City Council

Special Session 04/05/22 HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, MAYOR CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. CHARLIE L. FRYE, JR., VICE -MAYOR, WARD FOUR HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE CITY COUNCIL HON. MATTHEW J. KELLY, AT-LARGE HON. JASON N. GRAHAM, WARD ONE HON. JONATHAN A. GERLACH, WARD TWO HON. DR. TIMOTHY P. DUFFY, WARD THREE Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 April 5, 2022 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a special session on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, beginning at 7:04 p.m. at the Walker-Grant Center, School Board Meeting Room. City Council Present. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw. Vice-Mayor Charlie L. Frye, Jr., Council members Dr. Timothy P. Duffy, Jonathan A. Gerlach, Jason N. Graham, and Matthew J. Kelly. City Council Absent. Kerry P. Devine. Others Present. City Manager Timothy J. Baroody, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, Assistant City Manager David Brown, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Finance Director Robyn Shugart, Assistant Finance Director Richard Lawrence, Budget Analyst Donna Leahy and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Council was led in prayer by Councilor Frye followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Mayor Greenlaw. Introduction of Guest from Sister City Schwetzingen, Germany. Mayor Greenlaw introduced Lord Mayor Rene Poltl and Council Members Markus Buerger, Rita Erny and Elfriede Fackel Kertz Keller. 21341 Special Session 04/05/22 Ordinance 22-04, First Read Approved, Eliminating the Annual Motor Vehicle License Fee and Clarifying the Residency Requirement for a Resident Motor Vehicle Decal. (D22-109). Finance Director Shugart explained that the two ordinance that were being proposed would normalize the personal property bills for citizens by reducing the rate to $2.95 along with eliminating the $20 vehicle license fee for vehicles and $15 for motorcycles. She stated that by taking these measures it would put the rate closer to last year’s rates. Councilor Kelly wanted to be sure that the public understood that this action was going to save people money. He also mentioned that a citizen wrote in with concerns about removing the licensing fee and he said this would help to prevent citizens getting hit with a large tax increase. Ms. Shugart explained the reason for these changes and all the variables they had to consider before setting these rates. She said this rate would normalize the rate to allow for the generation of the same amount of revenue as collected the year prior. Councilor Graham made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-04, on first read, eliminating the annual motor vehicle license fee and clarifying the residency requirement for a resident motor vehicle decal; motion was seconded by Councilor Kelly. Councilor Gerlach stated that members of the public were concerned about the speed of the vote on this ordinance with no opportunity for the public to speak. He also stated that in the future he would like to look at a lower personal property rate for the elderly and disabled. 21342 Special Session 04/05/22 Mayor Greenlaw explained that in order to get a reduction for the May tax bill the Council had to act now. City Attorney Dooley further explained that if the decision was to lower the rate for the year it had to be done now. She said the Council could not come back later and lower the rate for the November billing. The motion passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Gerlach, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Motion to Suspend the Rules. In order to place Ordinance 22-04 on for second read Councilor Kelly moved to suspend the rules; motion was seconded by Councilor Graham and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Gerlach, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Ordinance 22-04, Second Read Approved, Eliminating the Annual Motor Vehicle License Fee and Clarifying the Residency Requirement for a Resident Motor Vehicle Decal (D22-109). Councilor Graham made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-04, on second read, eliminating the annual motor vehicle license fee and clarifying the residency requirement for a resident motor vehicle decal; motion was seconded by Councilor Kelly and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Gerlach, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Ordinance 22-05, First Read Approved, Establishing Certain Motor Vehicles as a Separate Classification of Tangible Personal Property, and Adopting a Separate Tax Rate for this Classification, to Offset the Increase 21343 Special Session 04/05/22 in Assessed Values in Motor Vehicles Due to Supply Chain Disruptions Attributed to the Pandemic, for the Fiscal Year 2023; and Suspending Penalties for Late Payment of Tangible Personal Property Taxes Due on May 15, 2022 (D22-110). Councilor Graham made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-05, on first read, establishing certain motor vehicles as a separate classification of tangible personal property, and adopting a separate tax rate for this classification, to offset the increase in assessed values in motor vehicles due to supply chain disruptions attributed to the pandemic, for the Fiscal Year 2023; and suspending penalties for late payment of tangible personal property taxes due on May 15, 2022; motion was seconded by Councilor Kelly and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Gerlach, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Motion to Suspend the Rules. In order to place Ordinance 22-05 on for second read Councilor Graham moved to suspend the rules; motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Frye and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Gerlach, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Ordinance 22-05, Second Read Approved, Establishing Certain Motor Vehicles as a Separate Classification of Tangible Personal Property, and Adopting a Separate Tax Rate for this Classification, to Offset the Increase in Assessed Values in Motor Vehicles Due to Supply Chain Disruptions Attributed to the Pandemic, for the Fiscal Year 2023; and 21344 Special Session 04/05/22 Suspending Penalties for Late Payment of Tangible Personal Property Taxes Due on May 15, 2022 (D22-110). Councilor Graham made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-05, on second read, establishing certain motor vehicles as a separate classification of tangible personal property, and adopting a separate tax rate for this classification, to offset the increase in assessed values in motor vehicles due to supply chain disruptions attributed to the pandemic, for the Fiscal Year 2023; and suspending penalties for late payment of tangible personal property taxes due on May 15, 2022; motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Frye and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Gerlach, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Resolution 22-20, Approved, Setting the Personal Property Tax Relief Percentage for the 2022 Billing in Accordance with the Changes to the Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 1998 (D22-111). Councilor Graham made a motion to approve Resolution 22-20, setting the personal property tax relief percentage for the 2022 billing in accordance with the changes to the Personal Property Tax Relief Act of 1998; motion was seconded by Councilor Gerlach and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Devine, Duffy, Gerlach, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Adjourned. There being no more business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Greenlaw declared the meeting officially adjourned at 7:32 p.m. 21345 Special Session 04/05/22 Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council, MMC 21346