City Council

Public Hearing 05/26/20 HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, MAYOR CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA 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 HON. CHARLIE L. FRYE, JR., WARD FOUR Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 May 26, 2020 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a public hearing on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, beginning at 7:46 p.m. using electronic communication through GoToMeeting pursuant to and in compliance with the City Council Ordinance 20-05, an ordinance to address Continuity of City Government during the pendency of a pandemic disaster. City Council Present. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Vice-Mayor William C. Withers, Jr., Council members Dr. Timothy P. Duffy, Charlie L. Frye, Jr., Jason N. Graham and Matthew J. Kelly. City Council Absent. Council member Kerry P. Devine, out of town for sick mother. Also Present. City Manager Timothy J. Baroody, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, Assistant City Manager Doug Fawcett, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Community Planning and Building Services Director Charles Johnston, Budget Manager Brenna Erford, Fire Chief Mike Jones, Transportation Administrator Erik Nelson and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Notice of Public Hearings (D20-167 thru D20-173). The Clerk read the notice of the public hearings as they appeared in the local newspaper, the purpose being to solicit citizen input. 20601 Public Hearing 05/26/20 Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Public Hearing (D20-167 thru D20-173). 5 speakers. Budget Manager Erford, presented a PowerPoint presentation and she began with a recap of the March 10 City Manager’s recommended budget and the key initiatives, COVID-19 Impact on the budget, the revised FY2021 City budget, FY 2021 Revenue outlook, spending changes from March 10 budget presentation, Intergovernmental Aid, COVID-19 Relief fund and upcoming budget meetings. See D20-168 for more information. Ms. Erford explained that in a week the City had entered into a recession but it was a different kind of recession making it more difficult to figure out what the revenue spending for the city would be for FY 2021. She also stated that the City anticipates that there would be State cuts to the budget. Due to the emergency declaration there were grant sources and City staff across all departments were pursuing those opportunities. The revised budget was $6 million less than the current year’s budget and $7.8 million less than the March 10 proposed budget. Staff had reduced cash capital expenditures by half and the support to local schools had been reduced. She said the schools would be receiving increased federal funding due to COVID-19. Throughout the budget, operations have been scaled back and there was reduced support for outside agencies. Staff stated that there would be a continued two percent pay reduction for those making under $70,000 per year and three percent for those making over $70,000 in the FY21. The budget also assumes the furlough will continue. Ms. Erford explained that there was no intergovernmental aid available to the City due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that FRED Transit would be receiving Federal Transit Administration Funds. The CARES Act funds were restrictive and the City would receive $2.5 million in June. It was prohibited for use the CARES funds to supplant loss revenues and the City would have less than 7 months to use those funds. 20602 Public Hearing 05/26/20 Councilor Kelly expressed his concern that the City was having to use it reserves and in FY 2022 all the expenditures were still going to be there but the CARES funding would not and the City would have to make up the reserves. He said the City would have to look out two to three years. Ms. Erford said that was a fair assessment. She said they were doing their best with all the moving pieces. He applauded staff for making mid-point changes. He also said this was a good time to look at shared services to get costs down. Clerk Lacey read the following public hearing comments into the record. Michelle Hedrich (D20-169), Executive Director of Big Brother Big Sisters asked for level funding. She said the money would be used to help strengthen the community by connecting one adult with one child and it supports the match at every stage. She also spoke about their contact between professionally trained Match Advocate staff members and the child their guardian and the adult volunteer. See D20-169 for more information. Ashley Rea (D20-170), 10717 Holleybrooke Drive, 22553, spoke in support of the Tri-County/City Soil and Water Conservation District. She spoke about how they support the City schools by coming in and teaching the children about watershed. See D20-170 for more information. Teresa Bowers (D20-171), Director of the Seniors Visitor Program, thanked the Council for their past support and their proposed funding for this year. Ms. Bowers spoke about how important their program was for the elderly who could not get out and that it was important for their volunteers to visit and keep them company which helps with depression and their mental health. Ms. Bowers also spoke about their free help line that helps those suffering with depression and suicidal feelings. See D20-171 for more information. 20603 Public Hearing 05/26/20 Erik Nelson (D20-172), Brompton Street, spoke about the cuts that City employees would be taking as well as those that would not be taking a cut and he asked what does this say about who we are as a City. See D20-172 for more information. Ann Kloeckner (D20-173), Legal Aid Works, asked for level funding of $29,380 and she spoke about how they support those that are underserved and how her organization helps to keep the strain off social services, how they help the courts run more efficiently and how they aid law enforcement by working with victims of violence to secure enforceable protective orders. Mayor announced that citizens could continue to send in comments on the public hearing until the June 9, 2020 meeting. Councilor Duffy stated that he looked forward to having discussion and thinking outside the box and on restructuring to help the City find its way out of this situation. Councilor Frye acknowledged the work of Legal Aid Works and he supported level funding for them. Adjourned. There being no more speakers to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Greenlaw declared the hearing officially adjourned at 8:34 p.m. Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council, CMC 20604 Regular Session 05/26/20 HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, MAYOR CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. WILLIAM C. WITHERS, JR., VICE -MAYOR, WARD TWO HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE CITY COUNCIL HON. MATTHEW J. KELLY, AT-LARGE HON. JASON N. GRAHAM, WARD ONE HON. DR. TIMOTHY P. DUFFY, WARD THREE HON. CHARLIE L. FRYE, JR., WARD FOUR Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 May 26, 2020 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a regular session on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, beginning at 7:30 p.m. using electronic communication through GoToMeeting pursuant to and in compliance with the City Council Ordinance 20-05, an ordinance to address Continuity of City Government during the pendency of a pandemic disaster. City Council Present. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Vice-Mayor William C. Withers, Jr., Council members Dr. Timothy P. Duffy, Charlie L. Frye, Jr., Jason N. Graham and Matthew J. Kelly. City Council Absent. Council member Kerry P. Devine, out of town for sick mother. Also Present. City Manager Timothy J. Baroody, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, Assistant City Manager Doug Fawcett, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Community Planning and Building Services Director Charles Johnston, Budget Manager Brenna Erford, Fire Chief Mike Jones, Transportation Administrator Erik Nelson and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Council was led in prayer by Councilor Charlie L. Frye, Jr. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. 20605 Regular Session 05/26/20 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update. Chief Mike Jones reported that in the City there were 136 positive cases, an increase of 35 in the week. There are only 2 new hospitalizations and the City was the only jurisdiction with no reported deaths. In the health district there were 1,354 cases, 295 new cases in the last week, 15 new hospitalizations and two new deaths, both in Spotsylvania County. Today’s statistics had the largest one-day increase of 105. There were seven outbreaks in the region and the largest outbreak was in the health department. Testing was still an issue but they have ramped up the testing recently. The highest age group with the disease were 30-39 year olds next were the 40-49 and then the 20-29 year olds. The age group of 60 and up was declining. The Commonwealth had just under 40,000 cases and a little over 1,200 deaths statewide and 300,000 test had been conducted. Positivity testing was about 14.7 percent. There was plenty of hospital bed capacity. Chief Jones reported that Appomattox and Northern Virginia would be transitioning into Phase I. The Governor reported that there was a mandatory mask policy and everyone entering a public building must have a face covering on. Chief Jones stated that the City was also working on a face covering policy. Councilor Graham asked for clarification on the enforcement of the face covering and Chief Jones said the Governor was vague and said it would fall on the health district to enforce but they do not have the staff to enforce it. Councilor Graham asked if local businesses could contact the police regarding face coverings and Chief Jones stated that if a business post that you must wear a face covering, and a patron does not, they could call the Police Department. He also asked if the health district had hired additional contact tracers and Chief Jones said he was not aware. 20606 Regular Session 05/26/20 Councilor Kelly asked if a person refused to put a mask on what would the charge be and City Attorney said it would be trespassing. She said Chief Layton said the first step would be educational and they would try to avoid the trespassing charges. Mayor Greenlaw thanked Chief Jones for the regular updates and she said she often get regular thank you’s from residents. Public Hearing (D20-167 thru D20-173). The regular session was recessed in order to conduct scheduled public hearings and immediately reconvened upon their conclusion. Citizen Comment. There were no comments submitted to be read during the citizen comment portion of this evening’s meeting. Council Agenda Presented. The following items were presented to Council for discussion. 7A. Work from Home – Councilor Graham 7B. Murder Free Fredericksburg – Councilor Frye 7C. First Responders – Councilor Duffy Work from Home. Councilor Graham spoke about a report that had been released by the Federal Reserve and it discussed the amount of work that had been done from home across the Nation. They found that 63% of all college graduates were working entirely from home and that trend had continued. This would continue permanently for many and he said the City needed to be weary that large office spaces would be a thing of the past. Councilor Graham said he did not want the City to plan too much on this aspect of the economy. He said he believes “work from home” would be a perk for many in the future. 20607 Regular Session 05/26/20 Murder Free Fredericksburg. Councilor Frye reported that to date there had not been any murders in Fredericksburg. He also reminded citizens that they could turn in any unwanted guns to the Fredericksburg Police Department. First Responders. Councilor Duffy reported that a neighbor had suffered a terrible heart situation and he was kept alive by his wife and the police and rescue. He said many things had to come together to save his life and it was done by the first responders working together. He expressed his appreciation for the City staff especially Officer Joe Hall who kept him alive until recue got there. City Manager’s Consent Agenda Accepted for Transmittal as Recommended (D20-174 thru D20-177). Councilor Kelly moved approval of the City Manager’s consent agenda; motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Withers and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Duffy, Frye, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). • Resolution 20-35, Approved, Initiating an Amendment to the 2015 Comprehensive Plan to Amend Chapter 11, "Planning Areas," to Change the Future Land Use of Planning Area 5B (D20-174). • Transmittal of Board and Commission Minutes o Economic Development Authority – March 9, 2020 (D20-175). o Economic Development Authority – March 23, 2020 (D20-176). o Economic Development Authority – April 13, 2020 (D20-177). Adoption of Minutes (D20-178). Councilor Kelly moved approval of the May 5 work session minutes and May 12, 2020 public hearing and regular session minutes; motion 20608 Regular Session 05/26/20 was seconded by Councilor Graham and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Duffy, Frye, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Resolution 20-36, Approved, Granting a Special Use Permit for Eufloria, a Retail Sales Establishment at 915 Lafayette Blvd., Unit D (D20-179). After staff presentation Councilor Kelly moved to approve Resolution 20-36, granting a special use permit for Eufloria, a retail sales establishment at 915 Lafayette Blvd., Unit D; motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Withers and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Duffy, Frye, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Resolution 20-37, Approved, Approving the Community Development Block Grant 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan And 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment to Incorporate CDBG-CV Funds (D20-180). After staff presentation Councilor Duffy made a motion to approve Resolution 20-37, approving the Community Development Block Grant 2015-2020 Consolidated Plan and 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment to incorporate CDBG-CV Funds; motion was seconded by Councilor Graham and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Duffy, Frye, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Resolution 20-38, Approved, Approving the Community Development Block Grant Citizen Participation Plan (D20-180). Councilor Duffy made a motion to approve Resolution 20-38, approving the Community Development Block Grant Citizen Participation Plan; motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Withers and 20609 Regular Session 05/26/20 passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Duffy, Frye, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Resolution 20-39, Approved, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Fiscal Year 2020 Asphalt Rehabilitation Program Contract with Fredericksburg Asphalt and Paving (D20-181). Staff gave a brief presentation and Councilor Graham made a motion to approved Resolution 20-39, authorizing the City Manager to execute the Fiscal Year 2020 Asphalt Rehabilitation Program Contract with Fredericksburg Asphalt and Paving; motion was seconded by Councilor Kelly and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Duffy, Frye, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Resolution 20-40, Approved, Initiating an Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to Update Fredericksburg’s Transportation Projects Identified in the FAMPO 2040 Constrained Long Range Plan and Projects Not Yet Included in the Long Range Plan (D20-182). After staff presentation Councilor Kelly moved approval of Resolution 20-40, initiating an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to update Fredericksburg’s transportation projects identified in the FAMPO 2040 Constrained Long Range Plan and projects not yet included in the Long Range Plan; motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Withers and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Duffy, Frye, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). City Manager’s Report and Council Calendar (D20-183 thru D20- 184). City Manager Baroody directed the Council’s attention to the Manager’s Update: 20610 Regular Session 05/26/20 Virtual Memorial Day Remembrance, New Tourism Campaign, Farmer’s Market Opened for the Season with Restrictions, Chatham Bridge Closures, Upcoming Budget Work Sessions and Meetings, COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Census 2020, Step Outside, Say Hello!, New Trail Marking Reminders, Free Activity Bags and Fred Focus. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Greenlaw declared the meeting officially adjourned at 9:06 p.m. Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council, CMC 20611 Regular Session 05/26/20 [This page intentionally left blank.] 20612