City Council

CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, MAYOR CITY COUNCIL HON. WILLIAM C. WITHERS, JR. VICE-MAYOR, WARD TWO HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE HON. MATTHEW J. KELLY, AT-LARGE HON. BRADFORD C. ELLIS, WARD ONE HON., TIMOTHY P. DUFFY, PH.D., WARD THREE Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street HON., CHARLIE L. FRYE, JR., WARD FOUR Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Council Work Session October 10, 2017 Work Session on Dominion Power Easement Update Visitors Center/Executive Plaza Legislative Agenda The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia met in work session on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Council Present. Vice-Mayor William C. Withers, Jr., Councilors Kerry P. Devine, Dr. Timothy P. Duffy, Bradford C. Ellis and Charlie L. Frye Jr. Council Absent. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw and Councilor Matthew J. Kelly. City Staff Present. City Manager Timothy J. Baroody, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, Assistant City Manager Doug Fawcett, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Director of Economic Development and Tourism Bill Freehling, Public Works Director David King, Division Manager of Public Facilities Ray Regan and Deputy Clerk of Council Brenda T. Martin. Dominion Power Easement Update. Vice-Mayor Withers opened the meeting by welcoming Charlie Donato and Jerry Settle from Dominion Energy who brief Council on the Four Rivers to Fredericksburg Electric Transmission Line Rebuild which will begin in the City in January 2018 with work estimated to run through the summer. The 34 mile transmission existing high- voltage line, originally built in the late 1950’s is in need of infrastructure repair. Some tree work has already begun in areas of the City. This project replaces existing wood H-frame structures with new weathered steel H-frame structures and wires. All of the new structures will be built near the existing structures within the same corridor. No new right of way is necessary. The new structures will vary in height and the average for the entire line will be approximately 4½ feet taller than the existing structures. The increase in height is due to modern reliability standards and terrain. Some questions arose regarding “secondary easement rights’ outside of the 100ft easements. Dominion Energy determines the tree fall line to determine danger tree clearings. A citizen voiced his concern over the impact to his property with a straight plane versus a slope. Mr. Donato said he 1 will circle back with the citizen to discuss his concerns. They are in the process of going door to door to discuss the clearings with property owners. Any concerns should be addressed directly to Dominion Energy since it is their project. A webpage with more information was noted www.dominonenergy.com/fourrivers. Additional information was provided. (See Attachment I). Executive Plaza. Mr. Baroody began the discussion on the executive plaza and then Mr. Freehling gave a PowerPoint presentation (see Attachment II). The HVAC improvements alone would be around $2 million (estimate). Selling the visitors center would help offset some of the cost of the renovations of the building. Councilor Frye asked about purchasing the HVAC units directly to save costs. Councilor Withers asked if the public bathrooms at the current visitors center could be kept since they are a value to the City. Mr. Baroody asked for direction on the HVAC improvements and Council members gave a nod of moving forward with estimates and continued discussion. Legislative Agenda. City Attorney Dooley and Mr. Whitley gave a briefing on the upcoming legislative agenda. See attachment. Council Devine brought up affordable housing and opioid abuse. Councilor Frye emphasized the need for treatment versus incarceration when it comes to substance abuse. City Attorney Dooley said she would closely follow the upcoming session and keep Council updated on any issues that arise. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time. Vice-Mayor Withers declared the work session officially adjourned at 7:08 p.m. Brenda T. Martin__________ Brenda T. Martin Deputy Clerk of Council City of Fredericksburg 2