City Council

Regular Session 12/13/16 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 December 13, 2016 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a regular session on Tuesday, December 13, 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 Timothy J. Baroody, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Fiscal Affairs Director Clarence Robinson, Community Planning and Building Development Director Charles Johnston, Zoning Administrator Michael Craig, Development Administrator Marne Sherman, Budget Manager Deidre Jett and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Council was led in prayer by Councilor Matthew J. Kelly followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Officer Recognized. Mayor Greenlaw recognized the presence of Auxiliary Officer Stuart Butterfield at this evening’s meeting. 19529 Regular Session 12/13/16 Presentation to Election Pages. Mayor Greenlaw and Electoral Board Chair Renee Rodriguez presented certificates to the election pages from the 2016 Presidential Election. Fiscal Year 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Fiscal Affairs Director Robinson introduced Mr. Andrew Grossnickle of Robinson, Farmer, Cox Accountants. Mr. Grossnickle reviewed the CAFR with the Council and noted some of the more important points in the report. CSX Update. Mr. Randy Marcus of CSX updated the Council on the construction of the side track. He stated that the construction began last week and is projected to be completed by the end of the year. Mr. Marcus said there would be a couple other steps that would need to be taken before they could begin use of the track. Mr. Marcus also noted that they appointed someone to the Regional Hazmat Commission as was requested at the last Council meeting he attended. He said they have also scheduled a January meeting to discuss the bridge overpass in the city. Councilor Frye thanked Mr. Marcus and CSX for taking care of everything before the end of the year. Public Hearings Conducted (D16-495 thru D16-499). The regular session was recessed in order to conduct the scheduled public hearings and immediately reconvened upon their conclusion. Citizen Comment. The following speaker participated in the citizen comment portion of this evening’s meeting. 19530 Regular Session 12/13/16 Sherry Dowdy – 100 D Fauquier Street, stated that the 1210 Sophia Street property shares a fence line with her property and she said the property had been vacant for 10 years and she would like to see it demolished. Ms. Dowdy said she has had to call the Police because of the homeless activity at this property. Jim Schlesinger – 100 Fauquier Street, read a statement from George Fish another neighbor and they were both in favor of demolishing the property at 1210 Sophia Street. Beatrice Paolucci (D16-500) – 1500 Caroline Street, spoke in support of the petition to demolish the property at 1210 Sophia Street. Ms. Paolucci said if the Council approved the authorization for an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness to relocate/or demolish the property she would send the petition around for more support and she would bring it to the Architectural Review Board on January 9. Council Agenda Presented. The following items were presented to Council for discussion. 7A. 3rd Annual Gun Giveback Program – Councilor Frye 7B. Murder Free Fredericksburg – Councilor Frye 3rd Annual Gun Giveback Program – Councilor Frye thanked Chief David Nye, Captain Layton and the Police and Sheriff’s departments for another successful gun giveback. They collected 28 guns which brought the three year total to 120 guns collected. Councilor Frye also thanked Ms. Doris Buffet for her contribution to local charities for every gun that was collected. Murder Free Fredericksburg – Councilor Frye announced that he was in hopes of having a Murder Free Fredericksburg in 2017 and he would do what he could to make it a murder free year. 19531 Regular Session 12/13/16 City Manager’s Consent Agenda Accepted for Transmittal as Recommended (D16-501 thru D16-506). Vice-Mayor Withers pulled item 8C for further discussion. Following review and as recommended Councilor Kelly moved approval of the remainder of the City Manager’s consent agenda items; motion was seconded by Councilor Duffy and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Nays (0). • Transmittal of Staff Reorganization (D16-501). • Transmittal of a Memo on the new Resolution Template (D16-502). • Resolution 16-108, Amending the Rappahannock Juvenile Justice Academy Fiscal Year 2017 Budget (D16-503). • Transmittal of Boards and Commission Minutes. o Cable Commission – September 15, 2016 (D16-505). o Potomac, Rappahannock Transportation Commission – November 3, 2016 (D16-506). Resolution 16-109, Supporting the Inclusion of the City as a Part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (D16-503). Vice-Mayor Withers pulled this item to allow staff to explain what type of trail this was going to be. City Manager Baroody explained that this was a system trail that goes from Pennsylvania to the Northern Neck it would highlight historic treasures of America. There would not be hard construction of trails. It allows that City to highlight and promote its treasures. Vice-Mayor Withers wanted citizens to know that this would not be an impact on the neighborhoods. 19532 Regular Session 12/13/16 Vice-Mayor Withers made a motion to approve Resolution 16-109, supporting the inclusion of the City as a part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail; 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). Adoption of Minutes (D16-507). Councilor Devine moved approval of the September 13, 2016 Work Session and the November 22, 2016 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). Appointment to the Fredericksburg Arts Commission – Sophia Constantine (D16-508). Vice-Mayor Withers made a motion to appoint Sophia Constantine to the Fredericksburg Arts Commission; motion was seconded by Councilor Devine and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Nays (0). Ordinance 16-27, Second Read Approved, Repealing the Aggressive Solicitation Ordinance; Adopting Ordinance on Impeding or Interfering with Pedestrian or Vehicle Traffic and Pedestrians in the Roadway (D16-509). After a brief presentation Councilor Kelly made a motion to approve Ordinance 16-27 on second read, repealing the Aggressive Solicitation Ordinance; adopting ordinance on impeding or interfering with pedestrian or vehicle traffic and pedestrians in the roadway; 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). 19533 Regular Session 12/13/16 Resolution 16-110, Approved, Authorizing Application to the Architectural Review Board for a Certificate of Appropriateness to Relocate and if Unsuccessful, Demolish the Structure at 1210 Sophia Street for the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (D16-510 thru D16-511). – After staff presentation Councilor Kelly noted that the previous Council he served with had purchased the property for expansion of the library and it had fallen into disrepair. He said he hoped the City would follow the City’s demolition process and have an assessment done on the property. Councilor Kelly said this would be a good project for the University of Mary Washington. He said they could do a full assessment and document why it should be torn down. Councilor Kelly also said there should be a phase I archeological dig done. He said the City needed to set the bar high. Councilor Devine agreed with much of what Councilor Kelly said. She said there was not much in the building but she would like to see the City play by the rules and move forward. Councilor Kelly made a motion to approve Resolution 16-110, authorizing application to the Architectural Review Board for a Certificate of Appropriateness to relocate and if unsuccessful, demolish the structure at 1210 Sophia Street for the Central Rappahannock Regional Library; motion was seconded by Councilor Devine and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Nays (0). Resolution 16-111, Approved, City Council Legislative Agenda for the 2017 General Assembly (D16-512). Staff reviewed that proposed legislative 19534 Regular Session 12/13/16 agenda to the Council and Councilor Kelly added that the GWRC brought forward their legislative agenda and he asked that two things be added on. He said he would like to see the elected bodies get more engaged with the legislative process and begin to talk more with the state representatives. He feels that if the local representatives come together on some of the issues it would present a more united front when things are taken to the state representatives. Councilor Kelly also added that he would also like to see a member of the locality on the University of Mary Washington’s Board of Visitors. He said the University should be required to follow the zoning ordinances of the community they are in because their impact can be extensive. He would also like to seek legislative authority in the near future to ensure the City has representation at the table when the University seeks to acquire property or takes on larger on campus projects. Vice-Mayor Withers informed Councilor Kelly that several Council members go to spend time with the legislators during session and throughout the year and that City Attorney Dooley goes and speaks before the legislative body. Vice-Mayor Withers suggested having the annual dinners with the legislators as the City used to do in the past. Councilor Kelly made a motion to approve Resolution 16-111, City Council Legislative Agenda for the 2017 General Assembly to include the statement that the City would be talking to the University but we may be coming to the legislators requesting the college follow their 25 year Plan, that they follow the City’s zoning, and the City would like a seat on the Board of Visitors (BOV); motion was seconded by Councilor Duffy. Councilor Duffy said it would be interesting to see how that would work, he would like to see the City and the Town and Gown build a better relationship but he thought it 19535 Regular Session 12/13/16 might be awkward for a Council member to be on the BOV because they may not be able to discuss publicly some of the things brought up in the BOV meetings. The motion passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Nays (0). Council Vision Process Update (D16-513). Councilor Devine shared the draft vision statement. The vision is expressing what the Council would like the City to look like in 2036. City Manager Baroody noted that there were eight (8) desired future states and thirty-six (36) projects listed under the 8 desire future states. Staff will take this information and form action plans and bring it all back in January for adoption. Councilor Kelly made a motion to turn the vision process over to staff to work on and bring back to City Council in January; motion was seconded by Councilor Duffy and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye and Kelly. Nays (0). City Manager’s Report and Council Calendar (D16-514 thru D16- 515). City Manager Baroody reviewed the Manager’s report and Council Calendar. Activities highlighted on the report were as follows: Gun Give Back Event, Downtown 31, Updated Layout for Parks and Recreation Catalog, Annual Christmas Parade, Public Art Sculpture, Police Patrol for Good Deeds, Fredericksburg Police Department Raises Over $800 for the Movember Foundation, Fredericksburg Police Department Welcomes Two New Officers, Regional Tourism Partnership Forum and Visitors Center Forum. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Greenlaw declared the meeting officially adjourned at 9:22 p.m. 19536 Regular Session 12/13/16 Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council, CMC [This page intentionally left blank.] 19537