City Council

Public Hearing 04/19/16 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 April 19, 2016 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a public hearing on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 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 Deidre Jett and Deputy Clerk of Council Brenda T. Martin. Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Council was led in prayer by Councilor Bradford Ellis followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Declaration. (D16-156.1 thru D16-156.4) Councilors Duffy and Devine declared they are employees of the City Schools but can rule objectively, fairly and in the public interest. Councilors Frye and Ellis declared their wives are employees of the City Schools but they can rule fairly, objectively and in the public interest. Officer Recognized. Mayor Greenlaw recognized the presence of and thanked Auxiliary Officer Barlow for being at the meeting. 19311 Public Hearing 04/19/16 Notice of Public Hearing (D16-157). The Deputy Clerk read the notice of the public hearing as it appeared in the local newspaper, the purpose being to solicit citizen input. Staff Presentation. (D16-158) Budget Manager Deidre Jett highlighted and summarized the FY 2017 Recommended Operating and Capital Budget, General Fund Revenues and Expenditures. Operating budget highlights include: a 1.95% increase for a total of $90,289,500, two new staff positions, full year funding of the Historic Preservation Planner, Storm Water Environmental Manager and Public Safety Radio System, $2,506,400 for cash funded capital projects, $150,000 increase in City funding for public schools, a 2% cost-of-living increase for employees, a 15% increase in health insurance costs and a reduction in the Virginia Retirement System retirement contribution to 12.55% (from 15.49%). Capital budget recommendations include: $5,280,000 for public works projects to include Fall Hill Avenue widening project and other transportation improvement projects, $739,400 for public facilities for Riverfront Park design and other facilities projects, $880,000 for public safety which include a new ambulance as well as improvements to the Fire Stations, 911 center and cameras for police vehicles, $8,522,000 for public education for Original Walker Grant renovations, new buses, new technology and capital lease for school bus facility. The court capital of $250,000 is an estimate for the Renwick building in anticipation of the Historic Resources Report. No increases are proposed for water and sewer rates, a 1.16% increase for the wastewater operating fund and a 0.68% decrease for the water operating fund. Capital improvements include $1,800,000 for Caroline Street water line improvements project 19312 Public Hearing 04/19/16 and $1,045,000 for Caroline Street sewer line improvements. In other funds, there is $781,000 for the Parking Fund for improvements in the Parking Garage and the addition of the storm water fund for $210,500 which will now be funded separately from the general fund. Last year’s tax rate was 0.82 cents, due to the upcoming real estate reassessments, the proposed equalized tax rate was recommended at 0.77 cents. The tax rate of 0.79 cents was advertised in the case of an additional increase. Council Work Sessions included discussions on Council propositions that were additions or deletions to the recommended budget. Fiscal Year 2017 Recommended Operating and Capital Budget. - 8 speakers. Dr. Jeanne Wesley, Germanna Community College – spoke representing Dr. David Sam the President of Germanna Community College and thanked the Council for all the support they have given in the past and to ask for funding this year’s request. She highlighted the development of the Fredericksburg Center for Advanced Technology (FREDCAT) the college is looking to open within the City. She thanked the EDA and City staff for their assistance in discussing the startup of this new advanced technology center to assist businesses. Rita Girard, Mental Health America Executive Director – 621 Cobblestone Blvd. thanked Council for their assistance with the Senior Visitors Program which serves 108 clients in their homes. A trained volunteer makes a weekly visit for socialization and support services. She told a story of a typical client “Jean”. Sara Poore, Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center Director– 907 19313 Public Hearing 04/19/16 Princess Anne Street, spoke of the museum’s importance in the community even though their doors are currently closed. The story of Fredericksburg matters to the nation. She promised the museum will live in the black with a sustainable business plan they are developing. She asks the Council to give the spark that will restore this vital community engine. The museum needs to protect the collection and move it to its new location in the building that will be celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Kellen Gerenser – disAbility Resource Center – A volunteer with the center expressed her support and explained all the ways they have assisted her with life skills and helped build her confidence. Debbie Fultz, disability Resource Center Director – Thanked the Council for their continued support and invited them to attend an upcoming events including the Independent Living Expo on May 7. Michelle Hendrick, Big Brothers, Big Sisters Executive Director – 325 Wallace Street, asked the Council for their continued support and funding of $10,000 this year. She highlighted that proven one-to-one mentoring does make a difference and that mentoring of high risk students assist in them succeeding in schools and ultimately in becoming better citizens. Lily Dunning, Bluemont Concert Series Executive Director along with Board Members Harvey and Roberta Gold - thanked the Council for their 20 years of support for providing live concerts to students, residents of nursing homes and Summer Concert attendees. They are celebrating their 40th anniversary and are planning some special activities along with the concerts. They will be sponsoring seven concerts this season in the City. She thanked the Economic Development Authority for their funding for the 19314 Public Hearing 04/19/16 programs in the schools. Ann Kloeckner, Director of Rappahannock Legal Services, thanked the Council for their continued their support and thanked City Manager Cameron for his years of service to the City. She stated their client level has continued to increase while donations have decreased. She highlighted some of the services the agency provides to assist citizens navigate the legal system to in domestic violence, landlord issues, and unemployment benefits. Adjournment. There being no additional speakers to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Greenlaw declared the hearing officially adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor Brenda T. Martin Brenda T. Martin, Deputy Clerk of Council 19315 Public Hearing 04/19/16 [This page intentionally left blank.] 19316