City Council

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 Council Work Session June 23, 2015 Proposed Archeology Ordinance The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia held a work session on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall Conference Room. Council Present. Vice-Mayor William C. Withers, Jr., Presiding. Councilors, Bradford C. Ellis, Charlie L. Frye, Jr. and Matthew J. Kelly. Council Absent. Councilor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Kerry P. Devine and Timothy P. Duffy, out-of-town. Also Present. City Manager Beverly Cameron, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Planning and Services Director Charles Johnston, Deputy Planning Director Erik Nelson, Lauren Pennington (City Attorney Intern) and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Proposed Archeology Ordinance. Deputy Director of Planning Nelson and City Attorney Dooley were the team leaders for the Archeology Ordinance. Mr. Nelson began with a PowerPoint presentation that covered: City Archeology has been, Additional Efforts, Section 106, Private Archeological Efforts, Salvage Archeology, City Controlled Sites, UpRiver Land, Archeology vs. Preservation, Existing City Program, City Artifacts, Artifacts Curated, Private Sector Meeting Requirements, Council Goals and Initiatives, Working Group List, Working Group Discussions, What is Archeology, Working Group Consensus Items, Defining an Archeology Program, Case Studies from Williamsburg, Loudon, and Alexandria, Historic Projects – Subject to Review and not Subject for Review, Questions to be Answered and Staff suggestions. (See attachment for more information). Staff suggested following the Loudon and Alexandria models when drafting the Ordinance. 1  Councilor Kelly discussed the importance of archeology some examples were the Courthouse site, the kiln, and the hotel site. He said storage was an issue and he would like to see the items accessible for the public to see, possibly at the museum. He noted the City had an advantage because the University had an archeological program and he said they may do the reports for the items. Councilor Kelly also added that it was important to have the development community involved it this process. Councilor Ellis agreed that the City should tell its story and he thinks the museum would be the place to tell it. He also asked could a policy be but in place to require the developers to display their finds. Councilor Frye agreed that there should be a policy to require the developers to display items. Vice-Mayor Withers suggested narrowing down the areas that require archeology. Councilor Kelly said most archeological work is done on specific sites. He said the history in the City was layered and there should be core areas, but he would not leave out too many areas. Councilor Kelly added that this would need to be a newly staffed position. Councilor Frye said he would like to see something in place for the utility companies when they are out digging as well. Vice-Mayor Wither noted that if it is not documented on site then it is destroyed. He said cost is the main issue and he asked would it be feasible to contract out. Mr. Johnston said it would take an exceptional amount of time and money to start up. It would require full-time staff starting out. Staff asked if they would like to pull the taskforce back together and Vice- Mayor Withers advised that it would not be wise to make that decision with only four members of Council present. Councilor Ellis said he would support, but what happens when you build out. He also said education was the greatest piece. Councilor Kelly thought the taskforce was the best way to go. He would meet with Mr. Johnston, Mr. Nelson and Ms. Dooley to determine the best direction to go. Vice-Mayor Withers said partnerships would be good and Councilor Kelly said they are critical. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Greenlaw declared the work session officially adjourned at 7:03 p.m. 2 __ Tonya B. Lacey____ Tonya B. Lacey Clerk of Council City of Fredericksburg 3