City Council

Public Hearing 04/21/15 CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, MAYOR HON. WILLIAM C. WITHERS, JR., VICE -MAYOR, WARD TWO CITY COUNCIL HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE HON. MATTHEW J. KELLY, AT-LARGE HON. BRADFORD C. ELLIS, WARD ONE HON. DR. TIMOTHY P. DUFFY, WARD THREE Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street HON. CHARLIE L. FRYE, JR., WARD FOUR Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 April 21, 2015 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a public hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. City Council Present. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Vice-Mayor William C. Withers, Jr. and Council members Kerry P. Devine, Dr. Timothy P. Duffy, Bradford C. Ellis, Charlie L. Frye, Jr. and Matthew J. Kelly. Also Present. City Manager Beverly Cameron, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Budget Manager Amanda Lickey and Deputy Clerk of Council Brenda T. Martin. Officer Recognized. Mayor Greenlaw recognized the presence of and thanked Auxiliary Officer Sergeant Paul Peterson for being at the meeting. Staff Presentation (D15-145 thru D15-146). Budget Manager Amanda Lickey highlighted and summarized the FY 2016 Recommended Operating and Capital Budget, General Fund Revenues and Expenditures. Operating budget highlights include: a 2.44% increase for a total of $88,626,620, a significant increase in funding of $1.089 million for schools, four new staff positions, an increase in the property tax rate from $0.79 to $0.82 cents, a 4% increase in water and sewer rates, final phase-in of the state- mandated changes by the Virginia Retirement System, general fund transfer of $2 million to support capital projects paid by cash, a $1,000 mid-year bonus to full-time employees 18923 Public Hearing 04/21/15 and smaller bonus for part-time employees, payment of debit service for the 2015 bond issuance for capital projects, and phased implementation of modified trash and recycling collection procedures. Capital budget recommendations include: $6.9 million in infrastructure improvements for water and wastewater system, annual asphalt and concrete rehabilitation program, traffic signal modernization, technology and computer replacements, telecommunications replacement, funding for engineering and design of Fire Station 3, an ambulance replacement, and Fire Department breathing apparatus replacements. Council Work Sessions included discussions on Council propositions that were additions or deletions to the recommended budget. Declarations. Councilors Duffy and Devine declared they are employees of the City Schools but can rule objectively, fairly and in the public interest. Councilor Frye declared his wife is an employee of the City Schools but he can rule fairly, objectively and in the public interest. Fiscal Year 2016 Recommended Operating and Capital Budget (D15-144). – 8 speakers. The Clerk read the notice of the public hearings as they appeared in the local newspaper, the purpose being to solicit citizen input. Dixie Lee Martin, 2201 Hays Street, stated concerns about raising taxes, new positions in the recommended budget and the new trash cans and increase refuse collection costs. She has always had a love for Fredericksburg and moved to the city in November 2014. Ms. Martin asked the Council to reconsider some of the ways to increase the taxes and fees for citizens on a fixed income. 18924 Public Hearing 04/21/15 Taylor Davis, student at James Monroe High School spoke on behalf of the disAbility Resource Center and their many resources and services for citizens. She spoke about the youth programs that taught her life skills such as self-advocacy, socialization, critical thinking, and independent living. She asked the Council for their continued support. Teresa Bowers, Mental Health America of Fredericksburg, Director of Senior Visitors Program, spoke about support services provided to senior citizens. She shared a profile of a typical client and the support a volunteer gives to improve the quality of life to a vulnerable population. Steven Flanagan, Big Brothers Big Sisters Board of Director, asked the Council to approve their level of funding request. One to one youth mentoring is key to helping youth navigate their challenging lives by helping reinforce positive decision making and succeed in school and ultimately become better citizens. Scott Mason, American Red Cross Board of Director spoke to clarify and amplify the need for funding for this non-profit agency, that is not an agency of the U.S. Government but funded by citizens. He spoke about the number of citizens assisted over the past several years who have had experienced disasters in the city and in Planning District 16 and the services they have provided. He asked the city to provide $2,000 in funding to continue to support citizens at their time of greatest need. Ann Kloeckner, Director of Rappahannock Legal Services, thanked the Council for their continued their support and stated their client level has continued to increase. She highlighted some of the services the agency provides to assist citizens navigate the legal system to obtain enforceable court orders such as child and spousal support. 18925 Public Hearing 04/21/15 David McLaughlin, 1420 Kenmore Avenue, stated his concerns over increased funding for schools, and water and sewer rate increases over the last several years. Debit increase and the proposed capital improvement expenses in future years really concerned him and stated it should concern others as well. Lily Dunning, Bluemont Concert Series Executive Director, thanked the Council for their 20 years of support for providing live concerts to students, residents of nursing homes and Summer Concert attendees. She requested Council increase funding to $10,000 to return to presenting ten concerts in Maury Stadium and to bring concerts back to students in city schools. Proposed Increase in Real Estate Tax Rate (D15-147). – 1 speaker. The Clerk read the notice of the public hearings as they appeared in the local newspaper, the purpose being to solicit citizen input. Harley Wroten, 3115 Normandy Avenue, as a resident for 37 years he stated his concerns over apartment dwellers not paying their fair share of the taxes. He has concerns over trying to sell his house and its real estate value. Proposed Increase in Water, Sewer and Solid Waste (D15-147). – no speakers. The Clerk read the notice of the public hearings as they appeared in the local newspaper, the purpose being to solicit citizen input. Budget Manager Amanda Lickey stated staff advertised this public hearing based on the recommended budget but City Council has decided not to support the increase in the tipping fees at the R-Board landfill, so there will not be an increase to refuse collection fees. Adjournment. There being no speakers to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Greenlaw declared the hearing officially adjourned at 7:43 p.m. 18926 Public Hearing 04/21/15 Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor Brenda T. Martin Brenda T. Martin, Clerk of Council, CMC 18927 Public Hearing 04/21/15 [This page intentionally left blank.] 18928