feet wide so that it's very accessible by a person in a wheelchair or an accessibility device walking next to the person that they're visiting the park with and
  • 03:04:01
    at Washington Park.
  • 03:04:04
    They already had connections to the basketball court and to the playgrounds, but they were very narrow.
  • 03:04:10
    And so what we did at Washington Park, we were able to put in these little much wider connectors between the pathway.
  • 03:04:16
    We proposed to completely replace the pathway and install these kind of connectors right there.
  • 03:04:23
    And then if Mr. Gensik has anything he'd like to add,
• • SPEAKER_09
  • 03:04:31
    Certainly, good evening everyone.
  • 03:04:32
    Chris Genzik with Parks and Rec and the trail guy for the city, they call me.
  • 03:04:36
    So this is exciting, A, because putting this trail system together all around the city is a heavy lift.
  • 03:04:41
    Having the assistance of the CDBG money and other staff to get parts and pieces put together is great.
  • 03:04:46
    We got the bridge in.
  • 03:04:47
    Before we do a ribbon cutting, we wanted to make sure the bridge was actually accessible from the street.
  • 03:04:51
    So this is great for the internal part of Jordan Park.
  • 03:04:54
    to add the playground.
  • 03:04:55
    I even told Two Bears he's super excited to get his playgrounds finally accessible.
  • 03:04:59
    This is also a small piece of the Developing Wars Creek Trail corridor.
  • 03:05:03
    So putting this in now, we will work to continue on the other side of the bridge all the way to Fifth Street as we pick up a few more properties and we can do that entire thing.
  • 03:05:10
    But if we can use existing money the city has to get this done now, this is a great piece of the puzzle to fill it while we can.
  • 03:05:17
    And our contractor's ready to go.
  • 03:05:18
    Should this be approved?
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:05:20
    Great.
  • 03:05:21
    Thank you so much.
• • SPEAKER_15
  • 03:05:24
    Thank you very much.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:05:25
    I'll make myself available for any questions.
  • 03:05:26
    Are there any clarifying questions?
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 03:05:29
    Where is the $25,000 coming from?
• • SPEAKER_15
  • 03:05:31
    The same pot of money that was reclaimed from unspent funds from prior years.
  • 03:05:38
    These would be from 2020 and 2022 programs that were never completed, much like
  • 03:05:45
    We did for the original Washington Park project and for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 03:05:50
    Okay, so it's not like something is not going to get done because this is getting funded?
• • SPEAKER_15
  • 03:05:55
    No, no, this is what City Manager Sanders referred to as a cleanup work.
  • 03:06:01
    That's just in the next step.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 03:06:02
    I was also curious.
  • 03:06:05
    There is on the city tax map an indication of Jordan Park West.
  • 03:06:14
    Yes.
  • 03:06:16
    Which as far as I can tell is I mean the the trail goes through there but other than that it's just sort of river bottom kind of land.
  • 03:06:24
    What is there a plan for that?
• • SPEAKER_09
  • 03:06:27
    Certainly, those are properties I've been stacking up over my tenure here with the city.
  • 03:06:32
    Again, those are along the Morse Creek corridor.
  • 03:06:34
    We've picked up from three different property owners, I believe.
  • 03:06:37
    So I think the piece that used to be called Charlie Close that has six subdivided lots, they were looking at for potential housing.
  • 03:06:44
    I think because of the flood issues, I'm not sure if that's going to proceed.
  • 03:06:47
    But the way I work with the trail system as any willing owner, we pick up those pieces.
  • 03:06:51
    And once we get to connect them from a street to a street or a park to a park,
  • 03:06:54
    and
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 03:07:08
    anything different to happen along those properties or is it just going to be the home of the trail?
• • SPEAKER_09
  • 03:07:14
    That's one of the sections we did a whole lot of that invasive plant management and replanting to restore the stream corridor.
  • 03:07:20
    Most of the lands that we collect for the purposes of the trail system are that floodland that's kind of people haven't been taking care of it for years and we do a lot of natural resource type work in it, but it doesn't always lend itself to much more than trails and natural stuff.
• • 03:07:35
    Thank you.
  • 03:07:35
    Thank you.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:07:38
    Hey there.
  • 03:07:39
    Thanks so much.
  • 03:07:40
    I just have a couple of questions.
  • 03:07:41
    You said the contractors are ready to go.
  • 03:07:43
    If we started tomorrow, when would the project be done?
  • 03:07:46
    Or what is the likelihood?
• • SPEAKER_15
  • 03:07:50
    The likelihood would be approximately four to six weeks.
  • 03:07:54
    Washington Park, from the time they put a shovel into the ground, the time it was done was approximately two, two and a half weeks.
  • 03:08:01
    And that encountered a significant demolition delay.
  • 03:08:05
    not anticipated in this because it's a very narrow pathway, maybe two to three weeks, hopefully.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:08:13
    Okay, cool.
  • 03:08:13
    And then why, just for materials, what are the advantages of, other than it's ready right away, what are the advantages of the asphalt over concrete?
• • SPEAKER_09
  • 03:08:26
    It used to be cost.
  • 03:08:27
    When I started, concrete was more expensive and that's where Public Works put some asphalt sidewalks in on Fontaine to see.
  • 03:08:33
    I believe there
  • 03:08:35
    and Michael
• • SPEAKER_15
  • 03:08:47
    The way it was explained to me from the contractor and admittedly from the contractor does the work.
  • 03:08:53
    The asphalt is much, it's reinforced on the bottom with multiple layers of gravel, but it's easier to repair over the long run if cracks and pieces they can just come in, dig out a little piece and put some more hot asphalt over the top, whereas concrete we've seen is very strong and yet when it breaks it's very hard to repair.
  • 03:09:12
    So it's primarily easier to repair is the way it was explained to me.
• • SPEAKER_09
  • 03:09:17
    I've also learned in my tenure, that's why joggers tend to run in the bike lanes.
  • 03:09:21
    I thought it was because of driveway cuts and signs on the sidewalk.
  • 03:09:24
    Let's say it's easier on your knees.
  • 03:09:25
    So that would be another way.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:09:27
    OK, thank you.
• • Michael Payne
  • 03:09:31
    People cover every question I had.
  • 03:09:33
    And to me, it seems pretty straightforward.
  • 03:09:35
    I'd be comfortable moving it to the consent agenda.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:09:38
    Public hearing.
  • 03:09:38
    I've got to do a public hearing first.
  • 03:09:41
    So I will now open the public hearing.
  • 03:09:43
    Is there anyone who would like to speak on this item?
  • 03:09:50
    Okay.
  • 03:09:52
    With no speakers, the public hearing is now closed.
  • 03:09:55
    Council, is there any discussion?
  • 03:09:57
    I think that there's agreement to put this on the consent agenda for October 7th.
  • 03:10:02
    That's fine.
  • 03:10:03
    But you?
  • 03:10:04
    Okay.
  • 03:10:05
    Great.
• • SPEAKER_15
  • 03:10:06
    Thank you very much.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:10:07
    Appreciate it.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:10:08
    Actually, real quick, is this one of those things we could vote for and then it's done?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 03:10:12
    No.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:10:14
    Or does it have to get to the consent agenda?
• • Sam Sanders
  • 03:10:17
    Well, I mean, it requires two readings unless you
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:10:21
    I think it does require two readings because it's an appropriation.
• • Kyna Thomas
  • 03:10:26
    My understanding is that if there is a public hearing, you can vote on it the same night as the public hearing.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:10:32
    If we have four out of five, yes.
  • 03:10:37
    And then they can get started.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 03:10:39
    Motion.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:10:40
    Motion to vote tonight.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:10:44
    Go ahead.
  • 03:10:45
    Is that it?
  • 03:10:49
    Do we have an attorney on the line?
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 03:11:02
    We should.
• • Kyna Thomas
  • 03:11:04
    That's been my understanding is that you can vote the night of a public hearing, otherwise it would require two readings.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:11:13
    Yeah, I just want to be careful because this is CDPG money.
  • 03:11:16
    Right.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:11:17
    Yeah, I don't want to mess with the appropriations, but because this is a project, I'm sure you all are ready to get started and we don't have another meeting for three weeks.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 03:11:23
    Well, I know the Washington Park thing we did on a one reading basis.
  • 03:11:28
    Same rule.
• • Sam Sanders
  • 03:11:30
    That's right.
  • 03:11:31
    Remy, do you see Miss O'Berry online?
• • Michael Payne
  • 03:11:43
    Should I?
• • SPEAKER_09
  • 03:11:44
    Yes, I see you're just promoted to a panelist.
• • SPEAKER_03
  • 03:11:47
    Good evening, councilors, vice mayor, city manager.
  • 03:11:51
    I think after the public hearing, the city council can vote provided you follow your procedures in terms of super majority vote.
  • 03:12:03
    In other communities that I've experienced, the city council, after the public hearing, they place the item on the fast track for approval.
  • 03:12:12
    and that constitutes the second voting.
  • 03:12:16
    So I don't know whether the city attorney is here but that's the way I've seen this has been done in the past.
• • SPEAKER_12
  • 03:12:26
    Yes, you can vote on it tonight with the super, it can pass with the super majority tonight.
• • Michael Payne
  • 03:12:31
    Great.
  • 03:12:32
    That case, I would move the resolution to approve the 2024 parks integration accessibility enhancement project at Jordan Park and to reprogram associate community development block grant funds in the amount of $25,000 and in doing so waive the second reading.
  • 03:12:49
    Second.
  • 03:12:50
    Okay, cast your votes.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:12:52
    Great.
• • SPEAKER_09
  • 03:12:55
    Thank you, and thanks for expediting.
  • 03:12:57
    We'll get it going as soon as the money moves over.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:13:00
    Great.
• • SPEAKER_09
  • 03:13:01
    Thank you.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:13:01
    I'm happy to see that.
  • 03:13:05
    Let's see the shovels.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:13:08
    Okay, yeah, thank you all.

14. Ordinance to adopt Fire Safety Code Fee Schedule (1 of 2 readings)

• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:13:09
    Item 14, ordinance to adopt fire safety code fee schedule.
  • 03:13:14
    One of two readings, Fire Marshal Joe Phillips will present.
• • SPEAKER_02
  • 03:13:23
    Thank you, Vice Mayor, City Councilor, Staff, Joe Phillips, City Fire Marshal, and Deputy Chief of Community Risk Reduction.
  • 03:13:32
    A little historical stuff.
  • 03:13:35
    The Schultz of Fire Marshal's office has asked that we amend the current ordinance for fire permits in 2019 City Council authorized the implementation of a permit process.
  • 03:13:50
    But due to the pandemic, we never actually started doing the permits with the effect the pandemic had on local businesses.
  • 03:13:59
    We made the decision as a city not to start the billing process.
  • 03:14:03
    Now in 2024, we've worked with city staff and we believe that we can go back in and readopt the payment schedule for that.
  • 03:14:14
    Our thought was to go ahead and adopt the entire 107
  • 03:14:18
    Point 2 Table out of the Virginia Stateway Fire Prevention Code, not saying that I'll have all of those types of businesses in the city of Charlottesville, but we never know.
  • 03:14:28
    And so go ahead and adopting it now will allow us that if someone wants to have an aircraft hangar at some point in the city of Charlottesville, we could charge a permit for it.
  • 03:14:41
    It is.
  • 03:14:45
    Currently, city staff has agreed that for us not to start the billing process in January to start the permit process, yes, but they're going to cover the cost of the permits for my budget until July when we can implement
  • 03:15:00
    the fee structure and the charges as part of your budget process this year.
  • 03:15:06
    So I think you all heard a little bit more about that earlier and that's the thought.
  • 03:15:11
    What are we going to use the money for?
  • 03:15:13
    Fire prevention, education, buying equipment.
  • 03:15:17
    We don't have a funding stream in the fire department now.
  • 03:15:20
    that is dedicated for fire prevention education, the tools, the equipment, our smoke alarm program.
  • 03:15:27
    We've offered free smoke alarms for over 30 years in the city of Charlottesville.
  • 03:15:31
    We now also offer stovetop fire stops and we have offered CO detectors thanks to a community block grant like y'all talked about.
  • 03:15:40
    With this funding, we will again be able to offer the CO detectors to the city residents all for free installation for free.
  • 03:15:48
    and go from there.
  • 03:15:51
    And a little side note on the stove top fire stops.
  • 03:15:53
    This summer alone, we've had three kitchen saves with those stove top fire stops in our city, one just last week.
  • 03:16:02
    So the price difference between an entire kitchen fire, $25,000 to $30,000 for what the apartments were seeing before.
  • 03:16:12
    Now you're talking about under a $2,000 paint and renovation, maybe replacing a stove.
  • 03:16:17
    is here.
  • 03:16:33
    They go over each eye and so you get two per stove and they deploy with the heat.
  • 03:16:39
    If you've left something on too long and you started a small kitchen fire, it deploys like a fire extinguisher automatically and puts the fire out.
  • 03:16:48
    I believe it was last Saturday we had one.
  • 03:16:55
    So once you approve the budget for next year and we start billing, it really is no budgetary impact for the city.
  • 03:17:05
    It's really a budgetary impact for the property owners and business owners.
  • 03:17:11
    This is only commercial businesses that we'd be billing.
  • 03:17:15
    once we get that all set up.
  • 03:17:18
    And most of these businesses have businesses in the county or over in the valley, and they're already billing.
  • 03:17:24
    The Albemarle County has been billing for fire permits more than 25 years.
  • 03:17:30
    So that's, in conclusion, adopting this ordinance is not just about requiring fire permits.
  • 03:17:37
    It's about ensuring that the public safety and funding for vital fire prevention education initiatives
  • 03:17:43
    I urge City Council to consider this proposal and support the overall well-being of our citizens.
  • 03:17:49
    Thank you.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:17:50
    Any questions?
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:17:52
    Yes, is this a, are these permits like a one-time thing the businesses have to, so they're yearly?
  • 03:17:58
    Okay, that answers my second question, thank you.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:18:03
    So there's a entire, it's a pretty substantial list that's in here, and this is adopted from the state fire prevention code?
• • SPEAKER_02
  • 03:18:11
    It is.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:18:12
    And we've not had this until now?
• • SPEAKER_02
  • 03:18:15
    So in 2019, the Chief and Fire Marshal at the time chose five of those items, two of which are no longer in the, they chose tents.
  • 03:18:29
    We can't use tents anymore.
  • 03:18:31
    NDS is already charging for a tent permit and actually came out of the fire permit
  • 03:18:36
    It's still in there that you could if your city did not have a building official that's charging.
  • 03:18:43
    We do, so we're not charging for tents.
  • 03:18:47
    They also chose hazmat.
  • 03:18:50
    and we're going to leave Hasmet in, of course, and they chose the daycare, inspection, group home.
  • 03:18:58
    That's one that we do a lot of in the city now, and it's based on the size of your social services permit.
  • 03:19:07
    They're required.
  • 03:19:08
    We do those now, and so they stayed in.
  • 03:19:12
    But most of them, they just picked five, just trying to get started back in 2019.
  • 03:19:18
    and we decided now, I think we have the staffing and computer systems to allow us to build and if we find them, we're just going to do it.
  • 03:19:29
    We're already inspecting these places now.
  • 03:19:31
    So they're familiar with us.
  • 03:19:33
    Very few of them are new inspections.
  • 03:19:35
    I see.
• • 03:19:36
    Yeah.
• • Michael Payne
  • 03:19:37
    Then from the packet, my understanding is correct.
  • 03:19:40
    This is basically just copying the fee schedule that exists in Albemarle County.
• • SPEAKER_02
  • 03:19:44
    Yeah.
  • 03:19:45
    Yeah, I tried to mirror Albemarle County's identically.
  • 03:19:50
    They have a couple that you notice most bars are 200 per permit.
  • 03:19:54
    There's a couple that are 75, but most bars are 200.
  • 03:19:58
    They have a couple that
  • 03:20:00
    sort of vary on that as well.
  • 03:20:02
    And I just kept just to keep consistency, you know, instead of 175 for one or something, it was, but they have some that are higher than 200.
  • 03:20:11
    And we tried to keep everything right at the 200.
• • Michael Payne
  • 03:20:14
    Yeah.
  • 03:20:15
    Well, to me, it seems straightforward.
  • 03:20:19
    I feel like
  • 03:20:20
    Businesses benefit from CFD even if they don't have any year rely on the service as a kind of social insurance so I think a fee is completely reasonable so I'd be prepared to move it to a consent agenda at the upcoming meeting.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:20:34
    I just was wondering, on page two of the fee schedule, there's some text that's in blue.
  • 03:20:43
    Is it blue for, is it like an edit that was made for us or is that special for some reason?
• • SPEAKER_02
  • 03:20:51
    So because we have a city ordinance, so I copied the city code and put it in there, we don't allow fireworks in the city of Charlottesville.
  • 03:21:01
    And so that's a big change for Alamol County.
  • 03:21:05
    They do, of course, allow fireworks.
  • 03:21:07
    We don't even allow consumer grade.
  • 03:21:09
    You can't have a sparkler in the city of Charlottesville.
  • 03:21:12
    officially.
  • 03:21:13
    And so there is no, there's really no reason for this permit unless we find funding to do a large show with fireworks.
  • 03:21:24
    So.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:21:25
    Okay.
  • 03:21:26
    So it's just kind of highlighting not a difference.
• • SPEAKER_02
  • 03:21:28
    Right.
  • 03:21:29
    I wanted to make sure people understood if you're comparing Albemarle counties and ours, I felt like the city coach should be in there.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:21:36
    Great.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:21:36
    Thank you.
  • 03:21:37
    Good.
  • 03:21:37
    Thank you.
  • 03:21:38
    So we're good with putting it on the consent agenda for next.
  • 03:21:41
    Great.
  • 03:21:41
    All right.
  • 03:21:41
    Thanks so much.
• • SPEAKER_02
  • 03:21:42
    Thank you.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:21:46
    Okay.

15. Ordinance to approve a Funding Agreement for Carlton Mobile Home Park (1 reading with 4/5 vote)

• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:21:46
    Item 15, an ordinance to approve a funding agreement for Carlton mobile home park.
  • 03:21:53
    Um, we want to do one reading with a, uh, at least a super majority vote if possible.
  • 03:21:59
    And we have Mr. Freeze and Ms.
  • 03:22:01
    Kelly.
• • SPEAKER_19
  • 03:22:04
    Good evening.
  • 03:22:04
    For the record, Brenda Kelly, Redevelopment Manager.
  • 03:22:07
    The item in front of you tonight is basically a follow-up from your August approvals where it was discussed that a loan agreement would have to come back in front of you to spell out the terms of the action.
  • 03:22:22
    This is for the city funding of the acquisition of the Carlton Mobile Home Park property.
  • 03:22:30
    by Piedmont Housing Alliance and Greater Charlottesville Habitat for Humanity.
  • 03:22:37
    So in your presentation, this is the property we're talking about, which you're probably very familiar with, and the loan agreement in front of you.
  • 03:22:47
    These are some of the general terms.
  • 03:22:49
    Here's the parties of the redevelopment of the property.
  • 03:22:53
    Piedmont Housing Alliance and Habitat will be forming a
  • 03:23:00
    wholly owned 50-50 joint venture structure known as Habitat Carlton Alliance LLC.
  • 03:23:06
    And that will be the entity that will be developing the property, ultimately owning it and operating it.
  • 03:23:16
    It is intended at this point that there will be a minimum of 180 residential units.
  • 03:23:22
    A minimum of five of those four rent units will be for households with incomes of zero to 30% AMI.
  • 03:23:29
    a minimum of five forward units to households with incomes at or below 50% AMI and 70% of the total units for rental or home ownership by low and moderate income households.
  • 03:23:43
    As you know, there are no current plans for the redevelopment.
  • 03:23:47
    So those are what the city is asking for at this point and intending to be minimum numbers for development on the property ultimately.
  • 03:23:56
    What you would be approving tonight, if you approve it, is a forgivable loan with a 40 year term.
  • 03:24:03
    The loan is up to $8.7 million.
  • 03:24:06
    That is an up to amount because it will be the financing costs and the amount of the purchase of the property.
  • 03:24:14
    The PHA and Habitat have agreed that one city manager appointed staff for designee and one city counselor will be appointed to a to be formed redevelopment planning committee.
  • 03:24:26
    for the redevelopment of the property.
  • 03:24:29
    And should the city not appropriate future funds, which was discussed at your last meeting, the agreement will terminate, but HCD will be required to pay back any funds that were advanced if there are any excess proceeds.
  • 03:24:44
    There will be another agenda item at your next meeting, as again discussed in August.
  • 03:24:50
    Additional funds will need to be appropriated to make an October payment, and that item will be coming as an appropriation at your next council meeting.
  • 03:25:01
    The property is intended to be closing on this week, so that is why the urgency in the 4-5th boat that's being requested so that this is finalized prior to the closing.
  • 03:25:14
    Any questions?
  • 03:25:15
    Mr. Fries and I are here to answer.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:25:18
    I just wanted to clarify, for the minimum five for 30% or below and then the other minimum five for 50% AMO, that's 10 total.
  • 03:25:33
    So it's not that the 30% are within the five or
• • James Freas
  • 03:25:39
    I'm sorry, that's the last part of the question again.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:25:41
    Okay, yes, so there's two lines where it's a minimum of five for rent units at 30% below and then also another five or five at 50% AMI or below.
• • James Freas
  • 03:25:53
    Ten total units.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:25:54
    Ten total, okay, so one's not encapsulating the other, okay.
  • 03:25:57
    And then can you
  • 03:26:00
    Talk a little bit more about the last bullet point.
• • SPEAKER_19
  • 03:26:04
    So as was discussed in August, the funding over a five year period, this city council cannot guarantee those funds.
  • 03:26:14
    So each future city council through the budget process will allocate funding to commit to what your all intention is at this point.
  • 03:26:25
    If there are future city councils that don't
  • 03:26:29
    Allocate the funding or guarantee the funding for that fiscal year Then the city has basically defaulted on the city's intent, which is not a default because we clearly said we cannot commit those funds then HCA that's Piedmont Housing Alliance and Habitat Basically, there is no longer an agreement in place.
  • 03:26:53
    So the agreement is in place based on that funding coming for the project
  • 03:26:58
    So at that point HCA can back out of the agreement or get out of the agreement, but is intended that HCA will be required to pay back funds that the city had already provided.
  • 03:27:11
    Provided that there's any proceeds left from whatever they were doing in the meantime with the funding.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:27:19
    So if let's say in
  • 03:27:23
    In six years, the city votes to no longer fund the project.
  • 03:27:29
    They have to pay back everything we've already given them or anything that we had.
• • SPEAKER_19
  • 03:27:38
    Correct.
  • 03:27:39
    However, your last fiscal year 30, you will have one payment left in fiscal year 30.
  • 03:27:45
    So if it's basically more than this, less than the six years, they will have that otherwise up to fiscal year 30.
  • 03:27:53
    then the city will have committed all the funding.
  • 03:27:58
    Did I confuse that more?
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:27:59
    No, I'm just, it seems like kind of a rough deal for HCA if the city decides not to.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:28:04
    I guess this is because we can't, we can't tie the hands of future councils.
  • 03:28:09
    Is that what this is about?
• • James Freas
  • 03:28:10
    That is correct.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:28:11
    Yeah.
• • James Freas
  • 03:28:11
    It's also recognizing that the last line there, if there are excess proceeds, right?
  • 03:28:16
    So let's say in a worst case scenario, something happens in the marketplace and they then turn around to sell the property because they can no longer, if the funds aren't there, so they or however that works, they sell the property and it sells for less than what we've paid for it, they don't owe us the excess.
  • 03:28:35
    Right, so that line does protect them as well in this instance.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:28:39
    So I don't think it's like anything that we, I'm not sure something that I'm glad that we necessarily have to include, but we do have to include it, I think, because of the fact that we can't buy the future councils.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:28:52
    Yeah, I'm just, I just want to be clear on it that if like
  • 03:29:03
    Is that in like three years, if council doesn't vote to fund it, they pay us back the first three years of payments that we'd already given them?
  • 03:29:15
    Or isn't that like sunk done, they keep that?
• • James Freas
  • 03:29:19
    They pay us back to the extent possible what they've already been received.
  • 03:29:23
    So they don't owe us for stuff they haven't gotten yet, no.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:29:25
    Right, but they owe us for stuff we've already given them.
• • James Freas
  • 03:29:28
    Yes, for money we've already given them, yes.
  • 03:29:30
    Okay.
  • 03:29:31
    If we bail.
  • 03:29:32
    If we bail.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:29:34
    Got it.
  • 03:29:35
    Because that's assuming that the project doesn't happen.
• • James Freas
  • 03:29:38
    Yes.
  • 03:29:38
    At that point, the project doesn't happen.
  • 03:29:41
    Seriously complicated.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:29:42
    Yes.
• • James Freas
  • 03:29:43
    Seriously complicated.
  • 03:29:44
    Okay.
  • 03:29:44
    That's an understatement.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:29:47
    Right.
  • 03:29:47
    This is not a scenario anyone hopes for.
  • 03:29:49
    I just wanted to understand what that was.
  • 03:29:53
    Okay.
  • 03:29:53
    Thank you.
  • 03:29:53
    Sorry for asking that.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:29:56
    No, it's a good thing.
  • 03:29:57
    I'm glad you did.
  • 03:29:59
    It's important to understand.
• • Michael Payne
  • 03:30:03
    Not a question, but just to highlight for the community to understand, this is just one component of what would be an overall project involving lots of different eventual requirements from different funding sources.
  • 03:30:16
    So when this portion is saying a minimum of five units at zero to 30% AMI,
  • 03:30:21
    That doesn't mean all you're going to get is five units.
  • 03:30:24
    There's already a commitment to, similar to Southwood, ensure anybody who wants to stay there is able to, in a unit that's affordable to them at their current income.
  • 03:30:33
    Additionally, they're going to be getting low income housing tax credits and other state funding that will have other affordable housing requirements.
  • 03:30:41
    I think Habitat's average AMI level is around like 20 something percent, you know, citywide.
  • 03:30:48
    So I just wanted to highlight that.
  • 03:30:49
    I mean, this is just one component.
  • 03:30:50
    This isn't saying there's only going to be five units at zero to 30 percent.
• • James Freas
  • 03:30:53
    I appreciate you pointing that out, Councillor, because a lot of the conversation around this was how we're all going to strive throughout this process to provide more affordable housing, provide affordable housing at a deeper level.
  • 03:31:06
    That's the objective of all parties to this agreement.
  • 03:31:12
    But the agreement reflects where we are comfortable today, given the uncertainty about this project going forward.
  • 03:31:18
    And the different funding streams are going to have to come into play.
  • 03:31:21
    Because every single one of those affordable units requires some degree of subsidy.
  • 03:31:24
    And the more affordable the unit is, the higher degree of that subsidy is.
  • 03:31:28
    And that subsidy has to come from somewhere.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:31:31
    Right.
  • 03:31:33
    to that too.
  • 03:31:34
    The presence of market rate units helps offset the price of the more affordable units.
  • 03:31:41
    Absolutely correct.
  • 03:31:42
    So if you do have more market rate units, you can get either that deeper affordability or more at a more moderate affordability level.
  • 03:31:49
    That is absolutely correct.
  • 03:31:50
    So both types are needed.
  • 03:31:51
    Yeah.
• • Michael Payne
  • 03:31:55
    Sorry.
  • 03:31:56
    Just to clarify, all we need to do today is pass the ordinance for funding agreement.
  • 03:32:02
    There's nothing else?
• • James Freas
  • 03:32:04
    Yeah, there's nothing else today now.
  • 03:32:07
    Okay.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:32:09
    Okay.
  • 03:32:09
    So is there, Lloyd, do you have any questions?
  • 03:32:12
    No.
  • 03:32:13
    Okay.
  • 03:32:13
    So is there a motion for this ordinance to approve a funding agreement for Carlton Mobile Home Park?
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:32:19
    Let's take a 15 second break so that the mayor can join us for this vote.
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:32:25
    Welcome back.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:32:28
    Back in time.
  • 03:32:29
    Yes.
  • 03:32:29
    Just in the nick of time.
• • James Freas
  • 03:32:30
    Anyway, would you like us to repeat our
• • Michael Payne
  • 03:32:35
    Um, should I just make a motion?
  • 03:32:39
    Yes.
  • 03:32:40
    I'm sorry.
  • 03:32:41
    I would move to approve the ordinance to approve a funding agreement for call to Mobile Home Park and do so waving the second reading and passing it on one reading with a fourth-fifth vote.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 03:32:52
    Second.
• • Lloyd Snook
  • 03:32:54
    I'll give it to Natalie.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 03:32:56
    Okay, so it's been moving properly for a second.
  • 03:32:59
    Before we go on, I just want to add that, you know, we did get a couple of questions this evening about, you know, to make sure that this was a, there was another offer.
  • 03:33:10
    I just want to make sure that everyone got that was just me.
  • 03:33:14
    No, no, I got it.
  • 03:33:16
    Okay.
• • Natalie Oschrin
  • 03:33:18
    Do we, is there public hearing for this?
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 03:33:20
    No, no.
  • 03:33:22
    Okay, so can we vote?
  • 03:33:26
    Sure.
  • 03:33:28
    The motion passes five to zero.
  • 03:33:32
    Thank you all.
  • 03:33:44
    Okay, we're 16, is that?
• • SPEAKER_06
  • 03:33:48
    Yes.

16. Confidential Settlement Agreement

• • Juandiego Wade
  • 03:33:51
    The next item on the agenda is a confidential settlement agreement.
  • 03:33:59
    And we have been briefed on this, so we can just approve it.
  • 03:34:07
    It's not anything we have to read.
  • 03:34:09
    Okay.
  • 03:34:09
    So does anyone want to make a motion?
• • SPEAKER_17
  • 03:34:12
    I move for approval of the confidential settlement agreement.
• • Juandiego Wade
  • 03:34:18
    Is there a second?
  • 03:34:21
    I'll second it.
  • 03:34:23
    Okay.
  • 03:34:24
    Been moved, property second.
  • 03:34:25
    Can we vote?
  • 03:34:25
    The motion passes five to zero.
  • 03:34:31
    The next item is general business is second opportunity for the community to speak.
  • 03:34:40
    If there's anyone from the community who would like to speak, please come up.
  • 03:34:47
    If not, we stand adjourned.
  • 03:34:49
    Thank you.
• • SPEAKER_13
  • 03:34:51
    Hell of a job there.

17. Adjournment