City Council

Special Session 02/13/25 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. SUSANNA R. FINN, WARD THREE Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 February 13, 2025 The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia, met in special session on Thursday, February 13, 2024, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall. City Council Present. Mayor Kerry P. Devine. Vice-Mayor Charlie L. Frye, Jr., Council members Susanna R. Finn, 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 Kelly J. Lackey and Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Purpose. The purpose of this special session was as follows: • Motion to Certify Closed Meeting of January 28 and February 4, 2025 • Nomination of the Ward 3 Candidate and Motion to Appoint • Oath of Office Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was opened with prayer by Councilor Jason N. Graham followed by the Pledge of Allegiance also led by Councilor Jason N. Graham. 22415 Special Session 02/13/25 Certification of Closed Meetings of January 28, 2025 and February 4, 2025. Councilor Mackintosh made a motion to certify the January 28, 2025 and the February 4, 2025 closed sessions. A roll call vote was taken with a unanimous vote. Ayes (6) Devine, Frye, Gerlach, Graham, Holmes, Mackintosh. Nays (0). Nomination of the Ward 3 Candidate. Mayor Devine stated that Dr. Timothy Duffy had resigned his seat on Council effective January 1, 2025 and Council invited Ward 3 residents interested in serving the remainder of Dr. Duffy’s term to submit applications from December 27 to January 15. At the January 28 meeting, Mayor Devine announced the names of the fourteen applicants expressing the intention of the City Council to deliberate in a closed meeting to narrow the list of applicants to a manageable number of applicants to interview. The Council reconvened in closed session on February 4 to interview the short list of applicants. The City Charter requires the Council to act quickly, in the event of delay or the inability of the Council to act within 45 days of a vacancy, the appointment would be made by the Circuit Court judge. The deadline to act to fill the vacancy was February 15. On behalf of the Council, Mayor Devine extended sincere thanks to all the applicants. She said it was encouraging to see that much interest from so many accomplished and well-credentialed candidates. The Council appreciated their willingness to serve the community and she noted there were other opportunities to get involved such as the board and commissions. 22416 Special Session 02/13/25 Mayor Devine called for nominations for the Ward 3 seat. The Clerk of Council listed the four finalist that were interviewed: Scott Cole, Susanna Finn, Thomas Johnson and Pamela Scruggs. After the recorded vote was taken, Susanna R. Finn was appointed to serve as the Ward 3 Councilor with a vote resulting between applicants Scott Cole, Susanna Finn, Thomas Johnson and Pamela Scruggs. Cole (0); Finn (6) Devine, Frye, Gerlach, Graham, Holmes, Mackintosh; Johnson (0); Scruggs (0). Mayor Devine said it was with great pleasure to have voted for Ms. Finn. She stated that Ms. Finn had unique professional qualifications: 10 years in urban planning, certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners, educational background in historic preservation to the University of Mary Washington. These qualifications will help Fredericksburg move forward in a way that honors and preserves the rich history and heritage. Ms. Finn’s personal life lends itself to experiencing many aspects of the community first hand. She has two children one is enrolled in the City schools and they other will be in the future. Her husband is a former City police officer who currently works in IT. She and her family made their home in College Heights for several years and now resides in Great Oaks where she serves as the Homeowners Association President. Her daily consecutiveness to the schools, safety, trails, parks and recreation, neighborhoods help to understand the pressures and needs of the community. Ms. Finn has committed to reaching out to Ward 3 neighborhoods and residents. 22417 Special Session 02/13/25 Mayor Devine addressed the process Council took to make the appointment. She stated it was an unfamiliar process, used once in the last several decades and there were no written records and conflicting recollection of how the process was undertaken. The Charter spells out the process that the Council followed. She noted it was the process the School Board has followed when they needed to fill a vacancy. The Council advertised, reviewed, and accepted applications, announced the applicants, and narrowed to the four interviewees. The interviews were thorough and sought a candidate who would thoughtful deliberate, would be intentional about listening to constituents and work to build consensus through difficult conversations and issues. Mayor Devine said the learned from and listened to constituents concerns and the process was done with integrity and in the best interest of the City. Resumes of the 14 candidates can be reviewed at the Clerk of Council’s office in City Hall. She said she was looking forward to working with Ms. Finn and the Council to debate, discuss and decide the tough issues that lay ahead for the City. Swearing in of Newly Elected Members of City Council. The Honorable Gordon F. Willis, Judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Court of Virginia, administered the oath of office to Susanna Finn. Ms. Finn Joined the Council at the dais. Councilor Finn stated that she was honored to fill the Ward 3 vacancy that was left vacant by Dr. Duffy. She expressed her appreciation for his service to the city. She thanked the Council for putting their trust in her to serve Ward 3 and she is committed to working on behalf of residents. 22418 Special Session 02/13/25 Councilor Finn introduced herself and her family to the public. She said Fredericksburg has been her chosen home all of her adult life. She met her husband here and they grew their family with two daughters. They bought their first home in College Heights and she now lives in the Great Oaks neighborhood. She and her family can be found at the library, the farmer’s market and the parks. Councilor Finn said she was looking forward to working with the residents of Ward 3. She came to the City to attend the University of Mary Washington to study historic preservation and she realized that the most successful preservation was achieved through good planning. After graduating, Ms. Finn attended Virginia Commonwealth University and earned her Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning. After graduate school she join the City staff as the Community Development Planner where she administered grants, supporting the low and moderate income households, collaborated with non- profit community service providers and she worked heavily on the Small Area Plans process. Councilor Finn advanced her career in military planning and she has sharpened her skills in the areas of strategic planning, capital improvement forecasting and team leadership. She has served on the Planning Commission for the past few years and most recently serving as the Chair. Councilor Finn was excited about the future of the City and she was confident that with genuine collaboration they could overcome challenges and enact positive solutions. She aims to bring a practical solutions approach combined with a friendly spirit and a strong dedication to making decisions that reflect the values and needs of 22419 Special Session 02/13/25 the residents. She hoped to earn the trust of the Ward 3 neighbors and be able to represent their voice and best interest as part of the Council. She said Fredericksburg was rich in history, culture and opportunity but it is the community and the people that make it special. Councilor Gerlach stated that there were very qualified people that applied for the position and his personal decision came down to the fact that Councilor Finn was highly qualified for this position. She knows more about land use than anyone sitting at the dais does and the City will be dealing with serious land use issues over the next ten months. He said she deals with complex issues in a fair way and without a personal agenda and he said, he respected that. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Mayor Devine declared the meeting officially adjourned at 2:14 p.m. Kerry P. Devine Kerry P. Devine, Mayor Tonya B. Lacey Tonya B. Lacey, Clerk of Council 22420