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. JASON N. GRAHAM, 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 January 22, 2019 Virginia Organizing – Affordable Housing Historic Resources Issues/Structures Downtown Plan Briefing (Draft Policy Concepts) Events Strategic Plan (Main Street) The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia held a work session on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Council Present. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Presiding. Vice-Mayor William C. Withers. Councilors Kerry P. Devine, Timothy P. Duffy, Charlie L. Frye, Jr. (5:54), Jason N. Graham and Matthew J. Kelly. Also Present. City Manager Timothy J. Baroody, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, Assistant City Manager Doug Fawcett, City Attorney Kathleen A. Dooley, Director of Planning and Building Services Charles Johnston, Senior Planner Michael Craig, Community Development Planner Susanna Finn, Historic Resources Planner Kate Schwartz, Parks, Recreation and Special Events Director Jane Shelhorse, Sheriff Deputy Scott Foster and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Others Present. Virginia Organizing of Fredericksburg representatives Bob Street and Rabib Hasan, Main Street President April Pederson. Virginia Organizing – Affordable Housing. Mr. Street presented a PowerPoint presentation and in the presentation he discussed what/who Virginia Organizing was, affordable housing and why it’s needed now, the Planning District 16 demographics, how to address the issue, the need for a housing trust, who’s the target population, housing trust: potential funding options and summary. See Attachment I for more information. Mr. Street stated that there were 10-15 evictions happening in one month and it was a real problem and it required 4 deputies a day. Councilor Duffy said the biggest impact with the eviction is on the children. 1  Mayor Greenlaw added that the Council had strengthened the Housing Advisory Council and they were charged with bringing the Council ideas. She said they were working through their ideas to work regionally. Mayor Greenlaw said this was a priority for the Council. Mr. Graham said the word needed to be spread about the Community Development block grant and its funding. Mr. Street said the purpose for them coming was to advocate for a housing trust and he said that was one of the many things the City could do and that was what they wanted the City to focus on. Councilor Kelly asked how much would be needed in the trust fund and Mr. Street said they talked about $500,000-$1,000,000 but they were not sure what the target amount should be. Mr. Street said he understood the complexity for the City but said this could be an opportunity for the City to lead. Historic Resources Issues/Structures. Historic Resources Planner Schwartz presented a PowerPoint presentation she reviewed the working groups task and process, who the members are, the goal statement, the vision for preservation in Fredericksburg, the recommended changes to the UDO, recommended changes to the City Code, updating and revising the Preservation plan, revising the Historic District Handbook and the next steps. See Attachment II for more information. There was some discussion on neglected buildings and how to handle those building and Mr. Johnston explained that if the owners had the money to fix them they would have done so, but he said if the City decided to do so they would not get the money back but he said if that’s what the Council wanted they could do it. Downtown Plan Briefing (Draft Policy Concepts). Senior Planner Craig presented a PowerPoint showing the survey site analysis, results from the charrette exercise, clarifying the vision, articulating the vision on the transect map, resulting plan map, riverfront activity strategy with the beacons and the bank trail and a map showing the open space network and the concept strategies in progress. See Attachment III for more information. Staff reported that they had been presenting this presentation to all the Boards and Commissions for feedback and on February 26 they planned to bring it to City Council and March 5 they would be hosting a public meeting at the Planter’s Bank. Council was enthusiastic about what was presented. Events Strategic Plan (Main Street). Parks, Recreation and Special Events Director Shelhorse presented a PowerPoint discussing the process, survey results, community findings, how 2 the community feels about the events, how businesses feel about the events, event organizers, consultants recommendations and where to go from here. See Attachment IV for more information. Council asked if there were any discussion with the businesses on the number of street closures and Ms. Pederson said there were and majority of the businesses supported the events but do not want any more. Parks and Recreation will be working with the event coordinators to pressure them into working with the business owners. Councilor Graham asked if retailers collect data to show the difference in sales with street closures and Ms. Pederson said it shows in the retail sales, but many people come back later to visit those businesses. Vice-Mayor Withers asked if they really wanted to do away with City Manager discretion on overriding the 30 day notice for block parties. Ms. Pederson said she likes the idea of protecting the City Manager and not go that route. Mr. Baroody said that was the path they were looking for and that’s where it landed. He said previously there was a great events team which consisted of a split full-time position between special events and economic development. The events are now moved to Parks and Recreation which is more appropriate with one full-time employee and a couple support staff. He said this has forced the City to think hard about what’s being done well and what needs work. He said taking him out of the way of picking winners and losers and landing on a policy that works is a great step. Councilor Kelly asked about spontaneous events and Ms. Dooley explained that it was an event in reaction to a current event such as a prayer vigil. She also stated that it was protected by the first amendment. Councilor Devine asked if there was a last minute event like a major political candidate wanting to come at the last minute and use a venue that was already book and she wanted to know if they would they be allowed to bump the small event and Ms. Dooley said not if they have a permit. Mr. Fawcett said there was seldom so much going on that they cannot relocate to another location. Councilor Kelly asked if Council could be briefed on how the city departments would handle a spontaneous event that could be a potential safety issue. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time. Mayor Greenlaw declared the session officially adjourned at 7:18 p.m. _Tonya B. Lacey _______ Tonya B. Lacey Clerk of Council City of Fredericksburg 3