City Council

Regular Session 04/12/22 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 12, 2022 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a regular session on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. 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. Council member Kerry P. Devine, due to illness. Others Present. City Manager Timothy J. Baroody, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, Assistant City Attorney Dori Martin and Deputy Clerk of Council Brenda T. Martin. Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Council was led in prayer by Councilor Matthew J. Kelly followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Jason N. Graham. Officer Recognized. Mayor Greenlaw recognized the presence of Sergeant Dring, at this evening’s meeting. Consent Agenda Accepted for Transmittal as Recommended (D22- 112 thru D22-115). Councilor Kelly moved approval of the City Manager’s consent 21347 Regular Session 04/12/22 agenda; motion was seconded by Councilor Graham and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Duffy, Gerlach, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). • Resolution 22-21, Extending the term of the Verizon Cable Television Franchise (D22-112). • Transmittal of Board and Commission Minutes o Clean & Green Commission – February 7, 2022 (D22-113). o Economic Development Authority – February 14, 2022 (D22-114). o Fredericksburg Arts Commission – February 16, 2022 (D22-115). Citizen Comment. The following comments were given and/or submitted to be read during the citizen comment portion of this evening’s meeting. Amber Peebles, 400 Hanover Street, thanked the Council for no longer regulating taxi rates and allowing the free-market to determine the rates. She then spoke to raise awareness of the use and abuse of Old Mill and Hurkamp Parks in regards to trash. She displayed photos of the piles of trash bags and empty alcohol containers. She said Old Mill Park is being used for people to dump their trash and others leave their trash behind while using the parks. Each park has its own set of issues. She encouraged the Council to treat the abuse of the parks with as much concern and focus as they did by enacting the bag tax to protect the Rappahannock River. Ms. Peebles asked the members of Council to conduct random site inspection of the parks and to be personally accountable by identifying standards and committing to enforcement of 21348 Regular Session 04/12/22 these standards. She noted that the last two years have been a difficult time for the city due to the pandemic and its many impacts. Brian Crumpler (D22-115.1), 326 Cannon Circle, submitted comments recognizing the essential work of the city’s 9-1-1 telecommunications operators during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. Our public safety telecommunicators are the eyes and ears of those in the city to those who are experiencing an emergency – asking for help on the worst days of their lives. He thanked them for their service, dedication and professionalism. See D22-115.1 for more information. Andrew Michael Wolfenbarger (D22-115.2), 1324 Walker Drive, submitted comments on the land use in the Idlewild community stating that the available land is not sufficient to support both a great middle school and the office space. Most modern middle schools are 40-60+ acres in size. The current feasibly study appears to try to build an entire middle school site on just 24 acres. Outdoor recreational space needs to be included. He started a change.org petition at (bit.ly/yes2school) last evening and by early morning there were already over 100 signatures with many comments from residents regarding the space for the school site along with office space. See D22-115.2 for more information. Emily Hopely (D22-115.3), 1517 Idlewild Boulevard, submitted comments supporting the use of the land in the Idlewild subdivision for a site for a school but not for office buildings. The land for the school needs to have green space for the school not for commercial space. See D22-115.3 for more information. 21349 Regular Session 04/12/22 Robert Belcourt (D22-115.4), 2014 Idlewild Boulevard, submitted comments requesting the tracts of available land in Idlewild not be given or swapped with Mary Washington Healthcare in order for them to build a multi-level office building. He stated the idea of the city obtaining the former hospital site which will require many upgrades and renovations is not responsible. He asked the City to place the entrance to any new middle school off of Gateway Blvd, rather than Idlewild Blvd. for the effects of traffic and noise on the neighborhood. See D22-115.4 for more information. Frank Villamizar (D22-115.5), 1109 Hoke Lane, submitted comments related to the building a middle school and medical facilities on the land in Idlewild which would be 150 feet from his backyard. He asked that Council reconsider the placement of the school due to the impacts it would have on the woods and peaceful scenery. He is concerned over the noise pollution this project would bring to the neighborhood and his backyard. See D22-115.5 for more information. Denise Hwang (D22-115.6), 1207 Semple Court, submitted comments supporting the proposed office building to support the Mary Washington Healthcare system in the Village of Idlewild. Her husband is a physician and they relocated because of the healthcare system and she supports any project that expands access to high- quality healthcare and enables the region to recruit and retain the very best providers. See D22-115.6 for more information. Council Agenda Presented. The following items were presented to Council for discussion. 8A. Apology to Staff – Councilor Kelly 21350 Regular Session 04/12/22 Apology to Staff. Councilor Kelly stated that at the recent joint public hearing on the school’s interim agreement at James Monroe High School on March 24, he errored in saying that it was the first time he had seen the operational costs as it relates to the schools. After the meeting, the City Manager showed him that this information was in the budget and had been in prior Council presentations. He stated that he sent an email to staff apologizing for the error but he wanted to state it as well at this meeting for the public to hear. He values his relationship with the staff and does not want to put them in a bad light for something that he errored in saying. Trash in Parks. Councilor Gerlach thanked Amber Peebles for coming to speak about the trash in the parks. He shares these concerns and he knows a lot of residents do as well. He has met with Todd Brown the new Director of Parks, Recreation and Events and had a productive discussion on solutions and extra efforts the staff will be providing such as collecting trash twice daily and on weekends in Old Mill Park and the trails. Additionally, a large “bear box” will be installed at the entrance of Ficklin Island to assist with trash collection along the Heritage Trail and near the island. The new parks strategic plan which will be discussed soon with Council, will recommend maintenance plans and best practices for trash collections. Congratulations. Councilor Duffy congratulated and recognized the accomplishments of Shakira Austin a former Walker-Grant Middle School and James Monroe High School student who was the third player drafted last night by the WNBA to the Washington Mystics. He congratulated her and her family and her grandmother who was at the draft. 21351 Regular Session 04/12/22 Fredericksburg Gun Give Back. Vice-Mayor Frye reminded everyone of the May 7 event at the Police Department which will collect unwanted firearms. He thanked he Police and Sheriff Departments for their support. The annual event has collected over 200 weapons on a volunteer basis. Adoption of Minutes. Councilor Kelly moved approval of the March 22, 2022 Regular Session minutes and the March 24, 2022 Special Public Hearing and the March 29, 2022 and April 5, 2022 Special Session minutes; motion was seconded by Councilor Graham and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Duffy, Gerlach, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). Resolution 22-22, Releasing & Re-Assigning Fund Balance Assigned for Pandemic Response (D22-116). Assistant City Manager Whitley explained the $2 million set aside of fund balance for unknown pandemic response needs has not been needed due to the generous support from the federal government, good recovery of parts of our local economy and reduction in expenditures. Therefore, staff recommends releasing the assignment for pandemic response and re-assigning those funds for future City capital needs and jail stabilization fund. Councilor Kelly made a motion to approved Resolution 22-22, releasing and re- assigning fund balance assigned for pandemic response; motion was seconded by Councilor Graham and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (6). Councilors Greenlaw, Frye, Duffy, Gerlach, Graham and Kelly. Nays (0). 21352 Regular Session 04/12/22 City Manager’s Report and Council Calendar (D22-117 thru D22- 118). City Manager Baroody directed the Council’s attention to the Manager’s Update: Arbor Day Celebration, Fiscal Year 2023 Recommended Budget Meetings, April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, Gun Give Back Event, City Spring Community Week, Abundant Parking Downtown, Wall of Honor, Marine Corps Historic Half, Semper 5ive Miler and Devil Dog Double Runs, COVID-19 Vaccinations, Traffic Safety Initiative, Board and Commission Openings, Annual Earth Day Festival, Parks, Recreation and Events Summer Catalog, Spring Programs and Fred Focus. He highlighted the FY 2023 Budget Public Hearing for April 19 at 7 p.m. He reminded the public to contact the City Manager’s Office at (540) 372-1010 with any questions or concerns regarding the recommended budget. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Greenlaw declared the meeting officially adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Mayor Brenda T. Martin Brenda T. Martin, Deputy Clerk of Council 21353 Regular Session 04/12/22 [This page intentionally left blank.] 21354