City Council

Public Hearing 03/08/16 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 March 8, 2016 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a public hearing on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, beginning at 7:31 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 R. Cameron, Assistant City Manager Mark W. Whitley, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Assistant City Attorney Robert Eckstrom, Planning Services Director Charles Johnston, Development Administrator & Code Enforcement Officer Marne Sherman, Zoning Administrator Michael Craig, Assistant Public Works Director David King, Police Chief David Nye, Budget Manager Deidre Jett, Purchasing Agent Lynn Enders, Historic Resources Planner Kate Schwartz and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Notice of Public Hearings (D16-102 thru D16-106.3). The Clerk read the notice of the public hearings as they appeared in the local newspaper, the purpose being to solicit citizen input. Ordinance 16-08, First Read Approved, Vacating an Alley on the Former Free Lance-Star Property at 616 Amelia Street (D16-102 thru 19263 Public Hearing 03/08/16 D16-103). – 1 speaker. Staff gave a brief presentation of the application followed by the public hearing. Darryl Caldwell, Caldwell Banker, 4840 Southpoint Drive, 22408, said he was in agreement with staff’s recommendation and he said the applicant was willing to pay the $23,500 the value of the property. He also requested Council do first and second read. Vice-Mayor Withers moved to approve Ordinance 16-08, on first read, vacating an alley on the former Free Lance-Star property at 616 Amelia Street and he moved that the applicant pay the $23,500 for the value of the property; motion was seconded by Councilor Devine. Councilor Kelly said he wanted to see the details of the project before approving the vacation. The motion passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis and Frye. Nays (1). Councilor Kelly. Motion to Suspend the Rules. In order to place Ordinance 16-08 on for second read Vice-Mayor Withers moved to suspend the rules; motion was seconded by Councilor Devine and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis and Frye. Nays (1). Councilor Kelly. Ordinance 16-08, Second Read Approved, Vacating an Alley on the Former Free Lance-Star Property at 616 Amelia Street. Vice-Mayor Withers moved to approve Ordinance 16-08, on second read, vacating an alley on the former Free Lance-Star property at 616 Amelia Street and he moved that the applicant pay the $23,500 for the property; motion was seconded by Councilor Devine and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, 19264 Public Hearing 03/08/16 Duffy, Ellis and Frye. Nays (1). Councilor Kelly. Ordinance 16-09, First Read Approved, Authorizing the Vacation of a Portion of a Public Waterline and Sanitary Sewer Easement at Amelia Square for Sedona Taphouse (D16-104 thru D16-105). – 1 speaker. Staff gave a brief staff presentation before the public hearing was heard. Keith Oster, 8804 General Castle Court, he stated he was in agreement with staff’s assessment and said the property needed to be vacated in order to title the property. Councilor Kelly moved to approve Ordinance 16-09, on first read, authorizing the vacation of a portion of a public waterline and sanitary sewer easement at Amelia Square for Sedona Taphouse; motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Withers. Vice-Mayor Withers explained that the reason the City was not charging for this vacation was that the property was only worth about $100. The motion passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye, and Kelly. Nays (0). Motion to Suspend the Rules. In order to place Ordinance 16-09 on for second read Councilor Devine moved to suspend the rules; motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Withers and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis and Frye. Nays (1). Councilor Kelly. Ordinance 16-09, Second Read Approved, Authorizing the Vacation of a Portion of a Public Waterline and Sanitary Sewer Easement at Amelia Square for Sedona Taphouse. Councilor Devine moved 19265 Public Hearing 03/08/16 to approve Ordinance 16-09, on second read, authorizing the vacation of a portion of a public waterline and sanitary sewer easement at Amelia Square for Sedona Taphouse; motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Withers and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye, and Kelly. Nays (0). Ordinance 16-10, First Read Approved, Providing for Issuance and Sale of a General Obligation Bond Series 2016 of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, in an Amount Not to Exceed $14,525,000, and the Form, Details and Payment Thereof (D16-106 thru D16-106.3). – no speakers. Staff gave a brief staff presentation and Councilors Duffy and Devine disclosed that they were members of a business, profession, occupation or group of three or more members affected by the transaction, namely they are employees of the Fredericksburg Public School system. Councilor Frye disclosed that his spouse was a member of a business, profession, occupation or group of three or more members affected by the transaction, namely she is an employee of the Fredericksburg Public School system. Councilor Ellis noted that he would have to abstain due to his business profession. Councilor Devine moved to approve Ordinance 16-10, on first read, providing for issuance and sale of General Obligation Bond Series 2016 of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, in an amount not to exceed $14,525,000, and the form, details and payment thereof; motion was seconded by Councilor Kelly and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Frye, and Kelly. Nays (0). Abstained (1) Councilor Ellis. 19266 Public Hearing 03/08/16 Adjournment. There being no speakers to come before the Council at this time. Mayor Greenlaw Declared the hearing officially adjourned at 7:54 p.m. Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council, CMC 19267 Public Hearing 03/08/16 [This page intentionally left blank.] 19268 Regular Session 03/08/16 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 March 8, 2016 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a regular session on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, beginning at 7:30 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 R. Cameron, Assistant City Manager Mark W. Whitley, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Assistant City Attorney Robert Eckstrom, Planning Services Director Charles Johnston, Development Administrator & Code Enforcement Officer Marne Sherman, Zoning Administrator Michael Craig, Assistant Public Works Director David King, Police Chief David Nye, Budget Manager Deidre Jett, Purchasing Agent Lynn Enders, Historic Resources Planner Kate Schwartz and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Council was led in prayer by Councilor Bradford C. Ellis followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Officer Recognized. Mayor Greenlaw recognized the presence of Officer Ted Marrs at this evening’s meeting. 19269 Regular Session 03/08/16 Public Hearings Conducted (D16-102 thru D16-106.3). The regular session was recessed in order to conduct the scheduled public hearings and immediately reconvened upon their conclusion. Citizen Comment. The following speakers came forward to participate in the citizen comment portion of this evening’s meeting. Robert Deaderick, 1306 Washington Avenue, stated that the resolution that was being present for approval was defective because he does not believe the original plan was an approved plan by Council. He said because of this he believes the propriety of the Taskforce would be questioned. He also said it was a problem that the Taskforce would rely on the Clean and Green Commission as well as the Recreation Commission because of their history and because their interest was in planting trees and not historical interest. Tammy Beard, 11 Pendleton Road, 22405, Owner of Yellow Cab, stated that they have updated their cabs to include meters for trips outside the City. She said the current zone system in the City was outdated and did not include all the new subdivisions. She said the map was challenging and that a customer could get different charges for the same trip. She asked Council to look into the matter. Council Agenda Presented. The following items were presented to Council. 7A. Taximeter Rules – Councilor Frye Taximeter Rules – after public comment on taximeters Councilor Frye asked the staff to provide the rules to determine use of taximeters in the City. Mayor Greenlaw requested that Chief Nye speak to the topic and he said there was a Taxi Board but they have all expired and no applicants have applied to serve on the 19270 Regular Session 03/08/16 Board so the Board was inactive. The last time meters were addressed they were denied by the board. Councilor Devine said it would be a good time to look at this again because things may have changed over time. She suggested Councilor Frye take the lead. Vice-Mayor Withers said he would like staff to give some direction on the fares and the differences in prices. Councilor Ellis suggested bringing back what was submitted the first time to see what Council decides. Councilor Kelly asked that the zones get clarified under the current zoning. City Manager’s Consent Agenda Accepted for Transmittal as Recommended (D16-107 thru D16-113). Following review and as recommended Councilor Kelly moved approval of the City Manager’s consent agenda items; motion was seconded by Councilor Ellis and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devein, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Nays (0). • Transmittal of Ordinance Amending City Code Section 2-387 to Change Thresholds for Small Purchases (D16-107). • Ordinance 16-06, Second Read (Amended), Rezoning Approximately 0.8829 Acres of Land Located 404 Willis Street From Light Industrial I-1 to Commercial Downtown (Conditional) (D16-108). • Ordinance 16-07, Second Read, Revising the Solid Waste Chapter of the City Code to Address City-Owned Trash Carts, Include Recycling, Revise the Penalties for Violations, Grant Certain Administrative Authority to the Director of Public Works, Hold Lessors Responsible for Vacated Rental 19271 Regular Session 03/08/16 Properties, and Delete the Public Works Permit Requirement for Transporting Refuse (D16-109). • Transmittal of Boards and Commission Minutes o Board of Zoning Appeals – November 16, 2015 (D16-110). o Board of Zoning Appeals – January 5, 2016 (D16-111). o Recreation Commission – January 21, 2015 (D16-112). • Announcement Under Va. Code Section 2.2-3712 that the City Council will Hold Closed Meetings Solely for the purpose of Interviewing Candidates for the Position of City Manager at Undisclosed Locations During the Next 15 Days (D16-113). Introduction of New Employees. Assistant City Manager Whitley introduced the new Purchasing Agent Mrs. Lynn Enders and City Manager Cameron introduced the new Historic Preservationist Planner Kate Schwartz. Adoption of Minutes. Councilor Ellis moved approval of the February 23, 2016 Work Session, Public Hearing and Regular Session minutes; motion was seconded by Councilor Kelly and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye, and Kelly. Nays (0). Resolution 16-23, Approved, Commissioning of a Taskforce for the Purpose of Reviewing Public Comments and Concerns Related to Tree Plantings on the Washington Avenue Mall and Developing a Recommendation of Changes in the Interests of the City (D16-114). Mr. King gave the background on the Washington Avenue Mall stating that it was one of the 19272 Regular Session 03/08/16 City owned public right of ways and over the past 10 years the City had been planting trees on the mall. The trees have been planted in cooperative efforts between the City, Fredericksburg Council Garden Clubs, the Clean and Green Commission and Tree Fredericksburg. Many of the tree plantings were celebrated during the Annual Arbor Day events that have been held at Kenmore since 2005 and where ceremonial trees were planted on the mall. Since 2002, the 1200-1500 blocks of Washington Avenue including 600 Lewis Street were designated as the historic district. This designation included both private properties and the public right of way to include the mall area and its memorials. In November 2015, a petition was presented outlining concerns with the excessive tree plantings on the mall. The petition was primarily signed by the residents that live on or near the mall. The petition argued that the historic significance of the mall and the value of sight lines were affected because of the trees. The petition states that the City lacked a formal approval process for planting trees on the mall. The petition asked that the city remove trees that obstruct sight lines, transplant memorial trees to a more appropriate location and remediate disturbed areas. Staff developed a plan to address the petitioners concerns and it included holding a public forum, which was held on February 1. This forum was to inform the public of the background for planting trees on the mall including information about the 2008 tree planting plan developed by the City and to allow the petitioners to present their concerns on the impacts caused by the trees with respect to the historic district and sightlines to monuments and homes. Secondly, a public comment period was offered from February 1-15 and approximately 215 written comments were received. 19273 Regular Session 03/08/16 The Taskforce purpose will be to review the comments from the public and ultimately prepare a recommendation to City Council concerning whether changes should be made with respect to trees on the mall. Staff consulted with stakeholders and recommended the following member for the Taskforce: Roy McAfee, Planning Commission Representative; Steve Gaske, Washington Avenue Group Representative; Emily Taggart, Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. Representative; Jeanette Cadwallender, City Resident Representative; George Solley, Clean and Green Commission Representative; Michael Spencer, Historic Preservationist Specialist; and David King City Staff Representative. The Taskforce’s mission would be to: review the public comments that have been submitted to the City with respect to the current mall tree plan that was presented at the February 1, 2016 public forum; review the concerns that have been raised by the Washington Avenue mall petitioners; coordinate with City staff for any supporting information that may be needed during deliberations; in consideration of the public comments by the community, concerns of the petitioners, and other relevant information, develop a recommendation that best addresses the interests of the community at large with respect to changes to the current tree plan; present the recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Commission and to the Clean and Green Commission for any additional input and considerations and present a final recommendation to the City Council for adoption. The recommendation that is made by the Taskforce and approved by Council will become the official tree plan for the Washington Avenue Mall. Councilor Kelly thanked staff and said this was a good group of individuals. He addressed comments that were made concerning the Clean and Green Commission and the 19274 Regular Session 03/08/16 Recreation Commission but he added that these were the people that had been designated by the City to review but the final decision would come from Council. He did not feel the need to single out Washington Avenue in the review process because there were concerns expressed throughout the community and the impact of trees within the historic designation. He would like to change the wording from Washington Avenue to Community Concerns. Councilor Ellis said this was a well-represented group across the community. He asked the risks of not having the language in the resolution about the mall being a historic designation. He also expressed concern that there may not be one plan that will be approved by City Council on how to move forward because he said there seemed to be more than one currently. Mr. King said if Council would prefer a plan presented by the Taskforce for final approval they could do that and he said there was currently a plan which was the 2008 plan that was presented at the February 1 forum. This was the plan that the staff had been working under for the past few years. This is the plan that would be presented to the Taskforce to determine what direction to go in. In regards to the wording of the historic designation being in the resolution, Mr. King explained that the historic designation document is not a descriptive document but he said the historic character would be part of what the Taskforce use to make its determination. Councilor Kelly made a motion to approve Resolution 16-23, commissioning of a Taskforce for the purpose of reviewing public comments and concerns related to tree plantings on the Washington Avenue Mall and developing a recommendation of the changes in the interests of the City he also moved to change the wording in the mission 19275 Regular Session 03/08/16 statement from Washington Avenue mall to Community Concerns acknowledging this was the Historic District and adding a bullet acknowledging this was a historic designation; motion was seconded by discussion. Councilor Duffy felt these changes would make this less clear because of the first bullet in the mission statement. Councilor Frye asked for clarification on whether the Taskforce would be responsible for reviewing the entire City or just the Washington Avenue Mall concerns. Mr. King added that the issue was primarily focused on the Washington Avenue Mall and the petition specifically focused on the Washington Avenue Mall and not the tree plan as a whole. Councilor Devine said it was important to stick to the mission of why the Taskforce was created and it was created in response to a specific concern and she felt that was the direction in which they should go and once this was resolved, if there were other areas of the city that needed looking at they could be addressed at that time. City Attorney Dooley suggested adopting the resolution as presented because she stated that the changes that Councilor Kelly was trying to make were already addressed in the resolution within the mission statement. Councilor Devine made a substitute motion to approve Resolution 16-23, commissioning of a Taskforce for the purpose of reviewing public comments and concerns related to tree plantings on the Washington Avenue Mall and developing a recommendation of changes in the interests of the City; motion was seconded by Councilor Ellis 19276 Regular Session 03/08/16 Councilor Kelly said he would like to see more than one option come forward from the Taskforce. The motion passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Resolution 16-24, Approved, the Spring 2016 Tree Planting Program (D16-115 thru D16-116). Vice-Mayor Withers made a motion to delay the vote on this item until the public had an opportunity to weigh in on the program; Councilor Kelly seconded the motion. City Manager Cameron stated that Mr. King had prepared a presentation that may be helpful to the Council and the public. The Mayor said she would like to see the presentation because it may help to decide whether to delay the vote or not. Mr. King presented a PowerPoint and in his presentation he covered the Spring 2016 planting overview, he showed that areas where the plantings would occur along 200- 300 blocks of William Street, 700-900 blocks of Caroline Street, 400 block of Hanover and part of Charles Street, Lafayette Boulevard and Lafayette Boulevard Corridor, City Shop, Idlewild Phase I as well as other various utility conflict tree replacement, replacement of young trees that have died or were damage and replacement of trees in a few of the parks. Mr. King also discussed the tree planting process. The process that the staff is involved in with the Washington Avenue Mall he would not recommend for the overall urban tree process because it’s very intensive. If that is the direction Council would like to go he said the City would need to limit the amount of trees it plants because it would take too much time and efforts to come up with a plan from year to year. Mr. King said prior to the Washington Avenue Mall petition there had been very few 19277 Regular Session 03/08/16 complaints with the tree program. He said there has been, on occasion, an issue with location and he has worked with the property owners to resolve those issues. The planting process for this spring began in 2014 and they spoke with the non-profit organization, Tree Fredericksburg and they reached out to the growers to advise them of the City’s plantings and the growers ready the trees that are suitable for street trees. These street trees are grown to have a specific shape and proper form as they grow so they will have proper elevation on the streets. There is a one year advance in working with the growers. In the fall of 2015, the Department of Forestry confirmed the grants award for the utility tree program. He explained that the tree locations were marked and flyers are distributed to the affected neighborhoods. He said he can confirm that the flyers were distributed because he receives the calls. In the spring he said the tree locations are remarked, staff reviews the locations, holes are drilled and tilled back in, volunteers plant the trees and water the trees through the summer and fall. Mr. King said that the process was involved from start to finish and to add the additional public review or oversight it would be more difficult. Vice-Mayor Withers disagreed stating that most City’s have tree plan discussions where people can speak up before trees are planted. He said he could not support this after what they City has been through with the Washington Avenue ordeal. Councilor Ellis suggested giving businesses the opportunity to opt out of the tree plantings in front of their businesses. He says the trees take away from the business and the ability to market the business directly. Councilor Devine thanked staff, Clean and Green Commission, Recreation Commission and Tree Fredericksburg because they have put a lot of time into the process. 19278 Regular Session 03/08/16 She said she would hesitate to wait on this item because it was prime planting season. She asked what waiting two weeks would do for their process. She suggested maybe voting on parts of the plan and she was concerned because Idlewild had been begging for trees. Ms. Anne Little with Tree Fredericksburg stated that some of the trees had already been purchased because they were difficult to get so they contacted a nursery in Chesapeake in the fall of 2014. The 60 trees in the utility have been removed by Dominion Power and the replacement trees were purchased in the Spring of 2015 and if they break bud they could not be shipped. She explained that other cities spend $525 to plant a tree and the City spends $175 because there is a gentleman that plants the trees during his spring break for $75.00 each, versus $200-300. This limits him to a week to plant the trees. He plans to drill over 300 holes on Saturday and the following Friday the shipment will be shipped and they will lose the EDA grant if the plantings were not done in the spring. The process was started a year and a half ago and she understood the concerns regarding process but she asked that the process not be changed in the middle of the stream. She explained that they have spent 40-50 hours in Idlewild working on this. The trees are grown specifically for the City and the commitments have already been made. Vice-Mayor Wither expressed his concern with the process and he wants to allow the public the chance to speak. Mayor Greenlaw understood the concerns of changing the process mid-stream and she asked if there could be a process change for the fall and Mr. King said they could provide more advanced notice for the fall. Mr. King also said there were some areas that he was sure there would not have any issues for planting this spring and they included the 19279 Regular Session 03/08/16 City Shop, Village of Idlewild, the 200-300 block of William Street. He said the majority of the trees being planted this spring should not have any issues. He asked that they be able to move forward with the spring planting and he would come back with the fall planting request. Councilor Kelly expressed his concern with the process and he was not comfortable with moving forward on this item as presented. Vice-Mayor Withers asked if there were any controversial plantings in the spring and Mr. King said there were none. He also asked if the park trees would be controversial and Councilor Devine said the trees in the park were being replaced because the beavers had eaten up the others. Vice-Mayor said since the spring plantings were not controversial he would be comfortable approving the spring plantings only. Councilor Devine made a substitute motion to approval Resolution 16-24, approving the Spring 2016 Tree Planting Program; motion was seconded by Councilor Duffy. Mayor Greenlaw suggested that Mr. King present Council with a new process to be followed in the future. She suggested posting the plan on the website in advance to allow the public time to review the process. The motion passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Ordinance 16-11, Conforming the Dangerous and Vicious Dog Ordinance to State Code, and Amending the Running at Large and Nuisance Animal Ordinance (D16-117). After a brief staff summary Vice-Mayor Withers moved to approve Ordinance 16-11, on first read, conforming the Dangerous and 19280 Regular Session 03/08/16 Vicious Dog Ordinance to State Code, and amending the Running at Large and Nuisance Animal Ordinance; motion was seconded by Councilor Devine and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Requesting the Governor To Veto Senate Bill 549 (D16-118). City Attorney Dooley explained that no action was needed on this item because the Governor had already signed the bill. She said she would work on this next year. Presentation of the City Manager’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal 2017. City Manager presented the recommended Fiscal Year 2017. The proposed general fund budget is $90.3 million which was a 1.95 percent increase over the FY 2016 adopted budget. In addition to the general fund, the budget document includes recommendations for operating funds such as city grants, Social Services, Comprehensive Services Act, water, wastewater, stormwater, transit, parking and the Celebrate Virginia South Community Development Authority Fund. The document also includes recommendations for the Capital Budget for FY 2017 along with a recommended Capital Improvements Plan for 2017-2021. The recommended budget maintains the existing real estate tax rate of $0.82 per $100.00. The real estate has increased $0.08 in the past 3 years to provide for several City Council initiatives. The rate is proposed to stay unchanged for FY 2017. Major changes in the FY 2017 budget include: 2.0 percent cost of living increase for the City employees, two new positions one E-911 officer and one part-time custodian, full year funding in the operating budget for the Historic Resources Planner and Stormwater Environmental Manager which were added in FY 2016, payment of debt 19281 Regular Session 03/08/16 service for the 2016 bond issuance for capital projects (public safety radio system), general fund transfer of $2,506,400 to support capital projects paid by cash, $150,000 increase in City funding for Fredericksburg City Public Schools, 15 percent increase in budgeted health insurance costs, setting up a trust for “Other Postemployment Benefits” (OPEB), and establishing a rate stabilization reserve for future jail costs. The Capital Improvements Budget totals $18.5 million. The City maintains a strong balance sheet and that gives the flexibility to address many long standing capital improvement needs. Some of the capital improvements are financed through cash reserves that the City had accumulated, some are financed through the 2016 bond issue and others are financed through state and federal transportation revenues. Major capital projects include the Original Walker-Grant school renovations, Caroline Street water line replacement, lower Caroline Street sewer line replacement, public safety radio system upgrade, $1.4 million pavement rehabilitation, Riverfront Park design and the development of construction documents, Fall Hill Avenue and Mary Washington Boulevard widening, bridge replacement over I-95 (City share $2.9 million), technology and telecommunications replacement, ambulance replacement for Fredericksburg Rescue Squad, development of small area plans to address planning issues in specific neighborhoods, police cameras (body worn and vehicle), E-911 center improvements, school bus parking facility, Renwick Building stabilization and Memorial Park restrooms. City Manager Cameron said the City had some economic growth and there had been new business development as well an increase in consumer activity, there were modest increases in real estate, meals and lodging taxes. The other revenue sources for the City have remained relatively flat. The overall forecast for the general fund includes 19282 Regular Session 03/08/16 $1.24 million in new revenue. The real estate values are currently under review and the results will be available mid-April. The recommended budget continues to reflect Council’s goals and initiatives. Many of the initiatives were complex and required multi-year commitments. The FY17 recommended budget advances Council’s vision in a variety of key policy areas such as education, public safety, environmental stewardship and historic research protection. Mr. Cameron recommended two major initiatives that would help the City in the planning for future financial obligations. The initiatives were to set up an OPED trust and provide advanced funding of $1 million in the trust and secondly assigning a fund balance of $1.25 million to serve as a rate stabilization reserve for future costs associated with the Rappahannock Regional Jail and the Juvenile Detention Center. He believes these initiatives were important to the long term fiscal health of the City government. City Manager’s Report and Council Calendar (D16-119 thru D16- 120). City Manager Cameron asked if there were any questions regarding the Manager’s report or the Council Calendar. Activities highlighted on the report were as follows: Parking Promotion Occurring Near ‘Restaurant Row’, Dominion Virginia Poser Announces Plans to Rebuild an Existing High-Voltage Transmission Line, EDT Quarterly Retail Report Shows Lower Vacancy Rates, New City Hall Voice over IP Phone System, Hours for the Dorothy Hart Community Center, Cox Communications Awards Funding to Parks and Recreation and Public Facilities, Storage Facility Leased for Fire Department and Park, Recreation and Public Facilities, Sergeant Peterson Retires for Second Time form Fredericksburg Police Department, Fredericksburg Police Department Provides Safety Seminar for Faith-Based Organizations and Face the River Initiative Update. 19283 Regular Session 03/08/16 Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Greenlaw Declared the meeting officially adjourned at 9:47 p.m. Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council, CMC 19284