City Council

Public Hearing 04/16/24 HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, MAYOR CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. CHARLIE L. FRYE, JR., VICE -MAYOR, WARD FOUR HON. JANNAN W. HOLMES, AT-LARGE CITY COUNCIL HON. DR. WILL B. MACKINTOSH, 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 16, 2024 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, held a public hearing on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. City Council Present. Mayor Kerry P. Devine. Vice-Mayor Charlie L. Frye, Jr., Council members Dr. Timothy P. Duffy, Jonathan A. Gerlach, Jason N. Graham, Jannan W. Holmes and Dr. Will B. Mackintosh. Others Present. City Manager Timothy J. Baroody, Assistant City Manager Mark Whitley, Assistant City Manager David Brown, City Attorney Kathleen Dooley, Planning and Building Services Director Charles Johnston, Finance Director Robyn Shugart, Budget Analyst Donna Leahy, and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Council was led in prayer by Vice-Mayor Charlie Frye followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilor Jason N. Graham. Officer Recognized. Mayor Devine recognized the presence of Officers Diego Duran and Luke Garrant at this evening’s meeting. 22119 Public Hearing 04/16/24 Disclosures. Vice-Mayor Frye disclosed that his wife was employed by the Fredericksburg City Public School System, but he could participate in the budget discussion fairly, objectively and in the public interest. Councilor Duffy disclosed that he was employed by the Fredericksburg City Public School System, but he could participate in the budget discussion fairly, objectively and in the public interest. Councilor Holmes disclosed that she is a member of a business, profession, occupation or group or more members affected by the transaction, namely: She provide services to students of the City Schools under a grant funded contract with Fredericksburg Public Schools but she could participate in the budget discussion fairly, objectively and in the public interest. Planning Commission – Capital Improvement Project (D24-158). Planning Commission member Mr. Lynch provided feedback on the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). He said they looked closely at plans like the Pathways Plan, the Comprehensive Plan to make recommendations to the City Manager so that they can be considered in the CIP. Mr. Lynch said the Planning Commission was impressed with the way the Council, Mr. Baroody and staff have balanced the ongoing capital needs of the City with continuous investment especially in terms of the rights-of-ways. He said it balances growth and keeps an eye on the maintenance and repair of the city’s existing assets. Mr. Lynch specifically spoke about the level of investment in the asphalt and concrete repair program and sidewalk maintenance. He noted that this was funded 22120 Public Hearing 04/16/24 between $1.1 million to $1.2 million on an annual allocation and he said this creates an opportunity for the City to gain ground on some of the capital items that can sometimes run up the budget, but he said when they are strategically deployed as part of a routine asphalt and concrete repair program, it can be done at a fraction of the cost. Coming up in FY2026, there was a Pavement Condition Study which quantifies and looks forward to phasing out the asphalt repair in strategic chunks. Mr. Lynch said when you look ahead you can plan out street improvements in a better way and this can save the City money. He stated that resurfacing cycles can present opportunities for complete street retrofits and improvements (crosswalks, daylighting intersections, bump outs). Mr. Lynch on behalf of the Planning Commission made three recommendations: develop an extended and more formal timeline for the disclosure of streets that are coming up for repaving; City Council should be able to look at the proposal for the street improvement and finally create a committee or empower and existing committee with the responsibility for reviewing the street improvements. The committee could consist of a City Council representative, Planning Commission Representative, city staff, University of Mary Washington and other stakeholders. Councilor Mackintosh was appreciative of the work and he was impressed with the recommendations. He questioned the timing, because of the type of work, he explained that when spring comes you need to get moving with the paving and concrete work as soon as possible. Mr. Lynch agreed and stated that the process could be started earlier in the year. 22121 Public Hearing 04/16/24 Councilor Graham was also impressed with the presentation and he asked if they looked at narrowing lane widths or adding bike lanes or adjusting paint. Mr. Lynch agreed and said this was one of the most cost effective ways to slow traffic and protect pedestrians. Councilor Gerlach was in agreement with Councilors Graham and Mackintosh. He said this was an excellent idea and it could help the progress on making the City a more walkable, bikeable City. Notice of Public Hearings (D24-159 thru D24-161). The Clerk read the notice of the public hearings as it appeared in the local newspaper, the purpose being to solicit citizen input. • Fiscal Year 2025 Recommended Operating and Capital Budget • Proposed Increase in Water & Sewer Rates and Fees • Proposed Increase in Tax on Admissions • Proposed Increase in Tobacco (Cigarette) Tax • Proposed Increase in Courthouse Security Fees Staff Presentation (D24-162). Budget Analyst Leahy presented a PowerPoint presentation in her presentation she discussed the City Manager’s Fiscal Year 2025 Recommended Operating and Capital Budget, Taxes and Fees (Real Estate Tax Rate, Fire Tax, Admissions Tax Rate & Courthouse Security Fees, Tobacco (Cigarette Tax, Water & Sewer Rates and Fees), Personnel, Propositions, and Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Calendar. See D24-162 for more information. 22122 Public Hearing 04/16/24 Ann Kloechner, Executive Director, Legal Aid Works (LAW). Stated that they have been serving since 1973. She said they were asking level funding. They currently have three full-time attorneys and one part-time attorney in the Fredericksburg Office. This office covers five counties and fifteen courts in the planning district. Ms. Kloechner said they represent low income people who need an attorney in civil legal matters. She said they are the only agency that provides this service. Within the City there are 3,900 eligible low income persons who could qualify for services. She added that they take the strain off social services, they help the court system run efficiently and they aid law enforcement by working with victims of violence to secure protective orders. Last year they provided services for 78 City residents. She thanked the Council for their support. Sam McKelvey, President and CEO, Fredericksburg Area Museum. Thanked the Council for its continued support. He said the City has been partnering with the museum since the 1980’s. He said that partnership was the reason he came to the City. He spoke about how the City and the community was supportive of the programs and events they hold at the museum. He also spoke of how diverse the community is and how that makes the City so special. Mr. McKelvey commended the City for bringing on Dr. Gaila Sims at the museum and he spoke about all the work she has done with African American history in the City. He thanked the Council and asked for level funding. Magnolia Martin, Board Member, Big Brothers Big Sisters Board Member. She thanked the Council for their unwavering support in the past. She said that support has 22123 Public Hearing 04/16/24 enabled them to pursue their mission of fostering one to one mentoring relationships. Ms. Martin asked the Council for level funding of $10,000. This contribution was crucial and plays an important role in empowering local youth. Ms. Martin said they are an evidence based prevention program and statistics show that 92% of littles are confident that they can say no to drugs, violence and skipping school, 86% of littles have better grades, academic goals and confidence and 82% maintain or improved mental health and well-being. David Cooper, Chief Executive at Thurman Brisben Center. The Brisben Center has served this community since 1988 and they have served over twenty thousand individuals. He said they are working on productive citizens, returning to the community therefore he was asking for level funding. Mr. Cooper said with that funding they could continue to support two case managers and expand so they can serve more people in the shelter. Rebecca Light (D24-163), 207 Pitt Street, spoke of how the City of Fredericksburg was ranked the 2nd best place for seniors to live in the United States. She said as the City Council was looking at the draft of Capital Improvement Projects the first item listed is housing. “Real Property Tax is recommended to be increased by 5.5% and there are also proposed increases in water and sewer rates and fees and other potential impacts on senior’s cost-of-living here. She said it was incumbent upon the Council to consider what was projected to be the fastest-growing demographic, the senior citizens, so that they can continue living out their lives in the City. 22124 Public Hearing 04/16/24 Adjourned. There being no speakers to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Kerry P. Devine declared the hearing officially adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Kerry P. Devine Kerry P. Devine, Mayor Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council, MMC APPROVED 10-10-23 22125 Public Hearing 04/16/24 [This page intentionally left blank] 22126